Geochemical Characteristics of Early Permian Pyroclastic Rocks in the Jimunai Basin,West Junggar,Xinjiang(NW China): Implications for Provenance and Tectonic Setting

During the Late Paleozoic, West Junggar(Xinjiang, NW China) experienced a shift in tectonic setting from compression to extension. Ha'erjiao is an important area for investigating collisional structures, post–collisional structures, and magmatic activities. Based on the petrological and geochemical characteristics of pyroclastic and other volcanic rocks in the Permian Kalagang Formation from the borehole ZKH1205 in the Jimunai Basin, the main types of source rock for the pyroclastic rocks deposited in the basin are identified and their implications for the Early Permian tectonic setting examined. The abundance of basalt and andesite lithic fragments in the pyroclastic rocks, together with the REE characteristics and the contents of transition and high field strength elements show that the source rocks were chiefly intermediate–basic volcanic rocks. High ICV values, low CIA values, low Rb/Sr ratios, low Th/U ratios and the mineralogical features suggest weak chemical weathering of the source rocks; the geochemical patterns of the pyroclastic rocks might not only have been impacted by crustal contamination but also might be related to the nature of the magma from the source area. The geochemical properties of the pyroclastic rocks distinguish them from arc-related ones, and such samples plot in the within-plate basalt(WPB) field in some diagrams. This is consistent with the formation background of the Early Permian volcanic rocks in this region.     

Subduction—Modified Subcontinental Mantle in South China：Trace Element and Isotope Evidence in Basalts from Hainan Island

Cenozoic lavas from Hainan Island,South China,comprise quartz tholeiite,olivine tholeiite,alkali basalt,and basanite and form a continuous,tholeiite-dominated,compositional spectrum.Highly incompatible elements and their relationships with isotopes in these lavas are shown to be useful in evaluating mantle-source composition,whereas modeling suggests that ratios of elements with bulk partition coefficients significantly larger than those of Nb and Ta may be sensitive to partial melting.Th/Ta and La/Nb ratios of alkali basalts are lower than those of tholeiites,and they are all lower than those of the primitive mantle,These ratios correlate positively with ^207Pb/^204Pb and ^87Sr/^86Sr ratios.Such relationships can be explained by mixing of depleted and enriched source components.A depleted component is indicated by alkali basalt compositions and is similar to some depleted OIB (PREMA).The enriched component,similar to sediment compositions,is indicated by tholeiites with high LILE/HFSE,^207Pb/^204Pb,and ^87Sr/^86Sr ratios.In general,basalts from Hainan and the South China Basin(SCB)share common geochemical characters.e.g.high Rb/Sr,Th/Ta,^207Pb/^206Pb,and low Ba/Th ratios.Such a geochemical trend is comparable to that of EMII-type OIB and best explained as the result of subduction.Occurrence of these characteristics in both continental Hainan basalts and SCB seamout basalts indicates the presence of a South China geochemical domain that exists in the mantle region below the lithosphere.     

Cenozoic Crustally-derived Carbonate-rich Magmatic Rocks in West Junggar,North Xinjiang,Western China: Geochronology,Geochemistry and Tectonic Implications

The carbonate-rich magmatic rocks of West Junggar are distributed in the Baijiantan and Darbut ophiolitic mélanges in the forms of extrusive rocks overlying the mélanges and dykes, either along the margins of the mélange or cross-cutting components of mélanges. Chilled margin and flow structures are present. A SHRIMP zircon U-Pb age of 39.7 ± 1.3 Ma indicates that these carbonate-rich rocks in West Junggar were formed during the Eocene. They have low concentrations in REEs, Th, U, Nb, Ta and are characterized by extremely low εN d(t), high(87 Sr/86 Sr)i ratios, relatively high δ18 OV-SMOW values and high δ13 CV-PDB values, which is similar with most sedimentary carbonates. Furthermore, no contemporaneous mantle-derived silicate rocks have yet been found in West Junggar. The carbonate-rich rocks in West Junggar are thus distinct from mantle-derived carbonatites and are interpreted to result from melting of the Carboniferous sedimentary carbonates at crustal levels, these rocks therefore being referred to as 'crustal carbonatites'. The Eocene crustal carbonatites in West Junggar and other Cenozoic magmatic rocks in North Xinjiang are generally situated along regional strike-slip faults or fault intersections. Therefore, we propose that the reactivation of the Darbut and Baijiantan crustal-scale strike-slip fault zones(ophiolitic mélanges), due to the far-field effects of the Indian-Eurasian collision, enables decompression melting of the underlying continental lithospheric mantle. These resulting melts ascended to the lower crust through the strike-slip faults, causing partial melting of the Carboniferous carbonaceous sediments. The crustal carbonatites in West Junggar provide a new piece of evidence for Cenozoic magmatism in North Xinjiang and are also significant for the investigation of tectono-magmatic relations in North Xinjiang and the Central Asian Orogenic Belt.     

Geochronology, Geochemistry and Tectonic Setting of the Bairiqiete Granodiorite Intrusion (Rock Mass) from the Buqingshan Tectonic Mélange Belt in the Southern Margin of East Kunlun

This study focuses on the zircon U–Pb geochronology and geochemistry of the Bairiqiete granodiorite intrusion(rock mass) from the Buqingshan tectonic mélange belt in the southern margin of East Kunlun. The results show that the zircons are characterized by internal oscillatory zoning and high Th/U(0.14–0.80), indicative of an igneous origin. LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating of zircons from the Bairiqiete granodiorite yielded an age of 439.0 ± 1.9 Ma(MSWD = 0.34), implying that the Bairiqiete granodiorite formed in the early Silurian. Geochemical analyses show that the rocks are medium-K calc-alkaline, relatively high in Al2O3(14.57–18.34 wt%) and metaluminous to weakly peraluminous. Rare-earth elements have low concentrations(45.49–168.31 ppm) and incline rightward with weak negative to weak positive Eu anomalies(δEu = 0.64–1.34). Trace-element geochemistry is characterized by negative anomalies of Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf and Ti and positive anomalies of Rb, Th and Ba. Moreover, the rocks have similar geochemical features with adakites. The Bairiqiete granodiorite appears to have a continental crust source and formed in a subduction-related island-arc setting. The Bairiqiete granodiorite was formed due to partial melting of the lower crust and suggests subduction in the Buqingshan area of the Proto-Tethys Ocean.     

Early‐Middle Paleozoic Andes‐type Continental Margin in the Chifeng Area,Inner Mongolia: Framework,Geochronology and Geochemistry and Implications for Tectonic Evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Three tectonic units have been recognized in the Chifeng area, Inner Mongolia, from north to south, including the Qiganmiao accretionary prism, Jiefangyingzi arc belt and Sidaozhangpeng molasse basin, which formed an Andeantype active continent margin during the early to middle Paleozoic. The Qiganmiao accretionary prism is characterized by a mélange that consists of gabbro, two-mica quartz schist and basic volcanic rock blocks and heterogeneously deformed marble matrix. Two zircon U-Pb ages of 446.0±6.3 Ma and 1104±27 Ma have been acquired and been interpreted as the metamorphic and forming ages for the gabbro and two-mica quartz schist, respectively. The prism formed during the early to middle Paleozoic southward subduction of the Paleo Asian Ocean(PAO) and represents a suture between the North China craton(NCC) and Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB). The Jiefangyingzi arc belt consists of pluton complex and volcanic rocks of the Xibiehe and Badangshan Formations, and Geochronology analysis indicates that the development of it can be divided into two stages. The first stage is represented by the Xibiehe Formation volcanic rocks, which belong to the subalkaline series, enriched LREE and LILE and depleted HFSE, with negative Eu anomalies, and plot in the volcanic arc field in discrimination diagrams. These characters indicate that the Xibiehe Formation results from to the continental arc magmatic activity related to the subduction of the PAO during 400–420 Ma. Magmatism of the second stage in 380–390 Ma consists of the Badangshan Formation volcanic rocks. Geochemistry analysis reveals that rhyolite, basaltic andesite and basalt of the Badangshan Formation were developed in continental margin arc setting. Moreover, the basaltic andesite and basalt display positive Sr anomalies, and the basalt have very low Nb/La values, suggesting that fluid is involved in magma evolution and the basalts were contaminated by continental crust. The sequence of Sidaozhangpeng molasse basin is characterized by proximity, coarseness and large thickness, similar to the proximity molasses basin. According to our field investigation, geochronological and geochemical data, combined with previous research in this area, a tectonic evolutionary model for Andes-type active continental margin of the CAOB has been proposed, including a development of the subduction-free PAO before 446 Ma, a subduction of the PAO and arc-related magmatism during 446–380 Ma, and formation of a molasse basin during 380–360 Ma.     

Development of the Sumdo Suture in the Lhasa Block, Tibet, China

The Qinghai–Tibet plateau is a composite continental fragment formed by collision of multiple terranes and island arcs.The Lhasa terrane,which is located in the central part of the plateau,is bounded by the Yarlung–Zangbo suture to the south and Bangong-Nujiang suture to the north.An E–W–trending belt of(ultra)-high pressure eclogite was discovered in the Sumdo region of the Lhasa terrane.Careful field studies combined with petrological,geochemical and isotopic analyses show that the Sumdo eclogites mark a Carboniferous–Permian suture zone,at least 100 km long,containing ophiolite fragments,eclogites and Indosinian post–orogenic granitoids.This suture divides the Lhasa block into a northern and southern segment.Sumdo eclogite occurs about 200 km east of Lhasa city,and extends over 100km in an E–W direction.Sumdo eclogites were accompanied by garnet amphibolite and plagioclaseamphiboliteformedbyretrograde metamorphism of the eclogites.The eclogites were derived from oceanic basalts.LA–ICPMS U–Pb dating of zircon from the Sumdo eclogites indicates a Permian metamorphic age(260–270 Ma)and a Carboniferous protolith age of 303±4.8 MaThe ophiolite fragments in the Sumdo suture zone are composed of the ultramafic rocks,MORB–type basalt,OIB–type basalt and island arc basaltic andesite,some of which are intruded by post-collisional granites.The ultramafic body,a typical tectonic block in the suture zone,is completely serpentinized.Its geochemical features suggest that it is composed of harzburgite,typical of depleted mantle peridotite.The MORB and OIB–type basalts crop out in the Chasagang Formation,and the basaltic andesite crops out in the Leilongku Formation,both of which make up the Sumdo Group.Zircons from the OIB–type basalt with typical magmatic characteristics yield an average U–Pb age of306(95%)Ma,suggesting formation in a Paleo–Tethyan basin in the Carboniferous.U–Pb dating of zircon from the basaltic andesites yielded a concordant age of 265±3.1Ma,similar to the metamorphic age(266–270 Ma)of the eclogites,suggesting formation during subduction of the oceanic crust.Indosinian granodiorite with an age of194±4.3 Ma crops out north of the Sumdo suture.These granodiorites are similar to the late Indochina granites in the Lhasa block,and most likely formed during continent-arc collision or during closure of the Paleo-Tethyan Ocean.A four–stage model for the evolution of the Sumdo Paleo–Tethyan suture is proposed:1)From the Ordovician to the Devonian Gondwanaland was part of an epicontinental sea;2)In the Carboniferous,continental rifting produced a local basin,which then evolved into a Paleo-Tethyan ocean basin,dividing the Lhasa block into two segments;3)From the Permian to the early Triassic,Paleo-Tethyan oceanic crust was subducted northward and;4)In the middle Triassic and early Jurassic,the two fragments collided to form the modern Lhasa block.     

Detrital Zircon U-Pb Geochronology and Provenance of the Hebukesaier Formation in the Shaerbuerti Mountains, Northern West Junggar: Implication for Devonian Subduction of the Junggar–Balkhash Ocean

Limited Devonian magmatic record in northern West Junggar leads to contrasting models on its tectonic evolution. In this study, we conducted LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating on detrital zircons of two sandstones from the Hebukesaier Formation in the Shaerbuerti Mountains. Detrital zircons with oscillatory zoning are characterized by high Th/U (> 0.3) and low La/Yb (< 0.15), indicating their magmatic origin. The youngest zircon ages of two samples are 402 ± 2 Ma and 406 ± 2 Ma, respectively, suggesting that the Hebukesaier Formation was deposited at the Early Devonian. Detrital zircon age patterns show single peaks (at ca. 424 Ma, n =157), which indicates that these clastics were likely proximal accumulation after short distance transportation. Provenance of the Hebukesaier Formation was the Xiemisitai and Shaerbuerti Mountains. Detrital zircon ages range from 481 Ma to 395 Ma, which indicates that there was relatively continuous Early Paleozoic magmatism in the Xiemisitai and Shaerbuerti Mountains since the Early Ordovician. Age spectrums of sampled detrital zircons are distinct from those of Lower Devonian strata either in southern West Junggar or in East Junggar, which implies for individual tectonic evolution of northern West Junggar. We favor that Lower Devonian Hebukesaier Formation was developed in a fore–arc setting due to the northward subduction of the Junggar–Balkhash Ocean.     

Eocene magmatism(Maden Complex) in the Southeast Anatolian Orogenic Belt: Magma genesis and tectonic implications

The origin and geodynamic setting of the Maden Complex, which is situated in the Bitlis-Zagros Suture Zone in the Southeast Anatolian Orogenic Belt, is still controversial due to lack of systematic geological and geochemical data. Here we present new whole rock major-trace-rare earth element and Sre Nd isotope data from the Middle Eocene volcanic rocks exposed in Maden Complex and discuss their origin in the light of new and old data. The volcanic lithologies are represented mainly by basalt and andesite, and minor dacite that vary from low-K tholeiitic, calc-alkaline, high-K calc-alkaline, and shoshonitic in composition. They exhibit enrichments in large ion lithophile and light rare earth elements, with depletions in high field strength elements. Basaltic rocks have uniform Sr and Nd isotope ratios with high εNd(t) values varying from t5.5 to t6.7, in contrast to, andesitic rocks are characterized by low εNd(t) values ranging from à1.6 to à10. These geochemical and isotopic characteristics indicate that two end-members, a subduction-related mantle source and a continental crust, were involved in the magma genesis. Considering all geological and geochemical data, we suggest that the Eocene Maden magmatism occurred as a post-collisional product by asthenospheric upwelling owing to convective removal of the lithosphere during an extensional collapse of the Southeast Anatolian ranges.     

Geochronology, Eruption Sequence and Geochemistry of Mid–Late Jurassic Volcanics South of Manzhouli: Petrogenesis and Implications for Mesozoic Tectonic Regime Transformation

To the south of Manzhouli, Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, experienced a tectonic regime transformation from compression to extension in the mid-Mesozoic. Based on systematic research of the volcanics, petrology, volcanic facies, chronology and geochemistry of rocks in the Buridun area, two stages of volcanics are identified. The first stage named the trachyte series was formed in the late Middle Jurassic (167–163 Ma), its eruption rhythm is pyroxene trachyandesite–trachyandesite–trachyte, and its origin rock is basic volcanics from thickened lower crust, with a tectonic setting in the collision orogeny after the closure of the Mongolia Okhotsk Ocean (MOO). The second stage is a bimodal volcanic rock, formed in the early Late Jurassic (163–160 Ma). The eruption rhythm of basic volcanics in this stage is basaltic andesite–basalt–olivine basalt, which comes from the metasomatized lithospheric mantle, the acidic volcanics of which being characterized by the eruption rhythm of sedimentary-explosive-overflow facies, which came from the partial melting of newly formed lower crust, and this shows the characteristics of A-type granite; the tectonic setting is extension of the lithosphere after collision and closure of the MOO. The changes in the formation age and tectonic setting of the two stages of volcanics demonstrate that the transition time from the compressive system to the extensional system south of Manzhouli is about 163 Ma.     

Paleozoic convergence processes in the southwestern Central Asian Orogenic Belt:Insights from U–Pb dating of detrital zircons from West Junggar,northwestern China

The West Junggar orogen,located in the southwestern Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB),preserves an abundant record of tectonic processes associated with the evolution of the Junggar Ocean.In this study,we use detrital zircon U–Pb age data from Ordovician to Carboniferous sandstones in the southern and central West Junggar domains,complemented by literature data,to better constrain the tectonic evolution of the southwestern CAOB.The Kekeshayi,Qiargaye,and Laba formations in the southern West Junggar domain were deposited during the Darriwilian-Sandbian,Katian-Aeronian,and Homerian-Emsian,respectively.Detrital zircon provenances of these formations display a marked shift from the southern West Junggar domain to the Paleo-Kazakhstan Continent(PKC).This suggests that the southern West Junggar intra-oceanic arc might have gradually accreted to the northern margin of the PKC prior to the Emsian,which has significantly contributed to the lateral growth of the PKC.The Carboniferous strata,Xibeikulasi,Baogutu,and Tailegula formations,in the central West Junggar domain represent a coherent sequence of volcaniclastic turbidites and were deposited in a progressively shrinking remnant oceanic basin during the Visean to Moscovian.They contain unimodal detrital zircon distributions and are derived from the local and coeval magmatic rocks in the central West Junggar domain.We propose that the final closure of the Junggar Ocean likely occurred in the end of the Late Carboniferous in response to regional amalgamation events in the southwestern CAOB,which marks the final assembly of the Kazakhstan Orocline.The central and southern West Junggar domains underwent individual evolution in the Paleozoic,and were recombined by the significant intra-continental reworking along the large-scale strike-slip faults.     

Petrogenesis and Geochemistry of Neogene Basalts in Eastern Anhui

The basalt terrain of the Neogene Huangguoshan and. Guiwu Formations of eastern Anhui on the east side of the Tancheng-Lujiang fault belt is one of a few Cenozoic basalt terrains in eastern China for which detailed geochemical study has not been conducted. This paper reports the abundances of major elements and more than 20 trace elements (including REE) of 22 samples and the Nd, Sr and Pb isotopic compositions of 11 samples from the eastern Anhui basalt terrain, thus more or less systematically revealing the geochemical characteristics of this continental basalt suite. The paper discusses the origin of the basalt suite and the character and process of its mantle source. The basalt suite was derived from a heterogeneous continental lithospheric mantle with end members characteristic of the EMI-type oceanic basalt mantle, which was affected by mantle metasomatism (or enrichment of trace elements) and was characterized by a multi-stage evolution under open conditions.     

Geochemical Features of the Two Early Paleozoic Ophiolitic Zones and Volcanic Rocks in the Central —Southern Tianshan Region ,Xinjiang

This paper deals with the geochemical features of the two Early Paleozoic ophiolite zones in the central-southem Tianshan region and the central Tianshan igneous rock belt between them.Study results suggest that the central Tianshan belt was an Ordovician volcanic arc with an affinity of continental crust, and the Kumux-Hongluhe ophiolitic zone that is located on the southern margin of central Tianshan has a crustal affinity to back-arc marginal sea.The Aqqikkudug-Weiya ophiolitic zone is an accretionary boundary between the Tuha continental block and the central Tianshan volcanic arc during Late Silurian to Devoniann;Ordovician ophi-olitic blocks,Silurian flysch sequence and HP metamorphic rock relics are distributed along the Aqqikkudug-Weiya zone.Geochemically,ophiolitic rocks in the Aqqikkudug-Weiya zone have an affinity to oceanic crust,reflecting a tectonic setting of paleo-trench or subduction zone .The Early Carboniferous red molasses were deposited unconformably on the pre-Carboniferous meta-mrophosed and ductile sheared volcanic and flysch rocks,providing an upper limit age of the central and southern Tianshan belts.     

Subduction and Collision of the Jinsha River Paleo-Tethys: Constraints from Zircon U-Pb Dating and Geochemistry of the Ludian Batholith in the Jiangda–Deqen–Weixi Continental Margin Arc

The Jiangda–Deqen–Weixi continental margin arc(DWCA) developed along the base of the Changdu–Simao Block and was formed as a result of the subduction of the Jinsha River Ocean Slab and the subsequent collision. The Ludian batholith is located in the southern part of the DWCA and is the largest batholith in northwest Yunnan. Granite samples from the Ludian batholith yield an early Middle Permian age of 271.0 ± 2.8 Ma. The geochemical data of the early Middle Permian granitoids show high Si2 O, low P2 O5 and MgO contents that belong to calc-alkaline series and peraluminous I-type rocks. Their εHf(t) values range from-5.01 to +0.58, indicating that they were formed by hybrid magmas related to the subduction of the Jinsha River Tethys Ocean. The monzonite and monzogranite samples yield Late Permian ages of 250.6 ± 1.8 Ma and 252.1 ± 1.3 Ma, respectively. The Late Permian granitoids are high-K calc alkaline and shoshonite series metaluminous I-type rocks. Their εHf(t) values range from-4.12 to-1.68 and from-7.88 to-6.64, respectively. The mixing of crustal and mantle melts formed the parental magma of the Late Permian granitoids. This study, combined with previous work, demonstrates the process from subduction to collision of the Jinsha River Paleo-Tethys Ocean.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987111001113

The Rheic Ocean was one of the most important oceans of the Paleozoic Era.It lay between Laurentia and Gondwana from the Early Ordovician and closed to produce the vast Ouachita-Alleghanian -Variscan orogen during the assembly of Pangea.Rifting began in the Cambrian as a continuation of Neoproterozoic orogenic activity and the ocean opened in the Early Ordovician with the separation of several Neoproterozoic arc terranes from the continental margin of northern Gondwana along the line of a former suture.The rapid rate of ocean opening suggests it was driven by slab pull in the outboard lapetus Ocean.The ocean reached its greatest width with the closure of lapetus and the accretion of the periGondwanan arc terranes to Laurentia in the Silurian.Ocean closure began in the Devonian and continued through the Mississippian as Gondwana sutured to Laurussia to form Pangea.The ocean consequently plays a dominant role in the Appalachian-Ouachita orogeny of North America,in the basement geology of southern Europe,and in the Paleozoic sedimentary,structural and tectonothermal record from Middle America to the Middle East.Its closure brought the Paleozoic Era to an end.     

Ocean-continent Transition to Suprasubduction Zone Origin of the Western Yarlung Zangbo Ophiolites in SW Tibet, China: Multi-stage, Transient Evolution of the Neotethyan Oceanic Lithosphere

The ophiolites that crop out discontinuously along the~2000 km Yarlung Zangbo Suture zone(YZSZ)between the Nanga Parbat and Namche Barwa syntaxes in southern Tibet represent the remnants of Neotethyan oceanic lithosphere(Fig.1a).We have investigated the internal structure and the geochemical makeup of mafic-ultramafic rock assemblages that are exposed in the westernmost segment of the YZSZ where the suture zone architecture displays two distinct sub-belts of ophiolitic and mélange units separated by a continental Zhongba terrane(Fig.1b).These two sub-belts include the Daba–Xiugugabu in the south(Southern sub-belt,SSB)and the Dajiweng–Saga in the north(Northern sub-belt,NSB).We present new structural,geochemical,geochronological data from upper mantle peridotites and mafic dike intrusions occurring in these two sub-belts and discuss their tectonomagmatic origin.In-situ analysis of zircon grains obtained from mafic dikes within the Baer,Cuobuzha and Jianabeng massifs in the NSB,and within the Dongbo,Purang,Xiugugabu,Zhaga and Zhongba in the SSB have yielded crystallization ages ranging between130 and 122 Ma.Dike rocks in both sub-belts show N-MORB REE patterns and negative Nb,Ta and Ti anomalies,reminiscent of those documented from SSZ ophiolites.*Harzburgitic host rocks of the mafic dike intrusionsmainly display geochemical compositions of abyssal peridotites(Fig.2),with the exception of the Dajiweng harzburgites,which show the geochemical signatures of forearc peridotites(Lian et al.,2016).Extrusive rocks that are spatially associated with these peridotite massifs in both sub-belts also have varying compositional and geochemical features.Tithonian to Valanginian(150–135 Ma)basaltic rocks in the Dongbo massif have OIB-like geochemistry and 138 Ma basaltic lavas in the Purang massif have EMORB-like geochemistry(Liu et al.,2015).Tuffaceous rocks in the Dajiweng massif are140 Ma in age and show OIB-like geochemistry.We interpret these age and geochemical data to reflect a rifted continental margin origin of the extrusive rock units in both sub-belts.These data and structural observations show that the western Yarluang Zangbo ophiolites represent fragments of an Ocean-Continent Transition(OCT)peridotites altered by fluids in an initial supersubduction setting.We infer that mafic-ultramafic rock assemblages exposed in the SSB and NSB initially formed in an ocean–continent transition zone(OCTZ)during the late Jurassic,and that they were subsequently emplaced in the forearc setting of an intraoceanic subduction zone within a Neotethyan seaway during 130 to 122 Ma.The NSB and SSB are hence part of a single,S-directed nappe sheet derived from a Neotethyan seaway located north of the Zhongba terrane.     

Petrology,geochemistry and geochronology of the Zhongcang ophiolite,northern Tibet: implications for the evolution of the Bangong-Nujiang Ocean

Ophiolites are widespread along the Bangong-Nujiang suture zone, northern Tibet. However, it is still debated on the formation ages and tectonic evolution process of these ophiolites. The Zhongcang ophiolite is a typical ophiolite in the western part of the Bangong-Nujiang suture zone. It is composed of serpentinized peridotite, cumulate and isotropic gabbros, massive and pillow basalts, basaltic volcanic breccia, and minor red chert. Zircon SHRIMP Ue Pb dating for the isotropic gabbro yielded weighted mean age of 163.4 ± 1.8 Ma. Positive zircon ε Hf(t) values(+15.0 to +20.2) and mantle-like σ~(18)O values(5.29 ±0.21)% indicate that the isotropic gabbros were derived from a long-term depleted mantle source. The isotropic gabbros have normal mid-ocean ridge basalt(N-MORB) like immobile element patterns with high Mg O, low TiO_2 and moderate rare earth element(REE) abundances, and negative Nb,Ti, Zr and Hf anomalies. Basalts show typical oceanic island basalt(OIB) geochemical features, and they are similar to those of OIB-type rocks of the Early Cretaceous Zhongcang oceanic plateau within the Bangong-Nujiang Ocean. Together with these data, we suggest that the Zhongcang ophiolite was probably formed by the subduction of the Bangong-Nujiang Ocean during the Middle Jurassic. The subduction of the Bangong-Nujiang Tethyan Ocean could begin in the Earlye Middle Jurassic and continue to the Early Cretaceous, and finally continental collision between the Lhasa and Qiangtang terranes at the west Bangong-Nujiang suture zone probably has taken place later than the Early Cretaceous(ca. 110 Ma).     

A new ophiolitic mélange containing boninitic blocks in Alxa region:Implications for Permian subduction events in southern CAOB

The Alxa region, located in the southernmost part of Central Asian Orogenic Belt, is a key region for understanding the tectonic processes associated with the closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. Issues of late Paleozoic tectonic settings and tectonic unit divisions of the Alxa region still remain controversial. In this study, we report a new ophiolitic mélange named the Tepai ophiolitic mélange in the northern Alxa region, northwest of Alxa Youqi. The tectonic blocks in the Tepai ophiolitic mélange are mainly composed of serpentinized peridotites, serpentinites, mylonitized gabbros, gabbros, basalts, and quartzites, with a matrix comprising highly deformed clastic rocks. A gabbro exhibits a zircon LA-ICP-MS Ue Pb age of278.4 ± 3.3 Ma. Gabbros exhibit high Mg O and compatible element contents, but extremely low TiO_2,totally rare earth element and high field strength element contents. These rocks exhibit light rare earth element depleted patterns, and display enriched in large-ion lithophile elements and depleted in high field strength elements. Boninite-like geochemical data show that they were formed in a subductionrelated environment, and derived from an extremely depleted mantle source infiltrated by subduction-derived fluids and/or melts. The Tepai ophiolitic mélange exhibits similar zircon U-Pb-O isotopic compositions and whole-rock geochemical characteristics to those of the Quagan Qulu ophiolite.Therefore, we propose that the Tepai ophiolitic mélange may have been the western continuation of the Quagan Qulu ophiolite. Our new finding proves the final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean might have taken place later than the early Permian.     

Geochemistry and Geochronology of the Jinghong Ophiolites: Implications for the Tectonic Evolution of the Eastern Paleo-Tethys

The Jinghong mafic–ultramafic complex, exposed in the eastern margin of the Lancangjiang tectonic belt, is related to the subduction of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. Its petrogenesis plays a key role in constraining the tectonic evolution of the eastern Paleo-Tethys Ocean in southwestern China. In this study, we present petrological, geochemical and geochronological results of the Jinghong complex rocks, in order to decipher their origin and tectonic significance. The Jinghong mafic–ultramafic complex was composed of peridotite, gabbro, basalt and minor plagiogranite. Whole-rock geochemical data of the mafic rocks indicate that they have both MORB and IAB affinities and plot in the back-arc basin basalt (BABB) field in the FeO*/MgO vs. TiO2 diagram. Combined with their trace element characteristics, it can be concluded that the Jinghong mafic–ultramafic complex represents an ophiolite suite that was formed in a back-arc ocean basin. Precise LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating yielded weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages of 298.4 ± 1.7 Ma, 294.3 ± 1.6 Ma, and 292.8 ± 2.0 Ma for gabbroic rocks from this complex, which indicates that the Jinghong ophiolites were formed during the early Permian (298–293 Ma). We propose that during subduction of the main Paleo-Tethys Ocean, a back-arc ocean basin was formed at the east of the Lancangjiang tectonic belt.     

Lower Cretaceous turbidites in the Shiquanhe–Namco Ophiolite Mélange Zone,Asa area,Tibet:Constraints on the evolution of the Meso-Tethys Ocean

Turbidites from the Shiquanhe–Namco Ophiolite Mélange Zone(SNMZ) record critical information about the tectonic affinity of the SNMZ and the evolutionary history of the Meso-Tethys Ocean in Tibet.This paper reports sedimentologic,sandstone petrographic,zircon U-Pb geochronologic,and clastic rocks geochemical data of newly identified turbidites(Asa Formation) in the Asa Ophiolite Mélange.The youngest ages of detrital zircon from the turbiditic sandstone samples,together with ～115 Ma U-Pb concordant age from the tuff intercalation within the Asa Formation indicate an Early Cretaceous age.The sandstone mineral modal composition data show that the main component is quartz grains and the minor components are sedimentary and volcanic fragments,suggesting that the turbidites were mainly derived from a recycled orogen provenance with a minor addition of volcanic arc materials.The detrital U-Pb zircon ages of turbiditic sandstones yield main age populations of170–120 Ma,300–220 Ma,600–500 Ma,1000–700 Ma,1900–1500 Ma,and ～2500 Ma,similar to the ages of the Qiangtang Terrane(age peak of 600–500 Ma,1000–900 Ma,～1850 Ma and ～2500 Ma) and the accretionary complex in the Bangong–Nujiang Ophiolite Zone(BNMZ) rather than the age of the Central Lhasa Terrane(age peak of ～300 Ma,～550 Ma and ～1150 Ma).The mineral modal compositions,detrital U-Pb zircon ages,and geochemical data of clastic rocks suggest that the Asa Formation is composed of sediments primarily recycled from the Jurassic accretionary complex within the BNMZ with the secondary addition of intermediate-felsic island arc materials from the South Qiangtang Terrane.Based on our new results and previous studies,we infer that the SNMZ represents a part of the Meso-Tethys Suture Zone,rather than a southward tectonic klippe of the BNMZ or an isolated ophiolitic mélange zone within the Lhasa Terrane.The Meso-Tethys Suture Zone records the continuous evolutionary history of the northward subduction,accretion,arc-Lhasa collision,and Lhasa-Qiangtang collision of the Meso-Tethys Ocean from the Early Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous.     

Geochronology,Geochemistry and Petrogenesis of the Pungco Ophiolite,TibetEI北大核心CSCD

Although the middle section of the Bangong-Nujiang suture zone has been intensively investigated, its tectonic framework and evolution is still controversy. The Pungco ophiolite has a relative complete ophiolitic complex, which is an ideal specimen for studying this tricky problem. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of zircons from the diabasic rock yielded an age of 159.0±2.1 Ma. This age suggests that the Pungco ophiolite was formed in the Late Jurassic, indicating the development of the Late Jurassic ophiolite in the third ophiolitic subzone. The whole-rock major and trace element compositions of diabasic and basaltic rocks exhibit mixed arc and N-MORB geochemical characteristics. Two diabasic samples have (87Sr/86Sr)i values of 0.7055 and 0.7063 and εNd(t) values of 11.28 and 11.84, respectively. The geochemical signatures and formation age of the Pungco ophiolite suggest that this ophiolite was probably produced in an active continental fore-arc setting. It originated from a N-MORB-like depleted mantle source with the involvement of subducted-slab fluids. Considering the regional geological background, the Pungco ophiolite was likely generated during the southward subduction of the Bangong-Nujiang Tethyan oceanic lithosphere beneath the Lhasa terrane, and belongs to a regional archipelagic arc-basin system together with the other Early Jurassic-Early Cretaceous ophiolites from the northern Tibet Lake district. © 2018, Science Press. All right reserved.