Structural Seismology: Exploring the Correspondence between Surface Geological Features and Heterogeneities in the Earth’s Crust and Mantle

The North Qaidam is an Early Paleozoic UHP metamorphic belt located at the north margin of the Tibet plateau. Eclogites in this belt contain both continental‐and oceanic‐type ones. In which, the continental‐type eclogites have protolith ages of 750–850 Ma and WPB or CFB geochemical signatures and are believed to have formed in a continental rift or an incipient oceanic basin setting related to the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent, their metamorphic ages (421–458 Ma) and P–T paths are comparable to their host gneisses; oceanic‐type eclogites have cumulate gabbro or E‐MORB geochemical signatures, their protolith and metamorphic ages are 510–516 Ma and 425–450 Ma, respectively(Zhang et al., 2008). Therefore, the North Qaidam UHP belt was thought to record the whole Neoprotoerozoic–Paleozoic Wilson cycle (Song et al., 2014). In this study, we reported three new kinds of eclogites: kyanite‐bearing eclogite, lawsonite pseudomorph‐bearing eclogite and double mineral eclogite. They occur as big lentoid blocks in regional granitic gneiss in the western part of the belt. Phase equilibrium modelling and zircon LA‐ICPMS U‐Pb dating show that all these three eclogites experienced a clockwise P–T path with peak metamorphic conditions close to or fall in the coesite stability field, and their peak metamorphic age were around 436‐439 Ma, similar to those continental‐type eclogites in this belt. But their protolith ages are between 1273 and 1070 Ma, and some of them recorded an amphibolite facies metamorphic age of 927 Ma, and geochemical data and zircon Lu‐Hf and O isotope analysis indicate these eclogites have features of present day N‐MORB. Combined with the existing results, we propose that the North Qaidam is a polycyclic composite orogenwhich recorded tectonic evolution of Mesoproterozoic ocean floor spreading, assembly and breakup of Rodinia supercontinent, Early Paleozoic oceanic deep subduction and subsequently continental deep subduction.     

北山北带新元古代岩浆记录:来自内蒙古哈珠地区片麻状花岗岩的证据

北山造山带位于中亚造山系中段,带内各古老陆块的前寒武纪演化历史是了解北山造山带形成和演化的关键问题.本文选取北山北带哈珠地区片麻状花岗岩进行了锆石U-Pb年代学和地球化学分析.结果显示哈珠地区片麻状花岗岩形成于885±4 Ma,首次揭示了北山北带存在新元古代岩浆活动.哈珠片麻状花岗岩主量元素具有高SiO₂、低CaO、高K₂O+Na₂O的特征,铝饱和指数A/CNK>1,属过铝质高钾钙碱性花岗岩.稀土元素球粒陨石标准化曲线呈现出轻稀土富集,重稀土亏损,铕强烈负异常的右倾海燕型;微量元素显示岩石富集Rb、K、Th、U等大离子亲石元素,亏损Nb、Sr、P、Ti等高场强元素.岩石成因分析表明其为S型花岗岩,岩浆来源于变质杂砂岩部分熔融的源区,且初始熔融温度较高（777~798℃）.构造环境判别图解显示其形成于碰撞后由挤压转向伸展的背景,为大陆碰撞的产物.通过与北山南带和东天山地块前寒武纪资料的对比,结果表明北山南带、北山北带和天山造山带中各古老陆块在前寒武纪可能具有一致的演化历史,其共同参与了新元古代Rodinia超大陆的聚合,构成了Rodinia超大陆的一部分.哈珠地区新元古代岩浆事件即为Rodinia超大陆聚合在北山地区的响应.      

我国境内格林威尔期造山带的存在及其对中元古代末期超大陆再造的制约

中元古代超大陆Rodinia 再造研究最重要的问题之一就是围绕全球格林威尔期(1.0Ga)造山带的构造演化对比,详细的构造分析表明,我国境内至少存在两条格林威尔期造山带(北秦岭造山带及江南造山带),它们以活动陆缘增生型造山带为主,涉及板块俯冲、岛弧-弧后盆地的发育,以及微陆块的碰撞作用。这些造山带发育的时代主要集中于1.0-0.9Ga,它们在时代上与北美、欧洲格林威尔期造山带具有很好的可比性,成为制约我国主要陆块(华北、扬子)在超大陆中拼合方式最主要的证据之一。     

胶-辽-吉带构造属性与演化阶段新划分:胶北变质辉长岩的启示

祥山和于埠变质辉长岩是胶北地块上古元古代变质镁铁质岩石的典型代表,辉长岩侵入古元古代荆山群野头组,产有"祥山式"岩浆熔离型铁矿,成矿的专属性指示辉长岩属于层状侵入体类型,形成于大陆伸展构造背景.在祥山变质辉长岩中获得了1851 ±9Ma的变质年龄,在于埠变质辉长岩中获得了2052±23Ma的锆石U-Pb成岩年龄和183...     

柴北缘超高压变质带变质泥质岩碎屑锆石年代学研究及其地质意义

柴北缘超高压变质带作为中国西部深俯冲的一个研究热点,对其变质泥质岩的碎屑锆石年龄研究对了解此区内深俯冲大陆的前寒武纪演化历史,及与华北克拉通及华南克拉通的亲缘性讨论具有重要意义。本文选取柴北缘超高压变质带中绿梁山和都兰的变质泥质岩,筛选锆石利用LA-ICP-MS进行定年并讨论其地质意义。实验结果表明碎屑锆石年龄分为三个组别集中,分别是1100Ma、1000~800Ma和800~500Ma,并分别代表了古老的结晶基底、与Rodinia超大陆相关的碰撞和裂解事件以及古祁连洋的演化。板块亲缘性分析表明柴达木-祁连地区可能与扬子克拉通西缘具有亲缘性,可能作为扬子克拉通西缘的延伸而与扬子克拉通相连。通过结合碎屑锆石数据及板块亲缘性分析并对比现今西太平洋边缘的演化模式,本文提出了一个在早古生代北祁连为主动大陆边缘,柴北缘为被动大陆边缘;在祁连地体北侧的古祁连洋闭合后柴北缘转变为主动大陆边缘的构造演化模式。     

African, southern Indian and South American cratons were not part of the Rodinia supercontinent: evidence from field relationships and geochronology

We discuss the question whether the late Mesoproterozoic and early Neoproterozoic rocks of eastern, central and southern Africa, Madagascar, southern India, Sri Lanka and South America have played any role in the formation and dispersal of the supercontinent Rodinia, believed to have existed between about 1000 and 750 Ma ago. First, there is little evidence for the production of significant volumes of ˜1.4–1.0 Ga (Kibaran or Grenvillian age) continental crust in the Mozambique belt (MB) of East Africa, except, perhaps, in parts of northern Mozambique. This is also valid for most terranes related to West Gondwana, which are made up of basement rocks older than Mesoproterozoic, reworked in the Brasiliano/Pan-African orogenic cycle. This crust cannot be conclusively related to either magmatic accretion processes on the active margin of Rodinia or continental collision leading to amalgamation of the supercontinent. So far, no 1.4–1.0 Ga rocks have been identified in Madagascar. Secondly, there is no conclusive evidence for a ˜1.0 Ga high-grade metamorphic event in the MB, although such metamorphism has been recorded in the presumed continuation of the MB in East Antarctica. In South America, even the Sunsas mobile belt, which is correlated with the Grenville belt of North America, does not include high-grade metamorphic rocks. All terranes with Mesoproterozoic ages seem to have evolved within extensional, aulacogen-type structures, and their compressional deformation, where observed, is normally much younger and is related to amalgamation of Gondwana. This is also valid for the Trans-Saharan and West Congo belts of West Africa.Third, there is also no evidence for post-1000 Ma sedimentary sequences that were deposited on the passive margin(s) of Rodinia. In contrast, the MB of East Africa and Madagascar is characterized by extensive structural reworking and metamorphic overprinting of Archaean rocks, particularly in Tanzania and Madagascar, and these rocks either constitute marginal parts of cratonic domains or represent crustal blocks (terranes or microcontinents?) of unknown derivation. This is also the case for most terranes included in the Borborema/Trans-Saharan belt of northeastern Brazil and west-central Africa, as well as those of the Central Goíás Massif in central Brazil and the Mantiqueira province of eastern and southeastern Brazil.Furthermore, there is evidence for extensive granitoid magmatism in the period ˜840 to <600 Ma whose predominant calc-alkaline chemistry suggests subduction-related active margin processes during the assembly of the supercontinent Gondwana. The location of the main Neoproterozoic magmatic arcs suggests that a large oceanic domain separated the core of Rodinia, namely Laurentia plus Amazonia, Baltica and West Africa, from several continental masses and fragments now in the southern hemisphere, such as the São Francisco/Congo, Kalahari and Rio de La Plata cratons, as well as the Borborema/Trans-Saharan, Central Goiás Massif and Paraná blocks. Moreover, many extensional tectonic events detected in the southern hemisphere continental masses, but also many radiometric ages of granitois that are already associated with the process of amalgamation of Gondwana, are comprised within the 800–1000 age interval. This seems incompatible with current views on the time of disintegration of Rodinia, assumed to have occurred at around 750 Ma.     

Puncoviscana folded belt in northwestern Argentina: testimony of Late Proterozoic Rodinia fragmentation and pre-Gondwana collisional episodes

 Stratigraphic correlations and tectonic analysis suggest that the Puncoviscana fold belt of northwestern Argentina was an intracontinental basin with bimodal igneous suites that formed in connection with the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent (at ∼800 Ma). Several lines of evidences point to an initial lithosphere rupture, possibly induced by a rising mantle plume. The earliest synrift igneous products are represented by ultra-potassic dykes and alkaline lava flows of high LREE/HREE and low Zr/Nb–Y/Nb ratios. The dyke emplacements and the initiation of rifting were probably synchronous. They pass laterally and upwards (middle part of the Puncoviscana succession) into basalts of alkaline transitional character (OIB-like source). The distinctive chemical feature of these lavas are very similar to the source of oceanic island basalts; thus, they are thought to represent a magmatism associated with the rift and rift-drift transition stage. During this stage of rifting probably true oceanic crust was formed. The upper part of the Puncoviscana sequence, Late Precambrian/Lower Cambrian in age, comprises a thick and monotonous sequence of pillow lavas, massive basaltic flows and minor volcanic breccias and hyaloclastites. These lavas exhibit MORB trace element characteristics with high FeO_t and TiO₂, low K₂O and P₂O₅, flat light REE spectra, little or no depletion in Nb and Ta. This volcanism consists of the major and latest effusive episode from the Puncoviscana basin which was slightly modified by subduction processes. The geodynamical model proposed for the generation of these volcanic rocks could have been developed in two stages. In the first stage the volcanic event is compatible with a progressive opening of a continental rift leading to formation of a mature oceanic basin. In contrast, the second stage shows the effects of a completed Wilson cycle including a primitive volcanic arc which continued until the accreted Cuyania-Arequipa-Belen-Antofalla (CABA) terrane against the proto-Gondwana western borderland of the Amazonian shield (∼535 Ma). Received: 23 December 1997 / Accepted: 9 December 1998     

川西新元古代玄武质岩浆岩的锆石U-Pb年代学、元素和Nd同位素研究:岩石成因与地球动力学意义

扬子块体西缘新元古代岩浆活动非常强烈 ,其成因对研究Rodinia超级大陆的演化有重要意义。目前对这些岩浆岩的成因和形成的构造背景存在地幔柱和岛弧两种截然不同的观点。文中对康定地区的冷碛辉长岩进行了SHRIMP锆石UPb、元素和Nd同位素研究 ,结果表明辉长岩结晶年龄为 (80 8± 12 )Ma ,与康定花岗质杂岩在时空上密切共生。虽然辉长岩浆在上升过程中受到富集岩石圈地幔和 /或基性下地壳物质的混染 ,但其元素和Nd同位素特征总体上与苏雄碱性玄武岩 (典型的板内型玄武岩 )相似 ,形成于板内裂谷环境。与玄武质岩石相反 ,扬子西缘新元古代花岗质岩石地球化学特征没有明确的构造岩石组合关系。目前的研究资料表明扬子块体西北缘在约 95 0～ 90 0Ma期间可能存在一个近东西向的俯冲带和火山弧 ,但在 86 0～ 75 0Ma期间不存在火山弧 ,这个时期的大规模岩浆活动很可能与Rodinia超级大陆下的一个超级地幔柱活动有关。     

攀枝花大田铀矿床年代学特征及其意义

文章以康滇地轴典型热液型铀矿——大田铀矿床为研究对象,开展了围岩、构造蚀变带脉岩中的锆石和矿石晶质铀矿U-Pb法定年,以及年代学特征研究,获得如下认识:1)大田地区混合岩的原岩形成于晚元古代早期之前(900Ma);2)混合岩化作用发生于840~900Ma;3)铀矿区F3碱性构造蚀变岩带形成于混合岩化晚期(820~840Ma);4)大田铀矿床的成矿年龄为777Ma左右。因此笔者认为,康滇地轴的形成与发展、包括铀在内的成矿作用,是与罗迪尼亚大陆的形成及裂解演化所导致的构造岩浆作用密切相关。大田地区的构造演化对铀成矿具有重要的意义。     

阿尔金造山带青白口纪片麻状花岗岩的厘定及对Rodinia超大陆汇聚时限的制约

阿尔金造山带新元古代花岗岩的研究对探讨该地区Rodinia超大陆汇聚阶段构造演化过程具有重要意义。本文对在亚干布阳一带新厘定的青白口纪片麻状花岗岩开展了详细的岩石学、年代学和岩石地球化学研究。锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年代学证据显示片麻状花岗岩结晶年龄分别为(883.0±3.3)Ma和(883.1±3.3)Ma,说明其侵位于青白口纪。地球化学结果显示,常量元素具有富硅、铝、钾和低钠、镁、钙和钛的特点,具钙碱性-高钾钙碱性、过铝质花岗岩特征。岩石轻稀土分馏较强而重稀土分馏较弱,具有明显的负Eu异常,总体呈右倾的"V"型稀土分配模式。岩石富集Rb、Th、LREE等大离子亲石元素,中等亏损Ba,强烈亏损Nb、Sr、P、Hf、Ti等高场强元素,总体特征显示了典型的壳源花岗岩的特征,其源于地壳变质砂岩部分熔融,形成于同碰撞晚期构造环境,属Rodinia超大陆汇聚阶段的产物。综合研究表明,阿尔金地区新元古代早期同碰撞型岩体的形成时代集中在871～945 Ma,限定了Rodinia超大陆汇聚时限,且在空间上构成了一条重要的岩浆岩带,是对Rodinia超大陆碰撞汇聚作用的响应。     

Discovery and Geological Significance of Neoproterozoic Metamorphic Granite in Jimo, Shandong Province, Eastern China

During the 1:50000 regional geological survey in Jimo,east Shandong Province,Paleoproterozoic metamorphic supracrustal rocks and Neoproterozoic metamorphic plutonite were newly discovered. These rocks displayed inclusions which had occurred in the Mesozoic granite,and the main lithologies are schist,granulite,marble,and granitic gneiss. Geochemical analyses suggest that Neoproterozoic metamorphic plutonite are characterized by high-K,metaluminous to weakly peraluminous. They are enriched in LILE and depleted in HFSE,with moderately enrichment of LREE,weak fractionation of LREE from HREE and negative Eu anomalies. The surface age of plutonic rocks in the survey area is 770.2±2.4 Ma,representing the age of magma crystallization,which is agreement with the the Neoproterozoic magmatic event after Rodinia supercontinent in the northern margin of Southern China continental block. In addition,the age of sporadic distribution(298 Ma and 269 Ma) is mixed zircon age,representing the rocks experienced metamorphism in Indosinian period. According to the associated mineral assemblages,and the characteristic metamorphic minerals and temperature pressure conditions,four metamorphic facies were identified,including amphibolitic,epidote amphibolite,greenschist,and mid-high pressure greenschist. Analysis of tectonic setting suggests that granitic gneiss is formed in an extensional environment and was involved from the continental margin magmatic arc to intraplate environment. Jimo is distributed in the east of Zhuwu fault,and has the same Spatial distribution location with the Weihai uplift UHP metamorphic belt rocks. The metamorphic rocks in Jimo area have similar geochemical characteristics of elements,tectonic setting and retrograde metamorphism with that in the Sulu UHP metamorphic belt. Therefore,Zhuwu fault may be the boundary fault of Sulu UHP metamorphic belt.     

Provenance of the early to mid-Paleozoic sediments in the northern Alxa area: Implications for tectonic evolution of the southwestern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The continental fragments in Northwest China are key to revealing the tectonic and crustal evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). However, their tectonic correlation, affinity and implications have not been well defined. The early to mid-Paleozoic sediments in the northern Alxa area can help to understand this question. These sediments were deposited in a deep to shallow marine environment during a regression. The southeast paleocurrent attributes their provenance to the northwest. Detrital zircons from the collected sandstones record peak ages of approximately 1726 Ma, 1462 Ma, 915 Ma and 438 Ma. The zircon ε_Hf(t) values are negative to positive at 1726 Ma, 915 Ma and 438 Ma, but only positive at 1462 Ma. The detrital zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotopes suggest the provenance to be the blocks in Central Tianshan and Southern Beishan or their analogs, rather than the Tarim Craton. The source blocks show no tectonic affinity to the Tarim Craton but might be accreted to it in the Neoproterozoic Rodinia. The provenance analyses show tectonic correlation among the northern Alxa, Tianshan and Beishan orogenic belts. The Late Devonian molasse deposits, geochemical shifting to continental margins and suddenly increased early Paleozoic zircons indicate an arc-continent collision. The discovery of more indicators for continental fragments advocates a multiterrane model and dominant crustal reworking/contamination for the tectonocrustal evolution of the CAOB at least during the early to mid-Paleozoic.     

The boring billion? – Lid tectonics, continental growth and environmental change associated with the Columbia supercontinent

The evolution of Earth＇s biosphere,atmosphere and hydrosphere is tied to the formation of continental crust and its subsequent movements on tectonic plates.The supercontinent cycle posits that the continental crust is periodically amalgamated into a single landmass,subsequently breaking up and dispersing into various continental fragments.Columbia is possibly the first true supercontinent,it amalgamated during the 2.0-1.7 Ga period,and collisional orogenesis resulting from its formation peaked at 1.95-1.85 Ga.Geological and palaeomagnetic evidence indicate that Columbia remained as a quasi-integral continental lid until at least 1.3 Ga.Numerous break-up attempts are evidenced by dyke swarms with a large temporal and spatial range; however,palaeomagnetic and geologic evidence suggest these attempts remained unsuccessful.Rather than dispersing into continental fragments,the Columbia supercontinent underwent only minor modifications to form the next supercontinent （Rodinia） at 1.1 -0.9 Ga; these included the transformation of external accretionary belts into the internal Grenville and equivalent collisional belts.Although Columbia provides evidence for a form of ‘lid tectonics’,modern style plate tectonics occurred on its periphery in the form of accretionary orogens.The detrital zircon and preserved geological record are compatible with an increase in the volume of continental crust during Columbia＇s lifespan; this is a consequence of the continuous accretionary processes along its margins.The quiescence in plate tectonic movements during Columbia＇s lifespan is correlative with a long period of stability in Earth＇s atmospheric and oceanic chemistry.Increased variability starting at 1.3 Ga in the environmental record coincides with the transformation of Columbia to Rodinia; thus,the link between plate tectonics and environmental change is strengthened with this interpretation of supercontinent history.     

Vestiges of the Mesoproterozoic Events in the Neoproterozoic Mozambique Belt: the East African Perspective in the Rodinia Puzzle

Most of the geological and palaeogeographical models consider the Neoproterozoic supercontinent Gondwana (∼650-550 Ma) as the direct offspring of the disintegrated Mesoproterozoic supercontinent Rodinia (∼1300-750 Ma). One of the main classical sutures along which the dispersing Rodinia fragments were fused into a new supercontinent (Godwana) is identified as the Mozambique belt of East Africa. The calc-alkaline magmatism (∼1200-950 Ma) in northern Mozambique, southern Malawi and southern Tanzania is regarded as the sole evidence for fragmentation of Rodinia, which is traced within this Neoproterozoic orogenic belt. There are no unequivocal Mesoproterozoic (Kibaran) sediments in this orogen. Concrete evidence for Kibaran metamorphism and deformation is missing. Thus, these solitary documented Kibaran magmatic vestiges in the belt do not ascribe to a true complete orogenesis, which involved the disintegration and dispersal of Rodinia. Consequently, the available sparse Mesoproterozoic (Kibaran) geological and isotopic data from the Mozambique belt of East Africa contentiously suggest its involvement in the aggregation of the supercontinent Rodinia at about 1300-1100 Ma ago.     

西昆仑地区元古宙岩浆侵入作用及构造-岩浆演化过程

通过对西昆仑地区元古代侵入岩的岩石类型、形成时代和岩石地球化学资料的综合分析,探讨各个构造单元侵入岩形成期次、岩石成因及构造-岩浆演化过程。铁克里克断隆带元古宙中酸性侵入岩以A型花岗岩为主,是塔里木板块古老基底在高温低压条件下发生部分熔融的产物。西昆仑造山带古元古代和中元古代早期中酸性侵入岩为钙碱性I型花岗岩,是变玄武岩在低温条件下部分熔融条件下形成的,而古元古代晚期和新元古代中酸性侵入岩则是高温条件下老基底岩系部分熔融而形成的A型花岗岩。甜水海地块仅发育新元古代侵入岩,为S型花岗岩,是高温高压环境下甜水海地块古老基底部分熔融而形成。根据侵入岩岩浆演化规律,将西昆仑地区元古宙划为4个演化阶段:12 426~1 567Ma:以铁克里克断隆带A型花岗岩为代表的塔里木板块陆内演化,以西昆仑造山带钙碱性-拉斑质I型花岗岩为代表的陆缘弧。21 301~1 000Ma:铁克里克断隆带和西昆仑造山带均以陆内演化性质的A型花岗岩为主。31 000~851 Ma:甜水海地块S型花岗岩可能是陆-陆碰撞导致地壳加厚的产物,指示甜水海地块可能作为Rodinia超大陆的一员发生聚合拼接作用。4815~644 Ma:铁克里克断隆带和西昆仑造山带均存在碱性基性岩浆岩和A型花岗岩的双峰式侵入岩组合,指示塔里木地块和西昆仑地块可能作为Rodinia超大陆组成部分,在该阶段发生了裂解作用。通过对元古宙侵入岩的系统分析,西昆仑地区不同构造单元地壳演化有一定差异,经历了不同演化过程。     

The multi-stage tectonic evolution of the Xitieshan terrane,North Qaidam orogen,western China: From Grenville-age orogeny to early-Paleozoic ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism

The geodynamic evolution of the early Paleozoic ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt in North Qaidam, western China, is controversial due to ambiguous interpretations concerning the nature and ages of the eclogitic protoliths. Within this framework, we present new LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon ages from eclogites and their country rock gneisses from the Xitieshan terrane, located in the central part of the North Qaidam UHP metamorphic belt. Xitieshan terrane contains clearly different protolith characteristics of eclogites and as such provides a natural laboratory to investigate the geodynamic evolution of the North Qaidam UHP metamorphic terrane. LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon dating of three phengite-bearing eclogites and two country rock gneiss samples from the Xitieshan terrane yielded 424–427 Ma and 917–920 Ma ages, respectively. The age of 424–427 Ma from eclogite probably reflects continental lithosphere subduction post-dating oceanic lithosphere subduction at ~ 440–460 Ma. The 0.91–0.92 Ga metamorphic ages from gneiss and associated metamorphic mineral assemblages are interpreted as evidence for the occurrence of a Grenville-age orogeny in the North Qaidam UHPM belt. Using internal microstructure, geochemistry and U–Pb ages of zircon in this study, combined with the petrological and geochemical investigations on the eclogites of previous literature’s data, three types of eclogitic protoliths are identified in the Xitieshan terrane i.e. 1) Subducted early Paleozoic oceanic crust (440–460 Ma), 2) Neoproterozoic oceanic crust material emplaced onto micro-continental fragments ahead of the main, early Paleozoic, collision event (440–420 Ma) and 3) Neoproterozoic mafic dikes intruded in continental fragments (rifted away from the former supercontinent Rodinia). These results demonstrate that the basement rocks of the North Qaidam terrane formed part of the former supercontinent Rodinia, attached to the Yangtze Craton and/or the Qinling microcontinent, and recorded a complex tectono-metamorphic evolution that involved Neoproterozoic and Early Paleozoic orogenies.     

Structure and evolution of the continental crust in the Baikal Fold Region

A summary of original Nd isotopic data on granitoids, silicic volcanics, and metasediments of the Baikal Fold Region is presented. The available Nd isotopic data, in combination with new geological and geochronological evidence, allowed recognition of the Early Baikalian (1000 ± 100 to 720 ± 20 Ma) and Late Baikalian (700 ± 10 to 590 ± 5 Ma) tectonic cycles in the geological evolution. The tectonic stacking, deformation, metamorphism, and granite formation are related to orogenic events that occurred 0.80–0.78 Ga and 0.61–0.59 Ga ago. The crust-forming events dated at 1.0–0.8 Ga and 0.70–0.62 Ga pertain to each cycle. The Early Baikalian crust formation developed largely in the relatively narrow and spatially separated Kichera and Param-Shamansky zones of troughs in the Baikal-Muya Belt. The formation and reworking of the Late Baikalian continental crust played the leading role in the Karalon-Mamakan, Yana, and Kater-Uakit zones and in the Svetlinsky Subzone of the Anamakit-Muya Zone in the Baikal-Muya Belt. In general, three large historical periods are recognized in the evolution of the Baikal Fold Region. The Early Baikalian period was characterized by prevalence of reworking of the older continental crust. The Late Baikalian-Early Caledonian period is distinguished by more extensive formation and transformation of the juvenile crust. The third, Late Paleozoic period was marked by reworking of the continental crust with juxtaposition of all older crustal protoliths. Two models of paleogeodynamic evolution of the Baikalian fold complexes are considered: (1) the autochthonous model that corresponds to the formation of suboceanic crust in rift-related basins of the Red Sea type and its subsequent reworking in the course of collision-related squeezing of paleorifts and intertrough basins and (2) the allochthonous model that implies the formation of fragments of the Baikal-Muya Belt at the shelf of the Rodinia supercontinent, their subsequent participation in the evolution of the Paleoasian ocean, and their eventual juxtaposition during Late Baikalian and Early Caledonian events in the structure of the Caledonian Siberian Superterrane of the Central Asian Foldbelt.     

Variable involvements of mantle plumes in the genesis of mid-Neoproterozoic basaltic rocks in South China: A review

Ca. 825–720 Ma global continental intraplate magmatism is generally linked to mantle plumes or a mantle superplume that caused rifting and fragmentation of the supercontinent Rodinia. Widespread Neoproterozoic igneous rocks in South China are dated at ca. 825–760 Ma. There is a hot debate on their petrogenesis and tectonic affiliations, i.e., mantle plume/rift settings or collision/arc settings. Such competing interpretations have contrasting implications to the position of South China in the supercontinent Rodinia and in Rodinia reconstruction models.Variations in the bulk-rock compositions of primary basaltic melts can provide first order constraints on the mantle thermal–chemical structure, and thus distinguish between the plume/rift and arc/collision models. Whole-rock geochemical data of 14 mid-Neoproterozoic (825–760 Ma) basaltic successions are reviewed here in order to (1) estimate the primary melts compositions; (2) calculate the melting conditions and mantle potential temperature; and (3) identify the contributions of subcontinental lithosphere mantle (SCLM) and asenthospheric mantles to the generation of these basaltic rocks.In order to quantify the mantle potential temperatures and percentages of decompression melting, the primary MgO, FeO, and SiO₂ contents of basalts are calculated through carefully selecting less-evolved samples using a melting model based on the partitioning of FeO and MgO in olivine. The mid-Neoproterozoic (825–760 Ma) potential temperatures predicted from the primary melts range from 1390 °C to 1630 °C (mostly > 1480 °C), suggesting that most 825–760 Ma basaltic rocks in South China were generated by melting of anomalously hot mantle sources with potential temperatures 80–200 °C higher than the ambient Middle Ocean Ridge Basalt (MORB)-source mantle.The mantle source regions of these Neoproterozoic basaltic rocks have complex histories and heterogeneous compositions. Enriched mantle sources (e.g., pyroxenite and eclogite) are recognized as an important source for the Bikou and Suxiong basalts, suggesting that their generations may have involved recycled components. Trace elements variations show that interactions between asthenospheric mantle (OIB-type mantle) and SCLM played a very important role in generation of the 825–760 Ma basalts. Our results indicate that the SCLM metasomatized by subduction-induced melts/fluids during the 1.0–0.9 Ga orogenesis as a distinct geochemical reservoir that contributed significantly to the trace-elements and isotope inventory of these basalts.The continental intraplate geochemical signatures (e.g., OIB-type), high mantle potential temperatures and recycled components suggest the presence of a mantle plume beneath the Neoproterozoic South China block. We use the available data to develop an integrated plume-lithosphere interaction model for the ca. 825–760 Ma basalts. The early phases of basaltic rocks (825–810 Ma) were most likely formed by melting within the metasomatized SCLM heated by the rising mantle plume. The subsequent continental rift allowed adiabatic decompression partial melting of an upwelling mantle plumes at relatively shallow depth to form the widespread syn-rifting basaltic rocks at ca. 810–800 Ma and 790–760 Ma.     

华北板块北缘东段中元古代造山带地质特征及构造演化

研究区内的中元古代魏家沟岩群原岩为一套碳酸盐岩、陆缘碎屑岩及火山岩建造,形成于大陆裂谷-活动大陆边缘阶段,并于1036 Ma左右遭受变质变形.通过岩浆岩形成构造环境的判别,研究区中元古代岩浆活动贯穿于板块碰撞前、同碰撞及碰撞后.伴随着造山带的演化,本区中元古代经历了3期韧性变形,分别形成于大陆裂谷、活动大陆边缘及碰撞造山阶段.通过上述研究,确定了本区中元古代造山带的存在,并经历了大陆裂谷-被动大陆边缘-活动大陆边缘-碰撞造山的地质演化过程,证实了格林维尔造山运动在华北板块北缘的存在和对中元古代末期Rodinia超大陆拼合的响应.     

东南极普里兹带多期变质作用及其对罗迪尼亚和冈瓦纳超大陆重建的启示

东南极普里兹带是一条经受格林维尔期和泛非期高级构造热事件影响的多相变质带,其构造演化过程与罗迪尼亚和冈瓦纳超大陆的形成密切相关.新的岩石学和年代学资料表明,普里兹带中的格林维尔期高级变质作用是区域性的,并经历了>970Ma和930～900Ma两个演化阶段(期),变质条件达到相对高温高压的麻粒岩相.格林维尔期造山作用起始于活动大陆边缘或岛弧环境下的岩浆增生,最后发展到陆陆碰撞,从而使印度、东南极西陆块和非洲的卡拉哈里克拉通拼合在一起,构成了罗迪尼亚超大陆的重要组成部分之一.普里兹带中的泛非期高级变质作用并不象前人认为的那样只发生在中低压麻粒岩相条件下,而是达到高压麻粒岩相,并具有近等温减压的顺时针P-T演化轨迹.格林维尔期变质先驱的普遍存在说明泛非期碰撞造山事件主要叠加在印度-南极陆块东缘的基底杂岩之上,所以其主缝合线的位置应该在现今普里兹带的东南方向,并可能向南极内陆延伸到甘布尔采夫冰下山脉.对不同类型岩石的精细定年揭示,普里兹带中泛非期造山作用过程从570Ma一直持续到490Ma,这与东非造山带的晚期碰撞阶段大致相吻合.因此,冈瓦纳超大陆的最后拼合可能是通过西冈瓦纳、印度-南极陆块和澳大利亚-南极陆块等三个陆块的近于同期碰撞来完成的.