A newly discovered Late Cretaceous metamorphic belt along the active continental margin of the Neo-Tethys ocean

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Wang ◽  
Fu-Lai Liu ◽  
Richard Palin ◽  
Jia-Min Wang ◽  
Mathias Wolf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Continental Margin ◽  
Late Cretaceous ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Active Continental Margin ◽  
Granulite Facies ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Crustal Anatexis ◽  
Metamorphic Belt ◽  
Granulite Facies Metamorphism ◽  
Tethys Ocean

High-grade metamorphic rocks and crustal melts provide crucial evidence for growth and differentiation of the continental crust, and are widespread in collisional orogens. However, their importance in the evolution of continental arcs remains poorly understood. Metamorphism and related anatexis in the preserved continental margin of the Neo-Tethys ocean serves as a key natural laboratory to investigate this process. Along the Neo-Tethyan arc margin, the Gaoligong shear zone, Yunnan region of China, is an important locality for linking Lhasa in the north with Sibumasu and Burma in the south. Here, Late Cretaceous granulite-facies metamorphism and crustal anatexis have been identified for the first time in the Gaoligong area. Zircon and monazite U-Pb dating indicates that S-type granites formed at 87−73 Ma, granites and buried pelitic sediments were simultaneously metamorphosed at 75−70 Ma during Neo-Tethyan subduction, and all lithologies were overprinted by a younger 40−30 Ma magmatic and strike-slip event related to India-Asia collision. Phase equilibria modeling of high-grade anatectic gneiss in the MnO-Na2O-CaO-K2O-FeO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O-TiO2 system indicates peak pressure-temperature (P−T) conditions of 780−800 °C and 6.5−7.5 kbar and defines a cooling and decompressional P−T path for the metapelites. This demonstrates that sediments within the Neo-Tethyan active continental arc were buried to >20 km depth at 75−70 Ma. In combination with the metamorphic record of the Lhasa, Burma, and Sibumasu blocks, an extensive Late Cretaceous metamorphic belt must have formed along the Neo-Tethyan subduction zone. This spatially correlates with coeval gabbro-diorite suites exposed in the Gangdese, Sibumasu and Burma terranes that were triggered by thinning of the lithospheric mantle. This prolonged Late Cretaceous mantle-derived magmatism and lithospheric thinning may have provided a regional-scale heat source for high-grade metamorphism and crustal anatexis along the active continental margin of the Neo-Tethys ocean.

scholarly journals Geodynamic environments of the origin of poly- and monometamorphic complexes in the Southern Altai metamorphic belt, Central Asian orogenic belt

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-257
Author(s):  
I. K. Kozakov ◽  
A. M. Kozlovsky ◽  
V. V. Yarmolyuk ◽  
T. I. Kirnozova ◽  
M. M. Fugzan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Continental Margin ◽  
Active Continental Margin ◽  
Elevated Pressure ◽  
Metamorphic Rocks ◽  
Alkaline Magmatism ◽  
Spreading Ridge ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Early Paleozoic ◽  
Metamorphic Belt ◽  
Terrigenous Rocks

Tectonic sheets of various size along the southern slope of the Mongolian and Chinese Altai ranges and in eastern Kazakhstan include high-grade metamorphic rocks, which are collectively referred to as the Southern Altai Metamorphic Belt. Rocks of the sheets show traces of amphibolite-facies elevated-pressure metamorphism of the kyanite–sillimanite type M2. Some of the tectonic sheets display evidence of polymetamorphism: the rocks preserve textures and mineral assemblages of an earlier metamorphic episode (of elevated temperature and relatively low pressure) of the andalusite–sillimanite facies series M1. The earlier metamorphic episode occurred at 390–385 Ma, and the later one, at ~370–356 Ma. The protoliths of the high-grade metamorphic rocks were mostly Early Paleozoic terrigenous rocks and subordinate amounts of volcanic rocks analogous to the weakly metamorphosed or unmetamorphosed rocks in their northern surroundings. Typical rocks of the tectonic sheets are mafic dikes and massifs of the Gashun Nuur Complex, which were emplaced between metamorphic episodes M1 and M2. According to their geochemistry and Nd isotopic parameters, most of the metabasites are similar to enriched basalts of mid-oceanic ridges and oceans plateaus. The quantitatively subordinate group of the layered mafic bodies displays geochemical characteristics of subduction-related rocks. Correlations between the metamorphic events and magmatism in the continental (Mongolian and Chinese Altai) and paleoceanic (Trans-Altai Gobi and eastern Junggar) regions led us to suggest a geodynamic model for the development of the Southern Altai Metamorphic Belt. The volcano-terrigenous rocks, which were later metamorphosed, were accumulated mostly in the Early Paleozoic as an accretion wedge on an active continental margin. The earlier episode of high-temperature metamorphic M1 and coeval large-scale calc–alkaline magmatism occurred at the same active continental margin after the magmatic front shifted southward (in modern coordinates). The emplacement of the swarms of mafic bodies of the Gashun Nuur Complex and simultaneous rifting in the southern Chinese Altai were triggered by the subduction of an spreading ridge of an oceanic or backarc basin beneath the active margin. The second metamorphic episode (elevated-pressure metamorphism) M2 and overthrusting in the structures of the Altai are correlated with deformations at low angles and the transition from oceanic to continental volcanism in the Trans-Altai Gobi and Junggar. These tectonic processes were induced by the accretion of a system of mid-Paleozoic ensimatic island arcs of the Trans-Altai Gobi and Junggar to the Altai margin of the Siberian paleocontinent.

scholarly journals EVOLUÇÃO PETROLÓGICA E ESTRUTURAL DA PORÇÃO ORIENTAL DO ESTADO DE MINAS GERAIS E SUAS IMPLICAÇÕES GEOTECTÔNICAS

1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Gilberto Costa ◽  
Carlos Alberto Rosière ◽  
Lydia Maria Lobato ◽  
Fernando V. Laureano
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zones ◽  
Granulite Facies ◽  
Minas Gerais ◽  
Magmatic Differentiation ◽  
Metamorphic Belt ◽  
Quartz Crystals ◽  
Granulite Facies Metamorphism ◽  
Minas Gerais State ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
Basic Rocks

A metamorphic terrain with high-grade rocks of the Atlantic Metamorphic Belt underlies the eastern part of Minas Gerais State, from south of the town of Manhuaçu to Caratinga. This terrain comprises peraluminous gneisses, igneous and meta-igneous rocks. Granulites occur as small nucleus and vary in composition between peraluminous and basic  to intermediate, the latter represented by enderbitic mobilizate. Their formation, as well as that of migmatites of granitic composition, is considered to be related to mafic and ultramafic intrusions. In basic granulites, garnet-bearing mineral assemblages, with the development of corona textures, attest the effects of granulite facies metamorphism, although igneous assemblages and textures are still well preserved. Retrograde alteration assemblages are locally preserved. Despite of the diversity of metamorphic  phenomena in this area, T and P calculations reveal consistent results. Temperature and pressure calculations were undertaken in basic granulites slightly affected by the retrograde process. Using Fe +²/Mg exchange between garnet and ortopyroxene as geothermometers  and the exchange reaction:  An +En = 2/3Pyr + 1/3Grs + Qz as geobarometers peak metamorphic temperatures in the range of 660 to 760°C, at 4,8 to 6,6 Kbar are obtained. Mineral, textural and geochemical evidences indicate that the  metamorphic conditions have changed with time and suggest that the formation of the granulites is caused by the underplating of magmas, probably mantle-derived, at the base of the crust. Several rations between major, trace and rare earth elements have been employed. The basic rocks are similar in composition to tholeiites generated in within-plate tectonic settings. Positive correlations netween K2O and SiO2 and negative between MgO and SiO2 in fresh gabbro-noritic rocks and enderbites indicate magmatic differentiation. The geochemical character of altered basic rocks displays an unsystematic dispersion in correlations diagrams. This lack of correlation coupled with field and petrographic suggest the effects of a late metasomatic event on these rocks. This metasomatism comprises the dispersed development of charnockitic rocks with large K-feldspars and quartz crystals. Later dynamic processes gave place to subvertical shear zones with a well defined foliation.

scholarly journals Geochronology of plutonic rocks from the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone, Iran and new zircon and titanite U-Th-Pb ages for granitoids from the Marivan pluton

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Sepahi ◽  
Hossein Shahbazi ◽  
Wolfgang Siebel ◽  
Ahmad Ranin
Keyword(s):  
Continental Margin ◽  
Late Jurassic ◽  
Active Continental Margin ◽  
Continental Collision ◽  
Magmatic Activity ◽  
Geochronological Data ◽  
Metamorphic Belt ◽  
Sanandaj Sirjan Zone ◽  
Orogenic Cycle ◽  
Age Constraints

Abstract The Sanandaj-Sirjan zone of Iran is a metamorphic belt consisting of rocks which were metamorphosed under different pressure and temperature conditions and intruded by various plutons ranging in composition from gabbro to granite. The majority of these granitoids formed along the ancient active continental margin of the Neo-Tethyan ocean at the southeastern edge of the central Iranian microplate. Geochronological data published in recent years indicate periodic plutonism lasting from Carboniferous through Mesozoic to late-Paleogene times (from ca. 300 to ca. 35 Ma) with climax activity during the mid- and late-Jurassic. The age constraints for plutonic complexes, such as Siah-Kouh, Kolah-Ghazi, Golpayegan (Muteh), Azna, Aligoodarz, Astaneh, Borujerd, Malayer (Samen), Alvand, Almogholagh, Ghorveh, Saqqez, Marivan, Naqadeh and Urumieh, clearly indicate the periodic nature of magmatism. Therefore, the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone preserves the record of magmatic activity of a complete orogenic cycle related to (1) Permocarboniferous(?) rifting of Gondwana and opening of the Neo-Tethyan ocean, (2) subduction of the oceanic crust, (3) continental collision and (4) post-collision/post-orogenic activities. The formation of the Marivan granitoids, northwestern Sanandaj-Sirjan zone, for which we present U-Pb zircon and titanite ages of ca. 38 Ma, can be related to the collisional and post-collisional stages of this orogenic cycle.

Silicate, Oxide and Sulphide Trends in Neo-Archean Rocks from the Nilgiri Block, Southern India: the Role of Fluids During High-grade Metamorphism

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 1027-1062 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinod O Samuel ◽  
Daniel E Harlov ◽  
Sanghoon Kwon ◽  
K Sajeev
Keyword(s):  
Granulite Facies ◽  
Southern India ◽  
Sulphide Mineral ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Regional Trend ◽  
Granulite Facies Metamorphism ◽  
Facies Metamorphism ◽  
High Grade Metamorphism ◽  
Specific Oxidation

Abstract The Nilgiri Block, southern India represents an exhumed section of lower, late Archean (2500 Ma) crust. The northern highlands of the Nilgiri Block are characterized by metagabbros with pyroxenite inlayers. A two-pyroxene granulite zone acts as a transition between the metagabbros and charnockites, which are exposed in the central and southern part of the Nilgiri highlands. Thermobarometry results indicate a SW–NE regional trend both in temperature (∼650–800°C) and in pressure (700–1100 MPa) over the Nilgiri highlands. In the charnockites, composite rutile–ilmenite grains are the dominant oxide assemblage. In the two-pyroxene granulites, hemo-ilmenite–magnetite is dominant with coexisting rutile–ilmenite composite grains in a few samples in the vicinity of the boundary with the charnockites. In the metagabbros, hemo-ilmenite–magnetite is the dominant oxide assemblage. The principal sulphide mineral in the charnockite is pyrrhotite with minor pyrite–chalcopyrite exsolution lamellae or blebs. In the two-pyroxene granulites and the metagabbros, the principal sulphide assemblage consists of discrete pyrite grains with magnetite rims and pyrite–pyrrhotite–chalcocopyrite associations. From these observations, a specific oxidation trend is seen. The northern granulite-facies metagabbros and two-pyroxene granulites of the Nilgiri highlands are highly oxidized compared with the charnockites from the central and southern regions. This higher oxidation state is proposed to be the result of highly oxidizing agents (probably as SO3) in low H2O activity grain boundary NaCl saline fluids with a dissolved CaSO4 component present during granulite-facies metamorphism of the metagabbros and two-pyroxene granulites. Eventually these agents became more reducing, owing to the inherent buffering of the original tonalite–granodiorite granitoids at the graphite–CO2 buffer, such that S took the form of H2S during the granulite-facies metamorphism of the charnockites. At the same time, these saline fluids were also responsible the solid-state conversion of biotite and amphibole to orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene in the metagabbro, two-pyroxene granulite, and charnockite.

Reassessment of the Mesozoic metasedimentary rocks and tectonic setting of Taiwan and the adjacent continental margin of eastern Asia

2016 ◽  
Vol 154 (5) ◽  
pp. 1127-1154 ◽  
Author(s):  
YU WANG ◽  
CHIN-HO TSAI ◽  
LIYUN ZHOU ◽  
YAN QIU ◽  
GUIHUA SUN
Keyword(s):  
Continental Margin ◽  
Tectonic Setting ◽  
Active Continental Margin ◽  
Crystalline Basement ◽  
Detrital Zircons ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Metamorphic Belt ◽  
Late Mesozoic ◽  
Sedimentary Sequences ◽  
Se China

AbstractIt remains unclear whether a crystalline basement exists in SE China (including Taiwan), whether the formation of the Tananao metamorphic belt in Taiwan was linked to subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific Plate, and whether the source rocks of the sedimentary sequences in the metamorphic belts are late Mesozoic or Palaeozoic in age. Field investigations and zircon age data in the present study indicate that there is no pre-Palaeozoic gneiss (crystalline basement) in Taiwan (although orthogneisses were produced during deformation and metamorphism of Mesozoic granites), and investigations of the metasediments show that the sedimentary sequences in the Tailuko and Yuli belts are similar. Moreover, LA-ICP-MS dating of detrital zircons from the Pingtan–Dongshan belt in Fujian Province yields a cluster of 206Pb–238U ages at ~ 210–190 Ma, and the Tailuko and Yuli belts in Taiwan have similar clusters of detrital zircon ages at 200 Ma, 160 Ma, 120 Ma and 110 Ma, as well as a later overprinting caused by arc–continent collision. The cathodoluminescence images and trace-element characteristics of the zircons show that they were originally magmatic in origin. This finding, combined with the Hf isotope data, indicates that the sources of sediments in the Tananao belt (Tailuko and Yuli belts) were relatively close to an active continental margin, and that both the Tailuko and Yuli belts have similar sedimentary sources. From the margin of the Chinese mainland to Taiwan, the metasediments seem to represent a continuous sequence of deposits ranging in age from Jurassic to Cretaceous, but with the sediments becoming progressively younger towards the east. It can be inferred that the sediments in the Tailuko and Yuli belts were continental-shelf sequences with sources in SE China.

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