0000000000335525
AUTHOR
Yizhao Wang
Devonian to Permian plate tectonic cycle of the Paleo-Tethys Orogen in southwest China (I): Geochemistry of ophiolites, arc/back-arc assemblages and within-plate igneous rocks
Abstract The Paleo-Tethys Orogen in southwest China is an amalgamation of continental terranes (Sibumasu, Simao and Yangtze), which are bounded by ophiolite belts (Ailaoshan, Jinshajiang and Changning–Menglian) that represent former ocean basins. This study concentrates on ophiolites, arc/back-arc assemblages, and within-plate igneous rocks that occur in this complex orogen. Mainly based on geochemical fingerprinting of basalts, the Paleo-Tethys ophiolites are here classified as MORB and SSZ types. The Ailaoshan ophiolite (NMORB-type; ca. 387–374 Ma) is associated with a non-volcanic segment of the rifted western Yangtze margin. The Jinshajiang ophiolite (EMORB-type; 346–341 Ma), which has …
Devonian to Permian plate tectonic cycle of the Paleo-Tethys Orogen in southwest China (II): Insights from zircon ages of ophiolites, arc/back-arc assemblages and within-plate igneous rocks and generation of the Emeishan CFB province
Abstract New SHRIMP zircon ages for ophiolites, arc/back-arc assemblages and within-plate igneous rocks constrain the evolution of the Paleo-Tethys Orogen of southwest China. Ophiolites represent remnants of the Paleo-Tethys ocean, which was divided by the Simao terrane into two tracts, the main ocean in the west (current position) and a branch in the east. The main ocean has been inferred to originate from Gondwana break-up in the Early Devonian, and the heritage is preserved as the Changning-Menglian ophiolite (SSZ-type). The oceanic branch is represented by the Ailaoshan (NMORB-type)–Jinshajinag (EMORB-type) ophiolites. Zircons from a diabase and a plagiogranite of the Ailaoshan ophiolit…