Petrogenesis of Ordovician granitoids in Western Kunlun, NW Tibetan Plateau: Insights into the evolution of the Proto-Tethys Ocean

Abstract

Abstract Granitoid rocks are universal in continental crust and are of special significance in understanding tectonic settings. This paper presents detailed zircon U-Pb dating, Hf isotope, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope analyses, and mineralogy of two Ordovician granitoid intrusions and one quartz diorite intrusion in Western Kunlun, NW Tibetan Plateau. The Yutian Complex is composed of diverse rock suites, including monzogabbros, quartz monzodiorites, monzogranites, and monzodioritic enclaves. These suites have similar rock formation ages (447–440 Ma) and minerals, e.g., amphibole grains from different suites belonging to pargasite. Moreover, they exhibit geochemical similarities, such as broadly parallel trace-element patterns characterized by enrichments in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements, and depletions in high field strength elements, which are typical features of arc rocks. Furthermore, the studied samples display homogeneous zircon Hf values, e.g., εHf(t) = −1 to −3, and whole-rock isotopic compositions, e.g., εNd(t) = −4 to −6. Thus, they were most likely derived from a mantle wedge enriched by subducted sediments and fluids, which then evolved into different suites through fractional crystallization of hornblende and plagioclase. The ca. 440 Ma North Yutian quartz diorite intrusion, with an average of εHf(t) value of −6, was a product of the partial melting of mafic lower crust through slightly fractional crystallization of hornblende. In contrast, the ca. 470 Ma Aqiang granodiorite intrusion has εHf(t) values varying from −5 and −2, but it has heterogeneous petrological and geochemical features. It is considered to be a product of the partial melting of the overriding mantle wedge modified by fluids derived from the subducted Proto-Tethys slab and some mixed crustal materials. The Aqiang samples belong to the slightly fractionated I-type series, but they have variable alumina saturation index (ASI = molar Al2O3/[CaO – 3.33 × P2O5 + Na2O + K2O]) values (0.74–1.03) due to variable peraluminous biotite contents. The different suites in the Yutian Complex display low ASI values (<1) controlled by sources and fractional crystallization. The Yutian Complex and the North Yutian intrusion were emplaced during the southward subduction of the Proto-Tethys oceanic lithosphere, and the Aqiang intrusion was emplaced in response to the northward subduction.