Abstract
Cenozoic ridge subduction and the resultant slab windows have been well documented worldwide [Sisson et al., 2003], especially along the western margins of North and South America [Thorkelson, Taylor, 1989]. The principal characteristics of ridge subduction, which can be used to recognise the process in ancient orogens, include: intrusion of ridge-generated magmas into a forearc in a near-trench position [Marshak, Karig, 1977]; this can be regarded as the hallmark of ridge subduction.
Highlights
Other important features are: high-temperature metamorphism closely associated with near-trench plutons created by heat released through a slab window [DeLong et al, 1979; Iwamori, 2000]; and porphyry gold and copper mineralization often associated with adakitic rocks [Sun et al, 2010]
When a ridge subducts under a continental margin, the diverging plates continue to separate creating a slab window that forms between the separating plates [Santosh, Kusky, 2010]
Prominent in one of two slab windows defined in West Junggar are two swarms of late Carboniferous high-Mg hornblende-biotite diorite dykes with sanukitoid chemistry that intruded through the slab window
Summary
Cenozoic ridge subduction and the resultant slab windows have been well documented worldwide [Sisson et al, 2003], especially along the western margins of North and South America [Thorkelson, Taylor, 1989]. The key magmatic products are: adakites that include plutonic and volcanic rocks, have intermediate- to highSiO2, high Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios, elevated MgO, Na2O, K2O, Ni and Cr contents, and high LILE and LREE elements.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
