Geochemistry of the Cenozoic Potassic Volcanic Rocks in the West Kunlun Mountains and Constraints on Their Sources

The geochemical characteristics of the Cenozoic volcanic rocks from the north Pulu, east Pulu and Dahongliutan regions in the west Kunlun Mountains are somewhat similar as a whole. However, the volcanic rocks from the Dahongliutan region in the south belt are geochemically distinguished from those in the Pulu region (including the north and east Pulu) of the north belt. The volcanic rocks of the Dahongliutan region are characterized by relatively low TiO2 abundance, but more enrichment in alkali, much more enrichment in light rare earth elements and large ion lithosphile elements than those from the Pulu region. Compared with the Pulu region, volcanic rocks from the Dahongliutan region have relatively low 87Sr/86Sr ratios, and high εNd, 207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb. Their trace elements and isotopic data suggest that they were derived from lithospheric mantle, consisting of biotite- and hornblende-bearing garnet lherzolite, which had undertaken metasomatism and enrichment. On the primitive mantle-normalized patterns, they display remarkably negative Nb and Ta anomalies, indicating the presence of early-stage subducted oceanic crust. The metasomatism and enrichment resulted from the fluid released from the crustal materials enclosed in the source region in response to the uplift of asthenospheric mantle. Based on the previous experiments it can be inferred that the thickness of the lithosphere ranges from 75 to 100 km prior to the generation of the magmas. However, the south belt differs from the north one by its thicker lithosphere and lower degree of partial melting. The different thickness of the lithosphere gives rise to corresponding variation of the degree of crustal contamination. The volcanic rocks in the south belt are much more influenced by crustal contamination. In view of the tectonic setting, the generation of potassic magmas is linked with the uplift of asthenosphere resulted from large-scale thinning of the lithosphere after the collision of Indian and Eurasian plates, whereas the thinning of the lithosphere may result from delamination. The potassic magmas mainly resulted from partial melting of lithosphere mantle caused by the uplift of asthenosphere.

Metallogenic characteristics of Shitoukengde intrusion and its implications for Ni-Co-(Cu)sulfide mineralization in East Kunlun

Xiarihamu deposit is the only super-large Ni-Co deposit found in East Kunlun orogenic belt(EKOB)until present.Shitoukengde(STKD)intrusion is considered to have the potential to become a large Ni-Co deposit in East Kunlun.In order to discuss the metallogenic potential,this study present petrographical,geochemical data,and zircon U-Pb dating for the STKD intrusion.The STKD intrusion is hosted within mafic-ultramafic rocks which contain peridotite,pyroxenite and gabbro,and mainly intruded into the marble of the Paleoproterozoic Jinshuikou Group.Harzburgite and orthopyroxenite are the main country rocks for the Cu-Ni sulfide mineralization.Combine with the positiveε_(Hf)(t)values(+1.1 to+8.6)of zircons,the enrichment of LILEs,depletion of HFSEs,and lower Ce/Pb ratios of whole rocks indicate that the parental magma was originated from the depleted asthenospheric mantle and experienced 5%–15%crustal contamination.Troctolite formed during the Early Devonian and it has weighted mean^(206)Pb/^(238)U age of 412 Ma.Regional background information has indicated that the post-collisional extension setting has already existed during the Early Devonian,leading to the formation of STKD intrusion and Cu-Ni sulfide mineralization.STKD intrusion may have the potential to be one economic Cu-Ni sulfide deposit but seems unlikely to be a super-large one.