Geothermal Energy--Network of Geoplutonic Power Plants

The article presents the concept of a network of geoplutonic power plants,the total capacity of which would correspond to the general energy needs of the entire region.A scenario of a regional economy is presented,provided with electricity produced from a clean source,without pollutant emissions.Thus,a vision of solving the energy crisis resulting from the planned elimination of fossil energy sources is presented.Such an opportunity appeared after solving the technological problems of deep drilling,exceeding 10 km.The new technology involves extracting heat from HDRs(Hot Dry Rocks)and heating the fluid circulating in a pipe in a closed circuit.The temperature at a depth of 10 km is determined by the regional geothermal gradient.Temperature is in the range of 200-400°C.This is already a zone of degassing magmatic solutions and exothermic chemical reactions.In general,it can be argued that the heat flux density is a function of the distance from magmatic intrusions.

Petrographic and Geochemical Characters of Granites of the Banfora Belt, Burkina Faso (West Africa)

The Banfora’s birimian greenstones belt is located in the western part of Burkina Faso (west Africa). Recent petrographic and lithogeochemical studies have highlighted plutons intruding the metasedimentary and metavolcanic series. These plutonic rocks are composed of leucogranites belonging to the so-called Ferkessedougou’s or Ferké’s batholith, granites, granodiorites, monzodiorites and quartz monzonites. From the lithogeochemical studies, these plutonic rocks have a calc-alkaline and peraluminous character. The rare earth elements spectra of the Ferké’s leucogranites let distinguished two sub-facies. One of the sub-facies is composed of quartz monzonite to granite, while the other is granitic sensu stricto. However, all these plutonic rocks were emplaced in a geodynamic context of subduction followed by collision.

Review: the charnockite problem, a twenty first century perspective

Beginning of the twentieth century was marked by coinage of a new rock name, Charnockite, first described as a hypersthene-bearing granite from Southern India. Since then charnockites have been described from most of the conti-nents and mostly restricted to high-grade belts. Later half of the last century saw a lively debate over an igneous versus metamorphic origin. However, two factors acted as deterrents for the resolution of the debate. First, charnockites and associated rocks occur in a variety of different structural setting and display diverse field rela-tions, attesting to possible different mode of origin. Second and possibly more important is the lack of consensus on the nomenclature of charnockites and associated rocks and this is commonly linked with the metamorphic versus magmatic perspective. Scanning the literature of this period makes one believe that both metamorphic and magmatic hypotheses are valid, but applicable to different field setting only. Before critically evaluating individual cases, it is imperative that a uniform approach in nomenclature should be agreed upon. It is proposed that name charnockite be adopted for any quartzofeldspathic rock with orthopyroxene, irrespective of its mode of occurrence, struc-tural setting and mode of origin. The associated more mafic varieties, be better described as mafic granulite, rather than basic charnockite. For the patchy charnockites of east Gondwana (including parts of Peninsular India, Sri Lanka and Antarctica), metamorphic transformation from amphibolite facies gneiss, by two different mechanisms: CO2 ingress from deep level, and drop in fluid pressure, has been proposed. However, all such patchy occurrence is not amenable to explanation by metamorphic trans- formation. In some instances, migmatisation of older charnockitic rocks is evident. Also pro- gressive charnockitisation relating patchy char-nockite to banded variety could be argued against on two counts: grain-size relation and time-relation. Larger bodies or bands have been explained as magmatic, but in many instances, from geochemical consideration alone. The compositional variation, commonly encoun-tered in many high-grade belts, if not described in terms of field relation, may lead to wrong no-tions of magmatic differentiation of mantle-de- rived melts. Crustal melting of dry granulite fa-cies source rocks has been proposed from geochemical and isotopic data of charnockitic intrusions. This model proposes high-tempera-ture melting of previously dehydrated and dry granulite source rocks. However, tectonic per-turbation subsequent to granulite facies meta-morphism that might have been responsible for such high temperatures, is not well constrained in this model. Finally, with advent of high- pressure dehydration-melting experiments in the nineties, dehydration-melting of mafic to intermediate composition, syn-kinematic with granulite facies metamorphism has been pro-posed.

A model of crust-mantle differentiation for the early Earth

The Archean continents,primarily composed of the felsic tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite(TTG)suite,were formed or conserved since~3.8 Ga,with significant growth of the continental crust since~2.7 Ga.The difficulty in direct differentiation of the felsic crustal components from Earth’s mantle peridotite leads to a requirement for the presence of a large amount of hydrated mafic precursor of TTG in Earth’s proto-crust,the origin of which,however,remains elusive.The mafic proto-crust may have formed as early as~4.4 Ga ago as reflected by the Hf and Nd isotopic signals from Earth’s oldest geological records.Such a significant time lag between the formation of the mafic proto-crust and the occurrence of felsic continental crust is not reconciled with a single-stage scenario of Earth’s early differentiation.Here,inspired by the volcanism-dominated heat-pipe tectonics witnessed on Jupiter’s moon Io and the resemblances of the intensive internal heating and active magmatism between the early Earth and the present-day Io,we present a conceptual model of Earth’s early crust-mantle differentiation,which involves an Io-like scenario of efficient extraction of a mafic proto-crust from the early mantle,followed by an intrusion-dominating regime that could account for the subsequent formation of the felsic continents as Earth cools.The model thus allows an early formation of the preTTG proto-crust and the generation of TTG in the continent by providing the favorable conditions for its subsequent melting.This model is consistent with the observed early fractionation of the Earth and the late but rapid formation and/or accumulation of the felsic components in the Archean continents,thus sheds new light on the early Earth’s differentiation and tectonic evolution.

Mass Balance of Major Elements in Relation to Weathering in Soils Developed on Igneous Rocks in a Semiarid Region,Northwestern Iran

This study was conducted to evaluate the weathering intensity of the major soils developed on igneous rocks in semiarid region of northwestern Iran.Eight parent materials were selected including monzodiorite,alkali granite,granodiorite,syenite,pyroxene diorite,hornblende andesite,pyroxene andesite,and dacite.Representative soil profiles were described and soil samples were collected and analyzed for selected chemical and physical properties and total concentrations of major elements and Zr,V,Ti and Y.Bulk densities as well as Ti,Zr and V concentrations were used to estimate the strain factors and mass balance equations were used to quantify the net result of pedogenic weathering,i.e.elemental loss and gain.The results of clay content and pedogenic iron variability as well as index of compositional variability(ICV),chemical index of alteration(CIA) and,A-CN-K and MFW ternary plots showed that the soils developed on volcanic rocks(hornblende andesite> pyroxene andesite> dacite) were more weathered than those on the plutonic parent rocks(alkali granite,granodiorite,monzodiorite,syenite,pyroxene diorite).The results of mass balance calculations based on the strain factors revealed that the Ca and Na depleted during weathering progress mostly from plagioclase grains.In the semiarid regions Ca is precipitated as pedogenic calcite in the soil horizons.K and Mg depletion is less than Ca and Na especially in the profiles on the hornblende andesite with the highest clay and LOI content.The results of this study clearly suggest that the behavior of K and Mg during the weathering cannot only be explained by the disintegration of the primary minerals,since they are fixed on the secondary clay minerals.Iron did not change in the soils compared to the parent material and was precipitated as the pedogenic iron and conserved in the soil horizons.Overall,the results on the weathering indicators and major elements mass balance enrichment/depletion in the study area confirmed that the soil profiles developed on volcanic rocks are more weathered than those on the plutonic igneous rocks.

Zircon SHRIMP Dating for the Weiya Pluton, Eastern Tianshan: Its Geological Implications

The timing of the emplacement of the Weiya pluton remains controversial due to the absence of systematic and precise dating. This paper reports zircon SHRIMP U-Pb dating of different lithologic phases in the Weiya pluton, and discusses the genesis and tectonic environment. The ages of gabbro, quartz syenite, diorite porphyrite and fine-grained granite are 236±6 Ma, 246±6 Ma, 233±8 Ma and 237±8 Ma, respectively. All these phases were formed in early-middle Indosinian （Triassic） in a post-orogenic environment. In addition to underplating, intraplating of mantle-derived magmas is also a substantial mechanism for magma generation and vertical accretion of the continental crust. Granitoid rocks are important products of vertical continental accretion as underplating evolves gradually to intraplating. The existence of post-orogenic Indosinian granites shows that the middle Tianshan orogenic belt underwent an important tectonic conversion from the Paleo-Asian ocean subduction-collision system to the Paleo-Tethys ocean regime.

Timing of Magma Mixing in the Gangdisê Magmatic Belt during the India-Asia Collision: Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb Dating

Abundant mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) extensively distribute in granitoids in the Gangdise giant magmatic belt, within which the Qüxü batholith is the most typical MME-bearing pluton. Systematic sampling for granodioritic host rock, mafic microgranular enclaves and gabbro nearby at two locations in the Qüxü batholith, and subsequent zircon SHRIMP II U-Pb dating have been conducted. Two sets of isotopic ages for granodioritic host rock, mafic microgranular enclaves and gabbro are 50.4±1.3 Ma, 51.2±1.1 Ma, 47.0±l Ma and 49.3±1.7 Ma, 48.9±1.1 Ma, 49.9±1.7 Ma, respectively. It thus rules out the possibilities of mafic microgranular enclaves being refractory residues after partial melting of magma source region, or being xenoliths of country rocks or later intrusions.Therefore, it is believed that the three types of rocks mentioned above likely formed in the same magmatic event, i.e., they formed by magma mixing in the Eocene (c. 50 Ma). Compositionally, granitoid host rocks incline towards acidic end member involved in magma mixing, gabbros are akin to basic end member and mafic microgranular enclaves are the incompletely mixed basic magma clots trapped in acidic magma. The isotopic dating also suggested that huge-scale magma mixing in the Gangdise belt took place 15-20 million years after the initiation of the India-Asia continental collision, genetically related to the underplating of subduction-collision-induced basic magma at the base of the continental crust. Underplating and magma mixing were likely the main process of mass-energy exchange between the mantle and the crust during the continental collision, and greatly contributed to the accretion of the continental crust, the evolution of the lithosphere and related mineralization beneath the portion of the Tibetan Plateau to the north of the collision zone.

Zircon LA-ICP MS U-Pb Age,Sr-Nd-Pb Isotopic Compositions and Geochemistry of the Triassic Post-collisional Wulong Adakitic Granodiorite in the South Qinling,Central China,and Its Petrogenesis

The Indosinian post-collisional Wulong pluton intruded into the Mesoproterozoic Fuping Group, South Qinling, central China. In the southern part of the pluton, some mafic enclaves have sharp or gradational contact relationships with the host biotite granodiorite. Geochemistry, zircon LA-ICP MS （laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry） U-Pb chronology and Sr- Nd-Pb isotope geochemistry of the pluton are reported in this paper. The biotite granodiorite shows close compositional similarities to high-silica adakite. Its chondrite-normalized REE patterns are characterized by strong HREE depletion （Yb = 0.33--0.96 10-6 and Y = 4.77-11.19 ×10^-6）, enrichment of Ba （775-1386 x 10-6） and Sr （643-1115 × 10^-6） and high Sr/Y （57.83-159.99） and Y/Yb （10.99-14.32） ratios, as well as insignificant Eu anomalies （6Eu = 0.70-0.83）, suggesting a feldspar-poor, garnet±amphibole-rich residual mineral assemblage. The mafic enclaves have higher MgO （4.15- 8.13%）, Cr （14.79-371.31 × 10-6）, Ni （20.00-224.24× 10^-6） and Nb/Ta （15.42-21.91） than the host granodiorite, implying that they are mantle-derived and might represent underplated mafic magma. Zircon LA-ICP MS dating of the granodiorite yields a ^206pb/^238U weighted mean age of 208±2 Ma （MSWD=0.50, 1σ）, which is the age of emplacement of the host biotite granodiorite. This age indicates that the Wulong pluton formed during the late-orogenic or post-collisional stage （〈242±21 Ma） of the South Qinling belt. The host biotite granodiorite displays ^87Sr/^86Sr = 0.7059-0.7062, Isr = 0.7044-- 0.7050,^143Nd/^144Nd = 0.51236-0.51238, εNd（t）= -2.26 to -2.66 to ^206Pb/^204pb = 18.099-18.209, ^207pb/^204pb = 15.873-15.979 and ^208pb/^204pb = 38.973-39.430. Those ratios are similar to those of the Mesoproterozoic Yaolinghe Group in the South Qinling. Furthermore, its Nd isotopic model age （-1.02 Ga） is consistent with the age （-1.1 Ga） of the Yaolinghe Group. Based on the integrated geological and geochemical studies, coupled with previous studies, the authors suggest that the Wulong adakitic biotite granodiorite was probably generated by dehydration melting of the Yaolinghe Group-like thickened mafic crust, triggered by underplating of mafic magma at the boundary of the thickened mafic crust and hot lithospheric mantle, and that the Wulong adakitic biotite granodiorite may have resulted from thinning and delamination of the lower crust or breakoff of the subducting slab of the Mianlue ocean during the Indosinian post-collisional orogenic stage of the Qinling orogenic belt.

Mesoproterozoic Continental Arc Type Granite in the Central Tianshan Mountains:Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb Dating and Geochemical Analyses

The Central Tianshan belt in northwestern China is a small Precambrian block located in the southern part of the Central Asia Orogenic Belt （CAOB）, which is considered as ＂the most voluminous block of young continental crust in the world＂ that comprises numerous small continental blocks separated by Paleozoic magmatic arcs. The Precambrian basement of the central Tianshan Mountains is composed of volcanic rocks and associated volcano-sedimentary rocks that were intruded by granitic plutons. Geochemical analyses demonstrate that the granitic plutons and volcanic rocks were generated in the Andean-type active continental arc environment like today＇s Chile, and the zircon U-Pb SHRIMP dating indicates that they were developed at about 956 Ma, possibly corresponding to the subduction of the inferred Mozambique Ocean under the Baltic-African super-continent.

LA-ICPMS Zircon U-Pb Dating for Three Indosinian Granitic Plutons from Central Hunan and Western Guangdong Provinces and Its Petrogenetic Implications

The LA-ICPMS zircon U-Pb geochronology of three typically Indosinian granitic plutons yielded weighted mean ^206pb/^238U ages of 214.1±5.9 Ma and 210.3±4.7 Ma for the biotite monzonitic granites from the Xiema and Xiangzikou plutons in Hunan Province, and 205.3±1.6 Ma for biotite granite from the Napeng pluton, western Guandong Province, respectively, showing a similar late Indosinian age of crystallization. In combination with other geochronological data from Indosinian granites within the South China Block （SCB）, it is proposed that those late Indosinian granites with an age of -210 Ma and the early Indosinian granites （230-245 Ma） have the similar petrogenesis in identical tectonic setting. The Indosinian granites within the SCB might be the products of anatexis of the thickening crust in a compressive regime. These data provide a further understanding for the temporal and spatial distribution of the Indosinian granites and the dynamic evolution of the SCB.

Ages of the Laocheng Granitoids and Crustal Growth in the South Qinling Tectonic Domain,Central China:Zircon U-Pb and Lu-Hf Isotopic Constraints

The Laocheng granitoid pluton is located in the South Qinling tectonic domain of the Qinling orogenic belt,southern Shaanxi Province,and consists chiefly of quartz diorite,granodiorite and monzogranite.A LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb isotopic dating,in conjunction with cathodoluminescence images,reveals that the quartz diorite and granodiorite were emplaced from 220 Ma to 216 Ma,while the monzogranite was emplaced at～210 Ma.In-situ zircon Hf isotopic analyses show that theε_（Hf）（t） values of the quartz diorite and granodiorite range from-8.1 to ＋1.3,and single-stage Hf model ages from 809 Ma to 1171 Ma,while theε_（Hf）（t）values of the monzogranite are-14.5 to ＋16.7 and single-stage Hf model ages from 189 Ma to 1424 Ma.These Hf isotopic features reveal that the quartz diorite, granodiorite and monzogranite were formed from the mixing of the magmas derived from partial melting of the depleted mantle and the lower continent crustal materials,and there were two stages of continental crust growth during the Neoproterozoic（～800 Ma）and Indosinian（～210 Ma）eras, respectively,in the south Qinling tectonic domain of the Qinling orogrnic belt,Central China.

Forceful Emplacement of Granitic Plutons in an Extensional Tectonic Setting:Syn-kinematic Plutons in the Yagan-Onch Hayrhan Metamorphic Core Complex

It is generally considered that granitic plutons are forcefully emplaced in acompressional setting and permissively emplaced in an extensional setting. This paper, however,shows that syn-kinematic (extensional) elliptic granitic plutons in the Yagan-Onch Hayrhanmetamorphic core complex (MCC) have relatively strong forceful emplacement, which are indicated by(1) concentric distribution of the rock units, (2) a strain pattern with strong strains on themargins and low strains at the centre of a pluton, and particularly (3) syn-emplacement shorteningof the host rocks within the aureole. The strain analysis for the host rocks shows that thehost-rock ductile shortening, i.e. forceful emplacement, provides about 16-24 percent of theemplacement space for the present plutons. All these suggest that forceful emplacement occurs notonly in a compressional tectonic setting, but also in an extensional setting. This study furtherdemonstrates the significance of the multiple emplacement of granitic plutons and provides newinformation about the causality between granitic magmatism and the formation of the MCC and itsdynamics.

Geochronology, petrogenesis and tectonic significance of Dahongliutan pluton in Western Kunlun orogenic belt, NW China

The Dahongliutan granitic pluton,in the eastern part of the West Kunlun orogenic belt,provides significant insights for studying the tectonic evolution of West Kunlun.This paper presents a systematic study of LA-ICP-MS zircon U Pb age,major and trace elements,Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes,and the first detailed Li isotope analysis of the Dahongliutan pluton.LA-ICP-MS zircon U Pb dating shows that the Dahongliutan granites were emplaced in the Late Triassic((213±2.1)Ma).Geochemical data show relatively high SiO2 contents(68.45 wt%73.62 wt%)and aluminum saturation index(A/CNK=1.111.21)indicates peraluminous high-K calc-alkaline granite.The Dahongliutan granites are relatively high in light rare earth elements(LREE)and large ion lithophile elements(LILEs)(e.g.,Rb,K,Th),and relatively depleted in high field strength elements(HFSEs)(e.g.,Nb,Ta,P,Ti).TheεNd(t)values range from 8.71 to 4.73,and(87Sr/86Sr)i=0.70870.71574.Zircons from the pluton yield 176Hf/177Hf values of 0.2826181 to 0.2827683,andεHf(t)values are around 0;the two-stage Hf model ages range from 0.974 to 1.307 Ga.Theδ7Li values are 0.76‰3.25‰,with an average of 2.53‰.Isotopic compositions of the pluton suggest a mixed trend between the partial melting of the Middle Proterozoic ancient crustal material and a juvenile mantle-derived material.This study infers that the Dahongliutan rock mass is formed in the post-collisional extension environment,when the collision between South Kunlun and the Tianshuihai terranes results in the closure of the Palaeo-Tethys.The mantle-derived magma results in partial melting of the lower crust.

Emplacement Mechanism of the Akebasitao Pluton:Implications for Regional Tectonic Evolution of West Junggar,NW China

Late Carboniferous to Early Permian A-type granites are extensively distributed throughout the West Junggar region, NW China, and the Akebasitao pluton is extremely distinguished among these plutons. In this paper, we reported new anisotropy of magnetic susceptible （AMS） data combine with detailed field study and audio magnetotelluric （AMT） sounding to assess the three-dimensional shape and magmatic emplacement mechanism of the Akebasitao pluton. The geological features and the AMT sounding indicate that the pluton had a slightly oblique movement of magma from northwest to southeast, which was most likely to correspond to an asymmetrical torch with a laccolith-shaped upper part, and a lower part formed by sub-vertical ＂root＂ that was located within its northwestern part, probably controlled by the NE-trending Anqi fault. The AMS fabrics of all the specimens reveal a low Pj value （mean of 1.02） and a low T value （mean of -0.024）, suggesting that the deformation of the AMS ellipsoid is relatively weak. The specimens exhibit both oblate and prolate shapes of the AMS ellipsoid. Magnetic lineations and foliations are randomly distributed throughout the pluton without any preferred orientation. These AMS patterns indicate that the pluton formed in a relatively stable structural environment with no regional extrusion. Therefore, we propose a complex emplacement process in which the magmas reached the shallower crust levels via deep-faults and subsequently occupied the room created by doming, accompanied by stoping near the pluton roof. Additionally, the regional tectonic setting was relatively stable during the emplacement of the Akebasitao pluton, indicating the termination of compressional orogeny during the late Late Carboniferous in the West Junggar region. This conclusion perfectly coincides with the regional tectonic paleogeography, magmatic system, and paleostress field.

Abundances of chemical elements in granitoids of different geological ages and their characteristics in China

Actual granitoid analytical data of 767 composited samples are presented here. The data source is 6080 samples collected mainly from 750 large- to middle-sized granitoid bodies across China. Data from the composited samples, which includes that of 70 elements, is analyzed according to geological age - Archeozoic （Ar）, Proterozoic （Pt）, Eopaleozoic （PZl）, Neopaleozoic （Pz2）, Mesozoic （Mz）, and Cenozoic （Cz） - and three major compositional varieties, e.g. alkali-feldspar granite, syenogranite and adamellite. Petrochemical parameters, trace-element content and rare-earth element （REE） distribu- tions of the different rock types and geological ages are characterized, and change tendencies through Archean to Cenozoic time are recorded. The comprehensive analytical data presented here has not been previously published. This significant data set can be used as fundamental information in studies of basic China geology, magma petrogenesis, ore exploration and geochemistry.

Study of the Emplacement Mechanism of the Fenghuangshan Granite Pluton and Related Cu-Au Mineralization in Tongling, Anhui Province

The Fenghuangshan Pluton is located in the Tongling polymineral-cluster district in the middle-lower section of the Yangtze metallogenic belt. In tectonic terms, it is in the middle of the Guichi-Fanchang faulted fold bundle of the lower Yangtze Platform fold belt between the Dabie Orogenic Belt and the Jiangnan Massif. Analyses of the structural deformation characteristics of both the contact zone and the interior of the pluton are used to explain its emplacement mechanism. The foliation and lineation of the pluton, consisting of the oriented distribution of dark minerals and xenoliths, mainly concentrate along the margin of the pluton. Toward the center of the pluton, the foliation structure becomes weak, showing intense compression formation at the margin, and reflecting the conformable intrusion of the pluton. The relatively gentle lineation is evidence of a rotatory emplacement mechanism. Relatively steep marginal foliation reflects compression expanding. Affected by the thermal power of the pluton, the metamorphism of the contact zone has zonation. Both the strike of the axial plane of fold at the contact zone and that of the flow cleavage of the ductile shear zone are consistent with the boundary of the pluton, which reflects the speciality of conformable intrusion. The hinges of the folds are mostly inclined and erect, reflecting both the rotation of the pluton and its upward spiraling emplacement mechanism. Boudins developed in both the contact zone and the steep strata indicate the emplacement characteristic of the ballon expanding. The surrounding rock of the contact zone shortens horizontally. The average percentage of shortening is 39.7%, which further proves the mechanism of the pluton expanding, and the space occupied by the active expanding intrusion was provided by the shortening of the surrounding rock. The left-lateral shear shown by the ductile shear zone and the rheomorphic fold reveals that the pluton emplacement and the deformation of surrounding rock are controlled by a NNE-striking left-lateral shear stress field. These characteristics of pluton structures provide a mechanism of emplacement. In the deep, the pluton apirally rose left lateral, and in the shallow, the one forcefully emplaced balloningly.

Petrogenesis and Mineralization of Two-Stage A-Type Granites in Jiuyishan,South China:Constraints from Whole-rock Geochemistry, Mineral Composition and Zircon U-Pb-Hf Isotopes

The Jiuyishan complex massif,located in the northern section of the Nanling region,is a combination of five plutons,namely,the Xuehuading,Jinjiling,Pangxiemu,Shaziling and Xishan plutons.Whole-rock geochemistry,Imineral electron microprobe analysis,zircon U-Pb dating and Hf isotope analysis were carried out for the Jinjiling and Pangxiemu plutons.The zircon U-Pb dating yields weighted mean ages of 152.9±0.9 Ma for the Jinjiling pluton and 151.7±1.5 Ma for the Pangxiemu pluton,with a narrow gap between them.The Jinjiling and Pangxiemu plutons both have geochemical characteristics of high SiO2,Al2 O3,Na2 O,K2 O and low TiO2,MgO,CaO,P2 O5 contents,with intense depletions in Sr,Ba,Ti,Eu and enrichments in Ga,FeoOT and HFSE,and these characteristics reflect an A-type affinity.From the Jinjiling to the Pangxiemu plutons,the mineral composition of mica changes from lepidomelane to zinnwaldite,with increases in F,Li2 O and Rb2 O contents.The mineral composition of zircon changes from low Zr/Hf to high Zr/Hf,with increasing HfO2,P2 O5 and UO2+ThO2+Y2 O3 contents.The mineral compositions of feldspar indicate that the Pangxiemu pluton contains more alkali feldspar than the Jinjiling pluton.The whole-rock geochemistry and mineral compositions reveal a higher degree of differentiation for the Pangxiemu pluton.The nearly uniformεHf(t)indicates the same source region for the two plutons:both were derived from partial melting of the lower crust,with small contributions of mantle materials.In addition,higher F,lower Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf ratios in the Pangxiemu Pluton suggest a closer relationship with the rare metal mineralization than for the Jinjiling pluton.

Granitoid emplacement during syn-convergent transtension:An example from the Huamenlou pluton in North Qinling,central China

The Huamenlou pluton,is an elongated granite intrusion with high aspect ratio,emplaced within the southern margin of the North Qinling(central China).Here we investigate this pluton through multiple techniques including the fabric study,microstructural observation and zircon geochronology.Our zircon U-Pb data confirm that the granite crystallized at ca.462 Ma which is consistent with the ages of other linear plutons in North Qinling.Microstructural observations of the Huamenlou granites illustrate that the pluton has undergone superimposed deformation during its emplacement,from magmatic to hightemperature solid state conditions.The internal fabric obtained by anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility(AMS)and shape preferred orientation(SPO)show similar results.The fabrics are relatively concordant and generally vary from NE-SW to NEE-SWW which are roughly oblique to the trend of the pluton elongation and the regional structures.Meanwhile,scalar parameters reflect two completely different strain regimes for the pluton and its host rocks,i.e.,the fabrics within host rocks are mainly oblate while the central part of the intrusion displays mainly prolate fabrics.It is inferred that the structural pattern recorded in this pluton was caused by local dextral transtension in consequence of oblique convergence between the South and North China Blocks.We propose that the local transtension in convergence setting probably evolved from vertical extrusion tectonics that provided room for the magma emplacement and imparted prolate fabrics in the Huamenlou pluton.

Zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotopic characteristics of the Dehe biotite monzonitic gneiss pluton in the North Qinling orogen and their geological significance

The Dehe granitic pluton intruded the Xiahe Group which is in the core complex of the North Qinling Orogenic Belt(NQOB).It shows gneissic bedding and possesses typical S-type granite minerals such as muscovite and garnet.LA-ICP-MS U-Pb isotopic dating of the Dehe granite yielded a weighted average age of 925±23 Ma which represents the emplacement age of the pluton.Most of the εHf(t) values are negative,and the two-stage model ages are consistent with the age of the Qinling Group.The isotope data show that the Dehe granite was formed in the following geological setting:in the syn-collision setting of the NQOB in the Neoproterozoic,crustal thickening induced partial melting of materials derived from the Qinling complex,and then the maga upwelled and intruded into the Xiahe Group.The formation of the Dehe S-type granite implied the occurrence of a convergent event in the QOB during the Neoproterozoic.

A-type granites induced by a breaking-off and delamination of the subducted Junggar oceanic plate,West Junggar,Northwest China

The A-type granites with highly positiveε_(Nd)(t)values in the West Junggar,Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB),have long been perceived as a group formed under the same tectonic and geodynamic setting,magmatic sourceq and petrogenetic model.Geological evidence shows that these granites occurred at two different tectonic units related to the southeastern subduction of Junggar oceanic plate:the Hongshan and Karamay granites emplaced in the southeast of West Junggar in the Baogutu continental arc;whereas the Akebasitao and Miaoergou granites formed in the accretionary prism.Here the authors present new bulk-rock geochemistry and Sr-Nd isotopes,zircon U-Pb ages and Hf-O isotopes data on these granites.The granites in the Baogutu continental arc and accretionary prism contain similar zirconε_(Hf)(t)values(+10.9 to+16.2)and bulk-rock geochemical characteristics(high SiO_(2)and K_(2)O contents,enriched LILEs(except Sr),depleted Sr,Ta and Ti,and negative anomalies in Ce and Eu).The Hongshan and Karamay granites in the Baogutu continental arc have older zircon U-Pb ages(315-305 Ma)and moderate^(18)O enrichments(δ^(18)_(O_(zircon))=+6.41‰-+7.96‰);whereas the Akebasitao and Miaoergou granites in the accretionary prism have younger zircon U-Pb ages(305-301 Ma)with higher^(18)O enrichments(δ^(18)_(O_(zircon))=+8.72‰-+9.89‰).The authors deduce that the elevated^(18)O enrichments of the Akebasitao and Miaoergou granites were probably inherited from low-temperature altered oceanic crusts.The Akebasitao and Miaoergou granites were originated from partial melting of low-temperature altered oceanic crusts with juvenile oceanic sediments below the accretionary prism.The Hongshan and Karamay granites were mainly derived from partial melting of basaltic juvenile lower crust with mixtures of potentially chemical weathered ancient crustal residues and mantle basaltic melt(induced by hot intruding mantle basaltic magma at the bottom of the Baogutu continental arc).On the other hand,the Miaoergou charnockite might be sourced from a deeper partial melting reservoir under the accretionary prism,consisting of the low-temperature altered oceanic crust,juvenile oceanic sediments,and mantle basaltic melt.These granites could be related to the asthenosphere's counterflow and upwelling,caused by the break-off and delamination of the subducted oceanic plate beneath the accretionary prism Baogutu continental arc in a post-collisional tectonic setting.