Petrogenesis and tectonic setting of volcanic rocks in the Xiaoshan and Waifangshan areas along the southern margin of the North China Craton: Constraints from bulk-rock geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotopic composition

As part of the Xiong'er volcanic belt along the southern margin of the North China Craton, volcanic rocks in the Xiaoshan and Waifangshan areas have a compositional range from the basaltic andesite, andesite, dacite to rhyolite, which display consistent variation trends in terms of their major and trace elements and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions. The variable Yb contents with nearly constant La/Yb and Tb/Yb ratios of volcanic rocks in two areas suggest that the fractional crystallization may have played an important role in the differentiation from the basaltic andesite, through andesite and dacite, to rhyolite. The volcanic rocks in these two areas are characterized by the LILE and LREE enrichments and negative HFSE anomalies, implying hydrous melting of a mantle wedge in a subduction zone. Variable Sr/Nd ratios of the basaltic andesite and andesite are interpreted as a result of the fluid addition from a subducting slab. Non-radiogenic Nd isotopic compositions as well as high Zr/Y and Nb/Y ratios suggest that the volcanic rocks in these areas were derived from an enriched mantle source. On the other hand, the volcanic rocks of the basaltic andesite and andesite possess markedly higher Fe–Ti and HFSE concentrations than those of typical intra-oceanic arcs, implying that the mantle source from which the volcanic rocks were derived was metasomatised by siliceous melts during the Archean to Paleoproterozoic subduction/collision in the Trans-North China Orogen. These data suggest that in the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic, the southern margin of the North China Craton was most likely an Andean-type continental arc in which slab dehydration not only induced the melting of a pre-existing metasomatised mantle source, but also released LILE-enriched fluids into the mantle source, masking the inherent HFSE-enriched characteristics of the volcanic rocks along the southern margin of the craton. The results of this study indicate that the North China Craton, like many other continental components (e.g. North America, Greenland, Baltica, Amazonia, Australia, etc.) of the supercontinent Columbia (Nuna), also underwent a subduction-related outgrowth along its southern margin during the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic time.     

The Paleoproterozoic North Hebei Orogen: North China craton's collisional suture with the Columbia supercontinent

Understanding the geologic history and position of the North China craton in the Paleoproterozoic Columbia supercontinent has proven elusive. Paleoproterozoic orogenic episodes (2.00–1.85 Ga) are temporally associated with ultimate stabilization of the North China craton (NCC), followed by the development of extensive craton-wide rift systems at 1.85–1.80 Ga. The age difference between the sedimentary cover and the metamorphic basement is up to 500–700 Ma, suggesting that uplift and doming of cratonic basement occurred in the latest Paleoproterozoic. Mafic dike swarms (1.80–1.77 Ga) and anorogenic magmatism (1.80–1.70 Ga) record the extensional breakup and dispersal of the North China craton during this stage. The late Paleoproterozoic tectonic framework and geological events documented provide important constraints for reconstruction of the NCC within the Late Paleoproterozoic supercontinent of Columbia.An east-west striking thousand kilometer long belt of khondalites (granulite facies metapelites) stretches along the northern margin of the North China craton, on the cratonward side of the Northern Hebei orogenic belt. This granulite belt includes Mg–Al (sapphirine bearing) granulites that reached ultrahigh-temperature “peak” metamorphic conditions of  1000 °C at 10 kbars at 1927 ± 11 Ma. Following peak ultrahigh-temperature conditions, the rocks underwent initial isobaric cooling and subsequent isothermal decompression, and these trajectories are interpreted to be part of an overall anti-clockwise P-T evolution indicating that the northern margin of the craton experienced continental collision at 1.93–1.92 Ga. The position of the khondalite belt south of the Northern Hebei orogenic belt makes it analogous to Tibet, a continental collision-related plateau characterized by double crustal thicknesses and granulite facies metamorphism at depth. We suggest that the tectonic evolution of the NCC during this period was closely related to the assembly and break-up of the Columbia supercontinent, and that the NCC was adjacent to the Baltic and Amazonian cratons in the period 2.00–1.70 Ga. Craton-wide extension occurred within 100–150 Ma of collision along the northern margin of the craton at 1.93–1.92 Ga. It is concluded that mantle upwellings are chiefly responsible for the breakup of the NCC from the Paleoproterozoic supercontinent.     

Significance of ~ 1.5 Ga zircon and monazite ages from charnockites in southern Lithuania and NE Poland

The presence of 1.52–1.50 Ga charnockites from the anorthosite–mangerite–charnockite–granite (AMCG) Mazury complex in southern Lithuania and NE Poland, in the western East European Craton (EEC) is revealed by secondary ion mass-spectrometry (SIMS) and EPMA geochronology. Early 1.85–1.82 Ga charnockites are related to major orogeny in the region whereas the newly studied charnockites intrude the already consolidated crust. The 1.52–1.50 Ga charnockite magmatism (SIMS data on zircon) was followed by high-grade metamorphism (EPMA data on monazite), which strongly affected the surrounding rocks. The 1.85–1.81 Ga zircon cores in Lazdijai and 1.81 Ga monazite domains in the Lanowicze charnockites represent the protolith age of a volcanic island arc. The 1.52–1.50 Ga charnockite magmatism and metamorphism are likely related to the distal, Danopolonian, orogeny further to the west, at the margin of Baltica. The c.1.52–1.50 Ga AMCG magmatism and metamorphism in the western EEC as well as the paired accretionary-rapakivi suites in Amazonia, may be the inboard manifestations of the same early Mesoproterozoic orogeny associated with the juxtaposition of Amazonia and Baltica during the amalgamation of the supercontinent Columbia.     

华北陆块南部元古宙熊耳群火山岩的成因与构造环境：事实与争议

位于华北陆块南部的熊耳群形成于古元古代1.80~1.75 Ga,以火山熔岩占绝对优势,沉积岩和火山碎屑岩仅占地层总厚度的4.3%。熊耳群火山岩是华北陆块结晶基底形成后规模最大、涉及范围最广的火山活动产物,基岩出露面积约7 000 km2,地层厚度3 000~7 000 m,以玄武安山岩、安山岩为主,次为英安-流纹岩,SiO2=60%±的岩石较少,显示双峰特点。中基性熔岩的主要造岩矿物是斜长石和辉石,几乎没有角闪石和黑云母。其岩石化学成分的突出特点是高Fe,K,而低Al,Ca和Mg,火山岩显示富集大离子亲石元素和轻稀土元素、相对亏损高场强元素的岛弧型地球化学特征。Nd同位素和微量元素特征表明,这种地球化学特征是地幔源区遭受地壳组分改造及少量岩浆上升过程中的地壳混染造成的。熊耳群中的沉积岩主要分布在大古石组及马家河组。沉积岩的岩石学和地球化学特征表明熊耳群形成于被动大陆边缘的构造环境,结合火山岩的结构、构造特征,表明火山喷发的主体环境是海相,经历了陆相到海相再到陆相的演变过程,即：伴随着裂谷的发育、地面沉降和海水的侵入,以及随着火山喷发的进行最后又高出海面暴露于地表的全过程。熊耳群形成后,海侵范围更广、海水逐渐加深,表明地壳逐步向更大的凹陷发展。熊耳群形成于夭折的三叉裂谷环境,其火山岩所具有的岛弧型火山岩的地球化学特征是继承于受俯冲组分改造的陆下岩石圈富集地幔源区。熊耳期岩浆活动在华北陆块广泛分布,除了陕西宝鸡附近及山西吕梁地区的火山岩,还广泛分布1.75 Ga前后的基性岩墙群、A-型花岗岩以及比熊耳群稍晚的斜长岩、奥长环斑花岗岩等（1.75-1.70 Ga）和碱性花岗岩类（~1.65 Ga）。这些岩浆岩和熊耳群火山岩在源区性质、岩石 成因及其形成的构造背景等方面,可能存在必然的联系。上述岩浆岩的发育,说明华北陆块在1.80 Ga后处于地壳拉伸、减薄,很可能沿早先拼合的薄弱部位最先发生破裂,是华北陆块裂解的产物。     

华北克拉通中元古代裂解事件:以渣尔泰-白云鄂博-化德裂谷带岩浆与沉积作用研究为例

华北克拉通存在三个主要的中元古代裂谷带,从南到北分别为熊耳裂谷带、燕辽裂谷带以及渣尔泰-白云鄂博-化德裂谷带。其中熊耳群中火山岩的峰期年龄为1780~1750Ma,其上还有形成于被动大陆边缘的五佛山群、汝阳群以及官道口群。中北部的燕辽裂谷带包括长城系、蓟县系和青白口系,其中长城系团山子组和大红峪组火山岩的年龄分别为~1640Ma和1626~1622Ma,蓟县系高于庄组、雾迷山组和铁岭组凝灰岩的年龄分别为1560Ma、1485Ma和1437Ma,而下马岭组凝灰岩年龄为1366~1380Ma。北缘渣尔泰-白云鄂博-化德裂谷带中渣尔泰群书记沟组玄武岩年龄为1743Ma,阿古鲁沟组酸性火山岩年龄为~810Ma,白云鄂博群尖山组中基性火山岩年龄为1728Ma,化德群比鲁特组火山碎屑岩年龄为1515Ma。中元古代岩浆事件除了裂谷带中的火山作用外,还包括三期基性岩墙群(~1780Ma太行-吕梁岩墙群、~1730Ma密云岩墙群和~1620Ma泰山岩墙群)以及1.76Ga到1.65Ga非造山岩浆组合(斜长岩-环斑花岗岩体-A型花岗岩)。中元古代中期,华北克拉通北缘发育了基性岩席(墙)、A型花岗岩以及碳酸岩脉,双峰式岩浆作用说明华北北缘在中元古代中期经历了裂谷作用,与哥伦比亚超大陆的最终裂解有关,并且与白云鄂博巨型REE-Nb-Fe矿床的形成具有成因上的联系。华北克拉通北部两个裂谷带中的地层具有可以对比的层序以及时代,而中元古代中期辉绿岩墙、A型花岗岩以及碳酸岩脉可以与其它克拉通同时期的非造山岩浆作用对比,证明华北克拉通经历了哥伦比亚超大陆的最终裂解。古地磁数据已经证明在哥伦比亚超大陆时期Siberia、Laurentia、Baltica、Amazion以及华北克拉通是连接在一起的,而北缘中元古代中期大陆裂谷相关岩浆岩的发现也说明它是与另一个古大陆相连的。华北克拉通南缘熊耳火山岩的构造背景到底是大陆裂谷还是大陆边缘弧则关系着其是与另一个克拉通相连还是面向大海,这需要我们进一步深入研究。     

Metallogeny during continental outgrowth in the Columbia supercontinent: Isotopic characterization of the Zhaiwa Mo–Cu system in the North China Craton

The Eastern Qinling Molybdenum Belt (EQMB) in central China represents the largest Mo province in the world. Located at the southern margin of the North China Craton, this Mo province is largely associated with Mesozoic granitoids. Here we report Re–Os isochron age of 1761 ± 33 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 2.9) from molybdenite in the recently discovered Zhaiwa porphyry Mo–Cu system within the EQMB. This age coincides with the peak eruption period (1.78−1.75 Ga) of the Xiong'er Group volcanic rocks which unconformably overlie the Taihua Supergroup and are interpreted to have developed on a continental arc. The Re concentrations (1 to 43 ppm) of the Zhaiwa molybdenites are similar to those of typical porphyry Cu–Mo–Au systems developed on continental arcs. The δ³⁴S values of the Zhaiwa ores (2.7–7.3‰, average 5.2‰) suggest that the sulfur was mainly sourced from a magmatic system. The sulfides from the ores yield Sr_i average of 0.70533, similar to that of the Xiong'er Group (0.70547), albeit higher than that of the Kuanping Group (0.70334) and lower than the Taihua Supergroup (0.70763), suggesting a mixed source. The average ε_Nd(1.76 Ga) of the sulfides from the ores (0.9) falls between the averages of the Taihua Supergroup (ca. − 6.8) and the Kuanping Group (ca. 7.4). The Pb isotope ratios of the ores are similar to, but slightly higher than those of the Taihua Supergroup, reflecting preferential leaching of radiogenic Pb from the Taihua Supergroup by magmatic fluids. Integrated data and interpretations constrain the Zhaiwa Mo–Cu deposit to be a porphyry mineral system developed within a ca. 1.76 Ga continental arc related to oceanic plate subduction beneath the southern margin of the North China Craton. A correlation between tectonic settings and metallogenic types clearly indicate that the Xiong'er Group was formed in a volcanic arc, confirming Paleo-Mesoproterozoic continental outgrowth along the margins of the Columbia supercontinent. The isotopic characterization of the Zhaiwa deposit provides new insights into the enigma of the widespread distribution of large and super-large Mo deposits of EQMB along the southern margin of the North China Craton.     

青藏高原北缘前寒武纪地质演化：进展与讨论

青藏高原北缘前寒武纪块体主要出露于塔里木盆地南缘的铁克里克和阿尔金、祁连山及柴达木盆地周缘等地区。这些古老块体分布于相对年轻的古生代秦祁昆造山带之中,大多经历了古生代造山事件的改造叠加。近10年来,对该地区前寒武纪地层时代格架、物质组成和构造属性研究取得了许多进展：1）揭示铁克里克、北阿尔金、全吉和阿拉善地块具有相似的2.5～2.2 Ga、2.1～1.7 Ga的基底演化和1.7 Ga之后的盖层沉积记录,反映塔里木克拉通、全吉地块和华北克拉通在Columbia 超大陆中具有相关和相似性。2）一系列地层时代被重新厘定,为建立新的前寒武纪地层划分方案提供了依据;3）厘定出铁克里克新元古代裂谷火山—沉积盆地,其可以与华北克拉通南缘1 000～830 Ma的裂解事件对比,它们在新元古代早期可能构成同一个克拉通裂解边缘;4）在南阿尔金与祁连、柴达木等地块识别出性质相似的新元古代岩浆作用和变质作用,它们可能共同代表一个新元古代早期活动大陆边缘的构造杂岩,为古生代汇聚、增生于塔里木克拉通或华北克拉通南缘的外来地块,存在于秦祁昆造山带之中。目前关于青藏高原北缘前寒武纪块体的物质组成、时代格架、构造属性和古环境变化研究还存在许多问题,仍需要开展进一步的大量工作。     

从哥伦比亚超大陆裂解事件论古/中元古代的界限

国际前寒武纪地层表中始终把古/中元古代的界线置于1. 6Ga,我国则一直将这一界线置于1. 8Ga。存在认识分歧的根本原因是对1. 8Ga前后时期地质事件及其性质的理解与认识的差异或偏颇。本文通过阐述1. 8～1. 6Ga期间地质事件及其性质,重点分析和讨论古/中元古代(界)界限的划分及相关地质事件的标志与意义。大量的地质资料显示,超大陆从1. 8～1. 75Ga开始裂解,形成一系列的陆内盆地,如北美(劳伦古陆)的Thelon盆地、澳大利亚北部的Leichhardt超级盆地、南美巴西圣弗兰西斯科盆地、华北南缘的熊耳裂谷盆地以及扬子地块西南缘的东川盆地等。在这些盆地形成的早期沉积了冲积扇相、河流相的碎屑岩,之后伴有较广泛的火山岩喷发,中晚期从河流相、湖相碎屑岩沉积过渡到浅海碳酸盐台地沉积,反映一个拉伸裂解的过程。在复原的哥伦比亚超大陆内,广泛分布有1. 78～1. 72Ga的非造山花岗岩,包括AMCG组合(斜长岩、纹长二长岩、紫苏花岗岩和花岗岩)、环斑花岗岩、A型花岗岩等,以及广泛分布的基性岩墙群。这些岩浆岩都反映了拉伸裂解的地球动力学背景。在1. 8～1. 6Ga,不论是沉积事件还是岩浆事件,绝大部分与超大陆的拉伸裂解有关,并未显示造山作用、大陆固结和克拉通化的特点,用固结纪来概括这一阶段地质事件的性质并不合适。哥伦比亚超大陆上的许多盆地在1. 6Ga左右经历了一次广泛的抬升,使沉积作用短时间间断,之后原有盆地继续发展,接受了更广泛的沉积,这种沉积作用可以一直延续到1. 4～1. 3Ga左右。与裂解有关的岩浆事件也以幕式方式从1. 78Ga一直断续持续到1. 4～1. 32Ga左右。从1. 8Ga(或1. 78Ga)到1. 4～1. 3Ga,不论是盆地的沉积事件还是与裂解有关的岩浆事件,基本是连续的。以1. 6Ga作为年代界线划分古/中元古代,人为地隔断了连续的沉积事件和岩浆事件,显然与"尽可能少地截断沉积作用、火成侵位或造山运动的主要序列"的前寒武纪地层划分原则相悖。连续的裂谷盆地沉积事件和非造山岩浆事件可以追溯到1. 8Ga(或1. 78Ga)。因此,我们建议将古/中元古代的界线置于1. 8Ga或1. 78Ga。考虑到裂谷作用的本质是在已有超大陆或克拉通的基础上盖层的发育过程,因此我们建议将～1. 8Ga或1. 78～1. 4Ga都归入盖层系。     

African, southern Indian and South American cratons were not part of the Rodinia supercontinent: evidence from field relationships and geochronology

We discuss the question whether the late Mesoproterozoic and early Neoproterozoic rocks of eastern, central and southern Africa, Madagascar, southern India, Sri Lanka and South America have played any role in the formation and dispersal of the supercontinent Rodinia, believed to have existed between about 1000 and 750 Ma ago. First, there is little evidence for the production of significant volumes of ˜1.4–1.0 Ga (Kibaran or Grenvillian age) continental crust in the Mozambique belt (MB) of East Africa, except, perhaps, in parts of northern Mozambique. This is also valid for most terranes related to West Gondwana, which are made up of basement rocks older than Mesoproterozoic, reworked in the Brasiliano/Pan-African orogenic cycle. This crust cannot be conclusively related to either magmatic accretion processes on the active margin of Rodinia or continental collision leading to amalgamation of the supercontinent. So far, no 1.4–1.0 Ga rocks have been identified in Madagascar. Secondly, there is no conclusive evidence for a ˜1.0 Ga high-grade metamorphic event in the MB, although such metamorphism has been recorded in the presumed continuation of the MB in East Antarctica. In South America, even the Sunsas mobile belt, which is correlated with the Grenville belt of North America, does not include high-grade metamorphic rocks. All terranes with Mesoproterozoic ages seem to have evolved within extensional, aulacogen-type structures, and their compressional deformation, where observed, is normally much younger and is related to amalgamation of Gondwana. This is also valid for the Trans-Saharan and West Congo belts of West Africa.Third, there is also no evidence for post-1000 Ma sedimentary sequences that were deposited on the passive margin(s) of Rodinia. In contrast, the MB of East Africa and Madagascar is characterized by extensive structural reworking and metamorphic overprinting of Archaean rocks, particularly in Tanzania and Madagascar, and these rocks either constitute marginal parts of cratonic domains or represent crustal blocks (terranes or microcontinents?) of unknown derivation. This is also the case for most terranes included in the Borborema/Trans-Saharan belt of northeastern Brazil and west-central Africa, as well as those of the Central Goíás Massif in central Brazil and the Mantiqueira province of eastern and southeastern Brazil.Furthermore, there is evidence for extensive granitoid magmatism in the period ˜840 to <600 Ma whose predominant calc-alkaline chemistry suggests subduction-related active margin processes during the assembly of the supercontinent Gondwana. The location of the main Neoproterozoic magmatic arcs suggests that a large oceanic domain separated the core of Rodinia, namely Laurentia plus Amazonia, Baltica and West Africa, from several continental masses and fragments now in the southern hemisphere, such as the São Francisco/Congo, Kalahari and Rio de La Plata cratons, as well as the Borborema/Trans-Saharan, Central Goiás Massif and Paraná blocks. Moreover, many extensional tectonic events detected in the southern hemisphere continental masses, but also many radiometric ages of granitois that are already associated with the process of amalgamation of Gondwana, are comprised within the 800–1000 age interval. This seems incompatible with current views on the time of disintegration of Rodinia, assumed to have occurred at around 750 Ma.     

Geochemistry and geodynamic significance of the rare-earth mineralized Paleoproterozoic Longwangzhuang granite on the southern margin of the North China Craton

The Longwangzhuang granite pluton occurs on the southern margin of the North China Craton and consists mainly of biotite syenogranite with aegirine granite being locally distributed.The granites are characterized by high silicon and alkaline contents(SiO2=72.17%-76.82%,K2O+Na2O=8.28%-10.22%,K2O/Na2O>>1),AI(agpaitic index) =0.84-0.95,DI=95-97,ASI(aluminum saturation index)=0.96-1.13,and very high Fe* number(FeO*/(FeO*+Mg)=0.90-0.99),thus the granites are assigned to the metaluminous to weakly peraluminous,alkalic to calc-alkalic ferroan A-type granites.The granites are rich in large ion lithophile elements(LILE),especially high in REE concentrations(REE+Y=854×10-6-1572×10-6);whereas the enrichment of high strength field elements(Nb,Ta,Zr,Hf) is obviously less than that of LILEs,exhibiting mild depletions on trace element spider plots;and the rocks are significantly depleted in Ba,Sr,Ti,and Pb.The low εNd(t) values(-4.5--7.2) and high model ages(2.3-2.5 Ga) of the granites as well as the low εHf(t) values(-1.11--5.26) and high Hf model ages(THf1= 2.1-2.3 Ga,THf2=2.4-2.6 Ga) of zircons from the biotite syenogranite suggest that the granites were probably derived from an enriched mantle source.The zircons from the biotite syenogranite are mainly colorless transparent crystals exhibiting well-developed oscillatory zoning on the cathodoluminescence images with a LA-ICPMS zircon U-Pb age of 1602.1±6.6 Ma(MSWD=0.48).Petrochemical,trace elements,as well as Nd and Hf isotopic compositions of the rocks demonstrate that the granites were formed in a within-plate extensional tectonic regime possibly related to the breakup of the Columbia supercontinent.The granites were most likely formed through extreme fractional crystallization of alkali basaltic magma resulted from partial melting of the mantle,which was fertilized by recycling crustal rocks triggered by the delamination of lithospheric mantle and lower crust following the ～1.8 Ga collision and amalgamation of the North China Craton which is part of the Columbia supercontinent.However,contamination of neo-Archean to Paleoproterozoic crustal rocks during the ascent and emplacement of the magma could not be excluded.Being the youngest known anorogenic magmatism on the southern margin of the North China Craton related to Columbia breakup,it might represent the break off of the North China Craton from Columbia supercontinent at the end of Paleoproterozoic.     

华北克拉通南缘中条山-嵩山地区1.78Ga基性岩墙群的地球化学特征及构造环境

幔源岩浆侵位产生的基性岩墙群是地壳伸展裂解的重要标志。华北克拉通南缘中条山-嵩山地区出露有大量的中元古代基性岩墙群,对其研究将有助于深入了解华北克拉通中元古代构造演化特征。其岩石类型以辉绿岩为主,少量辉长辉绿岩和辉绿玢岩;主要造岩矿物为斜长石和单斜辉石,其它矿物包括角闪石、Fe-Ti氧化物、磷灰石、黑云母、碱性长石和石英。锆石SHRIMPU-Pb年龄为1785±18Ma,代表岩墙的结晶年龄。岩石K2O+Na2O含量为3.63%～6.18%,K2O/Na2O比值为0.73～1.38,FeOT含量较高(10.03%～13.59%),属于拉斑玄武岩系列。岩石的稀土元素含量高(142×10-6～381×10-6),亏损Nb、Ta、Zr、Hf等高场强元素,富集Rb、Ba、La等大离子亲石元素,全岩εNd(t)值为-6.2～-8.1。岩墙的固结指数(SI)和MgO含量呈明显的正相关关系,说明幔源岩浆发生过明显的结晶分异作用。地球化学分析表明,研究区基性岩墙属于板内拉斑玄武岩系列,与熊耳群火山岩有相似的地球化学特征;基于两者紧密的产出关系,我们认为该区岩墙可能是熊耳群火山岩的通道岩墙,共同代表了华北克拉通东、西陆块碰撞后伸展事件。     

Variable involvements of mantle plumes in the genesis of mid-Neoproterozoic basaltic rocks in South China: A review

Ca. 825–720 Ma global continental intraplate magmatism is generally linked to mantle plumes or a mantle superplume that caused rifting and fragmentation of the supercontinent Rodinia. Widespread Neoproterozoic igneous rocks in South China are dated at ca. 825–760 Ma. There is a hot debate on their petrogenesis and tectonic affiliations, i.e., mantle plume/rift settings or collision/arc settings. Such competing interpretations have contrasting implications to the position of South China in the supercontinent Rodinia and in Rodinia reconstruction models.Variations in the bulk-rock compositions of primary basaltic melts can provide first order constraints on the mantle thermal–chemical structure, and thus distinguish between the plume/rift and arc/collision models. Whole-rock geochemical data of 14 mid-Neoproterozoic (825–760 Ma) basaltic successions are reviewed here in order to (1) estimate the primary melts compositions; (2) calculate the melting conditions and mantle potential temperature; and (3) identify the contributions of subcontinental lithosphere mantle (SCLM) and asenthospheric mantles to the generation of these basaltic rocks.In order to quantify the mantle potential temperatures and percentages of decompression melting, the primary MgO, FeO, and SiO₂ contents of basalts are calculated through carefully selecting less-evolved samples using a melting model based on the partitioning of FeO and MgO in olivine. The mid-Neoproterozoic (825–760 Ma) potential temperatures predicted from the primary melts range from 1390 °C to 1630 °C (mostly > 1480 °C), suggesting that most 825–760 Ma basaltic rocks in South China were generated by melting of anomalously hot mantle sources with potential temperatures 80–200 °C higher than the ambient Middle Ocean Ridge Basalt (MORB)-source mantle.The mantle source regions of these Neoproterozoic basaltic rocks have complex histories and heterogeneous compositions. Enriched mantle sources (e.g., pyroxenite and eclogite) are recognized as an important source for the Bikou and Suxiong basalts, suggesting that their generations may have involved recycled components. Trace elements variations show that interactions between asthenospheric mantle (OIB-type mantle) and SCLM played a very important role in generation of the 825–760 Ma basalts. Our results indicate that the SCLM metasomatized by subduction-induced melts/fluids during the 1.0–0.9 Ga orogenesis as a distinct geochemical reservoir that contributed significantly to the trace-elements and isotope inventory of these basalts.The continental intraplate geochemical signatures (e.g., OIB-type), high mantle potential temperatures and recycled components suggest the presence of a mantle plume beneath the Neoproterozoic South China block. We use the available data to develop an integrated plume-lithosphere interaction model for the ca. 825–760 Ma basalts. The early phases of basaltic rocks (825–810 Ma) were most likely formed by melting within the metasomatized SCLM heated by the rising mantle plume. The subsequent continental rift allowed adiabatic decompression partial melting of an upwelling mantle plumes at relatively shallow depth to form the widespread syn-rifting basaltic rocks at ca. 810–800 Ma and 790–760 Ma.     

Post-collisional crustal extension setting and VHMS mineralization in the Jinshajiang orogenic belt, southwestern China

The Jinshajiang orogenic belt (JOB) of southwestern China, located along the eastern margin of the Himalayan–Tibetan orogen, includes a collage of continental blocks joined by Paleozoic ophiolitic sutures and Permian volcanic arcs. Three major tectonic stages are recognized based on the volcanic–sedimentary sequence and geochemistry of volcanic rocks in the belt. Westward subduction of the Paleozoic Jinshajiang oceanic plate at the end of Permian resulted in the formation of the Chubarong–Dongzhulin intra-oceanic arc and Jamda–Weixi volcanic arc on the eastern margin of the Changdu continental block. Collision between the volcanic arcs and the Yangtze continent block during Early–Middle Triassic caused the closing of the Jinshajiang oceanic basin and the eruption of high-Si and -Al potassic rhyolitic rocks along the Permian volcanic arc. Slab breakoff or mountain-root delamination under this orogenic belt led to post-collisional crustal extension at the end of the Triassic, forming a series of rift basins on this continental margin arc. Significant potential for VHMS deposits occurs in the submarine volcanic districts of the JOB. Mesozoic VHMS deposits occur in the post-collisional extension environment and cluster in the Late Triassic rift basins.     

Analysis of airborne magnetic and gravity anomalies of peninsular shield, India integrated with seismic and magnetotelluric results and gravity anomalies of Madagascar, Sri Lanka and East Antarctica

Modelling of gravity and airborne magnetic data integrated with seismic studies suggest that the linear gravity and magnetic anomalies associated with Moyar Bhavani Shear Zone (MBSZ) and Palghat Cauvery Shear Zone (PCSZ) are caused by high density and high susceptibility rocks in upper crust which may represent mafic lower crustal rocks. This along with thick crust (44–45 km) under the Southern Granulite Terrain (SGT) indicates collision of Dharwar craton towards north and SGT towards south with N–S directed compression during 2.6–2.5 Ga. This collision may be related to contemporary collision northwards between Eastern Madagascar–Western Dharwar Craton (WDC) and Eastern Dharwar Craton (EDC). Arcuate shaped N and S-verging thrusts, MBSZ-Mettur Shear and PCSZ-Gangavalli Shear, respectively across Cauvery Shear zone system (CSZ) in SGT also suggest that the WDC, EDC and SGT might have collided almost simultaneously during 2.6–2.5 Ga due to NW–SE directed compressional forces with CSZ as central core complex in plate tectonics paradigm preserving rocks of oceanic affinity. Gravity anomalies of schist belts of WDC suggest marginal and intra arc basin setting.The gravity highs of EGFB along east coast of India and regional gravity low over East Antarctica are attributed to thrusted high-density lower crustal/upper mantle rocks at a depth of 5–6 km along W-verging thrust, which is supported by high seismic velocity and crustal thickening, respectively. It may represent a collision zone at about 1.0 Ga between India and East Antarctica. Paired gravity anomalies in the central part of Sri Lanka related to high density intrusives under western margin of Highland Complex and crustal thickening (40 km) along eastern margin of Highland Complex with several arc type magmatic rocks of about 1.0 Ga in Vijayan Complex towards the east may represent collision between them with W-verging thrust as in case of EGFB. The gravity high of Sri Lanka in the central part falls in line with that of EGFB, in case it is fitted in Gulf of Mannar and may represent the extension of this orogeny in Sri Lanka.     

The ~1.85 Ga carbonatite in north China and its implications on the evolution of the Columbia supercontinent

Mantle-derived carbonatites provide a unique window in the understanding of mantle characteristics and dynamics, as well as insight into the assembly and breakup of supercontinents. As a petrological indicator of extensional tectonic regimes, Archean/Proterozoic carbonatites provide important constraints on the timing of the breakup of ancient supercontinents. The majority of the carbonatites reported worldwide are Phanerozoic, in part because of the difficulty in recognizing Archean/Proterozoic carbonatites, which are characterized by strong foliation and recrystallization, and share broad petrologic similarities with metamorphosed sedimentary lithologies. Here, we report the recognition of a ~1.85 Ga carbonatite in Chaihulanzi area of Chifeng in north China based on systematic geological, petrological, geochemical, and baddeleyite U-Pb geochronological results. The carbonatite occurs as dikes or sills emplaced in Archean metasedimentary rocks and underwent intense deformation. Petrological and SEM/EDS results show that calcite and dolomite are the dominant carbonate minerals along with minor and varied amounts of Mg-rich mafic minerals, including forsterite (with Fo > 98), phlogopite, diopside, and an accessory amount of apatite, baddeleyite, spinel, monazite, and ilmenite. The relatively high silica content together with the non-arc and OIB-like trace element signatures of the carbonatite indicates a hot mantle plume as the likely magma source. The depleted Nd isotopic signatures suggest that plume upwelling might be triggered by the accumulation of recycled crust in the deep mantle. As a part of the global-scale Columbia supercontinent, the Proterozoic tectonic evolution of the North China Craton (NCC) provides important insights into the geodynamics governing amalgamation and fragmentation of the supercontinent. The Paleo-Mesoproterozoic boundary is the key point of tectonic transition from compressional to extensional settings in the NCC. The newly identified ~1.85 Ga carbonatite provides a direct link between the long-lasting supercontinental breakup and plume activity, which might be sourced from the “slab graveyard,” continental crustal slabs subducted into asthenosphere, beneath the supercontinent. The carbonatite provides a precise constraint of the initiation of the continental breakup at ~1.85 Ga.     

Anatomy of a Cambrian suture in Gondwana: Pacific-type orogeny in southern India?

Southern India occupies a central position in the Late Neoproterozoic–Cambrian Gondwana supercontinent assembly. The Proterozoic mosaic of southern India comprises a collage of crustal blocks dissected by Late Neoproterozoic–Cambrian crust-scale shear/suture zones. Among these, the Palghat–Cauvery Suture Zone (PCSZ) has been identified as the trace of the Cambrian suture representing Mozambique Ocean closure during the final phase of amalgamation of the Gondwana supercontinent. Here we propose a model involving Pacific-type orogeny to explain the Neoproterozoic evolution of southern India and its final amalgamation within the Gondwana assembly. Our model envisages an early rifting stage which gave birth to the Mozambique Ocean, followed by the initiation of southward subduction of the oceanic plate beneath a thick tectosphere-bearing Archean Dharwar Craton. Slices of the ocean floor carrying dunite–pyroxenite–gabbro sequence intruded by mafic dykes representing a probable ophiolite suite and invaded by plagiogranite are exposed at Manamedu along the southern part the PCSZ. Evidence for the southward subduction and subsequent northward extrusion are preserved in the PCSZ where the orogenic core carries high-pressure and ultrahigh-temperature metamorphic assemblages with ages corresponding to the Cambrian collisional orogeny. Typical eclogites facies rocks with garnet + omphacite + quartz and diagnostic ultrahigh-temperature assemblages with sapphirine + quartz, spinel + quartz and high alumina orthopyroxene + sillimanite + quartz indicate extreme metamorphism during the subduction–collision process. Eclogites and UHT granulites in the orogenic core define P–T maxima of 1000 °C and up to 20 kbar. The close association of eclogites with ultramafic rocks having abyssal signatures together with linear belts of iron formation and metachert in several localities within the PCSZ probably represents subduction–accretion setting. Fragments of the mantle wedge were brought up through extrusion tectonics within the orogenic core, which now occur as suprasubduction zone/arc assemblages including chromitites, highly depleted dunites, and pyroxene bearing ultramafic assemblages around Salem. Extensive CO₂ metasomatism of the ultramafic units generated magnesite deposits such as those around Salem. High temperature ocean floor hydrothermal alteration is also indicated by the occurrence of diopsidite dykes with calcite veining. Thermal metamorphism from the top resulted in the dehydration of the passive margin sediments trapped beneath the orogenic core, releasing copious hydrous fluids which moved upward and caused widespread hydration, as commonly preserved in the Barrovian amphibolite facies units in the PCSZ. The crustal flower structure mapped from PCSZ supports the extrusion model, and the large scale north verging thrusts towards the north of the orogenic core may represent a fold-thrust belt. Towards the south of the PCSZ is the Madurai Block where evidence for extensive magmatism occurs, represented by a number of granitic plutons and igneous charnockite massifs of possible tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) setting, with ages ranging from ca. 750–560 Ma suggesting a long-lived Neoproterozoic magmatic arc within a > 200 km wide belt. All these magmatic units were subsequently metamorphosed, when the Pacific-type orogeny switched over to collision-type in the Cambrian during the final phase of assembly of the Gondwana supercontinent. One of the most notable aspects is the occurrence of arc magmatic rocks together with high P/T rocks, representing the deeply eroded zone of subduction. The juxtaposition of these contrasting rock units may suggest the root of an evolved Andean-type margin, as in many arc environments the roots of the arc comprise ultramafic/mafic cumulates and the felsic rocks represent the core of the arc. The final phase of the orogeny witnessed the closure of an extensive ocean — the Mozambique Ocean — and the collisional assembly of continental fragments within the Gondwana supercontinent amalgam. The tectonic history of southern India represents a progressive sequence from Pacific-type to collision-type orogeny which finally gave rise to a Himalayan-type Cambrian orogen with characteristic magmatic, metasomatic and metamorphic factories operating in subduction–collision setting.     

Tectonics and surface effects of the supercontinent Columbia

Assembly of the supercontinent Columbia at about 1.85–1.90 Ga coincided with several events that affected the entire earth. The oldest worldwide network of orogenic belts formed at the same time. Although some granite–granodiorite (GG) suites had formed earlier, the GG suites became common in the 1.8–1.9 Ga orogenic belts. These suites succeeded the older tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) suites, which were not produced after 1.8 Ga. Changes on the earth's surface at 1.8–1.9 Ga include rapid increase in the concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere and oceans and probably the evolution of eukaryotes. All of these surface changes occurred as Columbia accreted, and the assembly of Columbia may have contributed to the drastic changes in the earth's surface environment as well as to the evolution of primitive life forms.     

A new concept on tectonic correlation between Korea, China and Japan: Histories from the late Proterozoic to Cretaceous

The Dabie–Sulu collision belt in China extends to the Hongseong–Odesan belt in Korea while the Okcheon metamorphic belt in Korea is considered as an extension of the Nanhua rift within the South China block. The Hongseong–Odesan belt divides Korea's Gyeonggi massif into northern and southern portions. The southern Gyeonggi massif and the Yeongnam massif are correlated with China's Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks, respectively, while the northern Gyeonggi massif is part of the southern margin of the North China block. The southern and northern Gyeonggi massifs rifted from the Rodinia supercontinent during the Neoproterozoic, to form the borders of the South China and North China blocks, respectively. Subduction commenced along the southern and eastern borders of the North China block in the Ordovician and continued until a Triassic collision between the North China and South China blocks. While subduction was occurring on the margin of the North China block, high-P/T metamorphic belts and accretionary complexes developed along the inner zone of southwest Japan from the Ordovician to the Permian. During the subduction, the Hida belt in Japan grew as a continental margin or continental arc. Collision between the North and South China blocks began in Korea during the Permian (290–260 Ma), and propagated westwards until the Late Triassic (230–210 Ma) creating the sinistral TanLu fault in China and the dextral fault in the Hida and Hida marginal belt in Japan. Phanerozoic subduction and collision along the southern and western borders of the North China block led to formation of the Qinling–Dabie–Sulu–Hongseong–Hida–Yanji belt.     

新疆库鲁克塔格地区基性-超基性岩的年代学研究及构造意义

塔里木克拉通的研究可以有助于理解中亚造山带元古代构造框架和Rodinia 超大陆的形成过程。位于塔里木克拉通北缘的库鲁克塔格地区广泛分布有基性岩-超基性岩-碳酸岩,并且伴随有铜镍、铁磷和蛭石矿床,其典型矿床为兴地铜镍矿床、且干布拉克蛭石矿床、大西沟和卡乌留克铁磷矿床。SIMS 锆石U-Pb 年代学研究表明,大西沟铁磷矿床形成于古元古代(2 452±10 Ma),其它铜镍、铁磷和蛭石矿床(兴地、卡乌留克和且干布拉克)形成于新元古代(812～707 Ma)。古元古代成矿作用与哥伦比亚超大陆的汇聚碰撞有关,而新元古代成矿作用形成于Rodinia超大陆裂解导致塔里木地幔柱活动有关的成矿动力学背景。     

U–Pb geochronology of the southern Brasília belt (SE-Brazil): sedimentary provenance, Neoproterozoic orogeny and assembly of West Gondwana

The Brasília belt borders the western margin of the São Francisco Craton and records the history of ocean opening and closing related to the formation of West Gondwana. This study reports new U–Pb data from the southern sector of the belt in order to provide temporal limits for the deposition and ages of provenance of sediments accumulated in passive margin successions around the south and southwestern margins of the São Francisco Craton, and date the orogenic events leading to the amalgamation of West Gondwana.Ages of detrital zircons (by ID–TIMS and LA-MC-ICPMS) were obtained from metasedimentary units of the passive margin of the São Francisco Craton from the main tectonic domains of the belt: the internal allochthons (Araxá Group in the Áraxá and Passos Nappes), the external allochthons (Canastra Group, Serra da Boa Esperança Metasedimentary Sequence and Andrelândia Group) and the autochthonous or Cratonic Domain (Andrelândia Group). The patterns of provenance ages for these units are uniform and are characterised as follows: Archean–Paleoproterozoic ages (3.4–3.3, 3.1–2.7, and 2.5–2.4 Ga); Paleoproterozoic ages attributed to the Transamazonian event (2.3–1.9 Ga, with a peak at ca. 2.15 Ga) and to the ca. 1.75 Ga Espinhaço rifting of the São Francisco Craton; ages between 1.6 and 1.2 Ga, with a peak at 1.3 Ga, revealing an unexpected variety of Mesoproterozoic sources, still undetected in the São Francisco Craton; and ages between 0.9 and 1.0 Ga related to the rifting event that led to the individualisation of the São Francisco paleo-continent and formation of its passive margins. An amphibolite intercalation in the Araxá Group yields a rutile age of ca. 0.9 Ga and documents the occurrence of mafic magmatism coeval with sedimentation in the marginal basin.Detrital zircons from the autochthonous and parautochthonous Andrelândia Group, deposited on the southern margin of the São Francisco Craton, yielded a provenance pattern similar to that of the allochthonous units. This result implies that 1.6–1.2 Ga source rocks must be present in the São Francisco Craton. They could be located either in the cratonic area, which is mostly covered by the Neoproterozoic epicontinental deposits of the Bambuí Group, or in the outer paleo-continental margin, buried under the allochthonous units of the Brasília belt.Crustal melting and generation of syntectonic crustal granites and migmatisation at ca. 630 Ma mark the orogenic event that started with westward subduction of the São Francisco plate and ended with continental collision against the Paraná block (and Goiás terrane). Continuing collision led to the exhumation and cooling of the Araxá and Passos metamorphic nappes, as indicated by monazite ages of ca. 605 Ma and mark the final stages of tectonometamorphic activity in the southern Brasília belt.Whilst continent–continent collision was proceeding on the western margin of the São Francisco Craton along the southern Brasília belt, eastward subduction in the East was generating the 634–599 Ma Rio Negro magmatic arc which collided with the eastern São Francisco margin at 595–560 Ma, much later than in the Brasília belt. Thus, the tectonic effects of the Ribeira belt reached the southernmost sector of the Brasília belt creating a zone of superposition. The thermal front of this event affected the proximal Andrelândia Group at ca. 588 Ma, as indicated by monazite age.The participation of the Amazonian craton in the assembly of western Gondwana occurred at 545–500 Ma in the Paraguay belt and ca. 500 Ma in the Araguaia belt. This, together with the results presented in this work lead to the conclusion that the collision between the Paraná block and Goiás terrane with the São Francisco Craton along the Brasília belt preceded the accretion of the Amazonian craton by 50–100 million years.