Highly depleted Hadean mantle reservoirs in the sources of early Archean arc-like rocks, Isua supracrustal belt, southern West Greenland

Growing evidence from the accessible geological record reveals that crust-mantle differentiation on Earth started as early as 4.4 Ga. In order to assess the extent of early Archean mantle depletion, we obtained ¹⁷⁶Lu-¹⁷⁶Hf, ¹⁴⁷Sm-¹⁴³Nd, and high field strength element (HFSE) concentration data for the least altered, well characterized boninite-like metabasalts and associated metasedimentary rocks from the Isua supracrustal belt (southern West Greenland). The metasediments exhibit initial εHf₍₃₇₂₀₎ values from −0.7 to +1.5 and initial εNd₍₃₇₂₀₎ values from +1.6 to +2.1. Initial εHf₍₃₇₂₀₎ values of the least altered boninite-like metabasalts span a range from +3.5 to +12.9 and initial εNd₍₃₇₂₀₎ values from −0.3 to +3.2. These initial Hf-isotope ratios display coherent trends with SiO₂, Al₂O₃/TiO₂ and other relatively immobile elements, indicating contamination via assimilation of enriched components, most likely sediments derived from the earliest crust in the region. This model is also consistent with previously reported initial γOs₍₃₇₂₀₎ values for some of the samples. In addition to the positive εHf₍₃₇₂₀₎ values, the least disturbed samples exhibit positive εNd₍₃₇₂₀₎ values and a co-variation of εHf₍₃₇₂₀₎ and εΝd₍₃₇₂₀₎ values. Based on these observations, it is argued, that the most depleted samples with initial εHf₍₃₇₂₀₎ values of up to +12.9 and high ¹⁷⁶Lu/¹⁷⁷Hf of ∼0.05 to ∼0.09 tap a highly depleted mantle source with a long term depletion history in the garnet stability field. High precision high field strength element (HFSE) data obtained for the Isua samples confirm the contamination trend. Even the most primitive samples display negative Nb-Ta anomalies and elevated Nb/Ta, indicating a subduction zone setting and overprint of the depleted mantle sources by felsic melts generated by partial melting of eclogite. Collectively, the data for boninite-like metabasalts support the presence of strongly depleted mantle reservoirs as previously inferred from Hf isotope data for Hadean zircons and combined ¹⁴²Nd-¹⁴³Nd isotope data for early Archean rocks.     

Reprint of “Depositional environment and tectonic implications of the Paleoproterozoic BIF in Changyi area,eastern North China Craton: Evidence from geochronology and geochemistry of the metamorphic wallrocks”

The Changyi banded iron formation (BIF) in the eastern North China Craton (NCC) occurs within the Paleoproterozoic Fenzishan Group. Three types of metamorphic wallrocks interbedded with the BIF bands are identified, including plagioclase gneisses and leptynites, garnet-bearing gneisses and amphibolites. Protolith reconstruction suggests that the protoliths of the plagioclase gneisses and leptynites are mainly graywackes with minor contribution of pelitic materials, the garnet-bearing gneisses are Fe-rich pelites contaminated by clastics, and the amphibolites are tholeiitic rocks. Trace elements of La, Th, Sc and Zr of the plagioclase gneisses and leptynites and the garnet-bearing gneisses support that these meta-sedimentary rocks were probably derived from recycling of Archean rocks with felsic and mafic materials differentiated into different rock types. ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of detrital zircons from the meta-sedimentary rocks concentrate at 2.7–3.0 Ga, confirming their derivation from the Archean rocks. The presence of several Paleoproterozoic detrital zircons (2240 to 2246 Ma), however, also suggests minor involvement of Paleoproterozoic materials. The Archean detrital zircons have ε_Hf(t) values varying from − 0.7 to 7.6, which mainly fall between the 3.0 Ga and 3.3 Ga average crustal evolution lines on the age vs. ε_Hf(t) diagram, further illustrating that the rocks providing materials for the meta-sedimentary rocks mainly originated from partial melting of a Mesoarchean crust. This is strongly supported by their crust-like trace element distribution patterns (such as Nb, Ta, P and Ti depletion) and ancient Nd depleted mantle model ages (T_DM = 2.9–3.4 Ga). In addition, the remarkably high ε_Hf(t) values (7.5 to 9.3) of the Paleoproterozoic detrital zircons constrain the Paleoproterozoic materials to originate from a depleted mantle. The amphibolites show low SiO₂ (46.5 to 52.8 wt.%) and high MgO (5.68 to 10.9 wt.%) contents, crust-like trace element features and low ε_Nd(t) values (− 4.5 to − 0.3), suggesting that these ortho-metamorphic rocks were mainly derived from subcontinental lithospheric mantle with some contamination by Archean crustal materials. Since an intra-continental environment was required for the formation of the above metamorphic rocks, these rocks not only confine the depositional environment of the Changyi BIF to be an intra-continental rift, but also support the rifting processes of the eastern NCC during Paleoproterozoic.     

Late Neoarchean reworking of the Mesoarchean crustal remnant in northern Liaoning,North China Craton: A U–Pb–Hf–O–Nd perspective

How the earth's crust formed and evolved during the Precambrian times is one of the key questions to decipher the evolution of the early Earth. As one of the few cratons containing well-preserved Eoarchean to Neoarchean basement on Earth, the North China Craton is an ideal natural laboratory to unravel the early crustal evolution. It is controversial whether the Archean tectonothermal events in this area represents reworking or growth of the continental crust. To solve this issue, we have compelled field-based mapping, zircon U–Pb dating by SHRIMP RG and LA–ICP–MS U–Pb, zircon SHRIMP SI oxygen and LA–MC–ICP–MS Hf isotope, and whole-rock Nd–O isotope analyses from the Archean granitoids in northern Liaoning, North China Craton. On the basis of zircon U–Pb isotopic dating and measured geological section investigation, two distinct magmatic suites as enclaves in the Jurassic granites are recognized, viz. a newly discovered 3.0 Ga crustal remnant and a 2.5 Ga granitoid. The Mesoarchean zircons from the 3.0 Ga granodioritic gneisses exhibit heterogeneous Hf isotopic compositions, with the most radiogenic analysis (ε_Hf(t) = +3.8) following the depleted mantle evolution array and the most unradiogenic ε_Hf(t) extending down to −3.4. This implies that both ancient continental crust at least as old as 3.4 Ga and depleted mantle contributed to the magma source of the protoliths of the Mesoarchean gneisses. The ε_Hf(t) values of the Neoarchean zircons from these gneisses overlap the 3.4–3.0 Ga zircon evolution trend, indicating that the ancient crustal materials have been reworked during the late Neoarchean. The Neoarchean zircons from the 2.5 Ga granitoids have a relatively small variation in the Hf isotope and are mainly plotted in the 3.0–2.8 Ga zircon evolution field. However, taking all the ε_Hf(t) values of the Neoarchean zircons into the consideration, we find that the Hf model age of the Neoarchean zircon does not represent the time of crustal growth or reworking but are artifacts of magma mixing. The interaction between the magmas derived from the ancient crustal materials and the depleted mantle is also supported by zircon O isotopic data and Hf–O isotopic modeling of the Neoarchean granitoids. Both Mesoarchean and late Neoarchean tectonothermal events involved synchronous crustal growth and reworking, which may be applicable to other parts of the world.     

Nd isotopic constraints on crustal formation in the North China Craton

Recent tectonic analysis suggests that the North China Craton consists of two Archean continental blocks, called the Eastern and Western Blocks, separated by the Paleoproterozoic Trans-North China Orogen. Although the published geochronological data are not sufficient to constrain the detailed tectonothermal evolution of the craton, the available Nd isotopic data show some important differences in Nd model ages between the tectonic units. The Eastern Block shows two main Nd model age peaks, one between 3.6 and 3.2 Ga and the other between 3.0 and 2.6 Ga. Limited Nd isotopic data from the Western Block show a large range of model ages between 3.2 and 2.4 Ga. These differences are consistent with the recently-proposed model.The Nd isotopic data from mantle-derived mafic rocks indicate that the mantle beneath the North China Craton was depleted in the Archean, consistent with major crustal growth during this period. In the Paleoproterozoic, however, the mantle-derived mafic rocks show negative ε_Nd(t) values, implying crustal contamination. This may have resulted from subduction and collision between the Eastern and Western Block, implying that the mechanisms of crustal formation and evolution may have been different between the Archean and Paleoproterozoic.The North China Craton was re-activated by addition of mantle-derived magma into the lower crust in the late Mesozoic, resulting in rejuvenation of the lower crust. This indicates that underplating is also an important mechanism for continental addition, although in this case it may not equate to crustal growth, since it was preceded by removal of lithospheric mantle and possible some lower crust.     

Whole-rock Nd–Hf isotopic study of I-type and peraluminous granitic rocks from the Chinese Altai: Constraints on the nature of the lower crust and tectonic setting

The nature of the lower crust and tectonic setting of the Chinese Altai in the early to middle Paleozoic are still hotly debated. Decoupling between zircon Hf and whole-rock Nd isotopic systems for granites results in different interpretations for the above issues. In order to solve the problem, whole-rock Nd–Hf isotopic analyses were conducted on representative early to middle Paleozoic I-type granite and strongly peraluminous granites and rhyolites from the Chinese Altai. The I-type granites show metaluminous to weakly peraluminous feature and have ε_Nd(t) values ranging from − 2.2 to + 0.8 and ε_Hf(t) from + 3.9 to + 12.9, respectively. The strongly peraluminous granites and rhyolites have similar ε_Nd(t) and ε_Hf(t) values ranging from − 3.0 to + 1.7 and from + 2.1 to + 10.4, respectively. All samples plot above the Terrestrial Array on Nd–Hf isotopic diagram, indicating significant Nd–Hf isotopic decoupling in the magma sources. These samples show flatten HREE pattern and have Lu/Hf ratios similar to the average crust, suggesting that Nd–Hf isotopic decoupling was not originated from an ancient basement with elevated Lu/Hf ratios. The observed isotopic decoupling is similar to those modern island arcs, such as the Lesser Antilles and Sunda, where Nd selectively enriched over Hf due to metasomatism in the mantle wedge and consequently resulted in decoupling between the Sm–Nd and Lu–Hf isotopic systems. Our results, combined with the available data, show that prolonged subduction and crust–mantle interaction caused the Nd–Hf isotopic decoupling in the lithospheric mantle beneath the Chinese Altai. The crust of the Chinese Altai was extracted from the lithospheric mantle and inherited the Nd–Hf isotopic decoupling feature. Therefore, the Hf, rather than Nd, isotopic data more faithfully reflect the nature of the lower crust that was quite juvenile in the Paleozoic, and the Chinese Altai represents an early Paleozoic magmatic arc possibly built near western Mongolia.     

Geochemistry, Nd Isotopic Characteristics of Metamorphic Complexes in Northern Hebei： Implications for Crustal Accretion

The middle segment of the northern margin of the North China Craton （NCC） consists mainly of metamorphosed Archean Dantazi Complex, Paleoproterozoic Hongqiyingzi Complex and unmetamorphosed gabbro-anorthosite-meta-alkaline granite, as well as metamorphosed Late Paleozoic mafic to granitoid rocks in the Damiao-Changshaoying area. The -2.49 Ga Dantazi Complex comprises dioritic-trondhjemitic-granodoritic-monzogranitic gneisses metamorphosed in amphibolite to granulite facies. Petrochemical characteristics reveal that most of the rocks belong to a medium- to high-potassium calc-alkaline series, and display Mg^# less than 40, right-declined REE patterns with no to obviously positive Eu anomalies, evidently negative Th, Nb, Ta and Ti anomalies in primitive mantlenormalized spider diagrams, εNd（t）=＋0.65 to -0.03, and depleted mantle model ages TDM=2.78-2.71 Ga. Study in petrogenesis indicates that the rocks were formed from magmatic mixing between mafic magma from the depleted mantle and granitoid magma from partial melting of recycled crustal mafic rocks in a continental margin setting. The 2.44-2.41 Ga Hongqiyingzi Complex is dominated by metamorphic mafic-granodioritic-monzogranitic gneisses, displaying similar petrochemical features to the Dantazi Complex, namely medium to high potassium calc-alkaline series, and the mafic rocks show evident change in LILEs, negative Th, Nb, Ta, Zr anomalies and positive P anomalies. And the other granitiod samples also exhibit negative Th, Nb, Ta, P and Ti anomalies. All rocks in the Hongqiyingzi Complex show right-declined REE patterns without Eu anomaly. The metamorphic mafic rocks with εNd（t） = -1.64 may not be an identical magmatic evolution series with granitoids that have εNd（t） values of ＋3.19 to ＋1.94 and TDM ages of 2.55-2.52 Ga. These granitic rocks originated from hybrid between mafic magma from the depleted mantle and magma from partial melting of juvenile crustal mafic rocks in an island arc setting. All the -311 Ma Late Paleozoic metamorphic mafic rocks and related granitic rocks show a medium-potassium calc-alkaline magmatic evolution series, characterized by high Mg^#, obviously negative Th, Nb, Ta anomalies and positive Sr anomalies, from no to strongly negative Ti anomalies and flat REE patterns with εNd（t） = ＋8.42, implying that the maflc magma was derived from the depleted mantle. However the other granitic rocks are characterized by right-declined REE patterns with no to evidently positive Eu anomalies, significantly low εNd（t） = -13.37 to -14.04, and TDM=1.97-1.96 Ga, revealing that the granitoid magma was derived from hybrid between maflc magma that came from -311 Ma depleted mantle and granitoid magma from Archean to Early Paleoproterozoic ancient crustal recycling. The geochemistry and Nd isotopic characteristics as well as the above geological and geochronological results indicate that the middle segment of the northern margin of the NCC mainly experienced four crustal growth episodes from Archean to Late Paleozoic, which were dominated by three continental marginal arc accretions （-2.49, -2.44 and 311 Ma）, except the 1.76-1.68 Ga episode related to post-collisional extension, revealing that the crustal accretion of this segment was chiefly generated from arc accretion and amalgamation to the NCC continental block.     

Mantle and crustal sources of Archean anorthosite: a combined in situ isotopic study of Pb–Pb in plagioclase and Lu–Hf in zircon

Isotopic analyses of ancient mantle-derived magmatic rocks are used to trace the geochemical evolution of the Earth’s mantle, but it is often difficult to determine their primary, initial isotope ratios due to the detrimental effects of metamorphism and secondary alteration. We present in situ analyses by LA-MC-ICPMS for the Pb isotopic compositions of igneous plagioclase (An_75–89) megacrysts and the Hf isotopic compositions of BSE-imaged domains of zircon grains from two mantle-derived anorthosite complexes from south West Greenland, Fiskenæsset and Nunataarsuk, which represent two of the best-preserved Archean anorthosites in the world. In situ LA-ICPMS U–Pb geochronology of the zircon grains suggests that the minimum crystallization age of the Fiskenæsset complex is 2,936 ± 13 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 1.5) and the Nunataarsuk complex is 2,914 ± 6.9 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 2.0). Initial Hf isotopic compositions of zircon grains from both anorthosite complexes fall between depleted mantle and a less radiogenic crustal source with a total range up to 5 ε_Hf units. In terms of Pb isotopic compositions of plagioclase, both anorthosite complexes share a depleted mantle end member yet their Pb isotopic compositions diverge in opposite directions from this point: Fiskenæsset toward a high-μ, more radiogenic Pb, crustal composition and Nunataarsuk toward low-μ, less radiogenic Pb, crustal composition. By using Hf isotopes in zircon in conjunction with Pb isotopes in plagioclase, we are able to constrain both the timing of mantle extraction of the crustal end member and its composition. At Fiskenæsset, the depleted mantle melt interacted with an Eoarchean (~3,700 Ma) mafic crust with a maximum ¹⁷⁶Lu/¹⁷⁷Hf ~0.028. At Nunataarsuk, the depleted mantle melt interacted with a Hadean (~4,200 Ma) mafic crust with a maximum ¹⁷⁶Lu/¹⁷⁷Hf ~0.0315. Evidence from both anorthosite complexes provides support for the long-term survival of ancient mafic crusts that, although unidentified at the surface to date, could still be present within the Fiskenæsset and Nunataarsuk regions.     

Geochemical Characteristics of Archean High-Grade Terrain of Kongling Complex and Early Crustal Evolution of Yangtze Craton

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High-pressure metamorphic rocks in the Borborema Province,Northeast Brazil: Reworking of Archean oceanic crust during proterozoic orogenies

We present the first evidence of Archean oceanic crust submitted to Proterozoic high-pressure (HP) metamorphism in the South American Platform. Sm–Nd and Lu–Hf isotopic data combined with U–Pb geochronological data from the Campo Grande area, Rio Grande do Norte domain, in the Northern Borborema Province, reflect a complex Archean (2.9 ​Ga and 2.6 ​Ga) and Paleoproterozoic (2.0 ​Ga) evolution, culminating in the Neoproterozoic Brasiliano/Pan-African orogeny (ca. 600 Ma). The preserved mafic rocks contain massive poikiloblastic garnet and granoblastic amphibole with variable proportions of plagioclase ​+ ​diopside in symplectitic texture, typical of high-pressure rocks. These clinopyroxene-garnet amphibolites and the more common garnet amphibolites from the Campo Grande area are exposed as rare lenses within an Archean migmatite complex. The amphibolite lenses represent 2.65 ​Ga juvenile tholeiitic magmatism derived from depleted mantle sources (positive ε_Hf(t) values of +3.81 to +30.66) later enriched by mantle metasomatism (negative ε_Nd(t) values of –7.97). Chondrite and Primitive Mantle-normalized REE of analyzed samples and discriminant diagrams define two different oceanic affinities, with E-MORB and OIB signature. Negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu1 ​= ​0.75–0.95) indicate depletion of plagioclase in the source. Inherited zircon cores of 3.0–2.9 ​Ga in analyzed samples indicate that the Neoarchean tholeiitic magmatism was emplaced into 2923 ​± ​14 ​Ma old Mesoarchean crust (ε_Nd(t) ​= ​–2.58 and Nd T_DM ​= ​3.2 ​Ga) of the Rio Grande do Norte domain. The age of retro-eclogite facies metamorphism is not yet completely understood. We suggest that two high-grade metamorphic events are recognized in the mafic rocks: the first at 2.0 ​Ga, recorded in some samples, and the second, at ca. 600 Ma, stronger and more pervasive and recorded in several of the mafic rock samples. The Neoproterozoic zircon grains are found in symplectite texture as inclusions in the garnet grains and represent the age of HP conditions in the area. These zircon grains show a younger cluster of concordant analyses between 623 ​± ​3 ​Ma and 592 ​± ​5 ​Ma with ε_Hf(t) values of +0.74 to –65.88. Thus, the Campo Grande rock assemblage is composed of Archean units that were amalgamated to West Gondwana during Neoproterozoic Brasiliano orogeny continent-continent collision and crustal reworking.     

U–Pb geochronology and Lu–Hf isotopes of zircons from newly identified Permian–Early Triassic plutons in western Liaoning province along the northern margin of the North China Craton: constraints on petrogenesis and tectonic setting

Mafic to felsic gneisses along the northern margin of the North China Craton (NMNCC), in western Liaoning province, China, were previously assumed to be part of Archean metamorphic basement but are here identified as younger (Permian–Early Triassic) intrusions. LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb isotopic dating reveals that the magmatic precursors of the mafic gneisses were emplaced from 295 ± 3 to 259 ± 2 Ma and that the magmatic precursors of the dioritic and monzogranitic gneisses were emplaced at 267 ± 1 and 251 ± 2 Ma, respectively, thus recording a continuum of Permian to Early Triassic magmatism. The mafic and dioritic rocks exhibit zircon ε_Hf(t) values from ?20.7 to ?3.3, suggesting they were mainly derived from a metasomatized lithospheric mantle source, possibly involving some crustal contamination. The monzogranitic rocks display their zircon ε_Hf(t) values of +0.9 to +4.7, indicating the acidic magma was derived from partial melting of juvenile crustal materials from the depleted mantle source. Crustal model ages (T _DM ^C ) obtained from zircon Hf isotopes of these monzogranitic rocks range from 976 to 1,215 Ma, with an average of 1,074 ± 32 Ma, possibly implying an episode of Grenvillian crustal growth in western Liaoning province. These new lines of evidence show that the NMNCC witnessed abundant magmatic activity and interaction of the crust and mantle during the Permian and Early Triassic and that the mafic magmatism was earlier than the monzogranitic activity. These findings indicate that the monzogranitic activity was the result of underplating of mafic magma with an enriched mantle source. In the context of regional Late Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic magmatic activity, the Permian magmatism occurred in an Andean-style continental margin setting when the Paleo-Asian oceanic plate was subducted beneath the NMNCC, and in this context, the Late Permian to Early Triassic magmatism may have been linked to post-collisional extension and asthenospheric upwelling, suggesting that the western Liaoning province in the NMNCC may be an eastward extension of the Late Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic active continental margin.     

The Sr,Nd, and Hf isotopic geochemistry of rocks of the gabbro–diorite–tonalite association from the Eastern Segment of the Middle Urals as an indicator of the age of the continental crust in this area

According to isotopic analysis of rocks of the Reft gabbro–diorite–tonalite complex (Middle Urals), gabbro and related diorite and dikes and vein-shaped bodies of plagiogranitoids, crosscutting gabbro, are similar to the depleted mantle substance in ε_Nd(T) = 8.6–9.7 and ε_Hf(T) = 15.9–17.9. Their model Hf ages are correlated with the time of crystallization. Here, the tonalites and quartz diorites constituting most of the Reft massif are characterized by lower values: ε_Nd(T) = 3.7–6.0, ε_Hf(T) = 11.1–12.7, and T _DM values significantly exceeding the age datings. This is evidence that Neoproterozoic crustal rocks were a source of parental magma for these rocks. The primary ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio in rocks of both groups is highly variable (0.70348–0.70495). The data obtained allow us to reach the conclusion that the Reft gabbro–diorite–tonalite complex was formed as a result of nearly synchronous processes occurring in the crust and the mantle within a limited area.     

U–Pb and Hf isotopic analysis of zircon in lower crustal xenoliths from the Navajo volcanic field: 1.4 Ga mafic magmatism and metamorphism beneath the Colorado Plateau

Zircon from lower crustal xenoliths erupted in the Navajo volcanic field was analyzed for U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic compositions to characterize the lower crust beneath the Colorado Plateau and to determine whether it was affected by ∼1.4 Ga granitic magmatism and metamorphism that profoundly affected the exposed middle crust of southwestern Laurentia. Igneous zircon in felsic xenoliths crystallized at 1.73 and 1.65 Ga, and igneous zircon in mafic xenoliths crystallized at 1.43 Ga. Most igneous zircon has unradiogenic initial Hf isotopic compositions (ɛ_Hf=+4.1–+7.8) and 1.7–1.6 Ga depleted mantle model ages, consistent with 1.7–1.6 Ga felsic protoliths being derived from “juvenile” Proterozoic crust and 1.4 Ga mafic protoliths having interacted with older crust. Metamorphic zircon grew in four pulses between 1.42 and 1.36 Ga, at least one of which was at granulite facies. Significant variability within and between xenoliths in metamorphic zircon initial Hf isotopic compositions (ɛ_Hf=−0.7 to +13.6) indicates growth from different aged sources with diverse time-integrated Lu/Hf ratios. These results show a strong link between 1.4 Ga mafic magmatism and granulite facies metamorphism in the lower crust and granitic magmatism and metamorphism in the exposed middle crust.     

Subduction of the Indian lower crust beneath southern Tibet revealed by the post-collisional potassic and ultrapotassic rocks in SW Tibet

New major and trace elemental, Sr–Nd–Pb isotope, and zircon U–Pb geochronological and Hf–O isotope data of post-collisional potassic and ultrapotassic volcanic rocks (PVRs and UPVs, respectively) along with geochemical data of PVRs, UPVs, and Mg-rich potassic rocks (MPRs) in the literature are used to constrain their mantle source and genesis. The PVRs, UPVs, and MPRs share similar geochemical features but with some discrepancies, suggesting that they were derived from subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) with isotopic heterogeneity resulting from the varying contributions of subducted Indian lower crust into the mantle source (ca. 6–20%, ca. 8–30%, and ca. 9–30%, respectively). The zircon Hf–O isotopic compositions of these rocks can be classified into two groups, including Group I rocks with high δ¹⁸O (6.7–11.3‰), low ε_Hf(t) (− 17.0 to − 12.0), and old Hf crustal model ages (1.87–2.19 Ga) that indicate an ancient SCLM source, and Group II rocks with δ¹⁸O values of 6.8–10.7‰, ε_Hf(t) values of − 11.8 to − 6.3, and younger Hf crustal model ages (1.50–1.86 Ga). The negative correlation defined by δ¹⁸O and ε_Hf(t) of Group II samples suggests a two-component mixing between mantle- and crust-derived melts, in which the latter would be the subducted Indian lower crust as indicated by the similar negative ε_Hf(t) values between Group II samples (− 11.8 to − 6.3) and the High Himalayan gneiss (− 14.2 to + 0.3). Thus we propose two enrichment events to account for the Hf–O isotopic compositions of the PVRs and UPVs/MPRs: the first involves the enrichment of the overlying SCLM that was metasomatized by fluids derived from dehydration of the subducted Indian lower crust, and the second invokes the enrichment of the overlying SCLM metasomatized by melts of the already dehydrated different proportions of the Indian lower crust. We argue that break-off of the northwards subducted Indian Plate in the early Miocene caused the asthenospheric upwelling under the Indian plate through slab window, resulting in varying degrees of partial melting of the overlying metasomatized heterogeneous SCLM to produce the primitive magmas of the PVRs, UPVs, and MPRs in an extensional setting. These observations and interpretations imply that the Indian lower crust was subducted beneath the Lhasa terrane in the Early–Middle Miocene.     

A perspective on potassic and ultrapotassic rocks: Constraints on the Paleoproterozoic late to post-collisional event in the São Francisco paleocontinent

The late- to post-collisional stage in orogenic systems is characterized by the coeval existence of bimodal potassic to ultrapotassic magmatic activity related to partial melting of an enriched lithospheric mantle together with crustal derived melts. In this paper, we present new whole rock geochemical analyses combined with zircon and titanite U–Pb and zircon Hf isotopic data from potassic to ultrapotassic rocks from six plutons that occur within the Archean Itacambira-Monte Azul block (BIMA), to discuss their petrogenesis and the tectonic implications for the São Francisco paleocontinent. The new U–Pb ages range from ca. 2.06 Ga to 1.98 Ga and reveal long-lasting potassic magmatism within the BIMA, which is within the late- to- post-collisional stage of the São Francisco paleocontinent evolution. The ultrapotassic rocks are compatible with a fluid-related metasomatized mantle source enriched by previous subduction events, whereas the potassic rocks are bimodal and have a transitional shoshonitic to A-type affinity. These rocks have a hybrid nature, possible related to the mixing between the mafic potassic/ultrapotassic rocks and high temperature crustal melts of the Archean continental crust. Our results also show an increase of within-plate signature towards the younger potassic magmas. The participation of an important Archean crustal component in the genesis of these rocks is highlighted by the common and occasionally abundant occurrence of Archean inherited zircons. The Hf isotopic record shows that most of the zircon inheritance has dominantly subchondritic ε_Hf(t) values, which fits a crustal reworking derivation from a similar Eo- to Paleoarchean precursor crust. However, the presence of juvenile 2.36 Ga zircon inheritance in an ultrapotassic sample reveal the existence of a hidden reservoir that is somewhat similar to the described for the Mineiro Belt in southern São Francisco paleocontinent.     

Petrogenesis of Cretaceous igneous rocks from the Duolong porphyry Cu–Au deposit,central Tibet: evidence from zircon U–Pb geochronology,petrochemistry and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotope characteristics

The Duolong porphyry Cu–Au deposit (5.4 Mt at 0.72% Cu, 41 t at 0.23 g/t Au) was recently discovered in the southern Qiangtang terrane, central Tibet. Here, new whole‐rock elemental and Sr–Nd–Pb isotope and zircon Hf isotopic data of syn‐ and post‐ore volcanic rocks and barren and ore‐bearing granodiorite porphyries are presented for a reconstruction of magmas associated with Cu–Au mineralization. LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating yields mean ages of 117.0 ± 2.0 and 120.9 ± 1.7 Ma for ore‐bearing granodiorite porphyry and 105.2 ± 1.3 Ma for post‐ore basaltic andesite. All the samples show high‐K calc‐alkaline compositions, with enrichment of light rare earth elements (LREE) and large ion lithophile elements (LILE: Cs and Rb) and depletion of high field strength elements (HFSE: Nb and Ti), consistent with the geochemical characteristics of arc‐type magmas. Syn‐ and post‐ore volcanic rocks show initial Sr ratios of 0.7045–0.7055, ε_Nd(t) values of −0.8 to 3.6, (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_t ratios of 18.408–18.642, (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_t of 15.584–15.672 and positive zircon ε_Hf(t) values of 1.3–10.5, likely suggesting they dominantly were derived from metasomatized mantle wedge and contaminated by southern Qiangtang crust. Compared to mafic volcanic rocks, barren and ore‐bearing granodiorite porphyries have relatively high initial Sr isotopic ratios (0.7054–0.7072), low ε_Nd(t) values (−1.7 to −4.0), similar Pb and enriched zircon Hf isotopic compositions [ε_Hf(t) of 1.5–9.7], possibly suggesting more contribution from southern Qiangtang crust. Duolong volcanic rocks and granodiorite porphyries likely formed in a continental arc setting during northward subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang ocean and evolved at the base of the lower crust by MASH (melting, assimilation, storage and homogenization) processes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Late Triassic Biotite Monzogranite from the Western Litang Area,Yidun Terrane,SW China: Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

The Late Triassic igneous rocks in the Yidun terrane can provide vital insights into the evolution of Plaeo-Tethys in western China. We present new zircon U-Pb, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic data for the Litang biotite monzogranites, Yidun terrane. The biotite monzogranites have a zircon U-Pb age of 206.1±1.0 Ma(MSWD=1.9,n=30), which indicates Late Triassic magmatism. The biotite monzogranites display I-type affinity, high Na_2O(3.38-3.60 wt%) contente,medii SiO_2(67.12-69.13 wt%), and low P_2 O_5 contents(0.10～0.12 wt%). They enriched in Rb,and Ba and depleted in Nb and Ta, with negative Eu anomalies(Eu/Eu*=0.74—0.81). They have evolved Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic composition, i.e.,(~(87) Sr/~(86 )Sr)i=0.714225 to 0.714763, negative ?_(Nd(t)) values of -2.0 to-2.6 with two-stage Nd model ages ranging from 1.01 to 1.05 Ga, negative ?_(Ht)(t)) values o f-3.4 to-4.1 with two-stage Hf model ages of 1.85 to1.88 Ga, suggesting a matured crustal sources. Their low Al_2O_3/TiO_2 ratios and medium Cao/Na_2O ratios, medium Mg~# and SiO_2 contents, low [molar Al_2O_3/(MgO+FeO~T)] values, and high [molar Cao/(MgO+FeO~T)] values indicate that the Litang biotite monzogranite was formed by partial melting of metabasaltic rocks. Based on the previous studies, we propose that the Litang biotite monzogranite derived from the westward subduction and closure of the Ganzi-Litang ocean during the Late Triassic-The mantle wedge-derived mafic melts provided sufficient heat for partial melting of ancient metabasalt protolith within the middle-lower crust.     

Sm-Nd, Lu-Hf and Pb-Pb signatures of gneisses and granitoids from the La Grande belt: extent of late Archean crustal recycling in the northeastern Superior Province, Canada

Sm-Nd, Lu-Hf and Pb-Pb isotopic signatures were determined for gneisses and felsic plutons of the La Grande granite-greenstone and the Nemiscau metasedimentary belts of Canada. The northern part of the La Grande belt exposes gneisses of the Langelier complex formed between ca. 2.8 and 2.9 Ga. The gneisses yielded εNd_(T) values between −2 and +1, εHf_(T) between −1 and +3, initial ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of ∼14.9, higher than the value of 14.6 derived from the Stacey-Kramers growth curve, and crustal extraction ages ≥3.0 Ga. Modeling shows that the syn- to late-tectonic intrusions of granitoid rocks record at least 20%, and up to 40%, recycling of this gneissic basement. The southern part of the La Grande belt, where no basement gneisses are exposed, records lower proportions (5-20%) of this crustal end-member. In both parts of the La Grande belt, the post-tectonic plutons record the largest proportion of recycled crust, likely related to southeastward thrusting events in the Superior craton, crustal thickening and concomitant partial melting.The La Grande plutons have isotopic signatures more radiogenic than those of similar intrusions that formed concurrently, to the south, in the Abitibi greenstone belt. This reflects an ancient crust environment for the former vs. an oceanic setting for the latter. Mantle reservoirs with a protracted history of incompatible element depletion were present beneath the whole eastern Superior Province, in the late Archean.     

Isotope-geochemical constraints on the formation of the early Earth’ crust

Analysis of isotope-geochemical data obtained for the early crustal complexes of the Earth provided constraints on the formation time, scales of development, and geochemical features of protocrust. Most informative were isotope-geochemical and geochemical data on the oldest zircons with ages up to 4.4 Ga, short-lived ¹⁴⁶Sm/¹⁴²Nd isotope system, and lead isotope composition of the oldest rocks of Greenland. The presence of positive ¹⁴²Nd anomaly in the rocks of West Greenland and negative anomaly in the amphibolites of the oldest Nuvvuagittuq greenstone belt of the Superior province (O’Neil et al., 2008) indicates the early differentiation of the Earth material into depleted mantle and enriched (basaltic) crust (Caro et al., 2006; Benett et al., 2007a, b; O’Neil et al., 2008). Pb-Pb isotopic systematics of the oldest crustal rocks from West Greenland and Labrador testifies that high μ enriched crust (²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb = 10.9) of basaltic composition already existed 3.9 Ga ago (Kamber et al., 2003). Based on isotope-geochemical and geochemical features of the oldest zircons in the Late Archean greenstone belts of the Yilgarn block (Western Australia), the crust of intermediate-felsic composition and water on the Earth’s surface already existed 4.4 Ga ago (Wilde et al., 2001).     

Geochemical and thermodynamic modeling of the petrogenesis of A1-type granites and associated intermediate rocks: A case study from the central Fennoscandian Shield

The origin of ferroan A-type granites in anorogenic tectonic settings remains a long-standing petrological puzzle. The proposed models range from extreme fractional crystallization of mantle-derived magmas to partial melting of crustal rocks, or involve combination of both. In this study, we apply whole-rock chemical and Sm-Nd isotopic compositions and thermodynamically constrained modeling (Magma Chamber Simulator, MCS) to decipher the genesis of a suite of A1-type peralkaline to peraluminous granites and associated intermediate rocks (monzodiorite-monzonite, syenite) from the southwestern margin of the Archean Karelia craton, central Finland, Fennoscandian Shield. These plutonic rocks were emplaced at ca. 2.05 Ga during an early stage of the break-up of the Karelia craton along its western margin and show trace element affinities to ocean island basalt-type magmas. The intermediate rocks show positive ε_Nd(2050 Ma) values (+1.3 to +2.6), which are only slightly lower than the estimated contemporaneous depleted mantle value (+3.4), but much higher than average ε_Nd(2050 Ma) of Archean TTGs (–10) in the surrounding bedrock, indicating that these rocks were essentially derived from a mantle source. The ε_Nd(2050 Ma) values of the peralkaline and peraluminous granite samples overlap (–0.9 to +0.6 and –3.2 to +0.9, respectively) and are somewhat lower than those in the intermediate rocks, suggesting that the mafic magmas parental to granite must have assimilated some amount of older Archean continental crust during their fractionation, which is consistent with the continental crust-like trace element signatures of the granite members. The MCS modeling indicates that fractional crystallization of mantle-derived magmas can explain the major element characteristics of the intermediate rocks. The generation of the granites requires further fractional crystallization of these magmas coupled with assimilation of Archean crust. These processes took place in the middle to upper crust (∼2–4 kbar, ∼7–15 km) and involved crystallization of large amounts of clinopyroxene, plagioclase and olivine. Our results highlight the importance of coupled FC-AFC processes in the petrogenesis of A-type magmas and support the general perception that magmas of A-type ferroan granites become more peraluminous by assimilation of crust. They further suggest that variable fractionation paths of the magmas upon the onset of assimilation may explain the broad variety of A-type felsic and intermediate igneous rocks that is often observed emplaced closely in time and space within the same igneous complex.     

Isotope Lu–Hf composition of detrital zircon from paragneisses of the Sharyzhalgai uplift: evidence for the Paleoproterozoic crustal growth

We present results of study of the trace-element and Lu–Hf isotope compositions of zircons from Paleoproterozoic high-grade metasedimentary rocks (paragneisses) of the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton (Irkut terrane of the Sharyzhalgai uplift). Metamorphic zircons are represented by rims and multifaceted crystals dated at ~ 1.85 Ga. They are depleted in either LREE or HREE as a result of subsolidus recrystallization and/or synchronous formation with REE-concentrating garnet or monazite. In contrast to the metamorphic zircons, the detrital cores are enriched in HREE and have high (Lu/Gd)_n ratios, which is typical of igneous zircon. The weak positive correlation between ¹⁷⁶Lu/¹⁷⁷Hf and ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf in the zircon cores evidences that their Hf isotope composition evolved through radioactive decay in Hf = the closed system. Therefore, the isotope parameters of these zircons can give an insight into the provenance of metasedimentary rocks. The Paleoproterozoic detrital zircon cores from paragneisses, dated at ~ 2.3–2.4 and 2.0–1.95 Ga, are characterized by a wide range of ε_Hf values (from + 9.8 to –3.3) and model age T ^C 2.8–2.0 Ga. The provenance of these detrital zircons included both rocks with juvenile isotope Hf parameters and rocks resulted from the recycling of the Archean crust with a varying contribution of juvenile material. Zircons with high positive ε_Hf values were derived from the juvenile Paleoproterozoic crustal sources, whereas the lower ε_Hf and higher T ^C values for zircons suggest the contribution of the Archean crustal source to the formation of their magmatic precursors. Thus, at the Paleoproterozoic stage of evolution of the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton, both crustal recycling and crustal growth through the contribution of juvenile material took place. On the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton, detrital zircons with ages of ~ 2.3–2.4 and 1.95–2.0 Ga are widespread in Paleoproterozoic paragneisses of the Irkut and Angara–Kan terranes and in terrigenous rocks of the Urik–Iya graben, which argues for their common and, most likely, proximal provenances. In the time of metamorphism (1.88–1.85 Ga), the age of Paleoproterozoic detrital zircons (2.4–2.0 Ga), and their Lu–Hf isotope composition (ε_Hf values ranging from positive to negative values) the paragneisses of the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton are similar to the metasedimentary rocks of the Paleoproterozoic orogenic belts of the North China Craton. In the above two regions, the sources of detrital zircons formed by both the reworking of the Archean crust and the contribution of juvenile material, which is evidence for the crustal growth in the period 2.4–2.0 Ga.