Geochemistry of the Peramora Mélange and Pulo do Lobo schist: geochemical investigation and tectonic interpretation of mafic mélange in the Pangean suture zone,Southern Iberia

The Peramora Mélange is part of an accretionary complex between the South Portuguese Zone (a fragment of Laurussia) and the Ossa Morena Zone (para-autochthonous Gondwana) and is an expression of the Pangean suture zone in southwestern Iberia. The suture zone is characterized by fault-bounded units of metasedimentary rocks, mélanges, and mafic complexes. Detailed geologic mapping of the Peramora Mélange reveals a complex pattern of imbricated schists and mafic block-in-matrix mélanges. Geochemical signatures of the Pulo do Lobo schist (PDL) are consistent with derivation from both mafic and continental sources. The mafic block-in-matrix mélange displays normal mid-ocean ridge basalt (NMORB) geochemical signature, juvenile Sm–Nd isotopic compositions, and a range of zircon ages similar to those observed in the PDL, suggesting a sedimentary component. Taken together, these data suggest a complex tectonic history characterized by erosion of a NMORB source, mélange formation, and imbrication during underplating occurring during the final stages of continent–continent collision.     

Mesoarchean accretionary mélange and tectonic erosion in the Archean Dharwar Craton,southern India: Plate tectonics in the early Earth

Accretionary orogens are hallmarks of subduction tectonics along convergent plate margins. Here we report a sequence of low-grade metasediments carrying exhumed blocks of ultramafic, mafic and felsic rocks from Sargur in the Western Dharwar Craton in India. These rocks occur along the southern domain of the Chitradurga Suture Zone, which marks the boundary between the Western and Central Dharwar Cratons and thus provide a window to explore Archean convergent margin processes. We present zircon U-Pb and Lu-Hf data from Sargur metasediments including quartz mica schist, fine-grained quartzite, and pelitic schist, as well as from blocks/layers of trondhjemite, garnet amphibolite, and chromite-bearing serpentinite occurring within the metasedimentary accretionary belt. The detrital zircon grains from the metasediments show multiple age groups, with the oldest age as 3482 Ma and an age peak at 2862 Ma. Magmatic zircons in trondhjemite show ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb weighted mean age of ca. 2972 Ma, whereas those in the chromite-bearing serpentinite display multiple age populations of ca. 2896, 2750, 2648, 2566 and 2463 Ma, tracing zircon crystallization in an evolving mantle wedge adjacent to a subducting oceanic plate. Metamorphism is dated as ca. 2444 Ma from zircon grains in the garnet amphibolite. Zircon εHf(t) in the mafic-ultramafic rocks and trondhjemite are mostly positive, suggesting a juvenile (depleted mantle) source. The detrital zircon Lu-Hf data suggest that the sediment source involved Paleoarchean juvenile and reworked components. Based on our findings, we propose that the Sargur sequence represents an accretionary mélange which forms part of a major Mesoarchean accretionary orogen that witnessed multiple stages of tectonic erosion at least during three periods at ca. 3200–3000 Ma, 3000–2800 Ma and 2800–2500 Ma removing a large part of the accretionary prism along the convergent margin. We correlate the processes with prolonged subduction-accretion cycle culminating in the final collision between the Western and Central Dharwar cratonic blocks.     

The tectonic evolution of the Tianshan Orogenic Belt: Evidence from U–Pb dating of detrital zircons from the Chinese southwestern Tianshan accretionary mélange

The Tianshan Orogenic Belt, which is located in the southwestern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), is an important component in the reconstruction of the tectonic evolution of the CAOB. In order to examine the evolution of the Tianshan Orogenic Belt, we performed detrital zircon U–Pb dating analyses of sediments from the accretionary mélange from Chinese southwestern Tianshan in this study. A total of 542 analyzed spots on 541 zircon grains from five samples yield Paleoarchean to Devonian ages. The major age groups are 2520–2400 Ma, 1890–1600 Ma, 1168–651 Ma, and 490–390 Ma. Provenance analysis indicates that, the Precambrian detrital zircons were probably mainly derived from the paleo-Kazakhstan continent formed before the Early Silurian by amalgamation of the Kazakhstan–Yili microplate, the Chinese central Tianshan terrane and the Kyrgyz North and Middle Tianshan blocks, while detrital zircons with Paleozoic ages mainly from igneous rocks of the continental arc generated by the northward subduction of the south Tianshan paleocean. The age data correspond to four tectono-thermal events that took place in these small blocks, i.e., the continental nucleus growth during the Late Neoarchean–early Paleoproterozoic (~ 2.5 Ga), the evolution of the supercontinents Columbia (2.1–1.6 Ga) and Rodinia (1.3–0.57 Ga), and the arc magmatism related with the Phanerozoic orogeny. The Precambrian zircons show a similar age pattern as the Tarim and the Cathaysia cratons and the Eastern India–Eastern Antarctica block but differ from those of Siberia distinctly. Therefore, the Tianshan region blocks and the Kazakhstan–Yili microplate have a close affinity to the eastern paleo-Gondwana fragments, but were not derived from the Siberia craton as proposed by some previous researchers. These blocks were likely generated by rifting accompanying Rodinia break-up in late Precambrian times.The youngest ages of the detrital zircons from the subduction mélange show a maximum depositional age of ca. 390 Ma. It is coeval with the end of an earlier arc magmatic pulse (440–390 Ma) but a bit older than a younger one at 360–320 Ma and nearly 70–80 Ma older than the HP–UHP metamorphism in the subduction zone (320–310 Ma).     

Detrital zircon geochronology of Devonian quartzite from tectonic mélange in the Mianlue Suture Zone,Central China: provenance and tectonic implications

ABSTRACT

Devonian quartzite occurs as blocks within a phyllite matrix in Puziba area of the Mianlue Suture Zone (MLSZ) in central China. The depositional time of the quartzite is younger than 425 Ma (mainly Early Devonian), constrained by the zircon U–Pb geochronology data from the quartzite, cross-cutting relationships with granite, and palaeontology evidence. The detrital zircons in the quartzite show typical magmatic features with four main age peaks at: 2676–2420 Ma (11.6% of the population), 1791–1606 Ma (4.8%), 997–817 Ma (26.5%), and 597–425 Ma (17.5%). In combination with the zircon εHf(t) values, we propose that the quartzite in the MLSZ was sourced from Neoproterozoic and Palaeozoic magmatic and sedimentary rocks in the South Qinling Block and the South China Block (particularly from the Bikou Terrane), with minor contributions from Archaean and Palaeoproterozoic magmatic units from both of the South and North China blocks. The blocks of quartzite, slate, marble, metasandstone, and chert blocks in the phyllite matrix in the Puziba area show a typical block-in-matrix texture in a tectonic mélange, and provide significant evidence from sedimentary rock blocks rather than ophiolite or volcanic rock for the existence of the MLSZ.     

Structure,age, and tectonic development of the Huoshishan–Niujuanzi ophiolitic mélange,Beishan, southernmost Altaids

The Huoshishan–Niujuanzi ophiolitic mélange (HNO) is located near the central part of the Beishan Orogenic Belt in the southernmost Altaids. The HNO consists of ultramafic rocks, cumulate gabbros, gabbros, plagiogranites, diorites, diabases, basalts, andesites, rhyolitic volcaniclastic rocks and siliceous sedimentary rocks, many of which are in a schist matrix (Gongpoquan Group). Geochemical data of the mafic rocks indicate a calc-alkaline or a mixture of calc-alkaline and tholeiitic rocks with negative Nb, Ta and positive Pb, Ba and La anomalies, suggesting formation in an island arc or supra-subduction zone setting. A gabbro from a block in the mélange in the Niujuanzi area has a zircon age of 435.0 ± 1.9 Ma and a plagiogranite with an age of 444.3 ± 1.9 Ma, and another gabbro from the Huoshishan area has an age of 410.5 ± 3.7 Ma. The schist matrix has a zircon age of 512 ± 5.3 Ma and contains Silurian, Devonian and Carboniferous fossils, thus the mélange formed in the late Carboniferous or later. Our structural analysis of fault planes in the HNO, the crenulation cleavages (S₂) of the schist, and fold axial planes of early Permian sandy limestone/quartz veins and late Permian sandstones indicates that the mélange underwent a north-to-south compression, and the orientation of stretching lineations, slickensides and fold hinge lines implies that the HNO experienced top-to-the north (or -northwest) movement. The entire planar and linear structural data set suggests that the subduction polarity was probably to the south in the late Paleozoic. The emplacement age of the HNO was probably near the end-Permian based on the age of the youngest rocks in the ophiolitic mélange, and by the presence of a late Permian unconformity. From our work, integrated with published regional data, we outline a comprehensive geodynamic model for the central BOC.     

Geochronology and geochemistry of the Niujuanzi ophiolitic mélange,Gansu Province,NW China: implications for tectonic evolution of the Beishan Orogenic Collage

International Journal of Earth Sciences - The Niujuanzi ophiolitic mélange (NOM), located in the Beishan Orogenic Collage, marks the termination between the Huaniushan arc and Mingshui-Hanshan...     

Discovery of eclogite in the Bangong Co–Nujiang ophiolitic mélange,central Tibet,and tectonic implications

An eclogite has been recently identified within ophiolitic mélange in the western segment of the Bangong Co–Nujiang suture zone, at Shemalagou in the Gaize area of central Tibet. The eclogite consists of garnet, omphacite, phengite, rutile, quartz, diopside, and amphibole. The omphacite, which has not been recognized in the suture zone until this study, occurs as rare relics within diopside grains in the eclogite. Phase equilibria modeling shows that the eclogite formed under P–T conditions of 22–28 kbar and 600–650 °C with a low geothermal gradient of ca. 8 °C/km, suggesting that it formed during the subduction of oceanic crust. The protoliths of the eclogite and coexisting garnet amphibolites have geochemical characteristics similar to those of normal mid-ocean ridge basalt (N-MORB), confirming that the eclogites formed from oceanic crust. The presence of high-pressure (HP) eclogite indicates that the ophiolitic mélange in the Bangong Co–Nujiang suture zone underwent oceanic subduction and was subsequently exhumed. We conclude that this ophiolitic belt represents a newly identified HP metamorphic belt in the Tibetan Plateau, adding to the previously recognized Songduo and Longmucuo–Shuanghu eclogite belts. This discovery will result in an improved understanding of the tectonic evolution of the Bangong Co–Nujiang suture zone and the Tibetan Plateau as a whole.     

OPS mélange: a new term for mélanges of convergent margins of the world

Ocean plate stratigraphy (OPS) is essential to understanding accretionary wedges and complexes along convergent plate margins. Mélanges within accretionary wedges and complexes are the products of fragmentation and mixing processes during and following OPS accretion. A new term, ‘OPS mélange’, is proposed here for mélanges composed mostly of blocks of OPS with an argillaceous matrix, and for a mixture of mélanges of multiple origins with either broken or coherent formations. An OPS mélange results from the fragmentation and disruption of OPS, without admixing of other components. Three major types of OPS mélange can be distinguished on the basis of their components: turbidite type, chert–turbidite type, and limestone–basalt type. These three types potentially form similar mélanges, but they are derived from different parts of the OPS, depending on the level of the decollement surface. The concept of ‘OPS mélange’ can be applied to most of the mélanges in accretionary prisms and complexes worldwide. In addition, this proposal recognizes a distinction between processes of fragmentation and mixing of OPS components, and mixing of ophiolite components, the latter of which results in serpentinite mélanges, not OPS mélanges. Mélanges composed of OPS sequences occur worldwide. The recognition of OPS mélanges is a key aspect of understanding tectonic processes at convergent margins, which result in mélange formation in orogenic belts globally.     

Geochronology,geochemistry and tectonic implications of a new ophiolitic mélange in the northern West Junggar,NW China

The West Junggar, located in the southernmost part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), is a key region for understanding the Paleozoic evolution of the CAOB. Issues of the timing of initial subduction and tectonic unit connections in northern West Junggar still remain controversial. In this study, we report a new ophiolitic mélange named the E'min ophiolitic mélange in northern West Junggar. The tectonic blocks in the E'min ophiolitic mélange are mainly composed of serpentinized peridotite, serpentinite, gabbros, pillow basalts, and cherts, with a matrix consisting of highly deformed serpentinites. A gabbro exhibits a zircon SHRIMP U-Pb age of 476 ± 2 Ma, and the zircon grains have δ¹⁸O values similar to those of mantle zircons. Those basalt samples display depletions of light rare earth element (REE) relative to heavy REEs. They exhibit weak enrichment of Ba and Th, and moderate depletion of Nb and Ta. The basalts display similar geochemical characteristics to that of fore–arc basalts in the present-day fore–arc setting. The gabbros exhibit high MgO and compatible element contents, but low TiO₂, total REE and high field strength element (HFSE) contents. They exhibit light REE depletion, enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements, and depletion of HFSEs. The boninite-like geochemical patterns of the gabbros indicate that they were formed in a subduction-related environment, and were derived from an extremely depleted mantle source infiltrated by subduction-derived fluids and/or melts. The E'min ophiolitic mélange has a geochemical make-up similar to those of suprasubduction-zone (SSZ)-type ophiolites formed in a forearc setting. Hence, we propose that the E'min ophiolitic mélange formed in a forearc setting and may represent the initial subduction in northern West Junggar. Based on geochronological data, we propose that the E'min ophiolite, together with the Kujibai, Hoboksar and Hongguleleng ophiolites, formed during a similar period and comprise a huge E–W trending ophiolitic belt.     

Polyhalite microfabrics in an Alpine evaporite mélange: Hallstatt,Eastern Alps

In the Hallstatt salt mine (Austria), polyhalite rocks occur in 0.5–1 m thick and several metre long tectonic lenses within the protocataclasite to protomylonite matrix of the Alpine Haselgebirge Fm.. Thin section analysis of Hallstatt polyhalites reveals various fabric types similar to metamorphic rocks of crust-forming minerals, e.g. quartz and feldspar. Polyhalite microfabrics from Hallstatt include: (1) polyhalite mylonites, (2) metamorphic reaction fabrics, (3) vein-filling, fibrous polyhalite and (4) cavity-filling polyhalite. The polyhalite mylonites contain a wide range of shear fabrics commonly known in mylonitic quartzo–feldspathic shear zones within the ductile crust and developed from a more coarse-grained precursor rock. The mylonites are partly overprinted by recrystallised, statically grown polyhalite grains. Metamorphic reaction fabrics of polyhalite fibres between blödite (or astrakhanite) [Na₂Mg(SO₄)₂.4H₂O] and anhydrite have also been found. According to previous reports, blödite may occur primarily as nodules or intergrown with löweite. Reaction fabrics may have formed by exsolution, (re-)crystallisation, parallel growth or replacement. This fabric type was only found in one sample in relation with the decomposition of blödite at ca. 61 °C in the presence of halite or slightly above, testifying, therefore, a late stage prograde fabric significantly younger than the main polyhalite formation.     

Mesoproterozoic ophiolitic mélange from the SE periphery of the Indian plate: U–Pb zircon ages and tectonic implications

The Kanigiri mélange within the Proterozoic Nellore–Khammam schist belt in southern Peninsular India includes ophiolitic fragments that represent the remnants of an oceanic plate. The ophiolitic units were accreted along a NE-trending suture that juxtaposes the Proterozoic Eastern Ghats Granulite Belt (EGGB) against the Archean Nellore Schist Belt of the Dharwar craton. The ophiolite components in the Kanigiri mélange include plagiogranites and gabbros which show mutually intrusive relations indicating their coeval nature. We report laser ablation-ICP-MS age data and REE geochemistry of zircons from the gabbro and granite. The zircons from both gabbro and granite show high REE contents, prominent HREE enrichment and a conspicuous negative Eu anomaly, suggesting a common melt source. Zircon REE abundances and normalized patterns show little intersample and intrasample variations. U–Pb dating of the zircons reveals prominent Mesoproterozoic ages for the plagiogranite, with the ca.1.33 Ga age of the Kanigiri ophiolitic mélange offering important clues for arc–continent collision during the final stages of amalgamation of the Columbia-derived fragments within the Neoproterozoic supercontinent assembly.     

Geochemistry,petrogenesis and tectonic significance of the basic volcanic units of the Zildat ophiolitic mélange,Indus suture zone,eastern Ladakh (India)

Abstract

Basic volcanic rocks within the Zildat ophiolitic mélange of Indus suture zone in eastern Ladakh are medium to fine grained with partially preserved primary texture and mineralogy. These rocks are predominantly alkaline basalt with high Nb/Y and enriched incompatible trace element characteristics, similar to those of the oceanic island basalt (OIB). The minor sub-alkaline basaltic rocks resemble N-type mid ocean ridge basalt (N-MORB) but with much lower abundances of incompatible trace element including REE. The alkaline rocks probably generated through variable, but low degrees of partial melting of enriched mantle source and evolved through high pressure olivine and clinopyroxene fractionation. Low pressure plagioclase and Fe- Ti oxide do not appear to be major fractionating phases. Limited data on the sub-alkaline rocks suggest that their parental melts were derived from mantle sources some what similar to that of N- MORB. Significant role of added cumulates of olivine, clinopyroxene and Fe- Ti oxides is also indicated in their genesis. Ophiolitic mélanges all along the Indus suture zone appear to have formed due to the accumulation of mélange material in the upper part of the subduction zone where they suffered glaucophanitic (blueschist) metamorphism and retrograded partially to greenschist grade as these were subsequently obducted to its present position probably during the Cenozoic Himalayan orogeny due to collision of Indian and Eurasian plates.     

Bimodal stable isotope signatures of Zildat Ophiolitic Mélange, Indus Suture Zone, Himalaya: implications for emplacement of an ophiolitic mélange in a convergent setup

Zildat Ophiolitic Mélange (ZOM) of the Indus Suture Zone, Himalaya, represents tectonic blocks of the fragmented oceanic metasediments and ophiolite remnants. The ZOM is sandwiched between the Zildat fault adjacent to a gneissic dome known as Tso Morari Crystalline (TMC) and thin sliver of an ophiolite called as the Nidar Ophiolitic Complex. The ZOM contain chaotic low-density lithologies of metamorphosed oceanic sediments and hydrated mantle rocks, in which carbonates are present as mega-clasts ranging from 100 meters to few centimeters in size. In this work, calcite microstructures, fluid inclusion petrography and stable isotope analyses of carbonates were carried out to envisage the emplacement history of the ZOM. Calcite microstructure varies with decreasing temperature and increasing intensity of deformation. Intense shearing is seen at the marginal part of the mélange near Zildat fault. These observations are consistent with the mélange as a tectonically dismembered block, formed at a plate boundary in convergent setup. The δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C isotope values of carbonates show bimodal nature from deeper (interior) to the shallower (marginal, near the Zildat fault) part of the mélange. Carbonate blocks from deeper part of the mélange reflect marine isotopic signature with limited fluid–rock interaction, which later on provide a mixing zone of oceanic metasediments and/or hydrated ultramafic rocks. Carbonates at shallower depths of the mélange show dominance of syn-deformation hydrous fluids, and this has later been modified by metamorphism of the adjacent TMC gneisses. Above observations reveal that the mélange was emplaced over the subducting Indian plate and later on synchronously deformed with the TMC gneissic dome.     

Cambrian (~510 Ma) ophiolites of the East Kunlun orogen,China: A case study from the Acite ophiolitic tectonic mélange

The Acite ophiolitic mélange represents a remnant of the Proto-Tethys forearc oceanic lithosphere. Two gabbros yield zircon ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 510-512 Ma. The magmatic rocks are divided into three subtypes: (1) Mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) -like forearc basalts (FABs), (2) Low-titanium tholeiitic gabbros (LTGs), and (3) Normal calc-alkaline dacites (CADs). The FABs have comparatively higher TiO₂ concentrations (1.13–1.42 wt%) and show almost flat REE patterns. In the NMORB normalized trace element patterns, the FABs display flat distributions of high field strength element (HFSE). The ε_Nd(t) values of FABs range from +4.0 to +4.8. These features are similar to the composition of Izu-Bonin-Mariana forearc basalts (FABs). LTGs are characterized by higher contents of MgO (8.85–9.95 wt%) and lower concentration of TiO₂(0.29–0.50 wt%). They show LREE-depleted patterns, however having comparatively lower total REE contents than those of FABs. The ε_Nd(t) values of LTGs range from +7.4 to +8.4. These features show that LTG magmas originated from a progressively depleted mantle source. In contrast, the CADs having higher SiO₂ contents (63.58–70.92 wt%) have higher total REE contents. In the NMORB normalized trace element patterns, CADs are characterized by enrichment of LILEs and depletion of HFSEs. CADs have negative ε_Nd(t) values ranging from -9.8 to -10.5, which are likely suggestive of a crust-derived source. The rock association of FABs and LTGs, together with tectonic discrimination plots and regional data, suggest a forearc setting above the SSZ for Acite ophiolitic mélange.     

Origin of the serpentinites in the Lichi mélange,eastern Taiwan,China: implication from petrology and geochronology

Lichi mélange, located in the southern coastal range, eastern Taiwan, China, is a typical tectonic mélange of the plate’s boundary zone between the Eurasian Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate. It formed during the collision of the Luzon arc with the Eurasian Continent (arc-continent collision). It is composed of sandstone and/or mudstone matrix and many kinds and sizes of rock fragments, including some sedimentary rocks, volcanic rocks and a few metamorphic rocks. The serpentinite is one of the common fragments in the Lichi mélange. By the petrographic characteristics and the zircon U-Pb chronology analyses, protolith of the serpentinite is peridotite, the age is 17.7 ± 0.5 Ma. Taking the tectonic background into account, it is inferred that the serpentinite (serpentinised peridotite) come from the forearc basin (the North Luzon Trough) and was taken into the mélange by a second thrust westwards. The origin of the serpentinite in Lichi mélange is helpful to understand the formation of the Lichi mélange and can provide reliable detailed information for the study of the arc-continent collision orogenic activity in and offshore Taiwan.     

Using 3D kinematic models in subduction channels. The case of the Chañaral tectonic mélange,Coastal Cordillera,northern Chile

The Chañaral tectonic mélange (northern Chile) is a local unit within the late Paleozoic accretionary complex formed at the southwestern margin of Gondwana. The structural characteristics of the studied mélange were mostly developed during a first deformation phase (D1) and include a block-in-matrix fabric, lineations (L1) and foliations (S1), tight to intrafoliar folds, S-C and S-C-C′ composite planar fabrics, and a conspicuous spatial separation of domains with predominantly linear and linear-planar fabrics. Folding during a second stage (D2) modified the orientation of the previous fabrics and structures. The eastern boundary of the Chañaral mélange is N-S to NNW-SSE oriented, moderately dipping to the east. Its western boundary is not exposed. The plane showing the maximum structural asymmetry (the vorticity normal section) is ENE-WSW directed, and sub-vertical. Kinematic criteria consistently reveal top-to-the-WSW displacement. A kinematic model of triclinic transpression with inclined extrusion has been applied to evaluate the D1 structural features of the Chañaral mélange. The pitch of the simple shear direction on the deformation plane ranged from 60°N to 90°. The pitch of the estimated extrusion direction was of 30°-40°S. The coaxial component was clearly constrictional (logarithmic K value of 2 to 5). The vorticity number has not been constrained by the model, but its spatial variation can explain the domainal distribution of the fabrics in the mélange. The simulated particle paths show the predominance of material displacement parallel to the margin, with low to moderate down-dip displacements, which is in accordance with the low-pressure metamorphic assemblages found in the mélange. The convergence direction between the blocks separated by the mélange unit was N50°-60°E. Kinematic blocking of the Chañaral mélange, probably related to the accretion of an oceanic volcanic domain, allowed the D2 folding of the previous structures, a process that, at least initially, proceeded without a change in the convergence direction.