Early Cretaceous I‐type granites in the southwest Fujian Province: new constraints on the late Mesozoic tectonic evolution of southeast China

Abstract

Abstract Zircons from two samples of the Sukeng pluton in the southwest Fujian Province, China, were analyzed by LA–ICP–MS with the aim of determining the timing of formation. The zircons from the two samples yield similar U–Pb ages of 100.47 ± 0.42 and 102.46 ± 0.69 Ma, indicating that the Sufeng pluton is contemporaneous with the Sifang and Luoboling plutons, all of which are also related to Cu–Au–Pb–Zn–Mo mineralization within the study area. All three plutons have geochemical features of I‐type granites, are high‐ to mid‐K calc‐alkaline metaluminous rocks, and have average molar Al 2 O 3 / (CaO+Na 2 O+K 2 O) values of 0.95, initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios of 0.70465–0.70841, εNd(t) values at 101 Ma from –1.72 to –7.26, and two‐stage Nd model ages (T 2DM ) from 1.16 to 1.60 Ga. Zircons within these plutons have εHf(t) values at 101 Ma from –3.5 to 6.25 and T 2DM ages from 0.74 to 1.46 Ga, suggesting these I‐type granites formed from magmas generated by partial melting of Mesoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic continental crust that mixed with mantle‐derived magmas. The magmatism was associated with thickening of the lower crust caused by collisions between microcontinents in the Cathaysian Block, which were driven by Early Cretaceous subduction of the Pacific Plate.