Discovery of the early Jurassic Gajia mélange in the Bangong–Nujiang suture zone: Southward subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang Ocean?

International Journal of Earth Sciences - Mélange records a series of geological processes associated with oceanic subduction and continental collision. This paper reports for the first time...     

The Middle Triassic evolution of the Bangong–Nujiang Tethyan Ocean: evidence from analyses of OIB-type basalts and OIB-derived phonolites in northern Tibet

International Journal of Earth Sciences - In this paper, we present new major and trace element chemical data for the basalts and phonolites of the Nare ocean island fragment (NaOI), as well as...     

Petrology,geochemistry, and geochronology of boninitic dikes from the Kangqiong ophiolite: implications for the Early Cretaceous evolution of Bangong–Nujiang Neo-Tethys Ocean in Tibet

The Kangqiong ophiolite is exposed in the central–western part of the Bangong–Nujiang suture zone (BNSZ) of central Tibet. This study reports new data for boninitic dikes with the aim of reconstructing the geodynamic and petrogenetic evolution of the Kangqiong ophiolite. Ten samples of boninitic dikes that cross-cut the mafic cumulates have very low TiO₂ (0.34–0.42%) contents and high MgO (6.65–8.25%) contents. LA-ICP-MS U–Pb analyses of zircon from the boninitic dikes yield an age of 115 Ma. They are characterized by positive εHf(t) values varying from +13.1 to +15.0. Taking into account the geochemical characteristics of the mantle section, the Kangqiong ophiolite should be generated in a fore-arc spreading setting resulting from intra-oceanic subduction. Based on our data and previous studies, we propose that the BNSZ represents the major suture and records the Early Cretaceous intra-oceanic subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang Neo-Tethys Ocean, and the Shiquan River–Yongzhu–Jiali ophiolitic mélange belt represents a back-arc basin. These two belts, together with the northern Lhasa subterrane should, represent an Early Cretaceous intra-oceanic subduction system and back-arc basin in central Tibet that is similar to present-day active intra-oceanic subduction systems in the western Pacific Ocean. The final closure of the Bangong–Nujiang Neo-Tethys Ocean might have taken place later than the Early Cretaceous.     

Early Cretaceous continental arc-related volcanic rocks in the Duobuzha area,northern Tibet: implications for evolution history of the Bangong–Nujiang Ocean

New whole-rock major and trace elements data, zircon laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U–Pb ages, and zircon Hf isotope compositions were analysed for Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks, also called Meiriqieco Formation (MF) in the Duobuzha area of the Southern Qiangtang–Baoshan Block (SQBB), northern Tibet. Our aim is to clarify their petrogenesis and tectonic setting, and constrain the evolution process on the northern margin of Bangong–Nujiang suture zone (BNSZ) during Early Cretaceous time. The MF volcanic rocks are mainly composed of andesites with subordinate basalts and rhyolites with high-K calc-alkaline affinity. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating for two andesite and one rhyolite samples give uniform ages within error of ca.113, 114, and 118 Ma, respectively, indicating they were erupted on the Early Cretaceous. The MF andesites have variable zircon ε_Hf(t) values (+0.5 to +10.5), which is different from those of MF rhyolites (+7.9 to +10.7). All the MF rocks are enriched in large ion lithophile elements, and depleted in high field strength elements, yielding the affinity of arc rocks. The MF basalts were most likely derived from the mantle wedge that was metasomatized by fluids released from subducting slab with the involvement of subducted sediments. The MF rhyolites were generated by partial melting of the juvenile mafic lower crust. The MF andesites are interpreted to have formed by mixing of the magmas that parental of the MF basalts and the MF rhyolites. In addition, a couple of distinctly magmatic sources are identified in the SQBB, and this may be related to mantle components injected into the continental crust. Combined with published geological data in the BNSZ and SQBB, we consider that the MF volcanic rocks are formed in a continental arc setting, suggesting that BNO were subducting during the Early Cretaceous time in the Duobuzha area.     

From arc-continent collision to ocean closure: Lower Cretaceous Shamuluo Formation in the western segment of the Bangong–Nujiang suture zone,central Tibet

One of most hotly debated topics concerning the Late Mesozoic evolution of Tethyan and the Tibetan Plateau is the timing of the closure of the Meso-Tethys ocean, which is represented by the Bangong–Nujiang suture zone. The Upper Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous Shamuluo Formation, which unconformably overlies the older Mugagangri Group accretionary complex, provides important information on the closure of the Meso-Tethys Ocean. This paper precisely confines the depositional age of the Shamuluo Formation in the western segment of the Bangong–Nujiang suture zone, extending it from the Late Jurassic to the Albian. Combined with the results of previous studies, we suggest that the Shamuluo Formation in the Awengco–Baerqiong region mainly contains a bathyal Berriasian–Hauterivian subunit and a shallow-marine Albian subunit. Provenance analysis indicates that the Berriasian–Hauterivian subunit was mainly derived from the Jurassic southern Qiangtang magmatic arc, while the Albian subunit was derived from the coeval volcanic rocks and the Upper Carboniferous–Upper Permian strata in the southern Qiangtang terrane. Thus, the two subunits of the Shamuluo Formation have significant distinct sedimentary facies and provenances, indicating that they were deposited in different tectonic settings.Based on the regional geological data, we suggest that the bathyal Berriasian–Hauterivian subunit and the shallow-marine Albian subunit of the Shamuluo Formation should be interpreted as a record of the oceanic arc-continent collision and the Lhasa–Qiangtang soft-collision, respectively. Thus, the closure time of the Meso-Tethys Ocean is at least limited to the Albian.     

Age and nature of the Jurassic–Early Cretaceous mafic and ultramafic rocks from the Yilashan area,Bangong–Nujiang suture zone,central Tibet: implications for petrogenesis and tectonic Evolution

The Jurassic–Early Cretaceous Yilashan mafic–ultramafic complex is located in the middle part of the Bangong–Nujiang suture zone, central Tibet. It features a mantle sequence composed of peridotites and a crustal sequence composed of cumulate peridotites and gabbros that are intruded by diabases with some basalts. This article presents new whole-rock geochemical and geochronological data for peridotites, gabbros, diabases and basalts to revisit the petrogenesis and tectonic setting of the Yilashan mafic–ultramafic complex. Zircon laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LA-ICP-MS) U–Pb ages of three diabase samples are 169.6 ± 3.3 Ma, 132.5 ± 2.5 Ma, and 133.6 ± 4.9 Ma, respectively. These ages together with previous studies indicate that the Yilashan mafic–ultramafic complex probably formed during the Jurassic–Early Cretaceous. The peridotites exhibit nearly U-shaped REE patterns and are distinct from abyssal peridotites. The diabase and basalt samples show arc features with selective enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREE) and large ion lithophile elements (LILEs; e.g. Rb, U, and Sr) and depletion in high field strength elements (HFSEs; e.g. Nb, Ta, and Ti). The gabbro samples display cumulate features with selective enrichment in LILEs (e.g. Rb, Ba, and Sr) but depletion in LREEs and HFSEs (e.g. Nb, Zr, and Ti). Combing the positive ε_Nd(t) values (+6.1 to +10.0) and negative zircon ε_Hf(t) values (–16.5 to –11.7 and –13.6 to –0.4) with older Hf model ages for the mafic rocks, these signatures suggest that the Yilashan mafic and ultramafic rocks likely originated from an ancient lithospheric mantle source with the addition of asthenospheric mantle materials and subducted fluids coupled with limited crustal contamination in a continental arc setting as a result of the southward subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang Tethys Ocean beneath the Lhasa terrane during the Jurassic–Early Cretaceous.     

Discovery of eclogite in the Bangong Co–Nujiang ophiolitic mélange,central Tibet,and tectonic implications

An eclogite has been recently identified within ophiolitic mélange in the western segment of the Bangong Co–Nujiang suture zone, at Shemalagou in the Gaize area of central Tibet. The eclogite consists of garnet, omphacite, phengite, rutile, quartz, diopside, and amphibole. The omphacite, which has not been recognized in the suture zone until this study, occurs as rare relics within diopside grains in the eclogite. Phase equilibria modeling shows that the eclogite formed under P–T conditions of 22–28 kbar and 600–650 °C with a low geothermal gradient of ca. 8 °C/km, suggesting that it formed during the subduction of oceanic crust. The protoliths of the eclogite and coexisting garnet amphibolites have geochemical characteristics similar to those of normal mid-ocean ridge basalt (N-MORB), confirming that the eclogites formed from oceanic crust. The presence of high-pressure (HP) eclogite indicates that the ophiolitic mélange in the Bangong Co–Nujiang suture zone underwent oceanic subduction and was subsequently exhumed. We conclude that this ophiolitic belt represents a newly identified HP metamorphic belt in the Tibetan Plateau, adding to the previously recognized Songduo and Longmucuo–Shuanghu eclogite belts. This discovery will result in an improved understanding of the tectonic evolution of the Bangong Co–Nujiang suture zone and the Tibetan Plateau as a whole.     

Tectonic evolution of the India–Asia suture zone since Middle Eocene time,Lopukangri area,south-central Tibet

Suture zones often archive complex geologic histories underscored by episodes of varying style of deformation associated with intercontinental collision. In the Lopukangri area of south-central Tibet (29°54′N, 84°24′E) field relationships between tectonic units juxtaposed by the India–Asia suture are well exposed, including Indian passive margin rocks (Tethyan Sedimentary Sequence), forearc deposits (Xigaze Group), magmatic arc rocks (Gangdese batholith and Linzizong Formation) and syncollision deposits (Eocene–Miocene conglomerates). To better understand the structural history of this area, we integrated geologic mapping with biotite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar thermochronology and zircon U–Pb geochronology. The first-order structure is a system of north-directed thrusts which are part of the Great Counter thrust (GCT) that places Indian passive margin rocks and forearc deposits on top of magmatic arc rocks and syn-tectonic conglomerates. We infer the south-directed Late Oligocene Gangdese Thrust (GT) exists at unexposed structural levels based on field mapping, cross sections, and regional correlations as it has been documented immediately to the east. A granite in the footwall has a U–Pb zircon age of 38.4 ± 0.4 Ma, interpreted to be the age of emplacement of the granite, and a younger ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar biotite age of 19.7 ± 0.1 Ma. As the granite sample is situated immediately below a nonconformity with low grade greenschist facies rocks, we interpret the younger age to reflect Miocene resetting of the biotite Ar system. Syn-tectonic deposits in the Lopukangri area consist of three conglomerate units with a total thickness of ∼1.5 km. The lower two units consist of cobble gravel pebble conglomerates rich in volcanic and plutonic clasts, transitioning to conglomerates with only sedimentary clasts in the upper unit. We correlate the syncollision deposits to the Eocene–Oligocene Qiuwu Formation based on field relationships, stratigraphy and petrology. Petrology and clast composition suggest the lower two units of the Qiuwu Formation had a northern provenance (Lhasa block and magmatic arc) and the upper unit had a southern provenance (Tethyan Sedimentary Sequence). Our observations are consistent with paleocurrent data from other studies which suggest a predominant south-directed paleoflow for this formation. We propose a model in which: (1) granites intrude at 38.4 ± 0.4 Ma; (2) are exhumed by erosion; (3) and buried due to regional subsidence and initial deposition of a conglomerate unit; (4) exposed by the GT at ∼27–24 Ma to provide detritus; (5) buried a second time by hanging wall-derived sedimentary deposits and the GCT, then (6) exposed from a depth of ∼12–10 km by a blind thrust at ∼19 Ma. An alternate model describes: (1) intrusion of the granites at 38.4 ± 0.4 Ma, followed by (2) exhumation of the granites via normal faulting to provide detritus; (3) then burial by the GCT at ∼24 Ma, followed by (4) exhumation via regional erosional denudation at ∼19 Ma. Exposure of the GT west of Xigaze has not been confirmed. We suggest that shallower structural levels of the India-Asia suture zone are exposed to the west of the study area, compared to the east, where the GT has been previously documented. The GCT in the area is short-lived, as it is cut and offset by a Middle Miocene ∼N-striking W-dipping oblique normal fault system.     

Age and nature of the late Early Cretaceous Zhaga Formation,northern Tibet: constraints on when the Bangong–Nujiang Neo-Tethys Ocean closed

This article reports the depositional environment, provenance, and U–Pb zircon age constraints for the newly identified Zhaga Formation in northern Tibet and uses these to better understand the tectonic evolution of the Bangong–Nujiang suture. One transect across the Zhaga Formation was investigated. The Zhaga Formation is ~2 km thick, dominated by greywacke and conglomerate at the base, basalt and limestone in the middle, and greywacke and shale at the top. Greywacke in the Zhaga Formation typically contains 70–75% quartz, 5% feldspar, 3–5% rock debris, and >15% matrix, with normal grading and convolute bedding, basal flow structures, and distinct Bouma sequences interpreted as bathyal to abyssal turbidites. One rhyolite sample and one greywacke sample from the studied transect were collected for zircon U–Pb dating. The rhyolite yields a concordia age of 118 Ma, and the greywacke yields nine age peaks of 247, 330, 459, 541, 611, 941, 1590, 1871, and 2482 Ma, indicating that the Zhaga Formation formed during the late Early Cretaceous and the provenance of its detritus was the Qiangtang area. These data, combined with the Early Cretaceous ocean islands, indicates that the Bangong–Nujiang Neo-Tethys Ocean must have been open during the late Early Cretaceous. We conclude that the Bangong–Nujiang Neo-Tethys Ocean closed after the late Early Cretaceous and not during the Late Jurassic or the early Early Cretaceous as proposed by previous workers.     

Ediacaran–Cambrian basin evolution in the Koonenberry Belt (eastern Australia): Implications for the geodynamics of the Delamerian Orogen

Contention surrounds the Ediacaran–Cambrian geodynamic evolution of the palaeo-Pacific margin of Gondwana as it underwent a transition from passive to active margin tectonics. In Australia, disagreement stems from conflicting geodynamic models for the Delamerian Orogen, which differ in the polarity of subduction and the state of the subduction hinge (i.e., stationary or retreating). This study tests competing models of the Delamerian Orogen through reconstructing Ediacaran–Cambrian basin evolution in the Koonenberry Belt, Australia. This was done through characterising the mineral and U–Pb detrital zircon age provenance of sediments deposited during postulated passive and active margin stages. Based on these data, we present a new basin evolution model for the Koonenberry Belt, which also impacts palaeogeographic models of Australia and East Gondwana. Our basin evolution and palaeogeographic model is composed of four main stages, namely: (i) Ediacaran passive margin stage with sediments derived from the Musgrave Province; (ii) Middle Cambrian (517–500 Ma) convergent margin stage with sediments derived from collisional orogens in central Gondwana (i.e., the Maud Belt of East Antarctica) and deposited in a backarc setting; (iii) crustal shortening during the c. 500 Ma Delamerian Orogeny, and; (iv) Middle to Late Cambrian–Ordovician stage with sediments sourced from the local basement and 520–490 Ma igneous rocks and deposited into post-orogenic pull-apart basins. Based on this new basin evolution model we propose a new geodynamic model for the Cambrian evolution of the Koonenberry Belt where: (i) the initiation of a west-dipping subduction zone at c. 517 Ma was associated with incipient calc-alkaline magmatism (Mount Wright Volcanics) and deposition of the Teltawongee and Ponto groups; (ii) immediate east-directed retreat of the subduction zone positioned the Koonenberry Belt in a backarc basin setting (517 to 500 Ma), which became a depocentre for continued deposition of the Teltawongee and Ponto groups; (iii) inversion of the backarc basin during the c. 500 Delamerian Orogeny was driven by increased upper and low plate coupling caused by the arrival of a lower plate asperity to the subduction hinge, and; (iv) subduction of the asperity resulted in renewed rollback and upper plate extension, leading to the development of small, post-orogenic pull-apart basins that received locally derived detritus.     

Zircon U–Pb age and Hf isotopic compositions of Mesozoic granitoids in southern Qiangtang,Tibet: Implications for the subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang Tethyan Ocean

The southern Qiangtang magmatic belt was formed by the north-dipping subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang Tethyan Ocean during Mesozoic. To better understand the petrogenesis, time–space distribution along the length of this belt, 21 samples of several granitoid bodies, from west to east, in the Bangong Co, Gaize, Dongqiao and Amdo areas were selected for in-situ zircon U–Pb dating, Hf isotopic and whole-rock chemical analyses. The results suggest a prolonged period of magmatic activity (185–84 Ma) with two major stages during the Jurassic (185–150 Ma) and the Early Cretaceous (126–100 Ma). Both the Jurassic and Cretaceous granitoids are high-K calc-alkaline I-type rocks, except the Cretaceous two-mica granite from Amdo in the east, which belongs to S-type. The granitoids are generated from different source materials as indicated by zircon Hf isotopic compositions. The Bangong Co and Dongqiao granitoids show high zircon ε_Hf(t) values of − 1.3–13.6 with younger T_DM^C ages of 293–1263 Ma, suggesting a relatively juvenile source; whereas the Gaize and Amdo granitoids have low ε_Hf(t) values of − 16.1–2.9 with older T_DM^C ages of 999–2024 Ma, indicating an old crustal contribution. These source rocks melt at different P–T conditions as suggested by Sr/Y ratio and T_Zr. The Sr/Y ratio of both stage granitoids increases with decreasing age. However, the T_Zr of the Jurassic granitoids decreases, whereas the T_Zr of the Cretaceous granitoids increases with decreasing age. The contrasting geochemical signatures of these granitoids may be controlled by the varying contribution of slab-derived fluids involved in the generation of the Jurassic and Cretaceous granitic magmas; i.e. increasing amount of fluids in the Jurassic, whereas decreasing amount of fluids in the Cretaceous. Therefore, it is proposed that the Jurassic and Cretaceous magmatism may be related to subduction and closure of the Bangong–Nujiang Tethyan Ocean, respectively. The age pattern of the Jurassic and Cretaceous granitoids suggests an oblique subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang Tethyan Ocean and a diachronous collision between the Lhasa and Qiangtang blocks.     

Late Early Cretaceous magmatic rocks (118–113 Ma) in the middle segment of the Bangong–Nujiang suture zone,Tibetan Plateau: Evidence of lithospheric delamination

Early Cretaceous magmatic rocks (including andesites, rhyolites, and granodiorites) occur in the Jiang Co and Zigetang Co areas of the middle segment of the Bangong–Nujiang suture zone, Tibet, and zircon UPb dating reveals that the magmatism took place between 118 and 113 Ma. The Zigetang Co andesites have geochemical features of the high-Mg adakitic andesites (HMAA) and are characterized by high K₂O (2.95–3.58 wt%), Th (12.5–15.0 ppm), MgO (2.50–3.31 wt%), and Mg# (58–59), and relatively juvenile ε_Hf(t) (+ 2.7 to + 6.4) isotopic compositions. These observations suggest that the andesites were derived from partial melting of the delaminated juvenile lower continental crust of the northern Lhasa terrane. The Zigetang Co granodiorites represent the melts generated by high-degree fractional crystallization of the HMAA magma. The andesites from the Jiang Co area are interpreted as deriving from partial melting of ancient heterogeneous subduction-modified lithospheric mantle. The Jiang Co rhyolites are probably products of crustal anatexis in a heterogeneous source. Taking into account previous data, we propose that these late Early Cretaceous magmatic rocks developed in a postcollisional tectonic setting and that they were related to the delamination of thickened lithosphere following the final Lhasa-Qiangtang amalgamation.     

Petrology,geochemistry, and geochronology of the Zhonggang ocean island,northern Tibet: implications for the evolution of the Banggongco–Nujiang oceanic arm of the Neo-Tethys

This study presents new data relating to the tectonic evolution of the Zhonggang ocean island, within the Mesozoic Banggongco–Nujiang suture zone of northern Tibet, and discusses the implications of these data for the evolution of this region. Thirteen basalt and ten gabbro samples were collected from a sampling transect through this area; these samples have light rare earth element (LREE)-enriched chondrite-normalized REE patterns, and are enriched in highly incompatible elements, yielding primitive-mantle-normalized trace-element variation patterns that are similar to ocean island basalts (OIB). A gabbro dike intruded into basalt of the Zhonggang ocean island and was overlain by basaltic conglomerate, suggesting that this dike was formed after the basalt, but before the basaltic conglomerate. The gabbro dike yields an LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb age of 116.2 ± 4.1 Ma, indicating the timing of formation of the Zhonggang ocean island, and suggesting in turn that the Banggongco–Nujiang Neo-Tethys Ocean remained open at this time. These data, combined with the geological history of the region, indicates that the Banggongco–Nujiang Neo-Tethys Ocean opened between the late Permian and the Early Triassic, expanded rapidly between Late Triassic and Middle Jurassic time, and finally closed between the late Early and early Late Cretaceous.     

The evolution of a Late Cretaceous–Cenozoic intraplate basin (Duaringa Basin), eastern Australia: evidence for the negative inversion of a pre-existing fold–thrust belt

International Journal of Earth Sciences - The Duaringa Basin in eastern Australia is a Late Cretaceous?–early Cenozoic sedimentary basin that developed simultaneously with the opening of the...     

Sedimentary record of Jurassic northward subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang Ocean: insights from detrital zircons

The subduction polarity and related arc–magmatic evolutional history of the Bangong–Nujiang Ocean, which separated the South Qiangtang terrane to the north from the North Lhasa terrane to the south during the Mesozoic, remain debated. This study tries to reconstruct the subduction and evolution of the Bangong–Nujiang Ocean on the basis of U–Pb and Hf isotopic analyses of detrital zircons in samples from sedimentary rocks of the middle-western section of the Bangong–Nujiang suture zone in Gerze County, central Tibet. The Middle Jurassic Muggargangri Group in the Bangong–Nujiang suture zone was deposited in a deep-sea basin setting on an active continental margin. The Late Jurassic strata, such as the Sewa Formation, are widely distributed in the South Qiangtang terrane and represent deposition on a shelf. The Early Cretaceous Shamuluo Formation in the Bangong–Nujiang suture zone unconformably overlies the Muggargangri Group and was probably deposited in a residual marine basin setting. The detrital zircons of the Muggargangri Group contain seven U–Pb age populations: 2.6–2.4 Ga, 1.95–1.75 Ga, 950–900 Ma, 850–800 Ma, 650–550 Ma, 480–420 Ma, and 350–250 Ma, which is similar to the age populations in sedimentary rocks of the South Qiangtang terrane. In addition, the age spectra of the Shamuluo Formation are similar to those of the Muggargangri Group, indicating that both had a northern terrane provenance, which is conformed by the north-to-south palaeocurrent. This provenance indicates northward subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang oceanic crust. In contrast, two samples from the Sewa Formation yield variable age distributions: the lower sample has age populations similar to those of the South Qiangtang terrane, whereas the upper possesses only one age cluster with a peak at ca. 156 Ma. Moreover, the majority of the late Mesozoic detrital zircons are characterized by weakly positive εHf(t) values that are similar to those of magmatic zircons from arc magmatic rocks in the South Qiangtang terrane. The findings, together with information from the record of magmatism, indicate that the earliest prevalent arc magmatism occurred during the Early Jurassic (ca. 185 Ma) and that the principal arc–magmatic stage occurred during the Middle–Late Jurassic (ca. 170–150 Ma). The magmatic gap and scarcity of detrital zircons at ca. 140–130 Ma likely indicate collision between the Qiangtang and Lhasa terranes. The late Early Cretaceous (ca. 125–100 Ma) magmatism on both sides of the Bangong–Nujiang suture zone was probably related to slab break-off or lithospheric delamination after closure of the Bangong–Nujiang Ocean.     

Subduction of a spreading ridge within the Bangong Co–Nujiang Tethys Ocean: Evidence from Early Cretaceous mafic dykes in the Duolong porphyry Cu–Au deposit,western Tibet

The intrusion of mafic dykes into a near-trench accretionary prism, and continental margin magmatism with characteristics that differ from those of adjacent arc magmatism, are direct manifestations of the subduction of a spreading ocean ridge and the formation of a slab window. In this paper, we investigated mafic dykes intruded into the accretionary prism that hosts the Duolong porphyry Cu–Au deposit (DCAD) of western Tibet. LA-ICP-MS analysis of U–Pb in zircon indicates that the dykes formed during the Early Cretaceous (126–127 Ma). The dykes are characterized by ε_Hf(t) values from + 2.44 to + 11.8. Twenty-nine mafic dyke samples were divided into three groups based on their locations and geochemical compositions: group I has Nb = 8.31–10.2 ppm, Nb/La = 0.71–1.20, and Nb/U = 21.4–37.9; group II has Nb = 40.5–52.6 ppm, Nb/La = 0.84–1.58, and Nb/U = 18.8–47.8; and group III has Nb = 65.7–105 ppm, Nb/La = 1.35–2.08, and Nb/U = 36.5–73.8. Group I is classified as Nb-enriched basalts (ENBs), whereas groups II and III are classified as high-Nb basalts (HNBs). Both the ENBs and HNBs were derived from an adakite-metasomatized mantle wedge that subsequently underwent crystallization of olivine and clinopyroxene. The compositional variations of the studied dykes resulted mainly from mantle source heterogeneity. The volume of the slab melts gradually increases from group I (ENBs) to group II (HNBs) and group III (HNBs), leading to gradually increasing incompatible element concentrations. Considering their geochemical characteristics and field relationships, as well as the unique characteristics of continental margin magmatism in the DCAD, we propose that the dykes emplaced in an extensional accretionary prism were derived from the northward subduction of a spreading ridge in the Bangong Co–Nujiang Tethys Ocean during the Early Cretaceous. The ridge subduction event was also responsible for the generation of coeval adakites, intermediate–felsic intrusions, the Maierze bimodal volcanic rocks as well as the metallogenesis of the DCAD.     

Reconstructing in space and time the closure of the middle and western segments of the Bangong–Nujiang Tethyan Ocean in the Tibetan Plateau

International Journal of Earth Sciences - When and how the Bangong–Nujiang Tethyan Ocean closed is a highly controversial subject. In this paper, we present a detailed study and review of the...