Cambrian intra-oceanic subduction within the southern branch of the Proto-Tethyan Ocean: Constraints from rhyolites in the Lajishan suture, NE Tibetan Plateau

The South Qilian suture in the Qilian Orogen is an early Paleozoic belt that developed as a result of closure of the southern branch of the Proto-Tethyan Ocean. It is characterized by widespread Cambrian intermediate-basic volcanic rocks which record the early-stage evolution of the paleo-ocean basin. However, Cambrian evolution of the paleo-ocean basin remains controversial due to the lack of research on the age and tectonic affinity of these volcanic rocks. In this study, we identified rhyolites from the intermediate-basic volcanic rocks in the South Qilian suture. They occur as pebbles in the breccias, or as veins and interlayers within the intermediate-basic volcanic rocks. Zircon U-Pb datings yield ages of 514.0 +/- 2.8 Ma, 521 +/- 4 Ma, 523 +/- 5 Ma, and 513 +/- 9 Ma for four rhyolites, respectively. The Cambrian rhyolites show variable La/Sm ratios and Rb contents and positive zircon epsilon Hf(t) values (+6.8 to +14.6) and whole-rock epsilon Nd(t) values (+2.1 to +4.6), suggesting that they were derived from partial melting of juvenile mafic crust. They also have high Al2O3 and CaO contents, as well as low K2O and trace element concentrations, which are similar to those of oceanic arc rhyolite. These early Cambrian oceanic arc rhyolites, along with the SSZ-type ophiolite (ca. 530-520 Ma) to the north and late-stage granitoid intrusions (ca. 474-450 Ma), indicate that the southern branch of the Proto-Tethyan Ocean experienced southward intra-oceanic subduction during the early Cambrian-early Ordovician period.

Automated summary

The South Qilian suture in the Qilian Orogen is a Paleozoic belt that formed from the closure of the southern branch of the Proto-Tethyan Ocean. The Cambrian evolution of the paleo-ocean basin has been controversial, but this study found rhyolites in the South Qilian suture that suggest southward intra-oceanic subduction during the early Cambrian-early Ordovician period.