Neoproterozoic(750–711 Ma)Tectonics of the South Qinling Belt,Central China:New Insights from Geochemical,Zircon U-Pb Geochronological,and Sr-Nd Isotopic Data from the Niushan Complex

The Xiejiaba and Fuqiangbei plutons form part of the newly identified Neoproterozoic Niushan complex,which is located in the southern South Qinling belt(SQB).The plutons are compositionally similar,were emplaced at 750–711Ma,and provide insights into Neoproterozoic tectonism within the South Qinling belt.The Xiejiaba pluton contains diorite,quartz diorite,granodiorite,and granite phases,all of which are sub-alkaline and have variable major element compositions with negative correlations between SiO_(2)and MgO,TFe_(2)O_(3),Al_(2)O_(3),CaO,TiO_(2)and P_(2)O_(5).These rocks are enriched in light rare earth elements(LREEs)and large ion lithophile elements(LILEs)and have negative Nb,Ta,P and Ti anomalies,all of which are indicative of arc-type magmatism.The Fuqiangbei pluton contains granitoids that are compositionally similar to the rocks in the Xiejiaba pluton.Samples from these plutons have similarε_(Nd)(t)values(1.24–5.99)but very variable(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)i values(0.7010–0.7054).Combining these data with the geochemical data for these rocks suggests that the magmas that formed the Niushan complex were derived from the crust–mantle boundary.This,combined with the results of previous research,suggests that the transition from low pressure-low temperature to low pressure-high temperature conditions within a subduction zone caused melting during a period of late subduction and backarc extension.This constrain the timing of subduction within the South Qinling belt and the northern Yangtze Block(YB)to 750–711 Ma,with this Neoproterozoic subduction associated with an ocean to the north overprinting an existing continental rift-type tectonic setting within the northern margin of the Yangtze Block and the South Qinling belt.

Petrological and Geochemical Constraints on the Origin of Strongly Peraluminous Granitoids from the Triassic Guangtoushan Pluton in South Qinling

As an important part of the early Mesozoic granites in the South Qinling tectonic belt(SQTB),the Guangtoushan pluton provides a material basis for research on the composition of magma sources and the effects of peritectic assemblage entrainment(PAE)on the changes in the granite composition.As shown by the results of LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating,the Guangtoushan pluton was emplaced during the Late Triassic(214-212 Ma)and was formed in the post-collision stage between the SQTB and the Yangtze plate.The collected samples had high SiO_(2)content and low Cr and Ni contents,indicating that the magmas did not undergo significant crust-mantle mixing during their evolution.The Guangtoushan granitoids were distributed along the trend line of magmatic fractional crystallization in the F-An-Or diagram.This result,combined with the relatively homogeneous Sr-Nd isotopic composition,implies that the Guangtoushan pluton underwent slight assimilation and contamination.As can be inferred from the comparison between the compositions of the Guangtoushan granitoids and various fluid-absent experimental melts,the magma sources of the Guangtoushan granitoids contain a variety of materials,such as graywackes,pyroclastic graywackes,and pelites and are not derived from lower crustal mafic rocks.The correlation between the maficity and the major and trace elements further indicates that the strongly peraluminous granitoids from the Guangtoushan pluton was formed by the partial melting of biotite-bearing crustal rocks and its magmatic evolution was accompanied by the entrainment of clinopyroxenes and accessory minerals.

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

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

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

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

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

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

U-Pb Zircon and Re-Os Molybdenite Geochronology of the W-Mo Mineralized Region of South Qinling, China, and their Tectonic Implications

A W-Mo mineralized region is located along the northern margin of the South Qinling tectonic belt of China. WMo mineralization occurs mainly in Cambrian–Ordovician clastic and carbonate rocks, and the ore bodies are structurally controlled by NW–SE-and NNE–SSW-striking faults. Evidence for magmatism in the area is widespread and is dominated by intermediate–felsic intrusives or apophyses, such as the Dongjiangkou, Yanzhiba, Lanbandeng, and Sihaiping granitic bodies. Quartz-vein-type mineralization and fault-controlled skarn-type mineralization dominate the ore systems, with additional enrichment in residual deposits. At present, there are few or insufficient studies on(1) the age of mineralization,(2) the relationship between intermediate–felsic granite and W-Mo mineralization,(3) the source of ore-forming materials, and(4) the metallogenic and tectonic setting of the mineralized area. In this paper, we present geochronology results for numerous intrusive granitic bodies in the South Qinling tectonic belt. U-Pb zircon geochronology of the Lanbandeng monzogranite and Wangjiaping biotite monzogranite yields ages of 222.7 ± 2.3 and 201.9 ± 1.8 Ma, respectively. In contrast to the Late Triassic age of the Lanbandeng monzogranite, the age of the newly discovered Wangjiaping biotite monzogranite places it at the Triassic–Jurassic boundary. Re-Os molybdenite geochronology on the Qipangou W-Mo deposit yielded a model age of 199.7 ± 3.9 Ma, indicating the deposit formed in the early Yanshanian period of the Early Jurassic. Granitoid intrusions in the mineralized area are characterized by composite granite bodies that crystallized at ca. 240–190 Ma. While there were multiple stages of intrusion, most occurred at 210–220 Ma, with waning magmatic activity at 200–190 Ma. The Re-Os age of molybdenite in the region is ca. 200–190 Ma, which may represent a newly discovered period of W-Mo metallogenesis that occurred during the final stages of magmatism. The heat associated with this magmatism drove ore formation and might have provided additional ore-forming components for metallogenesis(represented by the Wangjiaping biotite monzogranite). Ore materials in the mineralized area were derived from mixed crustal and mantle sources. Enrichment of the region occurred during intracontinental orogenesis in the late Indosinian–Yanshanian, subsequent to the main Indosinian collision. At this time, the tectonic environment was dominated by extension and strike-slip motion.

Genesis of the Taishanmiao Au Deposit in the Ningshan-Zhenan Ore Field,South Qinling Orogen,China:Evidence from Geochemical,Geochronological and S-Pb-H-O Isotopical Study

The Taishanmiao Au deposit is in the western part of the Ningshan-Zhenan ore field,in the South Qinling orogen.Based on geological and geochemical features,we propose that the Taishanmiao Au deposit is a magmatichydrothermal type of deposit.All samples have high SiO_(2),K_(2)O+Na_(2)O contents and differentiation index values,low CaO,MgO,P_(2)O_(5),and TiO_(2)contents,are enriched in high field-strength elements,and depleted in large ion lithophile element.The stable isotopeδ^(34)S values of pyrite vary from 6.8%-7.8%,and the H-O isotopic compositions of quartz from quartzpyrite veins indicate the ore-forming fluid is a mixture of a small amount of magmatic-hydrothermal solution and groundwater.Lead isotope ratios of pyrite and silicalite can show that the ore-forming materials were derived from a mixed source containing mantle and crustal materials.At the same time,the LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of monzogranite is 198.4±4.2 Ma.Combined with the regional geological background,the intracontinental extension in the late collisional orogeny and large-scale lithospheric thinning associated with mantle uplift may lead to large-scale mineralisation in the region.

Deformation Structures of the Madao Gneiss in South Qinling:Structural Analysis,Geochronological Constraints,and Tectonic Implications

The tectonic evolution of South Qinling, which is a main part of the Qinling orogenic belt, is still in dispute and deformation history of South Qinling is poorly studied. In this paper, detailed structural, microstructural, quartz c-axis fabric analysis, and geochronology results for the Madao gneiss in South Qinling are presented to characterize the deformation history. Results show that rocks in the northern part （Tiefodian-Laozhanggou） experience general shearing and deform at relative low temperature. The shear sense generally is south to north. In contrast, rocks in the southern part （Laozhanggou-Panjiahe） are weakly sheared with pure shear features and evidence of high- temperature deformation. Based on the analyses, we conclude that there exist two distinct deformation geometries in the Madao gneiss and accordingly we can divide the deformation into two stages. The early stage is represented by regional shortening, while the late stage features northward thrust shearing and evidence shows that it was a progressive process between them. LA-ICP MS U-Pb dating of zircons from pre-deformational migmatite veins yields age of 198.5 ±2.0 Ma. This result, in combination with the age of post-deformational granite, indicates that the northward thrust shearing of the Madao gneiss occurred in the Late Triassic. In view of these results and other reported data in South Qinling, we propose that deformation in Madao gneiss may result from the initial collision and subsequent northward accretion in Late Triassic.

U-Pb Zircon Ages and Geochemistry of the Metasedimentary Rocks from the Foping Area in the South Qinling Belt:Evidence for Early Devonian Amalgamation between North China and South China Blocks

The provenance and tectonic implications of Late Paleozoic sedimentary rocks in the South Qinling Belt(SQB) provide important clues for understanding the timing and mechanism of the collision between North China Block(NCB) and South China Block(SCB).Here we report new LAICP-MS zircon U-Pb ages and geochemical composition of metasedimentary rocks from the Foping area in the SQB.The results indicate that the depositional age of the Wenquan Group can be limited to the Early Devonian by the youngest U-Pb age of 398 Ma,whereas those of the quartz schist from the Changjiaoba Group could be constrained after the Carboniferous by the youngest206Pb/238U peak age of 306 Ma.Therefore,much of the previously-assumed “Neoarchaean or Paleoproterozoic” strata,including the Wenquan and Changjiaoba groups,were actually deposited in the Late Paleozoic.Based on analysis and comparison of the detrital zircon ages of the Devonian tectonic units in the SQB,we found that most prominent peak ages of detrital zircons from metasedimentary rocks in the Foping area shared similar characteristics with others.They mainly derived from the North Qinling Belt and South Qinling Belt-Yangtze Block,with a minor source probably from the North China Block,implying that the Shangdan Ocean between NCB and SCB had closed in the Early Devonian.Combined with regional geological background and geochemical data,we inferred that these Devonian strata formed in the foreland basin after the amalgamation of the North China Block and South China Block.

Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes of the Early Paleozoic maficultramafic dykes and basalts from South Qinling belt and their implications for mantle composition

Late Early Paleozoic mafic-ultramafic dykes and volcanic rocks from the South Qinling belt are char- acterized by εNd( t ) = +3.28― +5.02, (87Sr/86Sr)i= 0.70341― 0.70555, (206Pb/204Pb)i = 17.256― 18.993, (207Pb/204Pb)i= 15.505―15.642, (208Pb/204Pb)i=37.125―38.968, ?8/4=21.18―774.43, ?7/4=8.11―18.82. These charac- teristics suggest that they derived from a Middle Neoproterozoic mantle with isotopic compositions of mixed HIMU, EMII and minor EMI components. We interpret that these rocks were melting products of depleted mantle modified by subducted ancient oceanic crust and continental margin sediments along the northern margin of Yangtze block during Early Neoproterozoic.

Chronology and petrogenesis of the Hejiazhuang granitoid pluton and its constraints on the Early Triassic tectonic evolution of the South Qinling Belt

The Hejiazhuang pluton is located in the South Qinling Tectonic Belt （SQTB） in the north side of the MianxianLueyang Su ture Zone, and consists dominantly of granodiorites. LAICPMS zircon UPb dating and LuHf isotopic analyses reveal that these granodiorites of the Hejiazhaung pluton emplaced at 248 Ma, and show a large variation in zircon eHt（t） values from 4.8 to 8.8. These granodiorite samples are attributed to highK to midK calcalkaline series, and characterized by high SiO2 （66.6±70.0%）, A1203 （15.04±16.10%） and Na20 （3.74±4.33%） concentrations, with high Mg# （54.2±61.7）. All samples have high Sr （627±751 ppm）, Cr （553±73 ppm） and Ni （17.2182 ppm）, but low Y （5.42-8.41 ppm） and Yb （0.59-0.74 ppm） concentrations with high Sr/Y ratios （84.90±120.66）. They also display highly fractionated REE patterns with （La/Yb）N ratios of 18.93-4.0 and positive Eu anomalies （0＂Eu=1.102.22） in the chondritenormalized REE patterns. In the primitive mantle normalized spidergrams, these samples exhibit enrichment in LILEs but depletion in Nb, Ta, P and Ti. These geochemical fea tures indicate that the granodioritic magma of the Hejiazhuang pluton was derived from the partial melting of hybrid sources comprising the subducted oceanic slab and sediments, and the melts were polluted by the mantle wedge materials during their ascent. The emplacement ages and petrogenesis of the Hejiazhuang pluton prove that the initial subduction of the Mianlue oceanic crust occurred at 248 Ma ago, and the SQTB was still under subduction tectonic setting in the Early Triassic.

Discovery of late Paleozoic fossils in tectonic blocks of the Dabao Formation in the South Qinling Orogenic Belt and their significance

The Dabao Formation in the South Qinling Orogenic Belt was previously regarded as Ordovician in age and consists of clastic matrix and blocks of siltstone,limestone,chert,and volcanic rocks.However,some Middle Devonian corals,conodonts,and other fossil fragments within the limestone blocks were discovered in recent field investigations,indicating that the Dabao Formation was formed during late Paleozoic.Combined with other regional geological data,the Dabao Formation in the Southern Qinling Orogenic Belt is considered to be a late Paleozoic or early Mesozoic accretionary complex.

Mesozoic uplift of the Dabashan and Micangshan-Hannan Dome in the South Qinling orogenic belt

The topographic evolution of continental orogens is important for understanding continental orogenic processes,geodynamic mechanisms,and climatic and environmental changes.The Qinling Orogen is a major orogenic belt in China,and its uplift history can provide insights into the tectonic configuration and geodynamics of China and East Asia.Previous studies have shown that the Dabashan and Micangshan-Hannan Dome(MHD)in the South Qinling orogenic belt were uplifted during the Mesozoic.However,the magnitude of the uplift remains unclear.In this study,using sedimentary records in the northern Sichuan Basin and lithospheric flexural modeling,we estimated the magnitude of Mesozoic uplift of the Dabashan and MHD,along with the effective elastic thickness(Te)of the Sichuan Basin.The Dabashan and MHD were uplifted by approximately 1220 and 880 m during the Middle Jurassic and Early Cretaceous,respectively.Therefore,we propose that the present-day elevation of the Dabashan and MHD is primarily the result of Mesozoic uplift.The differences in the duration and amount of uplift between different tectonic units indicate that the uplift processes and driving mechanisms in the South Qinling orogenic belt were different in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic.Mesozoic uplift was the result of convergence of the North China and South China blocks advanced from east to west,whereas Cenozoic uplift was driven by ongoing indentation of the Indian Plate into Eurasia from southwest to northeast.The lithospheric strength of the northern Sichuan Basin was weakened from the Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous,and Tedecreased from 73 to 57 km.This may have been caused by the flexure-related bending stresses in the lithosphere that developed due to the large topographic loading.

Rock Assemblages and Formation Ages of the Baishuijiang Group in the Southwest Qinling Orogenic Belt, Northwest China

The Baishuijiang Group, located in the southwest Qinling orogenic belt, is divided into three belts according to the characteristic of the matrix and rock blocks based on the large scale geological mapping. The north belt and south belt are composed of abyssal mudstone and siltstone, and limestone, chert and basic and ultrabasic rock blocks. The middle belt consists of a few limestone blocks and turbidites, which were formed in the trench environment. At present, in the Baishuijiang Group, many fossils were found in matrix and rock blocks, the fossils contain the Cambrian small shell fossils(Xiao, 1992;Tao et al., 1992), Silurian chitinozoas, scolecodonts and spores, and Ordovician graptolites, and middle Devonian Coral and conodonts in limestone and chert blocks(Wang et al., 2011a), and Permian radiolarians in the matrix(Wang et al., 2007). The volcanic rock blocks have undergone different degree of metamorphism. Their geochemical characteristics indicate that the rocks are similar to oceanic island arc and seamount(Wang et al., 2009), and SHRIMP U-Pb dating yielded ages from Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic(Yan et al., 2007;Wang et al., 2009, 2011b). Therefore, comprehensive analysis of regional data, the Baishuijiang group is an accretionary complex which was consisted of matrix and blocks, and was finally formed during Permian-Triassic.

Drainage evolution in intermontane basins at the Qinling-Daba Mountains

River capture is of great significance to landform evolution and hominine migration.In the Qinling-Daba Mountains,there is a viewpoint that Jialing River captured Hanjiang River,but this is still controversial.In this paper,we discuss the drainage evolution processes in intermountain basins at the Qinling-Daba Mountains based on a combination of detrital zircon UPb geochronology and geomorphic indexes.We suggest that the Hanjiang River gradually captured the Jialing River from east to west,accompanied by the evolution of the ancient Yangtze River.In terms of geomorphic evidences,wide valleys did not match with discharge,and a series of wind gaps developed in the Shiquan-Ankang basin.In addition,the valley shapes and width-toheight ratios(Vf)indicate two possible rapid incisions.The hypsometric integrals(HI)reflect that the landform gradually changes from the old stage to the youth stage from west to east.Theχvalues show that the drainage divide is moving to the side of the Yuehe River,and the Yuehe River is gradually shrinking.According to the sedimentary records,the zircon U-Pb age distributions indicate the provenance change.The high-altitude terraces show three age peaks(200–250,400–505,and 700–900 Ma),with the dominant Indosinian age peak(200–250 Ma),while the modern fluvial sediments only show a single peak of Jinning(700–900 Ma).These data show that there are two major river captures:(1)The ancient Hanjiang River cut through the regional compression ridge,and then captured the Hanzhong Basin river system(a part of the ancient Jialing river system)from east to west,and(2)The southern tributary captured the trunk with the uplift of the divide in the Shiquan-Ankang Basin,forming the modern drainage pattern in the upper Hanjiang River.The activities of the regional strike-slip fault,and the associated compression uplift played a key role in the river captures,the drainage evolution,and related landforms in the Shiquan-Ankang basin.In addition,it is shown that the evolution of the upper tributary basins lagged behind the response of the trunk channel to the tectonic activities and river captures.The interconnected wide valleys caused by river capture may have provided convenient geomorphological conditions for human migration into the Qinling-Daba Mountains along those river valleys.

Geochemistry of the subduction-related magmatic rocks in the Dahong Mountains, northern Hubei Province--Constraint on the existence and subduction of the eastern Mianlüe oceanic basin

The existence and subduction of the eastern Mianl oceanic basin in the south Qinling belt are keys to understand the Qinling orogen. Based on geological mapping, several volcanic slices have been identified in Tumen, Zhoujiawan, Xiaofu and Yuantan areas, which distribute in the northern margin of the Dahong Mountains (DHM), and thrust into the Sanli-gang-Sanyang fault. These slices consist mainly of diabases, basaltic-andesitic lavas, pyroclastic rocks and a minor tuff. The geochemistry of the basalts, andesites,and diabases is characterized by depleting in Nb and Ta, enriching in Th and LILE (e.g.K, Rb, Ba), and undifferentiating in HFSE. These geochemical characteristics suggest that the original magma of these rocks was derived from a mantle wedge above a subduction zone, and formed in an island-arc setting in Carboniferous-early Triassic. Comparing with the ophiolites and island-arc volcanic rocks in Mianxian-Leyang area to the west, it is reasonable to consider that there had been an oceanic basin connecting with the Mianle ancient ocean to the westward, distributing along the south edge of the Tongbai-Dabie block. In view of the ophiolite in Huashan area and these island-arc volcanic rocks along the north of the Dahong Mountains, it is suggested that there had been a plate tectonic evolutionary history with oceanic basin rifting and subduction in this region.

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.