Geodynamic setting of Late Cretaceous Sn–W mineralization in southeastern Yunnan and northeastern Vietnam

Abstract

The Sn–W mineralization in SE Yunnan Province, China and NE Vietnam shares many similarities. Through comparing the geological and geochronological data, we suggest the Sn–W deposits and the associate igneous rocks in the region represent one regional magmatic-mineralization event. To explore the geodynamic setting of these mineralization and magmatic activities, a geochronological dataset in the regions has been presented, containing data of this study and previously published. The dataset shows that the Late Cretaceous magmatic–mineralization–metamorphic activities widely distribute along the eastern Asian continental margin. Existing studies support that this is the product of the subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian continent, which probably formed under an Andean-type active continental margin setting. According to the exhibited data, we preliminarily conclude that the late Cretaceous magmatic and Sn–W mineralization activities in the southeast Yunnan and northeast Vietnam region is one part of this subduction activities and should have formed under the same geodynamic setting.

Keywords

• Tin and tungsten mineralization
• Southeastern Yunnan and northeastern Vietnam
• Geochronology
• Geodynamic setting