Adakitic Magmas Research Articles

The Early Cretaceous tectonic evolution of the Neo-Tethys: constraints from zircon U–Pb geochronology and geochemistry of the Liuqiong adakite, Gongga, Tibet

AbstractThe subduction model of the Neo-Tethys during the Early Cretaceous has always been a controversial topic, and the scarcity of Early Cretaceous magmatic rocks in the southern part of the Gangdese batholith is the main cause of this debate. To address this issue, this article presents new zircon U–Pb chronology, zircon Hf isotope, whole-rock geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotope data for the Early Cretaceous quartz diorite dykes with adakite affinity in Liuqiong, Gongga. Zircon U–Pb dating of three samples yielded ages of c. 141–137 Ma, indicating that the Liuqiong quartz diorite was emplaced in the Early Cretaceous. The whole-rock geochemical analysis shows that the Liuqiong quartz diorite is enriched in large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and light rare-earth elements (LREEs) and is depleted in high-field-strength elements (HFSEs), which are related to slab subduction. Additionally, the Liuqiong quartz diorite has high SiO2, Al2O3 and Sr contents, high Sr/Y ratios and low heavy rare-earth element (HREE) and Y contents, which are compatible with typical adakite signatures. The initial 87Sr/86Sr values of the Liuqiong adakite range from 0.705617 to 0.705853, and the whole-rock ϵNd(t) values vary between +5.78 and +6.24. The zircon ϵHf(t) values vary from +11.5 to +16.4. Our results show that the Liuqiong adakite magma was derived from partial melting of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic plate (mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) + sediment + fluid), with some degree of subsequent peridotite interaction within the overlying mantle wedge. Combining regional data, we favour the interpretation that the Neo-Tethyan oceanic crust was subducted at a low angle beneath the Gangdese during the Early Cretaceous.

Implications of high-Mg# adakitic magmatism at Hunter Ridge for arc magmatism of the Fiji - Vanuatu region

The mostly submarine Hunter Ridge, located in the SW Pacific records a ∼12 Myr to present history of magmatism related to the opening of the North Fiji Basin and subduction of oceanic lithosphere of the South Fiji Basin. Although the Hunter Ridge is probably composed primarily of an older Vitiaz-related basement, young volcanic features are present from Matthew Island to Kadavu Island. Some dredged volcanic rocks from these features have low-FeO and high-Mg# affinities, ranging from picrites to high-Mg# andesites and dacites. Elevated Sr (500 – 3400 ppm) and Sr/Y (50 – 240) coupled to fractionated (adakitic) rare-earth element patterns (La/Yb = 5 – 40, Gd/Yb = 1.5 – 5.7) indicate a garnet-signature derived from the melting of eclogite-facies basalt. Pacific-type MORB Nd-Hf-Pb isotopic ratios of these rocks contrast with the Indian-type MORB nature of the underlying North Fiji mantle but match closely the subducted South Fiji ocean crust. Low values of Th/La (< 0.15), Ba/La (< 22), unradiogenic 87Sr/86Sr (0.7026 – 0.7032) and Pacific-MORB Nd-Hf-Pb isotopic ratios indicate that sediment is a minor contributor to the source. The isotopic data clearly connect Hunter Ridge arc rocks of all compositions (picrites, low- to medium K2O arc lavas, basalts, high-Mg# andesites and dacites) to source components predominantly within the subducting plate. Unradiogenic 87Sr/86Sr (0.7026 – 0.7029) at high Sr abundances (700 – 1400 ppm) are common in hot-slab localities and are interpreted to reflect flux-melting of MORB under eclogite-facies conditions driven by dehydration in the underlying mantle of the subducting plate. Such an adakitic slab-melt component can be detected in more common (non-adakitic) arc rocks along the Hunter Ridge and Vanuatu arc as well. Evidence of slab melting along the western Pacific indicates that melting of subducting oceanic lithosphere is likely a common occurrence at convergent margins.

Origin of Tibetan post-collisional high-K adakitic granites: Anatexis of intermediate to felsic arc rocks

Abstract Potassium-rich adakitic rocks have been used to infer high-pressure (HP) melting of thickened or foundered mafic lower crust in post-collisional settings. However, their origin remains debated because of their potassic rather than sodic nature. We address this debate by investigating the source of post-collisional Oligocene high-K adakitic granites in southern Tibet, which are widely attributed to melting of overthickened mafic lower crust. Our new data provide evidence for the generation of these high-K adakitic granites by anatexis of exposed migmatitic intermediate to felsic arc orthogneisses. These granites contain high-Th/U Oligocene magmatic zircons (30−22 Ma), and inherited zircons (66−48 Ma) with the same εHf(t) (0 to +12) as the coeval migmatites. The migmatites have in turn low-Th/U metamorphic Oligocene zircon rims around 66−48 Ma magmatic zircon cores recording the anatectic event at 29−25 Ma. Phase equilibrium modeling yields an anatectic temperature of ~740 °C and pressure (P) of ~0.9 GPa and shows that garnet is stable at P &amp;gt; 0.7 GPa in the melt-present field. The results indicate that high-K adakitic magmas are derived from melting of older intermediate to felsic arc rocks at intermediate pressures, in the garnet stability field, without any involvement of HP melting of metabasaltic rocks. We propose that hybridization between such purely crustal magmas and subcontinental lithospheric mantle–derived shoshonitic magmas results in the hybridized post-collisional Oligocene–Miocene mafic microgranular enclave–bearing potassic adakitic granitic rocks in southern Tibet.

Petrogenesis and Geodynamic Implications of Late Triassic Mogetong Adakitic Pluton in East Kunlun Orogen, Northern Tibet: Constraints from Zircon U–Pb–Hf Isotopes and Whole-Rock Geochemistry

Adakites or adakitic rocks usually show special geochemical signatures and are petrological probes to reveal the tectono–magmatic evolutionary history of paleo–orogenic belts. Here, we present a comprehensive study on the zircon U–Pb geochronology, whole-rock geochemistry, and zircon Lu-Hf isotopes of Mogetong adakitic pluton in East Kunlun orogen, Northern Tibetan Plateau, to constrain its petrogenesis and tectonic setting, and thus to reveal its implications for the Paleo–Tethyan orogeny. The studied pluton comprises of quartz monzonite porphyry with zircon U–Pb crystallization age of ca. 215 Ma, which is coeval to their diorite enclaves (ca. 212 Ma). The quartz monzonite porphyries have intermediate SiO2 (63.31–65.74 wt%), relatively high Al2O3 (15.52–16.02 wt%), K2O (2.83–3.34 wt%), and Sr (462–729 ppm), but low Y (9.14–15.7 ppm) and Yb (0.73–1.39 ppm) with high Mg# (47–55), Sr/Y (30–57) and La/Yb ratios resembling typical high–K calc-alkaline and high Mg# adakitic rocks. Zircon Lu–Hf isotopes show that the studied samples have weakly juvenile zircon Lu-Hf isotopes (εHf(t) = 1.80–4.03) with older model age (1.00–1.14 Ga). The relative low content of Cr (14–59 ppm) and Ni (8–30 ppm), as well as the petrological, geochemical, and Lu-Hf isotopic data, indicates that the Mogetong adakitic rocks were generated by partial melting of thickened lower crust with a certain contribution of the underplated mantle-derived magma in slab break-off setting. This study shows that the Late Triassic adakitic magmatism in East Kunlun orogen may be the response of tectonic transition from oceanic subduction to post–subduction extension, and the reworking of ancient continental crust with subsequent variable crust-mantle magma mixing is the major mechanism of continental crust evolution in the Paleo–Tethyan orogenic belt.

Geochronology, geochemistry and petrology of the oligocene magmatism in SE segment of the UDMB, Iran

Despite diverse geochronological-geochemical studies on Cenozoic igneous rocks from the SE segment of the Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Belt (UDMB) of Iran, the nature of the Oligocene magmatic rocks from the farthermost end of the SE segment- where it is linked to the Makran magmatic belt- has been ignored due to the difficulty of access. In this study, we focus on syn-collisional mafic to felsic igneous rocks of calc-alkaline and high-K calc-alkaline affinities from the SE segment of the Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Belt (UDMB) near Nagisun, south of Bam. The Nagisun rocks have low Sr/Y and La(n)/Yb(n), similar to igneous rocks from typical arcs. Zircon UPb ages show comparable ages for plutonic (~ 34–25 Ma) and volcanic (~34–27 Ma) rocks. The εHf(t) values for zircons from plutonic rocks range from −0.3 to +12.8, whereas the εHf(t) values for the volcanic rocks vary from −2.6 to +13. Modelling of trace elements compositions using Nagisan basaltic samples indicate that an 87:2:11 mixture of the depleted MORB mantle, subducting (trench)-sediments and altered oceanic crust with 5% aggregated fractional melting closely matches the trace-element abundances of the Nagisun basaltic rocks. Indeed, the modelling of Sr and Nd isotopic data emphasizes that the Nagisun magmatic rocks could be products of bulk mixing between a depleted MORB mantle and/or a mixed, fertilized mantle with the Cadomian lower and upper continental crust. Furthermore, our compiled data display that the magmatism in the SE segment of the UDMB changed through time from normal calc-alkaline magmatism to adakitic magmatism at ~20 Ma, after the collision with Arabia began ca 27 Ma.

Petrogenesis of isotopically enriched Quaternary magma with adakitic affinity associated with subduction of old lithosphere beneath central Myanmar

We present a model for the petrogenesis of magma with adakitic affinity in an old subduction zone, which does not involve slab melting and is constrained by new geochronological and geochemical data for Mt. Popa, the largest of three Quaternary volcanoes in central Myanmar (Popa, Monywa and Singu). The edifice is composed of Popa Plateau (0.8–0.6 Ma) with high-K rocks and a stratovolcano (< 0.33 Ma) predominantly composed of medium-K rocks with adakitic affinity (Mg# 45–63, Sr/Y > 40). The distinct K contents indicate that the adakitic magmas cannot be derived from Popa high-K rocks, but they share trace-element signatures and Sr–Nd isotope ratios with medium-K basalts from Monywa volcano. Our estimation of water contents in Popa magma reveals that primary magma for medium-K basalts was generated by partial melting of wedge mantle with normal potential temperature (TP 1330–1340 °C) under wet conditions (H2O 0.25–0.54 wt%). Its melting was probably induced by asthenospheric upwelling that is recognized by tomographic images. Mafic adakitic magma (Mg# ~ 63, Sr/Y ~ 64) was derived from the medium-K basaltic magma in fractional crystallization of a garnet-bearing assemblage at high pressure, and felsic adakitic rocks (Mg# ~ 45, Sr/Y ~ 50) were produced by assimilation-fractional crystallization processes at mid-crustal depths.

Origin of the Miocene Adakitic Rocks and Implication for Tectonic Transition in the Himalayan Orogen: Constraints from Kuday Granitoid Porphyry in Southern Tibet

Abstract Postcollisional adakitic magmatism in the Himalayan Orogen provides a probe into the evolution of the collisional orogen. During the Miocene, the Himalayan Orogen underwent a tectonic transition, which was characterized by a series of tectonic events, including the activity of the North-South Trending Rift, exhumation of eclogite, rapid uplift of the orogen, and the extensive adakitic rocks. In this study, we reported the geochemistry and geochronological data of the Kuday dikes intruding into the Tethys Himalayan Sequence near the Sakya Dome of southern Tibet. The Kuday dikes are granitoid porphyries with zircon U-Pb ages of ca. 11 Ma. The Kuday granitoid porphyry dikes have high SiO2 (63.01–68.41 wt.%) and Al2O3 (17.31–19.87 wt.%) but low Mg (0.88–1.41 wt.%), Mg# (36–50), Ni (2.8–19.3 ppm), and Cr (2.9–26.4 ppm), indicating no input of mantle material. They have high Sr (934–1881 ppm), (La/Yb)N (18.84–113.13), and Sr/Y ratios (89.25–305.85) but low K2O/Na2O ratios (0.17–0.79), indicating that they are adakitic affinity. They display initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.707–0.711 and εNdt values of -3.7–-6.7. These geochemical signatures indicate that the Kuday granitoid porphyrite dikes were derived from the partial melting of the thickened lower crust of the Himalayan Orogen. Partial melting of the thickened lower crust requires additional heat, so the delamination model with lithospheric mantle thinning and asthenospheric upwelling is proposed to explain the formation of the Kuday adakitic rock. The delamination model can also provide a reasonable explanation for the tectonic events during the Miocene in the Himalayan Orogen.

Composition, Age, and Origin of Ordovician-Devonian Tanjianshan granitoids in the North Qaidam Orogenic Belt of northern Tibet: Implications for Tectonic Evolution

ABSTRACT The North Qaidam Orogenic Belt (NQOB) is characterized by widespread Palaeozoic magmatism and high to ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism that provides important information regarding the continental crust growth and tectonic evolution in the North Qaidam. Our work focuses on the geology, geochronology, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sr–Nd isotopy of granitoids in the Tanjianshan area in the northern NQOB. The results indicate that the 486–469 Ma adakitic and TTG-like granitoids originated from the partial melting of Middle–Late Mesoproterozoic lower crustal materials with the addition of juvenile mafic lower crust at high pressures under an active continental margin setting. The 396–392 Ma I-type granitoids originated from the partial melting of juvenile crustal materials with the addition of ancient crustal component in a post-collisional setting. Geochronological studies show that there are significant regional differences in magmatism between the northern and rest parts of the NQOB. In the northern part, extensive and prolonged magmatism was widespread during oceanic subduction (~526–460 Ma) and post-collisional extension (~420–350 Ma) but magmatism in the stage of orogenic collision was absent. The Early Palaeozoic adakitic magmatism suggest a significant continental crustal reworking in a subduction zone during 486–469 Ma along the NQOB. The initial oceanic subduction may have occurred prior to ca. 526 Ma. An intense and multiple-stage extension developed at ~420–350 Ma in the northern part of the NQOB following the orogenic collapse. Lithospheric delamination and subsequent mafic magma underplating may be the main geodynamic mechanism resulting in the uprooting of the continental crust and ore mineralization in response.

Petrogenesis of Early Cretaceous High-Mg Adakitic Pluton in the North Lhasa Block, Tibet Plateau: Implications for the Tethyan Orogeny

Late Mesozoic igneous rocks from the north Lhasa block record the Neo-Tethyan orogeny in the southern Tibet Plateau. This study presents geochronological and geochemical data of Bieruozecuo quartz diorite pluton in the northern margin of the Lhasa block to constrain its petrogenesis and tectonic implications. The LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb geochronology of quartz diorites shows that the emplacement occurs at ca. 114–116 Ma, belonging to the products of Early Cretaceous magmatic activities. The high concentrations of TiO2, MgO, and MnO, together with SiO2 vs. K2O and A/NK vs. A/CNK diagrams, all suggest that the Bieruozecuo quartz diorites are meta-aluminous and high-potassium calc-alkaline rocks. Their high Sr and low Y and Yb contents, as well as high Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios, are consistent with the typical adakitic rocks. The REE patterns show a large distribution of compositions, which have LREE, while HREE are buffered, along with large ratios of (La/Yb)N, as well as high values of K2O/Na2O, Mg#, Cr, and Ni, all of which imply the partial melting of a delaminated lower crust, without obvious fractional crystallization during the magma ascending and emplacement. This study suggests that, with the closure of the Bangonghu–Nujiang Tethys Ocean Basin, the post-collisional extension of the north Lhasa block will have started no later than ca. 114–116 Ma. Combined with the previous studies, our new data demonstrates that the partial melting of the delaminated lower crust, in a post-collisional setting, may be the main mechanism responsible for the ca. 116–82 Ma adakitic magmatism in the north Lhasa block.

Mesozoic tectonic transition of the northeastern North China Craton: Evidence from adakitic rocks in southeastern Jilin Province, China

ABSTRACT Chronological and geochemical studies of adakites and adakitic rocks are important in understanding the tectonic evolution and geodynamic processes. We present new zircon U–Pb ages, Hf isotope, and geochemical analyses of adakitic rocks exposed in the Baishan area, southeastern Jilin Province, China. These new ages, together with existing age data, indicate that adakitic magmatism in southeastern Jilin Province can be subdivided into four stages: Early–Middle Triassic (251–235 Ma), Late Triassic (221–219 Ma), late Early–early Late Jurassic (176–156 Ma), and Early Cretaceous (ca. 130 Ma). Early–Middle Triassic adakitic rocks occur in a nearly E–W-trending belt within the northern margin of the northeastern North China Craton, indicating a compressional tectonic setting caused by the scissor-like closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean from west to east. Late Triassic adakitic rocks occur in the Tonghua area and formed in an extensional setting caused by delamination after subduction and collision between the Yangtze Craton and NCC. Late Early–early Late Jurassic adakitic rocks occur in the Baishan and Kaiyuan areas and originated from partial melting of thickened lower crust in a compressional setting related to subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate. Early Cretaceous adakitic rocks occur in the Baishan area and were derived from partial melting of thickened lower crust above the subduction zone and delaminated lower crust, indicating that the subducting Paleo-Pacific Plate retreated to the eastern part of southern Jilin Province during the Early Cretaceous (ca. 130 Ma) and that the tectonic setting of the northeastern part of the NCC changed from compression to extension, starting in the east and progressing westward. In summary, the northeastern part of the NCC has been affected by a series of tectonic events during the Mesozoic, such as the closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean, the collision between the NCC and YC, and the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate.

Temporal changes in subduction- to collision-related magmatism in the Neotethyan orogen: The Southeast Iran example

Continental-arc igneous rock compositions change in response to the transition from subduction to collision and these changes can reveal how the crust, lithosphere and magma sources evolved. Neotethys-related Late Cretaceous to Pleistocene subduction- and collision-related magmatic rocks from the ~350 km long southeast Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Belt (UDMB) of Iran provide an excellent natural laboratory to better understand these changes. These igneous rocks are well-exposed and moderately eroded to reveal a nearly complete record since subduction initiation at ~95 Ma. We analyzed new samples for major and trace elements (83 samples), SrNd isotopic compositions (47 samples), and UPb zircon ages (26 samples) and compiled geochemical and geochronological data on the southeast segment of the UDMB. The geochronological data reveal two magmatic pulses at ~80–70 Ma and ~50–0 Ma. Important changes in magmatic compositions reflect initial collision with Arabia at ~32 Ma, changing from normal calc-alkaline to increasingly adakitic immediately after collision began. Five stages can be identified: 1) normal continental-arc magmatism during the Late Cretaceous; 2) arc quiescence in Paleocene and Early Eocene time; 3) Middle-Late Eocene extensional arc magmatism related to slab rollback; 4) early collision and crustal thickening during the Early Oligocene; and 5) slab breakoff, asthenospheric upwelling, and associated adakitic magmatism from Middle Miocene onward. Temporal changes in UDMB magmas reflect the response of the overriding plate to changes in the geometry of the subducting Neotethyan lithosphere and to collision between Arabia and Iran. Crustal thickening and arc narrowing during Miocene to Pleistocene post-collisional magmatism caused adakitic magmatism and associated Cu mineralization. Zircon OHf and apatite O isotopes as well as bulk-rock Nd isotopes of Cu-bearing adakitic rocks are similar to other barren rocks, but nearly all fertile rocks have higher Hf/Y, Eu/Eu⁎(n) in zircon and higher Sr/Y, V/Y, Eu/Eu⁎(n) in apatite than barren rocks.

Adakites, High-Nb Basalts and Copper–Gold Deposits in Magmatic Arcs and Collisional Orogens: An Overview

Adakites are Y- and Yb-depleted, SiO2- and Sr-enriched rocks with elevated Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios originally thought to represent partial melts of subducted metabasalt, based on their association with the subduction of young (&lt;25 Ma) and hot oceanic crust. Later, adakites were found in arc segments associated with oblique, slow and flat subduction, arc–transform intersections, collision zones and post-collisional extensional environments. New models of adakite petrogenesis include the melting of thickened and delaminated mafic lower crust, basalt underplating of the continental crust and high-pressure fractionation (amphibole ± garnet) of mantle-derived, hydrous mafic melts. In some cases, adakites are associated with Nb-enriched (10 ppm &lt; Nb &lt; 20 ppm) and high-Nb (Nb &gt; 20 ppm) arc basalts in ancient and modern subduction zones (HNBs). Two types of HNBs are recognized on the basis of their geochemistry. Type I HNBs (Kamchatka, Honduras) share N-MORB-like isotopic and OIB-like trace element characteristics and most probably originate from adakite-contaminated mantle sources. Type II HNBs (Sulu arc, Jamaica) display high-field strength element enrichments in respect to island-arc basalts coupled with enriched, OIB-like isotopic signatures, suggesting derivation from asthenospheric mantle sources in arcs. Adakites and, to a lesser extent, HNBs are associated with Cu–Au porphyry and epithermal deposits in Cenozoic magmatic arcs (Kamchatka, Phlippines, Indonesia, Andean margin) and Paleozoic-Mesozoic (Central Asian and Tethyan) collisional orogens. This association is believed to be not just temporal and structural but also genetic due to the hydrous (common presence of amphibole and biotite), highly oxidized (&gt;ΔFMQ &gt; +2) and S-rich (anhydrite in modern Pinatubo and El Chichon adakite eruptions) nature of adakite magmas. Cretaceous adakites from the Stanovoy Suture Zone in Far East Russia contain Cu–Ag–Au and Cu–Zn–Mo–Ag alloys, native Au and Pt, cupriferous Ag in association witn barite and Ag-chloride. Stanovoy adakites also have systematically higher Au contents in comparison with volcanic arc magmas, suggesting that ore-forming hydrothermal fluids responsible for Cu–Au(Mo–Ag) porphyry and epithermal mineralization in upper crustal environments could have been exsolved from metal-saturated, H2O–S–Cl-rich adakite magmas. The interaction between depleted mantle peridotites and metal-rich adakites appears to be capable of producing (under a certain set of conditions) fertile sources for HNB melts connected with some epithermal Au (Porgera) and porphyry Cu–Au–Mo (Tibet, Iran) mineralized systems in modern and ancient subduction zones.

Sanbe volcano: Long‐term evolution of an arc magmatic system

AbstractA suite of samples was studied that represents the major explosive eruptions of Sanbe volcano, SW Japan. We demonstrate how rate of magma flux into the Trans‐Crustal Magmatic System (TCMS) presents a major control on the type and style of the subsequently forthcoming eruptions. Erupted products can be separated into two distinct groups. An older group is characterized by highly evolved, high‐K, LILE‐rich rhyolitic magmas, showing a supressed adakitic trace element signature (otherwise characteristic for the young stratovolcanoes in the SW Japan arc) with low Ca, Sr concentrations and a negative Eu anomaly. In contrast, the younger group (dominantly of andesitic—dacitic composition) displays a strong adakitic trace element signature with characteristic steep REE profiles and high Sr concentrations. An Eu anomaly is generally lacking here. The two groups are also distinct in their petrographic features, with the early group being almost aphyric showing simple log linear crystal size distributions and homogeneous, uniform mineral chemistries. In contrast, products of the younger group show complex crystal size distributions with diverse mineral compositions and abundant disequilibrium features. Our study shows that an initial high melt‐production rate allowed dehydration melting of lower crustal rocks leading to the formation of highly evolved K‐rich magmas. These magmas intruded into the shallow crust and produced two large Plinian rhyolitic, caldera forming eruptions. Subsequently the primary magma production rate decreased and the lower crust became too refractory for additional dehydration melting by these lower volume magma batches, causing the conventional adakitic magmatism to produced several additional eruptions of smaller magnitude, mainly of Sub‐Plinian or Pelean styles.

Generation of collision-induced Early to Middle Miocene adakitic magmas in Pertek (Tunceli) area from Eastern Anatolia postsubductional setting, Turkey

Early to Middle Miocene andesite-dacite porphyries are well exposed to the Pertek area of Tunceli, Eastern Anatolia, and represent an example of adakite-like magma generation in Eastern Anatolia (postsubductional) collisional setting. Mineral associations in these porphyries are composed of plagioclase (oligoclase-andesine-labradorite), amphibole (pargasite-ferropargasite), biotite, rare quartz, K-feldspar, and minor Fe-Ti oxides. Geochemically they are high-K calc-alkaline in nature and characterized by high SiO2 (>62 wt.%), Al2O3 (mostly >16 wt.%), Na2O/K2O ratio (1.3-1.7), and Sr (generally >400 ppm) contents. Volcanic rocks display depletion in HFSEs, Nb, Ta, and Ti, and slight negative Eu anomaly; have low HREEs, Y (

Upper Triassic to Middle Jurassic magmatic evolution of northern Patagonia: Insights from the tectonic and crustal evolution of the Los Menucos area, North Patagonian Massif, Argentina

The Upper Triassic magmatic and tectonic evolution of the central North Patagonian Massif is evaluated on the basis of the zircon U–Pb-Hf record and whole-rock geochemistry for volcanic rocks of the Los Menucos area. The sample analyzed in this study yields a 210 ± 3 Ma U–Pb zircon age, and the geochemical data for the Upper Triassic rocks are indicative of a high-K calk-alkaline arc-type magmatism, which also has adakitic signature related to melting of the subducted oceanic slab. The Hf isotope data for zircon from this sample, with ƐHf(T) values between −6.1 and −8.7, support a mixed source that may have involved melted slab and crustal reworking. A comprehensive evaluation of the Upper Triassic – Lower Jurassic magmatic and tectonic evolution of northern Patagonia is in agreement with the hypothesis of an Upper Triassic South Gondwanian flat-slab, which shifted the magmatic arc towards the continental interior at a time of crustal shortening and with arc-type adakitic magmatism. The Lower Jurassic magmatic record is consistent with slab detachment and later roll-back, which would have promoted crustal extension and intraplate magmatism, and also shifted the arc magmatism to the paleo-trench. As a consequence of this stage, the Subcordilleran and North Patagonian batholiths were emplaced. The progressively – with time - less negative Hf isotope signatures for magmatic zircon are consistent with less evolved magmas generated throughout the Jurassic. The Upper Triassic-Middle Jurassic magmatism in northern Patagonia was part of a complex tectonic evolution, which involved crustal shortening and extension during plate reorganization during the critical period of Gondwana supercontinent break-up.

Genesis of High-Mg Adakites in the Southeastern Margin of North China Craton: Geochemical and U-Pb Geochronological Perspectives

In the eastern North China Craton (NCC), Mesozoic tectonics was dominated by the Paleo-Pacific subduction rollback and the Tanlu crustal-scale fault movement. The regional transtension had generated extensive adakitic magmatism, some Cu-Au ore-forming but others not. To establish the geodynamic setting and any metallogenic link for the adakites from the southeastern NCC margin, we analyzed the ore-barren adakitic rocks from underground mines in the Huaibei-Linhuan coalfield (where surface igneous outcrops are scarce), and compared their ages and geochemistry with other mineralized and ore-barren adakites across Eastern China. Zircon U-Pb dating reveals two magmatic episodes in the Huaibei-Linhuan coalfield: 1) early-Early Cretaceous (ca. 130–129 Ma) (quartz-)diorite and granodiorite, and 2) late-Early Cretaceous (ca. 115.8 and 105.8 Ma) microgabbro and dolerite. Whole-rock geochemistry indicates that the (quartz-)diorite and granodiorite are high-Mg adakitic, featured by low K2O/Na2O (avg. 0.33), high Sr/La (avg. 44.3), and lack of correlation between SiO2 (fractionation index) and Sr/Y (avg. 56.55) and MREE/HREE (avg. 1.09), resembling typical adakites derived from oceanic-slab partial melting. Geochronological correlation with the regional tectonic events suggests that the slab-melting may have been caused by the Paleo-Pacific subduction rollback. Further extension and crustal thinning in the late-Early Cretaceous along the southern Tanlu fault may have formed the gabbro-dolerite in the coalfield. Geochemical comparison suggests that parental magma of the Huaibei-Linhuan adakites may have had similar water content [similar zircon 10,000*(Eu/Eu*)/Y and Eu/Eu* ratios] to typical porphyry Cu-Au ore-forming magmas, yet the former may have been considerably more reduced (lower zircon Ce/Nd and whole-rock V/Sc ratios). We considered that the assimilation of Carboniferous-Permian coal seams in the area may have further lowered the magma fO2 and thus its potential to form Cu-Au mineralization.

Variation of crustal thickness in central west Junggar orogenic belt: insight into its Late Palaeozoic tectonic evolution

ABSTRACT The variation of crustal thickness of an orogenic belt through time will provide critical insights into the switch of tectonic setting. The geochemistry of subduction and collision-related magmatism is indicative of the crustal thickness. Late Palaeozoic magmatic products are prevalent in central west Junggar orogenic belt (C-WJOB), and can be employed to determine the temporal changes in crustal thickness as well as the tectonic evolution. Here, we constrain the crustal thickness and discuss the tectonic evolution of C-WJOB through by integrating Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios, zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotopic compositions of the Late Palaeozoic igneous rocks. Our results show that the crust of C-WJOB was much thinner (20–25 km) than normal continental crust (average at 33 km) in the Early Carboniferous, and began to thicken from 350 Ma to 330 Ma at a slow rate. Crustal thickening was caused by the addition of subduction-related magma sourced from depleted-mantle but with contributions of subducted sediments. The crust started to thicken significantly at ~330 Ma and reached to a maximum thickness of ~40 km between 322 Ma and 310 Ma. The timing of maximum thickness corresponded with the emplacement of calc-alkaline to high-K calc-alkaline I-type dioritic magmas as well as adakitic magma. These magmas were generated by melting of both depleted mantle and juvenile lower crust, which was probably triggered by underplated mantle-derived basaltic magma. Lastly, crustal thinning happened between 310 Ma and 295 Ma due to regional post-collisional extension, although voluminous granitic magmatism occurred. The granitic magmas were formed by remelting of the juvenile lower crust, with a few contribution of mantle material. This study on the variation of crustal thickness in the Late Palaeozoic C-WJOB provides insight into how integrated geochemical and isotopic data can elucidate the complex histories of orogenic belts.

Middle–late Permian high-K adakitic granitoids in the NE Alxa block, northern China: Orogenic record following the closure of a Paleo-Asian oceanic branch?

How and when the Paleo-Asian Ocean was finally closed still is a hot topic open to debate. Here we presented geochronological (laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, LA–ICP–MS, and 40Ar/39Ar), geochemical, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data for the granitoids from the NE Alxa block in the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogen Belt, northern China, in an attempt to constrain the closure of the Paleo-Asian oceanic branch in this region. These granitoids were dated at 268–255 Ma. They show distinct adakitic signatures of high Sr/Y (19–100) and (La/Yb)N (13–50) ratios, and low Y (3.98–16.50 ppm) and Yb (0.24–1.46 ppm) concentrations. They are also characterized by relatively high K2O/Na2O ratios (0.7–1.37), and low MgO (0.22–0.75 wt%), Cr (1.41–9.96 ppm), and Ni (0.36–6.31 ppm) contents and variable Mg# values (26–50). In addition, they display negative εHf(t) (−16.46 to −7.48) and εNd(t) (−14.2 to −9.83) and high (87Sr/86Sr)i (0.7072–0.7196) and Th (7.33–14.10 ppm), indicating that they were most likely generated by partial melting of thickened continental lower crust up to ~59 km thick. This thickened crust was built on the early Permian transitional Alxa crust (~32 km thick), likely caused by the rifting related to the upwelling of mantle plume. Consequently, the NE Alxa block could have witnessed a tectonic transition during the mid-Permian from rifting to arc–continent collision and resultant crustal thickening following the closure of the Paleo-Asian oceanic branch. The subsequent upwelling of asthenosphere in response to the delamination of the orogen during the middle–late Permian provided thermal source for the adakitic magmatism.

Late Paleozoic adakitic magmatism in the Zogdor Cu occurrences, southern Mongolia, and their tectonic implications: New SHRIMP zircon age dating, Lu-Hf isotope systematics and geochemical constraints

The Zogdor Cu occurrences are located in the Gurvansayhan island arc terrane of southern Mongolia, which corresponds to the southern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The major porphyry type copper–gold (molybdenum) mineralized belt including Oyu Tolgoi, Tsagaan Suvarga, Shuteen, and Kharmagtai deposits are located in this terrane and were known to have formed during 372–324 Ma. The Zogdor Cu occurrences are found within this porphyry Cu-Au mineralized belt and are limitedly distributed in granitoids including granodiorite and monzogranite. In this study, we present new SHRIMP zircon U-Pb geochronology, LA-MC-ICPMS zircon Lu-Hf isotopes, and geochemical data for the granitoids in the Zogdor Cu occurrences and provide a new tectonic model including igneous activities and Cu mineralization in southern Mongolia. The emplacement ages of granodiorite and monzogranite are 329.1–326.4 Ma, and 329.9–326.1 Ma, respectively. All zircons have positive εHf values corresponding to two-stage model ages (T2DM) ranging from 581 to 331 Ma, possibly demonstrating that late Neoproterozoic to middle Carboniferous juvenile continental crust growth was derived from a depleted mantle source. Both granitoids are characterized by high Al2O3 and Sr, and low Y and Yb contents, as well as high Sr/Y and (La/Yb)N ratios, which are typical geochemical characteristics of adakites. The trace elements are characterized by an enrichment in the large ion lithophile elements (e.g., Cs, Rb, Ba, and Sr) and a depletion in the high field strength elements (e.g., Nb, P, and Ti), indicating that these granitoids intruded in subduction tectonic settings. In conclusion with data from previous studies, the intermittent igneous activities during the Cambrian to Ordovician (519–482 Ma), middle Devonian (374–363 Ma), middle to late Carboniferous (353–304 Ma), and early Permian (298–286 Ma) took place in the southern Mongolia and porphyry copper mineralizations seem to be closely related the middle Devonian and middle Carboniferous adakitic or adakite-like magmatism. The Lu-Hf isotopic results for these associated granitoids including previous Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isotopic studies imply that the Neoproterozoic to middle Carboniferous juvenile continental growth derived from a depleted mantle source. The middle Devonian and middle Carboniferous magmatic activities triggered by the subduction of the Paleo-Asian Oceanic plate and formed the porphyry copper deposits in the southern Mongolia.

Xenoliths in Late Cretaceous to Early Paleocene adakites of the Eastern Pontides Orogenic Belt, NE Turkey

Late Cretaceous to Early Paleocene hypabyssal intrusives near Bayburt in northeastern Turkey, in the Eastern Pontides Orogenic Belt (EPOB), host a variety of xenoliths, including clinopyroxenite, hornblendite, hornblende- and plagioclase-rich gabbro, quartz diorite and amphibole-rich diorite, quartz syenite, and amphibolite. We report major and trace element data for both host rocks and xenoliths, along with zircon U-Pb and amphibole 40Ar/ 39Ar ages, zircon trace element data, mineral compositions, and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic data. Host rock compositions range from trachyandesite to dacite and rhyodacite, but major element (e.g. Mg-number) and trace element systematics (e.g. La/YbN) indicate that they are not related by fractional crystallization. Host rocks belong to the high-K calc alkaline and calc-alkaline series, and have the signature of arc rocks (depleted Nb, Ta, Ti, and elevated Pb). Trace element data (Sr/Y and La/Yb) indicate that the dacitic rocks are adakitic. Host rock ages cluster around 70 ± 2 Ma; one intrusion contains zircons that suggest a ~62 Ma crystallization age. Hornblendite xenoliths show ages of 76, 78, and 81 Ma, whereas quartz syenites range from 66 to 70 Ma. The younger ages (62, 66, 70 Ma) fall in an apparent magmatic gap, and document the oldest adakitic magmatism in the EPOB. Mineral compositions indicate initiation of crystallization in the host rocks at ~9 kb and 1250 °C, with progressive crystallization continuing to ~2 kb and 800 °C. Host rocks and xenoliths have similar ranges of 87Sr/86Sri (0.7044–0.7062), 143Nd/144Ndi (−1.5 < εNd < 1.5), and Pbi (18.28 <206Pb/204Pb < 18.68) compositions. The clinopyroxenite, hornblendite, and gabbro xenoliths are broadly cognate with the host rocks, and are cumulate fragments from an arc-root magma system. The quartz diorite, quartz syenite, and amphibolite xenoliths have different histories. Some of the quartz syenites are near eutectic compositions in the H2O saturated q-or-ab system at ~5 kb. The host rocks and xenoliths derive from crustal magma chambers and dominantly crustal melting in the back-arc region of the EPOB.