Hannuoba Basalts Research Articles

Unveiling the formation and magma transport dynamics of the Ulanqab maar volcanic cluster in the western North China Craton: Insights from 40Ar-39Ar geochronology, mineral chemistry, and Sr-Nd-Mg isotopes

The chemical composition of eastern North China Craton (NCC)'s alkaline basaltes likely influenced by subducting Pacific Plate. Nonetheless, the influence of these processes on the western craton remains uncertain due to the lack of geochemical evidence. The recent discovery of Ulanqab maar volcanic cluster (UMVC) in the western NCC has become significant research windows. However, their petrogenesis and magmatic processes remain poorly understood. In the present study, 40Ar/39Ar, whole rock and mineral geochemistry, and Sr–Nd–Mg isotope data for the UMVC in the western NCC are reported. These data reveal that the UMVC was formed during the Neogene (7.60 ± 0.04 Ma), diverging from Quaternary basalts or as part of the Hannuoba basalts (eastern Ulanqab). The UMVC rocks, featuring typical oceanic island basalts traits with moderate (87Sr/86Sr)i values (0.70487–0.70524) and εNd(t) values from −4.95 to + 0.82, likely originated from an enriched EMI-type mantle source during the mid-Proterozoic. This involved mixing melts from 30 to 50 % partial melting of garnet lherzolite and 5–15 % partial melting of garnet pyroxenite in a deep magma chamber. Crystallization of clinopyroxene and garnet in this chamber created high-Ti alkaline lavas, with limited presence in erupted lavas due to sluggish magma ascent in the profound lithospheric mantle. In shallower lithospheric mantle regions, interactions between alkaline magma and orthopyroxenite improved transport kinetics, enabling clinopyroxene and olivine crystallization under lower pressure. These magmas integrated mafic crystal mushes from accumulation chambers. The study also identified a low Mg isotope composition (δ26Mg = − 0.56 ‰ to − 0.42 ‰) in samples, suggesting a hybrid source influenced by early decarbonation in Precambrian subduction zones. This finding indicates the incorporation of Mg-rich carbonate minerals from marine sediments into the magma source, contributing to the observed variations in eastern China's alkaline basalts.

The heterogeneity of continental mantle: A perspective from the Hannuoba basalts and mantle xenoliths

了解大陆地幔的不均一性对于理解地壳成分再循环、壳-幔相互作用等过程至关重要。本文通过对华北克拉通北缘汉诺坝地区来自不同地幔深度幔源岩石（玄武岩及橄榄岩和辉石岩包体）的研究进行综述，探讨了地幔在垂向上成分的不均一性特征。汉诺坝玄武岩的研究揭示了汉诺坝地区软流圈顶部存在再循环的碳酸盐化榴辉岩以及岩石圈底部具有富集的古老洋壳和沉积物成分。另外，玄武岩携带的橄榄岩和多类型辉石岩包体记录了不同来源（蚀变洋壳、沉积碳酸盐岩、碎屑沉积物、拆沉下地壳、软流圈）且不同成分（硅酸盐、碳酸盐）的熔/流体活动。富集地壳来源的熔/流体加入明显影响了汉诺坝地区陆下地幔成分的均质性，使得陆下地幔在微米至千米尺度存在明显的成分不均一特征。汉诺坝地区陆下地幔不均一性的认识为了解地壳物质再循环提供了绝佳的窗口。

Relationship between the Texture and Composition of Titanomagnetite in Hannuoba Alkaline Basalt: A New Geospeedometer

The nucleation and growth of crystals in igneous rocks is usually thought to occur under thermodynamic equilibrium conditions. However, recent studies on igneous textures and mineral compositions have shown that these processes probably occur under thermodynamic disequilibrium conditions. Titanomagnetite with variable crystal sizes can be observed in Hannuoba alkaline basalt, indicating disequilibrium crystallization processes (different cooling rates). The ratio of the maximum particle size to the area abundance of titanomagnetite, as determined by an analysis of previous studies on the texture of minerals, was negatively correlated with the apparent cooling rate. We analyzed the chemical composition and crystal size distribution of titanomagnetite in ten Hannuoba alkaline basalt samples to determine the connection between the apparent cooling rate and titanomagnetite composition. In Hannuoba samples, the cooling rate was found to affect cationic substitution in the titanomagnetite solid solution, and an increase in cooling rate led to a decrease in Ti4+ and an increase in Fe3+. The partition coefficient of Ti between titanomagnetite and the melt (DTi) is negatively correlated with the apparent cooling rate. These findings are consistent with those in experimental petrology and help us propose a better, more general geospeedometer. The cooling rate also impacted Mg2+ and Al3+, but they were more impacted by the melt composition and crystallinity of the coexisting melt. Therefore, a new geospeedometer was calibrated by considering the titanomagnetite composition, melt composition and the content of the clinopyroxene.The cooling rates of the Hannuoba basalt samples measured using the new geospeedometer calibrated in this study range from 0.7 to 7.0 (±0.5) °C/min. It cannot accurately predict the cooling rate from titanomagnetite in intermediate rock, felsic rock or Fe-rich basaltic melts. The new titanomagnetite geospeedometer can better measure the cooling rate of alkaline basalt and may help identify the effects of kinetically controlled crystallization on isotope fractionation, evaluate mineral thermobarometers and better recognize thermal remanence magnetization and ancient magnetic fields.

3D deep electrical structure and seismogenic environment in the western section of the Zhangjiakou-Bohai fault zone

The Zhangjiakou-Bohai fault zone (ZBFZ) is an important NW-trending active tectonic zone in North China. The western section of ZBFZ is characterized by frequent moderate and strong earthquakes. This is a typical tectonic area for studying seismic and volcanic activities. The three-dimensional (3D) deep electrical structure of the region was revealed by using 3D electromagnetic inversion of 143 magnetotelluric stations. The results suggest that the deep electrical structure in the western part of the ZBFZ is laterally heterogeneous. To the north of the Shangyi-Chicheng Fault (F4), the upper crust has a high resistivity structure (R), corresponding to the exposed Hanuoba basalts and metamorphic rocks. To the south of F4, high and low resistivity zones alternate, which is attributed to the complex faults and basin-range structures. In the middle crust, the low-resistivity structures (C1 and C2) gradually appear in the northwest and southeast of the study area, showing the characteristics of a high-resistivity structure sandwiched between two low-resistivity structures. In the lower crust, the two low-resistivity structures (C1 and C2) gradually join each other and the whole region becomes characterized by low resistivity. The Shangyi-Chicheng Fault (F4), the northern margin fault of the Huai’an Basin (F7), and the northern margin fault of the Huaizhuo Basin (F11) are definite electrical difference zones, which are connected to a low-resistivity layer in the crust. The results indicate that the focal depth of the 1998 M6.2 Zhangbei earthquake was between 12 km and 15 km and its seismogenic fault was the Dahezhen-Hailiutu Fault (F3), which is concealed beneath the Hanuoba basalt area. It is speculated that owing to the neotectonic activities, the magma originated in the asthenosphere mantle rose and erupted on the surface near Datong, forming the Datong volcanic group. Then the magma continued to migrate and overflow along with the fractures in the NE direction, forming the Hannuoba basalts in the Zhangbei area. The existence of mantle thermal material in this area led to the migration of accompanying fluids to the middle and upper crust, resulting in fault sliding and frequent occurrence of moderate and strong earthquakes in this region.

Contamination of heterogeneous lower crust in Hannuoba tholeiite: Evidence from in situ trace elements and strontium isotopes of plagioclase

AbstractThe Hannuoba basalt, located in the northern margin of the North China Craton, is a typical intra-continental basalt with ocean island basalt-like geochemical features and has been extensively studied. However, its origin and deep processes, such as magma mixing and crystallization conditions, are still unclear. To further understand the mechanisms leading to the compositional heterogeneity and magmatic processes of Hannuoba basalt at crustal and/or mantle depth, in situ major element, trace element, and 87Sr/86Sr compositional heterogeneity of four representative plagioclase crystals in three Hannuoba tholeiite samples, as well as whole-rock major and trace element data, are reported. According to the petrographic characteristics, the basalts are divided into fine-grained and coarse-grained groups. The anorthite content in plagioclase of samples varies in a small range (56–64%), but the content of trace elements in plagioclase from the coarse-grained samples is generally higher than that of the fine-grained samples. Clinopyroxene-melt equilibrium thermobarometer and plagioclase-clinopyroxene magnesium and rare earth element exchange thermometers show that the magma for the two types of basalt was stored and crystallized at a similar depth, and crystallized within a 20 °C (fine-grained basalt) and 50 °C (coarse-grained basalt) temperature window, which may be a reason for the grain size differences between the two types of basalts. We found that 87Sr/86Sr of all the studied plagioclase crystals varied from 0.70333 ± 0.00018 (2SE) to 0.70556 ± 0.00031 (2SE), a much large range than the whole rock of Hannuoba basalts reported previously and consistent with that of Cenozoic basalts in North China. Therefore, at least two kinds of melts with significant differences in isotope and minor heterogeneity in major and trace elements are injected into each magma plumbing system. The content of trace elements in the Hanuoba tholeiite is between the Hanuoba alkaline basalt and the lower crust, which may be explained by the mixing of the alkaline basalt and the lower crust, but the low 87Sr/86Sr (<0.704) characteristics of plagioclase cannot be derived from alkaline basalts, because trace element abundances in the plagioclase are not in equilibrium with the alkaline basalt. Therefore, we believe that the compositional heterogeneity of Hannuoba tholeiitic basalt is caused by the mixing of heterogeneous lower crust rather than different mantle-derived melts. In turn this indicates that the contribution of the continental lower crust to the continental basalt is more complicated than previously recognized.

Geochemical anomaly mapping using sparse principal component analysis in Jining, Inner Mongolia, China

Mapping geochemical anomalies is one of the most important tasks in mineral exploration. Sparse principal component analysis (SPCA) can be applied to investigate the correlations among geochemical elements and geological variables, which forces the loading values of the partial elements to zero. In this paper, the robust SPCA algorithm was used to process geochemical exploration data on a scale of 1:50,000 for identifying geochemical anomalies related to mineralization. The results show SPC1 and SPC3 indicate the spatial distribution of the Hannuoba basalt and Jining Group formation, respectively. The outcropped Hannuoba formations are located in high-value area of scores map of SPC1. The element association of W-Mo on SPC2 is related to molybdenum (Mo) mineralization. The spatial distribution of SPC2 scores suggests the distribution of Mo mineralization. The discovered Mo polymetallic deposits are located in the anomalous area of SPC2 scores. The SPCs identify localized geochemical anomalies and disambiguate the effects of outliers, which improve interpretability. These results indicate SPCA is a powerful tool for mapping geochemical anomalies.

Zinc isotopic composition of the lower continental crust estimated from lower crustal xenoliths and granulite terrains

This study presents high precision Zn stable isotope analyses for lower crustal rocks (9 granulites from Archean terrains and 30 lower crustal xenoliths) from the north margin of the North China Craton (NCC) to understand the behavior of Zn isotopes during deep crustal processes and the Zn isotopic composition of the lower continental crust (LCC). The lower crustal xenoliths range in composition from mafic to felsic with MgO contents of between 0.4 to 20.2 wt.%. The δ66Zn (the permil deviation of the 66Zn/64Zn ratio from the JMC-Lyon standard) values of lower crustal xenoliths range from −0.17‰ to 0.38‰. The lack of clear correlation of δ66Zn with geochemical indicators (e.g., Al2O3, Cr, Ba/La, 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd) indicates that assimilation of Precambrian lower crust, fluid metasomatism, and accumulation of pyroxene and plagioclase had a limited effect on Zn isotopic compositions of these lower crustal xenoliths. The δ66Zn values (0.18‰ to 0.34‰) of garnet-bearing mafic granulites decrease with increasing FeO(T) and V contents, which are likely results of the accumulation of Fe-Ti oxides.The average δ66Zn of the lower continental crust is estimated to be 0.29 ± 0.02‰ (95% SE) using lower crustal xenoliths from the Neogene Hannuoba basalts. This δ66Zn value is similar to the estimated value (0.28 ± 0.04‰, 95% SE) obtained from the granulites from Archean terrains, suggesting that there is no significant difference in the Zn isotopic composition between the Archean and present-day lower continental crust. Combining the δ66Zn data of the lower crustal xenoliths and granulite terrains and different weighting methods, the Zn isotopic composition of the lower continental crust is estimated to be 0.28 ± 0.04‰ (95% SE).

An SPO-induced CPO in composite mantle xenoliths correlated with increasing melt-rock interaction

Melt-rock interaction, a general term describing various processes including cryptic and modal metasomatism and melt-rock reaction, is the main process responsible for modifying chemical composition of previously melt-depleted mantle peridotite. However, the underlying mechanisms of melt-rock interaction and its effect on mantle rheology, particularly in natural peridotites, is poorly constrained. Composite xenoliths are natural examples of melt-rock interaction as they contain pyroxenitic veins interpreted as evidence of passage of melt through peridotite at high pressures. Here, we present new mineral chemistry (major, trace element, and water contents of olivine and pyroxenes) and microstructural data on a suite of composite xenoliths from the Neogene Hannuoba basalt, North China Craton. We show that despite having experienced high melt/rock ratios, olivines and pyroxenes contain very low water contents (<10 ppm and <100 ppm, respectively). In contrast, melts calculated to be in equilibrium with clinopyroxene show enriched trace element signatures suggesting the infiltrating melt had a crustal origin. Microstructural data corroborate a key role for melt infiltration in causing a systematic shift in olivine crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) from initially A-type to AG-type with increasing melt/rock ratio. By describing the olivine grain shape with respect to the crystal reference frame, we show that as pyroxene mode (and hence melt/rock ratio) increases, olivine grains appear to rotate with their flattest (0 1 0) faces aligning with the melt flow plane, resulting in an olivine CPO controlled by its shape-preferred orientation (SPO). Previously, such an SPO-induced CPO was only demonstrated in shallow magmatic environments such as mafic intrusions, in mafic lavas, and in high-pressure/high-temperature experiments. Such a finding in the deep lithosphere is important as it suggests that dislocation creep may not always play a major role in CPO development, particularly when melt is involved.

Metasomatism of the crust-mantle boundary by melts derived from subducted sedimentary carbonates and silicates

Substantial quantities of sediments are known to enter the deep lithosphere at subduction zones, but the extent to which sediments melt and the process involved in sediment contribution to the deep lithosphere are inadequately understood. Vigorous debate continues about whether the subducted sediment component is terrigenous or pelagic and transported as a hydrous melt, an aqueous fluid, or bulk sediment. In this contribution, we conduct an integrated study on a variety of deep-seated xenoliths in the Neogene Hannuoba basalts from the northern margin of the North China Craton. Among these xenoliths, clinopyroxenite xenoliths are compositionally and isotopically distinct. Mineral chemistry shows that the clinopyroxenite xenoliths come from a depth near the MOHO, rather than from the mantle as suggested previously. The clinopyroxenite xenoliths have extremely evolved Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic compositions and are interpreted to have a late Archean protolith age. The extremely low contents of Cr and Ni for the clinopyroxenite xenoliths preclude a magmatic origin. Instead, a metasomatic origin is suggested, which is strongly supported for the clinopyroxenites by the occurrence of hydrous minerals and high contents of large-ion-lithophile elements (K, Rb, Ba, Th and Sr) and light rare earth elements, as well as elevated δ18O (9.9–11.3‰) and light δ26Mg (−1.04‰ to −1.42‰) isotopic compositions. Furthermore, their high high-field-strength element (Nb, Ta, Zr and Hf) contents indicate that the metasomatic agent is a hydrous melt, rather than an aqueous fluid. The metasomatic melts are considered to be derived from a mixed source of sedimentary carbonates and ancient, felsic continental materials. A combination of zircon ages and oxygen isotope data for the clinopyroxenite xenoliths further restricts the timing of metasomatism to the late Paleozoic. Considering the regional tectonic setting, the sediments most likely came from the subducted Paleo-Asian oceanic slab. Thus the Hannuoba clinopyroxenite xenoliths provide direct evidence for melting of the subducted Paleo-Asian oceanic slab sediment and its interaction with the deep lithosphere. The data show that melting of subducted sediments can take place at a much shallower depth than commonly thought and place an independent constraint on future models of slab geotherms.

Three-dimensional conductivity model of crust and uppermost mantle at the northern Trans North China Orogen: Evidence for a mantle source of Datong volcanoes

While the Eastern Block of North China Craton (NCC) had experienced significant lithospheric destruction in the Mesozoic, the Western Block of NCC and the Trans North China Orogen (TNCO) have undergone localized lithospheric modification since the Cenozoic. The northern TNCO is highlighted by the Cenozoic magmatic activities including Hannuoba basalts and Datong volcanoes and is a seismically active region. In this study 3-D electrical conductivity model of the crust and uppermost mantle is derived by the 3-D inversion technique using data from 72 broadband magnetotelluric (MT) stations. The final model shows that a 15 km thick resistive layer of about 3000 Ω m dominates the upper crust, which may represent the intact Archean and Paleoproterozoic terrains. Whereas in the mid-crust there are marked high conductivity anomalies of about 10 Ω m beneath Shanxi rifting basin, which may result from the interconnected saline fluid of 0.2% to 6% volume fraction. The most important finding is that one significant conductor extended into the mantle is located between Hannuoba field and Datong volcanoes and it connects with the mid-crust conductor beneath the Datong volcanoes. We suggest that this could be the mantle source (partial melting region) for the Quaternary volcanic activities of Datong volcanoes and the melt fraction is estimated as 6.6%. Its location inside the Western Block suggests that the volcanic activities at Datong volcanoes are irrelevant to the tectonic process to the east of TNCO. It is likely to be related to the mantle flows from the Tibetan Plateau around the Ordos block which converges at the northeastern corner of the Ordos block and local upward flow along the slope of the thinning lithosphere resulted in decompression partial melting and the melt percolated upward through the crust to feed the lava eruptions at the Datong volcanoes to the east. Finally, large crustal earthquakes in this region are generally located in resistive zones with high conductivity anomalies beneath. The fluids brought up by hot mantle material may play an important role in fault strength weakening and rupture nucleation at mid-crust depths.

Phosphorus-controlled trace element distribution in zircon revealed by NanoSIMS

To better understand the origin of oscillatory zoning in zircons, distributions of REEs (represented by Ce, Sm, Dy and Lu), Y, Ti, Li and P in the igneous zircons (QH) from a felsic syenite in the Qinghu alkaline complex and metamorphic zircons (DMP06-14) from a banded granulite xenolith from Hannuoba basalts have been investigated with NanoSIMS. The NanoSIMS analyses reveal well correlation between the trace element distributions and the cathodoluminescence dark–bright zonings of zircons. The QH zircons with oscillatory zonings display large trace element variations within single grains by a factor up to 13.5, with Y and P ranging from 574 and 227 ppm in the bright zones to 7754 and 2464 ppm in the dark zones, respectively. By contrast, the DMP06-14 zircons without oscillatory zonings show much smaller trace element variations by a factor of 1.4, with Y ranging from 477 to 636 ppm and P from 331 to 467 ppm. Such large trace element variations in oscillatory zonings cannot be produced by compositional fluctuation in the magma chambers. The correlations between P and Y, REEs (Ce, Sm, Dy and Lu) (R 2 > 0.97) indicate xenotime substitution in zircons. The oscillatory distribution of P in zircon could be formed by the fluctuation of P in the melt adjacent to the mineral-melt boundary, either because P diffuses slower than Zr in the melt or due to surfacial interaction of melt with crystals. Such a zoned distribution of P in turn controls the substitution types of phosphates in zircon, developing oscillatory distributions of Y and REEs. Our results indicate that apparent partition coefficients of Y and REEs between zircon and melt are controlled by P contents, which may result in the large discrepancy in zircon partitioning data.

Magnesium isotopic composition of the deep continental crust

To constrain the behavior of Mg isotopes during deep crustal processes and the Mg isotopic composition of the middle and lower continental crust, 30 composite samples from high-grade metamorphic terranes and 18 granulite xenoliths were investigated. The composites derive from eight different high-grade metamorphic terranes in the two largest Archean cratons of China, including 13 TTG gneisses, 5 amphibolites, 4 felsic, 4 intermediate, and 4 mafic granulites. They have variable bulk compositions with SiO 2 ranging from 45.7 to 72.5%, representative of the middle crust beneath eastern China. The δ 26 Mg values of these samples vary from −0.40 to +0.12‰, reflecting heterogeneity of their protoliths, which could involve upper crustal sediments. The granulite xenoliths from the Cenozoic Hannuoba basalts also have a diversity of compositions with MgO ranging from 2.95 to 20.2%. These xenoliths equilibrated under high temperatures of 800–950 °C, corresponding to depths of the lower continental crust (>30 km). They yield a large δ 26 Mg variation of −0.76 to −0.24‰. The light Mg isotopic compositions likely result from interactions with isotopically light metamorphic fluids, probably carbonate fluids. Together with previously reported data, the average δ 26 Mg values of the middle and lower continental crusts are estimated to be −0.21 ±0.07‰ and −0.26 ±0.06‰, respectively. The bulk continental crust is estimated to have an average δ 26 Mg of −0.24 ±0.07‰, which is similar to the average of the mantle. The large Mg isotopic variation in the continental crust reflects the combination of several processes, such as continental weathering, involvement of supracrustal materials in the deep crust, and fluid metasomatism.

Geochemical Characteristics and Tectonic Setting of Hannuoba Basalts from Pingzhuang—Yuanbaoshan Basin in Chifeng

Geochemical Characteristics and Tectonic Setting of Hannuoba Basalts from Pingzhuang—Yuanbaoshan Basin in Chifeng

Chemical and Pb isotope composition of olivine-hosted melt inclusions from the Hannuoba basalts, North China Craton: Implications for petrogenesis and mantle source

Melt inclusions and their host olivine provide unique information about the nature, distribution and scale of mantle source heterogeneity. We present the first analyses of the chemical and Pb isotope compositions of melt inclusions and their host olivine from the Cenozoic Hannuoba basalts, North China Craton, which contains coexisting suites of alkali and tholeiitic basalts. There is limited variation in major and trace element composition, but significant Pb isotopic variation, in the tholeiitic samples. This contrasts with the substantial variation in major and trace elements, but limited Pb isotopic variation, in the alkali basalt samples. Based on the results of the major- and trace-element modeling, the compositional variation of the alkali basalts may be primarily attributed to garnet pyroxenite melting, with only a small input from garnet peridotite melts. The garnet–pyroxenite component involved in the genesis of the alkali basalts, of metasomatic origin, may have formed in the lithosphere. The wide range of isotopic composition of the tholeiitic basalts and remarkably limited variability of major and trace element composition is argued to be characteristic of the source region, which is a mixture of peridotite with small amounts of pyroxenite transformed from recycled ancient oceanic crust and sediment. The presence of recycled oceanic crust in the mantle source and the low–velocity anomaly observed beneath the Taihang Mountains, located 50km to the southeast of the Hannuoba region, supports a plume model for their origin.

Magnetic mineralogy of pyroxenite xenoliths from Hannuoba basalts, northern North China Craton: Implications for magnetism in the continental lower crust

Studies of the petrology, mineral chemistry, and rock magnetic properties of nine pyroxenite xenoliths from Hannuoba basalts, northern North China Craton, have been made to determine the magnetization signature of the continental lower crust. These pyroxenites are weakly magnetic with low average susceptibility (χ) and saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (Mrs) of 39.59 × 10−8 m3 kg−1 and 12.05 × 10−3 Am2 kg−1, respectively. The magnetic minerals are mainly magnetite, pyrrhotite, and Fe-rich spinel, which significantly contribute to χ and natural remanent magnetization. Magnetite occurs as interstitial microcrystals together with zeolite aggregates, indicating a secondary origin in a supergene environment. In contrast, pyrrhotite and Fe-rich spinel were formed prior to the xenoliths' ascent to the surface, as evidenced by their dominant occurrence as tiny inclusions and thin exsolution lamellae in pyroxene. The Fe-rich spinel has ~ 50% mole fraction of Fe3O4 and corresponds to the strongest magnetization, and its coexistence with Mg-rich spinel implies a reheating event due to the underplating of basaltic magma. Besides, armalcolite and ilmenite were found in the reaction rims between xenoliths and the basalt, but they contribute little to the whole rock magnetization. However, these pyroxenite xenoliths would be nonmagnetic at in situ depths, as well as peridotite and mafic granulite xenoliths derived from the crust-mantle transition zone (~ 32–42 km). Therefore, we suggest the limiting depth of magnetization at the boundary between weakly magnetic deep-seated (lower crust and upper mantle) xenoliths and strongly magnetic Archean granulite facies rocks (~ 32 km) in Hannuoba, northern North China Craton.

Geochemical Characteristics and Analysis of Tectonic Setting of Hannuoba Basalts from Chifeng Region, Inner Mongolia

The Hannuoba basalts from Chifeng region, Inner Mongolia, are continental flood basalt, produced by fissure-t type volcanism in the Miocene. The basalts chemically belong to the tholeiitic series. On the whole, the petrologic compositions are homogeneous. The basalts is characterized by Al2O3 = 11.5%~13.0%, Na2O&gt; K2O and TiO2=1.93~3.29%, chemically belong to the calc-alkaline series with low K2O, which are the agpaitic type; The total amounts of REE of Hannuoba basalts are lower and rich in LREE. There is a weak Eu negative anomaly and weak Ce negative anomaly. The basalts are obviously enriched in incompatible elements (K, Rb, Sr, Zr, Ba, LREE etc.), and depleted in high field-strength element (U,HREE) as well as compatible elements (Co, Ni, Cr etc.).Comprehensive studies have shown that Hannuoba basalts erupted in a stable setting within continental plate and controlled by deep fracture crossed mantle, belonging to continental rift basalt.

Multiple exsolutions in a rare clinopyroxene megacryst from the Hannuoba basalt, North China: Implications for subducted slab-related crustal thickening and recycling

A rare large clinopyroxene megacryst (referred to as type 1) collected from the Hannuoba basalt, North China was studied. It is distinguished from the prevalent clinopyroxene megacrysts (type 2) by garnet and orthopyroxene exsolutions and by elemental and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions. The type 1 clinopyroxene megacryst has higher Cr and Nb contents and Mg# (82.9) than the type 2 clinopyroxene megacrysts as well as more evolved Sr and Nd isotopic compositions (87Sr/86Sr=0.704520, 143Nd/144Nd=0.512350) than clinopyroxene megacrysts elsewhere. These characteristics suggest that the type 1 clinopyroxene megacryst could have been formed by a recycled crust-related melt–peridotite reaction and that the melt formed in the rutile unstable field. The type 2 clinopyroxene megacrysts exhibit good correlations between Mg# and major and trace element compositions. Type 2 Sr–Nd isotopic compositions cluster at the least evolved end of the Hannuoba basalt composition. These observations imply that the type 2 clinopyroxene megacrysts were crystallized from the host lava at high pressure.The type 1 clinopyroxene megacryst contains abundant coherent cryptocrystalline lamellae and orthopyroxene exsolutions. The bulk composition of the cryptocrystalline lamellae, composed of fine plagioclase and olivine, shows typical chemical features of garnet with a Sr isotopic composition similar to the clinopyroxene host. These observations indicate that the cryptocrystalline lamellae are decomposition products of garnet exsolutions in the clinopyroxene megacryst. P–T estimates suggest that garnet exsolution in the clinopyroxene megacryst could have occurred at 2.75GPa and 1290°C. This garnet exsolution could be caused by increasing pressure or decreasing temperature, as indicated by experimental results. Although the temperature decreases during basalt eruption, the much quicker decrease in pressure will suppress the garnet exsolution in clinopyroxene. Therefore, we suggest that the type 1 clinopyroxene megacryst could have experienced pre-Mesozoic crustal uplifting and thickening at the north margin of the North China Craton. Garnet decomposition could have taken place prior to orthopyroxene exsolution during the eruption of the host lava.

The genesis of mantle-derived sapphirine

Sapphirine, a typical ultrahigh-temperature metamorphic mineral, is rarely found in mantle xenoliths. Here we report the occurrence and characteristics of sapphirine in a mantle-derived xenolith from the Cenozoic basalts of Hannuoba in the North China Craton. The xenolith consists of a clinopyroxene, spinel, and sapphirine assemblage, with the sapphirine occurring as the reaction rim surrounding spinel. The mineral compositions of this sample are all characterized by high Mg contents, similar to those of minerals from other sapphirine-bearing rocks reported from high-Mg-Al granulites elsewhere in the world. Clinopyroxene is relatively rich in Al and Ca in comparison to pyroxene in peridotite and pyroxenite xenoliths in the Hannuoba basalts, as well as in global mafic and felsic granulites in other terranes, a feature that is consistent with the bulk composition. The P-T compilations from both experimental and natural rock data show a restricted stability field for the coexisting clinopyroxene + spinel + sapphirine assemblage of around 8–15 kbar and 800–900 °C. The rare occurrence of sapphirine in a mantle-derived xenolith therefore suggests specific bulk composition, restricted P-T range and possible melt-peridotite interaction. Such conditions are best satisfied in a tectonic setting with basaltic magma underplating and interaction between the infiltrating melts and the wall-rock peridotite.

Evolution of the Archean and Paleoproterozoic lower crust beneath the Trans-North China Orogen and the Western Block of the North China Craton

We report U–Pb ages and Hf isotopes of zircons in granulites from two continental suture zones in the North China Craton (NCC)—from granulite xenoliths entrained in the Cenozoic Hannuoba basalts within the Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO) that amalgamates the Western and Eastern Blocks, and from a mafic granulite associated with ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) granulites within the Inner Mongolia Suture Zone (IMSZ) that welds the Yinshan and Ordos Blocks. The zircons in these rocks, together with the inherited zircons from Mesozoic subalkalic intrusives of these regions, show several distinct U–Pb age populations and provide constraints on the evolution of the lower crust beneath the NCC. Parts of the older zircons from the TNCO yield discordant data that project to ages of about 2.5 to 2.7Ga. These old zircons show Hf TDM model ages of 2.6–2.9Ga suggesting the existence of Archean lower crust beneath the TNCO, which is coupled with the Neoarchean metamorphic basement and greenstone belt. A major zircon population grew at 1.75–2.0Ga, consistent with the timing of the Paleoproterozoic collision between the various crustal blocks within the NCC, suggesting that this event had a significant effect on the Archean lower crust. The older inherited zircons from the Western Block also yield discordant data that project to younger ages of about 1.8 to 1.9Ga. This age is consistent with the timing of intrusion of the mafic magmatic protoliths of the granulites associated with the UHT rocks in the khondalite belt within the IMSZ. These older zircons yield Hf TDM model ages of 2.0–2.5Ga suggesting that the lower crust beneath the Western Block in the NCC to be dominantly Paleoproterozoic, and decoupled with the Archean metamorphic basement of the region. Yet another population of zircons from the Hannuoba banded granulite xenoliths, garnet-bearing pyroxenite cumulate and dark pyroxenite xenoliths yield a large spread of Phanerozoic concordant ages ranging from 470Ma to 40Ma with peaks at 315Ma, 220–230Ma, 120Ma and 46Ma. The Late Paleozoic zircons predominantly occur in the garnet-bearing pyroxenite xenoliths and yield variable εHf(t) values of −24 to +18. Triassic–Cretaceous zircons mainly occur in the banded granulite xenoliths and yield highly variable εHf(t) values, ranging from −48 to +16. The Tertiary zircons occur only in the dark pyroxenite xenoliths and show a restricted εHf(t) with a dominant range from 0 to +18. These data suggest episodic magmatic underplating in the ancient lower crust of the NCC, lasting continuously throughout Phanerozoic, producing zircons from the underplated magmas or providing the heat source for the recrystallization of zircons from the ancient crust. Our data clearly demonstrate the important events of Phanerozoic magmatic underplating beneath the Neoarchean–Paleoproterozoic crust of the NCC.

Source of Mesozoic intermediate-felsic igneous rocks in the North China craton: Granulite xenolith evidence

Four intermediate to felsic igneous rocks from the Zhangjiakou region, along the northern margin of the North China craton, have magmatic zircon U–Pb ages from 122 to 144Ma. Two of these samples have inherited zircon U–Pb ages of ~2.5Ga, similar to the zircon ages of rocks from the surrounding granulite terrain. Zircons from two intermediate composition granulite xenoliths (JN0811 and JN0919) in the nearby Cenozoic Hannuoba basalts yield two groups of ages. The rims have concordant Mesozoic ages mostly between 120 and 145Ma, coeval with the Mesozoic intermediate-felsic magmatism in the region, while the cores have discordant U–Pb ages with upper-intercepts of ~2.5Ga, overlapping the zircon ages of granulite terrain rocks, and lower-intercept ages of ~130Ma, approximating the ages of the Mesozoic intermediate-felsic magmatism. The Sr–Nd isotopic compositions of the Mesozoic intermediate-felsic igneous rocks are completely different from those expected for basaltic melts from either the lithospheric mantle or the asthenospheric mantle, precluding a derivation by extensive fractional crystallization of mantle-derived magmas. The lack of correlation between (86Sr/87Sr)i, εNd(t) and SiO2 for the Mesozoic igneous rocks, the very narrow range of zircon εHf(t) for individual intermediate-felsic igneous rocks, and simple binary mixing calculations argue against them being formed by mixing between mantle-derived magma and preexisting crust that has extremely evolved Sr–Nd isotopic compositions like granulite xenoliths JN0811 and JN0919. Hf isotopic compositions of the Mesozoic zircons and whole-rock geochemistry show that the granulite xenoliths with extremely evolved Sr–Nd isotopic compositions have not undergone partial melting during the Mesozoic and thus do not contribute to the Mesozoic intermediate-felsic magmas. Further comparisons show that the source rocks for the Mesozoic intermediate-felsic magmas likely were late Archean lower crustal rocks similar in chemical and isotopic compositions to rocks with SiO2<62wt.% from the granulite terrain. If so, pyroxene-rich mafic granulite xenoliths found in the Hannuoba basalts could be restites left behind after the partial melting of the late Archean lower crust. The results shed new light on the origin for Mesozoic zircons in granulite xenoliths from Nushan, at the southern margin of the North China craton. We suggest that the widespread Mesozoic intermediate-felsic igneous rocks in the eastern North China craton are most likely derived from partial melting of the intermediate-mafic rocks of the late Archean lower crust.