Petrogenesis and tectonics of late Permian felsic volcanic rocks, eastern Qiangtang block, north-central Tibet: Sr and Nd isotopic evidence

The Palaeo-Tethyan tectonic evolution of central Tibet remains a topic of controversy. Two Permian to Late Triassic arc-like volcanic suites have been identified in the eastern Qiangtang (EQ) block of north-central Tibet. Three competing models have been proposed to explain the formation of these volcanic suites, with two models involving a single stage of long-lived subduction but with opposing subduction polarities, while the other model involves a two-stage subduction process. Here, we present new whole-rock geochemistry, including Sr–Nd isotope data, for late Permian felsic volcanics of the Zaduo area. These volcanics are mainly low to middle K calc-alkaline felsic tuffs and rhyolites with SiO2 concentrations up to 73 wt.%. In primitive mantle-normalized diagrams, the volcanics are typified by large ion lithophile element enrichment and high-field-strength element (e.g. Nb, Ta, P, and Ti) depletion, with slightly negative Eu anomalies. They have initial Sr ratios (87Sr/86Sr) i of 0.70319–0.70547, and ...