Evidence for the Lower Continental Crustal Origin of the Xihuashan Granite

Abstract

Abstract The Xihuashan granite is typically representative of the tungsten‐bearing granites widespread in the Nanling area of South China. It was considered in the past to have been formed by partial melting of the upper continental crust, with its source rocks most probably of the Sinian or Cambrian. However, detailed REE analyses, studies of the Rb‐Sr isotopic system and melting experiments of metasedimentary rocks all argue against this idea. Moreover, stable isotopic data also indicate a deep source origin for S, C, H and O. The authors thus propose a genetic concept of the lower continental crustal source of the Xihuashan granite, and point out further that tungsten deposits related to this kind of granite are linked in some way to deep‐seated structure and concentrated along NNE‐NE‐ and ENE‐striking major deep fault belts above the transitional zone between mantle uplift and mantle depression.