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The eastern Qinling belt is characterized by widespread Mesozoic post-orogenic magmatism and abundant Mo–(Au–Ag) polymetallic mineralization. Most Mo deposits in this belt are genetically related to Mesozoic granitoids. The tectonic context of this close spatial and temporal relationship is still debated. This study reports U–Pb ages and Hf isotopic composition of zircons, major and trace element and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic composition of the Donggou granite porphyry, host rock to one of the important Mesozoic Mo deposits in this orogen. Based on geochemical results, the Donggou granite porphyry is a silica-supersaturated, high-K metaluminous A-type granite showing enrichment in light REEs, depletion in middle REEs and significant negative Eu, Ba, Nb, Sr, P, and Ti anomalies. Negative initial ϵNdvalues of −17.0 to −13.2 for whole-rock and negative initial ϵHfvalues of −19.9 to −7.8 for zircon suggest that the magma was derived from a mixture of Archaean/Proterozoic crustal rocks and mantle-derived or newly added crust. Its Pb isotopic composition is similar to the lower crust of the North China block, but different from superjacent country rocks (Xiong'er and Taihua Groups). Zircon U–Pb dating yields a late Mesozoic emplacement age of 118–117 Ma, identical with the third episode of Mo mineralization in the eastern Qinling–Dabie belt. We postulate that the Donggou Mo-related porphyry granite formed by reworking of North China lower crust with significant input of juvenile material. The magmas formed in an extensional tectonic setting, induced by lithospheric thinning and asthenospheric upwelling beneath eastern China during Cretaceous time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Granitic rocks forming in the syn- to post-orogenic stages can trace the compositional and structural complexity of the crust beneath an orogenic belt. The Qinling orogenic belt undertook multiple stages of tectonics and magmatism, resulting in the multifaceted evolution and compositional diversity of the crust. In the present study, the Guangtoushan and Miba plutons in South Qinling were chosen to reveal the crustal heterogeneity in study area via isotopic geochemistry and zircon geochronology. The Guangtoushan pluton was emplaced between ~215 Ma and ~202 Ma and the Miba pluton formed at ~213 Ma, as constrained by zircon U-Pb isotopic dating. Granitic rocks of the Miba pluton are characterized by amphibole bearing and homogeneous composition, with relatively depleted Sr-Nd isotopic compositions (initial 87Sr/86Sr values of 0.7060 to 0.7084 and initial εNd values of −5.4 to −9.5) and high Pb isotopic values. The Guangtoushan pluton contains muscovite and complex inherited zircon grains and has variable Sr-Nd isotopic composition (initial 87Sr/86Sr values of 0.7050 to 0.7091 and initial εNd values of −4.5 to −12.9) and low Pb isotopic values. Felsic magmas of the Guangtoushan pluton should be derived mainly from meta-sedimentary rocks beneath South Qinling, while the Miba pluton originated primarily from partial melting of meta-igneous rocks. The compositional diversity recorded in the Early Mesozoic plutons was caused by the heterogeneous crust, and partial melting was induced by heating of the up-welling asthenosphere in a post-collision setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sedimentary rocks in the Baoshan Block contain dominantly Precambrian zircon. • This block might not be involved into orogenic events along the Gondwana margin. • Sedimentary sources were akin to old crustal rocks of Northwest India. The Baoshan Block in western Yunnan is one of the major micro-continents in the eastern Tethyan orogenic belt, but its provenance and crustal evolution remain enigmatic. Sedimentary rocks prior to an amalgamation of continental blocks recorded key information about crustal evolution and the origin of terranes and can provide vital data for understanding orogenic processes. Here, we present U–Pb ages and Hf isotopic data on detrital zircon and Nd isotopic data on whole rock for Paleozoic sedimentary rocks from the Baoshan Block to constrain their provenance and tectonic history. Crystallization ages of detrital zircon grains illustrate that the magmatic activities of the source areas occurred at ~2.5 Ga, ~1.9 Ga, and ~1.0–0.5 Ga, with a major peak occurring around 0.95 Ga. Several old zircon grains from >3.0 Ga up to ~3.8–3.7 Ga were observed. Zircon Hf isotopic data from one sample suggest that the major crustal growth occurred at ~2.1 Ga. Cambrian to Carboniferous sedimentary rocks showed similar Nd isotopic features with two–stage Nd model ages of approximately 2.1 Ga. The age distribution patterns and isotopic data suggest that detritus material in the Paleozoic sedimentary rocks was mainly derived from continental terrane similar to the Indian craton, implying that the Baoshan Block was likely adjacent to Northwest India before the collision of the Baoshan and Simao blocks. No significant inputs of the juvenile crust were documented in the Nd–Hf isotopic data, appearing to be incompatible with a magmatic arc setting for the Baoshan Block during the Paleozoic. This block might have been situated at the interior of Gondwana before rifting and drifting northwards to the Eurasia continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediments or clastic rocks can record the evolution history of basins, orogenic processes, crustal uplift and erosion, and even paleo-environments. Detrital minerals such as zircon, garnet, and apatite are useful media for studies of sedimentary sources and basin evolution. Detrital zircon has been widely taken as an indicator for provenances and tectonic evolution of geological terrenes via age distribution patterns. Apatite can remain stable during erosion and transportation and is also considered as an ideal object for source tracing. This mineral normally contains high Sr and negligible Rb. Its Sr isotopic composition can remain almost unchanged after crystallization. Unlike isotopic ages of detrital minerals, Apatite isotopic compositions have been less frequently used for tracing the provenance of sedimentary rocks in the last few decades. In the present study, we report on the Sr isotopic composition of individual apatite grains of Neogene and Jurassic conglomerates from the Hui-Cheng basin in the South Qinling orogenic belt, obtained via thermal ionization mass spectrometry. Detrital apatite grains of Jurassic rocks have narrow ranges of 87Sr/86Sr values from 0.7076 to 0.7100, but those of Neogene rocks gave variant 87Sr/86Sr values from 0.7055 to 0.7534, providing distinct evidence for complex sources of Neogene sedimentary rocks. Analytical results show that the distribution patterns of 87Sr/86Sr values of single-grain detrital apatite fit the distribution patterns of detrital zircon U-Pb from the isotopic ages very well. Detrital apatite Sr isotopic composition can provide essential information for tracing the origins and evolution of sedimentary sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qinling Orogen resulted from the collision between the North and South China blocks in the Triassic. Mesozoic granitoids, ranging from the Triassic to the Cretaceous, are widely distributed in this orogen, and they provide excellent clues for understanding the crustal evolution and geodynamic evolution of the orogenic belt. The Triassic belt is mostly located in the South Qinling, whereas the Cretaceous belt is located mostly in the North Qinling. The Taibai complex pluton is located at the conjunction of the two belts. Here we present a data set comprising zircon U-Pb dating and elemental and Sr-Nd isotopic geochemistry for Late Mesozoic granite and microgranular enclaves (MME) exposed in the Taibai complex pluton. The granite and MME yield concordant U-Pb zircon ages of 124 to 118 Ma, indicating that they were products of roughly simultaneous magmatism in the Late Mesozoic. The granite rocks are high-K, calc-alkaline, and weakly peraluminous in compositions, and they are characterized by enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (e. g., Rb, Ba), depletion in high field strength elements (e.g., Nb, Ta, Zr, Ti), and variable Sr/Y ratios of 7.64 to 63.6. Low MgO, Cr, and Ni contents imply that the magma(s) were essentially crust-derived. Both the granite and the MME show relative depletion in Sr-Nd isotopic composition (initial 87Sr/86Sr of 0.704 4 to 0.706 7, initial εNd values of −3.4 to −2.6), suggesting that the magma(s) originated from juvenile crustal rocks. These Sr-Nd isotopic characteristics are significantly different from those of other Late Mesozoic granitoids exposed elsewhere in the Qinling orogenic belt, which formed from much older and enriched sources and with negligible contributions from mantle or juvenile crust. We propose a reworking event of the juvenile crust during the Late Mesozoic that was triggered by the tectonic extension and subsequent asthenospheric upwelling that occurred in eastern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lithospheric root underneath the Dabie orogen, which is the key part of the Central Orogen of China, experienced a cycle of thickening during Triassic continent-continent collision with subsequent post-collisional collapse during the Early Cretaceous. However, the process and mechanism of how thickened lithospheric roots are removed generally remain controversial. U–Pb ages and oxygen isotopes of zircons along with whole-rock geochemistry of post-collisional mafic–intermediate dykes in the region were used to track magmatic contributions from the lower crust, and constrain magma provenance from compositionally variable reservoirs in the upper mantle. Relict zircons show evidence of recycling of subducted continental crust of South China Block that not only has the Neoproterozoic ages and experienced the Triassic metamorphism, but also contains both 18O-depleted and enriched components. A first generation of hypersthene-normative tholeiitic dykes and nepheline-normative alkaline dykes were emplaced at ca. 130–120 Ma. They are overall characterized by arc-like geochemical patterns with εNd values from −21.6 to −4.6 and initial 87Sr/86Sr from 0.7056 to 0.7094. Coeval alkaline dykes are shifted towards more depleted-mantle like compositions, indicating simultaneous melt extraction from different mantle domains and depths. In contrast, second-generation hypersthene-normative mafic dykes (ca. 115–110 Ma) show OIB-like characteristics with εNd values from −1.5 to +4.8 and initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios from 0.7039 to 0.7049, indicating an increasing contribution from upwelling asthenospheric mantle during lithospheric thinning. The temporal evolution of the geochemical characteristics of mafic melts derived from the upper mantle in the Dabie orogen is consistent with foundering of thickened lithosphere and subsequent influx of asthenospheric mantle. The removal of thickened lithosphere root is suggested to be triggered by subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate and lasted from ca. 130–115 Ma as constrained by the intrusive ages of two distinct types of tholeiitic dykes. • The Dabie orogen underwent post-collisional collapse during the Early Cretaceous. • First-generation of Hy- and Ne- normative dykes originated from hybrid mantle domains. • Second-generation tholeiitic dykes indicate removal of thickened lithospheric root. • Xenocrystic zircons show close affinities to crustal rocks of the South China Block. • The post-collisional collapse was triggered by subduction of Paleo-Pacific plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Zircon grains from quartz monzonites and MMEs in the Mishuling pluton are all dated at ~215 Ma. • Three types of zircon are identified from the MMEs with distinct texture and ε Hf (t). • Type-1 and Type-2 zircon crystallized from compositionally different hybrid magmas. • Type-3 zircon is the xenocryst captured from less-evolved granitic magma. • Zircon grains from the MMEs record successive magma mixing processes in deep magma chambers. Extensive Mesozoic magmatism in the Qinling orogenic belt, Central China, has produced voluminous granitic plutons. In Western Qinling, the Triassic Mishuling pluton contains abundant mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs), recording magma mixing processes in the generation of the pluton. The Mishuling pluton is composed of quartz monzonite, whereas the MMEs are mainly diorite and monzonite. In this study, zircons from the MMEs are all dated by LA-ICP-MS at ca. 215 Ma, clearly consistent with the crystallization age of the host pluton. Quartz monzonites have low Mg# (43–48), Cr (30–64 ppm), and Ni (11–39 ppm) and high Th/U relative to the MMEs. Quartz monzonites are considered to have been produced by melting of Neoproterozoic mafic rocks in the northwestern part of the Yangtze Block, whereas the MMEs were likely the products of mixed mafic and felsic magmas. The mafic magmas may have been derived from partial melting of the enriched lithospheric mantle. Both the MMEs and host quartz monzonites have nearly identical Sr-Nd isotopic compositions, indicating that the hybrid melts and felsic magmas may have reached Sr-Nd isotopic equilibrium due to magma mixing. Zircon grains from the MMEs can be further divided into three types on the basis of internal texture and ε Hf (t). Overall, all these types of zircon grains have Th/U ranging from 0.18 to 1.63, typical of magmatic origin. Type-1 zircon grains show well-developed {1 0 0} and {1 1 0} prisms as well as {1 0 1} and {2 1 1} pyramids, whereas Type-2 zircon grains show well-developed {1 0 1} pyramids and {1 1 0} prisms. Types-1 and 2 zircon grains have slightly higher ε Hf (t) (–0.2 to –4.4) than those of the zircon grains from quartz monzonites (ε Hf (t) = –2.7 to –5.4), indicating crystallization from different hybrid magmas. Type-3 zircon grains have morphology and ε Hf (t) similar to and Hf concentrations lower than those of the zircon grains from quartz monzonites. We interpret that the Type-3 zircon grains were likely captured from less evolved granitic magmas and are thus xenocrysts in the MMEs. Therefore, the three types of zircon grains from the MMEs record successive magma mixing processes in deep-seated magma chambers. Such a scenario may have broad implications for magma mixing in the generation of granitic plutons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magma mixing or mingling between mafic and felsic magmas is a common phenomenon in granitoid magmatism, and chemical and mechanical interactions between the magmas are frequently observed in granitic rocks. The Dongjiangkou pluton is an example of magma mixing among the numerous early Mesozoic granitoid plutons that are exposed in eastern South Qinling. This pluton is predominantly composed of granodiorite and contains abundant mafic/intermediate microgranular enclaves (MMEs) and is sporadically intruded by mafic dykes. Both the granodiorite and MMEs were crystallized at 224–214 Ma and have inherited zircons of similar age ranges. The granodioritic rocks had metaluminous to weak peraluminous features and adakitic signatures and belong to the high-K calc-alkaline series, whereas the MMEs and dioritic dykes had low SiO 2 contents and metaluminous features and belong to the high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonite series. All of the rocks had high Mg# values and similar geochemical characteristics regarding trace elements and Sr isotopes, but they had diverse whole-rock Nd-Pb and zircon Hf isotopic compositions. The Dongjiangkou granodiorite was produced by partial melting of old basement rocks and Paleozoic juvenile crust beneath South Qinling triggered by asthenospheric upwelling. Magma(s) of the Dongjiangkou MMEs may have been derived from deep mantle and injected into and mixed with the magma(s) of the granodiorite, but chemical and isotopic homogenization was not achieved during the magma mixing process. Clastic rocks may have played a major role in the formation of crust-derived magma(s), causing strong Nd-Hf isotopic decoupling of several granitoid plutons in South Qinling. • Dongjiangkou granite witnesses insufficient mixing of felsic and mafic magmas. • Nd and Hf isotopic equilibrium did not reach during the magma mixing. • Felsic magma originated from old basement and Paleozoic rocks in South Qinling. • Input of clastic rocks to granitic magma source caused Nd-Hf isotopic decoupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous late Mesozoic (Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous) granitic plutons are present along the southern margin of the North China Craton (s-NCC), which belongs to the northernmost tectonic unit of the eastern Qinling orogenic belt. This tectonic unit records multiple tectonothermal and metallogenic events that occurred after continental collision of the North and South China Cratons in the late Early to Middle Triassic. This study reports the zircon U-Pb ages and the whole-rock and apatite geochemical compositions of the Taishanmiao granite, one of the largest late Mesozoic plutons in eastern Qinling. Three phases of this granite, emplaced between ∼125 and ∼113 Ma, are characterized by uniformly high SiO2 and K2O but low CaO, TFe2O3, and MgO contents and enriched Nd isotopic composition with initial ε Nd values of −13.5 to −12.7. Geochemical features reveal that these are A-type granites derived from partial melting mainly of ancient crust. Temperatures obtained from Ti-in-zircon thermometry and oxygen fugacity (f O2) data indicate that the magma(s) formed at high crystallization temperatures (∼800°–840°C) and f O2 levels (fayalite–magnetite–quartz [FMQ] buffer −1.5 to +1.5). Comparison with neighboring granites, such as the ∼150–130 Ma adakitic Heyu granite and the ∼115 Ma Donggou ore-bearing granite porphyry, implies that the Heyu granite formed from thickened crust and that the Donggou granite porphyry and Taishanmiao granite likely originated from a consistent magma system during the crustal thinning that occurred ∼125–113 Ma, except the porphyry rock was more evolved. This finding implies that their uniform magma chamber could provide sufficient metals and associated materials and even energy for the Donggou Mo deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Precambrian paragneisses from the Foping complex in South Qinling have a Neoproterozoic sedimentary protolith. • Neoproterozoic felsic igneous rocks in South Qinling and the Yangtze Block were the major sources of the sedimentary protolith. • Crustal growth in South Qinling occurred at ca. 1000–900 Ma, followed by reworking of ancient crust after ca. 900 Ma. • Tectonic shift from an island arc to a continental arc in the northern Yangtze Block occurred at ca. 900–860 Ma. Basement rocks within orogenic belts are useful for reconstructing crustal evolution. In the present study, we report the U-Pb ages and Hf isotopic compositions of detrital zircon and the geochemical of whole rock for Precambrian paragneiss from the Foping complex in South Qinling. The paragneiss samples had TiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 ratios of 1.84–5.70, Th/Sc ratios of 0.67–1.20, and Zr/Sc ratios of 11.0–18.1, suggesting felsic rocks as the major source. The immobile trace elements indicate that the source rocks were mostly derived from a continental arc environment. The U-Pb ages of detrital zircon are notably concentrated around two major peaks at ∼850 Ma and ∼700 Ma and two subordinate peaks at ∼2500 Ma and ∼2000 Ma with ε Hf (t) values varied widely from –26.0 to +12.4. The predominantly Neoproterozoic ages of the detrital zircon grains show a similar age distribution to those of Neoproterozoic igneous rocks in South Qinling and the Yangtze Block. Combining the results with the existing data for Neoproterozoic rocks in the study area, we propose that South Qinling was generally characterized by growth of the crust in the early Neoproterozoic (ca. 1000–900 Ma) that could have resulted from an intra-oceanic subduction along the northern margin of the Yangtze Block. Reworking of the ancient crust strengthened thereafter, which could be attributed to tectonic shift from an island–arc setting to a continental arc environment at ca. 900–860 Ma. Extensive formation of igneous rocks in the continental arc provided the main source for the Precambrian paragneisses in the Foping dome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract High Mg diorites provide important insights into crust-mantle interaction during tectonic evolution of orogenic belt. An integrated study including zircon U-Pb dating, whole-rock geochemistry and isotopic compositions of Sr and Nd was carried out on high Mg diorites of the Wulong pluton located in the narrowest part of the South Qinling Belt. Crystallized ages of 218-210 Ma are obtained in combination with the published data. These rocks are characterized with relatively high MgO (2.76–7.17%), Cr (68.7-310 ppm) and Ni (21.3–76.3 ppm) contents. Most diorites exhibit high Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios with negligible Eu anomaly. Isotopic compositions of whole-rock show enriched attributes (87Sr/86Sr(i) = 0.7050–0.7071, ε Nd (t) = −7.56 to −3.45). Geochemical models indicate that these rocks did not result from melting of subducted slab, magma mixing, fractional crystallization or melts derived from delaminated lower crust reacted with mantle. Instead, high Mg diorites were generated through basaltic melts derived from asthenosphere mantle assimilating crustal components with crystallized phase of garnet-bearing amphibolite (AFC). Together with regional geological setting of the South Qinling Belt, we propose that the parental magma of these high Mg diorites was probably originated from upwelled asthenosphere mantle at the base of thinned crust after delamination of thickened crust during Late Triassic. The continental crust of the South Qinling Belt was thickened as a result of collision with the Yangtze Block during Middle Triassic. Then eclogitized lower crust collapsed and foundered into asthenosphere mantle due to partial melting of thickened crust during Late Triassic. In response, the upwelling and underplating of asthenosphere mantle took place at the base of continental crust. Moreover, upwelling of hot mantle may provide the heat source for migmatites and initiate the doming of Foping area. Highlights • High Mg diorites of the Wulong pluton are formed at 218-210 Ma. • High Mg diorites are generated through AFC process at lower crust. • Parental magma of diorites originated from asthenosphere mantle. • Upwelling of asthenosphere mantle promotes the doming of Foping area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qinling orogenic belt in central China resulted fromthe final collision of theNorth China and South China blocks in the Triassic. Early Mesozoic granitoids are widespread in the Qinling orogen. Their genesis can provide key constraints on the tectonic evolution of this orogenic belt. The Late Triassic Baoji pluton, located in the North Qinling unit, consists of granodiorites, monzogranites, quartz monzodiorites, and K-feldspar granites. U-Pb zircon dating via the laser ablation ICP-MS technique yields ages of 217.4 ± 1.4, 212.3 ± 1.8, 212.6 ± 1.6, and 195.1 ± 2.0 Ma for granodiorites, monzogranites, quartz monzodiorites, and K-feldspar granites, respectively. The granitoids have high-K calc-alkaline, metaluminous to weakly peraluminous composition(s). Silica contents increase andMg, Fe, Ti, Ca, and P contents decrease from quartz monzodiorites through granodiorites to monzogranites and K-feldspar granites. Combining our findings with evidence from whole-rock Sr-Nd and zircon Hf isotopes, we suggest that the granodiorites formed by magma-mixing processes involving metasomatized lithospheric mantle and Mesoproterozoic crustal material. Themonzogranites record the contribution of an asthenospheric mantle source. The quartzmonzodiorites were derived fromametasomatized lithosphericmantle source. Partialmelting of crustal lithologies generated the K-feldspar granites. It is argued that the Baoji pluton formed in a late-collision setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qinling orogen was ultimately formed by suturing of the South Qinling and Yangtze blocks, but the exact timing of the final amalgamation of the two blocks has not been well established so far. Partial melting of the Qinling orogenic continental crust resulted in the generation of migmatites, and such rocks may help to decipher the chronology of such event. In this paper, we report U–Pb ages, trace element, and Hf isotopic compositions of zircons from migmatites and diorite gneisses of the Foping dome, South Qinling. Zircons from migmatites form anhedral grains of variable sizes that are characterized by complex trace element compositions. Based on zircon U–Pb ages, the migmatites can be subdivided into two groups: Group 1 migmatites mainly retain Triassic zircons with U–Pb ages of 214–211 Ma and Hf model ages of ~ 1.46 Ga in core and rim domains; zircons from Group 2 migmatites record both Triassic (~ 210 Ma) and Neoproterozoic U–Pb ages, analogous to igneous rocks of the Wudang and Yaolinghe Groups exposed in South Qinling. Zircons from the diorite gneisses yield U–Pb ages of 216–210 Ma with Hf isotopic composition (T DM2 ages of ~ 1.46 Ga) similar to the migmatites. Evidence from whole-rock Nd isotopic analyses also points to a similar genesis between migmatites and diorite gneisses. It is proposed that Group 1 migmatites were derived by melting of Triassic diorites, while Group 2 migmatites were derived from Neoproterozoic igneous rocks, a major basement lithology of South Qinling. Partial melting of the orogenic crust took place at ~ 214–210 Ma, approximately consistent with the retrograde metamorphism of granulites exposed along the suture zone between the South Qinling and Yangtze blocks. We suggest that the collision of these two blocks occurred prior to ~ 215 Ma and that the Foping dome resulted from rapid collapse of an overthickened crust followed by partial melting enhanced by asthenospheric influx. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article talks about the orogenic event of North Qinling Terrain, understanding the evolution of tectonic plates before the amalgamation of North China Block and South China Block along the Mianxian-Lueyang suture zone. It talks about the spread of the oceanic crust, subduction, collision that leads to the closure of Shang-Dan Paleotethys, different types of granites, leucogranite and felsic intrusion linked to continental crust.

[Display omitted] • Sediments of the late Ordovician Lancang Group in the Lancang Block, SW China, were sourced mainly from the northern margin of Gondwana. • Provenance change of the sediments might reflect initial subduction of the Proto-Tethys in the Ordovician. • The Lancang Block had affinity to Gondwana during the early Paleozoic. In the present study, we report zircon U-Pb ages, Hf isotopic compositions, and geochemistry for sedimentary rocks of the early Paleozoic Lancang Group in the Lancang Block of the western Yunnan Tethyan orogenic belt, SW China, to reveal the nature of sedimentary provenance with further implication on the orogenic evolution. Detrital zircon grains yield two major U-Pb age populations at 1300–900 Ma and 600–500 Ma, while their ε Hf (t) values range from –28.7 to + 13.0 with Hf model ages mostly cluster at ∼ 2200–2100 Ma. These features on zircon U-Pb age patterns and Hf isotopic compositions are extremely similar to those of exposed rocks in North India. It is noteworthy that the sedimentary provenance had changed dramatically from the lower to the upper sequences of the Lancang Group, as highlighted by the increase of Pan-African and younger Grenvillian (1100–900 Ma) materials accompanied by the decrease of older Grenvillian (>1100 Ma) sediments. Besides, whole rock Nd model ages also increase from the basal sequences upwards. Combining these findings with those of previous studies, we propose that the Lancang Block was adjacent to the northern margin of Gondwana during the early Paleozoic with sediments of the Lancang Group dominantly sourcing from North India. The provenance change recorded in the Lancang Group might have resulted from a transition from passive to convergent continental margin initialed by the subduction of Proto-Tethys in the late Ordovician along the northern margin of Gondwana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South Yellow Sea basin in eastern China has experienced a multi-stage tectonic evolution history. The major structures were created when the basin was a foreland basin during the Mesozoic. However the geological evolution of the basin has not yet been corroborated by direct evidence from the underlying basement rocks. Qianliyan Island in the southern Yellow Sea provides an opportunity to study the formation and evolution of the basin by means of direct geochronological and geochemical evidence. On Qianliyan Island, basement rocks are exposed that consist of granitic gneiss, felsic gneiss and minor mylonite, and lenses of eclogite. Major and trace element characteristics of these four types of gneiss indicate that they originated from crustal material, varying in composition from pelite to greywacke. SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating results of a felsic gneiss sample show that this rock crystallized between 659 and 796 Ma and underwent a metamorphic overprint at 229 ± 4 Ma. This age pattern resembles that of gneisses from the ultra-high-pressure terrain in the Dabie–Sulu belt. We conclude that the study area was part of the northern margin of the Yangtze Block during the Neoproterozoic. Neoproterozoic magmatic activity occurred along this margin and the basement sequence underwent Triassic metamorphic overprint during the northward subduction of the Yangtze Block beneath the North China Block. We further conclude that the deformation associated with this metamorphic event led to the formation of the southern Yellow Sea foreland basin. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Following the amalgamation of the late Mesoproterozoic–Carboniferous Central Asian Orogenic Belt with the Siberian and North China cratons, NE China underwent late Mesozoic lithospheric extension and widespread formation of volcano-sedimentary basins. We report U–Pb zircon ages and geochemical data for mafic and felsic volcanic rocks from the Hailar basin, located about 1000km north of Beijing. Zircon populations of six felsic rock samples analyzed by laser ablation ICP-MS yielded similar U–Pb age spectra ranging from 158 to 125Ma. The youngest zircon ages are interpreted as time of magma eruption and the xenocrystic zircon-age spectra as evidence for a protracted melting of lower crust due to the underplating of mantle-derived magmas during lithospheric extension. The volcanic assemblage has a bimodal composition comprising geochemically evolved trachybasalts and felsic volcanic rocks of I- and subordinate A-type compositions. The mafic volcanic rocks have negative Nb-anomalies, high Th/Nb and Ce/Pb ratios, low initial εNd values of +0.4 to +3.4, and radiogenic Pb and Sr isotopes all interpreted as evidence for the melting of passively upwelling asthenosphere and lithospheric mantle previously modified by plate subduction. The xenocrystic zircon ages and chemical/isotopic data of the felsic rocks support an origin from juvenile crustal protoliths: the data of I-type felsic rocks are consistent with the melting of underplated mafic protoliths and those of the A-type rhyolites support the melting of a crustal source with a composition similar to the I-type felsites with apatite controlling their Nb anomaly. The evidence for the persistent melting of a subduction-modified mantle in NE China is in agreement with a model of an extending coupled upper mantle–crust system due to a retreating Paleo-Pacific trench. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In order to understand the vertical structure of the Dabie–Sulu ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic (UHPM) belt, common Pb isotopic compositions of omphacites in eclogites and feldspars in gneisses from the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling (CCSD) project (100–5000 m) have been investigated in this study. Samples from 0 to 800 m (unit 1) in the drilling core have moderately high radiogenic Pb isotopes with small variations of 206Pb/204Pb (16.82–17.38), 207Pb/204Pb (15.37–15.49), and 208Pb/204Pb (37.21–37.72), indicating either high µ (238U/204Pb) or high initial Pb isotope ratios of their protoliths. In contrast, the samples from 1600 to 2040 m (unit 3) and most of samples from 3200 to 5000 m (unit 5) have moderately or very unradiogenic Pb (unit 3: 206Pb/204Pb from 16.05 to 16.46, 207Pb/204Pb from 15.22 to 15.29, and 208Pb/204Pb from 36.68 to 37.48; unit 5: 206Pb/204Pb from 15.52 to 15.69, 207Pb/204Pb from 15.15 to 15.27, and 208Pb/204Pb from 36.48 to 37.20), indicating either low µ or low initial Pb isotope ratios of their protoliths. Pb isotopes of samples from 800 to 1600 m (unit 2) and from 2040 to 3200 m (unit 4) in the drilling core with abundant ductile shear zones are intermediate between those of units 1 and 3 or 5 and display larger variations. Pb isotopes combined with the published oxygen isotope data of the CCSD samples reveal the original positions of the five units before the Triassic continental subduction. Units 1, 3, and 5 as three UHPM rock slabs could be derived from the subducted upper continental crust, upper–middle continental crust and lower–middle continental crust, respectively. The ductile shearing zones in units 2 and 4 could be the interfaces where the detachment and decoupling took place between the upper, upper–middle and lower–middle continental crusts. The detachment between the upper slab and subducting continental lithosphere probably occurred during continental subduction, and the upper slab (unit 1) was uplifted to a shallow depth along the detachment surface by thrusting. Units 3 and 5 may be detached later from the subducted middle and lower crust and uplifted to a shallow level underneath unit 1. The low δ 18O values (−4.0 to −7.4‰) [Xiao, Y.-L., Zhang, Z.-M., Hoefs, J., Kerkhof, A., 2006. Ultrahigh-pressure Metamorphic Rocks from the Chinese Continental Drilling Project-II Oxygen Isotope and Fluid Inclusion Distributions through Vertical Sections. Contribution Mineral Petrology 152, 443–458.; Zhang, Z.-M., Xiao, Y.-L., Zhao, X.-D., Shi, C., 2006. Fluid-rock interaction during the continental deep subduction: oxygen isotopic profile of the main hole of the CCSD project. Acta Petrologica Sinica 22 (7), 1941–1951.] in units 2 and 4 suggest that the detachment interfaces could be developed along an ancient fault zones which were the channels of meteoric water activity during the Neoproterozoic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In our previous study on petrogenesis of quartz syenite and granite porphyry, the host rocks of the Late Mesozoic Shapinggou Mo deposit in the Qinling–Dabie orogenic belt, we found that the initial Sr isotopic composition of the host rocks is strongly affected by the degree of K-alteration. Here, we provide further isotopic evidence of the host rocks and their minerals to investigate the geochemical behaviour of trace elements and isotopes during the alteration and to explain the phenomenon of decoupling of Sr–Nd isotopic composition. The quartz syenite and granite porphyry are altered by K-alteration in varying degrees and have high K2O and Rb contents and low Na2O, CaO, Sr, and Ba contents. Rock samples of both quartz syenite and granite porphyry have variable Rb/Sr ratios and initial 87Sr/86Sr values (even < 0.70) but contain quite homogeneous εNd(t) values (−12.8 to −14.8). Minerals from the rocks of moderate to intense K-alteration have very low initial 87Sr/86Sr values (even < −17), while those from the weakly altered rocks have 87Sr/86Sr(t) values of 0.7044 to 0.7084. The same phenomenon of the decoupling in Sr–Nd isotopic composition can be observed from several Mo deposits within the eastern Qinling–Dabie orogenic belt. This fact suggests similar hydrothermal features and a comparable origin for both the magmatic rocks and hydrothermal fluids in this belt. A comparison between porphyry Mo and porphyry Cu deposits shows that elements and the Rb–Sr isotope system have different behaviours during the K-alteration, implying distinct material sources and igneous rocks for porphyry Mo and porphyry Cu deposits, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]