Enriched MORB Research Articles

The Upper Visean Magdalen Islands Basalts of Eastern Quebec, Canada: A Complex Assemblage of Contrasting Mafic Rock Types Erupted in Peak Stages of Transtensional Basin Development above a Mantle Plume

A thick succession of mafic upper Asbian volcanic rocks is exposed as cap rocks in the Magdalen Islands of eastern Quebec. This succession records peak stages of a Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous magmatic system that regionally developed from transtensional tectonics above a mantle plume. In the upper part of the succession, tholeiitic basalts with enriched mid-oceanic ridge basalt (E-MORB) affinities are tightly interbedded with highly alkaline basalts with ocean island affinities, whereas the lower part is composed of moderately alkaline basalts and pyroclastic deposits that are interpreted as the products of mixing between these two compositionally distinct melts. Based on trace-element contents and geological constraints, the tholeiitic basalts were produced by decompressional melting in depleted uppermost asthenospheric mantle material enriched over the average (E-MORB-type source) at the top of the plume, whereas the highly alkaline basalts were produced subsequently when decompressional melting reached down into the enriched mantle (ocean island basalt–type source). These two primary melts may have been thermally stratified below the lithosphere before being tapped by transtensional structures to feed a thick magmatic underplating that regionally developed at the base of the crust, where magma mixing may have occurred. Interbedding of the two contrasting melts in the upper part of the succession implies that, although the two primary mantle sources were still being tapped into, magma mixing was by then no longer occurring. Above a small gap, the uppermost flow is a fluorine-rich tholeiitic basalt with arc affinities that suggest partial melting of the regional subcontinental lithospheric mantle source, which was previously enriched by nearly continuous subduction below eastern Canada in early to middle Paleozoic times. The latter setting seemingly corresponds to the local waning of the magmatic system in uppermost Asbian times, possibly because of the westward migration of the overridden plume toward New Brunswick, where alkaline volcanism from a sublithospheric source resumed in Brigantian times.

Melt Inclusions in Plagioclase Macrocrysts at Mount Jourdanne, Southwest Indian Ridge (~64° E): Implications for an Enriched Mantle Source and Shallow Magmatic Processes

Plagioclase ultraphyric basalts (PUBs) with up to 40% millimeter-sized plagioclase crystals, were sampled from the Mount Jourdanne volcanic massif (~64° E) in the Southwest Indian Ridge. The geochemistry of the host glass, the glassy melt inclusions and their host plagioclase macrocrysts (An60-69) are used to reveal the mantle heterogeneity and to discuss the origin of Mount Jourdanne PUBs. The melt inclusions trapped in plagioclase display low MgO and high SiO2 contents and show rare earth element (REE) patterns resembling enriched mid-ocean ridge basalts (E-MORB). Together with their positive Sr and Eu anomalies, these features indicate that they were derived from an enriched mantle source, likely a refertilized peridotite or a pyroxenite. In contrast to some 61–67° E basalts, there is a lack of negative Eu anomalies in the PUB host glasses, precluding large amounts of plagioclase crystallization from their parental magma. Petrographic observations and the general chemical similarity between melt inclusions and melts equilibrated with the clinopyroxene cores in regional gabbros and/or troctolites suggest that these plagioclase macrocrysts originate from gabbroic mush within the lower crust. The density contrasts allow the effective segregation of plagioclase prior to their incorporation into the host magma. We propose that these plagioclase macrocrysts were entrained when a new batch of magma passed through the crustal mush zone, and resulted in the formation of the PUB. Eruption of Mount Jourdanne PUBs requires a minimum ascending velocity of 5 m d−1 for the host magma, which is not as high as the eruption rate for typical MORB samples. It is likely that the PUB host magma erupts during a period with reduced magma supply, whereas eruption of aphyric lavas correspond to the fast volcanic formation of the Mount Jourdanne massif.

Intense faulting and downwarping of Nanpu Sag in the Bohai Bay Basin, eastern China: Response to the Cenozoic Stagnant Pacific Slab

Abstract The Nanpu Sag (NPS), located in northwestern Bohai Bay Basin (BBB), East China, has significant oil discoveries in recent years. The effect of intense faulting and downwraping which generated the intense subsidence of NPS in the Dongying Formation (Fm.) (Ed) (28.5–23.8 Ma) of the Late Oligocene is presented in this paper. We analyzed the geochemical characteristics of the widespread Cenozoic basalts in NPS from drill core samples. Our results show that the magma experienced negligible crustal contamination and slight fractional crystallization, and the features of remarkable positive U, Pb, Sr and Ti anomaly, low Rb/Ba and Rb/Sr values of the NPS basalts were inherited from the source region. The NPS basalts in Ed have distinctive characteristics as sub-alkaline basalts with rare earth elements (REE) patterns parallel to enriched mid-ocean ridge basalts (E-MORB), and were generated from a mixture origin of garnet-lherzolite zone with relatively high degree of partial melting (30%–50%) and garnet + spinel-lherzolite transition zone with partial melting degree ranging from 3% to 15%. In contrast, NPS basalts of other Cenozoic periods or Ed basalts of other areas in eastern China are alkaline with light REE enrichment and oceanic island basalts (OIB)-like-pattern, their magmas originated from garnet + spinel-lherzolite transition zone with partial melting degree lower than 5%. Combined with previous studies of the mantle wedge in the mantle transition zone (MTZ) beneath northeastern Asia, forming around 30 Ma, we infer that the stagnating of the Pacific slab triggered the asthenosphere upwelling and increased the degree of partial melting in mantle source, and relatively weak areas of the North China Craton (NCC) like the Tanlu Fault (TLF) where NPS located on were reactivate and susceptible to be modified. Therefore, the intense faulting and downwarping of NPS in Ed, along with the igneous activities, was a response to the Cenozoic stagnant Pacific slab more than the result of tectonic effects from the Pacific subduction like other areas in northeastern China in Paleogene.

Geochronology and geochemistry of Late Carboniferous dykes in the Aqishan–Yamansu belt, eastern Tianshan: Evidence for a post-collisional slab breakoff

With aim of providing constraints on the Late Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), an integrated study was conducted on the geochronological and geochemical data for dioritic, granitic and diabase dykes from the Aqishan–Yamansu belt in the eastern Tianshan, NW China. Zircon U-Pb dating indicates that the dioritic and granitic dykes were both emplaced in the Late Carboniferous (∼311 Ma and ∼315 Ma). The dioritic dykes show adakitic characteristics and have high Na2O and positive εHf(t) values (+12 to +17), which suggest an origin from partial melts of a subducted oceanic slab. The granitic dykes have high SiO2 and K2O contents and are characterized by enriched light rare earth elements (LREE) and slightly flat heavy rare earth elements (HREE), with negative Eu and Nb–Ta–Ti anomalies. These dykes are alkali-calcic and show geochemical features of highly fractionated I-type granites. Their positive εHf(t) values (+16 to +17) suggest that they were derived from a juvenile accreted oceanic crustal source. The coeval diabase dykes have low SiO2 and K2O contents but high TiO2, MgO and Mg# (54–59). They are enriched in LREE and show characteristics of enriched mid-ocean ridge basalts (E-MORB). The relatively high Ba/Th, slightly low Th/Ta ratios, and negative Nb-Ta anomalies imply a mantle source metasomatised by slab-derived fluids. Thus, these basic dykes were generated likely by partial melting of the upwelling asthenosphere mantle with a slight influence of slab-derived fluids. Therefore, we suggest that the formation of these Late Carboniferous dykes were triggered by a post-collisional slab breakoff and the Aqishan–Yamansu belt was a continental arc formed by south-dipping subduction of the Kangguer oceanic plate.

Compositions and formation conditions of primitive magmas of the Karymsky volcanic center, Kamchatka: evidence from melt inclusions and trace-element thermobarometry

This paper reports the results of a study of naturally and experimentally quenched melt inclusions in magnesian olivine (Fo77–89) from a basalt sample from the Karymsky volcanic center, which is located in the middle segment of the Eastern Volcanic Front of Kamchatka. The conditions of parental magma formation were estimated using modern methods of trace-element thermometry. Based on direct H2O measurements in inclusions and thermometry of coexisting olivine and spinel, it was shown that the parent melts contained at least 4.5 wt % H2O and crystallized at a temperature of 1114 ± 27°C and an oxygen fugacity of DQFM = 1.5 ± 0.4. The obtained estimates of H2O content and crystallization temperature are among the first and currently most reliable data for the Eastern Volcanic Front of Kamchatka. The primary melt of the Karymsky volcanic center was derived from peridotitic material and could be produced by ~12–17% melting of an enriched MORB source (E-DMM) at ~1230–1250°C and ~1.5 GPa. Our estimates of mantle melting temperature beneath Kamchatka are slightly lower than values reported previously and up to 50°C lower than the dry peridotite solidus, which indicates the influence of a slab-derived hydrous melt. The combined approach to the estimation of the initial H2O content of melt employed in this study can provide a more reliable data in future investigations, and its application will probably to decrease the existing temperature estimates for the mantle wedge above subduction zones.

Geochemical Characteristics of the Gabbros from the Xinlin Ophiolite in the Great Xing'an Range, NE China

AbstractThe Xinlin ophiolite in NE China is generally considered to mark the suture between the Erguna and Xing'an blocks. Compared with the Maihantewula ophiolite and Jifeng‐Gaxian ophiolite in the southern and central parts of the Xinlin–Xiguitu suture zone, the Xinlin ophiolite in the northern part of the suture has not been as thoroughly investigated. Many studies acknowledge the indicators of the Xinlin ophiolite as a suture, but detailed studies of this unit are scarce. In the present work, we provide the geochemical data to constrain the origin of the gabbros in Xinlin ophiolites. The gabbros from the Xinlin ophiolites are texturally heterogeneous, ranging from fine‐grained aplitic to coarse‐grained pegmatitic. The fine‐grained gabbros have flat to slightly enriched LREE patterns, which are geochemically comparable to transitional (T‐MORB) and enriched mid‐ocean ridge basalt (E‐MORB). The pegmatite gabbros exhibit slightly LREE‐depleted patterns, similar to typical N‐MORB that derived from a depleted mantle source. Generally, gabbros from the Xinlin ophiolites are MORB‐like, but also have some arc characteristics such as high Th and low Ta concentrations. Such features is typical in Supra‐subduction zone (SSZ) type ophiolites. Our data, combined with other regional results, suggest that the geochemical signatures of the Xinlin gabbros that vary between arc‐like and MORB‐like were possibly indicative of their derivation from a subduction‐modified depleted mantle.

Compositions and Formation Conditions of Primitive Magmas of the Karymsky Volcanic Center, Kamchatka: Evidence from Melt Inclusions and Trace-Element Thermobarometry

This paper reports the results of a study of naturally and experimentally quenched melt inclusions in magnesian olivine (Fo77–89) from a basalt sample from the Karymsky volcanic center, which is located in the middle segment of the Eastern Volcanic Front of Kamchatka. The conditions of parental magma formation were estimated using modern methods of trace-element thermometry. Based on direct H2O measurements in inclusions and thermometry of coexisting olivine and spinel, it was shown that the parent melts contained at least 4.5 wt % H2O and crystallized at a temperature of 1114 ± 27°C and an oxygen fugacity of ΔQFM = 1.5 ± 0.4. The obtained estimates of H2O content and crystallization temperature are among the first and currently most reliable data for the Eastern Volcanic Front of Kamchatka. The primary melt of the Karymsky volcanic center was derived from peridotitic material and could be produced by ~12–17% melting of an enriched MORB source (E-DMM) at ~1230–1250°C and ~1.5 GPa. Our estimates of mantle melting temperature beneath Kamchatka are slightly lower than values reported previously and up to 50°C lower than the dry peridotite solidus, which indicates the influence of a slab-derived hydrous melt. The combined approach to the estimation of the initial H2O content of melt employed in this study can provide a more reliable data in future investigations, and its application will probably decrease the existing temperature estimates for the mantle wedge above subduction zones.

Amphibolites in the rare metal- and tin-bearing Bastar–Malkangiri pegmatite belt in Chhattisgarh and Odisha, India

Amphibolites and Abukuma-type low-grade and low-pressure meta-sedimentary rocks (MSR) host mineralised rare metal (Nb–Ta, Be and Li)- and Sn-bearing granite pegmatites and their parental, fertile S-type granites in the Bastar–Malkangiri Pegmatite Belt (BMPB) in the SE part of the Bastar craton in parts of Chhattisgarh and Odisha, India. Amphibolites, based on their field relationship (as sills in MSR), mineral assemblage and textural features, are broadly classified into three types: (i) tremolite-, (ii) hornblende–actinolite-, and (iii) hornblende-bearing amphibolites. Petrochemically, amphibolite types (i–iii) show a regular decrease in their Mg content and related trace elements such as Cr (81–1731 ppm), Ni (135–379 ppm) and Co (23–68 ppm) and, hence, are designated, respectively, as high-, intermediate- and low-Mg amphibolites. All the three types show slight enrichment in Si, Fe and P, reflected in their normative quartz, hypersthene and lesser diopside, magnetite, ilmenite and apatite, but no olivine. They are relatively enriched in incompatible elements such as Rb (16–526 ppm), Ba (15–538 ppm), Zr (56–147 ppm) and Nb (3–44 ppm), with relatively a higher concentration of these elements in those near to the contacts with pegmatites, thereby demonstrating some influence of the pegmatites on the chemistry of the host amphibolites. In spite of these, the three types of amphibolites show regular differentiation trends, reflected by their systematic decrease of Ni, Cr and Co with a decrease of Mg, and also show Fe-enrichment in their alkalies \((\hbox {Na}_2\hbox {O} + \hbox {K}_2\hbox {O})-(\hbox {FeO} + \hbox {Fe}_2\hbox {O}_3)-\hbox {MgO}\) (AFM) plot. The field, petrography and major–minor trace elements petrochemistry, including rare earth elements with slight negative to no Eu-anomaly, and their chemical patterns cumulatively point out that these amphibolites are ortho-type and sub-alkaline in nature, with quartz tholeiitic magmatic affinity, and the formation due to more of fractional crystallisation and less of 5–25% partial melting of an enriched primordial mantle magma (enriched mid-oceanic ridge basalt – E-MORB), emplaced at a deduced shallow depth of 10–25 km, with the main controlling phases being olivine, plagioclase, clinopyroxene and apatite.

Bridging the depleted MORB mantle and the continental crust using titanium isotopes

The mechanisms driving the chemical complementarity between depleted MORB mantle (DMM) and continental crust (with an average 'andesitic' composition) remain unclear. By investigating Archean komatiites, and modern enriched (E) and normal (N) MORB samples, we demonstrate that partial melting of the mantle does not fractionate Ti isotopes, whereas intracrustal differentiation causes significant Ti isotopic fractionation between melts and minerals, specifically Fe-Ti oxides. Thus, Ti isotope ratios are tracers of these two magmatic regimes. N-MORB and late Archean (2.9-2.7 Ga) komatiites are depleted in the heavier Ti isotopes compared to E-MORB and middle Archean (3.5-3.3 Ga) komatiites. We show that the depletion in the heavier Ti isotopes of the DMM is due to mantle recycling of the isotopically light residues from the generation of felsic continental crust over 3.5-2.7 Ga. This process must have reached a steady state by ≈ 2.5 Ga, based on the uniform Ti isotopic composition of contemporary N-MORBs and late Archean komatiites. This change is likely due to a decrease in the mantle potential temperature related to the emergence of plate tectonics.

Phosphorus and Potassium Metasomatic Enrichment in the Mantle Source of thec. 1450–1425 Ma Michael–Shabogamo Gabbro of Eastern Laurentia

A c. 1450 Ma, east-west-oriented suite of Proterozoic mafic intrusions in eastern Canada, located between Labrador City and coastal Labrador near Rigolet, has been divided into two groups: the Shabogamo Gabbro, which is exposed west of Churchill Falls, and the Michael Gabbro, which crops out east of Churchill Falls. Both suites of gabbro are within-plate tholeiites that range from sub-alkaline basalt to basaltic andesite in composition and are enriched in P2O5 and K2O. Collectively, the two suites are better interpreted as a single magmatic event, termed the Michael- Shabogamo Gabbro (MSG), with ages ranging from 1425 to 1450 Ma, based on new U-Pb isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry baddeleyite ages of 144963, 143764 and 1435610 Ma, along with previously published ages. Within the MSG, two geochemical groups are evident. Most notably, each is characterized by differing P2O5/Zr (P/Zr) ratios: (1) a high P/Zr group, c. 1425-1437 Ma; (2) a low P/Zr group, c. 1435-1450 Ma. The positive slope of P2O5 versus Zr data arrays for each group indicates that melting of apatite was pivotal in influencing the rare earth element concentrations of the MSG magmas and their secular changes in geochemistry. K2O is enriched in the MSG relative to enriched mid-ocean ridge basalts and is correlated with P2O5, Ba and Rb. Multiple origins for the enrichment of P2O5 and K2O in the MSG are considered and the available evidence is most consistent with melting of a metasomatized subcontinental lithospheric mantle source interpreted to originate by infiltration of partial melts of phosphate-rich sediments. A slab window is proposed to have facilitated lithospheric melting at c. 1425-1450 Ma. (Less)

Oceanic accretionary belt in the West Qinling Orogen: Links between the Qinling and Qilian orogens, China

We present an integrated study of ophiolite complexes and island arc rocks from the Tianshui-Wushan Accretionary Belt, West Qinling Orogen. The West Qinling Orogen is important because it links the Qinling orogen to the east and the Qilian and Kunlun orogens to the west. The link between these orogens is commonly assumed, but has little study in detail. Zircon U-Pb analyses from ophiolitic rocks indicate the oceanic lithosphere formed in the Cambrian (530–500 Ma). Pillow lavas in the ophiolite complex show geochemical signatures of enriched MORB, suggesting they represent remnants of an oceanic plateau or seamounts. The island arc rocks include a volcanic complex with basalt-andesite and boninite of Late Ordovician age (460–440 Ma), and a serpentinized peridotite massif. The serpentinized peridotite most likely represent a highly refractory mantle residue with subsequent melt-rock interaction at ~450 Ma, suggesting that it formed in a forearc setting. The co-occurrence of ophiolite complexes and island arc rocks indicates that Tianshui-Wushan Accretionary Belt is an oceanic suture zone caused by oceanic subduction in the Early Paleozoic. The island arc rocks most likely represent the early product of an Izu-Bonin-Mariana (IBM)-type intra-oceanic arc, developed in response to a collision between an oceanic plateau and a continental margin. Our study permits a tectonic correlation between the Tianshui-Wushan Accretionary Belt in the West Qinling Orogen and the South Qilian Accretionary Belt in the Qilian Orogen, thereby establishing the continuity between the Early Paleozoic orogenic belts along the southern margin of the North China Craton.

Middle–Late Triassic bimodal intrusive rocks from the Tethyan Himalaya in South Tibet: Geochronology, petrogenesis and tectonic implications

This paper presents new geochronological and geochemical (whole-rock major and trace elements and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes) data on intrusive rocks exposed in the Qiongduojiang area, the northern part of the Tethyan Himalaya. The Qiongduojiang intrusive rocks are mainly composed of mafic rocks (diabase and gabbro) with subordinate felsic rocks (monzonite), indicating bimodal component characteristics. In zircon U-Pb dating of monzonite, diabase and gabbro samples, the weighted mean ages of magma emplacement were determined to be 230.5 ± 2.9 Ma to 227.4 ± 4.7 Ma, showing Middle–Late Triassic magmatic activity in the northern part of the Himalayan belt. The monzonitic rocks share most of the geochemical features of A-type granites, and their Nd isotopic compositions are consistent with those of coeval diabase rocks. This suggests that they are likely generated by mantle-derived magmas, which had assimilated significant amounts of continental crust. The gabbro samples exhibit the geochemical composition of ocean island basalt (OIB) features and therefore assumingly originate from a depleted mantle source with insignificant crustal contamination. In contrast, the diabase samples display enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt (E-MORB) features and were derived from spinel bearing peridotite that was metasomatised by OIB-like components with limited crustal contamination. The Qiongduojiang bimodal magmas can be considered as the products of the opening of the Neo-Tethyan ocean. Considering the magmatic petrology, paleomagnetism and paleontology data, we further propose that the Neo-Tethyan ocean began opening before ~230 Ma.

Geochemistry and origin of a Mesozoic ophiolite: the Pounamu Ultramafics, Westland, New Zealand

ABSTRACTThe Pounamu Ultramafic Belt is an elongate zone of serpentinites and associated rocks within the Alpine Schist of north Westland, New Zealand. It includes metamorphosed pyroxenite–peridotite or boninite, gabbro and a breccia dominated by clasts of basalt and gabbro, overlain by pelagic sediments, a mid-Cretaceous tuff (108–105 Ma), and quartzofeldspathic turbidites with Cretaceous (< 105 Ma) detrital zircon minimum age populations. Rare earth element geochemistry indicates metabasites are similar to fractionated normal mid-ocean ridge basalt (N-MORBs), with minor enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt (E-MORB). However, because high field strength element concentrations of these metabasites are depleted relative to N-MORB, they have affinities to fore-arc magmas. The Pounamu ophiolite is likely, therefore, to have formed in a supra-subduction zone setting. Formation of oceanic crust and sedimentation during the Cretaceous is most likely in the re-entrant plate boundary zone between northwest and southeast Zealandia. Subsequent (c. 70 Ma) metamorphism occurred during accretion, subduction and interfolding of this exotic Pounamu Terrane with Rakaia Terrane-derived Otago Schist beneath western southeast Zealandia.

Geochemical and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic characteristics of extrusive rocks within the Çetmi Ophiolitic Mélange, Biga Peninsula

The different geochemical characteristics of the extrusive rocks of the Cetmi Ophiolitic Melange (COM) a remnant of the Intra-Pontide Suture (IPS) in the Biga Peninsula, NW Turkey, evidence the episodic formation of oceanic crust. Geochemically, volcanic rocks are divided into three groups: ocean island basalts (OIB), enriched mid-ocean ridge basalts (E-MORB) and basalts with supra-subduction zone (SSZ) affinity. While the OIB type samples were produced by small degrees partial melting from an enriched source, the E-MORB type samples point to mixing of enriched and depleted sources. In the OIB-type samples, the depletion of Zr and Hf compared to Nd as well as enrichment of Nb-Ta are attributed to presence of the amphibole in the mantle source. Radiogenic Pb isotope compositions towards EMII support metasomatic processes related to fractionation in the mantle reservoir. The SSZ samples are characterized by enriched light rare earth elements (LREE) and depleted high field strength elements (HFSE). The trace element characteristics of the SSZ samples indicate that a depleted MORB mantle source interacted with subduction-derived fluids due to the slab dehydration processes. Besides, the Sr-Nd-Pb isotope characteristics suggest that these samples originated from a MORB-type mantle source metasomatized by fluids or melts from subducted sediments. The major, trace element and isotopic data of the volcanic rocks in the COM indicate that the oceanic lithosphere is generated along a SSZ-type spreading centre at an arc-basin system within the Intra-Pontide Ocean.

Geochronology and geochemistry of volcanic rocks from the Tanjianshan Group, NW China: Implications for the early Palaeozoic tectonic evolution of the North Qaidam Orogen

AbstractThe widely exposed Tanjianshan volcanic rocks in the North Qaidam Orogen (NW China) encode abundant information about early Palaeozoic magma origin and tectonic evolution. This research utilizes petrological, geochemical, and geochronological methods to investigate the last volcanic cycle (Formation d) of the Tangjianshan Group, aiming to reveal the tectonic evolutionary processes of the North Qaidam Orogen. Formation d can be further divided into two major volcanic sequences, that is, Formation d‐1/d‐4 and Formation d‐3. Formation d‐1/d‐4 is a set of intermediate–basic volcaniclastic rocks intercalated with volcanic lava and contemporary hypabyssal diabase–gabbro intrusive rocks. The rocks are characterized by high average concentrations of Al2O3, K2O, Na2O, and P2O5, pronounced differentiation of light (LREE) and heavy rare earth elements (HREE) and enrichment of LREEs and light‐ion lithophile elements (LILE), showing continental arc affiliation and enriched mid‐ocean‐ridge basalt (E‐MORB) characteristics. They have positive zircon εHf (t) values (7.5 to 16.1) and variable whole‐rock εNd (t) values (−2.7 to 7.0), with crustal Hf model ages (TDMC) and two‐stage Nd model ages (T2DM) ranging from 428 to 970 Ma and from 618 to 1,410 Ma, respectively. The magma may have originated from an enriched mantle source and experienced crustal contamination in a continental back‐arc basin. In contrast, Formation d‐3 is composed of volcaniclastic rocks intercalated with layered basaltic andesite and basalts. It has higher average concentrations of CaO, FeOT, and MgO, lower ΣREE and flatter REE patterns, lower average 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.70557), higher average 143Nd/144Nd ratios (0.51285), and exclusively positive εNd (t) values (1.3 to 5.0), consistent with normal mid‐ocean‐ridge basalt (N‐MORB) influence. The magma may have been derived from a normal mantle source without significant modification, which probably formed in a rift‐related tectonic setting or even a mid‐ocean ridge that developed within a back‐arc basin. Magmatic zircons from Formation d‐1/d‐4 yield U–Pb ages mostly at 460–440 Ma, whereas zircons modified by continental exhumation‐related orogenic fluids are mainly dated at 430–420 Ma. Magmatic zircons from Formation d‐3 mainly have U–Pb ages of 440–430 Ma. Integrating the magma genesis and rock affiliation interpretations of this study with geological information for the study area and adjacent regions, a four‐stage tectonic evolutionary model is proposed for the early Palaeozoic North Qaidam Orogen: (a) oceanic subduction with arc magmatism (520–460 Ma), (b) continental collision with back‐arc magmatism (Formation d‐1/d‐4) (460–440 Ma), (c) mid‐ocean ridge extension with rift‐related magmatism (Formation d‐3) (440–430 Ma), and (d) continental exhumation with orogenic fluid modification (430–420 Ma).

Constraints of mafic rocks on a Paleoproterozoic back-arc in the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt, North China Craton

The Paleoproterozoic Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt (JLJB) in the North China Craton, a major terrane boundary, has remained controversial with respect to its tectonic history. Here we report LA–ICP–MS U–Pb zircon ages, and whole-rock elemental and isotopic compositions of mafic rocks intruding into the North and South Liaohe Groups, with the aim of evaluating their petrogenetic affinities and metamorphic history, and their implications for the tectonic evolution of the JLJB. The mafic rocks in the North Liaohe Group dominantly composed of meta-diabase and meta-gabbro, whereas mafic rocks in the South Liaohe Group are mainly (garnet-) amphibolite. LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb analyses yield crystallization and metamorphic ages of ca. 2130 Ma and ca. 1880 Ma, respectively, suggesting that they are coeval, and were metamorphosed at the same time. Whole-rock elemental and isotopic compositions suggest tholeiitic affinity for the protoliths of both of them, with variable SiO2 and MgO concentrations and Mg# and εNd(t) values. They both display enriched mid-oceanic-ridge basalt (E-MORB)-like trace element patterns with enrichment in light rare earth elements and depletion in some high field strength elements (HFSEs; e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti). The data suggest derivation of the melts from a depleted asthenospheric mantle, coupled with fractional crystallization and crustal contamination. Some of the mafic rocks in the South Liaohe Group have lower HFSE (e.g., Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, and Ti) concentrations, and La/Sm and Th/La ratios, and higher U/Th ratios than their counterparts in the North Liaohe Group, possibly suggesting enhanced metasomatism by subduction-related fluids and/or melts. The geochemical features of the mafic rocks from JLJB contrast with those of typical intra-continental rifts and volcanic arcs, and may have formed in a back-arc basin. Our study supports the presence of a ca. 2.2–2.1 Ga back-arc basin that formed due to northward subduction and subsequent closure of an oceanic plate, resulting in arc–continent collision and formation of the JLJB at ca. 1.9 Ga.

Petrogenesis of the Rambler Rhyolite Formation: Controls on the Ming VMS Deposit and geodynamic implications for The Taconic Seaway, Newfoundland Appalachians, Canada

The Ming Cu-Zn-Ag-Au volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit is hosted by the Upper Cambrian-Lower Ordovician Rambler Rhyolite formation, which consists of a folded northeast plunging felsic dome complex, developed in the uppermost segment of the obducted supra-subduction Baie Verte oceanic tract, in the north central Newfoundland Appalachians. The deposit is overlain by interstratified mafic volcanic flows and volcaniclastic rocks of the Snooks Arm Group. The upper 1 km of the Rambler Rhyolite formation consists of a coherent felsic lithofacies at its base, overlain by a quartz-bearing volcaniclastic-dominated lithofacies (units 1.2 and 1.3). Geochemically, these rocks are light rare earth element (LREE)- and large ion lithophile element (LILE)-enriched ([La/Yb]pn = 4–20; Th = 2.58–4.05 ppm), and high field strength element (HFSE)-depleted (Y = 5.64–6.59 ppm) rhyodacite with calk-alkalic affinities (Th/Yb > 2; Zr/Y > 7). The last pulse of felsic volcanism (unit 1.3) is intimately associated with the massive sulfide lenses and has FI- and FII-type rhyolite signatures (high La/Yb ratios), commonly attributed to deep (≥ 30 km) crustal melting. The eNd(t) values of the rhyolites range from −2.5 to −1.3, indicating the rocks were influenced by crustal material. A 10 percent batch partial melt of a garnet-amphibole metamorphosed normal mid-oceanic ridge basalt (N-MORB) and island arc tholeiite (IAT) crustal material can generate a melt similar to the felsic rocks hosting the Ming deposit; however, the IAT reproduces much better the absolute abundances of LILE (Th, Sr), HFSE (Nb, Zr, Y), and middle rare earth elements (MREE) of the felsic rocks. It is interpreted that the felsic melt came from melting of a subducted slab with IAT affinity, thus explaining the depth of melt generation and FI-FII signatures of the felsic rocks. Moreover, the slab-derived siliceous melt may also have contributed magmatophile elements (for example, Ag, Au, Se, Te, Sn, Sb, Hg) into the hydrothermal system once it had reached near-surface depths, and may explain the epithermal suite element-enrichment in the Ming deposit. This study shows that strongly fractionated felsic volcanic rocks associated with boninites, such as those associated with the Ming VMS deposit, can be important hosts for precious metal-enriched VMS and may be as prospective as tholeiitic felsic volcanic sequences (for example, FIII-FIV-type rhyolite – low La/Yb ratios). The base of the Snooks Arm Group is comprised of spatially restricted sulfide-bearing mafic breccia, overlain by a regionally extensive sedimentary sequence (eNd(t) = +3.1 to +5.5), which is in turn overlain by interstratified high-Mg basalt (eNd(t) = +1.6), Th-enriched back-arc basin basalt (BABB), enriched mid-oceanic ridge basalt (E-MORB; eNd(t) = +6.6), and LREE-enriched/low-Ti tholeiitic tuffs (eNd(t) = −0.5). Four generations of mafic to intermediate dikes and sills cross-cut the Rambler Rhyolite formation and share similar geochemical characteristics to the extrusive rocks of the Snooks Arm Group, suggesting comagmatic relationships. The combination of variations in Nb/Yb, Th /Yb, and eNd(t) values within and between units suggest melts derived from depleted to enriched mantle material with melts synchronously generated by both slab-metasomatized mantle wedge and upwelling back-arc asthenosphere.

Picrite “Intelligence” from the Middle-Late Triassic Stikine arc: Composition of mantle wedge asthenosphere

Primitive, near-primary arc magmas occur as a volumetrically minor ≤100 m thick unit in the Canadian Cordillera of northwestern British Columbia, Canada. These primitive magmas formed an olivine-phyric, picritic tuff near the base of the Middle-Late Triassic Stuhini Group of the Stikine Terrane (Stikinia). A new 40Ar/39Ar age on hornblende from a cross-cutting basaltic dyke constrains the tuff to be older than 221 ± 2 Ma. An 87Sr/86Sr isochron of texturally-unmodified tuff samples yields 212 ± 25 Ma age, which is interpreted to represent syn-depositional equilibration with sea-water. Parental trace element magma composition of the picritic tuff is strongly depleted in most incompatible trace elements relative to MORB and implies a highly depleted ambient arc mantle. High-precision trace element and Hf-Nd-Pb isotopic analyses indicate an origin by mixing of a melt of depleted ambient asthenosphere with ≤2% of subducted sediment melt. Metasomatic addition of non-conservative incompatible elements through melting of subducted Panthalassa Ocean floor sediments accounts for the arc signature of the Stuhini Group picritic tuff, enrichment of light rare earth elements (LREE) relative to heavy rare earth elements (HREE) and high field strength elements (HFSE), and anomalous enrichment in Pb.The inferred Panthalassan sediments are similar in composition to the Neogene-Quaternary sediments of the modern northern Cascadia Basin. The initial Hf isotopic composition of the picritic tuff closely approximates that of the ambient Middle-Late Triassic asthenosphere beneath Stikinia and is notably less radiogenic than the age-corrected Hf isotopic composition of the Depleted (MORB) Mantle reservoir (DM or DMM). This suggests that the ambient asthenospheric mantle end-member experienced melt depletion (F ≤ 0.05) a short time before picrite petrogenesis. The mantle end-member in the source of the Stuhini Group picritic tuff is isotopically similar to the mantle source of enriched mid-ocean ridge basalts (E-MORB) erupted today at the southern end of the Explorer Ridge in northeastern Pacific Ocean. The isotopic similarity between the Middle-Late Triassic ambient mantle under Stikinia, and mantle presently tapped at the southern Explorer Ridge suggests that enriched domains in the northeastern Pacific mantle are long-lived (≥222 million years).

Tectonic evolution of syn- to late-orogenic sedimentary–volcanic basins in the central Norwegian Caledonides

We present new structural, geochemical and U–Pb zircon data from syn- to late-orogenic sedimentary–volcanic basins in the southwestern part of the Trondheim Nappe Complex, central Norwegian Caledonides. In this area, a succession of enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt type metabasalt, jasper, ribbon chert with associated sandstone and conglomerate, and green siltstone is interpreted to represent volcanism and sedimentation in a hitherto little-known spreading-dominated tectonic environment. This environment is different from the suprasubduction-zone ophiolite setting dominating the Iapetus rock record elsewhere in the Scandinavian Caledonides. This volcanic and sedimentary succession was overturned and isoclinally folded in a pre-427 Ma orogenic phase. Post-427 Ma cross-bedded sandstones were deposited on the eroded surface of the previously deformed rocks, representing a rare example of a late Silurian or younger sedimentary basin within the Scandinavian Caledonides. The cross-bedded sandstones are intercalated with and/or overlain by post-427 Ma intermediate volcanic or subvolcanic rocks of calc-alkaline composition, representing a hitherto unknown volcanic phase within the Trondheim Nappe Complex and elsewhere within the Scandinavian Caledonides. Their particular geochemical signature could be the result of late-stage subduction-zone volcanism just prior to the onset of continent–continent collision between Baltica and Laurentia, or much younger post-collisional extensional melting with inherited subduction signatures. Supplementary material: A description of analytical methods and a table of geochronological data from LA-ICP-MS analysis of zircons are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3994605 .

A Reappraisal of the Poya Terrane (New Caledonia): Accreted Late Cretaceous‐Paleocene Marginal Basin Upper Crust, Passive Margin Sediments, and Early Eocene E‐MORB Sill Complex

AbstractThe Poya Terrane of New Caledonia is a composite lithotectonic unit made of (i) Campanian‐Paleocene enriched mid‐ocean ridge basalt (E‐MORB) and BABB‐type (back‐arc basin basalt) basalts and abyssal argillite (Poya Terrane basalts) and (ii) Coniacian‐Santonian sandstone, turbidites, and abyssal argillite (Kone Facies) intruded by early Eocene E‐MORB sills. Remapping reveals that the Kone Facies is more extensive than previously thought. Field data, petrography, and U‐Pb geochronology of detrital zircons show that Kone Facies sediments have the same provenance as coeval autochthonous sediments (Formation a Charbon), albeit with more abundant contemporaneous zircons. They accumulated on the eastern continental slope of the Norfolk Ridge and eventually mixed with abyssal argillite. Temporally, sill emplacement is related to subduction inception at circa 56 Ma, thus suggesting a possible genetic link. We postulate that either (i) E‐MORB intrusion was related to oblique extension and thinning of the down going plate or, alternatively, (ii) the “enriched” (off axis?) partial melt zone of the ancient ridge swept the lower plate continentward, generating E‐MORB dikes in the upper marginal basin crust, and sills in passive margin sediments before it became extinct. Thereafter, sliced marginal basin upper crust, passive margin sediments, and associated dolerite sills were obliquely accreted to the fore‐arc region, and in the NE part of the terrane, subducted and recrystallized into the blueschist facies. The Poya Terrane was eventually thrust onto the Norfolk Ridge when the latter reached the subduction zone and debris from the thrust sheet fed middle to late Eocene syntectonic basins. At the same time, mafic portions of the Poya Terrane were subducted at depth where they recrystallized into the eclogite facies, mixed with serpentinite to form the Pouebo mélange, and, finally, were exhumed in the fore‐arc region. Finally, late Oligocene faulting and hydrothermal events overprinted the NE part of the terrane in probable connection with postobduction granitoid emplacement.