Plate-driven extension and convergence along the East Gondwana active margin: Late Silurian–Middle Devonian tectonics of the Lachlan Fold Belt,southeastern Australia

The Werner deconvolution technique for automatic analysis of magnetic data is a powerful tool for the interpretation of magnetic profiles. In particular, the technique is a valuable aid to the interpretation of deep crustal structures beneath the continental margin which frequently lie below the penetration of all but the most high-powered seismic reflection tools. Inverse modelling of selected simple geological structures (buried scarp, graben, half-graben) confirms that the interface model is valuable in delineating the tops of magnetic bodies, while the thin sheet model gives an indication of the depth extent of the bodies. In the case of horizontal sheets in contact (simulating oceanic spreading anomalies), the thin sheet model delineates the boundary, while the interface model gives estimates which are too shallow.

As an illustration of the value of the Werner deconvolution method in regional marine studies, the magnetic basement in the Great Australian Bight (GAB) has been mapped using a set of magnetic profiles; seismic data in the GAB is of limited use in this mapping. Interpretation of the profiles confirms earlier assessments that there is a minimum of 10 km of sediment beneath the Ceduna Terrace (Great Australian Bight Basin), 3 km beneath the Eyre Terrace (Eyre Sub-basin), 6 km in the Duntroon Embayment, 3 km in the Polda Trough, and 4 km beneath the continental rise. The most prominent basement structure in the GAB is the east-west-trending scarp which delineates the northern flank of the Eyre Sub-basin, GAB Basin, and Polda Trough. The gross linearity of this escarpment for 1000 km and the fact that it appears to mark a northern boundary to the extensional basins of the margin suggests that continental extension in the pre-Middle Jurassic took place preferentially south of an old (Precambrian) lineament in the Gawler Block. Polda Trough sediments are probably included in fault-blocks underlying the northern part of the GAB Basin. The interpretation supports the concept of northwest-southeast extension prior to Late Cretaceous breakup.     

Plate-driven extension and convergence along the East Gondwana active margin: Late Silurian–Middle Devonian tectonics of the Lachlan Fold Belt,southeastern Australia

The Lachlan Fold Belt of southeastern Australia developed along the Panthalassan margin of East Gondwana. Major silicic igneous activity and active tectonics with extensional, strike-slip and contractional deformation have been related to a continental backarc setting with a convergent margin to the east. In the Early Silurian (Benambran Orogeny), tectonic development was controlled by one or more subduction zones involved in collision and accretion of the Ordovician Macquarie Arc. Thermal instability in the Late Silurian to Middle Devonian interval was promoted by the presence of one or more shallow subducted slabs in the upper mantle and resulted in widespread silicic igneous activity. Extension dominated the Late Silurian in New South Wales and parts of eastern Victoria and led to formation of several sedimentary basins. Alternating episodes of contraction and extension, along with dispersed strike-slip faulting particularly in eastern Victoria, occurred in the Early Devonian culminating in the Middle Devonian contractional Tabberabberan Orogeny. Contractional deformation in modern systems, such as the central Andes, is driven by advance of the overriding plate, with highest strain developed at locations distant from plate edges. In the Ordovician to Early Devonian, it is inferred that East Gondwana was advancing towards Panthalassa. Extensional activity in the Lachlan backarc, although minor in comparison with backarc basins in the western Pacific Ocean, was driven by limited but continuous rollback of the subduction hinge. Alternation of contraction and extension reflects the delicate balance between plate motions with rollback being overtaken by advance of the upper plate intermittently in the Early to Middle Devonian resulting in contractional deformation in an otherwise dominantly extensional regime. A modern system that shows comparable behaviour is East Asia where rollback is considered responsible for widespread sedimentary basin development and basin inversion reflects advance of blocks driven by compression related to the Indian collision.     

Detrital zircon U–Pb ages of Late Triassic–Late Jurassic deposits in the western and northern Sichuan Basin margin: constraints on the foreland basin provenance and tectonic implications

Upper Triassic to Upper Jurassic strata in the western and northern Sichuan Basin were deposited in a synorogenic foreland basin. Ion–microprobe U–Pb analysis of 364 detrital zircon grains from five Late Triassic to Late Jurassic sandstone samples in the northern Sichuan Basin and several published Middle Triassic to Middle Jurassic samples in the eastern Songpan–Ganzi Complex and western and inner Sichuan Basin provide an initial framework for understanding the Late Triassic to Late Jurassic provenance of western and northern Sichuan Basin. For further understanding, the paleogeographic setting of these areas and neighboring hinterlands was constructed. Combined with analysis of depocenter migration, thermochronology and detrital zircon provenance, the western and northern Sichuan Basin is displayed as a transferred foreland basin from Late Triassic to Late Jurassic. The Upper Triassic Xujiahe depocenter was located at the front of the Longmen Shan belt, and sediments in the western Sichuan Basin shared the same provenances with the Middle–Upper Triassic in the Songpan–Ganzi Complex, whereas the South Qinling fed the northern Sichuan Basin. The synorogenic depocenter transferred to the front of Micang Shan during the early Middle Jurassic and at the front of the Daba Shan during the middle–late Middle Jurassic. Zircons of the Middle Jurassic were sourced from the North Qinling, South Qinling and northern Yangtze Craton. The depocenter returned to the front of the Micang Shan again during the Late Jurassic, and the South Qinling and northern Yangtze Craton was the main provenance. The detrital zircon U–Pb ages imply that the South and North China collision was probably not finished at the Late Jurassic.     

Evolution process of the Late Silurian–Late Devonian tectonic environment in Qimantagh in the western portion of east Kunlun,China: Evidence from the geochronology and geochemistry of granitoids

Journal of Earth System Science - The East Kunlun Orogenic Belt has undergone a composite orogenic process consisting of multiple orogenic cycles and involving many types of magmatic rocks spread...     

Middle–Late Triassic sedimentation in the Helanshan tectonic belt: Constrain on the tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Ordos Basin,North China

The Helanshan tectonic belt is located to the west of the Ordos Basin, and separates the Alxa (or Yinshan) Massif to the west from the Ordos block to the east. Triassic sedimentation in the Helanshan tectonic belt records important information about tectono-sedimentary process between the Alxa Massif and the Ordos block. Detailed geological mapping and investigation on the lithological package, sedimentary facies and paleocurrent orientation have been conducted on the Middle to Upper Triassic clastic rocks in the Helanshan tectonic belt. The succession is characterized by upward-fining sequence and comprises coarse grained alluvial-fluvial facies in the lower part as well as deltaic-lacustrine facies in the upper part. Based on detailed study and comparisons on the sedimentary sequence along various sections, the Middle to Upper Triassic strata have been revealed that show clear southeastward-deepening sedimentary differentiation and transgression from southwest to northeast, which are consistent with the southeastward flowing paleocurrent. These features indicate a southeastward-dipping paleogeography in the Helanshan tectonic belt, which was original western part of southeastward orientated fluvial-lacustrine system in the northwestern proto-Ordos Basin. Further to the east, the Triassic succession in the Ordos Basin displays gradually thickening and alluvial-fluvial system flowed from southeast to northwest, showing a huge thick sedimentary wedge in the western basin margin. Together with the Late Permian–Early Triassic closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean to the north, the Late Triassic extensional structures and diabase dykes in the Helanshan tectonic belt, all the above sedimentary features could be mostly interpreted as records of an extensional basin correlated to post-collisional collapse of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt.     

Devonian rodingite from the northern margin of the North China Craton: mantle wedge metasomatism during ocean–continent convergence

The northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) was an active convergent margin during Palaeozoic and preserves important imprints of magmatic and metasomatic processes associated with oceanic plate subduction. Here, we investigate the mafic–ultramafic rocks in the Xiahabaqin–Sandaogou complexes from the northern NCC including pyroxenite, hornblendites, hornblende gabbro, and their rodingitized counterparts within a serpentinite domain. We present petrological, zircon U–Pb geochronological, and geochemical data to constrain the nature and timing of the magmatic and metasomatic processes in the subduction zone mantle wedge. The rock suites investigated in this study are characterized by low contents of SiO₂, Na₂O, and K₂O, with high CaO, FeO, Fe₂O₃, and MgO. The rodingitized rocks show markedly high CaO and lower MgO compared to their ultramafic protolith, suggesting extensive post-magmatic infiltration of Ca-rich, Si-poor fluids derived by serpentinization of mantle peridotite. The enrichment of large ion lithophile and light rare earth elements such as Ba, Sr, K, La, and Ce with relative depletion of high field strength elements like Nb, Ta, Zr, and Hf in the ultramafic rocks collectively suggest metasomatism of a fore-arc mantle wedge by fluids released through dehydration of subducted oceanic slab and subduction-derived sediments. Dehydration and decarbonation leading to metasomatic fluid influx and serpentinization of mantle wedge peridotite account for the enriched geochemical signatures for the rodingitized rocks. The zircon grains in these rocks show textures indicating magmatic crystallization followed by fluid-controlled dissolution–precipitation. Magmatic zircons from altered pyroxenite, hornblendite, and rodingitized pyroxenite in Xiahabaqin yield protolith crystallization ages peaks at 396 Ma and 392 Ma and metasomatic grains show ages of 386 Ma, 378 Ma, and 348 Ma. The zircons from hornblendite and basaltic trachyandesite indicate protolith emplacement during 402–388 Ma. Metasomatic zircon grains from rodingitized hornblende gabbro in Sandaogou complex show a wide range of ages as 412 Ma, 398 Ma, 383 Ma, and 380 Ma. The common magmatic zircon ages peaks at 398–388 Ma in most of the rocks suggest a similar time for magma crystallization in the Xiahabaqin and Baiqi during Middle Devonian. Subsequently, repeated pulses fluids and melts resulted in metasomatic reactions in mantle wedge until early Permian. The Lu–Hf analysis of the zircon grains from these rocks display markedly negative εHf(t) values ranging from ?22.4 to ?7.7, suggesting magma derivation from an enriched, hydrated lithospheric mantle through fluid–rock interaction and mantle wedge metasomatism. Rodingitization processes are associated with exhumation of ultramafic mantle wedge rocks within a serpentinized subduction channel close to the subducted slab in response to slab roll back in a long-lasting subduction regime. This study offers insights into magmatic and metasomatic processes of ultramafic rocks in the fore-arc mantle wedge which were exhumed and accreted to an active continental margin during the southward subduction of the Palaeo-Asian oceanic lithosphere beneath the NCC.     

Detrital zircon U-Pb ages of Middle–Late Permian sedimentary rocks from the southwestern margin of the North China Craton: Implications for provenance and tectonic evolution

The southwestern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) is located between the Alxa Terrane to the northwest, the North Qilian Orogen to the west and the North Qinling Orogen to the south. However, the paleogeographic and tectonic evolution for the southwestern part of the NCC in the Late Paleozoic is still poorly constrained. In order to constrain the Late Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the southwestern NCC, we carried out detailed field work and detrital zircon U-Pb geochronological research on Middle–Late Permian sedimentary rocks at the southwestern margin of the NCC. The U-Pb age spectra of detrital zircons from six samples are similar, showing four populations of 2.6–2.4 Ga, 2.0–1.7 Ga, 500–360 Ma and 350–250 Ma. Moreover, on the basis of the weighted-mean age of the youngest detrital zircons (257 ± 4 Ma), combined with the published results and volcanic interlayers, we propose that the Shangshihezi Formation formed during the Middle–Late Permian. Our results and published data indicate that the detrital zircons with age groups of 2.6–2.4 Ga and 2.0–1.7 Ga were likely derived from the Khondalite Belt and Yinshan Block in the northwestern NCC. The junction part between the North Qinling and North Qilian Orogen may provide the 500–360 Ma detrital zircons for the study area. The 350–250 Ma detrital zircons were probably derived from the northwestern part of the NCC. The majority of materials from Shangshihezi Formation within the study area were derived from the northwestern part of the NCC, indicating that the northwestern part of the NCC was strongly uplifted possibly resulting from the progressive subduction and closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. A small amount of materials were sourced from southwestern part of the NCC, indicating that the North Qinling Orogen experienced a minor uplift resulting from the northward subduction of the South Qinling terrane.     

Paleomagnetic study of the Late Silurian–Early Devonian Mt Daubeny Formation from the Broken Hill area,New South Wales

The geological map of the Broken Hill area in New South Wales shows a striking feature, the Grasmere Knee Zone, which consists of a major change in structural trend. North of the Grasmere Knee Zone, the analysis of the structure of the Late Silurian–Early Devonian Mt Daubeny Basin coupled with AMS measurements suggests that the basin has undergone two phases of folding. Correction of magnetic data from bedding orientation has consisted in unfolding sequentially fold F2 to obtain a simple syncline and unfolding fold F1. Although the fold tests, conglomerate test and dyke test may be considered to be positive concerning the high-temperature component (DAU-C_H), paleomagnetic results from the Mt Daubeny Formation (locality DAU) are subject to caution, in particular due to the complex unfolding procedure. If component DAU-C_H, carried by hematite, is interpreted to be primary in origin, the corresponding paleopole is consistent with an X-type of apparent polar wander path for Gondwana, in particular if one relies on the proposed optimum bedding correction. South of the Grasmere Knee Zone, the Mt. Daubeny Formation is considered to be rotated clockwise relative to the north. The tentative model presented herein proposes that a block corresponding to the Southwestern Subprovince of Lachlan Orogen indented the Tasmanides between the Central Subprovince of the Lachlan Orogen and the Delamerian Orogen from the mid-Devonian (Tabberabberan event) up to the Early Carboniferous, triggering rotations in the Broken Hill area. A later magmatic event, thought to be Early Cretaceous, may have induced fluid migration and deposition of magnetite leading to the occurrence of an important magnetic overprint (DAU-C_M).     

Restoring the Silurian to Carboniferous northern active continental margin of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean in Mongolia: Hangay–Hentey accretionary wedge and seamount collision

Trapped between the Siberian Craton to the north, and the Tarim and North China blocks to the south, the Mongol–Okhotsk Belt represents a young portion of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. The Andean-type orogeny was caused by the closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean, whose timing and mode of geodynamic evolution still needs to be clarified in more detail. This paper investigates the lithostratigraphic units of the Gorkhi Formation, which are comprised in the Hangay–Hentey terrane representing the accretionary prism of the northern continental margin of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean. In the tectonically disrupted slices of the Gorkhi Formation we identify a typical ocean plate stratigraphy with pelagic to hemipelagic and turbiditic sequences. Locally, shallow marine limestones are found associated with mafic volcanic rocks. XRF and LA–ICPMS measurements of these volcanic rocks clearly indicate an OIB signature. The geochemistry together with lithostratigraphic observations permit us to reconstruct the evolution of a seamount, ranging from its growth in shallow water depths and drowning due to subduction-related subsidence linked with subsequent radiolarian chert, hemipelagic shale and turbiditic sandstone cover sedimentation. Calc-alkaline felsic dikes later intruded the accreted silt and sandstone deposits. Standard sandstone provenance analysis, detrital zircon U–Pb laser ablation ICP-MS dating and Hf isotope ratios in the sandstones document a prevailing continental volcanic arc sourcing during Carboniferous from the northern margin of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean.     

Chemical and tectonic controls on the formation of sparry magnesite deposits — the deposits of the northern Greywacke Zone (Austria)

The sparry magnesite deposits of the northern Greywacke Zone are situated at the base of thrust sheets. Model calculations and natural examples suggest that an inverse temperature gradient can only be established at the base of a thrust sheet if thrusting is so rapid as to be geologically unrealistic. Independently of this thrusting induces a fluid flow from the lower units to the front of the moving thrust sheet. Stability data of magnesite and dolomite in contact with fluids with different Ca/(Ca+Mg) ratios suggest that this tectonically induced fluid flow produce magnesite from preexisting dolomite by metasomatism.

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Zusammenfassung Die Spatmagnesitvorkommen der Nördlichen Grauwackenzone liegen innerhalb von Deckengrenzen. Modellberechnungen zeigen, daß ein inverser Temperaturgradient sich nur dann an der Basis von Decken einstellen kann, wenn die Überschiebungsgeschwindigkeit so groß wird, daß sie geologisch unglaubwürdig ist. Deckenüberschiebungen erzeugen aber in jedem Fall in der überschobenen Einheit einen zur Deckenfront hin gerichteten Fluidstrom. Eine Betrachtung der Stabilitätsdaten für Magnesit und Dolomit im Gleichgewicht mit einer fluiden Phase mit unterschiedlichen Ca/(Ca+Mg)-Verhältnissen zeigt, daß durch einen solchen Fluidstrom metasomatisch Magnesit aus Dolomit gebildet werden kann.

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Résumé Les dépôts de magnésite spathique de la Grauwacken Zone septentrionale sont situés à la base d'unités charriées. Un calcul de modélisation et des exemples naturels montrent qu'un gradient inverse de température ne peut s'établir à la base d'une unité charriée qu'à la condition d'admettre une vitesse de charriage tellement élevée qu'elle est irréaliste. D'autre part, le phénomene de charriage induit un déplacement de fluide depuis les unités inférieures vers le front de la nappe. Les données relatives aux conditions de stabilité de la magnésite et de la dolomite en présence de fluides de divers rapports Ca/Ca+Mg permettent de déduire que le flux ainsi engendré par la tectonique peut engendrer la magnésite par métasomatose à partir de dolomite préexistante.

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Eclogites of the Late Cambrian–Early Ordovician North Kokchetav tectonic zone (northern Kazakhstan): structural position and petrology

We consider the structural position and petrology of eclogites in the North Kokchetav accretion-collision zone located north of the Kokchetav metamorphic belt formed by high- and ultrahigh-pressure rocks. In the Early Ordovician North Kokchetav tectonic zone, thin sheets of mylonite and diaphthoric gneisses with eclogites are tectonically conjugate with the volcanic and sedimentary rocks of the Stepnyak paleoisland-arc zone. Eclogites have been revealed at two sites of the North Kokchetav tectonic zone—Chaikino and Borovoe. The Chaikino eclogites formed at 800–850 °C and 18–20 kbar, and the Borovoe eclogites, at 750–800 °C and 17–18 kbar. Study of pyroxene-plagioclase symplectite replacing omphacite of the eclogites at both sites has recognized three stages of regressive magmatism: (1) formation of coarse-grained clinopyroxene-plagioclase symplectite at 760–790 °C and 11–12 kbar, (2) formation of fine-grained clinopyroxene-plagioclase symplectite at 700–730 °C and 7–8 kbar, and (3) amphibolization of pyroxene at 570–600 °C and 5–6 kbar. The Ar-Ar age of muscovite from the Borovoe mica schists hosting eclogites is 493 ± 5 Ma, which corresponds to the time of cooling of metamorphic rocks to <370 °C. Hence, the peak of high-pressure metamorphism and all recognized stages of retrograde changes are dated to the Cambrian. The geological data evidence that eclogite-schist-gneiss sheets were localized in the accretion-collision zone and became conjugate with sedimentary and volcanic rocks no later than in the Middle Ordovician.     

Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of early Devonian mafic dike–granite association in the northern West Junggar,NW China

Mafic dike–granite associations are common in extensional tectonic settings and important and pivotal in reconstructing crust–mantle geodynamic processes. We report results of zircon U–Pb and hornblende ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar ages and major-element and trace-element data for mafic dike–granite association from the northern West Junggar, in order to constrain their ages, petrogenesis, and geodynamic process. The mafic dike–granite association was emplaced in the early Devonian. The Xiemisitai monzogranites have high SiO₂ contents and low MgO, Cr, and Ni concentrations, suggesting that they were mainly derived from crustal sources and were probably generated by partial melt of the juvenile mid-lower crust. The mafic dikes have low Mg^# and Cr and Ni abundances, suggesting that they have experienced significant fractional crystallization. The Xiemisitai mafic dikes contain hornblende and biotite and display negative Nb–Ta–Ti anomalies, enrichment of LREEs and LILEs, and depletion of HREEs and HFSEs, consistent with an origin from a lithospheric mantle metasomatized by subducted slab-derived fluids. In addition, the Xiemisitai mafic dikes are plotted within melting trends with little to no garnet (Cpx: Grt = 6:1) in their source. The La/Yb versus Tb/Yb plot also indicates the presence of less than 1% residual garnet in the source region for the Xiemisitai mafic dikes. Therefore, it can be inferred that the Xiemisitai mafic dikes were generated at a correspondingly shallow depth, mostly within the spinel stability field. The Xiemisitai mafic dikes were most probably generated by the partial melting of the metasomatized lithospheric mantle at relatively shallow depths (<80 km). The Xiemisitai mafic dike–granite association could have been triggered by asthenospheric upwelling as a result of the rollback of the subducted Irtysh–Zaysan oceanic lithosphere.     

Middle Devonian volcanic rocks in the Weibao Cu–Pb–Zn deposit,East Kunlun Mountains,NW China: Zircon chronology and tectonic implications

The Weibao copper–lead–zinc deposit, located in the eastern part of the Qimantagh area, East Kunlun Orogenic Belt (EKOB), consists of three skarn ore blocks known as Weixi, Main and Weidong from west to east. The mineralization within the Weibao Cu–Pb–Zn deposit is hosted by the Mesoproterozoic Langyashan Formation. In this study, we describe for the first time basaltic lavas that intruded into this host sequence and chronological, isotopic, major and trace element data of these volcanic rocks are presented here to constrain their eruption age as well as the tectonic setting. Two basaltic lava samples yield sensitive, high-resolution ion-microprobe (SHRIMP) U–Pb zircon ages of 393.0 ± 5.5 Ma–392.0 ± 5.0 Ma, indicating that volcanic rocks in the Weibao deposit erupted in Middle Devonian. The majority of the volcanic rocks have compositions characterized by high potassium, light rare earth element (LREE)-enriched patterns in chondrite-normalized rare earth elements (REE) diagrams, and evident enrichment of Rb, Ba and K and depletion of Th, U, Nb and Ta contents in primitive mantle-normalized patterns, although the degrees of enrichment and depletion are variable. These characteristics of major and trace element data highlight a hornblende-dominated fractionation during ascent of magmas. The εHf(T) values of zircons are relatively scattered and slightly enriched, ranging from −2.6 to +7.5. Modelling the features of the major, trace and isotopic element data indicates a hybrid origin involving combined depleted mantle (and hence asthenospheric mantle) and melts and/or fluids inherited from an early subduction event. Besides, these geochronological and geochemical data, together with previously published data in the EKOB, suggest that the Weibao basaltic lavas formed in a post-collisional setting, and that the Qimantagh area underwent strong interactions between mantle and crust in Early Paleozoic–Middle Devonian.     

New Data on the Middle–Late Holocene Evolution of Vegetation Cover in the Northern Baikal Region

Doklady Earth Sciences - A continuous peat bog section from a barely accessible mid-mountain area in the northwestern Baikal region has been obtained for the first time. The materials were studied...     

Late Mesozoic Exhumation of the Huangling Massif: Constraints on the Evolution of the Middle Yangtze River

Plate subduction leads to complex exhumation processes on continents. The Huangling Massif lies at the northern margin of the South China Block. Whether the Huangling Massif was exhumed as a watershed of the middle reaches of the Paleo-Yangtze River during the Mesozoic remains under debate. We examined the exhumation history of the Huangling Massif based on six granite bedrock samples, using apatite fission track (AFT) and apatite and zircon (U-Th)/He (AHe and ZHe) thermochronology. These samples yielded ages of 157–132 Ma (ZHe), 119–106 Ma (AFT), and 114–72 Ma (AHe), respectively. Thermal modeling revealed that three phases of rapid cooling occurred during the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous, late Early Cretaceous, and Late Cretaceous. These exhumation processes led to the high topographic relief responsible for the emergence of the Huangling Massif. The integrated of our new data with published sedimentological records suggests that the Huangling Massif might have been the watershed of the middle reaches of the Paleo-Yangtze River since the Cretaceous. At that time, the rivers flowed westward into the Sichuan Basin and eastward into the Jianghan Basin. The subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Asian continent in the Mesozoic deeply influenced the geomorphic evolution of the South China Block.     

Triassic volcanism along the eastern margin of the Xing'an Massif,NE China: Constraints on the spatial–temporal extent of the Mongol–Okhotsk tectonic regime

We present new zircon U–Pb–Hf and whole-rock geochemical data for volcanic rocks along the eastern margin of the Xing'an Massif of NE China in order to further our understanding of the history of subduction towards the SE and the spatial extent of the Mongol–Okhotsk tectonic regime. Zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the Triassic volcanism in the Xing'an Massif occurred in two stages during the Middle (ca. 242 Ma) and Late (ca. 223–228 Ma) Triassic. Middle Triassic basaltic andesites in the Heihe area have an affinity to arc-type volcanic rocks. The zircon ε_Hf(t) values (+ 8.5 to + 12.7) suggest that the primary magma was generated by the partial melting of a relatively depleted mantle wedge that had been metasomatized by subduction-related fluids. The Late Triassic andesites in the Handaqi area exhibit geochemical affinities to high-Mg adakitic andesites. Their zircon ε_Hf(t) values (+ 11.5 to + 14.5) and T_DM2 ages (313–484 Ma) indicate that their primary magma was derived from the partial melting of a young subducted oceanic crust, followed by interaction with melts derived from mantle peridotite. The Late Triassic basaltic andesites, andesites, and dacites in the Zhalantun–Moguqi area have features similar to those of igneous rocks formed in subduction zones. Their zircon ε_Hf(t) values (+ 8.4 to + 15.4) and T_DM1 ages (260–542 Ma) indicate that their primary magma was derived from the partial melting of a depleted mantle wedge that had been metasomatized by subduction-related fluids. These data suggest that the Triassic volcanic rocks of the Xing'an Massif formed in an active continental margin setting associated with the southward subduction of the Mongol–Okhotsk oceanic plate towards the SE. We conclude that the Mongol–Okhotsk tectonic regime extended at least as far as the eastern margin of the Xing'an Massif, and that the tectonism spanned the period from the late Permian to early Early-Cretaceous.     

Upper Silurian and Devonian pelagic deep-water radiolarian chert from the Khangai–Khentei belt of Central Mongolia: Evidence for Middle Paleozoic subduction–accretion activity in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Recent mapping projects undertaken in Central Mongolia have revealed the widespread occurrence of radiolarian chert within a Paleozoic accretionary complex. We present the results of the first detailed tectonostratigraphic and radiolarian biostratigraphic investigations of the Gorkhi Formation in the Khangai–Khentei belt of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt.The Gorkhi Formation consists of sandstone shale, alternating sandstone and shale of turbidite affinity and chert with small amounts of siliceous shale, basalt, limestone, and clast-bearing mudstone. Radiolarian chert that is completely devoid of terrigenous clastic material is commonly associated with underlying basalt (sedimentary contact) and with conformably overlying siliceous shale and turbidite deposits. The tectonic stacking of basalt–chert and chert–turbidite successions is the most remarkable structural feature of the formation.The recovery of moderately well-preserved radiolarians and conodonts from red chert led to the recognition of four radiolarian assemblages that have a combined age range from the latest Silurian (Pridolian) to the Late Devonian (Frasnian). No age control exists for the siliceous shale, shale, and sandstone, although they are considered to be latest Devonian or slightly younger on the basis of stratigraphic relationships with underlying chert.The Gorkhi Formation has previously been interpreted as a thick sedimentary basin deposit overlying an unexposed Archean–Neoproterozoic basement; however, the stratigraphy within individual tectonic slices clearly corresponds to that of an ocean plate stratigraphy of an accretionary complex generated by the trenchward movement of an oceanic plate. From the lowermost to uppermost units, the stratigraphy comprises ocean floor basalt, pelagic deep-water radiolarian chert, hemipelagic siliceous shale, and terrigenous turbidite deposits. The biostratigraphic data obtained in the present study provide corroborating evidence for the existence of an extensive deep-water ocean that enabled the continuous sedimentation of pelagic chert over a period of nearly 50 million years. These data, together with structural data characterized by tectonic repetition of the stratigraphy, indicate that these rocks formed as an accretionary wedge along an active continental margin, possibly that of the Angara Craton. The mid-oceanic chert was probably deposited in the Northern Hemisphere portion of the Paleo–Pacific Ocean that faced the Angara Craton and the North China–Tarim blocks. Thus, we propose that subduction–accretion processes along the Paleo–Pacific rim played an important role in the accretionary growth of the active continental margin of the Angara Craton, directly influencing the evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt.     

Early–Middle Ordovician conodont biofacies on the Yangtze Platform margin,South China: Applications to palaeoenvironment and sea-level changes

9172 Conodonts have been recovered from the uppermost Hunghuayuan Formation and the Zitai Formation at two sections in Shitai County, southern Anhui Province, South China, which was situated close to the margin of the Lower Yangtze Platform during the Early to Middle Ordovician. Systematic and multivariate statistical studies on these conodonts permit recognition of seven conodont biofacies: Tropodus biofacies, Diaphorodus biofacies, Oepikodus biofacies, Baltoniodus biofacies, Paroistodus biofacies, Periodon biofacies and Protopanderodus biofacies. Each biofacies is restricted to a particular lithofacies and stratal position and shows a consistent order and/or position within the succession. Turnover of these conodont biofacies is related to sea-level changes. The transgressive–regressive patterns demonstrated by the conodont biofacies compare closely to published sea level curves for South China, and highlight the utility of conodont biofacies as a means of confirming sedimentological evidence of relative sea-level change.     

Geochronology and geochemistry of Late Triassic bimodal igneous rocks at the eastern margin of the Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif,Northeast China: petrogenesis and tectonic implications

Abstract

New zircon laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and secondary ion mass spectroscopy U–Pb ages, and Hf isotope and whole-rock geochemical data are reported for Mesozoic igneous rocks from the eastern margin of the Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif, Northeast China, in order to document the petrogenesis of the igneous rocks and reconstruct the early Mesozoic tectonic setting of the region. Zircons from five representative igneous rocks are euhedral–subhedral and display oscillatory growth zoning or striped absorption in cathodoluminescence images, suggesting a magmatic origin. The dating results indicate that granite, gabbro, and rhyolite from the eastern Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif formed during Late Triassic (204–211 Ma). The Late Triassic granitoids and rhyolites have an affinity to A-type granites or rhyolites. Their zircon ε_Hf(t) values and Hf two-stage model ages range from –3.8 to +3.8 and from 999 to 1485 Ma, respectively, indicating that their primary melts were derived from the partial melting of the Meso-Proterozoic crust. The geochemistry of coeval gabbros, which reflects primary magma composition, shows a significant large ion lithophile element (e.g. Ba and Sr) enrichment and high field strength element (i.e. Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, and Ti) depletion. Based on zircon ε_Hf(t) values (–4.2 to +2.8) and Hf single-stage model ages (746–1031 Ma), we conclude that the mafic magma is the product of partial melting of lithospheric mantle that was metasomatically enriched by fluids derived from the subducted oceanic crust. The Late Triassic magmatism along the eastern margin of the Eurasian continent has bimodal magma compositions, indicating an extensional setting after the final closure of the Palaeo-Asian Ocean rather than being related to subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian continent. The occurrence of Late Triassic igneous rocks on the eastern side of the Mudanjiang Fault suggests that this fault does not represent the suture zone between the Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range and Jiamusi massifs.