Tong Hou

A new metallogenic model of the Panzhihua giant V–Ti–iron oxide deposit (Emeishan Large Igneous Province) based on high-Mg olivine-bearing wehrlite and new field evidence

The Panzhihua layered intrusion hosts a giant V–Ti–iron oxide deposit with ore reserves estimated at 1333 Mt. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) U–Pb zircon dating of comagmatic anorthosite yields a crystallization age of 259.77 ± 0.79 million years, coeval with the Emeishan flood basalts. Recently, we identified a small wehrlite dike in microgabbroic rocks and marbles. The wehrlite consists of high-Mg olivine phenocrysts with up to 90.44 wt.% Fo. Incompatible element-normalized patterns between bulk wehrlite and clinopyroxenes in gabbro suggest that they are cogenetic. The Panzhihua parental magma is estimated to have been picritic (∼10 wt.% FeO and ∼16 wt.% MgO), produced by partial fusion of garnet peridotite. Much of the melting occurred in garnet-facies mantle at an initial melting temperature of about 1530°C and pressure of ∼3.4 GPa, suggesting involvement of a mantle plume. The degree of partial melting was rather modest and could have been generated by plume–lithosphere interaction or ascending plume-derived melting contaminated by lithospheric mantle. Field relationships show sharp contacts between the massive ores and gabbro, between wehrlite and fine-grained gabbro, and between disseminated ores and gabbro. Considering the entire intrusion, which is locally cut by dikes or veins of anorthosite, together with the occurrence of a breccia made up of gabbro clasts cemented by disseminated ores, we suggest that different types of magmas were generated by liquid differentiation in a deeper-level chamber. This differentiation could have resulted from double-diffusive convection cells, with melt later intruding into a higher-level chamber, rather than by crystal settling or in situ growth on the floor of the intrusion. However, rhythmic layering produced by in situ crystallization only occurs in the middle of the Panzhihua intrusion and was caused by periodic fluctuation in water pressure.

Geology of the Gushan iron oxide deposit associated with dioritic porphyries, eastern Yangtze craton, SE China

The major Gushan iron oxide deposit, typical of the Middle‐Lower Yangtze River Valley, is located in the eastern Yangtze craton. Such deposits are generally considered to be genetically related to Yanshanian subvolcanic‐volcanic rocks and are temporally‐spatially associated with ca. 129.3–137.5 Ma dioritic porphyries. The latter have a very narrow 87Sr/86Sr range of 0.7064 to 0.7066 and low εNd(t) values of −5.8 to −5.7, suggesting that the porphyries were produced by mantle‐derived magmas that were crustally contaminated during magma ascent. The ore bodies occur mainly along the contact zone between dioritic porphyries and the sedimentary country rocks. The most important ore types are massive and brecciated ores which together make up 90 vol.‐% of the deposit. The massive type generally occurs as large veins consisting predominantly of magnetite (hematite) with minor apatite. The brecciated type is characterized by angular fragments of wall‐rocks that are cemented by fine‐grained magnetite. Stockwork iron ores occur as irregular veins and networks, especially with pectinate structure; they are composed of low‐temperature minerals (e.g. calcite), which indicate a hydrothermal process. The similar rare earth element patterns of apatite from the massive ores, brecciated ores and the porphyries, coupled with high‐temperature fluids (1000°C) suggest that they are magmatic in origin. Furthermore, melt flow structure commonly developed in massive ores and the absence of silicate minerals and cumulate textures suggest that the iron ores formed by the separation of an immiscible oxide melt from the silicate melt rather than by crystal fractionation. Combined with theoretical and experimental studies, we propose that the introduction of phosphorus due to crustal contamination during mantle‐derived magma ascent could have been a crucial factor that led to the formation of an immiscible oxide melt from the silicate magma.

Geochronology/geochemistry of the Washan dioritic porphyry associated with Kiruna-type iron ores, Middle-Lower Yangtze River Valley, eastern China: implications for petrogenesis/mineralization

The Early Cretaceous Washan dioritic porphyry is spatially and temporally associated with Kiruna-type iron oxide deposits in the Ningwu basin, Middle-Lower Yangtze River Valley (MLYRV). We present new LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating + zircon Lu–Hf isotopic studies, as well as bulk-rock major + trace element and Sr + Nd isotopic compositions of the porphyry. LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon analyses suggest that the pluton formed at 130.8 ± 0.9 Ma. Analysed zircon ϵHf(t) values range from –7.0 to –4.1. The dioritic rocks are significantly enriched in Pb and light rare earth elements, relative to high-field strength elements (Nb + Ti), coupled in the absence of significant Eu anomalies. They exhibit age-corrected ϵNd(t) (t = 130 million years) values of −3.5 to −3.9 and initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.70553–0.70653. The ore-bearing dioritic porphyry was derived from a parental basaltic liquid that was produced by partial melting of an enriched spinel-facies lherzolite in the Yangtze lithospheric mantle. This basaltic melt underwent a fractionation of plagioclase and clinopyroxene during ascent towards the surface, which led to the relative enrichment of iron in the residual melt. This type of magma was widespread in the MLYRV area but did not generate widespread Fe mineralization. In the Ningwu area, the dioritic magma was modified by minor assimilation of phosphorus-bearing rocks in the Yangtze upper crust. The special crustal characteristics of the Ningwu basin, i.e. phosphorus-rich strata, were likely a crucial factor controlling the formation of Kiruna-type iron oxide deposits.

Carboniferous porphyry Cu–Au deposits in the Almalyk orefield, Uzbekistan: the Sarycheku and Kalmakyr examples

ABSTRACT The Almalyk porphyry cluster in the western part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt is the second largest porphyry region in Asia and hence has attracted considerable attention of the geologists. In this contribution, we report the zircon U–Pb ages, major and trace element geochemistry as well as Sr–Nd isotopic data for the ore-related porphyries of the Sarycheku and Kalmakyr deposits. The zircon U–Pb ages (Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)) of ore-bearing quartz monzonite and granodiorite porphyries from the Kalmakyr deposit are 326.1 ± 3.4 and 315.2 ± 2.8 Ma, and those for the ore-bearing granodiorite porphyries and monzonite dike from the Sarycheku deposit are 337.8 ± 3.1 and 313.2 ± 2.5 Ma, respectively. Together with the previous ages, they confine multi-phase intrusions from 337 to 306 Ma for the Almalyk ore cluster. Geochemically, all samples belong to shoshonitic series and are enriched in large-ion lithophile elements relative to high field strength elements with very low Nb/U weight ratios (0.83–2.56). They show initial (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.7059–0.7068 for Kalmakyr and 0.7067–0.7072 for Sarycheku and low εNd(t) values of −1.0 to −0.1 for Kalmakyr and −2.3 to 0.2 for Sarycheku, suggesting that the magmas were dominantly derived from a metasomatized mantle wedge modified by slab-derived fluids with the contribution of the continental crust by assimilation-fractional-crystallization process. Compared to the typical porphyry Cu deposits, the ore-bearing porphyries in the Almalyk cluster are shoshonitic instead of the calc-alkaline. Moreover, although the magmatic events were genetically related to a continental arc environment, the ore-bearing porphyries at Sarycheku and Kalmakyr do not show geochemical signatures of typical adakites as reflected in some giant porphyry deposits in the Circum-Pacific Ocean, indicating that slab-melting may not have been involved in their petrogenesis.

Geochronology–geochemistry of the Cida bimodal intrusive complex, central Emeishan large igneous province, southwest China: petrogenesis and plume–lithosphere interaction

The Cida complex is situated in the Panxi region and is predominantly composed of mafic-ultramafic and syenitic rock units; minor amounts of intermediate rocks occupy the contact zone between the two major rock types. The intermediate unit is mineralogically heterogeneous and typically exhibits a mottled structure. Laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) U–Pb zircon dating shows that the mafic-ultramafic rocks and syenitic rocks formed almost coevally (243 ± 0.77 Ma and 240.5 ± 0.76 Ma, respectively). These ages may represent the end phase of the Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP) magmatism. Most of these three rock types possess alkaline and metaluminous affinities. The mafic-ultramafic, syenitic, and intermediate units have K2O + Na2O contents of 1.85–5.16, 6.55–10.46, and 9.55–11.54 wt.%, and SiO2 contents of 40.06–46.70, 61.74–68.54, and 51.57–54.13 wt.%, respectively. The mafic-ultramafic unit displays ocean-island basalt (OIB)-like primitive-mantle-normalized incompatible element patterns, coupled with low initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7048–0.7064), positive ϵNd(t) (0.32–2.23), and zircon ϵHf(t) (4.53–14.17) values, consistent with a mafic plume-head origin, whereas one exceptional sample with negative ϵNd(t) (–0.22) can be interpreted as due to the involvement of considerable amounts of enriched subcontinental lithospheric mantle. The relatively low (La/Yb) N ratios (3.40–7.69) reflect a spinel-facies lherzolite source. The syenitic unit is characterized by enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (e.g. Rb, K, Pb) and light rare earth elements (LREEs), relative to high field strength elements (e.g. Nb, Ta, P, Ti) and heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), respectively. These features, together with their metaluminous affinities, low SiO2 contents, lower initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7043), positive ϵNd(t) (0.18), and zircon ϵHf(t) (2.63–10.09) values as well as modelling of REEs, can be plausibly explained by crustal partial melting of juvenile basic materials beneath the Yangtze Block. In contrast, the field, petrographic observations, and geochemical signatures (e.g. the linear correlations between FeO* and MgO, K/Ba and Rb/Ba ratios) suggest that the intermediate unit may have resulted from magma mixing between the syenitic and basaltic magmas that in turn had evolved from a parental mafic-ultramafic liquid. Thus, the formation of the Cida complex can be attributed to the plume–lithosphere interaction plus partial melting of juvenile basic lower crust in response to heating of underplated plume-derived basaltic magma.

Experimental confirmation of high-temperature silicate liquid immiscibility in multicomponent ferrobasaltic systems

Abstract Here we report the results of an experimental study aimed at testing the existence of stable, superliquidus immiscibility between silica- and Fe-rich multicomponent melts at temperatures above 1100 °C. Four pairs of the potentially immiscible compositions were tested in a 1-atm gas-mixing furnace (Ar/H2-CO2 gas mixture) at 1150 and 1200 °C and at the oxygen fugacity corresponding to that of the QFM buffer. Pre-synthesized pairs of the silica-rich and Fe-rich starting compositions were loaded in Pt wire loops, fused separately at 1300 °C, then brought in contact and kept at constant experimental temperature for more than 24 h. Three pairs of compositions out of four used in this study did not mix. Some temperature-dependent chemical re-equilibration was observed in the Fe-rich liquid phase but, in the cases of immiscibility, the two liquids remained compositionally distinct and showed sharp compositional gradients at contacts. One pair of liquids crystallized some tridymite, whereas the other compositions were clearly above the liquidus. Overall, the results of the experiments are in good agreement with the earlier centrifuge study and confirm the existence of stable, super-liquidus immiscibility in some Fe-rich basaltic-andesitic compositions at temperatures up to 1200 °C.

Geochronology and geochemistry of the Nantianwan mafic–ultramafic complex, Emeishan large igneous province: metallogenesis of magmatic Ni–Cu sulphide deposits and geodynamic setting

The Nantianwan mafic–ultramafic complex is situated in the northwest part of the Panxi district, southwest China. It consists predominantly of gabbros, gabbronorites, and lherzolites. LA–ICP–MS U–Pb zircon dating of the gabbronorites yields an age of 259.7 ± 0.6 million years, consistent with the ages of other mafic–ultramafic intrusions in the Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP). Gabbronorites and lherzolites host Cu–Ni sulphide ores. Cumulus texture is pronounced in these rocks, containing magnesium-rich olivine (up to 81.4% forsterite). SiO2 contents of the lherzolites range from 42.93 to 44.18 wt.%, whereas those of the gabbronorites vary between 44.89 and 52.76 wt.%. Analysed samples have low rare earth element (REE) contents (23.22–30.16 ppm for lherzolites and 25.21–61.05 ppm for gabbronorites). Both lherzolites and gabbronorites have similar chondrite-normalized REE patterns, suggesting that they are comagmatic. All samples are slightly enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs, e.g. Rb, Ba, and Sr) relative to high field strength elements (HFSEs, e.g. Nb, Ta, and Ti), very similar to those of ocean island basalts (OIBs). The presence of cumulus textures and geochemical signatures indicates that fractional crystallization played an important role in the petrogenesis of these rocks. Initial (87Sr/86Sr) t (t = 260 Ma) ratios and ϵNd(t) values of the mafic–ultramafic suite vary from 0.70542 to 0.70763, and −0.4 to 1.7, respectively. Compared to the Cu–Ni-bearing Baimazhai and Limahe intrusions in the ELIP, which were considerably contaminated by variable crustal materials, the Nantianwan complex exhibits much lower (87Sr/86Sr) t . Their ϵNd(t) versus (Th/Nb)PM ratios also indicate that the ore-bearing magmas did not undergo significant crustal contamination. In combination with (Tb/Yb)PM versus (Yb/Sm)PM modelling, we infer that the magmas originated from an incompatible elements-enriched spinel-facies lherzolite that itself formed by interaction between the Emeishan plume and the lithospheric mantle. Most plots of NiO versus Fo contents of olivine suggest that sulphides are separated from the parental magma by liquid immiscibility, which is also supported by bulk-rock Cu/Zr ratios of the lherzolites (7.04–102.67) and gabbronorites (0.88–5.56). We suggest that the gabbronorites and lherzolites experienced undersaturation to oversaturation of sulphur; the latter may be due to fractional crystallization in a high-level magma chamber, accounting for the sulphide segregation.

Immiscible hydrous Fe–Ca–P melt and the origin of iron oxide-apatite ore deposits

The origin of iron oxide-apatite deposits is controversial. Silicate liquid immiscibility and separation of an iron-rich melt has been invoked, but Fe–Ca–P-rich and Si-poor melts similar in composition to the ore have never been observed in natural or synthetic magmatic systems. Here we report experiments on intermediate magmas that develop liquid immiscibility at 100 MPa, 1000–1040 °C, and oxygen fugacity conditions (fO2) of ∆FMQ = 0.5–3.3 (FMQ = fayalite-magnetite-quartz equilibrium). Some of the immiscible melts are highly enriched in iron and phosphorous ± calcium, and strongly depleted in silicon (<5 wt.% SiO2). These Si-poor melts are in equilibrium with a rhyolitic conjugate and are produced under oxidized conditions (~FMQ + 3.3), high water activity (aH2O ≥ 0.7), and in fluorine-bearing systems (1 wt.%). Our results show that increasing aH2O and fO2 enlarges the two-liquid field thus allowing the Fe–Ca–P melt to separate easily from host silicic magma and produce iron oxide-apatite ores.The origin of iron oxide-apatite deposits remains enigmatic and controversial. Here, the authors perform experiments on intermediate magmas and show that increasing aH2O and fO2 enlarges the two-liquid field thus allowing the Fe–Ca–P melt to separate easily from host silicic magma and produce iron oxide-apatite ores.

Geochronology and geochemistry of the Airikenqiken granite, Central Tianshan Terrane, Xinjiang, China: implications for petrogenesis and continental growth

The Central Tianshan terrane (CTT) is part of the southwestern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Since the collision between CTT and Tarim block marks the termination of the South Tianshan Ocean in the southwestern corner of the CAOB, the CTT is regarded as a key area for understanding the tectonic evolution of the CAOB. The Airikenqiken granitic pluton is located ~30 km to the northwest of Baluntai town in the eastern part of CTT. Here we report a zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb age of 320.1 ± 3.3 Ma for the granite. Geochemically, the pluton is characterized by a high concentration of SiO2 (71.01–73.58 wt.%) and relatively low contents of MgO (0.28–0.5 wt.%), Cr (1–10 ppm), and Ni (~2 ppm). The rocks show enrichment of large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and significantly negative Nb, Ta, Ti, and P anomalies. Light rare earth element (LREE) enrichment and slightly negative Eu anomalies are also displayed. Zircon εHf(t) values at ~320 Ma range from – 1.1 to +12.2. Our data suggest that the parental magma of the pluton was generated by partial melting of a thickened garnet-bearing, amphibolite facies lower crust. The magma was contaminated by ancient crustal components en route to the shallow crust. Together with the information from previous studies on the Central and South Tianshan Mountains, we propose that the Airikenqiken granite formed in a post-collisional setting and that the late Palaeozoic continental growth of CTT involved the input of juvenile components.

Petrogenesis of Early Cretaceous bimodal volcanic rocks in the Fanchang Basin, SE China: an energy-constrained assimilation–fractional crystallization model

Volcanic rocks in the Middle–Lower Yangtze River Valley (MLYRV) constitute a bimodal magmatic suite, with a significant compositional gap (between 50% and 63% SiO2) between the mafic and felsic members. The suite is characterized by a relatively wide spectrum of rock types, including basalts, trachytes, and rhyolites. The basaltic rocks have low-to-moderate SiO2 contents of 46.00–50.01%, whereas the trachytes and rhyolites possess SiO2 contents in the range of 63.08–77.61%. Rocks of the bimodal suite show moderate enrichment of LILEs, negative Nb, Ta, and Ti anomalies, and are significantly enriched in LREEs. The basalts were most likely generated by parental mafic magmas derived from enriched lithospheric mantle with minor assimilation of crustal materials involving coeval crystal fractionation during magma evolution. The results of energy-constrained assimilation and fractional crystallization simulations demonstrate that the felsic magma was produced by the mixing of 5–20% lower crustal anatectic melts with an evolved mafic magma (∼48% SiO2) and accompanied by extensive clinopyroxene, plagioclase, biotite, and Fe–Ti oxide fractionation. Our model for the genesis of felsic rocks in bimodal suites is different from the traditional models of crustal melting and fractional crystallization or assimilation–fractional crystallization of basaltic liquids.