The 401–409 Ma Xiaodonggou granitic intrusion: implications for understanding the Devonian Tectonics of the Northwest China Altai orogen

The Xiaodonggou granitic intrusion, situated in the Chinese Altai (southern CAOB), is composed of two intrusive phases, medium-grained granite intruded by porphyritic granite. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb analyses of medium-grained granite and porphyritic granite yield ages of 409 ± 2 Ma and 400 ± 1 Ma, respectively, indicating that these formed in Early Devonian time.

Medium-grained granite and porphyritic granite have similar geochemical features and Nd–Hf isotopic compositions. Arc-like geochemical characteristics (e.g. enrichment of LILEs and negative anomalies of Nb, Ta, Ti, and P) show that both phases are volcanic arc granites (VAGs). Geochemical and isotopic characteristics suggest that these magmas originated from melting older crust.