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    Early Carboniferous seafloor spreading recorded by volcanic rocks in the western segment of the Changchun–Yanji Suture Belt, NE China
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    Abstract:
    This study reports zircon U–Pb geochronological, geochemical, and zircon Hf–O isotopic data for metavolcanic rocks from the Shitoukoumen and Yongji areas in central Jilin Province, northeast China, to reveal their petrogenesis and tectonic setting. The metavolcanic rocks collected from the Shitoukoumen and Yongji areas are composed of metabasaltic trachyandesite, metatrachyandesite, and metarhyolitic tuff. Zircon U–Pb dating results indicate that the metavolcanic rocks were erupted during 359–355 Ma. Metavolcanic rocks in the Shitoukoumen area can be divided into two groups according to their geochemical characteristics. Group‐I rocks (metabasaltic trachyandesite and metatrachyandesite) show geochemical features similar to those of ocean island basalt (OIB), with slightly lower zircon δ 18 O values (4.06 ± 0.42‰ to 5.16 ± 0.28‰) than those of mantle‐derived zircons, and depleted ε Hf (t) values (7.84–15.4). Group‐II rocks (metabasaltic andesite) show similar geochemical characteristics to those of normal mid‐ocean ridge basalt (N‐MORB). Group‐I rocks may have been derived from partial melting of enriched mantle involving high‐temperature altered oceanic crust, whereas Group‐II rocks originated mainly from partial melting of depleted mantle. Metarhyolitic tuffs from the Yongji area have high SiO 2 and K 2 O contents, as well as high Ga/Al ratios, and show similar geochemical characteristics to those of A‐type rhyolites. The results of the study, together with published data, indicate that the eastern segment of the northern margin of the North China Craton was a passive continental margin setting during the early Carboniferous, and that the Paleo‐Asian Ocean remained open along the Changchun–Yanji suture belt until the early Carboniferous.
    Keywords:
    Petrogenesis
    Continental arc
    This article reviews studies on fundamental question, whether oceanic peridotite can be the source of oceanic crust or the residue left after formation of oceanic crust, using a radiogenic isotopic composition from the 1990s. The Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of the oceanic peridotite are highly heterogeneous compared to those of the oceanic crust. The wide isotopic variation cannot be explained by simple partial melting or interaction between melt and peridotite. It requires several stages of ancient partial melting and interaction with melt. It has been suggested that the Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of the oceanic crust are homogenized by partial melting of the heterogeneous mantle peridotite. Accumulation of Sr-Nd isotopic data of the oceanic peridotites will be useful to further decipher the processes of partial melting and/or melt-peridotite interaction which occurred through the Earth's history.
    Peridotite
    Radiogenic nuclide
    Adakite
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    The stretching and thinning of the continental crust, which occurs during the formation of passive continental margins, may cause important changes in the velocity structure of such crust. Further, crust attenuated to a few kilometres' thickness, can be found underlying 'oceanic' water depths. This paper poses the question of whether thinned continental crust can be distinguished seismically from normal oceanic crust of about the same thickness. A single seismic refraction line shot over thinned continental crust as part of the North Biscay margin transect in 1979 was studied in detail. Tau-p inversion suggested that there are differences between oceanic and continental crust in the lower crustal structure. This was confirmed when synthetic seismograms were calculated. The thinned continental crust (α ≥ 7.0) exhibits a two-gradient structure in the non-sedimentary crust with velocities between 5.9 and 7.4 km s-1; an upper 0.8 s-1 layer overlies a 0.4 s-1 layer. No layer comparable to oceanic layer 3 was detected. The uppermost mantle also contains a low-velocity zone.
    Continental Margin
    Convergent boundary
    We investigate how subduction may be triggered by continental crust extension at a continental margin. The large topography contrast between continental and oceanic domains drives the spreading of continental crust over oceanic basement. Subduction requires the oceanic plate to get submerged in mantle, so that negative buoyancy forces may take over and drive further descent. This is promoted by two mechanisms. Loading by continental crust bends the oceanic plate downwards. Extension in the continental domain induces crustal thinning, which acts to raise mantle above the oceanic plate. In this model, the width of the continental region undergoing extension is an important control parameter. The main physical controls are illustrated by laboratory experiments and simple theory for elastic flexure coupled to viscous crustal spreading. Three governing dimensionless parameters are identified. One involves the poorly constrained oceanic plate buoyancy. We find that the oceanic plate can be thrust to depths larger than 40 km even if it is buoyant, enabling metamorphic reactions and density increase in the oceanic crust. Another parameter is the ratio between the width of the continental extension region and the flexural parameter for the oceanic plate. Initiating subduction is easier if the continent thins over a short lateral distance or if the oceanic plate is strong. The third important parameter is the ratio of oceanic plate thickness to initial continental crust thickness, such that a weak plate and a thick crust do not favour subduction. Thus, the change from a passive to an active margin depends on the local characteristics of the continental crust and is not determined solely by the age and properties of the oceanic lithosphere. It is shown that the spreading of continental crust induces uplift of the margin as the adjacent seafloor subsides. Evidence for the emplacement of continental crust over oceanic basement at passive margins is reviewed.
    Convergent boundary
    Continental Margin
    Eclogitization
    Adakite
    Passive margin
    Underplating
    (1980). Transition zones from continent to ocean in areas of development of young continental and oceanic crust. International Geology Review: Vol. 22, No. 7, pp. 759-768.
    Continental Margin
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