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Petrogenesis and Geological Significance of the Late Triassic A-Type and S-Type Syn-Collisional Granites in the Baoshan Terrane, SW China

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The Baoshan Terrane, as a passive continental margin during the subduction of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean and the lower plate during collision, exhibits a poorly understood magmatic history. This region is characterized by limited magmatic activity and scarce field outcrops, which has hindered a comprehensive understanding of its petrogenesis and geological evolution. This paper presents a chronological and geochemical study of two different types of syn-collisional granites identified in the Mengnuo and Muchang areas in the southern Baoshan Terrane. Our results show that the two types of granites are high-fractionated S-type granites in Bangdong pluton from Mengnuo (zircon U-Pb ages of 230.3 ± 1.4 Ma, 228.7 ± 1.6 Ma and 230.2 ± 1.1 Ma) and A-type granites in Muchang (zircon U-Pb ages of 232.3 ± 1.8 Ma), respectively. Their formation ages are close to the timing of collision, belonging to syn-collisional granites. The Mengnuo high-fractionated S-type granites have SiO2 contents ranging from 75.15 to 77.78 wt.% with A/CNK of 1.14 to 5.09, and are strongly peraluminous, high-K calc-alkaline granites. They display negative zircon εHf(t) values (−7.72 to −12.32), indicating derivation from partial melting of ancient crustal materials followed by extensive fractional crystallization. In contrast, the Muchang A-type granites contain 73.26 to 76.41 wt.% SiO2, exhibit low A/CNK ratios (0.92–1.46, average = 1.07), and high Zr + Nb + Ce + Y abundances (313.7 to 3000.3 ppm), characterizing them as weakly peraluminous A-type granites. Further classification reveals that the Muchang granites belong to A1-type granites with positive εHf(t) values (+4.01 to +8.46), indicating the involvement of mantle-derived materials in their magma sources. In this case, combined with results from relevant studies in the Changming-Menglian suture zone, we propose that the Late Triassic magmatism in the Baoshan Terrane was likely triggered by slab break-off during syn-collisional stage. Slab break-off might cause mantle upwelling, resulting in large-scale Lincang batholith and associated volcanic rocks in the upper plate as well as various magmatism activities (S-type and A-type felsic rocks and intraplate basalts) in the Baoshan Terrane.

Source: Minerals

DOI: 10.3390/min15121276

Authors: Bokun Yang, Anlin Liu, Zhen Jia, Zhenyang Liu, Peng Wu

Institution: Kunming University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Geological and Geochemical Analysis

Subfield: Geophysics

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Yunnan Provincial Science and Technology Department, Applied Basic Research Foundation of Yunnan Province