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Tracing magma mixing in granite genesis: in situ U–Pb dating and Hf-isotope analysis of zircons

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Abstract

In situ zircon U–Pb and Hf-isotopic data have been determined for mafic microgranular enclaves and host granitoids from the Early Cretaceous Gudaoling batholith in the Liaodong Peninsula, NE China, in order to constrain the sources and petrogenesis of granites. The zircon U–Pb age of the enclaves (120 ± 1 Ma) is identical to that of the host monzogranite (120 ± 1 Ma), establishing that the mafic and felsic magmas were coeval. The Hf isotopic composition of the enclaves [ε Hf(t) = +4.5 to −6.2] is distinct from the host monzogranite [ε Hf(t) = −15.1 to −25.4], indicating that both depleted mantle and crustal sources contributed to their origin. The depleted mantle component was not previously revealed by geochemical and Nd and Sr isotopic studies, showing that zircon Hf isotopic data can be a powerful geochemical tracer with the potential to provide unique petrogenetic information. Some wall-rock contamination is indicated by inherited zircons with considerably older U–Pb ages and low initial Hf isotopic compositions. Hafnium isotopic variations in Early Cretaceous zircons rule-out simple crystal–liquid fractionation or restite unmixing as the major genetic link between enclaves and host rocks. Instead, mixing of mantle-derived mafic magmas with crustal-derived felsic magmas, coupled with assimilation of wall rocks, is compatible with the data.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Drs. Hong-Lin Yuan, Chun-Rong Diwu and Shan Gao of the Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Department of Geology, Northwest University, for assistance with collecting the analytical data. This work was financially supported by the National Science Foundation of China (NSFC grants 40325006 and 40203005) and “Funds for 100 Outstanding Talents Plan”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 9825, Beijing, 100029, China

    Jin-Hui Yang, Fu-Yuan Wu, Lie-Wen Xie & Yue-Heng Yang

  2. Department of Applied Geology, Curtin University of Technology, P.O. Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia

    Simon A. Wilde

  3. Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an, 750069, China

    Xiao-Ming Liu

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  1. Jin-Hui Yang
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Correspondence to Jin-Hui Yang.

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Communicated by T.L. Grove.

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Yang, JH., Wu, FY., Wilde, S.A. et al. Tracing magma mixing in granite genesis: in situ U–Pb dating and Hf-isotope analysis of zircons. Contrib Mineral Petrol 153, 177–190 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-006-0139-7

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