Geochronologic Constraints on the Magmatic Underplating of the Gangdise^ Belt in the India-Eurasia Collision： Evidence of SHRIMP II Zircon U-Pb Dating

Abstract  Abundant small mafic intrusions occur associated with granitoids along the Gangdisê magmatic belt. In addition to many discrete gabbro bodies within the granitoid plutons, a gabbro‐pyroxenite zone occurs along the southern margin of the Gangdisê belt to the north of the Yarlung Zangbo suture. The mafic intrusion zone spatially corresponds to a strong aeromagnetic anomaly, which extends ～1400 km. The mafic intrusions consist of intermittently distributed small bodies and dikes of gabbro and dolerite with accumulates of pyroxenite, olivine pyroxenite, pegmatitic pyroxenite and amphibolite. Much evidence indicates that the Gangdisê gabbro‐pyroxenite assemblage is most likely a result of underplating of mantle‐derived magma. Detailed field investigation and systematic sampling of the mafic rocks was conducted at six locations along the Lhasa‐Xigazê segment of the mafic intrusive zone, and was followed by zircon SHRIMP II U‐Pb dating. In addition to the ages of two samples previously published (47.0±1 Ma and 48.9±1.1 Ma), the isotopic ages of the remaining four gabbro samples are 51.6±1.3 Ma, 52.5±3.0 Ma, 50.2±4.2 Ma and 49.9±1.1 Ma. The range of these ages (47–52.5 Ma) provide geochronologic constraints on the Eocene timing of magma underplating beneath the Gangdisê belt at ca. 50 Ma. This underplating event post‐dated the initiation of the India‐Eurasia continental collision by 15 million years and was contemporaneous with a process of magma mixing. The SHRIMP II U‐Pb isotopic analysis also found several old ages from a few zircon grains, mostly in a range of 479–526 Ma (weighted average age 503±10 Ma), thus yielding information about the pre‐existing lower crust when underplating of mafic magma took place. It is believed that magma underplating was one of the major mechanisms for crustal growth during the Indian‐Eurasia collision, possibly corresponding in time to the formation of the 14–16 km‐thick “crust‐mantle transitional zone” characterized by Vp = 6.85–6.9 km/s.     

Geochemistry and zircon geochronology of a gabbro–granodiorite complex in Tongxunlian,Inner Mongolia: partial melting of enriched lithosphere mantle

A complex of gabbro (with metamorphic pyroxenite xenoliths)–gabbroic diorite–granodiorite was recently discovered in Tongxunlian, Xilinhot city, Inner Mongolia. Zircon U–Pb isotopic dating showed that the gabbro and the granodiorite were formed ca. 319 ± 1 Ma and ca. 318 ± 1 Ma respectively, indicating that emplacement of the composite rocks occurred in the late Carboniferous. Positive ε_Hf(t) values of +12.0 to +14.1 and two‐stage model ages (T_DM2) of 418 to 537 Ma of these rocks are similar to the age of formation of metamorphic pyroxenite (560 Ma, based on Sm–Nd isochron dating) and suggest that the rocks were derived from depleted lithospheric mantle (metamorphic pyroxenite). Our findings revealed that all of these calc‐alkaline and metaluminous intrusive rocks formed from the fractional crystallization of comagmatic evolution in an island‐arc setting. Moreover, the gabbro–gabbroic diorite in the study region was characterized by a low TiO₂ content, a slight deficit of Nb, a surplus of Ta, and relatively low LREE/HREE ratios. Along with a relatively high Zr/Y ratio (4.0 to 5.6), these characteristics indicate that the rocks may have been formed by melting of the mantle wedge via metasomatism. Combination with other features of the rocks indicates a two‐episode tectonic model: we conclude that first, the fluid and Si‐rich melt metasomatism caused partial melting of the enriched lithospheric mantle, and these influences were then stored in the mantle; and second, slab breakoff resulted in upwelling of the upper mantle's soft fluid (stratum), which melted the enriched mantle of the lithosphere and formed the basaltic magma of the gabbro–gabbroic diorite. This study provides new geological evidence to support the Neoproterozoic subduction between the Paleo‐Asian Ocean plate and the Xilinhot microcontinent. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geochemical Characteristics and Geological Significance of Early Permian Baya’ertuhushuo Gabbro in South Great Xing’an Range

Field geological investigation and geochemical analysis are carried out on Baya’ertuhushuo Gabbro in South Great Xing’an Range. Field investigation reveals that the gabbro is a magmatic intrusion rather than a component of an ophiolite suite as previously thought. Zircon laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb dating indicates the gabbro was formed in 274–275?Ma, just as the widespread volcanic rocks of Dashizhai Formation (P1d), monzogranites and miarolitic alkali-feldspar granites in the study area. The gabbro has SiO2 content between 47.23 wt% and 50.17 wt%, high MgO and FeOT contents of 6.95–11.29 wt% and 7.32–12.24wt%, respectively, and it belongs to low-K tholeiitic series in the SiO2-K2O diagram. The Chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns and primitive mantle-normalized spider diagrams of the gabbro are similar to those of Normal Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalt (N-MORB) except for the enrichment of large ion lithophile elements (LILE), such as Rb, Ba and K. In trace element tectonic discriminative diagrams, the samples are mainly plotted in the N-MORB field, and Zircon in?situ Lu-Hf isotopic analysis also indicates the gabbro originated from depleted mantle. Through synthetic studies of the geochemical characteristics and petrogenesis of Baya’ertuhushuo gabbro, volcanic rocks of Dashizhai Formation and granitoids in the area, it is suggested that the early Permian magmatism in the Xilinhot-Xiwuqi area formed in the tectonic setting of asthenosphere upwelling, which was caused by breaking-off of the subducted Paleo-Asian Ocean slab.     

Detrital Zircon U‐Pb Ages and Geochemistry of the Silurian to Permian Sedimentary Rocks in Central Inner Mongolia,China: Implications for Closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean

The Solonker suture zone has long been considered to mark the location of the final disappearance of the PaleoAsian Ocean in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB). However, the time of final suturing is still controversial with two main different proposals of late Permian to early Triassic, and late Devonian. This study reports integrated wholerock geochemistry and LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb ages of sedimentary rocks from the Silurian Xuniwusu Formation, the Devonian Xilingol Complex and the Permian Zhesi Formation in the Hegenshan-Xilinhot-Linxi area in central Inner Mongolia, China. The depositional environment, provenance and tectonic setting of the Silurian-Devonian and the Permian sediments are compared to constrain the tectonic evolution of the Solonker suture zone and its neighboring zones. The protoliths of the silty slates from the Xuniwusu Formation in the Baolidao zone belong to wacke and were derived from felsic igneous rocks with steady-state weathering, poor sorting and compositional immaturity. The protoliths of metasedimentary rocks from the Xilingol Complex were wackes and litharenites and were sourced from predominantly felsic igneous rocks with variable weathering conditions and moderate sorting. The Xuniwusu Formation and Xilingol Complex samples both have two groups of detrital zircon that peak at ca. 0.9–1.0 Ga and ca. 420–440 Ma, with maximum deposition ages of late Silurian and middle Devonian age, respectively. Considering the ca. 484–383 Ma volcanic arc in the Baolidao zone, the Xuxiniwu Formation represents an oceanic trench sediment and is covered by the sedimentary rocks in the Xilingol Complex that represents a continental slope sediment in front of the arc. The middle Permian Zhesi Formation metasandstones were derived from predominantly felsic igneous rocks and are texturally immature with very low degrees of rounding and sorting, indicating short transport and rapid burial. The Zhesi Formation in the Hegenshan zone has a main zircon age peak of 302 Ma and a subordinate peak of 423 Ma and was deposited in a back-arc basin with an early marine transgression during extension and a late marine regression during contraction. The formation also crops out locally in the Baolidao zone with a main zircon age peak of 467 Ma and a minor peak of 359 Ma, and suggests it formed as a marine transgression sedimentary sequence in a restricted extensional basin and followed by a marine regressive event. Two obvious zircon age peaks of 444 Ma and 280 Ma in the Solonker zone and 435 Ma and 274 Ma in Ondor Sum are retrieved from the Zhesi Formation. This suggests as a result of the gradual closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean a narrow ocean sedimentary environment with marine regressive sedimentary sequences occupied the Solonker and Ondor Sum zones during the middle Permian. A restricted ocean is suggested by the Permian strata in the Bainaimiao zone. Early Paleozoic subduction until ca. 381 Ma and renewed subduction during ca. 310–254 Ma accompanied by the opening and closure of a back-arc basin during ca. 298–269 Ma occurred in the northern accretionary zone. In contrast, the southern accretionary zone documented early Paleozoic subduction until ca. 400 Ma and a renewed subduction during ca. 298–246 Ma. The final closure of the Paleo-Asian ocean therefore lasted at least until the early Triassic and ended with the formation of the Solonker suture zone.     

Timing of Magma Mixing in the Gangdisě Magmatic Belt during the India-Asia Collision： Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb Dating

Abstract  Abundant mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) extensively distribute in granitoids in the Gangdisê giant magmatic belt, within which the Qüxü batholith is the most typical MME‐bearing pluton. Systematic sampling for granodioritic host rock, mafic microgranular enclaves and gabbro nearby at two locations in the Qüxü batholith, and subsequent zircon SHRIMP II U‐Pb dating have been conducted. Two sets of isotopic ages for granodioritic host rock, mafic microgranular enclaves and gabbro are 50.4±1.3 Ma, 51.2±1.1 Ma, 47.0±1 Ma and 49.3±1.7 Ma, 48.9±1.1 Ma, 49.9±1.7 Ma, respectively. It thus rules out the possibilities of mafic microgranular enclaves being refractory residues after partial melting of magma source region, or being xenoliths of country rocks or later intrusions. Therefore, it is believed that the three types of rocks mentioned above likely formed in the same magmatic event, i.e., they formed by magma mixing in the Eocene (c. 50 Ma). Compositionally, granitoid host rocks incline towards acidic end member involved in magma mixing, gabbros are akin to basic end member and mafic microgranular enclaves are the incompletely mixed basic magma clots trapped in acidic magma. The isotopic dating also suggested that huge‐scale magma mixing in the Gangdisê belt took place 15–20 million years after the initiation of the India‐Asia continental collision, genetically related to the underplating of subduction‐collision‐induced basic magma at the base of the continental crust. Underplating and magma mixing were likely the main process of mass‐energy exchange between the mantle and the crust during the continental collision, and greatly contributed to the accretion of the continental crust, the evolution of the lithosphere and related mineralization beneath the portion of the Tibetan Plateau to the north of the collision zone.     

Subduction-related metasomatic mantle source in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt: Evidence from amphibolites in the Xilingol Complex,Inner Mongolia,China

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) formed mainly in the Paleozoic due to the closure of the Paleo-Asian oceanic basins and accompanying prolonged accretion of pelagic sediments, oceanic crust, magmatic arcs, and Precambrian terranes. The timing of subduction–accretion processes and closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean has long been controversial and is addressed in a geochemical and isotopic investigation of mafic rocks, which can yield important insight into the geodynamics of subduction zone environments. The Xilingol Complex, located on the northern subduction–accretion zone of the CAOB, mainly comprises strongly deformed quartzo-feldspathic gneisses with intercalated lenticular or quasi-lamellar amphibolite bodies. An integrated study of the petrology, geochemistry, and geochronology of a suite of amphibolites from the complex constrains the nature of the mantle source and the tectono-metamorphic events in the belt. The protoliths of these amphibolites are gabbros and gabbroic diorites that intruded at ca. 340–321 Ma with positive εHf_(t) values ranging from + 2.89 to + 12.98. Their T_DM1 model ages range from 455 to 855 Ma and peak at 617 Ma, suggesting that these mafic rocks are derived from a depleted continental lithospheric mantle. The primitive magma was generated by variable degrees of partial melting of spinel-bearing peridotites. Fractionation of olivine, clinopyroxene and hornblende has played a dominant role during magma differentiation with little or no crustal contamination. The mafic rocks are derived from a Late Neoproterozoic depleted mantle source that was subsequently enriched by melts affected by slab-derived fluids and sediments, or melts with a sedimentary source rock. The Carboniferous mafic rocks in the northern accretionary zone of the CAOB record a regional extensional event after the Early Paleozoic subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. Both addition of mantle-derived magmas and recycling of oceanic crust played key roles in significant Late Carboniferous (ca. 340–309 Ma) vertical crustal growth in the CAOB. Amphibolite–facies metamorphism (P = 0.34–0.52 GPa, T = 675–708 °C) affected these mafic rocks in the Xilingol Complex at ca. 306–296 Ma, which may be related to the crustal thickening by northward subduction of a forearc oceanic crust beneath the southern margin of the South Mongolian microcontinent. The final formation of the Solonker zone may have lasted until ca. 228 Ma.     

Early‐Middle Paleozoic Andes‐type Continental Margin in the Chifeng Area,Inner Mongolia: Framework,Geochronology and Geochemistry and Implications for Tectonic Evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Three tectonic units have been recognized in the Chifeng area, Inner Mongolia, from north to south, including the Qiganmiao accretionary prism, Jiefangyingzi arc belt and Sidaozhangpeng molasse basin, which formed an Andeantype active continent margin during the early to middle Paleozoic. The Qiganmiao accretionary prism is characterized by a mélange that consists of gabbro, two-mica quartz schist and basic volcanic rock blocks and heterogeneously deformed marble matrix. Two zircon U-Pb ages of 446.0±6.3 Ma and 1104±27 Ma have been acquired and been interpreted as the metamorphic and forming ages for the gabbro and two-mica quartz schist, respectively. The prism formed during the early to middle Paleozoic southward subduction of the Paleo Asian Ocean(PAO) and represents a suture between the North China craton(NCC) and Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB). The Jiefangyingzi arc belt consists of pluton complex and volcanic rocks of the Xibiehe and Badangshan Formations, and Geochronology analysis indicates that the development of it can be divided into two stages. The first stage is represented by the Xibiehe Formation volcanic rocks, which belong to the subalkaline series, enriched LREE and LILE and depleted HFSE, with negative Eu anomalies, and plot in the volcanic arc field in discrimination diagrams. These characters indicate that the Xibiehe Formation results from to the continental arc magmatic activity related to the subduction of the PAO during 400–420 Ma. Magmatism of the second stage in 380–390 Ma consists of the Badangshan Formation volcanic rocks. Geochemistry analysis reveals that rhyolite, basaltic andesite and basalt of the Badangshan Formation were developed in continental margin arc setting. Moreover, the basaltic andesite and basalt display positive Sr anomalies, and the basalt have very low Nb/La values, suggesting that fluid is involved in magma evolution and the basalts were contaminated by continental crust. The sequence of Sidaozhangpeng molasse basin is characterized by proximity, coarseness and large thickness, similar to the proximity molasses basin. According to our field investigation, geochronological and geochemical data, combined with previous research in this area, a tectonic evolutionary model for Andes-type active continental margin of the CAOB has been proposed, including a development of the subduction-free PAO before 446 Ma, a subduction of the PAO and arc-related magmatism during 446–380 Ma, and formation of a molasse basin during 380–360 Ma.     

Petrogenesis of Permo-Triassic intrusive rocks in Northern Liaoning Province,NE China: implications for the closure of the eastern Paleo-Asian Ocean

ABSTRACT

The Changchun-Yanji belt recorded widespread Permo-Triassic magmatism, but their origins remain unclear, inhibiting a comprehensive understanding of the magmatic response to the final closure of the Paleo-Asian ocean in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Here, we present new geochronological, geochemical, and Hf isotopic data for the Permo-Triassic plutons from Northern Liaoning province, NE China. Combined the published ages with our new data, the Permo-Triassic magmatism in the eastern CAOB can be divided into five episodes: early Permian (293–274 Ma), middle–late Permian (270–257 Ma), latest late Permian–Middle Triassic (255–242 Ma), Late Triassic (240–215 Ma), and latest Late Triassic (209–200 Ma). The middle Permian and Late Triassic mafic plutons (i.e. ~266 Ma Mengjiagou gabbro–diorite, ~240 Ma Jiancaicun gabbro and ~224 Ma Shudetun gabbro-diorite) contain relatively high TFe₂O₃, MgO, Cr and Ni contents with positive ε_Hf(t) values (+1.2 to +7.2), suggesting a depleted mantle origin. These mafic rocks together with the coeval granitoids make up typical bimodal associations, suggesting that they were formed under an extensional environment. The conclusions are also supported by occurrence of A-type granites during 270–257 Ma and 240–215 Ma. By contrast, the granitoids of 255–242 Ma in the eastern CAOB, including the Jianshanzi (~251 Ma) and Daganhe (~242 Ma) monzogranites, show typical geochemical features of adakitic granites, with high Sr/Y ratios and negative ε_Hf(t) values (–8.6 to – 22.0), suggesting that the magmas were generated through partial melting of thickened ancient lower crust. Combined with previous studies, a four-stage tectonic evolution scenario was proposed: (1) active continental margin stage during 293–274 Ma; (2) continuing subduction resulted in the initiation collision, moderate crustal thickening, and slab break-off during 270–257 Ma; (3) final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean associated with continued crustal thickening occurred during 255–242 Ma; (4) lithospheric delamination in a post-collisional extensional environment occurred during 240–215 Ma.     

Late Carboniferous to Early Permian oceanic subduction in central Inner Mongolia and its correlation with the tectonic evolution of the southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Late Paleozoic magmatism in central Inner Mongolia provides important insights on the tectonic evolution and crustal growth in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), which formed due to the closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO). This paper presents new zircon UPb ages and Hf isotopic compositions as well as whole-rock geochemical data on a suite of volcanic rocks from the Late Paleozoic Baoligaomiao Formation and coeval intrusions in the Baiyinwula region of the Mongolian Arc. This study revealed that the magmatic sequences evolution includes: (1) early andesites (317–311 Ma) with enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs), depletion in high field strength elements (HSFEs), and positive zircon ε_Hf (t) values from +9.0 to +15.5, indicating a derivation from enriched mantle; (2) felsic rocks emplaced from 306 Ma to 292 Ma, with relatively lower ε_Hf (t) values from +6.3 to +11.3, implying juvenile crust as the primary magma source; and (3) A-type igneous rocks (280–278 Ma). The comparison of palaeontological, lithostratigraphical, and magmatic evolution in Late Paleozoic between different tectonic units in the eastern part of CAOB has displayed that the subduction of Paleo-Asian oceanic crust caused the opening of the Hegenshan Ocean along the southern margin of Mongolian Arc in Devonian; and the Baoligaomiao Formation volcanic rocks and coeval intrusions have recorded early northwards subduction and subsequent slab rollback of Hegenshan oceanic crust.     

What Happened in the Trans-North China Orogen in the Period 2560-1850 Ma？

The Trans-North China Orogen （TNCO） was a Paleoproterozic continent-continent collisional belt along which the Eastern and Western Blocks amalgamated to form a coherent North China Craton （NCC）. Recent geological, structural, geochemical and isotopic data show that the orogen was a continental margin or Japan-type arc along the western margin of the Eastern Block, which was separated from the Western Block by an old ocean, with eastward-directed subduction of the oceanic lithosphere beneath the western margin of the Eastern Block. At 2550-2520 Ma, the deep subduction caused partial melting of the medium-lower crust, producing copious granitoid magma that was intruded into the upper levels of the crust to form granitoid plutons in the low- to medium-grade granite-greeustone terranes. At 2530-2520 Ma, subduction of the oceanic lithosphere caused partial melting of the mantle wedge, which led to underplating of mafic magma in the lower crust and widespread mafic and minor felsic volcanism in the arc, forming part of the greenstone assemblages. Extension driven by widespread mafic to felsic volcanism led to the development of back-arc and/or intra-arc basins in the orogen. At 2520-2475 Ma, the subduction caused further partial melting of the lower crust to form large amounts of tonalitic-trondhjemitic-granodioritic （TTG） magmatism. At this time following further extension of back-arc basins, episodic granitoid magmatism occurred, resulting in the emplacement of 2360 Ma, -2250 Ma 2110-21760 Ma and -2050 Ma granites in the orogen. Contemporary volcano-sedimentary rocks developed in the back-arc or intra-are basins. At 2150-1920 Ma, the orogen underwent several extensional events, possibly due to subduction of an oceanic ridge, leading to emplacement of mafic dykes that were subsequently metamorphosed to amphibolites and medium- to high-pressure mafic granulites. At 1880-1820 Ma, the ocean between the Eastern and Western Blocks was completely consumed by subduction, and the dosing of the ocean led to the continent-arc-continent collision, which caused large-scale thrusting and isoclinal folds and transported some of the rocks into the lower crustal levels or upper mantle to form granulites or eclogites. Peak metamorphism was followed by exhumation/uplift, resulting in widespread development of asymmetric folds and symplectic textures in the rocks.     

Constructing the latest Neoproterozoic to Early Paleozoic multiple crust-mantle interactions in western Bainaimiao arc terrane,southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Identifying the crust-mantle interactions in association with the evolution of the Precambrian microcontinents provides critical constraints on the accretionary evolution in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB).The Bainaimiao arc terrane(BAT) is one of the most important Precambrian microcontinents in southeastern CAOB,however,few studies have paid attention to the types and the evolving processes of the crust-mantle interactions that occurred before its final accretion onto the northern North China Craton.This study presents an integrated study of geochronology,zircon Hf isotope and whole-rock geochemistry on the latest Neoproterozoic diabases and the Early Paleozoic arc intrusions in the western BAT.The latest Neoproterozoic(ca.546 Ma) diabases display low SiO_2(46.52-49.24 wt.%) with high MgO(8.23-14.41 wt.%),Cr(66-542 ppm) and Ni(50-129 ppm),consisting with mantle origin.Their highly negative zircon ε_(Hf)(t)(-12.0 to-24.7) and high Fe/Mn ratios(62.1-81.7)further indicate a significantly enriched mantle source.Considering that the BAT maybe initially separated from the Tarim Craton with a thickened crustal root,we propose that these diabases were generated through partial melting of an enriched lithospheric mantle source that had been hybridized by lower-crustal eclogites during foundering of the BAT lower crust.The Early Paleozoic(ca.475-417 Ma) arc intrusions in western BAT can be divided into Periods Ⅰ and Ⅱ at approximately 450 Ma.The Period Ⅰ(450 Ma) intrusions contain abundant mafic minerals like hornblende and pyroxene,and show positive zircon ε_(Hf)(t)(+1.5 to+10.9).They are predominantly medium-K calc-alkaline with broad correlations of SiO2 versus various major and trace elements,which correlate well with the experimental melts produced by the fractional crystallization of primitive hydrous arc magmas at 7 kbar.We assume they were formed through mid-crustal differentiation of the mantle wedge-derived hydrous basaltic melts.By contrast,the Period Ⅱ(≤450 Ma) intrusions are characterized by variable zircon e_(Hf)(t)(-15.0 to+11.5) with irregular variations in most major and trace elements,which are more akin to the arc magmas generated in an open system.The general occurrence of elder inherited zircons,along with the relatively high Mg#(45) of some samples,call upon a derivation from the reworking of the previously subduction-modified BAT lower crust with the input of mantle-derived mafic components.In combination with the Early Paleozoic tectonic melanges flanking western BAT,we infer that the compositional transition from Period Ⅰ to Ⅱ can be attributed to the tectonic transition from south-dipping subduction of Solonker ocean to north-dipping subduction of South Bainaimiao ocean in southeastern CAOB.The above results shed light not only on the latest Neoproterozoic to Early Paleozoic multiple crust-mantle interactions in western BAT,but also on the associated crustal construction processes before the final arc-continent accretion.     

Contributions of basaltic underplating to crustal growth in island arc and extensional tectonic settings in the Chinese Tianshan Orogenic Belt,NW China

A mafic–ultramafic intrusive belt comprising Silurian arc gabbroic rocks and Early Permian mafic–ultramafic intrusions was recently identified in the western part of the East Tianshan, NW China. This paper discusses the petrogenesis of the mafic–ultramafic rocks in this belt and intends to understand Phanerozoic crust growth through basaltic magmatism occurring in an island arc and intraplate extensional tectonic setting in the Chinese Tianshan Orogenic Belt (CTOB). The Silurian gabbroic rocks comprise troctolite, olivine gabbro, and leucogabbro enclosed by Early Permian diorites. SHRIMP II U-Pb zircon dating yields a 427 ± 7.3 Ma age for the Silurian gabbroic rocks and a 280.9 ± 3.1 Ma age for the surrounding diorite. These gabbroic rocks are direct products of mantle basaltic magmas generated by flux melting of the hydrous mantle wedge over subduction zone during Silurian subduction in the CTOB. The arc signature of the basaltic magmas receives support from incompatible trace elements in olivine gabbro and leucogabbro, which display enrichment in large ion lithophile elements and prominent depletion in Nb and Ta with higher U/Th and lower Ce/Pb and Nb/Ta ratios than MORBs and OIBs. The hydrous nature of the arc magmas are corroborated by the Silurian gabbroic rocks with a cumulate texture comprising hornblende cumulates and extremely calcic plagioclase (An up to 99 mol%). Troctolite is a hybrid rock, and its formation is related to the reaction of the hydrous basaltic magmas with a former arc olivine-diallage matrix which suggests multiple arc basaltic magmatism in the Early Paleozoic. The Early Permian mafic–ultramafic intrusions in this belt comprise ultramafic rocks and evolved hornblende gabbro resulting from differentiation of a basaltic magma underplated in an intraplate extensional tectonic setting, and this model would apply to coeval mafic–ultramafic intrusions in the CTOB. Presence of Silurian gabbroic rocks as well as pervasively distributed arc felsic plutons in the CTOB suggest active crust-mantle magmatism in the Silurian, which has contributed to crustal growth by (1) serving as heat sources that remelted former arc crust to generate arc plutons, (2) addition of a mantle component to the arc plutons by magma mixing, and (3) transport of mantle materials to form new lower or middle crust. Mafic–ultramafic intrusions and their spatiotemporal A-type granites during Early Permian to Triassic intraplate extension are intrusive counterparts of the contemporaneous bimodal volcanic rocks in the CTOB. Basaltic underplating in this temporal interval contributed to crustal growth in a vertical form, including adding mantle materials to lower or middle crust by intracrustal differentiation and remelting Early-Paleozoic formed arc crust in the CTOB.     

An Early Cambrian plume-induced subduction initiation event within the Junggar Ocean: Insights from ophiolitic mélanges,arc magmatism,and metamorphic rocks

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is one of the largest accretionary orogens in the world. The mechanism of continental growth and tectonic evolution of the CAOB remain debated. Here we present an overview of Early Paleozoic ophiolitic mélanges, calc-alkaline intrusions, and metamorphic rocks in West Junggar with an aim to provide constraints on the time and mechanism of subduction initiation in the Junggar Ocean, a branch of the southern Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO). The Early Paleozoic ophiolitic mélanges are composed of ultramafic-mafic rocks, cherts, pelagic limestones, basaltic breccias and tuffs. The mafic rocks from these ophiolitic mélanges are divided into MORB-like and OIB-like types. The MORB-like rocks were formed in a fore-arc setting, but the OIB-like mafic rocks were formed by the intra-plate magmatism related to mantle plume activities. The Early Paleozoic intrusions are occurred as small stocks with a dominant composition of diorite, trondhjemite, and granodiorite. These granitoids display (high-K) calc-alkaline affinities, and have high and positive εNd(t) and εHf(t) values, formed in an arc-related setting. The metamorphic complex is mainly composed of blueschist and amphibolite blocks with metamorphism ages ranging from ~500 Ma to ~460 Ma. Their protoliths are calc-alkaline andesite and tholeiitic and alkaline basalts, formed in an arc related and seamount setting, respectively. It is clearly show that the West Junggar was under an intra-oceanic subduction regime during the Early Paleozoic, and the initial subduction of the southern PAO might have occurred in the Early Cambrian. Based on our observations, and in combination with previous work, we propose the plume-induced subduction initiation model for the Early-Middle Cambrian tectonic evolutionary of the Junggar Ocean. Our new model not only shed light on subduction initiation dynamics of the southern PAO, but also contribute to tectonic evolution of the CAOB.     

Ordovician Granitoids and Silurian Mafic Dikes in the Western Kunlun Orogen, Northwest China: Implications for Evolution of the Proto-Tethys

The western Kunlun orogen in the northwest Tibet Plateau is related to subduction and collision of Proto-and Paleo-Tethys from early Paleozoic to early Mesozoic. This paper presents new LA-ICPMS zircon U-Pb ages and Lu-Hf isotopes, whole-rock major and trace elements, and Sr–Nd isotopes of two Ordovician granitoid plutons(466–455 Ma) and their Silurian mafic dikes(～436 Ma) in the western Kunlun orogen. These granitoids show peraluminous high-K calcalkaline characteristics, with(⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i value of 0.7129–0.7224, ε_Nd(t) values of -9.3 to -7.0 and zircon ε_Hf(t) values of -17.3 to -0.2, indicating that they were formed by partial melting of ancient lower-crust(metaigneous rocks mixed with metasedimentary rocks) with some mantle materials in response to subduction of the Proto-Tethyan Ocean and following collision. The Silurian mafic dikes were considered to have been derived from a low degree of partial melting of primary mafic magma. These mafic dikes show initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7101–0.7152 and ε_Nd(t) values of -3.8 to -3.4 and zircon ε_Hf(t) values of -8.8 to -4.9, indicating that they were derived from enriched mantle in response to post-collisional slab break-off. Combined with regional geology, our new data provide valuable insight into late evolution of the Proto-Tethys.     

Zircon SHRIMP Dating for the Weiya Pluton, Eastern Tianshan: Its Geological Implications

1 Introduction Voluminous literature has resulted from study of the geology and tectonic evironments of post-orogenic granitoids in eastern Tianshan (He et al., 1995; Han et al., 1997; Gu et al., 1999, 2001; Li et al., 2003; Chen et al., 2004). Previous contributions (Hu et al., 1997; Li et al., 2003) indicate that major events of continental collision in northern Xinjiang occurred around 300 Ma. Then, the tectonics converted from compression to extension, resulting in the uplifting of th…     

Zircon U–Pb Geochronology and Petrogenesis of Early–Midlle Permian Arc–Related Volcanic Rocks in Central Jilin: Implications for the Tectonic Evolution of the Eastern Segment of Central Asian Orogenic Belt

This paper presents age and geochemical data of a recently identified Late Paleozoic volcanic sequence in central Jilin Province, with aims to discuss the petrogenesis and to constrain the tectonic evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt in this area. Firstly, the volcanic rocks have zircon U-Pb ages of 290–270 Ma. Secondly, they are characterized by(a) ranging in composition from the low-K tholeiite series to high-K calc-alkaline series;(b) enrichment in light rare earth elements and depletion of heavy rare earth elements, with negative Eu anomalies; and(c) negative Nb, Ta, and Ti anomalies. Finally, the volcanic rocks yield εHf(t) values of +7.1 to +17. These data suggest that the central Jilin volcanic rocks were possibly derived from predominant partial melting of a depleted lithospheric mantle that might have been modified by subducted slab–derived fluids. Combined with previous studies, the Late Paleozoic–Early Mesozoic magmatism in Central Jilin can be divided into two stages:(a) a volcanic arc stage(290–270 Ma) represented by low-K to high–K, tholeiite to calc–alkaline plutons and(b) a syn–collisional stage(260–240 Ma) represented by high-K calc–alkaline I-type granites. Furthermore, the timing and the tectonic setting of the above magmatic rocks show that the arc was probably produced by the northward subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean and that the final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean occurred prior to the Early Triassic.     

Early Palaeozoic high‐pressure granulites from the Dunhuang block,northeastern Tarim Craton: constraints on continental collision in the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is one of the largest accretionary collages in the world, and records a prolonged sequence of subduction‐accretion and collision processes. The Tarim Craton is located at the southernmost margin of the CAOB. In this study, the discovery of early Palaeozoic high‐pressure (HP) granulites from the Dunhuang block in the northeastern Tarim Craton is reported, and these rocks are characterized through detailed petrological and geochronological studies. The peak mineral assemblage of the HP mafic granulite is garnet + clinopyroxene + plagioclase + quartz + rutile, which is overprinted by amphibolite facies retrograde metamorphic assemblages. The calculated P–T conditions of the peak metamorphism are ～1.4–1.7 GPa and ～800 °C. The retrograde P–T conditions are ～0.7 GPa and ～700 °C. The metamorphic zircon grains from the HP mafic granulite show homogeneous CL‐images, low Th/U ratios and flat HREE patterns and yield a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 444 ± 5 Ma. The metamorphic zircon grains from the associated kyanite‐bearing garnet gneiss and garnet‐mica schist show a similar ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 429 ± 3 and 435 ± 4 Ma, respectively. The c. 440–430 Ma age is interpreted to mark the timing of HP granulite facies metamorphism in the Dunhuang block. The results from this study suggest that the Dunhuang block experienced continental subduction prior to the early Palaeozoic collisional orogeny between the northeastern Tarim Craton and the southern CAOB, and the Dunhuang area could be considered as the southward extension of the CAOB. It is suggested that the continental collision in the eastern part involving the Dunhuang block of the southern CAOB may have occurred c. 120 Ma earlier than in the western part involving the Tianshan orogen.     

The Open of the Paleo‐Tethys Ocean: Inferred from the Early Paleozoic Ophiolite in the Qiangtang Area,Northern Tibetan Plateau

The Paleo‐Tethys Ocean was a Paleozoic ocean located between the Gondwana and Laurasia supercontinents. It was usually consider to opening in the early Paleozoic with the rifting of the Hun superterrane from Gondwana following the subduction of the Rheic Ocean/proto‐Tethys Ocean. However, the opening time and detailed evolutionary history of the Paleo‐Tethys Ocean are still unclear. The Paleozoic ophiolites have recently been documented in the middle of the Qiangtang terrane, northern Tibetan Plateau, and they mainly occur in the Gangma Co area. These ophiolites are composed of serpentinite, pyroxenite, isotropic and cumulate gabbros, basalt, hornblendite and plagiogranite. Whole‐rock geochemical data suggest that all mafic rocks were formed in an oceanic‐ridge setting. Furthermore, positive whole‐rock εNd(t) and zircon εHf(t) values suggest that these rocks were derived from a long‐term depleted mantle source. The data allow us to conform that these rocks represent an ophiolite suite. Zircon U‐Pb dating of gabbros and plagiogranites yielded weighted mean ages of 437‐501 Ma. The occurrence of the ophiolite suite suggests that a Paleozoic Ocean basin (Paleo‐Tethys) existed in middle of the Qiangtang terrane. We hypothesize that the ophiolite in the middle of the Qiangtang terrane represents the western extension of the Sanjiang Paleo‐Tethys ophiolite in the east margin of the Tibetan Plateau, and they mark the main Paleo‐Tethys Ocean. This is the oldest ophiolite from the Paleo‐Tethyan suture zones and the Paleo‐Tethys Ocean basin probably opened in the Middle Cambrian, and continued to grow throughout the Paleozoic. The ocean was finally closed in the Middle to Late Triassic as inferred from the metamorphic ages of eclogite and blueschist that occur nearby. The Paleo‐Tethys Ocean was probably formed by the breakup of the northern margin of Gondwana, with southward subduction of the proto‐Tethys oceanic lithosphere along the northern margin of the supercontinent.     

Geochronologic-petrochemical studies of the Hongshishan mafic–ultramafic intrusion,Beishan area,Xinjiang (NW China): petrogenesis and tectonic implications

The Hongshishan mafic–ultramafic intrusion (SIMS zircon U–Pb age 286.4 ± 2.8 Ma) consists of dunite, clinopyroxene peridotite, troctolite, and gabbro. Major elements display systematic correlations. Trace elements have identical distribution patterns, including flat rare-earth element (REE) patterns with positive Eu anomalies and enrichments in large ion lithophile elements (LILE) but depletions in Nb and Ta, indicating fractional crystallization as a key factor in magmatic evolution. Petrologic and geochemical variations in drill core samples demonstrate that minor assimilation and progressive magma injections were closely associated with Ni–Cu mineralization. Mass balance estimates and Sr–Nd isotopes reveal that the Hongshishan parental magmas were high-Mg and low-Ti tholeiitic basalts and were derived from a lithospheric mantle source that had been modified by subducted slab metasomatism before partial melting.

Southward subduction of the Palaeo-Tianshan–Junggar Ocean is further constrained by a compilation of inferred, subduction-induced modifications of mantle sources in mafic–ultramafic intrusions distributed in the eastern Tianshan–Beishan area. Integrating the regional positive ?_Nd(t) granites, high-Mg and low-Ti basaltic magmas (mafic–ultramafic intrusions), and slightly later high-Ti basalts in NW China suggests that their petrogenesis could be attributed to Permian mantle plume activities.     

Mesozoic Bimodal Volcanic Suite in Zhalantun of the Da Hinggan Range and Its Geological Significance： Zircon U-Pb Age and Hf Isotopic Constraints

1 Introduction Mesozoic volcano-intrusive rocks are widely distributed in the Da Hinggan Range of northeastern China, and are considered as one of the most spectacular geological sights in eastern Asia. Recently, studies on granites with high εNd(t) values and Phanerozoic crustal growth in the Centra Asian Orogenic Belt have greatly promoted fundamental research into the geology of this area (Jahn et al., 2000, 2001, 2004; Wu et al., 2000, 2002, 2003). However, work on the eruption time,…