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There is general agreement that a series of East Asian blocks has always lain outboard of both India and Australia along the North Indo--Australie peripheral orogen. However, whether the East Asian blocks were involved in the interior orogens of East Gondwana remains equivocal. The geochronology and geochemistry of Neoproterozoic--Late Triassic rocks in the Russian Far East, together with existing paleontological and detrital zircon data, offer an opportunity to determine the tectonic origin and drift history of the Bureya--Jiamusi--Khanka superterrane. Biotite and amphibole 40Ar/39Ar dating results define a distinctive episode of Late Pan-African (ca. 550 Ma) metamorphism and a local Late Triassic (ca. 219-200 Ma) episode of deformation for the Bureya--Jiamusi--Khanka superterrane. Zircon U--Pb ages and whole-rock geochemical data indicate that the Early Ordovician (483 ± 3 Ma) highly fractionated I-type monzogranites were emplaced in a post-collisional setting linked to the collapse of a Late Pan-African orogen, while the Late Triassic (ca. 234-223 Ma) A-type quartz syenites and I-type granite aplite dikes were formed in a slabpull--induced passive continental margin of the subducting Mudanjiang oceanic plate. These crucial archives, complemented by data from the literature, reveal that the Bureya--Jiamusi--Khanka superterrane made up the northernmost Kuunga-Pinjarra interior orogen during the final assembly of East Gondwana. As a result of Devonian rifting after Early Ordovician orogen collapse, the Bureya--Jiamusi--Khanka superterrane escaped from the Kuunga-Pinjarra interior orogen and subsequently migrated to Northeast Asia by the Late Triassic to Jurassic due to the subduction and closure of the Paleo-Tethys and Paleo-Pacific oceans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The termination of the Paleo-Asian Ocean, including duration and architecture, is controversial and has led to different reconstructions of the Central Asian orogenic belt. Deep-marine turbidites are of great significance in constraining the evolution of the oceanic basin. The youngest marine turbidites in the Beishan orogen in the central part of the southern Central Asian orogenic belt are separated by the Liuyuan mélange into two sections, the South turbidites and North turbidites. Detrital zircon grains from South turbidites yielded a maximum depositional age of 255 Ma. Those from North turbidites yielded a maximum depositional age of 254 Ma. Most of the Precambrian zircons of South turbidites have concentrated εHf(t) values (-6 to -2.6), whereas those of North turbidites range from -12.6 to +10.4, indicating different provenances. The North turbidites also have more positive whole-rock εNd(t) values (-0.5 to +1.1) than the South turbidites (-4.2 to -2.4), suggesting more juvenile or less evolved crustal components in the source. Detailed comparison of the detrital zircon ages and Hf-Nd isotopic characteristics with igneous and metamorphic rocks in the south Beishan area distinguishes two sources. These findings constrain the Liuyuan suture as the latest suture in the Beishan region, occurring no earlier than 254 Ma. The youngest peak age of detrital zircons of the youngest marine sedimentary rocks in the southern Central Asian orogenic belt becomes younger eastward from 288 Ma to 247 Ma, characterizing the closure duration of the Paleo-Asian Ocean from west to east in ~40 m.y. This study finds that the youngest turbidites in the Beishan orogen not only record sedimentary processes in response to the final episode of orogenic evolution in the southern Central Asian orogenic belt, but they also constrain how and when an archipelago-type accretionary orogen terminated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Situated in the heart of the Indonesian archipelago, Sulawesi records well-developed Cenozoic magmatism, yet its Cretaceous magmatic evolution remains enigmatic. Here, we report new U-Pb-Hf isotopic data of detrital zircons from West Sulawesi, Indonesia to constrain its Cretaceous to Eocene magmatic tempo. Detrital zircons aged at ca. 105-80 Ma and ca. 70-45 Ma occur as the most dominant age populations and show high positive εHf(t) values, indicating derivation from juvenile sources with limited continental crustal contamination. Our new data, combined with available results, support the existence of an Andean-type continental margin in West Sulawesi during mid-Cretaceous to early Eocene times. Importantly, the magmatic tempo of West Sulawesi is also consistent with those of southern Lhasa (Tibet) and Sumatra (Indonesia), but contrasts with those of Paleo-Pacific subduction-related arcs in SE China, SE Vietnam, East Malaysia, and NW Borneo. Therefore, we put forward that West Sulawesi may be the southeasternmost component of the Neo-Tethyan arc system that spreads over 7500 km, from southern Tibet to SE Sundaland. Such a huge arc system with concurrent magmatic flare-ups and lulls in South Asia may have played a significant role in global-scale plate reorganization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arc-arc amalgamation occurs during the evolution of composite orogens at convergent plate margins and plays a critical role in controlling accretionary patterns and processes. The eastern Junggar terrane in the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt underwent a long-lived subduction-accretion process in the Paleozoic, but whether and how the Yemaquan and Dananhu-Harlik arcs were amalgamated remain debatable. A systematic U-Pb-Hf-O isotopic study was conducted on zircons from Silurian granitic rocks in the Yemaquan arc. The U-Pb dating results suggest that these rocks were emplaced at 433-422 Ma and inherited abundant 536-435 Ma zircons representing a predominant magmatic episode in the Yemaquan arc. Their positive εHf(t) values and young Hf model ages indicate that the Yemaquan arc is dominated by juvenile basement with significant crustal growth during the Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic. The variations in zircon Eu/Eu*, εHf(t), and δ18O values reveal that the Yemaquan arc experienced remarkable crustal thickening and remobilization at ca. 450 Ma, similar to the northern Dananhu-Harlik arc, and this was followed by extension that initiated at ca. 420 Ma. These features support the amalgamation of these two arcs occurring ca. 450-420 Ma. Integrated with regional data, we correlated this amalgamation event in the eastern Junggar terrane with the orogenic event in the Chinese Altai terrane, and we propose a middle Paleozoic tectonic evolution model in the eastern Junggar-Altai area from arc assembly to dispersal in association with a transition in accretionary mode. This scenario probably took place as a response to plate reorganization during the breakup of the northern margin of Gondwana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Permian Akiyoshi Belt, which is the oldest unmetamorphosed accretionary complex in Southwest Japan, plays an important role in understanding the origin of the Japanese Islands; however, its tectonic affinity is still not well constrained. Herein, we present the first Hf isotopic data for U–Pb dated detrital zircons of the Late Permian sandstones in the Akiyoshi Belt. Almost all the late Palaeozoic detrital zircons yielded highly positive ɛHf (t) values compatible with a juvenile source, suggesting that the major provenance of the trench sediments was from the South China block and not from the Bureya‐Jiamusi‐Khanka massif. We propose that in the late Palaeozoic, a block of juvenile lower crust existed outboard of the South China block, and it was being melted during the westward subduction of the Palaeo‐Pacific oceanic plate to produce voluminous volcanic and plutonic rocks with positive ɛHf (t) values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present integrated in situ zircon U–Pb and Hf isotope data, along with whole‐rock and mineral chemistry data for the Salari granite of western Arunachal Himalaya to constrain its emplacement age, origin, and geodynamic evolution. The investigated Salari granites are high Fe2O3, CaO, and Nb, and low SiO2 and Rb/Sr ratio with fractionated rare earth element patterns ((Ce/Yb)N = 9.90–20.24) and minor negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.69–0.94). They are metaluminous (molar A/CNK = 0.93–1.07) and have relatively similar FeOt/MgO ratio in biotite (1.58–1.60) to Mg‐biotite, indicating their affinity with I‐type granites. The enrichment of large‐ion lithophile elements with highly depleted negative Nb anomalies is consistent with their origin in a subduction‐related environment. Our zircon U–Pb ages suggest that the magmatic emplacement of the Salari granite took place between 1,791 and 1,768 Ma. The zircon grains have mostly negative εHf(t) values up to −5.5 and yield crustal Hf model ages from 2.4 to 2.8 Ga, suggesting the occurrence of a major crustal growth event in the Neoarchean and re‐melting of the crust during the Palaeoproterozoic. Our new results, that is, zircon U–Pb age and Hf isotope data, in conjunction with the field observations and petro‐mineralogical and geochemical characteristics, suggest that the Salari granite of eastern Himalaya was produced by partial melting of older metabasaltic/metatonalitic rocks in a continental arc setting of the supercontinent Columbia during the Palaeoproterozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LA-ICP-MS U–Pb and Hf isotope analysis was conducted on zircons from the metamorphic unit of Omo Formation and a granodorite body of Tokunoshima in the Amami Islands, Southwest Japan. Zircons from dioritic gneiss (S9, S46) and pelitic schist (S99) yielded Paleoproterozoic upper intercept and Early Jurassic lower intercept ages. The positive εHf(t) values of the Paleoproterozoic zircons (between +12.7 and 0.8) and the negative εHf(t) values of the Jurassic zircons (−19.6 and −22.8) indicate Early Jurassic reworking of the older continental crust. The results suggest that the Omo Formation is an eastern equivalent of Cathaysia of the South China block. Zircons from granodiorite (S62) yielded a 206Pb/238U mean age of 61.3 ± 1.0 Ma with positive εHf(t) values of +12.0 and +12.6. The εHf(t) values indicate juvenile magmatic activity, which is correlated with that in the San-in batholith belt of Southwest Japan. Dioritic gneiss (S30) and psammitic schist (P91) yielded zircon U–Pb ages comparable to that of granodiorite (S62) with positive εHf(t) values (from +6.4 to +10.4). This suggests that the intrusion of the granodiorite induced the crystallization of zircon grains in the host rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incremental accretion of continental fragments from East Gondwana to Eurasia resulted in the growth of Asia and rise of the Tibetan Plateau, yet its detailed evolution remains uncertain. Argoland, a continental fragment that rifted from NW Australia during the Late Jurassic, played a key role in the initial opening of the Indian Ocean and the evolution of eastern Tethys. However, its present identity remains elusive, with East Java-West Sulawesi currently assumed to be the most likely option. To constrain the missing Argoland and its role in India-Asia convergence, we report new detrital zircon data from Sulawesi, Indonesia, and West Burma, Myanmar, and synthesize literature results from relevant regions in Southeast Asia, which (>15,000) reveal age profiles of West Sulawesi, the central Sulawesi metamorphic belt, and southeast Borneo comparable to that of Bird's Head, New Guinea, whereas age patterns of West Burma and East/West Java are similar to those of NW Australia. Notably, the most dominant age populations in NW Australia are rarely detected in Sulawesi and Borneo. These observations, combined with previous geological records and recent paleomagnetic data, suggest that West Burma is the mysterious Argoland, opposing the currently favored East Java-West Sulawesi model, with East Java and West Sulawesi probably having originated from NW Australia and Bird's Head, respectively. We estimate an average northward motion of ~6-8 cm/yr for West Burma, which split from NW Australia to approach the equator during ca. 155-95 Ma, shedding new light on the reconstruction and breakup of northern East Gondwana, progressive building of Southeast Asia, and India-Asia convergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jehol Biota comprises significant fossils that help to elucidate the evolution of Early Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems. In this paper, we provide three new zircon U Pb age constraints (124.3 ± 1.5 Ma, 124.9 ± 1.6 Ma, and 121.5 ± 1.4 Ma) from the base to the top of the Jiufengshan Formation (Xinganling Group) at the Naketa section in the north Great Xing'an Range of eastern Inner Mongolia, China, within a succession that contains the typical Eosestheria - Ephemeropsis trisetalis - Lycoptera davidi (EEL) assemblage of the Jehol Biota. Combined biostratigraphic and radio-isotopic dating suggests that the Jiufengshan Formation in the Naketa section corresponds to the upper part of the Yixian Formation and the lower part of the Jiufotang Formation, making it Barremian to earliest Aptian in age. Our findings allow us to test a widely accepted hypothesis about the migration and radiation of the Jehol Biota, and show that these organisms preserved within the lower part of the Jiufengshan Formation reached the Naketa area during the second and third evolutionary stages. The preservation of Jehol elements in the Naketa section provides valuable clues regarding the evolutionary history of the Jehol Biota and its spatiotemporal development. Furthermore, our study allows us to explore possible links between evolutionary processes and concurrent tectonism in the North China Craton, as the timing of this Jehol migration occurred when the tectonic setting changed from a compressional to an extensional regime. • We provide detailed fossil records and robust age for the far north Jehol outcrop. • This study refutes the widely accepted model for the Jehol migration. • Our results test the link between biological radiation and tectonic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A positive Ce- and negative Eu-anomaly in zircons from the 750 Ma granites suggest fractional crystallization. • Positive εHf(t) values (+5–+14) and T DM model age (1119 to 736 Ma) of zircons indicate juvenile crust with no reworked crust. • Whole-rock major and trace element data from granites and zircon geochemistry indicate within-plate A-type granitic rift-related magmatism. We investigated zircons from the Nagar Parkar Igneous Complex (NPIC) Gray and Pink granites for hafnium isotope and trace elements geochemistry to elucidate their petrogenetic source and tectonic setting. The studied zircons are characterized by oscillatory zoning, contain micro-inclusions of apatite, monazite, xenotime, and plagioclase. Rare-earth elements of the Neoproterozoic (ca. 750 Ma) zircons are characterized by a positive slope from La to Lu, exhibit distinct positive Ce- and negative Eu-anomalies that suggest their crystallization in magma that was fractionating plagioclase. The relatively smaller but variable Ce/Ce* N ratios (2–62), smaller Eu/Eu* N (0.01 to 0.45), and comparatively higher Th/U ratios (>0.30, reaching up to 3.20) affirm their derivation mainly from the continental crustal type magmas. The εHf(t) values of zircons in Gray and Pink granites range from +5.7 to +14.4 and +1.9 to +10.7, respectively, indicate their derivation from a juvenile crust and the absence of negative εHf(t) values point towards non-involvement of the older or reworked material during the crustal growth. The T DM model ages, calculated from the Hf isotope values of zircons, spread between 1119 and 736 Ma for Gray and 1013 and 900 Ma in Pink granites, further opine their derivation from a comparatively young and juvenile crust. Crystallization temperatures, estimated from the titanium content in zircon and zircon-saturation in whole-rock, range from 631 to 905 °C and 784 to 918 °C, respectively, show consistent results for the crystallization conditions of most granitic melts. Whole-rock major and trace element data, combined with zircon Hf isotope and trace elements geochemistry suggest within-plate A-type granitic magma that likely generated in a rift-related tectonic setting that persisted along the western margin of Rodinia during the Neoproterozoic era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cenozoic magmatism occurs throughout West Sulawesi, Indonesia, yet its detailed evolution remains enigmatic due mainly to the scarcity of precise dating. Here, we report new whole-rock geochemical and zircon UPb- Hf isotopic data of plutonic/volcanic rocks and river sediments from West Sulawesi to constrain the petrogenesis and magmatic tempo. The magmatic rocks are intermediate to felsic (SiO2 = 58.1-68.0 wt%), high-K calcalkaline to shoshonitic (K2O = 2.2-6.0 wt%), metaluminous to weakly peraluminous, and I-type in composition. Trace element concentrations and ratios (e.g., Nb/U = 1.7-4.3 and Ti/Zr < 28), along with negative zircon eHf(t) values (-17.0 to -0.4) and old crustal model ages (TDM C = 2.1-1.1 Ga), indicate a dominant magma source region from the underlying continental crystalline basement. U-Pb dating on zircons from ten magmatic rocks yielded weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages of 7.2- 6.1 Ma, best representing the crystallization ages of host magmas, further consistent with the prominent age peaks (7.3-6.3 Ma) defined by detrital zircons from four sedimentary samples. Our new data, combined with available results, allow the identification of a noticeable climax of magmatism (flare-up) at ca. 7-6 Ma, forming a continuous magmatic belt throughout West Sulawesi. Given the absence of contemporaneous subduction and the coincidence of incipient opening of the South Banda Basin during ca. 7.15-6.5 Ma, the Late Miocene magmatic flare-up in West Sulawesi and coeval regional extension in eastern Indonesia are attributed to a resumed episode of Banda slab rollback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior to the collision of India with Asia, the evolution of island arcs and resultant crustal formation in the now-disrupted easternmost Tethys are poorly constrained. Here, we report for the first time zircon U-Pb and Hf isotopic data from Mesozoic granitoids in Sumatra, Indonesia. Our analyses identified three magmatic episodes at 214-201 Ma, 148-143 Ma, and 102-84 Ma, respectively, with a drastic change in magmatic zircon εHf(t) values from -13.1 to +17.7 in the Late Triassic granitoids, which reveals a fundamental restructuring of the arc system in Sumatra. Subsequently, all Jurassic to Late Cretaceous granitoids have exclusively positive zircon εHf(t) values (+17.7 to +10.2), consistent with juvenile arc development owing to subduction of the easternmost Tethyan lithosphere beneath Sumatra. Such highly positive zircon εHf(t) values of the Sumatran granitoids, in general accordance with those of the Gangdese arc system in South Asia, are markedly higher than those (+13.7 to -14.7) of broadly contemporaneous Cordilleran arcs in Americas and Zealandia. Our findings from the easternmost Tethys provide new insights into not only the tectono-magmatic evolution of eastern Tethys, but also its crucial role in global juvenile crustal growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Taiwan's Central Range mountains, fundamental constraints on depositional ages and the timing of deformation and metamorphism remain a problematic issue preventing a consensual chronology of orogenic events to be established. In this contribution, we report detrital zircon U-Pb detrital ages for the Chulai Formation, the easternmost strip of metamorphic sediments depositionally overlying the metamorphic, high-pressure Yuli belt. We demonstrate that the maximum depositional age of this unit is 11.2 ± 0.2 Ma (Upper Miocene, Tortonian), making it the youngest pervasively deformed and metamorphosed unit of the Central Range. Detrital zircon ages suggest an almost exclusively continental origin of the sediments similar to the Yuli belt's matrix detrital age zircon spectra. Sedimentary relationships and structural considerations indicate that the Chulai Formation underwent essentially the same deformation history as the underlying Yuli belt, and thus the maximum depositional age of 11.2 ± 0.2 Ma is interpreted as the upper limit for the start of pervasive deformation of the eastern Central Range geological units. When considering the existing geochronological constraints on the metamorphism, we argue that the timing for the Cenozoic metamorphism of the Taiwan orogen is likely to be ~6 - 8 Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

U-Pb-Hf isotopes of zircons from the granitic intrusive rocks in the Iwakuni area of Southwest Japan are determined by LA-ICP-MS analysis. The Gamano Granodiorite belonging to the Older Ryoke Granites of the Ryoke Belt yielded U-Pb mean age of 92.3 ± 2.6 Ma (MSWD = 1.8). The Namera Granite belonging to the Younger Ryoke Granites of the Ryoke Belt yielded U-Pb mean age of 106.3 ± 1.6 Ma (MSWD = 2.3). The Shimokuhara Granite belonging to the Hiroshima Granites of the San-yo Belt yielded U-Pb mean age of 103.8 ± 1.5 Ma (MSWD = 0.32). A granite porphyry sample taken from about 15 m thick dike discordantly intruded into pelitic schist of the Ryoke metamorphic rocks yielded U-Pb mean age of 92.5 ± 1.6 Ma (MSWD = 0.63). Hf isotope data, obtained from the same dated zircon grains, show initial 176Hf/177Hf isotopic ratios referred to as "εHf(t)" generally ranging between–4.8 and +1.1 except an anomalously low value (–15.0) from an inherited core. The εHf(t) values, calculated with average crustal 176Lu/177Hf ratio of 0.015, correspond to Hf isotope crustal model ages between 1474 to 1087 Ma (Mesoproterozoic). The Gamano Graodiorite has long been regarded to be a syn-tectonic intrusion, but the zircon ages and εHf(t) values are similar to those of the post-tectonic granite porphyry dike. The results of this study together with available U-Pb zircon ages of granitic rocks in the Iwakuni area reported elsewhere reveal that the order of emplacement indicated by the U-Pb zircon ages are much discrepant with the traditional classification, the Older Ryoke, the Younger Ryoke. It is better to refrain from the use of "Older" and "Younger" for the collective names of the granitic intrusive bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The Mahé and Praslin granites from the Seychelles microcontinent are 750–760 Ma. • There are two main populations of inherited zircons at ~810 Ma and ~780 Ma. • The isotopic dichotomy within the Seychelles microcontinent can be traced to ~840 Ma. • The granites were generated by fractional crystallization of mafic magma. • The Seychelles granites were emplaced during post-collisional extension. The Seychelles microcontinent is located in the western Indian Ocean and is exposed as a series of granitic islands. The Main Islands of the Seychelles consist of the Mahé and Praslin granite groups. They are characterized as ferroan, metaluminous to peraluminous, alkali-calcic to calc-alkalic, and resemble post-collisional A-type granite but have distinct Sr-Nd-Pb-O isotopic compositions. Previous studies showed that the granites and syn-plutonic dolerites were emplacement at 760–750 Ma, although rocks from Île aux Récifs yielded an older age (808.8 ± 1.9 Ma). New in situ zircon U-Pb geochronology of granites from northern Mahé (751.9 ± 4.6 Ma, 755.5 ± 5.8 Ma, 756.2 ± 7.7 Ma) and western Praslin (757 ± 11 Ma, 753.0 ± 7.5 Ma, 751.3 ± 5.8 Ma) yielded weighted-mean 206Pb/238U ages similar to previous studies but a significant amount of inherited zircon was identified with ages ranging from ~880 Ma to ~770 Ma. The weighted-mean 206Pb/238U ages of the principal inherited zircon populations from the Mahé (777.5 ± 5.7 Ma, 807.7 ± 7.7 Ma) granites are within uncertainty of those identified from the Praslin (777.5 ± 6.5 Ma, 814 ± 13 Ma) granites indicating there was an older period of magmatism within the Seychelles microcontinent. The Hf isotopic data of the magmatic and inherited zircons from the Mahé granite are generally more depleted (ε Hf (t) = +6.7 to +13.2) and have younger model ages (T DM2 = 902 Ma to 1219 Ma) than those from the Praslin granite (ε Hf (t) = +2.2 to +10.9, T DM2 = 986 to 1524 Ma). The differences between the zircon Hf isotopes from the Mahé and Praslin granites is consistent with other isotopic systems and indicates that the isotopic dichotomy is an intrinsic feature of the Seychelles microcontinent that extends back to at least ~840 Ma and possibly to the Mesoproterozoic (1000 Ma to 1400 Ma). It is likely that the Mahé and Praslin granites were emplaced during a period of post-collisional extension/crustal relaxation and that the older inherited zircons are derived from rocks that record an earlier period of magmatism that was likely subduction-related. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report Permian (ca. 272 Ma ±5.4 Ma) felsic dykes that intrude into the Neoproterozoic (ca. 750 Ma) magmatic suite of the Nagar Parkar Igneous Complex (NPIC), the western extension of the Malani Igneous Suite (MIS). The NPIC consists of Neoproterozoic basement amphibolites and granites (riebeckite–aegirine gray granites and the biotite–hornblende pink granites), all of which are intruded by several generations of mafic and felsic dykes. Granitic magmatism occurred in the Late Neoproterozoic (ca. 750 Ma) due to the subduction‐, followed by the rift‐related tectonic regime during the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent. U–Th–Pb zircon and monazite CHIME age data of 700–800 Ma from the earlier generation porphyritic felsic dykes suggest the dyke intrusion was coeval or soon after the emplacement of the host granites. Our findings of Permian age orthophyric felsic dykes provide new insights for the prevalence of active tectonics in the MIS during late Paleozoic. Textural features and geochemistry also make the orthophyric dykes distinct from the early‐formed porphyritic dykes and the host granites. Our newly obtained age data combined with geochemistry, suggest the existence of magmatism along the western margin of India (peri‐Gondwana margin) during Permian. Like elsewhere in the region, the Permian magmatism in the NPIC could be associated with the rifting of the Cimmerian micro‐continents from the Gondwana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magmatic arcs typically exhibit non-steady-state evolution with episodic flare-ups and lulls, yet the main drivers remain contentious. Situated in the southwest margin of Southeast Asia, Sumatra records a long-lived magmatic arc that is still poorly constrained in age and tempo. Detrital zircon data from Sumatra delineate major arc magmatic pulses at ca. 212, 102-85, 52, and 22-11 Ma. The mid-Cretaceous to early Eocene zircons mostly yield high positive εHf(t) values, indicating magma derivation from juvenile sources and matching well with those of the Gangdese batholiths in the southern Lhasa terrane. These similarities substantiate an extended (~6000 km) Neo-Tethyan arc system from southern Tibet to Sumatra that exhibits concurrent magmatic lulls (ca. 150-105 and 85-65 Ma) and flare-ups (ca. 105-85 and 65-40 Ma). The Late Cretaceous magmatic lull coincided with a period of strong regional deformation and increasingly fast northward drift of India, likely attributable to Neo-Tethyan flat slab subduction. Periodic pulses of Neo-Tethyan arc magmatism most likely correlated with repeated steepening and shallowing of slab dip, rather than India-Eurasia convergence rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Metasedimentary sequences of the enigmatic South Muya block (southern Siberia) were studied for geochemistry and U-Pb-Hf-Nd isotopes. • The precursor sediments were derived from the Tonian continental arc with at least Paleoproterozoic basement and were not related to evolution of the Paleoasian Ocean. • The provenance of the Muya terrane sediments show strong affinity to Gondwana-related continents (South China). • Two high-grade accretion-related metamorphic stages (764–754 Ma and 622–608 Ma) are distinguished based on zircon U-Pb-Hf systematics. Abstract High-grade metasedimentary rocks of the South Muya block (Baikal-Muya Foldbelt) have been studied with respect to whole-rock elemental and Nd isotopic compositions, as well as the U-Pb and Lu-Hf systematics of detrital zircon and in-situ grown metamorphic grains in order to reveal the initial source provenance for sedimentation and the age of major metamorphic modification. Based predominantly on trace-elemental compositions, the sedimentary protolith is most likely a poorly sorted and immature greywacke, such as those formed in island arc or active continental margin settings. The island arc-related chemical signature coupled with zircon U-Pb age data supports a Neoproterozoic (>760 Ma) sedimentation age, whereas Nd-Hf isotope data of precursor sediments are linked to a relatively immature Tonian (∼940–780 Ma) continental arc involving Paleoproterozoic crustal basement. The limited provenance information and metamorphic history of the Muya block suggests it was exotic to Siberia and originally related to another continent, e.g. – subduction-accretion complexes of South China. The polyphase metasediments experienced high-grade metamorphism in the Tonian during the 764–754 Ma arc accretion to an enigmatic continental block and then in the Ediacaran during the 622–608 Ma accretion of the Baikal-Muya belt to the arc situated at the southern Siberia margin. Metamorphic overprinting during the introduction of supracrustal rocks to deeper-crustal levels led to protracted recrystallization of primary igneous zircon population and growth of new granulite-facies grains that did not involve notable juvenile input. Tonian sedimentary provenance and two metamorphic events suggest a protracted evolution for the Baikal-Muya belt associated with the formation of precursor complexes beyond the southern margin of Siberia and their later accretion to Late Cryogenian – Ediacarian arc complexes of the southern Siberian, which proceeded only after the opening of the Paleoasian Ocean (670–630 Ma). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence of Early Palaeozoic volcanism in Peninsular Malaysia is largely represented by felsic Gerik- Dinding meta-volcanic rocks; however, reliable absolute ages for the meta-volcanic rocks are still lacking. This restricts correlation of these meta-volcanic rocks with other Early Palaeozoic East Gondwana Proto- Tethys margin tectonic elements identified in the evolution of Southeast Asia. Here, we report petrographic data and zircon U-Pb age of the Gerik-Dinding metavolcanic rocks. Zircons from three Gerik-Dinding meta-volcanic rock samples yield Early to Middle Ordovician weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages between 480 and 460 Ma. The formation age of the meta-volcanic rocks coincides with the post-collision stage from the final amalgamation of Asian micro-continental fragments with the East Gondwana Proto-Tethys margin. Tectonic processes such as lithospheric delamination during the post-collision period could have induced the hot asthenosphere to underplate the continental crust and trigger crustal anatexis. With these findings, the Early Palaeozoic tectonic history of Peninsular Malaysia needs careful review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Magmatism in northern Taiwan started from ∼3 Ma. • Keelungyu erupted ∼0.4 Ma as part of the Tatun Volcano Group (TVG). • The TVG landscape was mainly shaped <0.8 Ma, particularly ≤0.35 Ma. Abstract The initiation and duration of magmatism in the Tatun Volcano Group (TVG), likely resulting from extensional collapse of the northern Taiwan mountain belt, remains an important issue of debates in the Taiwan orogeny. Here we report a detailed study of U-Pb ages determined by SIMS and LA-ICPMS, together with Hf isotopic data, of zircon separates from a total of 22 extrusive rocks from the TVG lava flow and additional two andesites from Keelungyu (KLY), a volcanic islet off NE Taiwan. Magmatic zircons from the TVG are characterized by uniform and high Hf isotopic ratios, with ε Hf (T) mostly from +20 to +10. Their overall 206Pb/238U ages suggest that the TVG magmatism was initiated ∼3 Ma but more active ≤0.8 Ma with a flare up ≤0.35 Ma. Magmatic zircons from the two KLY samples reveal identical 206Pb/238U ages (0.41 Ma), coupled with Hf isotopes [ε Hf (T): +25 to +9] comparable to those of the TVG. Thus, KLY is proposed as part of the TVG. Consequently, we argue that the main body of the TVG formed ≤0.8 Ma by post-collisional volcanism, but the mechanism resulting in the magmatic episodes ≥1.0 Ma remains obscure due to the scarcity of rock exposures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete volcanic sequences restored in the Coastal Range of Taiwan are key archives for better understanding the magmatic and tectonic evolution of the Northern Luzon Arc. This paper reports (1) new zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotopic data of fourteen volcanic samples from different sequences of four major volcanoes in the Coastal Range, (2) Hf isotopic data of dated magmatic and detrital zircons from two offshore volcanic islands, Lutao and Lanyu. These data indicate that the arc magmatism in the Coastal Range started at ~15 Ma, most active at ~9 Ma, and ceased at ~4.2 Ma. Magmatic zircons from the arc rocks show a significant variation in Hf isotopic composition, with eHf(T) values varying from +24.9 to +4.8. As pointed out by our previous studies, old continental zircons that show Cathaysian-type ages and Hf isotope features are common in samples from the Yuemei, Chimei, and Lanyu volcanoes, supporting the notion for the influence of the existence of an accreted micro-continent or continental fragment plays a role in the petrogenesis. Such inherited zircons are not observed in the Chengkuang'ao and Tuluanshan volcanoes and uncommon in Lutao, implying the discontinuity or a limited extent of the accreted continental fragment. The eHf(T) values are high and positive from ~15 - 8 Ma (+25 to +15; ±5e-unit variation), and became lower from ~6 to 4.2 Ma (+20 to +8; ±6e units) and the lowest from ~1.3 Ma (+19 to +5; ±7e units). Such a temporal variation in zircon Hf isotopic ratios can be also identified in whole-rock Hf and Nd isotopic compositions, which decrease from ~6 Ma when the Northern Luzon Arc may have started colliding with the Eurasian continental margin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mafic granulite xenoliths are hosted by garnetiferous charnockites in the Archaean to Palaeoproterozoic Bumbuger Complex of northwestern Mongolia, one of the exotic basement terranes in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. These rocks crystallized at ca. 1850 Ma under granulite-facies conditions (800 ± 27 °C, 6.8 ± 0.6 kbar) in the lower crust and were partly retrogressed to amphibolite-facies during ascent to higher crustal levels as a result of strong deformation resulting in northwest-trending isoclinal folds. The mafic xenoliths are likely derived from gabbroic protoliths, and geochemical, Hf-in-zircon and Nd whole-rock isotopic data suggest these rocks to have originated from parental melts of an enriched mantle source or from a depleted mantle with minor contamination by crustal material. The host garnetiferous charnockites crystallized from a strongly inhomogeneous melt predominantly derived from an Archaean to early Palaeoproterozoic lower crustal source, as also evidenced by partly recrystallized xenocrystic zircons, and minor contributions of mantle-derived material. The above data are compatible with a model whereby mantle-derived gabbroic melts under- and intraplate the lower crust, causing high-grade metamorphism, migmatization and anatexis, and the resulting ascending melts are mixtures of mantle and crustal sources. We speculate that the late Palaeoproterozoic events in the Baidarik Block may be the result of ca. 1.90–1.85 Ma accretion and collision processes that led to formation of the Columbia supercontinent. In the Neoproterozoic this block drifted toward Siberia and was incorporated into the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise of Tibet and growth of Asia resulted from successive accretion of Gondwana-derived continental fragments at the expense of Tethyan oceans, yet how and where the eastern Paleo-Tethys closed in SE Asia remain controversial. Here we report new and synthesized detrital zircon data from Borneo and relevant regions revealing that West and SW Borneo show consistent Precambrian age profiles resembling that of Northern Australia (Kimberley to Pine Creek), but contrasting with those of NW/NE Australia, Bird's Head, and Cathaysia/Indochina. Considering the questionable suture between West and SW Borneo, we suggest a united Borneo basement that originated from Northern Australia, with a position between Sumatra and Timor. Surprisingly, Borneo lacks NE Australia-sourced ca. 1700–1400 and 400–280 Ma zircons that prevail in Triassic-Jurassic strata of Timor, Babar, and Tanimbar offshore Northern Australia, which may be best explained by pre-Triassic rifting of the Borneo basement from Northern Australia. Combining with recent investigations, we propose a new tectonic scenario involving a Permian separation of Borneo (probably together with Sumatra) from northern Gondwana through opening of the Meso-Tethys Ocean followed by a Triassic docking with Eurasia that closed the eastern Paleo-Tethys. Thus, assembly of Sundaland (continental core of SE Asia) completed in the Late Triassic, rather than Cretaceous as previously thought, and the tail (or the southeasternmost section) of eastern Paleo-Tethys lies within the Kuching zone of Borneo. Our new reconstruction challenges current understanding of Gondwana dispersion and Asian accretion, shedding new light on Asian climate change and biogeographic diversity. • Borneo basement (West and SW Borneo) originated from Northern Australia. • Borneo basement left Northern Australia in the Permian during the opening of the Meso-Tethys Ocean. • Borneo basement docked with Sundaland in the Triassic during the closure of eastern Paleo-Tethys Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neoproterozoic felsic magmatic suites are important proxies to investigate the breakup history of the Rodinia supercontinent which likely coincided with the emplacement of voluminous Silicic Large Igneous Provinces (SLIPs). Here we report new zircon U Pb ages with comprehensive whole-rock and mineral chemistry data on the felsic volcano-plutonic rocks from the Tusham Ring Complex (TRC) that forms part of the anorogenic Malani Igneous Suite (MIS) (∼780–750 Ma) in NW India. The plutonic rocks (granites) and contemporaneous volcanic rocks (rhyolites) show affinity to A-type granitoids, hypersolvus to subsolvus, and metaluminous to peraluminous. The granitoids investigated in this study are enriched in SiO 2 , Na 2 O + K 2 O, Fe/Mg, Ga/Al, U, Th, REE (except Eu), and depleted in MgO, CaO, Cr, Ni, P, Ti, Sr, and Eu contents. The zircon U Pb dating for felsic volcanic rocks (four rhyolite samples) yielded Neoproterozoic ages ranging from 827 to 764 Ma whereas zircon in five felsic plutonic rocks (granite) shows ages ranging from 830 to 787 Ma, indicating coeval nature of the intrusive and extrusive rocks. The zircon grains have mostly negative εHf(t) values up to −3.62 and yield crustal Hf model ages from 1.6 Ga to 1.9 Ga, suggesting that the magmatic event involved melting of a Paleoproterozoic source. Based on geochemical features, we propose that the partial melting of crustal protoliths, fractional crystallization, and crustal contamination played a significant role in the magmatic evolution of these rocks. We also infer that the felsic anorogenic magmatism in the TRC occurred in an extensional tectonic regime, possibly associated with a mantle plume event. Our results, in conjunction with previous studies, support the model of anorogenic magmatism linked with the disruption of the Neoproterozoic Rodinia supercontinent. [Display omitted] • Anorogenic A-type acid volcano-plutonic rocks of TRC were emplaced at 830–764 Ma. • Partial melting, fractional crystallization, crustal contamination played a role. • Magmatism linked with disruption of Neoproterozoic Rodinia supercontinent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combined U-Pb-Hf-O isotopic analyses of zircons are useful probes to investigate the origin and temporal evolution of long-lived magma reservoirs feeding large eruptions. This study presents a complete dataset of zircon Hf-O isotopes of the latest five Toba eruptions in the Quaternary. The new isotopic data differ slightly within and between eruptive units, with the majority of zircons having ε Hf values between −8 to −5 and δ18O values between 6 and 6.8. These Hf-O isotopic compositions of zircons were considered to inherit from an enriched and slightly heterogenous magma source. Specifically, zircons of the Oldest Toba Tuff (OTT) have rather restricted and constant Hf-O isotopes, which may crystallize from a reservoir protractedly supplied from the same magma source. Zircons of the Middle Toba Tuff (MTT) have a large range of δ18O values varying from ~6 to 8, with low ε Hf values extending to −14, indicating shallow-level crustal contamination. The largely negative correlations between ε Hf and δ18O for zircons from the MTT are indicative of contamination of high-δ18O crustal materials, whereas those of the positive correlations for zircons from the Youngest Toba Tuff (YTT) imply contamination of hydrothermally altered low-δ18O crustal materials. It is important that the Hf-O isotopes of all the zircons do not record any single batch of magma that was derived from partial melting of depleted mantle peridotites, but are consistent with an enriched and heterogenous mantle source hybridized by the subducted sediments, followed by contamination of low-δ18O or high-δ18O materials during their ascent to the surface or storage in the shallow magma reservoirs. The increase of zircon δ18O values towards eruptions in both the MTT and YTT suggests that the two eruptions might be accompanied by roof collapse that added high-δ18O materials to the magma. Thus, assimilation of high-δ18O crustal materials could be a possible trigger for the MTT and YTT eruptions. • Toba volcanic rocks were derived from an isotopically enriched and heterogenous mantle source. • Hf-O isotopes of the MTT zircon crystals exhibit characteristics of shallow-level crustal contamination. • The YTT magma reservoir was contaminated by both high- and low-δ18O crustal materials. • Assimilation of high-δ18O materials by roof collapse could be a likely eruption trigger for the MTT and YTT eruptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Felsic magmatic rocks of Triassic ages occur on the north side of the Qiangtang metamorphic belt. Zircon dating using the SHRIMP and LA-ICP-MS techniques reveals that these rocks were emplaced between 223 and 205Ma. The emplacement time is similar to the Ar–Ar ages of phengites and sodic amphiboles of the eclogites and blueschist from the Qiangtang metamorphic belt. The felsic magmatic rocks can be divided into two groups with distinct geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions. The first and older group (223–219Ma) includes diorite from the Baohu area and some volcanic rocks from the Juhuashan area. These rocks have high Sr (291–1367ppm) and low Y (5.5–13.9ppm) contents with high Sr/Y ratios (28–117). They are characterized by slightly negative ε Nd(t) values (−1.9 to −5.7), positive ε Hf(t) values (+3.2 to +5.4) and young zircon Hf model ages (644–729Ma). The second and younger group (215–210Ma) comprises volcanic rocks from the Jiangai and Guoganjianian areas. They show high initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.708–0.714), distinct negative ε Nd(t) (−9.6 to −7.9) and ε Hf(t) values (−15.3 to −10.1) and much older bulk-rock Nd model ages (1658–2178Ma) and zircon Hf model ages (1251–2012Ma). Geochemical arguments led us to suggest that the rocks of the first group were generated by the melting of subducted oceanic crust and associated sediments, and the second group rocks were derived from anatexis of the Proterozoic continent crust. In conclusion, the Late Triassic magmatic rocks from the northern Qiangtang have recorded the process from subduction to break-off of an oceanic slab. The Qiangtang metamorphic belt to the south represents a northward oceanic subduction zone. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Birjand ophiolite is one of the ophiolitic complexes in the northern Sistan suture zone, eastern Iran, which marks the closure of an enigmatic branch of the Neotethys Ocean (called the Sistan Ocean) associated with the collision between the Lut and Afghan continental blocks. Ophiolitic rocks in the suture zone occur as collisional block-to-block geological terranes, or as blocks within tectonic mélange. We present zircon U–Pb age, and whole-rock geochemical and Sr–Nd isotopic data of the Birjand ophiolite to understand its formation age and magma genesis in this poorly constrained part of the Alpine–Himalayan orogenic belt. Varieties of the ophiolitic rocks include clinopyroxene-bearing harzburgites, harzburgites, dunites, massive and pillow basalts, dolerites, gabbros and leucogabbros. Using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, zircon separates from two leucogabbros yield U–Pb ages of 113±1 and 107±1Ma, which are interpreted to represent the formation ages of the ophiolite. The clinopyroxene-bearing harzburgites can be explained as melting residues after low to moderate extraction of MORB-type melts, whereas the harzburgites require more than one melting event to explain their trace element depletion. Most mafic rocks of the ophiolite display MORB-like trace element patterns and high εNd(t) (+3.4 to +8.4), features consistent with derivation from MORB-source mantle. Magma genesis can be explained by low to moderate degrees of melting of moderately depleted spinel peridotite and variable interaction with enriched mantle melts. The Birjand ophiolite represents a MORB-type ophiolite and part of the Middle Cretaceous oceanic lithosphere of the Sistan Ocean that closed during the destruction of a narrow arm of the Neotethys Ocean. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To better understand Tibetan orogenesis, which involves complex tectonic processes, here we report the first integrated analysis of Hf isotopes of zircon separates and their host rocks from the Transhimalayan batholiths. The rocks studied include 19 granitoids from different parts of the Gangdese batholith, the largest Transhimalayan intrusive complex, and five postcollisional adakites that occurred as plugs or dikes cutting the Gangdese batholith, in the southern Lhasa terrane, southern Tibet. Published zircon Hf isotope data from other Transhimalayan granitoids and the Linzizong volcanic rocks are also synthesized. The magmatic zircons, crystallizing between ca. 200 and 15Ma, show depleted mantle-type Hf isotopic characteristics throughout the Mesozoic but shift markedly in the Paleogene. The Hf isotopic shift is interpreted as tracking the evolving progress of Himalayan sediment subduction driven by the approaching Indian continent, and thus signals the initiation of the India–Asia collision that we infer to have occurred by 55Ma. Our data furthermore indicate that southern Tibet underwent significant crustal thickening during ca. 45 and 30Ma, before emplacement of the postcollisional adakites that exhibit Hf–Nd isotopic systematics suggesting binary mixing of melts from the juvenile Gangdese mafic crust and incorporated Himalayan sediments in the petrogenesis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Malayan Southeast Coastal Zone recycled detrital zircon derived from Indochina. • Mid-Cenozoic Sundaland paleoriver carried detritus from Malaya to West Borneo. • West Borneo Cenozoic sediments' Indochina detrital zircon signature was from Malaya. Although Peninsular Malaysia abundant Permo-Triassic Malayan granitic plutons and volcanics (292–198 Ma) generate an enormous volume of detrital zircons that masks other detrital sources in fluvial sediments, there are suggestions that Peninsular Malaysia could recycle detrital zircons from Indochina (through Jurassic-Cretaceous strata) to other parts of Sundaland by paleoriver after the Indochina-Sundaland sediment link diminishes in the Cenozoic. As there is insufficient data to prove this, we compiled our new detrital zircon U-Pb isotopic data from modern river sands in Peninsular Malaysia with all available data to create a dataset that revealed five detrital zircon age pattern zones: (1) Northeast Coastal Zone (~73 Ma and ~223 Ma), (2) Mid-East Coastal Zone (~236 Ma and ~280 Ma), (3) Southeast Coastal Zone (~170 Ma, ~243 Ma, ~291 Ma, 400–416 Ma and 1545–1852 Ma), (4) Central Zone (~220 Ma) and (5) Mid-West Coastal Zone (~227 Ma and 1105–1173 Ma). All detrital age pattern zones show a clear detrital contribution from Malayan granitoids and volcanics. However, the Southeast Coastal Zone also shows significant contributions from Jurassic-Cretaceous strata in the northwest, e.g. Bertangga and Gerek sandstones, making them comparable with sources from Indochina and Lower Cretaceous strata in Singapore. We suggest a defunct drainage during Paleogene which transports the eroded sediments from the Jurassic-Cretaceous strata in the northwest to the sink in the southeast coast of Peninsular Malaysia recycled "Indochina signature" detrital zircons. If the sink connects with the Sundaland paleoriver system, it might contribute to the "Indochina signature" detrital provenance in West Borneo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]