Abstract The Permian silicic rocks in the Phan Si Pan (PSP) Uplift area and Tu Le (TL) basin of NW Vietnam (collectively the PSP–TL region) are associated with the Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP). The Permian Muong Hum, Phu Sa Phin and Nam Xe–Tam Duong granites and Tu Le rhyolites are alkali ferroan A 1 -type granitic rocks, which probably formed by fractional crystallization of high-Ti basaltic magma that was contaminated by melts derived from the Neoproterozoic host rocks. Zircon U–Pb laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) geochronology yielded weighted-mean 206 Pb/ 238 U ages of 246 ± 3 to 259 ± 3 Ma for granites, and 249 ± 3 and 254 ± 2 Ma for rhyolites. This is contrasted with previously published high precision U–Pb ages, obtained using chemical abrasion–isotope dilution–thermal ionization mass spectrometry method applied on the same zircon grains, which suggests that the calculated LA–ICP–MS U–Pb ages are variably inaccurate by up to 10 Ma, although at the single-grain level dates generally agree within uncertainty. The similarity of rock texture, whole-rock geochemistry, emplacement ages and fractionation phases between the PSP–TL region and silicic rocks in the Inner Zone ELIP (i.e. Panzhihua, Binchuan) suggests they were spatially proximal before being sinistrally displaced along the Ailao Shan–Red River shear zone.

Abstract Forty-two volcanic rocks of the Panjal Traps were analysed for platinum-group elements (PGEs) to investigate the magma genesis, high-temperature behaviour and exploration potential of these elements. The PGE data exhibit substantial variability and show no systematic relation to their low- or high-Ti affinity. Instead, the basalts can be subdivided into a PGE-undepleted group (group 1) that has ΣPGE >10 ppb and Cu/Pd <30 000, and a PGE-depleted group, which consists of a subgroup showing limited (group 2A) or substantial depletion in Ir-series PGEs relative to Ni (group 2B). The group 1 samples indicate an S-undersaturated history, whereas the group 2 samples might have different origins in terms of S-saturation. Fractionation of a tiny amount of sulfide melts (0.075–0.1%) from a representative group 1 sample accounts for the chalcophile element patterns observed in the group 2B samples. The relatively high Cu/Pd, unfractionated Ni/Ir and low PGE abundances observed in the group 2A samples cannot be explained by equilibration of an immiscible sulfide melt alone, and probably require decomposition of residual sulfides into sulfide melt and a monosulfide solid solution in the mantle restite. Our results question the notion that the coexistence of PGE-undepleted and -depleted magmas is prospective in the exploration of magmatic Ni–Cu–(PGE) sulfide mineralization.

Abstract: The Early Permian (290 Ma) Panjal Traps are the largest contiguous outcropping of volcanic (basaltic, andesitic and silicic) rocks within the Himalaya that are associated with the Late Palaeozoic break-up of Gondwana. The basaltic Panjal Traps have compositional characteristics that range from continental tholeiite to ocean-floor basalt but it is clear that crustal contamination has played a role in their genesis. The basalts that show limited evidence for contamination have Sr–Nd isotopes ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr i = 0.7043–0.7073; ε Nd ( t ) = 0 ± 1) similar to a chondritic (subcontinental lithospheric mantle) source, whereas the remaining basaltic rocks have a wide range of Nd ( ε Nd ( t ) = −6.1 to +4.3) and Sr ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr i = 0.7051–0.7185) isotopic values. The primary melt composition of the low-Ti Panjal Traps is picritic with mantle potential temperatures ( T P = 1400°C to 1450°C) similar to ambient mantle. The silicic volcanic rocks were derived by partial melting of the crust, whereas the andesitic rocks were derived by mingling between crustal and mantle melts. The Panjal Traps initially erupted within a continental rift setting. The rift eventually transitioned into a nascent ocean basin that led to seafloor spreading and the formation of the Neotethys Ocean and the ribbon-like continent Cimmeria.

Abstract U–Th–Ra isotope analyses of whole rocks and mineral separates were conducted in order to perform isochron dating of three morphologically young lavas from Tatun volcano, northern Taiwan (from Mt Cising, the Shamao dome and the Huangzuei volcano). The data do not yield tight U–Th isochrons, indicating open-system magmatic processes. However, crystallization ages of two samples can be constrained: namely, less than about 1370 years for the Shamao dome, based on 226 Ra– 230 Th disequilibrium in magnetite, and less than approximately 70 ka (but potentially Holocene) for a Huangzuei flow, based on 238 U– 230 Th disequilibrium in plagioclase. Discordant Ar–Ar, 238 U– 230 Th and 226 Ra– 230 Th ages are best explained by young lavas having inherited some crystals from older lithologies (crystal mushes or rocks), and indicate that the above ages represent maxima. Our study provides the first evidence of effusive volcanism at the Tatun Volcano Group in Late Holocene times. All separates from the Shamao dome and Huangzuei volcano are in 234 U– 238 U equilibrium. Minerals in the Mt Cising sample are in 234 U– 238 U disequilibrium, despite the 234 U– 238 U equilibrium of the whole rock. We interpret this as uptake of a hydrothermally altered, old crystal cargo into fresh melt prior to eruption. A different dating approach will thus be required to constrain the eruption age of Mt Cising. Supplementary material: Ar–Ar plateaus from Mt Cising and the Shamao dome, reproduced from Lee (1996) , are available at www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18817