Late Triassic volcanic activity in South-East Asia: New stratigraphical,geochronological and paleontological evidence from the Luang Prabang Basin (Laos)

In South-East Asia, sedimentary basins displaying continental Permian and Triassic deposits have been poorly studied. Among these, the Luang Prabang Basin (North Laos) represents a potential key target to constrain the stratigraphic and structural evolutions of South-East Asia. A combined approach involving sedimentology, palaeontology, geochronology and structural analysis, was thus implemented to study the basin. It resulted in a new geological map, in defining new formations, and in proposing a complete revision of the Late Permian to Triassic stratigraphic succession as well as of the structural organization of the basin. Radiometric ages are used to discuss the synchronism of volcanic activity and sedimentation.The Luang Prabang Basin consists of an asymmetric NE-SW syncline with NE-SW thrusts, located at the contact between Late Permian and Late Triassic deposits. The potential stratigraphic gap at the Permian–Triassic boundary is therefore masked by deformation in the basin. The Late Triassic volcaniclastic continental deposits are representative of alluvial plain and fluvial environments. The basin was fed by several sources, varying from volcanic, carbonated to silicic (non-volcanic). U–Pb dating of euhedral zircon grains provided maximum sedimentation ages. The stratigraphic vertical succession of these ages, from ca. 225, ca. 220 to ca. 216 Ma, indicates that a long lasting volcanism was active during sedimentation and illustrates significant variations in sediment preservation rates in continental environments (from ∼100 m/Ma to ∼3 m/Ma). Anhedral inherited zircon grains gave older ages. A large number of them, at ca. 1870 Ma, imply the reworking of a Proterozoic basement and/or of sediments containing fragments of such a basement. In addition, the Late Triassic (Carnian to Norian) sediments yielded to a new dicynodont skull, attributed to the Kannemeyeriiform group family, from layers dated in between ∼225 and ∼221 Ma (Carnian).     

Cretaceous to Cenozoic evolution of the northern Lhasa Terrane and the Early Paleogene development of peneplains at Nam Co,Tibetan Plateau

Highly elevated and well-preserved peneplains are characteristic geomorphic features of the Tibetan plateau in the northern Lhasa Terrane, north–northwest of Nam Co. The peneplains were carved in granitoids and in their metasedimentary host formations. We use multi-method geochronology (zircon U–Pb and [U–Th]/He dating and apatite fission track and [U–Th]/He dating) to constrain the post-emplacement thermal history of the granitoids and the timing and rate of final exhumation of the peneplain areas. LA-ICP-MS U–Pb geochronology of zircons yields two narrow age groups for the intrusions at around 118 Ma and 85 Ma, and a third group records Paleocene volcanic activity (63–58 Ma) in the Nam Co area. The low-temperature thermochronometers indicate common age groups for the entire Nam Co area: zircon (U–Th)/He ages cluster around 75 Ma, apatite fission track ages around 60 Ma and apatite (U–Th)/He ages around 50 Ma. Modelling of the thermochronological data indicates that exhumation of the basement blocks took place in latest Cretaceous to earliest Paleogene time. By Middle Eocene time the relief was already flat, documented by a thin alluvial sediment sequence covering a part of the planated area. The present-day horst and graben structure of the peneplains is a Late Cenozoic feature triggered by E–W extension of the Tibetan Plateau. The new thermochronological data precisely bracket the age of the planation to Early Eocene, i.e. between ca. 55 and 45 Ma. The erosional base level can be deduced from the presence of Early Cretaceous zircon grains in Eocene strata of Bengal Basin. The sediment generated during exhumation of the Nam Co area was transported by an Early Cenozoic river system into the ocean, suggesting that planation occurred at low elevation.     

Petrology and U–Pb zircon dating of coesite-bearing metapelite from the Kebuerte Valley,western Tianshan,China

This paper deals with the petrology and U–Pb dating of coesite-bearing garnet–phengite schist from the Kebuerte Valley, Chinese western Tianshan. It mainly consists of porphyroblastic garnet, phengite, quartz and chlorite with minor amounts of paragonite, albite, zoisite and chloritoid. The well preserved coesite inclusions (∼100 μm) in garnet are encircled by a narrow rim of quartz. They were identified by optical microscopy and confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. Using the computer program THERMOCALC, the peak metamorphic conditions of 29 kbar and 565 °C were obtained via garnet isopleth geothermobarometry. The predicted UHP peak mineral assemblage comprises garnet + jadeite + lawsonite + carpholite + coesite + phengite. The metapelite records prograde quartz–eclogite-facies metamorphism, UHP coesite–eclogite-facies peak metamorphism, and a late greenschist-facies overprint. Phase equilibrium modeling predicts that garnet mainly grew in the mineral assemblages garnet + jadeite + lawsonite + chloritoid + glaucophane + quartz + phengite and garnet + jadeite + lawsonite + carpholite + glaucophane + quartz + phengite. SHRIMP U–Pb zircon dating of the coesite-bearing metapelite yielded the peak metamorphic age 320.4 ± 3.7 Ma. For the first time, age data of coesite-bearing UHP metapelite from the Chinese western Tianshan are presented in this paper. They are in accord with published ages obtained from eclogite from other localities in the Chinese western Tianshan and the Kyrgyz South Tianshan and therefore prove a widespread occurrence of UHP metamorphism.     

Provenance and origins of a Late Paleozoic accretionary complex within the Khangai–Khentei belt in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt,central Mongolia

We have investigated the petrography, geochemistry, and detrital zircon U–Pb LA-ICPMS dating of sandstone from the Gorkhi Formation of the Khangai–Khentei belt in the Ulaanbaatar area, central Mongolia. These data are used to constrain the provenance and source rock composition of the accretionary complex, which is linked to subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt during the Middle Devonian to Early Carboniferous. Field and microscopic observations of the modal composition of sandstone and constituent mineral chemistry indicate that the sandstone of the Gorkhi Formation is feldspathic arenite, enriched in saussuritized plagioclase. Geochemical data show that most of the sandstone and shale were derived from a continental margin to continental island arc setting, with plutonic rocks being the source rocks. Detrital zircon ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of two sandstones yields age peaks of 322 ± 3 and 346 ± 3 Ma. The zircon ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of a quartz–pumpellyite vein that cuts sandstone has a weighted mean age of 339 ± 3 Ma. Based on these zircon ages, we infer that the depositional age of sandstone within the Gorkhi Formation ranges from 320 to 340 Ma (i.e., Early Carboniferous). The provenance and depositional age of the Gorkhi Formation suggest that the evolution of the accretionary complex was influenced by the intrusion and erosion of plutonic rocks during the Early Carboniferous. We also suggest that spatial and temporal changes in the provenance of the accretionary complex in the Khangai–Khentei belt, which developed aound the southern continental margin of the Siberian Craton in relation to island arc activity, were influenced by northward subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean plate.     

Paleo- to Eoarchean crustal evolution in eastern Hebei,North China Craton: New evidence from SHRIMP U–Pb dating and in-situ Hf isotopic study of detrital zircons from paragneisses

In the Caozhuang complex in eastern Hebei, North China Craton, the Paleo- to Eoarchean crustal evolution was earlier revealed by the preservation of detrital zircon grains older than (or as old as) 3.8 Ga in fuchsite-quartzite. In order to test if the Eoarchean antiquity is also preserved in rocks other than the fuchsite quartzite, we collected two paragneisses, a hornblende gneiss and a garnet–biotite gneiss, from Huangbaiyu village and dated their detrital zircon grains. The zircon dating of the hornblende gneiss yielded concordant ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages ranging from 3684 to 3354 Ma. However, an older date of 3782 Ma with 18% discordancy was also obtained. Detrital zircon grains from the garnet–biotite gneiss gave a similar ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age range, from 3838 to 3342 Ma. The metamorphic domains of the zircon grains from both samples, including the strongly recrystallized cores and rims, recorded an overprinting metamorphism at ca. 2.5 Ga, which correlates with the most widespread tectono-thermal event in the North China Craton. In situ zircon Hf-isotope analyses on the dated zircon grains yielded a wide range of model ages (T_DM1) from 4.0 to 3.3 Ga with corresponding ε_Hf(T) from −36.0 to +4.8. This suggests that the evolution of the crustal segment in this area has involved multiple phases of juvenile crustal addition as well as recycling of older crustal rocks. The new geochronological results imply the presence of a significant amount of Eoarchean crustal fragments in the eastern Hebei area. The sedimentary protoliths of the paragneisses and other high-grade metamorphic rocks in the Caozhuang complex were probably deposited between 3.4 and 2.5 Ga.     

An Acetic Acid‐Based Extraction Protocol for the Recovery of U,Th and Pb from Calcium Carbonates for U‐(Th)‐Pb Geochronology

A new method for the simultaneous recovery of U, Th and Pb from ca. 0.5 g calcium carbonate samples for the purpose of U‐(Th)‐Pb geochronometry is presented. The protocol employs ion‐exchange chromatography. Standard anion exchange resin (AG 1‐X8 100–200 mesh) was used as the static phase, and 90% acetic acid was used as the mobile phase to elute the unwanted matrix components; dilute nitric acid was used to elute the U, Th and Pb. Blanks of 1.8 pg Th, 6.4 pg Pb and 8.4 pg U were obtained. The protocol was evaluated by determining the isotopic composition of U‐Th‐Pb separates obtained from an in‐house reference material (prepared from a natural speleothem) by MC‐ICP‐MS. An independently dated speleothem was also reanalysed. Based on these tests, the extraction protocol had an acceptable blank and produced a Pb separate sufficiently free of matrix‐induced instrumental biases to be appropriate for U‐Th‐Pb chronology.     

西藏泽当蛇绿岩玄武岩SHRIMP锆石U-Pb年龄 及其地质意义

雅鲁藏布江缝合带中各蛇绿岩体的准确定年对待提斯洋演化和青藏高原隆升的研究具有重要意义.泽当蛇绿岩是雅鲁藏布江缝合带东段最大的蛇绿岩块体,关于其形成年龄目前仍存在不同的认识.通过SHRIMP锆石U-Pb测年得到蛇绿岩中玄武岩的形成年龄为154.9Ma±2.0Ma(95％置信度,MSWD=0.98).蛇绿岩中的玄武岩是洋脊扩张的产物,其形成年龄代表了扩张事件的时间,也代表了蛇绿岩的形成时代.结合已有的雅鲁藏布江缝合带蛇绿岩的形成年龄,该年龄进一步反映出雅鲁藏布江缝合带蛇绿岩形成时间具有东早西晚的特点.泽当蛇绿岩与含有埃达克质英云闪长岩的泽当岛弧火成岩基本为同期形成的.地球化学特征显示定年的玄武岩形成于俯冲带之上,且具有指示洋内俯冲环境的地球化学特征.因此,泽当SSZ型蛇绿岩可能形成于洋内俯冲机制.     

云南武定迤纳厂铁铜矿岩浆角砾岩LA-ICP-MS 锆石U-Pb年龄及其意义

康滇地区是中国西南地区重要的元古宙铁铜成矿带.该地区元古宙昆阳群中串珠状分布岩浆角砾岩,周边分布大量铁铜矿床.选取武定迤纳厂东方红矿段穿插斜切入迤纳厂组的岩浆角砾岩,挑选胶结物中的岩浆锆石进行LA-ICP-MS测年,得到复合岩浆锆石内核207pb/206pb年龄为2193Ma±8Ma,代表深部围岩原生锆石年龄;岩浆锆石或复合岩浆锆石边缘环带207Pb/206Pb年龄为1739Ma±13Ma,代表岩浆侵位年龄;下交点年龄为980Ma±11Ma,代表变质年龄.结合相关资料判断,迤纳厂组与上昆阳群、大红山群、河口群均为1.7Ga左右昆阳板内裂谷拉张、岩浆侵位/喷发的同时异相产物.这对在滇中地区昆阳裂谷中,元古宙地层内的岩浆角砾岩周边寻找IOCG(IRON-OXIDE-COPPER-GOLD,铁氧化物-铜-金)型铁铜矿具有重要的启示.     

滇西保山地块东缘晚三叠世何珠次英安斑岩的发现 及其地质意义

在野外地质调查和岩相学观察的基础上,对保山地块东缘何珠次英安斑岩进行了LA-ICP-MS锆石原位U-Th-Pb同位素测定,得到16个测定点的206Pb/238U年龄加权平均值为216.8Ma±2.2Ma。该年龄值反映了岩体的侵位时间,表明其属于晚三叠世,而非前人认为的新生代。结合岩相学和前人地球化学研究资料分析认为,岩体具有I型和S型花岗岩的特征,反映了其在矿物和地球化学组成上的不平衡,应为幔源高温基性岩浆与壳源岩浆混合形成的,且前者占主导地位。这是昌宁-孟连结合带西侧首次报道幔源物质对晚三叠世岩浆活动的参与,表明保山地块在碰撞后地壳熔融过程中伴随地幔物质的上涌。研究表明,以何珠岩体为代表的次英安斑岩并非前人认为的新生代,保山地块南端前人划分的新生代岩体群的分布范围和规模可能需要重估。     

辽西—冀北地区土城子组的地质时代、年龄及其国际地层对比

辽西—冀北地区土城子组(后城组)含有各类化石,包括植物、孢粉、介形类、叶肢介、昆虫及恐龙类等,各门类化石都对土城子组的时代提出归属与生物演化依据。通过与国内外相关生物群(组合)的研究与对比,尤其是孢粉、介形类微体化石大区域的国际对比,将土城子组的地质时代划归为晚侏罗世早—中期(Oxfordian-Kimmeridgian)。土城子组的地磁年代学研究,也得出大致相同的时代结论。笔者在辽西金岭寺—羊山盆地土城子组剖面中,采用SHRIMP锆石U-Th-Pb同位测定技术,对凝灰岩中的锆石进行了年龄测定,获得的206Pb/238U年龄为:第22层140.2Ma±1.3Ma(N=13,13个数据加权平均值);第30层139.6Ma±1.9Ma(N=12);小刘家沟剖面土城子组上部凝灰岩139.6Ma±0.7Ma(N=11);第83层137.3Ma±1.0Ma(N=13)。由于第22层距土城子组底界369m,据沉积速率推算约为1.5Ma。因此,土城子组底界年龄应为141.7Ma±1.3Ma。第83层接近土城子组顶界,137.3Ma±1.0Ma年龄值可大致视为土城子组顶界的年龄。如此推断,上侏罗统牛津阶(Oxfordian)底界年龄应接近141.7Ma±1.3Ma,基默里奇阶(Kimmeridgian)上界年龄应为137.3Ma±1.0Ma左右,而国际地质年表中推导、标注的两者年龄分别为163.5Ma±1.0Ma和152.1Ma±0.9Ma,与笔者实测的年龄值分别相差21Ma和15Ma,对此进行了深入的探讨。