The main reasons for the compositional evolution of the Early Paleozoic granitoids of the Eastern Sayan: Evidence from the Munku-Sardyk massif

This paper addresses the reasons for the evolution and genesis of the Early Paleozoic granitoids of the Munku-Sardyk Range, Eastern Sayan. It was established that the massif consists of three phases representing derivatives of mantle and crustal magmas. The major part of the massif is made up of mantle-derived granitoids, which are chemically similar to the exotic NEB-adakite association.The crustal granitoids of pluton were formed under the influence of the thermal field of primary magmas. The protoliths of these granitoids were presumably the metamorphic rocks of the Slyudyanka Group. In terms of geochemistry, they are ascribed to calc-alkaline rocks but bear some signatures of anorogenic granitoids.It was shown that the compositional variations of the granitoids were controlled by many factors, the most important of which are the compositions of primary magmas and their contaminant. The geochemical characteristics and mineral compositions of the granitoids distinctly reflect interaction with the host metamorphic sequences. Carbonate rocks played an important role in this process, causing an increase in the alkalinity and basicity of granitoid magmas. The abundance of carbonate rocks in the region was probably the main reason for the broad variations of alkalinity in coeval granitoids.Using the obtained data, a genetic model was proposed to explain all stages of the formation of the massif and compositional evolution of its rocks.     

Variations in the Nd isotopic ratios and canonical ratios of concentrations of incompatible elements as an indication of mixing sources of alkali granitoids and basites in the Khaldzan-Buregtei massif and the Khaldzan-Buregtei rare-metal deposit in western Mongolia

The paper reports data on the Nd isotopic composition and the evaluated composition of the sources of magmatism that produced massifs of alkali and basic rocks of the Khaldzan-Buregtei group. The massifs were emplaced in the terminal Devonian at 392–395 Ma in the Ozernaya zone of western Mongolia. The host rocks of the massifs are ophiolites of the early Caledonian Ozernaya zone, which were dated at 545–522 Ma. The massifs were emplaced in the following succession (listed in order from older to younger): (1) nordmarkites and dolerites syngenetic with them; (2) alkali granites and syngenetic dolerites; (3) dike ekerites; (4) dike pantellerites; (5) rare-metal granitoids; (6) alkali and intermediate basites and quartz syenites; and (7) miarolitic rare-metal alkali granites. Our data on the Nd isotopic composition [?_Nd(T)] and conventionally used (canonical) ratios of incompatible elements (Nb/U, Zr/Nb, and La/Yb) in rocks from the alkaline massifs and their host ophiolites indicate that all of these rocks were derived mostly from mantle and mantle-crustal enriched sources like OIB, E-MORB, and IAB with a subordinate contribution of N-MORB (DM) and upper continental crustal material. The variations in the ?_Nd(T) values in rocks of these massifs suggest multiple mixing of the sources or magmas derived from them when the massifs composing the Khaldzan-Buregtei group were produced. The OIB and E-MORB sources were mixed when the rocks with mantle signatures were formed. The occurrence of nordmarkites, alkali granites, and other rocks whose isotopic and geochemical signatures are intermediate between the values for mantle and crustal sources testifies to the mixing of mantle and crustal magmas. The crustal source itself, which consisted of rocks of the ophiolite complex, was obviously isotopically and geochemically heterogeneous, as also were the magmas derived from it. The model proposed for the genesis of alkali rocks of the Khaldzan-Buregtei massifs implies that the magmas were derived at two major depth levels: (1) mantle, at which the plume source mixed with an E-MORB source, and (2) crustal, at which the ophiolites were melted, and this gave rise to the parental magmas of the nordmarkites and alkali granites. The basites were derived immediately from the mantle. The mantle syenites, pantellerites, and rare-metal granitoids were produced either by the deep crystallization differentiation of basite magma or by the partial melting of the parental basites and the subsequent crystallization differentiation of the generated magmas. Differentiation likely took place in an intermediate chamber at depth levels close to the crustal (ophiolite) level of magma generation. Only such conditions could ensure the intense mixing of mantle and crustal magmas. The principal factor initiating magma generation in the region was the mantle plume that controlled within-plate magmatism in the Altai-Sayan area and the basite magmas related to this plume, which gave rise to small dikes and magmatic bodies in the group of intrusive massifs.     

Early Palaeoproterozoic volcanism of the Karelian Craton: age,sources, and geodynamic setting

A combined study of major and trace elements, Nd isotopes, and U-Pb systematics has been conducted for the early Palaeoproterozoic (Sumian) volcanic rocks and granites localized in different portions of the Karelian Craton. SHRIMP dating of zircons from the Sumian basalts indicates an emplacement age of 2423 ± 31 Ma, which constrains the lower age boundary of the early Palaeoproterozoic sequence at the Karelian Craton. The early Palaeoproterozoic mafic volcanic rocks of the Karelian Craton show practically no lateral geochemical and isotope-geochemical variations. The rocks bear signs of crustal contamination, in particular Nb and Ti negative anomalies, light rare earth element (LREE) enrichment, and nonradiogenic Nd isotope composition. However, some correlations between incompatible element ratios suggest that the crustal signatures were mainly inherited from mantle sources metasomatized during a previous subduction event. En route to the surface, melts presumably experienced only insignificant contamination by crustal material. Felsic rocks do not define common trends with mafic rocks and were formed independently. They exhibit higher REE contents, large-ion lithophile element (LILE) enrichment, and extremely wide variations in Nd isotope composition, which clearly demonstrates a considerable contribution of heterogeneous basement to their formation. Geochemically, the felsic rocks of the Karelian Craton correspond to A2-type granites and were formed by melting of crustal rocks in an anorogenic setting. Their possible sources are Archaean sanukitoid-type granitoids and Archaean granite gneisses. The high Yb content and pronounced Eu anomaly imply that they were generated from a garnet-free pyroxene – plagioclase source at shallow depths. By the Palaeoproterozoic, the older Vodlozero block was colder than the Central Domain, which facilitated the development of the brittle deformations and faulting and, correspondingly, rapid magma ascent to the surface without melting of crustal rocks. This resulted in the absence of felsic rocks and the formation of more primitive basalts in this area.     

Late Paleozoic granitoids in western Transbaikalia: sequence of formation,sources of magmas,and geodynamics

The evolution of Late Paleozoic granitoid magmatism in Transbaikalia shows a general tendency for an increase in the alkalinity of successively forming intrusive complexes: from high-K calc-alkaline granites of the Barguzin complex (Angara–Vitim batholith) at the early stage through transitional from calc-alkaline to alkaline granites and quartz syenites (Zaza complex) at the intermediate stage to peralkaline granitoids (Early Kunalei complex) at the last stage. This evolution trend is complicated by the synchronous development of granitoid complexes with different sets and geochemical compositions of rocks. The compositional changes were accompanied by the decrease in the scales of granitoid magmatism occurrence with time. Crustal metaterrigenous protoliths, possibly of different compositions and ages, were the source of granitoids of the Angara–Vitim batholith. The isotopic composition of all following granitoid complexes points to their mixed mantle–crustal genesis. The mechanisms of granitoid formation are different. Some granitoids formed through the mixing of mantle and crustal magmas; others resulted from the fractional crystallization of hybrid melts; and the rest originated from the fractional crystallization of mantle products or the melting of metabasic sources with the varying but subordinate contribution of crustal protoliths. Synplutonic basic intrusions, combined dikes, and mafic inclusions, specific for the post-Barguzin granitoids, are direct geologic evidence for the synchronous occurrence of crustal and mantle magmatism. The geodynamic setting of the Late Paleozoic magmatism in the Baikal folded area is still debatable. Three possible models are proposed: (1) mantle plume impact, (2) active continental margin, and (3) postcollisional rifting. The latter model agrees with the absence of mafic rocks from the Angara–Vitim batholith structure and with the post-Barguzin age of peralkaline rocks of the Vitim province.     

Geochemistry and genesis of ultrapotassic and potassic magmatic rocks on the eastern shore of Chaun Bay in Chukotka and their role in the metallogenic specialization of tin-bearing granitoids

Basite magmatism preceding the intrusion of large volumes of felsic magmas takes place only during powerful tectonic rearrangements, which span both the continental crust and lithospheric mantle. The study of this magmatism makes it possible to solve many genetic problems and obtain important geological information on the sources and processes that are responsible for granitoid magmatism. This paper reports the results of the geochemical study of potassic and ultrapotassic magmatic rocks that predate the intrusion of the granitoid complex and belong to it. In terms of geochemistry, the studied magmatic rocks of Chukotka correspond to the derivatives of potassic and ultrapotassic magmas, which allows us to use the models of formation of ultrapotassic magmas for interpreting the genetic features of tin-bearing granites, in particular, for explaining the anomalous contents of incompatible elements in these rocks. Using modern genetic models in combination with geological, geophysical, and geochemical data, it is established that the source of this specialization was the lithospheric mantle domain. The domain was formed within a convergent geologic boundary owing to the metasomatic reworking of the mantle wedge by fluids that were released during dehydration of the oceanic lithosphere. Based on the obtained results, a new model was proposed for the formation of tin-bearing granitoids in the collisional orogens. This model is underlain by the concept of a particular lithospheric source, which acquired its geochemical and metallogenic signatures during intense tectonic transformation that involved the lithospheric mantle. These signatures were inherited by magmas formed during melting within this domain.     

Cycles of alkaline magmatism

Geochronological data (～1800 dates) have been analyzed by the probabilistic statistical analysis of samplings of different subalkaline and alkaline rocks through the whole of geological time. The distribution of five groups of subalkaline and alkaline rocks within the Late Archean-Phanerozoic are strictly controlled by mantle cycles, which were distinguished from data on the upper mantle magmatic rocks. Since high alkali rocks are plume related, their universal participation in each of the revealed mantle cycles emphasizes the importance of this magmatism in the evolution of the crustal-mantle system. The initial Sr and Nd isotope ratios are subdivided into two groups: with mantle and crustal signatures. Mantle isotope ratios are typically observed throughout the entire geological interval of dated rocks, while the role of crustal isotope signatures increases from the Archean to Phanerozoic, reflecting the increasing the role of fluids and crustal rocks in the magmatic processes during the generation of mantle magmas and their consolidation in the crust. Since alkaline magmatic sources are formed during mantle metasomatism, which enriched the magma generation zones in incompatible elements, the repeated occurrence of this process in separate mantle zones may have lead to the anomalous accumulation of these elements, which should be reflected in the alkaline magmas.     

Geochemistry and petrology of Mesozoic-Cenozoic magmatic complexes of the southern framing of the Aldan shield: Geodynamic problems

This paper summarizes the results of long-term geological, petrological, and geochemical investigations of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic complexes of the Stanovoy Range in order to determine the main reasons for their generation and evolution. The analysis of this material showed that the compositionally variable Late Mesozoic igneous complexes of the Stanovoy Range were formed in various depth facies, from abyssal to surficial. The majority of their salic complexes show minor compositional variations, whereas the mafic complexes are more variable, especially in the southeast of the region. The southeastern Stanovoy Range comprises comparable amounts of both subalkaline and low-alkali igneous rocks, whereas the central part is dominated by subalkaline rocks, and the northwestern part contains rocks only of the shoshonite-latite series. This zoning is fundamentally different from that of typical island arcs, which are characterized by the occurrence of volcanic rocks of similar alkalinity in each zone. Extrusive and intrusive rocks with similar alkali and silica contents (and schlieren-like inclusions in the granitoids of the region) were formed from common magmas of corresponding chemical compositions. In addition, the mafic and most of the salic magmas were formed as independent melting products, whereas the magmas of intermediate composition were formed mainly by mixing of chemically contrasting liquids (i.e., salic and basic). It was shown that the available information on the magmatism of the region is best interpreted in terms of the model of mantle diapirism. In particular, mantle diapirs ascended rather slowly during the Mesozoic and occurred over the whole territory of the Stanovoy Range during the Jurassic-Cretaceous stage (J₃-K₁), when alkaline and subalkaline basalts were formed. During the Early-Late Cretaceous stage, mantle diapirs produced alkali-poor basalts in the central and eastern parts. During the Cenozoic, the diapir ascended rather rapidly but only in a small area in the eastern part of the region forming alkali basalts. In contrast to the Cenozoic, the Earth’s crust was strongly affected by mantle diapirs and related mafic magmas in the Mesozoic. As a result, crustal sequences were reworked by fluids and subsequently yielded tremendous volumes of compositionally corresponding salic magmas, which interacted and mixed with mafic magmas producing the corresponding chemical zoning. The maximum generation of crustal magmas was confined to the axial zones of ascending diapirs, where the highest energy effects took place, whereas the role of autochthonous gneissic granites increased away from the axis at the expense of typical intrusive complexes.     

Genesis of the Late Mesozoic Great Xing’an Range Large Igneous Province in eastern central Asia: A Mongol–Okhotsk slab window model

The late Mesozoic Great Xing’an Range Large Igneous Province (XRLIP), with an area of >3 × 10⁵ km², is a prominent, enigmatic feature in eastern central Asia. The province is characterized by extensive within-plate magmatism, including a >4 km-thick sequence of volcanic rocks and voluminous plutons emplaced during an interval of ~40 million years from Late Jurassic through Early Cretaceous times (~150–110 Ma). The igneous activities are characterized by widespread adakitic rocks, alkalic basalts, and A-type granitoids with largely intraplate geochemical signatures, emplaced in a normal continental crustal setting. A Mongol–Okhotsk ridge subduction model is proposed for petrogenesis of the igneous rocks. Partial melting of young, hot, subducting oceanic slabs close to the ridge formed the adakitic rocks. A slab window that opened during ridge subduction triggered alkalic basaltic to A-type granitic and minor calc-alkaline magmas, as well as large-scale, metallogenic mineralization and subsequent basin formation.     

Composition,sources, and mechanisms of formation of the continental crust of the Lake zone of the Central Asian Caledonides. II. Geochemical and Nd isotope data

Part II of this paper reports geochemical and Nd isotope characteristics of the volcanogenic and siliceous-terrigenous complexes of the Lake zone of the Central Asian Caledonides and associating granitoids of various ages. Geological, geochronological, geochemical, and isotopic data were synthesized with application to the problems of the sources and main mechanisms of continental crust formation and evolution for the Caledonides of the Central Asian orogenic belt. It was found that the juvenile sialic crust of the Lake zone was formed during the Vendian-Cambrian (approximately 570–490 Ma) in an environment of intraoceanic island arcs and oceanic islands from depleted mantle sources with the entrainment of sedimentary crustal materials into subduction zones and owing to the accretion processes of the amalgamation of paleoceanic and island arc complexes and Precambrian microcontinents, which terminated by ∼490 Ma. The source of primary melts for the low-Ti basalts, andesites, and dacites of the Lake zone ophiolites and island arc complexes was mainly the depleted mantle wedge above a subduction zone. In addition, an enriched plume source contributed to the genesis of the high-Ti basalts and gabbroids of oceanic plateaus. The source of terrigenous rocks associating with the volcanics was composed of materials similar in composition to the country rocks at a minor and varying role of ancient crustal materials introduced into the ocean basin owing to the erosion of Precambrian microcontinents. The sedimentary rocks of the accretionary prism were derived by the erosion of mainly juvenile island arc sources with a minor contribution of rocks of the mature continental crust. The island arc and accretion stages of the development of the Lake zone (∼540–590 Ma) were accompanied by the development of high- and low-alumina sodic granitoids through the melting at various depths of depleted mantle reservoirs (metabasites of a subducted oceanic slab and a mantle wedge) and at the base of the island arc at the subordinate role of ancient crustal rocks. The melts of the postaccretion granitoids of the Central Asian Caledonides were derived mainly from the rocks of the juvenile Caledonian crust at an increasing input of an ancient crustal component owing to the tectonic mixing of the rocks of ophiolitic and island arc complexes and microcontinents. The obtained results indicate that the Vendian-Early Paleozoic stage of the evolution of the Central Asian orogenic belt was characterized by the extensive growth of juvenile continental crust and allow us to distinguish a corresponding stage of juvenile crust formation.     

Crustal Contamination of Early Cretaceous Magmatic Rocks of the Western Transbaikal Rifting Zone

Results of isotope Sr, Ns, and O analyses of volcanic rocks from the Uda sector of the West Transbaikal Rift Zone have allowed estimation of the character of interaction of their parental mantle melts with crustal rocks. The smallest magnitude of this interaction has been found in the compositions of Late Cretaceous (83–70 Ma) volcanics, the geochemical and isotope markers of which suggest their derivation from a moderately enriched mantle compositionally resembling OIB sources. The Early Cretaceous volcanics were derived from mantle sources that included a mantle enriched by subduction. While ascending through the crust, the parental melts of the Uda Complex (130–111 Ma) were contaminated by the lower crust matter. The Zazin Complex magmas (143–135 Ma) have features suggesting their interaction with upper crustal granitoids of the Angara–Vitim Batholith.

     

Comparison of petrology and isotope geochemistry of the Bulka peridotite–gabbro massif and granitoids of the Kyzykchadra complex (West Sayan)

The study provides new petrologic and isotope geochemical data for rocks of the 465 ± 5 Ma Bulka massif (Borodina et al., 2011). The primary amphibole from granitoid stocks cutting across the layered series of the massif yielded an Ar–Ar age of 415.9 ± 3.7 Ma. The rocks of the Bulka massif have ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratio of 0.513243 and εNd (Т) values of +12.00. The granitoids have ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios between 0.512919 and 0.512961 and εNd (Т) values between +8.03 and +9.25. The Nd isotope composition indicates that the rocks of the Bulka massif and granitoids were derived from a depleted mantle source. Depletion of the rocks of the massif in LILE, LREE, and HFSE over LILE is inherited from the mantle source, which has geochemical signatures of N-MORB and subduction-related components. Granitoids are metaluminous I-type granites, which were probably generated either by differentiation of intermediate to mafic mantle-derived magmas or by melting of metabasites. The rocks of the granitoid stocks are characterized by enrichment in LILE and LREE and depletion in HFSE over LILE, which suggests derivation from arc-related parental magmas.     

Origin and interaction of mafic and felsic magmas in an evolving late orogenic setting: the Early Paleozoic Terra Nova Intrusive Complex, Antarctica

The Abbott Unit (∼508 Ma) and the Vegetation Unit (∼475 Ma) of the Terra Nova Intrusive Complex (northern Victoria Land, Antarctica) represent the latest magmatic events related to the Early Paleozoic Ross Orogeny. They show different emplacement styles and depths, ranging from forcible at 0.4–0.5 GPa for the Abbott Unit to passive at ∼0.2 GPa for the Vegetation Unit. Both units consist of mafic, felsic and intermediate facies which collectively define continuous chemical trends. The most mafic rocks from both units show different enrichment in trace element and Sr-Nd isotopic signatures. Once the possible effects of upper crustal assimilation-fractional crystallisation (AFC) and lower crustal coupled AFC and magma refilling processes have been taken into account the following features are recognised: (1) the modelled primary Abbott Unit magma shows a slightly enriched incompatible element distribution, similar to common continental arc basalts and (2) the modelled primary Vegetation Unit magma displays highly enriched isotope ratios and incompatible element patterns. We interpreted these major changes in magmatic affinity and emplacement style as linked to a major change in the tectonic setting affecting melt generation, rise and emplacement of the magmas. The Abbott Unit mafic melts were derived from a mantle wedge above a subduction zone, with subcontinental lithospheric mantle marginally involved in the melting column. The Vegetation Unit mafic melts are regarded as products of a different source involving an old layer of subcontinental lithospheric mantle. The crustal evolution of both types of mafic melts is marked by significant compositional contrasts in Sr and Nd isotopes between mafic and associated felsic rocks. The crustal isotope signature showed an increase with felsic character. Geochemical variations for both units can be accounted for by a similar two-stage hybridisation process. In the first stage, the most mafic magma evolved mainly by fractional crystallisation coupled with assimilation of metasedimentary rocks having crustal time-integrated Sr and Nd compositions similar to those of locally exposed metamorphic basement. The second stage involves contaminated products mixing with independently generated crustal melts. Petrographic, geochemical and isotope data also provide evidence of significant compositional differences in the felsic end-members, pointing to the involvement of metaigneous and metasedimentary source rocks for the Abbott granite and Vegetation leucogranite, respectively. Received: 31 March 1998 / Accepted: 3 May 1999     

Petrogenesis of Mafic to Felsic Plutonic Rock Associations: the Calc-alkaline Querigut Complex, French Pyrenees

The Quérigut mafic–felsic rock association comprisestwo main magma series. The first is felsic comprising a granodiorite–tonalite,a monzogranite and a biotite granite. The second is intermediateto ultramafic, forming small diorite and gabbro intrusions associatedwith hornblendites and olivine hornblendites. A U–Pb zirconage of 307 ± 2 Ma was obtained from the granodiorite–tonalites.Contact metamorphic minerals in the thermal aureole providea maximum emplacement pressure of between 260 and 270 MPa. Petrographiccharacteristics of the mafic and ultramafic rocks suggest crystallizationat <300 MPa, demonstrating that mantle-derived magmas ascendedto shallow levels in the Pyrenean crust during Variscan times.The ultramafic rocks are the most isotopically primitive components,with textural and geochemical features of cumulates from hydrousbasaltic magmas. None of the mafic to ultramafic rocks havedepleted mantle isotope signatures, indicating crustal contaminationor derivation from enriched mantle. Origins for the dioritesinclude accumulation from granodiorite–tonalite magma,derivatives from mafic magmas, or hybrids. The granitic rockswere formed from broadly Proterozoic meta-igneous crustal protoliths.The isotopic signatures, mineralogy and geochemistry of thegranodiorite–tonalites and monzogranites suggest crystallizationfrom different magmas with similar time-integrated Rb/Sr andSm/Nd isotope ratios, or that the granodiorite–tonalitesare cumulates from a granodioritic to monzogranitic parent.The biotite granite differs from the other felsic rocks, representinga separate magma batch. Ages for Quérigut and other Pyreneangranitoids show that post-collisional wrenching in this partof the Variscides was under way by 310 Ma. KEY WORDS: Variscan orogeny; Pyrenees; Quérigut complex; epizonal magmatism; post-thickening; mafic–felsic association     

Os, Pb, and Nd isotope geochemistry of the Permian Emeishan continental flood basalts: Insights into the source of a large igneous province

The nature of the source of continental flood basalts (CFB) is a highly debated topic. Proposed mantle sources for CFBs, including both high- and low-Ti basalts, include subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM), asthenospheric mantle, and deep, plume-related mantle. Re-Os isotope systematics can offer important constraints on the sources of both ocean island basalts (OIB) and CFB, and may be applied to distinguish different possible melt sources. This paper reports the first Re-Os isotope data for the Late Permian Emeishan large igneous province (LIP) in Southwest China. Twenty one CFB samples including both low- and high-Ti basalts from five representative sites within the Emeishan LIP have been analyzed for Os, Nd, and Pb isotopic compositions. The obtained Os data demonstrate that crustal assimilation affected Os isotopic compositions of some Emeishan basalt samples with low Os concentrations but not all of the samples, and the Emeishan basalts with high Os contents likely experienced the least crustal contamination. The low and high-Ti basalts yield distinct Os signatures in terms of ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os and Os content. The low-Ti basalt with the highest Os concentration (400 ppt) has a radiogenic Os isotopic composition (γOs(t), +6.5), similar to that of plume-derived OIB. Because the Os isotopic composition of basalts with relatively high Os concentrations (typically >50 ppt) likely represents that of their mantle source, this result implies a plume-derived origin for the low-Ti basalts. On the other hand, the high-Ti basalts with high Os concentration (over 50 ppt) have unradiogenic Os isotopic signatures (γOs(t) values range from −0.8 to −1.4), suggesting that a subcontinental lithosphere mantle (SCLM) component most likely contributed to the generation of these magmas. Combining Pb and Nd isotopic tracers with the Os data, we demonstrate that the low-Ti basaltic magmas in the Emeishan CFB were mainly sourced from a mantle plume reservoir, whereas the high-Ti basaltic magmas were most likely derived from a SCLM reservoir or were contaminated by a significant amount of lithospheric mantle material during plume-related magma ascent through the SCLM.     

Paleoproterozoic granitoids of the Chuya and Kutima complexes (southern Siberian craton): age,petrogenesis, and geodynamic setting

Detailed geochemical, isotope, and geochronological studies were carried out for the granitoids of the Chuya and Kutima complexes in the Baikal marginal salient of the Siberian craton basement. The obtained results indicate that the granitoids of both complexes are confined to the same tectonic structure (Akitkan fold belt) and are of similar absolute age. U–Pb zircon dating of the Kutima granites yielded an age of 2019±16 Ma, which nearly coincides with the age of 2020±12 Ma obtained earlier for the granitoids of the Chuya complex. Despite the close ages, the granitoids of these complexes differ considerably in geochemical characteristics. The granitoids of the Chuya complex correspond in composition to calcic and calc-alkalic peraluminous trondhjemites, and the granites of the Kutima complex, to calc-alkalic and alkali-calcic peraluminous granites. The granites of the Chuya complex are similar to rocks of the tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) series and are close in CaO, Sr, and Ba contents to I-type granites. The granites of the Kutima complex are similar in contents of major oxides to oxidized A-type granites. Study of the Nd isotope composition of the Chuya and Kutima granitoids showed their close positive values of εNd(T) (+ 1.9 to + 3.5), which indicates that both rocks formed from sources with a short crustal history. Based on petrogeochemical data, it has been established that the Chuya granitoids might have been formed through the melting of a metabasitic source, whereas the Kutima granites, through the melting of a crustal source of quartz–feldspathic composition. Estimation of the PT-conditions of granitoid melt crystallization shows that the Chuya granitoids formed at 735–776 °C (zircon saturation temperature) and > 10 kbar and the Kutima granites, at 819–920 °C and > 10 kbar. It is assumed that the granitoids of both complexes formed in thickened continental crust within an accretionary orogen.     

Early Cretaceous granitoids of the Samarka terrane (Sikhote-Alin’): geochemistry and sources of melts

We present new data on the geologic position, composition, and isotope characteristics of the Early Cretaceous granitoids of the Samarka terrane, Sikhote-Alin’, formed on a transform continental margin. Geological and geochronological data show that these granitoids were generated at two stages of magmatism: in the first half (Hauterivian–Barremian, 130–123 Ma) and second half (Albian–Cenomanian, 110–98 Ma) of the Early Cretaceous. Granitoids of the first stage form an autonomous (free of basic precursors) unimodal melanogranite–granite association and are characterized by normal alkalinity with domination of K over Na, low contents of Ca, and elevated contents of Al₂O₃. By composition, these are S-granites with a model Nd age of ∼1.3 Ga. Granitoids of the second stage are of more diverse petrogeochemical types. They show wider variations in K/Na and A/CNK, are richer in Ca and, sometimes, Sr, and are poorer in P than the granitoids of the first stage. Their compositions form a continuous trend from S- to I-granites, and their model Nd age is ≤1.2 Ga. Comparison of the petrochemical, trace-element, and isotope characteristics of the Early Cretaceous granitoids and upper-crustal rocks (sandstones and siltstones of the turbidite matrix of a Jurassic accretionary prism and basalts from the inclusions in it) of the Samarka terrane and the coeval garrboids has shown that the potassic S-granitoids formed at the early (Hauterivian–Barremian) stage of magmatism as a result of the anatexis of upper-crustal sedimentary rocks. At the late (Albian–Early Cenomanian) stage, the intrusion of mantle magmas led to a temperature increase in the lower crust, which favored more active anatexis, involvement of high-melting substrates (oceanic basalts) in the granite formation, and interaction of mantle and crustal magmas. This resulted in a great diversity of granitoids (from S- to I-type).     

Magmatic sources and geodynamics of the early Mesozoic Northern Mongolia-Western Transbaikalia rift zone

The Northern Mongolia-Western Transbaikalia rift zone is the largest Mesozoic riftogenic structure in eastern Asia and extends for a distance of more than 1200 km. The zone consists of depressions and grabens, which were formed between 233 and 188 Ma and are filled with basaltic and basalt-comendite (bimodal) volcanic associations accompanied by numerous peralkaline granite massifs. Geochemical and isotope (Sr, Nd, and Pb) studies showed that mantle and crustal sources contributed to the formation of the magmatic rocks of the rift zone. The basalts were formed from incompatible element-enriched mantle sources. Geochemical and isotope-geochemical data suggest that the peralkaline salic rocks (comendites and peralkaline grantoids) and basalts are genetically related and were formed by the fractionation of a common parental magma. In addition, the magmatic associations contain peralkaline granites and comendites whose isotope signatures indicate their formation through the crustal contamination of derivatives of basaltic melts. The rift zone has arisen during the formation of the Mongolia-Transbaikalia zoned magmatic area in a complex geodynamic setting, combining collision in the Mongolia-Okhotsk suture with a mantle plume impact. The rift zone occupies the northern periphery of the area, being controlled by the Northern Mongolia-Transbaikalia fault system, which marks the boundaries (sutures) of large terranes in the lithosphere. Asthenospheric traps beneath suture boundaries served as pathways for the penetration of a mantle plume into the upper lithosphere, thus playing an important role in the localization of the riftogenic processes.     

Zircon U–Pb and Hf isotopic study of gneissic rocks from the Chinese Altai: Progressive accretionary history in the early to middle Palaeozoic

Gneissic rocks in the Chinese Altai Mountains have been interpreted as either Paleozoic metasedimentary rocks or Precambrian basement. This study reports geochemical and geochronological data for banded paragneisses and associated gneissic granitoids collected along a NE–SW traverse in the northwestern Chinese Altai. Petrological and geochemical data suggest that the protoliths of the banded gneisses were possibly immature sediments with significant volcanic input and that the gneissic granitoids were derived from I-type granites formed in a subduction environment. Three types of morphological features can be recognized in zircons from the banded gneisses and are interpreted to correlate with different sources. Zircons from five samples of banded paragneiss cluster predominantly between 466 and 528 Ma, some give Neoproterozoic ages, and a few yield discordant Paleoproterozoic to Archean ages. Zircon Hf isotopic compositions indicate that both juvenile/mantle and crust materials were involved in the generation of the source rocks from which these zircons were derived. In contrast, zircons occur ubiquitously as elongated euhedral prismatic crystals in the four samples of the gneissic granitoids, and define single populations for each sample with mean ages between 380 and 453 Ma. The general absence of Precambrian inheritance and positive zircon ?Hf values for these granitoids suggest insignificant crustal contribution to the generation of the precursor magmas. Our data can be interpreted in terms of a progressive accretionary history in early to middle Palaeozoic times, and the Chinese Altai may possibly represent a magmatic arc built on a continental margin dominated by Neoproterozoic rocks.     

Paleozoic collisional and intraplate granitoids of the Baikal area: comparative geochemistry and petrogenesis

Early Paleozoic granitoids of autochthonous and allochthonous facies in the Baikal area (Ol’khon Island, Khamar-Daban Ridge) are in close spatial association with gneisses, migmatites, and plagiogranites and are usually confined to granite–gneiss domes. They are virtually not subjected to magmatic differentiation. Formation of granitoids of the Solzan massif and Sharanur complex lasted 26–28 Myr, which might be considered an indicator of collisional granitoid magmatism. Collisional granitoids of different provinces have a series of indicative features: They are peraluminous and highly potassic and are enriched in crustal elements (Rb, Pb, and Th) but sometimes have low contents of volatiles. In contrast to collisional magmatism, petrogenesis of intraplate granitoids does not depend on the composition and age of the enclosing rocks. The geochemical evolution of intraplate granitoid magmatism in the Baikal area is expressed as an increase in contents of F, Li, Rb, Cs, Sn, Be, Ta, Zr, and Pb and a decrease in contents of Ba, Sr, Zn, Th, and U during the differentiation of multiphase intrusions. The geochemical diversity of these granitoids formed both from crustal and from mantle sources and as a result of the mantle–crust interaction, might be due to the effect of plume on the geologic evolution of intraplate magmatism. The wide range of compositions and geochemical types of igneous rocks (from alkali and subalkalic to rare-metal granitoids) within the Late Paleozoic Baikal magmatism area suggests its high ore potential.     

Formation of adakitic granitoids in the collisional orogens: Evidence from the Early Paleozoic granitoids of the Munku–Sardyk Range,Eastern Sayan

The classical models of adakite formation by melting of basaltic layer of oceanic lithosphere in the subduction zone were verified using geochemical and Sr–Nd isotope data on the Early Paleozoic granitoids of Eastern Sayan. The presence of adakites in fold belts is usually regarded as geochemical proxy for paleogeodynamic reconstruction. The formation of felsic derivatives with adakitic signatures in the collisional orogens is inconsistent with these models and requires their revision. It is shown that the composition of the granitoids and their evolution cannot be described with these models. In order to solve this problem, two hypotheses of granitoid formation by mixing of two geochemically contrasting reservoirs were proposed and verified. According to the first hypothesis, the granitoids represent the mixing products between alkaline olivine basalts and partial melts of the gray gneiss basement of this region. The second model relates the formation of the granitoids with melting of geochemically 2700 Ma-old enriched source in the subcontinental lithospheric mantle. In spite of differences, both these hypotheses are based on the remobilization of sources formed at the previous stages of the geological evolution of the region. In both cases, adakitic geochemical characteristics of forming felsic magmas are determined by the composition of protolith rather than by their geodynamic position. Obtained preliminary results place constraints on genetic models and geochemical reservoirs participating in the formation of the granitoids.