The ‘subduction initiation rule’: a key for linking ophiolites,intra-oceanic forearcs,and subduction initiation

We establish the ‘subduction initiation rule’ (SIR) which predicts that most ophiolites form during subduction initiation (SI) and that the diagnostic magmatic chemostratigraphic progression for SIR ophiolites is from less to more HFSE-depleted and LILE-enriched compositions. This chemostratigraphic evolution reflects formation of what ultimately becomes forearc lithosphere as a result of mantle melting that is progressively influenced by subduction zone enrichment during SI. The magmatic chemostratigraphic progression for the Izu–Bonin–Mariana (IBM) forearc and most Tethyan ophiolites is specifically from MORB-like to arc-like (volcanic arc basalts or VAB ± boninites or BON) because SI progressed until establishment of a mature subduction zone. MORB-like lavas result from decompression melting of upwelling asthenosphere and are the first magmatic expression of SI. The contribution of fluids from dehydrating oceanic crust and sediments on the sinking slab is negligible in early SI, but continued melting results in a depleted, harzburgitic residue that is progressively metasomatized by fluids from the sinking slab; subsequent partial melting of this residue yields ‘typical’ SSZ-like lavas in the latter stages of SI. If SI is arrested early, e.g., as a result of collision, ‘MORB-only’ ophiolites might be expected. Consequently, MORB- and SSZ-only ophiolites may represent end-members of the SI ophiolite spectrum. The chemostratigraphic similarity of the Mariana forearc with that of ophiolites that follow the SIR intimates that a model linking such ophiolites, oceanic forearcs, and SI is globally applicable.     

The Late Jurassic Zedong ophiolite: A remnant of subduction initiation within the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone (southern Tibet) and its tectonic implications

The Zedong ophiolite is the largest ophiolite massif east of Dazhuqu in the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone in the southern Tibetan Plateau. However, its age, geodynamic setting and relationship to the Xigaze ophiolite remain controversial. New zircon U–Pb ages, whole-rock geochemical and Nd–Pb isotopic data from ophiolitic units provide constraints on the geodynamic and tectonic evolution of the Zedong ophiolite. U–Pb zircon geochronology of dolerite lavas and late gabbro–diabase dikes yield weighted mean ages of 153.9 ± 2.5 Ma and 149.2 ± 5.1 Ma, respectively. Strong positive ε_Nd(t) and positive Δ7/4Pb and Δ8/4Pb values indicate derivation from a highly depleted mantle source with an isotopic composition similar to that of the Indian MORB-type mantle. The geochemistry of ophiolitic lavas and early dikes are analogous to typical island arc tholeiites whereas late dikes are similar to boninites. The geochemistry of these rock types suggests multi-stage partial melting of the mantle and gradually enhanced subduction influences to the mantle source through time. Combined with the MORB-like 162.9 ± 2.8 Ma Luobusha ophiolitic lavas, we suggest that the Luobusha lavas, Zedong lavas and early dikes originated in an infant proto-arc setting whereas late dikes in the Zedong ophiolite originated in a forearc setting. Together, they represent a Neo-Tethyan subduction initiation sequence. The Late Jurassic intra-oceanic proto-arc to forearc setting of the Zedong ophiolite contrasts with the continental margin forearc setting for the Xigaze ophiolite, which suggests a laterally complex geodynamic setting for ophiolites along the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone.     

IBM型洋内弧的形成机制:以祁秦增生杂岩带为例

岛弧的形成和演化对于理解板块构造和大陆生长有重要意义.祁连山-西秦岭一带发育两条不同类型的弧岩浆岩带,其北侧为北祁连增生杂岩带,由蛇绿岩、高压变质岩和大陆型弧岩浆岩带组成,形成时代为520~440 Ma.岩浆岩以中酸性火山岩-侵入岩为主,部分地区发育典型双峰式火山岩.南侧为祁秦增生杂岩带,由寒武纪蛇绿岩（525~490 Ma）和奥陶纪IBM型洋内弧岩浆岩（470~440 Ma）组成,蛇绿岩以拉脊山-永靖洋底高原型蛇绿岩为代表,蛇绿岩的上部熔岩部分由夏威夷型苦橄岩、板内碱性玄武岩和板内拉斑玄武岩组成,为大洋板块内部地幔柱活动产物.洋内弧岩浆岩以高镁玄武岩、玄武安山岩、高铝安山岩、玻安岩为主,局部发育赞岐岩.祁秦增生杂岩带的蛇绿岩和弧火山岩组合很好地说明洋底高原与海沟碰撞和俯冲带阻塞是造成俯冲带起始和新的洋内弧形成和发展主要因素.      

西太平洋雅浦海沟地幔演化与岩浆作用研究进展

俯冲带地幔演化与岩浆作用是地球各固体圈层之间发生物质和能量交换的重要地质过程.西太平洋雅浦海沟因其极短的沟-弧距离和洋脊碰撞等独特的地质构造特征成为研究复杂条件下俯冲带演化的理想场所.为了探究雅浦海沟地幔演化与岩浆作用,本文将前人对雅浦海沟火成岩的研究数据进行整合,分析了雅浦海沟火成岩的成因,并根据火成岩形成的制约条件,对卡罗琳板块俯冲到菲律宾海板块的地幔演化与岩浆作用过程进行了讨论.结果显示雅浦海沟火成岩均具有与俯冲相关火成岩的典型特征.橄榄岩地球化学特征指示雅浦海沟地幔熔融程度为20%~25%,地幔在部分熔融过程中受到了流体与熔体的双重交代作用.Re-Os同位素特征指示雅浦海沟地幔中存在约1.16 Ga非常古老的残余地幔,表明地幔可能经历过多期熔融事件,从而导致雅浦海沟地幔非常亏损.雅浦岛弧成因至今仍存争议,主要包括:(1)现今雅浦岛弧为帕里希维拉海盆洋壳的一部分,在中新世因卡罗琳洋脊的碰撞导致帕里希维拉海盆洋壳逆冲到原雅浦岛弧之上.(2)雅浦岛弧在不同构造时期经历过多期岛弧岩浆作用,包括俯冲初始阶段(~52 Ma)的弧前玄武岩、俯冲开始后的岛弧玄武岩(~25 Ma)、与卡罗琳洋脊碰撞(21 Ma)后的岛弧拉斑玄武岩(7~11 Ma).其中7~11 Ma的岛弧拉斑玄武岩指示雅浦岛弧岩浆活动并未因卡罗琳洋脊的碰撞完全停止,很有可能在晚中新世短暂恢复活动.      

Revisiting the tectonic setting of the Carboniferous volcanic rocks in the Chinese Tianshan and its neighboring areas

The Carboniferous–Early Permian rift-related volcanic successions, covering large areas in the Chinese Tianshan and its adjacent areas, make up an important phanerozoic large igneous province in the word, which can be further divided into two sub-provinces: Tianshan and Tarim. The Early Permian volcanic rocks have been considered to be the products of an intraplate volcanism by most researchers. However, there is still strong controversy about the nature and geological setting of the Carboniferous volcanic rocks. The regional angular unconformity of Lower Carboniferous upon basement or pre-Carboniferous rocks, the ages (360–351 Ma) of the youngest ophiolite and the peak of subduction metamorphism of high pressure-low temperature metamorphic belt and the occurrence of Ni-Cu-bearing mafic-ultramafic intrusion with age of ~352 Ma and A-type granite with age of ~358 Ma reveal that the final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean might take place in the Early Mississippian. Our studies reveal that although contamination by continental crust or lithosphere can impart subduction-like signature (e.g., low Nb, low Ta and low Ti) and lead to misidentification of contaminated Carboniferous basaltic lavas from the Chinese Tianshan and its neighboring areas as arc related, there are still some essential differences between the Carboniferous basaltic lavas and arc related ones; such as: uncontaminated Carboniferous basaltic lavas have higher Nb concentrations (9–22 ppm), Nb/La > 1, “hump-shaped” OIB-like trace element patterns and moderate positive ɛ_Nd values that distinguish them from the arc related ones; whereas, the contaminated Carboniferous basaltic lavas are characterized by pronounced negative Nb, Ta and Ti anomalies, but, their concentrations of incompatible trace elements are conspicuously higher than those of subduction-zone basalts that also distinguishes them from the arc related ones. Our summation suggests that the Carboniferous volcanic successions did indeed erupt in an intracontinental rift setting and their generation is likely confined to mantle plume.     

The East Anatolia-Lesser Caucasus ophiolite:An exceptional case of large-scale obduction,synthesis of data and numerical modelling

We present new,geological,metamorphic,geochemical and geochronological data on the East Anatolian-Lesser Caucasus ophiolites.These data are used in combination with a synthesis of previous data and numerical modelling to unravel the tectonic emplacement of ophiolites in this region.All these data allow the reconstruction of a large obducted ophiolite nappe,thrusted for>100 km and up to 250 km on the Anatolian-Armenian block.The ophiolite petrology shows three distinct magmatic series,highlighted by new isotopic and trace element data:(1)The main Early Jurassic Tholeiites(ophiolite s.s.)bear LILEenriched,subduction-modified,MORB chemical composition.Geology and petrology of the Tholeiite series substantiates a slow-spreading oceanic environment in a time spanning from the Late Triassic to the Middle-Late Jurassic.Serpentinites,gabbros and plagiogranites were exhumed by normal faults,and covered by radiolarites,while minor volumes of pillow-lava flows infilled the rift grabens.Tendency towards a subduction-modified geochemical signature suggests emplacement in a marginal basin above a subduction zone.(2)Late Early Cretaceous alkaline lavas conformably emplaced on top of the ophiolite.They have an OIB affinity.These lavas are featured by large pillow lavas interbedded a carbonate matrix.They show evidence for a large-scale OIB plume activity,which occurred prior to ophiolite obduction.(3)Early-Late Cretaceous calc-alkaline lavas and dykes.These magmatic rocks are found on top of the obducted nappe,above the post-obduction erosion level.This series shows similar Sr-Nd isotopic features as the Alkaline series,though having a clear supra-subduction affinity.They are thus interpreted to be the remelting product of a mantle previously contaminated by the OIB plume.Correlation of data from the Lesser Caucasus to western Anatolia shows a progression from back-arc to arc and fore-arc,which highlight a dissymmetry in the obducted oceanic lithosphere from East to West.The metamorphic P-T-t paths of the obduction sole lithologies define a southward propagation of the ophiolite:(1)P-T-t data from the northern Sevan-Akera suture zone(Armenia)highlight the presence and exhumation of eclogites(1.85±0.02 GPa and 590±5℃)and blueschists below the ophiolite,which are dated at ca.94 Ma by Ar-Ar on phengite.(2)Neighbouring Amasia(Armenia)garnet amphibolites indicate metamorphic peak conditions of 0.65±0.05 GPa and 600±20 C with a U-Pb on rutile age of 90.2±5.2 Ma and Ar-Ar on amphibole and phengite ages of 90.8±3.0 Ma and 90.8±1.2 Ma,respectively.These data are consistent with palaeontological dating of sediment deposits directly under(Cenomanian,i.e.>93.9 Ma)or sealing(Coniacian-Santonian,i.e.,≤89.8 Ma),the obduction.(3)At Hinis(NE Turkey)PT-t conditions on amphibolites(0.66±0.06 GPa and 660±20℃,with a U-Pb titanite age of80.0±3.2 Ma)agree with previous P-T-t data on granulites,and highlight a rapid exhumation below a top-to-the-North detachment sealed by the Early Maastrichtian unconformity(ca.70.6 Ma).Amphibolites are cross-cut by monzonites dated by U-Pb on titanite at 78.3±3.7 Ma.We propose that the HT-MP metamorphism was coeval with the monzonites,about 10 Ma after the obduction,and was triggered by the onset of subduction South of the Anatolides and by reactivation or acceleration of the subduction below the Pontides-Eurasian margin.Numerical modelling accounts for the obduction of an"old"~80 Myr oceanic lithosphere due to a significant heating of oceanic lithosphere through mantle upwelling,which increased the oceanic lithosphere buoyancy.The long-distance transport of a currently thin section of ophiolites(<1 km)onto the Anatolian continental margin is ascribed to a combination of northward mantle extensional thinning of the obducted oceanic lithosphere by the Hinis detachment at ca.80 Ma,and southward gravitational propagation of the ophiolite nappe onto its foreland basin.     

Tracing the origin of subduction components beneath the South East rift in the Manus Basin,Papua New Guinea

The Manus Basin to the northeast of Papua New Guinea is an actively spreading/rifting back-arc basin in the Bismarck Sea located between the inactive Manus-Kilinailau trench on the Pacific-plate side and the active New Britain trench on the Solomon-plate side. Spreading/rifting in the Manus Basin takes place in the last 0.78 Myr or so. We present major and trace elements, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotope compositions of rock samples taken from the South East Rift (SER) at the eastern end of the Manus Basin. The strong enrichment of Pb and LILE (large ion lithophile elements) relative to HFSE (high field strength elements) and REE (rare earth elements) in the SER lava is also quite similar to other island arc lavas, suggesting that substantial amount of subduction components were present in its source mantle. To investigate the origin of the subduction components in SER lavas, we compare the geochemical data of SER lavas to published data from New Britain Arc (NBA) and Tabar–Lihir–Tanga–Feni (TLTF) island chain. The volcanism in NBA is related to presently active subduction of the Solomon slab, whereas the TLTF volcanism is located in the forearc area of New Ireland arc which was formed during a former subduction of the Pacific slab. In other words, the NBA and TLTF lavas were influenced by subduction components from the present and former subduction, respectively. We argue that the subduction components in SER lava were incorporated in the mantle lithosphere during the active arc volcanism on New Ireland because the amount of the subduction component in SER decreases with increasing in distance from New Ireland. On the other hand, no relationships are found with respect to New Britain. The Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes indicate that SER lavas contain little sediment component and less amount of fluid component derived from altered oceanic crust compared to the TLTF lavas. This is probably due to the fact that SER is located in backarc settings in contrast to TLTF which is located in forearc setting with respect to the Pacific slab. Thus it is likely that the sediment was removed from the slab in the forearc and/or arc areas, and therefore little or none was introduced in the backarc mantle, which is the source region for SER magmas at present. Fluid derived from altered oceanic crust also may have made its way into the sub-forearc region more effectively than backare region by shallow dehydration process.     

西秦岭商丹缝合带寒武纪斜长花岗岩的成因机制——对原特提斯洋俯冲起始的启示

大洋斜长花岗岩是指分布在蛇绿岩或现今洋壳中的少量长英质侵入体,可形成在洋中脊及俯冲带等多种构造环境,虽然其在洋壳和蛇绿岩中所在体积很小,但对探究大洋岩石圈演化、俯冲起始及洋-陆转化机制具有重要意义。本文对北秦岭造山带西段商丹缝合带内新识别出的斜长花岗岩开展了岩石学、地球化学和锆石U-Pb年代学的综合研究。全岩地球化学结果指示花岗闪长岩具有高的SiO₂、Al₂O₃含量以及较低的K₂O、TiO₂含量,属于低钾亚碱性、准铝质到弱过铝质的岩石。微量元素相对富Sr、贫Nb、Ta和Ti,具有平坦的稀土元素配分模式,是弧前环境中由俯冲板片在浅部层次部分熔融成因的大洋斜长花岗岩。3个斜长花岗岩样品分别记录了526±4 Ma、515±4 Ma和517±6 Ma的锆石U-Pb年龄,结合前人同时代的玻安岩、高镁安山岩的报道,西秦岭商丹缝合带保留有与伊豆-小笠原-马里亚纳(IBM)俯冲带相似的弧前岩石组合,这些弧前的玻安岩、高镁安山岩和斜长花岗岩表明商丹洋在早寒武世发生了洋壳的初始俯冲。结合区域地质资...     

Geochemical and geochronological constraints on the origin of the Sabzevar ophiolites (NE Iran): forced far-field subduction initiation in the upper-plate of the Neo-Tethys subduction zone

The Sabzevar ophiolites, located at the northern margin of the Central-East Iranian microcontinent (CEIM), are part of the Mesozoic-Paleogene Neotethyan suture zone developed along the Alpine-Himalayan convergence zone. These ophiolites consist mostly of oceanic lithospheric remnants, covered by early Campanian-late Maastrichtian volcano-sedimentary successions. A distinctive characteristic of the Sabzevar ophiolites is the occurrence of mafic dike swarms (gabbros, gabbronorites and diorites) with forearc-arc-tholeiitic geochemical signature, intruding the mantle section. Occurrence of orthopyroxene, development of pegmatitic texture, crystallization of clinopyroxene prior to plagioclase, and the presence of anorthite-rich plagioclase imply relatively high H₂O content in the magmatic plumbing system. Rare plagiogranites (tonalite and trondhjemite compositions) show geochemical features compatible with a supra-subduction setting, whereas late (hornblende-bearing) gabbro dikes show a within-plate signature. The bimodal geochemical affinity (subduction vs. intraplate) is also attested by clinopyroxene compositions. The gabbroic, plagiogranitic and gabbronoritic samples yield Early Cretaceous SHRIMP zircon U-Pb ages of 96.7 ± 1, 98 ± 1 and 94 ± 1 Ma, respectively. A progression from tholeiitic MORB-like to more depleted high-Mg andesite and eventually alkaline affinities is here proposed, framing the magma evolution as generated in an evolving forearc setting that post-dated (of at least 9 Myr) the formation of the metamorphic sole during the infant stages of subduction of the Sabzevar Ocean.A scenario of far-field forced subduction initiation of the Sabzevar Ocean is proposed as consequence of propagation of the residual stresses transmitted from the Arabia-Eurasia convergence zone across the CEIM during Cretaceous times (Albian-Campanian).     

Petrogenesis of Volcanic Rocks from Saipan and Rota, Mariana Islands, and Implications for the Evolution of Nascent Island Arcs

An ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of 45·1 Ma determined for lavas fromnorthern Saipan confirms that these high-silica rhyolites eruptedduring the ‘proto-arc’ stage of volcanism in theIzu–Bonin–Mariana system, which is characterizedelsewhere by eruption of boninitic lavas. Incompatible traceelement concentrations and Sr, Hf, Nd, and Pb isotope ratiosfor these rhyolites are transitional between those of c. 48Ma boninitic lavas and post-38 Ma ‘first-arc’ andesitesand dacites from Saipan and Rota that have typical subduction-relatedcompositions. These transitional compositions are modeled bycrystal fractionation of parental tholeiitic basalt combinedwith assimilation of young boninitic crust. A second stage ofRayleigh fractionation in the upper crust is required by SiO₂concentrations that exceed 77 wt % and near-zero compatibleelement concentrations. First-arc magma compositions are consistentwith fractionation of basalt and assimilation of crust similarin composition to the first-arc magmas themselves. The mantlesources of the proto-arc and first-arc lavas from Saipan andRota are similar to those of Philippine back-arc basin basaltsbased on Nd and Hf isotopic compositions. The Pb isotope compositionsof these lavas are between those of Pacific sea-floor basaltsand Jurassic and younger cherty and clay-rich sediments. Thiscontrasts with the boninitic proto-arc volcanic rocks from Guamand Deep Sea Drilling Project Sites 458 and 459 that have Pbisotope compositions similar to Pacific basin basalts and volcaniclasticsediments. The preferred explanation for the difference in thenature of proto-arc volcanism between Saipan and other fore-arclocations is that the crust ceased extending 3–4 Myr earlierbeneath Saipan. This was caused by a change from mantle upwelling,fore-arc extension, and shallow melting to an environment dominatedby more normal mantle wedge convection, stable crust, and deepermelting. KEY WORDS: rhyolite; andesite; Mariana arc; isotope ratios; trace elements     

Evidence for the Jurassic arc volcanism of the Lolotoi complex,Timor: Tectonic implications

We report the first sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) U–Pb zircon ages with geochemical data from metavolcanic rocks in the Lolotoi complex, Timor. The zircon U–Pb ages of two andesitic metavolcanic rocks yield a permissible range of the Middle Jurassic extrusion from 177 Ma to 174 Ma. The geochemical data indicate that the origins of the basaltic and andesitic metavolcanic rocks are products of prolonged oceanic crust and arc magmatism, respectively. They are originated from partial melting of lherzolites, providing an insight into the tectonic evolution of the forearc basements of the Banda volcanic arc. Thus, parts of the Banda forearc basement are pieces of allochthonous oceanic basalts and Jurassic arc-related andesites accreted to the Sundaland during the closure of Mesotethys, and are incorporated later into the Great Indonesian Volcanic Arc system along the southeastern margin of the Sundaland.     

A possible transition from island arc to continental arc magmatism in the eastern Jiangnan Orogen,South China: Insights from a Neoproterozoic (870–860 Ma) gabbroic–dioritic complex near the Fuchuan ophiolite

The Fuchuan ophiolite belt in the eastern Jiangnan Orogen of South China provides important constraints on the tectonic setting and evolution of the Neoproterozoic suture zone between the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks. Combined UPbHf isotopic and REE analysis of zircon from gabbroic and dioritic samples of the Shexian complex, located 10 km southwest of the main Fuchuan ophiolite body, indicate that the complex crystallized at ca. 870–860 Ma with a large variation of zircon ε_Hf(t) values from − 4.80 to + 13.30. Whole-rock geochemistry reveals that the magma mainly experienced fractionation of olivine, clinopyroxene and plagioclase and was partly affected by crustal contamination, which resulted in elevated Th/Nb, Th/La and La/Sm ratios, as well as the scattered ε_Hf(t) values. The most mafic and least contaminated sample shows MORB affinity and was probably formed by partial melting of a depleted subduction-metasomatized mantle wedge. Other samples exhibit arc-like signatures and were probably modified by both melt- and fluid-related subduction metasomatism. The emplacement of the Shexian complex corresponds to the time that subduction switched from a ca. 1000–880 Ma intra-oceanic island arc to a 870–830 Ma continental arc along the southeastern Yangtze Block. The sequence of igneous rocks associated with this continental arc resemble those preserved in forearc Tethyan ophiolites, with magma evolving from ca. 870–860 Ma MORB to ca. 860–850 Ma arc tholeiite and ca. 830 Ma boninite. Arc magmatism concluded with the final assembly of the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks at 830–800 Ma.     

新特提斯洋俯冲起始的地质记录:土耳其南部蛇绿岩和变质底板

在现行板块构造理论的框架下,板块的初始俯冲是岩浆活动和构造运动发生转变的重要过程,亦是理解板块运动的关键节点。在俯冲起始过程中,主要存在四个方面的地质记录,分别为一系列地球化学成分多样的岩浆活动、SSZ型蛇绿岩、变质底板和玻安岩及其对应的铬铁矿床。特提斯造山带作为公认的研究板块构造理论尤其是初始俯冲的关键场所,一直备受地学界的重视。而土耳其南部构造带作为特提斯造山带的重要组成部分,亦是确定亚欧板块和阿拉伯板块之间缝合线存在的重要标志。该南部构造带是研究新特提斯洋俯冲起始的理想场所,上述关于俯冲初始的四个地质记录均保存良好,且有如下方面的重要特点:1)不同地区的镁铁质岩石甚至同一地区的镁铁质岩石具有不同的地球化学特征,从似洋中脊玄武岩,到过渡型岩石类型和玻安质岩石均有发育; 2)大部分蛇绿岩具有完整的序列,各单元及变质底板岩石中普遍发育侵入的基性岩脉,产状多变,是多期岩浆事件的产物; 3)蛇绿岩下部通常发育一套角闪岩相变质底板,且其年龄与蛇绿岩的形成年龄基本一致; 4)蛇绿岩中普遍发育铬铁矿床,以高Cr型为主,部分蛇绿岩中还赋存高Al-高Cr的过渡型铬铁矿,均被认为是幔源岩浆与地幔橄榄岩反应的产物。因而,这些地质体完整记录了新特提斯洋形成-俯冲-消减的演化过程。     

西藏吉定蛇绿岩地球化学特征及其构造指示意义

吉定蛇绿岩位于雅鲁藏布江蛇绿岩带的中段,是该带保存较好的蛇绿岩之一,通过对该岩体的研究及与附近蛇绿岩剖面的对比有助于恢复早白垩世雅鲁藏布江蛇绿岩带的演化过程。吉定蛇绿岩包括玄武岩、辉绿岩、堆晶岩及地幔橄榄岩四个岩石单元。壳层岩石岩浆结晶顺序为:橄榄石→单斜辉石→斜长石,代表湿岩浆系统分异。吉定蛇绿岩壳层熔岩(玄武岩和辉绿岩)Ti O2含量为0.87%~1.45%,平均1.1%,与印度洋N-MORB玻璃(1.19%)相似。REE配分模式具有明显的LREE亏损特征,稀土配分模式与典型的大洋中脊玄武岩相似。但其微量元素蛛网图上表现为富集LILE,而亏损HFSE,并具有较高LILE/HFSE比值特征,与俯冲带上的(SSZ)蛇绿岩相似。蛇绿岩熔岩在岩石地球化学上表现出既亲MORB,又具部分IAB的特征。结合区域上大竹卡、得几等蛇绿岩岩石及地球化学资料对比分析,提出吉定蛇绿岩形成于在洋内俯冲带上发育起来的弧后盆地,并提出日喀则地区早白垩世洋壳演化的解释模式:雅鲁藏布江中段蛇绿岩至少包含三种组分特征的蛇绿岩体,其代表性剖面分别是吉定,得村和大竹卡,分别形成于近俯冲带的弧后盆地、弧前盆地和弧后盆地,这些洋壳共同组成早白垩世时期的与特提斯洋俯冲带斜交的一条分段发育的洋中脊。     

祁连山蛇绿岩带和原特提斯洋演化

位于阿拉善地块和柴达木地块之间的祁连造山带记录原特提斯洋扩张、俯冲、闭合、大陆边缘增生和碰撞造山的完整过程。从南向北,祁连造山带发育有三条平行排列、不同类型的蛇绿岩带:(1)南部南祁连洋底高原-洋中脊-弧后蛇绿岩混杂带;(2)中部托勒山洋中脊型蛇绿岩带;(3)北部走廊南山SSZ型蛇绿岩带。南部南祁连蛇绿混杂岩带以拉脊山-永靖蛇绿岩为代表,为典型的洋底高原型蛇绿岩,是大洋板内地幔柱活动的产物,形成年龄为525～500Ma;中部托勒山蛇绿岩带沿熬油沟-玉石沟-冰沟-永登一线分布,为大洋中脊型蛇绿岩,蛇绿岩形成年龄为550～495Ma;北部蛇绿岩带包括弧前和弧后两种类型,弧前蛇绿岩以大岔大阪蛇绿岩为代表,形成时代为517～487Ma,反映初始俯冲/弧前扩张到弧后盆地的过程;弧后蛇绿岩以九个泉-老虎山蛇绿岩为代表,为典型的SSZ型蛇绿岩,是弧后扩张的产物,形成时代为奥陶纪(490～445Ma)。三个蛇绿岩带分别代表了新元古代-早古生代祁连洋演化历史不同环境的产物,对了解秦祁昆构造带原特提斯洋的构造演化过程有重要意义。蛇绿岩及弧火山岩的时空分布特征限定了原特提斯洋的俯冲极性为向北消减俯冲。     

Geology and K-Ar Ages of the South, Huh Bulgiin Hundii, Saran Uul, Taats Gol and Han Uul deposits in the Bayankhongor Region, Mongolia

Abstract: The Bayankhongor region in central Mongolia consists of a Paleozoic subduction system including Precambrian microcontinents (Baidrag and Burd Gol zones), obducted ophiolites and accretionary sedimentary rocks (Bayankhongor and Dzag zones), and forearc sedimentary rocks (Khangay zone). Arc magmatism in the Bayankhongor region is characterized by dominance of Early Paleozoic ilmenite-series and Late Paleozoic magnetite-series granitoids. These granitoids accompany many hydrothermal deposits of such various types as porphyry, skarn and vein. K-Ar dating on four deposits in the region revealed that the South porphyry Cu-Au, Huh Bulgiin Hundii skarn Cu-Au, Han Uul shear zone-hosted Au and Taats Gol pegmatite W-Au deposits formed at 240±5 Ma, 252±5 Ma, 283±6 Ma and 329±7 Ma, respectively.
Thus the former three are related to the Permian to earliest Triassic magnetite-series granitoids, whereas the W-Au pegmatite at Taats Gol to the Early Carboniferous ilmenite-series granitoids. Porphyry and skarn Cu-Au mineralization occurred at latest Permian to earliest Triassic, when the Andean-type arc magmatism was immediately followed by the collision between the Baidrag and Tarbagatai microcontinents.     

Ophiolites of Iran: Keys to understanding the tectonic evolution of SW Asia: (I) Paleozoic ophiolites

Iran is a mosaic of Ediacaran–Cambrian (Cadomian; 520–600 Ma) blocks, stitched together by Paleozoic and Mesozoic ophiolites. In this paper we summarize the Paleozoic ophiolites of Iran for the international geoscientific audience including field, chemical and geochronological data from the literature and our own unpublished data. We focus on the five best known examples of Middle to Late Paleozoic ophiolites which are remnants of Paleotethys, aligned in two main zones in northern Iran: Aghdarband, Mashhad and Rasht in the north and Jandagh–Anarak and Takab ophiolites to the south. Paleozoic ophiolites were emplaced when N-directed subduction resulted in collision of Gondwana fragment “Cimmeria” with Eurasia in Permo-Triassic time. Paleozoic ophiolites show both SSZ- and MORB-type mineralogical and geochemical signatures, perhaps reflecting formation in a marginal basin. Paleozoic ophiolites of Iran suggest a progression from oceanic crust formation above a subduction zone in Devonian time to accretionary convergence in Permian time. The Iranian Paleozoic ophiolites along with those of the Caucausus and Turkey in the west and Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Tibet to the east, define a series of diachronous subduction-related marginal basins active from at least Early Devonian to Late Permian time.     

Cambro-Ordovician magmatism in the Delamerian orogeny: Implications for tectonic development of the southern Gondwanan margin

The Delamerian Orogen formed at the final stages of assembly of the Gondwana supercontinent. This system marks the initiation of subduction of the Pacific oceanic lithosphere along a prior rifted and extended passive margin. This paper explores the magmatic consequences following the early Cambrian initiation at the palaeo-Pacific margin in South Australia (SA) and western Victoria. Our data reveal a 50 Ma syn- to post-Delamerian tectono-magmatic history. Sampled from drill core from beneath the eastern Murray Basin cover in eastern SA, boninitic high Mg andesite from drill hole KTH12 and 516.1 ± 2 Ma quartz diorite suggest that first subduction established a volcanic arc within easternmost SA. Pacific-ward trench retreat then resulted in arc migration to reach the Mt Stavely Belt and Stawell Zones in western Victoria by ~510 Ma where boninitic arc magmatism continued until ~490 Ma. In the SA foreland of the Delamerian Orogen, early (522 ± 4 Ma) alkali basalt gave way to intrusion and extrusion of MORB-like tholeiites of back-arc basalt character.Through much of the middle and late Cambrian the SA Delamerian was in the back-arc and under extension but with periodic compression resulting from periodic Pacific-Australian plate coupling beneath the forearc in western Victoria.In SA syn-tectonic I- and S-type granites reflect interaction of MORB-like back-arc magmas and their transported heat with continental-derived sediment of the Kanmantoo Group. The termination of the Delamerian orogeny at ~490 Ma was accompanied by buoyancy-controlled, exhumation and erosion. This was driven by delamination of a mafic, crustal underplate, whose re-melting at 1.5 to 2 GPa and 1050 °C generated the unique 495 ± 1 Ma Kinchina/Monarto adakite. Delamination resulted in lithospheric mantle thinning and local convective overturn allowing upwelling of the asthenosphere to drive the post-kinematic magmatic phase of the Delamerian, yielding voluminous 490 Ma–470 Ma A-type granites.     

Geochemistry and petrogenesis of Cretaceous oceanic plateau lavas in eastern Jamaica

Basaltic lavas of Turonian to Coniacian age belonging to the Bath–Dunrobin Formation occur with intercalated island arc tuffs in the south of the Blue Mountain inlier, have been interpreted as being derived from the Caribbean oceanic plateau. This study presents new major and trace element and Sr–Pb–Nd–Hf isotopic data for these igneous rocks. The Jamaican rocks are altered by tropical weathering, hydrothermal and metamorphic processes, which have mobilised many of their elements (e.g. K and Ba). Consequently, the basalts and dacitic tuffs have been classified by using immobile trace elements. The trace element and _Hf(i)–_Nd(i) geochemistry suggests that the basaltic lavas are derived from a chemically similar source region by variable degrees of partial melting. The Caribbean plateau basalts lie on a mixing line between a depleted plume component and HIMU in Nd–Hf isotopic space. The Pb isotope data also demonstrate that the Jamaican plateau lavas are composed of a larger HIMU component than the other plateau lavas within the Caribbean region. The intercalated island arc tuffs are the first to be found in any oceanic plateau succession in the Caribbean and imply that the Caribbean oceanic plateau at  90 Ma was relatively close to the subduction zone along South America and the Great Arc of the Antilles.     

Contraction and extension in northern Borneo driven by subduction rollback

During the Paleogene the Proto-South China Sea was subducted beneath northern Borneo. Subduction ended with Early Miocene collision of the Dangerous Grounds/Reed Bank/North Palawan block and the Sabah–Cagayan Arc. Much of northern Borneo then became emergent forming the Top Crocker Unconformity. Later in the Early Miocene subsidence resumed. It is proposed that northward subduction of the Celebes Sea initiated formation of the Sulu Sea backarc basin, followed by subduction rollback to the SE. This formed a volcanic arc, which emerged briefly above sea level and collapsed in the Middle Miocene. As rollback continued the Sulu Arc was active during Middle and Late Miocene between Sabah and the Philippines. Rollback drove extension in northern Borneo and Palawan, accompanied by elevation of mountains, crustal melting, and deformation offshore. There were two important extensional episodes. The first at about 16 Ma is marked by the Deep Regional Unconformity, and the second at about 10 Ma produced the Shallow Regional Unconformity. Both episodes caused exhumation of deep crust, probably on low angle detachments, and were followed by granite magmatism. The NW Borneo–Palawan Trough and offshore Sabah fold and thrust belt are often interpreted as features resulting from collision, regional compression or subduction. However, there is no seismicity, dipping slab or volcanicity indicating subduction, nor obvious causes of compression. The trough developed after the Middle Miocene and is not the position of the Paleogene trench nor the site of Neogene subduction. Inboard of the trough is a thick sediment wedge composed of an external fold and thrust belt and internal extensional zone with structures broadly parallel to the trough. The trough is interpreted as a flexural response to gravity-driven deformation of the sediment wedge, caused by uplift on land that resulted from extension, with a contribution of deep crustal flow.