Initial Sr Isotopic Compositions Research Articles

Chronology of alkali anorthosite 14304 clast “b” records basin forming impact at ∼3.95 Ga

Alkali-suite rocks constitute one of three major suites of lunar crustal rocks. As such, constraining their formation timescales and petrogenesis is important for understanding the earliest magmatic history of the Moon. However, the magmatic history of alkali-suite rocks is partly obscured by superimposed effects of major basin-forming impact events on the lunar nearside. Consequently, unambiguous crystallization ages of samples from this suite of rocks have not been determined. The aim of this study is to better understand the petrogenetic history of the alkali-suite and the potential superimposed effects of impact metamorphism by determining Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr, and 40Ar/39Ar ages for an alkali anorthosite clast from Apollo 14 lithic breccia 14304 termed clast “b”. The new chronologic measurements of clast “b” yield concordant Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr, and 40Ar/39Ar ages of 3947 ± 13 Ma, 3975 ± 34 Ma, and 3937 ± 37 Ma respectively, resulting in a weighted mean age of 3949 ± 11 Ma. This age is not interpreted to date an igneous event related to production of the lunar highlands crust and instead the chronology and petrography of clast “b” are most readily explained by an impact event at ∼3.95 Ga that caused near-complete isotopic re-equilibration of the Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr, and 40Ar/39Ar chronometers. The weighted mean age of 3949 ± 11 Ma of clast “b” is several hundred Ma younger than 4.3–4.4 Ga ages typically determined for samples of other crustal rock suites but in very good agreement with independent estimates for the formation of Imbrium basin ejecta and other marginally older impact events which are thought to have been sampled at the Apollo 14 landing site. Thus, although petrologic and geochemical examination suggest that clast “b” is a pristine igneous clast, its age likely records an impact event at the Apollo 14 landing site. Whereas the various determined ages of clast “b” do not reflect the timescales of alkali-suite magmatism, the relatively low initial Sr and Nd isotopic compositions of clast “b” indicate that its protolith evolved with very low 147Sm/144Nd and 87Rb/86Sr that are distinct from estimates for urKREEP but similar to that of lunar plagioclase. This implies that the igneous protolith of clast “b” derived from a plagioclase-dominated KREEP-rich source that must have formed after the formation of the urKREEP source at ∼4.35 Ga but well before the impact event recorded by clast “b” at ∼3.95 Ga.

Interstitial carbonates in pillowed metabasaltic rocks from the Pilbara Craton, Western Australia: A vestige of Archean seawater chemistry and seawater-rock interactions

Calcites hosted in the interpillow void spaces of extremely well preserved, 3.47–3.12 Ga pillow lavas of the Archean Pilbara Craton, Australia, provide new geochemical insights into the composition of Archean seawater and its interaction with basaltic crust. We present a comprehensive dataset of major and trace elements, radiogenic 147Sm-143Nd, 87Rb-87Sr, and stable C-O isotopes for these calcites.Based on their elemental composition and Post-Archean Australian Shale-normalized rare earth element and yttrium (REYPAAS) patterns, two types of calcites can be distinguished. Type I (n = 9) are coarse-grained calcites with elevated Mn concentrations (478–14,790 ppm) and high REY concentrations that match the basaltic host rock compositions. Petrographic textures in combination with geochemical data indicate precipitation from boiling seawater trapped between pillows during basalt eruption. Small light-REYPAAS depletions, only slightly super-chondritic Y/Ho (34.5–39.1), and low δ18O(VSMOW2) (9.25–16.66 ‰) suggest relatively high fluid-rock interactions of boiling seawater with the basaltic host rock. These characteristics are similar to those of interstitial carbonates found in modern mid-ocean ridge basalts. Type II carbonates (n = 6) are fine-grained, low-Mn (13.7–420 ppm) calcites that exhibit comparably high Sr concentrations (825–2,516 ppm) and anoxic modern seawater-like REYPAAS patterns, strong super-chondritic Y/Ho (39.1–55.8) and δ18O(VSMOW2) values of 9.10–13.18 ‰. These features hint to direct calcite precipitation from seawater within the degassing space with little fluid-rock interaction.Almost all (Type I and Type II) of the calcites investigated here, combined with their respective host rocks, yield well-defined Sm-Nd isochron ages for the Apex (3,466 ± 23 Ma), Euro (3,365 ± 43 Ma), Honeyeater (3,187 ± 33 Ma), and Bradley (3,131 ± 24 Ma) formations. Only calcites from the Mt. Ada Basalt and their associated host rocks show a ∼ 100 Ma younger Sm-Nd isochron age (3,361 ± 22 Ma) compared to the U-Pb zircon age of formation.Highly radiogenic initial Sr isotope compositions of the high-Mn calcites (Type I) and low Sr concentrations, suggest Sr remobilization for these calcites. In contrast, the low-Mn calcite (Type II) exhibit higher Sr concentrations and lower 87Sr/86Sr(i) of 0.7010–0.7011 at 3.34 Ga and 0.70137 at 3.12 Ga, suggesting increasing influence of crustal weathering on the composition of Paleoarchean seawater through time, and progressive decoupling from the Archean mantle (87Sr/86Sr(i) = 0.7003–0.7007).

Petrogenesis of Late Devonian I- and A-type granitoids, and associated mafic microgranular enclaves in the northwestern North Qaidam Orogenic Belt, China: Implications for continental crust growth during the post-collisional stage

Post-collisional magmatic intrusions and their mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) can provide significant insights into granite petrogenesis, crust-mantle interaction, and the reworking and growth of the continental crust. A combined petrological and geochemical study was carried out on MMEs and their host Niubiziliang I-type felsic composite pluton (granite and granodiorite) and aluminous A 2 -type Datonggou biotite granite from the Niubiziliang batholith in the northwestern segment of the North Qaidam Orogenic Belt (NQOB), China. This study presents whole-rock major- and trace elements and Sr Nd isotopic compositions, electron probe microanalyses of plagioclase, hornblende, and biotite, and zircon U Pb dating and Hf isotopes. Zircon U Pb dating demonstrates that the studied rocks formed during the Late Devonian (ca. 382 Ma). The Niubiziliang composite felsic pluton samples yield a metaluminous calc-alkaline to high-K calc-alkaline I-type granitic composition. The MMEs from Niubiziliang composite felsic pluton have low SiO 2 (52–64 wt%) and high MgO (2.8–4.9 wt%) concentrations. Both MMEs and host granites are enriched in light rare earth elements (LREEs) and large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and are depleted in P and high field strength elements (HFSEs). All MMEs and host granitoids samples from Niubiziliang have indistinguishable Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic compositions characterized by initial Sr isotope ratios of 0.70545–0.70633 (MMEs), 0.70555–0.70742 (host rock), whole-rock ε Nd ( 382 Ma ) values of −2.95 to +1.6, −0.25 to +3.5, and zircon ε Hf( 382Ma ) values of +2.2 to +10.2, +1.3 to +10.4, respectively. The Niubiziliang composite felsic pluton is a product of mixing juvenile crust-derived and depleted mantle-derived melts in a 40:60 proportion. MMEs crystallized from the same source as the host granite, and they were formed by self-mixing with the earlier crystallized cumulates when they were affected by the emplacement of subsequent hot magmas. The Datonggou biotite granite has high TFe 2 O 3 /(TFe 2 O 3 + MgO), TiO 2 /MgO, Ga/Al, and Y/Nb ratios, high zircon saturation temperatures (802–846 °C), high HFSE concentrations (e.g., Zr, Nb, and Y), moderate (Na 2 O + K 2 O) concentrations, and low Eu and Sr concentrations. Interstitial biotite has high Fe 2 O 3 but low MgO concentrations, similar to those of aluminous A-type granite. The above-mentioned characteristics imply that the Datonggou biotite granite is an aluminous A 2 -type granite. Considering their high initial Sr isotopic composition (0.72218–0.72652), low ε Nd ( 382 Ma ) (−6.73 to −6.31), and comparatively old two-stage Nd model ages (1640–1674 Ma), we suggest the biotite granite was generated by partial melting of Ordovician-Silurian granitoids with tonalitic compositions at H T -L P conditions. The formation of coeval I- and aluminous A 2 -type granitoids in this region was probably related to the lithospheric mantle delamination and associated asthenospheric upwelling at ca. 390 Ma. The I-type granitoids and MMEs from the Niubiziliang area represent a net addition of juvenile mantle to the crust and, given the wide distribution of contemporaneous I-type granitoids, the post-collisional magmatism has significantly contributed to the growth of the continental crust in the NQOB. • The Niubiziliang granitoids, MMEs, and biotite granite were emplaced at 382 Ma. • Lithospheric delamination occurred at ca. 390 Ma in the North Qaidam belt. • The post-collisional granitoids contribute to the growth of the continental crust.

Bulk compositions of the Chang’E-5 lunar soil: Insights into chemical homogeneity, exotic addition, and origin of landing site basalts

Lunar soil is a fine mixture of local rocks and exotic components. The bulk-rock chemical composition of the newly returned Chang’E-5 (CE-5) lunar soil was studied to understand its chemical homogeneity, exotic additions, and origin of landing site basalts. Concentrations of 48 major and trace elements, including many low-concentration volatile and siderophile elements, of two batches of the scooped CE-5 soil samples were simultaneously obtained by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with minimal sample consumption. Their major and trace elemental compositions (except for Ni) are uniform at milligram levels (2–4 mg), matching measured compositions of basaltic glasses and estimates based on mineral modal abundances of basaltic fragments. This result indicates that the exotic highland and KREEP (K, rare earth elements, and P-rich) materials are very low (<5%) and the bulk chemical composition (except for Ni) of the CE-5 soil can be used to represent the underlying mare basalt. The elevated Ni concentrations reflect the addition of about 1 wt% meteoritic materials, which would not influence the other bulk composition except for some highly siderophile trace elements such as Ir. The CE-5 soil, which is overall the same as the underlying basalt in composition, displays low Mg# (34), high FeO (22.7 wt%), intermediate TiO2 (5.12 wt%), and high Th (5.14 µg/g) concentrations. The composition is distinct from basalts and soils returned by the Apollo and Luna missions, however, the depletion of volatile or siderophile elements such as K, Rb, Mo, and W in their mantle sources is comparable. The incompatible lithophile trace element concentrations (e.g., Ba, Rb, Th, U, Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, and REE) of the CE-5 basalts are moderately high and their pattern mimics high-K KREEP. The pattern of these trace elements with K, Th, U, Nb, and Ta anomalies of the CE-5 basalts cannot be explained by the partial melting and crystallization of olivine, pyroxene, and plagioclase. Thus, the mantle source of the CE-5 landing site mare basalt could have contained KREEP components, likely as trapped interstitial melts. To reconcile these observations with the initial unradiogenic Sr and radiogenic Nd isotopic compositions of the CE-5 basalts, clinopyroxene characterized by low Rb/Sr and high Sm/Nd ratios could be one of the main minerals in the KREEP-bearing mantle source. Consequently, we propose that the CE-5 landing site mare basalts very likely originated from partial melting of a shallow and clinopyroxene-rich (relative to olivine and orthopyroxene) upper mantle cumulate with a small fraction (about 1–1.5 %) of KREEP-like materials.

Tectonomagmatic reconstruction of the Upper Mesozoic-Cenozoic Neotethyan arcs in the Lut block, East Iran: a review and synthesis

The Lut Block in east Iran with a widespread record of arc-type Mesozoic-Cenozoic magmatic rocks is bordered by the Birjand (Sistan) ophiolitic assemblage to the east and the Sabzevar ophiolitic assemblage to the north. The nature and tectonomagmatic setting of these sutures and associated arcs are controversial. The geochemical attributes of the Upper Cretaceous-Paleogene intrusive and extrusive rocks in the central (CLB) and the northern Lut block (NLB) and in the Sabzevar ophiolite zone (SOZ), Late Cretaceous calc-alkaline and adakitic rocks to the east of the Sistan suture (CAS), and the Bazman intrusives to the west are consistent with a subduction-related volcanic arc setting. The Najmabad granitoids in the NLB compositionally overlap with the Eocene Sabzevar calcalkaline and adakitic lava flows (ESA), implying a common magmatic source and a similar trend of evolution. The island arc basalt-like geochemical patterns and the initial Sr and Nd isotope compositions for the CLB intrusive bodies suggest that the parent magmas formed by partial melting in a suprasubduction mantle wedge. The initial 87Sr/861Sr and εNd(t) values for the CAS, the Bazman intrusives, the ESA, and the Najmabad granitoids are similar and overlap those of the Sabzevar ophiolitic rocks. Here, we review the previously proposed one-sided subduction models for the Lut block and the Sabzevar suture zone, and discuss in favour of a two-sided asymmetric subduction as an alternative geodynamic model.

Decoupling of Sr-Nd Isotopic Composition Induced by Potassic Alteration in the Shapinggou Porphyry Mo Deposit of the Qinling–Dabie Orogenic Belt, China

In our previous study on petrogenesis of quartz syenite and granite porphyry, the host rocks of the Late Mesozoic Shapinggou Mo deposit in the Qinling–Dabie orogenic belt, we found that the initial Sr isotopic composition of the host rocks is strongly affected by the degree of K-alteration. Here, we provide further isotopic evidence of the host rocks and their minerals to investigate the geochemical behaviour of trace elements and isotopes during the alteration and to explain the phenomenon of decoupling of Sr–Nd isotopic composition. The quartz syenite and granite porphyry are altered by K-alteration in varying degrees and have high K2O and Rb contents and low Na2O, CaO, Sr, and Ba contents. Rock samples of both quartz syenite and granite porphyry have variable Rb/Sr ratios and initial 87Sr/86Sr values (even &lt; 0.70) but contain quite homogeneous εNd(t) values (−12.8 to −14.8). Minerals from the rocks of moderate to intense K-alteration have very low initial 87Sr/86Sr values (even &lt; −17), while those from the weakly altered rocks have 87Sr/86Sr(t) values of 0.7044 to 0.7084. The same phenomenon of the decoupling in Sr–Nd isotopic composition can be observed from several Mo deposits within the eastern Qinling–Dabie orogenic belt. This fact suggests similar hydrothermal features and a comparable origin for both the magmatic rocks and hydrothermal fluids in this belt. A comparison between porphyry Mo and porphyry Cu deposits shows that elements and the Rb–Sr isotope system have different behaviours during the K-alteration, implying distinct material sources and igneous rocks for porphyry Mo and porphyry Cu deposits, respectively.

Petrogenesis of Tertiary granitoid rocks from east of the Bidhand fault, Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Arc, Iran: Implication for an active continental margin setting

Tertiary granitoid rocks including diorite, quartz diorite, quartz monzodiorite, monzonite, and quartz monzonite occur in southeast of Qom and to the east of Bidhand fault in the central Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Arc (UDMA). Zircon U–Pb dating reveals an age of ca. 17 Ma for the crystallization of Kerogan quartz diorite. The study samples show sub-alkaline to transitional, metaluminous, and I-type affinity with low to middle SiO2 (53.9–63.9 wt%). Micro granitoid enclaves (MGEs) are widespread in these rocks, exhibiting diorite to monzodiorite composition (SiO2 = 56.75–58.4 wt%). MGEs and host rocks are slightly enriched in LREEs and LILEs, and depleted in HFSE including Nb, Ta and Ti as expected in granitoids formed in an active continental margin setting. The granitoid rocks display initial Sr isotopic compositions of 0.7047–0.7062, positive εNd(t) of 3.2–6.6, and 206Pb/204Pb (18.6431–18.8499), 207Pb/204Pb (15.6322–15. 6902), and 208Pb/204Pb ratios (38.5585–38.9325), and positive zircon εHf(t) values of 6.7–8.7. MGEs also display identical Sr-Nd isotopic compositions (87Sr/86Sri = 0.70537–0.70576; εNd(t) = 2.3–5.3) to the host rocks. The isotopic characteristics in combination with the geochemical signatures indicate that the granitoid rocks and MGEs most likely originated by interaction between mantle-derived mafic and basaltic lower crust-derived melts. Major and trace element modeling reveals that the mafic lower crust is composed of less ~40% partial melting of garnet-free amphibolite. Petrographic and geochemical characterization together with bulk rock Nd-Sr isotopic data suggest that host rocks and associated enclaves derived from the same parent by interaction between basaltic lower crust (~10%) and lithospheric mantle (~90%) during their generation that subduction related compositions have also been involved in their petrogenesis. This magma has experienced high fractional crystallization but minor crustal contamination during magma ascent to the upper crustal level. Petrographical, geochemical, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic similarities between granitoid and MGEs imply that MGEs are cognate late cumulates, formed by pressure quenching mechanism during the late stage of magma evolution in crustal magma chamber. The Tertiary magmatism in the study area originated in an arc-related setting induced by slab roll-back of northward Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere subduction beneath central Iranian micro continent and resulted in lithospheric extensional regime and subsequently asthenosphere upwelling. The heat induced by the upwelling of the asthenosphere likely led to melting of upper mantle and the mafic crustal material during Early Miocene as the final magmatism phase in the central part of the UDMA before collision.

Geochemistry and Sr–Nd–Hf–Pb isotope systematics of late Carboniferous sanukitoids in northern West Junggar, NW China: Implications for initiation of ridge-subduction

The study of Carboniferous magmatism in northern West Junggar plays an important role in understanding the tectonic evolution of that part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. In this study, we present petrology, zircon U–Pb geochronology, mineral and whole-rock geochemistry, and the Sr–Nd–Hf–Pb isotope compositions of volcanic rocks from the Hamutusi area of northern West Junggar. LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb analysis of a representative andesite yielded an early to late Carboniferous age of 324.4 ± 6.9 Ma. The volcanic rocks are calc-alkaline, with high SiO2 (54.2–57.8 wt%), MgO (5.97–8.33 wt%), Mg# (60–69), Cr (147–448 ppm), and Ni (29.1–120 ppm) contents, and are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILE) and light rare earth elements (LREE), but depleted in high field strength elements (HFSE), these characteristics are similar to those of typical sanukitoids within the Setouchi volcanic belt in Japan. All samples have radiogenic initial Sr and Pb isotopic compositions, and low εNd(t) and εHf(t) values, indicating the sanukitoids were generated by partial melting of subducting sediments in which the melts interacted with the mantle. Geochemical modeling calculations indicate a proportion of 3–10% sediment melt and slab-derived fluids were mixed with the depleted mantle to produce the bulk of the Hamutusi rocks. We conclude that the studied rocks from north West Junggar record the initiation of ridge subduction related to a transition from normal subduction to subduction of young and hot oceanic lithosphere between the early and late Carboniferous.

Superimposed mineralization in the deformed Yulekenhalasu porphyry Cu-Mo deposit (Northwest China): Rb-Sr geochronology, S isotope, and trace element analysis of chalcopyrite

The Yulekenhalasu porphyry Cu–Mo deposit is located ca. 40 km southwest of Qinghe, in the Chinese Altay-East Junggar section of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, NW China. The belt preserves multistage tectonic-hydrothermal and porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization events associated with arc to syn- and post-collision environments over 87 m.y. The 359 Ma deformed granitic porphyries are characterized by positive εNd(t) (+0.62 to + 3.77) and (87Sr/86Sr)initial values (0.704304–0.705960), and old crustal model ages of 747 to 1216 Ma, whereas a 272 Ma sample from late chalcopyrite–molybdenite–pyrite–magnetite–feldspar–calcite–gypsum veins yielded (87Sr/86Sr)initial values of 0.704415 to 0.705764, high εNd(t) values (+5.81 to + 5.88) and young crustal model ages (715 to 614 Ma) suggesting an increasingly juvenile mantle source over time. Seven fragments of a single deformed chalcopyrite grain yielded an Rb-Sr isochron age of 358.6 ± 4.8 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 1.8), which is consistent with the 360 Ma recrystallized zircon grains in the deformed host granitic porphyries. Eight fragments of chalcopyrite from the chalcopyrite–molybdenite–pyrite–magnetite–feldspar–calcite–gypsum veins formed along cleavage planes yielded a younger Rb-Sr isochron age of 272.2 ± 2.6 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 1.8). The younger age is interpreted as the lower age limit for the Mo and Cu mineralization in the post-collisional stage. The heterogeneous initial Sr isotopic compositions of chalcopyrite in the Yulekenhalasu deposit are likely the result of phyllosilicate inclusions. Disseminated chalcopyrite crystals in the granitic porphyry have different trace elemental contents than chalcopyrite in the deformed granitic porphyry and late chalcopyrite veins. Our Rb-Sr and trace element data for chalcopyrite grains constrain the age and geochemistry of multistage mineralization in porphyry Cu-Mo deposits. In-situ S isotope data of chalcopyrite from the deformed granite porphyries and chalcopyrite-feldspar-quartz-muscovite veins display a similar mantle origin. The 272 Ma mineralization event at Yulekenhalasu is coeval with the formation age of the Cu-Ni-(PGE) sulfide deposit in the Chinese Altay, indicating that hydrothermal mineralization like that in porphyry deposits can form proximal to ultramafic–mafic rocks and potentially may have a genetic relationship with mantle-derived Cu-Ni-(PGE) sulfide deposits.

Accretion and differentiation of early planetary bodies as recorded in the composition of the silicate Earth

The abundances of the chemical elements and radiogenic isotopes in the silicate Earth provide key information on the composition of planetary building blocks, the accretion process, including its timing, and the early planetary-wide chemical differentiation. The abundances of the lithophile and highly siderophile elements in the bulk silicate Earth can be modeled as a mixture of three distinct components. Component A (proto-Earth) consisted of volatile element-depleted and strongly reduced material to which a highly oxidized component B (impactor, Theia) was added with chondritic element abundances for the refractory elements to slightly depleted in the volatile elements. Finally, a late veneer (component C) added more material with a composition similar to carbonaceous chondrites. These components make up ~85%, ~15% and ~0.4% of the mass of the silicate Earth, respectively. The sequence of their accretion led to a first core formation that produced a metallic core and depleted the silicate portion in siderophile elements including most of the Fe. Addition of the oxidized and volatile richer component B was followed by a second core formation event with removal of a sulfide melt and depletion of the mantle in chalcophile and siderophile elements. The final addition of a late chondritic veneer established a near CI-chondritic abundance among the highly siderophile elements, but also among S, Se and Te. The significant chemical differences between the two first and major components imply that they formed in different regions of the solar system and from isotopically distinct material. The homogeneity of the isotope ratios of refractory elements in the Earth-Moon system then requires a giant impact that was energetic enough to homogenize the material from the two bodies. The combination of the two major components that formed the Earth is contemporaneous with the formation of the Moon. The initial Sr-isotope composition of the Moon indicates that this impact occurred at 4.507 (15) Ga. The most-likely major source for the highly volatile elements, including water on Earth, is the Moon-forming impactor. Thus, the habitability of Earth and its ability to develop plate tectonic processes is the result of the chance collision of proto-Earth with a planetary body that had formed dominantly from material originating beyond the orbit where Earth formed and therefore had accreted a higher amount of volatile elements.

Petrogenesis of a late-stage calc-alkaline granite in a giant S-type batholith: geochronology and Sr\u2013Nd\u2013Pb isotopes from the Nomatsaus granite (Donkerhoek batholith), Namibia

The late-tectonic 511.4 ± 0.6 Ma-old Nomatsaus intrusion (Donkerhoek batholith, Damara orogen, Namibia) consists of moderately peraluminous, magnesian, calc-alkalic to calcic granites similar to I-type granites worldwide. Major and trace-element variations and LREE and HREE concentrations in evolved rocks imply that the fractionated mineral assemblage includes biotite, Fe–Ti oxides, zircon, plagioclase and monazite. Increasing K2O abundance with increasing SiO2 suggests accumulation of K-feldspar; compatible with a small positive Eu anomaly in the most evolved rocks. In comparison with experimental data, the Nomatsaus granite was likely generated from meta-igneous sources of possibly dacitic composition that melted under water-undersaturated conditions (X H2O: 0.25–0.50) and at temperatures between 800 and 850 °C, compatible with the zircon and monazite saturation temperatures of 812 and 852 °C, respectively. The Nomatsaus granite has moderately radiogenic initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7067–0.7082), relatively radiogenic initial εNd values (− 2.9 to − 4.8) and moderately evolved Pb isotope ratios. Although initial Sr and Nd isotopic compositions of the granite do not vary with SiO2 or MgO contents, fSm/Nd and initial εNd values are negatively correlated indicating limited assimilation of crustal components during monazite-dominated fractional crystallization. The preferred petrogenetic model for the generation of the Nomatsaus granite involves a continent–continent collisional setting with stacking of crustal slices that in combination with high radioactive heat production rates heated the thickened crust, leading to the medium-P/high-T environment characteristic of the southern Central Zone of the Damara orogen. Such a setting promoted partial melting of metasedimentary sources during the initial stages of crustal heating, followed by the partial melting of meta-igneous rocks at mid-crustal levels at higher P–T conditions and relatively late in the orogenic evolution.

Boron and molybdenum isotopic fractionation during crustal anatexis: Constraints from the Conadong leucogranites in the Himalayan Block, South Tibet

Partial melts derived from crustal anatexis exhibit large variations in field characteristics, composition, and isotope geochemistry. The relative influence of melting process and magmatic differentiation on such heterogeneity is a subject of ongoing debate. Boron and molybdeum isotopes have the potential to shed light on the genesis of crustal melts, but the behaviors of B and Mo isotopes during crustal anatexis and differentiation are unclear. Here, we present geochemical and isotopic data, including whole-rock Sr–Nd–B–Mo and mineral B–Mo data, for the Conadong leucogranites in the Himalayan Block, to provide new insights into these issues. The studied samples include two-mica granites (biotite + muscovite), muscovite leucogranites (muscovite ± garnet), and biotite-rich granites. The two-mica granites were derived from muscovite dehydration melting of metasedimentary rocks. Their initial Sr and Nd isotopic compositions show positive correlation, implying non-modal partial melting associated with dissolution of accessory phases. The B contents (3.44–21.2 ppm) of the two-mica granites decrease but their δ11B (−15.80‰ to −13.25‰) and δ98Mo (−0.15‰ to 0.34‰) values increase with increasing Sr and Ba contents. This may have been controlled by different phases involved in non-modal melting (i.e., muscovite and feldspar). The muscovite leucogranites display features of residual liquids. Their δ11B (−15.38‰ to −11.90‰) and δ98Mo (−0.15‰ to 0.17‰) values negatively correlate with Sr and Ba contents, which can be ascribed to shallow-crustal crystal–liquid separation and melt–fluid interaction. The biotite-rich granites are least evolved, with large variations in their initial Sr–Nd isotopic compositions. They show relatively heavy whole-rock B isotopic compositions of −11.97‰ to −9.00‰. These may indicate that biotite-rich granites may be contaminated by entrained restitic minerals (e.g., biotite, feldspar and accessory minerals). Overall, this study demonstrates that compositional diversity of anatectic melts is controlled primarily by melting processes in the source and secondarily by emplacement-level crystal–liquid separation. Both non-modal partial melting and crystal–liquid separation could result in B–Mo isotopic fractionation in anatectic melts.

Geochemical and Geochronological Constraints on the Genesis of Ion-Adsorption-Type REE Mineralization in the Lincang Pluton, SW China

Granites are assumed to be the main source of heavy rare-earth elements (HREEs), which have important applications in modern society. However, the geochemical and petrographic characteristics of such granites need to be further constrained, especially as most granitic HREE deposits have undergone heavy weathering. The LC batholith comprises both fresh granite and ion-adsorption-type HREE deposits, and contains four main iRee (ion-adsorption-type REE) deposits: the Quannei (QN), Shangyun (SY), Mengwang (MW), and Menghai (MH) deposits, which provide an opportunity to elucidate these characteristics The four deposits exhibit light REE (LREE) enrichment, and the QN deposit is also enriched in HREEs. The QN and MH deposits were chosen for study of their petrology, mineralogy, geochemistry, and geochronology to improve our understanding of the formation of iRee deposits. The host rock of the QN and MH deposits is granite that includes REE accessory minerals, with monazite, xenotime, and allanite occurring as euhedral inclusions in feldspar and biotite, and thorite, fluorite(–Y), and REE fluorcarbonate occurring as anhedral filling in cavities in quartz and feldspar. Zircon U–Pb dating analysis of the QN (217.8 ± 1.7 Ma, MSWD = 1.06; and 220.3 ± 1.2 Ma, MSWD = 0.71) and MH (232.2 ± 1.7 Ma, MSWD = 0.58) granites indicates they formed in Late Triassic, with this being the upper limit of the REE-mineral formation age. The host rock of the QN and MH iRee deposits is similar to most LC granites, with high A/CNK ratios (&gt;1.1) and strongly peraluminous characteristics similar to S-type granites. The LC granites (including the QN and MH granites) have strongly fractionated REE patterns (LREE/HREE = 1.89–11.97), negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.06–0.25), and are depleted in Nb, Zr, Hf, P, Ba, and Sr. They have high 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.710194–0.751763) and low 143Nd/144Nd ratios (0.511709–0.511975), with initial Sr and Nd isotopic compositions of (87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.72057–0.72129 and εNd(220 Ma) = −9.57 to −9.75. Their initial Pb isotopic ratios are: 206Pb/204Pb = 18.988–19.711; 208Pb/204Pb = 39.713–40.216; and 207Pb/204Pb = 15.799–15.863. The Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic data and TDM2 ages suggest that the LC granitic magma had a predominantly crustal source. The REE minerals are important features of these deposits, with feldspars and micas altering to clay minerals containing Ree3+ (exchangeable REE), whose concentration is influenced by the intensity of weathering; the stronger the chemical weathering, the more REE minerals are dissolved. Secondary mineralization is also a decisive factor for Ree3+ enrichment. Stable geology within a narrow altitudinal range of 300–600 m enhances Ree3+ retention.

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

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

Crust-mantle interaction during syn-collisional magmatism – Evidence from the Oamikaub diorite and Neikhoes metagabbro (Damara orogen, Namibia)

The early-syntectonic 563.7 ± 6.1 Ma old Oamikaub diorite (Damara orogen, Namibia) consists of metaluminous, magnesian, calc-alkalic to calcic diorites, granodiorites and granites. Associated gabbro-diorites and gabbros belong to the Neikhoes metagabbro. Linear major and trace element variations imply that the rock suite evolved through fractional crystallization processes involving amphibole, biotite, Fe-Ti oxides, zircon and apatite. Initial Sr (87Sr/86Sr: 0.7058–0.7123) and Nd (ε Nd: −2.1 to −18.8) isotopic compositions are highly variable and negatively correlated indicating that assimilation of crustal components occurred. Unradiogenic initial 206Pb/204Pb (16.23–17.23) and 207Pb/204Pb ratios (15.50–15.57) suggest derivation from or interaction with ancient crust with low U/Pb. Two gabbro-diorites have MgO, Ni and Cr abundances that are compatible with derivation of these rocks from upper mantle lithologies. Their initial ε Nd values (−2.1 and – 7.4) and 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7058 and 0.7076) imply derivation from an aged metasomatized lithospheric mantle. Other mafic samples have MgO abundances and compatible element concentrations that exceed the values commonly accepted for primary mafic melts implying some accumulation of clinopyroxene and amphibole. The granodiorites form a homogenous group in which the isotope data (initial ε Nd: −12.4 to −14.1; initial 87Sr/86Sr: 0.7083–0.7096) imply a lower crustal source. The granites are also magnesian and calc-alkaline but two of them are strongly peraluminous. Their isotope data (initial ε Nd: −13.2 to −18.8; initial 87Sr/86Sr: 0.7099 to 0.7123) imply derivation from more ancient sources, alternatively these samples gained their isotope systematics through extensive AFC processes from parental granodiorites. A common subduction zone environment as suggested from negative Nb-Ta anomalies in multi-element diagrams seems unlikely for all samples because of a lack of isotopically depleted signatures. The data from the Oamikaub diorite and other mafic complexes are better explained by a “flat” subduction model involving mainly continental mantle lithosphere and crust with limited, if any, melting of asthenospheric mantle.

Petrogenesis of early syn-tectonic monzonite-granodiorite complexes – Crustal reprocessing versus crustal growth

The 563.7 ± 6.1 Ma old, early-syntectonic Mon Repos complex is a predominantly metaluminous, magnesian, calc-alkalic granodioritic to granitic intrusion. Major and trace element variations imply that the rocks evolved through fractional crystallization processes involving amphibole, biotite, Fe-Ti oxides, zircon, and apatite. Rocks less evolved than granodiorite show evidence of hornblende accumulation. Initial Sr (87Sr/86Sr: 0.7090–0.7111) and Nd (εNd: −5.3 to −12.3) isotopic compositions of the granodiorites and granites are highly heterogeneous and vary with SiO2 contents indicating that assimilation of older crustal components occurred. Initial 206Pb/204Pb (16.65–17.65) and 207Pb/204Pb ratios (15.52–15.60) are similar to other mafic-intermediate complexes from the Damara belt. One monzodiorite and two quartz monzonites are K2O-, LILE-, and HFSE enriched and have similar SiO2 contents as the granodiorites. These samples are similar to post-collisional mafic magmas from elsewhere in the world. Their ε Nd values (−3.8 to −4.3), 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7051–0.7073) and trace-element characteristics imply that their unexposed parental melts are derived from a lithospheric mantle source that was contaminated and metasomatized by crustal material during ancient subduction processes. The data are explained by assuming a “flat” subduction model where melting predominantly involves ancient continental mantle lithosphere and crust with limited, if any, melting of the underlying asthenospheric mantle. During flat subduction, a sliver consisting of buoyant oceanic lithosphere was amalgamated with the base of the ancient continental lithosphere of the overriding plate. The oceanic mantle lithosphere and the oceanic crust dehydrated (but did not melt) and these fluids lowered the solidus of the overlying continental mantle lithosphere and crust. This scenario can explain the occurrence of rare K2O- and LILE-enriched monzodiorites and quartz monzonites with crustal-like isotopic compositions observed in this study as well as some more alkaline rocks in the belt. Because the metasomatized continental lithospheric mantle has lower solidus temperatures than peridotitic mantle, it is very likely that such metasomatized rocks may melt early during flat subduction. Thus, K2O-enriched monzodiorites to monzogranites are not restricted to late stages of the evolution of an orogen but may already form at the onset of an orogeny.

Zircon U-Pb chronology, Petrochemistry characteristics and Metallogenic significance of Granodiorite porphyry in the Banmiaozi gold deposit in the NE margin of the North China Craton

The timings of subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific Plate beneath the North China Craton and of associated mineralisation remain unresolved. We studied a granodiorite porphyry in the Banmiaozi gold mining area, located along the northeastern margin of North China Craton, to shed light on these timings. Using zircon U–Pb geochronology, major- and trace-element geochemistry, Sr–Nd isotopes, and biotite compositions, we show that the granodiorite porphyry formed during the early Middle Jurassic and has a composition similar to those of ‘C-type adakites’ from eastern China. The granodiorite rocks have initial Sr isotopic compositions of 0.713418–0.713694, eNd(t) values of −15.9 to −16.69, and depleted-mantle single-stage model ages of 2.70–2.49 Ga, implying that the parental magma originated via subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific Plate beneath the North China Craton and resulted also in the generation of basaltic magmas and partial melting of thickened lower crust. As the Archaean basement rocks were rich in Au and magnetite, the magma was characterized by high Au contents and oxygen fugacity (fO2 = 10−13 bar). Subsequent mixing with, or contamination by, partially melted Proterozoic marine strata, such as the marble-bearing Laoling Group, played an important role in mineralisation. These country rocks provided large quantities of Cl−, CO32−, and SO42− to the magma, which formed soluble complexes with ore-forming elements such as Au, allowing enrichment and migration of the metals. Our data show that the Banmiaozi gold deposit is an orogenic gold deposit associated with subduction-related adakitic magmatism.

Tourmaline as a Tracer of Late-Magmatic to Hydrothermal Fluid Evolution: The World-Class San Rafael Tin (-Copper) Deposit, Peru

Abstract The world-class San Rafael tin (-copper) deposit (central Andean tin belt, southeast Peru) is an exceptionally large and rich (&amp;gt;1 million metric tons Sn; grades typically &amp;gt;2% Sn) cassiterite-bearing hydrothermal vein system hosted by a late Oligocene (ca. 24 Ma) peraluminous K-feldspar-megacrystic granitic complex and surrounding Ordovician shales affected by deformation and low-grade metamorphism. The mineralization consists of NW-trending, quartz-cassiterite-sulfide veins and fault-controlled breccia bodies (&amp;gt;1.4 km in vertical and horizontal extension). They show volumetrically important tourmaline alteration that principally formed prior to the main ore stage, similar to other granite-related Sn deposits worldwide. We present here a detailed textural and geochemical study of tourmaline, aiming to trace fluid evolution of the San Rafael magmatic-hydrothermal system that led to the deposition of tin mineralization. Based on previous works and new petrographic observations, three main generations of tourmaline of both magmatic and hydrothermal origin were distinguished and were analyzed in situ for their major, minor, and trace element composition by electron microprobe analyzer and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, as well as for their bulk Sr, Nd, and Pb isotope compositions by multicollector-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. A first late-magmatic tourmaline generation (Tur 1) occurs in peraluminous granitic rocks as nodules and disseminations, which do not show evidence of alteration. This early Tur 1 is texturally and compositionally homogeneous; it has a dravitic composition, with Fe/(Fe + Mg) = 0.36 to 0.52, close to the schorl-dravite limit, and relatively high contents (10s to 100s ppm) of Li, K, Mn, light rare earth elements, and Zn. The second generation (Tur 2)—the most important volumetrically—is pre-ore, high-temperature (&amp;gt;500°C), hydrothermal tourmaline occurring as phenocryst replacement (Tur 2a) and open-space fillings in veins and breccias (Tur 2b) and microbreccias (Tur 2c) emplaced in the host granites and shales. Pre-ore Tur 2 typically shows oscillatory zoning, possibly reflecting rapid changes in the hydrothermal system, and has a large compositional range that spans the schorl to dravite fields, with Fe/(Fe + Mg) = 0.02 to 0.83. Trace element contents of Tur 2 are similar to those of Tur 1. Compositional variations within Tur 2 may be explained by the different degree of interaction of the magmatic-hydrothermal fluid with the host rocks (granites and shales), in part because of the effect of replacement versus open-space filling. The third generation is syn-ore hydrothermal tourmaline (Tur 3). It forms microscopic veinlets and overgrowths, partly cutting previous tourmaline generations, and is locally intergrown with cassiterite, chlorite, quartz, and minor pyrrhotite and arsenopyrite from the main ore assemblage. Syn-ore Tur 3 has schorl-foititic compositions, with Fe/(Fe + Mg) = 0.48 to 0.94, that partly differ from those of late-magmatic Tur 1 and pre-ore hydrothermal Tur 2. Relative to Tur 1 and Tur 2, syn-ore Tur 3 has higher contents of Sr and heavy rare earth elements (10s to 100s ppm) and unusually high contents of Sn (up to &amp;gt;1,000 ppm). Existence of these three main tourmaline generations, each having specific textural and compositional characteristics, reflects a boron-rich protracted magmatic-hydrothermal system with repeated episodes of hydrofracturing and fluid-assisted reopening, generating veins and breccias. Most trace elements in the San Rafael tourmaline do not correlate with Fe/(Fe + Mg) ratios, suggesting that their incorporation was likely controlled by the melt/fluid composition and local fluid-rock interactions. The initial radiogenic Sr and Nd isotope compositions of the three aforementioned tourmaline generations (0.7160–0.7276 for 87Sr/86Sr(i) and 0.5119–0.5124 for 143Nd/144Nd(i)) mostly overlap those of the San Rafael granites (87Sr/86Sr(i) = 0.7131–0.7202 and 143Nd/144Nd(i) = 0.5121–0.5122) and support a dominantly magmatic origin of the hydrothermal fluids. These compositions also overlap the initial Nd isotope values of Bolivian tin porphyries. The initial Pb isotope compositions of tourmaline show larger variations, with 206Pb/204Pb(i), 207Pb/204Pb(i), and 208Pb/204Pb(i) ratios mostly falling in the range of 18.6 to 19.3, 15.6 to 16.0, and 38.6 to 39.7, respectively. These compositions partly overlap the initial Pb isotope values of the San Rafael granites (206Pb/204Pb(i) = 18.6–18.8, 207Pb/204Pb(i) = 15.6–15.7, and 208Pb/204Pb(i) = 38.9–39.0) and are also similar to those of other Oligocene to Miocene Sn-W ± Cu-Zn-Pb-Ag deposits in southeast Peru. Rare earth element patterns of tourmaline are characterized, from Tur 1 to Tur 3, by decreasing (Eu/Eu*)N ratios (from 20 to 2) that correlate with increasing Sn contents (from 10s to &amp;gt;1,000 ppm). These variations are interpreted to reflect evolution of the hydrothermal system from reducing toward relatively more oxidizing conditions, still in a low-sulfidation environment, as indicated by the pyrrhotite-arsenopyrite assemblage. The changing textural and compositional features of Tur 1 to Tur 3 reflect the evolution of the San Rafael magmatic-hydrothermal system and support the model of fluid mixing between reduced, Sn-rich magmatic fluids and cooler, oxidizing meteoric waters as the main process that caused cassiterite precipitation.

Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic systematic and geochronology of ultramafic alkaline magmatism of the southwestern margin of the Siberian Craton: Metasomatism of the sub-continental lithospheric mantle related to subduction and plume events

To provide new insights into the origin and evolution of ultramafic lamprophyres (UMLs) and their mantle source, we examined two UML (aillikite and damtjernite) occurrences of different ages in the western portion of the Siberian Craton (Ilbokich and Chadobets). New age, mineral and rock geochemistry, along with Sr–Nd–Pb–C–O isotope data was obtained. Our new 206Pb/238U perovskite age (399 ± 4 Ma) confirms the previously published Early Devonian age of the Ilbokich aillikite. RbSr isochron and 40Ar/39Ar dating yielded a Middle Triassic age (243 ± 3 Ma and 241 ± 1 Ma, respectively) for the Chadobets aillikites, indicating post-Trap emplacement of these rocks.Both UMLs are characterized by incompatible elements, including light rare earth element (LREE) enrichments (La is up to ×200 chondrite concentration), and strong fractionation of REEs ((La/Yb)n: 33–84). Despite the close geochemical affinity of both UMLs, the Nd isotopic compositions of aillikites, as well as the Pb isotopic composition of Chadobets and Ilbokich UMLs, do not overlap and are distinctly different from each other. The initial Sr and Nd isotopic compositions of the Ilbokich UMLs fall in within a narrow 87Sr/86Sr0 range (0.7032–0.7042) and εNd(T) (4.03–3.97). Chadobets UMLs have a similar Sr isotopic signature (87Sr/86Sr0: 0.7031–0.7043) and a more depleted Nd isotopic signature (εNd(T) 4.09–5.08). The initial Pb isotope compositions of the Chadobets UMLs are moderately radiogenic, ranging between 206Pb/204Pb = 18.4–19.0, 208Pb/204Pb = 38.3–38.8, and are characterized by a narrow 207Pb/204Pb ratio between 15.5 and 15.6. The Ilbokich Pb isotope compositions are less variable and range between 206Pb/204Pb = 18.0–18.4, 208Pb/204Pb = 37.8–38.4 and 207Pb/204Pb ratios between 15.5 and 15.6. The oxygen isotopic composition of carbonate from both UMLs is characterized by highly variable δ18O values from +12.1 and up to +20.5‰ (SMOW). The isotopic composition of δ13C values range from −1.3‰ to −7.1.Based on the minor impact of crustal contamination in both aillikites, it is inferred that their radiogenic isotope composition reflects a mantle source signature. The mantle source of the Chadobets aillikites is likely to include carbonatitic magma as a metasomatic agent. In contrast, phlogopite-rich metasomes within the lithospheric mantle could have contributed more significantly to the Ilbokich aillikites. These metasomes could be formed during the Caledonian orogeny, which did not only affect the southwestern boundary of the Siberian Craton, but also expanded to the craton interior. This study provides additional support for the evolution of the south-western portion of the Siberian SCLM, ranging from mantle containing phlogopite enrichment domains during the Early Devonian to hydrous-phase reduced mantle in the Triassic due to the thermal impact of the Siberian Traps.

Geology, geochronology and geochemistry of the Miocene Jiaoxi quartz vein-type W deposit in the western part of the Lhasa Terrane, Tibet: Implications for ore genesis

The Jiaoxi deposit is the first Miocene quartz vein-type W deposit discovered in the western part of the Lhasa Terrane comprising with 39,000 metric tons of WO3. The mineralization occurs in wolframite-bearing hydrothermal tensional quartz veins and is associated with Miocene granites. The mineralization event can be divided into an early quartz-oxide stage succeeded by a sulfide stage, and a final fluorite-carbonate stage. Magmatic intrusions at the deposit include biotite monzogranite porphyry, biotite monzogranite, granite porphyry, and muscovite granite at depth and show crystallization ages ranging between 14.5 and 13.7 Ma. Whole-rock geochemistry shows that the intrusions are alkali-rich peraluminous granites that experienced strong fractional crystallization. The most evolved muscovite granite has high W, Nb and Cs contents and is considered to be the source for mineralization. During the late crystallization stage of the highly fractionated muscovite granite, exsolved hydrothermal fluids interacted with the muscovite granite magma and migrated along extensional fractures forming the Jiaoxi deposit. Zircon grains from the granites show uniform εHf (t) values with a wide range between −7.08 and +3.87. The granites have initial Sr isotopic compositions ranging between 0.7094 and 0.7124 and negative εNd (t) values ranging between −4.9 and −9.4. The Sr-Nd-Hf isotope data indicate that the granites were derived from partial melting of a crustal source with minor contributions from the lithospheric mantle. The 3He/4He ratios for wolframite and pyrite vary between 0.30 and 0.74 Ra (Ra = 1.4 × 10–6 for air), confirming that W was mainly sourced from the crust. Collectively, the regional geology, geochronology and geochemistry, indicate that the Miocene post-collisional peraluminous granites and associated W mineralization were triggered by the roll-back and gradual break-off of the northward-subducting Indian continental lithosphere slab. The less evolved biotite monzogranite porphyry, which contains ore-bearing veins and local greisen alteration, appears to be unrelated to W mineralization.