Formation process of mid-Neoproterozoic mafic rocks from the western Jiangnan Orogen,South China: insights from SHRIMP U–Pb dating and geochemical analysis

The mid-Neoproterozoic tectonic setting of the Jiangnan Orogen (JO) is uncertain due to the ongoing debate regarding the history of interactions between the Yangtze and Cathaysia Blocks. Extensive magmatic rocks with ages >830 Ma are observed in the eastern JO and are reported to indicate their formation conditions; however, such magmatic rocks are rare in the western JO. This paper presents data from samples collected from two ultramafic intrusions in northern Guangxi province that yield SHRIMP U–Pb ages of 848 ± 7 and 836 ± 5 Ma. These two intrusions have similar geochemical compositions; are enriched in LILE (Rb, Ba, Th, and Pb) relative to HFSE (Hf, Zr, Nb, Ta, and Y), reflecting an arc-like signature; and are derived from the same source. The intrusions have positive εNd(t) and εHf(t) values, implying a depleted mantle source. Comparing the Neoproterozoic mafic–ultramafic rocks of the JO, differences exist between the rocks that formed at 860–830, 830–800, and 800–740 Ma in terms of their mantle sources and formation conditions. Considering the geochemical composition and ages of formation of the strata and the deep structure of the western JO, we speculate that the western JO was a back-arc foreland basin, which experienced shallow subduction-related and arc-like magmatism during the period between 860 and 830 million years. In contrast to the western JO, the eastern JO may have been a back-arc basin with oceanic crustal basement during that time. The JO formed between 830 and 800 million years in association with subduction-related collisional magmatism due to the amalgamation of the Yangtze and Cathaysia Blocks. Subsequently, magmatism occurred in the JO that resulted from the post-orogenic extension.