Tectonic evolution of the North Qinling Orogen from subduction to collision and exhumation: Evidence from zircons in metamorphic rocks of the Qinling Group |
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| Institution: | 1. State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 9825, Beijing 100029, China;2. College of Earth Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 10049, China;3. State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi''an 710069, China;4. School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China;5. Centre for Tectonics Resources and Exploration, Dept of Earth Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia;1. State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China;2. State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi''an 710069, China;3. State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China;4. Hebei Institute of Geological Survey, Shijiazhuang 050081, China;1. State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi''an 710069, China;2. School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, 29 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100083, China;1. State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Department of Geology, Northwest University, Northern Taibai Str. 229, Xi''an 710069, China;2. Collaborative Innovation Centre of Continental Tectonics, Northwest University, Northern Taibai Str. 229, Xi''an 710069, China;3. School of Earth Science and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Xueyuan Road 29, Beijing 100083, China |
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| Abstract: | The North Qinling Block (NQB) is an important segment of the Qinling Orogen in Central China. Here we report the results from SIMS geochronology and oxygen isotopes, as well as LA-MC-ICPMS Hf isotopic analyses on zircon grains from a suite of metamorphic rocks (felsic gneisses, garnet plagioclase amphibolites, and retrograde eclogite dikes) in the Qinling Group of the NQB. The age data show that these rocks underwent at least two episodes of metamorphism with the peak at 483–501 Ma, followed by 454–470 Ma retrograde metamorphism. These results are generally coeval with the periods of 500–480 Ma for peak metamorphism and 460–420 Ma for retrograde metamorphism previously obtained from the HP/UHP metamorphic rocks of the NQB. During the prograde and retrograde metamorphism, widespread fluid and melt circulation within the block has been identified from the geochemical features of the metamorphic zircons. The fluids that circulated in the felsic gneisses and retrograde eclogite dikes originated from the dehydration of altered oceanic basalts as inferred from the exceedingly low Th/U ratios, positive εHf(t) (> 5) and extremely δ18O (10.01–13.91‰) values in metamorphic zircons. In contrast, the melt involved in the formation of garnet plagioclase amphibolites appears to have been derived from continental sediments interlayered with the oceanic basalts since zircons crystallized during the peak and retrograde metamorphism show typical magmatic features with high U and Th contents and Th/U ratios and enriched Hf (εHf(t) = − 5.42 to − 0.18) and oxygen isotope composition (δ18O around 8‰). Geochronological and geochemical features of the magmatic cores of the clear core-rim textured zircons demonstrate that the protoliths of the gneisses were intermediate-acid volcanic rocks erupted before Neoproterozoic (800 Ma), which is further supported by the intrusion of basaltic magma of asthenospheric origin as represented by protoliths of retrograde eclogite dikes, with the oldest magmatic zircon formed at 789 Ma. The protoliths of garnet plagioclase amphibolites appear to be altered oceanic basalts but had been significantly affected by the melt during the metamorphism. Combined with the previous studies, the Qinling Group experienced overall subduction in the Early Paleozoic. The NQB as represented by the Qinling Group was most likely a discrete micro-block in the Neoproterozoic, and underwent deep subduction in the Cambrian (483–501 Ma) and exhumation in Ordovician (454–470 Ma). We propose that the NQB preserves a complete cycle of tectonic evolution of an orogen from an oceanic basin spreading, and micro-continent formation to deep subduction and exhumation. |
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