Diabase Dikes Research Articles

Mineralchemistry and thermobarometry of Jurassic diabase dikes swarm from West Reza-Abad (South West of Biarjomand)

Mineralchemistry and thermobarometry of Jurassic diabase dikes swarm from West Reza-Abad (South West of Biarjomand)

Diabase-hosted copper mineralization in the Qunjsai deposit, West Tianshan, NW China: Geological, geochemical and geochronological characteristics and mineralization mechanism

The Qunjsai copper deposit in West Tianshan, Xinjiang, NW China, with a reserve of 7.5 million metric tons of ore grading 0.57 wt% Cu, is characterized by mineralization occurring as sparsely disseminated chalcopyrite, bornite and chalcocite in a diabase dike. The deposit is different from most magmatic-hydrothermal Cu deposits in that the mineralization is mostly constrained to the dike and is not associated with extensive wall rock alteration. On the other hand, the deposit differs from typical orthomagmatic deposits in that it lacks significant Ni and PGE mineralization. Zircon grains from a diabase sample yield a weighted 206Pb/238U age of 289.9 ± 1.4 Ma, which is broadly coeval with the Re–Os isochron age of 307 ± 10 Ma from six Cu concentrate samples (mixture of bornite+chalcopyrite+chalcocite with an average Cu grade of 29%), suggesting that they are coeval. Petrochemical studies suggest that the diabase dikes in the Qunjsai area were derived from a subduction-related, fluid-metasomatized sub-continental lithospheric mantle, with assimilation of crustal materials in a post-collisional extensional setting. Measured δ34S (−3.8 to 0.8‰ CDT) and lead isotopes of sulfides, as well as initial 187Os/188Os ratios of Cu concentrates (0.42 ± 0.19) are consistent with the notion that the sulfur and metals were derived from a mantle source and were contaminated by crustal components. The flat patterns of mantle-normalized chalcophile element diagrams are comparable with those from typical orthomagmatic Ni–Cu sulfide deposits. Based on these data, we propose that the Qunjsai deposit is of orthomagmatic origin, the depletion of Ni and PGE, being due to source rocks originally rich in Cu and to segregation of a Cu-rich sulfide melt from a Ni-rich sulfide melt. This orthomagmatic mineralization was followed by hydrothermal alteration (mainly chlorite and epidote alteration) by magmatic fluids, which may have introduced additional amounts of Cu and S and reworked the magmatic sulfides.

Origin of 1.8 Ga zircons in Post Eocene mafic dikes in the Roshtkhar area, NE Iran

ABSTRACTThe Roshtkhar area is located in the Khaf-Kashmar-Bardaskan volcano-plutonic belt to the northeastern Iran along the regional E–W trending Dorouneh Fault, northeastern of the Lut Block. There are several outcrops of subvolcanic rocks occurring mainly as dikes in the area, which intruded into Cenozoic intrusive rocks. We present U–Pb dating of zircons from a diabase dike and syenite rock using LA-ICP-MS that yielded an age of 1778 ± 10 Ma for the dike, indicating this Cenozoic dike has zircon xenocrysts inherited from deeper sources; and 38.0 ± 0.5 Ma, indicating an Late Eocene crystallization age for the syenite. Geochemically, the dikes typical of high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic magmas. Petrographic observations and major and trace element variations suggest that diabase melts underwent variable fractionation of clinopyroxene, olivine, and Fe-Ti oxides and minor crustal contamination during the differentiation process. Primitive mantle-normalized multi-element diagrams display enrichment in LILE, such as Rb, Ba, Th, U, and Sr compared to HFSE, as well as negative anomalies of Nb, Ta, P, and Ti, suggesting derivation from subduction-modified mantle. Chondrite-normalized REE plots show moderately LREE enriched patterns (<3.83 LaN/YbN <8.27), and no significant Eu anomalies. Geochemical modelling using Sm/Yb versus La/Yb and La/Sm ratios suggests a low-degree of batch melting (~1–3%) of a phlogopite-spinel peridotite source to generate the mafic dikes. The geochemical signatures suggest that the Roshtkhar mafic dikes cannot be related directly to subduction and likely resulted from melting of upper mantle in an extensional setting where the heat flow was provided from deeper levels. These dikes presumably derived the zircon xenocrysts from the assimilation of upper crust of Gondwanian basement. Processes responsible for partial melting of metasomatized lithospheric mantle and post-collision magmatism in NE Iran was triggered by heating due to asthenospheric upwelling in an extensional setting.

Petrogenesis of Cretaceous volcanic-intrusive complex from the giant Yanbei tin deposit, South China: Implication for multiple magma sources, tin mineralization, and geodynamic setting

The giant Yanbei tin ore deposit is the largest porphyry-type tin deposit in South China. The orebodies are hosted by the granite porphyry in the central part of the Yanbei volcanic basin in southern Jiangxi Province. The Yanbei volcanic-intrusive complex mainly consists of dacitic-rhyolitic volcanic rocks, granite, granite porphyry and diabase dikes. In previous papers, the granite porphyry was considered as subvolcanic rocks, which came from the same single magma chamber with the volcanic rocks. In this study, zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotope data, as well as whole-rock geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of different magmatic units in the Yanbei complex are reported. Geochronologic results show that various magmatic units have different formation ages. The dacite yielded a zircon U-Pb age of 143±1Ma, and the granite porphyry has the emplacement age of 138±1Ma. Diabase dikes which represented the final stage of magmatism, yielded a zircon U-Pb age of 128±1Ma. Distinctive whole rock Sr-Nd and zircon Hf isotopic compositions suggest that these magmatic units were derived from different magma sources. The volcanic rocks were mainly derived from the partial melting of Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks without additions of mantle-derived magma. The granite porphyry has an A-type geochemical affinity, and was derived from remelting of Paleo-Mesoproterozoic crustal source with involvement of a subordinate mantle-derived magma. The granite porphyry is also a typical stanniferous granite with high F (4070–6090ppm) and Sn (7–39ppm) contents. It underwent strongly crystal fractionation of plagioclase, K-feldspar, and accessory minerals (like apatite, Fe-Ti oxides), which may contribute to the tin mineralization. The diabase was derived by partial melting of enriched lithospheric mantle which had been metasomatised by slab-derived fluids. The change of magmatic sources reflected an increasing extensional tectonic environment, perhaps induced by slab rollback of subducted paleo-Pacific plate.

Magnetic fabrics of the Cretaceous dike swarms from São Paulo coastline (SE Brazil): Its relationship with South Atlantic Ocean opening

Magnetic fabric and rock magnetism studies were performed on 91 dikes from Cretaceous diabase and lamprophyre dike swarms that outcrop side by side on the beaches of NE São Paulo State coastline. The dikes crosscut Archean and Proterozoic poly-metamorphic rocks of the Costeiro Complex. Their thicknesses range from a few centimeters to 2m for lamprophyre and up to about 10m for the diabase. They trend predominantly N30°–60°E with vertical dip. Magnetic fabrics were determined using anisotropy of low-field magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and anisotropy of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (AARM). Rock-magnetism measurements reveal that magnetite grains in the range of 2–5μm are the magnetic mineral of both swarms. For most dikes, these grains are the carriers of bulk magnetic susceptibility but, surprisingly, are not responsible for the AMS which is carried by Fe-bearing minerals as shown by AARM. The main AMS fabric recognized in the swarms is due to magma flow, in which the Kmax-Kint plane is parallel to the dike's plane, and the magnetic foliation pole (Kmin) is perpendicular to it. The analysis of the Kmax inclination showed that the dikes were fed by horizontal to vertical flows. However, for the majority of the dikes the AMS and AARM tensors are not coaxial. The AARM lineation (AARMmax) is oriented N30–60W, approximately perpendicular to AMS lineation (Kmax) suggesting that magnetite grains were rotated approximately 90° anticlockwise from the dike plane. The AARMmax orientation is similar to the direction of a fault system mainly in the Santos marginal basin which was formed in the Cretaceous rifting during the South Atlantic opening. Therefore the AARM fabric is tectonic in origin, and the comparison of AMS and AARM fabrics suggests that lamprophyre and diabase dikes were emplaced in three distinct events in the earliest stages of the South Atlantic opening.

Composition and age of Jurassic diabase dikes in the Xiongcun porphyry copper–gold district, southern margin of the Lhasa terrane, Tibet, China: Petrogenesis and tectonic setting

Diabase dikes are extensively distributed in the Xiongcun porphyry copper–gold district in the southern margin of the Lhasa terrane. Here, we report zircon U–Pb ages determined by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) along with Hf isotopic, whole‐rock elemental, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic data for these diabase dikes. Zircons from one of the Xiongcun diabase dikes yielded an emplacement age of 165.3 ± 1.0 Ma. The Xiongcun diabase dikes display subalkaline features and tholeiite compositions. They are enriched in large‐ion lithophile elements (e.g., Rb, Ba, and K) and light rare earth elements and are depleted in high‐field‐strength elements (e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti). The Xiongcun diabase dikes exhibit relatively low ratios of (87Sr/86Sr)i(0.70386–0.70501), (206Pb/204Pb)i(18.15–18.40), (207Pb/204P)i(15.52–15.57), and (208Pb/204Pb)i(38.06–39.46) and relatively high values of εNd(t) (5.85–6.92) and εHf(t) (+12.58 to +14.03). Combined with previous research results, these findings suggest that the Xiongcun diabase dikes and Early Mesozoic magmatic rocks in the southern margin of the Lhasa terrane formed in an active continental margin magmatic arc setting related to the northward subduction of the Neo‐Tethys oceanic slab; however, the possibility that the Xiongcun diabase dikes were formed in an intra‐oceanic arc setting cannot be excluded. Their parental magmas were formed by the partial melting of the depleted mantle source that was modified by fluids released from the Neo‐Tethys oceanic slab. The magmas experienced fractional crystallization of olivine and clinopyroxene and underwent limited crustal contamination during magma emplacement. The ~165 Ma Xiongcun diabase dikes, which probably originated under an extensional stress condition in a magmatic arc setting, correspond to the timing of Middle Jurassic subduction‐related porphyry copper mineralization (161–172 Ma) in the southern margin of the Lhasa terrane, likely suggesting that this episode of mineralization occurred during a period of changing stress from compression to extension.

Magnetic susceptibility as a proxy for coal ash pollution within riverbed sediments in a watershed with complex geology (southeastern USA)

A study of near surface sediments from the Dan River (southeastern USA) was conducted to assess the use of magnetic properties as proxies of coal ash after a recent spill. The watershed geology is diverse and potentially contributes magnetic minerals to riverbed sediment from diabase dikes in the Dan River Triassic Basin and from granitic gneiss outside the basin. Coal ash is heterogeneous, including aluminosilicate spheres, amorphous particles and carbonaceous rods and lacy particles. The magnetic fraction of ash from the failed storage pond is up to 17 wt% and is mostly composed of black spheres with maghemite and magnetite. Ash was detected in riverbed sediment from quiet water settings such as inside of meander bends, the confluence of tributary streams and near islands between the spill site and 20 miles downstream in the Schoolfield Reservoir, Danville, VA. The strong magnetic signal is detected above background in riverbed samples and is strongly positively correlated with total ash; elevated low field magnetic susceptibility (χ LF) is evident in samples with ≥ 12% ash content. Anhysteretic remanent magnetization and hysteresis parameters delineate native sediment, ash-bearing sediment, and diabase dikes. Between 20 and 70 miles downstream of the spill site, ash concentrations were either buried or too low due to dilution with native sediment to be detected with χ LF in riverbed samples.

Geochronology and geochemistry of Early Devonian intrusions in the Qimantagh area, Northwest China: evidence for post-collisional slab break-off

ABSTRACTThe Qimantagh area of Northwest China lies in the western part of the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt and is characterized by extensive magmatism, particularly in the Triassic. However, recent research has shown that Devonian magmatism was also widespread in this area and has a genetic relationship with mineralization. This article presents a detailed study of three types of Early Devonian intrusions: high-K calc-alkaline granites, A-type granites, and mafic intrusions, all from the Qimantagh region. These rocks were subjected to precise zircon U–Pb dating, major and trace element analyses, and Sr–Nd isotope measurements, focusing on the Lalingzaohuo (eastern Qimantagh) and Yemaquan (central Qimantagh) monzogranites, as well as the coeval Tanbeixuefeng (western Qimantagh) mafic dike swarm. To better understand the Early Devonian igneous activity in the Eastern Kunlun, data for other coeval granitoids were compared with our data. The Yemaquan monzogranite yielded a mean zircon U–Pb age of 400.5 ± 1.4 Ma. These rocks are metaluminous to slightly peraluminous, with Al2O3 contents of 13.10–14.16 wt.%, high alkali contents (total K2O + Na2O) of 6.89–7.68 wt.%, relatively low Sr contents (79–192 ppm), and high (La/Yb)N ratios, all of which indicate an I-type granite affinity. The Lalingzaohuo monzogranites yielded mean zircon U–Pb ages of 396.2–402.2 Ma. These rocks have higher SiO2 and alkali contents than the Yemaquan monzogranite, with high 10,000 Ga/Al ratios, high Zr + Nb + Ce + Y contents, high Fe2O3T/MgO ratios, and high Y contents, indicating an A-type granite affinity. These two monzogranites have initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.703–0.706 and εNd(t) values of –0.1 to –0.7. The Sr–Nd isotopic data require a significant input of a mantle component in the petrogenesis of these granites. The Tanbeixuefeng diabase dikes formed at ~396 Ma and have a continental tholeiitic affinity, as evident from small Ti–Nb–Ta anomalies and high contents of light rare earth and large-ion lithophile elements. We propose that post-collisional slab break-off was responsible for the generation of these Early Devonian intrusions in the Qimantagh area.

Laser Ablation ICP-MS U-Pb and 40Ar-39Ar age constraints on Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic magmatic and tectono-metamorphic evolution of the link between Hope Bay and Elu greenstone belts, northeast Slave craton, NWT, Canada

The Elu Link connecting the Neoarchean Hope Bay and Elu granite-greenstone belts in the Bathurst block of the northeast Slave craton consists of volcano-sedimentary and gabbro–granite rocks. Laser ablation ICP-MS zircon and titanite U-Pb dating was combined with mineral 40Ar-39Ar age data to date the Elu Link rocks and D1–D3 tectono-metamorphic events, as well as characterize the response to the Thelon Orogeny in the area. The volcanic rocks are correlated with the ca. 2716Ma Flake Lake suite in the adjacent Hope Bay belt, whereas the sedimentary units have a minimum depositional age of 2684±11Ma nearly coinciding with the onset of D1 deformation. Most gabbro–granite bodies were emplaced between 2651±14Ma and 2577±13Ma coeval with the D2 deformation whose accompanying metamorphism culminated at 2632±7Ma. Older ages (up to 3042±22Ma) retained by either the gabbro–granite or their hosts are indicative of crustal contamination. A few gabbro–granites were also emplaced during the 2577±13Ma to 2494±21Ma D3 deformation event. However, the 2494±21Ma intrusions are unusual and mark the Archean–Paleoproterozoic transition. The D3 deformation was followed by erosional exhumation and localized thermal pulses associated with the emplacement of diabase dikes at 2228±8Ma, 2128±11Ma, and 802±75Ma. The Thelon Orogeny imprint, inferred from the 2054±11Ma to 1919±5Ma biotite ages, corresponds to nearly isobaric, low-temperature (<350°C) metamorphic re-equilibration.

A systematic engineering geological evaluation of diabase dikes exposed at the underground caverns of Dagangshan hydropower station, Southwest China

Dagangshan hydropower station is located in the middle of Dadu River, Southwest China. Many diabase dikes were exposed in the adamellite granite body during excavation of the underground caverns. The dikes are highly directional, have crushed interiors, exhibit strong alteration, and have poor contact relationships with surrounding rocks, all of which is inconsistent with the characteristics of typical diabase. This paper describes systematic research that focused on the dikes’ spatial distribution, macroscopic characteristics, physical and mechanical properties, and common instability modes. Factors influencing their stability and their corresponding control measurements are discussed in the context of the site and its conditions. Results show that most of the dikes located in the underground caverns are the branches of the main dike β9, which produced from a strong basic magma extrusion–overflow event happened in between the Permian and Triassic. Due to multiple strong tectonic activities, the chlorite alignment of these dikes generally tended to be significant and leaded the physical and mechanical properties to be poor. Then, excavation and repetitive blasts resulted in strong disturbances to the original dikes and even caused rock unloading (collapse, rock block fall) and groundwater runoff system (water inflow) change. According to the common instability modes and reasons of diabase dikes, some specific control measures including solidified rubbles, reinforcement methods, pre-grouting, and small ducts are implemented in order to keep the surrounding of diabase safety, and the results show that the control methods perform a proper effect on these engineering problems.

Oldest volcanic-hosted submarine iron ores in South China: Evidence from zircon U–Pb geochronology and geochemistry of the Paleoproterozoic Dahongshan iron deposit

The Dahongshan iron deposit is hosted in the Paleoproterozoic submarine metavolcanic rocks of the Dahongshan Group in the Yangtze Block, South China. LA-ICP-MS dating of hydrothermal zircon grains from the genetically associated albitite and dolomite albitite show ca. 2008Ma ages that are consistent with the zircon ages from the host metavolcanic rocks (ca. 2012Ma), and postdated the post-ore diabase dike (ca. 1724Ma), marking the Dahongshan iron deposit as the oldest submarine volcanic-hosted deposit so far as known. The ore-hosting metavolcanic rocks in the Dahongshan deposit have low Ni (9.1–77.4ppm), Cr (1.0–63.0ppm) and Co contents (5.6–62.9ppm), suggesting the fractionation of olivine, clinopyroxene and plagioclase within the magma chamber. The major and trace element features of the alkaline to tholeiitic metavolcanic rocks are consistent with high-degree partial melting of the mantle wedge metasomatized by melts enriched in high field strength elements (HFSEs), which were derived from the subducted slab in volcanic arc setting. Based on an evaluation of the morphology of orebody, ore fabrics, petrology and melt-fluid inclusions, as well as the geochemical characteristics of the major ore mineral (magnetite), we correlate the iron mineralization in the Dahongshan deposit with hydrothermal process induced by the high-temperature, high-salinity and Fe-rich brines derived through magmatic exsolution. The similar characteristic of Ce and Eu anomalies of the Dahongshan iron deposit and banded iron formations (BIFs) suggest that the Dahongshan deposit was formed in reducing environment, although the two types of iron ores were generated through distinct processes with hydrothermal processes dominating for the submarine volcanic-hosted iron deposits whereas the BIFs were formed through chemical precipitation.

Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of ∼130 Ma diabase dikes in the western Tethyan Himalaya (western Tibet)

Early Cretaceous mafic dikes are widely exposed in the eastern Tethyan Himalaya. However, coeval mafic rocks are limited in the western Tethyan Himalaya. We report the major and trace elements and zircon U–Pb ages of the newly discovered diabase dikes in the Zhongba area in the western Tethyan Himalaya. The ICP-MS zircon U–Pb analyses from one representative diabase dike yields a crystallization age of 129.8±1.3Ma (MSWD=6.7). These mafic dikes are characterized by high concentrations of TiO2 (2.81–3.27%), Fe2O3T (10.79–12.14%), and MgO (5.11–6.71%). The chondrite-normalized diagram indicates the enrichment of LREE and the depletion of HREE. The primitive mantle-normalized trace element patterns do not display negative anomalies of Nb, Ta, and Ti. These characteristics imply an OIB affinity. Trace element modelling (Sm/Yb vs. Sm) suggests that the dikes originated from an enriched mantle source region, composed primarily of garnet and spinel (spinel<garnet), with a low degree of partial melting (4–8%). Comparing with coeval OIB-affinity mafic rocks from the areas of Gyangze, Kangma, Cona, and Laguila, we propose that the Cretaceous mafic rocks were generated in an extensional setting along a passive continental margin and were derived from similar magma sources with some crustal contamination in the case of the Zhongba intrusives. Because of the similar geochemical characteristics, ages and tectonic settings, of the Zhongba diabase rocks and other volcanic rocks from the Kerguelen LIP, we suggest that the Zhongba diabase rocks are likely also part of the Kerguelen LIP.

Landstreamer seismics and physical property measurements in the Siilinjärvi open-pit apatite (phosphate) mine, central Finland

We tested the applicability of a newly developed broadband (0–800 Hz) digital-based seismic landstreamer for open-pit mine planning in the apatite-bearing Siilinjärvi mine in central Finland. Four seismic profiles, in total approximately 2.5 km long (2–4 m source and landstreamer receiver spacing), two inside the pit and two on its margins, were acquired in combination with wireless recorders connected to 10 Hz geophones and fixed at every 10 m spacing along the seismic profiles while the streamer data were being acquired. Downhole logging and laboratory physical property measurements on core and rock samples were carried out to not only support the seismic interpretations but also to provide information about the possible geophysical signature of these unique types of deposits. In spite of a highly noisy mining environment, seismic data of high quality were acquired; however, reflection processing and interpretations were challenged by the geologic complexities of several generations of basic and carbonatite dikes. To complement the reflection data imaging and to account for the steep elevation changes and crookedness of some of the seismic profiles, 3D first-arrival traveltime tomography and 3D swath reflection imaging were also carried out. Clear refracted arrivals from the open-pit profiles suggest the possibility of low-velocity zones associated with either blasting or several shear zones intersecting the seismic profiles. In terms of reflectivity, reflections have a different appearance from short and flat to longer and steep ones. The downhole- and borehole logging data suggest that some of these reflections are associated with diabase dikes and some are likely from zones of weaknesses in the alkaline-carbonatite complex. We determine the potential of using seismic streamers for cost- and time-effective open-pit mine planning and encourage further testing in simpler geologic settings to be established.

Chadormalu Kiruna-type magnetite-apatite deposit, Bafq district, Iran: Insights into hydrothermal alteration and petrogenesis from geochemical, fluid inclusion, and sulfur isotope data

The Chadormalu is one of the largest known iron deposits in the Bafq metallogenic province in the Kashmar-Kerman belt, Central Iran. The deposit is hosted in Precambrian-Cambrian igneous rocks, represented by rhyolite, rhyodacite, granite, diorite, and diabasic dikes, as well as metamorphic rocks consisting of various schists. The host rocks experienced Na (albite), calcic (actinolite), and potassic (K-feldspar and biotite) hydrothermal alteration associated with the formation of magnetite–(apatite) bodies, which are characteristic of iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) and iron oxide-apatite (IOA) systems. Iron ores, occurring as massive-type and vein-type bodies, consist of three main generations of magnetite, including primary, secondary, and recrystallized, which are chemically different. Apatite occurs as scattered irregular veinlets in various parts of the main massive ore-body, as well as apatite-magnetite veins and disseminated apatite grains in marginal parts of the deposit and in the immediate wall rocks. Minor pyrite occurs as a late phase in the iron ores. Chemical composition of magnetite is representative of an IOA or Kiruna-type deposit, which is consistent with other evidence.Whole rock geochemical data from various host rocks confirm the occurrence of Na, Ca, and K alteration consistent with the formation of albite, actinolite, and K-feldspar, respectively. The geochemical investigation also includes the nature of calc-alkaline igneous rocks, and helps elaborating on the spatial and temporal association, and possible contribution of mafic to felsic magmas to the evolution of ore-bearing hydrothermal fluids.Fluid inclusion studies on apatites from massive- and vein-type ores show a range of homogenization temperatures from 266 to 580°C and 208–406°C, and salinities from 0.5 to 10.7wt.% and 0.3–24.4wt.% NaCl equiv., respectively. The fluid inclusion data suggest the involvement of evolving fluids, from low salinity-high temperature, to high salinity-low temperature, in the formation of the massive- and vein-type ores, respectively. The δ34S values obtained for pyrite from various parts of the deposit range between +8.9 and +14.4‰ for massive ore and +18.7 to +21.5‰ for vein-type ore. A possible source of sulfur for the 34S-enriched pyrite would be originated from late Precambrian-early Cambrian marine sulfate, or fluids equilibrated with evaporitic sulfates.Field observations, ore mineral and alteration assemblages, coupled with lithogeochemical, fluid inclusion, and sulfur isotopic data suggest that an evolving fluid from magmatic dominated to surficial brine-rich fluid has contributed to the formation of the Chadormalu deposit. In the first stages of mineralization, magmatic derived fluids had a dominant role in the formation of the massive-type ores, whereas a later brine with higher δ34S contributed to the formation of the vein-type ores.

Petrology and geochemistry of diabasic dikes and andesitic-basaltic lavas in Noorabad-Harsin ophiolite, SE of Kermanshah, Iran

The Noorabad-Harsin ophiolite is a part of the eastern Mediterranean-Zagros-Oman Tethyan ophiolites. This area is located in the south-southwest of the main Zagros thrust zone. This ophiolite consists of peridotites, serpentinites and pegmatite gabbros as mantle sequence whereas crustal sequence is composed of locally layered gabbros, isotropic gabbros, sheeted dike complex, basaltic to andesitic lavas and sedimentary rocks (radiolarites and Late Cretaceous pelagic limestones). The diabase dikes are enriched in LREE relative to HREE (La(n)/Yb(n)=1.7–3.3). Also, the andesites are enriched in LREE relative to HREE (La(n)/Yb(n)=3.1–5.37) and the pillow lavas are enriched in LILE (Th(n)/La(n)=2.1) while show a depletion in HFSE (Nb(n)/La(n)=0.07–0.2). The basaltic-andesitic lavas exhibiting mainly calc-alkaline, with minor island-arc tholeiitic affinities, are characterized by enrichment in LILE and LREE and depletion in HFSE. These geochemical characteristics compared with other Tethyan ophiolites along the Bitlis-Zagros suture zone reveal a suprasubduction zone environment for the genesis of the Noorabad-Harsin ophiolites.

Zircon U-Pb geochronological constraints on rapid exhumation of the mantle peridotite of the Xigaze ophiolite, southern Tibet

The Xigaze ophiolite outcrops in the central segment of the Yarlung Zangbo suture zone, southern Tibet. It is characterized by large amounts of ultramafic units with minor mafic rocks. The mafic rocks consist of gabbros, diabases and basalts. The gabbroic rocks of the Xigaze ophiolite occur as layered bodies or isotropic dikes intruding into mantle sections. Hectometric-sized gabbroic bodies are well-preserved in Dazhuqu, Baigang and Jiding. However, their formation time and generation mechanism are not systematically proposed or well understood. In this study, nine samples of mafic rocks from the Xigaze ophiolite, including seven gabbros and two rodingites (altered from diabases), were selected for in situ zircon U-Pb and Hf isotopic analyses. The geochemical feature suggested that these rocks formed by the intrusion of melts of normal mid-ocean ridge (N-MORB) type. The U-Pb data yielded identical ages of 124–129Ma within uncertainties. Positive zircon εHf(t) values indicated that these samples had an origin of depleted mantle source. Combined with previous studies on mafic dikes, amphibolite blocks and radiolarian cherts, it can be concluded that the Yarlung Zangbo ophiolites formed over a short period of time from 119 to 132Ma. Hence, a rapid exhumation of the mantle peridotites and gabbroic rocks of the Xigaze ophiolite may have occurred to get intrusion of the diabase dikes and sills. It excludes the existence of a long-term ancient magma chamber or lens. It is more likely that the gabbroic rocks are a series of plutonic intrusions beneath a fossil slow-spreading ridge, rather than products of magma chambers. Therefore, the “Chapman detachment model” may be applied to the generation of the Yarlung Zangbo ophiolites.

Geochemical anatomy of a spheroidally weathered diabase

Major, trace element concentrations and Nd, Sr isotope ratios were measured in micro-drilled samples of a 2.37Ga-old, hand-specimen sized spheroidally weathered diabase from southern India. A sample of the un-weathered diabase dike was also analyzed. X-ray micro-CT imaging of the weathered sample shows three dominant mineral phases which are plagioclase, pyroxene, and a Fe-bearing phase (possibly hematite and/or ilmenite). This imaging documents the pervasive nature of two generations of ribbon-like, cross-cutting fractures. The older fracture is sealed while the more recent fracture is open without any in-filling. The values of the Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) of the samples show a wide range but are less than 50. Despite being a relatively less weathered rock, we observe that concentrations of major, minor and trace elements vary significantly with the percentage relative standard deviation (%RSD) for the elements ranging from 10.2–41.8. The CIA of the samples do not show any trend with the position of the sample in the hand-specimen. Barring Ca and Li, whose concentrations decrease from the core to the rim of the sample, there is no significant spatial trend in the concentrations of the elements.Concentrations of Na, Al, and Sr increase with increasing CIA values while concentrations of Mg, Fe, and Sc decrease with increasing CIA. The strong positive correlations of Na and Al, as well as Na and Sr indicates preferential weathering of plagioclase in the diabase. Na/Ca increases while Mg/Al, Mg/Na, Mg/Ca, Fe/Al and Sc/Sr decrease with increasing CIA values and the un-weathered rock plots in the middle of these trends. Such variations are explained in terms of differential weathering of plagioclase (in samples with lower CIA than the un-weathered rock, W1-type) and pyroxene (in samples with higher CIA than the un-weathered rock, W2-type) which have varying resistance to weathering. At the hand-specimen scale, the variability in the weathering indices like CIA are controlled by differential weathering of minerals and might not accurately reflect the intensity of weathering. Chondrite-normalized La/Sm and Gd/Lu co-vary with CIA values indicating mobility of the REEs during spheroidal weathering even at the hand-specimen scale. The Eu anomaly also increases with increasing CIA values which is explained by differential weathering of pyroxene and plagioclase. We observe large percentage deviations of the Nb-normalized concentrations of elements from the un-weathered rock in specific samples but no spatial trend is observed. Overall, the variations in element concentrations can be explained by varying fluid mobility of the elements, selective weathering of the minerals in the diabase, and ambient environmental conditions.Considerable Nd and Sr isotopic variability is observed at the hand-specimen scale and is explained in terms of weathering-related fractionation of parent/daughter ratios. This elemental fractionation must have happened long time ago to allow for radiogenic decay of the long-lived isotopes of 87Rb and 147Sm. The spread (%RSD) in the initial Sr and Nd isotope compositions of the weathered samples reach a minimum value around 1.2–1.3Ga which we interpret as the timing of the peak weathering event which led to fractionation of the parent/daughter ratios. For Nd isotopes, the average εNd (1.2Ga) of the weathered samples coincides with the εNd (1.2Ga) of the un-weathered rock. The timing of the weathering event coincides with the timing of the breakup of the Columbia supercontinent and follows wide-spread alkaline volcanism in the Indian subcontinent. This is the first such attempt to determine the timing of a weathering event in rocks using long-lived radioactive isotopes.

Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Titaniferous Gabbros of Ophiolitic Fanouj Zone (Sistan &amp; Baluchestan, Iran)

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US"&gt;Ophiolite complex in the west of Fanuj is 200 Km south west of Iranshahr in Sistan and Baluchestan province. This ophiolite complex lies in the uplift zone of the oceanic crust of Oman between Makran and Fanuj faults. Ophiolite of the west part of Fanuj is consisted of three parts including gabbro, diabase dikes and small quantity microdiorite masses. Ilmenite is the main mineral of titanium which along with magnetite has been formed independently or inter-crystalline way after crystallization of plagioclase, pyroxene and often along with amphibole in gabbro rocks. The formation of the broad gabbro masses which is associated with plagioclase and pyroxene crystallization in High Oxygen fugacity condition formed a fluid rich in iron and titanium during the formation of ferro gabbro rocks as the main host of the ilminite reserves. Gradual crystallization process and decrease in compatible elements such as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US"&gt;Cr, Ni, Mg and increase in incompatible elements such as Mn&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="FA" dir="RTL"&gt;،&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US"&gt; Na&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="FA" dir="RTL"&gt;،&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US"&gt; Ti from the bottom to the upper parts of ophilite complex shows that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US"&gt;the formation of the complex has been occurred through the process of crystal fractionation from a tholeiitic magma which is rich in titanium.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Transition from adakitic to bimodal magmatism induced by the paleo-Pacific plate subduction and slab rollback beneath SE China: Evidence from petrogenesis and tectonic setting of the dike swarms

The late Mesozoic magmatic record of SE China is dominated by felsic volcanics and intrusions. However, this magmatism mainly occurred in coastal areas at 110–80 Ma, in contrast to poorly researched dike swarms that were emplaced inland at 165–120 Ma. Here, we focus on Early Cretaceous mafic and felsic dike swarms that provide new insights into the tectono-magmatic evolution of SE China. The swarms were intruded into Neoproterozoic plutons and include granodioritic porphyry, granitic porphyry, and diabase dikes. The granodioritic porphyry (128 ± 2 Ma) dikes are geochemically similar to adakitic rocks, suggesting that inland adakitic magmatism occurred between ca. 175 and ca. 130 Ma. The majority of these adakitic rocks are calc-alkaline and have Sr-Nd-Hf-O isotopic compositions that are indicative of derivation from a Neoproterozoic magmatic arc source within the lower crust. The granitic porphyry and diabase dikes were emplaced coevally at ca. 130 Ma, and the former contain high alkali and high field strength element (HFSE; e.g., Zr, Nb, Ce, and Y) concentrations that together with their high Ga/Al and FeOT/(FeOT + MgO) ratios imply an A-type affinity. The widespread ca. 130 Ma magmatism that formed the A-type granites and coeval diabase dikes defines a NE-SW trending inland belt of bimodal magmatism in SE China. The presence of mafic enclaves in some of the A-type granites, and the Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic compositions of the latter are indicative of inadequate mixing between the basement sediment-derived and coeval mantle-derived basaltic melts that define the bimodal magmatism. The transition from adakitic rocks to bimodal magmatism in the inland region of SE China indicates a change in the prevailing tectonic regime. This change was associated with an increase in the dip angle of the northwestward-subducting paleo-Pacific Plate beneath SE China between the Middle Jurassic and the Early Cretaceous. This resulted in a transition from a local intra-plate extensional tectonic regime induced by far-distance stress at the plate margin to a back-arc extensional regime induced by rollback of the subducted slab.

Permian back‐arc extension in central Inner Mongolia, NE China: Elemental and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf–O isotopic constraints from the Linxi high‐MgO diabase dikes

AbstractEarly Permian (272 ± 2 Ma) diabase dikes from the Linxi area in central Inner Mongolia of NE China have high MgO (10.4 – 12.3 wt%), Cr (301 – 448 ppm) and Ni (167 – 233 ppm) concentrations, and show enrichments in large ion lithophile element (LILE) and light rare earth elements (REE) but depletions in high field strength element (HFSE, e.g., Nb and Ta), with depleted mantle‐type Sr [87Sr/86Sr (i) = 0.70315 – 0.70362], Nd [εNd (t) = +6.8 – +7.4], Pb [206Pb/204Pb (i) = 18.10 – 18.16] and zircon Hf [εHf (t) = +14.7 – +19.1] isotopic compositions, but slightly higher zircon δ18O (5.2 – 6.0 ‰ with an average of 5.7 ‰) than normal mantle. The combined geochemical data indicate their derivation from a depleted mantle metasomatized by recycled crustal component. Elemental and isotopic modeling results suggest that the primary magma was produced through 5 % to 10 % melting of a depleted mantle, which contained approximately 1 % sediment fluid released from the subducted paleo‐Asian Ocean. Considering the widespread distribution of contemporaneous mafic rocks across the central Inner Mongolia, which show REE patterns from E‐MORBs to normal MORBs, we propose a petrogenetic link between the Early Permian mafic magmatism and a back‐arc extension in response to northward subduction of the paleo‐Asian Ocean. The Permian mafic magmatism and the new age constraints from the metamorphic and sedimentary records in this area tend to indicate the ultimate closure of the paleo‐Asian Ocean by the end of Paleozoic.