Paleo-Tethys Research Articles

ERRATUM: Final closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean: Insights from Triassic granitoids in the central Qiangtang area, northern Tibetan Plateau

“244–230 Ma” rather than “∼230–225 Ma” was printed in Figure 12A. This erratum does not affect the discussion and conclusion of the paper, which focus on the ca. 225–205 Ma time range. See PDF file for details.

Formation and Tectonic Evolution of Ophiolites in the Sabah Area (Borneo, SE Asia)

Zircon U-Pb dating, rock geochemistry, Sr-Nd-Pb, and zircon Hf isotope analyses were conducted on the ultrabasic and basic rocks of ophiolites in the Sabah area (Borneo, SE Asia). The zircon U-Pb ages of ultrabasic and basic rocks range from 248 to 244 Ma, indicating that the ophiolites already existed in the early Triassic. The rare earth elements of basic rocks in Central Sabah show N-MORB-type characteristics and E-MORB-type characteristics in the northwest and southeast. The εNd(t) values of basic rocks range from 3.66 to 8.73, and the εHf(t) values of zircon in ultrabasic rocks are between −10.2 and −6.1. Trace element analysis shows that the magmatic source was influenced by melts and fluids from the subducting plate of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. The tectonic evolution of the Sabah area can be traced back to the Early Triassic. At that time, the fast subduction of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean plate and the retreating of the Paleo-Pacific plate resulted in the upwelling of mantle material in relatively small extensional settings, leading to the formation of the ophiolites. From the Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous, the Paleo-Pacific plate was intensely subducted, and the ophiolite intrusion in the Sabah area moved to the continental crust of South China or the Sundaland margin as fore-arc ophiolites. From the Late Cretaceous to the Miocene, with the expansion of the Proto-South China Sea and South China Sea oceanic crust, the ophiolites in the Sabah area drifted southward with microplate fragments and sutured with East Borneo.

The Indosinian Granitoids of the Songpan–Garze–West Kunlun Orogenic Belt, China: Distribution, Petrochemistry, and Tectonic Insights

During the Indosinian orogeny, the Songpan–Garze–West Kunlun orogenic belt experienced significant tectonic and magmatic activity, leading to the widespread emplacement of granitoid bodies. This study provides a detailed petrochemical and geochemical analysis of these granitoids, offering new insights into their tectonic settings and magmatic evolution. The granitoids of this belt are systematically categorized into arc calc-alkaline and arc tholeiitic granitoids (ACG and ATG), cordierite peraluminous and muscovite peraluminous granitoids (CPG and MPG), potassium calc-alkaline granitoids (KCG), and peralkaline granitoids (PAG) suites. ACG and ATG types dominate early magmatism (230–190 Ma), reflecting a convergent tectonic setting, while KCG and MPG types magmatism, respectively, emerged 10–20 Myr and 15–25 Myr later, during post-collisional extensional phases. Geochemical analyses show that ACG and ATG granitoids follow calcic and calc-alkalic trends, while KCG and MPG display alkalic characteristics. These findings align with the region’s tectonic transition from the closure of the Paleo–Tethys Ocean to Late Triassic transpressional deformation. This study enhances the understanding of granitoid petrogenesis and provides valuable implications for regional tectonic evolution and mineral exploration.

Spatio-temporal evolution of the Paleo-Tethys in western Yunnan: Insights from mafic rocks in the Lancang tectonic belt

The Sanjiang orogenic belt in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau provides an excellent record of the Paleo-Tethys tectonic evolution. This study introduces new constraints on the spatio-temporal evolution of the Paleo-Tethys through zircon UPb ages, in-situ LuHf isotope data, and analyses of whole-rock major oxides, trace elements, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions from Late Paleozoic mafic rocks in the Lancang tectonic belt. The mafic rocks from the Xiaoheijiang, Banpo, and Yakou areas were dated to approximately 281–267 Ma, 295–292 Ma, and 293–291 Ma, respectively. The Xiaoheijiang mafic rocks exhibit geochemical signatures resembling those of fore-arc basalt, characterized by low (La/Sm)N, relatively flat rare earth element (REE)-normalized patterns, positive εNd(t) (+5.6 to +10.1), and zircon in-situ εHf(t) values (+10.0 to +14.9). These features indicate an origin from a depleted mantle source with minor contributions from slab-derived components. The Banpo and Yakou mafic rocks display geochemical affinities to back-arc basin basalt, similar to the Okinawa Trough back-arc basin basalt. Their εNd(t) values range from +5.6 to +9.9 and εHf(t) values from +9.5 to +15.0, suggesting derivation from a mantle wedge source modified by slab-derived fluids or melts. In combination with available geochronological data concerning the Paleo-Tethys evolution along the Lancang tectonic belt, our findings support the hypothesis that the slow-speed, low-angle subduction of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean led to the formation of a forearc accretionary complex. The slab-derived fluids metasomatized the mantle wedge as subduction depth and angle increased, facilitating the development of the Lincang arc magmatism and the opening of the Banpo-Yakou back-arc basin. Continuous subduction promoted slab retreat under gravitational forces, inducing the upwelling of depleted mantle and the forming of forearc magmas.

Paleozoic-Mesozoic multistage tectonic evolution of the North Qilian Shan revealed by detrital zircon U-Pb and fission-track double dating

Knowledge of the tectonic history of the North Qilian Shan contributes to our understanding of the formation of the Tibetan Plateau. However, when the North Qilian Shan were formed has been controversial. We report new detrital zircon U-Pb (n = 899) and double dating fission track and U-Pb (n = 450) results from nine samples of Lower Cretaceous and Oligocene sandstone units, integrating with published geochronology and thermochronology data in order to reconstruct the evolution history of the North Qilian Shan. Nine samples from this unit show detrital zircon fission track age populations that center at: 636–603, 495, 406–331, 290–266, 247–224, 193–151, and 144–102 Ma. These fission track data are older than their corresponding depositional ages, suggesting that the fission track ages are unreset and record magmatic-related cooling or exhumation stages of the North Qilian Shan since the Late Neoproterozoic. Deconvolved fission track peak ages document major cooling events associated with the opening of the North Qilian Ocean at 636–603 Ma. Late Cambrian peak age (495 Ma) is attributed to the early phase of the subduction of the North Qilian Ocean. The Devonian period exhibited a cooling phase between 406 and 381 Ma, corresponding to the collision event between the Qaidam terrane, Central Qilian Shan, and Alxa Block. The peak age of 331 Ma signifies the cooling event associated with the subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. The peak ages during the Early-Middle Permian period (290–266 Ma) provide evidence of significant exhumation events that occurred during the Late Paleozoic era. These events were linked to the subduction of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean to the south and the Paleo-Asian Ocean to the north. The Triassic peak ages (247–224 Ma) unveil exhumation signals in the North Qilian Shan region that were generated by the far-field effect of the collision between the Qiangtang and Kunlun terranes. During the Jurassic (193–151 Ma) and the Early Cretaceous periods (144–102 Ma), the exhumation of the North Qilian Shan region was a consequence of the subduction of the Neo-Tethys Ocean and the collision between the Lhasa and Qiangtang blocks, respectively. The peak ages of the Xinminpu Formation in the Early Cretaceous (123–121 Ma) are in close proximity to their depositional age (125–105 Ma), indicating that the North Qilian Shan underwent rapid exhumation during this period. The peak ages observed in the Oligocene Baiyanghe Formation (31–24 Ma) from 144 to 102 Ma, indicate that it has been influenced by the recycled sediments originating from the Cretaceous Xinminpu Formation. The North Qilian Shan gradually emerged during the late Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras, providing the foundation for its subsequent reactivation in the Cenozoic era. The multi-stage cooling or exhumation events of North Qilian Shan since Late Neoproterozoic reflect the complex formation process of the northeastern margin of Tibetan Plateau.

Impact of Tethyan domain evolution on the formation of petroleum systems in the Sichuan super basin, SW China

Based on the “unidirectional break-up and convergence” geodynamic model, this study investigates the impact of the evolution of the Tethyan domain on the formation of petroleum systems in the Sichuan super basin and explores the enrichment pattern of natural gas. The results show that, firstly, the Sichuan Basin and its surrounding areas have experienced two unidirectional rifting-aggregation cycles triggered by the Proto-Tethys Ocean and the Paleo-Tethys Ocean during the Neoproterozoic to Triassic. During Jurassic–Cenozoic, the Sichuan Basin is incorporated in the circum-Tibetan plateau basin-mountain coupled tectonic domain system. The episodic tectonic movements within the plate control the sedimentary infill styles. Second, the evolution of the Tethyan domain, paleoclimatic environment and major geological events controlled the formation and distribution of high-quality source rocks within the basin. The rift valley and intracratonic rift, passive continental margin slope, and intracratonic sags are favorable areas for the development of source rocks. Third, the evolution of the Tethyan domain, supercontinent cycles, global sea level changes, and tectono-climatic events controlled the distribution of carbonate platform and reservoir-caprock combinations. The cratonic platform margins and sub-platform internal high terrains are key areas for finding carbonate high-energy facies belts. Syndepositional paleo-uplifts and surrounding slopes, regional unconformities, and later faults zone are areas where large-scale carbonate reservoirs are distributed. The regional evaporite or shale caprock are beneficial for the large-scale preservation of oil and gas in the basin. Fourth, the spatio-temporal matching relationship of reservoir forming factors influenced by the early tectonic-sedimentary evolution pattern and the degree of later tectonic modification is the key to oil and gas enrichment. Future oil and gas exploration should focus on potential gas systems during the Sinian rift period, Cambrian pre-salt gas systems in the eastern and southern Sichuan, as well as whole oil and gas systems of Permian and Triassic.

Bashkirian-Moscovian (Lower–Middle Pennsylvanian) conodonts from the Amazonas Basin, northern Brazil: Biostratigraphy, biofacies, and paleobiogeographic significance for Western Gondwana

Bashkirian-Moscovian (Lower to Middle Pennsylvanian) Itaituba Formation is well exposed in the Itacimpasa Quarry at the southern platform of the Amazonas Basin, northern Brazil. An abundant and diverse conodont fauna was recovered from this predominantly carbonate formation, with a total of 19 species belonging to 8 genera identified. The following species were documented and systematically described for the first time in the basin: Declinognathodus marginodosus, Declinognathodus donetzianus, Idiognathoides postsulcatus, Idiognathoides fossatus, Diplognathodus benderi, Adetognathus spathus, and Idioprioniodus conjunctus, providing significant stratigraphic and environmental insights into the Bashkirian-Moscovian boundary (BMB) interval. The Declinognathodus marginodosus – Neognathodus atokaensis (upper Bashkirian Stage) and the Declinognathodus donetzianus – Diplognathodus ellesmerensis (lower Moscovian Stage) zones are recognized. The distribution of conodonts studied through cluster analysis reveals the conodont biofacies Idiognathodus/Adetognathus and Declinognathodus/Idiognathoides biofacies. Changes in these conodont biofacies are interpreted as the result of a marine ingression event in Western Gondwana during the BMB interval. The fauna recorded in the studied section shows affinities with conodont faunas reported from Paleo-Tethys Ocean regions indicating a faunal connection of this ocean with the Panthalassa in Western Gondwana. These findings contribute significantly to the refinement of the biostratigraphy and paleobiogeography of the Bashkirian-Moscovian boundary interval in the Amazonas Basin and Western Gondwana.

Petrogenesis and tectonic implication of the Triassic monzogranite from the central segment of the East Kunlun Orogen, NW China

The Triassic granitoids in the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt (EKOB) are crucial for understanding the tectonic evolution of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. This study presents zircon U–Pb ages, Lu–Hf isotopes, whole-rock major and trace elements, and Sr–Nd isotope compositions from monzogranite plutons in the central segment of EKOB to constrain their petrogenesis and tectonic evolution. These monzogranites are dominant composed of mineral assemblages of K-feldspars, plagioclase, minor biotite and accessory minerals. U–Pb dating of zircons from the Xinle South (XLS), Nanshankou (NSK) and Changgou South (CGS) plutons yield ages of 251 Ma, 232 Ma and 221 Ma, respectively. The studied monzogranites have relatively high SiO2 and Al2O3, but have low contents of TiO2, Fe2O3T, MgO relative to the coeval granodiorites. These monzogranites are classified as fractionated I-type granites, ranging from calc-alkaline to high-K calc-alkaline compositions. Their negative εNd(t) values (−4.2 to −6.3) and zircon εHf(t) values (−6.1 to −9.3) suggest that magma generation occurred through partial melting of ancient lower crust, followed by extensive fractional crystallization. Integrating our new data with regional geological evidence, we propose that the Early Triassic XLS monzogranite emplaced in a localized extensional environment linked to the northward subduction of the Paleo-Tethys oceanic plate. In contrast, during the post-collisional extensional phase of the Late Triassic, the formation of the NSK and CGS monzogranite plutons was directly influenced by asthenospheric upwelling, lower crust delamination, and subsequent continental rifting.

Late Triassic extension of thickened lithosphere of the East Kunlun orogenic Belt, northern Tibetan Plateau: Evidence from the geochemistry and geochronology of mafic magmatism

The East Kunlun Orogenic Belt (E-KOB) evolved into an extensional tectonic setting with plenty of mafic magmatism after the closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. However, the deep tectonic system and geodynamic processes in this context still need further clarification. The detailed field geological, petrological, geochronological and geochemical works carried out on the Yeniugou gabbros in this study could provide key evidence for clarifying this issue. The gabbros are predominantly composed of clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, plagioclase, olivine and ilmenite. Zircon U–Pb dating results suggest that their formation at ca. 209–207 Ma. Characterized by a relatively low SiO2 content and a moderate total alkaline content, these rocks are classified as alkalic to subalkaline series. High values of Mg# (42.2–59.4) and high concentrations of compatible elements (V, Cr, Co, Ni) suggest that their parent magma was generated through high partial melting of a lithospheric mantle source. The left-leaning rare earth element distribution patterns, combined with the characteristic spikes of Nb-Ta, indicate that they were originated from the lithospheric mantle metasomatized by subducting components. The positive zircon εHf(t) values (0.1–5.7), along with elevated Nb/La ratios (0.45–0.67), further confirm a small amount of asthenosphere mantle contribution. Elevated Zr/Y ratios, plus a slightly positive correlation between Alz and TiO2 in clinopyroxene, imply that they formed within an extensional setting, where the upwelling of the asthenospheric mantle provided heat for partial melting of the metasomatic lithospheric mantle. Combined with previous data, we suggest that E-KOB underwent delamination of thickened lithosphere in the late Triassic, following the closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean.

Tectonic evolution of the Qiangtang Basin (northern Tibet): Constraints from detrital zircon geochronology

The Mesozoic evolution of the Qiangtang Basin in the Tibetan Plateau, which potentially hosts oil and gas resources, is not fully understood, particularly in the context of the opening and closure of the Tethyan oceans. To better understand the tectonic evolution of the Qiangtang Basin and the history of sedimentation, we obtained 788 new U-Pb detrital zircon ages from 12 sandstone samples. Our results show that the provenance of the Mesozoic strata varies both in space and time. In the central part of the basin (Central Qiangtang), older sedimentary rocks are characterized by unimodal age spectra (300–233 Ma) that indicate a proximal arc source. Trace-element compositions of Permian to Triassic zircons from Lower Triassic strata are characteristic of crystallization in arc and backarc environments, thus supporting previous suggestions that the Qiangtang Basin formed as a backarc basin during subduction of the Paleo-Tethys oceanic lithosphere. Younger (Upper Triassic and Jurassic) strata in the Qiangtang Basin received detrital zircons from diverse sources that included Cambrian to Triassic magmatic rocks and Paleozoic strata in the Central Qiangtang, and Triassic flysch deposits in the Songpan-Garze Terrane. We suggest that this change in provenance — from a unimodal arc source that produced zircons in Lower–Middle Triassic rocks to the diverse provenance recognized in the Upper Triassic strata — marks the closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean during the Late Triassic. Jurassic sedimentation in the Qiangtang Basin occurred during the expansion of the Meso-Tethys Ocean (Early–Middle Jurassic) and the subsequent subduction of this ocean (since the Callovian). During the Early Cretaceous, the closure of the Meso-Tethys Ocean led to an uplift and a sedimentary hiatus that marked the end of marine sedimentation in the Qiangtang Basin.

Recycling of terrigenous sediments recorded in late Permian-early Triassic Fe-rich intrusions from Yunkai Massif, South China

The origin of Fe-rich intrusion remains debatable regarding the respective role of magmatic evolution and Fe enrichment in the source. Here, we report detailed mineral and bulk-rock geochemistry of Permian-Triassic (251–250 Ma) mafic intrusions from the Tengxian area in Yunkai Massif, South China. These rocks consist of hornblende norites, show Fe-rich affinities with high FeO*(FeO* = FeOt / (FeOt + MgO) in weight ratio, >0.8, based on total iron oxide in the rock), and exhibit significant enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and light rare earth elements (LREEs) but depletion in Sr and high field strength elements (HFSEs), resembling subduction-related magmas. In addition, they show remarkable features that include very high δ18O values in zircon (δ18O = 8.8–10.6 ‰) and apatite (δ18O = 8.7–10.8 ‰), and extremely enriched SrPb [e.g. 87Sr/86Sr(i) = 0.7181–0.7196, 207Pb/204Pb(i) = 15.77–15.78, 208Pb/204Pb(i) = 38.95–39.05] and nonradiogenic NdHf isotopic compositions [e.g. εNd(t) = −11.1 ~ − 10.1, εHf(t) = −8.8 ~ −7.3] in bulk rocks. These characteristics distinguish the Tengxian norites from modern arc basalts and subduction-related magmas in the Paleo-Pacific Tectonic Domain. Instead, they are isotopically similar to Cenozoic Tibetan and Mediterranean potassic to ultrapotassic rocks in the Tethys Tectonic Domain. Regardless of variable influence by orthopyroxene and plagioclase accumulation, the intrinsically low SiO2 and high FeOt and Fe/Mn ratios in these rocks were likely attributed to significant contribution of a Fe-rich mantle component such as Si-poor pyroxenite, which might have formed through crystal accumulation of mafic magmas at mantle conditions. The highly evolved Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic signatures and very high δ18O values in zircon and apatite required substantial (10–20 %) involvement of recycled crust in the mantle source. The combined mineral and bulk-rock geochemical data suggest that the parental magmas for the Tengxian norites originated from a metasomatized mantle wedge through addition of terrigenous sediment-derived melt following the subduction of Paleo-Tethys Ocean beneath the Yunkai Massif.

P-T evolution of HP migmatitic paragneiss from the Beni Bousera metamorphic unit (internal Rif, Northern Morocco) constrained by phase equilibria modelling and melt reintegration

ABSTRACT The high-pressure (HP) migmatitic paragneiss of the Beni Bousera metamorphic unit (BBMU) from the Beni Bousera Massif underwent granulite-facies metamorphism. They mainly consist of garnet, biotite, kyanite, sillimanite, cordierite, spinel, quartz, plagioclase, K-feldspar, rutile, ilmenite and graphite. These minerals form a sequence of metamorphic assemblages corresponding to five metamorphic events (M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5). The first three events correspond to a latest Carboniferous-earliest Permian metamorphic evolution, while the last two are retrograde and Alpine in age. The p-T conditions of these metamorphic events were estimated using pseudosection calculations in the MnNCKFMASTHO system. Following prograde stage conditions of 9.3–10.9 kbar and 630–665°C (M1 stage), the p-T evolution culminates in melting of the paragneiss which occurred mainly at HP conditions, within the kyanite stability field, at 11.8–14.2 kbar and 820–845°C (M2 pressure-peak); anatexis then continued at high to medium pressure (HMP), within the sillimanite stability field, at 9.9–11 Kbar and 840–860°C (M3 thermal-peak), accompanied by the production of very small proportions of melt. The prograde p-T segment of the inferred clockwise path is characterized by a pressurization related to a post-Variscan collisional event triggered by the closure of the Paleotethys Ocean, and is followed by the exhumation of the granulitic unit to mid-crustal depth, with slight coeval heating. The retrograde Alpine evolution is coeval with the final exhumation of the migmatitic paragneiss and underlying peridotites during back-arc extension related to the westward retreat of the Alpine subduction. It occurred under sub-solidus conditions from 9.5–10.7 kbar and 818–848°C (M4) to 4.9–5.85 kbar and 710–785°C (M5) and corresponds to a near-isothermal and strongly decompressive metamorphic evolution (ΔP ≈ 5 Kbar).

Pennsylvanian epicontinental sea dynamics in Western Gondwana: Stratigraphic, petrographic, and C, O, and Sr isotopic insights from the Itaituba Formation, Amazonas Basin

During the Pennsylvanian period, an epicontinental sea significantly influenced the paleogeography of Western Gondwana, as evidenced by the Pennsylvanian units of the Tapajós Group (Monte Alegre, Itaituba, and Nova Olinda formations) in the Amazonas Basin, Brazil. The carbonate deposition within the Itaituba Formation represents a Pennsylvanian transgressive event linked to the Panthalassa Ocean. Comprehensive stratigraphic, petrographic, and isotopic analyses were conducted on a carbonate succession in the Itacimpasa Quarry, one of the best-exposed carbonate outcrops in the southern Amazonas Basin, notable for its rich fossil content. The petrographic analysis allowed the identification of eleven microfacies grouped into three facies associations: tidal flat (FA1), lagoon (FA2), and outer platform (FA3) representative an epicontinental carbonate platform system. The general transgressive trend is evidenced by the superimposition of marine facies (FA3) over coastal facies (FA1 and FA2). Fossil content was quantified through detailed petrography, revealing a clearly marine fossiliferous diversity, including brachiopods, echinoderms, bivalves, ostracods, foraminifers, trilobites, and bryozoans. Isotopic data, including carbon, oxygen, and strontium isotopes, refined previous chemostratigraphic framework. δ13C values ranged from +2.15‰ to +4.54‰, and δ18O values spanned −6.99‰–2.82‰, consistent with the expected values for the Pennsylvanian carbonates. An upward δ13C trend within the studied interval suggests significant organic productivity during a predominantly transgressive phase, although minor sea-level falls explain variations in the δ13C trend. The 87Sr/86Sr values indicate epicontinental marine conditions, ranging from 0.70852 to 0.70858. However, samples affected by diagenetic processes can reach up to 0.70940. A representative δ13C curve for the Itaituba Formation was constructed for the first time, integrating isotopic data using a sixth-degree polynomial fit. The resultant curve for the carbonate succession shows a positive upward trend, following the δ13C curve trends of other contemporaneous carbonates from the Panthalassa and Paleo-Tethys oceans and with the global relative sea-level curve. This correlation, in addition to reinforcing the validity of the δ13C trends observed in the Itaituba Formation, also suggest a response to paleoceanographic and paleoenvironmental changes during the Pennsylvanian period linked to a deglaciation-induced transgressive event.

Response of Permian sediment provenance conversion in Hainan Island to the closure of the Eastern Paleo-Tethys Ocean

From the late Permian to Early Triassic, the eastern part of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean was closed, and the Jinshajiang–Ailaoshan–Songma suture belt formed between the Yangtze Craton and the Indochina Block. The structural belt extends eastward to Hainan Island as the Changjiang–Qionghai fault, which controls the closure of the southern and northern parts of Hainan Island and the transformation of the sedimentary environment. This study focuses on the late Permian Nanlong Formation in Nanlong village, Dongfang County, western Hainan Island. Detrital zircon U–Pb ages from the Permian strata in southern and northern Hainan Island are used to discuss the provenance and sedimentary environment during the early and late Permian. The detrital zircon U–Pb ages from the upper Permian Nanlong Formation are 2800–900, 700–500, 500–400 and 400–320 Ma, with the majority falling into the 500–400 Ma range. The sedimentary environment on Hainan Island transitioned from early Permian semi-deep to deep-sea to late Permian coastal and shallow sea. The sediment provenance changed from a recycled orogen belt during the early Permian to a combination of recycled and arc orogen belt (Devonian–Carboniferous) during the late Permian. This reflects the closure of the east Paleo-Tethys Ocean during the late Permian that resulted in the collision and assembly of south and north Hainan Island and its relative uplift in the central part, which controlled the transition in sedimentary provenance and environment during the late Permian on Hainan Island.

The late Permian–Early Triassic island-Arc granitic rocks in the western Qaidam Basin, Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau: constraints on subduction processes of Paleo-Tethys Ocean

The late Permian–Early Triassic island-Arc granitic rocks in the western Qaidam Basin, Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau: constraints on subduction processes of Paleo-Tethys Ocean

Tectonic evolution of the Northeastern Paleo-Tethys Ocean during the late Triassic: insights from depositional environment and provenance of the Xujiahe formation

Tectonic evolution of the Northeastern Paleo-Tethys Ocean during the late Triassic: insights from depositional environment and provenance of the Xujiahe formation

Estimating the relationship between South China and Gondwana based on big data analysis

The situation of South China within the ancient continent Gondwana remains a topic of discussion and controversy. The reconstruction of South China's linking to East Gondwana is crucial for understanding the evolutionary history of the Gondwana breakup, the growth of Asia, and the development of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. Based on the newly established database of detrital zircons (https://repository.deep-time.org), this study integrates UPb age dating and Hf isotope analysis of detrital zircons from Early Paleozoic strata in South China. The aim is to investigate potential sources, provenance, and reconstruct its tectono-paleogeography during the early Paleozoic on the northeast margin of Gondwana. The UPb age distributions from detrital zircon populations predominantly reveal peaks in the Paleoproterozoic, Mid/Neoproterozoic, and Early Paleozoic eras, ca. 2480, 960, 830, 520, and 440 Ma, with a minor peak at approximately 1750 Ma. The significant temporal shift in the major age populations from approximately 2480 to 440 Ma reveals the global continental crustal growth of South China through a sequence of subduction and collision processes. These geodynamic processes contributed to the development of the mid-Paleozoic Kwangsian intraplate orogeny in the late early Paleozoic (ca. 440 Ma) in South China, ultimately leading to the final assembly of Gondwana. The latter orogeny is marked by regional unconformity between pre-Devonian and Devonian strata, accompanied by prevalent magmatic and metamorphic events. These earliest Proterozoic and mid-Paleozoic detrital zircon grains match with ages from India- Tethyan Himalaya region, but different from those from East Antarctica, western margin of Australia and Lhasa Block where Australia and India were detached by the Kuunga Ocean, suggesting assembly and paleogeographical constraints of South China. It fully shows that South China is located on the northeast margin of the Indian during early Paleozoic, which is of great significance for the reconstruction of the tectonic paleogeography of the continent.

Effects of the Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP) and coastal upwelling on paleoenvironment and organic matter accumulation during the Middle Permian (Capitanian), South China

The late Middle Permian (Capitanian) was characterized by many global geological, biotic and environmental events, along with the widespread deposition of organic-rich strata. Elucidating the relationships between organic matter (OM) accumulation and critical geological events is of significance for Earth system science and petroleum resource geology, but the mechanism remains unclear. To fill the knowledge gap, this study investigated the Gufeng Formation in the middle Yangtze region of South China to examine the links between OM accumulation and geological events, e.g., the Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP) and coastal upwelling. Our results show that the Gufeng Formation exhibits significant OM enrichment, with an average total organic carbon (TOC) content of 8.34 wt%. The paleoceanographic conditions went through three stages during the Capitanian: the early–middle stage of high primary productivity and anoxic–sulfidic conditions; the middle stage of moderate productivity and anoxic conditions; and the late stage of low productivity and dysoxic conditions due to weakened upwelling and a global sea-level fall. OM accumulation was influenced mainly by upwelling-induced high productivity and anoxic conditions related to the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ), with a secondary control of carbonate dilution. The ELIP possibly had a limited contribution to high TOC contents. In South China, the Gufeng and uppermost Maokou formations were marked by high OM contents (average TOC > 3 wt%; maximum = 40 wt%), resulting primarily from widespread coastal upwelling along the eastern margin of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean during the Middle Permian. ELIP volcanism mainly triggered rapid climate warming during the late Capitanian and had a regional and variable effect on OM enrichment for different regions in South China.

Alkaline Devonian magmatism of the Menorca Island: Tracking the mantle isotopic sources in the realm of the western Paleo-Tethys Ocean

Several locations with alkaline magmatism are recognised in Silurian-Devonian basins along the southern variscan autochthon units (e.g. Central Iberian Zone) of the northern Gondwana margin. The origin of the Devonian basins and their magmatism has not been studied in the context of the passive margin of Gondwana. The basement of Menorca, Balearic Islands, consists of a deep Devonian-Carboniferous basin with mafic igneous rocks, the Tramuntana Gabbros. In this study, we trace the geodynamic setting and isotopic sources of the Tramuntana Gabbros through elemental geochemistry, isotopic geochemistry (SrNd) and UPb geochronology in zircons. These gabbros are the product of an intraplate alkaline magmatism with immobile trace element and REE contents similar to those of Ocean Island Basalts. Average 87Sr/86Sr(370) of 0.708456 and εNd(370) of +4.0 indicate a source similar to a Type-2 enriched mantle with average TDM of 665 Ma, suggesting a relatively old metasomatized mantle. Concordant UPb ages of c. 597 Ma (Ediacaran, radiometric age) from a single population of 31 zircons separated from the Tramuntana Gabbros (Devonian, biostratigraphic age) reinforce the presence of older units in the corresponding lithospheric mantle. The Tramuntana Gabbros and the Devonian-Carboniferous sequences of Menorca limit the westward extension of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean, whose development never reached these westernmost regions. Assuming a common sublithospheric mantle source for the peri-Gondwanic Devonian alkaline rocks and considering the previous Cadomian (Neoproterozoic) subduction to be the most favourable origin of the separated zircons, the bulk rock TDM and zircon UPb data obtained from the Tramuntana Gabbros track the mixing, recycling, and mantle accretion in this peri-Gondwanic section from Precambrian to Devonian times.

Provenance of cretaceous sediments in the West Kunlun piedmont belt and implications for tectonic evolutionary events

The West Kunlun orogenic belt located in the northwestern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is an important record of the formation and northward extension of the plateau, but the current research mainly focuses on the tectonic activities of the Cenozoic era, and there is still considerable controversy regarding the formation and evolutionary history of pre-Cenozoic orogenic belts. This study focuses on Cretaceous sandstone samples from the Kedong region in the piedmont belt of the West Kunlun orogenic belt. U-Pb geochronological analysis was performed on 200 detrital zircon grains from the core samples. Combined with stratigraphic data and previous research, the main provenance direction was investigated to constrain the tectonic evolutionary history of the orogenic belt’s peripheral regions. The results show that the detrital zircons are aged from 290 to 208 Ma, 520–310 Ma, 810–580 Ma, 1,400–880 Ma and 2,548–1,730 Ma, reflecting the complexity of provenance in this area. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the characteristics of igneous rocks, zircon age composition and stratigraphic conditions in potential source areas, it is concluded that the primary source regions include the East Kunlun orogenic belt and the North and South Kunlun terranes, with a low likelihood of contributions from within the Tarim Basin. The evolution of the West Kunlun orogenic belt can generally be divided into two opening and two closing phases. The detrital zircon ages predominantly exhibit two peak values at 259 Ma and 459 Ma, respectively representing the ages of transition from oceanic crust subduction to continent-continent collision for the Paleo-Tethys Ocean and the Proto-Tethys Ocean. Additionally, there is a temporal gap between the evolution of the Proto-Tethys Ocean and the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. The Triassic period marks a transitional phase in tectonic evolution, shifting into an intracontinental evolutionary stage. This study provides new geochronological evidence for the early developmental history of the West Kunlun orogenic belt.