The Geochemical Characteristics, Genesis, and Geological Significance of Early Paleozoic Granites in the South Altun Orogenic Belt of Western China
Source abstract
Abstract
The Altun Orogenic Belt (AOB) has undergone multiple complex subduction–collision events. However, there are numerous disagreements regarding the Early Paleozoic tectonic–magmatic evolution of the AOB, primarily due to differing interpretations of magmatic rock types and their sources. As a result, we conducted detailed geochemical analyses of granite samples obtained from several exploration wells in the Dongping area (DPA) of the South Altun Orogenic Belt (SAOB) at the western boundary of the Qaidam Basin. This approach differs from previous studies that mainly relied on outcrop samples. The granites in the study area are metaluminous and have high alkali contents (avg. 7.63%) and high TFe2O3/MgO ratios (avg. 4.50). Their rare-earth elements are enriched in light REEs and show weak to moderate negative Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.49–1.11). These geochemical signatures indicate an affinity to A-type granites. Through comprehensive diagram analysis, the rocks plot near the upper crustal composition in a Ta/Yb-Th/Yb diagram, indicating that they primarily originated from a mixed source of recycled and juvenile crustal material. A comprehensive analysis of the regional tectonic background shows that the Early Paleozoic granites in the SAOB formed in post-collisional extensional environments and syn-collisional volcanic arc tectonic settings. The majority formed in post-collisional extensional thinning environments, whereas a minority formed in syn-collisional volcanic arc tectonic settings, closely related to the subduction and collision of the Qaidam Block beneath the Central Altun Block.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Geochemistry and Elemental Analysis · Geochemistry and Geochronology of Asian Mineral Deposits · Geological and Geochemical Analysis
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
College of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Prospecting, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
PetroChina Research Institute of Exploration and Development, Langfang 065007, China
Research Institute of Oil Exploration and Development, Qinghai Oil Field Branch Company, China National Petroleum Corporation, Dunhuang 736202, China
Hebei Geological Survey and Mapping Institute, Space Information Technology Application Research Center of Hebei Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources Exploration and Development, Langfang 065000, China
References (57)
Show source-provided references
1. Studies on Granites and Continental Dynamics
2. Post-collisional magmatism: Consequences of UHPM terrane exhumation and orogen collapse, N. Qaidam UHPM belt, NW China10.1016/j.lithos.2014.10.006 ↗
3. Kang, L. (2014). Early Paleozoic Multi-Stage Granitic Magmatism and the Geological Significance in the South Altyn Tagh HP-UHP Metamorphic Belt. [Ph.D. Thesis, Northwest University].
4. Early Paleozoic granitic magmatism related to the processes from subduction to collision in South Altyn, NW China
5. Petrogenesis and tectonic implication of Yaolesayi granite in North Altyn-Tagh: Constraints from the zircon U-Pb ages and geochemistry
6. Discovery of Late Ordovician sanukitoid-like diorite in southern Altyn orogeny and its geological significance
7. Geochemistry and petrography of Early Paleozoic Yusupuleke Tagh rapakivi-textured granite complex, South Altyn: An example for magma mixing
8. Geochemical, zircon U-Pb dating and Hf isotope compositions studies for Tatelekebulake granite in South Altyn Tagh
9. Geology and Tectonic Significance of the Paleproterozoic Ophiolitic Melange in Goukouquan, Northern Margin of Altun
10. LA-ICP-MS Zircon Dating of the Yumuquan Magma Mixing Granite in the Southern Altyn Tagh and Its Tectonic Significance
11. Petrology and geochronology of ultrahigh-pressure granitic gneiss from South Dulan, North Qaidam belt, NW China10.1080/00206814.2015.1058729 ↗
12. Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of the Mangya A type alkali-feldspar granites in the South Altun, Northwest China
13. Tectonic evolution of the South Altyn, NW China: Constraints by geochemical, zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic analysis of the Palaeozoic granitic plutons in the Mangya area10.1017/S0016756820000126 ↗
14. Paleozoic granitic magmatism and tectonic evolution of the South Altun block, NW China: Constraints from zircon U-Pb dating and Lu-Hf isotope geochemistry10.1016/j.jseaes.2018.04.019 ↗
15. Formation age of ore-bearing strata of the Dimunalike iron deposit in South Altun Mountains and its geological significance
16. Early Paleozoic magmatism and collisional orogeny in the southern margin of Altyn
17. Early Paleozoic Magmatism and Collision Orogenic Process of the South Altyn
18. Petrogenesis, Zircon U-Pb chronology, and Lu-Hf Isotopic Characteristics of Monzonitic Granite from Mangya Area
19. Genesis and geological significance of post-collision granites in the South Altun
20. Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications of Late Ordovician Alkaline Gabbro in the South Altyn Orogenic Belt
21. Ma, T. (2022). The Metamorphism of Two Metamorphic Belts Insouthern Altyn and Their Tectonic Relationship. [Ph.D. Thesis, Northwest University].
22. The petrological characters and geotectonic setting of high-pressure metamorphic rock belts in Altun Mountains
23. Discovery of layered mafic-ultramafic intrusion in Changshagou, Altyn Tagh, and its geological implication: A pilot study on its petrological and geochemical characteristics
24. The relationship between structural features and hydrocarbonentrapment in the east part of Altyn Tagh piedmont
25. Late Jurassic—Early Cretaceous Northern Qaidam Basin, NW China: Implications for the Earliest Cretaceous intracontinental tectonism10.1016/j.cretres.2011.04.002 ↗
26. Uplift of NW margin of Qaidam Basin in the Late Eocene: Lmplicationsfor the initiation of Altyn Fault
27. Structural coupling between the Qaidam basin and bordering orogenic belts in the Cenozoic
28. Zircon Shrimp U-Pb dating, Lu-Hf isotopic characteristics and petrogenesis of the Palaeozoic granites in Mangya area, southern Altun, NW China
29. Geochemical characteristics and isotopic dating of bojites in the tectonic mélange belt on south margin of Altyn
30. Geochemistry, geochronology and zircon Hf isotopes of the Dimunalike granite in South Altyn Tagn and its geological significance
31. Sun, G.Q., Zhang, S.C., Wang, Y.T., Li, Y.L., Guo, H., and Bo, S.S. (2022). Eocene Sedimentary–Diagenetic Environment Analysis of the Pingtai Area of the Qaidam Basin. Appl. Sci., 12.10.3390/app12146850 ↗
32. Genesis of helium source rock in Dongping Gas Field, Qaidam Basin and its influence on helium in natural gas reservoirs
33. (2010). Methods for Chemical Analysis of Silicate Rocks (Standard No. GB/T14506.28-2010).
34. Post-collisional strongly peraluminous granites10.1016/S0024-4937(98)00024-3 ↗
35. Peraluminous I-type granites10.1016/j.lithos.2012.07.008 ↗
36. Geochemistry of Eocene calc-alkaline volcanic rocks from the Kastamonou area, Northern Turkey10.1007/BF00384745 ↗
37. Tectonic discrimination of granitoids10.1130/0016-7606(1989)101<0635:TDOG>2.3.CO;2 ↗
38. Petrogeochemistry, zircon U-Pb chronology and geological implications of granite in Shamai tungsten deposit, Inner Mongolia
39. Chemical and isotopic systematics of oceanic basalts: Implications for mantle composition and processes
40. Pitcher, W.S. (1997). The Nature and Origin of Granite, University of Liverpool.10.1007/978-94-011-5832-9 ↗
41. Genesis, evolution and rare metal enrichment mechanism of the Early Devonian granites in Chinese Altun
42. A-type granites: Geochemical characteristics, discrimination and petrogenesis10.1007/BF00402202 ↗
43. I- and S-type granites in the Lachlan Fold Belt
44. Derivation of some modern arc magmas by melting of young subducted lithosphere10.1038/347662a0 ↗
45. Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications of Daomuti Intrusive Rocks in East Kunlun Orogen: Constraints from the Geochronology and Geochemistry
46. What do experiments tell us about the relative contributions of crust and mantle to the origin of granitic magmas?
47. Granoblastic olivine aggregates as precursors of Type I chondrules: An experimental test10.1016/j.gca.2009.04.014 ↗
48. Petrology and geochemistry of Camiguin Island, southern Philippines: Insights to the source of adakites and other lavas in a complex arc setting10.1007/s004100050467 ↗
49. Proto-Tethys orogenic system in the northern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Resubdivision of lithotectonic units in Qilian-North Qaidam anddiscussion on several controversial scientific issues
50. Sm-Nd Isochron Age Evidence of the Early Paleozoic Serpentinite in the Erqin Mangya Area
51. Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications of the Early Paleozoic Granitoids in East Kunlun belt: Evidences from geochronology, geochemistry and isotopes
52. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb isotopic dating for Qingshuiquan layered mafic-ulmafic intrusion southern Altun orogen, in northwestern China and its implication
53. Characteristics and tectonic setting of the Tula aluminous A- type granite at the south side of the Altyn Tagh fault, NW China
54. Cenozoic fault systems in southwest Qaidam Basin, northeastern Tibetan Plateau: Geometry, temporal development and significance for hydrocarbon accumulation10.1306/11131313087 ↗
55. Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of the Early Cretaceous syenogranite in Huanggangliang area, southern Great Hinggan Range: Evidence from zircon U-Pb ages, petrogeochemistry and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes
56. Geochemistry, zircon U-Pb age of the Qianhongquan monzogranite in the Beishan area of Gansu Province and its geological significance
57. Geochronology and geochemistry of the Late Carboniferous granite in the Huma area, northern Great Xing’an Range: Constraints on the tectonic evolution of the Paleo-Asian Ocean