Geochemistry,petrogenesis and tectonic implication of Early Cretaceous A-type rhyolites in Hailar Basin,NE China

Early Cretaceous A-type rhyolites of the Shangkuli Formation in the Hailar Basin of NE China exhibit geochemical characteristics of high silicon,alkali,Fe/Mg,Ga/Al,Zr,Pb,HFSEs,and REE contents but low Ca,Ba,Sr and Eu,which meet the criteria of typical reduced A-type granite.The A-type rhyolites are most probably derived from magmatic underplating and partial melting of quartz-feldspathic lower crust,with the lithospheric mantle material involved,due to the extensional deformation of the Erguna-Hulun Fault.Although the A-type rhyolites show A1-type trace elements characteristics,they were formed in a post-orogenic extensional background together with the coeval widespread bimodal volcanic rocks,metamorphic core complexes,volcanic fault basins and metallogenic province in the Sino-Russia-Mongolia border tract.This extension event was related to the collapse of thickened region of the continental crust after the closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean.

Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Xingxingxia Triassic A-type Granites in Central Tianshan,NW China:Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

The Triassic granitoids in Central Tianshan play a key role in determining the petrogenesis and tectonic evolution on the southern margin of the Central Asian orogenic belt.In this study,we present SHRIMP zircon U-Pb ages,Hf isotopic and geochemical data on the Xingxingxia biotite granite,amazonite granite and granitic pegmatite in Central Tianshan,NW China.Zircon U-Pb dating yielded formation ages of 242 Ma for the biotite granite and 240 Ma for the amazonite granite.These granitoid rocks have high K_(2)O with low MgO and CaO contents.They are enriched in Nb,Ta,Hf and Y,while being depleted in Ba and Sr,showing flat HREE patterns and negative Eu anomalies.They have typical A-type granite geochemical signatures with high Ga/A_(1)(8–13)and TFeO/(TFeO+MgO)ratios,showing an A_(2) affinity for biotite granite and an A_(1) affinity for amazonite granite and granitic pegmatite.Zircon ε_(Hf)(t)values of the granitoids are 0.45–2.66,with Hf model ages of 0.99–1.17 Ga.This suggests that these A-type granites originated from partial melting of the lower crust.We propose that Xingxingxia Triassic A-type granites formed under lithospheric extension from post-orogenic to anorogenic intraplate settings and NE-trending regional strike-slip fault-controlled magma emplacement in the upper crust.

Geochronology and Geochemistry of Early Cretaceous A-type Granites in Central-Eastern Inner Mongolia,China:Implications for Late Mesozoic Tectonic Evolution of the Southern Great Xing'an Range

The southern Great Xing'an Range is the most critical Sn-polymetallic metallogenic belt in northeast China.However,the tectonic setting of the Early Cretaceous magmatic-metallogenic”flare-up“event remains uncertain.This paper presents an integrated study on the occurrence,petrology,zircon U-Pb ages,whole-rock geochemistry,and in situ zircon Hf isotopes for Wenduerchagan granites of Xi Ujimqin Banner,central-eastern Inner Mongolia.These granites consist primarily of granite porphyry(with ages of 137±1 Ma and 138±1 Ma)and(porphyritic)alkali feldspar granite(with an age of 141±2 Ma),corresponding to the early Early Cretaceous.They are A-type granites characterized by high silicon,alkali,and TFeO/MgO contents while being depleted of Ba,Nb,Ta,Sr,P,and Ti.They show right-dipping trend rare-earth element distribution characteristics with negative Eu anomalies(Eu/Eu^(*)=0.01-0.20)and weak heavy rare-earth element fractionation((Gd/Yb)_(N)=0.77-2.30).They demonstrate homogeneous zircon Hf isotopic compositions(positiveε_(Hf)(t)values from+5.3 to+7.1 and young two-stage Hf model ages of 851-742 Ma)and high zircon saturation temperatures(av.810℃).These geochemical characteristics indicate that Wenduerchagan granites originated from the partial melting of juvenile crust under high-temperature and low-pressure conditions.Wenduerchagan granites most likely formed in a post-collisional compression-extension transition regime caused by the closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean,when combined with regional geology.Such a transition regime can probably be attributed to the upwelling of the asthenospheric mantle caused by the break-off of a subducted Mongol-Okhotsk oceanic slab.Upwelling asthenospheric mantle provided sufficient energy and favorable tectonic conditions for magmatism and mineralization of the Early Cretaceous.

A Paleoproterozoic A-type Rhyolite

The rhyolites in the upper Lüliang Group of Shanxi, China, are Paleoproterozoic weakly alkaline volcanic rocks. They are characterized by high SiO\-2, Na\-2O+K\-2O, Zr, Nb, Ga, Y and REE contents and large FeO\+*/MgO, Rb/Sr and Ga/Al ratios, and low CaO, Sr and Eu contents, and share much in common with the A type granitic rocks. They erupted in the rift setting at the continental margin. Chemical features and isotope data, as well as high Nd and low initial Sr ratios, suggest that the original granitic magma was derived from partial melting of Late Archean metamorphic rocks in the lower crust due to the influence of basaltic magma and hot fluid in response to rifting. The A type rhyolites were finally formed after the fractional crystallization of the dominant mineral feldspar.

Petrology of Metaluminous A-Type Rhyolite Discovered from Hadjer el Hamis Volcanoes (Lake Chad Basin)

Metaluminous (P.I. > 1) rhyolite from Hadjer el Hamis consisted of quartz, alkali feldspar, clinopyroxene (hedenbergite), amphibole (F-arfvedsonite) and oxides-hydroxides (ilmenite, magnetite, limonite) phenocrysts is characterized by the negative Eu, Ba, P, Sr and Ti anomalies. This metaluminous rhyolite and the early discovered peralkaline rhyolites in Hadjer el Hamis volcanoes derive likely from the same source, according to their coexistence on the same sector and their similar Zr/Nb ratios. The causes of magma heterogeneity are likely linked to varying amounts of extraction of an earlier melt phase or tectonic juxtaposition or a sudden increasing of fO2 in silicic magmas, triggered from a hydrothermal process, associated with F- and alkali-bearing fluids influx, which promoted the enrichment of Na in the hedenbergite rims and the crystallization of arfvedsonite.

Geochronological and Geochemical Constrains on Petrogenesis of the Jietebutiao A-type Granite in West Junggar,Xinjiang

Late Paleozoic post-collisional granitoids are widespread in West Junggar, as well as northern Xinjiang. As a representative of those intrusions, the Jietebutiao granite occurs in the southwestern margin of the West Junggar （northwest China）, and is mainly composed of mid-coarse- grained monzogranite and syenogranite. In the present study, we report the results of high-precision zircon laser-ablation-inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry U-Pb dating on the Jietebutiao granite for the first time, and yield weighted mean 2~~pb/23SU ages of 287 ＋ 9 Ma and 278 ~ 3 Ma for monzogranite and syenogranite, respectively. The Jietebutiao granite has a pronounced A-type affinity; it is metaluminous to slightly peraluminous; has a high-K calc-alkaline composition; high concentrations of Na20 ＋ I（20, varying from 6.8 to 8.5 wt%; high FeOt/MgO; 10 000Ga/AI ratios, a low CaO, MgO, and TiO2 content; enriched in some large ion lithophile elements （LILE, such as Rb and Th） and high field strength elements （HFSE, such as Zr, Hf, and Y）; and depleted in Sr, Ba, and Ti. In addition, the granite has a relatively high rare earth element （REE） content （except for Eu）, with significant negative Eu anomalies （Eu/Eu＊ = 0.01-0.72）, and showing slight tetrad REE patterns and non-charge and radius controlled （CHARAC） trace element behavior. Petrographic, geochemical, and geochronological data suggest that the parental magma of Jietebutiao intrusions are of mixed origin, and are most probably formed by the interaction between the lower crust- and mantle-derived magmas in the Early Permian post-collisional tectonic setting. The basaltic magmas underplated and interacted with the lower crust that was dominated by deeply buried arc （and back-arc basin） series and the oceanic crust formed in the Paleozoic, and then triggered the partial melting of the juvenile lower crust, producing voluminous granitic melts and forming the Jietebutiao A2-type monzogranites, with the lithospheric mantle progressively thinning and rifting to form Al-type granites, such as syenogranites, in the Jietebutiao pluton. This further proves the important contribution of Late Paleozoic granitic magmatism in terms of vertical crustal growth in northern Xinjiang.

Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of the Triassic rhyolites in the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt, northern Tibetan Plateau

The East Kunlun Orogenic Belt(EKOB),which is in the northern part of the Greater Tibetan Plateau,contains voluminous Late Triassic intermediate-felsic volcanic rocks.In the east end of the EKOB,we identified highly differentiated peralkaline-like Xiangride rhyolites(~209 Ma)that differ from the widespread andesitic-rhyolitic Elashan volcanics(~232–225 Ma)in terms of their field occurrences and mineral assemblages.The older,more common calc-alkaline felsic Elashan volcanics may have originated from partial melting of the underthrust Paleo-Tethys oceanic crust under amphibolite facies conditions associated with continental collision.The felsic Elashan volcanics and syn-collisional granitoids of the EKOB are different products of the same magmatic event related to continental collision.The Xiangride rhyolites are characterized by elevated abundances of high field strength elements,especially the very high Nb and Ta contents,the very low Ba,Sr,Eu,P,and Ti contents;and the variably high ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr ratios(up to 0.96),exhibiting remarkable similarities to the characteristic peralkaline rhyolites.The primitive magmas parental to the Xiangride rhyolites were most likely alkali basaltic magmas that underwent protracted fractional crystallization with continental crust contamination.The rock associations from the early granitoids and calc-alkaline volcanic rocks to the late alkaline basaltic dikes and peralkaline-like rhyolites in the Triassic provide important information about the tectonic evolution of the EKOB from syn-collisional to post-collisional.We infer that the transition from collisional compression to postcollisional extension occurred at about 220 Ma.

The Geochemical and Zircon Trace Elements Characteristics of A-type Granitoids in Boziguoer, Baicheng County, Xinjiang

The Boziguoer A-type granitoids in Baicheng County,Xinjiang,belong to the northern margin of the Tarim platform as well as the neighboring EW-oriented alkaline intrusive rocks.The rocks comprise an aegirine or arfvedsonite quartz alkali feldspar syenite,an aegirine or arfvedsonite alkali feldspar granite,and a biotite alkali feldspar syenite.The major rock-forming minerals are albite,K-feldspar,quartz,arfvedsonite,aegirine,and siderophyllite.The accessory minerals are mainly zircon,pyrochlore,thorite,fluorite,monazite,bastnaesite,xenotime,and astrophyllite.The chemical composition of the alkaline granitoids show that SiO2 varies from 64.55％ to 72.29％ with a mean value of 67.32％,Na2O＋K2O is high （9.85％-11.87％） with a mean of 11.14％,K2O is 2.39％-5.47％ （mean =4.73％）,the K2O/Na2O ratios are 0.31-0.96,Al2O3 ranges from 12.58％ to 15.44％,and total FeOT is between 2.35％ and 5.65％.CaO,MgO,MnO,and TiO2 are low.The REE content is high and the total SREE is （263-1219） ppm （mean =776 ppm）,showing LREE enrichment and HREE depletion with strong negative Eu anomalies.In addition,the chondrite-normalized REE patterns of the alkaline granitoids belong to the ＂seagull＂ pattern of the right-type.The Zr content is （113-1246） ppm （mean =594 ppm）,Zr＋Nb＋Ce＋Y is between （478-2203） ppm with a mean of 1362 ppm.Furthermore,the alkaline granitoids have high HFSE （Ga,Nb,Ta,Zr,and Hf） content and low LILE （Ba,K,and Sr） content.The Nb/Ta ratio varies from 7.23 to 32.59 （mean =16.59） and the Zr/Hf ratio is 16.69-58.04 （mean =36.80）.The zircons are depleted in LREE and enriched in HREE.The chondrite-normalized REE patterns of the zircons are of the ＂seagull＂ pattern of the left-inclined type with strong negative Eu anomaly and without a Ce anomaly.The Boziguoer A-type granitoids share similar features with A1-type granites.The average temperature of the granitic magma was estimated at 832-839℃.The Boziguoer A-type granitoids show crust-mantle mixing and may have formed in an anorogenic intraplate tectonic setting under high-temperature,anhydrous,and low oxygen fugacity conditions.

Age and geochemistry of Early Ordovician A-type granites in the Northeastern Songnen Block,NE China

Early Ordovician A-type granites in the northeastern(NE) Songnen Block NE China were studied to better understand the geodynamic settings in this region.This research presents new zircon U–Pb ages and wholerock geochemical data for the Early Ordovician granites in the NE Songnen Block. Zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the granite in the Cuibei, Hongxing, and Meixi areas in the NE Songnen Block formed in the Early Ordovician with ages of 471–479 Ma. The granites show geochemical characteristics of high SiO2 and K2 O compositions and low FeOT, MgO, CaO, and P2 O5 compositions. They belong to a high K calc-alkaline series and display a weak peraluminous featurPe with A/CNK values of 0.98–1.14. The rocks have aREE composition of 249.98–423.94 ppm,and are enriched in LREE with(La/Yb)Nvalues of2.87–9.87, and display obvious Eu anomalies(d Eu =0.01–0.29). Trace elements of the studied granites are characterized by enrichment in Rb, Th, U, Pb, Hf, and Sm,and depletion of Ba, Nb, Ta, and Sr. They display geochemical features of high Zr +Y + Nb+Ce values(324–795 ppm) and Ga/Al ratios consistent with A-type granites. Based on particular geochemical features, such as high Rb/Nb(7.98–24.19) and Y/Nb(1.07–3.43), the studied A-type granites can be further classified as an A2-type subgroup. This research indicates that the Early Ordovician A-type granites were formed by the partial melting of ancient crust in an extensional setting. Lower Sr/Y and(Ho/Yb)Nratios indicate that plagioclase and amphibole are residual in the source, and garnet is absent, implying that the magma was generated at low levels of pressure. By contrast, the contemporaneous granites in the SE Xing'an Block suggest a subduction-related tectonic setting, and its adakitic property indicates a thickened continental crust.We suggest that the Paleo-Asian Ocean plate between the Xing'an and Songnen blocks subducted northward during the Early Ordovician. Meanwhile, the NE Songnen Block was exposed to a passive continental margin tectonic setting.

An Early Cretaceous garnet-bearing metaluminous A-type granite intrusion in the East Qinling Orogen,central China:Petrological,mineralogical and geochemical constraints

The Erlangmiao granite intrusion is located in the eastern part of the East Qinling Orogen. The granite contains almost 99 vol.% felsic minerals with accessory garnet, muscovite, biotite, zircon, and Fe-Ti oxide. Garnet is the dominant accessory mineral, shows zoned texture, and is rich in w（FeO） （14.13%--16.09%） and w（MnO） （24.21%--27.44%）. The rocks have high SiO2, alkalis, FeOt/ MgO, TiO2/MgO and low A1203, CaO with w（Na2O）/w（K20）〉 ]. Their Rb, Ga, Ta, Nb, Y, and Yb contents are high and Sr, Ba, Eu, Zr, P, and Ti contents are low. These features indicate that the Erlang- miao granite is a highly evolved metaluminous A-type. Garnet crystallized at the expense of biotite from the MnO-rich evolved melt after fractionation of biotite, plagioclase, K-feldspar, zircon, apatite, and ilmenite. The relatively high initial 878r/S6Sr ratios （0.706--0.708）, low and negative εNd （120 Ma） values （-6.6 to -9.0）, and old Nd model ages （1.5--1.7 Ga） suggest that the rocks were probably formed by partial melting of the Paleoproterozoic granitic gneisses from the basement, with participation of depleted mantle in an extensional setting.

Petrogenesis and Mineralization of Two-Stage A-Type Granites in Jiuyishan,South China:Constraints from Whole-rock Geochemistry, Mineral Composition and Zircon U-Pb-Hf Isotopes

The Jiuyishan complex massif,located in the northern section of the Nanling region,is a combination of five plutons,namely,the Xuehuading,Jinjiling,Pangxiemu,Shaziling and Xishan plutons.Whole-rock geochemistry,Imineral electron microprobe analysis,zircon U-Pb dating and Hf isotope analysis were carried out for the Jinjiling and Pangxiemu plutons.The zircon U-Pb dating yields weighted mean ages of 152.9±0.9 Ma for the Jinjiling pluton and 151.7±1.5 Ma for the Pangxiemu pluton,with a narrow gap between them.The Jinjiling and Pangxiemu plutons both have geochemical characteristics of high SiO2,Al2 O3,Na2 O,K2 O and low TiO2,MgO,CaO,P2 O5 contents,with intense depletions in Sr,Ba,Ti,Eu and enrichments in Ga,FeoOT and HFSE,and these characteristics reflect an A-type affinity.From the Jinjiling to the Pangxiemu plutons,the mineral composition of mica changes from lepidomelane to zinnwaldite,with increases in F,Li2 O and Rb2 O contents.The mineral composition of zircon changes from low Zr/Hf to high Zr/Hf,with increasing HfO2,P2 O5 and UO2+ThO2+Y2 O3 contents.The mineral compositions of feldspar indicate that the Pangxiemu pluton contains more alkali feldspar than the Jinjiling pluton.The whole-rock geochemistry and mineral compositions reveal a higher degree of differentiation for the Pangxiemu pluton.The nearly uniformεHf(t)indicates the same source region for the two plutons:both were derived from partial melting of the lower crust,with small contributions of mantle materials.In addition,higher F,lower Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf ratios in the Pangxiemu Pluton suggest a closer relationship with the rare metal mineralization than for the Jinjiling pluton.

Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Early Permian A-Type Granite in the Hongol Area, Central Inner Mongolia:Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

We performed geochronological and geochemical analyses of the A-type granite in the Hongol area, central Inner Mongolia, to determine its age, petrogenesis and tectonic setting, which are significant for clarifying the Late Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Xing’an Mongolian Orogenic Belt(XMOB). The rock type of the A-type granite in the Hongol area is alkali-feldspar granite, and it constitutes a western part of the Baiyinwula-Dongujimqin A-type granite belt. Zircon U-Pb geochronology yieldsPb/U ages ranging from 293 to 286 Ma for the alkali-feldspar granite, indicating this granitic pluton formed in the Early Permian. The alkali-feldspar granite is high in silica(SiO=75.13 wt%-80.17 wt%), aluminum(AlO=10.59 wt%-13.17 wt%) and alkali(NaO+KO=7.33 wt%-9.11 wt%), and low in MgO(0.08 wt%-0.39 wt%) and CaO(0.19 wt%-0.70 wt%). It is obviously enriched in LILEs such as Rb, Th and K,depleted in HFSEs such as Nb, Ti, La and Ce, with pronounced negative anomalies of Nb, Ti, P, Eu, Sr and Ba. Its Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions show positive ε(t)(+0.72-+3.08), low T(805-997 Ma),and high radioactive Pb with(Pb/Pb)of 18.710-19.304,(Pb/Pb)of 15.557-15.604 and(Pb/Pb)of 37.887-38.330. Petrological characteristics and geochemical data suggest that the alkalifeldspar granite in the Hongol area belongs to aluminous A-type granite. This A-type granite formed in a post-collisional extensional setting and was generated by the partial melting of felsic rocks in the middlelower crust resulting from post-collisional slab breakoff. It is suggested that the Paleo-Asian Ocean was closed before the Permian in central Inner Mongolia.

Origin of trondhjemite and albitite at the expense of A-type granite,Aravalli orogen, India:Evidence from new metasomatic replacement fronts

The A-type Harsora-Dadikar granites in the Alwar complex of northern Aravalli orogen,NW India provide evidence for subsolidus-requilibration of feldspars.They record three new discrete stages of albitisation,producing trondhjemite and albitite sequentially at the expense of original granite.Stage-I metasomatism deanorthised the magmatic oligoclase and transformed the grey least-albitised granite to pinkish grey microcline-oligoclase granite.Stage-II converted the latter to trondhjemite by replacement of microcline to oligoclase.Stage-III metasomatism led to the formation of albitite/albite granite from trondhjemite,where the metasomatically formed oligoclase was replaced by albite.This stage of metasomatism resulted in nearly complete disappearance of amphibole and biotite,producing a monomineralic rock (albitite),which is consistent with Korzhinskii theory of infiltration metasomatism.The reaction fronts delineating the Stage-II and Stage-III are sharp and easily discernible by their prominent color differences in Harsora on the outcrop scale.Chemically,the mineral transformations during three stages are manifested by the differential gains/losses in Na,K,Ca,Rb,Ba,Sr,Fe and Mg.The formation of albite,Cl-rich marialitic scapolite and Cl-rich amphibole in the albitised granites are suggestive of Naand Cl-brines as the metasomatising fluids.The fluid-rock interactions,which can significantly transform the pristine mineralogy of granitoids,should be carefully considered to avoid any misinterpretations about their petrological history.

Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications of A-type Granites in Zhaheba in the East Junggar Region of Xinjiang,China:Evidence from Geochronology,Geochemistry and Sr-Nd Isotopic Compositions

The magma source,petrogenesis,tectonic setting and geochronology of the late Paleozoic A-type granites widely exposed in the Zhaheba area,East Junggar,have thus far not been well-constrained.A better understanding of these issues will help to reveal the magmatic processes and continental growth of Central Asia.The A-type granites in Zhaheba include the Ashutasi alkaline granites and the Yuyitasi syenogranites,which were emplaced at 321.5±4.8 Ma and 321.7±0.6 Ma,respectively.The major rock-forming minerals are orthoclase,perthite,arfvedsonite and quartz,which exhibit the following principal geochemical characteristics of A2-type granites.(1)Their REE distribution curves each exhibit a‘V’-shaped pattern and a marked depletion in Eu.They are rich in large-ion lithophile elements Rb,Th and U as well as high-field-strength elements Nb,Ta,Zr and Hf,but significantly depleted in Ba,Sr,P and Ti.(2)Their(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)i values(0.7021-0.7041),εNd(t)values(4.57-5.16)and REE distribution patterns are in basic agreement with those of the Kalamaili A-type granite belt in East Junggar.The T DM2 values of the alkaline granites and syenogranites range from 661 to 709 Ma.The A-type granites may be the products of upwelling asthenosphere-triggered partial melting of immature lower crust.The alkaline granites were late-stage products of crystallization and differentiation.Compared to the syenogranites,the alkaline granites are significantly lower in K_(2)O,Na_(2)O,Al_(2)O 3,FeO,MgO and CaO,but significantly higher in incompatible elements(e.g.,SiO_(2),Rb,and Sr).The magmatic crystallization temperatures of the syenogranites and alkaline granites are 874℃ and 819℃,respectively.As their age gradually decreases(peak ages:322 Ma and 307 Ma,respectively),there is a gradual decrease in the T_(DM2)of the A-type granites and a gradual increase in theεNd(t)value from the Ulungur belt to the Kalamaili belt in East Junggar.The study of A-type granites is therefore one of the keys to understanding the laws and mechanisms of crustal accretion during the Phanerozoic period,as well as also being of great significance for understanding the Paleozoic accretion.

Petrogenesis of the Early Cretaceous Tiantangshan A-type Granite in northwestern Guangdong province, SE China and tectonic implications

1 Introduction During the late Mesozoic times,the SE China is characterized by extensive magmatism and mineralization.The widely distributed granitoids with different(I-,S-and A-)types have been inferred to be closely related to the large-scale polymetallic mineralization.The Nanling tungsten-tin polymetallic belt is endowed with considerable

Stenian A-type granitoids in the Namaqua-Natal Belt,southern Africa,Maud Belt,Antarctica and Nampula Terrane,Mozambique:Rodinia and Gondwana amalgamation implications

We carried out SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating on A-type granitic intrusions from the Namaqua-Natal Province,South Africa,Sverdrupfjella,western Dronning Maud Land,Antarctica and the Nampula Province of northern Mozambique.Zircon grains in these granitic rocks are typically elongated and oscillatory zoned,suggesting magmatic origins.Zircons from the granitoid intrusions analyzed in this study suggest^1025-1100 Ma ages,which confirm widespread Mesoproterozoic A-type granitic magmatism in the Namaqua-Natal(South Africa),Maud(Antarctica)and Mozambique metamorphic terrains.No older inherited(e.g.,~2500 Ma Achean basement or^1200 Ma island are magmatism in northern Natal)zircon grains were seen.Four plutons from the Natal Belt(Mvoti Pluton,Glendale Pluton,Kwalembe Pluton,Ntimbankulu Pluton)display 1050-1040 Ma ages,whereas the Nthlimbitwa Pluton in northern Natal indicates older 1090-1080 Ma ages.A sample from Sverdrupfjella,Antarctica has^1091 Ma old zircons along with^530 Ma metamorphic rims.Similarly,four samples analysed from the Nampula Province of Mozambique suggest crystallization ages of^1060-1090 Ma but also show significant discordance with two samples showing younger^550 Ma overgrowths.None of the Natal samples show any younger overgrowths.A single sample from southwestern Namaqualand yielded an age of^1033 Ma.Currently available chronological data suggest magmatism took place in the Namaqua-Natal-MaudMozambique(NNMM)belt between^1025 Ma and^1100 Ma with two broad phases between^1060-1020 Ma and 1100-1070 Ma respectively,with peaks at between^1030-1040 Ma and^1070-1090 Ma.The age data from the granitic intrusions from Namaqualand.combined with those from Natal,Antarctica and Mozambique suggest a crude spatial-age relationship with the older>1070 Ma ages being largely restricted close to the eastern and western margins of the Kalahari Craton in northern Natal,Mozambique.Namaqualand and WDML Antarctica whereas the younger<1060 Ma ages dominate in southern Natal and western Namaqualand and are largely restricted to the southern and possibly the western margins of the Kalahari Craton.The older ages of magmatism partially overlap with or are marginally younger than the intracratonic Mkondo Large lgneous Provinee intruded into or extruded onto the Kalahari Craton,suggesting a tectonic relationship with the Maud Belt.Similar ages from granitic augen gneisses in Sri Lanka suggest a continuous belt stretching from Namaqualand to Sri Lanka in a reconstituted Gondwana,formed during the terminal stages of amalgamation of Rodinia and predating the East African Orogen.This contiguity contributes to defining the extent of Rodinia-age crustal blocks,subsequently fragmented by the dispersal of Rodinia and Gondwana.

Early Cretaceous A-type Granites in the Dandong Area,NE China and its Geodynamical Implications

A-type granites,as an important petrologic sign to build up environmental recognition,were mainly formed in extensional tectonic settings.A biotite syenogranite from the Fenghuangshan pluton in Dandong,Liaoning Province gave SHRIMP zircon U-Pb ages of 122.5±1.6 Ma,124.9±1.7 Ma and 126.9±1.1 Ma.The monzogranites have SHRIMP zircon U-Pb ages of 118.2±1.6 Ma,128.1±1.7 Ma and 131.6±1.9 Ma,giving an emplacement age for the pluton in the Early Cretaceous.SiO_(2) is 65.48-74.49 wt%,whereas that of K_(2)O is 4.16-6.44 wt%,and that of Na_(2)O is 2.99-4.70 wt%.They also contain 13.24-15.76 wt% of Al_(2)O_(3),with an A/CNK ratio of 0.92-1.10,averaging 1.02.The alkalinity rate(AR)ranges from 2.68 to 5.12,and this range is within the AR of peraluminous type rocks.The granites of Fenghuangshan pluton are characterized by high contents of Na and K and low contents of Ca(thermophile element)and Mg,which are features of A-type granites.The(Na_(2)O+K_(2)O)-Fe_(2)O_(3)^(*)×5-(CaO+MgO)×5 discrimination diagram also shows that Fenghuangshan pluton is an A2-type granite.The above granite has zircon ε_(Hf)(t)values ranging from-17.06 to-9.09,with single-stage Hf model ages(T_(DM))of 1141 Ma to 1498 Ma and two-stage Hf crustal model ages(T_(DM)^(C))of 1762 Ma to 2263Ma.A comprehensive analysis suggests that the Fenghuangshan pluton might have been formed from the lithospheric-plate sliding during the late stages of evolution of hot rift structures and might have been closely associated with the tectonic settings of Mesozoic Eurasia and the ancient Pacific Plate.

The Silurian A-Type Granites in Northeastern Guangxi,South China Block:New Evidence of Transition from Compression to Post-orogenic Extension of the Kwangsian Orogen

Objective More and more evidence suggests that the Kwangsian orogen is probably an intraplate orogen, which is one of the few examples of intraplate orogenesis worldwide. However, the initiation time, size and scope of the Kwangsian orogeny have not been determined yet. This study analyzed the Silurian A-type granites in northeastern Guangxi, South China Block, which may provide new evidence for the transition from compression to post- orogenic extension of the Kwangsian orogen.

Characterization of a Post Orogenic A-Type Granite, Gabal El Atawi, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt: Geochemical and Radioactive Perspectives

The alkali feldspar granite of Gabal El Atawi is post orogenic granite originated from subalkaline magma in extensional suite. It is developed within plate tectonic setting and has A2-type character which generated from apparent crustal source. The petrographic, geochemical and radioactive characteristics of El Atawi granite meet and fulfill the requirements of being fertile granite and it can be considered as promising uraniferous granite. Fluid inclusion studies of the altered granite elucidated two different solutions acting on the host granitic pluton. The first is NaCl-CaCl low temperature fluid with a wide range of salinity. The second is high temperature and salinity Fe-Mg-Na chloride solution. Different fractures in the granite acted as good channels for the hydrothermal fluids that leached uranium from its bearing minerals disseminated all over the host granite and redeposited it in the alteration zones.

A-type granites induced by a breaking-off and delamination of the subducted Junggar oceanic plate,West Junggar,Northwest China

The A-type granites with highly positiveε_(Nd)(t)values in the West Junggar,Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB),have long been perceived as a group formed under the same tectonic and geodynamic setting,magmatic sourceq and petrogenetic model.Geological evidence shows that these granites occurred at two different tectonic units related to the southeastern subduction of Junggar oceanic plate:the Hongshan and Karamay granites emplaced in the southeast of West Junggar in the Baogutu continental arc;whereas the Akebasitao and Miaoergou granites formed in the accretionary prism.Here the authors present new bulk-rock geochemistry and Sr-Nd isotopes,zircon U-Pb ages and Hf-O isotopes data on these granites.The granites in the Baogutu continental arc and accretionary prism contain similar zirconε_(Hf)(t)values(+10.9 to+16.2)and bulk-rock geochemical characteristics(high SiO_(2)and K_(2)O contents,enriched LILEs(except Sr),depleted Sr,Ta and Ti,and negative anomalies in Ce and Eu).The Hongshan and Karamay granites in the Baogutu continental arc have older zircon U-Pb ages(315-305 Ma)and moderate^(18)O enrichments(δ^(18)_(O_(zircon))=+6.41‰-+7.96‰);whereas the Akebasitao and Miaoergou granites in the accretionary prism have younger zircon U-Pb ages(305-301 Ma)with higher^(18)O enrichments(δ^(18)_(O_(zircon))=+8.72‰-+9.89‰).The authors deduce that the elevated^(18)O enrichments of the Akebasitao and Miaoergou granites were probably inherited from low-temperature altered oceanic crusts.The Akebasitao and Miaoergou granites were originated from partial melting of low-temperature altered oceanic crusts with juvenile oceanic sediments below the accretionary prism.The Hongshan and Karamay granites were mainly derived from partial melting of basaltic juvenile lower crust with mixtures of potentially chemical weathered ancient crustal residues and mantle basaltic melt(induced by hot intruding mantle basaltic magma at the bottom of the Baogutu continental arc).On the other hand,the Miaoergou charnockite might be sourced from a deeper partial melting reservoir under the accretionary prism,consisting of the low-temperature altered oceanic crust,juvenile oceanic sediments,and mantle basaltic melt.These granites could be related to the asthenosphere's counterflow and upwelling,caused by the break-off and delamination of the subducted oceanic plate beneath the accretionary prism Baogutu continental arc in a post-collisional tectonic setting.