More Like this

1. Nature of the Paleo‐Pacific Subduction Along the East Asian Continental Margin in the Mesozoic: Insights From the Sedimentary Record of West Sarawak, Borneo

   https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL102370  

   Zhou, Yang; Carter, Andrew; Wu, Jonny; Yao, Yongjian; Zhu, Rongwei; Liu, Hailing; Liu, Wei; Zhao, Qi; Zhu, Zuofei; Yan, Yi; et al (April 2023, Geophysical Research Letters)

   Abstract The Mesozoic subduction history of the Paleo‐Pacific plate below the East Asian margin remains contentious, in part because the southern part is poorly understood. To address this, we conducted a sediment provenance study to constrain Mesozoic subduction history below West Sarawak, Borneo. A combination of detrital zircon U‐Pb geochronology, heavy minerals, trace element, and bulk rock Nd isotope data were used to identify the tectonic events. The overall maturity of mineral assemblages, dominantly felsic sources, abundant Precambrian‐aged zircons, and low εNd(0) values (average −13.07) seen in Late Triassic sedimentary rocks suggest a period of inactive subduction near Borneo. Slab shallowing subduction occurred between 200 and 170 Ma based on subdued magmatism and tectonic compression across West Sarawak. From c. 170 to 70 Ma there was widespread magmatism and we interpret the Paleo‐Pacific slab steepened. Collectively, we show the Paleo‐Pacific plate subduction had variable slab dip histories in Borneo. 

   more » « less
2. Late Triassic continental eclogite in the central Tibetan Plateau reveals 2500-km-long Paleo-Tethys continental subduction

   https://doi.org/10.1130/G52796.1  

   Xu, Wang; Liu, Lishuang; Kohn, Matthew J; Liu, Pinghua; Cai, Jia (October 2024, Geology)

   Abstract Permian–Triassic eclogites exposed on the Tibetan Plateau have traditionally been attributed to Paleo-Tethys oceanic subduction. Here we report new data that indicate a continental-subduction origin of the Pianshishan eclogites along the Longmuco-Shuanghu Paleo-Tethys suture in northern Tibet. Phase equilibrium modeling and zircon U-Pb dating constrain eclogite-facies metamorphism of ~2.1 GPa/530 °C to have occurred ca. 235 Ma. Xenocrysts of ca. 1850 Ma metamorphic zircons and crustal trace element signatures reveal a continental protolith for the Pianshishan eclogites, demonstrating deep subduction of continental passive margins during the early Late Triassic. The Qianmai eclogites along the Changning-Menglian suture in Southwest China have the same petrogenesis, indicating that these two coeval eclogites resulted from continental subduction that extended over 2500 km along the Paleo-Tethys suture. This collision not only marks the end of the Paleo-Tethys Wilson cycle but also could have formed a high-elevation range, comparable in length to the Himalaya, that amplified Tethyan megamonsoons during the Late Triassic Carnian Pluvial Episode. 

   more » « less
3. Multicyclic Phanerozoic orogeny recorded in the Qaidam continent, northern Tibet: Implications for the tectonic evolution of the Tethyan orogenic system

   https://doi.org/10.1130/B37906.1  

   Wu, Chen; Zhao, Yonghui; Li, Jie; Liu, Wenyou; Zuza, Andrew V; Haproff, Peter J; Ding, Lin (October 2024, Geological Society of America Bulletin)

   The growth and evolution of the Eurasian continent involved the progressive closure of major ocean basins during the Phanerozoic, including the Tethyan and Paleo-Asian oceanic realms. Unraveling this complicated history requires interpreting multiple overprinted episodes of subduction-related magmatism and collisional orogeny, the products of which were later affected by the Cenozoic construction of the Himalayan-Tibetan orogen due to the India-Asia collision. In particular, the tectonic evolution of northern Tibet surrounding the Cenozoic Qaidam Basin is poorly resolved due to several phases of Phanerozoic orogeny that have been reactivated during the Cenozoic deformation. In this study, we investigated the geology of the northern Qaidam continent, which experienced Paleozoic–Mesozoic tectonic activity associated with the development of the Eastern Kunlun orogen to the south and the Qilian orogen to the north. We combined new and published field observations, geochronologic and thermochronologic ages, and geochemical data to construct regional tectonostratigraphic sections and bracket phases of Paleozoic–Mesozoic magmatism associated with oceanic subduction and continental collision. Results suggest that the Qaidam continent experienced two major phases of subduction magmatism and collision. First, a Cambrian–Ordovician magmatic arc developed in the northern Qaidam continent due to south-dipping subduction. This phase was followed by the closure of the Qilian Ocean and the collision of the North China craton and Qaidam continent, resulting in Silurian–Devonian orogeny and the development of a regional unconformity across northern Tibet. A subsequent Permian–Triassic magmatic arc developed across the northern Qaidam continent due to north-dipping subduction. This phase was followed by the closure of the Neo-Kunlun Ocean and the collision of the Songpan Ganzi terrane in the south and Qaidam continent. These interpretations are incorporated into a new and comprehensive model for the Phanerozoic formation of northern Tibet and the Eurasia continent. 

   more » « less
4. Detrital zircon record of Phanerozoic magmatism in the southern Central Andes

   https://doi.org/10.1130/GES02346.1  

   Capaldi, T.N.; McKenzie, N.R.; Horton, B.K.; Mackaman-Lofland, C.; Colleps, C.L.; Stockli, D.F. (May 2021, Geosphere)

   null (Ed.)

   Abstract The spatial and temporal distribution of arc magmatism and associated isotopic variations provide insights into the Phanerozoic history of the western margin of South America during major shifts in Andean and pre-Andean plate interactions. We integrated detrital zircon U-Th-Pb and Hf isotopic results across continental magmatic arc systems of Chile and western Argentina (28°S–33°S) with igneous bedrock geochronologic and zircon Hf isotope results to define isotopic signatures linked to changes in continental margin processes. Key tectonic phases included: Paleozoic terrane accretion and Carboniferous subduction initiation during Gondwanide orogenesis, Permian–Triassic extensional collapse, Jurassic–Paleogene continental arc magmatism, and Neogene flat slab subduction during Andean shortening. The ~550 m.y. record of magmatic activity records spatial trends in magma composition associated with terrane boundaries. East of 69°W, radiogenic isotopic signatures indicate reworked continental lithosphere with enriched (evolved) εHf values and low (<0.65) zircon Th/U ratios during phases of early Paleozoic and Miocene shortening and lithospheric thickening. In contrast, the magmatic record west of 69°W displays depleted (juvenile) εHf values and high (>0.7) zircon Th/U values consistent with increased asthenospheric contributions during lithospheric thinning. Spatial constraints on Mesozoic to Cenozoic arc width provide a rough approximation of relative subduction angle, such that an increase in arc width reflects shallower slab dip. Comparisons among slab dip calculations with time-averaged εHf and Th/U zircon results exhibit a clear trend of decreasing (enriched) magma compositions with increasing arc width and decreasing slab dip. Collectively, these data sets demonstrate the influence of subduction angle on the position of upper-plate magmatism (including inboard arc advance and outboard arc retreat), changes in isotopic signatures, and overall composition of crustal and mantle material along the western edge of South America. 

   more » « less
5. Tectonic evolution of the Beishan orogen in central Asia: Subduction, accretion, and continent-continent collision during the closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean

   https://doi.org/10.1130/B36451.1  

   Li, Jie; Wu, Chen; Chen, Xuanhua; Zuza, Andrew V.; Haproff, Peter J.; Yin, An; Shao, Zhaogang (July 2022, GSA Bulletin)

   The Beishan orogen is part of the Neoproterozoic to early Mesozoic Central Asian Orogenic System in central Asia that exposes ophiolitic complexes, passive-margin strata, arc assemblages, and Precambrian basement rocks. To better constrain the tectonic evolution of the Beishan orogen, we conducted field mapping, U-Pb zircon dating, whole-rock geochemical analysis, and Sr-Nd isotopic analysis. The new results, when interpreted in the context of the known geological setting, show that the Beishan region had experienced five phases of arc magmatism at ca. 1450−1395 Ma, ca. 1071−867 Ma, ca. 542−395 Ma, ca. 468−212 Ma, and ca. 307−212 Ma. In order to explain the geological, geochemical, and geochronological data from the Beishan region, we present a tectonic model that involves the following five phases of deformation: (1) Proterozoic rifting that separated the North Beishan block from the Greater North China craton that led to the opening of the Beishan Ocean, (2) early Paleozoic north-dipping subduction (ca. 530−430 Ma) of the Beishan oceanic plate associated with back-arc extension followed by collision between the North and South Beishan microcontinental blocks, (3) northward slab rollback of the south-dipping subducting Paleo-Asian oceanic plate at ca. 450−440 Ma along the northern margin of the North Beishan block that led to the formation of a northward-younging extensional continental arc (ca. 470−280 Ma) associated with bimodal igneous activity, which indicates that the westward extension of the Solonker suture is located north of the Hongshishan-Pengboshan tectonic zone, (4) Late Carboniferous opening and Permian north-dipping subduction of the Liuyuan Ocean in the southern Beishan orogen, and (5) Mesozoic-Cenozoic intracontinental deformation induced by the final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean system in the north and the Tethyan Ocean system in the south. 

   more » « less