Timing of the Erlangping back‐arc basin in the Qinling orogen,central China and its tectonic significance

Back‐arc basins hold the key in understanding the geodynamics of orogenic processes. The Qinling–Dabie orogenic belt in central China is one of the most important orogenic belts constraining the tectonic framework of eastern Asia. However, its Palaeozoic accretionary processes remain equivocal, mainly derived from the age uncertainty of the back‐arc basin in the Qinling orogen. We carried out zircon U–Pb geochronology for two pyroclastic volcanic rocks intercalated within the Erlangping back‐arc basin basalts. They yield U–Pb ages of 435.8 ± 4.2 Ma and 435.7 ± 3.8 Ma, which precisely constrain the timing of the back‐arc basin opening. The opening of the Erlangping back‐arc basin might have been triggered by the rollback of the Proto‐Tethyan oceanic slab due to the southward migration of arc magmatism at ca. 440 Ma. The Palaeozoic tectonic evolution and orogen‐scale geodynamic processes of the Qinling orogen are thus reconstructed.     

Discovery of the Early Paleozoic Boin Sum‐Ordor Sum Island Arc in the Hadamiao Gold Ore District,Inner Mongolia and its Significance to the Evolution of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean

Early Paleozoic granodiorite has been identified on the northern margin of the North China craton in the east section of the central-Asian orogenic belt, which was previously known as early Indosinian in age. By using the LA-ICP-MS method, the obtained zircon U-Pb age is 445.6±2.7 Ma, which represents the crystallization age of the granodiorite. The granodiorite near the east of the large-sized Bilihe gold deposit is of the tholeiite series with low potassium. It is quasi-aluminous I-type granite, enriched in sodium (Na2O/K2O=7.29-9.77) and magnesium (Mg#=0.51-0.67). The ΣREE value is relatively low, obvious differentiation is shown between LREE and HREE and within LREE, and the Eu anomaly is low and negative (δEu=0.74-0.91). In the primitive-mantle normalized spider diagrams of trace elements, the granodiorite is relatively rich in LREE and LILE (Ba, Sr, Th), and strongly depleted in HFSE (Nb, Ta, Ti and P), which shows features of subduction zone components (SZC). In the discrimination diagrams of tectonic settings of granite for Rb vs. (Nb+Y), Rb vs. (Ya+Ta), La/Nb vs. Ba/Nb and Th/Nb vs. Ba/Nb, the granodiorite exhibits typical features of island arc granite. The normalized values of K and Rb are extremely low, while the values of Sr and Eu are very high, which are similar to those of island arc magma that has undergone metasomatism of fluid from the oceanic crust. The granodiorite is relatively depleted in εHf(t) (5.1-7.1) and low in εHf(t) model ages (1089-921 Ma). In the εHf(t) vs. age (T) diagram, the distribution area of the granodiorite is accordant with the field of the Xing’anling-Mongolia orogenic belt, which indicates that the magmatic sources are mainly the mixture of partial melting of wedged mantle subjected to metasomatism of fluid from the oceanic crust and young substance from the crust. The granodiorite is similar to the felsic arc magma in the Damao Banner, Bate Obon, Boin Sum and Ordor Sum regions, and they altogether constitute an early Paleozoic accretionary island arc magmatic belt on the northern margin of the North China craton. A number of early Paleozoic zircons trapped in late Paleozoic intrusions in the Hadamiao and Bilihe regions and the discovery of the early Paleozoic island arc magmatic belt near the east of the Bilihe gold deposit suggest that the late Paleozoic volcanic-intrusive rocks have a basement of early Paleozoic arc accretionary complexes. This is just the evident of the multiphase subduction and accretion model of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO). Paleozoic structures and magmas on the northern margin of the North China craton are shown from south to north as the late Paleozoic Andes-type arc magmatic belt in the Inner Mongolia plateau, the Chifeng-Bayan Obo fault and the late and early Paleozoic arc magmatic belt, which shows that after the early Paleozoic arc-continent collisional orogeny and at the stage of the late Paleozoic accretionary orogeny, the PAO plate was likely to continuously pulsate and underthrust beneath the early Paleozoic island arc accretionary complex belt and its front, i.e. the North China craton. During the early Paleozoic collisional orogeny, the PAO plate might not experience large-scale breakup or delamination. The characteristics of the early Paleozoic island arc accretionary complex basement have a significant control on late Paleozoic diagenesis and metallization in the Hadamiao and Bilihe gold concentrated areas.     

内蒙古苏尼特左旗卓仑音诺尔地区中二叠统哲斯组沉积环境、形成时代及意义

内蒙古苏尼特左旗卓仑音诺尔地区哲斯组可以分为下部的粉砂岩、页岩段和上部的砾岩-砂岩段,分别代表扇中亚相的漫流沉积和扇根亚相的近源快速沉积,反映研究区二叠纪以陆相盆地干旱型冲积扇为特征的岩相古地理面貌。碎屑岩年代学研究揭示,哲斯组的物源为兴安-艾力格庙地块、早古生代的岛弧岩浆岩带及晚石炭世和早二叠世的岩浆岩体,表明盆地具有复杂源区。测年样品中最年轻一组锆石年龄的峰值为281Ma,侵入该组的石英闪长玢岩年龄为248±3Ma,限定陆相盆地的形成时代为中二叠世—三叠纪初。区域地质分析表明,中—晚二叠世兴蒙造山带中西部的不同地区均发育陆源碎屑沉积盆地,但层序特征各不相同,可能属于互不连通的小型盆地,代表二叠纪的盆岭构造,揭示兴蒙造山带在二叠纪整体处于陆内伸展的构造环境。     

Tectonics of the North Qilian orogen,NW China

The Qilian Orogen at the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau is a type suture zone that recorded a complete history from continental breakup to ocean basin evolution, and to the ultimate continental collision in the time period from the Neoproterozoic to the Paleozoic. The Qilian Ocean, often interpreted as representing the “Proto-Tethyan Ocean”, may actually be an eastern branch of the worldwide “Iapetus Ocean” between the two continents of Baltica and Laurentia, opened at ≥ 710 Ma as a consequence of breakup of supercontinent Rodinia.Initiation of the subduction in the Qilian Ocean probably occurred at ~ 520 Ma with the development of an Andean-type active continental margin represented by infant arc magmatism of ~ 517–490 Ma. In the beginning of Ordovician (~ 490 Ma), part of the active margin was split from the continental Alashan block and the Andean-type active margin had thus evolved to western Pacific-type trench–arc–back-arc system represented by the MORB-like crust (i.e., SSZ-type ophiolite belt) formed in a back-arc basin setting in the time period of ~ 490–445 Ma. During this time, the subducting oceanic lithosphere underwent LT-HP metamorphism along a cold geotherm of ~ 6–7 °C/km.The Qilian Ocean was closed at the end of the Ordovician (~ 445 Ma). Continental blocks started to collide and the northern edge of the Qilian–Qaidam block was underthrust/dragged beneath the Alashan block by the downgoing oceanic lithosphere to depths of ~ 100–200 km at about 435–420 Ma. Intensive orogenic activities occurred in the late Silurian and early Devonian in response to the exhumation of the subducted crustal materials.Briefly, the Qilian Orogen is conceptually a type example of the workings of plate tectonics from continental breakup to the development and evolution of an ocean basin, to the initiation of oceanic subduction and formation of arc and back-arc system, and to the final continental collision/subduction and exhumation.     

Development of tectonostratigraphy in distal part of foreland basin in southwestern Taiwan

In the young and active tectonic belt of southwestern Taiwan, reconstructed stratigraphy in the distal part of the foreland basin reveals at least two regional unconformities with the younger ones covering the areas farther from the mountain belt. In contrast with the previously proposed monotonous basin development, the temporal–spatial distribution of the unconformities indicates the back-and-forth migration of the foreland basin margin. Three distinct episodes of rapid subsidence during the foreland basin development have also been identified. The onset of the basin development can be well constrained by the initial rapid subsidence at 4.4–4.2 Ma, which happened only in the proximal part of the basin. This was followed by two younger episodes of rapid subsidence events at 2–1.8 Ma and 0.45 Ma, which were encountered initially in the areas progressively farther from the orogenic belt.We propose a model of episodic tectonic evolution in the distal part of the foreland basin in southwestern Taiwan. During each episode of rapid subsidence, uplifting that corresponds to the forebulge began with a concurrent rapid subsidence in the areas closer to the basin center and was followed by rapid subsidence and deposition of widespread strata onlapping toward the basin margin. Part of the widespread strata and its overlying deposits would be eroded in the beginning of the next episode when the forebulge shifted toward the orogenic belt. In general, rate of forebulge migrating away from the orogenic belt during the early stage was slower than that derived from a previously proposed kinematic model of a steady migration of the orogenic belt. This might be due to a rifted and weaker lithosphere beneath the foreland basin. Once the foreland basin migrated onto the less stretched lithosphere, the basin would expand rapidly into the craton.     

Intra-continental back-arc basin inversion and Late Carboniferous magmatism in Eastern Tianshan,NW China: Constraints from the Shaquanzi magmatic suite

The Yamansu belt,an important tectonic component of Eastern Tianshan Mountains,of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt,NW China hosts many Fe-(Cu)deposit.In this study,we present new zircon U-Pb geochronology and geochemical data of the volcanic rocks of Shaquanzi Formation and diorite intrusions in the Yamansu belt.The Shaquanzi Formation comprises mainly basalt,andesite/andesitic tuff,rhyolite and sub-volcanic diabase with local diorite intrusions.The volcanic rocks and diorites contain ca.315-305 Ma and ca.298 Ma zircons respectively.These rocks show calc-alkaline affinity with enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements(LILEs),light rare-earth elements(LREEs),and depletion in high field strength elements(HFSEs)in primitive mantle normalized multi-element diagrams,which resemble typical back-arc basin rocks.They show depleted mantle signature with ε_(Nd)(t)ranging from+3.1 to +5.6 for basalt;+2.1 to+4.7 for andesite;-0.2 to+1.5 for rhyolite and the ε_(Hf)(t)ranges from-0.1 to +13.0 for andesites;+5.8 to +10.7 for andesitic tuffs.We suggest that the Shaquanzi Formation basalt might have originated from a depleted,metasomatized lithospheric mantle source mixed with minor(3-5%)subduction-derived materials,whereas the andesite and rhyolite could be fractional crystallization products of the basaltic magma.The Shaquanzi Formation volcanic rocks could have formed in an intracontinental back-arc basin setting,probably via the southward subduction of the Kangguer Ocean beneath the Middle Tianshan Massif.The Yamansu mineralization belt might have undergone a continental arc to back-arc basin transition during the Late Carboniferous and the intra-continental back-arc basin might have closed in the Early Permian,marked by the emplacement of dioritic magma in the Shaquanzi belt.     

The Moroccan Anti-Atlas ophiolites: Timing and melting processes in an intra-oceanic arc-back-arc environment

The Moroccan Anti-Atlas orogenic belt encloses several Precambrian inliers comprising two major Neoproterozoic ophiolitic complexes: the Sirwa and Bou Azzer ophiolites. These ophiolites expose crustal and mantle units, thrusting over fragments of a long-lived intra-oceanic arc system. We present a detailed geochronological and petro-geochemical study of three mafic/ultramafic units of these two ophiolites: the Khzama sequence (Sirwa ophiolite) and the Northern and Southern Aït Ahmane sequences (Bou Azzer ophiolite). The crystallization of layered metagabbros from the Bou Azzer ophiolite (North Aït Ahmane sequence) has been dated here at 759 ± 2 Ma (U-Pb on zircons). This new age for the Bou Azzer ophiolite is similar to the formation of the Sirwa ophiolite (762 Ma) and suggests that both units formed during the same spreading event. Metabasalts of the three units show tholeiitic signature but with variable subduction-related imprints marked by LILE enrichments, HFSE depletions and variable Ti contents, similar to modern back-arc basin basalts (BABB). Their back-arc origin is also supported by the geochemical signature of ultramafic units showing very low contents in major and trace incompatible elements (Al₂O₃: 0.12–1.53 wt%, Ti: 3.5–64.2 ppm and Nb: 0.004–0.10 ppm), attesting of a highly refractory protolith. This is in agreement with the high Cr# (0.44–0.81) and low to intermediate Mg# (0.25–0.73) of their constitutive Cr-spinels. Dynamic melting models suggest that these serpentinites experienced intense and polyphased hydrous melting events, strongly influenced by supra-subduction zone SSZ-fluid influx and subduction-related melt percolation. Being particularly affected by these SSZ-melt/rock interactions and closer to arc units to the south, the Sirwa ophiolite and the South Aït Ahmane unit of the Bou Azzer ophiolite likely represent an early stage of the arc-back-arc system, which has been more influenced by the magmatic products of the arc activity compared to the North Aït Ahmane unit of the Bou Azzer ophiolite.     

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.     

Early Cretaceous provenance change in the southern Hailar Basin,northeastern China and its implication for basin evolution

Gamma-ray (GR) logging and detrital zircon geochronology provide new constraints on changing provenance in the southern Hailar Basin of northeastern China. The basement of this region is characterized by low GR values of 70–90 API. This is overlain by a rift-fill sequence, the GR values of which exhibit a broad range in its lower part (70–160 API), but a more restricted range (80–110 API) in its upper part. Post-rift sediments dominate the basin fill, and are characterized by higher GR values of 120–160 API. Detrital zircon samples from the lower rift sequence and post-rift sediments share similar age distributions, with a single dominant age population of 150–110 Ma. Samples from the upper rift sequence exhibit a bimodal age distribution with peaks at 180–150 Ma and 360–300 Ma. The synchronous changes in zircon age populations and GR values in the strata suggest changing sedimentary source characteristics, thus revealing a rapid shift from active rifting to post-rift thermal sagging of the Hailar Basin in the Early Cretaceous. The basal rift-fill deposits are interpreted to have been mainly derived from erosion of local highs internal to the basin itself, although acidic air-fall ash from the extensive late Mesozoic volcanism in the Great Xing'an Range probably also contributed. Post-rift sediments are dominated by materials shed from the Great Xing'an Range magmatic belt.     

Evolution of Cambrian and Early Ordovician arcs in the Kyrgyz North Tianshan: Insights from U-Pb zircon ages and geochemical data

Geochronological, geochemical, and structural studies of magmatic and metamorphic complexes within the Kyrgyz North Tianshan (NTS) revealed an extensive area of early Palaeozoic magmatism with an age range of 540–475 Ma. During the first episode at 540–510 Ma, magmatism likely occurred in an intraplate setting within the NTS microcontinent and in an oceanic arc setting within the Kyrgyz-Terskey zone in the south. During the second episode at 500–475 Ma, the entire NTS represented an arc system. These two phases of magmatism were separated by an episode of accretionary tectonics of uncertain nature, which led to obduction of ophiolites from the Kyrgyz-Terskey zone onto the microcontinent. The occurrence of zircon xenocrysts and predominantly negative whole-rock ɛ_Nd(t) values and ɛ_Hf(t) values of magmatic zircons suggest a continental setting and melting of Precambrian continental sources with minor contributions of Palaeozoic juvenile melts in the generation of the magmatic rocks. The late Cambrian to Early Ordovician 500–475 Ma arc evolved mainly on Mesoproterozoic continental crust in the north and partly on oceanic crust in the south. Arc magmatism was accompanied by spreading in a back-arc basin in the south, where supra-subduction ophiolitic gabbros yielded ages of 496 to 479 Ma. The relative position of the arc and active back-arc basin implies that the subduction zone was located north of the arc, dipping to the south. Variably intense metamorphism and deformation in the NTS reflect an Early Ordovician orogenic event at 480–475 Ma, resulting from closure of the Djalair-Naiman ophiolite trough and collision of the Djel'tau microcontinent with the northern margin of NTS. Comparison of geological patterns and episodes of arc magmatism in the NTS and Chinese Central Tianshan indicate that these crustal units constituted a single early Palaeozoic arc and were separated from the Tarim Craton by an oceanic basin since the Neoproterozoic.     

The belt of metagabbros of La Pampa: Lower Paleozoic back-arc magmatism in south-central Argentina

Combined geological, geochronological, geochemical and geophysical studies have led to identification of a large (∼300 km long, ∼5 km wide) N–S trending belt of metagabbros in the province of La Pampa, south-central Argentina. This belt, though only poorly exposed in the localities of Valle Daza and Sierra de Lonco Vaca, stands out in the geophysical data (aeromagnetics and gravity). Modeling of the aeromagnetic data permits estimation of the geometry of the belt of metagabbros and surrounding rocks.The main rock type exposed is metagabbros with relict magmatic nucleii where layering is preserved. A counterclockwise P–T evolution affected these rocks, i.e., during the Middle Ordovician the protolith reached an initial granulite facies of metamorphism (M1), evolving to amphibolite facies (M2). During the Upper Devonian, a retrograde, greenschist facies metamorphism (M3) partially affected the metagabbros.The whole-rock Sm–Nd data suggest a juvenile source from a depleted mantle, with model ages ranging from 552 to 574 Ma, and positive Epsilon values of 6.51–6.82. A crystallization age of 480 Ma is based on geological considerations, i.e. geochronological data of the host rocks as well as comparisons with the Las Aguilas mafic–ultramafic belt of Sierra de San Luis (central Argentina).The geochemical studies indicate an enriched MORB and back-arc signature.The La Pampa metagabbros are interpreted to be originated as a result of the extension that took place in a back-arc setting coevally with the Famatinian magmatic arc (very poorly exposed in the western part of the study area). The extensional event was ´aborted´ by the collision of the Cuyania terrane with Pampia-Gondwana in the Middle Ordovician, causing deformation and metamorphism throughout the arc–back-arc region.The similarities between the La Pampa metagabbros and the mafic–ultramafic Las Aguilas belt of the Sierra de San Luis are very conspicuous, for example, the age (Lower Paleozoic), geochemical signature and timing of metamorphism (dated at ca. 465 Ma in the study area), which allow definition of a single, mafic back-arc belt in central Argentina, from San Luis to La Pampa.     

Neoproterozoic tectonic evolution of the Hongseong area, southwestern Gyeonggi Massif, South Korea; implication for the tectonic evolution of Northeast Asia

Two types of Neoproterozoic metabasites occur together with regionally intruded arc-related Neoproterozoic granitoids (ca. 850–830 Ma) in the Hongseong area, southwestern Gyeonggi Massif, South Korea, which is the extension of the Dabie–Sulu collision belt in China. The first type of metabasite (the Bibong and Baekdong metabasites) is a MORB-like back-arc basin basalt or gabbro formed at ca. 890–860 Ma. The Bibong and Baekdong metabasites may have formed during back-arc opening by diapiric upwelling of deep asthenospheric mantle which was metasomatized by large ion lithophile element (LILE) enriched melt or fluid derived from the subducted slab and/or subducted sediment beneath the arc axis. The second type of metabasite (the Gwangcheon metabasite) formed in a plume-related intra-continental rift setting at 763.5 ± 18.3 Ma and is geochemically similar to oceanic island basalt (OIB). These data indicate a transition in tectonic setting in the Hongseong area from arc to intra-continental rift between ca. 830 and 760 Ma. This transition is well correlated to the Neoproterozoic transition from arc to intra-continental rift tectonic setting at the margin of the Yangtze Craton and corresponds to the amalgamation and breakup of Rodinia Supercontinent.     

Late Neoarchean geodynamic evolution: Evidence from the metavolcanic rocks of the Western Shandong Terrane,North China Craton

Late Neoarchean metavolcanic rocks are widely distributed in the Western Shandong Terrane (WST). They are classified as ~2590–2580 Ma tholeiites (Group MB-1), ~2550–2530 Ma tholeiites (Group MB-2), calc-alkaline basalts (Group MB-3), high-Si adakites (Group MAD) and ~2520–2500 Ma tholeiites (Group MB-4) based on zircon U-Pb chronological and geochemical data. Their parental magmas have complex origins and were derived from a depleted mantle wedge enriched by slab-derived melts or fluids (Group MB-1); an unaltered depleted mantle (Group MB-2); the delaminated lower crustal materials (Group MAD); a strongly melt- and fluid-metasomatized depleted mantle (Group MB-3); and a fluid- and sediment-metasomatized asthenospheric mantle (Group MB-4). The late Neoarchean geodynamic evolution of the WST revealed by these multi-genetic volcanic rocks can be summarized as follows: (1) an ~2.62–2.53 Ga eastward subduction operated along the ancient continental margin, followed by delamination of unstable continental lithosphere in the back-arc region during ~2.60–2.53 Ga; and (2) delamination-derived mantle magmas ascended and caused the regional extension, further inducing the asthenosphere to passively rise and the back-arc basin to open during ~2.52–2.50 Ga. The above intense mantle magmatism and crust-mantle interactions have consumed abundant mantle energy and facilitated the continental stratification and final cratonization of the WST.     

Geochronology and geochemistry of igneous rocks in the Bailingshan area: Implications for the tectonic setting of late Paleozoic magmatism and iron skarn mineralization in the eastern Tianshan,NW China

The late Paleozoic Bailingshan intrusions and volcanic rocks are located in the Aqishan–Yamansu arc belt in the southern part of the eastern Tianshan and are associated with an important group of iron skarn deposits. The exposed intrusive rocks are mainly granodiorite, monzonitic granite, and granite. Zircon U–Pb dating of the Tugutublak Formation tuffaceous dacitic lava yields an age of 324 Ma, whereas dates of the Bailingshan granodiorite, monzonitic granite, and granite yields ages of 317 Ma, 313 Ma, and 307 Ma, respectively. The results indicate that the Bailingshan granitoids were emplaced soon after the eruption of the Tugutublak dacite. All these rocks studied show calc-alkaline to high-K calc-alkaline and metaluminous affinities, with A/CNK values ranging 0.83–1.10. They are enriched in Rb, K, and Pb, depleted in Nb, Ta, Ti, and P, and contain low Sr/Y (4.16–23.7) and Sr (109.0–347.0 ppm) values, displaying typical arc geochemical affinities. The tuffaceous dacitic lava has low Nb/Ta (10.3–14.1) values, a wide range of Mg^# (6–64), positive zircon ε_Hf(t) (3.2–7.5) values, and elevated whole-rock ε_Nd(t) (2.03–4.41), but low I_Sr values (0.70427–0.70530), indicating that the source magma may have been derived from the juvenile lower crust with minor mantle input. The Bailingshan I-type intrusions also exhibit a mixed source signal, as constrained by Nb/Ta ratios, Mg^#, and isotopes characteristics. Because the granodiorite, monzonitic granite, and granite intrusions have higher zircon ε_Hf(t) (3.3–7.5, 11.8–13.5, and 10.2–14.4, respectively) and ε_Nd(t) (3.90, 5.78, and 5.94, respectively) values than those of the tuffaceous dacitic lava, it is suggested that mantle-derived materials may have played a more prominent role with their petrogenetic evolution. Integrating our new geological, age, geochemical and isotopic data we propose that the Aqishan–Yamansu iron skarn belt may have formed in a back-arc position or within an intra-arc basin generated by the southward subduction of the Kanggur oceanic plate beneath the Yili–Central Tianshan block during the late Paleozoic, with felsic-intermediate magmatism occurring during the basin inversion.     

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。     

The Eastern Black Sea-type volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits: Geochemistry,zircon U–Pb geochronology and an overview of the geodynamics of ore genesis

The Meso-Cenozoic geodynamic evolution of the eastern Pontides orogenic belt provides a key to evaluate the volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits associated with convergent margin tectonics in a Cordilleran-type orogenic belt. Here we present new geological, geochemical and zircon U–Pb geochronological data, and attempt to characterize the metallogeny through a comprehensive overview of the important VMS mineralizations in the belt. The VMS deposits in the northern part of the eastern Pontides orogenic belt occur in two different stratigraphic horizons consisting mainly of felsic volcanic rocks within the late Cretaceous sequence. SHRIMP zircon U–Pb analyses from ore-bearing dacites yield weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages ranging between 91.1 ± 1.3 and 82.6 ± 1 Ma. The felsic rocks of first and second horizons reveal geochemical characteristics of subduction-related calc-alkaline and shoshonitic magmas, respectively, in continental arcs and represent the immature and mature stages of a late Cretaceous magmatic arc. The nature of the late Cretaceous magmatism in the northern part of the eastern Pontides orogenic belt and the various lithological associations including volcaniclastics, mudstones and sedimentary facies indicate a rift-related environment where dacitic volcanism was predominant. The eastern Pontides VMS deposits are located within the caldera-like depressions and are closely associated with dome-like structures of felsic magmas, with their distribution controlled by fracture systems. Based on a detailed analyses of the geological, geophysical and geodynamic information, we propose that the VMS deposits were generated either in intra arc or near arc region of the eastern Pontides orogenic belt during the southward subduction of the Tethys oceanic lithosphere.     

Early Carboniferous ophiolite in central Qiangtang,northern Tibet: record of an oceanic back-arc system in the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean

Zircon U–Pb dating of two samples of metagabbro from the Riwanchaka ophiolite yielded early Carboniferous ages of 354.4 ± 2.3 Ma and 356.7 ± 1.9 Ma. Their positive zircon εHf(t) values (+7.9 to +9.9) indicate that these rocks were derived from a relatively depleted mantle. The metagabbros can be considered as two types: R1 and R2. Both types are tholeiitic, with depletion of high-field-strength elements (HFSE) and enrichment of large-ion lithophile elements (LILE) similar to those of typical back-arc basin basalts (BABB), such as Mariana BABB and East Scotia Ridge BABB. Geochemical and isotopic characteristics indicate that the R1 metagabbro originated from a back-arc basin spreading ridge with addition of slab-derived fluids, whereas the R2 metagabbro was derived from a back-arc basin mantle source, with involvement of melts and fluids from subducted ocean crust. The Riwanchaka ophiolite exhibits both mid-ocean ridge basalts- and arc-like geochemical affinities, consistent with coeval ophiolites from central Qiangtang. Observations indicate that the Qiangtang ophiolites developed during the Late Devonian–early Carboniferous (D₃–C₁) in a back-arc spreading ridge above an intra-oceanic subduction zone. Based on our data and previous studies, we propose that an oceanic back-arc basin system existed in the Longmuco–Shuanghu–Lancang Palaeo-Tethys Ocean during the D₃–C₁ period.     

U–Pb detrital zircon geochronology and its implications: The early Late Triassic Yanchang Formation,south Ordos Basin,China

U–Pb detrital zircon geochronology has been used to identify provenance and document sediment delivery systems during the deposition of the early Late Triassic Yanchang Formation in the south Ordos Basin. Two outcrop samples of the Yanchang Formation were collected from the southern and southwestern basin margin respectively. U–Pb detrital zircon geochronology of 158 single grains (out of 258 analyzed grains) shows that there are six distinct age populations, 250–300 Ma, 320–380 Ma, 380–420 Ma, 420–500 Ma, 1.7–2.1 Ga, and 2.3–2.6 Ga. The majority of grains with the two oldest age populations are interpreted as recycled from previous sediments. Multiple sources match the Paleozoic age populations of 380–420 and 420–500 Ma, including the Qilian–Qaidam terranes and the North Qilian orogenic belt to the west, and the Qinling orogenic belt to the south. However, the fact that both samples do not have the Neoproterozoic age populations, which are ubiquitous in these above source areas, suggests that the Late Triassic Yanchang Formation in the south Ordos Basin was not derived from the Qilian–Qaidam terranes, the North Qilian orogenic belt, and the Qinling orogenic belt. Very similar age distribution between the Proterozoic to Paleozoic sedimentary rocks and the early Late Triassic Yanchang Formation in the south Ordos Basin suggests that it was most likely recycled from previous sedimentary rocks from the North China block instead of sediments directly from two basin marginal deformation belts.     

三江地区义敦岛弧造山带演化和成矿系统

义敦岛弧是喜马拉雅巨型造山带中的一个复合造山带,它经历了印支期洋壳俯冲造山、燕山湖弧-陆碰撞和喜马拉雅期陆内走滑作用诸演化历史。可能由于洋壳板片俯冲角度不同,义敦晚三叠世古岛弧带(206～237 Ma)南北两段具有不同的发育历史,北段昌台弧以发育孤间裂谷为特色,具张性弧特征,发育扩张环境流体聚敛成矿系统,形成VMS型Zn-Pb-Cu矿床和浅成低温热液型Ag-Au-Hg矿床;南段中甸弧不发育弧后盆地,但广泛发育钙碱性弧火山岩-玢岩-斑岩杂岩系和挤压环境岩浆-流体成矿系统,形成斑岩型-夕卡岩型铜多金属矿床。在三叠纪-侏罗纪之交的弧-陆碰撞作用中,早期大陆板片俯冲形成同碰撞花岗岩带(约200 Ma),晚期造山后伸展作用,形成A型花岗岩带(75～138 Ma),伴随扬子大陆板片俯冲而发生的强烈剪切和推覆,在甘孜-理塘蛇绿混杂带发育挤压剪切环境流体聚敛成矿系统,形成剪切带型金矿。伴随造山后伸展和A型花岗岩侵位,发育伸张环境岩浆-流体聚敛成矿系统,主要形成夕卡岩型锡矿和构造破碎带热浪脉型银多金属矿床。印度-亚洲大陆碰撞在义敦造山带主要表现为陆内走滑作用,并控制碱性花岗岩和花岗斑岩的发育(50～30 Ma),伴随斑岩型金矿的形成。     

三江地区义敦岛弧碰撞造山过程：花岗岩记录

义敦岛弧碰撞造山带是特提斯－喜马拉雅巨型造山带中的一个复合造山带。本文利用义敦岛弧碰撞造山带29个花岗岩体的43件同位素测年数据，结合岩石地球化学特征，建立了造山带花岗岩的时间坐标。初步识别出4套不同成因类型的花岗岩，即印支期弧花岗岩、燕山早期同碰撞花岗岩、燕山晚期A型花岗岩和喜马拉雅期花岗岩。据此，再造了造山带的形成过程与演化历史：印支期的大规模俯冲造山作用（238－210Ma)，形成义敦火山岩浆弧；大约自206Ma始，发生弧－陆碰撞，伴随岛弧地壳挤压收缩和剪切变形，发育同碰撞花岗岩；进入燕山晚期（138－73Ma)，岛弧碰撞造山带发生造山后伸展作用，形成A型花岗岩带；喜马拉雅期发生陆内造山作用（65－15Ma)，岛弧碰撞造山带出现逆冲－推覆和大规模走滑平移，伴随喜马拉雅期花岗岩的侵位和拉分盆地的形成。