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Precise timing of granitoids and constraints of their magma sources are critical to understanding the subduction–collision tectonic evolution of the Altun orogenic belt (AOB), a vital part of the Q...

The South Altyn Orogenic Belt (SAOB) is one of the most important orogenic belts in NW China, consisting of the South Altyn Continental Block and the Apa–Mangya Ophiolitic Mélange Belt. However, its Palaeozoic tectonic evolution is still controversial. Here, we present petrological, geochemical, zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic data for the Mangya plutons with the aim of establishing the Palaeozoic tectonic evolution. We divide the Early Palaeozoic magmatism in the Apa–Mangya Ophiolitic Mélange Belt into four episodes and propose a plate tectonic model for the formation of these rocks. During 511–494 Ma, the South Altyn Ocean (SAO) was in a spreading stage, and some shoshonite series, I-type granitic rocks were generated. From 484 to 458 Ma, the oceanic crust of the SAO subducted northward, accompanied by large-scale magmatic events resulting in the generation of vast high-K calc-alkaline series, I-type granitic rocks. During 450–433 Ma, the SAO closed, and break-off of the subducted oceanic slab occurred, with the generation of some high-K calc-alkaline series, I–S transitional type granites. The SAOB was in post-orogenic extensional environment from 419 to 404 Ma, and many A-type granites were generated.

The Altun orogenic belt (AOB) was the site of complex subduction of oceanic crust and continental collision during the Paleozoic. The North Altun ophiolitic melange belt (NAB) is a one of the key tectonic units of the AOB and contains abundant subduction- and collision-related rocks. In this paper, we report the petrography, zircon U–Pb ages, geochemistry, and zircon Hf isotopes of the Bashikaogong S-type granitic rocks from the North Altun ophiolitic melange belt (NAB) to constrain their petrogenesis and tectonic setting. The granitic rocks consist of three types of granites, i.e., (1) gray, medium- to coarse-grained porphyritic granite; (2) gray, medium-grained granite; and (3) pink, medium- to coarse-grained granite. Zircon U–Pb dating yielded ages of 483–477, 458–453, and 447–445 Ma for type 1, type 2, and type s3 granites, respectively. All the three types of granites share similar strongly peraluminous (A/CNK > 1.1), contain muscovite mineral, have K2O/ Na2O ratios of > 1, and display negative zircon eHf(t) values, which are similar to typical S-type granites. On the basis of our data and results of previous studies, we infer that type 1 granites (483–477 Ma) are related to subduction of North Altun oceanic lithosphere, type 2 granites (458–453 Ma) are syn-collision granites related to continental collision between the Central Altun and Dunhuang Blocks, and type 3 granites (447–445 Ma) are from the late-collision stage. The Bashikaogong S-type granitic rocks recorded early Paleozoic subduction and collision in the North Altun region and were generated by the partial melting of the protolith of the metasedimentary Paleoproterozoic–Mesoproterozoic basement in the CAB due to the collapse of the overthickened subduction orogen.

The Altun orogenic belt in northwest China is part of the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. The North Altun ophiolitic melange belt is an important tectonic unit within the Altun orogenic belt that contains voluminous early Paleozoic granitoids. In this study, we report the petrological features, geochemical compositions, and zircon U Pb and Hf isotope data of three granitic plutons from the western segment of the North Altun ophiolitic melange belt. Zircon U Pb dating yields magmatic crystallization ages of 499, 493 and 496 Ma for samples of granodiorite, quartz diorite and syenogranite, respectively. The granitoids have metaluminous to weakly peraluminous and medium-K to high-K calc–alkaline characteristics and display relative enrichments in large ion lithophile elements (Rb, Th, U, K) and light rare earth elements (LREE) and relative depletions in Nb, Ta, Sr, P and Ti, suggesting an arc-related origin. The granodiorites (499 Ma) have positive zircon eHf(t) values ranging from +1.87 to +6.59 with two-stage Hf model ages (TDMC) of 1.05 to 1.35 Ga, implying that the granodiorites were derived from juvenile crust. The quartz diorites (493 Ma) have similar Hf isotopic characteristics to the granodiorites (eHf(t) = +2.59 to +6.04, TDMC = 1.08 to 1.30 Ga), indicating derivation from juvenile crust. The syenogranites (496 Ma) have high total REE and K2O contents, and low zircon eHf(t) values (−1.69 to +1.54), suggesting that they were derived mainly from juvenile crust mixed with ancient crustal materials. Combined with data from previous studies, we conclude that magmatism in the North Altun ophiolitic melange belt can be subdivided into three episodes: Episode 1 (520–470 Ma) granitoids are related to subduction; Episode 2 (460–425 Ma) granitoids formed in a continent–continent collisional setting; and Episode 3 (

Numerous granitic intrusions crop out in the eastern segment of the North Qaidam block (NQ), NW China. To evaluate their ages, petrogenesis and genetic relationships to other granitoids in the NQ, we present geochemical and geochronologic data for six intrusive bodies and review regional data. Zircon U-Pb (SHRIMP) dating yielded ages of 413 ± 3 Ma for the Hadesengou granite; 254 ± 3 Ma for the Xugeigou granite; 251 ± 1 Ma for the Qiluoshan granite; 249 ± 1 and 248 ± 2 Ma for the Chahannuo hornblende diorite and granite, respectively; 240 ± 2 Ma for the Chahanhe granite; and 250 ± 1 and 244 ± 3 Ma for the Shailekegoulei granodiorite and granite, respectively. Consequently, the Wulan plutons can be divided into two petrologic groups: Early Devonian (D1) quartz monzonite and syenogranite, and Late Permian to Early Triassic (P3-T1) hornblende diorite, granodiorite, and granite. The D1 granitic intrusions have geochemical affinities with A-type granites (A2-type) characterized by low Ca, Sr, Ba and Nb, and high Fe, Ga, Y and Rb, consistent with derivation by partial melting of metapelitic source rocks containing a small amount of metagraywacke. The P3-T1 I-type granitic intrusions are geochemically typical of active continental margin rocks, consistent with derivation by partial melting of metabasalt and clay-poor metagraywacke. Combined with previous studies, we recognize five periods of granitic magmatism in the NQ: (1) 465–473 Ma; (2) 423–446 Ma; (3) 391–413 Ma; (4) 372–383 Ma; and (5) 240–271 Ma. Based on the temporal-spatial distribution of granitic intrusions in the NQ and the regional tectonic evolution, we interpret the first and second periods of granitic magmatism as related to normal plate subduction, and the third period to slab break-off and exhumation of the subducted plate. The fourth stage of granitic magmatism is attributed to large-scale lithospheric mantle delamination, involving the differential movement of orogenic blocks. The fifth period of granitic plutonism probably reflects northward subduction of the East Kunlun Paleotethys oceanic crust and southward subduction of Zongwulong oceanic crust beneath the Oulongbuluke continental block.

The South Altun orogenic belt (SAOB), consisting of the South Altun block (SAB) and the South Altun continental block (SACB), is one of several important orogenic belts in NW China. Numerous granite bodies are widely distributed in the SAB. However, the petrogenesis and tectonic environment of these granites, and their relationships to those of the SACB, Central Altun Continental block (CACB), North Altun block (NAB), Qilian block (QLB), and North Qaidam block (NQB) remain unclear. In this investigation, we selected the SAB granites for detailed study, and explore the petrogenesis employing bulk-rock geochemistry, zircon U-Pb dating, and Hf isotopic analysis. Zircon U–Pb LA-ICP-MS dating of the granites from the SAB identified seven spatially distinct Paleozoic plutonic suites: (a) Yigan—352–343 Ma; (b) Baiganhu—448–444 Ma; (c) west Mangya—444–435 Ma; (d) Aketishan—265 Ma; (e) Chaishuigou—406 Ma; (f) Changchungou—469 Ma; and (g) north Mangya—462 Ma. Based on previous research combined with our new U-Pb dating and bulk-rock geochemical investigations in the SAB, we identdified six distinct episodes of granitoid emplacement: episodes 1 and 2, quartz diorite + granodiorite + monzogranite with I-type affinities, and ages of 503–497 Ma and 483–458 Ma, respectively; episode 3, granodiorite + monzogranite + syenogranite with I- and S-type affinities, and an age of 456–432 Ma; episode 4, monzogranite + syenogranite + alkali feldspar granite with A-type affinities, and an age of 424–385 Ma; episode 5, granodiorite + monzogranite with S-type affinities, and an age of 352–338 Ma; and episode 6, quartz diorite + monzogranite + syenogranite with I-type affinities, and an age of 265–264 Ma. Zircon Lu-Hf isotope analyses from various episodes show that eHf (t) values are positive in most cases, but negative for a small number of inherited (xenocrystic) zircons. Source rocks were mainly juvenile crust, evidently mixed with minor ancient continental material. Based on our new results integrated with regional geological data, we conclude that episodes 1 and 2 granitic magma generations were related to the subduction of oceanic crust, episode 3 to post-collisional partial melting, episode 4 to the isostatic adjustment of orogenic blocks after plate suturing, episode 5 to petrotectonic thickening of the Altun crust, and episode 6 to Altun fault transcurrent slip attending Kunlun Paleo Tethys subduction.

Early Paleozoic granitic magmatism in the North Qilian orogenic belt records a complete Wilson cycle and provides critical geological clues for unraveling the regional tectonic history. In this study, we report the results of zircon U-Pb ages, Hf isotopic analysis and systematic whole-rock geochemical data for the Late Ordovician Hongliuhe granite and Early Silurian Qingshan monzogranite in the western segment of the North Qilian orogenic belt to constrain their emplacement ages, petrogenesis, and regional evolution history. U-Pb dating reveals that the Hongliuhe granite was emplaced around 453–452 Ma, and the Qingshan monzogranite was emplaced about 440–438 Ma. A geochemical study shows that the two granites belong to the calc-alkaline to high-K calc-alkaline series. The Hongliuhe granite shows adakitic and peraluminous features, while the Qingshan monzogranite belongs to metaluminous to weak peraluminous granites. Zircons in the Hongliuhe granite show eHf(t) values ranging from −15.1 to +11.7 with two-stage Hf model ages (tDM2) of 687–2398 Ma, whereas zircons in the Qingshan monzogranite show eHf(t) values ranging from +5.7 to +11.0 with two-stage Hf model ages from 814 to 1057 Ma. The geochemical characteristics indicate that the Hongliuhe granite was a transitional I/S-type granite and was generated from a thickened lower crust with the addition of minor Paleo- to Mesoproterozoic crustal materials, which left a rutile + garnet + pyroxene ± plagioclase residue. The Qingshan monzogranite formed from the partial melting of mafic crust with minor mantle-derived materials, and the fractionation of Ti-bearing phases, apatite and pyroxene occurred during the magma's evolution, which left an amphibole and plagioclase residue. We infer that the Hongliuhe granite formed during the northward subduction of the North Qilian Ocean, while the Qingshan monzogranite was generated during the post-collision stage between the Qilian and Alxa blocks. This observation indicates that syn-collision stage of the North Qilian orogenic belt began before 453 Ma, and that the extension regime began prior to 444 Ma.

Mineral compositional analysis is a powerful tool for identifying both volcanic and petrogenetic processes. This property is observed because spatial variations in the composition of magmatic minerals record chemical and physical changes in the magma from which they crystallized. Thus, these variations can also be used to decipher the history of a magmatic system and its triggering mechanism prior to eruption. The Tianchi volcano, located in the Changbaishan volcanic region, is one of the most active and dangerous volcanoes in East Asia; however, the eruptional mechanism of most recent eruptions are not well-resolved, especially the comenditic lava flow in the Qixiangzhan stage, Tianchi volcano. We focused on the zoned patterns in pyroxene phenocrysts of the comenditic lava to decipher the magma process and triggering mechanism of this silicic lava eruption. We analyzed major and minor element concentrations by point measurement and line-scan across a zoned pyroxene grain using the electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA) equipped with the energy-dispersive (ED) spectrum. We also extracted a compositional time series by considering the variation of zone thickness across oscillatory zoning and reconstructed the phase space of the compositional time series using the optimal time delay method. First, we calculated the optimal time delay of phase space reconstruction obtained from the first minimum method of mutual information, and we later determined the embedded dimension. Using two parameters (i.e., time delay and embedded dimension), we subsequently reconstructed the phase space. We also present the Poincare section of the reconstructed system. The results of EPMA point measurement (Table 1 and Figure 4) showed that the zoned pyroxenes have higher MgO (2 wt%–2.12 wt%) and lower Na2O (1.26 wt%–1.39 wt%) in the core compared with the rim (MgO, 1.22 wt%–1.54 wt%; Na2O, 1.71 wt%–1.92 wt%). The results of the line-scan of EPMA-ED showed that the normalized concentration of each minor element (MgO, Na2O, MnO) exhibits an intense oscillatory variation (Figure 4). Meanwhile, in the reconstructed phase space (Figure 5(c)) and the Poincare section (Figure 5(d)), the compositional time series of Mg exhibits a chaotic attractor. This attractor is different from the periodic oscillation attractor and the completely random oscillatory dynamic system (Figure 3). These features indicated that the pyroxene phenocrysts grow in a system with a high degree of freedom and complexity and the magma composition around pyroxene changed notably and quickly during crystallization. These features lead us to believe that the oscillatory zoning observed in the Qixiangzhan comenditic lava is not the result of a simple fractional crystallization process, which generally occurred in the stable magma chamber. Although such a process may lead to compositional zoning in the pyroxenes, it cannot form oscillatory zoning. A simple, closed-system fractional crystallization process will produce a periodic oscillation attractor instead of a strange attractor in their reconstructed phase space. A feasible process that may account for the oscillatory zoning features in the Qixiangzhan comenditic lava is an interaction between two (or more) compositionally distinct magmas (magma mixing). This process can create strong heterogeneities within magma bodies in a short time and on a very short length scale. More importantly, this process can produce a strange attractor in the reconstructed phase space of a zoning mineral. These features are all consistent with what we have obtained from the zoned pyroxene in the Qixiangzhan comenditic lava. Thus, we believe that the Qixiangzhan comenditic lava results from magma mixing or the magma recharge process. The mixing and convection processes of infilled primary magma and evolved magma can accelerate the vesiculation of the magma chamber, thereby causing an eruption. Combined with the frequent occurrence of magma recharge or magma mixing evidence in the latest eruptions of the Tianchi volcano, we believe that the infilling of primitive magmas plays a key role in the triggering mechanism of the Tianchi volcano.

We report new zircon U–Pb ages, Hf isotopic and geochemical results for the Tongling granitic plutons of Southeast China. SHRIMP U–Pb ages for the Miaojia quartz monzodiorite porphyrite，the Tianeba...

In the central Klamath Mountains, the Eastern Hayfork terrane (EHF) accreted directly seaward of the North Fork ophiolitic arc. The EHF trench melange consists of very fine-grained, quartzose meta-argillite + boudinaged metachert layers as well as scattered blocks derived from both oceanic and inboard arc-margin sources. Among the exotic blocks are coarse-grained feldspathic metasandstones. Detrital zircon SHRIMP U-Pb ages ranging from the latest Archean to the early Proterozoic were reported by Scherer and colleagues in 2010 for five metasandstone blocks from the central and southern Klamaths; Phanerozoic zircons were totally lacking. It was concluded that the blocks were olistostromal and that erosion of a nearby thrust sheet outlier of the Proterozoic Antelope Mountain Quartzite of the Eastern Klamath belt, Yreka subterrane, was a likely source. To determine the provenance and time of deposition of the EHF muddy matrix host of the metasandstone blocks, we separated zircons from three very fine-...

The petrology, geochemistry, geochronology, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes of the backarc granitoids from the central part of the Qilian block are studied in the present work. Both S- and I-type granitoids are present. In petrographic classification, they are granite, alkali feldspar granite, felsic granite, diorite, quartz diorite, granodiorite, and albite syenite. The SHRIMP ages are 402–447 Ma for the S-type and 419–451 Ma for the I-type granitoids. They are mostly high-K calc-alkaline granitoids. The S-type granitoids are weakly to strongly peraluminous and are characterized by negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.18–0.79). The I-type granitoids are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous and are characterized mostly by small negative to small positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.71–1.16). The initial (87Sr/86Sr) values are 0.708848–0.713651 for the S-type and 0.704230–0.718108 for the I-type granitoids. The eNd(450 Ma) values are − 8.9–−4.1 and − 9.7–+ 1.9 for the S-type and I-type granitoids, respectively. The TDM values are 1.5–2.4 Ga for the S-type and 1.0–2.3 Ga for the I-type granitoids. For the Qilian block, the backarc granitoid magmatism took place approximately 60 million years after the onset of the southward subduction of the north Qilian oceanic lithosphere and lasted approximately 50 million years. Partial melting of the source rocks consisting of the Neoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks of the Huangyuan Group and the intruding lower Paleozoic basaltic rocks could produce the S-type granitoid magmas. Partial melting of basaltic rocks mixed with lower continental crustal materials could produce the I-type granitoid magmas. Major crustal growth occurred in the late Archean and Meso-Paleoproterozoic time for the Qilian block. The magma generation was primarily remelting of the crustal rocks with only little addition of the mantle materials after 1.0 Ga for the Qilian block.

We examined the petrography, litho-geochemistry, and geochronology of granite plutons in the Altyn orogenic belt, northern margin of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, to investigate the geodynamic history of the belt. The granites are peraluminous, with variable chondrite-normalized rare earth element patterns but generally similar trace element compositions; all are depleted in Ba, Nb, Sr, P, and Ti, and enriched in Rb, Th, Ta, Zr, and Hf. Their U–Pb zircon ages record multiple magmatic episodes between 500 and 404 Ma (north Altyn block (NAB)), 522 and 432 Ma (central Altyn block (CAB)), and 483 and 226 Ma (south Altyn block (SAB)). We propose a geodynamic model for the Altyn orogenic belt. Prior to 467 Ma, the north Altyn Ocean subducted southward below the NAB. The north Altyn region saw a change from subduction to collision between the Dunhuang block and the NAB during 467–450 Ma. The collision lasted until 430 Ma and was followed by post-collisional extension until 400 Ma. Farther south, the central...

Zircon SHRIMP dating of granites from Dulan, east segment of North Qaidam UHP belt shows that they are 406.6±3.5 Ma for Yematan-E, 407.3±4.3 and 397±6 Ma for Balijiehatan-W, 404.5±4.0 and 397.0±3.7 Ma for Shuiwenzhan-N, 380.5±5.0 Ma for Shuiwenzhan-S, 382.5±3.6 and 372.5±2.8 Ma for Chachagongma. These granites from Dulan represent the products of the third and fourth periods of Paleozoic magmatism in North Qaidam. Geochemically, the granitoids with metalumious to weak peratuminous are quartz diorite, granodiorite, and granite in composition and mainly belong to calc-alkaline series, a few samples to calc or alkali-calc series. The third period of granites is a rock association of granodiorite + granite, with initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios from 0.7082 to 0.7110 and T 2DM model ages from 1.41–1.90 Ga; and the fourth period of granites is a rock association of quartz diorite+granodiorite+granite, with initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios from 0.7072 to 0.7091 and T 2DM model ages from 1.07–1.38 Ga. Therefore, the third period of granites has higher initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios and T2DM model ages. On the contrary, the fourth period of granites has ɛ Nd(t) values from 0.6 to −3.0, higher than that of the third granite with ɛ Nd(t) values −3.2 to −9.3. Thus, the data comparison indicates that the third granites may derive from Paleo-proterzoic continental crust with mantle material whereas the fourth granites may derive from the Meso-proterzoic basalt crust with continental material. Combined with regional geology, we thought that the third granites were formed relative to plate exhumation and the fourth granites to delamination of the lithospheric mantle.

The Banshanping granitoid rocks distribute in the east of the North Qinling orogenic belt. It is a diorite-quartz diorite-granodiorite-granite series, spreading in a NW-SE direction, and intrudes into the Erlangping Group. The SiO2 content ranges from 57.04% to 76.56%, Na2O from 2.05% to 4.65%, K2O from 0.84% to 3.40%. Major element characteristics indicate that Banshanping granitoid rocks have properties of I type granotoids. SREE ranges from 36.51 ppm to 473.25 ppm, and LREE/HREE ratios lie between 3.95 and 22.18. Negative Eu anomalies are not obvious in most samples, though there are obvious Nb, P and Ti positive anomalies. The zircon LA-ICP-MS ages of Banshangping granitoid rocks are 496.0±8.1 Ma–486.9±9.3 Ma. Hf isotope shows that 176Hf/177Hf ratios range from 0.282721 to 0.282876, eHf(t) values from 8.5 to 14, all positive, and corresponding modal ages (TDM2) range from 559 Ma to 908 Ma. Based on Hf isotope characteristics and existing Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr isotope data, we consider that the Banshanping granitoid rocks originate from mantle-derived material, i.e. the igneous rocks that formed in Neoproterozoic, and there may be a certain amount of crust-derived material during the formation of Banshanping granitoid rocks.

The Boziguoer A-type granitoids in Baicheng County, Xinjiang, belong to the northern margin of the Tarim platform as well as the neighboring EW-oriented alkaline intrusive rocks. The rocks comprise an aegirine or arfvedsonite quartz alkali feldspar syenite, an aegirine or arfvedsonite alkali feldspar granite, and a biotite alkali feldspar syenite. The major rock-forming minerals are albite, K-feldspar, quartz, arfvedsonite, aegirine, and siderophyllite. The accessory minerals are mainly zircon, pyrochlore, thorite, fluorite, monazite, bastnaesite, xenotime, and astrophyllite. The chemical composition of the alkaline granitoids show that SiO2 varies from 64.55% to 72.29% with a mean value of 67.32%, Na2O+K2O is high (9.85%–11.87%) with a mean of 11.14%, K2O is 2.39%–5.47% (mean = 4.73%), the K2O/Na2O ratios are 0.31–0.96, Al2O3 ranges from 12.58% to 15.44%, and total FeOT is between 2.35% and 5.65%. CaO, MgO, MnO, and TiO2 are low. The REE content is high and the total SREE is (263–1219) ppm (mean = 776 ppm), showing LREE enrichment and HREE depletion with strong negative Eu anomalies. In addition, the chondrite-normalized REE patterns of the alkaline granitoids belong to the “seagull” pattern of the right-type. The Zr content is (113–1246) ppm (mean = 594 ppm), Zr+Nb+Ce+Y is between (478–2203) ppm with a mean of 1362 ppm. Furthermore, the alkaline granitoids have high HFSE (Ga, Nb, Ta, Zr, and Hf) content and low LILE (Ba, K, and Sr) content. The Nb/Ta ratio varies from 7.23 to 32.59 (mean = 16.59) and the Zr/Hf ratio is 16.69–58.04 (mean = 36.80). The zircons are depleted in LREE and enriched in HREE. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns of the zircons are of the “seagull” pattern of the left-inclined type with strong negative Eu anomaly and without a Ce anomaly. The Boziguoer A-type granitoids share similar features with A1-type granites. The average temperature of the granitic magma was estimated at 832–839°C. The Boziguoer A-type granitoids show crust–mantle mixing and may have formed in an anorogenic intraplate tectonic setting under high-temperature, anhydrous, and low oxygen fugacity conditions.

Granitic rocks in the Altun terrane, NW China crop out in a 50-km-long, E–W-trending belt along the southern margin of the Bashikaogong Basin, north Altun. They intrude the north Altun subduction complex and are hosted in Precambrian sandstones, schists, mudstones and tuffs. Four lithologic types are recognized; (I) gray, very coarsely phyric granite, (II) red, fine- to medium-grained, aphyric granite, (III) gray, medium- to coarse-grained, moderately phyric granite and (IV) pink, medium- to coarse-grained, moderately phyric granite. All of the granites are peraluminous with normative corundum ranging from 0.8 to 3.9 wt.%. Silica contents vary between 65.1% and 75.7%, and total alkalis (Na2O + K2O) range from 7.5 to 9.0 wt.%, giving K2O/Na2O ratios of 1.1 to 2.7. Rittman indices vary from 1.8 to 2.8, with an average of 2.3. Total rare earth elements (∑REE) are between 89 and 335 ppm, and all samples show significant but variable negative Eu anomalies on chondrite-normalized REE patterns. On mantle-normalized trace element patterns all the granites have pronounced negative Ba, Nb, Sr, P and Ti anomalies. Zircons from the granites show slightly different SHRIMP U–Pb ages for the different lithologies; 474.3 ± 6.8 Ma for type I granites, 446.6 ± 5.2 Ma for type II, 434.5 ± 3.8 Ma for type III, and 431.1 ± 3.8 Ma for type IV. The geochemical and geological data indicate that these are S-type granites formed by partial melting of crustal materials during or shortly after collision of the Altun and Tarim continental blocks in the Paleozoic. The age and geochemistry of the north Altun granites suggest that they can be correlated with similar rocks in north Qilian on the opposite side of the Altun strike-slip fault.

Granitoid intrusives such as Saishitenshan, Tuanyushan, Aolaohe and Sanchagou occur widely in the western segment of North Qaidam. All these bodies trend NW, roughly parallel to the regional structure. Zircon SHRIMP dating for these granites show that they range in age from Ordovician to Permian; 465.4±3.5 Ma for Saishitenshan, 469.7±4.6 Ma and 443.5±3.6 Ma for Tuanyushan, 372.1±2.6 Ma for Aolaohe, and 271.2±1.5 Ma and 259.9±1.2 Ma for Sanchagou. Both the Tuanyshan and Aolaohe plutons record two distinct intrusive events. Geochemically, the early Paleozoic granites have an island arc or active continental margin affinity, and their protolith may have been Mesoproterozoic oceanic crust derived from depleted mantle. The protolith of the late Paleozoic granites may have been Mesoproterozoic lower crust from the root of an island arc with the magmas reflecting a mixture of mantle and crustal material.

Adakitic intrusive rocks of ∼ 430–450 Ma were discovered in the North Qilian orogenic belt, the western section of the Central Orogenic System (COS) in China. These adakitic rocks were lower crust melts rather than slab melts as indicated by their crustal Ce/Pb, Nb/U, Ti/Eu, and Nd/Sm ratios and radiogenically enriched (87Sr/86Sr)i of 0.7053–0.7066 and eNd(t) of − 0.9 to − 1.7. While they are all characterized by low Yb ( 65) and (La/Yb)N (> 13.7) ratios, these adakitic rocks are classified into the low-MgO–Ni–Cr and high-MgO–Ni–Cr groups. The low-MgO samples were derived from partial melting of thickened lower crust, whereas the high-MgO samples were melts from delaminated lower crust, which subsequently interacted with mantle peridotite upon ascent. Adakitic rocks from the adjacent North Qinling orogenic belt also originated from thickened lower crust at ∼ 430 Ma. In addition, the North Qilian and North Qinling orogenic belts both consist of lithological assemblages varying from subduction-accretionary complexes at south to central arc assemblages, which include adakitic rocks, then to backarc phases at north. Such a sequence reflects northward subduction of the Qilian and Qinling oceans. In these two orogenic belts, the occurrence of adakitic rocks of common origin and ages together with the similarities in tectonic configurations and lithological assemblages are considered to be the evidence for the continuity between eastern Qilian and western Qinling, forming a > 1000 km Early Paleozoic orogenic belt. In such a tectonic configuration, the Qilian and Qinling oceans that subducted from south possibly represent parts of the large “Proto-Tethyan Ocean”. This inference is supported by the coexistence of Early Paleozoic coral and trilobite specimens from Asia, America and Australia in the North Qilian orogenic belt. Post-400 Ma volcanic rocks occur in the North Qinling orogenic belt but are absent in the North Qilian orogenic belt, indicating that these two orogenic belts underwent distinct evolution history after the closure of the Proto-Tethyan Ocean (∼ 420 Ma).

The main hole (MH), and pre-pilot holes PP1, and PP3 of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project (CCSD) penetrated three different garnet peridotite bodies in the Sulu ultrahigh pressure (UHP) metamorphic belt, which are 80 m, 120 m, and 430 m thick, respectively. The bodies occur as tectonic blocks hosted in eclogite (MH peridotite) and gneisses (PP1 and PP3 peridotites). The peridotites in the MH are garnet wehrlites, whose protoliths were ultramafic cumulates based on olivine compositions (Fo 79–89 ) and other geochemical features. Zoned garnet and omphacite (with 4–5 wt.% Na 2 O) are typical metamorphic minerals in these rocks, and, along with P – T estimates based on mineral pairs, suggest that the rocks have undergone UHP metamorphism. SHRIMP U–Pb isotope dating of zircon from the garnet wehrlite yielded a Paleozoic protolith age (ca. 346–461 Ma), and a Mesozoic UHP metamorphic age (ca. 220–240 Ma). The peridotites in PP1 consist of interlayered garnet (Grt)-bearing and garnet-free (GF) peridotite. Both types of peridotite have depleted mantle compositions (Mg# = 90–92) and they display transitional geochemical features. The intercalated layers probably reflect variations in partial melting rather than pressure variations during metamorphism, and the garnets may have been formed by exsolution from orthopyroxene during exhumation. These peridotites were probably part of the mantle wedge above the subduction zone that produced the UHP metamorphism and thus belonged to the North China Block before its tectonic emplacement. The exhumation of the subducted Yangtze Block brought these mantle fragments to shallow crustal levels. The ultramafic rocks in PP3 are dominantly dunite with minor garnet dunite. Their high Mg# (92–93) and relatively uniform chemical compositions indicate that they are part of a depleted mantle sequence. The presence of garnet replacing spinel and enclosing pre-metamorphic minerals such as olivine, clinopyroxene and spinel suggests that these rocks have undergone progressive metamorphism. SHRIMP U–Pb isotope dating of zircon from these rocks yielded two age groups: 726 ± 56 Ma for relic magmatic zircon grains and 240 ± 2.7 Ma for the newly formed metamorphic zircon. The older group is similar in age to granitic intrusions within the Dabie–Sulu belt, suggesting that the PP3 garnet peridotite may record the early emplacement of the peridotite into the crust. The younger dates coincide with the age of UHP metamorphism during continent–continent collision between the Yangtze and North China Blocks, suggesting that these peridotites were subducted to depths equivalent to the coesite facies and later exhumed. Thus, the garnet peridotites in the CCSD cores include both ultramafic rocks that existed originally in the subducted plate and rocks from the mantle wedge above the subducted plate, i.e., part of the North China Block.

The North Qilian Orogenic Belt (NQOB), which consists of ophiolitic melange and island-arc assemblages containing many granites, blueschists, and eclogites, lies between the Alax and Qilian terranes in northwestern China. The Minleyaogou and Niuxinshan granitoids occur at the northern and southern margins, respectively, in the middle segment of the NQOB. The Minleyaogou pluton is granodiorite in composition, whereas the Niuxinshan pluton consists mainly of red granite with minor grey quartz diorite. Geochemically, the Minleyaogou granite differs from the Niuxinshan granite in that it contains a smaller range in SiO2, has lower total alkalis, and is more peraluminous. Both granitoids are magnesian but the Niuxinshan granite is alkali-calcic, whereas the Minleyaogou granodiorite is calcic. Both granitoids have similar chondrite-normalized rare earth element patterns with light rare earth element enrichment and negative Eu anomalies. They have pronounced negative Ba, Nb, Sr, P, and Ti anomalies indicating th...

The A’nyemaqen (阿尼玛卿) ophiolite belt along the southern margin of the East Kunlun (昆仑) Mountains marks the suture formed by the closure of paleo-Tethys. The Dur’ngoi ophiolite in the eastern part of this belt consists of meta-peridotite, mafic-ultramafic cumulates, sheeted dikes and basaltic lavas. The meta-peridotites consist of dunite, harzburgite, lherzolite, feldspar-bearing lherzolite and garnet-bearing lherzolite and contain residual spinel with Cr# [100×Cr/(Cr+Al)] ranging from 30 to 57 and Mg# [100×Mg/(Mg+Fe2+)] ranging from 50 to 75, indicating an Al- and Mg-rich series. The meta-peridotites have a relatively narrow range of composition with Mg# of 89.2–92.6, Al2O3 contents of (1–4) wt.% and slightly depleted chondrite normalized REE patterns, indicating that they represent relict mantle material that has undergone intermediate to low degrees of partial melting. Garnets in the lherzolite are andradite, enriched in Ca and Fe and depleted in Mg and Al (And=95–97, Pyr=0.3–5, Gro=0–3), indicating a metamorphic origin. The cumulate rocks mainly consist of dunite, wehrlite, pyroxenite and gabbro. A well-layered gabbro-pyroxenite complex is defined by modal variations in plagioclase and pyroxene. Blocks of garnet-pyroxenite or rodingite are locally present in the meta-peridotites. Garnets in the cumulate rocks are grossular (Gro=69–90, And=9–19, Br=1–12), also metamorphic origin. The diabase dikes are moderately depleted in LREE [(La/Sm)N=0.5–0.8] and HREE resulting in slightly convex chondrite-normalized patterns with slightly positive Eu anomalies (δEu=1.1–1.3). The basaltic lavas have REE patterns similar to those of MORB with (La/Sm)N ratios of 0.5–1 and small negative Eu anomalies. They appear to have been derived from a depleted mantle source and to have undergone little or no differentiation during crystallization. SHRIMP U-Pb dating of zircons from the basalts yields 206Pb/238U ages of 276–319 Ma (average 308.0±4.9 Ma). The Dur’ngoi ophiolite is interpreted as a dismembered fragment of paleo-oceanic crust emplaced during closure of the paleo-Tethyan Ocean basin. Three other suites of oceanic lavas are recognized in the area: island arc volcanic (IAV) rocks, possible back arc basin (BAB) basalts and possible post-collisional volcanic (PCV) and plutonic rocks. The distribution of these rocks suggests north-directed subduction. Opening of the A’nyemaqen oceanic basin started at least as early as Late Carboniferous (308 Ma) and the basin probably closed during the Early Triassic. The IAV formed in Late Permian (260 Ma), the BAB in Early-Middle Triassic, and the PCV in Late Triassic. Several large scale, ductile, sinistral strike-slip fault zones, extending hundreds to thousands kilometers, formed along or north of the suture during the Early-Late Triassic, e.g., they are the south margin fault zone of East Kunlun (200–220 Ma), the Altyn Tagh fault (220–230 Ma), and the North Qaidam fault zone (240–250 Ma). These strike-slip faults were probably generated by oblique subduction and closure of the paleo-Tethyan Ocean basin, possibly during exhumation of the subducted plate or uplift of the overriding plate, coincident with post-collisional magmatism.

The Bashikaogong-Shimierbulake granitoid complex is about 30 km long and 2―6 km wide, with an area of 140 km 2 , located at the north margin of the Bashikaogong Basin in the north Altun terrain. It intruded into schist, metapelite and metatuff of Precambrian ages. This granitoid complex consists of darkish quartz diorite, grey granite, pink granite and pegmatite. Geochemically, the quartz diorite has I-type granite affinity and belongs to Calc-alkaline sereies, and the other granites have S-type affinity and to high-K calc-alkaline series. Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb dating shows that the quartz diorite has a bigger age than those of other granites, which is 481.6±5.6 Ma for quartz diorite, 437.0±3.0 Ma―433.1±3.4 Ma for grey granite and 443±11 Ma―434.6±1.6 Ma for pink granite, respectively. Combined with regional geology, we think that the quartz diorite formed in tectonic environment related to oceanic crust subduction and the granites in post-collision.

An early Paleozoic ultrahigh pressure metamorphic belt occurs in the north Qaidam–Altun mountains and was offset about 400 km southwestward by the Altyn Tagh strike-slip fault. Eclogites in the belt consist of major basaltic and minor picritic rock types and can be subdivided into three groups: high TiO2 (2–5 wt%), medium TiO2 (1–2 wt%) and low TiO2 (

Amphibolite-facies para- and orthogneisses near Dulan, in the southeast part of the North Qaidam terrane, enclose minor ultra-high pressure (UHP) eclogite and peridotite. Field relations and coesite inclusions in zircons from paragneiss suggest that felsic, mafic, and ultramafic rocks all experienced UHP metamorphism and a common amphibolite-facies retrogression. Ion microprobe U–Pb and REE analyses of zircons from two granitic orthogneisses indicate magmatic crystallization at 927 ± Ma and 921 ± 7 Ma. Zircon rims in one of these samples yield younger ages (397–618 Ma) compatible with partial zircon recrystallization during in-situ Ordovician-Silurian eclogite-facies metamorphism previously determined from eclogite and paragneiss in this area. The similarity between a 2496 ± 18 Ma xenocrystic core and 2.4–2.5 Ga zircon cores in the surrounding paragneiss suggests that the granites intruded the sediments or that the granite is a melt of the older basement which supplied detritus to the sediments. The magmatic ages of the granitic orthogneisses are similar to 920–930 Ma ages of (meta)granitoids described further northwest in the North Qaidam terrane and its correlative west of the Altyn Tagh fault, suggesting that these areas formed a coherent block prior to widespread Mid Proterozoic granitic magmatism.

The Kangxiwar ductile strike-slip shear zone marks the southern boundary of the West Kunlun terrane, a large, nearly E-W trending metamorphic terrane in the western Qinghai Tibet Plateau region. This ductile shear zone is ∼7 km wide, and consists of mylonitized khondalites. Protoliths of the khondalites were alumina-rich pelitic sedimentary and subordinate volcanic rocks. The pelitic khondalites have pronounced positive Th anomalies and subdued positive Ce and Zr anomalies, whereas the metavolcanic rocks have positive Nb and Zr anomalies. Both types of khondalite are LREE enriched, and show weak HREE depletions and moderate negative Eu anomalies. P-T conditions for the formation of the khondalites are estimated to be 6.8 kbar and 700°C. The khondalites formed in the Caledonian orogeny (428-445 Ma) and underwent strong shear deformation during the Indosinian (250-210 Ma). SHRIMP dating of detrital zircons in the khondalites suggests that they were derived from an older metamorphic basement, probably older ...

The Qiashikansayi granodiorite is foliated resulting in a granodioritic gneiss. Its geochemical features, such as alumina saturation index(A/CNK) of 0.81–0.99, Na2O/K2O values> 1, TiO2 contents < 1.0%, LREE enrichment with high fractionation factors, weakly negative or no Eu anomalies, and significant Ba and Ti negative anomalies, suggest that it is similar to a typical island arc pluton. The trace elements of the Qiashikansayi granodiorite are plotted in the island arc field in the tectonic setting discrimination diagrams as well. Cathodoluminescence images demonstrated that the zircons have clear rhythmic crystallized zoning, without any remnant core and new crystallized rim, suggesting the zircons be magmatic ones. Their U and Th contents vary in the range of 574–870 μg/g, and 279–556 μg/g respectively, with the Th/U ratio in the range of 0.52–0.68. SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating yielded the 481.5±5.3 Ma age for the intrusion of the granodiorite, which is coeval with the island arc volcanic rocks in the northern Qilian Mountain, and confirms that there is an early Paleozoic island arc in the Hongliugou-Lapeiquan area.

The Yematan batholith crops out over 120 km2 in the North Qaidam ultrahigh pressure (UHP) metamorphic belt. It consists of granodiorite, monzogranite and biotite granite and forms an irregular intrusion into Neoproterozoic gneiss that has undergone Caledonian UHP metamorphism. Zircons from the Yematan granodiorite yield a SHRIMP U-Pb age of 397±3 Ma. These granitic rocks have geochemical characteristics intermediate between I- and S-type granites, and are post-collisional. We suggest that the Yematan granitic rocks were formed during the last exhumation event of the North Qaidam UHP belt.

The Central Orogenic Belt (COB) of China is a major continental collision zone that contains extensive outcrops of deeply subducted and exhumed rocks at both the eastern and the western end of the belt. Here we report discovery of microdiamonds from both eclogites and felsic gneisses in the North Qinling zone in the central portion of the COB. This discovery demonstrates that the country rocks of continental affinity shared in the ultra-high-pressure metamorphic (UHPM) event and provides a bridge connecting the two previously recognized UHPM terranes, thereby establishing the existence of a UHPM belt extending more than 4000 km. Geochronological dating yields Early Palaeozoic ages in the west and Early Mesozoic ages in the east, recording two separate continental collisions overprinted within the COB. Occurrence of UHP metamorphism during recurrent continental collision here and in the Alps suggests that deep subduction of continental material during such collisions is probably common rather than exceptional, with significant implications for processes of plate tectonic reorganization and mantle mixing over time.

The Dulan eclogite–gneiss region is located in the eastern part of the North Qaidam eclogite belt, NW China. Widespread evidence demonstrates that this region is a typical ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic terrane. Eclogites occur as lenses or layers in both granitic and pelitic gneisses. Two distinguished sub-belts can be recognized and differ in mineralogy, petrology and geochemistry. The North Dulan Belt (NDB) has tholeiitic protoliths with high TiO2 and lower Al2O3 and MgO contents. REE patterns and trace element contents resemble those of N-type and E-type MORB. In contrast, eclogites in the South Dulan Belt (SDB) are of island arc protoliths with low TiO2, high Al2O3 and show LREE-enriched and HFSE-depleted patterns. Sm–Nd isotope analyses give isochron ages of 458–497 Ma for eclogite-facies metamorphism for the two sub-belts. The ages are similar to those of Yuka and Altun eclogites in the western extension of the North Qaidam-Altun eclogite belt. The Dulan UHP metamorphic terrane, together with several other recently recognized eclogite-bearing terrenes within the North Qaidam-Altun HP-UHP belt, constitute the key to the understanding of the tectonic evolution of the northern Tibetan Plateau. The entire UHP belt extends for more than 1000 km from the Dulan UHP terrane in the southeast to the Altun eclogite–gneiss terrane in the west. This super-belt marks an early Paleozoic continental collision zone between the Qaidam Massif and the Qilian Massif.

Coesite and graphite were discovered as inclusions in zircon separates from pelitic gneiss associated with a large eclogite body in the North Qaidam UHP terrane. This finding suggests UHP metamorphism at pressures below the diamond stability field. This supports previous indirect UHP evidences, such as polycrystalline quartz inclusions in eclogitic garnet, quartz lamellae in omphacite and P–T estimates for both eclogite and garnet peridotite. The U/Pb and Sm/Nd isotopic ages from the North Qaidam eclogite indicated that continental subduction occurred in Early Palaeozoic, most probably in relation with the collision between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze plates.

Fission-track analysis on zircons and apatites yields new information about the timing of deformation of the northern Tibetan plateau. Ages on zircons, ranging from 221±22 to 96±4 Ma are indicative of a general late Triassic–early Jurassic cooling probably driven by the collision between the Qiantang and Kunlun blocks. Mid-Jurassic slow cooling is recorded also in the apatites in regions not affected by later Cenozoic deformation. This Jurassic denudation was followed by a period of sedimentation during the Cretaceous, except along the Altyn Tagh fault (ATF) zone, and in some restricted areas of the western and eastern Qilian Shan. This long and relatively quiet period ended at about 40±10 Ma along the major Altyn Tagh and Kunlun strike-slip fault zones, which were activated by the India–Asia collision. This first movement along lithospheric faults resulted in the eastward extrusion of the Tibet plateau, which was followed, in late Oligocene–Miocene times, by a major compression event, initiating the formation of the high relief of north Tibet. A final compressional event took place at 9–5 Ma and is well correlated with high sedimentation rates in the basins of this region. This compression induced continental subduction in the Kunlun ranges, the Altun Shan belt, and possibly the Qilian Shan belt.

Eclogite was first discovered at the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin in this study. It occurs as pods in the gneiss sequence of Middle to Upper Proterozoic age and is mainly composed of garnet, omphacite, phengite and rutile. The garnets contain 44%–62% of almandine, 15%–33% of grossular and 12%–30% of pyrope molecules, and the omphacites contain 40%–46% of jadeite. Applying garnet-clinopyroxene thermometry and jadeite geobarometry, the peak conditions of eclogite facies metamorphism occurred at about (722±123)°C and at the pressure of up to c. 22 × 108 Pa.

Publisher Summary High-pressure‑ultrahigh-pressure (HP‑UHP) metamorphic belts record a range of tectonic processes from deep subduction of oceanic lithosphere to collisional orogeny. It is now clear that low-density continental crust with high rheological strength can be subducted to mantle depths of 100‑150 km and then quickly exhumed. Currently, more than 20 UHP metamorphic belts have been found in continental collision belts along plate convergence boundaries. The study of HP‑UHP metamorphism has been a challenging frontier issue in earth sciences. The HP‑UHP terranes in the eastern Tethyan Orogenic belt in China and neighboring regions record the former presence of numerous small ocean basins and small continental blocks. The presence of these small continental blocks led to local subduction of the oceanic lithosphere that floored the many Proto-Tethyan and Paleo-Tethyan ocean basins. This is particularly evident in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, where eclogite-bearing HP‑UHP belts mark subduction of oceanic lithosphere beneath many microcontinental blocks. Subduction of continental lithosphere was mainly at the margins of large continental blocks. Deep subduction of continental lithosphere generally involved either scissor-like collision between large blocks or shear-type collision of tongue-shaped lithospheric slabs.