Origin of Silurian gabbros and I-type granites in central Fujian, SE China: Implications for the evolution of the early Paleozoic orogen of South China

The early Paleozoic orogen of South China is possibly one of the few examples of intraplate orogeny in the world. It is characterized by an angular unconformity between post-Silurian cover and pre-Devonian strata and by the intensive and extensive early Paleozoic granitic plutonism. However, synchronous mafic-ultramafic rocks have not been well-studied, but they are crucial for understanding the nature and evolution of the orogen. In this paper, we present the first detailed LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating, major and trace element geochemical and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic data for a Silurian gabbroic pluton (Dakang) and a coeval granitic pluton (Guiyang), that have recently been identified in central Fujian, in the southeastern part of the orogen. We assess the origin of these mafic and granitic rocks and their relationship to the evolution of the early Paleozoic orogen in South China. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating shows that the Dakang and Guiyang plutons were emplaced at 441-438 Ma and 431 Ma, respectively. The Dakang pluton consists of gabbros and minor intermediate rocks (diorite, monzodiorite and monzonite). These rocks are all metaluminous and potassic, and are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILE) and depleted in high field strength elements (HFSE). They have initial 87Sr/86Sr of 0.7066-0.7098, εNd (T) of − 7.0 to − 3.3 and εHf (T) (in-situ zircon) of − 5.2 to − 4.4. Geochemical data suggest that the Dakang gabbroic magmas were derived by partial melting of previously subduction-modified lithospheric mantle in the spinel-garnet transition zone at a high temperature (~ 1300 °C). These primary magmas underwent fractionation crystallization of clinopyroxene and amphibole, forming the evolved gabbros and intermediate rocks. The Guiyang pluton consists of weakly peraluminous granites, which show low Ga/Al ratios (10,000*Ga/Al < 2.6) and so can be classed as I-type granites. They have initial 87Sr/86Sr of 0.7095-0.7113, εNd (T) of − 6.7 to − 5.9 and εHf (T) (in-situ zircon) of − 7.7 to − 0.8. Geochemical data suggest that the Guiyang granites were generated by partial melting of a mixed source of Paleoproterozoic metaigneous and metasedimentary rocks in the lower crust. Our new data, together with published data, confirm that lithospheric delamination occurred along the metamorphic core of the early Paleozoic orogen of South China during the Silurian (442-420 Ma), and that this represents a post-orogenic tectonic regime in the orogen core.