珲春小西南岔白垩纪花岗岩的地球化学及岩浆源区特征

珲春小西南岔地区白垩纪花岗岩主要有英云闪长岩和花岗闪长岩两种类型。英云闪长岩属于中钾钙碱性系列(Na₂O/K₂O=1.99~2.76),具有高Al₂O₃(15.46%~17.13%)、Sr(559×10^-6~731×10^-6)、Sr/Y(40~78)、La/Yb(16~21),低Y(9×10^-6~14×10^-6)、Yb(0.8×10^-6~1.3×10^-6)的特征,与埃达克质岩石地球化学特征类似。花岗闪长岩为高钾钙碱性系列,Na₂O/K₂O=1.01~1.56,w(Sr)=312×10^-6~410×10^-6、w(Yb)=1.23×10^-6~2.13×10^-6、Sr/Y=13~32,属正常的高钾钙碱性花岗岩。两类花岗岩的源区均为玄武质下地壳物质,英云闪长质岩浆形成压力较高(> 1.0 GPa),深度大于33 km,花岗闪长质岩浆形成压力相对较低(0.8~1.0 GPa),岩浆来源深度为26~33 km。     

Fluid Characteristics and Evolution of the Zhawulong Granitic Pegmatite Lithium Deposit in the Ganzi‐Songpan Region,Southwestern China

The Zhawulong granitic pegmatite lithium deposit is located in the Ganzi-Songpan orogenic belt. Fluid inclusions in spodumene and coexisting quartz were studied to understand the cooling path and evolution of fluid within albite–spodumene pegmatite. There are three distinguishable types of fluid inclusions: crystal-rich, CO2–NaCl–H2O, and NaCl–H2O. At more than 500°C and 350~480 MPa, crystal-rich fluid inclusions were captured during the pegmatitic magma-hydrothermal transition stage, characterized by a dense hydrous alkali borosilicate fluid with a carbonate component. Between 412°C and 278°C, CO2–NaCl–H2Ofluid inclusions developed in spodumene (I) and quartz (II) with a low salinity (3.3–11.9 wt%NaCl equivalent) and a high volatile content, which represent the boundary between the transition stage and the hydrothermal stage. The subsequentNaCl–H2Ofluid inclusions from the hydrothermal stage, between 189°C and 302°C, have a low salinity (1.1–13.9 wt%NaCl equivalent). The various types of fluid inclusions reveal the P–T conditions of pegmatite formation, which marks the transition process from magmatic to hydrothermal. The ore-forming fluids from the Zhawulong deposit have many of the same characteristics as those from the Jiajika lithium deposit. The ore-forming fluid provided not only materials for crystallization of rare metal minerals, such as spodumene and beryl, but also the ideal conditions forthe growth of ore minerals. Therefore, this area has favorable conditions for lithium enrichment and excellent prospecting potential.     

Petrogenesis and Mineralization of Two‐Stage A‐Type Granites in Jiuyishan,South China: Constraints from Whole‐rock Geochemistry,Mineral Composition and Zircon U‐Pb‐Hf Isotopes

The Jiuyishan complex massif, located in the northern section of the Nanling region, is a combination of five plutons, namely, the Xuehuading, Jinjiling, Pangxiemu, Shaziling and Xishan plutons. Whole-rock geochemistry, mineral electron microprobe analysis, zircon U-Pb dating and Hf isotope analysis were carried out for the Jinjiling and Pangxiemu plutons. The zircon U-Pb dating yields weighted mean ages of 152.9±0.9 Ma for the Jinjiling pluton and 151.7±1.5 Ma for the Pangxiemu pluton, with a narrow gap between them. The Jinjiling and Pangxiemu plutons both have geochemical characteristics of high SiO2, Al2O3, Na2O, K2O and low TiO2, MgO, CaO, P2O5 contents, with intense depletionS in Sr, Ba, Ti, Eu and enrichments?in Ga, FeOT and HFSE, and these characteristics reflect an A-type affinity. From the Jinjiling to the Pangxiemu plutons, the mineral composition of mica changes from lepidomelane to zinnwaldite, with increases in F, Li2O and Rb2O contents. The mineral composition of zircon changes from low Zr/Hf to high Zr/Hf, with increasing HfO2, P2O5 and UO2+ThO2+Y2O3 contents. The mineral compositions of feldspar indicate that the Pangxiemu pluton contains more alkali feldspar than the Jinjiling pluton. The whole-rock geochemistry and mineral compositions reveal a higher degree of differentiation for the Pangxiemu pluton. The nearly uniform εHf(t) indicates the same source region for the two plutons: both were derived from partial melting of the lower crust, with small contributions of mantle materials. In addition, higher F, lower Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf ratios in the Pangxiemu Pluton suggest a closer relationship with the rare metal mineralization than for the Jinjiling pluton.     

Petrogenesis of Late Cretaceous Jiangla’angzong I-Type Granite in Central Lhasa Terrane, Tibet, China: Constraints from Whole-Rock Geochemistry, Zircon U-Pb Geochronology, and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf Isotopes

The Jiangla'angzong granite in the northern part of the Central Lhasa Terrane is composed of syenogranite and adamellite. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb analyses suggest that syenogranite has a weighted mean ~(206) Pb/~(238) U age of 86±1 Ma(mean square weighted deviation=0.37), which is in accordance with the muscovite Ar-Ar age(85±1 Ma) of Cu-Au ore-bearing skarns and the zircon U-Pb age(84±1 Ma) of adamellite. This suggests that the Jiangla'angzong magmatism and Cu–Au mineralization events took place during the Late Cretaceous. The granite contains hornblende, biotite, and pyroxene, and does not contain Al-bearing minerals, such as muscovite, cordierite, and garnet. It has high contents of SiO_2(65.10–70.91 wt%), K_2O(3.44–5.17 wt%), and total K_2O+Na_2O(7.13–8.15 wt%), and moderate contents of A_(12)O_3(14.14–16.45 wt%) and CaO(2.33–4.11 wt%), with a Reitman index(σ43) of 2.18 to 2.33, and A/CNK values of 0.88 to 1.02. The P_2O_5 contents show a negative correlation with SiO_2, whereas Pb contents show a positive correlation with SiO_2. Th and Y contents are relatively low and show a negative correlation with the Rb contents. These characteristics suggest that the Jiangla'angzong granite is a high K calc–alkaline metaluminous I–type granite. It is enriched in light rare earth elements(LREE) and large ion lithofile elements(LILE), and depleted in heavy rare earth elements(HREE) and high field strength elements(HFSE), with LREE/HREE ratios of 11.7 to 18.1. The granite has negative Eu anomalies of 0.58 to 0.94 without obvious Ce anomalies(δCe=1.00–1.04). The relatively low initial 87 Sr/86 Sr ratios of 0.7106 to 0.7179, positive εHf(t) values of 1.0 to 4.1, and two-stage Hf model ages(TDM2) ranging from 889 Ma to 1082 Ma, These geochemical features indicate that the granite derived from a juvenile crust. The(~(143) Nd/~(144) Nd)_t values from the Jiangla'angzong granite range from 0.5121 to 0.5123, its εNd(t) values range from-10.17 to-6.10, its(~(206) Pb/~(204) Pb)_t values range from 18.683 to 18.746, its(~(207) Pb/~(204) Pb)_t values range from 15.695 to 15.700, and its(~(208) Pb/~(204) Pb)_t values range from 39.012 to 39.071. These data indicate that the granite was formed by melting of the upper crust with the addition of some mantle materials. We propose that the Jiangla'angzong granite was formed during the postcollision extension of the Qiangtang and Lhasa terranes.     

Magmatic‐Hydrothermal Mineralization Sequence in Xinlu Ore Field,Guangxi, South China: Constraints from Zircon U‐Pb,Molybdenite Re‐Os,and Muscovite Ar‐Ar Dating

The Xinlu Sn‐polymetallic ore field is located in the western Nanling Polymetallic Belt in northeastern Guangxi, South China, where a number of typical skarn‐, hydrothermal vein‐type tin deposits have developed. There are two types of Sn deposits: skarn‐type and sulfide‐quartz vein‐type. The tin mineralizations mainly occur on the south side of the Guposhan granitic complex pluton and within its outer contact zone. To constrain the Sn mineralization age and further understand its genetic links to the Guposhan granitic complex, a series of geochronological works has been conducted at the Liuheao deposit of the ore field using high‐precision zircon SHRIMP U‐Pb, molybdenite Re‐Os, and muscovite Ar‐Ar dating methods. The results show that the biotite‐monzogranite, which is part of the Xinlu intrusive unit of the Guposhan complex pluton, has a SHRIMP U‐Pb zircon age of 161.0 ± 1.5 Ma. The skarn‐type ore has a ⁴⁰Ar‐³⁹Ar muscovite plateau age of 160 ± 2 Ma (same as its isochron age), and the sulfide‐quartz vein‐type ore yields an Re‐Os molybdenite isochron age of 154.4 ± 3.5 Ma. The magmatic‐hydrothermal geochronological sequence demonstrated that the hydrothermal mineralization took place immediately following the emplacement of the monzogranite, with the skarn metasomatic mineralization stage predating the sulfide mineralization stage. Geochronologically, we have compared this ore field with 26 typical Sn deposits distributed along the Nanling Polymetallic Belt, leading to the suggestion of the magmatic‐metallogenic processes in the Xinlu ore field (ca. 161–154 Ma) as a component of the Early Yanshanian large‐scale Sn‐polymetallic mineralization event (peaked at 160–150 Ma) in the Nanling Range of South China. Petrogenesis of Sn‐producing granite and Sn‐polymetallic mineralization were probably caused by crust–mantle interaction as a result of significant lithospheric extension and thinning in South China in the Late Jurassic.     

K‐Ar age determination,whole‐rock and oxygen isotope geochemistry of the post‐collisional Bizmişen and Çaltı plutons,SW Erzincan,eastern Central Anatolia,Turkey

Post‐collisional granitoid plutons intrude obducted Neo‐Tethyan ophiolitic rocks in central and eastern Central Anatolia. The Bizmişen and Çaltı plutons and the ophiolitic rocks that they intrude are overlain by fossiliferous and flyschoidal sedimentary rocks of the early Miocene Kemah Formation. These sedimentary rocks were deposited in basins that developed at the same time as tectonic unroofing of the plutons along E–W and NW–SE trending faults in Oligo‐Miocene time. Mineral separates from the Bizmişen and Çaltı plutons yield K‐Ar ages ranging from 42 to 46 Ma, and from 40 to 49 Ma, respectively. Major, trace, and rare‐earth element geochemistry as well as mineralogical and textural evidence reveals that the Bizmişen pluton crystallized first, followed at shallower depth by the Çaltı pluton from a medium‐K calcalkaline, I‐type hybrid magma which was generated by magma mixing of coeval mafic and felsic magmas. Delta ¹⁸O values of both plutons fall in the field of I‐type granitoids, although those of the Çaltı pluton are consistently higher than those of the Bizmişen pluton. This is in agreement with field observations, petrographic and whole‐rock geochemical data, which indicate that the Bizmişen pluton represents relatively uncontaminated mantle material, whereas the Çaltı pluton has a significant crustal component. Structural data indicating the middle Eocene emplacement age and intrusion into already obducted ophiolitic rocks, suggest a post‐collisional extensional origin. However, the pure geochemical discrimination diagrams indicate an arc origin which can be inherited either from the source material or from an upper mantle material modified by an early subduction process during the evolution of the Neo‐Tethyan ocean. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

西昆仑甜水海地块南屏雪山早古生代花岗岩地球化学、Hf同位素特征及其壳幔岩浆作用

南屏雪山早古生代花岗岩体位于西昆仑甜水海地块东段,主要岩性为中粒含斑黑云母二长花岗岩(485Ma)和中细粒黑云母二长花岗岩(528Ma)。化学组成上,两者均具有高硅、富碱,贫TFe2O3、MgO和CaO的特征,属高钾钙碱性弱过铝质系列;微量和稀土元素组成上,两者均富Rb、Th、U、K、Pb和轻稀土,贫Ba、Sr、Nb、Ta、Ti和P,Rb/Sr、Rb/Ba、Nb/Ta和Y/Yb比值高,具有明显的Eu负异常,其Zr、Nb、Ce、Y等高场强元素均较之典型A型花岗岩偏低,综合地质地球化学特征的判别表明南屏雪山花岗岩应属高分异的I型花岗岩。中粒含斑黑云母二长花岗岩和中细粒黑云母二长花岗岩均具有较均一的正εHf(t)值(0.9~5.3和1.4~5.6)和中元古代的二阶段模式年龄TDM2(1118~1398Ma和1136~1396Ma),相似的地球化学特征和锆石Hf同位素组分暗示两者可能是同源岩浆演化的产物。结合区域构造演化历史,推测在早古生代原特提斯洋存在双向俯冲,南屏雪山早古生代花岗岩则是在早寒武世-早奥陶世(528~485 Ma)原特提斯洋持续向南的俯冲消减-碰撞造山过程中,诱导幔源岩浆上涌底侵下地壳,诱发区内中元古代新生地壳物质至少两次部分熔融(早寒武世和早奥陶世),并经历一定程度的分离结晶作用而形成的。     

Thermal gradient and timing of high‐T–low‐P metamorphism in the Wongwibinda Metamorphic Complex,southern New England Orogen,Australia

The Wongwibinda Metamorphic Complex (WMC) is a high‐temperature, low‐pressure (HTLP) belt in the southern New England Orogen. It is characterized by a high metamorphic field gradient exposed in variably metamorphosed siliceous turbidites. The Abroi Granodiorite and the Rockvale and Tobermory adamellites, S‐type granitoids of the Hillgrove Plutonic Suite, intrude the metaturbidites. Six samples of metaturbidite were studied from an ～3 km long field traverse. Integrated petrography, mineral chemistry, and mineral equilibria modelling indicate a peak metamorphic temperature of 350–450 °C in the lowest grade rocks and ～660 °C in the highest‐grade rocks. Maximum pressure does not exceed 3.5 kbar anywhere, implying a maximum depth of 12 km and indicating an average vertical gradient of at least 55 °C km^?1, though our calculations suggest this is not linear. Metamorphic isograds show no apparent relationship with distance to the exposed margins of the Hillgrove Suite granitoids. Electron microprobe U–Th–Pb monazite data indicate a date of 296.8 ± 1.5 Ma for the thermal peak of the HTLP metamorphism. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry indicates a zircon U–Pb crystallization age of 290.5 ± 1.6 Ma for the Abroi Granodiorite, confirming that the pluton post‐dates the peak HTLP metamorphism. Consequently, magmatic advective heat transfer from depth via emplacement of a large volume of granitoid is unlikely to be the key local driver of the high‐grade metamorphism. It is concluded that published evidence of an extensional geodynamic setting around the Carboniferous–Permian boundary supports conductive heat transfer as the key driver of HTLP metamorphism for the WMC. It is not possible to exclude magmatic advective heat transfer via emplacement of mantle derived basaltic magmas in the deeper crust.     

Formation Age and Evolution Time Span of the Koktokay No. 3 Pegmatite,Altai, NW China: Evidence from U–Pb Zircon and 40Ar–39Ar Muscovite Ages

The Koktokay No. 3 pegmatite is the largest Li–Be–Nb–Ta–Cs pegmatitic rare‐metal deposit of the Chinese Altai orogenic belt, and is famous for its concentric ring zonation pattern (nine internal zones). However, the formation age and evolution time span have been controversial. Here, we present the results of LA‐ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating and muscovite ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar dating. Four groups of zircon U–Pb ages (～210 Ma, ～193–198 Ma, ～186–187 Ma and ～172 Ma) for Zones II, V, VI, VII, and VIII, and a weighed mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 965 ± 11 Ma for Zone IV are identified. Also, Zones II, IV, and VI have muscovite ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar plateau ages of 179.7 ± 1.1 Ma, 182.1 ± 1.0 Ma, and 181.8 ± 1.1 Ma, respectively. Considering previous U–Pb age studies (Zones I, V, and VII), the ages of emplacement, Li mineralization peak, hydrothermal stage of the No. 3 pegmatite are in ranges of 193–198 Ma, 184–187 Ma and 172–175 Ma, with weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb–²³⁸U ages of 194.8 ± 2.3 Ma, 186.6 ± 1.3 Ma and 173.1 ± 3.9 Ma, respectively. The No. 3 pegmatite formed in the early Jurassic. The results of xenocrysts suggest that there is another pegmatite forming event of around 210 Ma in the mining district and the old zircon U–Pb ages imply that Neoproterozoic crustal rocks pertain to sources of the No. 3 pegmatite. Including the previous muscovite ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar age studies (Zones I and V), a cooling age range of 177–182 Ma is considered as the time of hydrothermal stage and end of formation. The evolution process of the No. 3 pegmatite lasted 16 Ma. Therein, the magmatic stage continued for 9–11 Myr and the magmatic–hydrothermal transition and hydrothermal stages were sustained at 5–7 Ma. These time spans are long because of huge scale, cupola shape, large formation depth, and complex internal zoning patterns and formation processes. Considering some pegmatite dikes in the Chinese Altai, there is an early Jurassic pegmatite forming event.     

On the origin of multi‐layer coronas between olivine and plagioclase at the gabbro–granulite transition,Valle Fértil–La Huerta Ranges,San Juan Province,Argentina

Troctolitic gabbros from Valle Fértil and La Huerta Ranges, San Juan Province, NW‐Argentina exhibit multi‐layer corona textures between cumulus olivine and plagioclase. The corona mineral sequence, which varies in the total thickness from 0.5 to 1 mm, comprises either an anhydrous corona type I with olivine|orthopyroxene|clinopyroxene+spinel symplectite|plagioclase or a hydrous corona type II with olivine|orthopyroxene|amphibole|amphibole+spinel symplectite|plagioclase. The anhydrous corona type I formed by metamorphic replacement of primary olivine and plagioclase, in the absence of any fluid/melt phase at <840 °C. Diffusion controlled metamorphic solid‐state replacement is mainly governed by the chemical potential gradients at the interface of reactant olivine and plagioclase and orthopyroxene and plagioclase. Thus, the thermodynamic incompatibility of the reactant minerals at the gabbro–granulite transition and the phase equilibria of the coronitic assemblage during subsequent cooling were modelled using quantitative μMgO–μCaO phase diagrams. Mineral reaction textures of the anhydrous corona type I indicate an inward migration of orthopyroxene on the expense of olivine, while clinopyroxene+spinel symplectite grows outward to replace plagioclase. Mineral textures of the hydrous corona type II indicate the presence of an interstitial liquid trapped between cumulus olivine and plagioclase that reacts with olivine to produce a rim of peritectic orthopyroxene around olivine. Two amphibole types are distinguished: an inclusion free, brownish amphibole I is enriched in trace elements and REEs relative to green amphibole II. Amphibole I evolves from an intercumulus liquid between peritectic orthopyroxene and plagioclase. Discrete layers of green amphibole II occur as inclusion‐free rims and amphibole II+spinel symplectites. Mineral textures and geochemical patterns indicate a metamorphic origin for amphibole II, where orthopyroxene was replaced to form an inner inclusion‐free amphibole II layer, while clinopyroxene and plagioclase were replaced to form an outer amphibole+spinel symplectite layer, at <770 °C. Calculation of the possible net reactions by considering NCKFMASH components indicates that the layer bulk composition cannot be modelled as a ‘closed’ system although in all cases the gain and loss of elements within the multi‐layer coronas (except H₂O, Na₂O) is very small and the main uncertainties may arise from slight chemical zoning of the respective minerals. Local oxidizing conditions led to the formation of orthopyroxene+magnetite symplectite enveloping and/or replacing olivine. The sequence of corona reaction textures indicates a counter clockwise P–T path at the gabbro–granulite transition at 5–6.5 kbar and temperatures below 900 °C.     

Rare Earth Elements in Hydrothermally Altered Granitic Rocks in the Ranong and Takua Pa Tin‐Field,Southern Thailand

Geochemical studies were conducted on the hydrothermally altered granitic rocks in the Ranong and Takua Pa tin‐fields in southern Thailand in order to investigate the mode of occurrence of REE (rare earth elements), with emphasis placed on a potential REE resource associated with granitic rocks in the Southeast Asian Tin Belt. The total REE (ΣREE) content of altered granitic rocks ranges from 130 to 350 ppm at Haad Son Paen (which is presently mined for kaolin clay) in the Ranong tin‐field, and that of altered granitic rocks and kaolinite veinlets reaches up to 424 ppm and 872 ppm, respectively, at Nok Hook in the Takua Pa tin‐field. Rare earth elements in the altered granitic rocks and kaolinite veinlets show a relatively flat chondrite‐normalized pattern, thus enriched in heavy REE compared with the original granitic rocks and their weathered crusts. At Nok Hook (Takua Pa), the ΣREE content of kaolinite separated from an altered granitic rock by elutriation is 1313 ppm, a ΣREE amount about four times higher than that of whole‐rock composition of the altered granitic rock. Chondrite‐normalized REE patterns of the elutriated kaolinite and of the altered granite are relatively flat. Sequential extraction experiments suggest that 41 and 85 percent of REE are present as ion exchangeable‐form in the altered granitic rock, and in the kaolinite veinlets, respectively. In addition, more than 90% of REE in the kaolinite veinlets are present as the acid‐soluble state. On the other hand, the ΣREE content of kaolinite veinlets and of the kaolinite concentrated by elutriation from an altered granitic rock at Haad Som Paen (Ranong) is 70 ppm and 75 ppm, respectively, thus enrichment of REE in kaolinite was not confirmed. In addition, by the sequential extraction experiments, 23% and 4% of REE were extracted from the altered granitic rock and the kaolinite veinlets at Haad Som Paen. In the altered granitic rocks at Haad Som Paen, REE are present as refractory phases, and REE in the acid‐soluble states had been leached by hydrothermal fluid.     

Geochemistry, Monazite U–Pb Dating, and Li–Nd Isotopes of the Madi Rare Metal Granite in the Northeastern Part of the North China Craton

The Madi rare metal granite is a complex massif, which contains a variety of rare metals, such as Nb, Ta, Li, and Be. In this paper, the geochemical characteristics of the granite were obtained by multi-collector inductively coupled mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). The precise crystalline age of the granite was obtained from monazite U-Pb dating, and the source of the granite was determined using Li-Nd isotopes. The Madi rare metal granite is a high-K (calc-alkaline), peraluminous, S-type granite. The U-Pb monazite age indicates that the crystalline age of the granite is 175.6 Ma, which is Early Jurassic. The granite is characterized by a relatively wide range of δ7Li values (+2.99‰ to +5.83‰) and high lithium concentrations (181 ppm to 1022 ppm). The lithium isotopic composition of the granite does not significantly correlate with the degree of magmatic differentiation. An insignificant amount of lithium isotope fractionation occurred during the granitic differentiation. The lithium isotopic composition of the granite significantly differs from that of the wall rock, but it is very similar to that of a primitive mantle peridotite xenolith (mean δ7Li value +3.5‰). The plot of Li concentration versus δ7Li indicates that the Li isotopic composition of the granite is similar to that of island arc lavas. Based on the above-described evidence, the granite was mainly derived from the crust, but it was contaminated by a deep granitic magma.     

Geochronology and Geochemistry of Early Cretaceous Granitic Plutons in the Xing’an Massif, Great Xing’an Range, NE China: Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

In this study, we present zircon U-Pb ages, whole-rock geochemical data and Hf isotopic compositions for the Meiguifeng and Arxan plutons in Xing'an Massif, Great Xing'an Range, which can provide important information in deciphering both Mesozoic magmatism and tectonic evolution of NE China. The zircon U-Pb dating results indicate that alkali feldspar granite from Meiguifeng pluton was emplaced at ～145 to 137 Ma, and granite porphyry of Arxan pluton was formed at ～129 Ma. The Meiguifeng and Arxan plutons have similar geochemical features, which are characterized by high silica, total alkalis, differentiation index, with low P_2O_5, CaO, MgO, TFe_2O_3 contents. They belong to high-K calc-alkaline series, and show weakly peraluminous characteristics. The Meiguifeng and Arxan plutons are both enriched in LREEs and LILEs(e.g., Rb, Th, U and K), and depleted in HREEs and HFSEs(e.g., Nb, Ta and Ti). Combined with the petrological and geochemical features, the Meiguifeng and Arxan plutons show highly fractionated I-type granite affinity. Moreover, the Meiguifeng and Arxan plutons may share a common or similar magma source, and they were probably generated by partial melting of Neoproterozoic high-K basaltic crust. Meanwhile, plagioclase, K-feldspar, biotite, apatite, monazite, allanite and Ti-bearing phases fractionated from the magma during formation of Meiguifeng and Arxan plutons. Combined with spatial distribution and temporal evolution, we assume that the generation of Early Cretaceous Meiguifeng and Arxan plutons in Great Xing'an Range was closely related to the break-off of Mudanjiang oceanic plate. Furthermore, the Mudanjiang Ocean was probably a branch of Paleo-Pacific Ocean.     

Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Early Permian A‐type Granite in the Hongol Area,Central Inner Mongolia: Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

We performed geochronological and geochemical analyses of the A-type granite in the Hongol area, central Inner Mongolia, to determine its age, petrogenesis and tectonic setting, which are significant for clarifying the Late Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Xing'an Mongolian Orogenic Belt(XMOB). The rock type of the A-type granite in the Hongol area is alkali-feldspar granite, and it constitutes a western part of the Baiyinwula-Dongujimqin A-type granite belt. Zircon U-Pb geochronology yields ~(206)Pb/~(238)U ages ranging from 293 to 286 Ma for the alkali-feldspar granite, indicating this granitic pluton formed in the Early Permian. The alkali-feldspar granite is high in silica(SiO_2=75.13 wt%-80.17 wt%), aluminum(Al_2 O_3=10.59 wt%-13.17 wt%) and alkali(Na_2 O+K_2 O=7.33 wt%-9.11 wt%), and low in MgO(0.08 wt%-0.39 wt%) and CaO(0.19 wt%-0.70 wt%). It is obviously enriched in LILEs such as Rb, Th and K,depleted in HFSEs such as Nb, Ti, La and Ce, with pronounced negative anomalies of Nb, Ti, P, Eu, Sr and Ba. Its Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions show positive ε_(Nd)(t)(+0.72-+3.08), low T_(DM2)(805-997 Ma),and high radioactive Pb with(~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb)_i of 18.710-19.304,(~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb)_i of 15.557-15.604 and(~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb)_i of 37.887-38.330. Petrological characteristics and geochemical data suggest that the alkalifeldspar granite in the Hongol area belongs to aluminous A-type granite. This A-type granite formed in a post-collisional extensional setting and was generated by the partial melting of felsic rocks in the middlelower crust resulting from post-collisional slab breakoff. It is suggested that the Paleo-Asian Ocean was closed before the Permian in central Inner Mongolia.     

Reappraisal of the GL‐O Reference Material for K‐Ar Dating: New Insight from Microanalysis,Single‐Grain and Milligram Ar Measurements

The homogeneity and Ar‐dating suitability of the GL‐O reference material were re‐evaluated to determine whether this material is sufficiently homogeneous to be suitable for the calibration of modern high sensitivity instruments. Based on new micro‐analyses and noble gas determinations, our contribution reveals several kinds of inhomogeneity at the grain scale: disparity in the glauconitisation among and within the pellets, variable occurrence of a phosphatic component within pellets (1% m/m on average), and rare occurrences of calcite and detrital grains. Measurements on test portions of ≤ 1 mg reflect such heterogeneity with variability in ⁴⁰Ar* content that exceeds analytical uncertainty, including a few highly anomalous values. The lesser evolved glauconite population yielded ⁴⁰Ar* contents ~ 15% lower than the value of 24.8 nl g^?1 recommended by Odin et al. (1982, Numerical dating in stratigraphy. Wiley (Chichester, UK), 123–148). But the measured concentrations of ⁴⁰Ar* converge towards the aforementioned value as test portion mass increased to > 3 mg. A few rare 3 mg experiments still yielded ⁴⁰Ar* contents lower than the recommended value (down to 24.0 nl g^?1), and we recommend using more conservative minimum masses of 5–10 mg. A further purification step for GL‐O or the intercalibration of its powder version could be considered to diminish the size of the test portions and the intensity of the measured signals.     

Subduction and Collision of the Jinsha River Paleo-Tethys: Constraints from Zircon U-Pb Dating and Geochemistry of the Ludian Batholith in the Jiangda–Deqen–Weixi Continental Margin Arc

The Jiangda–Deqen–Weixi continental margin arc(DWCA) developed along the base of the Changdu–Simao Block and was formed as a result of the subduction of the Jinsha River Ocean Slab and the subsequent collision. The Ludian batholith is located in the southern part of the DWCA and is the largest batholith in northwest Yunnan. Granite samples from the Ludian batholith yield an early Middle Permian age of 271.0 ± 2.8 Ma. The geochemical data of the early Middle Permian granitoids show high Si2 O, low P2 O5 and MgO contents that belong to calc-alkaline series and peraluminous I-type rocks. Their εHf(t) values range from-5.01 to +0.58, indicating that they were formed by hybrid magmas related to the subduction of the Jinsha River Tethys Ocean. The monzonite and monzogranite samples yield Late Permian ages of 250.6 ± 1.8 Ma and 252.1 ± 1.3 Ma, respectively. The Late Permian granitoids are high-K calc alkaline and shoshonite series metaluminous I-type rocks. Their εHf(t) values range from-4.12 to-1.68 and from-7.88 to-6.64, respectively. The mixing of crustal and mantle melts formed the parental magma of the Late Permian granitoids. This study, combined with previous work, demonstrates the process from subduction to collision of the Jinsha River Paleo-Tethys Ocean.