An Overview on the Composition and Age of Upper Crust of Proto‐Tethyan Lajishan Intra‐oceanic Arc, NE Tibet Plateau

Abstract

Identification and anatomy of oceanic arcs within ancient orogenic belt are significant for better understanding the tectonic framework and closure process of paleo‐ocean basin. This article summarizes the geological, geochemical, and geochronological characteristics of upper crust of Proto‐Tethyan Lajishan intra‐oceanic arc and provides new data to constrain the subduction evolution of the South Qilian Ocean. The intra‐oceanic arc volcanic rocks, including intermediate‐basic lava, breccia, tuff, and minor felsic rocks, are distributed along southern part of the Lajishan ophiolite belt. Geochemical and isotopic compositions indicate that the intermediate‐basic lava were originated from depleted mantle contaminated by sediment melts or hydrous fluids, whereas the felsic rocks were likely generated by partial melting of juvenile mafic crust in intra‐oceanic arc setting. Zircons from felsic rocks yield consistent and concordant ages ranging from 506 Ma to 523 Ma, suggesting these volcanic rocks represent the relicts of upper crust of the Cambrian intra‐oceanic arc. Combined with the Cambrian forearc ophiolite and accretionary complex, we suggest that the Cambrian intra‐oceanic arc in the Lajishan ophiolite belt is belonging to the intra‐oceanic arc system which was generated by south‐directed subduction in the South Qilian Ocean at a relatively short interval between approximately 530 Ma and 480 Ma.