Petrogenesis of the Xuanwoling mafic–ultramafic intrusion in the northeastern Tarim Block(Northwest China)

Beishan Terrane, located in the northeast of the Tarim Block, in northwest China, has developed a 500-km long and 100-km wide belt of Permian mafic–ultramafic intrusions One of these mafic–ultramafic intrusions, the Xuanwoling Intrusion, is composed of dunite, troctolite, olivine gabbros and gabbros, with cumulate texture and rhythmic layering The crystallization sequence is olivine ? spinel ? plagio clase ? pyroxene, indicating that the crystallization pressure is lower than 0.5–0.8 GPa and that the intrusion has undergone variable degrees of crustal contamination, increasing from dunite to gabbros. The olivines found in the Xuanwoling Intrusion have high Fo values(up to 90), suggesting a primary magma with a high composition of mg. It is likely that this high-mg magma was produced at extremely high temperatures(1,330–1,350 °C), and as a result, Nd–Sr isotopic compositions similar to oceanic island basalts are found in the Xuanwoling Intrusion, which we propose arose from the mantle plume.     

Glass and Mineral Chemistry of Northern Central Indian Ridge Basalts:Compositional Diversity and Petrogenetic Significance

Abstract: The glass and mineral chemistry of basalts examined from the northern central Indian ridge (NCIR) provides an insight into magma genesis around the vicinity of two transform faults: Vityaz (VT) and Vema (VM). The studied mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORBs) from the outer ridge flank (VT area) and a near-ridge seamount (VM area) reveal that they are moderately phyric plagioclase basalts composed of plagioclase (phenocryst [An60–90] and groundmass [An35–79]), olivine (Fo81–88), diopside (Wo45–51, En25–37, Fs14–24), and titanomagnetite (FeOt ~63.75 wt% and TiO2 ~22.69 wt%). The whole-rock composition of these basalts has similar Mg# [mole Mg/mole(Mg+Fe2+)] (VT basalt: ~0.56–0.58; VM basalt: ~0.57), but differ in their total alkali content (VT basalt: ~2.65; VM basalt: ~3.24). The bulk composition of the magma was gradually depleted in MgO and enriched in FeOt, TiO2, P2O5, and Na2O with progressive fractionation, the basalts were gradually enriched in Y and Zr and depleted in Ni and Cr. In addition, the SREE of magma also increased with fractionation, without any change in the (La/Yb)N value. Glass from the VM seamount shows more fractionated characters (Mg#: 0.56–0.57) compared to the outer ridge flank lava of the VT area (Mg#: 0.63–0.65). This study concludes that present basalts experienced low-pressure crystallization at a relatively shallow depth. The geochemical changes in the NCIR magmas resulted from fractional crystallization at a shallow depth. As a consequence, spinel was the first mineral to crystallize at a pressure >10 kbar, followed by Fe-rich olivine at <10 kbar pressure.     

Petrological Characteristics and Genesis of the Central Indian Ocean Basin Basalts

The Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) basalts are plagioclase-rich, while olivine and pyroxene are very few. The analyses of 41 samples reveal high FeOT (~10–18 wt%) and TiO2 (~1.4–2.7 wt%) indicating a ferrobasaltic composition. The basalts have high incompatible elements (Zr 63–228 ppm; Nb ~1–5 ppm; Ba ~15–78 ppm; La ~3–16 ppm), a similar U/Pb (0.02–0.4) ratio as the normal mid-oceanic basalt (0.16±0.07) but the Ba/Nb (12.5–53) ratio is much larger than that of the normal mid-oceanic ridge basalt (~5.7) and Primitive Mantle (9.56). Interestingly almost all of the basalts have a significant negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu*=0.78–1.00) that may have been a result of the removal of feldspar and pyroxene during crystal fractionation. These compositional variations suggest that the basalts were derived through fractional crystallization together with low partial melting of a shallow seated magma.     

Geochemical Characteristics of Volcanic Rocks from ODP Site 794, Yamato Basin: Implications for Deep Mantle Processes of the Japan Sea

Deep mantle processes and the dynamic mechanism of magmatism in the Japan Sea Basin are important processes that have not been studied in detail. In this paper, systematic evaluation of basalt samples from the ocean drilling program Site 794 in the Japan Sea was performed, which included petrography, whole-rock major- and trace-element analysis, Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic composition, and electron microprobe analysis of plagioclase and clinopyroxene. These basalts belong to the tholeiitic series with porphyritic texture and massive Ca-rich plagioclase, clinopyroxene, and minor olivine phenocrysts. The basalts are characterized as flat rare earth elements and high-field-strength elements with remarkably low ratios of(La/Yb)N(0.75–2.51), significant positive anomalies of Ba, Sr, and Rb and no Eu anomaly(δEu = 0.99–1.36). The samples showed relatively high 87Sr/86Sr(0.70425–0.70522), 207Pb/204Pb(15.511–15.610), and 208Pb/204Pb(38.064–38.557) values and a low 143Nd/144 Nd ratio(0.51271–0.51295). The basalts from Site 794 can be divided into upper, middle, and lower volcanic rocks(UVR, MVR, and LVR) on the basis of their stratigraphic level. The MVR was geochemically derived from the depleted mantle, whereas the UVR and LVR originated from a nondepleted and relatively enriched mantle source with contributions from subducted Pacific plate fluid and sediments. Use of geothermobarometers indicates that the crystallization pressure for the UVR and LVR(6.25–11.19 kbar) was significantly higher than that of the MVR(3.48–5.84 kbar). The UVR and LVR may have been derived from the low-degree(5%–10%) partial melting of spinel lherzolite, while the MVR originated from a shallower mantle source with a high degree(10%–20%) of partial melting. In addition, the geochemical characteristics of the samples are consistent with a younger age(13–17 Ma) and the depleted composition of the MVR and an older age(17–23 Ma) and slightly enriched composition of the UVR and LVR. Therefore, temporal changes in the mantle source from old and enriched to young and depleted and subsequently to old and nondepleted may have been associated with progressive lithospheric extension and thinning, as well as at least two episodes of diverse asthenospheric upwelling and pull-apart tectonic motion in the Yamato Basin.     

The Early Permian Woniusi Flood Basalts from the Baoshan Terrane, SW China: Petrogenesis and Geodynamic Implications

The Woniusi flood basalts from the Baoshan terrane, SW China, represent a signi?cant eruption of volcanic rocks which were linked to the Late Paleozoic rifting of the Cimmeria from the northern margin of East Gondwana. However, the precise mechanism for the formation and propagation of the rifting is still in debate. Here we report 40Ar/39Ar dating, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes for the Woniusi basalts from the Baoshan terrane of SW China, with the aim of assessing if a mantle plume was related to the formation of the continent Cimmeria. 40Ar/39Ar dating of the Woniusi basalts yielded ages of 279.3 ± 1.1 Ma and 273.9 ± 1.5 Ma, indicating they were emplaced during the Early Permian. Whole-rock geochemistry shows that these basalts have subalkaline tholeiitic af?nity, low TiO2 (1.2–2.2 wt%), and fractionated chondrite-normalized LREE and nearly ?at HREE patterns [(La/Yb)N = 2.86–5.77; (Dy/Yb)N = 1.21–1.49] with noticeable negative Nb and Ta anomalies on the primitive mantle-normalized trace element diagram. The ?Nd(t) values (?4.76 to +0.92) and high (206Pb/204Pb)i (18.40?18.66) along with partial melt modeling indicates that the basalts were likely derived from a sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) source metasomatized by subduction-related processes. On the basis of a similar emplacement age to the Panjal basalts and Qiangtang mafic dykes and flood basalts in the Himalayas, combined with a tectonic reconstruction of Gondwana in the Early Permian, we propose that the large-scale eruption of these basalts and dykes was related to an Early Permian mantle plume that possibly initiated the rifting on the northern margin of East Gondwana.     

Source Lithology and Magmatic Processes Recorded in the Mineral of Basalts from the Parece Vela Basin

Since the Early Cenozoic, the Philippine Sea Plate (PSP) has undergone a complex tectonic evolution. During this period the Parece Vela Basin (PVB) was formed by seafloor spreading in the back-arc region of the proto-Izu-Bonin-Mariana (IBM) arc. However, until now, studies of the geological, geophysical, and tectonic evolution of the PVB have been rare. In this study, we obtained in situ trace element and major element compositions of minerals in basalts collected from two sites in the southern part of the PVB. The results reveal that the basalts from site CJ09-63 were likely formed via ~10% partial melting of spinel-garnet lherzolite, while the basalts from site CJ09-64 were likely formed via 15%–25% partial melting of garnet lherzolite. The order of mineral crystallization for the basalts from site CJ09-64 was olivine, spinel, clinopyroxene, and plagioclase, while the plagioclase in the basalts from site CJ09-63 crystallized earlier than the clinopyroxene. Using a plagioclase-liquid hygrometer and an olivine-liquid oxybarometer, we determined that the basalts in this study have high H2O contents and oxygen fugacities, suggesting that the magma source of the Parece Vela basalts was affected by subduction components, which is consistent with the trace element composition of whole rock.     

Major Element Compositions and Rare—earth Element Abundaces of Cenozoic Basalts in Eastern China：Implications for a Pressure Control over LREE／HREE Fractionation in Continental Basalt

Major element compositions and rare-earth element (REE) and transition element(Ni,Cr and V) abundances have been determined on 44 basalt samples from eastern China.These basalts have SiO2 contents ranging from 38.63 to 55.24(wt.%),and Na2O K2O from 3.1 to 9.4(wt.%).Ni and Cr abundances are largely variable,respectively falling in ranges 60-605 and 78-1150 ppm.REE abundances,especially light rare-earth elements(LREE), are highly variable.La/Sm and La/Yb ratios vary 2.8 to 7.6 and 1.8 to 8.1. Although the segregation mainly of olivine and clinopyroxene is requested to account for the vari-able and low MgO,CaO/Al2O3,Cr and Ni characteristic of these basalts studied here,the differ-ences in REE composition of the basalts are still related mainly to the partial melting process.Obvious varations in REE abundances could be principally attributed to the partial melting process.Obvious variations in REE abundances could be principally attributed to the partial melting processes that took place at different depths,in spite of some variations caused by the fractional crystallization processes.REE abundances and La/Sm and La/Yb ratios systematically decrease with increasing SiO2,which probably indicated that the basaltic magma derived from a deeper level has higher LREE and LREE/HREE ratios than that from a shallower level.As viewed from the fact that the D^Yb/D^La ratios of clinopyroxenes in the basaltic system increase with increasing pressure,the increase of LREE/HUEE ratios with increasing melting depth can be interpreted as the pressure dependence of bulk D^HREE/D^LREE ratios of silicate minerals,in addition to the pressure control over the melting degree.     

牛头山地区玄武岩类的高压分异作用

The Nutoushan basaltic cone, eonsisting of subalkali (quartz-tholeiite and olivinetholeiite) and alkali basalts, is Late Tertiary in age. Its major characteristics are generalized as follows: (1) Both early subalkali and late alkali basalts are formed under the same geological environment. (2) The continuity in chemical composition from snbalkali to alkali and the low FeO/MgO in alkali basalts show that they arc the products of cognate magmatic diffcrcntiation. (3) The change from low REE abundance and weak enrichment of LREE in subalkali to high REE abundance and strong enrichment of LREE in alkali basalts indicates obvious REE cnrichment and fractionation during magmatic differentiation.Weak positive Eu anomalies in the REE patterns arc indicative of their formation under low oxygen fugacity conditions. (4) According to the calculated values, 70-75% of the primary olivine tholeiitic magma had been separated as subalkaline basalic magma, the rest residual magma became alkaline basaltic magma. This result is consistent to the field observation that the outcrop area of subalkali basalts is four times as much as that of alkali basalts. (5) The basaltic rocks of Nutoushan show an S-type distribution straddling the thermal barrier on Ol‘-Ne‘-Qu‘ diagram and an evolution tendency for Ne to increase with increasing FeO/MgO. This is in agreement with the melting experimental data on olivine basalts at 10-20 kb. (6) Mantle-derived inclusions (spinel lherzolite) in this area occur in both alkali olivine basalts and olivine tholeiites. The latter is of extremely rare oceurrence. The formation temperature and pressure of the inclusions in alkali basalts and olivine tholeiites have been calculated. The results silow that the alkaline basaltic magma was separated from the subalkaline basaltic magma at about 20 kb. Basaltic rocks in Nutoushan were formed through the soealled “high pressure differentiation”, that is, at about 20 kb the crystallization of clinopyroxene and orthpyroxene resulted in the separation of subalkaline basaltic magma from the primary olivine tholeiitic magma, and then the residue gradually became alkaline olivine basaltic magma.     

Exsolution Lamellae in Olivine Grains of Dunite Units from Different Types of Mafic‐Ultramafic Complexes

Exsolution microstructures in olivine grains from dunite units in a few selected tectonic environments are reported here. They include lamellae of clinopyroxene and clinopyroxene-magnetite intergrowth in the Gaositai and Yellow Hill Alaskan-type complexes, clinopyroxene-magnetite intergrowth in the K?z?lda? ophiolite, and chromite lamellae in the Hongshishan mafic-ultramafic intrusive complex. These lamellae commonly occur as needle-or rod-like features and are oriented in olivine grains. The host olivine grains have Fo contents of 92.5–92.6 in the Gaositai complex, 86.5–90.1 in the Yellow Hill complex, 93.2–93.4 in the K?z?lda? ophiolite and 86.9–88.3 in the Hongshishan complex. Clinopyroxene in the rod-like intergrowth exsolved in olivine grains in the Gaositai and Yellow Hill is diopside with similar major element compositions of Ca O(23.6–24.3 wt%), SiO_2(52.2–54.0 wt%), Al_2O_3(0.67–2.15 wt%), Cr_2O_3(0.10–0.42 wt%) and Na_2O(0.14–0.26 wt%). It falls into the compositional field of hydrothermal clinopyroxene and its origin is thus probably related to reaction between dunite and fluids. The enrichment of the fluids in Ca~(2+), Fe~(3+), Cr~(3+) and Na+, resulted in elevated concentrations of these cations in olivine solid solutions via the reaction. With decreasing temperature, the olivine solid solutions altered to an intergrowth of magnetite and clinopyroxene. The Fe~(3+) and Cr~(3+) preferentially partitioned into magnetite, while Ca~(2+) and Na+ entered clinopyroxene. Since the studied Alaskan-type complexes and ophiolite formed in a subduction environment, the fluids were probably released from the subducted slab. In contrast, the exsolved chromite in olivine grains from the Hongshishan complex that formed in post-orogenic extension setting can be related to olivine equilibrated with Cr-bearing liquid. Similarly, these lamellae have all been observed in serpentine surrounding olivine grains, indicating genetic relations with serpentinization.     

Geochemistry of Late Cretaceous （ 60 - 67 Ma） igneous activities in the Hebrides Terrace seamount （guyot） area, Scotland

Tholeiitic basalts in various stages of alteration were dredged from Late Cretaceous volcanic rocks (60 -67 Ma) in the Hebrides Terrace seamount area in the Atlantic Ocean. These rocks are extrusive olivine basalts, including high- and low-Al basalts. High-Al basalts are depleted in MgO, CaO, Cr,Sc, V, St, Zr and enriched in TiO2, Na2O, Nb, Rb as compared with low-A1 basalts. Petrography and bulk-rock composition (major, trace and rare-earth elements) data defined clear tholeiitic suites displaying possible liquid lines of descent related to different degrees of crystal fractionation and partial melting.Isotopic dating of dredged samples gave the guyot an age of 60 - 67 Ma, in support of the assumption that it was formed during the Late Cretaceous.     

Petrology and Geochemistry of the Dangqiong Ophiolite,Western Yarlung-Zangbo Suture Zone,Tibet,China

The Dangqiong ophiolite, the largest in the western segment of the Yarlung-Zangbo Suture Zone(YZSZ)ophiolite belt in southern Tibet, consists of discontinuous mantle peridotite and intrusive mafic rocks. The former is composed dominantly of harzburgite, with minor dunite, locally lherzolite and some dunite containing lenses and veins of chromitite. The latter, mafic dykes(gabbro and diabase dykes), occur mainly in the southern part. This study carried out geochemical analysis on both rocks. The results show that the mantle peridotite has Fo values in olivine from 89.92 to 91.63 and is characterized by low aluminum contents(1.5–4.66 wt%) and high Mg# values(91.06–94.53) of clinopyroxene. Most spinels in the Dangqiong peridotites have typical Mg# values ranging from 61.07 to 72.52, with corresponding Cr# values ranging from 17.67 to 31.66, and have TiO2 contents from 0 to 0.09%, indicating only a low degree of partial melting(10–15%). The olivine-spinel equilibrium and spinel chemistry of the Dangqiong peridotites suggest that they originated deeper mantle(20 kbar). The gabbro dykes show N-MORB-type patterns of REE and trace elements. The presence of amphibole in the Dangqiong gabbro suggests the late-stage alteration of subduction-derived fluids. All the lherzolites and harzburgites in Dangqiong have similar distribution patterns of REE and trace elements, the mineral chemistry in the harzburgites and lherzolites indicates compositions similar to those of abyssal and forearc peridotites, suggesting that the ophiolite in Dangqiong formed in a MOR environment and then was modified by late-stage melts and fluids in a suprasubduction zone(SSZ) setting. This formation process is consistent with that of the Luobusa ophiolite in the eastern Yarlung-Zangbo Suture Zone and Purang ophiolite in the western Yarlung-Zangbo Suture Zone.     

Geochemistry and Zircon U–Pb–Hf Isotopic Systematics of the Sanchahe Quartz Monzonite Intrusion in the North Qinling Tectonic Zone, Central China: Implications for its Petrogenesis and Tectonic Setting

The Sanchahe quartz monzonite intrusion is situated in the middle segment of the North Qinling tectonic belt, Central China mainland, and consists chiefly of sanukitoid–like and granodioritic-monzogranitic rocks. The sanukitoid–like rocks are characterized by quartz monzonites, which display higher Mg#(55.0–59.0), and enrichments in Na2 O+K2 O(7.28–8.94 %), Ni(21-2312 ppm), Cr(56-4167 ppm), Sr(553-923 ppm), Ba(912-1355 ppm) and LREE((La/Yb)N =9.47–15.3), from negative to slightly positive Eu anomalies(δEu=+0.61 to +1.10), but also depletion in Nb, Ta and Ti. The granodioritic-monzogranitic rocks diaplay various Mg#of 6.00-53.0, high Na2 O+K2 O(7.20– 8.30%), Sr(455–1081 ppm) and(La/Yb)N(27.6–47.8), with positive Eu anomalies(δEu=1.03–1.57) and depleted Nb, Ta and Ti. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(LA-ICPMS) zircon U-Pb isotopic dating reveals that the sanukitoid-like rocks were emplaced at two episodes of magmatism at 457±3 Ma and 431±2 Ma, respectively. The monzogranites were emplaced at 445±7Ma. Sanukitoid–like rocks have their εHf(t) values ranging from +0.3 to +15.1 with Hf–depleted mantle model ages of 445 to 1056 Ma, and the monzogranite shows its εHf(t) values ranging from 21.6 to +10.8 with Hf–depleted mantle model ages of 635 to 3183 Ma. Petrological, geochemical and zircon Lu –Hf isotopic features indicate that the magmatic precursor of sanukitoid–like rocks was derived from partial melting of the depleted mantle wedge materials that were metasomatized by fluids and melts related to subduction of oceanic slab, subsequently the sanukitoid magma ascended to crust level. This emplaced mantle magma caused partial melting of crustally metamorphosed sedimentary rocks, and mixing with the crustal magma, and suffered fractional crystallization, which lead to formations of quartz monzonites. However, the magmatic precursor of the granodioritic-monzogranitic rocks were derived from partial melting of subducted oceanic slab basalts. Integrated previous investigation for the adackitic rocks in the south of the intrusion, the Sanchahe intrusion signed that the North Qinling tectonic zone was developed in an early Paleozoic transitionally tectonic background from an island arc to back–arc.     

Isotopic Compositions of Sulfur in the Jinshachang Lead–Zinc Deposit, Yunnan, China, and its Implication on the Formation of Sulfur-Bearing Minerals

The Jinshachang lead–zinc deposit is mainly hosted in the Upper Neoproterozoic carbonate rocks of the Dengying Group and located in the Sichuan–Yunnan–Guizhou(SYG) Pb–Zn–Ag multimetal mineralization area in China.Sulfides minerals including sphalerite,galena and pyrite postdate or coprecipitate with gangue mainly consisting of fluorite,quartz,and barite,making this deposit distinct from most lead–zinc deposits in the SYG.This deposit is controlled by tectonic structures,and most mineralization is located along or near faults zones.Emeishan basalts near the ore district might have contributed to the formation of orebodies.The δ34S values of sphalerite,galena,pyrite and barite were estimated to be 3.6‰–13.4‰,3.7‰–9.0‰,6.4‰ to 29.2‰ and 32.1‰–34.7‰,respectively.In view of the similar δ34S values of barite and sulfates being from the Cambrian strata,the sulfur of barite was likely derived from the Cambrian strata.The homogenization temperatures(T ≈ 134–383°C) of fluid inclusions were not suitable for reducing bacteria,therefore,the bacterial sulfate reduction could not have been an efficient path to generate reduced sulfur in this district.Although thermochemical sulfate reduction process had contributed to the production of reduced sulfur,it was not the main mechanism.Considering other aspects,it can be suggested that sulfur of sulfides should have been derived from magmatic activities.The δ34S values of sphalerite were found to be higher than those of coexisting galena.The equilibrium temperatures calculated by using the sulfur isotopic composition of mineral pairs matched well with the homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions,suggesting that the sulfur isotopic composition in ore-forming fluids had reached a partial equilibrium.     

Implications of εNd—La／Nb,Ba／Nb,Nb／Th Diagrams to Mantle Heterogeneity—Classification of Island—arc Basalts and Decomposition of EMII Component

A group of εNd/Nb,Ba/Nb,Nb/Th diagrams are used to study mantle heterogeneity.Island-arc basalts(IAB) are distributed in a triangle of these diagrams. Three end-member components (the MORB-type depleted mantle, the fluid released from subducted oceanic crust and the sediments from the continental crust) of the source of IAB may be displayed in these diagrams. Two types of IAB are identified .They are of the two-component type (with little continental sediments), such as the basalts from Aletians and New Britain ,and the three-compeonent type, such as those from Sunda, Lesser Antilles and Andes. In addition ,the EMII type mantle-derived rocks may also be divided into two groups. One is exemplified by continental flood basalts and some peridotite xenoliths, similar to IAB, with high La/Nb and Ba/Nb and low Nb/Th ratios, The other includes the Samoa-type oceanic island basalts, with low La/Nb and Ba/Nb and high Nb/Th ratios. The corresponding two sub-components of EMII are EMIIM, which is related to the metasomatism of lithosphere mantle by fluids released from the subducted oceanic crust, and EMIISR, related to the intervention of recycling continental sediments into the convective mantle.     

Geochemistry of mafic rocks and melt inclusions and their implications for the heat source of the 14.0°S hydrothermal field,South Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Fresh rocks sampled from the 14.0°S hydrothermal field of the South Atlantic Ridge can be divided into two categories： olivine-gabbro and basalt. The olivine-gabbro is composed mainly of three types of minerals： olivine, clinopyroxene and plagioclase, while a multitude of melt inclusions occur in the plagioclase phenocrysts of the basalts. We analyzed the whole-rock, major and trace elements contents of the basaks, the mineral chemistry of phenocrysts and melt inclusions in the basalts, and the mineral chemistry of olivine-clinopyroxene-plagioclase in the olivine-gabbro, then simulated magma evolution within the crust using the COMAGMAT program. The whole-rock geochemistry shows that all the basalts exhibit typical N-MORB characteristics. In addition, the mineral chemistry characteristics of the olivine-gabbro （low-Fo olivine, low-Mg# clinopyroxene, high-TiO2 clinopyroxene, low-An plagioclase）, show that strong magma differentiation occurred within the crust. Nevertheless, significant discrepancies between those minerals and phenocrysts in the basalts （high-Fo olivine, high-An plagioclase） reflect the heterogeneity of magma differentiation. High Mg# （-~0.72） melt inclusions isobaric partial crystallization simulations suggest that the magma differentiation occurred at the depth shallower than 13.03 km below the seafloor, and both the vertical differentiation column shows distinct discrepancies from that of a steady-state magma chamber. Instead, a series of independent magma intrusions probably occurred within the crust, and their corresponding crystallized bodies, as the primary high-temperature thermal anomalies within the off-axis crust, probably act as the heat source for the development of the 14.0°S hydrothermal system.     

Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications of Middle Ordovician Ocean Island Basalts from the Chagantaolegai Ophiolitic Mélange in Junggar, NW China

Seamount accretion is one of the most significant accretionary orogenic processes in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, but there are few paleo-seamounts reported from and debate on the tectonic evolution of the Junggar Ocean still exists. In this study, we present geochronological, mineralogical, geochemical and isotopic data for basalts from the Chagantaolegai ophiolitic mélanges in Junggar. Zircon U-Pb dating on one basalt yielded a weighted mean 206 Pb/238 U age of 469 ± 7 Ma, which suggests that it formed in the Middle Ordovician. All rock samples belong to alkaline basalt and show similar geochemical characteristics, displaying high TiO2(～3 wt%),(La/Yb)N(17.6–19.0), ΣREE(232–289 ppm) and enrichment in Nb and Ta, which implies an ocean island basalt(OIB) affinity. Based upon positive εN d(t)(+4.16 to +4.23), ΔNb(0.20–0.22) and low initial 87 Sr/86 Sr(0.70425 to 0.70452) and Zr/Nb(3.35–3.57), we suggest that the Chagantaolegai OIB samples were likely derived from a fertile mantle source related to plume. The OIB rock assemblage, chert and marble in the southern part of the Chagantaolegai ophiolitic mélange indicates that a Middle Ordovician seamount was accreted to the Boshchekul-Chingiz arc due to the northward subduction of the Junggar-Balkhash Ocean.     

Geochronology, Geochemistry and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf Isotopes of No. I Complex from the Shitoukengde Ni–Cu Sulfide Deposit in the Eastern Kunlun Orogen, Western China: Implications for the Magmatic Source, Geodynamic Setting and Genesis

The Shitoukengde Ni-Cu deposit, located in the Eastern Kunlun Orogen, comprises three mafic–ultramafic complexes, with the No. I complex hosting six Ni-Cu orebodies found recently. The deposit is hosted in the small ultramafic bodies intruding Proterozoic metamorphic rocks. Complexes at Shitoukengde contain all kinds of mafic-ultramafic rocks, and olivine websterite and pyroxene peridotite are the most important Ni-Cu-hosted rocks. Zircon U-Pb dating suggests that the Shitoukengde Ni-Cu deposit formed in late Silurian(426–422 Ma), and their zircons have εHf(t) values of-9.4 to 5.9 with the older T_(DM1) ages(0.80–1.42 Ga). Mafic-ultramafic rocks from the No. I complex show the similar rare earth and trace element patterns, which are enriched in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements(e.g., K, Rb, Th) and depleted in heavy rare earth elements and high field strength elements(e.g., Ta, Nb, Zr, Ti). Sulfides from the deposit have the slightly higher δ~(34)S values of 1.9–4.3‰ than the mantle(0 ± 2‰). The major and trace element characteristics, and Sr-Nd-Pb and Hf, S isotopes indicate that their parental magmas originated from a metasomatised, asthenospheric mantle source which had previously been modified by subduction-related fluids, and experienced significant crustal contamination both in the magma chamber and during ascent triggering S oversaturation by addition of S and Si, that resulted in the deposition and enrichment of sulfides. Combined with the tectonic evolution, we suggest that the Shitoukengde Ni-Cu deposit formed in the post-collisional, extensional regime related to the subducted oceanic slab break-off after the Wanbaogou oceanic basalt plateau collaged northward to the Qaidam Block in late Silurian.     

The Origin of the Early Proterozoic Kuandian Complex: Evidence from Geochemistry

The Kuandian Complex is scarcely preserved Early Proterozoic volcanic suite, formed2.3-2.4 Ga ago. It is located in an Early Proterozoic mobile belt bounded by the ArchaeanRangrim and Ryonggang Blocks of the northeastern Sino-Korean Craton. The Complex ismainly made up of amphibolites, gneisses, leucoleptite, leptite and layered granite. Petrologicaland geochemical studies show that the protoliths of the Complex are mainly assoctations ofbimodal volcanics and anorogenic granites. The Kuandian amphibolites are depleted in Nb, Ta,P and Ti, and enriched in LILE, e.g. K, Rb and Cs, with pronounced depletion of Sr relative toNd and Pb; La/Nb ratios are higher than 1(1.75 to 5.18). The trace element patterns of theamphibolites are similar to continental flood basalts formed by the Gondwana break-up, suchas those in South Karoo and Tasmania, which shows continental contamination. ε_(Nd) valuesranging from 0.70 to 1.94 of the Kuandian amphibolites and the relationships between Nb/Yband La/Yb suggest that contamination of basaltic magma happened in the mantle, rather thanalong the conduit. Isotope ratios of ~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb, ~(207)Pb/ ~(204)Pb, ~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb, ~(143)Nd/~(144)Ndand ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr indicate that the magma was derived from a contaminated mantle source likeDMM or a mixture of DMM and EM2. The Kuandian Complex has Dupal anomaly, as is thecase with some continental basalts in the south hemisphere, e.g. in South Karoo and Tasmania.Petrochemical modelling proposes that the Kuandian gneiss, granite, and amphibolite camefrom the same parental magma, being products of strong fractional crystallization. Protoliths ofthe Kuandian Complex were formed in extensional tectonic setting during the transition fromcontinental crust to oceanic crust. The formation of the Kuandian Complex indicates that 2.3or 2.4 Ga ago tectonic evolution of the Sino-Korean craton was different from that of otherwell-studied Precambrian cratons, e.g. the North American shield, European platform andAustralian continent in that strong volcanic eruption resulted in its accretion. Besides, the con-taminated magma source with a Dupal anomaly for the Complex indicates that crust-mantleconvection whose scale was similar to that of the present plate tectonics had occurred at leastbefore the formation of the Kuandian Complex (2.3-2.4 Ga B.P).     

Petrogenesis of Triassic Mafic Complexes with MORB/OIB Affinities from the Western Garzê-Litang Ophiolitic Mélange, Central Tibetan Plateau

There is a general consensus that most ophiolites formed above subduction zones(Pearce,2003),particularly during forearc extension at subduction initiation(Shervais,2001;Stern,2004;Whattam and Stern,2011)."Supra-Subduction zone"(SSZ)ophiolites such as the well-studied Tethyan ophiolites,generally display a characteristic sequential evolution from mid-oceanic ridge basalts(MORBs)to island arc tholeiities(IATs)or bonites(BONs)(Pearce,2003;Dilek and Furnes,2009,2011),which were generated in sequence from the decompression melting of asthenospheric mantle and partial melting of subduction-metasomatized depleted mantle(Stern and Bloomer,1992;Dilek and Furnes,2009;Whattam and Stern,2011).However,ophiolites with MORB and/or oceanic-island basalt(OIB)affinities are rare,and their origin and tectonic nature are poorly understood(Boedo et al.,2013;Saccani et al.,2013).It is interesting that the composition of these ophiolites from the central Tibetan Plateau(CTP)is dominated by MORBs and minor OIBs and a distinct lack of IATs and BONs,which is inconsistent with most ophiolites worldwide(Robinson and Zhou,2008;Zhang et al.,2008).But the generation and tectonic nature of these ophiolites are still controversial.*In this study,we present new geochronological,mineralogical and Sr-Nd isotopic data for the Chayong and Xiewu mafic complexes in the western Garzê-Litang suture zone(GLS),a typical Paleo-Tethyan suture crossing the CTP(Fig.1).The Triassic ophiolite in the western GLS has been described by Li et al.(2009),who foundthat it mainly consists of gabbros,diabases,pillow basalts and a few metamorphic peridotites.The ophiolite has been tectonically dismembered and crops out in Triassic clastic rocks and limestones as tectonic blocks.The Chayong and Xiewu mafic complexes are generally regarded as important fragments of the Triassic ophiolites(e.g.,Jin,2006;Li et al.,2009).Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages of234±3 Ma and 236±2 Ma can be interpreted as formation times of the Chayong and Xiewu mafic complexes,respectively.The basalts and gabbros of the Chayong complexexhibitenrichedMORB(E-MORB)compositional affinities except for a weak depletion of Nb,Ta and Ti relative to the primitive mantle,whereas the basalts and gabbros of the Xiewu complex display distinct E-MORB and OIB affinities.The geochemical features suggest a probable fractionation of olivine±clinopyroxene±plagioclase as well as insignificant crustal contamination.The geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic data reveal that the Chayong mafic rocks may have been derived from depleted MORB-type mantle metasomatized by crustal components and Xiewu mafic rocks from enriched lithosphericmantlemetasomatizedbyOIB-like components.The ratios of Zn/Fet,La/Yb and Sm/Yb indicate that these mafic melts were produced by the partial melting of garnet+minor spinel-bearing peridotite or spinel±minor garnet-bearing peridotite.We propose thatback-arcbasinspreadingassociated with OIB/seamount recycling had occurred in the western GLS at least since the Middle Triassic times,and the decompression melting of the depleted MORB-type asthenospheremantleandpartialmeltingof sub-continental lithosphere were metasomatized by plume-related melts,such as OIBs,which led to the generation of the Chayong and Xiewu mafic melts.     

Geochronology, Geochemistry, Whole Rock Sr-Nd and Zircon Hf-O Isotopes of the Early Neoproterozoic Volcanic Rocks in Jiangshan, Eastern Part of the Jiangnan Orogen: Constraints on Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

This paper presents the results of combined studies of geochronology, geochemistry, whole rock Sr-Nd and zircon Hf-O isotopes carried out upon the rhyodacite and ignimbrite of Shangshu village, Shangyu town and Shanghupeng village of Jiangshan City in Zhejiang Province, along the northwestern side of the Jiangshan–Shaoxing suture. SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating of samples in the three areas yielded weighted mean 206 Pb/238 U ages of 842.8 ± 6.9 Ma and 850.0 ± 7.3 Ma, 839 ± 9 Ma and 832.2 ± 8.1 Ma, 828.3 ± 8.5 Ma and 836.9 ± 9.9 Ma, respectively. These ages are older than the volcanic rocks of the Shangshu Formation dated at around 780 Ma distributed in Fuyang City, Hangzhou City, Kaihua County, etc. The volcanic rocks generally have high SiO2(54.08–76.80 wt%) and Al2 O3(12.40–21.31 wt%), low Fe2 O3(0.68–8.92 wt%), MgO(0.29–2.49 wt%), CaO(0.12–2.86 wt%), TiO2(0.10–1.59 wt%) and P2 O5(0.01–0.39 wt%), with variable total alkalis(K2 O + Na2 O =5.42–8.29 wt%). There exists a clear negative correlation between SiO2 and P2 O5. The volcanic rocks have A/CNK ratios of 1.03–2.77 and thus are peraluminous. They are characterized by enrichment in LREE, Rb, Ba, Zr, Hf, K, Th, La, U and depletion in Nb, Sr, P, Ti, with distinct LREE and HREE fractionation of(La/Yb)N values of 5.68–11.67, and with a moderate negative Eu anomaly(Eu=0.58–0.89). Whole-rock geochemical data shows that the Jiangshan volcanic rocks are possibly I-type granitic rocks, even though they have some characteristics of AS-type granites due to the magma fractional crystallization and water-rock interaction. Zircon δ18 O values are 3.97‰–5.49‰(average 4.50‰), 2.90‰–5.21‰(average 4.32‰) for ignimbrite from Shangshu village section, and Shanghupeng village section, respectively. They are slightly lower than the average δ18 O values of igneous zircons in equilibrium with mantle magmas(5.3 ± 0.6‰(2σ)), the lower δ18 O value also demonstrating the presence of high temperature water-rock interactions. The ignimbrite rocks have positive εNd(t)(4.02, 3.37, 3.91, 4.74, 2.85, 4.39, totals from the three areas) and εNd(t)(in-situ zircon)(4.3–14.6, a weighted mean of 8.4; 6.6–12.7, a weighted mean of 9.0; 8.1–12.0, a weighted mean of 9.5, respectively, from the three areas). In conjunction with the trace element studies, they indicate that the source region of the Jiangshan volcanic rocks was mainly composed of juvenile lower crustal material, mixed with some mantle-sourced magma. Detailed elemental and isotopic data suggest that the Jiangshan volcanic rocks were formed in a continental arc setting. There is a series of ca. 860–830 Ma volcanic rocks formed in a back-arc extensional setting in the southern margin of the eastern Jiangnan Orogen, along the northwest side of the Jiangshan–Shaoxing suture. The first stage rift-related anorogenic magmatism may have occurred as early as ca. 860 Ma in the eastern Jiangnan Orogen.