Geodynamic evolution of the Tethyan lithosphere as recorded in the Spontang Ophiolite, South Ladakh ophiolites (NW Himalaya, India)

Abstract

The Spontang Ophiolite complex represents the most complete ophiolite sequence amongst the South Ladakh ophiolites and comprises mantle rocks (depleted harzburgites, dunites and minor lherzolites) as well as crustal rocks (basalt, isotropic gabbros, layered gabbros etc.). In the present study, detailed geochemistry (whole rock as well as mineral chemistry) and Sr-Nd isotopic analyses of thirty-six ultramafic- mafic samples have been attempted to constraint the evolution and petrogenetic history of the Tethyan oceanic crust. Major, trace-element and REE patterns of the peridotites and their minerals indicate that the lherzolites experienced lower degrees of partial melting resembling abyssal peridotites (at higher temperatures, TREE = ∼1216 °C) than the harzburgites (6%–8% versus 15%–17%). Elevated εNd(t) and variable 87Sr/86Sr(t) ratios along with REE patterns suggest that the Spontang mafic rocks display N-MORB affinity with negligible participation of oceanic sediments in their genesis are originated from a depleted upper mantle with little contribution from subduction-related fluids. MORB-type Neotethyan oceanic crust is associated with the earliest phase of subduction (of older Jurassic age) through which a younger intra-oceanic island arc (Spong arc) subsequently developed. Harzburgites REE display typical U-shaped patterns, suggesting that these rocks have been metasomatized by LREE-enriched fluids. On the other side, mafic rocks are characterized by heterogeneous (Nb/La)PM and (Hf/Sm)PM and relatively homogeneous εNd(t), indicating interaction of subduction-related melts with the upper mantle during the initiation of subduction, in Early Cretaceous times.