Geochemistry and Petrogenesis of Intracontinental Basaltic Volcanism on the Northwest Arabian Plate,Gaziantep Basin,Southeast Anatolia,Turkey

Volcanism along the northwest boundary of the Arabian Plate found in the Gaziantep Basin, southeast Turkey, is of Miocene age and is of alkaline and calc-alkaline basic composition. The rare earth element data for both compositional series indicates spinel–peridotite source areas. The rare earth and trace elements of the alkaline lavas originate from a highly primitive and slightly contaminated asthenospheric mantle; those of the calc-alkaline lavas originate from a highly heterogeneous, asthenospheric, and lithospheric mantle source. Partial melting and magmatic differentiation processes played a role in the formation of the petrological features of these volcanics. These rocks form two groups on the basis of their ~(87) Sr/~(86) Sr and ~(143) Nd/~(144) Nd isotopic compositions in addition to their classifications based on their chemical compositions(alkaline and calc-alkaline). These isotopic differences indicate a dissimilar parental magma. Therefore, high Nd isotope samples imply a previously formed and highly primitive mantle whereas low Nd isotope samples may indicate comparable partial melting of an enriched heterogeneous shallow mantle. Other isotopic changes that do not conform to the chemical features of these lavas are partly related to the various tectonic events of the region, such as the Dead Sea Fault System and the Bitlis Suture Zone.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987116000311

Greenstone basalts and komatiites provide a means to track both mantle composition and magma generation temperature with time.Four types of mantle are characterized from incompatible element distributions in basalts and komatiites:depleted,hydrated,enriched and mantle from which komatiites are derived.Our most important observation is the recognition for the first time of what we refer to as a Great Thermal Divergence within the mantle beginning near the end of the Archean,which we ascribe to thermal and convective evolution.Prior to 2.5 Ga,depleted and enriched mantle have indistinguishable thermal histories,whereas at 2.5-2.0 Ga a divergence in mantle magma generation temperature begins between these two types of mantle.Major and incompatible element distributions and calculated magma generation temperatures suggest that Archean enriched mantle did not come from mantle plumes,but was part of an undifferentiated or well-mixed mantle similar in composition to calculated primitive mantle.During this time,however,high-temperature mantle plumes from dominantly depleted sources gave rise to komatiites and associated basalts.Recycling of oceanic crust into the deep mantle after the Archean may have contributed to enrichment of Ti,Al,Ca and Na in basalts derived from enriched mantle sources.After 2.5 Ga,increases in Mg~# in basalts from depleted mantle and decreases in Fe and Mn reflect some combination of growing depletion and cooling of depleted mantle with time.A delay in cooling of depleted mantle until after the Archean probably reflects a combination of greater radiogenic heat sources in the Archean mantle and the propagation of plate tectonics after 3 Ga.     

The Principles for Discrimination of the Source Composition of Mantle-Derived Igneous Rocks and the Nature of the Mantle Source Region of the Emeishan Basalts

This paper discusses the discrimination principles. deduction and methods for probing into the source composition of mantle-derived magma. The magmatophile (incompatible) source elements are not all optimal tracers for mantle source composition. The ratios of two strong magmatophile elements (D<1) or the ratios of two trace elements with the same D value are not controlled by the formation mode and evolution degree of a magma, but maintain the characteristics of their composition in mantle source region prior to the magma formation. The ratios are related to different mantle-crust structures and dynamics. The mantle source composition of the Emeishan Basalt series is similar to that of the South Atlantic Rio Grande Rise-Walvis Ridge Basalts and Brazil continental-margin basalts. This may indicate that these basalt series might have similar source regions and tectonic environments.     

Guandishan Granitoids of the Paleoproterozoic Lüliang Metamorphic Complex in the Trans-North China Orogen: SHRIMP Zircon Ages, Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

Abstract: The Paleoproterozoic Lüliang Metamorphic Complex (PLMC) is situated in the middle segment of the western margin of the Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO), North China Craton (NCC). As the most important lithological assemblages in the southern part of the PLMC, Guandishan granitoids consist of early gneissic tonalities, granodiorites and gneissic monzogranites, and younger gneissic to massive monzogranites. Petrochemical features reveal that the early gneissic tonalities and granodiorites belong to the medium-K calc-alkaline series; the early gneissic monzogranites are transitional from high-K calc-alkaline to the shoshonite series; the younger gneissic to massive monzogranites belong to the high-k calc-alkaline series, and all rocks are characterized by right-declined REE patterns and negative Nb, Ta, Sr, P, and Ti anomalies in the primitive mantle normalized spidergrams. SHRIMP zircon U–Pb isotopic dating reveals that the early gneissic tonalities and granodiorites formed at ~2.17 Ga, the early gneissic monzogranites at ~2.06 Ga, and the younger gneissic to massive monzogranites at ~1.84 Ga. Sm–Nd isotopic data show that the early gneissic tonalities and granodiorites have εNd(t) values of +0.48 to ?3.19 with Nd-depleted mantle model ages (TDM) of 2.76–2.47 Ga, and early gneissic monzogranites have εNd(t) values of ?0.53 to ?2.51 with TDM of 2.61–2.43 Ga, and the younger gneissic monzogranites have εNd(t) values of ?6.41 to ?2.78 with a TDM of 2.69–2.52 Ga.These geochemical and isotopic data indicate that the early gneissic tonalities, granodiorites, and monzogranites were derived from the partial melting of metamorphosed basaltic and pelitic rocks, respectively, in a continental arc setting. The younger gneissic to massive monzogranites were derived by partial melting of metamorphosed greywackes within the continental crust. Combined with previously regional data, we suggest that the Paleoproterozoic granitoid magmatism in the Guandishan granitoids of the PLMC may provide the best geological signature for the complete spectrum of Paleoproterozoic geodynamic processes in the Trans-North China Orogen from oceanic subduction, through collisional orogenesis, to post-orogenic extension and uplift.     

Crustal reworking and orogenic styles inferred from zircon Hf isotopes:Proterozoic examples from the North Atlantic region

Zircon Hf evolutionary patterns are powerful tools to investiage magma petrogenesis and crustal evolution. The ~(176)Hf/~(177)Hf isotopic signature of a rock is particularly informative and can be used to derive an estimation of the time when mantle extraction and diagnose closed system reworking where successive samples through time define an Hf evolution array dependant on the source Lu/Hf ratio. However, many magmatic events require new mantle addition as the thermal impetus for melting pre-existing crust. In this situation, rather than simply reflecting reworking, the isotopic signature indicates mixing with contributions from both reworked crust and new radiogenic input. Different geodynamic settings have different propensities for either reworking or addition of new mantle-derived magma. Hence, Hf-time trends carry within them a record, albeit cryptic, of the evolving geodynamic environment as different tectonic configurations recycle and add new crust at different rates, magnitudes, and from different sources. As an example of the difference in apparent Hf evolution slopes, we present Hf-time compilations from three geographically distinct Meso-to Neoproterozoic orogenic belts in the North Atlantic Region whose geodynamic configurations remain a subject of debate. We use the εHf/Ma trajectory to assist in understanding their evolution. The εHf/Ma trajectory of the Sveconorwegian Orogen corresponds to a ~(176)Lu/~(177) Hf ratio of 0.012, which implies a process driven primarily by reworking of preexisting crust that is balanced with input from the depleted mantle resulting in a relatively shallowεHf/Ma slope. The Valhalla Orogen reveals a similar comparatively shallow εHf/Ma path. In stark contrast to these patterns is the steep εHf/Ma trajectory of the Grenville Orogen that requires a mixing process involving a greater contribution of old crust of at least ～ 1.8 Ga age. The degree of reworking required to produce the εHf/Ma trend of the Grenville Orogen is consistent with a continent-continent collisional orogeny whereas both Sveconorwegian and Valhalla orogens appear more consistent with accretionary margins.     

Sm／Nd Evolution of Upper Mantle and Continental Crust：Constraints on Gowth Rates of the Continental Crust

A new approach to the investigation of the Sm/Nd evolution of the upper mantle directly from the data on lherzolite xenoliths is described in this paper.It is demonstrated that the model age TCHUR of an unmetasomatic iherzolite zenolith ca represent the mean depletion age of its mantle source, thus presenting a correlation trend between f^Sm/Nd and the mean depletion age of the upper mantle from the data on xenoliths.This correlation trend can also be derived from the data on river suspended loads as well as from granitoids.Based on the correlation trend mentioned above and mean depletion ages of the upper mantle at various geological times, an evolution curve for the mean f^Sm/Nd value of the upper mantle through geological time has been established.It is suggested that the upwilling of lower mantle material into the upper mantle and the recycling of continental crust material during the Archean were more active ,thus maintaining fairly constantf^Sm/Nd and εNd values during this time period. Similarly ,an evolution curve for the mean f^Sm/Nd value of the continental crust through geological time has also been established from the data of continental crust material.In the light of both evolution curves for the upper mantle and continental crust ,a growth curve for the continental crust has been worked out ,suggesting that :(1)about 30%(in volume )of the present crust was present as the continental crust at 3.8 Ga ago ;(2)the growth rate was much lower during the Archean ;and (3)the Proterozoic is another major period of time during which the continental crust wsa built up .     

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2015.11.008

Mafic rocks comprising tholeiitic pillow basalt,dolerite and minor gabbro form the basal stratigraphic unit in the ca.2.8 to 2.6 Ga Geita Greenstone Belt situated in the NW Tanzania Craton.They outcrop mainly along the southern margin of the belt,and are at least 50 million years older than the supracrustal assemblages against which they have been juxtaposed.Geochemical analyses indicate that parts of the assemblage approach high Mg-tholeiite(more than 8 wt.%MgO).This suite of samples has a restricted compositional range suggesting derivation from a chemically homogenous reservoir.Trace element modeling suggests that the mafic rocks were derived by partial melting within the spinel peridotite field from a source rock with a primitive mantle composition.That is,trace elements maintain primitive mantle ratios(Zr/Hf=32-35,Ti/Zr=107-147),producing flat REE and HFSE profiles[(La/Yb)_(pm)=0.9-1.3],with abundances of 3-10 times primitive mantle and with minor negative anomalies of Nb[(Nb/La)_(pm)=0.6-0.8]and Th[(Th/La)_(pm)=0.6-0.9].Initial isotope compositions(ε_(Nd)) range from 1.6 to 2.9 at2.8 Ga and plot below the depleted mantle line suggesting derivation from a more enriched source compared to present day MORB mantle.The trace element composition and Nd isotopic ratios are similar to the mafic rocks outcropping ~50 km south.The mafic rocks outcropping in the Geita area were erupted through oceanic crust over a short time period,between ~2830 and ~2820 Ma;are compositionally homogenous,contain little to no associated terrigenous sediments,and their trace element composition and short emplacement time resemble oceanic plateau basalts.They have been interpreted to be derived from a plume head with a primitive mantle composition.     

A Study of Sr, Nd and O Isotopes of the K-rich Melanocratic Dykes in the Late Mesozoic Gold Field in the Jiaodong Peninsula

Geologic, petrographic and petrochemical studies of the late Mesozoic K-rich melanocratic dykes, including lamprophyres, andesite porphyrites and dacite-porphyry in the gold field system in the Jiaodong Peninsula, China, have shown that these dykes are characterized by rich potassium and alkali but poor titanium. They belong to an ultra-high potassic, shoshonitic and high potassic calc-alkaline rock series. The parental magma has relatively high initial strontium ratios ((87Sr/86Sr)i=0.70895-0.71140) and low (143Nd/144Nd)i ratios (varying from 0.51135 to 0.51231); and its δ18OSMow. whole rock values vary from +5.8‰ to +10.6‰ with a mean of+7.1‰. These features suggest that the source region of the magma is an enriched mantle wedge transformed from a continental lithosphere mantle which has experienced metasomatism by mantle-derived fluids with H2O-dominated fluids that were provided during the underthrusting of an ocean crust. The initial magma was generated by low-degree partial melting of the enri     

Do cratons preserve evidence of stagnant lid tectonics?

Evidence for episodic crustal growth extending back to the Hadean has recently prompted a number of numerically based geodynamic models that incorporate cyclic changes from stagnant lid to mobile lid tectonics. A large part of the geologic record is missing for the times at which several of these cycles are inferred to have taken place. The cratons, however, are likely to retain important clues relating to similar cycles developed in the Mesoarchean and Neoarchean. Widespread acceptance of a form of plate tectonics by ～3.2 Ga is not at odds with the sporadic occurrence of stagnant lid tectonics after this time. The concept of scale as applied to cratons, mantle plumes and Neoarchean volcanic arcs are likely to provide important constraints on future models of Earth's geodynamic evolution. The Superior Province will provide some of the most concrete evidence in this regard given that its constituent blocks may have been locked into a stagnant lid relatively soon after their formation and then assembled in the next global plate tectonic interval. Perceived complexities associated with inferred mantle plume — volcanic arc associations in the Superior Province and other cratons may be related to an over estimation of plume size. A possible stagnant lid episode between ～2.9 Ga and ～2.8 Ga is identified by previously unexplained lapses in volcanism on cratons, including the Kaapvaal, Yilgarn and Superior Province cratons. If real, then mantle dynamics associated with this episode likely eliminated any contemporaneous mantle plume incubation sites, which has important implications for widespread plumes developed at ～2.7 Ga and favours a shallow mantle source in the transition zone. The Superior Province provides a uniquely preserved local proxy for this global event and could serve as the basis for detailed numerical models in the future.     

Carbon and Strontium Isotopes of Late Palaeozoic Marine Carbonates in the Upper Yangtze Platform,Southwest China

238 marine carbonate samples were collected from seven sedimentary sections ofthe entire late Palaeozoic (Permian, Carboniferous and Devonian) in the Upper Yangtze Plat-form, southwest China. Based on the absence of cathodoluminescence and very low Mn (gener-ally<50 ppm) contents of the samples, it is thought that they contain information on the orig-inal sea water geochemistry. The results of isotopic analyses of these samples are presented interms of δ~(13)C and ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr ratios versus geological time. The strontium data, consistent withother similar data based on samples from North America, Europe, Africa and other areas inAsia, support the notion of a global consistency in strontium isotope composition of marinecarbonates. The strontium data exhibit three intervals of relatively low ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr ratios in thelate Middle Devonian to early Late Devonian, Early Carboniferous and Early Permian, corre-sponding to global eustatic high sea level stands. The lowest ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr ratio recorded in theLate Permian was probably caused by substantial basalt eruptions in the Upper Yangtze Plat-form at the time. Three corresponding periods of relatively high δ~(13)C values at roughly the samethe intervals were caused by a relatively high rate of accumulation of organic carbon duringsea level rises at these times. The deposition of coal was probably responsible for the increaseof sea water δ~(13)C at other times. The δ~(13)C values drop dramatically near theDevonian/Carboniferous, Carboniferous/Permian and Permian/Triassic boundaries, con-sistent with other similar data, which further support the notion that geological time boundariesare associated with mass extinction and subsequent rejuvenation.     

Genesis and Tectonic Implications of the Kabr El-BonayaUltramafic Rocks,Sinai Peninsula,Egypt: Constraints fromMineralogical and Geochemical Characteristics

The Kabr El-Bonaya mafic–ultramafic intrusion is exposed along the southeastern border of the Sinai Peninsula and the northernmost segment of the Arabian-Nubian Shield(ANS). It occurs as an elliptical intrusive body that is located along the major NE–SW trending fracture zones that prevail in the Kid metamorphic complex. The ultramafic rocks in the complex comprise ultramafic cumulates of peridotites(dunite, harzburgite and wehrlite) and pyroxenite. These rocks are generally unmetamorphosed and have intrusive contacts with the country rock. Mineral chemistry and whole-rock chemical compositions of these ultramafic rocks are mostly consistent with those of residual mantle peridotites from refractory suprasubduction tectonic settings. Based on the variations of the major elements, the studied ultramafic rocks are consistent with those of a supra-subduction zone mantle, as it seems to have melted at 1–2 GPa and 1300–1450°C. Linear variations of Al2 O3, CaO, V and Ni with MgO, coupled with incompatible and rare-earth-element depletion and mineral compositions,suggest prior events of partial melting in both wehrlites and harzburgites. The LREE enrichment in the harzburgite, as well as the development of Cr-rich spinel, is consistent with a history of melt–peridotite interaction. The calculated(Sm/Yb)N variations for the studied peridotites indicate a general increase in the addition of fluids with an increasing degree of melting from the wehrlite(～13–15 wt% of fluid) in the source, after initial spinel peridotite melting to the harzburgite(～20–25 wt% of fluid) in the same source, which is contrary to normal abyssal peridotites. The estimated equilibration temperature ranges from 1214 to 1321°C for the studied wehrlites and from 1297 to 1374°C for harzburgites. The Mg-rich nature of the analysed olivines from the studied ultramafic rocks(Fo = 81.41 to 91.77) reflect their primary composition and are similar to olivines in Alaskan-type ultramafic rocks. The Fo content of the analyzed olivines decrease slightly from the dunite to the harzburgite to the wehrlite and to pyroxenite, reflecting a fractional crystallization trend. The high Cr# and very low TiO2 contents(0.03–0.12 wt%) of the Cr-spinels from the studied peridotites are mostly consistent with modern highly refractory fore-arc peridotites, indicating that these peridotites developed in a supra-subduction zone environment.     

Petrogenesis and Metallogenesis of the Mazaertag Layered Intrusion in the Tarim Large Igneous Province, NW China

The Mazaertag layered intrusion is located in the northwestern part of the Tarim large igneous province where several early Permian layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions host important Fe-Ti oxide deposits. The intrusion covers an area of ～0.13 km~2 and has a vertical stratigraphic thickness of at least300 m. It consists chiefly of olivine clinopyroxenite, and is cut through by the nearby mafic-ultramafic dykes. In this paper, we report new mineral chemistry data and whole-rock chemical and isotopic compositions for the Mazaertag intrusion along with whole-rock isotopic compositions for the nearby mafic dykes. The averaged compositions of cumulus olivine, clinopyroxene and intercumulus plagioclase within individual samples range from Fo_(71-73),Mg~# = 76 to 79 and An_(65-75) but they do not define sustained reversals. The observed mineral compositions are consistent with the differentiation of a single batch of magma in a closed system. Rocks of the Mazaertag intrusion are characterized by enrichment in light REE relative to heavy REE, positive Nb and Ta anomalies and a small range of age-corrected ε_(Nd)(t)(-0.1 to +0.9) and initial ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr values(0.7044 to 0.7068). The slightly lower ε_(Nd)(t), initial ~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb and higher initial ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr values of the intrusion compared to those of the least contaminated dykes[ε_(Nd)(t) =+2.8 to +3.4;(~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb)_i = 18.516-18.521;(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)_i = 0.7038-0.7041] imply that the Mazaertag magma was subjected to small to modest degrees of contamination by the upper crust. The Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of the least contaminated dykes are consistent with derivation from a FOZO-like mantle source. The parental magma of the Mazaertag intrusion, estimated from clinopyroxene compositions using mineral-melt partition coefficients, has trace element compositions similar to some of the most primitive mafic dykes in the same area. This suggests that the Mazaertag intrusion and mafic dykes shared a similar mantle source. Therefore, the parental magma of the Mazaertag intrusion was interpreted to have originated from a mantle plume. Based on the Cr_2 O_3 contents in titanomagnetite and less-evolved characteristics of the Mazaertag intrusion compared to the Wajilitag Fe-Ti oxide deposit in Bachu, it is speculated that there might not be a potential to find economic Fe-Ti oxide mineralization in the intrusion.     

The Origin of the Early Proterozoic Kuandian Complex: Evidence from Geochemistry

The Kuandian Complex is scarcely preserved Early Proterozoic volcanic suite, formed2.3-2.4 Ga ago. It is located in an Early Proterozoic mobile belt bounded by the ArchaeanRangrim and Ryonggang Blocks of the northeastern Sino-Korean Craton. The Complex ismainly made up of amphibolites, gneisses, leucoleptite, leptite and layered granite. Petrologicaland geochemical studies show that the protoliths of the Complex are mainly assoctations ofbimodal volcanics and anorogenic granites. The Kuandian amphibolites are depleted in Nb, Ta,P and Ti, and enriched in LILE, e.g. K, Rb and Cs, with pronounced depletion of Sr relative toNd and Pb; La/Nb ratios are higher than 1(1.75 to 5.18). The trace element patterns of theamphibolites are similar to continental flood basalts formed by the Gondwana break-up, suchas those in South Karoo and Tasmania, which shows continental contamination. ε_(Nd) valuesranging from 0.70 to 1.94 of the Kuandian amphibolites and the relationships between Nb/Yband La/Yb suggest that contamination of basaltic magma happened in the mantle, rather thanalong the conduit. Isotope ratios of ~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb, ~(207)Pb/ ~(204)Pb, ~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb, ~(143)Nd/~(144)Ndand ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr indicate that the magma was derived from a contaminated mantle source likeDMM or a mixture of DMM and EM2. The Kuandian Complex has Dupal anomaly, as is thecase with some continental basalts in the south hemisphere, e.g. in South Karoo and Tasmania.Petrochemical modelling proposes that the Kuandian gneiss, granite, and amphibolite camefrom the same parental magma, being products of strong fractional crystallization. Protoliths ofthe Kuandian Complex were formed in extensional tectonic setting during the transition fromcontinental crust to oceanic crust. The formation of the Kuandian Complex indicates that 2.3or 2.4 Ga ago tectonic evolution of the Sino-Korean craton was different from that of otherwell-studied Precambrian cratons, e.g. the North American shield, European platform andAustralian continent in that strong volcanic eruption resulted in its accretion. Besides, the con-taminated magma source with a Dupal anomaly for the Complex indicates that crust-mantleconvection whose scale was similar to that of the present plate tectonics had occurred at leastbefore the formation of the Kuandian Complex (2.3-2.4 Ga B.P).     

Geochemical Characteristics of Volcanic Rocks from ODP Site 794, Yamato Basin: Implications for Deep Mantle Processes of the Japan Sea

Deep mantle processes and the dynamic mechanism of magmatism in the Japan Sea Basin are important processes that have not been studied in detail. In this paper, systematic evaluation of basalt samples from the ocean drilling program Site 794 in the Japan Sea was performed, which included petrography, whole-rock major- and trace-element analysis, Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic composition, and electron microprobe analysis of plagioclase and clinopyroxene. These basalts belong to the tholeiitic series with porphyritic texture and massive Ca-rich plagioclase, clinopyroxene, and minor olivine phenocrysts. The basalts are characterized as flat rare earth elements and high-field-strength elements with remarkably low ratios of(La/Yb)N(0.75–2.51), significant positive anomalies of Ba, Sr, and Rb and no Eu anomaly(δEu = 0.99–1.36). The samples showed relatively high 87Sr/86Sr(0.70425–0.70522), 207Pb/204Pb(15.511–15.610), and 208Pb/204Pb(38.064–38.557) values and a low 143Nd/144 Nd ratio(0.51271–0.51295). The basalts from Site 794 can be divided into upper, middle, and lower volcanic rocks(UVR, MVR, and LVR) on the basis of their stratigraphic level. The MVR was geochemically derived from the depleted mantle, whereas the UVR and LVR originated from a nondepleted and relatively enriched mantle source with contributions from subducted Pacific plate fluid and sediments. Use of geothermobarometers indicates that the crystallization pressure for the UVR and LVR(6.25–11.19 kbar) was significantly higher than that of the MVR(3.48–5.84 kbar). The UVR and LVR may have been derived from the low-degree(5%–10%) partial melting of spinel lherzolite, while the MVR originated from a shallower mantle source with a high degree(10%–20%) of partial melting. In addition, the geochemical characteristics of the samples are consistent with a younger age(13–17 Ma) and the depleted composition of the MVR and an older age(17–23 Ma) and slightly enriched composition of the UVR and LVR. Therefore, temporal changes in the mantle source from old and enriched to young and depleted and subsequently to old and nondepleted may have been associated with progressive lithospheric extension and thinning, as well as at least two episodes of diverse asthenospheric upwelling and pull-apart tectonic motion in the Yamato Basin.     

Geochemistry and Petrogenesis of Late Cretaceous–Paleocene Granites from the Tengchong Block, Western Yunnan: Implications for Angle-switching of Subducting Slab

The Cenozoic geological hallmark of Western Yunnan is the characteristic voluminous Late Cretaceous-Eocene granites; however, their geological background and petrogenesis have not been well constrained and elucidated. In this study, we present new zircon U-Pb dating, along with geochemical and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic data for granites from the Tengchong–Lianghe granitoid belt (as abbreviated to Tengliang belt) and West Yingjiang batholiths from the Tengchong block. The mineralogical and geochemical features of the Tengliang granites and the West Yingjiang batholiths are ascribed to aluminous S-type granites and weak peraluminous I-type, respectively. Zircon U-Pb analyses yielded consistent ages ranging from 67.5 Ma, 68.4 Ma and 66.2 Ma from the Tengliang granitoid belt and 50.4 Ma to 60.8 Ma for three samples from the west Yingjiang batholiths. The Tengliang granites were emplaced during the Late Cretaceous (68?66 Ma) and demonstrate negative εHf(t) values (?24 to ?4) and initial?87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.7101–0.7139 and significant negative εNd(t) values from ?8.91 to ?13.2, indicating a Proterozoic sedimentary source or enriched components. The hornblende-bearing I-type granites from West Yingjiang are characterized by lower initial?87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.7076–0.7106, compared to Tengliang granite and negative whole-rock εNd(t) values from ?4.0 to ?11.9. The early Eocene west Yingjiang gneissic granites show wide ranges of εHf(t) values from +7.4 to ?8.5 and T2DM of 1.30–0.65 Ga, indicating partial melting of ancient crust with contributions of depleted mantle materials. In combination with the regional background and previous studies, we propose that such a spatio-temporal distribution of the Tengchong granitoid belt might be related to the rollback or angle-switching of the Neo-Tethyan subducting slab. This study sheds new light on the evolutionary history of the Tengchong block.     

Xiba Granitic Pluton in the Qinling Orogenic Belt,Central China: Its Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

Xiba granitic pluton is located in South Qinling tectonic domain of the Qinling orogenic belt and consists mainly of granodiorite and monzogranite with significant number of microgranular quartz dioritic enclaves. SHRIMP zircon U–Pb isotopic dating reveals that the quartz dioritic enclaves formed at 214±3 Ma, which is similar to the age of their host monzogranite (218±1 Ma). The granitoids belong to high-K calc-alkaline series, and are characterized by enriched LILEs relative to HFSEs with negative Nb, Ta and Ti anomalies, and right-declined REE patterns with (La/Yb)N ratios ranging from 15.83 to 26.47 and δEu values from 0.78 to 1.22 (mean= 0.97). Most of these samples from Xiba granitic pluton exhibit εNd(t) values of ?8.79 to ?5.38, depleted mantle Nd model ages (TDM) between 1.1 Ga and 1.7 Ga, and initial Sr isotopic ratios (87Sr/86Sr)i from 0.7061 to 0.7082, indicating a possible Meso- to Paleoproterozoic lower crust source region, with exception of samples XB01-2-1 and XB10-1 displaying higher (87Sr/86Sr)i values of 0.779 and 0.735, respectively, which suggests a contamination of the upper crustal materials. Quartz dioritic enclaves are interpreted as the result of rapid crystallization fractionation during the parent magmatic emplacement, as evidenced by similar age, texture, geochemical, and Sr-Nd isotopic features with their host rocks. Characteristics of the petrological and geochemical data reveal that the parent magma of Xiba granitoids was produced by a magma mingling process. The upwelling asthenosphere caused a high heat flow and the mafic magma was underplated into the bottom of the lower continent crust, which caused the partial melting of the lower continent crustal materials. This geodynamic process generated the mixing parent magma between mafic magma from depleted mantle and felsic magma derived from the lower continent crust. Integrated petrogenesis and tectonic discrimination with regional tectonic evolution of the Qinling orogen, it is suggested that the granitoids are most likely products in a post-collision tectonic setting.     

Paleoproterozoic Nb-enriched meta-gabbros in the Quanji Massif,NW China:Implications for assembly of the Columbia supercontinent

Diverse models have been proposed for the role of the Tarim Craton within the Paleoproterozoic Columbia supercontinent assembly. Here we report a suite of-1.71 Ga Nb-enriched meta-gabbro lenses in the eastern Quanji Massif, within the Tarim Craton in NW China. The meta-gabbroic rocks have Nb contents of 11.5-16.4 ppm with Nb/La ratios varying from 0.84 to 1.02((Nb/La)_N = 0.81-0.98) and Nb/U ratios from 38.0 to 47.2. They show low SiO_2(45.1-48.5 wt.%) and MgO(5.96-6.81 wt.%) and Mg#(Mg# = Mg/(Mg + Fe) = 43.5-47.7), high FeO~t(13.0-15.7 wt.%) and moderate Ti02(1.70-2.51 wt.%).with tholeiitic affinities. These rocks possess low fractionated REE patterns without obvious Eu anomalies(Eu/Eu~* = 0.87-1.02). Their primitive mantle-normalized elements patterns display significant Zr-Hf troughs, positive Nb anomalies, weak negative Ti and P anomalies, and high contents of Rb and Ba,resembling Nb-enriched basalts generated in arc-related tectonic settings. Their arc-like geochemical signatures together with whole rock εNd(t) values of 0.4-2.1 and corresponding old T_(DM)(2.22-2.37 Ga)as well as(~(143)Nd/~(144)Nd)_t and(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)t(t = 1712 Ma) values of 0.5104-0.5105 and 0.7030-0.7058,respectively, suggest that their precursor magma originated from mantle wedge peridotite metasomatised by subduction-derived melts. The results from our study reveal subduction along the eastern periphery of the Tarim Craton and marginal outgrowth continuing to ~1.7 Ga within the Columbia supercontinent.     

The Early Permian Woniusi Flood Basalts from the Baoshan Terrane, SW China: Petrogenesis and Geodynamic Implications

The Woniusi flood basalts from the Baoshan terrane, SW China, represent a signi?cant eruption of volcanic rocks which were linked to the Late Paleozoic rifting of the Cimmeria from the northern margin of East Gondwana. However, the precise mechanism for the formation and propagation of the rifting is still in debate. Here we report 40Ar/39Ar dating, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes for the Woniusi basalts from the Baoshan terrane of SW China, with the aim of assessing if a mantle plume was related to the formation of the continent Cimmeria. 40Ar/39Ar dating of the Woniusi basalts yielded ages of 279.3 ± 1.1 Ma and 273.9 ± 1.5 Ma, indicating they were emplaced during the Early Permian. Whole-rock geochemistry shows that these basalts have subalkaline tholeiitic af?nity, low TiO2 (1.2–2.2 wt%), and fractionated chondrite-normalized LREE and nearly ?at HREE patterns [(La/Yb)N = 2.86–5.77; (Dy/Yb)N = 1.21–1.49] with noticeable negative Nb and Ta anomalies on the primitive mantle-normalized trace element diagram. The ?Nd(t) values (?4.76 to +0.92) and high (206Pb/204Pb)i (18.40?18.66) along with partial melt modeling indicates that the basalts were likely derived from a sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) source metasomatized by subduction-related processes. On the basis of a similar emplacement age to the Panjal basalts and Qiangtang mafic dykes and flood basalts in the Himalayas, combined with a tectonic reconstruction of Gondwana in the Early Permian, we propose that the large-scale eruption of these basalts and dykes was related to an Early Permian mantle plume that possibly initiated the rifting on the northern margin of East Gondwana.     

Sm—Nd and Zircon U—Pb Isotopic Constraints on the Age of Formation of the Precambrian Crust in Southeast China

Nd model ages(TDM) of the Pre-Mesozoic crustal rock samples from Southeast China range from 1.2 to 3.5Ga.Two age peaks of 1.4Ga and 1.8 Ga are observed in the histogram of TDM model ages.Available U-Pb zircon inheritance ages are concentrated around 1.2-1.4Ga,1.8Ga and 2.5Ga,respectively.The combined use of Sm-Nd and U-Pb zircon inheritance ages suggests that the formation of the Precambrian curst is of episodic character.The oldest crustal nucleus may have been formed during the Late Archean(2.5Ga or older?).A rapid production of the crust took place 1.8 Ga ago,consistent with the global crust formation event at 1.7-1.9Ga.Another important episode of the addition of juvenile crustal material from the mantle in Southeast China took place 1.2-1.4Ga ago,during which the pre-existing crust was strongly reworked and/or remelted.     

Identifying the leucogranites in the Ailaoshan-Red River shear zone:Constraints on the timing of the southeastward expansion of the Tibetan Plateau

The uplift of the Tibetan Plateau significantly affected the global climate system.However,the timing of its uplift and the formation of its vast expanse are poorly understood.The occurrence of two types of leucogranites(the two-mica leucogranites and garnet-bearing leucogranites) identified in the Ailaoshan-Red River(ASRR) shear zone suggests an extension event in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau.The age of these leucogranites could be used to constrain the timing of uplift and southeastward expansion of the plateau.Petrography,geochronology and geochemistry investigations,including Sr-Nd isotope analysis,were conducted on the two-mica leucogranites and garnet-bearing leucogranites from the ASRR shear zone.LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating indicates that these rocks were emplaced at ～27 Ma,implying that the Tibetan Plateau had already achieved maximum uplift prior to the late Oligocene.It subsequently started to expand southeastward as a result of crustal flow.Compared to classic metapelite-derived leucogranites from Himalaya,the two-mica leucogranites show high K_2 O/Na_2 O(1.31-1.92),low Rb/Sr,CaO,lower ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr ratios(0.7089-0.7164) and higher ε_(Nd)(t)(-8.83 to-3.10).This whole-rock geochemical characteristics likely indicates a mixing source origin,composed predominantly of amphibolite with subordinated metapelite,which is also evidenced by ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr vs.ε_(Nd)(t) diagram.However,The garnetbearing leucogranites with high SiO_2 contents(72.25-74.12 wt.%) have high initial ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr ratios(0.7332-0.7535) and low ε_(Nd)(t)(-16.36 to 18.98),indicating that they are derived from the source comprised of metapelite and results of fluexed muscovite melting under lower crustal level,which is also evidenced by the Rb-Sr-Ba systematics.These leucogranites formed from partial melting of the thickened lower crust,which resulted in the formation of granitic melt that weakened the crust.The weakened crust aided the left-lateral strikeslip movement of the ASRR shear zone,triggering the escape of the Indochina terrane in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau during the late Oligocene.