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.

Generation of Nb-enriched mafic rocks and associated adakitic rocks from the southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt:Evidence of crust-mantle interaction

Melting of subducting oceanic lithosphere and associated melt-mantle interactions in convergent plate margins require specific geodynamic environment that allows the oceanic slab to be abnormally heated.Here we focus on the Early Mesozoic mafic rocks and granite porphyry,which provide insights into slab melting processes associated with final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean.The granite porphyry samples are calc-alkaline and distinguished by high Sr contents,strong depletion of heavy rare earth elements,resulting in high(La/Yb);and Sr/Y ratios,and negligible Eu anomalies.Based on their high Na_(2)O and Mg O,low K_(2)O contents,positiveε_(Hf)(t)andε_(Nd)(t)and low(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)ivalues,we propose that the granite porphyry was likely derived from partial melting of subducting Paleo-Asian oceanic crust.The Nb-enriched mafic rocks are enriched in Rb,Th,U,Pb and K,and depleted in Nb,Ta,Ba,P and Ti,corroborating a subduction-related origin.Their heterogeneous Sr-Nd-Hf-O isotopic compositions and other geochemical features suggest that they were likely derived from partial melting of peridotitic mantle wedge interacted with oceanic slab-derived adakitic melts.Trace element and isotope modeling results and elevated zirconδ^(18)O values suggest variable subducting sediments input into the mantle wedge,dominated by terrigenous sediments.Synthesizing the widely-developed bimodal rock associations,conjugated dikes,thermal metamorphism,tectonic characteristics,paleomagnetic constraints,and paleogeographical evidence along the Solonke-Changchun suture zone,we identify a slab window triggered by slab break-off,which accounts for slab melting and formation of the Nb-enriched mafic rocks and associated adakitic granite porphyry in southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt.

Geochemistry and Petrogenesis of Neoarchean Metamorphic Mafic Rocks in the Wutai Complex

Neoarchean metamorphic mafic rocks in the lower and the middle Wutai Complex mainly comprise metamorphic gabbros, amphibolites and chlorite schists. They can be subdivided into three groups according to chondrite normalized REE patterns. Rocks in Group #1 are characterized by nearly flat REE patterns （Lan/Ybn=0.86-1.3）, the lowest total REEs （29-52 ppm）, and weak negative to positive Eu anomalies （Eun/Eun=0.84-1.02）, nearly flat primitive mantle normalized patterns and strong negative Zr（Hf） anomalies. Their geochemical characteristics in REEs and trace elements are similar to those of ocean plateau tholeiite, which imply that this group of rocks can represent remnants of Archean oceanic crust derived from a mantle plume. Rocks in Group #2 are characterized by moderate total REEs （34-116 ppm）, LREE-enriched （Lan/Ybn=1.76-4.34） chondrite normalized REE patterns with weak Eu anomalies （Eun/Eun=0.76-1.16）, and negative Nb, Ta, Zr（Hf）, Ti anomalies in the primitive mantle normalized spider diagram. The REE and trace element characteristics indicate that they represent arc magmas originating from a sub-arc mantle wedge metasomatized by slab-derived fluids. Rocks in Group #3 are characterized by the highest total REEs （61-192 ppm）, the strongest LREEs enrichment （Lan/Ybn=7.12-16） with slightly negative Eu anomalies （Eun/Eun=0.81-0.95） in the chondrite normalized diagram. In the primitive mantle normalized diagram, these rocks are characterized by large negative anomalies in Nb, Ta, Ti, negative to no Zr anomalies. They represent arc magmas originating from a sub-arc mantle wedge enriched in slab-derived melts. The three groups of rocks imply that the formation of the Neoarchean Wutai Complex is related to mantle plumes and island-arc interaction.

A primitive mantle source for the Neoarchean mafic rocks from the Tanzania Craton

Mafic rocks comprising tholeiitic pillow basalt, dolerite and minor gabbro form the basal stratigraphic unit in the ca. 2.8 to 2.6 Ga Geita Greenstone Belt situated in the NW Tanzania Craton. They outcrop mainly along the southern margin of the belt, and are at least 50 million years older than the supracrustal assemblages against which they have been juxtaposed. Geochemical analyses indicate that parts of the assemblage approach high Mg-tholeiite （more than 8 wt.% MgO）. This suite of samples has a restricted compositional range suggesting derivation from a chemically homogenous reservoir. Trace element modeling suggests that the mafic rocks were derived by partial melting within the spinel peridotite field from a source rock with a primitive mantle composition. That is, trace elements maintain primitive mantle ratios （Zr/Hf = 32-35, Ti/Zr - 107-147）, producing flat REE and HFSE profles [（La/Yb）pm = 0.9 -1.3], with abundances of 3-10 times primitive mantle and with minor negative anomalies of Nb [（Nb/ La）pm - 0.6-0.8] and Th [（Th/La）pm = 0.6-0.9]. Initial isotope compositions （εNd） range from 1.6 to 2.9 at 2.8 Ga and plot below the depleted mantle line suggesting derivation from a more enriched source compared to present day MORB mantle. The trace element composition and Nd isotopic ratios are similar to the mafic rocks outcropping -50 km south. The mafic rocks outcropping in the Geita area were erupted through oceanic crust over a short time period, between -2830 and-2820 Ma; are compositionally homogenous, contain little to no associated terrigenous sediments, and their trace element composition and short emplacement time resemble oceanic plateau basalts. They have been interpreted to be derived from a plume head with a primitive mantle composition.

Geochemical Characteristics of Mafic Rocks from the Xinlin Ophiolite, NE China

Located in the northern part of the Xinlin–Xiguitu suture zone,geochemistry and geochronology of the Xinlin ophiolite provide a unique opportunity to determine the the evolution of the eastern Xing’an–Mongolian Orogenic Belt.The Xinlin ophiolite was initially constrained roughly 21.5 km southeast of the Xinlin town by the First Regional Geological Survey Party of Heilongjiang Province.Subsequent work has shown that the mafic and ultramafic rocks in the adjacent Tayuan town was congenetic with the Xinlin ophiolite(Fig.1).Over the past three years we have conducted a series of studies to the Xinlin ophiolite with the aim to better understand its characteristic and tectonic implications.The present work is is to provide our preliminary geochemical data of the mafic rocks of the Xinlin ophiolite and possible'congenetic'mafic rocks in the Tayuan town.The mafic rocks of the Xinlin ophiolite including the gabbro,diabase and metabasalt show flat REE pattern[(La/Yb)N=0.68~1.58]and no Eu anomalies,which are transitional between normal and enriched mid-ocean ridge basalts(N-MORB and E-MORB).They also exhibit flat patterns from Ba to Yb in the trace elements spider diagram,which lie between those of typical E-MORB and N-MORB but closer to the former.The mafic rocks in the Tayuan town consist mainly of hornblende gabbro with alkaline affinity and are characterized by enriched in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements,depleted in heavy rare earthelements and high field strength elements(Fig.2).The obvious differences in the geochemical characteristics indicate that the mafic rocks in the Tayuan town may not be cogenetic with those of the Xinlin ophiolite.This was further corroborated by their different formation time.Our zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the gabbro in the Tayuan town was emplaced during the late Carboniferous(~310 Ma;Fig.3),significantly younger than the recently reported U–Pb ages for the mafic rocks of the Xinlin ophiolite(~510 Ma;Feng,2015).Therefore,the two units appear as independent bodies and their origin and tectonic implication need to be further examined.

KT Boundary Chromites Determined to be Terrestrial:Cr Isotopic Evidence for Excavation and Ejection of Mafic/Ultramafic Rocks by the KT Boundary Impact

Evidence for a mantle and/or basaltic component in KT boundary distal ejecta is apparently inconsistent with ejection from Chicxulub Crater since it is located on;5km thick continental crust（De Paolo et al.,1983;Montanari et al.,1983;Hildebrand and Boynton,1988,1990）.Evidence for mafic/ultramafic target rocks was reinforced by discovery of chromites,some with shock planar deformation features（PDF）,in impact layer samples from sites in southern Colorado and eastern Wyoming（Bohor et al.,1990）.However,until now it was unclear whether the chromites originated with an impactor or with terrestrial target rocks.To this end,high-precision 54Cr/52Cr isotope ratios were measured on KT boundary chromites along with known terrestrial chromites.We find a terrestrial 54Cr/52Cr ratio in KT boundary chromites from impact layer samples collected at the above sites over the last several years（Fig.1）.Ejected terrestrial chromites suggest the impact sampled terrestrial mafic and/or ultramafic target rocks not known to exist in the Chicxulub target area.

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.

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.

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.

2.2Ga Subduction-Related Mafic Magmatic Rocks in the Kongling Complex:Evidence for the Assembly of the Columbia Supercontinent

Objective Petrogenesis of the Paleoproterozoic mafic dikes and their tectonic implications are of great significance to the tectonic evolution of the Yangtze craton as well as the paleoposition of the Yangtze craton relative to the Columbia supercontinent.Till now,

Mantle Response to Slab Breakoff in the North Qaidam Tectonic Belt: Geochemical Constraints from Syn-subduction Mafic Igneous Rocks

Slab breakoff originally denotes the detachment of dense subducted oceanic slab from the light subducted continental slab, which is driven by opposing buoyancy forces during continental collision(Davies and von Blanckenburg, 1995;von Blanckenburg and Davies, 1995). The breakoff of subducted oceanic slab can induce the upwelling of sub-slab asthenosphere through the slab window, and then heat the overriding lithospheric mantle resulting in the melting of its fertile layer within the metasomatic mantle wedge. The decompression partial melting of uprising asthenospheric mantle commonly produce mafic magma with depleted MORB-like geochemical signatures(Davies and von Blanckenburg, 1995;Cole et al., 2006;Wang et al., 2018), whereas the partial melting of enriched lithospheric mantle will produce mafic magma with alkaline, calc-alkaline or ultrapotassic features(von Blanckenburg and Davies, 1995). These mafic magmas rise into overlying lower crust and trigger crustal melting to generate the granitic magma. The North Qaidam tectonic belt(NQTB) records the evolutionary process of the South Qilian Ocean from subduction to closure. The subduction of oceanic and continental lithosphere to mantle depths is proven by the identification of oceanic-type and continental-type eclogites enclosed in crustal metapelite and gneiss from the North Qaidam tectonic belt(Song et al., 2006;Zhang et al., 2008;Zhang et al., 2010;Zhang et al., 2017). However, details of this process are not exactly constrained, in particularly, the closure timing of South Qilian Ocean. The study of characteristic mafic magmatism, combined with the previous studies of ultra-high pressure metamorphism, give us an excellent opportunity to trace the detailed processes associated with the transition from oceanic subduction to continental subduction, and assess the feasibility of slab breakoff in the North Qaidam tectonic belt. In this contribution, an integrated study of petrology, geochemistry, geochronology and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes is performed on the mafic igneous rocks from Chahanhe area in the North Wulan gneiss complex. These mafic igneous rocks can be divided into two groups, namely, arc-like type and E-MORB type based on their trace element patterns. Arc-like mafic rocks(441–428 Ma) were characterized by enrichment of light rare earth elements(LREEs), large ion lithophile elements(LILEs) and depletion of heavy rare earth elements(HREEs), high field strength elements(HFSEs). Combined with variable zircon εHf(t) values of-6.17 to +1.58, it is suggested that arc-like mafic rocks are predominantly derived from the partial melting of the enriched lithospheric mantle, and minor juvenile materials have contributed to their sources. The E-MORB mafic rocks(440 Ma) exhibit relatively flatted REE patterns and positive εNd(t) values of +1.63 to +4.28, but high(87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.706825 to 0.708979, indicting a derivation from partial melting of asthenospheric mantle, with involvement of enriched components probably derived from ambient lithospheric mantle or stagnant subducted oceanic crust. Collectively, it is proposed that the break-off of the subducted South Qilian oceanic slab triggered the decompression melting of asthenospheric mantle, and the upwelling of asthenosphere provided heat and induced partial melting of the enriched lithospheric mantle and preexisting crust, resulting in generation of arc-like mafic rocks and widespread granites.

Geochemical Characteristics of Proterozoic Mafic Dykes from the Bomdila Group of Rocks, NE Lesser Himalaya, India

The mafic dykes from the Paleoproterozoic Bomdila Group of metasedimentary rocks,Arunachal Pradesh,NE Lesser Himalaya,India have been analyzed for major and trace elements geochemistry essentially to understand their

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.

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.

Record of Early Tonian mafic magmatism in the central Espinhaco(Brazil):New insights for break-up of the Neoproterozoic landmass ancestor of Sao Francisco-Congo paleocontinent

Petrological characterization,U-Pb geochronology,Lu-Hf analyses and major and trace element data from mafic intrusions in the Central Espinhaco(central portion of the Brazilian shield)are used here to investigate the geological significance of the Early Neoproterozoic magmatism in the context of the Sao Francisco-Congo paleocontinent.These mafic bodies are represented by medium to coarse-grained metagabbros with plagioclase,amphibole and clinopyroxene.Zircon U-Pb isotopic data from two samples yielded weighted mean 206pb/238U ages of 895±3.4 Ma(MSWD=1.7)and 896±2.4 Ma(MSWD=0.64),regarded as the best estimates for the crystallization age of these mafic rocks.Major and trace element data(including REEs)show that the gabbros originated from a subalkaline tholeiitic magma,typical of intraplate magmatism.Such rocks are slightly enriched in LREEs and LILEs and depleted in HFSEs.Our new isotope and geochemical data,along with regional knowledge,indicate that these metagabbros mark the beginning of an important Tonian-age extensional tectonic event of the landmass of which the Sao Francisco-Congo paleocontinent was part(Rodinia supercontinent or Central African block?).We furthermore suggest that these rocks belong to a prominent suite of Tonian-age mafic rocks that mark a diachronic breakup attempt of this landmass which may have occurred from south to north along the Espinhaco mountain range.

High-Field-Strength Elements in Mafic Volcanics from North China Craton: Implications for Archean-Proterozoic Boundary and Source Composition

Archean to Cenozoic mafic volcanic rocks from the North China craton are studied. They show Archean Proterozoic (Ar Pt) boundary and geochemical anomalies in Cenozoic basalts. Proterozoic mafic volcanics are enriched in most of the high field strength elements (HFSE) compared with Archean ones. Nb, Ta and Th show a distinct sequence of incompatibility in Archean and Proterozoic. The Cenozoic basalts are enriched in HFSE and Ni and their REEs are strongly differentiated with positive Eu anomalies ( δ (Eu)=1.14). The Ar Pt boundary could be related to change in oxygen fugacity and requires an increasing importance of enriched mantle source. The geochemistry of Cenozoic basalts implies a mantle source similar to OIB. Residuum from subducting partial melting of old basaltic oceanic crust and continental crust is likely to contribute to the formation of the enriched mantle.

Geodynamic evolution of the Tethyan lithosphere as recorded in the Spontang Ophiolite,South Ladakh ophiolites(NW Himalaya,India)

The Spontang Ophiolite complex represents the most complete ophiolite sequence amongst the South Ladakh ophiolites and comprises mantle rocks(depleted harzburgites,dunites and minor lherzolites)as well as crustal rocks(basalt,isotropic gabbros,layered gabbros etc.).In the present study,detailed geochemistry(whole rock as well as mineral chemistry)and Sr-Nd isotopic analyses of thirty-six ultramaficmafic samples have been attempted to constraint the evolution and petrogenetic history of the Tethyan oceanic crust.Major,trace-element and REE patterns of the peridotites and their minerals indicate that the lherzolites experienced lower degrees of partial melting resembling abyssal peridotites(at higher temperatures,TREE=$1216℃)than the harzburgites(6%–8%versus 15%–17%).Elevated eNd(t)and variable^(87) Sr/^(86) Sr(t)ratios along with REE patterns suggest that the Spontang mafic rocks display N-MORB affinity with negligible participation of oceanic sediments in their genesis are originated from a depleted upper mantle with little contribution from subduction-related fluids.MORB-type Neotethyan oceanic crust is associated with the earliest phase of subduction(of older Jurassic age)through which a younger intra-oceanic island arc(Spong arc)subsequently developed.Harzburgites REE display typical U-shaped patterns,suggesting that these rocks have been metasomatized by LREE-enriched fluids.On the other side,mafic rocks are characterized by heterogeneous(Nb/La)PMand(Hf/Sm)PMand relatively homogeneous eNd(t),indicating interaction of subduction-related melts with the upper mantle during the initiation of subduction,in Early Cretaceous times.

Garnet-bearing Granulite Facies Rock Xenoliths from Late Mesozoic Volcaniclastic Breccia, Xinyang, Henan Province

This paper presents the primary results of petrologic, mineralogical and petrochemical studies of garnet-bearing granulite facies rock xenoliths from Xinyang, Henan Province. These xenoliths, which are found in a pipe of late Mesozoic volcaniclastic breccia, are of high density (3.13–3.30 g/cm3) and high seismic velocity (Vp = 7.04–7.31 km/s), being products of underplating of basaltic magmas and had experienced granulite facies metamorphism. The underplating and metamorphism took place before the eruption of the host rock. Petrographical studies and equilibrium T-P calculations show that these xenoliths were captured at a 49 km depth and experienced at least a 16 km uplift before they were captured. The dynamics of the uplift could be related to the continent-continent collision between the North China plate and the Yangtze plate during the Triassic.

The Bafoussam volcanic series:origin and evolution of the volcanism along the Cameroon volcanic line

The Bafoussam area in western Cameroon is part of the central Cameroon Volcanic Ligne(CVL).This study presents the mineralogy,major and trace element compositions,Sr-Pb-Hf isotopes,and new K-Ar geochronological data about mafic and felsic volcanic rocks.These rocks belong to two different series:A transitional series made of basalts,basaltic andesite,and trachytes and an alkaline mafic series with basalts,hawaiites,and basanites.New age data show that the transitional series belongs to the oldest part of the CVL and was emplaced between 47 and 35 Ma.The alkaline volcanism is younger,with ages ranging from10 to 4.5 Ma.Magmatic evolution in both series is accomplished through a fractional crystallization process,with the removal of olivine and clinopyroxene,while plagioclase does not seem to be a major crystallizing phase.All the samples are enriched in incompatible trace elements,but the rocks from the alkaline series have more fractionated REE patterns and high Nb content compared to the transitional mafic lavas.Alkaline lavas have lower initial^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr and higher^(176)Hf/^(177)Hf and Pb isotopic ratios than the transitional lavas.Low La/Nb and high^(87)Sr/^(86)Sriratio are among chemical characteristics that show that some samples from the transitional series have interacted with a crustal component during their evolution in the crust.They cannot be used for discussing the mantle source of the volcanic rocks from this series.Trace elements show that primary magmas for both series formed in a garnet-bearing mantle source,with higher partial melting degrees(3-5%)for the transitional magmas than for the alkaline magmas(<2.5%).Combining trace elements and isotopic ratios,we show that the Bafoussam lavas formed from two different mantle sources.Transitional magmas formed from a pyroxenite-bearing enriched mantle with low Pb isotopic composition.This mantle source is present in all the oldest lavas from the CVL.Alkaline magmas formed from an HIMU-like mantle source,different from the Mt Cameroon HIMU mantle source.The depleted asthenospheric mantle is not involved in the Bafoussam magmatism and the two mantle sources are probably located in the lithospheric mantle,in agreement with recent geophysical models presenting the CVL as a consequence of the partial melting of the lithospheric mantle in response to edge convection along the margin of the Congo craton.

Mantle Source Components and Magmatic Evolution for the Comei Large Igneous Province:Evidence from the Early Cretaceous Niangzhong Mafic Magmatism in Tethyan Himalaya

The Niangzhong diabase dikes,dated at 138.1±0.4 Ma,are located within the outcrop area of the Comei large igneous province(LIP).These diabase samples can be divided into two groups:samples in Group 1 show varying MgO(1.50 wt.%-10.25 wt.%)and TiO_(2)(0.85 wt.%-4.63 wt.%)contents,and enriched initial isotope compositions(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr(t)=0.7056-0.7112,ε_(Nd)(t)=-0.3-+3.8),with OIB-like REEs and trace elements patterns,resulting from low degree melting of garnet-bearing lherzolite mantle sources;in contrast,samples in Group 2 show limited MgO(4.14 wt.%-7.75 wt.%)and TiO_(2)(0.98 wt.%-1.69 wt.%)contents,and depleted initial isotope compositions(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr(t)=0.7075-0.7112,ε_(Nd)(t)=+5.5-+6.2),with N-MORB-like REEs and trace elements patterns,resulting from relatively high degree melting of spinel-bearing lherzolite mantle source.Combined with the published representative data about Comei LIP,we summarize that the source components for Comei LIP products include OIB end-member,enriched OIB end-member,and N-MORB end-member,respectively.Melts modeling suggests that magmas in the Comei LIP evolve in a relatively high oxygen fugacity condition,which influenced their fractionation sequences and led to systematic changes of TiO_(2)contents,Ti/Y and Ti/Ti*ratios.From the spatial and temporal distribution of above three end-member samples,deep process of Kerguelen plume during the Comei LIP formation can be interpreted as the interaction among the Kerguelen plume,the overlying lithospheric mantle,and the upwelling asthenosphere.The magmatism of Comei LIP began at~140 Ma and then lasted and peaked at~132 Ma with the progressively lithospheric thinning of eastern Gondwana upon the impact of Kerguelen plume.