Search

The petrographic and geochemical attributes of the Oligocene Barail Group of rocks are used to decipher the likely source area(s) or tectonic domains, as this sequence of rocks was deposited in a foreland basin governed by orogenic domain, namely the North-east Arunachal Himalayas. The river system that gave rise to the Brahmaputra River (Yarlung-Tsangpo), which flowed through several tectonic domains of the Himalayan ranges, primarily from Bomi-Chayu, Gangadese Granitoid, Higher Himalayan Leucogranites, and Namche Barwa into the proto Bengal Basin now a part of Assam Arakan Basin and Naga Schuppen Belt, was the main source of the sandstone formation of the Barail Group. The purpose of sandstone petrography, which combines modal analysis with XRF (Major Oxides) and HR-ICP-MS (Trace & Rare Earth Elements) research, is to identify the type of source rock(s), their weathering pattern, and its paleo-environmental circumstances. These sandstones were formed from recycled orogen and include lithic and sublithic arenite variants with advanced texture and chemical maturity. The sediments were felsic (Th/Co: 1.38, Cr/Th: 9.78, La/Lu: 11.58, Th/Sc: 0.99, Eu/Eu*: 0.66, La/Sc: 3.05, La/Co: 4.18), with contributions from intermediate source rocks and low-rank metamorphics deposited in an active continental margin to a continental island arc setting. Climatic conditions impacted the sediments of Barails, characterised by being warm and semi-humid to humid which resulted in moderate to a high degree of chemical weathering, as shown by weathering indices like CIA (79.14), PIA (85.47), CIW (86.9), WIP (32.50), ICV (0.71), and Th/U (6.03), which were further additionally supported by C-Value (1.01), PF (1.20), Sr/Cu (2.04), and Rb/Sr (0.97). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rheology of rocks controls the deformation of the Earth at various space-time scales, which is crucial to understand the tectonic evolution of continental lithosphere. Researches of rock rheology are mainly conducted via high-pressure and high-temperature rheological experiments and multi-scale observations and measurements of naturally deformed rocks. At present, a large amount of data from such kinds of studies have been accumulated. This paper first provides an up-to-date comprehensive review of the rheological mechanisms, fabric types and seismic properties of the main rock-forming minerals at different depths of continental lithosphere, including olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, amphibole, plagioclase, quartz and mica. Then, progress in high-pressure and high-temperature experiments and natural deformation observations is introduced, mainly regarding the rheological strength and behavior, seismic velocity and anisotropy of lithospheric mantle peridotite, eclogite, mafic granulite, amphibolite and felsic rocks. Finally, by taking the Tibetan Plateau as an example, the application of rock rheology for quantitative interpretation of seismic anisotropy data is discussed. The combination of mineral deformation fabrics and seismic anisotropy is expected to make an important breakthrough in understanding the rheological properties and structure of continental lithosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple evidence indicates that perinatal factors make impact on immune development and affect offspring allergic rhinitis (AR) risk. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we examined available published studies to clarify the relationship between cesarean section (C-section) and offspring AR in children. To explore the relationship between C-section, especially the special attention was paid to different cesarean delivery mode, and the risk of AR in children. Articles were searched using PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China knowledge Network, Wanfang, and China Science and Technology Journal databases. A meta-analysis of 22 studies published before August 1, 2022, which included 1,464,868 participants, was conducted for statistical analysis with RevMan5.4. The correlation strength between C-section and offspring AR was determined by combining odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were used to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias was detected using the funnel chart and Egger tests. Meta-analysis revealed that there was a significant correlation between C-section and children AR (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.12–1.27, P < 0.001), especially C-section with a family history of allergy (OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.36–2.43, P < 0.001). Moreover, elective C-section (without genital tract microbe exposure) had the higher risk of offspring AR (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.05–1.46, P = 0.010) compared with the whole study. Meta-regression demonstrated that sample size explained 38.0% of the variability between studies, and year of publication explained 18.8%. Delivery by C-section, particularly elective C-section and C-section with a family history of allergy can increase the risk of AR in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Daba Shan orocline is located at the northeastern margin of the Sichuan Basin and has been inferred as a foreland thrust-fold belt of the Qinling Orogen since the Late Triassic. A complete understanding of rock exhumation history is critical to elucidate how and when this typical orocline structure is developed. Detrital apatite fission-track dating of modern river sands is employed to reveal the regional exhumation history of the Daba Shan orocline. Four age peaks are identified and interpreted as the results of tectonic exhumation. Two older age peaks at ∼150–140 and ∼116–86 Ma are agreement with two main shortening deformation episodes of the Yanshanian Movement in the eastern China. The other two younger age peaks at ∼69 and ∼37 Ma support that the Daba Shan was reactivated by the Late Cretaceous to Cenozoic deformation which were likely related to the subduction of the Pacific Ocean and eastward growth of the Tibetan Plateau, respectively. It is worth noting that in contrast to the ∼150–140 Ma rapid rock uplift and exhumation, the Middle Cretaceous exhumation (∼116–86 Ma) shifted southward and continued to spread to southern tips of the Daba Shan. These exhumation variations in temporal and spatial allow a southward thrust deformation with piggyback style during the Yanshanian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dongnan Cu–Mo deposit, located in the southeast of the Zijinshan ore field (the largest porphyry–epithermal system in Southeast China), represents the complex magmatic and metallogenesis events in the region. The petrogenesis and metallogenesis of granitoids from the deposit are not determined, especially the interactions between ore-bearing (granodiorite porphyry) and barren samples (granodiorite and diorite). In the paper, the whole rock geochemical features shared a similar affinity to the middle-lower content and revealed that they derived from partial melting of the Cathaysian basement with the contribution of mantle materials, even represented that they generated in the plate subduction; LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb ages show that these granodiorites, granodioritic porphyry and diorite, were generated during 114–103 Ma. The ore-bearing samples mostly presented εHf(t) of negative values (peak value is −4 to −3) with old two-stage Hf model ages (tDM2) (peak value is 1.10–1.15 Ga), while the barren sample showed slightly negative εHf(t) (peak value is −1 to 0) values with young tDM2 (peak value is 1.00–1.05 Ga). The value of zircon Ce4+/Ce3+ ratio mostly higher than 450 was first verified for the ore-bearing samples in the Dongnan Cu–Mo deposit, and the values of ore-bearing were found to be higher than those from the barren, which suggests that the ore-bearing formed in more oxidized parental magma with higher oxygen fugacity. Based on the geochemical characteristic of the element and isotope, we concluded that the Early Cretaceous multi-phases magmatic activities, low melting temperature and low pressure of pluton, and high oxygen fugacity of zircon, were the favorable conditions for metallogenesis of Dongnan Cu–Mo deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tilt angle (i.e., TDR) provides an efficient way to recognize the horizontal locations of multi-source geological bodies at different depths and inclination angles. The tilt-depth method was initially derived by applying magnetic formulas and used to calculate the depth of magnetic sources. Recently researchers have attempted to extend this method to interpret depths in gravity field data. The tilt-depth method of gravity anomalies (i.e., GTilt-depth) could capture the depth of a buried source effectively, which makes it superior at deciphering the basement relief. Meanwhile, Tilt-Euler deconvolution (i.e., Euler deconvolution of TDR) has been utilized for estimating a source's position from gridded data automatically, which requires no structural index. However, analytical singularities can be produced when performing inversion with the Tilt-Euler deconvolution owning to the derivatives of TDR being incalculable when the horizontal derivative is zero. The improved Tilt-Euler deconvolution provided an efficient way to eliminate analytical singularities and obtain more stable solutions. The results from the theoretical model show that the GTilt-depth method and improved Tilt-Euler deconvolution could be applied to calculate the buried depths more accurately and effectively. Application of these methods shows that they are able to capture more detailed features, and provide more straightforward and accurate results of depth, than traditional methods. Furthermore, the results obtained from the gravity data in Sichuan Basin show that the basement depth ranges from 3 to 11 km, and 3 to 7 km in the central uplift, which contains a local depression with a depth of 8 km. The basement exhibits a general pattern of "shallow in middle and deep in east and west", which is consistent with the results revealed by gravity-seismic jointly interpreted profile. This research provides a better indication of the basement structure when interpreting the regional geology in Sichuan Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accretionary orogeny of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) has been a popular topic over the past decades due to its complex tectonic process. The Carboniferous magmatism in the Sawur Mountains of the northern West Junggar plays an important role in understanding the accretionary process of West Junggar. Detailed geological mapping has revealed that the Carboniferous Heishantou Formation in the Sawur Mountains consists mainly of pillow lavas, basaltic andesites, dacites, tuffs and sedimentary rocks, which were intruded by the Lasite intrusion. The pillow lavas display low SiO2 and TiO2 as well as high MgO and FeOt contents and enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREEs) and Nb–Ta, suggesting derivation from an enriched lithospheric mantle in an oceanic island setting. With the oceanic crust subduction, they were scraped off and accreted in a fore-arc setting. Basaltic andesites exhibit high SiO2 and Al2O3 contents, low Mg#, Zr, and Nb contents as well as Nb/La ratios, and a clear depletion of Nb–Ta, indicating derivation from a mantle wedge affected by the inputs of slab-derived fluids in an island arc setting. Dacites possess calc-alkaline and adakitic geochemical features with high Sr and Ba contents, high Th/Yb ratios, enrichment in LREEs, low Nb/La ratios, a depletion of Nb–Ta and positive εHf(t) values (10.3–15.0). Accordingly, they are interpreted as being derived from the melting of subducted oceanic crust mixed with minor sediments in an island arc setting. Magmatic zircons from dacite yield a weighted 206Pb/238U mean age of 326.8 ± 1.6 Ma, constraining the crystallization age of the dacite as well as the timing of the oceanic crust subduction. The Lasite intrusion that intruded the Heishantou Formation is K-feldspar granite, exhibiting pronounced I-type affinity and a high potassic calc-alkaline series. This granite shows low Na2O and Mg# (36.9–40.3) values; low Zr and Y contents as well as 10,000 × Ga/Al ratios; high LREE, K and Pb contents; and a depletion of Nb and Ta. Altogether, the low (87Sr/86Sr)i (0.7037–0.7043) and positive εNd(t) (6.22–6.36) and εHf(t) (10.1–15.5) values suggest that the granites were derived from the partial melting of a juvenile lower crust affected by mantle materials in a subduction setting. The zircon weighted 206Pb/238U mean age of 316.6 ± 2.8 Ma represents the intrusive age of the granite and related subduction during the late Carboniferous. All of the above geochemistry and geochronology of the magmatic rocks constrain the subduction–accretion tectonics in the Sawur Mountains of the northern West Junggar during ~ 327–317 Ma and confirm the subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO) lasted until the late Carboniferous in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Helanshan Tectonic Belt and its environs within the northwestern Ordos Terrane, western North China Craton, have been envisaged as aulacogen or plate boundary separating the Alxa Massif from the Ordos Block during Cambrian. However, it conflicts with geological and geophysical facts. This study presents integrated stratigraphic, sedimentary and geochronological data from the Cambrian strata in the northwestern Ordos Terrane to constrain the Cambrian tectonic evolutionary process of the western North China Craton. The Cambrian successions comprise, in ascending order, evaporite platform facies, restricted-open platform facies and evaporite platform facies, featuring a vertical transgression–regression sequence. An eastward-shoaling paleogeography was documented, evidenced by shallow-water dolomite layers enriched in the east and the detritus derived from northeast. Ages of detrital zircons span from 2566 to 1649 Ma with predominant two peaks around 2500 and 1850 Ma, suggesting these Cambrian detritus were sourced from the Archean–Paleoproterozoic rocks in the Yimeng highland. Comparable fossil associations and unified paleogeography system supported that there was no Cambrian plate boundary in the northwestern Ordos Terrane, implying the Alxa Massif was part of the North China Craton during the Cambrian. The westward-deepening facies differentiation with low-angle topography contradicts with the tectonic model of "Helan aulacogen". In combination with the relatively low subsidence rate and rare magmatic–metamorphic activities, we argue that the Cambrian shallow marine system in the western North China Craton was the continent-ward extension of passive continental margin basin system related to the spreading of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major and trace elements and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes of Miocene host granitoid rocks and their mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) were studied to understand the petrogenesis of MMEs in the Kashan complex, which is part of the Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic belt (Iran). The host rocks consist of quartz-diorite and tonalite associated with a dioritic intrusion. The enclaves show microgranular texture and the same mineralogy as their respective host with plagioclase, quartz and biotite. MMEs have a diorite to quartz-diorite composition and show geochemical characteristics mostly between their granitoid host and the diorite intrusion. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns of all samples are moderately fractionated [(La/Yb)=2.1 to 12.9]. The MMEs display in part small negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu*=0.54 to 0.99), with enrichment of LILE and depletion of HFSE. The enclaves show emplacement depth of ~4 to 6 km which is comparable with the host rocks. Moreover, the Hornblende-plagioclase equilibrium temprature of MMEs yields average temperatures of 795°C which is slightly higher than the host ones. Identical mineral compositions and Nd-Sr-Pb isotopic features of MME-host granitoid pairs indicate interactions and parallel evolution of MME and enclosing granitoid in the Kashan plutons. Additionally, the geochemical and isotopic investigations of host and dioritic intrusions suggest a common source for their genesis. A thermal anomaly induced by underplated basic magma into a hot crust would have caused partial melting in the lower crust to generate Kashan granitoid rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray diffraction analysis of black shale of Upper Triassic Member Chang 7 of the Yanchang Formation in southeastern Ordos Basin showed that black shales were deposited in brackish, strongly reducing, semi-deep-deep lacustrine facies, and mainly composed of quartz, feldspar, carbonate (dolomite), clay minerals (illite and illite/smectite) and a certain amount of pyrite. The mineral composition characteristics of this set of black shales are similar to those of highly productive shale gas in North America, for example shallow burial, low clay mineral and abundant brittle mineral, so the strata are conducive to the development of cracks and fractures. Thus, this area is favorable for shale oil/gas exploration and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims at exploring the tectonic characteristics of the South China Continent (SCC) and extracting the universal tectonic rules from these characteristics, to help enrich the plate tectonic theory and better understand the continental dynamic system. For this purpose, here we conduct a multi-disciplinary investigation and combine it with the previous studies to reassess the tectonics and evolution of SCC and propose that the tectonic framework of the continent comprises two blocks, three types of tectonic units, four deformation systems, and four evolutionary stages with distinctive mechanism and tectonic characteristics since the Neoproterozoic. The four evolutionary stages are: (1) The amalgamation and break-up of the Neoproterozoic plates, typically the intracontinental rifting. (2) The early Paleozoic and Mesozoic intracontinental orogeny confined by plate tectonics, forming two composite tectonic domains. (3) The parallel operation of the Yangtze cratonization and intracontinental orogeny, and multi-phase reactivation of the Yangtze craton. (4) The association and differentiation evolution of plate tectonics and intracontinental tectonics, and the dynamic characteristics under the Meso-Cenozoic modern global plate tectonic regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qinling Orogenic Belt is divided commonly by the Fengxian-Taibai strike-slip shear zone and the Huicheng Basin into the East and West Qinling mountains, which show significant geological differences after the Indosinian orogeny. The Fengxian-Taibai fault zone and the Meso-Cenozoic Huicheng Basin, situated at the boundary of the East and West Qinling, provide a natural laboratory for tectonic analysis and sedimentological study of intracontinental tectonic evolution of the Qinling Orogenic Belt. In order to explain the dynamic development of the Huicheng Basin and elucidate its post-orogenic tectonic evolution at the junction of the East and West Qinling, we studied the geometry and kinematics of fault zones between the blocks of West Qinling, as well as the sedimentary fill history of the Huicheng Basin. First, we found that after the collisional orogeny in the Late Triassic, post-orogenic extensional collapse occurred in the Early and Middle Jurassic within the Qinling Orogenic Belt, resulting in a series of rift basins. Second, in the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous, a NE-SW compressive stress field caused large-scale sinistral strike-slip faults in the Qinling Orogenic Belt, causing intracontinental escape tectonics at the junction of the East and West Qinling, including eastward finite escape of the East Qinling micro-plate and southwest lateral escape of the Bikou Terrane. Meanwhile, the strike-slip-related Early Cretaceous sedimentary basin was formed with a right-order echelon arrangement in sinistral shear zones along the southern margin of the Huicheng fault. Overall during the Mesozoic, the Huicheng Basin and surrounding areas experienced four tectonic evolutionary stages, including extensional rift basin development in the Early and Middle Jurassic, intense compressive uplift in the Late Jurassic, formation of a strike-slip extensional basin in the Early Cretaceous, and compressive uplift in the Late Cretaceous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Santanghu area is located on the northeastern margin of the Junggar Basin, northern Xinjiang, Northwest China. The Carboniferous volcanic rocks in this area are widely distributed in Kaokesaiergaishan, Santanghu, Daheishan and Naomaohu districts, which are located to the north of the Kalameili Fault. These rocks, sourced from a cognate magma, consist of basic, intermediate, and acidic lavas, and pyroclastic rock. The basic volcanic rocks are enriched with large-ion lithophile elements (LILE), but are relatively depleted in high field strength elements (HFSE), and have an obvious negative Nb-Ta-Ti anomaly. They were most probably derived from a depleted mantle source, and during their ascent, these magmas were not contaminated by the crustal material as they underwent magma crystallization differentiation. Based on the Carboniferous volcanic assemblage and geochemical data, it is apparent that the early Carboniferous volcanism occurred in a subduction-related tectonic setting. New LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb analyses constrain the age of the andesite within the volcanic rocks as the early Carboniferous (328.9-331.3 Ma). Combined with the regional geological record, comprehensive analysis of the isotope geochronological data indicates that the subduction of the Junggar Ocean predates the early Carboniferous, and that the Santanghu island arc magmatism was induced by the subduction of the Junggar Ocean in the Carboniferous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mafic-ultramafic assemblages, which thrustthrust into the Wushan-Tangzang boundary fault as some blocks and outcropped in the Yuanyangzhen, Lijiahe, Lubangou and Gaojiahe area, consist mainly of meta-peridotites, gabbros and basalts. The meta-peridotites are characterized by high SiO2 and MgO contents, low ΣREE, as well as their chondrite-normalized rare earth element patterns show some similarities to that of middle oceanic meta-peridotite. The basalts from the Yuanyangzhen, Lijiahe and Lubangou area are characterized by relatively high TiO2 content, low Al2O3 content and Na2O>>K2O. Above all, it is the slight enrichment or flat REE distribution patterns and the unfractionated in HFS elements in the primitive-normalized trace elements distribution patterns that indicate these basalts are similar to that of the typical E-MORB. In comparison, the basalts from the Gaojiahe section are featured by depletion in Nb and Ta contents and enrichment in Th content which show that these were derived from an island-arc setting. From studies of the regional geology, petrology, geochemistry, geo-chronology and all above evidence, it can be suggested that the mafic-ultramafic rocks from the Wushan area are mainly dismembered E-MORB type ophiolite, which represent the fragments of the lithosphere of the Early-Paleozoic Qinling ocean. It is preferred that these rocks were formed in an initial mid-ocean ridge setting during the beginning stage of the oceanic basin spreading. This ophiolite together with the Gaojiahe island-arc basalts shows that there exists an ophiolitic mélange along the Wushan-Tangzang boundary fault, and marks the suture zone after the closure of the Qinling ocean in early Paleozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The properties and tectonic significance of the fault bound zone on the northern margin of the Central Tianshan belt are key issues to understand the tectonic framework and evolutionary history of the Tianshan Orogenic Belt. Based on the geological and geochemical studies in the Tianshan orogenic belt, it is suggested that the ophiolitic slices found in the Bingdaban area represent the remaining oceanic crust of the Early Paleozoic ocean between the Hazakstan and Zhungaer blocks. Mainly composed of basalts, gabbros and diabases, the ophiolites were overthrust onto the boundary fault between the Northern Tianshan and Central Tianshan belts. The major element geochemistry is characterized by high TiO2 (1.50%–2.25%) and MgO (6.64%–9.35%), low K2O (0.06%–0.41%) and P2O5 (0.1%–0.2%), and Na2O>K2O as well. Low ΣREE and depletion in LREE indicate that the original magma was derived from a depleted mantle source. Compared with a primitive mantle, the geochemistry of the basalts from the Bingdaban area is featureded by depletion in Th, U, Nb, La, Ce and Pr, and unfractionated in HFS elements. The ratios of Zr/Nb, Nb/La, Hf/Ta, Th/Yb and Hf/Th are similar to those of the typical N-MORB. It can be interpreted that the basalts in the Bingdaban area were derived from a depleted mantle source, and formed in a matured mid-oceanic ridge setting during the matured evolutionary stage of the Northern Tianshan ocean. In comparison with the basalts, the diabases from the Bingdaban area show higher contents of Al2O3, ΣREE and HFS elements as well as unfractionated incompatible elements except Cs, Rb and Ba, and about 10 times the values of the primitive mantle. Thus, the diabases are thought to be derived from a primitive mantle and similar to the typical E-MORB. The diabases also have slight Nb depletion accompanying no apparent Th enrichment compared with N-MORB. From studies of the regional geology and all above evidence, it can be suggested that the diabases from the Bingdaban area were formed in the mid-oceanic ridge of the Northern Tianshan ocean during the initial spreading stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Turpan-Hami and Santanghu basins are the late Paleozoic-Mesozoic-Cenozoic reworked intracontinental basins that superposed on the folded basement of the Paleozoic orogenic belt. 40Ar/39Ar geochronological study of the basalts developed in the basins reveals that the formation period is Permain (293–266 Ma). From geochemical comparison of the basalts, the Santanghu basalts exhibit a strong depletion in Nb and Ta, and a selective enrichment in HFSE, reflecting that the source region is influenced by the subducted components related to subduction of the ancient oceanic crust and characterized with “lagged arc volcanic rocks”. In contrast, the Turpan-Hami basalts show a slight depletion in Nb and Ta, high Th/Ta ratio, similar to the basalts formed in an intracontinental extensional zone or in an initial rift. Combined with the formation period of the ophiolite and ophiolite mélange zones and regional magmatic activities occurring on the post-orogenic extensional background in northern Xinjiang, it can be inferred from these geochemical characteristics that the tectonic background for forming the Turpan-Hami and Santanghu basins is closely related to the regional extension after the continent-continent collisional orogeny. The basalts of the two basins came from different sources on the post-orogenic extensional background of the similar basin-forming dynamics. Although the settings are all intracontinental rift, the source for the Santanghu basalts is obviously subjected to the metasomatism of the subducted components, implying the existence of the previous subduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence and subduction of the eastern Mianlüe oceanic basin in the south Qinling belt are keys to understand the Qinling orogen. Based on geological mapping, several volcanic slices have been identified in Tumen, Zhoujiawan, Xiaofu and Yuantan areas, which distribute in the northern margin of the Dahong Mountains (DHM), and thrust into the Sanligang- Sanyang fault. These slices consist mainly of diabases, basaltic-andesitic lavas, pyroclastic rocks and a minor tuff. The geochemistry of the basalts, andesites, and diabases is characterized by depleting in Nb and Ta, enriching in Th and LILE (e.g.K, Rb, Ba), and undifferentiating in HFSE. These geochemical characteristics suggest that the original magma of these rocks was derived from a mantle wedge above a subduction zone, and formed in an island-arc setting in Carboniferous-early Triassic. Comparing with the ophiolites and island-arc volcanic rocks in Mianxian-Lüeyang area to the west, it is reasonable to consider that there had been an oceanic basin connecting with the Mianlüe ancient ocean to the westward, distributing along the south edge of the Tongbai-Dabie block. In view of the ophiolite in Huashan area and these island-arc volcanic rocks along the north of the Dahong Mountains, it is suggested that there had been a plate tectonic evolutionary history with oceanic basin rifting and subduction in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mianlüe tectonic zone (Mianlüe zone), an ancient suture zone in addition to the Shangdan suture in the Qinling-Dabie orogenic belt, marks an important tectonic division geologically separating north from south and connecting east with west in China continent. To determine present structural geometry and kinematics in the Mianlüe tectonic zone and to reconstruct the formation and evolution history involving plate subduction and collision in the Qinling-Dabie orogenic belt, through a multidisciplinary study, are significant for exploring the mountain-building orogenesis of the central orogenic system and the entire process of the major Chinese continental amalgamation during the Indosinian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematic studies of the ophiolites and associated volcanics stretching more than 1500 km from the Derni-Nanping-Pipasi-Kangxian area in the west to the Qingshuihe area of the south Dabie Mountains in the east indicate the existence of a suture zone (the Mianlüe suture) and a vanished paleo-ocean basin (the Mianlüe paleo-ocean basin) in the region. From west to east, ophiolitic mélange associations distribute discontinuously along the suture. Rock assemblages include ophiolite, island arc and oceanic island rock series. The Mianlüe paleo-ocean basin experienced its major formation and expending episode during the Carboniferous-Permian period. The finding of the suture zone and the paleo-ocean basin is tectonically significant in timing the collision between the North China-Qinling and Yangtze blocks and determining the formation and evolution of the Qinling orogenic belt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemistry of the basic volcanic rocks at the south margin of the Qinling orogenic belt (SMQOB) suggests that they were formed in an intraplate tectonic setting. The REE distribution patterns show these rocks are strongly enriched in LREE with high ΣREE, and their trace elements geochemistry is similar to that of continental flood basalt. All the above evidence suggests that the Caledonian basic volcanic rocks in the SMQOB were tholeiitic basalts formed in an intraplate spreading-initial rift tectonic setting. The characteristics of regional geology and geochemistry indicate that there was an intraplate spreading-rift tectonic setting between the South Qinling block and the Yangtze block in the Caledonian epoch. The dynamic spreading in this district began in the Early Caledonian and then the intraplate spreading-initial rifts were formed in the late Caledonian. As a result of spreading of the Tethys and geodynamic processes in deep mantle, the Mianlue-Huashan oceanic basin was formed between the Qinling block and the Yangtze block in Devonian, and the Qinling microplate was separated from the northern part of the Yangtze plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of the synthetic studies of geology and geochemistry, an ophiolitic tectonic melange waa discovered in Sanligang-Sanyang area, the western part of Xiangfan-Guangji fault, the south margin of the Qinling Orogenic Belt. It is composed of different tectonic blocks with different lithological features and ages, mainly including the Huashan ophiolite blocks, Xiaofu Island-arc volcanic blocks, pelagic sediments, fore-arc volcanic-sedimentary system, and the massif of the basement and the covering strata of the Yangtze Block. These massifs were emplaced in the western part of Xiangfan-Guangji fault, the boundary between the Qinling Orogenic Belt and Yangtze Block, contacting each other by a shear zone or chaotic matrix. The characteristics of geochemistry indicate that the bash of the Huashan ophiolite are similar to mid-oceanic ridge basalts (MORB) formed in an initial oceanic baain, and the Xiaofu volcanic rocks are formed in a tectonic setting of island arc. The ophiolitic tectonic melange is the fragments of subduction wedge, which implies that there has been an oceanic basin between Qinling Block and Yangtze Block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the geological significance of the basic dyke swarms in the Wudang block in China. Geochemical characterization by continental tholeiites; Samarium-neodymium age; Presence of an ancient continental block in the Proterozoic.

Focuses on a study of the Proterozoic copper metallogenic framework and geochemistry steep zone in central Yunnan Province, China. Use of lead isotopic mapping to distinguish the boundary of South China-Yangtze geochemical steep zone in central Yunnan Province; Various metallogenic backgrounds of the deposits in the zone; Conclusion.