Post-collisional Magmatism Research Articles

Early Mesozoic granitoids in southern Vietnam and Cambodia: A continuation of the Eastern Province granitoid belt of Thailand

This study examines three granitoid plutons, intruded during the latest Triassic - earliest Jurassic, that are exposed in south-western Vietnam and south-eastern Cambodia. On geochemical and petrological grounds the two plutons in Vietnam (Hon Da Bac and Hon Khoai island) are composed of slightly peraluminous I-type granitoids, with a high-K calc-alkaline affinity. The Cambodian pluton (Tamao) consists of peraluminous S-type granitoids, with high-K calc-alkaline and ferroan affinity. Based on zircon U-Pb geochronology the Hon Da Bac granitoids were intruded between 200.7 ± 2.7 and 196.2 ± 3.0 Ma, those from Hon Khoai between 199.6 ± 2.7 and 197.6 ± 2.7 Ma and the Tamao granitoids at 187.8 ± 3.2 Ma. These ages are consistent with intrusion during and soon after the Indosinian II Event of the Indosinian Orogeny, which was driven by docking of the Sibumasu and Indochina Blocks. Although these granitoids have some geochemical signatures similar to those of arc-related magmas, we conclude that they are more likely derived from syn to post-collisional magmatism. In terms of timing of their emplacement and geochemistry, all three plutons can be convincingly correlated with the Late Triassic-Early Jurassic Eastern Province granitoids in the Loei Fold Belt, which stretches along the western margin of the Indochina Block, extending through eastern Thailand and southern Cambodia. By this correlation we show that in fact, the Eastern Province granitoid belt extends further southeast than previously thought, occurring in south-eastern Cambodia and south-western Vietnam.

Subduction-related lamproitic signature in intraplate-like volcanic rocks: the case study of the Tallante alkali basalts, Betic Chain, South-Eastern Spain

South-Eastern Spain is a key locality of the Western Mediterranean to unravel the origin of post-collisional magmatism and its relationships with the multi-stage evolution of the upper mantle in complex geodynamic settings. This study is focused on the Plio-Pleistocene post-collisional intraplate-like alkali basalts cropping out in the Tallante area (South-Eastern Spain) that are erupted in a region previously characterised by subduction-related calc-alkaline to ultrapotassic (i.e., lamproitic) volcanism. Tallante alkali basalts represent a volcanic episode similar to other contemporary small volume intraplate volcanism of Western-Central Europe and North Africa, which are believed to derive from a Common Mantle Reservoir characterising the entire Circum-Mediterranean asthenosphere.We report new major, trace element, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope data on Tallante alkali basalts, showing compositions broadly similar to the other mafic volcanic rocks derived from the Common Mantle Reservoir and thus suggesting an asthenospheric component similar to other European within plate volcanic rocks. On the other hand, specific trace element ratios, such as Ce/Pb, Nb/U, Th/Yb, along with D207Pb/204Pb and 87Sr/86Sr, clearly indicate the involvement of an enriched, subduction-related component, with a lamproitic geochemical and isotopic flavour. The trace element ratios suggest that low melting degree magmas from the Common Mantle Reservoir infiltrated and triggered melting of the strongly metasomatised sub-continental lithospheric mantle, which produced the lamproitic magmas previously erupted in the same area.The proposed origin of Tallante alkali basalts, located along a large scale left-lateral strike-slip fault, is consistent with analytical, numerical and laboratory models indicating that narrow subduction zones such as the Gibraltar Arc are characterised by mantle inflow around the slab edges determining upwelling and adiabatic melting of the asthenospheric mantle through slab tears.

Shoshonitic magmatism in the Deh-Zahir area, southeast Iran: Evidence for post collisional magmatism and mantle metasomatism in the southeastern Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic arc

Shoshonitic magmatism in the Deh-Zahir area, southeast Iran: Evidence for post collisional magmatism and mantle metasomatism in the southeastern Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic arc

Temporal changes in subduction- to collision-related magmatism in the Neotethyan orogen: The Southeast Iran example

Continental-arc igneous rock compositions change in response to the transition from subduction to collision and these changes can reveal how the crust, lithosphere and magma sources evolved. Neotethys-related Late Cretaceous to Pleistocene subduction- and collision-related magmatic rocks from the ~350 km long southeast Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Belt (UDMB) of Iran provide an excellent natural laboratory to better understand these changes. These igneous rocks are well-exposed and moderately eroded to reveal a nearly complete record since subduction initiation at ~95 Ma. We analyzed new samples for major and trace elements (83 samples), SrNd isotopic compositions (47 samples), and UPb zircon ages (26 samples) and compiled geochemical and geochronological data on the southeast segment of the UDMB. The geochronological data reveal two magmatic pulses at ~80–70 Ma and ~50–0 Ma. Important changes in magmatic compositions reflect initial collision with Arabia at ~32 Ma, changing from normal calc-alkaline to increasingly adakitic immediately after collision began. Five stages can be identified: 1) normal continental-arc magmatism during the Late Cretaceous; 2) arc quiescence in Paleocene and Early Eocene time; 3) Middle-Late Eocene extensional arc magmatism related to slab rollback; 4) early collision and crustal thickening during the Early Oligocene; and 5) slab breakoff, asthenospheric upwelling, and associated adakitic magmatism from Middle Miocene onward. Temporal changes in UDMB magmas reflect the response of the overriding plate to changes in the geometry of the subducting Neotethyan lithosphere and to collision between Arabia and Iran. Crustal thickening and arc narrowing during Miocene to Pleistocene post-collisional magmatism caused adakitic magmatism and associated Cu mineralization. Zircon OHf and apatite O isotopes as well as bulk-rock Nd isotopes of Cu-bearing adakitic rocks are similar to other barren rocks, but nearly all fertile rocks have higher Hf/Y, Eu/Eu⁎(n) in zircon and higher Sr/Y, V/Y, Eu/Eu⁎(n) in apatite than barren rocks.

A Juvenile Component in the Pre- and Post-Collisional Magmatism in the Transition Zone between the Araçuaí and Ribeira Orogens (Se Brazil)

A Juvenile Component in the Pre- and Post-Collisional Magmatism in the Transition Zone between the Araçuaí and Ribeira Orogens (Se Brazil)

Elemental and Isotopic (Sr-Nd- O) Geochemistry and U-Pb Zircon Geochronology of Late-Stage Post-Collisional Magmatism in the Northern Segment of the Dom Feliciano Belt

Elemental and Isotopic (Sr-Nd- O) Geochemistry and U-Pb Zircon Geochronology of Late-Stage Post-Collisional Magmatism in the Northern Segment of the Dom Feliciano Belt

Petrogenesis of Gabbroic Intrusions in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt: Implications for Neoproterozoic Post-Collisional Magmatism Associated with Najd Fault System

Petrogenesis of Gabbroic Intrusions in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt: Implications for Neoproterozoic Post-Collisional Magmatism Associated with Najd Fault System

Geological Features and Lithostratigraphy of Eocene-Oligocene Magmatic Rocks in the Dededağ Area-Biga Peninsula, NW Turkey

In NW Anatolia, Eocene-Oligocene post-collisional magmatism is continued with long intervals. In this study, it is aimed to reveal the lithostratigraphic position and geochemical characteristics of volcanic rocks outcropping in the southeast of Lapseki (Çanakkale) in NW Anatolia. The magmatic rocks that compose the topic of this study can be classified lithostratigraphically into 6 different units in the region. In Eocene period, there are calc-alkaline Laledağgranodiorite and Beyçayır volcanics with andesite, dacite composition that are the intermediate character, and also Kızıldamvolcanics in characters of alkaline and basic character (basaltic trachyandesite, trachybasalt). Furthermore, in Oligocene period, the calc-alkaline volcanism starting with Dededağvolcanics with dacite and rhyolite composition in acidic-intermediate character has continued with Kırcalarvolcanics consisting of basalt and basaltic andesite, and Harmancık volcanics ranging from basalt to rhyolite. Çamyayla Pluton is intruded to Oligocene volcanics in the region. In this study, the geochemical data proved that magmatic units arein character of alkaline and calc-alkalinefor Eocene-Oligocene period. Alkaline lavas in the region are classified as high K and shoshonitic and calc-alkaline lavas have medium-high-K.

Petrogenesis and tectonic evolution of syn-to late granitoid rocks from Um Taghir NE Egyptian Nubian Shield Desert of Egypt: subduction to post-collision magmatism

Petrogenesis and tectonic evolution of syn-to late granitoid rocks from Um Taghir NE Egyptian Nubian Shield Desert of Egypt: subduction to post-collision magmatism

Paleoproterozoic tectonic evolution from subduction to collision of the Khondalite Belt in North China: Evidence from multiple magmatism in the Qianlishan Complex

This study presents detailed petrology, major and trace element chemistry, Sr-Nd isotope, and in-situ zircon U-Pb dating and Hf-O isotopes on granites from the Qianlishan Complex of the Khondalite Belt in North China. Zircon SIMS U-Pb data indicate three episodes of Paleoproterozoic magmatism at ca. 2.06 Ga, 1.95 Ga and 1.92 Ga. Of those, the ca. 2.06 Ga hornblende monzogranites and fine-grained potassic granites display typical features of A-type granite, represented by metaluminous affinity, high FeOT/MgO ratios (3.29–5.63), and high Ga/Al and Zr + Nb + Ce + Y values with high zircon saturation temperatures (916–1000 °C). Moreover, they have positive zircon εHf values of +0.29 to +5.01 and homogenous δ18O values of 5.11–5.87 ‰, probably derived from the partial melting of calc-alkaline granitoids without addition of supracrustal rocks. The ca. 1.95 Ga garnet-bearing granites contain peraluminous minerals of garnet and muscovite and have high ASI index (>1.1) and δ18O values (7.14–9.18 ‰), indicating S-type granite. Their negative whole-rock εNd(t) values (−2.87 to −2.81) and zircon εHf(t) values (−4.06 to +1.29) suggest a source of ancient supracrustal rocks. The ca. 1.92 Ga coarse-grained potassic granites present metaluminous and magnesian signatures of I-type granite, including low A/CNK and FeOT/MgO ratios. Their negative εHf(t) values (−5.00 to −1.64) and homogenous δ18O values (5.20–6.00%) suggest that the original magma was derived primarily from enriched lower crust. The results, combined with regional geology and previous studies, establish a prolonged magmatic-metamorphic evolution of the Khondalite Belt from subduction to collision, involving ca. 2.3–2.0 Ga subduction-related arc magmatism, ca. 1.95 Ga syn-collisional high-pressure high-temperature crustal anatexis, and ca. 1.92 Ga post-collisional magmatism and synchronous ultrahigh temperature metamorphism.

Rhyacian-Orosirian tectonic history of the Juiz de Fora Complex: Evidence for an Archean crustal reservoir within an island-arc system

The southern São Francisco Paleocontinent (SFP) comprises Archean nuclei and Paleoproterozoic complexes encompassing magmatic arcs juxtaposed during a Rhyacian to Orosirian orogenic event. The Juiz de Fora Complex (JFC) represents an imbricated thrust system that comprises orthogranulites with a wide compositional range formed in an intra-oceanic setting during the Siderian to the Orosirian and later accreted to the southeastern margin of the SFP. Here we report new petrological, geochemical, whole-rock Nd and Sr data, as well as zircon U–Pb ages from felsic and mafic orthogranulites from the JFC. The new data is combined with a regional compilation that enables an evaluation of the interaction between magmatism and orogenetic episodes in the context of the consolidation of São Francisco Paleocontinent during the Rhyacian–Orosirian. Pre collisional Island Arc tholeiites (IAT), Tonalites-Trondhjemites-Granodiorites (TTGs) and sanukitoid magmatism occurred from 2200 Ma to 2085 Ma. This was followed by post-collisional magmatism, which is represented by hybrid granitoids coeval with the emplacement of E-MORB basic rocks. Crustal signatures for the Rhyacian to Orosirian evolution are highlighted by the dominance of negative εNd(t) associated with Meso- to Neoarchean Nd TDM model ages as well as inherited zircon grains from the hybrid granitoids. The JFC is extensively highlighted in the literature as a primitive intra-oceanic arc, but here we propose the reworking or recycling of ancient crustal segments within the mature arc stage of the JFC, suggesting a Mesoarchean crustal source involved in the JFC evolution.

Late Carboniferous – Early Permian mafic dikes and granitoids in the heart of the Western Tianshan Orogen, NW China: Implications for a tectonic transition from a syn- to post-collisional setting

Syn- to post-collisional magmatism in the Chinese western Tianshan Orogen is recorded in the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian magmatic rocks of the Awulale Mountains. However, the orogen's tectono-magmatic evolution remains controversial. In particular, two contrasting genetic models have been proposed, i.e., post-collisional extension vs. mantle plume. Here, we report zircon U-Pb ages, whole-rock geochemical data and Nd-Hf isotopic data from the mafic dikes and granitoids of the western Awulale Mountains. These data better constrain the rock's petrogenesis and geodynamic processes following the amalgamation of the Tianshan Orogen. In combination with previous data, we have identified two magmatic episodes in the Awulale Mountains. The Late Carboniferous (ca. 319–307 Ma) episode emplaced the mafic gabbro dikes and intermediate-acidic granitoids with I-type and adakitic affinity. The latest Carboniferous-Permian (ca. 302–286 Ma) episode emplaced bimodal intrusions containing mafic diabase dikes, acidic adakite and I- and A-type granites. Mafic dikes and granitoids of both episodes show depleted whole-rock Nd and zircon Hf isotopic compositions (εNd(t): +2.21 ~ +7.54, εHf(t): +6.48 ~ +15.97), indicating a juvenile magmatic source. However, the mafic dikes have variable geochemical features that clearly suggest their derivation from two distinct mantle sources during the two magmatic episodes. The earlier gabbro dikes have lower Th/Yb (0.08–0.12) and Zr/Yb ratios (15.32–25.45) that resemble a normal mid-ocean ridge basalt (N-MORB) from a depleted mantle source. In contrast, the later diabase dikes show enrichment in the light rare earth elements (LREE) with relatively higher Th/Yb (0.22–0.86) and Zr/Yb ratios (38.05–68.97) that are similar to an enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt (E-MORB) mantle source. Also, the Nb/Ta ratios from the earlier adakitic granitoids (21.26–23.28) differ markedly from the later acidic adakites (0.41–19.50), which implies the transition from a thicker to a thinner crust. Integrating our results with the previous geological records, leads us to propose a two-stage tectonic model for the Chinese western Tianshan Orogen's transition from syn- to post-collision. The Late Carboniferous stage of magmatism was triggered by the break-off of the North Tianshan Oceanic slab as the Yili Block and Junggar Terrane collided. The subsequent latest Carboniferous-Permian stage followed the switch to a post-collisional setting with delamination of the thickened lower crust and the intrusion of voluminous lithospheric mantle-induced bimodal magmatism.

Disclosing Rhyacian/Orosirian orogenic magmatism within the Guanhães basement inlier, Araçuaí Orogen, Brazil: A new piece on the assembly of the São Francisco-Congo paleocontinent

The Guanhães block is one of the basement units present in the context of the Neoproterozoic West Gondwana assembly. It was reworked as a basement inlier within the Araçuaí orogen, in the margins of the São Francisco-Congo (SF-C) paleocontinent. The Guanhães block’s Rhyacian-Orosirian record is revealed for the first time by the Felício and the Mercês granitic plutons. Geophysical, petrographic, lithogeochemical and U-Pb (LA-ICPMS) analyses define and characterize these plutons, and link their genesis to the major Paleoproterozoic orogenic event that is thought to have amalgamated the SF-C paleocontinent. The Felício pluton is composed of mesocratic fine-grained epidote-biotite-granodiorite, the Mercês pluton comprises biotite-monzogranite and hornblende-syenogranite. These two plutons show different geochemical features; the Felício rocks are low-K, magnesian, calcic to calc-alkalic, metaluminous, and the Mercês rocks are rich in K, ferroan, alkali-calcic to alkalic, peraluminous, their shared common features are enrichment in LILE, LREE and HFSE and negative anomalies of Ti, Ta, Nb and P. Zircons collected from the Felício pluton granodiorite yielded a U-Pb concordia age of 2151 ± 12 Ma, interpreted as the pluton’s crystallization age. The Mercês pluton monzogranite yielded a discordia with upper intercept at 2014 ± 11 Ma and lower intercept at 539 ± 13 Ma, interpreted as the Mercês pluton’s cristallization age and the Brasiliano metamorphic overprint, respectively. Trace elements and REE signatures suggest that the magma that originated both plutons shares a common source, compatible with the metasomatization of a mantle wedge by dehydration of a subducted slab. Based on the petrographic, geochemical and geochronological data, the following tectonic scenario is suggested: subduction and accretion of the Mantiqueira arc and emplacement of the Felício pluton at c. 2.15 Ga, followed by collision, gravitational collapse of the orogen, post-collisional magmatism and emplacement of the Mercês pluton at c. 2.01 Ga. This scenario is reinforced by the regional geochemical correlations among the many coeval terranes in the eastern margin of the São Francisco craton, along the Minas-Bahia orogen. At a broader scale, these correlations can be expanded to the African counterpart, giving insights into the SF-C paleocontinent framework in the Precambrian.

Paleozoic post-collisional magmatism and high-temperature granulite-facies metamorphism coupling with lithospheric delamination of the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt, NW China

Lithosphere extension and upwelling of asthenosphere at post-collisional stage of an orogenic cycle generally induce diverse magmatism and/or associated high-temperature metamorphism. Nevertheless, the intimate coexistence of post-collisional magmatic activity and high-temperature metamorphism is rare. In this contribution, a lithological assemblage composing of diverse magmatic rocks deriving from distinct magma sources and coeval high-temperature metamorphism was identified in eastern Kunlun. Petrography, ages, mineral chemistry and whole-rock geochemistry demonstrated that those intimately coexistent diverse rocks were genetically related to post-collisional extension. The garnet-bearing mafic granulites in Jinshuikou area interior of the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt are mainly composed of garnet, orthopyroxene, and plagioclase, with peak metamorphic P–T conditions of ~ 701–756 °C and 5.6–7.0 kbar, representing a granulite-facies metamorphism at 409.7 ± 1.7 Ma. The diverse contemporaneous magmatic rocks including hornblendites, gabbros and granites yield zircon U–Pb ages of 408.6 ± 2.5 Ma, 413.4 ± 4.6 Ma, and 387–407 Ma, respectively. The hornblendites show N-MORB-like REE patterns with (La/Sm)N values of 0.85–0.94. They have positive zircon εHf(t) values of 0.1–4.9 and whole-rock εNd(t) values of 3.9–4.7 but relatively high (87Sr/86Sr)i values of 0.7081 to 0.7088. These features demonstrate that the hornblendites derived from a depleted asthenospheric mantle source with minor continental crustal materials in source. As for the gabbros, they exhibit arc-like elemental signatures, low zircon εHf(t) values (−4.3 to 2.5) and variable whole-rock εNd(t) values (−4.9 to 1.2) as well as high (87Sr/86Sr)i values (0.7068 to 0.7126), arguing for that they were originated from partial melting of heterogeneous lithospheric mantle anteriorly metasomatized by subducted-sediment released melts. Geochemistry of the granites defines their strongly peraluminous S-type signatures. Zircons from the granites yield a large range of εHf(t) values ranging from −30.8 to −5.1, while the whole-rock samples yield consistent (87Sr/86Sr)i values (0.7301 to 0.7342) and negative εNd(t) values (−10.1 to −12.4). These features indicate that the S-type granites could be generated by reworking of an ancient crust. Taken together, the penecontemporaneous magmatism and metamorphic event, demonstrated the early-middle Devonian transition from crustal thickening to extensional collapse. The post-collisional mantle-derived magmas serve as an essential driving force for the high-temperature granulite-facies metamorphism and anataxis of the crust associated with formation of S-type granite. This study not only constructs a more detail Proto-Tethys evolution process of the eastern Kunlun, but also sheds new light on better understanding the intimate relationship between magmatism and metamorphism during post-collisional extensional collapse.

Eocene magmatism and associated Fe-Cu mineralization in northeastern Turkey: a case study of the Karadağ skarn

ABSTRACT The metallogenic belt containing numerous skarn mineralized systems starting from Eastern Europe continues through Turkey and Iran. The study area in the Eastern Pontides is within this metallogenic belt. The 44.39 ± 0.53 Ma Karadağ Intrusion sourced skarn mineralization is located along the granitoid-to-limestone contact. The Karadağ Intrusion is an arc-like pluton with medium–high K calc-alkaline and peraluminous–metaluminous affinity. The Karadağ Fe–Cu skarn mineralization (Gümüşhane, Turkey), an exoskarn, is hosted by Late Cretaceous limestone and consists of early garnet, clinopyroxene, and orthoclase with late epidote and chlorite. Primary ore minerals are magnetite and haematite, accompanied by minor amounts of chalcopyrite and pyrite. Pyroxene comprises mostly diopside and less hedenbergitic diopside and johannsenite. Wollastonite is very rare. Garnet is andradite and grossular–andradite. Thus, all these results imply that the Karadağ Fe–Cu skarn mineralization formed under relatively oxidized and Fe-rich conditions. The homogenization temperatures of the fluid inclusions vary from 189°C to 405°C for quartz and 186°C to 430°C for calcite. The salinity contents in the fluid inclusions are within 0.2–9 wt% NaCl equivalent for quartz and 0.4–14.8 wt% NaCl equivalent for calcite. First melting temperatures between −36.5 and −47.4°C were attained with the presence of NaCl–FeCl2± CaCl2 in the initial phase of fluid inclusions. The first melting in the later stage of fluid inclusions is between −3.8 and −17.2°C, thereby, supporting the existence of NaHCO3-Na2CO3-KCl-type salt composition. The δ18O values of minerals are 1.7–10.3‰ for garnet, 11.1–14.6‰ for quartz, 6.4 to 6.8‰ for epidote, and 2.8–3.8‰ for magnetite in the Karadağ skarn mineralization. The δ18O value of epidote indicates magmatic fluid, whereas those of garnet, magnetite, and quartz suggest magmatic fluids together with less meteoric effect. The δ18O values in limestone (18.7 to 22.3‰), marble (8.7‰), and calcite (10.5 to 12.2‰) were depleted relative to typical δ18O contents of marine carbonates (20 to 30‰). Moreover, the C isotope values of calcite (−5.4 to −1.4‰), marble (−2.1‰), and limestone (1.0 to 1.2‰) reflect those of metamorphic rocks and skarns (−4.0 to 3‰ and −18 to 2‰). Mineral paragenesis, fluid inclusion, and stable isotopic signatures are consistent with ore mineralization caused by the interaction of magmatic fluids with carbonate host rocks. Karadağ Fe-Cu skarn mineralization, associated with Karadağ postcollisional magmatism, is an example of skarn mineralized system in the Eastern Pontides.

DEVONIAN-CARBONIFEROUS MAGMATISM AND METALLOGENY IN THE SOUTH URAL ACCRETIONARY-COLLISIONAL SYSTEM

The oceanic stage in the history of the South Urals completed in the Ordovician – Early Silurian. The Ordovician through Devonian events in the region included the formation of an island arc in the East Ural zone from the Middle Ordovician to Silurian; westward motion of the subduction zone in the Late Silurian – Early Devonian and the origin of a trench along the Main Ural Fault and the Uraltau Uplift; volcanic eruptions and intrusions in the Magnitogorsk island arc system in the Devonian. The Middle-Late Paleozoic geodynamic evolution of uralides and altaides consisted in successive alternation of subduction and collisional settings at the continent-ocean transition. The greatest portion of volcanism in the major Magnitogorsk zone was associated with subduction and correlated in age and patterns of massive sulfide mineralization (VMS) with Early – Middle Devonian ore-forming events in Rudny Altai. Within-plate volcanism at the onset of volcanic cycles records the Early (D1e2) and Middle (D2ef2) Devonian slab break off. The volcanic cycles produced, respectively, the Buribay and Upper Tanalyk complexes with VMS mineralization in the Late Emsian; the Karamalytash complex and its age equivalents in the Late Eifelian – Early Givetian, as well as the lower Ulutau Formation in the Givetian. Slab break off in the Late Devonian – Early Carboniferous obstructed the Magnitogorsk island arc and supported asthenospheric diapirism. A new subduction zone dipping westward and the Aleksandrovka island arc formed in the Late Devonian – Early Carboniferous. The Early Carboniferous collision and another event of obstructed subduction led to a transform margin setting corresponding to postcollisional relative sliding of plates that produced another slab tear. Postcollisional magmatism appears as alkaline gabbro-granitic intrusives with related rich Ti-magnetite mineralization (C1). Transform faulting persisted in the Middle Carboniferous through Permian, when the continent of Eurasia completed its consolidation. The respective metallogenic events included formation of Cu-Ni picritic dolerites (C2–3), as well as large-scale gold and Mo-W deposits in granites (P1–2).

Post-collisional mafic magmatism: Insights into orogenic collapse and mantle modification from North Qaidam collisional belt, NW China

Post-collisional magmatism contains important clues for understanding processes of orogenic belts, potentially including unrooting and collapse. Here we report new geochronological and geochemical data for a suite of post-collisional mafic dykes in the North Qaidam ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic (UHPM) belt. Two groups of magmatic rocks can be distinguished: (1) Middle Devonian (392–375 Ma) basic-intermediate dykes; (2) Upper Devonian (~360 Ma) ultrabasic dykes. Whole-rock geochemistry and zircon Hf isotopes reveal that the intermediate-basic dykes are derived from a lithospheric mantle source, whereas the ultrabasic dykes are melting of asthenosphere mantle. We suggest that such mantle-derived mafic magmatism is the critical indicator for the start of post-collisional magmatism and orogen unrooting and collapse. We propose a geodynamic model explaining the activities of the lithospheric and asthenospheric mantle during the post-collisional stage, which reveals a ~ 35 million year unrooting process, from slow lithospheric mantle erosion between ~395–375 Ma, to final collapse by lithosphere delamination and asthenosphere upwelling at ~360 Ma. Addition of juvenile mantle materials to the crust by the post-collisional mafic magmatism suggests that the post-collisional stage is an important period for continental growth in Earth's history.

Late Ediacaran post-collisional magmatism in the Guéra Massif, South-Central Chad

ABSTRACT The Guéra Massif of South-Central Chad is composed of collisional and post-collisional intrusive rocks related to the Central African Orogenic Belt. Collisional granites were emplaced at 595–590 Ma but there are a series of post-collisional intrusions that were emplaced at 570–560 Ma. The older granites have zircon U-Pb weighted-mean ages of 569 ± 6 Ma, 568 ± 7 Ma, and 568 ± 6 Ma, whereas the younger granites are 556 ± 7 Ma and 561 ± 6 Ma but all ages are within their maximum uncertainty. Both groups of post-collisional granites are peraluminous, ferroan, and alkali calcic to calc-alkalic but dioritic microgranular enclaves were observed within the older granites. The chemical variability of each group can be explained by fractional crystallization and it is likely that their parental magmas were derived by partial melting of the lower crust. The Nd isotopes of the older rocks (εNd(t) = −9.5 to −1.2) are slightly less enriched than the younger rocks (εNd(t) = −13.1 and −9.1). Moreover, the Nd isotopic compositions appear to indicate the existence of two isotopically distinct regions of the Guéra Massif with one centred on the Mongo (west) region and the other near the El Hidjer to Zan (east) region. The older group was emplaced during a period of crustal thinning after oblique collision and shearing related to the final suturing of the Congo-Saõ Francisco Craton and the Saharan Metacraton. The younger group was likely emplaced after a period of regional WNW-ESE directed crustal shortening. The punctuated nature of deformation/crustal relaxation cycles in the southern Saharan Metacraton suggests that there may have been many small terranes rather than larger cratonic blocks involved in the lithotectonic evolution of the Central African Orogenic Belt north of the Congo-Saõ Francisco Craton.

Volcanic rocks of the Elashan Formation in the Dulan-Xiangride Basin, East Kunlun Orogenic Belt, NW China: Petrogenesis and implications for Late Triassic geodynamic evolution

ABSTRACT The volcanic rocks of the Elashan Formation provide important evidence for the Late Triassic post-collisional magmatism in the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt. This study focused on the geochronology, geochemistry, and petrogenesis of volcanic rocks of the Elashan Formation in the Dulan–Xiangride Basin. The 227.9 ± 0.4 Ma dacite exhibits calc-alkaline I-type characteristics, with low Sr/Y and (La/Yb)N ratios and prominent negative Eu anomalies. We suggest that the dacite was derived from the partial melting of lower crust at normal crustal thickness. The crystalline tuff (225.0 ± 0.4 Ma) has negative εHf(t) values, implying that it was likely formed by the partial melting of the ancient crust. The rhyolites (221.3 ± 1.1 and 221.9 ± 0.6 Ma) are peraluminous and calc-alkaline to high-K calc-alkaline. The high SiO2 and Na2O + K2O contents, and high K2O/Na2O and Ga/Al ratios of these rhyolites have an affinity with A-type granite. The rhyolites were formed by the partial melting of Late Paleoproterozoic–Mesoproterozoic lower crust induced by mantle-derived mafic magma underplating. The andesite and basaltic andesites formed at 221.1–217.9 Ma. The zircon Hf isotopic characteristics show that the andesite was likely derived from the partial melting of the Late Paleoproterozoic mafic lower crust. The combination of our new data and previously obtained geological data suggests that the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt underwent three magmatic activities corresponding to three tectono-magmatic events (slab breakoff, the delamination of unstable lower lithospheric mantle, and the intense asthenosphere upwelling with further delamination and continuous crustal thinning) during the Late Triassic.

Igneous Activity and Structural Development of the Mianhua Terrace, Offshore North Taiwan

Using bathymetric and multichannel seismic (MCS) data, we explored the volcanic influence on the bathymetric and stratigraphic features of the Mianhua Terrace. The Mianhua Terrace occupies the marine counterpart of the Northern Taiwan Volcanic Zone (NTVZ) along the collapsed Taiwan orogenic wedge and is dominated by post-collisional magmatism and extensional structures. The bathymetric data showed several semicircular-shaped features near the shelf break. The MCS profiles showed that the Pleistocene unconformity buried beneath the Mianhua Terrace is partly difficult to observe due to seafloor multiples, suggesting that the seafloor is dominated by physically hard lithology, probably volcanic lavas. We interpreted the high-amplitude reflectors and their projected seafloor relief as intrusive sills and associated extrusive edifice. Similarly, we interpreted high-amplitude reflectors in the vicinity of normal faults as intrusive sills emplaced and facilitated by fault structures. A volcanic or hydrothermal mound was also recognized. We propose that the Mianhua Terrace is a breached ramp in a transfer zone between the tips of two successive normal faults along the shelf break. Once the fault tips reactivate and extend toward each other, the Mianhua Terrace may continue to collapse, leading to catastrophic volcanic or associated hydrothermal events.