Petrogenesis and geotectonic setting of early Svecofennian arc cumulates in the Roslagen area,east‐central Sweden

Several intrusions of ultrabasic to basic composition occur in the Roslagen area of east‐central Sweden in close spatial and temporal association with the surrounding 1.90–1.87 Ga old early orogenic Svecofennian granitoids. An imprecise Sm‐Nd WR errorchron yields an age of 1895 ± 71 Ma. In spite of the penetrative deformation in the granitoids, the basic–ultrabasic rocks mostly appear undeformed and largely preserve magmatic textures with plagioclase, olivine (in some rock types), orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene, and amphibole as major constituents. The plagioclase is typically very anorthitic (ca. An₉₀). The Roslagen intrusions range in composition from primitive to evolved (Mg# 80 to 49) but contain only 40–50 wt% SiO₂. Many samples are highly elevated in Al₂O₃ (up to 30 wt%), CaO (up to 16 wt%) and Sr (up to 800 ppm), with strongly positive Eu and Sr anomalies, in line with being plagioclase cumulates. Although masked by cumulus effects, the relative trace element contents indicate a volcanic arc signature. The initial Nd isotope composition is homogeneously ‘mildly depleted’, with ε_Nd of +0.3 to +1.1, and the initial Sr isotope composition ‘mildly enriched’, with ε_Sr of +8 to +15. Non‐cumulus rocks with small Eu and Sr anomalies can be used to deduce the composition of the parental magma. This LILE‐ and LREE‐enriched and HFSE‐depleted high‐alumina basalt magma, with Mg# of ca. 50–60 and Ca# of ca. 80, most likely formed by partial melting of mantle material, enriched by fluids in a subduction environment, at 1.9 Ga. The cumulate rocks apparently crystallized from a somewhat more evolved water‐rich magma with Mg# of ca. 40. Crystallization was followed by the development of late‐magmatic to post‐magmatic coronas between olivine and plagioclase in the presence of H₂O‐rich fluids. The subduction‐related setting would make these intrusions Palaeoproterozoic counterparts of Alaskan‐type ultramafic intrusions, but they differ from those in being plagioclase enriched, possibly reflecting different levels of exposure. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Character and origin of variably deformed granitoids in central southern Sweden: implications from geochemistry and Nd isotopes

We present major and trace element data for eighteen 1.71–1.66 Ga granitoid samples, and Sm–Nd whole‐rock isotope data for eleven of these samples, in a transect across the border between the Transscandinavian Igneous Belt (TIB) and the Eastern Segment in central southern Sweden. The geochemistry of the granitoids varies from alkalic to alkali‐calcic and peraluminous in the east to predominantly calc‐alkaline and metaluminous in the west. Rocks in the west also have lower SiO₂ contents. Trace element signatures favour formation in an active continental margin setting. Nd isotope data are completely overlapping along the transect and initial ε_Nd values are mildly depleted in the range +0.3 to +2.6. The combined data suggest that the magmas were derived mainly from juvenile, pre‐existing crust, increasingly mafic and less alkaline towards the west. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A greenstone belt in southeast Tibet: An accreted middle–late Permian oceanic plateau

Studies of accreted oceanic plateau sections provide crucial information on their structures, compositions, and origins. We investigate the petrogenesis of ultramafic–mafic rocks in the Tangjia–Sumdo greenstone belt of southeast Tibet using petrography, whole-rock geochemistry, and U-Pb zircon geochronology. These rocks are divided into four groups based on geochemical characteristics that include depleted and tholeiitic mafic rocks, transitional mafic rocks, enriched and alkaline mafic rocks, and picritic ultramafic rocks. Depleted and tholeiitic mafic rocks have the oldest crystallization ages (～272 Ma), followed by picritic ultramafic rocks (～270 Ma), transitional mafic rocks (267–254 Ma), and enriched and alkaline mafic rocks (252–250 Ma). Hafnium and neodymium isotope ratios of depleted and tholeiitic mafic rocks (ε_Hf(t) = +13.1–+16.9; ε_Nd(t) = +6.9–+7.1), transitional mafic rocks (ε_Hf(t) = +1.8–+16.9; ε_Nd(t) = +0.8–+5.5), enriched and alkaline mafic rocks (ε_Hf(t) = +0.5–+5.4; ε_Nd(t) = ?1.5 to +1.9) and picritic ultramafic rocks (ε_Hf(t) = +14.9–+17.2; ε_Nd(t) = +7.8–+9.0) are similar to those of N-MORB, E-MORB, OIB and depleted-type picritic mafic rocks in other oceanic plateaus, respectively. The geochemical characteristics of the depleted and tholeiitic mafic rocks suggest that they formed by partial melting of depleted spinel lherzolite in a mid-ocean ridge setting, whereas the picritic ultramafic rocks suggest a high degree of partial melting of depleted lherzolite in a hot mantle plume head. The transitional mafic rocks formed by partial melting of moderately enriched garnet lherzolite. The youngest rocks (enriched and alkaline mafic rocks) formed by partial melting of a more enriched garnet lherzolite (compared to transitional mafic rocks) at relatively low temperatures. We propose that the depleted and tholeiitic mafic rocks represent normal oceanic crust of the Sumdo Paleo-Tethys Ocean and the transitional mafic rocks, enriched and alkaline mafic rocks and picritic ultramafic rocks are the fragments of the oceanic plateau, which were related to middle–late Permian mantle plume activity in the Sumdo Paleo-Tethys Ocean. We further suggest that the majority of the Tangjia–Sumdo greenstone belt represents a middle–late Permian oceanic plateau that reflects a previously unrecognized middle–late Permian mantle plume.     

1.8 Ga magmatism in southern Finland: strongly enriched mantle and juvenile crustal sources in a post-collisional setting

Whole-rock and isotope geochemistry of six ～1.8 Ga post-kinematic intrusions, emplaced along the ～1.9 Ga Southern Svecofennian Arc Complex (SSAC) and in the SW part of the Karelian Domain in Finland, was studied. The intrusive age [U–Pb secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS)] of one of these, the Petravaara Pluton, was determined as 1811 ± 6 Ma.

Basic-intermediate rocks are alkali-rich (K₂O?+?Na₂O > 4 wt.%) and typically shoshonitic, strongly enriched in large ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements, but relatively depleted in high field strength elements and heavy rare earth elements. The enrichment is much higher than can be accounted for by crustal contamination and requires previously melt-depleted mantle sources, subjected to variable metasomatism by carbonate-rich fluids and sediment-derived melts. These sources are inferred to consist of phlogopite ± amphibole-bearing peridotites from depths below the spinel–garnet transition, as shown by the high Ce/Yb ratios. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr(1.8 Ga) ratios in the range 0.7027–0.7031 and ‘mildly depleted’ ?_Nd(1.8 Ga) values (+0.1 to?+1.4), with T _DM values <2.1 Ga, suggest that mantle enrichment was associated with the previous Svecofennian subduction–accretion process, when enriched sub-Svecofennian mantle sections developed, dominantly characterized by ¹⁴⁷Sm/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios of 0.14–0.17.

The associated granitoids are diversified. One group is marginally peraluminous, transitional between I (volcanic-arc) and S (syn-collisional) types, and was derived from mixed igneous and sedimentary, but juvenile Svecofennian source rocks, as supported by near-chondritic ?_Nd(1.8 Ga) and somewhat elevated ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr(1.8 Ga). The other group is transitional between I and A (within-plate) types in character and had dominantly igneous protoliths. The whole-rock geochemistry and isotopes suggest that the compositional variation between ～50 and 70 wt.% SiO₂ may be explained by hybridization between strongly enriched mantle-derived magmas and anatectic granitic magmas from the juvenile Svecofennian crust. One intrusion in the east contains a significant portion of Archaean, mostly igneous protolithic material (?_Nd(1.8 Ga)?=?–2.8 and ?_Hf(t) for zircons between?+2.8 and??11.9, with an average of??4.9).

The ～1.8 Ga post-kinematic intrusions were emplaced within the SSAC subsequent to the continental collision with the Volgo-Sarmatia craton from the SE, during a shift from contraction to extension, that is, in a post-collisional setting.     

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.     

High-pressure metamorphic rocks in the Borborema Province,Northeast Brazil: Reworking of Archean oceanic crust during proterozoic orogenies

We present the first evidence of Archean oceanic crust submitted to Proterozoic high-pressure (HP) metamorphism in the South American Platform. Sm–Nd and Lu–Hf isotopic data combined with U–Pb geochronological data from the Campo Grande area, Rio Grande do Norte domain, in the Northern Borborema Province, reflect a complex Archean (2.9 ​Ga and 2.6 ​Ga) and Paleoproterozoic (2.0 ​Ga) evolution, culminating in the Neoproterozoic Brasiliano/Pan-African orogeny (ca. 600 Ma). The preserved mafic rocks contain massive poikiloblastic garnet and granoblastic amphibole with variable proportions of plagioclase ​+ ​diopside in symplectitic texture, typical of high-pressure rocks. These clinopyroxene-garnet amphibolites and the more common garnet amphibolites from the Campo Grande area are exposed as rare lenses within an Archean migmatite complex. The amphibolite lenses represent 2.65 ​Ga juvenile tholeiitic magmatism derived from depleted mantle sources (positive ε_Hf(t) values of +3.81 to +30.66) later enriched by mantle metasomatism (negative ε_Nd(t) values of –7.97). Chondrite and Primitive Mantle-normalized REE of analyzed samples and discriminant diagrams define two different oceanic affinities, with E-MORB and OIB signature. Negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu1 ​= ​0.75–0.95) indicate depletion of plagioclase in the source. Inherited zircon cores of 3.0–2.9 ​Ga in analyzed samples indicate that the Neoarchean tholeiitic magmatism was emplaced into 2923 ​± ​14 ​Ma old Mesoarchean crust (ε_Nd(t) ​= ​–2.58 and Nd T_DM ​= ​3.2 ​Ga) of the Rio Grande do Norte domain. The age of retro-eclogite facies metamorphism is not yet completely understood. We suggest that two high-grade metamorphic events are recognized in the mafic rocks: the first at 2.0 ​Ga, recorded in some samples, and the second, at ca. 600 Ma, stronger and more pervasive and recorded in several of the mafic rock samples. The Neoproterozoic zircon grains are found in symplectite texture as inclusions in the garnet grains and represent the age of HP conditions in the area. These zircon grains show a younger cluster of concordant analyses between 623 ​± ​3 ​Ma and 592 ​± ​5 ​Ma with ε_Hf(t) values of +0.74 to –65.88. Thus, the Campo Grande rock assemblage is composed of Archean units that were amalgamated to West Gondwana during Neoproterozoic Brasiliano orogeny continent-continent collision and crustal reworking.     

Guandishan Granitoids of the Paleoproterozoic Lüliang Metamorphic Complex in the Trans-North China Orogen: SHRIMP Zircon Ages, Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

Abstract: The Paleoproterozoic Lüliang Metamorphic Complex (PLMC) is situated in the middle segment of the western margin of the Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO), North China Craton (NCC). As the most important lithological assemblages in the southern part of the PLMC, Guandishan granitoids consist of early gneissic tonalities, granodiorites and gneissic monzogranites, and younger gneissic to massive monzogranites. Petrochemical features reveal that the early gneissic tonalities and granodiorites belong to the medium-K calc-alkaline series; the early gneissic monzogranites are transitional from high-K calc-alkaline to the shoshonite series; the younger gneissic to massive monzogranites belong to the high-k calc-alkaline series, and all rocks are characterized by right-declined REE patterns and negative Nb, Ta, Sr, P, and Ti anomalies in the primitive mantle normalized spidergrams. SHRIMP zircon U–Pb isotopic dating reveals that the early gneissic tonalities and granodiorites formed at ~2.17 Ga, the early gneissic monzogranites at ~2.06 Ga, and the younger gneissic to massive monzogranites at ~1.84 Ga. Sm–Nd isotopic data show that the early gneissic tonalities and granodiorites have εNd(t) values of +0.48 to ?3.19 with Nd-depleted mantle model ages (TDM) of 2.76–2.47 Ga, and early gneissic monzogranites have εNd(t) values of ?0.53 to ?2.51 with TDM of 2.61–2.43 Ga, and the younger gneissic monzogranites have εNd(t) values of ?6.41 to ?2.78 with a TDM of 2.69–2.52 Ga.These geochemical and isotopic data indicate that the early gneissic tonalities, granodiorites, and monzogranites were derived from the partial melting of metamorphosed basaltic and pelitic rocks, respectively, in a continental arc setting. The younger gneissic to massive monzogranites were derived by partial melting of metamorphosed greywackes within the continental crust. Combined with previously regional data, we suggest that the Paleoproterozoic granitoid magmatism in the Guandishan granitoids of the PLMC may provide the best geological signature for the complete spectrum of Paleoproterozoic geodynamic processes in the Trans-North China Orogen from oceanic subduction, through collisional orogenesis, to post-orogenic extension and uplift.     

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.     

The earliest Jurassic A-type granite in the Nanling Range of southeastern South China: petrogenesis and geological implications

The tectonic transition from the palaeo-Tethyan to palaeo-Pacific dynamic domains in the South China Block (SCB) is still a matter of debate. The A-type granites collected from the southeastern SCB offered an opportunity to illustrate this tectonic transition. This article records a set of petrographic, geochronological, and geochemical data for the Wengong granitic pluton from the eastern Nanling Range. LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating shows a crystallization age of 196.9 ± 4.4 Ma with ε_Hf(t) values ranging from +2.1 to +7.7. The samples have high SiO₂, Zr+Nb+Ce+Y, FeOt/MgO, Ga/Al, and Y/Nb and are depleted in Nb–Ta, Zr–Hf, Ba, Sr, Ti, and Eu, similar to those of the A₂-type granite. Their initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios range from 0.70885 to 0.70983 and the ε_Nd(t) values range from ?2.9 to ?1.1, close to those of the Early Palaeozoic mafic rocks in the southeastern SCB. The Wengong A₂-type granite was derived from partial melting of the mafic rocks underplated into the lower crust during the Early Palaeozoic.

The Mesozoic A-type granites in the southeastern SCB can be subdivided into 229–215 Ma (Late Triassic), 197–152 Ma (Jurassic), and 135–92 Ma (Cretaceous). They differ in geochemical and spatial distribution characteristics. The Late Triassic A-type granites were formed in the post-collision extensional setting associated with the palaeo-Tethyan dynamic domain, whereas the Cretaceous A-type granites were under the control of the palaeo-Pacific dynamic domain. The A-type granites were hardly exposed during the Late Triassic–Early Jurassic and Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous. The Jurassic A-type granites were formed in the intra-plate extensional setting, a response to the tectonic transition from the palaeo-Tethyan to palaeo-Pacific dynamic domains. Thus, the occurrence of the Wengong A₂-type granite indicates that this tectonic transition possibly initiated at the earliest Early Jurassic.     

Geochemistry, Nd Isotopic Characteristics of Metamorphic Complexes in Northern Hebei： Implications for Crustal Accretion

The middle segment of the northern margin of the North China Craton （NCC） consists mainly of metamorphosed Archean Dantazi Complex, Paleoproterozoic Hongqiyingzi Complex and unmetamorphosed gabbro-anorthosite-meta-alkaline granite, as well as metamorphosed Late Paleozoic mafic to granitoid rocks in the Damiao-Changshaoying area. The -2.49 Ga Dantazi Complex comprises dioritic-trondhjemitic-granodoritic-monzogranitic gneisses metamorphosed in amphibolite to granulite facies. Petrochemical characteristics reveal that most of the rocks belong to a medium- to high-potassium calc-alkaline series, and display Mg^# less than 40, right-declined REE patterns with no to obviously positive Eu anomalies, evidently negative Th, Nb, Ta and Ti anomalies in primitive mantlenormalized spider diagrams, εNd（t）=＋0.65 to -0.03, and depleted mantle model ages TDM=2.78-2.71 Ga. Study in petrogenesis indicates that the rocks were formed from magmatic mixing between mafic magma from the depleted mantle and granitoid magma from partial melting of recycled crustal mafic rocks in a continental margin setting. The 2.44-2.41 Ga Hongqiyingzi Complex is dominated by metamorphic mafic-granodioritic-monzogranitic gneisses, displaying similar petrochemical features to the Dantazi Complex, namely medium to high potassium calc-alkaline series, and the mafic rocks show evident change in LILEs, negative Th, Nb, Ta, Zr anomalies and positive P anomalies. And the other granitiod samples also exhibit negative Th, Nb, Ta, P and Ti anomalies. All rocks in the Hongqiyingzi Complex show right-declined REE patterns without Eu anomaly. The metamorphic mafic rocks with εNd（t） = -1.64 may not be an identical magmatic evolution series with granitoids that have εNd（t） values of ＋3.19 to ＋1.94 and TDM ages of 2.55-2.52 Ga. These granitic rocks originated from hybrid between mafic magma from the depleted mantle and magma from partial melting of juvenile crustal mafic rocks in an island arc setting. All the -311 Ma Late Paleozoic metamorphic mafic rocks and related granitic rocks show a medium-potassium calc-alkaline magmatic evolution series, characterized by high Mg^#, obviously negative Th, Nb, Ta anomalies and positive Sr anomalies, from no to strongly negative Ti anomalies and flat REE patterns with εNd（t） = ＋8.42, implying that the maflc magma was derived from the depleted mantle. However the other granitic rocks are characterized by right-declined REE patterns with no to evidently positive Eu anomalies, significantly low εNd（t） = -13.37 to -14.04, and TDM=1.97-1.96 Ga, revealing that the granitoid magma was derived from hybrid between maflc magma that came from -311 Ma depleted mantle and granitoid magma from Archean to Early Paleoproterozoic ancient crustal recycling. The geochemistry and Nd isotopic characteristics as well as the above geological and geochronological results indicate that the middle segment of the northern margin of the NCC mainly experienced four crustal growth episodes from Archean to Late Paleozoic, which were dominated by three continental marginal arc accretions （-2.49, -2.44 and 311 Ma）, except the 1.76-1.68 Ga episode related to post-collisional extension, revealing that the crustal accretion of this segment was chiefly generated from arc accretion and amalgamation to the NCC continental block.     

Petrogenesis of Cretaceous igneous rocks from the Duolong porphyry Cu–Au deposit,central Tibet: evidence from zircon U–Pb geochronology,petrochemistry and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotope characteristics

The Duolong porphyry Cu–Au deposit (5.4 Mt at 0.72% Cu, 41 t at 0.23 g/t Au) was recently discovered in the southern Qiangtang terrane, central Tibet. Here, new whole‐rock elemental and Sr–Nd–Pb isotope and zircon Hf isotopic data of syn‐ and post‐ore volcanic rocks and barren and ore‐bearing granodiorite porphyries are presented for a reconstruction of magmas associated with Cu–Au mineralization. LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating yields mean ages of 117.0 ± 2.0 and 120.9 ± 1.7 Ma for ore‐bearing granodiorite porphyry and 105.2 ± 1.3 Ma for post‐ore basaltic andesite. All the samples show high‐K calc‐alkaline compositions, with enrichment of light rare earth elements (LREE) and large ion lithophile elements (LILE: Cs and Rb) and depletion of high field strength elements (HFSE: Nb and Ti), consistent with the geochemical characteristics of arc‐type magmas. Syn‐ and post‐ore volcanic rocks show initial Sr ratios of 0.7045–0.7055, ε_Nd(t) values of −0.8 to 3.6, (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_t ratios of 18.408–18.642, (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_t of 15.584–15.672 and positive zircon ε_Hf(t) values of 1.3–10.5, likely suggesting they dominantly were derived from metasomatized mantle wedge and contaminated by southern Qiangtang crust. Compared to mafic volcanic rocks, barren and ore‐bearing granodiorite porphyries have relatively high initial Sr isotopic ratios (0.7054–0.7072), low ε_Nd(t) values (−1.7 to −4.0), similar Pb and enriched zircon Hf isotopic compositions [ε_Hf(t) of 1.5–9.7], possibly suggesting more contribution from southern Qiangtang crust. Duolong volcanic rocks and granodiorite porphyries likely formed in a continental arc setting during northward subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang ocean and evolved at the base of the lower crust by MASH (melting, assimilation, storage and homogenization) processes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Late Triassic Biotite Monzogranite from the Western Litang Area,Yidun Terrane,SW China: Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

The Late Triassic igneous rocks in the Yidun terrane can provide vital insights into the evolution of Plaeo-Tethys in western China. We present new zircon U-Pb, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic data for the Litang biotite monzogranites, Yidun terrane. The biotite monzogranites have a zircon U-Pb age of 206.1±1.0 Ma(MSWD=1.9,n=30), which indicates Late Triassic magmatism. The biotite monzogranites display I-type affinity, high Na_2O(3.38-3.60 wt%) contente,medii SiO_2(67.12-69.13 wt%), and low P_2 O_5 contents(0.10～0.12 wt%). They enriched in Rb,and Ba and depleted in Nb and Ta, with negative Eu anomalies(Eu/Eu*=0.74—0.81). They have evolved Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic composition, i.e.,(~(87) Sr/~(86 )Sr)i=0.714225 to 0.714763, negative ?_(Nd(t)) values of -2.0 to-2.6 with two-stage Nd model ages ranging from 1.01 to 1.05 Ga, negative ?_(Ht)(t)) values o f-3.4 to-4.1 with two-stage Hf model ages of 1.85 to1.88 Ga, suggesting a matured crustal sources. Their low Al_2O_3/TiO_2 ratios and medium Cao/Na_2O ratios, medium Mg~# and SiO_2 contents, low [molar Al_2O_3/(MgO+FeO~T)] values, and high [molar Cao/(MgO+FeO~T)] values indicate that the Litang biotite monzogranite was formed by partial melting of metabasaltic rocks. Based on the previous studies, we propose that the Litang biotite monzogranite derived from the westward subduction and closure of the Ganzi-Litang ocean during the Late Triassic-The mantle wedge-derived mafic melts provided sufficient heat for partial melting of ancient metabasalt protolith within the middle-lower crust.     

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.     

Zircon ages and Hf isotopic compositions of plutonic rocks from the Central Tianshan (Xinjiang,northwest China) and their significance for early to mid-Palaeozoic crustal evolution

We present new zircon ages and Hf-in-zircon isotopic data for plutonic rocks and review the crustal evolution of the Chinese Central Tianshan (Xinjiang, northwest China) in the early to mid-Palaeozoic. The Early Ordovician (ca. 475–473 Ma) granitoid rocks have zircon ε_Hf(t) values either positive (+0.3 to +9.5) or negative (?6.0 to ?12.9). This suggests significant addition of juvenile material to, and coeval crustal reworking of, the pre-existing continental crust that is fingerprinted by numerous Precambrian zircon xenocrysts. The Late Ordovician–Silurian (ca. 458–425 Ma) rocks can be assigned to two sub-episodes of magmatism: zircon from rocks of an earlier event (ca. 458–442 Ma) has negative zircon ε_Hf(t) values (?6.3 to ?13.1), indicating a predominantly crustal source; zircon from later events (ca. 434–425 Ma) has positive zircon ε_Hf(t) values (+2.6 to +8.9) that reveal a predominantly juvenile magma source. The Early Devonian (ca. 410–404 Ma) rocks have near-zero zircon ε_Hf(t) values, either slightly negative or positive (?1.4 to +3.5), whereas the Mid-Devonian rocks (ca. 393 Ma) have negative values (?11.2 to ?14.8). The Late Devonian (ca. 368–361 Ma) granites are undeformed and are chemically similar to adakite but have relatively low negative whole-rock ε_Nd(t)values (?2.4 to ?5.3). We interpret the Early Ordovician to Mid-Devonian magmatic event to reflect combined juvenile crustal growth and crustal reworking processes via episodic mafic underplating and mantle–crust interaction. The Late Devonian episode may signify delamination of the over-thickened Chinese Central Tianshan crust.     

Nd-Sr systematics of metamagmatic rocks of the Anginskaya and Talanchanskaya Formations,middle part of Lake Baikal

The paper presents data on the Nd-Sr systematics of magmatic rocks of the Khaidaiskii Series of the Anginskaya Formation in the Ol’khon region, western Baikal area, and rocks of the Talanchanskaya Formation on the eastern shore of Lake Baikal. Geochemical characteristics of these rocks are identical and testify to their arc provenance. At the same time, the ɛ_Nd^tof rocks of the Khaidaiskii Series in the Ol’khon area has positive values, and the data points of these rocks plot near the mantle succession line in the ɛ_Nd^t-⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr diagram, whereas the ɛ_Nd^t values of rocks of the Talanchanskaya Formation are negative, and the data points of these rocks fall into the fourth quadrant in the ɛ_Nd^t-⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr diagram. This testifies to a mantle genesis of the parental magmas of the Khaidaiskii Series and to the significant involvement of older crustal material in the generation of the melts that produced the orthorocks on the eastern shore of the lake. These conclusions are corroborated by model ages of magmatic rocks in the Ol’khon area (close to 1 Ga) and of rocks of the Talanchanskaya Formation (approximately 2 Ga). The comparison of our data with those obtained by other researchers on the Nd-Sr isotopic age of granulites of the Ol’khon Group and metavolcanics in various structural zones in the northern Baikal area suggests, with regard for the geochemistry of these rocks, the accretion of tectonic nappes that had different isotopic histories: some of them were derived from the mantle wedge and localized in the island arc itself (magmatic rocks of the Anginskaya Formation) or backarc spreading zone (mafic metamagmatic rocks of the Ol’khon Group), while others were partial melts derived, with the participation of crustal material, from sources of various age (metagraywackes in the backarc basin in the Ol’khon Group and the ensialic basement of the island arc in the Talanchanskaya Formation).     

Geochemistry and geochronology of Carboniferous volcanic rocks in the eastern Junggar terrane,NW China: Implication for a tectonic transition

The Carboniferous tectonic setting of the Junggar terrane, northern Xinjiang, NW China, has long been a matter of debate. Voluminous Carboniferous volcanic rocks are widely distributed in the Karamaili area, the southern part of the eastern Junggar terrane. Early Carboniferous rocks comprise basalts and basaltic andesites, with enrichment of LREE and LILE and depletion of HFSE, and uniformly high ε_Nd(t) (+ 3.7 to + 4.0). Late Carboniferous rocks consist of basalts, basaltic andesites, rhyolites and minor dacites, and can be subdivided into basic and felsic groups. The basic rocks are depleted in HFSE, and show variable high ε_Nd(t) (+ 4.8 to + 6.9). They have higher Cr and Ni and lower Na₂O, U and Th contents than early Carboniferous basic rocks. The felsic rocks show A-type affinity, with typical enrichment of alkalis, LREE and HFSE and strong depletion in Ba, Sr, Eu and Ti. They have high values of ε_Nd(t) and zircon ε_Hf(t) (+ 11.6 to + 17.9). New LA-ICPMS zircon U–Pb analyses constrain their emplacement to late Carboniferous time (306.5–314.3 Ma).The Carboniferous basic rocks show negative Zr-Hf anomalies and low Th/Ce (< 0.07) and Th/La (0.06–0.16), excluding significant crustal contamination during magma evolution. They have low La/Ba (0.03–0.12), Ce/Y (< 3) and (Tb/Yb)_N (< 2) and variable Ba/Th (28–318) and Ba/La (3.1–34), suggesting that they were derived from a main spinel with minor garnet lherzolite mantle source metasomatized by slab-derived fluids. The late Carboniferous felsic rocks were produced when upwelling asthenosphere triggered partial melting of juvenile lower crust. The early Carboniferous volcanism occurred in an island-arc setting related to the southward subduction of the Paleo-Junggar Ocean plate, whereas the late Carboniferous rocks erupted in a post-collisional extensional setting. Thus, a rapid tectonic transition from arc to post-collisional extension may have occurred between early and late Carboniferous, and probably resulted from slab break-off or lithospheric delamination.     

Late Cretaceous basalts and rhyolites from Shimaoshan Group in eastern Fujian Province,SE China: age,petrogenesis, and tectonic implications

ABSTRACT

Southeastern China is characterized by an extensive Late Mesozoic (Yanshanian) tectono-magmatic-metallogenic event. Although Late Cretaceous volcanism gradually weakened during the epilogue of the Yanshanian event, its petrogenesis and geodynamic processes remain unclear. In this study, we present new zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopic, whole-rock elemental, and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions data, for volcanic rocks from the Zhaixia Formation of the Shimaoshan Group in Fujian Province. The lower member of the Zhaixia Formation consists of basalts and rhyolites, and the upper member is only rhyolites. These volcanic rocks erupted in the early stage of Late Cretaceous, with basalts erupting earlier (ca. 99–98 Ma) than rhyolites (ca. 98–94 Ma). These basalts record high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic, light rare earth element (LREE)- and LILE-enrichment, high field strength element (HFSE)depletion with negligible Eu anomalies, and uniform whole-rock ε_Nd(t) (–3 to –6) and zircon ε_Hf(t) (–3.3 to –14.1) values. The overlying rhyolites record peraluminous and high-K calc-alkaline characteristics, LREE- and LILE-enrichment with negative Eu anomalies, and Nb–Ta depletion. The whole-rock ε_Nd(t) and zircon ε_Hf(t) values of these rhyolites both increase from the lower member (ε_Nd(t), –1.5 to –4.7; ε_Hf(t), –5.1 to –16.1) to the upper member (ε_Nd(t), –0.5 to 0.1; ε_Hf(t), –0.3 to –4.3). The features imply that these basalts were derived from the partial melting of the enriched lithospheric mantle and the overlying rhyolites from the melting of the crustal components, respectively. Data from the rhyolites in the upper member indicate that more juvenile, Nd–Hf isotopically depleted materials were injected into their source. During the Late Cretaceous, the new, fast rollback of the subducting slab triggered lithospheric extension and asthenospheric upwelling beneath the coastal regions, which induced the melting of lithospheric mantle and crustal components. As continued, the new round of basaltic underplating provided necessary heat to cause partial melting of the deep crust, including the younger, juvenile, and isotopically depleted crustal components.     

Nd isotopic stratigraphy of Paleoproterozoic to late Paleozoic sedimentary strata of the southwestern Yangtze Block and implications for its tectonic evolution

ABSTRACT

A systematic Sm-Nd isotopic study is reported for Paleoproterozoic to Late Paleozoic strata from the Dongchuan area in the southwestern Yangtze Block. The results, combined with the available detrital zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotope data, constrain the provenances of these sedimentary rocks and further identify three important tectono-magmatic activities. Most of the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic samples (Dongchuan Group) display a wide T_DM2 range of 1.92–2.52 Ga with corresponding ε_Nd(t) values of +4.0 to ?3.5, suggesting Paleoproterozoic-dominated provenances mixed with mantle-derived materials. This corresponds to the ~1.7–1.5 Ga mafic magmatic activities commonly occurred in the southwestern Yangtze Block, which are related to the early breakup of the Columbia supercontinent. The obvious vale of T_DM2 and apex of ε_Nd(t) occurred in the Neoproterozoic strata (~0.8 Ga) of the southwestern margin over the whole Yangtze Block. This is consistent with the widely recognized mantle-derived magmatism around the Yangtze Block related to the breakup of Rodinia. However, the decreases in Nd model ages are different among various regions, indicating that the Neoproterozoic mantle inputs are more profound in the southwestern and central Yangtze Block than the southeastern Yangtze and the Jiangnan orogenic belt. The late Ediacaran to early Cambrian strata from the southwestern Yangtze exhibit a decrease in T_DM2 (from 2.00 to 1.67 Ga) and increase in ε_Nd(t) (from ?9.0 to ?5.2). This is in accordance with the coeval juvenile crustal materials discovered in the northwestern Yangtze, which were probably derived from the assembly of the Gondwana continent. Thus, a Gondwanan affinity is suggested for the southwestern Yangtze Block. Overall, the Nd isotopic studies of the Paleoproterozoic to Late Paleozoic sedimentary strata from the southwestern Yangtze Block identified three major episodes of magmatic activities, late Paleoproterozoic (~1.7 Ga), Neoproterozoic (~0.8 Ga) and late Neoproterozoic-early Cambrian (~0.55 Ga) in the context of Columbia, Rodinia and the subsequent Gondwana supercontinents.     

Geochronology, Geochemistry and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf Isotopes of No. I Complex from the Shitoukengde Ni–Cu Sulfide Deposit in the Eastern Kunlun Orogen, Western China: Implications for the Magmatic Source, Geodynamic Setting and Genesis

The Shitoukengde Ni-Cu deposit, located in the Eastern Kunlun Orogen, comprises three mafic–ultramafic complexes, with the No. I complex hosting six Ni-Cu orebodies found recently. The deposit is hosted in the small ultramafic bodies intruding Proterozoic metamorphic rocks. Complexes at Shitoukengde contain all kinds of mafic-ultramafic rocks, and olivine websterite and pyroxene peridotite are the most important Ni-Cu-hosted rocks. Zircon U-Pb dating suggests that the Shitoukengde Ni-Cu deposit formed in late Silurian(426–422 Ma), and their zircons have εHf(t) values of-9.4 to 5.9 with the older T_(DM1) ages(0.80–1.42 Ga). Mafic-ultramafic rocks from the No. I complex show the similar rare earth and trace element patterns, which are enriched in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements(e.g., K, Rb, Th) and depleted in heavy rare earth elements and high field strength elements(e.g., Ta, Nb, Zr, Ti). Sulfides from the deposit have the slightly higher δ~(34)S values of 1.9–4.3‰ than the mantle(0 ± 2‰). The major and trace element characteristics, and Sr-Nd-Pb and Hf, S isotopes indicate that their parental magmas originated from a metasomatised, asthenospheric mantle source which had previously been modified by subduction-related fluids, and experienced significant crustal contamination both in the magma chamber and during ascent triggering S oversaturation by addition of S and Si, that resulted in the deposition and enrichment of sulfides. Combined with the tectonic evolution, we suggest that the Shitoukengde Ni-Cu deposit formed in the post-collisional, extensional regime related to the subducted oceanic slab break-off after the Wanbaogou oceanic basalt plateau collaged northward to the Qaidam Block in late Silurian.     

Geochemistry of Permian Mafic Igneous Rocks from the Napo‐Qinzhou Tectonic Belt in Southwest Guangxi,Southwest China: Implications for Arc‐Back Arc Basin Magmatic Evolution

The Napo-Qinzhou Tectonic Belt (NQTB) lies at the junction of the Yangtze, Cathaysia and Indochina (North Vietnam) Blocks, which is composed of five major lithotectonic subunits: the Qinzhou-Fangcheng Suture Zone (QFSZ), the Shiwandashan Basin (SB), the Pingxiang-Nanning Suture Zone (PNSZ), the Damingshan Block (DB) and the Babu-Lingma Suture Zone (BLSZ). On the basis of geochemical compositions, the Permian mafic igneous rocks can be divided into three distinct groups: (1) mafic igneous rocks (Group 1) from the Longjing region in the PNSZ and Hurun region in the BLSZ, which are characterized by intermediate Ti, P and Zr with low Ni and Cr contents; (2) mafic igneous rocks (Group 2) from the Naxiao and Chongzuo region in the DB, characterized by low-intermediate Ti, P and Zr with high Ni and Cr concentrations; and (3) mafic igneous rocks (Group 3) from the Siming region in the Jingxi carbonate platform of the northwestern margin of the NQTB, with intermediate-high Ti, P and Zr and low Ni and Cr contents. The Group 1 rocks yield a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 250.5±2.8 Ma and are geochemically similar to basalts occurring in back-arc basin settings. The Group 2 rocks exhibit geochemical features to those basalts in island arcs, whereas the Group 3 rocks show geochemical similarity to that of ocean island basalts. All three groups are characterized by relatively low εNd(t) values (–2.61 to +1.10) and high initial 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratios (0.705309–0.707434), indicating that they were derived from a subduction-modified lithospheric mantle and experienced assimilation, fractional crystallization, and crustal contamination or mixing during magmatic evolution. Accordingly, we propose the existence of an arc-back arc basin system that developed along the NQTB at the border of SW Guangxi Province (SW China) and northern Vietnam, and it was formed by continued northwestward subduction of the Cathaysian (or Yunkai) Block under the Yangtze Block, and northeastward subduction of the Indochina Block beneath the Yangtze Block during Permian time.