Depositional Age,Provenance Characteristics and Tectonic Setting of the Ailaoshan Group in the Southwestern South China Block

The depositional and metamorphic ages and provenances of the Ailaoshan(ALS) Group in the Ailaoshan-Red River(ALS-RR) shear zone, southwestern South China Block(SCB), were investigated to constrain the tectonic history of the southwestern SCB. In this study, we use petrology, geochemical analysis, zircon cathodoluminescence imaging and UPb geochronology to analyse samples of quartzite, garnet-bearing two-mica schist and metapelite. The age spectra of detrital zircon grains from these metasediments show two dominant age peaks at 550–424 Ma and 876–730 Ma and two subordinate peaks at 970–955 Ma and ～2450 Ma. The youngest peak, corresponding to the early Palaeozoic, accounts for more than 20% of the total dates and constrains the deposition of the ALS Group to the Palaeozoic rather than the Palaeoproterozoic as traditionally thought. Moreover, two peaks of metamorphic ages corresponding to the Permo-Triassic and Cenozoic were also identified, and these ages document the tectonothermal events associated with the Indosinian collision between the Indochina Block and the SCB and the Himalayan collision between the Indian and Asian plates. Geochemical data suggest that the provenances of the ALS Group were dominated by continental arc and recycled metasedimentary rocks. The comparison of probability density distribution plots of the detrital zircon U-Pb age data indicates that the Neoproterozoic detritus in the ALS Group was probably derived from the arc-related Neoproterozoic intrusive bodies in the northwestern and southwestern SCB. Furthermore, the early Palaeozoic detritus might have been sourced from eroded early Palaeozoic strata and magmatic plutons in Cathaysia and volcanic rocks in the western Indochina Block.     

Tectonomagmatic setting and provenance of the Santa Marta Schists,northern Colombia: Insights on the growth and approach of Cretaceous Caribbean oceanic terranes to the South American continent

Metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary rocks accreted to the northern South American continental margin are major vestiges of the Caribbean oceanic plate evolution and its interactions with the continent. Selected whole rock geochemistry, Nd–Sr isotopes and detrital zircon geochronology were obtained in metabasic and metasedimentary rocks from the Santa Marta and San Lorenzo Schists in northernmost Colombia. Trace element patterns are characterized by primitive island arc and MORB signatures. Similarly initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr-ε_Nd isotopic relations correlate with oceanic arcs and MORB reservoirs, suggesting that the protoliths were formed within a back-arc setting or at the transition between the inta-oceanic arc and the Caribbean oceanic crust. Trace element trends from associated metasedimentary rocks show that the provenance was controlled by a volcanic arc and a sialic continental domain, whereas detrital U/Pb zircons from the Santa Marta Schists and adjacent southeastern metamorphic units show Late Cretaceous and older Mesozoic, Late Paleozoic and Mesoproterozoic sources. Comparison with continental inland basins suggests that this arc-basin is allocthonous to its current position, and was still active by ca. 82 Ma. The geological features are comparable to other arc remnants found in northeastern Colombia and the Netherland Antilles. The geochemical and U/Pb detrital signatures from the metasedimentary rocks suggest that this tectonic domain was already in proximity to the continental margin, in a configuration similar to the modern Antilles or the Kermadec arc in the Pacific. The older continental detritus were derived from the ongoing Andean uplift feeding the intra-oceanic tectonic environment. Cross-cutting relations with granitoids and metamorphic ages suggest that metamorphism was completed by ca. 65 Ma.     

Geochronology and geochemistry of metasedimentary rocks from the Dongnancha Formation in the Huadian area,central Jilin Province,Northeast (NE) China: Implications for the tectonic evolution of the eastern segment of the Paleo-Asian Ocean

To constrain the tectonic evolution of the eastern segment of the Paleo-Asian Ocean, we conducted zircon U–Pb-Hf dating and whole-rock geochemical analyses for metasedimentary rocks from the Dongnancha Formation in the Huadian area in central Jilin Province, Northeastern (NE) China. Most detrital zircons from the metasedimentary rocks display clear oscillatory zoning and striped absorption in cathodoluminescence (CL) images and have Th/U ratios of 0.1–1.8, thus indicating a magmatic origin. U–Pb isotopic dating using LA-ICP-MS method for zircon samples from the metasedimentary rocks reveals that the depositional age can be constrained to the period between 250 and 222 Ma. Geochemical data reveal low to intermediate degrees of weathering of the source material and compositionally low to intermediate maturity. Detailed analyses of detrital zircon U–Pb-Hf geochronology and geochemistry show that these metasedimentary rocks are derived from a bidirectional provenance. The predominant derivation is from Permian–Early Triassic felsic-intermediate igneous rocks of central Jilin Province and adjacent regions in the northern margin of the North China Craton, although felsic-intermediate igneous rocks and continental material in the eastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt from the Cambrian–Carboniferous represent additional sources and minor amounts of Paleoproterozoic–Neoproterozoic material have been input from the North China Craton. A number of geochemical indicators and tectonic discrimination diagrams collectively indicate a continental island arc-active continental margin setting for the deposition of the protoliths of the metasedimentary rocks. The results of geochemical and geochronological analyses of the provenance and tectonic setting of the metasedimentary rocks indicate that the Dongnancha Formation was likely deposited in an intermountain basin in a post-orogenic fast uplift setting, suggesting that the final closure of the eastern segment of the Paleo-Asian Ocean in the Huadian area of central Jinlin Province likely occurred between the Early Triassic and Middle Triassic.     

Late Permian–Triassic siliciclastic provenance,palaeogeography, and crustal growth of the Songpan terrane,eastern Tibetan Plateau: evidence from U–Pb ages,trace elements,and Hf isotopes of detrital zircons

In order to constrain the detrital provenance of the siliciclastic rocks, palaeogeographic variations, and crustal growth history of central China, we carried out simultaneously in situ U–Pb dating and trace element and Hf isotope analyses on 368 detrital zircons obtained from upper Permian–Triassic sandstones of the Songpan terrane, eastern Tibetan Plateau. Two groups of detrital zircons, i.e. magmatic and metamorphic in origin, have been identified based on cathodoluminescence images, zircon Ti-temperatures, and Th/U ratios. Our data suggest that the derivation of siliciclastic rocks in the Songpan terrane was mainly from the Qinling, Qilian, and Kunlun orogens, whereas the Yangtze and North China Cratons served as minor source areas during late Permian–Triassic times. The detrital zircons from Middle–Late Triassic siliciclastic rocks exhibit wide age spectra with two dominant populations of 230–600 Ma and >1600 Ma, peaking at ~1.8–1.9 Ga and ~2.4–2.5 Ga, suggestive of a derivation from the Qinling, Qilian, and Kunlun orogens and the Yangtze Craton being the minor source area. The proportions of detrital zircon populations from the northern Qinling, Qilian, and Kunlun orogens distinctly decreased during Middle–Late Triassic time, demonstrating that the initial uplift of the western Qinling occurred then and it could have blocked most of the detritus from the Qilian–northern Qinling orogens and North China Cratons into the main Songpan–Ganzi depositional basin. The relatively detrital zircon proportions of the Yangtze Craton source decreased during Early-Middle Late Triassic time, indicating that the Longmenshan orogen was probably being elevated, since the early Late Triassic and gradually formed a barrier between the Yangtze Craton and the Songpan terrane. In addition, our Lu–Hf isotopic results also reveal that the Phanerozoic magmatic rocks in central China had been the primary products of crustal reworking with insignificant formation of a juvenile crust.     

Zircon provenances provide paleogeographic constraints on models reconstructing the Paleoproterozoic Columbia Supercontinent

Paleoproterozoic orogens of the North Australian Craton are related to the assembly of the Columbia Supercontinent. The roles of the distinct orogens in the Paleoproterozoic craton amalgamation are poorly understood due to the lack of surface exposure. The age and isotopic systematics of detrital zircon grains hosted in Paleoproterozoic sedimentary sequences are used to unravel the geological history of the craton, in terms of paleogeography and tectonic setting. The oldest (Early Paleoproterozoic) metasedimentary units are characterised by detrital zircon ages peaking at ca. 2500 Ma. The zircon ε_Hf values show large variations in the different orogens and range from −18 to +6. The overlaying youngest turbiditic units show minor accumulation of Archean detritus. Units from apparently different metasedimentary sequences have a major detrital zircon age population at ca. 1865 Ma, and a relatively restricted range of zircon ε_Hf values between −7.3 and +2.6. The isotopic distinctiveness of the oldest units is attributed to local variations in the depositional environment, probably due to horst-graben architecture of the early Paleoproterozoic basin. The youngest turbiditic units blanketed this early horst-graben architecture and in part have a local provenance. Potential detritus sources include South Australian Craton, Dharwar Craton and Aravalli-Lesser Himalayan terrains in India, South China, and Madagascar (Africa). This finding indicates that these regions might have been connected before the Columbia Supercontinent was formed. The ubiquitous ca. 2500 Ma magmatic event records the assembly of these cratonic fragments in a previous supercontinent called Kernorland. In addition, the data do not support a proximity of the North Australian Craton with the North China Block, Western Laurentia (North America), and Kaapvaal Craton (Africa) during Columbia amalgamation.     

Petrography and provenance of Upper Cretaceous – Palaeogene sandstones in the foreland basin system of Central Nepal

Sedimentary deposits of the Cretaceous to Miocene Tansen Group of Lesser Himalayan association in central Nepal record passive-margin sedimentation of the Indian Continent with direct deposition onto eroded Precambrian rocks (Sisne Formation onto Kaligandaki Supergroup rocks), succeeded by the appearance of orogenic detritus as the Indian continent collided with Asia on a N-dipping subduction zone. Rock samples from two field traverses were examined petrographically and through detrital zircon U–Pb dating, one traverse being across the Tansen Group and another across the Higher and Tethyan Himalaya (TH). The Tansen Group depositional ages are well known through fossil assemblages. We examined samples from three units of the Tansen Group (Amile, Bhainskati, and Dumri Formations). The Sedimentary petrographic data and Qt F L and Qm F Lt plots indicate their ‘Quartzose recycled’ nature and classify Tansen sedimentary rocks as ‘recycled orogenic’, suggesting Indian cratonic and Lower Lesser Himalayan (LLH) sediments as the likely source of sediments for the Amile Formation (Am), the TH and the Upper Lesser Himalaya (ULH) as the source for the Bhainskati Formation (Bk), and both the Tethyan and Higher Himalaya (HH) as the major sources for the Dumri Formation (Dm). The Cretaceous–Palaeocene pre-collisional Am is dominated by a broad detrital zircon U–Pb ~1830 Ma age peak with neither Palaeozoic nor Neoproterozoic zircons grains, but hosts a significant proportion (23%) of syndepositional Cretaceous zircons (121–105 Ma) would be contributions from the LLH volcanosedimentary arc, Gangdese batholith (including the Xigaze forearc). The other formations of the Tansen Group are more similar to Tethyan units than to Higher Himalaya Crystalline (HHC). From the analysed samples, there is a lack of distinctive evidence or HH detritus in the Tansen basin. Furthermore, the presence of ~23±1 Ma zircons from the HH unit suggests that they could not have been exposed until the earliest Miocene time.     

The geodynamic evolution of the Italian South Alpine basement from the Ediacaran to the Carboniferous: Was the South Alpine terrane part of the peri-Gondwana arc-forming terranes?

Zircon U-Pb LA-ICPMS ages were obtained from three metasedimentary and two metavolcanic samples from the Monte Cavallino (South Tyrol) and the Cima Vallona (Carnic Alps) tectono-metamorphic groups from the eastern South Alpine crystalline basement in NE Italy. These analyses were performed to constrain the maximum depositional ages of the South Alpine domain, and to compare the spatial and temporal provenance variations with those of adjacent terranes. The detrital zircon dataset from the metasedimentary rocks (416 grains) yield populations with age peaks at 2.7–2.9 Ga, 1.8–2.1 Ga, 1.2–0.85 Ga, and 0.65–0.45 Ga, with maximum depositional ages ranging from the latest Neoproterozoic to the Silurian. The metavolcanic zircon dataset (209 grains) documents the presence of a two Ordovician volcanic events in the South Alpine domain. The detrital zircon dataset implies that the clastic units of the South Alpine crystalline basement were (a) deposited on the peri-Gondwanan active continental margin and (b) were originally sourced from the Proterozoic and Paleozoic units of NW Gondwana and hence should no longer be considered as exotic elements. The age spectra of the three metasedimentary units highlight differences between the Ediacaran basement gneiss, the Ordovician greywacke, and the Silurian metaconglomerate, suggesting up-section age variations due to a temporal change in provenance. Collectively, these new detrital zircon U-Pb ages imply that the clastic units within the South Alpine domain recorded sedimentation at c. 550 Ma on the peri-Gondwanan active continental margin, followed by rift-related continental and marine sedimentation in a back-arc basin setting until at least the Silurian. The South Alpine domain ultimately rifted off from Gondwana due to back-arc spreading, and subsequently underwent Variscan metamorphism during accretion onto the Laurussia margin, which started at c. 380 Ma and lasted until at least c. 320 Ma.     

An early Paleozoic Subduction Channel in the North Qilian Mountains,Northwestern China: Structural,Petrological and Chronological Constraints

Detailed geological mapping, structural, petrological and chronological investigation allow us to place new constraints on the tectono‐thermal evolution of the North Qilian high pressure/low temperature (HP/LT) metamorphic belt. The North Qilian HP/LT metamorphic belt manly consists of eclogite, blueschist, metasedimentary rocks and serpentinite. Most of eclogites and mafic blueschists occur as lenses within metasedimentary rocks, and minor eclogites within serpentinite. Petrological and geochemistical data indicate that the protoliths of eclogite and mafic blueschist includes E‐, N‐MORB, OIB and arc basalt. Geochronology and Lu‐Hf isotope of detrital zircons from metasedimentary rocks indicate the detritus materials are derived from Qilian block and likely deposit in continental margin or fore‐arc basin. Zircon U‐Pb datings show that the protolith ages of eclogites vary between 500 Ma and 530 Ma, and the metamorphic age of eclogite between 460 and 489 Ma. The detrital zircon ages of metasedimentary rocks distribute between 532 and 2700 Ma. The structural data show that the deformation related to the subduction during prograde is recorded in eclogite blocks. In contrast, the dominant deformation structures are characterized by tight fold, sheath fold and penetrative foliation and lineation, which are recorded in various rocks, reflecting a top‐to‐the‐south shear sense and representing the deformation related to the exhumation. The petrological data suggest that the different rocks in the North Qilian HP/LT metamorphic belt equilibrated at different peak metamorphic conditions and recorded different P‐T path. Synthesizing the structural, petrological, geochemical and geochronological data suggest a subduction channel model related to oceanic subduction during Paleozoic in the North Qilian Mountains. The different HP/LT metamorphic rocks formed in different settings with various protolith ages were carried by the subducted oceanic crust into different depth in subduction channel, and experienced independent tectono‐thermal evolution inside subduction channel. The North Qilian HP/LT mélange reflects a fossil oceanic subduction channel.     

Age and nature of Cryogenian diamictites at Aksu,Northwest China: implications for Sturtian tectonics and climate

The Neoproterozoic succession in the Aksu region of northwestern China forms an unconformable boundary with the lower Precambrian Aksu basement group and consists of the Qiaoenbrak, Yuermeinak, Sugetbrak, and Chigebrak Formations. The two lowermost units include distinct glaciogenic diamictites that indicate distinct episodes of glaciation. In this study, we report the LA-ICP-MS U–Pb ages of detrital zircons and geochemical data from the lower Neoproterozoic strata. The age of the detrital zircon constrains the maximum depositional age to between 769 ± 10 and 727 ± 8 Ma for the Qiaoenbrak diamictites, which are associated with the Kaigas glaciation that occurred during the early Cryogenian period. The youngest detrital zircon age of 719 ± 9 Ma corresponds to the maximum depositional age of the Yuermeinak diamictites, which are associated with the Sturtian glaciation. The detrital zircons from the lower Neoproterozoic strata in the Aksu area indicated four peak ages of 2484, 1948, 861, and 647–581 Ma, which are consistent with the major tectonic episodes in the Tarim Block. The peak age of 2484 Ma represents an Archaean basement, which participated in the worldwide continental nuclei growth event from the late Neoarchaean to the early Palaeoproterozoic. The peak age of 1948 Ma may be associated with the assembly of the Columbia supercontinent, and the 861 and 647–581 Ma are likely associated with the break-up of the Rodinia supercontinent. The combination of geological and geochemical characteristics between the Qiaoenbrak Formation and Aksu Group indicates that the Qiaoenbrak Formation may be penecontemporaneous with the Aksu Group in an active continental margin tectonic setting. Following the break-up of the Rodinia supercontinent, the margin of the Aksu evolved into a passive margin and the Yuermeinak and Sugetbrak Formations were deposited.     

Detrital zircon U–Pb ages along the Yarlung-Tsangpo suture zone, Tibet: Implications for oblique convergence and collision between India and Asia

Age-dating of detrital zircons from 22 samples collected along, and adjacent to, the Yarlung-Tsangpo suture zone, southern Tibet provides distinctive age-spectra that characterize important tectonostratigraphic units. Comparisons with data from Nepal, northern India and the Lhasa and Qiangtang terranes of central Tibet constrain possible sources of sediment, and the history of tectonic interactions.Sedimentary rocks in the Cretaceous–Paleogene Xigaze terrane exhibit strong Mesozoic detrital zircon peaks (120 and 170 Ma) together with considerable older inheritance in conglomeratic units. This forearc basin succession developed in association with a continental volcanic arc hinterland in response to Neotethyan subduction under the southern edge of the Eurasia. Conspicuous sediment/source hinterland mismatches suggest that plate convergence along this continental margin was oblique during the Late Cretaceous. The forearc region may have been translated > 500 km dextrally from an original location nearer to Myanmar.Tethyan Himalayan sediments on the other side of the Yarlung-Tsangpo suture zone reveal similar older inheritance and although Cretaceous sediments formed 1000s of km and across at least one plate boundary from those in the Xigaze terrane they too contain an appreciable mid-Early Cretaceous (123 Ma) component. In this case it is attributed to volcanism associated with Gondwana breakup.Sedimentary overlap assemblages reveal interactions between colliding terranes. Paleocene Liuqu conglomerates contain a cryptic record of Late Jurassic and Cretaceous rock units that appear to have foundered during a Paleocene collision event prior the main India–Asia collision. Detrital zircons as young as 37 Ma from the upper Oligocene post-collisional Gangrinboche conglomerates indicate that subduction-related convergent margin magmatism continued through until at least Middle and probably Late Eocene along the southern margin of Eurasia (Lhasa terrane).Although the ages of detrital zircons in some units appear compatible with more than one potential source with care other geological relationships can be used to further constrain some linkages and eliminate others. The results document various ocean closure and collision events and when combined with other geological information this new dataset permits a more refined understanding of the time–space evolution of the Cenozoic India–Asia collision system.     

勉略构造带新元古代中期构造演化特征:来自略阳关天门变质沉积岩碎屑锆石U-Pb年代学和地球化学的证据

秦岭南缘勉略构造带略阳关天门地区发育有一套绿片岩相-低角闪岩相岩石组合,是勉略构造带内强烈韧性变形的变质沉积岩系,其形成时代和构造属性长期存在争议,制约区域大地构造演化的研究。为查明其形成时代与构造背景,对其中的变质细碎屑岩进行系统的岩石学、碎屑锆石U-Pb年代学和岩石地球化学研究。2件碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄样品的年龄分布特征相似,主要年龄区间为新元古代早中期(ca.880~800 Ma),并且显示出ca.830 Ma的显著峰值;最年轻的一组碎屑锆石年龄为747~736 Ma(平均年龄742±6 Ma)。地球化学研究结果表明,关天门变沉积岩原岩应为一套细碎屑岩偶夹碳酸盐岩的沉积组合,原岩经历了较低程度的化学风化和沉积物再旋回,其物源主要为大陆岛弧背景下的中-酸性岩浆岩。结合区域已有研究成果,认为关天门变沉积岩的物源主要为碧口微地块、汉南—米仓山微地块的新元古代早中期岩浆弧。通过野外地质调查,并与已有的区域碎屑锆石年龄谱系进行对比,认为关天门变沉积岩岩片的沉积时代应晚于碧口微地块横丹群形成的时间(720 Ma),即关天门变沉积岩岩片的沉积时限应晚于720 Ma,形成于新元古代中期伸展裂陷体制,是Rodinia超大陆裂解过程的响应。     

胶莱盆地蛇窝泊地区白垩纪林寺山组沉积时代与物源特征:来自碎屑锆石U-Pb测年与稀土元素组成的新证据

林寺山组是胶莱盆地莱阳群底部重要的地层单元之一.准确限定其沉积时代与物源性质对于客观重建华北陆块东部晚中生代大地构造格局以及周缘造山带/前寒武纪变质基底晚中生代的折返过程具有重要的制约作用.以莱阳盆地蛇窝泊地区莱阳群林寺山组细砾岩为研究对象,对其开展了野外地质调查、岩相学观察、锆石U-Pb测年与锆石稀土元素分析等综合研究,并获得了如下初步认识.（1）林寺山组细砾岩中最小一组碎屑锆石加权平均年龄分别为129±1 Ma与127±5 Ma,结合区域上不整合于莱阳群之上青山群火山岩锆石谐和年龄为119±1 Ma,推测蛇窝泊地区林寺山组沉积时代介于127~119 Ma.（2）蛇窝泊地区林寺山组细砾岩的碎屑锆石年龄变化于2 858~126 Ma之间,并以新太古代晚期与白垩纪早期碎屑锆石为主.前古元古代的碎屑锆石主要来源于胶北前寒武纪变质岩,表明胶北太古宙-古元古代变质岩至少在白垩纪早期已折返至近地表.（3）160~120 Ma岩浆型碎屑锆石主要来源于胶东同时代的中酸性侵入体,暗示在白垩纪早期至少部分160~120 Ma中酸性侵入体已抬升至地表.（4）林寺山组发育少量的二叠纪（280 Ma）和印支期（213 Ma）变质锆石,表明胶东地区可能存在二叠纪约280 Ma区域变质-变形事件,同时暗示早白垩世苏鲁超高压变质岩已经折返到地表.      

Geologic evolution of a Cretaceous tectonometamorphic unit in the Franciscan Complex,western California

ABSTRACT

The Franciscan Yolla Bolly terrane of the NE California Coast Ranges consists mainly of quartzose metagreywackes containing sparse high-pressure/low-temperature (HP/LT) neoblastic minerals, including ubiquitous lawsonite. Some Yolla Bolly rocks also contain one or more of the newly grown phases, pumpellyite, aragonite, glaucophane, and/or jadeitic pyroxene. These blueschist-facies metasandstones recrystallized under physical conditions of ~200–300°C and ~8 kbar at subduction-zone depths approaching 30 km. Petrologically similar Franciscan metaclastic-rich map units – Yolla Bolly terrane-like rocks, here designated the ‘YB’ unit – crop out in the central and southern California Coast Ranges. Recently published detrital zircon U?Pb SIMS and LA-ICPMS data for 19 ‘YB’ metagreywackes indicate maximum ages of formation as follows: ~110–115 Ma (8) in the NE California Coast Ranges; ~95–107 Ma (7) in the San Francisco Bay area + Diablo Range; and ~85–92 Ma (4) in the dextrally offset Nacimiento Block. These fault-bounded ‘YB’ strata do not constitute coeval parts of a single tectonostratigraphic unit. Instead the term tectonometamorphic is proposed for such time-transgressive map units. Based on the current and likely Cretaceous 30° angular divergence between NS-palaeomagnetic stripes of the Farallon oceanic plate and the NNW-trending California convergent margin, I infer that arrival at the arc margin and underflow of a relatively thick segment of oceanic crust and its largely clastic sedimentary blanket may have resulted in progressive southeastward migration of an accreted, subducted, then exhumed HP/LT metagreywacke section. During the ~30 million year interval, ~115–85 Ma, the locus of ‘YB’ accretion, underflow, and tectonic regurgitation evidently moved SE along an ~1000 km stretch of the accretionary margin of western California.     

青藏高原东北缘祁连山三叠系砂岩碎屑锆石U-Pb定年及其物源分析

三叠系沉积物广泛覆盖青藏高原东北缘,其中松潘—甘孜地区三叠系的沉积物得到了较系统的研究,但是青藏高原北缘的祁连山三叠系盆地的研究却较为缺乏。为了丰富相关研究和揭示区域构造演化的特点,通过古水流方向统计、砂岩中碎屑矿物统计和碎屑锆石U-Pb测年等方法对祁连山三叠纪盆地物源进行系统研究。结果表明,祁连山三叠系盆地的古流向主要有南东向、正南向、南西向,物源来自岩浆弧和大规模褶皱造山作用的混合区。祁连山三叠系砂岩中的碎屑锆石的年龄谱主要峰值集中在250~290 Ma、360~460 Ma、1 600~2 000 Ma和2 200~2 600 Ma这4个年龄段。通过对比分析华北板块、华南板块中和秦祁昆中央造山带中岩浆锆石年龄谱特征可知:1 600~2 000 Ma和2 200~2 600 Ma年龄段的锆石来自华北板块,360~460 Ma年龄段的锆石来自北祁连造山带,250~290 Ma年龄段的锆石来自东昆仑的火山岛弧。此外,600~1 000 Ma年龄段锆石很少,这些锆石来自扬子板块,表明在三叠纪扬子克拉通和华北克拉通发生碰撞形成了秦岭造山带,阻断了来自扬子克拉通的物源。     

U–Pb ages and Lu–Hf isotopes of detrital zircons from the southern Qinling Orogen: Implications for Precambrian to Phanerozoic tectonics in central China

The Qinling Orogen, central China, was constructed during the Mesozoic collision between the North China and Yangtze continental plates. The orogen includes four tectonic units, from north to south, the Huaxiong Block (reactivated southern margin of the North China Craton), North Qinling Accretion Belt, South Qinling Fold Belt (or block) and Songpan Fold Belt, evolved from the northernmost Paleo-Tethys Ocean separating the Gondwana and Laurentia supercontinents. Here we employ detrital zircons from the Early Cretaceous alluvial sediments within the Qinling Orogen to trace the tectonic evolution of the orogen. The U–Pb ages of the detrital zircon grains from the Early Cretaceous Donghe Group sediments in the South Qinling Fold Belt cluster around 2600–2300 Ma, 2050–1800 Ma, 1200–700 Ma, 650–400 Ma and 350–200 Ma, corresponding to the global Kenorland, Columbia, Rodinia, Gondwana and Pangaea supercontinent events, respectively. The distributions of ages and εHf(t) values of zircon grains show that the Donghe Group sediments have a complex source comprising components mainly recycled from the North Qinling Accretion Belt and the North China Craton, suggesting that the South Qinling Fold Belt was a part of the united Qinling–North China continental plate, rather than an isolated microcontinent, during the Devonian–Triassic. The youngest age peak of 350–200 Ma reflects the magmatic event related to subduction and termination of the Mian-Lue oceanic plate, followed by the collision between the Yangtze Craton and the united Qinling–North China continent that came into existence at the Triassic–Jurassic transition. The interval of 208–145 Ma between the sedimentation of the Early Cretaceous Donghe Group and the youngest age of detrital zircons was coeval with the post-subduction collision between the Yangtze and the North China continental plates in Jurassic.     

Detrital zircon geochronology of quartzites from the southern Madurai Block,India: Implications for Gondwana reconstruction

Detrital zircons are important proxies for crustal provenance and have been widely used in tracing source characteristics and continental reconstructions. Southern Peninsular India constituted the central segment of the late Neoproterozoic supercontinent Gondwana and is composed of crustal blocks ranging in age from Mesoarchean to late Neoproterozoic–Cambrian. Here we investigate detrital zircon grains from a suite of quartzites accreted along the southern part of the Madurai Block. Our LA-ICPMS U-Pb dating reveals multiple populations of magmatic zircons, among which the oldest group ranges in age from Mesoarchean to Paleoproterozoic (ca. 2980–1670 Ma, with peaks at 2900–2800 Ma, 2700–2600 Ma, 2500–2300 Ma, 2100–2000 Ma). Zircons in two samples show magmatic zircons with dominantly Neoproterozoic (950–550 Ma) ages. The metamorphic zircons from the quartzites define ages in the range of 580–500 Ma, correlating with the timing of metamorphism reported from the adjacent Trivandrum Block as well as from other adjacent crustal fragments within the Gondwana assembly. The zircon trace element data are mostly characterized by LREE depletion and HREE enrichment, positive Ce, Sm anomalies and negative Eu, Pr, Nd anomalies. The Mesoarchean to Neoproterozoic age range and the contrasting petrogenetic features as indicated from zircon chemistry suggest that the detritus were sourced from multiple provenances involving a range of lithologies of varying ages. Since the exposed basement of the southern Madurai Block is largely composed of Neoproterozoic orthogneisses, the data presented in our study indicate derivation of the detritus from distal source regions implying an open ocean environment. Samples carrying exclusive Neoproterozoic detrital zircon population in the absence of older zircons suggest proximal sources in the southern Madurai Block. Our results suggest that a branch of the Mozambique ocean might have separated the southern Madurai Block to the north and the Nagercoil Block to the south, with the metasediments of the khondalite belt in Trivandrum Block marking the zone of ocean closure, part of which were accreted onto the southern Madurai Block during the collisional amalgamation of the Gondwana supercontinent in latest Neoproterozoic–Cambrian.     

Late Paleozoic geology of the Queensland Plateau (offshore northeastern Australia)

The southwestern Pacific region consists of segmented and translated continental fragments of the Gondwanan margin. Tectonic reconstructions of this region are challenged by the fact that many fragmented continental blocks are submerged and/or concealed under younger sedimentary cover. The Queensland Plateau (offshore northeastern Australia) is one such submerged continental block. We present detrital zircon geochronological and morphological data, complemented by petrographic observations, from samples obtained from the only two drill cores that penetrated the Paleozoic metasedimentary strata of the Queensland Plateau (Ocean Drilling Program leg 133, sites 824 and 825). Results provide maximum age constraints of 319.4 ± 3.5 and 298.9 ± 2.5 Ma for the time of deposition, which in conjunction with evidence for deformation, indicate that the metasedimentary successions are most likely upper Carboniferous to lower Permian. A comparison of our results with a larger dataset of detrital zircon ages from the Tasmanides suggests that the Paleozoic successions of the Queensland Plateau formed in a backarc basin that was part of the northern continuation of the New England Orogen and/or the East Australian Rift System. However, unlike most of the New England Orogen, a distinctive component of the detrital zircon age spectra of the Mossman Orogen is also recognised, suggesting the existence of a late Paleozoic drainage system that crossed the northern Tasmanides en route from the North Australian Craton. A distinctive shift from abraded zircon grains to grains with well-preserved morphology at ca 305 Ma reflects a direct drainage of first-cycle sediments, most likely from an outboard arc and/or backarc magmatism.     

P-T conditions of earliest Late Cretaceous metamorphism in the Western Sonobari Complex,northwestern Mexico: tectonic implications

The Western Sonobari Complex in northwestern Mexico consists of metamorphosed rocks mostly derived from Palaeozoic (?) sedimentary and Mesozoic igneous protoliths. Rocks of this complex display amphibolite facies orogenic metamorphism, pervasive foliation, migmatization, and four folding phases. These features are ascribed to a contractional tectonic event with NNW–SSE shortening direction, which caused thrusting, thickening of the crust, and sinking of the lithological units. U–Pb geochronology of migmatitic leucosome bands indicates that peak metamorphic conditions were reached between ~93 and 89 Ma. Post-tectonic Late Cretaceous peraluminous aplite-pegmatite dikes transect the metamorphic foliation. Traditional thermobarometry in the metamorphic rocks yields average pressures and temperatures of 9.0–7.1 kbar and 745–663°C, typical of intermediate P/T Barrovian metamorphism. On the basis of its age and contractional character, the thickening event originating the metamorphism may be related to collision of the Alisitos island arc against crustal blocks of Mexico. Thermobarometric data of post-tectonic intrusives including Late Cretaceous granodiorite and Eocene gabbro indicate emplacement within an overthickened crust, while P-T conditions of post-tectonic dikes point towards an almost isothermal decompression path along the amphibolite facies field. Rock units of similar age and metamorphic character are discontinuously exposed from the Islas Marias offshore the Nayarit coast to the Peninsular Ranges batholith of Baja California, and even extend north into the Sierra Nevada batholith and the Sevier hinterland. This extensive belt of Barrovian metamorphic rocks thus provides a record of middle Cretaceous shortening and crustal thickening related to arc-continent collision followed by subduction resuming.     

Chronological constraints on the tectonic evolution of the Chinese Tianshan Orogen through detrital zircons from modern and palaeo-river sands

The Chinese Tianshan Orogen marks prolonged and complicated interactions between the southwestern Palaeo-Asian Ocean and surrounding blocks. New and previously published detrital zircon chronological data from modern and palaeo-river sands were compiled to reveal its tectonic evolution. It is characterized by predominant Palaeozoic as well as minor Mesozoic and Precambrian detrital zircon ages with a multimodal characteristic. The oldest Phanerozoic zircon population (peaking at 475 Ma) is a result of subduction and closure of the early Palaeozoic Terskey Ocean. However, the absence of this peak in the Chinese North and southern South Tianshan suggests that subductions of the North and South Tianshan oceans may not have initiated until the Late Ordovician with subsequent 460–390 and 360–320 Ma arc magmatism. Similar to the magmatic suite in classic collisional orogens, the youngest massive 320–270 Ma magmatism is suggested to be post-collisional. The North and South Tianshan oceans therefore probably had their closure to form the Chinese Tianshan Orogen during the late Carboniferous. The weak Mesozoic intra-plate magmatism further rejects a late Permian–Triassic Tianshan Orogen due to a lack of extensive syn- and post-collisional magmatism. Moreover, diverse Precambrian detrital zircon age patterns indicate that the surrounding blocks have distinct evolutionary processes with short-term amalgamation during the Meso- to Neoproterozoic.     

A Triassic to Jurassic arc in north Borneo: Geochronology,geochemistry, and genesis of the Segama Valley Felsic Intrusions and the Sabah ophiolite

New field, geochemical, and geochronological data from the Segama Valley Felsic Intrusions (SVFI) of Sabah, north Borneo, shows them to be arc-derived tonalites; not windows or partial melts of a crystalline basement beneath Sabah. U-Pb zircon ages date emplacement in the Triassic and Jurassic: 241.1 ± 2.0 Ma, 250.7 ± 1.9 Ma, 178.7 ± 2.4 Ma, and 178.6 ± 1.3 Ma; contemporaneous with peaks in magmatism and detrital zircons in Sarawak and west Kalimantan (west Borneo). Isotopic data for Sr, Nd, and Pb from whole rocks, and for Hf and O from zircon all show mantle and/or MORB affinities indicating a mantle-derived origin. Enrichment of fluid mobile trace elements and trace element ratios indicate that the most likely setting for this is in a continuation of the Sundaland continental arc. There is no evidence in the field, geochemical, or zircon U-Pb data for continental basement in the Segama Valley region.The intrusive nature of the Segama Valley tonalites constrains the emplacement age of their supra-subduction zone host rocks to at least the Triassic. This new data expands the Triassic and Jurassic extent of Borneo and the Sundaland arc, and challenges models of Borneo's development predominantly through allochthonous terrane accretion in the Cretaceous. Instead, we propose a model of protracted autochthonous growth through supra-subduction zone crustal extension and associated magmatism.