Petrogenesis and tectonic setting of the Queershan composite granitic pluton, eastern Tibetan Plateau: Constraints from geochronology, geochemistry and Hf isotope data

Abstract

The Queershan composite granitic pluton is located in the north of the late Paleozoic Yidun arc collision-orogenic belt, eastern Tibetan Plateau. The main rock types are coarse-grained porphyritic alkalic-monzonite granite with minor fine-grained porphyritic monzogranite and granodiorite distributed in the eastern and southwestern regions. Here we report their zircon U-Pb ages and geochemical data. The intrusive contact relations indicate that granodiorite was formed earlier than the alkalic-monzonite granite (105.9±1.3 Ma) and monzogranite (102.6±1.1 Ma). These suggest that the Queershan composite granitic pluton was formed through three-stage magmatic events. The alkalic-monzonite granite (105.9±1.3 Ma) and monzogranite (102.6±1.1 Ma) are characterized by high SiO2 (73.5%–77.7%), K2O+Na2O (6.9%–8.5%), Ga/Al ratios (2.6–3.4) and low Al2O3 (11.8%–14.5%), CaO (0.25%–1.5%), MgO (0.18%–0.69%), negative Ba, Sr and Eu anomalies, showing A-type granite affinities. The granodiorite exhibits lower SiO2, P2O5 and K2O+Na2O contents, but higher Al2O3, CaO and MgO contents than alkalic-monzonite granite and monzogranite, showing I-type granite affinity. 176Hf/177Hf ratios of the alkalic-monzonite granite and the monzogranite are 0.282692–0.282749 and 0.282685–0.282765, respectively, and with similar ɛHf(t) values (−0.56 to 1.43 and −0.87 to 1.90 respectively). They also present similar TDM2 model ages (1.04–1.22 and 1.07–1.2 Ga respectively), indicating they may be sourced from a similar rock source, mostly like Kangding Complex. The homogeneity of the Hf isotopic compositions and the absence of the MMEs demonstrate that little depleted mantle materials have contributed to the source. We propose that the Mesoproterozoic crust materials of the Yangtze Craton exist beneath the Yidun arc terrane and support it was a dismembered part of the Yangtze Craton. The A-type granites of Queershan composite granitic pluton are most probably related to the closure of the Bangong-Nujiang Tethys ocean.