What is Franciscan?: revisited

The Franciscan Complex of California is better understood now than in 1972, when Berkland et al. defined it as a complex and divided it into three geographic belts. A re-evaluation is needed. Belts first served as major architectural units, but they have been abandoned by some and renamed as and subdivided into tectonostratigraphic terranes by others. The Franciscan Complex – considered to be the archetypical accretionary complex by many – is the folded, faulted, and stratally disrupted rock mass comprising the supramantle basement of the California-Southern Oregon Coast Ranges exposed east of the Salinian Block and west of and structurally below principal exposures of the Coast Range Fault, Coast Range Ophiolite, Great Valley Group, and Klamath Mountains. The Complex is dominated by sandstones and mudrocks, but contains mafic oceanic crustal fragments with chert, limestone, and other rock types, and zeolite, prehnite-pumpellyite, blueschist, and rare amphibolite and eclogite facies metamorphic rocks. Review of historical precedence, new data, available large-scale maps, and fundamental definitions suggest now (1) that the Belt terminology as applied to the entire Franciscan Complex conflicts with current knowledge of Franciscan rocks and architecture; and (2) that most named Franciscan terranes and nappes are inconsistent with basic definitions of those unit types. The major architectural units into which the Franciscan Complex can be divided are accretionary units – mélanges and underthrust sheets. Underthrust sheets can be subdivided into smaller units, e.g. broken formations and olistostromal mélanges, mappable using traditional lithostratigraphic and structural mapping techniques. Unresolved controversies in reconstruction of the nature and history of the accretionary complex relate to specific mélange origins; megathrust versus subduction channel mélange models; chert conundrums; delineation of the ages, subdivisions, and regional architecture of Franciscan units; palinspastic reconstruction of the pre-Late Cenozoic architecture; and reconstruction of the complete histories of accretionary units.     

Late Cretaceous ophiolite obduction and Paleocene India-Asia collision in the westernmost Himalaya

Abstract

Collision of the Kohistan island arc with Asia at ~100 Ma resulted in N-S compression within the Neo-Tethys at a spreading center north of the Indo-Pakistani craton. Subsequent India-Asia convergence converted the Neo-Tethyan spreading center into a short-lived subduction zone. The hanging wall of the subduction zone became the Waziristan, Khost and Jalalabad igneous complexes. During the Santonian- Campanian (late Cretaceous), thrusting of the NW IndoPakistani craton beneath Albian oceanic crust and a Cenomanian volcano-sedimentary complex, generated an ophiolite-radiolarite belt. Ophiolite obduction resulted in tectonic loading and flexural subsidence of the NW Indian margin and sub-CCD deposition of shelf-derived olistostromes and turbidites in the foredeep. Campanian-Maastriehtian calci- clastic and siliciclastic sediment gravity flows derived from both margins filled the foredeep as a huge allochthon of Triassic-Jurassic rise and slope strata was thrust ahead of the ophiolites onto the Indo-Pakistani craton. Shallow to intermediate marine strata covered the foredeep during the late Maastrichtian. As ophiolite obduction neared completion during the Maastrichtian, the majority of India-Asia convergence was accommodated along the southern margin of Asia. During the Paleocene, India was thrust beneath a second allochthon that included open marine middle Maastrichtian colored mélange which represents the Asian Makran-Indus-Tsangpo accretionary prism. Latérites that formed on the eroded ophiolites and structurally higher colored mélange during the Paleocene wei’e unconformably overlapped by upper Paleocene and Middle Eocene shallow marine limestone and shale that delineate distinct episodes of Paleocene collisional and Early Eocene post-collisional deformation.     

Sheath-like folds and progressive fold deformation in tertiary sedimentary rocks of the Shimanto accretionary complex,Japan

The Upper Oligocene-Lower Miocene portion of the Cretaceous-Lower Miocene Shimanto accretionary complex on the Muroto Peninsula, southwest Japan, comprises alternating belts of coherent clastic rocks and shaly mélange. Sheath-like folds formed locally during a fold-thrust deformation that affected a 10 km structural thickness of these rocks. In a subsequent event confined to the mélange and adjoining areas, the axes of these folds were rotated nearly 90° within the plane of their axial surfaces. The widespread uniform development of the folds and an accompanying axial-planar pressure-solution cleavage strongly suggest that these deformations were tectonically induced, rather than gravity driven slump features. The sheath-like folds indicate that the most plausible environment for these rocks was in an accreted packet of trench-fill, behind the imbricate toe of the Shimanto accretionary complex. The timing of the deformation is constrained by depositional ages as well as by the probable Early Miocene age of an overlying superficial basin and early Middle Miocene igneous dikes that intrude the sequence. This chronology overlaps with the Late Oligocene-Early Miocene opening of the Shikoku back-arc basin, bordering the Shimanto Belt to the southwest; thus accretion and subduction were active during the basin opening event. These conclusions conflict sharphy with earlier held notions of strike-slip and olistostrome tectonics along this plate margin during the Early Miocene opening of the Shikoku Basin.     

甘肃北山火石山地区早古生代蛇绿混杂岩的发现及其地质意义

在甘肃北山火石山地区新发现了蛇绿混杂岩,该混杂岩由蛇绿岩岩块和混杂基质组成。蛇绿岩块有纯橄岩、辉石橄榄岩、辉石岩、辉长岩、玄武岩及硅质岩等。基质为志留系中上统公婆泉群,主要是一套变凝灰质砂岩夹碳酸盐岩和少量安山岩。野外调查及室内鉴定结果显示蛇绿岩岩块和基质遭受了较强的变质变形。火石山蛇绿混杂岩位于红柳河、牛圈子蛇绿岩之间,且该蛇绿岩地球化学特征显示其同红柳河蛇绿岩相似,因此认为红柳河—牛圈子蛇绿混杂岩是通过火石山相连接。火石山蛇绿混杂岩的发现对研究该带洋陆时空演化提供了新的线索,对北山古生代构造背景研究具有重要意义。     

Triassic and Jurassic radiolarians from sedimentary blocks of ophiolite mélange in the Avala Gora area (Belgrade surroundings, Serbia)

Blocks of cherty rocks and Aptychus Limestone embedded into ophiolite mélange south of Avala Gora (Serbia) contain radiolarians of different ages. We distinguished here Late Jurassic (middle Oxfordianearly Tithonian), Middle-Late Jurassic (Bathonian-early Tithonian), and Middle Triassic (early Ladinian) radiolarian assemblages. The respective stratigraphic data suggest that the ophiolite mélange was formed after the early Tithonian.     

Geology,Geochemistry, and Evolution of the Divrigi and Kuluncak Ophiolitic Melanges,with Reference to Serpentinites in East-Central Turkey

The Divrigi and Kuluncak ophiolitic mélanges are located in central Anatolia in the Tauride ophiolite belt. The stratigraphic sequence in the Divrigi ophiolitic mélange includes, from bottom to top, the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous Akdag limestone, Upper Cretaceous Çalti ultramafic rocks, and the Curek listwaenite. The Divrigi ophiolitic mélange is intruded by the Late Cretaceous-Eocene Murmano pluton. The above stratigraphic sequence is followed by the Eocene-Paleocene Ekinbasi metasomatite and the Quaternary Kilise Formation.

The oldest sequence of rocks in Kuluncak ophiolitic mélange in the GuvenÇ area is the Karadere serpentine/ultramafic body overlain successively by the Kurtali gabbro, Gundegcikdere radiolarite, the GuvenÇ listwaenites, and the Buldudere Formation. All of these units are Late Cretaceous in age. The Karamagra siderite deposit in the Hekimhan area probably was formed in the Lower Cretaceous at the contact between Çalti ultramafic rocks and the Buldudere Formation. The Kuluncak ophiolitic mélange was intruded by a subvolcanic trachyte in the Late Cretaceous. The Eocene-Paleocene Konukdere metasomatite, the Miocene Yamadag volcanic rocks, and Quaternary slope deposits are late in the stratigraphic sequence in the GuvenÇ area.

The Kuluncak ophiolitic mélange in the Karakuz area is similar to that at GuvenÇ; however, gabbro, radiolarite, and Miocene volcanic rocks are not present. The Miocene is represented by the Ciritbelen Formation at Karakuz and the Karakuz iron deposit is hosted by a Late Cretaceous subvolcanic trachyte.

The rareearth and trace-element concentration of serpentinite in the Divrigi and Kuluncak ophiolitic mélanges indicate that all of the ultramafics and their alteration products were derived from a MORB, which was depleted in certain elements and oxides. The results expressed in this study support the idea that the Divrigi and Kuluncak ophiolitic mélanges within the Tauride ophiolite belt originated from Northern Tauride oceanic lithosphere (Poisson, 1986), instead of a northern branch of Neo-Tethys (Sengor and Yilmaz, 1981).     

青藏高原中的古特提斯体制与增生造山作用

青藏高原古特提斯体系的特征表现为古特提斯洋盆中多条状地体的存在,多俯冲、多岛弧增生体系的形成和多地体汇聚、碰撞造山的动力学环境,其构架包括4条代表古特提斯洋壳残片的蛇绿岩或蛇绿混杂岩(昆南-阿尼玛卿蛇绿岩带、金沙江-哀牢山-松马蛇绿岩带、羌中-澜沧江-昌宁-孟连蛇绿岩带和松多蛇绿岩带)、5条火山岩浆岛弧带(布尔汗布达岛弧岩浆带、义敦火山岩浆岛弧带、江达-绿春火山岛弧带、东达山-云县火山岛弧带和左贡-临沧岛弧-碰撞岩浆带)、4个陆块或地体(松潘-甘孜地体、羌北-昌都-思茅地体、羌南-保山地体)、3条洋壳深俯冲形成的高压-超高压变质带(金沙江得荣高压变质带、龙木错-双湖高压变质带、松多高(超)压变质带),以及5条弧前增生楔或增生杂岩(西秦岭增生楔、巴颜喀拉-松潘-甘孜增生楔、金沙江增生楔、双湖-聂荣-吉塘-临沧增生楔、松多增生杂岩)。古特提斯洋盆的俯冲增生造山作用普遍存在于青藏高原古特提斯复合造山体中,构成与多条古特提斯蛇绿岩带(缝合带)相伴随的俯冲增生杂岩带(链)。古特提斯俯冲增生杂岩带包括由弧前强烈变形的沉积增生楔、以及高压变质岩、岛弧岩浆岩、蛇绿岩和外来岩块组成的混杂体,代表在洋盆俯冲过程中的活动陆缘的地壳增生。     

OPS mélange: a new term for mélanges of convergent margins of the world

Ocean plate stratigraphy (OPS) is essential to understanding accretionary wedges and complexes along convergent plate margins. Mélanges within accretionary wedges and complexes are the products of fragmentation and mixing processes during and following OPS accretion. A new term, ‘OPS mélange’, is proposed here for mélanges composed mostly of blocks of OPS with an argillaceous matrix, and for a mixture of mélanges of multiple origins with either broken or coherent formations. An OPS mélange results from the fragmentation and disruption of OPS, without admixing of other components. Three major types of OPS mélange can be distinguished on the basis of their components: turbidite type, chert–turbidite type, and limestone–basalt type. These three types potentially form similar mélanges, but they are derived from different parts of the OPS, depending on the level of the decollement surface. The concept of ‘OPS mélange’ can be applied to most of the mélanges in accretionary prisms and complexes worldwide. In addition, this proposal recognizes a distinction between processes of fragmentation and mixing of OPS components, and mixing of ophiolite components, the latter of which results in serpentinite mélanges, not OPS mélanges. Mélanges composed of OPS sequences occur worldwide. The recognition of OPS mélanges is a key aspect of understanding tectonic processes at convergent margins, which result in mélange formation in orogenic belts globally.     

The Casanova Complex of the Northern Apennines: A mélange formed on a distal passive continental margin

The Cretaceous-Palaeocene Casanova Complex occurs in two thrust sheets of the eugeosynclinal Ligurids of the Northern Apennines. It is a sedimentary mélange with ophiolitic and quartzose turbidites or limestone-shale olistostrome (submarine debris flows) as matrix. Exotic blocks of ophiolite and granite, serpentinite breccias and lenticular ophiolitic breccias and olistostromes contribute to the mélange character of the complex. Deformational structures include soft-sediment slump folds (indicating a SW-dipping palaeoslope) and boudins, a gradational slumped top to the mélange, small-scale faults in chert blocks and deformation associated with the emplacement of the exotic slide blocks. The blocks were shed as rotational slides from submarine fault scarps and are surrounded by haloes of debris created by submarine weathering. The stacking pattern of the blocks, with the originally stratigraphically highest ophiolite lithologies lowest in the pile of blocks, is explained by a diverticulation model with progressively deeper erosion. Mechanical analysis shows that the blocks were stable when partly exposed resting on a soft sediment substratum. Criteria which distinguish the Casanova Complex from a tectonic mélange, and which may be of value in other mélanges, are discussed. Previous interpretations of the complex as a precursor olistostrome to northeastward nappe emplacement (the Bracco ridge model) are rejected. The mélange is believed to have formed on ocean crust as a result of turbidite and debris flow sedimentation, soft sediment deformation, block faulting, gravity sliding and submarine erosion at the distal edge of a uniformly SW-dipping continental margin.     

Mirdita Zone ophiolites and associated sediments in Albania reveal Neotethys Ocean origin

The Mirdita Ophiolite Zone in Albania is associated with widespread mélanges containing components of up to nappe-size. We dated matrix and components of the mélange by radiolarians, conodonts, and other taxa. The components consist of radiolarites, pelagic limestones and shallow-water limestones, all of Triassic age, as well as ophiolites. Triassic radiolarite as a primary cover of ophiolite material proves Middle Triassic onset of Mirdita ocean-floor formation. The mélange contains a turbiditic radiolarite-rich matrix (“radiolaritic flysch”), dated as Late Bajocian to Early Oxfordian. It formed as a synorogenic sediment during west-directed thrusting of ophiolite and sediment-cover nappes representing ocean floor and underplated fragments of the western continental margin. The tectonic structures formed during these orogenic events (“Younger Kimmeridian or Eohellenic Orogeny”) are sealed by Late Jurassic platform carbonates. The geological history conforms with that of the Inner Dinarides and adjoining areas; we therefore correlate the Mirdita-Pindos Ophiolite Zone with the Vardar Zone and explain its present position by far-distance west-directed thrusting.     

Lower Cretaceous turbidites in the Shiquanhe–Namco Ophiolite Mélange Zone,Asa area,Tibet:Constraints on the evolution of the Meso-Tethys Ocean

Turbidites from the Shiquanhe–Namco Ophiolite Mélange Zone(SNMZ) record critical information about the tectonic affinity of the SNMZ and the evolutionary history of the Meso-Tethys Ocean in Tibet.This paper reports sedimentologic,sandstone petrographic,zircon U-Pb geochronologic,and clastic rocks geochemical data of newly identified turbidites(Asa Formation) in the Asa Ophiolite Mélange.The youngest ages of detrital zircon from the turbiditic sandstone samples,together with ～115 Ma U-Pb concordant age from the tuff intercalation within the Asa Formation indicate an Early Cretaceous age.The sandstone mineral modal composition data show that the main component is quartz grains and the minor components are sedimentary and volcanic fragments,suggesting that the turbidites were mainly derived from a recycled orogen provenance with a minor addition of volcanic arc materials.The detrital U-Pb zircon ages of turbiditic sandstones yield main age populations of170–120 Ma,300–220 Ma,600–500 Ma,1000–700 Ma,1900–1500 Ma,and ～2500 Ma,similar to the ages of the Qiangtang Terrane(age peak of 600–500 Ma,1000–900 Ma,～1850 Ma and ～2500 Ma) and the accretionary complex in the Bangong–Nujiang Ophiolite Zone(BNMZ) rather than the age of the Central Lhasa Terrane(age peak of ～300 Ma,～550 Ma and ～1150 Ma).The mineral modal compositions,detrital U-Pb zircon ages,and geochemical data of clastic rocks suggest that the Asa Formation is composed of sediments primarily recycled from the Jurassic accretionary complex within the BNMZ with the secondary addition of intermediate-felsic island arc materials from the South Qiangtang Terrane.Based on our new results and previous studies,we infer that the SNMZ represents a part of the Meso-Tethys Suture Zone,rather than a southward tectonic klippe of the BNMZ or an isolated ophiolitic mélange zone within the Lhasa Terrane.The Meso-Tethys Suture Zone records the continuous evolutionary history of the northward subduction,accretion,arc-Lhasa collision,and Lhasa-Qiangtang collision of the Meso-Tethys Ocean from the Early Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous.     

New interpretation of the Franciscan mélange at San Simeon coast,California: tectonic intrusion into an accretionary prism

Many concepts and interpretations on the formation of the Franciscan mélange have been proposed on the basis of exposures at San Simeon, California. In this paper, we show the distribution of chaotic rocks, their internal structures and textures, and the interrelationship between the chaotic rocks and the surrounding sandstones (turbidites). Mélange components, particularly blueschists, oceanic rocks, including greenstone, pillow lava, bedded chert, limestone, sandstone, and conglomerate, have all been brecciated by retrograde deformation. The Cambria Slab, long interpreted as a trench slope basin, is also strongly deformed by fluidization, brecciation, isoclinal folding, and thrusting, leading us to a new interpretation that turbiditic rocks (including the Cambria Slab) represent trench deposits rather than slope basin sediments. These rocks form an accretionary prism above mélanges that were diapirically emplaced into these rocks first along sinistral-thrust faults, and then along dextral-normal faults. Riedel shear systems are observed in several orders of scale in both stages. Although the exhumation of the blueschist blocks is still controversial, the common extensional fractures and brecciation in most of the blocks in the mélanges and further mixture of various lithologies into one block with mélange muddy matrix indicate that once deeply buried blocks were exhumed from considerable depths to the accretionary prism body, before being diapirically intruded with their host mélange along thrust and normal faults, during which retrograde deformation occurred together with retrograde metamorphism. Recent similar examples of high-pressure rock exhumation have been documented along the Sofugan Tectonic Line in the Izu forearc areas, in the Mineoka belt in the Boso Peninsula, and as part of accretionary prism development in the Nankai and Sagami troughs of Japan. These modern analogues provide actively forming examples of the lithological and deformational features that characterize the Franciscan mélange processes.     

Greenschist-facies sub-ophiolitic metamorphic rocks of Andaman Islands,Burma–Java subduction complex

Sub-ophiolitic greenschist facies metamorphic rocks occur at the sole of ophiolite slices and as blocks in the mélange zone beneath the Andaman ophiolite. These are represented by metabasics as actinolite schist to actinolite–chlorite schist and metasediments as garnetiferous quartzo-feldspathic mica–chlorite schist and piemontite quartzite to piemontite bearing quartz–muscovite–chlorite schist to muscovite–quartz-chlorite schist. Actinolite occurs along the schistosity and also as porphyroblasts. Syn to post-tectonic garnet shows no compositional zoning and represent almandine–spessartine solid solution (Alm_44–47, Sps_23–27, Gros_13–17, Pyr_9–10). The metabasics are enriched in LILE and depleted in Zr and Y compared to N-MORB.The lithological features suggest that residual heat was the main heat source for greenschist-facies metamorphism. Top part of the subducting slab and overlying trench sediments were metamorphosed and dislocated by the close spaced thrusts in an accretionary prism setting. The field association indicates that metamorphism and the uplift of metamorphic rocks along with ophiolite slices were bracketed in between Cretaceous and Oligocene period. These processes were later than the Pre-Cretaceous emplacement of the ophiolites of Sumatra and Java.     

Geology and geodynamic evolution of the high-P/low-T Maksyutov Complex, southern Urals, Russia

The high-pressure/low-temperature Maksyutov Complex is situated in the southern Urals between the Silurian/Devonian Magnitogorsk island arc and the East European Platform. The elongated N-S-trending complex is made up of two contrasting tectono-metamorphic units. Unit 1 consists of a thick pile of Proterozoic clastic sediments suggested to represent the passive margin of the East European Platform. The overlying unit 2, composed of Paleozoic sediments, volcanic rocks, and a serpentinite mélange with rodingites, is interpreted as a remnant of the Uralian Paleo-ocean. Devonian eastward subduction of oceanic crust beneath the Magnitogorsk island arc resulted in an incipient blueschist-facies metamorphism of unit 2 indicated by lawsonite pseudomorphs in the rodingites. While unit 2 was accreted to the upper plate, subduction of the continental passive margin caused the high-pressure metamorphism of unit 1. Buoyancy-driven exhumation of unit 1 into the forearc region led to its juxtaposition with unit 2 along a retrograde top-to-the-ENE shear zone. Further exhumation of the Maksyutov Complex into its present tectonic position was accomplished by later shear zones that were active as normal faults and are exposed along the margins of the complex. At the western margin a top-to-the-west shear zone juxtaposed a low-grade remnant of a Paleozoic accretionary prism (Suvanyak Complex) above the Maksyutov Complex. Along the eastern margin a top-to-the-east shear zone and the brittle Main Uralian Normal Fault emplaced the Maksyutov Complex against the Magnitogorsk island arc in the hanging wall.     

Jurassic Subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean in NE China: Zircon U–Pb and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic Evidence from the Huashan and Taili Monzogranites

The Qilian orogen along the NE edge of the Tibet‐Qinghai Plateau records the evolution of Proto‐Tethyan Ocean that closed through subduction along the southern margin of the North China block during the Early Paleozoic. The South Qilian belt is the southern unit of this orogen and dominated by Cambrian‐Ordovician volcano‐sedimentary rocks and Neoproteozoic Hualong complex that contains similar rock assemblages of the Central Qilian block. Our recent geological mapping and petrologic results demonstrate that volcano‐sedimentary rocks show typical rock assembles of a Cambrian‐early Ordovician arc‐trench system in Lajishan Mts. along the northern margin of the Hualong Complex. Island arc rocks including basalt, andesite, dacite, rhyolite, and breccia is in fault contact with ophiolite complex consisting of mantle peridotite, serpentinite, gabbro, dolerite, plagiogranite, and basalt. Accretionary complexes are tectonically separated from the ophiolite‐arc rocks, with various rock assemblages spatially. They consist of pillow basalt, basalt breccia, tuff, chert, and limestone blocks with a seamount origin within the scaly shale in Dingmaoshan and Donggoumeikuang areas, and basalt, chert, and sandstone blocks within muddy shale matrix and mélange at Lajishankou area. Abundant radiolarians occur in red chert, and trilobite, brachiopod, and coral fossils occur within Dingmaoshan limestone blocks. Although partial basalt or chert blocks are highly disrupted, duplex, thrust fault, rootless intrafolial fold, tight fold, and penetrative foliation are well‐developed at Donggoumeikuang area. Spatially, accretionary complexes lie structurally beneath ophiolite complex and above the turbidites of the Central Qilian block. Ophiolite and accretionary complexes are also overlapped by late Ordovician molasse deposits sourced from Cambrian arc‐trench system and the Central Qilian block. These observations demonstrate that a Cambrian‐early Ordovician trench‐arc system within the South Qilian belt formed during the early Paleozoic southward subduction of the South Qilian Ocean collided with the Central Qilian block prior to the late Ordovician.     

Volcanic rocks of the Khabarovsk accretionary complex,southern Far East Russia

The results of study of the volcanic rocks of the Khabarovsk accretionary complex, a fragment of the Jurassic accretionary prism of the Sikhote Alin orogenic belt (the southern part of the Russian Far East), are presented. The volcanic rocks are associated with the Lower Permian limestones in the mélange blocks and Triassic layered cherts. The petrography, petrochemistry, and geochemistry of the rocks are characterized and their geodynamic formation conditions are deduced. The volcanic rocks include oceanic plume basalts of two types: (i) OIB-like intraplate basalts formed on the oceanic islands and guyots in the Permian and Triassic and (ii) T(transitional)-MORBs (the least enriched basalts of the E-MORB type) formed on the midoceanic ridge in the Permian. In addition to basalts, the mélange hosts suprasubduction dacitic tuff lavas.     

新疆吐尔库班套蛇绿混杂岩的发现及其地质意义

蛇绿岩作为残留洋壳的良好记录,对于研究古板块构造及其演化具有重要意义。新发现的吐尔库班套蛇绿混杂岩位于新疆阿尔泰布尔津南部,主要由超镁铁岩、辉长岩、辉绿岩、玄武岩、复理石建造等构成。其中辉长岩和片麻状花岗岩的锆石U Pb年龄在363～355 Ma,指示蛇绿岩的形成、洋壳俯冲时代在晚泥盆世晚期。岩石地球化学特征表明,该蛇绿岩套的镁铁超镁铁岩和玄武岩属低碱、低钛、富镁的拉斑玄武岩系列,具有较典型的幔源岩石特征,玄武岩形成于类似洋中脊的构造环境。混杂岩带中的片麻状花岗岩属于钠质的低钾岩石系列,形成于火山弧或同碰撞构造环境,亦为洋壳俯冲的结果。吐尔库班套蛇绿岩与科克森套、乔夏哈拉、布尔根蛇绿岩一起构成了沿额尔齐斯分布的蛇绿混杂岩带,构成了分割西伯利亚板块和哈萨克斯坦-准噶尔板块的斋桑-科克森套-南蒙古缝合带。     

Structures and detrital zircon ages of the Devonian–Permian Tarbagatay accretionary complex in west Junggar,China: imbricated ocean plate stratigraphy and implications for amalgamation of the CAOB

ABSTRACT

The Tarbagatay Complex, located in northwest Junggar, is situated tectonically between the Zharma–Saur arc to the north and the Tacheng terrane and the Boshchekol–Chingiz arc to the south. This Complex belt is variably composed of ophiolitic mélange, sedimentary mélange, and coherent units of turbidites and shallow water sediments. These rocks crop out in fault-bound slices with fault-parallel asymmetric folds. Both the lithologies and deformation features of the Tarbagatay Complex suggest an accretionary origin generally with a top-to-the-south tectonic vergence, suggesting N-dipping subduction beneath the Zharma–Saur arc. The presence of a former ocean is indicated by the Ordovician ophiolite mélanges and related marine fossils. The time duration of the Tarbagatay Complex can be bracketed by detrital zircon ages of turbidites and shallow water sediments with a lower limit of major peak ages of 350–370 Ma, and an upper limit of middle Permian indicated by detrital zircon ages of 262.3 Ma. Based on these data, we suggest that the subduction of the Tarbagatay Ocean likely started in the Late Devonian and lasted until the middle Permian. Taking into account the formation of the northern part of the Kazakhstan orocline, which has a similar temporal-spatial framework, we propose a tectonic model for the western CAOB that involves accretion and amalgamation from the Ordovician to the middle Permian.     

西南“三江”格咱火山-岩浆弧中红山-属都蛇绿混杂岩带的厘定及其意义

义敦岛弧南段的格咱火山-岩浆弧的东西斑岩带在成矿期次、成矿作用等方面存在较大差异性,二者之间是否有大型构造单元的存在,与东部代表洋壳消减的甘孜-理塘主蛇绿混杂岩带关系如何等一直是悬而未决问题。研究发现,区内存在由断续出露镁铁-超镁铁堆积杂岩,以及尼汝组玄武岩、硅质板岩和复理石、灰岩等岩片组成的红山-属都蛇绿混杂岩带,属于甘孜-理塘洋壳早期俯冲残留次级蛇绿混杂岩带,与主蛇绿混杂岩带及格咱火山-岩浆弧构成了本区构造格架。其中,红山-属都蛇绿混杂岩带将格咱弧分为东西两个斑岩成矿带。本蛇绿混杂岩带的厘定,为进一步研究甘孜-理塘洋范围、俯冲时限、构造演化、甘孜-理塘洋是否存在两次俯冲,及格咱弧东西斑岩带成矿规律提供了基础资料,并对指导区域找矿具有一定意义。