Hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions of eclogites from the Dabie Mountains and geodynamic implications

Heterogeneous δ¹⁸O values as low as - 2.6‰ to+7.0% are observed for ultrahigh pressure eclogites from the Dabie Mountains in East China. Oxygen isotope equilibrium has been approached between the eclogite minerals, suggesting that the rocks would have acquired the unusual δ¹⁸O values prior to ultrahigh pressure metamorphism by interaction with¹⁸O-depleted fluid. δD values of hydroxyl-bearing are between — 51% and - 83‰, precluding the possibility of paleoseawater involvement. The only likely fluid is ancient meteoric water that exchanged oxygen isotopes with the eclogite precursor (a kind of basaltic rocks) formerly resident on the continental crust. This suggests a crustal recycling process in the suture zone of late subduction. Because silicate minerals undergo rapid oxygen isotope exchange at mantle pressures, preservation of the isotopic signature of meteoric water in the eclogites indicates limited crust-mantle interaction and thus a short residence time (<20 Ma) when the plate containing the eclogite precursor was subducted to mantle depths. The agreement in oxygen isotope temperatures for different mineral pairs suggests a rapid cooling and ascent process for the eclogites subsequent to their formation at mantle depths. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.     

Geodynamic Indications on Igneous Rocks of Transitory Geologic Setting during the Late Hercynian in North Tarim Basin

Basic and intermediate-acidic igneous rocks were developed during the late Hercynian in North Tarim basin.The geochemistry characteristics of the rocks show that basic volcanic rock has K2O/Na2O = 0.18-0.61 < 1 and falls into a category of basalt of sodium system.The rocks contain enriched large-ion lithophile elements (LILE) (K,Rb,Ba,Th) and high-field strength elements (HFSE) (Nb,Ta,Ti,Zr,P),with the magmatic material from the upper mantle.The intermediate-acidic volcanic rocks have σ = 1.91-2.96 < 3.3,K2O/Na2O =1.25-1.59 > 1,as well as the enriched LILE and depleted HFSE (Nb,Ta,Ti,P),presenting the same trace element compositions and characteristics as in the granitic rocks of South Tianshan Mt.; they are either shoshonitic igneous rocks or high-K calc-alkaline igneous rocks,with a distinct crust-derived component feature.The comprehensive analyses on the characteristics of the trace elements,the graphic tectonic discrimination,and the distribution features of the two types of igneous rocks show that they were formed under different tectonic settings and geodynamic environments:the basalt was formed in the active rifting period when the active mantle upwelling caused the thinning of lithosphere; the intermediateacidic volcanic-intrusive rock was formed in the island arc area of the active continental margin in North Tarim; the formation is associated with the plate subduction during the course of South Tianshan Ocean closure-the subduction of Middle Tianshan Mountain toward the Tarim plate.The basic and intermediate-acidic igneous rocks reveal a tectonic regime of extension-extrusion transition,which is significant in determining the key tectonic revolution period of North Tarim basin.