Early Cretaceous Volcanic Rocks Research Articles

Early Cretaceous arc-related volcanic rocks in the northern Great Xing’an Range, NE China: records of Paleo-Pacific ocean subduction

There are widespread Late Mesozoic volcanic rocks in the Great Xing’an Range, Northeast China. However, the precise age data and tectonic evolution are still controversial. In this paper, a suite of intermediate-felsic volcanic rocks and mafic volcanic rocks have been recognized in the Daheishan of the northern Great Xing’an Range. Zircon U–Pb dating constrains two groups of the crystallization ages at 129 Ma (dacite) and 124–127 Ma (rhyolite, rhyodacite and andesite), respectively. They all have magmatic zircon geochemical characteristics, including systematic positive Ce anomalies, weak negative Eu anomalies, and high Th/U ratios (average 0.84). The intermediate-felsic volcanic rocks show crustal signatures with high K2O (1.91–7.57 wt% and low MgO (0.19–2.78 wt%) contents. The zircon eHf(t) values mostly range from + 4.7 to + 10.2, with dominant two-stage model ages (TDM2) of 530–878 Ma. Therefore, combined with previous data, the mantle-derived mafic melts may have triggered partial melting of the juvenile lower crust to produce intermediate-felsic magmas, and the source rock is considered to be an amphibolite. In addition, the trace element data of the volcanic rocks display arc-like signatures. The published and our geochronological data indicate that these Late Mesozoic volcanic rocks in the Great Xing’an Range were mainly formed in the Early Cretaceous with a peak range of 124–133 Ma. The large-scale Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks in the Great Xing’an Range were formed in an active continental margin setting related to the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean.

Crust–Mantle Interaction Recorded by Early Cretaceous Volcanic Rocks within the Southern Margin of the North China Craton

Crust–Mantle Interaction Recorded by Early Cretaceous Volcanic Rocks within the Southern Margin of the North China Craton

Petrogenesis of ca. 113 Ma volcanic rocks in the central Lhasa subterrane, southern Tibet: Implications for the tectonic setting and continental crustal reworking

Voluminous Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks in the central Lhasa subterrane provide an ideal opportunity for understanding the mantle–crust interaction and tectonic‐magmatic evolution of the Lhasa Terrane. Here, we report zircon U–Pb ages, geochemical and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopic data for the Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks, including high‐silica rhyolites (117.2 ± 1.1 Ma) and contemporaneous andesites (114.1 ± 0.8 Ma) in the Sailipu area, central Lhasa subterrane. All these rocks show enriched light rare earth elements (LREE), and radioactive heat‐generating elements (e.g., Th, U, K, and Pb) but depleted high‐field‐strength elements (HFSEs, e.g., Nb, Ta, P, and Ti). The different bulk‐rock Sr–Nd–Pb and zircon Hf isotopic compositions of the rhyolites and andesites suggest that these rocks have distinct magma sources and petrogenetic history rather than an identical source involving assimilation‐fractional crystallization process. The Sailipu high‐silica rhyolites exhibit the characteristics of fractional crystallization and have varying zircon εHf(t) values (−12.2 to +5.2), negative εNd(t) values (−9.5 to −1.6), high and variable initial Sr isotopic compositions ([87Sr/86Sr]i = 0.7047–0.7116) and radiogenic Pb isotopic signatures (206Pb/204Pb = 18.784–18.802, 207Pb/204Pb = 15.722–15.737, and 208Pb/204Pb = 39.382–39.492). A combined process of magma mixing (involving crustal‐derived felsic melts and mantle‐derived mafic melts) and subsequent fractional crystallization were mainly responsible for the formation of these high‐silica rhyolites. The Sailipu andesites show more enriched Sr–Nd isotopic compositions [(87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.7088–0.7154, εNd(t) = −9.9 to −6.7] relative to rhyolites, and less radiogenic Pb isotopic compositions (206Pb/204Pb = 18.632–18.669, 207Pb/204Pb = 15.686–15.689, 208Pb/204Pb = 39.140–39.201). They were likely derived from partial melting of an enriched mantle wedge previously metasomatized by melts derived from subducted sediments. We interprete these Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks as the product of slab break‐off during the southward subduction of the Bangong‐Nujiang Tethyan oceanic seafloor. The dominantly positive εHf(t) and ancient TDMC ages (0.85–1.90 Ga) of Sailipu high‐silica rhyolites further imply that, under the stress relaxation regime, the mantle‐derived melts locally reworked the ancient basement of the central Lhasa subterrane.

Tectonic transition from subduction to retreat of the palaeo-Pacific plate: new geochemical constraints from the late Mesozoic volcanic sequence in eastern Fujian Province, SE China

AbstractThe widespread occurrence of late Mesozoic volcanic rocks in SE China is associated with widespread mineralization. Most geologists have accepted the model of Pacific plate subduction beneath the eastern Asian continent, but there are still controversies, especially the initial timing of the tectonic transition. In order to understand the tectonic evolution of the palaeo-Pacific plate subduction, an integrated study of zircon U–Pb, Lu–Hf isotope compositions and whole-rock geochemistry was carried out for Mesozoic volcanic rocks in eastern Fujian Province. According to the field observations and zircon U–Pb ages, these volcanic rocks can be divided into three phases: an early stage of Late Jurassic volcanic rocks (Phase 1, 159–153 Ma), a late stage of Late Jurassic volcanic rocks (Phase 2, 152–146 Ma) and an early stage of Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks (Phase 3, 143–139 Ma). Overall, these volcanic rocks are composed of intermediate–acid pyroclastic rocks and lava, with high SiO2, Na2O, K2O and Al2O3 contents, belonging to the high-K calc-alkaline and peraluminous series, with enrichment in large ion lithophile and light rare earth elements but depletion in high-field-strength elements and heavy rare earth elements. However, the Phase 1 and 2 volcanic rocks contain different zircon Hf isotopic compositions and whole-rock geochemistry to the Phase 3 volcanic rocks, implying that they have a different petrogenesis. Our study combined with previous research shows that the decreasing zircon ϵHf(t) values of the Middle–Late Jurassic volcanic rocks indicate a decreasing mantle-derived material contribution. On the contrary, the majority of the Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks have variable ϵHf(t) values, requiring varied degrees of involvement of juvenile components in their origin. Thus, we consider that the Late Jurassic volcanic rocks were generated in a compressional tectonic environment during the early stage (> 146 Ma) of palaeo-Pacific subduction. In contrast, the Cretaceous volcanic rocks were formed in an extensional tectonic setting during a later stage (< 143 Ma) of subduction.

Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks in Yunzhug area, central Tibet, China, associated with arc–continent collision in the Tibetan Plateau?

The Lhasa-Qiangtang collision prior to the Cenozoic collision of India and Asia is a key process for the early stage of tectonic history of the Tibetan Plateau; however, when and how the Lhasa-Qiangtang collision is less well known. In this paper, we present an analysis of petrological, geochemical, Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data, and zircon LA-ICP-MS UPb data for the volcanic rocks from the Yunzhug area, northern Lhasa. Our new data reveal an important, previously unrecognized stage of tectono-magmatic event in northern Lhasa subterrane. Zircons from the andesites and rhyolites yield concordant ages of 120.24 ± 0.79 Ma (mean square of weighted deviates (MSWD) = 0.35) and 120.1 ± 1.1 Ma (MSWD = 1.18), respectively, which are younger than the age of Jurassic intra-oceanic magmatism and older than the 112–110 Ma Lhasa-Qiangtang collision. The Yunzhug volcanic rocks are composed of andesites and A-type rhyolites of high-K affinity. The andesites originated mainly from a mixed mantle source with variable degrees of contribution of continental crust, and the rhyolites were derived mainly from melting of lower continental crust. Addition of subducted flysch or oceanic sediments resulted in the high-K affinity. Fractional crystallization of plagioclase, K-feldspar, amphibole, and minor microlitic apatite and FeTi oxides minerals in the shallow level is mainly responsible for variable major and trace element contents of the andesites and rhyolites. Our results show that the early Cretaceous Yunzhug volcanic rocks can represent the early stage magmatism recording the entrance of subducted continental crust into the subduction zone, agreement with processes of arc-continent collision from intra-oceanic subduction to continental collision. The presence of oceanic sediments or monazite residual in magma source under the arc-continent zone can cause LREE enrichment to exceed the continental crust, making arc magmatic compositions close to average continental values.

Triassic–Jurassic evolution of the eastern North China Craton: Insights from the Lushun-Dalian area, South Liaodong Peninsula, NE China

AbstractThe Lushun-Dalian area of the South Liaodong Peninsula, in NE China, located in the SE margin of the North China Craton (NCC) exposes a suite of Middle-Late Proterozoic low-grade metamorphic sedimentary rocks which can be divided into a lower competent layer, a middle incompetent layer, and an upper competent layer on the basis of lithology and deformation style. Two stages of deformation recorded both in the metasedimentary rocks and a magmatic complex intruded in them indicate that the Lushun-Dalian area is a key region to decipher the Triassic–Jurassic tectonic evolution of the eastern NCC. The earliest D1 deformation mylonitized the magmatic complex and thrusted it northeastward over the low-grade metasedimentary rocks, in which a series of NE-verging folds and NE-directed brittle thrust faults developed. The D2 deformation erased the D1 fabrics in the incompetent layer by a top-to-the-NW ductile shearing and refolded the D1 fabrics in the lower and upper competent units, producing a series of km-scale SW-plunging folds. New zircon secondary ion mass spectrometry and laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry U-Pb ages from the magmatic complex and the granite porphyry dikes intruded in it, combined with the unconformity between the low-grade metasedimentary rocks and the Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks, indicate that D1 and D2 occurred after 211 Ma and before the Early Cretaceous. The decrease of the deformation intensity of D1 and D2 from the Lushun-Dalian area toward the interior of the NCC in the NE and NW directions suggests that D1 was the structural response in the overriding plate to the NCC-South China Block convergence during the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic, and D2 was the structural response to the northwestward subduction of the Paleo–Pacific plate beneath the NCC in the Middle-Late Jurassic. The superimposition of D2 on D1 recorded a significant tectonic transformation from the nearly E-W–trending Tethysian domain to the NE-SW–trending Pacific domain.

Geochronology and geochemistry of late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks in the southern Great Xing’an range, NE China: constraints for late Mesozoic tectono-magmatic evolution

ABSTRACT Late Mesozoic volcanic rocks are widespread in the Great Xing’an Range (GXR), Northeast (NE) China. However, details of the tectono-magmatic evolution during the Late Mesozoic are poorly understood. In this paper, new zircon U–Pb, Lu–Hf, and whole-rock geochemical data from Late Mesozoic volcanics in the southern GXR, are used to further constrain the tectono-magmatic evolution of the region. Late Mesozoic magmatism in the GXR, eastern Mongolia and southern Transbaikalia occurred during the Early Cretaceous (120–140 Ma) and Late Jurassic (150–163 Ma) periods. Late Jurassic trachyandesites-trachytes show a low rare earth element and moderate light rare earth element (LREE) enrichment with no Eu anomalies. Early Cretaceous trachytes are characterized by an LREE enrichment and negative Eu anomalies. Contemporaneous rhyolites exhibit a significant LREE enrichment, A–type granitoid affinity, and pronounced negative Eu anomalies. Different negative Nb, Ta, and Ti anomalies, and positive zircon εHf(t) values, indicate that the ~160 Ma trachyandesites-trachytes are derived from partial melting of the lithospheric mantle that was metasomatized by subduction-related fluids. The ~125 Ma trachytes and rhyolites were possibly generated by partial melting of the accreted Meso-Neoproterozoic lower crust. New and previously published geochemical, isotopic and geochronological data from the southern GXR, eastern Mongolia and East-Transbaikalia, suggest that Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous volcanism in the southern GXR occurred during the post-collisional extension after the closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean.

Paleomagnetism and U-Pb Geochronology of Early Cretaceous Volcanic Rocks from the Qiangtang Block, Tibetan Plateau: Implications for the Qiangtang-Lhasa Collision

The collision between the Qiangtang and Lhasa blocks is a critical factor in understanding the geodynamics of the central Tibetan Plateau. However, the process of the Qiangtang-Lhasa collision remains contentious. A direct way to study the history of the Qiangtang-Lhasa collision would be to determine the evolution of the paleolatitude positions of the Qiangtang and Lhasa blocks during the Jurassic-Cretaceous. In this study, we present a combined paleomagnetic and geochronological study of the Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks dated at ~120–115 Ma in the western Qiangtang block. Stepwise thermal demagnetization succeeded in isolating the high-temperature characteristic directions of the samples. The tilt-corrected mean direction of the 16 sampling sites was Ds = 60.9°, Is = 45.9° with ɑ95 = 4.4°, which indicates that the Qiangtang block was situated at 27.6 ± 5.0°N during the Early Cretaceous (~120–115 Ma) (reference point: 32.9°N, 83.5°E). Our new data combined with previous reliable Cretaceous paleomagnetic results for the Lhasa block indicate that the collision between the western parts of the Qiangtang and Lhasa blocks may occur later than 115 Ma. The extent of the western segment of the Bangong-Nujiang Tethys Ocean was ~825 ± 600 km (7.5° ± 5.5° in latitude) at 120–115 Ma.

Material records for Mesozoic destruction of the North China Craton by subduction of the Paleo-Pacific slab

It is well known that the destruction of the North China Carton (NCC) is closely related to subduction of the Paleo-Pacific slab, but materials recording such subduction has not been identified at the peak time of decratonization. This paper presents data of whole-rock major and trace elements and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes and zircon U-Pb ages and Hf-O isotopes for Mesozoic volcanic rocks from the Liaodong-Jinan region in the northeastern NCC, in order to trace the subduction-related materials in their source and origin. The Mesozoic volcanic rocks in the Liaodong-Jinan region are mainly composed of two series of rocks, including alkaline basaltic trachyandesite, trachyandesite and trachyte, and subalkaline trachyandesite and andesite. Zircon U-Pb dating yields eruption ages of 129–124 Ma for these rocks. The Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks are all enriched in LILEs (such as Rb, Sr, Ba and Th) and LREEs, depleted in HFSEs (such as Nb, Ta and Ti), indicating that they were originated from mantle sources that had been modified by subducted crustal materials. However, they have relatively heterogeneous and variable isotopic compositions. The alkaline basaltic trachyandesite, trachyandesite and trachyte have enriched whole-rock Sr-Nd-Hf and zircon Hf isotopic compositions and mantle-like δ 18O values, suggesting that they were derived from low-degree partial melting of an isotopically enriched lithospheric mantle source. In contrast, the subalkaline trachyandesite and andesite have relatively depleted isotopic compositions with zircon e Hf( t ) values up to +5.2 and heavy zircon O isotopic compositions with δ 18O values of +8.1‰ to +9.0‰, indicating that they were originated from a lithospheric mantle source that had been metasomatized by melts/fluids derived from the recycled low-T altered oceanic basalt. All of these geochemical features suggest that the Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks in the Liaodong-Jinan region would result from mixing of mafic magmas with different compositions. Such magmas were originated from the enriched lithospheric mantle and the young metasomatized mantle, respectively, with variable extents of enrichment and depletion in trace elements, radiogenic isotopes and O isotopes. Importantly, the identification of the low-T altered oceanic crust component in the origin of Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks by the zircon Hf-O isotopes provides affirmative isotopic evidence and direct material records for Mesozoic subduction of the Paleo-Pacific slab that induced decratonization of the North China Craton.

Reconciliation of discrepant U–Pb, Lu–Hf, Sm–Nd, Ar–Ar and U–Th/He dates in an amphibolite from the Cathaysia Block in Southern China

We present a combined garnet Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd, zircon and monazite U–Pb, hornblende Ar–Ar, and zircon U–Th/He geochronology study on a garnet-bearing amphibolite from the Cathaysia Block in Southern China. Pseudosection modeling and garnet–clinopyroxene thermometry indicate that the amphibolite attained peak metamorphic conditions of approximately 0.9 GPa and 780 °C. The Lu–Hf garnet date of 402.7 ± 1.0 Ma and Sm–Nd date of 331.6 ± 3.6 Ma define a ~ 70 Myr difference for the same garnet fractions. Reconciling the large discrepancies between these three geochronological systems with the observed major element diffusion profiles in garnet requires that REEs and Hf were fully re-equilibrated at peak temperatures and that subsequent rapid cooling prevented any disruption of the Lu–Hf or Sm–Nd systems throughout cooling from high temperatures. The Sm–Nd garnet age was partially reset during a thermal pulse associated with intrusion of leucocratic veins, which is inferred to have occurred at ca. 226 Ma based on the coinciding hornblende Ar–Ar (222.3 ± 0.9 Ma) and monazite U–Pb (226.2 ± 2.3 Ma) dates. The T–t path of a reheating event at 226 Ma necessary to produce both the major divalent cation diffusion profiles in garnet and partial resetting of the Sm–Nd garnet age, such that it records an apparent age of ~ 332 Ma, requires an effective diffusion radius of 45–60 μm in garnet during reheating, which is in agreement with the observation of pervasive chlorite-filled fractures within single garnet grains. Diffusion kinetics of Lu and Hf in garnet are sufficiently slow that this reheating episode would not impact the Lu–Hf system, and the 402.7 ± 1.0 Ma garnet age likely reflects the onset of rapid cooling from peak P–T conditions. The zircon U–Pb date of 434.8 ± 2.7 Ma predates the Lu–Hf garnet date by approximately 30 Myr and is interpreted to reflect zircon crystallization during prograde metamorphism. The ~ 226 Ma reheating event is contemporaneous with the intrusion and crystallization of the widespread Triassic A-type granites and alkaline syenites across the Cathaysia Block, indicating an extensional environment. We interpret the zircon U–Th/He date of 143.1 ± 4.2 Ma as reflecting a third thermal pulse based on the concurrence with the early Cretaceous volcanic rocks and granitoids, which overlies the amphibolite.

Geochronological and geochemical constraints on the subduction-modified lithospheric origin of the early Cretaceous volcanic rocks, in the western North Huaiyang Belt of Dabie Orogen, China

Geochronological, elemental and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data for intermediate–acid volcanic sequences from the western North Huaiyang Belt of the Dabie Orogen, China, provide new constraints for the nature of the lithosphere and the potential involvement of subducted Yangtze crust. These rocks are calc-alkaline andesite, trachyandesite and dacite. They yield ages of 129–127 Ma and show a geochemical affinity to arc volcanic rocks. (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios and eNd(t) values range from 0.7065 to 0.7080 and −16.9 to −13.2, respectively. Zircon in situ eHf(t) values range from −29.4 to −20.2 and Hf model ages from 3.03 to 2.46 Ga. These volcanic rocks were likely derived from a hybridized source involving enriched lithosphere of the North China Craton (NCC) and deep-recycled continental crust of Yangtze Block. Our data, along with geological observations from early Cretaceous igneous rocks, suggest an east–west extensional magmatic pulse at 130–120 Ma along the entire North Huaiyang Belt. The extent of involvement of the Yangtze continental crust with the lithosphere of the NCC decreases from East to West. This reflects along strike changes in Triassic northward deep subduction and subsequent exhumation of the Yangtze crust. Further lithospheric extension in the early Cretaceous led to unrooting of the thickened lithosphere and generation of Cretaceous volcanic rocks along the North Huaiyang Belt. Supplementary material: Microprobe data for all samples are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4611911

Geochemistry of Mesozoic volcanic rocks from the Fresnillo area (Chilitos Formation), Zacatecas, Mexico: Implications for the magma source and tectonic setting

Geochemical data from Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks (ultra-basic, basic, intermediate) from the Fresnillo area (Chilitos Formation), Zacatecas, are presented in this study. These rocks are characterized by variable SiO2 = 38.1–61.7 wt %, Al2O3 = 17.5–27.2 wt %, and MgO = 0.21–6.4 wt % with the Mg# = 20.6–78.9. They are influenced by variable degrees of hydrothermal alteration, being the propylitic more dominant than argillic alteration. The geochemistry displays strong enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREEs) and large ion lithophile elements (LILEs). Moreover, a depletion in high field strength elements (HFSEs; e.g., Nb, Ta, Ti) and nearly flat heavy rare earth element (HREE) patterns are observed. Negligible or absence negative Eu anomalies indicate that fractional crystallization of plagioclase played an insignificant role during the magma evolution. The geochemical features suggest that volcanic rocks are derived from partial melting of an enriched mantle source that has experienced assimilation (low degree) and fractional crystallization. The low La/Nb (0.68–2.23) and Nb/Y (0.19–0.69) ratios, relatively high Zr/Y (3.68–10.56) and Th/Ta (1.03–3.65) ratios, and progressively enriched normalized patterns clue an island arc and most likely a back-arc basin environment for the Chilitos Formation in the Fresnillo area. New multidimensional discrimination diagrams indicate a mid-ocean ridge to island arc setting. A new tectono-magmatic model combined with previous geological observations indicate that the Chilitos Formation was formed in a back-arc tectonic setting and was part of the Guerrero terrane during the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous time.

Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks from the Shanghulin Basin within the north‐western Great Xing'an Range, NE China: Constraints from geochronology and geochemistry

This study presents new zircon U–Pb ages, Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data, and whole‐rock geochemical data obtained from the Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks from the north‐western Great Xing'an Range, Northeast China, to constrain the late Mesozoic magmatism and geodynamic setting of this region, which is located in the eastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Zircon U–Pb age determinations show that the studied samples formed at 124–114 Ma with an Early Cretaceous magmatic event produced voluminous felsic and minor mafic volcanic rocks. The mafic rocks are dominantly basalt and basaltic andesite, with relatively low SiO2 contents (49.88–56.64 wt.%). These rocks are enriched in Th, U, large‐ion lithophile elements (LILE; e.g., Rb, Ba, and K) and light rare‐earth elements (REEs), and depleted in high‐field‐strength elements (HFSE; e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti) and heavy REEs (Yb and Lu). The rocks have εNd(t) values of 0.44–0.75 and initial 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.70499–0.70548. These results indicate that the mafic rocks were derived from the partial melting of enriched lithospheric mantle that had been previously metasomatized by subduction‐related fluids and experienced variable amounts of fractional crystallization and moderate crustal contamination. In contrast to the mafic rocks, the felsic rocks are dominantly peraluminous trachytes, rhyolites, and dacites with high SiO2 contents and low MgO contents. These felsic rocks display enriched and variable concentrations of LILEs and REEs, show negative Eu anomalies, and have εHf(t) values of +2.6 to +8.3 with TDM2 ages of 1,014–655 Ma, indicating they were derived from partial melting of juvenile crustal materials. These Early Cretaceous igneous rock assemblages record a post‐collisional lithospheric extensional setting resulting from the closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean, consistent with the results of previous studies on the contemporaneous tectono‐magmatic activities in NE China.

Early Cretaceous potassic volcanic rocks from the northern margin of the Sulu orogenic belt, Shandong Province, eastern China: Constraints on petrogenesis and crust–mantle interaction

A major and trace element, Sr–Nd–Hf isotope, and zircon U–Pb geochronology study was conducted on Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks from the northern margin of the Sulu orogenic belt in Shandong Province, eastern China. These results constrain the petrogenesis of the volcanic rocks and provide important insights into the significance of crust–mantle interaction. The rocks comprise high‐K basaltic andesite, shoshonites, latites, high‐K dacites, and high‐K rhyolites. U–Pb zircon dating of four representative samples of latite, two high‐K dacites, and high‐K rhyolite indicates that these rocks formed from 126 to 122 Ma. The volcanic rocks are characterized by high K2O (2.04–6.70 wt.%) and total alkalis (Na2O + K2O; 5.3–10.9 wt.%) that plot within the field for shoshonitic rocks. All the rocks are enriched in light rare earth and large‐ion lithophile elements (e.g., Rb, Th, U, and K) and are depleted in high‐field‐strength elements (e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti). The rocks have high initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.706760–0.708898), low εNd(t) values (−19.5 to −12.5), and negative εHf(t) values (−31.3 to −19.7), similar to the Early Cretaceous Jiaodong mafic dikes and intermediate–mafic volcanic rocks. These geochemical and isotopic characteristics indicate that the volcanic rocks formed through simultaneous fractional crystallization and crustal assimilation of a basaltic magma derived from metasomatized mantle. The metasomatized mantle source might have been produced by the recycling of subducted Yangtze Craton crust into the ancient lithospheric mantle of the North China Craton.

Episodic bimodal magmatism at an active continental margin due to Paleo-Pacific Plate subduction: A case study from the southern segment of the Tan-Lu Fault Zone, eastern China

Volcanic rocks in the southern part of the Tan-Lu Fault Zone (TLFZ), eastern China, provide key evidence for the connection between spatially and temporally related pulses of Cretaceous magmatism, activity on the TLFZ, and the dynamics of the Paleo-Pacific Plate. We identify two stages of bimodal volcanism in the Chaohu–Lujiang segment, southern TLFZ, based on lithological assemblages and precise isotopic ages. The Early Cretaceous (125–121 Ma) volcanic rocks are fractionated aluminous A-type rhyolites and basalts, whereas the Late Cretaceous volcanic rocks (97–83 Ma) range in composition from porphyritic andesites and trachydacites to rhyolites. The Early Cretaceous rhyolites display strongly negative Nd-Hf isotopic compositions (εNd(t) = −16.3 to −16.1, εHf(t) = −24.1 to −17.9). The most likely source rocks of the fractionated aluminous A-type rhyolites are metaigneous rocks of the Feidong Complex. The Early Cretaceous potassic basalts (K2O/Na2O = 1.5–3.4, εNd(t) = −9.0) exhibit more enriched isotopic compositions than the Late Cretaceous sodic porphyritic andesites (K2O/Na2O = 0.6–0.8, εNd(t) = −5.6, εHf(t) = −15.1 to −6.8), indicating derivation from heterogeneously enriched lithospheric mantle. This heterogeneity is ascribed to derivation from more fertile and isotopically enriched mantle sources with lower solidus temperatures. Modeling of selected elements reveals that the Late Cretaceous trachydacites (εNd(t) = −12.2 to −8.2, εHf(t) = −16.5 to −6.4) originated by mixing between coeval mafic and felsic magmas. The most negative (εNd(t) = −18.8 to −17.1, εHf(t) = −20.5 to −4.7) isotopic compositions, along with Neoproterozoic inherited zircons within the Late Cretaceous rhyolites, indicate derivation from lower crust of the South China Block. We suggest that the Early Cretaceous bimodal volcanic rocks formed in an extensional backarc setting induced by retreat of the subducting Izanagi slab. However, the TLFZ became a focus of Late Cretaceous bimodal volcanism due to weak far-field extension caused by the slow northward motion of the Paleo-Pacific Plate. Moreover, the high velocity and low angle of subduction of the Izanagi slab were the main driving mechanisms behind an Early Cretaceous transpressional event that separated the two stages of bimodal volcanism.

Geochronology and Genetic Model for Early Cretaceous Volcanic Rocks from the Southern Qiangtang Terrane, Northern Tibet, China: Constraints from U‐Pb Zircon Dating, Whole‐Rock Geochemical and Sr‐Nd Isotopic Data

LIU Shen, FENG Caixia, M. Santosh, FENG Guangying, XU Mengjing, Ian M. COULSON, GUO Xiaolei, GUO Zhuang and FAN Yan

Late Cretaceous volcanic rocks in the Sangri area, southern Lhasa Terrane, Tibet: Evidence for oceanic ridge subduction

Late Cretaceous magmatism in the southern Lhasa subterrane, Tibet, provides critical constraints on the subduction processes of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic plate. Here, we provide data on the whole-rock geochemistry, zircon UPb ages, trace element contents, and Hf isotopes of early Late Cretaceous volcanic rocks from Sangri County to Sangye Temple (SS) along the southern Lhasa subterrane. The SS volcanic rocks include basalts, andesites, and dacites. SIMS and LA–ICP–MS zircon UPb data indicate that the SS dacites were erupted at ca. 95 Ma, coeval with the early Late Cretaceous “flare-up” event in the southern Lhasa subterrane. The SS volcanic rocks belong to the calc-alkaline to high-K calc-alkaline series and have the geochemical features of subduction-related volcanic rocks with negative Nb, Ta, and Ti anomalies. The basalts have similar rare earth element (REE) patterns to E-MORB and are characterized by high Zr abundances (65–190 ppm) and Zr/Y ratios (3.3–6.5). They were possibly derived by high-degree partial melting of mantle peridotite that had been metasomatized by subduction-related fluids with an input of asthenospheric components. Positive whole-rock εNd(t) (+2.9 to +3.2) values for the andesites, and their variable Mg# values (35–61) and MgO (2.29–7.32 wt%), Cr (12–232 ppm), and Ni (10–127 ppm) contents can be attributed to medium-degree partial melting of mantle peridotite followed by fractional crystallization of clinopyroxene and olivine. The calc-alkaline SS dacites are similar to adakites with high Sr (663–1188 ppm) and low heavy rare earth element (HREE) and Y (10.7–11.5 ppm) contents. These adakitic dacites have positive whole-rock εNd(t) (+2.9 to +3.4) and zircon εHf(t) (+8.4 to +14.9) values with relatively high values of Mg# (36–57) and high contents of compatible elements, indicating that they were derived from the partial melting of subducted oceanic slab, and with the ascending magma interacting with mantle wedge peridotite. Our new data indicate a distinct rock association of coeval asthenosphere-component-involved basalts and slab-derived adakitic dacites. Such an association, together with the coeval high-temperature charnockites and high-temperature granulite-facies metamorphism of the charnockitic country rocks in the southern Lhasa subterrane, indicates an anomalous input of materials and heat during the early Late Cretaceous “flare-up” event. Such an event can probably be attributed to the northwards subduction of a Neo-Tethyan oceanic ridge that allowed for contributions from upwelling asthenosphere that differed from the typical results of normal-angle subduction or low-angle/flat subduction and subsequent slab rollback.

Hydrothermal evolution and ore genesis of the Zhaiping Ag-Pb-Zn deposit in Fujian Province of Southeast China: Evidence from stable isotopes (H, O, C, S) and fluid inclusions

The Zhaiping Ag-Pb-Zn deposit (204 t Ag, average grade: 221.8 g/t) is located in the coastal area of the Cathaysia Block, Southeast China. Vein-type Ag-Pb-Zn orebodies are mainly hosted in the early Cretaceous volcanic and subvolcanic rocks, and structurally controlled by a group of NW-trending extensional faults. Ore-related hydrothermal alteration is well developed on both sides of the veins, dominated by silicic, phyllic, propylitic, and carbonate alteration. Mineralization can be divided into three stages: (1) the pre-ore quartz-pyrite stage, (2) syn-ore quartz-Ag-base metal stage, and (3) post-ore quartz-calcite stage. Microthermometric measurements of fluid inclusion assemblages in quartz, fluorite, sphalerite, and calcite from various hydrothermal stages reveal that from the pre-ore, syn-ore to post-ore stages, the homogenization temperatures range from 365 to 319 °C, from 317 to 222 °C, and from 233 to 172 °C, respectively. Fluid salinities range from 1.7 to 10.8 wt% NaCl equivalent. The microthermometric data indicate that the fluid cooling and fluid-rock interaction are two important mechanisms for ore precipitation. The δ34SV-CDT values of sulfide minerals (pyrite, sphalerite, galena, pyrrhotite and tetrahedrite) range from −1.9 to 6.2‰, and mostly between 1.0 and 4.5‰, consistent with a deep-seated magmatic sulfur source. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopic compositions of quartz indicate a primarily magmatic origin for the ore-forming fluids, and the proportion of meteoric water increased during the ore-forming processes. Post-ore stage calcite has δ13CV-PDB values of −2.8 to −0.8‰ and δ18OV-SMOW values of 4.2–6.4‰, corresponding to calculated values of fluids of −3.2 to −1.1‰, and −4.9 to −2.8‰, respectively. The carbon isotopes indicate a magmatic source for carbon but the oxygen isotopes indicate a significant contribution of meteoric water during calcite precipitation. We therefore proposed that the Zhaiping deposit is a typical mesothermal deposit that formed in an extensional environment related to the early Cretaceous subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate.

Geochemistry of Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks in the Northeastern Great Xing’an Range, northeast China and implication for geodynamic setting

ABSTRACTThe mechanism that triggered large-scale Late Mesozoic magmatism in the northeastern Great Xing’an Range (NE GXAR) is strongly controversial. In this paper, we present whole rock geochemistry and zircon trace element, U-Pb and Hf isotopic data on the volcanic rocks in the Longjiang and Guanghua formations in the northeastern Xing’an Block. Zircons with ages of 120–119 Ma indicate that these volcanic rocks were formed in the Early Cretaceous. Combined with previous data, it is clear that volcanic rocks in the NE GXAR erupted between 128 and 108 Ma. The andesite samples of the Longjiang Formation show high contents of Al2O3, CaO, and MgO, significant negative Nb, Ta, and Ti anomalies; εHf (t) values of zircons from the andesite sample vary from +4.13 to +7.67, indicating an enriched mantle source. The rhyolites of the Guanghua Formation show high SiO2 and K2O concentrations, low P2O5, MgO, Cr, and Ni contents and Mg# values. The positive εHf (t) values (+5.72 to +10.58) with two-stage Hf model ages ranging from 939 to 701 Ma indicate that the rhyolites are derived from the partial melting of basaltic lower crust. Combined with the regional geological evolution, we conclude that the generation of the Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks in the NE GXAR might be triggered by the dehydration, disintegration, and foundering of the Mongol-Okhotsk Oceanic flat-slab and the subsequent upwelling of the asthenosphere.

Early Cretaceous volcanic and sub-volcanic rocks in the Erlian Basin and adjacent areas, Northeast China: new geochemistry, geochronology and zircon Hf isotope constraints on petrogenesis and tectonic setting

ABSTRACTEarly Cretaceous volcanic rocks are widely distributed in northeast China and being extensively observed recently. However, petrogenesis and tectonic setting of these volcanic rocks are still on debate. We present zircon U–Pb ages, whole-rock geochemistry and zircon Hf isotope for these volcanic and sub-volcanic rocks surrounding the Erlian Basin including basic-intermediate volcanic rocks, intermediate-felsic volcanic rocks, and dacites and trachyandesite from dikes. The zircon U–Pb dating results indicate that these rocks formed in the Early Cretaceous (146–129 Ma). The basic-intermediate volcanic rocks mainly consist of basaltic andesite, which are featured by low SiO2 concentrations (49.96–58.34 wt. %), high Mg# values (54–37) and Co contents (17.85–25.98 ppm), and positive εHf(t) values (+7.11 to +13.87). Moreover, they show high La/Nb (1.79–2.87) and low La/Ba (0.02–0.08) ratios. Such features indicate that they were derived from partial melting of lithospheric mantle that had been modified by fluids. The intermediate-felsic volcanic rocks consist of trachydacite and andesite, which show medium SiO2 concentrations (58.31–66.44 wt. %), a wide range of Mg# values (28–53) and with A1-type granites affinities. These features, along with slightly positive to negative εHf(t) values (+0.53 to −17.71), indicate that they originated from mixed magma of melted lower crust and mantle substances. Dacites from dikes are distinguished by high SiO2 concentrations (65.72–67.2 wt. %), negative εHf(t) values (−2.55 to −6.72) and old zircon Hf TDM2 ages (1453–1653 Ma), suggesting they were generated by melting of Mesoproterozoic and Palaeoproterozoic crustal material. All of the investigated volcanic and sub-volcanic rocks exhibit geochemical signatures of extension setting. In combination with previous studies, we suggest the Early Cretaceous extension in northeast China is related to the collapse of thickened lithosphere after closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean and to the slab break off of the Mudanjiang Ocean.