Post-Collisional Ductile Extensional Tectonic Framework in the UHP and HP Metamorphic Belts in the Dabie-Sulu Region, China

The present-day observable tectonic framework of the ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) and high-pressure (HP) metamorphic belts in the Dabie-Sulu region was dominantly formed by an extensional process, mostly between 200 and 170 Ma, following the Triassic collision between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze cratons. The framework that controls the present spatial distribution of UHP and HP metamorphic rocks in particular displays the typical features of a Cordilleran-type metamorphic core complex, in which at least four regional-scale, shallow-dipping detachment zones are recognized. Each of these detachment zones corresponds to a pressure gap of 0.5 to 2.0 GPa. The detachment zones separate the rocks exposed in the region into several petrotectonic units with different P-T conditions. The geometry and kinematics of both the detachment zones and the petrotectonic units show that the exhumation of UHP and HP metamorphic rocks in the Dabie-Sulu region was achieved, at least in part, by non-coaxial ductile flow in the multi-layered detachment zones, and by coaxial vertical shortening and horizontal stretching in the metamorphic units, under amphibolite- to greenschist-facies conditions, and in an extensional regime. All ductile extensional deformations occurred at depths below 10 to 15 km, i.e. below the brittle/ductile deformation transition.

The Lanshantou Kyanite-bearing Eclogite with Coesite Inclusions in the Sulu Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphic Belt and Its PTt Path

Coesite inclusions are found in kyanite from the Lanshantou eclogite in the Sulu ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic belt. This discovery extends the stable region of kyanite to over 2.4 GPa. As an important UHP metamorphic belt in China, the Sulu eclogite belt is the product of A-subduction induced by strong compression of the Yellow Sea terrane to the Jiaodong-northereastern Jiangsu terrane during the interaction of the Eurasian plate and Palaeo-Pacific plate in the Indosinian. It stretches about 350 km and contains over 1000 eclogite bodies. Most eclogites in this belt belong to Groups B and C in the classification of Coleman et al., and commonly contain kyanite, while the Lanshantou eclogite belongs to Group A and contains coesite. The MgO, CaO and FeO contents in garnet and pyroxene show regular variation from the core to the rim, which reveals the PTt paths of progressive metamorphism during the Early Mesozoic (240-200 Ma) and retrogressive metamorphism during the Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic exhumation.

Crustal structure in Dabieshan UHP metamorphic belt and its tectonic implication

The model of Dabieshan crustal structure has been obtained on the basis of the deep seismic sounding data in thisarea. The 2-D crustal structure shows the feature of the collision orogens and provides some deep geophysicalevidences of the ultra-high pressure (UHP) metamorphic belt. The 3-D upper-crustal velocity struCture reveals thatthe velocity distribution at 2 km deep obviously relates to the surface geological setting and the UHP metarnorphicbelt has the higher velocity at 5~10 km deep. The observed data of Bouguer gravity anomalies reveal a largerrange of negative anomalies in Dabieshan area while the positive anomalies in the UHP metamorphic belt is calculated from the 3-D upper-crustal velocity structure. The 2-D crustal model along the seismic profile shows thatthe 'root' beneath the orogen is only 4-5 km thick and the velocity in the uppermost mantle changes a little in thelateral direction. The inconsistency between the observed and calculated Bouguer gravity anomalies mainly resultsfrom the crust, and at least the middle-upper crust should yield the negative anomalies. The material density of thecrust in the UHP metamorphic belt should be lower than that in the surrounding areas. This material with lowerdensity relates to the collision processes in which Yangtze crust subducted nor'thward to 100 km deep and thenreturned to the crust.

Fluid Activity and Tectonic Evolution in the Northern Qilian High-pressure Metamorphic Belt

The Northern Qilian high-pressure metamorphic belt has experienced multipledeformation-metamorphism, which consists of at least four stages. In 550.8-526 Ma, eclogites wereformed. High temperature and pressure caused the escape of a large quantity of gas-liquid fluidsfrom rocks while silicate melt was generated. In the late stage, small amounts of CO_2 and H_2Oinfiltrating along fractures were introduced. In the formation of glaucophane schist (447-362 Ma),devolatilization reactions were dominated during the subduction-uplift stage of the paleoplate. Inthe uplift-exhumation stage (400-380 Ma) the increase of internal space of fractures in the rocksfavoured fluid infiltration and concentration. These fluids participated in hydration reactions inthe retro-metamorphism. The fluids participating in the mineral reactions have the compositions ofCaCl_2-NaCl-H_2O. In subsequent thrusting (<380 Ma), the metamorphic terrain was uplifted to theshallower crust and ductile-shearing deformation took place, which caused mainly dehydrationreactions of minerals. In a near-surface environment the metamorphic terrain experienced brittledeformation, forming many accompanying fractures. Immiscible CO_2 and low-salinity aqueous fluidsoccurred in these secondary microfractures and were trapped and sealed. The thermodynamic conditionsof different deformation-metamorphic stages of the metamorphic terrain were calculated and thecorresponding P-T-t path was deduced, showing that the metamorphic terrain has experienced aclockwise path indicated by T- and P-rising, and T- and P-falling processes. This reveals that thesubduction zone has undergone multiple tectono-dynamic processes, i.e. initial deep burial,subsequent quick uplift and near-surface tectonism.

The Dabieshan Coesite-bearing Eclogite Terrain-A Late Archaean Ultra - high- Pressure Metamorphic Belt

A U -Pb zircon age of 2774±24 Ma for eclogite from the Bixiling rock body of Anhui Province, central China, indicates that the Dabieshan coesite-bearing eclogite was probably formed in the Late Archaean. A phengite Ar-Ar isochron age of 662±13 Ma for the eclogite confines also an upper limit age of its subsequent retrograde metamorphism in the Precambrian. The results of isotopic dating for such type of eclogite coincide with the geological features of its restricted occurrence within the Archaean metamaorphic terrain composed of the Dabie Group. It is believed that the Dabieshan coesite-bearing eclogite terrain might be a Late Archaean ultra-high-pressure metamorphic belt. The Dabie Mountains area was the eastward extension of the southern Qinling structural belt during the Triassic. Both the Dabie Group and the coesite-bearing eclogite hosted therein underwent a late-stage dynamic metamorphic event. The present authors have obtained a muscovite Ar-Ar isochron age of 192.6±2.8 Ma from plagioclase gneiss and a hornblende Ar-Ar plateau age of 230.7±4.6 Ma for the low amphibolite in eclogite respectively, which represent the Indosinian reworking ages of the original metamorphic rocks of the Dabie Group gneiss and coesite-bearing eclogite.

Investigation of Curie Point Depth in Sulu Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphic Belt,Eastern China

The Curie point depth of continental crust can reflect the regional tectonic pattern and geothermal structures. Analysis of magnetism is an efficient way to obtain the Curie point depth on a regional scale. This study systematically investigated the Curie point depth of Sulu （苏鲁） ultrahigh pressure （UHP） metamorphic belt （33°40＇N to 36°20＇N and 118°E to 120°E, ca. 60 000 km^2）, eastern China using aeromagnetic data. The results show that the Curie point depth of the Sulu region varies from 18.5 to 27 km. The shallowest Curie point depth （ca. 18.5 km） is located in Subei （苏北） subsidence, where the estimated temperature gradient value is about 31.35℃/km, which is comparable with the measured value of 30 ℃/km. In addition, a two-dimensional numerical solution of the heat conduction was used to calculate the temperature field to a depth of 30 km along the profile from Tancheng （郯城） to Lianshui （涟水） with a length of 139 km. The steady state model solved using the finite element method shows that the temperature around the Curie point depth is about 585.36 ℃, which is close to the Curie temperature （580℃） of magnetite at atmospheric pressure. These results provide new insights into the tectonic and continuous thermal structures of the Sulu UHP metamorphic belt.

He Grenville Orogenesis Recorded by Monazite from the Paragneiss of North Qaidam UHP Metamorphic Belt, Western China

The poly-phase orogeny information included in one orogenic belt is the key for studying the regional tectonic evolution at different time period.It also has important significance of understanding the rock association and

High-Pressure Eclogite-Blueschist Metamorphic Belt and Closure of Paleo-Tethys Ocean in Central Qiangtang, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The high-pressure metamorphic belt （HPMB） of eclogite-blueschist in Central Qiangtang （羌塘） lies in the Longmu Co （龙木错）-Shuanghu （双湖） suture zone. To the west, the HPMB extends 500 km from Hongjishan （红脊山） to Caiduochaka （才多茶卡）, east of Shuanghu; to the east it extends to Baqing （巴青） and Jitang （吉塘） in Qamdo （昌都）, and then bends southward to Yunnan （云南） Province. Including the Lancangjiang （澜沧江） blueschist belt, the entire HPMB is about 2 000 km long. In Central Qiangtang, the belt is mainly composed of blueschist and eclogite, whereas in West Yunnan it contains only blueschist. The Baqing-Jitang segment is dominated by garnet phengite schist. 40Ar-39Ar dating of glaucophane and phengite from the blueschists yielded plateau ages ranging from 223 to 215 Ma, whereas SHRIMP U-Pb dating of zircon from the eclogites gives metamorphic ages of 243-217 Ma. The calculated metamorphic conditions for the blueschists are 410-460 ℃ and 0.67-0.75 GPa, and for the eclogites, 〈500℃ and 1.56-2.35 GPa. The metamorphic ages suggest that the Longmu Co-Shuanghu suture closed in the Late Triassic. The region south of the Longmu Co-Shuanghu- Lancang suture consists of the pan-African basement overlain by Condwana sedimentary and metasedimentary rocks, whereas the region north of the suture is dominated by the Jinning （晋宁） basement and Yangtze sedimentary and metasedimentary rocks. The Qiangtang HPMB marks the closure of the paleo-Tethys Ocean.

Precambrian Metamorphism of Tiya－Olokit Metamorphic Belt in Northern Balkal Region and its Metallogeny

The paper deals with results of petrological observations of the Precambrian rocks in the Tiya-Olokit metamorphic belt of the Northern Balkal region. Evoluhon of mstamorphic processes from Archean through to Paleozoic is characterized. Interrelations of metamorphic and ore formation processes are shown .Various genetic types of metamorphism and their metallogeulc speianzation (pyrihc-polylnetallic, gold-sulphide and others) are established.A great number of previously published analyses of garnets, biohtes, amphiholes, pyroxenes and muscovitde from metamorphic rocks have been made use of. The evoluhon of their compositions under progressive zoned metamorphism and diaphthoresis is revealed.

Cenozoic ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism in pelitic granulites from the Mogok metamorphic belt, Myanmar

Ultrahigh-temperature(UHT)metamorphism is critical for understanding the most extreme thermal evolution of continental crust.However,UHT metamorphism predominantly occurred in the Precambrian and is rarely observed in the modern Earth.Here,we report the discovery of~25 Ma UHT granulites from the Mogok metamorphic belt(MMB)in Myanmar via a combined study of petrology and geochronology.The studied pelitic granulites well preserve a peak mineral assemblage of garnet+sillimanite+plagioclase(antiperthite)+K-feldspar+quartz+Ti-rich biotite+rutile+ilmenite.Pressure(P)-temperature(T)pseudosections and conventional geothermobarometry data only constrain the P-T conditions of the peak stage to<12 kbar and 780–890°C.However,high Zr contents in the matrix rutile(3005–4308 ppm)and high Ti contents(up to 9.2 wt% TiO_(2))in the biotite demonstrate that the Mogok granulites may have experienced UHT metamorphism.The Zr-in-rutile thermometer and X_(Grs) isopleth in the pseudosections yield peak P-T conditions of~12 kbar and>900°C.In situ SIMS and LAICP-MS U-Pb dating and trace element analyses show that both metamorphic zircon cores and rims have flat heavy rare earth element(HREE)patterns with negative Eu anomalies.The metamorphic zircon rims show the lowest HREE contents and yield ^(206)Pb/^(238)U ages of 24.9±0.5 and 25.4±0.6 Ma,respectively,representing the timing of UHT metamorphism.Our results indicate that the central MMB underwent~25 Ma UHT metamorphism,which is possibly induced by continental rifting along the thinned orogenic lithosphere.Our data,as well as reported Cenozoic UHT events,further suggest that UHT metamorphism can be produced in the modern plate tectonic regime by lithospheric extension.

On the Role of Dual Active Margin Collision for Exhuming the World's Largest Ultrahigh Pressure Metamorphic Belt

ABSTRACT： A wide variety of tectonic models have been invoked to explain the exhumation of the world＇s largest ultrahigh pressure （UHP） orogenic belt, the Qinling Dabieshan Sulu belt in China, and its correlatives in Korea. Most of these models assume that the orogen contains one main collisional suture between the North and South China cratons that collided in the Mesozoic. New field data reveal that this model is too simplistic, and that the collision involved an additional mi- croplate, which initially rifted off the Yangtze craton. This continental microplate was partially sub- ducted beneath an active margin on the North China craton, and subsequently an additional active Andean-style margin developed on the southern margin of the Qinling microplate after collision, leav- ing the near-vertical microplate wedged between the two thickened and thermally softened margins. The thermo-mechanical environment of collision thus left a cold, thick, and buoyant microplate wedged between two easily deformed margins, which acted as power-law creep channels, accommodating rapid buoyancy-driven rise of a 2 000 km long wedge of the subducted microplate, which became intimately involved with the collisional process. An addi- tional segment of the northern Yangtze craton was subducted to ~100 kin, and formed a separate wedge that rose alongside the thermally softened margin of the Qinling mieroeontinent, and was bordered on the south by the recently thermally- softened rift zone where the Qinling mieroeonti- nent broke off the Yangtze eraton between Late Devonian and Permian times. Recognizing the dual active margins in Qinling-Dabieshan-Sulu orogen and the thermally-softened power-law creep channels sheds new light on understanding exhumation of the world＇s largest ultrahigh pressure belt. We propose that this model is generally applicable to other UHP belts worldwide.

Crustal structure of the eastern Dabie orogenic belt from the seismic tomography and wide-angle reflection studies

The studies of seismic tomography and wide-angle reflection have been carried out to reveal the velocity structUrebeneath the eastern Dabie orogenic belt. The result from the seismic tomography shows the high velocity bodiesmight be positioned to a depth of only about 1 .5 km below sea level within the Dabie ultra-high pressure metamorphic (UHPM) belt; the fan-profile shows the Shuihou-Wuhe fault, the demarcation between the South Dabieand the North Dabie, slopes to the south-west at a dip angle of about 45° in the bottom of upper crust. The wideangle reflection shows the middle crustal boundaries and the complex features from the lower crust.

Reinterpretation of the northern South China Sea pre-Cenozoic basement and geodynamic implications of the South China continent: constraints from combined geological and geophysical records

The pre-Cenozoic northern South China Sea(SCS)Basin basement was supposed to exist as a complex of heterogeneous segments,divided by dozens of N-S faulting.Unfortunately,only the Hainan Island and the northeastern SCS region were modestly dated while the extensive basement remains roughly postulated by limited geophysical data.This study presents a systematic analysis including U-Pb geochronology,elemental geochemistry and petrographic identification on granite and meta-clastic borehole samples from several key areas.Constrained from gravity-magnetic joint inversion,this interpretation will be of great significance revealing the tectono-magmatic evolution along the southeastern margin of the Eurasian Plate.Beneath the thick Cenozoic sediments,the northern SCS is composed of a uniform Mesozoic basement while the Precambrian rocks are only constricted along the Red River Fault Zone.Further eastern part of the northern SCS below the Cenozoic succession was widely intruded by granites with Jurassic-to-early Cretaceous ages.Further western part,on the other hand,is represented by meta-sedimentary rocks with relatively sporadic granite complexes.To be noted,the western areas derived higher-degree and wider metamorphic zones,which is in contrast with the lowerdegree and narrower metamorphic belt developed in the eastern region.Drastic collisions between the Indochina Block and South China continent took place since at least late Triassic,resulting in large-scale suturing and deformation zones.At the westernmost part of the northern SCS,the intracontinental amalgamation with closure of the Meso-Tethys has caused fairly stronger and broader metamorphism.One metamorphic biotite granite is located on the suturing belt and yields a Precambrian U-Pb age.It likely represents the relict from the ancient Gondwana supercontinent or its fringes.Arc-continental collision between the Paleo-Pacific and the southeast China Block,on the other hand,results in a relatively narrow NE–SW trending metamorphic belt during the late Mesozoic.Within the overall geological setting,the Cenozoic SCS oceanic basin was subsequently generated from a series of rifting and faulting processes along the collisional-accretionary continental margin.

Relationship between Granite and Eclogite on the Southern Margin of the Qilian Mountains: Evidence from Zircon SHRIMP Agesof the Aolaoshan Granite

Zircon SHRIMP ages of the Aolaoshan granite on the south margin of the QilianMts. range from 445 + - 15.3 to 496 + - 7.6 Ma (averaging 473 Ma), belonging to the EarlyOrdovician. Geochemically, the granite is similar to I-type granite and, tectonically, was formed inan island-arc environment based on relevant diagrams for structural discriminations. Consideringalso the regional geology, the authors suggest that the granite is part of an ultrahigh-pressurebelt on the south margin of the Qilian Mts. and that its formation bears a close relationship tothis belt.

A Preliminary Study on Paleomagnetism and Rock Magnetism of Eclogite from the Maobei Area

A preliminary study of paleomagnetism and rock magnetism has been done on 55 eclogite samples collected from the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling （CCSD） site at the Maobei （毛北） area, Donghai （东海） County, Jiangsu （江苏） Province. Also the isothermal remanence, hysteresis loop, magnetic fabric, thermal susceptibility were measured, and analyses were made by electron-probe and scanning electric microscope on some samples synchronously. The result indicates that there are two groups of stable remanence, the normal and reversed magnetization. The remanence orientations are： D=94.3°, I=-29.1° and D=273.7°, I=15.4°, respectively. The magnetization intensity and the density of the samples which carry the normal magnetization are very different from those bearing reversed magnetization. The magnetic anisotropy is weak, and the minimum axis is hardly determined. The isothermal remanence and the hysteresis loop show that the magnetic carriers of the eclogite are likely SD （single domain） and PSD （pseudo.single domain） magnetite. According to the magnetic property, the cause of formation of magnetic carriers, the mechanism of the remanence, and the significance for the tectonics are discussed.

SS-LASS Zircon Dating Deciphering Multiple Episodes of Anatexis in a Deeply-Subducted Continental Crust:An Example from Sulu Orogen,China

‘Single shot'laser-ablation split-stream(SS-LASS)technique analyzing unpolished zircon grains makes their thin rims tenable for determination,which thus offers great potential in deciphering the timing of multiple and short-lived episodes of anatexis and metamorphism in deeplysubducted continental crusts.Dominated granitic gneisses in the deeply subducted continental crust undergoing considerable fluid-melt activities persist multistage growth of zircon.Therefore,a comparative study of SS-LASS and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer(LA-ICP-MS)zircon dating was conducted on the granitic gneisses from the Sulu belt in this study.Zircons mostly show a core-mantle-rim structure with CL-bright rims thinner than 5μm.For LA-ICP-MS dating,relict magmatic zircon cores yield protolith ages of ca.756-747 Ma;whereas the dark mantles record synexhumation anatexis at ca.214 Ma.By contrast,according to the U-Pb dates,trace element features,zircon crystallization temperatures and geological context,SS-LASS zircon petrochronology deciphers three episodes of anatectic events,as follows:(i)the first episode of anatexis at ca.218-217 Ma dominated by phengite-breakdown melting,likely facilitating the exhumation of the UHP slice from mantle depth;(ii)the second episode of anatexis at ca.193–191 Ma indicating part of northern Dabie-Sulu belt was still“hot”because of buried in the thickened orogenic crust at that time;(iii)the third episode of anatexis(ca.162–161 Ma)consistent with the intrusion ages(ca.161–141 Ma)of the Jurassic to Cretaceous granitoids in this orogen,suggesting the initial collapse of the orogenic root of the Sulu belt occurred at Late Jurassic due to the Izanagi plate initially subducting beneath the margin of Eastern Asia.This study sheds new light upon the utilization of SS-LASS petrochronology deciphering multiple anatectic events in the deeply-subducted continental crust and supports us in better understanding the tectonic evolution of Dabie-Sulu Orogen.

Early Paleozoic Granulite-Facies Metamorphism and Magmatism in the Northern Wulan Terrane of the Quanji Massif:Implications for the Evolution of the Proto-Tethys Ocean in Northwestern China

The nature and evolution of the Proto-Tethys Ocean originated from the breakup of the supercontinent Rodinia remain controversial. Early Paleozoic magmatism and metamorphism can pro- vide important constraints on the closure of the Proto-Tethys Ocean. This paper reports on a set of geological, petrographical, geochronological, mineralogical and geochemical data for Early Paleozoic granite, gabbro, granulite and granitic leucosome in the northern Wulan terrane of the Quanji Massif. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating reveals two episodes of magmatism, with the emplacement of a gran- itic pluton at 476.7±2.8 Ma and a gabbroic dike at 423±2 Ma. Whole-rock geochemistry suggests an arc affinity for the magma of the granitic pluton but a post-collisional extension setting for the gabbroic dike. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating also shows that the peak granulite-facies metamorphism and anatexis occurred at --475 Ma, coeval with the formation of the granitic pluton in the Quanji Massif as well as the early lawsonite-bearing eclogites in the North Qaidam high-pressure and ultrahigh-pressure （HP-UHP） metamorphic belt to the south. The granulite-facies metamorphism with peak P-T condi- tions at 718-729 ℃ and 0.46-0.53 GPa is characterized by an anticlockwise P-T path. Our data provide compelling evidence for Early Paleozoic paired metamorphic belts with HP-UHP metamorphism in the North Qaidam to the south and low PIT metamorphism in the Quanji Massif as a continental arc to the north, hence suggesting a northward subduction polarity for the Proto-Tethys oceanic plate. The intrusion of the post-collisional gabbroic dike supports for the closure of the Proto-Tethys Ocean in north- western China before 423 Ma.