Crust-mantle Interaction Research Articles

Interpretation of gravity data for fault distribution near the Mongolia–Hinggan metallogenic belt in the eastern China-Mongolia frontier area

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is a giant suture zone produced by the reduction of the Paleo- Asian Ocean between the Siberian, North China, and Tarim cratons. The CAOB formed in three main stages, including continental accretion, late collision, and intracontinental orogeny. Strong crust-mantle interaction also occurred during these stages. The eastern China-Mongolia frontier area is an important part of the CAOB. Since the Caledonian period, this region has frequently experienced polycyclic tectonic reformation and intense magmatic activities. All of these geological activities lay the foundation for abundant metal resources. In the past, several large metal ore deposits have been founded there. However, the deep structure of different tectonic units and the fault distribution in the eastern China-Mongolia border frontier area are still not clear owing to the complex geological environment. Existing works in that region are insufficient for an in-depth understanding of the metallogenic deposits. The work discussed in this paper was carried out in the eastern China-Mongolia frontier area with measured gravity data along a profile and gravity data extracted from the WGM2012 earth’s gravity model for detailed fault distribution. In this study, empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and tilt angle analysis (TDR) were utilized for processing the gridded gravity data. The measured gravity data were inverted with a 2D inversion algorithm for density distribution along the survey line. The inversion result was used to verify the existence of known faults and describe their deeper extensions. Meanwhile, new faults were also identified along the survey line and then marked on the gridded data to get their horizontal distribution. These results provide significant information for the in-depth understanding of the tectonic units in the study area.

Magnesium isotope record of fluid metasomatism along the slab-mantle interface in subduction zones

Fluids released from subducting slabs play an important role in mantle metasomatism and arc magmatism. Magnesium could be mobile in subduction-zone fluids and Mg isotopic signatures of mélange rocks may provide information on crust-mantle interactions at subduction zones. To investigate the behaviour of Mg isotopes during fluid metasomatism along the slab-mantle interface, we report Mg isotopic compositions of a set of well-characterized samples from the ultramafic blocks in the Franciscan Complex of California. The partially serpentinized and completely serpentinized peridotites have δ26Mg values (from −0.26 to −0.14) clustered around the mantle value, indicating small Mg isotope fractionation during peridotite serpentinization. Samples with serpentine completely replaced by talc have lower MgO contents and heavier Mg isotopic compositions (δ26Mg of −0.13 to −0.01) than serpentinized peridotites, implying that Mg was non-conservative during this metasomatic replacement. The shift toward higher δ26Mg values of talc-dominated metaperidotites reflects the preferential loss of light Mg isotopes into fluids via Rayleigh distillation during the dehydration reactions that produced talc from serpentine. On the other hand, samples with talc completely replaced by tremolite have lighter Mg isotopic compositions (δ26Mg of −0.50 to −0.41) and higher CaO contents than the talc-dominated samples. These features suggest a metasomatic process involving isotopically light carbonate-rich fluids derived from the subducting slab. Collectively, large Mg isotope fractionation occurs during multistage fluid-rock interactions within the Franciscan subduction channel, which provides direct evidence for significant Mg isotopic variation during fluid metasomatism along the slab-mantle interface. This may account for the observed heterogeneous Mg isotopic compositions of arc lavas. Magnesium isotopes thus could be a potentially useful tracer of crust-mantle interactions at subduction zones.

Mantle-Crust Interaction in Petrogenesis of the Gabbro-Granite Association in the Preobrazhenka Intrusion, Eastern Kazakhstan

The paper reports results of petrological-geochemical, isotope, and geochronological studies of the Preobrazhenka gabbro–granitoid massif located in the Altai collisional system of Hercynides, Eastern Kazakhstan. The massif shows evidence for the interaction of compositionally contrasting magmas during its emplacement. Mineralogical–petrological and geochemical studies indicate that the gabbroid rocks of the massif were formed through differentiation of primary trachybasaltic magma and its interaction with crustal anatectic melts. Origin of the granitoid rocks is related to melting of crustal protoliths under the thermal effect of mafic melts. The mantle–crust interaction occurred in several stages and at different depths. A model proposed here to explain the intrusion formation suggests subsequent emplacement of basite magmas in lithosphere and their cooling, melting of crustal protolith, emplacement at the upper crustal levels and cooling of the granitoid and basite magmas. It was concluded that the formation of gabbro-granitoid intrusive massifs serves as an indicator of active mantle–crust interaction at the late evolutionary stages of accretionary–collisional belts, when strike-slip pull-apart deformations causes the high permeability of lithosphere.

The age and petrologic and geochemical conditions of formation of the Kogtakh gabbro-monzonite complex in the Kuznetsk Alatau

We present new data on the U-Pb age of zircons, geochemistry of trace elements, and isotope (Nd, Sr, O) composition of rocks of the Kogtakh gabbro-monzonite complex on the eastern slope of the Kuznetsk Alatau Ridge. The established age of zircon in the rocks of the main intrusive phases (500-480 Ma) is taken as the time of formation of the Kogtakh complex in the Late Cambrian-Early Ordovician, during the accretion-collision stage of evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. The distribution and ratios of LILE and HFSE in the rocks suggest that the intrusions proceeded under interaction of the PREMA + EM/OIB mantle plume and the suprasubductional lithospheric IAB mantle. The mantle-crust interaction led to the heterogeneous isotopic composition of neodymium in the magma source (ɛNd(T) ~ 3.5-5.4). The mixing of different mantle and continental-crust materials resulted in an increase in isotope parameters: (87Sr/86Sr)T ~ 0.7039-0.7052, ɛSr(T) ~ 0-19, and δ18O ~ 6.5-8.8‰ (SMOW). The REE ratio in the least differentiated gabbroids indicates different depths of probable magma chambers and the formation of their primary (Tb/YbPM > 1.8) mafic melts at different degrees of melting of the model garnet peridotite.

Petrology, geochemistry, and zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopes of Late Triassic enclaves and host granitoids at the southeastern margin of the Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif, Northeast China: Evidence for magma mixing during subduction of the Mudanjiang oceanic plate

We report zircon U–Pb ages and geochemistry (major and trace elements, mineral compositions, and Hf isotopic compositions) for the Hailin pluton in the southeastern Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif, northeastern China, to constrain the role of magma mixing in its petrogenesis and to reconstruct the tectonic evolution of the Mudanjiang Ocean. Zircon U–Pb dating yields ages of 215 ± 1 Ma, 217 ± 1 Ma, and 219 ± 1 Ma for the host granitoids of the Hailin pluton, and 221 ± 1 Ma for mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) within the granitoids, indicating they were emplaced coevally. The host granitoids are characterized by 63.18–70.44 wt% SiO2 and 0.69–1.94 wt% MgO, and are depleted in high field strength elements (HFSEs; e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti) and heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), and enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs; e.g., Rb, Sr, and Ba) and light rare earth elements (LREEs). The zircons in the host granitoids yield two-stage model ages of 1058 Ma to 1770 Ma, together with εHf(t) values of −6.6 to +3.1. These results indicate that the host granitoid magmas were generated by partial melting of Mesoproterozoic lower crust contaminated by ancient crustal material. The MMEs have a restricted SiO2 range (47.61–57.4 wt%), high contents of Ni, Co, and Cr, and high Mg# values (42–54). They have higher Fe2O3T, MgO, Cr and Co contents than the host granitoids, as well as higher total rare earth element (REE) concentrations. Their REE patterns are sub-parallel to those of the host granitoids, characterized by enrichments in LILEs and LREEs, and depletions in HFSEs and HREEs. Zircons from two samples of the MMEs yield single-stage Hf model ages of 666–1077 Ma and εHf(t) values of −5.4 to +5.2. The geochemical characteristics of the MMEs are similar to those of the host granitoids, indicating crust-mantle interaction during their formation. The mafic magmas were derived from melting of depleted lithospheric mantle that had been metasomatized by slab-derived fluids. MMEs are common in the host granitoids and are characterized by irregular spheroidal shapes, with sharp, rounded, or irregular transitional contacts, acicular apatites, and plagioclase reverse zoning, suggesting the importance of magma mixing during petrogenesis. Our geochemical and isotopic data suggest that the Late Triassic Hailin pluton formed by the mixing of felsic and mafic magmas in an active continental margin setting, closely related to the westward subduction of the Mudanjiang oceanic plate beneath the Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif.

A newly Found Biotite Syenogranite in the Huangshaping Polymetallic Deposit, South China: Insights into Cu Mineralization

The W-Sn-Mo-Cu-Pb-Zn polymetallic mineralization in the Huangshaping Deposit is associated with different types of Jurassic granitic intrusions such as quartz porphyry, granophyre and granite porphyry. In this study, we carried out detailed mineralogical, petrological, geochemical, zircon U-Pb geochronological and Hf isotopic studies on a newly found, Cu-mineralization-related fine-grained biotite syenogranite at Huangshaping. This syenogranite is mainly composed of quartz (40%), K-feldspar (30%), plagioclase (15%) and biotite (5%), enriching in SiO2 (75.58 wt.%–76.02 wt.%), K2O (5.24 wt.%–5.78 wt.%), Al2O3 (12.23 wt.%–12.46 wt.%), Rb (405 ppm–504 ppm), U (18.5 ppm–40.7 ppm), Th (47 ppm–52.3 ppm), Nb (49.6 ppm–57.5 ppm), and Cu (54 ppm–288 ppm) whereas depleting in P2O5 (0.01 wt.%), TiO2 (0.05 wt.%–0.06 wt.%), Ba (5 ppm–13.1 ppm), Sr (6.8 ppm–23.9 ppm) and Eu (0.04 ppm–0.05 ppm), with A1-type alkaline granite characteristics. Magmatic and hydrothermal zircons were separated from a Cu-mineralized syenogranite sample and yielded the 206Pb/238U concordant ages of 156.5±1.8 and 154.4±2.9 Ma, representing the intrusive age of the pluton and probable Cu-mineralization time at the Huangshaping Deposit, respectively. Zircon Hf isotopes suggest a crust-derived (partial melting of Paleoproterozoic basement) magma for the syenogranite, with some degree of crust-mantle interaction. We infer that the syenogranite is a transitional phase between the granophyre and the granite porphyry, not only contributed greatly to the Cu mineralization but also provided W-Sn polymetallic ore-forming metals for the Huangshaping Deposit.

Formation and geodynamic implication of the Early Yanshanian granites associated with W–Sn mineralization in the Nanling range, South China: an overview

ABSTRACTThe Nanling range (Nanling) is characterized by intense and widespread Mesozoic magmatism related large-scale W–Sn mineralization. A summary of geochemistry, geochronology, and petrogenesis for the W–Sn-bearing granites has been carried out in this study. A series of rock- and ore-forming ages in Nanling indicate that the W–Sn mineralization is closely related to the Early Yanshanian granitic magmatism both in temporal and spatial dimensions (165–150 Ma). Geochemical features show that both of the W- and Sn-bearing granites, which mainly belong to highly fractionated I-type granites with a few A-type granites, are characterized by high contents of SiO2, Al2O3, Na2O, and K2O; enrichment in Rb, Th, U, Zr, Hf, and REE; depletion in Sr, Ba, P, and Ti; and high ratios of A/CNK. Furthermore, the different Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions indicate that they are mainly originated from the partial melting of the Precambrian basement rocks of the Cathaysia Block at low oxygen fugacity, and the estimated temperatures for the tungsten-bearing and tin-bearing granites are ca. 700°C and ca. 800°C, respectively. The model of the mantle–crust interaction exhibits that different percentages of mantle-derived magma were likely involved in the generation of the tin-bearing granites and tungsten-bearing granites. In combination with previous studies, we propose that these granites in Nanling were emplaced in an extensional setting, as a response to the break-off and roll-back of the subducted Palaeo-Pacific Plate during 175–150 Ma.

Discriminating characters of ore-forming intrusions in the super-large Chalukou porphyry Mo deposit, NE China

The Chalukou porphyry Mo deposit, located in the Great Hinggan Range, is the largest Mo deposit in northeast China, although the age and genesis of the associated magmatic intrusions remain debated. Here we report zircon U–Pb ages and trace elements, whole rock geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotope data with a view to understand the relationship between the magmatism and molybdenum mineralization. Zircon U–Pb analysis yield an age of 475 Ma for rhyolite in the older strata, 168 Ma for the pre-mineralization monzogranite, and 154 Ma for the syn-mineralization granite porphyry. The granite porphyry and quartz porphyry are considered as the ore-forming intrusions. These rocks are peraluminous, alkali-calcic, and belong to high-K to shoshonitic series with a strong depletion of Eu. They also display characteristics of I-type granites. The rocks exhibit wide variations of (87Sr/86Sr)i in the range of 0.705426–0.707363, and εNd(t) of −3.7 to 0.93. Zircon REE distribution patterns show characteristics between crust and the mantle, implying magma genesis through crust-mantle interaction. The Fe2O3/FeO values (average 1) for the whole rock and EuN/EuN∗ values (average 0.45), Ce4+/Ce3+ values (average 301) for zircon grains from the granite porphyry are higher than those from other lithologies. These features suggest that the ore-forming intrusions (syn-mineralization porphyry) had higher oxygen fugacity conditions than those of the pre-mineralization and post-mineralization rocks. The Chalukou Mo deposit formed in relation to the southward subduction of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean. Our study suggests that the subduction-related setting, crust-mantle interaction, and the large-scale magmatic intrusion were favorable factors to generate the super-large Mo deposits in this area.

Review of the Cambrian volcanic activity in Morocco: geochemical fingerprints and geotectonic implications for the rifting of West Gondwana

Volcanic activities related to the opening of a Cambrian rift in Morocco were widespread from the Fortunian to the Cambrian Epoch 3. Numerous data are available from northwestern volcanic sites, particularly in the western High Atlas, but they are scarce from the southeastern sites. New data are documented here from the volcanic formations exposed in the Jbel Tazoult n’Ouzina of the Tafilalt Province, eastern Anti-Atlas and dated to Cambrian Epoch 2–3. The Cambrian volcanic activities recorded in the High Atlas, Anti-Atlas, and Coastal Meseta are synthesized to refine their stratigraphic setting and to characterize their magmatic affinities and fingerprints. Six volcanic pulses are determined as tholeiitic, transitional, and alkaline suites. The tholeiitic and transitional magmas originated from primitive mantle and E-MORB-type sources with a spinel- and garnet-bearing lherzolite composition. Some of them were modified by assimilation–fractional crystallisation processes during crust–mantle interactions. The alkaline magmas fit with an OIB-type and a garnet-bearing lherzolite source. The palaeogeographic distribution of the magmatic suites was controlled by the lithospheric thinning of the Cambrian Atlas Rift and lithospheric constraints of the Pan-African metacraton and West African craton.

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.

Two distinct origins for Archean greenstone belts

Applying the Th/Yb–Nb/Yb plot of Pearce (2008) to the well-studied Archean greenstone sequences of Western Australia shows that individual volcanic sequences evolved through one of two distinct processes reflecting different modes of crust–mantle interaction. In the Yilgarn Craton, the volcanic stratigraphy of the 2.99–2.71 Ga Youanmi Terrane mainly evolved through processes leading to Th/Yb–Nb/Yb trends with a narrow range of Th/Nb (‘constant-Th/Nb’ greenstones). In contrast, the 2.71–2.66 Ga volcanic stratigraphy of the Eastern Goldfields Superterrane evolved through processes leading to Th/Yb–Nb/Yb trends showing a continuous range in Th/Nb (‘variable-Th/Nb’ greenstones). Greenstone sequences of the Pilbara Craton show a similar evolution, with constant-Th/Nb greenstone evolution between 3.13 and 2.95 Ga and variable-Th/Nb greenstone evolution between 3.49 and 3.23 Ga and between 2.77 and 2.68 Ga. The variable-Th/Nb trends dominate greenstone sequences in Australia and worldwide, and are temporally associated with peaks in granite magmatism, which promoted crustal preservation. The increasing Th/Nb in basalts correlates with decreasing εNd, reflecting variable amounts of crustal assimilation during emplacement of mantle-derived magmas. These greenstones are typically accompanied in the early stages by komatiite, and can probably be linked to mantle plume activity. Thus, regions such as the Eastern Goldfields Superterrane simply developed as plume-related rifts over existing granite–greenstone crust – in this case the Youanmi Terrane. Their Th/Nb trends are difficult to reconcile with modern-style subduction processes. The constant-Th/Nb trends may reflect derivation from a mantle source already with a high and constant Th/Nb ratio. This, and a lithological association including boninite-like lavas, basalts, and calc-alkaline andesites, all within a narrow Th/Nb range, resembles compositions typical of modern-style subduction settings. These greenstones are very rare, and were probably only preserved when fortuitously stabilised by granitic magmatism related to the evolution of later variable-Th/Nb greenstones. The rarity of constant-Th/Nb trends suggests that either processes forming them never dominated Archean greenstone evolution, or that such greenstones simply were rarely preserved. Metamorphic mobility of Th renders the Th/Yb–Nb/Yb plot inappropriate for interpreting Eoarchean greenstone units worldwide. Nevertheless, such sequences appear dominated by volcanic rocks that, in modern settings, reflect only the embryonic or initiation stages of subduction. They probably record subduction failure rather than anything resembling modern-style subduction.

A Unique association of scheelite and magnetite in the Tiemuli W-Fe skarn deposit: Implications for Early Cretaceous metallogenesis in the Nanling Region, South China

The Tiemuli scheelite-magnetite deposit in the central part of the Nanling region, South China, is genetically related to a porphyritic biotite granite pluton. The W-Fe orebodies are hosted within upper Cambrian calcareous sandstone or impure limestone in the external zones. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of zircons from the granite yielded a weighted mean age of 136.6 ± 1.1 Ma. The main ore minerals are magnetite, scheelite and arsenopyrite, and the gangue minerals are clinopyroxene, grossularite, vesuvianite, amphibole and mica. Three paragenetic stages of skarn formation have been recognized: I. a skarn stage; II. a retrograde stage, and III. a quartz-sulphide-calcite stage. Massive magnetite and scheelite orebodies associated with hydrous minerals formed during Stage II. Molybdenite grains separated from Tiemuli skarns yielded Re-Os model ages of 136.3–133.8 Ma, with a weighted mean age of 135.1 ± 0.8 Ma. Biotite associated with fine-grained magnetite from the ores has a 40Ar/39Ar plateau age of 132.67 ± 0.43 Ma. These three independent dating techniques show that the granitic magmatism and tungsten mineralization were coeval (within error), whereas the late-stage alteration recorded by biotite could be ca. 2 m.y. younger than the early stage. The granite is classified as an A-type body on the basis of its geochemistry and mineralogy. Zircon grains from the granite show negative εHf (t) values of −7.7 to −2.3, and molybdenite grains from the skarn ores contain low Re contents of 0.93 to 2.97 ppm. These data indicate that the magma and ore-forming components at Tiemuli were derived mainly from crustal materials, although mafic xenoliths in the granites are consistent with some mantle contribution. The Tiemuli deposit was produced by crust-mantle interaction in an extensional regime, possibly caused by rollback of the subducting Paleo-Pacific plate during Early Cretaceous. The skarn scheelite and magnetite association formed by interaction between magmatic fluids and calcite-bearing sandstone or impure limestone of the host strata.

Cretaceous A-type volcanic–intrusive rocks and simultaneous mafic rocks along the Gan-Hang Tectonic Belt, Southeast China: petrogenesis and implications for the transition of crust–mantle interaction

ABSTRACTAbundant evidence points to the Cretaceous crust–mantle interaction and plate subduction in the Gan-Hang Tectonic Belt (GHTB), southeastern China, but the evolutionary process remains poorly constrained. Here we conduct a comprehensive study on Daqiaowu granitic porphyry and diabase dikes in the eastern GHTB, in conjunction with previous studies on simultaneous felsic and mafic rocks along the GHTB, to demonstrate their petrogenesis and geodynamic evolutionary process. The Daqiaowu granitic porphyry (125 Ma), as well as the coeval granitic rocks, exhibits high zircon saturation temperatures, alkalis, 104*Ga/Al ratios, and Zr + Nb + Ce + Y contents, concluding a distinctive belt of the Early Cretaceous (~137–125 Ma) A-type volcanic–intrusive rocks in the GHTB. Their εNd(t) and zircon εHf(t) values gradually increased through time from approximately −9.0 to −1.0 and −10.0 to +4.0, respectively, implying increasing contribution of mantle-derived components to their formation, and hence progressively intensified crust–mantle interaction in an intra-arc rift environment (a geodynamic transition stage from continental arc to back-arc) during the Early Cretaceous. This plausibility is further supported by the Early Cretaceous Daqiaowu diabase dikes and coeval mafic rocks which exhibit arc-like magmatic signatures and were derived from mantle wedge. In contrast, the Late Cretaceous mafic rocks show ocean island basalt-like geochemical characteristics, reflecting a depleted asthenosphere mantle source. This discrepancy of mantle sources concludes that the geodynamic setting in the GHTB may have basically transferred to back-arc regime in the Late Cretaceous. Thus, the Cretaceous geodynamic evolutionary process in the GHTB can be defined as the Early Cretaceous gradually intensified crust–mantle interaction in a geodynamic transition stage (from continental arc to back-arc extension) and the Late Cretaceous back-arc extensional setting.

He, Ar, and S isotopic constraints on the relationship between A-type granites and tin mineralization: A case study of tin deposits in the Tengchong–Lianghe tin belt, southwest China

The Tengchong–Lianghe tin belt in western Yunnan Province, southwest China, is the most important tin mineralization belt in the Sanjiang Tethyan Metallogenic Domain (STMD). There are two large tin deposits in this belt: the Paleogene Lailishan and the Late Cretaceous Xiaolonghe deposits. The two deposits are spatially and temporally associated with the Lailishan and Xiaolonghe granitic plutons, respectively. Recent studies suggest that the Lailishan and Xiaolonghe granitic plutons exhibit most of the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of A-type granites. In this study, we discuss the He, Ar, and S isotopes of pyrite samples from the two large tin deposits to trace ore-forming fluids and elements. We also review the relationship between A-type granites and tin deposits from a new perspective. The δ34SCDT values of the Lailishan tin deposit range from +4.9‰ to +6.7‰, with an average value of +5.53‰. The δ34SCDT values of the Xiaolonghe tin deposit range from +5.0‰ to +8.1‰, with an average value of +6.33‰. These values are slightly higher than those of the granites (0‰ to +5.7‰) in the Tengchong–Lianghe area, indicating mainly magmatic sources for the sulfur of ore-forming fluids with a small amount of S from the wall rocks. The Lailishan tin deposit has 3He/4He values of 1.57–3.46 Ra, with an average value of 2.078 Ra, and 40Ar/36Ar values of 382.00–622.99, with an average value of 459.67. The Xiaolonghe tin deposit has 3He/4He values of 0.53–0.88 Ra, with an average value of 0.686 Ra, and 40Ar/36Ar values of 301.06–348.43, with an average value of 322.04. These values suggest that ore-forming fluids of the Lailishan and Xiaolonghe tin deposits have mixed crustal, mantle, and a small volume of meteoric water sources in different proportions. The mantle 4He values and 3He/4He values of the Lailihsan tin deposit (26–44%, 1.57–3.46 Ra) are markedly higher than those of the Xiaolonghe tin deposit (8–15%, 0.53–0.88 Ra), implying increased crust–mantle interaction in the Paleogene relative to the Late Cretaceous in western Yunnan. This interaction may be attributed to the upwelling of the asthenosphere through the break-off of the Neo-Tethyan slab during the main collisional period (65–41 Ma) of India–Asia.

Early Cretaceous (~ 140 Ma) aluminous A-type granites in the Tethyan Himalaya, Tibet: Products of crust-mantle interaction during lithospheric extension

A-type granites have been the focus of considerable research due to their distinctive major- and trace-element signatures and tectonic significance. However, their petrogenesis, magmatic source and tectonic setting remain controversial, particularly for aluminous A-type granites. The earliest Cretaceous (ca. 140Ma) Comei granite in the eastern Tethyan Himalaya is associated with coeval oceanic island basalt (OIB)-type mafic lava, and has A-type granite geochemical characteristics including high 10,000×Ga/Al (up to 6), FeOtotal/MgO (4.6–6.1) and (Na2O+K2O)/Al2O3 (0.50–0.61) ratios but low CaO (0.6–1.6wt%) and Na2O (1.8–2.6wt%) contents. The Comei granite also has variable peraluminous compositions (A/CNK=1.00–1.36) along with zircon δ18O, εNd(t) and initial 87Sr/86Sr values of 8.2‰ to 9.3‰, −13.0 to −12.4 and 0.7238 to 0.7295, respectively. This range of compositions can be interpreted as the interaction between high-temperature upwelling OIB type basaltic magmas and a shallow crustal (<5kbar) metapelitic source. The Comei granite and coeval OIB type basaltic rock could represent the earliest stage (145–140Ma) of a large igneous event in eastern Tethyan Himalaya, which may well have been triggered by pre-breakup lithospheric extension prior to the arrival of the Kerguelen plume head.

Recycling of subducted carbonates: Formation of the Taohuala Mountain carbonatite, North China Craton

Carbonatitic magmatism plays a significant role in Earth's carbon cycle, which is also a lithoprobe of crust-mantle interaction, mantle metasomatism and partial melting. Due to different mineral assemblages and geochemical compositions, and diverse tectonic settings, the origin of carbonatite has long been debated. At subduction zones, sediments (including carbonates) are subducted into the mantle with the downgoing oceanic slab. However, the detailed mechanism of how subducted carbonates contribute to carbonatitic magmatism remains unclear. Here we present geochronological, geochemical and isotopic study on the Taohuala Mountain carbonatite at the southern margin of the Alxa Block, North China Craton. The classification of carbonatite from the Taohuala Mountain relies strongly on the observations of obvious intrusion contact relationships and flow structures in field outcrop. The Taohuala Mountain carbonatite has SiO2 ranging from 2.37wt.% to 11.45wt%, high CaO (45.93–53.86wt%) and low MgO (0.51–4.39wt%), and is characterized by enrichment of LILE (Ba, Sr), depletion of HFSE (Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf), and slightly negative Ce and Eu anomalies. Carbonates in the samples have high 87Sr/86Sr (0.70686–0.70694) and low 143Nd/144Nd (0.511635–0.511924). Remarkably, the highly fractionated δ18OVSMOW (11.83–25.92‰) indicates components of both sedimentary and mantle origin. Detailed zircon in situ U-Pb dating and oxygen isotope analysis exhibit contrast ages and δ18OVSMOW from core to rim, i.e., old ages (mainly>800Ma), high Th/U (mainly>0.5) and low δ18OVSMOW (6.37–11.44‰) in cores (inherited), whereas young ages (~400Ma), low Th/U (mainly<0.01) and high δ18OVSMOW (20.04–24.54‰) in rims, suggesting that the Taohuala Mountain carbonatite may have been generated from melting of subducted sedimentary carbonates. Considering all these evidences, and that the collision along Qilian Mountains was older than the carbonatite, we propose that a large volume of sedimentary carbonates subducted and remained in the lithospheric mantle under the Alxa block during the closure of the Paleo-Qilian Ocean. Subsequently, the carbonatite was formed by melting of carbonates with minor contributions from the mantle during the breakoff or rollback of the Paleo-Asian oceanic slab.

Geochemical systematics of the Mauranipur-Babina greenstone belt, Bundelkhand Craton, Central India: Insights on Neoarchean mantle plume-arc accretion and crustal evolution

The Neoarchean Bundelkhand greenstone sequences at Mauranipur and Babina areas within the Bundelkhand Gneissic Complex preserve a variety of magmatic rocks such as komatiitic basalts, basalts, felsic volcanic rocks and high-Mg andesites belonging to the Baragaon, Raspahari and Koti Formations. The intrusive and extrusive komatiitic basalts are characterized by low SiO2 (39–53 wt.%), high MgO (18–25 wt.%), moderately high Fe2O3 (7.1–11.6 wt.%), Al2O3 (4.5–12.0 wt.%), and TiO2 (0.4–1.23 wt.%) with super to subchondritic (Gd/Yb)N ratios indicating garnet control on the melts. The intrusive komatiitic suite of Ti-enriched and Al-depleted type possesses predominant negative Eu and positive Nb, Ti and Y anomalies. The chemical composition of basalts classifies them into three types with varying SiO2, TiO2, MgO, Fe2O3, Al2O3 and CaO. At similar SiO2 content of type I and III basalts, the type II basalts show slightly high Al2O3 and Fe2O3 contents. Significant negative anomalies of Nb, Zr, Hf and Ti, slightly enriched LREE with relatively flat HREE and low ∑REE contents are observed in type I and II basalts. Type III basalts show high Zr/Nb ratios (9.8–10.4), TiO2 (1.97–2.04 wt.%), but possess strikingly flat Zr, Hf, Y and Yb and are uncontaminated. Andesites from Agar and Koti have high SiO2 (55–64 wt.%), moderate TiO2 (0.4–0.7 wt.%), slightly low Al2O3 (7–11.9 wt.%), medium to high MgO (3–8 wt.%) and CaO contents (10–17 wt.%). Anomalously high Cr, Co and Ni contents are observed in the Koti rhyolites. Tholeiitic to calc alkaline affinity of mafic-felsic volcanic rocks and basalt–andesite–dacite–rhyolite differentiation indicate a mature arc and thickened crust during the advanced stage of the evolution of Neoarchean Bundelkhand greenstone belt in a convergent tectonic setting where the melts were derived from partial melting of thick basaltic crust metamorphosed to amphibolite-eclogite facies. The trace element systematics suggest the presence of arc-back arc association with varying magnitudes of crust-mantle interaction. La/Sm, La/Ta, Nb/Th, high MgO contents (>20 wt.%), CaO/Al2O3 and (Gd/Yb)N > 1 along with the positive Nb anomalies of the komatiite basalts reflect a mantle plume source for their origin contaminated by subduction-metasomatized mantle lithosphere. The overall geochemical signatures of the ultramafic-mafic and felsic volcanic rocks endorse the Neoarchean plume-arc accretion tectonics in the Bundelkhand greenstone belt.

Crust–mantle interaction during Early Jurassic subduction of Neo-Tethyan oceanic slab: Evidence from the Dongga gabbro–granite complex in the southern Lhasa subterrane, Tibet

Gabbro–granite complexes that form in active continental margins provide an excellent opportunity to investigate the genetic relationships between acid and basic magmas and offer important insights into crust–mantle interaction. In this paper, we present detailed petrographic, mineralogical, whole-rock geochemical, Sr–Nd isotopic, zircon U–Pb, and Hf isotopic data for the Dongga gabbro–granite complex of the southern Lhasa subterrane, with the aim of elucidating the petrogenesis of these rocks and gaining insights into the processes of crust–mantle interaction associated with the northward subduction of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic slab. The Dongga complex consists predominantly of tonalite and granodiorite with abundant mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) and lesser amounts of hornblende gabbro. LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating yields crystallization ages of 178.0±1.5Ma and 192.3±1.5Ma for the hornblende gabbros, and 178.1±1.7Ma and 178.8±1.8Ma for the tonalites and MMEs, respectively. Geochemically, the gabbroic rocks have low SiO2 and Na2O+K2O concentrations and high Mg# values. These gabbroic rocks are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs; e.g., Ba, K, Pb, and Sr) and light rare earth elements (LREEs), and depleted in high field strength elements (HFSEs; e.g., Nb, Ta, P, Zr, and Hf). The tonalites are subalkaline and metaluminous and are also characterized by an enrichment of LILEs and LREEs and a depletion of HFSEs. The MMEs are silica poor and alkali rich and have broadly similar trace element signatures to those of the host tonalites. The gabbroic rocks, tonalites, and MMEs have similar initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (ISr) of 0.7035–0.7036 and positive εNd(t) values of +5.3 to +6.8. However, zircon εHf(t) values from the hornblende gabbros (+14.0 to +18.2) are somewhat higher than those of the tonalites (+11.4 to +15.0) but are similar to the MMEs (+14.4 to +18.2). The combined petrological, geochemical, and isotopic features of the Dongga gabbro–granite complex suggest that the southern Lhasa subterrane was located in an active continental margin setting during the Early Jurassic. The gabbroic rocks were generated by the hydrous partial melting of a depleted mantle wedge metasomatized by aqueous fluids released from the subducted Neo-Tethyan oceanic slab. The tonalites and MMEs were produced by the mixing of mafic magmas related to the gabbroic rocks and felsic magmas derived from the remelting of the newly formed juvenile lower crust. The underplating of mantle-derived magmas and the resulting crustal melting and magma mixing occurred during the Early Jurassic subduction of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic slab. The mantle-derived magmas not only provided substantial heat to melt the lower crust but also mixed with the crust-derived magmas to form granitoids and MMEs.

Water in garnet pyroxenite from the Sulu orogen: Implications for crust-mantle interaction in continental subduction zone

Mineral water contents, together with the major and trace element compositions of minerals and whole-rock, were determined for garnet pyroxenites enclosed by ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic gneiss at Hujialin in the Sulu orogen. The garnet pyroxenites have low SiO2 contents of 40.25 to 46.68wt% and MgO contents of 10.99 to 14.79wt%. They are characterized by enrichment in LREE and LILE (Ba, Sr, Pb) but depletion in HFSE (Nb, Zr) and HREE. They were generated in the Triassic by metasomatic reaction of the mantle wedge peridotite with hydrous felsic melts derived from partial melting of the deeply subducted continental crust. Measured water contents vary from 523 to 1213ppm for clinopyroxene, and 55 to 1476ppm for garnet. These mineral water contents are not only correlated with mineral major and trace element abundances but also relatively homogenous within single mineral grains. Such features preclude significant disturbance of the mineral water contents during pyroxenite exhumation from the mantle depth to the surface and thus indicate preservation of the primary water contents for the UHP metasomatites. The garnet pyroxenites are estimated to have bulk water contents of 424–660ppm, which are higher than those for the MORB source, similar to or higher than those for the OIB sources and close to the lower limit for the arc magma source. The relationships between contents of mineral water and some elements suggest that the high water contents of garnet pyroxenites are primarily determined by the abundance of water-rich clinopyroxene. Garnet also has the high water contents, suggesting its importance in hosting water at mantle depths. Calculated whole-rock H2O/Ce ratios are 63–145, higher than those for Hawaiian garnet pyroxenites and SWIR abyssal pyroxenites. These observations suggest that metasomatic pyroxene-rich lithologies have the capacity to contribute high H2O concentrations and variable H2O/Ce ratios to the mantle. This lends support to the interpretation that the source of some intraplate basalts may be a heterogeneous mixture of peridotite and pyroxenite. On the other hand, the high water contents of garnet pyroxenites suggest that the presence of ultramafic metasomatites in the mantle wedge would enhance its water storage and thus reduce the water transport into deeper mantle by subduction.

The oldest Mo porphyry mineralization in the Yangtze Valley Metallogenic Belt of eastern China: Constraints on its origin from geochemistry, geochronology and fluid inclusion studies at Matou

The Matou Mo(-Cu) deposit, located in the Yangtze Valley Metallogenic Belt of central-eastern China, is a typical porphyry-type Mo deposit. The orebodies at the deposit are hosted by Matou porphyritic granodiorite, which is the largest intrusive in the area. Quartz vein-type and disseminated sulfide mineralization are well developed in the porphyry and near its contact with Silurian sandstone. Crosscutting relationships indicate that porphyritic granodiorite is the oldest phase in the pluton, which is crosscut by a porphyritic diorite containing traces of chalcopyrite, and later dolerite dykes. These phases have U-Pb zircon dates of 147±3, 140±1 and 135±1Ma, which confirms the cross-cutting relationships observed in the field. A Re-Os molybdenite isochron age of 147±4Ma indicates that the porphyritic granodiorite is the source of the oldest Mo mineralization in the metallogenic belt and was formed during a change of the tectonic setting in the area, from an intracontinental orogeny to extensional tectonics. From 147 to 135Ma, crust-mantle interaction played an important role in the formation of magmatic rocks at Matou. Systematic petrological and geochemistry investigations reveal that the three phases have a crust source with minor input from the mantle. Investigation of ore-forming fluid, H-O isotopes, S isotopes, and the Re content of molybdenite indicate that the ore-forming fluid and metals were derived from the lower crust. During the evolution of fluid from initial magmatic fluids (stage I) to ore-forming fluids (stage II), fluid boiling accompanied by the input of relatively cooler meteoric water led to the deposition of the Mo mineralization.