SHRIMP dating of zircons from high-grade metasediments of the Schwarzwald/SW-Germany and implications for the evolution of the Moldanubian basement

Four metasedimentary zircon populations from different tectonometamorphic units of the Central and the Northern Schwarzwald (Variscan belt, SW-Germany) were investigated using SEM, cathodoluminescence and SHRIMP dating. Despite partially strong modifications of primary internal morphologies during Variscan metamorphism at amphibolite (750 °C, 0.4–0.6 GPa) and granulite-facies conditions (950–1,000 °C, 1.4–1.8 GPa), many grains show well-preserved protolith ages. The detritus indicates a northern Gondwana origin and different Palaeozoic episodes of sediment deposition and consolidation. Two of the studied sediments were deposited in Cambrian/early-Ordovician times and consolidated in positions close to northern Gondwana. Late Ordovician and rare Devonian detritus from sediments of two other tectonometamorphic units indicates much later sedimentation close to the leading edge of Gondwana or a terrane assemblage during northern drift towards Laurussia. Subsolidus growth of new zircon due to Variscan granulite facies metamorphism of one of the tectonometamorphic units is precisely dated at 335±2 Ma.Editorial responsibility: J. Hoefs     

New age constraints on emplacement of the Cévenol granitoids, South French Massif Central

During the development of the Variscan orogeny, large amounts of granitic melt were produced, giving rise to the intrusion of granitoids at different structural levels. Despite numerous studies, ages available from previous work on the Cévennes granites remain largely imprecise. In order to better constrain the age and emplacement mode of these granites, we have combined U–Pb dating on monazites and zircons and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating on biotites with petrological observations, major element chemical analysis and SEM zircon imaging on five samples from the Aigoual–St Guiral–Liron and Mont Lozère granitic massifs. The results revealed that granitic intrusions and cooling in Southern Cévennes occurred in a short time span at ∼306 Ma after the main episode of regional metamorphism. Petrological and chemical data suggest that they result from a mixing between mantle-derived basic magmas (lamprophyres) and lower crust acid magmas. At a regional scale the production of these melts occurred at the end of crustal thickening induced by nappe stacking, at the same time as the late anatectic events recorded further north in the Velay dome and the granulite facies metamorphism recorded in metasedimentary granulite enclaves brought up by Tertiary volcanoes of the Velay area (Bournac).     

The geodynamic evolution of the Italian South Alpine basement from the Ediacaran to the Carboniferous: Was the South Alpine terrane part of the peri-Gondwana arc-forming terranes?

Zircon U-Pb LA-ICPMS ages were obtained from three metasedimentary and two metavolcanic samples from the Monte Cavallino (South Tyrol) and the Cima Vallona (Carnic Alps) tectono-metamorphic groups from the eastern South Alpine crystalline basement in NE Italy. These analyses were performed to constrain the maximum depositional ages of the South Alpine domain, and to compare the spatial and temporal provenance variations with those of adjacent terranes. The detrital zircon dataset from the metasedimentary rocks (416 grains) yield populations with age peaks at 2.7–2.9 Ga, 1.8–2.1 Ga, 1.2–0.85 Ga, and 0.65–0.45 Ga, with maximum depositional ages ranging from the latest Neoproterozoic to the Silurian. The metavolcanic zircon dataset (209 grains) documents the presence of a two Ordovician volcanic events in the South Alpine domain. The detrital zircon dataset implies that the clastic units of the South Alpine crystalline basement were (a) deposited on the peri-Gondwanan active continental margin and (b) were originally sourced from the Proterozoic and Paleozoic units of NW Gondwana and hence should no longer be considered as exotic elements. The age spectra of the three metasedimentary units highlight differences between the Ediacaran basement gneiss, the Ordovician greywacke, and the Silurian metaconglomerate, suggesting up-section age variations due to a temporal change in provenance. Collectively, these new detrital zircon U-Pb ages imply that the clastic units within the South Alpine domain recorded sedimentation at c. 550 Ma on the peri-Gondwanan active continental margin, followed by rift-related continental and marine sedimentation in a back-arc basin setting until at least the Silurian. The South Alpine domain ultimately rifted off from Gondwana due to back-arc spreading, and subsequently underwent Variscan metamorphism during accretion onto the Laurussia margin, which started at c. 380 Ma and lasted until at least c. 320 Ma.     

Precambrian to Paleozoic zircon record in the Siviez-Mischabel basement (western Swiss Alps)

U–Pb zircon analyses from three meta-igneous and two metasedimentary rocks from the Siviez-Mischabel nappe in the western Swiss Alps are presented, and are used to derive an evolutionary history spanning from Paleoarchean crustal growth to Permian magmatism. The oldest components are preserved in zircons from metasedimentary albitic schists. The oldest zircon core in these schists is 3.4 Ga old. Detrital zircons reveal episodes of crustal growth in the Neoarchean (2.7–2.5 Ga), Paleoproterozoic (2.2–1.9 Ma) and Neoproterozoic (800–550 Ma, Pan-African event). The maximum age of deposition for the metasedimentary rocks is given by the youngest detrital zircons within both metasedimentary samples dated at ~490 Ma (Cambrian-Ordovician boundary). This is in the age range of two granitoid samples dated at 505 ± 4 and 482 ± 7 Ma, and indicates sedimentation and magmatism in an extensional setting preceding an Ordovician orogeny. The third felsic meta-igneous rock gives a Permian age of intrusion, and is part of a long-lasting Variscan to post-Variscan magmatic activity. The zircons record only minor disturbance of the U–Pb system during the Alpine orogeny.     

The origin of zircon and the significance of U–Pb ages in high-grade metamorphic rocks: a case study from the Variscan orogenic root (Vosges Mountains, NE France)

U–Pb zircon dating is combined with petrology, Zr-in-rutile thermometry and mineral equilibria modelling to discuss zircon petrogenesis and the age of metamorphism in three units of the Variscan Vosges Mountains (NE France). The monotonous gneiss unit shows results at 700–500?Ma, but no Variscan ages. The varied gneiss unit preserves ages between 600 and 460?Ma and a Variscan group at 340–335?Ma. Zircon analyses from the felsic granulite unit define a continuous array of ages between 500 and 340?Ma. In varied gneiss samples, zoned garnet includes kyanite and rutile and is surrounded by matrix sillimanite and cordierite. In a pseudosection, it points to peak conditions of?~16 kbar/850?°C followed by isothermal decompression to 8–10 kbar/820–860?°C. In felsic granulite samples, the assemblage K-feldspar–garnet–kyanite–Zr-rich rutile is replaced by sillimanite and Zr-poor rutile. Modelling these assemblages supports minimum conditions of?~13 kbar/925?°C, and a subsequent P–T decrease to 6.5–8.5 kbar/800–820?°C. The internal structure and chemistry of zircons, and modelling of zircon dissolution/growth along the inferred P–T paths are used to discuss the significance of the U–Pb ages. In the monotonous unit, inherited zircon ages of 700–500?Ma point to sedimentation during the Late Cambrian, while medium-grade metamorphism did not allow the formation of Variscan zircon domains. In both the varied gneiss and felsic granulite units, zircons with a blurred oscillatory-zoned pattern could reflect solid-state recrystallization of older grains during HT metamorphism, whereas zircons with a dark cathodoluminescence pattern are thought to derive from crystallization of an anatectic melt during cooling at middle pressure conditions. The present work proposes that U–Pb zircon ages of ca. 340?Ma probably reflect the end of a widespread HT metamorphic event at middle crustal level.     

大陆碰撞造山带榴辉岩相的熔体活动:来自南阿尔金基性麻粒岩中长英质脉体的证据

本文通过对南阿尔金巴什瓦克基性麻粒岩中长英质脉体的岩相学、锆石U-Pb年代学、Lu-Hf同位素及全岩主微量地球化学的综合研究,首次限定了该区基性麻粒岩中长英质脉体的形成时代为491±2 Ma (MSWD=0.91),此年龄与寄主麻粒岩高压—超高温阶段(榴辉岩相)的变质时代在误差范围内近一致,表明长英质脉体形成于榴辉岩相的变质阶段。由于长英质脉体中锆石明显不同于寄主基性麻粒岩中变质锆石的形态特征,基本排除了长英质脉体中的锆石为捕获锆石的可能性。此外,该长英质脉体中的锆石具有少量的长石、石英包裹体和较低的Th/U比值(0.05-0.41),锆石稀土元素配分模式图显示其具有重稀土富集和Eu负异常的特征,这些证据表明长英质脉体中的锆石可能结晶于变质熔体之中。长英质脉体的全岩地球化学特征显示其该脉体具有相对较低的K2O值,基本上排除了其来源于围岩长英质麻粒岩的可能,而且这些锆石的Hf同位素特征与寄主岩石的锆石Hf同位素特征具有相似性,表明形成长英质脉体的熔体为内部来源。结合全岩地球化学特征,推测其可能为基性麻粒岩发生部分熔融所致。     

Sedimentary provenance of the Late Paleozoic metamorphic basement,south-central Chile: Implications for the evolution of the western margin of Gondwana

ABSTRACT

U-Pb detrital zircon age patterns are presented for nine samples of metapelites from the metamorphic basement of south-central Chile between 37° and 40°S, along with detrital zircon ages for a sample from the Piedra Santa metamorphic complex and a crystallization age of the Chachil plutonic complex, farther east in Argentina. Two distinct zircon age patterns are identified. One is a pattern with a dominant population of zircons at ca. 470 Ma (Ordovician), a widespread presence of Mesoproterozoic ages (1200 ? 1000 Ma), and a Carboniferous maximum deposition age indicated by the youngest zircon population. The second pattern is drastically different, with a main population of Permian zircons, a 290–250 Ma maximum deposition age, and a minor contribution of Pennsylvanian age zircons. Our results, coupled with previously reported metamorphic ages, show that the patterns reflect the presence of different tectonic blocks separated by the Mocha-Villarrica Fault Zone at 39°S. Metapelites north of this structure have the Ordovician-dominated pattern characteristic of the Western Series of the Paleozoic basement, and those south of the fault show the Permian-dominated pattern observed in the younger high-pressure metapelites from the Bahía Mansa metamorphic complex. The Piedra Santa metamorphic complex also shows the Ordovician-dominated pattern and was intruded by the Chachil plutonic complex dated here at ca. 303 Ma. Therefore, the Piedra Santa complex is interpreted as coeval with the Chilean metamorphic basement. The present dislocation of blocks with different ages is attributed to continental-scale dextral strike-slip tectonics along the Huincul Fault Zone, Argentina, which extends to the west as the Mocha-Villarrica Fault Zone in Chile.     

Alpine reworking of Ordovician protoliths in the Western Carpathians: Geochronological and geochemical data on the Muráñ Gneiss Complex, Slovakia

Magmatic protoliths of Ordovician age have been identified in the metamorphic rocks of the Muráñ Gneiss Complex, Veporic Unit (Central Western Carpathians). Vapor digestion single zircon U–Pb dating yields an intrusion age of 464 ± 35 Ma (upper intercept) for the granite protolith. A lower intercept age of 88 ± 40 Ma records amphibolite-facies metamorphic overprint in the Cretaceous, during the Alpine orogeny. Geochemical and isotopic data suggest crustal origin of the orthogneiss. Nd_initial are between − 2.6 and − 5.0 and T_DM^Nd between 1.3 and 1.5 Ga (two-step approach). ⁸⁷Sr / ⁸⁶Sr_initial ratios vary between 0.7247 and 0.7120, and a steep REE pattern further constrains the crustal affinity of these rocks. Associated amphibolite bodies have Nd_initial values of 6.5, ⁸⁷Sr / ⁸⁶Sr_initial ratio of 0.7017, and a flat REE pattern. They are interpreted as MORB derived metabasites. Whole-rock Pb isotope analyses define a linear array in a ²⁰⁶Pb / ²⁰⁴Pb vs. ²⁰⁷Pb / ²⁰⁴Pb diagram with an age of ca. 134 Ma, consistent with intense Alpine metamorphism and deformation.

These basement rocks of the Central Western Carpathians are interpreted as Ordovician magmatic rocks intruded at an active margin of Gondwana. They represent the eastern prolongation of Cambro–Ordovician units of the European Variscides, which were part of the peri-Gondwana superterrane and accreted to Laurussia during the Variscan orogeny. Variscan metamorphic overprint is not recorded by the isotopic data of the Muráñ Gneiss Complex. Alpine metamorphism is the most dominant overprint.     

Behaviour of zircon in high-grade metamorphic rocks: evidence from Hf isotopes,trace elements and textural studies

Hf isotopic data of minerals in a mafic pyroxene granulite from the southern Bohemian Massif, together with their major and trace element composition and petrological observations were used to decipher the metamorphic history and behaviour of zircon in the granulite. The Hf isotopic composition in the minerals was used to estimate whether the decompression reaction, namely the consumption of garnet and rutile, could have provided Zr for the formation of newly grown metamorphic zircon. The age of the decompression reaction indicated by the evolution of Hf isotopes in garnet and orthopyroxene is between 333 and 331 Ma, i.e. ca. 7 Ma younger than the available U–Pb zircon ages from the Moldanubian granulites and than the newly obtained 343 ± 2 Ma laser ablation ICP-MS U–Pb age of zircons. The combination of bulk and in-situ Hf isotopic data, major and trace element composition and petrological modeling of P–T evolution revealed that the formation of zircons can not be related to the decompression phase of the evolution of the mafic granulites. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Retention of Precambrian Rb/Sr phlogopite ages through Caledonian eclogite facies metamorphism, Bergen Arc Complex, W-Norway

The Lindås Nappe, Caledonides W-Norway was affected by two major tectonometamorphic events. A Precambrian granulite facies event at T=800–900°C, P<10 kbar was followed by localized Caledonian eclogite facies (T=650–700°C and P>15 kbar) and localized amphibolite facies reworking. During the granulite–eclogite facies transition, anorthositic rocks were converted from garnet granulites to kyanite eclogites, while phlogopite-bearing spinel lherzolite reacted to garnet lherzolite. The eclogite and amphibolite facies reequilibration took place along shear zones and fluid pathways. In the unhydrated and undeformed parts, the minerals preserved their granulite facies composition with constant Fe/Mg ratios from core to rim, suggesting diffusional reequilibration. Rb/Sr age dating was carried out on relict granulite facies minerals from three lenses of ultramafites (Alvfjellet, Hundskjeften and Kvamsfjellet). Phlogopite from phlogopite lherzolite at Alvfjellet give 857±9 Ma, while clinopyroxene, amphibole, phlogopite and whole rock from a lherzolite at Hundskjeften yield an age of 842±12 Ma (MSWD=1.9). Clinopyroxene, feldspar, orthopyroxene phlogopite and whole rock from websterite, Kvamsfjellet, yield an age of 835±7 Ma (MSWD<1), while clinopyroxene, phlogopite and whole rock from a lherzolite from the same lens gives a result of 882±9 Ma. These results are interpreted as minimum ages for the granulite facies event and only slightly younger than, or overlap with previous U–Pb zircon ages (929±1 Ma) and Sm–Nd garnet–pyroxene ages (890–923 Ma) interpreted to date the end of the granulite facies event. By contrast, ages obtained for the eclogite and amphibolite facies range from 460 (U–Pb, sphene), 440 (Ar–Ar), 419 (U–Pb, zircon) to 410 Ma (Rb/Sr mineral ages).

These results demonstrate that the reopening temperature for the Rb/Sr system in phlogopite–biotite under dry and static high-pressure conditions is, in the given mineral assemblages, at least 650°C, considerably higher than the 300–400°C assumed as the closure temperature of this system. We ascribe this elevated reopening temperature to fluid absent conditions that prevented element transport and rehomogenization.     

Timing the tectonic mingling of ultramafic rocks and metasediments in the southern section of the coastal accretionary complex of central Chile

Uranium-lead ages are reported for zircons from ultramafic bodies and metamorphic host rocks of the Western Series that outcrop at La Cabaña, in the southern section of the coastal accretionary complex of central Chile. Metasedimentary mica schists hosting the ultramafic bodies contain a main detrital zircon population of Devonian age (365–380 Ma) clustering around ~368 Ma, differing significantly from neighbouring areas where Devonian zircons are scarce. Zircons from the metasomatic reaction zones (albitites and chloritites), formed during the emplacement and alteration of the ultramafic bodies, are mainly Ordovician (~478 Ma) and lack Devonian zircons, resembling a typical detrital zircon pattern from other locations in the Western Series. Zircons from the chloritite reaction zone of the Lavanderos serpentinite, the easternmost ultramafic body in La Cabaña, are in textural equilibrium with metamorphic ilmenite. Some of these zircons yield an average age of 283.4 ± 7 Ma (n = 6) which is identical, within error, to a previously reported K-Ar fuchsite cooling age of 282 ± 6 Ma from the reaction zone. Most zircons extracted from chromitite boulders have euhedral oscillatory-zoned growth patterns with a similar range of ages than those reported for the Western Series (324–1090 Ma; n = 12), except for two zircons with cloudy appearance and high U/Th ratios which yielded an average age of 285.5 ± 7 Ma. The presence of Early Permian zircons (~280–290 Ma) in all studied rocks suggests remobilization of Zr, possibly triggered by metasomatic fluids released during the disequilibrium reaction associated with the tectonic emplacement of the ultramafic rocks into the metasedimentary rock. Simultaneously with the formation of metasomatic zircons, Palaeozoic and Mesoproterozoic zircons from the metasedimentary rocks were mechanically incorporated into the ultramafic rocks, thus providing a record of the timing of crustal emplacement of the ultramafic rocks into the accretionary complex.     

Nature and evolution of the lower crust under central Spain: Inferences from granulite xenoliths (Calatrava Volcanic Field-Spanish central system)

So far, the nature and evolution of the lower crust under central Spain have been constrained mainly on the basis of a heterogeneous suite of granulite xenoliths from the Spanish Central System (SCS). In recent years, ultramafic volcanics from the Calatrava Volcanic Field (CVF) have also provided deep-seated crustal xenoliths which have not been studied in detail. Our data, combining mineral, whole-rock and isotopic geochemistry with U–Pb–Hf isotope ratios in zircons from the CVF and SCS xenoliths, highlight the felsic composition of the lower crust under central Iberia. A number of the Calatrava xenoliths represents Variscan igneous protoliths, which are a minor population in the SCS, and were likely formed by crystallisation of intermediate and felsic melts in the lower crust during the Variscan orogeny (leucodiorite protolith age of 314 ± 3 Ma and leucogranite protolith age of 308 ± 2.5 Ma). U–Pb data of metamorphic zircons show that granulite-facies metamorphism mainly occurred from 299 to 285 Ma in both areas. These ages are slightly younger than those of granitic intrusions that could be genetically related to the granulitic residue, which points to a main role of U–Pb isotope resetting in lower crustal zircons during HT or UHT conditions. The zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopic ratios support the idea that the lower crust in central Iberia consists mainly of Ordovician–Neoproterozoic metaigneous and metasedimentary rocks associated with the Cadomian continental arc of northern Gondwana. These rocks provide evidence of mixing between juvenile magmas and an enriched crustal component, ultimately extracted from an Eburnean crust. Other more evolved components present in detrital zircons are likely related to recycling of Archean crust derived from North Africa cratonic terranes.     

Further evidence for an early Carboniferous (∼340 Ma) age of high-grade metamorphism in the Saxonian granulite complex

U–Pb and Pb–Pb zircon ages for metamorphic zircons from granulites in the Saxonian granulite complex are reported, using the SHRIMP ion microprobe, conventional multigrain and single-gain techniques and the evaporation method. This is complemented by a Pb–Pb evaporation age for a post-granulite granite emplaced into the schist mantle around the granulites during uplift of the complex. We also demonstrate that zircon ages are not reset during high-grade metamorphism, as commonly argued, but have a very high closure temperature and usually preserve the isotopic composition reflecting the time of their formation. Multifaceted zircons from four granulite samples that probably grew close to the peak of high-grade metamorphism yielded identical U–Pb and Pb–Pb ages of ～340?Ma which support previously published data and unambiguously show that the granulites formed during a lower Carboniferous event and not in the early Palaeozoic or Precambrian as previously suggested. Older cores in some of the metamorphic zircons reveal early Palaeozoic components at 470–485?Ma that we interpret as ages reflecting magmatic crystallization of the granulite precursors. One sample suggests an inherited component as old as ～1700?Ma. The post-granulite granite has a Pb–Pb evaporation age of 333.1±1.0?Ma, and the short time interval between granulite metamorphism and granite intrusion implies that uplift, crustal extension and cooling of the granulite complex occurred rapidly after peak metamorphic conditions.     

Polymetamorphism of the Variscan Basement of the Moldanubian Black Forest （Germany） Documented in Zircon and Garnet Minerals from Gneisses

High-grade metamorphic Variscan basement is exposed in the Moldanubian zone of the Black Forest (BF), being the internal zone of the European Variscan belt. Zircon grains from K-rich felsic orthogneisses and an anatectic paragneiss in the Moldanubian Black Forest demonstrate a multi-stage crystallization at ～ 600 Ma, ～ 480 Ma, ～ 400 - 380 Ma, and ～350 Ma. The last three stages of crystallization probably represent metamorphic overprint during pre-Variscan and Variscan metamorphism.Using stepwise leaching procedures, garnet minerals from felsic orthogneisses as well as paragneisses in the Moldanubian Black Forest yielded Early Carboniferous Sm-Nd ages (～ 330- 340 Ma), which are consistent with the well-constrained Variscan HT metamorphic event,and Early Palaeozoic ( ～480 Ma) to Devonian ( ～400 - 370 Ma) Pb-Pb ages. The coincidence of growth time for zircon and garnet minerals at Early Palaeozoic is interpreted as dating a metamorphic event. These garnet data demonstrate that the Moldanubian BF basement underwent at least two metamorphic events during the Early Palaeozoic and Early Carboniferous.During the Variscan HT metamorphism, the Sm-Nd system of garnet was disturbed, but not the U-Pb system, implying the peak metamorphic temperature was lower than ～800℃.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987112000564

High-pressure（HP） granulites widely occur as enclaves within tonalite-trondhjemitegranodiorite （TTG） gneisses of the Early Precambrian metamorphic basement in the Shandong Peninsula, southeast part of the North China Craton（NCC）.Based on cathodoluminescence（CL）,laser Raman spectroscopy and in-situ U-Pb dating,we characterize the zircons from the HP granulites and group them into three main types:inherited（magmatic） zircon,HP metamorphic zircon and retrograde zircon.The inherited zircons with clear or weakly defined magmatic zoning contain inclusions of apatites,and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of 2915—2890 Ma and 2763—2510 Ma,correlating with two magmatic events in the Archaean basement. The homogeneous HP metamorphic zircons contain index minerals of high-pressure metamorphism including garnet,clinopyroxene.plagioclase,quartz,rutile and apatite,and yield ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages between 1900 and 1850 Ma,marking the timing of peak HP granulite fades metamorphism.The retrograde zircons contain inclusions of orthopyroxene.plagioclase.quartz,apatite and amphibole.and yield the youngest ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of 1840—1820 Ma among the three groups,which we correlate to the medium to low-pressure granulite fades retrograde metamorphism.The data presented in this study suggest subduction of Meso- and Neoarchean magmatic protoliths to lower crust depths where they were subjected to HP granulite facies metamorphism during Palaeoproterozoic（1900—1850 Ma）.Subsequently, the HP granulites were exhumated to upper crust levels,and were overprinted by medium to low-pressure granulite and amphibolite facies retrograde event at ca.1840—820 Ma.     

Zircon trace element characteristics and ages in granulite xenoliths: a key to understanding the age and origin of the lower crust,Arkhangelsk kimberlite province,Russia

Garnet granulite and pyroxenite xenoliths from the Grib kimberlite pipe (Arkhangelsk, NW Russia) represent the lower crust beneath Russian platform in close vicinity to the cratonic region of the north-eastern Baltic (Fennoscandian) Shield. Many of the xenoliths have experienced strong interaction with the kimberlite host, but in others some primary granulite-facies minerals are preserved. Calculated bulk compositions for the granulites suggest that their protoliths were basic to intermediate igneous rocks; pyroxenites were ultrabasic to basic cumulates. A few samples are probably metasedimentary in origin. Zircons are abundant in the xenoliths; they exhibit complex zoning in cathodoluminescence with relic cores and various metamorphic rims. Cores include oscillatory zircon crystallized in magmatic protoliths, and metamorphic and magmatic sector-zoned zircons. Recrystallization of older zircons led to the formation of bright homogeneous rims. In some samples, homogeneous shells are surrounded by darker convoluted overgrowths that were formed by subsolidus growth when a change in mineral association occurred. The source of Zr was a phase consumed during a reaction, which produced garnet. Late-generation zircons in all xenoliths show concordant U–Pb ages of 1.81–1.84 Ga (1,826 ± 11 Ma), interpreted as the age of last granulite-facies metamorphism. This event completely resets most zircon cores. An earlier metamorphic event at 1.96–1.94 Ga is recorded by some rare cores, and a few magmatic oscillatory zircons have retained a Neoarchaean age of 2,719 ± 14 Ma. The assemblage of metaigneous and metasedimentary rocks was probably formed before the event at 1.96 Ga. Inherited magmatic zircons indicate the existence of continental crust by the time of intrusion of magmatic protoliths in the Late Archaean. The U–Pb zircon ages correspond to major events recorded in upper crustal rocks of the region: collisional metamorphism and magmatism 2.7 Ga ago and reworking of Archaean rocks at around 1.95–1.75 Ga. However, formation of the granulitic paragenesis in lower crustal rocks occurred significantly later than the last granulite-facies event seen in the upper crust and correlates instead with retrograde metamorphism and small-volume magmatism in the upper crust.     

大别山黄土岭麻粒岩锆石和共生矿物的微量元素分析及其地质意义

对大别山黄土岭麻粒岩中的锆石进行了LA-ICPMS微区微量元素分析.结果表明,黄土岭麻粒岩中锆石的不同区域有不同的微量元素组成,麻粒岩相变质锆石的大多数微量元素含量明显低于岩浆锆石,表明麻粒岩相变质条件下形成的锆石具有较低的微量元素组成.锆石及其共生矿物的微量元素分析结果表明,该麻粒岩中变质锆石Eu负异常是变质锆石形成时长石稳定存在的结果.锆石与石榴子石之间微量元素分配特点表明,变质锆石与石榴子石之间到达了平衡.这些结果表明,该样品的变质锆石形成于麻粒岩相峰期变质阶段,这些变质锆石区域测定的年龄结果对应于麻粒岩相峰期变质作用时间.锆石和共生矿物的微量元素分析对锆石的成因及得到的年龄的解释具有重要的指示意义.锆石与石榴子石之间微量元素的分配特征,不但可以指示锆石与石榴子石之间是否达到平衡,而且可以通过石榴子石这一"桥梁",为锆石的U-Pb年龄提供合理的p-T条件限定.     

Internal morphology, habit and U-Th-Pb microanalysis of amphibolite-to-granulite facies zircons: geochronology of the Ivrea Zone (Southern Alps)

Several types of growth morphologies and alteration mechanisms of zircon crystals in the high-grade metamorphic Ivrea Zone (IZ) are distinguished and attributed to magmatic, metamorphic and fluid-related events. Anatexis of pelitic metasediments in the IZ produced prograde zircon overgrowths on detrital cores in the restites and new crystallization of magmatic zircons in the associated leucosomes. The primary morphology and Th-U chemistry of the zircon overgrowth in the restites show a systematic variation apparently corresponding to the metamorphic grade: prismatic (prism-blocked) low-Th/U types in the upper amphibolite facies, stubby (fir-tree zoned) medium-Th/U types in the transitional facies and isometric (roundly zoned) high-Th/U types in the granulite facies. The primary crystallization ages of prograde zircons in the restites and magmatic zircons in the leucosomes cannot be resolved from each other, indicating that anatexis in large parts of the IZ was a single and short lived event at 299 ± 5 Ma (95% c. l.). Identical U/Pb ages of magmatic zircons from a metagabbro (293 ± 6 Ma) and a metaperidotite (300 ± 6 Ma) from the Mafic Formation confirm the genetic context of magmatic underplating and granulite facies anatexis in the IZ. The U-Pb age of 299 ± 5 Ma from prograde zircon overgrowths in the metasediments also shows that high-grade metamorphic (anatectic) conditions in the IZ did not start earlier than 20 Ma after the Variscan amphibolite facies metamorphism in the adjacent Strona–Ceneri Zone (SCZ). This makes it clear that the SCZ cannot represent the middle to upper crustal continuation of the IZ. Most parts of zircon crystals that have grown during the granulite facies metamorphism became affected by alteration and Pb-loss. Two types of alteration and Pb-loss mechanisms can be distinguished by cathodoluminescence imaging: zoning-controlled alteration (ZCA) and surface-controlled alteration (SCA). The ZCA is attributed to thermal and/or decompression pulses during extensional unroofing in the Permian, at or earlier than 249 ± 7 Ma. The SCA is attributed to the ingression of fluids at 210 ± 12 Ma, related to hydrothermal activity during the breakup of the Pangaea supercontinent in the Upper Triassic/Lower Jurassic. Received: 7 July 1998 / Accepted: 4 November 1998     

SHRIMP II dating of zircons and monazites: reassessing the timing of high-grade metamorphism and fluid flow in the Reynolds Range, northern Arunta Block, Australia

ABSTRACT Key insights into the timing of tectonometamorphic events in a complex high-grade metamorphic terrane can be obtained by combining results from SHRIMP II ion microprobe studies of individual monazite grains with SHRIMP II studies and scanning electron microscope (SEM)-based cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging of zircons. Results from the Reynolds Range region, Arunta Block, Northern Territory, Australia, show that the final episode of regional metamorphism to high-T and low-P granulite facies conditions is most likely to have occurred at c. 1580 Ma, not at 1785–1775 Ma, as previously accepted. The previous interpretation was based on zircon studies of structurally controlled granitoids, without SEM-based CL imaging. Monazites in a 1806± 6 Ma megacrystic granitoid preserve rare cores that are interpreted to be inherited magmatic monazite, but record no evidence of another high-T event prior to 1580 Ma. Most monazites from the region record only a single high-T metamorphic event at c. 1580 Ma. Zircon inheritance is very common. Zircons or narrow overgrowths of zircon dated at c. 1580 Ma have only been found in two types of rocks: rocks produced by metasomatic fluid flow at high temperatures (≤750°C), and rocks that have undergone local partial melting. Previous explanations that attributed these 1580 Ma zircon ages to widespread hydrothermal fluid fluxing associated with post-tectonic pegmatite emplacement at amphibolite facies conditions are not supported by the available evidence including oxygen isotope data. The observed high regional metamorphic temperatures require the involvement of advective heating. However, contrary to a previous tectonic model for the formation of this and other low-P, high-T metamorphic belts, the granites that are exposed at the present structural level do not appear to be the source of that heat, unless some of the granites were emplaced at c. 1580 Ma.     

Polyphase magmatic pulses along the Northern Gondwana margin: U-Pb zircon geochronology from gneiss domes of the Pyrenees

Alkaline granitic dikes intruding the metasedimentary mantle and orthogneiss cores of the Aston and Hospitalet domes of the Axial Zone of the Pyrenees are subjects of a laser ablation ICP-MS U-Pb zircon geochronology study. The age spectra recorded by detrital, magmatic xenocrystic and inherited zircons reveal a more complex, nearly continuous Paleozoic magmatic history of the Variscan basement of the Pyrenees than previously known. Inherited and detrital zircons of Mesoarchean, Paleoproterozoic to Ediacaran ages attest to the Peri-Gondwana location of the Cambrian sediments that later form the metamorphic core of the Variscan Pyrenees. The youngest magmatic zircon ages fall into the late Carboniferous and earliest Permian, ranging from ca. 306–297 Ma, and represent the emplacement ages of the dikes and small granite intrusions. The age spectra of magmatic xenocrystic zircons contain several maxima, middle (475–465 Ma) and late Ordovician (455–445 Ma), early (415–402 Ma) and late Devonian (385–383 Ma), early (356–351 Ma) and middle Carboniferous (ca. 328 Ma). Middle Ordovician and middle Carboniferous ages are obtained from xenocrystic zircons that were assimilated from the rocks the dikes intruded, the Aston and Hospitalet orthogneisses and the Soulcem granite. The presence of early-mid Carboniferous magmatic zircons in several samples lends further support to a wide-spread early Variscan magmatic activity in the central Pyrenees. The other age peaks do not have equivalent igneous or metaigneous rocks in the central Axial Zone, but are thought to be present in the Pyrenean crust, not exposed and yet to be identified. The diversity of Ordovician, Devonian and Carboniferous up to Permian magmatic ages indicates polyphase emplacement of intrusive bodies during pre-Variscan and Variscan orogenies. The source of the heat for the Devonian to early-mid Carboniferous magmatic activity remains elusive and may involve intracontinental subduction zone, lithospheric-scale shearing or a mantle plume (TUZO).