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[Display omitted] • The mafic-ultramafic-acidic complexes formed in Late Carboniferous (300 Ma). • Fractionation of the mantle-derived tholeiitic magma formed the A 2 -type granite. • The slab break-off formed the complexes in oceanic slab subduction setting. Knowledge of the Late Paleozoic accretionary processes responsible for the Altaids (or southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt) is critical for a better understanding of continental growth in Central Asia. Here, we systematic study the Late Carboniferous mafic-ultramafic-felsic complexes in eastern Central Tianshan to understand the tectonic evolution of the southern Altaids. Two gabbros yield zircon crystallization ages of 301.5 ± 2.3 Ma and 300.7 ± 2.6 Ma and one granite is dated as 301.6 ± 1.5 Ma. The gabbros are tholeiitic and characterized by typical subduction-related geochemical signatures with low TiO 2 contents, enrichments in Rb, Ba, U, K, Pb and Sr, negative Nb and Ta anomalies, and negative to positive Eu and Ti anomalies. The granites are the A 2 -type granites with high contents of SiO 2 , K 2 O + Na 2 O, Ga, Zr, Nb, Y, HFSE, REE, and high ratios of Fe/Mg and Y/Nb (>1.2). The gabbros and granites have high ε Nd (t) values of +1.64 to +5.03, zircon ε Hf (t) values of −2.8 to +9.1, and low (87Sr/86Sr) i (0.704007–0.705437) values. These geochemical characters demonstrate that the rocks in the complexes are fractionation genesis and that the A-type granitic rocks are the highest fractionation facies of tholeiitic mafic rocks. These results suggest that they were originated from the asthenospheric garnet-free mantle in a supra-subduction zone. Combined with regional data, we suggest that the oblique subduction with slab break-off of the Southern Tianshan oceanic plate plausibly induced asthenospheric upwelling to form the tholeiitic magma, and which intrude along the strike-faults the Central Tianshan-Yamansu arc. Accordingly, these results reveal the Paleo-Asian Ocean continued to subduct at the southern Altaids in the Late Carboniferous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bengal Basin originated during the collision of India with Eurasia and Burma. The provenance analysis of the Chittagong Tripura Fold Belt (CTFB), which is the folded eastern flank of the Bengal Basin as well as the Neogene belt of the Indo-Burman Ranges (IBR) is key to better understand the possible sources of sediment input from the complex interplay of the Indian, Eurasian and Burma plates. We report new whole rock geochemical and detrital zircon U–Pb data from the upper Neogene sandstones of Tipam-Dupi Tila formations (Pliocene to Plio-Plestocene succession) from the CTFB. Detrital zircon U–Pb age spectra show three predominant peaks at <200 Ma, 480–650, ∼800–1000 Ma. The geochemical discriminations and elemental ratios of Eu/Eu* (∼0.70), La/Sc (∼16.13), La/Co (∼15.76), Th/Sc (∼2.95), La/Th (∼5.67), Th/Co (∼2.87), Cr/Th (∼4.63) as well as Chondrite-normalized REE patterns with flat HREE, LREE enrichment, and negative Eu anomalies for the Tipam and Dupi Tila formations are suggestive of a dominantly felsic source area experiencing moderate to intensive chemical weathering (Chemical index of alteration, CIA - 57 to 81) and have a recycled provenance orogen related to active continental or passive margin settings. Integrated geochemical and zircon U–Pb studies reveal that the main sediment input might have been from the Himalayan orogen with significant arc-derived detritus, possibly from the Gangdese arc as well as from the Burma magmatic arc. Image 1 • Provenance of Plio-Pleistocene sedimentary rocks has been established for the Chittagong Tripura Fold Belt, Bengal Basin using whole rock geochemistry and U–Pb detrital geochronology. • The sedimentary rocks were derived dominantly from felsic sources rocks. • Sediments were sourced predominantly from the Himalaya and additional young zircons (<200 Ma) from the Burma magmatic arc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sanandaj-Sirjan zone (SSZ) of Iran comprises sedimentary and metamorphic basement rocks, which are generally regarded as having been derived from the southern active margin of the Eurasian plate. Within the SSZ, a number of Mesozoic to Cenozoic granitoid intrusions of various size, elongated in a NW-SE direction are exposed. With the benefit of precise age dating, geochemical and isotopic data over the past decade, the magmatic history of these intrusions has become clearer. This study presents further geochronological and geochemical data for previously dated and undated granitoids together with considerable zircon Lu-Hf isotopic data, which were limited in the past. Combined with previous work, these new data, including the finding of ca. 170 Ma adakite, lead to improved constraints on the Meso-Cenozoic tectonic evolution of Neo-Tethyan lithospheric subduction. The dominant early-middle Jurassic magmatism is proposed to have occurred with a major contribution of crustal components during the initiation of Neo-Tethyan subduction. Subsequent, late Jurassic magmatism suggests the involvement of lower crust partial melting in an extensional tectonic setting. Cretaceous magmatism almost ceased after formation of a flat slab, caused by a trench retreat rate exceeding that of slab roll-back. Late Paleocene-Eocene magma sources in the SSZ are dominated by mantle-derived input through an asthenospheric window with subordinate crustal contamination during the subduction of the Neo-Tethyan ridge-spreading center. This interpretation differs from Paleocene-Eocene magmatic flare-up proposed for the northern Iranian interior, which may have been driven by an episode of slab retreat or slab roll-back following Cretaceous flat slab subduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mahneshan granite intrusions and granodiorite-gneiss bodies in northwest Iran are part of the Takab magmatic–metamorphic complex, which includes numerous Precambrian continental crust that are now embedded in the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic system. The Mahneshan magmatic assemblage comprises of late Ediacaran-Cambrian gneiss and granites (531–576 Ma) and late Oligocene biotite (25.41 ± 0.4 Ma) granite intrusion. The late Oligocene granite has intruded into the Neoproterozoic sequences in this area. The bulk-rock geochemistry shows that the Ediacaran-Cambrian granitoids and gneisses are calc-alkaline and preserve arc-related signatures. The zircon Hf and bulk rock Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic data suggest that the Ediacaran-Cambrian granitoid plutons were generated via partial melting of continental crust. The late Oligocene granite is formed by the anatexis of Neoproterozoic igneous rocks due to crustal thickening. The whole rock Sr-Nd and zircon Hf isotopic values, Mesoproterozoic Nd and Hf model ages and the existence of inherited zircons suggest the involvement of older crustal components in the genesis of the Mahneshan Ediacaran-Cambrian granitoids. The late Neoproterozoic rock units in the Takab area together with other Ediacaran-Cambrian magmatic segments in Iran were part of the Cadomian active continental margin that were situated along the northern Gondwana margin during the Neoproterozoic. The geochemical trace elements reported from the upper Neoproterozoic-Cambrian plutons along the Cadomian fragments in Iran toward Turkey and Iberia show that most of these granitoid melts were generated in pressures less than garnet stability field suggesting the continental arc thickness less than those reported from the Andes. Furthermore, the Hf and Nd model ages from the Ediacaran-Cambrian Mahneshan intrusions suggest the existence of hidden Paleoproterozoic-Mesoproterozoic rocks in the lower continental crust of Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composite Zhaheba ophiolite complex, exposed in Eastern Junggar in the Southern Altaids, records an unusually long record of oceanic crust and magmatic arc evolution. The Zhaheba ophiolite complex consists of ultramafic rocks, gabbro, diorite, basalt and chert intruded by diabase dikes and diorite porphyry. These rocks are overlain by a several-km-thick section of tuffaceous rocks, volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks, and intermediate volcanic rocks. The igneous rocks of the ophiolite complex show negative Nb and Ta anomalies and LREE enrichment relative to HREE, suggesting the influence of fluids derived from a subducting oceanic slab. The LA-ICPMS U–Pb age of zircons from gabbro is 495.1 ± 3.5 Ma. Zircon ages from diorite and basalt are 458.3 ± 7.2 Ma and 446.6 ± 6.0 Ma, respectively. The basalt is locally overlain by bedded chert. Diabase dikes and diorite porphyry yield the U–Pb ages of 421.5 ± 4.1 Ma and 423.7 ± 6.5 Ma, respectively. The age of stratigraphically lower part of the overlying volcanic–volcaniclastic section is constrained to be about 410 Ma, the maximum depositional age of the tuffaceous sandstone from U–Pb detrital zircon ages. Late rhyolite at the top of the stratigraphic section yielded a U–Pb zircon age of 280.3 ± 3.7 Ma. The age and stratigraphic relationships for the Zhaheba ophiolite complex and related rocks suggest that the period of ~ 70 Ma of initial supra-subduction magmatism was followed by construction of a mature island arc that spanned an additional 140 Ma. Many other ophiolites in the southern Altaids appear to record similar relationships, and are represented as substrates of oceanic island arcs covered by island arc volcanism in supra-subduction zone. The occurrence of the Zhaheba ophiolite complex with tuffaceous and intermediate to felsic volcanic rocks is different from the rock association of classic Tethyan SSZ ophiolites but similar to some ophiolites in North America. Although the Zhaheba ophiolite belt is flanked by the Dulate arc in the north and Yemaquan arc in the south, it cannot stand a suture between two arcs. It is suggested that Devonian–Carboniferous Dulate arc was built on the late Cambrian–middle Ordovician Zhaheba supra-subduction oceanic crust. The late Carboniferous rocks and early Permian rocks in Dulate arc are interpreted to form in the extensional process within Zhaheba–Dulate arc composite system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geodynamic evolution of the Zagros Mountains of Iran remains obscure. In particular, the time of formation of the Zagros ophiolites and the closure of the Neo-Tethys Ocean are highly controversial. Here we present new precise zircon U–Pb ages that show that the younger part (Sahneh–Kamyaran) of the Kermanshah ophiolite formed at 35.7 ± 0.5 Ma and the older part (Harsin) at 79.3 ± 0.9 Ma. Field relations and geochemical evidence show that the younger Sahneh–Kamyaran part is probably a fossil oceanic core complex, and the older Sahneh part is probably a continental-oceanic transition complex. Both the Sahneh–Kamyaran and Sahneh parts were later emplaced into an accretionary complex. We conclude and infer that the final closure time of the southern Neo-Tethys Ocean was after the Late Eocene. Our data and tectonic model have crucial implications for the geodynamic evolution of the Zagros region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continental growth mechanism of the Altaids in Central Asia is still in controversy between models of continuous subduction–accretion versus punctuated accretion by closure of multiple oceanic basins. The Beishan orogenic belt, located in the southern Altaids, is a natural laboratory to address this controversy. Key questions that are heavily debated are: the closure time and subduction polarity of former oceans, the emplacement time of ophiolites, and the styles of accretion and collision. This paper reports new structural data, U- Pb and Ar–Ar ages from the eastern Beishan orogen that provide information on the accretion process and tectonic affiliation of various terranes. Our geochronological and structural results show that the younging direction of accretion was northwards and the subduction zone dipped southwards under the northern margin of the Shuangyingshan micro-continent. This long-lived and continuous accretion process formed the Hanshan accretionary prism. Our field investigations show that the emplacement of the Xiaohuangshan ophiolite was controlled by oceanic crust subduction beneath the forearc accretionary prism of the Shuangyingshan–Mazongshan composite arc to the south. Moreover, we address the age and terrane affiliation of lithologies in the eastern Beishan orogen through detrital zircon geochronology of meta-sedimentary rocks. We provide new information on the ages, subduction polarities, and affiliation of constituent structural units, as well as a new model of tectonic evolution of the eastern Beishan orogen. The accretionary processes and crustal growth of Central Asia were the result of multiple sequences of accretion and collision of manifold terranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: How ophiolitic mélanges can be defined as sutures is controversial with regard to accretionary orogenesis and continental growth. The Chinese Altay, East Junggar, Tianshan, and Beishan belts of the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) in Northwest China, offer a special natural laboratory to resolve this puzzle. In the Chinese Altay, the Erqis unit consists of ophiolitic mélanges and coherent assemblages, forming a Paleozoic accretionary complex. At least two ophiolitic mélanges (Armantai, and Kelameili) in East Junggar, characterized by imbricated ophiolitic mélanges, Nb-enriched basalts, adakitic rocks and volcanic rocks, belong to a Devonian–Carboniferous intra-oceanic island arc with some Paleozoic ophiolites, superimposed by Permian arc volcanism. In the Tianshan, ophiolitic mélanges like Kanggurtag, North Tianshan, and South Tianshan occur as part of some Paleozoic accretionary complexes related to amalgamation of arc terranes. In the Beishan there are also several ophiolitic mélanges, including the Hongshishan, Xingxingxia–Shibangjing, Hongliuhe–Xichangjing, and Liuyuan ophiolitic units. Most ophiolitic mélanges in the study area are characterized by ultramafic, mafic and other components, which are juxtaposed, or even emplaced as lenses and knockers in a matrix of some coherent units. The tectonic settings of various components are different, and some adjacent units in the same mélange show contrasting different tectonic settings. The formation ages of these various components are in a wide spectrum, varying from Neoproterozoic to Permian. Therefore we cannot assume that these ophiolitic mélanges always form in linear sutures as a result of the closure of specific oceans. Often the ophiolitic components formed either as the substrate of intra-oceanic arcs, or were accreted as lenses or knockers in subduction-accretion complexes. Using published age and paleogeographic constraints, we propose the presence of (1) a major early Paleozoic tectonic boundary that separates the Chinese Altay–East Junggar multiple subduction systems of the southern Siberian active margin from those of the northern Tarim; and (2) a major Permian suture zone that separates the Tianshan–Beishan from the northern active margin of the Tarim Craton. These new observations and interpretations have broad implications for the architecture and crustal growth of central Asia and other ancient orogens as well. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Huoshishan–Niujuanzi ophiolitic mélange (HNO) is located near the central part of the Beishan Orogenic Belt in the southernmost Altaids. The HNO consists of ultramafic rocks, cumulate gabbros, gabbros, plagiogranites, diorites, diabases, basalts, andesites, rhyolitic volcaniclastic rocks and siliceous sedimentary rocks, many of which are in a schist matrix (Gongpoquan Group). Geochemical data of the mafic rocks indicate a calc-alkaline or a mixture of calc-alkaline and tholeiitic rocks with negative Nb, Ta and positive Pb, Ba and La anomalies, suggesting formation in an island arc or supra-subduction zone setting. A gabbro from a block in the mélange in the Niujuanzi area has a zircon age of 435.0±1.9Ma and a plagiogranite with an age of 444.3±1.9Ma, and another gabbro from the Huoshishan area has an age of 410.5±3.7Ma. The schist matrix has a zircon age of 512±5.3Ma and contains Silurian, Devonian and Carboniferous fossils, thus the mélange formed in the late Carboniferous or later. Our structural analysis of fault planes in the HNO, the crenulation cleavages (S2) of the schist, and fold axial planes of early Permian sandy limestone/quartz veins and late Permian sandstones indicates that the mélange underwent a north-to-south compression, and the orientation of stretching lineations, slickensides and fold hinge lines implies that the HNO experienced top-to-the north (or -northwest) movement. The entire planar and linear structural data set suggests that the subduction polarity was probably to the south in the late Paleozoic. The emplacement age of the HNO was probably near the end-Permian based on the age of the youngest rocks in the ophiolitic mélange, and by the presence of a late Permian unconformity. From our work, integrated with published regional data, we outline a comprehensive geodynamic model for the central BOC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Karamay area, situated in the eastern part of Western Junggar, Southern Altaids, contains an ophiolitic mélange with ultramafic rocks, gabbro, basalt, chert and limestone, which show typical block-in-matrix structures, and coherent turbidites and tuffs. These lithological associations are interpreted as incoherent and coherent series formed in an accretionary complex. On the basis of detailed field mapping and analyses of the asymmetry of imbricate thrusts, duplexes, tilted structures, shear band cleavages, and the NW-verging inclined to overturned folds, we conclude that the overall movement in the accretionary complex was top-to-the-NW. The youngest tuff involved in the deformation contains detrital zircons that have a U–Pb age (LA-MC ICP-MS) of 308±7Ma. 39 Ar–40Ar resistance furnace step-heating of amphibole separates from a diorite dike, which cuts the folded and imbricated rocks in the accretionary prism, yielded a plateau age of 307±2Ma. Consequently, the age of the deformation in the prism is tightly constrained at 307–308Ma, implying that the deformation occurred in an extremely short time-span during SE-ward subduction. Combined contemporaneous occurrence of Baogutu adakite, high-Mg, Sr-enriched and Y-poor dioritic dikes, Miaoergou charnockite, and Maliya mafic rocks, we further suggest the accretionary complex was cut by near-trench volcanic rocks and plutons possibly due to interaction with a spreading ridge. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]