Late Paleozoic anorogenic magmatism in Southern Mongolia: Evolutionary stages and structural control

Abstract

Geochronological studies of anorogenic magmatic complexes in the South Mongolian Hercinide have been carried out. Series of the massifs composed of alkaline and subalkaline granitoids with some monzonite formed during the interval of 318–316 Ma have been found. Taking into account previously obtained data, two groups of Late Paleozoic A-type granitoids different in age have been identified in the region: Late Carboniferous and Early Permian. These two occupy different structural positions. The location the early magmatic massifs is controlled by the extended Trans–Altai fault zone of northwest strike: the massifs cluster in areas of the fault intersection with boundaries of structural blocks formed by the pull-apart mechanism. The later Early Permian igneous complexes are associated with the Gobi–Tienshan rift zone of sublatitudinal strike.