Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Xingxingxia Triassic A-type Granites in Central Tianshan,NW China:Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

The Triassic granitoids in Central Tianshan play a key role in determining the petrogenesis and tectonic evolution on the southern margin of the Central Asian orogenic belt.In this study,we present SHRIMP zircon U-Pb ages,Hf isotopic and geochemical data on the Xingxingxia biotite granite,amazonite granite and granitic pegmatite in Central Tianshan,NW China.Zircon U-Pb dating yielded formation ages of 242 Ma for the biotite granite and 240 Ma for the amazonite granite.These granitoid rocks have high K_(2)O with low MgO and CaO contents.They are enriched in Nb,Ta,Hf and Y,while being depleted in Ba and Sr,showing flat HREE patterns and negative Eu anomalies.They have typical A-type granite geochemical signatures with high Ga/A_(1)(8–13)and TFeO/(TFeO+MgO)ratios,showing an A_(2) affinity for biotite granite and an A_(1) affinity for amazonite granite and granitic pegmatite.Zircon ε_(Hf)(t)values of the granitoids are 0.45–2.66,with Hf model ages of 0.99–1.17 Ga.This suggests that these A-type granites originated from partial melting of the lower crust.We propose that Xingxingxia Triassic A-type granites formed under lithospheric extension from post-orogenic to anorogenic intraplate settings and NE-trending regional strike-slip fault-controlled magma emplacement in the upper crust.

Geochronology and Geochemistry of Early Cretaceous A-type Granites in Central-Eastern Inner Mongolia,China:Implications for Late Mesozoic Tectonic Evolution of the Southern Great Xing'an Range

The southern Great Xing'an Range is the most critical Sn-polymetallic metallogenic belt in northeast China.However,the tectonic setting of the Early Cretaceous magmatic-metallogenic”flare-up“event remains uncertain.This paper presents an integrated study on the occurrence,petrology,zircon U-Pb ages,whole-rock geochemistry,and in situ zircon Hf isotopes for Wenduerchagan granites of Xi Ujimqin Banner,central-eastern Inner Mongolia.These granites consist primarily of granite porphyry(with ages of 137±1 Ma and 138±1 Ma)and(porphyritic)alkali feldspar granite(with an age of 141±2 Ma),corresponding to the early Early Cretaceous.They are A-type granites characterized by high silicon,alkali,and TFeO/MgO contents while being depleted of Ba,Nb,Ta,Sr,P,and Ti.They show right-dipping trend rare-earth element distribution characteristics with negative Eu anomalies(Eu/Eu^(*)=0.01-0.20)and weak heavy rare-earth element fractionation((Gd/Yb)_(N)=0.77-2.30).They demonstrate homogeneous zircon Hf isotopic compositions(positiveε_(Hf)(t)values from+5.3 to+7.1 and young two-stage Hf model ages of 851-742 Ma)and high zircon saturation temperatures(av.810℃).These geochemical characteristics indicate that Wenduerchagan granites originated from the partial melting of juvenile crust under high-temperature and low-pressure conditions.Wenduerchagan granites most likely formed in a post-collisional compression-extension transition regime caused by the closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean,when combined with regional geology.Such a transition regime can probably be attributed to the upwelling of the asthenospheric mantle caused by the break-off of a subducted Mongol-Okhotsk oceanic slab.Upwelling asthenospheric mantle provided sufficient energy and favorable tectonic conditions for magmatism and mineralization of the Early Cretaceous.

Peraluminous A-type granites formed through synchronous fractionation,magma mixing,mingling,and undercooling:evidence from microgranular enclaves and host Mesoproterozoic Kanigiri granite pluton,Nellore Schist Belt,southeast India

The field and microstructural features coupled with mineral chemical data from microgranular enclave(ME)and host Mesoproterozoic Kanigiri granite(KG)pluton of Nellore Schist Belt(NSB),Southeastern India,have been documented in order to infer the likely processes responsible for the origin and evolution of ME and host KG magma.The ME and host KG bear the same mineral assemblages barring the KG which does not contain amphibole;however,they are modally disequilibrated.The ME in KG is originated due to multiple intrusions of ME magmas into the crystallizing host KG magma chamber.Field and textural features indicate the dynamic magma flow,mingling,and undercooling of the ME against a relatively cooler surface of host KG magma.The presence of NSB country rock xenoliths and its diffuse boundaries suggest the intrusive relation and marginal assimilation by the intruding KG magma.The occasional cumulate texture in the ME appears to have formed by the accumulation of early-formed minerals that crystallized rapidly in the ME magma globules.The ME shows the magmatically deform features developed due to the flowage and erosion by the subsequent intrusions of ME magma pulses into the crystallizing host KG magma chamber.The ME amphiboles show unusual composition as ferro-edenitic hornblende to potassian-hastingsitic hornblende,that crystallized in the subalkaline-alkaline transition,low fO_(2)(reducing to mildly oxidizing)magma.The unusual extremely low Mg/Mg+Fe^(t)=0.015(avg.)of ME amphiboles may be related to the changing physico-chemical(P,T,fO_(2),and H_(2)O)condition of the ME magma or they might have crystallized in equilibrium with more evolved KG magma.The KG(FeOt/MgO=37.04,avg.)and ME(FeO~t/MgO=77.72,avg.)biotites are siderophyllite,and buffered between QFM and NNO syn-crystallizing in the water undersaturated(H_(2O)≈3.58 wt.%in KG;≈3.53wt.%in ME),alkaline anorogenic(A-type)host magmas that were emplaced at mid-crustal(4–5 kbar;17 km)depth.Field,microtextural and mineral chemical evidences suggest that the alkaline KG magma originated from crustal source and evolved through synchronous fractionation,mixing,and mingling with coeval ME magmas in the KG magma chamber.

The Silurian A-Type Granites in Northeastern Guangxi,South China Block:New Evidence of Transition from Compression to Post-orogenic Extension of the Kwangsian Orogen

Objective More and more evidence suggests that the Kwangsian orogen is probably an intraplate orogen, which is one of the few examples of intraplate orogenesis worldwide. However, the initiation time, size and scope of the Kwangsian orogeny have not been determined yet. This study analyzed the Silurian A-type granites in northeastern Guangxi, South China Block, which may provide new evidence for the transition from compression to post- orogenic extension of the Kwangsian orogen.

Petrogenesis and Mineralization of Two-Stage A-Type Granites in Jiuyishan,South China:Constraints from Whole-rock Geochemistry, Mineral Composition and Zircon U-Pb-Hf Isotopes

The Jiuyishan complex massif,located in the northern section of the Nanling region,is a combination of five plutons,namely,the Xuehuading,Jinjiling,Pangxiemu,Shaziling and Xishan plutons.Whole-rock geochemistry,Imineral electron microprobe analysis,zircon U-Pb dating and Hf isotope analysis were carried out for the Jinjiling and Pangxiemu plutons.The zircon U-Pb dating yields weighted mean ages of 152.9±0.9 Ma for the Jinjiling pluton and 151.7±1.5 Ma for the Pangxiemu pluton,with a narrow gap between them.The Jinjiling and Pangxiemu plutons both have geochemical characteristics of high SiO2,Al2 O3,Na2 O,K2 O and low TiO2,MgO,CaO,P2 O5 contents,with intense depletions in Sr,Ba,Ti,Eu and enrichments in Ga,FeoOT and HFSE,and these characteristics reflect an A-type affinity.From the Jinjiling to the Pangxiemu plutons,the mineral composition of mica changes from lepidomelane to zinnwaldite,with increases in F,Li2 O and Rb2 O contents.The mineral composition of zircon changes from low Zr/Hf to high Zr/Hf,with increasing HfO2,P2 O5 and UO2+ThO2+Y2 O3 contents.The mineral compositions of feldspar indicate that the Pangxiemu pluton contains more alkali feldspar than the Jinjiling pluton.The whole-rock geochemistry and mineral compositions reveal a higher degree of differentiation for the Pangxiemu pluton.The nearly uniformεHf(t)indicates the same source region for the two plutons:both were derived from partial melting of the lower crust,with small contributions of mantle materials.In addition,higher F,lower Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf ratios in the Pangxiemu Pluton suggest a closer relationship with the rare metal mineralization than for the Jinjiling pluton.

Early Cretaceous A-type Granites in the Dandong Area,NE China and its Geodynamical Implications

A-type granites,as an important petrologic sign to build up environmental recognition,were mainly formed in extensional tectonic settings.A biotite syenogranite from the Fenghuangshan pluton in Dandong,Liaoning Province gave SHRIMP zircon U-Pb ages of 122.5±1.6 Ma,124.9±1.7 Ma and 126.9±1.1 Ma.The monzogranites have SHRIMP zircon U-Pb ages of 118.2±1.6 Ma,128.1±1.7 Ma and 131.6±1.9 Ma,giving an emplacement age for the pluton in the Early Cretaceous.SiO_(2) is 65.48-74.49 wt%,whereas that of K_(2)O is 4.16-6.44 wt%,and that of Na_(2)O is 2.99-4.70 wt%.They also contain 13.24-15.76 wt% of Al_(2)O_(3),with an A/CNK ratio of 0.92-1.10,averaging 1.02.The alkalinity rate(AR)ranges from 2.68 to 5.12,and this range is within the AR of peraluminous type rocks.The granites of Fenghuangshan pluton are characterized by high contents of Na and K and low contents of Ca(thermophile element)and Mg,which are features of A-type granites.The(Na_(2)O+K_(2)O)-Fe_(2)O_(3)^(*)×5-(CaO+MgO)×5 discrimination diagram also shows that Fenghuangshan pluton is an A2-type granite.The above granite has zircon ε_(Hf)(t)values ranging from-17.06 to-9.09,with single-stage Hf model ages(T_(DM))of 1141 Ma to 1498 Ma and two-stage Hf crustal model ages(T_(DM)^(C))of 1762 Ma to 2263Ma.A comprehensive analysis suggests that the Fenghuangshan pluton might have been formed from the lithospheric-plate sliding during the late stages of evolution of hot rift structures and might have been closely associated with the tectonic settings of Mesozoic Eurasia and the ancient Pacific Plate.

Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications of A-type Granites in Zhaheba in the East Junggar Region of Xinjiang,China:Evidence from Geochronology,Geochemistry and Sr-Nd Isotopic Compositions

The magma source,petrogenesis,tectonic setting and geochronology of the late Paleozoic A-type granites widely exposed in the Zhaheba area,East Junggar,have thus far not been well-constrained.A better understanding of these issues will help to reveal the magmatic processes and continental growth of Central Asia.The A-type granites in Zhaheba include the Ashutasi alkaline granites and the Yuyitasi syenogranites,which were emplaced at 321.5±4.8 Ma and 321.7±0.6 Ma,respectively.The major rock-forming minerals are orthoclase,perthite,arfvedsonite and quartz,which exhibit the following principal geochemical characteristics of A2-type granites.(1)Their REE distribution curves each exhibit a‘V’-shaped pattern and a marked depletion in Eu.They are rich in large-ion lithophile elements Rb,Th and U as well as high-field-strength elements Nb,Ta,Zr and Hf,but significantly depleted in Ba,Sr,P and Ti.(2)Their(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)i values(0.7021-0.7041),εNd(t)values(4.57-5.16)and REE distribution patterns are in basic agreement with those of the Kalamaili A-type granite belt in East Junggar.The T DM2 values of the alkaline granites and syenogranites range from 661 to 709 Ma.The A-type granites may be the products of upwelling asthenosphere-triggered partial melting of immature lower crust.The alkaline granites were late-stage products of crystallization and differentiation.Compared to the syenogranites,the alkaline granites are significantly lower in K_(2)O,Na_(2)O,Al_(2)O 3,FeO,MgO and CaO,but significantly higher in incompatible elements(e.g.,SiO_(2),Rb,and Sr).The magmatic crystallization temperatures of the syenogranites and alkaline granites are 874℃ and 819℃,respectively.As their age gradually decreases(peak ages:322 Ma and 307 Ma,respectively),there is a gradual decrease in the T_(DM2)of the A-type granites and a gradual increase in theεNd(t)value from the Ulungur belt to the Kalamaili belt in East Junggar.The study of A-type granites is therefore one of the keys to understanding the laws and mechanisms of crustal accretion during the Phanerozoic period,as well as also being of great significance for understanding the Paleozoic accretion.

Age and geochemistry of Early Ordovician A-type granites in the Northeastern Songnen Block,NE China

Early Ordovician A-type granites in the northeastern(NE) Songnen Block NE China were studied to better understand the geodynamic settings in this region.This research presents new zircon U–Pb ages and wholerock geochemical data for the Early Ordovician granites in the NE Songnen Block. Zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the granite in the Cuibei, Hongxing, and Meixi areas in the NE Songnen Block formed in the Early Ordovician with ages of 471–479 Ma. The granites show geochemical characteristics of high SiO2 and K2 O compositions and low FeOT, MgO, CaO, and P2 O5 compositions. They belong to a high K calc-alkaline series and display a weak peraluminous featurPe with A/CNK values of 0.98–1.14. The rocks have aREE composition of 249.98–423.94 ppm,and are enriched in LREE with(La/Yb)Nvalues of2.87–9.87, and display obvious Eu anomalies(d Eu =0.01–0.29). Trace elements of the studied granites are characterized by enrichment in Rb, Th, U, Pb, Hf, and Sm,and depletion of Ba, Nb, Ta, and Sr. They display geochemical features of high Zr +Y + Nb+Ce values(324–795 ppm) and Ga/Al ratios consistent with A-type granites. Based on particular geochemical features, such as high Rb/Nb(7.98–24.19) and Y/Nb(1.07–3.43), the studied A-type granites can be further classified as an A2-type subgroup. This research indicates that the Early Ordovician A-type granites were formed by the partial melting of ancient crust in an extensional setting. Lower Sr/Y and(Ho/Yb)Nratios indicate that plagioclase and amphibole are residual in the source, and garnet is absent, implying that the magma was generated at low levels of pressure. By contrast, the contemporaneous granites in the SE Xing'an Block suggest a subduction-related tectonic setting, and its adakitic property indicates a thickened continental crust.We suggest that the Paleo-Asian Ocean plate between the Xing'an and Songnen blocks subducted northward during the Early Ordovician. Meanwhile, the NE Songnen Block was exposed to a passive continental margin tectonic setting.

A-type granites induced by a breaking-off and delamination of the subducted Junggar oceanic plate,West Junggar,Northwest China

The A-type granites with highly positiveε_(Nd)(t)values in the West Junggar,Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB),have long been perceived as a group formed under the same tectonic and geodynamic setting,magmatic sourceq and petrogenetic model.Geological evidence shows that these granites occurred at two different tectonic units related to the southeastern subduction of Junggar oceanic plate:the Hongshan and Karamay granites emplaced in the southeast of West Junggar in the Baogutu continental arc;whereas the Akebasitao and Miaoergou granites formed in the accretionary prism.Here the authors present new bulk-rock geochemistry and Sr-Nd isotopes,zircon U-Pb ages and Hf-O isotopes data on these granites.The granites in the Baogutu continental arc and accretionary prism contain similar zirconε_(Hf)(t)values(+10.9 to+16.2)and bulk-rock geochemical characteristics(high SiO_(2)and K_(2)O contents,enriched LILEs(except Sr),depleted Sr,Ta and Ti,and negative anomalies in Ce and Eu).The Hongshan and Karamay granites in the Baogutu continental arc have older zircon U-Pb ages(315-305 Ma)and moderate^(18)O enrichments(δ^(18)_(O_(zircon))=+6.41‰-+7.96‰);whereas the Akebasitao and Miaoergou granites in the accretionary prism have younger zircon U-Pb ages(305-301 Ma)with higher^(18)O enrichments(δ^(18)_(O_(zircon))=+8.72‰-+9.89‰).The authors deduce that the elevated^(18)O enrichments of the Akebasitao and Miaoergou granites were probably inherited from low-temperature altered oceanic crusts.The Akebasitao and Miaoergou granites were originated from partial melting of low-temperature altered oceanic crusts with juvenile oceanic sediments below the accretionary prism.The Hongshan and Karamay granites were mainly derived from partial melting of basaltic juvenile lower crust with mixtures of potentially chemical weathered ancient crustal residues and mantle basaltic melt(induced by hot intruding mantle basaltic magma at the bottom of the Baogutu continental arc).On the other hand,the Miaoergou charnockite might be sourced from a deeper partial melting reservoir under the accretionary prism,consisting of the low-temperature altered oceanic crust,juvenile oceanic sediments,and mantle basaltic melt.These granites could be related to the asthenosphere's counterflow and upwelling,caused by the break-off and delamination of the subducted oceanic plate beneath the accretionary prism Baogutu continental arc in a post-collisional tectonic setting.

Genesis of A-type Granites in the East Junggar, Xinjiang and Growth of Continental Crust——Evidence from Geochronological and Sr-Nd Isotopic Compositions

The magma source,petrogenesis,tectonic setting and its geochronology of the Late Paleozoic A-type granites,which widely exposed in Zhaheba area,East Junggar,have not been well constrained so far(Fig.1 a,b).A better understanding of above issues will help us to reveal the magmatic processes and the continental growth of Central Asia(Xiao et al.,2009).

The Petrological and Geochemical Evolution of Ediacaran Rare-Metal Bearing A-type Granites from the Jabal Aja Complex, Northern Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia

New fieldwork, mineralogical and geochemical data and interpretations are presented for the rare-metal bearing A-type granites of the Aja intrusive complex(AIC) in the northern segment of the Arabian Shield. This complex is characterized by discontinuous ring-shaped outcrops cut by later faulting. The A-type rocks of the AIC are late Neoproterozoic post-collisional granites, including alkali feldspar granite, alkaline granite and peralkaline granite. They represent the outer zones of the AIC, surrounding a core of older rocks including monzogranite, syenogranite and granophyre granite. The sharp contacts between A-type granites of the outer zone and the different granitic rocks of the inner zone suggest that the AIC was emplaced as different phases over a time interval, following complete crystallization of earlier batches. The A-type granites represent the late intrusive phases of the AIC, which were emplaced during tectonic extension, as shown by the emplacement of dykes synchronous with the granite emplacement and the presence of cataclastic features. The A-type granites consist of K-feldspars, quartz, albite, amphiboles and sodic pyroxene with a wide variety of accessory minerals, including Fe-Ti oxides, zircon, allanite, fluorite, monazite, titanite, apatite, columbite, xenotime and epidote. They are highly evolved(71.3–75.8 wt% SiO2) and display the typical geochemical characteristics of post-collisional, within-plate granites. They are rare-metal granites enriched in total alkalis, Nb, Zr, Y, Ga, Ta, REE with low CaO, MgO, Ba, and Sr. Eu-negative anomalies(Eu/Eu* = 0.17–0.37) of the A-type granites reflect extreme magmatic fractionation and perhaps the effects of late fluid-rock interactions. The chemical characteristics indicate that the A-type granites of the AIC represent products of extreme fractional crystallization involving alkali feldspar, quartz and, to a lesser extent, ferromagnesian minerals. The parent magma was derived from the partial melting of a juvenile crustal protolith with a mantle contribution. Accumulation of residual volatile-rich melt and exsolved fluids in the late stage of the magma evolution produced pegmatite and quartz veins that cut the peripheries of the AIC. Post-magmatic alteration related to the final stages of the evolution of the A-type granitic magma, indicated by alterations of sodic amphibole and sodic pyroxene, hematitization and partial albitization.

Early Permian A-type Granites in the Zhangdaqi Area, Inner Mongolia, China and Their Tectonic Implications

There is a controversy regarding the amalgamation of Xing’an and Songnen Blocks along the Hegenshan-Heihe Suture(HHS)in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB).To solve this problem,we performed detailed study on the granites from the Zhangdaqi area,adjacent to the north of the HHS in the northern part of the Great Xing’an Range,NE China.Geochemically,the granites in the study area are metaluminous-weak peraluminous and high-K calc-alkaline series.Trace elements of the granites show that LREEs are relatively enriched,while HREEs are relatively deficient and obvious REE fractionation.The granites are characterized by obvious negative Eu anomalies,meanwhile,they are relatively enriched in Rb,K,Th and depleted in Ba,Nb,Sr,P,Ti.All the geochemical features suggest that the granites in the Zhangdaqi area are aluminum A-type granites.The zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages of these granites are 294-298 Ma,indicating that they formed in the Early Permian.These granites also have positiveεHf(t)values(8.4-14.2)and a relatively young two-stage model age between 449 Ma and 977 Ma,implying that the magma was derived from the re-melting of the Early Paleozoic-Neoproterozoic juvenile crust.Combined with geochemical characteristics(Nb/Ta ratios of 9.0-22.2,and Zr/Hf ratios of 52.3-152.0),we believe that the magmatic source area is a mixture of partial melting of the lower crust and depleted mantle.A-type granites and bimodal volcanic rocks along the Hegenshan-Heihe Suture formed during the Late Carboniferous-Early Permian,indicating that the HHS between Xing’an and Songnen Blocks closed in the late EarlyCarboniferous.Subsequently,the Zhangdaqi area was in a post-orogenic extensional environment from Late Carboniferous to Early Permian and resulted in the formation of the A-type granites.

Confirmation and Preliminary Study of Aluminous A-Type Granites in the Wuyi Mountain Area, Eastern Jiangxi Province, China

Widespread in the Wuyi Mountain area of eastern Jiangxi are petrochemically peraluminous granites and they are characterized as being high in silica (SiO\-2>75%) and highly alkaline (ALK=6.9%-7.5%) with K\-2O>Na\-2O and rather high ratios of FeO\+T/MgO (11.3-17.9). The rocks have low contents of CaO, MgO, TiO\-2 and P\-2O\-5 . The granites are enriched in REE (ΣREE=210.3-496.8 μg/g) with remarkable negative Eu anomalies, but depleted in Eu, Ba, Sr, V, Co, and Ni, with 10000×Ga/Al ratios, varying from 6.1 to 9.8. It is clear that these granites are obviously different from the I\| and S\|type granites, but are quite similar to those typical A\|type granites such as aluminous A\|type granites in the coastal areas of Fujian Province.

LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating of the Kunlunguan A-type granites in Guangxi Province,South China and its geological significance

The Kunlunguan biotite granite pluton, located in the southwestern part of the Nanling Mesozoic granite belt, is controlled by the NW-trending Nandan-Kunlunguan deep fault. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating yielded a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 93.0±1 Ma (MSDW=1.7) for the main part of the pluton, implying its Late Creta-ceous intrusion. The Kunlunguan body is a high-K calc-alkaline rock characterized by high silicon, alkali and alu-minum, and low phosphorus and titanium. SiO2 contents of the Kunlunguan body range from 68.13% to 72.61% and K2O/Na2O ratios from 1.28 to 1.87. A/CNK values vary from 0.76 to 1.42, indicating a metaluminous to intensively peraluminous character. The rocks are enriched in Ga, Rb, Th, U and Pb but depleted in Ba, Nb, Sr, P and Ti. The REEs are characterized by remarkable negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu*=0.53-0.73) and exhibit right-inclined "V"-shaped patterns with LREE enrichment. Petrology, major and trace elements data all indicate that the pluton is aluminous A-type granite which intruded in a post-collisional extensional tectonic setting. It is related to back-arc extension, reflecting high-angle subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate, caused by northward movement of the Indian plate. The Nandan-Kunlunguan A-type granites belt, together with similar plutons in the coastal areas of Zhejiang and Fujian provinces, represent the two A-type granite belts under a matching tectonic system.

Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications of the Paleoproterozoic A-Type Granites in the Xiong’ershan Area along the Southern Margin of the North China Craton

Paleoproterozoic A-type granites are widely distributed in the southern margin of the North China Craton(SNCC),providing important information for understanding the Paleoproterozoic tectonic regimes in this area.This paper reports newly obtained whole-rock compositions and zircon U-Pb ages for the Tieluping syenogranite porphyry(TLP)and Huoshenmiao alkali granite porphyry(HSM)in the SNCC.Zircons from the TLP and HSM have U-Pb ages of 1805±12 and 1792±14 Ma,respectively.These ages are taken to date the emplacement of these intrusions.They had high total alkali contents(K_(2)O+Na_(2)O>7.13 wt.%),with high 10000×Ga/Al ratios(3.06–3.41)and Zr+Y+Nb+Ce values(709 ppm–910 ppm)as well as high zircon saturation temperatures(864–970℃),indicative of A-type granite affinities.High Y/Nb(1.75–3.32),Ce/Nb(7.72–9.72),and Yb/Ta(2.89–5.60)ratios suggested that TLP and HSM belonged to the A2-type granite.The negative whole rockε_(Nd)(t)values(−8.4 to−6.6)and negative zirconε_(Hf)(t)values(−15.9 to−6.3)confirmed that TLP and HSM were likely generated by the partial melting of an ancient continental crust.TheεHf(t)(−7.4 to+4.0)values of inherited zircons in the TLP suggested that they were derived from the partial melting of Archean basement rocks.Considering the geochemical similarity of the 1.80 Ga A-type granitoids in the SNCC,we propose that the TLP and HSM were formed in a post-collisional regime that was likely associated with the break-off of the Paleoproterozoic subducted slab.Upwelling of the asthenosphere provided huge heat to generate the regional 1.80 Ga A-type granite in the SNCC.

Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications of Peralkaline A-Type Granites and Syenites from the Suizhou-Zaoyang Region,Central China

In this study, we present systematic petrological, geochemical, LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb ages and Nd isotopic data for the A-type granites and syenites from Suizhou-Zaoyang region. The results show that the peralkaline A-type granites and syenites were episodically emplaced in Suizhou-Zaoyang region between 450±3 and 441±7 Ma which corresponds to Late Ordovician and Early Silurian periods, respectively. Petrologically, the syenite-peralkaline granite association comprises of nephefine normative-syenite and alkaline granite in Guanzishan and quartz normative syenite and alkafine granite in Huangyangshan. The syenite-granite associations are ferroan to alkali in composition. They depict characteristics of typical OIB （oceanic island basalts） derived A-type granites in multi-elements primitive normalized diagram and Ybffa vs. Y/Nb as well as Ce/Nb vs. Y/Nb binary plots. Significant depletion in Ba, Sr, P, Ti and Eu indicates fractionation of feldspars, biotite, amphiboles and Ti-rich augite. The values of eNd（t） in Guanzishan nepheline syenite and alkaline granite are ＋1.81 and ＋2.26, respectively and the calculated two-stage model age for these rocks are 1 040 and 1 003 Ma, respectively. On the other hand, the Huangyangshan alkaline granite has eNd（t） values ranging from ＋2.61 to ＋3.46 and a relatively younger two-stage Nd model age values ranging from 906 to 975 Ma, respectively. Based on these data, we inferred that the Guanzishan nepheline syenites and granites were formed from fractional crystallization of OIB-like basic magmas derived from upweliing of metasomatized lithospheric mantle. The Huangyangshan quartz syenite and granite on the other hand, were formed from similar magmas through fractional crystallization with low input from the ancient crustal rocks. Typically, the rocks exhibit Al-type granite affinity and classified as within plate granites associated with the Ordovician crustal extension and the Silurian rifting.

Spatial-temporal distribution and geochemistry of highly evolved Mesozoic granites in Great Xing’an Range,NE China:Discriminant criteria and geological significance

Highly evolved granite is an important sign of the mature continent crust and closely associated with deposits of rare metals.In this work,the authors undertake systematically zircon U-Pb ages and whole rock elemental data for highly evolved granitic intrusions from the Great Xing’an Range(GXR),NE China,to elucidate their discriminant criteria,spatial-temporal distribution,differentiation and geodynamic mecha-nism.Geochemical data of these highly evolved granites suggest that high w(SiO_(2))(>70%)and differentiation index(DI>88)could be quantified indicators,while strong Eu depletion,high TE_(1,3),lowΣREE and low Zr/Hf,Nb/Ta,K/Rb could only be qualitative indicators.Zircon U-Pb ages suggest that the highly evolved gran-ites in the GXR were mainly formed in Late Mesozoic,which can be divided into two major stages:Late Ju-rassic-early Early Cretaceous(162-136 Ma,peak at 138 Ma),and late Early Cretaceous(136-106 Ma,peak at 126 Ma).The highly evolved granites are mainly distributed in the central-southern GXR,and display a weakly trend of getting younger from northwest to southeast,meanwhile indicating the metallogenic potential of rare metals within the central GXR.The spatial-temporal distribution,combined with regional geological data,indicates the highly evolved Mesozoic granites in the GXR were emplaced in an extensional environ-ment,of which the Late Jurassic-early Early Cretaceous extension was related to the closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean and roll-back of the Paleo-Pacific Plate,while the late Early Cretaceous extension was mainly related to the roll-back of the Paleo-Pacific Plate.

Geodynamic significance of the A-type granites in the Sawuer region in west Junggar, Xinjiang: Rock geochemistry and SHRIMP zircon age evidence

Sawuer region is located in west Junggar, Jimunai County of Altay district and Hefeng County of Tacheng district, Xinjiang. The region is along the north margin of Kazakstan-Junggar plate. The intrusions (mainly acid) are widespread. Qiaqihai and Kuoyitasi intrusions are important in the region, with the characteristics of A-type granite. Further investigations indicate that they belong to A2-type granite that formed in extension tectonic setting of post collision. The REE chon-drite-normalized patterns of the intrusions show LREE enrichment and the δ Eu values are lower. The Nd, Sr, Pb isotope compositions of the intrusions indicate a mantle source, while the low δ 18O values resulted from the isotope exchange between intrusion and meteoric water. According to SHRIMP U-Pb age analysis results, the crystallization age of Qiaqihai intrusion is 290.7 ± 9.3 Ma (1σ ), and that of Kuoyitasi intrusion is 297.9 ± 4.6 Ma (1σ ), corresponding to the beginning of early Permian. The A2-type granites indicate that the region was in the extension period of the post-collisional stage at the beginning of early Permian in the Sawuer region. The A-type granites in the Sawuer region in west Junggar discovered from this work is analogous to the A-type granites found in east Junggar of the Ulungur alkali granites belt. The confirmation of post-collisional A-type granites of early Permian in the Sawuer region provides new evidence for the regional vertical continental crust growth in early Per-mian. The former proposed Ulungur alkali granites belt can extend from east Ulungur through west Ulungur and to Zhaisang in Kazakstan westwards.

Emplacement age of the post-orogenic A-type granites in Northwestern Lesser Xing'an Ranges, and its relationship to the eastward extension of Suo-lushan-Hegenshan-Zhalaite collisional suture zone

A great amount of alkali-feldspar and alkaline granites have been found around Nenjiang, Northwest Lesser Xing’an Ranges, but their forming ages have been a controversial subject due to the lack of reliable geological and isotopic geochronological evidence. The zircon U-Pb isotopic dating results conducted in this note indicate that these granites emplaced at 260-290 Ma, coeval with the late stage of Late Paleozoic. Studies of mineralogy, petrology andgeochemistry show that they are post-orogenic A-type granites, and consist of the northeastern extension of huge belt of Late Paleozoic A-type granite along North Xinjiang-Southeast Mongolia-Central Inner Mongolia. Therefore, we can determine that the Suolunshan-Hegenshan-Zhalaite collisional suture zone extends northeastward to Heihe with the collision age of Carboniferous.

Differentiation and accumulation of fluids in A-type granites: Evidence from accessory mineral study

The Laoshan A-type granite is a highly evolved granite body. The study on accessoryminerals indicates that there exist differentiation and accumulation of fluids during the late stage of evolution of the granite. The released fluids are rich in rare-earth elements (REE), high-field-strength elements (HFSE, such as Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, Th, U, and Y) and volatiles (F, P, CO2, etc.). Owing to the presence of fluid, accessory mineral assemblages have changed during the evolution of A-type granite, and are especially characterized by large amounts of independent REE-Nb-Y-Th minerals present in the late facies. Late-accumulation of fluids may be of the general feature of A-type granites, at least of highly evolved ones.