Cretaceous termination of subduction at the Zealandia margin of Gondwana: The view from the paleo-trench

During the Permian to Cretaceous, Zealandia occupied a position on the proto-Pacific-facing, convergent margin of Gondwana. Subduction on this margin ceased somewhere between ~105 Ma and perhaps 70 Ma, but the timing of this tectonic transition remains controversial. Resolution of this uncertainty is important for tectonic reconstructions of the southwest Pacific and for global plate-tectonic models. Here, we revisit the problem by reference to new stratigraphic and geochemical data from the East Coast Basin of New Zealand, which occupied a position adjacent to and possibly superimposed on the relict Cretaceous subduction trench at the time subduction ceased; this basin is expected to preserve direct structural and stratigraphic evidence for or against Late Cretaceous subduction.In western parts of the East Coast Basin – the “Western Sub-belt” – a conspicuous unconformity separates undoubted accretionary prism rocks of the Torlesse Composite Terrane from younger Cretaceous “cover” units. Strata beneath and overlying this unconformity vary in age from place to place, but abundant paleontological data and published ages of detrital zircons (some reinterpreted herein), indicate that exposed Torlesse rocks are nowhere younger than ~100 Ma. Overlying Zealandia Megasequence “cover” strata are mostly younger than ~110 Ma. Between ~110 and ~85 Ma, the entire length of the Western Sub-belt reveals complex stratigraphic architecture of relatively small-scale depocentres subjected to alternating episodes of subsidence and local uplift and erosion. There is widespread evidence for compression on the Western Sub-belt over this period, although the overall amount of shortening is likely to be relatively modest. In contrast, the Eastern Sub-belt preserves a record of near-continuous and apparently simple deposition over the same interval of time. We see little and somewhat equivocal evidence for extension in either sub-belt through the Late Cretaceous. Superimposed on this general pattern, we observe discrete, widespread or basin-wide, tectonic events at 95 Ma, and within the intervals ~86–83 Ma and ~83–81 Ma, indicated by the presence of unconformities and sedimentary facies changes. Importantly, all these events can be correlated with coeval events recorded elsewhere in Zealandia, suggesting that the East Coast Basin was subject to the same tectonic regime as the rest of Zealandia and shared a common history during the mid- to Late Cretaceous.Integrating these findings with data from elsewhere in Zealandia, we argue that there is diverse evidence to indicate that subduction finished along the New Zealand segment of the Gondwana margin by 100 Ma. That said, the causes of on-going, Late Cretaceous compression in the East Coast Basin and in other parts of Zealandia are not well constrained, although several possible explanations are plausible. There are few analogue, abandoned subduction margins described in the literature; however, the situation in the South Shetland Trench shows strong similarities with patterns and complexities observed in the East Coast Basin.     

The passive margin of northern Gondwana during Early Paleozoic: Evidence from the central Tibet Plateau

The central–south domain of the Tibet Plateau represents an important part of the northern segment of Gondwana during the early Paleozoic. Here we present zircon U–Pb, Lu–Hf isotope, and whole–rock geochemical data from a suite of early Paleozoic magmatic rocks from the central Tibet Plateau, with a view to gain insights into the nature and geotectonic evolution of the northern margin of Gondwana. Zircon grains in four granitic rocks yielded ages of 532−496 Ma with negative ε_Hf(t) values (−13.7 to −0.6). Zircon grains in meta–basalt and mafic gneiss yielded ages of 512 ± 5 Ma and 496 ± 6 Ma, respectively. Geochemically, the granitic rocks belong to high–K calc–alkaline and shoshonitic S–type granite suite, with the protolith derived from the partial melting of ancient crustal components. The mafic gneiss and meta–basalt geochemically resemble OIB (Oceanic Island Basalt) and E–MORB (Enriched Mid–Ocean Ridge Basalt), respectively. They were derived from low degree (∼5–10%) partial melting of an enriched mantle (garnet and spinel lherzolite) that was contaminated by upper crustal components. The parental magmas experienced orthopyroxene–dominated fractional crystallization. Sedimentological features of the Cambrian–Ordovician formations indicate that the depositional cycle transformed from marine regression to transgression leading to the formation of parallel/angular unconformities between the Cambrian and Ordovician strata. The hiatus associated with these unconformities are coupled with the peak of the early Paleozoic magmatism in Tibet Plateau, indicating a tectonic control. We conclude that the Cambrian–Ordovician magmatic suite and sedimentary rocks formed in an extensional setting, and we correlate this with the post–peak stage of the Pan–African orogeny. The post–collision setting associated with delamination, orogenic collapse or lithospheric extension along the northern margin of Gondwana, can account for the Cambrian–Ordovician magmatism and sedimentation, rather than oceanic subduction along the external margin. We thus infer a passive margin setting for the northern Gondwana during the Early Paleozoic.     

Reduction of buried oxidized oceanic crust during subduction

The relationship among subducted oxidized oceanic crust and oxidation state of the subarc mantle, and arc magmas is one of the important aspects to evaluate convergent margin tectonics. However details of the oxidized mass transferred from buried oceanic crust to the overlying subarc mantle wedge remain obscure. Here we investigate the Songduo eclogites from south Tibet formed by the subduction of the paleo-Tethyan oceanic crust, and identify an abrupt decrease in pyrope and increase in almandine contents from the mantle to rim of garnet grains. This is coupled with a decrease in the Fe^3 + content of epidote and Fe^3 +/(Fe^2 ++ Fe^3 +) ratios from garnet core to rim domains, as well as speciation of calcite, a new mineral phase, in the rock matrix. Minor sulfates occur only as inclusions in garnet core domains, whereas sulfides are confined to the matrix as an accessory mineral phase. Aegirine augite occurs as relics or inclusions in garnet and omphacite. These features clearly suggest that oxidized components, Fe^3 + and S^6 +, were reduced as Fe^2 + and S^2 −, respectively, at the subduction zone. Thermodynamic modeling in the P–T-log₁₀f_O2 space using updated Perplex_X programs further revealed that the Songduo eclogites experienced oxygen fugacity variation of up to 8 log₁₀ units, with decreasing pressure. Petrological observations further suggest that the strong redox processes took place, after breaking of garnet, during the initial exhumation of the eclogites. CO₂ and minor sulfur are subsequently transferred from the cold oceanic subduction zone to the overlying mantle wedge, partially released by arc volcanoes to atmosphere. Our study presents a case of C and S recycling between the Earth's exterior and interior.     

The augen gneisses of the Peloritani Mountains (NE Sicily): Granitoid magma production during rapid evolution of the northern Gondwana margin at the end of the Precambrian

The medium- to high-grade polymetamorphic basement rocks of the Peloritani Mountains, northern Sicily, include large volumes of augen gneiss of controversial age and origin. By means of a geochemical and SHRIMP zircon study of representative samples, the emplacement age of the original granitoid protoliths of the augen gneisses and the most likely processes and sources involved in that granitoid magmatism have been determined. U–Pb dating of three samples from widely spaced localities in the Peloritani Mountains yielded igneous protolith ages of 565 ± 5, 545 ± 4 and 545 ± 4 Ma, respectively. These late Ediacaran/early Cambrian ages are much older than was previously assumed on geological grounds, and are typical of the peri-Gondwanan terranes involved in the geodynamic evolution of the northern Gondwana margin at the end of the Avalonian–Cadomian orogeny. Major and trace element compositions and Sr–Nd isotopic data, in combination with zircon inheritance age patterns, suggest that the granitoid protoliths of the Sicilian and coeval Calabrian augen gneisses were generated by different degrees of mixing between sediment- and mantle-derived magmas. The magmas forming the ca. 545 Ma inheritance-rich granitoids appear to have had a significant contribution from partial melting of paragneiss that is the dominant rock type in the medium- to high-grade Peloritanian basement. The closeness of the inferred deposition age of the greywacke protoliths of the paragneisses with the intrusion age of the granitoids indicates rapid latest Precambrian crustal recycling involving erosion, burial, metamorphism to partial melting conditions, and extensive granitoid magmatism in less than ca. 10 Ma.     

Evidence for southward subduction of the Mongol-Okhotsk oceanic plate: Implications from Mesozoic adakitic lavas from Mongolia

A combination of new ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating results, major- and trace-element data, plus Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotope data, are used to investigate the petrogenesis of Triassic high-Si adakite (HSA), Cretaceous low-Si adakite-like (LSA) lavas, and Cretaceous high-K and shoshonitic trachyandesite lavas, from eastern and south-central Mongolia. All samples are light rare-earth element and large-ion lithophile element enriched but depleted in some high-field strength elements (notably Nb, Ta and Ti). Two alternative models are proposed to explain the petrogenesis of the HSA samples. (1) A southward-subducting Mongol-Okhotsk slab underwent partial melting in the Triassic during the closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean, with the resultant melts assimilating mantle and crustal material. Alternatively (2), a basaltic underplate of thickened (>50 km; >1.5 GPa), eclogitic lower crust foundered into the underlying mantle, and underwent partial melting with minor contamination from mantle material and some shallow-level crustal contamination. The LSA samples are interpreted as melts derived from a lithospheric mantle wedge that was previously metasomatised by slab melts. Similarly, the trachyandesite lavas are interpreted as melts deriving from a subduction-enriched subcontinental lithospheric mantle. The spatial distribution of these samples implies that metasomatism likely occurred due to a southward-subducting Mongol-Okhotsk slab associated with the closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean. When this interpretation is combined with previous evidence for a northward-subducting Mongol-Okhotsk slab it advocates that the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean closed with double-sided subduction.     

西太平洋俯冲带的演变:来自东北亚陆缘增生杂岩的制约

本文系统总结了东北亚陆缘晚古生代和中生代增生杂岩的构成与形成时代,并结合同时代火成岩组合及其时空变异以及沉积建造组合,重塑了西太平洋板块俯冲带的演变历史.结果表明:①位于佳木斯地块东缘的跃进山杂岩代表了二叠纪俯冲带,它是古亚洲洋构造体制的产物;②侏罗纪增生杂岩代表了侏罗纪俯冲带,与陆缘同期钙碱性火成岩组合以及含煤建造一...     

The nature of the Palaeozoic oceanic basin at the southwestern margin of Gondwana and implications for the origin of the Chilenia terrane (Pichilemu region,central Chile)

The Coastal Accretionary Complex of central Chile constitutes the product of early Carboniferous to Late Triassic subduction at the rear of Chilenia, a continental terrane likely derived from Laurentia and accreted to southwestern margin of Gondwana during the Mid to Late Devonian. The complex contains basaltic metavolcanic sequences of the subducted oceanic lithosphere accreted to the active margin. In this paper, we address the tectonic setting of these rocks by means of a geochemical study in the coastal area of Pichilemu region, central Chile. The accreted fragments of oceanic crust occupy different structural levels, exhibit variable metamorphic grade, and have geochemical fingerprints that reveal a compositional heterogeneity of the subducted oceanic crust. The amphibolites have N to E-MORB compositions. Greenschist units include N-MORB and E-MORB transitional to OIB, and blueschists and greenschists interleaved within a single metavolcanosedimentary sequence have OIB signatures. Neodymium isotopic systematics indicate depleted and enriched mantle sources, whereas strontium isotopic systematics indicate seawater/rock interaction. The variety of rocks suggests formation in an oceanic setting characterized by shallow and deep mantle sources, such as plume-influenced ridge. Based on the geological, petrological, geochemical, and isotopic characteristics, we propose that the metavolcanic protoliths of the Pichilemu region formed relatively close to the western margin of the Chilenia terrane during the initial stage (late Cambrian–Early Devonian) of seafloor development and drifting of this continental block. Geochemical similarities with oceanic units accreted to the active margin south of the Pichilemu region indicate a regional pattern of the oceanic crust subducted under the Palaeozoic Chilean margin between, at least, 34°S and 39°S latitude, strongly supporting the activity of a mantle plume. This, in turn, can be correlated with the location of the Pacific plume generation zone in early Palaeozoic era, corroborating a Laurentian origin for the Chilenia terrane.     

冈底斯南缘变形花岗岩锆石U-Pb年龄和Hf同位素组成：新特提斯洋早侏罗世俯冲作用的证据

本文对产于冈底斯南缘一个变形花岗岩进行了主量元素、微量元素、原位锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb定年和锆石Hf同位素组成研究.结果表明,变形花岗岩为高硅（SiO2=73.38%～76.06%）钙碱性岩系,K2O/N%0=0.69.1.17.铝指数（A/CNK）=1.03～1.07,为弱过铝质岩石.变形花岗岩微量元素组成显示贫大离子亲石元素（e.g.Rb=47×10^-6～71×10^-6）和高场强元素（e.g.Nb=1.31×10^-6～-3.09×10^-6,Ta=0.23×10^-6 ～0.54×10^-6）,具有岛弧型花岗岩的地球化学属性.变形花岗岩锆石U-Pb年龄为178±1Ma,该年龄代表岩浆结晶年龄.锆石Hf同位素组成显示εHf（178Ma）值变化于＋14.1～＋17.7,表明变形花岗岩岩浆来自初生地壳物质的部分熔融.变形花岗岩的岩石成因与新特提斯洋向欧亚板块南缘的俯冲消减作用存在联系,其岩浆结晶年龄反映了新特提斯洋发生俯冲消减的开始时代不晚于早侏罗纪,说明了新特提斯洋经历了较长时间的演化.     

西太平洋俯冲带的演变: 来自东北亚陆缘增生杂岩的制约

本文系统总结了东北亚陆缘晚古生代和中生代增生杂岩的构成与形成时代,并结合同时代火成岩组合及其时空变异以及沉积建造组合,重塑了西太平洋板块俯冲带的演变历史。结果表明: ① 位于佳木斯地块东缘的跃进山杂岩代表了二叠纪俯冲带,它是古亚洲洋构造体制的产物;② 侏罗纪增生杂岩代表了侏罗纪俯冲带,与陆缘同期钙碱性火成岩组合以及含煤建造一起,共同揭示了古太平洋板块西向俯冲的开始;③ 侏罗纪增生杂岩中—晚侏罗世和早白垩世早期陆源碎屑岩物源的变化,与古地磁和生物学证据一起,共同揭示了古太平洋板块小角度斜向俯冲和东北亚陆缘走滑的构造属性,导致了低纬度侏罗纪增生杂岩向高纬度的推移;④ 白垩纪—古近纪增生杂岩与陆缘白垩纪—古近纪岩浆作用一起代表了该期俯冲带的存在,自早白垩世到晚白垩世再到古近纪岩浆作用范围向海沟方向的收缩,揭示了古太平洋板块西向俯冲以及俯冲板片后撤（rollback）过程的发生,同时标志着东亚大地幔楔的形成;⑤古近纪晚期—新近纪早期日本海的打开,标志着现今太平洋板块俯冲带以及东北亚大地幔楔的形成。     

班公湖-怒江洋早-中侏罗世洋内俯冲:来自洞错蛇绿岩的证据

本文在班公湖-怒江缝合带中段洞错蛇绿岩中新厘定一套洋内俯冲成因的岩石组合,岩性以橄榄岩、堆晶岩(包括堆晶辉长岩和斜长花岗岩)、辉长岩墙、枕状熔岩和辉绿岩脉等为主。堆晶辉长岩、辉长岩墙和辉绿岩脉锆石U-Pb测年显示,它们形成于中侏罗世(172～165Ma)。辉长岩墙和辉绿岩脉地球化学和锆石Lu-Hf同位素分析显示,它们兼具N-MORB和岛弧玄武岩地球化学特征,且均来自亏损地幔源区,形成过程中受到了俯冲流体的影响。结合区域上同时期的玻安岩、高镁安山岩和钙碱性岩浆岩等资料,我们得出班公湖-怒江缝合带内保存了一套相对完整的早-中侏罗世洋内弧岩石层序,记录了班公湖-怒江洋早-中侏罗世时期的洋内俯冲事件。早-中侏罗世是班公湖-怒江洋快速消减期,洋内俯冲和洋-陆俯冲同时存在。     

Cenozoic Volcanism and Intraplate Subduction at the Northern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau

Developed in the Mt.Kunlun orogenic belt at the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau is an active Cenozoic volcanic zone which is more than 1000km in length and some ten to hundred kilometers in width.It extends east-westwards and is roughly parallet to the strike of Mt.Kunlun.The Cenozoic volcanic rocks are divided into the northern(N-)and southern(S-)subzones.Eruptions of volcanic lavas in the S-subzone are related to an initial rift zone within the north Qiangtang terrane,but the volcanic rocks in the N-subzone are relatively close to the contact zone between the Mt.Kunlun and the Tarim terrane.The space-time distribution,petrological and geochemical features can be explained by a model of southward intraplate subduction of the Tarim terrane.     

Age and kinematics of ductile deformation in the Cerro Durazno area, NW Argentina: Significance for orogenic processes operating at the western margin of Gondwana during Ordovician – Silurian times

The Cerro Durazno Pluton belongs to a suite of Paleozoic granitoid intrusions in NW-Argentina, that are central for understanding the tectonic setting of the western margin of Gondwana in Ordovician and Silurian times. The pluton and its host rocks were tectonically overprinted by metamorphic mineral shape fabrics formed under middle greenschist-facies metamorphic conditions and associated with the nearby Agua Rosada Shear Zone. Kinematic analysis of the shear zone based on the geometric relationship between individual segments of the shear plane and principal axes of mineral fabric ellipsoids indicates reverse-sense of shear with a minor component of left-lateral displacement. This is compatible with the kinematics of other ductile deformation zones in this area, collectively forming a network, which accomplished orogen-parallel extension in addition to vertical thickening. Using the Rb–Sr isotopic system, an undeformed pegmatite dike of the Cerro Durazno Pluton was dated at 455.8 ± 3.6 Ma and mineral fabrics of the Agua Rosada Shear Zone formed at middle greenschist-facies metamorphism gave deformation ages of 437.0 ± 3.8 Ma and 428.4 ± 4.5 Ma. Thus, tectonic overprint at low metamorphic grade occurred about 20–30 Ma after terminal magmatism in the Cerro Durazno area. Our data from the Cerro Durazno area and regional considerations suggest that the western margin of Gondwana was characterized by orogen-parallel extension in addition to crustal thickening as well as episodes of magmatism and ductile deformation that varied greatly in time and space.     

Cambro-Silurian magmatisms at the northern Gondwana margin (Penninic basement of the Ligurian Alps)

The Early Paleozoic evolution of the northern margin of Gondwana is characterized by several episodes of bimodal magmatism intruded or outpoured within thick sedimentary basins. These processes are well recorded in the Variscan blocks incorporated in the Ligurian Alps because they experienced low temperature Alpine metamorphism. During the Paleozoic, these blocks, together with the other Alpine basements, were placed between the Corsica-Sardinia and the Bohemian Massif along the northern margin of Gondwana. In this framework, they host several a variegated lithostratigraphy forming two main complexes(Complexs I and II) that can be distinguished by both the protoliths and their crosscutting relationships, which indicate that the acidic and mafic intrusives of Complex II cut an already folded sequence made of sediments, basalts and granitoids of Complex I. Both complexes were involved in the Variscan orogenic phases as highlighted by the pervasive eclogite-amphibolite facies schistosity(foliation II). However, rare relicts of a metamorphic foliation at amphibolite facies conditions(foliation I)is locally preserved only in the rocks of Complex I. It is debatable if this schistosity was produced during the early folding event e occurred between the emplacement of Complex I and II e rather than during an early stage of the Variscan metamorphic cycle.New SHRIMP and LA ICP-MS Ue Pb zircon dating integrated with literature data, provide emplacement ages of the several volcanic or intrusive bodies of both complexes. The igneous activity of Complex I is dated between 507 ± 15 Ma and 494 ± 5 Ma, while Complex II between 467 ± 12 Ma and 445.5 ± 12 Ma.The folding event recorded only by the Complex I should therefore have occurred between 494 ± 5 Ma and 467 ± 12 Ma. The Variscan eclogite-amphibolite facies metamorphism is instead constrained between ~420 Ma and ~300 Ma. These ages and the geochemical signature of these rocks allow constraining the Early Paleozoic tectono-magmatic evolution of the Ligurian blocks, from a middleeupper Cambrian rifting stage, through the formation of an Early Ordovician volcanic arc during the Rheic Ocean subduction, until a Late Ordovician extension related to the arc collapse and subsequent rifting of the PaleoThetys. Furthermore, the ~420-350 Ma ages from zircon rims testify to thermal perturbations that may be associated with the Silurian rifting-related magmatism, followed by the subduction-collisional phases of the Variscan orogeny.     

蚀变洋壳玄武岩俯冲过程中含碳矿物相变质演化及脱碳作用的研究

俯冲作用是连接地表系统和地球深部系统的最为关键的地质过程,其对研究地球深部碳循环具有重要的意义。俯冲洋壳岩石圈中的碳主要存储在沉积物、蚀变洋壳玄武岩以及蛇纹岩中。俯冲变质作用过程含碳岩石的变质演化控制着其中含碳矿物相的转变及碳迁移过程。本文选取了蚀变洋壳玄武岩进行相平衡模拟,来研究其含碳矿物相的变质演化过程。计算结果表明,变质玄武岩体系中的碳酸盐矿物之间的转变反应除了受压力控制之外,还受到温度和体系中铁含量的影响。随着压力的升高蚀变玄武岩中碳酸盐矿物会发生方解石/文石-白云石-菱镁矿的转变,但在高压/超高压条件下,温度的升高可以使菱镁矿转变成白云石。碳酸盐矿物中的铁含量受到体系中铁含量的影响,白云石和菱镁矿中的铁含量随着体系中铁含量的增加而增加。在水不饱和条件下,洋壳不管是沿着低温还是高温地热梯度线俯冲到岛弧深度,蚀变玄武岩体系几乎都不发生脱碳作用。然而在水饱和条件下,当洋壳沿着高温以及哥斯达黎加地热梯度线俯冲到岛弧深度时,蚀变玄武岩体系中的碳几乎可以全部脱出去。蚀变玄武岩体系中水含量的增加可以促进体系的脱碳作用。     

Imposition of a Proterozoic salient on a Palaeozoic orogen at the eastern margin of Gondwana

Regional analysis of the distribution of metamorphic fabrics and shear zones in the Palaeo-Mesoproterozoic Curnamona Province has enabled the deconstruction of a Cambrian fold arc that defines part of the eastern margin of Gondwana. We suggest a tectonic model whereby the arc formed at ca. 500 Ma, during accretion of Phanerozoic terranes to the eastern margin of Precambrian Australia. The regional fold arc is interpreted to have formed along an irregular plate margin comprising a SE-convex rigid promontory of Precambrian basement during initial accretion of the Phanerozoic terranes during the Cambrian. An early phase of dextral oblique-slip along shear zones in the south and west of the province indicates an initial WNW transport direction. As the arc was folded, a slightly later phase of sinistral oblique-slip shearing was initiated along shear zones in the east, in response to deflection of the arc around the rigid promontory.     

Gondwana breakup via double-saloon-door rifting and seafloor spreading in a backarc basin during subduction rollback

A model has been developed where two arc-parallel rifts propagate in opposite directions from an initial central location during backarc seafloor spreading and subduction rollback. The resultant geometry causes pairs of terranes to simultaneously rotate clockwise and counterclockwise like the motion of double-saloon-doors about their hinges. As movement proceeds and the two terranes rotate, a gap begins to extend between them, where a third rift initiates and propagates in the opposite direction to subduction rollback. Observations from the Oligocene to Recent Western Mediterranean, the Miocene to Recent Carpathians, the Miocene to Recent Aegean and the Oligocene to Recent Caribbean point to a two-stage process. Initially, pairs of terranes comprising a pre-existing retro-arc fold thrust belt and magmatic arc rotate about poles and accrete to adjacent continents. Terrane docking reduces the width of the subduction zone, leading to a second phase during which subduction to strike-slip transitions initiate. The clockwise rotated terrane is caught up in a dextral strike-slip zone, whereas the counterclockwise rotated terrane is entrained in a sinistral strike-slip fault system. The likely driving force is a pair of rotational torques caused by slab sinking and rollback of a curved subduction hingeline.By analogy with the above model, a revised five-stage Early Jurassic to Early Cretaceous Gondwana dispersal model is proposed in which three plates always separate about a single triple rift or triple junction in the Weddell Sea area. Seven features are considered diagnostic of double-saloon-door rifting and seafloor spreading:

i) earliest movement involves clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of the Falkland Islands Block and the Ellsworth Whitmore Terrane respectively;

ii) terranes comprise areas of a pre-existing retro-arc fold thrust belt (the Permo-Triassic Gondwanide Orogeny) attached to an accretionary wedge/magmatic arc; the Falklands Islands Block is initially attached to Southern Patagonia/West Antarctic Peninsula, while the Ellsworth Whitmore Terrane is combined with the Thurston Island Block;

iii) paleogeographies demonstrate rifting and extension in a backarc environment relative to a Pacific margin subduction zone/accretionary wedge where simultaneous crustal shortening occurs;

iv) a ridge jump towards the subduction zone from east of the Falkland Islands to the Rocas Verdes Basin evinces subduction rollback;

v) this ridge jump combined with backarc extension isolated an area of thicker continental crust — The Falkland Islands Block;

vi) well-documented EW oriented seafloor spreading anomalies in the Weddell Sea are perpendicular to the subduction zone and propagate in the opposite direction to rollback;

vii) the dextral strike-slip Gastre and sub-parallel faults form one boundary of the Gondwana subduction rollback, whereas the other boundary may be formed by inferred sinistral strike-slip motion between a combined Thurston Island/Ellsworth Whitmore Terrane and Marie Byrd Land/East Antarctica.

Imposition of a Proterozoic salient on a Palaeozoic orogen at the eastern margin of Gondwana

Regional analysis of the distribution of metamorphic fabrics and shear zones in the Palaeo-Mesoproterozoic Curnamona Province has enabled the deconstruction of a Cambrian fold arc that defines part of the eastern margin of Gondwana. We suggest a tectonic model whereby the arc formed at ca. 500 Ma, during accretion of Phanerozoic terranes to the eastern margin of Precambrian Australia. The regional fold arc is interpreted to have formed along an irregular plate margin comprising a SE-convex rigid promontory of Precambrian basement during initial accretion of the Phanerozoic terranes during the Cambrian. An early phase of dextral oblique-slip along shear zones in the south and west of the province indicates an initial WNW transport direction. As the arc was folded, a slightly later phase of sinistral oblique-slip shearing was initiated along shear zones in the east, in response to deflection of the arc around the rigid promontory.     

Early Paleozoic accretionary orogens along the Western Gondwana margin

Early Paleozoic accretionary orogens dominated the Western Gondwana margin and were characterized by nearly continuous subduction associated with crustal extension and back-arc basin development.The southwestern margin is represented by Famatinian and Pampean basement realms exposed in South America,both related to the protracted Paleozoic evolution of the Terra Australis Orogen,whereas the northwestern margin is mainly recorded in Cadomian domains of Europe and adjacent regions.However,no clear relationships between these regions were so far established.Based on a compilation and reevaluation of geological,paleomagnetic,petrological,geochronological and isotopic evidence,this contribution focuses on crustal-scale tectonic and geodynamic processes occurring in Western Gondwana accretionary orogens,aiming at disentangling their common Early Paleozoic evolution.Data show that accretionary orogens were dominated by high-temperature/lowpressure metamorphism and relatively high geothermal gradients,resulting from the development of extended/hyperextended margins and bulk transtensional deformation.In this sense,retreating-mode accretionary orogens characterized the Early Paleozoic Gondwana margin,though short-lived pulses of compression/transpression also occurred.The existence of retreating subduction zones favoured mantle-derived magmatism and mixing with relatively young(meta)sedimentary sources in a thin continental crust.Crustal reworking of previous forearc sequences due to trenchward arc migration thus took place through assimilation and anatexis in the arc/back-arc regions.Therefore,retreating-mode accretionary orogens were the locus of Early Paleozoic crustal growth in Western Gondwana,intimately associated with major flare-up events,such as those related to the Cadomian and Famatian arcs.Slab roll back,probably resulting from decreasing convergence rates and plate velocities after Gondwana assembly,was a key factor for orogen-scale geodynamic processes.Coupled with synchronous oblique subduction and crustal-scale dextral deformation,slab roll back might trigger toroidal mantle flow,thus accounting for bulk dextral transtension,back-arc extension/transtension and a large-scale anticlockwise rotation of Gondwana mainland.     

三叠纪西秦岭西北部洋俯冲的记录:来自镁安山岩/高镁安山岩的证据

三叠纪以来,西秦岭地区构造-岩浆活动极为强烈,中酸性侵入岩呈北西向弧状分布,前人做了大量卓有成效的工作,但对出露较少的火山岩鲜有研究。本次工作选取青海省同仁县麦秀和甘肃省夏河县甘加、德乌鲁3个地区的安山岩,从岩石学、岩石地球化学、年代学等进行分析。结果显示安山岩均属于钙碱性系列,具有富钾火山岩的特征。其中,麦秀安山岩中既有高镁安山岩,也有镁安山岩,而甘加与德乌鲁安山岩属于镁安山岩,为洋壳俯冲作用形成的两种典型火山岩类型。西秦岭地区安山岩形成时间东早西晚,由西向东安山岩基性程度降低,K_2O、Na_2O、∑REE等含量增高,MF、FL、DI、La/Sm等值变大,SI、Mg~#等值降低,并且呈明显的线性特征,构成同仁—合作镁安山岩(镁闪长岩)岩浆弧组合,和北部隆务峡蛇绿岩带一起,组成岩性分布极性,从而判断出西秦岭西北部在三叠纪存在隆务峡蛇绿岩代表的洋壳板块向南俯冲作用。