Linking a prolonged Neo‐Tethyan magmatic arc in South Asia: Zircon U‐Pb and Hf isotopic constraints from the Lohit Batholith,NE India

The Neo‐Tethyan subduction that operated before the India‐Asia collision resulted in an Andean‐type convergent margin in South Asia and was associated with extensive arc magmatism that formed the Transhimalayan batholiths. Magmatism in the Gangdese Batholith, the largest batholith exposed in the Lhasa terrane of southern Tibet, is considered to have lasted from the early Jurassic to Eocene. However, eastward correlation of the Gangdese Batholith is uncertain because it is truncated by the eastern Himalayan syntaxis. Here, we report new data from the Lohit Batholith, NE India, including: (i) zircon U‐Pb ages of five granitoids from ca. 148 to 96 Ma; and (ii) zircon Hf isotopes of these rocks that yield high and positive ε_Hf(T) values. We argue that the Lohit Batholith is the eastward extension of the Gangdese Batholith, and can be correlated southward to the Wuntho‐Popa arc in West Burma, thus linking a prolonged Neo‐Tethyan magmatic arc system from southern Tibet to Southeast Asia.     

大陆弧岩浆幕式作用与地壳加厚:以藏南冈底斯弧为例

大陆弧岩浆带位于汇聚板块的前缘,记录了洋陆俯冲过程和大陆地壳生长过程,是研究壳幔相互作用的天然实验室.越来越多的研究发现,大陆弧岩浆的生长与侵位并不是均一的、连续的过程,而是呈现阶段性、峰期性特征,即幕式岩浆作用.弧岩浆峰期与岩浆平静期相比,岩浆增生速率显著增强,易于发生岩浆聚集,继而形成大的岩基,如北美西部科迪勒拉造...     

Magmatic history of central Myanmar and implications for the evolution of the Burma Terrane

The Burma Terrane is a microplate at the eastern edge of the Tibetan-Himalayan orogen, the origin of which remains poorly understood. Its basement comprises metamorphic and igneous rocks forming the Wuntho-Popa Arc (WPA) and has been correlated with Tibetan, Gondwana or Transtethyan rocks. Yet, little is known about the magmatic history of the WPA. We report elemental and Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of magmatic rocks, crystallization (zircon and apatite U-Pb) and exhumation (apatite fission-track) ages from rocks and river sands, and structural measurements from the Wuntho Ranges, central Myanmar, where the WPA is best exposed. We show that the WPA in the Wuntho Ranges is characterized by two magmatic events at 108–90 Ma and 46–32 Ma. Magmatism is subduction-related for both events, characterized by depleted Nd and Sr isotopic compositions, with more enriched values with time. Apatite fission-track data suggest arc exhumation during the 39–22 Ma time interval, partly overlapping with the last magmatic event. Structural data indicate NW-SE-striking tilting, folding, and thrusting that we associate with at least two phases of deformation, in the Cretaceous and the late Paleogene. Correlating the WPA with Tibetan, Gondwana or Transtethyan rocks based on its magmatic history remains ambiguous; however, models arguing for a Transtethyan origin for the WPA are most compatible with our results combined with available Burmese geological data.     

拉萨地块南部冈底斯~50 Ma负ε_(Nd)(t)花岗质侵入岩的发现及其地质意义

拉萨地块南部冈底斯岩浆带主要形成于中生代–早新生代(205~40 Ma),正的锆石ε_(Hf)(t)和全岩ε_(Nd)(t)显示了新生地壳组分的特征,其形成普遍被认为与新特提斯洋俯冲或印度–欧亚大陆碰撞后的板片断离有关。作者近期的研究工作显示,冈底斯岩浆带中部的早始新世挡顶拉和先弄错纳花岗质侵入岩具有明显的负ε_(Nd)(t)值。锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年龄表明,上述侵入岩形成于~50 Ma,与冈底斯早新生代岩浆大爆发时期(~50 Ma)一致。挡顶拉和先弄错纳侵入岩具有轻稀土元素富集、重稀土元素亏损以及中等的负Eu异常特征,但先弄错纳岩体具有低的稀土元素总量和更明显的轻、重稀土元素分异。挡顶拉和先弄错纳侵入岩具有明显富集的Sr-Nd同位素组成:(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)i=0.7096~0.7121,εNd(t)=-7.3~-8.0。这些侵入岩主要可能来自古老地壳的重熔,且其源区组成矿物可能为黑云母+角闪石+石英+斜长石,岩浆在上升过程中经历了结晶分异。尽管目前的研究资料还无法解释这种富集的同位素特征是与拉萨古老地壳的部分熔融有关,还是与俯冲的印度古老大陆地壳物质熔融有关,但是明显负ε_(Nd)(t)值的花岗质岩石在拉萨地块南部冈底斯岩基中部的出现,有可能为新特提斯洋俯冲及印度–欧亚大陆碰撞过程提供新的启示。     

Ages and petrogenesis of the late Triassic andesitic rocks at the Luerma porphyry Cu deposit,western Gangdese,and implications for regional metallogeny

The Tibetan Plateau is one of the most significant Cu poly-metallic mineralization regions in the world and preserves important information related to subductional and collisional porphyry Cu mineralization. This study investigates a new occurrence of Cu mineralization-related andesitic porphyries in the western domain of the Gangdese magmatic belt and assesses its petrologic, zircon U-Pb geochronology, whole-rock chemistry, and Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb isotope data. Zircon U-Pb dating of three ore-related porphyries yields crystallization ages of 212–211 Ma. These ages are consistent with previous molybdenite Re-Os dating, indicating a late Triassic magmatic and Cu mineralization event in the western Gangdese magmatic belt. Nb, Ta, and Ti depletion, Th and LREE enrichment, and high La/Yb and Th/Yb ratios in addition to high U/Yb ratios from zircons suggest that the magma was generated in an active continental arc setting. The porphyries have radiogenic isotopic compositions with (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i 0.70431–0.70473, ε_Nd(t) +1.1 to +3.8, (²⁰⁷Pb^/204Pb)_i 15.601–15.622, and (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i 38.450–38.693, as well as high positive zircon ε_Hf(t) values from +6.2 to +10.6 (mean value 8.3), corresponding to model ages (T_DM) ranging from 509 Ma to 819 Ma (mean 646 Ma). This suggests that the andesitic magmatism was dominantly sourced from depleted mantle materials that were modified by subducted oceanic sediment-derived melts during the subduction of the Neo-Tethys Ocean. The mineralization-related porphyries contain amphibole and epidote, as well as high whole-rock Fe₂O₃/FeO and zircon Ce⁴⁺/Ce³⁺ ratios, suggesting hydrous and highly oxidized parent magmas. Considering the existing Cu mineralization and highly oxidized magma of the well-preserved Triassic andesitic igneous rocks in the western Gangdese belt, the subduction-related continental arc magma system is favorable for subduction-related porphyry Cu deposits. The existence of Luerma porphyry mineralization demonstrates that there are at least five generations of porphyry Cu-(Mo-Au) mineralization in the Gangdese magmatic belt, which advances the timeframe of porphyry mineralization to the late Triassic.     

Late Carboniferous to Early Permian oceanic subduction in central Inner Mongolia and its correlation with the tectonic evolution of the southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Late Paleozoic magmatism in central Inner Mongolia provides important insights on the tectonic evolution and crustal growth in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), which formed due to the closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO). This paper presents new zircon UPb ages and Hf isotopic compositions as well as whole-rock geochemical data on a suite of volcanic rocks from the Late Paleozoic Baoligaomiao Formation and coeval intrusions in the Baiyinwula region of the Mongolian Arc. This study revealed that the magmatic sequences evolution includes: (1) early andesites (317–311 Ma) with enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs), depletion in high field strength elements (HSFEs), and positive zircon ε_Hf (t) values from +9.0 to +15.5, indicating a derivation from enriched mantle; (2) felsic rocks emplaced from 306 Ma to 292 Ma, with relatively lower ε_Hf (t) values from +6.3 to +11.3, implying juvenile crust as the primary magma source; and (3) A-type igneous rocks (280–278 Ma). The comparison of palaeontological, lithostratigraphical, and magmatic evolution in Late Paleozoic between different tectonic units in the eastern part of CAOB has displayed that the subduction of Paleo-Asian oceanic crust caused the opening of the Hegenshan Ocean along the southern margin of Mongolian Arc in Devonian; and the Baoligaomiao Formation volcanic rocks and coeval intrusions have recorded early northwards subduction and subsequent slab rollback of Hegenshan oceanic crust.     

Early to mid-Paleozoic magmatic and sedimentary records in the Bainaimiao Arc: An advancing subduction-induced terrane accretion along the northern margin of the North China Craton

The early to mid-Paleozoic subduction-induced terrane accretion along the northern margin of the North China Craton is not well understood. To address this issue, we investigate the magmatic and sedimentary records, including both new and previously published geochemical, Sr–Nd isotopic, and zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopic data from the Bainaimiao Arc. The collected gabbro–diorites and granitoids have been dated to 431–453 Ma. The gabbro–diorites have high Mg/(Mg + Fe) molar ratios (44.41–73.39); depleted Nb, Ta and Ti; and negative ε_Nd(t) values (-9.43–-6.80). They were derived from a mantle wedge metasomatized by subduction-derived fluids with crustal contamination. The granitoids are characterized by high silica, low to high K, low Fe and Mg contents, strong fractionation of rare earth elements, and positive ε_Hf(t) values (+1.42–+8.19). They were derived from crustal melts with juvenile additions. The clastic rocks from the Baoerhantu Group and Xibiehe Formation are dominated by early Paleozoic zircons, whereas those from the Bainaimiao Group are dominated by early Paleozoic and Precambrian zircons. Detrital zircon geochronology and field geology confirm their deposition in early to mid-Paleozoic. The U–Pb ages and petrographic and geochemical analyses indicate that the clastic rocks were deposited in arc-related basins with felsic sources from the Bainaimiao Arc. The xenocrystic and detrital zircons in the magmatic and clastic rocks, respectively, imply a Precambrian basement for the Bainaimiao Arc. The early Paleozoic magmatic rocks of the Bainaimiao Arc show secular changes with decreasing age: increasing K₂O contents and Sr/Y ratios and decreasing Fe₂O₃^T + MgO contents and ε_Hf(t) and ε_Nd(t) values. This is likely in response to advancing subduction and related crustal thickening. Accordingly, the following tectono-paleogeographic model was proposed for the Bainaimiao Arc: (a) ∼500–455 Ma initial subduction and juvenile arc development, (b) ∼455–415 Ma continuous subduction with mature arc development, and (c) ∼415–400 Ma accretion to the North China Craton.     

藏南冈底斯带中段始新世岩浆作用的厘定及其大地构造意义

本文对藏南冈底斯带中段的花岗岩类和角闪辉长岩进行了锆石U-Pb年代学和全岩地球化学分析,据此阐明了岩体的形成机制与演化过程,并探讨了成岩时的大地构造背景。分析结果显示,研究区内花岗岩类和角闪辉长岩体的LA-ICPMS锆石U-Pb定年结果为41~55Ma,为始新世早-中期岩浆活动的产物,代表了区内岩体的成岩年龄。在地球化学组成上,花岗岩类属于钙碱性到高钾钙碱性系列,均富集轻稀土(LREE)和大离子亲石元素(LILE)(Rb、Ba和K),强烈亏损Nb、Ta、P等高场强元素(HFSE),具有弧型岩浆岩的地球化学组成。此外,花岗岩类的铝饱和指数(A/CNK)小于1.1,属于准铝质到弱过铝质的I型花岗岩。角闪辉长岩为石榴橄榄岩部分熔融的产物,并在后期侵位的过程中遭受到了壳源物质的混染。综合分析表明,研究区内的岩体形成于初始碰撞向主碰撞的转化阶段。始新世早期(～50Ma)新特提斯洋板片的断离引起软流圈物质上涌,导致岩石圈地幔发生部分熔融形成基性岩浆,随后基性岩浆底侵至下地壳并诱发下地壳发生部分熔融形成花岗岩质岩浆,最后经过岩浆混合作用形成始新世早-中期冈底斯地区的花岗岩类。     

The lower crust of the Gangdese magmatic arc,southern Tibet,implication for the growth of continental crust

Magmatic arcs are thought to be the primary sites of modern-day continental crustal growth, and arc crustal sections provide an exceptional opportunity to directly observe the geological processes that occur there, yet few deeply exposed arc sections are available for direct study. The Gangdese magmatic arc, southern Tibet, formed during the Mesozoic subduction of Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere and Cenozoic collision between the Indian and Asian continents, and represent juvenile continental crust. However, the petrological components and compositions of the lower crust of the Gangdese arc remain unknown. Based on detailed geological mapping, we conducted a systemic geochemical, geochronological and zircon Hf isotopic study of well-exposed high-grade metamorphic and migmatitic rocks from the lower crust of the eastern Gangdese arc. The results obtained show that Late Cretaceous garnet amphibolites, dioritic and granitic gneisses, and Paleocene–Eocene garnet amphibolites and granitic gneisses are the main components of the Gangdese lower arc crust. These meta-intrusive rocks witnessed a long period of magmatic, and metamorphic and anatectic processes from the Middle Jurassic to the Late Eocene, and have chemical compositions that range from ultramafic to felsic, with an average SiO₂ content of 57.61 wt% and Mg# value of 0.49. These new data indicate firstly that the Gangdese lower arc crust has an overall intermediate composition and typical feature of juvenile crusts, and therefore supports the recent proposition that continental lower crusts are relatively felsic in composition, instead of mafic. We consider that the downward transport of felsic intrusives and associated sedimentary rocks into the deep crustal levels and subsequent partial melting resulted in componential and compositional changes of the Gangdese arc lower crust over time. This is a potential key mechanism in transforming primary lower arc crust to mature continental lower crust for the magmatic arcs with a complete growth history.     

Paleogene crustal anatexis and metamorphism in Lhasa terrane, eastern Himalayan syntaxis: Evidence from U-Pb zircon ages and Hf isotopic compositions of the Nyingchi Complex

In the eastern Himalayan syntaxis, the southern Lhasa terrane is dominated by middle- to high-grade metamorphic rocks (Nyingchi Complex), which are intruded by felsic melts. U-Pb zircon dating and zircon Hf isotopic composition of these metamorphic and magmatic rocks provide important constraints on the tectono-thermal evolution of the Lhasa terrane during convergent process between Indian and Asian continents. U-Pb zircon data for an orthogneiss intruding the Nyingchi Complex yield a protolith magma crystallization age of 83.4 ± 1.2 Ma, with metamorphic ages of 65-46 Ma. This orthogneiss is characterized by positive ε_Hf (t) values of + 8.3 and young Hf model ages of ~ 0.6 Ga, indicating a derivation primarily from a depleted-mantle or juvenile crustal source. Zircons from a quartz diorite yield a magma crystallization age of 63.1 ± 0.6 Ma, with ε_Hf (t) values of − 8.2 to − 2.7, suggesting that this magma was sourced from partial melting of older crustal materials. Zircon cores from a foliated biotite granite show ages ranging from 347 to 2690 Ma, with age peaks at 347-403 Ma, 461-648 Ma and 1013-1183 Ma; their zircon ε_Hf (t) values range from − 30.6 to + 6.9. Both the U-Pb ages and Hf isotopic composition of the zircon cores are similar to those of detrital zircons from the Nyingchi Complex paragneiss, implying that the granite was derived from anatexis of the Nyingchi Complex metasediments. The zircon rims from the granite indicate crustal anatexis at 64.4 ± 0.7 Ma and subsequent metamorphism at 55.1 ± 1.3 and 41.4 ± 2.3 Ma. Our results suggest that the late Cretaceous magmatism in the southern Lhasa terrane resulted from Neo-Tethys oceanic slab subduction and we infer that Paleocene crustal anatexis and metamorphism were related to the thermal perturbation caused by rollback of the northward subducted Neo-Tethyan oceanic slab.     

Sedimentology,provenance and geochronology of the Miocene Qiuwu Formation: Implication for the uplift history of Southern Tibet

Located on the south of the Gangdese,the Qiuwu Formation has traditionally been considered as Eocene coal-bearing clastic sediments consisting of sandstone,mudstone and conglomerate,unconformably on top of Gangdese batholith.However,its precise age and depositional environment remain ambiguous.Here,we present a newly measured stratigraphic section near the Ngamring County,western Xigaze.Detrital zircon U-Pb ages were also applied to trace the provenance of sediments and to constrain the maximum depositional age of the Qiuwu Formation.Sedimentary facies analyses indicate subaqueous fan and alluvial fan depositional environments.Clast composition of the conglomerate is dominated by magmatic rocks at the lower part,while chert and mafic detritus occur in the upper part,suggesting a southern source.Sandstone modal analyses indicate that the compositions of quartz,feldspar and lithic grains changed from transitional arc to dissected arc,implying the unroofing of the Gangdese arc.Detrital zircon U-Pb ages of the Qiuwu Formation are compared with those from Gangdese magmatic rocks and Yarlung-Zangbo ophiolites,suggesting that the Gangdese arc is a main source of the Qiuwu detritus and that the southern source played a role during the later stage.The major peak of detrital zircon ages is at 45-55 Ma,which corresponds to Linzizong volcanic rocks in southern Gangdese arc.The weighted mean age of the five youngest zircons from the lower part of the section is 21.0 ± 2.2 Ma,suggesting that the Qiuwu Formation was deposited in early Miocene,coeval with other conglomerates exposed along the southern margin of Gangdese.Combining new observations with previously published data,we propose that the provenance of the Qiuwu Formation had shifted from a single northern source to double sources from both the north and the south.Activities of Great Counter Thrust were primarily responsible for the shift by making the south area a high elevation to provide sediments for the Qiuwu Formation.     

西藏札达地区上白垩统-下始新统达机翁组:对冈底斯弧前盆地演化的制约

冈底斯弧前区域地层沉积记录,对新特提斯洋消亡和印度-亚洲碰撞过程的研究具有十分重要的意义。位于西藏南部札达地区的达机翁组,北邻冈底斯岩浆弧,南靠雅鲁藏布江缝合带。岩石组成主要包括砾岩、岩屑砂岩、泥页岩和灰岩等。沉积环境分析认为达机翁组形成于扇三角洲相环境。火山灰锆石U-Pb定年、碎屑锆石最年轻年龄以及底栖有孔虫化石组合共同约束达机翁组的形成时代为晚白垩世-始新世早期(即ca.73～49Ma)。物源区分析结果表明达机翁组物源类似于区域上分布的日喀则弧前盆地沉积,直接以北侧冈底斯岩浆弧为主要物质源区。通过与区域弧前沉积对比,为冈底斯弧前盆地海相地层时代提供制约,结果显示新特提斯洋在亚洲大陆南缘的弧前海退存在东西方向上的穿时性,即海水自东向西逐渐退出,并最终在～49Ma退出冈底斯-拉达克弧前区域。     

Late Triassic Granites From the Quxu Batholith Shedding a New Light on the Evolution of the Gangdese Belt in Southern Tibet

The Gangdese magmatic belt formed during Late Triassic to Neogene in the southernmost Lhasa terrane of the Tibetan plateau. It is interpreted as a major component of a continental margin related to the northward subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic slab beneath Eurasia and it is the key in understanding the tectonic framework of southern Tibet prior to the India-Eurasia collision. It is widely accepted that northward subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic crust formed the Gangdese magmatic belt, but the occurrence of Late Triassic magmatism and the detailed tectonic evolution of southern Tibet are still debated. This work presents new zircon U-Pb-Hf isotope data and whole-rock geochemical compositions of a mylonitic granite pluton in the central Gangdese belt, southern Tibet. Zircon U-Pb dating from two representative samples yields consistent ages of 225.3±1.8 Ma and 229.9±1.5 Ma, respectively, indicating that the granite pluton was formed during the early phase of Late Triassic instead of Early Eocene(47–52 Ma) as previously suggested. Geochemically, the mylonitic granite pluton has a sub-alkaline composition and low-medium K calc-alkaline affinities and it can be defined as an I-type granite with metaluminous features(A/CNK1.1). The analyzed samples are characterized by strong enrichments of LREE and pronounced depletions of Nb, Ta and Ti, suggesting that the granite was generated in an island-arc setting. However, the use of tectonic discrimination diagrams indicates a continental arc setting. Zircon Lu-Hf isotopes indicate that the granite has highly positive εHf(t) values ranging from +13.91 to +15.54(mean value +14.79), reflecting the input of depleted mantle material during its magmatic evolution, consistent with Mg~# numbers. Additionally, the studied samples also reveal relatively young Hf two-stage model ages ranging from 238 Ma to 342 Ma(mean value 292 Ma), suggesting that the pluton was derived from partial melting of juvenile crust. Geochemical discrimination diagrams also suggest that the granite was derived from partial melting of the mafic lower crust. Taking into account both the spatial and temporal distribution of the mylonitic granite, its geochemical fingerprints as well as previous studies, we propose that the northward subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic slab beneath the Lhasa terrane had already commenced in Late Triassic(~230 Ma), and that the Late Triassic magmatic events were formed in an active continental margin that subsequently evolved into the numerous subterranes, paleo-island-arcs and multiple collision phases that form the present southern Tibet.     

西藏冈底斯南部陆陆碰撞早期成矿作用分析

冈底斯带南部发育有大量的斑岩铜钼矿床和矽卡岩型铜铅锌多金属矿床,形成了斑岩铜矿带和多金属矿带.前人的研究表明,成矿带内的矿床形成年代大都小于30Ma,处于碰撞后期伸展构造环境.本文对冈底斯带中南部的甲龙矽卡岩型铁矿、撒当金银矿床(点)和多底沟矽卡岩型钼矿床(点)开展了年代学研究,结果显示:甲龙铁矿黑云母二长花岗斑岩的锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年龄为61.1 ±0.4Ma,MSWD=0.94;撒当赋矿安山岩锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年龄为62.6±0.5Ma,MSWD=1.51;多底沟钼矿床(点)3件辉钼矿Re-Os模式年龄为64.3±0.8Ma ～ 69.2±3.3Ma,加权平均模式年龄为66.7±6.4Ma(MSWD=8.1).三个矿床(点)的同位素年龄表明成岩成矿事件和印度-欧亚板块陆陆碰撞早期构造岩浆事件有关.结合前人工作,我们提出冈底斯中南部发生了大规模与陆陆碰撞早期岩浆事件有关的成矿作用,形成了大面积分布的矿床,具有良好的找矿前景,应引起更多关注.     

A SIMS U-Pb (zircon) and Re-Os (molybdenite) isotope study of the early Paleozoic Macquarie Arc,southeastern Australia: Implications for the tectono-magmatic evolution of the paleo-Pacific Gondwana margin

New SIMS U-Pb (zircon) data for intrusive rocks of the Macquarie Arc and adjacent granitic batholiths of the Lachlan Orogen (southeastern Australia) provide insight into the magmatic and tectonic evolution of the paleo-Pacific Gondwana margin in the early Paleozoic. These data are augmented by Re-Os dates on molybdenite from four Cu-Au mineralised porphyry systems to place minimum age constraints on igneous crystallization. The simplicity of the zircon age distributions, and absence of older inheritance, stands in contrast to previous geochronological studies. The earliest magmatism within the Macquarie Arc is registered by a ca. 503 Ma gabbro from the Monza igneous complex, whereas a monzodiorite from the same drillhole records the youngest (ca. 432 Ma). Igneous activity in the Macquarie Arc thus overlapped deformation and magmatism in the craton-proximal Delamerian Orogen to the west, and the emplacement of the Lachlan granitic batholiths at 435–430 Ma; the thermal pulse associated with the latter may have triggered the formation of richly mineralised Silurian porphyries in the Macquarie Arc. The juvenile Hf isotope signature of the Monza Gabbro, together with the lack of zircon inheritance and the radiogenic Hf-Nd isotope systematics of Ordovician Macquarie Arc rocks, is consistent with early development of the arc, or a precursor magmatic belt, in an oceanic setting remote from continental influences, and with the arc being built on primitive Cambrian mafic crust. Outboard arc magmatism in the Cambrian may have initiated in response to convergent Delamerian orogenesis adjacent the Gondwana margin. Overlapping radiogenic isotope-time trends are consistent with the evolution of the Macquarie Arc and the Gondwana continental margin being linked from the Cambrian to the Silurian. These data provide further evidence for the growth of continental crust along the southeastern Australian segment of this margin being related to the dynamics of an extensional accretionary orogenic system.     

Late Triassic crustal growth in southern Tibet: Evidence from the Gangdese magmatic belt

The Gangdese magmatic belt, located in the southern margin of the Lhasa terrane and carrying significant copper and polymetallic mineralization, preserves important information relating to the tectonics associated with Indian–Eurasian collision and the crustal growth of southern Tibet. Here we investigate the Quxu batholith in the central domain of the Gangdese magmatic belt and report the occurrence of hornblende gabbros for the first time. We present petrologic, zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopic and bulk-rock chemistry data on these rocks. The hornblende gabbros display sub-alkaline features, and correspond to tholeiite composition. They also show medium K calc-alkaline to low K affinity. The rocks show enrichment in LILEs and LREEs, but are depleted in HFSEs, indicating a subduction-related active continental margin setting for the magma genesis. Our computations show that the gabbroic pluton was emplaced in the middle-lower crustal depth of ca. 18 km. Zircons from the hornblende gabbros yield crystallization age of ca. 210 Ma, revealing a late Triassic magmatic event. Combined with available data from the Gangdese magmatic belt, our study suggests that the northward subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic crust beneath the southern margin of the Lhasa terrane might have been initiated not later than the Norian period of Triassic. Zircons from the hornblende gabbro show positive ε_Hf(t) values of 9.56 to 14.75 (mean value 12.44), corresponding to single stage model ages (T_DM1) in the range of 256 Ma to 459 Ma, attesting to crustal growth in the southern Lhasa terrane associated with the subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic crust.     

藏南冈底斯岩基日多地区花岗岩体形成时代和地球化学特征

冈底斯岩基广泛发育三叠纪-中新世的岩浆岩,是研究与新特提斯洋北向俯冲和印度-欧亚大陆碰撞相关的构造岩浆作用特征的天然实验室。日多地区花岗岩体位于藏南墨竹工卡县东侧日多乡附近,其主体为花岗岩,被花岗闪长玢岩脉侵入。锆石U-Pb地质年代学表明:主体花岗岩形成于62.7±0.5Ma,侵入其中的花岗闪长玢岩脉形成于59.5±1.5Ma,并捕获了大量的侏罗纪岩浆岩锆石(155.4±1.8Ma)。日多地区花岗岩体的全岩地球化学特征为:(1)高Si O_2、Na_2O、Al_2O_3,低Fe O~T、MgO、Ti O_2;(2)富集轻稀土(LREE),亏损重稀土(HREE)及高场强元素Nb、Ta、Ti、P元素;(3)具有Eu负异常,总体显示高钾钙碱性、过铝质花岗岩和岛弧型岩浆岩特征。锆石Hf同位素特征暗示其岩浆源区为基性下地壳物质。花岗闪长玢岩脉裹挟大量侏罗纪岩浆型锆石,表明冈底斯岩基拉萨以东地区可能经历了较广泛的晚侏罗世岩浆作用。     

Age and origin of subvolcanic rocks from NE Iran: Link between magmatic “flare-up” and mineralization

Paleogene igneous rocks from ～600?km Quchan-Sabzevar-Torud magmatic belt include a thick pile of volcanic and pyroclastic rocks which intruded by younger felsic-mafic plutons. Various types of mineralization including Iron Oxide-Copper-Gold (e.g., Firouzeh mine) and porphyry Cu-Au deposits (e.g., Jalambadan mine) are associated with the Quchan-Sabzevar magmatism. In this study, we describe new zircon U-Pb ages and geochemical-isotopic data of the subvolcanic rocks from near the Firouzeh mine. The Firouzeh subvolcanic rocks consist of (quartz-bearing) monzosyenites, monzodiorites and monzonites. These rocks have typical calc-alkaline signature and are mainly metaluminous in nature. Subvolcanic rocks display enrichment in Light Rare Earth Elements (LREEs) with negative Eu anomaly. Enrichment in Large Ion Lithophile Elements (LILEs) and depletion in High-Field Strength Elements (HFSEs) are geochemical characteristics of these rocks. The Firouzeh volcanic rocks also display calc-alkaline signature and are metaluminous to peraluminous. Volcanic rocks show both enrichment in LREEs and LILEs, associated with negative Eu anomaly. Zircon U-Pb indicates ages of 43.2?±?0.4, 42.1?±?0.4 and 41.8?±?0.4 Ma for monzosyenites, monzodiorites and monzonites respectively. Zircon epsilon Hf_(t) shows average values of ?1.49 for monzonites, +9.07 for monzodiorites and ?1.06 for monzosyenites. The Hf model ages for these rocks are in the range of 850–730, 270–180 and 3150–450 Ma, respectively. Inherited zircons are abundant in monzonites and have variable Hf isotope values. The wide range of zircon εHf_(t) values and abundance of inherited/xenocrystic zircons suggest a multiple source(s) for the generation of the Firouzeh subvolcanic rocks, including a mantle melt and an old crustal component. Xenocrystic zircons indicate complex crustal components. We suggest the NE Iran subvolcanic rocks including the Firouzeh igneous rocks, generated above the Sabzevar subduction zone. This subduction zone was active since Late Cretaceous time.     

Rhyacian-Orosirian tectonic history of the Juiz de Fora Complex: Evidence for an Archean crustal reservoir within an island-arc system

The southern São Francisco Paleocontinent (SFP) comprises Archean nuclei and Paleoproterozoic complexes encompassing magmatic arcs juxtaposed during a Rhyacian to Orosirian orogenic event. The Juiz de Fora Complex (JFC) represents an imbricated thrust system that comprises orthogranulites with a wide compositional range formed in an intra-oceanic setting during the Siderian to the Orosirian and later accreted to the southeastern margin of the SFP. Here we report new petrological, geochemical, whole-rock Nd and Sr data, as well as zircon U–Pb ages from felsic and mafic orthogranulites from the JFC. The new data is combined with a regional compilation that enables an evaluation of the interaction between magmatism and orogenetic episodes in the context of the consolidation of São Francisco Paleocontinent during the Rhyacian–Orosirian. Pre collisional Island Arc tholeiites (IAT), Tonalites-Trondhjemites-Granodiorites (TTGs) and sanukitoid magmatism occurred from 2200 Ma to 2085 Ma. This was followed by post-collisional magmatism, which is represented by hybrid granitoids coeval with the emplacement of E-MORB basic rocks. Crustal signatures for the Rhyacian to Orosirian evolution are highlighted by the dominance of negative ε_Nd(t) associated with Meso- to Neoarchean Nd T_DM model ages as well as inherited zircon grains from the hybrid granitoids. The JFC is extensively highlighted in the literature as a primitive intra-oceanic arc, but here we propose the reworking or recycling of ancient crustal segments within the mature arc stage of the JFC, suggesting a Mesoarchean crustal source involved in the JFC evolution.     

藏南林周盆地设兴组砂岩及其中玄武岩夹层的地球化学与成因

印度与亚洲大陆的碰撞是青藏高原演化的重要构造事件,碰撞过程被记录在拉萨地块南部的晚白垩世到古新世的沉积-岩浆作用中。林周盆地的晚白垩世设兴组及其之后不整合覆盖的林子宗火山岩,是解析碰撞过程的重要记录。本文对设兴组最高层位的砂岩和玄武岩夹层进行了岩石学、地球化学和年代学研究,探讨了岩石成因和构造意义。设兴组砂岩属于杂砂岩,碎屑物质主要来自中酸性岩浆岩源区;锆石Hf同位素指示设兴组大部分碎屑物质来源于盆地北面的中部拉萨地块,少部分来自盆地南部的冈底斯岩基;砂岩中最年轻的碎屑锆石年龄指示林周盆地设兴组是在98Ma之后接受沉积的。以夹层产出在设兴组顶部的玄武岩和玄武安山岩,富集轻稀土元素、亏损重稀土元素、弱负Eu异常,强烈富集Ba、Th、U、Pb等大离子亲石元素,显著亏损Nb、Ta等高场强元素,属于高钾钙碱性玄武岩系列,与典型安第斯型玄武岩特征吻合。玄武岩和玄武安山岩的锆石均为捕获锆石,其最年轻碎屑锆石年龄限定了设兴组玄武岩的喷发晚于110Ma。综合分析表明,林周盆地晚白垩世时期为夹持在冈底斯岩浆弧与中部拉萨地块之间的弧后盆地,新特提斯洋壳晚白垩世俯冲到冈底斯弧和弧后盆地之下,大约在98～110Ma之后喷发到林周盆地的很少量中基性岩浆构成了设兴组顶部的玄武岩和玄武安山岩夹层,是新特提斯洋俯冲相关的幔源岩浆作用。林周盆地设兴组(晚于98Ma)与上覆的林子宗火山岩(底部约为65Ma)之间呈大约33Myr的构造间断,可能代表了冈底斯弧的碰撞之前的隆升剥蚀过程。