Geochemical research on C—O and Sr—Nd isotopes of mantle-derived rocks from Shandong Province,China

This paper presents systematic studies on the C—O and Sr—Nd isotopic compositions for Cretaceous Badou carbonatites, Fangcheng basalts, and Jiaodong lamprophyres and Paleozoic Mengyin kimberlites in Shandong Province, China. Paleozoic kimberlites have normal and uniform C—O isotopic compositions with δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O in the range of −4.8‰—−7.6‰ and +9.9‰—+13.2‰, respectively. However, Cretaceous three different types of mantlederived rocks have quite different C—O isotopic compositions, indicating that the mantle sources are probably partially contaminated with organic carbon-bearing crustal materials. These Cretaceous rocks show uniform and EMII-like Sr—Nd isotopic compositions and also indicate that the mantle sources were affected by recycled crustal materials. Comparative studies of C—O and Sr—Nd isotopes reveal that the lithospheric mantle beneath the eastern North China Craton had different isotope characteristics in the Paleozoic, the early Cretaceous, and the Tertiary time. This demonstrates that the lithospheric mantle beneath the region underwent at least twice reconstructions since the Paleozoic. Available data imply that the first reconstruction mainly happened during the Triassic-Jurassic time with gradual changes and the second in the Cretaceous with abrupt changes. Results also show that the early Cretaceous (especially at 120-130 Ma) was perhaps the key period leading to the dramatic change of the Mesozoic geodynamics on the eastern North China Craton.     

Tectonic setting of the Helong Block: Implications for the northern boundary of the eastern North China Craton

The Helong block, located in southeastern Jilin Province, was thought to be an Archean geological unit in the most northeast part of the North China Craton (NCC)[1,2]. Previous geological survey sug-gested that this block is mainly composed of two parts: Jinchengdong Archean metamorphic supracrustal rocks intruded by Archean TTG complex[3―5], and the Bailiping granite[6,7] distributed in the Shiliping-Bai- liping-Guangping area. Both of them were thought as the Jinchengdong (or Helong…     

Material records for Mesozoic destruction of the North China Craton by subduction of the Paleo-Pacific slab

It is well known that the destruction of the North China Carton(NCC) is closely related to subduction of the PaleoPacific slab, but materials recording such subduction has not been identified at the peak time of decratonization. This paper presents data of whole-rock major and trace elements and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes and zircon U-Pb ages and Hf-O isotopes for Mesozoic volcanic rocks from the Liaodong-Jinan region in the northeastern NCC, in order to trace the subduction-related materials in their source and origin. The Mesozoic volcanic rocks in the Liaodong-Jinan region are mainly composed of two series of rocks, including alkaline basaltic trachyandesite, trachyandesite and trachyte, and subalkaline trachyandesite and andesite. Zircon U-Pb dating yields eruption ages of 129–124 Ma for these rocks. The Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks are all enriched in LILEs(such as Rb, Sr, Ba and Th) and LREEs, depleted in HFSEs(such as Nb, Ta and Ti), indicating that they were originated from mantle sources that had been modified by subducted crustal materials. However, they have relatively heterogeneous and variable isotopic compositions. The alkaline basaltic trachyandesite, trachyandesite and trachyte have enriched whole-rock Sr-Nd-Hf and zircon Hf isotopic compositions and mantle-like δ~(18)O values, suggesting that they were derived from low-degree partial melting of an isotopically enriched lithospheric mantle source. In contrast, the subalkaline trachyandesite and andesite have relatively depleted isotopic compositions with zircon ε_(Hf)(t) values up to +5.2 and heavy zircon O isotopic compositions with δ~(18)O values of +8.1‰ to +9.0‰, indicating that they were originated from a lithospheric mantle source that had been metasomatized by melts/fluids derived from the recycled low-T altered oceanic basalt. All of these geochemical features suggest that the Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks in the Liaodong-Jinan region would result from mixing of mafic magmas with different compositions. Such magmas were originated from the enriched lithospheric mantle and the young metasomatized mantle, respectively, with variable extents of enrichment and depletion in trace elements, radiogenic isotopes and O isotopes. Importantly, the identification of the low-T altered oceanic crust component in the origin of Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks by the zircon Hf-O isotopes provides affirmative isotopic evidence and direct material records for Mesozoic subduction of the Paleo-Pacific slab that induced decratonization of the North China Craton.     

Constraints on the age of basement and crustal growth in Tianshan Orogen by Nd isotopic composition

Based on study of Nd isotopic composition for 101 rocks of various types from Tianshan Orogen, the age and character of basement and continental crustal evolution of the Tianshan Orogen were proposed. It is deduced that the continental crustal basement of the Tianshan Orogen was formed 1. 8 Ga ago. The protolith of its metamorphic rocks was derived from long-term depleted mantle source in the ancient are tectonic setting probably. The Tianshan Orogen is obviously different from the North Tarim Block in age of basement and post-evolution history. It was also shown that Paleozoic continental crustal growth happened extensively in the Tianshan Orogen, which is distinguished from Yangtse Block and Cathaysia Block in eastern China. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 49633250). It belongs to the National “305” Project in Xinjiang, which is one of the National Key Projects in the Ninth Five-Year Plan (96-915-07-05A).     

Mesozoic mafic magmatism in North China: Implications for thinning and destruction of cratonic lithosphere

The North China Craton (NCC) has been thinned from >200 km to <100 km in its eastern part. The ancient subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) has been replaced by the juvenile SCLM in the Meoszoic. During this period, the NCC was destructed as indicated by extensive magmatism in the Early Cretaceous. While there is a consensus on the thinning and destruction of cratonic lithosphere in North China, it has been hotly debated about the mechanism of cartonic destruction. This study attempts to provide a resolution to current debates in the view of Mesozoic mafic magmatism in North China. We made a compilation of geochemical data available for Mesozoic mafic igneous rocks in the NCC. The results indicate that these mafic igneous rocks can be categorized into two series, manifesting a dramatic change in the nature of mantle sources at ~121 Ma. Mafic igneous rocks emplaced at this age start to show both oceanic island basalts (OIB)-like trace element distribution patterns and depleted to weakly enriched Sr-Nd isotope compositions. In contrast, mafic igneous rocks emplaced before and after this age exhibit both island arc basalts (IAB)-like trace element distribution patterns and enriched Sr-Nd isotope compositions. This difference indicates a geochemical mutation in the SCLM of North China at ~121 Ma. Although mafic magmatism also took place in the Late Triassic, it was related to exhumation of the deeply subducted South China continental crust because the subduction of Paleo-Pacific slab was not operated at that time. Paleo-Pacific slab started to subduct beneath the eastern margin of Eruasian continent since the Jurrasic. The subducting slab and its overlying SCLM wedge were coupled in the Jurassic, and slab dehydration resulted in hydration and weakening of the cratonic mantle. The mantle sources of ancient IAB-like mafic igneous rocks are a kind of ultramafic metasomatites that were generated by reaction of the cratonic mantle wedge peridotite not only with aqueous solutions derived from dehydration of the subducting Paleo-Pacific oceanic crust in the Jurassic but also with hydrous melts derived from partial melting of the subducting South China continental crust in the Triassic. On the other hand, the mantle sources of juvenile OIB-like mafic igneous rocks are also a kind of ultramafic metasomatites that were generated by reaction of the asthenospheric mantle underneath the North China lithosphere with hydrous felsic melts derived from partial melting of the subducting Paleo-Pacific oceanic crust. The subducting Paleo-Pacific slab became rollback at ~144 Ma. Afterwards the SCLM base was heated by laterally filled asthenospheric mantle, leading to thinning of the hydrated and weakened cratonic mantle. There was extensive bimodal magmatism at 130 to 120 Ma, marking intensive destruction of the cratonic lithosphere. Not only the ultramafic metasomatites in the lower part of the cratonic mantle wedge underwent partial melting to produce mafic igneous rocks showing negative ε_Nd(t) values, depletion in Nb and Ta but enrichment in Pb, but also the lower continent crust overlying the cratonic mantle wedge was heated for extensive felsic magmatism. At the same time, the rollback slab surface was heated by the laterally filled asthenospheric mantle, resulting in partial melting of the previously dehydrated rocks beyond rutile stability on the slab surface. This produce still hydrous felsic melts, which metasomatized the overlying asthenospheric mantle peridotite to generate the ultramafic metasomatites that show positive ε_Nd(t) values, no depletion or even enrichment in Nb and Ta but depletion in Pb. Partial melting of such metasomatites started at ~121 Ma, giving rise to the mafic igneous rocks with juvenile OIB-like geochemical signatures. In this context, the age of ~121 Ma may terminate replacement of the ancient SCLM by the juvenile SCLM in North China. Paleo-Pacific slab was not subducted to the mantle transition zone in the Mesozoic as revealed by modern seismic tomography, and it was subducted at a low angle since the Jurassic, like the subduction of Nazca Plate beneath American continent. This flat subduction would not only chemically metasomatize the cratonic mantle but also physically erode the cratonic mantle. Therefore, the interaction between Paleo-Pacific slab and the cratonic mantle is the first-order geodynamic mechanism for the thinning and destruction of cratonic lithosphere in North China.     

Heterogeneous enriched mantle materials and dupal-type magmatism along the SW margin of the São Francisco craton, Brazil

The nature and restricted range of Dupal-type Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic compositions of Cretaceous kimberlites, tuffaceous diatremes of kamafugitic affinity and carbonatite complexes which intrude the southwestern São Francisco craton margin in Brazil, indicate that these magmas either interacted extensively with, or were derived from, a light rare earth element (LREE) enriched homogeneous lithospheric mantle source isotopically similar to the “enriched mantle I” (EMI) component. The shallow-derived alkalic rocks contain a greater proportion of this EMI-like component, whereas the lower time-averaged Rb/Sr, Nd/Sm and Pb/U ratios of the kimberlites compared to the other rock types suggest mixing of the EMI-like mantle material with variable amounts of mantle with a high ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb (HIMU-like) component. Systematic variations in rock types and geochemistry on a regional scale are believed to be indicative of vertical geochemical heterogeneities which are translated into lateral heterogeneities by different depths of melting. It is proposed that HIMU- and EMI-like signatures in particular, are concentrated in laterally extensive but vertically distinctive portions of the mantle beneath the São Francisco craton. The EMI-type signatures appear to be restricted to shallow-derived volcanism, whereas the HIMU-type signatures may originate from a source that started melting deeper in the mantle. The Nd signatures of the EMI-type volcanics follow the evolution path defined by the NeoProterozoic crustal sequences which overlie and flank the craton margin. This suggests that the source of the EMI-type mantle signatures might be related to the tectono-thermal processes which led to the formation and evolution of such crustal sequences. The isotopic similarity of the sources of the studied rocks and of the high-Ti basalts of the northern Paraná basin to those of some Ocean Island Basalts with Dupal signatures in the South Atlantic (viz. in Walvis Ridge) is ascribed to processes by which continental lithosphere became firstly delaminated, and then contaminated a zone of South Atlantic asthenosphere from which hotspot islands have been erupting.     

Formation time of the big mantle wedge beneath eastern China and a new lithospheric thinning mechanism of the North China craton—Geodynamic effects of deep recycled carbon

High-resolution P wave tomography shows that the subducting Pacific slab is stagnant in the mantle transition zone and forms a big mantle wedge beneath eastern China. The Mg isotopic investigation of large numbers of mantle-derived volcanic rocks from eastern China has revealed that carbonates carried by the subducted slab have been recycled into the upper mantle and formed carbonated peridotite overlying the mantle transition zone, which becomes the sources of various basalts. These basalts display light Mg isotopic compositions(δ26 Mg = –0.60‰ to –0.30‰) and relatively low87 Sr/86 Sr ratios(0.70314–0.70564) with ages ranging from 106 Ma to Quaternary, suggesting that their mantle source had been hybridized by recycled magnesite with minor dolomite and their initial melting occurred at 300-360 km in depth. Therefore, the carbonate metasomatism of their mantle source should have occurred at the depth larger than 360 km, which means that the subducted slab should be stagnant in the mantle transition zone forming the big mantle wedge before 106 Ma. This timing supports the rollback model of subducting slab to form the big mantle wedge. Based on high P-T experiment results, when carbonated silicate melts produced by partial melting of carbonated peridotite was raising and reached the bottom(180–120 km in depth) of cratonic lithosphere in North China, the carbonated silicate melts should have 25–18 wt% CO2 contents, with lower Si O2 and Al2 O3 contents, and higher Ca O/Al2 O3 values, similar to those of nephelinites and basanites, and have higher εNdvalues(2 to 6). The carbonatited silicate melts migrated upward and metasomatized the overlying lithospheric mantle, resulting in carbonated peridotite in the bottom of continental lithosphere beneath eastern China. As the craton lithospheric geotherm intersects the solidus of carbonated peridotite at 130 km in depth, the carbonated peridotite in the bottom of cratonic lithosphere should be partially melted, thus its physical characters are similar to the asthenosphere and it could be easily replaced by convective mantle. The newly formed carbonated silicate melts will migrate upward and metasomatize the overlying lithospheric mantle. Similarly, such metasomatism and partial melting processes repeat, and as a result the cratonic lithosphere in North China would be thinning and the carbonated silicate partial melts will be transformed to high-Si O2 alkali basalts with lower εNdvalues(to-2). As the lithospheric thinning goes on,initial melting depth of carbonated peridotite must decrease from 130 km to close 70 km, because the craton geotherm changed to approach oceanic lithosphere geotherm along with lithospheric thinning of the North China craton. Consequently, the interaction between carbonated silicate melt and cratonic lithosphere is a possible mechanism for lithosphere thinning of the North China craton during the late Cretaceous and Cenozoic. Based on the age statistics of low δ26 Mg basalts in eastern China, the lithospheric thinning processes caused by carbonated metasomatism and partial melting in eastern China are limited in a timespan from 106 to25 Ma, but increased quickly after 25 Ma. Therefore, there are two peak times for the lithospheric thinning of the North China craton: the first peak in 135-115 Ma simultaneously with the cratonic destruction, and the second peak caused by interaction between carbonated silicate melt and lithosphere mainly after 25 Ma. The later decreased the lithospheric thickness to about70 km in the eastern part of North China craton.     

Molecular and carbon isotopic compositions of gas inclusions of deep carbonate rocks in the Tarim Basin

Gaseous components of gas inclusions in deep carbonate rocks (>5700 m) from the Tacan 1 well were analyzed by online mass spectrometry by means of either the stepwise heating technique or vacuum electromagnetism crushing. The carbon isotopic compositions of gases released by vacuum electromagnetism crushing were also measured. Although the molecular compositions of gas inclusions show differences between the two methods, the overall characteristics are that gas inclusions mainly contain CO2, whilst hydrocarbon gases, such as CH4, C2H6 and C3H8, are less abundant. The content of CO is higher in the stepwise heating experiment than that in the method of vacuum electromagnetism crushing, and there are only minor amounts of N2, H2 and O2 in gas inclusions. Methane δ13C values of gas inclusions in Lower Ordovician and Upper Cambrian rocks (from 5713.7 to 6422 m; -52‰-63‰) are similar to those of bacterial methane, but their chemical compositions do not exhibit the dry character in comparison with biogenic gases. These characteristics of deep gas inclusions may be related to the migration fractionation. Some deep natural gases with light carbon isotopic characteristics in the Tazhong Uplift may have a similar origin. The δ13C1 values of gas inclusions in Lower Cambrian rocks (7117-7124 m) are heavier (-39‰), consistent with highly mature natural gases. Carbon isotopic compositions of CO2 in the gas inclusions of deep carbonate rocks are similar (from -4‰ to -13‰) to those of deep natural gases, indicating predominantly an inorganic origin.     

Sr–Nd isotope ratios of gabbroic and dioritic rocks in a Cretaceous-Paleogene granite terrain, Southwest Japan

Abstract Whole‐rock chemical and Sr and Nd isotope data are presented for gabbroic and dioritic rocks from a Cretaceous‐Paleogene granitic terrain in Southwest Japan. Age data indicate that they were emplaced in the late Cretaceous during the early stages of a voluminous intermediate‐felsic magmatic episode in Southwest Japan. Although these gabbroic and dioritic rocks have similar major and trace element chemistry, they show regional variations in terms of initial Sr and Nd isotope ratios. Samples from the South Zone have high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.7063–0.7076) and low initial Nd isotope ratios (?_Nd, ?2.5 to ?5.3); whereas those from the North Zone have lower initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (usually less than 0.7060) and higher Nd isotope ratios (?_Nd, ?0.8 to + 3.3). Regional variations in Sr and Nd isotope ratios are similar to those observed in granitic rocks, although gabbroic and dioritic rocks tend to have slightly lower Sr and higher Nd isotope ratios than granitic rocks in the respective zones. Limited variations in Sr and Nd isotope ratios among samples from individual zones may be attributed partly to a combination of upper crustal contamination and heterogeneity of the magma source. Contamination of magmas by upper crustal material cannot, however, explain the observed Sr and Nd isotope variations between samples from the North and South Zones. Between‐zone variations would reflect geochemical difference in magma sources. The gabbroic and dioritic rocks are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILE) and depleted in high field strength elements (HFSE), showing similar normal‐type mid‐ocean ridge basalt (N‐MORB) normalized patterns to arc magmas. Geochronological and isotopic data may suggest that some gabbroic and dioritic rocks are genetically related to high magnesian andesite. Alternatively, mantle‐derived mafic or intermediate rocks which were underplated beneath the crust may be also plausible sources for gabbroic and dioritic rocks. The magma sources (the mantle wedge and lower crust) were isotopically more enriched beneath the South Zone than the North Zone during the Cretaceous‐Paleogene. Sr and Nd isotope ratios of the lower crustal source of the granitic rocks was isotopically affected by mantle‐derived magmas, resulting in similar initial Sr and Nd isotope ratios for gabbroic, dioritic and granitic rocks in each zone.     

Petrogenesis and significance of the Mesozoic North Taihang complex: Major and trace element evidence

The intensive Mesozoic magmatism in the North China Craton (NCC) has drawn great attention for its particular geochemical signatures (e.g. high-K), petrogenesis and tectonic setting. The North Taihang complex represents the westernmost magmatic belt of th…     

唐海—商都地震台阵剖面下方岩石圈结构

2006年10月到2009年9月,中国地震局地球物理研究所在华北地区布设了250个流动地震台站,本文选取其中一条从唐海经过唐山、三河、北京、张家口到商都的宽频带地震台阵剖面作为研究对象.利用该剖面49个宽频带台站记录的191个远震数据进行了S波接收函数的计算,通过共转换点叠加成像对剖面下方的岩石圈结构进行研究,获得了剖面下方的岩石圈精细结构.Moho界面和岩石圈-软流圈界面清晰可见,剖面下方地壳厚度从西到东逐渐减薄,从42 km逐渐减薄至30 km左右,西部陆块岩石圈厚度从100 km逐渐减薄至70 km,中部和东部陆块岩石圈厚度变化相对平稳,介于60~80 km,表明剖面下方岩石圈遭受了大规模的明显减薄.结合其他地球物理方法研究结果,我们认为剖面下方华北克拉通东部陆块岩石圈减薄主要是由于热侵蚀作用引起的.     

Subduction and retreating of the western Pacific plate resulted in lithospheric mantle replacement and coupled basin-mountain respond in the North China Craton

The North China Craton (NCC) witnessed Mesozoic vigorous tectono-thermal activities and transition in the nature of deep lithosphere. These processes took place in three periods: (1) Late Paleozoic to Early Jurassic (～170 Ma); (2) Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous (160–140 Ma); (3) Early Cretaceous to Cenozoic (140 Ma to present). The last two stages saw the lithospheric mantle replacement and coupled basin-mountain response within the North China Craton due to subduction and retreating of the Paleo-Pacific plate, and is the emphasis in this paper. In the first period, the subduction and closure of the Paleo- Asian Ocean triggered the back-arc extension, syn-collisional compression and then post-collisional extension accompanied by ubiquitous magmatism along the northern margin of the NCC. Similar processes happened in the southern margin of the craton as the subduction of the Paleo-Tethys ocean and collision with the South China Block. These processes had caused the chemical modification and mechanical destruction of the cratonic margins. The margins could serve as conduits for the asthenosphere upwelling and had the priority for magmatism and deformation. The second period saw the closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk ocean and the shear deformation and magmatism induced by the drifting of the Paleo-Pacific slab. The former led to two pulse of N-S trending compression (Episodes A and B of the Yanshan Movement) and thus the pre-existing continental marginal basins were disintegrated into sporadically basin and range province by the Mesozoic magmatic plutons and NE-SW trending faults. With the anticlockwise rotation of the Paleo-Pacific moving direction, the subduction-related magmatism migrated into the inner part of the craton and the Tanlu fault became normal fault from a sinistral one. The NCC thus turned into a back-arc extension setting at the end of this period. In the third period, the refractory subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) was firstly remarkably eroded and thinned by the subduction-induced asthenospheric upwelling, especially those beneath the weak zones (i.e., cratonic margins and the lithospheric Tanlu fault zone). Then a slightly lithospheric thickening occurred when the upwelled asthenosphere got cool and transformed to be lithospheric mantle accreted (～125 Ma) beneath the thinned SCLM. Besides, the magmatism continuously moved southeastward and the extensional deformations preferentially developed in weak zones, which include the Early Cenozoic normal fault transformed from the Jurassic thrust in the Trans-North Orogenic Belt, the crustal detachment and the subsidence of Bohai basin caused by the continuous normal strike slip of the Tanlu fault, the Cenozoic graben basins originated from the fault depression in the Trans-North Orogenic Belt, the Bohai Basin and the Sulu Orogenic belt. With small block size, inner lithospheric weak zones and the surrounding subductions/collisions, the Mesozoic NCC was characterized by (1) lithospheric thinning and crustal detachment triggered by the subduction-induced asthenospheric upwelling. Local crustal contraction and orogenesis appeared in the Trans-North Orogenic Belt coupled with the crustal detachment; (2) then upwelled asthenosphere got cool to be newly-accreted lithospheric mantle and crustal grabens and basin subsidence happened, as a result of the subduction zone retreating. Therefore, the subduction and retreating of the western Pacific plate is the outside dynamics which resulted in mantle replacement and coupled basin-mountain respond within the North China Craton. We consider that the Mesozoic decratonization of the North China Craton, or the Yanshan Movement, is a comprehensive consequence of complex geological processes proceeding surrounding and within craton, involving both the deep lithospheric mantle and shallow continental crust.     

Geochronological characterization and petrogenesis of granitoids in the Ryoke belt, Southwest Japan Arc: constraints from K–Ar, Rb–Sr and Sm-Nd systematics

Abstract Rb–Sr and K–Ar chronological studies were carried out on granitic and metamorphic rocks in the Ina, Awaji Island and eastern Sanuki districts, Southwest Japan to investigate the timing of intrusion of the granitoids in the Ryoke belt. Intrusions of 'younger' Ryoke granitic magmas took place in the Ina district between 120 Ma and 70 Ma, and cooling began immediately after the emplacement of the youngest granitic bodies. Igneous activity in Awaji Island was initiated at 100 Ma and continued to 75 Ma. Along-arc variations of Rb–Sr whole-rock isochron ages suggest that magmatism began everywhere in the Ryoke and San-yo belts at almost the same time ( ca 120 Ma). The last magmatism took place in the eastern part of both belts. Rb–Sr and K–Ar mineral ages for the granitoids young eastwards. The age data suggest that the Ryoke belt was uplifted just after the termination of igneous activity. Initial Sr and Nd isotopic ratios for the Ryoke granitoids indicate that most were derived from magmas produced in the lower crust and/or upper mantle with uniform Sr and Nd isotopic compositions. Several granitoids, however, exhibit evidence of assimilation of Ryoke metamorphic rocks or older Precambrian crustal rocks beneath the Ryoke belt.     

Major element, REE, and Pb, Nd and Sr isotopic geochemistry of Cenozoic volcanic rocks of eastern China: implications for their origin from suboceanic-type mantle reservoirs

Major- and rare-earth-element (REE) concentrations and UThPb, SmNd, and RbSr isotope systematics are reported for Cenozoic volcanic rocks from northeastern and eastern China. These volcanic rocks, characteristically lacking the calc-alkaline suite of orogenic belts, were emplaced in a rift system which formed in response to the subduction of the western Pacific plate beneath the eastern Asiatic continental margin. The rocks sampled range from basanite and alkali olivine basalt, through olivine tholeiite and quartz tholeiite, to potassic basalts, alkali trachytes, pantellerite, and limburgite. These rock suites represent the volcanic centers of Datong, Hanobar, Kuandian, Changbaishan and Wudalianchi in northeastern China, and Mingxi in the Fujian Province of eastern China.The major-element and REE geochemistry is characteristic of each volcanic suite broadly evolving through cogenetic magmatic processes. Some of the outstanding features of the isotopic correlation arrays are as follows: (1) NdSr shows an anticorrelation within the field of ocean island basalts, extending from the MORB end-member to an enriched, time-averaged high Rb/Sr and Nd/Sr end-member (EM1), (2) SrPb also shows an anticorrelation, similar to that of Hawaiian and walvis Ridge basalts, (3) NdPb shows a positive correlation, and (4) the ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb vs ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb plot shows linear arrays parallel to the general trend (NHRL) for MORB on both sides of the geochron, although in the ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb vs ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb plot the linear array is significantly displaced above the NHRL in a pattern similar to that of the oceanic island basalts that show the Dupal signatures. In all isotope correlation patterns, the data arrays define two different mantle components—a MORB-like component and an enriched mantle component. The isotopic data presented here clearly demonstrate the existence of Dupal compositions in the sources of the continental volcanic rocks of eastern China. We suggest that the subcontinental mantle beneath eastern China served as the reservoir for the EMI component, and that the MORB component was either introduced by subduction of the Kula-Pacific Ridge beneath the Asiatic plate in the Late Cretaceous, as proposed by Uyeda and Miyashiro, or by upwellings in the subcontinental asthenosphere due to subduction.     

Lithospheric composition and structure beneath the northern margin of the Qinling orogenic belt

Swarms of mafic-intermediate volcaniclastic bodies occur in the Minggang region of Henan Province, a tectonic boundary between the North Qinling and the North China Block, and emplaced at (178.31±3.77) Ma. These volcanic rocks are subalkaline basaltic andesites and contain abundance of lower crust and mantle xenoliths. Thus this area is an ideal place to reveal the lithospheric composition and structure beneath the northern margin of the Qinling orogenic belt. Geochemical data indicate that these mafic granulites, eclogites and metagabbros have trace elemental and Pb isotopic characteristics very similar to those rocks from the South Qinling Block, representing the lower part of lower crust of the South Qinling which subducted beneath the North China Block. Talcic peridotites represent the overlying mantle wedge materials of the North China Block, which underwent the metasomatism of the acidic melt/fluid released from the underlying lower crust of the South Qinling Block. Deep tectonic model proposed in this paper is that after the Late Paleozoic South Qinling lithosphere subducted northward and decoupled, the upper part of the lithosphere emplaced under the North Qinling and the lower part continuously subducted northward under the North China Block. In Early Mesozoic, the North Qinling Block obducted northward and the North China Block inserted into the Qinling orogenic belt in a crocodile-mouth shape.     

Lithospheric composition and structure beneath the northern margin of the Qinling orogenic belt——On deep-seated xenoliths in Minggang region of Henan Province

Swarms of mafic-intermediate volcaniclastic bodies occur in the Minggang region of Henan Province, a tectonic boundary between the North Qinling and the North China Block, and emplaced at (178.31±3.77) Ma. These volcanic rocks are subalkaline basaltic andesites and contain abundance of lower crust and mantle xenoliths. Thus this area is an ideal place to reveal the lithospheric composition and structure beneath the northern margin of the Qinling orogenic belt. Geochemical data indicate that these mafic granulites, eclogites and metagabbros have trace elemental and Pb isotopic characteristics very similar to those rocks from the South Qinling Block, representing the lower part of lower crust of the South Qinling which subducted beneath the North China Block. Talcic peridotites represent the overlying mantle wedge materials of the North China Block, which underwent the metasomatism of the acidic melt/fluid released from the underlying lower crust of the South Qinling Block. Deep tectonic model proposed i     

Crustal thickness beneath the Tanlu fault zone and its tectonic significance based on two-layer H-κ stacking

Tanlu fault zone(TLFZ)is the largest active fault zone in eastern China.It is characterized by complex tectonic evolution and multiple faults and marks the boundary between the North and South China blocks.An in-depth understanding of the distinct crustal structures of both parts of the TLFZ will provide valuable insights into the lithospheric and crustal thinning in eastern China,extensive magmatism since the Mesozoic,and formation mechanisms of metallogenic belts along the Yangtze River.In this study,a two-layer H-κ stacking approach was adopted to estimate the thicknesses of the sediment and crystalline crust as well as the corresponding vp/vs ratios based on high-quality teleseismic P-wave receiver functions recorded by permanent and temporary stations in and around the TLFZ.The geological units in the study region were delineated,especially the crustal structures beneath extensive sedimentary basins on both sides of the TLFZ.The following conclusions can be drawn:(1)The crustal thickness in and around the TLFZ greatly varies depending on the segment.In the northern segment,the crust is relatively thin beneath the eastern part of the Songliao Basin,a broad uplift of the Moho can be observed,and the Moho descends from south to north.The crust below the central and southern segments becomes thinner from west to east.The thickness of the crust is less than 30 km toward the eastern side of the boundary between the Jiangsu and Anhui provinces,that is,significantly thinner than in other areas.In terms of the vp/vs ratios,high anomalies were detected in the central-southern segments of the TLFZ,indicating the upwelling of deep mantle magma via deep faults.(2)Positive isostatic gravity anomalies were observed in the eastern part of the northern segment of the TLFZ and in the eastern part of the Suwan segment.The crustal thickness is smaller than that obtained from the Airy model of isostasy.This suggests that the lower crust in this area may have experienced intensive transformation processes,which may be related to crustal thinning(caused by crustal extension)and the strong uplift of the mantle in eastern China.The isostatic gravity anomalies between the eastern and western parts of the TLFZ indicate that the fault zone plays a dominant role in controlling the development of the deep crustal structure.(3)Significant crustal thinning was observed beneath the eastern part of the boundary between the Jiangsu and Anhui provinces in the southern segment of the TLFZ,suggesting that this area is prone to lithospheric thinning of the North China Craton.Due to the subduction,compression,and retreat of the Paleo-Pacific Plate during the Yanshanian Period as well as the dehydration of subducting oceanic crust(within subduction zones),the asthenosphere and oceanic crust in eastern China partially melted,resulting in mantle enrichment.The basic magma from the mantle is accumulated at the base of the crust,leading to magmatic underplating.In areas with weak topography toward the east of the TLFZ,magma rises to the upper crust and surface,resulting in the enrichment of multiple'metal deposits in this area.     

鄂尔多斯盆地深部热结构特征及其对华北克拉通破坏的启示

基于二维稳态热传导方程,利用有限元数值模拟方法,选取东西向横穿鄂尔多斯盆地地质与地球物理解释大剖面进行了深部温度场数值模拟研究,得到了华北克拉通西部的鄂尔多斯盆地下伏岩石圈热结构特征.地幔热流变化范围:21.2~24.5mW·m-2,体现为东高西低特征.壳幔热流比(Qc/Qm)介于1.51~1.84之间,为"热壳冷幔".与华北东部地幔热流对比表明,西部的鄂尔多斯盆地相对处于稳定的深部动力学环境.在岩石圈热结构研究基础上,对克拉通地震岩石圈与热岩石圈厚度差异进行了对比,研究表明:鄂尔多斯盆地西部地震岩石圈与热岩石圈厚度差异约达140km,而东部的汾渭地堑,渤海湾盆地二者差异逐渐减小.华北克拉通自西向东,地震岩石圈厚度与热岩石圈厚度差异不断减小,意味着华北克拉通岩石圈下部的软流圈地幔黏性系数自西向东逐渐降低,本文从地热学角度可能印证了太平洋俯冲脱水作用对华北克拉通的影响.     

Fluid mixing as the mechanism of formation of the Dajing Cu-Sn-Ag-Pb-Zn ore deposit,Inner Mongolia ——Fluid inclusion and stable isotope evidence

Since the 1990s, interest in the magmatic fluids and their relation to mineralization has been re-aroused[1—6]. Studies on stable isotopes of low-sulfidation deposits commonly show the predominance of meteoric water[7]. Paradoxically, the evidence for me…     

Crustal structure beneath the Dabie orogenic belt from ambient noise tomography

The Qinling–Dabie–Sulu orogenic belt in east-central China is the largest high and ultrahigh pressure (HP and UHP) metamorphic zone in the world. The Dabie Mountains are the central segment of this orogenic belt between the North China and Yangtze cratons. This work studies the nature of the crustal structure beneath the Dabie orogenic belt to better understand the orogeny. To do that, we apply ambient noise tomography to the Dabie orogenic belt using ambient noise data from 40 stations of the China National Seismic Network (CNSN) between January 2008 and December 2009. We retrieve high signal noise ratio (SNR) Rayleigh waves by cross-correlating ambient noise data between most of the station pairs and then extract phase velocity dispersion measurements from those cross-correlations using a spectral method. Taking those dispersion measurements, we obtain high-resolution phase velocity maps at 8–35 second periods. By inverting Rayleigh wave phase velocity maps, we construct a high-resolution 3D shear velocity model of the crust in the Dabie orogenic belt.The resulting 3D model reveals interesting crustal features related to the orogeny. High shear wave velocities are imaged beneath the HP/UHP metaphoric zones at depths shallower than 9 km, suggesting that HP/UHP metaphoric rocks are primarily concentrated in the upper crust. Underlying the high velocity HP/UHP metamorphic zones, low shear velocities are observed in the middle crust, probably representing ductile shear zones and/or brittle fracture zones developed during the exhumation of the HP/UHP metamorphic rocks. Strong high velocities are present beneath the Northern Dabie complex unit in the middle crust, possibly related to cooling and crystallization of intrusive igneous rocks in the middle crust resulting from the post-collisional lithosphere delamination and subsequent magmatism. A north-dipping Moho is revealed in the eastern Dabie with the deepest Moho appearing beneath the Northern Dabie complex unit, consistent with the model of Triassic northward subduction of the Yangtze Craton beneath the North China Craton.