scholarly journals Geochemistry and Geochronology of Ophiolitic Rocks from the Dongco and Lanong Areas, Tibet: Insights into the Evolution History of the Bangong-Nujiang Tethys Ocean

Minerals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Yang ◽  
Qiangtai Huang ◽  
Renjie Zhou ◽  
Argyrios Kapsiotis ◽  
Bin Xia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle Part ◽  
Primitive Mantle ◽  
Cumulative Processes ◽  
Western Segment ◽  
History Of ◽  
Tethys Ocean ◽  
Central Tibet ◽  
Back Arc ◽  
Parental Melts ◽  
Ocean Ridge

The Bangong-Nujiang Suture Zone (BNSZ) in central Tibet hosts a series of dismembered Jurassic ophiolites that are widely considered as remnants of the vanished Meso-Tethys Ocean. In this study we present new compositional, isotopic, and geochronological data from anorthosites and gabbros of the Dongco and Lanong ophiolites in order to test several hypotheses about the nature of subduction in the Bangong-Nujiang Tethys Ocean (BNTO) during the Mesozoic era. Uranium–Pb dating of magmatic zircons separated from the Dongco anorthosites yielded an (average) age of 169.0 ± 3.7 Ma. Zircons separated from the Lanong anorthosites and gabbros yielded U–Pb ages of 166.8 ± 0.9 Ma and 167.3 ± 1.1 Ma, respectively. Zircons separated from the Dongco and Lanong anorthosites have positive εHf(t) values (5.62–15.94 and 10.37–14.95, respectively). The Dongco anorthosites have moderate initial 87Sr/86Sr (0.703477–0.704144) and high εNd(t) (+6.50 to +7.91). The Lanong anorthosites have high (87Sr/86Sr)i (0.706058–0.712952) and εNd(t) in the range of −1.56 to +2.02. Furthermore, the Lanong gabbros have high (87Sr/86Sr)i (0.705826–0.706613) and εNd(t) in the range of −0.79 to +4.20. Most gabbros from Dongco and a few gabbros from Lanong show normal mid-ocean ridge basalt (N-MORB)-like primitive mantle (PM)-normalized multi-element patterns. In contrast, most gabbros from Lanong show U-shaped chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) profiles. The investigated gabbros are characterized by wide ranges of δEu {(Eu)N/[(Sm)N*(Gd)N]1/2} values (0.83–2.53), indicating that some of them are cumulative rocks. The trace element contents of all anorthosite samples imply that their composition was controlled by cumulative processes. The geochemical and isotopic compositions of the non-cumulative gabbros from Dongco (δEu: 0.95–1.04) and Lanong (δEu: 0.83–1.03) indicate that their parental melts were derived from melting of heterogeneously depleted, juvenile mantle reservoirs. These rocks have arc-related affinities, indicating that their mantle sources were influenced by minor inputs of subducted lithospheric components. Our preferred hypothesis for the origin of the non-cumulative gabbros from Dongco is that they were formed in a transient back-arc basin (BAB) setting in the middle-western segment of the BNTO, whereas our preferred scenario about the origin of the non-cumulative gabbros from Lanong is that they were generated in a forearc setting in the middle part of the BNTO. We conclude that both geotectonic settings were developed in response to the northward subduction of the BNTO during the Middle Jurassic.

Passive-margin magmatism caused by enhanced slab-pull forces in central Tibet

Geology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Dan ◽  
Qiang Wang ◽  
William M. White ◽  
Xian-Hua Li ◽  
Xiu-Zheng Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Passive Margin ◽  
Lower Plate ◽  
Isotopic Signatures ◽  
Ridge Subduction ◽  
Slab Rollback ◽  
Element Enrichment ◽  
Central Tibet ◽  
Back Arc ◽  
Ocean Ridge ◽  
Qiangtang Terrane

We report on a ca. 239 Ma mafic dike swarm intruded in the Southern Qiangtang terrane, central Tibet, that was generated on the passive continental margin of a subducting lower plate. The dikes are tholeiitic basalts and exhibit light rare earth element enrichment, modest negative anomalies in Nb and Ta, and enriched isotopic signatures. The dikes are coeval with a back-arc basin formed in the upper plate as a result of the rollback of the Paleo-Tethys oceanic slab. Thus, after ocean-ridge subduction, enhanced slab-pull forces related to slab rollback on one side of the ocean induced extension and magmatism in the passive margin on the opposite side. We argue that enhanced slab-pull forces are a previously unrecognized mechanism for the generation of lower-plate passive-margin magmatism.

scholarly journals Basalt from the Extinct Spreading Center in the West Philippine Basin: New Geochemical Results and Their Petrologic and Tectonic Implications

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1277
Author(s):  
Zhengxin Yin ◽  
Weiping Wang ◽  
Liang Chen ◽  
Zhengyuan Li ◽  
Qiang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mantle Source ◽  
Spreading Center ◽  
Isotopic Data ◽  
The West ◽  
Mafic Rocks ◽  
West Philippine Basin ◽  
Mantle Reservoir ◽  
Back Arc ◽  
Parental Melts ◽  
Ocean Ridge

We present geological, bulk-rock geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data for mafic rocks from the West Philippine Basin (WPB). These mafic rocks comprise pillow basalts characterized by a vesicular structure. The mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)-normalized trace element patterns of basalts from the study area display depletions in Nb. In addition, the chondrite-normalized lanthanide patterns of basalts from the WPB are characterized by significant depletions in the light lanthanides and nearly flat Eu to Lu segments. The investigated rocks have initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (87Sr/86Sr(i)) of 0.703339–0.703455 and high εNd(t) values (8.0 to 8.7). Furthermore, basalts from the WPB have 176Hf/177Hf ratios that range from 0.28318 to 0.28321 and high εHf(t) from 15.2 to 16.3. Semi-quantitative modeling demonstrates that the parental melts of basalts from the study area were derived by ~20% adiabatic decompression melting of a rising spinel-bearing peridotite source. The Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions of basalts from the WPB indicate that their parental magmas were derived from an upper mantle reservoir possessing the so-called Indian-type isotopic anomaly. Interpretation of the isotopic data suggests that the inferred mantle source was most likely influenced by minor inputs of a sediment melt derived from a downgoing lithospheric slab. Collectively, the petrographic and geochemical characteristics of basalts from the study area are analogous to those of mafic rocks with a back-arc basin (BAB)-like affinity. As such, the petrogenesis of basalts from the WPB can be linked to upwelling of an Indian-type mantle source due to lithospheric slab subduction that was followed by back-arc spreading.

scholarly journals Geochemical Variation of Miocene Basalts within Shikoku Basin: Magma Source Compositions and Geodynamic Implications

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Shuang-Shuang Chen ◽  
Tong Hou ◽  
Jia-Qi Liu ◽  
Zhao-Chong Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Japan Sea ◽  
Isotopic Signature ◽  
Magma Source ◽  
Isotopic Compositions ◽  
Enriched Mantle ◽  
Shikoku Basin ◽  
Depleted Mantle ◽  
Parece Vela Basin ◽  
Back Arc ◽  
Ocean Ridge

Shikoku Basin is unique as being located within a trench-ridge-trench triple junction. Here, we report mineral compositions, major, trace-element, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions of bulk-rocks from Sites C0012 (>18.9 Ma) and 1173 (13–15 Ma) of the Shikoku Basin. Samples from Sites C0012 and 1173 are tholeiitic in composition and display relative depletion in light rare earth elements (REEs) and enrichment in heavy REEs, generally similar to normal mid-ocean ridge basalts (N-MORB). Specifically, Site C0012 samples display more pronounced positive anomalies in Rb, Ba, K, Pb and Sr, and negative anomalies in Th, U, Nb, and Ta, as well as negative Nb relative to La and Th. Site 1173 basalts have relatively uniform Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions, close to the end member of depleted mantle, while Site C0012 samples show slightly enriched Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic signature, indicating a possible involvement of enriched mantle 1 (EM1) and EM2 sources, which could be attributed to the metasomatism of the fluids released from the dehydrated subduction slab, but with the little involvement of subducted slab-derived sedimentary component. Additionally, the Shikoku Basin record the formation of the back-arc basin was a mantle conversion process from an island arc to a typical MORB. The formation of the Shikoku Basin is different from that of the adjacent Japan Sea and Parece Vela Basin, mainly in terms of the metasomatized subduction-related components, the nature of mantle source, and partial melting processes.

scholarly journals A subduction influence on ocean ridge basalts outside the Pacific subduction shield

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Y. Yang ◽  
C. H. Langmuir ◽  
Y. Cai ◽  
P. Michael ◽  
S. L. Goldstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Mantle ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Mantle Flow ◽  
Mantle Heterogeneity ◽  
Gakkel Ridge ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Mid Ocean Ridge ◽  
The Pacific Ocean ◽  
Back Arc ◽  
Ocean Ridge

AbstractThe plate tectonic cycle produces chemically distinct mid-ocean ridge basalts and arc volcanics, with the latter enriched in elements such as Ba, Rb, Th, Sr and Pb and depleted in Nb owing to the water-rich flux from the subducted slab. Basalts from back-arc basins, with intermediate compositions, show that such a slab flux can be transported behind the volcanic front of the arc and incorporated into mantle flow. Hence it is puzzling why melts of subduction-modified mantle have rarely been recognized in mid-ocean ridge basalts. Here we report the first mid-ocean ridge basalt samples with distinct arc signatures, akin to back-arc basin basalts, from the Arctic Gakkel Ridge. A new high precision dataset for 576 Gakkel samples suggests a pervasive subduction influence in this region. This influence can also be identified in Atlantic and Indian mid-ocean ridge basalts but is nearly absent in Pacific mid-ocean ridge basalts. Such a hemispheric-scale upper mantle heterogeneity reflects subduction modification of the asthenospheric mantle which is incorporated into mantle flow, and whose geographical distribution is controlled dominantly by a “subduction shield” that has surrounded the Pacific Ocean for 180 Myr. Simple modeling suggests that a slab flux equivalent to ~13% of the output at arcs is incorporated into the convecting upper mantle.

The dire straits of Paratethys: Gateways to the anoxic giant of Eurasia

2021 ◽  
pp. SP523-2021-73
Author(s):  
D. V. Palcu ◽  
W. Krijgsman
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sink ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Water Masses ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
Tectonic Processes ◽  
Anoxic Environments ◽  
Geological Evolution ◽  
History Of ◽  
Tethys Ocean

AbstractA complex interplay of palaeoclimatic, eustatic and tectonic processes led to fragmentation and dissipation of the vast Tethys Ocean in Eocene-Oligocene times. The resulting Paratethys Sea occupied the northern Tethys region on Eurasia, grouping water masses of various subbasins, separated from each other and from the open ocean through narrow and shallow gateways and land bridges. Changes in marine gateway configuration and intra-basinal connectivity affected the regional hydrology, shifting most Paratethyan basins to extreme carbon-sink anoxic environments, anomalohaline evaporitic or brackish conditions or even endorheic lakes. Paratethys gateway restriction triggered the onset of a long-lasting (∼20 Myr) giant anoxic sea, characterised by stratified water masses and anoxic bottom water conditions, resulting in thick hydrocarbon source rocks. Here, we review the geological evolution of the “dire straits” of Paratethys that played a crucial role in the Eocene-Oligocene connectivity history of the Central Eurasian seas and we show that the main anoxic phases (Kuma and Maikop) correspond to restricted connectivity with the global ocean and a period of CO2 depletion in the atmosphere. Paratethys represents one of the largest carbon sinks of Earth's history and may thus have played a prominent role in global climate change.

Platinum-group element geochemistry of intraplate basalts from the Aleppo Plateau, NW Syria

2012 ◽  
Vol 150 (3) ◽  
pp. 497-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
GEORGE S.-K. MA ◽  
JOHN MALPAS ◽  
JIAN-FENG GAO ◽  
KUO-LUNG WANG ◽  
LIANG QI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Partial Melting ◽  
Middle Miocene ◽  
Primitive Mantle ◽  
Element Geochemistry ◽  
Alkali Basalts ◽  
Melt Extraction ◽  
Mid Ocean Ridge ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Platinum Group ◽  
Ocean Ridge

AbstractEarly–Middle Miocene intraplate basalts from the Aleppo Plateau, NW Syria have been analysed for their platinum-group elements (PGEs). They contain extremely low PGE abundances, comparable with most alkali basalts, such as those from Hawaii, and mid-ocean ridge basalts. The low abundances, together with high Pd/Ir, Pt/Ir, Ni/Ir, Cu/Pd, Y/Pt and Cu/Zr are consistent with sulphide fractionation, which likely occurred during partial melting and melt extraction within the mantle. Some of the basalts are too depleted in PGEs to be explained solely by partial melting of a primitive mantle-like source. Such ultra-low PGE abundances, however, are possible if the source contains some mafic lithologies. Many of the basalts also exhibit suprachondritic Pd/Pt ratios of up to an order of magnitude higher than primitive mantle and chondrite, an increase too high to be attributable to fractionation of spinel and silicate minerals alone. The elevated Pd/Pt, associated with a decrease in Pt but not Ir and Ru, are also inconsistent with removal of Pt-bearing PGE minerals or alloys, which should have concurrently lowered Pt, Ir and Ru. In contrast, melting of a metasomatized source comprising sulphides whose Pt and to a lesser extent Rh were selectively mobilized through interaction with silicate melts, may provide an explanation.

Sources of placer platinum in Yukon: provenance study from detrital minerals

2008 ◽  
Vol 45 (8) ◽  
pp. 879-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yana Fedortchouk ◽  
William LeBarge
Keyword(s):  
Unknown Origin ◽  
Heavy Mineral ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Ultramafic Rocks ◽  
Chromian Spinel ◽  
Mafic Intrusions ◽  
Platinum Group Minerals ◽  
Mineral Sample ◽  
Back Arc ◽  
Ocean Ridge

Source rocks for the platinum group minerals (PGM), historically reported in a number of Yukon placers, remain either unknown or poorly understood. A study of heavy-mineral samples from five creeks draining bedrock in west and central Yukon was undertaken to confirm the presence of placer platinum, to determine which mafic–ultramafic rock is the source of PGM in Kluane area, southern Yukon, and to explain platinum occurrences in Canadian and Florence creeks, central Yukon, where no known mafic–ultramafic rocks are present. Diverse composition of chromian spinel and clinopyroxenes from three creeks in the Kluane area indicate several sources of ultramafic rocks, including fragments of Alpine-type peridotites formed in back-arc basin and mid-ocean-ridge settings, and a source rock for zoned zinc-rich chromites of unknown origin. The Kluane ultramafic sills are the most likely source of PGM in this area. The heavy-mineral sample from Canadian Creek returned one PGM grain, no chromite, and abundant ilmenite and titanomagnetite. A group of chromium-rich magnesian ilmenites (∼4 wt.% MgO) closely match the composition of ilmenites from continental mafic intrusions produced during continental rift magmatism. This supports the continental rifting event recently proposed for this part of Yukon and indicates the economic potential of the Canadian Creek platinum occurrence. Composition of spinel from Florence Creek sample indicates an Alaskan-type intrusion as the source of PGM.

Tholeiitic volcanic rocks of the late Archean Blake River Group, southern Abitibi greenstone belt: origin and geodynamic implications

1992 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 1448-1458 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Laflèche ◽  
C. Dupuy ◽  
J. Dostal
Keyword(s):  
Greenstone Belt ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Incompatible Trace Element ◽  
Progressive Change ◽  
Abitibi Greenstone Belt ◽  
Mid Ocean Ridge ◽  
Compositional Variations ◽  
Arc Setting ◽  
Back Arc ◽  
Ocean Ridge

The late Archean Blake River Group volcanic sequence forms the uppermost part of the southern Abitibi greenstone belt in Quebec. The group is mainly composed of mid-ocean-ridge basalt (MORB)-like tholeiites that show a progressive change of several incompatible trace element ratios (e.g., Nb/Th, Nb/Ta, La/Yb, and Zr/Y) during differentiation. The compositional variations are inferred to be the result of fractional crystallization coupled with mixing–contamination of tholeiites by calc-alkaline magma which produced the mafic–intermediate lavas intercalated with the tholeiites in the uppermost part of the sequence. The MORB-like tholeiites were probably emplaced in a back-arc setting.

scholarly journals New evidence for upper Permian crustal growth below Eifel, Germany, from mafic granulite xenoliths

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-247
Author(s):  
Cliff S. J. Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Lower Crust ◽  
Volcanic Field ◽  
Upper Permian ◽  
Primitive Mantle ◽  
Magmatic Temperature ◽  
Heavy Rare Earth Elements ◽  
History Of ◽  
Granulite Xenoliths ◽  
West Eifel

Abstract. Granulite xenoliths from the Quaternary West Eifel Volcanic Field in Germany record evidence of magmatism in the lower crust at the end of the Permian. The xenoliths sampled two distinct bodies: an older intrusion (ca. 264 Myr old) that contains clinopyroxene with flat, chondrite-normalised rare earth element (REE) profiles and a younger (ca. 253 Myr old) intrusion that crystallised middle-REE-rich clinopyroxene. The younger body is also distinguished based on the negative Sr, Zr and Ti anomalies in primitive mantle-normalised multi-element plots. REE-in-plagioclase–clinopyroxene thermometry records the magmatic temperature of the xenoliths (1100–1300 ∘C), whereas Mg-in-plagioclase and Zr-in-titanite thermometry preserve an equilibration temperature of ca. 800 ∘C. These temperatures, together with a model of the mineral assemblages predicted from the composition of one of the xenoliths, define the pressure of crystallisation as ∼1 GPa. The xenoliths also preserve a long history of reheating events whose age ranges from 220 to 6 Myr. The last of these events presumably led to breakdown of garnet; formation of symplectites of orthopyroxene, plagioclase and hercynite; and redistribution of heavy rare earth elements into clinopyroxene. The data from the West Eifel granulite xenoliths, when combined with the existing data from granulites sampled in the East Eifel, indicate that the lower crust has a long a complex history stretching from at least 1.6 Ga with intrusive events at ca. 410 and 260 Ma and reheating from the Triassic to late Miocene.

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