Geochemistry and petrogenesis of intrusive and extrusive ophiolitic plagiogranites, Central Anatolian Crystalline Complex, Turkey

Plagiogranites associated with the Sarikaraman ophiolite of the Central Anatolian Crystalline Complex, Turkey, closely resemble other plagiogranites from supra-subduction zone-type ophiolites of Neotethys. The ophiolite is remarkable in displaying a higher proportion of the plagiogranite suite (ca. 10% by volume) than is usually associated with such bodies. The Sarikaraman plagiogranites are represented by intrusive sheets and netvein trondhjemites largely developed at the top of the upper gabbros and as multiphase dykes within the sheeted dyke complex. The plagiogranite dykes are considered to feed extrusive silicified rhyolites associated with the basaltic lavas in the volcanic section of the ophiolite. Field relations suggest that the trondhjemites were probably generated from the roof section of a dynamic and evolving gabbroic magma chamber. Both the deep-seated trondhjemites and the volcanic rhyolites constitute the Sarikaraman plagiogranite suite. Geochemically there is complete overlap between the intrusive trondhjemites and extrusive rhyolites, which are characterised by (MORB-normalized) low HFS element contents with small negative Nb---Ta anomalies and variably enhanced LIL element abundances. Unlike other plagiogranites, however, the Sarikaraman suite is not characterized by consistently low K₂O contents; a feature that reflects the variable mobilization of the LIL elements under lower greenschist facies conditions. The REE are uniformly enriched relative to the basic components of the complex, but have similar normalized patterns exhibiting mild light REE depletion. In terms of their origin, the initial or most primitive plagiogranite melts could have been generated by either fractional crystallization (70–85% of clinopyroxene-feldspar ± amphibole) or partial melting (5–15% batch melting) of a gabbroic ‘source material’, although only the first process can produce most of the range of the plagiogranite compositions. As a group the plagiogranites exhibit some degree of internal variation which can be generated by further fractionation largely dominated by feldspar with minor apatite and amphibole.     

Southern borderland of Triassic Laurasia in north-east Iran

Results obtained by Iranian and European geoscientists in the critical area to the north-east of the North Iran Suture east of Mashhad are desribed and discussed. A slightly metamorphosed ophiolite belt, outcropping as the south easterly continuation of the previously known ophiolites of Mashhad along the north eastern perimeter of the Fariman-Torbat-e-Jam depression, proved to be either the remnant of a Permian ocean floor or more likely the remnant of a narrow ocean trough. There is as yet no proof of a Triassic age for this ophiolitic belt. To the north of this ophiolitic belt an epicontinental Triassic sequence is exposed at the southern edge of Laurasia in the erosional Window of Aghdarband. This is the result of intermittent sedimentation in a pull-apart basin along sinistral strike-slip faults. The Triassic of Aghdarband has much in common with other deposits of the Triassic Tethys; however, it shows a few unique features, e.g. the Early AnisianNicomedites fauna of a palaeobiogeographic North Tethyan Subprovince, or volcanogenic sedimentation during the late Anisian and the entire Ladinian.Permian ophiolites outcropping at the south-west corner of the Aghdarband erosional Window are transgressively overlain by basal conglomerats of this Triassic sequence. Hence the existence of a Triassic ocean south of Laurasia is very unlikely. This is an agreement with paleomagnetic data which suggest that the Central Iranian microcontinent was in direct contact with Laurasia during Triassic times. These palaeomagnetic data also suggest a clockwise rotation of the Central East Iran microplate during Triassic times (contrary to the anticlockwise rotation of this microplate in post-Triassic times). The sinistral strike-slip faulting and compression from the south-west which controls the structure of the Triassic may be derivative sequels to this clockwise rotation. All Eo-Cimmerian deformations of the Triassic rocks (e.g. folding, thrust faulting, strike-slip faulting) had stopped by Rhaetian times.     

The Late Cretaceous palaeolatitude of the Neotethyan spreading axis in the eastern Mediterranean region

A compilation of available palaeomagnetic data from the Troodos (Cyprus) and Baër–Bassit (Syria) ophiolitic terranes of the eastern Mediterranean Tethyan orogenic belt is presented. The ophiolites represent fragments of oceanic lithosphere generated at a Neotethyan spreading axis in the Late Cretaceous, although debate continues over the tectonic setting of this spreading axis and its position within the eastern Mediterranean palaeogeography. Two types of model reconstructions have been proposed: Type 1—the ophiolites formed in a southerly Neotethyan basin by spreading above an oceanic subduction zone. The Baër–Bassit ophiolite was then emplaced a relatively short distance (tens of kilometers) southwards on to the Arabian continental margin, leaving the Troodos ophiolite isolated in an intra-oceanic setting to the west; and Type 2—the ophiolites formed in a northerly Neotethyan basin by spreading at a ‘normal’ oceanic ridge, with subsequent large-scale thrusting (hundreds of kilometers) to the south of emplaced ophiolites over microcontinental fragments to reach their present positions. Palaeomagnetic determination of the palaeolatitude of the Neotethyan spreading axis is, therefore, of considerable interest.Previous palaeomagnetic analyses have demonstrated the presence of significant, and in some cases extreme, relative tectonic rotations of a variety of origins in both ophiolites. To allow palaeomagnetic data from these rotated units to be combined, an inclination-only formulation of the palaeomagnetic tilt test is employed. This provides unequivocal evidence that both ophiolites retain pre-deformational remanent magnetizations, which are interpreted as original ocean-floor magnetizations acquired close to the time of crustal formation in the Late Cretaceous. The mean inclinations of 37.0±2.6° for the Troodos terrane and 41.1±3.4° for the Baër–Bassit terrane indicate respective palaeolatitudes for the spreading axes of 20.6°N±1.8° and 23.6°N±2.5°, consistent with a Late Cretaceous position between the Arabian and Eurasian margins. These data, together with a well-defined palaeolatitude of 25.5°N±4.5° for the eastern Pontides previously reported in the literature, provide constraints which must be incorporated in any successful tectonic reconstruction of the eastern Mediterranean Tethys. The implications of these constraints for Type 1 and 2 models are discussed using a series of plate tectonic cross-sections constructed along a line extending northwards from the Arabian continental margin. In the absence of palaeomagnetic data from Late Cretaceous rocks of the eastern Taurides, however, it is presently impossible to use these palaeolatitudinal constraints to resolve the root zone debate on a purely palaeomagnetic basis. Solutions which satisfy the constraints may be found for both types of model reconstruction. Additional, published field-based geological considerations, however, strongly support models in which the Troodos and Baër–Bassit (and other southerly) ophiolites were generated in a southern Neotethyan basin, rather than those involving generation in a northerly basin and subsequent large-scale thrust displacement to the south.     

Geochemical cycling during subduction initiation: Evidence from serpentinized mantle wedge peridotite in the south Andaman ophiolite suite

The ophiolite suite from south Andaman Islands forms part of the Tethyan Ophiolite Belt and preserves the remnants of an ideal ophiolite sequence comprising a basal serpentinized and tectonised mantle peridotite followed by ultramafic and mafic cumulate units, basaltic dykes and spilitic pillow basalts interlayered with arkosic wacke. Here, we present new major, trace, rare earth(REE) and platinum group(PGE) element data for serpentinized and metasomatized peridotites(dunites) exposed in south Andaman representing the tectonized mantle section of the ophiolite suite. Geochemical features of the studied rocks, marked by Al_2 O_3/TiO_2 23, LILE-LREE enrichment, HFSE depletion, and U-shaped chondrite-normalized REE patterns with(La/Sm)N 1 and(Gd/Yb)N 1, suggest contributions from boninitic mantle melts. These observations substantiate a subduction initiation process ensued by rapid slab roll-back with extension and seafloor spreading in an intraoceanic fore-arc regime. The boninitic composition of the serpentinized peridotites corroborate fluid and melt interaction with mantle manifested in terms of(i) hydration, metasomatism and serpentinization of depleted, MORB-type, sub-arc wedge mantle residual after repeated melt extraction; and(ii) refertilization of refractory mantle peridotite by boninitic melts derived at the initial stage of intraoceanic subduction. Serpentinized and metasomatized mantle dunites in this study record both MOR and intraoceanic arc signatures collectively suggesting suprasubduction zone affinity. The elevated abundances of Pd(4.4-12.2 ppb) with highΣPPGE/∑IPGE(2-3) and Pd/Ir(2-5.5) ratios are in accordance with extensive melt-rock interaction through percolation of boninitic melts enriched in fluid-fluxed LILE-LREE into the depleted mantle after multiple episodes of melt extraction. The high Pd contents with relatively lower Ir concentrations of the samples are analogous to characteristic PGE signatures of boninitic magmas and might have resulted by the infiltration of boninitic melts into the depleted and residual mantle wedge peridotite during fore-arc extension at the initial stage of intraoceanic subduction. The PGE patterns with high Os + Ir(2-8.6 ppb)and Ru(2.8-8.4 ppb) also suggest mantle rejuvenation by infiltration of melts derived by high degree of mantle melting. The trace, REE and PGE data presented in our study collectively reflect heterogeneous mantle compositions and provide insights into ocean-crust-mantle interaction and associated geochemical cycling within a suprasubduction zone regime.     

洞错盆地蛇绿岩地球化学特征及大地构造意义

本文以改则的洞错盆地蛇绿岩为研究对象,开展了洞错盆地蛇绿岩的岩石学、岩相学及地球化学方面的研究工作。结果表明：地幔橄榄岩以方辉橄榄岩为主,为烟斗型稀土元素配分型式;形成于熔融程度较高的地幔残余物质,具有Nb、Ta负异常。辉绿岩稀土元素配分型式与N-MORB类似,其稀土元素来自亏损的软流圈地幔;Ta、Ti、Y等高场强元素分布特征与N-MORB相似;辉绿岩既有MORB特征又有IAT特征,在洋内弧后盆地扩张环境中形成。辉长岩稀土配分曲线与N-MORB的类似;微量元素中K、Rb、Ba等富集,Nb、Ta亏损,有岛弧火山岩的特征,与典型的N-MORB特征有区别;既有MORB特征,也显示了俯冲带物质的参与,为消减带上弧后盆地次级扩张产生的新洋壳。因此,洞错蛇绿岩为SSZ型蛇绿岩。     

东昆仑清水泉蛇纹岩中铬铁矿特征及其构造意义

东昆仑造山带清水泉中超基性岩已蚀变为蛇纹岩,很难对其性质和形成环境进行判断,但蛇纹岩中存在的浸染状和条带状铬铁矿有助于识别超基性岩的性质及形成过程。显微结构和电子探针分析结果显示部分铬铁矿具环带结构,核部为富Al贫Fe的铝铬铁矿,Cr2O3为36%~44%,Al2O3为24%~28%,Ti O2含量很低(0.1%),Fe O为15%~24%,而Fe2O3含量为0.6%~3.0%,Cr#为0.47~0.56,Mg#为0.45~0.62,Fe2+#变化于0.38~0.55,显示出蛇绿岩的特性,由此推测其寄主岩石——方辉橄榄岩属于蛇绿岩成员。核部铝铬铁矿结晶温度平均约为1387℃,结晶压力平均为2.9GPa,推断其形成深度约为88km,相当于软流圈位置。核部铝铬铁矿Cr#-Mg#,Cr#-Ti O2以及Ti O2-Al2O3的关系特征显示其寄主岩石——方辉橄榄岩可能产自俯冲带环境中的弧前位置。     

西藏改则地区拉果错蛇绿岩地球化学特征及成因

拉果错蛇绿岩位于西藏改则县南侧,是班公湖-怒江缝合带南侧蛇绿岩带中发育最完整的蛇绿岩之一,可能形成晚侏罗世—早白垩世,主要由地幔橄榄岩、堆晶岩、枕状熔岩、岩墙、斜长花岗岩及放射虫硅质岩等构造单元组成。微量元分析结果表明该蛇绿岩中的中基性岩富集 Sr、Rb 等大离子亲石元素,亏损 Nb、Ta 等高场强元素,具有岛弧型火山岩的特点其在稀土元素球粒陨石标准化配分图解中主要显示平坦型曲线,它们可能是由消减板片流体交代的地幔楔源区的部分熔,形成。拉果错蛇绿岩可能形成于弧间盆地环境,代表了班公湖-怒江缝合带南侧弧-弧碰撞的产物。     

西藏罗布莎铬铁矿体围岩方辉橄榄岩中的异常矿物

近些年,我们在西藏罗布莎蛇绿岩型铬铁矿中发现金刚石和柯石英等超高压矿物和异常地幔矿物,成果多次在美国AGU会议上做特邀报告,发表在2007年(Geology)和国内期刊上,并有4个新矿物获得国际新矿物委员会批准.这些成果在国内外引起广泛关注,也引发出一系列新的科学问题,例如,金刚石的赋存状态,物质来源和成因?与其伴随的铬铁矿的成因,与金刚石的关系?两者形成的地质背景、物理化学环境、保存和运移的规律、机制,等等.为了探讨这些问题,我们认为除了研究罗布莎铬铁矿之外,还应该开展铬铁矿的围岩地幔橄榄岩的研究,看看它们中都有什么矿物,与铬铁矿中的矿物究竟存在什么异同以及两者之间的成因联系?为此,我们从西藏罗布莎铬铁矿31号矿体不同高度取回两个各自为1吨重的方辉橄榄岩围岩样品,开展人工重砂矿物的分选.通过矿物成分、激光拉曼和X射线衍射光谱的研究,从中识别出金刚石等50余种矿物.经初步对,认为铬铁矿围岩方辉橄榄岩中发现的矿物组合与铬铁矿中相似,表明两者存在成因上的联系,并可能共同经历了从深部到浅部的地质过程.     

Tectonics of the Akamas and Mamonia ophiolites, Western Cyprus: magnetic petrofabrics and paleomagnetism

The Akamas ophiolite is shown to be a distal, off-axis extension of the main outcrop of Cretaceous ophiolite in the Troodos complex of Cyprus. Mantle-sequence harzburgites of both ophiolites share similarly oriented mantle-flow fabrics and the same Tertiary magnetizations acquired during exhumation. However, compared with the Troodos mantle sequence rocks, the Akamas ferromagnetic mineralogy is more oxidized and remanences with lower blocking temperatures were acquired chemically. Paleopoles calculated from published vectors and our own new data define an apparent polar wander path (APWP) for the Troodos microplate. The APWP shows that between 88 and 50 Ma the Troodos microplate was equatorial and the vertical axis for its 60° anticlockwise rotation was located within the microplate. Subsequently, the microplate drifted northward to 34°N with minor anticlockwise rotation at a reduced rate. That requires microplate-rotation about a vertical axis located to the west of Cyprus in the last 50 Ma. The allochthonous Triassic Mamonia terrane docked with the Cretaceous Troodos terrane in SW Cyprus. Within it, disrupted tectonized ophiolite has been regarded as part of a Triassic ocean floor or as sheared fragments of Cretaceous Troodos ophiolite, incorporated into the Mamonia terrane when it docked with the Troodos terrane. Whatever their provenance, their paleomagnetic signals postdate their penetrative deformation and metamorphism and their paleopoles may still be used to track their post-strain motion. Our calculations of paleopoles from published vectors for the Mamonia terrane smear along an extension of the APWP for the Troodos microplate that is, moreover, concentric with the Troodos microplate. This suggests that the paleopole dispersion of the Triassic Mamonia rocks and their post-magnetization disruption occurred during their accretion onto the anticlockwise-spinning Troodos microplate.     

Late Paleozoic-Mesozoic subduction and accretion of the Paleo-Pacific Plate:Insights from ophiolitic rocks in the Wandashan accretionary complex,NE China

The Wandashan accretionary complex(AC),consisting of the Raohe and Yuejinshan complexes,is located on the continental margin of Northeast Asia and represents an excellent source of information about Paleo-Pacific subduction and accretion.However,the protolith nature and tectonic evolution of the Wandashan AC are under debate.This contribution reports new geochronological,geochemical,and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic data for ophiolitic rocks from the Wandashan AC.The 169-166 Ma plagioclasites and homogeneous gabbros from the Raohe complex are OIBs while 228-214 Ma homogeneous gabbros are continental VABs.Cumulate gabbros from the Yuejinshan complex formed at 280-278 Ma and～220 Ma and have similar characteristics with E-MORB and N-MORB,respectively.They are BABBs and their primary magma was derived from a source region between EMI and EMII that was affected by con-tinental crustal contamination as well as subduction-zone metasomatism.Combined with previous stud-ies,we suggest that the onset of subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate was in the Early Permian.Subsequently,a back-arc basin,whose present suture is on the eastern margin of the Jiamusi Massif,formed and widened during 280-232 Ma,after which the basin closed and BABBs were emplaced to form the Yuejinshan complex during 210-180 Ma.The formation of VABs of the Raohe complex is coincident with the closure of the back-arc basin,and together with the 169-166 Ma OIBs,they constitute a major part of the Raohe complex.The accretionary process was completed during 133-131 Ma.Taken together,the ophiolitic rocks indicating multistage magmatism in the Paleo-Wandashan region recorded the formation-closure process of back-arc basin and the accretionary process of the Wandashan AC,during the westward subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate.The back-arc basin identified in our study sheds new lights on geodynamic evolution model of subduction and accretion of the Paleo-Pacific Plate on the continental margin of NE Asia.