The interaction between the India-Eurasia collision and the Western Pacific subduction and their contribution to recent geodynamics of the Asian continent are discussed. We perform a comparative analysis of the data a...The interaction between the India-Eurasia collision and the Western Pacific subduction and their contribution to recent geodynamics of the Asian continent are discussed. We perform a comparative analysis of the data available from world literature and new data on the slow strain and earthquake migration from the India-Eurasia collision and the Western Pacific subduction zones. Based on the concepts of wave dynamics of the deformation processes, a localization scheme is constructed illustrating the migration of slow strain fronts in central and eastern Asia, and the wave geodynamic impact of collision and subduction on the Asian continent is shown.展开更多
The Central India Tectonic Zone （CITZ） marks the trace of a major suture zone along which the south Indian and the north Indian continental blocks were assembled through subduction-accretion- collision tectonics in ...The Central India Tectonic Zone （CITZ） marks the trace of a major suture zone along which the south Indian and the north Indian continental blocks were assembled through subduction-accretion- collision tectonics in the Mesoproterozoic. The CITZ also witnessed the major, plume-related, late Cretaceous Deccan volcanic activity, covering substantial parts of the region with continental flood basalts and associated magmatic provinces. A number of major fault zones dissect the region, some of which are seismically active. Here we present results from gravity modeling along five regional profiles in the CITZ, and combine these results with magnetotelluric （MT） modeling results to explain the crustal architecture. The models show a resistive （more than 2000 Ω. m） and a normal density （2.70 g/cm3） upper crust suggesting dominant tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite （TTG） composition. There is a marked correlation between both high-density （2.95 g/cm3） and low-density （2.65 g/cm3） regions with high conductive zones （〈80 Ω. m） in the deep crust. We infer the presence of an interconnected grain boundary network of fluids or fluid-hosted structures, where the conductors are associated with gravity lows. Based on the conductive nature, we propose that the lower crustal rocks are fluid reservoirs, where the fluids occur as trapped phase within minerals, fluid-filled porosity, or as fluid-rich structural conduits. We envisage that substantial volume of fluids were transferred from mantle into the lower crust through the younger plume-related Deccan volcanism, as well as the reactivation, fracturing and expulsion of fluids transported to depth during the Mesoproterozoic subduction tectonics. Migration of the fluids into brittle fault zones such as the Narmada North Fault and the Narmada South Fault resulted in generating high pore pressures and weakening of the faults, as reflected in the seismicity. This inference is also supported by the presence of broad gravity lows near these faults, as well as the low velocity in the lower crust beneath regions of recent major earthquakes within the CITZ.展开更多
Continent-continent collision is the most important driving mechanism for the occurrence of various geological processes in the continental lithosphere. How to recognize and determine continent-continent collision, es...Continent-continent collision is the most important driving mechanism for the occurrence of various geological processes in the continental lithosphere. How to recognize and determine continent-continent collision, especially its four-dimensional temporal-spatial evolution, is a subject that geological communities have long been concerned about and studied. Continent-continent collision is mainly manifested by strong underthrusting (subduction) of the underlying block along an intracontinental subduction zone and continuous obduction (thrusting propagation) of the overlying block along the intracontinental subduction zone, the occurrence of a basin-range tectonic framework in a direction perpendicular to the subduction zone and the flexure and disruption of the Moho. On the basis of numerical modeling, the authors discuss in detail the couplings between various amounts and rates of displacement caused by basin subsidence, mountain uplift and Moho updoming and downflexure during obduction (thrusting propagation) and subduction and the migration pattern of basin centers. They are probably indications or criteria for judgment or determination of continent-continent collision.展开更多
The Alpine zone of Central Pamir is elongated in sublatitudinal direction between the Hercynians of Northern Pamir and the Cimmerians of Southern Pamir south of the Vanch\|Akbaital thrust. Its western continuation is ...The Alpine zone of Central Pamir is elongated in sublatitudinal direction between the Hercynians of Northern Pamir and the Cimmerians of Southern Pamir south of the Vanch\|Akbaital thrust. Its western continuation is overthrusted by the Herat fault and its eastern continuation is cut by the Karakoram strike\|slip fault.. The Central Pamir is a mainly S\|vergent (at the southern part N\|vergent) Alpine nappe stack then folding in antiform. It comprises deposits from Vendian to Neogene which have a thickness of 10km. Paleozoic and Mesozoic tectonic activity was poorly displaied in its limits. Rifting took place in Early and probably Upper Paleozoic. Pre\|Upper Cretaceous unconformity is known only in southern (autochthonous) part of the Zone as a result of closing of Bangong\|Nu Jiang ocean. In northern (allochthonous) part of the zone the sequence of Mesozoic and Paleogene rocks has no unconformities. Alpine endogenous processes were developed very intensively. They implied nappes and imbricate structures, linear folding, different igneous activity, zonal metamorphism. Slices of pyroxenites and gabbroids occured. Calc\|alkaline lavas and tuffs constitutes the major part of Paleocene to Miocene sequence (andesites\|ryolites\|in Paleogene, alkaline basalts in Oligocene—Miocene). Oligocene—Miocene zonal metamorphic belt of the intermediate type of high pressure including series of granitegneiss domes can be traced along the Central Pamir. Cores of domes include migmatites and remobilized bodies of the Early Paleozoic gneissic granites. The decompression took place at a later stage and rocks were overprinted by the andalusite\|sillimanite type metamorphism.. Syenite and leucogranite bodies, pegmatite and aplite veins were emplaced.展开更多
At the beginning of the Cenozoic,the atmospheric CO_(2)concentration increased rapidly from~2000 ppmv at 60 Ma to~4600 ppmv at 51 Ma,which is 5–10 times higher than the present value,and then continuous declined from...At the beginning of the Cenozoic,the atmospheric CO_(2)concentration increased rapidly from~2000 ppmv at 60 Ma to~4600 ppmv at 51 Ma,which is 5–10 times higher than the present value,and then continuous declined from~51 to 34 Ma.The cause of this phenomenon is still not well understood.In this study,we demonstrate that the initiation of Cenozoic west Pacific plate subduction,triggered by the hard collision in the Tibetan Plateau,occurred at approximately 51 Ma,coinciding with the tipping point.The water depths of the Pacific subduction zones are mostly below the carbonate compensation depths,while those of the Neo-Tethys were much shallower before the collision and caused far more carbonate subducting.Additionally,more volcanic ashes erupted from the west Pacific subduction zones,which consume CO_(2).The average annual west Pacific volvano eruption is 1.11 km~3,which is higher than previous estimations.The amount of annual CO_(2)absorbed by chemical weathering of additional west Pacific volcanic ashes could be comparable to the silicate weathering by the global river.We propose that the initiation of the western Pacific subduction controlled the long-term reduction of atmospheric CO_(2)concentration.展开更多
Magmatic periodicity is recognized in continental arcs worldwide, but the mechanism responsible for punctuated arc magmatism is controversial. Continental arcs in the Trans-Himalayan orogenic system display episodic m...Magmatic periodicity is recognized in continental arcs worldwide, but the mechanism responsible for punctuated arc magmatism is controversial. Continental arcs in the Trans-Himalayan orogenic system display episodic magmatism and the most voluminous flare-up in this system was in early Eocene during the transition from subduction to collision. The close association of the flare-up with collision is intriguing. Our study employs zircon Lu-Hf and bulk rock Sr-Nd isotopes, along with mineral geochemistry, to track the melt sources of the Nymo intrusive complex and the role of mantle magma during the early Eocene flare-up of the Gangdese arc, Tibet. The Nymo intrusive complex is composed of gabbronorite, diorite, quartz diorite, and granodiorite which define an arc-related calc-alkaline suite. Zircon U-Pb ages reveal that the complex was emplaced between ~50–47 Ma. Zircon Hf isotopes yield εHf(t) values of 8.2–13.1, while whole-rock Sr and Nd isotopes yield εNd(t) values of 2.7–6.5 indicative of magmatism dominated by melting of a juvenile mantle source with only minor crustal assimilation(~15%–25%) as indicated by assimilation and fractional crystallization modeling. Together with published data, the early Eocene magmatic flare-up was likely triggered by slab breakoff of subducted oceanic lithosphere at depths shallower than the overriding plate. The early Eocene magmatic flare-up may have contributed to crustal thickening of the Gangdese arc. This study provides important insights into the magmatic flare-up and its significant role in the generation of large batholiths during the transition from subduction to collision.展开更多
Subduction plays a fundamental role in plate tectonics and is a significant factor in modifying the structure and topography of the Earth. It is driven by convection forces that change over a >100 Myr time scale. H...Subduction plays a fundamental role in plate tectonics and is a significant factor in modifying the structure and topography of the Earth. It is driven by convection forces that change over a >100 Myr time scale. However, when an oceanic plateau approaches, it plugs the subduction, and causes slab necking and tearing. This abrupt change may trigger a series of geodynamic (tectonic, volcanic) and sedimentary responses recorded across the convergence boundary and its surrounding regions by synchronous structural modifications. We suggest that a large enough triggering event may lead to a ripple tectonic effect that propagates outwards while speeding up the yielding of localized stress states that otherwise would not reach their threshold. The ripple effect facilitates tectonic, volcanic, and structural events worldwide that are seemingly unrelated. When the world’s largest oceanic plateau, Ontong Java Plateau (OJP), choked the Pacific-Australian convergence zone at ~6 Myr ago, it induced kinematic modifications throughout the Pacific region and along its plate margins. Other, seemingly unrelated, short-lived modifications were recorded worldwide during that time window. These modifications changed the rotation of the entire Pacific plate, which occupies ~20% of the Earth’s surface. In addition, the Scotia Sea spreading stopped, global volcanism increased, the Strait of Gibraltar closed, and the Mediterranean Sea dried up and induced the Messinian salinity crisis. In this paper, we attribute these and many other synchronous events to a new “ripple tectonics” mechanism. We suggest that the OJPincipient collision triggered the Miocene-Pliocene transition. Similarly, we suggest that innovative GPS-based studies conducted today may seek the connectivity between tectonic, seismic, and volcanic events worldwide.展开更多
Crustal subduction and continental collision is the core of plate tectonics theory. Understanding the formation and evolution of continental collision orogens is a key to develop the theory of plate tectonics. Differe...Crustal subduction and continental collision is the core of plate tectonics theory. Understanding the formation and evolution of continental collision orogens is a key to develop the theory of plate tectonics. Different types of subduction zones have been categorized based on the nature of subducted crust. Two types of collisional orogens, i.e. arc-continent and continent-continent collisional orogens, have been recognized based on the nature of collisional blocks and the composition of derivative rocks. Arc-continent collisional orogens contain both ancient and juvenile crustal rocks, and reworking of those rocks at the post-collisional stage generates magmatic rocks with different geochemical compositions. If an orogen is built by collision between two relatively old continental blocks, post-collisional magmatic rocks are only derived from reworking of the old crustal rocks. Collisional orogens undergo reactivation and reworking at action of lithosphere extension, with inheritance not only in the tectonic regime but also in the geochemical compositions of reworked products(i.e., magmatic rocks). In order to unravel basic principles for the evolution of continental tectonics at the post-collisional stages, it is necessary to investigate the reworking of orogenic belts in the post-collisional regime, to recognize physicochemical differences in deep continental collision zones, and to understand petrogenetic links between the nature of subducted crust and post-collisional magmatic rocks. Afterwards we are in a position to build the systematics of continental tectonics and thus to develop the plate tectonics theory.展开更多
The Tongbai-Hong'an orogen is located in a key tectonic position linking the Qinling orogen to the west and the Dabie-Sulu orogen to the east. Because the orogen preserves a Paleozoic accretionary orogenic system ...The Tongbai-Hong'an orogen is located in a key tectonic position linking the Qinling orogen to the west and the Dabie-Sulu orogen to the east. Because the orogen preserves a Paleozoic accretionary orogenic system in the north and a latest PaleozoicMesozoic collisional orogenic system in the south, it may serve as an ideal place to study the tectonic evolution between the North and South China Blocks. The available literature data in the past 20 years indicate that the tectonic processes of the Tongbai-Hong'an orogen involved four stages during the Phanerozoic:(1) Early Paleozoic(490–420 Ma) oceanic subduction, arc magmatism and arc-continent collision created a new Andean-type active continental margin on the North China Block;(2) Late Paleozoic(340–310 Ma) oceanic subduction and accretion generated separated paired metamorphic belts: a medium P/T Wuguan-Guishan complex belt in the south of the Shandan-Songpa fault and a high P/T Xiongdian eclogite belt in the northern edge of the Mesozoic HP metamorphic terrane;(3) Latest Paleozoic-Early Mesozoic(255–200 Ma) continental subduction and collision formed the Tongbai HP terrane in the west and the Hong'an HP/UHP terrane in the east as a consequence of deep subduction towards the east and syn-subduction detachment/exhumation of the down-going slab;(4) Late Mesozoic(140–120 Ma) extension, voluminous magma intrusion and tectonic extrusion led to the final exhumation of the Tongbai-Hong'an-Dabie HP/UHP terrane and the wedge-shaped architecture of the terrane narrowing towards the west. However, many open questions still remain about the details of each evolutionary stage and earlier history of the orogen. Besides an extensive study directly on the Tongbai-Hong'an orogen in the future, integrated investigation on the "soft-collisional" Qinling orogen in the west and the "hard-collisional" Dabie-Sulu orogen in the east is required to establish a general tectonic model for the whole Qinling-TongbaiHong'an-Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt.展开更多
Continental subduction and collision normally follows oceanic subduction,with the remarkable event of formation and exhumation of high-to ultra-high-pressure(HP-UHP)metamorphic rocks.Based on the summary of numerical ...Continental subduction and collision normally follows oceanic subduction,with the remarkable event of formation and exhumation of high-to ultra-high-pressure(HP-UHP)metamorphic rocks.Based on the summary of numerical geodynamic models,six modes of continental convergence have been identified:pure shear thickening,folding and buckling,one-sided steep subduction,flat subduction,two-sided subduction,and subducting slab break-off.In addition,the exhumation of HP-UHP rocks can be formulated into eight modes:thrust fault exhumation,buckling exhumation,material circulation,overpressure model,exhumation of a coherent crustal slice,episodic ductile extrusion,slab break-off induced eduction,and exhumation through fractured overriding lithosphere.During the transition from subduction to exhumation,the weakening and detachment of subducted continental crust are prerequisites.However,the dominant weakening mechanisms and their roles in the subduction channel are poorly constrained.To a first degree approximation,the mechanism of continental subduction and exhumation can be treated as a subduction channel flow model,which incorporates the competing effects of downward Couette(subduction)flow and upward Poiseuille(exhumation)flow in the subduction channel.However,the(de-)hydration effect plays significant roles in the deformation of subduction channel and overriding lithosphere,which thereby result in very different modes from the simple subduction channel flow.Three-dimensionality is another important issue with highlighting the along-strike differential modes of continental subduction,collision and exhumation in the same continental convergence belt.展开更多
2D thermo-mechanical models are constructed to investigate the effects of oceanic and continental crustal eclogitization on plate dynamics at three successive stages of oceanic subduction, slab breakoff, and continent...2D thermo-mechanical models are constructed to investigate the effects of oceanic and continental crustal eclogitization on plate dynamics at three successive stages of oceanic subduction, slab breakoff, and continental subduction. Crustal eclogitization directly increases the average slab density and accordingly the slab pull force, which makes the slab subduct deeply and steeply. Numerical results demonstrate that the duration time from initial continental collision to slab breakoff largely depends on the slab pull force. Specifically, eclogitization of subducted crust can greatly decrease the duration time, but increase the breakoff depth. The detachment of oceanic slab from the pro-continental lithosphere is accompanied with obvious exhumation of the subducted continental crust and a sharp uplift of the collision zone in response to the disappearance of downward drag force and the induced asthenospheric upwelling, especially under the condition of no or incomplete crustal eclogitization. During continental subduction, the slab dip angle is strongly correlated with eclogitization of subducted continental lower crust, which regulates the slab buoyancy nature. Our model results can provide several important implications for the Himalayan-Tibetan collision zone. For example, it is possible that the lateral variations in the degree of eclogitization of the subducted Indian crust might to some extent contribute to the lateral variations of subduction angle along the Himalayan orogenic belt. Moreover, the accumulation of highly radiogenic sediments and upper continental crustal materials at the active margin in combination with the strong shear heating due to continuous continental subduction together cause rising of isotherms in the accretionary wedge, which facilitate the development of crustal partial melting and metamorphism.展开更多
The studies of continental deep subduction and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism have not only promoted the development of solid earth science in China, but also provided an excellent opportunity to advance the plate te...The studies of continental deep subduction and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism have not only promoted the development of solid earth science in China, but also provided an excellent opportunity to advance the plate tectonics theory. In view of the nature of subducted crust, two types of subduction and collision have been respectively recognized in nature. On one hand, the crustal subduction occurs due to underflow of either oceanic crust (Pacific type) or continental crust (Alpine type). On the other hand, the continental collision proceeds by arc-continent collision (Himalaya-Tibet type) or continent-continent collision (Dabie-Sulu type). The key issues in the future study of continental dynamics are the chemical changes and differential exhumation in continental deep subduction zones, and the temporal-spatial transition from oceanic subduction to continental subduction.展开更多
The study of subduction-zone processes is a key to development of the plate tectonic theory.Plate interface interaction is a basic mechanism for the mass and energy exchange between Earth’s surface and interior.By de...The study of subduction-zone processes is a key to development of the plate tectonic theory.Plate interface interaction is a basic mechanism for the mass and energy exchange between Earth’s surface and interior.By developing the subduction channel model into continental collision orogens,insights are provided into tectonic processes during continental subduction and its products.The continental crust,composed of felsic to mafic rocks,is detached at different depths from subducting continental lithosphere and then migrates into continental subduction channel.Part of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle wedge,composed of peridotite,is offscrapped from its bottom.The crustal and mantle fragments of different sizes are transported downwards and upwards inside subduction channels by the corner flow,resulting in varying extents of metamorphism,with heterogeneous deformation and local anatexis.All these metamorphic rocks can be viewed as tectonic melanges due to mechanical mixing of crust-and mantle-derived rocks in the subduction channels,resulting in different types of metamorphic rocks now exposed in the same orogens.The crust-mantle interaction in the continental subduction channel is realized by reaction of the overlying ancient subcontinental lithospheric mantle wedge peridotite with aqueous fluid and hydrous melt derived from partial melting of subducted continental basement granite and cover sediment.The nature of premetamorphic protoliths dictates the type of collisional orogens,the size of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic terranes and the duration of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism.展开更多
文摘The interaction between the India-Eurasia collision and the Western Pacific subduction and their contribution to recent geodynamics of the Asian continent are discussed. We perform a comparative analysis of the data available from world literature and new data on the slow strain and earthquake migration from the India-Eurasia collision and the Western Pacific subduction zones. Based on the concepts of wave dynamics of the deformation processes, a localization scheme is constructed illustrating the migration of slow strain fronts in central and eastern Asia, and the wave geodynamic impact of collision and subduction on the Asian continent is shown.
文摘The Central India Tectonic Zone （CITZ） marks the trace of a major suture zone along which the south Indian and the north Indian continental blocks were assembled through subduction-accretion- collision tectonics in the Mesoproterozoic. The CITZ also witnessed the major, plume-related, late Cretaceous Deccan volcanic activity, covering substantial parts of the region with continental flood basalts and associated magmatic provinces. A number of major fault zones dissect the region, some of which are seismically active. Here we present results from gravity modeling along five regional profiles in the CITZ, and combine these results with magnetotelluric （MT） modeling results to explain the crustal architecture. The models show a resistive （more than 2000 Ω. m） and a normal density （2.70 g/cm3） upper crust suggesting dominant tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite （TTG） composition. There is a marked correlation between both high-density （2.95 g/cm3） and low-density （2.65 g/cm3） regions with high conductive zones （〈80 Ω. m） in the deep crust. We infer the presence of an interconnected grain boundary network of fluids or fluid-hosted structures, where the conductors are associated with gravity lows. Based on the conductive nature, we propose that the lower crustal rocks are fluid reservoirs, where the fluids occur as trapped phase within minerals, fluid-filled porosity, or as fluid-rich structural conduits. We envisage that substantial volume of fluids were transferred from mantle into the lower crust through the younger plume-related Deccan volcanism, as well as the reactivation, fracturing and expulsion of fluids transported to depth during the Mesoproterozoic subduction tectonics. Migration of the fluids into brittle fault zones such as the Narmada North Fault and the Narmada South Fault resulted in generating high pore pressures and weakening of the faults, as reflected in the seismicity. This inference is also supported by the presence of broad gravity lows near these faults, as well as the low velocity in the lower crust beneath regions of recent major earthquakes within the CITZ.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant 19972072)Project of the Open Laboratory of Continental Geodynamics of the Ministry of Land and Resources(grant 9812) Stat Project 305 rgrant 96—915—06—04).
文摘Continent-continent collision is the most important driving mechanism for the occurrence of various geological processes in the continental lithosphere. How to recognize and determine continent-continent collision, especially its four-dimensional temporal-spatial evolution, is a subject that geological communities have long been concerned about and studied. Continent-continent collision is mainly manifested by strong underthrusting (subduction) of the underlying block along an intracontinental subduction zone and continuous obduction (thrusting propagation) of the overlying block along the intracontinental subduction zone, the occurrence of a basin-range tectonic framework in a direction perpendicular to the subduction zone and the flexure and disruption of the Moho. On the basis of numerical modeling, the authors discuss in detail the couplings between various amounts and rates of displacement caused by basin subsidence, mountain uplift and Moho updoming and downflexure during obduction (thrusting propagation) and subduction and the migration pattern of basin centers. They are probably indications or criteria for judgment or determination of continent-continent collision.
文摘The Alpine zone of Central Pamir is elongated in sublatitudinal direction between the Hercynians of Northern Pamir and the Cimmerians of Southern Pamir south of the Vanch\|Akbaital thrust. Its western continuation is overthrusted by the Herat fault and its eastern continuation is cut by the Karakoram strike\|slip fault.. The Central Pamir is a mainly S\|vergent (at the southern part N\|vergent) Alpine nappe stack then folding in antiform. It comprises deposits from Vendian to Neogene which have a thickness of 10km. Paleozoic and Mesozoic tectonic activity was poorly displaied in its limits. Rifting took place in Early and probably Upper Paleozoic. Pre\|Upper Cretaceous unconformity is known only in southern (autochthonous) part of the Zone as a result of closing of Bangong\|Nu Jiang ocean. In northern (allochthonous) part of the zone the sequence of Mesozoic and Paleogene rocks has no unconformities. Alpine endogenous processes were developed very intensively. They implied nappes and imbricate structures, linear folding, different igneous activity, zonal metamorphism. Slices of pyroxenites and gabbroids occured. Calc\|alkaline lavas and tuffs constitutes the major part of Paleocene to Miocene sequence (andesites\|ryolites\|in Paleogene, alkaline basalts in Oligocene—Miocene). Oligocene—Miocene zonal metamorphic belt of the intermediate type of high pressure including series of granitegneiss domes can be traced along the Central Pamir. Cores of domes include migmatites and remobilized bodies of the Early Paleozoic gneissic granites. The decompression took place at a later stage and rocks were overprinted by the andalusite\|sillimanite type metamorphism.. Syenite and leucogranite bodies, pegmatite and aplite veins were emplaced.
基金supported by NSFC Major Research Plan on‘‘West-Pacific Earth System Multispheric Interactions’’to Prof.Weidong Sun(Grant No.92258303)AND Prof.Tianyu Chen(Grant No.91858105)。
文摘At the beginning of the Cenozoic,the atmospheric CO_(2)concentration increased rapidly from~2000 ppmv at 60 Ma to~4600 ppmv at 51 Ma,which is 5–10 times higher than the present value,and then continuous declined from~51 to 34 Ma.The cause of this phenomenon is still not well understood.In this study,we demonstrate that the initiation of Cenozoic west Pacific plate subduction,triggered by the hard collision in the Tibetan Plateau,occurred at approximately 51 Ma,coinciding with the tipping point.The water depths of the Pacific subduction zones are mostly below the carbonate compensation depths,while those of the Neo-Tethys were much shallower before the collision and caused far more carbonate subducting.Additionally,more volcanic ashes erupted from the west Pacific subduction zones,which consume CO_(2).The average annual west Pacific volvano eruption is 1.11 km~3,which is higher than previous estimations.The amount of annual CO_(2)absorbed by chemical weathering of additional west Pacific volcanic ashes could be comparable to the silicate weathering by the global river.We propose that the initiation of the western Pacific subduction controlled the long-term reduction of atmospheric CO_(2)concentration.
基金co-supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 42272267)the Research Grants of Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (Grant No. JKYQN202309)+3 种基金the National Key Research and Development Project "Key scientific issues of transformative technology" (Grant No. 2019YFA0708604)the second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program (STEP) Grant (Grant Nos. 2019QZKK0802, 2019QZKK0901)the Scientific Investigation on Basic Resources of Ministry of Science and Technology (Grant No. 2021FY100101)the Geological Survey of China (Grant Nos. DD20221630, DD20242126)。
文摘Magmatic periodicity is recognized in continental arcs worldwide, but the mechanism responsible for punctuated arc magmatism is controversial. Continental arcs in the Trans-Himalayan orogenic system display episodic magmatism and the most voluminous flare-up in this system was in early Eocene during the transition from subduction to collision. The close association of the flare-up with collision is intriguing. Our study employs zircon Lu-Hf and bulk rock Sr-Nd isotopes, along with mineral geochemistry, to track the melt sources of the Nymo intrusive complex and the role of mantle magma during the early Eocene flare-up of the Gangdese arc, Tibet. The Nymo intrusive complex is composed of gabbronorite, diorite, quartz diorite, and granodiorite which define an arc-related calc-alkaline suite. Zircon U-Pb ages reveal that the complex was emplaced between ~50–47 Ma. Zircon Hf isotopes yield εHf(t) values of 8.2–13.1, while whole-rock Sr and Nd isotopes yield εNd(t) values of 2.7–6.5 indicative of magmatism dominated by melting of a juvenile mantle source with only minor crustal assimilation(~15%–25%) as indicated by assimilation and fractional crystallization modeling. Together with published data, the early Eocene magmatic flare-up was likely triggered by slab breakoff of subducted oceanic lithosphere at depths shallower than the overriding plate. The early Eocene magmatic flare-up may have contributed to crustal thickening of the Gangdese arc. This study provides important insights into the magmatic flare-up and its significant role in the generation of large batholiths during the transition from subduction to collision.
文摘Subduction plays a fundamental role in plate tectonics and is a significant factor in modifying the structure and topography of the Earth. It is driven by convection forces that change over a >100 Myr time scale. However, when an oceanic plateau approaches, it plugs the subduction, and causes slab necking and tearing. This abrupt change may trigger a series of geodynamic (tectonic, volcanic) and sedimentary responses recorded across the convergence boundary and its surrounding regions by synchronous structural modifications. We suggest that a large enough triggering event may lead to a ripple tectonic effect that propagates outwards while speeding up the yielding of localized stress states that otherwise would not reach their threshold. The ripple effect facilitates tectonic, volcanic, and structural events worldwide that are seemingly unrelated. When the world’s largest oceanic plateau, Ontong Java Plateau (OJP), choked the Pacific-Australian convergence zone at ~6 Myr ago, it induced kinematic modifications throughout the Pacific region and along its plate margins. Other, seemingly unrelated, short-lived modifications were recorded worldwide during that time window. These modifications changed the rotation of the entire Pacific plate, which occupies ~20% of the Earth’s surface. In addition, the Scotia Sea spreading stopped, global volcanism increased, the Strait of Gibraltar closed, and the Mediterranean Sea dried up and induced the Messinian salinity crisis. In this paper, we attribute these and many other synchronous events to a new “ripple tectonics” mechanism. We suggest that the OJPincipient collision triggered the Miocene-Pliocene transition. Similarly, we suggest that innovative GPS-based studies conducted today may seek the connectivity between tectonic, seismic, and volcanic events worldwide.
基金supported by funds from the National Basic Research Program of China(Grant No.2015CB856100)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41221062)
文摘Crustal subduction and continental collision is the core of plate tectonics theory. Understanding the formation and evolution of continental collision orogens is a key to develop the theory of plate tectonics. Different types of subduction zones have been categorized based on the nature of subducted crust. Two types of collisional orogens, i.e. arc-continent and continent-continent collisional orogens, have been recognized based on the nature of collisional blocks and the composition of derivative rocks. Arc-continent collisional orogens contain both ancient and juvenile crustal rocks, and reworking of those rocks at the post-collisional stage generates magmatic rocks with different geochemical compositions. If an orogen is built by collision between two relatively old continental blocks, post-collisional magmatic rocks are only derived from reworking of the old crustal rocks. Collisional orogens undergo reactivation and reworking at action of lithosphere extension, with inheritance not only in the tectonic regime but also in the geochemical compositions of reworked products(i.e., magmatic rocks). In order to unravel basic principles for the evolution of continental tectonics at the post-collisional stages, it is necessary to investigate the reworking of orogenic belts in the post-collisional regime, to recognize physicochemical differences in deep continental collision zones, and to understand petrogenetic links between the nature of subducted crust and post-collisional magmatic rocks. Afterwards we are in a position to build the systematics of continental tectonics and thus to develop the plate tectonics theory.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(Grant Nos.2015CB856104,2009CB825006)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.41472064,40672047)the Geological Investigation Project of China Geological Survey(Grant No.1212010711812)
文摘The Tongbai-Hong'an orogen is located in a key tectonic position linking the Qinling orogen to the west and the Dabie-Sulu orogen to the east. Because the orogen preserves a Paleozoic accretionary orogenic system in the north and a latest PaleozoicMesozoic collisional orogenic system in the south, it may serve as an ideal place to study the tectonic evolution between the North and South China Blocks. The available literature data in the past 20 years indicate that the tectonic processes of the Tongbai-Hong'an orogen involved four stages during the Phanerozoic:(1) Early Paleozoic(490–420 Ma) oceanic subduction, arc magmatism and arc-continent collision created a new Andean-type active continental margin on the North China Block;(2) Late Paleozoic(340–310 Ma) oceanic subduction and accretion generated separated paired metamorphic belts: a medium P/T Wuguan-Guishan complex belt in the south of the Shandan-Songpa fault and a high P/T Xiongdian eclogite belt in the northern edge of the Mesozoic HP metamorphic terrane;(3) Latest Paleozoic-Early Mesozoic(255–200 Ma) continental subduction and collision formed the Tongbai HP terrane in the west and the Hong'an HP/UHP terrane in the east as a consequence of deep subduction towards the east and syn-subduction detachment/exhumation of the down-going slab;(4) Late Mesozoic(140–120 Ma) extension, voluminous magma intrusion and tectonic extrusion led to the final exhumation of the Tongbai-Hong'an-Dabie HP/UHP terrane and the wedge-shaped architecture of the terrane narrowing towards the west. However, many open questions still remain about the details of each evolutionary stage and earlier history of the orogen. Besides an extensive study directly on the Tongbai-Hong'an orogen in the future, integrated investigation on the "soft-collisional" Qinling orogen in the west and the "hard-collisional" Dabie-Sulu orogen in the east is required to establish a general tectonic model for the whole Qinling-TongbaiHong'an-Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt.
基金supported by the Start-up Research Fund from Institute of Geology of CAGS(Grant No.J1219)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.40921001)China Geological Survey Projects(Grant Nos.1212011121275,1212011120161)and Sinoprobe Project
文摘Continental subduction and collision normally follows oceanic subduction,with the remarkable event of formation and exhumation of high-to ultra-high-pressure(HP-UHP)metamorphic rocks.Based on the summary of numerical geodynamic models,six modes of continental convergence have been identified:pure shear thickening,folding and buckling,one-sided steep subduction,flat subduction,two-sided subduction,and subducting slab break-off.In addition,the exhumation of HP-UHP rocks can be formulated into eight modes:thrust fault exhumation,buckling exhumation,material circulation,overpressure model,exhumation of a coherent crustal slice,episodic ductile extrusion,slab break-off induced eduction,and exhumation through fractured overriding lithosphere.During the transition from subduction to exhumation,the weakening and detachment of subducted continental crust are prerequisites.However,the dominant weakening mechanisms and their roles in the subduction channel are poorly constrained.To a first degree approximation,the mechanism of continental subduction and exhumation can be treated as a subduction channel flow model,which incorporates the competing effects of downward Couette(subduction)flow and upward Poiseuille(exhumation)flow in the subduction channel.However,the(de-)hydration effect plays significant roles in the deformation of subduction channel and overriding lithosphere,which thereby result in very different modes from the simple subduction channel flow.Three-dimensionality is another important issue with highlighting the along-strike differential modes of continental subduction,collision and exhumation in the same continental convergence belt.
基金financial supports by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.41490613,41190073 and 41304071)the National Basic Research Program of China(Nos.2014CB440901 and 2015CB856106)
文摘2D thermo-mechanical models are constructed to investigate the effects of oceanic and continental crustal eclogitization on plate dynamics at three successive stages of oceanic subduction, slab breakoff, and continental subduction. Crustal eclogitization directly increases the average slab density and accordingly the slab pull force, which makes the slab subduct deeply and steeply. Numerical results demonstrate that the duration time from initial continental collision to slab breakoff largely depends on the slab pull force. Specifically, eclogitization of subducted crust can greatly decrease the duration time, but increase the breakoff depth. The detachment of oceanic slab from the pro-continental lithosphere is accompanied with obvious exhumation of the subducted continental crust and a sharp uplift of the collision zone in response to the disappearance of downward drag force and the induced asthenospheric upwelling, especially under the condition of no or incomplete crustal eclogitization. During continental subduction, the slab dip angle is strongly correlated with eclogitization of subducted continental lower crust, which regulates the slab buoyancy nature. Our model results can provide several important implications for the Himalayan-Tibetan collision zone. For example, it is possible that the lateral variations in the degree of eclogitization of the subducted Indian crust might to some extent contribute to the lateral variations of subduction angle along the Himalayan orogenic belt. Moreover, the accumulation of highly radiogenic sediments and upper continental crustal materials at the active margin in combination with the strong shear heating due to continuous continental subduction together cause rising of isotherms in the accretionary wedge, which facilitate the development of crustal partial melting and metamorphism.
基金Supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. kzcx2-yw-131)Ministry of Science and Technology of China (Grant No. 2009CB825000)
文摘The studies of continental deep subduction and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism have not only promoted the development of solid earth science in China, but also provided an excellent opportunity to advance the plate tectonics theory. In view of the nature of subducted crust, two types of subduction and collision have been respectively recognized in nature. On one hand, the crustal subduction occurs due to underflow of either oceanic crust (Pacific type) or continental crust (Alpine type). On the other hand, the continental collision proceeds by arc-continent collision (Himalaya-Tibet type) or continent-continent collision (Dabie-Sulu type). The key issues in the future study of continental dynamics are the chemical changes and differential exhumation in continental deep subduction zones, and the temporal-spatial transition from oceanic subduction to continental subduction.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41221062)the Ministry of Science and Technology of China(2009CB825004)
文摘The study of subduction-zone processes is a key to development of the plate tectonic theory.Plate interface interaction is a basic mechanism for the mass and energy exchange between Earth’s surface and interior.By developing the subduction channel model into continental collision orogens,insights are provided into tectonic processes during continental subduction and its products.The continental crust,composed of felsic to mafic rocks,is detached at different depths from subducting continental lithosphere and then migrates into continental subduction channel.Part of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle wedge,composed of peridotite,is offscrapped from its bottom.The crustal and mantle fragments of different sizes are transported downwards and upwards inside subduction channels by the corner flow,resulting in varying extents of metamorphism,with heterogeneous deformation and local anatexis.All these metamorphic rocks can be viewed as tectonic melanges due to mechanical mixing of crust-and mantle-derived rocks in the subduction channels,resulting in different types of metamorphic rocks now exposed in the same orogens.The crust-mantle interaction in the continental subduction channel is realized by reaction of the overlying ancient subcontinental lithospheric mantle wedge peridotite with aqueous fluid and hydrous melt derived from partial melting of subducted continental basement granite and cover sediment.The nature of premetamorphic protoliths dictates the type of collisional orogens,the size of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic terranes and the duration of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism.
