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This paper reports two types of basalt that have different ages (Carboniferous and Permian) but occur next to each other in the northern part of the Changning–Menglian accretionary wedge, southwestern China. We use the geochronology and geochemical data to evaluate the tectonic evolution of the Palaeo‐Tethys during this period. Zircon grains from the mafic‐ultramafic rocks associated with the Permian basalts in the Xiaomengtai area yield a U–Pb age of 281 Ma and εHf(t) values from +9.2 to +12.8. The Permian mafic‐ultramafic rocks and the associated basalts are all characterized by normal mid‐ocean ridge basalt (N‐MORB)‐like chondrite‐normalized rare earth elements patterns, moderately negative Nb‐Ta anomalies in the mantle‐normalized immobile incompatible trace element patterns, and positive εNd(t) values from +4.2 to +6.5, which are consistent with the geochemical characteristics of mafic‐ultramafic rocks in supra‐subduction zone (SSZ)‐type ophiolite. On the contrary, the Carboniferous basalts, which are associated with marine carbonates, are characterized by light REE enrichments, slightly positive Nb‐Ta anomalies, and εNd(t) values from +2.8 to +4.0. These features are similar to those of typical oceanic island basalts (OIBs) worldwide. Modelling results using REEs show that the parental magmas for the Carboniferous OIBs and the Permian basalts were likely derived from mantle peridotites at the depths of garnet and spinel stability, respectively, consistent with the formation depth of these two different types of basalt globally. The occurrence of these two different types of mafic‐ultramafic rocks with significantly different ages in the same area supports the view that they are the remnants of the accreted Palaeo‐Tethys oceanic crust. The Carboniferous OIBs are considered to be parts of an OIB‐carbonate seamount chain that originally formed in the southern part of the Palaeo‐Tethys. The Permian mafic‐ultramafic rocks are regarded as fragments of SSZ‐type ophiolites that were present in the northern part of the Palaeo‐Tethys. These different pieces of oceanic crust were accreted to the Simao–Indochina continental Block by subduction between the Late Permian and the Triassic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accreted basaltic rocks are expected to provide information on intraplate volcanism in the oceans. Basaltic rocks, originating from mid‐ocean ridges, plateaus, and seamounts, have been reported from exhumed accretionary complexes. However, basaltic rocks related to petit‐spot volcanism remain poorly documented. We examined basaltic intrusive rocks in an exhumed accretionary complex on Amami‐Oshima Island, Ryukyu Arc. Basaltic sills intruded mélange composed of seamount‐derived micritic limestone and basaltic rocks, which deformed together with the mudstone‐dominated mélange in the subduction zone. A separate basaltic sill intruded pelagic chert before being incorporated as a mélange block in the mudstone matrix during deformation in the subduction zone. Geochemical discrimination diagrams and trace element patterns indicate that the accreted dolerites and nonintrusive basalts likely originate from mid‐ocean ridges and hotspots, respectively. On the other hand, the geochemical characteristics of basaltic sills are compatible with alkaline basalt with enriched in incompatible trace elements relative to other basaltic rocks of hotspot origin and may represent a low degree of partial melting from a deeper mantle source (>90 km). A higher ratio of gadolinium to ytterbium in the basaltic sills relative to hotspot or mid‐ocean ridge‐related basalt indicates both a deeper melting depth, and a magma source which upwelled through thick oceanic lithosphere far from the mid‐ocean ridge. Based on the timing of basaltic intrusion and geochemical features, we suggest that the basaltic intrusive rocks could record past petit‐spot volcanism in the oceanic plate. Plain Language Summary: Basaltic rocks in exhumed accretionary complexes are crucial for understanding volcanism in oceanic plates. Petit‐spot volcanoes on modern seafloor have been found in the region seaward of the trench, derived from rising basaltic magma from the deep mantle along fractures from the bending of oceanic plates. However, past petit‐spot volcanism on already subducted oceanic plates remains poorly understood. This paper reports on the geological features and geochemical element analyses used to determine that basaltic rocks found in the Chichibu accretionary complex on Amami‐Oshima Island, Ryukyu Arc, originated from the deep mantle and intruded oceanic sedimentary rocks and seamount‐related rocks. We suggest that the basaltic intrusion resulted from petit‐spot volcanism. Our results highlight that basaltic rocks found in outcrops exhumed from subduction zones could contribute to understanding past petit‐spot volcanism in the oceanic plate that has completely subducted to the mantle. Key Points: Alkaline basaltic rocks intruded mélange in an exhumed accretionary complex on Amami‐Oshima IslandGeochemical features suggest that alkaline basaltic intrusive rocks originated from low‐degree partial melts generated in the deep mantleTiming and geochemical signatures of the alkaline basalt intrusions suggest they represent past petit‐spot volcanism [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is the largest accretionary orogenic belt in the world and its formation involved a complicated process of arc–continent collision. Large‐scale Mesozoic volcanic activity in the Great Xing'an Range (GXAR) in northeastern China, which constitutes part of the eastern CAOB, has received much recent research attention. However, the petrogenesis and formation mechanism of the late Mesozoic igneous rocks remain enigmatic. This paper investigates the geochronology, petrogenesis, and formation mechanism of late Mesozoic magmatic rocks in the Kelihe area of the GXAR based on zircon U–Pb dating, petrology, and geochemistry. Late Mesozoic magmatism in the Kelihe area occurred during the Late Jurassic (165–155 Ma) and Early Cretaceous (130–120 Ma). These igneous rocks generated by this magmatism are characterized by high SiO2 (69.97–75.49 wt%) and low MgO (0.11–0.68 wt%), Cr (10–30 ppm), Co (0.2–2.6 ppm), and Ni (0.5–1.6 ppm) contents. Trace elements show enrichment in Rb, Th, U, Zr, and K, and depletion in Ba, P, Nb, and Ti. These features indicate that the rocks were derived from partial melting of the crust. Furthermore, the rhyolites have high Na2O (5.02–5.44 wt%) and K2O (3.94–4.88 wt%) contents, similar to those of melts formed by the partial melting of basaltic crust. Combining the present results with the findings of previous studies, it is inferred that the Mesozoic igneous rocks formed in a post‐collisional extensional setting related to lithospheric thinning and asthenospheric upwelling after the closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kelameili Ocean was one branch of the Palaeo‐Asian Ocean, the initiation and closure history of which remains elusive. Consequently, they hamper our understanding of the accretionary evolution of the southern Altaids. In this paper, we carried out field mapping and also geochronological and geochemical analyses on the Huangcaopo Group in the northern Harlik Mountains, NW China. Field investigation revealed that "block‐in‐matrix" structure develops with blocks of andesite, limestone, sandstone, and gabbro in matrices of turbidites. Combined with our recent work, our field investigation indicates that the Huangcaopo Group is the southern extension of the Kelameili accretionary complex. A gabbro block (19HAM057) was dated at 500 ± 4 Ma, its geochemical affinity was defined to be similar to arc magmatic rocks. Magmatisms represented by two gabbroic intrusions (19HAM057‐2 and 19HAM048) were dated at the latest Devonian (360 ± 5 Ma) and the latest Carboniferous (299 ± 4 Ma), respectively. Their geochemistry displays enrichments in light rare earth elements (LREE) and large ion lithophile elements (LILE), but depletions in high field strength elements (HFSE, especially Nb and Ta). And a younger gabbroic intrusion (19HAM052) yielded crystallization age of the latest Permian (254 ± 3 Ma), and its geochemistry also shows affinity to arc magmatism. The magmatism represented by the gabbro block (19HAM057) was coeval with the Zhaheba‐Aermantai ophiolite, indicating that it was the product of incipient arc magmatism following subduction initiation in the Kelameili branch of the Palaeo‐Asian Ocean. However, two episodes of gabbroic magmas (19HAM057‐2 and 19HAM048) that intruded the Kelameili accretionary complex from the latest Devonian to latest Carboniferous indicate southward rollback of the subducting Kelameili oceanic lithosphere and resulted in the development of a growing arc. Meanwhile, the youngest gabbroic intrusion (19HAM052) suggests that northward subduction of the Kelameili oceanic lithosphere may have at least lasted to the latest Permian, indicating that the closure of the Kelameili Ocean might have been later than the latest Permian, most likely in the early Triassic. Our new data provide further constraints on the initiation and closure history of the Kelameili Ocean, which shed light on the accretionary evolution of the Altaids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The southern West Junggar terrane in the south‐western Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is mainly composed of accretionary complexes and characterized by widespread outcrops of ophiolitic mélanges in the Barleik, Mayile, and Tangbale (BMT) areas, representing the site of consumption of the Junggar–Balkhash Ocean. However, due to a lack of comprehensive synthesis of the ophiolitic mélanges, the early evolution of the Junggar–Balkhash Ocean remains poorly understood. This paper first focuses on the little‐known Barleik ophiolitic blocks and associated pillow basalts and then integrates the Barleik, Mayile, and Tangbale ophiolitic mélanges into one model. Mineral and whole‐rock chemistry suggests that the Barleik ophiolitic blocks, including serpentinized dunite, clinopyroxenite, and gabbro, show supra‐subduction zone (SSZ) affinities, as indicated by high Cr# values (76–78) in spinels and strong depletion in Nb, Ta, Zr, and Hf, whereas the Barleik pillow basalts are alkaline and have high TiO2 contents (2.82–3.42 wt.%) and Nb–Ta enrichment, similar to ocean‐island basalt (OIB) lavas. Combined with published chronological and chemical data from ophiolites, metamorphic rocks, and arc plutons, we propose that the BMT Ediacaran to middle Cambrian ophiolitic gabbros were formed in a SSZ environment, implying a single Mariana‐type arc system within the Junggar–Balkhash Ocean, which was coeval with an Andean‐type arc system in the Kyrgyz North Tianshan, supporting an archipelagic model for the south‐western CAOB. By contrast, the BMT OIB‐type basalts are early Silurian in age, much younger than the SSZ‐type ophiolites, and can be interpreted as relicts of seamounts. Thus, a model involving the Ediacaran to Ordovician intra‐oceanic subduction and late Silurian to Early Devonian seamount accretion is helpful for clarifying the different components of the accretionary complexes in the southern West Junggar terrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the eastern part of the Karoo Basin of South Africa, the sedimentary record of the Late Palaeozoic Ice Age, the Dwyka Group, consists of an up to 200 m thick accumulation of massive to crudely stratified diamictite occasionally interstratified with siltstone, sandstone and conglomerate horizons. Three distinct sedimentary units, separated by intervening glacial erosion surfaces, are viewed as ice‐margin fluctuation sequences. The lowermost one, resting on highly uneven, glacially abraded Archaean basement, has been interpreted as a grounding zone wedge deposited after the retreat and stabilization of the ice margin after the inundation of the Karoo Basin. The grounding zone wedge interpretation is based on its thickness (up to 100 m), the dominance of diamictite, and its facies assemblage and inferred depositional processes (rain‐out of debris, dropstone dumping, mass and debris flow, till). Overlying the grounding zone wedge, deposits are sedimentary units interpreted as glaciofluvial or ice‐contact delta and grounding zone wedges, respectively. By analogy with Quaternary sedimentary sequences, deposition of the Dwyka Group in the study area might have been very rapid (tens to hundreds of thousand years) and may hence correlate with the ultimate deglacial sequence of the Western Karoo Basin, as both successions are covered by the postglacial Ecca Group. Although commonly observed and imaged on modern, high‐latitude continental shelves, grounding zone wedges have never been interpreted in the ancient geological record. This paper therefore outlines a model defining criteria necessary for their identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kaiyuan tectonic mélange makes up the western part of the Kaiyuan–Yanji Accretionary Complex Belt, NE China, and there has been a long‐standing controversy about its age and tectonic setting. In this paper, we present new zircon U–Pb ages and geochemical data for the mafic rocks of the Lujiapuzi Formation in the Kaiyuan tectonic mélange, and these data provide insights into the tectonic setting during the late Paleozoic and the evolutionary history of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean in the eastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). SHRIMP U–Pb dating of zircons from samples of albite–actinolite schist and amphibolite yielded a crystallization age of 258 ± 5.5 Ma for the protoliths, suggesting that the protoliths formed during the late Permian. The albite–actinolite schists and amphibolites have similar geochemical characteristics, and they represent metamorphosed basaltic volcanic rocks. Major, rare earth and trace element data show that the mafic rocks have a close affinity with mid‐ocean ridge basalt. REE petrogenetic modelling indicates that the primary magma was generated through the partial melting of a mixed garnet‐ and spinel‐bearing mantle source, and assimilated crustal material and underwent crystal fractionation during ascent. The geochemical features and inherited/xenocrystic zircons in the mafic samples indicate that they formed in a tectonic setting similar to the back‐arc basin. These new findings, together with other previously published data, indicate that the Paleo‐Asian Ocean still existed in the eastern segment of the CAOB during the late Permian to Early Triassic. The Kaiyuan tectonic mélange formed during the Middle Triassic, and its formation may represent the timing of final closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detrital zircon records significant information in the 'source‐sink' system. With the application of in situ laser ablation technology, a large number of high‐quality detrital zircon data have been published since 2000. In this study, a total of 41,342 detrital zircon U–Pb ages and 6,129 Hf isotopes were compiled from the published literatures of the Middle East (Iranian and Arabian plates). Through data filtering and recalculation, valid data were employed for further analysis. The detrital zircons from the Middle East show a Cambrian–Precambrian age population of 500–1,000 Ma, with a major age peak of ~620 Ma and dispersed εHf(t) values of −35 to +20. The Alborz Mountains and central Iran terrane show a Permo–Triassic age range of 200–300 Ma. The Mesozoic–Cenozoic detrital zircons are mostly occurred in the Zagros orogenic belt and Makran accretionary complex, with three obvious age ranges of 145–180 Ma, 80–110 Ma and 15–65 Ma. The Mesozoic zircons yield positive εHf(t) values, while Cenozoic zircons have varied εHf(t) values. This database allows for the further exploration of the provenance analysis and application in constraining the timing of the major tectonic events in the Middle East, and may also help to explore the affinities of plates, thus guiding future palaeogeographic research efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recognition of unconformities is important for stratigraphic subdivision and correlation and for determining the timing of tectonic activity and the ocean‐continent transition process. Here, we have identified a Late Palaeozoic disconformity in the Moqinwula area of the northern Junggar Block, NW China. Integrated field relationship observations and sedimentological, biostratigraphical, geochemical and detrital zircon geochronological data, suggest that the underlying Hongliugou Formation is of Devonian age and was deposited in a passive continental margin setting. The overlying Tamugang Formation formed in the Early Carboniferous and was deposited in a foreland basin setting. Integrating the published data and our new work, we suggest a new tectonic evolution model related to the Karamaili ocean‐continent transition process. During the Early Devonian, northward subduction of the Karamaili Ocean plate beneath the East Junggar Belt formed the Yemaquan arc. At this time, a passive margin sequence was deposited on the northern Junggar Block. During the Early Carboniferous, the closure of the Karamaili Ocean resulted from the collision between the Junggar Block and the East Junggar Belt. Foreland basins subsequently developed, forming an extensive unconformity in the accretionary wedge to the north and a disconformity in the relatively rigid and stable Junggar Block to the south. This significant difference in stratigraphic contact relationships confirms that regional convergence‐induced shortening deformation had no significant influence on the northern margin of the Junggar Block, suggesting the existence of a relatively rigid basement, probably an oceanic plateau, under the cover sediments of the Junggar Block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deforming belts in the Arabian‐Nubian Shield (ANS) are classified into (1) suture‐related belts, including arc–arc and arc‐continental, and (2) post‐accretionary systems, including N‐trending compression zones and NW‐trending strike‐slip faults. Terrane accretion took place in the ANS between 800 and 700 Ma, along arc–arc sutures. Such sutures are directed from E to NE in the northern part of the ANS, and from N to NE in the south, and are aligned in the north and east with N‐ or S‐verging ophiolitic nappes, or in the south with W‐verging nappes. The Asir, Hijaz, and Midyan terranes formed the Western Arabian shield by 715 Ma. The Afif terrane collided with the Hijaz and Asir terranes between 680 and 640 Ma, terminating the subduction along the Nabitah suture. Subduction began west of the Al Amar arc near the margin of the Ar Rayn terrane at 670 Ma. Afif and Ar Rayn terranes collided along the Al Amar‐Idsas suture about 640 Ma, producing the Idsas orogeny that initiated the major faulting and folding. Strike‐slip faults and upright folds related to oblique convergence between terranes and/or post‐accretionary systems deform the southern sutures. The eastern and western boundaries of the ANS are marked by arc‐continental sutures and characterized by N‐trending deformation belts that formed at 750–650 Ma when the ANS collided with East and West Gondwana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accretionary processes at mid‐ocean ridge segments with low magma input have seldom been investigated over the long term. The evolution of such magma‐starved segments over time is still largely unknown. We present a study on the structure and evolution of the southernmost intra‐transform ridge segment of the St. Paul Transform Fault System in the Equatorial Mid‐Atlantic Ridge, based on new bathymetry, gravity, and rock sampling data. We show that this area evolves differently from previously described tectonics along ridge segments of similar spreading rate. On the flanks of the axial ridge segment, we observe a succession of structures exhumed by detachment faulting, evolving from east‐facing, long‐lived, corrugated oceanic core complexes (∼6 Ma ago), to short‐lived detachment faults exposing lower crust and mantle rocks and facing alternatively east and west in the more recent part of the segment. The oldest detachment faults have been repeatedly split and partially transferred to the opposite flank through the formation of new detachments into the footwall. The terminations of three old, east‐facing detachments are observed on the east flank of the segment. The westward relocations of the plate boundary appear to compensate for the asymmetry of accretion through detachment faulting, overall creating the same amount of lithosphere on both flanks of the ridge. We interpret the observed changes in the time of the accretionary processes to reflect a decrease of the melt supply over the last ∼6 Myr. Plain Language Summary: The generation of new seafloor at mid‐ocean ridges where cold underlying mantle delivers low magma supply has not been investigated over the long term. Here we present the analysis of new bathymetry, gravity, and rock sampling data over such a ridge segment located within the St. Paul Transform Fault system in the Equatorial Mid‐Atlantic Ridge, which allowed us to bring constraints on its structure and evolution over the last ∼6 Myr. We show that this area evolves differently from previously described ridge segments of similar spreading rate. We observe the remnants of very large normal faults called detachment faults, which have been active for very long times, forming domes called oceanic core complexes. The fault surfaces have been dissected by further extensional deformation, until the plate motion became accommodated along a new detachment fault formed west of the previous plate boundary. The emergence lines of the detachment faults are observed on the eastern flank of the ridge segment. We also observe a change in time of the structures, from typical oceanic core complexes to shorter ridges formed by the exhumation of mantle rocks. We interpret these changes to possibly reflect a decrease in the melt supply in the last 6 Myr. Key Points: The southern intra‐transform ridge segment in the St. Paul transform fault system, over the last ∼6 Myr is dominated by detachment faultingSeveral detachments have been split and partly transferred to the opposite ridge flank through ridge axis relocationThe change in the accretionary processes, from Oceanic Core Complexes to mantle exhumation, suggests a decrease in the time of the melt supply [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indochina Block is considered as a part of the Indian and Australian margins of Gondwana, and the Tam Ky‐Phuoc Son Suture Zone (TPSZ) lies in its central region as the boundary between the Truong Son Belt and Kon Tum Massif (KTM). However, the early Palaeozoic tectonic nature and timing of magmatism within the TPSZ are still controversial. To tackle the issue, we present herein the zircon U–Pb ages with their trace‐element compositions of five dioritic–granitic granitoids in the TPSZ. U–Pb age dating of magmatic zircons from them suggests emplacement ages of ca. 447–450 Ma. Whole‐rock geochemistry of the samples shows low TiO2 contents (0.36–1.18 wt%) and Mg# (42.04–53.07). They display enrichment in light rare earth elements ([La/Yb]N = 4.10–15.19), pronounced negative Nb, Ta and Ti anomalies relative to the chondrite‐normalized rare earth element patterns and primitive mantle‐normalized trace‐element distribution diagrams. The whole‐rock geochemical characteristics together with zircon trace‐element compositions from the same samples revealed their petrogenesis of a continental arc tectonic setting. Combining the results from this study together with available data from the TPSZ and its neighbouring units, we suggest accretionary orogenesis was responsible for generation of the Ordovician magmatic arc in the KTM, which will provide better understanding of the Early Palaeozoic evolution of the eastern Indochina Block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The southern Ryukyu subduction zone is one of the potential sources for tsunamigenic earthquakes. Despite a great seismic risk, the deformation pattern remains poorly known, primarily due to the absence of seafloor constraints. With GNSS‐acoustic measurements over years, we characterize the convergence rate across this margin growing from 92 mm/yr offshore eastern Taiwan to 123 mm/yr near the Gagua Ridge. The new data suggest the subduction interface is capable of hosting Mw 7.5–8.4 earthquakes. The orientations of seafloor movement and P‐axes in the Nanao Basin are both subnormal to the trench, notably deviate from the direction of plate convergence. By considering the combined effect of plate convergence and backarc rifting, different trends between the forearc convergence, P‐axes, and seafloor movement may indicate some degree of slip‐partitioning. The trench‐parallel component is likely accommodated in part by earthquakes near Taiwan, lower plate deformation, and strike‐slip faults within the accretionary wedge. Plain Language Summary: The southern Ryukyu margin near Taiwan accommodates the relative plate motion and backarc rifting. This region has suffered from tsunamis and large earthquakes with magnitudes of about eight in the history, yet insufficient offshore data still hamper our ability to fully characterize fault slip behaviors. We demonstrate how a seafloor geodetic technique, with the combination of the Global Navigation Satellite System and acoustic ranging, can help us constraining fault slip behaviors and assessing seismic risks. We infer a fraction of oblique plate motion is accommodated by the subduction interface capable of hosting earthquakes with moment magnitudes ranging from 7.5 to 8.4. Incorporating seismological observations, we find different trends of the compressive axes of earthquakes, seafloor movement, and the forearc convergence, which may indicate some degree of strain partitioning. The trench‐parallel motion is partially taken up by seismic slip near Taiwan, subducting plate deformation, and strike‐slip faults within the forearc. More near‐trench observations are crucial to assessing seismic hazard and evaluating strain partitioning along the southern Ryukyu Trench. Key Points: Rapid convergence across the southern Ryukyu margin increases eastward from 92 mm/yr offshore Taiwan to 123 mm/yr near the Gagua RidgeOblique convergence is accommodated in part by the plate interface fault capable of hosting earthquakes with Mw 7.5–8.4Different trends between the forearc convergence, P‐axes, and seafloor movement may indicate some degree of slip partitioning [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the crustal growth of the Qinling orogenic belt and the Mesozoic continental interaction between the North China and Yangtze blocks, it is critical to study the South Qinling accretionary complex belt, which is an important part of the Qinling orogen. Based on detailed zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotopic compositional analyses of the Madao complex, this study presents constraints on the migmatization and tectonic evolution of the South Qinling orogenic belt during the Mesozoic. Zircons from leucosome samples of migmatites were found to have weak oscillatory zoning, and one sample yielded a weighted mean age that reflects the time at which the regional tectono‐thermal event initiated the anatexis (210–217 ± 2 Ma). The Hf isotopic compositions indicate that the Madao migmatites were derived from the ancient middle–Late Palaeoproterozoic crust. Zircons from mesosome samples of the migmatites that varied in age from the Palaeozoic to Neoproterozoic exhibited core‐rim textures with magmatic cores (256–1,329 Ma), indicating that they were derived from multiple sources with sedimentary protoliths. Of the 55 analysis spots on the overgrowth rims that yielded 206Pb/238U ages of 200–233 Ma, 40 analyses yielded a weighted age of 211.5 ± 1.0 Ma, indicating the time of anatexis due to the regional tectono‐thermal event. Combined with previously reported Mesozoic data from the South Qinling belt, these results suggest that the migmatites were probably controlled by post‐orogenic extension driven by Mesozoic orogenesis and a prolonged melting episode (from ~200 to 233 Ma). This study reinforces the interpretation that the continental crust in the South Qinling belt may have experienced complex interactions with asthenospheric mantle material during the Mesozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cherts, radiolarites, and radiolarian cherts are one of the most important components of accretionary complexes, and much used in the reconstruction of imbricated sections of ocean plate stratigraphy, and of the palaeogeographic and tectonic settings of ophiolitic mélanges. There has been little research on radiolarian cherts in the Kyrgyz South Tianshan, and the tectonic setting and temporal framework of the South Tianshan ocean are controversial. Here, we report well‐preserved radiolarians in ribbon‐bedded cherts in an ophiolitic mélange of the Atbashi accretionary complex (South Tianshan, Kyrgyzstan), which provide key evidence of ambient Palaeozoic oceanic conditions. The hydrofluoric acid technique was used to extract from the cherty rocks siliceous radiolarian, which yielded an age of late Early Carboniferous. Analyses of major, trace, and rare‐earth elements of four cherts indicate they are biogenic and deposited with little hydrothermal influence in a hemipelagic to continental margin environment. Our fossil ages and geochemical results of the radiolarian cherts from the Atbashi accretionary complex indicate that the South Tianshan ocean was still open in the Late Carboniferous, implying that it was a wide, long‐lived, major ocean that closed by northward subduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Late Palaeozoic–Mesozoic volcano‐sedimentary rocks within the Rushan–Pshart Suture zone in the Pamir contain critical information on the subduction–accretion history of the Rushan–Pshart Ocean (Meso‐Tethys) prior to the Central–South Pamir collision. In this article, we report new field, petrographic, geochronological, and geochemical data of the Permian to Triassic basic volcanic and sedimentary rocks from the Pshart area. Our field study unravels block‐in‐matrix components within some sedimentary mélanges, which, together with some previously defined ophiolitic mélanges, enables us to define the Pshart accretionary complex (AC), and thus for the first time to discuss the subduction–accretion history of the Rushan–Pshart Ocean and the growth of the Pshart AC. The youngest detrital U–Pb zircons suggest that deposition of sediments was in the Late Triassic (212 Ma). Detritus of Triassic age was primarily derived from the Triassic Karakul‐Mazar Arc‐AC (Northern Pamir) and the Bashgumbaz Magmatic Arc, which developed along the northern margin of South Pamir. The evidence of north‐directed thrusts along the Kara Djilga‐2 and Ken Djilga transverses confirms previous interpretations of southward subduction of the Rushan–Pshart oceanic lithosphere beneath the South Pamir. Geochemical OIB‐type data of the Pshart alkaline basaltic rocks suggest formation in seamounts incorporated into the Pshart AC during the southward subduction of the Rushan–Pshart Ocean. The youngest Late Triassic deposition age is consistent with the coeval time of closure of the Palaeo‐Tethys and Meso‐Tethys oceans in the Pamir. The Pshart AC formed by subduction–accretion processes during the southward subduction of the Meso‐Tethys Ocean along the northern South Pamir and the final docking of the Central and South Pamir (Cimmerian Blocks) may have occurred after the Late Triassic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the lithostratigraphy and deformation structures of the accreted pelagic rocks in Lake Hamana area, Central Japan, based on a detailed field mapping and the radiolarian ages. The constructed lithostratigraphy is composed of Lopingian (Upper Permian) grey chert, black chert, black claystone with a high carbon content of 4.85–6.78 wt%, siliceous claystone, black chert, and Anisian (Middle Triassic) grey chert, in the ascending order. The symmetry in the lithostratigraphy and the change in the radiolarian ages with respect to black carbonaceous claystone are presumed to represent a deep‐sea anoxic event that occurred across the Permian–Triassic (P–Tr) boundary. The P–Tr boundary black carbonaceous claystone suffered from an intense shear, resulting in blocks of siliceous claystone in the scaly black claystone matrix. In places, the sheared terrigenous rocks composed of sandstone blocks in the mudstone matrix are intercalated into the pelagic rocks, possibly representing complex mélange forming processes during the development of the Jurassic accretionary complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We carried out an integrated study of zircon U–Pb geochronology, Hf isotopes and geochemistry on the paragneisses and amphibolites from the Chencai area, South China. The detrital zircon ages of four paragneisses range from 2974 to 501 Ma with the main peak at ca. 820 Ma. The detrital materials with Neoproterozoic age may derive from the Jiangnan Orogen and those of Palaeo–Mesoproterozoic age may come from the Wuyi terrane. The youngest age indicates that the protoliths of the paragneisses were formed after ca. 501 Ma. The εHf(t) values (−20.6 to +20.9) of the detrital zircons suggest that the detrital materials of the protoliths are composed of old crustal and juvenile materials. The geochemical characteristics suggest that the protoliths of the paragneisses are greywackes, which formed in an active continental margin or continental island arc environment. The metamorphic ages of the three amphibolites are 428 ± 4, 430 ± 4, and 438 ± 3 Ma. The protoliths of the amphibolites are tholeiites, which can be divided into two groups. Group 1 is characterized by low ∑REE contents and (La/Yb)N ratios showing left‐inclined REE patterns and Nb, Ta depletion which resembles N‐MORB. Group 2 has higher ∑REE contents and (La/Yb)N ratios, with Eu negative anomalies showing affinity to E‐MORB. The data show that the Chencai Group is composed of oceanic crust remnants and continental crust materials, indicating it should be a subduction accretionary complex rather than a metasedimentary sequence and thus it cannot be regarded as the Precambrian basement of the Cathaysia Block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tekturmas ophiolite belt of central Kazakhstan is located in the western Central Asian Orogenic Belt. It consists of three structural‐formational zones: Tekturmas (centre), Bazarbai (north), and Sarysui (south). The Tekturmas zone includes igneous and sedimentary rocks of Karamurun, Tekturmas, and Sarytau formations, which are dominated by volcanogenic, deep sea, and clastic deposits, respectively. The Bazarbai zone consists of Kuzek and Basarbai formations dominated, respectively, by basaltic and sedimentary rocks. The Sarysui zone includes terrigenous Airtau and olistostromic Ermek formations. The age of sedimentary rocks was constrained by microfossils. The igneous rocks of the Karamurun and Bazarbai formations are alkaline and subalkaline basalt/dolerite, andesibasalt, and andesite. There are three main groups of rocks: high‐Ti, mid‐Ti, and low‐Ti. The high‐Ti Karamurun volcanics and low‐Ti Bazarbai are variably enriched in light rare earth element (LREE) showing LREE enriched (high‐Ti) and LREE flat (low‐Ti) REE patterns. The high‐Ti group shows enrichment in Nb, Th, Zr, and Sm compared with the low‐Ti group. The low‐Ti group is special for the Nb troughs in primitive mantle‐normalized multi‐element diagrams, which are typical of supra‐subduction settings. Both groups yielded positive εNd values, although the averages are 4.6 and 7.5 for the high‐ and low‐Ti rocks, respectively. The geochemical features suggest formation of the igneous rocks in oceanic and supra‐subduction (intra‐oceanic arc) settings. The geological and geochemical features of the Tekturmas ophiolite belt accord well with the tectonic emplacement of ophiolites and formation of accretionary complex at a Pacific‐type convergent margin similar to those of the western Pacific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a broad consensus that the final closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean lead to the formation of the southern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. However, the final closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean remains controversial. To address this issue, a systematical study of geochemical and zircon U–Pb on the Kawabulak ophiolite in the southern Eastern Tianshan was carried out. The Kawabulak ophiolite is an accretionary prism that consists of different lithological tectonic slices and marks the suture zone that welded the Central Tianshan composite arc and the northern passive margin of the Tarim Craton. Zircon U–Pb data show that gabbro blocks of the Kawabulak ophiolite formed at 360.9 ± 3.3 Ma in the northern part and 326.0 ± 3.3 Ma in the southern part, respectively. The geochemistry features of basalts and gabbros show OIB‐type, arc/subduction‐related affinities, indicating different tectonic setting origins. A granitic gneiss with an arc‐related geochemical feature yielded a zircon U–Pb age of 477.2 Ma, indicating the earliest subduction event. The youngest deformed arc‐related granitic intrusion (295 Ma) in the Kawabulak prism indicates that the final closure timing of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean in Eastern Tianshan is after the Early Permian. The results of our study shed light to the temporal and spatial evolution of the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strength of accretionary prisms is important for understanding their formation and the generation of earthquakes along the underlying plate boundary faults. We establish a continuous depth profile of rock strength and possible ranges of the minimum and maximum horizontal stresses (Shmin and SHmax) based on indentation tests on cuttings samples at the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Site C0002 in the Nankai accretionary prism. The rock strength (i.e., differential stress) increases with depth from 5.1 and 11.0 MPa at 975 meters below the seafloor (mbsf) to 22.8 and 59.6 MPa at 3005 mbsf in normal and reverse faulting regimes, respectively. The minimum value of Shmin and the maximum value of SHmax range from 33.2 and 49.4 MPa at 975 mbsf to 57.1 and 139.6 MPa at 3005 mbsf, respectively. Our estimated strength, in combination with Coulomb wedge model, may improve understanding of the evolution of accretionary prisms. Key Points: Strength of the inner Nankai accretionary prism is estimated from indentation tests on cuttingsOur estimation constrains the ranges of possible maximum and minimum principal stresses, which are limited by rock strength and loading stress regimesDifferential stress reaches 57.1 and 139.6 MPa at ~3 km below seafloor for the normal and reverse faulting stress regimes, respectively [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Datong area is located in the western part of the Western Kunlun Orogen (WKO), occupying a key area of the Tethyan domain. Our new SHRIMP U–Pb zircon ages from the Datong area provide new information about the Palaeozoic evolution of the Western Kunlun Orogen. A 473.0 ± 2.8 Ma granite with 493.6 ± 4.8 Ma inherited zircons from the Kusilafu extrusive rocks is interpretation as an A‐type granite formed in a fore‐arc tectonic setting. The 485.5 ± 1.9 Ma granitoid of the Datongdong pluton combined with the 452.7 ± 7 Ma granitoid of the Datong pluton indicate that the Datong pluton is an intra‐oceanic arc complex formed by the southern subduction of the Proto‐Tethyan ocean crust. Zircons from gabbros of the Datong mafic–ultramafic complex have a 499.2 ± 2.1 Ma U–Pb crystallization age. Combined with its complicated whole‐rock geochemistry, we propose that there may have existed a Datong seamount in the early Palaeozoic. The detrital zircon results of Silurian–Devonian sandstones reveal that the Late Silurian sandstones have the characteristic zircons both from the Tarim Block and Datong Arc, suggesting that the Datong arc collided with the Tarim Block in the Late Silurian. The tectonic history of the WKO was characterized by a southern subduction of Proto‐Tethys terminated in the Late Silurian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Borneo Accretionary Orogen (BAO) is located in a central position of SE Asia, surrounded by the long-lived westward subduction of the Pacific Plate, northward subduction of the Indian Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate and a passive continental margin of the South China Sea. Based on the previous studies in stratigraphy, structural geology and geophysics, a number of tectonic models on the BAO have been proposed, but these models do not perfectly match all of the geological facts. A field-based structural analysis of the rocks of Sabah in Malaysia has recognized that the deformation in Sabah can be divided into four episodes (D1-D4). The D1 deformation developed complete displacement foliation (S1) and NNE-trending thrusts. Then D1 structures were reworked by the subsequent D2 deformation. D2 deformation resulted in WNW- or NW-striking thrusts, followed by NNW-SSE-trending thrusts and folds (D3). Some NNE-trending sinistral strike-slip faults and WNW-trending dextral tension-shear faults (D4) offset the D3 structures. D1 is related to the collisional event in the Sabah Orogeny during 23-16 Ma, and D2 corresponds to the formation of the Deep Regional Uncomformity (DRU) at 16 Ma. D3 is related to the Shallow Regional Uncomformity (SRU) at 10 Ma. D4 is associated to the NW-SE-trending extension after the multi-stage collisional events. Analysis of the sedimentary and magmatic data reveals that the BAO is a Mesozoic and Cenozoic accretionary orogeny, represented by the intensely deformed Rajang-Crocker Group Accretionary prism, ophiolites and calc-alkaline igneous rocks. The accretionary orogen is related to the evolution of the Proto-South China Sea Ocean (PSCS). The PSCS continuously subducted under the Borneo Block and closed in the Late Eocene-Early Miocene time. The subduction zone of the PSCS retreated to the north in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic and migrated to the present-day Nansha Trough. The BAO is still active, as represented by a series of thrusting and subduction of the Dangerous Grounds under the Borneo Block. The NNE-trending subduction-related faults are considered as transform faults, rotating to the present-day NW-trending faults due to the anti-clockwise rotation of the entire Borneo Block. In particular, the previous NNE-trending Tinjar Fault is regarded as a major boundary in sedimentation and magmatism. To the NE of the fault, the strata and igneous rocks are Oligocene-Early Miocene, but to the SW of the fault, the strata and igneous rocks developed during the Cretaceous-Late Eocene interval. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]