Mantle-like Sr–Nd isotope composition of Fe–K subalkaline granites: the Peneda–Gerês Variscan massif (NW Iberian Peninsula)

The Peneda–Gerês massif is one of the most representative NW Iberian late‐ to post‐orogenic Variscan granitic plutons. It resulted essentially from the subsynchronous emplacement, at 290–296 Ma, of two granitic magmas of Fe–K subalkaline affinity, with primitive isotopic composition: Sr_i = 0.703–0.707 and εNd_i=?1.5 to ?2.4. An origin by mantle input followed by mantle–crust interactions is proposed, implying the contribution of a less enriched mantle component than that involved in the genesis of synorogenic hybrid granitoids of Mg–K subalkaline affinity. A less voluminous aluminopotassic and isotopically more evolved magma (Sr_i=0.708–0.709 and εNd_i=?3.5 to ?3.9) with little or no mantle input was also generated, suggesting the involvement of lower crust materials. Therefore, this study suggests an input of juvenile magmas in late Variscan times, the mantle‐like isotope signature of Fe–K granitic magmatism being clearly related to a geodynamic setting of extensional processes, large‐scale uplift and thinning.     

Petrogenesis of granitic unit of Naqadeh complex, Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone, NW Iran

The granitic unit is a component of the Naqadeh plutonic complex, NW of Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone (NW Iran). This unit is composed of high-K calc-alkaline, slightly peraluminous (ASI?=?1.12–1.17) evolved monzogranites. These monzogranites have 41.85?±?0.81 Ma (zircon U–Pb sensitive, high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) age) with two inherited zircon ages of 98.5?±?1.7 and 586.6?±?13.1 Ma, respectively. The only enclave type consists of quartz-amphibolite enclaves indicating residual parental rocks. Chemical and isotopic (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_40Ma?=?0.708638; εNd_40Ma?=??4.26) characteristics of monzogranites suggest that they could be derived by partial melting of crustal mafic rocks followed by some assimilation of metasedimentary rocks. With regards to inherited zircon age and quartz-amphibolite composition of Naqadeh granite, the old mafic rocks of this complex (Naqadeh dioritic rocks with ~100 Ma) can be considered as parental rocks, and their partial melting under high water content, and assimilation of produced melt by metasedimentary rocks, would lead to the generation of a Naqadeh granitic unit.     

Geochemistry,U–Pb geochronology,Sm–Nd and O isotopes of ca. 50 Ma long Ediacaran High-K Syn-Collisional Magmatism in the Pernambuco Alagoas Domain,Borborema Province,NE Brazil

The Pernambuco Alagoas (PEAL) domain shows the major occurrence of granitic batholiths of the Borborema Province, NE Brazil, with Archean to Neoproterozoic range of Nd T_DM model ages, giving clues on the role of granites during the Brasiliano orogeny. SHRIMP U/Pb zircon geochronological data for seven granitic intrusions of the PEAL domain divide the studied granitoids into three groups: 1) early-to syn-collision granitoids with crystallization ages ca. 635 Ma (Serra do Catú pluton), 2) syn-collision granitoids with crystallization ages 610–618 Ma (Santana do Ipanema, Água Branca, Mata Grande and Correntes plutons) and 3) late-to post-collision granitoids with ages of ca. 590 Ma (Águas Belas, and Cachoeirinha plutons). The intrusions of group 1 and 2, except the Mata Grande and Correntes plutons, show Nd T_DM model ages ranging from 1.2 to 1.5 Ga, while the granitoids from group 3, and Mata Grande Pluton and Correntes plutons have Nd T_DM model ages ranging from 1.7 to 2.2 Ga. The studied granitoids with ages <600 Ma are high-K, calc-alkaline, shoshonitic and those with ages <600 Ma are transitional high-K calc-alkaline to alkaline. The volcanic arc signatures associated with the Paleoproterozoic Nd T_DM model ages are interpreted as inherited from the source rocks. The oldest ages and lower Nd T_DM model ages are recorded from granitoids intruded in the southwest part of the PEAL domain, suggesting that these intrusions are associated with slab-tearing during convergence between the PEAL and the Sergipano domains. Zircon oxygen isotopic data in some of the studied plutons, together with the available Nd isotopic data suggest that the Brasiliano orogeny strongly reworked older crust, of either Paleoproterozoic or Tonian ages. The studied granitoids are coeval with calc-alkaline granitoids of the Transversal Zone and Sergipano domains and rare high-K calc-alkaline granitoids from the Transversal Zone domain. Such large volumes of high-K granitoids with crystallization ages older than 600 Ma are not recorded in the Transversal Zone domains, suggesting that at least between 600 and 650 Ma, the granitic magmatism of these two areas were distinct. However, the studied granitoids (630–580 Ma) located in the north part of the PEAL domain, north of the Palmares shear zone are coeval with granitoids of similar geochemical compositions in the Transversal Zone domain. It suggests that the southeastern part of the Transversal Zone and the northern part of the PEAL domains belonged to the same crustal block during the Brasiliano/Pan-African orogeny.     

U–Pb zircon and monazite geochronology of post-collisional Hercynian granitoids from the Central Iberian Zone (Northern Portugal)

In the Central Iberian Zone (CIZ) of the Iberian Massif large volumes of granitoids were emplaced during the post-collisional stage of the Hercynian orogeny (syn- to post-D3, the last ductile deformation phase). Twelve granitic units and a quartz monzodiorite were selected for a U–Pb zircon and monazite geochronological study. They represent successive stages of the D3 event. The Ucanha-Vilar, Lamego, Sameiro and Refoios do Lima plutons are coeval (313±2 Ma, 319±4 Ma, 316±2 Ma and 314±2 Ma, respectively) and belong to the earliest stage. Later on the Braga massif was emplaced, its different units yielding the same age: 309±3 Ma for the Braga granite, 309±1 Ma for the Gonça granite and 311±5 Ma for a related quartz monzodiorite. The Braga massif is subcontemporaneous with the Agrela and Celeirós plutons (307±3.5 Ma and 306±2 Ma, respectively), in agreement with field data. The Briteiros granite is younger (300±1 Ma), followed by the emplacement of the Peneda–Gerês massif (Gerês, Paufito, Illa and Carris granites). The Gerês granite, emplaced at 296±2 Ma, seems to represent a first magmatic pulse immediately followed by the intrusion of the Paufito granite at 290±2.5 Ma. For the Carris granite a minimum emplacement age of 280±5 Ma was obtained. Based on these results the following chronology is proposed: (1) syn-D3 biotite granitoids, 313–319 Ma; (2) late-D3 biotite-dominant granitoids, 306–311 Ma; (3) late- to post-D3 granitoids, ca. 300 Ma; (4) post-D3 granitoids, 290–296 Ma. These chronological data indicate that successive granitic intrusions were emplaced in the CIZ during a short time span of about 30 Ma that corresponds to the latest stages of the Hercynian orogeny. A rapid and drastic change occurred at about 300 Ma, between a compressive ductile tectonic regime (D3, ca. 300–320 Ma) associated to calc-alkaline, monzonitic and aluminopotassic plutonism and a fragile phase of deformation (D4) which controlled the emplacement of the subalkaline ferro-potassic plutonism at 290–296 Ma.     

Permian tectonic evolution of the Mudanjiang Ocean: Evidence from zircon U-Pb-Hf isotopes and geochemistry of a N-S trending granitoid belt in the Jiamusi Massif,NE China

A combined study of LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating and geochemical analyses (major and trace elements, and Hf isotopic compositions) for five Permian granitic plutons (Mingyi, Tuoyaozi, Mengjiagang, Hengtoushan, and Qingbei plutons) from the Jiamusi Massif was carried out to determine their ages, petrogenesis, and tectonic evolution. The studied granitic plutons are composed of syengranites, monzogranites, and granodiorites, and they were emplaced in the Early-Middle Permian (278–263 Ma). These granitic plutons are mostly high-K calc-alkaline and weakly peraluminous, and show consistent correlations of different oxides versus SiO₂. They are all enriched in large ion lithophile elements (e.g., Rb, Th, K) and light rare earth elements, and depleted in high field strength elements (e.g., Nb, Ta, Ti) and heavy rare earth elements. And they have relatively homogeneous Hf isotopic compositions, with εHf(t) values varying from − 6.16 to + 2.95 and two-stage model ages ranging from 1681 to 1111 Ma. According to their emplacement ages, geochemical characteristics, and Hf isotopic compositions, we conclude that these granitoids might be originated from parental magmas with similar compositions but evolved different degrees of fractionation, and their magmas were derived from the partial melting of amphibolite-facies mafic lower crust. These data, combined with previous studies on contemporaneous magma-tectonic activities in the Jiamusi Massif and Songnen-Zhangguangcai Range Massif, indicate that two paralleled N-S trending Permian magmatic belts are distributed in these two massifs. The eastwards subduction of the Mudanjiang oceanic plate beneath the Jiamusi Massif induced crustal melting to produce the studied Permian N-S trending granitoids in the Jiamusi Massif. Furthermore, westwards subduction of the Mudanjiang oceanic plate beneath the Songnen-Zhangguangcai Range Massif gave rise to Permian magmatism along eastern margin of the Songnen-Zhangguangcai Range Massif. Taken together, we suggest that the Jiamusi Massif and Songnen-Zhangguangcai Range Massif were not collided before the Permian, and a double-side subduction model is favored for the tectonic evolution of the Mudanjiang Ocean during the Permian.     

Early Paleozoic batholiths in the northern part of the Kuznetsk Alatau: Composition,age, and sources

The paper reports geological, chemical, and geochronological data on the Early Paleozoic granitoid and gabbro-granite associations, which compose the Kozhukhovskii and Dudetskii batholiths in the northern part of the Kuznetsk Alatau. The Kozhukhovskii batholith located in the Alatau volcanoplutonic belt is made up of tholeiitic, calc-alkaline, and subalkaline rocks that were formed in two stages. The first stage corresponded to the formation of granitoids of the Tylinskii quartz diorite-tonalite-plagiogranite complex (～530 Ma, Tylinskii Massif, tholeiitic type) in an island arc setting. The second stage (～500 Ma) produced the Martaiga quartz diorite-tonalite-plagiogranite complex (Kozhukhovskii Massif, calc-alkaline type) and the Krasnokamenskii monzodiorite-syenite-granosyenite complex (Krasnokamenskii Massif, subalkaline type) in an accretionary-collisional setting. The Dudetskii batholith is situated in the Altai-Kuznetsk volcanoplutonic belt and contains widespread subalkaline intrusive rocks (Malodudetskii monzogabbro-monzodiorite-syenite and Karnayul’skii granosyenite-leucogranite complexes) and less abundant alkaline rocks (Verkhnepetropavlovskii carbonatite-bearing alkaline-gabbroid complex), which were formed within the age range of 500–485 Ma. Our Nd isotopic studies suggest mainly a subduction source of the rocks of the Kozhukhovskii batholith (ε_Nd from + 4.8 to + 4.2). Subalkaline rocks of the Dudetskii batholith exhibit wide isotopic variations. The Nd isotopic composition of monzodiorites and monzogabbro of the Malodudetskii Complex (ε_Nd = + 6.6), in association with the elevated alkalinity and high Nb and Ta contents of these rocks, testifies to the predominant contribution of an enriched mantle source at the participation of a depleted mantle source. The lower ε_Nd (from + 3.2 to + 1.9) in its syenites possibly indicates their generation through melting of metabasic rocks derived from enriched mantle protolith. The rocks of the Karnayul’skii Complex have lower Nb and Ta contents at similar ε_Nd (+3.6), which suggests some crustal contribution to their formation.     

Granites of the intracontinental termination of a magmatic arc: an example from the Ediacaran Araçuaí orogen,southeastern Brazil

The Araçuaí orogen of southeastern Brazil together with the West Congo belt of central West Africa form the Araçuaí–West Congo orogen generated during closure of a terminal segment of the Neoproterozoic Adamastor Ocean. Corresponding to an embayment in the São Francisco–Congo Craton, this portion of the Adamastor was only partially floored by oceanic crust. The convergence of its margins led to the development of the Rio Doce magmatic arc between 630 Ma and 580 Ma. The Rio Doce magmatic arc terminates in the northern portion of the Araçuaí orogen. Granitic plutons exposed in the northern extremity of the arc provide a rare opportunity to study magmatism at arc terminations, and to understand the interplay between calc-alkaline magma production and crustal recycling. The plutons forming the terminus of the arc consist of granodiorites, tonalites and monzogranites similar to a magnesian, slightly peraluminous, calcic- (68%) to calc-alkaline (24%), with minor alkali-calcic (8%) facies, medium- to high-K magmatic series. Although marked by negative Nb–Ta, Sr and Ti anomalies, typically associated with subduction-related magmas, the combined Sr, Nd and Hf isotopic data characterize a crustal signature related to anatexis of metamorphosed igneous and sedimentary rocks, rather than fractional crystallization of mantle-derived magmas. Zircon U–Pb ages characterizes two groups of granitoids. The older group, crystallized between 630 and 590 Ma, experienced a migmatization event at ca. 585 Ma. The younger granitoids, emplaced between 570 and 590 Ma, do not show any evidence for migmatization. Most of the investigated samples show good correlation with the experimental compositional field of amphibolite dehydration-melting, with some samples plotting into the field of greywacke dehydration-melting. The studied rocks are not typical I-type or S-type granites, being particularly similar to transitional I/S-type granitoids described in the Ordovician Famatinian arc (NW Argentina). We suggest a hybrid model involving dehydration-melting of meta-igneous (amphibolites) and metasedimentary (greywackes) rocks for magma production in the northern termination of the Rio Doce arc. The real contribution of each end-member is, however, a challenging work still to be done.     

Tectonomagmatic evolution of a Jurassic Cordilleran flare-up along the Korean Peninsula: Geochronological and geochemical constraints from granitoid rocks

This study used new and published U-Pb geochronological, chemical, and Sr-Nd-Hf-O isotopic data (n > 2500) from Jurassic granite-granodiorite-diorite-monzonite-gabbro plutons in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula to assess the spatiotemporal evolution of a flare-up magmatism, its tectonic connection, and specific contributions of mantle and crustal reservoirs to the magmas generated. After a ~15 m.y. magmatic gap in the Late Triassic, calc-alkaline granitoids intruded into the outboard Yeongnam Massif, then magmatic activity migrated systematically toward the inboard Gyeonggi Massif. The early phase of the Jurassic magmatism is represented by relatively sodic plutons showing distinctly primitive isotopic signatures. The crustal signature of the plutons became increasingly prominent with decreasing age. Voluminous inboard plutons in the Gyeonggi Massif and the intervening Okcheon Belt are dominated by Middle Jurassic peraluminous granites that show isotopic compositions conspicuously shifted toward old crustal values. The Nd-Hf isotopic compositions of the inboard plutons are distinctly less radiogenic than those of Jurassic plutons in Southwest Japan and southeastern China, which corroborates the North China affinity of the Yeongnam and Gyeonggi massifs. The geochronological and geochemical data compiled in this study suggest a tectonomagmatic model consisting sequentially of (1) an extension-dominated arc system in the margin of the Yeongnam Massif (ca. 200–190 Ma); (2) low-angle subduction and the development of an advancing arc system (ca. 190–180 Ma); (3) continued low-angle subduction, extensive underthrusting of fertile crustal materials to the arc root, and consequent magmatic flare-up (ca. 180–170 Ma); and (4) flat subduction and the development of the Honam Shear Zone (ca. 170–160 Ma). The subsequent magmatic lull and previous dating results for synkinematic rocks and minerals indicate that the compressional arc system was maintained until the Early Cretaceous.     

The episodic development of intermediate to silicic volcano-plutonic suites in the Archaean West Pilbara, Australia

Four felsic igneous rock suites in the Archaean West Pilbara have been identified based on geochemistry and geochronology. A voluminous TTG suite formed at ca. 3260 Ma, which appears to be from melting of a mafic-subducted oceanic slab and thus represents generation of new continental crust. A tholeiitic to calc-alkaline volcanic assemblage and coeval granitoids formed at ca. 3120 Ma in an extensional environment. Further TTG magmatism occurred at ca. 3000 Ma, generating both large granitoid complexes and small plutons, again adding new continental crust to the West Pilbara. At 2930-Ma crustal reworking, most likely of the 3000-Ma rocks, generated small plutons that are coeval with layered ultramafic-mafic intrusions in the region. The changes from new crustal material to crustal reworking infer changing tectonic regimes, which is important for models of Archaean continental crust generation. The data presented here indicate that crustal generation mechanisms varied and were episodic in the West Pilbara, implying that early crustal evolution was a result of periodic changes in tectonic regime, which is reflected in the geochemistry of the rocks.     

Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of early Paleozoic granitoids in East Kunlun belt: Evidences from geochronology,geochemistry and isotopes

The East Kunlun Orogenic Belt(EKOB) provides an important link to reconstruct the evolution of the Proto-Tethys and Paleo-Tethys realm. The EKOB is marked by widespread Early Paleozoic magmatism.Here we report the petrology, bulk geochemistry, zircon Ue Pb dating and, Lue Hf and SreN d isotopic data of the Early Paleozoic granitic rocks in Zhiyu area of the southern EKOB. Based on the zircon U-Pb dating, these granitoids, consisting of diorite, granodiorite and monzogranite, were formed during 450 -430 Ma the Late Ordovician to Middle Silurian. The diorite and granodiorite are high Sr/Y ratio as adakitic affinities, and the monzogranite belongs to highly fractionated I-type. Their(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)ivalues range from 0.7059 to 0.7085, εNd(t) values from -1.6 to -6.0 and the zircon εHf(t) values show large variations from +9.1 to -8.6 with Hf model ages(T_(DM2)) about 848 Ma and 1970 Ma. The large variations of whole-rock Nd and zircon Hf isotopes demonstrate strong isotopic heterogeneity of the source regions which probably resulted from multi-phase underplating of mantle-derived magmas. Geochemical and isotopic studies proved that the diorite and granodiorite had been derived from partial melting of heterogeneous crustal source with variable contributions from ancient continental crust and juvenile components, and the monzogranites were representing fractional crystallization and crustal contamination for arc magma. The Early Paleozoic adakitic rocks and high-K calc-alkaline granitoids in the southern EKOB were likely emplaced in a continental marginal arc setting possibly linked to the southwards subduction of the Paleo Kunlun Ocean and the magma generation is linked to partial melting of thickened continental crust induced by underplating of mantle-derived magmas.     

Long-lived Neoproterozoic high-K magmatism in the Pernambuco–Alagoas Domain,Borborema Province,northeast Brazil

The Pernambuco–Alagoas (PE–AL) Domain contains major granitic batholiths typified by a wide range of T_DM model ages (Archaean to Neoproterozoic), reflecting the important role of quartzofeldspathic plutons attending the Brasiliano (Pan-African) Orogeny. U/Pb zircon data for eight syn- to post-collision to syn-transcurrent granitic intrusions of the PE–AL Domain allow the studied plutons to be divided into two groups: (1) granitoids with crystallization ages older than 600 Ma (Água Branca, Serra do Catú, Serra da Caiçara, and Mata Grande plutons) and (2) granitoids with ages of ca. 590 Ma (Correntes, Águas Belas, Viçosa, and Cachoeirinha plutons). The intrusions of group 1, except for the Mata Grande Pluton, all show Nd T_DM model ages ranging from 1.5 to 1.2 Ga, whereas the granitoids from group 2 and the Mata Grande Pluton have Nd T_DM model ages ranging from 2.2 to 1.7 Ga. The studied granitoids are in part high-K, calc-alkaline, shoshonitic, and in part transitional high-K calc-alkaline to alkaline in terms of their bulk chemistry. Volcanic arc signatures associated with the Palaeoproterozoic T_DM model ages are interpreted as inherited from the source rocks. The oldest ages and higher Nd T_DM model ages recorded in the granitoids intruded in the southwestern part of the PE–AL Domain suggest that these intrusions are associated with slab-tearing during convergence between the PE–AL and Sergipano domains. The investigated plutons are coeval with high-K granitoids intruded within the Transversal Zone Domain of Borborema Province and calc-alkaline granitoids of the Sergipano Domain. This suggests that these geologic realms belonged to the same crustal block during the Brasiliano Orogeny. However, such large volumes of high-K granitoids with crystallization ages older than 600 Ma are not recorded in the Sergipano and Transversal Zone domains, suggesting differences in the crustal evolution of these three areas.     

Multiple sources for the origin of granites: Geochemical and Nd/Sr isotopic evidence from the Gudaoling granite and its mafic enclaves, northeast China

Geochemical and Sr- and Nd-isotopic data have been determined for mafic to intermediate microgranular enclaves and host granitoids from the Early Cretaceous Gudaoling batholith in the Liaodong Peninsula, NE China. The rocks include monzogranite, porphyric granodiorite and quartz diorite. Monzogranites have relatively high ⁸⁷Rb/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.672-0.853), low initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7052-0.7086) and ε _Nd(t) values (−18.5 to −20.9) indicating that they were mainly derived from a newly underplated crustal source with a short crustal residence time. Quartz diorites have high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7118-0.7120) and negative ε _Nd(t) values (−13.2 to −18.1) coupled with high Al₂O₃ and MgO contents, indicating they were derived from enriched lithospheric mantle with contributions of radiogenic Sr from plagioclase-rich metagreywackes or meta-igneous rocks, i.e., ancient lower crust. Two groups of enclaves with igneous textures and abundant acicular apatites are distinguished: dioritic enclaves and biotite monzonitic enclaves. Dioritic enclaves have low Al₂O₃ (13.5-16.4 wt%) and high MgO (Mg# = ∼72.3) concentrations, low initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7058-0.7073) and negative ε _Nd(t) values (∼−7.2), and are enriched in LILEs and LREEs and depleted in HFSEs, suggesting they were derived from an enriched lithospheric mantle source. Biotite monzonitic enclaves have Sr and Nd isotopic compositions similar to the monzogranites, indicating they were crystal cumulates of the parental magmas of these monzogranites. Granodiorites have transitional geochemistry and Nd- and Sr-isotopic compositions, intermediate between the monzogranites, quartz diorites and the enclaves.Geochemical and Sr- and Nd-isotopic compositions rule-out simple crystal-liquid fractionation or restite unmixing as the major genetic link between enclaves and host rocks. Instead, magma mixing of mafic mantle-derived and juvenile crustal-derived magmas, coupled with crystal fractionation and assimilation of ancient lower crust, is compatible with the data. This example shows that at least some calc-alkaline granitoids are not produced by pure intracrustal melting, but formed through a complex, multi-stage hybridization process, involving mantle- and crustal-derived magmas and several concomitant magmatic processes (crystal fractionation, crustal assimilation and crustal anatexis).     

Origin and regional significance of late Precambrian and early Palaeozoic granitoids in the Pan-African belt of Somalia

Granitoids within the Precambrian basement of north-eastern and southern Somalia are subdivided on the basis of geology, geochronology and petrology into three different assemblages. The post-kinematic assemblage in north-eastern Somalia ( 630 Ma) comprises granodiorites and granites which belong to a medium-K calc-alkaline suite. Average initial Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic ratios [Sr_i = 0.7048, _Nd = –1.8,²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb(i) = 17.704 and²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb(i) = 15.611] indicate that these melts were derived from a mantle or juvenile crustal source with only slight involvement of pre-existing crust as a contaminant. Two different assemblages are found in southern Somalia. The older assemblage is composed of crustal anatectic, synkinematic, parautochthonous granites ( 600 Ma) related to amphibolite facies retrogression of an intensively reworked pre-Pan-African crust [Sr_i = 0.7100, _Nd = –8.4,²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb(i) = 15.403 and²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb(i) = 15.259]. These monzo- and syenogranites are moderately potassic and peraluminous. The younger assemblage ( 470 Ma) consists of post-kinematic monzonites to syenogranites with A-type affinities. Initial Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic data for this metaluminous assemblage [Sr_i = 0.7114, _Nd = –13.1,²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb(i) = 16.913 and²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb(i) = 15.512] indicate a significant lower crustal component but, however, also a mantle signature. The late Proterozoic to early Palaeozoic granitoids in Somalia thus express contrasting regimes, characterized by strong juvenile input in the north, close to the Arabian-Nubian Shield, whereas intense crustal reworking with little addition of juvenile material prevailed in the south. Somalia was definitively not a cratonic area during the Pan-African, but a zone of high crustal mobility.     

Geochemistry of Mesozoic plutons, southern Death Valley region, California: Insights into the origin of Cordilleran interior magmatism

Mesozoic granitoid plutons in the southern Death Valley region of southeastern California reveal substantial compositional and isotopic diversity for Mesozoic magmatism in the southwestern US Cordillera. Jurassic plutons of the region are mainly calc-alkaline mafic granodiorites with )_Ndi of -5 to -16, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i of 0.707-0.726, and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_i of 17.5-20.0. Cretaceous granitoids of the region are mainly monzogranites with )_Ndi of -6 to -19, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i of 0.707-0.723, and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_i of 17.4-18.6. The granitoids were generated by mixing of mantle-derived mafic melts and pre-existing crust - some of the Cretaceous plutons represent melting of Paleoproterozoic crust that, in the southern Death Valley region, is exceptionally heterogeneous. A Cretaceous gabbro on the southern flank of the region has an unusually juvenile composition ()_Ndi -3.2, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i 0.7060). Geographic position of the Mesozoic plutons and comparison with Cordilleran plutonism in the Mojave Desert show that the Precambrian lithosphere (craton margin) in the eastern Mojave Desert region may consists of two crustal blocks separated by a more juvenile terrane.     

Neoproterozoic bimodal volcanic rocks and granites in the western Dabie area,northern margin of Yangtze block,China: implications for extension during the break-up of Rodinia

ABSTRACT

To better understand the Neoproterozoic tectonic evolution along the northern margin of Yangtze Block, we have determined the geochronological and geochemical compositions of newly recognized bimodal volcanic suite and coeval granites from the western Dabie terrain. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating reveals that the felsic and mafic volcanics from the Hong’an unit have crystallization ages of 730 ± 4Ma and 735 ± 5Ma, respectively, indicating that the bimodal suite was erupted during the Neoproterozoic. The Xuantan, Xiaoluoshan, and Wuchenhe granites yield U-Pb ages of 742 ± 4 Ma, 738 ± 4 Ma, and 736 ± 4 Ma, respectively. The felsic volcanic rocks show peraluminous characteristics, and have a close affinity to S-type granite. The mafic volcanic rocks are basalt in compositions, and are likely generated from a depleted mantle source. The granites belong to high-K calc-alkaline and calc-alkaline series, display metaluminous to peraluminous, and are mainly highly fractionated I-type and A-type granite. The granites and felsic volcanics have zircon εHf(t) values of ?16.4 to + 5.6 and two-stage Hf model ages (T_DM2) of 1.28 to 2.40 Ga, suggesting that they were partial melting of varying Mesoproterozoic–early-Neoproterozoic crust. The granites have εNd_(t) of -14.7 to -1.5, and the two-stage Nd model ages (T_DM2) values of 1.54 to 2.61 Ga, also implying the Yangtze crustal contribution. These Neoproterozoic bimodal suite and coeval granites were most likely generated in a rifting extensional setting, triggered by the mantle upwelling, associated with crust–mantle interaction. Intensive magmatic rocks are widespread throughout the South Qingling, Suizhao, western Dabie and eastern Dabie areas during 810–720 Ma, and show peak ages at ~ 740 Ma. Combining regional geology, we support a continental rifting extensional setting for the north margin of the Yangtze Block during the break-up of the supercontinent Rodinia.     

Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of ultrapotassic microgranitoid enclaves in Late Triassic arc granitoids,Qinling orogen,central China

The origin of microgranitoid enclaves in granitic plutons has long been debated (hybrid magma blobs vs. refractory restites or cognate fragments). This article presents detailed petrography, SHRIMP zircon U–Pb chronology, bulk-rock major and trace element analyses, and Sr–Nd isotope and in situ zircon Hf isotopic geochemistry for microgranitoid enclaves within two Late Triassic granitic plutons in the Qinling orogen. Zircon U–Pb dating shows that the enclaves formed during the Carnian (222.5 ± 2.1 to 220.7 ± 1.9 Ma) coeval with their host granitoids (220.0 ± 2.0 to 218.7 ± 2.4 Ma). Field and petrological observations (e.g. double enclaves, xenocrysts, acicular apatite, and poikilitic K-feldspar or quartz) suggest that the enclaves are globules of a mantle-derived more mafic magma that was injected into and mingled with the host magma. The enclaves are mainly ultrapotassic, distinct from the host granitoids that have high-K calc-alkaline bulk-rock compositions. Although the enclaves have closely similar bulk-rock Sr–Nd isotope [initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr?=?0.7046–0.7056, ?_Nd (T)?=?–0.3 to –5.0] and in situ zircon Hf isotope [?_Hf (T)?=?–1.5 to?+2.9] ratios as the granitoids [initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr?=?0.7042–0.7059, ?_Nd (T)?=?–0.6 to –6.3, ?_Hf (T)?=?–2.2 to?+1.6], chemical relationships including very different bulk-rock compositions at a given SiO₂ content lead us to interpret the isotopic similarities as reflecting similar but separate isotopic source rocks. Detailed elemental and isotopic data suggest that the enclaves and the host granitoids were emplaced in a continental arc environment coupled with northward subduction of the Palaeo-Tethyan oceanic crust. Partial melting of subducted sediments triggered by dehydration of the underlying igneous oceanic crust, with melts interacting with the overlying mantle wedge, formed high-K calc-alkaline granitic magmas, whereas partial melting of diapiric phlogopite-pyroxenites, solidified products of the same subducting sediment-derived melts, generated ultrapotassic magmas of the microgranitoid enclaves. Our new data further confirm that in the Late Triassic time the Qinling terrane was an active continental margin rather than a post-collisional regime, giving new insights into the tectonic evolution of this orogen.     

Eocene I-type magmatism in the Eastern Pontides,NE Turkey: insights into magma genesis and magma-tectonic evolution from whole-rock geochemistry,geochronology and isotope systematics

ABSTRACT

The Eastern Pontides orogenic belt in NE Turkey hosts numerous I-type plutons of Eocene epoch. Here, we report new U–Pb SHRIMP zircon ages and in situ zircon Lu-Hf isotopes along with bulk-rock geochemical and Sr-Nd-Pb-O isotope data from the Kemerlikda??, Ayd?ntepe and Pelitli plutons and mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) to constrain their parental melt source(s) and evolutionary processes. U-Pb SHRIMP zircon dating yielded crystallization ages between 45 and 44 Ma for the studied plutons and their MMEs. The plutons range from gabbro to granite and have I-type, medium to high-K calc-alkaline, and metaluminous to slightly peraluminous characteristics. On the primitive mantle-normalized multi-trace-element variations, the plutons and their MMEs are characterized by signi?cant enrichment in LILE/HFSE. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns of the plutons and their MMEs are close to each other and show moderate enrichment with variable negative Eu anomalies. The studied plutons have fairly homogeneous isotope composition (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_(i) = 0.70502 to 0.70560; εNd_(i) = +0.9 to – 1.4; δ¹⁸O = +5.0 to +8.7‰, εHf_(i) = – 2.2 to +13.5). The MMEs show medium to high-K calc-alkaline and metaluminous character. Although the isotope signatures of the MMEs (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_(i) = 0.70508 to 0.70542; εNd_(i) = +0.9 to ?1.1; δ¹⁸O = +5.8 to +8.0, εHf_(i) = +4.3 to +10.4) are very similar to those of the host rocks. Fractionation of plagioclase, amphibole, pyroxene and Fe-Ti oxides played an important role in the evolution of the plutons. The isotopic composition of the studied plutons and MMEs are similar to I-type plutons derived from mantle sources. The MMEs show incomplete magma mixing/mingling, representing small bodies of mafic parental magma. The parental magma(s) of the studied plutons were generated from the enriched lithospheric mantle and then modified by fractional crystallisation, and lesser assimilation and mixing/mingling in the crustal magma chambers.     

Petrology and geodynamic significance of the post-collisional Pan-African magmatism in the Eastern Saghro area (Anti-Atlas, Morocco)

The Saghro Group consists of a thick volcanic-sedimentary sequence with intercalated basaltic lavas, the first magmatic event in eastern Saghro area. Nd isotopes of basaltic pillow lavas show T_DM model ages ranging from 640 to 580 Ma, which represent a maximum age for basalt eruption.Granitoids within the Saghro Group consist of a charnockitic suite, tonalites, granodiorites and monzogranites. They are high-K calc-alkaline (HKCA) with a post-collisional character, and were emplaced at high-levels in the crust. Their ages of emplacement are within the 580–560 Ma bracket, implying that the entire Saghro Group is slightly older than or partly coeval to granitoid emplacement and implying a common geodynamical setting. Sr–Nd isotopic compositions and Nd T_DM model ages point to a mixed origin, combining a juvenile mantle source and an Eburnean crustal component, which could be the West African Craton (WAC). The juvenile component in the Saghro granitoids could be the depleted upper mantle that has sourced the earlier basalts.Field observations, geochemical and geochronological data together support that, during the Pan-African orogeny, the Anti-Atlas was subjected to a regional transpressional to transtensional event. This event would have been responsible for the dissection of the northern margin of the WAC into several blocks, the development of deep sedimentary basins and the emplacement of HKCA magmas.     

Tracing magma mixing in granite genesis: in situ U–Pb dating and Hf-isotope analysis of zircons

In situ zircon U–Pb and Hf-isotopic data have been determined for mafic microgranular enclaves and host granitoids from the Early Cretaceous Gudaoling batholith in the Liaodong Peninsula, NE China, in order to constrain the sources and petrogenesis of granites. The zircon U–Pb age of the enclaves (120 ± 1 Ma) is identical to that of the host monzogranite (120 ± 1 Ma), establishing that the mafic and felsic magmas were coeval. The Hf isotopic composition of the enclaves [ε _Hf(t) = +4.5 to −6.2] is distinct from the host monzogranite [ε _Hf(t) = −15.1 to −25.4], indicating that both depleted mantle and crustal sources contributed to their origin. The depleted mantle component was not previously revealed by geochemical and Nd and Sr isotopic studies, showing that zircon Hf isotopic data can be a powerful geochemical tracer with the potential to provide unique petrogenetic information. Some wall-rock contamination is indicated by inherited zircons with considerably older U–Pb ages and low initial Hf isotopic compositions. Hafnium isotopic variations in Early Cretaceous zircons rule-out simple crystal–liquid fractionation or restite unmixing as the major genetic link between enclaves and host rocks. Instead, mixing of mantle-derived mafic magmas with crustal-derived felsic magmas, coupled with assimilation of wall rocks, is compatible with the data. Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Magma sources and petrogenesis of the early–middle Paleozoic backarc granitoids from the central part of the Qilian block,NW China

The petrology, geochemistry, geochronology, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes of the backarc granitoids from the central part of the Qilian block are studied in the present work. Both S- and I-type granitoids are present. In petrographic classification, they are granite, alkali feldspar granite, felsic granite, diorite, quartz diorite, granodiorite, and albite syenite. The SHRIMP ages are 402–447 Ma for the S-type and 419–451 Ma for the I-type granitoids. They are mostly high-K calc-alkaline granitoids. The S-type granitoids are weakly to strongly peraluminous and are characterized by negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.18–0.79). The I-type granitoids are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous and are characterized mostly by small negative to small positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.71–1.16). The initial (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) values are 0.708848–0.713651 for the S-type and 0.704230–0.718108 for the I-type granitoids. The ε_Nd(450 Ma) values are − 8.9–−4.1 and − 9.7–+ 1.9 for the S-type and I-type granitoids, respectively. The T_DM values are 1.5–2.4 Ga for the S-type and 1.0–2.3 Ga for the I-type granitoids. For the Qilian block, the backarc granitoid magmatism took place approximately 60 million years after the onset of the southward subduction of the north Qilian oceanic lithosphere and lasted approximately 50 million years. Partial melting of the source rocks consisting of the Neoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks of the Huangyuan Group and the intruding lower Paleozoic basaltic rocks could produce the S-type granitoid magmas. Partial melting of basaltic rocks mixed with lower continental crustal materials could produce the I-type granitoid magmas. Major crustal growth occurred in the late Archean and Meso-Paleoproterozoic time for the Qilian block. The magma generation was primarily remelting of the crustal rocks with only little addition of the mantle materials after 1.0 Ga for the Qilian block.