Tectonic implications of Re-Os dating of molybdenum deposits in the Tianshan–Xingmeng Orogenic Belt,Central Asia |
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| Abstract: | The Tianshan–Xingmeng molybdenum belt is part of a larger E–W-trending metallogenic belt in northern China. Most of these molybdenum deposits occur as porphyry or porphyry-skarn type, but there are also some vein-type deposits. Following systematic Re-Os dating of molybdenite from four deposits and comparisons with two previously dated deposits, we conclude that molybdenum mineralization in the Tianshan–Xingmeng Orogenic Belt resulted from hydrothermal activity linked to the emplacement of granitoid stocks. Three pulses of granitoid magmatism and Mo mineralization have been recognized in this study, corresponding to tectonic events in the Tianshan–Xingmeng Orogenic Belt. We identify five distinct stages of Mo mineralization events in the Tianshan–Xingmeng Orogenic Belt: 320–250 Ma, 250–200 Ma, 190–155 Ma, 155–140 Ma, and 140–120 Ma. Late Palaeozoic (320–250 Ma) Mo mineralization was closely related to closure of the Palaeo-Asian Ocean and collision between the Siberia and Tarim cratons. Triassic (250–200 Ma) Mo mineralization occurred in a post-collisional tectonic setting. The Early–Middle Jurassic (190–155 Ma) Mo mineralization was related to subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific Ocean on the eastern Asian continental margin, whereas in the Erguna block, the Mo mineralization events were associated with the subduction of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean. From 155 to 120 Ma, large-scale continental extension occurred in the Tianshan–Xingmeng Orogenic Belt and surrounding regions. However, the Late Jurassic (150–140 Ma) Mo mineralization events in these areas evolved in a post-orogenic extensional environment of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean subduction system. The Early Cretaceous (140–120 Ma) Mo mineralization occurred under the combined effects of the closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean and subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific Ocean. |
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| Keywords: | Re-Os dating molybdenum deposits tectonic setting Tianshan–Xingmeng Orogenic Belt Central Asia |
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