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Yong-fei Zheng - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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two episodes of partial melting in ultrahigh pressure migmatites from deeply subducted continental crust in the sulu orogen china
Geological Society of America Bulletin, 2016Co-Authors: Ren-xu Chen, Yong-fei Zheng, H TangAbstract:Partial melting plays an important role in the geodynamics of continental subduction zones. This is identified from a suite of ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) migmatites in the Sulu orogen through a combined study of zircon U-Pb ages, trace elements, and oxygen isotopes, as well as rock-forming mineral and inclusion compositions. The results indicate two episodes of partial melting in the subducted continental crust during continental collision, providing insights into subduction channel processes. The first episode of Anatexis is indicated by the occurrence of nanogranites, not only in zircon, garnet, and monazite from diatexite, but also in zircon cores from leucosome. The anatectic zircon exhibits U-Pb ages of 230−227 Ma and flat rare earth element (REE) patterns with weak or no negative Eu anomalies, and it contains mineral inclusions of coesite and garnet + amphibole. Newly grown zircon grains in the diatexite and zircon cores in the leucosome exhibit high δ 18 O values of 8.3‰−17.3‰, indicating a metasedimentary protolith. The host rocks show high A/CNK (= molar ratio of Al 2 O 3 /[CaO + Na 2 O + K 2 O]) values and the occurrence of peritectic garnet in the diatexite. Thus, the diatexite was produced by partial melting of metasedimentary rocks. The Ti-in-zircon thermometry, the garnet-phengite Fe-Mg partition thermometry for mineral inclusions in the zircon, and the occurrence of coesite inclusions in zircon indicate partial melting at 650−800 °C and 2.5−3.0 GPa, corresponding to high-pressure (HP) to UHP conditions. On the other hand, the second episode of Anatexis is recorded by newly grown zircon grains in metatexite and zircon rims in leucosome, which show U-Pb ages of 218−214 Ma, oscillatory zoning, steep heavy (H) REE patterns with negative Eu anomalies, low temperatures of 550−700 °C, and significant variations in Th, U, Nb, and Ta contents. The Zr-in-titanite thermometry for nanogranite-bearing titanite and the garnet-phengite Fe-Mg partition thermometry for mineral inclusions in the leucosome zircon rims indicate Anatexis at 800−850 °C and 1.0−1.5 GPa. The zircon in the metatexite exhibits low δ 18 O values of −1.5‰−3.5‰ and Neoproterozoic U-Pb ages for relict magmatic cores, indicating the protolith of a low δ 18 O UHP metagranite. The two episodes of Anatexis yield zircon domains with a series of differences not only in U-Pb age, but also in geochemical composition. Thus, protoliths with different origins were involved in the Anatexis, with a possible difference in spatial positions. The UHP metasedimentary rocks atop the deeply subducted continental crust would have undergone the first episode of Anatexis during the final subduction, whereas their underlying metagranite would have undergone the second episode of Anatexis during the exhumation of deeply subducted crust. In either case, the breakdown of UHP hydrous minerals during exhumation is the key for the partial melting of UHP metamorphic rocks in the continental subduction channel.
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Dehydration and Anatexis of UHP metagranite during continental collision in the Sulu orogen
Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 2014Co-Authors: Ren-xu Chen, Yong-fei ZhengAbstract:Dehydration and Anatexis of ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks during continental collision are two key processes that have great bearing on the physicochemical properties of deeply subducted continental crust at mantle depths. Determining the time and P–T conditions at which such events take place is needed to understand subduction-zone tectonism. A combined petrological and zirconological study of UHP metagranite from the Sulu orogen reveals differential behaviours of dehydration and Anatexis between two samples from the same UHP slice. The zircon mantle domains in one sample record eclogite facies dehydration metamorphism at 236 ± 5 Ma during subduction, exhibiting low REE contents, steep MREE–HREE patterns without negative Eu anomalies, low Th, Nb and Ta contents, low temperatures of 651–750 °C and inclusions of quartz, apatite and jadeite. A second mantle domain records high-T Anatexis at 223 ± 3 Ma during exhumation, showing high REE contents, steeper MREE–HREE patterns with marked negative Eu anomalies, high Hf, Nb, Ta, Th and U contents, high temperatures of 698–879 °C and multiphase solid inclusions of albite + muscovite + quartz. In contrast, in a second sample, one zircon mantle domain records limited hydration Anatexis at 237 ± 3 Ma during subduction, exhibiting high REE contents, steep MREE–HREE patterns with marked negative Eu anomalies, high Hf, Nb, Ta, Th and U contents, medium temperatures of 601–717 °C and multiphase solid inclusions of albite + muscovite + hydrohalite. A second mantle domain in this sample records a low-T dehydration metamorphism throughout the whole continental collision in the Triassic, showing low REE contents, steep MREE–HREE patterns with weakly negative Eu anomalies, low Th, Nb and Ta contents, low temperatures of 524–669 °C and anhydrite + gas inclusions. Garnet, phengite and allanite/epidote in these two samples also exhibit different variations in texture and major-trace element compositions, in accordance with the zircon records. The distinct P–T–t paths for these two samples suggest separate processes of dehydration and Anatexis, which are ascribed to the different geothermal gradients at different positions inside the same crustal slice during continental subduction-zone metamorphism. Therefore, the subducting continental crust underwent variable extents of dehydration and Anatexis in response to the change in subduction-zone P–T conditions.
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Petrological and zircon evidence for Anatexis of UHP quartzite during continental collision in the Sulu orogen
Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 2013Co-Authors: Yi-xiang Chen, Yong-fei ZhengAbstract:Petrological evidence is provided for Anatexis of ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic quartzite in the Sulu orogen. Some feldspar grains exhibit elongated, highly cuspate shapes or occur as interstitial, cuspate phases constituting interconnected networks along grain boundaries. Elongated veinlets composed of plagioclase + quartz ± K-feldspar also occur in grain boundaries. These features provide compelling evidence for Anatexis of the UHP quartzite. Zircon grains from impure quartzite are all metamorphic growth with highly irregular shape. They contain inclusions of coesite, jadeite, rutile and lower pressure minerals, including multiphase solid inclusions that are composed of two or more phases of muscovite, quartz, K-feldspar and plagioclase. All zircon grains exhibit steep REE patterns, similar U–Pb ages and Hf isotope compositions with a weighted mean of 218 ± 2 Ma. Most grains have similar δ18O values of −0.6 to 0.1‰, but a few fall in the range −5.2 to −4.3‰. Thus, these grains would have grown from anatectic melts at various pressures. Zircon O isotope differences indicate that anatectic melts were derived from different sources with contrasting O isotopes, but similar Hf isotopes, that is, one from the quartzite itself and the other probably from the country-rock granitic gneiss. Zircon grains from pure quartzite contain relict magmatic cores and significant metamorphic overgrowths. Domains that contain eclogite facies minerals exhibit flat HREE patterns, no Eu anomalies and concordant U–Pb ages of c. 220 Ma. Similar U–Pb ages are also obtained for domains that contain lower pressure minerals and exhibit steep REE patterns and marked negative Eu anomalies. These observations indicate that zircon records subsolidus overgrowth at eclogite facies conditions but suprasolidus growth at lower pressures. Zircon enclosed by garnet gave consistent U–Pb ages of c. 214 Ma. Such garnet is interpreted as a peritectic product of the anatectic reaction that involves felsic minerals and possibly amphibole and titanite. The REE patterns of epidote and titanite also record multistage growth and metasomatism by anatectic melts. Therefore, the Anatexis of UHP metamorphic rocks is evident during continental collision in the Triassic.
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origin of ttg like rocks from Anatexis of ancient lower crust geochemical evidence from neoproterozoic granitoids in south china
Lithos, 2009Co-Authors: Shaobing Zhang, Yong-fei Zheng, Zifu Zhao, Honglin YuanAbstract:Abstract TTG rocks are commonly assumed to form by partial melting of oceanic crust during slab subduction or Anatexis of thickened lower crust. The two models are tested by an integrated study of geochronology and geochemistry for a composite batholith of Neoproterozoic granitoids (mainly TTG-like) from the Yangtze Gorge in South China. Zircon U–Pb dating indicates that all granitoids crystallized in a period of 820 to 800 Ma. Zircon δ 18 O values are 4.85 to 6.84‰, suggesting limited contributions from supracrustal materials to magma sources. Zircon e Hf ( t ) values for syn-magmatic domains range from − 3.6 to − 29.7, concordant with whole-rock e Nd ( t ) values of − 2.1 to − 21.3. Correspondingly, zircon Hf model ages are 2.09 to 3.16 Ga, suggesting their derivation from ancient crust of Paleoproterozoic to Archean ages. TTG-like rocks contain inherited zircon cores that yield two groups of U–Pb ages at Paleoproterozoic (1.8 to 2.0 Ga) and Archean (~ 2.9 Ga), respectively. They show variable e Hf ( t ) values from − 48.4 to − 33.4. Because the Neoproterozoic magmatism leads to variable increases of e Hf ( t ) values for some inherited cores, only the lowest e Hf ( t ) values for the inherited cores are assumed to represent the original Hf isotopes in source rocks. The screened results are consistent with those for Archean TTG gneiss and migmatite in this region. In addition, the TTG-like rocks have lower e Nd ( t ) and e Hf ( t ) values, higher Sr/Y and (La/Yb) N ratios and stronger depletion in Nb, Ta and Ti than the other granitoids. Two alternative scenarios are proposed to account for their petrogenesis: (1) Anatexis of Archean and Paleoproterozoic mafic crust in the stable depths of garnet and amphibole, respectively; or (2) Anatexis of Archean TTG and Paleoproterozoic mafic rocks in amphibole-stable depths. Nevertheless, the second one is preferred because the inherited zircons with Paleoproterozoic to Archean U–Pb ages are preserved in the TTG-like rocks, which is incompatible with high temperatures to generate the primary TTG magmas. Therefore, the Neoproterozoic TTG-like rocks were derived from the Anatexis of ancient non-thickened lower crust, with the TTG features inheriting from their source.
Hua Xiang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Oligocene HP metamorphism and Anatexis of the Higher Himalayan Crystalline Sequence in Yadong region, east-central Himalaya
Gondwana Research, 2017Co-Authors: Zeming Zhang, Huixia Ding, Hua Xiang, Xin Dong, Zhengbin Gou, Zuolin TianAbstract:Abstract The Higher Himalayan Crystalline Sequence (HHCS) provides an excellent natural laboratory to study continental subduction, crustal melting and tectonic evolution of orogenic belt generated through the collision of India with Eurasia. Our petrological study and phase equilibrium modeling reveal that the pelitic migmatites in the HHCS of Yadong region, east-central Himalaya, preserve an early mineral assemblage garnet, kyanite, biotite, quartz, plagioclase, K-feldspar, rutile and ilmenite, and a late sillimanite- and/or cordierite-bearing assemblage, and underwent the high pressure (HP) and high temperature (HT) granulite-facies metamorphism and associated partial melting under P–T conditions of ca. 12 kbar and 825–845 °C, followed by nearly isothermal decompression and isobaric cooling. The Anatexis of the migmatites occurred dominantly through dehydration-melting of both muscovite and biotite during the prograde metamorphism. The melt produced in the peak metamorphic conditions is about 20 to 30 vol.% of the rocks, and a significant amount of melt has been extracted from the source leading to the formation of Himalayan leucogranites. The zircon U–Pb dating data shows that the migmatites probably witnessed a prolonged melting episode that began at ca. 30 Ma and lasted to ca. 20 Ma. These results show that the thickening lower crust of the Himalayan orogen experienced long-lived and continued HP and HT metamorphism and pervasive Anatexis, supporting the models on channel flow.
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long lived high temperature granulite facies metamorphism in the eastern himalayan orogen south tibet
Lithos, 2015Co-Authors: Zeming Zhang, Huixia Ding, Hua Xiang, Xin Dong, Zhenyu HeAbstract:Abstract The Namche Barwa Complex exposed in the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis, south Tibet, underwent high-pressure (HP) and high-temperature (HT) granulite-facies metamorphism and associated Anatexis. The HP pelitic granulites contain garnet, kyanite, sillimanite, cordierite, biotite, quartz, plagioclase, K-feldspar, spinel, ilmenite and graphite. These minerals show composite reaction texture and varying chemical compositions and form four successive mineral assemblages. Phase equilibrium modeling constrains the P–T conditions of 10–12 kbar and 550–700 °C for the prograde stage, 13–16 kbar and 840–880 °C for the peak-metamorphic stage, and 5–6 kbar and 830–870 °C for the late retrograde stage, indicating that the HP granulites recorded a clockwise P–T path involving the early heating burial and Anatexis through dehydration melting of both muscovite and biotite, and the late isothermal decompression and gradual melt crystallization under HT granulite-facies conditions. The zircon U–Pb dating reveals that the HT granulite-facies metamorphism probably initiated at ca. 40 Ma, and lasted to ca. 8 Ma. Therefore, the present study provides robust evidence for a long-lived HT metamorphism and associated Anatexis in the deeply buried Indian continent and important constraints on the leucogranite generation and tectonic evolution of the Himalayan orogen.
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reworking of the gangdese magmatic arc southeastern tibet post collisional metamorphism and Anatexis
Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 2015Co-Authors: Z. Zhang, Hua Xiang, X. Dong, H. Ding, Juhn G. LiouAbstract:The Gangdese magmatic arc, southeastern Tibet, was built by mantle-derived magma accretion and juvenile crustal growth during the Mesozoic to Early Cenozoic northward subduction of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic slab beneath the Eurasian continent. The petrological and geochronological data reveal that the lower crust of the southeastern Gangdese arc experienced Oligocene reworking by metamorphism, Anatexis and magmatism after the India and Asia collision. The post-collisional metamorphic and migmatitic rocks formed at 34–26 Ma and 28–26 Ma respectively. Meta-granitoids have protolith ages of 65–38 Ma. Inherited detrital zircon from metasedimentary rocks has highly variable ages ranging from 2708 to 37 Ma. These rocks underwent post-collisional amphibolite facies metamorphism and coeval Anatexis under P–T conditions of ~710–760 °C and ~12 kbar with geothermal gradients of 18–20 °C km−1, indicating a distinct crustal thickening process. Crustal shortening, thickening and possible subduction erosion due to the continental collision and ongoing convergence resulted in high-P metamorphic and anatectic reworking of the magmatic and sedimentary rocks of the deep Gangdese arc. This study provides a typical example of the reworking of juvenile and ancient continental crust during active collisional orogeny.
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Reworking of the Gangdese magmatic arc, southeastern Tibet: post‐collisional metamorphism and Anatexis
Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 2014Co-Authors: Z. Zhang, Hua Xiang, X. Dong, H. Ding, Juhn G. LiouAbstract:The Gangdese magmatic arc, southeastern Tibet, was built by mantle-derived magma accretion and juvenile crustal growth during the Mesozoic to Early Cenozoic northward subduction of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic slab beneath the Eurasian continent. The petrological and geochronological data reveal that the lower crust of the southeastern Gangdese arc experienced Oligocene reworking by metamorphism, Anatexis and magmatism after the India and Asia collision. The post-collisional metamorphic and migmatitic rocks formed at 34–26 Ma and 28–26 Ma respectively. Meta-granitoids have protolith ages of 65–38 Ma. Inherited detrital zircon from metasedimentary rocks has highly variable ages ranging from 2708 to 37 Ma. These rocks underwent post-collisional amphibolite facies metamorphism and coeval Anatexis under P–T conditions of ~710–760 °C and ~12 kbar with geothermal gradients of 18–20 °C km−1, indicating a distinct crustal thickening process. Crustal shortening, thickening and possible subduction erosion due to the continental collision and ongoing convergence resulted in high-P metamorphic and anatectic reworking of the magmatic and sedimentary rocks of the deep Gangdese arc. This study provides a typical example of the reworking of juvenile and ancient continental crust during active collisional orogeny.
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Zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotope compositions of the Mayuan migmatite complex, NW Fujian Province, Southeast China: Constraints on the timing and nature of a regional tectonothermal event associated with the Caledonian orogeny
Lithos, 2010Co-Authors: Rui Liu, Hua Xiang, Hanwen Zhou, Li Zhang, Zengqiu Zhong, Wen Zeng, Song JinAbstract:Abstract U–Pb ages, trace elements, and Hf isotope compositions of zircons from the Mayuan migmatite complex in NW Fujian province have been determined to provide constraints on the source and genesis of Anatexis and tectonothermal evolution related to the Caledonian orogeny in South China. The migmatites investigated consist of various amounts of mesosome, leucosome, and melansome. Zircons extracted from mesosome, leucosome, and granite samples are characterized by oscillatory overgrowths enclosing inherited cores or occur as newly grown grains. The ages of the inherited zircons from the leucosome and granite samples are consistent with those of adjacent basement paragneiss in the study area, suggesting that both leucosome and granite were generated by partial melting of the latter. A comparison of Hf isotopes between the newly-formed zircons and inherited cores indicates that the former resulted from the breakdown of preexisting inherited zircons and/or less Hf-rich minerals other than zircons at the source. One mesosome sample contains typical metamorphic zircons that yielded a weighted mean 206 Pb/ 238 U age of 453 ± 3 Ma. They show enrichments in heavy REEs (Lu N /La N up to 22,709), indicating their growth prior to garnet crystallization. The other mesosome sample, in contrast, contains both newly-formed metamorphic rims and grains that gave a weighted mean 206 Pb/ 238 U age of 442 ± 8 Ma. They are characterized by relatively low Th/U ratios, depletions in heavy REEs (Lu N /La N = 117–396), and low 176 Lu/ 177 Hf ratios, suggesting their growth synchronous with garnet crystallization. The U–Pb ages of the mesosome samples are interpreted as recording the time of early (ca. 453 Ma) to peak (442 Ma) stages of a regional metamorphic event. Two leucosome and two granite samples yield consistent U–Pb ages of 438 ± 5 Ma to 442 ± 4 Ma, which provide constraints on the timing of subsequent Anatexis and magmatism. The geochronological data reported here reveal a consecutive sequence of regional metamorphism, Anatexis, and magmatism in NW Fujian province, lasting for at least 15 Myr, which was driven by the Caledonian orogeny that have affected a major part of the SCB.
Patrick Michel - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Comment on “Parent body depth-pressure-temperature relationships and the style of the ureilite Anatexis” by P. H. Warren (MAPS 47:209–227)
Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 2013Co-Authors: Cyrena Anne Goodrich, Lionel Wilson, James A. Van Orman, Patrick MichelAbstract:Ureilites are carbon-rich ultramafic (olivine + dominantly low-Ca pyroxene) achondrites with poorly understood petrogenesis. One major problem concerns the origin of extensive variation in FeO content (olivine core Fo values ranging from approximately 75 to 95) among the individual ureilites. The two main competing hypotheses to explain this variation are: (1) equilibrium smelting, in which ureilite Fo values were established by pressure-dependent (depth-linked) carbon redox reactions on the ureilite parent body during partial melting; or (2) nebular inheritance, in which the variation in FeO contents was derived from ureilite precursors and was preserved during partial melting. The paper “Parent body depth-pressure-temperature relationships and the style of the ureilite Anatexis” by Warren (2012) discusses a series of topics related to ureilite petrogenesis. In each case, an argument is presented within the context of smelting versus nonsmelting models. Collectively, these arguments create the impression that there are many valid arguments against smelting. The purpose of this comment is to point out flaws in some of these arguments, and/or to show that the issues they address are independent of smelting versus nonsmelting models. Both equilibrium smelting and nebular inheritance (simple Anatexis) models face challenges in explaining all the properties of ureilites, but both remain viable.
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comment on parent body depth pressure temperature relationships and the style of the ureilite Anatexis by p h warren maps 47 209 227
Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 2013Co-Authors: Cyrena Anne Goodrich, Lionel Wilson, James A. Van Orman, Patrick MichelAbstract:Ureilites are carbon-rich ultramafic (olivine + dominantly low-Ca pyroxene) achondrites with poorly understood petrogenesis. One major problem concerns the origin of extensive variation in FeO content (olivine core Fo values ranging from approximately 75 to 95) among the individual ureilites. The two main competing hypotheses to explain this variation are: (1) equilibrium smelting, in which ureilite Fo values were established by pressure-dependent (depth-linked) carbon redox reactions on the ureilite parent body during partial melting; or (2) nebular inheritance, in which the variation in FeO contents was derived from ureilite precursors and was preserved during partial melting. The paper “Parent body depth-pressure-temperature relationships and the style of the ureilite Anatexis” by Warren (2012) discusses a series of topics related to ureilite petrogenesis. In each case, an argument is presented within the context of smelting versus nonsmelting models. Collectively, these arguments create the impression that there are many valid arguments against smelting. The purpose of this comment is to point out flaws in some of these arguments, and/or to show that the issues they address are independent of smelting versus nonsmelting models. Both equilibrium smelting and nebular inheritance (simple Anatexis) models face challenges in explaining all the properties of ureilites, but both remain viable.
Yingde Jiang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Anatexis of accretionary wedge, Pacific‐type magmatism, and formation of vertically stratified continental crust in the Altai Orogenic Belt
Tectonics, 2016Co-Authors: Yingde Jiang, Karel Schulmann, Min Sun, Pavla Štípská, Alexandra Guy, Vojtěch Janoušek, Ondrej Lexa, Chao YuanAbstract:Granitoid magmatism and its role in differentiation and stabilization of the Paleozoic accretionary wedge in the Chinese Altai are evaluated in this study. Voluminous Silurian-Devonian granitoids intruded a greywacke-dominated Ordovician sedimentary succession (the Habahe Group) of the accretionary wedge. The close temporal and spatial relationship between the regional Anatexis and the formation of granitoids, as well as their geochemical similarities including rather unevolved Nd isotopic signatures and the strong enrichment of large-ion lithophile elements relative to many of the high field strength elements, may indicate that the granitoids are product of partial melting of the accretionary wedge rocks. Whole-rock geochemistry and pseudosection modeling show that regional Anatexis of fertile sediments could have produced a large amount of melts compositionally similar to the granitoids. Such process could have left a high-density garnet- and/or garnet-pyroxene granulite residue in the deep crust, which can be the major reason for the gravity high over the Chinese Altai. Our results show that melting and crustal differentiation can transform accretionary wedge sediments into vertically stratified and stable continental crust. This may be a key mechanism contributing to the peripheral continental growth worldwide.
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Anatexis of accretionary wedge pacific type magmatism and formation of vertically stratified continental crust in the altai orogenic belt
Tectonics, 2016Co-Authors: Yingde Jiang, Karel Schulmann, Min Sun, Pavla Štípská, Alexandra Guy, Vojtěch Janoušek, Ondrej Lexa, Chao YuanAbstract:Granitoid magmatism and its role in differentiation and stabilization of the Paleozoic accretionary wedge in the Chinese Altai are evaluated in this study. Voluminous Silurian-Devonian granitoids intruded a greywacke-dominated Ordovician sedimentary succession (the Habahe Group) of the accretionary wedge. The close temporal and spatial relationship between the regional Anatexis and the formation of granitoids, as well as their geochemical similarities including rather unevolved Nd isotopic signatures and the strong enrichment of large-ion lithophile elements relative to many of the high field strength elements, may indicate that the granitoids are product of partial melting of the accretionary wedge rocks. Whole-rock geochemistry and pseudosection modeling show that regional Anatexis of fertile sediments could have produced a large amount of melts compositionally similar to the granitoids. Such process could have left a high-density garnet- and/or garnet-pyroxene granulite residue in the deep crust, which can be the major reason for the gravity high over the Chinese Altai. Our results show that melting and crustal differentiation can transform accretionary wedge sediments into vertically stratified and stable continental crust. This may be a key mechanism contributing to the peripheral continental growth worldwide.
Chao Yuan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Anatexis of accretionary wedge, Pacific‐type magmatism, and formation of vertically stratified continental crust in the Altai Orogenic Belt
Tectonics, 2016Co-Authors: Yingde Jiang, Karel Schulmann, Min Sun, Pavla Štípská, Alexandra Guy, Vojtěch Janoušek, Ondrej Lexa, Chao YuanAbstract:Granitoid magmatism and its role in differentiation and stabilization of the Paleozoic accretionary wedge in the Chinese Altai are evaluated in this study. Voluminous Silurian-Devonian granitoids intruded a greywacke-dominated Ordovician sedimentary succession (the Habahe Group) of the accretionary wedge. The close temporal and spatial relationship between the regional Anatexis and the formation of granitoids, as well as their geochemical similarities including rather unevolved Nd isotopic signatures and the strong enrichment of large-ion lithophile elements relative to many of the high field strength elements, may indicate that the granitoids are product of partial melting of the accretionary wedge rocks. Whole-rock geochemistry and pseudosection modeling show that regional Anatexis of fertile sediments could have produced a large amount of melts compositionally similar to the granitoids. Such process could have left a high-density garnet- and/or garnet-pyroxene granulite residue in the deep crust, which can be the major reason for the gravity high over the Chinese Altai. Our results show that melting and crustal differentiation can transform accretionary wedge sediments into vertically stratified and stable continental crust. This may be a key mechanism contributing to the peripheral continental growth worldwide.
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Anatexis of accretionary wedge pacific type magmatism and formation of vertically stratified continental crust in the altai orogenic belt
Tectonics, 2016Co-Authors: Yingde Jiang, Karel Schulmann, Min Sun, Pavla Štípská, Alexandra Guy, Vojtěch Janoušek, Ondrej Lexa, Chao YuanAbstract:Granitoid magmatism and its role in differentiation and stabilization of the Paleozoic accretionary wedge in the Chinese Altai are evaluated in this study. Voluminous Silurian-Devonian granitoids intruded a greywacke-dominated Ordovician sedimentary succession (the Habahe Group) of the accretionary wedge. The close temporal and spatial relationship between the regional Anatexis and the formation of granitoids, as well as their geochemical similarities including rather unevolved Nd isotopic signatures and the strong enrichment of large-ion lithophile elements relative to many of the high field strength elements, may indicate that the granitoids are product of partial melting of the accretionary wedge rocks. Whole-rock geochemistry and pseudosection modeling show that regional Anatexis of fertile sediments could have produced a large amount of melts compositionally similar to the granitoids. Such process could have left a high-density garnet- and/or garnet-pyroxene granulite residue in the deep crust, which can be the major reason for the gravity high over the Chinese Altai. Our results show that melting and crustal differentiation can transform accretionary wedge sediments into vertically stratified and stable continental crust. This may be a key mechanism contributing to the peripheral continental growth worldwide.
