280–310 Ma rift-related basaltic magmatism in northern Baoshan,SW China: Implications for Gondwana reconstruction and mineral exploration

The temporal and spatial variations of Late Paleozoic basaltic lavas in Baoshan, the northern part of a Gondwana-derived micro-continental block called Sibumasu, are important for Gondwana reconstruction. Magmatic zircon crystals from three selected dolerite dykes in the Baoshan region yield U-Pb ages from ~295 to ~310 Ma. These new ages, together with previous zircon U-Pb ages for this type of rock, define a protracted (~30 myr) episode of basaltic magmatism from ~310 to 280 Ma in a small area of this region, which is inconsistent with the typical temporal-spatial distribution of mantle plume magmatism. The trace element compositions of the Baoshan dolerite dykes and associated lavas are similar to arc basalts as well as continental flood basalts worldwide, showing light REE enrichments and negative Nb-Ta anomalies. Mixing calculations using the Sr-Nd-Hf isotope data of the Baoshan mafic rocks indicate that their intriguing trace element characteristics can be explained by contamination of mantle-derived magmas with crustal materials. Our new data, together with the lack of Late Paleozoic are-related calcalkaline rocks and granitoids in the Sibumasu block and other contemporaneous Gondwana-derived micro-continental blocks, strongly support the premise that the 310–280 Ma basalts and dolerites in the Baoshan region are the products of continental rift-related magmatism rather than arc magmatism. Based on the temporal correlation of the 310–280 Ma rift-related magmatism in several related Gondwana-derived micro-continents (Sibumasu, South Qiangtang, Lhasa and Himalaya), plus other independent constraints such as paleoclimate biotas and paleolatitudes from the literature, we provide an improved model for the configuration of the Gondwana supercontinent in the Early Permian. Based on the results from this study, we conclude that further investment in the exploration of magmatic Ni-Cu sulfide deposits associated with the 310–280 Ma mafic-ultramafic intrusions in northern Baoshan and the other related Gondwana-derived micro-continental blocks is warranted.     

内蒙古伊敏地区下石炭统红水泉组砂岩物源分析及其构造意义

碎屑沉积物成份与源区构造环境、构造背景及源区岩石性质密切相关。通过对伊敏地区红水泉组砂岩样品进行砂岩碎屑颗粒成分统计、地球化学特征及碎屑锆石LA--ICP --MS U--Pb 年代学等物源分析方法,确定红水泉组砂岩为长石岩屑砂岩,物源区构造背景主要为大陆岛弧环境,其物源类型为切割型岛弧。红水泉组砂岩中最年轻的碎屑锆石年龄为338 ± 3 Ma,该年龄值表明红水泉组形成的时代为早石炭世密西西比中期的韦宪阶或之后。903 ～ 1 676 Ma 的分散元古界锆石年龄和～ 780 Ma 新元古代锆石年龄峰值,可能反映南蒙古微板块基底年龄信息。～ 500 Ma 和～ 380 Ma 的年龄峰值指示源区可能经历了多期岩浆事件: ～ 500 Ma 的岩浆锆石物源可能来自额尔古纳与兴安地块闭合相关的后造山花岗岩, ～ 500 Ma 的变质锆石可能来自变质基底, ～ 380 Ma 的物源可能反映额尔古纳-兴安地块与松嫩地块至少在晚泥盆世开始碰撞拼贴,并导致该区存在一个晚泥盆世-早石炭世的岩浆弧。     

Neoproterozoic to Early Ordovician Evolution of the Paleo-Asian Ocean: Implications to the Break-up of Rodinia

The paper reviews and integrates the recent geological and geochronological data, which allow us to recognize three stages of the evolution of the Paleo-Asian Ocean.The opening of the Paleo-Asian Ocean at 970-850 Ma is dated by the Nersin Complex in the Aldan shield, plagiogranites of the Sunuekit massif, enderbites of the Sludinsk Lake area, and passive margin sediments of the Patoma or Baikal series. The initial subduction (850-700 Ma) is marked by volcanic rocks, trondjemite and gabbro of the Sarkhoy island arc series. Collisions of microcontinents with Siberia at 660 to 620 Ma are evidenced by the exhumation of Muya eclogites (650 Ma), formation of migmatites and amphibolites of the Njurundukan belt (635 and 590 Ma), metamorphic units of the Near-Yenisei belt (640-600 Ma), and orogenic molasse (640-620 Ma). The Paleo-Asian Ocean maximally opened at 620-550 Ma, because at that time a long island arc composed of boninite volcanic rocks was formed. Primitive island arcs of that age have been reconstructed in Kazakhstan, Gorny Altai, West and East Sayan, and North Mongolia. HP and UHP rocks formed in two stages at 550-520 and 520-490 Ma. At 550-490 Ma oceanic islands and Gondwana-derived microcontinents (Kokchetav, Tuva-Mongolian, Central Mongolian and others) collided with the Cambrian-early Ordovician island arc of the Siberian continent. As a result, the island-arc system was extensively modified. Collision occurred twice at 550-520 and 520-490 Ma during which many HP and UHP rocks formed. At that time, the new oceans - the Junggar, Kazakhstan and Uralian - with an Ordovician island arc were formed.     

The Late Riphean–Paleozoic history of the Uda–Vitim island arc system in the Transbaikalian sector of the Paleoasian ocean

New structural, petrological, chemical, isotope, and paleomagnetic data have provided clues to the Late Riphean–Paleozoic history of the Uda–Vitim island arc system (UVIAS) in the Transbaikalian sector of the Paleoasian ocean, as part of the Transbaikalian zone of Paleozoids. The island arc system consists of three units corresponding to main evolution stages: (i) Upper Riphean (Late Baikalian), (ii) Vendian–Lower Paleozoic (Caledonian), and (iii) Middle–Upper Paleozoic (Hercynian). The earliest stage produced the base of the system composed of Late Riphean ophiolite (971–892 Ma, U-Pb) and volcanic (837–789 Ma, U-Pb) and sedimentary rocks (hemipelagic siliceous sediments and dolerite sills) which represent the Barguzin–Vitim oceanic basin and the Kelyana island arc. The main event of the second stage was the formation of the large UVIAS structure (over 150,000 km2) which comprised the Transbaikalian oceanic basin, the forearc and backarc basins, and the volcanic arc itself, and consisted of many volcanic-tectonic units exceeding 100 km² in area (Eravna, Oldynda, Abaga, etc.). Lithology, stratigraphy, major–element compositions, and isotope ages of Vendian–Cambrian volcanic rocks and associated sediments indicate strong differentiation of calc-alkaline series and the origin of the island arc system upon oceanic crust, in a setting similar to that of the today’s Kuriles–Kamchatka island arc system. The Middle–Upper Paleozoic stage completed the long UVIAS history and left its imprint in sedimentary and volcanic rocks in superposed trough basins. The rocks were studied in terms of their biostratigraphic and isotope age constraints, as well as major- and trace-element compositions, and were interpreted as products of weathering and tectonic-magmatic rework of the UVIAS units.     

In search of Gondwana heritage in the Outer Melanesian Arc: no pre-upper Eocene detrital zircons in Viti Levu river sands (Fiji Islands)

Volcanic arcs of the Southwest Pacific, collectively referred to as the Outer Melanesian Arc, are generally thought to result from subduction of the Pacific Plate since the Late Cretaceous. Meanwhile, it is largely accepted that eastward roll-back of the old and dense oceanic plate allowed opening of marginal basins, which isolated large blocks of the former Gondwana margin. Incidentally, some ‘intra-oceanic’ volcanic arcs may have been nucleated on small continental fragments. Detrital zircons collected from sand banks in the mid-reaches of rivers from Viti Levu Island have been analysed for U–Pb geochronology and geochemistry, in order to search for a possible ancient continental arc basement, remnants of a Late Cretaceous arc, and determine the timing and evolution of Fiji arc magmatism. In contrast with some other places of the Outer Melanesian Arc (Solomon, Vanuatu), no pre-upper Eocene zircons have been found. Thus, Gondwana-derived fragments or Late Cretaceous–Paleocene arc remnants are unlikely to form the basement of Viti Levu. Zircon geochemistry confirms the purely intra-oceanic character of volcanic-arc magmatism as well. Variations in some trace-element ratios closely reflect the evolution of Viti Levu Arc from upper Eocene inception to upper Miocene climax and finally Pliocene intra-arc rifting and abandonment.     

Tectonic evolution of the southern margin of Laurasia in the Black Sea region

The Black Sea region comprises Gondwana-derived continental blocks and oceanic subduction complexes accreted to Laurasia. The core of Laurasia is made up of an Archaean–Palaeoproterozoic shield, whereas the Gondwana-derived blocks are characterized by a Neoproterozoic basement. In the early Palaeozoic, a Pontide terrane collided and amalgamated to the core of Laurasia, as part of the Avalonia–Laurasia collision. From the Silurian to Carboniferous, the southern margin of Laurasia was a passive margin. In the late Carboniferous, a magmatic arc, represented by part of the Pontides and the Caucasus, collided with this passive margin with the Carboniferous eclogites marking the zone of collision. This Variscan orogeny was followed by uplift and erosion during the Permian and subsequently by Early Triassic rifting. Northward subduction under Laurussia during the Late Triassic resulted in the accretion of an oceanic plateau, whose remnants are preserved in the Pontides and include Upper Triassic eclogites. The Cimmeride orogeny ended in the Early Jurassic, and in the Middle Jurassic the subduction jumped south of the accreted complexes, and a magmatic arc was established along the southern margin of Laurasia. There is little evidence for subduction during the latest Jurassic–Early Cretaceous in the eastern part of the Black Sea region, which was an area of carbonate sedimentation. In contrast, in the Balkans there was continental collision during this period. Subduction erosion in the Early Cretaceous removed a large crustal slice south of the Jurassic magmatic arc. Subduction in the second half of the Early Cretaceous is evidenced by eclogites and blueschists in the Central Pontides and by a now buried magmatic arc. A continuous extensional arc was established only in the Late Cretaceous, coeval with the opening of the Black Sea as a back-arc basin.     

Australian island arcs through time: Geodynamic implications for the Archean and Proterozoic

The operation and extent of modern-style plate tectonics in the Archean and Paleoproterozoic are controversial, although subduction and terrane accretion models have been proposed for most Archean cratons in the world, including both the Yilgarn and Pilbara Cratons of Western Australia. The recognition of ancient island arcs can be used to infer convergent plate margin processes, and in this paper we present evidence for the existence of several intraoceanic island arcs now preserved in Australia. Beginning in the Archean, Australia evolved to its present configuration through the accretion and assembly of several continental blocks, by convergent plate margin processes. In Australia, possibly the best example of an Archean island arc (or primitive continental arc) is preserved within the Mesoarchean (ca. 3130–3112 Ma) Whundo Group in the Sholl Terrane of the West Pilbara Superterrane. Two younger, Neoarchean, island arc terranes, and associated accretion, have also been proposed for the Yilgarn Craton: the Saddleback island arc (ca. 2714–2665 Ma) in the southwest Yilgarn Craton and the Kurnalpi island arc (ca. 2719–2672 Ma) in the eastern Yilgarn Craton. In the early Proterozoic, in the Central Zone of the Halls Creek Orogen, northern Western Australia, the Tickalara Metamorphics (ca. 1865–1850 Ma) have been interpreted to represent an island arc. In the southwest Gawler Craton in South Australia, the St Peter Suite (ca. 1631–1608 Ma), of juvenile I-type calcalkaline tonalite to granodiorite, possibly represents an island arc. In the Musgrave Province in central Australia, age and geochemical constraints are poor due to later overprinting tectonic events, but felsic orthogneisses (ca. 1607–1565 Ma) possibly represent juvenile felsic crust which was emplaced though subduction-related processes into an oceanic island arc. The arcs are volumetrically insignificant, but important, in that they separate much larger tracts of, usually older, continental crust, often of different composition and geological history. The arcs were sutured to continental crust during arc–continent collisional events, which eventually resulted in the assembly of much of present-day Australia. The arcs, thus, indicate lost oceanic crust. The recognition of island arcs in the ancient rock record indicates that subduction processes, similar in many ways to modern day processes at convergent plate margins, were operating on Earth by at least 3100 Ma ago.     

New data on the period of existence of the continental margin subduction zone in the Middle Urals

U–Pb (SIMS) dating of zircons from granite of the Petrokamensk gabbro–granitoid complex, marking termination of the Devonian island–arc magmatism in the Verkhisetsk–Tura Zone of the Middle Urals, gave an age of 386 ± 3 Ma. Zircons from the West Verkhisetsk granitoids, the formation of which corresponds to the beginning stage of magmatism of the continental margin in the region, yielded ages of 386.6 ± 4.1 and 381.8 ± 6.0 Ma. This suggests that the change in the regime of the island–arc geodynamic mode to an active continental margin took place at the boundary of the Middle and Late Devonian. The upper boundary of existence of the continental margin subduction zone is determined by the closure of the Ural paleo-ocean and the beginning of continental collision processes, which resulted in accumulation of flysch in the Ural foreland trough from the second half of the Bashkirian Stage.     

Age of island-arc granites in the Shchuch’ya zone,Polar Urals: First U–Pb (SIMS) results

The granitic magmatism occurred at the precollisional stage of the continentalization of the mafic basement of the Shchuch’ya island arc system. The first U–Pb (SIMS, SHRIMP II) data on zircons indicate three pulses of transformation of the oceanic crust into a continental crust: in the Silurian and Middle and Late Devonian. The age of the Yanganape granite is 429 ± 4 Ma, which corresponds to the Late Wenlockian; that of the Yurmeneku massif is 385 ± 2 Ma (Givetian); and that of the Canyon Massif is 368 ± 3 Ma (Famennian). The zircons from the Yanganape granite yielded an age of 335 ± 4 Ma, which corresponds to the Early Carboniferous (Visean). Similar ages were noted in uranium-rich zircons from the Canyon Massif granite. They correlate with the collision time of the island arc with the eastern edge of the Eastern European paleocontinent, and it is possible that this event caused disturbance of the U–Pb system of zircons in the islandarc granites of the Shchuch’ya zone.     

Crustal growth stages in the Songino block of the early caledonian superterrane in Central Asia: II. Geochemical and Nd-isotope data

Geochemical and Nd isotope data are reported for Late Riphean metamorphic complexes and granitoids of the Bayannur zone of the Songino block in the Early Caledonian superterrane of Central Asia. Geological, geochronolgical, geochemical, and isotope data were integrated to discuss rock sources and main mechanisms responsible for the formation and evolution of the Late Riphean continental crust. It was established that lithotectonic complexes of the Bayannur zone were formed on a convergent plate during Late Proterozoic tectonogenesis (around 1.3–0.78 Ga). This period primarily produced a juvenile crust represented by paleooceanic (N- and E-MORB types) and island arc basalts. An interval of 800–880 Ma was marked by the formation of rocks of the Bayannur complex and metaterrigenous sequence (accretionary wedge) of the Kholbonur complex, and the emplacement of quartz diorites and granodiorites of the Gashunnur pluton due to erosion and melting of both Late Riphean juvenile sources and ancient possibly Early Precambrian crustal material in a setting of ensialic island arc. At the final stage of the Late Riphean evolution of the Bayannur zone, postkinematic granitoids of the Bayannur pluton, and gabbrodiorites and anorthosites of the Ontsula pluton were derived from mantle juvenile and crustal sources in a within-plate setting. In terms of isotope characteristics, the crystalline complexes of the Bayannur zone are comparable with the Japan-type modern island arc systems. A synthesis of geological, geochronological, and isotope-geochemical data indicates a much wider distribution of the Late Riphean juvenile crust-forming processes than considered previously and remobilization of continental crust in the eastern segment of the Central Asian Fold Belt. The Vendian-Paleozoic stage in the evolution of this segment was characterized by an intense growth of juvenile crust, while magmatism during Late Riphean stage was determined by mixing of Late Riphean juvenile and ancient Early Precambrian sources.     

Fossil seamount in southeast Zagros records intraoceanic arc to back-arc transition: New constraints for the evolution of the Neotethys

The Neotethys ocean is transiently involved in two subduction zones during the Late Cretaceous. While the Northern Neotethys subduction zone (below Eurasia) was active from the early Mesozoic until the Eocene, the intra-oceanic Southern Neotethys subduction zone only developed during the Late Cretaceous. We herein document, through a combination of structural, geochemical and geochronological data, the magmatic evolution of a Late Cretaceous supra-subduction ophiolite fragment of the Neotethys (the Siah Kuh massif, Southern Iran), now sandwiched in the Zagros suture zone. Results show that this ophiolite fragment — a subducted yet exceptionally well-preserved seamount — records an evolution from supra-subduction zone magmatism (including island arc tholeiites, boninites and calc-alkaline transitional magmatism) around 87 Ma, to MORB (from E-MORB to N-MORB) magmatism at 78 Ma, and potentially until 73 Ma. We conclude that this seamount initially formed in an arc context and represents either (i) a non-obducted remnant of the Oman ophiolite that experienced a longer-lived magmatic history (prefered hypothesis) or (ii) a piece from the forearc/frontal arc of the Northern margin of the Neotethys. Regardless of its exact original location, the Siah Kuh seamount was later subducted in the Northern Neotethys subduction zone.     

Relationships between Kuroko volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits, felsic volcanism, and island arc development in the northeast Honshu arc, Japan

The northeast (NE) Honshu arc was formed by three major volcano-tectonic events resulting from Late Cenozoic orogenic movement: continental margin volcanism (before 21?Ma), seafloor basaltic lava flows and subsequent bimodal volcanism accompanied by back-arc rifting (21 to 14?Ma), and felsic volcanism related to island arc uplift (12 to 2?Ma). Eight petrotectonic domains, parallel to the NE Honshu arc, were formed as a result of the eastward migration of volcanic activity with time. Major Kuroko volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits are located within the eastern marginal rift zone (Kuroko rift) that formed in the final period of back-arc rifting (16 to 14?Ma). Volcanic activity in the NE Honshu arc is divided into six volcanic stages. The eruption volumes of volcanic rocks have gradually decreased from 4,600?km³ (per 1?my for a 200-km-long section along the arc) of basaltic lava flows in the back-arc spreading stage to 1,000?C2,000?km³ of bimodal hyaloclastites in the back-arc rift stage, and about 200?km³ of felsic pumice eruptions in the island arc stage. The Kuroko VMS deposits were formed at the time of abrupt decrease in the eruption volume and change in the mode of occurrence of the volcanic rocks during the final period of back-arc rifting. In the area of the Kuroko rift, felsic volcanism changed from aphyric or weakly plagioclase phyric (before 14?Ma), to quartz and plagioclase phyric with minor clinopyroxene (12 to 8?Ma), to hornblende phyric (after 8?Ma), and hornblende and biotite phyric (after 4?Ma). The Kuroko VMS deposits are closely related to the aphyric rhyolitic activity before 14?Ma. The rhyolite was generated at a relatively high temperature from a highly differentiated part of felsic magma seated at a relatively great depth and contains higher Nb, Ce, and Y contents than the post-Kuroko felsic volcanism. The Kuroko VMS deposits were formed within a specific tectonic setting, at a specific period, and associated with a particular volcanism of the arc evolution process. Therefore, detailed study of the evolutional process from rift opening to island arc tectonics is very important for the exploration of Kuroko-type VMS deposits.     

Tectonic Framework of Late Paleozoic Intrusions in Xingxingxia: Implications for Final Closure of South Tianshan Ocean in East Tianshan

This work carried out systematic geological field investigation, petrography observation, zircon geochronology and whole rock geochemistry on Late Paleozoic intrusions in the Xingxingxia region near the Xinjiang-Gansu provincial boundary, western China, aiming to constrain the Late Paleozoic tectonic framework of the Xingxingxia region and the final closure time of South Tianshan Ocean in the East Tianshan. The Xingxingxia area is located in the east part of the Tianshan orogen, and adjacent to the north of the Tarim Basin. The Late Paleozoic magma activities in the Xingxingxia region can be mainly divided into three stages. The first stage includes intrusive magma activities under a collision setting between Late Ordovician to the Late Devonian. The second stage is intrusive magma activities under a subduction setting during(304±3)–(278±3) Ma, and the third stage involves intrusive magma activities under a collision and post-collision setting during(268±5)–(259.9±2.6) Ma. The final suture zone of South Tianshan Ocean should be between the Central Tianshan Block and South Tianshan accretionary complex. Based on previous work, both the first stage magma activities(i.e., intrusive magmatic activities between the Late Ordovician to Late Devonian) and the Hongliuhe ophiolitic complex indicate a close event between Central Tianshan Block and South Tianshan Accretionary Complex. The 304±3 Ma dioritic metamorphic gneiss of the XingX ingxia complex and the 278±3 Ma diorite are all island arc calc-alkaline rocks, the 289±3 Ma gabbro is island arc tholeiitic gabbro formed by magma from metasomatic enrichment mantle. All these results indicate that the second stage of magmatic activities is under a subduction setting. The third stage magma activities i.e. the granitic magma activities of(268±5)–(259.9±2.6) Ma occurred at a transitional setting from compressional to post-collision extensional tectonic setting. Thus, around(268±5)–(260±3) Ma, the final closure of the South Tianshan Ocean occurred and the Tianshan orogen shifted into the intracontinental evolution stage. During and after the closure process, a wide range of metamorphism and large dextral strike-slip faults developed.     

Contemporaneous assembly of Western Gondwana and final Rodinia break-up: Implications for the supercontinent cycle

Geological, geochronological and isotopic data are integrated in order to present a revised model for the Neoproterozoic evolution of Western Gondwana. Although the classical geodynamic scenario assumed for the period 800–700 Ma is related to Rodinia break-up and the consequent opening of major oceanic basins, a significantly different tectonic evolution can be inferred for most Western Gondwana cratons. These cratons occupied a marginal position in the southern hemisphere with respect to Rodinia and recorded subduction with back-arc extension, island arc development and limited formation of oceanic crust in internal oceans. This period was thus characterized by increased crustal growth in Western Gondwana, resulting from addition of juvenile continental crust along convergent margins. In contrast, crustal reworking and metacratonization were dominant during the subsequent assembly of Gondwana. The Río de la Plata, Congo-São Francisco, West African and Amazonian cratons collided at ca. 630–600 Ma along the West Gondwana Orogen. These events overlap in time with the onset of the opening of the Iapetus Ocean at ca. 610–600 Ma, which gave rise to the separation of Baltica, Laurentia and Amazonia and resulted from the final Rodinia break-up. The East African/Antarctic Orogen recorded the subsequent amalgamation of Western and Eastern Gondwana after ca. 580 Ma, contemporaneously with the beginning of subduction in the Terra Australis Orogen along the southern Gondwana margin. However, the Kalahari Craton was lately incorporated during the Late Ediacaran–Early Cambrian. The proposed Gondwana evolution rules out the existence of Pannotia, as the final Gondwana amalgamation postdates latest connections between Laurentia and Amazonia. Additionally, a combination of introversion and extroversion is proposed for the assembly of Gondwana. The contemporaneous record of final Rodinia break-up and Gondwana assembly has major implications for the supercontinent cycle, as supercontinent amalgamation and break-up do not necessarily represent alternating episodic processes but overlap in time.     

南盘江盆地南缘富宁—那坡地区早—中三叠世火山-沉积组合形成环境

南盘江盆地南缘发育大量早—中三叠世岩浆岩和巨厚三叠系,为研究沿中越边界一带是否发生洋盆俯冲消亡过程提供了重要的岩浆-沉积证据。选取中越边界地区出露面积最大的富宁—那坡地区早—中三叠世火山岩及相关沉积作为研究对象,通过系统的地质填图和剖面测量,查明这套火山-沉积组合具有下部玄武安山岩,上覆碳酸盐岩质砾岩、含砾粗砂岩和钙质砂岩的沉积序列,与岛弧环境火山-沉积序列相似。玄武安山岩SHRIMP锆石U-Pb定年结果为247±1 Ma和246±3 Ma,与野外产于中三叠统碎屑岩之下的地质事实相符。结合前人研究成果,确定这套火山岩形成于早—中三叠世(247~242 M a)。全岩地球化学分析结果显示,玄武安山岩富集大离子亲石元素(LILEs,R b、T h和U)和轻稀土元素(LR EE),其具有明显的Nb、Ta和Ti负异常。火山-沉积序列和火山岩地球化学特征表明,富宁—那坡地区早—中三叠世火山-沉积组合形成于与俯冲相关的弧环境。中越边界地区早—中三叠世弧火山岩与蛇绿混杂岩带的时空展布特征表明,该地区晚古生代洋盆发生了向北的俯冲消减。     

Magmatic and tectonic history of Jurassic ophiolites and associated granitoids from the South Apuseni Mountains (Romania)

The Jurassic ophiolites in the South Apuseni Mountains represent remnants of the Neotethys Ocean and belong to the East Vardar ophiolites that contain ophiolite fragments as well as granitoids and volcanics with island-arc affinity. New U–Pb zircon ages, and Sr and Nd isotope ratios give insights into their tectono-magmatic history. The ophiolite lithologies show tholeiitic MOR-type affinities, but are occasionally slightly enriched in Th and U, and depleted in Nb, which indicates that they probably formed in a marginal or back-arc basin. These ophiolites are associated with calc-alkaline granitoids and volcanics, which show trace element signatures characteristic for subduction-enrichment (high LILE, low HFSE). Low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.703836–0.704550) and high ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios (0.512599–0.512616) of the calc-alkaline series overlap with the ratios measured in the ophiolitic rocks (0.703863–0.704303 and 0.512496–0.512673), and hence show no contamination with continental crust. This excludes a collisional to post-collisional origin of the granitoids and is consistent with the previously proposed intra-oceanic island arc setting. The new U–Pb ages of the ophiolite lithologies (158.9–155.9 Ma, Oxfordian to Early Kimmeridgian) and granitoids (158.6–152.9 Ma, latest Oxfordian to Late Kimmeridgian) indicate that the two distinct magmatic series evolved within a narrow time range. It is proposed that the ophiolites and island arc granitoids formed above a long-lived NE-dipping subduction zone. A sudden flip in subduction polarity led to collision between island arc and continental margin, immediately followed by obduction of the ophiolites and granitoids on top of the continental margin of the Dacia Mega-Unit. Since the granitoids lack crustal input, they must have intruded the Apuseni ophiolites before both magmatic sequences were obducted onto the continental margin. The age of the youngest granitoid (~153 Ma, Late Kimmeridgian) yields an estimate for the maximum age of emplacement of the South Apuseni ophiolites and associated granitoids onto the Dacia Mega-Unit.     

Palaeozoic multiphase magmatism at Barleik Mountain,southern West Junggar,Northwest China: implications for tectonic evolution of the West Junggar

The West Junggar lies in the southwest part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) and consists of Palaeozoic ophiolitic mélanges, island arcs, and accretionary complexes. The Barleik ophiolitic mélange comprises several serpentinite-matrix strips along a NE-striking fault at Barleik Mountain in the southern West Junggar. Several small late Cambrian (509–503 Ma) diorite-trondhjemite plutons cross-cut the ophiolitic mélange. These igneous bodies are deformed and display island arc calc-alkaline affinities. Both the mélange and island arc plutons are uncomfortably covered by Devonian shallow-marine and terrestrial volcano-sedimentary rocks and Carboniferous volcano-sedimentary rocks. Detrital zircons (n = 104) from the Devonian sandstone yield a single age population of 452–517 million years, with a peak age of 474 million years. The Devonian–Carboniferous strata are invaded by an early Carboniferous (327 Ma) granodiorite, late Carboniferous (315–311 Ma) granodiorites, and an early Permian (277 Ma) K-feldspar granite. The early Carboniferous pluton is coeval with subduction-related volcano-sedimentary strata in the central West Junggar, whereas the late Carboniferous–early Permian intrusives are contemporary with widespread post-collisional magmatism in the West Junggar and adjacent regions. They are typically undeformed or only slightly deformed.

Our data reveal that island arc calc-alkaline magmatism occurred at least from middle Cambrian to Late Ordovician time as constrained by igneous and detrital zircon ages. After accretion to another tectonic unit to the south, the ophiolitic mélange and island arc were exposed, eroded, and uncomfortably overlain by the Devonian shallow-marine and terrestrial volcano-sedimentary strata. The early Carboniferous arc-related magmatism might reflect subduction of the Junggar Ocean in the central Junggar. Before the late Carboniferous, the oceanic basins apparently closed in this area. These different tectonic units were stitched together by widespread post-collisional plutons in the West Junggar during the late Carboniferous–Permian. Our data from the southern West Junggar and those from the central and northern West Junggar and surroundings consistently indicate that the southwest part of the CAOB was finally amalgamated before the Permian.     

GENESIS OF COPPER MINERALIZATION IN THE WESTERN KOHISTAN ISLAND ARC TERRANE,NW HIMALAYA—HINDUKUSH, N. PAKISTAN

GENESIS OF COPPER MINERALIZATION IN THE WESTERN KOHISTAN ISLAND ARC TERRANE,NW HIMALAYA—HINDUKUSH, N. PAKISTAN     

Geology,geochronology and geochemistry of large Duobaoshan Cu-Mo-Au orefield in NE China: Magma genesis and regional tectonic implications

Duobaoshan is the largest porphyry-related Cu-Mo-Au orefield in northeastern(NE)Asia,and hosts a number of large-medium porphyry Cu(PCDs),epithermal Au and Fe-Cu skarn deposits.Formation ages of these deposits,from the oldest(Ordovician)to youngest(Jurassic),have spanned across over 300 Ma.No similar orefields of such size and geological complexity are found in NE Asia,which reflects its metallogenic uniqueness in forming and preserving porphyry-related deposits.In this study,we explore the actual number and timing of magmatic/mineralization phases,their respective magma genesis,fertility,and regional tectonic connection,together with the preservation of PCDs.We present new data on the magmatic/mineralization ages(LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb,pyrite and molybdenite Re-Os dating),whole-rock geochemistry,and zircon trace element compositions on four representative deposits in the Duobaoshan orefield,i.e.,Duobaoshan PCD,Tongshan PCD,Sankuanggou Fe-Cu skarn,and Zhengguang epithermal Au deposits,and compiled published ones from these and other mineral occurrences in the orefield.In terms of geochronology,we have newly summarized seven magmatic phases in the orefield:(1)Middle-Late Cambrian(506-491 Ma),(2)Early and Middle Ordovician(485-471 Ma and~462 Ma),(3)Late Ordovician(450-447 Ma),(4)Early Carboniferous and Late-Carboniferous to Early Permian(351-345 and 323-291 Ma),(5)Middle-Late Triassic(244-223 Ma),(6)Early-Middle and Late Jurassic(178-168 Ma and~150 Ma),and(7)Early Cretaceous(~112 Ma).Three of these seven major magmatic phases were coeval with ore formation,including(1)Early Ordovician(485-473 Ma)porphyry-type Cu-Mo-(Au),(2)Early-Middle Triassic(246-229 Ma)porphyry-related epithermal Au-(Cu-Mo),and(3)Early Jurassic(177-173 Ma)Fe-Cu skarn mineralization.Some deposits in the orefield,notably Tongshan and Zhengguang,were likely formed by more than one mineralization events.In terms of geochemistry,ore-causative granitoids in the orefield exhibit adakite-like or adakite-normal arc transitional signatures,but those forming the porphyry-/epithermal-type Cu-Mo-Au mineralization are largely confined to the former.The varying but high Sr/Y,Sm/Yb and La/Yb ratios suggest that the ore-forming magmas were mainly crustal sourced and formed at different depths(clinopyroxene-/amphibole-/garnet-stability fields).The adakite-like suites may have formed by partial melting of the thickened lower crust at 35-40 km(for the Early Ordovician arc)and>40 km(for the Middle-Late Triassic arc)depths.The Early Jurassic Fe-Cu skarn orecausative granitoids show an adakitic-normal arc transitional geochemical affinity.These granitoids were likely formed by partial melting of the juvenile lower crust(35-40 km depth),and subsequently modified by assimilation and fractional crystallization(AFC)processes.In light of the geological,geochronological and geochemical information,we proposed the following tectonometallogenic model for the Duobaoshan orefield.The Ordovician Duobaoshan may have been in a continental arc setting during the subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean,and formed the porphyry-related deposits at Duobaoshan,Tongshan and Zhengguang.Subduction may have ceased in the latest Ordovician,and the regional tectonics passed into long subsidence and extension till the latest Carboniferous.This extensional tectonic regime and the Silurian terrestrial-shallow marine sedimentation had likely buried and preserved the Ordovician Duobaoshan magmatic-hydrothermal system.The south-dipping Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean subduction from north of the orefield had generated the Middle-Late Triassic continental arc magmatism and the associated Tongshan PCD and Zhengguang epithermal Au mineralization(which superimposed on the Ordovician PCD system).The Middle Jurassic closure of Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean in the northwestern Amuria block(Erguna terrane),and the accompanying Siberia-Amuria collision,may have placed the Paleo-Pacific subduction system in NE China(including the orefield)under compression,and formed the granodiorite-tonalite and Fe-Cu skarn deposits at Sankuanggou and Xiaoduobaoshan.From the Middle Jurassic,the consecutive accretion of Paleo-Pacific arc terranes(e.g.,Sikhote-Alin and Nadanhada)onto the NE Asian continental margin may have gradually distant the Duobaoshan orefield from the subduction front,and consequently arc-type magmatism and the related mineralization faded.The minor Late Jurassic and Cretaceous unmineralized magmatism in the orefield may have triggered mainly by the far-field extension led by the post-collisional(Siberia-Amuria)gravitational collapse and/or Paleo-Pacific backarc-basin opening.     

西太平洋雅浦海沟地幔演化与岩浆作用研究进展

俯冲带地幔演化与岩浆作用是地球各固体圈层之间发生物质和能量交换的重要地质过程.西太平洋雅浦海沟因其极短的沟-弧距离和洋脊碰撞等独特的地质构造特征成为研究复杂条件下俯冲带演化的理想场所.为了探究雅浦海沟地幔演化与岩浆作用,本文将前人对雅浦海沟火成岩的研究数据进行整合,分析了雅浦海沟火成岩的成因,并根据火成岩形成的制约条件,对卡罗琳板块俯冲到菲律宾海板块的地幔演化与岩浆作用过程进行了讨论.结果显示雅浦海沟火成岩均具有与俯冲相关火成岩的典型特征.橄榄岩地球化学特征指示雅浦海沟地幔熔融程度为20%~25%,地幔在部分熔融过程中受到了流体与熔体的双重交代作用.Re-Os同位素特征指示雅浦海沟地幔中存在约1.16 Ga非常古老的残余地幔,表明地幔可能经历过多期熔融事件,从而导致雅浦海沟地幔非常亏损.雅浦岛弧成因至今仍存争议,主要包括:(1)现今雅浦岛弧为帕里希维拉海盆洋壳的一部分,在中新世因卡罗琳洋脊的碰撞导致帕里希维拉海盆洋壳逆冲到原雅浦岛弧之上.(2)雅浦岛弧在不同构造时期经历过多期岛弧岩浆作用,包括俯冲初始阶段(~52 Ma)的弧前玄武岩、俯冲开始后的岛弧玄武岩(~25 Ma)、与卡罗琳洋脊碰撞(21 Ma)后的岛弧拉斑玄武岩(7~11 Ma).其中7~11 Ma的岛弧拉斑玄武岩指示雅浦岛弧岩浆活动并未因卡罗琳洋脊的碰撞完全停止,很有可能在晚中新世短暂恢复活动.