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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 Late Palaeozoic Solonker‐Xar Moron‐Changchun‐Yanji Suture (SXCYS) is considered to mark the location of the final closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean, which separated the North China Craton to the south and the amalgamated blocks to the north in Northeast China. There has always been controversy about its eastern extension in Northeast China and the final closure time of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean. To explore this issue, we collected gabbro and quartz‐diorite samples in the Hunchun area for the genesis of mafic magma and age dating, and five groups of Permian to Triassic sandstones belonging to both sides of the potential suture locations in the middle and east Jilin Province for the provenance analysis to discuss the final closure time of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean and the possible positions of the eastward termination of the SXCYS. The gabbro reveals a Middle Permian concordia average age of 266.9 ± 5.2 Ma, and the quartz diorite reveals a Late Permian Concordia average age of 258.8 ± 4.8 Ma. Lithological and geochemical analysis reveal the two rock samples belong to low‐K arc tholeiites from the oceanic island and calk‐alkaline volcanics from the active continental margin, respectively, which implies that during the middle to late Permian, the SW margin of the Jiamusi–Khanka Block (JB) continuously experienced the subduction process from the Paleo‐Asian Ocean Plate. The final closure time of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean should be later than the Late Permian. Meanwhile, four groups of sandstone from the east Jilin reveal typically Jiamusi–Mongolia Block (JMB) provenance features, with age components of ~500 Ma, ~0.9–1.5 Ga implying that the Wangqing, Hunchun, Kaishantun area belongs to the northern part of the SXCYS from late Early Permian to Middle Triassic, with youngest age components of 288.2 ± 2.8, 275.5 ± 1.8, 250 ± 1.7, and 244.9 ± 1.7 Ma, respectively. The late Early Permian sandstone from the middle Jilin reveals the youngest age component of 273.8 ± 3.4 Ma and the age component of 487 ± 3 Ma also revealing JMB feature. Comparing to previous studies, we propose that the Paleo‐Asian Ocean finally closed during Middle to Late Triassic. A possible ENE fault separates the eastern extension of SXCYS into two parts, which means the possible position of the eastward extension of the SXCYS should go along the Wangqing‐Kaishantun with NNW direction in the west, Hunchun‐Laoheishan with NW direction in the east. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geochemical differences of magmatic rocks can be influenced by melt source and magmatic processes, including partial melting, fractional crystallization and magma mixing. New whole‐rock geochemical analyses, zircon U–Pb ages and Hf‐isotope data on granitoids from the Qingshanbao complex in the Longshoushan belt highlight a significant Late Ordovician–Early Silurian magmatic episode during the collision between the Alxa and Qilian‐Qaidam blocks, in which magma mixing was a fundamental process. The Qingshanbao complex comprises K‐feldspar granite, granodiorite and diorite emplaced coevally from 442 to 433 Ma. They exhibit peraluminous to metaluminous I‐type features, are enriched in large‐ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and light rare earth elements (LREEs) and depleted in high‐field‐strength elements (HFSEs). Chondrite‐normalized REE patterns are fractionated (LaN/YbN = 10.2–34.9) with weakly negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.66–0.94). The 176Lu/177Hf zircon two‐stage model ages (TDM2) and the εHf(t) on zircons extracted from the K‐feldspar granite (1613–2,316 Ma, εHf(t) = −14.4 to −3.0) and granodiorite (1640–2015 Ma, εHf(t) = −9.6 to −3.6) suggest they were formed by the mixing of melts produced by the melting of Mesoproterozoic crustal materials, most likely meta‐basic rocks from the Longshoushan Group, and to a lesser extent mantle materials. In contrast, zircons in the diorite yield TDM2 ages ranging from 964 to 1767 Ma and εHf(t) values of −5.5 to 7.1, implying melting of depleted mantle rocks with subordinate participation of lower crust materials. We suggest that the Qingshanbao complex was emplaced when the North Qilian area was in a transitional stage from a compressional to an extensional environment as early as approximately 442 Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ayishan Group in the Lajishan area is sandwiched between the South Qilian Belt and the Qilian Block, which is transitionally interpreted to represent the products of the post‐collision setting or the continental marginal arc during the Early Ordovician or Silurian and is associated with the evolution of the Proto‐Tethyan Ocean. While the detailed information about the age, geochemistry, and tectonic setting of the Ayishan Group is lacking, our geological mapping and analyses demonstrates that the Ayishan Group consists of andesites, rhyolites, ignimbrites, sandstones, and conglomerates, which unconformably overlies the Cambrian–Ordovician arc‐ophiolite complex. Zircon U–Pb dating of the rhyolites demonstrated that the Ayishan Group formed between 447 and 442 Ma and is Late Ordovician. Geochemical analyses demonstrated that rhyolites have high and variable SiO2 contents of 69.6–76.5 wt% and an aluminium saturation index (A/CNK) of 0.85–1.45, belonging to calc‐alkaline to high K calc‐alkaline series. They are subdivided into two subtypes of high‐Sr/Y rhyolites (HSRs) and normal rhyolites (NRs) based on the geochemical characteristics. The HSRs show lower total rare earth elements (34.77–62.78 ppm), lower Yb (0.19–0.21 ppm) and Y (1.77–1.99 ppm) contents, and relatively higher Sr contents (159–193 ppm), compared with NRs, and with positive Eu anomalies. Both subtypes exhibit extremely high whole‐rock δ18O values of 12.63–13.21‰, but various initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios and εNd(t) values, indicating a dominant origin of terrigenous sediments and the HSRs exhibit a more terrestrial composition than the NRs. Various magma sources further caused the assorted residual phase leading to the different geochemistry between the HSRs and the NRs. Combined with the previous data, these results imply that the rhyolites of the Ayishan Group were produced in the process of the amalgamation of the Qilian Block with the Qaidam Block during the Late Ordovician, which further indicated that the Proto‐Tethyan Ocean closed 450 Ma ago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eastern Shandong is one of the most economically important regions for ore‐producing sedimentary‐metamorphic graphite deposits in China. The Liugezhuang and Daliangzikou graphite deposits in the Pingdu–Laixi Graphite Belt are typical examples. The ores in the Liugezhuang deposit and Daliangzikou deposit are typically gneiss/granulite type and biotite granulite type, respectively. Graphite occurs as stratabound layers of slender flakes associated with biotite, clinopyroxene, and plagioclase and as slender flakes and disseminated grains associated with biotite and filling tiny fractures in mineral grains. The mineral associations indicate that the ore rocks can be classified into four metamorphic facies: (a) amphibolite granulite facies, Cpx (Hy) + Opx (Di) + Pl ± Hbl ± Qz; (b) amphibolite facies, Hbl + Pl + Cpx (Opm) + Ep + Bt + Ms + Qz ± Chl ± Mic; (c) high‐grade greenshist facies, Hbl + Pl + Ep + Bt + Chl + Qz ± Cpx; and (d) low‐grade greenshist facies, Ep + Chl + Pl + Bt + Ms + Chl + Qz + Rt. Study of the variation in graphite crystals and fixed carbon with increasing metamorphic grade suggests that more than one metamorphism process (graphitization) occurred during ore formation. Geochemical analysis indicates that the primary condition under which the Liugezhuang and Daliangzikou graphite deposits formed was a marine facies sedimentary environment of which the material source was terrestrial weathering detritus and compounds and also a participation of terrestrial material in the graphite deposits. Trace element data suggest that the sedimentary condition was from a reducing condition in the Liugezhuang graphite deposit to a weaker reducing condition in the Daliangzikou graphite deposit, whereas samples from a Jingshan Group stratum show multiple oxidation–reduction conditions but dominantly oxidation. Carbon isotope analysis indicates that the carbon source of the Liugezhuang graphite deposit was organic, whereas that of the Daliangzikou graphite deposit was mainly organic carbon but with some inorganic participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We undertook an integrated approach incorporating whole‐rock geochemistry and detrital zircon U‐Pb geochronology from Permian sedimentary rocks in the Solonker area of central Inner Mongolia, China with the aim of constraining the tectonic evolution of the eastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Geochemical analysis reveals a close relationship between the sedimentary and volcanic rock suites in the study region. Detrital zircons from seven samples collected from the Zhesi Formation yield U‐Pb ages that cluster around 309–275 Ma and 464–435 Ma, with two main age peaks of ~452 and ~288 Ma. However, additional detrital zircons with ages in the range of 2,634–543 Ma are sparse and with no obvious age peaks. The results suggest that the deposition of the Zhesi Formation occurred from the Middle to the Late Permian and from two major age provenances: the Precambrian basement of the North China Plate (~1,880 Ma and ~2,520 Ma) and the Paleozoic Southern orogenic belt along the northern margin of North China (~288 Ma and ~452 Ma). In this contribution, we suggest that the Zhesi Formation in the Solonker area formed in response to the Early to Middle Permian subduction tectonic setting of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean (PAO), probably formed in a forearc basin and that the final closure of the PAO occurred after the Late Permian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sadaigoumen Mo deposit is a typical porphyry‐type deposit which is located in the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC), China. Mineralization of the deposit mainly occurs as finely disseminated within the host granites. To get a better understanding of the ore‐forming process of the deposit and the genetic link between mineralization and host igneous rocks, we report LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U–Pb and whole‐rock major and trace elements data from the magmatic rocks which are exposed in the mining area. LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb analyses yield weighed mean ages of 239.5 ± 0.58 Ma for alkali‐feldspar granites and 1872.8 ± 5.1 Ma for porphyritic granodiorite. The porphyritic granodiorite, which was previously considered to be part of the Hongqiyingzi Group, is redefined as Palaeoproterozoic highly fractionated I‐type granites: (1) They have high contents of SiO2 (69.57–72.21 wt.%) and Al2O3 (13.24–13.90 wt.%) and high Na2O + K2O (up to 7.1 wt.%) and FeOT/MgO values (6.7 to 7.7), and (2) significant depletion of Eu, Sr, Ba, P, and Ti elements; (3) compared with typical A‐type granites, they have lower Ga (around 20.5 ppm) and 10000 × Ga/Al values (around 2.8); the Triassic alkali‐feldspar granite samples also show highly fractionated I‐type geochemical signatures with high Na2O + K2O (8.40–8.50 wt.%), FeO*/MgO (12.67–13.49), and Ga/Al (2.58–2.81) ratios. The higher ∑REE values (>199.69 ppm) and depletions of Nb, Ta, and Ba make it different from typical A‐type granites. By comparative analysis of geochemical data, we believed that the ca. 1872.8 Ma porphyritic granodiorite formed in a tectonic environment resembling that of magmatic arc granites and the ca. 239.5 Ma alkali‐feldspar granite formed in syn‐collisional settings which is related to closure of Palaeo‐Asian Ocean. Our new data, combined with previous studies, allow us to speculate that the Triassic alkali‐feldspar granite is directly related to the Mo mineralization in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bedded Jingtieshan barite deposit, which occurs in the western part of North Qilian, NW China, is intimately associated with banded iron formation (BIF) and is hosted in weakly metamorphosed Mesoproterozoic clastic–carbonate rocks. Although numerous studies have focused on the BIF, the origin of the barite mineralization is poorly understood. The barite orebody occurs as a lenticular/stratiform unit overlying and locally interlayered with the BIF. In this contribution, we present a comprehensive and integrated study of the geochemistry and S–O–Sr‐isotope characteristics of the Jingtieshan barite deposit, thereby constraining its origin and the depositional conditions in the Mesoproterozoic ocean. The ore is composed of barite, minor carbonate minerals, specularite, and other minerals and is characterized by low Sr concentrations (711–1469 ppm), total rare earth element concentrations (7–28 ppm), and La/Ce values, relative enrichment in light rare earth element, positive Gd anomalies, and elevated Lan/Cen, which indicate that mineralizing fluids were derived from seawater and submarine hydrothermal solutions. Barite separates yield δ34S = 19.5–29.1‰ and δ18O = 12.7–23.6‰, which are consistent with a coeval seawater origin for SO42− modified bacterial sulfate reduction. Moreover, the 87Sr/86Sr values suggest that Sr, as well as Ba, was derived from contemporaneous seawater and hydrothermal solutions, with additional radiogenic Sr derived from late‐stage hydrothermal alteration. The redox‐sensitive trace element ratios of V/(V + Ni), V/(V + Cr), and V/Cr, combined with negative Ce anomalies (0.11–0.82), indicate that the barite formed under oxic marine conditions in a redox stratified ocean. Geological, geochemical, and isotope data support a sedimentary–exhalative origin for the Jingtieshan barite deposit, where barite was deposited under oxic conditions in a shallow marine environment when ascending Ba‐bearing submarine hydrothermal solutions encountered sulfate‐rich seawater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The well-studied Mesozoic and Cenozoic volcanic rocks of the Gangdise Terrane, southern Tibet, are widely interpreted to have resulted from subduction of the Neotethys; however, Late Paleozoic volcanic rocks and their tectonic setting remain poorly studied. Based on new geological data, we carried out stratigraphical and geochemical analyses of Permian volcano-stratigraphic sequences within an east–west-trending, fault-bounded zone of uplift in the central Gangdise Terrane. Sedimentary rocks in this area consist of platform carbonates and terrigenous clastic rocks that represent widespread shallow-marine sedimentary basins developed around northern Gondwana. A regression or tectonic uplift event is recorded in Permian sedimentary rocks that show the local development of fluvial environments. The sedimentary succession contains evidence of two volcanic stages: a period of basaltic extrusions and younger explosive felsic magmatism. The first volcanic stage is Early and Middle Permian in age. Tholeiitic basaltic lavas are exposed around Maizhokunggar (Tangjia) and Lhunzhub in central Gangdise. The Lower Permian basalts are relatively enriched in MgO (4.58–12.19%), whereas the Middle Permian basalts are characterized by high Al2O3 contents (11.75–21.22%). Rocks of both ages are enriched in large-ion lithophile elements (LILE) and light rare earth elements (LREE), and show pronounced negative Nb and Ta anomalies. Total REE contents and light (LREE)/heavy (HREE) ratios increased from the Early to Middle Permian. Observed variations in initial Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopes (87Sr/86Sri = 0.7013–0.7066, 207Pb/204Pbi = 15.53–15.63, and 208Pb/204Pbi = 38.04–38.64 for a given 206Pb/204Pbi; εNd = +0.69 to −11.55) can be explained by crustal interaction with mantle sources, as is characteristic of metasomatism by slab-derived fluids or assimilation and fractional crystallization (AFC) processes during magmatic evolution. The observed geochemical signatures, coupled with stratigraphic constraints, support the hypothesis that an initial arc formed during the Permian due to southward subduction of the Paleotethys, predating the well-known Mesozoic arc preserved in the Gangdise Terrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mafic granulite body was newly discovered in the Altay Orogenic Belt, northwest China. The rocks comprise a suite of coarse-grained and fine-grained granulites. Orthopyroxenes (hypersthenes) in the rocks have high XMg and low Al2O3 contents, whereas clinopyroxenes have low TiO2 and Al2O3 contents. Amphiboles and biotites have a high Mg/(Mg + Fe2+) ratio and low contents of F and Cl. The peak metamorphic pressure–temperature (P–T) conditions are estimated as 750–780°C and 6–7 kbar, and retrograde P–T conditions are in the range of 590–620°C and 2.3–3.7 kbar, indicating significant decompression. Metamorphic reactions and P–T estimates define a clockwise P–T path. Geochemically, the rocks are high in Mg/(Mg + Fe) and Al2O3, depleted in U, Th, K and Rb, and characterized by light rare earth element enrichment and a weak positive Eu anomaly. The Altay mafic granulite shows depleted Nb, P and Ti contents in the mid-oceanic ridge basalt normalized spider diagram. The geochemical characteristics suggest that the protolith of the Altay mafic granulite was calc-alkaline basalt and andesite with an island-arc affinity. The rock has a high 143Nd/144Nd ratio with ℇNd(0) > 0, indicating derivation from a mantle-depleted source. In the present study, a two-stage model for the evolution of the Altay mafic granulite is proposed: an early stage in which calc-alkaline basalt and andesite with island-arc affinity were subducted into a deeper level of the crust and subjected to granulite-facies metamorphism generating the mafic granulite, followed by the later stage exhumation of the system into the upper crust by the late Paleozoic thrusting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]