To understand the crustal growth of the Qinling orogenic belt and the Mesozoic continental interaction between the North China and Yangtze blocks, it is critical to study the South Qinling accretionary complex belt, which is an important part of the Qinling orogen. Based on detailed zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotopic compositional analyses of the Madao complex, this study presents constraints on the migmatization and tectonic evolution of the South Qinling orogenic belt during the Mesozoic. Zircons from leucosome samples of migmatites were found to have weak oscillatory zoning, and one sample yielded a weighted mean age that reflects the time at which the regional tectono‐thermal event initiated the anatexis (210–217 ± 2 Ma). The Hf isotopic compositions indicate that the Madao migmatites were derived from the ancient middle–Late Palaeoproterozoic crust. Zircons from mesosome samples of the migmatites that varied in age from the Palaeozoic to Neoproterozoic exhibited core‐rim textures with magmatic cores (256–1,329 Ma), indicating that they were derived from multiple sources with sedimentary protoliths. Of the 55 analysis spots on the overgrowth rims that yielded 206 Pb/ 238 U ages of 200–233 Ma, 40 analyses yielded a weighted age of 211.5 ± 1.0 Ma, indicating the time of anatexis due to the regional tectono‐thermal event. Combined with previously reported Mesozoic data from the South Qinling belt, these results suggest that the migmatites were probably controlled by post‐orogenic extension driven by Mesozoic orogenesis and a prolonged melting episode (from ~200 to 233 Ma). This study reinforces the interpretation that the continental crust in the South Qinling belt may have experienced complex interactions with asthenospheric mantle material during the Mesozoic.
Mold pore cementation is the key factor constraining the reservoir property in the study area. The anhydrite dissolution pores in the Ordovician Majiagou Formation of southeastern Ordos Basin are commonly filled by minerals such as dolomite, calcite, pyrite, and quartz accounting for more than 90% of the total molds resulting in significant porosity volume reduction. The anhydrite dissolution pores in the Jingbian Gas Field in the middle east of the basin, however, are rarely filled by minerals with more than 30% molds, remaining open to become good reservoir space. Studies reveal that the calcite filling in anhydrite dissolution pores has a relatively negative δ18O value (-15.58‰~-8.96‰ VPDB) and negative δ13C value (-7.56‰~0.26‰ VPDB), which is interpreted to be caused by thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR). The higher homogenization temperatures (140-234°C) and high salinity (19.13-23.18 wt.% NaCl equivalent) of the primary inclusions in calcite confirm the above interpretation. Dolomite is the second most abundant carbonate formed as by-product of TSR, which is promoted by the precipitation of calcite and resulted enriched in Mg2+/Ca2+ ratio in the pore water. Pyrite forms by the reaction of H2S released from TSR with the Fe2+ in the horizon, which is supported by its cubic habit and relatively high δ34S value (10.50‰~24.00‰VCDT). Quartz with relatively high homogenization temperature (113-154°C) is considered to precipitate in low-pH solution from calcite and pyrite precipitation after TSR. The southeastern Ordos Basin is much lower than the Jingbian Gas Field in paleogeographic location, which is submerged in the sea water of marine phreatic environments for a long time when sea water flooded from the southeastern direction. TSR occurs due to calcium sulfate enriched in pore water resulting in the minerals of dolomite, calcite, pyrite, and quartz filling in the molds leading to the low porosity and permeability of the study area.
Mafic granulites of the Dunhuang block, eastern Tarim Craton, record high-pressure granulite-facies metamorphism followed by a medium- to low-pressure granulite-facies metamorphic overprint, suggesting a clockwise P–T path and implying an environment of collisional orogenesis. Zircon U–Pb ages of two samples are 1834 ± 12 Ma and 1842 ± 5 Ma. Mineral inclusions in zircon indicate that these ages record the high-pressure granulite-facies event, suggesting that the Tarim Craton may be related to the c . 1.85 Ga assembly of the Columbia supercontinent. Similar c . 1.85 Ga metamorphism in both the Dunhuang block and the Alxa block of the North China Craton supports their correlation across the Altyn Tagh fault. Supplementary material: Analytical procedures, mineral abbreviations, mineral chemistry and U–Pb dating data are available at www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18541 .