Zircon SHRIMP U–Pb geochronology,geochemistry,and geological significance of dacite in the Zhesang gold district,southeast Yunnan Province,China

The Late Paleozoic and Mesozoic tectonic framework of the Nanpanjiang Basin has much been disputed.Herein,the middle-acid volcanic rock,dacite,exposed to the Zhesang gold district,southeast Yunnan Province,has been analyzed.The results show that the dacite belongs to a calc-alkaline series,SiO_(2)contents range from 62.79 to 76.66 wt%.Zircon SHRIMP U–Pb dating of dacite demonstrates that they were formed in the Early Triassic(247.8±1.7 Ma,MSWD=1.2).All samples exhibit enrichment in LILE(e.g.Rb,K,Th,and U),and depletion in HFSE(e.g.Nb,Ta,and Ti),which has the geochemical affinity of I-type granite.La–La/Sm and La–La/Yb discrimination diagrams show that the partial melting,mainly of the mafic lower crust,of rocks,plays a major role in the formation process.The dacite has low initial ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr ratios(0.706954 to 0.708589)and negative ε_(Nd)(t)values(-11.77 to-10.88).Zircons in dacite have ε_(Hf)(t)values of-16.2 to-8.3,and the two-stage Hf model ages are 1799–2301 Ma,mostly concentrated between 1800 and 1900 Ma,indicating that the magma source area is the reconstructed ancient lower crust mixed with some mantle materials,and crystal fractionation process underwent in the late stage of magma migration.This study reveals that the arc-volcanic rocks of the Early Triassic in the southern margin of the Nanpanjiang Basin were formed by the subduction of the Late Paleozoic ocean basin within the border region between China and Vietnam.

铜陵地区晚古生代岩浆活动的发现:来自凤凰山岩体ZK66钻孔岩心辉绿岩锆石U–Pb定年的证据

凤凰山花岗闪长岩是铜陵地区出露面积最大的岩体,约10 km2,属高钾钙碱性系列。位于该岩体西北角的朱家山附近ZK66钻孔揭示,岩体超覆于三叠纪碳酸盐岩地层之上。除在浅部见到花岗闪长岩之外,深部主要见到晚泥盆世—二叠纪地层。特别是在石炭纪大理岩中见到辉绿岩和花岗斑岩,其锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年龄分别为304 Ma和132 Ma,证明本区存在晚古生代岩浆活动,而中生代花岗质岩浆活动可能持续到132 Ma。晚石炭世辉绿岩的发现,说明该时期海底是一种拉张环境,海底喷流作用可能与岩浆活动有密切的成因关系,为该时期形成大型矿床奠定了基础。

Zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotope geochemistry of magmatic and metamorphic rocks from the Hida Belt, southwest Japan

Zircon U–Pb and Hf isotope data integrated in this study for magmatic and metamorphic rocks fromthe Hida Belt,southwest Japan,lead to a new understanding of the evolution of the Cordilleran arc system along the ancestral margins of present-day Northeast Asia.Ion microprobe data for magmatic zircon domains from eight mafic tointermediate orthogneisses in the Tateyama and Tsunogawa areas yielded weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages spanning the entire Permian period(302–254 Ma).Under cathodoluminescence,primary magmatic growth zones in the zircon crystals were observed to be partially or completely replaced by inward-penetrating,irregularly curved featureless or weakly zoned secondary domains that mostly yielded U–Pb ages of 250–240 Ma and relatively high Th/U ratios(>0.2).These secondary domains are considered to have been formed by solid-state recrystallization during thermal overprints associated with intrusions of Hida granitoids.Available whole-rock geochemical and Sr–Nd isotope data as well as zircon age spectra corroborate that the Hida Belt comprises the Paleozoic–Mesozoic Cordilleran arc system built upon the margin of the North China Craton,together with the YeongnamMassif in southern Korea.The arcmagmatismalong this systemwas commenced in the Carboniferous and culminated in the Permian–Triassic transition period.Highly positiveεHf(t)values(>+12)of late Carboniferous to early Permian detrital zircons in the Hida paragneisses indicate that there was significant input from the depleted asthenospheric mantle and/or its crustal derivatives in the early stage of arc magmatism.On the other hand,near-chondriticεHf(t)values(+5 to−2)of magmatic zircons from late Permian Hida orthogneisses suggest a lithospheric mantle origin.Hf isotopic differences between magmatic zircon cores and the secondary rims observed in some orthogneiss samples clearly indicate that the zircons were chemically open to fluids or melts during thermal overprints.Resumed highly positive zirconεHf(t)values(>+9)shared by Early Jurassic granitoids in the Hida Belt and Yeongnam Massif may reflect reworking of the Paleozoic arc crust.

The Late Early Cretaceous Mo Mineralization in the South China Mo Province: Constraints from U–Pb and Re–Os Geochronology of the Lufeng Porphyry Mo Deposit

Compared to other Mo provinces,few studies focused on the South China Mo Province(SCMP),especially for Early Cretaceous Mo mineralization.The Lufeng porphyry Mo deposit in the SCMP is characterized by disseminated and veinlet-type mineralization in granite porphyry,gneiss,and rhyolite.In this study,six molybdenite samples yield a Re–Os isochron age of 108.0±1.8 Ma,which is consistent with the zircon U–Pb age of the granite porphyry(108.4±0.8 Ma).The coincidence of magmatic and hydrothermal activities indicates that Mo mineralization was associated with the intrusion of granite porphyry during the late Early Cretaceous.A compilation of U–Pb and Re–Os chronological data suggests that an extensive and intensive Mo mineralization event occurred in the SCMP during the late Early Cretaceous.The marked difference in molybdenite Re contents between Cu-bearing(85–536 ppm)and Cu-barren(1.3–59 ppm)Mo deposits of the late Early Cretaceous indicates that the ore-forming materials were derived from strong crust–mantle interactions.Together with regional petrological and geochemical data,this study suggests that late Early Cretaceous Mo mineralization in the SCMP occurred in an extensional setting associated with the roll-back of the Paleo-Pacific slab.

U–Pb LA-ICP-MS geochronology of polygenetic zircons from Beshta and Kamenistaya intrusions(the Greater Caucasus)

The Beshta-Kamenistaya intrusions are located in the Main Range structural zone of the Greater Caucasus.They are composed of tonalitic gneisses that genetically resemble granites of the tholeiitic series of the ophiolitic complexes.The Beshta-Kamenistaya orthogneisses and associated rocks of the nappes differ markedly from those of the Main Range zone.All of them were overthrust to the Main Range zone during the Bretonian orogeny.The age of their protolith and the metamorphism are still not defined.Using the zircon U-Pb LA-ICP-MS dating two age populations of zircons have been distinguished in the rocks of the Beshta-Kamenistaya intrusions.The age of the main population of zircons from orthogneisses is 426-300 Ma.Several age groups can be distinguished in this population.The main group yielded a Concordia age of386.9±1.4 Ma.There are also smaller peaks at 409-405,375-373,and 351 Ma.The oldest ages(426-395 Ma)were detected in the core parts of the complex crystals.We assume that the crystallization of the parental for orthogneisses rocks(tonalities)took place at 410-395 Ma,whereas the Concordia age of 386.9±1.4 Ma and a peak at 375-373 Ma correspond to the metamorphic event.The whole metamorphic cycle,including progressive and regressive stages,occurred between 395 and 370 Ma.Zircons,dated in the Beshta-Kamenistaya intrusion at350 Ma and younger,correspond to the Late Variscan orogeny.Zircons dated 3102-2769 Ma represent xenocrysts captured by the melts during their formation from the ancient rocks in the crystalline basement.

Episodic crustal growth and reworking at the southeastern margin of the North China Craton: evidence from zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopes of Archean tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite gneisses in the Bengbu-Wuhe area

The cratonization history of the North China Craton(NCC)and the nature of tectonothermal events are still highly controversial.Tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite(TTG)gneisses,as the dominant lithological assemblages in Archean metamorphic terranes,can provide significant clues to the magmatic and metamorphic evolution of Precambrian crust.This study presents zircon laser-ablation inductively-coupled-plasma mass spectrometry U–Pb ages,trace-element,and in-situ LA-MC-ICPMS zircon Hf isotope data for the TTG gneisses from the Bengbu-Wuhe area on the southeastern margin of the NCC.Cathodoluminescence images and trace elements indicated that magmatic zircons display the characteristics of euhedral-subhedral crystals with oscillatory growth zoning structures,high RREE contents,marked Ce positive anomalies,and Pr–Eu negative anomalies.The metamorphic zircons display the spherical-oval crystals with distinct core-rim structures,high and homogeneous luminescent intensity,lower RREE,Nb,Ta,Hf contents,relative flat REE patterns,weak Ce positive anomalies,and Pr-Eu negative anomalies.The Ti–in–zircon geothermometer data indicate that the crystallization temperature of the TTG gneiss ranged from 754 to 868℃.Zircon U–Pb ages indicate that the TTG gneisses formed at 2.79–2.77 Ga and 2.50 Ga and underwent metamorphism at 2.57–2.52 Ga.The Hf isotopic data indicate that the magmatic zircons exhibit high,positive eHf(t)values close to those of the coeval depleted mantle,whereas the metamorphic zircons exhibit negative or nil eHf(t)values.This implies that the TTG gneisses were derived from the partial melting of the~2.9–2.6 Ga juvenile crustal sources mixed with~3.0–2.8 Ga ancient crustal materials.Combined with the regional tectonic evolution,we propose that the metamorphic basement at the southeastern margin of the NCC underwent episodic crustal growth at~2.7 and~2.5 Ga and subsequently underwent crustal reworking or re-melting of the ancient crust during the Neoarchean.The Neoarchean TTG gneisses might have been derived from the partial melting of lower crustal materials related to plate subduction.

Zircon U–Pb dating,geochemical,and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopic constraints on the age and origin of intermediate to felsic igneous rocks at South Altyn,Xinjiang,China

As a part of a giant trending fault system in the Asian continent and one where a strong zone of left strikeslip fault is present,the Altyn Orogenic belt(AOB)has become an important focus for research.Magmatic rocks are widely distributed across the AOB.However,many investigations have focused primarily on Paleozoic igneous rocks;discussion of Mesozoic related igneous activity is often ignored.Here we present the result of studies of representative diorite and granite rocks outcropping in the AOB,within the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,South Altyn,China.We present new zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb age,geochemical,and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic data for these sample suites,identifying them as typical igneous rocks formed between 238±1.5 and 238.8±1.1 Ma.The rocks that we studied fall into the alkaline series,also enriched in light rare earth elements(LREE),some large ion lithophile elements(LILE;e.g.,Rb,Ba,Sr,and K),Pb,Th and U,and depleted in heavy rare earth elements(HREE),Nb,Ta,Hf,and Ti.The granite and diorite have high initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios(0.7062-0.7114),negativeεNd(t)values(-8.8 to-11.3),εHf(t)values(-8.7 to-18.7),and relatively constant Pb isotopic ratios((206-Pb/204Pb)i=6.74-17.884,(207Pb/204Pb)i=15.51-15.58,and(208Pb/204Pb)i=35.36-38.04),respectively.This suggests that the magmas parental to these rocks were generated from the partial melting of the ancient crust.The parental magmas to these rocks experienced a degree of fractionation of plagioclase,K-feldspar,and hornblende,possibly during rapid magma ascent.Based on these studies,we propose a reasonable model for the origin of the investigated rocks from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of South Altyn,which involves crustal thickening,lithospheric extension,and asthenosphere upwelling,that induced crustal melting.

U–Pb Zircon Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Neoproterozoic Liujiaping Group Volcanics in the Northwest Margin of the Yangtze Block:Implications For the Breakup of the Rodinia Supercontinent

Investigation of the petrogenesis and the origin of zircons from the volcanic rocks of the Liujiaping Group of the back-Longmenshan tectonic belt in the northwest margin of the Yangtze Block is conducted by analysis of U–Pb geochronology and geochemistry. Results show that selected zircons are characterized by internal oscillatory zonings and high Th/U ratios(0.43–1.18), indicating an igneous origin. Geochronological results of LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating of the Liujiaping Group zircons yield an age of 809 ± 11 Ma(MSWD = 2.2), implying that the volcanic rocks were formed in the Late Neoproterozoic. Geochemical analysis shows that the rocks are calc-alkaline, supersaturated in Al, and metaluminous to weakly peraluminous. Rare-earth elements are present at high concentrations(96.04–265.48 ppm) and show a rightward incline and a moderately negative Eu anomaly, similar to that of continental rift rhyolite. Trace element geochemistry is characterized by evident negative anomalies of Nb, Ta, P, Th, Ti, inter alia, and strong negative anomalies of K, Rb, Sr, et al. We conclude that the Liujiaping Group volcanic rocks resulted from typical continental crust source petrogenesis and were formed in a continental margin setting, which had no relation to subduction, and thus, were the products of partial melting of the lower crust due to crustal thickening caused by active continental margin subduction and arc–continent collision orogeny in the northwestern Yangtze Block and were triggered by the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent during the Neoproterozoic.

Geochemistry and Zircon U–Pb age of the Yao＇an pseudoleucite porphyry,Yunnan Province,China

The Yao'an Pb–Ag deposit, located in the Chuxiong Basin, western Yangtze Block, is an important component of the Jinshajiang–Ailaoshan alkaline porphyry–related polymetallic intrusive belt. This complex suite of rock bodies includes a vein of pseudoleucite porphyry within deposits of syenite porphyry and trachyte.The pseudoleucite is characterized by a variable greyish,greyish-white, and greyish-green porphyritic texture. Phenocrysts are mainly pseudoleucite with small amounts of alkali feldspar and biotite. In an intense event, leucite phenocrysts altered to orthoclase, kaolinite, and quartz.Both the pseudoleucite porphyry and the syenite porphyry samples were typical alkali-rich, K-rich, al-rich rocks with high LaN/YbNratios; enriched in light rare earth elements and large-ion lithophile elements, and depleted in high field strength elements; and with strongly negative Ta, Nb, and Ti(TNT) anomalies and slightly negative Eu anomalies—all characteristics of subduction-zone mantle-derived rock.We obtained a LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb age of 34.1 ± 0.3 Ma(MSWD = 2.4), which is younger than the established age of the Indian and Eurasian Plate collision.The magma derived from a Type-II enriched mantle formed in a post-collisional plate tectonic setting. The geochemical characteristics of the Yao'an pseudoleucite porphyry are powerful evidence that the porphyry'sdevelopment was closely linked to the Jinshajiang–Ailaoshan fault and to the Indian-Eurasian collision.

Zircon U–Pb dating and whole-rock elemental geochemistry of the Shazi anatase deposit in Qinglong,Western Guizhou,SW China

The Shazi deposit is a large-scale anatase deposit in Qinglong, Guizhou Province. Zircon grains from this deposit yielded a zircon U–Pb age of *259 Ma, representing the formation age of the deposit's parent rocks.This age is identical to the eruption age of the Emeishan large igneous province, indicating a synchronous magmatic event. The rare-earth-element patterns of laterite samples were similar to those of the weathered basalt sample, and sub-parallel to those of the Emeishan high-Ti basalts,implying a genetic relationship between the laterite and the basalt. The Chemical Index of Alteration values of laterite ranged from 96 to 98, suggesting a high degree of weathering. SiO_2, MgO, and alkaline metal elements decreased with increasing degree of weathering, while Al_2O_3, Fe_2O_3,and TiO_2 increased. We found the highest TiO_2 in laterite and the lowest in pillow basalts, indicating that Ti migrated from basalt to laterite.Our U–Pb dating and whole-rock elemental geochemistry analyses suggest that the Emeishan basalt is the parent rock of the Shazi anatase ore deposit.Based on our analysis, we propose a metallogenic model to explain the ore-forming process, in which the karst terrain formed by the Emeishan mantle plume and the subsequent basaltic magma eruption were the key factors in the formation the Shazi anatase ore deposit.

Tracing the provenance of aeolian loess in the Yangtze River Delta through zircon U–Pb age and geochemical investigations

Given the conflicts over the proposed formation mechanisms of Xiashu loess, the question of the provenance of sediments comprising the Xiashu loess in the Yangtze River Delta has not been satisfactorily resolved. In this study, the provenance of aeolian sediments of the Yangtze River Delta, China was examined by applying the detrial zircon U–Pb dating technique, Sr–Nd isotopic and trace element compositional analysis. U-Pb dating analysis was conducted on the Xiashu loess at three locations over the Yangtze River Delta, including Huangnishan(HNS) hill, Shengshan(SS) island and the Xuancheng(XC) area. The Xiashu loess and the sediments of the Yangtze River Valley share considerable similarity in their zircon U-Pb age spectra with the same main age peak and comparable age distribution. By contrast, significant differences in the age spectra, existbetween the Xiashu loess and loess deposits of Chinese Loess Plateau(CLP). Coarse grains of the Yangtze River Delta loess may have a proximal material source identical to the sediments from the Yangtze River valley. Sr–Nd isotopic values of the Xiashu loess match those from the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Rare earth element ratios independent of grain size illustrate that the values from loess of the Yangtze River Delta mostly overlap with those of CLP loess. This feature implies that loess from the Yangtze River Delta has a dominant source of distant material similar as the CLP loess. As such, we conclude that multi-proxy analysis of sediments can shed new light on tracing the provenance of aeolian loess in the Yangtze River Delta.

Zircon SHRIMP U–Pb age of Late Jurassic OIB-type volcanic rocks from the Tethyan Himalaya: constraints on the initial activity time of the Kerguelen mantle plume

This work presents zircon U–Pb age and wholerock geochemical data for the volcanic rocks from the Lakang Formation in the southeastern Tethyan Himalaya and represents the initial activity of the Kerguelen mantle plume. SHRIMP U–Pb dating of zircons from the volcanic rocks yielded a ^(206) Pb/^(238) U age of 147 ± 2 Ma that reflects the time of Late Jurassic magmatism. Whole rock analyses of major and trace elements show that the volcanic rocks are characterized by high content of Ti O_2(2.62 wt%–4.25 wt%) and P_2O_5(0.38 wt%–0.68 wt%), highly fractionated in LREE/HREE [(La/Yb)N= 5.35–8.31] with no obvious anomaly of Eu, and HFSE enrichment with no obvious anomaly of Nb and Ta, which are similar to those of ocean island basalts and tholeiitic basaltic andesites indicating a mantle plume origin. The Kerguelen mantle plume produced a massive amount of magmatic rocks from Early Cretaceous to the present, which widely dispersed from their original localities of emplacement due to the changing motions of the Antarctic, Australian, and Indian plates. However, our new geochronological and geochemical results indicate that the Kerguelen mantle plume started from the Late Jurassic. Furthermore, we suggest that the Kerguelen mantle plume may played a significant role in the breakup of eastern Gondwanaland according to the available geochronological, geochemical and paleomagnetic data.

Geochemistry and Zircon U–Pb–Hf Isotopic Systematics of the Sanchahe Quartz Monzonite Intrusion in the North Qinling Tectonic Zone, Central China: Implications for its Petrogenesis and Tectonic Setting

The Sanchahe quartz monzonite intrusion is situated in the middle segment of the North Qinling tectonic belt, Central China mainland, and consists chiefly of sanukitoid–like and granodioritic-monzogranitic rocks. The sanukitoid–like rocks are characterized by quartz monzonites, which display higher Mg#(55.0–59.0), and enrichments in Na2 O+K2 O(7.28–8.94 %), Ni(21-2312 ppm), Cr(56-4167 ppm), Sr(553-923 ppm), Ba(912-1355 ppm) and LREE((La/Yb)N =9.47–15.3), from negative to slightly positive Eu anomalies(δEu=+0.61 to +1.10), but also depletion in Nb, Ta and Ti. The granodioritic-monzogranitic rocks diaplay various Mg#of 6.00-53.0, high Na2 O+K2 O(7.20– 8.30%), Sr(455–1081 ppm) and(La/Yb)N(27.6–47.8), with positive Eu anomalies(δEu=1.03–1.57) and depleted Nb, Ta and Ti. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(LA-ICPMS) zircon U-Pb isotopic dating reveals that the sanukitoid-like rocks were emplaced at two episodes of magmatism at 457±3 Ma and 431±2 Ma, respectively. The monzogranites were emplaced at 445±7Ma. Sanukitoid–like rocks have their εHf(t) values ranging from +0.3 to +15.1 with Hf–depleted mantle model ages of 445 to 1056 Ma, and the monzogranite shows its εHf(t) values ranging from 21.6 to +10.8 with Hf–depleted mantle model ages of 635 to 3183 Ma. Petrological, geochemical and zircon Lu –Hf isotopic features indicate that the magmatic precursor of sanukitoid–like rocks was derived from partial melting of the depleted mantle wedge materials that were metasomatized by fluids and melts related to subduction of oceanic slab, subsequently the sanukitoid magma ascended to crust level. This emplaced mantle magma caused partial melting of crustally metamorphosed sedimentary rocks, and mixing with the crustal magma, and suffered fractional crystallization, which lead to formations of quartz monzonites. However, the magmatic precursor of the granodioritic-monzogranitic rocks were derived from partial melting of subducted oceanic slab basalts. Integrated previous investigation for the adackitic rocks in the south of the intrusion, the Sanchahe intrusion signed that the North Qinling tectonic zone was developed in an early Paleozoic transitionally tectonic background from an island arc to back–arc.

Constraints on sedimentary ages of the Chuanlinggou Formation in the Ming Tombs, Beijing, North China Craton: LA-ICP-MS and SHRIMP U–Pb dating of detrital zircons

Detrital zircons in five sedimentary samples,MC1 to MC5, from the bottom of the Chuanlinggou Formation in the Ming Tombs District, Beijing, were dated with the LA-ICP-MS and SHRIMP U–Pb methods. Age spectra of the five samples show a major peak at 2500 Ma and a secondary peak at 2000 Ma, suggesting their provenances were mainly from the crystalline basement of the North China Craton and the Trans-North China Orogen.The youngest zircon has an age of 1673 ± 44 Ma, indicating that the Chuanlinggou Formation was deposited after this age. From sample MC4 to MC5, lithology changed from a clastic rock(fine-grained sandstone) to a carbonate rock(fine-grained dolomite), suggesting that the depositional basin became progressively deeper. The age spectrum of sample MC5 shows a major peak at 2500 Ma and a secondary peak at 2000 Ma. Sample MC4, which is stratigraphically lower than sample MC5, only had one peak at 2500 Ma. We conclude that there was a transgressive event when sediments represented by MC5 was deposited, and seawater carried ca. 2000 Ma clastic materials to the basin where the Chuanlinggou Formation was deposited, leading to the addition of ca. 2000 Ma detritus.Our research indicates that the source area for the sediments became more extensive with time. We conclude thatthe Chuanlinggou Formation in the Ming Tombs District was deposited in a low-energy mud flat sedimentary environment in the inter-supra tidal zone because it is mainly composed of silty mudstone and fine-grained sandstone with relatively simple sedimentary structures.

Zircon U–Pb dating of Pubei granite and strontium isotope from sphalerite of the Xinhua Pb–Zn–(Ag) deposit,Yunkai Area of Guangxi Province,South China

The Yunkai Area is located at the southern South China Block and is part of the Qinzhou Bay-Hangzhou Bay Metallogenic Belt, which is a famous polymetallic mineralization belt. The Xinhua Pb–Zn–(Ag)deposit is located in the western part of Yunkai Area, with an abundance of Pubei batholiths. Zircon U–Pb geochronology of Pubei batholiths shows that crystallization age ranges from 251.9 ± 2.2 to 244.3 ± 1.8 Ma, thus belonging to Indosinian orogeny. Geochemistry and Sr isotopic compositions of the Pubei batholiths show that it is derived from the partial melting of large scale crustal melting during the stage of exhumation and uplifting of the lower-middle crust. In addition, strontium isotope of sphalerite from the Xinhua Pb–Zn–(Ag) deposit, has limited ranges in ^(87)Rb/^(86)Sr and ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr, ranging from 0.4077 to 1.0449, and 0.718720 to 0.725245, respectively. The initial ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr ratios of sphalerite ranges between 0.718720 and 0.725245, which is higher than that of upper continental crust and lower than that of the Pubei batholiths, illustrating the fluid might be derived from the mixing of Pubei pluton and upper continental crust.

U–Pb zircon age of the base of the Ediacaran System at the southern margin of the Qinling Orogen

Global abrupt climate change from Marinoan snowball Earth to greenhouse Earth, recorded as cap carbonate overlain on diamictite, had shed the first light on Cambrian bio-radiation. The most documented cap carbonate sections are typical with comprehensive d13 C negative values and ubiquitous sedimentary structures, such as tepee-like, sheet-crack etc., which are associated with successive glacial eustatic variation caused by isostatic rebound in shallow-water facies. Here we report a deepwater basinal cap carbonate section with strong negative δ^(13) C values in the southern margin of the Qinling Orogen,Heyu, Chengkou County, Chongqing in China, which consists of massive dolostone with abundant carbonaceous laminae. However, it lacks the sedimentary structure as mentioned above and is overlain by thin-bedded silicious shales and cherts. A K-bentonite bed was discovered within the base of cap carbonates, about 0.7 m above the top of the Marinoan diamictite. Magmatic zircons that were separated from the K-bentonite bed yield a SIMS concordia U–Pb age of 634.1 ± 1.9 Ma(1 r, MSWDCE= 0.31,ProbabilityCE= 1.000, n = 20). The age is in good agreement with previously reported TIMS U–Pb ages for the termination of Marinoan glaciation and provides ageochronological constraint for the Ediacaran successions in the Qinling Orogen.

Geochemistry, Zircon U–Pb Dating and Hf Isotopic Characteristics of Neoproterozoic Granitoids in the Yaganbuyang Area, Altyn Tagh, NW China

The South Altyn continental block is an important geological unit of the Altyn Tagh orogenic belt, in which numerous Neoproterozoic granitoids crop out. Granitoids are mainly located in the Paxialayidang–Yaganbuyang area and can provide indispensable information on the dynamics of Rodinia supercontinent aggregation during the Neoproterozoic. Therefore, the study of granitoids can help us understand the formation and evolutionary history of the Altyn Tagh orogenic belt. In this work, we investigated the Yaganbuyang granitic pluton through petrography, geochemistry, zircon U–Pb chronology, and Hf isotope approaches. We obtained the following conclusions:(1) Yaganbuyang granitoids mainly consist of two-mica granite and granodiorite. Geochemical data suggested that these granitoids are peraluminous calc–alkaline or high-K calc–alkaline granite types. Zircon U–Pb data yielded ages of 939±7.1 Ma for granodiorite and ~954 Ma for granitoids, respectively.(2) The εHf(t) values of two–mica granite and granodiorite are in the range of-3.93 to +5.30 and-8.64 to +5.19, respectively. The Hf model ages(TDM2) of two-mica granite and granodiorite range from 1.59–.05 Ga and 1.62–2.35 Ga, respectively, indicating that the parental magma of these materials is derived from ancient crust with a portion of juvenile crust.(3) Granitoids formed in a collisional orogen setting, which may be a response to Rodinia supercontinent convergence during the Neoproterozoic.

Zircon U–Pb age and geochemical constraints on the origin and tectonic implication of the Tuotuohe Cenozoic alkaline magmatism in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

A large number of Eocene-Oligocene alkaline/alkali-rich igneous rocks were developed in the Tuotuohe region of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.In this study,we present zircon U-Pb ages,Hf isotope data,and major and trace element compositions of the Cenozoic alkaline rocks from the Tuotuohe region in order to constraint the petrogenesis and tectonic evolution history of Qiangtang Block.Zircon U-Pb ages were measured via LA-ICP-MS to be39.6,37.6 and 32.0 Ma.The 39.6 Ma trachyte was characterized by low SiO2 and high K2O and MgO contents.The 37.6 and 32.0 Ma orthophyres show enrichment in SiO2 and K2O,but deficient in MgO.All of the samples belong to the alkaline rocks.These rocks display enrichment in REE,LREE,and LILE,depletion in HFSE,and no obvious Eu anomalies.Geological and geochemical features suggest that there were two possible mechanisms for the origin of the alkaline rocks in the Tuotuohe region:(1)the removed mafic lower crust dropped into the asthenosphere,forming the mix magma(Nariniya trachyte);(2)the upwelling asthenosphere triggered the crustal melting(Nariniya and Zamaqu orthophyre).The Eocene-Oligocene alkaline rocks in the study and adjacent areas are likely to be the result of the same tectonic-magmatic event of deep lithospheric evolution that is the crustal material melting triggered by lithospheric delamination.This conclusion extends the influence scope of lithospheric delamination eastward to the Tuotuohe region(*92°E)from Banda Co(*82°E).

Geochemistry, Monazite U–Pb Dating, and Li–Nd Isotopes of the Madi Rare Metal Granite in the Northeastern Part of the North China Craton

The Madi rare metal granite is a complex massif,which contains a variety of rare metals,such as Nb,Ta,Li,and Be.In this paper,the geochemical characteristics of the granite were obtained by multi-collector inductively coupled mass spectrometry(MC-ICP-MS).The precise crystalline age of the granite was obtained from monazite U-Pb dating,and the source of the granite was determined using Li-Nd isotopes.The Madi rare metal granite is a high-K(calc-alkaline),peraluminous,S-type granite.The U-Pb monazite age indicates that the crystalline age of the granite is 175.6 Ma,which is Early Jurassic.The granite is characterized by a relatively wide range ofδ7 Li values(+2.99‰to+5.83‰)and high lithium concentrations(181 ppm to 1022 ppm).The lithium isotopic composition of the granite does not significantly correlate with the degree of magmatic differentiation.An insignificant amount of lithium isotope fractionation occurred during the granitic differentiation.The lithium isotopic composition of the granite significantly differs from that of the wall rock,but it is very similar to that of a primitive mantle peridotite xenolith(meanδ7 Li value+3.5‰).The plot of Li concentration versusδ7 Li indicates that the Li isotopic composition of the granite is similar to that of island arc lavas.Based on the above-described evidence,the granite was mainly derived from the crust,but it was contaminated by a deep granitic magma.

东昆仑大格勒农场南辉长岩锆石U-Pb年代学、地球化学特征及地质意义

东昆仑志留纪岩浆活动强烈,记录了东昆仑造山带原特提斯洋演化晚期大洋俯冲阶段与碰撞阶段转换地质过程。本次研究对东昆仑大格勒农场南志留纪基性侵入岩开展了详细的岩相学、岩石地球化学、锆石U-Pb年代学和Hf同位素研究,以确定其形成时代、岩石成因和构造环境。研究结果表明大格勒农场南辉长岩的结晶年龄为430.2±2.4 Ma,形成时代为中志留世。辉长岩SiO_(2)(51.40%~53.66%)含量较低,MgO(18.56%~22.16%)和FeO^(T)(7.54%~10.64%)含量高,Mg^(#)为79~82。微量元素富集Rb、Th、Ba、Cs等大离子亲石元素(LILE),亏损Nb、Ta、Ti等高场强元素(HFSE),具有高Ni(276~973μg/g)、Cr(2152~3574μg/g)和Sc(35.5~53.1μg/g)含量,低Nb/Ta值(3.23~8.68)和εHf(t)值(-7.3~-3.6)。大格勒农场南辉长岩的地球化学组成具有岛弧基性岩特征,其成因可能是流体和俯冲沉积物加入的富尖晶石橄榄岩部分熔融的结果。综合区域资料表明,大格勒农场南辉长岩形成于东昆仑原特提斯洋俯冲晚期阶段,进一步限定原特提斯洋晚期俯冲与碰撞转换时限为中志留世,随后转入碰撞造山阶段。