Search

The transition of the geochemical signature in mafic rocks along the eastern Bangong–Nujiang suture in Tibet contains important information about geodynamic processes in the upper mantle. This study recognized two episodes of Early Jurassic gabbros from the Kaqiong terrane, a microblock within the Bangong–Nujiang suture zone. Early gabbros (ca. 197–191 Ma) appear as lenses in the basement complex and were overprinted by amphibolite/granulite-facies metamorphism at ca. 180 Ma. Later undeformed hornblende gabbros (ca. 177–175 Ma) occur as dikes intruding into the basement complex. The early metagabbros are characterized by arc-like geochemical features and enriched Nd-Hf isotopic compositions (whole rock ∑Nd(t) = –0.7 to +0.3; zircon ∑Hf(t) = –5.7 to –2.2), which suggests formation by partial melting of an enriched lithospheric mantle source. In contrast, the later hornblende gabbros have depleted Nd-Hf isotopic compositions (whole rock ∑Nd(t) = +6.1 to +7.1; zircon ∑Hf(t) = +10.7 to +16.8) and normal mid–oceanic–ridge basalt (N–MORB)-type rare earth element (REE) features. They also show variable enrichments of fluid mobile elements (e.g., Rb, U, Pb), indicative of the input of slab-derived fluids in their mantle source. Thus, the hornblende gabbros were most likely originated from the asthenospheric mantle metasomatized by subducted oceanic slab-derived fluids. The transition in geochemical and isotopic compositions of these mantle-derived magmas reveals a long-lasting lithosphere extension and thinning along the southern margin of the Qiangtang terrane in the Early Jurassic. Combined with geological observations, we propose that this transition has resulted from the southward rollback of the subducting Bangong–Nujiang Tethyan oceanic slab. The slab rollback could have initiated the overriding plate extension and the asthenosphere upwelling. Wider implications of this study are that an onset of slab rollback could be an important trigger for the transition of magmatic geochemistry in subduction zones.

High Ba-Sr granitoids occur in a number of tectonic settings, and variable petrogenetic models have been proposed. Those from post-collisional settings are rarely studied and are the focus of this study. Zircon U-Pb geochronology and whole-rock elemental and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic data are presented for a suite of high Ba-Sr granitoids from the southern margin of the Alxa block, NW China. U-Pb zircon dating shows that the Xijing high Ba-Sr granitoids were emplaced in two periods at ~440 Ma and ~410 Ma, and they are characterized by elevated Ba and Sr contents. The older ~440 Ma high Ba-Sr granitoids range from monzodiorite to quartz monzonite, and the younger ~410 Ma high Ba-Sr granites tend to be more evolved. Both suites have similar enriched Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic ratios, low Ba/Th and Sr/Th ratios, and high Th contents and Th/Ce ratios indicative of a sediment contribution. This is potentially linked to previous subduction of the North Qilian ocean slab. Major and trace element calculations suggest that the older ~440 Ma granitoids experienced up to ~60% fractionation at 4–6 kbar with a crystallizing assemblage dominated by amphibole and plagioclase. The younger ~410 Ma granites could in turn have been formed by a further 80% fractional crystallization at lower pressures (1–2 kbar). Trace element and Sr-Nd isotopic modeling suggest incorporation of ~5% slab-derived sediment into mantle magma source of these high Ba-Sr granitoids. We note that post-collisional granitoids with high Ba and Sr characteristics may also reflect a sediment contribution in their source region, and this may be a key aspect of why such granites plot in the field of post-collisional granites in the Rb vs Y + Nb diagram. Some sanukitoids with high Ba and Sr contents in the late Archean also appear to reflect sediment subduction and they hence may represent early stages of crustal recycling.

The southern margin of the Alxa Terrane is located between the North Qilian Orogenic Belt and the inner Alxa block, and Paleozoic mafic magmatism records the geodynamic evolution at different stages in the orogenic cycle. New zircon U−Pb ages and whole-rock geochemistry reveal three groups of mafic rocks in the southern margin of the Alxa block: (i) c. 480 Ma Xijing gabbros, characterized by high Ba/Th and low Th/La ratios with low eNd(t) (−5.7 to −4.9) values, implying their derivation from enriched mantle metasomatized by slab-derived fluids; (ii) c. 440 Ma Xijing and Jiling hornblende gabbros which have high Th/La and low Ba/Th ratios, suggesting that they were produced by partial melting of mantle modified by previously subducted sediments; (iii) c. 250 Ma Xijing pyroxenites, which are cumulates with relatively high eNd(t) (+5.2 to + 5.9), indicating that their host magmas were derived from relatively depleted mantle. Together with published results, these new data highlight that the c. 480 and c. 440 Ma mafic magmas were related to the northward subduction of the North Qilian oceanic slab and later post-collisional lithospheric delamination, respectively. The c. 250 Ma Xijing pyroxenites were related to younger lithospheric extension in the development of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt in the Alxa block. Supplementary material: Supplementary tables A1–A7 are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5287657

Neoproterozoic intrusions are widespread in the northwestern margin of the Yangtze Block, and their petrogenesis was closely related to the assembly and breakup of Rodinia supercontinent. A combined study of zircon U–Pb dating, geochemistry and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes was carried out for three types of intrusive rocks from the Hannan region, including the Beiba gabbros, the Tianpinghe and Taojiaba I-type granites and the Tiechuanshan and Huangguan A-type granites. LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating results show that the studied intrusions have crystallization ages ranging from ca. 880 to 770 Ma. The ca. 880 Ma Beiba gabbros have variable contents of MgO, Al2O3, Cr and Ni and extremely low high field strength elements (HFSE) concentrations that indicate a cumulate origin. These gabbros display subduction-related geochemical signatures with whole-rock initial 87Sr/86Sr (ISr) = 0.704–0.705, eNd(t) = −0.4 to +0.6 and zircon eHf(t) = +6.9 to +8.4, suggesting that they were derived from the partial melting of an enriched lithospheric mantle that had been modified by slab-derived materials. The ca. 860 Ma Tianpinghe I-type granites have high ISr (> 0.704) and negative eNd(t) (−5.6 to −3.5) values and zircon eHf(t) = −1.9 to +1.6, indicating their sources were mixtures of Neoproterozoic juvenile mafic crust and minor Paleoproterozoic crustal components, whereas the ca. 770 Ma Taojiaba I-type granites have relatively low ISr (

The role of the mantle in generating ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism and peraluminous S-type granites, and the extent of crust−mantle interaction are topics fundamental to our understanding of the Earth's evolution. In this study we present geochronological, geochemical, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data for dolerites and mafic volcanic rocks from the Darongshan granite complex belt in western Cathaysia, South China. LA–ICP–MS U–Pb zircon analyses yielded magma crystallization ages of ca. 250–248 Ma for the dolerites, which are coeval with eruption of the mafic volcanic rocks, ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism, and emplacement of S-type granites in the Darongshan granite complex belt. The mafic volcanic rocks are high-K calc-alkaline or shoshonitic, enriched in Th, U, and light rare earth elements, and depleted in Nb, Ta and Ti. The dolerites are characterized by high Fe2O3tot (11.61–20.39 wt%) and TiO2 (1.62–3.17 wt%), and low MgO (1.73–4.38 wt%), Cr (2.8–10.8 ppm) and Ni (2.5–11.4 ppm). Isotopically, the mafic volcanic rocks have negative whole-rock eNd(t) values (−6.7 to −9.0) and high ISr values (0.71232 to 0.71767), which are slightly depleted compared with the dolerite samples (eNd(t) = −10.3 to −10.4 and ISr = 0.71796 to 0.71923). Zircons in the dolerites have eHf(t) values of −7.6 to −10.9. The mafic volcanic rocks are interpreted to have resulted from the partial melting of an enriched lithospheric mantle source with minor crustal contamination during ascent, whereas the dolerites formed by late-stage crystallization of enriched lithospheric mantle-derived magmas after fractionation of olivine and pyroxene. The formation of these mantle-derived mafic rocks may be attributed to transtension along a NE-trending strike-slip fault zone that was related to oblique subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate beneath South China. Such underplated mafic magmas would provide sufficient heat for the generation of ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism and S-type granites, and act as a mafic end-member for S-type granite genesis.

This paper presents an integrated study of petrology, geochronology, and geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions for the Jishishan medium- and fine-grained diorites and the Bamishan gabbroic and quartz dioritic dykes from the eastern Qilian orogen, to address their petrogenesis and the lithospheric evolution of the Qilian orogen. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry U–Pb zircon analyses show that they formed at c. 472–432 Ma. Geochemical and isotopic data suggest that the Jishishan diorites were derived from amphibole-bearing garnet-facies lithospheric mantle metasomatized by slab-derived fluids, whereas the Bamishan gabbroic dyke was derived from phlogopite-bearing garnet-facies lithospheric mantle enriched by sediment-derived melts. The Bamishan quartz dioritic dykes are high-potassic calc-alkaline and were predominantly derived from mafic lower crust. Based on available data, we suggest that the Jishishan diorites were generated during northward subduction of the South Qilian oceanic slab, whereas the Bamishan mafic–intermediate dykes formed in a post-collisional setting related to slab break-off. Moreover, we propose an integrated model for the Early Paleozoic tectonomagmatic evolution of the eastern Central Qilian, in which fluid-induced mantle metasomatism and melting characterized the oceanic subduction stage, whereas melting of varied sources (including subducted oceanic crust and overlying sediments, sediment melt-modified lithospheric mantle and the continental crust) was involved at the post-collisional stage. Supplementary material: Analytical methods, whole-rock geochemical and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions and zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic data are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3975447

Post-collisional granitoids are widespread in the North Qilian and southern margin of the Alxa block and their petrogenesis can provide important insights into the lithospheric processes in a post-collisional setting. This paper carries out an integrated study of U-Pb zircon dating, geochemical and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic compositions for five early Paleozoic intrusive plutons from the North Qilian to southern margin of the Alxa block. The geochronological and geochemical results show that their magmatism can be divided into three periods with distinct geochemical features. The early-period intrusive rocks (~ 440 Ma) include the Lianhuashan (LHS) and Mengjiadawan (MJDW) granodiorites. Both of them display high Sr/Y ratios (52–91), coupled with low Y and HREE contents, implying that they were derived from partial melting of thickened lower crust, with garnet in the residue. The middle-period intrusive rocks (~ 430 Ma), including the MJDW quartz diorites and Yangqiandashan (YQDS) granodiorites, are high-K calc-alkaline with low Sr/Y values. The geochemical and isotopic data suggest that they are generated from partial melting of lower crust without garnet in the residue. The late-period intrusive rocks (414–422 Ma), represented by the Shengrongsi (SRS) and Xinkaigou (XKG) plutons, are A-type or alkali-feldspar granites. They are possibly derived from partial melting of felsic crustal material under lower pressure condition. Our data show decreasing magma crystallization ages from MJDW pluton in the north and LHS pluton in the south to the SRS and XKG plutons in the central part of the study area. We suggest that such spatial and temporal variations of magmatic suites were caused by lithospheric delamination after the collision between the Central Qilian and the Alxa block. A more plausible explanation is that the delamination propagated from the margin part of the thickened lithosphere to inward beneath the North Qilian and southern margin of the Alxa block.

The appinite–granite association has been found in various tectonic regimes related to recent subduction, arc-continent or continent–continent collision and post-collision (orogen), and appinites generally originate from recently subduction-modified lithospheric mantle. We conducted a study on a rarely reported appinite–granite association formed in an intracontinental regime, the Zhangjiafang–Qinglongshan complex (ZQC), in which the appinites were derived from an ancient sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM). The ZQC is located in the western Wugongshan domain, and consists of basaltic to intermediate appinites and granitoids. Ten dated samples (including massive and gneissoid granitoids, hornblende gabbro, and diorite) give zircon 206Pb/238U ages ranging from 444 ± 3 Ma to 452 ± 4 Ma, indicating that these various lithologies were emplaced synchronously. The basaltic appinites show radiogenic 87Sr/86Sri (0.71016–0.71431) and negative eNd(t) (− 6.1 to − 8.9) and zircon eHf(t) (− 4.2 to − 7.5) values. Combined with regional geological background, an origin from the Neoproterozoic metasomatised SCLM can be inferred for the appinites in the Wugongshan domain. The granitoids are peraluminous and almost high-K calc–alkaline to shoshonitic. They exhibit a wide range of isotopic compositions (87Sr/86Sri = 0.70828–0.71857, eNd(t) = − 6.2 to − 10.5, zircon eHf(t) = − 9.5 to − 26.6). Some of the granitoids display the most evolved Sr–Nd isotopic signatures among all the studied lithologies, which are consistent with those of the middle to upper crust, suggesting a pure crustal origin. Other granitoids show relatively mafic composition and less evolved isotopic signature. The intermediate appinites have intermediate chemical compositions between those of the basaltic appinites and granitoids, and similar Sr–Nd isotopic compositions to those of the basaltic appinites that have relatively evolved composition and isotopic signature. The petrographical and the geochemical studies, as well as magma mixing and mingling between mafic magma and felsic magma observed in field work, indicate that the ZQC was formed by several complex magmatic processes including assimilation and fractional crystallization (AFC) of a basaltic magma derived from an enriched mantle, magma mixing and mingling, fractional crystallization of a crust-derived felsic magma. The contribution of the Neopreoterozoic subduction-modified lithospheric mantle to the early Paleozoic granitoids in South China has been poorly constrained due to its evolved isotopic signatures (such as negative eNd(t) and eHf(t) values, high initial ratio of 87Sr/86Sr) and few studies on the early Paleozoic basaltic–felsic rock association. Our work here suggests that the Wugongshan appinite–granite association was formed in an intracontinental orogen, and the ancient enriched mantle may have had a significant chemical contribution to the formation of some of the Paleozoic peraluminous granites in South China.

Early Paleozoic peraluminous granites are abundant in the eastern part of the Qilian orogen, northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. A combined study involving geochronology, whole-rock geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions for three Early Paleozoic peraluminous granitic plutons (Jishishan, Ledu and Shichuan plutons) from the eastern Qilian orogen was carried out to evaluate the causes of chemical variations and generation mechanisms of peraluminous granitic magmas. These granitic plutons have magma crystallization ages of 455–427 Ma and are moderately to strongly peraluminous (A/CNK = 1.03–1.18). Geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data indicate that they consist substantially of crust-derived melts. The Jishishan and Ledu peraluminous granites were dominantly produced by partial melting of Precambrian orthogneisses. The Shichuan monzogranites, with low HREE contents (e.g., Yb = 0.80–1.83 ppm) and slightly negative eNd(t) (− 5.3 to − 2.3) and positive eHf(t) (+ 1.6 to + 3.4), could be derived from immature crustal materials. Relatively high average zircon saturation temperatures (> 750 °C for each pluton), obvious negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.28–0.80) and low Pb/Ba ratios (0.03–0.16) for the Jishishan, Ledu and Shichuan granites are consistent with crustal melting involving biotite breakdown under fluid-absent conditions. Our results suggest that compositional variations of moderately to strongly peraluminous granitic magmas are mainly controlled by source compositions and melting conditions, while the processes such as mixing with mantle-derived magma, fractional crystallization, restite unmixing and peritectic assemblage entrainment were insignificant (or only play secondary roles) in their genesis. Late Ordovician to Middle Silurian crustal anatexis in the eastern Central Qilian was probably linked with slab break-off which may be an important mechanism in addition to lithospheric delamination for the generation of moderately to strongly peraluminous granites in a post-collisional setting.

Early Paleogene granitoids in Southern Lhasa subterrane have been widely investigated and many petrogenesis and geodynamic models have been proposed in the past few years. However, contemporaneous granitoids in the Motuo tectono-magmatic belt, southeast Lhasa terrane, are still limitedly studied. Here we present the petrology, zircon U–Pb geochronology, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotope data of the Damu and 52 K quartz–monzonite in the Motuo area. LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon dating shows that they have magma crystallization ages of 49 and 69 Ma, respectively. The Damu quartz–monzonite (SiO2 = 63.76–68.33 wt.%) is high-K calc-alkaline (K2O = 2.54–4.02 wt.% with K2O/Na2O = 0.59–1.09) and metaluminous to weakly peraluminous (A/CNK = 0.99–1.07). The 52 K quartz–monzonite (SiO2 = 61.12–66.12 wt.%) shows slightly higher K2O contents (3.80–5.28 wt.% with K2O/Na2O = 1.03–1.45) and metaluminous series (A/CNK = 0.96–1.00). The analyzed samples are characterized by high Ba (850–2573 ppm), Sr (534–986 ppm) contents, and fractionated REE patterns ((La/Yb)N = 22–72 and (Sm/Yb)N = 4.55–8.24). These geochemical features are comparable with those of high Ba–Sr granite. They display weakly evolved Sr–Nd–Hf compositions (whole-rock (87Sr/86Sr)0 = 0.7068 to 0.7086, eNd(t) = − 4.20 to − 3.41, and zircon eHf(t) = − 5.2 to − 0.9). Geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data reflect that the Damu and 52 K quartz–monzonite represent residual magma from AFC processes of lithospheric mantle-derived mafic melts. The over-thickened lower crust in the eastern Lhasa terrane had been delaminated during ca. 83–70 Ma, which led to the replacement of ancient lithospheric mantle by the juvenile lithospheric mantle. The juvenile mantle wedge in the study area was suspected to be metasomatized by melts that were derived from the foundering arc root, rather than the subducted sediments. Thus, the early Paleogene high Ba–Sr magmas from the SE Lhasa terrane may provide evidence for recycling of continental lithosphere by density destruction.

Mafic intrusive rocks are widely exposed in the Motuo tectono-magmatic belt, southeast Lhasa terrane. LA–ICP-MS U–Pb zircon dating shows that they have magma crystallization ages of 69 and ca. 50 Ma. These mafic intrusive rocks are characterized by variable SiO 2 (44.60–57.60 wt.%), high Al 2 O 3 (17.19–20.86 wt.%), and low MgO (1.85–5.38 wt.%) with Mg# of 31–55. Their chemical composition is comparable with low-MgO high-Al basalts to basaltic andesites. They are enriched in LILEs (Rb, Ba, K) and LREE and depleted in HFSEs (Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, Ti), with weakly evolved Sr–Nd–Hf compositions (whole-rock ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) 0 = 0.7064 to 0.7086, e Nd ( t ) = − 3.41 to + 1.22, and zircon e Hf ( t ) = − 3.8 to + 6.4). The mafic rocks were derived from partial melting of metasomatized lithospheric mantle. Geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data show that they were insignificantly modified during magma emplacement. We provide a different secular evolution of the lithospheric mantle beneath the eastern part relative to the central part of the southern Lhasa terrane. Sr–Nd isotopic composition of the Motuo Late Cretaceous–Eocene mafic rocks argues that they were derived from partial melting of a relatively homogeneous and depleted lithospheric mantle. We propose that the Late Cretaceous delamination resulted in the replacement of ancient lithospheric mantle by the juvenile homogeneous lithospheric mantle in the eastern Lhasa terrane. The foundered ancient materials may subsequently re-fertilize the lithospheric mantle not only in the eastern Lhasa terrane but also in the surrounding areas.

The slab dynamic processes, such as roll-back during oceanic subduction and break-off during collision orogenesis, would affect the movement of mantle material and the interaction between crust and mantle, accompanied by significant amounts of magmatism. Providing accurate depictions for these processes are extremely difficult, especially in the case of ancient orogens. Here, we present an integrated study of petrology, geochronology, geochemistry and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes for Early Paleozoic granitoids from the Duojielaka, Ledu and Binglingsi plutons of the southeastern Qilian orogen. Our LA-ICP-MS U Pb zircon data show that these granitoids were emplaced at 476–432 Ma. The petrological and geochemical data suggest that the ~476 Ma Duojielaka porphyritic syenogranites formed by feldspar-dominated fractionation from relatively K-rich basaltic rock-derived adakitic parental magma. The ~454 Ma Duojielaka biotite monzogranites are highly fractionated I-type granites and were derived from basement orthogneisses mixed with minor mafic rocks. The Ledu fine- and medium-grained quartz diorites (~446 and ~452 Ma) are high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic and were produced by partial melting of relatively old K-rich mafic crust followed by minor mixing with mantle-derived magmas. The ~432 Ma Binglingsi biotite monzogranites with adakitic characteristics most likely originated by partial melting of thickened mafic lower crust. Based on the new data, in combination with previously published data, we suggest that the roll-back of the South Qilian oceanic slab occurred during the Middle Cambrian to early Middle Ordovician. The Duojielaka porphyritic syenogranites represented crustal anatexis in an arc front associated with slab roll-back. The Late Ordovician–early Middle Silurian intrusive rocks probably resulted from diachronous slab break-off in the post-collisional stage. The rocks record the opening of the break-off window from east to west and the gradual heat propagation from the central part to the southern and northern margins of the eastern Central Qilian due to the widening of break-off window and asthenospheric upwelling. We propose that complex geodynamic processes and their thermal effects can be traced by a comprehensive consideration of the petrogenetic, temporal and spatial evolution of related magmatism.

Porphyries, closely associated with the copper deposits worldwide, are usually considered to have high oxygen fugacity and high Sr/Y ratios. However, it is still ambiguous whether the high oxygen fugacity and the enrichment of chalcophile elements are inherited from magma source or obtained by magmatic processes, and the linkage between the high Sr/Y magmas and the formation of porphyry Cu deposits remains unclear. To address these issues, we performed an integrated study of zircon geochronology and oxygen fugacity, petrography, geochemical and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic compositions for the Shanyang porphyry groups at an intra-continental setting from the South Qinling Orogen, Central China. The Shanyang porphyries can be divided into six groups in terms of their spatial distribution with the crystallization ages ranging from ca. 152 to 140 Ma. They are characterized by high Sr and Ba contents, consistent with the geochemical features of high Ba-Sr granitoids. They show a continuous evolution trend from mafic to felsic samples and mafic samples have high Mg#, Cr, and Ni contents, indicating that they were evolved from mantle-derived basaltic magmas. Most samples display homogeneous ISr (0.704 to 0.706), eNd(t) (−6 to −1.5) and zircon eHf(t) (−4 to +2) values, suggesting that they were derived from an enriched lithospheric mantle with minor crustal contamination. Geochemical results suggest that they were generated by low degree melting of a heterogeneous lithospheric mantle at spinel facies that had been modified by previous slab-derived fluids. These porphyry bodies were derived from multiple magma reservoirs within their distinct plumbing systems and had undergone polybaric differentiation. With magma differentiation, the Shanyang porphyry magmas changed from an oxidized state (ΔFMQ +1 to +2) to a reduced state (ΔFMQ +1 to −0.5). The high (Dy/Yb)N ratios indicate crystallization of garnet had cryptically occurred in the deep crust, which induced sulfide saturation at an earlier stage. This process could result in the deficiency of chalcophile elements and elevate the oxygen fugacity in the residual melts from a relatively reduced parental mafic magma. Degassing in the shallow crust would lead to a decrease in the ƒO2 of the felsic magmas. Thus, some other processes, such as, re-melting of early formed sulfide and gas-brine reactions, are required to concentrate chalcophile elements in the felsic magmas. Our study implies that intra-crustal processes could play a more important role in the enrichment of chalcophile elements and that the oxygen fugacity of the magma system can change during magma evolution. The observations of the Shanyang porphyry groups are very helpful for understanding similar porphyry systems globally. We propose that porphyries worldwide formed in the thickened crust with long-lived magmatic hydrothermal systems in the shallower magma reservoirs are more prone to form porphyry Cu deposits.

Late Cretaceous (~ 106–76 Ma) adakite-like intrusive rocks in the middle-eastern Gangdese belt occur in an E–W trending belt paralleling the Indus–Yarlung suture, south Tibet. Their petrogenesis and geodynamic processes have been a subject of debate. We report here U–Pb zircon ages, geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data for adakite-like intrusive rocks as well as the normal arc rocks (gabbros and gabbroic diorites) in the middle Gangdese belt. LA-ICPMS U–Pb zircon analyses yielded an identical age of ~ 88 Ma for two adakite-like rocks, which are slightly younger than the gabbro and gabbroic diorite (ca. 94–90 Ma). Both the adakite-like rocks and the normal arc rocks have similar whole-rock Sr–Nd and zircon Hf isotope compositions, indicating that they have been derived from a common source. Similarly, the adakite-like and normal arc intrusive rocks in the eastern Gangdese belt also show similar Sr–Nd–Hf isotope compositions. In the middle-eastern Gangdese belt, the > 85 Ma Late Cretaceous intrusive rocks consist of a magma series from gabbro to granodiorite, including both normal arc rocks and adakite-like rocks. These rocks overlap in space and time that conform to a normal arc differentiation trend. In terms of major and trace elements, they also show a clear evolution from the normal arc magmatic into adakitic field. Thus, we suggest that these > 85 Ma Late Cretaceous intrusive rocks were ultimately derived from melting of the hydrated mantle wedge and the adakite-like rocks can be generated in normal arc magmas by amphibole-dominated fractionation. Taking into accounting for the spatial and temporal distribution of the Cretaceous magmatic rocks in the Lhasa terrane, we prefer a model of early Late Cretaceous rollback following Early Cretaceous low-angle oceanic slab subduction. At intermediate pressure and H2O-rich conditions, fractionation of amphibole changes the major and trace element compositions of arc magmas, and will efficiently drives basaltic composition to andesitic composition in arc magmas.

Voluminous Early Paleozoic intrusive rocks occur in the Qilian orogenic belt, northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Their petrogenesis can provide insights into the tectonic evolution of Qilian and its adjacent areas. This paper carries out an integrated study of U–Pb zircon dating, geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions for the Bamishan and Heishishan plutons in the eastern Qilian orogen. Both the Bamishan and Heishishan plutons consist of mafic, intermediate and felsic intrusive rocks. U–Pb zircon dating yielded the magma crystallization ages of 459–449 Ma for the Bamishan pluton and 447–438 Ma for the Heishishan pluton. Their geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data show that the parental magmas of the Bamishan monzogranites and quartz diorites were generated by slab (MORB and overlying sediments) melting. The Bamishan hornblende gabbros have extremely high Cr (1159–1163 ppm), Ni (220–353 ppm) and Mg# (73–74), indicating a cumulate origin. The Heishishan granodiorite–granite has adakitic geochemical signatures and they were produced by partial melting of the mafic lower crust. The Heishishan hornblende gabbro and quartz diorites were derived from the enriched lithospheric mantle metasomatized by subduction-related fluid/melt. In light of the available data, we propose that there was an Early Paleozoic ocean basin between the Central-South Qilian and Qaidam–West Qiling belts. The northward closure of this basin and subsequent continental collision and post-collisional processes resulted in the generation of the Early Paleozoic magmatism in the eastern Central Qilian. The Late Ordovician to Early Silurian (~ 460–440 Ma) intrusive rocks in the eastern Central Qilian formed in a post-collisional setting. A slab break-off model may account for the magma generation.

Whole-rock geochemistry, Sr–Nd isotope and zircon U–Pb isotope data are reported for seven granitoid intrusions from the eastern Lhasa terrane. Our zircon U–Pb data exhibit three periods of magmatism: 164–125 Ma, 83 Ma, and 71–45 Ma. Granitoids from the Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous (164–125 Ma) display evolved Nd isotope composition, with eNd(t) = − 8.6 to − 15.5 and T2DM = 1.6 to 2.2 Ga. In contrast, the Late Cretaceous (83 Ma) granitoids with adakitic characteristics (high Sr/Y ratios) display less evolved Nd isotopic composition, with eNd(t) = − 0.3 to − 3.0 and T2DM = 0.9 to 1.1 Ga. Geochemical and Sr–Nd isotopic data indicate that the Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous granitoids were derived from partial melting of Proterozoic crustal basement and the Late Cretaceous adakitic granitoids were derived from partial melting of over-thickened lower crust. Geochemical and Sr–Nd isotopic data of granitoids from the Latest Cretaceous to Eocene period (71–45 Ma) reveal that they result from diverse magma sources including both juvenile and reworked mature crustal materials. Our compilation of new and published data from the eastern Lhasa terrane show a marked variation in Sr/Y ratios and a step change in Sr–Nd isotope compositions during the Late Cretaceous. We suggest that the Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous granitoids resulted from the northward Neo-Tethyan ocean slab subduction. The increasing Sr/Y ratios from the Middle Jurassic to Late Cretaceous granitoids and northeastward migration of arc magmatism in the eastern Lhasa terrane during the interval ca. 125–95 Ma are attributed to the shallowing angle of subduction of the Neo-Tethyan ocean slab. The Late Cretaceous magmatism in the eastern Lhasa terrane probably resulted from the Neo-Tethyan mid-ocean ridge subduction and subsequent delamination of the arc root. The Latest Cretaceous to Eocene granitoids could be interpreted as a magmatic response to roll-back and/or break-off of the subducted Neo-Tethyan slab.

Understanding the processes of tectonic erosion and crustal relamination during continental collision has important implications for the growth and differentiation of the continental crust. The discrepancy in isotopic compositions between the pre- and syn-collision magmatic rocks from the Gangdese belt in south Tibet provides an opportunity for studying these processes during the India-Asian collision. The Nyingchi granites and Confluence hornblende gabbros from the eastern Gangdese belt have zircon U-Pb ages of ca. 50 Ma. The Nyingchi granites have high Sr/Y and (Dy/Yb)N ratios, indicating that the magma was generated under eclogite-facies conditions. Their Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic compositions require significant incorporation of ancient supracrustal materials from the Gangdese belt and the Indian continent. The Confluence hornblende gabbros display arc-like trace element patterns but have enriched Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic compositions compared with those from the Jurassic-Cretaceous arc magmatic rocks, indicating significant input of ancient components into their mantle sources. The occurrence of the Cenozoic felsic metamorphic rocks in the lower crust of the Gangdese belt allows us to propose that the Nyingchi high Sr/Y granites were derived from partial melting of relaminated crustal materials which were removed from the Gangdese belt by tectonic erosion and the subducted Indian continent. The Confluence gabbros were sourced from lithospheric mantle which was metasomatized by inputs from relaminated crustal materials derived from the Gangdese belt and the subducted Indian continent. The estimated tectonic erosion rate is 150–188 km3/km/my, indicating significant crustal loss occurred during continental collision. Our study demonstrates that tectonic erosion and crustal relamination play an important role in the refinement of the composition of continental crust during continental collision.

The Qinling–Dabie–Sulu orogenic belt is the junction between the North and South China blocks, which resulted from the final amalgamation of China continents during the Indosinian. Indosinian granitoids are widespread in the Qinling orogen, and their geneses can thus constrain the evolution of China continent. We carried out a combined U–Pb zircon dating and geochemical study for the Shuangpengxi granodiorite pluton and the Xiekeng diorite–granodiorite pluton in the middle part of the West Qinling orogen. U–Pb zircon dating shows that the magma crystallization ages of 242 ± 3 Ma for the Shuangpengxi pluton and ~244–242 Ma for the Xiekeng pluton. Geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions reveal that the magma of the Shuangpengxi granodiorite was derived from partial melting of crustal materials. The Xiekeng diorites can be divided into high-Al diorite and high-Mg diorite. Both of them resulted from partial melting of enriched lithospheric mantle, but their mantle source had been modified by previous slab-derived melt. The high-Al diorite was formed by fractional crystallization of olivine, pyroxene and/or preferential accumulation of plagioclase, and the high-Mg diorite was formed by fractional crystallization of olivine and/or preferential accumulation of pyroxene. The Xiekeng granodioritic porphyry was formed by mixing of crust-derived and mantle-derived melts. We propose that the Early Indosinian magmatism resulted from break-off of subducted oceanic slab after collision. The slab break-off model can well explain the linear distribution of the Early Indosinian plutons and rapid crustal uplift during the Middle Triassic in the West Qinling.