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Late Mesoproterozoic igneous rocks in the SW Yangtze Block are important for understanding the role of it in reconstruction of the Rodinia supercontinent. In the present study, we report new geochronological, geochemical, and Nd–Hf isotopic data for the Cuoke plagioclase amphibolites and granites in the SW Yangtze Block. Geochronological results show that the plagioclase amphibolites and granites have similar late Mesoproterozoic zircon U–Pb ages of 1168–1162 ​Ma, constituting a bimodal igneous assemblage. The plagioclase amphibolites have high and variable TiO 2 contents (1.15–4.30 ​wt.%) and Mg# (34–66) values, similar to the tholeiitic series. They are characterized by enrichment in LREEs and LILEs, and have OIB-like affinities with positive Nb and Ta anomalies. The plagioclase amphibolites have positive whole-rock ε Nd (t) (+3.2 to +4.3) and zircon ε Hf (t) (+4.3 to +10.7) values, indicating that they were derived from an OIB-like asthenospheric mantle source. The granites belong to the reduced peralkaline A-type series and have negative ε Nd (t) value of −6.0 and ε Hf (t) values of −5.8 to −13.8, indicating a derivation from the partial melting of ancient mafic lower crust. In combination with the ∼1.05–1.02 ​Ga bimodal igneous assemblage in the SW Yangtze Block, we propose that the Cuoke 1168–1162 ​Ma igneous rocks were likely formed in a continental rift basin and argue against the existance of Grenvillian Orogen in the SW Yangtze Block during the late Mesoproterozoic. Image 1 • Plagioclase amphibolites and granites exposed in the SW Yangtze Block have zircon ages of 1168–1162 ​Ma. • Plagioclase amphibolites derived from an OIB-like asthenospheric mantle source. • Granites with A-type affinities originated from the partial melting of ancient mafic lower crust. • Late Mesoproterozoic igneous rocks in the SW Yangtze Block formed in a continental rift setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: New SHRIMP zircon ages for ophiolites, arc/back-arc assemblages and within-plate igneous rocks constrain the evolution of the Paleo-Tethys Orogen of southwest China. Ophiolites represent remnants of the Paleo-Tethys ocean, which was divided by the Simao terrane into two tracts, the main ocean in the west (current position) and a branch in the east. The main ocean has been inferred to originate from Gondwana break-up in the Early Devonian, and the heritage is preserved as the Changning-Menglian ophiolite (SSZ-type). The oceanic branch is represented by the Ailaoshan (NMORB-type)–Jinshajinag (EMORB-type) ophiolites. Zircons from a diabase and a plagiogranite of the Ailaoshan ophiolite yielded 206Pb/238U ages of 382.9±3.9 Ma and 375.9±4.2 Ma. The age of a cumulate gabbro from the Jinshajiang ophiolite is 343.5±2.7 Ma. A metagabbro of the Changning-Menglian ophiolite yielded a crystallization age of 267.1±3.1 Ma. We interpret the ages of the Ailaoshan and Jinshajiang ophiolites to represent sea-floor spreading in the branch ocean, whereas the age of the Changning-Menglian ophiolite reflects closure of the main ocean. Arc/back-arc assemblages (zoned mafic–ultramafic complexes and arc volcanic rocks) are records of convergent plate boundary magmatic activity. Rocks of the Gicha complex (back-arc rift) yielded zircon ages of 306.2±4.6 Ma for a tonalite, 301.0±2.9 Ma for a microgabbro, 297.1±2.0 Ma for a plagioclase hornblendite, and 281.3±1.7 Ma for a diabase. A gabbro and a tonalite of the Banpo complex (plutonic arc) yielded identical ages of 285.6±1.7 Ma and 285.8±2.0 Ma. A basalt of the Yaxianqiao volcanic arc was dated at 266.2±2.2 Ma. Within-plate igneous rocks were also dated. Two amphbolite xenoliths in the Jinshajiang ophiolite mélange, derived from low-Ti continental flood basalts, have zircon ages of 439.3±3.5 Ma and 403.7±3.1 Ma, which we interpret to represent the inception of continental rifting prior to the opening of the branch ocean. The small Dalongkai differentiated mafic–ultramafic intrusion reflects post-orogenic extension and is characterized by superimposed arc and within-plate geochemical signatures. Zircons from a plagioclase pyroxenite of this intrusion yielded an age of 245.6±1.4 Ma. These new results, combined with geological and geochemical data, allow the reconstruction of a Devonian to Permian plate tectonic cycle in which generation of the Emeishan CFB province correlates with Paleo-Tethys orogeny in time. This study provides evidence for cyclic continent–ocean–continent development via multiple orogenesis, as well as temporal constraints on the dynamic relationship between plate tectonics and generation of a large igneous province. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Paleo-Tethys Orogen in southwest China is an amalgamation of continental terranes (Sibumasu, Simao and Yangtze), which are bounded by ophiolite belts (Ailaoshan, Jinshajiang and Changning–Menglian) that represent former ocean basins. This study concentrates on ophiolites, arc/back-arc assemblages, and within-plate igneous rocks that occur in this complex orogen. Mainly based on geochemical fingerprinting of basalts, the Paleo-Tethys ophiolites are here classified as MORB and SSZ types. The Ailaoshan ophiolite (NMORB-type; ca. 387–374 Ma) is associated with a non-volcanic segment of the rifted western Yangtze margin. The Jinshajiang ophiolite (EMORB-type; 346–341 Ma), which has ophiolite structure but some samples bear crustal contamination signatures, is associated with a volcanic segment of the rifted Yangtze western margin. These MORB-type ophiolites are interpreted to have formed in the continent-ocean transition zones. The Changning–Menglian ophiolite, which marks the main Paleo-Tethys suture, that is, the boundary between the Gondwana-derived Sibumasu terrane and the Yangtze-derived Simao terrane, has traditionally been thought to have a mid-ocean ridge (MOR) origin. New trace element data of basalts, however, indicate that this ophiolite (ca. 270–264 Ma) was formed at a supra-subduction zone (SSZ). Arc and back-arc assemblages are represented by the Gicha (ca. 311–277 Ma) and Banpo (ca. 288–284 Ma) zoned mafic-ultramafic complexes and the Yaxianqiao arc volcanic rocks (ca. 268–264 Ma). Geochemical data suggest that the Gicha complex originated in a back-arc rift. The Banpo complex makes a plutonic arc that contains low-Ti gabbro and tonalite with volcanic arc granite (VAG) affinity. Within-plate igneous rocks are recognized as xenoliths (amphibolites; ca. 443–401 Ma) in the Jinshajinag ophiolite mélange and the Dalongkai small differentiated mafic-ultramafic intrusion (ca. 247–244 Ma) that intruded the Yaxianqiao Arc. The amphibolite xenoliths are similar to low-Ti continental flood basalts (CFB) in composition. Rocks from the small mafic-ultramafic intrusion have superimposed subduction and within-plate geochemical signatures. These ophiolites, arc/back-arc assemblages and within-plate igneous rocks, are summarized as the magmatic records for the Plaeo-Tethys evolution in the context of a plate tectonic cycle. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The chemical bulk rock composition of 37 xenoliths, brought from depths of 25–30km to the surface by penetrating Cenozoic alkali basaltic magma, from the Shamah Harrat, southwestern Syria, was determined by XRF spectroscopy. The geochemical character of these xenoliths points to original marls and within-plate igneous rocks. To obtain the mean chemical composition of the corresponding upper portion of the lower crust, the compositions of the 37 xenoliths were averaged and a leucogranitic and upper crustal component was added to account for assimilation by the Cenozoic magmas. This mean is more basic (SiO2—50.5wt%) and richer in HFSE, LREE, and LILE compared to compositions of the lower crust given by Taylor and McLennan [1985. The Continental Crust: Its Composition and Evolution. Blackwell, Oxford, 312pp.] and Rudnick and Gao [2005. Composition of the continental crust. In: Rudnick, R.L. (Ed.), The Crust. Treatise on Geochemistry, vol. 3. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 1–64]. Calculations of the seismic compressional-wave velocity from our compositional mean, using the PERPLE_X computer software, yielded values around 6.85km/s, which are in accordance with reported seismic studies for the corresponding depth levels (6.7–7.1km/s). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]