Mineralogy, conditions of crystallization and melt generation of epidote-bearing porphyries from the Middle Urals, Russian federation

Epidote-bearing porphyritic dikes (whole rock analysis: SiO₂?=?55–65 wt. %, MgO <2.1 wt. %, K₂O <2.5 wt. %, Al₂O₃ >17 wt. %, Na₂O + K₂O?=?5.7–9.4 wt. %) situated in the continental margin zone, the Middle Urals, Russian Federation have been dated using SHRIMP U-Pb zircon techniques and give a Middle Devonian age of 388?±?2 Ma and 389?±?6 Ma. The porphyries contain phenocrysts of magmatic epidote (Ps?=?17–25 %), Ca- and Mn-rich (CaO >9 wt. %; MnO >6 wt. %) almandine garnet, Al-rich (Al₂O₃?=?12–16 wt. %) amphibole, titanite, plagioclase, biotite, muscovite, apatite, and quartz. 60 to 70 % groundmass of the porphyritic dikes consists of fine-grained albite, quartz, and K-feldspar. A variety of thermobarometric estimations, plus comparison with published experimental data indicate that the phenocryst assemblage was stable between 5 and 11 kbar and 690 to 800 °C. Oxygen fugacity was close to or greater than logfo₂ = Ni-NiO + 1. Later stage formation of the quartz-feldspar groundmass took place at hypabyssal conditions, corresponding to 1 to 2 kbar and 660 to 690 °C. The porphyritic dikes are metaluminous to slightly peraluminous (ACNK?=?0.7–1.17). They are enriched in REE and depleted Nb and Ti. They show features typical of subduction-related magmas. Chemical composition and isotopic ratios of ⁸⁶Sr/⁸⁷Sr_i?=?0.709–0.720 suggest that both mantle- and deep crustal-derived materials were involved in their petrogenesis.     

<Superscript>10</Superscript>Be, <Superscript>18</Superscript>O and radiogenic isotopic constraints on the origin of adakitic signatures: a case study from Solander and Little Solander Islands,New Zealand

Subduction-related Quaternary volcanic rocks from Solander and Little Solander Islands, south of mainland New Zealand, are porphyritic trachyandesites and andesites (58.20–62.19 wt% SiO₂) with phenocrysts of amphibole, plagioclase and biotite. The Solander and Little Solander rocks are incompatible element enriched (e.g. Sr ~931–2,270 ppm, Ba ~619–798 ppm, Th ~8.7–21.4 ppm and La ~24.3–97.2 ppm) with MORB-like Sr and Nd isotopic signatures. Isotopically similar quench-textured enclaves reflect mixing with intermediate (basaltic-andesite) magmas. The Solander rocks have geochemical affinities with adakites (e.g. high Sr/Y and low Y), whose origin is often attributed to partial melting of subducted oceanic crust. Solander sits on isotopically distinct continental crust, thus excluding partial melting of the lower crust in the genesis of the magmas. Furthermore, the incompatible element enrichments of the Solander rocks are inconsistent with partial melting of newly underplated mafic lower crust; reproduction of their major element compositions would require unrealistically high degrees of partial melting. A similar argument precludes partial melting of the subducting oceanic crust and the inability to match the observed trace element patterns in the presence of residual garnet or plagioclase. Alternatively, an enriched end member of depleted MORB mantle source is inferred from Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic compositions, trace element enrichments and εHf ? 0 CHUR in detrital zircons, sourced from the volcanics. ¹⁰Be and Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic systematics are inconsistent with significant sediment involvement in the source region. The trace element enrichments and MORB-like Sr and Nd isotopic characteristics of the Solander rocks require a strong fractionation mechanism to impart the high incompatible element concentrations and subduction-related (e.g. high LILE/HFSE) geochemical signatures of the Solander magmas. Trace element modelling shows that this can be achieved by very low degrees of melting of a peridotitic source enriched by the addition of a slab-derived melt. Subsequent open-system fractionation, involving a key role for mafic magma recharge, resulted in the evolved andesitic adakites.     

Important role of hornblende fractionation in generating the adakitic magmas in Tongling,Eastern China: evidence from amphibole megacryst and cumulate xenoliths and host gabbros

ABSTRACT

Tongling, in eastern China, is an area well-known for intra-plate adakites. Here, we present the mineral chemistry and zircon U–Pb ages for amphibole cumulate xenoliths, the mineral chemistry of amphibole megacrysts, and the whole–rock chemistry, zircon U–Pb age and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions of host gabbros from Tongling. Zircon U–Pb dating yields a crystallization age of 120.6 ± 1.2 Ma (MSWD = 4.2) for the host gabbros, which are characteristically depleted in high field strength elements (Nb, Ta, and Ti) and enriched in large ion lithophile elements (Ba and Sr), with εNd (t) of ?3.00 to ?4.52 and initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7068–0.7072, suggesting an enriched mantle source. Parental melts, as estimated from average amphibole megacryst and cumulate compositions, have Mg# values of 26–33, are enriched in Ba, Th, U, and Nd, and depleted in Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, and Ti, similar to 136 Ma mafic magmas in Tongling. Zircon U–Pb dating yields a crystallization age of 135.4 ± 1.0 Ma (MSWD = 1.6) for the amphibole cumulates. It is concluded that the Tongling adakitic rocks were formed by polybaric crystallization involving early high-pressure intracrustal fractional crystallization of cumulates comprising hornblende and clinopyroxene, and late low-pressure fractional crystallization of hornblende and plagioclase phenocrysts. The flat subduction of Pacific plate and its subsequent foundering during the Cretaceous may have triggered the generation of extensive adakitic magmas and lithospheric thinning in the Lower Yangtze Region.     

Early Paleozoic mantle evolution of East Kunlun Orogenic Belt in Qinghai,NW China: evidence from the geochemistry and geochronology of the Late Ordovician to Late Silurian mafic-ultramafic rocks in the Qimantag region

ABSTRACT

Subduction-related basaltic rocks in active continental margins should record information about the lithospheric mantle. Mafic rocks from the Qimantag region of the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt (EKOB), NW China, can be used to constrain the evolution of mantle sources. The Heishan basalts (445 Ma) and Xiarihamu gabbros (427 Ma) display distinct geochemical and isotopic features, with basalts yielding relatively lower Na₂O+K₂O (1.48–4.16 wt.%) and Mg^# (0.50–0.57) than gabbros (Na₂O+K₂O = 2.96–4.07 wt.%, Mg^# = 0.65–0.81). Although the basalts and gabbros show similar enrichment of LILE and depletion of HFSE, the gabbros have higher Th/Y and lower Sm/Th and Nb/U ratios than the basalts, indicative of derivation from a more enriched mantle source. The Heishan basalts have relatively positive εNd(t) values (+4.7 to +5.8) whereas the Xiarihamu gabbros have negative εNd(t) values ranging from ?5.5 to ?3.8. Crustal contamination played an insignificant role in the formation of the basalts and gabbros. Our data suggest that the basalts originated from a depleted mantle source, slightly enriched by subduction-related fluids, whereas the gabbros originated from an enriched mantle source. These findings support a subduction-related progressive lithospheric mantle enrichment model over ~20 Ma beneath the Qimantag region in the Early Palaeozoic.     

Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of Late Jurassic shoshonitic lamprophyre dikes from the Liaodong Peninsula, NE China

This paper presents detailed mineral chemical, element geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data for the Late Jurassic (155?±?4 Ma) lamprophyre dikes in the Liaodong Peninsula, NE China. The lamprophyres are shoshonitic and geochemically fall into three groups: Group I has relatively high SiO₂ (52.5–57.0 wt.%), low MgO (5.5–8.3 wt.%) and compatible trace element (e.g. Cr?=?128–470 ppm) contents, high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7093–0.7117), and low ε_Nd (T) values (?9.6 to ?12.1); Group II has relatively low SiO₂ (44.8–50.0 wt.%), high MgO (10.8–14.2 wt.%) and compatible trace element (e.g. Cr?=?456–1,041 ppm) contents, low initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7073–0.7087), and high ε_Nd (T) values (?1.4 to ?2.9); Group III is transitional between the two in all elemental and isotopic compositions. Interpretation of the elemental and isotopic data suggests that the lamprophyric melts were derived by partial melting of subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) at a depth of 60–80 km (group I), decompression melting of upwelling asthenosphere at 60–100 km (group II), and mixing between the SCLM-derived and asthenosphere-derived melts (group III). It is assumed that the local SCLM was detached at a depth of 60–80 km by the 155 Ma ago. A continental arc-rifting related to the Palaeo-Pacific plate subduction is favored as a geodynamic force for such a cratonic lithosphere detachment.     

Zircon U-Pb age,geochemical, and Sr-Nd-O isotopic constraints on the origin of the youngest Mesozoic adakitic dikes in Jiaodong peninsula,North China Craton: implications for Early Cretaceous crustal evolution

ABSTRACT

The adakitic dikes with zircon ages of ~120–118 Ma are identified in the Xiejiagou gold deposit, Jiaobei terrain. The Early Cretaceous intermediate-acidic dikes include monzonite, quartz monzonite, and monzogranite, which have SiO₂, Al₂O₃, K₂O, Na₂O contents ranging from 61.01 to 74.72 wt. %, 14.42 to 17.28 wt.%, 2.55 to 4.45 wt.%, and 3.09 to 4.64 wt.%, respectively. The dikes are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) (e.g., Rb, Sr, and Ba) and light rare earth elements (LREEs), but are depleted in high field strength elements (HFSEs) (e.g., Nb, Ta) and heavy rare earth elements (HREEs). They are also characterized by continental crust-like isotopic compositions: whole-rock δ¹⁸O = 7.6–9.9‰, (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i = 0.70893–0.71036, and ε_Nd(t) = ?13.16 to ?17.06. Assimilation and fractional crystallization are limited, and partial melting of source rock is the main mechanism in controlling the compositional variation. The high Sr/Y (41.51–93.25) and (La/Yb)_N (22.9–44.7) ratios imply that the dikes have affinities similar to adakitic rocks. The regional geological setting, coupled with the geochemical and isotopic data, indicate that the adakitic dikes were unlikely produced by partial melting of a subducted oceanic slab or a thickened/delaminated lower crust, or AFC processes of mantle-derived magmas. We conclude that the adakitic dikes are generated by partial melting of lower crust which was triggered and modified by underplating of the lithospheric mantle. We also propose that the eastern part of the North China Craton experienced severe thinning in the Early Cretaceous (~135–120 Ma), and the lithospheric thinning is related to delamination of the lower crust.     

40Ar–39Ar age and geochemistry of subduction-related mafic dikes in northern Tibet,China: petrogenesis and tectonic implications

The early Permian Xiaomiao mafic dike swarm in the East Kunlun orogenic belt (EKOB) provides an excellent opportunity to study the petrogenesis of such swarms developed in supra-subduction zone environments, and to investigate the early plate tectonic history of the Palaeo-Tethyan Ocean. Hornblende ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar dating results indicate that the mafic dikes formed in the early Permian (277.76 ± 2.72 Ma). The Xiaomiao mafic hypabyssals have the following compositional range: SiO₂ = 46.55–55.75%, MgO = 2.80–7.38%, Mg^# = 36–61, and (Na₂O + K₂O) = 2.87–4.95%. Chemically, they display calc-alkali affinities, ranging in composition from gabbro to gabbroic diorite. All analysed dikes are enriched in light rare earth elements and large-ion lithophile elements (e.g. Rb and Ba), but are depleted in heavy rare earth elements and high field strength elements (e.g. Nb, Ta, and Ti). Their I_Sr and ?_Nd(t) values range from 0.707 to 0.715 and –2.60 to +2.91, respectively. They are geochemically similar to subduction-related basaltic rocks (e.g. island arc basalt), but differ from E-MORB and N-MORB. Petrographic and major element data reveal that fractional crystallizations of clinopyroxene, olivine, hornblende, and Fe–Ti oxides may have occurred during magma evolution, but that crustal contamination was minor. Based on geochemical and Sr–Nd isotopic bulk-rock compositions, we suggest that the mafic dikes were likely generated by 10–20% partial melting of a spinel + minor garnet lherzolite mantle source metasomatized by subducted, slab-derived fluids, and minor sediments. Based on our results, we propose that the early evolution of the Palaeo-Tethyan Ocean involved the spreading and initial subduction of the Carboniferous to early Permian ocean basin followed by late Permian subduction, which generated the magmatic arc.     

Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of Early Cretaceous andesitic-dacitic rocks,western Qinling(Central China):Geochronological and geochemical constraints

~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar and zircon U-Pb geochronological and whole-rock geochemical analyses for the Laozanggou intermediate-acidic volcanic rocks from the western Qinling orogenic belt,Central China,constrain their petrogenesis and the nature of the Late Mesozoic lithospheric mantle.These volcanic rocks yield hornblende or whole-rock ~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar plateau ages of 128.3-129.7 Ma and zircon U-Pb age of131.3±1.3 Ma.They exhibit Si02 of 56.86-66.86 wt.%,K_2 O of 0.99-2.46 wt.% and MgO of 1.03-4.47 wt.%,with Mg# of 42-56.They are characterized by arc-like geochemical signatures with significant enrichment in LILE and LREE and depletion in HFSE.All the samples have enriched Sr-Nd isotopic compositions with initial ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr ratios ranging from 0.7112 to 0.7149 and ε_(Nd)(t) values from 10.2 to 6.3.Such geochemical signatures suggest that these volcanic rocks were derived from enriched lithospherederived magma followed by the assimilation and fractional crystallization(AFC)process.The generation of the enriched lithospheric mantle is likely related to the modification of sediment-derived fluid in response to the Triassic subduction/collision event in Qinling orogenic belt.The early Cretaceous detachment of the lithospheric root provides a reasonable mechanism for understanding the petrogenesis of the Laozanggou volcanic sequence in the western Qinling orogenic belt.     

Origin of anorogenic ‘lamproite-like’ potassic lavas from the Denizli region in Western Anatolia Extensional Province, Turkey

The Denizli region of the Western Anatolia Extensional Province (WAEP) includes a typical example of intra-plate potassic magmatism. Lamproite-like K-rich to shoshonitic alkaline rocks erupted in the Upper Miocene-Pliocene in a tensional tectonic setting. The absence of Nb and Ta depletion, low Th/Zr and high Nb/Zr ratios and distinct isotopic values (i.e. low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, 0.703523–0.703757; high ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd, 0.512708–0.512784; high ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 19.079–19.227, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 15.635–15.682, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 39.144–39.302) mark an anorogenic geochemical signature of the Denizli volcanics. All of the lavas are strongly enriched in large-ion-lithophile elements (e.g. Ba 1,100–2,200 ppm; Sr 1,900–3,100 ppm; Rb 91–295 ppm) and light rare-earth elements (e.g. La_N?=?319–464), with a geochemical affinity to ocean-island basalts and lack of a recognizable subduction signature or any evidence for crustal contamination. The restricted range of isotopic (Sr, Nd, Pb) ratios in both near-primitive (Mg# 66.7–77.2) and more evolved (Mg# 64.6–68.7) members of the Denizli volcanics signify their evolution from an isotopically equilibrated parental mantle source. Their high Dy/Yb and Rb/Sr values also suggest that garnet and phlogopite were present in the mantle source. Their strong EM-II signature, very low Nd model ages (0.44–049 Ga) and isotopic (Sr-Nd-Pb) values analogous to those of the Nyiragongo potassic basanites and kimberlites from the African stable continental settings, suggest that the parental melts that produced the Denizli volcanics are associated with very young and enriched mantle sources, which include both sublithospheric and enriched subcontinental lithospheric mantle melts. Mantle-lithosphere delamination probably played a significant role in the generation of these melts, and could be related to roll-back of the Aegean arc, lithospheric extension and asthenospheric mantle upwelling.     

Petrogenesis of Early Cretaceous mafic dikes in southeastern Jiaolai basin,Jiaodong Peninsula,China

Mafic dikes of mainly Early Cretaceous age (130–110 Ma) are widely developed on the Jiaodong Peninsula, China. Previous studies of the dikes, which have focused mainly on occurrences in the Jiaobei uplift and in the Sulu orogenic belt, have thoroughly examined their petrogenesis and geodynamic setting. This study identified four previously unknown mafic dikes (dolerite and lamprophyre) in southeastern Jiaolai basin (near Haiyang city), Jiaodong Peninsula. Detailed geochemical and geochronological analyses were conducted to determine the petrogenesis of the dikes and to infer their geodynamic setting. Zircon U–Pb dating by laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) indicates that the dikes were emplaced at ~126 Ma. The dikes are characterized by low SiO₂ contents (44.3–52.3 wt.%), high contents of MgO (7.28–10.13 wt.%), Cr (267–652 ppm), and Ni (93–335 ppm), and high Mg^# values (63–73); they are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs; Ba, K, and Sr), depleted in high field strength elements (HFSEs; Nb, Ta, P, and Ti), and are characterized by high (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i isotope ratios (0.707226–0.708222), low ε_Nd(t) values (?12.3 to ?13.6), and zircon ε_Hf(t) values (?15.6 to ?23.6). These features suggest that the dikes were derived from enriched subcontinent lithospheric mantle (SCLM). The wide range of Rb/Sr (0.04–0.18) and Ba/Rb (5–34) ratios, and the low and limited range of Dy/Yb (1.93–2.52) and K/Yb (5.71–11.99) ratios of the dikes indicate that the magmas originated from a low degree of partial melting of an amphibole- and phlogopite-bearing lherzolite in the spinel–garnet transition zone. The parental magma might have experienced fractionation of olivine and clinopyroxene during its ascent without significant crustal contamination. Evident depletion of Nb–Ta and Zr–Hf, low and limited range of Th/Yb ratios, elevated Ba/La ratios, constant chondritic Zr/Hf ratios, and a large range of Hf/Sm ratios further indicate that the mantle sources of the dikes were altered by carbonate-related metasomatism from subducted slab-derived fluids, which were most likely related to subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific plate during the Mesozoic. The mafic dikes in the southeastern Jiaolai basin resemble the arc-like mafic dikes in the Jiaobei terrain and the Sulu orogenic belt, and possibly indicate lithospheric thinning induced by slab rollback of the Palaeo-Pacific plate.     

Continental ca 1.7 – 1.69 Ga Fe-rich metatholeiites in the Curnamona Province,Australia: a record of melting of a heterogeneous,subduction-modified lithospheric mantle

Mg-rich and Fe-rich metatholeiites intruded the Willyama Supergroup of the southern Australian Curnamona Province in the Late Palaeoproterozoic at ca 1700 Ma and 1685 Ma, respectively. Intrusion of the Fe-rich metatholeiites occurred during a period of punctuated extension in the Willyama basin. Major-element concentrations are variable (SiO₂ 45.4 – 56.5 wt%; Fe₂O₃? 8.5 – 20.7; TiO₂ 0.46 – 2.52 wt%; Mg# 70.5 – 29.1) and, in conjunction with trace-element data, support near-closed-system fractionation of a mantle-derived melt with little or no replenishment. Fractionation produced progressively Fe-rich derivative melts. Crystallising phases were dominated by clinopyroxene and olivine, whereas Fe – (Ti) oxide crystallisation was hindered. Primitive mantle-normalised immobile trace elements are characterised by variable Th, Nb, Sr, P and Ti anomalies. Chondrite-normalised rare-earth element patterns for the most primitive, Mg-rich samples from the western Broken Hill Domain have La_N/Sm_N < 1, whereas the most evolved Fe-rich samples from the Olary Domain have ratios of La_N/Sm_N > 1. Initial εNd values range between – 2.2 and + 2.7 for the majority of the samples, with the isotopic compositions showing no correlation with differentiation or assimilation. The combined geochemical and isotopic data suggest that the southern Curnamona Province metatholeiites were extracted from a depleted mantle in the western Broken Hill Domain, and a variably enriched, heterogeneous subcontinental lithospheric mantle in the Olary Domain. Magmatism most likely occurred in a backarc basin or intracontinental setting. It is speculated that the geochemically enriched mantle component was derived from subduction-related processes, probably related to pre-Willyama basin accretionary processes along the southern and eastern margins of the North Australian Craton.     

Petrogenesis and tectonic significance of the Early Devonian lamprophyres and diorites in the Alxa Block,NW China

The North Qilian orogenic belt (NQOB) has been defined as a subduction-collision zone between the Alxa Block and the Qilian Block during the Early Paleozoic. To constrain the post-collisional tectonic evolution of the NQOB, analyses of zircon U-Pb-Hf isotopes, whole-rock major, trace element and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope compositions of the newly discovered Early Devonian lamprophyres and diorites dikes from the Longshoushan area in southwestern margin of the Alxa Block were conducted. Zircon U-Pb dating yields emplacement ages of 400 ± 4 Ma and 403 ± 6 Ma for two lamprophyre dikes and 391 ± 3 Ma for two diorite dikes. The lamprophyres dikes are shoshonitic-high-K (calc-alkaline) in nature, and are characterized by SiO₂ contents of 53.6–56.3 wt %, (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios of 0.7064 to 0.7072, εNd(t) values of 0.1–1.0, and zircon εHf(t) values of −8.0 to −2.9. The diorite dikes are high-K (calc-alkaline), and are characterized by MgO contents of 6.32–6.98 wt %, (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios of 0.7089–0.7137, εNd(t) values of −3.8 to −3.5, and zircon εHf(t) values of −9.9–0.4. Both the lamprophyre and diorite dikes show parallel enrichments in LREEs and LILEs and depletions in HREEs and HFSEs and have similar ratios of (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i (17.587–18.133), (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i (15.518–15.584) and (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i (37.676–38.058). Geochemical and isotopic data suggest that the lamprophyre and diorite dikes were derived from low-degrees melts of amphibole- and phlogopite-bearing lherzolite and phlogopite-bearing lherzolite, respectively, in the spinel-garnet transition facies. Their parental magmas both experienced extensive fractional crystallization in a deep magma chamber and negligible crustal contamination during their ascent. Regarding the Palaeozoic tectonic development of the North Qilian orogenic belt, we propose that the Early Devonian lamprophyres and diorites possibly are related to North Qilian orogen unrooting and collapse and marking the end of the North Qilian orogenic events.     

Origin of Middle Cambrian and Late Silurian potassic granitoids from the western Kunlun orogen,northwest China: a magmatic response to the Proto-Tethys evolution

This paper presents new SHRIMP zircon U–Pb chronology, major and trace element, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data of two Early Paleozoic granitic plutons (Yierba and North Kudi) from the western Kunlun orogen, in attempt to further constrain the Proto-Tethys evolution. SHRIMP zircon U–Pb dating shows that the Yierba pluton was emplaced in the Middle Cambrian (513?±?7 Ma) and the North Kudi pluton was emplaced in the Late Silurian (420.6?±?6.3 Ma). The Yierba pluton consists of quartz monzodiorite, quartz monzonite and granodiorite. These granitoids are metaluminous and potassic, with initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7072–0.7096, ε_Nd (T) of ?0.2 to ?1.6 and ε_Hf (T) (in-situ zircon) of ?1.2. Elemental and isotopic data suggest that they were formed by partial melting of subducted sediments, with subsequent melts interacting with the overlying mantle wedge in an oceanic island arc setting in response to the intra-oceanic subduction of Proto-Tethys. The North Kudi pluton consists of syenogranite and alkali-feldspar granite. These granites are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous and potassic. They show an affinity of A₁ subtype granite, with initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7077–0.7101, ε_Nd (T) of ?3.5 to ?4.0 and ε_Hf (T) (in-situ zircon) of ?3.9. Elemental and isotopic data suggest that they were formed by partial melting of the Precambrian metamorphic basement at a shallow depth (<30 km) during the post-orogenic regime caused by Proto-Tethyan oceanic slab break-off. Our new data suggest that the subduction of the Proto-Tethyan oceanic crust was as early as Middle Cambrian (～513 Ma) and the final closure of Proto-Tethys was not later than Late Silurian (～421 Ma), most probably in Middle Silurian.     

Petrology of Late Jurassic allochthonous ultramafic lamprophyres within the Batain Nappes,Northeastern Oman

ABSTRACT

Late Jurassic ultramafic lamprophyre (UML) sills and dikes occur as 3 km-long intrusions within the allochthonous Whara Formation of the Batain nappes, eastern Oman. The sills and dikes comprise macrocrystic phlogopite and spinel-bearing aillikite and damtjernite. Aillikite is a light grey, massive fine-grained tuffaceous rock with euhedral laths of mica, while damtjernite is a dark grey, medium- to coarse-grained rock with abundant pelletal lapilli and globular segregationary textures. Both lithologies are composed of calcite, phlogopite, apatite, magnetite, spinel, diopside, and richterite. Orthoclase occurs only within damtjernite. The rocks are strongly silica undersaturated (17.6–33.7 wt.% SiO₂), with low MgO (4.7–10.2 wt. %) and high Al₂O₃ (3.5–8.6 wt.%). The aillikites are distinguished from the damtjernites by their lower SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and Na₂O abundances, and their higher MgO, CaO, and P₂O₅ contents. The rare earth element (REE) patterns of both rock types are similar and show strong light REE (LREE) enrichment. Both are enriched in Ba, Th, U, Nb, and Ta, with normalized concentrations of up to 1000 times those of primitive mantle. Relative depletions are apparent for high REE (HREE), K, Rb, Pb, Sr, P, Zr, and Hf. The rocks have initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.70435–0.70646, whereas initial ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios vary between 0 · 512603 and 0 · 512716 (εNd_i 2.6–3.2). Pb isotopic ratios are more varied among the aillikites and damtjernites: ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_i = 38.97–39.39 and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_i = 15.35–15.58, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_i = 18.08–18.96. The abundance of phlogopite, apatite, and rutile and enrichment in LREEs, Ba, Th, U, Nb, and Ta in the Sal UMLs suggest metasomatic enrichment of these rocks following a low degree of partial melting of a depleted source region. Ar–Ar age dating of phlogopite macrocrysts from the aillikites and damtjernites (154 and162 Ma, respectively) correlates with large-scale tectonic events recorded in the proto-Indian Ocean at 140–160 Ma.     

Sr,Nd and Pb isotopic and geochemical constraints for the origin of magmas in Popocatépetl volcano (central Mexico) and their relationship with the adjacent volcanic fields

We present new geochemical data (major- and trace-elements, as well as Sr and Nd isotopic compositions) of volcanic rocks erupted from Popocatépetl volcano during the volcanic event from December 2000 to January 2001. These data along with an exhaustive compilation of geochemical and Sr, Nd, and Pb isotope data reported for Popocatépetl rocks and nearby volcanic areas are used to examine the origin and geochemical evolution of the magmas in the central Mexican volcanic belt (CMVB). During this period of volcanic eruptions Popocatépetl produced ash columns as high as 7 km. Pyroclastic flows and lahars were observed after the completion of the activity. Samples of banded pumice and a bomb fragment transported by the lahar were chemically analysed for this work. Rocks show an andesitic composition with 58.5–61.7 wt.% SiO₂ and 5.9–4.0 wt.% MgO. Contents of large ion lithophile elements (LILE), rare-earth elements (REE) and Zr are nearly constant through the compositional range. No significant Eu anomaly is present, but the samples show Nb-anomaly relative to LILE and high-field strength elements (HFSE). Nd- and Sr-isotopic compositions of these samples range from ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0.51291 to 0.51287 and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.70399 to 0.70422. Comparison of Popocatépetl products with volcanic rocks from the nearby areas shows that the magmas in CMVB were generated in a heterogeneously veined-mantle source enriched in LILE, HFSE, and REE. Additional crustal assimilation as well as fractional crystallization could account for the great chemical variability of rocks in the CMVB. Statistical comparison of the geochemical compositions of the volcanic products ejected from 1994 to 2000 to those ejected during the 2001 event shows that most geochemical parameters (major- and trace-elements, normative minerals, Sr and Nd isotopic composition, as well some elemental ratios) present no statistically significant differences. Statistically significant differences in the mean only were computed for the major-elements SiO₂, FeO, MgO, CaO, and K₂O, as well as for the rare-earth elements Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Tm, and Yb.     

Petrogenesis of Dashenshan I-type granodiorite: implications for Triassic crust–mantle interaction,South China

Triassic granodiorites in South China (SC) provide an opportunity to examine crust–mantle interactions that may have been caused by a mantle plume. Here we present a combined study of chronological, geochemical, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions for Dashenshan granodiorites. These are high-K, calc-alkaline, I-type granodiorites that yield a U–Pb zircon age of 211 ± 3 Ma. They are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous (A/CNK < 1.1), with 3.04–3.89 wt.% Na₂O and 3.24–3.86 wt.% K₂O, and Na₂O/K₂O ratio ranging from 0.79 to 1.11. These granodiorites contain 67.7–72.6 wt.% SiO₂ but show moderate Mg^# values (44.2–57.8) and variable contents of Ni (3.6–29.9 ppm) and Cr (7.6–53.5 ppm). They exhibit light rare earth element (REE) enrichment and flat, heavy REE patterns with negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.52–0.87). They also display strongly negative Ba, Sr, Nb, Ta, P, and Ti anomalies and positive Rb, Th, K, and Pb anomalies. Dashenshan granodiorites have high whole-rock initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7121–0.7172), negative ε_Nd (t) values (–8.8 to –6.8), and negative zircon ε_Hf (t) values (–6.6 to –3.3). These results suggest that the Dashenshan granodiorites were generated by a mixing between crustal melt and mantle-derived magma in an extensional setting. We conclude that generation of the Dashenshan pluton may reflect an interaction between a mantle plume and the overlying SC crust.     

Zircon U-Pb age, geochemical, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic constraints on the origin of alkaline intrusions in eastern Shandong Province, China

Alkaline intrusions in the eastern Shandong Province consist of quartz monzonite and granite. U-Pb zircon ages, geochemical data, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic data for these rocks are reported in the present paper. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb zircon analyses yielded consistent ages ranging from 114.3?±?0.3 to 122.3?±?0.4 Ma for six samples of the felsic rocks. The felsic rocks are characterised by a wide range of chemical compositions (SiO₂?=?55.14–77.63 wt. %, MgO?=?0.09–4.64 wt. %, Fe₂O₃?=?0.56–7.6 wt. %, CaO?=?0.40–5.2 wt. %), light rare earth elements (LREEs) and large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) (i.e., Rb, Pb, U) enrichment, as well as significant rare earth elements (HREEs) and heavy field strength (HFSEs) (Nb, Ta, P and Ti) depletion, various and high (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) _i ranging from 0.7066 to 0.7087, low ε _Nd (t) values from ?14.1 to ?17.1, high neodymium model ages (T_DM1?=?1.56–2.38Ga, T_DM2?=?2.02–2.25Ga), ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb?=?17.12–17.16, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb?=?15.44–15.51, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb?=?37.55–37.72. The results suggested that these rocks were derived from an enriched crustal source. In addition, the alkaline rocks also evolved as the result of the fractionation of potassium feldspar, plagioclase, +/? ilmenite or rutile and apatite. However, the alkaline rocks were not affected by crustal contamination. Moreover, the generation of the alkaline rocks can be attributed to the structural collapse of the Sulu organic belt due to various processes.     

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.     

Geochemical,Sr–Nd–Pb isotope,and zircon U–Pb geochronological constraints on the origin of Early Permian mafic dikes,northern North China Craton

Dolerite dike swarms are widespread across the North China Craton (NCC) of Hebei Province (China) and Inner Mongolia. Here, we report new geochemical, Sr–Nd–Pb isotope, and U–Pb zircon ages for representative samples of these dikes. Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U–Pb analysis yielded consistent Permian ages of 274.8 ± 2.9 and 275.0 ± 4.5 Ma for zircons extracted from two dikes. The dolerites have highly variable compositions (SiO₂ = 46.99–56.18 wt.%, TiO₂ = 1.27–2.39 wt.%, Al₂O₃ = 14.42–16.20 wt.%, MgO = 5.18–7.75 wt.%, Fe₂O₃ = 8.03–13.52 wt.%, CaO = 5.18–9.75 wt.%, Na₂O = 2.46–3.79 wt.%, K₂O = 0.26–2.35 wt.%, and P₂O₅ = 0.18–0.37 wt.%) and are light rare earth element (LREE) and large ion lithophile element (LILE, e.g. Rb, Ba, and K, and Pb in sample SXG1-9) enriched, and Th and high field strength element (HFSE, e.g. Nb and Ta in sample SXG1-9, and Ti) depleted. The mafic dikes have relatively uniform (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i values from 0.7031 to 0.7048, (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i from 17.77 to 17.976, (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i from 15.50 to 15.52, (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i from 37.95 to 38.03, and positive ?_Nd(t) (3.6–7.3), and variable neodymium model ages (T_DM1 = 0.75–0.99 Ga, T_DM2 = 0.34–0.74 Ga). These data suggest that the dike magmas were derived from partial melting of a depleted region of the asthenospheric mantle, and that they fractionated olivine, pyroxene, plagioclase, K-feldspar, and Ti-bearing phases without undergoing significant crustal contamination. These mafic dikes within the NCC formed during a period of crustal thinning in response to extension after Permian collision between the NCC and the Siberian Block.     

Miocene andesitic lavas of Sierra de Angangueo: a petrological,geochemical, and geochronological approach to arc magmatism in Central Mexico

ABSTRACT

The early and middle Miocene andesitic lavas of the Sierra de Angangueo (MALSA) represent one of the most prominent landforms of intermediate magmatism in Central Mexico. In this paper, we present new petrological, geochemical, thermobarometric, and geochronological data in order to discuss the conditions of MALSA’s emplacement in the lithosphere.

MALSA comprises a voluminous eroded early Miocene andesitic structure, emplaced on a Mesozoic basement. MALSA shows a wide variety of textures, from glassy and aphanitic to porphyritic, mainly composed of plagioclase (An_10-55), clinopyroxene (Wo_60-65; En_35-40), amphibole (Mg-hornblende/edenite), and rarely olivine (Fo_75–86) or orthopyroxene (En_72-80). Major and trace elements plots follow a typical calc-alkaline trend with relatively increasing fractionation.

The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotopic signatures range between 0.703343 and 0.704459 and εNd values from +1.37 to +4.84; apparently without a significant contribution of an old, thick, or highly radiogenic continental crust. Lead isotope values ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb vary between 18.68 and 18.83, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb from 15.57 to 15.65, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb from 38.39 to 38.67, suggesting contamination of magmas by juvenile crust. Thermodynamic calculations indicate equilibrium conditions at ≤900°C and ~2 kbar and an average log ?O₂ ≈ ?10.

Ar–Ar and K–Ar dating carried out on whole rock, matrix, amphibole, and plagioclase phenocrysts yielded ages between 13.0 ± 0.5 and 23.9 ± 0.3 Ma. These dates indicate a series of pulses with maximum magmatic activity between 24 and 18 Ma.

The geochemical and petrologic data suggest partial melting processes in the lower or middle crust associated with possible magma mixing during its ascent; such a mechanism could explain a hybrid mantle-lower crust origin of this large volume of andesites. The MALSA, as well as the early to middle Miocene magmatism from Western Mexico, could represent two coeval and independent magmatic arcs prior to the present Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB) in Central Mexico.