Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of the late Triassic gabbro in southern East Kunlun Orogenic Belt, northern Tibetan Plateau

        The East Kunlun orogenic belt represents a typical accretionary orogenic belt and has undergone an evolutionary process from the Proto-Tethys to the Paleo-Tethys oceans. The Late Triassic period witnessed the East Kunlun transitioning into the post-collisional extensional tectonic setting. However, there is ongoing debate regarding the dynamic mechanism responsible for the post-collisional extension. This study conducts the lithological, geochronological, and geochemical characteristics of the Yeniugou gabbros to shed light on the dynamic mechanism. Zircon geochronology suggests that the gabbros formed in the Late Triassic, ca. 207–209 Ma. Furthermore, the positive εHf (t) values (0.1–5.7), the relatively high values of Mg# (42.2–59.4), as well as the elevated contents of the compatible element (V, Cr, Co, Ni), suggest a mantle source with the contributions from asthenospheric mantle constituents. Additionally, gabbros are enriched in LREE and LILEs (Rb, Ba, Th, U, Sr), and depleted in HFSEs (i.e., Nb, Ta, Ti, Zr), suggesting the incorporation of arc-related enrichment components. The higher values of La/Sm, Th/Yb, Th/La, and lower values of Ba/Th, Ba/La, and Lu/Hf indicate that the enriched components are derived from the melting of the terrigenous sediment. The higher Zr/Y ratios, Nb contents, moderate Zr, Y contents, and the positive correlation between clinopyroxene Alz and TiO2, imply that these rocks were formed within an extensional tectonic setting, where upwelling of asthenospheric mantle caused partial melting of metamorphosed lithospheric mantle. Our new investigations support the interpretation that E-KOB experienced the thickening lithospheric delamination during the Late Triassic.