The prograde metamorphic P–T conditions of eclogites correspond to the subduction processes of oceanic plates. The conditions may be recorded in mineral inclusions and the compositional zoning of garnets, and they play significant roles in revealing the dehydration depth, geothermal structure of the subduction plate and in understanding arc magmatism. The P–T conditions of the Baqing eclogite have been determined previously using traditional geothermobarometers and Ti-in-zircon geothermometers. To obtain more precise prograde metamorphic P–T conditions and details of the Paleo-Tethyan subduction process, we carried out phase equilibrium modeling for a newly collected Baqing eclogite sample. The sample is characterized by well-developed prograde zonings in metamorphic garnets with increasing Mg and decreasing Mn contents from cores to rims, a peak metamorphic mineral assemblage of garnet + omphacite + phengite + rutile + quartz, and a retrograde metamorphic mineral assemblage of amphibole + plagioclase that replaced omphacite. We calculated the peak metamorphic conditions of the Baqing eclogite using the Garnet–Omphacite–Phengite–Quartz thermobarometers to be 26.5 ± 1 kbar and 730 ± 60°C, consistent with the results (23.5–27.5 kbar, 730–750°C) calculated using a P–T pseudosection. The prograde metamorphic P–T conditions were constrained to be ~21.4 kbar and ~580°C using pyrope and grossular isopleths. These results are consistent with previous calculations for the Baqing eclogite. Eclogites of the Central Qiangtang metamorphic belt, the Baqing metamorphic complex, and Changning–Menglian metamorphic belt show parallel P–T paths with different geothermal gradients, that relate to their different protoliths but similar heating and burial processes during Triassic subduction of the Shuanghu Paleo-Tethyan oceanic plate.

The prograde metamorphic P–T conditions of eclogites correspond to the subduction processes of oceanic plates. The conditions may be recorded in mineral inclusions and the compositional zoning of garnets, and they play significant roles in revealing the dehydration depth, geothermal structure of the subduction plate and in understanding arc magmatism. The P–T conditions of the Baqing eclogite have been determined previously using traditional geothermobarometers and Ti-in-zircon geothermometers. To obtain more precise prograde metamorphic P–T conditions and details of the Paleo-Tethyan subduction process, we carried out phase equilibrium modeling for a newly collected Baqing eclogite sample. The sample is characterized by well-developed prograde zonings in metamorphic garnets with increasing Mg and decreasing Mn contents from cores to rims, a peak metamorphic mineral assemblage of garnet + omphacite + phengite + rutile + quartz, and a retrograde metamorphic mineral assemblage of amphibole + plagioclase that replaced omphacite. We calculated the peak metamorphic conditions of the Baqing eclogite using the Garnet–Omphacite–Phengite–Quartz thermobarometers to be 26.5 ± 1 kbar and 730 ± 60°C, consistent with the results (23.5–27.5 kbar, 730–750°C) calculated using a P–T pseudosection. The prograde metamorphic P–T conditions were constrained to be ~21.4 kbar and ~580°C using pyrope and grossular isopleths. These results are consistent with previous calculations for the Baqing eclogite. Eclogites of the Central Qiangtang metamorphic belt, the Baqing metamorphic complex, and Changning–Menglian metamorphic belt show parallel P–T paths with different geothermal gradients, that relate to their different protoliths but similar heating and burial processes during Triassic subduction of the Shuanghu Paleo-Tethyan oceanic plate.

When the Neo-Tethys subduction initiated has been a subject of debate, perhaps due to the lack of reliable evidence. This paper reports geochronological, geochemical, and Hf isotopic data for recently identified gabbro as well as diorite exposed in the Chanv area of the Gangdese in the southernmost margin of the western Lhasa block, western China. Zircon U–Pb dating indicates the Chanv magmatic rocks formed in two stages: latest Permian (gabbro, 254.8 ± 1.5 Ma) and Late Triassic (gabbro, 214.2 ± 2.0 Ma; diorite, 202.8 ± 1.1 Ma). Geochemical and Hf isotopic analyses reveal that the Chanv magmatic rocks of both stages have contrasting characters. The latest Permian gabbro has apparently higher TiO₂ concentrations (> 3 wt.%) than the Late Triassic gabbro (0.86–1.24 wt.%). Although they all are enriched in light rare-earth elements (LREEs), the latest Permian gabbro displays no depletions in Nb and Ta, while the Late Triassic gabbro and diorite are apparently depleted in these two elements. In addition, the zircons from the latest Permian gabbro are all characterized by positive ε_Hf(t) values whereas those from the Late Triassic gabbro dominantly by negative ε_Hf(t) values. Conventional plots using multi-elements or elemental ratios all indicate the latest Permian gabbro has inherent resemblance to intraplate oceanic-island basalt (OIB) whereas the Late Triassic gabbro and diorite are of distinct arc affinity. Therefore, The Chanv latest Permian–Late Triassic magmatic rocks testify a switch of the tectonic environment in the southernmost Eurasian margin from latest Permian post-break-up to Late Triassic arc-related setting and thus constrain the initiation of the Neo-Tethys subduction between 255 Ma and 214 Ma.

When the Neo-Tethys subduction initiated has been a subject of debate, perhaps due to the lack of reliable evidence. This paper reports geochronological, geochemical, and Hf isotopic data for recently identified gabbro as well as diorite exposed in the Chanv area of the Gangdese in the southernmost margin of the western Lhasa block, western China. Zircon U–Pb dating indicates the Chanv magmatic rocks formed in two stages: latest Permian (gabbro, 254.8 ± 1.5 Ma) and Late Triassic (gabbro, 214.2 ± 2.0 Ma; diorite, 202.8 ± 1.1 Ma). Geochemical and Hf isotopic analyses reveal that the Chanv magmatic rocks of both stages have contrasting characters. The latest Permian gabbro has apparently higher TiO₂ concentrations (> 3 wt.%) than the Late Triassic gabbro (0.86–1.24 wt.%). Although they all are enriched in light rare-earth elements (LREEs), the latest Permian gabbro displays no depletions in Nb and Ta, while the Late Triassic gabbro and diorite are apparently depleted in these two elements. In addition, the zircons from the latest Permian gabbro are all characterized by positive ε_Hf(t) values whereas those from the Late Triassic gabbro dominantly by negative ε_Hf(t) values. Conventional plots using multi-elements or elemental ratios all indicate the latest Permian gabbro has inherent resemblance to intraplate oceanic-island basalt (OIB) whereas the Late Triassic gabbro and diorite are of distinct arc affinity. Therefore, The Chanv latest Permian–Late Triassic magmatic rocks testify a switch of the tectonic environment in the southernmost Eurasian margin from latest Permian post-break-up to Late Triassic arc-related setting and thus constrain the initiation of the Neo-Tethys subduction between 255 Ma and 214 Ma.

The Ganzi–Litang fault zone, an outstanding tectonic element in the eastern Tibetan Plateau has been intensively debated as an in-situ suture zone marking relict of a subducted Palaeo-Tethyan oceanic crust or a failed intracontinental rift. This paper reports the garnet amphibolites discovered along the Ganzi–Litang fault zone, eastern Tibetan Plateau. These garnet amphibolites are characterized by the garnet–hornblende–rutile–sphene–plagioclase–quartz assemblage. Conventional geothermobarometry figures out the metamorphic temperature and pressure conditions at 582–626°C and 1.61–1.82 GPa, respectively. Geochemical analysis (no Nb–Ta deletions and left-inclined to flat patterns of rare-earth elements) indicates that the garnet amphibolites could represent metamorphic product of the mid-ocean-ridge (MORB)-type mafic rocks that were contaminated by a mantle plume. The protolith of the garnet amphibolites was dated at 236 Ma using in-situ U–Pb zircon method, and the retrograde metamorphism was dated at 218 Ma using in-situ U–Pb sphene method. A comprehensive analysis combined with the development of the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean and the Yidun arc through geologic time indicates a Triassic to Early Jurassic age (236–195 Ma) for the metamorphism of the garnet amphibolites. The low geothermal gradient of 9.8ºC/km and the N-MORB nature of the garnet amphibolites suggest a subduction-zone environment for the high-pressure metamorphism. Therefore, the Ganzi–Litang fault zone is a Palaeo-Tethyan suture separating the Yidun arc and the Songpan–Ganzi terrane, representing the relics of a branch of the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean that was contaminated by a mantle plume.

The Ganzi–Litang fault zone, an outstanding tectonic element in the eastern Tibetan Plateau has been intensively debated as an in-situ suture zone marking relict of a subducted Palaeo-Tethyan oceanic crust or a failed intracontinental rift. This paper reports the garnet amphibolites discovered along the Ganzi–Litang fault zone, eastern Tibetan Plateau. These garnet amphibolites are characterized by the garnet–hornblende–rutile–sphene–plagioclase–quartz assemblage. Conventional geothermobarometry figures out the metamorphic temperature and pressure conditions at 582–626°C and 1.61–1.82 GPa, respectively. Geochemical analysis (no Nb–Ta deletions and left-inclined to flat patterns of rare-earth elements) indicates that the garnet amphibolites could represent metamorphic product of the mid-ocean-ridge (MORB)-type mafic rocks that were contaminated by a mantle plume. The protolith of the garnet amphibolites was dated at 236 Ma using in-situ U–Pb zircon method, and the retrograde metamorphism was dated at 218 Ma using in-situ U–Pb sphene method. A comprehensive analysis combined with the development of the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean and the Yidun arc through geologic time indicates a Triassic to Early Jurassic age (236–195 Ma) for the metamorphism of the garnet amphibolites. The low geothermal gradient of 9.8ºC/km and the N-MORB nature of the garnet amphibolites suggest a subduction-zone environment for the high-pressure metamorphism. Therefore, the Ganzi–Litang fault zone is a Palaeo-Tethyan suture separating the Yidun arc and the Songpan–Ganzi terrane, representing the relics of a branch of the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean that was contaminated by a mantle plume.