Remnants of a Jurassic marginal sea plate in the Meso-Tethyan Ocean revealed by multi-stage magmatism in the Lagkorco ophiolite, Central Tibet

Abstract

The formation of marginal sea plate, through multi-stage arc rupture and back-arc spreading, is a fundamental process in mature intra-ocean convergent plate margins. Identifying remnants of ancient marginal sea microplates within suture zones is crucial for unraveling the evolution of ancient ocean basins, although it presents significant challenges. In this study, we present new zircon and titanite UPb ages, along with Sr-Nd-Fe isotopic compositions, for a suite of well-characterized cumulates from the Lagkorco ophiolite which represents remnants of the Bangong-Nujiang Meso-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere. Our integrated dataset, combined with previous findings, reveals three distinct magmatic phases within the Lagkorco ophiolite: i) Unit A: early Jurassic (∼184 Ma) amphibolite-facies mafic-felsic complex, ii) Unit B1: early Jurassic (187–192 Ma) oceanic lithosphere, and iii) Unit B2: middle Jurassic (160–170 Ma) oceanic lithosphere. Geochemical data from Unit B1 cumulates indicate a damp (∼1 % H₂O) but arc-like parental magma. These cumulates exhibit more enriched SrNd isotopes compared to mid-ocean ridge basalts and typical island arc basalts. Unit B1 cumulates exhibit clinopyroxene Fe isotopes (δ⁵⁶Fe = −0.06 − +0.01) lighter than mid-ocean ridge cumulate clinopyroxene (δ⁵⁶Fe = +0.02 − +0.05). These data indicate that the Unit B1 cumulates originated from a subduction-modified depleted mantle mixed with minor sediments. Combining our results with previously published data, we propose that the parental magmas for both Unit B1 and Unit B2 were damp but arc-like, which aligns with the repeated re-melting of previously depleted sub-arc mantle during episodic back-arc spreading. Our interpretation suggests two-stage back-arc spreading (Unit B1 and Unit B2) and at least one episode of arc magmatism (Unit A) between 192 and 160 Ma. These results imply the existence of a Jurassic marginal sea plate, akin to the present-day Philippine Sea plate, within the Meso-Tethyan Ocean, which was likely later subducted beneath the Qiangtang continent.