Apatite U–Pb geochronology and whole rock, Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic geochemistry of XV mafic‐ultramafic intrusion, Bafq, Central Iran: Implications for petrogenesis and tectonic setting

Abstract

The XV mafic‐ultramafic intrusion is located in the western part of the Posht‐e‐Badam Block (PBB) within the Central Iranian Micro‐Continent (CIMC). Petrographically, the intrusion is composed of gabbro and pyroxenite. Apatite U–Pb dating has established the crystallization age of this intrusion to be 363 ± 67 Ma. The XV intrusive rocks are tholeiitic to slightly calc‐alkaline in nature and are characterized by an enrichment of large ion lithophile elements (LILE) and light rare earth elements (LREE) relative to high field strength elements (HFSE) and Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE), respectively. The major oxide elements display continuous trends relative to SiO2. The 87Sr/86Sr(i) ratios range from 0.7045 to 0.7056, and the εNd(i) values range from 2.63 to 3.30. In addition, the 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb ratios exhibit a narrow range, varying from 18.68 to 18.70, 15.67 to 15.71, and 38.84 to 38.99, respectively. The geochemical and isotopic characteristics suggest that the parental magma was derived from a Sub‐ Continental Lithospheric Mantle (SCLM) that was modified by oceanic slab‐derived components. The locations of the XV intrusive rocks in εNd(i) versus TDM (Ga) and Nb/La versus discrimination diagrams further support this conclusion. Fractional crystallization is identified as the dominant process influencing the formation of distinct lithological units within the XV intrusive rocks. Our newly presented isotopic and geochronological data, when considered in the regional context, suggest that the XV intrusive rocks were formed in an extensional tectonic setting. In this scenario, upwelling from the asthenospheric mantle induced heating, leading to the melting of previously subduction‐modified SCLM. Comparative analysis with previously published ages indicates that extensional magmatism in the PBB continued into the Middle Paleozoic.