Highly fractionated granites:Recognition and research

Granite is one of the most important components of the continental crust on our Earth; it thus has been an enduring studied subject in geology. According to present knowledge, granite shows a great deal of heterogeneity in terms of its texture,structure, mineral species and geochemical compositions at different scales from small dike to large batholith. However, the reasons for these variations are not well understood although numerous interpretations have been proposed. The key point of this debate is whether granitic magma can be effectively differentiated through fractional crystallization, and, if so, what kind of crystallization occurred during the magmatic evolution. Although granitic magma has high viscosity because of its elevated SiO2 content, we agree that fractional crystallization is effectively processed during its evolution based on the evidence from field investigation,mineral species and its chemical variations, and geochemical compositions. These data indicate that crystal settling by gravitation is not the only mechanism dominating granitic differentiation. On the contrary, flow segregation or dynamic sorting may be more important. Accordingly, granite can be divided into unfractionated, fractionated(including weakly fractionated and highly fractionated) and cumulated types, according to the differentiation degree. Highly fractionated granitic magmas are generally high in primary temperature or high with various volatiles during the later stage, which make the fractional crystallization much easier than the common granitic melts. In addition, effective magmatic differentiation can be also expected when the magma emplaced along a large scale of extensional structure. Highly fractionated granitic magma is easily contaminated by country rocks due to its relatively prolonged crystallization time. Thus, granites do not always reflect the characteristics of the source areas and the physical and chemical conditions of the primary magma. We proposed that highly fractionated granites are an important sign indicating compositional maturity of the continental crust, and they are also closely related to the rare-elemental(metal) mineralization of W,Sn, Nb, Ta, Li, Be, Rb, Cs, REEs, etc.

Petrogenesis of Kejie Granite in the Northern Changning-Menglian Zone, Western Yunnan: Constraints from Zircon U-Pb Geochronology, Geochemistry and Hf Isotope

The Kejie pluton is located in the north of the Changning-Menglian suture zone. The rock types are mainly biotite-granite. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating indicates that the Kejie pluton emplaced at about 80-77 Ma, Late Cretaceous. The Kejie pluton samples are characterized by high SiO2 （71.68%-72.47%）, K2O （4.73%-5.54%）, total alkali （K2O ＋ Na2O = 8.21%-8.53%）, K2O/Na2O ratios （1.36-1.94） and low P2O5 （0.13%-0.17%）, with A/CNK of 1.025-1.055; enriched in U, Th, and K, depleted in Ba, Nb, St, Ti, P and Eu. They are highly fractionated, slightly peraluminous 1-type granite. The two samples of the Kejie pluton give a large variation of εHf（t） values （-5.04 to 1.96） and Hf isotope crustal model ages of 1.16-1.5 Ga. Zircon Hf isotopes and zircon saturation temperatures of whole-rock （801℃-823℃） show that the mantle-derived materials maybe have played a vital role in the generation of the Kejie pluton. The Kejie pluton was most likely generated in a setting associated with the eastward subduction of the neo-Tethys ocean, where intrusion of mantle wedge basaltic magmas in the crust caused the anatexis of the latter, forming hybrid melts, which subsequently experienced high-degree fractional crystallization.

Magmatic Evolution of Garnet-Bearing highly Fractionated Granitic Rocks from Macao,Southeast China:Implications for Granite-Related Mineralization Processes

The widespread W-(Mo)-Sn-Nb-Ta polymetallic mineralization in Southeast(SE)China is genetically associated with Mesozoic highly fractionated granitic rocks.Such rocks have enigmatic mineralogical and geochemical features,making its petrogenesis an intensely debated topic.To better understand the underlying magma evolution processes,petrography,garnet chemistry and whole-rock major and trace element data are reported for Jurassic highly fractionated granitic rocks and associated microgranite and aplitepegmatite dikes from Macao and compared with coeval similar granitic rocks from nearby areas in SE China.Despite the fact that the most evolved rocks in Macao are garnet-bearing aplite-pegmatite dikes,the existence of coeval two-mica and garnet-bearing biotite and muscovite granites displaying more evolved compositions(e.g.,lower Zr/Hf ratios)indicates that the differentiation sequence reached higher degrees of fractionation at a regional scale.Although crystal fractionation played an important role,late-stage fluid/melt interactions,involving F-rich fluids,imparted specific geochemical characteristics to Macao and SE China highly fractionated granitic rocks such as the non-CHARAC(CHArge-and-RAdius-Controlled)behavior of trace elements,leading,for example,to non-chondritic Zr/Hf ratios,Rare Earth Elements(REE)tetrad effects and Nb-Ta enrichment and fractionation.Such process contributed to the late-stage crystallization of accessory phases only found in these highly evolved facies.Among the latter,two populations of garnet were identified in MGI(Macao GroupⅠ)highly fractionated granitic rocks:small grossular-poor euhedral grains and large grossular-rich skeletal garnet grains with quartz inclusions.The first group was mainly formed through precipitation from highly evolved Mn-rich slightly peraluminous melts under low-pressure and relatively low temperature(~700℃)conditions.Assimilation of upper crust metasedimentary materials may have contributed as a source of Mn and Al to the formation of garnet.The second group has a metasomatic origin related to the interaction of magmatic fluids with previously crystallized mineral phases and,possibly,with assimilated metasedimentary enclaves or surrounding metasedimentary strata.The highly fractionated granitic rocks in Macao represent the first stage in the development of granite-related W-(Mo)-Sn-Nb-Ta mineralization associated with coeval more evolved lithotypes in SE China.

Genesis of Highly Fractionated I-Type Granites from Fengshun Complex:Implications to Tectonic Evolutions of South China

The South China Block is characterized by the large-scale emplacement of felsic magmas and giant ore deposits during the Yanshanian. We present zircon Hf isotopic compositions, whole-rock major and trace element compositions of the Fengshun complex, located in eastern Guangdong Province, South China. The Fengshun complex is a multi-stage magmatic intrusion. It is composed of two main units, i.e., the Mantoushan（MTS） syeno-monzogranites, alkali feldspar granites and the Hulutian（HLT） alkali feldspar granites. LA-ICPMS zircon dating shows that the complex emplaced in 166–161 and 139±2 Ma, respectively. Geochemically, the MTS granites show relatively various geochemical compositions with low REE contents（87.76×10-6–249.71×10-6）, Rb/Sr ratios（1.19–58.93）, pronounced Eu negative anomaly（0.01–0.37） and low Nb/Ta ratios（2.40–6.82）. In contrast, the HLT granites exhibit relatively stable geochemical characteristics with high REE contents（147.35×10-6– 282.17×10-6）, Rb/Sr ratios（2.05–10.30） and relatively high Nb/Ta ratios（4.45–13.00）. The isotopic data of the MTS granites display relatively enriched values, with ISr varying from 0.708 2 to 0.709 7, εNd（t） from-7.8 to-6.9 and εHf（t） from-7.4 to-3.2, in comparison with those of the HLT which are ISr=0.703 05–0.704 77, εNd（t）=-5–-3.4 and εHf（t）=-0.7–1.8）. The two-stage model ages of the MTS granites（T2DM（Nd）=1.51–1.59 Ga and T2DM（Hf）=1.26–1.48 Ga） are also higher than those of the HLT granites（T2DM（Nd）=1.21–1.34 Ga and T2DM（Hf）=0.96–1.10 Ga）. Thus the MTS and HLT granites might originate from different sources. The former is more likely derived from partial melting of Meso-Proterozoic basement triggered by upwelling of asthenosphere and/or underplate of the basaltic magma and then extensive fractional crystallisation, similar to the genesis of Early Yanshanian granitoids of the EW-trending tectono-magmatism belt in the Nanling range. In comparison, the latter might have involved with asthenosphere component, similar to the Early Cretaceous granitoids of NE-NNE-trending granitoid-volcanic belt in coastal region, southeastern China. We propose that the MTS granites were mainly formed in Paleo-Tethyan post-orogenic extensional tectonic setting whereas the HLT granites were formed in the back-arc extensional tectonic setting. The period at 139 Ma represents the initial time of roll-back of the paleo-Pacific Plate in SE-trending.

Petrogenesis and Geodynamic Implications of Early Cretaceous(~130 Ma)Magmatism in the Baingoin Batholith,Central Tibet:Products of Subducting Slab Rollback

The Baingoin batholith is one of the largest granitic plutons in the North Lhasa terrane.Its petrogenesis and tectonic setting have been studied for decades,but remain controversial.Here we report data on geochronology,geochemistry and isotopes of Early Cretaceous granitoids within the Baingoin batholith,which provide more evidence to uncover its petrogenesis and regional geodynamic processes.The Early Cretaceous magmatism yields ages of 134.4–132.0 Ma and can be divided into I-type,S-type and highly fractionated granites.The I-and S-type granites exhibit medium SiO2,high K_(2)O/Na_(2)O with negativeεNd(t)andεHf(t)values,whereas,the albite granites have very high SiO_(2)(79.04%–80.40%),very low K_(2)O/N_(2)O,negativeεNd(t)and a large variation inεHf(t).Our new data indicate that these granitoids are derived from unbalanced melting in a heterogeneous source area.The granodiorites involved had a hybrid origin from partial melting of basalt-derived and Al-rich rocks in the crust,the porphyritic monzogranites being derived from partial melting of pelitic rocks.The albite granites crystallized from residual melt separated from K-rich magma within the‘mush’process and underwent fractionation of K-feldspar.We believe that the Early Cretaceous magmatism formed in an extensional setting produced by the initial and continuous rollback of a northward-subducting slab of the NTO.

Geochronology and geochemistry of Late Carboniferous dykes in the Aqishan-Yamansu belt,eastern Tianshan:Evidence for a post-collisional slab breakoff

With aim of providing constraints on the Late Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB),an integrated study was conducted on the geochronological and geochemical data for dioritic,granitic and diabase dykes from the Aqishan-Yamansu belt in the eastern Tianshan,NW China.Zircon U-Pb dating indicates that the dioritic and granitic dykes were both emplaced in the Late Carboniferous(~311 Ma and^315 Ma).The dioritic dykes show adakitic characteristics and have high Na2 O and positiveεHf(t)values(+12 to+17),which suggest an origin from partial melts of a subducted oceanic slab.The granitic dykes have high SiO2 and K2 O contents and are characterized by en riched light rare earth elements(LREE)and slightly flat heavy rare earth elements(HREE),with negative Eu and Nb-Ta-Ti anomalies.These dykes are alkali-calcic and show geochemical features of highly fractionated Itype granites.Their positiveεHf(t)values(+16 to+17)suggest that they were derived from a juvenile accreted oceanic crustal sou rce.The coeval diabase dykes have low SiO2 and K2 O contents but high TiO2,MgO and Mg#(54-59).They are enriched in LREE and show characteristics of enriched mid-ocean ridge basalts(E-MORB).The relatively high Ba/Th,slightly low Th/Ta ratios,and negative Nb-Ta anomalies imply a mantle source metasomatised by slab-derived fluids.Thus,these basic dykes were generated likely by partial melting of the upwelling asthenosphere mantle with a slight influence of slab-derived fluids.Therefore,we suggest that the formation of these Late Carboniferous dykes were triggered by a post-collisional slab breakoff and the Aqishan-Yamansu belt was a continental arc formed by southdipping subduction of the Kangguer oceanic plate.

Crystal fractionation of granitic magma during its non-transport processes： A physics-based perspective

Granitic continental crust distinguishes the Earth from other planets in the Solar System. Consequently, for understanding terrestrial continent development, it is of great significance to investigate the formation and evolution of granite.Crystal fractionation is one of principal magma evolution mechanisms. Nevertheless, it is controversial whether crystal fractionation can effectively proceed in felsic magma systems because of the high viscosity and non-Newtonian behavior associated with granitic magmas. In this paper, we focus on the physical processes and evaluate the role of crystal fractionation in the evolution of granitic magmas during non-transport processes, i.e., in magma chambers and after emplacement. Based on physical calculations and analyses, we suggest that general mineral particles can settle only at tiny speed(~10^(-9)–10^(-7) m s^(-1))in a granitic magma body due to high viscosity of the magma; however, the cumulating can be interrupted with convection in magma chambers, and the components of magma chambers will tend to be homogeneous. Magma convection ceases once the magma chamber develops into a mush(crystallinity, F>~40–50%). The interstitial melts can be extracted by hindered settling and compaction, accumulating gradually and forming a highly silicic melt layer. The high silica melts can further evolve into high-silica granite or high-silica rhyolite. At various crystallinities, multiple rejuvenation of the mush and the following magma intrusion may generate a granite complex with various components. While one special type of granites, represented by the South China lithium-and fluoride-rich granite, has lower viscosity and solidus relative to general granitic magmas, and may form vertical zonation in mineral-assemblage and composition through crystal fractionation. Similar fabrics in general intrusions that show various components on small lengthscales are not the result of gravitational settling. Rather, the flowage differentiation may play a key role. In general, granitic magma can undergo effective crystal fractionation; high-silica granite and volcanics with highly fractionated characteristics may be the products of crystal fractionation of felsic magmas, and many granitoids may be cumulates.

Editorial

The Cretaceous granitoids in the middle and northern Gangdese, Tibet are generally interpreted as the products of anatexis of thickened deep crust genetically associated with the Lhasa-Qiangtang collision. This paper reports bulk-rock major element, trace element and Sr-Nd isotopic data, zircon U-Pb age data, and zircon Hf isotopic data on the Zayu pluton in eastern Gangdese, Tibet. These data shed new light on the petrogenesis of the pluton. Our SHRIMP zircon U-Pb age dates, along with LA-ICPMS zircon U-Pb age dates recently reported in the literature, indicate that the Zayu pluton was emplaced at about 130 Ma, coeval with Early Cretaceous magmatic rocks in other areas of eastern Gangdese (e.g., Rawu, Baxoi areas) and the Middle Gangdese. The Zayu pluton samples lack amphibole and muscovite, and are compositionally characterized by high SiO2 (69.9%―76.8%), K2O (4.4%―5.7%), and low P2O5 (0.05%―0.12%). These samples also have A/CNK values of 1.00-1.05, and are enriched in Rb, Th, U, and Pb, and depleted in Ba, Nb, Ta, Sr, P, Ti, and Eu. These geochemical features suggest that the Zayu pluton samples are metaluminous to slightly peraluminous and are of highly fractionated I-type granite. The Zayu pluton samples have high εNd(t) values (-10.9--7.6) and low initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7120- 0.7179) relative to melts derived from mature continental crust in the Gangdese (e.g., Ningzhong Early Jurassic strongly peraluminous granite). The Zayu pluton samples are heterogeneous in zircon εHf(t) values (-12.8--2.9), yielding ancient zircon Hf crustal model ages of 1.4―2.0 Ga. The data obtained in this study together with the data in the recent literature suggest that the Early Cretaceous granitoids in eastern Gangdese represent the eastward extension of the Early Cretaceous magmatism in the middle Gangdese, and that the Lhasa micro-continent block with ancient basement may extend for ~2000 km from east to west. Zircon Hf isotopic data and bulk-rock zircon saturation temperature (789-821℃) indicate that mantle-derived materials likely played a role in the generation of the Zayu pluton. We propose that the Zayu pluton was most likely generated in a setting associated with southward sub- duction of the Bangong-Nujiang ocean floor, where mantle wedge-derived magmas may have providedthe heat and material for the anatexis of ancient crust of the Lhasa micro-continent, resulted in hybrid melts (i.e., mantle-derived basaltic magmas + crust-derived felsic magmas). Such hybrid melts with subsequent fractional crystallization are responsible for the highly evolved Zayu pluton (crust thick- ening is not a prerequisite).