Welcome to Francis Academic Press

Academic Journal of Environment & Earth Science, 2021, 3(2); doi: 10.25236/AJEE.2021.030201.

Research progress of Yarlung Zangbo ophiolite

Author(s)

Li Jiang

Corresponding Author:
Li Jiang
Affiliation(s)

College of Earth Science and Engineering,Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, 266590, China

Abstract

Ophiolite is a relic of the paleo oceanic crust preserved on the earth continent. It preserves a lot of important evidences in the process of crust-mantle interaction and records information about oceanic lithospheric dynamics and geotectonics. It has always been a research hotspot in the field of geology. Especially in recent years, the ophiolite has made a lot of important progress in the global lithospheric evolution, ocean-continent transition history in different geological periods and geodynamics, which has aroused great research enthusiasm in the field of geology. The Yarlung Zangbo ophiolite is the most important ophiolite in China.However, the tectonic setting, rock composition and genesis of the Yarlung Zangbo ophiolite are still controversial. This paper expounds the Yarlung Zangbo ophiolite from three aspects: brief history, characteristics and existing problems, so as to promote the Yarlung Zangbo ophiolite to the international academic circles.

Keywords

Ophiolite, Yarlung Zangbo, Tectonic setting, Forming age, Emplacement age

Cite This Paper

Li Jiang. Research progress of Yarlung Zangbo ophiolite. Academic Journal of Environment & Earth Science (2021) Vol. 3 Issue 2: 1-8. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJEE.2021.030201.

References

[1] Brongniart A. 1813. Essai d'une classification minéralogique des roches mélangées. Journal des Mines, 199: 5-48

[2] Steinmann G. 1927. Die ophiolitischen Zonen in den Mediterranean Kettengebirgen. In: 14th International Geological Congress in Madrid, 2: 637-667

[3] Bailey EB and McCallien WJ. 1950. The Ankara mélange and the Anatolian thrust. Nature, 166(4231): 938-940

[4] Bailey EB and McCallien WJ. 1953. Serpentine lavas, the Ankara mélange and the Anatolian thrust Trans Royal Soc.Edinburgh, 62(11): 403-442

[5] Gass IG. 1968. Is the Troodos massif of Cyprus a fragment of Mesozoic ocean floor? Nature, 220(5162): 39-42

[6] Anonymous. 1972. Penrose field conference on ophiolites. Geotimes, 17: 24-25

[7] Moores E M, Jackson E D. 1974. Ophiolites and oceanic crust. Nature, 250(5462): 136-139

[8] Pearce J A, Lippard S Roberts S. Characteristics and tectonic significance of supra-subduction zone ophiolites [J]. Geological Society London Special Publications, 1984, 16(l): 77-94. 

[9] Dilek Y, Fumes H. Ophiolite genesis and global tectonics: Geochemical and tectonic fingerprinting of ancient oceanic lithosphere [J]. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 2011, 123(3-4): 387-411.

[10] Kusky T, Robinson P. The Significance of Sheeted Dike Complexes in Ophiolites [J]. Acta Geologica Sinica, 2008, 18(ll): 204-205.

[11] Gansser A. 1964. The Geology of the Himalayas. New York: Wiley Interscience, 1-289

[12] Chang C F, Zheng X L. 1973. Tectonic characteristics of Mount Qomolangma region, South Xizang, China. Chinese Journal of Geology, 8(1): 1-12

[13] Jin C W, Zhou Y S. 1978. Magmatic belts in Himalayan and Gangdise arcuate mountain systems and their genetic models.Chinese Journal of Geology, 13(4): 297-312

[14] Cao R L. 1981. Petrological characteristics of Yarlung Zangbo ophiolite belt and deep trench sediments in Tibet and their geological significance.Geochimica, 10: 247-254

[15] Lin X L. 1981. Dynamic compaction of Dazhuka ultrafasic rock mass and its discussion.Geochimica Sinica, 10(2): 181-184

[16] Xiao, X.C., Qu, J.C., Chen, G.M., Zhu, Z.Z., Gu, Q.G., 1979. The Tethyan Himalayan ophiolites in China and their tectonic implications.International Symposium on Geology (1). Structural Geology, 143-153

[17] Nicolas, A., Girardeau, J., Marcoux, J., Dupre, B., Xibin, W., Yougong, C., Haixiang, Z. & Xuchang, X., 1981. The Xigaze ophiolite (Tibet) a peculiar oceanic lithosphere. Nature, 294, 414-417.

[18] Bezard, R., Hebert, R., Wang, C.-S., Dostal, J., Dai, J.-G. & Zhong, H.-T., 2011. Petrology and geochemistry of the Xiugugabu ophiolitic massif, western Yarlung Zangbo suture zone, JlbQt Lifhos, 125, 347-367.

[19] Dubois-Cote, V., Hebert, R., Dupuis, C., Wang, C.S., Li, Y.L. & Dostal, J., 2005. Petrological and geochemical evidence for the origin of the Yarlung Zangbo ophiolites, southern Tibet. Chemical Geology, 214, 265-286.

[20] Guilmette, C., Hebert, R., Dupuis, C., Wang, C.S., Li, Z.J., 2008. Metamorphic history and geodynamic significance of highgrade metabasites from the ophiolitic melange beneath the Yarlung Zangbo Ophiolites, Xigaze area, Tibet. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 32, 423-437. 

[21] Guilmette, C., Hebert, R., Wang, C.S., Dupuis, C., 2009. Geochemistry and geochronology of highly foliated amphib-olites from the ophiolitic melange, Xigaze area, Yarlung Zangbo SutureZone, Tibet. Lithos. 112, 149-162.

[22] Guilmette, C., Hebert, R., Dupuis, J., Indares, A., Ullrich, T., Bedard, E., Wang, C.S., 2012. Discovery of a dismembered metamorphic sole in the Saga ophiolitic melange, South Tibet: assessing an Early Cretaceous disruption of the Neo-Tethyan supra-subduction zone and consequences on basin closing. Gondwana Research, 22, 398-414.

[23] Yin A, Harrison T M, 2000. Geologic Evolution of the Himalayan Tibetan orogen. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 28:211-280

[24] Dupuis C, Hébert R, Dubois-Cté V, Guilmette C, Wang CS, Li YL and Li ZJ. 2005. The Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone ophiolitic mélange (southern Tibet): New insights from geochemistry of ultramafic rocks. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 25(6): 937-960

[25] Hébert R, Bezard R, Guilmette C, Dostal J, Wang CS and Liu ZF.2012. The Indus-Yarlung Zangbo ophiolites from Nanga Parbat to Namche Barwa syntaxes, southern Tibet: First synthesis of petrology, geochemistry, and geochronology with incidences on geodynamic reconstructions of Neo-Tethys. Gondwana Research, 22 (2): 377-397

[26] Liang Fenghua, Xu Zhiqin, Ba Dengzhu, Xu Xiangzhen, Liu Fei, Xiong Changfa, Jia Yi. 2011. Discussion on the tectonic production and emplacement mechanism of the Luobusha Zedang ophiolite pluton in Tibet.Acta Petrologica Sinica, 27(11): 3255-3268

[27] Lai Shengmin, Yang Jingsui et al.Geochemical Characteristics and Metallogenic Regularity of the Yarlung Zangbo River Suture Belt in Tibet [J].Acta Petrologica Sinica,2015,31(12):3629-3649. 

[28] Lai Shengmin, Yang Jingsui et al.Geochemical Characteristics and Platinum Group Elements of the Linglong Mantle in the Yarlung Zangbo River Suture Belt, Tibet [J].Geology in China,2015,42(5):1515-1534.

[29] Ye Peisheng, Jiang Wan et al.Geochemistry and tectonic significance of the Zedang - Luobsha ophiolite in Tibet [J]. Geoscience, 2006, 20(3): 370-377. 

[30] Gao Hongxue, Song Ziji.New progress in the study of zedang ophiolite melanges in Tibet [J]. Regional geology of China, 1995, (4): 316-322.

[31] Zhong Lifeng.Petrological geochemistry and tectonic setting of the Luobsha ophiolite in southern Tibet [D].Beijing: Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2006: 17-80.

[32] Cheng Xuezhan, Xia Bin et al.Isotopic characteristics of mantle peridotite in the Luobsha ophiolite and its origin [J].Geotectonica et Metallogenia, 2011, 35(1): 85-94. 

[33] Xu Mengjing, Jin Zhenmin.Microstructural characteristics of Luobsha mantle peridotite deformation and its geological significance [J].Chinese Geological Bulletin, 2010, 29(12): 1795-1803.

[34] Xiong FH, Yang JS, Robinson PT, Xu XZ, Liu Z, Li Y, Li JY and Chen SY. 2015. Origin of podiform chromitite, a new model based on the Luobusa ophiolite, Tibet. Gondwana Research, 27(2) : 525-542

[35] Liu T, Wu F Y, Zhang L L, Zhai Q G, Liu C Z, Ji W B, Zhang C, Xu Y.2016. Zircon U- Pb geochronological constraints on rapid exhumation of the mantle peridotite of the Xigaze ophiolite, southern Tibet [J]. Chemical Geology, 443: 67-86.

[36] Zhang C, Liu C Z, Wu F Y, Ji W Q, Liu T, Xu Y. 2017. Ultrarefractory mantle domains in the Luqu ophiolite (Tibet): Petrology and tectonic setting [J]. Lithos, 286-287: 252-263.

[37] Li Yuan, Li Ruibao et al.Dome structure and tectonic significance of baimairang pluton in xigaze ophiolite [J].Chinese Science Bulletin, 2016, 61(25): 2823-2833.

[38] Zhang Qi. Several problems in the study of Xigaze ophiolites [J]. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 2015, 31(1): 37~46.

[39] Li Wenxia. Geochemistry and tectonic setting of Yarlung Zangbo ophiolite in Xigaze area, Tibet [D]. Beijing: China University of Geosciences, 2013: 20-25.

[40] Li Qiang, Xia Bin et al. Discussion on tectonic setting of ophiolites in Xigaze, Tibet [J]. Bulletin of Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry, 2015, 35(5): 993-1006

[41] Xiong FH, Yang JS, Robinson PT, Gao J, Chen YH and Lai SM.2017a. Petrology and geochemistry of peridotites and podiform chromitite in the Xigaze ophiolite, Tibet: Implications for a suprasubduction zone origin. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 146: 56-75

[42] She Yuwei, Zhu Xiangkun et al. New discovery of pod-like chromite in Xigaze ophiolite, Yarlung Zangbo tectonic belt, Tibet [J]. Geology in China, 2017, 44(3): 610-611

[43] Liu F, Yang J S, Dilek Y, Xu Z Q, Xu X Z, Liang F H, Chen S Y, Lian D Y. 2015. Geochronology and geochemistry of basaltic lavas in the Dongbo and Purang ophiolites of the YarlungZangbo Suture zone: Plume-influenced continental margin-type oceanic lithosphere in southern Tibet [J]. Gondwana Research, 27: 701-718.

[44] Xiong Fahui, Yang Jingsui et al. Tectonic setting of the Dongbo ophiolite in the western section of the Yarlung Zangbo River suture zone, Tibet [J]. Acta Geoscience, 2015, 36(1): 31-40.

[45] Xu Xiangzhen, Yang Jingsui et al.Discovery of diamonds in the Dongbo mantle peridotite of the Yarlung Zangbo River suture zone, Tibet and its geological significance [A].Geology in China, 2015, 42(5): 1471-1482.

[46] Zhou Winda. Study on the origin of the mantle peridotite of the Puran ophiolite in the western section of Yajiang suture zone, Tibet [D].Wuhan: China University of Geosciences, 2015: 8-29.

[47] Liu Zhao, Li Yuan, Xiong Jiangui et al.Mor type gabbro in the Pulan ophiolite, western Xizang: Petrology and chronology [J]. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 2011, 27(11): 3269-3279.

[48] Wang Zeli, Liu Jianguo et al.Mineralogical characteristics and geological significance of chromium-spinel in eastern Pulan ultramafic pluton, Tibet [J]. Geological Review, 2012, 58(6): 1038-1045.

[49] Zhang Q. 2014. Classification and tectonic significance of mafic-ultramafic rocks. Chinese Journal of Geology, 49 (3): 982-1017

[50] Allegre C O, Courtillot V, Tapponnier P, Hirn A, Mattauer M, Coulon C, Jaeger J, Achache J, Schärer U, Marcoux J. 1984. Structure and evolution of the Himalaya- Tibet orogenic belt [J]. Nature, 307:17-22

[51] Wu Fuyuan, Liu Chuanzhou, Zhang Liangliang, Zhang Chang, Wang Jiangang, Ji Weiqiang, Liu Xiaochi. 2014. Yarlung Zangbo ophiolite: fact and assumption [J]. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 30: 293-325.

[52] Liu C Z, Zhang C, Yang L Y, Zhang L L, Ji W Q, Wu F Y. 2014. Formation of gabbronorites in the Purang ophiolite (SW Tibet) through melting of hydrothermally altered mantle along a detachment fault [J]. Lithos, 205: 127-141.

[53] Zhang C, Liu C Z, Wu F Y, Zhang L L, Ji W Q. 2016. Geochemistry and geochronology of mafic rocks from the Luobusa ophiolite, South Tibet [J]. Lithos, 245: 93-108.

[54] Bédard É, Hébert R, Guilmette C, Lesage G, Wang C, Dostal J. 2009.Petrology and geochemistry of the Saga and Sangsang ophiolitic massifs, Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone, Southern Tibet: evidence for an arc-back-arc origin [J]. Lithos, 113: 48-67.

[55] Dai J, Wang C, Li Y. 2012. Relicts of the Early Cretaceous seamounts in the central- western Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone, southern Tibet [J]. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 53: 25-37.

[56] Dai J, Wang C, Polat A, Santosh M, Li Y, Ge Y. 2013. Rapid forearc spreading between 130 and 120 Ma: Evidence from geochronology and geochemistry of the Xigaze ophiolite, southern Tibet [J]. Lithos, 172: 1-16.

[57] Miyashiro A. 1973. The Troodos ophiolitic complex was probably formed in an island arc [J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 19:218-224.

[58]Pearce J A. 2014. Immobile Element Fingerprinting of Ophiolites [J]. Elements, 10: 101-108.

[59] McDermid IRC, Aitchison JC, Davis AM, Harrison TM and Grove M.2002. The Zedong Terrane: A Late Jurassic intra-oceanic magmatic arc within the Yarlung Zangbo suture zone, southeastern Tibet. Chem. Geol., 187(3-4): 267-277

[60] Zhang LL, Liu CZ, Wu FY, Ji WQ and Wang JG. 2014. The Zedong terrane revisited: An intra-oceanic arc within the Neo-Tethys or a part of the Asian active continental margin? J. Asian Earth Sci., 80: 34-55

[61] Hopson CA. 2007. Subvolcanic sheeted sills and nonsheeted dikes in ophiolites: Occurrence, origin, and tectonic signifi cance for oceanic crust generation. In: Cloos M, Carlson WD, Gilbert MC, Liou JG and Sorensen SS (eds.).Convergent Margin Terranes and Associated Regions: A Tribute to Ernst WG. Geol. Soc. Am. Special Paper, 419: 225-254

[62] Bao PS, Su L, Wang J and Zhai QG. 2013. Study on the tectonic setting for the ophiolites in Xigaze, Tibet. Acta Geol. Sinica, 87(2): 395-425

[63] Zhou Su, Mo Xuanxue,JJ.Mahoney, et al.Geochemical Characteristics and Metallogenic Regularity of the Xilaokou Gold Deposit, Shandong Province [J].Chinese Science Bulletin,2001,46(16):1387-1390.

[64] Zhong Lifeng. Petrological geochemistry and tectonic setting of the Luobsha ophiolite in southern Tibet [J].Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, CAS (-2008), 2006.

[65] Wei Zhenquan, Xia Bin, Zhang Yuquan, et al.Zircon SHRIMP Dating of the diabase in the Xiugugabu ophiolite and Its Geological Significance [J].Geotectonica et Metallogenia, 2006, 30(1): 93-97.

[66] Xu Deming, Huang Guicheng, Lei Yijun.Geochemical Characteristics and Metallogenic Regularity of the Xilaokou ophiolite [J]. Geochemical Characteristics and Metallogenic Regularity of the Xilaokou ophiolite [J].Geology in China, 2008, 35(3): 429-435.

[67] Chan G H N, Aitchison J C, Crowley Q G, et al. U-Pb zircon ages for Yarlung Tsangpo suture zone ophiolites, southwestern Tibet and their tectonic implications [J]. Gondwana Research, 2015, 27(2): 719-732.

[68] LI Jianfeng, XIA Bin, LIU Liwen, et al.Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb Age and Geological Significance of the Pyroxenite in the Laoangco ophiolite in Tibet [J].Geological Bulletin of China,2008,27(10):1739-1743.

[69] Miller C, Thoni M, Frank W, et al. Geochemistry and tectonomagmatic affinity of the Yungbwa ophiolite, SW Tibet[J]. Lithos, 2003, 66(3): 155-172.

[70] Xiong Fahui, Yang Jingsui, Liang Fenghua, et al.Zircon U-Pb Dating of the Dongbo ophiolite in the Western Yarlung Zangbo River Suture Belt and Its Geological Significance [J]. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 2011, 27(11): 3233-3238.

[71] Xiao X C, Gao Y L. 1984. New understanding of the high pressure and low temperature metamorphic zone in the middle section of the Yarlung Zangbo River suture zone, Tibet.Geology of the Himalayas (II). Beijing: Geological Publishing House, 1-16

[72] Li C, Hu JR, Zhai QG, Dong YS. 2007. New evidence of the India-Asia collision and its duration: Ar-Ar dating of the Kadui blue schist in Shigatse.Geological Bulletin of China, 26 (10): 1299-1303

[73] Wang X B, Bao P S, Xiao X C. 1987. Yarlung Zangbo ophiolite.Beijing: Surveying and Mapping Press, 1-118

[74] Soret M, Agard P, Dubacq B et al. 2017. Petrological evidence for stepwise accretion of metamorphic soles during subduction infancy (Semail ophiolite, Oman and UAE). Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 35(9): 1051-1080.

[75] Malpas J,Zhou MF,Robinson PT and Reynolds PH.2003. Geochemical and geochronological constraints on the origin and emplacement of the Yarlung Zangbo ophiolites, Southern Tibet. In: Dilek Y and Robinson PT (eds.).Ophiolites in Earth History.Geol.Soc.Spec.Pub., 218: 191-206

[76] Coleman RG. 1977. Ophiolites: Ancient Oceanic Lithosphere? New York: Springer-Verlag, 1 - 229