Nature and timing of the Solonker suture of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt: insights from geochronology and geochemistry of basic intrusions in the Xilin Gol Complex,Inner Mongolia,China

The Solonker suture zone of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) records the final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. The nature and timing of final collision along the Solonker suture has long been controversial, partly because of an incomplete record of isotopic ages and differing interpretations of the geological environments of key tectonic units. The Xilin Gol Complex, consisting of strongly deformed gneisses, schists and amphibolites, is such a key tectonic unit within the CAOB. Lenticular or quasi-lamellar amphibolites are dispersed throughout the complex, intercalated with biotite–plagioclase gneiss. Both rock types experienced amphibolite-facies metamorphism. The protolith of the amphibolite is a basic rock that intruded into the biotite–plagioclase gneiss at 319 ± 4 Ma based on LA-ICPMS zircon U–Pb dating. The basic intrusion was sourced from a modified magma that experienced crystal fractionation and was admixed with slab-derived fluids. The slab-derived fluids, which formed during Early Paleozoic oceanic subduction along the north-dipping Sonidzuoqi–Xilinhot subduction zone, mixed with the magma source and produced subduction-related geochemical signatures superimposed on volcanic arc chemistry. After Early Paleozoic oceanic subduction and arc-continent collision, a transient stage of extension occurred between 313 and 280 Ma in the Sonidzuoqi–Xilinhot area. Deformation and recrystallization during the switch from compression to extension and reheating by the later magmatic intrusions reset the isotope systems of minerals in the Xilin Gol Complex, recorded by a 312.2 ± 1.5 Ma biotite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age from biotite–plagioclase gneiss, a 309 ± 12 Ma zircon intercept age and a 307.5 ± 3.5 Ma hornblende ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age from amphibolites in the complex. There was an arc/forearc-related marine basin at the southern margin of the Xilin Gol Complex during the Permian. The closure of the oceanic basin led to Late Paleozoic–Middle Triassic north-dipping subduction beneath the Xilin Gol Complex and induced the amphibolite-facies metamorphism of the complex. The final suturing of the Solonker zone occurred from 269 to 231 Ma. This latest amphibolite-facies metamorphism with pressures of 0.31–0.39 GPa and temperatures of 620–660 °C was recorded at 263.4 ± 1.4 Ma to the Xilin Gol Complex, as indicated by the hornblende ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age from the amphibolites, as well as several zircon ages of 260 ± 3–231 ± 3 Ma. The Xilin Gol Complex documented the progressive accretion of a single, long-lived subduction system at the southern margin of the south Mongolian microcontinent from the Early Paleozoic (~452 Ma) to Middle Triassic (~231 Ma). The CAOB shows protracted collision prior to final suturing.     

When will it end? Long-lived intracontinental reactivation in central Australia

The post-Mesoproterozoic tectonometamorphic history of the Musgrave Province, central Australia, has previously been solely attributed to intracontinental compressional deformation during the 580 -520 Ma Petermann Orogeny. However, our new structurally controlled multi-mineral geochronology results,from two north-trending transects, indicate protracted reactivation of the Australian continental interior over ca. 715 million years. The earliest events are identified in the hinterland of the orogen along the western transect. The first tectonothermal event, at ca. 715 Ma, is indicated by40 Ar/39 Ar muscovite and U e Pb titanite ages. Another previously unrecognised tectonometamorphic event is dated at ca. 630 Ma by Ue Pb analyses of metamorphic zircon rims. This event was followed by continuous cooling and exhumation of the hinterland and core of the orogen along numerous faults, including the Woodroffe Thrust,from ca. 625 Ma to 565 Ma as indicated by muscovite, biotite, and hornblende40 Ar/39 Ar cooling ages. We therefore propose that the Petermann Orogeny commenced as early as ca. 630 Ma. Along the eastern transect,40 Ar/39 Ar muscovite and zircon(Ue Th)/He data indicate exhumation of the foreland fold and thrust system to shallow crustal levels between ca. 550 Ma and 520 Ma, while the core of the orogen was undergoing exhumation to mid-crustal levels and cooling below 600-660℃. Subsequent cooling to 150 -220℃ of the core of the orogen occurred between ca. 480 Ma and 400 Ma(zircon [Ue Th]/He data)during reactivation of the Woodroffe Thrust, coincident with the 450 -300 Ma Alice Springs Orogeny.Exhumation of the footwall of the Woodroffe Thrust to shallow depths occurred at ca. 200 Ma. More recent tectonic activity is also evident as on the 21 May, 2016(Sydney date), a magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred, and the resolved focal mechanism indicates that compressive stress and exhumation along the Woodroffe Thrust is continuing to the present day. Overall, these results demonstrate repeated amagmatic reactivation of the continental interior of Australia for ca. 715 million years, including at least 600 million years of reactivation along the Woodroffe Thrust alone. Estimated cooling rates agree with previously reported rates and suggest slow cooling of 0.9 -7.0℃/Ma in the core of the Petermann Orogen between ca. 570 Ma and 400 Ma. The long-lived, amagmatic, intracontinental reactivation of central Australia is a remarkable example of stress transmission, strain localization and cratonization-hindering processes that highlights the complexity of Continental Tectonics with regards to the rigid-plate paradigm of Plate Tectonics.     

Geochemistry and geochronology of Upper Permian–Upper Triassic volcanic rocks in eastern Jilin Province,NE China: implications for the tectonic evolution of the Palaeo-Asian Ocean

We present zircon U–Pb dating, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sr–Nd isotope results for the Upper Permian–Upper Triassic volcanic rocks to constrain the timing of the final closure of the eastern segment of the Palaeo-Asian Ocean. The volcanic rocks were mainly collected from the Yanbian area in eastern Jilin Province, northeastern China. The zircon U–Pb dating results indicate that the samples can be classified as Upper Permian–Lower Triassic basalts (ca. 262–244 Ma) and Upper Triassic dacites (ca. 216 Ma). The whole-rock geochemical results indicate that the rocks predominately belong to the medium-K and high-K calc-alkaline series. The basalts are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs, e.g. Ba and K) and depleted in high field strength elements (HFSEs, e.g. Nb and Ta), with weak positive Eu anomalies. The dacites are enriched in LILEs (e.g. Rb, Ba, Th, and K) and light rare earth elements (LREEs) and marked depletion in some HFSEs (e.g. Nb, Ta, and Ti), with significant negative Sr, P, and Eu anomalies. Moreover, the Upper Permian–Lower Triassic basalts have low initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7037–0.7048) and high ε_Nd values (4.4–5.4). In contrast, the Upper Triassic dacites possess relatively high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7052) compared with their low ε_Nd values (1.4). The basaltic magma likely originated from the partial melting of a depleted mantle wedge metasomatized by subduction-related fluids, and the felsic magmas likely originated from the partial melting of a dominantly juvenile source with a minor component of ancient crust. Taken together, the Upper Permian–Lower Triassic basalts (ca. 262–244 Ma) are arc basalts that formed in an active continental margin setting, and the Upper Triassic dacites (ca. 216 Ma) are A-type granitic rocks that formed in an extensional setting. Therefore, the final closure of the Palaeo-Asian Ocean occurred during the Middle–Late Triassic.     

川东盆地长寿地区三叠系杂卤石的发现及其成因研究

笔者先后2次对川东盆地盐矿实地考察,并系统采集了样品。水溶化学分析结果表明,长寿地区T1j4-2地层中岩盐w(K+)较高,最高可达3.25%,明显高于其他盐矿点(合川盐矿、云阳盐矿及万州高峰盐矿)。岩盐Br-含量也较高;Br×103/Cl值相对较高,一般为0.26~0.36,最大可达0.41,已达到晚期石盐沉积,甚至是钾镁盐早期沉积阶段。而后又对K+含量较高的样品(不含KCl)进行配矿分析,同时结合岩矿鉴定及XRD分析验证,首次发现和确定长平3井的主要含钾矿物为杂卤石,样品中不含钾石盐(KCl)。通过对样品薄片镜下观察,杂卤石为自形-半自形的板状和柱状及叶片状形态,结合杂卤石与石盐的接触关系及Br×103/Cl值分析,认为长平3井杂卤石为原生沉积成因,而非如前人所认为的四川盆地其他地区的杂卤石成因——后期含钾镁较高的热卤水交代硬石膏而形成。这一认识对该区寻找可溶性钾盐具有一定的启示作用。     

Radiometric age constraints on mineral growth,metamorphism, and tectonism of the Gummfluh Klippe,Briançonnais domain of the Préalpes,Switzerland

A combined ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar, K/Ar, Rb/Sr and stable isotope study has been made of white micas from the Gummfluh klippe (Briançonnais domain of the Préalpes), Switzerland. The klippe consists mainly of Mesozoic to early Tertiary carbonate rocks metamorphosed from anchizonal to epizonal conditions. At the base of the klippe is a 10–50 m thick, ductilely deformed marble mylonite containing deformed authigenic quartz segregations. Stable isotope measurements of the coexisting calcite (¹⁸O_SMOW=24.5) and quartz (¹⁸O_SMOW=28.4) from the mylonite indicate relatively low temperatures (<300°C) during mylonitization. Analyses of white mica separates of varying size fractions from the mylonitic rocks by K/Ar and Rb/Sr techniques yield ages between 57 and 103 Ma. This variation is correlated with two parameters, the size of the mineral fraction, and the proportion of 2M₁ (more phengitic) to 1M (more muscovitic) polytype in the sample. The K/Ar and Rb/Sr ages are generally younger in the smaller size fractions, which also containless 2M₁ phengite. High precision ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age spectra from different size fractions of these micas record three distinct components, a small Hercynian component (ca. 200–300 Ma), a significant Eoalpine component (64–80 Ma) forming ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age plateaus, and a very minor Tertiary component (ca. 20–40 Ma). Characterization of the samples by SEM indicates the presence of two white mica populations, a coarser grained, deformed, detrital mica that probably corresponds to the 2M₁ phengite and a finer grained neoformed 1M mica. Collectively these observations suggest that the Gummfluh samples contain a mixture of detrital phengites of Hercynian age together with neocrystallized muscovites grown during the late Eoalpine metamorphic event followed by minor argon loss during the Tertiary. The main geologic episode recorded in the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age spectra of white micas in the mylonite is of Late Cretaceous/Early Tertiary age (64–80 Ma), representing the first reliable Eoalpine ages ever to be reported from the Préalpes. Contrary to tectonic models, the marble mylonite at the base of the Gummfluh klippe appears to be a Cretaceous thrust plane and not the thrust surface formed during transport of the klippe into its present position from the Penninic Alps during the Tertiary. The late Cretaceous thrust developed during marine sedimentation at a depth of 800 m below the seafloor at temperatures of 280°C, facilitated by warm fluids along the tectonic discontinuity.     

Iblean diatremes 2: shallow marine volcanism in the Central Mediterranean at the onset of the Messinian Salinity Crisis (Iblean Mountains, SE-Sicily)—a multidisciplinary approach

A multidisciplinary analysis of intraplate volcanic complexes interbedded with shallow and deeper marine sediments of a Late Miocene carbonate platform (Iblean Plateau, Sicily) has allowed a detailed paleo-environmental reconstruction. Our approach includes sedimentology, physical volcanology, stratigraphy, geochemistry/mineralogy, paleontology and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating. Four volcanic complexes are distinguished from each other. Two comprise an eastern shallow water platform (diatreme field and Carlentini complex) and two a western deeper water environment representing a seamount belt on the carbonate ramp (Valle Guffari seamount and Mineo complex). The late Miocene volcanism was not time-equivalent: episodic eruptions took place from the Late Tortonian (ca. 9.38 Ma at Mt. Carrubba) to Early Messinian (ca. 6.46 Ma at Valle Guffari). Explosive volcanism of the diatreme field may be related geodynamically to the period of periodic sea-level oscillations at the onset of the Messinian Salinity Crisis. Marine diatomites preserved in the crater areas of two diatremes are the only remnants of Early Messinian diatomites in the eastern Iblean Mountains.     

The Wadi Zaghra metasediments of Sinai,Egypt: new constraints on the late Cryogenian–Ediacaran tectonic evolution of the northernmost Arabian–Nubian Shield

ABSTRACT

The La Tinta mélange is a small but singular ultramafic mélange sheet that crops out in eastern Cuba. It is composed of dolerite-derived amphibolite blocks embedded in a serpentinite matrix. The amphibolite blocks have mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)-like composition showing little if any imprint of subduction zone component, similar to most forearc and MOR basalts worldwide. Relict Cr-spinel and olivine mineral chemistry of the serpentinized ultramafic matrix suggest a forearc position for these rocks. These characteristics, together with a hornblende ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of 123.2 ± 2.2 Ma from one of the amphibolite blocks, suggest that the protoliths of the amphibolite blocks correspond to forearc basalt (FAB)-related rocks that formed during the earlier stage of subduction initiation of the Early Cretaceous Caribbean arc. We propose that the La Tinta amphibolites correspond to fragments of sills and dikes of hypoabyssal rocks formed in the earlier stages of a subduction initiation scenario in the Pacific realm (ca. 136 Ma). The forearc dolerite-derived amphibolites formed by partial melting of upwelling fertile asthenosphere at the beginning of subduction of the Proto-Caribbean (Atlantic) slab, with no interaction with slab-derived fluids/melts. This magmatic episode probably correlates with Early Cretaceous basic rocks described in Hispaniola (Gaspar Hernandez serpentinized peridotite-tectonite). The dikes and sills cooled and metamorphosed due to hydration at low pressure (ca. 3.8 kbar) and medium to high temperature (up to 720ºC) and reached ca. 500ºC at ca. 123 Ma. At this cooling stage, serpentinite formed after hydration of the ultramafic upper mantle. This process might have been favoured by faulting during extension of the forearc, indicating an early stage of dike and sill fragmentation and serpentinite mélanges formation; however, full development of the mélange likely took place during tectonic emplacement (obduction) onto the thrust belt of eastern Cuba during the latest Cretaceous.     

An <Superscript>40</Superscript>Ar/<Superscript>39</Superscript>Ar,Rb/Sr,and stable isotope study of micas in low-grade fold-and-thrust belt: an example from the Swiss Helvetic Alps

White micas in carbonate-rich tectonites and a few other rock types of large thrusts in the Swiss Helvetic fold-and-thrust belt have been analyzed by ⁴⁰Ar/ ³⁹Ar and Rb/Sr techniques to better constrain the timing of Alpine deformation for this region. Incremental ⁴⁰Ar/ ³⁹Ar heating experiments of 25 weakly metamorphosed (anchizone to low greenschist) samples yield plateau and staircase spectra. We interpret most of the staircase release spectra result from variable mixtures of syntectonic (neoformed) and detrital micas. The range in dates obtained within individual spectra depends primarily on the duration of mica nucleation and growth, and relative proportions of neoformed and detrital mica. Rb/Sr analyses of 12 samples yield dates of ca. 10–39 Ma (excluding one anomalously young sample). These dates are slightly younger than the ⁴⁰Ar/ ³⁹Ar total gas dates obtained for the same samples. The Rb/Sr dates were calculated using initial ⁸⁷Sr/ ⁸⁶Sr ratios obtained from the carbonate-dominated host rocks, which are higher than normal Mesozoic carbonate values due to exchange with fluids of higher ⁸⁷Sr/ ⁸⁶Sr ratios (and lower ¹⁸O/ ¹⁶O ratios). Model dates calculated using ⁸⁷Sr/ ⁸⁶Sr values typical of Mesozoic marine carbonates more closely approximate the ⁴⁰Ar/ ³⁹Ar total gas dates for most of the samples. The similarities of Rb/Sr and ⁴⁰Ar/ ³⁹Ar total gas dates are consistent with limited amounts of detrital mica in the samples. The d ¹⁸O values range from 24–15‰ (VSMOW) for 2–6 µm micas and 27–16‰ for the carbonate host rocks. The carbonate values are significantly lower than their protolith values due to localized fluid-rock interaction and fluid flow along most thrust surfaces. Although most calcite-mica pairs are not in oxygen isotope equilibrium at temperatures of ca. 200–400 °C, their isotopic fractionations are indicative of either 1) partial exchange between the minerals and a common external fluid, or 2) growth or isotopic exchange of the mica with the carbonate after the carbonate had isotopically exchanged with an external fluid. The geological significance of these results is not easily or uniquely determined, and exemplifies the difficulties inherent in dating very fine-grained micas of highly deformed tectonites in low-grade metamorphic terranes. Two generalizations can be made regarding the dates obtained from the Helvetic thrusts: 1) samples from the two highest thrusts (Mt. Gond and Sublage) have all of their ⁴⁰Ar/ ³⁹Ar steps above 20 Ma, and 2) most samples from the deepest Helvetic thrusts have steps (often accounting for more than 80% of ³⁹Ar release) between 15 and 25 Ma. These dates are consistent with the order of thrusting in the foreland-imbricating system and increase proportions of neoformed to detrital mica in the more metamorphosed hinterland and deeply buried portions of the nappe pile. Individual thrusts accommodated the majority of their displacement during their initial incorporation into the foreland-imbricating system, and some thrusts remained active or were reactivated down to 15 Ma.     

川东北黄金口背斜三叠系深部杂卤石特征及成因探讨

川东北早中三叠纪具备成盐成钾条件,黄金口背斜地区发现深部富钾卤水已经有近40年的历史,但是尚无对深层杂卤石的系统研究。近年,四川省启动了新一轮的找钾工作,并在黄金口背斜地区施工了钾盐探井,文章依托钻孔编录及测井资料,对该孔含盐系地层沉积特征进行了研究,并系统采集了3500 m以深的杂卤石、石盐、硬石膏等蒸发岩样品进行了分析测试。该孔杂卤石主要赋存于嘉陵江组五段二亚段与雷口坡组一段一亚段含盐地层中,可细分为4个成盐旋回,共发现杂卤石矿层8层,累计厚度33.5 m。该孔杂卤石主要呈薄层状产于硬石膏中,部分呈斑点状、团块状、薄层状产于石盐中,镜下呈半自形-他形粒状、板状、柱状结构,结合粉晶X衍射及扫描电镜观察,初步认为该孔杂卤石为原生沉积成因。     

Geochemistry,zircon U–Pb analysis,and fluid inclusion 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of the Yingchengzi gold deposit,southern Heilongjiang Province,NE China

The Yingchengzi gold deposit, located 10 km west of Shalan at the eastern margin of the Zhangguangcai Range, is the only high commercially valuable gold deposit in southern Heilongjiang Province, NE China. This study investigates the chronology and geodynamic mechanisms of igneous activity and metallogenesis within the Yingchengzi gold deposit. New zircon U–Pb data, fluid inclusion ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating, whole‐rock geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotopic analysis is presented for the Yingchengzi deposit to constrain its petrogenesis and mineralization. Zircon U–Pb dating of the granite and diabase–porphyrite rocks of the igneous complex yields mean ages of 471.7 ± 5.5 and 434 ± 15 Ma respectively. All samples are high‐K calc‐alkaline or shoshonite rocks, are enriched in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements, and are depleted in high field strength elements, consistent with the geochemical characteristics of arc‐type magmas. The Sr–Nd isotope characteristics indicate that the granite formed by partial melting of the lower crust, including interaction with slab‐derived fluids from an underplated basaltic magma. The primary magma of the diabase–porphyrite was likely derived from the metasomatized mantle wedge by subducted slab‐derived fluids. Both types of intrusive rocks were closely related to subduction of the ocean plate located between the Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range and Jiamusi massifs. However, fluid inclusion ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating indicates that the Yingchengzi gold deposit formed at ~249 Ma, implying that the mineralization is unrelated to both the granite (~472 Ma) and diabase–porphyrite (~434 Ma) intrusions. Considering the tectonic evolution of the study area and adjacent regions, we propose that the Yingchengzi gold deposit was formed in a late Palaeozoic–Early Triassic continental collision regime following the closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean. In addition, the Yingchengzi deposit could be classified as a typical orogenic‐type gold deposit occuring in convergent plate margins in collisional orogens, and unlikely an intrusion‐related gold deposit as reported by previous studies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Did the Turonian–Coniacian plume pulse trigger subduction initiation in the Northern Caribbean? Constraints from 40Ar/39Ar dating of the Moa-Baracoa metamorphic sole (eastern Cuba)

The Güira de Jauco metamorphic sole, below the Moa-Baracoa ophiolite (eastern Cuba), contains strongly deformed amphibolites formed at peak metamorphic conditions of 650–660°C, approximately 8.6 kbar (~30 km depth). The geochemistry, based on immobile elements of the amphibolites, suggests oceanic lithosphere protholiths with a variable subduction component in a supra-subduction zone environment. The geochemical similarity and tectonic relations among the amphibolites and the basic rocks from the overlying ophiolite suggest a similar origin and protholith. New hornblende ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar cooling ages of 77–81 Ma obtained for the amphibolites agree with this hypothesis, and indicate formation and cooling/exhumation of the sole in Late Cretaceous times. The cooling ages, geochemical evidence for a back-arc setting of formation of the mafic protoliths, and regional geology of the region allow proposal of the inception of a new SW-dipping subduction zone in the back-arc region of the northern Caribbean arc during the Late Cretaceous (ca. 90–85 Ma). Subduction inception was almost synchronous with the main plume pulse of the Caribbean–Colombian Oceanic Plateau (92–88 Ma) and occurred around 15 million years before arc-continent collision (75 Ma–Eocene) at the northern leading edge of the Caribbean plate. This chronological framework suggests a plate reorganization process in the region triggered by the Caribbean–Colombian mantle plume.     

Tracing the exhumation of the Eclogite Zone (Tauern Window,Eastern Alps) by <Superscript>40</Superscript>Ar/<Superscript>39</Superscript>Ar dating of white mica in eclogites

New radiometric ages from the Subpenninic nappes (Eclogite Zone and Rote Wand – Modereck Nappe, Tauern Window) show that phengites formed under eclogite-facies metamorphic conditions retain their initial isotopic signature, even when associated lithologies were overprinted by greenschist- to amphibolite-facies metamorphism. Different stages of the eclogite-facies evolution can be dated provided ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating is combined with micro-structural analyses. An age of 39 Ma from the Rote Wand – Modereck Nappe is interpreted to be close to the burial age of this unit. Eclogite deformation within the Eclogite Zone started at the pressure peak along distinct shear zones, and prevailed along the exhumation path. An age of ca. 38 Ma is only observed for eclogites not affected by subsequent deformation and is interpreted as maximum age due to the possible influence of homogenously distributed excess argon. During exhumation deformation was localised along distinct mylonitic shear zones. This stage is mainly characterised by the formation of dynamically recrystallized omphacite2 and phengite. Deformation resulted in the resetting of the Ar isotopic system within the recrystallized white mica. Flat argon release spectra showing ages of 32 Ma within mylonites record the timing of cooling along the exhumation path, and the emplacement onto the Venediger Nappe. Ar-release patterns and ³⁶Ar/⁴⁰Ar vs.³⁹Ar/⁴⁰Ar isotope correlation analyses indicate no significant ⁴⁰Ar-loss after initial closure, and only a negligible incorporation of excess argon. From the pressure peak onwards, eclogitic conditions prevailed for almost 8–10 Ma.     

黑龙江嘉荫连珠山金矿床成岩成矿年代学及其地质意义

连珠山矿床位于小兴安岭北麓,是一个产于花岗岩内部断裂体系的蚀变岩型金矿床。为了限定其成矿时代与成矿地质背景,本文对其赋矿围岩黑云母二长花岗岩和石英闪长岩进行了岩石地球化学、锆石U-Pb和绢云母40Ar/39Ar年代学的系统研究。定年结果表明黑云母二长花岗岩形成时代为中三叠世(243.7±1.3Ma,MSWD=0.77,n=12),岩浆上侵过程中受到早古生代(474~438Ma)和中二叠世(267~261Ma)的岩浆混染,而石英闪长岩形成于晚三叠世(215.3±1.3Ma,MSWD=0.35,n=17);黄铁绢英岩化矿石中的绢云母40Ar/39Ar坪年龄为194.2±2.0Ma,指示为早侏罗世成矿;元素地球化学特征显示连珠山侵入岩为准铝质-弱过铝质、高钾钙碱性岩石系列,具有I型花岗岩的地球化学属性;轻稀土元素富集,相对亏损重稀土元素,且具有弱的负Eu异常;富集大离子亲石元素(LILE),亏损高场强元素(HFSE)。结合小兴安岭-张广才岭地区已有年代学资料和区域构造演化特征,认为其成矿地质背景为兴蒙造山晚期与古太平洋板块俯冲转换期,或成矿发生在兴蒙造山期后的伸展阶段。     

Thermochronological record of Middle–Late Jurassic magmatic reheating to Eocene rift-related rapid cooling in the SE South China Block

We investigate the Mesozoic–Cenozoic thermal history of the Daxi region (central SE South China Block) to evaluate the influence of the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific oceanic plate beneath the SE South China Block along the block's southeast margin on the tectonothermal evolution of the upper plate. We apply a multi-chronological approach that includes U-Pb geochronology on zircon, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating on muscovite and biotite from granitic rocks as well as fission-track and (U-Th-Sm)/He analyses on zircon and apatite from granitic and sedimentary rocks. The Heping granite, located in the Daxi region, has a magmatic age of ca. 441 Ma. The biotite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of ca. 193 Ma for the Early Jurassic Shibei granite and ca. 160 Ma for the Late Jurassic Fogang granite, respectively, reflect magmatic cooling. The Triassic Longyuanba granite yielded a muscovite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of ca. 167 Ma, recording heating to ≥ 350 °C induced by nearby intrusion of Middle Jurassic granites. Zircon fission-track and (U-Th-Sm)/He ages from Lower Carboniferous–Lower Jurassic sandstones (140–70 Ma) record continuous cooling during the Cretaceous that followed extensive Middle–Late Jurassic magmatism in the Daxi region. Cretaceous cooling is related to exhumation in an extensional tectonic setting, consistent with lithospheric rebound due to foundering and rollback of the subducted Paleo-Pacific oceanic plate. Apatite fission-track (53–42 Ma) and (U-Th-Sm)/He ages (43–36 Ma), and thermal modelling document rapid cooling in the Paleocene–Eocene, which temporally coincides with continental rifting in the SE South China Block in the leadup to the opening of the South China Sea.     

Constraining the mid-crustal channel flow beneath the Tibetan Plateau: data from the Nielaxiongbo gneiss dome,SE Tibet

Gneiss domes involving the South Tibetan Detachment System provide evidence for crustal extension simultaneous with shortening. The Nielaxiongbo gneiss dome is composed of a metamorphic complex of granitic gneiss, amphibolite, and migmatite; a ductilely deformed middle crustal layer of staurolite- or garnet-bearing schist; and a cover sequence of weakly metamorphosed Triassic and Lower Cretaceous strata. The middle crust ductilely deformed layer is separated from both the basement complex and the cover sequence by lower and upper detachments, respectively, with a smaller detachment fault occurring within the ductilely deformed layer. Leucogranites crosscut the basement complex, the lower detachment, and the middle crustal layer, but do not intrude the upper detachment or the cover sequence. Three deformational fabrics are recognized: a N–S compressional fabric (D₁) in the cover sequence, a north- and south-directed extensional fabric (D₂) in the upper detachment and lower tectonic units, and a deformation (D₃) related to the leucogranite intrusion. SHRIMP zircon U–Pb dating yielded a metamorphic age of ～514 million years for the amphibolite and a crystallization age of ～20 million years for the leucogranite. Hornblende from the amphibolite has an ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of 18 ± 0.3 million years, whereas muscovites from the schist and leucogranite yielded ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages between 13.5 ± 0.2 and 13.0 ± 0.2 million years. These results suggest that the basement was consolidated at ～510 Ma and then exhumed during extension and silicic plutonism at ～20 Ma. Continuing exhumation led to cooling through the 500°C Ar closure temperature in hornblende at ～18 Ma to the 350°C Ar closure temperature in muscovite at ～13 Ma. The middle crustal ductilely deformed layer within gneiss domes of southern Tibet defines a southward-extruding ductile channel, marked by leucogranites emplaced into migmatites and amphibolites. We propose a model involving thinned upper crust for the initial extension of the Tibetan Plateau in the early Miocene.     

Timing and Processes of Ore Formation in the Qingchengzi Polymetallic Orefield, Northeast China: Evidence from 40Ar/39Ar Geochronology

The Qingchengzi orefield is a large polymetallic ore concentration area in the Liaodong peninsula,northeastern China,that includes twelve Pb-Zn deposits and five Au-Ag deposits along its periphery.The ore-forming age remains much disputed,which prevents the identification of the relationship between the mineralization and the associated magmatism.In this paper,we quantitatively present the feasibility of making ore mineral ~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar dating and report reliable ~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar ages of lamprophyre groundmass,K-feldspar and sphalerite from the Zhenzigou deposit.Direct and indirect methods are applied to constrain the timing of mineralization,which plays a vital role in discussing the contribution of multistage magmatism to ore formation.The low-potassium sphalerite yielded an inverse isochron age of 232.8±41.5 Ma,which features a relatively large uncertainty.Two lamprophyre groundmasses got reliable inverse isochron ages of 193.2±1.3 Ma and 152.3±1.5 Ma,respectively.K-feldspar yielded a precise inverse isochron age of 134.9±0.9 Ma.These four ages indicate that the mineralization is closely associated with Mesozoic magmatism.Consequently,regarding the cooling age of the earliest Mesozoic Shuangdinggou intrusion(224.2±1.2 Ma)as the initial time of mineralization,we can further constrain the age of the sphalerite to 224–191 Ma.These new and existing geochronological data,combined with the interaction cutting or symbiotic relationship between the lamprophyre veins and ore veins,suggest that the Pb-Zn-Au-Ag mineralization in the Qingchengzi orefield mainly occurred during three periods:the late Triassic(ca.224–193 Ma),the late Jurassic(ca.167–152 Ma)and the early Cretaceous(ca.138–134 Ma).This polymetallic deposits are shown to have been formed during multiple events coinciding with periods of the Mesozoic magmatic activity.In contrast,the Proterozoic magmatism and submarine exhalative and hydrothermal sedimentation in the Liaolaomo paleorift served mainly to transport and concentrate the ore-forming substances at the Liaohe Group with no associated Pb-Zn-Au-Ag mineralization.     

Age and origin of charoitite,Malyy Murun massif,Siberia, Russia

Сharoitite consists of gem-quality mineral charoite and subordinate quartz, aegirine, K-feldspar, tinaksite, canasite, and some other minerals. This rock type is known only from one locality in the world associated with the Early Cretaceous (131.3 ± 2.4 Ma, K–Ar age) Malyy Murun syenite massif, Siberia, Russia. Although charoitite mineralogy is well known, there is disagreement whether it reflects metasomatic or magmatic activity. In order to understand when the charoitites formed we attempted to date it by ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar incremental step-heating and laser ablation techniques. Our results show that the fibrous structure of water-bearing charoite does not retain radiogenic argon. Laser ablation ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar for K-feldspar and tinaksite from the charoitite yielded several age clusters even from the same mineral grain. The oldest cluster of 134.1 ± 2.9 Ma for the K-feldspar agrees with the age of the Malyy Murun syenites. The youngest age of 113.3 ± 3.4 Ma for charoitite K-feldspar overlaps with the youngest of published K–Ar ages (112 ± 5 Ma) for one K-feldspar sample of the Malyy Murun syenite. Tinaksite is characterized by a similar spread of ages (from 133.0 ± 3 Ma to 115.7 ± 4.3 Ma) within a single grain. We suggest that charoitites originated due to the interaction of metasomatic agents derived from the Malyy Murun magma and country rocks. Timing of magma emplacement and charoitite crystallization is reflected by the older cluster of ages, whereas the younger ages are due to a secondary process.     

Geochronological and geochemical constraints on the Cuonadong leucogranite,eastern Himalaya

First comprehensive investigations of the Cuonadong leucogranite exposed in North Himalayan gneiss dome of southern Tibet are presented in this study. The SIMS U–Pb ages of oscillatory zircon rims scatter in a wide range from 34.1 to 16.0 Ma, and the Cuonadong leucogranite probably emplaced at 16.0 Ma. High-precision ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating on a muscovite sample yields an essentially flat age spectrum with consistent plateau and isochron ages, indicating that the Cuonadong leucogranite cooled below 450 °C at 14 Ma. Based on the youngest zircon U–Pb age and muscovite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age, the Cuonadong leucogranite experienced rapid cooling with a rate of 119 °C/Myr from 16 to 14 Ma. The geochronological data of this undeformed leucogranite also suggest that the ductile extension of the South Tibetan Detachment System in the eastern Himalaya ceased by ca. 14 Ma. Furthermore, the initial Sr–Nd isotopic compositions and Nd model ages demonstrate that the leucogranite was derived from metapelitic source within the Greater Himalayan Crystalline Complex. The distinct Ba depletion with high Rb/Sr ratios and negative Eu anomalies make it clear that the leucogranite melts were generated by breakdown of muscovite under fluid-absent conditions.     

Geology,fluid inclusion geochemistry,and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of the Wulasigou Cu deposit,and their implications for ore genesis,Altay, Xinjiang,China

The Wulasigou Cu deposit occurs as veins controlled by a NW-trending structure in a Devonian volcano-sedimentary basin of the Altay orogenic belt, Xinjiang, China. Igneous and sedimentary rocks exposed in the area have undergone greenschist-facies metamorphism. The ore-forming process can be divided into early, middle, and late stages, represented by, respectively, pyrite-quartz, polymetallic sulfide-quartz, and carbonate–quartz veins, veinlets, and/or replacement bodies. The early veins were deformed and brecciated during a compressional or transpressional event. The middle-stage veinlets filled fractures in the early-stage vein and alteration assemblages, and are undeformed, suggesting a tensional shear setting. The late-stage veinlets are mainly open-space fissure fillings that cut veins and replacement bodies formed in the earlier stages.Four types of fluid inclusions (FIs), including aqueous (W-type), mixed carbonic-aqueous (M-type), purely carbonic (C-type) and daughter mineral-bearing (S-type), have been identified in copper-related quartz and calcite from the Wulasigou deposit. The early-stage quartz contains M- and W-type primary FIs that completely homogenized at temperatures of 322–412 °C with low salinities of 0.9–6.5 wt.% NaCl equiv. In contrast, the late-stage quartz or calcite contains only the W-type FIs with homogenization temperatures of 101–234 °C, and salinities of 0.9–2.9 wt.% NaCl equiv. This indicates that the metallogenic system evolved from CO₂-rich, metamorphic to CO₂-poor, through input of meteoric fluids. All four types of FIs can only be observed in the middle-stage minerals, where they show evidence of vein formation during an episode of fluid immiscibility. These FIs homogenized at temperatures ranging mainly from 230 to 347 °C, with salinities clustering 2.7–10.2 wt.% NaCl equiv for the W-, M- and C-types, and 34.7–38.2 wt.% NaCl equiv for the S-type, respectively. The metal precipitation resulted from a decrease in copper solubility during the fluid immiscibility episode. The estimated trapping pressures for the middle-stage fluids are 1.55–3.55 kbar, suggesting an alternating lithostatic-hydrostatic fluid-system, controlled by fault-valve activity at a depth of 13–15.5 km.Muscovite separates from the middle-stage polymetallic-quartz veinlets yield a well-defined ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar isotopic plateau age of 219.41 ± 2.10 Ma, and an ³⁹Ar/³⁶Ar - ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar isochron age of 219.73 ± 2.17 Ma. This age postdates the final Paleo-Asia Ocean closure (at ca. 250 Ma) by about 30 Ma, and indicates that the Cu mineralization at Wulasigou has occurred in the Triassic continental collision setting. Hence, the Wulasigou Cu deposit may be the first example of orogenic lode Cu deposits formed in accretionary orogeny or continental collision.     

Sericitic alteration at the La Crocetta deposit (Elba Island,Italy): interplay between magmatism,tectonics and hydrothermal activity

The La Crocetta mine near Porto Azzurro (Elba Island, Tuscany, Italy) is an important producer of raw material for the ceramic industry. Exploitation focuses on a pervasively sericitized porphyritic aplite of the Tuscan Magmatic Province, locally known as "eurite", which underwent significant potassium enrichment during sericitic alteration. Eurites are located along the hanging wall of the Elba Centrale Fault, a low-angle extensional lineament of regional significance. A later carbonatization stage, apparently associated with high-angle extensional tectonics, locally overprinted the sericitized facies. It is expressed by carbonate ± pyrite ± quartz veins, with adverse effects on ore quality. Sericitization was accompanied by addition of potassium, and loss of Na (± Ca, Fe). Rubidium was not enriched along with potassium during sericitization, contrary to what would be expected for interaction with late-magmatic fluids. New ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar data from eurites provide an isochron age of about 6.7 Ma for the sericitization, whereas the age of the unaltered protolith is ca. 8.8 Ma. Field evidence indicates the Elba Centrale Fault to be the main channel for the hydrothermal fluids. On the other hand, the involvement of heat and/or fluids contributed by the Porto Azzurro pluton, which crops out in the La Crocetta area, is ruled out by field, geochemical and geochronological data (⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar age of Porto Azzurro =5.9 Ma, i.e. significantly younger than the sericitization event). Fluid inclusion studies suggest that sericitization was associated with a low-temperature (<250 °C) hydrothermal system. Fluids were locally boiling, of variable salinity (4–17 wt% NaCl equiv.), and contained some CO₂ (XCO₂≤0.027). Their ultimate source is not unequivocally constrained; meteoric and/or magmatic contributions may be possible. Low-salinity (≤2.6 wt% NaCl equiv.), low-temperature (<250 °C) fluids are associated with the late carbonate veining. They are considered to be of dominantly meteoric nature because of their low salinity. In summary, sericitization at La Crocetta is regarded as the product of a detachment fault-related, low temperature hydrothermal system, resulting from the structurally controlled focusing of meteoric and possibly magmatic fluids. Hence, potential targets for exploration for similar resources are represented by aplitic bodies located in the hanging wall of Elba Centrale Fault. Electronic supplementary material to this paper can be obtained by using the Springer LINK server located at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00126-002-0279-2.