Yayınlar
- MakaleYalnız künye2026Late Cretaceous hybrid melt sources and flare-up magmatism in the eastern Sakarya Zone, NE Türkiye: Zircon Hf-O constraints and implications for VMS fertility
Aydin, Faruk; Oguz-Saka, Simge; Karsli, Orhan; Dokuz, Abdurrahman; Moghadam, Hadi Shafaii; Zhao, Junxing; Schmitt, Axel K.
Understanding melt source evolution during arc-back-arc magmatism is essential for resolving crustal growth processes and the development of felsic-hosted volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) systems. Here we integrate new zircon HfO isotope data with published geochronological and whole-rock geochemical datasets to reassess the petrogenesis of Late Cretaceous arc and back-arc magmatic flare-ups in the eastern Sakarya Zone (ESZ), NE T & uuml;rkiye. Two high-flux magmatic episodes are recognized: a Turonian-Santonian pulse (similar to 92-86 Ma) forming the lower volcanic sequence (LVS), and a younger Campanian pulse (similar to 84-75 Ma) forming the upper volcanic sequence (UVS), accompanied by contemporaneous arc-related granitoids. Zircons from both LVS and UVS display predominantly positive epsilon Hf(t) values (+2 to +12) coupled with mantle-like delta O-18 (5.0-5.6 parts per thousand), but contain abundant inherited Mesoproterozoic-Paleozoic cores and show variable two-stage model ages (T-DM (c) = 0.4-1.4 Ga). Together with the peraluminous affinity of many felsic units, these features indicate that the dacite-rhyolite suites hosting VMS deposits were generated by melting of compositionally heterogeneous lower crust variably hybridized by juvenile basaltic inputs. Arc granitoids likewise record a transition from dominantly juvenile, I-type magmatism during the Coniacian-Santonian to more evolved, crust-influenced signatures during the Campanian. We propose that both flare-ups reflect repeated episodes of basaltic underplating and deep-crustal heating, producing voluminous felsic magmas capable of sustaining long-lived hydrothermal systems. The spatial and temporal coincidence between felsic-dominated flare-ups and VMS mineralization suggests that hybridized felsic magmas, rather than purely juvenile mantle melts, played a central role in generating the physiochemical conditions required for metal-bearing hydrothermal fluids in the ESZ.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2023Ordovician S-type granites in the western Sakarya Zone, NW Turkey; linkage to a back-arc setting
Karsli, Orhan; Sengun, Firat; Aydin, Faruk; Moghadam, Hadi S.; Dokuz, Abdurrahman; Griffin, William L.; Saka, Simge Oguz; Zack, Thomas
Turkey's Early Paleozoic tectonic evolution has received much attention in recent years. Early Paleozoic intrusive rocks are mainly distributed across Europe, Turkey (Istanbul-Zonguldak Zone, Strandja Zone, and Tauride Block), and Iran. However, the Early Paleozoic rocks have not yet been identified in north Turkey's Sakarya Zone, and thus the Early Paleozoic paleogeography of the Sakarya Zone remains enigmatic. Here, we provide new field observations, petrography, geochemistry, and geochronology of the western Sakarya Zone to identify the nature, origin, and tectonic setting of the Ordovician magmatic rocks cropping out in the So center dot gut area (Bilecik, northwest Turkey). Our Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb analyses on zircons suggest that the So center dot gut metagranites were emplaced at-484-461 Ma (except two zircons with ages of 490 and 494 Ma). There are abundant inherited zircon cores in the So center dot gut metagranites, with ages of >500 Ma to-2.2 Ga. The inherited Cadomian cores give concordant ages of 588 and 572 Ma. The So center dot gut metagranites are felsic and have high SiO2 (72-76 wt%) and K2O (4.1-5.3 wt%) contents, with high K2O/Na2O ratios (1.2-1.9), and low Mg# (17-35) values. The samples are Ca-poor (CaO = 0.52-0.68 wt%) and show peraluminous [A/CNK = molar Al2O3/(K2O + CaO + Na2O) = 1.15-1.28] and high-K calc-alkaline geochemical characters, with high modal content of muscovite (-10%), consistent with S-type compositions. The samples have low REE concentrations, with negative Eu anomalies. Ordovician zircon rims show epsilon Hf(t) values of +3.6 to-35.4, whereas inherited zircon cores have epsilon Hf(t) values of +33.9 to-26.1. Our data, in conjunction with previous studies, suggest that the So center dot gut metagranites were generated by fluid-absent muscovite-dehydration melting of metasediments accumulated in a back-arc setting. This back-arc basin was characterized by a denuded continental crust with abundant pelite-dominated sediments and minor input of juvenile mafic melts. Our results, combined with previously published data and paleogeographic reconstructions, allow us to conclude that the Ordovician S-type granites were formed by progressive back-arc extension and crustal thinning prompted by the rollback of the southward subducting oceanic-lithosphere slab. This led to the opening of the Rheic Ocean on the northern side of Gondwana in response to the final closure and termination of the Tornquist Ocean as a branch of the Iapetus Ocean. We argue that the Ordovician S-type granites from the northern side of Gondwana could signal significant crustal reworking away from any clear continental collision zone.
- MakaleYalnız künye2023Two-stage bimodal volcanism in a Late Cretaceous arc/back-arc setting, NE Turkey: Constraints from volcano-stratigraphy, zircon U-Pb and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology and whole-rock elemental and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope geochemistry
Oguz-Saka, Simge; Aydin, Faruk; Karsli, Orhan; Dokuz, Abdurrahman; Aiglsperger, Thomas; Miggins, Daniel P.; Sen, Cuneyt; Kandemir, Raif; Sari, Bilal; Koppers, Anthony A. P.
The eastern Blacksea magmatic arc (EBMA) in the eastern Sakarya Zone (ESZ) provides an excellent opportunity to investigate birth of an extensional intra-arc and back-arc settings in the Late Cretaceous over the Early Cretaceous northern passive margin of the Neotethys Ocean. Volcano-stratigraphy clearly shows that the Late Cretaceous volcanic activity of the EBMA occurred in two major phases. Bimodality, characterized by mafic/ basaltic rocks at the base and felsic/silicic types on top of it, is a typical feature of the lower (LVS) and upper (UVS) volcanic successions in the Giresun region of the ESZ. U-Pb and Ar-Ar ages support the volcanic suc-cession as two-stage (LVS: ca. 92-85 and UVS: ca. 83-67 Ma) bimodal volcanism. Both the volcanic successions are represented by similar rock types consisting of tholeiitic to calc-alkaline basalt-basaltic andesites and calc-alkaline to shoshonitic dacite-rhyolites. Basaltic (M1-and M2-series) and felsic/silicic (F1-and F2-series) sam-ples of the LVS and UVS have an arc-like signature with enriched large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and light rare earth elements (LREEs) and depleted high field strength elements (HFSEs). Also, the felsic/silicic samples of the F1-and F2-series show prominent negative Sr and Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.4 to 0.9), suggesting that plagioclase fractionation played a key role on the evolution of both felsic series. Bimodal rock series in two phases have a wide range of 87Sr/86Sr(i) (0.7048-0.7075) and 143Nd/144Nd(i) (0.5123-0.5127) ratios with var-iable epsilon Nd(i) values of-3.8 to +3.0. 206Pb/204Pb(i), 207Pb/204Pb(i) and 208Pb/204Pb(i) isotope ratios of the Giresun volcanic rocks vary in the range of 17.97-18.52, 15.55-15.65 and 37.53-38.56, respectively. Geochemical and isotopic data suggest that the parental magma of the M1-basaltic rocks were probably derived from a shallow (spinel-bearing) mantle metasomatized by slab/sediment-derived fluids. In contrast, the M2-basalts seem to have been originated from a deeper mantle source (spinel-garnet transition zone) enriched by slab/sediment-derived fluids and hydrous melts (bulk sediment) metasomatism with some contributions of lower/upper crustal materials. The least evolved basaltic samples in two phases are consistent with moderate (-10-15%) to high degree (-20-30%) partial melting of the metasomatized mantle. The silicic melts of the F1 -and F2-rocks series, on the other hand, were likely derived from melting of lower crustal materials consisting of meta-basalts/andesites and lesser amount of meta-sediments. Subsequently, these melts experienced FC +/- AFC and mixing processes during their ascent and emplacement to generate high-silica (rhyolitic) melts. Our data, combined with previous studies, suggest that two-stage bimodal volcanic rocks of the Late Cretaceous in the ESZ were formed in the transition from an extensional continental intra-arc to a back-arc setting during the north-ward subduction of the northern branch of Neotethys Ocean.
- MakaleYalnız künye2022From Cadomian back-arc basin to Rheic Ocean closure: the geochronological records of the Kurtoglu Massif, eastern Sakarya Zone, Turkey
Dokuz, Abdurrahman; Gücer, Mehmet Ali; Karsli, Orhan; Yi, Keewook
New U-Pb zircon data from the Kurtoglu Massif (eastern Sakarya Zone, Turkey) reveal a Cadomian back-arc basin, evolving to closure of the Rheic Ocean. A host metapsammite from the lower tectonic slice of the massif yielded detrital zircon ages ranging from Neoarchean (2.73 Ga) to late Neoproterozoic with a major population between 610 and 553 Ma and a peak at 592 Ma, implying that the basement of the Sakarya Zone has a Cadomian affinity. This metasedimentary sequence was intruded by an orthogneiss in the early Ordovician (481 Ma) probably during the opening of the Rheic Ocean. Zircon grains from the overlying metasedimentary sample yielded concordant ages spreading throughout the Mesoproterozoic (1608-1032 Ma) and early Paleozoic (516-351 Ma), suggesting that they were deposited in the Rheic Ocean likely prior to its final closure. The muscovite metagranite, emplaced into the host rocks of the Kurtoglu Massif at 388 Ma, formed probably during northward closure of the Rheic Ocean. Zircon grains of a metasiltstone from the upper tectonic slice of the massif, represented mainly by phyllites, yielded similar age spectra to that of the host metapsammite of the lower tectonic slice. Such phyllites in the Pulur Massif similar to 35 km to the southeast display a close association with the ophiolitic complexes of the Rheic Ocean. This relationship together with the age spectra mentioned above suggests that sedimentation was on a place away from the Paleozoic igneous sources, in an analogous position to the southern passive margin of the Rheic Ocean.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2022Late Jurassic Paleotethyan oceanic slab break-off revealed by Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes of Na-rich adakitic granites from northwestern Turkey
Karsli, Orhan; Şengün, Fırat; Santos, José Francisco; Uysal, İbrahim; Dokuz, Abdurrahman; Aydin, Faruk; Kandemir, Raif
The Mesozoic geodynamic evolution of the Paleotethys Ocean is critical but a poorly known piece of the geological history of the Sakarya Zone, north Turkey. Here, we describe new integrated research of zircon U-Pb geochronology, bulk-rock major-trace element and Sr–Nd isotopes as well as Hf isotope of zircons from the granitic rocks of the Demirköy and Kızıldamlar plutons located in Bilecik area along the western Sakarya Zone, northwestern Turkey. Zircon U–Pb ages obtained by LA-ICP-MS reveal that the granitic magma intruded into the basement rocks during the Late Jurassic (ca. 162–157 Ma). The granites are tholeiitic and show slightly metaluminous to peraluminous geochemical affinities. The granite samples are adakitic, having relatively high Na2O (6.35–7.58 wt%) and Sr (172–580 ppm), and low K2O (0.39–1.13 wt%) and Y (3.2–5.3 ppm), and thus have high Sr/Y (70–250). The samples exhibit enrichment of light rare earth elements (REE) and large ion lithophile elements (LILE) and depletion in heavy REE and the high field strength elements (HFSE; e.g., Nb, Ti, Ta). The samples possess low 87Sr/86Sr(t) values of 0.70313 to 0.70372, and εNd(t) of −0.66 to +9.24. Zircon grains exhibit positive εHf (t) values of 5.0 to 12.8 and depleted mantle model ages of Hf (TDM1 = 0.24 to 0.68 Ga). These geochemical features and Sr–Nd–Hf radiogenic isotope systematics reveal that the adakitic rocks were likely formed by low degree melting (<10%) of the eclogitic part of an oceanic slab and subsequent melt fractionation and crustal contamination. An ongoing subduction scenario cannot explain the formation of the investigated adakitic rocks. We suggest that the adakitic plutons were generated through slab break-off after the final closure of the Paleotethys Ocean throughout the Late Jurassic (ca. 162–157 Ma). Considering the previous data, the continental back-arc basin system, leading to the opening of Neotethys Ocean at the southern margin of the continent, has been put forward to decipher the Late Jurassic tectonic evolution of the Paleotethys Ocean and the western Sakarya Zone.
- MakaleYalnız künye2022Early Cambrian S-type granites in the Sakarya Zone, NE Turkey: A record for transition from subduction to post-collisional extension deduced from U-Pb zircon age and Nd-Hf isotopes
Karsli, Orhan; Sengün, Firat; Dokuz, Abdurrahman; Aydin, Faruk; Kandemir, Raif; Kristoffersen, Magnus; Santos, Jose Francisco; Hofmann, Mandy; Duygu, Levent
Cadomian realms have recently received much attention in the Alpine-Mediterranean orogenic belts, with discontinuous outcrops extending from the Alps to the Istanbul Zone, Menderes Massif, Taurides in Turkey and Iran as well. However, they have not been identified in the Sakarya Zone, northern Turkey to date. Here, we present, for the first time, zircon U-Pb geochronology, zircon Hf-isotopes and trace elements as well as whole-rock geochemistry and Nd-isotopes from the Karamese metagranitoid in the Yusufeli (Artvin) area, NE Turkey. The zircon U-Pb age data demonstrate that the Karamese metagranitoid intruded into the Precambrian basement units in the Early Cambrian (ca. 534-530 Ma). Zircon overgrowths in the Karamese metagranitoid interpreted as a result of metamorphic overprint yielded ages of 328 Ma. This age indicates that the Sakarya Zone experienced the Variscan metamorphic events at 328 Ma. The Early Cambrian metagranitoid shows that some rocks in the basement of the Sakarya Zone date back to Precambrian in age. The Karamese metagranitoid is an S-type granite, with high modal content of muscovite (similar to 10%). The samples show highly peraluminous [A/CNK = molar Al2O3/(CaO + K2O + Na2O) = 1.34-1.58] and medium-K calc-alkaline geochemical affinities. The Karamese metagranitoid displays low REE concentrations and a slight positive Eu anomaly and show slightly light REEs and LILEs enrichments, and HFSEs depletions. The samples have negative epsilon(Nd)(t) of -4.76 to -2.90 and epsilon(Hf) (t) of -4.75 to -1.08 values. These geochemical-isotopic characteristics reveal that the Karamase metagranitoid originated through fluid-absent muscovite dehydration melting of heterogeneous metasedimentary source rocks (mostly greywacke), with a minor input of juvenile mafic melt. We argue that the Early Paleozoic metagranitoids along the eastern Sakarya Zone is an expression of crustal thinning in the Cadomian orogenic belt in northern Gondwana, with the tectonic turnover from convergent margin to crustal extension possibly induced by break-off of Tornquist oceanic lithosphere which is a branch of Iapetus Ocean during Early Cambrian.
- BildiriYalnız künye2022Magmatic, tectonic and metallogenic evolution of the Eastern Pontides, Turkey: a protracted or discrete construction of the crustal fertility?
Turlin, Francois; Moritz, Robert; Sönmez, Safak Utku; Keskin, Serdar; Karsli, Orhan; Aydin, Faruk; Ulyanov, Alexey; Dokuz, Abdurrahman; Christie, AB
Even though mechanisms of crustal growth and differentiation are well known, the spatial and temporal evolution of the composition of the continental crust remains poorly constrained, even more when considering the metal budget in mountain belts. In this study, we use the Eastern Pontides, NE Turkey, as a natural laboratory to decipher the role of successive tectono-magmatic events during the buildup of the continental crust fertility. This area is a Gondwana-derived terrane that accreted to the Eurasian margin. It underwent successive orogenic phases associated with the closure of the Paleo- and Neotethys oceans, and lastly the Alpine orogeny. It hosts abundant volcanogenic massive sulfide, porphyry and epithermal deposits, mostly formed in the latest stages of arc construction. These features relative to the buildup of metal fertility in this continental crust raise questions such as were the physico-chemical conditions during the early sterile history of the Eastern Pontides unfavorable to form ore deposits or were the metals progressively concentrated in the crust during successive orogenic events? We will use whole-rock geochemistry, U-Pb zircon dating, and Hf-O isotopic and trace element compositions of magmatic zircons to constrain the construction of the continental crust in the Eastern Pontides, and its metal fertility through time.
- MakaleYalnız künye2021Nature of the Early Cretaceous lamprophyre and high-Nb basaltic dykes, NE Turkey: Constraints on their linkage to subduction initiation of Neotethyan oceanic lithosphere
Karsli, Orhan; İlhan, Mehdi; Kandemir, Raif; Dokuz, Abdurrahman; Aydin, Faruk; Uysal, İbrahim; Duygu, Levent
Late Mesozoic evolution of the Neotethys Ocean is critical and still remains unclear along the entire Sakarya Zone (SZ), Turkey, because previous interpretations of the Middle to Late Jurassic rifting of the SZ have not been consensually accepted. We identified, for the first time, the Early Cretaceous dykes intruded into the Late Jurassic and Late Carboniferous bodies in the Çamlıkaya (Erzurum) area in the SZ. Here, we present a data set of new field observations, 40Ar/39Ar geochronology, whole-rock geochemical and Sr–Nd isotopes to find out the tectonic setting of previously undated basic to intermediate igneous rocks. 40Ar/39Ar technique on the groundmass separations yielded the plateau ages of 128.78 ± 1.02 to 122.89 ± 0.82 Ma. The investigated dykes are compositionally divided into two sub-groups: calc-alkaline lamprophyres (CAL) and high-Nb alkaline basalts (HNB). They show enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILE: e.g., Rb, Ba, K) and depletion in high field strength elements (HFSE: Nb and Ti) as well as moderate fractionation of light rare earth elements relative to heavy rare earth elements. The HNB have high Mg# (47–66), and relatively unradiogenic Sr [87Sr/86Sr(t) = 0.70385 to 0.70510] and Nd [εNd(t) = +0.5 to +5.3] isotopic composition, whereas the CAL possess moderate to high Mg# (32–72), and relatively high Sr [87Sr/86Sr(t) = 0.70586 to 0.71379] and Nd [εNd(t) = +1.5 to −9.9] isotopic composition. Early Cretaceous high-angle subduction triggered upwelling of the asthenosphere at 126 Ma, which likely generated a heat anomaly. This anomaly has probably induced melting of the oceanic slab and the metasomatized mantle to form the CAL and HNB. The HNB were generated by low degrees of melting of mantle domain that was previously reacted by oceanic slab-related adakitic melts at the depths of the garnet stability field (≥70 km). However, the CAL were probably formed at shallower mantle levels within the garnet-amphibole field by a relatively higher degree of melting of the mantle, also modified by subducted slab sediments. A new field, age, and petrochemical data from the Early Cretaceous dykes, combined with the presence of Aptian deep-water sediments to the north and the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous platform carbonates deposited in the passive margin setting along the entire SZ, imply the initiation of active-margin magmatism in the SZ. We suggest that the coexistence of the Early Cretaceous CAL and HNB points to the formation of an Andean-type active margin above a north-dipping Neotethyan oceanic slab. Their emplacement ages are associated with the inception of the magmatic arc structure and refer to a significant geodynamic turnover from passive-margin to active-margin tectonics along the SZ.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2020Tracking the timing of Neotethyan oceanic slab break-off: Geochronology and geochemistry of the quartz diorite porphyries, NE Turkey
Karsli, Orhan; Dokuz, Abdurrahman; Aydin, Faruk; Uysal, Ibrahim; Sengün, Firat; Kandemir, Raif; Santos, Jose Francisco; Andersen, Tom
The initiation of the break-off of the northern branch of the Neotethyan oceanic lithosphere is an important but poorly understood event in the geology of the Sakarya Zone (SZ) in northeastern Turkey. Although it is wellknown that Latest Cretaceous intrusives (-70 Ma) and early Eocene adakitic magmatic rocks are present in the eastern SZ, the outcrops of the early Eocene non-adakitic rocks are very limited, and their tectono-magmatic evolution has not been studied. We describe a small outcrop of non-adakitic quartz diorite porphyry in the Kov area of the Gumushane region in northeastern Turkey. The genesis of these porphyries is significant in evaluating the syn-to post-collision-related magmatism. The LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating revealed that the Kov quartz diorite porphyries (KQDP) formed at ca. 50 Ma, coeval with adakitic rocks, and-20 Myr later than the slab rollback-related intrusive rocks. The KQDPs are calc-alkaline in composition and enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and light rare earth elements (LREEs) and depleted in high field strength elements (HFSEs; e.g., Nb, Ta, Ti), with significant negative anomalies of Nb, Ta, and Ti but positive anomalies of Th, U, and Pb. Isotopic compositions of the samples show limited range of variation and slight enrichment of 87Sr/86Sr(t) (0.70489 to 0.70555), epsilon Nd(t) (-1.4 to -1.2) with TDM of 1.11 to 1.61 Ga. Pb isotopic ratios of the samples point to an enriched mantle source. They were likely crystallized from the melt that originated from an EM2-type spinel-facies subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM), followed by the fractionation with insignificant crustal assimilation. The SCLM was metasomatically enriched, and the metasomatic agent was likely H2O-rich fluids rather than sediments released from subducting oceanic crust during the Late Cretaceous closure of the Neotethyan oceanic lithosphere. In conjunction with the geological background and previous data, we propose that the generation of the KQDPs resulted from a slab break-off event that caused ascending or infiltration of hot asthenosphere, triggering mantle melting. Such sporadic occurrences of the KQDPs, with coeval adakitic rocks in the SZ, are likely associated with the onset of extensional tectonics due to the earlier stage of slab break-off along the region during the early Eocene period.
- MakaleYalnız künye2020Silurian to Early Devonian arc magmatism in the western Sakarya Zone (NW Turkey), with inference to the closure of the Rheic Ocean
Karsli, Orhan; Sengün, Firat; Dokuz, Abdurrahman; Kandemir, Raif; Aydin, Faruk; Andersen, Tom
The Rheic Ocean is the most significant Paleozoic ocean that detached peri-Gondwana terranes from the northern Gondwana margin throughout the closure of the Iapetus Ocean. The suture of the Rheic Ocean spreads from Mexico to the Middle East, and the timing of its final closure is well-documented by the rocks formed in the Variscan-Alleghanian-Ouachita orogeny which led to the formation of the supercontinent Pangaea. However, as robust paleomagnetic and quantitative data are mostly lacking, the onset and evolution of the subduction of the Rheic Ocean are highly speculative, and they require further confirmation. Recently, the well-preserved metagranitoids along the western Sakarya Zone (SZ) in Anatolia have been identified, and they provide new data that improve our knowledge on the evolution of the Early Paleozoic Rheic Ocean along the northern Gondwana. Here, we present new geochronological, in situ zircon Hf isotope, and whole-rock geochemical analyses of these metagranitoids from the western SZ to enhance our understanding of the subduction processes of the Rheic Ocean. IA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating demonstrated that the Boziiyuk and Borcak metagranitoids from the western SZ were emplaced during the Silurian to Early Devonian (431 +/- 2.7 to 403 +/- 3.5 Ma). The both granitoids have medium- to high-K. calc-alkaline magmatic character, and exhibit peraluminous to slightly metaluminous geochemical signature. They show a typical arc pattern in terms of trace elements and have a uniform, moderate negative epsilon(Hf) (t) of -3.2 to -9.7, with Mesoproterozoic Hf depleted mantle model ages (T-DM1 = 12 to 1.4 Ga). The geochemical and isotopic characteristics are not consistent with those of depleted mantle melts and melts derived from the crustal rocks in an intracontinental environment. Instead, the parental magma is likely generated from the partial melting of a homogeneous and enriched mantle wedge source. We propose that the Silurian to Early Devonian arc-related magmatism is associated with a northward subduction episode of the Rheic Oceanic lithosphere beneath the peri-Gondwana terranes. Hence, we consider that the opening of Paleotethys Ocean formed in a back-arc basin of subduction in Andean style to the north rather than a continental rift to the south in response to south-directed and short-lived supra-subduction zone (SSZ)-type subduction during the Silurian to Early Devonian. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
- MakaleYalnız künye2019Adakite-like parental melt generation by partial fusion of juvenile lower crust, Sakarya Zone, NE Turkey: A far-field response to break-off of the southern Neotethyan oceanic lithosphere
Karsli, Orhan; Dokuz, Abdurrahman; Kandemir, Raif; Aydin, Faruk; Schmitt, Axel K.; Ersoy, E. Yalçın; Alyıldız, Cihangir
The timing of major tectonic events and the driving mechanisms for magma generation during Late Cenozoic convergence and collision between Arabia and Eurasia still remain unknown. The Sakarya Zone (SZ) in northern Turkey is a critical member of this collisional assemblage. In the easternmost part of the SZ, we have recognized a Late Miocene volcanic suite termed the Çağirankaya volcanics which displays characteristic post-collisional geochemical features. Here, we report a new data set of zircon U–Pb ages, whole-rock major and trace element, as well as Sr–Nd isotope analyses for dacite and andesite samples from the Çağirankaya volcanics. Zircon U–Pb ages for a selected dacitic sample average 5.16 ± 0.11 Ma (mean square of weighted deviates, MSWD = 0.45, n = 35), confirming a late Miocene age of this volcanic episode. The high-K calc-alkaline andesites and dacites exhibit an adakite-like geochemical signature, and are characterized by high Sr (424 to 552 ppm), Sr/Y ratios (31–43), and low Mg# (42 to 46) values, along with low Y (12–14 ppm) and heavy rare earth element (HREE) concentrations, that resemble those in adakites formed by partial melting of hot oceanic slab during subduction. Isotopic compositions are near bulk Earth (87Sr/86Sr(t) = 0.70482 to 0.70489, εNd(t) = +1.08 to +1.33), which rules out a solely asthenospheric origin. Elevated Nb/Ta (14 to 17) and K2O/Na2O (0.6–1.0) imply a juvenile mafic lower crustal source composed of ~20% garnet-bearing amphibolite. Geochemical modeling suggests that adakite-like parental melts were generated in the absence of subduction and without large-scale delamination of lower continental crust. Instead, our findings suggest that Late Miocene adakite-like volcanic rocks in the SZ formed in a post-collisional intra-continental setting, which experienced far-field extension after the subducted slab of the southern Neotethyan branch became detached in the collision zone. Asthenospheric upwelling and underplating of basaltic magma provided the heat for partial melting of lower crustal amphibolite, forming minor amounts of adakite-like melts in the SZ.
- MakaleYalnız künye2019Postcollisional transition from subduction- to intraplatetype magmatism in the eastern Sakarya zone, Turkey: Indicators of northern Neotethyan slab breakoff
Dokuz, Abdurrahman; Aydin, Faruk; Karsli, Orhan
Postcollisional magmatism in the eastern Sakarya zone was recorded by voluminous basic volcanism and repeated plutonism during the early Cenozoic. The temporal and geochemical evolution of these magmatic rocks is important for understanding the possible geodynamic history of the Sakarya zone. Here, we investigated three representative plutons lying between the towns of çamlihemşin (Rize) and Ispir (Erzurum), Turkey. These are largely composed of medium-K gabbroic diorites (Marselavat Pluton), shoshonitic monzonites (Güllübağ Pluton), and high-K granites (Ayder Pluton). We present whole-rock geochemistry, 40Ar/39Ar geochronology, and Sr, Nd, and Pb isotope analyses from the plutons to constrain the timing of variations in magmatism and source characteristics, and we provide a new approach to the proposed geodynamic models, which are still heavily debated. The 40Ar/39Ar geochronology reveals a cooling sequence from ca. 45 Ma for the Marselavat Pluton through ca. 41 Ma for the Güllübağ Pluton to ca. 40 Ma for the Ayder Pluton. Whole-rock geochemistry and Sr, Nd, Pb isotopes suggest that crustal contamination was not an important factor affecting magma compositions. Although there was no arc-related tectonic setting in the region during the middle Eocene, the Marselavat Pluton shows some subduction affinities, such as moderately negative Nb and Ta anomalies, and slightly positive Pb anomalies. These signatures were possibly inherited from a depleted mantle source that was modified by hydrous fluids released from the oceanic slab during Late Cretaceous subduction. Geochemical traces of the earlier subduction become uncertain in the Güllübağ samples. They display ocean-island basalt-like multi-element profiles and Nb/Ta, Ce/Pb, and La/Ba ratios. All these point to a mantle source in which earlier subduction signatures were hybridized by the addition of asthenospheric melts. Melting of calc-alkaline crustal material, probably emplaced during the first phase of middle Eocene magmatism (Marselavat), led to the formation of granitic plutonism (Ayder Pluton). Our data in conjunction with early Eocene adakite-like rocks show that melt generation, as in the given sequence, was most probably triggered by breakoff of the northern Neotethyan oceanic slab, ~13 m.y. after the early Maastrichtian collision between the Sakarya zone and Anatolide-Tauride block, and continued until the end of the middle Eocene. A shallow-marine transgression occurred contemporaneously with the middle Eocene magmatism throughout the Sakarya zone. An extension in this magnitude seems unlikely to be the result of orogenic collapse processes only. The main cause of this extension was most probably related to the northward subduction of the southern Neotethys Ocean beneath the Anatolide-Tauride block. The result is a volumetrically larger amount of middle Eocene magmatism than that expected in response to slab breakoff.
- MakaleYalnız künye2018Latest Cretaceous “A2-type” granites in the Sakarya Zone, NE Turkey: Partial melting of mafic lower crust in response to roll-back of Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere
Karsli, Orhan; Aydin, Faruk; Uysal, Ibrahim; Dokuz, Abdurrahman; Kumral, Mustafa; Kandemir, Raif; Budakoglu, Murat; Ketenci, Murat
An integrated study of comprehensive geochronological, geochemical, and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic data was undertaken for the A-type Topcam pluton that intruded within the Sakarya Zone (NE Turkey) with the aims of elucidating its origin and tectonic significance and gaining new insights into the generation of aluminous A-type granites. New LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb crystallization ages of 72 and 73 Ma indicate emplacement in the Late Cretaceous time, just after extensive metaluminous I-type magmatism in the area. The pluton consists mainly of alkali feldspar, quartz, plagioclase, amphibole, and biotite with accessory minerals such as magnetite, apatite, and zircon. The outcrop is composed of granite, syenite, monzonite, and quartz monzonite and possesses a wide range of SiO2 content (57–70 wt%) with elevated Ga/Al ratios and low Mg# (mostly < 43). The pluton is metaluminous to weakly peraluminous, with aluminium saturation index (ASI) (molar Al2O3/[CaO + K2O + Na2O]) values of 0.82 to 1.18, and belongs to the shoshonitic and ultra-potassic series. All the samples exhibit relative enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREE) and significant negative Eu (Eu/Eu* = 0.31 to 0.86) anomalies on the chondrite-normalized REE diagram. The rocks are enriched in some large ion lithophile elements (e.g., Rb, Th and Ba), and spidergrams show a relative depletion in Nb, Ti, and Sr. The granitic rocks of the pluton have identical 87Sr/86Sr(i) ratios ranging from 0.70518 to 0.70716, relatively low εNd (t) values varying from − 5.5 to − 0.4, and TDM ages (0.82–1.19 Ga). In situ zircon analyses show that the rocks have variable negative and positive εHf (t) values (− 5.5 to 5.9) and Hf two-stage model ages (742 to 1468 Ma), which are indicative of minor addition of juvenile material. Sr-Nd isotope modelling suggests mixing of 70–90% of lower crustal-derived melt with ~ 10–30% of mantle-derived melt at lower crust depths. The heat source for partial melting is provided by upwelling of hot asthenosphere triggered by slab roll-back events. Geochemical and isotopic data reveal that metaluminous A2-type granites were derived from partial melting of the Paleozoic lower continental crust dominated by mafic rocks in amphibolitic composition, with minor input of subcontinental lithospheric mantle-derived magma followed by subsequent limited fractional crystallization to generate a variety of rock types. From integrating all available data with the regional tectonic evolution in the Sakarya Zone and adjacent regions, we attribute generation of aluminous A2-type granites to a back-arc extension in the subduction zone, which is induced by the roll-back of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic slab around 72 Ma. Consequently, we conclude that these A-type granites were related to intensive extension tectonic, which peaked during the late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) in response to the roll-back of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic slab, which is indicative of the final-stage subduction-related magmatism in the Sakarya Zone.
- MakaleYalnız künye2017Late Jurassic Magmatism and Stratigraphy in the Eastern Sakarya Zone, Turkey: Evidence for the Slab Breakoff of Paleotethyan Oceanic Lithosphere
Dokuz, Abdurrahman; Aydinçakir, Emre; Kandemir, Raif; Karsli, Orhan; Siebel, Wolfgang; Derman, Ahmet Sami; Turan, Mehmet
Middle-Late Jurassic Cimmerian events in Turkey have been actively discussed in the past three decades, but proposed tectonic models associated with magmatism, metamorphism, and stratigraphic features remain controversial. To address this issue, Upper Jurassic mafic lavas are investigated at three locations (Alucra, Gumushane, and Olur) in the eastern Sakarya Zone, northeastern Turkey. These lavas are submarine and form planar flows parallel with the bedding plane in the Upper Jurassic carbonate sequence near the base or just below in the clastic sedimentary rocks. The basaltic lavas show calc-alkaline features and possess Nb-Ta values and Nb/U, Nb/La, and Ce/Pb ratios that are greater than those of island arc basalts. Multielement patterns are almost hump shaped, similar to ocean island basalts, which experience Pb depletion and weak negative Nb-Ta, Zr-Hf, and Ti anomalies. The low initial (Sr-87/Sr-86) ratios (0.70372-0.70554), positive initial epsilon(Nd) values (+2.7 to +4.4), and initial Pb isotope ratios that plot between mid-ocean-ridge and ocean island basalts are consistent with a melt derived from subcontinental lithospheric mantle, metasomatized by earlier fluids from subducted sediments and plume materials from the asthenosphere. Moderate Dy/Yb ratios with an average value of 1.8 imply partial melting in the spinel-garnet transition zone at depths of similar to 70-100 km. Slab breakoff is suggested as a geodynamic mechanism that accounts for these geochemical signatures. This inference is also favored by stratigraphic and sedimentologic evidence from the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous sedimentary rocks, which is consistent with short-lived vertical (epirogenic) movements in the region. Lower-Middle Jurassic sequences are transgressive, suggesting that subduction-related extension opened a backarc basin (Neotethys) in the south of the Sakarya Zone. Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous carbonates point tectonically to tranquility during carbonate deposition in the Neotethys Ocean, which seems to have been achieved by complete closure of the Paleotethys in the north. About 15-20 m.yr. later (Kimmeridgian), after first carbonate deposition, intraplate-typemafic lavas ascended up to the shelf surface of the Neotethys. This was followed by formation of disconformity surfaces and then accumulation of coarse clastic sediments. All this points to a short-lived epirogenic movement that we ascribe to the breakoff of the southward-subducting Paleotethyan oceanic lithosphere in the Late Jurassic.
- MakaleYalnız künye2017Zircon Lu-Hf isotope systematics and U–Pb geochronology, whole-rock Sr-Nd isotopes and geochemistry of the early Jurassic Gokcedere pluton, Sakarya Zone-NE Turkey: a magmatic response to roll-back of the Paleo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere
Karsli, Orhan; Dokuz, Abdurrahman; Kandemir, Raif
The early Mesozoic was a critical era for the geodynamic evolution of the Sakarya Zone as transition from accretion to collision events in the region. However, its complex evolutionary history is still debated. To address this issue, we present new in situ zircon U–Pb ages and Lu-Hf isotope data, whole-rock Sr-Nd isotopes, and mineral chemistry and geochemistry data of plutonic rocks to better understand the magmatic processes. The Gokcedere pluton is mainly composed of gabbro and gabbroic diorite. LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating reveals that the pluton was emplaced in the early Jurassic (177 Ma). These gabbros and gabbroic diorites are characterized by relatively low SiO2 content of 47.09 to 57.15 wt% and high Mg# values varying from 46 to 75. The samples belong to the calc-alkaline series and exhibit a metaluminous I-type character. Moreover, they are slightly enriched in large ion lithophile elements (Rb, Ba, Th and K) and light rare earth elements and depleted in high field strength elements (Nb and Ti). Gabbroic rocks of the pluton have a depleted Sr-Nd isotopic composition, including low initial 87Sr/86Sr ranging from 0.705124 to 0.705599, relatively high εNd (t) values varying from 0.1 to 3.5 and single-stage Nd model ages (TDM1 = 0.65–0.95 Ga). In situ zircon analyses show that the rocks have variable and positive εHf (t) values (4.6 to 13.5) and single-stage Hf model ages (TDM1 = 0.30 to 0.65 Ga). Both the geochemical signature and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic composition of the gabbroic rocks reveal that the magma of the studied rocks was formed by the partial melting of a depleted mantle wedge metasomatized by slab-derived fluids. The influence of slab fluids is mirrored by their trace-element characteristics. Trace-element modeling suggests that the primary magma was generated by a low and variable degree of partial melting (~5–15%) of a depleted and young lithospheric mantle wedge consisting of phlogopite- and spinel-bearing lherzolite. Heat to melt the mantle material was supplied by the ascendance of a hot asthenosphere triggered by the roll-back of the Paleo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere. The rising melts were accompanied by fractional crystallization and encountered no or minor crustal contamination en route to the surface. Taking into account these geochemical data and integrating them with regional geological evidence, we propose a slab roll-back model; this model suggests that the Gokcedere gabbroic pluton originated in a back-arc extensional environment associated with the southward subduction of the Paleo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere during the early Jurassic period. Such an extensional event led to the opening of the northern branch of the Neotethys as a back-arc basin. Consequently, we conclude that the gabbroic pluton was related to intensive extensional tectonic events, which peaked during the early Jurassic in response to the roll-back of Paleo-Tethyan oceanic slab in the final stage of oceanic closure.
- MakaleYalnız künye2017Petrogenesis of ultramafic rocks from the eastern Orhaneli ophiolite, NW Turkey: Hints on the initiation and evolution of melt-peridotite interaction processes within a heterogeneously depleted mantle section
Uysal, Ibrahim; Dokuz, Abdurrahman; Kapsiotis, Argyrios; Saka, Samet; Karsli, Orhan; Kaliwoda, Melanie; Mueller, Dirk
The eastern Orhaneli ophiolite in NW Anatolia (Turkey) consists of voluminous dunite and minor harzburgite intruded by clinopyroxenite veins. Harzburgite contains spinel of low Cr# [100 x Cr/(Cr + Al) = 40-45] and diopside of low Al2O3 and TiO2 contents, whereas dunite contains spinel of higher Cr# (62-82) and diopside (blebs) (even more) depleted in Al2O3 and TiO2 (than harzburgite). The concentrations of Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE) in harzburgite are consistent with derivation of this type of peridotite from 19% dry melting of a fertile mantle protolith at a MOR regime. Dunites have lower concentrations of HREE than harzburgite implying that dunites were generated by higher degrees (> 30%) of (cumulative) melting of the same protolith. Furthermore, the characteristic U-shapes of the chondrite-normalized REE-patterns of dunites indicate the involvement of hydrous melt-peridotite interaction processes in their genesis. Nevertheless, a set of mosaic-in texture dunite samples contain olivine that has lower Fo# [100 x Mg/(Mg + Fe2+)] and NiO contents than olivine in harzburgite. These dunites are probably of cumulate origin as it is also indicated by their enrichment in Pt and Pd (<= 17.92 ppb). Micro-textural and Re-Os isotopic data support that clinopyroxenite intrusions do not have a pure magmatic origin and their formation was partly controlled by metasomatic processes. Overall data indicate that the eastern Orhaneli ultramafic rocks have a complex petrological history including various stages of partial melting, metasomatism and magmatism in an evolving from MOR to SSZ geotectonic setting.
- MakaleYalnız künye2016Subduction-related Late Carboniferous to Early Permian Magmatism in the Eastern Pontides, the Camlik and Casurluk plutons: Insights from geochemistry, whole-rock Sr–Nd and in situ zircon Lu–Hf isotopes, and U–Pb geochronology
Karsli, Orhan; Dokuz, Abdurrahman; Kandemir, Raif
Late Carboniferous to early Permian granitoid rocks represent a volumetrically minor component of the Eastern Pontide lithosphere, but they preserve useful information about the region's tectonomagmatic history. The Casurluk and Camlik plutons primarily consist of gabbro, gabbroic diorite, diorite, monzogabbro, monzodiorite and monzonite, which intrude early to middle Carboniferous granitic basement rocks in the region. In this study, we use in situ zircon U–Pb ages and Lu–Hf isotopic values, whole-rock Sr–Nd isotopic values, and mineral chemistry and geochemistry of these plutons to determine petrogenesis and crustal evolution; we also discuss geodynamic implications. LA–ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating of magmatic zircons from the rocks suggests that the plutons were emplaced during the late Carboniferous to early Permian (302 Ma). The metaluminous and I-type intrusive rocks belong to the high-K calc-alkaline series. In addition, they are relatively enriched in light rare earth elements (LREEs) and large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs); they are depleted in heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) and high field strength elements (HFSEs), such as Nb and Ti. All of the samples have homogeneous initial ISr values (0.70675 to 0.70792) and low εNd (t) values (− 5.1 to − 3.3). Zircons from the rocks of both plutons have uniform negative to slightly positive εHf (t) values (− 3.5 to 1.4) and old Hf two-stage model ages (1323 to 1548 Ma), implying that they have the same source, as well as suggesting the involvement of old enriched lithospheric mantle materials during their magma genesis. These results, combined with the εHf (t) values and two-stage model ages, demonstrate that the primary magmas were derived from partial melting of old lithospheric mantle material metasomatized by subduction-related fluids. Considering other regional geological data from the Sakarya Zone where these plutons formed, we conclude that late Carboniferous to early Permian magmatism in the area involved the partial melting of a phlogopite- and spinel-bearing lherzolite under an extensional regime in a subduction-related setting. Such an extension event would have caused hot asthenospheric upwelling and was likely triggered by back-arc rifting during subduction of the Paleo-Tethyan oceanic slab. Thus, the magmas are likely subduction-related products, implying that southward subduction of Paleo-Tethys oceanic lithosphere in the region began during the late Carboniferous to early Permian.
- MakaleYalnız künye2015Geochemistry, Re-Os isotopes and highly siderophile element abundances in the Eastern Pontide peridotites (NE Turkey): Multiple episodes of melt extraction-depletion, melt-rock interaction and fertilization of the Rheic Ocean mantle
Dokuz, Abdurrahman; Uysal, Ibrahim; Dilek, Yildirim; Karsli, Orhan; Meisel, Thomas; Kandemir, Raif
We report on the structure, geochemistry, Re-Os isotopes and relative abundances of highly siderophile elements (HSEs) of the Paleozoic peridotite-basalt occurrences in the Eastern Pontide belt of northeastern Turkey. These peridotites and the associated basaltic rocks are the remnants of the Rheic oceanic lithosphere, incorporated into the Eurasian continental margin during the Variscan (Hercynian) orogeny. The peridotites display a complex record of multiple magmatic, metasomatic and metamorphic events in different tectonic settings during the evolution of the Rheic upper mantle. The Beyçam harzburgite (BH) contains low Al2O3 (0.51-1.88 anhydrous wt.%) and high MgO (41.35-42.34 wt.%) contents, and its bulk-rock trace element compositions are less than 10% of the primitive upper mantle (PUM) values. The platinum, Pd and Re contents of the Beyçam harzburgite are highly depleted, whereas its Os, Ir, and Ru contents are slightly enriched relative to the PUM values. Its Pd and Re contents that are higher than those of the fertile Pulur lherzolite (PL) to the south and the absence of an isochronous relationship between its 187Os/188Os and 187Re/188Os show that the trace element distribution and the isotope ratios of the Beyçam harzburgite were significantly modified after the first melt-extraction episode. The first melt extraction occurred beneath the Rheic mid-ocean ridge spreading center, whereas the second melt extraction occurred in a mantle wedge above a Rheic subduction zone. The primary magmatic phases of the Pulur lherzolite show the geochemical characteristics typical for fertile lherzolite, formed in the early stages of oceanic lithosphere generation subsequent to the continental break up. The Pulur lherzolite also contains a secondary magmatic phase in the form of networks of clinopyroxene veins and channels, which are interpreted as an evidence for solid state melt-rock reactions between the lherzolite and a percolating basaltic melt above a subduction zone. This clinopyroxene addition resulted in the formation of variable concentrations of Al2O3 (2.47-4.33wt.%) and MgO (29.76-40.10wt.%) in the lherzolite. The rhenium, Pd and Pt concentrations of the Pulur lherzolite are depleted relative to the PUM values, whereas the Os, Ir and Ru concentrations are in the range of the PUM values as commonly observed in peridotites with a melt depletion history. The high suprachondritic 187Os/188Os is, however, inconsistent with a simple melt depletion history, and can be explained by the addition of radiogenic Os-bearing sulfide phases into the lherzolite as a result of melt-rock reactions. Basaltic rocks with an island arc tholeiitic composition from the Beyçam area represent the partial melting product of the moderately depleted Beyçam harzburgite and the basaltic parental melt from which the clinopyroxene precipitated. The covariation between the 187Re/188Os and 187Os/188Os of these basaltic rocks defines an isochron age of 377±8Ma (late Devonian). The combined structural, geochemical and isotope data indicate a prolonged history of multiple episodes of melt extraction-depletion, and melt-rock interaction and fertilization of the mantle lithosphere of the Rheic Ocean.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2014Geochemical make-up of oceanic peridotites from NW Turkey and the multi-stage melting history of the Tethyan upper mantle
Uysal, Ibrahim; Şen, A. Dündar; Ersoy, E. Yalçin; Dilek, Yildirim; Saka, Samet; Zaccarini, Federica; Escayola, Monica; Karsli, Orhan
We present the whole-rock and the mineral chemical data for upper mantle peridotites from the Harmanci{dotless}k region in NW Turkey and discuss their petrogenetic-tectonic origin. These peridotites are part of a Tethyan ophiolite belt occurring along the İzmir-Ankara-Ercincan suture zone in northern Turkey, and include depleted lherzolites and refractory harzburgites. The Al2O3 contents in orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene from the depleted lherzolite are high, and the Cr-number in the coexisting spinel is low falling within the abyssal field. However, the orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene in the harzburgites have lower Al2O3 contents for a given Cr-number of spinel, and plot within the lower end of the abyssal field. The whole-rock geochemical and the mineral chemistry data imply that the Harmanci{dotless}k peridotites formed by different degrees of partial melting (~%10-27) of the mantle. The depleted lherzolite samples have higher MREE and HREE abundances than the harzburgitic peridotites, showing convex-downward patterns. These peridotites represent up to ~16 % melting residue that formed during the initial seafloor spreading stage of the Northern Neotethys. On the other hand, the more refractory harzburgites represent residues after ~4-11 % hydrous partial melting of the previously depleted MOR mantle, which was metasomatized by slab-derived fluids during the early stages of subduction. The Harmanci{dotless}k peridotites, hence, represent the fragments of upper mantle rocks that formed during different stages of the tectonic evolution of the Tethyan oceanic lithosphere in Northern Neotethys. We infer that the multi-stage melting history of the Harmanci{dotless}k peridotites reflect the geochemically heterogeneous character of the Tethyan oceanic lithosphere currently exposed along the İzmir-Ankara-Erzincan suture zone.
- MakaleYalnız künye2014Geochemical fingerprints of Late Triassic calc-alkaline lamprophyres from the Eastern Pontides, NE Turkey: A key to understanding lamprophyre formation in a subduction-related environment
Karsli, Orhan; Dokuz, Abdurrahman; Kaliwoda, Melanie; Uysal, Ibrahim; Aydin, Faruk; Kandemir, Raif; Fehr, Karl-Thomas
The Eastern Pontides in NE Turkey is one of the major orogenic belts in Anatolia. In this paper, we report our new 40Ar/39Ar dating, mineral chemistry, major and trace elements and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic analyses of the lamprophyre intrusions in this region. The lamprophyres are widely scattered and intrude Late Carboniferous granitoid rocks. The lamprophyres exhibit fine-grained textures and are mineralogically uniform. Hornblende 40Ar/39Ar dating yielded a plateau age of 216.01±10.64Ma. Based on their geochemistry, mineral compositions and paragenesis, the lamprophyres are classified as calc-alkaline lamprophyres in general and spessartites in particular, which are rich in large ion lithophile elements (e.g., Rb, Ba, K) but depleted in Nb and Ti. Our samples exhibit moderate fractionation in LREE patterns approximately 100 times that of chondrite but HREE abundances less than 10 times that of chondrite. These calc-alkaline lamprophyres display a range of ISr (216Ma) values from 0.70619 to 0.71291 and εNd (216Ma) values from -1.4 to 4.1, with TDM=1.11 to 2.20Ga. Their Pb isotopic ratios indicate an enriched mantle source. The enrichment process is related to metasomatism of a subcontinental lithospheric mantle source, which is caused by a large quantity of H2O-rich fluids, rather than sediments released from oceanic crust at depth during the closure of the Paleotethys Ocean in Triassic times. All of the geochemical data and the trace element modeling suggest that the primary magma of the calc-alkaline to high-K calc-alkaline spessartites was generated at depth by a low degree of partial melting (~1-10%) of a previously enriched lithospheric mantle wedge consisting of phlogopite-bearing spinel peridotite. The ascendance of a hot asthenosphere triggered by extensional events caused partial melting of mantle material. The rising melts were accompanied by fractional crystallization and crustal contamination en route to the surface. All of the geochemical features combined with regional data suggest that the Eastern Pontides calc-alkaline lamprophyres originated in an extensional environment along an active continental margin throughout the Late Triassic. Such an extensional event, causing upwelling of hot asthenosphere, led to the opening of the northern branch of the Neotethys as a back-arc basin farther south of the Eastern Pontides.
