The Phuket-Slate Belt terrane: tectonic evolution and strike-slip emplacement of a major terrane on the Sundaland margin of Thailand and Myanmar

The Phuket-Slate Belt terrane can be traced for 1700 km from Phuket to Mandalay, and has a distinct stratigraphy and tectonic history. It is characterized by a very thick Carboniferous-Lower Permian succession which includes diamictites interpreted as glacio-marine rift-infill deposited when the Sibumasu block separated from Gondwana. It was emplaced in the Late Cretaceous-Palaeogene by dextral strike-slip movement on a fault system which includes the Khlong Marui and Panlaung Faults. Southwards the Khlong Marui bounding-fault and its close associate, the Ranong Fault, are postulated to extend to Sumatra where they align with the restored proto-Indian Ocean location of the India–Australia transform at the time that both were undergoing dextral displacement and Greater India was moving toward its collision with Eurasia. It is suggested that emplacement of the Phuket-Slate Belt terrane was the result of its coupling with the north-going India plate, resulting in up to about 450 km of dextral shift on the terrane's bounding fault system. Post-emplacement sinistral movement on the cross-cutting Mae Ping and Three Pagodas Faults offset the terrane boundary resulting in its present outline.     

Nd isotopic composition of Late Devonian seawater in western Thailand: Geotectonic implications for the origin of the Sibumasu terrane

Conodonts collected from sections near the small towns of Thong Pha Phum and Mae Sariang in the westernmost part of Thailand are used to reconstruct the neodymium (Nd) isotopic composition of seawater during the Late Devonian. The study provides the first Devonian seawater signatures recognized within the Australian shelf of northeastern Gondwana and the adjacent Paleotethys Ocean. At Thong Pha Phum site, the seawater was characterized by very low ε_Nd values (from − 13.1 to − 18.2) and very high Sm/Nd ratios (between 0.36 and 0.66). In contrast, the seawater at the Mae Sariang site was characterized by much more radiogenic signatures (ε_Nd values from − 8.7 to − 11.1) and uniform, low Sm/Nd ratios (between 0.20 and 0.23). Extremely low ε_Nd values recognized at Thong Pha Phum attest to a passive margin continental setting and a paleogeographic position very close to a continental area where Paleoproterozoic and Neoarchean rocks were eroded. Thus, the isotopic data provide strong evidence that during Late Devonian time the Sibumasu terrane was situated in the proximity to the Archean cratons of Western Australia, presumably adjacent to the Carnarvon intracratonic basin. Moreover, Sibumasu may not have been situated in an outboard position on the shelf, as previously suggested, but could have been directly attached to the Australian continental crust. By contrast, low and uniform Sm/Nd ratios of seawater at Mae Sariang resemble those of the Variscan and the present-day oceanic seawaters. Therefore, a pelagic setting within the Paleotethys Ocean is postulated for the Mae Sariang succession. This conclusion is also constrained by minor temporal changes in ε_Nd values and suggests that the Paleozoic of Mae Sariang is not part of the Sibumasu terrane but belongs to the Inthanon Zone.     

茫崖闪长岩的成因及对造山带构造演化的指示意义

南阿尔金造山带是中国西北地区重要的俯冲—碰撞杂岩带。笔者等对茫崖地区出露的闪长岩开展岩石学、地球化学、锆石U-Pb年代学和Lu—Hf同位素地球化学研究,探讨其岩石成因和成岩时的构造环境。研究表明,茫崖闪长岩亏损Nb、Ta、Ti、P、Th、U、HREEs、Ba、Sr等元素,富集Rb等大离子亲石元素及LREEs,显示与俯冲相关岛弧岩浆岩相似的地球化学特征。样品的锆石U-Pb年龄为494～461 Ma,ε_Hf (t)为0.01～3.90,t_DM2为1496～1447 Ma,少量ε_Hf (t)为负值(-2.22～-0.03),t_DM2为1453～1254 Ma,指示其物质来源以中元古代(1453～1254 Ma)新生地壳物质为主,混合少量中元古代(1496～1447 Ma)古老地壳物质。综上,该期岩浆活动是幔源岩浆的底侵作用导致下地壳熔融的产物,指示南阿尔金造山带在<494 Ma进入深俯冲陆壳断离—折返阶段,同时伴随着大规模幔源岩浆的底侵作用,茫崖闪长岩是深俯冲陆壳断离后折返作用的岩浆活动响应。     

茫崖闪长岩的成因及对造山带构造演化的指示意义

南阿尔金造山带是中国西北地区重要的俯冲—碰撞杂岩带。本文对茫崖地区出露的闪长岩开展岩石学、地球化学、锆石U- Pb年代学和Lu—Hf同位素地球化学研究,探讨其岩石成因和成岩时的构造环境。研究表明,茫崖闪长岩亏损Nb、Ta、Ti、P、Th、U、HREEs、Ba、Sr等元素,富集Rb等大离子亲石元素及LREEs,显示与俯冲相关岛弧岩浆岩相似的地球化学特征。样品的锆石U- Pb年龄为494~461Ma,εHf (t)为0. 01~3. 90,tDM2为1496~1447Ma,少量εHf (t)为负值（-2. 22~-0. 03）,tDM2为1453~1254Ma,指示其物质来源以中元古代（1453~1254 Ma）新生地壳物质为主,混合少量中元古代（1496~1447Ma）古老地壳物质。综上,该期岩浆活动是幔源岩浆的底侵作用导致下地壳熔融的产物,指示南阿尔金造山带在<494Ma进入深俯冲陆壳断离—折返阶段,同时伴随着大规模幔源岩浆的底侵作用,茫崖闪长岩是深俯冲陆壳断离后折返作用的岩浆活动响应。     

Isotopic evidence for the magmatic and tectonic histories of the Carolina terrane: implications for stratigraphy and terrane affiliation

Establishing the age and crustal nature of exotic terranes and their underlying basements helps to determine their paleogeographic origin and tectonic histories. We present U–Pb ages of zircons and Sm–Nd whole rock isotopic data for volcanic and plutonic rocks of the Carolina terrane, one of several peri-Gondwanan terranes that were accreted to the margins of the circum-Atlantic continents during the Paleozoic. Volcanism in this subduction-related arc culminated in the eruption of the Morrow Mountain rhyolite, at ca. 540 Ma; thus, magmatism in the Carolina terrane ceased at the beginning of the Cambrian. The presence of inherited zircons and non-juvenile depleted mantle model ages of Carolina slate belt rocks favor a basement that is, at least in part, composed of evolved continental crust. Ages of inherited xenocrystic zircons cluster at ca. 1000, 2100 and 2500 Ma. These ages, in addition to volcanism at ca. 618–540 Ma, correlate best with well-known tectonic events in present-day northern South America. Specifically, the Orinoquian-Sunsas, the Trans-Amazonian and the Central Amazonian orogenic zones are likely candidates for potential basement correlatives to the Carolina terrane. Sm–Nd isotopic signatures vary significantly, but permit assimilation of Orinoquian age (1000 Ma) crust by magmas derived from the depleted mantle in a subduction (arc-related) setting. Our findings are also consistent with proposed correlations between the Carolina terrane and Avalonia which is likewise believed to have formed along the northern margin of present-day South America.     

Palaeozoic and Mesozoic tectonic evolution and palaeogeography of East Asian crustal fragments: The Korean Peninsula in context

East and Southeast Asia comprises a complex assembly of allochthonous continental lithospheric crustal fragments (terranes) together with volcanic arcs, and other terranes of oceanic and accretionary complex origins located at the zone of convergence between the Eurasian, Indo-Australian and Pacific Plates. The former wide separation of Asian terranes is indicated by contrasting faunas and floras developed on adjacent terranes due to their prior geographic separation, different palaeoclimates, and biogeographic isolation. The boundaries between Asian terranes are marked by major geological discontinuities (suture zones) that represent former ocean basins that once separated them. In some cases, the ocean basins have been completely destroyed, and terrane boundaries are marked by major fault zones. In other cases, remnants of the ocean basins and of subduction/accretion complexes remain and provide valuable information on the tectonic history of the terranes, the oceans that once separated them, and timings of amalgamation and accretion. The various allochthonous crustal fragments of East Asia have been brought into close juxtaposition by geological convergent plate tectonic processes. The Gondwana-derived East Asia crustal fragments successively rifted and separated from the margin of eastern Gondwana as three elongate continental slivers in the Devonian, Early Permian and Late Triassic–Late Jurassic. As these three continental slivers separated from Gondwana, three successive ocean basins, the Palaeo-Tethys,. Meso-Tethys and Ceno-Tethys, opened between these and Gondwana. Asian terranes progressively sutured to one another during the Palaeozoic to Cenozoic. South China and Indochina probably amalgamated in the Early Carboniferous but alternative scenarios with collision in the Permo–Triassic have been suggested. The Tarim terrane accreted to Eurasia in the Early Permian. The Sibumasu and Qiangtang terranes collided and sutured with Simao/Indochina/East Malaya in the Early–Middle Triassic and the West Sumatra terrane was transported westwards to a position outboard of Sibumasu during this collisional process. The Permo–Triassic also saw the progressive collision between South and North China (with possible extension of this collision being recognised in the Korean Peninsula) culminating in the Late Triassic. North China did not finally weld to Asia until the Late Jurassic. The Lhasa and West Burma terranes accreted to Eurasia in the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous and proto East and Southeast Asia had formed. Palaeogeographic reconstructions illustrating the evolution and assembly of Asian crustal fragments during the Phanerozoic are presented.     

胶北~2.5Ga岩浆热事件的锆石Hf同位素特征及其对地壳演化的指示意义

位于华北克拉通东缘的胶北地体,被普遍认为是胶-辽-吉带的西南组成部分,经历了多期岩浆-变质热事件,而晚太古宙末期约2.5Ga的岩浆事件是该区最强的岩浆事件;为了确定该期岩浆热事件的性质,本文选取2件形成于约2.5Ga的英云闪长质片麻岩及花岗质片麻岩开展锆石Hf同位素测试分析;总计69个锆石Hf同位素分析点的结果显示,它们均具有正的εHf(t)值,在10.71到3.0之间,平均为6.02,两阶段锆石Hf模式年龄主要分布于2.6～2.9Ga之间,平均为2747Ma,明显大于锆石的207Pb/206Pb年龄,表明约2.5Ga的TTG及花岗质片麻岩主要源于2.6～2.9Ga新生地壳的重熔或再造;另外,一些锆石具有极正的εHf(t)值,它们的锆石Hf模式年龄与U-Pb年龄相近,这暗示在约2.5Ga有亏损地幔物质加入地壳,并发生了即时重熔;根据本次研究获得的锆石Hf同位素数据,结合前人的Nd同位素结果,我们认为胶北地体内约2.5Ga的岩浆活动可能主要表现为与地幔岩浆低侵作用有关的新生地壳的重熔或再造,约2.9Ga和2.7～2.8Ga是胶北地体地壳生长的两个时期,并且与华北克拉通大部分地区一样,2.7～2.8Ga是胶北地体新生地壳形成最重要的时期。     

Metamorphism and tectonic evolution of the Lhasa terrane,Central Tibet

The Lhasa terrane in southern Tibet is composed of Precambrian crystalline basement, Paleozoic to Mesozoic sedimentary strata and Paleozoic to Cenozoic magmatic rocks. This terrane has long been accepted as the last crustal block to be accreted with Eurasia prior to its collision with the northward drifting Indian continent in the Cenozoic. Thus, the Lhasa terrane is the key for revealing the origin and evolutionary history of the Himalayan–Tibetan orogen. Although previous models on the tectonic development of the orogen have much evidence from the Lhasa terrane, the metamorphic history of this terrane was rarely considered. This paper provides an overview of the temporal and spatial characteristics of metamorphism in the Lhasa terrane based mostly on the recent results from our group, and evaluates the geodynamic settings and tectonic significance. The Lhasa terrane experienced multistage metamorphism, including the Neoproterozoic and Late Paleozoic HP metamorphism in the oceanic subduction realm, the Early Paleozoic and Early Mesozoic MP metamorphism in the continent–continent collisional zone, the Late Cretaceous HT/MP metamorphism in the mid-oceanic ridge subduction zone, and two stages of Cenozoic MP metamorphism in the thickened crust above the continental subduction zone. These metamorphic and associated magmatic events reveal that the Lhasa terrane experienced a complex tectonic evolution from the Neoproterozoic to Cenozoic. The main conclusions arising from our synthesis are as follows: (1) The Lhasa block consists of the North and South Lhasa terranes, separated by the Paleo-Tethys Ocean and the subsequent Late Paleozoic suture zone. (2) The crystalline basement of the North Lhasa terrane includes Neoproterozoic oceanic crustal rocks, representing probably the remnants of the Mozambique Ocean derived from the break-up of the Rodinia supercontinent. (3) The oceanic crustal basement of North Lhasa witnessed a Late Cryogenian (~ 650 Ma) HP metamorphism and an Early Paleozoic (~ 485 Ma) MP metamorphism in the subduction realm associated with the closure of the Mozambique Ocean and the final amalgamation of Eastern and Western Gondwana, suggesting that the North Lhasa terrane might have been partly derived from the northern segment of the East African Orogen. (4) The northern margin of Indian continent, including the North and South Lhasa, and Qiangtang terranes, experienced Early Paleozoic magmatism, indicating an Andean-type orogeny that resulted from the subduction of the Proto-Tethys Ocean after the final amalgamation of Gondwana. (5) The Lhasa and Qiangtang terranes witnessed Middle Paleozoic (~ 360 Ma) magmatism, suggesting an Andean-type orogeny derived from the subduction of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. (6) The closure of Paleo-Tethys Ocean between the North and South Lhasa terranes and subsequent terrane collision resulted in the formation of Late Permian (~ 260 Ma) HP metamorphic belt and Triassic (220 Ma) MP metamorphic belt. (7) The South Lhasa terrane experienced Late Cretaceous (~ 90 Ma) Andean-type orogeny, characterized by the regional HT/MP metamorphism and coeval intrusion of the voluminous Gangdese batholith during the northward subduction of the Neo-Tethyan Ocean. (8) During the Early Cenozoic (55–45 Ma), the continent–continent collisional orogeny has led to the thickened crust of the South Lhasa terrane experiencing MP amphibolite-facies metamorphism and syn-collisional magmatism. (9) Following the continuous continent convergence, the South Lhasa terrane also experienced MP metamorphism during Late Eocene (40–30 Ma). (10) During Mesozoic and Cenozoic, two different stages of paired metamorphic belts were formed in the oceanic or continental subduction zones and the middle and lower crust of the hanging wall of the subduction zone. The tectonic imprints from the Lhasa terrane provide excellent examples for understanding metamorphic processes and geodynamics at convergent plate boundaries.     

Cambrian granitic gneiss within the central Qiangtang terrane,Tibetan Plateau: implications for the early Palaeozoic tectonic evolution of the Gondwanan margin

ABSTRACT

The Tibetan Plateau is located in the eastern Himalayan–Alpine orogen, an area where previous research has focused on ophiolites and a high-pressure metamorphic belt, whereas comparatively little research has been undertaken on the Tibetan basement. Cambrian granitic gneiss crops out in the Duguer area of the South Qiangtang terrane in northern Tibet and yields zircon laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U–Pb ages of 502–492 Ma, providing insight into the possible existence of basement rocks within the South Qiangtang terrane. The granitic gneisses are geochemically similar to high-K, calc-alkaline S-type granites, and Hf isotopic analysis of zircons within the gneisses yields negative εHf(t) values (–7.4 to – 1.1) and old zircon Hf model ages (T_DM^C = 1757–1406 Ma). These granitic gneisses were generated by partial melting of ancient pelitic rocks, and the resulting melts were contaminated by a small amount of mantle-derived material. Combining our new data with previous research, we conclude that these Cambrian granitic gneisses developed in a post-collisional tectonic setting after Pan-African tectonism. This suggests that the South Qiangtang terrane might have the same early Palaeozoic crystalline basement as the Lhasa, Himalaya, Baoshan, Gongshan, and Tengchong terranes.     

腾冲早白垩世花岗岩的高分异成因及其构造意义

腾冲地块东缘发育大量早白垩世花岗岩,这些花岗岩普遍具有高硅（69.2%~77.4%）、富钾（K₂O/Na₂O>1.1）、弱过铝-强过铝质（A/CNK=1.03~1.23）及不同程度Eu的负异常（δEu=0.13~0.69）的特征,被认为是S型花岗岩或者是高分异的I型花岗岩。厘清这些花岗岩的成因对于理解腾冲地块早白垩世岩浆活动、构造演化及其与西藏拉萨和羌塘等陆块的构造对应关系具有重要意义。本文选择了腾冲地块中3个典型的早白垩世岩体（明光、勐连、小棠-芒东）中的二长花岗岩、白云母花岗岩及正长花岗岩重点进行了高精度SIMS氧同位素研究,结合SIMS U-Pb年代学、全岩主微量元素、Sr-Nd同位素分析探讨了这些花岗岩的成因及构造意义。锆石SIMS U-Pb定年结果表明3个岩体花岗岩的侵位年龄为112~122Ma,SIMS氧同位素分析结果表明这些花岗岩都具有一致的低δ¹⁸O值（6.5‰~7.0‰）。全岩Sr-Nd同位素结果表明它们具有一致的富集同位素特征,（⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr）_i变化于0.7062~0.7213,ε_Nd（t）变化于-9.1~-4.7。以上全岩和锆石的地球化学分析结果表明这些花岗岩的源区主要为古老的镁铁质下地壳,属于高分异I型花岗岩,并非前人认为的S型花岗岩。结合前人研究,本文认为这些高分异I型花岗岩可能形成于拉萨-腾冲与羌塘-保山地块碰撞后,中特提斯洋板块发生回转或板片断离的构造背景下,跟拉萨地块北缘岩浆岩带同期构造背景一致,是其东南向延伸。

     

塔里木盆地寒武纪构造演化研究

对塔里木盆地寒武纪早、中、晚3个时期的古水深、沉积速率、构造沉降速率和拉伸系数计算结果表明,塔里木盆地在早寒武世为深度裂陷阶段,中寒武世为裂陷迁移阶段,晚寒武世为台内裂陷阶段,早寒武世与中-晚寒武世的构造差异性十分明显。早寒武世伸展引起的裂陷作用发生在塔东地区,伸展促使该区构造沉降速率远远大于台地相区,形成半深海盆地相环境。中-晚寒武世伸展向台地内部迁移,使台地内部的构造沉降速率远大于盆地相区,而台地内部较高构造沉降速率被更高的沉积速率所补偿,使得这里始终未能出现地貌上的凹地。     

青藏高原北部巴颜喀拉构造带基底隆起的地震学证据

过去曾笼统地认为巴颜喀拉构造带上万米的堆积主要是三叠系的复理石沉积。通过对沱沱河-格尔木深地震剖面资料的再认识发现,巴颜喀拉构造带的结晶基底埋深仅5km左右,比金沙江断裂带以南的羌塘地块北缘和昆仑山南缘的基底埋藏深度都要浅。进一步对青藏公路以东横穿巴颜喀拉构造带的几条深地震测深剖面进行分析,发现该基底隆起一直顺构造走向延伸,向东贯穿了整个构造带,推测它是扬子古陆块的残余。     

First evidence of Campanian radiolarians in Turkey and implications for the tectonic setting of the Upper Antalya Nappes

The definition and inventory of the upper units of the Antalya Nappes or “Calcareous Antalya Nappes” (CAN) are still a matter of controversies and often conflicting interpretations. In the Gedeller type locality, we logged a new succession that sheds light on the detailed stratigraphy of the Upper Antalya Nappes. The lower part of the series corresponds to the uppermost part of the Kemer Gorge Nappe and is overthrust by the Ordovician Seydişehir Formation of the Tahtalı Dağ Nappe. The newly described Gedeller Formation belongs to the Kemer Gorge Nappe and is represented by Campanian (Upper Cretaceous) Scaglia-type pelagic limestones, which yielded radiolarians of the Amphipyndax pseudoconulus Zone. It is demonstrated that the “Calcareous Antalya Nappes” are composed of three different nappes, the Kemer Gorge, Bakırlı and the Tahtalı Dağ nappes, all of them belonging to the Upper Antalya Nappes system.     

Synmetamorphic structural evolution of the Seward Peninsula blueschist terrane,Alaska

Blueschist-facies rocks of the central Seward Peninsula cropout over 8000 km². Protoliths were Lower Paleozoic-Precambrian(?) shallow-water miogeoclinal sediments that were metamorphosed during the Middle Jurassic. Thermobarometric estimates yield ‘peak’ metamorphic conditions of 10–12 kbar at 460 ± 30°C. Crystallization of blueschist-facies minerals was synkinematic with development of a transposition foliation. This foliation is parallel to lithologic contacts and is axial planar to recumbent mesoscopic isoclinal folds. These folds are refolded by larger scale recumbent tight to isoclinal folds. Both fold sets have hinges parallel to a well-developed N—S stretching lineation. Sheath folds are also present. The long axes of the sheath folds also parallel the stretching lineation. This deformation was non-coaxial as indicated by microstructures and quartz c-axis fabrics. Folds nucleated, then rotated into parallelism with the stretching direction. Kinematic indicators show unequivocal top-to-the-north shear sense, compatible with blueschist formation during mid-Jurassic collision between the Brooks Range continental margin and a N-facing island arc (Yukon-Koyukuk). Convergence of these two plates is believed to have been nearly N—S (in present co-ordinates).     

华北克拉通南缘下地壳麻粒岩地体的形成与演化

研究前寒武纪地体的构造-岩浆事件和变质作用过程是揭示早期陆壳的生长与演化等热点问题的重要途径。目前,尽管已经开展了大量的相关研究,但关于华北克拉通南缘前寒武纪变质地体的成因、构造背景仍存在争议,限定了我们对于华北克拉通南缘前寒武纪形成和演化的认识。本文根据前人研究成果,包括华北南缘太华杂岩的岩相学、地球化学、年代学以及变质P-T-t轨迹等,结合对鲁山地区太华杂岩的全岩主微量、长石矿物原位Pb同位素组成特征以及基性麻粒岩的年代学等研究成果,系统梳理并探讨了太华杂岩代表的新太古代-古元古代下地壳物质组成、岩石成因以及多阶段构造-岩浆事件。结果显示华北南缘记录了2.92~2.71Ga和2.53~2.45Ga两期重要的地壳生长事件,2.35~2.30Ga和2.19~2.06Ga的陆壳再造,以及1.96~1.84Ga古元古代的变质事件。再结合华北克拉通中部造山带中、北部的变质程度、变质P-T轨迹和变质年龄,我们认为华北南缘前寒武纪基底与中部造山带的中、北部相似,构造归属于中部造山带,发生了一个较长的俯冲碰撞造山过程(1.96~1.86Ga)。

     

江南古陆变质基底地层年代的修正和武陵运动构造意义

江南古陆变质基底的研究中,最突出的基础地质问题依然是地层年代的精确标定。地层年代标定涉及到成矿地层的划分和对比及其构造演化的时限,也直接影响层控矿床找矿中涉及的基础地质问题。在最新的中国地层年表中,前寒武纪地层对比和构造背景解释已发生重大变化。本文依据扬子块体和华夏块体新元古代地层中最新的系列锆石U—Pb测年结果,初步揭示“江南古陆”变质基底地层火山事件和分布范围。结合全球格林威尔造山运动基本特征,对江南古陆变质基底地层年代的修正将有利于重新厘定江南造山带的成矿背景,提供层控矿床基础年代地层资料,为新的矿产资源大调查服务。     

Penecontemporary tectonic forms in basement areas: evidence derived from quarry exposures on northwestern Eyre Peninsula,South Australia

Monitoring of quarry exposures on northwestern Eyre Peninsula, South Australia has shown that the granite domes of that region are structurally complex features, commonly with several structural domes within each topographic form. The rock masses are in horizontal compression so that few steeply inclined fractures have been penetrated by water and hence are not weathered, though sheet fractures, which are tectonic features, are arched, dilated, and thus readily infiltrated by water. Neotectonic forms, such as fault scarps, A-tents, or pop-ups, and disturbed blocks are still developing. These observations provide further evidence of neotectonism, even in cratonic lands.     

胶北地体侏罗纪花岗岩的成因及其构造意义

胶北地体中生代花岗岩广泛分布,以晚侏罗世最为发育,花岗岩形成时代、成因和地球动力学背景的深入研究对认识研究区构造演化有重要意义.本文选取胶北地体东部和北部侏罗纪花岗岩进行全岩主微量元素、锆石U-Pb年龄和O同位素研究,结果表明,花岗岩样品锆石U-Pb年龄主要分布在166～156 Ma之间,代表岩体的结晶年龄.此外,含有...     

Upper crustal podiform chromitite from the northern Oman ophiolite as the stratigraphically shallowest chromitite in ophiolite and its implication for Cr concentration

A new type of podiform chromitite was found at Wadi Hilti in the northern Oman ophiolite. It is within a late-intrusive dunite body, possibly derived from olivine-rich crystal mush, between the sheeted dike complex and upper gabbro. This chromitite forms small (<30 cm in thickness) pods with irregular to lenticular shapes. Neither layering nor graded bedding is observed within the pods. The chromitite is in the upper crust, by far shallower in ophiolite stratigraphy than the other podiform chromitites that have ever been found in the Moho transition zone to the upper mantle. It is distributed along a small felsic to gabbroic melt pool within the dunite body, which was formed by melting of gabbroic blocks captured by the mush. Chromian spinel was precipitated due to mixing of two kinds of melt, a basaltic interstitial melt from the mush and an evolved, possibly felsic, melt formed by the melting of gabbro blocks. The podiform chromitite reported here is strikingly similar in petrography and spinel chemistry to the stratiform chromitite from layered intrusions. The former contains plagioclase and clinopyroxene as matrix silicates instead of olivine as well as includes euhedral and fine spinel with solid mineral inclusions. Chromian spinel of the upper crustal podiform chromitite from Oman has relatively low content of (Cr₂O₃ + Al₂O₃), the Cr/(Cr + Al) atomic ratio of around 0.6, and the relatively high TiO₂ content ranging from 1 to 3 wt%. We conclude that assimilation of relatively Si-rich materials (crustal rocks or mantle orthopyroxene) by olivine-spinel saturated melts can explain the genesis of any type of chromitite.Editorial responsibility: V. Trommsdorff