Mafic dykes derived from Early Cretaceous depleted mantle beneath the Dabie orogenic belt: implications for changing lithosphere mantle beneath Eastern China

SHRIMP zircon U–Pb geochronological, elemental and Sr–Nd isotopic data from Early Cretaceous mafic dykes in North Dabie orogenic belt elucidate a change of Mesozoic lithospheric mantle in eastern China. The dykes are predominantly dolerite with the major mineral assemblage clinopyroxene + hornblende + plagioclase and yield a SHRIMP zircon U–Pb age of 111.6 ± 5.3 Ma. They have a narrow range of SiO₂ from 46.16% to 49.78%, and relative low concentrations of K₂O (1.07−2.62%), Na₂O (2.45−3.54%), Al₂O₃ (13.04−14.07%), and P₂O₅ (0.42−0.55%) but relatively high concentration of MgO (5.94–6.61%) with Mg^# 52–54. All the samples are characterized by enrichment of large ion lithophile elements (LILE, e.g., Ba, Th) and high field strength elements (HFSE, e.g., Nb, Ti). (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios from 0.704 to 0.705, ε_Nd values from 3.36 to 4.33 and mantle‐depletion Nd model ages (T_2DM) in the range 0.56–0.64 Ga indicate that the magma of the Baiyashan mafic dykes was derived from a young depleted mantle source. This finding is different from previous research on mafic dykes in the age range 120–138 Ma that revealed enrichment of LILE and depletion of HFSE, high initial Sr isotopic ratios and negative ε_Nd, value which represents an old enriched mantle source. Ours is the first report of the existence of Early Cretaceous depleted mantle in eastern China and it implies that changing of enriched mantle to depleted mantle occurred at ca. 112 Ma, associated with back‐arc extension which resulted from the subduction of the Palaeo‐Pacific Plate towards the Asian Continent. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Early cretaceous ophiolites of the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone: insights from dolerites and peridotites from the Baer upper mantle suite,SW Tibet (China)

The Baer ophiolitic massif is located in the northern sub-belt of the western segment of the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone (YZSZ) and mainly consists of a lherzolite-dominant mantle suite, dolerite intrusions and limited crustal outcrops. The dolerites show sub-ophitic texture and light rare earth element-depleted chondrite-normalized rare earth element patterns similar to normal-mid-ocean ridge basalts (N-MORB); though, they display enrichments in fluid-mobile elements (Rb, Ba, and Sr) and marked depletions in Th and Nb. The U–Pb ages of several magmatic zircon grains recovered from two dolerite samples indicate that the intrusion of the dikes into the Baer lherzolitic mantle occurred at 125.6–126.3 Ma, consistent with the widespread mafic magmatism between 120 and 130 Ma in the Yarlung Zangbo ophiolites. The dolerites have slightly more radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7043–0.7054) in comparison to N-MORB, whereas they show ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd values (0.513067–0.513114) similar to N-MORB and high zircon Hf-isotope compositions. They have a limited range of Nd-isotope (ε_Nd(t) values: +8.2 to +9.1) and juvenile Hf-isotope compositions (ε_Hf(t) values: +8.4 to +14.2 and +10.0 to +15.1) indicating derivation from mantle melts. The moderate spread in the ε_Hf (t) values of zircons indicates derivation of the dolerites parental magma from a weakly contaminated spinel-bearing mantle source. This is also corroborated by the geochemical signatures of the Baer dolerites (enrichment in LILE and depletion in HFSE) suggesting minor slab input to the mantle source of the dike-filling melt. We suggest that the genesis of the dolerite dike-forming melt happened at a stage of subduction initiation in a sub-oceanic mantle domain mildly affected by fluids emanating from the downgoing slab. Our data combined with literature data allow us to presume that the intrusion of the dolerites into the Baer mantle corresponds to an early phase of subduction initiation beneath a developing forearc basin.     

Ordovician Granitoids and Silurian Mafic Dikes in the Western Kunlun Orogen, Northwest China: Implications for Evolution of the Proto-Tethys

The western Kunlun orogen in the northwest Tibet Plateau is related to subduction and collision of Proto-and Paleo-Tethys from early Paleozoic to early Mesozoic. This paper presents new LA-ICPMS zircon U-Pb ages and Lu-Hf isotopes, whole-rock major and trace elements, and Sr–Nd isotopes of two Ordovician granitoid plutons(466–455 Ma) and their Silurian mafic dikes(～436 Ma) in the western Kunlun orogen. These granitoids show peraluminous high-K calcalkaline characteristics, with(⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i value of 0.7129–0.7224, ε_Nd(t) values of -9.3 to -7.0 and zircon ε_Hf(t) values of -17.3 to -0.2, indicating that they were formed by partial melting of ancient lower-crust(metaigneous rocks mixed with metasedimentary rocks) with some mantle materials in response to subduction of the Proto-Tethyan Ocean and following collision. The Silurian mafic dikes were considered to have been derived from a low degree of partial melting of primary mafic magma. These mafic dikes show initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7101–0.7152 and ε_Nd(t) values of -3.8 to -3.4 and zircon ε_Hf(t) values of -8.8 to -4.9, indicating that they were derived from enriched mantle in response to post-collisional slab break-off. Combined with regional geology, our new data provide valuable insight into late evolution of the Proto-Tethys.     

Early Paleozoic lithospheric extension law,dynamic mechanism,origin of mafic dykes in Ziyang,South Qinling Block,ChinaSCIEI北大核心CSCD

南秦岭地块紫阳地区广泛出露早古生代基性岩墙群,其研究具有重要的地球动力学意义。虽然如此,已有相关研究目前主要集中于志留纪基性岩墙群方面,而对早古生代(如,寒武纪、奥陶纪)基性岩墙群的研究仍相对薄弱。从而制约了对南秦岭早古生代岩石圈伸展过程相关问题(如,时空分布规律、地幔性质、动力学机制和相关成矿作用)的总体把握。鉴于尚存的科学问题,本研究选取康家坪、梨树梁、大竹坪、清明寨、苟家山、庙梁上、曾家山和毛坝村的基性岩墙群为研究对象,开展了矿物学、岩石学、锆石U-Pb年代学、地球化学和Sr-Nd-Hf同位素方面的研究,对其精细时代格局、成因及成岩动力学背景进行了系统探讨。研究结果显示,紫阳早古生代基性岩墙以辉绿岩和辉绿玢岩为主,形成时代为奥陶纪(478.8-486Ma),属碱性系列岩石(K_(2)O+Na_(2)O变化范围为4.10%-5.14%)。另外,基性岩墙群具有富集LREE、Rb、Ba、Sr、Nb、Ta、Zr、Hf和Eu(Eu/Eu*=1.13-1.35),亏损HREE、U、Pb和Ti的典型地球化学特征。(87Sr/86Sr)i=0.7044-0.7050、εNd(t)=3.1-3.6、εHf(t)=4.4-12.1,176Hf/177Hf=0.282634-0.282846,暗示基性岩墙为地幔柱作用过程亏损岩石圈或软流圈地幔部分熔融作用的产物。另外,在辉绿岩成岩过程经历了橄榄石和单斜辉石的分离结晶,但地壳混染的影响不明显。     

Petrogenesis of Early Cretaceous mafic dikes in southeastern Jiaolai basin,Jiaodong Peninsula,China

Mafic dikes of mainly Early Cretaceous age (130–110 Ma) are widely developed on the Jiaodong Peninsula, China. Previous studies of the dikes, which have focused mainly on occurrences in the Jiaobei uplift and in the Sulu orogenic belt, have thoroughly examined their petrogenesis and geodynamic setting. This study identified four previously unknown mafic dikes (dolerite and lamprophyre) in southeastern Jiaolai basin (near Haiyang city), Jiaodong Peninsula. Detailed geochemical and geochronological analyses were conducted to determine the petrogenesis of the dikes and to infer their geodynamic setting. Zircon U–Pb dating by laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) indicates that the dikes were emplaced at ~126 Ma. The dikes are characterized by low SiO₂ contents (44.3–52.3 wt.%), high contents of MgO (7.28–10.13 wt.%), Cr (267–652 ppm), and Ni (93–335 ppm), and high Mg^# values (63–73); they are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs; Ba, K, and Sr), depleted in high field strength elements (HFSEs; Nb, Ta, P, and Ti), and are characterized by high (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i isotope ratios (0.707226–0.708222), low ε_Nd(t) values (?12.3 to ?13.6), and zircon ε_Hf(t) values (?15.6 to ?23.6). These features suggest that the dikes were derived from enriched subcontinent lithospheric mantle (SCLM). The wide range of Rb/Sr (0.04–0.18) and Ba/Rb (5–34) ratios, and the low and limited range of Dy/Yb (1.93–2.52) and K/Yb (5.71–11.99) ratios of the dikes indicate that the magmas originated from a low degree of partial melting of an amphibole- and phlogopite-bearing lherzolite in the spinel–garnet transition zone. The parental magma might have experienced fractionation of olivine and clinopyroxene during its ascent without significant crustal contamination. Evident depletion of Nb–Ta and Zr–Hf, low and limited range of Th/Yb ratios, elevated Ba/La ratios, constant chondritic Zr/Hf ratios, and a large range of Hf/Sm ratios further indicate that the mantle sources of the dikes were altered by carbonate-related metasomatism from subducted slab-derived fluids, which were most likely related to subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific plate during the Mesozoic. The mafic dikes in the southeastern Jiaolai basin resemble the arc-like mafic dikes in the Jiaobei terrain and the Sulu orogenic belt, and possibly indicate lithospheric thinning induced by slab rollback of the Palaeo-Pacific plate.     

Petrogenesis and Metallogenesis of the Mazaertag Layered Intrusion in the Tarim Large Igneous Province, NW China

The Mazaertag layered intrusion is located in the northwestern part of the Tarim large igneous province where several early Permian layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions host important Fe-Ti oxide deposits. The intrusion covers an area of ～0.13 km~2 and has a vertical stratigraphic thickness of at least300 m. It consists chiefly of olivine clinopyroxenite, and is cut through by the nearby mafic-ultramafic dykes. In this paper, we report new mineral chemistry data and whole-rock chemical and isotopic compositions for the Mazaertag intrusion along with whole-rock isotopic compositions for the nearby mafic dykes. The averaged compositions of cumulus olivine, clinopyroxene and intercumulus plagioclase within individual samples range from Fo_(71-73),Mg~# = 76 to 79 and An_(65-75) but they do not define sustained reversals. The observed mineral compositions are consistent with the differentiation of a single batch of magma in a closed system. Rocks of the Mazaertag intrusion are characterized by enrichment in light REE relative to heavy REE, positive Nb and Ta anomalies and a small range of age-corrected ε_(Nd)(t)(-0.1 to +0.9) and initial ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr values(0.7044 to 0.7068). The slightly lower ε_(Nd)(t), initial ~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb and higher initial ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr values of the intrusion compared to those of the least contaminated dykes[ε_(Nd)(t) =+2.8 to +3.4;(~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb)_i = 18.516-18.521;(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)_i = 0.7038-0.7041] imply that the Mazaertag magma was subjected to small to modest degrees of contamination by the upper crust. The Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of the least contaminated dykes are consistent with derivation from a FOZO-like mantle source. The parental magma of the Mazaertag intrusion, estimated from clinopyroxene compositions using mineral-melt partition coefficients, has trace element compositions similar to some of the most primitive mafic dykes in the same area. This suggests that the Mazaertag intrusion and mafic dykes shared a similar mantle source. Therefore, the parental magma of the Mazaertag intrusion was interpreted to have originated from a mantle plume. Based on the Cr_2 O_3 contents in titanomagnetite and less-evolved characteristics of the Mazaertag intrusion compared to the Wajilitag Fe-Ti oxide deposit in Bachu, it is speculated that there might not be a potential to find economic Fe-Ti oxide mineralization in the intrusion.     

Sr–Nd isotope geochemistry of the early Precambrian sub-alkaline mafic igneous rocks from the southern Bastar craton, Central India

Sr–Nd isotope data are reported for the early Precambrian sub-alkaline mafic igneous rocks of the southern Bastar craton, central India. These mafic rocks are mostly dykes but there are a few volcanic exposures. Field relationships together with the petrological and geochemical characteristics of these mafic dykes divide them into two groups; Meso-Neoarchaean sub-alkaline mafic dykes (BD1) and Paleoproterozoic (1.88 Ga) sub-alkaline mafic dykes (BD2). The mafic volcanics are Neoarchaean in age and have very close geochemical relationships with the BD1 type. The two groups have distinctly different concentrations of high-field strength (HFSE) and rare earth elements (REE). The BD2 dykes have higher concentrations of HFSE and REE than the BD1 dykes and associated volcanics and both groups have very distinctive petrogenetic histories. These rocks display a limited range of initial ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd but a wide range of apparent initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr. Initial ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd values in the BD1 dykes and associated volcanics vary between 0.509149 and 0.509466 and in the BD2 dykes the variation is between 0.510303 and 0.510511. All samples have positive ? _Nd values; the BD1 dykes and associated volcanics have ? _Nd values between +0.3 and +6.5 and the BD2 dykes between +1.9 to +6.0. Trace element and Nd isotope data do not suggest severe crustal contamination during the emplacement of the studied rocks. The positive ? _Nd values suggest their derivation from a depleted mantle source. Overlapping positive ? _Nd values suggest that a similar mantle source tapped by variable melt fractions at different times was responsible for the genesis of BD1 (and associated volcanics) and BD2 mafic dykes. The Rb–Sr system is susceptible to alteration and resetting during post-magmatic alteration and metamorphism. Many of the samples studied have anomalous apparent initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr suggesting post-magmatic changes of the Rb–Sr system which severely restricts the use of Rb–Sr for petrogenetic interpretation.     

Geochronological and geochemical study of mafic dykes from the northwest Chinese Altai: Implications for petrogenesis and tectonic evolution

Fifteen zircons separated from a mafic dyke in the Chinese Altai give a concordant age population with a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 375.5 ± 4.8 Ma, suggesting a Devonian emplacement. On the basis of their mineralogical compositions and textures, the coeval dykes can be divided into gabbroic and doleritic types. They are both sub-alkaline, tholeiitic, characterized by similarly low SiO₂ contents (45.2–52.7 wt.%) and total alkaline (K₂O + Na₂O = 0.99–4.93 wt.%). Rare earth element patterns of the gabbroic dykes are similar to N-MORB (La/Yb_N = 0.86–1.1), together with their high ε_Nd(t) values (+ 7.6 to + 8.1), indicating that their precursor magma was mainly derived from a N-MORB-type depleted asthenospheric mantle. While the REE patterns of the doleritic dykes resemble that of E-MORB (La/Yb_N = 1.12–2.28), enriched in LILEs and strongly depleted in HFSEs, with relative low ε_Nd(t) values (+ 3.4 to + 5.4) and high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7057–0.7060). The zircon Hf isotopic analysis of the doleritic dykes give ε_Hf(t) values from + 10.7 to + 13.8. These signatures suggest that a depleted mantle wedge metasomatized by slab-derived fluids and/or melts was possibly involved in the generation of the doleritic magma. The refractory peridotite may have been melted with variable degrees caused by upwelling of the hot asthenosphere. The petrogenesis of the mafic dykes suggest a high heat flux as a result of upwelling of the hot asthenosphere and the contrast geochemical signatures can be interpreted by a ridge subduction, which could be an important tectonic control in the accretionary process of the Chinese Altai.     

Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of early Paleozoic granitoids in East Kunlun belt: Evidences from geochronology,geochemistry and isotopes

The East Kunlun Orogenic Belt(EKOB) provides an important link to reconstruct the evolution of the Proto-Tethys and Paleo-Tethys realm. The EKOB is marked by widespread Early Paleozoic magmatism.Here we report the petrology, bulk geochemistry, zircon Ue Pb dating and, Lue Hf and SreN d isotopic data of the Early Paleozoic granitic rocks in Zhiyu area of the southern EKOB. Based on the zircon U-Pb dating, these granitoids, consisting of diorite, granodiorite and monzogranite, were formed during 450 -430 Ma the Late Ordovician to Middle Silurian. The diorite and granodiorite are high Sr/Y ratio as adakitic affinities, and the monzogranite belongs to highly fractionated I-type. Their(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)ivalues range from 0.7059 to 0.7085, εNd(t) values from -1.6 to -6.0 and the zircon εHf(t) values show large variations from +9.1 to -8.6 with Hf model ages(T_(DM2)) about 848 Ma and 1970 Ma. The large variations of whole-rock Nd and zircon Hf isotopes demonstrate strong isotopic heterogeneity of the source regions which probably resulted from multi-phase underplating of mantle-derived magmas. Geochemical and isotopic studies proved that the diorite and granodiorite had been derived from partial melting of heterogeneous crustal source with variable contributions from ancient continental crust and juvenile components, and the monzogranites were representing fractional crystallization and crustal contamination for arc magma. The Early Paleozoic adakitic rocks and high-K calc-alkaline granitoids in the southern EKOB were likely emplaced in a continental marginal arc setting possibly linked to the southwards subduction of the Paleo Kunlun Ocean and the magma generation is linked to partial melting of thickened continental crust induced by underplating of mantle-derived magmas.     

Recycling of sediment into the mantle source of K-rich mafic rocks: Sr–Nd–Hf–O isotopic evidence from the Fushui complex in the Qinling orogen

Potassium (K)-rich mafic rocks are viewed as being derived from partial melting of an enriched mantle source, but it is controversial about which processes cause the mantle enrichment. The Fushui intrusive complex is the largest early Paleozoic K-rich intrusive complex in the eastern Qinling orogen. Therefore, detailed studies on the Fushui complex can contribute not only to understanding of the petrogenesis of K-rich mafic rocks, but also to unraveling the Paleozoic evolution of the Qinling orogen. In this study, we provide an integrated investigation of in situ zircon U–Pb dating and Hf–O isotopes, in combination with whole-rock major and trace elements, as well as Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes, for the Fushui intrusive complex. In situ zircon secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) / laser ablation induction coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) U–Pb dating reveals that different rock types of the Fushui complex have identical formation ages of 488–484 Ma. The Fushui complex belongs to the shoshonitic series, and is characterized by extreme large ion lithophile element (LILE, e.g., Ba, U, Th and Sr) and Pb enrichment and depletion of high field-strength elements (HFSEs, e.g. Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, P and Ti). It shows high initial Sr isotopic ratios (0.7100–0.7151), negative whole-rock ε _Nd(t) (?3.97 to ?5.68) and negative to slight positive whole-rock (?2.24 to 2.38) and zircon (?2.85 to 0.34) ε _Hf(t) values, as well as high zircon δ¹⁸O values (6.86 ± 0.13 ‰). The Hf–Nd isotopic systems are decoupled with positive Δε _Hf values (3.85–5.37). These geochemical features indicate that the mantle source has incorporated subducted zircon–barren oceanic sediments. A simple two-end-members mixing model constrains the amount of subducted sediments in the Fushui mantle source to 5–8 %. The Fushui complex originated from 1 to 6 % equilibrium melting of a phlogopite-bearing garnet lherzolite by non-modal melting. As shoshonitic magmas have been discovered in modern nascent arcs, we suggest that the generation of the Fushui complex was induced by the subduction of the Paleotethyan Ocean, when it jumped from the northern to the southern boundary of the North Qinling microcontinent.     

Tectono-magmatic evolution of the Gaoligong belt,southeastern margin of the Tibetan plateau: Constraints from granitic gneisses and granitoid intrusions

The Gaoligong belt is located in the southeastern margin of the Tibetan plateau, and is bound by the Tengchong and Baoshan blocks. This paper presents new data from zircon geochronology, geochemistry, and whole-rock Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopes to evaluate the tectonic evolution of the Gaoligong belt. The major rock types analysed in the present study are granitic gneiss, granodiorite, and granite. They are metaluminous to peraluminous and belong to high-K, calc-alkaline series. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) analyses of zircons from nine granitic rocks yielded crystallization ages of 495–487 Ma, 121 Ma, 89 Ma, and 70–63 Ma. The granitoids can be subdivided into the following four groups. (1) Early Paleozoic granitic gneisses with high ε_Nd(t) and ε_Hf(t) values of − 1.06 to − 3.45 and − 1.16 to 2.09, and model ages of 1.16 Ga to 1.33 Ga and 1.47 Ga to 1.63 Ga, respectively. Their variable ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and Pb values resemble the characteristics of the Early Paleozoic Pinghe granite in the Baoshan block. Our data suggest that the rocks were derived from the break-off of the Proto-Tethyan oceanic slab between the outboard continent and the Baoshan block, which induced the partial melting of Mesoproterozoic pelitic sources mixed with depleted mantle materials. (2) Early Cretaceous granodiorites with low ε_Nd(t) and ε_Hf(t) values of − 8.92 and − 4.91 with Nd and Hf model ages of 1.41 Ga and 1.49 Ga, respectively. These rocks have high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.711992) and lower crustal Pb values, suggesting that they were derived from Mesoproterozoic amphibolites with tholeiitic signature, leaving behind granulite residue at the lower crust. (3) Early Late Cretaceous granites with low ε_Nd(t) and ε_Hf(t) values of − 9.58 and − 4.61 with Nd and Hf model ages of 1.43 Ga and 1.57 Ga, respectively. These rocks have high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.713045) and lower crustal Pb isotopic values. These rocks were generated from the partial melting of Mesoproterozoic metapelitic sources resulting from the delamination of thickened lithosphere, following the closure of the Bangong–Nujiang Ocean and collision of the Lhasa–Qiangtang blocks. (4) Late Cretaceous to Paleogene granitic gneisses with low ε_Nd(t) and ε_Hf(t) values of − 4.41 to − 10 and − 5.95 to − 8.71, Nd model ages ranging from 1.08 Ga to 1.43 Ga, and Hf model ages from 1.53 Ga to 1.67 Ga, respectively. These rocks show high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.713201 and 714662) and lower crustal Pb values. The data suggest that these rocks are likely related to the eastward subduction of the Neo-Tethyan Oceanic slab, which induced partial melting of Mesoproterozoic lower crustal metagreywacke. The results presented in this study from the Gaoligong belt offer important insights on the evolution of the Proto-Tethyan, Bangong–Nujiang, and Neo-Tethyan oceans in the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau.     

Spatial-temporal relationships of late Mesozoic granitoids in Zhejiang Province,Southeast China: constraints on tectonic evolution

ABSTRACT

Late Mesozoic granitoids in South China are generally considered to have been generated under the Palaeo–Pacific tectonic regime, however, the precise subduction mechanism remains controversial. Detailed zircon U–Pb geochronological, major and trace element, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data are used to document the spatiotemporal distribution of the granitoids in Zhejiang Province. Three periods of late Mesozoic magmatism, including stage 1 (170–145 Ma), stage 2 (145–125 Ma), and stage 3 (125–90 Ma), can be distinguished based on systematic zircon U–Pb ages that become progressively younger towards the SE. Stage 1 granitic rocks are predominantly I-type granitoids, but minor S- or A-type rocks also occur. Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data suggest that these granitoids were generated from hybrid magmas that resulted from mixing between depleted mantle-derived and ancient crust-derived magmas that formed in an active continental margin environment related to the low-angle subduction of the Palaeo–Pacific plate beneath Southeast China mainland. Stage 2 granitic rocks along the Jiangshan–Shaoxing Fault are predominantly I- and A-type granitoids with high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, low ε_Nd(t), ε_Hf(t) values and Mesoproterozoic Nd–Hf model ages. These results suggest that stage 2 granitoids were derived from mixing between enriched mantle-derived mafic magmas and ancient crust-derived magmas in an extensional back-arc setting related to rollback of the Palaeo–Pacific slab. Stage 3 granitic rocks along the Lishui–Yuyao Fault comprise mainly A- and I-type granitoids with high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios, and low ε_Nd(t) and ε_Hf(t) values, again suggesting mixing of enriched mantle-derived mafic magmas with more ancient crustal magmas in an extensional back-arc setting, related in this case to the continued rollback the Palaeo–Pacific plate and the outboard retreat of its subduction zone.     

U-Pb Zircon Age,Geochemical, and Sr-Nd-Pb Isotopic Constraints on the Age and Origin of Mafic Dykes from Eastern Shandong Province,Eastern China

U-Pb zircon age, geochemical, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic data of mafic dykes from eastern Shandong Province, eastern China is reported herein. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb zircon analyses of two samples from the investigated mafic dykes yield consistent ages ranging from 121.9 Ma ± 0.47 Ma to 122.9 Ma ± 0.61 Ma. The mafic dykes are characterized by high (87Sr/86Sr) i ranging from 0.7087 to 0.7089, low εNd(t) values ranging from -16.9 to -17.8, 206Pb/204Pb = 17.15 to 17.17, 207Pb/204Pb = 15.45 to 15.47, and 208Pb/204Pb = 37.59 to 37.68. Results from the current study suggest that the mafic dykes are derived from partial melting of ancient lithospheric mantle that was variably hybridized by melts derived from foundered lower crustal eclogite. The mafic dykes may have been generated through subsequent insignificant crystal fractionation and very minor crustal contamination during magma ascent. Combined with previous studies, the current findings provide new evidence that the intense lithospheric thinning beneath the eastern Shandong Province of eastern China occurred at ~120 Ma, and that this condition was caused by the removal of the lower lithosphere (mantle and lower crust).     

Zircon U–Pb age and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic constraints on the age and origin of Triassic mafic dikes,Dalian area,Northeast China

Post-orogenic mafic rocks from Northeast China consist of swarms of dolerite dikes. We report a new U–Pb zircon age, as well as whole-rock geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) U–Pb zircon analysis yielded an age of 210.3 ± 1.5 million years (i.e. Triassic) for these mafic dikes. Most Dalian mafic rocks exhibit low K₂O + Na₂O contents, and span the border between alkaline and calc-alkaline rock associations in the total alkali–silica diagram. The investigated dikes are also characterized by relatively high (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios (0.7061–0.7067) and negative ?_Nd (t) (?4.7 to??4.3) and ?_Hf (t) values (?4.1 to??1.1), implying that they were derived from an enriched lithospheric mantle source. The mafic dikes are characterized by relatively low MgO (4.65–5.44 wt.%), Mg^# (41–44), and compatible element content [such as Cr (89.9–125 ppm) and Ni (56.7–72.2 ppm)], which are the features of an evolved mafic magma. No evidence supports the idea that the mafic rocks were affected by significant assimilation or crustal contamination during emplacement. We conclude that the dolerites formed in a post-orogenic extensional setting, related to lithospheric delamination or ‘collapse’ of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), also termed the Xingmeng Orogenic Belt in China.     

Geochronological and geochemical study of mafic dykes from the northwest Chinese Altai: Implications for petrogenesis and tectonic evolution

Fifteen zircons separated from a mafic dyke in the Chinese Altai give a concordant age population with a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 375.5 ± 4.8 Ma, suggesting a Devonian emplacement. On the basis of their mineralogical compositions and textures, the coeval dykes can be divided into gabbroic and doleritic types. They are both sub-alkaline, tholeiitic, characterized by similarly low SiO₂ contents (45.2–52.7 wt.%) and total alkaline (K₂O + Na₂O = 0.99–4.93 wt.%). Rare earth element patterns of the gabbroic dykes are similar to N-MORB (La/Yb_N = 0.86–1.1), together with their high ε_Nd(t) values (+ 7.6 to + 8.1), indicating that their precursor magma was mainly derived from a N-MORB-type depleted asthenospheric mantle. While the REE patterns of the doleritic dykes resemble that of E-MORB (La/Yb_N = 1.12–2.28), enriched in LILEs and strongly depleted in HFSEs, with relative low ε_Nd(t) values (+ 3.4 to + 5.4) and high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7057–0.7060). The zircon Hf isotopic analysis of the doleritic dykes give ε_Hf(t) values from + 10.7 to + 13.8. These signatures suggest that a depleted mantle wedge metasomatized by slab-derived fluids and/or melts was possibly involved in the generation of the doleritic magma. The refractory peridotite may have been melted with variable degrees caused by upwelling of the hot asthenosphere. The petrogenesis of the mafic dykes suggest a high heat flux as a result of upwelling of the hot asthenosphere and the contrast geochemical signatures can be interpreted by a ridge subduction, which could be an important tectonic control in the accretionary process of the Chinese Altai.     

Crust–mantle interaction recorded by Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks within the southern margin of the North China Craton

This study presents new geochronological and geochemical data for Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks in the southern margin of the North China Craton (NCC), to discuss the crust–mantle interaction. The studied rocks include pyroxene andesites from Daying Formation, hornblende andesites and andesites from Jiudian Formation, and rhyolites from a hitherto unnamed Formation. These rocks formed in Early Cretaceous (138–120 Ma), with enrichment in light rare earth elements (REE), depletion in heavy REE and arc-like trace elements characteristics. Pyroxene andesites show low SiO₂ contents and enriched Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopic compositions, with orthopyroxene phenocryst and Paleoproterozoic (2320–1829 Ma) inherited zircons, suggesting that they originated from lithospheric mantle after metasomatism with NCC lower crustal materials. Hornblende andesites have low SiO₂ contents and high Mg# (Mg# = 100 Mg/(Mg + Fe²⁺)) values, indicating a lithospheric-mantle origin. Considering the distinct whole-rock Sr isotopic compositions we divide them into two groups. Among them, the low (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i andesites possess amount inherited Neoarchean to Neoproterozoic (2548–845 Ma) zircons, indicating the origin of lithospheric mantle with addition of Yangtze Craton (YC) and NCC materials. In comparison, the high (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i andesites, with abundant Neoarchean–Paleozoic inherited zircons (3499–261 Ma), are formed by partial melting of lithospheric mantle with incorporation of NCC supracrustal rocks and YC materials. Rhyolites have extremely high SiO₂ (77.63–82.52 wt.%) and low total Fe₂O₃, Cr, Ni contents and Mg# values, combined with ancient inherited zircon ages (2316 and 2251 Ma), suggesting an origin of NCC lower continental crust. Considering the presence of resorption texture of quartz phenocryst, we propose a petrogenetic model of ‘crystal mushes’ for rhyolites prior to their eruption. These constraints record the intense crust–mantle interaction in the southern margin of the NCC. Given the regional data and spatial distribution of Early Cretaceous rocks within NCC, we believe that the formation of these rocks is related to the contemporaneous far-field effect of the Paleo-Pacific Plate.     

Mesozoic Bimodal Volcanic Suite in Zhalantun of the Da Hinggan Range and Its Geological Significance： Zircon U-Pb Age and Hf Isotopic Constraints

1 Introduction Mesozoic volcano-intrusive rocks are widely distributed in the Da Hinggan Range of northeastern China, and are considered as one of the most spectacular geological sights in eastern Asia. Recently, studies on granites with high εNd(t) values and Phanerozoic crustal growth in the Centra Asian Orogenic Belt have greatly promoted fundamental research into the geology of this area (Jahn et al., 2000, 2001, 2004; Wu et al., 2000, 2002, 2003). However, work on the eruption time,…     

Petrogenesis of an early Eocene gabbro–granite complex in Kachang (SW Yunnan) and its implications for Eocene magmatism in the Tengchong terrane of SW China

Major and trace element, zircon U–Pb and Hf-isotope data are reported for mafic intrusions and host granite from the Kachang pluton (North Yingjiang of SW Yunnan) in the Tengchong Terrane, in order to investigate their sources, petrogenesis and tectonic implications. The zircon U–Pb age of the mafic rocks (~55 Ma) is identical to that of the host granite (56.7 ± 0.6 Ma). The mafic rocks have high MgO concentrations (up to 13.43 wt.%) at low SiO₂ contents (low to 42.73 wt.%) and slight negative to positive εHf(t) values (?2.26 to +0.59). They are enriched in LILE and LREEs and depleted in HFSEs, which can be explained as melts derived from a enriched mantle, with some crustal contamination. The host granite have high SiO₂ contents (69.18–72.65 wt.%), highly negative εHf(t) values (?9.08 to ?5.14), suggesting mainly derived from an ancient crustal source. Field observations, geochronology, geochemistry and zircon Hf isotopic compositions point to a complex petrogenesis, where enriched mantle- and crust-derived magma mixing was coupled with crystal fractionation, thus explaining the genetic link between mafic and felsic magmas, result of mafic magma upwelling triggered by the subduction rollback of the Neotethyan slab. Our new data, along with the data reported (especially zircon U–Pb dating and Lu–Hf isotope data) in the Tengchong Terrane, indicate that the spatial and temporal variations and changing magmatic compositions over time in the Tengchong Terrane closely resemble those of the Lhasa Terrane in southern and central Tibet.     

Geochemistry of Late Mesozoic mafic dykes in western Fujian Province of China： Sr-Nd isotope and trace element constraints

The Bancun diabase dyke and the Bali hornblende gabbro dyke in western Fujian Province were emplaced in the Early and Late Cretaceous periods, respectively; the former is designated to calc-alkaline series and the latter to K-high-calc-alkaline rock series. Both the dykes are characterized by such geochemical characteristics as high Al and Na2O>K2O. As for the Bancun dyke, Al2O3=16.32%–17.54% and K2O/Na2O=0.65–0.77; as for the Bali dyke, Al2O3=16.89%–17.81% and K2O/Na2O=0.93–0.99. Both the Bancun and Bali mafic dykes are relatively enriched in LILE and LREE, but depleted in HSFE, displaying the geochemical characteristics of continental marginal arc, with high initial Sr isotopic ratios and low εNd (t) values. The (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of the Bancun diabase dyke are within the range of 0.708556–0.70903 and their εNd (t) values vary between -6.8 and -6.3; those of the Bali hornblende dyke are within the range of 0.710726–0.710746 and their εNd (t) values are -4.7– -4.9, showing the characteristics of enriched mantle EM II. The isotope and trace element data showed that the mafic dykes have not experienced obvious crustal contamination, and metasomatism caused by subduction fluids is the main factor leading to LILE and LREE enrichments. The enriched mantle is the source region for the mafic dykes, and mixing of subduction fluid metasomatized enriched mantle and EM II-type mantle constituted the mantle source region of both the Bancun and Bali mafic dykes. Upwelling of the asthenosphere mantle provided sufficient heat energy for the generation of magmas. In accordance with the discrimination diagram of their tectonic settings as well as their trace element geochemical characteristics, it is considered that the dykes both at Bancun and Bali possess the characteristics of continental marginal arc, revealing the tectonic environment of formation of the mafic dykes, the continental dynamic background as an intraplate tensional belt in which the mafic dykes were emplaced. Meanwhile, it is also indicated that the tensional tectonic stress mechanism is responsible for the formation of the mafic dykes in western Fujian Province.     

Geochemistry,geochronology and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopic compositions of Middle to Late Jurassic syenite–granodiorites–dacite in South China: Petrogenesis and tectonic implications

In situ zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotope data, major and trace elements and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions are reported for coeval syenite–granodiorites–dacite association in South China. The shoshonitic syenites are characterized by high K₂O contents (5.9–6.1 wt.%) and K₂O/Na₂O ratios (1.1–1.2), negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.65 to 0.77), enrichments of Rb, K, Nb, Ta, Zr and Hf, but depletion of Sr, P and Ti. The adakitic granodiorite and granodiorite porphyry intrusions are characterized by high Al₂O₃ contents (15.0–16.8 wt.%), enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREEs), strongly fractionated LREEs (light rare earth elements) to HREEs (heavy rare earth elements), high Sr (438–629 ppm), Sr/Y (29.2–53.6), and low Y (11.7–16.8 ppm) and HREE contents (e.g., Yb = 1.29–1.64 ppm). The calc-alkaline dacites are characterized by LREE enrichment, absence of negative Eu anomalies, and enrichment of LILEs such as Rb, Ba, Th, U and Pb, and depletion of HFSEs such as Nb, Ta, P and Ti.Geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions of the syenites suggest that the shoshonitic magmas were differentiated from parental shoshonitic melts by fractional crystallization of olivine, clinopyroxene and feldspar. The parent magmas may have originated from partial melting of the lithospheric mantle with small amount contribution from crustal materials. The adakitic granodiorite and granodiorite porphyry have Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions that are comparable to that of the mafic lower crust. They have low Mg# and MgO, Ni and Cr contents, abundant inherited zircons, low ε_Nd(t) and ε_Hf(t) values as well as old whole-rock Nd and zircon Hf model ages. These granodiorites were likely generated by partial melting of Triassic underplated mafic lower crust. The Hf isotopic compositions of the dacites are relatively more depleted than the Cathaysia enriched mantle, suggesting those magmas were derived from the partial melting of subduction-modified mantle sources. The coeval shoshonitic, high-K calc-alkaline and calc-alkaline rocks in Middle to Late Jurassic appear to be associated with an Andean-type subduction. This subduction could have resulted in the upwelling of the asthenosphere beneath the Cathaysia Block, which induced partial melting of the mantle as well as the mafic lower crust, and formed an arc regime in the coastal South China during Middle to Late Jurassic.