Geochronology and Petrogenesis of Late Carboniferous to Early Permian Basalts in the Central Lhasa Subterrane, Southern Tibet: Implications for the Evolution of the Sumdo Paleo-Tethys Ocean

Basalts from the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian are extensively developed in the central Lhasa subterrane, southern Tibet. Studying the petrogenesis of these rocks may have implications for the late Paleozoic arc magmatism along the central Lhasa subterrane uncovering more of the evolution of the Sumdo Paleo-Tethys Ocean and its dynamic mechanism. Basalt samples from the Luobadui Formation in the Leqingla area, NW of Linzhou City in the central Lhasa subterrane, southern Tibet exhibit arc-like geochemical signatures in a subduction-zone tectonic setting characterized by high Al_(2)O_(3) and low TiO_(2) contents, fractionated REE patterns with low Nb/La ratios and high LREE concentrations, and negative HFSE anomalies. Based on their higher Th/Ce, Nb/Zr, and lower Ba/Th, Pb/Nd ratios, slightly negative to positive ε_(Nd)(t) values, and the relatively high Sr-Pb isotopic compositions, these samples were probably derived from partial melting of a depleted mantle source of garnet + spinel lherzolite, metasomatized by subducted sediments around 297 Ma. Modeling of the trace elements indicates that these basalts experienced fractional crystallization of olivine, clinopyroxene and minor plagioclase during magma ascent and eruption. It is proposed that these Late Carboniferous–Early Permian basalts are associated with the northward subduction of the Sumdo Paleo-Tethys Ocean seafloor along the southern margin of the central Lhasa subterrane.

Early Triassic Silicic Volcanics of South China:Petrogenesis and Constraints on the Geodynamic Evolution of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean Region

The only occurrence of Lower Triassic silicic volcanic rocks within the South China Block is in the Qinzhou Bay area of Guangxi Province.LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating reveals that volcanic rocks of the Beisi and Banba formations formed between 248.8±1.6 and 246.5±1.3 Ma,coeval with peraluminous granites of the Qinzhou Bay Granitic Complex.The studied rhyolites and dacites are characterized by high SiO_(2),K_(2)O,and Al_(2)O_(3),and low MgO,CaO,and P_(2)O_(5) contents and are classified as high-K calc-alkaline S-type rocks,with A/CNK=0.98-1.19.The volcanic rocks are depleted in high field strength elements,e.g.,Nb,Ta,Ti,and P,and enriched in large ion lithophile elements,e.g.,Rb,K,Sr,and Ba.Although the analyzed volcanic rocks have extremely enriched zircon Hf isotopic compositions(ε_(Hf)(t)=-29.1 to-6.9),source discrimination indicators and high calculated Ti-in-zircon temperatures(798-835℃)reveal that magma derived from enriched lithospheric mantle not only provided a heat source for anatectic melting of the metasedimentary protoliths but was also an endmember component of the S-type silicic magma.The studied early Triassic volcanics are inferred to have formed immediately before closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean in this region,as the associated subduction would have generated an extensional setting in which the mantle-derived upwelling and volcanic activity occurred.

U-Pb Isotope Geochronology of Syntectonic Granites from Hainan Island,South China:Constraints on Tectonic Evolution of the Eastern Paleo-Tethys Ocean

Since the recognition of the Indosinian orogeny in northern Vietnam,Triassic orogens have been widely identified around the western and southwestern boundaries of the South China block.The paleo-Tethys sutures stretch from west to southeast,from Jinshajiang-Ailaoshan via NE Vietnam to Hainan Island;these sutures exhibit and develop voluminous Permian-early Triassic magmatism and numerous high-strain shear zones.As ophiolites related to the paleo-Tethys are lacking on Hainan Island,the eastward extension of the Indosinian orogeny and subduction and closure time of the paleo-Tethys Ocean on Hainan Island remain controversial.Here,an integrated kinematic and geochronological study has been conducted on two shear zones,called the Xiaomei and Mangsan shear zones.U-Pb zircon dating yields an age of early Triassic(252-251 Myr)for Xiaomei syntectonic granites which formed in the same tectonic setting and presented the similar nanoparticles to the Indosinian granites from Ailaoshan ductile shear zone,including the strawberry-like and flower-like nanoparticles.The NE-trending Mangsan shear zone represented by the gneissic granites with middle Permian ages(264-262 Myr)formed in the same tectonic setting as the Wuzhi-shan granites that were proposed as I-type granites.These middle Permian gneissic granites with arc affinity may represent an arc setting related to the NW subduction of the paleo-Tethys.The analyses reveal that granites with late Triassic ages(235-232 Myr)in the Xiaomei shear zone have the characteristics of A-type granites.The late Triassic extensional events on Hainan Island may be related to the subduction of the paleo-Pacific Plate beneath the East Asian continent.

Subduction and Collision of the Jinsha River Paleo-Tethys: Constraints from Zircon U-Pb Dating and Geochemistry of the Ludian Batholith in the Jiangda–Deqen–Weixi Continental Margin Arc

The Jiangda–Deqen–Weixi continental margin arc(DWCA) developed along the base of the Changdu–Simao Block and was formed as a result of the subduction of the Jinsha River Ocean Slab and the subsequent collision. The Ludian batholith is located in the southern part of the DWCA and is the largest batholith in northwest Yunnan. Granite samples from the Ludian batholith yield an early Middle Permian age of 271.0 ± 2.8 Ma. The geochemical data of the early Middle Permian granitoids show high Si2 O, low P2 O5 and MgO contents that belong to calc-alkaline series and peraluminous I-type rocks. Their εHf(t) values range from-5.01 to +0.58, indicating that they were formed by hybrid magmas related to the subduction of the Jinsha River Tethys Ocean. The monzonite and monzogranite samples yield Late Permian ages of 250.6 ± 1.8 Ma and 252.1 ± 1.3 Ma, respectively. The Late Permian granitoids are high-K calc alkaline and shoshonite series metaluminous I-type rocks. Their εHf(t) values range from-4.12 to-1.68 and from-7.88 to-6.64, respectively. The mixing of crustal and mantle melts formed the parental magma of the Late Permian granitoids. This study, combined with previous work, demonstrates the process from subduction to collision of the Jinsha River Paleo-Tethys Ocean.

Geochemistry and Geochronology of the Jinghong Ophiolites:Implications for the Tectonic Evolution of the Eastern Paleo-Tethys

The Jinghong mafic-ultramafic complex,exposed in the eastern margin of the Lancangjiang tectonic belt,is related to the subduction of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean.Its petrogenesis plays a key role in constraining the tectonic evolution of the eastern Paleo-Tethys Ocean in southwestern China.In this study,we present petrological,geochemical and geochronological results of the Jinghong complex rocks,in order to decipher their origin and tectonic significance.The Jinghong mafic-ultramafic complex was composed of peridotite,gabbro,basalt and minor plagiogranite.Whole-rock geochemical data of the mafic rocks indicate that they have both MORB and IAB affinities and plot in the back-arc basin basalt(BABB)field in the FeO^(*)/MgO vs.TiO_(2) diagram.Combined with their trace element characteristics,it can be concluded that the Jinghong mafic-ultramafic complex represents an ophiolite suite that was formed in a back-arc ocean basin.Precise LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating yielded weighted mean ^(206)Pb/^(238)U ages of 298.4±1.7 Ma,294.3±1.6 Ma,and 292.8±2.0 Ma for gabbroic rocks from this complex,which indicates that the Jinghong ophiolites were formed during the early Permian(298-293 Ma).We propose that during subduction of the main Paleo-Tethys Ocean,a back-arc ocean basin was formed at the east of the Lancangjiang tectonic belt.

New Zircon U-Pb Age of Late Devonian Tuff in Guangxi, South China and the Significance for the Paleo-Tethys Branch Ocean

Objective The eastern extending range of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean in southwest China has always been focused and controversial. At the beginning of this century some scholars proposed that the Paleo-Tethys Branch Ocean may extend to the Babu-Pingxiang and Cengxi areas along the stouthwestern margin of the South China Block （Cai and Zhang, 2009）. However, the pivotal proof of Late Paleozoic ophoilite and magmatic rocks was absent or sporadical in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, resulting in insufficient evidence to support this viewpoint. For the first time this work reported the Late Devonian tuff in the Qinzhou area in the south of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and conducted zircon U-Pb dating on it in order to constrain the extension of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean in the South China Block.

Late Devonian OIB Alkaline Gabbro in the Yarlung Zangpo Suture Zone:Remnants of the Paleo-Tethys?

The Yarlung Zangpo Suture Zone(YZSZ) is believed to be composed of material largely derived from the destruction of the Neo-Tethys ocean.We report here geochronological and petrological data obtained for newly discovered alkaline gabbro blocks embedded in a m(?)lange zone of the YZSZ,in Zhongba area, southwestern Tibet.The gabbros are Late Devonian in age and of intra-oceanic Ocean Island Basalt(OIB) affinity.Single-zircon U-Pb analyses from one representative gabbro sample by SIMS(Secondary

Arc-trench System of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean: Inferred from Ophiolite in the Southern Lancangjiang Belt, SW China

The Paleo-Tethys Ocean is usually interpreted as a Paleozoic ocean basin located between the Gondwana and Laurasia supercontinents. The Paleo-Tethyan orogenic record is well preserved in the Sanjiang area of SW China. However, ophiolites are commonly dismembered in orogenic belt, and complete ophiolite sequences are rare in the Sanjiang area. The southern Lancangjiang belt is the most complicated tectonic complex of the Sanjiang Paleo-Tethyan orogen, SW China, and is key to understanding the evolution of the orogen. In this study, we focused on mafic–ultramafic rocks in the Yakou and Banpo areas of the southern Lancangjiang belt, of which newly discovered Yakou rocks show a complete ophiolite sequence. These rocks are composed of serpentinized peridotite, isotropic and cumulate gabbros, massive and pillow basalts, and plagiogranite. Whole-rock geochemical data indicate that these rocks were formed in an oceanic ridge setting, and they show depletions in Nb, Ta and Ti, and enrichment in Pb, suggesting a supra-subduction zone affinity of a back-arc setting. Furthermore, positive εNd(t)(+4.5 to +6.7) and zircon εHf(t) values(+12.4 to +14.3), as well as mantle-like δ18O values(~5.5‰), suggest that these rocks were derived from a long-term depleted mantle source. All of these features suggest that the Yakou mafic-ultramafic complex represents an ophiolite suite, making it the first complete ophiolite sequence to be discovered in the southern Lancangjiang orogenic belt. The Banpo complex gabbroic rocks have similar whole-rock geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic, and zircon O-Hf isotopic compositions to those of the Yakou complex, suggesting an N-MORB affinity. Thus, maficultramafic rocks from the Banpo and Jinghong areas are most likely dismembered ophiolite suites. Considering these various characteristics, we consider that the Yakou, Banpo, and Jinghong mafic-ultramafic complexes represent an ophiolite belt but not a magmatic arc belt. SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating yield weighted mean ages of 305±3 Ma, 310±2 Ma, and 313±6 Ma. Therefore, we suggest that the Banpo-Jinghong mafic-ultramafic complex represents a Late Carboniferous(313–305 Ma) ophiolite belt in the Sanjiang Paleo-Tethyan orogen of SW China. Finally, we propose that an arc-trench system could have developed in the Sanjiang Paleo-Tethyan orogenic belt of SW China during the Late Carboniferous.

Oceanic lithosphere heterogeneity in the eastern Paleo-Tethys revealed by PGE and Re-Os isotopes of mantle peridotites in the Jinshajiang ophiolite

Platinum group elements(PGE)and Re-Os isotopes of mantle peridotites in the Jinshajiang ophiolite(SW China)were investigated in this study,in order to constrain the evolution of the lithospheric mantle beneath the Jinshajiang-Ailaoshan Ocean,which was a branch of the eastern Paleo-Tethys.The Jinshajiang peridotites have whole-rock compositions(e.g.,MgO=32.7-38.1 wt.%;Al_(2)O_(3)=0.67-1.30 wt.%)and spinels with moderate Cr#values(0.4-0.6)similar to those of abyssal peridotites,which indicate moderate degrees of partial melting(15%-20%).These peridotites exhibit U-shaped chondrite-normalized REE patterns that could be caused by hydrothermal alteration or melt-rock interaction after mantle melting.In addition,Pd concentrations and(Pd/Ir)_(N)ratios of the Jinshajiang peridotites increases with decreasing Al_(2)O_(3) concentrations.These negative correlations cannot be explained by simple partial melting but record a melt-rock reaction event after mantle melting.This study therefore demonstrates the efficiency of PGE in detecting the melt-rock reaction process relative to whole-rock major and trace elements.The suprachondritic^(187)Os/^(188)Os ratios(0.1272-0.1374)further indicate that the later percolating melt derived from a mantle domain with distinct^(187)Os-enriched isotopic compositions.In comparison with peridotites in the Ailaoshan ophiolite belt,which were not significantly affected by melt percolation,this study further highlights that the lithospheric mantle compositions beneath different segments of the same ocean basin are highly variable and might be controlled by distinct mantle processes in response to different rifting mechanisms.

Petrology, geochemistry and Ar-Ar geochronology of eclogites in Jinshajiang orogenic belt, Gonjo area, eastern Tibet and restriction on Paleo-Tethyan evolution

As one of the important Paleo-Tethys suture zones in eastern Tibet,the Jinshajiang orogenic belt is of great significance to study the tectonic evolution of the main suture zone of Paleo-Tethys.In this paper,eclogites developed in the Jinshajiang suture zone in Gonjo area,eastern Tibet,are selected as specific research objects,and petrological,geochemical and Ar-Ar geochronological analyses are carried out.The major element data of the whole rock reveals that the eclogite samples have the characteristics of picritic basalt-basalt and belong to the oceanic low potassium tholeiites.The results of rare earth elements and trace elements of the samples show that the protoliths of eclogites have characteristics similar to oceanic island basalt(OIB)or normal mid ocean ridge basalt(N-MORB).Muscovite(phengite)from two eclogite samples yield the Ar-Ar plateau ages of 247±2 Ma and 248±2 Ma respectively,representing the peak metamorphic age of eclogite facies and the timing of complete closure of the Jinshajiang Paleo-Tethys Ocean.Muscovite and biotite selected from the hosting rocks of eclogite yield the Ar-Ar plateau ages are 238±2 Ma and 225±2 Ma respectively,reflecting the exhumation age of eclogites and their hosting rocks.Combined with the zircon U-Pb dating data(244 Ma)of eclogites obtained in previous work,it can be concluded that the Jinshajiang Paleo-Tethys ocean was completely closed and arc-continent collision was initiated at about 248-244 Ma(T21).Subsequently,due to the large-scale arc(continent)-collision orogeney between Deqin-Weixi continental margin arc and Zhongza block(T31-T32),the eclogites were rapidly uplifted to the shallow crust.

Detrital Zircon of Devonian Sandstones in ChangningMenglian Suture Zone, Yunnan, SW China: Implications for the Early Evolution of Paleo-Tethys

The Changning-Menglian suture zone is a critical tectonic belt pivotal to the evolution of the Paleo-Tethys.The Wenquan Formation,characterized as turbidite deposited on the western side of the Changning-Menglian suture zone as well as the eastern edge of the Baoshan Block.Analysis of detrital zircons from the Wenquan Formation reveals two significant age peaks approximately at 440 and 980 Ma,with additional age populations around 600,780,and 2500 Ma.The major age peak at about 440 Ma is come from the andesitic-dominant volcanic arc within the Lancang Block and the western Simao Block,corroborated by the presence of andesite fragments in thin section studies.Meanwhile,the zircons that form the secondary age peak at~980 Ma and other older age groups probably originate from the Baoshan Block.Deposited on the western side of the Paleo-Tethyan ophiolites,the Wenquan Formation received detrital materials from the continental margin on the opposite side.Thus,the main Paleo-Tethyan Ocean basin was not sufficiently broad enough to cut off the transference of detrital materials.It was a relatively narrow basin in the Early Devonian.

Paleozoic Multi-Stage Magmatic Events Related to Proto-Tethys and Paleo-Tethys Evolution:Insights from Intrusive Rocks in the Eastern Altyn Orogen,NW China

Abundant mafic-felsic intrusions distributed in the Altyn Orogen record orogenic histories related to Proto-Tethys and Paleo-Tethys evolution.Zircon U-Pb dating of the intrusive rocks in the eastern Altyn Orogen identifies at least three major tectono-magmatic episodes,yielding ages of∼426,∼376–373 and∼269–254 Ma.The first two emplacement episodes correspond to the post-collisional magmatism in the Altyn Orogen.The∼426 Ma granitoids possess adakitic characteristics coupled with enriched isotopes,suggesting that they originated from partial melting of thickened lower continental crust induced by upwelling asthenospheric mantle after slab break-off of the South Altyn Ocean Plate.Next,the∼376–373 Ma mafic-intermediate rocks and coeval granitoids represent a large thermal event that involved mantle melting with induced new juvenile lower continental crust melting in a post-collisional extensional setting.Finally,the∼254 Ma diabase dykes intruded into the∼269 Ma granitoids,which were related to the widespread Late Paleozoic magmatism resulting from Paleo-Tethys Ocean subduction.Post-collisional magmatism in the Altyn Orogen significantly enhances understanding of the tectono-magmatic evolution in the northern Tibetan Plateau.The penetrative influence of Paleo-Tethys Ocean subduction was more extensive than previously thought.

Petrogenesis of Early Carboniferous Ultramafic-Mafic Volcanic Rocks in the Southern Changning-Menglian Belt,Southeastern Tibetan Plateau:Implications for the Evolution of the Paleo-Tethyan Ocean

The Changning-Menglian Belt represents the main Paleo-Tethyan Suture in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau,which divides Gondwana-and Eurasia-derived continental fragments from each other.The belt contains ultramafic-mafic volcanic rocks that provide evidence of the tectonic processes which operated during the evolution of the Paleo-Tethyan Ocean.New geochemical data for Early Carboniferous volcanics in the southern Changning-Menglian Belt show that wehrlites have cumulate and poikilitic textures,and contain low-Fo(84.2-87.2)olivine,clinopyroxene with low Mg#values(79.4-85.6),and spinel with high Cr#values(67.8-72.4).Estimated equilibrium temperatures obtained using olivine-spinel Fe-Mg exchange geothermometry range from 978℃ to 1373℃(mean=1205℃;n=3).These observations combined with a lack of reaction or melt impregnation textures indicate that these units represent magmatic cumulates rather than having formed as a result of mantle-melt reactions.Both wehrlites and basalts in the belt have subparallel rare earth element(REE)-and primitive-mantle-normalized multi-element patterns with slightly positive Nb-Ta anomalies,but negligible Eu and Zr-Hf anomalies.The volcanics have similar Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions withεNd(t)values of 4.2-4.5(mean=4.3;n=3)and 4.0-4.4(mean 4.2;n=4),respectively,and also have similar immobile element ratios,such as Nb/La,Nb/U,Th/La,Zr/Nb,Th/Ta,La/Yb,Nb/Th,Nb/Y,and Zr/Y.These characteristics indicate both units have ocean island basalt(OIB)-like geochemical affinities,consistent with the fact that the clinopyroxene in the wehrlites is compositionally similar to OIB-related cumulus clinopyroxene.This suggests that both the wehrlites and basalts were derived from similar parental magmas that underwent generally closed-system magmatic differentiation dominated by fractionation of the olivine and clinopyroxene.This parental magma was likely generated in an oceanic seamount setting from an OIB-type mantle source(i.e.,asthenospheric mantle)containing garnet-spinel lherzolite material.Combing this new data with that from oceanic seamount volcano-sedimentary suites derived from previous research enables the identification of a mature late Paleozoic ocean basin between the passive northeastern Gondwanan margin and the northward-migrating microcontinent of Lanping-Simao.

缅甸Tarlay2011年地震与古特提斯缝合带的活动构造(英文)

An earthquake of 6.8 magnitude struck the eastern Shan State in Myanmar at 20:29:30 Myanmar Standard Time(01:55:12 PM UTC) on 24 March 2011.It is one of the earthquakes in plate-interior setting.Six after-shocks occurred the same year.The nucleation point of this earthquake was defined by an epicenter at 20 km west of Tarlay(20.705°N,99.949°E) at a depth of 10 km and its magnitude was 6.8.The earthquake damage was disastrous.The geological disasters were linearly distributed along the surface rupture zone.The earthquake produced cracks,arch bend,erupting sand,gush water,etc.in many places.As a result of this strong earthquake,224-305 houses were seriously damaged,74 people were killed,124 injured.The event was named after the nearest village Tarlay and the NE-or ENE-striking Nan Ma fault was responsible for it.A detailed morphotectonic study was carried out in the area using satellite image 1:24,000 scale aerial photographs and 1:63360 scale topographic maps,to correlate the seismicity with tectonics.It is found that there are two prominent lineaments striking in NE-or ENE-and N-S or NNE-SSW direction.The present-day deformation of the Than Lwin suture zone is consistent with roughly NW-SE extension and NE-SW striking compression,but with more conjugate strike-slip faulting and only minor normal faulting.

Timing of formation of the Western Jinshajiang and Ganze–Litang sutures:evidence from the Duocai Granite in the Zhiduo region,West China

The timing of the closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean in West China remains debated.To investigate this problem,we examined the geochemical characteristics,zircon U-Pb chronology,and Hf isotopes of monzogranites and quartz diorites from the Duocai granite in the Zhiduo region,at the intersection of the Jinshajiang and GanzeLitangsutures.The monzogranites have the chemical characteristics of calc-alkalineⅠ-type granites and yield a weighted mean zircon U-Pb age of 234.6±0.9 Ma[mean square weighted deviation(MSWD)=0.36].InitialεHf(-t)values are high and positive,ranging from+7.9 to+13.6 with a mean of+10.7,corresponding to two-stage Hf isotope model ages(TDM2)of 762-395 Ma.Geochemical and isotopic data indicate that the source magma of the monzogranites formed from mantle-derived magmas mixed with the overlying crustal materials.The quartz diorites,which also have compositional characteristics of calcalkaline I-type granites,yield a weighted mean zircon UPb age of 209.1±0.7 Ma(MSWD=0.29).InitialεHf(-t)values range from-2.5 to+0.6 with a mean of-1.5,with the corresponding TDM2 of 1402-1210 Ma.Geochemical and isotopic data indicate that the primary magma of the quartz diorites was derived mainly from partial melting of the mafic lower crust and small amount mantle-derived magma involved.Combining these results with regional data,the studied granites are inferred to have formed as a result of continuous subduction of plates underlying the Western Jinshajiang Ocean-Ganze-Litang Ocean from 234 to 209 Ma,and were unrelated to subduction of the South Jinshajiang oceanic plate.We suggest that the Western Jinshajiang Ocean-Ganze-Litang Ocean closed by the end of Late Triassic.

Geochronology and geochemistry of lithium-rich tuffs in the Sichuan basin,western Yangtze:Implication for the magmatic origin and final closure of eastern Paleo-Tethys

The felsic volcanogenic tuffs named"green-bean rocks"(GBRs),characterized by a green or yellowish green color,are widely distributed in the western Yangtze platform and have a high lithium content(286-957 ppm).This paper studies the ages,origin and tectonic setting of the GBRs in the Sichuan basin on the western margin of the Yangtze platform through the whole-rock geochemistry and zircon trace elements by using U-Pb dating and Hf-O isotopes.The GBR samples from the Quxian and Beibei sections yielded zircon U-Pb ages of 245.5±1.8 Ma and 244.8±2.2 Ma.These samples can be used as the isochronous stratigraphic marker of the Early-Middle Triassic boundary(EMTB)for regional correlation.The whole-rock and zircon geochemistry,and zircon Hf-O isotopes exhibited S-type geochemical affinities with high positiveδ^(18)0 values(9.28‰-11.98‰),low negativeε_(Hf)(t)values(-13.87 to-6.79),and T_(DM)^(2)ages of 2150-1703 Ma,indicating that the lithium-rich GBRs were generated by the remelting of the pre-existing ancient Paleoproterozoic layer without mantle source contamination in the arcrelated/orogenic tectonic setting.The results of this study demonstrate that the lithium-rich GBRs in the western Yangtze platform were derived from arc volcanic eruptions along the Sanjiang orogen,triggered by the closure of the eastern Paleo-Tethys Ocean and the syn-collision between the continental Indochina and Yangtze blocks at ca.247 Ma.This was marked by a major shift from I-type magmas with intermediateε_(Hf)(t)values to S-type magmas with low negativeε_(Hf)(t)values.Collectively,our results provide new insights into the origin of the GBRs and decodes the closure of the eastern Paleo-Tethys.

First Record of Petalodus Owen,1840(Chondrichthyes,Petalodontidae)in the Lower Permian(Cisuralian)of China

The Petalodontiformes are a small intriguing group of Permo–Carboniferous chondrichthyans.Petalodus is the longest known petalodont genus generally considered representative of the order.The first definite fossil record of seven well-preserved Petalodus teeth has been found in the Qianshi limestone in the Lower Permian(Cisuralian)middle–upper Taiyuan Formation in Yangquan City,Shanxi Province,North China.The specimens are characterized by petal-shaped teeth with a spade-like crown,and a long,tongue-shaped root;the crown is circled with a band or cingulum composed of imbricated ridges at the base.All seven teeth are assigned to the species P.ohioenesis because of their vertically narrow cingulum and much longer root.Petalodus is a worldwide genus,with fossil localities mainly concentrated in the Laurussia supercontinent.The occurrence of Petalodus teeth in Yangquan not only is the first fossil record in China,but also only the second record in Asia.The Yangquan fossil site was part of the paleoequatorial North China Craton during the Early Permian,and was isolated from Laurusia and East Gondwana by the Paleo-Tethys Ocean.The successful dispersal of Petalodus from Laurusia to the North China Block along Paleo-Tethys may support the possibility that Petalodus taxa were active free-swimmers rather than bottom dwellers.The new finding increases the petalodont diversity in eastern Asia,and also sheds new light on the distribution and stratigraphic range.

Petrogenesis of the Early Jurassic Longtang and Menglong Peraluminous Granites in Tengchong Terrane,and their Tectonic Implication

A comprehensive study of zircon U-Pb geochronology,in situ Hf isotopes,whole-rock major and trace element geochemistry,and Nd isotopes was carried out for two Early Jurassic two-mica granites(Longtang and Menglong)in the southern part of the Tengchong terrane,which is in the northern part of the larger Sibumasu terrane.We assess the origin of the granites and explore their possible genetic relationship to the Paleo-Tethyan regime.LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating shows that they were simultaneously emplaced in the Early Jurassic(ca.199 Ma).They have SiO2 contents of 69.7–75.1 wt%and are mainly strongly peraluminous with alumina saturation index(ASI)values ranging from 1.06 to 1.46.They show similar Mg#(0.29–0.42)to experimental partial melts of metasedimentary rocks under continental pressuretemperature(P-T)conditions.They are enriched in light rare earth elements(LREEs)relative to heavy rare earth elements(HREEs),with moderately negative Eu anomalies and flat HREEs patterns.They show negativeεNd(t)values(−9.0 to–12.4)andεHf(t)values(−8.0 to−9.1).Elemental and isotopic data suggest that they most likely to formed by muscovitedehydration melting of a metapelitic source at lower temperatures in the range of 700℃to 750℃.The granites might represent a post-collisional tectonic setting response to Paleo-Tethyan regime.

Depositional Environments of Bedded Chens in Western Yunnan Segment of Paleo－Tethys， China： a Geochemical Approach

Differences in rare earth elements and other trace elements in bedded chens reflect the deposihonal settings of the sediments. Based on cerium anomaly (Ce/Ce ), total REE (ΣREE) and other trace element abundance variahons preserved in the bedded cherts in the Paleo-Tethys, Western Yunnan, three deposihonal regimes can be recotwzed: spreading ridge proximal, ocean-basin floor and conhnental margin. This geochemical method of discriminating deposihonal environments for thine marine sedimentary rocks which are physically indistinct provides a powerful new tool for paleotectonic and paleogeographic recondruchons.

Devonian-Carboniferous Pillow OIB-Type Basalts in the Youjiang Basin,SW China:Implications for the Eastern Extension of the Paleo-Tethys Branch Ocean

Late Paleozoic pillow basalts are well preserved in the Youjiang Basin of SW China.In this study,we conducted geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic study on the Late Devonian and Late Carboniferous basalts in Napo area,Youjiang Basin.The analyzed samples comprise moderate SiO2,TiO2,Mg#,and REE contents,with slightly positive or negative Eu anomalies,similar to the chemical nature of OIB(Oceanic island basalt).All basalts show low(^(143)Nd/^(144)Nd)iand(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)ivalues,close to EMI-type(I-type Enriched Mantle)magma source.Late Carboniferous basalts display higher(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)i,Nb/Th,and lowerε_(Nd)(t),Zr/Nb values than those of the Late Devonian basalts,implying progressively decreased enrichment components in the magma source processes.Such evolution trend reflects a continuous lithospheric thinning event,supporting a progressive rifting setting of the Youjiang Basin along the southwestern margin of the Yangtze Block in Late Paleozoic.Combined with regional geological background,the Youjiang Basin is viewed as a continental rift basin related to the opening of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean in Late Devonian and became a passive continental margin basin in Carboniferous.The Paleo-Tethys branch ocean probably extended further to the southern Youjiang Basin,likely corresponding to the Song Ma suture zone.