Geodynamic Evolution of Flat-Slab Subduction of South Tianshan Ocean: Constraints from Devonian Dioritic Porphyrites and Granitoids in the Kumishi Area

Subduction of the South Tianshan Ocean caused widespread Devonian magmatism, lithospheric deformation, and thinning along the south margin of the Central Tianshan Belt. However, the details of this subduction process remain elusive. This study presents comprehensive data on Devonian granitoids from the Kumishi area, including whole-rock geochemical data, Sr-Nb-Pb isotopic compositions, zircon U-Pb ages, and zircon Hf isotopic data. Dioritic porphyrites, medium–fine-grained monzogranites, and coarse–medium-grained monzogranites were emplaced at 397 ± 2 Ma, 397 ± 3 Ma, and 395 ± 3 Ma, respectively. The dioritic porphyrites have relatively high Sr contents, low heavy rare earth element (HREE) and Y contents, and high Sr/Y ratios, which are characteristics of adakites. High Al and Na2O contents suggest that the rocks formed through partial melting of subducted oceanic crust. The monzogranites display I-type and subduction-related arc affinities, sourced from a mixed magma of crustal materials and mantle wedge components. The granodiorites were emplaced at 373 ± 3 Ma, and also exhibit pronounced I-type and subduction-related arc affinities. Combined with previous data, our results demonstrate that the studied area of Devonian magmatism records the entire spatiotemporal evolution of subduction of the South Tianshan Ocean slab, from initial shallowing of the subduction angle to flat-slab subduction, followed by final slab rollback.

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Journal
Minerals
Published
2025-09-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/min15101019
Primary Topic
Geological and Geochemical Analysis
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article
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article

Geodynamic Evolution of Flat-Slab Subduction of South Tianshan Ocean: Constraints from Devonian Dioritic Porphyrites and Granitoids in the Kumishi Area

Kai Weng, Wenbin Kang, Bo Chen, Xue Zhang et al.
Minerals
Geological and Geochemical Analysis
article

Geodynamic Evolution of Flat-Slab Subduction of South Tianshan Ocean: Constraints from Devonian Dioritic Porphyrites and Granitoids in the Kumishi Area

Kai Weng, Wenbin Kang, Bo Chen, Xue Zhang, Xiaojian Zhao, Yongwei Gao
article en

Abstract

Subduction of the South Tianshan Ocean caused widespread Devonian magmatism, lithospheric deformation, and thinning along the south margin of the Central Tianshan Belt. However, the details of this subduction process remain elusive. This study presents comprehensive data on Devonian granitoids from the Kumishi area, including whole-rock geochemical data, Sr-Nb-Pb isotopic compositions, zircon U-Pb ages, and zircon Hf isotopic data. Dioritic porphyrites, medium–fine-grained monzogranites, and coarse–medium-grained monzogranites were emplaced at 397 ± 2 Ma, 397 ± 3 Ma, and 395 ± 3 Ma, respectively. The dioritic porphyrites have relatively high Sr contents, low heavy rare earth element (HREE) and Y contents, and high Sr/Y ratios, which are characteristics of adakites. High Al and Na2O contents suggest that the rocks formed through partial melting of subducted oceanic crust. The monzogranites display I-type and subduction-related arc affinities, sourced from a mixed magma of crustal materials and mantle wedge components. The granodiorites were emplaced at 373 ± 3 Ma, and also exhibit pronounced I-type and subduction-related arc affinities. Combined with previous data, our results demonstrate that the studied area of Devonian magmatism records the entire spatiotemporal evolution of subduction of the South Tianshan Ocean slab, from initial shallowing of the subduction angle to flat-slab subduction, followed by final slab rollback.

MineralsVol. 15(10)
Chang'an University (CN), China Geological Survey (CN), Shanxi Datong University (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 73%
Geological and Geochemical Analysis
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Geodynamic Evolution of Flat-Slab Subduction of South Tianshan Ocean: Constraints from Devonian Dioritic Porphyrites and Granitoids in the Kumishi Area — Kai Weng, Wenbin Kang, et al. · Minerals (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS