Mesozoic Igneous Suites in Hungary: Implications for Genesis and Tectonic Setting in the Northwestern Part of Tethys

Mesozoic igneous rocks occur in various tectonic units of the Intra-Carpathian Area of Eastern Europe. These rocks were situated several hundred km apart from one another during their formation, and subsequent large lateral displacements resulted in their present positions. They formed during a relatively wide temporal range (Middle Triassic to Late Cretaceous) through different petrogenetic processes associated with the Mesozoic evolution of the northwestern part of Tethys.

In the Transdanubian subunit of the Alcapa block, Middle Triassic calc-alkaline, intermediate-to-acidic, and potassic rocks occur as pyroclastics, lava flows, and dikes in the Bakony and Buda mountains. The Gemer-Bükk subunit of the Alcapa block comprises two different igneous series: (1) slightly metamorphosed Middle Triassic volcanic rocks of the Eastern Bukk Mountains, which can be divided into an older (Anisian-Early Ladinian) calc-alkaline, intermediate-to-acidic volcanic series and a younger (Late Ladinian) alkaline basaltic series; and (2) two series of the Middle Triassic to Middle Jurassic ophiolite complex (Bódva Magmatic Series and Darnó-Szarvaskö Magmatic Series), embedded in a tectonic melange and in an olistostrome suite along a SW-NE-oriented zone. The Tisza block contains Early Cretaceous alkaline volcanic rocks in the Mecsek-Alföld subunit.

Strong temporal and geochemical correlations have been observed between the Middle Triassic volcanic rocks of the Bakony and Buda mountains and the Southern Alps, and those of the Eastern Bükk Mountains and the Outer Dinarides. We propose that all these rocks were formed during the same extension-related volcanic activity along the Southern Alps-Bakony and Buda mountains-Eastern Bükk Mountains-Dinarides region. The Middle Triassic-Middle Jurassic ultramafic-mafic igneous rocks of the Gemer-Bükk subunit can be correlated with the ophiolites of the Inner Dinarides. Geochemistry of the mafic rocks is consistent with an origin from an N-MORB and E-MORB source mantle. The Middle to Late Triassic ultramafic and mafic rocks of the Bódva and Darnó-Szarvaskö series could have originated along the mid-oceanic ridge system of the northwestern segment of the Vardar ocean (Meliaticum). The Middle Jurassic igneous rocks of the Darno-Szarvasko series could have corresponded to the opening of a back-arc basin. Early Cretaceous alkaline volcanic rocks of the Mecsek-Alföld zone in the Tisza block formed as a result of continental rifting along the southern margin of the European plate. Two volcanic series-a mafic and a sodic group-were generated from an OIB-like asthenospheric mantle. Separation of the Tisza block from the European plate occurred contemporaneously with volcanic activity during the late Early Cretaceous.     

The Taimyr fold belt, Arctic Siberia: timing of prefold remagnetisation and regional tectonics

Late Precambrian and Palaeozoic platform sediments from the Central–South Taimyr Peninsula (Arctic Siberia) are all remagnetised. The remagnetisation is prefold and is related to thermal remagnetisation caused by Taimyr Trap magmatism. The remagnetisation age is estimated to 220–230 Ma and, hence, is considerably younger than the ca. 251 Ma age for the main body of Siberian Trap flood basalts. The folding that affected the Taimyr region platform sediments also included the Taimyr “Traps,” hence, relegating Taimyr deformation to post-Mid Triassic time, and most probably, to a Late Triassic age. This shows that whilst thrusting terminated in the Urals during the Permian, crustal shortening continued in Taimyr, Novaya–Zemlya and the South Barents Sea, well into the Mesozoic.     

Late Triassic siliceous-volcano-terrigenous deposits of the Chukchi Peninsula: composition of igneous rocks,U-Pb age of zircons,and geodynamic interpretations

Study of Late Triassic volcanic, subvolcanic, and volcanosedimentary rocks of the Chukchi Peninsula (Vel’may terrane) has shown their different geochemical types. Basalts, dolerites, and tuffs of the lower-middle strata of the Upper Triassic section bear evidence for their formation in suprasubductional geodynamic setting. Basalts and dolerites of the upper strata of this section correspond in composition to within-plate rocks and are similar to Middle-Late Triassic oceanic-plateau basalts and dolerites. U-Pb dating of magmatic zircons from tuffs of the lower-middle strata and from dolerites of the upper strata shows the almost synchronous magmatic activity in the suprasubductional (206 ± 5 Ma) and within-plate (212 ± 4 Ma) geodynamic settings.     

The geology and petrology of the metavolcanic rocks of the Kvakhona Formation of the Sredinnyi Range crystalline massif in Kamchatka

The metavolcanic rocks of the Kvakhona Formation exposed on the western slopes of the Sredinnyi Range metamorphic massif are represented by two sequences. The lower sequence occupying the most part of the exposed formation is dominated by porphyric and aphyric clinopyroxene-plagioclase metabasalts and their tuffs with subordinate metapicritic basalts, metaandesites and their tuffs, and metadacites. The latter form isolated bodies in the northern part of the Kvakhona exposures. The upper sequence is composed of metaandesites, metabasalts, and their tuffs intercalated with terrigenous rocks (siltstones, sandstones, and carbonate graywacke) and metadacite bodies. The rocks were subjected to intense metamorphism under the greenschist facies conditions (t = 250–420°C, P _s around 1 kbar) with the replacement of clinopyroxene phenocrysts (or their clasts in the tuff varieties) by actinolite, chlorite, and epidote, while plagioclase phenocrysts are replaced by albite, muscovite, chlorite, and epidote. In the metabasalts enriched in ore minerals, clinopyroxene is replaced by very thin veinlets and the finest grains (about 20–30 μm) of Ca-Na and Na amphiboles (winchite, ferrowinchite, glaucophane, and ferroglaucophane). The groundmass of the rocks (or tuff cement) consists of variable combinations of titanite, magnetite, chlorite, epidote, silpnomelane, and albite. The metabasalts of the formation belong to the high-Fe and often high-Ti rocks, which makes them similar to the tholeiitic basalts of mid-ocean ridges or rifting zones. The metaandesites and metadacites also preserved an elevated Fe content and belong to calc-alkaline series rocks typical of island arcs and active continental margins. It is suggested that the primary rocks of the Kvakhona Formation were formed within volcanic centers on the floor of a vast Cretaceous epicontinental marginal basin, which accumulated thick sequences of terrigenous rocks. The detrital material for these rocks was supplied from the northeastern Asian continent. The geological and geochemical data testify to the similarity of the Kvakhona metavolcanic rocks and the greenstone altered volcanic rocks of the Pensantain Range of Western Kamchatka, which are dated by the U-Pb SHRIMP method at 90–100 Ma. The protolith of the metavolcanic rocks of the Kvakhona Formation was presumably formed within the same age interval.     

Volcanic evolution of the marginal and interarc basins

Volcanic evolution of the interarc and marginal basins is analysed using the available data on volcanics from the presently existent and ancient back-arc basins of the western Pacific and Mediterranean. It is shown that in early (pre-spreading) stages of back-arc rifting, the character of volcanism is determined by “maturity” of the adjacent island arc. It is predominantly alkaline or mildly alkaline for back-arc basins related to the island-arcs with high-potash calc-alkaline and shoshonitic volcanism. The back-arc alkaline and mildly alkaline basalts strongly differ from the continental and oceanic rift volcanoes by constantly lower Ti, Nb and Zr contents. Because of these features these basalts are akin to the basaltic members of the island-arc volcanic series. As the latter, they are generally strongly enriched in K₂O and LIL elements, whereas Na₂O reveals comparatively small variability. With initiation of spreading a sharp depression of K₂O, LIL and light REE occurs in the axial basalts of back-arc basins, that progressively approach the MORB composition. But even tholeiites from the most evolved basins that underwent a considerable spreading reveal slight but detectable geochemical peculiarities, indicating their island-arc affinities. Origin of the low-Ti alkaline basaltic magmas of the active continental margins is discussed.     

Geochemistry of paleozoic basalts from the Juchatengo complex of southern Mexico: tectonic implications

Analyses of Lower Permian or older basalts and associated dykes of the Juchatengo sequence indicate that they are rift tholeiites that formed in a continental rift or back-arc tectonic setting. Age constraints include a Middle Permian fossil recovered from the tectonically overlying sediments and a cross-cutting, post-tectonic pluton dated by K/Ar on hornblende at 282±6 Ma. A location adjacent to the Oaxacan Complex or other old continental crust is suggested by (1) an Nd_i isotopic value of −8.95 and a T_DM age of 1487 Ma in the overlying sediments, which are similar to the Oaxacan Complex; (2) enrichment of incompatible elements in the lavas, suggesting old crustal contamination; and (3) the presence of Permian–Triassic calc-alkaline plutons that stitch the Juchatengo–Oaxaca boundary. The possible tectonic models depend on the age of the Juchatengo basalts, which requires future geochronological work. If the Juchatengo basalts are Permo-Carboniferous, they could have formed near the eastern edge of a back-arc basin: the contemporaneous arc would have rifted away to the west. Eastward migration of the arc magmatism indicated by the Permian–Triassic calc-alkaline plutonism may reflect shallowing of the dip of the subduction zone, which probably also produced the deformation of the Juchatengo sequence.     

Pleistocene to recent alkalic volcanism in the region of Sanganguey volcano,Nayarit, Mexico

Forty five cinder cones and associated lava flows have erupted within the last 300,000 years along five parallel lines through the calc-alkaline volcano, Sanganguey, in the northwestern segment of the Mexican Volcanic Belt. Lavas erupted from these cinder cones include ne- and hynormative alkali basalts, hawaiites, mugearites, and benmoreites. It is unusual that this suite has erupted in a calc-aikaline volcanic belt where volcanoes in the vicinity have been erupting calc-alkaline andesites, dacites and rhyodacites.Incompatible trace elements such Ba, Rb, Sr, and LREEs show little change with decreasing Mg, Ni, and Cr in the series alkali basalt to hawaiite, suggesting that simple crystal fractionation of observed phenocrysts has not been the dominant process in the derivation of the hawaiites from the alkali basalts. Petrographic evidence of magma mixing along with observed variation of trace element abundances suggests that the alkali basalts might represent mixtures of primitive magma with more evolved compositions.Crystal fractionation is capable of explaining major and most trace element trends in the series hawaiite — mugearite — benmoreite. However, such a process could only occur at pressure because of the requirement that clinopyroxene be a major crystallizing phase.The anomolous association of alkaline magmatism contemporaneously with calc-alkaline magmatism is probably related to the complex tectonic history associated with the rearrangement of plate boundaries in the vicinity of western Mexico.     

Geochemistry and geochronology of Upper Permian–Upper Triassic volcanic rocks in eastern Jilin Province,NE China: implications for the tectonic evolution of the Palaeo-Asian Ocean

We present zircon U–Pb dating, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sr–Nd isotope results for the Upper Permian–Upper Triassic volcanic rocks to constrain the timing of the final closure of the eastern segment of the Palaeo-Asian Ocean. The volcanic rocks were mainly collected from the Yanbian area in eastern Jilin Province, northeastern China. The zircon U–Pb dating results indicate that the samples can be classified as Upper Permian–Lower Triassic basalts (ca. 262–244 Ma) and Upper Triassic dacites (ca. 216 Ma). The whole-rock geochemical results indicate that the rocks predominately belong to the medium-K and high-K calc-alkaline series. The basalts are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs, e.g. Ba and K) and depleted in high field strength elements (HFSEs, e.g. Nb and Ta), with weak positive Eu anomalies. The dacites are enriched in LILEs (e.g. Rb, Ba, Th, and K) and light rare earth elements (LREEs) and marked depletion in some HFSEs (e.g. Nb, Ta, and Ti), with significant negative Sr, P, and Eu anomalies. Moreover, the Upper Permian–Lower Triassic basalts have low initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7037–0.7048) and high ε_Nd values (4.4–5.4). In contrast, the Upper Triassic dacites possess relatively high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7052) compared with their low ε_Nd values (1.4). The basaltic magma likely originated from the partial melting of a depleted mantle wedge metasomatized by subduction-related fluids, and the felsic magmas likely originated from the partial melting of a dominantly juvenile source with a minor component of ancient crust. Taken together, the Upper Permian–Lower Triassic basalts (ca. 262–244 Ma) are arc basalts that formed in an active continental margin setting, and the Upper Triassic dacites (ca. 216 Ma) are A-type granitic rocks that formed in an extensional setting. Therefore, the final closure of the Palaeo-Asian Ocean occurred during the Middle–Late Triassic.     

Petrology of some volcanic rock series of the Aeolian arc,Southern Tyrrhenian Sea: Calc-alkaline and shoshonitic associations

In the Aeolian island arc two different magmatological associations, calc-alkaline andesite series and shoshonites, occur in close vicinity. Although both associations erupted simultaneously during the last glaciation, there is a general tendency for the calc-alkaline rocks to be older. Shoshonitic activity is still going on.Calc-alkaline lavas include high-Al basalts, andesites and dacites, with the general characteristics of the island-arc type andesite series. Large cation trace elements (Rb, Ba, Sr) however are distinctly enriched.Shoshonite series include trachybasalts and latites, with which potassium-rich rhyolites can be associated. Leucite tephrites and potassic trachytes form a different evolution trend of the shoshonitic association.Petrology relates both associations of the Aeolian Islands to the island arc dynamics which is presently characterized by deep-focus earthquakes in the depth range of 200–350 km. The present-day gap in seismic activity from 50–200 km coincides with the present-day lack of calc-alkaline volcanic activity and is explained by the model of a detached slab which continues to sink into the mantle.     

Gem corundum deposits of Madagascar: A review

Madagascar is one of the most important gem-producing countries in the world, including ruby and sapphires. Gem corundum deposits formed at different stages in the geological evolution of the island and in contrasting environments. Four main settings are identified: (1) Gem corundum formed in the Precambrian basement within the Neoproterozoic terranes of southern Madagascar, and in the volcano-sedimentary series of Beforona, north of Antananarivo. In the south, high-temperature (700 to 800 °C) and low-pressure (4 to 5 kbar) granulites contain deposits formed during the Pan-African orogenesis between 565 and 490 Ma. They accompany mafic and ultramafic complexes (ruby deposits of the Vohibory group), skarns at the contact between Anosyan granites and the Proterozoic Tranomaro group (sapphire deposits of the Tranomaro–Andranondambo district), and shear-zone corridors cross-cutting feldspathic gneisses, cordieritites and clinopyroxenites in the Tranomaro, Vohimena and Androyan metamorphic series (biotite schist deposits of Sahambano and Zazafotsy, cordieritites of Iankaroka and Ambatomena). The circulation of fluids, especially along discontinuities, allowed in-situ alkaline metasomatism, forming corundum host rocks related to desilicified granites, biotitites, “sakenites” and “corundumites”. (2) Gem corundum also occurs in the Triassic detrital formations of the Isalo group, as giant palaeoplacers in the Ilakaka–Sakaraha area. Here, sapphires and rubies may come from the metamorphic granulitic terranes of southern Madagascar. (3) Gem corundum deposits occur within the Neogene-Quaternary alkali basalts from Ankaratra (Antsirabe–Antanifotsy area) and in the Ambohitra Province (Nosy Be, Ambato and Ambondromifehy districts). Primary deposits are rare, except at Soamiakatra where ruby in gabbroic and clinopyroxenite xenoliths within alkali-basalts probably derive from mantle garnet peridotites. The blue-green-yellow sapphires typical of basaltic fields are always recovered in palaeoplacer (in karst formed upon Jurassic limestones from the Montagne d'Ambre, Antsiranana Province) and alluvial and soil placers (Ankaratra volcanic massif). (4) Deposits occur within Quaternary eluvial, colluvial and alluvial concentrations, such as high-quality rubies from the Andilamena and Vatomandry deposits.     

新疆三塘湖盆地早二叠世火山岩地球化学特征与构造环境分析

新疆三塘湖盆地早二叠世火山岩地球化学特征与构造环境分析林克湘闫春德龚文平（江汉石油学院，湖北荆沙４３４１０２）关键词安山岩活动陆缘盆地板块构造早二叠世三塘湖盆地位于新疆东北部，与蒙古接壤，盆地呈北西—南东向展布，长约５００ｋｍ，宽４０～５０ｋｍ，面积...     

Paleozoic tectonostratigraphic units of the northwest and central Dinarides and the adjoining South Tisia

In the Central Dinarides and South Tisia different Paleozoic complexes occur in four geotectonic zones: (1) comparatively autochthonous units located in the cores of disrupted anticlines of the External Dinarides; (2) allochthonous disrupted units accompanied by more predominant Triassic formations in the Sava Nappe, which is thrust onto the northeastern margin of the External Dinarides; (3) allochthonous disrupted units, also together with Triassic formations, in the Pannonian and Durmitor nappes of the Internal Dinarides; and (4) polymetamorphic sequences in basement of the Pannonian Basin and South Tisia, respectively. This paper presents basic geological features for the main Paleozoic areas included in these four zones. The tectonostratigraphic units of the first two zones were related to the Gondwana passive continental margin, those of the third zone to the Paleotethyan oceanic realm, and those of Tisia to the active Laurussia margin. Geodynamic evolution of all these Paleozoic complexes was related to opening and closure of the Rheic and Paleotethys Oceans. Rifting processes along North Gondwana started in the Silurian, locally in the Cambrian-Ordovician, and were followed by the Late Silurian/Devonian opening of the Paleotethys. Subduction processes were active by the end of the Devonian and at the beginning of the Carboniferous along the Laurussia margin. They were followed during the Westphalian by main Variscan deformation during collision of Gondwana and Laurussia. Associated metamorphism was very low-grade in the Paleozoic units of the Sava Nappe, low-grade to epidote-amphibolite grade within the Paleozoic complexes of the Pannonian and Durmitor nappes in the Internal Dinarides, and poly-metamorphic with migmatites and granitoids in South Tisia. These processes gave rise to a Pangea stage with the Variscan basement disconformably overlain by Late Carboniferous and Permian sediments.     

冀北太古代花岗质片麻岩的成因

冀北是华北克拉通早前寒武纪变质基底的主要出露地区之一。分布于承德-滦平和赤城-张家口地区的新太古代花岗质片麻岩主要由英云闪长岩、奥长花岗岩、花岗闪长岩和二长花岗岩(TTGM)组成,构成了低钾、中钾和高钾钙碱性三个岩石化学系列。二长花岗质片麻岩的LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb和Lu-Hf同位素特征揭示其岩浆结晶年龄为2509±10Ma。全岩岩石化学、Sm-Nd同位素和锆石Lu-Hf同位素研究表明:(1)低钾钙碱性系列的岩石形成于拉班玄武质岩石的低度部分熔融;(2)中钾钙碱性系列岩石主要形成于玄武质岩石和杂砂岩的部分熔融,局部存在英云闪长质片麻岩的部分熔融;(3)高钾钙碱性系列的岩石形成于以高钾中酸性火山岩为主要成分的杂砂岩的部分熔融。结合近年来冀北早前寒武纪地质研究成果,这些太古代花岗质片麻岩全岩Sm-Nd同位素和锆石Lu-Hf同位素特征揭示~2.7Ga是本区太古代地壳的主要生长期。在新太古代发生了大规模的火山喷发,火山物质形成后不久发生部分熔融形成花岗质岩浆,接着发生变质、变形作用。这些花岗质片麻岩的形成与南美洲西海岸的构造-岩浆活动特征有类似之处,可能反映了太古代末期冀北地区从活动大陆边缘地壳增生、加厚到弧后伸展转化的动力学背景。     

哀牢山构造岩浆带晚二叠世-早三叠世火山岩特征及其构造环境

本文对中国云南哀牢山构造岩浆带内的雅轩桥、帽盒山、绿春火山岩等开展了相关研究.雅轩桥附近的火山岩为晚二叠世,岩性主要为橄榄粗安岩-玄武岩(少量安山岩),在TAS图上既有碱性又有亚碱性.钾含量较低(＜1.19％),为低钾钙碱-中钾钙碱性,Peacock碱钙指数以钙碱性为主.与MORB相比,其痕量元素蛛网图亏损Nb、Ta,而富集Pb,从Zr-V曲线呈平坦型,并且整体比MORB亏损.稀土元素配分模式与MORB相近,但略显轻稀土元素富集和重稀土元素亏损.在构造环境判别图上均位于火山弧环境.他郎河边(雅轩桥地区)火山岩为英安岩,属亚碱性,中钾钙碱性,Peacock指数为钙性.痕量元素蛛网图、REE模式图以及大地构造环境判别图,均表明其属于弧的构造环境.由上推测雅轩桥火山岩在晚二叠世属于弧火山岩.帽盒山玄武岩的锆石SHRIMP U-Pb测年结果为249±1.6Ma,为早三叠世.岩性为亚碱性钠长玄武岩,低钾钙碱性系列,Peacock碱钙指数以钙性为主.痕量元素蛛网图和REE配分模式图与MORB相比,LREE略微富集.在构造环境判别图中位于从E-MORB向岛弧过渡的构造环境.绿春地区流纹岩的锆石SHRIMP U-Pb年龄为247.3±1.8Ma,为早三叠世,属亚碱性,钾玄岩系列,Peacock碱钙指数为碱钙性.痕量元素蛛网图、REE配分模式图及大地构造环境判别图显示其为成熟岛弧向陆陆碰撞的过渡环境.结合前人研究,推测哀牢山洋在晚泥盆世形成,可能在石炭世-早二叠世(?)处于洋的扩张期.晚二叠世时,在哀牢山洋的西侧出现了雅轩桥的初始孤火山岩,预示着至少在这一时期,哀牢山洋已经开始俯冲.到三叠世早期(249±1.6Ma),在哀牢山洋的东侧出现了具有弧和MORB的双重特性的帽盒山玄武岩,可能指示此时哀牢山洋盆已经变小,或已转化为孤间或弧后盆地,洋的演化进入了晚期阶段,并且在局部地段,如绿春地区,此时(247.3±1.8Ma)已经进入到成熟岛弧向陆陆碰撞的过渡阶段.因此支持哀牢山洋在晚三叠世闭合的结论,亦符合上三叠统一碗水组不整合在哀牢山蛇绿混杂岩之上的事实.     

Pacific superplume-related oceanic basalts hosted by accretionary complexes of Central Asia, Russian Far East and Japan

Plume-related oceanic magmatism form oceanic islands, seamounts and plateaus (hereafter “seamounts” or “paleoseamounts”), which are important features in geological history. The accretion of oceanic seamounts to active continental margins significantly contributed to the formation of the continental crust. This paper reviews occurrences of Late Neoproterozoic–Mesozoic seamounts of the Paleo-Asian and Paleo-Pacific oceans, which are hosted by accretionary complexes (ACs) of Russian Altai, East Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russian Far East and Japan. The paleoseamounts commonly consist of Ti–LREE–Nb-enriched plume-related basalts (OIB-type or intraplate basalts) capped with massive limestone and associated with other units of oceanic plate stratigraphy (OPS): oceanic floor basalts (MORB), pelagic chert, epiclastic slope facies, etc. The paper presents available geochemical data on the plume-related basalts including the first geochemical data on the Middle Paleozoic OIB-type basalts of the Paleo-Asian Ocean hosted by the Ulaanbaatar AC of Mongolia. An emphasis is made for the structural setting of OPS units, specific geochemical features of intraplate basalts, problems of their identification, and distinguishing from magmatic units of a different origin such as MORB, island-arc and back-arc basalts. Finally, we propose a continuous, though periodical, evolution of the Pacific superplume-related magmatism, which can be more reliably proved by studying Middle Paleozoic OPS units hosted by ACs of Mongolia and Tien Shan, and discuss prospects of future studies.     

Caribbean island-arc rifting and back-arc basin development in the Late Cretaceous: Geochemical, isotopic and geochronological evidence from Central Hispaniola

We present new regional petrologic, geochemical, Sr–Nd isotopic, and U–Pb geochronological data on the Turonian–Campanian mafic igneous rocks of Central Hispaniola that provide important clues on the development of the Caribbean island-arc. Central Hispaniola is made up of three main tectonic blocks—Jicomé, Jarabacoa and Bonao—that include four broad geochemical groups of Late Cretaceous mafic igneous rocks: group I, tholeiitic to calc-alkaline basalts and andesites; group II, low-Ti high-Mg andesites and basalts; group III, tholeiitic basalts and gabbros/dolerites; and group IV, tholeiitic to transitional and alkalic basalts. These igneous rocks show significant differences in time and space, from arc-like to non-arc-like characteristics, suggesting that they were derived from different mantle sources. We interpret these groups as the record of Caribbean arc-rifting and back-arc basin development in the Late Cretaceous. The> 90 Ma group I volcanic rocks and associated cumulate complexes preserved in the Jicomé and Jarabacoa blocks represent the Albian to Cenomanian Caribbean island-arc material. The arc rift stage magmatism in these blocks took place during the deposition of the Restauración Formation from the Turonian–Coniacian transition (~ 90 Ma) to Santonian/Lower Campanian, particularly in its lower part with extrusion at 90–88 Ma of group II low-Ti, high-Mg andesites/basalts. During this time or slightly afterwards adakitic rhyolites erupted in the Jarabacoa block. Group III tholeiitic lavas represent the initiation of Coniacian–Lower Campanian back-arc spreading. In the Bonao block, this stage is represented by back-arc basin-like basalts, gabbros and dolerite/diorite dykes intruded into the Loma Caribe peridotite, as well as the Peralvillo Sur Formation basalts, capped by tuffs, shales and Campanian cherts. This dismembered ophiolitic stratigraphy indicates that the Bonao block is a fragment of an ensimatic back-arc basin. In the Jicomé and Jarabacoa blocks, the mainly Campanian group IV basalts of the Peña Blanca, Siete Cabezas and Pelona–Pico Duarte Formation, represent the subsequent stage of back-arc spreading and off-axis non-arc-like magmatism, caused by migration of the arc toward the northeast. These basalts have geochemical affinities with the mantle domain influenced by the Caribbean plume, suggesting that mantle was flowing toward the NE, beneath the extended Caribbean island-arc, in response to rollback of the subducting proto-Caribbean slab.     

An Early Cambrian plume-induced subduction initiation event within the Junggar Ocean: Insights from ophiolitic mélanges,arc magmatism,and metamorphic rocks

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is one of the largest accretionary orogens in the world. The mechanism of continental growth and tectonic evolution of the CAOB remain debated. Here we present an overview of Early Paleozoic ophiolitic mélanges, calc-alkaline intrusions, and metamorphic rocks in West Junggar with an aim to provide constraints on the time and mechanism of subduction initiation in the Junggar Ocean, a branch of the southern Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO). The Early Paleozoic ophiolitic mélanges are composed of ultramafic-mafic rocks, cherts, pelagic limestones, basaltic breccias and tuffs. The mafic rocks from these ophiolitic mélanges are divided into MORB-like and OIB-like types. The MORB-like rocks were formed in a fore-arc setting, but the OIB-like mafic rocks were formed by the intra-plate magmatism related to mantle plume activities. The Early Paleozoic intrusions are occurred as small stocks with a dominant composition of diorite, trondhjemite, and granodiorite. These granitoids display (high-K) calc-alkaline affinities, and have high and positive εNd(t) and εHf(t) values, formed in an arc-related setting. The metamorphic complex is mainly composed of blueschist and amphibolite blocks with metamorphism ages ranging from ~500 Ma to ~460 Ma. Their protoliths are calc-alkaline andesite and tholeiitic and alkaline basalts, formed in an arc related and seamount setting, respectively. It is clearly show that the West Junggar was under an intra-oceanic subduction regime during the Early Paleozoic, and the initial subduction of the southern PAO might have occurred in the Early Cambrian. Based on our observations, and in combination with previous work, we propose the plume-induced subduction initiation model for the Early-Middle Cambrian tectonic evolutionary of the Junggar Ocean. Our new model not only shed light on subduction initiation dynamics of the southern PAO, but also contribute to tectonic evolution of the CAOB.     

Petrogenesis and tectonics of late Permian felsic volcanic rocks,eastern Qiangtang block,north-central Tibet: Sr and Nd isotopic evidence

The Palaeo-Tethyan tectonic evolution of central Tibet remains a topic of controversy. Two Permian to Late Triassic arc-like volcanic suites have been identified in the eastern Qiangtang (EQ) block of north-central Tibet. Three competing models have been proposed to explain the formation of these volcanic suites, with two models involving a single stage of long-lived subduction but with opposing subduction polarities, while the other model involves a two-stage subduction process. Here, we present new whole-rock geochemistry, including Sr–Nd isotope data, for late Permian felsic volcanics of the Zaduo area. These volcanics are mainly low to middle K calc-alkaline felsic tuffs and rhyolites with SiO₂ concentrations up to 73 wt.%. In primitive mantle-normalized diagrams, the volcanics are typified by large ion lithophile element enrichment and high-field-strength element (e.g. Nb, Ta, P, and Ti) depletion, with slightly negative Eu anomalies. They have initial Sr ratios (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) _i of 0.70319–0.70547, and ?Nd(t) values of +3.4 to +3.5, suggesting derivation by the partial melting of a depleted mantle wedge, followed by assimilation of crustal material. The available geochemical data indicate the presence of two distinctive igneous evolution trends within the Permian to Late Triassic volcanics of the EQ block, consistent with a two-stage subduction model. Permian to Early Triassic arc-like volcanics are formed during northward (present-day orientation) subduction, whereas the Late Triassic volcanics are related to southward (present-day orientation) subduction of mafic crust of the Garze–Litang Ocean.     

Lherzolites and the western “Chainons bearnais” (French Pyrenees): Structural and paleogeographical pattern

Field observations of the “Chaînons béarnais”, in the area of Oloron-Sainte-Marie, reveal two families of units: The first one contains a well developed Jurassic-Cretaceous series, it structurally underlies the second one. The second one contains a thin Jurassic-Cretaceous series, deposited on a basement including metamorphic Paleozoic terrain and lherzolites. The structural arrangement, as well as the sedimentological characteristics, suggests a southern origin for these highest units.The tectonic association between metamorphic and ultrabasic rocks of the basement was probably formed during the Hercynian orogeny, or in a Late Hercynian period. However, it clearly predates fossiliferous sediments attributed to the Callovo-Oxfordian (Pic de Saraillé, Lourdios) or still undated terrains presenting a typical Triassic facies (Tos de la Coustette, Lourdios).     

Spatial–temporal relationships of Mesozoic volcanic rocks in NE China: Constraints on tectonic overprinting and transformations between multiple tectonic regimes

LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb ages and geochemical data are presented for the Mesozoic volcanic rocks in northeast China, with the aim of determining the tectonic settings of the volcanism and constraining the timing of the overprinting and transformations between the Paleo-Asian Ocean, Mongol–Okhotsk, and circum-Pacific tectonic regimes. The new ages, together with other available age data from the literature, indicate that Mesozoic volcanism in NE China can be subdivided into six episodes: Late Triassic (228–201 Ma), Early–Middle Jurassic (190–173 Ma), Middle–Late Jurassic (166–155 Ma), early Early Cretaceous (145–138 Ma), late Early Cretaceous (133–106 Ma), and Late Cretaceous (97–88 Ma). The Late Triassic volcanic rocks occur in the Lesser Xing’an–Zhangguangcai Ranges, where the volcanic rocks are bimodal, and in the eastern Heilongjiang–Jilin provinces where the volcanics are A-type rhyolites, implying that they formed in an extensional environment after the final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. The Early–Middle Jurassic (190–173 Ma) volcanic rocks, both in the Erguna Massif and the eastern Heilongjiang–Jilin provinces, belong chemically to the calc-alkaline series, implying an active continental margin setting. The volcanics in the Erguna Massif are related to the subduction of the Mongol–Okhotsk oceanic plate beneath the Massif, and those in the eastern Jilin–Heilongjiang provinces are related to the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian continent. The coeval bimodal volcanic rocks in the Lesser Xing’an–Zhangguangcai Ranges were probably formed under an extensional environment similar to a backarc setting of double-direction subduction. Volcanic rocks of Middle–Late Jurassic (155–166 Ma) and early Early Cretaceous (145–138 Ma) age only occur in the Great Xing’an Range and the northern Hebei and western Liaoning provinces (limited to the west of the Songliao Basin), and they belong chemically to high-K calc-alkaline series and A-type rhyolites, respectively. Combined with the regional unconformity and thrust structures in the northern Hebei and western Liaoning provinces, we conclude that these volcanics formed during a collapse or delamination of a thickened continental crust related to the evolution of the Mongol–Okhotsk suture belt. The late Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks, widely distributed in NE China, belong chemically to a low- to medium-K calc-alkaline series in the eastern Heilongjiang–Jilin provinces (i.e., the Eurasian continental margin), and to a bimodal volcanic rock association within both the Songliao Basin and the Great Xing’an Range. The volcanics in the eastern Heilongjiang–Jilin provinces formed in an active continental margin setting related to the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian continent, and the bimodal volcanics formed under an extensional environment related either to a backarc setting or to delamination of a thickened crust, or both. Late Cretaceous volcanics, limited to the eastern Heilongjiang–Jilin provinces and the eastern North China Craton (NCC), consist of calc-alkaline rocks in the eastern Heilongjiang–Jilin provinces and alkaline basalts in the eastern NCC, suggesting that the former originated during subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian continent, whereas the latter formed in an extensional environment similar to a backarc setting. Taking all this into account, we conclude that (1) the transformation from the Paleo-Asian Ocean regime to the circum-Pacific tectonic regime happened during the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic; (2) the effect of the Mongol–Okhotsk suture belt on NE China was mainly in the Early Jurassic, Middle–Late Jurassic, and early Early Cretaceous; and (3) the late Early Cretaceous and Late Cretaceous volcanics can be attributed to the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian continent.