Early Paleozoic Mafic-Ultramafic Rocks in the East Kunlun: Trace Subduction of Proto-Tethys

The East Kunlun located in the northern margin of the Qinghai-Xizang(Tibet)Plateau,is a composite orogenic belt which has underwent multi-stages tectonic evolution(e.g.Wang and Chen,1987;Jiang et al.,1992;Yang et al.,1996,2009).The East Kunlun orogenic belt(EKOB)is bounded by Altyn Tagh Fault in the west and Wenquan Fault in the east,bounded by the south margin of Qaidam

Geochemistry of Alkali-rich Igneous Rocks of Northern Xinjiang and Its Implications for Geodynamics

Five nearly E-W-trending alkali-rich igneous rock belts are distributed from north to south in northern Xinjiang, and they are composed mainly of riebeckite, K-feldspar granite and high-K and medium-K calc-alkaline volcanic rocks and shoshonite. They were mainly emplaced or erupted between the Carboniferous and Permian. The compositions of Sr, Nd, Pb, and O isotopes imply that their principal resource materials are derived from the upper mantle or juvenile crust, indicating obvious continental growth in the Phanerozoic. The trace element association implies that their tectonic settings are within plate and volcanic arc for alkali-rich granites, and post-collisional are, late oceanic are and continental are for alkali-rich volcanic rocks. An archipelago model was suggested for the tectonic evolution in northern Xinjiang. It can be named the central-Asia-type orogeny, which is different from the so called circum-Pacific ocean-continent-type tectonics or the Alpine-Himalayan continent-continent-collisional orogeny.

On the radiogenic heat production of metamorphic,igneous,and sedimentary rocks

Sedimentary rocks cover-73% of the Earth's surface and metamorphic rocks account for approximately91% of the crust by volume. Understanding the average behavior and variability of heat production for these rock types are vitally important for developing accurate models of lithospheric temperature. We analyze the heat production of ～204,000 whole rock geochemical data to quantify how heat production of these rocks varies with respect to chemistry and their evolution during metamorphism. The heat production of metaigneous and metasedimentary rocks are similar to their respective protoliths. Igneous and metaigneous samples increase in heat production with increasing SiO_2 and K_2 O, but decrease with increasing FeO, MgO and CaO. Sedimentary and metasedimentary rocks increase in heat production with increasing Al_2 O_3, FeO, TiO_2, and K_2 O but decrease with increasing CaO. For both igneous and sedimentary rocks, the heat production variations are largely correlated with processes that affect K_2 O concentration and covary with other major oxides as a consequence. Among sedimentary rocks,aluminous shales are the highest heat producing(2.9 μW^(-3)) whereas more common iron shales are lower heat producing(1.7 μW m^(-3)). Pure quartzites and carbonates are the lowest heat producing sedimentary rocks. Globally, there is little definitive evidence for a decrease in heat production with increasing metamorphic grade. However, there remains the need for high resolution studies of heat production variations within individual protoliths that vary in metamorphic grade. These results improve estimates of heat production and natural variability of rocks that will allow for more accurate temperature models of the lithosphere.

Geochemistry of Permian Mafic Igneous Rocks from the Napo-Qinzhou Tectonic Belt in Southwest Guangxi, Southwest China: Implications for Arc-Back Arc Basin Magmatic Evolution

The Napo-Qinzhou Tectonic Belt （NQTB） lies at the junction of the Yangtze, Cathaysia and Indochina （North Vietnam） Blocks, which is composed of five major lithotectonic subunits： the Qinzhou-Fangcheng Suture Zone （QFSZ）, the Shiwandashan Basin （SB）, the Pingxiang-Nanning Suture Zone （PNSZ）, the Damingshan Block （DB） and the Babu-Lingma Suture Zone （BLSZ）. On the basis of geochemical compositions, the Permian mafic igneous rocks can be divided into three distinct groups： （1） mafic igneous rocks （Group 1） from the Longjing region in the PNSZ and Hurun region in the BLSZ, which are characterized by intermediate Ti, P and Zr with low Ni and Cr contents; （2） mafic igneous rocks （Group 2） from the Naxiao and Chongzuo region in the DB, characterized by low-intermediate Ti, P and Zr with high Ni and Cr concentrations; and （3） mafic igneous rocks （Group 3） from the Siming region in the Jingxi carbonate platform of the northwestern margin of the NQTB, with intermediate-high Ti, P and Zr and low Ni and Cr contents. The Group 1 rocks yield a weighted mean 206 Pb/ 238 U age of 250.5±2.8 Ma and are geochemically similar to basalts occurring in back-arc basin settings. The Group 2 rocks exhibit geochemical features to those basalts in island arcs, whereas the Group 3 rocks show geochemical similarity to that of ocean island basalts. All three groups are characterized by relatively low ε Nd （t） values （-2.61 to ＋1.10） and high initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr isotopic ratios （0.705309-0.707434）, indicating that they were derived from a subduction-modified lithospheric mantle and experienced assimilation, fractional crystallization, and crustal contamination or mixing during magmatic evolution. Accordingly, we propose the existence of an arc-back arc basin system that developed along the NQTB at the border of SW Guangxi Province （SW China） and northern Vietnam, and it was formed by continued northwestward subduction of the Cathaysian （or Yunkai） Block under the Yangtze Block, and northeastward subduction of the Indochina Block beneath the Yangtze Block during Permian time.

On the radiogenic heat production of igneous rocks

Radiogenic heat production is a physical parameter crucial to properly estimating lithospheric temperatures and properly understanding processes related to the thermal evolution of the Earth. Yet heat production is, in general, poorly constrained by direct observation because the key radiogenic elements exist in trace amounts making them difficulty image geophysically. In this study, we advance our knowledge of heat production throughout the lithosphere by analyzing chemical analyses of 108,103 igneous rocks provided by a number of geochemical databases. We produce global estimates of the average and natural range for igneous rocks using common chemical classification systems. Heat production increases as a function of increasing felsic and alkali content with similar values for analogous plutonic and volcanic rocks. The logarithm of median heat production is negatively correlated(r^2=0.98)to compositionally-based estimates of seismic velocities between 6.0 and 7.4 km s^(-1), consistent with the vast majority of igneous rock compositions. Compositional variations for continent-wide models are also well-described by a log-linear correlation between heat production and seismic velocity. However, there are differences between the log-linear models for North America and Australia, that are consistent with interpretations from previous studies that suggest above average heat production across much of Australia. Similar log-linear models also perform well within individual geological provinces with^1000 samples. This correlation raises the prospect that this empirical method can be used to estimate average heat production and natural variance both laterally and vertically throughout the lithosphere. This correlative relationship occurs despite a direct causal relationship between these two parameters but probably arises from the process of differentiation through melting and crystallization.

Research on fabric characteristics and borehole instability mechanisms of fractured igneous rocks

There are favorable exploration prospects in igneous rock reservoirs. However, problems of borehole instability occur frequently during drilling igneous formations, which is a serious impediment to oil and gas exploration and production. The lack of systematic understanding of the inherent instability mechanisms is an important problem. A series of experiments were conducted on several igneous rock samples taken from the sloughing formations in the Tuha area in an attempt to reveal the inherent mechanisms of wellbore instability when drilling in fractured igneous rocks. Research methods involved slurry chemistry, analysis of micro-geological features （Micro-CT imaging, SEM）, and rock mechanics testing. The experimental results indicated that clay minerals were widely distributed in the intergranular space of the diagenetic minerals, crystal defects, and microcracks. Drilling fluid filtrate would invade the rock along the microcracks. Tile invasion amount gradually increased over time, which constantly intensified the hydration and swelling of clay minerals, leading to changes in the microscopic structure of igneous rocks. Primary and secondary microcracks can propagate and merge into single cracks and thus reducing rock cohesion and the binding force along cleavage planes. Based on this result the authors propose that a key towards solving wellbore instability in igneous formations is that specific micro-geological characteristics of the igneous rocks should be taken into consideration in the design of antisloughing drilling muds.

Chronological and Geochemical Study of the Cenozoic Potassic Felsic Igneous Rocks in Western Yunnan,SE Tibet:Implications for their Tectonic Mechanisms

Whether there is a relationship between widespread Cenozoic igneous rocks and the activated Ailao Shan-Red River shear zone(ASRR)in western Yunnan,SE Tibet,remains highly controversial.New geochronological,and geochemical data derived from Cenozoic igneous rocks both within and far from the ASRR offers answers.Although these coeval felsic rocks(36.9-33.5 Ma)are enriched in large-ion lithophile elements relative to high field strength elements,they also display some special geochemical features,such as high Y and Yb values of syenitic porphyries,which contrast with the high Sr and low Y contents of monzoporphyries and granitic porphyries.The syenitic porphyries exhibit geochemical characteristics similar to those of coeval mafic magmas,e.g.,high K 2 O,Y,and Yb contents,indicating that the former were probably generated by fractional crystallization of the latter.However,the high Sr/Y(56.1-109)monzoporphyries and granitic porphyries,combined with their low MgO,and Cr(or Ni)contents,suggest that they were mainly derived from partial melting of a thickened mafic lower crust.Given that these Cenozoic magmatic events exhibiting planar distributions occurred outside of the activation of the ASRR(31-20 Ma),then they were not controlled by the latter.Instead,they were tied to convective removal of a thickened lower lithospheric mantle in western Yunnan during the Paleogene.

Yanshanian Magma-Tectonic-Metallogenic Belt in East China of Circum-Pacific Domain(Ⅰ):Igneous Rocks and Orogenic Processes

Yanshanian igneous rocks in the East China, on an orogenic belt scale, are characterized by the continental marginal arc in petrology and geochemistry as Andes and West USA, except for the Hercyn type biotite two mica muscovite granite belt in the Nanling region. Three segments of the Yanshanian igneous rocks along the belt are recognized. In terms of magma tectonic event sequence, the north, middle and south segments have counter clockwise (ccw), clockwise (cw) and ccw+cw pTt paths of the orogenic process, respectively. A genetic model of the lithospheric delamination (loss of the lithospheric root in about 120 km) in combination with the oceanic subduction for the Yanshanian Andes like orogenic belt and both the crust and lithosphere thickening for the Yanshanian Hercyn type Nanling orogenic belt in the East China is suggested.

Baddeleyite and zircon U-Pb ages of the ultramafic rocks in Chigu Tso area,Southeastern Tibet and their constraints on the timing of Comei Large Igneous Province

A suite of ultramafic and mafic rocks developed in the Chigu Tso area,eastern Tethyan Himalaya.Baddeleyite and zircon U-Pb ages acquired by SIMS and LA-ICP-MS from olivine pyroxenite rocks in the Chigu Tso area are 138.9±3.0 Ma and 139.0±1.9 Ma,respectively.These two Early Cretaceous ages are similar with the ages of the more abundant mafic rocks in the eastern Tethyan Himalaya,indicating that this suite of ultramafic and mafic rocks in the Chigu Tso area should be included in the outcrop area of the Comei Large Igneous Province(LIP).These ultramafic rocks provide significant evidence that the involvement of mantle plume/hot spot activities in the formation of the Comei LIP.Baddeleyite U-Pb dating by SIMS is one reliable and convenient method to constrain the formation time of ultramafic rocks.The dating results of baddeleyite and zircon from the olivine pyroxenite samples in this paper are consistent with each other within analytical uncertainties,suggesting that baddeleyite and zircon were both formed during the same magmatic process.The consistency of baddeleyite U-Pb ages in the Chigu Tso area with zircon U-Pb ages for a large number of Early Cretaceous mafic rocks in the eastern Tethyan Himalaya further support that zircon grains from such mafic rocks yielding Early Cretaceous ages are also magmatic in origin.

The Principles for Discrimination of the Source Composition of Mantle-Derived Igneous Rocks and the Nature of the Mantle Source Region of the Emeishan Basalts

This paper discusses the discrimination principles. deduction and methods for probing into the source composition of mantle-derived magma. The magmatophile (incompatible) source elements are not all optimal tracers for mantle source composition. The ratios of two strong magmatophile elements (D<1) or the ratios of two trace elements with the same D value are not controlled by the formation mode and evolution degree of a magma, but maintain the characteristics of their composition in mantle source region prior to the magma formation. The ratios are related to different mantle-crust structures and dynamics. The mantle source composition of the Emeishan Basalt series is similar to that of the South Atlantic Rio Grande Rise-Walvis Ridge Basalts and Brazil continental-margin basalts. This may indicate that these basalt series might have similar source regions and tectonic environments.

Relationship between the Extent of Igneous Rocks and Deep Structures as Determined by Gravitational and Magnetic Data in the South China Sea

The distribution of oil and gas resources in the South China Sea and adjacent areas is closely related to the structural pattern that helped to define the controlling effect of deep processes on oil-bearing basins.Igneous rocks can record important information from deep processes.Deep structures such as faults,basin uplift and depression,Cenozoic basement and magnetic basement are all the results of energy exchange within the earth.The study of the relationship between igneous rocks and deep structures is of great significance for the study of the South China Sea.By using the minimum curvature potential field separation technique and the correlation analysis technique of gravitational and magnetic anomalies,the fusion of gravitational and magnetic data reflecting igneous rocks can be obtained,through which the igneous rocks with high susceptibility/high density or high susceptibility/low density can be identified.In this study area,igneous rocks do not develop in the Yinggehai basin,Qiongdongnan basin,Zengmu basin and Brunei-Sabah basin whilst igneous rocks with high susceptibility/high density or high susceptibility/low density are widely-developed in other basins.In undeveloped igneous areas,faults are also undeveloped the Cenozoic thickness is greater,the magnetic basement depth is greater and the Cenozoic thickness is highly positively correlated with the magnetic basement depth.In igneously developed regions,the distribution pattern of the Qiongtai block is mainly controlled by primary faults,while the distribution of the Zhongxisha block,Xunta block and Yongshu-Taiping block is mainly controlled by secondary faults,the Cenozoic thickness having a low correlation with the depth of the magnetic basement.

Development Model and Quantitative Prediction of Igneous Rock in S Oilfield, the Bohai Sea Area

The structure of S Oilfield of Bohai sea area in China is located in the low uplift slope zone of the Dongwa Laibei area in the Huanghekou depression. The target interval of the oilfield belongs to the Paleogene layered structural oil reservoir under the influence of igneous rocks. Due to the widespread development of igneous rocks, and the diversity of igneous rock types, the structure is complex, and the lateral changes are intense. The differences in volcanic eruption intensity and volcanic materials made the igneous rock masses overlap each other, with rapid changes in lithofacies, and complex seismic reflection structures. Therefore, it was difficult to carry out fine characterization of igneous rocks. Based on the lithofacies model, lithofacies combination types, and seismic response characteristics of volcanic mechanisms, this paper summarized three types of development models of volcanic mechanisms in the study area. At the same time, through technical means such as stratigraphic slicing, seismic attribute extraction, and attribute optimization analysis, the spatial distribution characteristics of various facies zones of igneous rocks at different stages were described in detail, achieving precise prediction of igneous rocks in Bozhong S Oilfield. During the development process of the oilfield, the technical research results guided the optimization of well locations and provided technical support for the efficient development of the oilfield.

Distribution and gas-bearing properties of Permian igneous rocks in Sichuan Basin, SW China

Based on the analysis of outcrop, seismic, logging and drilling data, combined with exploration practice, the characteristics,distribution, reservoir performance and gas-bearing properties of Permian igneous rocks in Sichuan Basin are studied. The study shows that central volcanic eruptive facies are developed in Sichuan Basin, and their lithological assemblages and distribution characteristics show obvious differences. The igneous rocks are mainly distributed in three regions: the southwestern part of the basin has dominantly largescale overflow facies basalts; the central and western part of the basin, Jianyang-Santai area, develop intrusive rocks, volcanic lavas(basalts)and pyroclastic rocks; and the eastern part of Sichuan, Dazhou-Liangping area, only develop diabase and basalts. Five aspects of understandings are achieved:(1) The Upper Permian igneous rocks can be divided into intrusive rocks and extrusive rocks, with the extrusive rocks as the main body. The chemical compositions of the extrusive rocks are characterized by both alkaline basalt and tholeiitic basalt, and belong to the subalkaline type of transitional basalt magma eruption.(2) There are obvious rhythmic structures vertically among overflow facies basalt, and the single rhythmic layer consists of, from bottom up, pyroclastic rocks(undeveloped), gray and dark gray porphyritic basalts(unstable), dark gray and purple microcrystalline-cryptocrystalline basalts, dark greyish green porous and amygdaloid basalts; the central volcanic eruption shows the rhythm and the vertical sequence of volcanic clastic rocks(agglomerates and breccias), volcanic lava, tuffaceous lava from bottom to top.(3) The pore types of basalt and pyroclastic rocks are diverse, mainly dissolution pore and de-vitrification micropore, but their physical properties are different. Basalt is characterized by ultra-low pore permeability, small reservoir thickness, and reservoirs are distributed in the upper and middle parts of the cycle, with poor lateral comparability. Volcanic clastic rocks are medium to high porous reservoirs(Well YT1: porosity: 8.66%?16.48%, average 13.76%) with large thickness and good reservoir quality.(4) Natural gas in basalts in southwestern basin mainly comes from Middle Permian, and natural gas in volcanic clastic rocks in central and western basin comes from Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation.(5) Analysis of igneous reservoir-forming conditions in different areas shows that there are relatively insufficient gas sources and great differences in preservation conditions in southwestern basin.Reservoirs are poorly developed and gas-bearing is complex. The Jianyang-Santai area in the central and western part of Sichuan Basin has abundant hydrocarbon sources, developed reservoir, favorable preservation conditions and favorable gas geological conditions, and it is a favorable area for gas exploration.

The inversion of density structure by graphic processing unit(GPU) and identification of igneous rocks in Xisha area

Organic reefs, the targets of deep-water petro- leum exploration, developed widely in Xisha area. However, there are concealed igneous rocks undersea, to which organic rocks have nearly equal wave impedance. So the igneous rocks have become interference for future explo- ration by having similar seismic reflection characteristics. Yet, the density and magnetism of organic reefs are very different from igneous rocks. It has obvious advantages to identify organic reefs and igneous rocks by gravity and magnetic data. At first, frequency decomposition was applied to the free-air gravity anomaly in Xisha area to obtain the 2D subdivision of the gravity anomaly and magnetic anomaly in the vertical direction. Thus, the dis- tribution of igneous rocks in the horizontal direction can be acquired according to high-frequency field, low-frequency field, and its physical properties. Then, 3D forward model- ing of gravitational field was carried out to establish the density model of this area by reference to physical properties of rocks based on former researches. Furthermore, 3D inversion of gravity anomaly by genetic algorithm method of the graphic processing unit （GPU） parallel processing in Xisha target area was applied, and 3D density structure of this area was obtained. By this way, we can confine the igneous rocks to the certain depth according to the density of the igneous rocks. The frequency decomposition and 3D inversion of gravity anomaly by genetic algorithm method of the GPU parallel processing proved to be a useful method for recognizing igneous rocks to its 3D geological position. So organic reefs and igneous rocks can be identified, which provide a prescient information for further exploration.

Integrative method in lithofacies characteristics and 3D velocity volume of the Permian igneous rocks in H area, Tarim Basin

This paper introduces horizon control, seismic control, logging control and facies control methods through the application of the least squares fitting of logging curves, seismic inversion and facies-controlled techniques. Based on the microgeology and thin section analyses, the lithology, lithofacies and periods of the Permian igneous rocks are described in detail. The seismic inversion and facies-controlled techniques were used to find the distribution characteristics of the igneous rocks and the 3D velocity volume. The least squares fitting of the logging curves overcome the problem that the work area is short of density logging data. Through analysis of thin sections, the lithofacies can be classified into eruption airfall subfacies, eruption pyroclastic flow subfacies and eruption facies.

Multi-scale data joint inversion of minerals and porosity in altered igneous reservoirs—A case study in the South China Sea

There are abundant igneous gas reservoirs in the South China Sea with significant value of research,and lithology classification,mineral analysis and porosity inversion are important links in reservoir evaluation.However,affected by the diverse lithology,complicated mineral and widespread alteration,conventional logging lithology classification and mineral inversion become considerably difficult.At the same time,owing to the limitation of the wireline log response equation,the quantity and accuracy of minerals can hardly meet the exploration requirements of igneous formations.To overcome those issues,this study takes the South China Sea as an example,and combines multi-scale data such as micro rock slices,petrophysical experiments,wireline log and element cutting log to establish a set of joint inversion methods for minerals and porosity of altered igneous rocks.Specifically,we define the lithology and mineral characteristics through core slices and mineral data,and establish an igneous multi-mineral volumetric model.Then we determine element cutting log correction method based on core element data,and combine wireline log and corrected element cutting log to perform the lithology classification and joint inversion of minerals and porosity.However,it is always difficult to determine the elemental eigenvalues of different minerals in inversion.This paper uses multiple linear regression methods to solve this problem.Finally,an integrated inversion technique for altered igneous formations was developed.The results show that the corrected element cutting log are in good agreement with the core element data,and the mineral and porosity results obtained from the joint inversion based on the wireline log and corrected element cutting log are also in good agreement with the core data from X-ray diffraction.The results demonstrate that the inversion technique is applicable and this study provides a new direction for the mineral inversion research of altered igneous formations.

PALEOMAGNETIC STUDY OF IGNEOUS ROCKS OF GUPIS—SHAMRAN AREA,KOHISTAN ARC, PAKISTAN,NW HIMALAYA

Kohistan Sequence has been considered as island arc formed during the subduction of oceanic lithosphere at the leading edge of northward moving Indian continent.. Sedimentary sequences indicate that formation of the intra\|oceanic Kohistan arc began in early Cretaceous time. The isotopic data demonstrate the involvement of enriched, DUPAL type mantle, suggesting that Kohistan arc was formed at or south of the present equator (Khan et al., 1997). The Intra oceanic phase of Kohistan lasted until sometime between 102 and 85 Ma, when Kohistan collided with Asia. From this time until collision with India about 50 Ma ago, Kohistan existed as Andean\|type margin. This paleomagnetic study is from the volcanic and plutonic rocks exposed in Gupis\|Shamran area (west of Gilgit) in northern part of the Kohistan arc. According to geochronological data these rocks were formed 61～55Ma ago (Treloar et al., 1989), when Kohistan was existing as Andean\|type margin. Seven to nine samples were collected from nine sites of Shamran volcanics (58±1)Ma and from five sites of Pingal, Gupis, and Yasin plutons (Ar\|Ar hornblende ages ranges from 61～52Ma). On the basis of one Rb\|Sr age of (59±2)Ma from these plutons, the above\|mentioned Ar/Ar ages may be regarded as reasonable intrusion ages of these plutons (Searle, 1991).

Generation of electromotive force in igneous rocks subjected to non-uniform loading

When one end of an air-dry igneous rock block was uniaxially loaded in laboratory, there appeared an electromotive force that made electric currents flow from the stressed volume to the unstressed volume. Quartz-free rocks such as gabbro also generated this force, stronger than quartz-bearing rocks such as granite. This indicates that the piezoelectric effect of quartz and the electrokinetic effect of pore water do not make a large contribution toward generating the electromotive force. We focus on peroxy bond that is one of the abundant lattice defects in igneous rock-forming minerals. When mechanical loading deforms the lattice structure around this defect and breaks its bond, its energy levels change and act like an accepter. As an electron is trapped at this defect from a neighbor 02- site, a positive hole is activated there. They attempt to diffuse toward the unstressed volume through the valence band and are simultaneously affected by the attractive electric force with the electrons trapped in peroxy bonds. This leads to a polarization in the stressed volume and the generation of electromotive force between the stressed and unstressed volumes. Similar electromotive force may be generated in the Earth＇s crust where inhomogeneous stress/strain is changing.

Mantle Response to Slab Breakoff in the North Qaidam Tectonic Belt: Geochemical Constraints from Syn-subduction Mafic Igneous Rocks

Slab breakoff originally denotes the detachment of dense subducted oceanic slab from the light subducted continental slab, which is driven by opposing buoyancy forces during continental collision(Davies and von Blanckenburg, 1995;von Blanckenburg and Davies, 1995). The breakoff of subducted oceanic slab can induce the upwelling of sub-slab asthenosphere through the slab window, and then heat the overriding lithospheric mantle resulting in the melting of its fertile layer within the metasomatic mantle wedge. The decompression partial melting of uprising asthenospheric mantle commonly produce mafic magma with depleted MORB-like geochemical signatures(Davies and von Blanckenburg, 1995;Cole et al., 2006;Wang et al., 2018), whereas the partial melting of enriched lithospheric mantle will produce mafic magma with alkaline, calc-alkaline or ultrapotassic features(von Blanckenburg and Davies, 1995). These mafic magmas rise into overlying lower crust and trigger crustal melting to generate the granitic magma. The North Qaidam tectonic belt(NQTB) records the evolutionary process of the South Qilian Ocean from subduction to closure. The subduction of oceanic and continental lithosphere to mantle depths is proven by the identification of oceanic-type and continental-type eclogites enclosed in crustal metapelite and gneiss from the North Qaidam tectonic belt(Song et al., 2006;Zhang et al., 2008;Zhang et al., 2010;Zhang et al., 2017). However, details of this process are not exactly constrained, in particularly, the closure timing of South Qilian Ocean. The study of characteristic mafic magmatism, combined with the previous studies of ultra-high pressure metamorphism, give us an excellent opportunity to trace the detailed processes associated with the transition from oceanic subduction to continental subduction, and assess the feasibility of slab breakoff in the North Qaidam tectonic belt. In this contribution, an integrated study of petrology, geochemistry, geochronology and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes is performed on the mafic igneous rocks from Chahanhe area in the North Wulan gneiss complex. These mafic igneous rocks can be divided into two groups, namely, arc-like type and E-MORB type based on their trace element patterns. Arc-like mafic rocks(441–428 Ma) were characterized by enrichment of light rare earth elements(LREEs), large ion lithophile elements(LILEs) and depletion of heavy rare earth elements(HREEs), high field strength elements(HFSEs). Combined with variable zircon εHf(t) values of-6.17 to +1.58, it is suggested that arc-like mafic rocks are predominantly derived from the partial melting of the enriched lithospheric mantle, and minor juvenile materials have contributed to their sources. The E-MORB mafic rocks(440 Ma) exhibit relatively flatted REE patterns and positive εNd(t) values of +1.63 to +4.28, but high(87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.706825 to 0.708979, indicting a derivation from partial melting of asthenospheric mantle, with involvement of enriched components probably derived from ambient lithospheric mantle or stagnant subducted oceanic crust. Collectively, it is proposed that the break-off of the subducted South Qilian oceanic slab triggered the decompression melting of asthenospheric mantle, and the upwelling of asthenosphere provided heat and induced partial melting of the enriched lithospheric mantle and preexisting crust, resulting in generation of arc-like mafic rocks and widespread granites.

High Heat Producing Volcano-Plutonic Rocks of the Siner Area, Malani Igneous Suite, Western Rajasthan, India

he volcano-plutonic rocks of the Siner area of the Malani Igneous Suite (MIS) are characterized by high content of radioactive elements (U, Th, K) and are classified as high heat producing felsic volcano-plutonic rocks of A-type granitoid. Microgranite shows highly comparable heat production (26.07 HP) and total heat generation value (62.06 HGU in average) as compared to other granite (HP = 12.73;HGU = 26.57), rhyolite (HP = 4.98;HGU = 11.85) and trachyte (HP = 5.00;HGU = 11.91). The volcano-plutonic rocks of the present show higher average value of total HGU than the average value of 3.8 HGU for the continental crust, which suggests a possible linear relationship among the crustal heat generation of the MIS.