Search Results (49)

The Shangxiahu Nb-Ta deposit is located in the Yongding region of Fujian Province, the south-eastern section of the Nanling Range, South China. A series of Nb-Ta deposits, associated with granitic porphyries, are present in the Yongding region. Nevertheless, the genesis of the Nb-Ta mineralisation remains practically ambiguous, and further study of the latest Nb-Ta granitic porphyries in the Nanling Range may prove beneficial in understanding the mineralisation mechanism. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the petrographic, geochemical, chronological and isotopic characteristics of the Shangxiahu granite porphyry. Shangxiahu granite porphyry is high-potassium subalkaline granite. The Rittman index (δ) is < 3.3, indicating a calc-alkaline signature. The aluminium saturation index (A/CNK) is >1.1, indicating a strong peraluminous nature. Furthermore, the rare earth elements diagram exhibits Eu-negative anomalies and an M-type ‘tetrad effect’, while the multi-element distribution patterns diagram shows an overall right-leaning trend. The SIMS zircon U-Pb age of the Shangxiahu granite porphyry is 183.2 ± 3.2 Ma, revealing the emplacement of the granite porphyry in the Early Jurassic. The high Zr + Nb + Ce + Y content and Ga/Al ratios, along with the zircon saturation temperature T_Zr value of 1033 °C, indicate that the Shangxiahu granite porphyry exhibits the characteristics of a highly differentiated A-type granite. The Sr-Nd isotope signatures indicate that the Nb-Ta-bearing magma was formed by the mixing of crust–mantle material. The evolution and mineralisation process of granite porphyry in the Shangxiahu Nb-Ta deposit can be divided into four principal stages: (1) the upwelling of Asthenosphere material due to the extensional background induced partial melting of the crust; (2) the mixing of mantle-derived magma and crustal-derived magma; (3) magmatic fractional crystallisation and (4) magma–hydrothermal interaction. Combined with the reported data of Yongding Daping niobium-tantalum mining area, it can be postulated that the enrichment of Nb-Ta ores in Shangxiahu is primarily the result of the upwelling of Asthenosphere material, which caused the partial melting of the niobium-rich Mesoproterozoic crust with high Nb/Ta value. The enrichment of Nb-Ta ore bodies in Daping is primarily attributed to the fractional crystallisation of the magma and the hydrothermal alteration, which is postulated to be associated with the presence of a crust exhibiting elevated Nb/Ta ratios in Yongding. Additionally, it is postulated that ore may be found in area with high crustal source components in the crust–mantle mixed zone. There may be high volatile-rich Nb-Ta orebodies and Sn-rich and W-rich orebodies at depth or in the surrounding area. Full article

The Zhegu area in southern Tibet is situated in the central and eastern part of the Tethys Himalayan tectonic belt, with the Kangbuzhenri area being abundant in gneissic granites. This study examines the petrology, chronology, and geochemistry of the Kangbuzhenri gneissic granite, providing insights into its Pan-African and Early Paleozoic geological evolution. The zircon U-Pb chronology indicates an upper intercept age of ~539 Ma, reflecting Pan-African orogenic events in the eastern part of the Tethys Himalayan tectonic belt, and a lower intercept age of ~144 Ma, representing a late tectonic–thermal event. Geochemically, the gneissic granites are calc-alkaline peraluminous rocks with high SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ contents and low TiO₂, P₂O₅, MgO, and FeO^T contents. The gneissic granites are enriched in LREE and LILEs (Rb, Pb, Th, U, etc.), but relatively depleted in HREE and HFSEs (Nb, Ti, P, etc.). Most of them show a weak negative δEu anomaly, except for two samples which show a significant negative δEu anomaly due to the crystallization of plagioclase. Based on the above study, most of the gneissic granites exhibited the characteristics of an I-type granite, while two of the samples were a highly differentiated I-type granite with S-type affinities. All the above characteristics indicate that the gneissic granite likely originated from the partial melting of crustal materials and sediments with a minor involvement of mantle-derived materials. Combined with the previous chronological studies, the Kangbuzhenri gneissic granites were formed in an extensional tectonic environment during post-collision orogeny and then they were influenced by the Kerguelen mantle plume tectonic–thermal event around ~144 Ma and the subsequent Southern Tibet Detachment System (STDS). Full article

The South China Plate is an important part of the Rodinia supercontinent in the Neoproterozoic. The Rizhao area, located on the northeastern margin of the South China Plate, records multiple periods of magmatism, among which Neoproterozoic granitic gneiss is of great significance to the tectonic evolution of the South China Block. In this study, systematic petrology, geochemistry, isotopic chronology, and zircon Hf isotopic analyses were carried out on gneisses samples of biotite alkali feldspar granitic and biotite monzogranitic compositions in the Rizhao area. Geochemical analyses suggest that these granitic rocks belong to the sub-alkaline series and have high potassium contents. They are enriched in large-ion lithophile elements K, Rb, and Ba; depleted in high field strength elements P, Nb, and Ti; enriched in light rare earth elements and moderately depleted in heavy rare earth elements; and have weak to moderate negative Eu anomalies and weak negative Ce anomalies. These rocks are post-orogenic A-type granites. LA-MC-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of zircons from two biotite alkali-feldspar granitic gneiss samples yielded weighted mean ages of 785 ± 8 Ma (MSWD = 3.0) and 784 ± 6Ma (MSWD = 1.5), respectively, and a biotite monzogranitic gneiss sample yielded a weighted mean age of 789 ± 6 Ma (MSWD = 2.3). Lu-Hf isotopic analyses on zircon grains from the two types of Neoproterozoic-aged gneisses yielded negative ε_Hf(t) values ranging from −19.3 to −8.8 and from −18.3 to −10.4, respectively, and the corresponding two-stage Hf model age ranges are 2848–3776 Ma and 2983–3682 Ma, respectively. These granites are the product of Neoproterozoic magmatic activity and are mainly derived from the partial melting of Archean continental crust. Combining the geochemical characteristics and zircon U-Pb-Lu-Hf isotopic analyses, these A-type granitic gneisses appear to have formed in an intracontinental rift extension environment during the initial break-up of the Rodinia supercontinent, as part of the supercontinent break-up process at the northeastern margin of the South China Block. Full article

The hydrothermal dolomitization, facilitated by basement fault activities, had an important impact on the Permian Maokou Formation dolomite in the Sichuan Basin, which experienced complex diagenesis and presented strong reservoir heterogeneity. The source and age of diagenetic fluids in this succession remain controversial. In this study, various analyses were implemented on samples collected from outcrops and wells near the No. 15 fault in the eastern Sichuan Basin to reconstruct the multi-stage fluid activity and analyze the impact on reservoir development, including petrology, micro-domain isotopes, rare earth elements, homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions, and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb dating. The homogenization temperature of primary brine inclusions in fine-grained matrix dolomite and saddle dolomite is concentrated between 100 and 150 °C, which indicates that the impacts of abnormally high temperatures of other geological bodies. The δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O value and low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr value indicate that the diagenetic fluid of fine-grained matrix dolomite is mainly Permian seawater. The U-Pb ages of fine-grained matrix dolomite are ~260 Ma, which coincides with the age of the main magmatism of Emeishan Large Igneous Province (ELIP), and hydrothermal fluid provided a favorable high-temperature environment in the penecontemporaneous stage. While highly radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr compositions suggests those of saddle dolomite, the high-temperature Sr-rich formation fluid. The U-Pb ages of saddle dolomite are 245–250 Ma, which coincides with the age of the 255~251 Ma magmatism of ELIP. This indicates that those should be the diagenetic products of the ELIP hydrothermal fluid in the shallow burial stage. The U-Pb age of coarse-grained calcite is 190–220 Ma, and it should be the diagenetic product of the deep burial stage. Brine inclusions associated with primary methane inclusions were developed in coarse-grained calcite, with a homogenization temperature range of 140.8–199.8 °C, which indicates that the formation fluid activities were related to hydrocarbon charging. The Permian Maokou Formation dolomite was firstly formed in the penecontemporaneous shallow burial stage, and then it was subjected to further hydrothermal dolomitization due to the basement faulting and the abnormally high heat flow during the active period of ELIP. Hydrothermal dolomitization contributed to the formation and maintenance of intercrystalline and dissolution pores, whereas it also formed saddle dolomite to fill the pores, and reduce the pore space. The influence of deep fluid activities on reservoir evolution is further distinguished. Full article

Petrological, geochronological, and geochemical analyses of mafic rocks in northern Liaoning were conducted to constrain the formation age of the Proterozoic strata, and to further study the source characteristics, genesis, and tectonic setting. The mafic rocks in northern Liaoning primarily consist of basalt, diabase, gabbro, and amphibolite. Results of zircon U-Pb chronology reveal four stages of mafic magma activities in northern Liaoning: the first stage of basalt (2209 ± 12 Ma), the second stage of diabase (2154 ± 15 Ma), the third stage of gabbro (2063 ± 7 Ma), and the fourth stage of magmatic protolith of amphibolite (2018 ± 13 Ma). Combined with the unconformity overlying Neoproterozoic granite, the formation age of the Proterozoic strata in northern Liaoning was found to be Paleoproterozoic rather than Middle Neoproterozoic by the geochronology of these mafic rocks. A chronological framework of mafic magmatic activities in the eastern segment of the North China Craton (NCC) is proposed. The mafic rocks in northern Liaoning exhibit compositional ranges of 46.39–50.33 wt% for SiO₂, 2.95–5.08 wt% for total alkalis (K₂O + Na₂O), 6.17–7.50 wt% for MgO, and 43.32–52.02 for the Mg number. TiO₂ contents lie between 1.61 and 2.39 wt%, and those of MnO between 0.17 and 0.21 wt%. The first basalt and the fourth amphibolite show low total rare earth element contents. Normalized against primitive mantle, they are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (Rb, Ba, K), depleted in high field strength elements (Th, U, Nb, Ta, Zr, Ti), and exhibit negative anomalies in Sr and P, as well as slight positive anomalies in Zr and Hf. The second diabase and the third gabbro have similar average total rare earth element contents. The diabase shows slight negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.72–0.88), enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (Ba), depletion in Rb, and slight positive anomalies in high field strength elements (Th, U, Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, Ti), with negative anomalies in K, Sr, and P. The gabbro is enriched in large ion lithophile elements (Rb, Ba, K), depleted in high field strength elements (Th, U, Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf), and exhibits positive anomalies in Eu (Eu/Eu* = 1.31–1.37). The contents of Cr, Co, and Ni of these four stages of mafic rocks are higher than those of N-MORB. The characteristics of trace element ratios indicate that the mafic rocks belong to the calc-alkaline series and originate from the transitional mantle. During the process of magma ascent and emplacement, it is contaminated by continental crustal materials. There are residual hornblende and spinel in the magma source of the first basalt. The other three magma sources contain residual garnet and spinel. The third gabbro was formed in an island arc environment, and the other three stages of mafic rocks originated from the Dupal OIB and were formed in an oceanic island environment. The discovery of mafic rocks in northern Liaoning suggests that the Longgang Block underwent oceanic subduction and extinction in both the north and south in the Paleoproterozoic, indicating the possibility of being in two different tectonic domains. Full article

The Kaiyang phosphate mining area in Guizhou, which is located in the central–southern part of the Yangtze Block, hosts one of China’s more significant phosphate-enriched strata within the Doushantuo Formation. This formation is essential for phosphate mining and also preserves multiple magmatic events, which are closely linked to the assembly and breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent. Our comprehensive studies in petrology, geochemistry, zircon U-Pb geochronology, and fission-track dating reveal that the primary ore mineral in phosphorite is collophane, which is accompanied by dolomite, quartz, pyrite, and zircon. The majority of detrital zircons in the phosphorite, as well as the overlying dolostone and underlying sandstone, are of magmatic origin, with a record of multiple stages of magmatic ages. Among these, the older age groups of ~2500 Ma and ~2000–1800 Ma represent the ancient crystalline basement of the Yangtze Block from the Paleoproterozoic era. The three main age peaks at ~880 Ma, ~820 Ma, and ~780 Ma indicate that the magmatic event at ~880 Ma was related to the assembly of the Rodinia supercontinent during the Grenvillian period. The most prominent age peak at ~820 Ma marks a critical time point for the transition from assembly to the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent, with the Yangtze Block’s response to the supercontinent breakup events lasting at least until ~780 Ma. The youngest group of zircon ages from the phosphorite (~594 Ma), and the underlying sandstone (~529 Ma) establishes the minimum age for the phosphorite formation, indicating that the Doushantuo phosphorite layer in the Kaiyang area was formed after 594 Ma, i.e., even later than 529 Ma. The zircon fission-track ages in the three rock types of the phosphorite-bearing rocks can be divided into three groups: 501–489 Ma, ~366 Ma, and 53–39 Ma. All of these groups are presumed to be associated with the tectonic uplift events that follow mineralization. The first two age groups correspond to the two major tectonic uplift events during the Caledonian period, which resulted in the formation of the Qianzhong Uplift. The ages of 53–39 Ma are related to the late uplift of the Himalayan orogeny, and they represent its response in the Kaiyang area of Guizhou. Full article

Diamondiferous kimberlites occur in the Wafangdian area in the eastern part of the North China Craton (NCC). In order to better constrain their magmatic source and emplacement time, we have investigated apatite from two kimberlites, i.e., the #110 dike kimberlite and the #50 root-zone kimberlite by measuring in situ their U–Pb and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions. The crystallization ages of the #110 and #50 apatites are 460.9 ± 16.8 Ma and 455.4 ± 19.3 Ma, respectively. For the #50 apatite, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.70453–0.70613 and εNd_(t) = −2.74 to −4.52. For the #110 apatite, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.70394–0.70478 and εNd_(t) = −3.46 to −5.65. Based on the similar distribution patterns of the rare earth elements (REEs) and the similar Sr-Nd isotope compositions of the apatite, it is believed that the #110 and #50 kimberlites have the same source region and the kimberlite magmas in Wafangdian were derived from an enriched mantle source (EMI). The primary magmatic composition has little effect on the emplacement pattern. It is more likely that the geological environment played an important role in controlling the retention and removal of volatile components (H₂O and CO₂). This led to the different evolutionary paths of the kimberlite magma in the later period, resulting in differences in the major element compositions of the apatite. High Sr concentrations may be associated with hydrothermal (H₂O-rich fluid) overprinting events in the later magmatic period; the higher light rare earth element (LREE) concentration of the #50 apatite reflects the involvement of the REE³⁺ + SiO₄⁴⁻ ⇔ Ca²⁺ + PO₄³⁻ replacement mechanism. Two emplacement patterns of the #110 dike kimberlite (#110 apatite, low Sr, and high Si) and the #50 root-zone (#50 apatite, high Sr, and low Si) kimberlites were identified via major element analysis of the #110 apatite and #50 apatite. Full article

The Bilong Co oil shale is one of the most significant source rocks in the Mesozoic Qiangtang Basin (Northern Tibet); however, its absolute chronology remains controversial. In this study, in situ carbonate U–Pb isotope dating analysis was carried out for the first time. Detailed field geological investigations yielded some age-diagnostic ammonites, enabling a re-evaluation of the stratigraphic age of the Bilong Co oil shale. A total of 61 spots of U–Pb isotope dating from the middle part of the Bilong Co oil shale section suggests an average age of 181 ± 13 Ma. Elemental geochemistry and diagenetic analysis indicate that the proposed age represents the early deposition of the calcite, and the oil shale was deposited during the Early Jurassic time. This estimated age is further supported by the newly discovered ammonite assemblage of Hildoceratidae–Tiltoniceras sp. at the top part of the oil shale section, which confirms the deposition of the oil shale during the Toarcian age of the late Early Jurassic. Consequently, the Bilong Co oil shale can be assigned to the Quse Formation, which is attributed to the Lower Jurassic rather than the Middle Jurassic. The re-assessment of the stratigraphic age of the Bilong Co oil shale is of great significance for regional evaluation and exploration activities of hydrocarbon source rock layers in the Qiangtang Basin as well as for global stratigraphic correlation of the late Early Jurassic Toarcian oceanic anoxic event. Full article

The properties of ancient magmatic arcs are crucial for understanding the tectonic evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. The Middle Devonian Kulumudi Formation in the Laofengkou area of West Junggar lacks accurate chronological data constraints, which hampers the knowledge of the nature of the Late Paleozoic magmatic arcs in the West Junggar and circum-Balkhash areas. In this contribution, samples of pyroclastic rocks and sedimentary rocks were collected from the volcano–sedimentary strata of the Kulumudi Formation. Petrography, zircon U-Pb-Hf isotopic analysis and whole-rock geochemistry were carried out to constrain the age and the tectonic setting of the Kulumudi Formation. The zircon U-Pb age of the lithic crystal tuff from the Kulumudi Formation on the northeast side of the Alemale Mountains was 386 ± 2 Ma, accurately indicating that this rock unit formed during the Middle Devonian. However, the fine sandstone near the Huojierte Mongolian Township, originally assigned as the “Kulumudi Formation”, yielded a maximum depositional age of 341 ± 3 Ma. Combined with the stratigraphic contact, this rock unit was redefined to belong to the Lower Carboniferous Jiangbasitao Formation. According to the whole-rock geochemistry study, the lithic crystal tuff of the Kulumudi Formation was characterized as medium potassium–calc–alkaline series rock, which is relatively enriched in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements (i.e., Rb, Ba, K) and depleted in high-field-strength elements (i.e., Nb, Ta, Ti), showing similar geochemical characteristics to the volcanic arc rocks. By contrast, the fine sandstone from the Jiangbasitao Formation had Al₂O₃/SiO₂ (0.25–0.29) and K₂O/Na₂O (1.29–1.72) ratios close to those derived from the continental arc and active continental margin and was characterized as part of the continental arc field in the La-Th-Sc and Th-Sc-Zr/10 tectonic discrimination diagrams. Zircon Hf isotope analysis showed that the ε_Hf(t) values of the Kulumudi Formation were +5.6–+12.8, and those of the Jiangbasitao Formation were +11.43–+15.48, both of which show highly positive juvenile characteristics. The above data indicate that the Kulumudi Formation and Jiangbasitao Formation both formed in a juvenile arc setting with ocean–continent subduction. Combined with the previous work, it was concluded that the southward subduction of the ocean basin represented by the Darbut–Karamay ophiolitic mélanges beneath the newly accreted arc crustal segments produced a juvenile arc with positive Hf isotope characteristics. Full article

As the world’s largest accretionary orogen, the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) underwent continuous juvenile crustal growth in the Phanerozoic. The northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) and its adjacent area form the eastern segment of the CAOB, which is a key area for learning about the geological evolution of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO). In the Permian, the west of the northern margin of the NCC was a post-collision extensional environment, while the east was in a subduction stage. As a connecting area, the Permian evolution of the PAO in the middle of the northern margin of the NCC has not been systematically studied. In order to fill the gap and understand the continuous temporal and spatial evolutionary process of the PAO, this paper focuses on the Permian granitic rocks in the Chifeng area. Zircon U-Pb dating and the geochemical analysis of whole-rock major and trace elements were conducted to build a granite chronological framework, and to discuss the genesis and tectonic background of the granitic rocks, along with tectono-magmatic evolutionary history in the Chifeng area. The respective LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating results from eight samples are 269 ± 1, 268 ± 3, 260 ± 4, 260 ± 1, 260 ± 1, 255 ± 2, 254 ± 2 and 256 ± 1 Ma, respectively. These results, combined with previous data, revealed that the Permian granitic rocks had undergone three events of magmatism: (1) monzogranitic-syenitic phase (294–284 Ma; Cisuralian); (2) monzogranitic phase (269–260 Ma; Guadalupian) and (3) late monzogranitic-syenitic phase (256–254 Ma; Lopingian). From the Early Permian (294–284 Ma) to the Middle Permian (269–260 Ma), granites with fine-medium-grained locally porphyritic texture and massive structure showed a high-potassium calc-alkaline series formed in a compressional setting, indicating a continuous collision between the Xing’an-Mongolian Orogenic Belt (XMOB) and the NCC. During the Late Permian-Early Triassic (256–248 Ma), granites with massive structure and medium-grained texture in the Chifeng area were magmatism dominated by A- and I-type granites of high-potassium calc-alkaline series, combined with the coeval basic rocks, which constituted a typical “bimodal” rock assemblage. This suggests that the Chifeng area was located in an extensional setting where the subducting slab broke off during the collision between the XMOB and NCC. These granitic plutons from the Permian are believed to have been generated by the subduction-collision of the Paleo-Asian oceanic crust beneath the NCC, according to emplacement time and occurrence location. Our findings provide strong evidence for Permian continuous temporal and spatial tectonic evolution and the characterization of the eventual closure of the PAO in Chifeng area at the northern margin of the NCC. Full article

The mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) from Mesozoic intermediate-acid magmatic rocks, widely developed along the Fujian coast, are considered to be the results of large-scale crust–mantle interaction by magma mixing. This paper is based on zircon U-Pb chronology, along with zircon Hf isotope and mineral analyses for the host granite and MMEs from Langqi Island, in order to investigate the magma mixing mechanism of the Langqi pluton in Fuzhou, Southeast China. The results indicate that the MMEs were emplaced during the late Early Cretaceous (98.9 ± 2.2 Ma), identical to the age of the granite (100.1 ± 1.1 Ma) within the error range. The zircon εHf(t) values for the granite and MMEs are in the ranges of −2.1~0.0 and −1.7~+1.1. The zircon Hf isotope data indicate that both the granite and MMEs were predominantly derived from the ancient crustal basement of Cathaysia, with a partial mantle-derived contribution. The An values of plagioclase phenocrysts with oscillatory zoning patterns in the MMEs show oscillatory changes from the core to the rim, indicating multiple mixing events between the two magmas with different compositions. Amphiboles in the MMEs show characteristics of crust–mantle contamination, and the Ti migrated from the mafic magma with high concentration to the felsic magma with low concentration during the magma mixing process. Biotites in the host rock and MMEs belong to primary biotite, and they have relatively high MgO contents (ave. 12.78 wt.%) and relatively low FeO^T/(MgO + FeO^T) ratios (ave. 0.56), showing characteristics of crust–mantle contamination. The crust–mantle magma interaction in a crystal, mushy state played a significant role in controlling the formation and evolution of the Langqi pluton. The magmatism was predominantly sourced from mixing between the mantle-derived mafic magma and the crust-derived felsic magma during the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate, resulting in the formation of the Langqi doleritic veins, granites, and MMEs. Full article

Outcrops of late Paleozoic magmatic rocks are common in the Southern Beishan Orogenic Belt (SBOB), Southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), which is a key object for the understanding of regional tectonism and defining the final closure time of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO). We present zircon U-Pb chronology and whole-rock geochemistry data for late Paleozoic granodiorites and bimodal volcanic rocks from the Shuangyingshan-Huaniushan unit in the north Huitongshan-Zhangfangshan ophiolitic belt in the SBOB. The Zhangfangshan granodiorites (LA-ICP-MS, Ca. 288 Ma) are A2-type granite enriched in Rb, Th, Pb and LREEs and depleted in Nb, Ta, Ti, Sr, Ba and HREEs. They have varying MgO and ^TFe₂O₃ contents with high Mg^# (38.56~48.97) values; the Lu/Yb ratios (0.14~0.15) of these granodiorites are similar to mantle-derived magma. A clear plagioclase zoning structure and acicular apatite occur in mineral assemblages derived from magma mixing between mafic and felsic magmas. The Baishantang bimodal volcanic rocks (272 Ma) consist of rhyolite and basaltic andesite. Baishantang rhyolites are A2-type felsic rock enriched in Rb, Th, Pb and LREEs and depleted in Nb, Ta, Ti, Sr, Ba and HREEs, with negative ε_Nd(t) and ε_Hf(t) (−5.2~−4.8 and −2.2~−1.9, respectively). Rhyolites originated from the partial melting of the crust, influenced by mantle material. Basaltic andesites belong to calc-alkaline series and have an enrichment of Rb, Ba, Th, U, Pb and LREEs, are weakly enriched in Zr-Hf, and are depleted in Nb, Ta, Ti and HREEs. The Nd-Hf isotopes of these basaltic andesites are not coupled with negative ε_Nd(t) (−2.8~−0.4) and positive ε_Hf(t) (1.8~5.5) values. These characteristics indicate that they originated from the partial melting of the mantle mixed with sediment-derived melts. In combination with previous studies, our findings show that the early Permian Zhangfangshan granodiorites and Baishantang bimodal volcanic rocks formed in a post-collision extensional setting, and the Huitongshan-Zhangfangshan ocean had been closed before early Permian. Full article

The properties of the Caledonian orogeny along the transition belt of the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks have received much attention in recent years. The widespread Early Paleozoic granites provide critical geological clues for unraveling the tectonic evolution and geodynamic processes of the South China Continent (SCC). Here we present new zircon U–Pb chronology, whole-rock major and trace elements, in situ Hf isotopes for Paleozoic granites, i.e., the Wugongshan granites in the northwest Jiangxi province, and aim to explore the magmatism and properties of the Caledonian orogeny involved in their formation. Our new data show that the Wugongshan granites were emplaced during the Early Silurian Period (442–438 Ma). The Paleozoic Wugongshan granites belong to S-type muscovite-bearing peraluminous granites (MPG) and show a single origin. The Wugongshan granites exhibit negative εHf(t) values (−11.56 to −6.19) and TDM2 model ages of 2148–1809 Ma, indicating their derivation from an ancient crustal source, through partial melting of ancient crustal material. The Wugongshan granitic magmatism is probably being generated in an extensional environment related to an intracontinental orogeny setting. It is inferred that the Paleozoic tectonic–magmatic event in the Wugongshan area was associated with the oceanic–continental convergence of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. The Wugongshan granites highlight the intracontinental magmatism in the Early Paleozoic orogeny in the SCC. Full article

The assembly and break-up of supercontinents have been hot research topics in international earth sciences because they represent a breakthrough in reconstructing the history of continental evolution and deepening the theory of plate tectonics, which is of indispensable importance to the development of earth sciences. With the continuous enrichment of paleomagnetic, paleontological, chronological, and geochemical data in the last two decades, the evolution of the supercontinent from Columbia to Rodinia has gradually gained unified understanding, and the reconstruction of the major plates within the supercontinent has basically been constrained. In contrast, the reconstruction of microplates, such as South China, Tarim, and Kabul, is controversial and has now become a popular topic and frontier area of supercontinent reconstruction. Hainan lies at the southern tip of South China, and a few Proterozoic units are exposed on the island. At present, Hainan is often taken as a part of the Cathaysia Block. However, due to the lack of exposed Mesoproterozoic igneous and supercrustal rocks in Cathaysia, the reconstruction model of the Cathaysia Block and even the South China Craton based solely on Mesoproterozoic units in Hainan are distinct from those based on units in the Yangtze Block and younger Proterozoic units within the Cathaysia Block, which makes the paleoposition of the South China Craton controversial. In this paper, we provide new detrital zircon U–Pb age data for the Baoban Complex, Hainan, together with the available data to comment on the affinities between Hainan and the Yangtze and Cathaysia Blocks in the Proterozoic, and on this basis, we can reconstruct the South China Craton within the Proterozoic supercontinents. Full article

The ophiolites in the Beishan Orogenic Belt provide important information about the evolution of the Beishan Ocean in the Paleozoic Era. We studied ophiolite petrology, geochemistry and isotopic chronology. The Shazouquan ophiolites consist of dunites, wehrlites, gabbros and anorthosites. Ophiolitic mélange belts are composed of matrixes and blocks, and different rocks are fault-bounded. Dunites and wehrlites are high in Mg^#, Cr^# and MgO, low in TiO₂, relatively depleted in large-ion lithophile elements (Ti and P) and enriched in high-strength elements (U, Zr and Hf). They have a total REE of 1.25 × 10^–6−5.39 × 10⁻⁶ and δEu of 1.12–3.54, which are similar to those of SSZ-type ophiolites, indicating that their parent magma source region may be a weakly depleted mantle source region. The anorthosite and gabbro are high in Al₂O₃, MgO and Mg^#, low in TiO₂, enriched in large-ion lithophile elements (Rb and Sr), and depleted in high-strength elements (Nb, Ta and Ti), but enriched in Zr and Hf. They have similar geochemical signatures to those of arc magmatic rocks. They are derived from the mantle peridotite formed against the tectonic background of subduction and modified by the fluid materials in the subduction zone. We collected anorthosite and gabbro, which were produced as ophiolite for U-Pb dating. The anorthosite yields a zircon U-Pb, aged 394 ± 11 Ma (MSWD = 0.84), and a gabbro zircon U-Pb, aged 466 ± 12 Ma (MSWD = 3.2), indicating that the Shazouquan ophiolite was formed in the Middle Ordovician–Early Devonian eras. Combining the above evidence, we conclude that the Beishan Ocean was in a subduction tectonic background from the Middle Ordovician to Early Devonian periods. Full article