Early Paleozoic arc-back-arc system evolution in the junction of the Qinling and Qilian Orogens: Geochemical constraints from ca. 445–430 Ma magmatic rocks in the Tianshui area

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Tianshui area is located at the junction of the Qinling and Qilian Orogens, the evolution of which is crucial in understanding the Early Palaeozoic tectonic evolution of the Central China Orogenic System. We present here geochronological, geochemical, and Sr-Nd isotopic data for four representative Silurian magmatic rocks, termed the Dangchuan, Huamiao, Yanjiadian, and Hongtupu, along a cross section across the main rock units of the Tianhui area. The 432 Ma Dangchuan syenogranites are peraluminous with negative εNd(t) values, high initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios, and low Rb/Sr and high CaO/Na2O ratios. We interpret the syenogranites to be generated by partial melting of metagreywackes during a Silurian orogenic event. The 436 Ma Huamiao diorites are high-Mg diorites with high MgO contents and Mg# (63–65) and enriched Sr-Nd isotopic compositions. The 445 Ma Yanjiadian diorites are high-Mg adakitic rocks with high Sr and Mg# and low Y and Yb contents. They were both generated by the interaction between sediment/slab-derived fluids/melts and mantle peridotite in the subduction-related setting. The 445 Ma Hongtupu basalts include E-MORB and IAB with depleted Sr-Nd isotopic compositions. They were derived from enriched mantle and sediment-modified mantle, respectively, and formed in a back-arc basin setting. Synthesizing our new and published data, we propose a tectonic model involving generation of Baihua-Huluhe arc-back-arc system, subduction of the Huluhe back-arc oceanic basin, and collision between the North Qinling arc terrane and North China Block, which is closely associated with the closure of the Proto-Tethys Ocean.