Early Neoproterozoic magmatic imprints in the Altun-Qilian-Kunlun region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Response to the assembly and breakup of Rodinia supercontinent

The Altun-Qilian-Kunlun Mountain (AQK), located on the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, experienced multiple Neoproterozoic magmatic and metamorphic events which are correlated to the Rodinia supercontinent history. Here we present results from a systematic petrologic, geochemical, and zircon U-Pb and Hf isotopic study on Neoproterozoic granitoids and mafic rocks from the AQK. In conjunction with a review of the available age data, we divide the early Neoproterozoic magmatism in AQK into two stages: the first stage at ca. 1030-846 Ma and the second stage at ca. 860-660 Ma. The new Lu-Hf isotopic data coupled with published Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd results indicate that the stage 1 mafic rocks were mainly derived from a depleted mantle source with minor contamination with crustal materials or subducted sediments. The stage 2 mafic rocks were mainly derived from the depleted mantle with limited crustal contamination. Combined with whole-rock geochemical compositions and Sr-Nd isotopic data, the stage 1 granitic magmas are inferred to have been derived from reworked Paleoproterozoic-Mesoproterozoic crust and the stage 2 granitoid magmas mainly came from reworked continental crust with minor mantle magma input. The AQK experienced arc magmatism in a compressional environment on an active continental margin during the late Mesoproterozoic-early Neoproterozoic (1030-846 Ma), followed by rift-related magmatism in an extensional setting in the middle to late Neoproterozoic (860-660 Ma). Similarities in basement compositions, magmatism and metamorphism between the Qilian block (QL) and surrounding blocks suggest that the AQK was with a composite block at early Neoproterozoic. The assembly of AQK started as early as 1030 Ma with peak convergence at ca. similar to 918 Ma. The initial breakup might have started from 860 Ma and lasted until to 660 Ma with the peak at ca. similar to 765 Ma. These timings correspond well with those of the assembly and breakup of the Neoproterozoic supercontinent Rodinia. The breakup of AQK from the South China Craton might have occurred in the late Neoproterozoic, not until the opening of the Qilian ocean at around 660 Ma.