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Derivation of P–T paths for Middle–Late Triassic very low-grade metapelite from Hongcan Well 1 in the Zoigê Depression and their tectonic implications

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  • Geology
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Chinese Science Bulletin

Abstract

Using XRD measurements of illite crystallinity, b 0 values of K-rich white micas and chemical compositions of chlorites combined with homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions in calcite, the metamorphic P–T conditions of very low-grade metapelites from different depths in the 7 km Hongcan Well 1 in the Zoigê Depression, Sichuan, China, have been obtained in this paper. Knowledge of the tectonic evolution of the studied basin allows us to derive geothermal curves for Middle and Late Triassic time (the geothermal peak) and the present day (from thermal logging of the borehole). The retrograde P–T tracks from clockwise P–T–t loops have been revealed by the plotting of individual samples on each geotherm, which can be interpreted by the lithospheric thickening due to sedimentation and folding followed by continuous uplift and erosion. A stratigraphic log indicates that the Well penetrates the steep limb of a fold which perturbed the peak geotherm and caused some P–T paths to cross.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Jishun Yu, Shu Zheng, and Mouchun He for their assistance with XRD measurements, electron probe microanalyses, and fluid inclusion analyses. We are grateful to Profs. Roger Mason, Lifei Zhang, and two anonymous reviewers for critical and constructive reviews of the manuscript. We thank Professor Roger Mason again for English polishing of the manuscript. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41302047) and the Special Fund for Basic Scientific Research of Central Colleges, Chang’an University (CHD2011JC185).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Earth Science and Resources, Chang’an University, Xi’an, 710054, China

    Yan Tang

  2. Faculty of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Longkang Sang, Rong Liu & Yanming Yuan

  3. Sinopec Exploration Southern Company, Chengdu, 610041, China

    Yunlong Yang

  4. Chengdu Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Chengdu, 610082, China

    Xianmao Qi

  5. Key Laboratory of Guizhou Geology and Mineral Bureau, Guizhou, 550004, China

    Jing Tan

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  1. Yan Tang
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Correspondence to Yan Tang.

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Tang, Y., Sang, L., Liu, R. et al. Derivation of P–T paths for Middle–Late Triassic very low-grade metapelite from Hongcan Well 1 in the Zoigê Depression and their tectonic implications. Chin. Sci. Bull. 59, 82–99 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-013-0051-2

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