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Devonian to Permian plate tectonic cycle of the Paleo-Tethys Orogen in southwest China (I): Geochemistry of ophiolites, arc/back-arc assemblages and within-plate igneous rocks

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. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.