The Pelona–Orocopia–Rand and related schists of southern California: a review of the best-known archive of shallow subduction on the planet

ABSTRACT

The Pelona–Orocopia–Rand and related schists of southern California are an archetypal example of an exhumed shallow subduction complex. ‘The schist’ comprises mainly trench materials underthust beneath continental arc rocks during Late Cretaceous–early Cenozoic collision of one or more oceanic plateaux with southern California. The arc-on-trench relationship, without intervening mantle or lowermost crust, implies that significant subduction erosion accompanied shallow subduction. Upsection increases in metamorphic grade (~150 ± 100°C/km) and spatial variations in age and peak temperature provide an ~50 million year long record of tectonic underplating within a cooling system. Evidence for palaeoseismic events in earliest formed and hottest (locally transitional granulite grade) schists provides a possible field-based record of episodic tremor and slow slip events such as detected in several modern shallow subduction zones. Structural ascent of the schist was achieved in distinct Late Cretaceous–early Eocene and late Oligocene–early Miocene extensional pulses, the first during collapse of gravitationally unstable upper plate assemblages and accompanied by trench-directed (top-NE) lower plate extrusion and the second corresponding temporally, spatially, and in character with core complex formation in the SW United States. The line between schist and core complex belts is blurred by the recent discovery of schist within 40 km of the nearest core complex and containing synkinematic Miocene intrusions, a hallmark of SW U.S. core complexes. The history of schist assembly, metamorphism, and exhumation provides the most complete field-based record of thermo-mechanical processes, subduction erosion and tectonic underplating in particular, that operated during a shallow subduction event. Future cross-disciplinary investigations of, and comparisons between, the schist and other possible ancient (e.g. Swakane gneiss, Sanbagawa belt, Qiangtang terrane) and modern (e.g. Cascadia, SW Japan, central Mexico, Chile) shallow subduction zones will yield new insights into the tectonic and petrologic processes that operate within such systems.     

南辽河群斜长角闪岩的地球化学特征及地质意义:以三家子地区为例

基于详细的野外地质调查,对南辽河群下部里尔峪组斜长角闪岩进行了岩相学和地球化学研究。岩相学研究表明,南辽河群下部里尔峪组斜长角闪岩属于正变质岩。地球化学研究显示,这些斜长角闪岩原岩属于高铁拉斑玄武岩系列(Nb/Y=0.16~0.4),SiO_2含量为47.27%~50.68%,具有较低的TiO_2含量(0.92%~1.61%),亏损高场强元素(Nb、Ta、Zr、Hf等),表明其原岩形成于岛弧或活动大陆边缘,而非前人所说的大陆裂谷。综合岩相学和地球化学特征,初步认为其岩石成因与活动大陆边缘有关。     

Geochronology of the Duguer range metamorphic rocks,Central Tibet: implications for the changing tectonic setting of the South Qiangtang subterrane

The Duguer area represents one of the few occurrences of high-grade metamorphic rocks in the ‘Central Uplift’ zone of the Qiangtang terrane, central Tibet. The metamorphic rocks consist mainly of orthogneiss, paragneiss, and schist. To better understand the formation of these rocks, seven samples of gneiss and schist from the Duguer area were selected for in situ zircon U–Pb analysis and Ar–Ar dating of metamorphic minerals. The results suggest two distinct metamorphic stages, during the Late Triassic (229–227 Ma) and Late Jurassic (150–149 Ma). These stages correspond to the closure of the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean and northward subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang Neo-Tethys oceanic crust, respectively. We suggest that the Late Triassic metamorphic rocks of the Duguer area in the central South Qiangtang subterrane provide evidence of continental collision between the North and South Qiangtang subterranes, following the subduction of oceanic crust. It is likely that deep subduction of oceanic crust occurred along the Longmu Co–Shuanghu–Lancangjiang suture zone (LSLSZ), which would have hindered exhumation owing to the high density of oceanic crust. Subsequent break-off and delamination of the subducted oceanic slab at ~220 Ma may have resulted in exhumation of high-pressure and high-grade metamorphic rocks in the South Qiangtang subterrane. The Late Jurassic ages of metamorphism and deformation obtained in this study indicate the occurrence of an Andean-type orogenic event within the South Qiangtang subterrane. This hypothesis is further supported by an apparent age gap in magmatic activity (150–130 Ma) along the magmatic arc, and the absence of Late Jurassic sediments.     

Early Cretaceous porphyry copper mineralization in Northeast China: the Changfagou example

The Changfagou Cu deposit is a newly discovered porphyry deposit located in the southern Jilin Province of Northeastern China, on the northeastern margin of the North China Craton. To better understand the formation of the Cu deposit, we report the zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os dating, and Sr-, Nd-, and Hf- isotopic data of the granite porphyry. LA-ICP-MS dating of zircon grains from two mineral zones in the granite porphyry yield ages of 115.7 ± 0.8 and 115.3 ± 0.6 Ma, which is interpreted as the emplacement age of the granite porphyry. The molybdenite Re–Os model ages of 112.5 to 113.8 Ma, an isochron age of 113.3 ± 1.3 Ma, and a weighted mean model age of 113.0 ± 0.7 Ma, which represents the age of the Cu mineralization quite well. The Changfagou granite porphyry samples lack amphibole and muscovite, and are compositionally characterized by high SiO₂, high Na₂O+K₂O, and low P₂O₅, enriched in some Rb, Th, U, and Pb, and depleted in Nb, Ta, Ti, P, and Eu. Mineralogical and geochemical features suggest that the Changfagou granite porphyry samples are slightly peraluminous and are of highly fractionated I-type granitoids. The granitic rocks also have relatively high (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i (0.71199 to 0. 71422), and both low εNd(t) (?14.56 to ?13.19) and εHf(t) values (?14.916 to ?8.644), which suggest that Changfagou granite porphyry are derived from mixed sources of crustal and mantle, and diagenesis and mineralization were possibly related to the switch in subduction direction of the Palaeo-Pacific Plate in the late phase of Early Cretaceous.     

Reconstructing the Cryogenian–Ediacaran evolution of the Porongos fold and thrust belt,Southern Brasiliano Orogen,based on Zircon U–Pb–Hf–O isotopes

The Neoproterozoic geotectonic triad of the Brasiliano Orogen is reconstructed in southern Brazil from studies focused on the Porongos fold and thrust belt. We integrate field geology with isotopic studies of zircon U–Pb SHRIMP and Lu–Hf–O laser determinations in seven metasedimentary and three metavolcanic rock samples. The results indicate that the Porongos palaeo-basin was derived from mixed sources (3200–550 Ma), with major contributions from Rhyacian (2170 Ma) and Ediacaran (608 Ma) sources. Minor contributions from Archaean to Tonian sources are also registered. The maximum depositional age of the Porongos palaeo-basin is established by the age range of 650–550 Ma with T_DM model ages between 2.5 and 1.3 Ga. The reworked signature (ε_Hf values = ?34 to ?4) and the characteristic crustal magma reservoirs (δ¹⁸O ≥5.3 ‰) indicate that these sediments are equivalent to Neoproterozoic granites of the Dom Feliciano Belt. The episodic depositional history started in the Cryogenian (650 Ma) and lasted until the Ediacaran (most likely 570 Ma). A magmatic event of Tonian age is recorded in rhyodacite samples interleaved with the metasedimentary rocks and dated at 773, 801, and 809 Ma. The crustal evolution of the Sul-Riograndense Shield included mountain building, folding and thrusting and flexural subsidence in the foreland. An orogenic triad is revealed as the Pelotas Batholith, the Porongos fold and thrust belt and the Camaquã Basin, all part of the Dom Feliciano Belt.     

安徽庐枞盆地罗河铁矿床中榍石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb定年及其意义

罗河铁矿床位于长江中下游铁铜金成矿带庐枞矿集区,已探明资源量约10亿吨,是成矿带内最大的铁矿床。矿床主成矿阶段广泛发育热液成因榍石,以榍石-硬石膏-磷灰石组合为特征,在矿床-800~-900m和-1500~-1600m两个不同深度稳定发育,为确定成矿时代和成矿流体演化提供了良好的研究对象。本次工作对罗河铁矿床深部和浅部两层矿体中热液榍石开展了年代学及地球化学研究,结果表明榍石中存在(Al,Fe)~(3+)+(F,OH)~-=Ti~(4+)+O~(2-)置换反应,并富含Zr、Nb和REE等元素。榍石中Zr含量估算矿床成矿温度约700℃,指示玢岩型矿床比矽卡岩型铁矿床具有更高的成矿温度,高温条件有利于Ti元素的迁移。榍石的稀土元素配分图均呈现出明显右倾,并具较高的稀土元素总量以及明显的负Eu异常特征,轻稀土富集表明其结晶早于磷灰石和绿帘石等矿物,形成于高温热液环境,不同深度榍石的Eu异常变化表明成矿流体的氧逸度从深部到浅部有所升高。热液榍石原位微区LA-ICPMS U-Pb定年结果表明,上、下两层榍石形成时代分别为130.0±0.9Ma和129.1±0.8Ma~129.7±0.8Ma,表明罗河铁矿床两层矿体是同一成矿系统的在不同深度的产物。矿床成矿时代与区内隐伏闪长岩体成岩时代一致,结合矿床地质特征研究,本文认为闪长玢岩是矿床的成矿母岩。罗河铁矿床属于燕山晚期岩浆热液活动的产物,形成于区域早白垩世岩石圈减薄的环境。     

Discovery of Iapetognathus fauna from far western New South Wales: towards a more precisely defined Cambrian–Ordovician boundary in Australia

Conodont species Iapetognathus fluctivagus and Iapetonudus ibexensis are documented for the first time from Australia. The former is the primary marker internationally defining the base of the Ordovician, and the latter is also a distinctive species previously recorded only from the base of the Ordovician in North America. Both species were recovered from a single sample in the Kandie Tank Limestone of the Kayrunnera Group, located about 50 km west of White Cliffs in far western New South Wales. Other species recovered from this sample include Prooneotodus spp., Cordylodus lindstromi, Cordylodus proavus, Hirsutodontus simplex, Teridontus nakamurai and Variabiloconus sp. Recognition of the Iapetognathus fluctivagus Biozone in the Kandie Tank Limestone supports its correlation with the Green Point section (Global Stratigraphic Section and Point for the base of the Ordovician) in western Newfoundland and the Lawson Cove section of Utah (Auxiliary Stratigraphic Section and Point), as well as sections in Asia and South America. Review of other sections in Australia and elsewhere spanning the Cambrian–Ordovician boundary confirms that, in the absence of I. fluctivagus, the presence of C. lindstromi is a good proxy for this level.     

57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy of tektites

Tektite glasses are investigated using ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Room temperature spectra analysis is performed using two complementary analytical methods based on two-dimensional distributions of both isomer shift and quadrupole splitting. No a priori correlation between the two hyperfine parameters is considered. The first method, based on a shape independent distribution, provides the justification for the Gaussian distribution shape used in the second method. No ferric iron contribution is evidenced by Mössbauer spectra analysis in these samples, although several criteria are used. Ferrous iron sites are shown to be continuously distributed between four- and five-fold co-ordinated sites.     

Origin of the alkali tonsteins from southwest China: Implications for alkaline magmatism associated with the waning stages of the Emeishan Large Igneous Province

A unique type of Nb–Zr–REE–Ga-enriched alkali tonstein of pyroclastic origin occurs exclusively within the late Permian coal measures of southwest China. The alkali tonsteins are located within the lowest Xuanwei or Longtan formations of Wuchiapingian age, indicating that their age is later than the main episode of Emeishan Large Igneous Province (ELIP) magmatism. The alkali tonsteins have intermediate–felsic Al₂O₃/TiO₂ values (12.6–34.2, mean 22.0), light rare earth element-enriched chondrite-normalised patterns, negative δEu and incompatible element ratios similar to those of ELIP alkaline Nb–Ta-enriched syenites. All available evidence shows that the alkali tonsteins from southwest China originated from coeval ELIP alkaline magmatism. The enrichment of Nb–Zr–REE–Ga in alkali tonsteins is derived from the ELIP alkaline Nb–Ta-enriched volcanic ashes and may represent the last stage of mineralisation associated with the Emeishan mantle plume activity.     

The effect of water on accessory phase solubility in subaluminous and peralkaline granitic melts

The solubilities of columbite, tantalite, wolframite, rutile, zircon and hafnon were determined as a function of the water contents in peralkaline and subaluminous granite melts. All experiments were conducted at 1035 °C and 2 kbar and the water contents of the melts ranged from nominally dry to approximately 6 wt.% H₂O. Accessory phase solubilities are not affected by the water content of the peralkaline melt. By contrast, solubilities are affected by the water content of the subaluminous melt, where the solubilities of all the accessory phases examined increase with the water content of the melt, up to 2 wt.% H₂O. At higher water contents, solubilities are nearly constant. It can be concluded that water is not an important control of accessory phase solubility, although the water content will affect diffusivities of components in the melt, thus whether or not accessory phases will be present as restite material. The solubility behaviour in the subaluminous and peralkaline melts supports previous spectroscopic studies, which have observed differences in the coordination of high field strength elements in dry vs. wet subaluminous granitic glasses, but not for peralkaline granitic glasses. Lastly, the fact that wolframite solubility increases with increasing water content in the subaluminous melt suggests that tungsten dissolved as a hexavalent species.