Neoproterozoic ultramafic-mafic-carbonatite complex and grantoids in Quruqtagh of northeastern Tarim Block, western China: Geochronology, geochemistry and tectonic implications

C-L. Zhang, X-H. Li, Zheng-Xiang Li, S-N. Lu, H-M. Ye, H-M. Li

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    265 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    U-Pb zircon and baddeleyite ages, and geochemical and Nd isotopic data, are reported for a ultramafic-mafic-carbonatite complex and granites in Quruqtagh of northeastern Tarim Block, NW China. The carbonatite and plagioclase-bearing pyroxenite from the Qiganbulake matic-ultramatic-carbonatite ring complex (QMC), the Xingdi granodiorite and the Taiyangdao granite were emplaced at 810 +/- 6, 818 11, 820 +/- 10 and 795 +/- 10 Ma (95% confidence level), respectively. The QMC is composed of dunite, apatite-and/or feldspar-bearing pyroxenite, pyroxenite, phlogopitelite and carbonatite. Petrography, geochemistry and mineral chemistry suggest that the QMC rocks were generated by partial melting of a CO2-metasomatized mantle in a rifting environment. The Xingdi and Taiyangdao granitoids possess high LREE, Na2O/K2O, Sr/Y, (La/Yb)(N) ratios and low HREE and HFSE contents, similar to modem adakites. However, they have lower MgO (or Mg-#), Cr and Ni contents and unradiogenic Nd isotopes (pronounced negative epsilon Nd(t) value of - 12.7 to - 17.3 and Neoarchaean Nd model ages) than slab-derived adakites. Thus, they were likely formed by partial melting of Neoarchaean mafic protoliths in the lower crust, leaving behind a granulite residue. The QMC and the granitoids in Quruqtagh constitute a bimodal intrusive suite in a Neoproterozoic, continental rift setting, possibly related to mantle plume activities beneath the Rodinian supercontinent. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)149-169
    JournalPrecambrian Research
    Volume152
    Issue number3-4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2007

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