Partial melting of subducted Southern Qiangtang crust in northern Tibet: evidence from the geochemistry and geochronology of the Riwanchaka granodiorite porphyry in Central Qiangtang

ABSTRACT

This article presents new zircon U–Pb geochronology, Hf isotopic, and whole-rock major- and trace-element geochemical data that provide insights into the petrogenesis and tectonic history of the Riwanchaka granodiorite porphyries of Central Qiangtang, Tibet. Zircon U–Pb ages of 236–230 Ma indicate an early Late Triassic age of emplacement of the porphyries, and zircon Hf isotopic data yield εHf(t) values of – 7.0 to – 1.5 and ancient zircon Hf crustal model ages (T_DM^C) of 1524–1220 Ma. The granodiorite porphyries are characterized by low K₂O contents, high Mg# values, and relatively high Cr and Ni contents. They are classified as I-type calc-alkaline granite and are considered to have formed through the anatexis of ancient mafic crustal rocks with contributions from mantle-derived components. The geochemistry and isotopic compositions of all samples are similar to those of magmatic rocks that originated in the South Qiangtang crust. However, field observations indicate that the pluton intrudes the North Qiangtang crust, and we propose that the granodiorite porphyries were derived by partial melting of subducted continental crust of the South Qiangtang terrane. These new data have been integrated with data from previous studies to construct a new model of slab rollback during northward subduction of the Southern Qiangtang continental crust at ca. 245–226 Ma, thereby improving our understanding of magmatic processes involved in continental subduction in collision settings.     

Age and Tectonic Setting of Mesothermal Magmatic Hydrothermal Vein‐Type Pb–Zn–(Ag) Mineralization in the Xiaohongshilazi Deposit,Central Jilin Province,Northeast China

The Xiaohongshilazi deposit located in central Jilin Province, Northeast China, is a newly discovered and medium‐scale Pb–Zn–(Ag) deposit with ore reserves of 34,968 t Pb, 100,150 t Zn, and 158 t Ag. Two‐stage mineralization has been identified in this deposit. Stratiform volcanic‐associated massive sulfide (VMS) Pb–Zn mineralization interbedding with the marine volcanic rocks of the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian Daheshen Formation was controlled by the premineralization E–W‐trending faults. Vein‐type Pb–Zn–(Ag) mineralization occurs within or parallel to the granodiorite and diorite porphyries controlled by the major‐mineralization N–S‐trending faults that cut the stratiform mineralization and volcanic rocks. To constrain the age of vein‐type Pb–Zn–(Ag) mineralization and determine the relationship between mineralization and magmatism, we conducted LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating on zircon from the ore‐bearing granodiorite and diorite porphyries and Rb–Sr dating on metal sulfide. Granodiorite and diorite porphyries yield zircon U–Pb weighted‐mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 203.6 ± 1.8 Ma (Mean Standard Weighted Deviation [MSWD] = 1.8) and 225.6 ± 5.1 Ma (MSWD = 2.3), respectively. Sulfides from four vein‐type ore samples yield a Rb–Sr isochron age of 195 ± 17 Ma (MSWD = 4.0). These results indicate a temporal relationship between the granodiorite porphyry and vein‐type Pb–Zn–(Ag) mineralization. The granodiorite associated with vein‐type mineralization has high SiO₂ (68.99–70.49 wt.%) and Na₂O (3.9–4.2 wt.%; Na₂O/K₂O = 1.07–1.10) concentrations, and A/CNK values of 0.95–1.04; consequently, the intrusion is classified as a high‐K, calc‐alkaline, metaluminous I‐type granite. The granodiorite porphyry is enriched in large‐ion lithophile elements (e.g. Rb, Th, U, and K) and light REE and is depleted in high‐field‐strength elements (e.g. Nb, Ta, P, and Ti) and heavy REE, indicating that it represents a subduction‐related rock that formed at an active continental margin. Furthermore, the granodiorite porphyry has Mg# values of 31–34, indicating a lower crustal source. Based on petrological and geochemical features, we infer that the ore‐bearing granodiorite porphyry was derived from the partial melting of the lower crust. In summary, mineralization characteristics, cross‐cutting relationships, geochronological data, and regional tectonic evolution indicate that the region was the site of VMS Pb–Zn mineralization that produced stratiform orebodies within the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian marine volcanic rocks of the Daheshen Formation, followed by mesothermal magmatic hydrothermal vein‐type Pb–Zn–(Ag) mineralization associated with granodiorite porphyry induced by the initial subduction of the Paleo‐Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasia Plate during the Late Triassic–Early Jurassic.     

Subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang Ocean: constraints from granites in the Bangong Co area,Tibet

We report geochronologic, whole‐rock geochemical and Sr–Nd isotopic analyses of the granites that are exposed to both the north and the inside of the Bangong–Nujiang Suture (BNS) zone as well as the implications for the Mesozoic history of Tibet. To the north of the BNS, the Larelaxin pluton consists of I‐type quartz diorite and highly fractionated I‐type biotite granite. The Larelaxin pluton is enriched in large‐ion lithophile elements (LILE) but depleted in high‐field‐strength elements (HFSE); therefore, it exhibits the features of volcanic arc rocks. The initial Sr (0.7102 to 0.7215) and negative εNd (t) (−2.91 to −5.20) values imply a mixture of depleted mantle and continental crust. The mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U zircon age is 168 Ma; we therefore propose that the Bangong–Nujiang Ocean (BNO) had already been subducted beneath the Qiangtang terrain by the middle Jurassic. Inside the BNS, the Rutog granites intruded into the Lagongtang and Duoren formations, which show a continental margin and a forearc basin sedimentary facies, respectively. The mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U zircon age is 101 Ma. The Rutog granites are monzogranites with a high Na/K ratio (Na₂O/K₂O > 1) and a high LILE/HFSE ratio, and A/CNK < 1.1. The high Sr/Y ratio (22 to 56) implies that these granites are adakitic. The low initial Sr (0.7044 to 0.7055) and positive εNd (t) (+1.46 to +2.70) values indicate that the protolith of the Rutog granites originated mainly from a depleted source. We attribute the Rutog plutonism to the development of an oceanic arc during the continuing northward subduction of the BNO and propose that the Rutog adakitic granites were formed by melting of the subducted BNO crust with limited crustal contamination. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Origin and tectonic setting of the giant Duolong Cu–Au deposit,South Qiangtang Terrane,Tibet: Evidence from geochronology and geochemistry of Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks

We constrain the origin and tectonic setting of the giant Duolong porphyry–epithermal Cu–Au deposit in the South Qiangtang Terrane of northern Tibet, based on new zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotopic data, as well as whole-rock major and trace element data from poorly studied ore-associated intrusions in the Duolong area. The LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the ore-associated rocks formed between 121 and 126 Ma. These ore-associated rocks are geochemically similar to low-K tholeiitic M-type granitoids and to mid- to high-K, calc-alkaline I-type granitoids. They have variable and predominantly positive zircon ε_Hf(t) values (− 1.4 to + 15.6) and variable crustal model ages (T^C_DM(Hf); 176–1122 Ma). Taking into account previous data and the regional geology of the study area, we propose that the ore-associated rocks originated from fractional crystallization of mantle-derived mafic melts and magma mixing of mantle-derived mafic and hybrid lower crust-derived felsic melts, and the hybrid lower crust included a mix of juvenile and older continental material. The Duolong porphyry–epithermal Cu–Au deposit formed within an ‘ensialic forearc’ of an active continental margin as a result of the northwards subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang Ocean crust beneath the South Qiangtang Terrane.     

High oxidation magmatic evolution in the Naruo porphyry Cu deposit,Tibet, China

The Naruo porphyry Cu deposit is the third largest deposit discovered in the Duolong metallogenic district. Previous research has focused mainly on the geochemistry of the ore-bearing granodiorite porphyry; the metallogenesis remains poorly understood. In the present work, on the basis of outcrops and drilling core geological mapping, phases of early mineralization diorite, two inter-mineralization granodiorite porphyries, and late-mineralization granodiorite porphyry have been distinguished. Furthermore, the alteration zones were outlined, and the vein sequence was identified. The diorite and three porphyry phases were subjected to Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (La–ICP–MS) zircon U–Pb dating and in situ Hf isotope analyses as well as bulk major element, trace element, and Sr–Nd isotopic analyses. Molybdenite Re–Os dating was also conducted.The zircon U–Pb dating results show that the diorite and porphyry intrusions were emplaced at about 120 Ma, and the molybdenite Re–Os isochron age is 118.8 ± 1.9 Ma; this indicates that the Naruo porphyry Cu deposit was formed during a continuous magmatic–hydrothermal process. All of the diorite and granodiorite porphyry samples showed arc magmatic characteristics. Moreover, the moderate (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios and low ε_Nd(t) and ε_Hf(t) values of the diorite and porphyry intrusions suggest the source region of the juvenile lower crust. The lower (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i and (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd)_i ratios and higher ε_Nd(t) values and incompatible element concentrations than those in the granodiorite porphyry samples indicate a two-stage magmatic generation process for the intrusions. The early mineralization diorite has a high Cu concentration, implying that the source is enriched in Cu. However, the slightly lower Cu content of the late-mineralization granodiorite porphyry samples might imply Cu release from magmas and deposition within the metallogenic stage. The multiple stages of intrusions and subsequent volcanism within the Duolong metallogenic district, together with high Sr/Y features, indicate persistent magmatism during the metallogenic epoch, which is necessary for maintaining the activity of magmatic–hydrothermal and mineralization processes. Thus, the high Cu content in the source region, mantle-derived melt upwelling, and multiple stages of persistent magmatism were favorable for the formation of the Naruo porphyry Cu deposit.The high Fe₂O₃/FeO ratios of the diorite and granodiorite porphyry intrusions show very high oxidation features, which is coincident with estimated magmatic oxidation state calculated by the zircon trace element compositions. The high oxidation facilitates sulfur and chalcophile metals to be scavenged into the magmatic–hydrothermal systems, which is crucial for the metallogenesis of the Naruo porphyry Cu deposit.     

Geochemistry, U-Pb Geochronology and Sr-Nd-Hf Isotopes of the Early Cretaceous Volcanic Rocks in the Northern Da Hinggan Mountains

Whole-rock geochemical, zircon U-Pb geochronological and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic data are presented for the Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks from the northern Da Hinggan Mountains. The volcanic rocks generally display high SiO2(73.19–77.68 wt%) and Na2O+K2O(6.53–8.98 wt%) contents, with enrichment in Rb, Th, U, Pb and LREE, and depletion in Nb, Ta, P and Ti. Three rhyolite samples, one rhyolite porphyry sample, and one volcanic breccia sample yield weighted mean 206Pb/238 U ages of 135.1±1.2 Ma, 116.5±1.1 Ma, 121.9±1.0 Ma, 118.1±0.9 Ma and 116.9±1.4 Ma, respectively. All these rocks have moderate(87Sr/86Sr)i values of 0.704912 to 0.705896, slightly negative εNd(t) values of –1.4 to –0.1, and positive εHf(t) values of 3.7 to 8. Their zircon Hf and whole-rock Nd isotopic model ages range from 594 to 1024 Ma. These results suggest that the Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks were originated from melting of subducted oceanic crust and associated sediments during the closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean.     

Geochronology and Genesis of the Tiegelongnan Porphyry Cu(Au) Deposit in Tibet: Evidence from U–Pb,Re–Os Dating and Hf,S, and H–O Isotopes

The Tiegelongnan Cu (Au) deposit is the largest copper deposit newly discovered in the Bangong–Nujiang metallogenic belt. The deposit has a clear alteration zoning consisting of, from core to margin, potassic to propylitic, superimposed by phyllic and advanced argillic alteration. The shallow part of the deposit consists of a high sulphidation‐state overprint, mainly comprising disseminated pyrite and Cu–S minerals such as bornite, covellite, digenite, and enargite. At depth porphyry‐type mineralization mainly comprises disseminated chalcopyrite, bornite, pyrite, and a minor vein molybdenite. Mineralization is disseminated and associated with veins contained within the porphyry intrusions and their surrounding rocks. The zircon U–Pb ages of the mineralized diorite porphyry and granodiorite porphyry are 123.1 ± 1.7 Ma (2σ) and 121.5 ± 1.5 Ma (2σ), respectively. The molybdenite Re–Os age is 121.2 ± 1.2 Ma, suggesting that mineralization was closely associated with magmatism. Andesite lava (zircon U–Pb age of 111.7 ± 1.6 Ma, 2σ) overlies the ore‐bodies and is the product of post‐mineralization volcanic activity that played a critical role in preserving the ore‐bodies. Values of ?4.6 ‰ to + 0.8 ‰ δ³⁴S for the metal sulfides (mean ? 1.55 ‰) suggest that S mainly has a deep magmatic source. The H and O isotopic composition is (δD = ?87 ‰ to ?64 ‰; δ¹⁸O_H2O = 5.5 ‰ to 9.0 ‰), indicating that the ore‐forming fluids are mostly magmatic‐hydrothermal, possibly mixed with a small amount of meteoric water. The zircon ε_Hf(t) of the diorite porphyry is 3.7 to 8.3, and the granodiorite porphyry is 1.8 to 7.5. Molybdenite has a high Re from 382.2 × 10^?6 to 1600 × 10^?6. Re and Hf isotope composition show that Tiegelongnan has some mantle source, maybe the juvenile lower crust from crust–mantle mixed source. Metallogenesis of the Tiegelongnan giant porphyry system was associated with intermediate to acidic magma in the Early Cretaceous (~120 Ma). The magma provenance of the Tiegelongnan deposit has some mantle‐derived composition, possibly mixed with the crust‐derived materials.     

Ages and Sources of Ore‐Related Porphyries at Yongping Cu–Mo Deposit in Jiangxi Province,Southeast China

Whole‐rock geochemistry, zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os geochronology, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes analyses were performed on ore‐related dacite porphyry and quartz porphyry at the Yongping Cu–Mo deposit in Southeast China. The geochemical results show that these porphyry stocks have similar REE patterns, and primitive mantle‐normalized spectra show LILE‐enrichment (Ba, Rb, K) and HFSE (Th, Nb, Ta, Ti) depletion. The zircon SHRIMP U–Pb geochronologic results show that the ore‐related porphyries were emplaced at 162–156 Ma. Hydrothermal muscovite of the quartz porphyry yields a plateau age of 162.1 ± 1.4 Ma (2σ). Two hydrothermal biotite samples of the dacite porphyry show plateau ages of 164 ± 1.3 and 163.8 ± 1.3 Ma. Two molybdenite samples from quartz+molybdenite veins contained in the quartz porphyry yield Re–Os ages of 156.7 ± 2.8 Ma and 155.7 ± 3.6 Ma. The ages of molybdenite coeval to zircon and biotite and muscovite ages of the porphyries within the errors suggest that the Mo mineralization was genetically related to the magmatic emplacement. The whole rocks Nd–Sr isotopic data obtained from both the dacite and quartz porphyries suggest partial melting of the Meso‐Proterozoic crust in contribution to the magma process. The zircon Hf isotopic data also indicate the crustal component is the dominated during the magma generation.     

Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Tinggong Porphyry Copper Ore Deposit,Tibet

We have determined the ages of the ore-bearing Tinggong porphyries and the Eocene granites using the LA-ICPMS zircon U-Pb method. Zircons from one adamellite porphyry and two diorite porphyries yield ages of 15.54±0.28 Ma, 15.02±0.25 Ma and 14.74±0.22 Ma, respectively. The ages of two granites are 50.48±0.71 Ma and 50.16±0.48 Ma. Light Rare Earth Elements(LREE) are enriched in the ore-bearing adamellite porphyries, which are high-K calc-alkaline and metaluminous, while Heavy Rare Earth Elements(HREE) and Y are strongly depleted, indicating an adakitic affinity. The Large Ion Lithophile Elements(LILE) of the adamellite porphyries are highly enriched, whereas some High Field Strength Elements(HFSE) are depleted. The diorite porphyry in this study is chemically similar to the adamellite porphyries, except that the Mg# of the diorite porphyry is a little higher, demonstrating more mantle contamination. Four samples from different rocks are selected for in situ zircon Hf isotopic analyses. The samples show positive εHf(t) values and young Hf model ages, indicating their derivation from juvenile crust. However, the adamellite porphyry and diorite porphyry formed in the Miocene exhibit more heterogeneous Hf isotopic ratios, with lower εHf(t) values than the granites formed in the Eocene, suggesting the involvement of old Indian continent crust in their petrogenesis. The geochronology and geochemistry of the adamellite porphyries and the diorite porphyries indicate that they formed from the same source region in a post-collisional environment, but contaminated by crust and mantle materials in different ratios. The metallic minerals formed mainly during the older adamellite porphyry stage, but they were recycled and reactivated by the diorite porphyry intrusion.     

Chronology and Geochemistry of the Nadingcuo Volcanic Rocks in the Southern Qiangtang Region of the Tibetan Plateau: Partial Melting of Remnant Ocean Crust along the Bangong-Nujiang Suture

<正>The Nadingcuo high-K calc-alkaline rocks mainly composed of trachyte and trachyandesite are the largest outcrop area of volcanic rocks in southern Qiangtang terrane in the Tibetan plateau. However,their exact source and peterogenesis are still debated.~(40)Ar-~(39)Ar and LAM-ICPMS zircon U-Pb isotopic dating confirm that these rocks erupted in Eocene.In addition,the Nadingcuo volcanic rocks are characterized by high Sr/Y content ratios,similar with the adakite derived from partial melting of oceanic crust.They can be further classified as high Mg~#(Mg~#=48-57) and low Mg~# (Mg~#=33-42) subtypes.The Nadingcuo adakitic rocks have relatively low(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)_i and highε_(Nd)(t), showing a trend of similarity to the Dongcuo ophiolite present in the Bangong-Nujiang oceanic crust. Simple modeling indicates that the Nadingcuo adakitic rocks are a mix resulting from the basalt of Bangong-Nujiang Ocean with 10%-20%crustal material of Lhasa terrane.On these bases we suggest that the low Mg~# Nadingcuo adakitic rocks are the product of partial melting of remnant oceanic crust with small sediment,and the high Mg~# rocks are the result of reaction between rising melt of remnant oceanic crust with subducted sediment and mantle wedge.Therefore,the origin of Nadingcuo adakitic rocks may be related to intracontinental subduction triggered by collision of India-Asia during Cenozoic.     

Origin of the Dexing Cu-bearing porphyries,SE China: elemental and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopic constraints

The Dexing porphyry copper deposit, part of the circum-Pacific porphyry copper ore belt, is the largest porphyry copper deposit in China. We present new LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os dating, bulk-rock elemental and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic as well as in situ zircon Hf isotopic geochemistry for these ore-bearing porphyries, in an attempt to better constrain their petrogenesis. LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating shows that the Dexing porphyries were emplaced in the early Middle Jurassic (～171 Ma); molybdenite Re–Os dating indicates that the associated Cu–Mo mineralization was contemporaneous (～171 Ma) with the igneous intrusion. The rocks are mainly high-K calc-alkaline and show adakitic affinities, including high Sr and low Y and Yb contents, high Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios, and high Mg# (higher than pure crustal melts). These porphyries have initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7044?0.7047, ?_Nd(T) values of –1.5 to?+0.6, and ?_Hf(T) (in situ zircon) values of?+2.6 to?+4.6. They show unusually radiogenic Pb isotopic compositions with initial ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios up to 18.41 and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb up to 15.61. These isotopic compositions are distinctly different from either Pacific MORB or Yangtze lower crust but are similar to the subducting sediments in the western Pacific trenches. Detailed elemental and isotopic data suggest that the Dexing porphyries were emplaced in a continental arc setting coupled with westward subduction of the palaeo-Pacific plate. Partial melting involved the subducted slab (mainly the overlying sediments), with generated melts interacting with the lithospheric mantle wedge, thereby forming the investigated high-K calc-alkaline porphyry magmas.     

Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of early Paleozoic granitoids in East Kunlun belt: Evidences from geochronology,geochemistry and isotopes

The East Kunlun Orogenic Belt(EKOB) provides an important link to reconstruct the evolution of the Proto-Tethys and Paleo-Tethys realm. The EKOB is marked by widespread Early Paleozoic magmatism.Here we report the petrology, bulk geochemistry, zircon Ue Pb dating and, Lue Hf and SreN d isotopic data of the Early Paleozoic granitic rocks in Zhiyu area of the southern EKOB. Based on the zircon U-Pb dating, these granitoids, consisting of diorite, granodiorite and monzogranite, were formed during 450 -430 Ma the Late Ordovician to Middle Silurian. The diorite and granodiorite are high Sr/Y ratio as adakitic affinities, and the monzogranite belongs to highly fractionated I-type. Their(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)ivalues range from 0.7059 to 0.7085, εNd(t) values from -1.6 to -6.0 and the zircon εHf(t) values show large variations from +9.1 to -8.6 with Hf model ages(T_(DM2)) about 848 Ma and 1970 Ma. The large variations of whole-rock Nd and zircon Hf isotopes demonstrate strong isotopic heterogeneity of the source regions which probably resulted from multi-phase underplating of mantle-derived magmas. Geochemical and isotopic studies proved that the diorite and granodiorite had been derived from partial melting of heterogeneous crustal source with variable contributions from ancient continental crust and juvenile components, and the monzogranites were representing fractional crystallization and crustal contamination for arc magma. The Early Paleozoic adakitic rocks and high-K calc-alkaline granitoids in the southern EKOB were likely emplaced in a continental marginal arc setting possibly linked to the southwards subduction of the Paleo Kunlun Ocean and the magma generation is linked to partial melting of thickened continental crust induced by underplating of mantle-derived magmas.     

Petrogenesis of Ore‐Related Granodiorite Porphyry in the Jiande Copper Deposit,SE China: Implications for the Tectonic Setting and Mineralization

Adakitic rocks and related Cu–Au mineralization are widespread along eastern Jiangnan Orogen in South China. Previous studies have mainly concentrated on those in the Dexing area in northeastern Jiangxi Province, but information is lacking on the genesis and setting of those in northwestern Zhejiang Province. The Jiande copper deposit is located in the suture zone between the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks of South China. This paper presents systematic LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating and element and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data of the Jiande granodiorite porphyry. Zircon dating showed that the Jiande granodiorite porphyry was produced during the Middle Jurassic (ca. 161 Ma). The Jiande granodiorite porphyry is characterized by adakitic geochemical affinities with high Sr/Y and La_N/Yb_N ratios but low Y and Yb contents. The absence of a negative Eu anomaly, extreme depletion in Y and Yb, relatively low MgO contents, and relatively high ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios, indicated that the Jiande granodiorite porphyry was likely derived from partial melting of the thickened lower continental crust. In addition, the Jiande granodiorite porphyry shows arc magma geochemical features (e.g., Nb, Ta and Ti depletion), with bulk Earth‐like ε_Nd (t) values (?2.89 to ?1.92), ε_Hf (t) values (?0.6 to +2.8), and initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.7078 to 0.7105). However, a non‐arc setting in the Middle Jurassic is indicated by the absence of arc rocks and the presence of rifting‐related igneous rock associations in the interior of South China. Combined with the regional Neoproterozoic Jiangnan Orogeny, it indicates that these arc magma geochemical features are possibly inherited from the Neoproterozoic juvenile continental crust formed by the ancient oceanic crust subduction along the Jiangnan Orogen. The geodynamic environment that is responsible for the development of the Middle Jurassic Jiande granodiorite porphyry is likely a localized intra‐continental extensional environment along the NE‐trending Jiangshan‐Shaoxing Deep Fault as a tectonic response to far‐field stress at the margins of the rigid South China Plate during the early stage of the paleo‐Pacific plate subduction. In terms of Cu mineralization, we suggest that the metal Cu was released from the subducted oceanic slab and reserved in the juvenile crust during Neoproterozoic subduction along the eastern Jiangnan Orogen region. Partial melting of the Cu rich Neoproterozoic juvenile crust during the Middle Jurassic time in the Jiande area caused the formation of adakitic rocks and the Cu deposit.     

Geodynamic setting of the Zijinshan porphyry–epithermal Cu–Au–Mo–Ag ore system,SW Fujian Province,China: Constrains from the geochronology and geochemistry of the igneous rocks

Zijinshan is a large porphyry–epithermal Cu–Au–Mo–Ag ore system located in the Zijinshan mineral field (ZMF) of southwestern Fujian Province, China. Although it is commonly accepted that the early Cretaceous magmatism and the metallogenesis of the mineral field are closely related, the tectonic setting for the ore-forming event(s) has been controversial and regarded as either extensional or subduction-related. New U–Pb zircon geochronology, Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic systematics, and geochemical data presented here from granites and volcanic rocks in the mineral field help to clarify this uncertainty.LA–MC–ICP-MS U–Pb zircon analyses yield weighted mean ages of between ca. 165 and 157 for the monzogranite, ca. 112 Ma for granodiorite, and between ca. 111 and 102 Ma for nine samples of volcanic units in the study area. These dates, integrated with previous geochronological data, indicate that there were two magmatic events in the area during the Middle to Late Jurassic and the Early Cretaceous. Major and trace element geochemistry indicates that these rocks are high-K, calc-alkaline granites, are enriched in LREE and Th, U, Ta, Nd, Sm and Yb, and depleted in Ba, K, Sr, P, Ti and Y. These features are characteristic of volcanic-arc granites or active-continental margin granites. The Middle to Late Jurassic monzogranitic plutons in the region have initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7096 to 0.7173, εNd_T values of − 10.1 to − 7.6, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb isotope ratios of 18.51–18.86, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb isotope ratios of 15.64–15.73, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb isotope ratios of 38.76–39.18. The Early Cretaceous granodiorite and volcanic rocks are distinctly different with initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7055–0.7116, εNd_T values of − 8 to 0.5, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios ranging between 18.49 and 19.77, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of 15.63–15.71, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of 38.71–40.62. These characteristics suggest that the source for the Middle to Late Jurassic monzogranitic plutons is a partially melted Mesoproterozoic substrate, with a minor component from Paleozoic material, whereas the Early Cretaceous granodiorite and volcanic rocks may represent mixing of crustal and mantle-derived melts. It is therefore suggested that the Middle to Late Jurassic monzogranitic plutons, and the Early Cretaceous granodiorite and volcanic rocks in the ZMF are the result of an active continental-margin setting related to the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian continent. Given that the mineralization and the early Cretaceous granodiorite and volcanic rocks in the area are genetically related, the Zijinshan porphyry–epithermal ore system formed in the subduction-related tectonic setting.     

西藏安多纳茸矿区石英闪长玢岩成因及地质意义

纳茸矿区位于南羌塘南缘东段,是认识班公湖?怒江成矿带构造?岩浆?成矿作用的理想窗口.以纳茸矿区内出露的石英闪长玢岩为研究对象,对其进行了系统的锆石U-Pb定年、全岩地球化学、锆石原位Hf同位素及全岩Sr-Nd同位素研究.结果显示纳茸矿区石英闪长玢岩形成于晚侏罗世（158~155 Ma）,属于钙碱性系列,具有高Sr（178×10-6~1 086×10-6）含量以及高Sr/Y（15~82）和（La/Yb）_N（17~34）比值,亏损重稀土元素（如Yb=1.05×10-6~1.45×10-6,Y=10.50×10-6~14.78×10-6）,整体呈现出与埃达克质岩石相似的地球化学特征.石英闪长玢岩样品低MgO、Cr、Ni,高Th和Th/U,锆石ε_Hf（t）值在-1.7~4.3之间,（87Sr/86Sr）_i比值为0.705 93~0.706 81,ε_Nd（t）值在-2.67~-0.49之间.结合区域地质资料,指示其是俯冲背景下加厚下地壳部分熔融的产物.将本文研究结果与南羌塘中西段的同期岩浆作用相结合,表明班公湖?怒江洋向北俯冲至羌塘地体之下,在晚侏罗世形成了超过1 200 km的近东西向岩浆弧.纳茸矿区与多龙矿集区内成矿岩体具有相似的锆石Hf同位素组成,锆石微量元素具有高Ce/Ce*、Eu/Eu*比值,全岩微量元素具有较高的Sr/Y、V/Sc比值,显示纳茸矿区具有较好的成矿潜力.      

Petrogenesis of the Yangchang Mo‐bearing granite in the Xilamulun metallogenic belt,NE China: geochemistry,zircon U–Pb ages and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes

The Yangchang granite‐hosted Mo deposit is typical of the Xilamulun metallogenic belt, which is one of the important Mo–Pb–Zn–Ag producers in China. A combination of major and trace element, Sr, Nd and Pb isotope, and zircon U–Pb age data are reported for the Yangchang batholith to constrain its petrogenesis and Mo mineralization. Zircon LA‐ICPMS U–Pb dating yields mean ages of 138 ± 2 and 132 ± 2 Ma for monzogranite and granite porphyry, respectively. The monzogranites and granite porphyries are calc‐alkaline with K₂O/Na₂O ratios of 0.75–0.92 and 1.75–4.42, respectively. They are all enriched in large‐ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and depleted in high‐field‐strength elements (HFSEs) with negative Nb and Ta anomalies in primitive‐mantle‐normalized trace element diagrams. The monzogranites have relatively high Sr (380–499 ppm) and Y (14–18 ppm) concentrations, and the granite porphyries have lower Sr (31–71 ppm) and Y (5–11 ppm) concentrations than those of monzogranites. The monzogranites and granite porphyries have relatively low initial Sr isotope ratios of 0.704573–0.705627 and 0.704281, respectively, and similar ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of 18.75–18.98 and 18.48–18.71, respectively. In contrast, the ε_Nd(t) value (−3.7) of granite porphyry is lower than those of monzogranites (−1.5 to −2.7) with Nd model ages of about 1.0 Ga. These geochemical features suggest that the monzogranite and granite porphyries were derived from juvenile crustal rocks related to subduction of the Paleo‐Pacific plate under east China. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Early Paleozoic magmatism and metallogeny related to Proto-Tethys subduction: Insights from volcanic rocks in the northeastern Altyn Mountains,NW China

Remnants of the Proto-Tethys are mainly preserved in the region between south of the North China-Tarim Block and north of Qiangtang-Sibumasu/Baoshan Blocks. Magmatic-metallogenic events related to the Proto-Tethyan subductions were rarely reported, and the subduction history and polarity of the Proto-Tethyan are still under debate. Here, we presented new data of zircon UPb ages, whole-rock Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes, major and trace elements and zircon Hf isotopes for the volcanic rocks in the northeastern Altyn Mountains. Information of over 14 volcanic-hosted deposits/prospects in the region has been compiled. These volcanic ore hosts consist mainly of basaltic andesite, andesite, dacite and rhyolite rocks. The andesite and rhyolite rocks are newly zircon UPb dated to be Late Cambrian-Early Ordovician (andesite: 490.5 ± 5.2 Ma; rhyolite: 492.6 ± 2.9 Ma and 491.6 ± 5.6 Ma), representing the timing of volcanism and VMS (Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide) mineralization. All the volcanic rocks belong to the high-K calc-alkaline and shoshonite series: the andesite rocks from the Kaladawan area in north of the region display arc geochemical affinities and contain (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i (0.7082–0.7083) and ε_Nd(t) (−9.7 to −7.6), indicating that they were likely formed by partial melting of the mantle wedge with subducted sediment inputs. The rhyolite rocks from the Kaladaban area in south of the region are characterized by high SiO₂ (64.46–78.55 wt%), low alkali (Na₂O + K₂O, 3.46–7.17 wt%), and contain (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i (0.7063–0.7095), ε_Nd(t) (−6.6 to −1.5), and zircon ε_Hf(t) (−5.5 to 5.4), indicating that they were likely derived from partial melting of the lower crust with depleted mantle inputs. Rock assemblage and geochemistry suggest that volcanic rocks in the northeastern Altyn Mountains may have formed in a continental arc setting. Their spatial distributions with respect to the ophiolites in the region suggest that the subduction was likely south-dipping. This subduction-related arc magmatism may have formed the many important VMS and porphyry–skarn deposits in the region.     

Mineralization,geochronology, and Pb isotope studies of the shoshonitic lava-hosted Nariniya Pb deposit,central Tibet: linking ore formation to post-collisional potassic magmatism

Abstract

A newly discovered, shoshonitic lava-hosted Pb deposit at Nariniya in central Tibet provides an excellent example to help improve our understanding of the linkage between post-collisional potassic magmatism and ore formation in Tibet. The Pb ores exist as veins or veinlets in NWW-striking fracture zones within the potassic lava (trachyte). The veins contain quartz, galena, pyrite, and sericite (muscovite) as well as minor chalcopyrite, sphalerite, calcite, and dolomite with sericitization, pyritization, and minor silicification. The ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar plateau age of the hydrothermal muscovite is 37.95 ± 0.30 Ma, which represents the Pb mineralization age. This obtained age is indistinguishable, within analytical error, from the zircon U–Pb age of 37.88 ± 0.22 Ma for potassic lava. Therefore, the ore formation can be genetically linked to potassic magmatism. Galena has similar Pb isotopic composition to magmatic feldspar from the host lava, suggesting the derivation of Pb from the magmatic system. Previous studies have suggested that S- and ore-forming fluids are of magmatic origin. Published data show that the Nariniya volcanic rocks are acidic, shoshonitic, akakitic, peraluminous, and enriched in Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes. Thus, they are geochemically different from other potassic volcanic rocks (no adakitic affinity) in the North Qiangtang terrane, but similar to the 46–38 Ma high-K calc-alkaline peraluminous adakitic rocks in this terrane and the late Eocene Cu-generating potassic porphyries from the Sanjiang region of eastern Tibet. As such, the Nariniya potassic magma likely originated from melting of subducted continental crust, with or without interaction with the overlying enriched mantle. Such post-collisional potassic rocks in Tibet are thought to be potential targets for prospecting of both Pb–Zn and porphyry Cu ores. Note that other ore styles (in addition to the Nariniya ore style) may exist in the potassic volcanic districts of Tibet.     

Carboniferous porphyry Cu–Au deposits in the Almalyk orefield,Uzbekistan: the Sarycheku and Kalmakyr examples

The Almalyk porphyry cluster in the western part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt is the second largest porphyry region in Asia and hence has attracted considerable attention of the geologists. In this contribution, we report the zircon U–Pb ages, major and trace element geochemistry as well as Sr–Nd isotopic data for the ore-related porphyries of the Sarycheku and Kalmakyr deposits. The zircon U–Pb ages (Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)) of ore-bearing quartz monzonite and granodiorite porphyries from the Kalmakyr deposit are 326.1 ± 3.4 and 315.2 ± 2.8 Ma, and those for the ore-bearing granodiorite porphyries and monzonite dike from the Sarycheku deposit are 337.8 ± 3.1 and 313.2 ± 2.5 Ma, respectively. Together with the previous ages, they confine multi-phase intrusions from 337 to 306 Ma for the Almalyk ore cluster. Geochemically, all samples belong to shoshonitic series and are enriched in large-ion lithophile elements relative to high field strength elements with very low Nb/U weight ratios (0.83–2.56). They show initial (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios of 0.7059–0.7068 for Kalmakyr and 0.7067–0.7072 for Sarycheku and low ε_Nd(t) values of ?1.0 to ?0.1 for Kalmakyr and ?2.3 to 0.2 for Sarycheku, suggesting that the magmas were dominantly derived from a metasomatized mantle wedge modified by slab-derived fluids with the contribution of the continental crust by assimilation-fractional-crystallization process. Compared to the typical porphyry Cu deposits, the ore-bearing porphyries in the Almalyk cluster are shoshonitic instead of the calc-alkaline. Moreover, although the magmatic events were genetically related to a continental arc environment, the ore-bearing porphyries at Sarycheku and Kalmakyr do not show geochemical signatures of typical adakites as reflected in some giant porphyry deposits in the Circum-Pacific Ocean, indicating that slab-melting may not have been involved in their petrogenesis.     

Geochronology and geochemistry of igneous rocks in the Bailingshan area: Implications for the tectonic setting of late Paleozoic magmatism and iron skarn mineralization in the eastern Tianshan,NW China

The late Paleozoic Bailingshan intrusions and volcanic rocks are located in the Aqishan–Yamansu arc belt in the southern part of the eastern Tianshan and are associated with an important group of iron skarn deposits. The exposed intrusive rocks are mainly granodiorite, monzonitic granite, and granite. Zircon U–Pb dating of the Tugutublak Formation tuffaceous dacitic lava yields an age of 324 Ma, whereas dates of the Bailingshan granodiorite, monzonitic granite, and granite yields ages of 317 Ma, 313 Ma, and 307 Ma, respectively. The results indicate that the Bailingshan granitoids were emplaced soon after the eruption of the Tugutublak dacite. All these rocks studied show calc-alkaline to high-K calc-alkaline and metaluminous affinities, with A/CNK values ranging 0.83–1.10. They are enriched in Rb, K, and Pb, depleted in Nb, Ta, Ti, and P, and contain low Sr/Y (4.16–23.7) and Sr (109.0–347.0 ppm) values, displaying typical arc geochemical affinities. The tuffaceous dacitic lava has low Nb/Ta (10.3–14.1) values, a wide range of Mg^# (6–64), positive zircon ε_Hf(t) (3.2–7.5) values, and elevated whole-rock ε_Nd(t) (2.03–4.41), but low I_Sr values (0.70427–0.70530), indicating that the source magma may have been derived from the juvenile lower crust with minor mantle input. The Bailingshan I-type intrusions also exhibit a mixed source signal, as constrained by Nb/Ta ratios, Mg^#, and isotopes characteristics. Because the granodiorite, monzonitic granite, and granite intrusions have higher zircon ε_Hf(t) (3.3–7.5, 11.8–13.5, and 10.2–14.4, respectively) and ε_Nd(t) (3.90, 5.78, and 5.94, respectively) values than those of the tuffaceous dacitic lava, it is suggested that mantle-derived materials may have played a more prominent role with their petrogenetic evolution. Integrating our new geological, age, geochemical and isotopic data we propose that the Aqishan–Yamansu iron skarn belt may have formed in a back-arc position or within an intra-arc basin generated by the southward subduction of the Kanggur oceanic plate beneath the Yili–Central Tianshan block during the late Paleozoic, with felsic-intermediate magmatism occurring during the basin inversion.