Research on the Application of Electromagnetic Method in the Exploration of Altered Rock-type Gold Deposits in the East Kunlun Metallogenic Belt

Introduction The East Kunlun Orogenic Belt is located in the northeastern part of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau(Li et al.,2007),stretching from the East Kunlun to the Elashan area in an east–west direction(Guo et al.,2018).It is an important part of the Central Orogenic Belt(Xiong et al.,2023).It is considered one of the important gold mineralization regions in the Tethys tectonic domain(Norbu et al.,2023)and an essential potential base for mineral resources in China.Wulonggou and Gouli gold mines have been discovered successively,earning the reputation of the"Golden Belt of Qinghai Province"(Feng et al.,2004;He et al.,2023).

Paleo-Tethyan Oceanic Crust Subduction in the Eastern Section of the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt:Geochronology and Petrogenesis of the Qushi'ang Granodiorite

The Qushi’ang granodiorite（QSG） is located at the central east of the ophiolitic melange belt in the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt（EKOB） in the northern margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. LA-MC-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating suggests that the granodiorite and mafic microgranular enclaves（MMEs） crystallized 246.61±0.62 and 245.45±0.9 Ma ago, respectively. Granodiorite, porphyritic diorite, and MMEs are metaluminous and medium-K calk-alkaline series, with island-arc magma features, such as LILE enrichment and HFSE depletion. The porphyritic diorite has high Cr（13.50 ppm to 59.01 ppm）, Ni（228.53 ppm to 261.29 ppm）, and Mg~#（46–54）. Granodiorite and porphyritic diorite have similar mineral compositions and evolved major and trace elements contents, particularly Cr and Ni, both of which are significantly higher than that in granites of the same period. The crystallization age of MMEs is close to that of granodiorite, and their major and trace elements contents are in-between porphyritic diorite and granodiorite. The results suggest that the original mafic magma, which was the product of mantle melting by subduction process, intruded into the lower crust（Kuhai Rock Group）, resulting in the formation of granodiorite. Countinous intrusion of mafic magma into the unconsolidated granodiorite formed MMEs and porphyritic diorite. The granodiorite reformed by late-stage strike-slip faulting tectonic event indicates that the strike-slip fault of Middle Kunlun and the collision of the Bayanhar block with East Kunlun were later than 246 Ma. Therefore, the formation of the QSG not only indicates the critical period of evolution of East Kunlun but also represents the tectonic transition from oceanic crust subduction to slab breaking.

Paleozoic post-collisional magmatism and high-temperature granulite-facies metamorphism coupling with lithospheric delamination of the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt,NW China

Lithosphere extension and upwelling of asthenosphere at post-collisional stage of an orogenic cycle generally induce diverse magmatism and/or associated high-temperature metamorphism. Nevertheless, the intimate coexistence of post-collisional magmatic activity and high-temperature metamorphism is rare.In this contribution, a lithological assemblage composing of diverse magmatic rocks deriving from distinct magma sources and coeval high-temperature metamorphism was identified in eastern Kunlun.Petrography, ages, mineral chemistry and whole-rock geochemistry demonstrated that those intimately coexistent diverse rocks were genetically related to post-collisional extension. The garnet-bearing mafic granulites in Jinshuikou area interior of the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt are mainly composed of garnet,orthopyroxene, and plagioclase, with peak metamorphic P–T conditions of ~ 701–756 ℃and 5.6–7.0 kbar,representing a granulite-facies metamorphism at 409.7 ± 1.7 Ma. The diverse contemporaneous magmatic rocks including hornblendites, gabbros and granites yield zircon U–Pb ages of 408.6 ± 2.5 Ma,413.4 ± 4.6 Ma, and 387–407 Ma, respectively. The hornblendites show N-MORB-like REE patterns with(La/Sm)Nvalues of 0.85–0.94. They have positive zircon εHf(t) values of 0.1–4.9 and whole-rock εNd(t) values of 3.9–4.7 but relatively high(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)_(i)values of 0.7081 to 0.7088. These features demonstrate that the hornblendites derived from a depleted asthenospheric mantle source with minor continental crustal materials in source. As for the gabbros, they exhibit arc-like elemental signatures, low zircon εHf(t) values(-4.3 to 2.5) and variable whole-rock εNd(t) values(-4.9 to 1.2) as well as high(^(87)Sr/86 Sr)ivalues(0.7068 to 0.7126), arguing for that they were originated from partial melting of heterogeneous lithospheric mantle anteriorly metasomatized by subducted-sediment released melts. Geochemistry of the granites defines their strongly peraluminous S-type signatures. Zircons from the granites yield a large range of εHf(t) values ranging from -30.8 to -5.1, while the whole-rock samples yield consistent(^(87)Sr/86 Sr)ivalues(0.7301 to 0.7342) and negative εNd(t) values(-10.1 to -12.4). These features indicate that the S-type granites could be generated by reworking of an ancient crust. Taken together, the penecontemporaneous magmatism and metamorphic event, demonstrated the early-middle Devonian transition from crustal thickening to extensional collapse. The post-collisional mantle-derived magmas serve as an essential driving force for the high-temperature granulite-facies metamorphism and anataxis of the crust associated with formation of S-type granite. This study not only constructs a more detail Proto-Tethys evolution process of the eastern Kunlun, but also sheds new light on better understanding the intimate relationship between magmatism and metamorphism during post-collisional extensional collapse.

Magma Mixing and Mingling for Xiangjiananshan Granitic batholith at eastern area of the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt

The East Kunlun Orogenic Belt(EKOB)in northeast margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is an important part of the Central Orogenic System(COS).During the long-time geological evolution,complicated tectono

Discovery of Jinning Cycle Magmatism in Eastern Part of Eastern Kunlun Orogenic Belt and Its Significance

From the isotopic dating study of gneissic granodiorite, the authors discovered magmatism of the Jinning cycle. Intrusive rocks were formed in the Neoproterozoic, whose Pb Pb ages range from (913±4) Ma to (1 011±4) Ma and U Pb concordia age is (703±15) Ma. The tectonic settings of the rocks are volcanic arc or syn collision. After the formation of the intrusive rocks, these rocks also experienced reconstruction of Caledonian metamorphism. Based on the Ar Ar dating of metamorphic mineral of muscovite, the metamorphic time is determined to range from (386.8±0.8) Ma to (389.44±3.70) Ma.

Cenozoic Exhumation History of the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt Constrained by Apatite Fission-Track Thermochronology

Objective The East Kunlun Orogenic belt constitutes the first marked change in the topographic reliefs north of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.The Cenozoic tectonic evolution of this orogenic belt is crucial for understanding the remote deformational effects of the Eurasian plate collision and the migration track at the northern margin of the plateau.However,when and how the uplift occurred remains

Magma Mixing and Mingling for Xiangjiananshan Granitic batholith at eastern area of the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt

The Changning Menglian belt is an important area of research on the evolution of the Paleo Tethys ocean structure,the belt can be solved such as the Changning Menglianbeltposition;sequencestratigraphy;sedimentary environment;nature and its tectonic evolution history and tectonic domain and Gut Tis relationship;therefore,the research on Chang Ning Menglian zone have a great significance to solve many problems of the Sanjiang fold belt in Tethys and Himalaya tectonic area.'Hot spring'is located in the west margin of the southern Changning Menglian belt,studying Yunnan Fengqing hot spring group'geological and petrology characteristics roundly and in depth,concluding the metamorphism and deformation characteristics,clarifying the metamorphism effect and its stages,understanding the association its combination with the Changning Menglian belt between,therefore it has the great significance to solve the geological evolution history in the Sanjiang area,especially the paleo Tethyan tectonic belt,as well as Gondwana and Eurasia boundaries and other major problem.Through collect and read the literature data,measurement of field section,geological investigation,research and Study on rock sheet indoor,rock composition test,electron probe testing system,summarize the geological characteristics and petrological characteristics of'hot springs group',and through the discussion of the geochemical characteristics of rocks,explore its rock assemblages,characteristics of original rock and analysis of metamorphism and deformation stages,to provide basic data for regional geological evolution.The study shows that the main lithology is biotite quartz schist,mica schist and epimetamorphic sandstone interspersed with a small amount of phyllonite,granulite,silicalite,carbonaceous slate and phyllitic cataclasite that contains some pressure breccia.The metamorphic mineral paragenetic assemblage of the representative rock is:M1 biotite(Bi)+plagioclase(Pl)+quartz(Q),and M2 muscovite(Mus)+quartz(Q).The protolith is felsic rock and sedimentary rock that belongs to argiloid.On the basis of comparison,the stratigraphic sequence of the protolith is consistent with the type section of Wenquan formation.Along with the subduction(Hercynian)-subduction(Indosinian)-orogenic(Yanshan Himalayan period)process of Changning Menglian belt,hot springs group experienced two stages of metamorphism and three stages of deformation,metamorphic temperature at400-500℃,the pressure is foucs on 0.3-0.62Gpa,and shown the retrograde metamorphism of the low greenschist facies.Geological age of hot springs formation is early Devonian(survey team of Yunnan District three units,1980),sedimentary environment is mainly shallow and semi deep sea,observed Bouma sequence in rock slice,therefore,the depositional environment may be fan or basin of sea,the sedimentary formations are mainly clastic rocksiliceous rock formation,the upper coal—contained formation.With the Changning Meng Lian ocean expansion,ocean island begin to develop,material deposition continuing,appearing volcano material,the protolith may contain volcano matter through studying the thin section.To the Late Permian,Crust of Changning Menglian ocean begin to subduct to the east of the Yangtze block,ocean basin began to close,but it still has formation here at this time,mainly shallow carbonate formation,with proceeding of subduction,in the low temperature groove(7Km deep),due to changes in temperature and pressurer,appearing metamorphism(M1)and deformation(D1)for the first time,the shear effect produced by deformation lead to some cleavage,occurring regional foliation S1,major metamorphic minerals formed in metamorphism is long flake biotite.The main metamorphic mineral assemblages are biotite(Bi)+feldspar(Pl)+quartz(Q).Subsequently,crustal uplift,depositional break,because the Changning Meng Lianyang has closed during the Indosinian period,Baoshan-Zhenkang block in the west and the Yangtze block in the east knocked each other.In the Indosinian,under the action of faults,the hot spring formation clipping and retracing,back to a position about1-2Km depth,the position is still belongs to the low temperature groove,and occurring axial cleavage in the core of the fold,namely S2.That is,the emergence of the second metamorphism(M2)and deformation(D2).The deformation is affected by the strong pressure,so the rock have dewatered,so the second metamorphic deformation process is affected by temperature(T),pressure(Ps)and fluid(C).The main metamorphic minerals in the second generation of metamorphism is Muscovite,while there have some of biotite formed in same period,find that the first phase of biotite parallel growth of rock slice,namely S1 parallel S2,and we can see incomplete metamorphism biotite,so the the Muscovite is formed by the first stage of metamorphism and metamorphic biotite.The main mineral of the second stage metamorphism is Muscovite(Mus)+quartz(Q) Then,the crust continues to rise,the sedimentary break continues.In the Jurassic Cretaceous start orogeny,namely Yanshan period intracontinental orogeny,occurred third deformation(D3),under extrusion shearing,S3 emergencing,after Yanshan intracontinental orogenic period,in Himalayan period there have large-scale nappe structure and differential uplift and faulting.So the third deformation(D3)strengthened,with weak metamorphism,sericite emergencing.

Metallogenic characteristics of Shitoukengde intrusion and its implications for Ni-Co-(Cu)sulfide mineralization in East Kunlun

Xiarihamu deposit is the only super-large Ni-Co deposit found in East Kunlun orogenic belt(EKOB)until present.Shitoukengde(STKD)intrusion is considered to have the potential to become a large Ni-Co deposit in East Kunlun.In order to discuss the metallogenic potential,this study present petrographical,geochemical data,and zircon U-Pb dating for the STKD intrusion.The STKD intrusion is hosted within mafic-ultramafic rocks which contain peridotite,pyroxenite and gabbro,and mainly intruded into the marble of the Paleoproterozoic Jinshuikou Group.Harzburgite and orthopyroxenite are the main country rocks for the Cu-Ni sulfide mineralization.Combine with the positiveε_(Hf)(t)values(+1.1 to+8.6)of zircons,the enrichment of LILEs,depletion of HFSEs,and lower Ce/Pb ratios of whole rocks indicate that the parental magma was originated from the depleted asthenospheric mantle and experienced 5%–15%crustal contamination.Troctolite formed during the Early Devonian and it has weighted mean^(206)Pb/^(238)U age of 412 Ma.Regional background information has indicated that the post-collisional extension setting has already existed during the Early Devonian,leading to the formation of STKD intrusion and Cu-Ni sulfide mineralization.STKD intrusion may have the potential to be one economic Cu-Ni sulfide deposit but seems unlikely to be a super-large one.

Tectonic evolution of the West Kunlun Orogenic Belt along the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau:Implications for the assembly of the Tarim terrane to Gondwana

The West Kunlun orogenic belt(WKOB) along the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau is important for understanding the evolution of the Proto-and Paleo-Tethys oceans. Previous investigations have focused on the igneous rocks and ophiolites distributed mostly along the Xinjiang-Tibet road and the China-Pakistan road, and have constructed a preliminary tectonic model for this orogenic belt. However, few studies have focused on the so-called Precambrian basement in this area. As a result, the tectonic affinity of the individual terranes of the WKOB and their detailed evolution process are uncertain. Here we report new field observations, zircon and monazite U-Pb ages of the "Precambrian basement" of the South Kunlun terrane(SKT) and the Tianshuihai terrane(TSHT), two major terranes in the WKOB. Based on new zircon U-Pb age data, the amphibolite-facies metamorphosed volcanosedimentary sequence within SKT was deposited during the late Neoproterozoic to Cambrian(600-500 Ma), and the flysch-affinity Tianshuihai Group, as the basement of the TSHT, was deposited during the late Neoproterozoic rather than Mesoproterozoic. The rock association of the volcano-sedimentary sequence within SKT suggests a large early Paleozoic accretionary wedge formed by the long-term lowangle southward subduction of the Proto-Tethys Ocean between Tarim and TSHT. The amphibolitefacies metamorphism in SKT occurred at ca. 440 Ma. This ca. 440 Ma metamorphism is genetically related to the closure of the Proto-Tethys Ocean between Tarim and the Tianshuihai terrane, which led to the assembly of Tarim to Eastern Gondwana and the final formation of the Gondwana. Since the late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic, the northward subduction of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean along the HongshihuQiaoertianshan belt produced the voluminous early Mesozoic arc-signature granites along the southern part of NKT-TSHT. The Paleo-Tethys ocean between TSHT and Karakorum closed at ca. 200 Ma, as demonstrated by the monazite age of the paragneiss in the Kangxiwa Group. Our study does not favor the existence of a Precambrian basement in SKT.

Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of early Paleozoic granitoids in East Kunlun belt: Evidences from geochronology, geochemistry and isotopes

The East Kunlun Orogenic Belt(EKOB) provides an important link to reconstruct the evolution of the Proto-Tethys and Paleo-Tethys realm. The EKOB is marked by widespread Early Paleozoic magmatism.Here we report the petrology, bulk geochemistry, zircon Ue Pb dating and, Lue Hf and SreN d isotopic data of the Early Paleozoic granitic rocks in Zhiyu area of the southern EKOB. Based on the zircon U-Pb dating, these granitoids, consisting of diorite, granodiorite and monzogranite, were formed during 450 -430 Ma the Late Ordovician to Middle Silurian. The diorite and granodiorite are high Sr/Y ratio as adakitic affinities, and the monzogranite belongs to highly fractionated I-type. Their(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)ivalues range from 0.7059 to 0.7085, εNd(t) values from -1.6 to -6.0 and the zircon εHf(t) values show large variations from +9.1 to -8.6 with Hf model ages(T_(DM2)) about 848 Ma and 1970 Ma. The large variations of whole-rock Nd and zircon Hf isotopes demonstrate strong isotopic heterogeneity of the source regions which probably resulted from multi-phase underplating of mantle-derived magmas. Geochemical and isotopic studies proved that the diorite and granodiorite had been derived from partial melting of heterogeneous crustal source with variable contributions from ancient continental crust and juvenile components, and the monzogranites were representing fractional crystallization and crustal contamination for arc magma. The Early Paleozoic adakitic rocks and high-K calc-alkaline granitoids in the southern EKOB were likely emplaced in a continental marginal arc setting possibly linked to the southwards subduction of the Paleo Kunlun Ocean and the magma generation is linked to partial melting of thickened continental crust induced by underplating of mantle-derived magmas.

Metamorphism of the East Sector of the Southern Qinling Orogenic Belt and Its Geological Significance

The east sector of the southern Qinling belt is, lithologically, composed mainly of metapelites, ***qüartzites, marbles and small amount of metabasites and gneisses, whose protoliths are the Silurian, Devonian and less commonly the Sinian and Upper Palaeozoic. They have been subjected at least to two epochs of metamorphism. The early epoch belongs to progressive metamorphism which is centered on high amphibolite-granulite fades in the Fuping area and changed outwards into low amphibolite facies (staurolite-kyanite zone), epidote amphibolite facies (garnet zone) and greenschist facies (chlorite and biotite zones), the metamorphic age of which is about 220–260 Ma. This early-epoch metamorphism belongs to different pressure types: the rocks from greenschist to low amphibolite facies belong to the typical medium-pressure type which shows geothermal gradients of about 17–20 ***C/km and was probably produced by a crustal thickening process related to continental collision, and the high amphibolite-granulite facies belongs to the low-pressure type which shows geothermal gradients of about 25–38 ***C/km and was probably affected by some magmatic heats. Based on the basic characteristics of the P-T paths of the different facies calculated from the garnet zonations, it can be deduced that the metamorphism of medium-pressure facies series took place during an imbricated thickening process, rather than during the uplifting process after thickening. The late-epoch metamorphism belongs to dynamic metamorphism of greenschist facies which is overprinted on the early-epoch metamorphic rocks and is Yanshanian or Himalayan in age, probably related to intracontinental orogeny.

Junction and Evolution of the Qinling,Qilian and Kunlun Orogenic Belts

As the main part of the “central mountain system” in the continent of China, the Qinling, Qilian and Kunlun orogenic belts have been comprehensively and deeply studied since the 1970s and rich fruits have been reaped. However, these achievements were mostly confined to an individual orogenic belt and the study of the mutual relationship among the three orogenic belts was obliged to depend on comparative studies. Different views were produced therefrom. The material composition and structural features of the junction region show that there are several epicontinental and intracontinental transform faults developed in different periods. Restricted by these transform faults, the large-scale lateral movements and, as a consequence, complicated magmatism and tectonic deformation took place in the orogenic belts. According to these features, the authors put forward a three-stage junction and evolution model and point out that there is not a single junction zone traversing from west to east but that the three orogenic belts have been joined progressively by the epicontinental and intracontinental transform faults.

Rock Series and Genetic Types of Granitoids in the Western Kunlun Orogenic Belt,China

A systematic geological and geochemical study was conducted for the granitoids of different periods in the western Kunlun orogenic belt. The study indicates that the granitoids belong to tholeiitic, calc-alkaline, high-K calc-alkaline, alkaline and shoshonitic series, and that there are 5 genetic types, i.e., I-, S-, M-, A- and SH-type, of which SH-type is first put forward in this paper, which corresponds to shoshonitic granitoids.

Mafic-ultramafic magma activity and copper-nickel sulfide metallogeny during Paleozoic in the Eastern Kunlun Orogenic Belt,Qinghai Province,China

The Eastern Kunlun Orogenic Belt(EKOB)has a complex geological structure and diverse magmatic activities,which are closely related to the Qaidam Basin and the Tethys tectonic evolution.There are at least 3 stages mafic-ultramafic rocks occurred in the Early Paleozoic in EKOB.The first stage is the Later-Silurian to Early Devonian,represented by the giant Xiarihamu super large magmatic Cu-Ni deposit,containing about 1.18 million metric tons(Mt)of nickel with average grades of 0.65%Ni,and its age of ore-forming pyroxene peridotite is 411 Ma;The second stage is the Early Carboniferous,represented by the large Shitoukengde magmatic Cu-Ni sulfide deposit,and its ore-forming age of the olivine websterite is 334 Ma;The third stage of mafic-ultramafic rocks occurred mainly during the Middle-Late Triassic,represented by Xiaojianshan,Lalinggaoli,and Kaimuqi complexes,and no economical ore bodies have been found in this period.The authors summarized the difference between the ore-bearing and the nonmineralized mafic-ultramafic rocks in the EKOB.The olivine of the ore-bearing complexes contains higher MgO and SiO2 content but lower FeO and CaO contents,and the clinopyroxene of ore-bearing complexes contains lower FeO and CaO contents.Crustal sulfur contamination is key to the formation of the giant Xiarihamu Ni deposit,and crustal sulfur contamination degree of the giant magmatic Ni deposit is higher than that of large Ni deposit.The above indicators could guide the exploration and evaluation of similar deposits in the EKOB.

First Report of Zircon U-Pb Ages from Lubei Cu-Ni Sulfide Deposit in East Tianshan of Central Asian Orogenic Belt, NW China

Objective The East Tianshan mafic-ultramafic rocks belt mainly produced in the eastern Jueluotage belt is an important part of the Central Asia Orogenic Belt （CAOB）. The well- known deposits including Huangshan, Huangshandong, Tulaergen, Hulu, Xiangshan were have been consecutively discovered in this belt （Duan Xingxing et al., 2016）. The new discovery of the Lubei Cu-Ni sulfide deposit in recent years, which locates in the west of Jueluotage belt, has great significance to the westward extension of the East Tianshan Cu-Ni metallogenic belt. To determine whether the mineralization age of the Lubei Cu-Ni sulfide deposit is consistent with other typical deposits, this study conducted zircon U-Pb geochronology on the diorite from the Lubei Cu-Ni sulfide deposit in order to provide new information for further exploring direction of Cu-Ni prospecting in East Tianshan.

Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of Late Triassic granitoids in the Alananshan,East Kunlun belt:evidence from geochemistry,geochronology,and zircon Hf isotopic compositions

The Qimantag in the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt has widespread Triassic magmatic rocks that have received scant attention,with an unresolved issue relating to its petrogenesis and geodynamics.In this paper,we used zircon U-Pb-Hf isotopes and whole-rock geochemistry to trace the petrogenesis and tectonic settings of the moyite and monzogranite from the Qimantag Alananshan,East Kunlun.The moyite and monzogranite are silicic(SiO_(2-)~69.9-76.41%),highly alkali(Na_(2)O+K_(2)O~7.29 to8.96 wt.%),with Mg^(#)about 10.4-30.34,indicative of a high-K calc-alkaline rock series.The rare earth element patterns diagram is right-leaning,with a negative Eu anomaly(δEu=0.31-0.68).They are enriched in Rb,K,and light rare earth elements but depleted in Nb,Ta,and Ti,with abundant amphibole,typical of I-type granites.U-Pb on zircon constrained the emplacement of the moyite at 223.9±2.6 Ma and monzogranite at 226.9±2.9 Ma.TheεHf(t)values range from-2.8 to+0.1 except for one outlier value of-7.0,corresponding two-stage model age of 1249-1437 Ma.Our combined geochemical and isotopic results indicate that the moyite and monzogranite were derived from partial melting of the lower thicken crust with the contribution from the older basement materials.These rocks formed in a post-collision setting that is transitional between compressive collision and extension orogeny.

MULTI-ARC BASIN SYSTEM OF THE KUNLUN OROGENIC BELT AND PAN-CATHYSIAN CONTINENTAL ACCRETION

After Rodinia supercontinent was disintegrated in Late Proterozoic, an ocean, namely, Tethys Ocean, occurred between Gondwana continental group and Pan-Cathaysian continental group from Late Proterozoic to Mesozoic. From Early Paleozoic to Mesozoic, Tethys Ocean was subducted toward Pan-Cathaysian block group, which results in backarc expansion, arc-land collision and forearc accretion. When the backarc basin expands and reaches the small oceanic basin, ophiolite melange will be generated. As accretion had already occurred in the south of the continental margin in the earlier stage, the succeeding backarc expansion and the frontal arc position were migrated toward south correspondingly. Therefore, multiple ophiolite belts and magmatic rock belts occurred, and show a trend of decreasing age from north toward south. As the continental margin was split and migrated toward south and reached a high latitude position, i.e., with the shortening and subduction of oceanic crust, the sedimentary bodies at high latitude was accreted continuously toward low latitude area together with the formation of oceanic island, mixing of cold-type and warm-type organism was generated. Moreover,blocks split and separated from Pan-Cathaysian or Gondwana continental group cannot traverse the oceanic median ridge and joins with another continental block. As a result, the Kunlun belt on the SW margin of the Pan-Cathaysian land was resulted from the multi-arc orogenesis such as the backarc seabed expansion, arc-arc collision, arc-land collision oceanic bed, and the continuous southward accretion process.

GRANITOIDS AND TETONIC EVOLUTION OF THE WEST KUNLUN OROGENIC BELT

The West Kunlun orogenic belt, one of the least studied areas in China, is located at the junction between the Qinghai—Tibetan Plateau and Tarim Basin and has undergone intense tectonic action and frequent magmatism.The West Kunlun orogenic belt can be divided into five tectonic\|magmatic evolution stages according to the character of the igneous rocks, metamorphic rocks, sedimentation mode, tectonic phases and isotopic ages(Fig 1).Active stages have dominated with only short intervening stable stages. This kind of evolution is not simply repeated but that a later stage is elevation and development of its former stage.Space\|time distribution of granitoids varies with each different tectonic\| magmatic stage as well as within different periods of the same tectonic\| magmatism stage. Take time into condition , It is an important turning movement of tectonics\|magmatism evolution during the Indo\|Sinian movement, as space the middle fault (Jiang Chunfa 1982) of the West Kunlun orogenic belt is a significant border o f tectonics\|magmatism evolution. Granitoids formed before Indo\|Sinian movement are mainly distributed to the north of the middle fault of West Kunlun. These granitoids are mostly granites of early and middle Proterozoic, Caledonian and Hercynian ages. A unique control on the granitoid evolution is that they become younger from NE to SW, crossing the regional structure line. Granitoids formed after Indo\|Sinian movement are mainly distributed to the south of the middle fault. But distribution of granitoids of early Yanshan cycle cut across the middle fault of West Kunlun Mountain. Their age distribution shows a bidirectional control with the granitoids becoming younger across the regional structural lines from NE and SW boundary fault to the interior of the fracture belts.

Rhenium-Osmium Isotope Constraints on the Origin of the Tianyu Cu-Ni Deposit in the East Tianshan Orogenic Belt, Xinjiang, NW China

The Tianyu Cu-Ni sulfide deposit occurs in the north margin of the Central Tianshan Arc in East Tianshan orogenic belt, Xinjiang, NW China. The intrusions consist of gabbro, peridotite, and olivine pyroxenite. The peridotite and pyroxenite are the main host rock for the Cu-Ni ores. Rhenium and osmium isotopic analyses of Ni-and Cu-bearing sulfide minerals from the deposit have been used to determine the source of osmium, and by inference, the sources of ore metals. Sulfide ore samples have Os and Re concentrations varying in the ranges 1.85 to 4.58 ppb and 93.56 to 146.00 ppb, respectively. An initial ^(187)Os/^(188)Os ratio ranges from 0.86 to 1.23 for the ores and the γOs values from 592 to 2227. Osmium isotopic data suggest that the Tianyu intrusion and associated Cu-Ni mineralization has derived from crustal-contaminated mantle melts. The intrusions early show island-arc geochemical signatures, which indicate that the Hulu mafic–ultramafic intrusions, along with the Cu-Ni deposit, formed as a result of subduction of oceanic crust in the Early Permian.

Late Caledonian Ductile Thrusting Deformation in the Central East Kunlun Belt, Qinghai, China and Its Significance: Evidence from Geochronology

A high-angle ductile thrusting deformation with top-to-the-north movement penetratively developed in the Proterozoic-Early Paleozoic metamorphic rocks along the Central East Kunlun belt. The deformed rocks suffered epidote-amphibolite facies metamorphism. On the basis of our previous study, we present more data in this paper to further support that the ducdle thrust deformation occurred in the later Caledonian and more detailed information about the deformation. A zircon U-Pb concordant age of 446±2.2 Ma of a deformed granodiorite in the ductile thrust zone was obtained and can be interpreted as the lower limit of the deformation. A syntectonically crystallized and also strongly deformed hornblende Ar/ Ar dating gives an Ar/Ar plateau age of 426.5±3.8 Ma, which represents the deformation age. A strongly orientated muscovite gives an Ar/Ar plateau age of 408±1.6Ma, representing the cooling age after the peak temperature, constraining the upper limit of the ductile thrust deformation. This ductile thrust deformation can be interpreted as the result of the closing of the Central East Kunlun archipelago ocean. To the north, Ar/Ar plateau ages of 382.9±0.2 Ma and 386.8±0.8 Ma of muscovite in the deformed Xiaomiao Group represent the uplift cooling ages of deeper rocks after the thrusting movement. The original thrusting foliation has a low angle. A rotation model was put forward to explain the development of the foliation from the original low-angle to present high-angle dipping.