Lithospheric dripping in a soft collision zone: Insights from late Paleozoic magmatism suites of the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The closure of Paleo-Asian Ocean is considered to have occurred along the Solonker Suture in the southernmost segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), the largest Phanerozoic accretionary orogen on the globe. The suture branches to the east to form the northern Hegenshan–Heihe Suture and the southern Solonker–Changchun Suture. The Hegenshan–Heihe Suture is an ideal natural laboratory for studying the post-collisional geodynamic processes operating in a soft collision zone driven by divergent double-sided subduction. Here we report results from an integrated study of the petrology, geochronology, geochemistry, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions of the Early Carboniferous–Early Permian magmatic suite in the Hailar Basin of the Xing’an–Erguna Block. The Early Carboniferous igneous rocks are represented by 356–349 Ma andesitic tuffs, exhibiting typical subduction-related features, such as enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements and depletion in high-field-strength elements. These features, together with the relatively depleted Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions, constant Nb/Y values, but highly variable Rb/Y and Ba values indicate that these rocks were generated by partial melting of a depleted mantle wedge metasomatized by slab-derived fluids. The Late Carboniferous–Early Permian magmatic suite (317–295 Ma) is characterized by high Sr contents (313–1080 ppm) and low Y contents (5–13 ppm), and these can be subdivided into calc-alkaline adakitic rocks and high-K calc-alkaline adakitic rocks. The calc-alkaline adakitic rocks have higher values of Sr/Y, (Sm/Yb)_{source normalized}, and Mg#, and lower values of Y, Yb_{source normalized}, and K₂O/Na₂O than the high-K calc-alkaline adakitic rocks, which suggests that the former was generated by partial melting of foundered lower continental crust and the latter by partial melting of normal lower continental crust. Based on our new data, in conjunction with those in previous studies, we conclude that the tectonic evolution of the Hegenshan–Heihe Suture involved Early Carboniferous double-sided subduction of the Nenjiang Ocean, latest Early Carboniferous soft collision between the Xing’an–Erguna and Songliao blocks, and Late Carboniferous–Early Permian post-collisional extension. We also propose a new geodynamic scenario in which removal of the lithospheric root might have occurred in a soft collision zone during the post-collision period via repeated and localized lithospheric dripping, which results from combined effects of hydration weakening of the lithosphere caused by pre-collision subduction and asthenospheric stirring triggered by slab break-off.     

Climate characteristics of the eastern Mongolian Plateau,China during the early Early Cretaceous (145–132 Ma): Palynological evidence from the Tongbomiao Formation in Well Hong-6, Hailar Basin

This study identified two palynological assemblages, namely Bayanhuasporites-Cycadopites-Protoconiferus and Cicatricosisporites-Cedripites-Perinopollenites, in the Tongbomiao Formation in the Hongqi Sag in the Hailar Basin, Inner Mongolia, China for the first time. The former is distributed in the lower part of the Tongbomiao Formation and is characterized by abundant gymnosperm pollen and diverse fern spores. Among them, the gymnosperm pollen is dominated by Paleoconifer (4.98%–31.62%) and Cycadopite (8.55%–25.23%) pollen grains and also includes other pollen grains such as Classopollis, Parcisporites, Erlianpollis, Callialasporites, and Jiaohepollis. The fern spores in the former palynological assemblage contain Bayanhuasporite (0–8.96%), Granulatisporites (0.93%–6.97%), and some important Cretaceous genera, such as Cicatricosisporites, Concavissimisporites, Densoisporites, Hsuisporites, Foraminisporis, and Leptolepidites. The Cicatricosisporites-Cedripites-Perinopollenites palynological assemblage is distributed in the upper part of the Tongbomiao Formation. Gymnosperm (77.30%), Pinaceae (31.9%), and Paleoconiferus (19.02%) pollen predominate this palynological assemblage, and Quadraeculina, Erlianpollis, and Jiaohepollis pollen are also common in this assemblage. The fern spores in this palynological assemblage include abundant Cicatricosisporites (4.29%). Besides, Concavissimisporites, Aequitriradites, and Leptolepidites are also common in this palynological assemblage. No angiosperm pollen has been found in both palynological assemblages. The identification of both palynological assemblages provides important evidence for the biostratigraphic correlation between the Hailar Basin and its adjacent areas. It also enables the reconstructions of the Berriasian-Valanginian (Early Cretaceous) vegetation and the paleoclimate on the eastern Mongolian Plateau during 141–132 Ma. The vegetation reconstructed on the palynological data of the represented by Hailar Basin in eastern Mongolian Plateau (141.6–141.4 Ma), form conifer forest or conifer broad-leaved mixed forest to conifer forest with shrubs and grassland, the climate belongs to warm temperate and warm-subtropicalt, the highest temperature is estimated to reach 35–38°C. Form 132.3 Ma, the vegetation type is conifer forest, and its paleoclimate is sub-humid warm temperate, the highest temperature is estimated to reach 24–29°C.©2022 China Geology Editorial Office.     

阿拉善地块北大山地区两类辉长岩的锆石U-Pb定年、Hf同位素及地球化学特征——对中亚造山带构造演化的启示

作为中亚造山带的重要组成,阿拉善地块北缘已成为研究古亚洲洋构造演化历史的关键地区。本次工作对阿拉善地块北大山地区两类辉长岩进行LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年,获得成岩年龄分别为293±2Ma和267±2Ma,为早、中二叠世。早二叠世辉长岩为堆晶岩,呈亚碱性,拉斑玄武质,高Mg#值(64)、Eu显著正异常、极低的REE、富集大离子亲石元素(Ba、K、Sr),亏损高场强元素(Th、Nb、Ta、Hf、Zr),锆石的εHf(t)平均值为0.91,以上特征显示其岩浆源区为受俯冲板片混染或交代的岩石圈地幔,形成于俯冲相关的挤压环境;中二叠世辉长岩呈碱性、富集大离子亲石元素(Ba、K)和稀土元素,但Nb、Ta等高场强元素亏损不明显,锆石的εHf(t)平均值为3.5,显示其岩浆源区为受陆壳混染的亏损地幔,形成于大陆板内拉张环境。综合本文及前人研究成果,认为阿拉善地块北缘存在一条西起龙首山,东到狼山的晚古生代(328~262 Ma)超基性—基性岩浆带,其形成与古亚洲洋的俯冲—闭合—造山后伸展过程相关。在晚石炭世—早二叠世晚期,阿拉善地块北缘为大洋俯冲环境,到早二叠世晚期—中二叠世进入大陆板内拉张环境,限定了古亚洲洋在阿拉善地块北缘的最终闭合时代为早二叠世晚期—中二叠世。     

Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of early Palaeozoic igneous rocks of the western South Qilian Belt,central China

Early Palaeozoic granitoids in the South Qilian Belt, central China, record details of the tectonic evolution and crustal growth of the Qilian orogenic belt. Five representative granitoids from the western South Qilian Belt were sampled for zircon LA-ICPMS U–Pb dating, Lu–Hf isotopes, and whole-rock geochemical analyses. Zircon U–Pb dating of two porphyritic granodiorites and a porphyritic monzogranite yielded ages of 442.7 ± 3.5, 441.8 ± 4.3, and 435.4 ± 3.5 Ma, respectively. These granitoids exhibit a geochemical affinity to I-type granite, are metaluminous with a low aluminium saturation index (A/CNK = 0.75–1.15), have moderate Al₂O₃ and low MgO contents, high La/Yb and low Sr/Y ratios, and are depleted in Nb, Ta, P, and Ti, which suggests a subduction zone magmatic arc affinity, with mixing between a primary mantle-derived magma with lesser continental crustal material. The syenogranite and monzogranite from the South Qilian Belt, which yield U–Pb zircon ages of 440.4 ± 9.0 and 442.3 ± 1.2 Ma, respectively, have pronounced S-type geochemical affinities, are peraluminous with A/CNK values of 1.07–1.16, have relatively high SiO₂, Al₂O₃, K₂O, and Rb contents, low Y and Yb, low Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios, positive Th, U, and light Rare Earth Element (REE) anomalies, and depletions in Nb, Ta, Sr, and Ti. Their geochemical signature suggests derivation from partial melting of continental crust in a syn-collisional setting. The Hf isotopic data of zircons from the granitoids show a significant input of Paleoproterozoic crust in the crustal formation of the western South Qilian Belt in Palaeozoic. Compare the ε_Hf(t) value of S-type granite with that of I-type granite, the former may have a comparatively homogeneous source. Together with regional evidence, it is proposed that a collisional event occurred between the South Qilian Belt and the Central Qilian Belt at ca. 442–435 Ma.     

Geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotope composition of Carboniferous volcanic rocks of the Jueluotage Orogenic Belt: implications for the tectonic evolution of Eastern Tianshan,China

The major and trace element, and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions of the Carboniferous Qi’eshan, Wutongwozi, and Yamansu volcanic rocks from the northern and southern parts of the Jueluotage Orogenic Belt in East Tianshan, China, were analysed to understand their genesis and geodynamic implications. The early Carboniferous Qi’eshan basalts are characterized by high Al₂O₃, with La/Sm (1.38–1.79) and Ba/La (27.06–58.76) values higher than those of typical normal mid-ocean ridge basalt. They are relatively enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILE) and light rare earth elements (LREE), and depleted in high field strength elements. Overall, their initial Nd–Sr isotopic compositions are ε_Nd(t) = (5.6–7.0) and Isr = 0.70397–0.70429, implying the magma originated from a mantle wedge source that was metasomatized by subduction-related fluids. In contrast, the late Carboniferous Wutongwozi basalts have lower Ba/La (4.86–12.82), La/Nb (0.87–2.45), and LILE concentrations. They have the isotopic characteristics of depleted asthenosphere, relatively high and heterogeneous ε_Nd(t) (9.3–9.4), and high Isr (0.70471–0.70533). Thus, the late Carboniferous Wutongwozi basalts may have been derived from the partial melting of mantle sources during asthenospheric upwelling. The early Carboniferous Yamansu acid volcanic rocks are characterized by high Mg# (46–48) and Lu/Y (~0.15), and low K₂O/Na₂O (0.01–0.20), similar to M-type granites. However, their ε_Nd(t) (5.0–5.5) and Isr (0.70642–0.70768) values are lower than those of depleted mantle, indicating they were contaminated by lower crustal material. The magma source originated from a mantle-derived magma that was contaminated by middle Tianshan massif in a continental margin arc setting. Based on the results and previous field-based studies, we conclude that the Carboniferous volcanics in the Jueluotage Orogenic Belt formed in a complex trench–arc–basin setting in the Kuguertage–Aqikuduke Suture Zone.     

Tonian to early Cryogenian synorogenic basin of the São Gabriel Terrane,Dom Feliciano Belt,southernmost Brazil

A provenance and stratigraphic study of the Neoproterozoic Pontas do Salso Complex (PSC), western portion of the Dom Feliciano Belt (DFB), was conducted with U–Pb zircon geochronological analysis of the metasediments and the host rocks. The U–Pb isotopic data from detrital zircon of the metasediments indicate the source from the latest Middle Tonian to Late Cryogenian (between 897 and 684 Ma) and maximum depositional age of 685 ± 18 Ma in an arc-related basin setting adjacent in the Sao Gabriel Arc. The metasediments of the PSC form an elongated body in the N35°E direction and occur in the central portion of the São Gabriel Terrane (SGT), which is constituted by ophiolitic complexes and arc-related rocks, generated probably during the final consolidation of Rodinia supercontinent, although this question is still open. Low- to medium-K calc-alkaline, metaluminous affinity, and trace-element geochemistry suggest that the chemical composition of the protoliths was generated from metasomatized mantle sources in subduction zones. The PSC is composed of meta-arkoses, with subordinate metaconglomerates and metapelites. The meta-arkoses are disposed in plane-parallel layers, which also internally feature small-scale cross-bedding structures. The matrix has a blastopsammitic, poorly selected, fine to coarse texture, and hexagonal quartz and plagioclase porphyroclasts with superimposed thermal metamorphism. The polymict metaconglomerates are matrix-supported, with 15–55% of clasts of metavolcanic rocks, metasediments, undeformed granites, and quartz veins. The metapelites comprise mainly muscovite phyllites with syn-tectonic garnet and chloritoid porphyroblasts. The PSC represents a sedimentary succession deposited on an arc-related basin formed during the collapse and uplift of the SGT.     

坦桑尼亚乌本迪造山带的演化、金成矿作用研究进展及中国-坦桑尼亚造山型金矿床的异同

坦桑尼亚克拉通西—西南边缘的乌本迪带一直被视为是一个形成于古元古代的造山带,主要由一系列高级变质、变形的地体组成。该造山带中产出2个大型金矿区,即卢帕金矿田与姆潘达矿区,它们是坦桑尼亚境内仅次于维多利亚湖金矿集区的最重要黄金产地,而且卢帕金矿田内众多矿床(点)很可能属于造山型金矿。近年来,以乌本迪带新元古代榴辉岩的发现为标志,不同研究者相继在乌本迪带的区域构造演化和金成矿作用研究等方面陆续取得了一系列新突破,这表明乌本迪带的实际地质情况远比传统观点认为的更加复杂。本文全面回顾了乌本迪带的内部构造单元划分、地球动力学演化和金矿床成矿作用等研究概况,尤其是系统地总结了前人对乌本迪带在造山作用过程以及金矿成因方面所取得的认识,从而形成了本文最新的研究进展。最后,本文还将乌本迪带的金矿与我国胶东及小秦岭地区的造山型金矿进行了对比研究,并分析了二者之间的异同点,以期为乌本迪造山带下一步基础地质研究及找矿实践提供一些线索或启示。     

卡拉麦里断裂带造山期活动规律及其对造山过程的指示

中亚造山带内东准噶尔地区北西西—南东东走向的大型卡拉麦里断裂带,为野马泉岛弧与哈尔里克岛弧之间的拼贴边界,沿卡拉麦里蛇绿岩带南缘出现。本文通过详细的野外与室内构造分析表明,这一倾向北北东的断裂带在造山期分别经历了脆—韧性右行走滑剪切和脆性逆冲活动。其脆—韧性剪切带在较软弱的板岩、砂板岩及浅变质凝灰岩内造成了密集的面理化带及张裂脉,而在泥灰岩内形成了糜棱岩。该剪切带的形成温度为250~300℃,与该区前二叠纪海相火山—碎屑岩的低级区域变质作用同时发生。该断裂带的第二期脆性逆冲活动主要表现上盘向南的逆冲,叠加的逆冲断层一方面沿着早期陡立的剪切带面理发育,另一方面以较缓的产状切割剪切带。各类地质现象指示,其脆—韧性右行走滑活动发生于晚石炭世中期,是野马泉岛弧与哈尔里克岛弧斜向碰撞的结果,并指示早期卡拉麦里洋盆向北俯冲。该断裂带的第二期逆冲活动发生于中二叠世,出现在该区后造山伸展之后,属于陆内变形,应为中亚造山带区域上一次中二叠世碰撞活动导致的。     

华北克拉通甘陶河群南寺组碎屑岩锆石U-Pb年龄、Hf同位素组成及构造意义

甘陶河群是华北克拉通前寒武纪典型地层之一,主要出露在河北省西北部。本文报道了甘陶河群南寺组碎屑岩地球化学、锆石U-Pb年龄和Hf同位素特征,主要认识如下:样品均属长石砂岩或石英砂屑岩,具有Nb、Ta、Zr、Hf亏损特征和负Sr异常;碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄主要分为三组:1800~2400Ma、2400~2600Ma和2600~3100Ma;甘陶河群南寺组最年轻的碎屑锆石年龄为1861 Ma,结合甘陶河群上覆地层东焦群形成于约1.83Ga之后的地质事实,制约甘陶河群南寺组沉积上限范围1861~1830Ma。所有样品均具有约2.5Ga年龄峰值,记录了华北克拉通前寒武纪基底强烈构造岩浆热事件的时代,证明了华北克拉通前寒武纪基底主要由约2.5Ga岩石组成;中部带大陆地壳增生主要发生在约2.5Ga。     

Mega arrowhead interference patterns in the central part of the Yanshan Orogenic Belt,North China

The Chengde-Pingquan region is located in the central part of the Yanshan Orogenic Belt (YOB). At Daheishan and Pingquan in the central YOB, thrusts and folds of variable trends are displayed in 2 km-scale fold interference patterns. Detailed field mapping was conducted to decipher the geometry of these two superimposed structures. Map-view geometry and stereonet plots for outcrop-scale folds indicate that the superimposed structures form arrowhead interference pattern where NW-SE-trending F₁ folds are refolded by later ENE-WSW F₂ folding. After remove the effects of later faulting, restored map-views of the superimposed structures show that when the F₁ folds have inclined axial surfaces but with no an overturned limb, an arrowhead interference pattern (here called modified type-2 pattern) can form. Our field data and reinterpretation of the findings of previous studies suggest that five major shortening phases have occurred in the Chengde-Pingquan region. The first two phases, which formed the superimposed folds, occurred earlier than the Late Triassic (D1) and during the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic (D2). These two phases were followed by three deformation phases that are mainly characterized by thrusting and strike-slip faulting, which strongly modified the large-scale fold interference patterns.