Subduction-related granitic rocks of Taiwan

Abstract

Late Cretaceous granitic rocks constitute an essential part of the pre-Tertiary Tananao metamorphic basement complex of Taiwan. They are dominantly of granodiorite to quartz monzonite composition. Most granitic rocks are peraluminous (A/CNK > 1.0 and normative corundum > 1%) and display moderately fractionated LREE and relatively unfractionated HREE patterns with negative Eu anomalies. On a primitive mantle-normalized trace-element diagram, they show a significant Nb depletion which is typical of the calc-alkaline magmatism from the subduction-zone environment. They fall within the volcanic arc field on the discrimination diagram of Pearce, Harris and Tindle (1984). The lack of systematic inter-element relationships suggests that the role of fractional crystallization is not significant and that these granitic rocks were derived from heterogeneous protoliths. Geochemical data suggest Taiwan granitic rocks are contaminated I-type and I-type granites related to the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate beneath the eastern margin of the Eurasia plate during late Mesozoic time.