Multi-stage formation of the Feragen ophiolite,Norway:Implication from petrology and geochemistry of peridotites and chromitites and its potential for prospecting

The ultramafic massif of Feragen,which belongs to the eastern ophiolitic belt of Norway,has abundant amounts of chromite ores.Recent studies have revealed a complex melt evolution in a supra-subduction zone(SSZ)environment.This study presents new whole-rock major element,trace element,and platinum-group element chemistry to evaluate their petrogenesis and tectonic evolution.Harzburgites have high CaO,Al_(2)O_(3),TiO_(2),MgO,and REE contents corresponding to abyssal peridotites,whereas dunites have low CaO,Al_(2)O_(3),TiO_(2),MgO,and REE contents corresponding to SSZ peridotites.The Cr^(#)and TiO_(2) of chromian spinels in the harzburgites suggest as much as about 15%–20%melting and the dunites are more depleted with>40%melting.The harzburgites and the dunites and high-Cr chromitites represent,respectively,the products of low-degree partial melting in a back-arc setting,and the products of melt-rock interaction in a SSZ environment.The calculated fO_(2) values for dunites and high-Cr chromitites(-0.17–+0.23 and+2.78–+5.65,respectively and generally above the FMQ buffer)are also consistent with the interaction between back-arc ophiolites with oxidized boninitic melts in a SSZ setting.

Melting geodynamics reveals a subduction origin for the Purang ophiolite,Tibet,China

The debate regarding whether the Yarlung-Zangbo ophiolite(YZO)on the south of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,formed in a mid-ocean ridge(MOR)or a supra-subduction zone(SSZ)setting has remained unresolved.Here we present petrological,mineralogical,and geochemical data associated with modeling melting geodynamics of the mantle peridotites from the Purang ophiolite in the western segment of the Yarlung-Zangbo Suture Zone(YZSZ)to explore its tectonic environment.The Purang lherzolites are characterized by the protogranular texture and have abyssal-peridotite-like mineral compositions,including low Cr^(#)(20-30)and TiO_(2) contents(<0.1wt%)in spinel,high Al_(2)O_(3)(2.9wt%-4.4wt%)and CaO(1.9wt%-3.7wt%)contents in orthopyroxene and LREE-depletion in clinopyroxene.Compositions of these lherzolites can be modeled by~11%dynamic melting of the DMM source with a small fraction of melt(~0.5%)entrapped within the source,a similar melting process to typical abyssal peridotites.The Purang harzburgites are characterized by the porphyroclastic texture and exhibit highly refractory mineral compositions such as high spinel Cr^(#)(40-68),low orthopyroxene Al_(2)O_(3)(<2.2wt%)and CaO(<1.1wt%)contents.Clinopyroxenes in these harzburgites are enriched in Sr(up to 6.0 ppm)and LREE[(Ce)N=0.02-0.4],but depleted in Ti(200 ppm,on average)and HREE[(Yb)N<2].Importantly,the more depleted samples tend to have higher clinopyroxene Sr and LREE contents.These observations indicate an open-system hydrous melting with a continuous influx of slab fluid at a subduction zone.The modeled results show that these harzburgites could be formed by 19%-23%hydrous melting with the supply rate of slab fluid at 0.1%-1%.The lower clinopyroxene V/Sc ratios in harzburgites than those in lherzolites suggest a high oxidation stage of the melting system of harzburgites,which is consistent with a hydrous melting environment for these harzburgites.It is therefore concluded that the Purang ophiolite has experienced a transformation of tectonic setting from MOR to SSZ.

Identification of clayey altered ophiolite in the Nujiang tectonic belt and new understanding of its impacts on engineering stability

1. Objectives Ophiolites from the oceanic crust are important indicators for identifying tectonic suture zones. Recently, a continuous ophiolite belt was found near the Guola Mountain in the Nujiang tectonic belt. Due to intensive hydrothermal alteration during tectonic evolution, clayey altered ophiolite with special engineering geological characteristics was formed, which has an extremely adverse impact on engineering stability. However, the adverse properties of clayey altered ophiolite are still not well understood in engineering practices(Zhang YS, et al., 2011).

Genesis of Pyroxenite Veins in the Zedang Ophiolite,Southern Tibetan Plateau

Understanding the nature of parental melts for pyroxenite veins in supra-subduction zone(SSZ)ophiolites provides vibrant constraints on melt infiltration processes operating in subduction zones.The Zedang ophiolitic massif in the eastern Yarlung–Zangbo suture zone in Tibet consists of mantle peridotites and a crustal section of gabbro,diabase,and basalt.Veins of two pyroxenite varieties cut the southern part of the Zedang massif.These pyroxenite rocks have different geochemical characteristics,where the first variety(type-I)has relatively higher contents of SiO_(2)(51.82–53.08 wt%),MgO(20.08–23.23 wt%),andΣPGE(3.42–13.97 ppb),and lower Al_(2)O_(3)(1.59–2.28 wt%)andΣREE(1.63–2.94 ppm).The second pyroxenite variety(type-II)is characterized by SiO_(2)(45.44–49.61 wt%),Mg O(16.68–19.78 wt%),Al_(2)O_(3)(4.24–8.77 wt%),ΣPGE(14.46–322.06 ppb),andΣREE(5.82–7.44 ppm).Pyroxenite type-I shows N-MORB-like chondritenormalized REE patterns.Zircon U-Pb ages of pyroxenite type-I(194±10 Ma),associated ophiolitic gabbro(135.3±2.0 Ma),and plagiogranite(124.2±2.3 Ma)evidently imply episodic evolution of the Zedang ophiolites.The mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the investigated pyroxenites can be explained by subduction-initiated hydrous melting of metasomatized sub-arc mantle,later overprinted by sub-slab mantle melting triggered by upwelling asthenosphere during the Jurassic–Early Cretaceous times.The geochemical variations in pyroxenite vein composition,coupled with age differences amongst the other ophiolite units,may correspond to intermittent emplacement of pyroxenite dikes and isotropic gabbroic intrusions where the geodynamic setting progressed from arc maturation and slab rollback to slab tearing and delamination.

Genesis and Geodynamic Significance of Chromitites from the Fuchuan Ophiolite,Southern China,as Evidenced by Trace Element Fingerprints of Chromite,Olivine and Pyroxene

The Fuchuan ophiolite is located in the northeasternmost segment of the Neoproterozoic Jiangnan orogen and consists mainly of harzburgites,with minor dunites,pyroxenite and gabbro veins and dykes.In order to investigate the genesis and tectonic setting of the Fuchuan ophiolite and chromitites,in situ analyses of unaltered chromites and silicates were carried out.Trace element analyses of unaltered chromites from the Fuchuan chromitites indicate the parental magma is of mid-ocean ridge basalt(MORB)-like origin,with the Ti/Fe^(3+#)–Ga/Fe^(3+#)diagram of chromites showing that the chromitites are a result of melt/rock interaction of MORB melts with mantle peridotites,and that the Fuchuan harzburgites present the dual features of MORB and supra-subduction zone peridotites(SSZP).Trace and rare earth element(REE)analyses of olivines and orthopyroxenes from the Fuchuan harzburgites hint at the possibility of mantle metasomatism influenced by SSZ-subducted fluids.Finally,integrating with previous study,the Fuchuan ophiolite and chromitites might have been formed in a back-arc spreading ridge between the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks during the Neoproterozoic.

Neotethyan Ophiolites and Their Geodynamic Evolution During the Mesozoic: A Global Overview

Neotethyan ophiolites evolved in multiple seaways separated by Gondwana–derived ribbon continents within an eastward widening, latitudinal oceanic realm(Neotethys) throughout the Mesozoic. Opening and closure of these seaways were diachronous events, resulting in E–W variations in the timing of oceanic crust production and ophiolite emplacement. The Neotethyan ophiolites are highly diverse in their crustal–mantle structures and compositions, isotopic fingerprints, and sedimentary cover types, pointing to major differences in their mantle melt sources and tectonic and paleogeographic settings of magmatic construction(Dilek and Furnes, 2019). The Jurassic Western Alpine and Ligurian ophiolites in Europe and their counterparts in southern and northern Iberia formed in a narrow basin(Western Tethys) that developed between Europe and North Africa–Adria–Iberia. Their peridotites represent exhumed, continental lithospheric mantle, and the ophiolites display a Hess–type oceanic crustal architecture with MORB geochemical signatures(Dilek and Furnes, 2011). All these ophiolites were incorporated into continental margins from the downgoing oceanic lithosphere of the Western Tethys. Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous ophiolites east of Adria formed in different Neotethyan seaways(Dilek et al., 1990), and their rift–drift, seafloor spreading and suprasubduction zone(SSZ) magmatic construction involved multiple episodes of melting, depletion and refertilization of previously or actively subduction metasomatized mantle sources. Deep mantle recycling processes through subduction zone tectonics and/or plume activities played a major role in their melt evolution, and in the incorporation of mantle transition zone(MTZ) materials into their peridotites(Fig. 1;Dilek and Yang, 2018;Xiong et al., 2019). Tectonic mélanges structurally beneath these ophiolites include Permo–Triassic, OIB–type extrusive rocks, indicating that the initial dismantling of the Pangea supercontinent that led to the opening of the Triassic and Jurassic ocean basins within the Neotethyan realm was associated with plume magmatism(Dilek, 2003 a;Yang and Dilek, 2015). This plume signature is absent in the Permo–Triassic magmatic record of the Western Tethys to the west. The Cretaceous ophiolites around the Arabia(Dilek et al., 1990;Dilek and Delaloye, 1992;Dilek and Eddy,1992) and India sub-continents(Fareeduddin and Dilek, 2015) occur discontinuously along a ~9000-km-long belt from SW Anatolia to SE Tibet and Indo-China. The majority of these ophiolites have a Penrose–type oceanic crustal architecture(Dilek, 2003 b) and display SSZ geochemical affinities, complete with a MORB–IAT–BON progression of their chemo-stratigraphy(Fig. 1;Dilek and Thy, 1998;Dilek et al., 1999;Dilek and Furnes, 2014;Saccani et al., 2018). They evolved above a N–dipping, Trans–Tethyan subduction–accretion system that was situated in sub-tropical latitudes within the Neotethyan realm. The Trans–Tethyan subduction–accretion system was segmented into two major domains(Western and Eastern domains) by the NNE–SSW–oriented, sinistral Chaman–Omach–Nal transform fault plate boundary. This Cretaceous intraoceanic arc–trench system was analogous to the modern Izu–Bonin–Mariana(IBM) and Tonga arc–trench systems in the western Pacific in terms of its size. Diachronous collisions of the Arabia and India sub-continents with this segmented Trans-Tethyan arc–trench system resulted in the southward emplacement of the SSZ Neotethyan ophiolites onto their passive margins in the latest Mesozoic(Dilek and Furnes, 2019). A separate N–dipping subduction system, dipping beneath Eurasia to the north during much of the Jurassic and Cretaceous, was consuming the Neotethyan oceanic lithosphere and was responsible for the construction of a composite magmatic arc belt extending discontinuously from Southern Tibet to Northern Iran. Slab rollback along this northern subduction system produced locally developed forearc–backarc oceanic lithosphere that was subsequently collapsed into the southern margin of Eurasia. The existence of these two contemporaneous, Ndipping subduction systems within Neotethys led to its rapid contraction and the fast convergence of India towards Eurasia during the late Mesozoic–early Cenozoic(Dilek and Furnes, 2019). It was the collision with Eurasia of the India sub-continent with the accreted ophiolites around its periphery in the Late Paleogene that produced the Himalayan orogeny.

Origin of the Zedang and Luobusa Ophiolites, Tibet

The Zedang and Luobusa ophiolites are located in the eastern section of the Yalung Zangbo ophiolite belt,and they share similar geological tectonic setting and age.Thus,an understanding of their origins is very important for discussion of the evolution of the Eastern Tethys Ocean.There is no complete ophiolite assemblage in the Zedang ophiolite.The Zedang ophiolite is mainly composed of mantle peridotite and a suite of volcanic rocks as well as siliceous rocks,with some blocks of olivinepyroxenite.The mantle peridotite mainly consists of Cpx-harzburgite,harzburgite,some lherzolite,and some dunite.A suite of volcanic rocks is mainly composed of caic-aikaline pyroclastic rocks and secondly of tholeiitic pillow lavas,basaltic andesites,and some boninitic rocks with a lower TiO2 content （TiO2 ＜ 0.6％）.The pyroclastic rocks have a LREE-enriched REE pattern and a LILE-enriched （compared to HFSE） spider diagram,demonstrating an island-arc origin.The tholeiitic volcanic rock has a LREE-depleted REE pattern and a LILE-depleted （compared to HFSE） spider diagram,indicative of an origin from MORB.The boninitic rock was generated from fore-arc extension.The Luobusa ophiolite consists of mantle peridotite and mafic-ultramaflc cumulate units,without dike swarms and volcanic rocks.The mantle peridotite mainly consists of dunite,harzburgite with low-Opx （Opx ＜ 25％）,and harzburgite （Opx ＞ 25％）,which can be divided into two facies belts.The upper is a dunite-harzburgite （Opx ＜ 25％） belt,containing many dunite lenses and a large-scale chromite deposit with high Cr203; the lower is a harzburgite （Opx ＞25％） belt with small amounts of dunite and lherzolite.The Luobusa mantle peridotite exhibits a distinctive vertical zonation of partial melting with high melting in the upper unit and low melting in the lower.Many mantle peridotites are highly depleted,with a characteristic U-shaped REE pattern peculiar to fore-arc peridotite.The Luobusa cumulates are composed of wehrlite and olivine-pyroxenite,of the P-P-G ophiolite series.This study indicates that the Luobusa ophiolite was formed in a fore-arc basin environment on the basis of the occurrence of highly depleted mantle peridotite,a high-Cr2O3 chromite deposit,and cumulates of the P-P-G ophiolite series.We conclude that the evolution of the Eastern Tethys Ocean involved three stages：the initial ocean stage （formation of MORB volcanic rock and dikes）,the forearc extension stage （formation of high-Cr203 chromite deposits and P-P-G cumulates）,and the islandarc stage （formation of caic-alkaline pyroclastic rocks）.

SSZ Semail Ophiolite vs MORB Masirah Ophiolite: A Perspective from Podiform Chromitites

One of the major topics of debate in ophiolite geology is the original tectonic setting of ophiolites. New studies show that most ophiolites are formed more frequently in a suprasubduction zone(SSZ) environment and that only a very small number of ophiolites have formed in an oceanic range(MOR). The Masirah ophiolite is one of the few oceanic ridge ophiolites that have been preserved, and the evidence that was formed in a subduction environment is missing(Moseley and Abbotts 1979, Dilek and Furnes, 2011;Rollinson, 2017). Masirah Island, the Batain and Ras Madrah areas of eastern Oman are almost entirely composed of a well-developed ophiolite, known as the Masirah ophiolite(Fig. 1), which is, however, completely unrelated to the nearby Semail Ophiolite in the northern Oman Mountains(Fig. 2). The Masirah ophiolite is Jurassic in age and represents oceanic lithosphere derived from the Indian Ocean, but is about 15–20 Myr later than emplacement of midCretaceous Semail ophiolite in northern Oman. The presence of basaltic to rhyolitic lavas of calc-alkaline affinity and boninites in the lava sequence of the Semail ophiolite led several researchers to propose a back-arc basin model for this ophiolite(e.g. Tamura and Arai, 2006;Godard et al., 2008;Rollinson and Adetunji, 2015). The Masirah Ophiolite shows close affinities with MORB peridotites in general. Most of the olivine from the Masirah harzburgites show Fo contents that are similar to those of olivine from MORB. Both pyroxenes in these harzburgites have similar Mg# values, Al2O3 and Cr2O3 contents to those of pyroxenes from MORB peridotites. The observed primitive mantlenormalized REE patterns showing enrichment in LREEs indicate that the Masirah peridotites have been modified by fluids or melts enriched in LREEs in a MORB environment. Podiform chromitites housed in ophiolites today interpreted as magmatic deposits formed during the reaction of molten rock in environments spike in the middle of the ocean(MOR) or suprasubduccion zone(SSZ)(Arai and Matsukage, 1998;Rollinson and Adetunji, 2015). The Masirah chromitites has a mineral chemistry similar to the mineral chemistry of chromite crystallized from MOR magmas. The Cr# values of chromite in the Masirah chromatite are similar to those of MOR peridotites. These findings suggest that the ultramafic and mafic cumulate rock assemblages overlying the upper mantle peridotites in the Masirah ophiolite represent the products of magma evolution in a MOR initiation stage within the proto Indian Ocean. Coexisting high-and low-Cr# associations of chromitite and dunite have been found in the Semail ophiolite, which illustrates the common situation of ophiolites having both SSZ and MOR geochemical signatures. Cr# varies from 40–60 for shallow chromite bodies, and over the range 70–80 for the deep locations. This diversity of chromitite types suggests two stages of magmatic activity were responsible for the chromitite genesis, in response to a switch of tectonic setting. The first is residual from lower degree, partial melting of peridotite, which produced lowCr# chromitites at the Moho transition zone, possibly in a midocean-ridge setting. The second chromitite-forming event involves higher degree partial melting, which produced high-Cr# discordant chromitite in the upper mantle, possibly in a suprasubduction zone setting. Assemblages of mono-and poly-phase silicate inclusions(including olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, amphibole, phlogopite, serpentine, native Fe, FeO, alloy, sulfide, calcite, laurite, celestine and halite) within chromite have been observed in the low Cr# podiform chromitites from the Semail and Masirah ophiolites. The existence of hydrous silicate inclusions in the chromite calls for a role of hydration during chromite genesis. High-T bright green hornblende–edenite included in the chromites is evidence of the introduction of water in the magma at the end of the chromite crystallization. Such paragenesis points to the presence of hydrous fluids during the activity of the shear bands.

Comparison of Redox States between the Ultramafic Bodies of Xigaze and Luobusha Ophiolites, Tibet, China

The tectonic setting of podiform chromitite formation still remains highly debated. There is a close correlation between tectonic settings and oxygen fugacity(fO2)(e.g., Ballhaus, 1993;Dare et al., 2009;Parkinson and Arculus, 1999). Here we present results of fO2 of chromites determined by M?ssbauer spectroscopy from both the Luobusha and Dazhuqu areas along Yarlung Zangbo suture zone, Southern Tibet. The fO2 values(-1.02~0.04 log units against the FMQ buffer) and Cr#(22~54%) in chromites from lherzolites and harzburgites of both areas are similar to those of abyssal peridotites, indicating that they may be residues after partial melting at spreading centers. However, both dunite envelopes and chromitites from Luobusha have high fO2 values(0.04~2.25 log units) and Cr#(73~84%), showing an affinity to boninitic melts, and thus form in a suprasubduction zone. Dazhuqu dunites show diverse fO2 values(-0.22~2.19 log units) and Cr#(22~82%), indicating that they form in distinct settings. Chromitites and chromite dunites from Dazhuqu have low fO2 values(-0.3~0.71 log units) and Cr#(16~63%), both of which are similar to those of MORB-like basalts, inferring that they form in an extensional setting. Both high-Cr and high-Al chromitites from other typical podiform chromite ore deposits, such as Kempirsai, Oman, and Albania ophiolites, also show high fO2 values(e.g., Chashchukhin and Votyakov, 2009;Melcher et al., 1997;Quintiliani et al., 2006;Rollinson and Adetunji, 2015), while the distribution-limited small chromitites and chromite dunites from Dazhuqu exhibit low fO2 values. The phenomenon infers that the suprasubduction zone is more beneficial to the formation of podiform chromitites.

Formation Age and Tectonic Setting of the Muli Arc-Ophiolite Complex in the South Qilian Belt, NW China

The Qilian orogenic belt is the northernmost orogen of the Tethyan domain and connects the Altaids to the north. It contains an assembly of Precambrian micro-continental fragments, early Paleozoic island arcs, accretionary complexes, ophiolites, forearc and backarc basins, and high-pressure(HP) metamorphic rocks, indicating a long history of accretionary processes. Spatially, this orogen is adjacent to the Tarim, Qaidam, and North China blocks, which also extends into accretionary orogenic belts to the east and SW such as the Qinling and Kunlun belts. Abundant ophiolites in this orogen record the closure of an early Tethyan Ocean and amalgamations between micro-continents of North China, Qaidam, and Tarim. Thus, the ages and tectonic settings of these ophiolites within this belt provide important information regarding evolution of the Proto-Tethys Ocean and assembly of micro-continental blocks, which aids understanding of the spatial and temporal relationship of this orogen within the Tethyan realm. Dismembered ophiolites sporadically crop out along the northern margin of the South Qilian belt, and, from east to west, are locally referred to as the Lajishan, Gangcha, Muli, and Dadaoerji ophiolites. Much attention had been paid to these ophiolites, and several competing models for the tectonic evolution of this belt have been suggested. Considerable disagreement remains in respect of the temporal and spatial framework of the Qilian Orogen and details such as timing of subduction(s) and associated polarities, early collision events, and final closure of oceanic basins. In particular, the formation age and tectonic setting of Muli arc-ophiolite complex remains unknown, which limits understanding of the tectonics of the South Qilian belt and the history of the Proto-Tethys Ocean. The Muli arc-ophiolite complex is distributed over 20 km^2 west of the township of Muli in the western segment of the South Qilian Belt and consists of serpentinite, dunite, cumulate gabbro, basalt, plagiogranite, and chert. Field mapping results demonstrate that these units have been largely destroyed by faulting and generally occur as blocks/slices. They are tectonically interlayered with Upper Ordovician – Lower Silurian siliciclastic turbidite. Arc-ophiolite rocks are intruded by 470–450 Ma subduction-related granitoid plutons and are unconformably overlain by shallow marine to non-marine sediments of Permian-Jurassic age. Basalts show typical subduction-related calc-alkaline geochemical affinity, representing portions of an island arc. Geochemical results for plagiogranites and spinels from serpentinite demonstrate that the Muli arc-ophiolite complex represents a super-subduction zone(SSZ)-type ophiolite. U-Pb zircon data indicate formation associated with southward subduction of the Proto-Tethyan Ocean during a short interval between 539–522 Ma. Voluminous Late Ordovician-Early Silurian deep-water marine siliciclastic and volcaniclastic turbidites and volcanic arc rocks are exposed to the south of the Muli arc-ophiolite complex, whereas fluvial coarse-grained sandstones and conglomerates unconformably overlie the Cambrian-Middle Ordovician ophiolite-arc systems in the eastern South Qilian Belt. These indicate that closure of the Proto-Tethys Ocean was diachronous during the early Paleozoic.

SHRIMP Zircon U-Pb Dating of Gabbro and Granite from the Huashan Ophiolite,Qinling Orogenic Belt,China: Neoproterozoic Suture on the Northern Margin of the Yangtze Craton

The recently identified Huashan ophiolitic mélange was considered as the eastern part of the Mianlüe suture in the Qinling orogenic belt. SHRIMP zircon U-Pb geochronology on gabbro from the Huashan ophiolite and granite intruding basic volcanic rocks indicates crystallization ages of 947±14 Ma and 876±17 Ma respectively. These ages do not support a recently proposed Hercynian Huashan Ocean, but rather favor that a Neoproterozoic suture assemblage （ophiolite） is incorporated into the younger （Phanerozoic） Qinling orogenic belt.

Tectonic Evolution of the Meso-Tethys in the Western Segment of Bangonghu-Nujiang Suture Zone: Insights from Geochemistry and Geochronology of the Lagkor Tso Ophiolite

The subduction of the Bangonghu-Nujiang Meso-Tethys and the collision between the Lhasa and Qiangtang blocks were important events in the growth of the Tibetan crust. However, the timing of collision initiation and closure timing, as well as nature and structure of the Bangonghu ocean basin, are still poorly constrained. The Lagkor Tso ophiolite, located in the south of Gerze County, Tibet, is one of the most completed ophiolites preserved in the southern side of the Bangonghu- Nujiang suture zone. This study discussed the tectonic evolution of the Bangonghu-Nujiang suture zone as revealed by the Lagkor Tso ophiolite investigated by field investigations, petrology, geochemistry, geochronology and tectonic analysis methods. We present new LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb and 39Ar/4~Ar ages for the Lagkor Tso ophiolite, in addition to geochemical and platinum-group element （PGE） data presented for the Lagkor Tso ophiolite in Tibet. It is suggested that the ancient Lagkor Tso oceanic basin split in Middle Jurassic （161.2 ± 2.7 Ma - 165.4 ± 3.5 Ma）, and experienced a second tectonic emplacement during the Early Cretaceous （137.90 ± 6.39 Ma）. The Lagkor Tso ophiolite likely developed in an independent suture zone. The Bangonghu-Nujiang ocean subducted southwards, and the dehydration of the subducting oceanic crust materials caused partial melting of the continental mantle wedge, which formed the second-order expanding center of the obduction dish. This led to inter-arc expansion, followed by the formation of inter-arc and back-arc basins with island arc features, which are represented by ophiolites around the Shiquanhe-Lagkor Tso -Yongzhu region. The tectonic environment presently can be considered to be similar to that of the current Western Pacific, in which a large number of island arc-ocean basin systems are developed.

Petrogenetic Evolution of the Bayan Gol Ophiolite— Geological Record of an Early Carboniferous "Red Sea Type"Ocean Basin in the Tianshan Mountains, Northwestern China

The Bayan Gol ophiolite fragment is a portion of the North Tianshan Early Carboniferous ophiolite belt. This ophiolite belt represents a geological record of an Early Carboniferous 'Red Sea type' ocean basin that was developed on the northern margin of the Tianshan Carboniferous-Permian rift system in northwestern China. The late Early Carboniferous Bayan Gol ophiolite suite was emplaced in an Early Carboniferous rift volcano- sedimentary succession of shallow-marine to continental facies (Volcanics Unit). Ophiolitic rocks in the Bayan Gol area comprise ultramafic rocks, gabbros with associated plagiogranite veins, diorite, diabase, pillow basalts and massive lavas. The Early Carboniferous rifting and the opening process of the North Tianshan ocean basin produced mafic magmas in composition of tholeiite and minor amounts of evolved magmas. Compositions of trace elements and Nd, Sr and Pb isotopes reveal the presence of two distinct mantle sources: (1) the Early Carboniferous rift mafic lavas from the Volcanics Unit were generated by a relatively low degree of partial melting of an asthenospheric OIB-type intraplate source; (2) younger (late Early Carboniferous, ~324.8 Ma ago) mafic lavas from the Ophiolite Unit were formed in a relatively depleted MORB-like mantle source, located in the uppermost asthenosphere and then gradually mixed with melts from the asthenospheric OIB-like mantle. A slight interaction between asthenosphere-derived magmas and lithospheric mantle took place during ascent to the surface. Subsequently, the most depleted mafic lavas of the ophiolite assemblage were contaminated by upper-crustal components (seawater or carbonate crust).

Diamonds and Other Exotic Minerals Recovered from Peridotites of the Dangqiong Ophiolite, Western Yarlung-Zangbo Suture Zone, Tibet

Various combinations of diamond, moissanite, zircon, quartz, corundum, rutile, titanite, almandine garnet, kyanite, and andalusite have been recovered from the Dangqiong peridotites. More than 80 grains of diamond have been recovered, most of which are pale yellow to reddish-orange to colorless. The grains are all 100-200 μm in size and mostly anhedral, but with a range of morphologies including elongated, octahedral and subhedral varieties. Their identification was confirmed by a characteristic shift in the Raman spectra between 1325 cm^-1 and 1333 cm^-1, mostly at 1331.51 cm^-1 or 1326.96 cm^-1. Integration of the mineralogical, petrological and geochemical data for the Dongqiong peridotites suggests a multi-stage formation for this body and similar ophiolites in the Yarlung-Zangbo suture zone. Chromian spinel grains and perhaps small bodies of chromitite crystallized at various depths in the upper mantle, and encapsulated the UHP, highly reduced and crustal minerals. Some oceanic crustal slabs containing the chromian spinel and their inclusion were later trapped in suprasubduction zones（SSZ）, where they were modified by island arc tholeiitic and boninitic magmas, thus changing the chromian spinel compositions and depositing chromitite ores in melt channels.

Geochemical Features of Ophiolite in Mianxian Lueyang Suture Zone，Qinling Orogenic Belt

The ultrahasic rocks in the Mianxian-Lueyang ophiolite belt are mainly harzburgite and dunite, and exhibit two types of REE distribution pattern: (1) LREE depletion, with remarkable Eu enrichment; (2) slight enrichment of LREE, with Eu deficiency. Both gabbros (accumulative gabbros) and diabasic dike swarms show a LREE enrichment but a slight Eu anomaly. The ratios of w (Ti) /w (V), w (Th) /w (Ta). w (Th) /w (Yb) and w (Ta) /w (Yb) indicate that the mid-ocean ridge basalts in this region originated from depleted mantle of asthenosphere, implying an association of MORB-type ophiolite and an ancient ocean basin between Qinling and Yangtze plates during Middle Paleozoic-Early Mesozoic era. The island arc volcanic rocks can be divided into tholeiitic and cafe-alkaline associations, which originated from the upper mantle wedge above slab by partial melting.

Petrology, geochemistry and geochronology of the Zhongcang ophiolite, northern Tibet: implications for the evolution of the Bangong-Nujiang Ocean

Ophiolites are widespread along the Bangong-Nujiang suture zone, northern Tibet. However, it is still debated on the formation ages and tectonic evolution process of these ophiolites. The Zhongcang ophiolite is a typical ophiolite in the western part of the Bangong-Nujiang suture zone. It is composed of serpentinized peridotite, cumulate and isotropic gabbros, massive and pillow basalts, basaltic volcanic breccia, and minor red chert. Zircon SHRIMP Ue Pb dating for the isotropic gabbro yielded weighted mean age of 163.4 ± 1.8 Ma. Positive zircon ε Hf(t) values(+15.0 to +20.2) and mantle-like σ^(18)O values(5.29 ±0.21)% indicate that the isotropic gabbros were derived from a long-term depleted mantle source. The isotropic gabbros have normal mid-ocean ridge basalt(N-MORB) like immobile element patterns with high Mg O, low TiO_2 and moderate rare earth element(REE) abundances, and negative Nb,Ti, Zr and Hf anomalies. Basalts show typical oceanic island basalt(OIB) geochemical features, and they are similar to those of OIB-type rocks of the Early Cretaceous Zhongcang oceanic plateau within the Bangong-Nujiang Ocean. Together with these data, we suggest that the Zhongcang ophiolite was probably formed by the subduction of the Bangong-Nujiang Ocean during the Middle Jurassic. The subduction of the Bangong-Nujiang Tethyan Ocean could begin in the Earlye Middle Jurassic and continue to the Early Cretaceous, and finally continental collision between the Lhasa and Qiangtang terranes at the west Bangong-Nujiang suture zone probably has taken place later than the Early Cretaceous(ca. 110 Ma).

Sensitive High Resolution Ion Micro-Probe U-Pb Zircon Geochronology and Geochemistry of Mafic Rocks from the Pulan-Xiangquanhe Ophiolite,Tibet:Constraints on the Evolution of the Neo-tethys

The Pulan-Xiangquanhe ophiolite in the western Yarlung Tsangpo suture zone of Tibet is investigated for its geochemistry,geochronology,and tectonic implications in detail.Sensitive high resolution ion micro-probe zircon U-Pb dating reveals that diabases in the ophiolite from the three locations of Xugugab,Mapam Yum Co and La＇nga Co are dated at 122.3±2.5 Ma,118.8±1.8 Ma and 120.5±1.9 Ma,respectively.These early Cretaceous mafic rocks have Na_2O＋K_2O,rare earth element patterns,trace elemental spider diagram and other geochemical fingerprints of typical mature back-arc basin affinity.Therefore,the Pulan-Xiangquanhe ophiolite formed under a mature back-arc basin environment,which was a product of this intra-oceanic subduction system.A suprasubduction system could have existed in the southern margin of Eurasia,which involved both intra-oceanic and continent-ward subductions.Extension dominated the southern margin of the Eurasian continent during the early Cretaceous.

Ophiolites from the Mianlüe Suture in the Southern Qinling and Their Relationship with the Eastern Paleotethys Evolution

The Mianlue suture extends from Derni-Nanping-Pipasi-Kangxian to the Lueyang-Mianxian area, then traverses the Bashan arcuate structure eastward to the Huashan region, and finally to the Qingshuihe area of the southern Dabie Mountains. From east to west, with a length of over 1500 km, the ophiolitic melange associations are distributed discontinuously along the suture. The rock assemblages include ophiolite, island-arc and oceanic island rock series, indicating that there existed a suture zone and a vanished paleo-ocean basin. The Mianliie paleo-ocean basin experienced its main expansion and formation process during the Carboniferous-Permian and closed totally in the Triassic. It belongs to the northern branch of the eastern paleotethys, separated from the northern margin of the Yangtze block under the paleotethys mantle dynamic system.

Exsolutions of Diopside and Magnetite in Olivine from Mantle Dunite,Luobusa Ophiolite,Tibet,China

The exsolutious of diopside and magnetite occur as intergrowth and orient within olivine from the mantle dunite, Luobusa ophiolite, Tibet. The dunite is very fresh with a mineral assemblage of olivine （〉95%） ＋ chromite （1%-4%） ＋ diopside （〈1%）. Two types of olivine are found in thin sections： one （Fo = 94） is coarse-grained, elongated with development of kink bands, wavy extinction and irregular margins; and the other （Fo = 96） is fine-grained and poly-angied. Some of the olivine grains contain minor Ca, Cr and Ni. Besides the exsolutions in olivine, three micron-size inclusions are also discovered. Analyzed through energy dispersive system （EDS） with unitary analytical method, the average compositions of the inclusions are： Na20, 3.12%-3.84%; MgO, 19.51%-23.79%; Al2O3, 9.33%-11.31%; SiO2, 44.89%-46.29%; CaO, 11.46%-12.90%; Cr2O3, 0.74%-2.29%; FeO, 4.26%- 5.27%, which is quite similar to those of amphibole. Diopside is anhedral f＇dling between olivines, or as micro-inclusions oriented in olivines. Chromite appears euhedral distributed between olivines, sometimes with apparent compositional zone. From core to rim of the chromite, Fe content increases and Cr decreases; and A! and Mg drop greatly on the rim. There is always incomplete magnetite zone around the chromite. Compared with the nodular chromite in the same section, the euhedral chromite has higher Fe3O4 and lower MgCr2O4 and MgAI2O4 end member contents, which means it formed under higher oxygen fugacity environment. With a geothermometer estimation, the equilibrium crystalline temperature is 820℃-960℃ for olivine and nodular chromite, 630℃-770℃ for olivine and euhedral chromite, and 350℃-550℃ for olivine and exsoluted magnetite, showing that the exsolutions occurred late at low temperature. Thus we propose that previously depleted mantle harzburgite reacted with the melt containing Na, Al and Ca, and produced an olivine solid solution added with Na^＋, Al^3＋, Ca^2＋, Fe^3＋, Cr^3＋. With temperature decreasing, the olivine solid solution decomposed; and Fe^3＋, Cr^3＋ diffused into magnetite and Ca^2＋ and Na^＋ into clinopyroxene, both of which formed intergrowth textures. A few Fe^3＋ and Cr^3＋ entered interstitial chromite. Through later tectonism, the peridotite recrystallized and formed deformational coarse grained olivine, fine grained and poly-angled olivine, and euhedral grained chromite. Due to the fast cooling rate of the rock or rapid tectonic emplacement, the exsolution textures in olivine and compositional zones of chromite are preserved.

Discovery and Significance of Diamonds and Moissanites in Chromitite within the Skenderbeu Massif of the Mirdita Zone Ophiolite,West Albania

In recent years diamonds and other unusual minerals （carbides, nitrides, metal alloys and native elements） have been recovered from mantle peridotites and chromitites （both high-Cr chromitites and high-Al chromitites） from a number of ophiolites of different ages and tectonic settings. Here we report a similar assemblage of minerals from the Skenderbeu massif of the Mirdita zone ophiolite, west Albania. So far, more than 20 grains of microdiamonds and 30 grains of moissanites （SIC） have been separated from the podiform chromitite. The diamonds are mostly light yellow, transparent, euhedral crystals, 200-300μm across, with a range of morphologies; some are octahedral and cuboctahedron and others are elongate and irregular. Secondary electron images show that some grains have well-developed striations. All the diamond grains have been analyzed and yielded typical Raman spectra with a shift at -1325 cm^-1. The moissanite grains recovered from the Skenderben chromitites are mainly light blue to dark blue, but some are yellow to light yellow. All the analyzed grains have typical Raman spectra with shifts at 766 cm^-1, 787 cm^-1, and 967 cm^-1. The energy spectrums of the moissanites confirm that the grains are composed entirely of silicon and carbon. This investigation expands the occurrence of diamonds and moissanites to Mesozoic ophiolites in the Neo-Tethys. Our new findings suggest that diamonds and moissanites are present, and probably ubiquitous in the oceanic mantle and can provide new perspectives and avenues for research on the origin of ophiolites and podiform chromitites.