Depleted Hf Isotopic Compositions Research Articles

Compositional diversity of late Mesozoic granites rooting from the subducted crust in the Qinling–Dabie orogenic belt

Continental subduction has been identified in many orogens, such as the Alps, the Himalayas, and the Dabie; however, better understanding of the mechanism and outcome of different subduction processes remains desirable. The Qinling–Dabie orogen in Central China shows an asymmetric distribution of Triassic ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks and syn- and post-tectonic granitoid plutons, thereby providing an excellent means by which to probe the diverse processes of continental subduction. Many late Mesozoic granitoid plutons that formed in post-orogenic or even anorogenic settings are widely distributed in both the Qinling and Dabie tectonic units and can be useful for studying the composition of materials beneath the crust because of their conspicuous compositional diversity. In the present study, we report zircon ages and NdHf isotopic compositions for the Shangcheng and Heyu granite plutons, which represent late Mesozoic plutons in Dabie and Qinling. When compared with those of the Shangcheng pluton, the wide range of Nd isotopic values and the slightly depleted Hf isotopic compositions of the Heyu pluton indicate that there may be juvenile crust beneath the Qinling tectonic unit that is not present beneath the southern margin of North China. The currently undetectable juvenile material in this region may be an important candidate source of the late Mesozoic magmatism and metal mineralization in the southern margin of North China. The compositional diversity of these granites, as indicated by the NdHf isotopic compositions, is attributed to the nature of the deep crust within the orogenic belt, and the magmatic origins of this region are discussed in the present study.

Zircon within chromitite requires revision of the tectonic history of the Eoarchean Itsaq Gneiss complex, Greenland

The Ujaragssuit Nunât layered (UNL) unit in the Itsaq Gneiss Complex, west Greenland, has been considered to contain one of the oldest chromitites on Earth based on ∼ ca. 4.1 Ga Hadean whole rock Pt–Os model ages and ca. 3.81 Ga zircon U-Pb age of the surrounding orthogneiss. This study obtained zircon from the chromitite within this unit as well as granitoid sheets that intruded into the UNL unit. In–situ U–Pb–Hf–O isotope measurements were made on the zircons. Zircons from both the chromitite and the intrusive granitoids show concordant U–Pb ages of ca. 2.97–2.95 Ga. In contrast, Hf and O isotopic analyses indicate that zircons in the chromitites have a different origin from those in the intrusive granitoids. Zircons from granitoids yielded Th/U ratios higher than 0.2, initial Hf isotope ratios of 0.2805 – 0.2807 (i.e., initial εHf value of − 11 to − 5), and δ18O values of mostly 6.0‰–7.0‰, which are typical for felsic igneous rocks in Archean continental crust. The least altered zircons from a chromitite exhibited initial Hf isotope ratios of 0.28078 – 0.28084 (i.e., initial εHf value of − 1.1 to − 0.4), close the chondritic value at ca. 3.0 Ga and the depleted mantle at ca. 3.2 Ga. These zircons also have δ18O values of 4.2‰–6.1‰ which correspond to typical mantle values. The other chromitite zircons yielded Th/U ratios lower than 0.1, and Hf and O isotopic compositions ranging between the least altered zircons and the intrusive granitoid zircons. These results indicate that the zircons in the chromitites crystallized before or during the 2.97–2.95 Ga granitoid intrusion and most of the zircons were altered by subsequent metasomatism. Furthermore, the present results suggest that zircons in the chromitites originally had depleted Hf isotopic compositions at ca. 3.2–3.0 Ga. This can be explained by two different models of the evolution of the UNL unit. One is that if the UNL unit was formed at > 3.81 Ga as previously thought, with the zircons in the chromitites subsequently being precipitated by ca. 3.2–2.95 Ga during metamorphism or metasomatism. The other model is that the UNL unit itself was actually formed at ca. 3.2–3.0 Ga, with zircon in the chromitite representing the crystallisation age of the unit, which was then tectonically incorporated into the ca. 3.81 Ga orthogneiss prior to the 2.97–2.95 Ga granitoid intrusion event. In either case, our zircon analyses reveal significant evolutionary history prior to depleted mantle Hf model ages of 3.2–2.95 Ga. Revision of the geotectonic evolution of the UNL unit and the Itsaq Gneiss Complex is therefore required.

Petrogenesis of the Triassic andesites in the East Kunlun Orogen, East Tethys: implications for crustal maturation within an extensional setting

The tectonic and crustal evolution of the East Kunlun Orogen in the Triassic remains unclear. We investigated the Triassic andesites (235 and 216 Ma) to investigate these issues. The Mid- and Late Triassic andesites are calc-alkaline with enriched Sr–Nd isotopic compositions: ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) i = 0.709210–0.709758 and ε Nd ( t ) = −8.0 to −6.9. The Mid-Triassic andesites have higher Mg, Cr and Ni contents and more depleted Hf isotopic compositions ( ε Hf ( t ) = −4.2 to 1.3) than the Late Triassic andesites ( ε Hf ( t ) = −7.4 to −5.8). These features are explained by the derivation of magma from partial melting of the mafic lower continental crust, although minor lithospheric mantle materials are also involved in the Mid-Triassic andesites. The andesites were generated in extensional settings related to slab break-off in the Mid-Triassic and lithospheric delamination in the Late Triassic, respectively. The Late Triassic magmatic suites are higher in K and represent a more mature continental crust, indicating that crustal reworking in extensional settings contributes to crustal maturation. In combination with the regional magmatic, structural and sedimentary records, we propose that the East Kunlun Orogen evolved from oceanic subduction in the Late Permian to Mid-Triassic through continental collision in the Mid-Triassic to post-collision in the Late Triassic.

High-magnesium igneous associations record final-stage geodynamic process of the southeastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Much controversy exists regarding the evolution and termination of accretionary orogens where typical continent-continent collision features are lacking. The Central Asian Orogenic Belt provides a key opportunity to explore the genetic relationships between the formation of high-Mg igneous associations and the evolution of accretionary orogens. In this study, two-stage Triassic magmatic events were identified in the southeastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (including ca. 247 Ma andesites and ca. 222 Ma diorites), through precise secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and laser ablation−inductively coupled plasma−mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) zircon dating. The Olenekian andesites show typical sanukitoid affinities with high TiO2, MgO, Ni, and Cr contents, and enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs; K, Ba, and Sr). They yield depleted Hf isotopic compositions and high δ18O values, which along with Hf-O isotope modeling results indicate that they originated from the partial melting of mantle wedge peridotites with input of 20% terrigenous sediments. The Norian diorites have moderate SiO2, relatively high MgO, Cr, and Ni contents, Mg# values of 63−65, high Sr, low Y and Yb contents, relevant high La/Yb ratios, and negligible Eu anomalies, which makes them comparable to high-Mg andesites with adakitic affinity. Their depleted isotopic compositions are similar to coeval A-type granites that resulted from lithospheric delamination after the final collision. In addition, with high K2O/Na2O ratios and incompatible element ratios similar to those of the continental crust (e.g., Nb/U, Ce/Pb, and Nd/Sm), they conform to an origin in which partial melting of delaminated mafic lower crust subsequently interacted with mantle materials. These two-stage abnormal Triassic high-Mg rocks archive a hot slab window triggered by the break-off of the Paleo-Asian oceanic slab and lower crustal delamination related to collapse of the southeastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. These findings provide beneficial information for the reconstruction of the East Asian blocks in Pangea.

Episodic Paleozoic Adakitic Magmatism in the Eastern Tianshan, Southern Altaids: Implications for Petrogenesis and Geodynamics

AbstractThe adakites rocks are typically considered as direct diagnostic evidence for subduction and continental growth, as well as the important evidence to determine the location of the major oceanic basin and evolution history of lost oceanic basins, which are longstanding conundrums for understanding the tectonics of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean (PAO). As the processor of the Altaids, the PAO was a long‐lived ocean, and its multiple subductions led to substantial continental growth in the Central Asian continent. Here we report our newly discovered Paleozoic adakitic rocks (granite and dacite) developed in Jijitaizi in the Eastern Tianshan of the southern Altaids to address the above issues. The Jijitaizi granite and dacite contain high concentrations of Sr (203–343 ppm) and low concentrations of Y (3.00–6.36 ppm) and Yb (0.23–0.62 ppm), indicative of the adakitic affinity. Zircon U‐Pb dating results show that the adakitic rocks were formed in three episodes at 372.26 ± 1.51 Ma, 356.02 ± 1.11 Ma and 334.51 ± 0.68 Ma from the Late Devonian to Carboniferous. The rocks are depleted in Nb, P and Ti, and possess variable Mg#values (28.51–57.22), high Na2O/K2O ratios (1.39–4.94), as well as relatively depleted Hf isotopic compositions, all of which point to a subduction origin from slab melting. Our new finding with the date from the Jijitaizi complex (ca. 321 Ma) suggests continuing subduction of the Paleo‐Asian oceanic slab beneath the Central Tianshan from the Late Devonian to Carboniferous. Our work provides a solid line of key evidence demonstrating that continuous oceanic subduction of the major PAO evolved into its mature stage following subducting beneath the Central Tianshan from ca. 372 to 321 Ma.

Magmatic Evolution following Damp Tholeiitic and Wet Calc-alkaline Liquid Lines of Descent: an Eastern Pontides (NE Turkey) Example

AbstractAssociations between tholeiitic and calc-alkaline arc magmatism with close spatial and temporal relationships can provide critical constraints on magma genesis and allow the reconstruction of subduction polarity at convergent margins. This study identifies two compositionally distinct intrusive series from the Yusufeli region in the Eastern Pontides arc, NE Turkey. The intrusive rocks from the Yusufeli intrusive complex were emplaced at 179–170 Ma and are dominated by the low- to medium-K tholeiitic series, with depleted Hf isotopic compositions. In contrast, the intrusive rocks from the Camlikaya intrusive complex were emplaced at 151–147 Ma and are characterized by the medium- to high-K calc-alkaline series, with relatively enriched Hf isotopic compositions. The Al-in-hornblende geobarometer reveals that the magmas of both intrusive complexes crystallized at upper crustal levels (∼150–250 MPa, ∼5–8 km). The presence of patchy-textured plagioclase and the widespread occurrence of coeval dykes and magmatic mafic enclaves indicate that the two intrusive complexes are derived from multiple magma pulses in open magmatic systems. The mineral crystallization order of amphibole and plagioclase, the trace elemental signatures (e.g. Sr/Y and Y), and rare earth element modeling collectively suggest that the Yusufeli intrusive complex was dominated by plagioclase and clinopyroxene fractionation with earlier plagioclase crystallization than amphibole, whereas the Camlikaya intrusive complex was dominated by the fractionation of amphibole accompanied by co-crystallization of plagioclase. Such significant differences in the fractionating mineral assemblages at comparable intrusion pressures can be attributed to different initial H2O contents of the Yusufeli and Camlikaya parental magmas, which ultimately control their distinct liquid lines of descent. In accord with thermodynamic modeling results derived using the Rhyolite-MELTS software, we propose that the Yusufeli intrusive rocks are derived from damp (∼1–2 wt% H2O) parental magmas formed dominantly by decompression melting of mantle wedge in a back-arc setting. In contrast, the wet parental magmas (>∼2 wt% H2O) of Camlikaya intrusive rocks are more hydrous and formed through flux melting of suprasubduction-zone mantle wedge. This conclusion, combined with the back-arc basin related Jurassic sedimentary and structural records previously determined in the Southern Zone of the Eastern Pontides, indicates that the geochemical compositions and spatial relationship of the Yusufeli and Camlikaya intrusive complexes are preferably explained by the southward subduction of the Paleotethys oceanic lithosphere in the Early to Late Jurassic.

Mantle sources of kimberlites through time: A U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotope study of zircon megacrysts from the Siberian diamond fields

A comprehensive, internally consistent U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotope data set for 93 mantle-derived zircons from the Yakutian kimberlite province confirms and further refines the four major episodes of kimberlite magmatism on the Siberian craton: 421–409 Ma (Late Silurian-Early Devonian), 358–353 Ma (Late Devonian-Early Carboniferous), 226–218 Ma (Late Triassic), and 161–144 Ma (Middle-Late Jurassic). The relatively narrow, constant range of εHf values between +2 and +10 for both the Paleozoic and Mesozoic mantle-derived zircons (and by inference kimberlites) suggests that the volatile-rich magmas were repeatedly sourced from the convecting upper mantle beneath the Siberian craton. This finding is in keeping with the narrow and constant range of εNd values for groundmass perovskites from the Yakutian kimberlite province between +1.8 and +5.5 between 420 and 150 Ma. Our preferred model implies that the convecting upper mantle beneath the Yakutian kimberlite province ‘recovered’ rapidly back to ambient conditions shortly after the giant plume-related flood volcanic event that produced the Siberian Traps at 250 Ma. Although close spatial relationships exist between kimberlites and flood basalts on the Siberian craton during both the Paleozoic and Mesozoic, exact timing of the igneous events and the isotopic compositions of the diverse deep-sourced melting products rule out any direct genetic links.Besides the highly economic kimberlite-hosted diamond deposits of Late Devonian age (e.g., Mir and Udachnaya), the Siberian craton also contains significant Mesozoic placer diamond deposits (e.g., along the Anabar river), for which lamproite sources have been suggested recently. Our study shows that mantle-derived zircon megacryst fragments from the Ebelyakh placer deposit have Late Triassic ages of ca. 224 Ma. Their long-term depleted Hf isotopic compositions (+8.5 εHf) suggest that the alluvial diamonds were sourced from asthenosphere-derived Triassic kimberlites rather than from lithospheric mantle derived isotopically enriched lamproites.

Early Cretaceous bimodal volcanic rocks in the southern Lhasa terrane, south Tibet: Age, petrogenesis and tectonic implications

Limited geochronological and geochemical data from Early Cretaceous igneous rocks of the Gangdese Belt have resulted in a dispute regarding the subduction history of Neo-Tethyan Ocean. To approach this issue, we performed detailed in-situ zircon U–Pb and Hf isotopic, whole-rock elemental and Sr–Nd isotopic analyses on Late Mesozoic volcanic rocks exposed in the Liqiongda area, southern Lhasa terrane. These volcanic rocks are calc-alkaline series, dominated by basalts, basaltic andesites, and subordinate rhyolites, with a bimodal suite. The LA–ICPMS zircon U–Pb dating results of the basaltic andesites and rhyolites indicate that these volcanic rocks erupted during the Early Cretaceous (137–130Ma). The basaltic rocks are high-alumina (average>17wt.%), enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and light rare earth elements (LREEs), and depleted in high field strength elements (HFSEs), showing subduction-related characteristics. They display highly positive zircon εHf(t) values (+10.0 to +16.3) and whole-rock εNd(t) values (+5.38 to +7.47). The silicic suite is characterized by low Al2O3 (<15.4wt.%), Mg# (<40), and TiO2 (<0.3wt.%) abundances; enriched and variable concentrations of LILEs and REEs; and strongly negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu*=0.08–0.19), as well as depleted Hf isotopic compositions (εHf(t)=+4.9 to +16.4) and Nd isotopic compositions (εNd(t)=+5.26 to +6.71). Consequently, we envision a process of basaltic magmas similar to that of MORB extracted from a source metasomatized by slab-derived components for the petrogenesis of mafic rocks, whereas the subsequent mafic magma underplating triggered partial melting of the juvenile crust to generate acidic magma. Our results confirm the presence of Early Cretaceous volcanism in the southern Lhasa terrane. Combined with the distribution of the contemporary magmatism, deformation style, and sedimentary characteristics in the Lhasa terrane, we favor the suggestion that the Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere was flat-lying beneath the Lhasa terrane during the Early Cretaceous.

Petrogenesis of Permian A-type granitoids in the Cihai iron ore district, Eastern Tianshan, NW China: Constraints on the timing of iron mineralization and implications for a non-plume tectonic setting

The geochronology and geochemistry of granitoids in the Eastern Tianshan, NW China provide important constraints on the timing of iron mineralization, as well as in understanding evolution history of the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Here we present results from a detailed study on granitoid rocks from the Cihai iron ore district in the Beishan region, southern part of the Eastern Tianshan. The granitoid rocks are composed of granodiorite, quartz monzonite, granite, and monzonite. Zircon U–Pb analyses yielded the ages of 294.1±2.2Ma, 286.5±0.7Ma, 284.3±3.3Ma, and 265.6±3.0Ma, respectively, suggesting they were formed in Early–Middle Permian. Among these granitoid rocks, the ages of quartz monzonite and granite are close to the timing of iron mineralization (~282Ma), indicating they may provide a source of iron in the Cihai ore district.Geochemically, the granodiorite, granite, and quartz monzonite samples are characterized by high FeOt/(FeOt+MgO) and Ga/Al ratios (0.84–0.94 and 2.28–3.27, respectively), as well as high zircon saturation temperatures (781–908°C), similar to those of typical A-type granitoids. Isotopically, they display consistently depleted Hf isotopic compositions (εHf(t)=+1.18 to +15.37). Geological, geochemical, and isotopic data suggest that the Cihai A-type granitoids were derived from melting of juvenile lower crust.Some Early Permian A-type granitoids were recently identified in the Tarim and Eastern Tianshan with the ages between 294 and 269Ma. The A-type granitoids in the Eastern Tianshan formed earlier between 294–284Ma and exhibit characteristics of A2 type granitoids, whereas the A-type granitoids in the Tarim formed later between 277–269Ma and show A1 granitoids affinity. We suggest that the Permian Tarim mantle plume does not account for the formation of the A-type granitoids in the Eastern Tianshan area, and the Eastern Tianshan was in a non-plume tectonic setting during Early Permian time. A slab break-off event has been suggested as the possible tectonic mechanism that triggered the formation of Early Permian A-type granitoids in the Eastern Tianshan.

Geochemical constraints on the protoliths of eclogites and blueschists from North Qilian, northern Tibet

An integrated study of whole-rock geochemistry, mineral O isotope geochemistry and zirconology was carried out for low-temperature eclogites and blueschists from the North Qilian orogen in northern Tibet. The results demonstrate that these oceanic-type eclogites and blueschists were produced by metamorphism of backarc basin basalts rather than mid-ocean ridge basalts as commonly thought. These high pressure metabasites show significant heterogeneity in their major and trace element compositions, varying from island arc basalts-like, mid-ocean ridge basalts-like to oceanic island basalts-like, respectively, in trace element distribution diagrams. Such variable compositions are comparable with those of backarc basin basalts at different stages. Whole-rock Nd isotope analyses indicate that the compositional difference between the metabasite protoliths can be ascribed to involvement of different amounts of subducted sediment-derived melts in the backarc mantle. Oxygen isotope fractionations between coexisting minerals are not at equilibrium; garnet O isotope analyses indicate that whole-rock δ18O values are either higher or lower than normal mantle value, which is attributable to seawater-hydrothermal alteration during seafloor spreading to open the backarc basin. Relict magmatic zircon domains show oscillatory zoning, high Th and U contents, high Th/U ratios, and steep HREE patterns, with protolith U–Pb ages of 486–496Ma. Metamorphic zircon domains exhibit lowered Th, U and HREE contents and Th/U ratios than the relict magmatic domains and contain mineral inclusions of omphacite, rutile and phengite, giving concordant U–Pb ages of 463±10Ma for eclogite-facies metamorphism. Zircons have markedly depleted Hf isotope compositions with Hf model ages slightly or significantly older than the protolith ages, suggesting incorporation of crustal components into the magma sources of these metabasite protoliths. Most zircons have δ18O values different from normal mantle values, and the distinct zircon O isotopes in different samples are in accordance with garnet δ18O values for the same sample, pointing to a localized fluid source for the metamorphism. Therefore, the different metabasites with different compositions were metamorphosed from different basaltic rocks generated in a backarc basin in the early Paleozoic. Their occurrence in the same region indicates that a backarc basin was transformed to an oceanic subduction zone where eclogite-facies metamorphism occurred.

The anatectic effect on the zircon Hf isotope composition of migmatites and associated granites

Zircon Hf isotope composition is widely used to trace the growth and evolution of continental crust. However, it is controversial whether the Hf isotope composition of magmatic zircons can faithfully reflect that of their sources, especially for S-type granites. In order to provide an insight into this issue, we have revisited the published Lu–Hf isotope data of zircons from well-studied migmatites and associated granites in the Sulu orogen and the Cathaysian terrane, respectively. The results show greatly elevated 176Hf/177Hf ratios (by more than 10ε units) for newly grown zircon domains compared to the relict zircon domains. This indicates considerable contributions from non-zircon Hf to anatectic melts during crustal anatexis and subsequent magmatism. Furthermore, this more radiogenic Hf isotope signature was not erased during magmatic processes such as crystal fractionation during melt ascent and emplacement. The budget of Hf isotopes in source rocks with respect to mineral Lu/Hf ratios suggests the involvement of Hf-bearing major minerals in anatectic reactions by dissolving Hf-bearing major minerals into the anatectic melts. The significant Hf isotope variations in some anatectic and magmatic zircon domains from the migmatites and granites suggest not only the source heterogeneity but also the variable non-zircon Hf contributions. As such, the Hf isotope compositions of anatectic and magmatic zircons are substantially dictated by the mass balance between the non-zircon Hf from anatectic reactions and the zircon-Hf from the dissolution of protolith zircons into the anatectic melts. They are primarily controlled by P-T conditions and mechanism of crustal anatexis, and the magmatic processes during melt evolution. The present study highlights the important contribution of non-zircon Hf to the anatectic and magmatic zircon domains. In this regard, the greatly elevated 176Hf/177Hf ratios for newly grown zircon domains in the migmatites and granites cannot reflect the Hf isotope compositions of their source rocks. Such a deviation must be kept in mind when linking relatively depleted Hf isotope compositions to the nature of source rocks in petrogenetic interpretation and to the growth of continental crust. The contribution of non-zircon Hf can also better account for the variable Hf isotope compositions often shown by zircons from S-type granites.

Sm-Nd and Lu-Hf isotope and trace-element systematics of Mesoarchaean amphibolites, inner Ameralik fjord, southern West Greenland

AbstractFragmented supracrustal rocks are typical components of Archaean high-grade gneiss terranes, such as those in the North Atlantic Craton. Here we present the first major, trace element and Nd-Hf isotope data for amphibolites collected in the yet poorly studied southern inner Ameralik fjord region of southern West Greenland. In addition, new U-Pb zircon ages were obtained from the surrounding TTG gneisses.Based on their trace-element patterns, two different groups of amphibolites can be distinguished. Following screening for post-magmatic alteration and outlying ε values, a reduced sample set defines a147Sm/143Nd regression age of 3038 Ma ±310 Ma (MSWD = 9.2) and a176Lu/176Hf regression age of 2867 ±160 Ma (MSWD = 5.5). Initial εNd2970Mavalues of the least-altered amphibolites range from 0.0 to +5.7 and initial εHf2970Ma range from +0.7 to +10.4, indicating significant isotopic heterogeneity of their mantle sources with involvement of depleted domains as well as crustal sources.Surprisingly, the amphibolites which are apparently most evolved and incompatible element-rich have the most depleted Hf-isotope compositions. This apparent paradox may be explained by the sampling of a local mantle source region with ancient previous melt depletion, which was re-enriched by a fluid component during subduction zone volcanism or alternatively by preferential melting of an ancient pyroxenite component in the mantle source of the enriched rocks.

Geochemical transition shown by Cretaceous granitoids in southeastern China: Implications for continental crustal reworking and growth

Zircon U–Pb ages and in-situ trace elements and Hf–O isotope compositions, together with whole rock geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data, are presented for Cretaceous granitoids in southeastern (SE) China in order to establish their origin and the evolution of the underlying lithosphere during the Late Mesozoic. Two stages of Cretaceous magmatism, with contrasting geochemical features, have been identified: an earlier adakite-like biotite granite as represented by the Shangying pluton and a later enclave-bearing monzogranite as represented by the Zaoshan pluton. The Shangying biotite granites have a zircon U–Pb age of 99±1Ma. They have relatively low Y and Yb contents, with high La/Yb and Sr/Y ratios, showing geochemical features of adakite. Their Sr–Nd–Hf isotope compositions are similar to those of Early Cretaceous mafic rocks in the same area, indicating that they were generated by partial melting of juvenile granulitic crust at a depth of about 40km. The source was formed by underplating of enriched lithosphere mantle-derived magmas. In contrast, the Zaoshan calc-alkaline monzogranites, their enclaves and associated dolerite dykes from the Zaoshan pluton have an emplacement age of ~88±1Ma. The dolerites have high MgO contents, relatively low SiO2 concentrations and low La/Yb ratios, and depleted Hf isotope compositions. All these geochemical features suggest that they were derived from a depleted spinel Iherzolite mantle source. The enclaves have high SiO2 contents, indicating that they were derived from a crustal source. They have variable zircon Hf and O isotope compositions, suggesting that two components, i.e., a high εHf(t) and a low δ18O component and a low εHf(t) and high δ18O component, were involved in their origin. The high zircon εHf(t) values and low δ18O values are similar to those of the dolerites, indicating a common source. Thus, we suggest that the enclaves were generated by partial melting of newly underplated depleted mantle-derived materials. The monzogranites have distinctly different zircon Hf and O isotope compositions from the enclaves, indicating that the parental magmas were mainly derived from ancient crust that interacted with underplated depleted mantle-derived magmas. The monzogranites have relatively high HREE contents, suggesting a garnet-free source (<32km), distinct from the Early Cretaceous adakite-like granites that were generated from a garnet-bearing source. Combined with previously published data, it is evident that Early Cretaceous adakite-like magmatic rocks (107–99Ma) and associated mafic rocks (100–107Ma) were widespread in SE China, indicating a crustal thickening event that was possibly induced by underplating of mantle-derived magma. Subsequently, between 99 and 87Ma, crustal extension and lithospheric thinning induced the later widespread I-type granites with similar geochemical features to the Zaoshan pluton. A-type granites and syenites of this age are also present in SE China. The transition in geochemical and isotopic data, from enriched to depleted Hf isotope compositions as seen in the monzogranites, their enclaves and intrusive dolerites, suggest that depleted mantle-derived materials were involved in the generation of the monzogranites, further indicating continental crustal reworking and later crustal growth in SE China during the early Late Cretaceous.

Origin of volcanic ash beds across the Permian–Triassic boundary, Daxiakou, South China: Petrology and U–Pb age, trace elements and Hf-isotope composition of zircon

Abundant volcanic ash layers, largely altered to clay, characterize the Permian–Triassic boundary beds of the Daxiakou section, South China. Volcanism may have had an important role in the Permian–Triassic mass extinction, so it is important to understand the origin of these ash beds. The lithology of ash bed 260, as constrained by modes of crystal fragments (66.7% plagioclase, 7.2% alkali feldspar, and 26.1% quartz), suggests that the ash represents dacitic volcanism. The U–Pb ages, trace elements and Hf-isotope compositions of zircons from ten ash beds have been analyzed using LA-ICPMS and LA-MC-ICPMS. The zircons can be divided into two groups: magmatic zircons (~97%, 227–279Ma) and inherited zircons (~3%, 678–2424Ma). Magmatic zircons have Y, Hf, Th and U contents and Nb/Ta ratios typical of zircons from silicic calc-alkaline volcanism. εHf(t) values of magmatic zircons vary from −10.9 to +5.3, implying magmatic mixing between juvenile crustal material (probably Neoproterozoic in age) and ancient crustal material (probably Archean). Beds 252–259-b have relatively depleted Hf-isotope compositions with εHf(t) values of −10.9–+5.3 and averages of −5.0–−2.5, while other beds have εHf(t) values of −10.8–+4.4 (mostly −10.8–−3.5) and averages of −8.9–−6.8, implying more input of juvenile crustal material in the volcanism of Beds 252–259-b. Integration of the Hf-isotope and trace-element compositions of magmatic zircons suggests that the volcanism producing the ashes took place along the convergent continent margins during the formation of the Pangea supercontinent. This intense silicic volcanism may have played an important role in causing the Permian–Triassic mass extinction in South China.

Petrogenesis of Early to Middle Jurassic granitoid rocks from the Gangdese belt, Southern Tibet: Implications for early history of the Neo-Tethys

The Gangdese belt, Tibet, records the opening and closure of the Neo-Tethyan ocean and the resultant collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates. Mesozoic magmatic rocks generated through subduction of the Tethyan oceanic slab constitute the main component of the Gangdese belt, and play a crucial role in understanding the formation and evolution of the Neo-Tethyan tectonic realm. U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic data for tonalite and granodiorite from the Xietongmen–Nymo segment of the Gangdese belt indicate a significant pulse of Jurassic magmatism from 184Ma to 168Ma. The magmatic rocks belong to metaluminous medium-K calc-alkaline series, characterized by regular variation in major element compositions with SiO2 of 61.35%–73.59%, low to moderate MgO (0.31%–2.59%) with Mg# of 37–45. These magmatic rocks are also characterized by LREE enrichment with concave upward trend in MREE on the chondrite-normalized REE patterns, and also LILE enrichment and depletion in Nb, Ta and Ti in the primitive mantle normalized spidergrams. These rocks have high zircon εHf(t) values of +10.94 to +15.91 and young two-stage depleted mantle model ages (TDM2) of 192Ma to 670Ma. The low MgO contents and relatively depleted Hf isotope compositions suggest that the granitoid rocks were derived from the partial melting of the juvenile basaltic lower crust with minor mantle materials injected. In combination with the published data, it is suggested that northward subduction of the Neo-Tethyan slab beneath the Lhasa terrane began by the Late-Triassic, which formed a major belt of arc-related magmatism.

Evolution of the Solonker suture zone: Constraints from zircon U–Pb ages, Hf isotopic ratios and whole-rock Nd–Sr isotope compositions of subduction- and collision-related magmas and forearc sediments

The Solonker zone in northern Inner Mongolia (China) is considered as the suture between the North China Craton and the South Mongolian microcontinent. Two magmatic belts are recognized along the suture zone: a subduction-related magmatic belt (represented by the Baolidao arc rocks), and a younger, collision-related granite belt (represented by the Halatu granites). We use zircon U–Pb ages, zircon in-situ Hf isotopic analyses and whole-rock Nd–Sr isotopic data of the two magmatic belts and related forearc sediments (the Xilinhot metamorphic complex) to constrain timing of the suturing and to discuss the petrogenesis of the magmatic rocks. A gabbroic diorite (BLD-1) of the Baolidao arc was dated at 310 ± 5 Ma (by SHRIMP). This sample shows an ε Nd( t) value of +2.5 and I Sr of 0.7052. Hf isotopic analyses on 25 zircons from the same sample show ε Hf( t) = +5.4 to +11.5. Another diorite sample (XH-2) of the same arc from south of Xilinhot displays even more “depleted” isotopic compositions, with ε Nd( t) = +5.6 and I Sr = 0.7037. The main population of zircons from this sample have highly variable and depleted Hf isotopic compositions (ε Hf( t) = 0–18.3). The large variation in Hf isotopic composition of zircons (with largely the same crystallization age) from a single pluton is explained by a mixing process between depleted mantle-derived magma and continental crust in an active continental arc setting. The Halatu granite (HLT-2) was dated at 234 ± 7 Ma (by SHRIMP). Zircons from the granite also show a large variation of ε Hf( t) values (+9.1 to −26), despite most samples having whole-rock ε Hf( t) > +2. The large variation in ε Hf( t) values suggests that the granite formed probably by partial melting of two source regions – a dominant juvenile crust and a subordinate old continental crust. Most zircons from the Xilinhot metamorphic complex show ages comparable with those of the Baolidao arc rocks, suggesting that the protolith of the metamorphic complex was probably deposited during or after arc magmatism. Some zircons, however, show Precambrian ages that fall into two groups: one with ages of 780–900 Ma, resembling those from the South Mongolian microcontinent, and the other with ages of 1524–2900 Ma, similar to those of the North China Craton. Thus, the protolith of the metamorphic complex probably formed in a forearc basin during convergence of the two continents, and metamorphosed subsequently during collision in the late Paleozoic. Our zircon age data thus constrain timing of collision between the South Mongolian microcontinent and the North China Craton to have been between 296 and 234 Ma.

Hf isotope constraints on mantle sources and shallow‐level contaminants during Kerguelen hot spot activity since ∼120 Ma

We report new Hf isotopic data for basalts from the Kerguelen large igneous province (LIP) obtained using high‐precision multicollector inductively coupled mass spectrometry (MC‐ICP‐MS) analysis. All drill sites from the southern Indian Ocean Kerguelen Plateau–Broken Ridge, in addition to two volcanic suites from the Kerguelen Archipelago, are represented. These new data are integrated with other recently reported geochemical data for this LIP. We examine the geochemical signatures of the mantle sources and shallow‐level contaminants present during the past ∼120 Ma history of Kerguelen hot spot activity. Our results highlight the contribution of distinct mantle source compositions during Cretaceous (Kerguelen Plateau and Broken Ridge) and Cenozoic (northernmost Kerguelen Plateau and Kerguelen Archipelago) magmatism arising from melting of the Kerguelen plume head and plume tail, respectively. The Cretaceous Kerguelen plume basalts have primitive mantle‐like Pb, Sr, and Nd isotopic compositions and moderately depleted Hf isotopic compositions and are different from the Cenozoic plume basalts, which extend to more radiogenic Pb isotopic compositions. Neodymium and Hf isotopes are decoupled in Kerguelen plume‐derived rocks, and this, in combination with their Pb isotopic compositions, implies that the Kerguelen plume contains small amounts of ancient pelagic sediment mixed with old, recycled enriched oceanic crust. Different contributions from pelagic sediments relative to oceanic crust are able to account for the distinction between the isotopic compositions of the Cretaceous and Cenozoic mantle plume sources. Assimilation of shallow‐level continental crust, left stranded in the Indian Ocean during Gondwana breakup, by plume‐derived magmas was the dominant process recorded in Cretaceous Kerguelen Plateau basalts. During the Cenozoic, magmas from the Kerguelen plume mixed to varying degrees with local, Indian Ocean depleted upper mantle and assimilated the overlying Cretaceous Kerguelen Plateau lithosphere. Despite the geochemical heterogeneity of the Kerguelen LIP, we find evidence for a finite number of components involved in the genesis of Kerguelen Plateau–Broken Ridge and Kerguelen Archipelago rocks.