Genesis of LCT Pegmatites during Early Paleozoic Orogeny of the North Qinling Orogenic Belt,China:Emplacement Conditions and Structural Control

The Guanpo pegmatite field in the North Qinling orogenic belt(NQB),China,hosts the most abundant LCT pegmatites.However,their emplacement conditions and structural control remain unexplored.In this contribution,we investigated it combining pegmatite orientation measurement with oxygen isotope geothermometry and fluid inclusion study.The orientations of type A1 pegmatites(P_(f)<σ_(2))are predominantly influenced by P-and T-fractures due to simple shearing in Shiziping dextral thrust shear zone during D_(2)deformation,whereas type A2 pegmatites(contemporaneous with D_(4))are governed by hydraulic fractures aligned with S_(0)and S_(0+1)stemming from fluid pressure(P_(f)<σ_(2)).Additionally,type B pegmatites(P_(f)≤σ_(2))exhibit orientations shaped by en echelon extensional fractures in local ductile shear zones(contemporaneous with D_(3)).The albite-quartz oxygen isotope geothermometry and microthermometric analysis of fluid inclusions in elbaites from the latest pegmatites(including types B and A2)suggest that the crystallization P-T for late magmatic and hydrothermal stages are 527.5-559.2℃,320℃,3.1-3.6 kbar and 2.0 kbar,respectively.Our observations along with previous studies suggest that the genesis of the LCT pegmatites was a long-term,multi-stage event during early Paleozoic orogeny(including the collision stage)of the NQB,and was facilitated by various local fractures.

Discovery of scheelite in the Zaozigou gold deposit of West Qinling Orogen,Northwest China and its implications for ore genesis

1.Objective The West Qinling Orogen extends east-west over 1500 km and is endowed with dozens of large-super large scale gold deposits.The Zaozigou gold deposit has a proven reserve of 134 t with an average grade of 3.08 g/t thus is one of the largest deposits in the West Qinling Orogen.However,whether the fluid type is metamorphic or magmatichydrothermal and ore-formation processes of the Zaozigou gold deposit are equivocal.Scheelite is a ubiquitous accessory mineral in geologically diverse ore-deposit types and attested to be a strong indicator of ore-forming conditions and oredeposit genesis.

Recognition of Ophiolite Belt and Granulite in Northern Area of Mian－Lue， Southern Qinling， China and Their Implication

A ophiolite belt associated with the tectonic melange is recoghzed in northern area of Mian-Lue, southern Qinling. The ophiolite is considered to originate in a island arc. The occurrence of the ophiolite indicates that a paleo-ocean or finite oceanic basin existed POSt-Prot6rozoic in southern Qiuling, implying the difference of the continental basement of Southern Qinling from the Yangtze craton. The ophiolitc and themelange may mark the paleo-suture zoic between the two plates. The basic granulite is found in eastern area (Anzishan) of the ophiolite belt. The p-T path for metamorphism of the granulite demonstrates a process of continental collision.

Lead Isotopic Steep-Dipping Zone and Mineralization—An Example from Mineral Deposits Concentrated Area in East Qinling,China

Lead isotopic geochemical steep-dipping zone usually exists on inhomogeneous boundaries of earth blocks. Its crossing with the geophysical gradient zone often convergently occurs at giant deposits. Deep structures or concealed structural planes obviously have the coupling relationship with the convergent area of mineral deposits. The geochemical steep-dipping zone is usually distributed along the boundary of ancient continental blocks. Its crossing effect with geophysical gradient zone is usually presented as depression or swell of Moho discontinuity on the crossing direction with the ancient continental margin, which would lead to form deep fractures of earth crust at block margins or lead to adjustment of earth crust texture. The deep hydrothermal liquid would rise up along the structural planes to form the convergent areas of mineral deposits. For example, Luonan- Luanchuan area in east Qinling is a typical crossed area of the geochemical steepdipping zone and geophysical gradient zone. The mineral deposit belt extends along EW direction. It was controlled by the geochemical steepdipping zone equidistantly distributed along NE direction like a string of beads controlled by a gravity gradient zone in NE direction and a mantle depression slope. Along a plunging mantle syncline on EW plunging direction, from the east to the west, checkform was distributed which controls synergic crustmantle granoporphyry rocks. Therefore, a convergent mineralization area of Mo, W, Zn and Au giant deposits occurred.

Application of "3S" Technology in Ecological Environment Protection Area of Qinling

On the basis of briefly introduction of the status of eco-environmental protection work in Qinling,remote sensing,geographic information systems,global positioning system (short for '3S' technology) in the construction of eco-environmental protection information in Qinling,especially in the application of eco-environmental investigation,eco-environmental monitoring,environmental quality evaluation,were described in this study.Meanwhile,the existing problems and countermeasures for the application '3S' technology in the eco-environmental protection were also summarized.

Winter diet and digestive tract of the Golden Pheasant(Chrysolophus pictus) in the Qinling Mountains,China

The winter diet and morphological structure of the gastrointestinal tract of the Golden Pheasant(Chrysolophus pictus) was investigated in the Qinling Mountains,Shaanxi Province in 2002/2003.Individual food items in crops were identified by species,where possible,using standard taxonomic methods.The Golden Pheasant consumes exclusively vegetarian foods in the winter,of at least 14 plant species,such as crops and other vegetable species.The digestive tract of the Golden Pheasant is composed of an oesophagus,a stomach,a relatively long intestine measuring 3.4 × standard body length,two fully-developed caeca and a relatively short colon,typical for herbivorous birds.Pebbles of different sizes(0.5-3 mm in diameter) were very frequent in the gizzard.The average dry weight of the pebbles was 10.4±2.5 g and was positively correlated with the weight of digesta in the gizzard(Pearson r = 0.747,p < 0.01,n = 37).The mucosa surface pH of the digestive tract of the Golden Pheasant was slightly acidic,but higher in the crop and gizzard.

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.

GIS-Based Assessment of Land Suitability for Optimal Allocation in the Qinling Mountains, China

A GIS-based method was used to assess land suitability in the Qinling Mountains, Shaanxi Province of China through simultaneous consideration of physical features and current land use. Through interpretation of Landsat TM images and extensive field visits the area was modeled into 40 land types in five altitudinal zones (valleys and gullies, hillsides and terraces, foothills, mid-mountain, and sub-alpine mountain). Then, a suitability score was assigned to five physical factors (climate, hydrology, topography, soil, and vegetation). Next, their integrated overall suitability value scores were compared with the observed land cover to determine whether it should be reallocated a new use. Results showed that the five suitability classes of agriculture, forest, grassland, farmland-woodland, and scrub-pasture had altitudinal stratification and a total of 1151 km2 (8.89%) of lands on the northern slopes of the Qinling Mountains had to be reallocated. To achieve this reallocation, 657 km2 of arable land should be reduced, and forest, grassland and scrub-pasture increased by 615 km2, 131 km2 and 405 km2, respectively. Implementation of these recommended land reallocations should help achieve suitable use of land resources and prevent land degradation.

Re-Os Dating of Molybdenite from the Nannihu Mo (-W) Orefield in the East Qinling and Its Geodynamic Significance

Located in the East Qinling molybdenum metallogenic belt on the southern margin of the North China craton, the Nannihu Mo (-W) orefield comprising Nannihu, Sandaozhuang, and Shangfanggou deposits is a superlarge skarn-porphyry Mo (-W) orefield in the world. Re-Os dating was performed of six molybdenite samples from the Mo deposits in the Nannihu Mo orefield with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results show that the Re-Os model ages are 145.8±2.1-141.8±2.1 Ma for the Nannihu deposit, 145.4±2.0-144.5±2.2 Ma (averaging 145.0±2.2 Ma) for the Sandaozhuang deposit and 145.8±2.1-143.8±2.1 Ma (averaging 144.8±2.1 Ma) for the Shangfanggou deposit; dating of the six samples yields an isochron age of 141.5±7.8 Ma (2σ), which accurately determines the timing of mineralization. The results also suggest that the ore-forming materials were mainly derived from the lower crust, mixed with minor mantle components. These Mo deposits were formed during the transition of the Mesozoic tectonic regime in eastern China, and its mineralization was a part of the Late Mesozoic large-scale mineralization in that region.

Zircon LA-ICP MS U-Pb Age,Sr-Nd-Pb Isotopic Compositions and Geochemistry of the Triassic Post-collisional Wulong Adakitic Granodiorite in the South Qinling,Central China,and Its Petrogenesis

The Indosinian post-collisional Wulong pluton intruded into the Mesoproterozoic Fuping Group, South Qinling, central China. In the southern part of the pluton, some mafic enclaves have sharp or gradational contact relationships with the host biotite granodiorite. Geochemistry, zircon LA-ICP MS （laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry） U-Pb chronology and Sr- Nd-Pb isotope geochemistry of the pluton are reported in this paper. The biotite granodiorite shows close compositional similarities to high-silica adakite. Its chondrite-normalized REE patterns are characterized by strong HREE depletion （Yb = 0.33--0.96 10-6 and Y = 4.77-11.19 ×10^-6）, enrichment of Ba （775-1386 x 10-6） and Sr （643-1115 × 10^-6） and high Sr/Y （57.83-159.99） and Y/Yb （10.99-14.32） ratios, as well as insignificant Eu anomalies （6Eu = 0.70-0.83）, suggesting a feldspar-poor, garnet±amphibole-rich residual mineral assemblage. The mafic enclaves have higher MgO （4.15- 8.13%）, Cr （14.79-371.31 × 10-6）, Ni （20.00-224.24× 10^-6） and Nb/Ta （15.42-21.91） than the host granodiorite, implying that they are mantle-derived and might represent underplated mafic magma. Zircon LA-ICP MS dating of the granodiorite yields a ^206pb/^238U weighted mean age of 208±2 Ma （MSWD=0.50, 1σ）, which is the age of emplacement of the host biotite granodiorite. This age indicates that the Wulong pluton formed during the late-orogenic or post-collisional stage （〈242±21 Ma） of the South Qinling belt. The host biotite granodiorite displays ^87Sr/^86Sr = 0.7059-0.7062, Isr = 0.7044-- 0.7050,^143Nd/^144Nd = 0.51236-0.51238, εNd（t）= -2.26 to -2.66 to ^206Pb/^204pb = 18.099-18.209, ^207pb/^204pb = 15.873-15.979 and ^208pb/^204pb = 38.973-39.430. Those ratios are similar to those of the Mesoproterozoic Yaolinghe Group in the South Qinling. Furthermore, its Nd isotopic model age （-1.02 Ga） is consistent with the age （-1.1 Ga） of the Yaolinghe Group. Based on the integrated geological and geochemical studies, coupled with previous studies, the authors suggest that the Wulong adakitic biotite granodiorite was probably generated by dehydration melting of the Yaolinghe Group-like thickened mafic crust, triggered by underplating of mafic magma at the boundary of the thickened mafic crust and hot lithospheric mantle, and that the Wulong adakitic biotite granodiorite may have resulted from thinning and delamination of the lower crust or breakoff of the subducting slab of the Mianlue ocean during the Indosinian post-collisional orogenic stage of the Qinling orogenic belt.

Determination of the Neoproterozoic Shicaogou Syn-collisional Granite in the Eastern Qinling Mountains and Its Geological Implications

The Shicaogou granite has been identified as a magnesian (Fe-number=0.71-0.76), calcic to calc-alkalic (MALI=3.84-5.76) and peraluminous (ASI=1.06-1.13) granite of the syn-collisional S-type, with high SiO2(>71%), A12O3 (>13%) and Na2O+K2O (6.28%-7.33%, equal for NaO2 and K2O). Trace element and REE analyses show that the granite is rich in LILE such as of Rb, Sr, Ba and Th, and poor in HFSE like Yb, Y, Zr and Hf. Its Rb/Sr ratio is greater than 1; the contents of Nb and Ta, and the ratio of Nb/Ta as well as the REE geochemical features (e.g. REE abundance, visible fractionation of LREE and HREE and medium to pronounced negative Eu anomalies) are all similar to those of crust-origin, continent-continent syn-collisional granite. Moreover, the granite exhibits almost the same pattern as that of the typical continent-continent syn-collisional granite on the spider diagram and all samples fall within the syn-collisional granite field.The cathodoluminescence (CL) investigations have revealed that the zircon from the Shicaogou granite represents a typical magmatic product characterized by its colorless, transparent and euhedral crystals, and distinct zoning of oscillatory bands. Residual cores of irregular zircon can be found in a few enhedral grains. Trace element studies of the zircon grains, with high contents of P, Y, Hf, Th, U and REE and high ratios of Th/U, obviously positive Ce anomalies and HREE enrichment compared to LREE, also result in the same conclusion.The LA-ICP-MS U-Pb isotopic data from 24 spots of 21 zircon grains demonstrate that 20 spots in the oscillatory zone yield an average weighted 206Pb/238U age of 925±11 Ma, indicating that the Shicaogou granite was formed in the Neoproterozoic. Combined with other Neoproterozoic syn-collisional granites found in the study area, the present geochronological determination can further reveal that collision-amalgamation events could have occurred among some continental blocks in the Qinling orogenic belt during the Neoproterozoic. This in turn provides an accurate chronological constraint on the Neoproterozoic break-up and convergence in the belt.

Re-Os and U-Pb Geochronology of the Erlihe Pb-Zn Deposit,Qinling Orogenic Belt,Central China,and Constraints on Its Deposit Genesis

The Erlihe Pb-Zn deposit is an important mine of the Pb-Zn metallogenic zone in the South Qinling Orogen.It has been considered a sedimentary exhalative deposit in previous investigations because the ore body occurs concordantly at the transitional location of an upright fold.Re and Os isotopic analyses for paragenetic pyrites with sphalerite and galena from the ore body have been used to determine the timing of mineralization and to trace the source of metallogenic materials.The Re-Os isotopic data of four pyrite samples construct an isochron,yielding a weighted average age of 226±17 Ma（mean square weighted deviation=1.7）,which is considered the main mineralization age.A dioritic porphyrite vein sample,showing weaker mineralization,was also dated using the SHRIMP zircon UPb isotopic method to constrain the youngest metallogenic age of the ore deposit,because it distributes along a group of tensional joints cutting not only the upright fold in the deposit field,but also the main ore bodies.The dioritic porphyrite sample yields a weighted mean ^（206）Pb/^（238）U age of 221±3 Ma,which is slightly younger than the Re-Os isotopic isochron age of the pyrites,considered as the upper age limit of the mineralization,namely the ending age of the mineralization.The Os isotopic compositions of sulfide minerals distribute within a range between Os isotopic compositions of the crust and the mantle, indicating that the ore deposit can be derived from magma-related fluid,and the metallogenic materials are most likely derived from the mixing source of the crust and the mantle.The Erlihe Pb-Zn deposit and associated dioritic porphyrite vein,important records of Qinling tectonic-magmatism-mineralization activities,were formed during the Triassic collisional orogeny processes.

^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar Thermochronological Constraints on the Timing of Collisional Orogeny in the Mian-Lite Collision Belt,Southern Qinling Mountains

Silurian, Devonian and Carboniferous geological bodies in the Mianxian-Lueyang (Mian-Lue) collisional belt (MLB) and its neighbouring areas, southern Qinling Mountains, China, show similar characteristics of having undergone deformation of two stages. The earlier one, which is inferred to be related to collisional orogeny between the Yangtze and Sino-Korean palaeocontinents based on previous geological data, is responsible for large-scale, north-verging recumbent folds and overthrusts, and associated with low greenschist fades metamorphism. 40Ar/39Ar dating of three muscovite samples taken from different localities yields plateau ages of 226.9±0.9 and 219.5±1.4 Ma and an apparent age of 194.5±3.0 Ma. Thus, the late Triassic collision between the Yangtze and Sino-Korean palaeocontinents has been constrained.

Petrogenesis of Indosinian Granitoids in Middle-Segment of South Qinling Tectonic Belt:Constraints from Sr-Nd Isotopic Systematics

South Qinling Tectonic Belt（SQTB）is located between the Shangzhou-Danfeng and Mianxian-Lueyang sutures.There are a lot of early Mesozoic granitoid plutons in its middle segment, comprising the Dongjiangkou-Zhashui granitoid plutons at the northeast,Huayang-Wulong-Laocheng granitoid plutons at the central part,Xiba granitoid pluton at the northwest and Guangtoushan-Liuba granitoid plutons at the southwest.These Indonisian granitoids contain a mass of various scale mafic enclaves,which show sometimes clear boundaries and sometimes transitional boundaries with their host granitoids.These granitoids also exhibit metaluminous to peraluminous series,commonly higher Mg# and a wide range of petrochemistry from low-K tholeiite series,through mid-K and high-K calc-alkaline series to shoshonite series and predominated samples are attributed to mid-K and high-K calc-alkaline series.Detailed analyses in Sr-Nd isotopic systematics and petrochemistry reveal that there may be regionally initial granitoid magma of the Indonisian granitoid plutons,comprising Dongjiangkou-Zhashui,Huayang-Wulong-Laocheng,Xiba,and Guangtoushan-Liuba granitoid plutons,which were produced by hybrids of magmas in various degrees,and the initial magmas were derived from both the mantle and the lower continental crust（LCC）sources in the SQTB.The initial granitoid magma further did the magma hybrid with the magmas from the LCC,crystallization fractionation,and assimilation with upper crustal materials during their emplacement to produce these granitoid plutons in the SQTB.These magmatism processes are most likely to occur under continent marginal arc and syn-collision to post-collision tectonic backgrounds.

U-Pb Zircon Geochronology and Geochemistry of Granitoids in the Douling Group in the Eastern Qinling

LA-ICPMS U-Pb zircon dating of the Sanpinggou, Gangou and Fengzishan granitoids in the Douling Group of the Eastern Qinling yields ages of 760-685 Ma, which represents a strong tectono-magmatic event in the southern Qinling during the late Neoproterozoic. Geochemical data show that these intrusions have wide compositions ranging from minor gabbros through diorites to granodiorites. They are relatively enriched in LILE, poor in HFSE and strongly depleted in Nb and Ta, displaying affinities of Ⅰ-type granites formed in an active continental margin with oceanic subduction. In contrast to granitoids, gabbros and enclaves in the granitoids have higher REE abundances, relatively flat REE patterns, lower LILE, slightly higher HFSE and more depletion in Nb and Ta. All these suggest that the gabbros were formed by partial melting of the upper mantle above the subduction zone and the granitoids by the partial melting of the lower crust. Combined with regional geological data, the subduction-related granitoids in the Douling Group, together with the Tuwushan A-type granite with an age of 725 Ma and contemporaneous basic dikes in the Wudang Block, provide evidence for local subduction of oceanic basins between different blocks during the rifting in the Southern Qinling in the Neoproterozoic. Thus, the coexistences of various magmatic rocks formed in different tectonic environments indicate a complicated tectonic evolution and variety of tectonic frameworks in the Qinling area in the Neoproterozoic.

Kinematic History and Changes in the Tectonic Stress Regime during the Cenozoic along the Qinling and Southern Tanlu Fault Zones

Since the mid-late Eocene, North China has been subjected to extensional stress, resulting in the formation and development of basins. The dynamic origin of this crustal extension has long been an issue of debate. This paper presents the results of kinematic analyses of faults obtained from two seperated areas in North China. In the Weihe graben situated on the southernmost margin of the Ordos block, analyses of fault kinematics were coupled with an analysis of the basin's subsidence history. Three successive extensional tectonic phases accompaning the basin's formation and development have been distinguished. The Palaeogene extension was oriented in a WNW-ESE direction; the Neogene extension in a NE-SW direction and the Pliocene-Quaternary extension in a NW-SE direction. Such changes have also been recorded by fault kinematics along the southern Tanlu fault zone. This has been demonstrated by three successive sets of fault striations indicating normal dip slip resulting from NW-SE extension, then left-lateral slip with a normal component resulting from NE-SW extension, and right-lateral slip with a minor normal component, respectively. The kinematic history of faults and their chronological evolution indicate changes in continental dynamics acting in North China over Cenozoic time.

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.

Ages of the Laocheng Granitoids and Crustal Growth in the South Qinling Tectonic Domain,Central China:Zircon U-Pb and Lu-Hf Isotopic Constraints

The Laocheng granitoid pluton is located in the South Qinling tectonic domain of the Qinling orogenic belt,southern Shaanxi Province,and consists chiefly of quartz diorite,granodiorite and monzogranite.A LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb isotopic dating,in conjunction with cathodoluminescence images,reveals that the quartz diorite and granodiorite were emplaced from 220 Ma to 216 Ma,while the monzogranite was emplaced at～210 Ma.In-situ zircon Hf isotopic analyses show that theε_（Hf）（t） values of the quartz diorite and granodiorite range from-8.1 to ＋1.3,and single-stage Hf model ages from 809 Ma to 1171 Ma,while theε_（Hf）（t）values of the monzogranite are-14.5 to ＋16.7 and single-stage Hf model ages from 189 Ma to 1424 Ma.These Hf isotopic features reveal that the quartz diorite, granodiorite and monzogranite were formed from the mixing of the magmas derived from partial melting of the depleted mantle and the lower continent crustal materials,and there were two stages of continental crust growth during the Neoproterozoic（～800 Ma）and Indosinian（～210 Ma）eras, respectively,in the south Qinling tectonic domain of the Qinling orogrnic belt,Central China.

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.

Geochemical Characteristics and LA-ICP-MS Zircon U-Pb Dating of Amphibolites in the Songshugou Ophiolite in the Eastern Qinling

Geochemical studies on the arnphibolites in the Songshugou ophiolite from Shangnan County, Shaanxi Province demonstrate that the protolith of the amphibolites is tholeiitic. The arnphibolites can be classified into two groups according to their REE patterns and trace element features. Rocks of the first group are depleted in LREE while rocks of the second group are slightly depleted in LREE or flat from LREE to HREE without significant Eu anomaly. The first group of rocks have (La/Yb)N=0.33-0.55, (La/Sm)N= 0.45-0.65, and their La/Nb, Ce/Zr, Zr/Nb, Zr/Y and Ti/Y ratios are averaged at 1.20, 0.12, 31.02, 2.92 and 198, respectively, close to those of typical N-MORB. The second group of rocks have (La/Yb)N=0.63-0.95, (La/ Sm)N = 0.69--0.90, and their average La/Nb, Ce/Zr, Zr/Nb, Zr/Y and Ti/Y ratios are 0.82, 0.83, 1.15, 0.16, 19.00, 2.58 and 225, respectively, which lie between those of typical N-MORB and E-MORB but closer to the former. The two groups of rocks both exhibit flat patterns from Th to Yb in the highly incompatible elements spider diagram, but the first group of rocks have lower element abundances than the modern N-MORB, indicating a derivation of their mantle source from more depleted mantle source than the present N-MORB. The abundances of Th, Ta, Nb, La and Ce in the second group of rocks are slightly higher than those of the present N-MORB, and other elements, such as Hf, Zr, Sm, Ti, Y and Yb, are close to those of the N-MORB, indicating that the original magma was derived from depleted mantle but mixed with the enriched mantle. These characteristics, combined with the regional geology and previous studies, provide further evidence that the mafic-ultramafic rocks have the features of a typical ophiolite.Zircon grains from the amphibolite are generally rounded, and in most of them a distinguishable core-mantle texture is preserved as shown in the cathodoluminescence (CL) images. The core or core-mantle parts of the zircon grains are also rounded, same as those in basalts from other regions of the world. The LA-ICP-MS trace element and U-Pb isotopic analyses show that the zircon grains from the amphibolites are similar to the typical magmatic zircon in terms of their very low U and Th contents (62.36-0.10 μg/g and 78.47-0.003 μg/g, respectively). Seven pits from the core and core-mantle parts of the zircon grains yielded an average weighted 206Pb/ 238U age of 973±35 (2σ) Ma with the Th/U ratios range from 0.01 to 8.38 and mostly greater than 0.23. This age is consistent within the error range with the whole-rock Sm-Nd isochron age of 1030±46 Ma for the same kind of rocks reported by Dong et al. (1997a). In a combined analysis with the zircon positions on the CL images and the corresponding Th/U ratios, the age of 973±35 Ma is probably the formation age of tholeiite, the protolith of the Songshugou amphibolite. The geochronological determination gives further evidence that the Songshugou ophiolite was formed during the Neoproterozoic. In addition, there is one pit from the rim of a zircon grain giving a 206Pb/ 238U age of 5721199 (1σ) Ma with a Th/U ratio of 0.08. It may represent the age of the accretionary zircon in the amphibolite-facies metamorphism.