Zircon Hf–isotopic mapping for understanding crustal architecture and metallogenesis in the Eastern Qinling Orogen

Abstract

The Eastern Qinling Orogen (EQO) is a major composite collisional zone located between the North China and the Yangtze cratons. This contribution combines geological and Hf–isotopic data from magmatic rocks associated with mineralization to gain insights into links between the crust architecture and metallogeny, and to focus exploration in the orogen.The new zircon U–Pb dates reported in this study are 434±2Ma for diorite, 433±2 and 436±2Ma for monzogranite, and 454±2Ma for granodiorite in the Nanzhao area; 225±2Ma for syenite and 160±1Ma for monzogranite at Songxian; and 108±1 and 102±1Ma for syenogranite in eastern Fangcheng. Combining our data with those from the entire EQO reveals seven major magmatic events since the Cambrian. These magmatic events took place during the Cambrian–Silurian associated with subduction, Early Devonian magmatism related to a collisional event, Early Permian to Late Triassic magmatism related to subduction, Late Triassic collisional magmatism, Late Triassic to Early Jurassic post–collision magmatism, and Jurassic–Cretaceous magmatism during intra–continental subduction.Lu-Hf isotopic data collected from granitic rocks for this study give εHf(t) values of: −1.4 to 10.9 for diorite and monzogranite at Nanzhao; −27.1 to −15.6 for syenite and −27.5 to −25.1 for monzogranite at Songxian; and −12.9 to −3.4 for syenogranite in the eastern Fangcheng. Combining Hf isotopic data for the EQO from previous studies, we have evaluated the spatio–temporal distribution of Hf isotopic compositions. The resultant Hf isotopic maps highlight the location of the Kuanping Suture as an important tectonic boundary between the North China and the Yangtze cratons, which separates the EQO into a north part with an old and reworked lower crust and a southern part representing a juvenile lower crust.The Hf isotopic mapping of the EQO also provides information on the distribution of mineral deposits. Porphyry and porphyry–skarn Mo(–W) deposits are associated with magmatic rocks were emplaced in zones with low–εHf and high TDMc values representing old and reworked crustal components. In contrast, porphyry and porphyry–skarn Cu(–Mo) deposits are associated with magmatic rocks emplaced in domains with variable εHf and TDMc values characterized by dominantly reworked old crustal components with minor juvenile material. The magmatic source for the intrusions is characterized by low–εHf and high TDMc values, which are granite–related Mo or Pb–Zn–Ag mineralization.