Early Triassic Volcanic Rocks in the Western Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone:Implications for the Opening of the Neo-Tethys Ocean

In this study,zircon U-Pb dating of volcanic rocks from the Zhongba ophiolite of the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone(YZSZ)in southern Xizang(Tibet)yielded an age of 247±3 Ma.According to whole rock geochemical and Sr-NdPb isotopic data,the Early Triassic samples could be divided into two groups:Group 1 with P-MORB affinity,showing initial^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr ratios of 0.70253–0.70602,ε_(Nd)(t)values of 4.2–5.3,(^(206)Pb/^(204)Pb)_(t)ratios of 16.353–18.222,(^(207)Pb/^(204)Pb)_(t)ratios of 15.454–15.564,and(^(208)Pb/^(204)Pb)_(t)ratios of 35.665–38.136;Group 2 with OIB affinity,showing initial^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr ratios of 0.70249–0.70513,ε_(Nd)(t)values of 4.4–4.9,(^(206)Pb/^(204)Pb)_(t)ratios of 17.140–18.328,(^(207)Pb/^(204)Pb)_(t)ratios of 15.491–15.575,and(^(208)Pb/^(204)Pb)_(t)ratios of 36.051–38.247.Group 2 rocks formed by partial melting of the mantle source enriched by a former plume,and assimilated continental crustal material during melt ascension.The formation of Group 1 rocks corresponds to the mixing of OIB melts,with the same components as Group 2 and N-MORBs.The Zhongba Early Triassic rocks belong to the continental margin type ophiolite and formed in the continental–oceanic transition zone during the initial opening of the Neo-Tethys in southern Xizang(Tibet).

Petrological and Re-Os Isotopic Constraints on the Origin and Tectonic Setting of the Cuobuzha Peridotite, Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone, SW Tibet, China

The Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone（YZSZ）in southern Tibet includes the remnants of Neotethyan oceanic lithosphere and marks a major suture between the Indian Plate to the south and the Lhasa Terrane of Tibet to the north（Dupuis et al.,2005;Yang et al.,2011）.In the western part of the YZSZ,the Northern and the Southern sub-belts form two sub-parallel zones of mafic–ultramaficrockassemblageswithoverlapping crystallization ages（Xiong et al.,2011;Hebért et al.,2012;Liu et al.,2015）.The upper mantle section of the Cuobuzha ophiolite in the northern sub-belt of the Yarlung–Zangbo Suture Zone（YZSZ）in SW Tibet comprises mainly clinopyroxene（cpx）–rich and depleted harzburgites.Spinels in the cpx-harzburgites show lower Cr#values（12.6–15.1）than the spinels in the harzburgites（26.1–34.5）,and the cpx-harzburgites display higher heavy rare earth element concentrations than the depleted harzburgites.The harzburgites have subchondritic Os isotopic compositions（0.11624–0.11699）,whereas the cpx-harzburgites have suprachondritic 187Os/188Os ratios（0.12831–0.13125）with higher Re concentrations（0.380-0.575 ppb）.The cpx-harzburgites plot in a Re vs.Al2O3 diagram as a result of subsequent addition of Re following the last partial melting event that occurred during mid-ocean ridge melt evolution processes（Uysal et al.,2015）.Although these geochemical and isotopic signatures suggest that both peridotite types in the ophiolite represent mid-ocean ridge type upper mantle units,their melt evolution trends reflect different mantle processes.The cpx-harzburgites formed from low-degree partial melting（;%）of a primitive mantle source,and they weresubsequently modified by melt–rock interactions in a mid-ocean ridge environment.The depleted harzburgites,on the other hand,were produced by re-melting of the cpx-harzburgites,which later interacted with MORB-or island arc tholeiite（IAT）-like melts（Fig.1）possibly in a trench-distal backarc spreading center.Our new isotopic and geochemical data from the Cuobuzha peridotites confirm that the Neotethyan upper mantle had highly heterogeneous Os isotopic compositions as a result of multiple melt production and melt extraction events during its seafloor spreading evolution.

Remnants of a Middle Triassic Oceanic Lithosphere in the Western Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone, Southern Tibet

Discontinuous ophiolite suites along the Yarlung Zangbo suture zone(YZSZ)in southern Tibet representing remnants of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere are considered to be formed between Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous.Older ophiolite or ophiolitic mélange(e.g.Triassic)to reveal the initial evolution the Neo-Tethyan ocean within the YZSZ have rarely been documented so far.The western YZSZ extending from the Saga to Ladakh area are composed of the northern ophiolitic subbelt,the Zhongba terrane and the southern ophiolitic sub-belt.In this study,we document structural,petrological and geochronological data of mafic intrusions from the Mayoumu massif in the southern ophiolitic sub-belt of the western YZSZ.Two lithos-tectonic sub-units,the southern ophiolitic complex and the northern ophiolitic mélange,are recognized in the Mayoumu massif in terms of structural pattern and petrology.LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating of gabbro from the ophiolitic mélange yields an age of 243±1 Ma with zirconεHf(t)values of+7.9 to+13.2.Two samples of diabase samples from the ophiolite yield ages of 131±1 Ma and 124±1 Ma with zirconεHf(t)values ranging from+10.8 to+15.0 and+12.3 to+15.4,respectively.Geochemically,rare earth elements(REEs)patterns show that these mafic intrusions are similar to those of the normal mid-ocean-ridge basalt(N-MORB).Enrichment of fluidmobile elements(e.g.Rb and Ba)and depletion of Nb,and Ta suggest that these intrusions were possibly originated from melting of a depleted mantle source influenced by subducted slab.Our data strongly confirms that the Neo-Tethyan ocean between the Lhasa terrane and Gondwana had been existed since the Middle Triassic at least.The ages of the two diabases from the ophiolitic complex reveal that mafic magma activities within the Neo-Tethyan ocean could be as a continuing process during 120–130 Ma.Emplacement and preservation of older ophiolitic recorder during evolution of the Neo-Tethyan Ocean may be closely related to the occurrence of the Zhongba micro-terrane within the western YZSZ.

Electrical Structure of Yarlung Zangbo Suture from Magnetotelluric Profiling of INDEPTH-MT

The INDEPTH MT results show that there are no electrical features of deep fractures along the Yarlung Zangbo River, but a large high conductivity body exists in the area between Gyangze and Rinbung. It dips northward, extends downward up to the depth of about 55 km and indicates the exposure of the possible real position of the Yarlung Zangbo suture. There are three sets of electrical gradient and distorted zones reflecting the structure of faults in the high conductivity region. These three fault belts, which dip northward and gradually converge downward to the main fault belt, and a series of south dipping faults in the north side form the exhaled structural characteristics of the Yarlung Zangbo suture. There is a close relationship between the large high conductivity body and the underground thermal state.

Tectonic Evolution of Neotethys Ocean: Evidence of Ophiolites and Ocean Plate Stratigraphy from the Northern and Southern belts in the Western Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone, Tibet

The Yarlung Zangbo suture zone(YZSZ)separates Indian plate and its northern passive margin units to the south from Eurasian plate and its active continental margin units of Xigaze forearc basin and Gangdese batholith to the north(Xu et al.,2015;Yang et al.,2015).The western YZSZ in southern Tibet is divided by the Zhongba terrane into the northern belt(NB)and southern belt(SB).Ophiolites in the NB are dismembered as ophiolitic mélanges.Peridotite,cumulated gabbro,ocean plate stratigraphy(OPS)of seamount remnants and pelagichemipelagic sequence as blocks in serpentinite matrix are mainly observed,from west to east,in Dajiweng,Baer,Kazhan,Cuobuzha,Zhalai,Gongzhu.Ophiolites in the SB are absent ophiolitic units of sheeted dikes and MORB-like pillow lavas,occur as much larger peridotite massifs(i.e.,Dongbo,400 km^2;Purang,650 km^2;Xiugugabu,700 km^2;Dangqiong,300 km^2)which are intruded by mafic dike swarms and overlain by volcanic sedimentary OPS(Liu et al.,2018).We propose that the SB mafic–ultramafic rocks and volcanic sedimentary OPS represent fragments of an early Cretaceous continental margin ophiolite whose magmatic evolution was influenced by 140–137 Ma plume magmatism(Liu et al.,2015;Zheng et al.,2019).Relics of Late Paleocene to very Early Eocene deep-marine basin were developed in Saga and Gyirong(Ding,2003;Li et al.,2018).In contract,the NB ophiolitic mélanges report a travel log of an oceanic plate ranging from Middle Triassic to Early Cretaceous.

Tectonic Evolution of the Dongbo Ophiolite in Western Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone, Xizang(Tibet)

The Dongbo ophiolite in the western part of the Yarlung-Zangbo suture zone in southern Tibet rests tectonically on the middle-late Triassic and Cretaceous flysch units,and consist mainly of peridotites,mafic dikes,

Timing and mechanism of opening the Neo-Tethys Ocean:Constraints from mélanges in the Yarlung Zangbo suture zone

The evolution and final closure of the Neo-Tethys Ocean are one of the most important geological events that have occurred on Earth since the Mesozoic.However,the evolution of the Neo-Tethys is not well constrained,in particular whether its opening occurred in the Permian or the Triassic and whether a plume was involved with its opening or not.In this study,we present geochronological and geochemical data for mafic igneous rocks in mélanges along the Yarlung Zangbo suture zone(YZSZ)in southern Tibet to constrain the timing and mechanism of opening the Neo-Tethys Ocean.Based on field observations,the YZSZ mélanges can be divided into three segments.The western(west of Zhongba)and eastern(Sangsang-Renbu)segments are composed of ocean plate stratigraphy representing accretionary complexes that formed during subduction of Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere beneath the southern margin of the Asian continent.Mélanges in the central segment(Zhongba-eastern Saga)typically have a siliciclastic matrix,and represent Tethyan Himalayan strata that were structurally mixed with the southern margin of the Asian continent.Based on our and previously published geochemical data,the mafic rocks in the YZSZ mélanges are ocean island basalt(OIB)-like,with ages in the Late Permian-Middle Triassic,the Middle-Late Jurassic,and the Early Cretaceous,respectively.An OIB-like block with an age of ca.253 Ma is identified from the Zhongba mélanges in the western segment,and it is the oldest OIB lithology yet identified in the YZSZ mélanges related to the evolution of the Neo-Tethys Ocean.Geochemical features indicate that this OIB-like block is distinct from typical OIBs and would be formed during continental rifting to incipient seafloor spreading.In the framework of plate divergent-convergent coupling systems and based on literature data for early Middle Triassic seamounts,radiolarian cherts,and normal mid-ocean ridge basalt-like oceanic crust,we conclude that opening of the Yarlung Zangbo Neo-Tethys Ocean would mainly occur at~250–243 Ma in the Early Triassic,not later than the early phase of Middle Triassic.In addition,a mantle plume was not involved in opening the Yarlung Zangbo Neo-Tethys Ocean.On the other hand,we have also identified a suite of ca.160 Ma OIB-like basaltic sills from the Bainang mélanges in the eastern segment,which is the same age as the OIB lithologies previously reported in the Zhongba mélanges.Based on the sill-like occurrence and absence of plume-related rock associations in this region,the Bainang OIB-like rocks might result from Middle-Late Jurassic continental rifting in northern Gondwana.Magmatism related to this tectonic event is preserved in both the YZSZ mélanges and Himalayan strata,but its tectonic significance requires further investigation.Based on this study of the YZSZ mélanges and the previous studies of YZSZ ophiolites,Gangdese belt igneous rocks,and sedimentary rocks,we have reconstructed the entire Wilson Cycle of the Yarlung Zangbo Neo-Tethys Ocean,mainly involving continental rifting and ocean opening,subduction initiation,ultraslow-spreading ridge-trench conversion,subduction re-initiation,and oceanic closure and initial India-Asia collision for the tectonic emplacement of ophiolites.These processes were associated not only with magmatic flare-ups and lulls in the Gangdese belt but also with two stages of ophiolite obduction.Our data therefore provide new insights into the evolution of the Yarlung Zangbo Neo-Tethys Ocean and related Tethyan geodynamics.

Recognition of trench basins in collisional orogens:Insights from the Yarlung Zangbo suture zone in southern Tibet

Trench basin,as an important sedimentary repository in oceanic subduction zones,documents faithfully the evolution of paleodrainage and paleogeographic information.Because of the frequent intense deformation during and after deposition,the recognition of trench-basin strata in orogenic belts is quite challenging.Several trench-fill deposits have been identified from the Yarlung Zangbo suture in southern Tibet,which can be classified into two types based on major differences in formation timing and tectonic setting.The first type developed during subduction of the Neotethyan oceanic slab in the Cretaceous(e.g.,the Jiachala,Rongmawa,and Luogangcuo formations),and the second type developed during the initial stage of the India-Asia collision in the Palaeogene(e.g.,the Sangdanlin-Zheya formations).The former was originally deposited on the subducting oceanic crust and then accreted as tectonic slices into the subduction complex;the latter was deposited unconformably on the continental margin of the subducting Indian plate and then involved in the subduction complex during the continental collision.Typical lithologies of trench-basin fills include abyssal chert,siliceous shale,silty to sandy turbidites,debris flows deposits,and slump deposits without carbonate.Detritus feeding these basins were chiefly from the uplifted terrane in the upper plate.This paper summarizes the geological features of trench basins developed in southern Tibet and proposes criteria for recognizing trench-basins in collisional orogens.

Genesis of Pyroxenite Veins in the Zedang Ophiolite,Southern Tibetan Plateau

Understanding the nature of parental melts for pyroxenite veins in supra-subduction zone(SSZ)ophiolites provides vibrant constraints on melt infiltration processes operating in subduction zones.The Zedang ophiolitic massif in the eastern Yarlung–Zangbo suture zone in Tibet consists of mantle peridotites and a crustal section of gabbro,diabase,and basalt.Veins of two pyroxenite varieties cut the southern part of the Zedang massif.These pyroxenite rocks have different geochemical characteristics,where the first variety(type-I)has relatively higher contents of SiO_(2)(51.82–53.08 wt%),MgO(20.08–23.23 wt%),andΣPGE(3.42–13.97 ppb),and lower Al_(2)O_(3)(1.59–2.28 wt%)andΣREE(1.63–2.94 ppm).The second pyroxenite variety(type-II)is characterized by SiO_(2)(45.44–49.61 wt%),Mg O(16.68–19.78 wt%),Al_(2)O_(3)(4.24–8.77 wt%),ΣPGE(14.46–322.06 ppb),andΣREE(5.82–7.44 ppm).Pyroxenite type-I shows N-MORB-like chondritenormalized REE patterns.Zircon U-Pb ages of pyroxenite type-I(194±10 Ma),associated ophiolitic gabbro(135.3±2.0 Ma),and plagiogranite(124.2±2.3 Ma)evidently imply episodic evolution of the Zedang ophiolites.The mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the investigated pyroxenites can be explained by subduction-initiated hydrous melting of metasomatized sub-arc mantle,later overprinted by sub-slab mantle melting triggered by upwelling asthenosphere during the Jurassic–Early Cretaceous times.The geochemical variations in pyroxenite vein composition,coupled with age differences amongst the other ophiolite units,may correspond to intermittent emplacement of pyroxenite dikes and isotropic gabbroic intrusions where the geodynamic setting progressed from arc maturation and slab rollback to slab tearing and delamination.

Reconsideration of Neo-Tethys Evolution Constrained from the Nature of the Dazhuqu Ophiolitic Mantle, Southern Tibet

The nature(i.e., sub-oceanic, sub-arc or subcontinental) of ophiolitic mantle peridotites from the eastern Neo-Tethyan domain in southern Tibet has been hotly debated. This uncertainty limits our understanding of the history and evolution of the eastern Neo-Tethys Ocean. Here we present petrological, geochemical and Re-Os isotopic data for the mantle peridotites from the Dazhuqu ophiolite in the central segment of the Yarlung Zangbo suture zone, southern Tibet. Samples collected include both spinel lherzolites and spinel harzburgites. The lherzolites have spinel Cr~# [Cr/(Cr + Al), ~ 0.3–0.4] comparable to those of typical abyssal peridotites. In contrast, the harzburgites have spinel Cr~#(~0.3–0.7) overlapping with the ranges of both abyssal and fore-arc peridotites(Day et al., 2017;Parkinson and Pearce, 1998);two samples have spinel Cr~# higher than 0.6, which is probably ascribed to intense melt-rock interactions. Clinopyroxene trace element modeling indicates that the Dazhuqu mantle peridotites have experienced 0–6% garnetfacies melting followed by 10% –18% melting in the spinel stability field. This is similar to the degree of garnet-facies melting inferred for many abyssal peridotites(Hellebrand et al., 2002) and implies deep initial melting(> 85 km), which distinguishes the Dazhuqu mantle peridotites from fore-arc peridotites(commonly <80 km in origin). The Dazhuqu peridotites have unradiogenic 187 Os/188 Os of 0.11836–0.12922, which are commonly lower than the recommended value of primitive upper mantle(PUM)(Meisel et al., 2001). All but one samples yield relatively younger Re depletion ages(TRD = 0.06–0.81 Ga) with respect to the only one sample having an older TRD age of 1.66 Ga. Re-Os isotopes and highly siderophile element(HSE) compositions of the Dazhuqu peridotites are similar to those of abyssal peridotites(Day et al., 2017) and the Oman southern massifs(Hangh?j et al., 2010) but are distinct from noncratonic sub-continental lithospheric mantle(SCLM) xenoliths and sub-arc mantle. We emphasize the similarity between the Dazhuqu and Oman ophiolites, both representing Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere and implying ridge–trench collision.

The Boninite-like Dolerites in the Xigaze Ophiolites, Tibet: Similar to the MORB-like Dolerites

The Early Cretaceous Xigaze ophiolites(XO)exposed along the central segment of the more than 2000 km long Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone in southern Tibet,preserved the structure of the upper mantle and oceanic crust,is interpreted as a definite record of Neo-Tethys oceanic lithosphere.Many evolution models of the XO have been proposed since the 1980s(Nicolas et al.,1981;Hébert et al.,2012;Maffione et al.,2015).However,the geodynamic environment of the XO whether at a MOR or SSZ remains controversial.As key evidence for the identification of the SSZ ophiolite,the boninite-like dolerites from the XO are still controversial and poorly constraint(Chen et al.,2003;Bao et al.,2013;Dai et al.,2013).According to previous reports,dolerites were subdivided to MORB-like type and boninite-like type(Chen et al.,2003;Dai et al.,2013).Apart from high-SiO2(>52 wt%),high MgO(>8 wt%)and low-TiO2(<0.5 wt%),we found the boninite-like and MORB-like dolerites are indistinguishable in outcrop,mineral and chemical.They are sills invaded into mantle sequence of the XO,with 50.35–56.80 wt%SiO2,0.32–1.19 wt%TiO2,7.39–8.89 wt%Fe2O3T,5.50–10.42 wt%MgO and Mg#of 0.49–0.74.MORB-like dolerites display trace element and REE patterns similar to those of most fore-arc or/and back-arc basalts from Izu-Bonin-Mariana(IBM),i.e.enrichment in large ion lithophile elements(LILEs,e.g.Cs,Rb,Ba,Pb,U)and depletion in high-field strength elements(HFSE,Nb,Ta)(Fig.1).Boninite-like dolerites resemble the MORB-like dolerites in trace elements and REE patterns,excepting for lower concentrations in REE,but distinct from the boninites discovered from the IBM or Troodos ophiolite(Fig.1c,d).Th in both dolerites deviate from the MORB array with negative slopes on the Th/Yb vs.Nb/Yb diagram(Fig.2a),suggesting constant subduction component added to the mantle source(Pearce et al.,1995).We chose depleted MORB source Mantle(DMM,Workman and Hart,2005)as the starting composition computing immobile element contents for primary melts using the methods and partition coefficients of Shervais and Jean(2012).The results show that MORB-like and boninitelike dolerites can be explained by non-batch fractional melting(≥15%)of a depleted spinel peridotite with few subductionderived components(Fig.2b).Therefore,the boninite-like dolerites from the XO cannot be regarded as a product of hydrous melting of hot and highly depleted mantle wedge fluxed by the slab-derived fluid and the XO cannot be used as analogs for the subduction initiation.

Jurassic integrative stratigraphy,biotas,and paleogeographical evolution of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding areas

The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau experienced a unique geological evolution during the Jurassic,driven by the termination of the Palaeotethys and the reduction of the Neotethys.The Indian Plate separated from the northern margin of Gondwana and drifted northward from the Southern Hemisphere.Given that the timing of strata serves as the basis for reconstructing geological history,the present work aimed to develop a new multiple stratigraphic and chronologic framework for the Jurassic strata of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau region via a synthesis of the material on lithostratigraphy,palaeontology,iso-radiometric dating,magnetostratigraphy,and other techniques with an emphasis on recent progress and findings.The new framework included the Jurassic System from the four major subdivisions of the plateau:the Baryan Har,Qiangtang,Lhasa-Gandise,and Southern Xizang(Himalaya).Ultimately,a more complete,refined biostratigraphic sequence was proposed,comprising the most common fossils in the plateau and those that are stratigraphically significant for the Jurassic stratigraphy,including ammonites,bivalves,brachiopods,foraminifera,radiolarians,and dinoflagellate cysts for the marine strata,and pollen and spores,and charophytes for the terrestrial sediments.This biostratigraphic framework was correlated with the Jurassic international standard zonation of the Geological Time Scale 2020 via standard or representative species or genera of ammonites.Based on this framework,we constructed a lateral correlation of the Jurassic strata between different basins of the plateau.The palaeontologic correlation in the present work shows that the Lhasa-Gandise Block had a closer relationship with the Qiangtang Block than with the Southern Xizang Himalaya during the Jurassic Period.Meanwhile,the Lhasa-Gandise Block and Qiangtang Block shared similar marine fauna features of the north marginal East Tethys.This contrasts the opinion suggesting that the Yarlung Zangbo Tethys was a small back-arc basin.A combination of stratigraphical,palaeontological,and sedimentological analyses implies that the Bangong Co-Nujiang Tethys may have begun rifting in the Late Triassic,evolving to the birth at the late Early Jurassic with the formation of ocean crust.However,this resulted in failure after it grew into the climax at the end of the Middle Jurassic when the Qiangtang Block began subducting under the Lhasa-Gandise Block.In the Early Cretaceous,the two blocks finally merged.

Mineral Chemistry and Geochemistry of Peridotites from the Zedang and Luobusa Ophiolites, Tibet: Implications for the Evolution of the Neo-Tethys

We present a new dataset on platinum group elements（PGEs）, whole-rock major and trace elements, and mineral chemistry for the peridotites from the Zedang and Luobusa ophiolite suites, Tibet, in an attempt to better constrain the petrogenesis of the Zedang and Luobusa ophiolites and the tectonic evolution of the Neo-Tethys. Plots of chondrite-normalized PGE, PGE vs. Mg#, and PGE vs. Al_2O_3 suggest that the lherzolite and harzburgite from Zedang and Luobusa have similar PGE characteristics. The Zedang and Luobusa peridotites display U-shaped REE patterns and are enriched in some incompatible elements, indicative of melt-rock interaction. The PGE characteristics may be attributed to partial melting and heterogeneous melt-rock interaction. Mineral chemistry and whole rock major and trace elements data suggest that lherzolite and harzburgite from Zedang and Luobusa have similar geochemical properties. On the spinel Mg# vs. Cr# plot, the composition of the Zedang and Luobusa peridotites is consistent with both abyssal and subduction-zone peridotites. This study indicates that the Zedang and Luobusa peridotites have a similar origin and evolution path： they could have originated from a normal mid-ocean ridge environment and got refertilization in a supra-subduction zone setting.