GEODYNAMIC SETTING OF POTASSIC MAGMATISM IN THE NORTHERN TIBETAN PLATEAU
In collaboration with Zhengfu Guo of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
Jointly funded by the Royal Society and CAS (2003-2006)
The main objectives of the project are to determine the major, minor, and trace element geochemistry of both whole-rock samples and their constituent mineral phases, and the Sr-Nd-Pb isotope composition of selected samples, from the northern Tibetan volcanic province. These data will be used to characterize the composition and heterogeneity of the mantle source region of the magmas; to evaluate the depth and extent of melting of the mantle source region and the processes which trigger partial melting; to assess the relationship between volcanic activity and extensional tectonics using a combination of satellite imagery and detailed field mapping of key areas; and to understand the geodynamic setting of the magmatism of the northern Tibetan Plateau by integrating the new petrological and geochemical data with existing geophysical data, satellite data and detailed field mapping of both regional and local fault systems.