Zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotope geochemistry of magmatic and metamorphic rocks from the Hida Belt, southwest Japan

Zircon U–Pb and Hf isotope data integrated in this study for magmatic and metamorphic rocks fromthe Hida Belt,southwest Japan,lead to a new understanding of the evolution of the Cordilleran arc system along the ancestral margins of present-day Northeast Asia.Ion microprobe data for magmatic zircon domains from eight mafic tointermediate orthogneisses in the Tateyama and Tsunogawa areas yielded weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages spanning the entire Permian period(302–254 Ma).Under cathodoluminescence,primary magmatic growth zones in the zircon crystals were observed to be partially or completely replaced by inward-penetrating,irregularly curved featureless or weakly zoned secondary domains that mostly yielded U–Pb ages of 250–240 Ma and relatively high Th/U ratios(>0.2).These secondary domains are considered to have been formed by solid-state recrystallization during thermal overprints associated with intrusions of Hida granitoids.Available whole-rock geochemical and Sr–Nd isotope data as well as zircon age spectra corroborate that the Hida Belt comprises the Paleozoic–Mesozoic Cordilleran arc system built upon the margin of the North China Craton,together with the YeongnamMassif in southern Korea.The arcmagmatismalong this systemwas commenced in the Carboniferous and culminated in the Permian–Triassic transition period.Highly positiveεHf(t)values(>+12)of late Carboniferous to early Permian detrital zircons in the Hida paragneisses indicate that there was significant input from the depleted asthenospheric mantle and/or its crustal derivatives in the early stage of arc magmatism.On the other hand,near-chondriticεHf(t)values(+5 to−2)of magmatic zircons from late Permian Hida orthogneisses suggest a lithospheric mantle origin.Hf isotopic differences between magmatic zircon cores and the secondary rims observed in some orthogneiss samples clearly indicate that the zircons were chemically open to fluids or melts during thermal overprints.Resumed highly positive zirconεHf(t)values(>+9)shared by Early Jurassic granitoids in the Hida Belt and Yeongnam Massif may reflect reworking of the Paleozoic arc crust.

Geochemistry and Zircon U–Pb–Hf Isotopic Systematics of the Sanchahe Quartz Monzonite Intrusion in the North Qinling Tectonic Zone, Central China: Implications for its Petrogenesis and Tectonic Setting

The Sanchahe quartz monzonite intrusion is situated in the middle segment of the North Qinling tectonic belt, Central China mainland, and consists chiefly of sanukitoid–like and granodioritic-monzogranitic rocks. The sanukitoid–like rocks are characterized by quartz monzonites, which display higher Mg#（55.0–59.0）, and enrichments in Na2 O＋K2 O（7.28–8.94 %）, Ni（21-2312 ppm）, Cr（56-4167 ppm）, Sr（553-923 ppm）, Ba（912-1355 ppm） and LREE（（La/Yb）N =9.47–15.3）, from negative to slightly positive Eu anomalies（δEu=＋0.61 to ＋1.10）, but also depletion in Nb, Ta and Ti. The granodioritic-monzogranitic rocks diaplay various Mg#of 6.00-53.0, high Na2 O＋K2 O（7.20– 8.30%）, Sr（455–1081 ppm） and（La/Yb）N（27.6–47.8）, with positive Eu anomalies（δEu=1.03–1.57） and depleted Nb, Ta and Ti. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry（LA-ICPMS） zircon U-Pb isotopic dating reveals that the sanukitoid-like rocks were emplaced at two episodes of magmatism at 457±3 Ma and 431±2 Ma, respectively. The monzogranites were emplaced at 445±7Ma. Sanukitoid–like rocks have their εHf（t） values ranging from ＋0.3 to ＋15.1 with Hf–depleted mantle model ages of 445 to 1056 Ma, and the monzogranite shows its εHf（t） values ranging from 21.6 to ＋10.8 with Hf–depleted mantle model ages of 635 to 3183 Ma. Petrological, geochemical and zircon Lu –Hf isotopic features indicate that the magmatic precursor of sanukitoid–like rocks was derived from partial melting of the depleted mantle wedge materials that were metasomatized by fluids and melts related to subduction of oceanic slab, subsequently the sanukitoid magma ascended to crust level. This emplaced mantle magma caused partial melting of crustally metamorphosed sedimentary rocks, and mixing with the crustal magma, and suffered fractional crystallization, which lead to formations of quartz monzonites. However, the magmatic precursor of the granodioritic-monzogranitic rocks were derived from partial melting of subducted oceanic slab basalts. Integrated previous investigation for the adackitic rocks in the south of the intrusion, the Sanchahe intrusion signed that the North Qinling tectonic zone was developed in an early Paleozoic transitionally tectonic background from an island arc to back–arc.

Geochronology and Genetic Model for Early Cretaceous Volcanic Rocks from the Southern Qiangtang Terrane,Northern Tibet,China: Constraints from U-Pb Zircon Dating, Whole-Rock Geochemical and Sr-Nd Isotopic Data

Post-collisional volcanic rocks of Mesozoic age occur in the regions adjacent to Gerze, part of the southern Qiangtang Terrane of northern Tibet, China. Geochronological, geochemical, and wholerock Sr-Nd isotopic analyses were performed on the volcanic rocks to better characterize their emplacement age and models for their origin. Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry(LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb zircon analyses yielded consistent ages ranging from 123.1±0.94 Ma to 124.5±0.89 Ma for six volcanic rocks from the study area. The intermediate volcanic rocks belong to the alkaline and sub-alkaline magma series in terms of K2 O+Na2 O contents(5.9%–9.0%), and to the shoshonitic and calc-alkaline series on the basis of their high K2 O contents(1.4%–3.3%). The Gerze volcanic rocks are characterized by the enrichment of light rare earth elements [(La/Yb)N=34.9–49.5] and large–ion lithophile elements(e.g., Rb, Ba, Th, U, K, Pb, and Sr), slightly negative Eu anomalies(Eu/Eu*=0.19–0.24), and negative anomalies in high field strength elements(e.g., Nb, Ta, Hf and Ti), relative to primitive mantle. The samples show slightly elevated(87 Sr/86 Sr)i values that range from 0.7049 to 0.7057, and low εNd(t) values from-0.89 to-2.89. These results suggest that the volcanic rocks studied derived from a compositionally heterogeneous mantle source and that their parent magmas were basaltic. The more mafic, parental magmas to the Gerze volcanic rocks likely underwent fractional crystallization of clinopyroxene, hornblende, biotite, and potassium feldspar, during ascent, with little to no crustal contamination, prior to their eruption/emplacement. While these volcanic rocks exhibit geochemical signatures typical of magmas formed in a destructive plate-margin setting, it is plausible that their mantle source might also have acquired such characteristics in an earlier episode of subduction.

Geochronology and geological significance of the strata of the Neoproterozoic Nanhua System,SW North China Craton

A set of low-grade clastic metamorphic and carbonate rocks,and greenschists outcropping in the southwestern(SW)margin of the North China Craton(NCC),was originally classified as the Paleoproterozoic Xiong’er Group according to stratigraphic correlation.To verify the age,this paper carried out detrital zircon U–Pb LA-ICP-MS dating of low-grade clastic metamorphic rocks exposed in the Changqing area at the SW margin of the Ordos Block in the SW part of the NCC.Results from detrital zircon dating indicate that the metamorphic and carbonate rocks can be classified into the Neoproterozoic Nanhua System,which is the only Nanhua System stratum in this block so far,and it probably could provide new clues to Rodinia break-up and Snowball Earth of the NCC.The nine peak ages of the low-grade clastic metamorphic rocks reflected its relatively complex provenance,and almost all major geological events experienced by the NCC basement since the Neoarchean,but some age peaks were difficult to correspond to that of the NCC,indicating that the southwestern part of the Ordos Block was also affected by the Qinling and Qiliang orogenic belts during Nanhua System of Neoproterozoic.Combined with provenance analysis,it was revealed that the current southwest boundary of the Ordos Block was the previous southwest boundary of the Ordos Block during the Qingbaikou-Nanhua Period of the Neoproterozoic.

Geochronology, petrogenesis and tectonic significance of Dahongliutan pluton in Western Kunlun orogenic belt, NW China

The Dahongliutan granitic pluton,in the eastern part of the West Kunlun orogenic belt,provides significant insights for studying the tectonic evolution of West Kunlun.This paper presents a systematic study of LA-ICP-MS zircon U Pb age,major and trace elements,Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes,and the first detailed Li isotope analysis of the Dahongliutan pluton.LA-ICP-MS zircon U Pb dating shows that the Dahongliutan granites were emplaced in the Late Triassic((213±2.1)Ma).Geochemical data show relatively high SiO2 contents(68.45 wt%73.62 wt%)and aluminum saturation index(A/CNK=1.111.21)indicates peraluminous high-K calc-alkaline granite.The Dahongliutan granites are relatively high in light rare earth elements(LREE)and large ion lithophile elements(LILEs)(e.g.,Rb,K,Th),and relatively depleted in high field strength elements(HFSEs)(e.g.,Nb,Ta,P,Ti).TheεNd(t)values range from 8.71 to 4.73,and(87Sr/86Sr)i=0.70870.71574.Zircons from the pluton yield 176Hf/177Hf values of 0.2826181 to 0.2827683,andεHf(t)values are around 0;the two-stage Hf model ages range from 0.974 to 1.307 Ga.Theδ7Li values are 0.76‰3.25‰,with an average of 2.53‰.Isotopic compositions of the pluton suggest a mixed trend between the partial melting of the Middle Proterozoic ancient crustal material and a juvenile mantle-derived material.This study infers that the Dahongliutan rock mass is formed in the post-collisional extension environment,when the collision between South Kunlun and the Tianshuihai terranes results in the closure of the Palaeo-Tethys.The mantle-derived magma results in partial melting of the lower crust.

Geochemistry and detrital zircon records of the Ruyang-Luoyu groups,southern North China Craton:Provenance,crustal evolution and Paleo-Mesoproterozoic tectonic implications

Paleo-to Mesoproterozoic sedimentary rocks in the southern margin of the North China Craton(NCC)are represented by the Ruyang and Luoyu groups.We studied the sedimentary rocks from the Yunmengshan and Beidajian formations of the Ruyang Group and the Cuizhuang and Sanjiaotang formations of the Luoyu Group.Detrital zircon grains from these formations have U–Pb age populations of 3.64–3.31 Ga,2.96–2.86 Ga,2.72–2.59 Ga,2.56–2.47 Ga,2.45–2.0 Ga,1.99–1.85 Ga and 1.84–1.65 Ga.The geochemical features of the sedimentary rocks suggest that some of the sediments were sourced from intermediate to felsic magmatic rocks.The age groups of the detrital zircon are roughly consistent with the tectono-thermal events in the southern margin of the NCC.The Hf isotopic compositions of detrital zircon from the sedimentary rocks in Ruyang and Luoyu groups suggest that significant crustal growth and reworking of the NCC took place during the Neoarchean and early-to mid-Paleoproterozoic,while crustal reworking at the Paleoarchean and late-Paleoproterozoic,and crustal growth at the Mesoarchean.We suggest the depositional times of the Ruyang Group and Luoyu Group are constrained to no older than 1.75–1.7 Ga and 1.7–1.65 Ga,respectively.Formation of late-Paleoproterozoic basins related to the strike slip and extrusion tectonics that cross-cut the NCC during the late Paleoproterozoic(<1.75 Ga),and the late Paleoproterozoic sedimentation once isochronous developed in the southern margin of the NCC through the Taihang region of the interior NCC and linked the Yanshan–Liaoxi regions of the northern NCC.

Geology, Geochemistry, and Geochronology of the Fenghuangshan Skarn-type Copper Deposit in the Tongling Ore Cluster, Anhui Province, East China

The Fenghuangshan skarn-type Cu deposit, Tongling Ore Cluster, Anhui Province, is an important component in the Middle-Lower Yangtze River ore-forming belt. To better understand magmatism and its relationship to mineralization, we investigated geochemical features, ore-forming fluids, and geochronology of the Xinwuli intrusion and the related Fenghuangshan Cu deposit. Lithogeochemical characteristics show that the Xinwuli quartz monzodiorite is formed by mixing magma derived from upper mantle alkaline basalt that has been contaminated by crust materials. C, H and O isotopes indicate that ore-forming fluids mainly come from the magma, with minor amounts of meteoric fluids involved at the late stage. S and Pb isotopic components indicate that ore-forming materials are derived from the mantle. Molybdenite Re-Os isotopic dating yields Re-Os model ages ranging from 139.1±2.4 Ma to 142.0±2.2 Ma, with an isochronal age of 141.1±1.4 Ma, which is consistent with sensitive, high-resolution ion microprobe （SHRIMP） zircon U-Pb ages of quartz monzodiorite and granodiorite in the mining area. Dating analysis yields ages from 136.0±2.0 Ma to 143.0±2.4 Ma for the quartz monzodiorite （a weighted average of 139.4±1.2 Ma） and ages from 136.7±2.0 Ma to 145.3±2.4 Ma for granodiorite （a weighted average of 141.0±1.1 Ma）.

Source and Significance of Detrital Zircons from Mesozoic Sandstones of the Upper Yangtze Block, China

In this study, we report U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic data for zircons from the Mesozoic sandstones of the Upper Yangtze area, which provide critical constraints on the provenance of these sediments and further shed light on the crustal evolution of the Upper Yangtze block. The results of isotopic chronology indicate the following：（1） The provenances of the study area are very complex, and the tectonic evolution process is relatively closed.（2） The provenances are mainly Archean–Proterozoic crystalline basement or recycled material; Paleoproterozoic crustal accretion in the western margin of the Yangtze block and Neoproterozoic magmatic activities related to subduction of the western margin of the Yangtze block; early Cambrian oceanic magmatic activity, which resulted from the intraplate extension of the northern margin of the Yangtze block; late Ordovician–early Silurian magmatic activity in the northern Yangtze block and Hercynian–Indochina uplift and erosion during the Hercynian movement.（3） The Yangtze crustal growth is episodic, and an increasing amount of ancient recycled material became part of the magmatic activity, as the zircon U–Pb ages are relatively young.

The giant tin polymetallic mineralization in southwest China:Integrated geochemical and isotopic constraints and implications for Cretaceous tectonomagmatic event

The Gejiu-Bozushan-Laojunshan W-Sn polymetallic metallogenic belt(GBLB)in southeast Yunnan Province is an important part of the southwestern Yangtze Block in South China.Tin polymetallic mineralization in this belt includes the Niusipo,Malage,Songshujiao,Laochang and Kafang ore fields in the Gejiu area which are spatially and temporally associated with the Kafang-Laochang and Songshujiao granite plutons.These granites are characterized by variable A/CNK values(mostly>1.1,except for two samples with 1.09),high contents of SiO2(74.38-76.84 wt.%)and Al2 O3(12.46-14.05 wt.%)and variable CaO/Na2 O ratios(0.2-0.65)as well as high zirconδ18O values(7.74‰-9.86‰),indicative of S-type affinities.These rocks are depleted in Rb,Th,U,Ti,LREE[(La/Yb)N=1.4-20.51],Ba,Nb,Sr,and Ti and display strong negative Eu and Ba anomalies.The rocks possess high Rb/Sr and Rb/Ba ratios,relatively low initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios(0.6917-0.7101),and less radiogenicεNd(t)values(-8.0 to-9.1).The zircon grains from these rocks show negativeεHf(t)values in the range of-3.7 to-9.9 with mean TDM2(Nd)and TDM2(Hf)values of 1.57 Ga and 1.55 Ga.They show initial 207Pb/204Pb ranging from15.69 to 15.71 and 206Pb/204Pb from 18.36 to 18.70.Monazite from Songshujiao granites exhibits higher U and lower Th/U ratios,lowerδ18O values and higherεHf(t)values than those of the zircon grains in the KafangLaochang granites.The geochemical and isotopic features indicate that the Laochang-Kafang granites originated by partial melting of Mesoproterozoic crustal components including biotite-rich metapelite and metagraywacke,whereas the Songshujiao granites were derived from Mesoproterozoic muscovite-rich metapelite crustal source.Most zircon grains from the Songshujiao,Laochang and Kafang granites have high-U concentrations and their SIMS U-Pb ages show age scatter from 81.6 Ma to 88.6 Ma,80.7 Ma to 86.1 Ma and 82.3 Ma to 87.0 Ma,suggesting formation earlier than the monazite and cassiterite.Monazite SIMS U-Pb ages and Th-Pb ages of three same granite samples are consistent and show yielded 206 Pb/238U ages of 83.7±0.6 Ma,83.7±0.6 Ma,and 83.4±0.6 Ma,and 208Pb/232Th ages of 83.2±0.5 Ma,83.8±0.4 Ma,and 83.5±0.9 Ma,which are within the range of the SIMS zircon U-Pb ages from these rocks.The data constrain the crystallization of the granites at ca.83 Ma.In situ U-Pb dating of two cassiterite samples from the cassiterite-sulfide ore in the Songshujiao ore field and Kafang ore field,and two from the cassiterite-oxide+cassiterite bearing dolomite in the Laochang ore field yielded weighted mean 206 Pb/238U ages of 83.5±0.4 Ma(MSWD=0.6),83.5±0.4 Ma(MSWD=0.5),83.6±0.4 Ma(MSWD=0.6)and 83.2±0.7 Ma(MSWD=0.6),respectively.Combined with geological characteristics,the new geochronological data indicate that the formation of the granites and Sn polymetallic deposits are coeval.We correlate the magmatic and metallogenic event with lithospheric thinning and asthenosphere upwelling in continental extension setting in relation to the eastward subduction of the Neo-Tethys beneath the Sanjiang tectonic domain during Late Cretaceous.