Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T12:19:53.721Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

UHP metamorphism recorded by coesite-bearing metapelite in the East Kunlun Orogen (NW China)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2019

Hengzhe Bi ,
Shuguang Song Open the ORCID record for Shuguang Song [Opens in a new window] ,
Liming Yang ,
Mark B. Allen ,
Shengsheng Qi  and
Li Su
Hengzhe Bi
Affiliation:
MOE Key Laboratory of Orogenic Belt and Crustal Evolution, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Shuguang Song*
Affiliation:
MOE Key Laboratory of Orogenic Belt and Crustal Evolution, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Liming Yang
Affiliation:
MOE Key Laboratory of Orogenic Belt and Crustal Evolution, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Mark B. Allen
Affiliation:
Department of Earth Sciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
Shengsheng Qi
Affiliation:
Qinghai Bureau of Geological Survey, Xining 810012, China
Li Su
Affiliation:
Institute of Earth Science and State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
*
Author for correspondence: Shuguang Song, Email: sgsong@pku.edu.cn
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The East Kunlun Orogen (EKO) is the NW part of the Central China Orogenic Belt, which records the evolutionary history of the Proto- and Palaeo-Tethys Oceans from the Cambrian to the Triassic. An Early Palaeozoic eclogite belt has been recognized in recent years, which extends discontinuously for ∼500 km as three eclogite-bearing terranes. In this study, we report an integrated study of zircon grains from mica-schists accompanying the eclogites, in terms of mineral inclusions, U–Pb age systematics and P–T conditions. The presence of coesite is identified, as inclusions within the metamorphic domain of zircons, which provides unambiguous evidence for subducted terrigenous clastic rocks of the Proto-Tethys Ocean exhumed from coesite-forming depths. U–Pb dating of the metamorphic zircons yields a concordia age of 426.5 ± 0.88 Ma, which is likely to be the time of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism in the Kehete terrane. P–T calculations suggest that metapelite may have experienced a clockwise P–T path with peak P/T conditions of 685 ± 41 °C and >28 kbar, and equilibrated at 482–566 °C and 5.6–8.9 kbar during subsequent exhumation. The high-pressure – ultrahigh-pressure (HP-UHP) metamorphic belt within the EKO may have formed by collision between the Qaidam Block and the South Kunlun Block, as a consequence of the closure of the Proto-Tethys Ocean.

Keywords

coesite inclusionsUHP metamorphismzircon U–Pb datingP–T pseudosectionProto-Tethys OceanEast Kunlun Orogen
Type
Original Article
Information
Geological Magazine , Volume 157 , Issue 2 , February 2020 , pp. 160 - 172
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2019 

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

Andersen, T (2002) Correction of common lead in U–Pb analyses that do not report 204Pb. Chemical Geology 192, 59–79.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bi, HZ, Song, SG, Dong, JL, Yang, LM, Qi, SS and Allen, MB (2018) First discovery of coesite in eclogite from East Kunlun, northwest China. Science Bulletin 63, 1536–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bian, Q, Li, D, Pospelov, I, Yin, L, Li, H, Zhao, D, Chang, C, Luo, X, Gao, S and Astrakhantsev, O (2004) Age, geochemistry and tectonic setting of Buqingshan ophiolites, North Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 23, 577–96.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carswell, DA and Compagnoni, R (2003) Introduction with review of the definition, distribution and geotectonic significance of ultrahigh pressure metamorphism. In Ultrahigh Pressure Metamorphism (eds Carswell, DA and Compagnoni, R), pp. 3–9. Budapest: Eotvos University Press.Google Scholar
Cherniak, DJ and Watson, EB (2003) Diffusion in zircon. In Zircon (eds Hanchar, JM and Hoskin, PWO), pp. 113–43. Chantilly, Virginia: Mineralogical Society of America. Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, no. 53.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chopin, C (1984) Coesite and pure pyrope in high-grade blueschists of the Western Alps: a first record and some consequences. Contributions to Mineralogy & Petrology 86, 107–18.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dong, Y, He, D, Sun, S, Liu, X, Zhou, X, Zhang, F, Yang, Z, Cheng, B, Zhao, G and Li, J (2018) Subduction and accretionary tectonics of the East Kunlun Orogen, western segment of the Central China Orogenic System. Earth-Science Reviews 186, 231–261.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dong, Y and Santosh, M (2016) Tectonic architecture and multiple orogeny of the Qinling Orogenic Belt, Central China. Gondwana Research 29, 1–40.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ferry, JM and Watson, EB (2007) New thermodynamic models and revised calibrations for the Ti-in-zircon and Zr-in-rutile thermometers. Contributions to Mineralogy & Petrology 154, 429–37.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Frezzotti, ML, Tecce, F and Casagli, A (2012) Raman spectroscopy for fluid inclusion analysis. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 112, 1–20.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hacker, BR and Peacock, SM (1995) Creation, preservation, and exhumation of UHPM rocks. In Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphism (eds Coleman, RG and Wang, X), pp. 159–81. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jiang, CF (1992) The Opening–Closing Tectonics of Kunlun. Beijing: Geological Publishing House, 217 pp.Google Scholar
Katayama, I, Maruyama, S, Parkinson, CD, Terada, K and Sano, Y (2001) Ion micro-probe U–Pb zircon geochronology of peak and retrograde stages of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks from the Kokchetav massif, northern Kazakhstan. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 188, 185–98.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Li, S, Zhao, S, Liu, X, Cao, H, Yu, S, Li, X, Somerville, I, Yu, S and Suo, Y (2018) Closure of the Proto-Tethys Ocean and Early Paleozoic amalgamation of microcontinental blocks in East Asia. Earth-Science Reviews 186, 37–75CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Li, XH, Li, WX, Li, ZX and Liu, Y (2008) 850–790 Ma bimodal volcanic and intrusive rocks in northern Zhejiang, South China: a major episode of continental rift magmatism during the breakup of Rodinia. Lithos 102, 341–57.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Li, XH, Li, ZX, Ge, W, Zhou, H, Li, W, Liu, Y and Wingate, MTD (2003) Neoproterozoic granitoids in South China: crustal melting above a mantle plume at ca. 825 Ma? Precambrian Research 122, 45–83.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Li, XH, Tang, GQ, Bing, G, Yang, YH, Hou, KJ, Hu, ZC, Li, QL, Liu, Y and Li, WX (2013) Qinghu zircon: a working reference for micro beam analysis of U–Pb age and Hf and O isotopes. China Science Bulletin 58, 4647–54.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liou, JG, Ernst, WG, Zhang, RY, Tsujimori, T and Jahn, BM (2009) Ultrahigh-pressure minerals and metamorphic terranes – the view from China. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 35, 199–231.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liou, JG, Tsujimori, T, Zhang, RY, Katayama, I and Maruyama, S (2004) Global UHP metamorphism and continental subduction/collision: the Himalayan model. International Geology Review 46, 1–27.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liu, FL and Liou, JG (2011) Zircon as the best mineral for P–T-time history of UHP metamorphism: a review on mineral inclusions and U–Pb SHRIMP ages of zircons from the Dabie–Sulu UHP rocks. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 40, 1–39.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liu, ZQ, Pei, XZ and Li, RB (2011) LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb geochronology of the two suites of ophiolites at the Buqingshan area of the A’nyemaqen orogenic belt in the southern margin of East Kunlun and its tectonic implication. Acta Geologica Sinica 85, 185–94.Google Scholar
Ludwig, KR (2003) User’s Manual for Isoplot 3.0: A Geochronological Toolkit for Microsoft Excel. Berkeley, California: Berkeley Geochronology Centre, Special Publication 4.Google Scholar
Mattinson, CG, Wooden, JL, Liou, JG, Bird, DK and Wu, CL (2006) Age and duration of eclogite-facies metamorphism, North Qaidam HP/UHP terrane, Western China. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 70, A401.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Meng, F, Cui, M, Wu, X and Ren, Y (2015) Heishan mafic–ultramafic rocks in the Qimantag area of Eastern Kunlun, NW China: remnants of an early Paleozoic incipient island arc. Gondwana Research 27, 745–59.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Meng, F, Zhang, J and Cui, M (2013) Discovery of Early Paleozoic eclogite from the East Kunlun, Western China, and its tectonic significance. Gondwana Research 23, 825–36.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pearce, NJG, Perkins, WT, Westgate, JA, Gorton, MP, Jackson, SE, Neal, CR and Chenery, SP (1997) A compilation of new and published major and trace element data for NIST SRM 610 and NIST SRM 612 glass reference materials. Geostandards Newsletter 21, 115–44.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Qi, SS, Song, SG, Shi, LC, Cai, HJ and Hu, JC (2014) Discovery and its geological significance of Early Paleozoic eclogite in Xiarihamu-Suhaitu area, western part of the East Kunlun. Acta Petrologica Sinica 30, 3345–56.Google Scholar
Qi, XP, Fan, XG, Yang, J, Cui, JT, Wang, BY, Fan, YZ, Yang, GX, Li, Z, and Chao, WD (2016) The discovery of Early Paleozoic eclogite in the upper reaches of Langmuri in eastern East Kunlun Mountains and its significance. Geological Bulletin of China 35, 1771–83.Google Scholar
Roger, F, Arnaud, N, Gilder, S, Tapponnier, P, Jolivet, M, Brunel, M, Malavieille, J, Xu, Z and Yang, J (2003) Geochronological and geochemical constraints on Mesozoic suturing in east central Tibet. Tectonics 22, 1037. doi: 10.1029/2002TC001466.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rubatto, D and Hermann, J (2007) Zircon behaviour in deeply subducted rocks. Elements 3, 31–5.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sobolev, NV and Shatsky, VS (1990) Diamond inclusions in garnets from metamorphic rocks: a new environment for diamond formation. Nature 343, 742–6.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Song, SG, Bi, H, Qi, S, Yang, L, Allen, MB, Niu, YL, Su, L and Li, W (2018) HP-UHP metamorphic belt in the East Kunlun Orogen: final closure of the Proto-Tethys Ocean and formation of Pan-North-China Continent. Journal of Petrology 59, 2043–60.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Song, SG, Niu, Y, Su, L and Xia, X (2013) Tectonics of the North Qilian orogen, NW China. Gondwana Research 23, 1378–401.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Song, SG, Niu, YL, Su, L, Zhang, C and Zhang, LF (2014) Continental orogenesis from ocean subduction, continent collision/subduction, to orogen collapse, and orogen recycling: the example of the North Qaidam UHPM belt, NW China. Earth-Science Reviews 129, 59–84.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Song, SG, Niu, Y, Wei, C, Ji, J and Su, L (2010) Metamorphism, anatexis, zircon ages and tectonic evolution of the Gongshan block in the northern Indochina continent – an eastern extension of the Lhasa Block. Lithos 120, 327–46.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Song, SG, Niu, YL, Zhang, LF, Wei, CJ, Liou, JG and Su, L (2009) Tectonic evolution of early Paleozoic HP metamorphic rocks in the North Qilian Mountains, NW China: new perspectives. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 35, 334–53.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Song, SG, Su, L, Li, XH, Niu, YL and Zhang, LF (2012) Grenville-age orogenesis in the Qaidam-Qilian block: the link between South China and Tarim. Precambrian Research 220, 9–22.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Song, SG, Yang, J, Xu, Z, Liou, J and Shi, R (2003) Metamorphic evolution of the coesite-bearing ultrahigh-pressure terrane in the North Qaidam, Northern Tibet, NW China. Journal of Metamorphic Geology 21, 631–44.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Song, SG, Yang, LM, Zhang, Y, Niu, Y, Wang, C, Su, L and Gao, Y (2017) Qi-Qin Accretionary Belt in Central China Orogen: accretion by trench jam of oceanic plateau and formation of intra-oceanic arc in the Early Paleozoic Qin-Qi-Kun Ocean. Science Bulletin 15, 1035–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Song, SG, Zhang, LF, Niu, YL, Su, L, Song, BA and Liu, DY (2006) Evolution from oceanic subduction to continental collision: a case study from the Northern Tibetan Plateau based on geochemical and geochronological data. Journal of Petrology 47, 435–55.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tung, K-A, Yang, H-Y, Liu, D-Y, Zhang, J-X, Yang, H-J, Shau, Y-H and Tseng, C-Y (2013) The Neoproterozoic granitoids from the Qilian block, NW China: evidence for a link between the Qilian and South China blocks. Precambrian Research 235, 163–89.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
von Raumer, JF and Stampfli, GM (2008) The birth of the Rheic Ocean – Early Palaeozoic subsidence patterns and subsequent tectonic plate scenarios. Tectonophysics 461, 9–20.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Whitney, DL and Evans, BW (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist 95, 185–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wiedenbeck, M, Allé, P, Corfu, F, Griffin, WL, Meier, M, Oberli, F, Quadt, AV, Roddick, JC and Spiegel, W (1995) Three natural zircon standards for U–Th–Pb, Lu–Hf, trace element and REE analyses. Geostandards & Geoanalytical Research 19, 1–23.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wu, CM and Zhao, GC (2006) Recalibration of the garnet–muscovite (GM) geothermometer and the garnet–muscovite–plagioclase–quartz (GMPQ) geobarometer for metapelitic assemblages. Journal of Petrology 47, 2357–68.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Xu, X, Song, S, Allen, MB, Ernst, RE, Niu, Y and Su, L (2016) An 850–820 Ma LIP dismembered during breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent and destroyed by Early Paleozoic continental subduction in the northern Tibetan Plateau, NW China. Precambrian Research 282, 52–73.Google Scholar
Xu, X, Song, SG, Su, L, Li, ZX, Niu, YL and Allen, MB (2015) The 600-580 Ma continental rift basalts in North Qilian Shan, northwest China: Links between the Qilian-Qaidam block and SE Australia, and the reconstruction of East Gondwana. Precambrian Research 257, 47–64.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yang, JS, Robinson, PT, Jiang, CF and Xu, ZQ (1996) Ophiolites of the Kunlun Mountains, China and their tectonic implication. Tectonophysics 258, 215–31.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yang, JS, Wang, XB, Shi, RD, Xu, ZQ and Wu, C (2009) The Dur’ngoi ophiolite in East Kunlun, north Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: a fragment of paleo-Tethyan oceanic crust. Geology in China 31, 225–39.Google Scholar
Yin, A and Harrison, TM (2000) Geologic evolution of the Himalayan-Tibetan orogen. Annual Review of Earth & Planetary Sciences 28, 211–80.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yu, SY, Zhang, JX, Li, HK, Hou, KJ, Mattinson, CG and Gong, JH (2013) Geochemistry, zircon U - Pb geochronology and Lu - Hf isotopic composition of eclogites and their host gneisses in the Dulan area, North Qaidam UHP terrane: new evidence for deep continental subduction. Gondwana Research 23, 901–19.CrossRefGoogle Scholar