Magmatic-tectonic response of the South China Craton to the Paleo-Pacific subduction during the Triassic:a new viewpoint based on Well NK-1

The Nansha Block(NB)is one of the blocks separated from the southern margin of the South China Craton(SCC)by the western Pacific subduction,which contains rich information of geodynamic and tectonic transformation.To reveal the essence of western Paleo-Pacific subduction during the Triassic period,Well NK-1 in this block was selected for petrographic study,and published research data from other cooperative teams were compared.A double-cycle pattern of basic to neutral magmatic volcanism was established,and 36 lithological rhythmic layers and representative cryptoexplosive breccia facies and welded tuff bands were identified.Combined with a reanalysis of published geochronological data,geochemical elements,and isotope geochemistry,we found that the rock assemblages could be divided into an intermediate-acid dacite(DA)series(SiO_(2)>65%)and basaltic(BA)series(Co<40μg/g),which was formed during the early Late Triassic((218.6±3.2)–(217.9±3.5)Ma).BA exhibits obvious calc-alkaline island-arc magmatic properties:(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)_i ratio ranging 0.70377–0.71118(average:0.70645),^(147)Sm/^(144)Nd ratio ranging 0.119–0.193(average:0.168),and chondrite-normalized rare earth element(REE)curves being flat,while DA exhibits remarkable characteristics of subducted island-arc andesitic magma:(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)_i ratio(0.70939–0.71129;average:0.71035),εNd(t)value(-6.2–-4.8;average:-5.6)andε_(Hf)(t)value(-2.9–-1.7,average:-2.2)show obvious crust-mantle mixing characteristics.BA and DA reveal typical characteristics of island-arc magma systems and typeⅡenriched mantle(EM-Ⅱ)magma.BA magma was likely resulted from the process whereby the continental crust frontal accretionary wedge was driven by the Paleo-Pacific slab subduction into the deep and began to melt,resulting in a large amount of melt(fluid)joined the asthenosphere on the side of the continental margin.In contrast,DA magma was likely resulted from the process whereby the plate front was forced to bend with increasing subduction distance,which triggered the upwelling of the asthenosphere near the continent and subsequently led to the partial melting of the lithospheric mantle and lower crust due to continuous underplating.The lithospheric thinning environment in the study area at the end of Triassic created suitable conditions for the separation between the NB and SCC,which provided an opportunity for the formation of the early intracontinental rift during the later expansion of the South China Sea(SCS).

Inversion of two-phase extensional basin systems during subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate in the SW Korean Peninsula:Implication for the Mesozoic “Laramide-style” orogeny along East Asian continental margin

During subduction, continental margins experience shortening along with inversion of extensional sedimentary basins. Here we explore a tectonic scenario for the inversion of two-phase extensional basin systems, where the Early-Middle Jurassic intra-arc volcano-sedimentary Oseosan Volcanic Complex was developed on top of the Late Triassic-Early Jurassic post-collisional sequences, namely the Chungnam Basin. The basin shortening was accommodated mostly by contractional faults and related folds. In the basement, regional high-angle reverse faults as well as low-angle thrusts accommodate the overall shortening, and are compatible with those preserved in the cover. This suggests that their spatial and temporal development is strongly dependent on the initial basin geometry and inherited structures.Changes in transport direction observed along the basement-sedimentary cover interface is a characteristic structural feature, reflecting sequential kinematic evolution during basin inversion. Propagation of basement faults also enhanced shortening of the overlying sedimentary cover sequences. We constrain timing of the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous(ca. 158-110 Ma) inversion from altered K-feldspar 40 Ar/39 Ar ages in stacked thrust sheets and K-Ar illite ages of fault gouges, along with previously reported geochronological data from the area. This "non-magmatic phase" of the Daebo Orogeny is contemporaneous with the timing of magmatic quiescence across the Korean Peninsula. We propose the role of flat/low-angle subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate for the development of the "Laramide-style" basement-involved orogenic event along East Asian continental margin.

Provenance of the Southeastern South China Block in the Late Triassic and Initiation of Paleo-Pacific Subduction:Evidence from Detrital Zircon U-Pb Geochronology

During the Late Paleozoic-Early Mesozoic Era,the sediment transport system and tectonic regime in the southeastern margin of the South China Block(SESCB)all changed,significantly affected by the Paleo-Pacific subduction.However,controversy exists about the Paleo-Pacific subduction's initiation time.This study uses detrital zircon U-Pb ages to discuss the Late Triassic source-tosink system in the SESCB.It provides some references for the Paleo-Pacific subduction process based on crucial age information and zircons'trace elements.The paleogeography and similarity of detrital zircon age distribution indicate that three sinks were found in the SESCB during the Late Triassic:1.the Yangchun-Kaiping-Gaoming area,comprising major age ranges of 260-220,460-400,and 1200-800 Ma,which might be sourced from the Yunkai terrane;2.the Jiexi-Kanshi-Nanjing area,characterized by the significant age component of 2000-1800 Ma,which corresponded to the Wuyi terrane;3.the Xinan area,consisting of significant age groups of 290-250 and 380-320 Ma,which might be sourced from the magmatic rocks formed by the Huinan Movement and Paleo-Pacific subduction.Note that 290-250 Ma zircons were widely distributed in the Upper Triassic strata,and their trace elements suggested the existence of a magmatic arc near the SESCB during the 290-250 Ma.Thus,we propose that the Paleo-Pacific subduction might have begun in the Early Permian.

Remnants and fragments of the subducted paleo-Pacific plate:Constraints from geochemistry and geophysics

The subduction and rollback of the paleo-Pacific plate during Mesozoic time was the key engine for the evolution of the continental margin in eastern China. It led to lateral accretion of continental crust in Northeast China, lithospheric destruction beneath the North China Craton, and the generation of huge volumes of felsic magmatic rocks in South China. This had a profound influence on deep material cycles and the evolution of epigenetic environmental systems along the continental margin of East Asia. To fully understand the transformation of the dynamic mechanism during the subduction and rollback of the paleoPacific plate, we have attempted to trace the remnants and fragments of the subducted paleo-Pacific plate at great depths. Such remnants in both temporal and spatial dimensions can be tracked by using geochemical and geophysical approaches. Studies of the trace elements, Mg-Zn isotopes and Os-Nd-Hf-Pb-O isotopes in continental basalts from eastern China reveal a significant number of the remnants of subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate, and the initial subduction can be traced back to the Early Jurassic. Large-scale geophysical imaging unveils a multitude of high-velocity anomalies in the lower mantle of East Asia.Notably, many high-velocity bodies, aptly referred to as “slab graveyards”, are nestled at the base of the lower mantle. Numerous isolated high-velocity anomalies are also present in the upper part of the lower mantle, creating conduits for the descent of the subducted slabs into the lower mantle. However, a resolution of the remnants for the subducted slabs within the lower mantle are quite low. Consequently, their impact on the lower mantle's dynamics is yet to be thoroughly investigated. Finally, the presently observed big mantle wedge(BMW) in East Asia has developed through subduction of the Pacific plate in the Cenozoic.However, following the rollback of the paleo-Pacific plate(began at ~145 Ma), a Cretaceous BMW system would also form above the mantle transition zone in East Asia. There are significant differences in tectonic-magmatic processes and basinforming and hydrocarbon-accumulation processes among different regions along the East Asian continental margin. Such differences may be controlled by variations in the speed and angle of rollback of the paleo-Pacific plate.

Material records for Mesozoic destruction of the North China Craton by subduction of the Paleo-Pacific slab

It is well known that the destruction of the North China Carton(NCC)is closely related to subduction of the Paleo-Pacific slab,but materials recording such subduction has not been identified at the peak time of decratonization.This paper presents data of whole-rock major and trace elements and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes and zircon U-Pb ages and Hf-O isotopes for Mesozoic volcanic rocks from the Liaodong-Jinan region in the northeastern NCC,in order to trace the subduction-related materials in their source and origin.The Mesozoic volcanic rocks in the Liaodong-Jinan region are mainly composed of two series of rocks,including alkaline basaltic trachyandesite,trachyandesite and trachyte,and subalkaline trachyandesite and andesite.Zircon U-Pb dating yields eruption ages of 129–124 Ma for these rocks.The Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks are all enriched in LILEs(such as Rb,Sr,Ba and Th)and LREEs,depleted in HFSEs(such as Nb,Ta and Ti),indicating that they were originated from mantle sources that had been modified by subducted crustal materials.However,they have relatively heterogeneous and variable isotopic compositions.The alkaline basaltic trachyandesite,trachyandesite and trachyte have enriched whole-rock Sr-Nd-Hf and zircon Hf isotopic compositions and mantle-likeδ18O values,suggesting that they were derived from low-degree partial melting of an isotopically enriched lithospheric mantle source.In contrast,the subalkaline trachyandesite and andesite have relatively depleted isotopic compositions with zirconεHf(t)values up to+5.2 and heavy zircon O isotopic compositions with δ18O values of+8.1‰to+9.0‰,indicating that they were originated from a lithospheric mantle source that had been metasomatized by melts/fluids derived from the recycled low-T altered oceanic basalt.All of these geochemical features suggest that the Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks in the Liaodong-Jinan region would result from mixing of mafic magmas with different compositions.Such magmas were originated from the enriched lithospheric mantle and the young metasomatized mantle,respectively,with variable extents of enrichment and depletion in trace elements,radiogenic isotopes and O isotopes.Importantly,the identification of the low-T altered oceanic crust component in the origin of Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks by the zircon Hf-O isotopes provides affirmative isotopic evidence and direct material records for Mesozoic subduction of the Paleo-Pacific slab that induced decratonization of the North China Craton.

Subduction history of the Paleo-Pacific slab beneath Eurasian continent: Mesozoic-Paleogene magmatic records in Northeast Asia

This paper presents a review on the rock associations, geochemistry, and spatial distribution of Mesozoic-Paleogene igneous rocks in Northeast Asia. The record of magmatism is used to evaluate the spatial-temporal extent and influence of multiple tectonic regimes during the Mesozoic, as well as the onset and history of Paleo-Pacific slab subduction beneath Eurasian continent. Mesozoic-Paleogene magmatism at the continental margin of Northeast Asia can be subdivided into nine stages that took place in the Early-Middle Triassic, Late Triassic, Early Jurassic, Middle Jurassic, Late Jurassic, early Early Cretaceous, late Early Cretaceous, Late Cretaceous, and Paleogene, respectively. The Triassic magmatism is mainly composed of adakitic rocks,bimodal rocks, alkaline igneous rocks, and A-type granites and rhyolites that formed in syn-collisional to post-collisional extensional settings related to the final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. However, Triassic calc-alkaline igneous rocks in the Erguna-Xing'an massifs were associated with the southward subduction of the Mongol-Okhotsk oceanic slab. A passive continental margin setting existed in Northeast Asia during the Triassic. Early Jurassic calc-alkaline igneous rocks have a geochemical affinity to arc-like magmatism, whereas coeval intracontinental magmatism is composed of bimodal igneous rocks and A-type granites. Spatial variations in the potassium contents of Early Jurassic igneous rocks from the continental margin to intracontinental region, together with the presence of an Early Jurassic accretionary complex, reveal that the onset of the PaleoPacific slab subduction beneath Eurasian continent occurred in the Early Jurassic. Middle Jurassic to early Early Cretaceous magmatism did not take place at the continental margin of Northeast Asia. This observation, combined with the occurrence of low-altitude biological assemblages and the age population of detrital zircons in an Early Cretaceous accretionary complex,indicates that a strike-slip tectonic regime existed between the continental margin and Paleo-Pacific slab during the Middle Jurassic to early Early Cretaceous. The widespread occurrence of late Early Cretaceous calc-alkaline igneous rocks, I-type granites, and adakitic rocks suggests low-angle subduction of the Paleo-Pacific slab beneath Eurasian continent at this time. The eastward narrowing of the distribution of igneous rocks from the Late Cretaceous to Paleogene, and the change from an intracontinental to continental margin setting, suggest the eastward movement of Eurasian continent and rollback of the PaleoPacific slab at this time.

Subaqueous volcanism in the Paleo-Pacific Ocean based on Jurassic basaltic tuff and pillow basalt in the Raohe Complex,NE China

On-land records of subaqueous explosive volcanic eruptions are rarely reported.To understand this phenomenon and discuss its global significance,we studied the geochronology and geochemistry of basaltic tuff and pillow basalt in the Raohe Complex,NE China.The basaltic tuff consists of well-sorted vitreous,crystal(mostly clinopyroxene),and minor lithic fragments.It is characterized by a high Mg O(15.7–15.9%)content and zero Eu anomalies(Eu/Eu~*=99–102).The tuff erupted at 172±1 Ma based on SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating,coeval with the previously reported age of the pillow basalt.The pillow basalt has intermediate Mg O content and weakly negative Eu anomalies(Eu/Eu~*=90–99).Based on immobile trace element discrimination,the basaltic tuff and pillow basalt belong to alkali basalt displaying an OIB-type trace element pattern,and consistent Nd isotope signatures ofε_(Nd)(t)=4.4–6.2,indicating an identical mantle source.The pillow basalt has coupled Sr-Nd isotopic values,whereas the basaltic tuff has significantly higher initial^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr values that are similar to synchronous seawater.This indicates that the elemental exchange between the mantle-derived material and seawater most likely occurred in a subaqueous explosive volcanic eruption,rather than in an effusive eruption.Detailed calculations suggest that the high efficiency of the Sr-isotope exchange between seawater and the mantle-derived material triggered by a subaqueous explosive volcanic eruption is likely one of the main reasons for the rapid decrease of the global seawater^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr value.

Zircon U-Pb geochronology,Hf isotopes,and geochemistry constraints on the age and tectonic affinity of the basement granitoids from the Qiongdongnan Basin,northern South China Sea

Studies in the northern South China Sea(SCS)basement remain important for understanding the evolution of the Southeast Asian continental margin.Due to a thick cover of sediments and scarce borehole penetration,little is known about the age and tectonic affinity of this basement.In this study,an integrated study of zircon U-Pb geochronology,Hf isotopes,and whole-rock major and trace elements on seven basement granitoids from seven boreholes of Qiongdongnan Basin has been carried out.New zircon U-Pb results for these granitoids present middle-late Permian((270.0±1.2)Ma;(253±3.4)Ma),middle to late Triassic((246.2±3.4)Ma;(239.3±0.96)Ma;(237.9±0.99)Ma;(228.9±1.0)Ma)and Late Cretaceous ages((120.6±0.6)Ma).New data from this study,in combination with the previous dataset,indicates that granitoid ages in northern SCS basement vary from 270 Ma to 70.5 Ma,with three age groups of 270–196 Ma,162–142 Ma,and 137–71 Ma,respectively.Except for the late Paleozoic-Mesozoic rocks in the basement of the northern SCS,a few old zircon grains with the age of(2708.1±17)Ma to(2166.6±19)Ma provide clues to the existence of the pre-Proterozoic components.The geochemical signatures indicate that the middle Permian-early Cretaceous granitoids from the Qiongdongnan Basin are I-type granites formed in a volcanic arc environment,which were probably related to the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate.

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.

Structure of the Upper Mantle and Transition Zone Beneath the South China Block Imaged by Finite Frequency Tomography

We applied the finite frequency tomography method to S wave data recorded by 350 broadband stations beneath the South China Block（SCB） and its surroundings from earthquakes occurring between July 2007 and July 2010,to better understand upper mantle deformation.Differential travel-times in the pair of stations with appropriate weighting for each station are used in the inversion.Our results are consistent with previous tomography that show a high velocity anomaly beneath the Sichuan basin and a high velocity anomaly in the transition zone beneath the Yangtze Craton.However,the resolution of mantle heterogeneity provides new insight into the tectonic framework of subduction of Burmese lithosphere in the west part of the study region and subduction of oceanic lithosphere in the east.In the subduction realm,west of 107°E,a significant fast S-wave anomaly is located on the southeast of Sichuan Basin.East of 107°E,and two narrow and discontinuous fast S-wave anomalies occur at a depth of 400-600 km beneath the middle of the South China block overlain by the pronounced low S-wave anomalies at a depth of 100 and 400 km.If the fast anomalies located in the mantle transition zone represent stagnant slabs,their fragmented nature may suggest that they could be produced by different episodes of subduction beneath western Pacific island and the above slow velocity anomaly may associated with the back-arc regions of ongoing subduction.In addition,tomography also reveals an anomalously high S-wave velocity continental root extends eastward to a depth 400 km beneath the eastern Sichuan Basin.This anomaly may be related to eastern extrusion of Indian lithosphere associated with the collision of India and Eurasia.Moreover,our results also show large slow anomalies beneath the Red River fault region connected to deeper anomalies beneath the South China Fold Belt and South China Sea.AH these observations are consistent with the scenario that the South China block has been built by both of subduction of Paleopacific plate and eastward subduction of Burma microplate.

Recycling of crustal materials and implications for lithospheric thinning: Evidence from Mesozoic volcanic rocks in the Hailar-Tamtsag Basin, NE China

Late Mesozoic Nb-rich basaltic andesites and high-Mg adakitic volcanic rocks from the Hailar-Tamtsag Basin,northeast China,provide important insights into the recycling processes of crustal materials and their role in late Mesozoic lithospheric thinning.The Late Jurassic Nb-rich basaltic andesites(154±4 Ma)are enriched in large-ion lithophile and light rare earth elements,slightly depleted in high-field-strength elements,and have high TiO_(2),P_(2)O_(5),and Nb contents,and(Nb/Th)PM and Nb/U ratios,which together with the relatively depleted Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic compositions indicate a derivation from a mantle wedge metasomatized by hydrous melts from subducted oceanic crust.The Early Cretaceous high-Mg adakitic volcanic rocks(129-117 Ma)are characterized by low Y and heavy rare earth element contents,and high Sr contents and Sr/Y ratios,similar to those of rocks derived from partial melting of an eclogitic source.They also have high Rb/Sr,K_(2)O/Na_(2)O,and Mg#values,and high MgO,Cr,and Ni contents.These geochemical features suggest that the adakitic lavas were derived from partial melting of delaminated lower continental crust,followed by interaction of the resulting melts with mantle material during their ascent.Our data,along with available geological,paleomagnetic,and geophysical evidence,lead us to propose that recycling of Paleo-Pacific oceanic crustal materials into the upper mantle due to flat-slab subduction and rollback of the Paleo-Pacific Plate during the late Mesozoic likely provided the precondition for lithospheric thinning in northeast China,with consequent lithospheric delamination causing recycling of continental crustal materials and further lithospheric thinning.

Mineralization,Geochemistry and Zircon U-Pb Ages of the Paodaoling Porphyry Gold Deposit in the Guichi Region,Lower Yangtze Metallogenic Belt,Eastern China

The newly discovered Paodaoling porphyry Au deposit from the Guichi region, Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt （LYRB）, contains 〉35 tons of Au at an average grade of -1.7 g/t. It is a porphyry ＇Au-only＇ deposit, as revealed by current exploration in the depths, mostly above -400 m, which is quite uncommon among coeval porphyry mineralization along the LYRB. Additionally, there are also Cu-Au bearing porphyries and barren alkaline granitoids in the Paodaoling district. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of the Cu-Au-bearing porphyries yield an age of 141-140 Ma, falling within the main magmatic stage of the LYRB, whereas the barren granites give an age of 125-120 Ma, coeval with the regional A- type granites. The Cu-Au-bearing porphyries are LILE-, LREE-enriched and HFSE-depleted, typical of arc magmatic affinities. The barren granites are HFSE-enriched, with lower LREE/HREE ratios and pronounced negative Eu anomalies. The Cu-Au-bearing porphyries in the Paodaoling district have high oxygen fugacities and high water content. Pyrite sulfur isotopes of the Paodaoling gold deposit indicate a magmatic-sedimentary mixed source for the ore-forming fluids. Based on the alteration and poly-metal zonation of the deepest exploration drill hole from the Paodaoling Au deposit, we propose that Cu ore bodies could lie at depth beneath the current Au ore bodies. The magmatism and associated Cu-Au mineralization of the Paodaoling district are likely to have formed in a subduction setting, during slab rollback of the paleo-Pacific plate.

Source and possible tectonic driver for Jurassic-Cretaceous gold deposits in the West Qinling Orogen, China

The West Qinling Orogen(WQO) in Central China Orogenic Belt contains numerous metasedimentary rock-hosted gold deposits(>2000 t Au), which mainly formed during two pulses: one previously recognized in the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic(T3 - J1) and one only recently identified in the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous(J3 - K1). Few studies have focused on the origin and geotectonic setting of the J3 - K1 gold deposits.Textural relationships, LA-ICP-MS trace element and sulfur isotope compositions of pyrites in hydrothermally altered T3 dykes within the J3 - K1 Daqiao deposit were used to constrain relative timing relationships between mineralization and pyrite growth in the dykes, and to characterize the source of ore fluid. These results are integrated with an overview of the regional geodynamic setting, to advance understanding of the tectonic driver for J3 - K1 hydrothermal gold systems. Pyrite in breccia-and dykehosted gold ores at Daqiao have similar chemical and isotopic compositions and are considered to be representative of J3 - K1 gold deposits in WQO. Co/Ni and sulfur isotope ratios suggest that ore fluids were derived from underlying Paleozoic Ni-and Se-rich carbonaceous sedimentary rocks. The geochemical data do not support the involvement of magmatic fluids. However, in the EQO(East Qinling Orogen), J3 - K1 deposits are genetically related to magmatism. Gold mineralization in WQO is contemporaneous with magmatic deposits in the EQO and both are mainly controlled by NE-and EWtrending structures produced by changes in plate motion of the Paleo-Pacific plate as it was subducted beneath the Eurasian continent. We therefore infer that the J3 - K1 structural regime facilitated the ascent of magma in the EQO and metamorphic fluids in the WQO with consequent differences in the character of contemporaneous ore deposits. If this is correct, then the far-field effects of subduction along the eastern margin of NE Asia extended 1000's of km into the continental interior.

Comparative geochemical study of the cherty rocks of the Taukha terrane(Sikhote-Alin)and its paleogeodynamic significance

The article presents the results of a comparative geochemical study of cherts and siliceous-clayey rocks composing the tectono-sedimentary complexes of various structural levels of the Taukha terrain of the Sikhote-Alin Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous accretionary prism.The data obtained show that the same-aged parts of the crosssections of the cherty-terrigenous sequences of the terrane lower and middle structural levels are characterized by significantly different contents and distribution patterns of major petrogenic oxides,trace,and rare-earth elements due to their accumulation in various facies of oceanic zones.The set of geochemical data indicates that the formation of both tectono-sedimentary complexes was carried out differently,gradually replacing each others’facies oceanic zones,and started in the near-spreading ridge area,then in the pelagial,and completed in the continental-margin deposition environment.Based on the time interval of the facies conditions changing for each complex(i.e.,time of transition from one facies zone to another),the speeds of a paleo-oceanic plate motion(and,correspondingly,the speeds of spreading)for individual intervals of the Jurassic were calculated.Differences in the spreading speeds at various sites of a paleorift zone caused the turning of a paleocontinent margin contour and spreading ridge axis at the perpendicular position,which in turn caused change of the geodynamic mode on the eastern margin of the PaleoAsian continent at the Jurassic-Cretaceous transition.

Zircon U-Pb geochronology,geochemistry and petrogenesis of syenogranite from Angeer Yinwula area in Inner Mongolia

The study presents the results of U-Pb dating of zircons and whole-rock geochemical analyses of syenogranite in Angeer Yinwula area, China, with the aim of determining its formation time, petrogenesis and regional setting. Zircon U-Pb data obtained by LA-ICP-MS indicate that the syenogranite formed in the Early Cretaceous(136.1±0.9 Ma). Geochemically, the rock is characterized by high SiO_2(76.63%--77.58%) and Na_2O+K_2O(8.00%--8.32%), low MgO(0.02%--0.04%) and TFe_2O_3(0.51%--0.84%), and is enriched in LREEs and LILEs, depleted in HREEs and HFSEs. It belongs to high-K calc-alkaline, metaluminous-weakly peraluminous, exhibiting an affinity to I-type granite. All these characteristics implied that the syenogranite in this region derived from crust-mantle mixed source. Overall, the regional geology, geochronology and geochemical features suggest that the formation of the syenogranite was related to the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean.

Geochronology and geochemistry of the W-Mo-ore-related granitic rocks from eastern Ningzhen,lower Yangtze river belt,eastern China

Here we present zircon U–Pb–Hf and wholerock major and trace element studies of eastern Ningzhen W-Mo-ore-related magmatic rocks,Yushan and Longwangshan granitic rocks,to constrain their form timing,magma sources,and tectonic settings.The results showed that the two plutons were formed in the Early Cretaceous with;Pb/;U ages of 107.8±1.2 and 105.2±1.5 Ma(;Pb/;U),respectively.The trapped/residual zircons are mainly distributed in 2.0–2.5 Ga.The two intrusions are characterized by high silicon(68.60–73.99%),high aluminum(13.56–15.02%),high Mg#(47–55),high Sr,Sr/Y,LaN/YN,and low Yb,falling into high Mg#adakitic rock region.The zirconεHf(t)values of the two intrusions range from-24.8 to-13.2,indicating an ancient continental crust in their magma sources.The average Ti-inzircon temperature is 689°C,slightly higher than those of other high-Mg adakitic rocks in the lower Yangtze River belt,but lower than those of high-Mg adakitic rocks in the Southern Tanlu Fault(STLF).Zircon Ce;/Ce;show low oxygen fugacity(LWS-1:3–400,average 92;sample ZYS-4:9–382,average 93).These geochemical features indicate a thickened lower continental crust in the Eastern Ningzhen region in a subduction setting.Comparing the geochemical characteristics of the eastern Ningzhen to the western Ningzhen and other areas in the Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt(LYRMB)and the high-Mg ore-barren adakitic rocks of the STLF,we propose that the magmatic rocks from eastern Ningzhen may be mainly from a thickened lower continental crust that hybridized with a very small part of mantle sources,while the west Ningzhen magmatic rocks may have experienced a higher degree of mantle contaminations in their source.The metallogenic differences between the eastern(W–Mo)and western(Cu–Fe–Pb–Zn)parts of Ningzhen also indicate different proportions of crustal materials in their magma source.

Geochronology and geochemistry of Baicaogou tuff in Yanji,NE China and its tectonic implications for Early Cretaceous

The authors studied zircon U-Pb age and geochemical data of Baicaogou tuff in Yanji,Jilin Province.The results indicate that the rocks formed in Early Cretaceous( 125. 6 ± 2. 3 Ma). Geochemically,these tuffs have high Si O2 and total Na2 O + K2 O,low Mg O and Fe O,and they belong to metaluminous series,the rock are enriched in LREEs and LILEs,depleted in HREEs and HFSEs such as Nb,Ta,Ti,and P,exhibiting an affinity to I-type granite. All these characteristics implied that the volcanic rocks were derived from partial melting of lower crust. Combined with the geochronology and geochemical features of the coeval igneous rocks within NE China,it is concluded that Yanji area was in a back-arc extensional setting in response to the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate.

U-Pb-Hf isotopes and petrogenesis of Late Jurassic akakitic quartz monzodiorite in Xingcheng area,western Liaoning Province

The petrogenesis and geodynamic setting of the Late Jurassic Baita porphyry quartz monzodiorite in Xingcheng-Liaoxi area provide information for understanding the Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the northeastern North China Craton.In this paper,geochronological,whole-rock geochemical,and in-situ zircon Hf isotopic analyses of Baita porphyry quartz monzodiorite were investigated to constrain the crystallization age and petrogenesis.Zircons exhibit typical oscillatory zoning in cathodoluminescence images and show relatively high Th/U ratios(0.78-1.62),and U-Pb analyses indicate that these rocks were crystallized during the Late Jurassic(159±1 Ma).Geochemically,they are characterized by high contents of SiO 2(65.21wt%-65.31wt%),Al 2O 3(16.29wt%-16.31wt%),Sr(521×10^(-6)-539×10^(-6)),and Sr/Y ratio(45.1-47.8)but low Y(10.9×10^(-6)-12.0×10^(-6)),with obvious adakitic geochemical affinities.These above-mentioned findings,combined with their negativeε_(Hf)(t)values(-21.7 to-20.2),corresponding two-stage model age(T_( DM2))of 2579-2484 Ma,as well as low MgO(1.38wt%-1.39wt%),Cr(18.5×10^(-6)-19.5×10^(-6))and Ni(9.45×10^(-6)-9.46×10^(-6))values,indicate that Baita porphyry quartz monzodiorite may be generated by partial melting of the Neoarchean-Paleoproterozoic thickened basaltic lower crust.Based on the results from this study and pre-vious regional studies,it is concluded that Baita porphyry quartz monzodiorite was spatially related to the westward subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate.

Causes of Cretaceous subduction termination below South China and Borneo:Was the Proto-South China Sea underlain by an oceanic plateau?

The South China,Indochina,and Borneo margins surrounding the South China Sea contain long-lived arcs that became inactive at approximately 85 Ma,even though an embayment of oceanic crust(the‘Proto-South China Sea’)remained in the intervening region.This oceanic crust eventually subducted in the Cenozoic below Borneo and the Cagayan arc,while the modern South China Sea opened in its wake.To investigate the enigmatic cessation of Mesozoic subduction below South China and Borneo,we studied a fragment of oceanic crust and overlying trench-fill sediments that accreted to NW Borneo during the final stages of Paleo-Pacific subduction.Based on radiolarian biostratigraphy of cherts overlying the pillow basalts and detrital zircon geochronology of the trench-fill,we constrained the minimum age of the oceanic crust during accretion to 40 Ma.This shows that subduction cessation was not related to ridge subduction.Geochemical analysis of pillow basalts revealed an enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt signature comparable to oceanic plateaus.Using paleomagnetism,we show that this fragment of oceanic crust was not part of the Izanagi Plate but was part of a plate(the‘Pontus’Plate)separated from the Izanagi Plate by a subduction zone.Based on the minimum 40 Ma age of the oceanic crust and its geochemistry,we suggest that Mesozoic subduction below South China and Borneo stopped when an oceanic plateau entered the trench,while the eastern plate margin with the Izanagi Plate remained active.We show how our findings offer opportunities to restore plate configurations of the Panthalassa-Tethys junction region.

In situ U-Pb dating and trace elements of magmatic rutile from Mujicun Cu-Mo deposit,North China Craton:Insights into porphyry mineralization

Porphyry Cu(Mo-Au)deposit is one of the most important types of copper deposit and usually formed under magmatic arc-related settings,whilst the Mujicun porphyry Cu-Mo deposit in North China Craton uncommonly generated within intra-continental settings.Although previous studies have focused on the age,origin and ore genesis of the Mujicun deposit,the ore-forming age,magma source and tectonic evolution remain controversial.Here,this study targeted rutile(TiO_(2))in the ore-hosting diorite porphyry from the Mujicun Cu-Mo deposit to conduct in situ U-Pb dating and trace element composition studies,with major views to determine the timing and magma evolution and to provide new insights into porphyry Cu-Mo metallogeny.Rutile trace element data show flat-like REE patterns characterized by relatively enrichment LREEs and depleted HREEs,which could be identified as magmatic rutile.Rutile U-Pb dating yields lower intercept ages of 139.3–138.4 Ma,interpreted as post magmatic cooling timing below about 500℃,which are consistent or slightly postdate with the published zircon U-Pb ages of diorite porphyry(144.1–141.7 Ma)and skarn(146.2 Ma;139.9 Ma)as well as the molybdenite Re-Os ages of molybdenum ores(144.8–140.0 Ma).Given that the overlap between the closure temperature of rutile U-Pb system and ore-forming temperature of the Mujicun deposit,this study suggests that the ore-forming ages of the Mujicun deposit can be constrained at 139.3–138.4 Ma,with temporal links to the late large-scale granitic magmatism at 138–126 Ma in the Taihang Orogen.Based on the Mg and Al contents in rutile,the magma of ore-hosting diorite porphyry was suggested to be derived from crust-mantle mixing components.In conjunction with previous studies in Taihang Orogen,this study proposes that the far-field effect and the rollback of the subducting Paleo-Pacific slab triggered lithospheric extension,asthenosphere upwelling,crust-mantle interaction and thermo-mechanical erosion,which jointly facilitated the formation of dioritic magmas during the Early Cretaceous.Subsequently,the dioritic magmas carrying crust-mantle mixing metallic materials were emplaced and precipitated at shallow positions along NNE-trending ore-controlling faults,eventually resulting in the formation of the Mujicun Cu-Mo deposit within an intracontinental extensional setting.