Geotectonic evolution of the Western Cordillera of Colombia: New aspects from geochemical data on volcanic rocks

The Western Cordillera of Colombia (WCC) is part of the Basic Igneous Complex (BIC), which is one of the world's largest ophiolitic complexes, extending from Costa Rica through Panama and Colombia to Ecuador. Major and trace element data on 32 volcanic rocks from the central and northern parts of the Western Cordillera are presented; no data have been available to date for volcanic rocks from the northern parts of the Western Cordillera. Petrographical and geochemical investigations show that the rocks are altered and have undergone low-grade metamorphism. The subalkaline rocks are represented by tholeiitic basalts, calc-alkaline basic andesites, andesites, and one dacite. It is concluded that a mature oceanic island arc existed in the Cretaceous, in what is now the northern part of the Western Cordillera. The tectonics of the region, particularly the intensive imbrication of the chain, indicates the presence of a paleo-subduction zone with an oceanic island arc that accreted on the old continental margin. These new data, combined with new and previous data from the central part of the BIC of Colombia, suggest that volcanic rocks of the Western Cordillera can be interpreted as allochthonous slabs. These slabs were imbricated with back-arc and fore-arc sediments and tonalitic bodies during the closing of a back-arc basin in northwestern South America and accretion of an oceanic island arc. Oblique subduction accreted these different areas to the continental margin during Late Cretaceous and early Tertiary times. Two plate-tectonic models are proposed: a) development of the calc-alkaline volcanic rocks in the northern parts of the Western Cordillera, separated by tholeiitic rocks, formed along a transform fault represented by the tholeiitic basalts of the central and southern parts of the Western Cordillera; or b) development of an oceanic island arc along the Cretaceous continental margin of northwestern South America. In the central and southern parts of this island arc, accretion took place early and therefore only an island-arc tholeiitic suite was formed.     

East Sakhalin island arc paleosystem of the Sea of Okhotsk region

It has been established that volcanic rocks of the Schmidt, Rymnik, and Terpeniya terranes are fragments of the compound Early to Late Cretaceous-Paleogene East Sakhalin island arc system of the Sea of Okhotsk region. This island arc paleosystem was composed of back-arc volcano-plutonic belt, frontal volcanic island arc, fore-arc, inter-arc, and back-arc basins, and the Sakhalin marginal paleobasin. The continental volcanic rocks dominate in the back-arc volcano-plutonic belt and frontal volcanic island arc. The petrochemical composition of basalts, basaltic andesites, andesites, and trachytes from the frontal island arc formed in submarine conditions are typical of oceanic island arc or marginal sea rocks (IAB). The petrochemical composition of volcanic rocks from the island arc structures indicates its formation on the heterogeneous basement including the continental and oceanic blocks.     

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...     

Geochemistry of Archean Metavolcanic Rocks from Kadiri Schist Belt, Andhra Pradesh, India

The basic volcanic group exposed in the Kadiri schist belt includes high Mg-basalt, basalt, basaltic andestite and dacite. The basalts are tholeiitic in composition and high Mg-basalts, basaltic andesites and dacites show calc-alkaline affinity. Major and trace element characteristics suggest that the volcanic suite has been derived from an initial tholeiitic magma which has given rise to an early basaltic type and a later calc-alkaline type of rocks. An island arc and active continental margin tectonic setting was inferred for these rocks.     

Geochemical structure of the Early Carboniferous volcanic complexes of the Southern Urals

In this paper, the concept of a geochemical structure (Yaroshevskii, 2004) was applied to describe chemical variations in the Early Carboniferous volcanic complexes and their distribution over the tectonic zones of the Southern Urals and Transuralian region in order to clarify the geodynamic settings of their formation. The cluster analysis of a geochemical dataset including 325 analyses of volcanic rocks from the Magnitogorsk, Southern Ural, Transuralian, and Valer’yanovskii tectonic zones allowed us to reduce the geochemical diversity of rocks to eight large geochemical groups. Based on average compositions, these geochemical groups (clusters) can be classed with the following rocks: (1) low-K tholeiitic basalts, (2) high-Ti subalkaline basalts, (3) high-Al subalkaline basalts, (4) subalkaline andesites, (5) subalkaline rhyolites, (6) Na subalkaline rhyolites, (7) potassic subalkaline rhyolites, and (8) high-Al potassic trachyandesibasalts. The distribution of these clusters in tectonic zones of the Southern Urals and Transuralian makes it possible to organize these complexes into four groups. The first group includes a differentiated series from high-Ti subalkaline basalts to sodic subalkaline rhyolites with the predominance of aluminous subalkaline basalts and subalkaline andesites. This group is most widespread in the Magnitogorsk and Valer’yanovskii zones. The second group corresponds to a differentiated series from low-K basalts to Na subalkaline rhyolites with a strong prevalence of high-Ti subalkaline basalts and less abundant aluminous subalkaline basalts. This group is widespread in the Eastern Ural zone. The third group includes subalkaline andesites and rhyolites with subordinate ultrapotassic rhyolites and trachyandesibasalts, which compose the Uya-Novoorenburg suture. The fourth group comprises high-Ti subalkaline basalts occurring in the Transuralian zone. Such a distinct distribution of the geochemical types of volcanic rocks is well consistent with concepts on the formation of the Southern Ural volcanic belts at the East European paleocontinent margin in a Californian-type setting. The Valer’yanovskii belt was formed at the active margin of the Kazakhstan paleocontinent.     

Protoliths of the metamorphic rocks of the Fedorov Complex, Aldan shield: Character, age, and geodynamic environments of origin

Geochemical data indicate that the protoliths of the overwhelming majority of the metamorphic rocks composing the Fedorov Complex in the Aldan granulite megacomplex were volcanic rocks of three groups, which occur in different proportions in the complex: (i) volumetrically predominant (no less than 90%) continuous differentiated island-arc basalt-andesite-dacite-rhyolite series, (ii) within-plate basalts, whose composition was similar to that of low-Ti traps, and (iii) basalts of composition similar to that of continentalrift basalts. The U-Pb zircon crystallization age of the metamorphosed basaltic andesites of the Fedorov Complex was estimated at 2006 ± 3 Ma, which testifies, when considered together with preexisting geochronological data, that the complex was produced during a time span of no longer than 25 m.y. A model is proposed according to which the complex was produced within the geodynamic system of the active continental margin of the Olekma-Aldan continental microplate and the Fedorov island arc.     

CHARACTERISTICS OF VOLCANIC ROCKS AND ITS TECTONIC SETTING IN WESTERN PART OF LAZHULONG-JINSAJIANG STRUCTURAL BELT

CHARACTERISTICS OF VOLCANIC ROCKS AND ITS TECTONIC SETTING IN WESTERN PART OF LAZHULONG-JINSAJIANG STRUCTURAL BELT     

准噶尔盆地东北缘石炭系火山岩形成机制:对准噶尔洋盆闭合时限的新启示

准噶尔古大洋作为古亚洲洋北部的重要分支及阶段性演化产物,其洋盆的俯冲、闭合时限以及盆地基底属性一直存在分歧。本文选取准噶尔盆地东北缘(乌伦古地区)石炭系火山岩来说明其岩浆来源及成因机制,通过主微量元素、Sr-Nd同位素分析结果,进一步阐明准噶尔洋盆在晚古生代的闭合时限。本次研究包括玄武岩、玄武质安山岩和安山岩三类火山岩,岩体显示低TiO₂(0.60%~0.84%)、较高的全碱K₂O+Na₂O含量(1.18%~8.59%),玄武岩为岛弧拉斑系列,安山岩类的钙碱元素含量高,具有火山弧火山岩特征。中-低⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_(i)(0.703 250~0.704 559)、相对亏损的Nd同位素(+4.8~+6.8)以及t_DM2(483~625 Ma)值表明玄武岩、玄武质安山岩和安山岩同为亏损地幔熔融岩浆分异结晶的产物,安山岩为地幔熔融岩浆后期分离结晶形成;微量元素与同位素地球化学示踪暗示玄武岩、玄武质安山岩和安山岩含有洋壳俯冲过程的脱水流体交代上覆地幔楔的消减组分,安山岩在深部岩浆房经历了壳-幔混合作用,受地壳成分的混染程度更大。大离子亲石元素(LILE)Ba、Sr和轻稀土元素、不相容元素(Th、U、K)相对富集,高场强元素(HFSE)Nb、Ta相对亏损,以及Pb、Zr、Hf的富集,说明该区属于与俯冲消减带相关的构造背景;结合本套火山岩高Ba/La(30.14~208.86)值、低TiO₂(0.60%~0.84%)值,以及Ce/Nb比(8.71~12.05)、Th/Nb比(0.93~1.74)等,表明准噶尔洋盆于石炭纪沿着大陆板块下部持续俯冲,洋壳板片的俯冲脱水流体交代地幔楔后增生岛弧。该套中-基性火山岩建造佐证了准噶尔洋盆闭合时限为晚石炭世(ca. 305.5±4.4 Ma),结合区域地质资料分析,提出与俯冲带有关的岩浆通过岛弧拼贴增生到大陆地壳上,进一步为准噶尔盆地基底的岛弧拼贴成因提供了新依据。     

全球幔源岩Pb-Sr-Nd同位素体系

根据各种同位素数据库得到的3万多个晚古生代以来的幔源岩(包括洋中脊玄武岩、洋岛玄武岩、岛弧火山岩、大陆与大洋溢流玄武岩以及大陆板内玄武岩)Pb-Sr-Nd同位素资料和图解分析,对各类火山岩的源区以及地幔的垂向与横向不均一性问题作了进一步讨论。笔者认为不存在具有公共性质的EM1、EM2和HIMU地幔端员,它们的源区可能来自上、下地幔过渡带,只在局部地区出现,独一无二。PREMA(FOZO)则是洋岛玄武岩和溢流玄武岩公共端员。DUAPAL异常现象不只是在洋中脊玄武岩中出现,在洋岛玄武岩、岛弧火山岩和大洋溢流玄武岩中也存在同步的地球化学分区现象。溢流玄武岩的同位素体系特征表明它们的源区涉及再循环地幔的壳幔混合、岩石圈减压熔融、上—下地幔过渡带和似原始-略亏损的下地幔。Pb同位素体系为鉴别俯冲带的存在提供了更严格的证据,这种鉴别表明,安第斯弧火山作用不是洋陆俯冲带产生的。     

新疆三塘湖盆地晚古生代火山岩地球化学特征及构造环境

新疆三塘湖盆了的早石炭世玄武岩类岩石，具有Ａｌ２Ｏ３含量高，铁含量低，ＴｉＯ２含量低，大离子亲石元素及轻稀土元素富集的钙碱性系列特点，利用图式差别表明，该区在早石炭世入于岛弧的的构造环境，早二叠世安山岩的岩石化学特征，稀土元素和微量元素丰度具碱系列中的高钾造山安山岩特征，与安第斯活动大陆边缘安山岩的元素特征相似，证实三塘湖地区在早二叠世时期处于西伯亚利亚板块活动陆缘的构造环境。     

Composition,sources, and mechanisms of formation of the continental crust of the Lake zone of the Central Asian Caledonides. II. Geochemical and Nd isotope data

Part II of this paper reports geochemical and Nd isotope characteristics of the volcanogenic and siliceous-terrigenous complexes of the Lake zone of the Central Asian Caledonides and associating granitoids of various ages. Geological, geochronological, geochemical, and isotopic data were synthesized with application to the problems of the sources and main mechanisms of continental crust formation and evolution for the Caledonides of the Central Asian orogenic belt. It was found that the juvenile sialic crust of the Lake zone was formed during the Vendian-Cambrian (approximately 570–490 Ma) in an environment of intraoceanic island arcs and oceanic islands from depleted mantle sources with the entrainment of sedimentary crustal materials into subduction zones and owing to the accretion processes of the amalgamation of paleoceanic and island arc complexes and Precambrian microcontinents, which terminated by ∼490 Ma. The source of primary melts for the low-Ti basalts, andesites, and dacites of the Lake zone ophiolites and island arc complexes was mainly the depleted mantle wedge above a subduction zone. In addition, an enriched plume source contributed to the genesis of the high-Ti basalts and gabbroids of oceanic plateaus. The source of terrigenous rocks associating with the volcanics was composed of materials similar in composition to the country rocks at a minor and varying role of ancient crustal materials introduced into the ocean basin owing to the erosion of Precambrian microcontinents. The sedimentary rocks of the accretionary prism were derived by the erosion of mainly juvenile island arc sources with a minor contribution of rocks of the mature continental crust. The island arc and accretion stages of the development of the Lake zone (∼540–590 Ma) were accompanied by the development of high- and low-alumina sodic granitoids through the melting at various depths of depleted mantle reservoirs (metabasites of a subducted oceanic slab and a mantle wedge) and at the base of the island arc at the subordinate role of ancient crustal rocks. The melts of the postaccretion granitoids of the Central Asian Caledonides were derived mainly from the rocks of the juvenile Caledonian crust at an increasing input of an ancient crustal component owing to the tectonic mixing of the rocks of ophiolitic and island arc complexes and microcontinents. The obtained results indicate that the Vendian-Early Paleozoic stage of the evolution of the Central Asian orogenic belt was characterized by the extensive growth of juvenile continental crust and allow us to distinguish a corresponding stage of juvenile crust formation.     

湖南前寒武纪火山岩地球化学特征及产出构造环境

湖南前寒武纪火山岩有中元古代活动陆缘（初始）岛孤拉斑玄武岩，新元古代被动陆缘裂谷碱性玄武岩（次火山岩），及活动陆缘—（成熟）岛孤拉斑系—钙碱系—碱性系之火山岩套，其中的基性岩构成复理石冲断岩片，为地体的分界标志。     

全球洋岛和洋底高原海山中的中酸性岩——数据挖掘及其意义

洋岛类型的海山和洋底高原类型的海山主要由玄武岩组成, 中酸性岩出露很少, 因此很少引起学术界的关注。 我们认为即便中酸性岩很少, 研究他们也是很有意义的, 因为这些中酸性岩不仅可能与洋岛和洋底高原玄武岩的构造背景有关, 也可能与洋岛和洋底高原在形成中酸性岩时的温度和压力变化有关, 这对正确认识洋岛和洋底高原形成的地球动力学背景是很有意义的。 本次研究收集了 GEOROC 数据库中的数据总量为 44 404 个, 经过清洗留下有效数据 3 908 个, 分为洋岛中酸性岩（OIG）、洋底高原中酸性岩（OPG）和洋底高原中酸性岩中的岛弧部分（OPAG）3 类。 学术界通常认为, 洋岛代表热点, 洋底高原温度相对较低, 属于大火成岩省。 然而, 本文对全球洋岛和洋底高原的中酸性岩浆岩的研究表明, 分布在洋岛和洋底高原的中酸性岩主要是板内环境的富碱性的粗面岩和碱性流纹岩, 洋底高原边缘可能受俯冲带的影响, 部分中酸性岩具有岛弧的地球化学特征。 按照中酸性岩的 Sr-Yb 分类, 可知洋岛中酸性岩大多属于南岭型和广西型, 洋底高原海山中酸性岩主要属于南岭型, 广西型很少, 指示洋底高原中酸性岩形成的深度比洋岛浅, 温度也比洋岛低, 同时表明中酸性岩大多形成的压力较低而温度很高, 指示伴有高热中酸性岩的洋岛和洋底高原是地球上的热点。 本文认为, 洋岛和洋底高原中酸性岩并非学术界普遍认为的是玄武岩和碧玄岩分离结晶形成的, 因为洋岛和洋底高原岩浆岩如果是双峰式分布的话, 则不大可能是分离结晶的, 其中的酸性岩部分可能是玄武岩部分熔融形成的。 同时有些岩浆演化的关系表明, 中酸性岩在哈克图解中与玄武岩受不同因素制约, 说明并非演化的关系。     

北山石炭纪-二叠纪火山岩成因及构造背景

北山古生代火山岩尤其是石炭纪-二叠纪火山岩的形成环境及成因备受学者关注且长期以来存在争议。本文收集了近年来发表的关于北山石炭纪-二叠纪火山岩研究的地球化学数据,岩石地球化学特征显示北山石炭纪玄武岩主要为安山玄武岩,属拉斑系列,二叠纪火山岩主要为安山玄武岩和亚碱性玄武岩,落入拉斑系列及过渡区;石炭纪玄武岩和二叠纪玄武岩均具有LREE富集的球粒陨石标准化稀土元素配分模式,轻重稀土元素分馏程度均较低。在微量元素蛛网图上,石炭纪-二叠纪遭受地壳混染的玄武岩呈现出明显的Nb-Ta亏损和微弱的Ti亏损特征,而未遭受地壳混染作用的绝大多数石炭纪-二叠纪玄武岩主要呈现出与OIB相似的"隆起"状不相容元素标准化配分模式。岩石成因分析认为,石炭纪-二叠纪玄武质岩浆可能主要来源于地幔柱,部分石炭纪-二叠纪玄武岩在形成演化过程中遭受了明显的大陆地壳混染作用,导致其出现十分相似于岛弧或活动大陆边缘的地球化学特征。结合区域构造演化分析及构造环境判别,认为石炭纪-二叠纪玄武岩均形成于大陆板内环境。     

Early–Middle Ordovician volcanism along the eastern margin of the Xing’an Massif,Northeast China: constraints on the suture location between the Xing’an and Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range massifs

We present new zircon U–Pb and Hf isotopic as well as whole-rock geochemical data for volcanic rocks from the eastern margin of the Xing’an Massif, Northeast China, in order to further our understanding of the suture location between the Xing’an and Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range massifs. Zircon secondary ion mass spectrometry U–Pb dating indicates that the volcanic rocks formed during the Early–Middle Ordovician (473–463 Ma). Compared with the coeval Moguqi basalts (rare earth element [REE] = 171–183 ppm; εHf_(t) = +0.3 to +2.7; T_DM1 = 1074–977 Ma), the Duobaoshan andesites exhibit lower overall REE abundances (109–131 ppm) with relatively high heavy REE contents, stronger high-field-strength element depletion, higher εHf_(t) values (+13.0 to +14.8), and much younger T_DM1 ages (559–484 Ma). This suggests that the primary magma for the andesites was generated by the partial melting of a relatively depleted mantle wedge that was metasomatized by subduction-related fluids. The primary magma for the basalts in the Moguqi area was probably derived from the partial melting of a relatively enriched lithospheric mantle that was also modified by fluids sourced from a subducted slab. These interpretations suggest that the andesites in Duobaoshan formed in a newly accreted island arc setting, whereas the coeval basalts in Moguqi formed along an active continental margin. We therefore attribute the Early–Middle Ordovician volcanism along the eastern margin of the Xing’an Massif to the northwestward subduction of the Nenjiang–Heihe oceanic plate beneath the Xing’an Massif. Furthermore, considering coeval igneous activity in the southern parts of the Xing’an Massif, we suggest that a magmatic arc existed along the margin of the Xing’an Massif in the early Palaeozoic (490–420 Ma). We conclude that the location of the suture between the Xing’an and Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range massifs runs from Airgin Sum, via south of Xilinhot, to Ulanhot, Moguqi, Nenjiang, and finally Heihe.     

Dissimilarity of Continental and Oceanic Rock Types1

Recent papers cite the similarity of rocks, particularly andesites,in continental and oceanic regions, but the similarity is primarilyone of name. The oceanic ‘andesites’ belong to thealkaline suite, whereas the typical continental andesites arecalc alkaline and hyperstheneor hornblende-bearing. To avoidfurther confusion it is suggested that the name ‘andesite’for the oceanic rocks be replaced by the names hawaiite andmugearite. Whatever name is used, it is essential to emphasizethe difference between the oceanic ‘andesites’ andthe andesites of continental orogenic regions. All members of the oceanic suite are present also in continentalregions, but the calc alkaline rocks characteristic of orogenicregions on the continents are absent within the true ocean basins,except in island arcs near the continents that were formerlyregarded as the continental border.     

全球新生代安山岩构造环境有关问题探讨

20世纪70～80年代,以Pearce为代表的一批科学家先后提出了玄武岩和花岗岩的构造环境判别图,将构造环境与岩石地球化学特征有机地结合起来,为岩浆岩大地构造环境研究开辟了新途径。但学术界对全球广布的安山岩构造环境及相关地球化学特征问题的讨论则相对不足。本文利用GEOROC 和PetDB 两个数据库对全球新生代安山岩进行数据挖掘,讨论了它们的地球化学特征及形成环境。初步将全球新生代安山岩归属为12个形成构造环境,其中67.71%产出于岛弧、陆缘弧等汇聚板块边缘环境,其余安山岩则形成于大陆板内、大陆溢流、洋岛、大陆裂谷、洋中脊等构造环境。研究表明,常用的玄武岩微量元素判别图以及LILE/HFSE 玄武岩判别图均在一定程度上可用于安山岩成因及环境判别, 暗示安山岩地球化学成分也可用于构造环境的判定。采用大数据思维,探索洋岛安山岩（OIA）和岛弧安山岩（IAA）中地球化学元素的关联关系,从获得的近20 000 个OIA-IAA 判别图中选出lg（Cs/Ta）-lg（Cu/Ta）、lg（CaO/Nb）-lg（Cs/Zr）和lg（Cu/Ta）-lg（Co/Nb）等6个图解,能有效限定它们的构造环境,为安山岩成因及形成环境研究提供了新的思路。这些初步成果说明科学大数据的研究方法可成为岩浆岩构造环境及地球化学研究中的重要有效手段。     

藏东南碧土带瓦浦组火山岩形成的大地构造环境

首次对藏东南原称的瓦浦组进行系统的岩石化学研究 ,发现它包括了两套不同时代和大地构造环境下形成的火山岩。瓦浦组火山熔岩由下部的玄武岩夹玄武安山岩和上部的流纹岩组成 ,是古特提斯洋盆中的洋岛火山岩 ,其时代初定为早二叠世—晚二叠世早期。在觉马—巴格和扎西所见的岩层是以钙质浊积岩为主的火山 -沉积岩系 ,火山岩为岛弧拉斑玄武岩 ,属晚三叠世早期活动大陆边缘产物。上述发现为碧土带是复杂的造山带拼贴体、古特提斯主洋盆是开阔的多岛洋和晚三叠世活动大陆边缘可能属马里亚纳型提供了重要证据     

Geochemistry of subalkaline and alkaline extrusives from the Kermanshah ophiolite,Zagros Suture Zone,Western Iran: implications for Tethyan plate tectonics

The Kermanshah ophiolite is a highly dismembered ophiolite complex that is located in western Iran and belongs to the Zagros orogenic system. The igneous rocks of this complex consist of both mantle and crustal suites and include peridotites (dunite and harzburgite), cumulate gabbros, diorites, and a volcanic sequence that exhibits a wide range in composition from subalkaline basalts to alkaline basalts to trachytes. The associated sedimentary rocks include a variety of Upper Triassic to Lower Cretaceous deep- and shallow-water sedimentary rocks (e.g., dolomite, limestone, and pelagic sediments, including umber). Also present are extensive units of radiolarian chert. The geochemical data clearly identifies some of the volcanic rocks to have formed from two distinct types of basaltic melts: (i) those of the subalkaline suite, which formed from an initial melt with a light rare earth elements (LREE) enriched signature and incompatible trace element patterns that suggest an island arc affinity; and (ii) those of the alkaline suite with LREE-enriched signature and incompatible trace element patterns that are virtually identical to typical oceanic island basalt (OIB) pattern. The data also suggests that the trachytes were derived from the alkaline source, with fractionation controlled by extensive removal of plagioclase and to a lesser extent clinopyroxene. The presence of compositionally diverse volcanics together with the occurrence of a variety of Triassic–Cretaceous sedimentary rocks and radiolarian chert indicate that the studied volcanic rocks from the Kermanshah ophiolite represent off-axis volcanic units that were formed in intraplate oceanic island and island arc environments in an oceanic basin. They were located on the eastern and northern flanks of one of the spreading centers of a ridge-transform fault system that connected Troodos to Oman prior to its subduction under the Eurasian plate.     

Geochemistry and Crustal Evolution of Volcano-sedimentary Successions and Orthogneisses in the São Gabriel Block, Southernmost Brazil — Relics of Neoproterozoic Magmatic Arcs

Precambrian metaplutonic rocks of the São Gabriel block in southernmost Brazil comprise juvenile Neoproterozoic calc-alkaline gneisses (Cambaí Complex). The connection with associated (ultra-)mafic metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks (Palma Group) is not well established. The whole complex was deformed during the Brasiliano orogenic cycle. Both metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks as well as metaplutonic rocks of the Cambaí Complex have been sampled for geochemical analyses in order to get constraints on the tectonic setting of these rocks and to establish a tectonic model for the São Gabriel block and its role during the assembly of West-Gondwana. The major element compositions of the igneous rocks (Palma Group and Cambaí Complex) indicate a subalkaline character; most orthogneisses have a calc-alkaline chemistry; many metavolcanic rocks of the Palma Group show signatures of low-K tholeiitic volcanic arc basalts. Trace element data, especially Ti, Zr, Y, Nb, of most igneous samples from both the lower Palma Group and the Cambaí Complex indicate origin at plate margins, i.e., in a subduction zone environment. This is corroborated by relative enrichment in LREE, low contents of Nb and other high field strength elements and enrichment in LILE like Rb, Ba, and Th. The data indicate the possible existence of two suites, an oceanic island arc and a continental arc or active continental margin. However, some ultramafic samples of the lower Palma Group in the western São Gabriel block indicate the existence of another volcanic suite with intra-plate character which possibly represents relics of oceanic island basalts (OIB). Trace element data indicate contributions from andesitic to mixed felsic and basic arc sources for the metasedimentary rocks. The patterns of chondrite- and N-MORB-normalized spider diagrams resemble the patterns of the igneous rocks, i.e., LILE and LREE enrichment and HFS depletion. The geochemical signatures of most igneous and metasedimentary samples and their low (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_t ratios suggest only minor contribution of old continental crust.A geotectonic model for the São Gabriel block comprises east-ward subduction and following accretion of an intra-oceanic island arc to the eastern border of the Rio de la Plata Craton at ca. 880 Ma, and westward subduction beneath the newly formed active continental margin between ca. 750 and 700 Ma. The São Gabriel block represents relics of an early Brasiliano oceanic basin between the Rio de la Plata and Kalahari Cratons. This ocean to the east of the Rio de la Plata Craton might be traced to the north and could possibly be linked with Neoproterozoic juvenile oceanic crust in the western Brasília belt (Goiás magmatic arc).