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Permian porphyritic granite and leucogranite from the Kekesu and Muzhaerte Valleys in the southwestern (SW) Tianshan orogenic belt, NW China have been studied to decipher their petrogenesis and tectonic implications. For porphyritic granite in the Kekesu Valley, in situ LA-ICPMS zircon U–Pb dating yields crystallization ages of 295–291 Ma. The granite is a high potassic calc-alkaline, slightly peraluminous type, enriched in large ion lithosphere elements (LILE) and light rare earth elements (LREE), but depleted in high field strength elements (HFSE). Zircon Hf isotopic analysis (zircon ε Hf (t) of −5.8 to −0.2, two-stage Hf model ages of 1323–1680 Ma) and Ti-in-zircon thermometry, which yields crystallization temperatures of 744–749 °C, indicate the parent magma was likely formed by partial melting of a Mesoproterozoic crustal source. By contrast, leucogranite in the Kekesu valley yields crystallization ages of 274–267 Ma. It contains muscovite and garnet, has high silicon and potassium, and is strongly peraluminous. Multiple inherited zircon cores and low zircon crystallization temperatures (687–701 °C), combined with negative zircon ε Hf (t) values (−7.0 to −4.0), indicate its parent magma was sourced from supracrustal metasedimentary rocks by muscovite–breakdown partial melting. In the Muzhaerte Valley, porphyritic granite has similar major and trace elements characteristics to the Kekesu porphyritic granite. However, its higher zircon ε Hf (t) values (−0.9 to +3.8) and corresponding lower two-stage Hf model ages (1070–1367 Ma) indicate that the parent magma likely included an input from a more juvenile mantle source. Ti-in-zircon thermometry gives lower crystallization temperature of ∼705 °C. The intrusive relationships between the Permian granitoids and Paleozoic arc plutons, and the LP-HT and (U)HP metamorphic belts, combined with geochronological studies, suggest that these Permian granitoids were generated in a post-collisional environment. It is suggested that the formation of the porphyritic granites in the Kekesu and Muzhaerte Valleys could be related to slab breakoff, while the leucogranite could be formed by hydrate-breakdown melting in an extensional tectonic regime in response to intra-continental adjustments after collision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Xigaze ophiolite in the central part of the Yarlung–Zangbo suture zone, southern Tibet, has a well-preserved sequence of sheeted dykes, basalts, cumulates and mantle peridotites at Jiding and Luqu. Both the basalts and diabases at Jiding have similar compositions with SiO2 ranging from 45.9 to 53.5 wt%, MgO from 3.1 to 6.8 wt% and TiO2 from 0.87 to 1.21 wt%. Their Mg#s [100Mg/(Mg+Fe)] range from 40 to 60, indicating crystallization from relatively evolved magmas. They have LREE-depleted, chondrite-normalized REE diagrams, suggesting a depleted mantle source. These basaltic rocks have slightly negative Nb- and Ti-anomalies, suggesting that the Xigaze ophiolite represents a fragment of mature MORB lithosphere modified in a suprasubduction zone environment. The mantle peridotites at Luqu are high depleted with low CaO (0.3–1.2 wt%) and Al2O3 (0.04–0.42 wt%). They display V-shaped, chondrite-normalized REE patterns with (La/Gd)N ratios ranging from 3.17 to 64.6 and (Gd/Yb)N from 0.02 to 0.20, features reflecting secondary metasomatism by melts derived from the underlying subducted slab. Thus, the geochemistry of both the basaltic rocks and mantle peridotites suggests that the Xigaze ophiolite formed in a suprasubduction zone. Both the diabases and basalts have Pd/Ir ratios ranging from 7 to 77, similar to MORB. However, they have very low PGE abundances, closely approximating the predicted concentration in a silicate melt that has fully equilibrated with a fractionated immiscible sulfide melt, indicating that the rocks originated from magmas that were S-saturated before eruption. Moderate degrees of partial melting and early precipitation of PGE alloys explain their high Pd/Ir ratios and negative Pt-anomalies. The mantle peridotites contain variable amounts of Pd (5.99–13.5ppb) and Pt (7.92–20.5ppb), and have a relatively narrow range of Ir (3.47–5.01ppb). In the mantle-normalized Ni, PGE, Au and Cu diagram, they are relatively rich in Pd and depleted in Cu. There is a positive correlation between CaO and Pd. The Pd enrichment is possibly due to secondary enrichment by metasomatism. Al2O3 and Hf do not correlate with Ir, but show positive variations with Pt, Pd and Au, indicating that some noble metals can be enriched by metasomatic fluids or melts carrying a little Al and Hf. We propose a model in which the low PGE contents and high Pd/Ir ratios of the basaltic rocks reflect precipitation of sulfides and moderate degrees of partial melting. The high Pd mantle peridotites of Xigaze ophiolites were formed by secondary metasomatism by a boninitic melt above a subduction zone. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Basaltic lavas at Renbu, Southern Tibet are associated with the Xigaze ophiolite in the Yarlung-Zangbo suture zone. They are alkaline lavas rich in large ion lithophile elements (LILE, Ba, Rb and Sr) and high field strength elements (HFSE, Nb, Ta, Zr and Hf), but poor in Cr, Co and Ni. All of the rocks have chondrite-normalized REE patterns enriched in light rare earth elements (LREE), comparable to modern basalts of the Society Islands, Kerguelen Plateau and Broken Ridge. Abundances of some immobile or moderately immobile elements (Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, Y, Ti and REE) are also comparable to Kerguelen alkaline basalts. The Renbu basalts are geochemically similar to oceanic island basalts (OIB) and have some elemental ratios, such as Nb/Ta ratios=15.7–18.1, Th/Nb= 0.06–0.10, La/Nb=0.59–0.83 and Th/Ta=1.03–1.52, similar to the primitive mantle. Their 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.70453–0.70602) are relatively high, similar to OIB. In the 87Sr/86Sr vs. εNd(t) diagram, the Renbu basalts plot along a trend from N-MORB to EMII (enriched mantle II), suggesting the involvement of at least two mantle sources in their generation. The Renbu basalts represent seamount volcanism associated with the Xigaze ophiolite. They formed from an OIB-type mantle source within the Neo-Tethyan Ocean that had a composition similar to the modern Indian Ocean mantle. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Majiari ophiolite lies in the western Bangong-Nujiang Suture Zone, which separates the Qiangtang and Lhasa blocks in central Tibet. The ophiolite consists of peridotite, gabbro/diabase and basalt. Zircon U-Pb dating yielded an age of 170.5 ± 1.7 Ma for the gabbro, whereas 40 Ar/ 39 Ar dating of plagioclase from the same gabbro yielded ages of 108.4 ± 2.6 Ma (plateau age) and 112 ± 2 Ma (isochron age), indicating that the ophiolite was formed during the Middle Jurassic and was probably emplaced during the Early Cretaceous. Zircons from the gabbro have ε Hf (t) values ranging from +6.9 to +10.6 and f (Lu/Hf) values ranging from −0.92 to −0.98. Mafic lavas plot in the tholeiitic basalt field but are depleted in Nb, Ta and Ti and enriched in Rb, Ba and Th in the N-MORB-normalized trace element spider diagram. These lavas have whole-rock ε Nd ( t ) values of +5.9 to +6.6, suggesting that they were derived from a depleted mantle source, which was probably modified by subducted materials. The Majiari ophiolite probably formed in a typical back-arc basin above a supra-subduction zone (SSZ) mantle wedge. Intra-oceanic subduction occurred during the Middle Jurassic and collision of the Lhasa and South Qiangtang terranes likely occurred in the Early Cretaceous. Thus, closure of the Bangong–Nujiang Tethys Ocean likely occurred before the Early Cretaceous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Zircon and apatite fission-track (FT) analyses were used to reveal the exhumation of Phanerozoic granitoid intrusions in the Dahinggan Mountains, northeastern China. Zircon FT ages ranging from 84±5 to 97±8Ma, and apatite FT ages from 47±3 to 67±4Ma with mean track lengths between 12.3±2.3 and 13.3±2.2μm, respectively, were obtained for the Phanerozoic granitoids sampled along a south–south-west to north–north-east transect across the Dahinggan Mountains. Three cooling stages from the Late Mesozoic to the Cenozoic have been identified in the studied region based on FT results and modeling. Stage one was a rapid cooling period from the closure temperature of zircon FT to the high temperature part of the apatite FT partial annealing zone (∼210–110°C) during ∼90–57Ma. Stage two was a relatively slow cooling period (∼110–60°C) occurred between ∼57Ma and 20Ma, suggesting that the granitoids had been exhumed to depths of ∼1–2km. The final stage was a cooling period (60–20°C) occurred since the Miocene, which bring studied samples to the Earth’s surface at an accelerated exhumation rate. The estimated maximum exhumation is ∼5km assuming a steady-state geothermal gradient of 35°C/km. Our results indicate that this exhumation is possibly led by the Pacific plate subduction combined with intracontinental orogeny associated with asthenospheric upwelling. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Single grain U–Pb ages of sediments from the Beipiao Basin, Northeast China were conducted to determine the evolution of basin provenance. Zircons from a sandstone in the Upper Triassic Laohugou Formation yield a wide range of ages and, according to their U–Pb ages, fall into four groups: 209.3±4.0–304.2±4.9, 1565.5±71–2154±50, 2400±35–2499±9, 2512±11–2557±74Ma. These ages indicate that the zircons were principally derived from Late Archean, Proterozoic and Late Paleozoic plutonic rocks. Intrusions in the Mongolian Accretion Belt and the northern margin of the North China Block (NCB) were probably the main source of the sediments in the basin, but the easterly Liaodong Block also provided minor detrital material, with lower U–Pb ages, during the Late Triassic. Most of the U–Pb ages from zircons collected from a sandstone in the Lower Jurassic Beipiao Formation range from 194.3±2.9 to 233.8±4.2Ma, reflecting the major sediment source during the Early Jurassic. Zircons derived from Late Indosinian plutonic rocks increased, which suggests that the detritus was supplied mainly from the interior of the Yan-Liao Orogenic Belt, especially from the Liaodong Block. Late Indosinian zircons (200–230Ma) were eroded and deposited in the Lower Jurassic Beipiao Formation, and this implies that intensive tectonic activation and uplift of the Yan-Liao Orogenic Belt in the Mesozoic commenced in the Late Indosinian. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Numerous ore-grade heavy mineral placer deposits occur in the northern South China Sea region. Previous studies on these deposits have focused on the heavy-mineral ore resources themselves, but the provenance and transport pathways of these heavy minerals are poorly constrained. This paper presents U–Pb ages of detrital zircons from sediments within the northwestern shelf of the South China Sea, and uses this new dataset to determine the provenance and transport pathway of the sediments. Zircons in sediments from ten areas of the northwestern shelf exhibit distinct age populations, suggesting that they have multiple provenances. Zircons in sediments from the Pearl River Mouth, Shangchuan Island, and Moyang River Mouth areas all have an obvious peak of Mesozoic ages, indicating that they have similar sediment provenances; i.e., mainly from the Pearl River, and to a lesser degree from the Moyang River. Zircons in sediments from the areas around the Jian River Mouth and Leizhou Bay, and off Hainan Island have an early Paleozoic age, suggesting that the sediments predominantly originate from the Yunkai massif. Zircons of the sediments from the remaining four areas, the Leiqiong Strait, Wanquan River Mouth, Qiongdongnan, and the Outer Shelf, have Yanshannian and Indosinian age peaks in addition to an obvious early Paleozoic population, implying mixed provenances, including the Yunkai massif and Hainan Island. The sediment transport may have involved two hydrodynamic conditions in two distinct stages. First, the Guangdong Longshore Current carried the river sediments to where they dispersed in the inner shelf; subsequently, wave-induced strong currents further transported sandy sediments southeastward to the outer shelf. In addition to explaining the provenance and transport pathways of heavy minerals within the northwestern shelf of the South China Sea, these results provide new information relevant to exploration for heavy-mineral placer deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Dulong-Song Chay tectonic dome lies on the border of China (SE Yunnan Province) and northern Vietnam, and consists of two tectonic and lithologic units: a core complex and a cover sequence, separated by an extensional detachment fault. These two units are overlain unconformably by Late Triassic strata. The core complex is composed of gneiss, schist and amphibolite. SHRIMP zircon U–Pb dating results for the orthogneiss yield an age of 799±10Ma, which is considered to be the crystallization age of its igneous protolith formed in an arc-related environment. A granitic intrusion within the core complex occurred with an age of 436–402Ma, which probably formed during partial closure of Paleotethys. Within the core complex, metamorphic grades change sharply from upper greenschist-low amphibolite facies in the core to low greenschist facies in the cover sequence. There are two arrays of foliation within the core complex, detachment fault and the cover sequence: S1 and S2. The pervasive S1 is the axial plane of intrafolial S0 folds. D1 deformation related to this foliation is characterized by extensional structures. The strata were structurally thinned or selectively removed along the detachment faults, indicating exhumation of the Dulong-Song Chay tectonic dome. The major extension occurred at 237Ma, determined by SHRIMP zircon U–Pb and 39Ar/40Ar isotopic dating techniques. Regionally, simultaneous tectonic extension was associated with pre-Indosinian collision between the South China and Indochina Blocks. The S2 foliation appears as the axial plane of NW-striking S1 buckling folds formed during a compressional regime of D2. D2 is associated with collision between the South China and Indochina Blocks along the Jinshajiang-Ailao Shan suture zone, and represents the Indosinian deformation. The Dulong granites intruded the Dulong-Song Chay dome at 144±2, 140±2 and 116±10Ma based on 39Ar/40Ar measurement on muscovite and biotite. The dome was later overprinted by a conjugate strike-slip fault and related thrust fault, which formed a vortex structure, contemporaneously with late Cenozoic sinistral movement on the Ailao Shan-Red River fault. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Low-Ca boninite dike first found in the Shiquanhe ophiolite, western Bangong suture. • Dike derived from melting of depleted mantle altered by melt from subducted sediment. • A Middle Jurassic intra-oceanic island arc developed in the South Bangong Meso-Tethys. The Shiquanhe ophiolite, hosting newly discovered boninite dikes, is located in the western part of the Shiquanhe-Jiali ophiolite sub-belt (SJO sub-belt) in the Meso-Tethyan Bangong-Nujiang suture zone (BNSZ), Tibet. The boninite dike samples are plagioclase-free, have a porphyritic texture with pyroxene phenocrysts, and a microcrystalline groundmass. Characteristically they have high MgO (7.24–8.59 wt%), SiO 2 (54.02–61.49 wt%), low TiO 2 (0.15–0.24 wt%), CaO/Al 2 O 3 (0.42–0.58) and are enriched in light rare earth elements (LREEs) and large ion lithophile elements (LILEs). They display slightly concave "spoon-shaped" REE pattern and positive anomalies in Zr and Hf as well as negative Nb, Ta, and Ti anomalies which are similar to the typical low-Ca boninite in Cape Vogel, Papua New Guinea and elsewhere. These characteristics indicate that the Shiquanhe boninite originated from a depleted mantle source replenished by subducted sediments after the extraction of tholeiitic melts. The mantle source of the Shiquanhe boninites is harzburgite, and its melting degree is estimated to be approximately 20–35%. About 87.5% of melts from the depleted harzburgite mixed with about 12.5% of molten subducted sediments, forming the Shiquanhe boninite dikes in a forearc environment. This study on newly discovered boninite dikes further provides crucial evidence of island arc affinity of SJO in the Bangong Meso-Tethys. It gives another example of the relatively rare examples of forearc ophiolites in the Precambrian to Phanerozoic orogenic belts around the Earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]