Discussion on the dextral movement and its effect in continental China and adjacent areas since Cenozoic

Continental China has moved dextral Eastward since Cenozoic time, driven by the collision of the Indian with the Eurasian plate. Evidence for this comes from landscape evolution, the distribution of earthquake epicenters, Cenozoic sedimentary and volcanic rocks, and the measurement of GPS velocity vectors, the distribution of crustal stress, paleomagnetic data, and deep mantle structure, among others. This movement commenced around 40 Ma, coupled with thickened lithosphere and widespread stress release along strike-slip faults that bound the continental Chinese block. Because of continued Northward subduction of the Indian plate, manifestation of the dextral movement has intensified since 25 Ma. Far-reaching effects include extensive strike-slip movement on the Tan-Lu fault in Eastern China, formation of the Dabie ultrahigh pressure metamorphic terrane, extensive thrust faults in East China, delamination and thickening of the lithosphere of South China, a possible tectonic doubling of the Middle-Lower Yangtze Valley metallogenic belt, and the formation of the Japan, Huanghai (East China), and South China Sea.     

扬子地台东南缘下寒武统清虚洞组风暴沉积特征及其重要意义

在扬子地台东南缘,下寒武统龙王庙阶清虚洞组主要由浅水碳酸盐岩组成。在野外露头剖面实测和室内镜下薄片观察的基础上,大量风暴沉积被发现于不同剖面清虚洞组的不同层位中,同时大量风暴诱发形成的沉积构造被识别出来,包括侵蚀基底、粗粒滞留沉积、粒序层理、平行层理、丘状交错层理(少见并且值得怀疑)以及沙纹层理,组成了多种类型的风暴沉积序列。结合更靠扬子东南缘的深水剖面中重力流沉积的缺乏,可以推断早寒武世龙王庙期扬子地台的沉积模式为碳酸盐缓坡。结合风暴的形成机制以及清虚洞组风暴沉积的发育特征(尤其是粗粒滞留砾屑的定向排列和典型丘状交错层理的缺乏),可以推断研究区风暴沉积形成于强烈的冬季风暴作用,并且早寒武世龙王庙期华南的古地理位置应当位于中纬度地区,这一结论对一些著名的全球古地理重建方案提出了质疑。同时中纬度地区大规模发育蒸发岩和碳酸盐岩还佐证了寒武纪地球处于热室(Hothouse)时期。     

Zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopes and geochemistry analyses of the Huyu igneous rocks in northwestern Beijing,China: possible new evidence for the initial destruction of the North China Craton

The timing and extent of cratonic destruction are crucial to understanding the crustal evolution of the North China Craton (NCC). Zircon U–Pb–Hf isotope data and the whole-rock major and trace element characteristics of the Huyu igneous rocks in northwestern Beijing, China, provide possible new evidence for the initial destruction of the NCC. The igneous rocks occur as several sills and dikes, including lamprophyre, monzonite porphyry, and aplite. The lamprophyres have high Mg^# and K₂O contents. The monzonite porphyries have high Mg^#, high K₂O contents, and negative ε_Hf(t) values with zircon U–Pb ages of 225.5–227.7 Ma. These two types of rocks are both enriched in large ion lithosphere elements (LILEs) and light rare earth elements (LREEs) but are depleted in high field strength elements (HFSEs) and high rare earth elements (HREEs) and have almost no Eu anomalies and relatively high total rare earth element (ΣREE) contents. In contrast, the aplites exhibit high silica and K₂O contents, low MgO contents, and more negative ε_Hf(t) values with a zircon U–Pb age of 206.2 Ma. The aplites are also enriched in LILEs and LREEs but are depleted in HFSEs and HREEs, with strongly negative Eu, Ti, P, La, Ce, and Sr anomalies and relatively low ΣREE contents. These results indicate that the lamprophyres and monzonite porphyries represent a continuous cogenetic magma evolution series after melt derived from an enriched metasomatized lithospheric mantle experienced crust assimilation and fractional crystallization. The aplites were produced by the fractional crystallization of low-Mg parental magma derived from melting of the ancient Archaean crust. The occurrence of the Huyu intrusive rocks with many other plutons of similar ages on the northern margin of the NCC suggests that the northern NCC entered an intraplate extensional tectonic environment in the Late Triassic.     

Palaeoproterozoic granitic magmatism in the northern segment of the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt: implications for orogenesis along the Eastern Block of the North China Craton

As the northern segment of the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt (JLJB), the Palaeoproterozoic Liaoji Belt is a key region for deciphering the formation and evolution of the North China Craton (NCC). In this study, we present the geochronology, geochemical, and isotopic studies on the monzogranitic gneiss, which is one of the major lithotectonic elements of the Liaoji Belt. LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating reveals that the studied monzogranitic gneisses were formed in the period of 2213–2178 Ma. They are in tectonic contact with the Palaeoproterozoic volcano-sedimentary rocks in the field. The monzogranitic gneisses belong to the high-K calc-alkaline series, and are metaluminous to peraluminous. They have 10,000 Ga/Al ratios of 2.63–3.14 with an average of 2.90, and are thus classified as aluminous A-type granites. Their ε_Nd(t) values vary from ?3.4 to +2.5, indicating heterogeneous source region. The monzogranitic gneisses are characterized by enrichment in LREE and LILE (e.g. Rb, Ba, Th, and K) and depletion in HREE and HFSE (such as Nb, Ta, and Ti), and are typical to magmatism in active continental margins formed in a subduction-related tectonic setting. Taking into account their A-type affinity and regional geological data, we suggest that the monzogranitic gneisses were most probably generated in a local extensional back-arc environment during subduction.     

Early Carboniferous ophiolite in central Qiangtang,northern Tibet: record of an oceanic back-arc system in the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean

Zircon U–Pb dating of two samples of metagabbro from the Riwanchaka ophiolite yielded early Carboniferous ages of 354.4 ± 2.3 Ma and 356.7 ± 1.9 Ma. Their positive zircon εHf(t) values (+7.9 to +9.9) indicate that these rocks were derived from a relatively depleted mantle. The metagabbros can be considered as two types: R1 and R2. Both types are tholeiitic, with depletion of high-field-strength elements (HFSE) and enrichment of large-ion lithophile elements (LILE) similar to those of typical back-arc basin basalts (BABB), such as Mariana BABB and East Scotia Ridge BABB. Geochemical and isotopic characteristics indicate that the R1 metagabbro originated from a back-arc basin spreading ridge with addition of slab-derived fluids, whereas the R2 metagabbro was derived from a back-arc basin mantle source, with involvement of melts and fluids from subducted ocean crust. The Riwanchaka ophiolite exhibits both mid-ocean ridge basalts- and arc-like geochemical affinities, consistent with coeval ophiolites from central Qiangtang. Observations indicate that the Qiangtang ophiolites developed during the Late Devonian–early Carboniferous (D₃–C₁) in a back-arc spreading ridge above an intra-oceanic subduction zone. Based on our data and previous studies, we propose that an oceanic back-arc basin system existed in the Longmuco–Shuanghu–Lancang Palaeo-Tethys Ocean during the D₃–C₁ period.     

Jurassic and Cretaceous (Yanshannian) tectonics,magmatism and metallogenesis in South China: preface

ABSTRACT

South China is famous for its poly-metal deposits, with more than 50% of global W and Sb reserves, 20% of global Sn reserves, as well as abundant Cu-Mo-Pb-Zn-Au-Ag, Ta, Nb, REE and U deposits. This special issue consists of 21 papers, reporting recent progress on Yanshannian tectonic evolution, magmatism and ore deposits in South China, aiming at better understandings on the Mesozoic large-scale magmatism and mineralization events.     

A new tree fern stem,Tempskya zhangii sp. nov. (Tempskyaceae) from the Cretaceous of Northeast China

A new Cretaceous tree fern species from the family Tempskyaceae, Tempskya zhangii sp. nov., from Keshan County, Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China, is described based on silicified fragments. The species is characterized by dichotomizing stems embedded in a matrix of adventitious roots, together forming a solid and compact false trunk. The dorsiventral stems are composed of solenosteles, and their internodes are short with 2–3 (rarely 4) leaf traces. A three-layered cortex includes a sclerenchymatous outer zone, parenchymatous middle zone, and an inner zone composed of sclerenchyma band and parenchyma cells. The pith consists of a parenchymatous outer zone and sclerenchymatous inner zone. The petiole has a single C- or U-shaped vascular strand. The adventitious root has diarch xylem surrounded by an inner sclerenchymatous and an outer parenchymatous cortex. In possessing these characters, T. zhangii is more similar to T. wyomingensis from the Cretaceous of North America than to other species of Tempskya. However, the Chinese species distinctly differs from T. wyomingensis in having a sclerenchymatous outer cortex, parenchymatous middle cortex, and sparse parenchyma in the xylem. It is the first record of Tempskya from China and the fourth from Asia. This species, together with Cyatheaceae, Osmundaceae, Cycadeoidaceae, and conifers found in the same region constituted the plant community at the time.     

内蒙古丰镇市泉子沟斑岩钼矿床成岩成矿年代学及其地质意义

泉子沟斑岩钼矿床位于内蒙古丰镇市,地处华北克拉通北缘内蒙古台隆凉城断隆内。矿区出露一套燕山期花岗质杂岩体——红娘山杂岩体,主要由中粗粒花岗岩、似斑状花岗岩和石英斑岩组成,钼矿体主要赋存于似斑状花岗岩中。文章在详细的野外地质调查基础上,对泉子沟矿床的成岩成矿时代进行了详细研究,并探讨了地质意义。5件辉钼矿样品的Re-Os模式年龄介于(158.8±2.2)Ma~(161.5±2.2)Ma之间,其加权平均值为(159.8±1.0)Ma(MSWD=0.92),等时线年龄为(161.7±3.1)Ma(MSWD=1.40)。红娘山杂岩体LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄分别为:中粗粒花岗岩结晶年龄为(173±1)Ma(MSWD=0.88),似斑状花岗岩侵位年龄为(162±1)Ma(MSWD=0.40),石英斑岩结晶年龄为(160±2)Ma(MSWD=1.90)。辉钼矿Re-Os和锆石U-Pb定年结果表明,泉子沟钼矿床形成于晚侏罗世早期,成矿与似斑状花岗岩关系密切。泉子沟钼矿床的辉钼矿w(Re)介于16.49×10~(-6)~32.87×10~(-6),暗示成矿物质主要来自下地壳。     

内蒙古兴和县曹四夭超大型斑岩钼铅锌金成矿系统年代学及其地质意义

曹四夭斑岩钼矿床位于内蒙古兴和县,是华北克拉通北缘最大的钼矿床。该矿床中部发育斑岩型钼矿体,外围和上部产出热液脉型铅锌金矿体。文章选取1件与斑岩钼矿化共生的绢云母样品进行了40Ar-39Ar定年,获得40Ar-39Ar坪年龄为(144.4±1.2)Ma,相应的39Ar/36Ar-40Ar/39Ar等时线年龄为(146.4±2.2)Ma(MSWD=0.31),将等时线年龄认作绢云母的Ar封闭年龄,表明曹四夭斑岩钼矿化发生在约146 Ma前。选取14件脉型铅锌矿石中的闪锌矿、黄铁矿和磁黄铁矿样品开展了Rb-Sr定年,获得4件闪锌矿的Rb-Sr等时线年龄为(145.1±3.0)Ma(MSWD=0.63);5件黄铁矿的Rb-Sr等时线年龄为(145.2±1.3)Ma(MSWD=0.53);4件闪锌矿、5件黄铁矿和1件磁黄铁矿的Rb-Sr等时线年龄为(145.3±1.0)Ma(MSWD=0.43)。硫化物Rb-Sr定年结果表明曹四夭矿床脉型铅锌矿化形成于约145 Ma前。本次绢云母40Ar-39Ar和硫化物Rb-Sr定年结果表明,曹四夭矿床斑岩型钼矿化和脉型铅锌金矿化为同期产物,两者均形成于晚侏罗世末期,属于同一个斑岩成矿系统。曹四夭矿床硫化物的w(Rb)和w(Sr)分别为0.1867×10~(-6)~1.305×10~(-6)和0.3175×10~(-6)~6.935×10~(-6),Sr同位素初始比值(87Sr/86Sr)i介于0.709 919~0.711 951之间,平均值0.710 952,结合前人获得的辉钼矿Re含量,认为曹四夭矿床的成矿物质主要来源于地壳。     

河南崤山金矿床流体包裹体及同位素特征

崤山金矿床位于华北克拉通南缘的豫西地区,矿体大多呈脉状产于断裂带内。成矿期可以划分为3个阶段:(1)石英-黄铁矿阶段;(2)石英-多金属硫化物阶段;(3)石英-碳酸盐阶段。成矿期石英中发育气液两相水溶液包裹体(WL型)和H_2O-CO_2包裹体(C型)。石英-黄铁矿阶段发育WL型和C型包裹体,它们的均一温度为300~393℃,盐度w(NaCl_(eq))为1.6%~11.0%,密度介于0.57~0.82 g/cm~3;石英-多金属硫化物阶段亦发育WL型和C型包裹体,它们的均一温度为261~298℃,盐度w(NaCl_(eq))为1.1%~11.8%,密度介于0.74~0.89 g/cm~3;石英-碳酸盐阶段仅见WL型包裹体,其均一温度为193~258℃,盐度w(NaCl_(eq))介于2.2%~12.7%,密度为0.87~0.97g/cm~3。成矿流体具有中高温、中低盐度、低密度等特征,属于H_2O-NaCl±CO_2体系。崤山金矿石英的δ~(18)OH_2O值介于0.7‰~4.5‰之间,δDV-SMOW值介于-47.8‰~-69.5‰之间。H-O同位素结果表明成矿流体主要来源于岩浆水。矿石硫化物的δ_(34)SV-CDT值为0.7‰~3.9‰,206Pb/204Pb值为17.391~17.728,~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb值为15.420~15.577,~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb值为37.420~37.923。S-Pb同位素结果表明成矿物质主要来源于花岗质岩浆。崤山金矿为中温热液脉型金矿,流体相分离和温度的降低是导致矿质沉淀的主要机制。