COUPLING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN OROGENS AND BASINS,LOWER CRUST AND UPPER CRUST IN THE QINGHAI—TIBET PLATEAU

Uplift\|related geological and geophysical data available from regional geological mapping , detailed structural, tectonic, granitic, volcanic, metamorphic , geochronological studies, deep seismic reflection, wide\|angle seismic experiment, seismic tomography, broadband seismic network, and magnetotelluric sounding of key areas of the Qinghai—Tibet plateau are radically different from models of plate subduction or collision. Key geological features include: (1) obvio us time difference between plate collision and uplift of the plateau; (2) developments of intracrustal low\|velocity layers , low resistivity layers and discontinuous subhorizontal reflectors; (3) similar results between the rate and time of uplift of the Qinghai\|Tibet plateau and the time and rate of subsidence of its surrounding basins; (4) subhorizontal detachments and metamorphic core complexes occurred in Himalayan and Longmenshan; (5) weak deformation of late Cenozoic sediments and development of major steeply to gently dipping normal faults in the central part of the plateau; (6) discovery of high pressure and ultrahigh pressure metamorphic rocks in Nanbajiawa; (7) young volcanic rocks distributed from the northern plateau to the southern plateau; (8) nearly concordant processes among thrusting , mountain building, horizontal extension and intrusion of leucogranite in Himalayans.

A missing link of the Proto-Tethys Ocean between the Qinling and Qilian orogens,China:Insights from geochronology and structural geology

The Qinling-Qilian connection zone(QQCZ)is a key area to reveal the relationship and to make a link of the North Qinling and the North Qilian orogens,China.Here we present U-Pb dating data of detrital zircons from four sedimentary/metasedimentary rocks in the QQCZ and the southwestern North China Block(NCB)and detailed regional structural data.Three episodes of fold deformation(D1,D2 and D3)are distinguished in the QQCZ,with the former two occurred during the early Paleozoic.The D1 deformation is mainly characterized by regionally penetrative schistosity and some residual rootless intrafolial folds due to the intensive superpositions by the subsequent D2 and D3 deformations.The D2 deformation characterized by tight folds,associated axial plane foliations and crenulation lineations indicates a stress field characterized by NNE-SSW-directed compression,which may be induced by the collision between the NCB and the southern blocks.The D3 deformation which might occur during the Mesozoic is marked by upright open folds and kink bands.The similarity of the detrital zircon age spectra of the Huluhe Group in the North Qilian Orogen and the Erlangping Group in the North Qinling Orogen suggests that the two groups have similar provenance,which may indicate that the North Qilian Orogen corresponded to the North Qinling Orogen in a regional tectonic framework.In addition,the remarkable age peak at^435 Ma of the detrital zircon age spectrum of the Duanjiaxia Formation in the southwestern NCB indicates that this formation obtained the provenance of the North Qilian and North Qinling orogens,which may be generated by the collage of the southwestern NCB and the QQCZ during the Late Ordovician-Early Silurian.Based on structural,detrital zircon and metamorphic data,we suggest that the North Qilian and North Qinling orogens underwent similar evolution during the early Paleozoic due to the closure of the North Qilian and the Kuanping oceans which located at the northern boundary of the Proto-Tethys Ocean.

Early Paleozoic accretionary orogens along the Western Gondwana margin

Early Paleozoic accretionary orogens dominated the Western Gondwana margin and were characterized by nearly continuous subduction associated with crustal extension and back-arc basin development.The southwestern margin is represented by Famatinian and Pampean basement realms exposed in South America,both related to the protracted Paleozoic evolution of the Terra Australis Orogen,whereas the northwestern margin is mainly recorded in Cadomian domains of Europe and adjacent regions.However,no clear relationships between these regions were so far established.Based on a compilation and reevaluation of geological,paleomagnetic,petrological,geochronological and isotopic evidence,this contribution focuses on crustal-scale tectonic and geodynamic processes occurring in Western Gondwana accretionary orogens,aiming at disentangling their common Early Paleozoic evolution.Data show that accretionary orogens were dominated by high-temperature/lowpressure metamorphism and relatively high geothermal gradients,resulting from the development of extended/hyperextended margins and bulk transtensional deformation.In this sense,retreating-mode accretionary orogens characterized the Early Paleozoic Gondwana margin,though short-lived pulses of compression/transpression also occurred.The existence of retreating subduction zones favoured mantle-derived magmatism and mixing with relatively young(meta)sedimentary sources in a thin continental crust.Crustal reworking of previous forearc sequences due to trenchward arc migration thus took place through assimilation and anatexis in the arc/back-arc regions.Therefore,retreating-mode accretionary orogens were the locus of Early Paleozoic crustal growth in Western Gondwana,intimately associated with major flare-up events,such as those related to the Cadomian and Famatian arcs.Slab roll back,probably resulting from decreasing convergence rates and plate velocities after Gondwana assembly,was a key factor for orogen-scale geodynamic processes.Coupled with synchronous oblique subduction and crustal-scale dextral deformation,slab roll back might trigger toroidal mantle flow,thus accounting for bulk dextral transtension,back-arc extension/transtension and a large-scale anticlockwise rotation of Gondwana mainland.

EXTENSION OF THE CATHAYSIAN DIWA-TYPE OROGENSAND CONTINENTAL MARGIN SPREADING IN SOUTHEAST CHINA

EXTENSION OF THE CATHAYSIANDIWA-TYPE OROGENS ANDCONTINENTAL MARGIN SPREADINGIN SOUTHEAST CHINAZou Heping(Department of Geology, Zhongshan University, Guangzhou, 510275, China)late orogenic extension, Diwa, crustobody, continental-margin-spreading, Southeast China.A dynamic mechanism, "lower lithospheric delamination and extension of the Cathaysian Diwa-type orogens" , has been put forward to explain the formation of the Cenozoic continental-margin-spreading-belt in Southeast China. The processes of formation and develop-ment for the belt are from the stage of the Cathaysian Diwa-type orogens at which compression and thickening of curstobodies prevailed, to the stage of the basin-and-range-type structures at which the late orogenic crustal extension occurred, and then to the stage of the epicontinental Diwa-type rifts at which the lithospheric extension took place.

The Weixi High-silica Granitoids in the Central Sanjiang Orogenic Belt,Southwest China:Implications for Growth of the Continental Crust

High-silica granitoids record the formation and evolution of the continental crust.A new intrusive complex has been recognized among silicic volcanic rocks of the Weixi arc,Southwest China.The intrusions consist of granites,granitic porphyries,and granodiorites.Zircon U-Pb age data indicate that the Weixi granitoids formed at 248-240 Ma and were coeval with silicic volcanic rocks of the Weixi arc.The Weixi granitoids are enriched in Rb,Th,and U,depleted in Ba,Sr,Nb,Ta,and Ti,and have high light/heavy rare earth element ratios and slightly negative Eu anomalies.The Weixi granitoids have negative ε_(Nd)(t)values(-9.8 to-7.8)and negative zircon ε_(Hf)(t)values(-12.02 to-5.11).The geochemical and isotopic features suggest the Weixi granitoids were derived by partial melting of ancient crustal material.The Weixi granitoids and silicic volcanic rocks were derived from the same magma by crystal accumulation and melt extraction,respectively,and they record the formation of a continental arc in the central Sanjiang orogenic belt.

Enhancing Geological Understanding and Identifying Gold Anomalies in the Ailaoshan Orogen

The Ailaoshan Orogen in the southeastern Tibet Plateau,situated between the Yangtze and Simao blocks,underwent a complex structural,magmatic,and metamorphic evolution resulting in different tectonic subzones with varying structural lineaments and elemental concentrations.These elements can conceal or reduce anomalies due to the mutual effect between different anomaly areas.Dividing the whole zone into subzones based on tectonic settings,ore cluster areas,or sample catchment basins(Scb),geochemical and structural anomalies associated with gold(Au)mineralization have been identified utilizing mean plus twice standard deviations(Mean+2STD),factor analysis(FA),concentration-area(CA)modeling of stream sediment geochemical data,and lineament density in both the Ailaoshan Orogen and the individual subzones.The FA in the divided 98 Scbs with 6 Scbs containing Au deposits can roughly ascertain unknown rock types,identify specific element associations of known rocks and discern the porphyry or skarn-type Au mineralization.Compared with methods of Mean+2STD and C-A model of data in the whole orogen,which mistake the anomalies as background or act the background as anomalies,the combined methods of FA and C-A in the separate subzones or Scbs works well in regional metallogenic potential analysis.Mapping of lineament densities with a 10-km circle diameter is not suitable to locate Au deposits because of the delineated large areas of medium-high lineament density.In contrast,the use of circle diameters of 1.3 km or 1.7 km in the ore cluster scale delineates areas with a higher concentration of lineament density,consistent with the locations of known Au deposits.By analyzing the map of faults and Au anomalies,two potential prospecting targets,Scbs 1 and 63 with a sandstone as a potential host rock for Au,have been identified in the Ailaoshan Orogen.The use of combined methods in the divided subzones proved to be more effective in improving geological understanding and identifying mineralization anomalies associated with Au,rather than analyzing the entire large area.

Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Xingxingxia Triassic A-type Granites in Central Tianshan,NW China:Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

The Triassic granitoids in Central Tianshan play a key role in determining the petrogenesis and tectonic evolution on the southern margin of the Central Asian orogenic belt.In this study,we present SHRIMP zircon U-Pb ages,Hf isotopic and geochemical data on the Xingxingxia biotite granite,amazonite granite and granitic pegmatite in Central Tianshan,NW China.Zircon U-Pb dating yielded formation ages of 242 Ma for the biotite granite and 240 Ma for the amazonite granite.These granitoid rocks have high K_(2)O with low MgO and CaO contents.They are enriched in Nb,Ta,Hf and Y,while being depleted in Ba and Sr,showing flat HREE patterns and negative Eu anomalies.They have typical A-type granite geochemical signatures with high Ga/A_(1)(8–13)and TFeO/(TFeO+MgO)ratios,showing an A_(2) affinity for biotite granite and an A_(1) affinity for amazonite granite and granitic pegmatite.Zircon ε_(Hf)(t)values of the granitoids are 0.45–2.66,with Hf model ages of 0.99–1.17 Ga.This suggests that these A-type granites originated from partial melting of the lower crust.We propose that Xingxingxia Triassic A-type granites formed under lithospheric extension from post-orogenic to anorogenic intraplate settings and NE-trending regional strike-slip fault-controlled magma emplacement in the upper crust.

Early Neoproterozoic Granite-Gneisses of the Junggar Alataw(Southeastern Kazakhstan):Age,Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

The combined petrographic,petrological,geochemical and geochronological study of the Neoproterozoic gneisses of the Sarychabyn and Baskan complexes of the Junggar Alataw of South Kazakhstan elucidate the Precambrian tectonic evolution of the Aktau–Yili terrane.It is one of the largest Precambrian crustal blocks in the western Central Asian orogenic belt.The U-Pb single-grain zircon ages indicate that granite-gneisses formed from the same source and crystallised in the early Neoproterozoic ca.930–920 Ma.The chemical composition of gneisses corresponds to A2-type granites.The whole-rock Nd isotopic characteristics(εNd(t)=−4.9 to−1.0 and TNd(DM-2st)=1.9 to 1.7 Ga)indicate the involvement of Paleoproterozoic crustal rocks in magma generation.Early Neoproterozoic ca.930–920 Ma A-type granitoids in the Aktau–Yili terrane of South and Central Kazakhstan might reflect within-plate magmatism adjacent to the collisional belt or a local extension setting in back-arc areas of the continental arc.

Provenance of Conglomerate and Sandstone from Early Permian Shoushangou Formation in Xi Ujimqin,Inner Mongolia:Implications for Understanding Paleo-Asian Ocean Subduction

During the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian,a rift was formed by post-collisional extension after ocean closure or an island arc-related basin formed by Paleo-Asian Ocean(PAO)subduction in the Xi Ujimqin area.Nevertheless,the closure time of the PAO is still under debate.Thus,to identify the origin of the PAO,the geochemistry and U-Pb age of zircons were analyzed for the extra-large deep marine,polymict clastic boulders and sandstones in the Shoushangou Formation within the basin.The analyses revealed magmatic activity and tectonic evolution.The conglomerates include megaclasts of granite(298.8±9.1 Ma)and granodiorite porphyry(297.1±3.1 Ma),which were deposited by muddy debris flow.Results of this study demonstrated that the boulders of granitoids have the geochemistry of typical I-type granite,characterized by low Zr+Nb+Ce+Y and low Ga/Al values.The granitoid boulders were formed in island arc setting,indicating the presence of arc magmatism in the area that is composed of the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian subduction-related granitoid in southern Xi Ujimqin.Multiple diagrams for determining sedimentary provenance using major and trace elements indicate that Shoushangou sediments originated from continental island arc-related felsic rocks.Detrital zircon U-Pb age cluster of 330–280 Ma was obtained,indicating input from granite,ophiolite,Xilin Gol complex,and Carboniferous sources to the south.The basin was geographically developed behind the arc during the Early Permian period because the outcropped intrusive rocks in the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian form a volcanic arc.The comprehensive analyses of source areas suggest that Shoushangou sediments developed in a backarc basin in response to the northward subduction of the PAO.The backarc basin and intrusive rocks,in addition to previously published Late Carboniferous to Early Permian magmatic rocks of arc unit in Xilin Gol,confirm the presence of an Early Permian trencharc-basin system in the region,represented by the Baolidao arc and Xi Ujimqin backarc basin.This study highlights the importance and potential of combined geochemical and geochronological studies of conglomerates and sandstone for reconstructing the geodynamic setting of a basin.

Apatite Fission-Track Thermochronology in the Tamusu Area,Bayingobi Basin,NW China,and its Geological Significance

The Bayingobi basin is located in the middle of Central Asia Orogenic Belt,at the intersection of Paleo-Asian Ocean and Tethys Ocean,as well as the junction of multiple tectonic plates.This unique tectonic setting underpins the basin's intricate history of tectonic activity.To unravel the multifaceted tectono-thermal evolution within the southwestern region of the basin and to elucidate the implications of sandstone-hosted uranium mineralization,granitic and clastic rock samples were collected from the Zongnai Mts.uplift and Yingejing depression,and apatite fission track(AFT)dating and thermal history simulation analysis were performed.AFT dating findings reveal that the apparent ages of all samples fall within the range of 244 Ma to 112 Ma.In particular,the bedrock of the Zongnai Mts.and Jurassic detrital apatite fission tracks have undergone complete annealing,capturing the uplift-cooling age.Meanwhile,the AFT ages of Cretaceous detrital rocks are either equivalent to or notably exceed the age of sedimentary strata,signifying the cooling age of the provenance.A comprehensive examination of AFT ages and palaeocurrent direction analyses suggests that the Cretaceous source in the Tamusu area predominantly originated from the central and southern sectors of the Zongnai Mts.uplift.However,at a certain juncture during the Late Early Cretaceous,the Cretaceous provenance expanded to include the northern part of the Zongnai Mts.uplift.Based on the results of thermal history simulations and previous studies,it is considered that the Tamusu area has undergone four distinct tectonic uplift events since the Late Paleozoic.The first is the Late Permian to Early Triassic(260-240 Ma),which is associated with the closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean and the accretionary orogeny within the Alxa region.The second uplift event took place in the Early Jurassic(190-175 Ma)and corresponded to intraplate orogeny following the closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean.The third uplift event is the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous(160-120 Ma),which is linked to the East Asia's position as the convergence center of multiple tectonic plates during this period.The fourth uplift event is linked to the Late Early Cretaceous(112-100 Ma),driven either by the westward subduction of the eastern Pacific plate or the mantle upwelling resulting from the Bangong-Nujiang oceanic lithosphere subduction and slab break-off.The primary stress orientation for the first three tectonic uplift phases approximated a nearly SN direction,while the fourth stage featured a principal stress direction of NW.The fourth tectonic uplift event of the Late Early Cretaceous and basaltic eruption thermal event during this period likely exerted a significant influence on the formation of the Tamusu sandstone-hosted uranium deposit.

Early Devonian Post-collisional Granitic Magmatism in the North Qilian Orogenic Belt,Western China:Insights into Lithospheric Delamination and Orogenic Collapse

Post-collisional magmatism contains important clues for understanding the reworking and growth of continental crust,as well as lithospheric delamination and orogenic collapse.Early Devonian magmatism has been identified in the North Qilian Orogenic Belt(NQOB).This paper reports an integrated study of petrology,whole-rock geochemistry,Sm-Nd isotope and zircon U-Pb dating,as well as Lu-Hf isotopic data,for two Early Devonian intrusive plutons.The Yongchang and Chijin granites yield zircon U-Pb ages of 394-407 Ma and 414 Ma,respectively.Both of them are characterized by weakly peraluminous to metaluminous without typical aluminium-rich minerals,LREE-enriched patterns with negative Eu anomalies and a negative correlation between P_(2)O_(5) and SiO_(2) contents,consistent with geochemical features of I-type granitoids.Zircons from the studied granites display negative to weak positive ε_(Hf)(t)values(−5.7 to 2.1),which agree well with those of negative ε_(Nd)(t)values(−6.4 to−2.9)for the whole-rock samples,indicating that they were derived from the partial melting of Mesoproterozoic crust.Furthermore,low Sr/Y ratios(1.13-21.28)and high zircon saturation temperatures(745℃ to 839℃,with the majority being>800℃)demonstrated a relatively shallow depth level below the garnet stability field and an additional heat source.Taken together,the Early Devonian granitic magmatism could have been produced by the partial melting of ancient crustal materials heated by mantle-derived magmas at high-temperature and low-pressure conditions during postcollisional extensional collapse.The data obtained in this study,when viewed in conjunction with previous studies,provides more information about the tectonic processes that followed the closure of the North Qilian Ocean.The tectonic transition from continental collision to post-collisional delamination could be constrained to~430 Ma,which is provided by the sudden decrease of Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios and an increase in zircon ε_(Hf)(t)values for granitoids.A two-stage tectonic evolution model from continental collision to post-collisional extensional collapse for the NQOB includes(a)continental collision and crustal thickening during ca.455-430 Ma,characterized by granulite-facies metamorphism and widespread low-Mg adakitic magmatism;(b)post-collisional delamination of thickened continental crust and extensional collapse of orogen during ca.430-390 Ma,provided by coeval high-Mg adakitic magmatism,A-type granites and I-type granitoids with low Sr-Y ratios.

Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of the Silurian adakitic granitoids in the eastern segment of the Qilian Orogenic Belt,Northwest China

Geodynamic mechanism responsible for the generation of Silurian granitoids and the tectonic evolution of the Qilian orogenic belt remains controversial. In this study, we report the results of zircon U–Pb age, and systematic whole-rock geochemical data for the Haoquangou and Liujiaxia granitoids within the North Qilian orogenic belt and the Qilian Block, respectively, to constrain their petrogenesis, and the Silurian tectonic evolution of the Qilian orogenic belt. Zircon U–Pb ages indicate that the Haoquangou and Liujiaxia intrusions were emplaced at423 ± 3 Ma and 432 ± 4 Ma, respectively. The Haoquangou granodiorites are calc-alkaline, while the Liujiaxia granites belong to the high-K calc-alkaline series.Both are peraluminous in composition and have relatively depleted Nd isotopic [ε_(Nd)(t) =(-3.9 – + 0.6)] characteristics compared with regional basement rocks, implying their derivation from a juvenile lower crust. They show adakitic geochemical characteristics and were generated by partial melting of thickened lower continental crust. Postcollisional extensional regime related to lithospheric delamination was the most likely geodynamic mechanism for the generation of the Haoquangou granodiorite, while the Liujiaxia granites were generated in a compressive setting during continental collision between the Qaidam and Qilian blocks.

Early Cretaceous Metasomatized Lithospheric Mantle beneath the Central Jiangnan Orogen in South China:Geochemical and Sr-Nd Isotope Evidence from the Tuanshanbei Dolerite

It is well established that Cretaceous magmatism in the South China Block(SCB)is related to the Paleo-Pacific subduction.However,the starting time and the associated deep crust-mantle processes are still debatable.Mafic dike swarms carry important information on the deep earth(including mantle)geodynamics and geochemical evolution.In the Jiangnan Orogen(South China).there is no information on whether the Mesozoic magmatic activities in this region are also directly related to the Pacific subduction or not.In this study,we present detailed zircon U-Pb geochronological,wholerock element and Sr-Nd isotope data for Early Cretaceous Tuanshanbei dolerite dikes,and provide new constraints on the condition of the lithospheric mantle and mantle dynamics of the SCB during that time.LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating suggests that this dolerite erupted in the Early Cretaceous(~145 Ma).All samples have alkaline geochemical affinities with K_(2)O+Na_(2)O=3.11-4.04 wt%,K_(2)O/Na_(2)O=0.50-0.72,and Mg^(#)=62.24-65.13.They are enriched in LILE but depleted in HFSE with higher initial^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr ratio(0.706896-0.714743)and lower ε_(Nd)(t)(-2.61 to-1.67).They have high Nb/U,Nb/La,La/Sm and Rb/Sr,and low La/Nb,La/Ta,Ce/Pb,Ba/Rb,Tb/Yb and Gd/Yb ratios.Such geochemical signatures suggest that the fractional crystallization is obvious but crustal contamination play a negligible role during magmatic evolution.Tuanshanbei dolerite were most likely derived from low-degree(2%-5%)partial melting of a phlogopite-bearing mantle material consisted of~85% spinel peridotite and~15% garnet peridotite previously metasomatized by asthenospherederived fluids/melts with minor subduction-derived fluids/melts.Slab-rollback generally lead to the upwelling of the hot asthenosphere.The upwelling of asthenosphere consuming the lithospheric mantle by thermo-mechanical-chemical erosion.The lithospheric mantle may have partially melted due to the heating by the upwelling asthenosphere and lithospheric extension.It is inferred that the Tuanshanbei dolerite might be associated with the initial slab rollback and corresponding lithospheric extension occurred potentially at ca.145 Ma.

Origin of the Yueguang gold deposit in Xinhua, Hunan Province, South China: insights from fl uid inclusion and hydrogen–oxygen stable isotope analysis

The Yueguang gold deposit is located in Fengjia,Xinhua County,Hunan Province,South China.It represents a recently discovered small-scale gold deposit situated in the southwestern region of the Jiangnan Orogenic Belt,west of the Baimashan granitic batholith.In order to discern the characteristics of the ore-formingfluids,the underlying mineralization processes,and establish a foundation for the origin of the Yueguang gold depositfluid inclusion micro-thermometry,as well as quartz hydrogen and oxygen isotope analysis,have been carried out on samples obtained from various stages of mineralization.The hydrothermal miner-alization stages within the Yueguang gold deposit can be categorized into three stages:(i)the barren,pre-ore quartz-pyrite stage(Stage Ⅰ),the quartz-pyrite-gold stage(Stage Ⅱ),and the post-ore quartz-carbonate stage(Stage Ⅲ),with the second stage being the main mineralization stage.Thefluid inclusions identified in samples from the main min-eralization stage can predominantly be described with the NaCl–H_(2)O and CO_(2)–NaCl–H_(2)O systems.These inclusions display homogenization temperatures ranging from 158.8 to 334.9℃,and thefluid salinity ranges from 0.3%to 4.0%(wt.%NaCl equiv.).Laser Raman spectroscopy analysis of individual inclusions further reveals the presence of gas-phases such as CO_(2),CH_(4),and N_(2).Isotopic analysis indicatesδ^(18)Ofluid values ranging from 3.95 to 6.7‰ and δDH_(2)O values ranging from-71.9 to-55.7‰.These results indi-cate that the ore-formingfluid of the Yueguang gold deposit belongs to metamorphic hydrothermalfluids of middle-low temperature and low salinity.In the process of ore formation,gold is transported in the form of Au(HS)2-complexes,with gold deposition being driven byfluid immiscibility.Therefore,the Yueguang gold deposit is categorized as an orogenic gold deposit dominated by metamorphic hydrother-malfluid.It may become a new target for gold exploration in the Baimashan region,central Hunan Province.

Classification, Tectonic Setting, and Mineralization Potential of Ayetoro and Sasaro Syenitic Plutons in Igarra Schist Belt, Southwestern Nigeria

Petrographic and geochemical studies of syenite-looking Ayetoro and Sasaro plutons within Igarra Schist Belt were carried out in order to classify them and determine their tectonic setting and mineralization potential. Petrographic study and geochemical classification revealed that while Ayetoro boss is microgranite constituting an aggregate of medium grained muscovite, quartz and biotite minerals, Sasaro stock is micromonzonite made up of medium grained albite, orthoclase, biotite, hornblende and pyroxene. Geotectonic setting showed the boss and stock are orogenic, probably derived from the same upper mantle magma as Igarra batholith that got contaminated by crustal materials responsible for their difference in lithology. Their mineralization potential showed that the massive Ayetoro microgranite with no appreciable trace-element contents cannot serve as host of any metallic deposit, and should be suitable for industrial applications. Whereas, the silicified, highly sheared Sasaro monzonite, with elevated level of some trace elements contents as Ag, Au and Cu, could harbor Ag-Au-Cu deposit.

Hydrothermal ore deposits in collisional orogens

Hydrothermal ore deposits at convergent plate boundaries represent extraordinary metal enrichment in the continental crust. They are generally associated with felsic magmatism in extensional settings at high thermal gradients. Although their formation is common during accretionary orogeny, more and more ore deposits have been discovered recently in the collisional orogens of China. Because collisional orogeny was operated in a compressional regime at low thermal gradients, it is not favorable for mobilization of ore-forming elements and thus for the production of hydrothermal ore deposits. Nevertheless, continental collision is generally preceded by oceanic subduction, which enables the preliminary enrichment of ore-forming elements in the mantle wedge due to chemical metasomatism by subducting slab-derived fluids. This gave rise to metal pre-enriched domains in the overriding lithosphere, which may be reactivated by extensional tectonism for hydrothermal mineralization either immediately during accretionary orogeny or at a later time during and after collisional orogeny. It is these tectonic processes that have resulted in the progressive enrichment of ore-forming elements through the geochemical differentiation of the subducting oceanic crust, the metasomatic mantle domains and the mafic juvenile crust, respectively, at different depths. Finally, the reactivation of metal pre-enriched domains by continental rifting in the orogenic lithosphere is the key to the metallogenesis of collisional orogens.

North Qinling Paleozoic granite associations and their variation in space and time: Implications for orogenic processes in the orogens of central China

Integrated zircon U-Pb dating and whole rock geochemical analyses have been carried out for two typical S-and I-type granitoids in the north Qinling. Zircon dating by SIMS of the Piaochi S-type grani- toids yields an emplacement age of 495±6 Ma. The granitoids show whole-rock εNd(t)=-8.2--8.8, zircon εHf(t)=-6―-39. The Huichizi I-type granitoids have emplacement ages of 421±27 Ma and 434±7 Ma es- tablished by LA-ICP-MS and SIMS methods, respectively. Their whole-rock εNd(t)=-0.9-0.9 and zircon εHf(t)=-11-8.4. Combined with statistical analyses of 28 zircon ages of granitoid plutons collected from the literature, Paleozoic magmatism in the north Qinling can be divided into three stages. The first-stage magmatism (~505-470 Ma) mainly occurred in the east part of the north Qinling and has features of an I-type arc, associated with which are S-type granitoids such as Piaochi pluton. The early granitoids (~505-490 Ma) have close spatio-temporal relations to ultra-high-pressure (UHP) rocks, and thus are interpreted as an oceanic subduction system along a continental margin. The second-stage magmatism (~450-422 Ma) occured through the whole north Qinling, and is characterized by I-type granitoids represented by the Huichizi pluton. The magma is interpreted as partial melting of lower crust mixed by mantle-derived magma in a collisional setting with the uplift of terranes. The third-stage magmatism (~415-400 Ma) is dominated by I-type granitoids and only took place in the middle part of the north Qinling, and is regarded as a late-stage collision. The spatial and temporal variations of the Qinling Paleozoic magmatism reveal protracted subduction/collision. The subduction was initiated from the east part of the north Qinling, earlier than that in the Qilian-northern Qaidam, Kunlun, and northern Dabie regions. This demonstrates variations in time of subduction, accretion and collision of separate blocks or terranes in the orogenic systems in central China.

Poisson's ratio of eclogite: Implications for lower crustal delamination of orogens

Laboratory measurements of combined P- and S-wave-velocities of eclogite from the Dabie-Sulu ultrahigh pressure metamorphic belt and from literature data show a significant increase of Poisson抯 ratio of eclogite with its intrinsic water content H2O+ and thus the degree of hydration. Unaltered eclogites with H2O+<1.0% have an average Poisson抯 ratio between 0.24 and 0.25, which is identical to that calculated from single crystal elastic properties but lower than the averages (0.270.02) of measurements compiled by previous studies. Thus, the Poisson抯 ratio of unaltered eclogites is considerably lower than that of lower crustal mafic granulite and upper mantle peridotite. The lower crust and upper mantle of the Dabie ultrahigh pressure metamorphic belt, the northern and southern parts of the Tibetan Plateau as well as the central Andes, where eclogite may have formed during Mesozoic and Cenozoic tectonism, are characterized by the Poisson抯 ratio >0.26. This, together with their normal upper mantle P-wave velocities, implies that eclogites are no longer an important component of the present-day lower crust and upper mantle of these subduction-collision belts. Combined with age constraints on eclogite-facies metamor- phism and subsequent exhumation, this in turn suggests that the interval from formation to delamination of eclogites is confined to a very short period of <15 Ma.

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.

An Experimental Study of Partial Melting of Metafelsic Rocks:Constraints on the Feature of Anatectic Melts and the Origin of Garnets in Collisional Orogens

Crustal anatexis in continental subduction zones has great bearing on chemical differentiation of the continental crust at convergent plate boundaries.This was experimentally investigated for ultrahigh-pressure(UHP)metafelsic rocks at 0.5-3.0 GPa and 650-900℃.The results show that partial melting begins at about 750℃ when pressure drops from 3.0 to 2.0 GPa,corresponding to decompressional exhumation of the deeply subducted continental crust.As the pressure further decreases to 1.0 GPa,the partial melting degree reaches the maximum of~25%at 900℃.Partial melts produced in these experiments are rich in silica and alkali,and poor in iron,manganese and magnesium.As the degree of partial melting increases,the composition of partial melts gradually converges toward homogeneous one.In the absence of free water,the partial melting of metafelsic rocks were triggered by the breakdown of hydrous minerals.At low temperatures of~750℃at 1.0-2.0 GPa,phengite dehydration melting occurs at first,giving rise to small amounts of felsic melts and peritectic K-feldspar.As the temperature rises up to 850-900℃,biotite begins to break down and gives rise to large amounts of felsic melts and peritectic minerals such as garnet,K-feldspar and orthopyroxene.It is noted that peritectic garnet is much different from anatectic garnet crystallized from anatectic melts and metamorphic garnet formed through metamorphic dehydration reaction under subsolidus conditions.The peritectic garnet is characterized not only by anhedral shapes with many multiphase crystal inclusions but also by compositions poor in spessartine and grossular but rich in almandine and pyrope.On the other hand,the anatectic garnets are characterized not only by euhedral shapes with few inclusions but also by compositions rich in grossular and spessartine but poor in almandine and pyrope.These observations provide experimental constraints on the origin of garnets in UHP metamorphic rocks,which have great bearing on understanding of anatectic metamorphism in collisional orogens.