Skip to main content

ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Earth Sci., 17 June 2022
Sec. Petrology
Volume 10 - 2022 | https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2022.950626

The Discovery and Geochemical Characteristics of an Eocene Peridotite Xenolith-Bearing Mafic Volcanic Neck in Coastal Southeast China

www.frontiersin.orgChuanshun Li1 www.frontiersin.orgXilin Zhao2,3,4* www.frontiersin.orgYang Jiang2 www.frontiersin.orgGuangfu Xing2 www.frontiersin.orgMinggang Yu2 www.frontiersin.orgZheng Duan2
  • 1First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural and Resources, Qingdao, China
  • 2Nanjing Center, China Geological Survey, Nanjing, China
  • 3Research Center for Petrogenesis and Mineralization of Granitoid Rocks, China Geological Survey, Wuhan, China
  • 4School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China

The mantle beneath coastal SE China evolved from enriched to depleted between the Cretaceous and the Neogene, although the precise timing of this change remains unclear. Here, we focus on a newly discovered Eocene mafic volcanic neck that contains peridotite xenoliths in the Fuding area of Fujian Province, and present new whole-rock Ar–Ar data which indicate that flood basalts formed during the Eocene (ages of 38.5 ± 1.2 and 42.3 ± 2 Ma). The basalt, gabbro, and diabase in the Fuding area are geochemically similar to ocean island basalt (OIB) and have SrI values that range from 0.703794 to 0.703911 (average of 0.703865) and εNd(t) values from 3.05 to 4.56 (average of 3.90). These samples yield two-stage Nd model (TDM2) ages of 0.61–0.73 Ga (average of 0.67 Ga). These data indicate that all of these units formed from magmas derived from an OIB-type mantle source, with both the gabbro and diabase units recording minor amounts of crustal contamination. Its OIB type geochemical characteristics may be inherited from crustal materials with similar characteristics. Peridotite xenoliths within the Fuding basalts provide evidence of the nature of the Eocene mantle in this area, especially the post late-Mesozoic evolution of the mantle beneath coastal SE China. The mantle beneath coastal SE China evolved from enriched in the Cretaceous to depleted in the Neogene, with this change occurring during the Eocene.

1 Introduction

Continental lithosphere is an important component of the Earth, and peridotite xenoliths captured by rapidly ascending basaltic magmas produced in some tectonic environments can provide direct samples of the upper mantle or lower crust of continental lithosphere. Such xenoliths also provide evidence of the nature and evolution of the mantle, the composition of the mantle, and the tectonic setting of the basaltic magmatism that captured the xenoliths. There are two main models for the petrogenesis of peridotite xenoliths: 1) they represent the refractory residue of the upper mantle after partial melting that generated basaltic magmas (Wang and Yang, 1987a; Wang and Yang., 1987b; Deng et al., 1988; Cong et al., 1996; Yan et al., 2007), or 2) they represent rock fragments of the upper mantle that were captured by ascending basaltic magma as accidental enclaves, meaning they played no direct role in the formation of the basaltic magmas (Tatsumoto et al., 1992; C. ; Liu et al., 1995; T. ; Li and Ma, 2002).

Southeastern China has a complex geological history that includes late Mesozoic to Cenozoic lithospheric thinning and extensive basaltic magmatism. This magmatism peaked in coastal SE China after the late Mesozoic and has been the focus of many studies (Cui et al., 2011; C. ; Liu et al., 1995; Tang et al., 2010; G. ; Xie et al., 2005; Xing et al., 1999; J. ; Yan et al., 2005a; Zhou et al., 2006), including a large body of research devoted to the nature of the mantle during this magmatism (D. Chen et al., 1997; C. Chen et al., 2008; C. Dong C. W. et al., 2006; C. Dong Y. X. et al., 2006; He and Xu, 2011; Li, 2000; Z. Li and Li, 2007; X. Li et al., 2007; J. Liu and Yan, 2007; Shen et al., 1999; D. Y. Wang et al., 2002; D.Z. Wang and Shen, 2003; Xiao et al., 2006; X. Xu et al., 2008; W. Zhang and Fang, 2014; Zhi and Qin, 2004; Zhi et al., 1994). This previous research focused on the Late Cretaceous and Miocene mantle in this area and was based on mantle xenoliths obtained mainly from late Neogene basaltic rocks. Peridotite xenoliths also occur within post-Neogene alkaline basalts that have been used to characterize the Cenozoic evolution of the mantle beneath SE China (Bodinier and Garrido, 2008; C. ; Dong et al., 1997; Z. ; Dong et al., 1999; X. ; Wang et al., 2012).

However, the Paleogene (and especially the Eocene) evolution of the mantle in this area is poorly known, primarily due to the rarity of basic rocks hosting mantle xenoliths that formed at this time, meaning that the characteristics and the evolution of the Cretaceous to Neogene mantle beneath coastal SE China are uncertain.

Rare peridotite xenoliths are present within Mesozoic and Paleogene basalts in coastal SE in China (Figure 1), including peridotite xenoliths within Mesozoic basalts of the Fuxin area of Liaoning Province, the Daoxian area in Hunan Province, and the Daxizhuang area of eastern Shandong Province (Guo et al., 2013a; Guo et al., 2013b; Pei et al., 2004; D. Y. ; Wang et al., 2002; Xia et al., 2010; W. ; Xu et al., 2013; J. ; Yan et al., 2005a; G. ; Yang et al., 2012; J. ; Ying et al., 2010; J. ; Ying et al., 2013; X. ; Yang et al., 2008; Zheng et al., 1999; Q.J. ; Zhou et al., 2013). Previous research on this Mesozoic mantle has been based on inference, meaning the characteristics of this mantle source region are poorly constrained.

FIGURE 1
www.frontiersin.org

FIGURE 1. Temporal and spatial distribution of late Mesozoic–Cenozoic basalts in SE China (revised after Xu and Xie, 2005). (A) Temporal and spatial distribution of late Mesozoic basalts in SE China; (B) Temporal and spatial distribution of Cenozoic basalts in SE China.

A mafic volcanic neck located in the Fuding area of coastal SE China, within the southern section of the Cretaceous Fuding volcanic basin, is associated with a Mesozoic tectono-magmatic belt that is controlled by the NE–SW striking Fuding–Fuqing Fault. The Fuding basalts were erupted onto volcanic rocks of the lower Shimaoshan Formation (Figure 2), contain peridotite xenoliths, and were assigned by L. Li et al. (2011) to the late Oligocene to middle Pleistocene Fotan Group.

FIGURE 2
www.frontiersin.org

FIGURE 2. Tectonic and geological maps of the Fuding area, Fujian province (adapted from Dai and Chen, 2008).

Here, we present new whole-rock Ar–Ar ages and geochemical data for mafic rocks from the Fuding mafic volcanic neck. These data constrain the formation age and tectonic setting of the Fuding mafic rocks, which contain peridotite xenoliths that provide clues to the characteristics of the Eocene mantle and to the post late-Mesozoic evolution of the mantle in coastal SE China.

2 Geological Background and Petrological Characteristics

The Fuding mafic volcanic neck is oval shaped and has a long axis that trends NW–SW, with a length of 790 m, a width of 420 m (Figure 2), and with clearly developed columnar joints. The neck is divided into three facies: an outermost eruption facies basaltic breccia volcano, an intermediate effusive facies basalt, and an innermost central neck facies volcano containing olivine-bearing gabbro–diabase rocks (Figure 3A). The neck contains basaltic volcanic breccias, basalts, gabbros, and diabasic rocks. The lithofacies within the neck are heterogeneously distributed, with a columnar jointed cumulate gabbro section located above the diabase (Figures 3B,C). The geological characteristics of the neck are as follows.

FIGURE 3
www.frontiersin.org

FIGURE 3. Photographs showing typical characteristics of the Fuding mafic volcanic neck. (A) Contact between basalts and units of the Shimaoshan Group, showing a maroon baked margin, (B) columnar-jointed gabbro and diabase, (C) general characteristics of the cumulate-textured Fuding gabbro, (D) rounded peridotite xenoliths within the layered basalt.

2.1 Volcanic Breccia

The volcanic breccias are gray–black, are brecciated and massive, and are dominated by breccias and crystals in a basaltic matrix. The rocks comprise angular–subangular breccia (60%–70% of the rock mass), and crystals (10%) of olivine, clinopyroxene, spinel, and others (Figure 4A) in a basaltic matrix (20%) containing skeletal crystals.

FIGURE 4
www.frontiersin.org

FIGURE 4. Representative photomicrographs showing typical petrographic features of the Fuding mafic volcanic neck. (A) Typical basaltic breccia, (B) olivine and clinopyroxene phenocrysts within basalt, (C) olivine phenocrysts within vesicular basalt, (D) clinopyroxene phenocrysts overprinting olivine within cumulate-textured gabbro, (E) zoned clinopyroxene phenocrysts within cumulate-textured gabbro, (F) diabasic textured diabase, (G) diabasic and intersertal textured diabase, (H) diabasic textured diabase, (I) diabasic textured diabase containing twinned clinopyroxene, (J) granular mosaic textured and zoned clinopyroxene phenocrysts, (K) peridotite xenoliths with small olivines enclosed by clinopyroxene, (L): peridotite xenoliths and olivines containing visible kink banding.

2.2 Basalt

The basalt is gray–black, porphyritic, and has an almond-shaped structure. These rocks contain olivine (0.3–3 mm in size), clinopyroxene, and plagioclase phenocrysts that form 10%–20% of the rock. The amygdales in the basalt are filled with zeolite (Figures 4B,C), and both amygdales and phenocrysts are hosted by an intergranular matrix that contains clinopyroxene (50%–55%), olivine (5%), feldspar (12%–15%), basaltic glass (15%), and minor ilmenite. The presence of basaltic glass indicates that the basaltic magma underwent rapid cooling to form a rock with minor amounts of iddingsite and chlorite alteration.

These basalts contain many rounded peridotite xenoliths (Figure 3D) that are generally 3–15 cm across (largest, 20 cm). The xenoliths are spinel lherzolites with a subhedral granular texture (Figures 4J–L) and they contain olivine (95%) with minor amounts of spinel, clinopyroxene, and orthopyroxene (<5%).

2.3 Gabbro

The gabbro is dark–gray, medium-grained, and has a cumulate gabbroic texture. The largest phenocrysts are ∼15 mm in diameter and the rock contains 60%–80% phenocrysts, mainly plagioclase, clinopyroxene, and olivine with minor and localized alkali feldspar. The clinopyroxenes are subhedral, columnar (Figures 4D,E), zoned, and make up 15%–20% of the rock, whereas the plagioclase (25%–30%) is euhedral–subhedral and columnar, 0.2–6 mm in size, has clear polysynthetic twinning. The olivine gabbro is subhedral–subhedral, granular, and overprinted by the development of clinopyroxene megacrysts, with some of the olivine being visibly corroded. The olivines have diameters of 0.2–2 mm and make up 10%–20% of the rock. The alkali feldspars are platy and make up 5%–10% of the rock. These minerals occur in a fine-grained matrix of clinopyroxene, olivine, and plagioclase that forms 20%–35% of the rock. The gabbros also contain minor amounts of magnetite, ilmenite, zircon, apatite, and other accessory minerals, and the overall phenocryst abundance within the gabbro unit decreases from top to bottom.

2.4 Diabase

Diabase occurs beneath the gabbro and has a diabasic texture and a partly visible intersertal texture (Figures 4F,G). Some of the clinopyroxenes within the diabase are twinned (Figures 4H,I), and this unit has a similar mineralogy to the gabbros described above.

3 Analytical Methods

3.1 Whole-Rock Ar–Ar Analytical Procedures

The basalts dated during this study contain peridotite xenoliths and phenocrysts that were removed before analysis. Two basalt samples were dated by whole-rock Ar–Ar methods. The samples were crushed into small chips (≤5 mm) that were hand-picked under a binocular microscope to remove phenocrysts. The 40Ar/39Ar dating was carried out using a GV5400 mass spectrometer at the State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, using the analytical procedures described by H. Qiu and Jiang (2007). All errors are reported at 2σ values and argon gas was extracted from the sample by step-heating using a MIR10 CO2 laser. The released gases were purified using two Zr/Al getter pumps operated for 5–8 min at room temperature and ∼450°C, respectively. The background signal prior to analysis was <2 mV and the signal derived from the sample generally fluctuated between 40 and 200 mV. The dating results were calculated and plotted using ArArCALC software (Koppers, 2002), with a J-value of 0.00955 as determined using ZBH-2506 biotite (132 Ma) flux monitors. The results of these Ar–Ar analyses are given in Tables 1 and 2.

TABLE 1
www.frontiersin.org

TABLE 1. Results of 40Ar/39Ar dating of Fuding basalt sample TMS2-2.

TABLE 2
www.frontiersin.org

TABLE 2. Results of 40Ar/39Ar dating of Fuding basalt sample TMS2-1.

3.2 Whole-Rock Geochemical Analyses

Bulk-rock major, trace, and rare earth element (REE) concentrations were determined using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (IC–MS) at the National Research Center for Geoanalysis, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (CAGS), Beijing, China. Major element concentrations were determined by XRF and yielded analytical uncertainties better than 5%. Trace and REE concentrations were determined by ICP–MS, with the REE separated using cation exchange techniques. Analytical uncertainties during ICP–MS analysis were 10% for elements with concentrations of <10 ppm and ∼5% for those with concentrations of >10 ppm (Zeng et al., 2012). The results of these analyses are listed in Table 3.

TABLE 3
www.frontiersin.org

TABLE 3. Major (wt.%) and trace (ppm) compositions of mafic volcanic samples from the northeast of Fujian Province.

3.3 Whole-Rock Sr–Nd Isotopic Analyses

Whole-rock Sr and Nd isotope ratios were determined by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) using a Finnigan MAT-262 instrument at the CAS Key Laboratory of Crust–Mantle Materials and Environments, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, China. Analytical precision for these isotope ratio measurements is given as ± 2σ (standard error). Sr isotopic ratios were corrected for mass fractionation relative to a 86Sr/88Sr value of 0.1194, and analysis of the NBS987 standard yielded a measured 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.710298 ± 20 with a precision of ∼0.002%. Measured 143Nd/144Nd ratios were normalized to a 146Nd/144Nd value of 0.7219, and analysis of the La Jolla Nd standard yielded a measured 143Nd/144Nd ratio of 0.511851 ± 45. Single-stage Nd model ages (TDM1) are calculated relative to the depleted mantle reservoir (Depaolo, 1988), and two-stage Nd model ages (TDM2) are calculated for different ages of magmatism relative to average continental crustal values with a 147Sm/144Nd ratio of 0.118 (Jahn and Condie, 1995).

4 Analytical Results

4.1 Ar–Ar Geochronology

The Funding basalt samples (TMS2-2 and TMS2-1) from the Fotan volcanic succession dated by the 40Ar/39Ar method yielded apparent ages that were determined using age spectra and isotope correlation (36Ar/40Ar vs. 39Ar/40Ar) diagrams (Figures 5, 6; Tables 1,2). The latter provides a quantitative measure of the initial argon composition and allows the identification of excess argon that has 40Ar/36Ar ratios greater than the present day atmospheric value of 295.5. The data in Table 1 and Figure 2 indicate that little excess argon was present in the basalt samples.

FIGURE 5
www.frontiersin.org

FIGURE 5. Plateau and isochron Ar–Ar ages for sample TMS2-2. (A) and isochron Ar‐Ar age (B) for sample TMS2-2.

FIGURE 6
www.frontiersin.org

FIGURE 6. Plateau Ar–Ar age for sample TMS2-1.

The plateau age for sample TMS2-2 is 38.5 ± 1.2 Ma (Figure 5A), a date that is within error of the isochron age for this sample (38.5 ± 2.3 Ma; Figure 5B). The second sample (TMS2-1) was collected from the basal section of the Fuding area and yielded an older plateau age (42.3 ± 2 Ma; Figure 6). As such, we interpret the plateau ages for these samples to represent the volcanism that formed the Fuding basalts, indicating that the final eruption of the Fotan Formation occurred at 42.3–38.5 Ma. Hence, the eruption of the Fuding basalt occurred at 42.3–38.5 Ma, during the Eocene.

4.2 Whole-Rock Geochemical Characteristics

4.2.1 Gabbro and Diabase

The gabbro and diabase samples from the Fuding area have restricted ranges of SiO2 (46.54–47.03 wt.%), total Fe expressed as FeO (FeOT; 11.34–12.32 wt.%), CaO (8.92–10.07 wt.%), and Al2O3 (12.12–14.23 wt.%) concentrations, but a wide range of MgO concentrations (8.64–10.17 wt.%). Plotting these samples on a total alkali versus silica (TAS; SiO2 versus Na2O + K2O) classification diagram indicates the majority are trachybasalts with a few basalts, although all of the samples plot above the alkaline curve in this diagram (Figure 7A). These samples have K2O and K2O + Na2O concentrations of 1.99–2.35 and 4.67–5.65 wt.%, respectively, yielding high K2O/Na2O ratios (0.65–0.82) that indicate these samples are alkaline basaltic rocks (Figures 7B,C,D).

FIGURE 7
www.frontiersin.org

FIGURE 7. Geochemical classification diagrams showing variations in the compositions of samples from the Fuding mafic volcanic neck. (A) Total alkali versus silica (TAS) diagram (after Middlemost, 1994); (B) SiO2 vs. K2O + Na2O diagram (after LeMaitre et al., 1989); (C) AFM diagram; and (D) Zr/TiO2 versus Nb/Y diagram (after Pearce, 1996).

Plotting data of the gabbro and diabase samples on Harker diagrams yields negative correlations between SiO2 and CaO, FeOT, and MgO concentrations, and positive correlations between SiO2 and Na2O, K2O, and Al2O3 concentrations (Figure 8).

FIGURE 8
www.frontiersin.org

FIGURE 8. Harker-type diagrams showing variations in the geochemical compositions of mafic rocks from the Fuding volcanic neck.

All of the gabbro and diabase samples have high total REE (ΣREE) values (201.2–221.29 ppm; average of 212.91 ppm) and they are light REE (LREE) enriched, with total LREE to total heavy REE (HREE; ΣLREE/ΣHREE) ratios of 10.21–11.32 (average of 10.76). These samples have (La/Yb)N (where N denotes normalization to the chondrite ratio of Sun and McDonough, 1989) ratios of 18.26–20.46 (average of 19.41), reflecting the degree of fractionation of the LREE from the HREE. These samples show (La/Sm)N values from 3.82 to 4.27 (average of 4.09) and (Gd/Yb)N values from 2.88 to 3.16 (average of 3.09). They are free of significant Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 1.00–1.05, average of 1.02) and have smooth chondrite-normalized REE patterns (Figure 9A). All of the samples are enriched in the large ion lithophile elements (LILE), have differentiated high field strength element (HFSE) concentrations, and are slightly depleted in Ti and Y (Figure 9C). They have chondrite-normalized REE and primitive-mantle-normalized multi-element variation patterns that are similar to those of typical OIB compositions but differ from typical N- or E-type mid-ocean-ridge basalt (MORB) compositions.

FIGURE 9
www.frontiersin.org

FIGURE 9. Chondrite-normalized REE and primitive-mantle-normalized multi-element diagrams for samples from the Fuding mafic volcanic neck. Diagrams are normalized to the chondrite and primitive mantle compositions of Sun and McDonough (1989). (A) and (C) for gabbro and diabase samples; (B) and (D) for basalt samples.

4.2.2 Basalts

The basalts analyzed during this study contain higher concentrations of MgO (10.75–11.12 wt.%) than the gabbro and diabase samples, with both basalt samples classified as tephrites or basanites and both plotting above the alkaline curve (Figure 7A), indicating that both of these basalts are alkaline basaltic rocks (Figures 7B,D).

Both of the basalt samples contain higher ΣREE concentrations (314.10–332.08 ppm; average of 323.09 ppm) than the gabbro and diabase samples, although the basalts are similar to these other samples in that they have OIB-type REE and multi-element variation diagram characteristics that contrast with typical N- or E-type MORB compositions (Figures 9B,D).

4.3 Whole-Rock Sr–Nd Characteristics

The isotopic Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd ratios of the whole-rock samples are given in Table 4. The gabbro, diabase, and basalt samples have uniform initial εNd(t) (3.05–4.56, average of 3.90) and initial 87Sr/86Sr (0.703794–0.703911, average of 0.703865) values. They have two-stage Nd model (TDM2) ages than range from 0.61 to 0.73 Ga (average of 0.67 Ga).

TABLE 4
www.frontiersin.org

TABLE 4. Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd isotopic compositions of mafic volcanics from the northeast of Northeast Fujian Province.

5 Discussion

5.1 Petrogenetic Evolution

5.1.1 Basalts

The basalts from the Fuding mafic volcanic neck are enriched in the REE and have highly differentiated HFSE compositions that are apparent in their OIB-type primitive-mantle-normalized multi-element diagrams (Figures 9B,D; Edwards et al., 1994; Sun and McDonough, 1989; Zhao and Zhou, 2007). Both of these samples are classified as within-plate alkali basalts in the Nb–Zr–Y diagram of Meschede ,1986; Figure 10A). These basalts have Ti/V ratios between 75 and 80 that are much higher than those of arc basalts, and they plot in the OIB field on a modified Ti versus V diagram (Figure 10B; Shervais, 1982). Both samples plot in the OIB field on a Nb/Yb versus Th/Yb diagram (Figure 10C; J. Pearce and Peate, 1995). They yield high Mg# values (= 100*MgO/(MgO + 0.85*Fe2O3T) and contain low concentrations of SiO2, suggesting that they originated from a parental magma that was derived from an OIB-like mantle source in a continental rift environment, without any crustal input.

FIGURE 10
www.frontiersin.org

FIGURE 10. (A) Nb-Zr-Y, (B) Ti versus V (after Shervais, 1982) and (C) Th/Yb–Nb/Yb (after Pearce & Peate, 1995) diagrams for samples from the study area. Average N-MORB, E-MORB, and OIB compositions are from Sun and McDonough (1989), and SSZ-, N-MORB-, E-MORB-, and OIB-type fields are from Mahe et al., 2004, Saccani and Photiades (2005), and Aldanmaz et al., 2008.

5.1.2 Gabbro and Diabase

The gabbro and diabase samples from the Fuding area have similar REE and HFSE characteristics as the basalt samples, again indicating that these units have an OIB-type affinity (Figures 9A,C, Figures 10A–C; Edwards et al., 1994; Sun and McDonough, 1989; Zhao and Zhou, 2007). However, the gabbro and diabase units have Mg# values of 63.96–66.58, suggesting that they record the minor differentiation of olivine and pyroxene. This fractionation is also evidenced by a negative correlation between SiO2 and MgO concentrations (Figure 8). In addition, the positive correlation between Fe2O3T and MgO concentrations shown by the gabbro samples is indicative of the fractionation of olivine (Figure 11A), whereas the positive correlation between CaO and MgO concentrations in these samples is evidence of the fractionation of clinopyroxene (Figure 11B). This conclusion is also supported by the presence of positive correlations between Cr, Ni, and MgO concentrations (Figures 11C,D).

FIGURE 11
www.frontiersin.org

FIGURE 11. Harker-type diagrams showing variations in the Fe2O3T, CaO, Cr, and Ni concentrations of samples from the Fuding area relative to MgO. (A), CaO (B), Cr (C), and Ni (D) concentrations of samples from the Fuding area relative to MgO.

The lack of any significant Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 1.00–1.05; Figure 9A) indicates that the gabbro and diabase units do not record any plagioclase fractionation. However, crustal contamination can modify the composition of mantle-derived magmatic rocks. Crustal materials are enriched in the LILE, K2O, and Na2O, and are depleted in P2O5 and TiO2. The gabbro and diabase units within the Fuding area contain low and invariant concentrations of K2O and Na2O, suggesting that they record minimal amounts of crustal contamination. Crustal contamination can also produce negative Nb and Ta, and positive Zr and Hf anomalies relative to the LILE and LREE (Sun and McDonough, 1989; Zhao and Zhou, 2007); however, these anomalies are absent in the primitive-mantle-normalized multi-element diagrams for the gabbro and diabase samples from the study area (Figure 9C), again suggesting that these units record minimal crustal contamination. All of the samples show low initial 87Sr/86Sr values (average of 0.703865) and high εNd(t) values (3.05–4.56, average of 3.90). These data indicate that the basalt, gabbro, and diabase units in the Fuding area were derived from an OIB-type mantle source, with the gabbro and diabase units recording minor amounts of crustal contamination.

5.2 Implications of Ar–Ar Dating

The basalts from the Fuding mafic volcanic neck in coastal SE China are generally alkaline (average Na2O + K2O = 5.77 wt.%) and are enriched in TiO2 (average TiO2 = 2.15 wt.%), whereas Neogene basalts in this area are largely subalkaline (average Na2O + K2O = 2.79 wt.%) and contain lower concentrations of TiO2 (average TiO2=<1.5 wt.%; Lu et al., 2000), indicating significant geochemical differences between these basalts.

The trace and REE compositions of the Fuding mafic volcanic neck are different from those of the Neogene basalts of coastal SE China. The basalts from the former contain higher Rb (average of 87 ppm), Sr (average of 984 ppm), Ba (average of 807 ppm), and total REE (average of 243 ppm) concentrations and have higher light REE/heavy REE (LREE/HREE) ratios (average of 11.93) than the Neogene basalts of coastal SE China (average Rb, Sr, Ba, and total REE concentrations of 17.5, 339, 201, and 112 ppm, respectively, with an average LREE/HREE ratio of 4.22; Lu et al., 2000; J. Qiu et al., 1999; S. Wang, 1998; X. Wang et al., 2012; J. Zhang and Lu, 1997; Zouet al, 2000).

L. Li et al. (2011) reported that the Taimushan granite formed at 96.16 ± 1.6 Ma and suggested that the Fuding basalts formed part of the late Oligocene to middle Pleistocene Fotan Group. Our unpublished zircon U–Pb laser ablation (LA)–ICP–MS analyses yielded a Late Cretaceous age of 88.2 ± 1.0 Ma for these basalts, although these ages may be unreliable. The two basalt samples from the Fuding mafic volcanic neck yield similar Ar–Ar ages of 38.5 ± 1.2 and 42.3 ± 2 Ma, indicating that the basalts within both the neck and within the Fotan Group were emplaced during the Eocene.

5.3 Implications of the Presence of Peridotite Xenoliths

Cretaceous basalts in coastal SE China are usually associated with other contemporaneous bimodal volcanic rocks. The basalts in this area crop out over a much smaller area than associated acidic volcanic rocks and are thought to have been derived from either an enriched region of mantle, from a depleted region of the mantle and then either assimilated crustal material or underwent magma mixing, or were derived from the crust–mantle transition zone (C. Chen et al., 2008; Cui et al., 2011; He and Xu, 2011; Z. Li and Li, 2007; X. Li et al., 2007; H. Li et al., 1995; Tang et al., 2010; Xing et al., 1999; G. Xie et al., 2005; X. Xu et al., 2008; J. Yan et al., 2005b; Yu et al., 1993).

As mentioned above, both the petrogenesis of the basalts in coastal SE China and the nature of the mantle beneath this region remain uncertain. The main cause of this uncertainty is the lack of mantle rocks in this area; however, peridotite xenoliths within the Fuding basalts can be used to determine the characteristics of the Eocene mantle in this area, including the post late-Mesozoic evolution of the mantle beneath coastal SE China.

The nature of the late Mesozoic mantle in coastal SE China remains debated. Several different models have been proposed, including 1) enriched lithospheric mantle beneath Fujian and Zhenjiang provinces (Cui et al., 2011; Tang et al., 2010; G. ; Xie et al., 2005; J. ; Yan et al., 2003; J. ; Yan et al., 2005a; Yan et al., 2005b; Z. ; Yang et al., 1999; B. ; Zhang et al., 2004), 2) enriched mantle that mixed with both depleted and EMII type enriched mantle material (X. Xie et al., 2001), 3) local areas of weakly enriched mantle that is compositionally similar to EMII-type enriched mantle (H. Zhang et al., 2005), and 4) depleted asthenospheric mantle (Q. Zhou et al., 2010).

Both the late Mesozoic basalts and acidic volcanic rocks in coastal SE China have isotopic characteristics similar to those of enriched mantle (C. Dong C. W. et al., 2006; Y. Dong Y. X. et al., 2006; C. Dong et al., 2007; Z. Yang et al., 1999; Xing et al., 1999; Xue et al., 1996; J. Zhou and Chen, 2001), suggesting that the Cretaceous upper mantle in this region was relatively stable but also weakly enriched.

The Paleocene basalts in coastal SE China generally crop out in the northern parts of the Jiangsu and Hefei basins, as well as in the Mingguang and Fushan areas (Qian and Li, 1996; Z. ; Yang et al., 1999). These basalts contain abundant peridotite xenoliths, were emplaced at 64–56 Ma, have the characteristics of typical continental basalts, and were derived from weakly enriched mantle (D. Chen, 1992; Cong et al., 1996; Z. Yang et al., 1999; X. Zhou, 1992).

Eocene basalts are sporadically exposed within coastal SE China and have been reported from the Sanshui Basin in Guangdong Province (Y. Dong Y. X. et al., 2006; Hu et al., 2013; Xiao et al., 2006; X. Zhang et al., 1993; W. Zhang and Fang, 2014; Zhu et al., 1991). X. Zhang et al. (1993) reported K–Ar ages of 45–55 Ma for these basalts, and Y. Dong Y. X. et al. (2006) obtained a zircon U–Pb age of 46–45 Ma for basaltic rocks in the Sanshui Basin. The latter basalts are thought to have been generated by partial melting of a depleted region of the mantle that generated continental rift-type magmatic rocks (Y. Dong Y. X. et al., 2006; W. Zhang and Fang, 2014), or partial melting of an enriched region of the mantle within a continental rift setting (Hu et al., 2013). The Sanshui basalts yield recalculated εNd(t) values of −0.77 to +1.23 (mean age 50 Ma) (Zhu et al., 1991) that reflect the weakly depleted nature of the Eocene mantle in coastal SE China. The basalt, gabbro, and diabase units within the Fuding area have OIB-type geochemical affinities with low initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (average of 0.703865) and high εNd(t) values (average of 3.90) which similar with the depleted mantle. Its OIB type geochemical characteristics may be inherited from crustal materials with similar characteristics. Meanwhile, the widespread Neogene basalts in coastal SE China are exposed in the Xinchang area of Zhejiang Province, the Jiashan area of Anhui province, the Fangshan area of Jiangsu province, and the Sanshui Basin in Guangdong Province, and all of these Neogene basalts were derived from a depleted region of the mantle (R. Wang and Yang, 1987a, Wang and Yang, 1987b; Zhi et al., 1994). Thus, the mantle beneath coastal SE China evolved between the Cretaceous and the Neogene from enriched to depleted, and this change occurred during the Eocene.

6 Conclusion

Whole-rock Ar–Ar analyses of two basalt samples from the Fuding mafic volcanic neck yield ages of 38.5 ± 1.2 and 42.3 ± 2 Ma, indicating that the basalts were erupted at 42.3–38.5 Ma.

The basalt, gabbro, and diabase units within the Fuding area have OIB-type geochemical affinities with low initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (average of 0.703865) and high εNd(t) values (average of 3.90). Both gabbro and diabase units record minor amounts of crustal contamination.

Peridotite xenoliths within the Fuding basalt provide evidence of the nature of the Eocene mantle in this area, especially the post late-Mesozoic evolution of the mantle beneath coastal SE China. The mantle beneath coastal SE China evolved from enriched to depleted between the Cretaceous and the Neogene, with this change occurring during the Eocene.

Data Availability Statement

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/supplementary material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Author Contributions

XZ designed the study. CL wrote the first draft. YJ analyzed the geochemical data. GX drew some of the figures. MY and ZD completed the geochemical experimental analysis. All authors discussed the results and contributed to the preparation of the manuscript.

Funding

This work was supported by Geological Survey projects (DD20221633) of the China Geological Survey, National key research and development program (No 2016YFC0600205) and Geological Survey projects (Nos 121201008000150002, 1212011121098, 121201008000150002, and 12120113070800) of the China Geological Survey.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s Note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

References

Aldanmaz, E., Yaliniz, M. K., Güctekin, A., and Göncüoğlu, M. C. (2008). Geochemical Characteristics of Mafic Lavas from the Neotethyan Ophiolites in Western Turkey: Implications for Heterogeneous Source Contribution during Variable Stages of Ocean Crust Generation. Geol. Mag. 145, 37–54. doi:10.1017/s0016756807003986

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Bodinier, J.-L., Garrido, C. J., Chanefo, I., Bruguier, O., and Gervilla, F. (2008). Origin of Pyroxenite-Peridotite Veined Mantle by Refertilization Reactions: Evidence from the Ronda Peridotite (Southern Spain). J. Petrology 49, 999–1025. doi:10.1093/petrology/egn014

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Chen, C.-H., Lee, C.-Y., Lu, H.-Y., and Hsieh, P.-S. (2008). Generation of Late Cretaceous Silicic Rocks in SE China: Age, Major Element and Numerical Simulation Constraints. J. Asian earth Sci. 31, 479–498. doi:10.1016/j.jseaes.2007.08.002

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Chen, D. G. (1992). “Geochemistry of Cenozoic Basalts in the Southern Section of Tanlu Fault,” in Geochemistry of Cenozoic Volcanic Rocks of China. Editor R. X. LIU (Beijing: Earthquake press), 171–209. (in Chinese).

Google Scholar

Chen, D. G., Xia, Q. K., and Zhi, X. C. (1997). Geochemistry of Megacrysts in Cenozoic Basalts of Eastern China. Acta Geosci. Sin. 18, 299–306. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Cong, B. L., Wang, Q. C., Zhang, H. Z., Yan, X., and Jiang, L. L. (1996). Petrogenesis of Cenozoic Volcanic Rocks in Hefei Basin, China. Acta Petrol. Sin. 3, 370–381. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Cui, Y. R., Xie, Z., Wang, B., Chen, J. F., Yu, Y. W., and He, J. F. (2011). Geochemical Characteristics of the Late Mesozoic Basalts in Southeastern Zhejiang Province and Constraints on Magma Source Materials. Geol. J. China Univ. 17, 492–512. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.1007/s11769-011-0446-4

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Dai, Q. Z., and Chen, R. K. (2008). On the Geologic Characteristics and Formation Mechanisms of the Basalt Pillars in Shanhoujian, Fuding City. Geol. Fujian 4, 369–377. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Deng, J. F., E, M. L., and Lu, F. X. (1988). The Chemistry of Hannuoba Basalts and Their Trends of Magmatic Revolution. Acta Petrol. Sin. 4, 22–33. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Depaolo, D. J. (1988). Neodymium Isotope Geochemistry: An Introduction. New York: Springer-Verlag, 181.

Google Scholar

Dong, C. W., Xu, X. S., Chen, X. M., and Zhou, X. M. (1997). Mineralogical Record of Crystallization Processes of Pingtan Hornblende Gabbro, Fujian. Acta Mineral. Sin. 17, 285–290. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Dong, C. W., Xu, X. S., Yan, Q., Lin, X. B., and Zhu, G. Q. (2007). A New Case of Late Mesozoic Crust-Mantle Interaction in Eastern Zhejiang: Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Ru’ao Diabase-Granite Composite Intrusions. Acta Petrol. Sin. 23, 1303–1312. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.3969/j.issn.1000-0569.2007.06.007

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Dong, C. W., Zhang, D. R., Xu, X. S., Yan, Q., and Zhu, G. Q. (2006a). SHRIMP U-Pb Dating and Litho Geochemistry of Basic-Intermediate Dike Swarms from Jinjiang, Fujian Province. Acta Petrol. Sin. 22, 1696–1702. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.1016/j.sedgeo.2006.03.014

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Dong, Y. X., Xiao, L., Zhou, H. M., Zeng, G. C., Wang, X. D., Xiang, H., et al. (2006b). Spatial Distribution and Petrological Characteristics of the Bimodal Volcanic Rocks from Sanshui Basin, Guangdong Province: Implication for Basin Dynamics. Geotect. Metallogenia 30, 82–92. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.3969/j.issn.1001-1552.2006.01.010

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Dong, Z. X., Chen, L. H., Yang, J. M., and Ma, H. W. (1999). The Characteristics of Spinel Compositions in Mantle-Derived Xenoliths from Alkali Basalts and Their Petrogenetic Significance. Acta Petrol. Sin. 15, 607–615. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Edwards, C. M. H., Menzies, M. A., Thirlwall, M. F., Morris, J. D., Leeman, W. P., and Harmon, R. S. (1994). The Transition to Potassic Alkaline Volcanism in Island Arcs: The Ringgit--Beser Complex, East Java, Indonesia. J. Petrology 35, 1557–1595. doi:10.1093/petrology/35.6.1557

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Guo, F., Guo, J. T., Wang, Y., Fan, W. M., Li, C. W., Li, H. X., et al. (2013b). The Genesis of Lower δ18O Olivine Basalts in Junan and Qingdao Area, Jiangsu-Shangdong Provinces. Sci. China 58, 1289–1299. doi:10.1007/s11434-012-5607-z

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Guo, F., Guo, J., Wang, Y., Fan, W., Li, C., Li, H., et al. (2013a). A Metasomatized Mantle Wedge Origin for Low-δ 18O Olivine in Late Cretaceous Junan and Qingdao Basalts in the Sulu Orogen. Chin. Sci. Bull. 58, 3903–3913. doi:10.1007/s11434-012-5607-z

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

He, Z. Y., and Xu, X. S. (2011). Petrogenesis of the Late Yanshanian Mantle-Derived Intrusions in Southeastern China: Response to the Geodynamics of Paleo-Pacific Plate Subduction. Chem. Geol. 328, 208–221.

Google Scholar

Hu, J. J., Li, Q., Zhai, Y. J., Zhang, W., Zhang, Y. F., and Bai, X. Y. (2013). Distribution and Geodynamics of Volcanic Rock of the Huayong Group, Sanshui Basin, Guangdong Province. J. East China Inst. Technol. Sci. 36, 175–181. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-3504.2013.02.011

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Jahn, B.-M., and Condie, K. C. (1995). Evolution of the Kaapvaal Craton as Viewed from Geochemical and SmõNd Isotopic Analyses of Intracratonic Pelites. Geochimica Cosmochimica Acta 59, 2239–2258. doi:10.1016/0016-7037(95)00103-7

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Koppers, A. A. P. (2002). ArArCALC-software for 40Ar/39Ar Age Calculations. Comput. Geosciences 28, 605–619. doi:10.1016/s0098-3004(01)00095-4

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

LeMaitre, R. W., Bateman, P., Dudek, A., Keller, J., Lebas, M. J. L., Sabine, P. A., et al. (1989). A Classication of Igneous Rocks and Glossary of Terms. Oxford: Blackwell.

Google Scholar

Li, H. M., Dong, C. W., Xu, X. S., and Zhou, X. M. (1995). Single Grain Zircon U-Pb Dating of Quanzhou Gabbro: Origin of the Mafic Magmativte in the Southeast Fujian Province. Chin. Sci. Bull. 40, 158–160. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Li, L. L., Zhou, H. W., Chen, Z. H., Wang, J. R., and Xiao, Y. (2011). Geochemical Characteristics of Granites in Taimushan Area, Fujian Province, and Their Geological Significance. Acta Petrologica Mineralogica 30, 593–609. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.1007/s11589-011-0776-4

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Li, T. F., and Ma, H. W. (2002). Clinopyroxene-melt Equilibrium Temperature and Pressure of Cenozoic Basalts with Special Reference to the Genesis of Mantle Xenoliths in Some Areas of Eastern China. Acta Petrologica Mineralogica 21, 11–23. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Li, X.-h. (2000). Cretaceous Magmatism and Lithospheric Extension in Southeast China. J. Asian Earth Sci. 18, 293–305. doi:10.1016/s1367-9120(99)00060-7

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Li, X.-H., Li, Z.-X., Li, W.-X., Liu, Y., Yuan, C., Wei, G., et al. (2007). U-pb Zircon, Geochemical and Sr-Nd-Hf Isotopic Constraints on Age and Origin of Jurassic I- and A-type Granites from Central Guangdong, SE China: A Major Igneous Event in Response to Foundering of a Subducted Flat-Slab? Lithos 96, 186–204. doi:10.1016/j.lithos.2006.09.018

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Li, Z.-X., and Li, X.-H. (2007). Formation of the 1300-km-wide Intracontinental Orogen and Postorogenic Magmatic Province in Mesozoic South China: A Flat-Slab Subduction Model. Geol 35, 179–182. doi:10.1130/g23193a.1

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Liu, C. Q., Xie, G. H., and Akimasa, M. (1995). Geochemistry of Cenozoic Basalts from Eastern China--I. Major Element and Trace Element Compositions: Petrogenesis and Characteristics of Mantle Source. Geochimica 24, 1–19. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.1016/S1872-5813(08)60001-8

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Liu, J. H., and Yan, J. (2007). Peridotitic Xenoliths in the Cenozoic Basalts from the Subei Basin. Mineral. Pet. 27, 39–46. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Lu, Q. D., Zhu, G. L., and Qing, Z. J. (2000). Geochemical Feature and Genesis of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Basalt in Fujian Province. Regional Geol. China 19, 85–91. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Mahéo, G., Bertrand, H., Guillot, S., Villa, I. M., Keller, F., and Capiez, P. (2004). The South Ladakh Ophiolites (NW Himalaya, India): an Intra-oceanic Tholeiitic Arc Origin with Implication for the Closure of the Neo-Tethys. Chem. Geol. 203, 273–303. doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2003.10.007

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Meschede, M. (1986). A Method of Discriminating between Different Types of Mid-ocean Ridge Basalts and Continental Tholeiites with the Nbõ1bZrõ1bY Diagram. Chem. Geol. 56, 207–218. doi:10.1016/0009-2541(86)90004-5

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Middlemost, E. A. K. (1994). Naming Materials in the Magma/igneous Rock System. Earth-Science Rev. 37, 215–224. doi:10.1016/0012-8252(94)90029-9

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Pearce, J. A. (1996). “A User's Guide to Basalt Discrimination Diagrams,” in Trace Element Geochemistry of Volcanic Rocks: Applications for Massive Sulfide Exploration. Editor D. A. Wyman (St. John's,Canada: Geological Association of Canada), 12, 79–113.

Google Scholar

Pearce, J. A., and Peate, D. W. (1995). Tectonic Implications of the Composition of Volcanic Arc Magmas. Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci. 23, 251–285. doi:10.1146/annurev.ea.23.050195.001343

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Pei, F. P., Xu, W. L., Wang, Q. H., Wang, D. Y., and Lin, J. Q. (2004). Mesozoic Basalt and Mineral Chemistry of the Mantle-Derived Xenocrysts in Feixian, Western Shandong, China: Constraints on Nature of Mesozoic Lithospheric Mantle. Geol. J. China Univ. 10, 88–97. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.1007/BF02873097

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Qian, Q., and Li, K. Y. (1996). The Geological Time of Basalt and Strata in North Jiangsu Basin. Volcanol. Mineral. Resour. 17, 86–93. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Qiu, H., and Jiang, Y. (2007). Sphalerite 40Ar/39Ar Progressive Crushing and Stepwise Heating Techniques. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 256, 224–232. doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2007.01.028

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Qiu, J. S., Wang, D. Z., and Zhou, J. C. (1999). Geochemistry and Petrogenesis of the Late Mesozoic Bimodal Volcanic Rocks at Yunshan Caldera, Yongtai Country, Fujian Province. Acta petrologica Mineralogica 18, 97–107. (in Chinese with English abstract.

Google Scholar

Saccani, E., and Photiades, A. (2005). Petrogenesis and Tectonomagmatic Significance of Volcanic and Subvolcanic Rocks in the Albanide-Hellenide Ophiolitic Melanges. Isl. Arc 14, 494–516. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1738.2005.00480.x

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Shen, W. Z., Hong, L. F., and Li, W. X. (1999). Study on the Sr-Nd Isotopic Compositions of Granitoids in SE China. Geol. J. China Univ. 5, 22–32. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.1007/BF02885998

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Shervais, J. W. (1982). Ti-V Plots and the Petrogenesis of Modern and Ophiolitic Lavas. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 59, 101–118. doi:10.1016/0012-821x(82)90120-0

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Sun, S.-s., and Mcdonough, W. F. (1989). Chemical and Isotopic Systematics of Oceanic Basalts: Implications for Mantle Composition and Processes. Geol. Soc. Lond. Spec. Publ. 42, 313–345. doi:10.1144/gsl.sp.1989.042.01.19

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Tang, L. M., Chen, H. L., Dong, C. W., Shen, Z. Y., Cheng, X. G., and Fu, L. L. (2010). Late Mesozoic Tectonic Extension in SE China: Evidence from the Basic Dike Swarms in Hainan Island, China. Acta Petrol. Sin. 26, 1204–1216. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.1016/j.sedgeo.2010.03.004

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Tatsumoto, M., Basu, A. R., Wankang, H., Junwen, W., and Guanghong, X. (1992). Sr, Nd, and Pb Isotopes of Ultramafic Xenoliths in Volcanic Rocks of Eastern China: Enriched Components EMI and EMII in Subcontinental Lithosphere. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 113, 107–128. doi:10.1016/0012-821x(92)90214-g

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Wang, D. Y., Xu, W. L., Feng, H., Lin, J. Q., and Zheng, C. Q. (2002). Nature of Mesozoic Lithospheric Mantle in Western Liaoning Province: Evidences from Basalt and the Mantle-Derived Xenoliths. J. Jilin Univ. (Earth Sci. Ed. 32, 319–324. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.13278/j.cnki.jjuese.2002.04.002

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Wang, D. Z., and Shen, W. Z. (2003). Genesis of Granitoids and Crustal Evolution in Southeast China. Earth Sci. Front. 10, 209–220. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Wang, R. J., and Yang, S. R. (1987b). On the Evolution and Mineral Chemistry of Olivine, Pyroxene, Plagioclase in Cenozoic Basalts from the Chenxian-Xinchang Basin in Zhejiang Province. Acta Petrol. Sin. 2, 27–39. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Wang, R. J., and Yang, S. R. (1987a). The Study of Cenozoic Basalts and its Xenolithos in Shengxian Area, Zhejiang Province. Earth Sci. J. Wuhan Geol. Coll. 12, 241–248. (in Chinese).

Google Scholar

Wang, S. X. (1998). Discussion of the Chemical Composition of Different-Time Basalt Series and its Formation Environment in Fujian Province. Geol. Fujian 18, 68–80. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Wang, X.-C., Li, Z.-X., Li, X.-H., Li, J., Liu, Y., Long, W.-G., et al. (2012). Temperature, Pressure, and Composition of the Mantle Source Region of Late Cenozoic Basalts in Hainan Island, SE Asia: a Consequence of a Young Thermal Mantle Plume Close to Subduction Zones? J. petrology 53, 177–233. doi:10.1093/petrology/egr061

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Xia, Q. K., Xing, L. B., Feng, M., Liu, S. C., Yang, X. Z., and Hao, Y. T. (2010). Water Content and Element Geochemistry of Peridotite Xenoliths Hosted by Early-Jurassic Basalt in Ningyuan, Hunan Province. Acta Petrologica Mineralogical 29, 113–124. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.3724/SP.J.1084.2010.00199

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Xiao, L., Zhou, H. M., Dong, Y. X., Zeng, G. C., and Wang, F. Z. (2006). Geochemistry and Petrogenesis of Cenozoic Volcanic Rocks from Sanshui Basin: Implications for Spatial and Temporal Variation of Rock Types and Constraints on the Formation of South china Sea. Geotect. Metallogenia 30, 72–81. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.1007/s11442-006-0415-5

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Xie, G. Q., Mao, J. W., Hu, R. Z., Li, R. L., and Cao, J. (2005). Discussion on Some Problems of Mesozoic and Cenozoic Geodynamics of Southeast China. Geol. Rev. 51, 613–620. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Xie, X., Xu, X. S., Zou, H. B., and Xing, G. F. (2001). Trace Element and Nd-Sr-Pb Isotope Studies of Mesozoic and Cenozoic Basalts in Coastal Area of SE China. Acta Petrol. Sin. 17, 617–628. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Xing, G. F., Yang, Z. L., and Tao, K. Y. (1999). Sources of Cretaceous Bimodal Volcanic Rocks in the Coastal Region of Southeastern China-Constraints of the Sr Conten and its Isotopes. Acta Geol. Sin. 73, 84–92.

Google Scholar

Xu, W. L., Zhou, Q. J., and YangYang, D. B. J. H. (2013). Timing, Style and Process of Modifying Adjacent Lithospheric Mantle by Melts Derived from Deeply Subducted Continental Crust: Evidence from Peridotite and Pyroxenite Xenoliths in Western Shandong. Chinese. Sci. Bull. 58, 2300–2305. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Xu, X., Griffin, W. L., O'Reilly, S. Y., Pearson, N. J., Geng, H., and Zheng, J. (2008). Re-Os Isotopes of Sulfides in Mantle Xenoliths from Eastern China: Progressive Modification of Lithospheric Mantle. Lithos 102, 43–64. doi:10.1016/j.lithos.2007.06.010

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Xu, X. S., and Xie, X. (2005). Late Mesozoic-Cenozoic Basaltic Rocks and Crust-Mantle Interaction, SE China. Geol. J. China Univ. 11, 318–334. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Xue, H. M., Tao, K, Y., and Shen, J. L. (1996). Sr and Nd Isotopic Characteristics and Magma Genesis of Mesozoic Volcanic Rocks along the Coastal Region of Southeastern china. Acta Geol. Sin. 70, 35–47. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.1111/j.1755-6724.1996.mp9003004.x

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Yan, J., Chen, J. F., Xie, Z., Gao, T. S., Foland, K. A., Zhang, X. D., et al. (2005a). Studies on Petrology and Geochemistry of the Later Cretaceous Basalts and Mantle-Derived Xenoliths from Eastern Shandong. Acta Petrol. Sin. 219, 99–112. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Yan, J., Chen, J. F., Xie, Z., Yang, G., Yu, G., and Qian, H. (2005b). Geochemistry of Late Mesozoic Basalt from Kedoushan in Middle and Lower Yangtze Regions: Constraints on Characteristics and Evolution of the Lithospheric Mantle. Geochemica 34, 455–469. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Yan, J., Chen, J. F., Yu, G., Qian, H., and Zhou, X. (2003). Pb Isotopic Characteristics of Late Mesozoic Mafic Rocks from the Lower Yangtze Region: Evidence for Enriched Mantle. Geol. J. China Univ. 9, 195–206. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Yan, Q. S., Shi, X. F., Wang, K. S., and Bu, W. R. (2007). Mineral Chemistry and its Genetic Significance of Olivine in Cenozoic Basalts from the South China Sea. Acta Petrol. Sin. 23, 2981–2989. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.1631/jzus.2007.B0900

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Yang, G. C., Yang, X. Z., Hao, Y. T., and Xia, Q. K. (2012). Water Content Difference between Continental Lower Crust and Lithospheric Mantle: Granulite and Peridotite Xenoliths Hosted in Basalts from Junan, Shandong Province. Acta Petrologica Mineralogica 31, 691–700. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.1007/s11783-011-0280-z

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Yang, X.-Z., Xia, Q.-K., Deloule, E., Dallai, L., Fan, Q.-C., and Feng, M. (2008). Water in Minerals of the Continental Lithospheric Mantle and Overlying Lower Crust: A Comparative Study of Peridotite and Granulite Xenoliths from the North China Craton. Chem. Geol. 256, 33–45. doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2008.07.020

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Yang, Z. L., Shen, W. Z., Tao, K. Y., and Shen, J. L. (1999). Sr, Nd and Pb Isotopic Characteristics of Early Cretaceous Basaltic Rocks from the Coast of Zhejiang and Fujian: Evidences for Ancient Enrichied Mantle Source. Sci. Geol. Sin. 34, 59–67. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Ying, J.-F., Zhang, H.-F., and Tang, Y.-J. (2010). Lower Crustal Xenoliths from Junan, Shandong Province and Their Bearing on the Nature of the Lower Crust beneath the North China Craton. Lithos 119, 363–376. doi:10.1016/j.lithos.2010.07.015

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Ying, J. F., Zhang, H. F., Zhou, X. H., and Tang, Y. J. (2013). Tectonic Affinity of the Sub-continental Lithosphere of the Sulu Orogenic Belts: Constraints from Granulite and Peridotites Xenoliths. Bull. Mineralogy, Petrology Geochem. 32, 328–334. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Yu, Y. W., Zhou, T. X., and Chen, J. F. (1993). The Characteristics and Genesis of Early Cretaceous Bimodal Volcanic Rocks in Xuantandi Area, Zhejiang Province. J. Nanjing Univ. Nat. Sci. 5, 420–429. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Zeng, L., Gao, L.-E., Dong, C., and Tang, S. (2012). High-pressure Melting of Metapelite and the Formation of Ca-Rich Granitic Melts in the Namche Barwa Massif, Southern Tibet. Gondwana Res. 21, 138–151. doi:10.1016/j.gr.2011.07.023

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zhang, B. T., Chen, P. R., Ling, H. F., and Kong, X. G. (2004). Pb-Nd-Sr Isotopic Study of the Middle Jurassic Basalts in Southern Jiangxi Province: Characteristic of Mantle Source and Tectonic Implication. Geol. J. China Univ. 10, 145–156. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.1142/9789812565839_0011

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zhang, H. F., Zhou, X. H., Fan, W. M., Sun, M., Guo, F., Ying, J. F., et al. (2005). Nature, Composition, Enrichment Processes and its Mechanism of the Mesozoic Lithospheric Mantle beneath the Southeastern North China Craton. Acta Petrol. Sin. 21, 1271–1280. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.1016/j.sedgeo.2005.05.009

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zhang, J. C., and Lu, Q. D. (1997). On the Characteristics and Origin of the Cenozoic Basalts in Fujian Province. Geol. Fujian 1, 1–9. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Zhang, W., and Fang, N. Q. (2014). Geochemistry Characteristics of Eocene Volcanic Rocks in Sanshui Basin, Guangdong. Earth Science-Journal China Univ. Geosciences 39, 37–44. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.275-277.322

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zhang, X. Q., Zhou, X. P., and Chen, X. Y. (1993). The Atlas of Cretaceous- Paleogene Drilling Stratigraphic in Sanshui Basin. Beijing: China ocean Press, 183. (in Chinese).

Google Scholar

Zhao, J.-H., and Zhou, M.-F. (2007). Geochemistry of Neoproterozoic Mafic Intrusions in the Panzhihua District (Sichuan Province, SW China): Implications for Subduction-Related Metasomatism in the Upper Mantle. Precambrian Res. 152, 27–47. doi:10.1016/j.precamres.2006.09.002

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zheng, C. Q., Xu, W. L., and Wang, D. Y. (1999). The Petrology and Mineral Chemistry of the Deep-Seated Xenoliths in Mesozoic Basalt in Fuxin District from Western Liaoning. Acta Petrol. Sin. 15, 616–622. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Zhi, X. C., Chen, D. G., Zhang, Z. Q., and Wang, J. H. (1994). Neodymium and Strontium Isotopic Compositions for Later Tertiary Alkalic Basalts from Liuhe-Yizheng, Jiangsu Province, China. Acta Petrol. Sin. 10, 383–390. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Zhi, X. C., and Qin, X. (2004). Re-Os Isotope Geochemistry of Mantle-Derived Peridotite Xenoliths from Eastern China: Constraints on the Age and Thinning of Lithosphere Mantle. Acta Petrol. Sin. 20, 989–998. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.2116/analsci.20.717

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zhou, J. C., and Chen, R. (2001). Late Mesozoic Interaction between Crust and Mantle in Coastal Area of Zhejiang-Fujian. Prog. Nat. Sci. 10, 714–717. doi:10.2183/pjab.76.97

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zhou, Q. J., Xu, W. L., Yang, D. B., Pei, F. P., Wang, W., Yuan, H. L., et al. (2013). Modification of the Lithospheric Mantle by Melt Derived from Recycled Continental Crust Evidenced by Wehrlite Xenoliths in Early Cretaceous High-Mg Diorites from Western Shandong. Sci. China (Earth Sci. 43, 1179–1194. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.1007/s11430-012-4533-x

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zhou, Q., Wu, F. Y., Chu, Z. Y., and Ge, W. C. (2010). Isotopic Compositions of Mantle Xenoliths and Age of the Lithospheric Mantle in Yitong, Jilin Province. Acta Petrol. Sin. 26, 1241–1264. (in Chinese with English abstract).

Google Scholar

Zhou, X. H. (1992). “The Discovery of Cenozoic Transition Series Basalts: the Study of its Geochemical Characteristics and Genesis,” in The Chronology and Geochemistry of Cenozoic Volcanic Rocks in China. Editor U. R. X. Li (Beijing: Earthquake Press), 285–297. (in Chinese).

Google Scholar

Zhou, X., Sun, T., Shen, W., Shu, L., and Niu, Y. (2006). Petrogenesis of Mesozoic Granitoids and Volcanic Rocks in South China: a Response to Tectonic Evolution. Episodes 29, 26–33. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/2006/v29i1/004

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zhu, B. Q., Wang, H. F., Mao, C. X., Zhu, N. J., Huang, R. S., Peng, J. H., et al. (1991). Geochonology and Nd-Sr-Pb Isotopic Evidence for Mantle Source in the Ancient Subduction Zone beneath Sanshui Basin, Guangdong Province, China. Geochemica 1, 27–32. (in Chinese with English abstract). doi:10.1007/bf02842215

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zou, H., Zindler, A., Xu, X., and Qi, Q. (2000). Major, Trace Element, and Nd, Sr and Pb Isotope Studies of Cenozoic Basalts in SE China: Mantle Sources, Regional Variations, and Tectonic Significance. Chem. Geol. 171, 33–47. doi:10.1016/s0009-2541(00)00243-6

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Keywords: coastal SE China, eocene, mafic volcanic neck, peridotite xenolith, whole-rock Ar-Ar

Citation: Li C, Zhao X, Jiang Y, Xing G, Yu M and Duan Z (2022) The Discovery and Geochemical Characteristics of an Eocene Peridotite Xenolith-Bearing Mafic Volcanic Neck in Coastal Southeast China. Front. Earth Sci. 10:950626. doi: 10.3389/feart.2022.950626

Received: 23 May 2022; Accepted: 31 May 2022;
Published: 17 June 2022.

Edited by:

Fuhao Xiong, Chengdu University of Technology, China

Reviewed by:

Chenyue Liang, Jilin University, China
Weimin Li, Jilin University, China

Copyright © 2022 Li, Zhao, Jiang, Xing, Yu and Duan. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Xilin Zhao, zxl24@126.com

Download