^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar Thermochronological Constraints on the Timing of Collisional Orogeny in the Mian-Lite Collision Belt,Southern Qinling Mountains

Silurian, Devonian and Carboniferous geological bodies in the Mianxian-Lueyang (Mian-Lue) collisional belt (MLB) and its neighbouring areas, southern Qinling Mountains, China, show similar characteristics of having undergone deformation of two stages. The earlier one, which is inferred to be related to collisional orogeny between the Yangtze and Sino-Korean palaeocontinents based on previous geological data, is responsible for large-scale, north-verging recumbent folds and overthrusts, and associated with low greenschist fades metamorphism. 40Ar/39Ar dating of three muscovite samples taken from different localities yields plateau ages of 226.9±0.9 and 219.5±1.4 Ma and an apparent age of 194.5±3.0 Ma. Thus, the late Triassic collision between the Yangtze and Sino-Korean palaeocontinents has been constrained.

Intracontinental Collisional Orogeny During Late Permian-Middle Triassic in South China: Sedimentary Records of the Shiwandashan Basin

Sedimentary response to an orogenic process is important for determining whether South China had compressional or extensional orogeny during the period from the Late Permian to the Middle Triassic besides the tectonic and magmatologic evidence. An intracontinental collision event took place between the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks in the Late Permian. Beginning at the Late Triassic, the tectonic movement was completely changed in nature and entered a post-collisional extensional orogenic and basin-making process. This paper presents sedimentological evidence from the Late Permian to the Middle Triassic in the Shiwandashan basin at the southwestern end of the junction zone between the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks.

Large-scale Migration of Fluids toward Foreland Basins during Collisional Orogeny: Evidence from Triassic Anhydrock Sequences and Regional Alteration in the Middle-Lower Yangtze Area

The middle-lower Yangtze area underwent a series of complex tectonic evolution, such as Hercynian extensional rifting, Indosinian foreland basining, and Yanshanian transpression-transtension, resulting in a large distinctive Cu-Fe-Au metallogenic belt. In the tectonic evolution, large-scale migration and convergence of fluids toward foreland basins induced during the collisional orogeny of the Yangtze and North China continental blocks were of vital importance for the formation of the metallogenic belt. Through geological surveys of the middle-lower Yangtze area, three lines of evidence of large-scale fluid migration are proposed: (1) The extensive dolomitic and silicic alteration penetrating Cambrian-Triassic strata generally occurs in a region sandwiched between the metallogenic belt along the Yangtze River and the Dabie orogenic belt, and in the alteration domain alternately strong and weak alteration zones extend in a NW direction and are controlled by the fault system of the Dabie orogenic belt; it might record the locus of the activities of long-distance migrating fluids. (2) The textures and structures of very thick Middle-Lower Triassic anhydrock sequences in restricted basins along the river reveal the important contribution of the convergence of regional hot brine in restricted basins and the chemical deposition or their formation. (3) Early-Middle Triassic syndepositional iron carbonate sequences and Fe-Cu-Pb-Zn massive sulfide deposits alternate with anhydrock sequences or are separated from the latter, but all of them occur in the same stratigraphic horizon and are intimately associated with each other, being the product of syndeposition of high-salinity hot brine. According to the geological surveys, combined with previous data, the authors propose a conceptual model of fluid migration-convergence and mineralization during the Dabie collisional orogeny.

THERMAL MODELLING OF COLLISIONAL OROGENY: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ULTRA-HIGH PRESSURE METAMORPHISM

The petrological research on the ultra high pressure metamorphism (UHP) of collisional orogen indicates that the upper crustal rocks is subducted to depths exceeding 100 km, and returned to the surface rapidly. In this study, we investigate the thermal structure of collisional orogen as a slab of continental lithosphere being subducted beneath an overriding wedge of continental lithosphere by the 2 D finite element method. The advection heat transfer due to the accretion of orogenic wedge is considered. The wedge is composed of the upper crust materials through the accretion from the down going plate to the upper plate. For identifying the significance of the geometric and/or kinetic factors on the thermal structure of continental subduction, the different combinations of parameters, including dip angle of subduction zone, accretion or erosion rates, and the convergence velocity etc., are used in modelling. The time span of continental subduction in our calculation is less than 30 Ma, according to the short duration of ultra deep subduction of continental slab suggested by the preservation of metastable pre peak low pressure mineralogy assemblage in the garnet of UHP rocks. Therefore, the steep dip angle of down going plate and/or low rate of accretion favour the ultra deep subduction of upper crust materials, especially for the slower down going slab. Meanwhile, taking the erosion rate as the level of exhumation rate of UHP rocks in some orogens (i.e., 1-2 km/Ma or more) does not result in the anatexis melting of crust of the overriding plate, due to the cooling effect of the rapid down going slab. However, the temperature structures of all models are generally cooler than those recovered by thermobarometric studies of the UHP rocks. This implies the significant increase of temperature after the rapid subduction of continental slab. Following the method of Davies and von Blackenburg (1998), we show that the slab breakoff can occur at the depth exceeding 100 km. Thermal modelling on the post subduction stage shows the heating related to the plate breakoff can cause the higher temperature recorded by the exhumed UHP rocks. The higher geotherm during post subduction stage leads to the weak strength of the orogenic wedge, and favours the faster upward movement of the UHP rock slices as ductile agents. The lower temperature gradient of the subduction slab predicted by modelling suggests the cold subducting slab could have transported significant fluids to mantle depth, not released during subduction. Accordingly, the absence of coeval calc alkalic magmatism in UHP orogens might resulted from the lower temperature as well as the fluid free circumstance, both are related to the rapid subduction of cold plate. Therefore, shear heating is not needed for explanation the thermal evolution of UHP orogen. On the other hand, the post collisional or late stage granitic plutonism is closely related to the deep seated heat producing materials of the accretion wedge.

Evidence for Mesoproterozoic collision,deep burial and rapid exhumation of garbenschiefer in the Namaqua Front,South Africa

Metamorphic provinces such as the^1 Ga Grenvillian,~400 Ma Caledonide and Triassic Qinling Provinces often contain rocks with high-pressure assemblages such as eclogites,which formed at mantle depths in subduction zones.These are evidence of the accretion of terranes by subduction of oceans and collision to form large tectonostratigraphic provinces.The Mesoproterozoic Namaqua-Natal Province comprises a number of terranes thought to have been assembled by plate-tectonic processes,but they have generally yielded metamorphic pressures below 5 kbar,corresponding to<20 km,crustal depths,lacking evidence for subduction processes.The Kaaien Terrane in the Namaqua Front contains two large garbenschiefer units with the unusual paragenesis garnet-hornblende-epidote-white mica-plagioclase-ilmenite-quartz.Their protoliths are graywackes influenced by andesitic volcanism during their deposition at^1870 Ma,in a passive margin of the Rehoboth Province or Kaapvaal Craton.Prograde garnet growth dated at 1165
5 Ma culminated in peak metamorphic conditions of 645
30C and 10.4
0.7 kbar,corresponding to 40 km depth.This is attributed to subduction of these rocks before collision between the overriding arc-related Areachap Terrane,the Kaaien Terrane and the Kaapvaal-Rehoboth cratonic block during the Namaqua orogeny.Exhumation of the garbenschiefer slabs was followed by rapid cooling,as the 1143
5 Ma argon dates of hornblende and white mica,with closure temperatures^540C and^440C respectively,are the same within error.This was probably due to tectonic juxtaposition of the garbenschiefer slab with much cooler rock units.The exhumation was accommodated along the Trooilapspan-Brakbosch Shear Zone due to ongoing transpression.Other components of the Namaqua Front have distinctly different P-T-t paths,exemplified by greenschist metamorphism in the 1300 Ma Wilgenhoutsdrift Group,and medium-pressure metamorphism in the Areachap Terrane.They were juxtaposed by late-tectonic uplift and transpressional movements.The^40 km depth of garbenschiefer peak metamorphism is the deepest yet found in the Namaqua-Natal Province and strengthens the plate tectonic model of accretion by collision of terranes at the end of a Wilson cycle.The high pressure paragenesis of the garbenschiefer was preserved due to its location in the Namaqua Front,whereas most other parts of the Namaqua-Natal Province were overprinted by 1100–1020 Ma thermal events after the collision events.

Collision Event during 177-135 Ma on the Eastern Marginof the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Evidence from 40Ar/ 39Ar Dating for Basaltson the Western Margin of the Yangtze Platform

Geochronology of continental flood basalts sampled from the Emei large igneous province (LIP) on the western margin of the Yangtze platform was investigated by the laser microprobe 40Ar/39Ar dating technique. These basalts yield a fairly wide range of 40Ar/39Ar ages, varying from 259 to 135 Ma. One basalt sample, at least altered, recorded the oldest 40Ar/39Ar age of about 259 Ma, corresponding to a peak eruption age of the Emei LIP continental flood basalts. Most of the samples yield much younger ages from 135 to 177 Ma, which are consistent with the K-Ar ages for the same samples (122.8-172.1 Ma). The dating data suggest that these Permian basalts had been widely affected by the regional tectonothermal event at 177-135 Ma. The event was probably caused by the convergence and collision among the Laurasia, Yangtze and Qiangtang-Qamdo continental blocks on the eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau after the late Triassic. The age of the event reflects the timing of the peak collisional orogeny.

Isotope Geochronologic and Geochemical Constraints on the Magmatic Associations of the Collisional Orogenic Zone in the West Kunlun Orogen, China

The Jiajiwaxi pluton in the southern portion of the West Kunlun Range can be divided into two collision-related intrusive rock series, i.e., a gabbro-quartz diorite-granodiorite series that formed at 224±2.0 Ma and a monzonitic granite-syenogranite series that formed at 222±2.0 Ma. The systematic analysis of zircon U-Pb geochronology and bulk geochemistry is used to discuss the magmatic origin （material source and thermal source）, tectonic setting, genesis and geotectonic implications of these rocks. The results of this analysis indicate that the parent magma of the first series, representing a transition from I-type to S-type granites, formed from thermally triggered partial melting of deep crustal components in an early island-arc-type igneous complex, similar to an I-type granite, during the continental collision orogenic stage. The parent magma of the second series, corresponding to an S-type granite, formed from the partial melting of forearc accretionary wedge sediments in a subduction zone in the late Palaeozoic-Triassic. During continued collision, the second series magma was emplaced into the first series pluton along a central fault zone in the original island arc region, forming an immiscible puncture-type complex. The deep tectonothermal events associated with the continent-continent collision during the orogenic cycle are constrained by the compositions and origins of the two series. The new information provided by this paper will aid in future research into the dynamic mechanisms affecting magmatic evolution in the West Kunlun orogenic belt.

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.

Magmatism during continental collision, subduction, exhumation and mountain collapse in collisional orogenic belts and continental net growth: A perspective

Continental orogens on Earth can be classified into accretionary orogen and collisional orogen.Magmatism in orogens occurs in every periods of an orogenic cycle,from oceanic subduction,continental collision to orogenic collapse.Continental collision requires the existence of prior oceanic subduction zone.It is generally assumed that the prerequisite of continental deep subduction is oceanic subduction and its drag force to the connecting passive-margin continental lithosphere during continental collision.Continental subduction and collision lead to the thickening and uplift of crust,but the formation time of the related magmatism in orogens depends on the heating mechanism of lithosphere.The accretionary orogens,on the other hand,have no strong continental collision,deep subduction,no large scale of crustal thrusting,thickening and uplift,and no UHP eclogite-facies metamorphic rocks related to continental deep subduction.Even though arc crust could be significantly thickened during oceanic subduction,it is still doubtful that syn-or post-collisional magmatism would be generated.In collisional orogens,due to continental deep subduction and significant crustal thickening,the UHP metamorphosed oceanic and continental crusts will experience decompression melting during exhumation,generating syn-collisional magmatism.During the orogen unrooting and collapse,post-collisional magmatism develops in response to lithosphere extension and upwelling of asthenospheric mantle,marking the end of an orogenic cycle.Therefore,magmatism in orogens can occur during the continental deep subduction,exhumation and uplift after detachment of subducted oceanic crust from continental crust,and extensional collapse.The time span from continental collision to collapse and erosion of orogens(the end of orogenic cycle)is 50–85 Myr.Collisional orogens are the key sites for understanding continental deep subduction,exhumation,uplift and orogenic collapse.Magmatism in collisional orogens plays important roles in continental reworking and net growth.

Constraining the timing of the India-Asia continental collision by the sedimentary record

Placing precise constraints on the timing of the India-Asia continental collision is essential to understand the successive geological and geomorphological evolution of the orogenic belt as well as the uplift mechanism of the Tibetan Plateau and their effects on climate,environment and life.Based on the extensive study of the sedimentary record on both sides of the Yarlung-Zangbo suture zone in Tibet,we review here the present state of knowledge on the timing of collision onset,discuss its possible diachroneity along strike,and reconstruct the early structural and topographic evolution of the Himalayan collided range.We define continent-continent collision as the moment when the oceanic crust is completely consumed at one point where the two continental margins come into contact.We use two methods to constrain the timing of collision onset:(1) dating the provenance change from Indian to Asian recorded by deep-water turbidites near the suture zone,and(2) dating the age of unconformities on both sides of the suture zone.The first method allowed us to constrain precisely collision onset as middle Palaeocene(59±l Ma).Marine sedimentation persisted in the collisional zone for another 20-25 Ma locally in southern Tibet,and molassic-type deposition in the Indian foreland basin did not begin until another 10-15 Ma later.Available sedimentary evidence failed to firmly document any significant diachroneity of collision onset from the central Himalaya to the western Himalaya and Pakistan so far.Based on the Cenozoic stratigraphic record of the Tibetan Himalaya,four distinct stages can be identified in the early evolution of the Himalayan orogen:(1) middle Palaeocene-early Eocene earliest Eohimalayan stage(from 59 to 52 Ma):collision onset and filling of the deep-water trough along the suture zone while carbonate platform sedimentation persisted on the inner Indian margin;(2) early-middle Eocene early Eohimalayan stage(from 52 to 41 or 35 Ma):filling of intervening seaways and cessation of marine sedimentation;(3) late Eocene-Oligocene late Eohimalayan stage(from 41 to 25 Ma):huge gap in the sedimentary record both in the collision zone and in the Indian foreland;and(4) late Oligocene-early Miocene early Neohimalayan stage(from 26 to 17 Ma):rapid Himalayan growth and onset of molasse-type sedimentation in the Indian foreland basin.

Timing of the initial collision between the Indian and Asian continents

There exist three mainstream opinions regarding the timing of the initial collision between the Indian and Eurasian continents,namely,65±5,45±5,and 30±5 Ma.Five criteria are proposed for determining which tectonic event was related to the initial collision between India and Asia:the rapid decrease in the rate of plate motion,the cessation of magmatic activity originating from the subduction of oceanic crust,the end of sedimentation of oceanic facies,the occurrence of intracontinental deformation,and the exchange of sediments sourced from two continents.These criteria are used to constrain the nature of these tectonic events.It is proposed that the 65±5 Ma tectonic event is consistent with some of the criteria,but the upshot of this model is that the magmatic activity originating from the Tethyan subduction since the Mesozoic restarted along the southern margin of the Asian continent in this time after a brief calm,implying that the subduction of the Neotethys slab was still taking place.The magmatic activity that occurred along the southern margin of the Asian continent had a 7-Myr break during 72-65 Ma,which in this study is interpreted as having resulted from tectonic transformation from subduction to transform faulting,indicating that the convergence between the Indian and Asian continents was once dominated by strike-slip motion.The 30±5 Ma tectonic event resulted in the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau,which was related to the late stage of the convergence between these two continents,namely,a hard collision.The 45±5 Ma tectonic event is in accordance with most of the criteria,corresponding to the initial collision between these two continents.

High-Temperature Metamorphism, Anataxis and Tectonic Evolution of a Mafic Granulite from the Eastern Himalayan Orogen

The Himalayan Orogen, resulting from the Tertiary collision of Indian and Asian continents, is a natural laboratory for studying metamorphism, partial melting and granite formation of collisional orogens. However, metamorphic and anatectic conditions and timescales of meta-mafic rocks in the Greater Himalayan Sequences （GHS） in the east-central Himalaya remain controversial, in this paper, we conduct a study of petrology and geochronology of mafic granulite from the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis （EHS）. The mafic granulite with abundant leucosome bands occurs as layers within felsic granulites and is well deformed. The granulite consists of garnet, plagioclase, amphibole and quartz with minor clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, biotite, rutile, titanite and ilmenite. The garnet has growth compositional zoning and contains abundant mineral inclusions in its core. Peak metamorphic mineral assemblage of the granulite is garnet, amphibole, plagioclase, quartz, clinopyroxene and futile, recording a high-pressure （HP） and high-temperature （HT） peak-metamorphism under conditions of 14-15.5 kbar and 780-790 ℃ in the presence of melt. The reconstructed clockwise P-T path is characterized by an early heating and burial prograde metamorphism, and late isothermal and cooling decompression retrogression. The granulite witnessed a long lasting HT metamorphism, partial melting and melt crystallization process which began at ca. 39 Ma and lasted to ca. 11 Ma. The present study shows that various high-grade rocks of the GHS in the EHS core experienced similar metamorphic conditions and P-T-t paths, indicating that they occurred as a coherent slab during the subduction and exhumation of Indian lithosphere. The significant melts generated during the prograde metamorphism of the GHS rocks not only contributed to the formation of the Himalayan leucogranite, but also resulted in the rheological weakening and ductile flow of the thickened lower crust of the Himalayan Orogen.