Sun Weidong

Ridge subduction and porphyry copper-gold mineralization: An overview

Many large porphyry Cu-Au deposits are connected to adakitic rocks known to be closely associated with ridge subduction. For example, there are several subducting ridges along the east Pacific margin, e.g., in Chile, Peru, and South America, most of which are associated with large porphyry Cu-Au deposits. In contrast, there are much fewer ridge subductions on the west Pacific margin and porphyry Cu-Au deposits are much less there, both in terms of tonnage and the number of deposits. Given that Cu and Au are moderately incompatible elements, oceanic crust has much higher Cu-Au concentrations than the mantle and the continental crust, and thus slab melts with their diagnostic adakitic chemistry have systematically higher Cu and Au, which is favorable for mineralization. Considering the geotherm of subducting slabs in the Phanerozoic, ridge subduction is the most favorable tectonic setting for this. Therefore, slab melting is the likely link in the spatial association between ridge subduction and Cu-Au deposits. Geochemical signatures of slab melting and hence maybe ridge subduction in less eroded regions in eastern China, the central Asian orogenic belt etc. may indicate important exploration targets for large porphyry Cu-Au deposits.

Crystal fractionation of granitic magma during its non-transport processes: A physics-based perspective

Granitic continental crust distinguishes the Earth from other planets in the Solar System. Consequently, for understanding terrestrial continent development, it is of great significance to investigate the formation and evolution of granite. Crystal fractionation is one of principal magma evolution mechanisms. Nevertheless, it is controversial whether crystal fractionation can effectively proceed in felsic magma systems because of the high viscosity and non-Newtonian behavior associated with granitic magmas. In this paper, we focus on the physical processes and evaluate the role of crystal fractionation in the evolution of granitic magmas during non-transport processes, i.e., in magma chambers and after emplacement. Based on physical calculations and analyses, we suggest that general mineral particles can settle only at tiny speed (∼10−9–10−7 m s−1) in a granitic magma body due to high viscosity of the magma; however, the cumulating can be interrupted with convection in magma chambers, and the components of magma chambers will tend to be homogeneous. Magma convection ceases once the magma chamber develops into a mush (crystallinity, F>∼40–50%). The interstitial melts can be extracted by hindered settling and compaction, accumulating gradually and forming a highly silicic melt layer. The high silica melts can further evolve into high-silica granite or high-silica rhyolite. At various crystallinities, multiple rejuvenation of the mush and the following magma intrusion may generate a granite complex with various components. While one special type of granites, represented by the South China lithium- and fluoride- rich granite, has lower viscosity and solidus relative to general granitic magmas, and may form vertical zonation in mineral-assemblage and composition through crystal fractionation. Similar fabrics in general intrusions that show various components on small lengthscales are not the result of gravitational settling. Rather, the flowage differentiation may play a key role. In general, granitic magma can undergo effective crystal fractionation; high-silica granite and volcanics with highly fractionated characteristics may be the products of crystal fractionation of felsic magmas, and many granitoids may be cumulates.