Petrogenesis of andesites in a Triassic volcanic arc in the southern South China Sea: constraints from whole-rock and mineral geochemistry

Calc-alkaline andesitic rocks are prominently exposed as a major product of subduction-related magmatism. The identification of Late Triassic andesites in Meiji Atoll, located in the southern South China Sea (SCS), provides new insights into the regional magmatic evolution and geodynamic setting of the southern SCS margin during the early Mesozoic era. Here, we present structured illumination microscopy (SIMS) U-Pb zircon ages, zircon Hf-O isotopic compositions, whole-rock and mineral geochemistry, as well as Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb isotopic compositions of andesites drilled in the Meiji Atoll. Geochronological results indicate that the crystallization ages of the andesites range from approximately 217 Ma to 225 Ma, which coincide with the eruption of interbedded dacites. The Meiji calc-alkaline andesites are characterized by a strong fractionation between light rare earth elements (LREEs) and heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), an enrichment of large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) such as Rb, K, U, and Pb, and a depletion of high-field strength elements (HFSEs), particularly Nb, Ta, and Ti, when compared to normal mid-ocean ridge basalts (N-MORB). These characteristics align with the typical geochemical signature of average continental arc andesites. The andesites display relatively high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7083–0.7113), slightly enriched ε_Nd(t) values (−6.07 to −4.9) and ε_Hf(t) values (−7.70 to −2.16), along with variable zircon ε_Hf(t) and δ¹⁸O values ranging from −2.93 to −1.99‰ and 4.0‰–9.0‰, respectively. The geochemical features of the andesites and zircons suggest they likely originated from a phlogopite-bearing metasomatized lithospheric mantle that had been influenced by subduction sediment compositions. Additionally, the geochemical characteristics and thermobarometry results of amphibole phenocrysts imply continuous and cryptic amphibole fractionation during the evolution of the arc magma. U-Pb ages and Hf isotopic data from the zircon xenocrysts exhibit a similar pattern to those from the eastern South China Block, providing compelling evidence for the existence of a Paleoproterozoic crystalline basement beneath the Nansha Block, akin to the Cathaysia Block. The identified volcanism at Meiji Atoll likely reflects the spatial variation in the distribution of arc magmatism along the South China Block. It might also represent the earliest re-initiation of continental arc magmatism following a phase of flat-slab subduction of the paleo-Pacific.

1 Introduction

Calc-alkaline andesitic rocks are generally considered to be extensively distributed on active continental margins and island arcs. They represent an important constituent of the continental crust from the Precambrian to the present (Grove et al., 2012; Kelemen and Behn, 2016), which is consistent with the fact that continental crust has significant similarities in geochemical compositions to continental arc andesites (Taylor, 1967; Rudnick and Fountain, 1995). Therefore, the petrogenesis of calc-alkaline andesites has been a long-debated topic and is crucial for understanding the magmatic evolution of active margins (Taniuchi et al., 2020; Azizi et al., 2021).

Many hypotheses have been proposed to explain the genesis of andesitic magma, including 1) crystal differentiation from mantle-derived primary basaltic magma (Yoder and Tilley, 1962; Sisson and Grove, 1993; Lee and Bachmann, 2014) in combination with upper and lower crustal contamination (Annen et al., 2005); 2) partial melting of the basaltic rocks in the lower to middle crust (Smith and Leeman, 1987; Jackson et al., 2003); 3) partial melting of mantle peridotite under low-pressure or high-water concentration (Hirose, 1997; Tamura et al., 2016); 5) magma mixing/mingling between mafic and felsic magmas (Tatsumi et al., 2008; Kent et al., 2010). Large volumes of andesite and related magma at continental arc and island arc volcanoes are likely produced by melting, assimilation, storage, and homogenization (MASH)-like processes (Azizi et al., 2021). Source mixing relating to oceanic crust subduction, recycling of crustal components, melt–peridotite reaction, and involvement of slab-metasomatized mantle are also responsible for the generation of subduction zone andesitic melts (Anderson, 1976; Kelemen et al., 2007; Mitchell and Grove, 2015; Chen and Zhao, 2017; Chen et al., 2021). Fluid and melt originated from dehydration and dehydration melting of the subducting hydrated lithosphere composed of sediment, hydrothermally altered oceanic crust, and lithospheric mantle may play a key role in the formation of andesitic magma by melting within the mantle wedge in active margins (Miller and Christensen, 1994; Plank and Langmuir, 1998; Kelley et al., 2005; Behn et al., 2011). Partial melts from metasomatized peridotite and secondary pyroxenite lithologies that were generated by the reaction of slab-derived melts with the mantle wedge peridotite, then mixed in variable proportions to produce primary calc-alkaline andesites, were also recorded along the active margins, reflecting a particular mechanism of mantle processing in the subduction environment (Straub et al., 2008; Straub et al., 2011). Furthermore, partial melting and subsequent diapirism of subduction mélanges derived from physical mixing of slab components and the mantle wedge along the slab–mantle interface can form intermediate volcanoes without the intervention of parental basalts, implying that a significant proportion of the subducted continental crust is being reincorporated back into continents by primitive intermediate arc magmatism (Nielsen and Marschall, 2017; Gómez-Tuena et al., 2018). The processes involved in the assimilation of mélanges into the mantle wedge possess great potential to transfer the subduction signatures observed in natural arc magmas from the slab to the source of arc magmas (Codillo et al., 2018).

In this study, the Late Triassic calc-alkaline andesitic lavas drilled in the Meiji Atoll of the southern South China Sea (SCS) region may provide new constraints on the factors that control the genesis of calc-alkaline magmatism. We carried out comprehensive analyses of SIMS U-Pb zircon ages, Hf-O isotopic compositions, whole-rock and mineral geochemistry, and Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb isotopic compositions for Late Triassic Meiji Atoll calc-alkaline andesites, in an attempt to 1) determine the eruption time for the andesitic magma, 2) decipher and constrain the petrogenetic processes, and 3) deepen our understanding of the regional magmatic evolution and geodynamic setting and evaluate the influence of early Mesozoic paleo-Pacific subduction.

2 Geological settings and sample description

2.1 Geological setting

The South China Sea (SCS), located to the south of the South China Block (SCB), is composed of the northern continental margin, a deep-water basin, and the southern continental margin (Yan et al., 2010). Currently, the SCS, interpreted as a plate-edge basin, is surrounded by four distinct tectonic zones, including a subduction zone in the east, a strike–slip fault zone in the west, a collisional thrust belt in the south, and a rifted passive margin in the north (Li et al., 2021). The deep-water basin of the SCS can be further divided into three sub-basins, including the East sub-basin, the Southwest sub-basin, and the North-west sub-basin (Figure 1). The extensively thinned continental crust varies from ∼6 km to ∼30 km thick around the deep-water basin (Hayes and Nissen, 2005). Unlike open oceans and other small back-arc basins in the West Pacific, the SCS deposited thick terrigenous sediments on the continental shelf without large abyssal fans (Huang and Wang, 2006). The northern continental margin of the SCS is characterized by the widely distributed (over 250 km) detachment faults, widespread high-velocity lower crust (HVLC) and magmatic intrusion below thinned crust, a large number of landward dipping fault systems, and the fast transition from continental margin to seafloor spreading (Sun et al., 2019).

Figure 1

Figure 1. Tectonic sketch map of the area around the South China Sea. BBWB = Beibuwan basin; SWTB = Southwest Taiwan basin. White circles 1, 2, and 3 represent the fossil spreading mid-ocean ridges with ages of ∼33–23.6 Ma, ∼30–28.5 Ma, and ∼23.6–15 Ma, respectively. The black solid line represents the lithospheric faults, and the white solid line with white triangles represents the subduction zone.

Recent U-Pb age determinations for borehole-penetrated plutonic rocks imply a Late Jurassic amphibole plagiogneiss basement for the northern continental margin of the SCS, which was later intruded by Early Cretaceous plutons (Zhu et al., 2017). Previously sampled rocks indicate that the southern margin of the SCS, including the Nansha Block and the Reed Bank-Northeastern Palawan Block area, was once a part of the South China continent (Kudrass et al., 1986; Yan et al., 2010; Miao et al., 2021). Since the Mesozoic, the realm of the SCS has experienced the subduction of the paleo-Pacific (Taylor and Hayes, 1983). After a Cretaceous to Paleogene period of extension and rifting, which affected tectonic deformation in the upper crust (Savva et al., 2014) and the rheological properties of the lower crust (Ros et al., 2017) and resulted in the formation of numerous NE–SW-trending half-grabens (Tang et al., 2014), the continental fragments, including the Nansha, Reed Bank, Palawan, and Mindoro Blocks, were finally separated from the South China continent and drifted southward to their current position as the transition from plate subduction to seafloor spreading occurred during the Cenozoic (Kudrass et al., 1986).

2.2 Sample description

The borehole NK-1 drilled on the Meiji Atoll of the southern SCS continental margin penetrated the volcanic basement that consists of volumes of dacitic, interbedded with basaltic and andesitic rocks from 1010 to 2020 mbsf (meters below sea floor). The studied andesitic rocks were interbedded with the dacites and basalts. The depth of the andesitic rocks collected from the borehole NK-1 is 1319.06–1446.09 mbsf, and the thickness of the andesitic rocks ranges from 0.05 m to 0.2 m. The andesitic rocks are dark gray in color with massive structures, commonly with porphyritic texture consisting of subhedral phenocrysts or microphenocrysts including plagioclases and pale green-brown amphiboles (Figure 2). These andesites also show calcite, sericite, chlorite, epidote, and iron oxides as secondary phases. The groundmass is characterized by randomly distributed acicular plagioclase laths and amphibole crystallites embedded in cryptocrystalline materials.

Figure 2

Figure 2. Representative hand-specimen and photomicrographs for the andesitic rocks from the Meiji Atoll, southern South China Sea: (a,b) Andesite hand-specimen with phenocrysts of plagioclase and amphibole; (c,d) Thin section photomicrographs of sericite-altered plagioclase and chlorite-altered amphibole phenocrysts with different sizes; (d) Amphibole phenocrysts are variably acicular to fibrous in habit; (e,f) Amphibole phenocrysts are idiomorphic in habit; Abbreviations: Pl, plagioclase; Amp, amphibole.

3 Analytical techniques

The U-Pb dating and Hf-O isotopes of the zircons from andesites, bulk-rock and mineral major and trace elements, and Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb isotopes of the andesites were all carried out in the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IGGCAS), in Beijing, China. Analytical results are presented in the Supplementary Tables S1–S7.

3.1 Zircon U-Pb ages and Hf-O isotopes of the andesites

Zircons were separated from four andesite samples, using conventional hydroseparation and magnetic methods, followed by handpicking under a binocular microscope. The zircon grains were mounted in an epoxy resin disk, polished, and coated with gold. These grains were examined and imaged before analysis using a transmitted and reflected optical microscope and cathodoluminescence to determine crystal shapes and internal structures and to pick positions for spot analyses. Zircon U-Pb dating was undertaken by a CAMECA IMS-1280HR ion microprobe. The analytical procedures for zircon U-Pb geochronology were similar to those of Li X.-H. et al. (2009). Uncertainties of isotope ratios were at the 1σ level, and the calculated ages are reported for 2σ confidence. Data reduction was carried out using Isoplot 3.0 (Ludwig, 2000). The Qinghu zircon standard was used as an unknown sample to check the stability and accuracy of the measurement process. The operating condition was described by Li X. et al. (2009). Oxygen isotopes were examined using the CAMECA IMS-1280 ion microprobe, following the description of Li X.-H. et al. (2009) and Li et al. (2010). After U-Pb dating and O isotopic analysis of zircons, in situ zircon Lu-Hf isotope analyses were performed using a Neptune MC-ICP-MS equipped with a 193-nm laser ablation system. The detailed analytical procedure and correction for interference are similar to those of Wu et al. (2006). The obtained weighted mean ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios of the zircon standard Mud Tank and SA01 agree with the recommended values (Woodhead and Hergt, 2007).

3.2 Whole-rock major and trace elements

The altered or weathered portion of the andesites was excised, and the remaining parts of the blocks were cut into small pieces. Half of these pieces were polished into thin sections, and the remaining rock chips were crushed and then powdered to a grain size of 200 mesh in an agate mill for bulk-rock analyses. Bulk-rock major element compositions were determined by the AXIOS Minerals X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry on fused lithium-tetraborate glass beads. The analytical precision for major elements ranges from 1% to 3%. Bulk-rock trace elements (including rare earth elements) were analyzed by an Agilent 7500a inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), following the description of Yang J. H. et al. (2012). The powdered samples (approximately 50 mg) were dissolved in high-pressure Teflon vessels using a highly purified HF + HNO₃ mixture for 5 days at 150 °C. Rhodium (Rh) was added as an internal standard to monitor signal drift during analysis. Standard materials BIR-1a, RGM-2, GSR-3, and BHVO-2, which were analyzed along with samples, were used for analytical quality control, indicating the analytical errors were better than 5%.

3.3 Major and trace element analysis for mineral

Major element compositions of amphibole from andesites using a JEOL JXA-8100 electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) operated in wavelength-dispersive spectrometer (WDS) mode. Operating conditions included an accelerating voltage of 15 kV, a beam current of 20 nA, a beam size of 5 μm, and counting times of 20–60 s. Energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) in combination with backscattered electron scanning (BSE) imaging was used to select spot locations for quantitative in situ analysis. The amphiboles were analyzed for Na, Cr, Mg, Si, Mn, K, Al, Ti, Fe, Ca, F, Cl, and Ni. The standard minerals and synthetic oxides used in these analyses for calibration included albite (Na), chromium oxide (Cr), olivine (Mg), bustamite (Mn), K-feldspar (K), jadeite (Al), rutile (Ti), magnetite (Fe), riebeckite (F), tugtupite (Cl), and diopside (Ca and Si). Atomic number-absorption-fluorescence (ZAF) correction routines were used to process the raw analytical results. The accuracy was better than 1%–5% for major elements (≥1wt%), and that of the minor element (<1 wt%) analyses was better than 10%. The precision was better than 1 wt% for element oxides. The analytical results of major and minor elements for amphibole are presented in Supplementary Table S6.

In situ trace element contents of amphibole and zircon were determined by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) employing an Agilent 7500a Q-ICP-MS instrument (Agilent Technologies, United States) coupled to a 193 nm ArF excimer laser system (Geolas HD, Lambda Physik, Göttingen, Germany). The approach is similar to those outlined in Xie et al. (2008) and Wu et al. (2018), with isotopes measured using a peak-hopping mode with a laser beam diameter of ca. 60 μm and a 6 Hz repetition rate. The laser energy density is ∼4.0 J/cm². Helium gas was employed as the carrier gas to improve the transportation efficiency of ablated aerosols, and nitrogen gas was used as an additional gas to enhance sensitivity. Before analyzing the amphibole and zircon, the LA-ICP-MS system was optimized using NIST SRM 610 reference glass as the calibration material to achieve the maximum signal intensity and low oxide rates. Glass reference materials ARM-1 (Wu et al., 2019) and BCR-2G were also analyzed for data quality control. Multiple or single LA analyses for Amp were undertaken in conjunction with single-electron microprobe analyses during the experiment. Silicium (²⁹Si) content values previously obtained by electron probe microanalysis were used as an internal standard to quantify elemental concentrations of amphibole and zircon. Off-line selection and integration of background and analyte signals, time-drift corrections, and quantitative calibrations were performed using the GLITTER program (Griffin et al., 2008) for data reduction. The measured values of reference materials were in agreement with the recommended values. For most trace elements (>0.10 μg/g), the accuracy is better than ±10% with analytical precision (1 RSD) of ±10%. The analytical results of trace element compositions for amphibole and zircon are presented in Supplementary Table S5, S7, respectively.

3.4 Whole-rock Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb isotopes

Measurements of the Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic ratios were performed using a Neptune Plus multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer following the description of Yang et al. (2010). The powdered samples (about 100 mg) were dissolved in high-pressure Teflon vessels using a highly purified, concentrated HF + HNO₃+HClO₄ (2 mL+1 mL + 0.2 mL) mixture for 7 days at 150 °C. The solutions were then evaporated to fume HClO₄. A 1-mL aliquot of 6 M HCl was added to the Teflon vessel and dried, and then this procedure was repeated once. After it cooled, 5 mL of 3 M HCl was added to the residue. The Teflon vessel was placed on a hot plate at 100 °C for 12 h, and then the sample solution was loaded onto pre-conditioned 2 mL Ln Spec resin.

Light and middle rare earth elements (LMREE) were eluted first, and then the Lu (+Yb) fraction was eluted. After separating the Ti from Hf, Hf (+Zr) was extracted from the column with HF. Then, the solution of Hf (+Zr) was evaporated to dryness, and 1 mL of 2% HNO3 was added to the residue. The solution was ready for Hf analysis. The solution of LMREE was dried and re-dissolved in 1.5 mL of 2.5 M HCl. After loading the solution into a quartz column packed with AG50W-X12, Rb and Sr were eluted. Then, the LMREE fraction was stripped out with 6 mL of 6 M HCl. After the LMREE collections were dried and re-dissolved in 0.5 mL of 0.25 M HCl, the solutions were loaded onto Ln Spec resin. Then, the Nd and Sm were eluted by an appropriate amount of acid.

The measured ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd and ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios were corrected for mass fractionation using ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.1194, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0.7219, and ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf = 0.7325, respectively. During the analytical sessions, the measured values for the NBS987 Sr standard, the JNdi-1 Nd standard, and the Alfa Hf standard were 0.710277 ± 24 (2σ, n = 10) for ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, 0.512107 ± 10 (2σ, n = 10) for ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd, and 0.282192 ± 14 (2σ, n = 12) for ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf, respectively. BHVO-2 and BIR-1 were measured along with the samples and gave rise to the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd, and ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios of 0.703481 ± 12 and 0.703101 ± 11, 0.512987 ± 12 and 0.513124 ± 13, and 0.283087 ± 10 and 0.283247 ± 20, respectively, which are in accordance with the reference values (GeoREM, http://georem.mpch-mainz.gwdg.de/). The total procedure blanks for the Sr isotope, Nd isotope, and Hf isotope were 240 pg, 70 pg, and 50 pg, respectively.

Measurement of the Pb isotopic ratio was performed using a Thermofisher Triton Plus multi-collector thermal ionization mass spectrometer following the description of Li et al. (2015). The powdered samples (approximately 100–120 mg) were completely dissolved in a Savillex Teflon screw-cap beaker using a highly purified concentrate HF + HNO₃ mixture for 7 days at 160 °C. The Pb fraction with high purity was separated from the rock matrix using a HBr-HCl elution procedure on Teflon columns containing ∼0.15 mL anion resin (AG1-X8, 100–200 mesh). The whole chemical procedural blank of Pb was approximately 200 pg. The Pb fraction with high purity was re-dissolved using a mixture solution of silica gel and H₃PO₄ and loaded onto a single-Re filament. International standard NIST 981 was used to monitor instrument stability during the period of data collection and correct mass fractionation. Measured Pb isotopic ratios were corrected for instrumental mass fractionation of 1.2‰ per atomic mass unit by reference to repeated analyses of the NIST 981 Pb standard.

4 Results

4.1 Geochronology

The elected zircons extracted from four andesite samples are mostly euhedral to subhedral in morphology, transparent, and light brown in color. Cathodoluminescence (CL) images show numerous blurry concentric zoning with low to variable luminescence (Figure 3), with variable Th (5.0–784 ppm), U (22.0–930 ppm), and higher Th/U ratios (0.24–1.95) than metamorphic-derived zircons (<0.1), revealing a magmatic origin. Some zircons from the sample NK-1-V2-91 show inherited cores with growth rims, implying the occurrence of inherited zircon crystals. The size of the zircons is from 40 μm to 100 μm in width, with the length to width ratios from 3:2 to 3:1. Four of 12 zircon grains from the sample NK-1-V2-91 yield concordant ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 221.7 ± 3.6 Ma (MSWD = 0.12, n = 4) with a weighted mean age of 221.5 ± 7.9 Ma (MSWD = 0.39, n = 4), which represent the crystallization age of andesitic magma. The remaining eight ancient zircons, with ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages between 1898 and 2467 Ma, represent the crystallization ages of inherited zircons entrained by the andesitic magma.

Figure 3

Figure 3. Cathodoluminescence images of representative zircons analyzed for U-Pb ages, Lu-Hf, and O isotopes (a–d). Small ellipses indicate the SIMS analytical spots for U-Pb and O isotopes, and the large circles denote the LA-MC-ICP-MS analytical spots for Lu-Hf isotopes. SIMS spots are 30 microns in length for scale. Rare earth elements (REE) patterns of zircon grains determined by in situ analysis (LA-ICP-MS) for the Meiji andesites (e). The values of continental and ocean crust zircons are from Grimes et al. (2007), and the normalized values for chondrite are from Sun and McDonough (1989).

All 24 U-Pb analyses for NK-1-V2-139 yield ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages between 207 Ma and 227 Ma with a weighted mean age of 217.7 ± 2.1 Ma (MSWD = 1.8, n = 24), representing the crystallization age of NK-1-V2-91. Zircons from NK-1-V2-166 yield a lower intercepted age of 222.8 ± 2.4 Ma, which is identical to their weighted average ²⁰⁷Pb-corrected ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages within uncertainties, that is, 223.1 ± 2.0 Ma. Zircons from NK-1-V2-171 yield concordant ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 225.6 ± 3.0 Ma (MSWD = 0.38, n = 12) with a weighted mean age of 225.7 ± 3.8 Ma (MSWD = 2.8, n = 12), interpreted as the crystallization age of the sample (Figure 4).

Figure 4

Figure 4. SIMS zircon U-Pb concordia diagram (a,b,d) and Terra–Wasserburg plots (c) for andesites from Meiji Atoll, southern South China Sea.

4.2 Whole-rock geochemistry and Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb isotopic compositions

The whole-rock geochemistry results for four andesites from the Meiji Atoll are listed in Supplementary Table S2. In the plots of SiO₂ versus Nb/Y diagram (Winchester and Floyd, 1977) (Figure 5a), the andesitic rocks plot predominantly within the field of andesite. In the plots of Th versus Co diagram (Hastie et al., 2007) (Figure 5b), the andesites predominantly fall in the fields of high-K calc-alkaline and/or shoshonite series. After normalizing all major element compositions to 100% anhydrous, major element data on the andesites show limited variation in SiO₂ content (57.8–61.7 wt%), Al₂O₃ content (14.8–18.7 wt%), CaO content (3.61–7.48 wt%), MgO content (1.37–2.91 wt%), TFe₂O₃ content (7.40–9.48 wt%), TiO₂ contents (0.71–1.68 wt%), and LOI (loss on ignition) content (0.80–1.89 wt%). The content of total alkali (Na₂O+ K₂O) ranges from 3.82 wt% to 9.83 wt%, and the Mg^# also shows a wide variation with 28.57–43.19 (Figure 6a). Furthermore, most of the major elements for andesites show relatively linear trends on Harker diagrams (Figures 6b-d), such as Al₂O₃ (Figure 6b).

Figure 5

Figure 5. (a) Nb/Y vs. SiO₂ (after Winchester and Floyd, 1976), (b) Co vs.Th diagram (after Hastie et al., 2007), (c) (La/Yb)_N vs. (Yb)_N (after Defant and Drummond, 1990), and (d) Sr/Y vs. Y diagrams for Meiji andesites. Dacitic rocks from Wei et al. (2021).

Figure 6

Figure 6. (a) Mg^# vs. SiO₂. The fields of normal arc lava and high-Mg andesite are from Gan et al. (2020). (b) Al₂O₃ vs. SiO₂. (c) CaO vs. SiO₂. (d) CaO/Al₂O₃ vs. SiO₂. (e) ε_Nd(t) vs. La/Nb (after Gan et al., 2020 and references therein). (f) ε_Nd(t) vs. SiO₂. The DM (depleted mantle) is marked by SiO₂ = 45 wt%, Nd = 4.0 ppm, ε_Nd(t) = +8.0, and Nb/La = 0.75, its derivation is marked by SiO₂ = 48 wt%, Nd = 20 ppm, ε_Nd(t) = +8.0, and Nb/La = 0.75, and the SCB crustal rock is marked by SiO₂ = 70 wt%, Nd = 26.3 ppm, εNd(t) = −15.0 (Gan et al., 2020). Basaltic rocks from Wei et al. (2021).

Samples have ΣREE concentrations ranging from 74 ppm to 386 ppm, with Ni ranging from 2.32 ppm to 9.10 ppm, Cr ranging from 18.4 ppm to 64.7 ppm, and Co ranging from 9.11 ppm to 23.8 ppm for the transitional trace element compositions. Four andesites show subparallel trace element patterns resembling those of average continental arc andesites on the chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns (Figure 7a). On the primitive mantle-normalized trace element diagrams (Figure 7b), they are characterized by variable enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREEs) and large ion lithophile elements (LILEs, e.g., Rb, K, U, and Pb) and depletion of high-field strength elements (HFSEs, particularly Nb, Ta, and Ti) compared to normal mid-ocean ridge basalts (N-MORB), with (La/Yb)_N ratios of 4.9–8.6. Weak negative Eu anomalies are observed in the andesitic samples (Eu/Eu* = 0.6–0.9).

Figure 7

Figure 7. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns and primitive mantle-normalized trace element diagrams (a,b) represent andesites; (c–j) represent the amphibole phenocrysts for the Meiji dacites. Data source: Normalized values for chondrite and primitive mantle are from Sun and McDonough (1989). Average continental arc andesites are from Kelemen et al. (2003), and Meiji basaltic rocks are from Wei et al. (2021).

Whole-rock Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb isotopic data of the andesites are listed in Supplementary Table S2. The initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios and ε_Nd(t) and ε_Hf(t) values were recalculated based on the corresponding zircon U-Pb ages. The andesites have relatively high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7083–0.7113) and display relatively limited variation in ε_Nd(t) values of −6.07 to −4.91 and ε_Hf(t) values of −7.70 to −2.16, with old Nd (1477–1675 Ma) and Hf (1172–1918 Ma) model ages. On the plot of ε_Hf(t) versus ε_Nd(t) isotopic diagram (Figure 8a), these samples define a subparallel linear trend resembling the Terrestrial Array (ε_Hf(t) = 1.33 × ε_Nd(t) + 3.19 (Vervoort et al., 2011)), without significant Nd-Hf isotopic decoupling. The initial ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of the calc-alkaline andesites are generally higher than those of interbedded and intercalated basaltic rocks but lower than the volumes of dacites drilled from Meiji Atoll. All samples define the positive correlations in (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i vs. (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i and (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i vs. (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i diagrams (Figures 8c,d), subparallel to the Northern Hemisphere Reference Line (NHRL). In the plot of (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i vs. (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i diagram (Figure 8c), the andesites plot significantly above the NHRL and to the right side of the 4.55 Ga geochron line. They also show similar (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i, (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i, and (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i ratios to the enriched mantle 2 (EM−Ⅱ) components, Middle to Late Jurassic basaltic rocks, and crust-derived suites in the Cathaysia Block.

Figure 8

Figure 8. (a) ε_Nd(t) vs. ε_Hf(t) (after Feng et al., 2020 and references therein) diagram for the andesites; (b) Zircon Hf-O isotopic compositions for the andesites. Zircons from Meiji dacites (Wei et al., 2021), Triassic S-type granites (Jiao et al., 2015), and Early Jurassic igneous rocks (Yang et al., 2020) of the South China Block are plotted for comparison. The dotted lines are two-component mixing trends between depleted mantle- and S-type granite-derived magmas. Hf_pm/Hf_c is the ratio of the Hf content of the depleted mantle-derived magma (pm) over that of the crustal melt (c), and the open pentagrams are at 10% mixing increments, assuming mantle zircon has an ε_Hf value of +12 and a δ¹⁸O value of 5.3‰, and S-type granite zircon has an ε_Hf value of −12 and a δ¹⁸O value of 10‰. (c,d) (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i vs. (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i and (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i vs. (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i diagrams for the andesites. Data sources: Middle-Late Jurassic basaltic rocks in the Cathaysia Block (Xie et al., 2006; Wang et al., 2008); Middle–Late Jurassic crust-derived suites in the Cathaysia Block (Li et al., 2013); I-MORB (Indian MORB), P&N-MORB (Pacific and Atlantic MORB), OIB, NHRL, and 4.55 Ga geochron (Hart, 1984; Barry and Kent, 1998; Hofmann, 2003). (e) The U-Pb age and ε_Hf(t) values for zircon grains extracted from Meiji andesites. Zircons from Meiji dacites (Wei et al., 2021), magmatic and inherited zircons from SCB (Yang et al., 2020), and zircons from the Chimei complex of Taiwan (Shao et al., 2015) are plotted for comparison. (f) Relative U-Pb age probability and histogram plots of Precambrian xenocrystic/inherited zircons from igneous rocks of the eastern SCB (Wang et al., 2020).

4.3 Amphibole major and trace element compositions

The amphibole phenocrysts within the host andesites have been selected for in situ microprobe and laser ablation studies. Major and trace elements of amphiboles are listed in Supplementary Tables S6, S7, respectively. According to the nomenclature of Leake et al. (1997), the amphiboles from the Meiji andesites are mainly magnesio-hornblende, pargasite (^VIAl > Fe³⁺), and magnesio-hastingsite (^VIAl < Fe³⁺), with slight variations to actinolite, ferro-hornblende, and ferro-edenite (Figures 9a,b). These amphiboles are characterized by highly variable Mg^# values ranging from 0.34 to 0.78 for NK-1-V2-91, 0.48 to 0.83 for NK-1-V2-139, 0.65 to 0.96 for NK-1-V2-166, and 0.59 to 0.84 for NK-1-V2-171. The silica content ranges from 5.89 a.p.f.u to 7.55 a.p.f.u for NK-1-V2-91, 5.87 a.p.f.u to 7.56 a.p.f.u for NK-1-V2-139, 5.79 a.p.f.u to 7.52 a.p.f.u for NK-1-V2-166, and 5.86 a.p.f.u to 7.47 a.p.f.u for NK-1-V2-171. The alkali content (Na + K) is up to 0.70 a.p.f.u, and the Ti content is as high as 0.53 a.p.f.u. They show large variations in Cr (4.28–1290 ppm) and Ni (0.52–20.3 ppm) concentrations. The chondrite-normalized pattern of REE (Figures 7c-j) in amphibole phenocrysts is slightly convex upward with variable enrichment in middle-REEs (MREEs) relative to LREEs and HREEs (La_N/Sm_N = 0.16–0.83 and Gd_N/Yb_N = 0.85–2.04). Slightly to significantly negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.45–1.01) are also observed in these amphibole grains. The incompatible trace element diagram reveals variable depletion in Th, U, and P and enrichment in Rb, Ba, and K relative to the neighboring immobile elements (Figure 7).

Figure 9

Figure 9. Chemical classification of the amphibole phenocrysts from the andesites after Leake et al. (1997) (a,b). Amphibole trace element Nb vs. Ba (c) and Zr (d) diagrams for drilled andesites.

4.4 Zircon trace elements, Lu-Hf, and O isotopic compositions

The trace element compositions of dating zircon grains were applied to monitor the geochemical signatures of their host magmas and elucidate the tectonic setting of drilled andesites (Supplementary Table S5). Chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns for most of the analyzed zircon grains display significant positive Ce anomalies and negative Eu anomalies (Figure 3e), consistent with their magmatic origin. They are also characterized by the enrichment of HREEs and depletion of LREEs. The Yb and Hf contents of the analyzed zircons show relatively wide ranges of 13.78–851 ppm and 164–13,228 ppm, respectively. Nb and Y concentrations are also variable, with ranges of 0.88–9.0 ppm and 99.4–2033 ppm, respectively.

The results of in situ zircon Lu-Hf and O isotopic compositions from four andesite samples are listed in Supplementary Table S3. For the sample NK-1-V2-91, the initial ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios of Late Triassic zircons vary from 0.282555 to 0.282578, and the calculated ɛ_Hf(t) values range from −2.93 to −1.99 (Figure 8e), with a T_DM1(Hf) from 954 Ma to 979 Ma and T_DM2(Hf) from 1377 Ma to 1433 Ma. Meanwhile, the initial ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios of the remaining eight inherited zircons from NK-1-V2-91 vary from 0.281308 to 0.281446, and the calculated ɛ_Hf(t) values range from −6.26 to 2.85, with a T_DM1(Hf) from 2499 Ma to 2699 Ma and T_DM2(Hf) from 2641 Ma to 3060 Ma. For the samples NK-1-V2-139, 166, and 171, the initial ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios vary from 0.282197 to 0.282680, and the calculated ɛ_Hf(t) values range from −5.67 to 1.31, with a T_DM1(Hf) from 810 Ma to 1067 Ma and T_DM2(Hf) from 1157 Ma to 1588 Ma. Furthermore, these andesites also show large variations in zircon δ¹⁸O values from 4.0‰ to 9.0‰ (Supplementary Table S3; Figure 8b).

5 Discussion

5.1 Timing of the volcanism in Meiji Atoll

Previous geochronological studies have focused mainly on the volumes of dacites that are closely intercalated with andesites. In this study, a limited range of zircon U-Pb ages, 217.9–219.1 Ma, from dacites was believed to represent the eruption age of the volcanism (Miao et al., 2021; Wei et al., 2021). Nevertheless, the SIMS zircon U-Pb dating results from this study provide new constraints on the timing of intermediate volcanism erupted in Meiji Atoll, SCS. The older concordant ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U zircon ages (225.6 ± 3.0 Ma), ²⁰⁷Pb-corrected ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages (223.1 ± 2.0 Ma), similar weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages (217.7 ± 2.1 Ma), and concordant ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages (221.7 ± 3.6 Ma) for the formation age of andesites record a protracted volcanic history that is slightly longer than previously thought. Therefore, we consider that the volcanic rocks in the Meiji Atoll were erupted during the Late Triassic. Furthermore, the ancient inherited zircons (1898–2509 Ma) carried by the andesitic magma (sample NK-1-V2-91) shed new light on the Precambrain continental basement component within blocks in the SCS.

5.2 Petrogenesis

5.2.1 Effects of alteration, crustal assimilation, and fractional crystallization

The Meiji calc-alkaline andesites are characterized by low loss on ignition (LOI) values (0.80–1.89 wt%; Supplementary Table S2) and the fresh appearance of hand specimens, indicating that the effect of post-magmatic hydrothermal alteration on the composition of andesites is insignificant. Furthermore, the similar chondrite- and primitive mantle-normalized element patterns are also consistent with the few effects of alteration on their trace element compositions (Figure 7). The positive correlations between HFSEs (e.g., Nb, Ta, Ti, and Hf), REEs, U, Th, Y, and Zr concentrations (Figures omitted) for andesites indicate that these elements were immobile during the alteration. The Sr, Nd, Hf, and Pb isotopic data of the Meiji calc-alkaline andesites have not been significantly disturbed by alteration, as indicated by the relatively uniform Sr, Nd, Hf, and Pb isotopic ratios and the scattered trends between LOI and Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb isotopic compositions. Therefore, HFSEs and Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb isotopic ratios can be used to reveal the primary magmatic signatures for the Meiji andesites.

Considering that these andesitic rocks travel through the continental crust before erupting to the surface, a series of low-pressure magmatic processes, including crustal contamination and fractional crystallization, might have affected the geochemical composition of the samples. The presence of inherited zircons and enrichment of Pb anomalies in primitive mantle-normalized multi-element pattern samples supports the idea that they have experienced variable crustal assimilation before eruption. Higher initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios, lower ε_Nd(t) and ε_Hf(t) values, higher Th/Nb ratios, and arc-like Nb-Ta depletion signatures typical of continental crust may be attributed to the involvement of crustal materials during the ascent of the magmas (Rudnick and Gao, 2013). The negative correlation between ε_Nd(t) and (Th/Nb)_N can be used to assess the degree of crustal contamination based on the observations that the Nd isotopic composition and mantle-normalized ratios are sensitive to crustal contamination (Zhang et al., 2020). However, the lack of correlation between ε_Nd(t) and (Th/Nb)_N (Figure 6e) or other crustal contamination sensitive trace ratios (La/Yb, La/Sm, and Nb/Yb) was not consistent with significant crustal contamination. The absence of any correlation between the SiO₂ contents and either ε_Nd(t) or ε_Hf(t) values in the Meiji Atoll lavas also indicates a lack of significant crustal contamination (Figure 6f).

Simple modeling calculations (Gan et al., 2020) for SiO₂ contents and ε_Nd(t) values of the andesites indicate that high proportions of SCB crustal rocks (50%–60%) would be required to be added to a depleted mantle-derived melt to balance the observed element and isotope variations (Figure 6f). Such high proportions of crustal assimilation are not consistent with the relatively high ɛ_Hf(t) values (−5.67 to +1.31) recorded within the zircons of andesites. Simple modeling calculations for zircon δ¹⁸O and zircon ε_Hf(t) values of the andesites (Figure 8b) also indicate that under the condition of Hf_pm/Hf_c < 0.2 (the ratio of the Hf content of the depleted mantle-derived magma over that of the crustal melt), the Hf-O isotopic compositions of most Meiji andesitic zircons can be reproduced by mixing between a depleted mantle-derived melt (ε_Hf = + 12, δ¹⁸O = 5.3‰) and <10% crustal components (ε_Hf = - 12, δ¹⁸O = 10‰). Consequently, the negative Nb-Ta-Ti anomalies in andesites were most likely inherited from the primary magma, indicating that the overall enrichment trends of Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb isotopes recorded in the Meiji Atoll are most likely inherited from the primary magma and controlled by the contribution of subduction components.

Lower and variable Mg^# (28.57–43.19), Ni (2.32–9.10 ppm), and Cr (18.4–64.7 ppm) concentrations of low-Mg andesitic lavas than those of mantle-derived primary melts (Mg^#>68, Cr > 750 ppm and Ni > 300 ppm; Tatsumi and Ishizaka, 1982; Herzberg and O Hara, 2002) indicate that they have experienced either varying degrees of fractional crystallization of ferromagnesian minerals from a common parental magma or mixing of basaltic melts with crustal-derived melts. Despite the fact that the andesites are interbedded with dacites and basaltic rocks at different meters below sea floor (mbsf), the similarities between Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb isotopic compositions for different samples, the whole-rock trace element systematics, and major-trace element compositions of the amphibole phenocrysts suggest little evidence for magma mixing and indicate a cogenetic relationship for the four Meiji andesites. Decreases in CaO and CaO/Al₂O₃ with increasing SiO₂ in the Harker diagrams (Figures 6c,d) are consistent with clinopyroxene fractionation. The prominent Sr, Eu, and P negative anomalies in the primitive mantle-normalized trace element diagrams (Figure 7b) are likely to be associated with fractionation of plagioclase and apatite. Decreases in Fe₂O₃^T and TiO₂ with increasing SiO₂ are consistent with fractional crystallization of Fe-Ti oxides. The relatively flat HREE patterns are consistent with amphibole fractionation, which is further evidenced by amphibole phenocrysts present within the samples (Figure 2). In addition, slightly to significantly negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.45–1.01) observed in the amphibole phenocrysts indicate an earlier or nearly simultaneous fractionation of plagioclases (Figures 7c,e,g).

5.2.2 Petrogenesis of the Meiji andesites

The andesites show relatively high Mg^# (28.57–43.19), Ni (2.32–9.10 ppm) and Cr (18.4–64.7 ppm) concentrations, distinct from those of materials or melts derived from the continental crust (e.g., Yan et al., 2010; Bai et al., 2025), indicating that these andesitic magma were likely derived from the partial melting of a mantle source. This is also supported by the observation that some zircon grains from the andesites show relatively high ɛ_Hf(t) values and mantle-like O isotopic compositions (δ¹⁸O = 5.3‰ ± 0.6‰). On the other hand, the andesites are calc-alkaline (Figure 5b), enriched in LILEs (e.g., Rb, Th, and U) and depleted in HFSEs (e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti) (Figure 7b). The Nb/U ratios (8.19–31.03, average of 14) of the samples are significantly lower than those of middle ocean ridge basalt (MORB) and ocean island basalt (OIB) (Nb/U = 47; Hofmann et al., 1986) but similar to the estimates for continental arc volcanics (Nb/U = 12; Kelemen et al., 2003). The sample plot within the field of island arc calc-alkaline andesite-dacite-rhyolite on the Sr/Y vs. Y and (La/Yb)_N vs. (Yb)_N diagrams (Figures 5c,d), which is also consistent with abundant amphibole phenocrysts in primary hydrous magmas.

In the diagrams of chondrite-normalized rare earth element patterns and primitive mantle-normalized multi-element variation, the Meiji andesites also exhibit roughly subparallel trace element characteristics to the average continental arc andesites (Figures 7a,b). Therefore, these trace element constraints provide a strong link with subduction-related melting. In addition, these andesites display variable zircon δ¹⁸O values (4.0‰–9.0‰), ε_Hf(t) values (−5.67 to +1.31), relatively enriched whole-rock initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7083–0.7113), ε_Nd(t) values (−6.07 to −4.91), and ε_Hf(t) values (−7.70 to −2.16). Most of the dataset from the zircon grains in this study plots within the field of “convergent continental margins” and “arc-related/orogenic” (Figure 10), indicating a typical continental arc-related magmatism.

Figure 10

Figure 10. Zircon trace element (a) Hf vs. U/Yb (Grimes et al., 2007); (b) Th vs. U/Yb (Gao et al., 2013); (c) Th/U vs. Nb/Hf (Hawkesworth and Kemp, 2006); (d) Th/Nb vs. Hf/Th (Yang J. et al., 2012) diagrams for drilled andesites.

All these geochemical features suggest that their parental magmas were directly derived from an enriched and fertile subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) with the addition of various amounts of crustal materials via subduction. Furthermore, despite being volumetrically larger, the interbedded Meiji basaltic rocks have higher MgO, Cr, and Ni and more depleted Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic compositions than the Meiji andesites. These features, in combination with a partial melting trend on the La-La/Yb diagram (Figure 11a), preclude the possibility of a fractional crystallization relationship originating from Meiji basaltic magma. The REE concentrations and ratios have been used to constrain the composition and degree of partial melting of a mantle source. For instance, the partial melting of spinel lherzolite has little effect on the Sm/Yb ratio, but the melting in the stable field of garnet will cause a strong fractionation effect (Aldanmaz et al., 2000). The samples plot in the field of spinel to garnet transition, indicating a lherzolitic mantle source and <20% partial melting (Figure 11b). Considering that the spinel is stable at ∼50–80 km depth, and garnet is stable at >80 km depth (Wyllie, 1981), it is likely that the andesites were derived from a subarc upper mantle source at depths less than 80 km.

Figure 11

Figure 11. (a) La/Yb vs. La (Gan et al., 2020) and references therein. (b) Sm/Yb vs. Sm. The melt curves are calculated using the non-modal batch melting equations of Shaw (1970). The dashed and solid lines are melting trends of the garnet lherzolite and spinel lherzolite (DM, depleted mantle, Sm = 0.3 ppm, Sm/Yb = 0.86, Mckenzie and O’Nions, 1991; SCLM, subcontinental lithospheric mantle, Sm = 0.6 ppm, Sm/Yb = 0.96; Aldanmaz et al., 2000). Partition coefficients are from the compilation of Mckenzie and O’Nions (1991). (c) Rb/Sr vs. Ba/Rb (Gan et al., 2020). (d) ɛNd_(t) vs. Ta/Th (Babazadeh et al., 2021). (e) Ba/La vs. Th/Yb. (f) U/Th vs. Th/Nb.

The Meiji calc-alkaline andesites contain volumes of amphibole phenocrysts that are hydrous phases and exhibit relatively high K₂O/Na₂O ratios, implying the potential contribution of potassic phases (e.g., phlogopite and amphibole) to the composition of metasomatized lithospheric mantle (Condamine and Médard, 2014). A comparison between trace elements can be used to identify the phlogopite and amphibole mineral phase that existed in a mantle source. Due to the different incompatibilities of Rb, Ba, and Sr in phlogopite and amphibole, phlogopite- or amphibole-bearing mantle-derived melts will exhibit different Rb/Sr and Ba/Rb ratios (Späth et al., 2001). The Meiji andesites are characterized by variably low Ba/Rb (2.53–5.83) with an average of 3.82 and high Rb/Sr (0.16–0.83) ratios with an average of 0.54 (Figure 11c), indicative of phlogopite as the main potassic phase in the metasomatized mantle source, followed by breakdown of them during mantle melting. This suggestion is consistent with the K-rich rather than Na-rich feature of high-K calc-alkaline and/or shoshonitic Meiji andesites (Figure 5b), given that the presence of amphibole in the mantle source would contribute to the enrichment of Na in the resulting melt even if amphibole was not totally exhausted (Condamine and Médard, 2014).

The generation of phlogopite rather than amphibole in the metasomatic mantle domains may be to some extent caused by loss of sodium during the previous dehydration at forearc depths. These andesitic rocks display significantly more enriched radiogenic isotope compositions than common mantle-derived oceanic arc basalt. This difference implies that either their mantle sources have been aged for a long time after metasomatic formation in the subarc mantle wedge or the crustal components in the mantle sources have ancient origins (Zheng et al., 2015; Chen et al., 2018).

In general, the arc-like geochemical features recorded in these samples reveal partial melting of metasomatized lithospheric mantle modified by slab-derived hydrous fluids or sediment-derived hydrous melts. Slab-derived fluids are characterized by relatively high U/Th and Ba/La ratios but low Th/Yb, (La/Sm)_N and Th/Nb ratios, whereas the sediment-derived melts often display relatively high Th/Yb, (La/Sm)_N and Th/Nb ratios but low U/Th and Ba/La ratios (Keppler, 1996). The oceanic sediment-derived melts generally display high Th and LREEs with elevated Th/Ce ratios, whereas oceanic crust-derived melts usually show low Th/La, Th/Nb, and Th/Yb ratios (Class et al., 2000; Prouteau et al., 2001). The andesites investigated here show stronger enrichment in Th relative to U, integrated with the presence of relatively high zircon δ¹⁸O values and low whole-rock and zircon ε_Hf(t) values, which allow us to infer the involvement of sediment-derived components in the mantle source. Furthermore, the high Th/Yb (up to 3.33) and Th/Nb (up to 0.63) ratios of the samples are consistent with input from sediment-derived melts, rather than slab-derived fluids and oceanic crust-derived melts (Figures 11e,f). Modeling calculations between Ta/Th and ε_Nd(t) also indicate that the subducted sediment components are dominated by sediment-derived melts (<5%) in the Meiji andesites (Figure 11d). Therefore, these features may imply that the Meiji calc-alkaline andesites mainly derived from a phlogopite-bearing metasomatized lithospheric mantle, which had been affected by subduction sediment compositions.

All amphibole phenocrysts from andesites show a relatively homogeneous chemical composition and consistently higher MREE over HREE in the diagram of chondrite-normalized REE pattern (Figures 7c,e,g,i), which is consistent with the partition coefficients for amphibole in an igneous process and implies a genetic link between them (Tiepolo et al., 2007). The absence of compositional zonation within amphiboles indicates fast cooling or re-equilibration at high temperature (Torres García et al., 2020). Considering the hydrothermal fluids are usually LREE-enriched (Michard, 1989), the marked depletion in LREEs (Figure 7) within these amphiboles also precludes the possibility that they are derived from interaction between an andesitic assemblage and LREE-rich aqueous fluids at subsolidus conditions.

In the primitive mantle-normalized multi-element variation diagrams (Figure 7), the LILEs (e.g., Rb, Ba, and Pb) and HFSEs (e.g., Nb, Ta, Ti, Zr, and Hf) of amphiboles exhibit a restricted range in concentrations, indicating that these elements were relatively immobile on the mineral scale. A systematic correlation between the most immobile elements (Nb) and relatively mobile (e.g., Ba) and relatively immobile elements (e.g., Zr) within the amphiboles also indicates that these elements are not significantly affected by secondary alteration and/or metamorphic disturbance (Figures 9c,d). Therefore, we can conclude that these amphibole phenocrysts likely preserve their primary igneous geochemical characteristics and record the evolutionary process at crustal depths.

5.3 Amphibole-melt thermobarometry

Thermobarometers based on Amp–melt compositions can be used to estimate the crystallization temperature and pressure of Amp in arc magmatic systems. The whole-rock compositions of andesite were assumed to be in equilibrium with the core of the Amp phenocrysts. Core compositions of Amp were used as tests for equilibrium by comparing the host-rock SiO₂ content with the result calculated for silicate liquid in equilibrium with Amp (Putirka, 2016). The Fe-Mg exchange coefficients between Amp and melt [K_d(Fe-Mg)^Amp-liq] were employed as an additional test for the Amp–liquid pairs.

For the application of thermobarometry, we consider as suitable only core compositions from Amp crystals whose calculated melt SiO₂ differs by no more than 4.0 wt% from the SiO₂ content of the host rock (Maro et al., 2020) and the K_d(Fe-Mg)^Amp-liq values in the range 0.28 ± 0.11 (Putirka, 2016). In the Meiji andesites, most of the Amp is in equilibrium with the respective host rocks. There are also cases where the predicted melt SiO₂ for Amp is higher or lower by 4–16.8 wt% than the host rock composition and close to that of the basaltic and dacitic lavas (Figure 12a). This may imply a probable interaction between the basaltic, dacitic, and andesitic magma during the major magma recharge event of compositionally different magma. A minimum value of 3.5 wt% for melt H₂O concentration was assumed based on the stability of magnesio-hastingsite during the P-T calculations (Ridolfi et al., 2010).

Figure 12

Figure 12. (a) Relationship between Al_total in amphibole and the predicted SiO₂ content of coexisting liquid. (b) Calculated oxygen fugacity based on amphibole compositions using the method of Ridolfi et al. (2010). (c–h) Comparison of amphibole barometers. Amphibole barometers between Equation 7a of Putirka (2016)and Ridolfi et al. (2010) (c), Equation 1b of Ridolfi and Renzulli, (2012) (d), Equation 1c of Ridolfi and Renzulli, (2012), and (e) Equation 1d of Ridolfi and Renzulli, (2012) (f). A comparison of amphibole barometers between Equation 1b of Ridolfi and Renzulli (2012)and Ridolfi et al. (2010) (g) and Equation 1c of Ridolfi and Renzulli (2012) (h) is also shown.

We chose the Amp-melt thermometer [Equation 5 of Putirka (2016)] to estimate the crystallization temperature of the Amp phenocrysts in this study. All suitable Amp grains from different samples yield relatively low and consistent crystallization temperatures in the range from 898 °C to 977 °C with an uncertainty of ±30 °C (Putirka, 2016). In view of the dependence of pressure on water concentrations in the melt and the poor sensitivity of Al concentrations to pressure change (Putirka, 2016; Maro et al., 2020), the pressure estimates based on amphibole equilibria should be treated with caution. Here, we use multiple barometric calibrations to place constraints on the formation of the Amp phenocrysts. We compared the results obtained by using Equation 7a of Putirka (2016), Equations 1b–d of Ridolfi and Renzulli (2012), and the formula of Ridolfi et al. (2010). The calibration of Ridolfi et al. (2010) yields pressures that correlate well with those of Ridolfi and Renzulli (2012) (Figures 12g,h), even though both the numerical agreement and the correlation of the values are worse between Equation 7a of Putirka (2016), the formula of Ridolfi et al. (2010), and Equations 1b–d of Ridolfi and Renzulli (2012) (Figures 12c–f). We consider that the Ridolfi et al. (2010) and Ridolfi and Renzulli (2012) calibration itself does not incorporate melt H₂O concentration as an explicit parameter in their calibration equation, resulting in systematic discrepancies with the H₂O-dependent thermobarometric model of Putirka (2016) in our study. Although the Amp phenocrysts in the Meiji andesites exhibit discrepancies among different barometers (Supplementary Table S6), we emphasize that these data collectively denote relatively low crystallization pressures (2–6 kbar) within the mid-upper crust levels.

The values of oxygen fugacity (fO₂) estimates following Ridolfi et al. (2010) indicate relatively oxidized magma (0.77–2.47 log units above the nickel–nickel oxide (NNO) buffer for Amp in the Meiji andesites; Figure 12b). The positive correlation between the crystallization pressure and temperature (Figures 13a,b) using different Amp–melt equilibrium geothermobarometry, integrated with relatively high fO₂, may imply a continuous and cryptic Amp fractionation during the evolution of arc magmas despite the rare occurrence of Amp as a major mineral phase in erupted volcanic rocks (Davidson et al., 2007).

Figure 13

Figure 13. Calculated temperature and pressure based on amphibole compositions. (a) Using the method of Ridolfi et al. (2010) for pressure and Equation 5 of Putirka (2016) for temperature. (b) Using Equation 7a and Equation 5 of Putirka (2016) for pressure and temperature, respectively.

5.4 Sources of the xenocrystic/inherited zircons and basement of the Nansha Block

The identification of sources for the observed xenocrystic/inherited zircons from sample NK-1-V2-91 plays a key role in interpreting their age and exploring their geological implications. In general, various forming mechanism and sources were proposed to explain the occurrence of these xenocrystic and inherited zircons: 1) xenocrystic zircons captured by assimilation and contamination of sedimentary or igneous wall rocks during magma ascent and emplacement (Wang et al., 2020); 2) inherited zircons typically derived from intermediate and felsic host igneous rocks with sedimentary or igneous origins (e.g., S-type or I-type granites); 3) inherited zircons typically derived from SCLM modified by subducted oceanic crust-derived siliceous melts or aqueous fluids (Katayama et al., 2003; Jiang et al., 2020). Nine igneous zircons with high Th/U ratios (0.24–1.95) display ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages much older than the magma crystallization age (218–226 Ma), indicating that they are not formed in the andesitic magma itself. Most of these old zircons are subhedral or euhedral with prismatic morphologies and fine in size (Figure 4), precluding the possibility of long-distance transport (if it happened). They also exhibit fine rhythmic zoning, indicative of zircons crystallized from intermediate-acid magmas; hence, they do not originate from a metasomatized SCLM.

The andesitic arc magma entraining these zircons was hydrous as indicated by a large amount of Amp phenocrysts, which is also not consistent with the preservation of residual zircons from mantle sources (Harrison and Watson, 1983). Exposed Archean-Proterozoic basement rocks and mantle xenoliths carrying the underlying Precambrian lithospheric relics in eastern South China require a significant amount of ancient continental crust beneath the SCB (Wang et al., 2020), which is consistent with the age patterns of the Precambrian xenocrystic/inherited zircons from SCB (Figure 8f). Therefore, the old zircon xenocrysts observed in Meiji andesites should be originated from assimilation or contamination of wall rocks during magma ascent and emplacement, as demonstrated by the result of modeling calculations for zircon δ¹⁸O and zircon ε_Hf(t) values (Figure 8f) that the Hf-O isotopic compositions of most Meiji andesitic zircons can be reproduced by mixing between a depleted mantle-derived melt (ε_Hf = + 12, δ¹⁸O = 5.3‰) and <10% crustal components (ε_Hf = - 12, δ¹⁸O = 10‰). They are considered advantageous for revealing the composition of the assimilated crust beneath the Nansha Block.

The Nd model ages (1776–928 Ma) for the granitic rocks from two dredge stations in the Nansha Block have been interpreted to represent the existence of a Mid-Proterozoic crystalline basement, even though the corresponding Precambrian rocks are rarely exposed in the blocks dispersed in the SCS (Yan et al., 2010). The Meiji dacites and andesites also display similar Nd model ages (1390–1537 Ma and 1477–1675 Ma) to those of Nansha granitic rocks, suggesting that the basement of the Nansha Block may preserve a residual amount of ancient crustal materials. A significant inherited zircons with ages of 1898–2509 Ma generally show negative ε_Hf(t) (−6.3 to −1.6) except for two, 2.8 and 8.6, and a two-stage Hf model with a concentration of ages around 2623–3059 Ma, which verifies that there may have been initial crust in the Paleoproterozoic in the source area of the Nansha Block igneous rocks. These features, in combination with the extensive evidence for Precambrian basement rocks, occur in samples from other blocks of SCS that are believed to share an evolutionary history with the Nansha Block (Holloway, 1982; Kudrass et al., 1986; Hall et al., 2008; Yan et al., 2010). The identification of the oldest Cathaysia crystalline basement (the Badu Complex), including the high-grade metasedimentary rocks with a 2.5 Ga protolith (Yu et al., 2012) or a 1.9–1.8 Ga protolith (Zhao et al., 2015), and the associated 1.9–1.7 Ga granitoids and metabasic rocks (Liu et al., 2014), provides additional and compelling evidence for the existence of Paleoproterozoic crystalline basement within the Nansha Block similar to the Cathaysia Block, in view of the overlapping of the inherited zircons’ U-Pb age between the Meiji andesites in this study and the igneous rocks from the eastern SCB (Figure 8f).

5.5 Geodynamic implications

It is well known that calc-alkaline continental arc andesites distributed at convergent margins possess a similar composition in both major and trace elements to continental crust on average (Hans Wedepohl, 1995; Rudnick and Fountain, 1995). Hence, andesitic magmatism above the oceanic subduction zone is considered to have played a significant role in the generation of continental crust along convergent plate boundaries (Kelemen, 1995; Taylor and McLennan, 1995; Grove et al., 2012; Kelemen and Behn, 2016). Andean andesites in the western margin of South America were widely accepted as the typical products of long-lived oceanic–continental convergent margins commonly named “Andean-type margins” (Hildreth and Moorbath, 1988; Davidson et al., 1990; Stern, 2004). Similarly, active continental margin and subduction-related geodynamic settings have also been inferred for the eastern and southeastern Asian margin since the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic (Jahn et al., 1990; Zhou and Li, 2000; Li and Li, 2007; Li X.-H. et al., 2012; Metcalfe, 2013; Qiu et al., 2022). The widespread Mesozoic magmatism observed along the northern and southern (e.g., Meiji Atoll) SCS margins and the southeastern SCB demonstrates tectonic continuity between the SCS continental margin and SCB during the Mesozoic era (Qiu et al., 2014; Xu et al., 2017; Xu et al., 2022; Cui et al., 2021; Miao et al., 2021).

The andesitic arc volcanism at Meiji Atoll cannot be attributed to paleo-Tethys ocean subduction and closure, given that the Indo-China Block collided with the South China Block at 247–237 Ma, as constrained by geochronological data from the Ailaoshan–Songma suture zone rocks (Wang et al., 2013). The inferred collision (247–237 Ma) is unlikely to account for andesitic magmatism in this study as these andesites are significantly younger and were located east or southeast of the Ailaoshan–Songma suture prior to SCS basin opening. This spatial–temporal discrepancy precludes a paleo-Tethyan origin. The pre-rift paleo-position of Meiji Atoll along the SCB’s coastal margin aligns with the inferred Mesozoic arc belt (Li and Li, 2007; Wei et al., 2021). In addition, paleomagnetic results revealed a >60 ° clockwise rotation of the South China Block following its Early Triassic collision with the North China Block (Zhao and Coe, 1987). This implies the Nansha Block (including Meiji Atoll), located along the SCB’s southeastern coast pre-rifting, occupied an eastern position facing the paleo-Pacific during the Late Triassic.

The Late Triassic upper-section basalts and trachytes (980–1196 mbsf) from Meiji Atoll exhibit geochemical affinities with modern Mariana and Japan arc systems, providing compelling evidence for paleo-Pacific oceanic slab subduction beneath the South China margin as well (Xu et al., 2022). Consequently, the pre-rift southern SCS continental margin (including Nansha Block) was positioned along the southeastern SCB coast, dominantly controlled by paleo-Pacific plate subduction during early Mesozoic time. Once again, the drilled continental arc andesites in this study strengthen the conception of a now-vanished Andean-type convergent plate margin (Figure 14), genetically associated with subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate during the early Mesozoic and followed by growth and closure of marginal seas along the East Asia margin. Therefore, the identification of Meiji arc andesites penetrated by a borehole at the southern South China Sea continental margin shed new light on the lateral distribution and evolution of the arc system during the Late Triassic.

Figure 14

Figure 14. (a,c) Present-day geotectonic configuration; (b) Proposed Late Triassic tectonic evolution and associated arc magmatism adjacent to the South China Block. Meiji Atoll andesitic arc volcanism was produced in the South China continental margin as a result of paleo-Pacific slab subduction.

The buildup of this magmatic arc has been proposed to signals a major geodynamic switch from passive-margin to active-margin tectonics along the SE periphery of continental Asia, as indicated by the occurrence of 270–264 Ma ash-fall tuff layers in the Permian depositional record of SE China and widespread 267–262 Ma granitoid rocks on the island of Hainan (Li et al., 2006; Zhang et al., 2019). Additional, the remarkable change in regional palaeogeography from a carbonate platform in Carboniferous-earliest Permian to an elongated uplift with onset of clastic deposition along the southeastern coastal regions in mid-Early Permian is also coincident with the occurrence of a prominent zircon population in the Permian sandstone and siltstone units that crop out in E-SE China (Li X.-H. et al., 2012; Hu et al., 2015; Zhang et al., 2019), implying a significant change in the geodynamic evolution along the coast of SE China. The identification of continental sliver or ribbon continent with Cathaysia-type sources in the aspect of zircon xenocrysts beneath the Gagua Ridge of Philippine Sea and eastern Taiwan (Shao et al., 2015; Qian et al., 2021), together with previously reported borehole samples in the northern SCS margin and our newly dated ca. 218–226 Ma arc andesites in the southern SCS margin (Xu et al., 2017; Cui et al., 2021; Miao et al., 2021; Wei et al., 2021), highlighting the protracted Andean-type active-margin orogenic belt over space. This Andean-type active continental margin has been proposed to experience flat-slab subduction during the Triassic (ca. 250–190 Ma), as indicated by a predicted ∼1300 km-wide coastal magmatic gap (Li and Li, 2007; Li Z.-X. et al., 2012).

Following the end of the flat-slab subduction phase, a new continental arc was initiated after ca. 190 Ma, interpreted to represent the resumption of normal subduction along the coastal region (Li Z.-X. et al., 2012). In contrast, a certain number of approximately 200 Ma detrital zircons have been reported from metasedimentary borehole samples of the northern SCS basin recently, which is interpreted to reflect the close affinity of these sites to Hainan Island, which is outside of the proposed flat-slab subduction segment (Cui et al., 2021). In addition, the drilled volcanic rock series from Meiji Atoll of southern SCS was interpreted to reflect a spatial difference in distribution of arc magmatism along the SCB and possibly reveal the size of the subducted oceanic plateau (Wei et al., 2021). In combination with the Late Triassic andesites in this study, we cannot exclude the possibility that Meiji volcanic rocks, once distributed along the southern margin of the SCB, represent the earliest re-initiation of continental arc magmatism after a phase of flat-slab subduction.

6 Conclusion

SIMS zircon U-Pb dating results indicate that the andesites drilled from the Meiji Atoll of the southern South China Sea were generated during the Late Triassic (i.e., 217–226 Ma), which is consistent with previous zircon and apatite U-Pb ages. The andesitic rocks in this study are closely intercalated with dacites and basaltic rocks at different depths, suggesting that these volcanic rocks are contemporaneous and represent the Late Triassic volcanism along the southeast coast of the South China Block. Whole-rock geochemistry and trace element modeling suggest that the Meiji andesites were generated by <20% partial melting of phlogopite-bearing lherzolitic metasomatized lithospheric mantle, which had been affected by subduction sediment compositions as a response to the paleo-Pacific subduction during the Triassic. Amphibole-melt thermobarometry and mineral chemistry imply that the amphibole phenocrysts from the Meiji andesites record a continuous and cryptic amphibole fractionation confined to the upper-crustal level during the evolution of arc magmas. The old zircon xenocrysts observed in Meiji andesites originated from assimilation or contamination of wall rocks during magma ascent and emplacement, corroborating the existence of Paleoproterozoic crystalline basement beneath the Nansha Block and robust tectonic affinity with SCB. The Meiji Atoll volcanism reflects a spatial difference in the distribution of arc magmatism along the SCB or represents the earliest re-initiation of continental arc magmatism after a phase of flat-slab subduction of the paleo-Pacific.

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

WW: Project administration, Methodology, Data curation, Conceptualization, Writing – original draft, Investigation, Writing – review and editing. C-ZL: Validation, Conceptualization, Writing – review and editing, Funding acquisition, Supervision, Investigation, Project administration, Resources, Data curation. WY: Validation, Conceptualization, Project administration, Supervision, Resources, Writing – review and editing. L-FZ: Investigation, Conceptualization, Writing – review and editing.

Funding

The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (42302064 and 42025201) and the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDA13010106; XDA13010102).

Acknowledgments

We thank Guo-Qiang Tang, Yu Liu, Jiao Li, Xiao-Xiao Ling, Hong-Xia Ma, and Hu Tang for the help with SIMS U-Pb dating and O isotope analyses, Wei-Qi Zhang for whole-rock trace elements analyses, Yue-Heng Yang and Ya-Zhou Feng for whole-rock Sr-Nd-Hf isotope analyses, Chao-Feng Li for whole-rock Pb isotope analyses, and Chao Huang for zircon Lu-Hf isotope analyses.

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.

The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.

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Supplementary material

The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1657965/full#supplementary-material

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