Zircon U-Pb and Hf Isotopes Provide Insights into Triassic Magmatism in the Chinese Pamir

Abstract:

Recent research has improved understanding of Triassic magmatism and sedimentation in the Songpan-Ganzi/Hoh-Xil Terranes of Tibet and the implications for the closure of the Paleotethys ocean (Pullen et al., 2008; Ding et al,. 2013; Zhang et al., 2014). However, our knowledge of the age of magmatism in the laterally equivalent Karakul-Mazar Terrane in the Northern Pamir is limited. While previous investigations indicate Karakul-Mazar igneous bodies have generally documented crystallization ages 225-245 Ma, detrital zircon studies of Late Triassic/Early Jurassic strata within the Northern Pamir and the Tarim Basin record a significant quantity of <220 Ma zircons (Bershaw et al., 2011) sourced from the Pamir. 6 granite samples were analyzed for zircon U-Pb and Hf isotopes, representing plutons distributed across the Chinese Pamir, to determine the distribution of crystallization ages and chemical maturity of the magma source. Analyses yielded 204 Ma and 212-214 Ma zircon U-Pb crystallization ages. The dated samples yield εHf(t) values ranging from -6.7 to 9.6. Results show that a large volume of magmatic rocks in the Northern Pamir intruded in the Late Triassic prior to closure of the Paleotethys Ocean at ~200 Ma (Angiolini et al., 2013). Weakly positive and negative εHf(t) values indicate a primitive source for the dated magmatic bodies. Additionally, compliation of previously published data with these results suggests two pulses of magmatism, ~210 Ma and 230-245 Ma respectively. Finally, Triassic igneous bodies in the Pamir show similar crystallization ages and chemical signatures compared to plutons in the Songpan-Ganzi/Hoh-Xil Terranes to the east, suggesting lateral continuity of geodynamic processes across the terrane in the Mesozoic.