Apatite fission track and (U-Th)/He thermochronology from the Archean Tanzania Craton: Contributions to cooling histories of Tanzanian basement rocks

Borehole and surface samples from the Archean Tanzania Craton were analysed for apatite fission track(AFT) and(U-Th)/He data with the aim of deciphering cooling histories of the basement rocks. Fission track dates from borehole and outcrop samples are Carboniferous-Permian(345± 33.3 Ma to271±31.7 Ma) whereas(U-Th)/He dates are Carboniferous-Triassic(336±45.8 Ma to 213±29 Ma) for outcrop grains and are consistently younger than corresponding AFT dates. Single grain(U-Th)/He dates from the borehole are likely to be flawed by excessive helium implantation due to their very low effective uranium contents, radiation damage and grain sizes. All AFT and(U-Th)/He dates are significantly younger than the stratigraphic ages of their host rocks, implying that the samples have experienced Phanerozoic elevated paleo-temperatures. Considerations of the data indicate removal of up to 9 km overburden since the Palaeozoic.Thermal modelling reveals a protracted rapid cooling event commencing during the early Carboniferous(ca. 350 Ma) at rates of 46 m/Ma ending in the Triassic(ca. 220 Ma). The model also suggests minor cooling during the Cretaceous of the samples to surface temperatures. The suggested later cooling event remains to be tested. The major cooling phase during the Carboniferous is interpreted to be associated with compressional tectonics during the Variscan Orogeny sensu far field induced stresses. Coeval sedimentation in the Karoo basins in the region suggests that most of the cooling of cratonic rocks during the Carboniferous was associated with denudation.     

Late Paleozoic Element Migration and Accumulation under Intracontinental Sinistral Strike-slip Faulting in the West Junggar Orogenic Belt, NW China

The migration, accumulation and dispersion of elements caused by tectonic dynamics have always been a focus of attention, and become the basis of tectono-geochemistry. However, the effects of faulting, especially strike-slip faulting, on the adjustment of geochemical element distribution, are still not clear. In this paper, we select the West Junggar Orogenic Belt (WJOB), NW China, as a case study to test the migration behavior of elements under tectonic dynamics. The WJOB is dominated by NE-trending large-scale sinistral strike-slip faults such as the Darabut Fault, the Mayile Fault, and the Baerluke Fault, which formed during the intracontinental adjustment under N–S compression during ocean-continental conversion in the Late Paleozoic. Geochemical maps of 13 elements, Al, W, Sn, Mo, Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Sb, Hg, Fe, Ni, and Au, are analyzed for the effects of faulting and folding on element distribution at the regional scale. The results show that the element distribution in the WJOB is controlled mainly by two mechanisms during tectonic deformation: first is the material transporting mechanism, where the movement of geological units is consistent with the direction of tectonic movement; second is the diffusion mechanism, especially by tectonic pressure dissolution driven by tectonic dynamics, where the migration of elements is approximately perpendicular or opposite to the direction of tectonic movement. We conclude that the adjustment of element distributions has been determined by the combined actions of transporting and diffusion mechanisms, and that the diffusion mechanism plays an important role in the formation of geochemical Au blocks in the WJOB.     

中国东北地区蛇绿岩

我国东北地区位于中亚造山带的东段,经历了复杂的增生造山过程,其所属微陆块的基底属性及拼贴位置、洋-陆转换一直是地学界研究的热点。根据近年来的研究进展,我们将东北地区微陆块划分为额尔古纳地块、兴安增生地体、松嫩-锡林浩特地块和佳木斯地块。同时综述了东北地区蛇绿岩/蛇绿混杂岩带的时空分布、年代学及地球化学的新资料,讨论了其构造背景及俯冲-增生过程。东北地区增生造山不仅涉及古亚洲洋和古太平洋,还可能与泛大洋有关,包括早奥陶世-晚三叠世古亚洲洋主洋盆及古亚洲洋分支——新元古代-晚寒武世新林-喜桂图洋、早寒武世-晚石炭世嫩江洋、新元古代-晚志留世黑龙江洋和晚二叠世-中侏罗世牡丹江洋的演化。早石炭世末-晚石炭世初,东北地区古亚洲洋分支洋盆全部闭合,所有微陆块完成聚合形成统一的东北陆块群。晚二叠世-早三叠世时期,古亚洲洋主洋盆沿索伦-西拉木伦-长春-延吉缝合带自西向东从早到晚以剪刀式最终闭合,完成东北陆块群与华北板块的拼接。晚三叠世-早侏罗世时期古太平洋板块俯冲启动,东北地区进入古太平洋俯冲增生构造体系。     

Neoarchaean quartz diorites in the Jiefangyingzi area,Central Asian Orogenic Belt: geological and tectonic significance

Abstract

Quartz diorite intrusions in the Jiefangyingzi area associated with deformed Palaeozoic rocks of the Palaeozoic Bainaimiao arc magmatic belt on the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) were studied to determine their age, chemical composition, and isotopic characteristics. U–Pb dating of magmatic zircons indicates that the quartz diorites formed in Neoarchaean time between 2502.6 ± 9.1 Ma and 2551 ± 7.3 Ma. The quartz diorites have high Al₂O₃ and low K₂O contents, A/CNK = 0.75–0.97, and belong to the low-K tholeiitic series. The quartz diorites are enriched in light rare earth elements (LREEs) with high (La/Yb)_N ratios and exhibit weak positive or no Eu anomalies, characteristics of high-alumina tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) igneous rocks. Zircon ε_Hf(t) value for the quartz diorites ranges from +1.6 to +8.7, and the two-stage Hf-depleted mantle model age (T_DM) ranges from 2705 to 2744 Ma, suggesting that the quartz diorite was derived from melting juvenile Neoarchaean crust formed from partial melting of the mantle at 2.7 Ga. Amphibolite xenoliths have low REE concentrations and are moderately depleted in LREE with (La/Yb)_N ratios of 0.46–1.09. The trace element characteristics of the amphibolites are consistent with a mid-ocean-ridge basalt (MORB)-like protolith. This is the first time that Archaean rocks have been identified in the Bainaimiao arc magmatic belt and the age and nature of Jiefangyingzi quartz diorites suggest that they belonged to the NCC. The Early Palaeozoic Bainaimiao arc thus appears to represent an Andean-type continental arc on the northern margin of the NCC.     

Lithospheric dripping in a soft collision zone: Insights from late Paleozoic magmatism suites of the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The closure of Paleo-Asian Ocean is considered to have occurred along the Solonker Suture in the southernmost segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), the largest Phanerozoic accretionary orogen on the globe. The suture branches to the east to form the northern Hegenshan–Heihe Suture and the southern Solonker–Changchun Suture. The Hegenshan–Heihe Suture is an ideal natural laboratory for studying the post-collisional geodynamic processes operating in a soft collision zone driven by divergent double-sided subduction. Here we report results from an integrated study of the petrology, geochronology, geochemistry, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions of the Early Carboniferous–Early Permian magmatic suite in the Hailar Basin of the Xing’an–Erguna Block. The Early Carboniferous igneous rocks are represented by 356–349 Ma andesitic tuffs, exhibiting typical subduction-related features, such as enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements and depletion in high-field-strength elements. These features, together with the relatively depleted Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions, constant Nb/Y values, but highly variable Rb/Y and Ba values indicate that these rocks were generated by partial melting of a depleted mantle wedge metasomatized by slab-derived fluids. The Late Carboniferous–Early Permian magmatic suite (317–295 Ma) is characterized by high Sr contents (313–1080 ppm) and low Y contents (5–13 ppm), and these can be subdivided into calc-alkaline adakitic rocks and high-K calc-alkaline adakitic rocks. The calc-alkaline adakitic rocks have higher values of Sr/Y, (Sm/Yb)_{source normalized}, and Mg#, and lower values of Y, Yb_{source normalized}, and K₂O/Na₂O than the high-K calc-alkaline adakitic rocks, which suggests that the former was generated by partial melting of foundered lower continental crust and the latter by partial melting of normal lower continental crust. Based on our new data, in conjunction with those in previous studies, we conclude that the tectonic evolution of the Hegenshan–Heihe Suture involved Early Carboniferous double-sided subduction of the Nenjiang Ocean, latest Early Carboniferous soft collision between the Xing’an–Erguna and Songliao blocks, and Late Carboniferous–Early Permian post-collisional extension. We also propose a new geodynamic scenario in which removal of the lithospheric root might have occurred in a soft collision zone during the post-collision period via repeated and localized lithospheric dripping, which results from combined effects of hydration weakening of the lithosphere caused by pre-collision subduction and asthenospheric stirring triggered by slab break-off.     

Metallogenic Province Derived from Mantle Sources: Nd, Sr, S and Pb Isotope Evidence from the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is one of the most important regions for Cu, Au and polymetallic and rare metallic (Li, Be, Nb, Ta) mineralization over the world. Most of the ore deposits in the CAOB are closely associated with granitoids. Available Sr, Nd, S and Pb isotopic data indicate that the metallogenic epoch and sources of the mineral deposits in the CAOB are consistent with that of the regional granites. Available data suggest that mantle sources could have played an important role in the Paleozoic to Mesozoic mineralization in the CAOB.     

Transpressional deformation,strain partitioning and fold superimposition in the southern Chinese Altai,Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Transpressional deformation has played an important role in the late Paleozoic evolution of the western Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), and understanding the structural evolution of such transpressional zones is crucial for tectonic reconstructions. Here we focus on the transpressional Irtysh Shear Zone with an aim at understanding amalgamation processes between the Chinese Altai and the West/East Junggar. We mapped macroscopic fold structures in the southern Chinese Altai and analyzed their relationships with the development of the adjacent Irtysh Shear Zone. Structural observations from these macroscopic folds show evidence for four generations of folding and associated fabrics. The earlier fabric (S₁), is locally recognized in low strain areas, and is commonly isoclinally folded by F₂ folds that have an axial plane orientation parallel to the dominant fabric (S₂). S₂ is associated with a shallowly plunging stretching lineation (L₂), and defines ∼NW-SE tight-close upright macroscopic folds (F₃) with the doubly plunging geometry. F₃ folds are superimposed by ∼NNW-SSE gentle F₄ folds. The F₃ and F₄ folds are kinematically compatible with sinistral transpressional deformation along the Irtysh Shear Zone and may represent strain partitioning during deformation. The sub-parallelism of F₃ fold axis with the Irtysh Shear Zone may have resulted from strain partitioning associated with simple shear deformation along narrow mylonite zones and pure shear-dominant deformation (F₃) in fold zones. The strain partitioning may have become less efficient in the later stage of transpressional deformation, so that a fraction of transcurrent components was partitioned into F₄ folds.     

Structural evolution of the Irtysh Shear Zone (northwestern China) and implications for the amalgamation of arc systems in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The NW–SE Irtysh Shear Zone is a major tectonic boundary in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), which supposedly records the amalgamation history between the peri-Siberian orogenic system and the Kazakhstan/south Mongolia orogenic system. However, the tectonic evolution of the Irtysh Shear Zone is not fully understood. Here we present new structural and geochronological data, which together with other constraints on the timing of deformation suggests that the Irtysh Shear Zone was subjected to three phases of deformation in the late Paleozoic. D₁ is locally recognized as folded foliations in low strain areas and as an internal fabric within garnet porphyroblasts. D₂ is represented by a shallowly dipping fabric and related ∼ NW–SE stretching lineations oriented sub-parallel to the strike of the orogen. D₂ foliations are folded by ∼ NW–SE folds (F₃) that are bounded by a series of mylonite zones with evidence for sinistral/reverse kinematics. These fold and shear structures are kinematically compatible, and thus interpreted to result from a transpressional deformation phase (D₃). Two samples of mica schists yielded youngest detrital zircon peaks at ∼322 Ma, placing a maximum constraint on the timing of D₁–D₃ deformation. A ∼ NE–SW granitic dyke swarm (∼252 Ma) crosscuts D₃ fold structures and mylonitic fabrics in the central part of the shear zone, but is displaced by a mylonite zone that represents the southern boundary of the Irtysh Shear Zone. This observation indicates that the major phase of D₃ transpressional deformation took place prior to ∼252 Ma, although later phases of reactivation in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic are likely. The late Paleozoic deformation (D₁–D₃ at ∼322–252 Ma) overlaps in time with the collision between the Chinese Altai and the intra-oceanic arc system of the East Junggar. We therefore interpret that three episodes of late Paleozoic deformation represent orogenic thickening (D₁), collapse (D₂), and transpressional deformation (D₃) during the convergence between the Chinese Altai and the East Junggar. On a larger scale, late Paleozoic sinistral shearing (D₃), together with dextral shearing farther south, accommodated the eastward migration of internal segments of the western CAOB, possibly associated with the amalgamation of multiple arc systems and continental blocks during the late Paleozoic.     

新疆西准噶尔苏云河斑岩型钼矿的剥露和保存条件:来自裂变径迹和(U-Th)/He热年代学的约束

斑岩型矿床多形成于汇聚型板块边界.由于其较浅的就位深度,大部分古老的斑岩型矿床很容易受到后期的剥蚀而消失殆尽.研究斑岩型矿床成矿后的埋藏和去顶过程对于深入理解矿床的保存条件和区域找矿前景至关重要.新疆西准噶尔西部的苏云河斑岩型钼矿床形成于晚石炭世,是一处保存良好的斑岩型矿床,为我们研究前中生代斑岩成矿系统的保存条件提供...     

中亚造山带北山下—中二叠统物源分析及古地理意义

甘蒙北山地区位于中亚造山带中段南端,该区广泛出露的海相二叠系是中亚造山带最年轻的海相沉积之一,是解析古亚洲洋晚期演化的理想载体。然而,北山地区的物源学数据分布不均衡、缺少统计对比,直接限制了学界对古亚洲洋古地理结构的探讨。本文在贯穿北山地区中部至南部的8条剖面中获得了681个碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄和192个Hf同位素数据;在等时地层对比的基础上,统计计算了北山地区已发表的下—中二叠统碎屑锆石数据,重建了区域古地理面貌。早—中二叠世,红石山洋向南俯冲至旱山地块之下,形成了黑鹰山弧和弧后裂谷盆地。该盆地北侧的物源分别来自于旱山地块的前寒武纪基底(926～775 Ma)和奥陶纪—志留纪岩体(485～421 Ma),而南侧的物源主要来自于马鬃山隆起。马鬃山隆起是早古生代红柳河—洗肠井洋闭合的产物,主要由奥陶纪—泥盆纪岩体(470～367 Ma)组成,包括早古生代马鬃山岛弧和双鹰山地块的大部分地区。北山南部发育柳园裂谷盆地,盆地南北两侧的碎屑物质分别主要来自于石炭纪—二叠纪火山岩(322～270 Ma)和马鬃山隆起的早古生代岩体,这两种碎屑物质在盆地中心交汇。本文古地理重建结果表明：红石山洋可代表...     

中亚造山带北山南部柳园洋晚古生代两阶段古地理演化

甘蒙北山地区位于中亚造山带中段,其间的柳园洋是古亚洲洋的重要分支之一,关于该洋盆的演化过程存在两阶段裂谷盆地和单阶段长期俯冲两种认识。柳园洋位于北山南部石板山地块和双鹰山地块之间,石板山地块的晚古生代沉积序列和物源变化完整记录了洋盆的古地理演化过程,对于重建区域构造演化有重要意义。此次研究聚焦石板山地块独山地区的上古生界火山- 沉积序列,通过砂岩碎屑颗粒组分和碎屑锆石U- Pb- Hf同位素分析,提供柳园洋古地理演化的约束证据。本文数据表明：独山地区下—中泥盆统碎屑锆石年龄为早古生代单峰式分布（~415 Ma）,来自于柳园洋向南俯冲在石板山地块边缘而形成的岩浆弧;上石炭统—下二叠统样品中出现了明显的中元古代碎屑锆石年龄（~1426 Ma）,来自于北侧的双鹰山地块和中天山地块,指示洋盆闭合事件;下二叠统碎屑锆石年龄主要为晚石炭世—早二叠世单峰式分布（301~290 Ma）,来自于裂谷火山活动。此外,本次研究通过对北山南部已发表物源学数据的统计计算,进一步证明并完善了古生代柳园洋两阶段演化模型：中奥陶世—中泥盆世,柳园洋双向俯冲至敦煌- 石板山地块和双鹰山地块之下;晚泥盆世,柳园洋闭合,直至石炭纪晚期,敦煌- 石板山- 双鹰山地块形成了统一的陆缘环境;早—中二叠世,柳园裂谷盆地逐步发育至原洋盆地。     

西准噶尔成矿带晚古生代花岗岩类岩浆活动及其构造意义

中亚造山带是晚古生代地壳显著生长与大规模成矿的重要地区。本文采集了中亚造山带西部的西准噶尔成矿带哈图-别鲁阿嘎希及其附近地区11个岩体共33件花岗岩类样品,对其开展了岩石地球化学与同位素示踪等研究,厘定了该地区晚古生代岩浆活动的特点与大地构造环境,并与哈萨克斯坦境内的巴尔喀什成矿带晚古生代岩浆活动进行了对比。研究表明,哈图地区晚石炭世花岗岩类主要为后碰撞伸展构造环境的A型花岗岩类,别鲁阿嘎希等地区存在洋内俯冲与岛弧环境的埃达克岩,显示了西准噶尔晚古生代构造环境时空变化的复杂性。该地区花岗岩类εNd(t)值较高(+4.62~+7.53)、εSr(t)值为(-57.61~+18.21),具有中亚造山带花岗岩类的共同特征,为古生代增生的新生陆壳,其源区与亏损地幔组分具有亲缘关系,这与巴尔喀什成矿带东段的花岗岩类具有一致性。花岗岩的~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb、~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb和~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb比值范围分别为18.2776~19.1677、15.5260~15.5796和38.2080~39.0821,为造山带花岗岩类。     

Time scale of an early to mid-Paleozoic orogenic cycle of the long-lived Central Asian Orogenic Belt, Inner Mongolia of China: Implications for continental growth

We present a detailed, new time scale for an orogenic cycle (oceanic accretion–subduction–collision) that provides significant insights into Paleozoic continental growth processes in the southeastern segment of the long-lived Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The most prominent tectonic feature in Inner Mongolia is the association of paired orogens. A southern orogen forms a typical arc-trench complex, in which a supra-subduction zone ophiolite records successive phases during its life cycle: birth (ca. 497–477 Ma), when the ocean floor of the ophiolite was formed; (2) youth (ca. 473–470 Ma), characterized by mantle wedge magmatism; (3) shortly after maturity (ca. 461–450 Ma), high-Mg adakite and adakite were produced by slab melting and subsequent interaction of the melt with the mantle wedge; (4) death, caused by subduction of a ridge crest (ca. 451–434 Ma) and by ridge collision with the ophiolite (ca. 428–423 Ma). The evolution of the magmatic arc exhibits three major coherent phases: arc volcanism (ca. 488–444 Ma); adakite plutonism (ca. 448–438 Ma) and collision (ca. 419–415 Ma) of the arc with a passive continental margin. The northern orogen, a product of ridge-trench interaction, evolved progressively from coeval generation of near-trench plutons (ca. 498–461 Ma) and juvenile arc crust (ca. 484–469 Ma), to ridge subduction (ca. 440–434 Ma), microcontinent accretion (ca. 430–420 Ma), and finally to forearc formation. The paired orogens followed a consistent progression from ocean floor subduction/arc formation (ca. 500–438 Ma), ridge subduction (ca. 451–434 Ma) to microcontinent accretion/collision (ca. 430–415 Ma); ridge subduction records the turning point that transformed oceanic lithosphere into continental crust. The recognition of this orogenic cycle followed by Permian–early Triassic terminal collision of the CAOB provides compelling evidence for episodic continental growth.     

中亚造山带东段西拉木伦构造带的性质与演化：来自变形和低温热年代学的约束

中亚造山带东段何时与何地关闭,从俯冲到关闭的过程以及随后的陆内演化又经历了什么主要事件,目前还存在不同认识。中亚造山带东段林西地区的蛇绿混杂岩及其周围地区的区域地质调查表明,以杏树洼蛇绿混杂岩和双井片岩为代表的西拉木伦河构造带是一个晚古生代的增生楔,在该混杂岩带中发育了典型的岩块被包裹在基质中的构造。该楔体被中、晚二叠世克德河砾岩所覆盖。增生楔中最早的近东西向构造代表了向南俯冲阶段的变形,随后继续经历向北的逆冲推覆,卷入了中、晚二叠世地层,形成了碰撞期的变形;在晚二叠世末期—三叠纪早期,蛇绿混杂岩以及上覆的克德河砾岩又经历了区域性的强烈的右行韧性剪切,并发生应变分解。晚二叠世区域性的右行韧性剪切在中亚造山带南缘普遍发育,代表了中亚造山带已经全部进入陆内环境。双井片岩也经历了与蛇绿混杂岩类似的变形事件,在增生楔下部经历变质作用,并在碰撞期抬升至地表,晚期为区域性的右行剪切。同时,结合锆石与磷灰石低温热年代学测试表明,双井片岩和蛇绿混杂岩共同经历了中、晚侏罗世源自北侧蒙古-阿霍茨克大洋关闭导致的近南北向挤压、早白垩世期间遍及东亚的区域性伸展以及晚白垩世短暂的构造反转事件。     

Geochemistry of late Palaeozoic granitoids of the Balkhash metallogenic belt,Kazakhstan: implications for crustal growth and tectonic evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

ABSTRACT

The Balkhash metallogenic belt (BMB) in Kazakhstan is a famous porphyry Cu–Mo metallogenic belt in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The late Palaeozoic granitoids in the BMB are mainly high-K calc-alkaline and I-type granites, with shoshonite that formed during a late stage. Geochemical analyses and tectonic discrimination reveal a change in the tectonic environment from syn-collision and volcanic arcs during the Carboniferous to post-collision during the Permian. The late Palaeozoic granitoids from the Borly porphyry Cu deposit formed in a classical island-arc environment, and those from the Kounrad and Aktogai porphyry Cu deposits and the Sayak skarn Cu deposit are adakitic. The ε_Nd(t) values for the late Palaeozoic granitoids are between ?5.87 and +5.94, and the ε_Sr(t) values range from ?17.16 to +51.10. The continental crustal growth histories are different on either side of the Central Balkhash fault. On the eastern side, the ε_Nd(t) values of the granitoids from the Aktogai and Sayak deposits are very high, which are characteristic of depleted mantle and suggest that crustal growth occurred during the late Palaeozoic. On the western side, the ε_Nd(t) values of the granitoids from the Borly and Kounrad deposits are slightly low, which suggests the presence of a Neoproterozoic basement and the mixing of crust and mantle during magmatism. The granitoids have initial ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb values of 18.335–20.993, 15.521–15.732, and 38.287–40.021, respectively, which demonstrate an affinity between the late Palaeozoic magmatism in the BMB and that in the Tianshan, Altai, and Junggar orogens.     

Re–Os Age of Molybdenite from the Daheishan Mo Deposit in the Eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt,NE China

The Daheishan Mo deposit is located in the eastern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, NE China. Rhenium and osmium isotopes of molybdenites from the Daheishan deposit were used to determine the age of mineralization. Rhenium concentrations in molybdenite samples are between 17 and 30μg g^?1. Analysis of seven molybdenite samples yields an isochron age of 168.0 ± 4.4 Ma (2σ). Based on the geological history and spatial‐temporal distribution of the granitoids, it is proposed that the Mo deposits in eastern China were related to the subduction of the Paleo‐Pacific plate during Jurassic time.     

Permian Tectonic Evolution in the Middle Part of Central Asian Orogenic Belt: Evidence from Newly Identified Volcanic Rocks in the Bilutu Area,Inner Mongolia

In this study, zircon U-Pb ages, geochemical and Lu-Hf isotopic data are presented for the newly identified volcanic rocks which were considered as Bainaimiao group in Bainaimiao Arc Belt(BAB), Inner Mongolia, which could provide important constraints on the evolution of the northern part of North China Block(NCB) and BAB. Basalt to basaltic andesite and andesite to dacite were collected from two sections, which showed eruption ages of 278.2±4.1 Ma and 258.3±3.0 Ma respectively. All samples are characterized by high abundances in Al_2O_3, LREEs, and LILEs, but depleted in HFSEs. Together with high Mg# ratios and low K/tholeiite to calc-alkaline series, these features indicated that basalt to andesite was likely derived from relatively low degree partial melting of the subduction-fluid related mantle in the spinel phase. And dacite was mainly from the partial melting of crust, then affected by mantle. All samples barely went through fractional crystallization process with the slight Eu anomaly. Compared with the contemporary basalt in NCB, rocks in BAB have a complex composition of zircon and a more positive ε_(Hf)(t) value(-6.6–6.4), indicating that they had different magma sources of rocks. Though with different basements, NCB and BAB have become an integrated whole before 278 Ma. Therefore, it could be concluded that NCB and BAB belonged to the active continental margin and the PAO had not closed yet until late Permian and then it disappeared gradually and the CAOB developed into a condition of syn-post collision.     

Petrogenesis of Early Permian Intrusive Rocks from Southeastern Inner Mongolia, China: Constraints on the Tectonic Framework of the Southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The late Paleozoic tectonic framework of the southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt is key to restricting the accretion orogeny between the Siberia Craton and the North China Craton. To clarify the framework, petrogenesis of early Permian intrusive rocks from southeastern Inner Mongolia was studied. Zircon U-Pb dating for bojite and syenogranite from Ar-Horqin indicate that they were emplaced at 288–285 Ma. Geochemical data reveal that the bojite is highly magnesian and low-K to middle-K calc-alkaline, with E-MORB-type REE and IAB-like trace element patterns. The syenogranite is a middle-K calc-alkaline fractionated A-type granite and shows oceanic-arc-like trace element patterns, with depleted Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes, (87Sr/86Sr)I = 0.7032–0.7042, εNd(t) = +4.0 to +6.6 and zircon εHf(t) = +11.14 to +14.99. This suggests that the bojite was derived from lithospheric mantle metasomatized by subducted slab melt, while the syenogranite originated from very juvenile arc-related lower crust. Usng data from coeval magmatic rocks from Linxi?Ar-Horqin, the Ar-Horqin intra-oceanic arc was reconstructed, i.e., initial transition in 290–280 Ma and mature after 278 Ma. Combined with regional geological and geophysical materials in southeastern Inner Mongolia, an early Permian tectonic framework as ‘one narrow ocean basin of the PAO’, ‘two continental marginal arcs on its northern and southern’ and ‘one intra-oceanic arc in its southern’ is proposed.     

Geochemistry,geochronology and Hf isotope of granitoids in the Chinese Altai: Implications for Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Chinese Altai in northwestern Xinjiang has numerous outcrops of granitoids which provide critical information on accretionary orogenic processes and crustal growth of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt.Zircon U-Pb ages, Hf-isotopic compositions and whole-rock geochemistry of monzogranite and granodiorites in the Qinghe County are employed to elucidate Paleozoic tectonics of the Chinese Altai. Granodiorites have crystallization ages of 424.6 ± 3.1 Ma(MSWD = 0.23) and 404.0 ± 3.4 Ma(MSWD = 0.18);monzogranite was emplaced in the early Permian with a crystallization age of 293.7 ± 4.6 Ma(MSWD = 1.06). Both granodiorites and monzogranite are I-type granites with A/CNK ratios of 0.92 -0.97 and 1.03 -1.06, respectively. They also show similar geochemical features of high HREE and Y contents, low Sr contents and Sr/Y ratios, as well as enrichment of Cs, Rb, Th and U, and depletion of Nb, Ta, P and Ti.These geochemical features indicate that the monzogranite and granodiorites were formed in an arc setting related to subduction. The gneissic monzogranites display high SiO_2 and K_2 O contents, and belong to the high-K calc-alkaline series. In the chondrite normalized REE distribution pattern, the monzogranite samples exhibit enrichment of LREE with strong negative Eu anomalies(σE u =0.44 -0.53), zircon εHf(t) values from +7.24 to +12.63 and two-stage Hf model ages of 463 -740 Ma. This suggests that the monzogranite was generated from the mixing of pelitic and mantle material. The granodiorite samples are calc-alkaline granites with lower contents of Si O_2 and Na_2 O + K_2 O, higher contents of TiO_2, Fe_2O_3~t, MgO and CaO compared to the monzogranite samples. They also show enrichment of LREE and moderate negative Eu anomalies(σE u= 0.54 =0.81), as well as slightly higher differentiation of LREE than that of HREE. The425 Ma granodiorite has zircon εHf(t) values from -0.51 to +1.98 and two-stage Hf model ages of 1133 -1240 Ma, whereas the 404 Ma granodiorite displays those of +2.52 to +7.50 and 816 -1071 Ma.Geochemistry and zircon Hf isotopic compositions indicate that granodiorites were formed by partial melting of juvenile lower crust. Together with regional geology and previous data, the geochemical and geochronological data of the monzogranite and granodiorites from this study suggest long-lived subduction and accretion along the Altai Orogen during ca. 425 -294 Ma.     

Occurrence of an Alaskan-type complex in the Middle Tianshan Massif,Central Asian Orogenic Belt: inferences from petrological and mineralogical studies

The Xiadong mafic–ultramafic complex lies in the central part of the Middle Tianshan Massif (MTM), along the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). This complex is composed of dunite, hornblende (Hbl) clinopyroxenite, hornblendite, and Hbl gabbro. These rocks are characterized by adcumulated textures and variable alteration. Orthopyroxene is an extremely rare mineral in all rock units and plagioclase is absent in dunite and Hbl clinopyroxenite. Hbl, Fe-chromite, and Cr-magnetite are common phases. Olivines have forsterite (Fo) contents ranging from 92.3 to 96.6. Clinopyroxenes are Ca-rich, Ti-poor diopsides, and mostly altered to tremolites or actinolites. Chromites display low TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ contents and high Cr# and Fe²⁺/(Fe²⁺ + Mg) values. Primary and secondary Hbls show wide compositional variations. These petrological and mineralogical features as well as mineral chemistry are comparable to typical Alaskan-type complexes worldwide, which are widely considered to have formed above subduction zones. The chemistry of clinopyroxene and chromite supports an arc plate-tectonic origin for the Xiadong complex. Its confirmation as an Alaskan-type complex implies that the MTM, with Precambrian basement, was probably a continental arc during oceanic plate underflow and further supports the hypothesis of southward subduction of the Palaeozoic Junggar Ocean.