Lower Crustal Source Research Articles

Serra do Barro Branco orthogneiss: An untimely record of West Gondwana amalgamation in the São Roque Domain

The Paranapanema-São Francisco convergence is partially recorded in the arc-related high-K calc-alkaline intermediate magmatism of south-eastern Brazil (Southern Brasília Orogen) during the West Gondwana assembly. Similar geochemical affinities are widespread in the crustal fault-bounded slice, São Roque Domain, as in tectonic domains of the eastern São Francisco margin. The São Roque Domain comprises metavolcano-sedimentary sequences of Statherian maximum depositional age. Detrital zircon provenance points to a Rhyacian (2.17 Ga) proximal source belonging to the Paranapanema block. Unprecedented Tonian zircon U-Pb ages suggest a protracted evolution. The domain initiated magmatic activity at 680 Ma (Barro Branco orthogneiss) with weak Hf-Nd radiogenic signatures that agree with the arc evolution of the Socorro-Guaxupé Nappe. Granitoids grading from intermediate metaluminous to evolved peraluminous compositions intruded at 625 Ma (inequigranular orthogneiss) and 620 Ma (Moinho granodiorite). The most voluminous magmatism occurred within 610–590 Ma. Hf-Nd radiogenic compositions of the Ediacaran granitoids imply crustal participation. All granitoids have arc-related affinity with high Sr/Y and LREE, low Nb and Ti, and absence of Eu anomalies that indicate a lower crustal source with residual garnet (±amphibole ± rutile). The petrogenetic and geochronological constraints favor a retro-arc setting for the São Roque Domain. Slab roll-back could have led to the northward migration of magmatism (Socorro-Guaxupé Nappe) producing a chronological gap in the retro-arc. The Ediacaran magmatism was probably triggered by the relaxation of the subducting angle. The last-longing subduction beneath the Paranapanema plate might have contributed to the high-K and radiogenic compositions through relamination. Monazite U-Pb ages from 630 to 600 Ma may be evidence of a thermal episode in the retro-arc, overlapping the syn-collisional metamorphism in the Southern Brasília Orogen.

Inhandjara topaz leucogranite: A late rare metal-mineralized stock within the A-type Itu batholith, SE Brazil

The Inhandjara leucogranite is a highly differentiated Ediacaran stock with crystallization age of ca. 570 Ma (SHRIMP zircon U–Pb dating). It is a satellite intrusion of the Itu batholith, a large post-orogenic A-type granite in south-eastern Brazil. The Inhandjara stock consists of two leucogranitic facies: (1) an early inequigranular to porphyritic biotite-bearing monzogranite (BG), with potassium feldspar megacrysts in a medium to coarse-grained matrix; and (2) a more evolved equigranular medium to fine-grained topaz-bearing alkali feldspar granite (TAG) with subhedral albite, anhedral quartz and potassium feldspar, and accessory Li-bearing siderophyllite, topaz, Y-bearing fluorite, zircon, ilmenite, and columbite-group minerals. Both facies display signs of autometasomatism, mainly as pervasive albitization and fissure to pervasive greisenization. The Inhandjara leucogranite is reduced, metaluminous to weakly peraluminous and shows A-type affinity. There is a progressive increase of SiO2, Al2O3, Na2O, F, Cs, Rb, Nb, Ta and Y from the early biotite granite to the late topaz granite, parallel to a decrease in TiO2, Fe2O3, MgO, CaO, Sr, Ba and Zr. The seagull-wing-shaped REE pattern of the topaz granite, with a strong negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.003), is unique in the Itu batholith. Both facies have very negative εNd(570Ma) values, ranging from −11.7 to −13.2, with the lowest values within the Itu batholith. Zircon crystals from biotite granite show oscillatory zoning and chemical evolution from core to rim; whereas in the topaz granite, zircon is unzoned and strongly enriched in Y, Hf, Nb, Th, and U, suggesting crystallization from a residual melt in the presence of a fluid phase. The Inhandjara stock crystallized from a highly evolved magma derived from a lower crustal source. The strong enrichment in incompatible lithophile elements mostly results from protracted magmatic fractionation, enhanced by the interaction with magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. These characteristics reveal that the leucogranite is the most differentiated occurrence within the Itu batholith and support its relation with regional rare metal mineralization (Nb–Sn–W).

Age and Tectonic Setting of Mesothermal Magmatic Hydrothermal Vein‐Type Pb–Zn–(Ag) Mineralization in the Xiaohongshilazi Deposit, Central Jilin Province, Northeast China

AbstractThe Xiaohongshilazi deposit located in central Jilin Province, Northeast China, is a newly discovered and medium‐scale Pb–Zn–(Ag) deposit with ore reserves of 34,968 t Pb, 100,150 t Zn, and 158 t Ag. Two‐stage mineralization has been identified in this deposit. Stratiform volcanic‐associated massive sulfide (VMS) Pb–Zn mineralization interbedding with the marine volcanic rocks of the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian Daheshen Formation was controlled by the premineralization E–W‐trending faults. Vein‐type Pb–Zn–(Ag) mineralization occurs within or parallel to the granodiorite and diorite porphyries controlled by the major‐mineralization N–S‐trending faults that cut the stratiform mineralization and volcanic rocks. To constrain the age of vein‐type Pb–Zn–(Ag) mineralization and determine the relationship between mineralization and magmatism, we conducted LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating on zircon from the ore‐bearing granodiorite and diorite porphyries and Rb–Sr dating on metal sulfide. Granodiorite and diorite porphyries yield zircon U–Pb weighted‐mean 206Pb/238U ages of 203.6 ± 1.8 Ma (Mean Standard Weighted Deviation [MSWD] = 1.8) and 225.6 ± 5.1 Ma (MSWD = 2.3), respectively. Sulfides from four vein‐type ore samples yield a Rb–Sr isochron age of 195 ± 17 Ma (MSWD = 4.0). These results indicate a temporal relationship between the granodiorite porphyry and vein‐type Pb–Zn–(Ag) mineralization. The granodiorite associated with vein‐type mineralization has high SiO2 (68.99–70.49 wt.%) and Na2O (3.9–4.2 wt.%; Na2O/K2O = 1.07–1.10) concentrations, and A/CNK values of 0.95–1.04; consequently, the intrusion is classified as a high‐K, calc‐alkaline, metaluminous I‐type granite. The granodiorite porphyry is enriched in large‐ion lithophile elements (e.g. Rb, Th, U, and K) and light REE and is depleted in high‐field‐strength elements (e.g. Nb, Ta, P, and Ti) and heavy REE, indicating that it represents a subduction‐related rock that formed at an active continental margin. Furthermore, the granodiorite porphyry has Mg# values of 31–34, indicating a lower crustal source. Based on petrological and geochemical features, we infer that the ore‐bearing granodiorite porphyry was derived from the partial melting of the lower crust. In summary, mineralization characteristics, cross‐cutting relationships, geochronological data, and regional tectonic evolution indicate that the region was the site of VMS Pb–Zn mineralization that produced stratiform orebodies within the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian marine volcanic rocks of the Daheshen Formation, followed by mesothermal magmatic hydrothermal vein‐type Pb–Zn–(Ag) mineralization associated with granodiorite porphyry induced by the initial subduction of the Paleo‐Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasia Plate during the Late Triassic–Early Jurassic.

Switch of geodynamic setting from the Paleo-Asian Ocean to the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean: Evidence from granitoids in the Duobaoshan ore field, Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China

This paper presents new zircon U-Pb ages and whole-rock geochemical data for Triassic granitoids in the Duobaoshan ore field, in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Dating results reveal that the Triassic granitoids in the Duobaoshan ore field were emplaced ca. 244–223 Ma. These samples are typical subduction-related arc magmatic rocks that are enriched with large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs), depleted in high field strength elements (HFSEs), and have relatively high Sr (average 1036 ppm) and low Y (average 10 ppm) and Yb (average 1 ppm) contents that exhibit adakite-like geochemical properties. The samples feature a juvenile whole rock average initial 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.70394 and an average ɛNd(t), zircon ɛHf(t), and two-stage Hf model age of 4.62, 10.29, and 766 Ma respectively. These geochemical features reveal a thickened lower crust source. Comprehensive analyses of the early Paleozoic, Triassic, and early Jurassic granitoids in the Duobaoshan ore field indicate that the magmatism of these three stages was related to the melting of the juvenile lower continental crust materials. The early Paleozoic was the primary period of vertical crust growth, during which time the juvenile lower continental crust was formed. The Triassic granitoids derived from magma were generated by partial melting of the thickened juvenile lower crust and the Jurassic granitoids derived from the partial melting of the delaminated juvenile lower crust. Geological observation and tectonic setting analyses reveal that the Paleo-Asian Ocean tectonic regime in the Duobaoshan ore field switched to the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean in the Mesozoic after its closure. The early Paleozoic granitoids were formed in a subduction setting related to the northwestward subducted Paleo-Asian Oceanic slab underlying the Erguna-Xing'an composite block. The Triassic granitoids were formed under a supra-subduction extensional regime related to the southward subduction of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean, and the Jurassic granitoids were generated under a slab rollback setting related to the late stage subduction of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean.

Petrogenesis of Early Cretaceous high-Mg# granodiorites in the northeastern Lhasa terrane, SE Tibet: Evidence for mantle-deep crustal interaction

High-Mg# (molar Mg/[Mg + Fe]) intermediate to felsic rocks, such as high-Mg andesitic rocks (HMA) and Mg andesites (MA), are usually produced by melting of mantle-derived peridotites and/or interaction with mantle-derived peridotites. Both are crucial in tracking mantle-crust interaction processes in the deep crust. We present LA-ICP-MS in-situ zircon U-Pb isotopic data, whole-rock geochemistry and whole-rock Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic data for the Basu granodiorites which are exposed between the Jiali fault and the Bangong-Nujiang suture, SE Tibet. The LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb data show that the granodiorites were formed at ca. 122.1 ± 1.0 Ma, coeval with other granitoids in this region. The granodiorites belong to the high-K calc-alkaline and high-Mg# (49.7–53.7) series, similar to typical MA. The decreasing A/CNK from 0.97 to 0.87 and increasing FM (molar Fe + Mg) from 0.08 to 0.16 indicate a clinopyroxene entrainment and I-type trend. The rocks also display enriched Rb, Th, U and Pb, but depleted P, Ti and obvious negative Eu anomalies. Evolved whole-rock isotopic compositions of Basu granodiorites include high initial 87Sr/86Sr (0.7097–0.7114), negative εNd(t) (−12.0 to −7.2) and εHf(t) values (−9.6 to −7.9), and lower to upper crustal affinity of Pb isotopes which imply that they were derived from an ancient and evolved lower crust source. Therefore, we suggest that these granodiorites were products of interaction between partial melting of ancient basaltic lower crust and mantle-derived peridotites. Together with a geochronology dataset from the literature, we suggest that there was intensive granitic magmatism occurred in the Early Cretaceous range from 133 to 113 Ma in the northeastern Lhasa terrane, similar to those in the central and northern Lhasa terrane. Furthermore, we have compared with the dataset of in-situ zircon Lu-Hf isotopes, whole-rock Sr-Nd from the literatures and the relationship with zircon U-Pb ages in the northeastern Lhasa terrane, all of which indicate the importance of evolved and ancient continental crust source in the Early Cretaceous magmatism in the northeastern Lhasa terrane, but also that the mantle-derived materials play a necessary role in the generation. In addition, the amount of enriched and evolved isotopic component gradually decreased from ca.140 to 100 Ma.

Late Permian intermediate and felsic intrusions in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt: Final-stage magmatic record of Paleo-Asian Oceanic subduction?

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), which formed by closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean, is one of the largest Phanerozoic accretionary orogens on Earth. However, the timing of final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean remains debated. Here we present new zircon UPb dating, oxygen fugacity estimates, and whole-rock geochemical and SrNd isotopic data from intermediate and felsic intrusive rocks in the Chunhua area of NE China to constrain their petrogenesis and assess the tectonic implications for the evolution of the eastern CAOB. Zircon UPb dating indicates that the intrusive rocks formed in the late Permian (257–261 Ma). Based on their chemical compositions, two groups of rocks can be identified. Group Ι consists mainly of dioritic rocks (e.g., gabbroic diorites, diorites and tonalites) with relatively low SiO2 but high MgO contents and Mg# values. Petrological and geochemical characteristics show that Group Ι rocks were formed by mixing of mantle- and crust-derived magmas. Mafic microgranular enclaves within Group Ι rocks have high MgO contents (up to 9 wt%) and depleted isotopic compositions (εNd(t) = +4.3 to +7.2), and probably represent mafic end-member magmas derived from a metasomatized lithospheric mantle, which subsequently were injected into the felsic crustal magmas. In contrast, Group ΙI rocks are mostly granodiorites characterized by high SiO2 and low Mg# values, with high Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios. These rocks were probably generated by partial melting of mafic lower crust with little or no addition of mantle materials. Trace element modeling suggests that intracrustal differentiation was dominated by hornblende fractionation and caused the high Sr/Y and La/Yb signatures of Group ΙI rocks. Their low (87Sr/86Sr)i (0.70345–0.70485) and positive εNd(t) values (+3.8 to +4.6) suggest predominantly juvenile sources, typical of newly underplated mafic lower crust. The low oxidation states (FMQ–1.1 to FMQ–7.9) for both Group Ι and Group ΙI rocks, as indicated by Ce4+/Ce3+ ratios in zircon, imply reducing conditions for the lithospheric mantle and the overlying lower-crustal source rocks. The Chunhua intrusions show petrological and geochemical characteristics of arc-type igneous rocks, including abundant euhedral hydrous minerals, calc-alkaline affinities, and enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (e.g., Rb, Ba, and Pb) and depletion in high field strength elements (e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti), indicating that they formed in a subduction-related setting. Given the occurrences of Early Triassic syn-collisional granites (235–252 Ma) in the area, the late Permian intrusions (257–261 Ma) likely represent the final stages of magmatism related to subduction of Paleo-Asian Ocean, signifying that final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean in the easternmost CAOB occurred during the end-Permian.

Mixing of Enriched Lithospheric Mantle‐Derived and Crustal Magmas: Evidence from the Habo Cenozoic Porphyry in Western Yunnan

AbstractNew zircon U–Pb ages, whole‐rock geochemistry and zircon Hf isotopes from the Habo porphyry Western Yunnan, China, were determined to provide constraints on the timing of uplift of the Eastern Tibetan Plateau. The intrusive rocks consist of shoshonitic porphyry (syenite porphyry and monzonite porphyry). Zircon laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) U–Pb dating indicates coeval emplacement ages of ~35 Ma. The porphyries have alkaline affinities, enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and light rare earth elements (LREEs) (e.g., Rb, Th, U, Pb), with depletion of high field strength elements (HFSEs) (e.g., Nb, Ti, Ta) and weak Eu anomalies. They display uniform Lu–Hf isotopic compositions with negative zircon εHf(t) values ranging from ‐3.9 to ‐0.6. The chemical characteristics of the syenite porphyries indicated that they most likely originated from the lower crust, with mantle‐derived material involved in their generation. Geochemically, the monzonite porphyries are similar to the syenite porphyries; however, the lower MgO contents suggest that they were produced by different degrees of partial melting of the same lower crust source. Combined with the geochemical and isotopic data in this paper, imply that the alkali‐rich porphyries of the Habo polymetallic deposit were derived from the partial melting of lower crust, enriched by mantle magma, formed in a conversion stage from stress extrusion (a strike‐slip shear process) to local stress relaxation (a strike‐slip pull‐apart process) at the Ailaoshao tectonic zone.

Geochemistry and zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopes of the 780 Ma I-type granites in the western Yangtze Block: petrogenesis and crustal evolution

ABSTRACTNeoproterozoic I-type granites could provide vital insights into the crust–mantle interaction and the crustal evolution along the western Yangtze Block, South China. This paper presents new zircon U–Pb ages, bulk-rock geochemistry, and in situ zircon Lu–Hf isotope on the Dalu I-type granites from the southwestern Yangtze Block. Zircon U–Pb dating show the crystallization ages of 781.1 ± 2.8 Ma for granodiorites and 779.8 ± 2.0 Ma for granites, respectively. The Dalu granodiorites are Na-rich, calc-alkaline, metaluminous to slightly peraluminous (A/CNK = 0.94–1.08). Zircons from granodiorite have positive εHf(t) values (+2.16 to +7.39) with crustal model ages of 1.21–1.54 Ga, indicating juvenile mafic lower crust source. The Dalu granites are high-K calc-alkaline, peraluminous rocks. They have variable zircon εHf(t) values (−4.65 to +5.80) with crustal model ages of 1.31–1.97 Ga, suggesting that they were derived from the mature metasediment-derived melts by the mixing of newly formed mafic lower crust-derived melts. The geochemical variations in Dalu pluton is dominated not only by the different source rocks but also by the different melting temperatures. Combining with the geochemistry and isotopic compositions of I-type granitoids and tectonic setting in the western Yangtze Block, we propose that the Dalu I-type granodiorites–granites associations are the magmatic response from different crustal levels, which were induced by the heat anomaly due to the asthenosphere upwelling in the subduction-related setting.

High magnesian granitoids in the Precambrian continental crust: Implication for the continuum between ferro–potassic and magnesio–potassic rock suites

Ferro-potassic (Fe–K) to magnesio-potassic (Mg–K) hornblende–biotite granitoids (HBGs) with a wide range of SiO2 from 52 to 77 wt% are typical of Precambrian continental crust, and are generally related to late- and post-collisional orogenic events. Despite their broadly uniform mineralogy and tectonic environment, the chemical compositions of these granites suggest different sources from lower crust for the Fe-K suites to enriched mantle for the Mg–K counterparts. Here we propose a classification of the magnesian rocks into moderate-Mg, high-Mg and ultra-Mg, with corresponding examples from various parts of the world such as the Closepet-type, sanukitoids, and their high-Mg counterparts of the Elan-type. The Elan-type granitoids are characterized by the highest MgO, Cr, Ni, εNd(T) and lowest TiO2, FeOt/(FeOt + MgO) contents among all the Precambrian HBGs, and are hence close to a true end-member. The Precambrian HBGs show common features such as a wide range of SiO2 contents, enrichment in LILE (K, Ba, Sr), LREE, Nb-Ti negative primitive-mantle normalized anomalies and weak negative or no Eu-anomalies in intermediate suites. The Mg# of magmatic and cumulus/ relict amphiboles displays a compositional array of ultra-Mg to Fe granites and shows positive correlation with the whole-rock Mg#. Continuum between the compositions of Mg–K and Fe–K granitoids is reflected in a gradual decrease in Mg, Cr, Ni of the rocks and Mg of the mafic silicates, increase in Ti, P, Zr, Y, Zn, U, total REE, and decrease of the Nd initial isotopic composition, together with a change in the paragenesis of Fe–Ti-oxides. We interpret these features to result from mixing of metasomatized mantle and crustal magmas and their homogenization at the lower crust level. The lower-crustal source component increases from the Mg–K to Fe–K series. During their passage to higher crustal levels, the magmas underwent fractional crystallization and crustal contamination leading to the wide range in silica content.

Petrogenesis and Assembly of the Don Manuel Igneous Complex, Miocene–Pliocene Porphyry Copper Belt, Central Chile

The 4·0–3·6 Ma Don Manuel igneous complex (DMIC), central Chile, provides a window into igneous processes involved in magma genesis associated with porphyry-style copper mineralization. This study uses petrographic, petrological, geochemical and isotopic data to examine the evolution of magmas from the mid- to lower-crustal source region to shallow emplacement. The data provide evidence for progressive oxidation of magma during differentiation and ascent, fractionation of Cl from S through degassing, and the late-stage, near-solidus removal of Cl from the system. Magmas of basaltic andesite to rhyolite composition were produced by polybaric differentiation of hydrous parental mafic magmas. Variations in crustal differentiation depths led to variable suppression of plagioclase saturation that is recorded in distinctive strontium versus anorthite evolution patterns. Hydrous, derivative magmas generated over a wide range of pressures were episodically emplaced into the shallow crust at depths between 3·5 and 5 km. Intermediate porphyry dikes closely associated with copper mineralization contain diverse crystal cargoes indicating significant magma mixing. These crystal cargoes represent samples of crystal mush entrained from different depths, as well as crystals originating in different magmas and crystals grown in situ from hybridized magmas. Mafic enclaves containing plagioclase and amphibole compositions that match those of the basaltic andesites occur within biotite tonalite, testifying to magma mingling during ascent. Sulfur and chlorine contents of apatite within the different DMIC units record variable degassing and decoupling of volatile components with sulfur showing variations of three orders of magnitude compared with one order of magnitude for chlorine. The hypabyssal nature of the DMIC affords a detailed, integrated record of magmatic differentiation processes occurring within trans-crustal magmatic systems of the sort thought to characterize many crustal arc settings and play a fundamental role in driving porphyry-style copper mineralization.

Geochronology and geochemistry of Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous granitoids in the northern Great Xing'an Range, NE China: Petrogenesis and implications for late Mesozoic tectonic evolution

This study provides new zircon UPb geochronological and geochemical data for Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous granitoids in the northern Great Xing'an Range (GXR), NE China, and uses these data to constrain the late Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the GXR. The zircons from these granitoids are magmatic, as indicated by their appearances during cathodoluminescence imaging and high Th/U ratios (0.21–2.35). Zircon UPb dating indicates that the granitoids formed during the Late Jurassic (~161 Ma) and Early Cretaceous (~132 Ma). The Late Jurassic granitoids (LJG) are dominantly monzogranites with high SiO2 and Na2O + K2O contents, and low MgO and FeOT contents. They are metaluminous, enriched in the light rare-earth elements (LREE) and the large-ion lithophile elements (LILE), depleted in the heavy REE (HREE) and high-field-strength elements (HFSE; e.g., Nb, Ta, Ti, and P), and have an adakitic affinity. The zircons from these monzogranites yield εHf(t) values of +5.7 to +8.2 and two-stage model ages (TDM2) of 749–618 Ma. These results indicate that the primary magma for the Late Jurassic granites was originated from partial melting of a thickened lower-crustal source. The Early Cretaceous granitoids are dominantly metaluminous to peraluminous porphyritic granites with higher HREE contents than the Late Jurassic monzogranites. They display negative Eu anomalies and have εHf(t) values of +3.1 to +9.0 with corresponding TDM2 ages of 877–553 Ma, suggesting they formed from magmas generated by partial melting of juvenile lower-crustal material. Combining these data with the geochemistry of coeval volcanic rocks within the GXR, we infer that the northern GXR records a late Mesozoic transition from compression to extension. The compression was most likely related to the Middle Jurassic closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean, whereas the extension was related to delamination of a thickened region of the lithosphere and/or subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate beneath Eurasia.

Petrogenesis of Early Cretaceous granitoids from southwest Zhejiang, NE South China Block and its geodynamic implication

In situ zircon U–Pb ages, whole-rock major and trace elements, and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions of the Sucun, Yunfeng, and Jingning intrusions from southwest Zhejiang, NE South China Block, are presented to trace their petrogenesis and shed light on its lithosphere evolution. LA–ICP–MS U–Pb zircon dating shows that the Sucun quartz monzonite and Jingning monzogranite were emplaced at ~135 Ma, and the Yunfeng quartz monzonite and Jingning granite were emplaced at 104 and 112 Ma, respectively. All these intrusions are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous and lie within high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonite series field (SiO2 = 66–76 wt%, A/CNK = 0.95–1.09, K2O/Na2O = 0.78–1.77). The Yunfeng quartz monzonite clearly have lower K2O and total REE contents, and higher CaO, Na2O, Al2O3, P2O5, MgO, and TiO2 contents, and relatively less enriched Sr–Nd isotopic compositions than those of the Sucun quartz monzonite, indicating that the Yunfeng quartz monzonite were derived from partial melting of a more juvenile lower crust sources compared with the magma source of the Sucun quartz monzonite. The Jingning monzogranite exhibit similar major elements covariations and Nd isotopic compositions, but higher Ba, Sr, and Eu contents and lower Rb, Th, and U contents than those of the Jingning granite. The geochemical features imply that the Jingning monzogranite and granite were fluid-present and fluid-absent anatexis products of the same Paleoproterozoic crustal source, respectively. Whole-rock Sr–Nd isotopic data imply that the estimated amounts of juvenile mantle-derived melts input into the mature crust show southeastward decreasing trend away from the Jiangshan–Shaoxing fault. We propose that roll-back and retreat of the Paleo-Pacific subducting plate might cause extensive asthenosphere mantle upwelling in East China, and the mantle-derived melts tend to rise through the regional main fault zones and preferentially modify the lithosphere nearby these faults.

Origin of the ca. 50 Ma Linzizong shoshonitic volcanic rocks in the eastern Gangdese arc, southern Tibet

The origin of the Eocene shoshonitic rocks within the upper part of the extensive Linzizong volcanic succession (i.e., the Pana Formation) in the Gangdese arc, southern Tibet remains unclear, inhibiting the detailed investigations on the crust-mantle interaction and mantle dynamics that operate the generation of the coeval magmatic flare-up in the arc. We report mineral composition, zircon U–Pb age and zircon Hf isotope, whole-rock element and Sr–Nd–Hf isotope data for the Pana Formation volcanic rocks from Pangduo, eastern Gangdese arc in southern Tibet. The Pana volcanic rocks from Pangduo include basalts, basaltic andesites, and dacites. SIMS and LA-ICPMS zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the Pangduo dacites were erupted at 50 ± 1 Ma, representing the volcanic equivalent of the coeval Gangdese Batholith that define a magmatic flare-up at 51 ± 1 Ma. The Pangduo volcanic rocks are exclusively shoshonitic, differing from typical subduction-related calc-alkaline volcanic rocks. The basalts have positive whole-rock ƐNd(t) (+1.7) and ƐHf(t) (+3.8) with high Zr abundances (121–169 ppm) and Zr/Y ratios (4.3–5.2), most likely derived from the partial melting of an enriched garnet-bearing lithospheric mantle that was metasomatized by subduction-related components with input from asthenosphere. Compared to the basalts, similar trace elemental patterns and decreased whole-rock ƐNd(t) (−3.5 to −3.3) and ƐHf(t) (−2.5 to −1.6) of the basaltic andesites can be attributed to the input of the ancient basement-derived material of the central Lhasa subterrane into the basaltic magmas. The coherent whole-rock Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions ((87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.7064–0.7069, ƐNd(t) = −6.0 to −5.2, ƐHf(t) = −5.6 to −5.0) and varying zircon ƐHf(t) (−6.0 to +4.1) of the dacites can be interpreted by the partial melting of a hybrid lower crust source (juvenile and ancient lower crust) with incorporation of basement-derived components. Calculations of zircon-Ti temperature and whole-rock zircon saturation temperature of the dacites, and clinopyroxene crystallization temperature of the basalts suggest that the Pangduo volcanic rocks are most likely derived from the high-temperature melting of the lithosphere (including lithospheric mantle and overlying continental crust) as a result of the slab breakoff of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere.

Geochronology, geochemistry, and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopes of the Zhunsujihua granitoid intrusions associated with the molybdenum deposit, northern Inner Mongolia, China: implications for petrogenesis and tectonic setting

The Zhunsujihua porphyry molybdenum deposit, located in northern Inner Mongolia of China that belongs to Central-Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), is the only Mo deposit formed in the late Carboniferous in this area so far. Its mineralization is mainly restricted to the Zhunsujihua granitoid intrusions, which are composed of the main granodiorite (GD) and crosscutting, virtually coeval minor syn-ore leucogranite (LG) and diorite porphyry (DP) dykes. LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating yields crystallization ages of 300.0 ± 2.0, 299.3 ± 2.0, and 299.0 ± 2.6 Ma for the GD, LG, and DP, respectively. The major and trace element lithogeochemical data show that the GD and LG are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous, high-K calc-alkaline series with I-type granite characteristics, strongly oxidized, with low concentrations of Ba, Nb, Sr, P, and Ti and elevated K and Rb contents, indicating typical arc magmatic features. The LG is a product derived by extensive fractional crystallization of a parental magma similar to the GD as evident from the lower Eu/Eu*, Nb/Ta, Zr/Hf, and T Zr. The moderately altered DP exhibits high concentrations of K, Rb, Cs, LREE, Y, and low Sr/Y, with a positive e Nd (300 Ma), which indicates a mantle or juvenile source associated with an arc setting. The Sr–Nd–Hf isotope data show low I Sr (0.70406–0.70461) and moderate e Nd (300 Ma) (−0.9 to 1.5) for the GD and LG, and relatively high e Hf (300 Ma) values (−3.6 to +11.2) for the GD, suggesting the magma mainly originated from the juvenile lower crust that was derived from depleted mantle, with a minor component of ancient continental crust. Lead isotope data have characteristics of a lower crust source with minor contamination by upper crustal material. Combined with previous research, the Zhunsujihua granitoid intrusions developed in an intracontinental volcanic arc (Uliastai) associated with northward subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean plate during late Carboniferous to early Permian; this suggests that the subduction of Paleo Asian Ocean may have continued to late Carboniferous, and the Hengenshan basin is probably closed during the early Permian. Fractional crystallization is the main evolutionary process of the felsic magma, which has played an important role in the Mo mineralization. The coeval DP may have provided additional heat for the extended evolution of the crystallizing felsic magma chamber.

Late Neoproterozoic to Carboniferous genesis of A-type magmas in Avalonia of northern Nova Scotia: repeated partial melting of anhydrous lower crust in contrasting tectonic environments

Avalonian rocks in northern mainland Nova Scotia are characterized by voluminous 640–600 Ma calc-alkalic to tholeiitic mafic to felsic magmas produced in a volcanic arc. However, after the cessation of arc activity, repeated episodes of felsic magmatism between ca. 580 Ma and 350 Ma are dominated by A-type geochemical characteristics. Sm–Nd isotopic data, combined with zircon saturation temperature estimates, indicate that these magmas were formed by high temperature (800–1050 °C) melting of the same anhydrous crustal source. Regional tectonic considerations indicate that A-type felsic magmatism was produced (1) at 580 Ma in a San Andreas-type strike slip setting, (2) at 495 Ma as Avalonia rifted off Gondwana, (3) at 465 and 455 in an ensialic island arc environment and (4) at 360–350 Ma during post-collisional, intra-continental strike-slip activity as Avalonia was translated dextrally along the Laurentian margin. These results attest to the importance of crustal source, rather than tectonic setting, in the generation of these A-type magmas and are an example of how additional insights are provided by comparing the geochemical and isotopic characteristics of igneous suites of different ages within the same terrane. They also suggest that the shallow crustal rocks in northern mainland Nova Scotia were not significantly detached from their lower crustal source between ca. 620 Ma and 350 Ma, a time interval that includes the separation of Avalonia from Gondwana, its drift and accretion to Laurentia as well as post-accretionary strike-slip displacement.

Fluid Inclusions and Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Lead Isotopes of the Antuoling Molybdenum Deposit, Northern Taihang Mountains, China

AbstractThe Antuoling Mo deposit is a major porphyry‐type deposit in the polymetallic metallogenic belt of the northern Taihang Mountains, China. The processes of mineralization in this deposit can be divided into three stages: an early quartz–pyrite stage, a middle quartz–polymetallic sulfide stage, and a late quartz–carbonate stage. Four types of primary fluid inclusions are found in the deposit: two‐phase aqueous inclusions, daughter‐mineral‐bearing multiphase inclusions, CO2–H2O inclusions, and pure CO2 inclusions. From the early to the late ore‐forming stages, the homogenization temperatures of the fluid inclusions are 300 to >500°C, 270–425°C, and 195–330°C, respectively, with salinities of up to 50.2 wt%, 5.3–47.3 wt%, and 2.2–10.4 wt% NaCl equivalent, revealing that the ore‐forming fluids changed from high temperature and high salinity to lower temperature and lower salinity. Moreover, based on the laser Raman spectra, the compositions of the fluid inclusions evolved from the NaCl–CO2–H2O to the NaCl–H2O system. The δ18OH2O and δD values of quartz in the deposit range from +3.9‰ to +7.0‰ and −117.5‰ to −134.2‰, respectively, reflecting the δD of local meteoric water after oxygen isotopic exchange with host rocks. The Pb isotope values of the sulfides (208Pb/204Pb, 36.320–37.428; 207Pb/204Pb, 15.210–15.495; 206Pb/204Pb, 16.366–17.822) indicate that the ore‐forming materials originated from a mixed upper mantle–lower crust source.

Transformation from Paleo-Asian Ocean closure to Paleo-Pacific subduction: New constraints from granitoids in the eastern Jilin–Heilongjiang Belt, NE China

The eastern Jilin–Heilongjiang Belt (EJHB) of NE China is a unique orogen that underwent two stages of evolution within the tectonic regimes of the Paleo-Asian and Paleo-Pacific oceans. 158 available zircon U–Pb ages, including 26 ages obtained during the present study and 132 ages from the literature, were compiled and analyzed for the Mesozoic and Cenozoic granitoids from the EJHB and the adjacent Russian Sikhote–Alin Orogenic Belt (SAOB), to examine the temporal–spatial distribution of the granitoids and to constrain the tectonic evolution of the East Asian continental margin. Five stages of granitic magmatism can be identified: Early Triassic (251–240Ma), Late Triassic (228–215Ma), latest Triassic to Middle Jurassic (213–158Ma), Early Cretaceous (131–105Ma), and Late Cretaceous to Paleocene (95–56Ma). The Early Triassic granitoids are restricted to the Yanbian region along the Changchun–Yanji Suture, and show geochemical characteristics of magmas from a thickened lower crust source, probably due to the final collision of the combined NE China blocks with the North China Craton. The Late Triassic granitoids, with features of A-type granites, represent post-collisional magmatic activities that were related to post-orogenic extension, marking the end of the tectonic evolution of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. The latest Triassic to Paleocene granitoids with calc-alkaline characteristics were NE-trending emplaced along the EJHB and SAOB and young towards the coastal region, and represent continental marginal arc magmas that were associated with the northwestwards subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate. Two periods of magmatic quiescence (158–131 and 105–95Ma) correspond to changes in the subduction direction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate from oblique relative to the continental margin to subparallel. Taking all this into account, we conclude that: (1) the final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean occurred along the Changchun–Yanji Suture during the Early Triassic; (2) the onset of the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate beneath the East Asian continental margin probably took place during the latest Triassic (ca. 215Ma); (3) changes in the drifting direction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate were responsible for the intermittent magmatic activities; and (4) roll-back of the subducted plate resulted in the oceanwards migration of the magmatic arc and large-scale back-arc extension throughout NE China during the Early Cretaceous.

Geochronology and geochemistry of Eocene-aged volcanic rocks around the Bafra (Samsun, N Turkey) area: Constraints for the interaction of lithospheric mantle and crustal melts

40Ar–39Ar age, whole-rock chemical, and Sr–Nd isotope data are presented for the post-collisional, Eocene (51.3–44.1Ma)-aged volcanic rocks from the Bafra (Samsun) area in the western part of the Eastern Pontides (N Turkey) aiming to unravel their sources and evolutionary history. The studied Eocene volcanic rocks can be divided into two groups: analcime-bearing (tephritic lava flows and dykes) and analcime-free (basaltic to trachytic lava flows and basaltic dykes). The analcime-bearing volcanic rocks have a fine-grained porphyritic texture with clinopyroxene phenocrysts, whereas analcime-free volcanic rocks show a variety of textures including hyalo-microlitic microgranular porphyritic, intersertal, trachytic, fluidal, and glomeroporphyritic. The volcanic rocks also show evidence of mineral-melt disequilibrium textures such as sieved, rounded, and corroded plagioclases, partially melted and dissolved clinopyroxenes and poikilitic texture. Petrochemically, the parental magmas of the volcanic rocks evolved from alkaline to calc-alkaline lava suites and include high-K and shoshonitic compositions. They display enrichments in light rare earth and large ion lithophile elements such as Sr, K, and Rb, as well as depletions in high field strength elements such as Nb, Ta, Zr, and Ti, resembling subduction-related magmas. The analcime-bearing and -free volcanic rocks share similar incompatible element ratios and chondrite-normalised rare rearth element patterns, indicating that they originated from similar sources. They also have relatively low to moderate initial 87Sr/86Sr (0.7042–0.7051), high positive εNd(t) values (+0.20 to +3.32), and depleted mantle Nd model ages (TDM1=0.63–0.93Ga, TDM2=0.58–0.84Ga). The bulk-rock chemical and Sr–Nd isotope features as well as the high Rb/Y and Th/Zr, but low Nb/Zr and Nb/Y ratios, indicate that the volcanic rocks were derived from a lithospheric mantle source that had been metasomatised by slab-derived fluids. Trace element modelling suggests that the parental magma(s) of the volcanic rocks represent mixtures of melts derived by low-degree (~5–10%) partial melting of spinel–lherzolite (40–85%) and garnet–lherzolite (15–60%) mantle sources. Sr–Nd isotopic modelling also suggests that a 25–35% lower crustal component was added in the parental magmas; AFC modelling additionally indicates minor upper crustal contamination during the evolution of the volcanic rocks. In conclusion, integration of the geochemical, petrologic, and isotopic data with regional geology suggests that the analcime-bearing and -free volcanic rocks evolved from parental magma(s) derived from melts of a subcontinental lithospheric mantle and lower crustal sources.

Ordovician volcano–sedimentary iron deposits of the Eastern Tianshan area, Northwest China: the Tianhu example

ABSTRACTThe stratabound Tianhu iron deposit, with a reserve of 104 Mt at 42% Fe, is located in the eastern part of the Central Tianshan zone in the southern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. The deposit hosts schist, quartzite, marble, amphibolite, and granitic gneiss belonging to the Tianhu Group. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to perform zircon U–Pb geochronology, bulk-rock geochemistry, and in situ zircon Hf isotope analyses of the metavolcanic host rocks for constraining the timing and genesis of the Tianhu iron deposit. According to the newly determined age constraints of 452 ± 3 and 477 ± 4 Ma, the iron deposit was concluded to be Ordovician in age. Geochemistry and zircon Lu–Hf isotope analyses suggested that the host rocks of the deposit represent metamorphosed arc-type volcanic rocks generated by the partial melting of a lower crustal source. Combined with geological and ore petrographic characteristics, the Tianhu iron deposit is interpreted to be of volcano–sedimentary origin with enrichment during subsequent metamorphism. The early Palaeozoic marks a critical iron mineralization epoch in the Eastern Tianshan area. The results also support the model of the Central Tianshan area as a volcanic-arc during the early Palaeozoic, associated with the subduction of the Northern Tianshan Ocean.

The Nolans Bore rare-earth element-phosphorus-uranium mineral system: geology, origin and post-depositional modifications

Nolans Bore is a rare-earth element (REE)-U-P fluorapatite vein deposit hosted mostly by the ~1805 Ma Boothby Orthogneiss in the Aileron Province, Northern Territory, Australia. The fluorapatite veins are complex, with two stages: (1) massive to granular fluorapatite with inclusions of REE silicates, phosphates and (fluoro)carbonates, and (2) calcite-allanite with accessory REE-bearing phosphate and (fluoro)carbonate minerals that vein and brecciate the earlier stage. The veins are locally accompanied by narrow skarn-like (garnet-diopside-amphibole) wall rock alteration zones. SHRIMP Th-Pb analyses of allanite yielded an age of 1525 ± 18 Ma, interpreted as the minimum age of mineralisation. The maximum age is provided by a ~1550 Ma SHRIMP U-Pb age for a pegmatite that predates the fluorapatite veins. Other isotopic systems yielded ages from ~1443 to ~345 Ma, implying significant post-depositional isotopic disturbance. Calculation of initial eNd and 87Sr/86Sr at 1525 Ma and stable isotope data are consistent with an enriched mantle or lower crust source, although post-depositional disturbance is likely. Processes leading to formation of Nolans Bore began with north-dipping subduction along the south margin of the Aileron Province at 1820–1750 Ma, producing a metasomatised, volatile-rich, lithospheric mantle wedge. About 200 million years later, near the end of the Chewings Orogeny, this reservoir and/or the lower crust sourced alkaline low-degree partial melts which passed into the mid- and upper-crust. Fluids derived from these melts, which may have included phosphatic melts, eventually deposited the Nolans Bore fluorapatite veins due to fluid-rock interaction, cooling, depressurisation and/or fluid mixing. Owing to its size and high concentration of Th (2500 ppm), in situ radiogenic heating caused significant recrystallisation and isotopic resetting. The system finally cooled below 300 °C at ~370 Ma, possibly in response to unroofing during the Alice Springs Orogeny. Surface exposure and weathering of fluorapatite produced acidic fluids and intense, near-surface kaolinitised zones that include high-grade, supergene-enriched cheralite-rich ores.