Platform Evolution in an Oligo-Miocene Back-arc Basin:An Example from the Central Iran Basin

The Qom Formation is the most important hydrocarbon reservoir target in Central Iran.The Qom platform developed in a back-arc basin during the Oligo-Miocene due to the closing of the Tethyan Seaway.This formation consists of a variety of carbonate and non-carbonate facies deposited on a platform ranging from supratidal to basin.A combination of tectonic and eustatic events led to some lateral and vertical facies variations in the study area.Six third-order depositional sequences and related surfaces were identified regarding vertical facies changes in the studied sections of this Oligo-Miocene succession.According to all results and data,this succession was initially deposited during the Chattian upon a distally steepened ramp of siliciclastic-carbonate composition,including the Bouma sequence.Then,from the late Chattian to the Aquitanian,the platform changed into a homoclinal carbonate ramp with a gentle profile.With respect to tectonic activity,this phase was a calm period during the deposition of the Qom Formation.Finally,a drowned carbonate platform and a rimmed shelf emerged during the Burdigalian,terminated by the continental deposits of the Upper Red Formation.Regarding all geological characteristics,three main tectono-eustatic evolutionary phases have been recognized in the Qom back-arcbasin.

Elemental Compositions of Clinopyroxenes from Southern Okinawa Trough Basalt:Implications for Magmatism and Structural Environment in an Initial Back-Arc Basin

The major and trace elemental compositions of clinopyroxene from basalt were used to characterize the nature of the primitive magma and structural environment beneath the southern Okinawa Trough(SOT),which is an initial back-arc basin at a continental margin.The clinopyroxenes in the basalt were augite with variable Mg^(#)contents(73.37-78.22).The regular variations in major oxide contents(i.e.,CaO,FeO,TiO_(2),and Cr)with decreasing Mg#implied that the clinopyroxenes evolved from being enriched in Mg,Ca,and Cr to being enriched in Fe and Ti.The clinopyroxenes had relatively low rare earth element concentrations(7.51×10^(-6) to 12.68×10^(-6))and negative Eu anomalies(δEu=0.67-0.95).The Kd_(cpx) values of clinopyroxenes(0.2-0.26),which were used to examine whether the clinopyroxene was equilibrated with its host basalt,demonstrate that these clinopyroxene phenocrysts were not captured crystals but were instead produced by crystallization differentiation of the magma.The calculated clinopyroxene crystallization temperatures showed a narrow range of 990-1061℃,and their crystallization pressures ranged from 2.0 to 3.2 kbar.The geochemistry features of these clinopyroxenes indicated that the parent magma belonged to the subalkaline tholeiitic magma series and suggested that the magma experienced crystallization differentiation of olivine,plagioclase,and clinopyroxene,where the crystallization of plagioclase occurred earlier than that of clinopyroxene.Combined with geophysical data,this research on primitive magma and its crystallization differentiation from clinopyroxene indicates that the SOT is in the stage of‘seafloor spreading’and that basaltic rocks produced from tholeiitic magma represent the generation of oceanic crust.

The accumulation characteristics and exploration potential of oil and gas in the back-arc basin of Japan under the background of high heat flow

The Sea of Japan is located in the southeast margin of Eurasia, in the triangle area of the western Pacific Ocean. Due to the interaction of the Pacific plate, Eurasian plate and Philippine plate, its tectonic environment is complex, forming a typical trench-arc-basin system. At present, 148 oil and gas fields have been discovered in Japan, with an oil and gas resource of 255.78×10^(6) t, showing a good prospect for oil and gas exploration. Based on the previous research and the recently collected geological and geophysical data, the characteristics of tectonic-sedimentary evolution and geothermal field in the basins around the Sea of Japan are analyzed. The results show that the tectonic evolution of the basin is mainly controlled by plate subduction and back-arc oceanic crust expansion, and it mainly undergone four tectonic-sedimentary evolution stages: Subduction period, basin development period, subsidence period and compression deformation period. The overall heat flow value of Japan Sea is high, and it is distributed annularly along Yamato Ridge. The geothermal heat flow value is about 50–130 MW/m^(2), and the average heat flow is75.9±19.8 MW/m^(2), which has a typical “hot basin ”. The high heat flow background provides unique thermal evolution conditions for hydrocarbon generation, which leads to the high temperature and rapid evolution. The authors summarized as “early hydrocarbon generation, rapid maturity and shallow and narrow hydrocarbon generation window”. The type of oil and gas is mainly natural gas, and it mainly distributed in Neogene oil and gas reservoirs. The trap types are mainly structural traps, lithologic traps and composite traps. In addition, the pre-Neogene bedrock oil and gas reservoirs also show a good exploration prospect. The resource prospecting indicates that Niigata Basin, Ulleung Basin and kitakami Basin are the main target areas for future exploration and development.

Influence of multi-stage volcanic events on the Late Cretaceous-Paleogene reservoirs and its geological significance in the northern Central Myanmar Basin

The northward subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic crust triggered multiple magmatic activities in the West Myanmar Arc,which in turn influenced the deposition of sedimentary pyroclastic rocks from the Cretaceous to Eocene strata in the Central Myanmar Basin(CMB).The pore structure of these lithologic reservoirs is complex and rich in tuffaceous sandstone,which plays an adverse role in reservoir development in this region.To understand the development characteristics and genetic mechanism of the pyroclastic rocks within three sets of reservoirs in this area,a comprehensive analysis was conducted through borehole core observations,thin section identification,scanning electron microscope analysis,and mercury injection tests.The tuffaceous sandstone from the upper Cretaceous to the Eocene is dominated by intermediate-acid volcanic rock debris.The pyroclastic rocks exhibit evident chloritization and ironization,with residual intergranular pores being the principal type accompanied by a smaller amount of intergranular dissolved pores and intragranular dissolved pores.The highest porosity is observed in the Eocene tuffaceous sandstone,ranging from 8%to 12%.The Late Cretaceous to Paleocene sandstones exhibit lower porosity levels of only 4%-6%.These reservoirs are characterized by their low porosity and low-permeability.Despite the presence of a good source rock in this area,the volcanic debris particles filling the pores,as well as their subsequent devitrification,chloritization,and limonite mineralization,result in pore throat blockage and narrowing.The reservoirs in this area are small in size,exhibit poor reservoir connectivity and lateral continuity,and fail to meet the necessary conditions for commercial-scale hydrocarbon accumulation and migration.

Ramp facies in an intracratonic basin:A case study from the Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous in central Hunan,southern China

Detailed studies on Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous carbonate rocks in central Hunan, southern China have led to the recognition of 25 lithofacies which can be grouped into： （I） inner ramp peritidal platform, （2） inner ramp organic hank and mound, （3） mid ramp, （4） outer ramp, and （5） shelf basin facies associations. The peritidal platform facies association dominates the Zimenqiao Formation （Namurian A or late Datangian） and is characterized by gypsum and dolostone-containing sequences, indicating a peritidal platform environment. The other four facies associations dominate the Menggongao Formation （late Famennian）, Liujiatang Formation （Tournaisian or Yangruanian）, Shidengzi Formations （early Visean or early Datangian）. Five upward-shallowing cycles were distinguished in these three Formations. The predominant facies associations developed in each Formation demonstrate an overall transgression-regression cycle in the Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous in central Hunan. The overall transgressive sequence was preserved in the Shaodong, Menggongao, and Liujiatang Formations, and the overall regressive sequence was preserved in the Liujiatang, Shidengzi, Ceshui and Zimenqiao Formations.

Intra-continental back-arc basin inversion and Late Carboniferous magmatism in Eastern Tianshan,NW China:Constraints from the Shaquanzi magmatic suite

The Yamansu belt,an important tectonic component of Eastern Tianshan Mountains,of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt,NW China hosts many Fe-(Cu)deposit.In this study,we present new zircon U-Pb geochronology and geochemical data of the volcanic rocks of Shaquanzi Formation and diorite intrusions in the Yamansu belt.The Shaquanzi Formation comprises mainly basalt,andesite/andesitic tuff,rhyolite and sub-volcanic diabase with local diorite intrusions.The volcanic rocks and diorites contain ca.315-305 Ma and ca.298 Ma zircons respectively.These rocks show calc-alkaline affinity with enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements(LILEs),light rare-earth elements(LREEs),and depletion in high field strength elements(HFSEs)in primitive mantle normalized multi-element diagrams,which resemble typical back-arc basin rocks.They show depleted mantle signature with ε_(Nd)(t)ranging from+3.1 to +5.6 for basalt;+2.1 to+4.7 for andesite;-0.2 to+1.5 for rhyolite and the ε_(Hf)(t)ranges from-0.1 to +13.0 for andesites;+5.8 to +10.7 for andesitic tuffs.We suggest that the Shaquanzi Formation basalt might have originated from a depleted,metasomatized lithospheric mantle source mixed with minor(3-5%)subduction-derived materials,whereas the andesite and rhyolite could be fractional crystallization products of the basaltic magma.The Shaquanzi Formation volcanic rocks could have formed in an intracontinental back-arc basin setting,probably via the southward subduction of the Kangguer Ocean beneath the Middle Tianshan Massif.The Yamansu mineralization belt might have undergone a continental arc to back-arc basin transition during the Late Carboniferous and the intra-continental back-arc basin might have closed in the Early Permian,marked by the emplacement of dioritic magma in the Shaquanzi belt.

Carbonate Sequence Stratigraphy of a Back-Arc Basin: A Case Study of the Qom Formation in the Kashan Area, Central Iran

The Qom Formation comprises Oligo-Miocene deposits from a marine succession distributed in the Central Basin of Iran. It is composed of five members designated as A-F. Little previous work exists on the sequence stratigraphy. Based on an integrated study of sequence stratigraphy with outcrop data, wells and regional seismic profiles, the Qom Formation is interpreted as a carbonate succession deposited in a mid.Tertiary back-arc basin. There are two second-order sequences （designated as SS1 and SS2） and five third-order sequences （designated as S1-S5）. Five distinct systems tracts including transgressive, highstand, forced regressive, slope margin and Iowstand have been recognized. The relationship between the sequences and lithologic sub-units has been collated and defined （S1 to S5 individually corresponding to A-C1, C2--C4, D-E, the lower and upper portions of F）; a relative sea level change curve and the sequence stratigraphic framework have been established and described in detail. The coincidence of relative sea level change between that of the determined back-arc basin and the world indicates that the sedimentary cycles of the Qom Formation are mainly controlled by eustatic cycles. The variable combination of the systems tracts and special tectonic-depositional setting causally underpin multiple sequence stratigraphic framework styles seen in the carbonates of the back-arc basin revealing： （1） a continental margin basin that developed some form of barrier, characterized by the development of multiple cycles of carbonate-evaporites; （2） a flat carbonate ramp, which occurred on the southern shelf formed by the lack of clastic supply from nearby magmatic islands plus mixed siliciclastics and carbonates that occurred on the northern shelf due to a sufficient clastics supply from the land; and （3） a forced regressive stratigraphic stacking pattern that occured on the southern shelf and in basin lows due to the uplifting of the southern shelf. Thick and widespread aggradational framework limestone usually occurs in the initial sequences （S1 and S3） of the supersequence, which led to preferential oil reservoir deposition but a lack of source and cap rocks, whereas the retrogradational and progradational framework limestone usually occurs in the later sequences （S2 and S4-S5） of the supersequence, which results in two perfect sets of source, reservoir and cap rock assemblies, so that the limestone in sub-member C2-C4 and the F-Member can be predicted as important objects for oil exploration.

Geological Features of Devonian Sedimentary Basins in South China and Their Deposition and Mineralization

The Devonian succession in South China is well-known for its complete development, vari-fied sedimentary types, remarkable lithofacies variation and abundant mineral resources. The South China plate was formed by the collision and collage of the Yangtze plate and the Cathaysian plate. The collision began approximately at the Jinningian stage and the collage was not finalized until the Guangxian movement. It was on the South China plate with a somewhat different nature of the basement that the Devonian deposition formed.

Bottom Simulating Reflector and Gas Seepage in Okinawa Trough:Evidence of Gas Hydrate in an Active Back-Arc Basin

To look for gas hydrate, 22 multi-channel and 3 single-channel seismic lines on the East China Sea （ECS） shelf slope and at the bottom of the Okinawa Trough were examined. It was found that there was indeed bottom simulating reflector （BSR） occurrence, but it is very rare. Besides several BSRs, a gas seepage was also found. As shown by the data, both the BSR and gas seepage are all related with local geological structures, such as mud diapir, anticline, and fault-controlled graben-like structure. However, similar structural ＂anomalies＂ are quite common in the tectonically very active Okinawa Trough region, but very few of them have developed BSR or gas seepage. The article points out that the main reason is probably the low concentration of organic carbon of the sediment in this area. It was speculated that the rare occurrence of gas hydrates in this region is governed by structure-controlled fluid flow. Numerous faults and fractures form a network of high-permeability channels in the sediment and highly fractured igneous basement to allow fluid circulation and ventilation. Fluid flow in this tectonic environment is driven primarily by thermal buoyancy and takes place on a wide range of spatial scales. The fluid flow may play two roles to facilitate hydrate formation： to help gather enough methane into a small area and to modulate the thermal regime.

Generation of Back-Arc Basins as Side Effect of Shortening Processes: Examples from the Central Mediterranean

The evolution of the Mediterranean area since the Oligocene-Lower Miocene has been driven by the convergence of the surrounding plates. This implies that the observed deformation pattern in that region must be the most convenient shortening pattern, i.e. the one controlled by the minimum action principle. To understand why the fulfilment of such condition has required a complex spatio-temporal distribution of major tectonic events, such as uplift, lateral displacement and bending of orogenic belts, consumption of large lithospheric domains and formation of back arc basins, it may be very useful to take into account a basic tectonic concept, which helps to identify the process that can minimize the resistance of tectonic forces. Such concept starts from the fact that the most convenient consumption process is the one that involves low buoyancy oceanic lithosphere (Tethyan domains). However, such process is highly favoured where the oceanic lithosphere is stressed by vertical forces, a situation that develops when orogenic wedges are forced to over thrust and load the oceanic domain to be consumed. This interpretation can provide plausible and coherent explanations for the complex pattern of the observed deformations. In this view, the generation of back arc basins is taken as a side effect of an extrusion process, as suggested by numerical and mechanical experiments.

Origin of Cu in the PACMANUS hydrothermal field from the eastern Manus back-arc basin: evidence from mass balance modeling

Hydrothermal precipitates associated with active vents in the eastern Manus Basin, an actively opening back-arc basin in the Bismarck Sea, Papua New Guinea, are among the most Cu-rich on the modern seafloor. The volcanic rocks associated with this mineralization may be insufficiently enriched in Cu to account for the Cu content of the sulfides by simple leaching. The PACMANUS hydrothermal field lies in the eastern portion of the eastern Manus Basin. Mass balance modeling of the PACMANUS hydrothermal system indicates that simple leaching of a stationary reaction zone (0.144 km^3) by hydrothermal fluids cannot yield the Cu found in associated sulfide deposits because unacceptably high leaching, transportation and precipitation efficiencies are required to derive the Cu in sulfides by leaching processes. With 100% leaching, transport and precipitating efficiency, 0.166 km^3 of volcanic rocks would need to be leached to account for the Cu budget of hydrothermal sulfide deposits. The key requirement for forming metal-rich magmatic fluids is a large amount of metals available to enter the exsolved vapor phase. Magmas generated in the eastern Manus Basin inherently have high fO2 because of metasomatism of the mantle source by oxidized materials from the subducted slab, leading to copper enrichment in the magma chamber. Moreover, the presence of Cu in gas-rich melt inclusi on bubbles in Pual Ridge andesite is evidence that degassing and partitioning of Cu into the magmatic volatile phase has occurred in the eastern Manus Basin. Numerical mass balance modeling indicates that approximately 0.236 Mt Cu was potentially transferred to the hydrothermal system per cubic kilometer magma. Magmatic degassing seems to play a more significant role than leaching.

Formation of the Devonian Fengtai Hydrothermal Brine Basin and the Metallogeny of Gold and Lead-Zinc Mineralizations in Shaanxi

The study of the relationships between the hydrothermal sedimentary formations and the gold and lead-zinc mineralizations in the Devonian Fengtai basin in Shaanxi shows that there was a hydrothermal brine sedimentary event which was inserted into the normal sedimentary background from the late Middle Devonian to the early Late Devonian. This event is closely related to gold and lead-zinc mineralizations in this area.

桂东北D/C界线沉积特征及对台盆相间演化的启示

台盆相间是桂东北泥盆纪和石炭纪沉积的重要特色,而D/C界线又是台盆相间沉积最突出的一个时段之一。文章回顾并评述了桂东北D/C界线的研究历程、相序划分、主要代表剖面,认为桂东北D/C界线可划分为碎屑岩相序和碳酸盐岩相序以及它们的过渡类型。通过对20条典型剖面的岩性组合特征对比,恢复了桂东北D/C界线海平面相对下降期的岩相古地理,结果显示桂东北在该时期主要存在柳州、桂林两大台地以及多个小型台地,台地间普遍发育快速相变的台沟、盆地沉积,石炭纪初期海水变浅,台地分布范围显著扩大,江南古陆供给增强,台盆相间格局迅速发展。为了进一步探讨桂东北D/C界线的演化过程和背后的控制因素,文章分析了广西整体的台盆相间演化的阶段性、同沉积构造作用以及海平面变化的影响,梳理了台盆相间演化过程中沉积环境分异与构造运动-海平面的关系,认为在滇黔桂裂谷盆地在持续断陷发展的前提下,桂东北D/C界线沉积分异的主要原因可能是受冈瓦纳大陆冰川形成与消融导致的海平面异常波动,以及柳江运动引发的局部同沉积断陷强度差异变动影响,且构造和沉积要素在D/C界线的耦合作用达到最强,最终促进桂东北台盆相间格局在D/C界线达到鼎盛。在此模式下,可以将台盆相间的演化划分为4个阶段,早泥盆世中期—晚期为台盆相间格局的孕育期,早泥盆世晚期—中泥盆世晚期沉积开始分异,为台盆相间格局的发展期,晩泥盆世—早石炭世台-盆出现强烈分割,海平面异常下降和柳江运动同时作用于沉积,为台盆相间格局的鼎盛期,早石炭世之后,台盆相间沉积维持了一定时期的强度,晚石炭世开始海水逐步恢复正常后台盆相间逐渐减弱,为台盆相间格局的衰退期。

川西北中泥盆统观雾山组储层特征及其主控因素

为明确川西北观雾山组储层特征及主控因素,通过野外剖面及岩心观察、铸体薄片鉴定、扫描电镜、阴极发光、微米CT扫描、孔渗及地球化学测试等对其进行了分析。研究表明:川西北观雾山组储层岩性主要为生物礁白云岩、生屑白云岩和角砾状细-中晶白云岩。主要储集空间为生物体腔孔、晶间孔和溶蚀孔洞。孔隙度平均值为2.58%,渗透率平均值为0.71×10^(-3)μm^(2)。储层发育主要受沉积相、白云石化及岩溶作用控制。台缘礁滩及台内高能滩是储层发育的有利相带。有序度、阴极发光、锶同位素和稀土元素特征表明,同生-准同生期白云石化作用形成储层基础。高频沉积旋回控制的准同生溶蚀和构造抬升控制的表生岩溶改造是储层形成的关键。埋藏成岩阶段烃类成熟释放的酸性流体对储层改造也有改善。

Geochemistry and Zircon U-Pb and Hf Isotopes of Early Devonian Hardawu Granites in the Eastern Segment of the Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphic Belt, Northern Qaidam Basin

The Hardawu granites in the eastern segment of the ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt,the northern Qaidam Basin,were studied by whole-rock major and trace elements and in-situ zircon U-Pb geochronology and Hf isotopes to discuss the petrogenesis and tectonic evolution.Geochronological results show that the granites have a crystallization age of 401±3 Ma,suggesting that they were formed in the Early Devonian.The granites have SiO2 contents of 75.32 wt.%-76.05 wt.%,total alkali contents of 8.23 wt.%-8.36 wt.%,and K2O/Na2O ratios of 1.62-1.91.They were rich in K2O,poor in TiO2,MnO,MgO,and P2O5,and have A/CNK values of 1.05-1.07,Rittmann indexδvalues of 2.05-2.14,and differentiation index(DI)values of 92.85-94.18.They are high potassium calc-alkaline,weakperaluminum,and highly differentiated I-type granites.The granites also show enrichment of large ion lithophile elements(LILE)such as Rb,Ba,and Th,and depletion of high field strength elements(HFSE)such as Nb,Ta,and Ti.The total REE concentrations range from 169 ppm to 232 ppm,with enrichments of light rare earth elements and negative Eu anomalies(δEu=0.39-0.55).The zirconεHf(t)values range from-0.65 to-2.29,and the two-stage model ages(tDM2)changed within a small range of 1.44 to 1.54 Ga,indicating that the magma of the Hardawu granites was originated from the partial melting of Mesoproterozoic lower crustal materials.Combined with previous studies,we suggest that the Hardawu granites were formed in the extensional tectonic setting after the collision between the Qaidam Block and the central and southern Qilian Block in the Early Devonian.

艾尔宾古生代残余盆地石灰岩矿资源特征分析及找矿方向

艾尔宾古生代残余盆地是塔里木周边地区重要的石灰岩成矿带,文章基于区域构造建造图及哈和仁郭楞石灰岩矿、野云沟石灰岩矿等典型矿床的研究,对所属成矿带的区域地质特征、成矿时代、赋矿层位及矿石质量分析;认为该成矿带内的中泥盆统萨阿尔明组第三亚组(D_(2)s^(3))、中泥盆统阿拉塔格组(D_(2)a)、下石炭统野云沟组(C_(1)yy)为研究区内主要成矿地层,赋矿岩性为石灰岩、大理岩化灰岩、细粒结晶灰岩,矿床类型为海相沉积型。在研究区内划分出4处成矿远景区,远景区内的石灰岩矿资源丰富,开发利用条件良好。

Evolution of Sedimentation and Tectonics of the Youjiang Composite Basin, South China

Located at the southern margin of the South China plate, the Youjiang basin is a closely related to the NW- and NE-trending syndepositional faults in respect to the configuration and structure of the basin. The evolution of the Youjiang basin progressed through two stages. In the Hercynian period, the opening of the Ailaoshan-Honghe ocean basin gave rise to a number of NW-trending rift belts in the Youjiang area. During this period, deep-water sediments were dominant and the basin was possesed of the characteristics of the rift system of passive continental margins. In the early Indosinian after the Dongwu movement, the circum - Pacific tectonism led to a major change in the configuration and structure of the basin. In the meantime, the Ailaoshan ocean basin began to be subducted towards the northeast, thus causing the basin to be split and expand again, and then the basin developed into the stage of the back -arc basin. At the end of the Indosinian period, the basin gradually closed from east to west, thus ending up the history of development of the Youjiang basin. In the various developmental stages, sediments in the basin, also limited by the Dongwu movement, were formed by superposition of sedimentation systems with different features, and a typical two-layered structure, which consisted of starved and compensated sediments, also occurred in the early stage. Likewise, volcanic activity in the basin involved two stages. Basin volcanic rocks of alkali and alkali-calcic series, which were controlled by NW-trending faults, occurred in the early stage, and basic and intermediate-acid volcanic rocks of calc-alkali and calcic series, which were controlled by NW- and NE-trending faults. From the above it follows that the Youjiang basin was formed by the combined action of the Palaeotethys and circum -Pacific tectonism.

From Flysch to Molasse—Sedimentary and Tectonic Evolution of Late Caledonian -Early Hercynian Foreland Basin in North Qilian Mountains

The Late Caledonian to Early Hercynian North Qilian orogenic belt in no rthwestern China is an elongate tectonic unit situated between the North China p late in the north and the Qaidam plate in the south. North Qilian started in the latest Proterozoic to Cambrian as a rift basin on the southern margin of North China, and evolved later to an archipelagic ocean and active continental margin during the Ordovician and a foreland basin from Silurian to the Early and Middle Devonian. The Early Silurian flysch and submarine alluvial fan, the Middle to L ate Silurian shallow marine to tidal flat deposits and the Early and Middle Devo nian terrestrial molasse are developed along the corridor Nanshan. The shallowin g upward succession from subabyssal flysch, shallow marine, tidal flat to terre strial molasse and its gradually narrowed regional distribution demonstrate that the foreland basin experienced the transition from flysch stage to molasse stag e during the Silurian and Devonian time.

Source Lithology and Magmatic Processes Recorded in the Mineral of Basalts from the Parece Vela Basin

Since the Early Cenozoic,the Philippine Sea Plate(PSP)has undergone a complex tectonic evolution.During this period the Parece Vela Basin(PVB)was formed by seafloor spreading in the back-arc region of the proto-Izu-Bonin-Mariana(IBM)arc.However,until now,studies of the geological,geophysical,and tectonic evolution of the PVB have been rare.In this study,we obtained in situ trace element and major element compositions of minerals in basalts collected from two sites in the southern part of the PVB.The results reveal that the basalts from site CJ09-63 were likely formed via~10%partial melting of spinel-garnet lherzolite,while the basalts from site CJ09-64 were likely formed via 15%–25%partial melting of garnet lherzolite.The order of mineral crystallization for the basalts from site CJ09-64 was olivine,spinel,clinopyroxene,and plagioclase,while the plagioclase in the basalts from site CJ09-63 crystallized earlier than the clinopyroxene.Using a plagioclase-liquid hygrometer and an olivine-liquid oxybarometer,we determined that the basalts in this study have high H2O contents and oxygen fugacities,suggesting that the magma source of the Parece Vela basalts was affected by subduction components,which is consistent with the trace element composition of whole rock.

Deep geodynamics of far field interconti- nental back-arc extension: Formation of Cenozoic volcanoes in northeastern China

There are three cases of variation of trench location possible to occur during subduction: trench fixed, trench ad- vancing, and trench retreating. Retreat of trench may lead to back-arc extension. The Pacific plate subducts at low angle beneath the Eurasia plate, tomographic results indicate that the subducted Pacific slab does not penetrate the 670 km discontinuity, instead, it is lying flat above the interface. The flattening occurred about 28 Ma ago. Geo- dynamic computation suggests: when the frontier of the subducted slab reaches the phase boundary of lower and upper mantle, it may be hindered and turn flat lying above the boundary, facilitates the retreat of trench and back-arc extension. Volcanism in northeastern China is likely a product of such retreat of subduction, far field back-arc extension, and melting due to reduce of pressure while mantle upwelling.