Mafic and felsic magmatism in the Wadi Kalalat area, South Eastern Desert, Egypt: mineralogy, geochemistry and geodynamic evolution during the Neoproterozoic in the Nubian Shield

In the south Eastern Desert of Egypt,two contrasting types of magmatism(mafic and felsic) are recorded in the Wadi Kalalat area,and form the Gabal El Motaghiarat and Gabal Batuga intrusions,respectively.The two intrusions post-dates ophiolitic and arc associations represented by serpentinite and metagabbro-diorite,respectively.The mafic intrusion has a basal ultramafic member represented by fresh peridotite,which is followed upward by olivine gabbro and anorthositic or leucogabbro.This mafic intrusion pertains to the Alaskan-type mafic-ultramafic intrusions in the Arabian-Nubian Shield(ANS)being of tholeiitic nature and emplaced in a typical arc setting.On the other hand,the Gabal Batuga intrusion comprises three varieties of fresh A-type granites of high K-calc alkaline nature,which is peraluminous and garnetbearing in parts.A narrow thermal aureole in the olivine gabbro of the mafic intrusion was developed due to the intrusion of the Batuga granites.This results in the development of a hornfelsic melagabbro variety in which the composition changed from tholeiitic to a calc-alkaline composition due to the addition of S_(i)O_(2),Al_(2)O_(3),alkalis,lithosphile elements(LILEs) such as Rb(70 ppm) and Y(28 ppm) from the felsic intrusion.Outside the thermal aureole,Rb amounts 2-8 ppm and Y lies in the range <2-6ppm.It is believed that the Gabal Batuga felsic intrusion started to emplace during the waning stage of an arc system,with transition from the pre-collisional(i.e.,arc setting) to post-collisional and within plate settings.Magma from which the Gabal Batuga granites were fractionated is high-K calc-alkaline giving rise to a typical post-collisional A-type granite(A_(2)-subtype) indicating an origin from an underplating crustal source.Accordingly,it is stressed here that the younger granites in the ANS are not exclusively post-collisional and within-plate but most likely they started to develop before closure of the arc system.The possible source(s) of mafic magmas that resulted in the formation of the two intrusions are discussed.Mineralogical and geochemical data of the post-intrusion dykes(mafic and felsic) suggest typical active continental rift/within-plate settings.

Magma Mixing Genesis of the Mafic Enclaves and Related Granitoids in the Kan Granite-Gneiss Complex of Central Côte d’Ivoire: Evidence from Geology, Petrology and Geochemistry

The mafic enclaves from Paleoproterozoic domain are considered to be the results of large-scale crust-mantle interaction and magma mixing. In this paper, petrography, mineralogy and geochemistry were jointly used to determine the origin of the mafic enclaves and their relationship with the host granitoids of the Kan granite-gneiss complex. This study also provides new information on crust-mantle interactions. The mafic enclaves of the Kan vary in shape and size and have intermediate chemical compositions. The diagrams used show a number of similarities in the major elements (and often in the trace elements) between the mafic enclaves and the host granitoids. Geochemical show that the Kan rock are metaluminous, enriched in silica, medium to high-K calc-alkaline I-type granite. The similarities reflect a mixing of basic and acid magma. Mafic enclaves have a typical magmatic structure, which is characterized by magma mixing. The genesis of these rocks is associated with the context of subduction. They result from the mixing of a mafic magma originating from the mantle and linked to subduction, and a granitic magma (type I granite) that arises from the partial melting of the crust.

Spatiotemporal mapping of(ultra‐)mafic magmatic mine areas:Implications of economic and political realities in China

The spatiotemporal extension/expansion of mine areas is affected by multiple factors.So far,very little has been done to examine the interaction between mine areas and political or economic realities.The(ultra‐)mafic magmatic mines in China played a specific role in supporting national development and providing an ideal research subject for monitoring their interrelationship.In this study,remote sensing and mining‐related GIS data were used to identify and analyze 1233(ultra‐)mafic magmatic mine area polygons in China,which covered approximately 322.96 km2 of land and included a V–Ti–Fe mine,a copper–nickel mine,a chromite mine,an asbestos mine,and a diamond mine.It was found that(1)the areal expansion of mines is significantly related to the mine types,perimeter,topography,and population density.(2)The mine area variation also reflects market and policy realities.The temporal expansion of the mine area from 2010 to 2020 followed an S‐shaped pattern(with the turning point occurring in 2014),closely related to iron overcapacity and tightened mining policies.(3)The complexity(D)of the mine area may reflect mine design and excavation practices.To be specific,lower D indicates early‐stage or artisanal/small‐scale mining,whereas higher D represents large‐scale mining.This study demonstrates that the detailed mapping of mine land can serve as an indicator to implement miningrelated market and policy changes.The(ultra‐)mafic mines area data set can be accessed at https://zenodo.org/record/7636616#.Y-p0uXaZOa0.

Petrological and geochemical characteristics of mafic rocks from the Neoproterozoic Sugetbrak Formation in the northwestern Tarim Block,China

The Neoproterozoic Sugetbrak Formation in the Aksu area,which is located at the northwest margin of Tarim Block,comprises mafic rocks and provides key records of the evolution of the Rodinia supercontinent.However,the genetic relationship among these mafic rocks exposed in different geographical sections are still unclear.In this study,the petrology,geochemistry,and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope geochemistry of the mafic rocks exposed in the Aksu-Wushi and Yuermeinark areas have been studied in some detail along three sections.The authors found that the mafic rocks in these three typical sections were mainly composed of pyroxene and plagioclase,containing a small amount of Fe-Ti oxides and with typical diabasic textures.All the mafic rocks in this region also showed similar geochemical compositions.They were characterised by high TiO_(2)contents(1.47%–3.59%)and low MgO(3.52%–7.88%),K_(2)O(0.12%–1.21%).Large ionic lithophile elements(LILEs)(Rb,Sr,and Cs)were significantly depleted.Meanwhile,high field strength elements(HFSEs)were relatively enriched.In the samples,light rare earth elements(LREEs)were enriched,while heavy rare earth elements(HREEs)were depleted.Based on the Zr/Nb,Nb/Y,and Zr/TiO_(2)ratios,the Aksu mafic rocks belong to a series of sub-alkaline and alkaline transitional rocks.The mafic rocks along the three typical sections showed similar initial values of^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr(I_(Sr))(0.7052–0.7097)and ε_(Nd)(t)(–0.70 to–5.35),while the Pb isotopic compositions with^(206)Pb/^(204)Pb,^(207)Pb/^(204)Pb and^(208)Pb/^(204)Pb values of 16.908–17.982,15.487–15.721,37.276–38.603,respectively.Most of the samples plot into the area near EM-Ⅰ,indicating that the magma of the mafic rocks might have derived from a relatively enriched mantle with some crustal materials involved.The geochemical element characteristics of most samples showed typical OIB-type geochemical characteristics indicating that the source region had received metasomatism of recycled materials.Combining with the regional geological background and geochemical data,we inferred that the mafic rocks of the Sugetbrak Formation in the Aksu area were formed in an intraplate rift environment.Summarily,based on our study,the mafic rocks of the Sugetbrak Formation in the Aksu area were derived from a common enriched mantle source,and they were product of a magmatic event during the rift development period caused by the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent.

2.7-Ga-old mafic dike in the Trans-North China Orogen of the North China Craton and its tectonic significance

We studied an Archean mafic dike in the TransNorth China Orogen of the North China Craton, which has a magmatic age of 2701 ± 83 Ma and is currently the oldest mafic dike in the North China Craton. Such an old dike is extremely rare in the world. The presence of mafic dikes indicates that the North China Craton was in a tensional tectonic environment at 2.7 Ga. Geochemical characteristics reveal that this mafic dike belongs to continental tholeiitic basalt. Results from Hf isotope analysis reveal that the mafic dike originates from a depleted mantle. The plate assembly in the North China landmass was realized during the Archean era(2.7 Ga), and a thick and stable continental crust was formed. Therefore, the first cratonization of the North China Craton was completed before 2.7 Ga. The intrusion of the 2.7-Ga-old mafic dike from the deep lithospheric mantle of the continent indicates that the North China Craton has undergone a period of extensional tectonic activity. This event marks a significant extensional event that occurred after the cratonization of the North China Craton.

Subducting passive continental margins with crustal (ultra)mafic intrusions: An underappreciated mechanism for recycling water back into the mantle

It is well known that outer rise bending-assisted oceanic plate hydration is an important mechanism for transporting substantial amounts of water into the mantle.A key question is:Are there other equally or more important water transport mechanisms?Here we propose,for the first time,that subducting passive continental margins,particularly those with crustal(ultra)mafic intrusions,play a critical role in recycling water back into the mantle.Evidence for this mechanism is the exceptionally high outer rise seismicity observed in a subducting passive continental margin(i.e.,the northeastern South China Sea continental margin)near the northern Manila trench,characterized by a high-velocity lower crust that has been attributed to(ultra)mafic intrusions.Our interpretation of this correlation between high outer rise seismicity and lower crust(ultra)mafic intrusions is that(ultra)mafic intrusions alter the crustal rheology and increase brittle deformation in the lower crust in this region,thereby promoting lithospheric fracturing and plate hydration,which is evidenced by increased outer rise seismicity.

Geochemical characteristics of mafic and ultramafic rocks from the Naga Hills Ophiolite, India:Implications for petrogenesis

The Naga Hills Ophiolite(NHO) represents one of the fragments of Tethyan oceanic crust in the Himalayan Orogenic system which is exposed in the Phek and Kiphire districts of Nagaland, India. The NHO is composed of partially serpentinized dunite, peridotite, gabbro, basalt, minor plagiogranite,diorite dyke and marine sediments. The basalts are mainly composed of fine grained plagioclase feldspar, clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene and show quenching and variolitic textures. The gabbros are characterized by medium to coarse grained plagioclase, orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene with ophitic to sub-ophitic textures. The ultramafic cumulates are represented by olivine, Cpx and Opx.Geochemically, the basalts and gabbros are sub-alkaline to alkaline and show tholeiitic features.The basalts are characterized by 44.1-45.6 wt.% of SiO_2 with 28-38 of Mg#, and the gabbros by38.7-43.7 wt.% of SiO_2, and 26-79 of Mg#. The ultramafic rocks are characterized by 37.4-52.2 wt.% of SiO_2, and 80-88 of Mg#. In multi-element diagrams(spidergrams) both basalts and gabbros show fractionated trends with strong negative anomalies of Zr. Nb. Sr and a gentle negative anomaly of P.However, the rare earth element(REE) plots of the basalts and gabbros show two distinct patterns. The first pattern, represented by light REE(LREE) depletion, suggests N-MORB features and can be interpreted as a signature of Paleo-Tethyan oceanic crust. The second pattern, represented by LREE enrichment with negligible negative Eu anomaly, conforms to E-MORB, and may be related to an arc tectonic setting. In V vs. Ti/1000, Cr vs. Y and AFM diagrams, the basalts and gabbros plot within Island Arc Tholeiite(IAT) and MORB fields suggesting both ridge and arc related settings. The ultramafic rocks exhibit two distinct patterns both in spidergrams and in REE plots. In the spidergram, one group displays highly enriched pattern, whereas the other group shows near flat pattern compared to primordial mantle. In the REE plot, one group displays steeper slopes [(La/Yb)N = 4.340-4.341], whereas the other displays moderate to flat slopes [(La/Yb)N = 0.97-1.67] and negative Eu-anomalies. Our study suggests that the ultramafic rocks represent two possible mantle sources(fertile and refractory).

Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Palaeomagnetism of Mafic Dykes from Kumaun Lesser Himalaya: Implication on Petrogenesis, Tectonic Setting and Timing of Mafic Magmatism in Northern Part of Indian Lithosphere

Occurrence of mafic dykes in Himalaya has been intriguing and debated since long because of its difficulty to ascent and emplacement through a thickened crust.Mafic dykes in Kumaun Lesser Himalaya(KLH)of central Indian

Mafic, Ultramafic and Carbonatitic Dykes in the Southern Siberian Craton with Age of ca 1 Ga: Remnants of a New Large Igneous Province?

Virtual absence of igneous complexes with ages between1.8 Ga and 0.8 Ga in southern part of the Siberian Craton allowed to Galdkochub et al.(2010)to formulate a hypothesis of long magmatic quiescence.Most reliable

K-Ar Geochronology of Mesozoic Mafic Dikes in Shandong Province, Eastern China: Implications for Crustal Extension

Based on K-Ar isotope analyses, Mesozoic mafic (and alkali ultramafic) dikes from western and eastern Shandong Province, China, are dated at 88.2±1.70 Ma to 169.5±3.7 Ma with the majority of ages ranging from 90 Ma to 140 Ma. The emplacement of the dikes suggests a major Yanshanian (Cretaceous) crustal extension in Shandong province. Together with other available age data, this study suggests four periods of crustal extension at about 80 Ma, 100 Ma, 120 Ma and 140 Ma, respectively. Besides the effect of collapse of the Yanshanian orogenic belt on the emplacement of the mafic dikes in Shandong in the Cretaceous, the mantle plume and the extensive left-lateral advection and extension of the Tanlu fault also have controlled the crustal extension and the emplacement of the mafic dikes in eastern Shandong and western Shandong, respectively.

U and Th Contents and Th/U Ratios of Zircon in Felsic and Mafic Magmatic Rocks:Improved Zircon-Melt Distribution Coefficients

High-precision data on U and Th contents and Th/U ratios of zircon obtained using secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis have been collected from the literature. Zircon in the granitic rocks has median values of 350 ppm U, 140 ppm Th, and Th/U=0.52; the recommended zircon-melt partition coefficients are 81 for Du and 8.2 for DTh. In zircon from mafic and intermediate rocks, the median values are 270 ppm U, 170 ppm Th, and Th/U=0.81, and the recommended zirconmelt partition coefficients are 169 for Du and 59 for DTh. The U and Th contents and Th/U ratios of magmatic zircon are low when zircon crystallizes in equilibrium with the melt. Increasing magma temperature should promote higher Th contents relative to U contents, resulting in higher Th/U ratios for zircon in mafic to intermediate rocks than in granitic rocks. However, when zircon crystallizes in disequilibrium with the melt, U and Th are more easily able to enter the zircon lattice, and their contents and Th/U ratios depend mainly on the degree of disequilibrium. The behavior of U and Th in magmatic zircon can be used as a geochemical indicator to determine the origins and crystallization environments of magmatic zircon.

Geochronology and Geochemistry of Mafic Rocks in the Xuhe, Shaanxi, China: Implications for Petrogenesis and Mantle Dynamics

The Xuhe mafic rocks, located in Ziyang county of Shaanxi Province, are dominated by diabase-porphyrite, gabbro-diabase, diabase, and pyroxene diorite. Primitive mantle-normalized multi-element patterns show that, the Xuhe marie rocks are enriched in large ion lithophile elements （LITE）, such as Ba and Pb, depleted in K and Sr for basic rocks, and are depleted in Sr, P and Ti for pyroxene diorite. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns display LREE enrichment （LaN/YbN = 9.34- 13.99） and have normalized patterns for trace element and REE similar to that of typical OIB. Detailed SIMS zircon U-Pb dating yields emplacement ages of 438.4 ± 3.1 Ma for Xuhe mafic rocks. The relatively low MgO （basic rock： 3.11-7.21 wt%; pyroxene diorite： 0.89-1.21 wt% ） and Mg# （0.20- 0.49） for Xuhe mafic rocks suggest that they were possibly originated from an extremely evolved magma. The rising parental mafic magmas underwent pyroxene and plagioclase fractionation. Crustal contamination of pyroxene diorite before emplacement occurred at a higher crustal level compared to other lithology in Xuhe mafic rocks. The degree of partial melt was low （5%-10%） and in garnetspinel transition facies. Sr-Nd isotope of pyroxene diorite and enrichment mantle characteristics for Xuhe mafic rocks suggest that mafic rocks in the North Daba Mountains were derived from a mixture of HIMU, EMII and small amount of EMI components. Furthermore, this study discusses mantle geodynamic significance of Xuhe mafic rocks in the Silurian, which indicates subduction and uplift of magma caused back-arc extension.

Geochronological Framework and Geodynamic Implications of Mafic Magmatism in the Liaodong Peninsula and Adjacent Regions,North China Craton

Mafic rocks are widespread on the Liaodong Peninsula and adjacent regions of the North China Craton. The majority of this magmatism was originally thought to have occurred during the Pre-Sinian, although the precise geochronological framework of this magmatism was unclear. Here, we present the results of more than 60 U-Pb analyses of samples performed over the past decade, with the aim of determining the spatial and temporal distribution of mafic magmatism in this area. These data indicate that Paleoproterozoic-Mesoproterozoic mafic rocks are not as widely distributed as previously thought. The combined geochronological data enabled the subdivision of the mafic magmatism into six episodes that occurred during the middle Paleoproterozoic, the late Paleoproterozoic, the Mesoproterozoic, the Late Triassic, the Middle Jurassic, and the Early Cretaceous. The middle Paleoproterozoic （2.1-2.2 Ga） mafic rocks formed in a subduction-related setting and were subsequently metamorphosed during a ca. 1.9 Ga arc-continent collision event. The late Paleoproterozoic （ca. 1.87-1.82 Ga） bimodal igneous rocks mark the end of a Paleoproterozoic tectono- thermal event, whereas Mesoproterozoic mafic dike swarms record global-scale Mesoproterozoic rifting associated with the final breakup of the Columbia supercontinent. The Late Triassic mafic magmatism is part of a Late Triassic magmatic belt that was generated by post-coilisional extension. The Middle Jurassic mafic dikes formed in a compressive tectonic setting, and the Early Cretaceous bimodal igneous rocks formed in an extensional setting similar to a back-arc basin. These latter two periods of magmatism were possibly related to subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate.

Geochemistry of Permian Mafic Igneous Rocks from the Napo-Qinzhou Tectonic Belt in Southwest Guangxi, Southwest China: Implications for Arc-Back Arc Basin Magmatic Evolution

The Napo-Qinzhou Tectonic Belt （NQTB） lies at the junction of the Yangtze, Cathaysia and Indochina （North Vietnam） Blocks, which is composed of five major lithotectonic subunits： the Qinzhou-Fangcheng Suture Zone （QFSZ）, the Shiwandashan Basin （SB）, the Pingxiang-Nanning Suture Zone （PNSZ）, the Damingshan Block （DB） and the Babu-Lingma Suture Zone （BLSZ）. On the basis of geochemical compositions, the Permian mafic igneous rocks can be divided into three distinct groups： （1） mafic igneous rocks （Group 1） from the Longjing region in the PNSZ and Hurun region in the BLSZ, which are characterized by intermediate Ti, P and Zr with low Ni and Cr contents; （2） mafic igneous rocks （Group 2） from the Naxiao and Chongzuo region in the DB, characterized by low-intermediate Ti, P and Zr with high Ni and Cr concentrations; and （3） mafic igneous rocks （Group 3） from the Siming region in the Jingxi carbonate platform of the northwestern margin of the NQTB, with intermediate-high Ti, P and Zr and low Ni and Cr contents. The Group 1 rocks yield a weighted mean 206 Pb/ 238 U age of 250.5±2.8 Ma and are geochemically similar to basalts occurring in back-arc basin settings. The Group 2 rocks exhibit geochemical features to those basalts in island arcs, whereas the Group 3 rocks show geochemical similarity to that of ocean island basalts. All three groups are characterized by relatively low ε Nd （t） values （-2.61 to ＋1.10） and high initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr isotopic ratios （0.705309-0.707434）, indicating that they were derived from a subduction-modified lithospheric mantle and experienced assimilation, fractional crystallization, and crustal contamination or mixing during magmatic evolution. Accordingly, we propose the existence of an arc-back arc basin system that developed along the NQTB at the border of SW Guangxi Province （SW China） and northern Vietnam, and it was formed by continued northwestward subduction of the Cathaysian （or Yunkai） Block under the Yangtze Block, and northeastward subduction of the Indochina Block beneath the Yangtze Block during Permian time.

Geochronology and petrogenesis of the mafic dykes from the Purang ophiolite:Implications for evolution of the western Yarlung-Tsangpo suture zone,southwestern Tibet

The>2000 km Indus-Yarlung Tsangpo suture zone(IYSZ)is composed of the Neo-tethys oceanic remnants,flysch units and related continental rocks,which has been regarded as the boundary between the Eurasian and Indian terranes.Among the ophiolitic complexes,the Purang ophiolite is the biggest massif in the IYSZ,and many studies have been conducted on this ophiolite.However,previous studies have mainly focused on harzburgite,clinopyroxenite and dunite.Field observations show that mafic dykes were emplaced within the Purang ophiolite.However,petrogenetic evolutions of those mafic dykes are poorly understood.In this study,we present new LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating results,whole-rock geochemistry and Sr-Nd-Hf isotope analyses for microgabbro,gabbro and dolerite dykes from the Purang ophiolite of the southwestern IYSZ,respectively.Three samples yielded zircon U-Pb ages of144.2±2.1 Ma.127.9±2.3 Ma and 126.5±0.42 Ma,suggesting two different phases of magmatic activities distinctly.Whole-rock geochemical results suggest that the gabbro samples show alkaline features marked by enrichments of light rare earth elements(LREE)and large-ion lithophile elements(LILE),as well as Nb-Ta elements,suggesting an oceanic island basalt-like(OIB-like)geochemical affinity.However,the dolerite and microgabbro samples demonstrate sub-alkaline characteristics with normal mid-oceanic ridge basalt-like(N-MORB-like)geochemical features.Three distinct mafic dykes show significant Rb element depletion.The geochemical data and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic features suggest that the microgabbro and gabbro rocks were derived from a depleted mantle that had been metasomatized by partial melts of sediments and enriched slab-derived fluids.The dolerite was also originated from a depleted mantle marked by significantly depleted Sr-Nd-Hf compositions,which was not influenced by enriched slab-derived fluids and sediments contamination during subsequent evolution.The isotope and geochemical data and tectonic diagrams suggest a tectonic transition from a within-plate to a midoceanic ridge basalt-like(MORB-like)setting during the period from ca.144 Ma to 127 Ma.Combined with regional background and this study,we propose that these mafic dykes were formed in an oceanic back-arc basin setting.Additionally,integrated with previous studies,we suggest that the geodynamic evolution of the southwestern and central parts of the Neo-Tethys oceanic basin is comparable in Early Cretaceous.

P-T-t Path of Mafic Granulite Metamorphism in Northern Tibet and Its Geodynamical Implications

Mafic granulites have been found as structural lenses within the huge thrust system outcropping about 10 km west of Nam Co of the northern Lhasa Terrane, Tibetan Plateau. Petrological evidence from these rocks indicates four distinct metamorphic assemblages. The early metamorphic assemblage (M1) is preserved only in the granulites and represented by plagioclase+hornblende inclusions within the cores of garnet porphyroblasts. The peak assemblage (M2) consists of garnet+clinopyroxene+hornblende+plagioclase in the mafic granulites. The peak metamorphism was followed by near-isothermal decompression (M3), which resulted in the development of hornblende+plagioclase symplectites surrounding embayed garnet porphyroblasts, and decompression-cooling (M4) is represented by minerals of hornblende+plagioclase recrystallized during mylonization. The peak (M2) P-T conditions of garnet+ clinopyroxene+plagioclase+hornblende were estimated at 769-905℃ and 0.86-1.02 GPa based on the geothermometers and geobarometers. The P-T conditions of plagioclase+hornblende symplectites (M3) were estimated at 720-800℃ and 0.55-0.68 GPa, and recrystallized hornblende+plagioclase (M4) at 594-708℃ and 0.26-0.47 GPa. It is impossible to estimate the P-T conditions of the early metamorphic assemblage (M1) because of the absence of modal minerals. The combination of petrographic textures, metamorphic reaction history, thermobarometric data and corresponding isotopic ages defines a clockwise near-isothermal decompression metamorphic path, suggesting that the mafic granulites had undergone initial crustal thickening, subsequent exhumation, and cooling and retrogression. This tectonothermal path is considered to record two major phases of collision which resulted in both the assemblage of Gondwanaland during the Pan-African orogeny at 531 Ma and the collision of the Qiangtang and Lhasa Terranes at 174 Ma, respectively.

Geochronology and geochemistry of mafic dykes in the Helanshan complex: Implications for Mesozoic tectonics in the North China Craton

The Helanshan tectonic belt(HTB) is a major tectonic divide between the Alxa and Ordos blocks in the North China Craton. The geochronology and petrogenesis of the mafic dykes in the northern HTB are keys to understanding the tectonic evolution of this belt. The mafic dykes, intruded into the Neoarchean-Paleoproterozoic metamorphic basement, are mainly composed of diabase with a mineral assemblage of plagioclase(45%-60%), pyroxene(25%-35%), minor quartz and Fe-Ti oxides. The LA-ICPMS U-Pb analysis of zircon grains from representative dykes yield a weighted mean age of 206 ± 1.9 Ma, which represents the crystallization age of the dyke. The diabases show high contents of Fe_2 O_3~T(11.88-17.55 wt.%), low contents of SiO_2(45.65-50.95 wt.%) and MgO(3.31-5.50 wt.%) with low Mg#(=100×MgO/(MgO + FeO) atomic ration) of 33-44. They are characterized by enrichment of light rare earth elements(LREEs) and large ion lithophile elements(LILEs)(e.g., Rb, Ba and Pb), and slight depletion of high field strength elements(HFSEs). These features suggest that the magma has undergone extensive fractionation of olivine and pyroxene but only minor crustal contamination during its evolution. Their high Sm contents and La/Sm ratios, and low Sm/Yb ratios indicate that magma from which the dykes formed was derived from low degree(about 5%) partial melting of an enriched garnet + spinel lherzolite mantle source. Together with regional geology, these geochemical and geochronological data suggest that the mafic dykes in the HTB were formed in an intracontinental extensional setting during the late Triassic.

U-Pb Zircon Age, Geochemical, and Sr-Nd-Pb Isotopic Constraints on the Age and Origin of Mafic Dykes from Eastern Shandong Province, Eastern China

U-Pb zircon age, geochemical, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic data of mafic dykes from eastern Shandong Province, eastern China is reported herein. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry （LA-ICP-MS） U-Pb zircon analyses of two samples from the investigated mafic dykes yield consistent ages ranging from 121.9 Ma ± 0.47 Ma to 122.9 Ma ± 0.61 Ma. The mafic dykes are characterized by high （87Sr/86Sr） i ranging from 0.7087 to 0.7089, low εNd（t） values ranging from -16.9 to -17.8, 206Pb/204Pb = 17.15 to 17.17, 207Pb/204Pb = 15.45 to 15.47, and 208Pb/204Pb = 37.59 to 37.68. Results from the current study suggest that the mafic dykes are derived from partial melting of ancient lithospheric mantle that was variably hybridized by melts derived from foundered lower crustal eclogite. The mafic dykes may have been generated through subsequent insignificant crystal fractionation and very minor crustal contamination during magma ascent. Combined with previous studies, the current findings provide new evidence that the intense lithospheric thinning beneath the eastern Shandong Province of eastern China occurred at ~120 Ma, and that this condition was caused by the removal of the lower lithosphere （mantle and lower crust）.

Metallogenic Series Related to Permian Mafic Complex in North Xinjiang:Post-collisional Stage or Mantle Plume Result?

There are four deposit types related to a Permian mafic complex in northern Xinjiang, i.e., copper-nickel sulfide deposit, vanadic titanomagnetite deposit, magnetite （-cobalt） deposit and Cu-Ni- VTiFe composite deposit. The deposits are distributed spanning tectonic units with close and consecutive metallogenic ages. A transitional deposit type can occur among the end-member deposits. Trace elements of host rocks show that they can derive from similar source area. Hence, they constitute a particular metallogenic series related to a mafic-ultramafic complex that is also a symbol series of the post-collisional stage of the Central Asia Metallogenic Province （CAMP）. The metallogenic ages of the series are between 260 Ma and 300 Ma throughout the Permian. Unlike mineralization from a mantle plume, the metallogenic period of this series spans at least 40 Ma. Compared with related deposits of the Emeishan mantle plume, the North Xinjiang series has a similar ore-forming element assemblage but has preferably developed Cu-Ni sulfide deposits rather than vanadic titanomagnetite deposits. In concomitance with this series, North Xinjiang area has developed a set of syntectonic Au-Cu-Mo metallogenic series related to a felsic volcanic-intrusive complex, which might indicate that there is no direct relationship with mantle plume activity. From early to late, i.e., the sequence of copper-nickel sulfide to magnetite （-cobalt） to vanadic titanomagnetite deposit, the host rock series evolves from mafic-ultramafic and tholeiite series to mafic and alkalic series, the ~REE content tends to increase with increasing of REE fractionation, and some of the trace elements （particularly LIL） also show an increasing tendency. The above evolutionary regularity possibly reflects a course where the magma source deepens and thermal interface moves down, energy gradually exhausts, and neo-continental crust forming in the postcollision stage tends to stabilize.

Zircon U-Pb Ages and Geochemistry of Permo-Carboniferous Mafic Intrusions in the Xilinhot Area, Inner Mongolia: Constraints on the Northward Subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB) resulted from accretion during the Paleozoic subduction of the PaleoAsian Ocean. The Xilinhot area in Inner Mongolia is located in the northern subduction zone of the central-eastern CAOB and outcropped a large number of late Paleozoic mafic intrusions. The characteristics of magma source and tectonic setting of the mafic intrusions and their response to the closure process of the Paleo-Asian Ocean are still controversial. This study presents LA-ICPMS zircon U-Pb ages and geochemical features of mafic intrusions in the Xilinhot area to constrain the northward subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. The mafic intrusions consist of gabbro, hornblende gabbro, and diabase. Their intrusion times can be divided into three stages of 326-321 Ma, 276 Ma and 254 Ma by zircon U-Pb ages. The first two stages of the 326-276 Ma intrusions mostly originated from subduction-modified continental lithospheric mantle sources that underwent a variable degree partial melting(5-30%), recording the subduction of oceanic crust. The third stage of the 254 Ma mafic rocks also show arc-related features. The primary magma compositions calculated by PRIMELT2 modeling on three samples of ~326 Ma and two samples of ~254 Ma show that these mafic samples are characterized by a variable range in SiO2(47.51-51.47 wt%), Al2O3(11.46-15.55 wt%), ΣFeO(8.27-9.61 wt%), MgO(13.01-15.18 wt%) and CaO(9.13-11.67 wt%), consisting with the features between enriched mantle and lower continental crust. The source mantle melting of mafic intrusions occurred under temperatures of 1302-1351°C and pressures of 0.92-1.30 GPa. The magmatic processes occurred near the crust-mantle boundary at about 33-45 km underground. Combined with previous studies, it is concluded that Carboniferous to early Permian(~326-275 Ma) northward subduction of the Paleo-Asian oceanic crust led to the formation of the mafic magmatism in the Baolidao arc zone. The whole region had entered the collision environment at ~254 Ma, but with subduction-related environments locally. The final collision between the North China craton and the South Mongolian microcontinent may have lasted until ca. 230 Ma.