Geochemical characteristics of volcanic rocks of the Laochang Ag polymetallic deposit, Lancang, Yunnan Province, China

Abstract

In terms of major element, trace element and REE geochemical characteristics of volcanic rocks in the area studied and by making use of the TiO2-K2O-P2O5, Th-Hf-Ta and Zr-Nb-Y trianglar diagrams and the environmental discrimination diagrams of incompatible element distribution patterns, the authors have drawn some conclusions that are different from those by previous workers. It is concluded that volcanic rocks in the Laochang Ag polymetallic deposit at Lancang, Yunnan belong to continental within-plate alkali basalts, and that their geotectonic setting seems to be at the northeastern margin of East Gondwana Land.