Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jn8rn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-29T01:15:56.389Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The 1126 Ma volcanic event in the Dechang Area, SW Yangtze Block, and its significance

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 March 2022

Chen-Ming Lu
Affiliation:
Technology Innovation Center of Geothermal & Hot Dry Rock Exploration and Development, Ministry of Natural Resources, Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang050061, China Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing100037, China
Chuan-Heng Zhang
Affiliation:
China University of Geosciences, Beijing100083, China
Heng Zhang*
Affiliation:
Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing100037, China
Ying Zhou
Affiliation:
Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, Gower Street, LondonWC1E 6BT, UK
Graham A. Shields
Affiliation:
Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, Gower Street, LondonWC1E 6BT, UK
Lin-Zhi Gao
Affiliation:
Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing100037, China
Xiao-Zhong Ding
Affiliation:
Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing100037, China
*
Author for correspondence: Heng Zhang, Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Traditionally, the strata of the Luonie Valley, Dechang County, SW Sichuan, China, are considered to contain a suite of felsic volcanic rocks (the Huili Group) that erupted after c. 1050 Ma. However, we report here new age constraints, elemental and Lu–Hf isotope geochemistry for a different suite of older basaltic agglomerate lava, basaltic tuff lava and basalt from the same area, which we name the Luonie Formation. New dating results show that the basaltic volcanic suite of the upper part of the Luonie Formation formed at 1126.1 ± 9.9 Ma, significantly earlier than deposition of the Huili Group, but comparable in age to the 1142 ± 16 Ma Laowushan Formation in central Yunnan Province. Granite intrusion into the Luonie Formation dated 1050.7 ± 12.7 Ma provides crucial supporting evidence for this earlier depositional age. We also report a maximum sedimentary age of c. 1158 Ma for the underlying arkose, implying stratigraphic conformity with the basaltic volcanic rock suite.

The ϵHf(t) values of the basaltic volcanic rocks are mainly positive, indicating that the rocks are mainly derived from the depleted mantle and slightly stained by crustal materials. The characteristics of P*, Nb* and Zr* anomalies also support this view. The distribution patterns of trace and rare earth elements indicate that the basaltic volcanic rocks formed in an extensional setting. The Zr/4–Y–2Nb and Th–Nb/16–Zr/117 discrimination diagrams also provide evidence for this understanding. Lithofacies analysis shows that basaltic volcanic wrocks with the characteristics of both continental and marine facies should be formed in a littoral–neritic environment. We propose here that the evidence is consistent with a phase of continental extension that preceded the convergence of the SW Yangtze Block to form part of Rodinia.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bachmann, O and Bergantz, GW (2008) Deciphering magma chamber dynamics from styles of compositional zoning in large silicic ash flow sheets. Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry 69, 651–74. doi: 10.2138/rmg.2008.69.17.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Buchan, KL and Ernst, RE (2004) Diabase dyke swarms and related units in Canada and adjacent regions. Geological Survey of Canada Map 2022A, with map 1:5 000 000 and accompanying Notes. Ottawa: Geological Survey of Canada.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Buchan, KL, Ernst, RE, Hamilton, MA, Mertanen, S, Pesonen, LJ and Elming, SA (2001) Rodinia: the evidence from integrated paleomagnetism and U–Pb geochronology. Precambrian Research 110, 932.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Burgisser, A, Bergantz, GW and Breidenthal, RE (2005) Addressing complexity in laboratory experiments: the scaling of dilute multiphase flows in magmatic systems. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 141, 245–65. doi: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2004.11.001.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cawood, PA, Wang, W, Zhao, TY, Xu, YJ, Mulder, JA, Pisarevsky, SA, Zhang, LM, Gan, CS, He, HY, Liu, HC, Qi, L, Wang, YJ, Yao, JL, Zhao, GC, Zhou, MF and Zi, JW (2020) Deconstructing South China and consequences for reconstructing Nuna and Rodinia. Earth-Science Reviews 204, 103169. doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2020.103169.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cawood, PA, Zhao, GC, Yao, JL, Wang, W, Xu, YJ and Wang, YJ (2018) Reconstructing South China in Phanerozoic and Precambrian supercontinents. Earth-Science Reviews 186, 173–94. doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2017.06.001.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chen, WT, Sun, WH, Zhou, MF and Wang, W (2018) Ca. 1050 Ma intra-continental rift-related A-type felsic rocks in the southwestern Yangtze Block, South China. Precambrian Research 309, 2244.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chen, WT, Zhou, MF and Zhao, XF (2013) Late Paleoproterozoic sedimentary and mafic rocks in the Hekou area, SW China: implication for the reconstruction of the Yangtze Block in Columbia. Precambrian Research 231, 6177. doi: 10.1016/j.precamres.2013.03.011.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ding, ZJ, Yao, SZ, Liu, CQ, Zhou, ZG and Yang, MG (2003) The characteristics of exhalation-sedimentary deposit of Donggouba polymetal deposit: evidence from ore’s REE composition. Acta Petrologica Sinica 19, 792–8.Google Scholar
Ernst, RE (2007) Large igneous provinces (LIPs) in Canada through time and their metallogenic potential. In Mineral Deposits of Canada: A Synthesis of Major Deposits Types, District Metallogeny, the Evolution of Geological Provinces and Exploration Methods (ed. WD Goodfellow), pp. 929–37. St John’s: Geological Association of Canada, Mineral Deposits Division, Special Publication no. 5.Google Scholar
Ernst, RE, Wingate, MT and Buchan, KL (2008) Global record of 1600-700 Ma Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs): implications for the reconstruction of the proposed Nuna (Columbia) and Rodinia supercontinents. Precambrian Research 160, 159–78.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fan, L, Wang, GZ, Shi, XF, Yang, YM, Holzheid, A and Zoheir, BA (2020) Geochemical characteristics of basalts and their mantle source features at 26° S hydrothermal field on the Mid-ocean ridge. Mineralogy and Petrology 40, 920 (in Chinese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Farmer, GL (2003) Continental basaltic rocks. In Treatise on Geochemistry 3 (ed Rudnick, RL), pp. 85121. Amsterdam: Elsevier.Google Scholar
Geng, YS, Kuang, HW, Liu, YQ and Du, LL (2017) Subdivision and correlation of the Mesoproterozoic stratigraphy in the Western and Northern margins of Yangtze block. Acta Geologica Sinica 91, 2151–74 (in Chinese with English abstract). doi: 10.3969/j.issn.0001-5717.2017.10.001.Google Scholar
Geng, YS, Yang, CH, Du, LL, Wang, XS, Ren, LD and Zhou, XW (2007) Chronology and tectonic environment of the Tianbaoshan Formation: new evidence from Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb age and geochemistry. Geological Review 53, 556–63 (in Chinese with English abstract). doi: 10.1016/S1872-5791(07)60044-X.Google Scholar
Greentree, MR and Li, ZX (2008) The oldest known rocks in south-western China: SHRIMP U-Pb magmatic crystallization age and detrital provenance analysis of the Paleoproterozoic Dahongshan Group. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 33, 289302. doi: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2008.01.001.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Greentree, MR, Li, ZX, Li, XH and Wu, HC (2006) Late Mesoproterozoic to earliest Neoproterozoic basin record of the Sibao orogenesis in western South China and relationship to the assembly of Rodinia. Precambrian Research 151, 79100. doi: 10.1016/j.precamres.2006.08.002.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hanson, RE, Crowley, JL, Bowring, SA, Ramezani, J, Gose, WA, Dalziel, LWD, Pancake, JA, Seidel, EK, Blenkinsop, TG and Mukwakwami, J (2004) Coeval large-scale magmatism in the Kalahari and Laurentian cratons during Rodinia assembly. Science 304, 1126–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hanson, RE, Harmer, RE, Blenkinsop, TG, Bullen, DS, Dalziel, IWD, Gose, WA, Hall, RP, Kampunzu, AB, Key, RM, Mukwakwami, J, Munyanyiwa, H, Pancake, JA, Seidel, EK and Ward, SE (2006) Mesoproterozoic intraplate magmatism in the Kalahari Craton: a review. Journal of African Earth Sciences 46, 141–67.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hu, PY, Zhai, QG, Wang, J, Tang, Y and Ren, GM (2017) The Shimian ophiolite in the western Yangtze Block, SW China: zircon SHRIMP U-Pb ages, geochemical and Hf-O isotopic characteristics, and tectonic implications. Precambrian Research 298, 107–22. doi: 10.1016/j.precamres.2017.06.005.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jiang, FZ and Wang, YW (2005) Marine Volcanic Rocks and Metal Deposits. Beijing: Metallurgical Industry Press.Google Scholar
Lance, PB, Sandra, LK, Charlotte, MA, John, NA, Donald, WD, Russell, JK and Chris, F (2003a) TEMORA 1: a new zircon standard for Phanerozoic U-Pb geochronology. Chemical Geology 200, 155–70. doi: 10.1016/S0009-2541(03)00165-7.Google Scholar
Lance, PB, Sandra, LK, Ian, SW, Roland, M, Donald, WD, Russell, JK and Chris, F (2003b) The application of SHRIMP to Phanerozoic geochronology: a critical appraisal of four zircon standards. Chemical Geology 200, 171–88. doi: 10.1016/S0009-2541(03)00166-9.Google Scholar
Li, HK, Zhang, CL, Yao, CY and Xiang, ZQ (2013) Zircon U-Pb age and Hf isotope composition of Mesoproterozoic sedimentary strata on the western margin of the Yangtze massif. Chinese Science: Earth Science 43, 1287–98 (in Chinese without English abstract). doi: 10.1007/s11430-013-4590-9.Google Scholar
Li, YX, Li, SP, Wang, SL, Wang, L, Shang, J, Zhang, ZQ and Zhao, HX (2011) Geochemical characteristics and tectonic environment of the continental facies volcanic rocks in Elashan Area, Qinghai Province. Northwestern Geology 44, 2332.Google Scholar
Li, ZX, Li, XH, Zhou, HW and Peter, DK (2002) Grenvillian continental collision in South China: new SHRIMP U-Pb zircon results and implications for the configuration of Rodinia. Geology 30, 163–6. doi: 10.1130/0091-7613(2002)0302.0.CO;2.2.0.CO;2>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liu, YS, Gao, S, Hu, ZC, Gao, CG, Zong, KQ and Wang, DB (2010) Continental and oceanic crust recycling-induced melt-peridotite interactions in the Trans-North China Orogen: U-Pb dating, Hf isotopes and trace elements in zircons of mantle xenoliths. Journal of Petrology 51, 537–71. doi: 10.1093/petrology/egp082.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liu, YS, Hu, ZC, Gao, S, Günther, D, Xu, J, Gao, CG and Chen, HH (2008) In situ analysis of major and trace elements of anhydrous minerals by LA-ICP-MS without applying an internal standard. Chemical Geology 257, 3443. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2008.08.004.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ludwig, KR (2002) SQUID 1.02, a User’s Manual. Berkeley, California: Berkeley Geochronology Center Special Publication.Google Scholar
Luo, ZH, Mo, XX, Lu, XX, Chen, BH, Ke, S, Hou, ZQ and Jiang, W (2007) Metallogeny by trans-magmatic fluids-theoretical analysis and field evidence. Earth Science Frontiers 14, 165–83 (in Chinese with English abstract). doi: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2005.12.020.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Luo, ZH, Mo, XX, Wan, YS, Li, L and Wei, Y (2006) Geological implications of the youngest SHRIMP U-Pb age of the alkaline basalt in the Tibetan Plateau. Acta Petrologica Sinica 22, 578–84 (in Chinese with English abstract). doi: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2005.12.020.Google Scholar
Manson, ML and Halls, HC (1997) Proterozoic reactivation of the southern Superior Province and its role in the evolution of the Midcontinent rift. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 34, 562–75.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Marsh, BD (2002) On bimodal differentiation by solidification front instability in basaltic magmas, part 1: basic mechanics. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 66, 2211–29.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McDonough, WF and Sun, SS (1995) The composition of the Earth. Chemical Geology 120, 223–53. doi: 10.1016/0009-2541(94)00140-4.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Meschede, M (1986) A method of discriminating between different types of mid-ocean ridge basalts and continental tholeiites with the Nb-Zr-Y diagram. Chemical Geology 56, 207–18. doi: 10.1016/0009-2541(86)90004-5.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Miller, CF and Wark, DA (2008) Supervolcanoes and their explosive supereruptions. Elements 4, 1116. doi: 10.2113/gselements.4.1.11.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mosher, S (1998) Tectonic evolution of the southern Laurentian Grenville orogenic belt. GSA Bulletin 110, 1307–75.2.3.CO;2>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pang, WH, Ren, GM, Sun, ZM and Yin, FG (2015) Division and correlation of Mesoproterozoic strata on the western margin of Yangtze block: evidence from the U-Pb age of tuff zircon in the Tongan Formation. Geology in China 42, 921–36 (in Chinese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Petcovic, HL and Dufek, J (2005) Modeling of magma flow and cooling dikes: implications for emplacement of Columbia River Flood Basalts. Journal of Geophysical Research 110, 115.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pouchon, MA, Curti, E and Degueldre, C (2001) The influence of carbonate complexes on the solubility of zirconia: new experimental data. Progress in Nuclear Energy 38, 443–6. doi: 10.1016/S0149-1970(00)00155-4.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rampone, E, Romairone, A and Hofmann, AW (2004) Contrasting bulk and mineral chemistry in depleted mantle peridotites: evidence for reactive porous flow. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 218, 491506.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ren, GM, Pang, WH, Sun, ZM and Yin, FG (2014) Zircon U-Pb chronology of the amphibolite of Tongan Formation and its geological significance. Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology 34, 33–9 (in Chinese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Shan, XL, Li, JY, Chen, SM, Ran, QC, Chen, GB and Liu, C (2013) Subaquatic volcanic eruptions in continental facies and their influence on high quality source rocks shown by the volcanic rocks of a faulted depression in Northeast China 56, 1926–33. doi: 10.1007/s11430-013-4657-7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stacey, JS and Kramers, JD (1975) Approximation of terrestrial lead isotope evolution by two-stage model. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 26, 207–21. doi: 10.1016/0012-821X(75)90088-6.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sun, SS and McDonough, WF (1989) Chemical and isotopic systematics of oceanic basalts: implications for mantle composition and processes. In Magmatism in the Ocean Basins (eds AD Saunders and MJ Norry), pp. 313–45. Geological Society of London, Special Publication no. 42. doi: 10.1144/GSL.SP.1989.042.01.19.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Upton, BGJ, Emeleus, CH, Heaman, LM, Goodenough, KM and Finch, AA (2003) Magmatism of the mid-Proterozoic Gardar Province, South Greenland: chronology, petrogenesis and geological setting. Lithos 68, 4365.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wang, DB, Yin, FG, Sun, ZM, Wang, LQ, Wang, BD, Liao, SY, Tang, Y and Ren, GM (2013) Zircon U-Pb age and Hf isotopes of Paleoproterozoic mafic intrusion on the western margin of the Yangtze Block and their implications. Geological Bulletin of China 32, 617–30 (in Chinese with English abstract). doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2552.2013.04.010.Google Scholar
Wang, SW, Jiang, XF, Yang, B, Sun, XM, Liao, ZW, Zhou, Q, Guo, Y, Wang, ZZ and Yang, B (2016) The Proterozoic tectonic movement in Kangdian area I: Kunyang intracontinental rift, mantle plume and its metallogenesis. Geological Review 62, 1352–77 (in Chinese with English abstract). doi: 10.16509/j.georeview.2016.06.001.Google Scholar
Wang, T, Wang, ZJ, Xiao, YF, Yang, F and Du, QD (2020) Study on the regional subsidence and its sedimentary response before the first Neoproterozoic glaciation in Yangtze Block. Geological Review 66, 1060–80 (in Chinese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Wang, W and Zhou, MF (2014) Provenance and tectonic setting of the Paleo- to Mesoproterozoic Dongchuan Group in the southwestern Yangtze Block, South China: implication for the breakup of the supercontinent Columbia. Tectonophysics 610, 110–27. doi: 10.1016/j.tecto.2013.11.009.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wen, CQ and Duo, J (2009) Methods of Ore Deposit Study. Beijing: Science and Technology Publishing House.Google Scholar
Wilson, M (1989) Igneous Petrogenesis: A Global Tectonic Approach. London: Unwin Hyman, 466 pp.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wood, DA (1979) A reappraisal of the use of trace elements to classify and discriminate between magma series erupted in different tectonic setting. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 45, 326–36. doi: 10.1016/0012-821X(79)90133-X.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wu, FY, Li, XH, Zheng, YF and Gao, S (2007) Lu-Hf isotopic systematics and their applications in petrology. Acta Petrologica Sinica 23, 185220 (in Chinese with English abstract). doi: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2006.03.028.Google Scholar
Wu, GY (1986) A preliminary discussion on the strata of Tianbaoshan Formation. Journal of Stratigraphy 10, 161–8 (in Chinese with English abstract). doi: CNKI:SUN:DCXZ.0.1986-03-000.Google Scholar
Xu, XS and Qiu, JS (2010) Igneous Petrology. Beijing: Science and Technology Publishing House.Google Scholar
Yang, H, Liu, FL, Du, LL, Liu, PH and Wang, F (2012) Zircon U-Pb dating for metavolcanites in the Laochanghe Formation of the Dahongshan Group in southwestern Yangtze Block, and its geological significance. Acta Petrologica Sinica 28, 29943014 (in Chinese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Yin, FG, Sun, ZM, Ren, GM and Wang, DB (2012) Geological record of Paleo-and Mesoproterozoic orogenesis in the western margin of upper Yangtze Block. Acta Geologica Sinica 86, 1917–32 (in Chinese with English abstract). doi: 10.1007/s11783-011-0280-z.Google Scholar
Yin, FG, Sun, ZM and Zhang, Z (2011) Mesoproterozoic stratigraphic-structure framework in Huili-Dongchuan area. Geological Review 57, 770–8 (in Chinese with English abstract). doi: 10.1007/s12583-011-0162-0.Google Scholar
Yu, SC, Tung, SF and Lee, JS (2001) Structural and spectroscopic features of mantle-derived zircon crystals from Tibet. Western Pacific Earth Sciences 1, 4758. doi: http://140.127.82.166/handle/987654321/12008.Google Scholar
Zhang, CH, Gao, LZ, Wu, ZJ, Shi, XY, Yan, QR and Li, DJ (2007) Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb age of tuff from Kunyang Group, central Yunnan Province: evidence for Granville Orogeny in south China. Chinese Science Bulletin 52, 818–24 (in Chinese without English abstract). doi: 10.1007/s11434-007-0225-x.Google Scholar
Zhang, H, Gao, LZ, Zhang, CH, Ding, XZ, Li, TD and Liu, YX (2018) The discovery of the 2.35Ga crystalline basement in the Southwest of the Yangtze Block and its geological significance. Acta Geologica Sinica 92, 2460–1. doi: CNKI:SUN:DZXW.0.2018-06-036.Google Scholar
Zhao, JH, Asimow, PD, Zhou, MF, Zhang, J, Yan, DP and Zheng, JP (2017) An Andean-type arc system in Rodinia constrained by the Neoproterozoic Shimian ophiolite in South China. Precambrian Research 296, 93111. doi: 10.1016/j.precamres.2017.04.017.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zhao, XF and Zhou, MF (2011) Fe-Cu deposits in the Kangdian region, SW China: a Proterozoic IOCG (iron-oxide-copper-gold) metallogenic province. Mineral Deposita 46, 731–47. doi: 10.1007/s00126-011-0342-y.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zhao, XF, Zhou, MF, Li, JW, Sun, M, Gao, JF, Sun, WH and Yang, JH (2010) Late Paleoproterozoic to early Mesoproterozoic Dongchuan Group in Yunnan, SW China: implications for tectonic evolution of the Yangtze Block. Precambrian Research 182, 5769. doi: 10.1016/j.precamres.2010.06.021.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zhou, BG, Wang, SW, Sun, XM, Liao, ZW, Guo, Y, Jiang, XF, Zhu, HP, Liu, CZ, Luo, MJ, Ma, D, Shen, ZW and Zhang, H (2012) SHRIMP U-Pb age and its significance of zircons in welded tuff of Wangchang formation in Dongchuan Area, Yunnan Province, SW China. Geological Review 58, 359–68 (in Chinese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Zhou, MF, Ma, Y, Yan, D, Xia, X, Zhao, JH and Sun, M (2006) The Yanbian Terrane (southern Sichuan Province, SW China): a Neoproterozoic arc assemblage in the western margin of the Yangtze Block. Precambrian Research 144, 1938.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zhou, MF, Zhao, XF, Chen, WT, Li, XC, Wang, W, Yan, DP and Qiu, HN (2014) Proterozoic Fe–Cu metallogeny and supercontinental cycles of the southwestern Yangtze Block, southern China and northern Vietnam. Earth-Science Reviews 139, 5982. doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2014.08.013.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zhu, WG, Zhong, H and Li, ZX (2016) SIMS zircon U-Pb ages, geochemistry and Nd-Hf isotopes of ca. 1.0 Ga mafic dykes and volcanic rocks in the Huili area, SW China: origin and tectonic significance. Precambrian Research 273, 6789. doi: 10.1016/j.precamres.2015.12.011.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zi, JP, Jia, D, Wei, GQ, Yang, ZY and Zhang, Y (2017) LA-ICP-MS U-Pb zircon ages of volcaniclastic beds of the third member of the Sinian (Ediacaran) Dengying Formation in Leshan, Sichuan, discussion on the rift evolution in the basin. Geological Review 63, 1040–9 (in Chinese with English abstract). doi: 10.16509/i.georeview.2017.04.014.Google Scholar