Combined paleomagnetic and geochronological study on Cretaceous strata of the Qiangtang terrane,central Tibet

A combined paleomagnetic and geochronological investigation has been performed on Cretaceous rocks in southern Qiangtang terrane (32.5°N, 84.3°E), near Gerze, central Tibetan Plateau. A total of 14 sites of volcanic rocks and 22 sites of red beds have been sampled. Our new U–Pb geochronologic study of zircons dates the volcanic rocks at 103.8 ± 0.46 Ma (Early Cretaceous) while the red beds belong to the Late Cretaceous. Rock magnetic experiments suggest that magnetite and hematite are the main magnetic carriers. After removing a low temperature component of viscous magnetic remanence, stable characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) was isolated successfully from all the sites by stepwise thermal demagnetization. The tilt-corrected mean direction from the 14 lava sites is D = 348.0°, I = 47.3°, k = 51.0, α₉₅ = 5.6°, corresponding to a paleopole at 79.3°N, 339.8°E, A₉₅ = 5.7° and yielding a paleolatitude of 29.3° ± 5.7°N for the study area. The ChRM directions isolated from the volcanic rocks pass a fold test at 95% confidence, suggesting a primary origin. The volcanic data appear to have effectively averaged out secular variation as indicated by both geological evidence and results from analyzing the virtual geomagnetic pole (VGP) scatter. The mean inclination from the Late Cretaceous red beds, however, is 13.1° shallower than that of the ~ 100 Ma volcanic rocks. After performing an elongation/inclination analysis on 174 samples of the red beds, a mean inclination of 47.9° with 95% confidence limits between 41.9° and 54.3° is obtained, which is consistent with the mean inclination of the volcanic rocks. The site-mean direction of the Late Cretaceous red beds after tilt-correction and inclination shallowing correction is D = 312.6°, I = 47.7°, k = 109.7, α₉₅ = 3.0°, N = 22 sites, corresponding to a paleopole at 49.2°N, 1.9°E, A₉₅ = 3.2° (yielding a paleolatitude of 28.7° ± 3.2°N for the study area). The ChRM of the red beds also passes a fold test at 99% confidence, indicating a primary origin. Comparing the paleolatitude of the Qiangtang terrane with the stable Asia, there is no significant difference between our sampling location in the southern Qiangtang terrane and the stable Asia during ~ 100 Ma and Late Cretaceous. Our results together with the high quality data previously published suggest that an ~ 550 km N–S convergence between the Qiangtang and Lhasa terranes happened after ~ 100 Ma. Comparison of the mean directions with expected directions from the stable Asia indicates that the Gerze area had experienced a significant counterclockwise rotation after ~ 100 Ma, which is most likely caused by the India–Asia collision.     

Paleomagnetic and 40Ar/39Ar geochronological results from the Linzizong Group,Linzhou Basin,Lhasa Terrane,Tibet: Implications to Paleogene paleolatitude and onset of the India–Asia collision

The Linzizong Group (64–44 Ma) of the Lhasa Terrane in Tibet is critically positioned for establishing the paleoposition of the southern leading edge of the Asian continent during Paleogene times and constraining onset of the India–Asia collision. Here we report paleomagnetic results from a collection comprising 384 drill-core samples from 34 sites embracing all three formations of this group. Comprehensive demagnetization and field tests isolate characteristic remanent magnetizations (ChRM) summarized by overall tilt-corrected formation-mean directions of D = 183.6°, I = −12.4° (α₉₅ = 8.1°) for the Dianzhong (64–60 Ma), D = 1.0°, I = 18.1° (α₉₅ = 8.1°) for the Nianbo (60–50 Ma), and D = 12.4°, I = 23.2° (α₉₅ = 7.3°) for the Pana (50–44 Ma). Fold tests are positive in each formation suggesting a pre-folding origin and we interpret the magnetizations as quasi-primary and acquired at, or slightly later than, formation of the Linzizong Group. Revised Paleogene paleopoles with Ar–Ar age constraints for the Lhasa Terrane indicate that onset of the India–Asia collision occurred no later than ∼60.5 ± 1.5 Ma at a low paleolatitude of ∼10°N. Analysis of 60 site-mean observations from a range of studies of the Pana Formation in the higher part of the succession highlight a large dispersion of ChRM directions; a number of possible causes are suggested but further study of this formation over a wider area is required to resolve this issue.     

Linking the Tengchong Terrane in SW Yunnan with the Lhasa Terrane in southern Tibet through magmatic correlation

New zircon U–Pb data, along with the data reported in the literature, reveal five phases of magmatic activity in the Tengchong Terrane since the Early Paleozoic with spatial and temporal variations summarized as Cambrian–Ordovician (500–460 Ma) to the east, minor Triassic (245–206 Ma) in the east and west, abundant Early Cretaceous (131–114 Ma) in the east, extensive Late Cretaceous (77–65 Ma) in the central region, and Paleocene–Eocene (65–49 Ma) in the central and western Tengchong Terrane, in which the Cretaceous–Eocene magmatism migrated from east to west. The increased zircon ε_Hf(t) of the Early Cretaceous granitoids from − 12.3 to − 1.4 at ca. 131–122 Ma to − 4.6 to + 7.1 at ca. 122–114 Ma, identified for the first time in this study, and the magmatic flare-up at ca. 53 Ma in the central and western Tengchong Terrane indicate increased contributions from mantle- or juvenile crust-derived components. The spatial and temporal variations and changing magmatic compositions over time in the Tengchong Terrane closely resemble those of the Lhasa Terrane in southern Tibet. Such similarities, together with the data of stratigraphy and paleobiogeography, enable us to propose that the Tengchong Terrane in SW Yunnan is most likely linked with the Lhasa Terrane in southern Tibet, both of which experienced similar tectonomagmatic histories since the Early Paleozoic.     

Kinematics of the crust around the Tanggula Shan in North–Central Tibet: Constraints from paleomagnetic data

We have conducted a paleomagnetic investigation on the Middle–Upper Jurassic marine strata exposed in the hanging wall of the Tanggula Thrust system near the Yanshiping area, northern Tibet. Progressive demagnetization experiments successfully isolated stable magnetization over a broad spectrum of demagnetization temperatures. The mean direction of the characteristic remanent magnetizations for the Middle–Late Jurassic Yanshiping Group in stratigraphic coordinates (D/I (Declination/Inclination) = 5.6°/60.3°, k = 22.9, α95 = 12.9°, N = 7 s) is much more clustered than the mean direction in geographic coordinates (D/I = 345.5°/37.2°, k = 2.5, α95 = 48.4°), indicating magnetization was not acquired after folding. Although the conventional fold test is positive, incremental untilting test on the characteristic remanent magnetization reveals that a maximum value of precision parameter k occurs at 82.1 ± 4.6% untilting (D/I = 3.3°/57.8°, k = 43.9, α95 = 9.2°), which indicates the ChRMs are probably acquired during Late Cretaceous folding. This synfolding magnetization component is therefore secondary. The corresponding pole position (84.4°N, 119.4°E with dp/dm = 13.5/9.9°) is inconsistent with Jurassic–Early Cretaceous paleopoles of the region, but the paleolatitude is consistent with the Late Cretaceous paleolatitude observed in the Qiangtang terrane and its periphery. The synfolding component is carried by both magnetite and hematite, which were identified by isothermal remnant magnetization acquisition experiments, unblocking temperatures of stable magnetic components, and Curie temperature determination and correlated with observed hydrothermal veins. Available geological evidences indicate that the synfolding magnetization is probably the result of chemical remagnetization caused by orogenic fluids or hydrothermal sources during the early uplift of the Tibetan Plateau.     

Tectonic evaluation of the Indochina Block during Jurassic-Cretaceous from palaeomagnetic results of Mesozoic redbeds in central and southern Lao PDR

Rock magnetic and palaeomagnetic studies were performed on Mesozoic redbeds collected from the central and southern Laos, the northeastern and the eastern parts of the Khorat Plateau on the Indochina Block. Totally 606 samples from 56 sites were sampled and standard palaeomagnetic experiments were made on them. Positive fold tests are demonstrated for redbeds of Lower and Upper Cretaceous, while insignificant fold test is resulted for Lower Jurassic redbeds. The remanence carrying minerals defined from thermomagnetic measurement, AF and Thermal demagnetizations and back-field IRM measurements are both magnetite and hematite. The positive fold test argues that the remanent magnetization of magnetite or titanomagnetite and hematite in the redbeds is the primary and occurred before folding. The mean palaeomagnetic poles for Lower Jurassic, Lower Cretaceous, and Upper Cretaceous are defined at Plat./Plon. = 56.0°N/178.5°E (A₉₅ = 2.6°), 63. 3°N/170.2°E (A₉₅ = 6.9°), and 67.0°N/180.8°E (A₉₅ = 4.9°), respectively. Our palaeomagnetic results indicate a latitudinal translations (clockwise rotations) of the Indochina Block with respect to the South China Block of −10.8 ± 8.8° (16.4 ± 9.0°); −11.1 ± 6.2° (17.8 ± 6.8°); and −5.3 ± 4.7° (13.3 ± 5.0°), for Lower Jurassic, Lower Cretaceous, and Upper Cretaceous, respectively. These results indicate a latitudinal movement of the Indochina Block of about 5–11° (translation of about 750–1700 km in the southeastward direction along the Red River Fault) and clockwise rotation of 13–18° with respect to the South China Block. The estimated palaeoposition of the Khorat Plateau at ca. 21–26°N during Jurassic to Cretaceous argues for a close relation to the Sichuan Basin in the southwest of South China Block. These results confirm that the central part of the Indochina Block has acted like a rigid plate since Jurassic time and the results also support an earlier extrusion model for Indochina.     

Paleomagnetic data bearing on the Mesozoic deformation of the Qiangtang Block: Implications for the evolution of the Paleo- and Meso-Tethys

Paleomagnetism has played an important role in quantifying the Mesozoic evolution of “Proto-Tibet”. In this paper, we present new paleomagnetic data from five Middle-Upper Jurassic sedimentary sequences (Quemo Co, Buqu, Xiali, Suowa and Xueshan Fms.) of the eastern North Qiangtang Terrane (QT) at Yanshiping (33.6°N, 92.1°E). The new paleomagnetic results form a large dataset (99 sites, 1702 samples) and reveal a paleopole at 79.1°N/306.9°E (dp = 3.9°, dm = 6.3°) for the Quemo Co Fm., at 68.9°N/313.8°E (dp = 2.1°, dm = 3.7°) for the Buqu Fm., at 66.1°N/332.1°E (dp = 2.7°, dm = 4.6°) for the Xiali Fm., at 72.4°N/318.6°E (dp = 3.9°, dm = 6.7°) for the Suowa Fm., and at 76.9°N/301.1°E (dp = 7.9°, dm = 13.2°) for the Xueshan Fm. These results indicate clockwise (CW) rotations of ~ 19.8 ± 9.4° between ~ 171.2 and 161.7 Ma and counterclockwise (CCW) rotations of ~ 15.4 ± 13.4° between ~ 161.7 and < 157.2 Ma for Yanshiping. We attribute the change in rotation sense at approximately ~ 161.7 Ma to the initial collision of the Lhasa and Qiangtang terranes. Using this and other paleomagnetic data from the Lhasa, Qiangtang and Tarim terranes, as well as other geological evidence (e.g., tectonism-related sedimentary sequences, volcanism, and HP metamorphism), we propose a new conceptual evolution model for the Mesozoic QT and Tethyan Oceans. The Longmo Co-Shuanghu oceanic slab was subducted before 248 Ma, followed by continental collision of the North-South Qiangtang subterranes between ~ 245 and 237 Ma. The Qiangtang Terrane experienced post-collisional exhumation between ~ 237 and 230 Ma during subduction of the Jinsha oceanic slab. The collision of the Qiangtang and Songpan-Ganzi terranes occurred between ~ 230 and 225 Ma. The QT experienced post-collisional relaxation from ~ 225 to ~ 200 Ma, followed by subsidence and extension-related exhumation between ~ 200 and 162 Ma in association with subduction of the Bangong-Nujiang oceanic slab. Finally, these events were followed by the scissor-like diachronous collisions of the Lhasa and Qiangtang terranes between ~ 162 Ma and the mid-Cretaceous.     

K–Ar illite dating to constrain multiple events in shallow crustal rocks: Implications for the Late Phanerozoic evolution of NE Asia

A recently developed illite-age-analysis (IAA) approach was applied to determine the multiple events for the Chugaryeong fault belt, Korea. Each event was determined by a combined approach of the optimized illite-polytype quantification and the K–Ar age-dating of clay fractions separated from the fault clays. The Late Cretaceous to Paleogene events (76.5 ± 0.8, 69.1 ± 0.6, 59.3 ± 0.7, and 48.2 ± 0.7 Ma) were recognized by calculating the authigenic 1M/1M_d illite ages on the IAA plots of the fault clays. The Early Cretaceous ages (121.7–124.7 and 112.4 ± 1.5 Ma) were also obtained from the convergent intercepts of 100% 2M₁ illite on the IAA plots. The absence of the 2M₁ illites in the host-rock indicates that the Early Cretaceous ages represent the timings of high-T hydrothermal events of >280 °C. The 2M₁ illites in the fault clays should be pre-formed by a fluid-rock interaction under a relatively high-T subsurface condition, and be mechanically reworked into the near surface along the fault by post-tectonic events. This is the first report determining the absolute age constraints of multi-activated tectonic events from a fault. These geochronological determinations of the multiple events recorded in the Chugaryeong fault belt are crucial to establish the tectonic evolution of the Korean Peninsula since the Late Cretaceous.     

Paleomagnetism of the Middle–Late Jurassic to Cretaceous red beds from the Peninsular Thailand: Implications for collision tectonics

Jurassic to Cretaceous red sandstones were sampled at 33 sites from the Khlong Min and Lam Thap formations of the Trang Syncline (7.6°N, 99.6°E), the Peninsular Thailand. Rock magnetic experiments generally revealed hematite as a carrier of natural remanent magnetization. Stepwise thermal demagnetization isolates remanent components with unblocking temperatures of 620–690 °C. An easterly deflected declination (D = 31.1°, I = 12.2°, α₉₅ = 13.9°, N = 9, in stratigraphic coordinates) is observed as pre-folding remanent magnetization from North Trang Syncline, whereas westerly deflected declination (D = 342.8°, I = 22.3°, α₉₅ = 12.7°, N = 13 in geographic coordinates) appears in the post-folding remanent magnetization from West Trang Syncline. These observations suggest an occurrence of two opposite tectonic rotations in the Trang area, which as a part of Thai–Malay Peninsula received clockwise rotation after Jurassic together with Shan-Thai and Indochina blocks. Between the Late Cretaceous and Middle Miocene, this area as a part of southern Sundaland Block experienced up to 24.5° ± 11.5° counter-clockwise rotation with respect to South China Block. This post-Cretaceous tectonic rotation in Trang area is considered as a part of large scale counter-clockwise rotation experienced by the southern Sundaland Block (including the Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo and south Sulawesi areas) as a result of Australian Plate collision with southeast Asia. Within the framework of Sundaland Block, the northern boundary of counter-clockwise rotated zone lies between the Trang area and the Khorat Basin.     

Tectono-magmatic evolution of Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous granitoids in the west central Lhasa subterrane,Tibet

There is ongoing debate as to the subduction direction of the Bangong–Nujiang Ocean during the Mesozoic (northward, southward or bidirectional subduction). Arc-related intermediate to felsic intrusions could mark the location of the subduction zone and, more importantly, elucidate the dominant geodynamic processes. We report whole rock geochemical and zircon U–Pb and Hf isotopic data for granitoids from the west central Lhasa subterrane (E80° to E86°). All rocks show metaluminous to peraluminous, calc-alkaline signatures, with strong depletion of Nb, Ta and Ti, enrichment of large ion lithophile elements (e.g., Cs, Rb, K), a negative correlation between SiO₂ and P₂O₅, and a positive correlation between Rb and Th. All these features are indicative of I-type arc magmatism. New zircon U–Pb results, together with data from the literature, indicate continuous magmatism from the Late Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous (160 to 130 Ma). Zircon U–Pb ages for samples from the northern part of the west central Lhasa subterrane (E80° to E82°30′) yielded formation ages of 165 to 150 Ma, whereas ages of 142 to 130 Ma were obtained on samples from the south. This suggests flat or low-angle subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang Ocean, consistent with a slight southward decrease in zircon εHf(t) values for Late Jurassic rocks. Considering the crustal shortening, the distance from the Bangong–Nujiang suture zone, and a typical subduction zone melting depth of ~ 100 km, the subduction angle was less than 14° for Late Jurassic magmatism in the central Lhasa interior, consistent with flat or low-angle subduction. Compared with Late Jurassic rocks (main εHf(t) values of − 16 to − 7), Early Cretaceous rocks (145 to 130 Ma) show markedly higher εHf(t) values (mainly − 8 to 0), possibly indicating slab roll-back, likely caused by slab foundering or break-off. Combined with previously published works on arc magmatism in the central Lhasa and west part of the southern Qiangtang subterranes, our results support the bidirectional subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang Ocean along the Bangong–Nujiang Suture Zone, and indicates flat or low-angle southward subduction (165 to 145 Ma) followed by slab roll-back (145 to 130 Ma).     

Multiple Mesozoic porphyry-skarn Cu (Mo–W) systems in Yidun Terrane,east Tethys: Constraints from zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os geochronology

Porphyry Cu ± Mo ± Au deposits typically formed in volcanoplutonic arcs above subduction zones. However, there is increasing evidence for the occurrence of porphyry deposits related to magmas generated after the underplating arc has ceased. Post-subduction lithospheric thickening, lithospheric extension, or mantle lithosphere delamination could trigger the remelting of subduction-modified arc lithosphere and lead to the formation of post-subduction porphyry deposits. The NNW-trending Yidun Terrane, located in the eastern Tethys, experienced subduction of Garze–Litang oceanic plate (a branch of the Paleotethys) in the Late Triassic and witnessed two mineralization events respectively associated with the ca. 215 Ma arc-related intermediate–felsic porphyries and the 88–79 Ma mildly-alkaline granitic porphyries. It is, therefore, an ideal place to investigate the genetic linkage between the subduction-related porphyry deposits and post-subduction porphyry deposits. Our new in situ zircon U–Pb dating of the two granitic intrusions (biotite granite, 213.4 ± 0.9 Ma; monzogranite porphyry, 86.0 ± 0.4 Ma) in the Xiuwacu district, the molybdenite Re–Os age (84.7 ± 0.6 Ma) of the mineralization, and previously published geochronological data, together show the spatially overlapping distribution of the multiple Mesozoic porphyry systems in the Late Triassic Yidun arc system. Furthermore, the arc-like elemental signatures and the mixed Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic signatures of the Late Cretaceous ore-related porphyries (i.e., originating from a mixed components between the ∼215 Ma juvenile arc crust and the Mesoproterozoic mafic lower crust) indicate a genetic linkage between the Late Triassic and Late Cretaceous porphyry systems. This suggests that the remelting of underplated arc-related mafic rocks formed during the subduction of the Garze–Litang Ocean could be responsible for the mixing between the mantle-derived components and the Mesoproterozoic lower crustal materials, when post-subduction transtension occurred in the Late Cretaceous. The formation of the Late Cretaceous porphyry–skarn Cu–Mo–W deposits could most likely be related to the remelting of Late Triassic residual sulfide-bearing Cu-rich cumulates in the subduction-modified lower crust that triggered by the Late Cretaceous transtension.     

Tropical northeast Africa in the middle–late Eocene: Paleomagnetism of the marine-mammals sites and basalts in the Fayum province,Egypt

The mid-late Eocene “Valley of Whales” in the Fayum province of Egypt contains hundreds of marine-mammals’ skeletons. Given its paleontological importance, we carried out a paleomagnetic study of the fossil-bearing formations. A sequence of basalts directly overlying the upper Eocene rocks in three distant clusters within a 25 km-long NW–SE graben in the southwestern part of the area was also studied. Thermal demagnetization of three-axis IRM was used to identify and eliminate sites dominated by hematite and/or goethite as potential remanence carriers. Progressive thermal demagnetization of the NRM isolated a characteristic NNE–SSW dual-polarity direction with a shallow inclination that passes both tilt and reversal tests. The mean tilt-corrected direction of the sedimentary formations is D/I = 16°/30° (k = 50, α₉₅ = 3°) yielding a paleomagnetic pole at 70°N/159°E. The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) indicated that the observed inclinations were free from inclination shallowing, as did the nearly identical characteristic remanence of the overlying basalt flows (with a tilt-corrected reversed-polarity direction of D/I = 198°/−28° (k = 38, α₉₅ = 7°) and a pole at 68°N/158°E). The new paleopoles place the Fayum province at a lower paleolatitude (15–17°N) than today (29.5°N), and point to the possible prevalence of tropical climate in northeast Africa during mid-late Eocene times. This tropical position is nearly identical to the paleolatitudes extrapolated from the mean of 36 coeval poles rotated from the other major cratons and from Africa itself. The declinations show a minor easterly deviation from those predicted by extrapolation from other continents. This is interpreted as due to a small clockwise rotation internal to NE Africa, possibly related to Red Sea/Gulf of Suez rifting after the late Eocene. The alternative explanation that the geomagnetic field had a non-zonal non-dipole field contribution is not favored.     

Magnetic fabric and paleomagnetism of the Middle Triassic siliciclastic rocks from the Nanpanjiang Basin,South China: Implications for sediment provenance and tectonic process

A combined magnetic fabric and paleomagnetic study has been carried out on the siliciclastic rocks gathered from a stratigraphic cross-section through the Nanpanjiang Basin, South China, in an attempt to extract the paleoflow information preserved in and, thus, constrain the possible origins of these clastic rocks. The sediments used for this study were formed by sediment-gravity flows along the southern margin of the South China block in the Middle Triassic time (ca. 245–228 Ma). The results show a normal distribution of both low field magnetic susceptibility values and natural remanent magnetization intensities, which along with the monotonic detrital framework mode, mainly comprising quartz and lithic particles, may suggest a single provenance involved in deposition of these clastic deposits. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) analysis acquires primarily the sedimentary magnetic fabrics, which, in this study, reveal paleoflow directions ranging from NNW to ENE with an overall mean orientation of NE. Demagnetization on a part of samples isolates a characteristic remanent component averaged at D = 44.8°, I = 16.9°, κ = 9.7, α₉₅ = 6. 5°, n = 55, corresponding to a paleolatitude N8.6° and a clockwise rotation of ca. 45° since the Middle Triassic for the studied cross-section. This mean direction passes fold tests and is consistent with the reference direction expected from the South China block at the 95% confidence level. Restoring this ∼45° declination renders an overall northward paleoflow, which, combined with other evidence, suggests a southern provenance for these sediments during deposition in the Middle Triassic time. In terms of the early Mesozoic plate framework of southeastern Asia, a tectonic scenario is proposed here, whereby the nearly N–S convergence of the Indochina and South China blocks and its related Indosinian orogeny in the Middle Triassic caused the formation of the Nanpanjiang foreland basin, which was filled by voluminous detritus shed from the uplifted orogenic belt on its southern side.     

Early Carboniferous paleomagnetic results from the northeastern margin of the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau and their implications

We conducted paleomagnetic investigations on limestone from the Lower Carboniferous Huaitoutala Formation in the Qaidam Basin near Delingha City, Qinghai Province, China. The characteristic remanent magnetization (D = 5.8°, I = − 25.7°, k = 114.3, α₉₅ = 4.8°) passes a fold test and indicates a paleopole position of − 39.2°N, 90.4°E and a paleolatitude of 13.5°N for the Qaidam Block for the early Carboniferous. Based on global tectonic reconstructions and paleontological evidence, we suggest that the Qaidam Block was adjacent to, but independent from, the North China, South China, Alashan–Hexi and Tarim blocks at this time. This result suggests that Pre-Carboniferous sutures reported around the Qaidam Basin represent collisional events within Gondwana, rather than the final sutures that gave rise to the present tectonic configuration.     

Paleomagnetism of the late Cryogenian Nantuo Formation and paleogeographic implications for the South China Block

A new paleomagnetic pole position is obtained from the well-dated (636.3 ± 4.9 Ma) Nantuo Formation in the Guzhang section, western Hunan Province, and the correlative Long’e section in eastern Guizhou Province, South China. Remagnetization of the recent geomagnetic field was identified and removed for both sections. The hard dual-polarity, interpreted as primary, component of the Nantuo Formation, directs east–westward with medium inclinations, yielding an average pole of 9.3°N, 165°E, A₉₅ = 4.3° that, for the first time, passed a strata-bound reversals test. The new data are consistent with previously published paleomagnetic data of the Nantuo Formation from Malong county, central Yunnan Province, which passed a positive syn-sedimentary fold test. Together, these sites represent shallow- to deep-water sections across a shelf-to-basin transect centered at ∼33° paleolatitude. The sedimentary basin may have faced an expansive ocean toward the paleo-East. In the ∼750 Ma and ∼635 Ma global reconstructions, the South China Block (SCB) was best fitted in the northern hemisphere close to northwestern Australia. However, a direct SCB-northwestern Australia connection, inferred to have existed during the Early Cambrian–Early Devonian, had not formed by the time of ∼635 Ma.     

Geology,geochronology and geochemistry of granitic intrusions and the related ores at the Hongshan Cu-polymetallic deposit: Insights into the Late Cretaceous post-collisional porphyry-related mineralization systems in the southern Yidun arc,SW China

The Hongshan Cu-polymetallic deposit is located in the southern Yidun arc in southwestern China, where both subduction-related (Late Triassic) and post-collisional (Late Cretaceous) porphyry–skarn–epithermal mineralization systems have been previously recognized. In this study, two distinct magmatic events, represented by diorite porphyry and quartz monzonite porphyry, have been revealed in the Hongshan deposit, with zircon SHRIMP U–Pb ages of 214 ± 2 Ma and 73.4 ± 0.7 Ma, respectively. The 73 Ma age is comparable to the Re–Os ages of 77 to 80 Ma of ore minerals from the Hongshan deposit, indicating that the mineralization is related to the Late Cretaceous quartz monzonite porphyries rather than Late Triassic diorite porphyries. The Late Triassic diorite porphyries belong to the high-K calc-alkaline series and show arc magmatic geochemical characteristics such as enrichment in Rb, Ba, Th and U and depletion in HFSEs, indicating that they were formed during the westward subduction of the Garzê–Litang Ocean. In contrast, the Late Cretaceous quartz monzonite porphyries show shoshonitic I-type geochemical characteristics, with high SiO₂, K₂O, LILE, low HREE, Y and Yb contents, and high LREE/HREE and La/Yb ratios. These geochemical characteristics, together with the Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions (average (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i = 0.7085; ε_Nd(t) = − 6.0; ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 19.064, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.738, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 39.733) suggest that the quartz monzonite porphyries originated from the partial melting of the ancient lower crust in response to underplating of mafic magma from subduction metasomatized mantle lithosphere, possibly triggered by regional extension in the post-collisional tectonic stage. The S isotopic compositions (δ³⁴S_V-CDT = 3.81‰ to 5.80‰) and Pb isotopic compositions (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.014 to 18.809, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.550 to 15.785, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.057 to 39.468) of ore sulfides indicate that the sulfur and metals were derived from mixed mantle and crustal sources. It is proposed that although the Late Triassic magmatic event is not directly related to mineralization, it contributed to the Late Cretaceous mineralization system through the storage of large amounts of sulfur and metals as well as water in the cumulate zone in the mantle lithosphere through subduction metasomatism. Re-melting of the mantle lithosphere including the hydrous cumulate zone and ancient lower crust during the post-collisional stage produced fertile magmas, which ascended to shallow depths to form quartz monzonite porphyries. Hydrothermal fluids released from the intrusions resulted in porphyry-type Mo–Cu ores in and near the intrusions, skarn-type Cu–Mo ores in the country rocks above the intrusions, and hydrothermal Pb–Zn ores in the periphery.     

Isotopic characteristics of river sediments on the Tibetan Plateau

We systematically collected 40 modern clastic sediment samples from rivers in different tectonic units of the Tibetan Plateau and measured their Sr–Nd isotopic compositions. The isotopic characteristics provide insight into the controversial paleo-tectonic affinity of terranes of the Tibetan Plateau and the provenance of Songpan–Ganzi flysch complex. The Qilian Terrane and Himalaya Terrane have more negative ε_Nd(0) values (from ? 14.3 to ? 11.8 and from ? 20.64 to ? 13.26, respectively) and high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values (from 0.719674 to 0.738818 and from 0.721020 to 0.824959, respectively), reflecting old and mature continental crust origin of these two terranes. The southern Lhasa Terrane is more radiogenic in ε_Nd(0) values (from ? 8.82 to ? 3.8) and low in ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values (from 0.711504 to 0.719489), implying the combined impact of the Neo-Tethys mantle and Himalaya old continental crust. Sr–Nd isotopic compositions of the Qilian Terrane are similar to those in the Yangtze Craton, indicating that the Qilian Terrane was probably separated from the Yangtze Craton. Sr–Nd isotopic characteristics of the Songpan–Ganzi Terrane are similar to the Yangtze Craton and are remarkably different to those in the North China Craton, eastern Kunlun–Qaidam and the central Qiangtang metamorphic belt, implying that the widely distributed flysch complex of the Songpan–Ganzi Terrane was sourced from the Yangtze Craton.     

The exhumation history of collision-related mineralizing systems in Tibet: Insights from thermal studies of the Sharang and Yaguila deposits,central Lhasa

The large, newly discovered Sharang porphyry Mo deposit and nearby Yaguila skarn Pb–Zn–Ag (–Mo) deposit reside in the central Lhasa terrane, northern Gangdese metallogenic belt, Tibet. Multiple mineral chronometers (zircon U–Pb, sericite ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar, and zircon and apatite (U–Th)/He) reveal that ore-forming porphyritic intrusions experienced rapid cooling (> 100 °C/Ma) during a monotonic magmatic–hydrothermal evolution. The magmatic–hydrothermal ore-forming event at Sharang lasted ~ 6.0 Myr (~ 1.8 Myr for cooling from > 900 to 350 °C and ~ 4.0 Myr for cooling from 350 to 200 °C) whereas cooling was more prolonged during ore formation at Yaguila (~ 1.8 Myr from > 900 to 500 °C and a maximum of ~ 16 Myr from > 900 to 350 °C). All porphyritic intrusions in the ore district experienced exhumation at a rate of 0.07–0.09 mm/yr (apatite He ages between ~ 37 and 30 Ma). Combined with previous studies, this work implies that uplift of the eastern section of the Lhasa terrane expanded from central Lhasa (37–30 Ma) to southern Lhasa (15–12 Ma) at an increasing exhumation rate. All available geochronologic data reveal that magmatic–hydrothermal–exhumation activities in the Sharang–Yaguila ore district occurred within four periods of magmatism with related mineralization. Significant porphyry-type Mo mineralization was associated with Late Cretaceous–Eocene felsic porphyritic intrusions in the central Lhasa terrane, resulting from Neotethyan oceanic subduction and India–Asia continental collision.     

Combined U-Pb,Lu-Hf,Sm-Nd and Ar-Ar multichronometric dating on the Bailang eclogite constrains the closure timing of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean in the Lhasa terrane,Tibet

The Lhasa terrane, the main tectonic component of the Himalayan–Tibetan orogen, has received much attention as it records the entire history of the orogeny. The occurrence of Permian to Triassic high-pressure eclogites has a significant bearing on the understanding of the Paleo-Tethys subduction and plate suturing processes in this area. An eclogite from the Bailang, eastern Lhasa terrane, was investigated with a combined metamorphic P–T and U–Pb, Lu–Hf, Sm–Nd and Ar–Ar multichronometric approach. Pseudosection modeling combined with thermobarometric calculations indicate that the Bailang eclogite equilibrated at peak P–T conditions of ~ 2.6 GPa and 465–503 °C, which is much lower than those of Sumdo and Jilang eclogites in this area. Garnet–whole rock–omphacite Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd ages of 238.1 ± 3.6 Ma and 230.0 ± 4.7 Ma were obtained on the same sample, which are largely consistent with the corresponding U–Pb age of 227.4 ± 6.4 Ma for the metamorphic zircons within uncertainty. The peak metamorphic temperature of the sample is lower than the Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd closure temperatures in garnet. This, combined with the core-to-rim decrease in Mn and HREE concentrations, the slightly U-shaped Sm zonation across garnet and the exclusive occurrence of omphacite inclusion in garnet rim, are consistent with the Lu–Hf system skewing to the age of the garnet core and the Sm–Nd system favoring the rim age. The Sm–Nd age was thus interpreted as the age of eclogite-facies metamorphism and the Lu–Hf age likely pre-dated the eclogite-facies metamorphism. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of hornblende from the eclogite yielded ages about 200 Ma, which is interpreted as a cooling age and is probably indicative of the time of exhumation to the middle crust. The difference of peak eclogite-facies metamorphic conditions and the distinct metamorphic ages for the Bailang eclogite (~ 2.6 GPa and ~ 480 °C; ca. 230 Ma), the Sumdo eclogite (~ 3.4 GPa and ~ 650 °C; ca. 262 Ma) and Jiang eclogite (~ 3.6 GPa and ~ 750 °C; ca. 261 Ma) in the same (ultra)-high-pressure belt indicate that this region likely comprises different slices that had distinct P–T histories and underwent (U)HP metamorphism at different times. The initiation of the opening the Paleo-Tethys Ocean in the Lhasa terrane could trace back to the early Permian. The ultimate closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean in the Lhasa terrane was no earlier than ca. 230 Ma.     

A review of batholiths and other plutonic intrusions of Mexico

Granitic plutons constitute a major portion of the Phanerozoic continental crust of Mexico, with the great majority (ca. 90%) associated to the Laramide Late-Cretaceous–Eocene orogeny and the eastward subduction of the Pacific Ocean plates, as well as to magmatic arcs essentially built since the early Mesozoic at the western margin of North America. Exposed mainly as a wide (up to 300 km) and over 3000 km long batholithic belt at the Mexican Pacific margin from Baja California to Chiapas, granitoids conform large intrusive complexes and hundreds of smaller plutons, the age of which vary from ca. 1400 Ma (Mesoproterozoic) to ca. 10 Ma (late Miocene). In many cases uplift and erosion have revealed the deep roots of the batholiths, whereas in other places many intrusions were emplaced in upper crustal environments, as suggested by the extremely variable cooling rates of > 200 °C/Ma (very shallow) to 1–10 °C/Ma (very deep).Lithologies and isotopic data indicate unambiguously the central participation of the local lower crust in the genesis of the batholiths and plutons, imprinting on them marked petrologic, geochemical and structural zoning across the Paleozoic paleomargins and through the present NW-trending Mexican continental edge according to the lithospheric component involved: Laurentia in the northern and northwestern regions of Mexico, accreted Mesozoic terranes in western Mexico, and Oaxaquia (Gondwana) in eastern and southern Mexico.Major problems related to the evolution of the Mexican main granitoids are outlined in time slices for the Proterozoic, Paleozoic, Permo-Triassic, Jurassic, Early Cretaceous, Late Cretaceous–Paleogene and Neogene, which represent in Mexico major epochs of crustal growth and continental recycling, mainly associated not only with Pacific–North America convergence, but also with extensional and transpressional events that altogether marked, not only the lithological and structural evolution of most of the country, but also its extraordinary mineral wealth. Finally, some preliminary comparisons (differences and similarities) are made between the Mexican batholiths and other plutonic complexes in Central Asia (Lhasa Terrane) and Japan.