Indochina Terrane Research Articles

A New Crustal Thickness and VP/VS Model of the Indochina Peninsula

Abstract The Indochina peninsula is formed by the collision of continental terranes, magmatic arcs, and suture zones due to the closure of the Palaeo-Tethys oceans during the Mesozoic and has experienced complex tectonic activities during the Cenozoic. Crustal thickness and VP/VS of the peninsula can help better understand its tectonics and formation, so we generate a new high-precision crust model for this region via the receiver function H−κ stacking method. The Khorat plateau has thicker crust (∼36.3 km) than other regions (∼32.4 km), whereas the elevation is similar (<500 m) or even lower. The poor correlation between crustal thickness and elevation suggests that there are other factors controlling the Khorat plateau elevation, for example, negative buoyancy of the lithosphere mantle. High crustal VP/VS (1.79–1.83) observed in southern Khorat plateau and southeastern Indochina Terrane indicates a mafic crustal composition that is consistent with extensive Late Cenozoic basaltic volcanism. Furthermore, our new model reveals high crustal VP/VS (1.81–1.95) in the east of the Nan suture and north of Khorat plateau, which could be interpreted as mafic–ultramafic intrusions in the continental back-arc basin east of the Sukhothai arc in the Late Palaeozoic. Our model does not support the existence of the eastward branch of the midlower crustal flow of the Tibetan plateau because a crustal weak layer would be too thin or too dispersed to flow.

Petrogenesis of REE-mineralized granitic plutons in central Thailand, Southeast Asian tin belt: New insights from geochemistry and zircon U–Pb geochronology

Granitic rocks including biotite granite and biotite-muscovite granite exposed in the Uthai Thani area, central Thailand are located on the main eastern and central granitic belts of Southeast Asia. The biotite granites are characterized by an equigranular texture, whereas biotite-muscovite granites exhibit a porphyritic texture with K-feldspar megacrysts. Geochemically, biotite granites show metaluminous to weakly peraluminous high-K calc-alkaline affinity, whereas biotite-muscovite granite exhibits strongly peraluminous and shoshonitic. The biotite granites and biotite-muscovite granites have trace element features consistent with formation in subduction and syn-collision settings, respectively. The pressure–temperature conditions of emplacement in biotite and biotite-muscovite granite types are 1.94–2.28 kbar/676 °C–713 °C and 1.39–2.00 kbar/669 °C–698 °C, respectively, indicating solidification in upper crustal paleo-depths. Positive εHf (t) values of zircon in the biotite granites indicate similarity to I-type granite of the Sukhothai Terrane, whereas negative εHf (t) values of zircon in the biotite-muscovite granites compare well with S-type granites form in the Inthanon zone. Zircon U–Pb geochronology indicates that biotite granites might have emplaced during the Late Triassic is related to Paleo-Tethys subduction beneath the Indochina terrane, whereas biotite-muscovite granites might have emplaced during the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic period, probably as a result of collision between the Sibumasu and the Indochina Terranes. In the Uthai Thani area, the high total REE contents and the presence of primary REE minerals in granitic rocks reflect mineralization potential with respect to light REE, together with the magmatism related to Fe-Cu and Sn mineralization along the main granite belts in Thailand.

Fracture model and structural history of Gunung Keriang, Kedah

Gunung Keriang is a limestone hill in Kedah, northwest Peninsular Malaysia, with well-bedded limestones that gently dip towards the SW and SE, forming N-S trending gentle folds. Fractures are prevalent at both regional and local scales, with three major fracture sets identified: NW-SE, N-S, and NE-SW, all of which are steep to vertically dipping. These fracture sets and their characteristics have been thoroughly analyzed and summarized in this study. The NW-SE fractures have an average length of 137.2 m with a spacing of 92.3 m, the N-S fractures average 120 m in length with 81.3 m spacing, and the NE-SW fractures average 101.6 m in length with 72.7 m spacing. The limestone deposits in Gunung Keriang were formed in a partially unstable shallow marine environment during the Early Permian to Early Triassic period. Subsequently, the Late Triassic collision between the Sibumasu and Indochina terranes led to the formation of N-S trending gentle folds, N-S tension gashes, and potential conjugate fracture sets (NW-SE and NE-SW direction) due to E-W compression. The ensuing uplift exposed the Gunung Keriang limestone and caused extensive dissolution, particularly along fractures.

Microfacies and palaeoenvironments of late Cisuralian and Guadalupian (Early to Middle Permian) alatoconchid-bearing limestone in Loei fold belt, Indochina Terrane

This study presents the first record of Early Permian alatoconchid bivalves from Thailand, the Erawan section, in the north of Loei fold belt with prolific fusulines in association with gastropods, and brachiopods. Fusuline taxa are dominated by Pseudofusulina sp. with Darvasites sp., Staffella cf. labanalensis, Staffella sp., Nankinella sp., Neofusulinella sp., Schubertella sp., Pamirina darvasica, Pseudoendothyra sp. and others, indicating an Artinskian age. Fusuline wackestone with common, well-preserved smaller foraminifers, Pseudovermiporella sp. and ostracods indicates a restricted lagoon environment with low to moderate water circulation. These fossils, along with well-preserved, articulated alatoconchids in life-position, suggest the autochthonous nature of the deposits in an intertidal environment.In the central part of the fold belt, the Pak Chong section exhibits intervals of alatoconchid biostromes and coquinites. Carbonate build-ups of the alatoconchid biostromes with gregarious bivalves, in life-position embedded in a micritic wackestone matrix, suggest their preferred life habit and environment. The bivalve coquinites containing packed bivalve shells and fragments, however, indicate a high-energy event. This rock fabric along with common fusuline storm sheets suggests occasional storm events in a restricted, with moderate water circulation to open lagoon environment. Fusulines are predominated by staffellids and others including Staffella sphaerica, Staffella sp., Sphaerulina croatica, Pisolina subsphaerica, Nankinella sp., Neoschwagerina simplex, Presumatrina sp., Afghanella sp. and others, indicating a Wordian (Middle Permian) age.In the southern portion of the fold belt along the Thai-Cambodian border, the Khao Taa Ngog section contains limestone with alatoconchid shells with massive rugose corals which formed local carbonate build-ups in high-energy open platform environments. Poorly-sorted bioclasts with common fusuline tests, shell fragments and coated grains suggest an open marine, lagoon, back reef environment. The occurrence of a fusuline assemblage including Neoschwagerina sp., Yabeina sp., Lepidolina sp., Codonofusiella sp., Verbeekina verbeeki and Chusenella sp. indicates the Capitanian (late Middle Permian) age.

Fracture Characterization Explores Potential of Phra Wihan Formation, Thailand

_ This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper IPTC 22845, “Fracture Characterization and Basement Reservoir Potential of Phra Wihan Formation in Southern Part of Uttaradit Province, Northern Thailand,” by Watcharapong Piewmoh, SPE, PTTEP, and Pitsanupong Kanjanapayont, Chulalongkorn University. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Copyright 2023 International Petroleum Technology Conference. Reproduced by permission. _ The complete paper describes the characterization of fractures in the Mesozoic sandstones of the Phra Wihan Formation in northern Thailand. Fracture characterization of outcrop analogs is important to determine the potential of subsurface reservoirs. The methodology used field study and petrography analysis to determine the relationship of fractures and other structures such as bedding planes and fold geometry. In addition, microstructure analysis can assist in the evaluation of a reservoir’s potential. Introduction Basement reservoir sandstones are one of the main targets in a mature onshore oil field in Thailand. But most basement reservoirs of the onshore Tertiary basin are pre-Tertiary and are associated with low quality. Prediction of reservoir quality in low-porosity and -permeability conditions requires an understanding of fractures in the subsurface. Outcrop analogs are key in characterizing fractured reservoirs. Geological Setting The tectonic evolution of Thailand is detailed in the complete paper. The country’s primary geological provinces are subdivided into the following five components, from west to east: - Sibumasu terrane - Inthanon zone - Sukhothai terrane - Nan and Sra Keao sutures - Indochina terrane The Sibumasu and Indochina terranes are major continental masses that collided during the Devonian-Triassic. Two subparallel suture zones exist along the convergence between the Sibumasu and Indochina terranes; one is an accretionary complex defined by the Inthanon zone. Another is a closed back-arc basin defined by the Nan and Sra Keao sutures. The Sukhothai terrane is an island-arc system formed along the margin of the Indochina terrane.

Early Cretaceous volcanic-arc magmatism in the Dalat-Kratie Fold Belt of eastern Cambodia: implications for the lithotectonic evolution of the Indochina terrane

Mesozoic granitic plutons are found throughout the Indochina terrane of eastern Cambodia and southern Vietnam. The granitic rocks range in age from Early Triassic (240 Ma) to Late Cretaceous (80 Ma) and record distinct tectonomagmatic periods associated with subduction of the Paleotethys and Paleo-Pacific oceans. Samples collected from the Snoul pluton, eastern Cambodia are composed of silicic and intermediate dioritic rocks, and basalt. The quartz diorites and diorites are magnesian, metaluminous, calcic to calc-alkalic, and similar to volcanic-arc granitoids whereas the basaltic rocks are compositionally similar to within-plate basalt. Zircon U-Pb geochronology and Lu-Hf isotopes and whole rock Sr-Nd isotopes show that the silicic rocks are Albian and isotopically juvenile (107.5 ± 0.3 Ma, 109.1 ± 0.4 Ma; εHf(t) = +7.0–+17.0; 87Sr/86Sri = 0.704313–0.707681; εNd(t) = +3.1–+4.9). Fractional crystallization modeling using a dioritic composition as the parental magma demonstrates that it is possible to generate the quartz diorite compositions under oxidizing (ΔFMQ +1) and hydrous (H2O = 2 wt%) conditions suggesting that they are consanguineous. The isotopically juvenile nature of the dioritic rocks and their compositional similarity (SiO2 ≥ 56 wt%, Al2O3 ≥ 15 wt%, Sr ≥ 400 ppm, Y ≤ 18 ppm, Yb ≤ 1.9 ppm) to adakitic rocks indicates that the parental magmas of the Snoul pluton were likely derived by partial melting of juvenile mafic basement rocks of the Indochina terrane. Moreover, Early Cretaceous plutonic rocks of Cambodia are isotopically distinct from plutonic rocks of similar age and tectonic setting from Vietnam suggesting that there could be a lithotectonic domain boundary within the Southern Indochina terrane. In contrast, the basaltic rocks likely record a temporally distinct period of magmatism associated with Late Cenozoic tensional plate stress.

Two-layer model of anisotropy beneath Myanmar and Thailand revealed by shear-wave splitting

The first model of two layers is presented to study the anisotropy pattern beneath Myanmar and Thailand using shear-wave splitting. Teleseismic activity recorded by 15 permanent broadband stations was analysed to investigate the anisotropy and to understand the flow direction in the mantle. The flow direction and speed were observed in the forms of fast polarisation direction (𝜙) and delay time (𝛿𝑡) between fast and slow components. The measurements showed that a two-layer model beneath stations better explicates the splitting observations than a single-layer model. The upper and lower layers were interpreted as lithosphere and asthenosphere in similar patterns and compared with GPS (Global Positioning System) velocity fields and strain rate fields. Two groups of 𝜙 can be classified and matched with West-Burma Terrane (WBT) and Shan-Thai Terrane (STT). The 𝜙 represents that West-Burma Terrane moves in a northward direction, Shan-Thai Terrane and Indo-China Terrane (ICT) move in a south-eastern direction, and West-Burma Terrane has less anisotropy of 𝜙 than Shan-Thai Terrane.

Geochemical and radiogenic isotopic signatures of granitic rocks in Chanthaburi and Chachoengsao provinces, southeastern Thailand: Implications for origin and evolution

The Chanthaburi, Pliew, Klathing, Khao Cha Mao, and Khao Hin Son granitic bodies in Chanthaburi and Chachoengsao provinces in southeastern Thailand, which are located on the southwestern side of the Mae Ping Fault and eastern side of the Klaeng Fault, were investigated. In this study, magnetic susceptibility measurements, whole-rock chemical composition and Nd-Sr isotope analyses, and zircon U-Pb dating were conducted on these granitic bodies. The surveyed granitic rocks are classified as I- to A-type granites, are of the ilmenite series, and show clearly negative Eu anomalies, which suggest they formed under reducing conditions. Nd-Sr isotope ratios indicate continental crust material involvement in the formation of these granite bodies. The magnetic and geochemical signatures are similar to those of granite bodies in southwestern Cambodia. The study area is thus considered an extensional area of southwestern Cambodia, corresponding to the Sukhothai Zone (the Chanthaburi-Kampong Chhnang Zone). Zircon U-Pb dating yields ages of 208–214 Ma (the Late Triassic) for granite bodies except for the Khao Cha Mao granitic body, which dates to 55 Ma. The former age corresponds to the collision time of the Sibumasu and Indochina terranes, and the latter age is likely related to the collision time of the Indian and Eurasian continents.

Petrogenesis of the early Jurassic Ora batholith in south‐western Cambodia

The Ora batholith in south-western Cambodia is situated in the western part of Indochina and east of the Inthanon–Bentong–Raub Palaeo-Tethys suture and thus bears significant constraints for the equivocal crustal generation of the Palaeo-Tethys orogenic belt in Mainland South-east Asia. The Ora batholith consists of monzonitic granite (Group 1), alkali-feldspar granite (Group 2), and biotite granite (Group 3), and they yield similar Early Jurassic ages of 186.0–199.7 Ma. Group 2 are high-silica (SiO2 > 75 wt%) rocks with lower TiO2, Al2O3, FeOtot, MgO, CaO, P2O5, Eu, Ba, Sr, P, and Ti contents compared to those of the other two groups. Group 2 and 3 are classified as fractionated-type granitoids, whereas Group 1 is unfractionated granite as the complementary residual of the fractionated rocks. All groups have positive εHf(t) values from +2.29 to +8.83, suggesting they were cogenetic and derived from partial melting of the lower crust with the addition of asthenospheric mantle material. Integrating with other granitoids in this region, we suggest the Ora granitoids belong to I-type granitoids. Our petrogenetic and zircon U–Pb age data suggest the Ora granitoids were related to the Early Jurassic post-collisional magmatism that resulted from crustal thickening and mantle lithospheric delamination due to a denser crustal root than the underlying mantle lithosphere after the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean closure and collision between the Sibumasu and Indochina terranes. Then the following upwelling of the asthenospheric mantle not only heated and caused partial melting of the lower crust and mantle wedge, but also supplied asthenospheric material to generate the high-εHf(t) magma.

Multiphase deformation of an inverted Permian deepwater rift basin: The Nong Pong Formation, Khao Khwang Fold and Thrust Belt, Thailand

• Khao Khwang Fold and Thrust Belt (KKFTB) is mixture of thrusted carbonate platforms over inverted deepwater rifts. • Nong Pong Formation affected by multiphase folding, whose structural style changes with sedimentary facies . • Estimated shortening of the KKFTB (300 km), supportive of E-W suture bisecting Indochina Terrane . The bathyal Permian Nong Pong Formation is crucial for understanding the deformation style, and amount of shortening in the E-W trending, Triassic (Indosinian Orogeny) Khao Khwang Fold and Thrust Belt. The formation was deposited in a series of marine rift basins, with carbonates forming on intervening highs. The platform carbonates are shortened by a series of dominantly north-directed thrusts. The Nong Pong Formation is extensively affected by tight to isoclinal, predominantly chevron style folding. Five major variations in stratigraphy (ranging between carbonate-dominated and shale-dominated) affect the deformation styles within the formation. Shortening locally is estimated to be up to 60% in sections up to 300 m long and is concentrated into short-wavelength (10 s m) structures. The absence of proximal slope depo-belts, and juxtaposition of carbonate platform facies with deepwater deposits suggest thrusts (some initiated as inverted normal faults) located on the basin margins have displacements of c. 10–25 km. Estimates of shortening from outcrops, and analogy with Zealandia, suggest the Nong Pong Formation was deposited in a basin up to 100 km wide. Such estimates point to a significant E-W trending seaway that bisected the Indochina Terrane. Multiple fold orientations and phases are present in the Nong Pong Formation, which are related to early mass transport events, multiple tectonic phases (Indosinian and Palaeogene), the influence of inherited trends (e.g. Permian rift basin morphology), and 3D deformation during a single tectonic phase. Deformation of the Nong Pong Formation demonstrates significant differences in structural style between ribbon continents and major continents, particularly, the Indochina ribbon continent shows the widespread inversion of rift basins across a submarine continent (similar to Zealandia) 100 s kms wide.

A new orogenic gold belt in Southeast Asia: Geology, mineralogy and genesis of the Vangtat gold deposit, Southeastern Laos

AbstractThe Vangtat deposit is the major gold deposit in a new orogenic gold belt discovered and developed in southeastern Laos in the past two decades. Our study of the Vangtat orogenic gold deposit shows that it formed within a convergent margin along the western segment of the Poko suture zone, which marks the collision between the Indochina Terrane and the Kontum Massif. Shear structure and greenschist facies metamorphic rocks are the main hosts for gold mineralization in the Vangtat deposit. High‐grade gold‐bearing quartz‐sulfide veins and wall rock hydrothermal alteration are genetically related, and alteration minerals consist of quartz, carbonate, graphite, white mica, chlorite, and pyrite. The study of fluid inclusions and wall rock alteration assemblages indicate that the Vangtat gold deposit was formed by an aqueous‐carbonic, low salinity, reduced, weakly alkaline to near‐neutral pH fluid, mainly composed of H2O, NaCl, CO2, CH4, N2, H2S, H2, O2, Si, and K. Gold was predominantly carried as a sulfide complex. The precipitation of gold is related to wall rock sulfidation and the further reduction with the carbon‐bearing host rock. The correlation between trapping temperature obtained from arsenopyrite geothermometry (360–395°C) and homogenization temperature obtained from primary fluid inclusion microthermometry (240–250°C), indicates a pressure and depth range for the Vangtat deposit of 380–420 MPa and 11–13 km, respectively. Gold appears as inclusions mainly in pyrite, and auriferous pyrite is homogeneous in textural, chemical, and sulfur isotopic composition. Auriferous pyrite δ34S values range from +4 to +6‰, which is compatible with the δ34S composition of igneous rocks. Together with cobalt/nickel ratios from the Vangtat auriferous pyrite, which are significantly greater than one (avg. 6.3), we suggest that mafic‐ultramafic rocks in the geologic basement of the Vangtat deposit are the plausible source of hydrothermal gold and sulfur. The formation of this orogenic gold deposit is associated with metamorphic dehydration and devolatilization that transported gold to the site of deposition.

Middle Permian ostracod fauna from the Khao Khad Formation (Indochina Terrane), Central Thailand

Permian ostracods are reported for the first time from the Wordian (Middle Permian) Khao Khad Formation of Saraburi Group (Lopburi Province, Central Thailand). The ostracod fauna consists of 18 species belonging to 11 genera including Bairdia, Bohlenatia,Liuzhinia, Silenites, Acratia, Bairdiacypris, Basslerella, Aurigerites, Microcheilinella, Paraparchites and Shemonaella. The studied Khao Khad Limestone, which are rich in fusulinids, gastropods, ostracods, bivalves and brachiopods, was deposited in a shallow carbonate platform on the western margin of the Indochina Terrane. The ostracod assemblage is typically Palaeo-Tethyan and similar to faunas from the other Lower to Middle Permian limestones in central Thailand.

Zircon Hf‐isotope constraints on the formation of metallic mineral deposits in Thailand

AbstractThe effects of the Sibumasu–Indochina Terranes collision created several kinds of mineral deposits in Thailand, which include porphyry–skarn copper–gold, epithermal gold and antimony, orogenic gold–antimony–tungsten and tin‐tungsten mineralization among others. The deposits show a distinct spatial zonal distribution and occur in specific tectonic terranes. Combining regional geological data and ore deposit distribution data with Hf‐isotopic data of zircons in igneous rocks can be used to investigate the relationship between crustal construction processes and metallogeny. In this study, we investigated the Sukhothai Fold Belt, which is composed of quartz monzodiorite, granodiorite, syenogranite, and monzogranite of I‐ and S‐type affinities. All granitoids were analyzed for zircon U–Pb geochronology and Lu–Hf isotopic analysis. The granitoids of the Sukhothai Fold Belt yielded U–Pb zircon ages ranging from ~243 to 202 Ma, which mark the timing of subduction to the syn‐collisional stage between the Sibumasu–Indochina terranes at ~243–237 Ma and the timing of post‐collision between the Sibumasu–Indochina terranes during 230–202 Ma. In addition, an age of ~43 Ma in the south of the Sukhothai Fold Belt may indicate intrusion during the sinistral movement of the Klaeng and Mae Ping fault zones resulted from the Indian–Eurasian plate collision. The Doi Tung quartz monzodiorite provided an age of ~350 Ma as a timing of formation of the Sukhothai Fold Belt. The negative and positive initial εHf values (−8.0 to +9.2) with two‐stage depleted mantle model ages (TDMC of 2.2–0.6 Ga) of zircons from the Sukhothai Fold Belt granitoids indicate that the sources of their magma derived from partial melting of old continental crust and young oceanic crust, which probably mixed with a mantle‐derived magma. A zircon Hf‐isotope compilation including the data obtained in this study and previously reported values was used to prepare a map that allows a comparison between magmatic source and mineral deposit distribution in Thailand. The spatial distribution of Hf isotopic data reveals a distinct zonation, with initial εHf values decreasing from the east to the west, that is, from the western margin of the Indochina Terrane or the Loei Fold Belt to the Sukhothai Fold Belt, the Inthanon Zone and the Sibumasu Terrane. The magmatic source for the granitoids in the Loei Fold Belt is dominated by mantle‐derived components, as shown by positive average initial εHf values (+1.0 to +12.7), and contributed to porphyry‐related skarn copper–gold and iron and epithermal gold mineralization. In contrast, magmas in the Sibumasu Terrane and the Inthanon Zone originated from melting of old crustal materials, as indicated by mostly negative average initial εHf values (−15.1 to +0.8), and are responsible for S‐type granite‐related tin‐tungsten mineralization. The average initial εHf values (−5.0 to +11.0) from the intrusions in the Sukhothai Fold Belt suggest mixed sources, including evolved and juvenile magmatic materials, which generated the orogenic gold deposits and other vein‐type antimony, tungsten, fluorite, and base metal deposits. These results imply a close spatial correlation between the source of magmatism in each tectonic terrane of Thailand and different metal ore deposits. These isotope maps can be used as a powerful tool in the exploration for various commodities at the regional scale.

Peninsular Malaysia transitional geodynamic process from Gondwana to Pangaea: New constraints from 500 to 200 Ma magmatic zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotopic compositions

The geodynamic process from the evolution of supercontinent has distinct isotope characteristics explorable using zircon Hf isotopic composition. Since Peninsular Malaysia associates with Gondwana dispersal and Pangaea formation, analyzing the U-Pb and Hf-isotopic content of its 500–200 Ma magmatic zircon could reveal the signal left by the transitional geodynamic process between the supercontinents. We collected two groups of magmatic rocks from West Malaya: Ordovician meta-volcanics (n = 8), and Triassic Main Range granitoid province (MRGP) (n = 6); and three groups from East Malaya: Carboniferous meta-volcanics (n = 2), Permian-Triassic Eastern granite province (EGP) (n = 6), and Permian-Triassic EGP volcanics (n = 8). Difference in magmatic zircon Hf isotopic crustal model ages uphold the previous rationale which separates Peninsular into two blocks: West Malaya (part of Sibumasu terrane) magmatic zircon Hf isotopic crustal model ages (Average TDM2: 1.3 Ga) are older than East Malaya (part of Chanthaburi-Sukhothai-Lincang arc of Indochina terrane) (Average TDM2: 0.9 Ga). During the final assembly of Gondwana from 500 to 450 Ma, West Malaya and East Malaya were at the outboard of Gondwana Proto-Tethys margin. The shift of East Malaya zircon Hf array towards higher εHf(t) (external orogenic system) after ca.370 Ma may infers Paleo-Tethys ocean broadening and East Malaya separation from Gondwana. The 370–350 Ma juvenile zircon Hf isotopic composition in East Malaya is a significant improvement over radiolarian age to show the broadening and subduction of the Paleo-Tethys ocean between the two terranes. After ca.280 Ma, East Malaya zircon Hf array shifted towards lower εHf(t) (internal orogenic system). Coinciding with the Indosinian collision at ca.230 Ma, crustal reworking signal increases in both blocks, signifying the end in Peninsular Malaysia Gondwana to Pangaea transitional geodynamic process. As the Paleo-Tethys segment was completely subducted after 230 Ma, the peninsular crustal thickening starts from 230 to 218 Ma. The post-collision phase would begin at ca.215 Ma.

K–Ar geochronology of orogenic gold mineralization in the Vangtat gold belt, southeastern Laos: Effect of excess argon in hydrothermal quartz

AbstractThe Thongkai‐Ok gold deposit is one of several actively mined deposits in a newly discovered orogenic gold belt in southeastern Laos. At a district scale, gold mineralization occurs within the Vangtat shear zone, one of the tectonic structures of the Poko suture zone that marks the collision between the Indochina Terrane and the Kontum Massif in southern Laos‐central Vietnam. High grade gold mineralization is associated with quartz–pyrite–white mica veins and silicified zones up to 10 m thick, hosted by strongly deformed and sheared pelitic schist. Lower‐grade gold mineralization occurs in a graphite–carbonate–quartz–sulfide hydrothermal alteration envelope that grades into sub‐economic/barren altered pelitic schist. The objective of this study is to establish the age of mineralization in the Vangtat orogenic gold belt by K–Ar dating of hydrothermal white mica in the gold‐bearing quartz‐sulfide veins in order to better understand its spatial and temporal relation to other gold deposits in Southeast Asia and to regional tectonic events. Three‐white mica bearing quartz–pyrite samples were collected from the open pit at Thongkai‐Ok. The dominant white mica phase in the samples is 2M1 muscovite and the K2O content measured by electron microprobe techniques in individual white mica crystals ranged between 8.61 and 9.79 wt%. Two of the three vein samples were separated by gravity settling into four size fractions, <2, 2–4, 4–10, and 10–40 μm, respectively. The results of potassium measurements by flame photometry in the K–Ar sample aliquots show a range in potassium content which reflects the amount of quartz present in each sample as an impurity. With one exception, a correlation was observed between potassium concentration in the samples, including the size fraction separates, and the calculated K–Ar age. The large range of calculated ages, from 348 to 206 Ma, is interpreted to reflect excess argon contained in fluid inclusions in the hydrothermal quartz present in the analyzed samples. We interpret the youngest age of the quartz‐free samples, 206 ± 4 Ma, as closest to the age of mineralization in the Vangtat gold belt. The age could be as young as ~170 Ma if the age versus potassium content relation is extrapolated to the average potassium content of white mica in the samples analyzed.

Magma Genesis and Arc Evolution at the Indochina Terrane Subduction: Petrological and Geochemical Constraints From the Volcanic Rocks in Wang Nam Khiao Area, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand

Volcanic rocks and associated dikes have been exposed in Wang Nam Khiao area, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, northeastern Thailand where complex tectonic setting was reported. These volcanic rocks are classified as rhyolite, dacite, and andesite while dikes are also characterized by andesitic composition. These dikes clearly cut into the volcanic rocks and Late Permian hornblende granite in the adjacent area. Rhyolite and dacite are composed of abundant plagioclase and quartz whereas andesite and andesitic dike contain mainly plagioclase and hornblende with minor quartz. The volcanic rocks typically show plagioclase and hornblende phenocrysts embedded in fine-grained quartz and glass groundmass whereas dike rocks contain less glass matrix with more albitic laths. P-T conditions of crystallization are estimated, on the basis of Al-in-hornblende geobarometry and hornblende geothermometry, at about 4.5 – 5.5 kbar, 861 – 927 oC and 4.8 – 5.5 kbar, 873 – 890 oC for the magma intrusions that fed volcanic rocks and andesitic dikes, respectively. Whole-rock geochemistry indicates that these rock suites are related to calc-alkaline hydrous magma. The enriched LILE (e.g. Rb, Sr) and depleted HFSE (e.g. Nb, Ce, Ti), with similar REE patterns indicate arc magmatism. The results of this study are comparable to the continental arc magmatism along the Loei Fold Belt as a consequence of the Late Permian Palaeo-Tethys subducted beneath Indochina Terrane.

Microbial-, fusulinid limestones with large gastropods and calcareous algae: an unusual facies from the Early Permian Khao Khad Formation of Central Thailand

The Early Permian (Kungurian) Khao Khad Formation of Central Thailand consists mostly of carbonates deposited on the western margin of the Indochina Terrane. This formation has yielded unusual microbial-fusulinid limestones with large gastropods which contribute most to the rock volume. With a height of more than 6 cm, the gastropods are amongst the largest Early Permian gastropods ever reported. Gastropods as major rock formers are rare in the Palaeozoic. This, and other recently reported invertebrate faunas from Thailand show that gastropods may dominate Permian fossil assemblages not only in diversity, but also regarding abundance and in some cases also regarding biomass. Besides gastropods, fusulinids, various calcareous algae, intraclasts and thick microbial-cyanobacterial (Girvanella and Archaeolithoporella) coatings and reticular microbial patches as well as thick inter- and intragranular radial fibrous cement crusts are present. The gastropods represent at least four species and belong probably to undescribed taxa. The fusulinid genus Pseudofusulina and Misellina (M.) termieri are reported from the Khao Khad Formation for the first time and indicate a Bolorian age. Calcareous algae are dominated by dasycladaceans followed by gymnocodiaceans and solenoporaceans. The studied limestone almost completely lacks metazoan reef builders such as corals and sponges. Likewise, brachiopods and bivalves are absent in the studied samples and echinoderms are very scarce. The carbonate is interpreted as product of shallow water, back-reef lagoonal platform community with a high productivity providing the large gastropods with sufficient food. However, conditions were too eutrophic for sessile filter feeders including metazoan reef builders.

Middle Permian (Roadian) gastropods from the Khao Khad Formation, Central Thailand: Implications for palaeogeography of the Indochina Terrane.

A new Permian gastropod assemblage from the Roadian (Middle Permian) Khao Khad Formation, Saraburi Group (Lopburi Province, Central Thailand) which is part of the Indochina Terrane, has yielded one of the most diverse Permian gastropod faunas known from Thailand. A total of 44 gastropod species belonging to 30 genera are described herein, including thirteen new species and one new genus. The new genus is Altotomaria. The new species are Bellerophon erawanensis, Biarmeaspira mazaevi, Apachella thailandensis, Gosseletina microstriata, Worthenia humiligrada, Altotomaria reticulata, Yunnania inflata, Trachydomia suwanneeae, Trachyspira eleganta, Heterosubulites longusapertura, Platyzona gradata, Trypanocochlea lopburiensis and Streptacis? khaokhadensis. Most of the species in the studied assemblage represent vetigastropods (35.6%) and caenogastropods (26.7%) and most of the species belong to Late Palaeozoic cosmopolitan genera. The studied faunas come from shallow water carbonates that are rich in fusulinids, followed by gastropods, ostracods, bivalves and brachiopods. The gastropod assemblage from the Khao Khad Formation shares no species with the gastropod assemblages from other Permian formations in Thailand, the Tak Fa Limestone and the Ratburi Limestone. However, it is similar to the Late Permian gastropod faunas from South China of the Palaeo-Tethys, therefore it suggests that the Indochina Terrane was not located far from South China.

Crustal density structure across Thailand delineated from 2D density modelling using gravity data and receiver function

This work aims to gather geological and geophysical evidences to construct the crustal density model of Thailand. The initial density models beneath 14-, 16- and 17-degree latitude were delineated from receiver function (RF) data and global crustal density model. The crustal density models were then updated to fit the Bouguer gravity anomaly data (BA) provided by the Royal Thai Survey Department using a 2-D gravity modelling software. The upward continuation technique was also applied to BA for enhancing the deep structure by omitting the influence of shallow structures. The derived crustal density models agree with Thailand’s tectonic setting. The density of the upper crust increases from 2.60 to 2.64 g/cm3 from west to east, from Sibumasu to Khorat Plateau – Indochina terrane. Between these two main terranes, the obtained model reveals the back-arc island, Sukhothai arc and Inthanon Zone, with a density of 2.55 g/cm3. The higher density of the lower crust with the derived mantle boundary from RF, ranging from 30.8 km of Sibumasu in the western to 38 km in the Khorat Plateau – Indochina terrane in the east, fit well with the filtered BA. Low BA that appear in Khorat plateau is not associated with topography in area which correspond to the high-density structure above upper mantle which need further investigation. Although, the developed crustal density models agree with BA, RF and tectonic evolution of Thailand, the additional gravity survey is suggested to enhance the crustal density models along the selected profiles.

Petrogenesis and tectonic setting of Late Paleozoic to Late Mesozoic igneous rocks in Cambodia

Emplacement of igneous rocks from the Carboniferous to the Middle Jurassic of Cambodia was controlled by the Indosinian Orogeny, which was related to the sequence of suturing and collision between the continental fragments from Gondwana. To constrain magma genesis, tectonic setting, and relationship with igneous rocks in neighboring countries, we determined the magnetic susceptibility, chemical compositions, Rb-Sr isochron ages and Sr-Nd isotope ratios for igneous rock samples from Cambodia. Igneous rocks in Cambodia can be divided by the inferred Mae Ping fault into magnetite series in the NE region and ilmenite series in the SW region. The igneous rocks in the NE region showed I-type or A-type and metaluminous signatures, and strong involvement of mantle source materials. They are subdivided into older and younger adakitic rocks and non-adakitic rocks. The igneous rocks in the SW region showed non-adakitic and slightly metaluminous to peraluminous signatures. These have significant involvement of source materials with relatively uniform Nd isotope ratios but variable Sr isotope ratios, which may have originated from the lower to middle continental crust. The Late Triassic to Middle Jurassic igneous rocks were formed by the subduction of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean crust associated with the collision of the Sibumasu Terrane with the Indochina Terrane (the Indosinian Orogeny II). The younger granitic rocks showed A-type signature and are regarded as post-orogenic, within the plate or rifting zone that intruded in association with the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean crust beneath Indochina during the Cretaceous to the Paleogene.