Petrology and geochemistry of ultramafic and mafic rocks in the late Silurian-early Devonian Darbut ophiolitic mélange of west Junggar (NORTHWESTERN CHINA): implications for petrogenesis and tectonic evolution

Abstract

ABSTRACT New petrological and geochemical data for lherzolite, harzburgite, and gabbros in the Darbut ophiolitic mélange of west Junggar are combined to constrain the geological evolution of the Darbut ophiolite. Lherzolite, consisting of olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, and chrome–spinel with low Cr# values (34–39), is analogous to fertile abyssal peridotite. Harzburgite, composed of olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, and chrome–spinel with relatively high Cr# values (48–55), is similar to the supra–subduction zone (SSZ) peridotite. Isotropic gabbro, characterized by a flat rare earth element (REE) pattern as well as low Nb/Yb and high Ti/V ratios, is comparable to mid–ocean ridge basalt (MORB). Hornblende gabbro, displaying relative enrichments of fluid-soluble elements and elevated Th/Yb ratios, is similar to that of fore–arc basalt. Geochemical modelling of partial melting suggests that lherzolite samples are compatible with their formation after relatively low-degree (11–16%), anhydrous dynamic melting of the primitive mantle, while harzburgite samples have undergone 5–10% secondary-stage partial melting based on the already 16% depleted primitive mantle. These data suggest that the Darbut ophiolite was generated in a forearc setting. The upwelling asthenosphere triggered by the subduction initiation of the Junggar oceanic lithosphere led to low-degree, anhydrous decompression melting, producing lherzolite as well as the MORB–like melts at Late Silurian period. Increasing slab–derived fluids influx, accompanied by the progressively sinking slab, largely enhanced the partial melting degrees of the depleted mantle, and formed refractory harzburgite.