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Tectonic evolution of the South Altyn, NW China: constraints by geochemical, zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic analysis of the Palaeozoic granitic plutons in the Mangya area

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 May 2020

Nan Xu Open the ORCID record for Nan Xu [Opens in a new window] ,
Cai-lai Wu ,
Yuan-Hong Gao ,
Min Lei ,
Kun Zheng  and
Dong Gao
Nan Xu*
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Deep-Earth Dynamics of MLR, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing100037, China
Cai-lai Wu
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Deep-Earth Dynamics of MLR, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing100037, China
Yuan-Hong Gao
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Deep-Earth Dynamics of MLR, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing100037, China
Min Lei
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Deep-Earth Dynamics of MLR, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing100037, China
Kun Zheng
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Deep-Earth Dynamics of MLR, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing100037, China
Dong Gao
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Deep-Earth Dynamics of MLR, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing100037, China
*
Author for correspondence: Nan Xu, Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

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.

Keywords

South Altyn Orogenic BeltMangyaearly Palaeozoiczircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic data
Type
Original Article
Information
Geological Magazine , Volume 157 , Issue 7 , July 2020 , pp. 1121 - 1143
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2020

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