Eff ects of thinning on ecosystem carbon storage and tree-shrub-herb diversity of a low-quality secondary forest in NE China

Thinning is a widely used forest management tool but systematic research has not been carried out to verify its eff ects on carbon storage and plant diversity at the ecosystem level.In this study,the eff ect of thinning was assessed across seven thinning intensities(0,10,15,20,25,30 and 35%)in a low-quality secondary forest in NE China over a ten-year period.Thinning aff ected the carbon storage of trees,and shrub,herb,and soil layers(P<0.05).It fi rst increased and then decreased as thinning intensity increased,reaching its maximum at 30%thinning.Carbon storage of the soil accounted for more than 64%of the total carbon stored in the ecosystem.It was highest in the upper 20-cm soil layer.Thinning increased tree species diversity while decreasing shrub and herb diversities(P<0.05).Redundancy analysis and a correlation heat map showed that carbon storage of tree and shrub layers was positively correlated with tree diversity but negatively with herb diversity,indicating that the increase in tree diversity increased the carbon storage of natural forest ecosystems.Although thinning decreased shrub and herb diversities,it increased the carbon storage of the overall ecosystem and tree species diversity of secondary forest.Maximum carbon storage and the highest tree diversity were observed at a thinning intensity of 30%.This study provides evidence for the ecological management of natural and secondary forests and improvement of ecosystem carbon sinks and biodiversity.

Age and geochemistry of the Neoproterozoic granitoids in the the Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif, NE China: Petrogenesis and tectonic implications

1 Introduction The Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif(SZRM)crops out over an extensive part of NE China and was thought to contain Precambrian crystalline basement material,as evidenced by the presence of what appears to bePaleoproterozoicbasementmaterialwithin exploration drillholes(Pei et al.,2007).An alternative view is that the basement within the SZRM is

New Evidence of Detrital Zircon Ages for the Final Closure Time of the Paleo-Asian Ocean in the Eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt(NE China)

Objective The NE China is located in the eastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt（CAOB）,which is a large accretionary orogen between the Siberian Craton and the North China Craton（NCC）.Many researches have discussed about the evolution of the Paleo-Asian Ocean（PAO）in the eastern CAOB.However,

Geology, geochronology and geochemistry of large Duobaoshan Cu-Mo-Au orefield in NE China: Magma genesis and regional tectonic implications

Duobaoshan is the largest porphyry-related Cu-Mo-Au orefield in northeastern(NE)Asia,and hosts a number of large-medium porphyry Cu(PCDs),epithermal Au and Fe-Cu skarn deposits.Formation ages of these deposits,from the oldest(Ordovician)to youngest(Jurassic),have spanned across over 300 Ma.No similar orefields of such size and geological complexity are found in NE Asia,which reflects its metallogenic uniqueness in forming and preserving porphyry-related deposits.In this study,we explore the actual number and timing of magmatic/mineralization phases,their respective magma genesis,fertility,and regional tectonic connection,together with the preservation of PCDs.We present new data on the magmatic/mineralization ages(LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb,pyrite and molybdenite Re-Os dating),whole-rock geochemistry,and zircon trace element compositions on four representative deposits in the Duobaoshan orefield,i.e.,Duobaoshan PCD,Tongshan PCD,Sankuanggou Fe-Cu skarn,and Zhengguang epithermal Au deposits,and compiled published ones from these and other mineral occurrences in the orefield.In terms of geochronology,we have newly summarized seven magmatic phases in the orefield:(1)Middle-Late Cambrian(506-491 Ma),(2)Early and Middle Ordovician(485-471 Ma and~462 Ma),(3)Late Ordovician(450-447 Ma),(4)Early Carboniferous and Late-Carboniferous to Early Permian(351-345 and 323-291 Ma),(5)Middle-Late Triassic(244-223 Ma),(6)Early-Middle and Late Jurassic(178-168 Ma and~150 Ma),and(7)Early Cretaceous(~112 Ma).Three of these seven major magmatic phases were coeval with ore formation,including(1)Early Ordovician(485-473 Ma)porphyry-type Cu-Mo-(Au),(2)Early-Middle Triassic(246-229 Ma)porphyry-related epithermal Au-(Cu-Mo),and(3)Early Jurassic(177-173 Ma)Fe-Cu skarn mineralization.Some deposits in the orefield,notably Tongshan and Zhengguang,were likely formed by more than one mineralization events.In terms of geochemistry,ore-causative granitoids in the orefield exhibit adakite-like or adakite-normal arc transitional signatures,but those forming the porphyry-/epithermal-type Cu-Mo-Au mineralization are largely confined to the former.The varying but high Sr/Y,Sm/Yb and La/Yb ratios suggest that the ore-forming magmas were mainly crustal sourced and formed at different depths(clinopyroxene-/amphibole-/garnet-stability fields).The adakite-like suites may have formed by partial melting of the thickened lower crust at 35-40 km(for the Early Ordovician arc)and>40 km(for the Middle-Late Triassic arc)depths.The Early Jurassic Fe-Cu skarn orecausative granitoids show an adakitic-normal arc transitional geochemical affinity.These granitoids were likely formed by partial melting of the juvenile lower crust(35-40 km depth),and subsequently modified by assimilation and fractional crystallization(AFC)processes.In light of the geological,geochronological and geochemical information,we proposed the following tectonometallogenic model for the Duobaoshan orefield.The Ordovician Duobaoshan may have been in a continental arc setting during the subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean,and formed the porphyry-related deposits at Duobaoshan,Tongshan and Zhengguang.Subduction may have ceased in the latest Ordovician,and the regional tectonics passed into long subsidence and extension till the latest Carboniferous.This extensional tectonic regime and the Silurian terrestrial-shallow marine sedimentation had likely buried and preserved the Ordovician Duobaoshan magmatic-hydrothermal system.The south-dipping Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean subduction from north of the orefield had generated the Middle-Late Triassic continental arc magmatism and the associated Tongshan PCD and Zhengguang epithermal Au mineralization(which superimposed on the Ordovician PCD system).The Middle Jurassic closure of Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean in the northwestern Amuria block(Erguna terrane),and the accompanying Siberia-Amuria collision,may have placed the Paleo-Pacific subduction system in NE China(including the orefield)under compression,and formed the granodiorite-tonalite and Fe-Cu skarn deposits at Sankuanggou and Xiaoduobaoshan.From the Middle Jurassic,the consecutive accretion of Paleo-Pacific arc terranes(e.g.,Sikhote-Alin and Nadanhada)onto the NE Asian continental margin may have gradually distant the Duobaoshan orefield from the subduction front,and consequently arc-type magmatism and the related mineralization faded.The minor Late Jurassic and Cretaceous unmineralized magmatism in the orefield may have triggered mainly by the far-field extension led by the post-collisional(Siberia-Amuria)gravitational collapse and/or Paleo-Pacific backarc-basin opening.

Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt in NE China

The eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB)in NE China is a key area for investigating continental growth.However,the complexity of its Paleozoic geological history has meant that the tectonic development of this belt is not fully understood.NE China is composed of the Erguna and Jiamusi blocks in the northern and eastern parts and the Xing’an and Songliao-Xilinhot accretionary terranes in the central and southern parts.The Erguna and Jiamusi blocks have Precambrian basements with Siberia and Gondwana affinities,respectively.In contrast,the Xing’an and Songliao-Xilinhot accretionary terranes were formed via subduction and collision processes.These blocks and terranes were separated by the Xinlin-Xiguitu,Heilongjiang,Nenjiang,and Solonker oceans from north to south,and these oceans closed during the Cambrian(ca.500 Ma),Late Silurian(ca.420 Ma),early Late Carboniferous(ca.320 Ma),and Late Permian to Middle Triassic(260-240 Ma),respectively,forming the Xinlin-Xiguitu,Mudanjiang-Yilan,Hegenshan-Heihe,Solonker-Linxi,and Changchun-Yanji suture zones.Two oceanic tectonic cycles took place in the eastern Paleo-Asian Ocean(PAO),namely,the Early Paleozoic cycle involving the Xinlin-Xiguitu and Heilongjiang oceans and the late Paleozoic cycle involving the Nenjiang-Solonker oceans.The Paleozoic tectonic pattern of the eastern CAOB generally shows structural features that trend east-west.The timing of accretion and collision events of the eastern CAOB during the Paleozoic youngs progressively from north to south.The branch ocean basins of the eastern PAO closed from west to east in a scissor-like manner.A bi-directional subduction regime dominated during the narrowing and closure process of the eastern PAO,which led to“soft collision”of tectonic units on each side,forming huge accretionary orogenic belts in central Asia.

New Discovery of the Late Triassic Terrigenous Sediments in the Great Xing＇＇an Range Region,NE China and its Geological Significance

Objective The Great Xing＇an Range is located in the eastern section of Central Asian Orogenic Belt（CAOB）.As a superposed position of multiple tectonic domains,its structural evoIlution has always been a focused issue of geological research.

New Discovery of Red Paleosols with Calcite and Zeolitic Rhizoliths in the Late Cretaceous Yaojia Formation, Southern Songliao Basin,NE China

Objective Paleosols in terrestrial deposits provide important insight into paleoclimate and tectonic events(Gong Hujun et al., 2017). The Late Cretaceous continental red bed in the Songliao Basin of NE China records the paleoclimate characteristics during the Cretaceous greenhouse period. A series of data has been obtained from cores in continental scientific drilling wells(Wang, 2013). However, few investigations have reported on paleoclimatic and tectonic

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.

Geochemistry and Geochronology of OIB-type Early Jurassic Magmatism in the Zhangguangcai Range, NE China, as a Result of Continental Back-arc Extension

The Zhangguangcai Range in the Xing’an(Hinggan) Mongolian Orogenic Belt, NE China, contains Early Jurassic(c. 188 Ma) Dabaizigou(DBZG) porphyritic dolerite. Compared with other island-arc mafic rocks, the DBZG dolerite is characterized by high trace-element contents, relatively weak Nb and Ta enrichments, and no Zr, Hf or Ti depletions, similar to OIB-type rocks. Analysed rocks have(87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.7033–0.7044, relatively uniform positive εNd(t) values of 2.3–3.2 and positive εHf(t) values of 8.5–17.1. Trace-element and isotopic modelling indicates that the DBZG mafic rocks were generated by partial melting of asthenospheric mantle under garnet-to spinel-facies conditions. The occurrence of OIB-like mafic intrusion suggests significant upwelling of the asthenosphere in response to lithospheric attenuation caused by continental rifting. These processes occurred in an incipient continental back-arc environment in the upper plate of a palaeo-Pacific slab subducting W–NW beneath East Asia.

The First Vertebrate Assemblage Dominated by Fishes and Turtles of the Jehol Biota in Jilin Province, NE China

Objective The Early Cretaceous sediments are well-exposed in southern Jilin Province,and yield abundant invertebrate and plant fossils,including the typical EosestheriaEphemeropsis trisetalis-Lycoptera（E-E-L）assemblage of the Jehol Biota（Shao Tiequan et al.,2017）.However,vertebrate fossils,especially tetrapods,are extremely rare and there is no formal documents on these fossils.Recently,a new fossil site dominated by fishes and turtles has been discovered in the middle part of the

Detrital Zircon U-Pb Dating of Nanshuangyashan Formation in the Jiamusi Massif, NE China and its Tectonic Implications

A suite of the fossil-rich marine-land interbedded strata(Nanshuangyashan Formation) is distributed at the eastern margin of the Jiamusi massif in the eastern Heilongjiang Province, NE China. The authors had recently discovered a suite of arkose beneath the marine-land interbedded strata, which overlays unconformably on the Permain granite in the eastern margin of the Jiamusi massif. The LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating indicate that all detrital zircons from the analysed four arkose samples show the four population ages of >800 Ma, 538-481 Ma, 269-250 Ma and 223-215 Ma. The former three population ages are widely recorded in the Jiamusi-Khanka massif and the Songnen massif. The later group is the minimal age population in the analyzed samples, limiting the sedimentation time of the arkoses occurred after the Late Triassic. At present, the minimal age population is not recorded in the Jiamusi massif, but the granites with the ages of 228-210 Ma are widely distributed in the Songnen-Zhangguangcai Range massif and the Khanka massif. The predominantly Permian zircons are characterized by oscillatory zoning and euhedral shapes, with variable zircon εHf(t) values(-5.5 to +11.2), indicating that they were derived from mixture sources, possibly mixed with components of the Songnen-Zhangguangcai Range massif and the Jiamusi-Khanka massif. These results, combined with regional analyses, indicate that the closing of Mudanjiang ocean and Panthalassa ocean possibly existed from Early Permian to Late Triassic.

Cretaceous source to sink system reconstruction of northeastern Asian continental margin:Insight from integrated detrital geochronology in NE China

The Cretaceous sedimentary successions in NE China are largely incomplete as the basins are inverted and younger strata are eroded.Except for the Songliao Basin,whose depositional record has remained relatively intact,the burial record to the east was interrupted in the late Early or Late Cretaceous.There is still controversy on the possible connection between the Songliao Basin and the eastern basin group,as well as the extent of the previously suggested“pan-Sanjiang”proto-basin that covered most current eastern satellite basins.To address these questions,we studied modern river catchments of variable sizes from sediment-supplying basement highs that cover most of eastern NE China to track the intense denudation events and provenance changes through the Cretaceous.We found a great inconsistency between detrital age patterns of the modern river sands and the spatial proportions of the source units.The detrital age distributions allow to re-evaluate the basement units that are mostly composed of the Triassic–Jurassic igneous suite and some metasedimentary units with Paleozoic ages,but the contribution from Proterozoic formations is negligible.Combining the newly dated modern catchment detrital U-Pb ages,the region-wide compilation of the basement emplacement ages,and the U-Pb ages in the Cretaceous formations in NE China,we systematically refine the Cretaceous provenance history.In the Early Cretaceous,the eastern satellite basins accumulated sediments from the Lesser Xing’an range(LXR)in the west,Zhangguangcai range(ZGCR)in the south,and the Nadanhada terrane(NT)in the east.The sediment of the southern Songliao Basin derived from the North China Craton(NCC)and from ZGCR but barely from the Great Xing’an Range(GXR).The Jiamusi uplift(JU)did not provide sediments to the eastern satellite basins and the Songliao Basin.In the Late Cretaceous,the eastern satellite basins received sediments from the exhumed JU but barely from ZGCR and LXR.The Songliao Basin still accumulated the sediments from the NCC,some south part of ZGCR,and GXR but minor from the central and northern ZGCR and LXR.Between the latest Early Cretaceous and early Late Cretaceous,a much wider proto-basin was suggested in NE China than previously assumed.It covered during its maximum extension period the current Songliao Basin,the eastern satellite basins,the LXR,ZGCR,JU,and partial GXR basement areas.The provenance change is induced by the Paleo-Pacific plate motion change,i.e.,with the subduction direction change,the roll-back,and twostage limited flat slab subduction trigged the formation of the basin-and-range system in NE China since the Early Cretaceous.Moreover,we suggest conducting modern sand provenance analysis to detect,verify or re-classify the ages of the zircon-bearing units,especially at a reconnaissance prospecting on areas covered by imprecise large-scale geological maps only to reveal the catchment better.

New U-Pb zircon ages document Late Triassic Tianqiaoling flora of eastern Jinlin,NE China

The Late Triassic Tianqiaoling flora is well-known in China,and its discovery has changed our understanding of Chinese Late Triassic phytogeographical divisions.More broadly,this flora has great significance for the study of phytogeography in East Asia during this time.However,the previous dating of this flora was only evidenced by plant fossils and stratigraphic correlation,and the accurate dating has still not been achieved.In this study,rhyolite samples were collected from the bottom of the Tianqiaoling Formation,which is conformally contacted the Tianqiaoling flora-bearing beds.The results of new U-Pb dating gave ages for the rhyolites of 212.8±2.5 Ma,indicating the end of Malugou Formation and initial Tianqiaoling Formation in deposition occurred in the late Norian(~227–208.5 Ma),which is contemporaneous with the peak of the Tianqiaoling flora in development.Our radiometric dating results are basically consistent with paleobiological evidence.The new age provides a key anchor point for regional stratigraphic correlation of the Tianqiaoling flora with its related Late Triassic floras,and contribute to a better understanding of the geology and phytogeography in the East Asia,particularly in the"triangle region"covering the eastern Jilin(China),South Primorye(Russia)and Southwest Japan,during the Late Triassic.

Noble gas abundances and isotopic compositions in mantle-derived xenoliths,NE China

Following the researches of helium isotopic compositions in mantle-derived xenoliths in eastern China, this study reported noble gas abundances and isotopic compositions of mantle-derived xenoliths from Kuandian of Liaoning Province, Huinan of Jilin Province and Hannuoba of Hebei Province. Compared with the middle ocean ridge basalt (MORB) and other continental areas, mantle-derived xenoliths in NE China are characterized by slightly low noble gas abundances, 3He/4He equivalent to or lower than that of MORB, 40Ar/36Ar lower than that of MORB, 38Ar/36Ar and Ne-Kr-Xe isotopic ratios equivalent to those of atmosphere. These results indicate the heterogeneity of subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath northeastern China, that is, a MORB reservoir-like mantle beneath Kuandian and an enriched/metasomatized mantle beneath Huinan. Low 40Ar/ 36Ar ratios in the three studied areas may imply that a subducted atmospheric component has been preserved in the subcontinental lithospheric mantle.

Characteristics of Early Cretaceous wildfires in peat-forming environment, NE China

Inertinite maceral compositions in coals from the Early Cretaceous Erlian, Hailar, and Sanjiang Basins in NE China are analyzed in order to reveal palaeowildfire events and palaeoclimate variations. Although huminite is the dominant maceral group in the studied basins, the inertinite group, as a byproduct of palaeowildfires, makes up a considerable proportion. Occurrence of inertinite macerals indicates that wildfires were widespread and frequent,and supports the opinion that the Early Cretaceous was a "high-fire" interval. Inertinite contents vary from 0.2% to 85.0%, mostly within the range of 10%–45%, and a model-based calculation suggests that the atmospheric oxygen levels during the Aptian and Albian(Early Cretaceous) were around 24.7% and 25.3% respectively. Frequent fire activity during Early Cretaceous has been previously related to higher atmospheric oxygen concentrations. The inertinite reflectance, ranging from 0.58%Ro to 2.00%Ro, indicates that the palaeowildfire in the Early Cretaceous was dominated by ground fires, partially reaching-surface fires. These results further support that the Cretaceous earliest angiosperms from NE China were growing in elevated O2 conditions compared to the present day.

Effects of melt percolation on the Re-Os systematics of continental mantle lithosphere: A case study of spinel peridotite xenoliths from Heilongjiang, NE China

Os isotope ratios of mantle peridotites have been considered to be largely immune to recent melt-rock interaction. However, Os isotope ratios and PGE (Platinum group elements) concentrations of the Yong'an xenoliths have been significantly modified by melt percolation, and are not suitable for determining the formation age of lithosphere mantle in Yong'an. In this study, the Yong'an spinel peridotite xenoliths are divided into two groups: N-Type and E-Type. The N-Type group including cpx (clinopyroxene)-poor lherzolite and harzburgite, shows a large variation of Cr#(sp) (13.2-48) and sulfur contents (from 171 ppm to below detection limit), whereas the E-Type peridotites are mainly refractory harzburgites and are characterized by high Cr#(sp) (35.3-42.2) and overall low sulfur contents (below 51 ppm). Both types show similar major and REE (rare earth element) patterns. Furthermore, the N-Type peridotites display a restricted range of iridium-group PGE (IPGE), Os/Ir and Ru/Ir ratios (Os/Ir = 0.64-1.12, Ru/Ir = 1.52-1.79) and variable palladium-group PGE (PPGE) contents (3.4-14.9 ppb), whereas the E-Type peridotites show a large variation of Os/Ir and Ru/Ir ratios (Os/Ir = 0.33-0.84, Ru/Ir = 0.94-1.6), and a restricted range of PPGE (4.3-6.9 ppb). 187Os/188Os ratios of E-Type peridotites are higher than those of N-Type peridotites at comparable fertility levels. These results suggest that N-Type peridotites may have been overprinted by metasomatism via small melt fractions, in which the percolation of the volatile-rich, small melt fractions only resulted in LILE (large ion lithophile element) enrichment of clinopyroxene, and their whole rock PGE contents and Re-Os isotope values were little changed. Moreover, E-Type peridotites may have been modified by melt-rock reaction involving relatively large melt fractions, which may result in the formation of secondary cpx and olivine and the removal of IPGE-bearing minerals such as Ru-Os-(Ir) alloys or laurite, followed by precipitation of secondary sulfides from melt with radiogenic isotopic signature.

Petrogenesis and Geodynamic Implications of Late Jurassic Diorite Porphyry in the Neoproterozoic Ophiolitic Mélange of NE Jiangxi (South China)

Mesozoic magmatism is widespread in the eastern South China Block and has a close genetic relationship with intensive polymetallic mineralization. However, proper tectonic driver remains elusive to reconcile the broad intracontinental magmatic province. This study presents integrated zircon U-Pb dating, Hf isotopes and whole-rock geochemistry of the Xiwan dioritic porphyry in the NE Jiangxi ophiolitic mélange. Zircon U-Pb dating by SIMS and LA-ICP-MS methods yielded an emplacement age of ～160 Ma for the Xiwan diorite, confirming its inclusion into the Mesozoic magmatic province in SE China, instead of a component of the Neoproterozoic ophiolitic mélange genetically. The dioritic rocks have low Si02(58.08 wt%-59.15 wt%), and high NaO(5.00 wt%-5.21 wt%) and MgO(4.60 wt%-5.24 wt%) contents with low TFeO/MgO ratios(1.02-1.09). They show an adakitic geochemical affinity but exhibit relatively low Sr/Y ratios(24.8-31.1) and high Y contents(14.6-18.3 ppm) compared to the Dexing adakitic porphyries. In addition, the Xiwan diorites have moderately evolved zircon Hf isotopic compositions(ε(t)=-6.1--0.1; T=1597-1219 Ma). These elemental and isotopic signatures suggest that the Xiwan diorite formed through partial melting of a remnant arc lower crust(i.e., early Neoproterozoic mafic arc-related rocks) in response to the underplating of coeval mafic magmas. In conjunction with the temporal-spatial distribution and complex geochemical characteristics of the Mesozoic magmatism, our case study attests to the feasibility of a flat-slab subduction model in developing the broad intracontinental magmatic province in SE China. The flat-slab delamination tends to trigger an asthenospheric upwelling and thus results in extensive partial melting of the overlying lithospheric mantle and lower crustal materials in an extensional setting during the Mesozoic.

Early Permian A-type Granites in the Zhangdaqi Area, Inner Mongolia, China and Their Tectonic Implications

There is a controversy regarding the amalgamation of Xing’an and Songnen Blocks along the Hegenshan-Heihe Suture(HHS)in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB).To solve this problem,we performed detailed study on the granites from the Zhangdaqi area,adjacent to the north of the HHS in the northern part of the Great Xing’an Range,NE China.Geochemically,the granites in the study area are metaluminous-weak peraluminous and high-K calc-alkaline series.Trace elements of the granites show that LREEs are relatively enriched,while HREEs are relatively deficient and obvious REE fractionation.The granites are characterized by obvious negative Eu anomalies,meanwhile,they are relatively enriched in Rb,K,Th and depleted in Ba,Nb,Sr,P,Ti.All the geochemical features suggest that the granites in the Zhangdaqi area are aluminum A-type granites.The zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages of these granites are 294-298 Ma,indicating that they formed in the Early Permian.These granites also have positiveεHf(t)values(8.4-14.2)and a relatively young two-stage model age between 449 Ma and 977 Ma,implying that the magma was derived from the re-melting of the Early Paleozoic-Neoproterozoic juvenile crust.Combined with geochemical characteristics(Nb/Ta ratios of 9.0-22.2,and Zr/Hf ratios of 52.3-152.0),we believe that the magmatic source area is a mixture of partial melting of the lower crust and depleted mantle.A-type granites and bimodal volcanic rocks along the Hegenshan-Heihe Suture formed during the Late Carboniferous-Early Permian,indicating that the HHS between Xing’an and Songnen Blocks closed in the late EarlyCarboniferous.Subsequently,the Zhangdaqi area was in a post-orogenic extensional environment from Late Carboniferous to Early Permian and resulted in the formation of the A-type granites.

First Report of Late Miocene Mammals Including Chilotherium in the Xining Basin,NE Tibetan Plateau,China

Objective Xining basin is located in the northeastern Qinghai- Tibetan Plateau, which tectonic location belongs to a junction of the Kunlun and Qilian mountains. The southern, northern and western parts of the basin are restricted by the Laji, Daban and Riyue mountains fault zones, and go eastward into the Longzhong basin in Gansu Province. A succession of Cenozoic lacustrine sedimentary strata has been well developed in the Xining basin, with sediments over 800 m thick.

Potential Hazards of Eruptions around the Tianchi Caldera Lake, China

Since the eruption of the Tianchi volcano about 1000 years ago, there have been at least 3 to 5 eruptions of small to moderate size. In addition, hazardous avalanches, rock falls and debris flows have occurred during periods between eruptions. A future eruption of the Tianchi volcano is likely to involve explosive interaction between magma and the caldera lake. The volume of erupted magma is almost in a range of 0.1-0.5 km3. Tephra fallout may damage agriculture in a large area near the volcano. If only 1% of the lake water were ejected during an eruption and then precipitated over an area of 200 km2, the average rainfall would be 100 mm. Moreover, lahars are likely to occur as both tephra and water ejected from the caldera lake fall onto flanks of the volcano. Rocks avalanching into the caldera lake also would bring about grave hazards because seiches would be triggered and lake water with the volume equal to that of the landslide would spill out of the existing breach in the caldera and cause flooding downstream.