Genesis of the Batinah mélange above the Semail ophiolite,Oman

The Batinah mélange which overlies the late Cretaceous Semail ophiolite in the northern Oman Mountains comprises mostly sedimentary rocks of deep-water facies, alkalic lavas and intrusives, all of continental margin affinities, together with smaller volumes of Semail ophiolitic and metamorphic rocks. Four intergradational textural types of mélange can be recognized. Sheet mélange has large (>1 km) intact sheets either with little intervening matrix or set in other mélange types, and with an organised sheet orientation fabric. Slab mélange is finer textured (>100 m) and more disrupted. Block mélange has smaller (> m) blocks with some matrix and a weak to random block fabric. Clast mélange is matrix-supported rudite with a weak depositional clast fabric. Structural relationships, particularly the absence of tectonic fabrics, the decreasing strength of fragment fabrics with increasing fragmentation, and the abundance of brittle fragmentation, suggest that these mélange types formed by either gravity-driven sedimentary processes or superficial sliding or thrusting of individual rock slabs.In the slab mélange, long sequences can be pieced together, passing up from Upper Triassic mafic sub-marine extrusives and sediments into radiolarian cherts, hemipelagic and redeposited limestones, and terminating in non-calcareous radiolarities with Mn-deposits of early Cretaceous age. Mafic sills are numerous. These sequences can be matched with sub-ophiolite rocks now exposed in fault corridors through the Semail. These sequences become progressively disrupted upwards in the corridors and can be traced continuously into overlying mélange, which then thins away from the corridors.We argue that, during late Cretaceous emplacement over the Arabian margin, active fault corridors split the Semail slab and acted as conduits up which sub-ophiolite rocks were supplied to the ophiolite surface. There the rocks were redisributed by superficial processes.     

Emplacement of the Jurassic Mirdita ophiolites (southern Albania): evidence from associated clastic and carbonate sediments

Sedimentology can shed light on the emplacement of oceanic lithosphere (i.e. ophiolites) onto continental crust and post-emplacement settings. An example chosen here is the well-exposed Jurassic Mirdita ophiolite in southern Albania. Successions studied in five different ophiolitic massifs (Voskopoja, Luniku, Shpati, Rehove and Morava) document variable depositional processes and palaeoenvironments in the light of evidence from comparable settings elsewhere (e.g. N Albania; N Greece). Ophiolitic extrusive rocks (pillow basalts and lava breccias) locally retain an intact cover of oceanic radiolarian chert (in the Shpati massif). Elsewhere, ophiolite-derived clastics typically overlie basaltic extrusives or ultramafic rocks directly. The oldest dated sediments are calpionellid- and ammonite-bearing pelagic carbonates of latest (?) Jurassic-Berrasian age. Similar calpionellid limestones elsewhere (N Albania; N Greece) post-date the regional ophiolite emplacement. At one locality in S Albania (Voskopoja), calpionellid limestones are gradationally underlain by thick ophiolite-derived breccias (containing both ultramafic and mafic clasts) that were derived by mass wasting of subaqueous fault scarps during or soon after the latest stages of ophiolite emplacement. An intercalation of serpentinite-rich debris flows at this locality is indicative of mobilisation of hydrated oceanic ultramafic rocks. Some of the ophiolite-derived conglomerates (e.g. Shpati massif) include well-rounded serpentinite and basalt clasts suggestive of a high-energy, shallow-water origin. The Berriasian pelagic limestones (at Voskopoja) experienced reworking and slumping probably related to shallowing and a switch to neritic deposition. Mixed ophiolite-derived clastic and neritic carbonate sediments accumulated later, during the Early Cretaceous (mainly Barremian-Aptian) in variable deltaic, lagoonal and shallow-marine settings. These sediments were influenced by local tectonics or eustatic sea-level change. Terrigenous sediment gradually encroached from neighbouring landmasses as the ophiolite was faulted or eroded. An Aptian transgression was followed by regression, creating a local unconformity (e.g. at Boboshtica). A Turonian marine transgression initiated widespread Upper Cretaceous shelf carbonate deposition. In the regional context, the southern Albania ophiolites appear to have been rapidly emplaced onto a continental margin in a subaqueous setting during the Late Jurassic (Late Oxfordian-Late Tithonian). This was followed by gradual emergence, probably in response to thinning of the ophiolite by erosion and/or exhumation. The sedimentary cover of the south Albanian ophiolites is consistent with rapid, relatively short-distance emplacement of a regional-scale ophiolite over a local Pelagonian-Korabi microcontinent.     

K-Ar ages of the metamorphic sole of the Semail Ophiolite: implications for ophiolite cooling history

K–Ar ages have been determined on micas and hornblendes in the basal metamorphic sequence and in metamorphic rocks squeezed into the mantle sequence of the Semail Ophiolite. The hornblende ages of 99±0.5 and 102±0.8 Ma and the 90 Ma ages of coexisting micas from the high-grade metamorphic portion of the sequence are interpreted as cooling stages following the peak of metamorphism (T 800–850° C, P 6.5–9 kbar). The new pressure estimates are based on findings of kyanite in garnet-amphibolite and cordierite in quartzitic rocks. These data indicate a cooling rate of 10–30° C/Ma. The oldest mica ages of 95±1 Ma are observed in the lowest-grade greenschists. These also largely represent cooling ages, but might in part also include formation ages. The pattern of the muscovite ages across the metamorphic sole indicates that the cooling front moved from the low-grade metamorphic zone, through the high-grade rocks and into the base of the overlying ophiolite. Radiometric ages of hornblendes (92.3±0.5 and 94.8±0.6 Ma) indicate that the crustal gabbro sequence cooled below 500° C later than the base of the ophiolite sequence. Metamorphism of the sole rocks occurred during subduction of oceanic sediments and volcanic or gabbroic rocks as they progressively came into contact with hotter zones at the base of the overriding plate. The peak of metamorphism must have been contemporaneous with the main magmatism in the Semail Ophiolite. One of the dated muscovites yields an age of 81.3±0.8 Ma, but this is related to discrete deformation zones that were active during late-stage emplacement of the ophiolite.     

A transform margin in the Mesozoic Tethys: evidence from the Swiss Alps

Remnants of the Liguria-Piemont Ocean with its Jurassic ophiolitic basement are preserved in the South Pennine thrust nappes of eastern Switzerland. Analysis of South Pennine stratigraphy and comparison with sequences from the adjacent continental margin units suggest that South Pennine nappes are relics of a transform fault system. This interpretation is based on three arguments: (1) In the highly dismembered ophiolite suite preserved, Middle to Late Jurassic pelagic sediments are found in stratigraphic contact not only with pillow basalts but also with serpentinites indicating the occurrence of serpentinite protrusions along fracture zones. (2) Ophiolite breccias (»ophicalcites«) occurring along distinct zones within peridotite-serpentinite host rocks are comparable with breccias from present-day oceanic fracture zones. They originated from a combination of tectonic and sedimentary processes: i.e. the fragmentation of oceanic basement on the seafloor and the filling of a network of neptunian dikes by pelagic sediment with locally superimposed hydrothermal activity and gravitational collapse. (3) The overlying Middle to Late Jurassic radiolarian chert contains repeated intercalations of massflow conglomerates mainly comprising components of oceanic basement but clasts of acidic basement rocks and oolitic limestone also exist. This indicates a close proximity between continental and oceanic basement. The rugged morphology manifested in the mass-flow deposits intercalated with the radiolarites is draped by pelagic sediments of Early Cretaceous age.     

Dating the geologic history of Oman’s Semail ophiolite: insights from U-Pb geochronology

Eclogites from the deepest structural levels beneath the Semail ophiolite, Oman, record the subduction and later exhumation of the Arabian continental margin. Published ages for this high pressure event reveal large discrepancies between the crystallisation ages of certain eclogite-facies minerals and apparent cooling ages of micas. We present precise U-Pb zircon (78.95 ± 0.13 Ma) and rutile (79.6 ± 1.1 Ma) ages for the eclogites, as well as new U-Pb zircon ages for trondhjemites from the Semail ophiolite (95.3 ± 0.2 Ma) and amphibolites from the metamorphic sole (94.48 ± 0.23 Ma). The new eclogite ages reinforce published U-Pb zircon and Rb-Sr mineral-whole rock isochron ages, yet are inconsistent with published interpretations of older ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar phengite and Sm-Nd garnet dates. We show that the available U-Pb and Rb-Sr ages, which are in tight agreement, fit better with the available geological evidence, and suggest that peak metamorphism of the continental margin occurred during the later stages of ophiolite emplacement.     

论新疆东部黄山──镜儿泉杂岩带的构造属性

相当多的研究者认为,新疆东部黄山-镜儿泉杂岩为蛇绿混杂岩,是板块俯冲的标志。本文的研究表明：该杂岩带的物质形成是弧间伸展的产物,后因弧间闭合,形成了现今所见的混杂岩。     

内蒙古索伦山地区蛇绿岩岩石单元地质特征、就位机制及时限

内蒙古索伦山地区出露蛇绿岩,其研究对探讨古亚洲洋演化具有重要意义。对内蒙古索伦山地区蛇绿岩进行了系统的调查和研究,探讨了其就位机制与时限。 结合索伦山蛇绿岩地质特征和区域地质背景综合分析,认为研究区蛇绿岩组合包括地幔与洋壳组分。索伦山地区蛇绿岩存在较为完整的蛇绿岩组合模式,出露地幔岩石组合为蛇纹石化纯橄榄岩、蛇纹石化二辉-方辉橄榄岩、橄榄辉石岩和硅化碳酸盐化蚀变超基性岩(风化壳)等。蛇绿岩组合中洋壳组分为辉长岩、辉绿岩、玄武岩和硅质岩。蛇绿岩就位机制划分为4种,即碰撞仰冲型、增生底垫型、俯冲剥离型和角流型。其中,俯冲剥离型就位机制表现为岩石组合齐全完整的特征,产出形态为岩块、岩片,其中岩块、岩片与基质为构造断层接触;在俯冲带近大陆一侧常形成岛弧岩浆岩等特征。索伦山蛇绿岩地质特征与俯冲剥离型就位机制特征完全相符,故索伦山蛇绿岩就位机制大致为洋中脊俯冲剥离型。根据大洋岩石圈形成之后在10 Ma之内就位这一原则,结合索伦山地区辉长岩SHRIMP锆石U Pb年龄为(2807±53) Ma,认为索伦山蛇绿岩就位时限在270 Ma左右。     

蛇绿岩就位机制及时限

蛇绿岩就位机制可以划分出4种:1)碰撞仰冲型:被动大陆边缘或岛弧与洋壳碰撞时,俯冲到一定深度的硅铝质物质在浮力作用下折返,并上驮相对完整的大洋岩石圈残片到达地表;2)增生底垫型:洋底、海沟沉积物及海底较高地形的上层物质从俯冲板块上刮削下来,持续底垫到上覆板块之下,使大洋岩石圈残片逐渐被动抬高;3)俯冲剥离型:断裂发育相...     

西藏罗布莎-泽当蛇绿岩体的构造产出与侵位机制探讨

对西藏雅江缝合带中的罗布莎-泽当蛇绿岩体进行了详细的野外构造考察和室内组构研究工作,查明了蛇绿岩体的产出特征及与不同围岩的接触关系,确定了两条围限岩体的大型逆冲型韧性剪切带(DFT和DFR)的性质,识别出蛇绿岩侵位过程中经历过早期由北而南仰冲和晚期由南而北倒转推覆两期构造运动,指出两条控制岩体的大型韧性断层非同时形成,不是MCT的反冲断层,提出研究区蛇绿岩侵位新的演化模式,为蛇绿岩侵位机制的探讨提供了新的依据.     

Supra-subduction zone magmatism of the Neyriz ophiolite,Iran: constraints from geochemistry and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes

The Neyriz ophiolite along the northeast flank of the Zagros fold-thrust belt in southern Iran is an excellent example of a Late Cretaceous supra-subduction zone (SSZ)-related ophiolite on the north side of the Neotethys. The ophiolite comprises a mantle sequence including lherzolite, harzburgite, diabasic dikes, and cumulate to mylonitic gabbro lenses, and a crustal sequence comprising a sheeted dike complex and pillow lavas associated with pelagic limestone and radiolarite. Mantle harzburgites contain less CaO and Al₂O₃, are depleted in rare earth elements, and contain spinels that are more Cr-rich than lherzolites. Mineral compositions of peridotites are similar to those of both abyssal and SSZ- peridotites. Neyriz gabbroic rocks show boninitic (SSZ-related) affinities, while crustal rocks are similar to early arc tholeiites. Mineral compositions of gabbroic rocks resemble those of SSZ-related cumulates such as high forsterite olivine, anorthite-rich plagioclase, and high-Mg# clinopyroxene. Initial εNd(t) values range from +7.9 to +9.3 for the Neyriz magmatic rocks. Samples with radiogenic Nd overlap with least radiogenic mid-ocean ridge basalts and with Semail and other Late Cretaceous Tethyan ophiolitic rocks. Initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ranges from 0.7033 to 0.7044, suggesting modification due to seafloor alteration. Most Neyriz magmatic rocks are characterized by less radiogenic ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (near the northern hemisphere reference line), suggesting less involvement of sediments in their mantle source. Our results for Neyriz ophiolite and the similarity to other Iranian Zagros ophiolites support a subduction initiation setting for its generation.     

The emplacement of giant ophiolite nappes I. Mesozoic—cenozoic examples

The occurrence of ophiolite nappes has been considered evidence for the siting of ancient subduction zones. A study of the detailed stratigraphy and plate motions associated with Upper Mesozoic to Pliocene ophiolite nappes of the Pacific, Indian and Mediterranean shows that transcurrent faulting during changes in relative plate motions is the major cause of initial ophiolite nappe emplacement. Giant ophiolite nappes are not related to subduction zones or island arcs.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987115001516

The Semail ophiolite of Oman and the United Arab Emirates(UAE) provides the best preserved large slice of oceanic lithosphere exposed on the continental crust,and offers unique opportunities to study processes of ocean crust formation,subduction initiation and obduction.Metamorphic rocks exposed in the eastern UAE have traditionally been interpreted as a metamorphic sole to the Semail ophiolite.However,there has been some debate over the possibility that the exposures contain components of older Arabian continental crust.To help answer this question,presented here are new zircon and rutile U-Pb geochronological data from various units of the metamorphic rocks.Zircon was absent in most samples.Those that yielded zircon and rutile provide dominant single age populations that are 95-93 Ma,partially overlapping with the known age of oceanic crust formation(96.5-94.5 Ma),and partially overlapping with cooling ages of the metamorphic rocks(95-90 Ma).The data are interpreted as dating high-grade metamorphism during subduction burial of the sediments into hot mantle lithosphere,and rapid cooling during their subsequent exhumation.A few discordant zircon ages,interpreted as late Neoproterozoic and younger,represent minor detrital input from the continent.No evidence is found in favour of the existence of older Arabian continental crust within the metamorphic rocks of the UAE.     

Bela oceanic lithosphere assemblage and its relation to the Réunion hotspot

The Bela ophiolite of Pakistan contains a complete ophiolite-accretionary wedge-trench sequence emplaced onto the Indian continental margin during the northward drift of India-Seychelles over the active Réunion hotspot. A structurally higher ophiolite overlies an accretionary prism, which is thrust over a foreland basin. Shear-sense determinations in peridotite mylonites in the ophiolite footwall and imbrication structures in the underlying accretionary wedge indicate an ESE emplacement. Sedimentary rocks in the accretionary wedge indicate Aptian-Albian pillow lavas, initially deep water conditions, and increasing influence from the continent until the Maastrichtian. The ophiolite emplacement was predated and accompanied by Fe-tholeiitic and alkaline magmatism related to the Réunion hotspot and continuous incorporation of trench sediments into the accretionary wedge. ³⁹Ar/⁴⁰Ar dating shows that the ophiolite formed around 70 Ma. Intraoceanic subduction initiated between 70 and 65 Ma, obduction onto the Indian passive margin occurred during the formation of the Deccan traps at ≈ 66 Ma, and final thrusting onto the continental margin ended in the early Eocene (≈ 50 Ma). The ophiolite emplacement occurred during the counterclockwise separation of Madagascar and India-Seychelles which caused shortening and consumption of oceanic lithosphere between the African-Arabian and the Indian-Seychelles plates.     

Mineralogical and geochemical characterization of listwaenite from the Semail Ophiolite, Oman

The late Cretaceous-lower Tertiary hydrothermal alteration of serpentinized peridotite in the Semail ophiolite has formed two distinct types of listwaenite. Type I is characterized by the presence of calcite (Type IA) or dolomite (Type IB)+fuchsite±spinel. Type II is dominated by silicate minerals (quartz, chlorite, fuchsite)±calcite+dolomite±magnetite±apatite±plagioclase. Most listwaenites occur as veins along thrust fault zones within the ophiolite mélange. High Cr and Ni contents, abundant occurrence of Cr-spinel within a matrix of red-brown ferruginous carbonates within a micro-vein network of goethite, and the relics of mesh texture indicate an ultramafic protolith. Type I and II listwaenites represent different stages of hydrothermal alteration. The mineralogical and chemical distinctions of both types are the response to the extent of the reactions between the protoliths and the solutions leading to different stages of metasomatic replacement. The hydrothermal fluids involved in the formation of Type I listwaenite were enriched in Ca, Mg, and CO₂, whereas Type II listwaenite bodies were formed from a hydrothermal fluid enriched in SiO₂. REE and trace elements in both listwaenite types were extracted in part from adjoining peridotite. No Au anomaly in the study areas has been detected.     

The upper Hawasina nappes in the central Oman Mountains: stratigraphy,palinspastics and sequence of nappe emplacement

Abstract

In the Oman mountains, a succession of sedimentary decollement nappes, the Hawasina nappes, is sandwiched between the Samail ophiolite nappe and its underlying melange and the “autochthonous” sequences of the Arabian platform. The sediments of the Hawasina nappes document the Mesozoic evolution of the northeastern Arabian continental margin and the adjacent Tethys Ocean. In earlier paleogeographic reconstructions, based on simple telescoping of the tectonic units, the upper Hawasina nappes represent the distal part and the lower nappes the proximal part of the margin. New stratigraphic data suggest a revision of the paleogeography and a more complex model for nappe emplacement in the central Oman mountains. The lower Hawasina nappes with their Jurassic and Cretaceous base of slope and basin sediments (Hamrat Duru, Wahrah) form the original cover of part of the upper Hawasina nappes. In the latter (Al Ayn, Haliw), Triassic pelagic sediments, locally overlain by massive sandstone successions are preserved. Complete Mesozoic sequences with pelagic Cenomanian sediments as youngest dated elements are found in the highest Hawasina units (Al Aridh and Oman Exotics). The stratigraphic data indicate polyphase thrusting in the central Oman mountains. Downward propagation of thrusting in front of the Samail is responsible for cutting the original stratigraphie sequence into a number of thrust-sheets, involving successively older and more external formations. This kind of thrust propagation eventually leads to the observed superposition of originally lower stratigraphie units onto their original cover. Regional deformation of the nappe contacts in post-nappe culminations (J. Akhdar, Saih Hatat) is related to ramp-flat-systems in the Arabian foreland.     

Geology,mineralogy, and geochemistry of low grade Ni-lateritic soil (Oman Mountains,Oman)

The laterite profiles investigated in the present study developed after the emplacement of a slab of oceanic crust and upper mantle sequence (the Semail ophiolite) onto the East Arabian margin during the late Cretaceous. The laterites formed as a result of prolonged weathering of the ophiolite assemblage under tropical to subtropical conditions.Nine laterite profiles have been examined for their Ni potential along a NW-SE segment of the Oman Mountains. The preserved laterite profile shows variations in thickness, mineralogy, and chemical composition. The profiles show a vertical succession from bedrock protolith through saprolite, oxide laterite, to clay laterite. The laterite profiles are unconformably capped either by clastics rocks of the Late Cretaceous Qahlah Formation or by Palaeogene carbonates of the Jafnayn or Abat Formations.The protolith corresponds either to a fine-grained, blackish to greenish serpentinized peridotite or to a coarse-grained dark green altered layered gabbro.The bulk geochemistry of the studied profiles indicates a typical low Ni-laterite pattern in which magnesium (Mg) and silica (Si) become depleted towards the top of the profile, whereas iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) increase. A significant enrichment in Ni and Co occurred as a result of the laterization process. Ni concentrations average 0.63% (Ibra), 0.72% (East Ibra), 0.67% (Al-Russayl), and 0.33% (Tiwi). Other elements such as Cr, V, Pb, TiO₂, Zr, Ba, and Zn were also remobilized across the profiles during the laterization processes.     

Microtectonic and geochemical characterization of thrusting in a foreland basin: Example of the South-Pyrenean orogenic wedge (Spain)

In orogenic systems, thrust faults play a major role in stacking different tectonic units and may act as conduits for the expulsion of large amounts of fluid of different origins (metamorphic, diagenetic, meteoric). This study focuses on the Monte Perdido thrust unit emplaced in the Paleogene Jaca thrust-sheet-top basin, in the SW-central Pyrenees. We aim to decipher the mechanisms and P-T conditions of deformation in fault zones and characterize the related fluid involvement, through combined microstructural, geochemical and microthermometry analyses. Two thrust faults cutting platform limestones, marls and siliciclastic turbidites of the lower part of the basin-fill (Paleocene–lower Eocene) have been studied. The fault zones are characterized by metre-thick shear zones with highly deformed, foliated clay-rich sediments. Foliation is underlined by preferentially oriented phyllosilicates. Several generations of shear and extension calcite, quartz and chlorite-bearing veins attest to fluid-rock interactions during a multi-stage deformation. Microstructural observations and stable isotope analyses on calcite from veins and host sediments suggest that deformation was aseismic and dominated by diffusive mass transfer from pressure solution sites along cleavage and stylolites to the precipitation sites in veins, with mineralizing fluids in equilibrium with the host sediments. Our results suggest an essentially closed hydrologic system, and imply the absence of significant fluid flow along the studied fault zones. Microthermometric study on fluid inclusions present in calcite and quartz veins, and calcite-quartz oxygen isotopic fractionation determined for the first generation shear veins, allow a geothermal gradient of 34 °C/km to be estimated. Analytical results demonstrate an evolution of the fault zones in three stages. The first stage was related to the emplacement of the Monte Perdido thrust unit during the middle Eocene at a temperature of ～208 °C and a burial depth of ～5.7 km. The second stage corresponds to a fault reactivation at a temperature of ～240 °C and a burial depth of ～6.5 km. The latter deformation may have been related to folding of the Monte Perdido thrust unit during the emplacement of the underlying Gavarnie thrust unit during the late Eocene–early Oligocene, with deeper burial resulting from aggradation of the thrust-sheet-top basin-fill. The last event corresponds to the formation of a dilatant vein system likely related to the exhumation of the massif.     

北秦岭元古代构造格架与演化

秦岭造山带是经历了多阶段的多陆块长期裂解、拼合的复合型造山带。最新的地质、地球化学和同位素年代学综合研究共同揭示沿商丹带分布有中新元古代蛇绿岩,并伴生有与板块俯冲碰撞作用相关的弧后盆地、岩浆弧、高压变质作用,表明北秦岭于中元古代末—新元古代初曾发展成为类似于现代板块构造体制的活动大陆边缘,出现板块向北俯冲消减、弧后盆地的生成和蛇绿岩构造侵位及其后的碰撞造山作用。     

Geochemical characteristics, Ar–Ar ages and original tectonic setting of the Band-e-Zeyarat/Dar Anar ophiolite, Makran accretionary prism, S.E. Iran

The Makran accretionary prism in southeastern Iran contains extensive Mesozoic zones of melange and large intact ophiolites, representing remnants of the Tethys oceanic crust that was subducted beneath Eurasia. To the north of the Makran accretionary prism lies the Jaz Murian depression which is a subduction-related back-arc basin. The Band-e-Zeyarat/Dar Anar ophiolite is one of the ophiolite complexes; it is located on the west side of the Makran accretionary prism and Jaz Murian depression, and is bounded by two major fault systems. The principal rock units of this complex are a gabbro sequence which includes low- and high-level gabbros, an extensive sheeted diabase dike sequence, late intrusive rocks which consist largely of trondhjemites and diorites, and volcanic rocks which are largely pillow basalts interbedded with pelagic sedimentary rocks, including radiolarian chert. Chondrite- and primitive-mantle-normalized incompatible trace element data and age-corrected Nd, Pb, and Sr isotopic data indicate that the Band-e-Zeyarat/Dar Anar ophiolite was derived from a midocean ridge basalt-like mantle source. The isotopic data also reveal that the source for basalts was Indian-Ocean-type mantle. Based on the rare earth element (REE) data and small isotopic range, all the rocks from the Band-e-Zeyarat/Dar Anar ophiolite are cogenetic and were derived by fractionation from melts with a composition similar to average E-MORB; fractionation was controlled by the removal of clinopyroxene, hornblende and plagioclase. Three ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar plateau ages of 140.7±2.2, 142.9±3.5 and 141.7±1.0 Ma, and five previously published K–Ar ages ranging from 121±4 to 146±5 Ma for the hornblende gabbros suggest that rocks from this ophiolite were formed during the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous. Plate reconstructions suggest that the rocks of this complex appear to be approximately contemporaneous with the Masirah ophiolite which has crystallization age of (150 Ma). Like Masirah, the rocks from the Band-e-Zeyarat/Dar Anar ophiolite complex represent southern Tethyan ocean crust that was formed distinctly earlier than crust preserved in the 90–100 Ma Bitlis-Zagros ophiolites (including the Samail ophiolite).     

青藏高原南部雅鲁藏布江蛇绿岩带的时空分布特征及地质意义

雅鲁藏布江缝合带是青藏高原上重要的缝合带之一,位于青藏高原南部,蛇绿岩是该带的主体。雅鲁藏布江缝合带按蛇绿岩的出露规模、岩石层序以及侵位时间,大致可以分为东段、中段和西段。在蛇绿岩出露规模上存在显著差异,东段规模较小,中段次之,西段最大,并且在西段分成两支蛇绿岩带;蛇绿岩岩石层序出露比较齐全的是中段日喀则和东段罗布莎,其他地方的蛇绿岩均被肢解,不能组成完整的蛇绿岩岩石剖面;在蛇绿岩的形成和侵位时间上,也有着不同的特点,东段和西段集中形成于晚侏罗世—早白垩世,而中段形成时间较早,时代从中三叠世一直持续到早白垩世,主要集中形成于晚侏罗世—早白垩世。笔者系统研究雅鲁藏布江缝合带蛇绿岩在东西方向上所表现出来的差异性,对更全面深刻地了解新特提斯洋的产生、俯冲及其消亡过程和演化历史具有重要意义。