Origin of Early to Middle Triassic ultrapotassic syenites in South China: A record of block amalgamation in East Asia

Abstract

Alkaline intrusions such as ultrapotassic syenites are typically formed in extensional tectonic settings including continental rift, post-orogenic and post-collisional regimes. Here we present two early Mesozoic ultrapotassic syenite plutons (Tieshan and Yangfang) in South China that were formed in a continent collisional setting. LA-ICP-MS zircon UPb chronological, major and trace elemental, and SrNd isotopic data of these syenites are used to explore their origin and to further constrain the geodynamics of early Mesozoic magmatism in South China. Our new data indicate that the Tieshan and Yangfang plutons were formed in Early Triassic (249 Ma) and Middle Triassic (240 Ma), respectively. The Tieshan and Yangfang syenites have SiO2 contents of 50.84–56.95 wt% and 59.13–68.34 wt%, respectively, both are enriched in alkalis with very high K2O (5.60–9.68 wt%) and K2O/Na2O (1.8–15.7) and in LILE (Ba = 2464–8813 ppm; Sr = 652–3499 ppm), REE (498–1355 ppm) and HFSE (Zr = 264–766 ppm). They show enriched SrNd isotopic compositions with 87Sr/86Sr (t) and εNd (t) of 0.7096–0.7102 and − 5.2 to −6.5, respectively for Tieshan and of 0.7112–0.7119 and − 8.8 to −9.7, respectively for Yangfang. Geochemical data suggest that the studied ultrapotassic syenites were derived by partial melting of ancient subduction-modified lithospheric mantle including slab-derived melt hybridization and slab-derived carbonate fluid metasomatism, with the source depth of 60–90 km for Tieshan and at least 90 km for Yangfang. We further suggest that their origins are related to the transtension of the regional NE–trending strike-slip faults caused by continental collisions during the early Mesozoic amalgamation in East Asia.