Cretaceous A-type volcanic–intrusive rocks and simultaneous mafic rocks along the Gan-Hang Tectonic Belt,Southeast China: petrogenesis and implications for the transition of crust–mantle interaction

ABSTRACT

Abundant evidence points to the Cretaceous crust–mantle interaction and plate subduction in the Gan-Hang Tectonic Belt (GHTB), southeastern China, but the evolutionary process remains poorly constrained. Here we conduct a comprehensive study on Daqiaowu granitic porphyry and diabase dikes in the eastern GHTB, in conjunction with previous studies on simultaneous felsic and mafic rocks along the GHTB, to demonstrate their petrogenesis and geodynamic evolutionary process. The Daqiaowu granitic porphyry (125 Ma), as well as the coeval granitic rocks, exhibits high zircon saturation temperatures, alkalis, 10⁴*Ga/Al ratios, and Zr + Nb + Ce + Y contents, concluding a distinctive belt of the Early Cretaceous (~137–125 Ma) A-type volcanic–intrusive rocks in the GHTB. Their ε_Nd(t) and zircon ε_Hf(t) values gradually increased through time from approximately ?9.0 to ?1.0 and ?10.0 to +4.0, respectively, implying increasing contribution of mantle-derived components to their formation, and hence progressively intensified crust–mantle interaction in an intra-arc rift environment (a geodynamic transition stage from continental arc to back-arc) during the Early Cretaceous. This plausibility is further supported by the Early Cretaceous Daqiaowu diabase dikes and coeval mafic rocks which exhibit arc-like magmatic signatures and were derived from mantle wedge. In contrast, the Late Cretaceous mafic rocks show ocean island basalt-like geochemical characteristics, reflecting a depleted asthenosphere mantle source. This discrepancy of mantle sources concludes that the geodynamic setting in the GHTB may have basically transferred to back-arc regime in the Late Cretaceous. Thus, the Cretaceous geodynamic evolutionary process in the GHTB can be defined as the Early Cretaceous gradually intensified crust–mantle interaction in a geodynamic transition stage (from continental arc to back-arc extension) and the Late Cretaceous back-arc extensional setting.     

Relationships between Kuroko volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits, felsic volcanism, and island arc development in the northeast Honshu arc, Japan

The northeast (NE) Honshu arc was formed by three major volcano-tectonic events resulting from Late Cenozoic orogenic movement: continental margin volcanism (before 21?Ma), seafloor basaltic lava flows and subsequent bimodal volcanism accompanied by back-arc rifting (21 to 14?Ma), and felsic volcanism related to island arc uplift (12 to 2?Ma). Eight petrotectonic domains, parallel to the NE Honshu arc, were formed as a result of the eastward migration of volcanic activity with time. Major Kuroko volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits are located within the eastern marginal rift zone (Kuroko rift) that formed in the final period of back-arc rifting (16 to 14?Ma). Volcanic activity in the NE Honshu arc is divided into six volcanic stages. The eruption volumes of volcanic rocks have gradually decreased from 4,600?km³ (per 1?my for a 200-km-long section along the arc) of basaltic lava flows in the back-arc spreading stage to 1,000?C2,000?km³ of bimodal hyaloclastites in the back-arc rift stage, and about 200?km³ of felsic pumice eruptions in the island arc stage. The Kuroko VMS deposits were formed at the time of abrupt decrease in the eruption volume and change in the mode of occurrence of the volcanic rocks during the final period of back-arc rifting. In the area of the Kuroko rift, felsic volcanism changed from aphyric or weakly plagioclase phyric (before 14?Ma), to quartz and plagioclase phyric with minor clinopyroxene (12 to 8?Ma), to hornblende phyric (after 8?Ma), and hornblende and biotite phyric (after 4?Ma). The Kuroko VMS deposits are closely related to the aphyric rhyolitic activity before 14?Ma. The rhyolite was generated at a relatively high temperature from a highly differentiated part of felsic magma seated at a relatively great depth and contains higher Nb, Ce, and Y contents than the post-Kuroko felsic volcanism. The Kuroko VMS deposits were formed within a specific tectonic setting, at a specific period, and associated with a particular volcanism of the arc evolution process. Therefore, detailed study of the evolutional process from rift opening to island arc tectonics is very important for the exploration of Kuroko-type VMS deposits.     

What processes at mid-ocean ridges tell us about volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits

Episodic seafloor spreading, ridge topography, and fault movement at ridges find (more extreme) analogs in the arc and back-arc setting where the volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits that we mine today were formed. The factors affecting sulfide accumulation efficiency and the extent to which sulfides are concentrated spatially are the same in both settings, however. The processes occurring at mid-ocean ridges therefore provide a useful insight into those producing VMS deposits in arcs and back-arcs. The critical observation investigated here is that all the heat introduced by seafloor spreading at mid-ocean ridges is carried out of the crust within a few hundred meters of the ridge axis by ??350°C hydrothermal fluids. The high-temperature ridge hydrothermal systems are tied to the presence of magma at the ridge axis and greatly reduce the size and control the shape of axial magma intrusions. The amount of heat introduced to each square kilometer of ocean crust during its formation can be calculated, and its removal by high-temperature convection allows calculation of the total base metal endowment of the ocean basins. Using reasonable metal deposition efficiencies, we conclude that the ocean floor is a giant VMS district with metal resources >600 times the total known VMS reserves on land and a copper resource which would last >6,000?years at current production rates.     

Petrogenesis of Sierra Nevada plutons inferred from the Sr, Nd, and O isotopic signatures of mafic igneous complexes in Yosemite Valley, California

Mafic complexes in the central Sierra Nevada batholith record valuable geochemical information regarding the role mafic magmas play in arc magmatism and the generation of continental crust. In the intrusive suite of Yosemite Valley, major and trace element compositions of the hornblende-bearing gabbroic rocks from the Rockslides mafic complex and of the mafic dikes in the North America Wall are compositionally similar to high-alumina basalt. Of these rocks, two samples have higher Ni and Cr abundances as well as higher ε_Nd values than previously recognized for the intrusive suite. Plagioclase crystals in rocks from the North America Wall and the Rockslides have prominent calcic cores and sharply defined sodic rims, a texture commonly associated with mixing of mafic and felsic magmas. In situ analyses of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr in plagioclase show no significant isotopic difference from the cores to the rims of these grains. We propose that the high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (~0.7067) and low ε_Nd (~?3.4) of bulk rocks, the homogeneity of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr in plagioclase, and the high δ¹⁸O values of bulk rocks (6.6–7.3 ‰) and zircon (Lackey et al. in J Petrol 49:1397–1426, 2008) demonstrate that continental crust was assimilated into the sublithospheric mantle-derived basaltic precursors of the mafic rocks in Yosemite Valley. Contamination (20–40 %) likely occurred in the lower crust as the magma differentiated to high-alumina basalt prior to plagioclase (and zircon) crystallization. As a consequence, the isotopic signatures recorded by whole rocks, plagioclase, and zircon do not represent the composition of the underlying lithospheric mantle. We conclude that the mafic and associated felsic members of the intrusive suite of Yosemite Valley represent 60–80 % new additions to the crust and include significant quantities of recycled ancient crust.     

内蒙古贺根山蛇绿岩中玄武岩锆石U-Pb年龄、地球化学特征及其地质意义

贺根山蛇绿岩（套）中发育有气孔杏仁状玄武岩,为蛇绿岩套的组成部分。通过对其锆石U-Pb测年,其加权平均年龄为395.9 Ma±3.0 Ma,结合区域地质背景,认为贺根山蛇绿岩（套）形成时代为中泥盆世—早石炭世。玄武岩为亚碱性系列,具有LREE亏损、类似N-MORB的稀土配分模式,同时具备大洋玄武岩和岛弧玄武岩特征,认为贺根山蛇绿岩（套）应形成于弧后盆地;通过与现代典型Mariana洋内弧后盆地和Okinawa陆缘弧后盆地的玄武岩以及同属中亚造山带的新疆库尔提洋内弧后盆地蛇绿岩对比,发现贺根山玄武岩同Mariana玄武岩和库尔提蛇绿岩更加类似,由此认为贺根山蛇绿岩（套）很可能形成于洋内弧后盆地环境,而非大陆边缘弧后盆地环境。     

Review Section

ABSTRACT

The petrology, geochronology, and geochemistry of the early Permian volcanic rocks from Houtoumiao area, south Xiwuqi County in central Inner Mongolia of China, are studied to elucidate the early Permian tectonic setting of the region. The volcanic rocks, which are interbedded with sandstone, feature both mafic and felsic compositions and show a bimodal nature. Zircon U–Pb dating reveals that the volcanic rocks formed at 274–278 Ma, similar to the ages of bimodal magmatism in neighbouring areas. The mafic rocks are composed of tholeiitic basalt, basaltic andesite, basaltic trachyandesite, and trachyandesite. They are rich in Th, U, and LILEs, depleted in HFSEs Nb, Ta, and Ti, and have positive ε_Nd(t) values (+3.6 to +7.9). Geochemical analyses indicate that the mafic rocks originated from metasomatized lithospheric mantle. The felsic volcanic rocks are mainly rhyolite, with minor trachyte and dacite. They have different evolutionary tendencies of major elements, chondrite-normalized REE patterns, and isotopic compositions from the mafic volcanic rocks, which preclude formation by fractional crystallization of mafic melts. The ε_Nd(t) values of the felsic rocks are similar to those of the Carboniferous Baolidao arc rocks in the region. It is suggested that Permian felsic melts originated from the partial melting of Carboniferous juvenile arc-related rocks. By comparison with typical Cenozoic bimodal volcanism associated with several tectonic settings, including rift, post-collisional setting, back-arc basin, and the Basin and Range, USA, the bimodal volcanic rocks in central Inner Mongolia display similar petrological and geochemical characteristics to the rocks from back-arc basin and the Basin and Range, USA. Based on the analysis of regional geological data, it is inferred that the early Permian bimodal volcanic rocks in the study area formed on an extensional continental margin of the Siberian palaeoplate after late Carboniferous subduction–accretion.     

Geochemistry of late Paleozoic mafic igneous rocks from the Kuerti area,Xinjiang, northwest China: implications for backarc mantle evolution

The composition of Kuerti mafic rocks in the Altay Mountains in northwest China ranges from highly geochemically depleted, with very low La, Ta and Nb and high ε_Nd(t) values, to slightly enriched, arc lava-like composition. They display flat to light rare earth element (REE)-depleted patterns and have variable depletions in high field-strength elements (HFSE). These mafic rocks were most probably derived from a variably depleted mantle source containing a subduction component beneath an ancient intra-oceanic backarc basin. Together with the slightly older arc volcanic rocks in the Altay region, the Kuerti mafic rocks display generally positive correlations of their key elemental ratios (e.g., Th/Nb, La/Yb and Th/Yb). These indicate that the more mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) component was contained in these magmas, the less arc component was present in their mantle source. Therefore, we propose a two-stage melting evolution model to interpret the compositional evolution of the Kuerti mafic rocks and associated arc volcanic rocks. First, arc basaltic melts were extracted from the hydrated arc mantle wedge beneath Kuerti, leaving behind a mantle source that is variably depleted in incompatible trace elements. Then, mafic rocks were erupted during seafloor spreading in the Kuerti backarc basin from the upwelling asthenospheric mantle. The variably depleted mantle source produced mafic rocks with composition ranging from arc lava-like to more geochemically depleted than MORB. The recognition of Kuerti mafic rocks as backarc basin basalts (BABB) is consistent with the proposed tectonic model that an active backarc basin–island arc system along the paleo-Asian ocean margin was formed in the Altay region during Devonian–Early Carboniferous. New data further indicate that the final orogenic event in the Altay Mountains, i.e. the collision of the north and south continental plates in the region, most probably took place in Late Carboniferous and Permian.     

Early Proterozoic bimodal volcanic rocks in central Colorado,U.S.A., Part II: Geochemistry,petrogenesis and tectonic setting

The early Proterozoic supracrustal rocks of the Salida area of central Colorado consist of strongly bimodal sequences of volcanogenic rocks. The mafic rocks — basalts, basaltic volcaniclastics, and related gabbro sheets — are distinctly tholeiitic, display a strong iron-enrichment trend, and typically contain less than 50% SiO₂. The felsites are rhyolites to dacites and contain more than 70% SiO₂.Major and trace element modeling show that the mafic rocks underwent two stages of crystal fractionation, the first involving olivine and plagioclase, the second involving plagioclase and clinopyroxene. Fractionation occurred within individual injections as they rose toward the surface rather than in a single magma chamber at depth. Field relations and major element data support the derivation of the felsic rocks from a magma generated by anatexis of sialic crust. However, the low Sr and high heavy REE concentrations in these rocks are not compatible with a partial melting model and suggest that the felsic volcanic rocks could have been derived by extensive fractional crystallization of the mafic magma.Normalized trace element abundances and trace element ratios of the mafic rocks are most like continental flood basalts such as the Columbia River basalts. They also display some similarity to immature back-arc basin tholeiites developed on continental crust, such as those of the Sarmiento complex. The felsic rocks have strong chemical affinities to within-plate rhyolites rather than calc-alkaline rhyolites from orogenic areas. The chemical data, as well as the petrographic, stratigraphic, and regional field data all indicate that the early Proterozoic supracrustal rocks of the Salida area developed along a continental margin, probably within an immature back-arc basin underlain by sialic crust. Remnants of the arc system of similar age may lie to the south in northern New Mexico and southwestern Colorado.     

High-K calc-alkaline plutonism in Zouzan, NE of Lut block, Eastern Iran: An evidence for arc related magmatism in Cenozoic

The Zouzan pluton is one of the intrusive bodies in the NE of Lut block enclosed by Cenozoic volcanic and sedimentary rocks. It consists of two distinct mafic and felsic magmas which are genetically unrelated. All studied rocks are calc-alkaline in nature, with LILE/REE and HFSE/REE ratios compatible with arc related magmatism. Mafic phase has dioritic composition emplaced as small stocks in felsic rocks. Geochemical characteristics in dioritic rocks (relatively high contents of incompatible elements, low Na₂O and Mg#>44) suggest they were derived from partial melting of metabasalt sources in a subduction settings. Felsic phase composed of granodiorite to granite rocks with high-K calcalkaline metaluminous to slightly peraluminous signature. Major and trace element data exclude high pressure melting and metasedimentary parental in the formation of Zouzan felsic rocks. They have been formed by partial melting of mantle-derived mafic rocks. Field relation, petrographical evidences and chemical composition show that partial melting of a mantle wedge in conjunction with magma mixing and crystal fractionation would have led to generation of Zouzan pluton.     

Growing primordial continental crust self-consistently in global mantle convection models

The majority of continental crust formed during the hotter Archean was composed of Tonalite-Trondhjemite-Granodiorite (TTG) rocks. In contrast to the present-day loci of crust formation around subduction zones and intra-plate tectonic settings, TTGs are formed when hydrated basalt melts at garnet-amphibolite, granulite or eclogite facies conditions. Generating continental crust requires a two step differentiation process. Basaltic magma is extracted from the pyrolytic mantle, is hydrated, and then partially melts to form continental crust. Here, we parameterise the melt production and melt extraction processes and show self-consistent generation of primordial continental crust using evolutionary thermochemical mantle convection models. To study the growth of TTG and the geodynamic regime of early Earth, we systematically vary the ratio of intrusive (plutonic) and eruptive (volcanic) magmatism, initial core temperature, and internal friction coefficient. As the amount of TTG that can be extracted from the basalt (or basalt-to-TTG production efficiency) is not known, we also test two different values in our simulations, thereby limiting TTG mass to 10% or 50% of basalt mass. For simulations with lower basalt-to-TTG production efficiency, the volume of TTG crust produced is in agreement with net crustal growth models but overall crustal (basaltic and TTG) composition stays more mafic than expected from geochemical data. With higher production efficiency, abundant TTG crust is produced, with a production rate far exceeding typical net crustal growth models but the felsic to mafic crustal ratio follows the expected trend. These modelling results indicate that (i) early Earth exhibited a “plutonic squishy lid” or vertical-tectonics geodynamic regime, (ii) present-day slab-driven subduction was not necessary for the production of early continental crust, and (iii) the Archean Earth was dominated by intrusive magmatism as opposed to “heat-pipe” eruptive magmatism.     

Geochemistry, Petrogenesis and Tectonic Setting of Metavolcanics and their Implications for Gold Mineralisation in Gadag Gold Field, Southern India

Gold bearing metavolcanics of Gadag Gold Field (GGF) are represented by mafic (metabasalt, metabasaltic andesite), intermediate (metaandesite) and felsic (metadacite, metarhyolite) rocks. Mafic metavolcanic rocks are low-K Fe-rich tholeiites and were derived by partial melting of the upper mantle sources with high Fe/Mg ratios and low M values. Intermediate and felsic metavolcanics were formed by remelting of these tholeiites mainly in crustal regimes. Although a complete sequence of metavolcanic rocks from mafic to intermediate to felsic fractions occurs, these products were not the result of differentiation from a single magma, crustal contamination was involved in the formation of intermediate and felsic rocks. A clear gap in the chemical composition as well as index of differentiation among the mafic, intermediate and felsic fractions indicate that these metavolcanics constitute a typical bimodal character. It is suggested that these metavolcanics were emplaced in an active continental margin or a continental island arc setting. The petrogenetic processes of formation of Fe-rich tholeiites that evolved in an active continental margin or a continental island arc setting could have provided a favourable geochemical environment for gold mineralisation under the conditions of deformation and metamorphism.     

Petrochemistry and hydrothermal alteration within the Tyrone Igneous Complex,Northern Ireland: implications for VMS mineralization in the British and Irish Caledonides

Although volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits can form within a wide variety of rift-related tectonic environments, most are preserved within suprasubduction affinity crust related to ocean closure. In stark contrast to the VMS-rich Appalachian sector of the Grampian-Taconic orogeny, VMS mineralization is rare in the peri-Laurentian British and Irish Caledonides. Economic peri-Gondwanan affinity deposits are limited to Avoca and Parys Mountain. The Tyrone Igneous Complex of Northern Ireland represents a ca. 484–464 Ma peri-Laurentian affinity arc–ophiolite complex and a possible broad correlative of the Buchans-Robert’s Arm belt of Newfoundland, host to some of the most metal-rich VMS deposits globally. Stratigraphic horizons prospective for VMS mineralization in the Tyrone Igneous Complex are associated with rift-related magmatism, hydrothermal alteration, synvolcanic faults, and high-level subvolcanic intrusions (gabbro, diorite, and/or tonalite). Locally intense hydrothermal alteration is characterized by Na-depletion, elevated SiO₂, MgO, Ba/Sr, Bi, Sb, chlorite–carbonate–pyrite alteration index (CCPI) and Hashimoto alteration index (AI) values. Rift-related mafic lavas typically occur in the hanging wall sequences to base and precious metal mineralization, closely associated with ironstones and/or argillaceous sedimentary rocks representing low temperature hydrothermal venting and volcanic quiescence. In the ca. 475 Ma pre-collisional, calc-alkaline lower Tyrone Volcanic Group rift-related magmatism is characterized by abundant non-arc type Fe-Ti-rich eMORB, island-arc tholeiite, and low-Zr tholeiitic rhyolite breccias. These petrochemical characteristics are typical of units associated with VMS mineralization in bimodal mafic, primitive post-Archean arc terranes. Following arc-accretion at ca. 470 Ma, late rifting in the ensialic upper Tyrone Volcanic Group is dominated by OIB-like, subalkaline to alkali basalt and A-type, high-Zr rhyolites. These units are petrochemically favorable for Kuroko-type VMS mineralization in bimodal-felsic evolved arc terranes. The scarcity of discovered peri-Laurentian VMS mineralization in the British and Irish Caledonides is due to a combination of minimal exploration, poor-preservation of upper ophiolite sequences, and limited rifting in the Lough Nafooey arc of western Ireland. The geological and geochemical characteristics of the Tyrone Volcanic Group of Northern Ireland and peri-Gondwanan affinity arc/backarc sequences of Ireland and northwest Wales represent the most prospective sequences in the British and Irish Caledonides for VMS mineralization.     

Likely “mantle plume” activity in the Skellefte district,Northern Sweden. A reexamination of mafic/ultramafic magmatic activity: Its possible association with VMS and gold mineralization

Most attention has been given to the geology of the extensive VMS and subordinate precious metals mineralization in the Skellefte district. Less attention has been given to indications of deep-seated origins of felsic and mafic/ultramafic volcanic rocks; of VMS and precious metals mineralizing fluids; and the primary origins of these metals. A holistic view of the significance of mafic/ultramafic volcanic rocks to both the geotectonic evolution of the area and the existence of its important base and precious metals deposits has never been presented. These subjects are discussed in this investigation.Primitive mantle normalized spider diagrams of rare-earth-elements (REE) distinguish two groups of mafic/ultramafic volcanic rocks, each with distinct geochemical characteristics: a mid-ocean-ridge “MORB”-type, and a geochemically unusual and problematic calc–alkaline–basalt “CAB”-type which is the main subject of this investigation. The “MORB”-type mafic volcanic rocks are mostly older than the Skellefte Group felsic volcanic rocks hosting the VMS deposits, whereas the more primitive “CAB”-type mafic/ultramafic volcanic rocks are mostly younger.A common source for these “CAB”-type, mafic-(MgO wt.% < 14%) and ultramafic-(MgO wt.% > 14%) volcanic rocks is suggested by their similar and distinctive geochemical features. These are near-chondritic (Al-undepleted) Al₂O₃/TiO₂ ratios; moderate to strong high-field-strength-element (HFSE) depletion; light-rare-earth-element (LREE) enrichment and moderate heavy-rare-earth-element (HREE) depletion. They outcrop throughout an area of at least 100 × 100 km. Gold mineralization is spatially associated with ultramafic volcanic rocks.Zr and Hf depletion has been shown to be associated with Al-depletion in mafic/ultramafic volcanic rocks elsewhere, and has been attributed to deep-seated partial melting in ascending mantle plumes. Zr and Hf depletion in “CAB”-type Al-undepleted mafic/ultramafic volcanic rocks is therefore unusual. The solution to this dilemma is suggested to be contamination of an Al-depleted mantle plume by felsic crustal rocks whereby Al-depleted ultramafic magmas become Al-undepleted. It will be argued that this model has the potential to explain previous observations of deep-seated origins; the spatial association of ultramafic volcanic rocks with occurrences of gold mineralization; and even the primary origin of metals in VMS deposits.     

西藏隆巴俄桑地区玄武岩与安山玢岩的地球化学:对班公湖-怒江洋构造演化的启示

狮泉河-永珠-嘉黎蛇绿混杂岩带的构造属性及其与班公湖-怒江缝合带演化的关系,是了解班公湖-怒江洋中生代构造演化的关键.对隆巴俄桑地区的玄武岩和安山玢岩脉开展了岩石地球化学研究.结果表明,玄武岩属拉斑玄武岩系列,富集LREE和大离子亲石元素Rb、Ba、K、Sr、Pb等,亏损高场强元素Nb、Ta、Ti,与岛弧拉斑玄武岩特征一致.安山玢岩脉属拉斑玄武岩系列,有向钙碱系列演化的趋势,富集大离子亲石元素Rb、Ba、K、Sr、Pb、U等,亏损高场强元素Nb、Ta,显示岛弧成因岩浆岩地球化学特征,低ΣREE（11.8×10-6~13.8×10-6）,（La/Yb）_N=0.37~0.43,亏损LREE,与N-MORB相似,具有岛弧岩浆岩（IAB）和正常洋中脊玄武岩（N-MORB）双重特征,与不成熟的弧后盆地玄武岩（BABB）特征一致.综合区域地质资料认为,隆巴俄桑玄武岩和安山玢岩形成的构造环境均与俯冲相关,可能分别形成于班公湖-怒江洋壳南向俯冲消减相关的洋内或者活动大陆边缘的岛弧环境和不成熟的弧后盆地环境,是中侏罗至早白垩世期间班公湖-怒江洋壳南向俯冲消减的再循环的产物.      

Preliminary geochemical study of volcanic rocks in the Pang Mayao area, Phrao, Chiang Mai, northern Thailand: tectonic setting of formation

The least-altered, Permian mafic volcanic rocks from the Pang Mayao area, Phrao District, Chiang Mai Province, part of Chiang Rai–Chiang Mai volcanic belt, have been analyzed and are found to be mid-ocean ridge and ocean–island basalts. The mid-ocean ridge basalts occur as lava flows or dike rocks. They are equigranular, fine- to medium-grained and consist largely of plagioclase, clinopyroxene and olivine. These basalt samples are tholeiitic, and have compositions very similar to T-MORB from the region where the Du Toit Fracture Zone intersects the Southwest Indian Ridge. The ocean–island basalt occurs as pillow breccia, and lava flows or dike rocks. They are slightly to moderately porphyritic, with phenocrysts/microphenocrysts of clinopyroxene, olivine, plagioclase and/or Fe–Ti oxide. The groundmass is very fine-grained, and made up largely of felty plagioclase laths with subordinate clinopyroxene. These basalt samples are alkalic, and chemically analogous to those from Haleakala Volcano, Maui, Hawaiian Chain. These mafic volcanic rocks may have been formed in a major ocean basin rather than in a mature back-arc basin.     

闽中地区马面山群东岩组变质岩形成的古构造环境研究

闽中地区马面山群东岩组地层主要为绿片岩为主的一套古火山沉积建造。其主要岩性类型包括各种成分的绿片岩、大理岩、石英片岩及变粒岩类。绿片岩显示海底火山喷发特征,变粒岩原岩为中酸性岩类。东岩组变质岩岩石化学研究表明,绿片岩的原岩应为玄武岩类。变粒岩类主要属于英安岩及流纹岩。这些特征反映东岩组具双峰式火山岩特征,形成于大陆内部张性环境。绿片岩稀土元素特征也显示和大陆拉张环境中的火山岩类稀土特征非常相似,属大陆拉斑玄武岩;微量元素分布显示出该组变质岩原岩类似于大洋岛和大陆裂谷的板内碱性玄武岩。因此闽中地区中元古代可能处于板内古裂谷环境。     

Mean concentrations of volatile components,major and trace elements in magmatic melts in major geodynamic environments on Earth. I. Mafic melts

Mean concentrations of major components, trace elements, and volatile components in magmatic melts from Earth’s major geodynamic environments are estimated using our database (which comprises more than 1200000 analyses for 75 chemical elements—state for the beginning of 2016) on melt inclusions and quench glasses of rocks). The geodynamic environments are classified into (I) environments of oceanic plate spreading (mid-oceanic ridges), (II) areas affected by mantle plumes in oceanic plates (oceanic islands and lava plateaus), (III and IV) subduction-related environments (III are magmatic zones in island arcs, and IV are magmatic zones in active continental margins, in which magma-generating processes involve the continental crust), (V) continental rifts in areas with continental hotspots, and (VI) backarc spreading zones. The distribution of SiO₂ concentrations (>71000 analyses) in natural magmatic melts in all geodynamic environments is obviously bimodal, with maxima at 50–52 and 72–76 wt % SiO₂. Herein we discuss only mafic melts (40–54 wt % SiO₂). Mean concentrations and confidence levels are calculated for each geodynamic environment for the first time in three variants: from melt inclusions in minerals, from quench glasses in rocks, and from all data. Systematic variations in the mean compositions of melt inclusions and glasses in rocks are detected for all geodynamic environments. Primitive mantle-normalized multielemental patterns for mean concentrations of elements are constructed for magmatic melts from all geodynamic environments, and the mean ratios and their variations are calculated for trace incompatible and volatile components (H₂O/Ce, K₂O/Cl, La/Y, Nb/U, Ba/Rb, Ce/Pb, etc.) in melts from all environments.     

内蒙朝克山蛇绿岩地球化学: 洋内弧后盆地的产物？

朝克山蛇绿岩是内蒙贺根山地区出露最好的蛇绿岩之一,可能形成于中晚石炭世。朝克山蛇绿岩中的基性岩具有LREE亏损、类似N-MORB的稀土配分模式,而相对N-MORB富集大离子亲石元素,亏损Nb、Ta等高场强元素又类似岛弧火山岩的成分特征,因此,我们认为朝克山蛇绿岩应形成于弧后盆地。将朝克山蛇绿岩的基性岩与现代Mariana洋内弧后盆地和Okinawa陆缘弧后盆地的玄武岩及同属中亚造山带的、形成于洋内弧后盆地的新疆库尔提蛇绿岩对比,朝克山蛇绿岩更类似于Mariana玄武岩和库尔提蛇绿岩,因此其很可能形成于洋内弧后盆地而不是大陆边缘弧后盆地环境。     

The Eastern Black Sea-type volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits: Geochemistry,zircon U–Pb geochronology and an overview of the geodynamics of ore genesis

The Meso-Cenozoic geodynamic evolution of the eastern Pontides orogenic belt provides a key to evaluate the volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits associated with convergent margin tectonics in a Cordilleran-type orogenic belt. Here we present new geological, geochemical and zircon U–Pb geochronological data, and attempt to characterize the metallogeny through a comprehensive overview of the important VMS mineralizations in the belt. The VMS deposits in the northern part of the eastern Pontides orogenic belt occur in two different stratigraphic horizons consisting mainly of felsic volcanic rocks within the late Cretaceous sequence. SHRIMP zircon U–Pb analyses from ore-bearing dacites yield weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages ranging between 91.1 ± 1.3 and 82.6 ± 1 Ma. The felsic rocks of first and second horizons reveal geochemical characteristics of subduction-related calc-alkaline and shoshonitic magmas, respectively, in continental arcs and represent the immature and mature stages of a late Cretaceous magmatic arc. The nature of the late Cretaceous magmatism in the northern part of the eastern Pontides orogenic belt and the various lithological associations including volcaniclastics, mudstones and sedimentary facies indicate a rift-related environment where dacitic volcanism was predominant. The eastern Pontides VMS deposits are located within the caldera-like depressions and are closely associated with dome-like structures of felsic magmas, with their distribution controlled by fracture systems. Based on a detailed analyses of the geological, geophysical and geodynamic information, we propose that the VMS deposits were generated either in intra arc or near arc region of the eastern Pontides orogenic belt during the southward subduction of the Tethys oceanic lithosphere.     

Petrology of calc-alkaline/adakitic basement hosting A-type Neoproterozoic granites of the Malani igneous suite in Nagar Parkar,SE Sindh,Pakistan

The Nagar Parkar area contains three distinct groups of rocks, from oldest to youngest, (1) basement rocks ranging in composition from mafic to (quartz)diorite, tonalite, granite, and younger granodiorite, (2) granite plutons similar in general features to those of the Malani Igneous Suite of Rajasthan, and (3) abundant mafic, felsic and rhyolitic dykes. The basement rocks show strong brittle and local plastic deformation, and epidote amphibolite/upper greenschist facies metamorphic overprint. The chemistry of the basement rocks contrasts the commonly agreed within plate A-type character of the Neoproterozoic granites (group 2) that are emplaced into them. The basement rock association is calc-alkaline; the granodiorite displays the compositional characteristics of adakites, whereas the tonalite has intermediate composition between typical adakite and classical island arc rocks. This paper presents detailed petrography of the basement rocks and compares their geochemistry with those of the group 2 granites as well as with rocks from other tectonic environments. It is proposed that the Nagar Parkar basement is part of a 900–840 Ma magmatic arc that was deformed before it was intruded 800–700 Ma ago by the A-type continental granitic rocks followed by mafic to felsic dykes.