Variations of slab dip and overriding plate tectonics during subduction: Insights from analogue modelling

We present small-scale laboratory models of oceanic subduction in which plates motion is imposed by lateral boundary conditions. The oceanic plate moves trenchward at constant speed and subducts below a fixed overriding plate. In this configuration, the long-term process of subduction is not steady-state. Slab interaction with the upper mantle-lower mantle boundary results in periods of slab flattening during which the dip of the slab diminishes, followed by periods of slab steepening. The overriding plate tectonic regime is influenced by the dynamics of subduction, slab anchoring favouring trench perpendicular shortening. When the slab is anchored, slab flattening further favours shortening, while slab steepening favours extension or smaller shortening rates. Non-steady-state long-term subduction may explain part of the variability of slab geometries evidenced by statistical analyses of present-day subduction zones. Experiments suggest that, despite boundary conditions applied on the converging plates do not change, tectonics pulses within the overriding plate may be caused by this non-steady-state behaviour.     

东秦岭-大别山及邻区挠曲类盆地演化与碰撞造山过程

东秦岭-大别造山带是3 个板块沿两条缝合带俯冲碰撞而形成的近东西向不对称的反向多层次构造叠置的复合型造山带。在泥盆纪至三叠纪板块构造阶段中不同陆块间由于俯冲碰撞作用形成了多种挠曲类盆地。盆地时空演化充分体现了商丹古洋盆俯冲消减过程、北秦岭弧后区弧陆碰撞过程以及勉略古洋(海)盆斜向的、由东向西的碰撞造山过程。     

中国东部大陆边缘晚新生代构造演化及板块相互作用过程重建

晚新生代中国东部大陆边缘的构造活动主要集中于东海东缘。中新世以来菲律宾海板块俯冲、冲绳海槽弧后张裂、台湾弧-陆碰撞等一系列重大构造过程,塑造了现今琉球沟-弧-盆体系、台湾碰撞造山带和南海东北部的构造-地貌格局。本文基于对重磁和多道地震资料的解译,并结合前人研究成果,恢复了冲绳海槽构造演化史,阐明了冲绳海槽弧后张裂和台湾弧-陆碰撞之间的关系。在此基础上,重建了中新世以来欧亚板块、菲律宾海板块、南海板块之间的相互作用过程模型。本研究有助于进一步理解板块汇聚背景下东亚大陆边缘深部动力-热力过程对浅部构造格局变迁的制约和影响。     

Interplay of tectonics and neogene post-collisional magmatism in the intracarpathian region

Distribution of the Neogene calc-alkaline magmatism of the Carpathian arc is directly related in space and time to the kinematics of the two major terranes of the Intracarpathian area (Alcapa, Tisia-Getia) along the south-eastern border of the European plate. In the West Carpathians and adjacent areas, the volcanic activity occurred between 20–11 Ma, with large volumes of both acidic and intermediate rocks, generally distributed randomly, sometimes transversally to the orogenic belt and as rare small occurrences along the Flysch belt. In the East Carpathians, the volcanic rocks are distributed along the northern margin of the Zemplin block, the north–easternmost part of the Alcapa and eastward along the front of the Getic block, at the contact with European plate. Between Tokaj-Slanské-Vihorlat up to northern Cãlimani Mountains, the magmatism occurred between 14–9 Ma, and along the Cãlimani-Harghita chain between 9–0.2 Ma. The calc-alkaline magmatic rocks of the Apuseni Mountains are located in the interior of the Tisia block and occurred between 14–9 Ma. The generation of the calc-alkaline magmatism is considered here as the result of complex interplay between plate roll-back and lithospheric detachment tectonic processes and the break-off of the subducted plate, mostly in a post-collisional setting. (1) The magmatites of the Western Carpathians and the Pannonian basin were generated in direct relation to subduction roll-back processes, over the downgoing slab, during the period of lateral extrusion and back-arc extension. In this area, characterized by maximum crustal shortening, we can infer further delamination processes to explain the generation of magmas. (2) The magmatic rocks from the northern sector of the East Carpathians (Tokaj-Slanské-Vihorlat up to the Northern Cãlimani Mountains), resulted after subduction roll-back processes and an almost simultaneous break-off of the descending plate all along the arc segment during main clockwise rotation of the Intracarpathian terranes. (3) In the eastern sector of the East Carpathians (Cãlimani up to Harghita Mountains), the magmatic rocks were generated through partial melting of the subducted slab followed by gradual break-off of the subducted plate along strike (north to south). (4) The Apuseni Mts. magmatic activity resulted in transtensional tectonic regime by decompressional melting of lithospheric mantle, during the translation and rotation of Tisia-Getia block.     

The lithospheric geodynamics of plate boundary transpression in New Zealand: Initiating and emplacing subduction along the Hikurangi margin, and the tectonic evolution of the Alpine Fault system

In contrast to the normal ‘Wilson cycle’ sequence of subduction leading to continental collision and associated mountain building, the evolution of the New Zealand plate boundary in the Neogene reflects the converse—initially a period of continental convergence that is followed by the emplacement of subduction. Plate reconstructions allow us to place limits on the location and timing of the continental convergence and subduction zones and the migration of the transition between the two plate boundary regimes. Relative plate motions and reconstructions since the Early to Mid-Miocene require significant continental convergence in advance of the emplacement of the southward migrating Hikurangi subduction—a sequence of tectonism seen in the present plate boundary geography of Hikurangi subduction beneath North Island and convergence in the Southern Alps along the Alpine Fault. In contrast to a transition from subduction to continental convergence where the leading edge of the upper plate is relatively thin and deformable, the transition from a continental convergent regime, with its associated crustal and lithospheric thickening, to subduction of oceanic lithosphere requires substantial thinning (removal) of upper plate continental lithosphere to make room for the slab. The simple structure of the Wadati–Benioff zone seen in the present-day geometry of the subducting Pacific plate beneath North Island indicates that this lithospheric adjustment occurs quickly. Associated with this rapid lithospheric thinning is the development of a series of ephemeral basins, younging to the south, that straddle the migrating slab edge. Based on this association between localized vertical tectonics and slab emplacement, the tectonic history of these basins records the effects of lithospheric delamination driven by the southward migrating leading edge of the subducting Pacific slab. Although the New Zealand plate boundary is often described as simply two subduction zones linked by the transpressive Alpine Fault, in actuality the present is merely a snapshot view of an ongoing and complex evolution from convergence to subduction.     

全球典型大陆造山带中榴辉岩的折返机制:来自变质岩和地球物理的限制

大陆岩石圈深俯冲作用是地球科学领域的前沿热点,榴辉岩的折返机制是板块构造及动力学的关键科学问题。全球著名的大陆造山带中榴辉岩的p-T轨迹呈现差异性折返特征,为了揭示榴辉岩的折返机制,本文结合变质岩石学和地球物理学研究,选取3个典型大陆造山带——中生代—新生代的阿尔卑斯造山带、中生代的苏鲁—大别造山带和新生代的喜马拉雅造山带中的榴辉岩进行阐述。在阿尔卑斯造山带地区,地球物理研究结果发现,欧洲板块的俯冲造成了Adria地区下方的岩石圈存在明显厚度差异。同时,阿尔卑斯造山带Doria Maria和Pohorje地区以及Pohorje地区内部,榴辉岩折返历史也不尽相同,原因可能是亚德里亚大洋岩石圈断离后不同期次的逆冲推覆作用使其差异性斜向挤出。苏鲁—大别造山带中榴辉岩的快速折返,原因可能是华南板块与华北板块碰撞后岩石圈的拆沉或断离作用。在喜马拉雅造山带,西构造结和中喜马拉雅榴辉岩的折返存在差异性。在西构造结,那让和卡甘榴辉岩呈现不同的p-T轨迹和折返速率,变质岩石学和地球物理研究结果都表明它们的差异性折返很可能与印度-欧亚大陆碰撞过程中的构造挤压作用以及印度大陆岩石圈的断离作用有关。喜马拉雅造山带是年轻的正在进行造山活动的造山带,相较于古老的苏鲁-大别造山带,它更适合变质岩石学和地球物理学的综合研究。因此西构造结高压/超高压榴辉岩的折返机制——构造挤压和俯冲板块断离可应用于全球造山带。     

大洋俯冲和大陆碰撞沿走向的转换动力学及流体-熔体活动的作用

为了深入探讨大洋俯冲和大陆碰撞沿走向的转换及其动力学特征,同时更好的理解俯冲-碰撞带的流体-熔体活动及其效应,我们建立了一系列三维空间的大尺度、高分辨率的动力学数值模型。模拟结果显示,在板块会聚过程中,流体-熔体活动可以降低周围岩石的流变强度及两个板块之间的耦合作用,并能够促进大陆碰撞带俯冲板块的断离。同时,俯冲-碰撞带的空间转换模型揭示其深部结构存在巨大的沿走向的差异性,大陆碰撞带发生俯冲板块断离,而大洋俯冲板块持续下插。并且上覆板块的地壳物质发生从陆-陆碰撞带向洋-陆俯冲带的侧向逃逸。这种三维空间中沿走向的差异性俯冲-碰撞模式与中-东特提斯构造带相吻合,并揭示其动力学机制。     

The westward lithospheric drift,its role on the subduction and transform zones surrounding Americas:Andean to cordilleran orogenic types cyclicity

We investigate the effect of the westerly rotation of the lithosphere on the active margins that surround the Americas and find good correlations between the inferred easterly-directed mantle counterflow and the main structural grain and kinematics of the Andes and Sandwich arc slabs.In the Andes,the subduction zone is shallow and with low dip,because the mantle flow sustains the slab;the subduction hinge converges relative to the upper plate and generates an uplifting doubly verging orogen.The Sandwich Arc is generated by a westerly-directed SAM(South American) plate subduction where the eastward mantle flow is steepening and retreating the subduction zone.In this context,the slab hinge is retreating relative to the upper plate,generating the backarc basin and a low bathymetry single-verging accretionary prism.In Central America,the Caribbean plate presents a more complex scenario:(a) To the East,the Antilles Arc is generated by westerly directed subduction of the SAM plate,where the eastward mantle flow is steepening and retreating the subduction zone.(b) To the West,the Middle America Trench and Arc are generated by the easterly-directed subduction of the Cocos plate,where the shallow subduction caused by eastward mantle flow in its northern segment gradually steepens to the southern segment as it is infered by the preexisting westerly-directed subduction of the Caribbean Plateau.In the frame of the westerly lithospheric flow,the subduction of a divergent active ridge plays the role of introducing a change in the oceanic/continental plate's convergence angle,such as in NAM(North American)plate with the collision with the Pacific/Farallon active ridge in the Neogene(Cordilleran orogenic type scenario).The easterly mantle drift sustains strong plate coupling along NAM,showing at Juan de Fuca easterly subducting microplate that the subduction hinge advances relative to the upper plate.This lower/upper plate convergence coupling also applies along strike to the neighbor continental strike slip fault systems where subduction was terminated(San Andreas and Queen Charlotte).The lower/upper plate convergence coupling enables the capture of the continental plate ribbons of Baja California and Yakutat terrane by the Pacific oceanic plate,transporting them along the strike slip fault systems as para-autochthonous terranes.This Cordilleran orogenic type scenario,is also recorded in SAM following the collision with the Aluk/Farallon active ridge in the Paleogene,segmenting SAM margin into the eastwardly subducting Tupac Amaru microplate intercalated between the proto-LiquineOfqui and Atacama strike slip fault systems,where subduction was terminated and para-autochthonous terranes transported.In the Neogene,the convergence of Nazca plate with respect to SAM reinstalls subduction and the present Andean orogenic type scenario.     

中国近海海域新生代成盆动力机制分析

中国近海海域发育了渤海湾、东海和南海等10多个新生代富油气沉积盆地,其发育演化过程及动力学背景的异同需要在统一的研究思路和方法下进行系统的总结.以海域盆地油气勘探开发中积累的丰富的地质地球物理资料为基础,详细解释和分析了渤海、东海和南海三大海域新生代盆地的构造地层格架,进一步明确了渤海湾盆地斜向拉分盆地的演化阶段,证实了区域走滑断裂体系对盆地发育的重要控制作用;在东海陆架盆地划分出弧后前陆盆地的演化阶段,认识到区域挤压作用对该盆地的演化过程的重要性;在南海北部深水区发现了大型拆离断层及其所控制的拆离盆地,提出大型拆离断层作用是地壳薄化、地幔剥露和陆缘深水盆地形成演化的主要机制.研究揭示出中国近海海域盆地新生代期间在经历了古新世-中始新世期间分布全区的均一断陷作用之后,从晚始新世开始进入到区域构造的差异性演化阶段,其中渤海湾盆地进入斜向走滑拉分阶段,并持续到渐新世末期,随后是中新世的热沉降和上新世以来的加速沉降过程;东海陆架盆地则进入长期的弧后前陆盆地演化阶段,直到上新世开始才进入区域性的沉降过程;而南海则持续伸展形成深水拆离盆地,并最终在渐新世初期（32 Ma）发生岩石圈裂解,南海洋盆开始扩张,陆缘则进入被动大陆边缘演化阶段.区域板块运动学分析表明,晚始新世发生的全球板块运动重组事件导致了中国近海海域盆地构造的差异性演化.该事件发生之前,中国东部处于欧亚板块和太平洋板块相互作用构建的"双板块"动力体制之下,太平洋板块的俯冲后退作用导致了陆缘弧后伸展,形成了广布中国东部大陆边缘的盆岭式断陷盆地系.该事件之后,中国大陆处于印度板块、欧亚板块、太平洋板块和菲律宾海板块等构建的"多板块体制"之下,印度-欧亚大陆的碰撞、太平洋板块俯冲方向的转变、古南海的俯冲碰撞、菲律宾海板块的楔入及其与太平洋板块向西运移俯冲等产生了更为复杂的板块运动过程和多期次的运动重组事件导致了中国海域盆地成因类型的多样性和构造演化过程的差异性.海域盆地是我国重要的油气生产基地,本文的研究不仅进一步深化了中国海域盆地的形成演化过程和动力机制的认识,而且对于该区的油气勘探和开发也具有重要的实际应用价值.      

西藏南羌塘晚三叠世陆缘俯冲增生造山带的褶皱-冲断与增生杂岩双层结构厘定

增生型造山带形成于活动大陆边缘,以宽阔且延伸稳定的增生杂岩为代表,在大洋板块向大陆板块发生缓慢而复杂的俯冲、碰撞过程中,大洋板块、火山岛弧、海山、大陆碎块等沿逐渐后退的海沟拼贴,仰冲板块前端发生刮削作用、底垫作用和构造剥蚀等作用,使得洋壳物质在海沟内壁增生,具体表现为增生杂岩的形成、垂向和侧向的生长,最终实现陆壳的横向生长。陆陆碰撞期间,加入俯冲通道的被动陆缘也将遭受类似的构造作用,从而形成规模较大的陆缘增生杂岩。因此,造山带增生杂岩的物质组成与结构、形成机制和演化过程对解剖洋陆转换过程中的复杂地球动力学过程具有极为关键的作用。西藏南羌塘增生杂岩是近年来通过走廊性地质填图以及多学科交叉工作得到的研究认识。然而,该增生杂岩的物质组成和结构等关键内容还未得到系统的研究,严重阻碍了对其形成机制和演化过程的理解。因此,本文以时空演化为主线,解剖杂岩物质组成和结构,结合俯冲期和同碰撞期大地构造单元,洞察南羌塘增生杂岩的形成演化过程。本次研究显示:(1)南羌塘增生杂岩具有俯冲杂岩在下、褶皱-冲断带在上的双层结构,二者间为大规模的拆离断层系统;(2)俯冲杂岩内不只含有洋板块地层单元,还含有大量的南羌塘被动陆缘物质;(3)褶皱-冲断带虽主要由被动陆缘物质变形改造而来,也含有属于洋板块地层系统的海山和洋内岛弧等物质。结合同俯冲期弧前盆地和楔顶盆地、同碰撞期晚三叠世岩浆的时空分布,高压变质岩的形成与折返时限,南羌塘增生杂岩内的双层结构应主要是陆陆碰撞过程中被动陆缘俯冲的结果,少量形成于大洋俯冲期间的俯冲反向过程中。本文提出的陆缘俯冲导致南羌塘增生杂岩双层结构的研究认识,对理解南羌塘地壳结构、中生代盆地基底形成演化具有较为重要的意义。     

Cenozoic geodynamic evolution of the Aegean

The Aegean region is a concentrate of the main geodynamic processes that shaped the Mediterranean region: oceanic and continental subduction, mountain building, high-pressure and low-temperature metamorphism, backarc extension, post-orogenic collapse, metamorphic core complexes, gneiss domes are the ingredients of a complex evolution that started at the end of the Cretaceous with the closure of the Tethyan ocean along the Vardar suture zone. Using available plate kinematic, geophysical, petrological and structural data, we present a synthetic tectonic map of the whole region encompassing the Balkans, Western Turkey, the Aegean Sea, the Hellenic Arc, the Mediterranean Ridge and continental Greece and we build a lithospheric-scale N-S cross-section from Crete to the Rhodope massif. We then describe the tectonic evolution of this cross-section with a series of reconstructions from ~70 Ma to the Present. We follow on the hypothesis that a single subduction has been active throughout most of the Mesozoic and the entire Cenozoic, and we show that the geological record is compatible with this hypothesis. The reconstructions show that continental subduction (Apulian and Pelagonian continental blocks) did not induce slab break-off in this case. Using this evolution, we discuss the mechanisms leading to the exhumation of metamorphic rocks and the subsequent formation of extensional metamorphic domes in the backarc region during slab retreat. The tectonic histories of the two regions showing large-scale extension, the Rhodope and the Cyclades are then compared. The respective contributions to slab retreat, post-orogenic extension and lower crust partial melting of changes in kinematic boundary conditions and in nature of subducting material, from continental to oceanic, are discussed.     

东海陆架盆地南部中生代演化与动力学转换过程

东海陆架盆地处于欧亚板块东南缘,其构造演化、动力学机制转换同太平洋板块与欧亚板块碰撞及印度-澳大利亚板块远程推挤效应有关。中生代以来,该盆地形成和演化过程受到古太平洋板块多期俯冲及多构造体系的叠加改造,地质构造和地球物理场复杂,盆地演化及动力学过程等一直是争论的焦点。本文利用最新调查资料,通过构造物理模拟实验、构造解析和平衡地质复原剖面等方法,结合区域构造背景,系统分析了东海陆架盆地中生代演化过程,探讨了其构造动力学转换过程。研究认为东海陆架盆地自中生代以来经历了晚三叠世前的被动大陆边缘和晚三叠世-中侏罗世活动大陆边缘挤压坳陷型盆地阶段,挤压应力来源于伊泽奈崎板块向欧亚大陆板块的低角度俯冲;早白垩世晚期-晚白垩世活动陆缘伸展断陷型盆地阶段,应力来源于太平洋板块向欧亚大陆板块俯冲后撤导致的岩石圈减薄作用;古近纪为弧后伸展断陷型盆地阶段。同时认为东海陆架盆地古特提斯构造域向古太平洋构造域转换的时间应该发生在中三叠世末期,古太平洋板块低角度俯冲和俯冲后撤代表华南中生代深部地质过程。     

南海后扩张期大陆边缘闭合过程及成因机制

南海是西太平洋海域最大的边缘海,然而南海扩张终结后动力学过程研究仍较为薄弱.通过构造变革界面识别、褶皱冲断带沉积记录等方面的系统研究,揭示南海南部和东部陆缘在南海后扩张期的演化历程.研究表明南海南部和东部边缘经历了多个微板块从俯冲到碰撞的演变历程,形成了陆-陆碰撞、弧-陆碰撞、洋-弧俯冲等多个特征迥异的板块边界.南海南部陆缘属于古南海俯冲拖曳构造区,婆罗洲西北沙捞越-曾母地块率先碰撞,随后经历了婆罗洲东北沙巴-南沙地块碰撞、西南巴拉望-卡加延岛弧碰撞.南部多个微板块碰撞导致古南海呈剪刀式从西向东逐渐关闭和消亡,总体形成了以微地块碰撞、深海槽发育和造山带前缘巨厚沉积充填为特色的碰撞陆缘.东部陆缘属于菲律宾海俯冲-碰撞构造区,南海东部洋壳自中新世开始向菲律宾海板块俯冲,弧-陆碰撞仅局限于东部陆缘南北两端.澳洲-印度板块、菲律宾海板块与欧亚板块相互作用控制了南海边缘海闭合过程,南海正在进行的关闭过程主要集中在东缘和南缘,东缘呈现了以南海洋壳消亡为特征的闭合过程,而南缘则呈现以微陆块碰撞为特征的古南海闭合过程.显然,南部后扩张期陆缘演变可为边缘海闭合过程研究提供极佳的范例,同时对我国海洋权益保护和南海大陆边缘动力学研究具有重要意义.      

The tectonic regime along the Andes: Present‐day and Mesozoic regimes

The analyses of the main parameters controlling the present Chile‐type and Marianas‐type tectonic settings developed along the eastern Pacific region show four different tectonic regimes: (1) a nearly neutral regime in the Oregon subduction zone; (2) major extensional regimes as the Nicaragua subduction zone developed in continental crust; (3) a Marianas setting in the Sandwich subduction zone with ocean floored back‐arc basin with a unique west‐dipping subduction zone and (4) the classic and dominant Chile‐type under compression. The magmatic, structural and sedimentary behaviours of these four settings are discussed to understand the past tectonic regimes in the Mesozoic Andes based on their present geological and tectonic characteristics. The evaluation of the different parameters that governed the past and present tectonic regimes indicates that absolute motion of the upper plate relative to the hotspot frame and the consequent trench roll‐back velocity are the first order parameters that control the deformation. Locally, the influences of the trench fill, linked to the dominant climate in the forearc, and the age of the subducted oceanic crust, have secondary roles. Ridge collisions of seismic and seismic oceanic ridges as well as fracture zone collisions have also a local outcome, and may produce an increase in coupling that reinforces compressional deformation. Local strain variations in the past and present Andes are not related with changes in the relative convergence rate, which is less important than the absolute motion relative to the Pacific hotspot frame, or changes in the thermal state of the upper plate. Changes in the slab dip, mainly those linked to steepening subduction zones, produce significant variations in the thermal state, that are important to generate extreme deformation in the foreland. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

冈底斯弧的岩浆作用：从新特提斯俯冲到印度亚洲碰撞

位于青藏高原南部的冈底斯岩浆弧形成于中生代新特提斯大洋岩石圈的长期俯冲过程中,而且在印度与亚洲大陆碰撞过程中叠加了强烈的新生代岩浆作用,是世界上典型的复合型大陆岩浆弧,已经成为研究汇聚板块边缘岩浆作用和大陆地壳生长与再造的天然实验室。基于对现有研究成果的总结,我们将冈底斯岩浆弧的岩浆构造演化划分为5个阶段：第1阶段发生在晚白垩世之前,以新特提斯洋岩石圈长期正常俯冲和钙碱性弧岩浆岩的发育为特征;第2阶段发生在晚白垩世时期,以活动的新特提斯洋中脊发生俯冲和强烈的岩浆作用与显著的新生地壳生长为特征;第3阶段发生在晚白垩世晚期,以残余的新特提斯大洋岩石圈俯冲和正常弧型岩浆作用为特征;第4阶段发生在古新世至中始新世,以印度与亚洲大陆碰撞、俯冲的新特提斯洋岩石圈回转和断离,及其诱发的幔源岩浆作用、新生和古老地壳的强烈再造为特征;第5阶段为发生在晚渐新世到中中新世的后碰撞阶段,深俯冲印度岩石圈的回转和断离,或加厚岩石圈地幔的对流移去导致了加厚下地壳的部分熔融和埃达克质岩石的广泛发育,同时伴随幔源钾质超钾质岩浆作用。冈底斯弧岩浆作用与岩浆成分的系统时空变化很好地记录了从新特提斯洋俯冲到印度亚洲大陆碰撞的完整构造演化过程。     

A crucial role for slab break-off in the generation of major mineral deposits: insights from central and eastern Australia

In the Lachlan Fold Belt of southeastern Australia, major orogenic gold and porphyry gold–copper deposits formed simultaneously within distinct tectonic settings during a very short time interval at ca. 440 Ma. The driving mechanism that controlled the temporal coincidence of these deposits remains largely unexplained. A review of contemporaneous metallogenic, tectonic, magmatic and sedimentological events in central and eastern Australia reveals that a change in subduction dynamics along the Australian sector of the Early Palaeozoic circum–Gondwana mega-subduction system could have influenced lithospheric stress conditions far inboard of the subduction margin. The magnitude of ore formation and the spatial extent of related events are proposed in this paper to have been controlled by the interplay of mantle processes and lithospheric changes that followed slab break-off along a portion of the mega-subduction system surrounding Gondwana at that time. Slab break-off after subduction lock-up caused mantle upwelling that, in turn, provided an instantaneous heat supply for magmatic and hydrothermal events. Coincident reorganisation of lithospheric stress conditions far inboard of the proto-Pacific margin of Australia controlled reactivation of deep-lithospheric fault structures. These fault systems provided a pathway for fluids and heat fuelled by mantle upwelling into the upper lithosphere and caused the deposition of ~440 Ma gold deposits in the Lachlan Fold Belt, as well as a range of metallogenic, tectonic and sedimentary changes elsewhere in central and eastern Australia.     

The Cimmerian Orogeny in northern Iran: tectono-stratigraphic evidence from the foreland

From the Permian onwards, the Gondwana-derived Iran Plate drifted northward to collide with Eurasia in the Late Triassic, thereby closing the Palaeotethys. This Eo-Cimmerian Orogeny formed the Cimmeride fold-and-thrust belt. The Upper Triassic–Middle Jurassic Shemshak Group of northern Iran is commonly regarded as the Cimmerian foreland molasse. However, our tectono-stratigraphic analysis of the Shemshak Group resulted in a revised and precisely dated model for the Triassic–Jurassic geodynamic evolution of the Iran Plate: initial Cimmerian collision started in the Carnian with subsequent Late Triassic synorogenic peripheral foreland deposition (flysch, lower Shemshak Group). Subduction shifted south in the Norian (onset of Neotethys subduction below Iran) and slab break-off around the Triassic–Jurassic boundary caused rapid uplift of the Cimmerides followed by Liassic post-orogenic molasse (middle Shemshak Group). During the Toarcian–Aalenian (upper Shemshak Group), Neotethys back-arc rifting formed a deep-marine basin, which developed into the oceanic South Caspian Basin during the Late Bajocian–Late Jurassic.     

Petrology and Geochemistry of Post-Collisional Early Miocene Volcanism in the Karacada? Area (Central Anatolia, Turkey)

Early Miocene (ca.?21–18 Ma) volcanism in the Karacada? area comprises three groups of volcanic rocks: (1) calcalkaline suite (andesitic to rhyolitic lavas and their pyroclastics), (2) mildly-alkaline suite (alkali basalt, hawaiite, mugearite, benmoreite and trachydacite), and (3) a single trachyandesitic flow unit. Field observations, 40Ar/39Ar ages and geochemical data show that there was a progressive temporal transition from group 1 to 3 in a post-collisional tectonic setting. The calcalkaline suite rocks with medium-K in composition resemble those of subduction-related lavas, whereas the mildly-alkaline suite rocks having a sodic tendency (Na2O/K2O=1.5–3.2) resemble those of within-plate lavas. Incompatible element and Sr-Nd isotopic characteristics of the suites suggest that the lithospheric mantle beneath the Karacada? area was heterogeneously enriched by two processes before collision: (1) enrichment by subduction-related processes, which is important in the genesis of the calcalkaline volcanism, (2) enrichment by small degree melts from the astenosphere, which dominates the mildly alkaline volcanism. Perturbation of the enriched lithosphere by either delamination following collision and uplift or removal of the subducted slab following subduction and collision (i.e., slab breakoff) is the likely mechanism for the initiation of the post-collision volcanism.     

Early Cretaceous subduction initiation beneath southern Tibet caused the northward flight of India

Collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates formed the ～2500 km long Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone and produced the Himalaya mountains and Tibetan plateau.Here we offer a new explanation for tectonic events leading to this collision:that the northward flight of India was caused by an Early Cretaceous episode of subduction initiation on the southern margin of Tibet.Compiled data for ophiolites along the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone show restricted ages between 120 Ma and 130 Ma,and their supra-subduction zone affinities are best explained by seafloor spreading in what became the forearc of a north-dipping subduction zone on the southern margin of Tibet.The subsequent evolution of this new subduction zone is revealed by integrating data for arcrelated igneous rocks of the Lhasa terrane and Xigaze forearc basin deposits.Strong slab pull from this new subduction zone triggered the rifting of India from East Gondwana in Early Cretaceous time and pulled it northward to collide with Tibet in Early Paleogene time.     

Numerical Modeling of Basin-Range Tectonics Related to Continent-Continent Collision

Continent-continent collision is the most important driving mechanism for the occurrence of various geological processes in the continental lithosphere. How to recognize and determine continent-continent collision,especially its four-dimensional temporal-spatial evolution, is a subject that geological communities have long been concerned about and studied. Continent-continent collision is mainly manifested by strong underthrnsting (subduction) of the underlying block along an intracontinental subduction zone and continuous obduction (thrusting propagation) of the overlying block along the intracontinental subduction zone, the occurrence of a basin-range tectonic framework in a direction perpendicular to the subduction zone and the flexure and disruption of the Moho. On the basis of numerical modeling, the authors discuss in detail the couplings between various amounts and rates of displacement caused by basin subsidence, mountain uplift and Moho updoming and downflexure during obduction (thrusting propagation) and subduction and the migration pattern of basin centers. They are probably indications or criteria for judgment or determination of continent-continent collision.