Thermobaric structure of the Kokchetav ultrahigh-pressure–high-pressure massif deduced from a north–south transect in the Kulet and Saldat–Kol regions, northern Kazakhstan

Abstract To investigate the regional thermobaric structure of the diamondiferous Kokchetav ultrahigh‐pressure and high‐pressure (UHP–HP) massif and adjacent units, eclogite and other metabasites in the Kulet and Saldat–Kol regions, northern Kazakhstan, were examined. The UHP–HP massif is subdivided into four units, bounded by subhorizontal faults. Unit I is situated at the lowest level of the massif and consists of garnet–amphibolite and acidic gneiss with minor pelitic schist and orthogneiss. Unit II, which structurally overlies Unit I, is composed mainly of pelitic schist and gneiss, and whiteschist locally with abundant eclogite blocks. The primary minerals observed in Kulet and Saldat–Kol eclogites are omphacite, sodic augite, garnet, quartz, rutile and minor barroisite, hornblende, zoisite, clinozoisite and phengite. Rare kyanite occurs as inclusions in garnet. Coesite inclusions occur in garnet porphyroblasts in whiteschist from Kulet, which are closely associated with eclogite masses. Unit III consists of alternating orthogneiss and amphibolite with local eclogite masses. The structurally highest unit, Unit IV, is composed of quartzitic schist with minor pelitic, calcareous, and basic schist intercalations. Mineral assemblages and compositions, and occurrences of polymorphs of SiO₂ (quartz or coesite) in metabasites and associated rocks in the Kulet and Saldat–Kol regions indicate that the metamorphic grades correspond to epidote–amphibolite, through high‐pressure amphibolite and quartz–eclogite, to coesite–eclogite facies conditions. Based on estimations by several geothermobarometers, eclogite from Unit II yielded the highest peak pressure and temperature conditions in the UHP–HP massif, with metamorphic pressure and temperature decreasing towards the upper and lower structural units. The observed thermobaric structure is subhorizontal. The UHP–HP massif is overlain by a weakly metamorphosed unit to the north and is underlain by the low‐pressure Daulet Suite to the south; boundaries are subhorizontal faults. There is a distinct pressure gap across these boundaries. These suggest that the highest grade unit, Unit II, has been selectively extruded from the greatest depths within the UHP–HP unit during the exhumation process, and that all of the UHP–HP unit has been tectonically intruded and juxtaposed into the adjacent lower grade units at shallower depths of about 10 km.     

Rare earth element abundances in rocks and minerals from the Fiskenaesset Complex,West Greenland

Rare earth element (REE) abundances determined by activation analysis in rocks, plagioclase and mafic separates from the Fiskenaesset Complex are presented together with data on major and trace elements in the minerals. The REE data for the rocks and plagioclases are distinct from those of many other anorthositic complexes and the abundances are some of the lowest recorded for plagioclase from terrestrial anorthosites. The bulk and trace element compositions of the Fiskenaesset plagioclases show a number of similarities to those of lunar plagioclases. The plagioclases show a positive Eu anomaly of about 10 and a depletion in the heavy REE relative to the light ones. The mafic separates are enriched in the heavy REE relative to the light ones, and show no Eu anomaly except in one sample with a positive anomaly not attributable to plagioclase contamination. It is estimated, from experimental partition coefficient data, that the REE pattern in the magma at an early stage of fractionation was La (17×) to Lu (0.7× chondrites) with a possible positive Eu anomaly. This highly fractionated REE pattern may be attributed to partial melting of a garnet-bearing source.     

Ordovician backarc‐basin metadolerite and metabasalt of the South Kitakami Terrane,Northeast Japan

Basement rocks that occur along the northern margin of the South Kitakami Terrane in Japan consist of Ordovician ultramafic rocks (Hayachine ultramafic complex), gneissose amphibolite (Kuromoriyama amphibolite), and mafic rocks (Kagura igneous rocks, KIR). The KIR are composed of metagabbro, metadolerite, metabasalt, and minor felsic–intermediate dikes. Although the KIR contain green hornblende due to metamorphism of greenschist to epidote–amphibolite facies, they rarely retain primary brown hornblende. Approximately 30% of the metabasalt shows porphyritic textures, with phenocrysts of saussuritized plagioclase and/or altered mafic minerals. The geochemistry of the common metadolerite and metabasalt of the KIR shows a tholeiite trend, a low TiO₂ content, and high Th/Nb and Ti/V ratios. The KIR are therefore indicative of a supra‐subduction zone tectonic setting, which implies a backarc origin (as also indicated by discrimination diagrams). Trace element patterns of the KIR resemble those of the backarc‐basin basalt of the Japan and Yamato basins in the Japan Sea. We propose that the KIR formed during backarc spreading from the Ordovician to Early Silurian. This view is supported by the geochemical data, the tectonic setting of the Hayachine ultramafic rocks, and the provenance of clastics within Silurian sedimentary rocks.     

Duplex of metamorphic units including ultramafic rocks in the central region of Tokunoshima,Southwest Japan

Geological observations in the central part of Tokunoshima in the Amami Islands, Southwest Japan, reveal that discrete layers of serpentinite, dioritic gneiss, and amphibolite are intercalated into pelitic schist and these rock bodies form a northwest‐dipping tectonic stack. A subhorizontal psammitic schist layer overlies them. These rocks underwent ductile deformation that is denoted by penetrative foliation and mineral lineation. Microstructures of the sheared metamorphic rocks and serpentinite indicate top‐to‐the‐east, ‐southeast or ‐south (hanging‐wall up) displacements. The en echelon array of rock bodies is interpreted as a duplex with the psammitic schist layer on its top and the pelitic schist layer on its bottom. It is inferred that the serpentinite‐bearing duplex was formed due to the tectonic erosion and the subsequent accretionary growth operated in a Cretaceous or older subduction zone. Tokunoshima has been considered to belong to the Shimanto Belt. However, regional low‐pressure and high‐temperature type amphibolite‐facies metamorphism and related ductile deformation have not been recognized in the other areas of the Shimanto Belt. There is no metamorphic rock occurrence comparable to that of Tokunoshima in the neighboring islands. The metamorphic rocks in Tokunoshima can be correlated to any of low‐pressure/temperature type metamorphic regions in Kyushu.     

Early Oligocene alkaline lamprophyric dykes from the Jandaq area (Isfahan Province,Central Iran): Evidence of Central–East Iranian microcontinent confining oceanic crust subduction

The Jandaq lamprophyres occur as eight mostly parallel dykes, which cross‐cut Eocene volcanic and sedimentary rocks of the Pis‐Kuh Formation in dominant north to south direction. These lamprophyres are mainly composed of kaersutite, clinopyroxene, olivine, feldspar, ilmenite, and spinel as primary minerals. The rocks studied here are enriched in alkalis, TiO₂, large ion lithophile elements, and light rare‐earth elements (LREE), with SiO₂ content between 41.7 and 46.2 wt%, and are classified as camptonite and alkaline lamprophyre according to the mineralogical and chemical characteristics. These rocks exhibit positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 1.08–1.39) and are characterized by strong enrichment in LREE relative to heavy REEs, and also by varied Zr/Hf ratios. The geochemical features of the rocks suggest that the lamprophyre magmas were derived from low‐degree melting of an amphibole garnet lherzolite that experienced strong metasomatism by carbonate‐rich fluids in response to dehydration melting from the subducted slab. The Jandaq lamprophyric magmatism has been attributed to the former subduction of the Central–East Iranian microcontinent confining oceanic crust from the Triassic to Eocene, and decompression melting induced by the extensional basin of the Jandaq area in the early Oligocene.     

Regional occurrence of orthopyroxene-bearing basic rocks in the Yanai district, southwest Japan: Evidence for granulite-facies Ryoke metamorphism

Abstract   The present paper is reporting on the regional occurrence of orthopyroxene-bearing basic rocks from the Ryoke Metamorphic Belt in the Yanai district, southwest Japan. Their localities are confined to the highest-grade zone of the area (i.e. the garnet–cordierite zone, where garnet coexists with cordierite, K-feldspar and biotite in pelitic rocks). Orthopyroxene coexists with quartz and hydrous minerals such as biotite, cummingtonite and hornblende, and in some cases with clinopyroxene, suggesting that the highest grade of the Ryoke metamorphism reached a low-temperature subfacies of the granulite facies, contrary to the upper amphibolite facies as previously asserted.     

Mineral chemistry and geothermobarometry of Moshirabad pluton,Qorveh, Kurdistan,western Iran

The Moshirabad pluton is located southwest of the Sanandaj–Sirjan Metamorphic Belt, Qorveh, western Iran. The pluton is composed of diorite, monzodiorite, quartz diorite, quartz monzodiorite, tonalite, granodiorite, granite, aplite, and pegmatite. In this study 31 samples from various rocks were chosen for whole‐rock analyses and 15 samples from different lithologies were chosen for mineral chemical studies. The compositions of minerals are used to describe the nature of magma and estimate the pressure and temperature at which the Moshirabad pluton was emplaced. Feldspar compositions are near the binary systems in which plagioclase compositions range from An₅ to An₅₃ and alkali‐feldspar compositions range from Or₉₁ to Or₉₇. Mafic minerals in the plutonic rocks are biotite and hornblende. Based on the composition of biotites and whole‐rock chemistry, the Moshirabad pluton formed from a calc‐alkaline magma. Amphiboles are calcic amphiboles (magnesio‐hornblende or edenite). Temperatures of crystallization, calculated with the hornblende–plagioclase thermometer, range 550–750°C. These temperatures indicate that plutonic rocks have undergone some retrogressive changes in their mineral compositions. Aluminum‐in‐hornblende geobarometry indicates that the Moshirabad pluton was emplaced at pressures of 2.3–6.0 kbar, equal to depths of 7–20 km, but with consideration of regional geology, lower pressures than the above pressure range are more probable. Alteration of amphiboles can be the reason for some overestimation of pressures.     

Late Permian post‐ophiolitic trondhjemites from Central Iran: a mark of subduction role in growth of Paleozoic continental crust

Late Permian trondhjemites in the Anarak area occur as stocks and dykes, which cross cut the Anarak ophiolite and its overlying metasedimentary rocks, and are exposed along the northern Anarak east–west main faults. These leucocratic intrusive bodies have enclaves of all ophiolitic units and metamorphic rocks. They are composed of amphibole, plagioclase (oligoclase), quartz, zircon and muscovite. Secondary minerals are chlorite (pycnochlorite), epidote, albite, magnetite and calcite. Whole‐rock major‐ and trace‐element analyses reveal that they are characterized by high SiO ₂ (67.8–71.0 wt%), Al ₂ O ₃ (14.9–17.1 wt%) and Na ₂ O (5.3–8.6 wt%), low K ₂ O (0.1–1.5 wt%; average: 0.8 wt%), low Rb/Sr ratio (0.01–0.40; average: 0.09), low Y (3–6 ppm), negative Ti, Nb and Ta anomalies, slightly negative or positive Eu anomaly, LREE enrichment and fractionated HREE. These rocks present 2 to 40 times enrichment in inclined chondrite‐normalized REE patterns. Geochemical characteristics of the Anarak trondhjemites all reflect melting of a mafic protolith at more than 10 kbar. The field evidence and whole‐rock chemistry reveal that these rocks have been crystallized from magmas derived from melting of subducted Anarak oceanic crust. This study reveals that melting of garnet amphibolite was an important element of continent formation in the study area.     

Distribution and formation of rock varnish in southern Tunisia

Field observations, chemical analysis, electron and light microscopy and radiolabelling experiments provide information on the characteristics, formation and distribution of Fe and Mn rock varnishes in southern Tunisia. Unstable rocks are not surface-coated, but when broken they commonly reveal internal microbial solution fronts. Stable rocks are coated in Fe, and more rarely Mn, rock varnishes. Radiolabelling indicates the presence of many respiring microbes on both Fe and Mn varnishes. Microscopy shows fungi and bacteria, both on the Fe varnishes and within the rock. Only rare, microcolonial fungi occur on Mn varnishes, suggesting that the microbes are within or beneath the varnish. The abundance of microorganisms supports a biogenic origin for rock varnishes. Different microbial communities appear to be involved in Fe and Mn varnish formation. Microbes appear to live beneath the surface of unstable rocks but coat stable rocks which cannot be penetrated, apparently to avoid u.v. light and desiccation. This explains the concentration of elements that form u.v. opaque minerals and clays. The origin of these elements is external to the substrate. These results suggest that rock varnish dating and paleoenvironmental techniques can be applied in southern Tunisia.     

Bearing of rare earth patterns of apatites from igneous and metamorphic rocks

Twelve apatite samples from igneous and metamorphic rocks from the Black Forest and igneous rocks from the Kaiserstuhl were analysed for their REE content. The ΣREE range from 0.116 to 1.69 wt.%; the lowest values were found in the metamorphic rocks. All apatites from the various parent rocks show a general enrichment of the lighter rare earths over the heavier and their chondrite-normalized rare earth patterns exhibit a more or less pronounced negative Ce anomaly. This Ce depletion is accompanied by relatively low La and Pr values. In addition, the apatites from igneous rocks from the Black Forest show a marked negative Eu anomaly. An explanation is offered for the simultaneous occurrence of a negative Ce and a negative Eu anomaly in one investigated rock system. The negative Ce anomaly is attributed to the occurrence of phases enriched in Ce (e.g., monazite, allanite) which crystallized prior to or simultaneously with apatite. The negative Eu anomaly in these magmatic apatites most probably is caused by discrimination of Eu²⁺ from the apatite lattice. The result of this discrimination is a selective Eu enrichment in the later crystallizing feldspars, plagioclase and orthoclase. At least in this case, the positive Eu anomaly in feldspars is not a reliable indicator of low oxygen fugacity during their crystallization; the Eu depletion of the earlier crystallized apatites is preferable for this purpose.     

Distribution of rare earth elements of granitic regolith under the influence of climate

The distribution and anomalies of rare earth elements(REEs) of granitic regolith were studied in Inner Mongolia and Hainan Island, China. One profile showed slight REE enrichment of an upper layer and no obvious light REE/heavy REE(LREE/HREE) fractionation(La_N/Yb_N of 0.9). The second profile was significantly enriched in REEs and enriched in LREEs in the upper portion(La_N/Yb_N1.8). Eu, Ce, and Gd anomalies of the two profiles are different. Slightly negative Eu, Ce, and Gd anomalies in NMG-3-1 indicate slow dissolution of primary minerals and little secondary products; in contrast, a positive Eu anomaly in HN-2 suggests the vegetation cycle may contribute to soil. The Ce anomaly of HN-2 reflects oxidation of Ce and coprecipitation by Fe-and Mn-oxides and organic matter. Correlation between Ce and Gd anomalies in HN-2 suggests Ce and Gd are both influenced by redoxreduction.     

Progressive changes in lithological association of the Sanbagawa metamorphic complex,Southwest Japan: Relict clinopyroxene and detrital zircon perspectives

The main tectono‐stratigraphic unit (Shirataki unit) of the Sanbagawa metamorphic complex in central Shikoku is characterized by abundant mafic schist layers that show the mid‐ocean ridge basalt (MORB) affinity. These MORB‐derived schist layers are absent in a southern (structurally lower) domain within the unit. Instead, sporadic occurrences of small metabasite lenses that contain relict igneous minerals (Ti‐rich augite and kaersutite) indicative of alkali basalt magmatism are newly recognized in the southern domain. Compositions of relict clinopyroxene in metabasalt are useful to identify the tectonic setting and origin of the protolith basalt, and those in each unit of the Sanbagawa metamorphic complex are presented. The metamorphic grade of the Shirataki unit generally increases structurally upwards in the southern side of the highest‐grade zone, and metamorphic zonation is subparallel to lithostratigraphic succession. The protolith assemblage of the Shirataki unit shows a distinct change from the southern low‐grade domain (lower Shirataki subunit) composed of terrigenous sedimentary rocks (mudstone and sandstone) with minor alkali basalt to the northern higher‐grade domain (upper Shirataki subunit) consisting of terrigenous and pelagic sedimentary rocks with abundant MORB. The youngest detrital zircon U–Pb ages (ca 95–90 Ma) suggest that both domains have Late Cretaceous depositional ages at the trench. Progressive peeling of oceanic plate stratigraphy during subduction can account for the observed change of lithological association in the Shirataki unit.     

Oligocene crustal xenolith‐bearing alkaline basalt from Jandaq area (Central Iran): implications for magma genesis and crustal nature

The Oligocene alkaline basalts of Toveireh area (southwest of Jandaq, Central Iran) exhibit northwest–southeast to west–east exposure in northwest of the central‐east Iranian microcontinent (CEIM). These basalts are composed of olivine (Fo_70–90), clinopyroxene (diopside, augite), plagioclase (labradorite), spinel, and titanomagnetite as primary minerals and serpentine and zeolite as secondary ones. They are enriched in alkalis, TiO₂ and light rare earth elements (La/Yb = 9.64–12.68) and are characterized by enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (Cs, Rb, Ba) and high field strength elements (Nb, Ta). The geochemical features of the rocks suggest that the Toveireh alkaline basalts are derived from a moderate degree partial melting (10–20%) of a previously enriched garnet lherzolite of asthenospheric mantle. Subduction of the CEIM confining oceanic crust from the Triassic to Eocene is the reason of mantle enrichment. The studied basalts contain mafic‐ultramafic and aluminous granulitic xenoliths. The rock‐forming minerals of the mafic‐ultramafic xenoliths are Cr‐free/poor spinel, olivine, Al‐rich pyroxene, and feldspar. The aluminous granulitic xenoliths consist of an assemblage of hercynitic spinel + plagioclase (andesine–labradorite) ± corundum ± sillimanite. They show interstitial texture, which is consistent with granulite facies. They are enriched in high field strength elements (Ti, Nb and Ta), light rare earth elements (La/Yb = 37–193) and exhibit a positive Eu anomaly. These granulitic xenoliths may be Al‐saturated but Si‐undersaturated feldspar bearing restitic materials of the lower crust. The Oligocene Toveireh basaltic magma passed and entrained these xenoliths from the lower crust to the surface.     

Characterization of the Mefjell plutonic complex from the Sør Rondane Mountains, East Antarctica: Implications for the petrogenesis of Pan-African plutonic rocks of East Gondwanaland

Abstract The Mefjell plutonic complex consists of 500–550‐Ma Pan‐African plutonic rocks, which intrude into the Precambrian crystalline basement in the Sør Rondane Mountains, East Antarctica, and forms part of the Sør Rondane Suture Zone. The complex comprises syenitic and granitic (mostly monzogranitic) rocks, and is characterized by the presence of iron‐rich hydrous mafic minerals and primary ilmenite, both of which imply its formation at high temperature and under low oxygen fugacity conditions. The syenitic rocks are metaluminous, and are high in alkalis, K₂O/Na₂O, Al₂O₃, FeO_t/(FeO_t + MgO) (0.88–0.98), K/Rb (800–1000), Ga (18–28 p.p.m.), Zr (up to 2100 p.p.m.) and Ba. They also have a low Mg? (Mg/[Mg + Fe²⁺]), Rb, Sr, Nb, Y and F, low to moderate light rare earth element (LREE)/heavy rare earth element (HREE) ratios and positive Eu anomalies in their rare earth element (REE) patterns. The granitic rocks are metaluminous to peraluminous, and have a high Rb content, high Sr/Ba and LREE/HREE ratios, low K/Rb and negative Eu anomalies. Most of the syenitic and granitic rocks have Y/Nb ratios greater than 1.2, and are depleted in Nb, Ti and Sr on the primitive mantle‐normalized spider diagrams, indicating a crustal origin with subduction zone signatures. We interpret both the syenitic and granitic rocks to be derived from an iron‐rich lower crustal source by dehydration melting induced by the heat of mantle‐derived basaltic intrusion, after which they then underwent limited fractional crystallization. The Mefjell plutonic complex has a high Zr content and tectonic discrimination diagram signatures indicative of normal A‐type granitic rocks. Both rock suites may have been generated under the same postorogenic tectonic setting. The Mefjell syenitic rocks are chemically comparable to charnockites in the Gjelsvikjella and western Mühlig‐Hofmannfjella areas of East Antarctica, whereas the granitic rocks are comparable to aluminous A‐type granitic rocks in South India, which were emplaced during formation and evolution of the Gondwanaland supercontinent.     

Layered ultramafic-gabbro bodies in the Lewisian of northwest Scotland: geochemistry and petrogenesis

Layered ultramafic-gabbro bodies occur widely in the Archaean of northwest Scotland. They were metamorphosed at granulite or high amphibolite facies and were tectonically thinned and broken up during deformation. They comprise repeated ultramafic-gabbro layers, locally with Ni-poor sulphide-rich tops, each rhythmic unit showing decreasing MgO, Ni and normative anorthite with stratigraphic height. Major, trace and rare earth element data are presented for the range of rock types. In ultramafic rocks, MgO varies from 22 to 37 wt.%, Ni from 1000 to 2500 ppm and TiO₂ from 0.08 to 0.40 wt.%, while the MgO content of the gabbros ranges from 14 to 6 wt.%. The REE patterns are flat to LREE enriched with no significant Eu anomalies. In ultramafic rocks REE are from 4 to 10 times chondrite, and in the gabbros LREE range from 8 to 30 times chondrite and HREE from 6 to 15 times chondrite. Study of incompatible elements (Ti, Zr, Y) which are relatively immobile during metamorphism shows that neither garnet nor hornblende were involved in fractionation. Trace element modelling shows it is improbable that the ultramafic rocks represent primary MgO-rich liquids even though their incompatible element contents are quite high. The chemical trends are interpreted in terms of olivine and pyroxene settling from a tholeiitic high-Mg magma with 15–20 wt.% MgO derived by 30–40% partial melting of an undepleted mantle. The ultramafic rocks are the cumulates and the gabbros the derived liquids.     

Provenance of sandstones from the Wakino Subgroup of the Lower Cretaceous Kanmon Group, northern Kyushu, Japan

Abstract The Wakino Subgroup is a lower stratigraphic unit of the Lower Cretaceous Kanmon Group. Previous studies on provenance of Wakino sediments have mainly concentrated on either petrography of major framework grains or bulk rock geochemistry of shales. This study addresses the provenance of the Wakino sandstones by integrating the petrographic, bulk rock geochemistry, and mineral chemistry approaches. The proportions of framework grains of the Wakino sandstones suggest derivation from either a single geologically heterogeneous source terrane or multiple source areas. Major source lithologies are granitic rocks and high‐grade metamorphic rocks but notable amounts of detritus were also derived from felsic, intermediate and mafic volcanic rocks, older sedimentary rocks, and ophiolitic rocks. The heavy mineral assemblage include, in order of decreasing abundance: opaque minerals (ilmenite and magnetite with minor rutile), zircon, garnet, chromian spinel, aluminum silicate mineral (probably andalusite), rutile, epidote, tourmaline and pyroxene. Zircon morphology suggests its derivation from granitic rocks. Chemistry of chromian spinel indicates that the chromian spinel grains were derived from the ultramafic cumulate member of an ophiolite suite. Garnet and ilmenite chemistry suggests their derivation from metamorphic rocks of the epidote‐amphibolite to upper amphibolite facies though other source rocks cannot be discounted entirely. Major and trace element data for the Wakino sediments suggest their derivation from igneous and/or metamorphic rocks of felsic composition. The major element compositions suggest that the type of tectonic environment was of an active continental margin. The trace element data indicate that the sediments were derived from crustal rocks with a minor contribution from mantle‐derived rocks. The trace element data further suggest that recycled sedimentary rocks are not major contributors of detritus. It appears that the granitic and metamorphic rocks of the Precambrian Ryongnam Massif in South Korea were the major contributors of detritus to the Wakino basin. A minor but significant amount of detritus was derived from the basement rocks of the Akiyoshi and Sangun Terrane. The chromian spinel appears to have been derived from a missing terrane though the ultramafic rocks in the Ogcheon Belt cannot be discounted.     

Petrologic evolution of Palau,a nascent island arc

Palau Islands, 7°30′N, are the only emergent feature on the more than 2500‐km‐long Kyushu–Palau Ridge. Small islands are mainly uplifted reef carbonate. Larger islands are volcanic with basalt to dacite and rare boninite. Polymict breccia is abundant: sills, flows, and dykes are common but pillows are rare. Palau Trench samples include all types found on the islands as well as high‐Mg basalt. Volcanism began in the late Eocene and ended by early Miocene. All igneous rocks comprise a low‐K primitive island arc‐tholeiite series. None are mid‐ocean ridge basalts. Rare earth elements and high field‐strength elements indicate a depleted mantle source. Elevated large ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements indicate influx of ‘dehydration fluid’. Ce/Ce* and Eu/Eu* ratios show no evidence for recycling of arc‐derived clastics. Plate reconstructions and paleomagnetic data suggest that the arc probably formed on the trace of a transform fault that migrated northward and rotated clockwise up to 90°. Episodes of transtension caused upwelling of hot mantle into depleted mantle and sheared altered rocks of the transform. Episodes of transpression may have initiated subduction of old seafloor with a thin cover of pelagic sediments deposited far from terrigenous sediment sources.     

Geochemistry of the Zargoli granite: Implications for development of the Sistan Suture Zone,southeastern Iran

The Zargoli granite, which extends in a northeast–southwest direction, intrudes into the Eocene–Oligocene regional metamorphic flysch‐type sediments in the northwest of Zahedan. This pluton, based on modal and geochemical classification, is composed of biotite granite and biotite granodiorite, was contaminated by country rocks during its emplacement, and is slightly changed to more aluminous. The SiO₂ content of these rocks range from 62.4 to 66 wt% with an alumina saturation index of Shand [molar Al₂O₃/(CaO + Na₂O + K₂O)] ～ 1.1. Most of its chemical variations could be explained by fractionation or heterogeneous distribution of biotite. The features of the rocks resemble those which are typical to post‐collisional granitoids. Chondrite‐normalized rare‐earth element patterns of these rocks are fractionated at (La/Lu)_N = 2.25–11.82 with a pronounced negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 3.25–5.26). Zircon saturation thermometry provides a good estimation of magma temperatures (767.4–789.3°C) for zircon crystallization. These characteristics together with the moderate Mg# [100Mg/(Mg + Fe)] values (44–55), Fe + Mg + Ti (millications) = 130–175, and Al–(Na + K + 2Ca) (millications) = 5–50 may suggest that these rocks have been derived from the dehydration partial melting of quartz–feldspathic meta‐igneous lower crust.     

青藏高原东南缘中-下地壳地震波各向异性成因——来自云南六合深源包体组构学的约束

本文通过对出露于青藏高原东南缘云南六合地区的新生代深源岩石包体(斜长角闪岩、角闪石岩和石榴石透辉岩)的显微组构和地震波各向异性的研究来约束新生代青藏高原东南缘的地壳各向异性.通过角闪石地质压力计计算得知斜长角闪岩、角闪石岩和石榴石透辉岩包体来源于地壳28～36km,为中-下地壳岩石包体.EBSD测量结果显示包体中角闪石的CPO (晶格优选定向)为Type-IV型和(100)[001]滑移,单斜辉石的CPO为SL型和(100)[001]滑移,暗示中-下地壳为高温强变形的特征.通过CPO数据计算获得斜长角闪岩、角闪石岩和石榴石透辉岩包体全岩VP各向异性为1.9%～13.3%,最大分裂的剪切波各向异性(AVS)为1.17%～8.01%.结合前人的研究结果,该地区的地壳岩石能够解释利用Pms震相测量获得的分裂延迟时间,表明云南西北地区的壳内各向异性源于中-下地壳矿物的定向排列.云南西北地区的Pms快波方向近NW-SE向分布并与SKS的快波方向相近,暗示岩石圈变形是耦合的,受控于青藏高原向东南挤出的构造背景.     

Geochemistry of adakitic quartz diorite in the Yamizo Mountains, central Japan: Implications for Early Cretaceous adakitic magmatism in the inner zone of southwest Japan

Abstract   Small-volume plutons of Early to Late Cretaceous ages are widely distributed in the Yamizo Mountains, central Japan. These plutons consist predominantly of granitoids, classified into hornblende gabbro, quartz diorite, hornblende–biotite granodiorite and coarse-grained biotite granite. The quartz diorite (52–64 wt% of SiO₂) is characterized by a high Sr content (606–769 p.p.m.) associated with a low Y (13–27 p.p.m.) and heavy rare earth element content (Yb content of 1.19–2.13 p.p.m.). On the Sr/Y versus Y diagram, this rock type mainly plots in the adakite and Archean high-Al tonalite, trondhjemite and granodiorite (TTG) field. Together with its initial Sr isotopic ratios, which range from 0.7038 to 0.7046, these data suggest that quartz diorite originated as slab melts. However, geochemical calculations assuming either eclogite or garnet amphibolite as the source material do not support this suggestion. Instead, the chemical compositions of quartz diorite are better explained by the fractional crystallization of hornblende, plagioclase and biotite from a primitive, basaltic melt in a magma chamber. In this case, the formation of the associated hornblende gabbro can also be explained by the accumulation of hornblende and plagioclase. Adakitic rocks of Early Cretaceous ages have also been reported in the Tamba Belt of the inner zone of southwest Japan, located ca 500 km west of the Yamizo Mountains. These rocks can be correlated to the adakitic rocks in the Yamizo Mountains based on the geology, petrography, geochemistry and radiometric ages. Therefore, we propose the possibility that the Early Cretaceous adakitic rocks in the inner zone of southwest Japan were produced by fractional crystallization from basaltic arc magmas generated by a partial melting of metasomatized wedge mantle peridotite.