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Journal ArticleDOI

Middle Paleozoic convergent orogenic belts in western Inner Mongolia (China): framework, kinematics, geochronology and implications for tectonic evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

01 May 2013-Gondwana Research (Elsevier)-Vol. 23, Iss: 4, pp 1342-1364
TL;DR: Based mainly on field geological observation and geochronologic data, six tectonic units have been recognized in western Inner Mongolia (China), including, from south to north: North China Craton (NCC), Southern Orogenic Belt (SOB), Hunshandake Block (HB), Northern Orogenics Belt (NOB), South Mongolia microcontinent (SMM), and Southern margin of Ergun Block (SME), suggesting that the Tectonic framework of the CAOB is characterized by an accretion of different blocks and orogenic belts RE
About: This article is published in Gondwana Research.The article was published on 2013-05-01 and is currently open access. It has received 441 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Foreland basin & Craton.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Central Asian Orogenic Belt as discussed by the authors records the accretion and convergence of three collage systems that were finally rotated into two major oroclines, the Mongolia collage system was a long, N-S-oriented composite ribbon that was rotated to its current orientation when the Mongol-Okhotsk orogine was formed.
Abstract: The Central Asian Orogenic Belt records the accretion and convergence of three collage systems that were finally rotated into two major oroclines. The Mongolia collage system was a long, N–S-oriented composite ribbon that was rotated to its current orientation when the Mongol-Okhotsk orocline was formed. The components of the Kazakhstan collage system were welded together into a long, single composite arc that was bent to form the Kazakhstan orocline. The cratons of Tarim and North China were united and sutured by the Beishan orogen, which terminated with formation of the Solonker suture in northern China. All components of the three collage systems were generated by the Neoproterozoic and were amalgamated in the Permo-Triassic. The Central Asian Orogenic Belt evolved by multiple convergence and accretion of many orogenic components during multiple phases of amalgamation, followed by two phases of orocline rotation.

850 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In the last three decades, extensive geological, geochemical and geophysical investigations have been carried out on these cratonic blocks and intervening orogenic belts, producing an abundant amount of new data and competing interpretations.

617 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Central Asian Orogenic belt (CAOB) is the largest accretionary orogen in the world, which is responsible for considerable Phanerozoic juvenile crustal growth as discussed by the authors.

449 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, provenance analysis of Permian sedimentary rocks of arc basins along the Xar Moron River was carried out, which revealed a close relationship between the sedimentary and volcanic rock suite in the study region suggesting short transport distances and a complex convergent arc setting.
Abstract: There is a broad consensus that the Solonker Suture Zonemarks the final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean, which led to the formation of the eastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. However, when and how the final closure occurred still remains controversial. To address this issue, provenance analysis of Permian sedimentary rocks of arc basins along the Xar Moron River was carried out. Geochemical analysis revealed a close relationship between the sedimentary and volcanic rock suite in the study region suggesting short transport distances and a complex convergent arc setting. Detrital zircon U-Pb analysis identified two major age provenances: (1) the Precambrian basement of the North China Craton (~2497 Ma and ~1844 Ma) and (2) the Paleozoic Southern Accretionary Orogen along the northern margin of North China (~436 Ma and ~269 Ma). The present locations of identified age provenances indicate southward subduction beneath the northern margin of North China. A comparison of the youngest age population in the sedimentary rocks with U-Pb ages obtained for subduction-related volcanic rocks implies that the Solonker Suture Zone formed from the Late Permian to Early Triassic. The results of our study advocate a complex Permian arc system which was probably similar to present-day Southeast Asia.

330 citations


Cites background or methods from "Middle Paleozoic convergent orogeni..."

  • ...However, the time of final suturing and its exact location are still contended [e.g., Li et al., 2013; Xu et al., 2013]....

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  • ...The Hunshandake Microcontinent is considered to be a microcontinental block within the PaleoAsian Ocean, approaching the northern margin of North China [Shi et al., 2013; Xu et al., 2013]....

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  • ...a microcontinent (Hunshandake microcontinent) along the Ondor Sum Subduction-Accretion Complex were recently reported [Shi et al., 2013; Xu et al., 2013]....

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  • ...The Hunshandake Microcontinent most likely had accreted to the Southern Accretionary Orogen on the northern margin of North China at this stage [Shi et al., 2013; Xu et al., 2013], which might also explain temporary cessation of magmatic activity....

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  • ...The presence of a few Mesoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic zircons in the study area may indicate the involvement of a recently discussed microcontinent (Hunshandake microcontinent) [Shi et al., 2013; Xu et al., 2013]....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Tianshan and Junggar orogenic collage occupied the southwestern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and was assembled by collision/accretion of several continental blocks and island arcs during late Paleozoic-early Mesozoic time.

281 citations

References
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01 Jan 1989
TL;DR: In this article, trace-element data for mid-ocean ridge basalts and ocean island basalts are used to formulate chemical systematics for oceanic basalts, interpreted in terms of partial-melting conditions, variations in residual mineralogy, involvement of subducted sediment, recycling of oceanic lithosphere and processes within the low velocity zone.
Abstract: Summary Trace-element data for mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORBs) and ocean island basalts (OIB) are used to formulate chemical systematics for oceanic basalts. The data suggest that the order of trace-element incompatibility in oceanic basalts is Cs ≈ Rb ≈ (≈ Tl) ≈ Ba(≈ W) > Th > U ≈ Nb = Ta ≈ K > La > Ce ≈ Pb > Pr (≈ Mo) ≈ Sr > P ≈ Nd (> F) > Zr = Hf ≈ Sm > Eu ≈ Sn (≈ Sb) ≈ Ti > Dy ≈ (Li) > Ho = Y > Yb. This rule works in general and suggests that the overall fractionation processes operating during magma generation and evolution are relatively simple, involving no significant change in the environment of formation for MORBs and OIBs. In detail, minor differences in element ratios correlate with the isotopic characteristics of different types of OIB components (HIMU, EM, MORB). These systematics are interpreted in terms of partial-melting conditions, variations in residual mineralogy, involvement of subducted sediment, recycling of oceanic lithosphere and processes within the low velocity zone. Niobium data indicate that the mantle sources of MORB and OIB are not exact complementary reservoirs to the continental crust. Subduction of oceanic crust or separation of refractory eclogite material from the former oceanic crust into the lower mantle appears to be required. The negative europium anomalies observed in some EM-type OIBs and the systematics of their key element ratios suggest the addition of a small amount (⩽1% or less) of subducted sediment to their mantle sources. However, a general lack of a crustal signature in OIBs indicates that sediment recycling has not been an important process in the convecting mantle, at least not in more recent times (⩽2 Ga). Upward migration of silica-undersaturated melts from the low velocity zone can generate an enriched reservoir in the continental and oceanic lithospheric mantle. We propose that the HIMU type (eg St Helena) OIB component can be generated in this way. This enriched mantle can be re-introduced into the convective mantle by thermal erosion of the continental lithosphere and by the recycling of the enriched oceanic lithosphere back into the mantle.

19,221 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a data bank containing over 600 high quality trace element analyses of granites from known settings was used to demonstrate using ORG-normalized geochemical patterns and element-SiO2 plots that most of these granite groups exhibit distinctive trace element characteristics.
Abstract: Granites may be subdivided according to their intrusive settings into four main groups—ocean ridge granites (ORG), volcanic arc granites (VAG), within plate granites (WPG) and collision granites (COLG)—and the granites within each group may be further subdivided according to their precise settings and petrological characteristics. Using a data bank containing over 600 high quality trace element analyses of granites from known settings, it can be demonstrated using ORG-normalized geochemical patterns and element-SiO2 plots that most of these granite groups exhibit distinctive trace element characteristics. Discrimination of ORG, VAG, WPG and syn-COLG is most effective in Rb-Y-Nb and Rb-Yb-Ta space, particularly on projections of Y-Nb, Yb-Ta, Rb-(Y + Nb) and Rb—(Yb + Ta). Discrimination boundaries, though drawn empirically, can be shown by geochemical modelling to have a theoretical basis in the different petrogenetic histories of the various granite groups. Post-collision granites present the main problem of tectonic classification, since their characteristics depend on the thickness and composition of the lithosphere involved in the collision event and on the precise timing and location of magmatism. Provided they are coupled with a consideration of geological constraints, however, studies of trace element compositions in granites can clearly help in theelucidation of post-Archaean tectonic settings.

7,144 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the results of a study to develop natural zircon geochemical standards for calibrating the U-(Th)-Pb geochronometer and Hf isotopic analyses are reported.
Abstract: We report here the results of a study to develop natural zircon geochemical standards for calibrating the U-(Th)-Pb geochronometer and Hf isotopic analyses. Additional data were also collected for the major, minor and trace element contents of the three selected sample sets. A total of five large zircon grains (masses between 0.5 and 238 g) were selected for this study, representing three different suites of zircons with ages of 1065 Ma, 2.5 Ma and 0.9 Ma. Geochemical laboratories can obtain these materials by contacting Geostandards Newsletter.

4,845 citations