Combined U-Pb, Lu-Hf, Sm-Nd and Ar-Ar multichronometric dating on the Bailang eclogite constrains the closure timing of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean in the Lhasa terrane, Tibet

Abstract

The Lhasa terrane, the main tectonic component of the Himalayan–Tibetan orogen, has received much attention as it records the entire history of the orogeny. The occurrence of Permian to Triassic high-pressure eclogites has a significant bearing on the understanding of the Paleo-Tethys subduction and plate suturing processes in this area. An eclogite from the Bailang, eastern Lhasa terrane, was investigated with a combined metamorphic P–T and U–Pb, Lu–Hf, Sm–Nd and Ar–Ar multichronometric approach. Pseudosection modeling combined with thermobarometric calculations indicate that the Bailang eclogite equilibrated at peak P–T conditions of ~2.6GPa and 465–503°C, which is much lower than those of Sumdo and Jilang eclogites in this area. Garnet–whole rock–omphacite Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd ages of 238.1±3.6Ma and 230.0±4.7Ma were obtained on the same sample, which are largely consistent with the corresponding U–Pb age of 227.4±6.4Ma for the metamorphic zircons within uncertainty. The peak metamorphic temperature of the sample is lower than the Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd closure temperatures in garnet. This, combined with the core-to-rim decrease in Mn and HREE concentrations, the slightly U-shaped Sm zonation across garnet and the exclusive occurrence of omphacite inclusion in garnet rim, are consistent with the Lu–Hf system skewing to the age of the garnet core and the Sm–Nd system favoring the rim age. The Sm–Nd age was thus interpreted as the age of eclogite-facies metamorphism and the Lu–Hf age likely pre-dated the eclogite-facies metamorphism. 40Ar/39Ar dating of hornblende from the eclogite yielded ages about 200Ma, which is interpreted as a cooling age and is probably indicative of the time of exhumation to the middle crust. The difference of peak eclogite-facies metamorphic conditions and the distinct metamorphic ages for the Bailang eclogite (~2.6GPa and ~480°C; ca. 230Ma), the Sumdo eclogite (~3.4GPa and ~650°C; ca. 262Ma) and Jiang eclogite (~3.6GPa and ~750°C; ca. 261Ma) in the same (ultra)-high-pressure belt indicate that this region likely comprises different slices that had distinct P–T histories and underwent (U)HP metamorphism at different times. The initiation of the opening the Paleo-Tethys Ocean in the Lhasa terrane could trace back to the early Permian. The ultimate closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean in the Lhasa terrane was no earlier than ca. 230Ma.