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Triassic Nb-enriched basalts, magnesian andesites, and adakites of the Qiangtang terrane (Central Tibet): evidence for metasomatism by slab-derived melts in the mantle wedge

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Abstract

New chronological, geochemical, and isotopic data are reported for Triassic (219–236 Ma) adakite-magnesian andesite-Nb-enriched basaltic rock associations from the Tuotuohe area, central Qiangtang terrane. The adakites and magnesian andesites are characterized by high Sr/Y (25–45), La/Yb (14–42) and Na2O/K2O (12–49) ratios, high Al2O3 (15.34–18.28 wt%) and moderate to high Sr concentrations (220–498 ppm) and εND (t) (+0.86 to +1.21) values. Low enrichments of Th, Rb relative to Nb, and subequal normalized Nb and La contents, and enrichments of light rare earth elements combine to distinguish a group of Nb-enriched basaltic rocks (NEBs). They have positive εND (t) (+2.57 to +5.16) values. Positive correlations between Th, La and Nb and an absence of negative Nb anomalies on mantle normalized plots indicate the NEBs are products of a mantle source metasomatized by a slab melt rather than by hydrous fluids. A continuous compositional variation between adakites and magnesian andesites confirms slab melt interaction with mantle peridotite. The spatial association of the NEBs with adakites and magnesian andesites define an “adakitic metasomatic volcanic series” recognized in many demonstrably subduction-related environments (e.g., Mindanao arc, Philippines; Kamchatka arc, Russia; and southern Baja California arc, Mexico). The age of the Touhuohe suite, and its correlation with Triassic NEB to the north indicates that volcanism derived from subduction-modified mantle was abundant prior to 220 Ma in the central Qiangtang terrane.

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Acknowledgments

We sincerely thank associate editor Professor Hans Keppler and two anonymous reviewers for their constructive and helpful reviews. Professor Liu Dunyi, Tao Hua, Zhang Yuhai, Hu Shenghong, Zhu Yingtang, Pu Zhiping, Hu Guangqian, Pu Zhiping and Chen Zhenyu are thanked for their assistance with laboratory and fieldwork. We are grateful to Professor Pan Guitang and Dr. Zhu Dicheng for helpful discussions. Financial support for this research was provided by the Major State Basic Research Program of People’s Republic of China (No. 2002CB412601 and 2007CB411308), Chinese Academy of Sciences (KZCX2-YW-128 and KZCX3-SW-143:4) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40572042, 40425003 and 40421303), and the International Development Fund of The University of Sydney.

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  1. Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochronology and Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, People’s Republic of China

    Qiang Wang, Jifeng Xu, Feng Zi, Ziqi Jiang, Huaning Qiu, Zhenhua Zhao & Yanhui Dong

  2. School of Geosciences, Division of Geology and Geophysics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

    Derek A. Wyman

  3. Geological Institute, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, People’s Republic of China

    Yusheng Wan

  4. Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, People’s Republic of China

    Chaofeng Li & Zhuyin Chu

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Wang, Q., Wyman, D.A., Xu, J. et al. Triassic Nb-enriched basalts, magnesian andesites, and adakites of the Qiangtang terrane (Central Tibet): evidence for metasomatism by slab-derived melts in the mantle wedge. Contrib Mineral Petrol 155, 473–490 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-007-0253-1

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