Subcontinental Lithospheric Mantle Wedge Research Articles

Carbon-rich polyphasic inclusions in postcollisional mafic magmatic rocks from the Dabie Shan, China: Implications for the carbon cycle in continental subduction zones

Subduction is a fundamental geodynamic process that transfers carbon from Earth’s surface into the mantle. However, current understanding of the migration mechanisms, final storage region, and species involved in carbon recycling from continental crust remains limited. Here, we investigated the compositions of polyphasic inclusions and Mg isotopes in postcollisional mafic magmatic rocks from the Dabie Shan region of China. The main rock-forming minerals contained two distinct types of polyphasic inclusions, which displayed systematic differences in daughter mineral/gaseous phase assemblages, including host-like silicates ± carbonates (magnesite, dolomite, and calcite) + CH4 and carbonates + talc ± SiO2 (aqueous) + CH4, respectively. These inclusions indicate that carbon-rich silicate melts and carbon-rich magmatic fluids were trapped by host minerals during magmatic processes. The abundant carbonates and CH4 in both types of inclusions suggest that the mantle source of these postcollisional mafic magmatic rocks was rich in carbon, most likely existing in the forms of CO2 and CH4. Moreover, the studied postcollisional mafic magmatic rocks have mantle-like Mg isotope compositions, with δ26Mg values ranging from −0.23‰ to −0.16‰. The combined observations of polyphase inclusions and Mg isotopes indicate that a substantial carbon-rich mantle domain arose from the metasomatism of silicate melts derived from subducted continental slabs that had dissolved a certain quantity of CO2 and CH4. We proposed that continental subduction is an efficient pathway for transporting crustal carbon into an orogenic subcontinental lithospheric mantle wedge, where the recycled carbon can be stored for >100 m.y. and eventually released to the surface during postcollisional magmatism.

Genesis and source affinities of heterogeneous ultramafic rocks in the North Kongling Complex, Yangtze craton: Architecture of a Paleoproterozoic accretionary orogen

Ultramafic massifs are minor but meaningful components of orogens because they record the mantle properties and the processes of plate generation, subduction, accretion, and collision, thus providing key information about crust-mantle interaction processes and the evolution of orogens. Here, we present an integrated study of field observations, whole-rock and mineral geochemistry, zircon U-Pb ages, and whole-rock Sm-Nd and Re-Os isotopes for serpentinized harzburgites and olivine pyroxenites from the Paleoproterozoic Shuiyuesi mélange belt, North Kongling Complex, to constrain the tectonic evolution of the Yangtze craton, South China. The serpentinized harzburgites are characterized by enrichment of light rare earth elements (LREEs) and negative εNd(t) (−4.3 to −3.9) values, but they have high olivine Mg# (91.7−93.1) and very low Re contents (<0.09 ppb) and negative γOs(t) (−5.1 to −4.0) values. The Archean Re-Os model ages (TRD = 2.82 Ga) of the harzburgites that have the most depleted Re-Os isotope composition represent estimates for the age of the initial melt extraction. Metasomatic zircons from the serpentinized harzburgites yield a weighted average age of ca. 2.04 Ga, which is interpreted to represent the age of metasomatism during a subduction event. These geochemical and isotopic features and geochronologic results suggest that the protolith of the serpentinized harzburgites in the North Kongling Complex originated as fragments of late Mesoarchean (ca. 2.82 Ga) subcontinental lithospheric mantle and experienced melt/fluid metasomatism in a subarc mantle wedge at 2.04 Ga. The olivine pyroxenites are cumulates, and they are characterized by high MgO, Ni, and Cr contents and depleted to slightly enriched LREEs but depletion in high field strength elements (HFSEs). They have positive εNd(t) (+2.0 to +6.6) values and Paleoproterozoic Nd model ages (2.41−2.05 Ga), suggesting that the olivine pyroxenites were derived from a Paleoproterozoic depleted mantle source. Metamorphic zircons from the olivine pyroxenites indicate subsequent metamorphism at 2.0 Ga, in response to a collision. The olivine pyroxenites together with the metabasites in the Shuiyuesi mélange belt represent the dismembered fragments of oceanic lithosphere that formed in a suprasubduction zone during the Paleoproterozoic. Combined with the Archean and Paleoproterozoic rocks in the North Kongling Complex, it appears that the Mesoarchean subcontinental lithospheric mantle peridotites and Paleoproterozoic ophiolitic rocks were simultaneously accreted during a Paleoproterozoic orogenic event. We further propose that a subduction channel may have played an important role in the architecture of the accretionary orogen, in which both oceanic lithospheric materials and subcontinental lithospheric mantle wedge materials would have been simultaneously scraped off and accreted during slab subduction-accretion.

Late Paleozoic post-collisional setting of the North Tianshan, NW China: New insights from geochronology, geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions of the Permian Nileke volcanic rocks

The northern margin of the Yili Block, NW China, contains widespread Permian volcanic rocks that provide insight into the late Paleozoic evolution of the North Tianshan Orogenic Belt in the southwestern Central Asian Orogenic Belt. This paper presents geochronological, geochemical and Sr–Nd isotopic data for Permian volcanic rocks of the Hamisite and Wulang formations in the Nileke area of the western Awulale Mountains, and provides new constraints on their ages, petrogenesis and tectonic settings. The whole-rock 40Ar/39Ar plateau age of 281.6 ± 1.0 Ma for basalt in the Hamisite Formation suggests that these volcanic rocks were erupted in the early Permian. The studied samples comprise mainly basalt and basaltic andesite, with positive εNd(t) values, enriched light rare earth and large-ion lithophile elements, and depleted high-field-strength elements, indicating an origin from a subcontinental lithospheric mantle wedge that was probably metasomatised by slab-derived fluid and sediment-derived melt beneath the Yili Block. Based on geochemistry and the regional geological records, we suggest that the Permian Nileke volcanic rocks of the Yili Block were formed in a post-collisional setting, following slab break-off after closure of the North Tianshan Ocean. However, the Hamisite volcanic rocks were derived from a deeper mantle source, probably through thickening of the lithospheric mantle and crust of the Yili Block.

Crustal Metasomatism at the Slab‐Mantle Interface in a Continental Subduction Channel: Geochemical Evidence From Orogenic Peridotite in the Sulu Orogen

AbstractTo understand crust‐mantle interactions in a continental subduction channel, we carried out a combined study of whole‐rock elements and Sr‐Nd isotopes, mineral elements, and whole‐rock and mineral O isotopes in orogenic peridotite and its host gneiss from the Sulu orogen in China. The results indicate that the peridotite originated from highly depleted subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath the North China Craton and underwent three episodes of metasomatism via crustally derived fluids. The peridotite was offscraped from the subcontinental lithospheric mantle wedge base and experienced petrographic transformation from a spinel peridotite to a garnet peridotite during continental subduction from forearc to subarc depths. The peridotite underwent the first episode of metasomatism via aqueous solutions at high‐pressure conditions. Afterward, the peridotite underwent a second episode of metasomatism by carbonate melts at ultrahigh‐pressure conditions and a third episode of metasomatism by aqueous solutions at high‐pressure conditions. While the aqueous solution was derived from the metamorphic dehydration of the subducting/exhuming continental crust at the forearc depths, the carbonate melts were produced by partial melting of the ultrahigh‐pressure metasedimentary rocks in the exhuming continental crust at subarc depths. These metasomatic agents did not originate from the gneiss directly hosting the peridotite but from another part of the deeply subducted continental crust that was not in direct contact with the peridotite. Therefore, the orogenic peridotite recorded the geochemical transfer from the subducting crust into the mantle in the continental subduction zone.

Mesozoic mafic magmatism in North China: Implications for thinning and destruction of cratonic lithosphere

The North China Craton (NCC) has been thinned from >200 km to in its eastern part. The ancient subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) has been replaced by the juvenile SCLM in the Meoszoic. During this period, the NCC was destructed as indicated by extensive magmatism in the Early Cretaceous. While there is a consensus on the thinning and destruction of cratonic lithosphere in North China, it has been hotly debated about the mechanism of cartonic destruction. This study attempts to provide a resolution to current debates in the view of Mesozoic mafic magmatism in North China. We made a compilation of geochemical data available for Mesozoic mafic igneous rocks in the NCC. The results indicate that these mafic igneous rocks can be categorized into two series, manifesting a dramatic change in the nature of mantle sources at ~121 Ma. Mafic igneous rocks emplaced at this age start to show both oceanic island basalts (OIB)-like trace element distribution patterns and depleted to weakly enriched Sr-Nd isotope compositions. In contrast, mafic igneous rocks emplaced before and after this age exhibit both island arc basalts (IAB)-like trace element distribution patterns and enriched Sr-Nd isotope compositions. This difference indicates a geochemical mutation in the SCLM of North China at ~121 Ma. Although mafic magmatism also took place in the Late Triassic, it was related to exhumation of the deeply subducted South China continental crust because the subduction of Paleo-Pacific slab was not operated at that time. Paleo-Pacific slab started to subduct beneath the eastern margin of Eruasian continent since the Jurrasic. The subducting slab and its overlying SCLM wedge were coupled in the Jurassic, and slab dehydration resulted in hydration and weakening of the cratonic mantle. The mantle sources of ancient IAB-like mafic igneous rocks are a kind of ultramafic metasomatites that were generated by reaction of the cratonic mantle wedge peridotite not only with aqueous solutions derived from dehydration of the subducting Paleo-Pacific oceanic crust in the Jurassic but also with hydrous melts derived from partial melting of the subducting South China continental crust in the Triassic. On the other hand, the mantle sources of juvenile OIB-like mafic igneous rocks are also a kind of ultramafic metasomatites that were generated by reaction of the asthenospheric mantle underneath the North China lithosphere with hydrous felsic melts derived from partial melting of the subducting Paleo-Pacific oceanic crust. The subducting Paleo-Pacific slab became rollback at ~144 Ma. Afterwards the SCLM base was heated by laterally filled asthenospheric mantle, leading to thinning of the hydrated and weakened cratonic mantle. There was extensive bimodal magmatism at 130 to 120 Ma, marking intensive destruction of the cratonic lithosphere. Not only the ultramafic metasomatites in the lower part of the cratonic mantle wedge underwent partial melting to produce mafic igneous rocks showing negative e Nd( t ) values, depletion in Nb and Ta but enrichment in Pb, but also the lower continent crust overlying the cratonic mantle wedge was heated for extensive felsic magmatism. At the same time, the rollback slab surface was heated by the laterally filled asthenospheric mantle, resulting in partial melting of the previously dehydrated rocks beyond rutile stability on the slab surface. This produce still hydrous felsic melts, which metasomatized the overlying asthenospheric mantle peridotite to generate the ultramafic metasomatites that show positive e Nd( t ) values, no depletion or even enrichment in Nb and Ta but depletion in Pb. Partial melting of such metasomatites started at ~121 Ma, giving rise to the mafic igneous rocks with juvenile OIB-like geochemical signatures. In this context, the age of ~121 Ma may terminate replacement of the ancient SCLM by the juvenile SCLM in North China. Paleo-Pacific slab was not subducted to the mantle transition zone in the Mesozoic as revealed by modern seismic tomography, and it was subducted at a low angle since the Jurassic, like the subduction of Nazca Plate beneath American continent. This flat subduction would not only chemically metasomatize the cratonic mantle but also physically erode the cratonic mantle. Therefore, the interaction between Paleo-Pacific slab and the cratonic mantle is the first-order geodynamic mechanism for the thinning and destruction of cratonic lithosphere in North China.

Modification of an ancient subcontinental lithospheric mantle by continental subduction: Insight from the Maowu garnet peridotites in the Dabie UHP belt, eastern China

Orogenic mantle-derived peridotites commonly originate from the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) and thus provide a key target to investigate the modification of the SCLM by a subducting slab. The Maowu ultramafic rocks from the Dabie ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic belt have formerly been debated as representing cumulates or mantle-derived peridotites. Detailed petrological and geochemical data presented in this study provide new constraints on the origin and formation of the peridotites involving melt depletion in the ancient SCLM and deep crustal metasomatism. The Maowu garnet dunites have refractory bulk compositions characterized by high Mg# (91.9–92.0) and Ni (2537–2892ppm) values and low Al2O3 (0.26–0.76wt.%), CaO (0.05–0.32wt.%), TiO2 (<0.03wt.%), Pd/Ir (0.40–0.46) and 187Os/188Os (minimum 0.11461) values. The Paleoproterozoic model ages (TRD=2.1Ga, TMA=2.3Ga) of the most refractory dunites represent minimum estimates for the age of the initial melt extraction. The extremely depleted nature, high olivine Fo (92.7–93.9), high Cr# (82–87) of spinel, and Re–Os isotopic data suggest that the Maowu garnet dunites are the residues of ~40% partial melting and represent a Paleoproterozoic fragment of the SCLM beneath the southeastern margin of the North China craton. Many garnet orthopyroxenite veins crosscutting the Maowu dunites preserve abundant metasomatic textures and show variable enrichment in incompatible elements. Mineral and whole-rock chemistry indicate that these veins represent metasomatic products between the wall dunites and silica-rich hydrous melts under UHP conditions. The veins show large variations in platinum-group element (PGE) signatures and Re–Os isotopes. The garnet-poor orthopyroxenite veins are characterized by low Al2O3 (<2wt.%) and S (<31ppm) contents and have PGE patterns and 187Os/188Os ratios similar to the wall dunites, whereas the garnet-rich orthopyroxenite veins have high Al2O3 (>6wt.%) and S (99–306ppm) contents and show melt-like PGE patterns and high 187Os/188Os ratios (up to 0.36910). These features, combined with the occurrence of interstitial sulfides in the garnet-rich orthopyroxenite veins, suggest that crust-derived sulfur-saturated silicate melts may have significantly modified the PGE signature and destroyed the Re–Os systematics of the SCLM. However, when the crust-derived silicate melts became sulfur-depleted, such melts would not significantly modify the PGE patterns, radiogenic Os-isotope compositions or the Re-depletion model ages of the SCLM. Consequently, deep crust-mantle interactions in continental subduction zones could induce high degrees of Os isotopic heterogeneity in the SCLM wedge.

Source and magma mixing processes in continental subduction factory: Geochemical evidence from postcollisional mafic igneous rocks in the Dabie orogen

Postcollisional mafic igneous rocks commonly exhibit petrological and geochemical heterogeneities, but their origin still remains enigmatic. While source mixing is substantial due to the crust-mantle interaction during continental collision, magma mixing is also significant during postcollisional magmatism. The two processes are illustrated by Early Cretaceous mafic igneous rocks in the Dabie orogen. These mafic rocks show arc-like trace element distribution patterns and enriched Sr-Nd-Pb isotope compositions, indicating their origination from enriched mantle sources. They have variable whole-rock εNd(t) values of −17.6 to −5.2 and zircon εHf(t) values of −29.0 to −7.7, pointing to source heterogeneities. Such whole-rock geochemical features are interpreted by the source mixing through melt-peridotite reaction in the continental subduction channel. Clinopyroxene and plagioclase megacrystals show complex textural and compositional variations, recording three stages of mineral crystallization during magma evolution. Cpx-1 core has low Cr and Ni but high Ba, Rb and K, indicating its crystallization from a mafic melt (Melt 1) derived from partial melting of hydrous peridotite rich in phlogopite. Cpx-1 mantle and Cpx-2 exhibit significantly high Cr, Ni and Al2O3 but low Rb and Ba, suggesting their crystallization from pyroxenite-derived mafic melt (Melt 2). Whole-rock initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of gabbro lies between those of Pl-1core (crystallized from Melt 1) and Pl-1 mantle and Pl-2 core (crystallized from Melt 2), providing isotopic evidence for magma mixing between Melt 1 and Melt 2. Taken together, a heterogeneously enriched mantle source would be generated by the source mixing due to reaction of the overlying subcontinental lithospheric mantle wedge peridotite with felsic melts derived from partial melting of different rocks of the deeply subducted continental crust during the continental collision. The magma mixing would occur between mafic melts that were derived from partial melting of the heterogeneously metasomatic mantle domains in the postcollisional stage. As a consequence, the source and magma mixing processes in the continental subduction factory are responsible for the significant variations in the whole-rock and mineral geochemistries of postcollisional mafic igneous rocks.

Geochemical insights into the role of metasomatic hornblendite in generating alkali basalts

Experimental petrology suggested the role of hornblendite in generating alkali basalt. This mechanism is confirmed by an integrated study of major-trace elements and radiogenic isotopes for Mesozoic alkali basalts from the Qinling orogen in China. The alkali basalts have high contents of MgO (4.8–11.1 wt %, Mg# = 47–69), Na2O + K2O (2.9–5.4 wt %), TiO2 (2.0–3.1 wt %) but low content of SiO2 (41.4–49.6 wt %), which are generally silica-undersaturated with normative minerals of nepheline and olivine. They exhibit OIB-like trace element distribution patterns, with enrichment of LILE and LREE but no depletion of HFSE relative to the primitive mantle. They also show relatively depleted Sr-Nd-Hf isotope compositions, with low initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.7028–0.7058, positive εNd(t) values of 4.0–9.8 and εHf(t) values of 8.8–13.5 for whole-rock, and positive εHf(t) values of 5.2–16.4 for zircon. Such element and isotope features indicate their origination from the juvenile subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) source with involvement of crustal components. The alkali basalts generally have high K2O/Na2O ratios, and high K2O and TiO2 contents, suggesting their derivation from partial melting of hornblendite-rich mantle lithology. They also exhibit variable K/La and Ti/La ratios that are correlated with (La/Yb)N ratios, indicating a geochemical heterogeneity of the SCLM source. Taken together, all the above geochemical features can be accounted for by partial melting of a hornblendite-rich SCLM source. The hornblendite would be generated by reaction of the juvenile SCLM wedge peridotite with hydrous felsic melts derived from subducted Palaeotethyan oceanic crust at the slab-mantle interface in the subduction channel. Therefore, orogenic alkali basalts record recycling of the subducted fossil oceanic crust, and the metasomatic hornblendite is an important lithology in local SCLM domains above fossil subduction channels.

Postcollisional mafic igneous rocks record crust-mantle interaction during continental deep subduction

Findings of coesite and microdiamond in metamorphic rocks of supracrustal protolith led to the recognition of continental subduction to mantle depths. The crust-mantle interaction is expected to take place during subduction of the continental crust beneath the subcontinental lithospheric mantle wedge. This is recorded by postcollisional mafic igneous rocks in the Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt and its adjacent continental margin in the North China Block. These rocks exhibit the geochemical inheritance of whole-rock trace elements and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes as well as zircon U-Pb ages and Hf-O isotopes from felsic melts derived from the subducted continental crust. Reaction of such melts with the overlying wedge peridotite would transfer the crustal signatures to the mantle sources for postcollisional mafic magmatism. Therefore, postcollisonal mafic igneous rocks above continental subduction zones are an analog to arc volcanics above oceanic subduction zones, providing an additional laboratory for the study of crust-mantle interaction at convergent plate margins.

Continental subduction channel processes: Plate interface interaction during continental collision

The study of subduction-zone processes is a key to development of the plate tectonic theory. Plate interface interaction is a basic mechanism for the mass and energy exchange between Earth’s surface and interior. By developing the subduction channel model into continental collision orogens, insights are provided into tectonic processes during continental subduction and its products. The continental crust, composed of felsic to mafic rocks, is detached at different depths from subducting continental lithosphere and then migrates into continental subduction channel. Part of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle wedge, composed of peridotite, is offscrapped from its bottom. The crustal and mantle fragments of different sizes are transported downwards and upwards inside subduction channels by the corner flow, resulting in varying extents of metamorphism, with heterogeneous deformation and local anatexis. All these metamorphic rocks can be viewed as tectonic melanges due to mechanical mixing of crust- and mantle-derived rocks in the subduction channels, resulting in different types of metamorphic rocks now exposed in the same orogens. The crust-mantle interaction in the continental subduction channel is realized by reaction of the overlying ancient subcontinental lithospheric mantle wedge peridotite with aqueous fluid and hydrous melt derived from partial melting of subducted continental basement granite and cover sediment. The nature of premetamorphic protoliths dictates the type of collisional orogens, the size of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic terranes and the duration of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism.

Modification of subcontinental lithospheric mantle above continental subduction zone: Constraints from geochemistry of Mesozoic gabbroic rocks in southeastern North China

The subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) in the southern margin of the North China Block was modified by the Triassic subduction of the South China Block, but less is known about subsequent events. This study presents a geochemical study of its anatectic products, Mesozoic gabbroic rocks from the southeastern edge of the North China Block. Zircon U–Pb dating gave ages of 119±4 to 131±1Ma for magma crystallization. The gabbroic rocks have high contents of MgO, Cr and Ni as well as high Mg# values, but low contents of SiO2. They exhibit arc-like trace element patterns, enriched Sr–Nd–Hf isotope compositions, and high δ18O values. These geochemical features indicate their derivation from partial melting of a fertile mantle source that is enriched not only in large ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements but also in radiogenic isotopes. In particular, they have two-stage whole-rock Nd and zircon Hf model ages of Mesoproterozoic to Paleoproterozoic, which are similar to those of ultrahigh-pressure metaigneous rocks in the Dabie–Sulu orogenic belt. This suggests a genetic relationship in precursor origin between them. Therefore, the mantle source for the gabbroic rocks would be generated by crustal metasomatism through underplate reaction of the overlying SCLM-wedge peridotite with felsic melts derived from subducting continental crustal rocks of the South China Block during the Triassic continental collision. The fertile and enriched signatures in the mantle source were imparted by the crustally derived melts in the continental subduction channel, giving rise to the metasomatised SCLM in the Triassic. Because of its fertile and enriched properties, the metasomatised SCLM was susceptible to partial melting in an extensional tectonic setting, resulting in gabbroic magmatism in the Early Cretaceous. Therefore, these gabbroic rocks provide petrological and geochemical records of the crust–mantle interaction above a continental subduction zone. The spatial effect of continental deep subduction on the overlying SCLM wedge may extend to 200–300km distant from the collisional orogen. The melt metasomatism would have modified the chemical and physical properties of the SCLM in the southern North China Block, facilitating the SCLM thinning in the Mesozoic.