西藏乃东地区雅鲁藏布江缝合带中蛇绿混杂岩的变质作用及岩石学特征

雅鲁藏布江缝合带位于青藏高原南部,是印度板块向欧亚板块俯冲的产物,代表着新特提斯洋岩石圈的残片。文章对西藏乃东地区雅鲁藏布江缝合带中蛇绿混杂岩的变质作用及岩石学特征进行了研究。该带总体呈近东西向延伸,受变地质体主要为晚侏罗—早白垩世泽当蛇绿岩。通过野外地质调查、岩相学及岩石地球化学分析,结合岩石成因研究及构造环境判别,认为泽当蛇绿岩由地幔橄榄岩、辉长质杂岩、镁铁质杂岩、海相沉积物及伴生铬铁矿和斜长花岗岩等组成,属低绿片岩相—高绿片岩相区域变质岩。     

Early Cretaceous subduction initiation beneath southern Tibet caused the northward flight of India

Collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates formed the ～2500 km long Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone and produced the Himalaya mountains and Tibetan plateau.Here we offer a new explanation for tectonic events leading to this collision:that the northward flight of India was caused by an Early Cretaceous episode of subduction initiation on the southern margin of Tibet.Compiled data for ophiolites along the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone show restricted ages between 120 Ma and 130 Ma,and their supra-subduction zone affinities are best explained by seafloor spreading in what became the forearc of a north-dipping subduction zone on the southern margin of Tibet.The subsequent evolution of this new subduction zone is revealed by integrating data for arcrelated igneous rocks of the Lhasa terrane and Xigaze forearc basin deposits.Strong slab pull from this new subduction zone triggered the rifting of India from East Gondwana in Early Cretaceous time and pulled it northward to collide with Tibet in Early Paleogene time.     

CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHY,SEDIMENTATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE XIGAZE FOREARC BASIN: IMPLICATIONS FOR DYNAMIC EVOLUTION OF THE YARLUNG ZANGBO SUTURE ZONE

CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHY,SEDIMENTATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE XIGAZE FOREARC BASIN: IMPLICATIONS FOR DYNAMIC EVOLUTION OF THE YARLUNG ZANGBO SUTURE ZONE1　All埁ｇｒｅＣＪ,CourtillotV ,TapponnierP ,etal.StructureandevolutionoftheHimalaya Tibetorogenicbelt[J] .Nature,1984 ,30 7:17～ 2 2 . 2　CoulonC ,MaluskiH ,BollingerC ,etal.MesozoicandCenozoicvolcanicrocksfromcentralandsouthernTibet:3 9Ar 40 Ardating ,petrotogicalcharacteristicsandgeodyn…     

The Late Jurassic Zedong ophiolite: A remnant of subduction initiation within the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone (southern Tibet) and its tectonic implications

The Zedong ophiolite is the largest ophiolite massif east of Dazhuqu in the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone in the southern Tibetan Plateau. However, its age, geodynamic setting and relationship to the Xigaze ophiolite remain controversial. New zircon U–Pb ages, whole-rock geochemical and Nd–Pb isotopic data from ophiolitic units provide constraints on the geodynamic and tectonic evolution of the Zedong ophiolite. U–Pb zircon geochronology of dolerite lavas and late gabbro–diabase dikes yield weighted mean ages of 153.9 ± 2.5 Ma and 149.2 ± 5.1 Ma, respectively. Strong positive ε_Nd(t) and positive Δ7/4Pb and Δ8/4Pb values indicate derivation from a highly depleted mantle source with an isotopic composition similar to that of the Indian MORB-type mantle. The geochemistry of ophiolitic lavas and early dikes are analogous to typical island arc tholeiites whereas late dikes are similar to boninites. The geochemistry of these rock types suggests multi-stage partial melting of the mantle and gradually enhanced subduction influences to the mantle source through time. Combined with the MORB-like 162.9 ± 2.8 Ma Luobusha ophiolitic lavas, we suggest that the Luobusha lavas, Zedong lavas and early dikes originated in an infant proto-arc setting whereas late dikes in the Zedong ophiolite originated in a forearc setting. Together, they represent a Neo-Tethyan subduction initiation sequence. The Late Jurassic intra-oceanic proto-arc to forearc setting of the Zedong ophiolite contrasts with the continental margin forearc setting for the Xigaze ophiolite, which suggests a laterally complex geodynamic setting for ophiolites along the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone.     

青藏高原新特提斯蛇绿岩的地质特征及其构造演化

西藏雅鲁藏布江缝合带（YZSZ）和班公湖-怒江缝合带（BNSZ）蛇绿岩代表了新特提斯洋壳和岩石圈地幔残余，是我国铬铁矿和蛇绿岩型金刚石的重要原产地，目前这两条蛇绿岩带的成因和相互关系还存在着争论。本文总结了YZSZ、BNSZ、狮泉河-纳木错蛇绿混杂岩带（SNMZ）和松多缝合带蛇绿岩的时空分布、组成和构造背景，归纳了拉萨地块晚古生以来的岩浆岩分布，获得以下主要认识：（1）Panjal地幔柱活动可能促使怒江洋和雅江西洋在早二叠世空谷期（283~272Ma）打开；（2）雅江东洋由于松多洋的南向俯冲在晚三叠世打开，与雅江西洋以萨嘎-措勤为界，并形成冈底斯东部245~200Ma岩浆热事件；（3）~140Ma班怒洋闭合以及南羌塘与北拉萨地块碰撞，导致雅江洋扩张速率加快而引发了北向拉萨地块的平板俯冲，进而导致班怒洋的再次裂解形成133~104Ma"红海型"小洋盆；（4）YZSZ缝合带西段南带蛇绿岩为北带的逆冲推覆体；（5）BNSZ和SNMZ蛇绿岩隶属于一个洋盆，后者代表了班怒洋成熟洋盆扩张脊的残余。     

波密地区帕隆藏布残留蛇绿混杂岩带的发现及其意义

在进行1：25万墨脱幅地质调查中，笔者首次在波密地区发现和填绘出了帕隆藏布残留蛇绿混杂岩带。帕窿藏布残留蛇绿混杂岩呈串珠状产出于花岗岩类侵入岩中，其岩石组合为橄揽辉石岩、辉石岩、辉长岩、辉长辉绿岩、辉绿岩、石英岩和大理岩，局部可见条带状硅质岩。上述组分之间的相互关系表明，蛇绿岩在花岗岩类岩石侵入之前发生过构造混杂和变形。根据沉积岩所记录的盆地演化过程、蛇绿岩的Rb-Sr年龄值以及残留蛇绿混杂岩带两刨花岗岩类岩石的特征和生成时代综合分析认为：帕隆藏布残留蛇绿混杂岩带形成于石炭-二叠纪的弧间盆地中，至少在晚三叠纪之前出现洋壳，在消减过程中向北俯冲并在中侏罗世之前闭合(弧-弧碰撞)。     

中国青藏高原特提斯的形成与演化

青藏高原的形成是特提斯演化的结果。本文根据区域大地构造演化和沉积学证据,将青藏高原特提斯在时间上划分为3个阶段,即早期、中期和晚期。早期从震旦纪开始至奥陶—志留纪结束,这个阶段的大洋我们称作"原特提斯"。中期从泥盆纪开始至石炭—二叠纪结束,通常称这个大洋为"古特提斯"。晚期从二叠纪末、三叠纪初开始一直延续到第三纪早期,这个阶段的大洋通常被称作"新特提斯"。在空间上,青藏高原特提斯可以划分为3个区域相,即北区、中区和南区。上述3个阶段完全可以与空间上的3个区域相对应,原特提斯主要发育于北区,大洋消亡后的遗迹残留在青藏高原第5缝合带中,即西昆仑—阿尔金—北祁连缝合带。古特提斯主要发育于中区,大洋消亡后的遗迹残留在青藏高原第3、4缝合带中,即金沙江缝合带和昆仑南缘缝合带。新特提斯主要发育于南区,大洋主洋盆消亡后的遗迹残留在青藏高原第1缝合带中,即雅鲁藏布江缝合带,它的弧后盆地消亡后的遗迹残留在第2缝合带中,即班公湖—怒江缝合带。     

Late Mesozoic crustal extension along the southern Eurasian margin: evidence from volcanic rocks of the Bangong-Nujiang Suture zone, Tibet

The Mesozoic was a period of marginal basin formations, closures and reactivations along segments of the southern Eurasian margin. Remnants of some of these events are now preserved as exposures of Juras-sic-Cretaceous ophiolites and ophiolitic mélanges, thick sequences of Jurassic flysch deposits and Middle Cretaceous sedimentary and volcanic formations along the Bangong-Nujiang Suture Zone (BNS).     

Ophiolites du nord-ouest syrien et evolution de la croute oceanique tethysienne au cours du mesozoique

The Baër-Bassit area of northwestern Syria is composed of an ophiolite suite and a Triassic to Lower Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary formation. This area is believed to represent the front of sheets overthrust in the Maestrichtian on the Arabian Platform. The roots of the sheets are found to the north, in Turkey. The Baër-Bassit area could thus correspond to the southern margin of the northern part of the obducted Tethyan oceanic crust. Formation of the ocean started in the Late Triassic or at the beginning of the Jurassic.The subduction of Tethyan crust under the northern oceanic margin would have led to a change in the magmatic processes which would have produced the upper levels of hypertholeiitic pillow lavas on the southern rim of the northern district. In fact, those lavas are present all around the Arabian Platform, in the most ‘meridional’ ophiolitic complexes: Cyprus, Baër-Bassit and Oman.The change in magmatism would by definition occur in a relatively narrow zone; this would explain the differences observed when comparing the lavas and the sheeted intrusive complex on both the ‘meridional’ ophiolites and the more ‘internal’ Turkish massifs. Although belonging to the same oceanic crust, the differences in the ophiolitic assemblages would correspond to a different stage of its formation; the Turkish one would probably be a portion of oceanic crust formed at an earlier stage.Moreover, the volcano-sedimentary series associated with the ophiolites of Cyprus and Baër-Bassit would have been formed at the southern margin of the Tethyan region. A part of the volcano-sedimentary sequence has been subducted and metamorphosed. Amphibolites formed in this way would have been extracted from the subduction zone during the last movements when oceanic crust overthrust the Arabian—African Platform. The unmetamorphosed volcano-sedimentary series would have been folded and thrust towards the obducted oceanic crust during the same period. However, whereas the volcano-sedimentary formation of Syria is tectonically overthrust by the ophiolite, it is possible that the similar formation in Cyprus has been deposited from the south over the Troodos Massif.     

Magma Mixing of the Late Paleozoic Tayuan Complex in the Xing’an Block

Mesozoic ophiolites crop out discontinuously in the Indo‐Myanmar Ranges in NE India and Myanmar, and represent the remnants of the Neotethyan oceanic lithosphere. These ophiolites in the Indo‐Myanmar Ranges are the southern continuation of the Neotethyan ophiolites occurring along the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone in southern Tibet farther northwes, as indicated by their coeval crystallization ages and geochemical compositions. The Kalaymyo ophiolite is located in the central part of the Indo‐Myanmar Ranges (Myanmar). The Kalaymyo ophiolite are composed of olivine (Fo = 89.8–90.5), orthopyroxene (En86‐91Wo1‐4Fs8‐10; Mg#=89.6–91.9), clinopyroxene (En46‐49Wo47‐50Fs3‐5; Mg# = 90.9–93.6) and spinel (Mg# = 67.1–78.9; Cr# = 13.5–31.5), and have relatively homogeneous whole‐rock compositions with Mg# of 90.1–90.8 and SiO2 (41.5–43.65 wt.%), Al₂O₃ (1.66–2.66 wt.%) and CaO (1.45–2.67 wt.%) contents. They display Light Rare Earth Element (LREE)‐depleted chondrite‐normalized REE patterns and show a slight enrichment from Pr to La. The Kalaymyo peridotites are characterized by Pd‐enriched chondrite‐normalized PGE patterns with superchondritic (Pd/Ir)_CN ratios (1.15–2.36). Their calculated oxygen fugacities range between QFM–0.57 and QFM+0.90. These features collectively suggest that the Kalaymyo peridotites represent residual upper mantle rocks after low to moderate degrees (5–15%) of partial melting at a mid‐ocean‐ridge environment. The observed enrichment in LREE and Pd was a result of their reactions with enriched MORB‐like melts, percolating through these already depleted, residual peridotites. The Kalaymyo and other ophiolites in the Indo‐Myanmar Ranges hence represent mid‐ocean ridge–type Tethyan oceanic lithosphere derived from a downgoing plate and accreted into a westward migrating subduction–accretion system along the eastern margin of India.     

ACCRETION OF AN EARLY CRETACEOUS INTRA- OCEANIC ISLAND ARC TO INDIA: EVIDENCE FROM THE YARLUNG ZANGBO SUTURE ZONE

ACCRETION OF AN EARLY CRETACEOUS INTRA- OCEANIC ISLAND ARC TO INDIA: EVIDENCE FROM THE YARLUNG ZANGBO SUTURE ZONE     

Geodynamics of the divergent double subduction along the Bangong-Nujiang tethyan suture zone: Insights from late mesozoic intermediate-mafic rocks in central Tibet

Bangong-Nujiang Suture Zone (BNSZ) in central Tibet plays an important role in evaluating the formation and uplift mechanism of Tibetan Plateau. However, its Mesozoic tectonic evolution is ambiguous and intensely debated. In this study, Early Cretacesous adakites and sodium-rich arc rocks are identified in Western Qiangtang (WQ) and Northern Lhasa (NL) sub-terranes. Forty-four adakite samples from both WQ and NL have akin geochemical features, and are derived from partial melting of subducted oceanic crust with amphibole residual. Nineteen sodium-rich samples originated from a mixed source region between crustal sediment and enriched lithospheric mantle. These two parallel arc belts separated by the Bangong-Nujiang Suture Zone (BNSZ) represent the divergent double subduction of the Bangong-Nujiang Tethyan Ocean (BNTO). Combined with the previous studies, our new data suggest three significant magmatic flare-ups at ∼240–140 Ma, 135–105 Ma and 92–60 Ma in the WQ and BNSZ, and two at 135–105 Ma and 92–60 Ma in the NL. These asymmetrical magmatic activities indicate that the southern subduction may have commenced at about 135 Ma and experienced slab breakoff at the latest Early Cretaceous, and the northern subduction could trace back to L-Triassic (228 Ma) and experienced episodic low-angle subduction, slab rollback (190-140 Ma) and oceanic ridge subduction (135-100 Ma). The 100–92 Ma magmatic gap, 92–60 Ma magmatic flare-up and L-Cretaceous angular unconformities indicate that the double-sided subduction of the BNTO resulted in soft collision with oceanic lithosphere detachment.     

Relicts of an intra-oceanic arc in the Sapi-Shergol mélange zone (Ladakh, NW Himalaya, India): implications for the closure of the Neo-Tethys Ocean

In the Ladakh–Zanskar area, relicts of both ophiolites and paleo-accretionary prism have been preserved in the Sapi-Shergol mélange zone. The paleo-accretionary prism, related to the northward subduction of the northern Neo-Tethys beneath the Ladakh Asian margin, mainly consists of tectonic intercalations of sedimentary and blueschist facies rocks. Whole rock chemical composition data provide new constraints on the origin of both the ophiolitic and the blueschist facies rocks. The ophiolitic rocks are interpreted as relicts of the south Ladakh intra-oceanic arc that were incorporated in the accretionary prism during imbrication of the arc. The blueschist facies rocks were previously interpreted as oceanic island basalts (OIB), but our new data suggest that the protolith of some of the blueschists is a calc-alkaline igneous rock that formed in an arc environment. These blueschists most likely originated from the south Ladakh intra-oceanic arc. This arc was accreted to the southern margin of Asia during the Late Cretaceous and the buried portion was metamorphosed under blueschist facies conditions. Following oceanic subduction, the external part of the arc was obducted to form the south Ladakh ophiolites or was incorporated into the Sapi-Shergol mélange zone. The incorporation of the south Ladakh arc into the accretionary prism implies that the complete closure of the Neo-Tethys likely occurred by Eocene time.     

Tectonics of the southern Asian Plate margin along the Karakoram Shear Zone: Constraints from field observations and U–Pb SHRIMP ages

New geological observations, recent published data and U–Pb SHRIMP zircon dating from the Karakoram Mountains along the Nubra and Shyok Rivers reveal that the initial subduction of the Tethyan oceanic lithosphere took place ~ 110 Ma beneath the Paleozoic–Mesozoic platform of the southern edge of the Asian Plate. This has produced the I-type plutons within the Karakoram Batholith Complex, well before the juxtaposition of the Asian Plate along the Karakoram Shear Zone. Within this shear zone, U–Pb zircon crystallisation ages of ~ 75 Ma from mylonitised granitoids and 68 Ma from undeformed Tirit granodiorite constrain the timing of suturing of the Karakoram terrain with the Trans-Himalaya between 75 and 68 Ma. Post-shearing leucogranite was episodically generated within frontal migmatised Karakoram Metamorphic Belt and emplaced between 20 and 13 Ma within the shear zone. Presence of a low resistivity zone as a possible indication of mid-crustal partial molten crust underneath the Higher Himalaya–Ladakh–Karakoram terrains manifests the impingement of the Indian Plate along the Main Himalayan Thrust at depth.

Physical continuity of the Baltoro granite belt into the Karakoram Batholith is established as well as the continuity of the Shyok suture as the Shiquanhe Suture Zone in western Tibet through the Chushul–Dungti sector. The Karakoram Shear Zone, therefore, displays a complex geological history of movements since ~ 75 Ma and plays a very significant role in the overall India–Asia convergence, rather than merely being a strike-slip fault for eastward extrusion of a segment of Asia in Tibet.     

中国青藏高原特提斯的形成与演化

青藏高原的形成是特提斯演化的结果。本文根据区域大地构造演化和沉积学证据,将青藏高原特提斯在时间上划分为3个阶段,即早期、中期和晚期。早期从震旦纪开始至奥陶—志留纪结束,这个阶段的大洋我们称作“原特提斯”。中期从泥盆纪开始至石炭—二叠纪结束,通常称这个大洋为“古特提斯”。晚期从二叠纪末、三叠纪初开始一直延续到第三纪早期,这个阶段的大洋通常被称作“新特提斯”。在空间上,青藏高原特提斯可以划分为3个区域相,即北区、中区和南区。上述3个阶段完全可以与空间上的3个区域相对应,原特提斯主要发育于北区,大洋消亡后的遗迹残留在青藏高原第5缝合带中,即西昆仑—阿尔金—北祁连缝合带。古特提斯主要发育于中区,大洋消亡后的遗迹残留在青藏高原第3、4缝合带中,即金沙江缝合带和昆仑南缘缝合带。新特提斯主要发育于南区,大洋主洋盆消亡后的遗迹残留在青藏高原第1缝合带中,即雅鲁藏布江缝合带,它的弧后盆地消亡后的遗迹残留在第2缝合带中,即班公湖—怒江缝合带。     

中国青藏高原特提斯的形成与演化

青藏高原的形成是特提斯演化的结果。本文根据区域大地构造演化和沉积学证据,将青藏高原特提斯在时间上划分为3个阶段,即早期、中期和晚期。早期从震旦纪开始至奥陶-志留纪结束,这个阶段的大洋我们称作“原特提斯”。中期从泥盆纪开始至石炭-二叠纪结束,通常称这个大洋为“古特提斯”。晚期从二叠纪末、三叠纪初开始一直延续到第三纪早期,这个阶段的大洋通常被称作“新特提斯”。在空间上,青藏高原特提斯可以划分为3个区域相,即北区、中区和南区。上述3个阶段完全可以与空间上的3个区域相对应,原特提斯主要发育于北区,大洋消亡后的遗迹残留在青藏高原第5缝合带中,即西昆仑-阿尔金-北祁连缝合带。古特提斯主要发育于中区,大洋消亡后的遗迹残留在青藏高原第3、4缝合带中,即金沙江缝合带和昆仑南缘缝合带。新特提斯主要发育于南区,大洋主洋盆消亡后的遗迹残留在青藏高原第1缝合带中,即雅鲁藏布江缝合带,它的弧后盆地消亡后的遗迹残留在第2缝合带中,即班公湖-怒江缝合带。     

The Jinshajiang–Ailaoshan Suture Zone, China: tectonostratigraphy, age and evolution

The Jinshajiang Suture Zone is important for enhancing our understanding of the evolution of the Paleo-Tethys and its age, tectonic setting and relationship to the Ailaoshan Suture Zone have long been controversial. Based on integrated tectonic, biostratigraphic, chemostratigraphic and isotope geochronological studies, four tectono-stratigraphic units can be recognized in the Jinshajiang Suture Zone: the Eaqing Complex, the Jinshajiang Ophiolitic Melange, the Gajinxueshan “Group” and the Zhongxinrong “Group”. Isotope geochronology indicates that the redefined Eaqing Complex, composed of high-grade-metamorphic rocks, might represent the metamorphic basement of the Jinshajiang area or a remnant micro-continental fragment. Eaqing Complex protolith rocks are pre-Devonian and probably of Early–Middle Proterozoic age and are correlated with those of the Ailaoshan Complex. Two zircon U–Pb ages of 340±3 and 294±3 Ma, separately dated from the Shusong and Xuitui plagiogranites within the ophiolitic assemblage, indicate that the Jinshajiang oceanic lithosphere formed in latest Devonian to earliest Carboniferous times. The oceanic lithosphere was formed in association with the opening and spreading of the Jinshajiang oceanic basin, and was contiguous and equivalent to the Ailaoshan oceanic lithosphere preserved in the Shuanggou Ophiolitic Melange in the Ailaoshan Suture Zone; the latter yielded a U–Pb age of 362±41 Ma from plagiogranite. The re-defined Gajinxueshan and Zhongxinrong “groups” are dated as Carboniferous to Permian, and latest Permian to Middle Triassic respectively, on the basis of fossils and U–Pb dating of basic volcanic interbeds. The Gajinxueshan “Group” formed in bathyal slope to neritic shelf environments, and the Zhongxinrong “Group” as bathyal to abyssal turbidites in the Jinshajiang–Ailaoshan back-arc basin. Latest Permian–earliest Middle Triassic synorogenic granitoids, with ages of 238±18 and 227±5–255±8 Ma, respectively, and an Upper Triassic overlap molasse sequence, indicate a Middle Triassic age for the Jinshajiang–Ailaoshan Suture, formed by collision of the Changdu-Simao Block with South China.     

Metamorphic history and geodynamic significance of high-grade metabasites from the ophiolitic mélange beneath the Yarlung Zangbo ophiolites, Xigaze area, Tibet

Blocks of highly foliated amphibolite are locally embedded within a serpentinite mélange underlying the Yarlung Zangbo ophiolites in the Xigaze area of southern Tibet. The ophiolites are remnants of an Early Cretaceous back-arc basin within the Permo-Cretaceous Tethys Ocean, which are exposed along in the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone (YZSZ). These amphibolites are interpreted as fragments of a dismembered dynamothermal sole. Three types of amphibolite are present: (1) common amphibolite with assemblages of Hbl + Pl ± Ep ± Ap ± Ttn, (2) clinopyroxene-bearing amphibolite with Hbl ± Pl ± Cpx ± Ep ± Ttn ± Qtz ± Ap and (3) garnet–clinopyroxene-bearing amphibolite characterized by the assemblages Hbl + Cpx + Grt + Pl ± Rt and Grt + Hbl + Pl (corona assemblage). In all three types, plagioclase is pseudomorphed by late albite–prehnite. Retrograde cataclastic veins containing assemblages of Prh + Ab + Ep ± Chl are also present. P–T estimates indicate that the amphibolites reached peak metamorphic conditions of 13–15 kbar and 750–875 °C. Partial replacement of pyrope-rich (up to 35 mole%) garnet by Al-tschermakite (Al₂O₃ up to 21 wt%) reflects a high pressure (≈18 kbar, 600 °C) metamorphic event followed by rapid exhumation. Soon after exhumation, the amphibolites were intruded by very fine-grained diabase dykes that were then hydrothermally altered. The field relationships and metamorphic history of the amphibolites indicate formation during inception of subduction within a back-arc basin prior to obduction of the ophiolites onto the Indian passive margin.     

Structural and geochronological relationships of metamorphic soles of eastern Mediterrranean ophiolites to surrounding units: indicators of intra‐oceanic subduction and emplacement

This paper is a synthesis of structural and geochronological data from eastern Mediterranean ophiolitic metamorphic rocks and surrounding units to interpret the intra‐oceanic subduction and ophiolite emplacement mechanism.

Metamorphic rocks occur as discontinuous tectonic slices at the base of the ophiolites, generally between the peridotite tectonites and volcanic‐sedimentary units, and locally in fault zones in the overlying peridotites. They consist essentially of amphibolite, and in lesser quantities, micaschist, quartzite, epidotite and marble.

Geological and geochronological data indicate that recrystallization of the metamorphic rocks occurred in the oceanic environment. The contact between the metamorphic rocks and the hanging‐wall is parallel to the foliation of the metamorphic rocks, and is interpreted as the fossil plane of intra‐oceanic subduction. Structural relationships suggest that intra‐oceanic subduction was situated between two lithospheric blocks separated by an oceanic fracture zone. Therefore the Neotethyan ophiolites with metamorphic soles represent the remnants of the overriding oceanic lithosphere's training slices of the metamorphic rocks at the base.

In the Anatolian region, radiometric dating of metamorphic rocks from the Taurus and Izmir‐Ankara‐Erzincan zone ophiolites yield nearly identical ages. Besides, palaeontological and structural data indicate coeval opening and similar oceanic ridge orientation. Consequently it is highly probable that Taurus and Izmir‐Ankara‐Erzincan zone ophiolites represent fragments of the same oceanic lithosphere derived from a single spreading zone. Palaeontological data from underlying volcanic and sedimentary units point out that the opening of the Neotethyan ocean occurred during Late Permian‐Middle Triassic time in the Iranian‐Oman region, during Middle Triassic in Dinaro‐Hellenic area, and finally during Late Triassic in the Anatolian region.

Radiometric dating of the metamorphic rocks exhibit that the intra‐oceanic thrusting occurred during late Lower‐early Late Jurassic for Dinaro‐Hellenic ophiolites, late Lower‐early Late Cretaceous for Anatolian, Iranian and Oman ophiolites well before their obduction on the Gondwanian continent. Neotethyan ophiolites were obducted onto various sections of the Gondwanian continent from late Upper Jurassic to Palaeocene time, Dinaro‐Hellenic ophiolites during late Upper Jurassic‐early Lower Cretaceous onto the Adriatic promontory, Anatolian, Iranian and Oman ophiolites from late Lower Cretaceous to Palaeocene onto the Aegean, Anatolian and Arabic promontories.     

Subduction,ophiolite genesis and collision history of Tethys adjacent to the Eurasian continental margin: new evidence from the Eastern Pontides,Turkey

This paper presents several types of new information including U–Pb radiometric dating of ophiolitic rocks and an intrusive granite, micropalaeontological dating of siliceous and calcareous sedimentary rocks, together with sedimentological, petrographic and structural data. The new information is synthesised with existing results from the study area and adjacent regions (Central Pontides and Lesser Caucasus) to produce a new tectonic model for the Mesozoic–Cenozoic tectonic development of this key Tethyan suture zone.

The Tethyan suture zone in NE Turkey (Ankara–Erzincan–Kars suture zone) exemplifies stages in the subduction, suturing and post-collisional deformation of a Mesozoic ocean basin that existed between the Eurasian (Pontide) and Gondwanan (Tauride) continents. Ophiolitic rocks, both as intact and as dismembered sequences, together with an intrusive granite (tonalite), formed during the Early Jurassic in a supra-subduction zone (SSZ) setting within the ?zmir–Ankara–Erzincan ocean. Basalts also occur as blocks and dismembered thrust sheets within Cretaceous accretionary melange. During the Early Jurassic, these basalts erupted in both a SSZ-type setting and in an intra-plate (seamount-type) setting. The volcanic-sedimentary melange accreted in an open-ocean setting in response to Cretaceous northward subduction beneath a backstop made up of Early Jurassic forearc ophiolitic crust. The Early Jurassic SSZ basalts in the melange were later detached from the overriding Early Jurassic ophiolitic crust.

Sedimentary melange (debris-flow deposits) locally includes ophiolitic extrusive rocks of boninitic composition that were metamorphosed under high-pressure low-temperature conditions. Slices of mainly Cretaceous clastic sedimentary rocks within the suture zone are interpreted as a deformed forearc basin that bordered the Eurasian active margin. The basin received a copious supply of sediments derived from Late Cretaceous arc volcanism together with input of ophiolitic detritus from accreted oceanic crust.

Accretionary melange was emplaced southwards onto the leading edge of the Tauride continent (Munzur Massif) during latest Cretaceous time. Accretionary melange was also emplaced northwards over the collapsed southern edge of the Eurasian continental margin (continental backstop) during the latest Cretaceous. Sedimentation persisted into the Early Eocene in more northerly areas of the Eurasian margin.

Collision of the Tauride and Eurasian continents took place progressively during latest Late Palaeocene–Early Eocene. The Jurassic SSZ ophiolites and the Cretaceous accretionary melange finally docked with the Eurasian margin. Coarse clastic sediments were shed from the uplifted Eurasian margin and infilled a narrow peripheral basin. Gravity flows accumulated in thrust-top piggyback basins above accretionary melange and dismembered ophiolites and also in a post-collisional peripheral basin above Eurasian crust. Thickening of the accretionary wedge triggered large-scale out-of-sequence thrusting and re-thrusting of continental margin and ophiolitic units. Collision culminated in detachment and northward thrusting on a regional scale.

Collisional deformation of the suture zone ended prior to the Mid-Eocene (~45?Ma) when the Eurasian margin was transgressed by non-marine and/or shallow-marine sediments. The foreland became volcanically active and subsided strongly during Mid-Eocene, possibly related to post-collisional slab rollback and/or delamination. The present structure and morphology of the suture zone was strongly influenced by several phases of mostly S-directed suture zone tightening (Late Eocene; pre-Pliocene), possible slab break-off and right-lateral strike-slip along the North Anatolian Transform Fault.

In the wider regional context, a double subduction zone model is preferred, in which northward subduction was active during the Jurassic and Cretaceous, both within the Tethyan ocean and bordering the Eurasian continental margin.