The Geology and Tectonic Settings of China's Mineral Deposits by Franco Pirajno

China is the third largest country in the world, with a land area of about 9.6 million km2. It is endowed with abundant mineral resources, and the metal mining activity can be traced back to ca. 8000 years ago. However, due to language barrier, little has been known about the geology and tectonics to the outside world until 1980s. In the last three decades, a great deal of knowledge has been gained, enhanced by a vigorous cooperation between Chinese and Western geologists. Research papers about geological, geochemical, and geochronological features of mineral deposits of China are widely published and cited in international journals. A comprehen- sive and comprehensible English literature that summarises the features of mineral deposits in China, however, is still lacking.

Geochemistry and Tectonic Settings of Felsic Dykes in the Neoproterozoic Nagar Parkar Igneous Complex, SE Sindh, Pakistan

The Nagar Parkar complex consists of Neoproterozoic igneous and metamorphic rocks dissected by episodic mafic and felsic dykes.The latter can be classified broadly into porphyritic felsic dykes and aplitic felsic dykes(minor)

Chronology,Geochemistry and Tectonic Settings of the Hadamiao Granodiorite on the Northern Margin of the North China Platform

The Hadamiao granodiorite,located on the northern margin of the North China platform and acting as the country rock of gold deposits in the Hadamiao region,was formed in the same age and similar tectonic settings with the Hadamiao gold deposit and the large-scale Bilihe gold deposit in the same area.By using the LA-ICP-MS method,the U-Pb age obtained is 267±1.3 Ma,which represents the crystallized age of the granodiorite,and that of the xenolithic zircon is 442.8±5 Ma. Base on the main elements,it exhibits the features of calc-alkaline to high-potassium calc-alkaline series,low silicon,and quasi-aluminous I-type granites,and with high magnesium（Mg~#=0.45-0.57） and high sodium contents（Na_2O/K_2O=0.98-2.29）.The SREE values（81.6-110.15 ppm） are relatively low,the fractionations between LREE and HREE are obvious,showing a right-inclined dispersion in the REE distribution diagram.Compared with the primitive mantle,the rock is relatively rich in LREE（La and Ce）,LILE（K,Sr,and Th）,and intensively depleted in HFSE（Ti,P,Nb and Ta）.The ratios of Sr/Y and（La/Yb）_N and the contents of Rb,Nb and Y are relatively low,the Sr values are high （436.35-567.26 ppm）,and the Yb contents of most samples are low（1.25-1.8）,which indicate the features of typical continental margin arc and adakitic rocks.According to the values ofε_（Nd）（t）（-2.4 to ＋0.2） and I_（Sr）（0.7028-0.7083）,and variations of the La/Sm ratios,the Hadamiao granodiorite was formed from mixing of the thickened molten lower crust and the mantle wedge substances.The rock was related to the southward subduction and accretion of the Paleo-Asia Ocean in the Late Paleozoic, being Late Paleozoic magma of the continental margin arc formed on the basement of the Early Paleozoic accretion complexes,and showing a trend of turning into adakitic rocks,which indicates their great metallogenic（Au） potential.

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.

Discriminating among tectonic settings of spinel based on multiple machine learning algorithms

In geochemistry,researchers usually discriminate among tectonic settings by analyzing the chemistry elements of minerals.Previous studies have generally taken spinel and monoclinic pyroxene as subjects.Therefore,in this research,we took spinel as a breakthrough.Totally 1898 spinel samples with 14-dimension chemistry elements were collected from three different tectonic settings,including ocean island,convergent margin,and spreading center.In the experiment,20 classification algorithms were conducted in the classification learner application of MATLAB.The validation accuracies,receiver operating characteristic curves(ROCs),and the areas under ROC curve(AUCs)show that the Bag Ensemble Classifier has the best performance in the problem.Its validation accuracy is 86.3%,and the average AUC is 0.957.For further analysis,we studied the importance of different major elements in discriminating.It has been found that TiO2 has the best impact on discrimination,and FeOT,Al2O3,Cr2O3,MgO,MnO,and ZnO are of less importance.Based on the Bag Ensemble Classifier,a MATLAB plug-in application named Discriminator of Spinel Tectonic Setting(DSTS)has been developed for promoting the usage of machine learning in geochemistry and facilitating other researchers to use our achievements.

Magma source and tectonic setting of the Dunde granite in the Western Tianshan:constraints from geochronology,geochemistry,and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes

The Dunde iron-zinc polymetallic deposit is one of large iron deposits occurred in the Awulale Metallogenetic Belt,Western Tianshan(NW-China).This study reports new geochronology and geochemistry for granite in the Dunde mining area in order to constrain the tectonicmagmatic activities and metallogenesis of this region.Granites in the southwest of Dunde mining area are mainly syenogranites intruded into volcanics of the Dahalajunshan Formation in the Early Carboniferous,and they are far from the area where ore bodies and mineralized altered rocks are widely developed.LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon dating indicates that Dunde syenogranite was at 306.8±1.0 Ma,which could constrain the upper limit of metallogenic age for this deposit.The Dunde granites are high SiO_(2)(73.41–80.07 wt%),high differentiation index(D.I.=89.7–95.0),weakly peraluminous to metaluminous(A/CNK=0.94–1.08),and they are enriched in LILE and LREE and depleted in Eu,Ba,Sr and P_(2)O_(5),indicating that they belong to highly fractionated Ⅰ-type granite.Based on εHf values(+9.2 to+10.5)for zircon and high εNd(-t)values(+4.7 to+5.8)for whole-rock,and the two-stage model ages for 601–735 Ma,suggest that the magma source could be the juvenile lower crust.Combined with regional geological setting,the 306.8 Ma Dunde granites are formed in post-collision extensional tectonic setting.

Major Characteristics of the Lajishan Orogenic Belt of the South Qilian Mountains and Its Geotectonic Attribute

The Lajishan orogenic belt is one of the E-W-trending Caledonian orogenicbelts within the Qinling-Qilian orogenic system. It was formed upon the Jiningian basement byintensive taphrogenesis. Its major characteristics comprise the prominent faulting along the northand south boundaries, the highly complicated petrological and petro-geochemical features of thevolcanic rock series, and the development of a new type of ophiolite suite. In terms of tectonicanalysis and the sequential analysis of tectonic settings of magmatic rocks, it is suggested thatthe Lajishan orogenic belt has undergone a complete 'opening-closing' cycle, which can be furtherdivided into 3 second-order 'opening-closing' cycles. The composite characteristics of the'opening-closing' movement show that Laji Mountain is a typical fault orogenic belt. The faultorogenic belt is one of the most important types of intracontinental orogens. It is of criticaltheoretical and practical significance to summarize the characteristics and the diagnostic criteriaof this kind of orogenic belts, and study the mechanism of their formation and build models of theirevolution.

Early Permian–Late Triassic Magmatism in the Tuotuohe Region of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau: Constraints on the Tectonic evolution of the Western Segment of the Jinshajiang Suture

In this paper we present new zircon U-Pb ages,whole-rock major and trace element analyses,and zircon Hf isotopic data for magmatic rocks in the Tuotuohe region of the western segment of the Jinshajiang suture.Our aim is to constrain the Early Permian-Late Triassic tectonic evolution of the region.Zircons from the magmatic rocks of the Tuotuohe region are euhedralsubhedral in shape and display fine-scale oscillatory zoning as well as high Th/U ratios （0.4-4.6）,indicating a magmatic origin.The zircon U-Pb ages obtained using LA-ICP-MS are 281 ± 1 Ma,258 ± 1 Ma,244 ± 1 Ma,and 216 ± 1 Ma,which indicate magmatism in the Early Permian-Late Triassic.A diorite from Bashihubei （BSHN） has SiO2 =57.18-59.97 wt％,Al2O3=15.70-16.53 wt％,and total alkalis （Na2O ＋ K2O） =4.46-6.34 wt％,typical of calc-alkaline and metaluminous series.A gabbro from Bashibadaoban （BSBDB） belongs to the alkaline series,and is poor in SiO2 （45.46-54.03 wt％） but rich in Al2O3 （16.19-17.39 wt％） and total alkalis （Na2O ＋ K2O =5.48-6.26 wt％）.The BSHN diorite and the BSBDB gabbro both display an enrichment of LREEs and LILEs and depletion of HFSEs,and they have no obvious Eu anomaly; they have relatively low MgO contents （2.54-4.93 wt％）,Mg# values of 43 to 52,and low Cr and Ni contents （8.07-33.6 ppm and 4.41-14.2 ppm,respectively）,indicating they differentiated from primitive mantle magmas.They have low Nb/U,Ta/ U,and Ce/Pb ratios （1.3-9.6,0.2-0.8,and 0.1-18.1,respectively）,and their initial Hf isotopic ratios range from ＋9.6 to ＋16.9 （BSHN diorite） and ＋6.5 to ＋12.6 （BSBDB gabbro）,suggesting their primary magmas were derived mainly from the partial melting of a mantle wedge that had been metasomatized by subduction fluids.Taking all the new data together,we conclude that the western and eastern segment of the Jinshajiang suture regions underwent identical processes of evolution in the Early Permian-Late Triassic：oceanic crust subduction before the Early Permian,continental collision during the Early-Middle Triassic,and post-collisional extension from the Late Triassic.

Neoproterozoic Volcanic Rocks in the Southern Quruqtagh of Northwest China:Geochemistry,Zircon Geochronology and Tectonic Implications

The Early Neoproterozoic Beiyixi Formation volcanic rocks of the southern Quruqtagh comprise mainly of a suite of tholeiitic basalts, alkaline andesites, and calc-alkaline rhyolites. The rhyolites are characterized by variably fractionated enrichment in light rare earth elements （LREE） and fiat in heavy rare earth elements （HREE）, and strongly negative Eu anomalies. Compared to the rhyolites, the andesites also exhibit enrichment in LREE and flat HREE （chondrite-normalized values of La/Yb,and La/Sm are 13.30-41.09, 3.18-6.89 respectively）. Their rare earth element patterns display minor negative Eu anomalies. Both of them exhibit coherent patterns with strongly to moderately negative anomalies of Nb, Zr, Ti, and Hf on spider diagrams. Two rhyolite and one andesite magmatic zircons with defined oscillatory zoning yielded weighted mean 206pb/23Su ages of 743 ± 7 Ma, 741±2 Ma, and 7274 Ma. These ages are interpreted to represent the timing of volcanic eruptions. According to geochemistry and rock type, these volcanic rocks formed within a continental island-arc environment following subduction of the oceanic crust during the Early Neoproterozoic period.

Geochronology and Geochemical Characteristics of the Early Mesozoic Tangquan Pluton in Southwestern Fujian and Its Tectonic Implications

The Tangquan granodioritic pluton in Dalian County, southwestern Fujian, China, which extends in a NE direction with an exposed area of about 130 km2, used to be considered a product of Early Cretaceous magmatism. The present study suggests for the first time that the pluton was formed in the Early Jurassic by using multiple methods for isotopic dating, which give zircon U-Pb ages of 186.8 Ma and 179.0 Ma, Rb-Sr isochron age of 162.02±4.5 Ma, and biotite 40Ar/39Ar plateau age of 158.1±0.7 Ma. The cooling rate for the pluton was relatively low (4.76℃/Ma) during the early stage (183-162 Ma) because of the compressional environment. It was emplaced in a higher cooling rate (50℃/Ma) in an extensional environment during the later stage (162-158 Ma). The granodiorites are metaluminous-peraluminous, relatively enriched in Na2O and depleted in K2O, and characteristic of I-type granites of crust-mantle mixed sources. They are moderately enriched in Rb, Th, Hf and LREE, and depleted in Ti, Nb, Ta and Sr, and have geochemical features of cal-alkaline rocks of an island arc or active continental margin. Their (87Sr/86Sr)i ratio varies from 0.70769 to 0.70822, εNd(t) from -9.68 to -10.07 and TDM from 1.52 to 1.55 Ga. They were formed by mixing of mantle-derived mafic magma with the granitic magma resulting from partial melting of crust-derived materials in an upwelling of the asthenospheric mantle in South China during the Early Mesozoic.

SHRIMP Zircon U-Pb Dating of Alkaline Dykes in the Pobei Area,Beishan Rift,Xinjiang Autonomous Region,China:Implications for Tectonic Setting and Mantle Plume Events

In the Beishan rift in the eastern Tianshan orogen, Xinjiang Province, a N-S-trending dyke swarm is present in the Pobei area. The swarm cuts through the 270-290 Ma mafic-ultramafic intrusions associated with Ni-Cu sulphide mineralization. These mafic-ultramafic intrusions are typically found along E-W major faults in the Tianshan orogenic belts. We report SHRIMP U-Pb dating of zircons from a dyke of alkaline composition, which yielded a mean age of 252~9 Ma. Alkaline dykes of the same age are found in the Altay region of Siberia. This age is younger than the 270-290 Ma intraplate magmatic events that produced the mafic-ultramafic intrusions in the region, but in general agreement with the 250-260 Ma Permian plume event that gave rise to the Siberian traps and the Emeishan flood basalts in SW China. We suggest that there is a link between the Emeishan event and the dyke swarm in the Beishan rift and that the intraplate magmatism at 270-290 Ma reflects an early stage of mantle plume activity. The N-S trending dyke swarm in the Beishan rift may represent a later stage in the evolution of mantle plume activity in the NW and SW of China. We also speculate that in Beishan rift and possibly elsewhere in the Tianshan region, the dykes fed basaltic volcanism, whose products have since been eroded due to the strong uplift of the Tianshan orogen as a result of the IndiaEurasia collision in the Cenozoic.

Geochemistry of Carboniferous Sandstones (Sardar Formation), East-Central Iran: Implication for Provenance and Tectonic Setting

Geochemical analysis of sandstones from the Sardar Formation （from two stratigraphic successions） in east-central Iran were used for identification of geochemical characterization of sandstones, provenance and tectonic setting. Sandstones in the two lithostratigraphic successions have similar chemical compositions suggesting a common provenance. Bulk-rock geochemistry analysis of Carboniferous sandstones from Sardar Formation indicates that they are mainly quartz dominated and are classified as quartzarenites, sublitharenites and subarkoses, derived from acid igneous to intermediate igneous rocks. Discrimination function analysis indicates that the sandstones of Sardar Formation were derived from quartzose sedimentary provenance in a recycled orogenic setting. Also, major and trace elements in sandstones of Sardar Formation （e.g., K2O/Na2O vs. SiO2 ） indicate deposition in a stable passive continental margin （PM）. Chemical index of alteration （CIA） for these rocks （65%） suggests a moderate to relatively high degree of weathering in the source area.

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.

Geochemical Constraints of Sediments on the Provenance, Depositional Environment and Tectonic Setting of the Songliao Prototype Basin

The geochemistry of sediments is primarily controlled by their provenances,and different tectonic settings have distinctive provenance characteristics and sedimentaryprocesses. So, it is possible to distinctive provenances, depositional environments and tectonicsettings in the development of a sedimentary basin with the geochemistry of the clastic rocks. Theanalytical results of the present paper demonstrate that sediments in the Songliao prototype basinare enriched in silica (SiO_2=66.48-80.51 percent), and their sumREE are 30-130 times of that ofchondrite with remarkable Eu anomalies. In discriminating diagrams of Eu/Eu* vs sumREE and (La/Yb)_Nvs sumREE, most samples locate above the line Eu/Eu*=1, on the right of the line Eu/Eu*/sumREE=1and under the line La/Yb)_N/sumREE=1/8, which indicates that the depositional environment ofsediments in the basin was oxidizing. In addition, variations of MgO, TiO_2, Al_2O_3, FeO + Fe_2O_3,Na_2O and CaO vs SiO_2 reflect a tendency of increasing mineral maturity of sediments in the basin.Analyses also show that the protolytes of the sediments in the basin were felsic igneous rocks, andthe Songliao prototype basin was in a tectonic setting of an island arc on an active continentalmargin, with violent sinistral strike-slip.

Two Types of Granites in the Western Yangtze Block and Their Implications for Regional Tectonic Evolution： Constraints from Geochemistry and Isotopic Data

In the western Yangtze Block, widespread Mesoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic rocks are the key to understanding the Precambrian tectonic-magmatic evolution of the region. However, their petrogenesis and tectonic setting are still controversial. In this paper, zircon U-Pb ages, Sm-Nd isotopic and whole-rock geochemical data are reported from selected fresh samples in the southern Dechang county, southwestern China, in order to constrain their emplacement age and magma source, as well as their petrogenesis and tectonic setting. They are mainly composed of biotite monzogranite, monzonitic granite, biotite granodiorites, and quartz diorite. Two ages of 1055 ± 43 Ma and 837.6 ± 3.8 Ma were obtained through zircon U-Pb dating by LA-ICP-MS and LA-MC-ICP-MS, respectively. According to their major element compositions, the Grenville-age granites are peraluminous calc-alkaline series calcic S-type granite. In contrast, the mid-Neoproterozoic granites are metaluminous calc-aikaline series alkalic I-type granite. Furthermore, the S-type granites are enriched in LREEs relative to HREEs with （La/Yb）N ratios of 3.85-18.56 and underwent major fractionation with strongly negative Eu anomalies （Eu/Eu＊ = 0.38-0.66）. In the MORB-normalized trace element variation diagram, all the samples are enriched in Ce and large ion lithophile elements such as Rb, Th, and K, and depleted in high field strength elements such as Nb, and Ti, with negative Sr and Ti anomalies. The I-type granites are enriched in LREEs with slight negative Eu anomalies （Eu/Eu＊= 0.83-0.93）. They are characterized by the enrichment of highly incompatible elements （such as K, Rb, Ba, Th） and LREEs, relative to MORB. Neodymium isotopic data show that the S-type granites display 143Nd/144Nd values of 0.51241-0.51256, and have eNa （t = 1055 Ma） values of （-3.29） to （-3.81）. Calculated tDM ages yield values from 1.87 to 1.91 Ga with the tDM.2stg ages of 1.86 to 1.9 Ga. The I-type granites have 143Nd/144Nd ratios between 0.51192 and 0.51195, corresponding to initial eNd （t = 837 Ma） values of 1.22 to 5.63. Calculated tDM ages yield values from 1.0 to 1.38 Ga and the tDM.2stg ages yield values from 0.99 to 1.06 Ga. The S-type granites are distinguished as syn-collision granite, whereas the I-type granites were formed as arc magmas according to the Rb-（Yb＋Ta） and R1-R2 tectonic discrimination diagrams. To conclude, there are two types of spatially associated granite, the Mesoproterozoic S-type granite which were derived from re- melting of upper crustal mudstone and/or clastics and resulted from the convergence of two continental plates, and the mid-Neoproterozoic I-type granite which formed in continental arc and resulted from mantle-derived magma mixed crust material, in the western Yangtze Block. Furthermore, we suggest that collision between the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks occurred at about 1055 Ma, and caused the S- type granite. The I-type granite related to the subduction of oceanic lithosphere eastward underneath the Yangtze Block in the mid-Neoproterozoic.

Provenance, Tectonic Setting and Geochemistry of Ahwaz Sandstone Member(Asmari Formation, Oligo-Miocene), Marun Oilfield, Zagros Basin, SW Iran

The Asmari Formation deposited in the Zagros foreland basin during the OligoceneMiocene.Lithologically,the Asmari Formation consists of limestone,dolomitic limestone,dolomite,argillaceous limestone,some anhydrite （Kalhur Member） and sandstones （Ahwaz Member）.This study is based on the analysis of core samples from four subsurface sections （wells Mn-68,Mn-281,Mn-292 and Mn-312） in the Marun Oilfieid in the Dezful embayment subzone in order to infer their provenance and tectonic setting of the Ahwaz Sandstone Member.Petrographical data reveal that the Ahwaz Sandstone comprises 97.5% quartz,1.6% feldspar,and 0.9% rock fragments and all samples are classified as quartz arenites.The provenance and tectonic setting of the Ahwaz Sandstone have been assessed using integrated petrographic and geochemical studies.Petrographic analysis reveals that mono-and poly-crystalline quartz grains from metamorphic and igneous rocks of a craton interior setting were the dominant sources.Chemically,major and trace element concentrations in the rocks of the Ahwaz Sandstone indicate deposition in a passive continental margin setting.As indicated by the CIW index （chemical index of weathering） of the Ahwaz Sandstone （average value of 82） their source area underwent ＂intense＂ recycling but ＂moderate to high＂ degree of chemical weathering.The petrography and geochemistry results are consistent with a tropical,humid climate and low-relief highlands.

Geochemistry of Late Triassic pelitic rocks in the NE part of Songpan-Ganzi Basin,western China:Implications for source weathering,provenance and tectonic setting

Major, trace and rare earth element （REE） concentrations of Late Triassic sediments （fine- grained sandstones and mudstones） from Hongcan Well 1 in the NE part of the Songpan-Ganzi Basin, western China, are used to reveal weathering, provenance and tectonic setting of inferred source areas. The Chemical Index of Alteration （CIA） reflects a low to moderate degree of chemical weathering in a cool and somewhat dry climate, and an A-CN-K plot suggests an older upper continental crust prove- nance dominated by felsic to intermediate igneous rocks of average tonalite composition. Based on the various geochemical tectonic setting discrimination diagrams, the Late Triassic sediments are inferred to have been deposited in a back-arc basin situated between an active continental margin （the Kunlun- Qinling Fold Belt） and a continental island arc （the Yidun Island Arc）. The Triassic sediments in the study area underwent a rapid erosion and burial in a proximal slope-basin environment by the petrographic data,while the published flow directions of Triassic turbidites in the Aba-Zoige region was not supported Yidun volcanic arc source. Therefore, we suggest that the Kunlun-Qinling terrane is most likely to have supplied source materials to the northeast part of the Songpan-Ganzi Basin during the Late Triassic.

Geochemistry and Zircon U–Pb–Hf Isotopic Systematics of the Sanchahe Quartz Monzonite Intrusion in the North Qinling Tectonic Zone, Central China: Implications for its Petrogenesis and Tectonic Setting

The Sanchahe quartz monzonite intrusion is situated in the middle segment of the North Qinling tectonic belt, Central China mainland, and consists chiefly of sanukitoid–like and granodioritic-monzogranitic rocks. The sanukitoid–like rocks are characterized by quartz monzonites, which display higher Mg#（55.0–59.0）, and enrichments in Na2 O＋K2 O（7.28–8.94 %）, Ni（21-2312 ppm）, Cr（56-4167 ppm）, Sr（553-923 ppm）, Ba（912-1355 ppm） and LREE（（La/Yb）N =9.47–15.3）, from negative to slightly positive Eu anomalies（δEu=＋0.61 to ＋1.10）, but also depletion in Nb, Ta and Ti. The granodioritic-monzogranitic rocks diaplay various Mg#of 6.00-53.0, high Na2 O＋K2 O（7.20– 8.30%）, Sr（455–1081 ppm） and（La/Yb）N（27.6–47.8）, with positive Eu anomalies（δEu=1.03–1.57） and depleted Nb, Ta and Ti. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry（LA-ICPMS） zircon U-Pb isotopic dating reveals that the sanukitoid-like rocks were emplaced at two episodes of magmatism at 457±3 Ma and 431±2 Ma, respectively. The monzogranites were emplaced at 445±7Ma. Sanukitoid–like rocks have their εHf（t） values ranging from ＋0.3 to ＋15.1 with Hf–depleted mantle model ages of 445 to 1056 Ma, and the monzogranite shows its εHf（t） values ranging from 21.6 to ＋10.8 with Hf–depleted mantle model ages of 635 to 3183 Ma. Petrological, geochemical and zircon Lu –Hf isotopic features indicate that the magmatic precursor of sanukitoid–like rocks was derived from partial melting of the depleted mantle wedge materials that were metasomatized by fluids and melts related to subduction of oceanic slab, subsequently the sanukitoid magma ascended to crust level. This emplaced mantle magma caused partial melting of crustally metamorphosed sedimentary rocks, and mixing with the crustal magma, and suffered fractional crystallization, which lead to formations of quartz monzonites. However, the magmatic precursor of the granodioritic-monzogranitic rocks were derived from partial melting of subducted oceanic slab basalts. Integrated previous investigation for the adackitic rocks in the south of the intrusion, the Sanchahe intrusion signed that the North Qinling tectonic zone was developed in an early Paleozoic transitionally tectonic background from an island arc to back–arc.

Provenance and Tectonic Implications of Paleozoic Strata in the South Yellow Sea Basin, China-Revealed from the Borehole CSDP-2

Well CSDP-2 is a fully coring deep drilling hole, penetrating the thick Paleozoic marine strata in the South Yellow Sea Basin(SYSB) in the lower Yangtze Block(LYB). Based on the petrological and geochemical analysis of 40 sandstone samples from the core CSDP-2, the provenance and tectonic features of Paleozoic detrital rocks from SYSB are analyzed and systematically delineated in this article. The results show that the Silurian – Carboniferous sandstones are mature sublitharenite, while the Permian sandstones are unstable feldspathic litharenite. The average CIA(chemical index of alteration) is 74.61, which reflects these sediments were derived from source rocks with moderate chemical weathering. The REE(rare earth element) patterns are characterized by LREE enrichment, flat HREE and obviously negative Eu anomaly, which are similar to that of the upper continental crust. Dickinson QFL discrimination results indicate the recycled orogeny provenance. Various diagrams for the discrimination of sedimentary provenance based on major and trace element data show all the sediments were derived predominantly from quartz sedimentary rocks, of which the Permian strata contain more felsic sedimentary rocks. Geochemical data for these detrital rocks suggest they occur at the passive continental margin and island arc settings, and the Permian sandstone presents active continental margin setting.

Detrital Mode and Geochemistry of the Shurijeh Formation (Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous) in the Central and Western Parts of the Intracontinental Kopet-Dagh Basin, NE Iran: Implications for Provenance, Tectonic Setting and Weathering Processes

Petrographical and geochemical methods were combined to investigate the provenance, geodynamic and weathering history of the Shurijeh sandstones, Kopet-Dagh Basin. The point-counting method and XRF technique are used for modal and geochemical analyses. Based on petrographical examinations, it seems that the Shurijeh sandstones are mainly deposited in the craton interior and recycled orogen belts. In addition to petrographical investigation, geochemical analyses （major oxides and trace elements） of Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous rocks reveal that the sedimentation processes are performed in a passive continental margin. Such interpretation is supported with geodynamic and paleogeographical studies of the Kopeh-Dagh basin during this time. The geochemical investigations suggested that the composition of probable source rocks mostly was acidic-intermediate with minor mafic igneous rocks. Based on the above, Paleo-Tethys remnants and their collision-related granitoids, in the south and west of Mashhad, may have been the source area for these rocks. CIA values, which range from 63.8 to 94.9 in samples, are suggesting a moderate to relatively high degree of alteration （weathering） in the source area. Therefore, petrographical and paleogeographical studies of siliciclastic rocks can be used for the provenance, tectonic setting and paleoweathering studies in the source area.