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Vietnam contains complex faults coupled with a diffuse igneous province that has been active since the mid-Miocene. However, existing fault maps demonstrate little consensus over the location of Neogene basalt flows and relative ages of mapped faults, which complicates interpretations of tectonic model for the evolution of Indochina. This paper identifies discrete tectonic blocks within Vietnam and aims to define the Neogene-Recent tectonic setting and kinematics of south-central Vietnam by analyzing the orientation, kinematics, and relative ages of faults across each block. Fault ages and relative timing are estimated using cross-cutting relationships with dated basalt flows and between slickenside sets. Remote sensing results show distinct fault trends within individual blocks that are locally related to the orientations of the basement-involved block-bounding faults. Faults observed in the field indicate an early phase of dip-slip motion and a later phase of strike-slip motion, recording the rotation of blocks within a stress field. Faulting after the change in motion of the Red River Fault Zone at -16 Ma is inferred, as faults cross-cut basalt flows as young as -0.6 Ma. Strike-slip motion on block-bounding faults is consistent with rotation and continuous extrusion of each block within south-central Vietnam. The rotation of the blocks is attributed to the "continuum rubble" behavior of small crustal blocks influenced by upper mantle flow after the collision between India and Eurasia. We infer a robust lithospheric-asthenospheric coupling in the extrusion model, which holds implications for other regions experiencing extrusion even in the absence of a free surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Late Mesozoic volcanic rocks comprising mainly basalt and basaltic-andesite to dacite occur in south-central Vietnam (Dalat zone) and to a lesser extent in southwestern Vietnam (Bay Nui area). Mineral and whole-rock chemistry indicate a calc-alkaline affinity for samples in the Dalat zone and a high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic affinity for rocks in the Bay Nui area. Mineral characteristics and variation diagrams of selected elements suggest that fractional crystallization dominated during magma differentiation. The Bay Nui volcanic rocks generally are more enriched in potassium and LILEs (large-ion lithophile elements) than volcanic rocks from the Dalat zone, which may indicate a more evolved nature or crustal assimilation. The similar chemical characteristics and eruption/emplacement age range of volcanic and plutonic rocks (ca. 90–110 Ma) of equal silica concentration indicate that the magma feeding the volcanic eruptions had the same source as that of the plutonic rocks. The observed mineral and whole-rock compositions with enrichment in LILEs, depletion in HFSEs (high field strength elements), and noticeably negative Nb, Ta, and Ti anomalies are characteristic for arc signatures. Zircon U-Pb geochronological data for the volcanic rocks indicate an age range of 95–105 Ma for the eruption. These geochemical and geochronological data link this Late Mesozoic volcanism with continental arc magmatism driven by the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific beneath eastern Indochina. Zircon xenocrysts with a likely magmatic origin cluster around 350 Ma and 250 Ma, indicating two earlier magmatic events most likely related to the subduction of the Paleo-Tethys beneath western Indochina and the subsequent Indosinian orogeny. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Late Mesozoic igneous rocks in Vietnam are predominantly found in the Dalat zone (southern Vietnam), but smaller volumes also occur within southernmost Indochina (SW Vietnam-SE Cambodia). Within the latter area, six different rock suites can be distinguished based on field relations, geochemical characteristics, and zircon U Pb geochronology: (1) Bay Nui-Ba Den diorite suite; (2) Bay Nui-Phnom Den granitoid suite, (3) Pha Aok granite suite, (4) Nui Sam-Angkor Borei suite, (5) Bach Ho granitoid suite, and (6) Con Dao gabbro/granite suite. These igneous rock suites indicate several pulses of magmatism during the late stages of a long-lived convergent margin. The Bay Nui-Ba Den diorite suite (ca. 107–96 Ma) is composed of monzogabbro, monzodiorite, diorite, and syenite, characterized by a metaluminous (I-type) nature, and shows several characteristics of alkali-rich primitive arc melts. The Bach Ho granitoid suite (ca. 110 Ma) consists of granodiorite and granite and displays a calc-alkaline (moderate in potassium) signature. The Bay Nui-Phnom Den granitoid suite (ca. 94–91 Ma) is the most widespread igneous group, consists mainly of granodiorite and granite of I-type affinity. These three rock suites show typical characteristics of arc-related magmatism similar to the I-type granitoids previously described in the Dalat area. The younger magmatic suites (<90 Ma) include the fined-grained granites of the Con Dao suite (ca. 83 Ma), coarse-grained two-mica granites of the Pha Aok suite (ca. 78 Ma), and fine-grained fluorite-bearing biotite granites of the Nui Sam-Angkor Borei granitoid suite (ca. 75 Ma). They display characteristics of A-type affinity with strongly negative Eu, Sr, Ba, Ti, and P anomalies. Geochemical signatures of these young igneous rocks indicate an extensional tectonic setting, possibly related to basaltic injection/asthenospheric upwelling. This additional heat input is required for partial melting of a dry residual crustal source. Geochemical and geochronological results demonstrate that the Late Mesozoic magmatism in southern Indochina can be related to two significant tectonic stages in Indochina and adjacent areas: (1) the Paleo-Pacific subduction (110–90 Ma) and (2) a transitional phase leading to the opening of the South China Sea (83–75 Ma). [Display omitted] • The igneous rocks show similar geochemical characteristics to the Dalat rocks. • Zircon age dating gives two main magmatic stages: 110–91 Ma and 83–75 Ma. • Two tectonic stages are defined: a continental arc and a later extensional phase. • The igneous rocks are younger than chemically equivalent rocks from the Dalat zone. • The igneous rocks are part of the Paleo-Pacific subduction-related magmatic belt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]