Geochronology, geochemistry, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes of the Late Permian–Early Triassic granitoids in Eastern Kunlun Orogen, Northwest China: petrogenesis and implications for geodynamic setting

The Eastern Kunlun Orogenic Belt (EKOB) in Northwest China, is an ideal area for understanding the tectonic evolution of the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean. The EKOB is marked by widespread Palaeozoic to Early Mesozoic magmatism. However, the Late Permian–Early Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean tectonic regime is poorly understood. Here, we report new zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating and geochemical analyses of Late Permian–Early Triassic intrusive rocks in the Xiangyanggouxi and Dageledong areas in the EKOB, Northwest China, to discuss their petrogenesis and geodynamic setting and reconstruct the tectonic evolution of Palaeo-Tethys oceanic tectonic regime. Zircon U-Pb dating results indicate that these granitoids crystallized during ca. 256–248 Ma, i.e. the Late Permian to Early Triassic. These granitoids are mainly comprised of granodiorites and monzonitic granites that possess high concentrations of SiO₂ (66.81–75.98 wt.%), K₂O+Na₂O (6.21–7.92 wt.%), and low contents of MgO, CaO, Cr, Ni, and Mg^# (<0.44). They are classified as medium- to high-K calc-alkaline and metaluminous I-type granitoids. These granitoids are rich in light rare earth elements (LREEs) and large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and are depleted in heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) and high field strength elements (HFSEs) with arc affinity. In addition, combined with the ε_Hf(t) values of −2.4 to +2.4 with two-stage model ages ranging from 1409 Ma to 1027 Ma, and the ε_Nd(t) values from −3.73 to −2.95, it is suggested that the primary magma of these granitoids was derived from the partial melting of the Late Meso–Proterozoic mafic lower crust. These findings, combined with spatio-temporal distributions of regional magmatism, reveal that the Late Permian and Early Triassic granitoids formed in a continental magmatic arc setting related to the northward subduction of the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean plate beneath the EKOB-Qaidam terrane.