柴北缘榴辉岩的峰期和退变质年龄:来自U-Pb及Ar-Ar同位素测定的证据

柴北缘大柴旦榴辉岩呈透镜状产于以角闪岩相变质条件为特征的片麻岩中.选择新鲜的保存较好的榴辉岩分别进行U-Pb和Ar-Ar同位素年代学测定,含石榴子石的白云母片麻岩(此榴辉岩的围岩)被选用于白云母的Ar-Ar测定.榴辉岩的U-Pb测定显示206Pb/238U表面年龄统计权重平均值为(494.6±6.5)Ma,代表榴辉岩的峰期变质作用年龄.同样榴辉岩样品的多硅白云母被分选出用于39Ar-40Ar年代学测定.测定结果获得的坪年龄为(466.7±1.2)Ma,等时线年龄为(465.9±5.4)Ma,代表榴辉岩在退变过程中的冷却年龄;围岩中白云母的39Ar-40Ar年代学测定,获得等时线年龄为(477.67±17.72)Ma.相似的Ar-Ar年龄值表明,榴辉岩和围岩在抬升过程中经历了一致的冷却及退变质历史.     

柴北缘鱼卡多硅白云母40Ar/39Ar年代学研究及其外来40Ar来源探讨

采用激光阶段加热40Ar/39Ar定年技术,选取柴北缘超高压变质带鱼卡地体超高压变质岩及其围岩的6个多硅白云母进行了Ar同位素分析,获得丰富年代学数据。榴辉岩和云母斜长角闪岩多硅白云母具有高Si、高Mg含量的特征,阶段加热给出复杂的表观年龄图谱,总气体年龄（708~534 Ma）和等时年龄（681~513 Ma）都明显老于区内榴辉岩锆石U Pb年龄,暗示样品含大量外来40Ar。相比之下,围岩花岗质片麻岩和白云母石英片岩多硅白云母具有相对低Si高Fe的特征,阶段加热给出平坦的40Ar/39Ar年龄谱,对应坪年龄分别为454和418 Ma。构成年龄坪的数据点形成了线性关系良好的反等时线,并获得同坪年龄一致的等时年龄,能与区域地质年龄很好地吻合。坪年龄454 Ma解释为花岗质片麻岩冷却到约400 ℃时的时间,同时也代表了鱼卡变质岩在经历了深俯冲超高压变质作用后,从上地幔折返抬升至中上地壳深度的时限;片岩多硅白云母坪年龄418 Ma纪录的则是区内一次强韧性剪切事件发生的时代。考虑到榴辉岩和斜长角闪岩原岩为变基性玄武岩类,其主要含钾矿物角闪石的Ar封闭稳定性较高,同时在超高压变质过程中,它们处在一个相对封闭和缺乏流体活动的极端地质环境,所以认为鱼卡榴辉岩多硅白云母外来40Ar来自原岩而非后期渗入的流体,属于“继承”40Ar的范畴。     

高压白云母中过剩氩的成因研究进展

高压白云母中过剩氩成因研究目前已经取得了如下进展：①已经将高压白云母中过剩氩的来源限定为由流体输送和由母岩继承两种;②高压白云母中过剩氩的赋存和矿物的Mg／（Fe＋Mg）比值、Si^4＋含量及矿物的显微结构有关;③初步认定高压白云母中过剩氩的赋存和岩性有关：榴辉岩中的白云母含过剩氩最多,高压副片麻岩中白云母仍含有少量过剩氩,高压正片麻岩中白云母不含过剩氩。     

东准噶尔扎河坝超高压变质成因石英菱镁岩的^40Ar／^39Ar同位素年代学信息及地质意义

在扎河坝-阿尔曼泰蛇绿岩岩块内分布着高压-超高压成因的二辉橄榄岩、石榴辉石岩、石英菱镁岩及榴闪岩。石英菱镁岩内多硅白云母的 Si(pfu)值均大于3.35,最高可达3.77,是典型高压-超高压成因的矿物。石英菱镁岩及其围岩蛇纹石化二辉橄榄岩的 K_2O 含量极低,且多硅白云母的 Na/(Na K)比值小于0.04,这些地球化学特征显示,扎河坝多硅白云母不应含有过剩 Ar,是一个理想的~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar 定年对象。精确的~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar 年代学研究结果表明,扎河坝石英菱镁岩中多硅白云母的~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar 同位素年龄为281.6±2.5Ma。而矿物化学特征表明,扎河坝石英菱镁岩中的多硅白云母曾经历了退变质作用的改造,因此,它代表的应该是超高压变质石英菱镁岩的折返年龄。多硅白云母的~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar 年代学研究结果表明,扎河坝-阿尔曼泰蛇绿混杂岩内超高压石英菱镁岩的折返事件应发生在早二叠世。     

喜马拉雅中段哲古拉花岗岩中高压麻粒岩包体及其主岩的^40Ar／^39Ar年代学研究

为了深入了解喜马拉雅构造带的地质演化历史,同时为了探讨作为建立高压变质条件下的同位素年代学方法的重要前提的同位素体系特征,对出露于喜马拉雅中段西藏哲古拉地区的高压麻粒岩包体中的峰期矿物和退变质矿物及其主岩花岗岩中的富钾矿物进行了常规~(40)Ar/~(39) Ar 年代学研究。花岗岩中的黑云母坪年龄为11.48±0.18Ma,钾长石坪年龄为12.63±0.19Ma,二者的等时线年龄与之相当,分别为11.63Ma 和12.58Ma。高压麻粒岩峰期矿物黑云母的坪年龄为48.5±0.54Ma,等时线年龄为48.95±0.83Ma,(~(40)Ar/~(36)Ar)_i 为285;退变质矿物角闪石的坪年龄谱呈马鞍形,坪区数据对应的等时线年龄为31.1±5.4Ma,(~(40)Ar/~(36)Ar)_i 为394,显示有过剩~(40)Ar 的存在。结合前人的研究,推定高压麻粒岩经历了一个快速的退变质作用过程,不仅变质作用没有达到平衡,早期与晚期变质矿物之间也没有达成氩同位素交换平衡,在标本尺度上或高压麻粒岩包体与主岩花岗岩之间均是如此。根据~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar 年代学结果也可以了解到,在高压麻粒岩的退变质过程中,早期与晚期变质矿物之间的氩同位素体系有明显不同,这种氩同位素体系在不同变质阶段的不平衡记录为帮助建立不同变质地质事件的年代学序列提供了研究途径。依照获得的~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar 年代学数据,可以建立喜马拉雅中段高压麻粒岩包体形成和演化的动力学过程:推定高压麻粒岩经受了两期变质作用的叠加,峰期变质老于48.5Ma,晚期变质发生在31Ma 前后;大约在17Ma 前后为其主岩花岗岩捕虏,并在11Ma～12Ma 之间被带至地表。文中对前人锆石 U-Pb 年龄进行了再分析,认为在高压变质作用条件下,由于熔体或流体从变质岩石中被抽提出去而限制了变质锆石的生长,因此,高压麻粒岩包体中的锆石 U-Pb 年龄没有能够记录高压变质事件。     

超高压变质岩的放射性同位素体系及年代学方法

深刻理解同位素在超高压变质及退变质过程中的地球化学行为对获得超高压变质岩准确并有明确意义的年龄值是非常重要的。对 Sm-Nd,Rb-Sr 同位素体系,只有变质矿物同位素体系达到平衡才能给出精确有意义的等时线年龄。研究表明,与副变质岩互层的细粒榴辉岩的高压变质矿物之间,或者强退变质岩石的退变质矿物之间,其 Nd,Sr 同位素可以达到平衡;然而高压变质矿物与退变质矿物之间 Nd,Sr 同位素不平衡。由于全岩样品总是含有数量不等的退变质矿物,因此石榴石 全岩 Sm-Nd 法或多硅白云母 全岩 Rh-Sr 法将有可能给出无地质意义的年龄。通常低温榴辉岩的高压变质矿物之间存在Nd 同位素不平衡。超高压变质岩多硅白云母所含过剩 Ar 主要源于榴辉岩原岩中角闪石在变质分解时释放出来的放射成因 Ar。因此,不含榴辉岩的花岗片麻岩多硅白云母基本不含过剩 Ar。对变质锆石成因的准确判断是正确理解锆石 U-Ph 年龄意义的关键。本文对不同成因锆石的判别标志及年龄意义做了总结,并指出将阴极发光图形,锆石痕量元素组成及矿物包裹体鉴定相结合是进行锆石成因鉴定的有效方法。高压变质或退变质增生锆石组成单一,是理想变质定年对象。然而变质重结晶锆石域常是重结晶锆石和继承晶质锆石的混合区,因而给出混合年龄。只有完全变质重结晶锆石才能给出准确变质时代。     

超高压变质岩多硅白云母的外来40Ar探讨

采用激光阶段加热 40Ar-39Ar定年技术, 测定了碧溪岭榴辉岩 6个多硅白云母的 Ar同位素组成.02BX030MS形成基本平坦的 40Ar-39Ar年龄谱, 数据点构成很好的正等时线, 加权平均年龄和等时线年龄均为 697 Ma, 这一年龄可能接近原岩年龄.DB-1MS、02BX018MS和 02BX019MS之 40Ar-39Ar年龄谱起伏较大, 表观年龄范围为～ 400 Ma至～ 680 Ma.在 40Ar/36Ar-39Ar/36Ar正等时线图解上, 这 3个样品数据点落在下拟合线 Reg-Ⅰ和上拟合线 Reg-Ⅲ之间.Reg-Ⅰ对应的年龄为 436～ 463 Ma, 与榴辉岩石榴子石原生流体包裹体年龄基本一致, 可能代表了榴辉岩超高压变质作用峰期的年龄;Reg-Ⅲ对应的年龄为 541～ 659 Ma, 最高年龄值小于 02BX030MS的年龄, 表明超高压变质作用使多硅白云母产生了不同程度的放射成因 40Ar部分丢失.继承 40Ar模型可以合理解释高压-超高压变质岩石之多硅白云母 40Ar-39Ar年龄明显偏老等地质现象.     

40Ar-39Ar同位素测年方法及其应用

^40Ar—^39Ar测年法的出现，为同位素地质年代学开辟了一个新的领域；但过剩氩的存在、年龄谱的分析方法，又制约着地质事件的年龄解释。在介绍该方法的原理、校正、年龄谱的分析和应用及过剩氩问题等方面内容的基础上，结合阿尔金断裂研究实例，对该断裂中的新生矿物进行了^40Ar-^39Ar测年，进而确定了阿尔金断裂走滑活动的年龄。     

应用K—Ar和^40Ar／^39Ar法测定较低级变质中劈理形成年龄

在较低级变质泥质岩石中利用全岩的K—Ar和~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar分析方法来测定劈理形成年龄时,由于矿物样品的特殊性和碎屑颗粒间潜伏氩的存在,使测定工作变得复杂。复杂的矿物影响可通过仔细分辨K/Ca和~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar的年龄光谱加以解决。然而,碎屑的影响可能继续存在,甚至在具有渗透性裂开的变质泥质样品中(全岩和白云母,粒级均在0.4～0.63μm之间)也不例外,直到浅变质带(或浅带)的边缘这种影响才被消除。伴有浅变质裂开的凝灰岩夹层其~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar和K—Ar法测定的全岩劈理年龄与地层古生物学测定的劈理年龄相一致,这说明K—Ar和~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar法不受碎屑的影响。在粒级上与上述浅变质凝灰岩相区别,富含白云母的另一种凝灰岩具有下面特征,颗粒间界限明显,K—Ar和~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar全气体年龄与上述凝灰岩一致,不随颗粒的大小发生变化。近带高变质凝灰岩由边界不清的白云母颗粒组成,它们连续记录了~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar全气体年龄,其中~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar值比K—Ar值高10％～15％(全岩粗碎屑颗粒),这一差异是由于在辐射中受反冲气体~(39)Ar的影响,并表明颗粒的边界形态(有效表面积/体积)在很大程度上控制了~(39)Ar的反冲。     

山西南部中条山古元古代花岗质片麻岩 白云母40Ar/39Ar测年及其地质意义

中条山前寒武纪岩石是洞悉华北克拉通前寒武纪基底构造演化的重要窗口之一,该区的前寒武纪岩系主要由涑水杂岩、绛县群、中条群、担山石群,以及西阳河群和汝阳群组成.本文以中条山地区涑水杂岩中古元古代花岗质片麻岩为研究对象,挑选其中的变形变质白云母进行激光40Ar/39Ar和常规40Ar/39Ar测年分析.激光40Ar/39Ar法获得的白云母等时年龄1830Ma±20Ma为白云母氩封闭温度年龄的最小估计,常规40Ar/39Ar法给出的白云母坪年龄1852Ma±11Ma为白云母氩封闭温度年龄的最佳估计.白云母1852Ma± 11Ma与先前获得的独居石电子探针U-Th-Pb主峰值年龄相近,并且与华北克拉通中部带的变质年龄一致,表明中条山地区涑水杂岩中古元古代花岗质片麻岩记录了古元古代晚期的一次变质作用事件.这一事件与华北克拉通中部怀安-吕梁-恒山-五台-赞皇等地的变质变形作用同时发生,揭示华北克拉通东、西部陆块沿中部带的碰撞拼合应发生在古元古代晚期,而非新太古代.     

Interpreting high-pressure phengite <Superscript>40</Superscript>Ar/<Superscript>39</Superscript>Ar laserprobe ages: an example from Saih Hatat,NE Oman

New single grain fusion and core-rim ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar laserprobe phengite data from the Saih Hatat high-pressure terrane in NE Oman show that individual samples yield a range of apparent ages which is similar to that previously reported from across the entire terrane. The majority of the determined ages are older than the previously reported U-Pb zircon peak metamorphic age. Core to rim age variations within individual grains range from no discernible difference across the grain to grains with older cores, or, rarely, older rims; some samples manifest all three patterns. Numerical diffusion modelling shows that due to the peak temperature of ca. 550°C, the measured apparent ages cannot be explained by simple cooling or by partial retention of crystallisation or detrital ages in an open system. The age variability is better explained by spatially and temporally variable open or closed system behaviour at the mm-cm scale coupled with pervasive and heterogeneously distributed excess argon. Anomalously old eclogite phengite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages are due either to internally derived ⁴⁰Ar inherited from a K-bearing precursor, or externally derived ⁴⁰Ar distributed by grain boundary fluids. Mica-rich schists within the eclogite boudins yield younger phengite ages, suggesting excess argon was absent or diluted. Pelites hosting the eclogite appear to have been affected by later fluid ingress during deformation and greenschist-facies overprint and yield very variable ages commonly with apparently older rims on younger cores. The grain- and sample-scale age variations measured in Saih Hatat indicate that the grain boundary network in eclogite pods was not an efficient transfer pathway for argon transport, whereas the grain boundary network in the surrounding pelites acted as a more efficient pathway on the timescale of the metamorphic cycle.     

Amphibole Ar/Ar Geochronology from the Okcheon Metamorphic Belt, South Korea and its Tectonic Implications

An understanding of the Okcheon Metamorphic Belt (OMB) in South Korea is central to unraveling the tectono-metamorphic evolution of East Asia. Amphibole-bearing rocks in the OMB occur as calcsilicate layers and lenses in psammitic rocks, in the psammitic rocks themselves, and in the mafic volcanic layers and intrusives. Most amphiboles fail to show ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau ages; those that do have ages ranging from 132 to 975 Ma. The disturbed age pattern and wide variation in ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages can be related to metamorphic grade, retrograde chemical reactions, excess Ar and amphibole composition. The oldest age (975 Ma) can be interpreted either as an old igneous or metamorphic age predating sedimentation or a false age caused by excess Ar. The youngest age of 132 Ma and the disturbed age pattern found in amphiboles from rocks located close to Jurassic granitoids are the result of retrograde thermal metamorphic effects accompanying intrusion of the granitoids. Some medium- or coarse-grained amphiboles in the calcsilicates are aggregates of fine-grained crystals. As a result, they are heterogeneous and prove to be readily affected by excess Ar. A disturbed age pattern in amphiboles from the calcsilicates occurring in the high-grade metamorphic zone may also be the product of excess Ar. On the other hand, the disturbed pattern of amphiboles present in the calcsilicates from the low-grade metamorphic zone could arise from both excess Ar and mixed ages. However, amphiboles from psammitic rocks and some calcsilicates in the high-grade metamorphic zone and in intrusive metabasites display real plateau ages of 237 to 261 Ma. The temperature conditions in the high-grade metamorphic zone were higher than the argon closing temperature for amphibole, and the amphiboles in this zone give plateau ages only when they are homogeneous in composition, lack excess Ar, and have not been thermally affected by intrusion of the granitoids. The unmodified ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages prove rather younger than the age of the Late Paleozoic metamorphic event of 280 to 300 Ma, but they are close to muscovite K-Ar ages of 263 to 277 Ma. These ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar amphibole ages are interpreted as the time of cooling that followed the main regional, intermediate-P/T metamorphic climax. The results demonstrate that interpretation of ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar amphibole ages in an area subjected to several metamorphic events can be accomplished only by undertaking a thorough tectono-metamorphic study, accompanied by detailed chemical analysis of the amphiboles.     

构造剪切与变质角闪石中过剩Ar的引入：北秦岭丹凤群斜长角闪岩的Sm－Nd、Rb－Sr和~（40）Ar／~（39）Ar测年证据

本文对两个北秦岭丹凤群斜长角闪岩样品进行了Ｓｍ－Ｎｄ、Ｒｂ－Ｓｒ和４０Ａｒ／３９Ａｒ测年，发现其中受构造改造轻微的黑河丹凤群斜长角闪岩样品的角闪石４０Ａｒ／３９Ａｒ年龄与其Ｒｂ－Ｓｒ、Ｓｍ－Ｎｄ矿物等时线年龄接近，而遭受强烈构造剪切作用的蒲峪丹凤群斜长角闪（片）岩的角闪石４０Ａｒ／３９Ａｒ年龄则明显高于其Ｒｂ－Ｓｒ、Ｓｍ－Ｎｄ矿物等时线年龄，指示构造剪切作用对变质角闪石中过剩氩的引入有显著影响。在利用４０Ａｒ／３９Ａｒ进行造山带年代学研究时这一问题应引起注意     

An 40Ar–39Ar investigation of high-pressure metamorphism and the retrogressive history of mafic eclogites from the Lanterman Range (Antarctica): evidence against a simple temperature control on argon transport in amphibole

Mafic eclogites sampled from a restricted area in the Lanterman Range (Antarctica) retrogressed variably under amphibolite facies metamorphism. Assemblages range from well-preserved eclogite, with minor growth of Na-Ca amphibole, to strongly retrogressed ones with extensive development of Ca amphibole. ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar furnace step-heating experiments on the different amphiboles yield results varying from plateau ages of ~498 Ma to a near-plateau age of ~490 Ma, and the greater the amphibolite retrogression, the younger the age. ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar infrared laser-probe analyses on rock chips from a well-preserved eclogite and a slightly retrogressed one reveal the presence of an excess argon component. Whereas excess argon is invariably present in garnet and clinopyroxene developed under high-pressure metamorphism, it is heterogeneously distributed in amphibole on a millimetre scale. Results indicate that excess argon was incorporated during high-pressure metamorphism; this component was then lost during retrogression, while a change in composition of ambient argon to atmospheric argon occurred. New ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar data and previously published Sm-Nd garnet and U-Pb rutile ages obtained from the same well-preserved eclogite sample suggest that the oldest Na-Ca amphibole age is reliable and not an artefact due to the incorporation of excess argon. The variably retrogressed eclogites are thought to derive from different parts of the enclosing metasedimentary rocks that were variably invaded by fluids during amphibolite facies metamorphism. Thus the circulation of fluids promoting (re)crystallisation, and not temperature, was the main process controlling the rate of argon transport in the studied eclogites. The different ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar ages are interpreted to record diachronous amphibole growth at different crustal levels during exhumation. Data indicate that there was about a 10-Ma interval between the eclogite facies stage (at ̿.5 GPa) and the Ca amphibole-hydration forming reaction (at 0.3-0.5 GPa); this translates into an average exhumation rate of 3-4 km/Ma.     

Constraints on retrograde metamorphism of UHP eclogites in North Qinling,Central China,from 40Ar/39Ar dating of amphibole and phengite

Coesite- and microdiamond- bearing ultra-high pressure (UHP) eclogites in the North Qinling terrane have been widely retrogressed to amphibolites. Previous geochronological studies on these UHP rocks mainly focused on the timing of peak eclogite facies metamorphism. The Kanfenggou UHP metamorphic domain is one of the best-preserved coesite-bearing eclogite occurrences in the North Qinling terrane. In this study, mafic amphibolites and host schists from this domain were collected for ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating to constrain their retrograde evolution. Two generations of amphibole are recognized based on their mineral parageneses and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages. A first generation of amphibole from garnet amphibolites yielded irregularly-shaped age spectra with anomalously old apparent ages. Isochron ages of 484–473 Ma and initial ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratios of 3695–774 are obtained from this generation of amphibole, indicating incorporation of excess argon. Second generation amphibole occurs in epidote amphibolites yielded flat age spectra with plateau ages of 464–462 Ma without evidence for excess argon. These ages suggest that the amphibolite-facies metamorphism has taken place as early as 484 Ma and lasted until 462 Ma for the North Qinling UHP metamorphic rocks. Phengite from the country-rock schists yielded ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau ages of 426–396 Ma, with higher phengite Si contents associated with the older the plateau ages. Based on our new ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages and previous zircon UPb geochronological data, we construct a new detailed pressure-temperature-time (P-T-t) path illustrating the retrograde metamorphism and exhumation rate of the North Qinling eclogites and host schists. The P-T-t path suggests that these UHP metamorphic rocks experienced initial medium-to-high exhumation rates (ca. 8.7 mm/yr) during the Early Ordovician (489–484 Ma), which was mainly derived from buoyancy forces. Subsequently, the exhumation rate decreased gradually from ~0.8 to 0.3 mm/yr from 484 to 426 Ma, which was probably governed by extension and/or erosion.     

西昆仑库地韧性剪切带的40Ar/39Ar年龄

西昆仑库地以南有一套变质变形较强的岩系,前人依照区域对比关系将其划为前寒武的古老基底。对西昆仑早期构造演化的论述均基于该观点,但没有提供确凿的同位素年代学证据。笔者通过野外观察、室内研究,确认库地以南的变质变形岩系是大型韧性推覆剪切作用的产物。通过对新生变质矿物角闪石和黑云母单矿物的⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar年龄分析,确定剪切变质年龄为426-451Ma,说明库地的变质变形岩系是形成于早古生代晚期的一条大型韧性剪切带,这对于解释西昆仑的早期构造演化具有重要意义。     

Sm/Nd,Rb/Sr,and 40Ar/39Ar Isotopic Systematics of the Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphic Rocks in the Dabie-Sulu Belt,Central China: A Retrospective View

Because of a complicated metamorphic history, the isotopic systematics of the ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks in the Dabie-Sulu belt, east China, appear to be rather different from what were expected. Depending on the degree of retrograde metamorphism and on the retentivity of isotopes, the radiogenic isotopic systematics in the UHP metamorphic rocks yielded a wide range of radiometric ages. Some of these ages are geologically meaningful, but others may not be. In some fine-grained UHP metamorphic rocks, Sm/Nd isotopic systematics appear to be in equilibrium among the UHP phases, showing the best estimate for the age of peak metamorphism at 226 ± 3 Ma. On the other hand, retrograde overprinting often makes the interpretation of isotopic data more difficult. It is common to find that the Sm/Nd and Rb/Sr isotopic systematics among the UHP phases and retrograde phases are not in equilibrium. Regression of isotopic data involving both UHP and retrograde minerals in isotopic correlation diagrams often yields geologically meaningless ages. Although ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of UHP metamorphic rocks has been reported not to be very helpful in establishing the thermal history because of the presence of excess argon, a good correlation between excess argon and rock type in the Dabie-Sulu belt would provide a criterion in identifying the possible sources of excess argon. By taking all the possible effects into consideration, a T-t path with two rapid cooling stages for UHP metamorphic rocks from the Dabie-Sulu belt can be postulated. An initial rapid cooling stage in the period from 226 to 219 Ma may have resulted from rapid exhumation of UHP metamorphic rocks immediately after the peak metamorphism. The second rapid cooling stage, from 450°C to 300°C, may have been caused by the exhumation of the entire terrane, including UHP metamorphic units and their host gneisses, during the period from 180 to 167 Ma.     

Petrogenesis of UHP metamorphic rocks from Qinglongshan, southern Sulu, east-central China

Five kinds of UHP metamorphic rocks, including eclogite, orthogneiss, paragneiss, schist and quartzite are exposed in the Qinglongshan roadcut, southern Sulu orogenic belt of eastern central China. They comprise metamorphic supracrustal rocks with bimodal volcanic characteristics and continental affinity, and granitic intrusive associations. The preservation of coesite inclusions and/or its pseudomorphs in eclogite and other rocks indicate that they have been subjected to in-situ UHP metamorphism. Four stages of metamorphism were recognized by combining petrographic observations and compositions of minerals from various UHP rocks. Prograde epidote-amphibolite facies, UHP coesite–eclogite facies, post UHP quartz–eclogite facies, and retrograde amphibolite facies assemblages delineate an inferred P–T path with a clockwise trajectory and a retrograde event characterized by the coupling of decompression with a temperature decrease. Garnet porphyroblasts in UHP eclogites display a complex growth zoning and mineral distribution, and record a crucial segment of the prograde and retrograde metamorphic evolution. The preservation of growth zoning in eclogitic and gneissic garnets suggests that the UHP rocks had a short residence time before retrograde metamorphism and a very high uplift rate in order to preserve the prograde growth zoning.     

Late Palaeozoic 40Ar/39Ar ages of the HP-LT metamorphic rocks from the Kekesu Valley,Chinese southwestern Tianshan: new constraints on exhumation tectonics

abstract

Although numerous ages have been obtained for the Chinese southwestern Tianshan high pressure/ultrahigh pressure-low temperature (HP/UHP-LT) metamorphic belt in the past two decades, its exhumation history is still controversial. The poor age constraint was related to the appealing low metamorphic temperatures and excess Ar commonly present under HP/UHP conditions. This study aims to provide new age constraints on the orogen’s exhumation by obtaining ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar mica ages using the conventional step-heating technique, with emphasis on the avoidance of excess Ar contamination. From a cross section along the Kekesu Valley, four samples, three from the HP-LT metamorphic belt (TK050, TK051, and TK081) and one from the southern margin of the low pressure metamorphic belt (TK097), were selected for ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating. Phengites from garnet glaucophane schist TK050 and the surrounding rock garnet phengite schist TK051 yield comparable plateau ages of 321.4 ± 1.6 and 318.6 ± 1.6 Ma, respectively, while epidote mica schist TK081 gives a younger plateau age of 293.3 ± 1.5 Ma. Considering the chemical compositions of phengites, mineral assemblages, and microstructures in the thin slices, we suppose that the former represents the time the HP rocks retrograded from the peak stage (eclogite facies) to the (epidote)-blueschist facies, whereas the latter reflects greenschist facies overprinting. Biotite and muscovite from two-mica quartzite TK097 give similar plateau ages of 253.0 ± 1.3 and 247.1 ± 1.2 Ma, interpreted to date movement on the post collisional transcrustal South Nalati ductile shear zone. By combining our new ages with published data, a two-stage exhumation model is suggested for the Chinese southwestern Tianshan HP/UHP-LT metamorphic belt: initial fast exhumation to a depth of about 30–35 km by ~320 Ma was followed by relatively slow (~1 mm year^–1) uplift to ~10 km by ~293 Ma.