Zircon and Monazite Ages Constraints on Devonian Magmatism and Granulite-Facies Metamorphism in the Southern Qaidam Block:Implications for Evolution of Proto-and Paleo-Tethys in East Asia

High-temperature magma generation process and granulite-facies metamorphism can provide important information about mantle-crustal interaction and tectonic evolution. The strongly peralu- minous monzonite pluton, the Jinshuikou cordierite granite on the southern margin of the Qaidam Block, can provide important information about the mantle-crustal interaction and constraints on tectonic tran- sition from Proto-Tethys to Paleo-Tethys. This pluton develops enclaves of mafic granulite, amphibolite and quartzofeldspathic rocks, and is cut by massive monzonitic leuco-granite veins. Zircon and monazite U-Pb dating for the cordierite granite, the granulite enclaves and a massive monzonitic leuco-granite vein reveal that the cordierite granitic magma was generated from Mesoproterozoic continental crust with protolith derived from a provenanee that was composed of 〉2.8 Ga old recycled crustal materials and re- corded a -1.7 Ga magmatic event. The continental crust underwent low-pressure granulite-facies metamorphism at -380 Ma ago, whereas the cordierite granite magmas was generated and emplaced during 380 Ma, followed by intrusion of the massive monzonitic leuco-granite vein at circa 370-330 Ma. These data suggest that after the final closure of Proto-Tethys Ocean spreading along the southern Qaidam Block at -420 Ma, break-off of the subducted slab or delamination of the lower crustal base and upwelling of the asthenospheric mantle beneath the southern Qaidam Block occurred before the Mid-Devonian, and that the initiation of the Paleo-Tethys tectonics might initiate near the end of Early-Carboniferous in the East Kunlun-Qaidam region, East Asia.

Tethyan evolution from early Paleozoic to early Mesozoic in southwest Yunnan

The Tethys orogenic belt in SW Yunnan constitutes a critical part of the expansive Tethys-Himalayan tectonic domain.The abundant,well-preserved geologic records make it an ideal area for studying the tectonic evolution of Proto-and Paleo-Tethys.In this paper,we focus on several major tectonic units in SW Yunnan and reconstruct the Tethyan evolution from the early Paleozoic to the early Mesozoic,based on stratigraphic,sedimentologic,and magmatic evidences.The recently discovered early Paleozoic Yunxian-Menghai ophiolitic belt in the Lincang Terrane situated east of the Changning-Menglian Belt represents the suture zone of the Proto-Tethys.The oceanic basin of Proto-Tehtys opened in the latest Neoproterozoic and subsequently began subducting in the late Miaolingian of the Cambrian(about 505 Ma).From the late Late Ordovician to the ealiest Silurian(about 450–442 Ma),the Proto-Tethys basin gradually closed resulting in the collision of the continental plates on both sides of the Proto-Tethyan ocean.The main collision stage occurred in the early Silurian(about 442–430 Ma)and the postcollision stage lasted from the mid-Silurian to the early Carboniferous(430–355 Ma).The earliest record of Paleo-Tethyan oceanic crust was generated in the late Devonian,and the ocean was then subducted in an eastward direction in the middle Late Carboniferous(about 310 Ma).The initial collision stage in the Paleo-Tethys took place at the end of the Permian(about 253Ma),and the main stage of the collision persisted into the early Ladinian(about 253–238 Ma).This was followed by postcollision extension from the late Ladinian to the early Jurassic(ca.238–196 Ma).We suggest that the opening of Paleo-Tethyan Ocean in SW Yunnan was a result of the extensional rift basin of the Proto-Tethys.Additionally,the activity of the Manxin mantle plume was likely a crucial factor in the rapid expansion of the Paleo-Tethyan Ocean.

Petrotectonic Evolution of Paleo-Tethys in Western Yunnan,China

The Western Yunnan is just situated in juncture area of the Yangtze,Indosinia and Shan-Thai Microcontinents,with the geosuture zones among them marked by ophiolite suites and blue schists.Agreat number of petrological data support systematic evidences for Paleo-Tethys occurring in the area,andaccording to them,the tectonic evolution is reconstructed.Paleo-Tethys might be a poly-island ocean duringthe Late Paleozoic,and relic oceanic basins developed in Triassic1 Neo-Tethys immigrated westwards intoBurma.The area is an orogenic belt experiencing complicated subduction and violent continent-continent col-lision,and reformed by the younger structures,specially the Himalayan movement.