A three stage fluid flow model for Variscan gold metallogenesis in northern Portugal

Mineralogical, fluid inclusion and geochemical studies were made on two intra-granitic gold deposits (Grovelas and Penedono), together with a deposit linked to sub-vertical structures in silicified metasediments at Três-Minas, and several intra-metamorphic occurrences at Vila Pouca de Aguiar. They all possess similar mineral assemblages, deformational state, fluid flow characteristics, ore fluid composition and have comparable P–T conditions. Three successive crystallisation stages are recorded during the formation of gold-bearing structures independent of their location or host rocks (granites or metasediments). They are:Stage 1 — the development of milky quartz veins that formed primarily after the emplacement of peraluminous two-mica granites (315–310 Ma) at P–T conditions reflecting high temperature and low pressure. They are similar to those from pluton induced metamorphism (P=300–350 MPa and T=500–550°C). No clear evidence was found for gold deposition during this stage.Stage 2 — during orogenic uplift and repeated tectonic reactivation a clear quartz was deposited in the early milky quartz veins (Stage 1) at P–T conditions between 100 and 300 MPa and 300 and 450°C. Local sulphide deposition (arsenopyrite II and pyrite II) occurred in clear quartz, but was never massive. The fluids percolating within the granite were mainly aqueous-carbonic and reflect equilibrium with the metamorphic host rocks. They are very similar to those found in metamorphic environments. No evidence for the involvement of magmatic fluids was found.Stage 3 — intense microfissuring of the earlier vein infillings occurred, associated with the main episode of gold deposition. The P–T conditions were <100 MPa and <300°C based on aqueous fluid inclusions. Native gold and electrum crystallised together with sulphides (galena, chalcopyrite and bismuthinite), native Bi and sulphosalts (Pb–Bi–Ag dominated). The fractures frequently contain chlorite (± sericite) especially where they crosscut earlier sulphides (arsenopyrite).These processes and fluid types are similar in both the granites and metamorphic host rocks. Therefore, the gold ores appear to be the result of successive periods of fluid circulation, in this case related to the uplift of the Variscan basement in response to high heat flow and the intrusion of granites. Without exception, these fluids have been re-equilibrated with the metamorphic rocks. However magmatic fluids are absent; the granites thus act passively as heat engines for fluid circulation.     

Retrogressive hydration of calc-silicate xenoliths in the eastern Bushveld complex: evidence for late magmatic fluid movement

Two calc-silicate xenoliths in the Upper Zone of the Bushveld complex contain mineral assemblages which permit delineation of the metamorphic path followed after incorporation of the xenoliths into the magma. Peak metamorphism in these xenoliths occurred at T=1100–1200°C and P <1.5 kbar. Retrograde metamorphism, probably coinciding with the late magmatic stage, is characterized by the breakdown of akermanite to monticellite and wollastonite at 700°C and the growth of vesuvianite from melilite. The latter implies that water-rich fluids (X_CO2 <0.2) were present and probably circulating through the cooling magmatic pile. In contrast, calc-silicate xenoliths within the lower zones of the Bushveld complex, namely in the Marginal and Critical Zones, also contain melilite, monticellite and additional periclase with only rare development of vesuvianite. This suggests that the Upper Zone cumulate pile was much ‘wetter’ in the late-magmatic stage than the earlier-formed Critical and Marginal Zone cumulate piles.     

Geochronological and isotopic constraints on Palaeoproterozoic skarn base metal mineralisation in the central Gawler Craton, South Australia

The mineralisation potential of Palaeoproterozoic strata from the central Gawler Craton, South Australia, is poorly known. This study defines the timing of Zn-rich skarn formation within Palaeoproterozoic calcsilicate and highlights this as a new mineralisation style for the Gawler Craton. Sulphides within the garnet–diopside skarn in the No. 17 Bore Prospect are predominantly in the form of sphalerite, associated with galena, minor chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and pyrite. Sulphide is present in disseminated form and as a coarse-grained sulphide within a sericite-rich cavity-fill. Mineralisation is inferred to have formed at 1710 ± 16 Ma through a Sm–Nd isochron from garnet and diopside aliquots. A weakly mineralised and altered granite immediately below the calcsilicate skarn crystallised at 1729 ± 13 Ma (LA-ICPMS U–Pb zircon), within error of the skarn mineralisation. The skarn is interpreted to have formed through the initiation of fluid circulation as a result of high-level granite emplacement within the Palaeoproterozoic strata. Exploration for skarn Zn–Pb deposits such as the No. 17 Bore Prospect is assisted by their geophysical properties.     

Late Panafrican evolution of the main Hoggar fault zones: Implications of magnetic fabric study in the In Telloukh pluton (Tin Serririne basin, Algeria)

The Late Panafrican evolution of the Hoggar shield is characterized by emplacement of magmatic intrusions and by occurrence of major shear zones separating different terranes. In Telloukh granite is close to the In Guezzam faults (western border of the Tin Serririne basin). Analysis of its visible and magnetic fabrics suggests an emplacement mode and deformation that are not related to the In Guezzam faults, but most likely to a N–S compression, an event not yet identified. Dioritic dykes crosscutting the granite have a very different magnetic fabric, which is related on the contrary to dextral strike-slip movements along the In Guezzam faults. In both cases, no visible fabric can be correlated with the magnetic fabric, which has been likely acquired during late magmatic stages. This magnetic fabric was not significantly affected by the tectonic events that took place after entire crystallization of the magma. The In Guezzam faults and the major 7°30 and 4°50 shear zones are close to intrusions such as In Telloukh dykes and the Alous En Tides and Tesnou plutons where quite similar magnetic fabrics are observed, all related with dextral strike-slip movements along these structures.     

Metamorphism of the Koraput Alkaline Complex, Eastern Ghats Province, India—Evidence for reworking of a granulite terrane

An assemblage of predominantly metasedimentary rocks in the Eastern Ghats Province, India, underwent granulite facies metamorphism and deformation in early Neoproterozoic times, and was subsequently intruded by the Koraput alkaline complex. The intrusion was earlier believed to be syn- to late tectonic. The gabbroic core of the complex hosts nepheline-bearing syenitic dykes and veins. Following emplacement, magmatic amphibole within the syenites, and early orthopyroxene in feldspathic gneisses within the country rocks were retrogressed to biotite during pervasive solid-state deformation. Subsequent prograde metamorphism resulted in the formation of anhydrous assemblages at the expense of relict magmatic amphibole within the syenites, and metamorphic biotite in both the complex and the country rocks. Reactions reconstructed from textural observations indicate breakdown of biotite and amphibole to garnet + clinopyroxene ± orthopyroxene-bearing assemblages. Schreinemakers’ analysis on the relevant mineral associations suggests that heating was followed by loading of the region. This indicates thermal rejuvenation of the complex and the host granulites during an intracrustal orogeny that post-dates emplacement and cooling of the pluton. Available ages suggest that this event occurred in the mid-Neoproterozoic, and is probably unrelated to the amalgamation of the granulite belt with the Archaean Bastar/Dharwar craton.     

Hydrothermal alterations in the Echassières granitic cupola (Massif central,france)

Detailed petrographic and mineralogic investigations of an albite-lepidolite granite at Echassières (Massif Central, France; scientific deep drill program) shows the existence of hydrothermal stages which are closely related to the magmatic and structural history. According to fluid inclusion data, K-Ar datations and ¹⁸O/¹⁶O-D/H compositions of secondary minerals, two successive hydrothermal periods have been recognized. The early one (273–268 million years) produced a series of aluminous phyllosilicates: muscovite, pyrophyllite, donbassite, tosudite, kaolinite which are observed as vein deposits (<10 mm wide) and alteration products of primary minerals in wall-rocks. The vein system was sealed by monomineralic assemblages during a cooling period (400–150°C). This early hydrothermal alteration stage was controlled by interactions of rock with low salinity (1–10 wt% NaCl equivalent) fluids expelled from the granitic body during the cooling processes. The chemical properties of these fluids were the following: low pH, very low Mg and Fe and high Li, Na and K contents. Thermodynamic calculations show that the sequence pyrophyllite, Li-bearing donbassite, tosudite is mostly temperature dependent. From the chemical composition of secondary minerals and isotopic data it can be deduced that these fluids, which have a meteoric origin, have been expelled from the granite body during its cooling period and after interaction with it at high temperature. The late hydrothermal stage corresponds to deposits of fluorite and Fe-Mg rich illite (151 million years) in subvertical fractures. Temperature conditions did not exceed 250° C and fluids came through the surrounding metamorphic rocks into the granitic body. IIlite/smectite mixed-layer minerals have been identified in subvertical fractures which were opened during Tertiary periods. In the host micaschists, successive hydrothermal alterations took place during the cooling of the Beauvoir granite. Early magmatic fluids interacted with these micaschists. Locally, the metamorphic assemblage is replaced by a metasomatic one. Secondary topaz and (F, Li)-rich mica crystals were formed over a range of 450 of 150°C. Later hydrothermal fluids reacted with the country rocks to form phengite-biotite, chlorite-illite and kaolinite over a range of 300 to 150°C. Illite/smectite mixed-layer minerals crystallized in the roof micaschists and within the Beauvoir granite during the Tertiary alteration period. Meteoric water invaded open fractures producing supergene alteration mineral assemblages.     

Partial eclogitisation of gabbroic rocks in a late Precambrian subduction zone (Zambia): prograde metamorphism triggered by fluid infiltration

Gabbros and eclogites occur closely associated in a 200-km-long and up to 40-km-wide area of the Zambezi Belt in central Zambia. This area is interpreted to represent part of a late Precambrian suture zone, with the mafic rocks being relics of subducted oceanic crust. Gradual stages of prograde transformation from gabbro to eclogite are preserved by disequilibrium textures of incomplete reactions. This resulted in kyanite–omphacite-bearing assemblages for eclogites that have Al-poor bulk compositions. Undeformed eclogites typically preserve features of a former gabbroic texture, reflected by replacements of plagioclase and magmatic pyroxene by eclogite facies minerals. Textures of deformed eclogites range from sheared porphyroclastic to porphyroblastic. Relics of magmatic pyroxene are common and complete eclogitisation occurred only in millimetre to centimetre-scale domains in most of the rocks. No evidence for prograde blueschist or amphibolite facies mineral assemblages was found in eclogites. In contrast, the fine grained intergrowth of omphacite, garnet, kyanite and quartz, which replace former plagioclase or was formed in the pressure shadow of magmatic pyroxene relics, indicates that eclogitisation might have affected the gabbroic protoliths directly without any significant intervening metamorphic reactions. Eclogitisation took place under P–T conditions of 630–690 °C and 26–28 kbar, suggesting a large overstepping (>10 kbar) of reaction boundaries. Eclogitisation was initialised and accompanied by a channelised fluid flow resulting in veins with large, subhedral grains of omphacite, kyanite and garnet. The gabbro-to-eclogite transformation was enhanced by a fluid which allowed the necessary material transport for the dissolution–precipitation mechanism that characterises the metamorphic mineral replacements. The process of eclogitisation was limited by reaction kinetics and dissolution–precipitation rates rather than by the metamorphic P–T conditions. Even though ductile deformation occurred and equilibrium phase boundaries were overstepped, the infiltration of fluids was necessary for triggering the gabbro-to-eclogite transformation.Editorial responsibility: J. Hoefs     

Temporal relationship between granite cooling and hydrothermal uranium mineralization at Dalongshan in China: a combined radiometric and oxygen isotopic study

A combined study using multi-radiometric dating and oxygen isotopic geothermometry was carried out for Mesozoic quartz syenite, alkali-feldspar granite and associated hydrothermal uranium mineralization at Dalongshan in the Middle-Lower Yangtze valley of east-central China. Radiometric dating of the quartz syenite yields a whole-rock Rb–Sr isochron age of 135.6±4.3 Ma, a zircon U–Pb isochron age of 132.9±2.2 Ma, and K–Ar ages of 126±2, 118±3 and 94±4 Ma for hornblende, biotite and orthoclase, respectively. The alkali-feldspar granite yields a whole-rock Rb–Sr isochron age of 117.3±3.3 Ma, a zircon U–Pb isochron age of 114.7±2.1 Ma, and K–Ar ages of 112±2, 109±3 and 88±4 Ma for hornblende, biotite and orthoclase, respectively. Oxygen isotope thermometry for both granites gives temperatures of 685 to 720, 555 to 580, 435 to 460 and 320 to 330 °C, for hornblende, magnetite, biotite and orthoclase respectively, when paired with quartz. The systematic differences among the ages by the different techniques on the different minerals are used to reconstruct the cooling history of the granite. The results yield rapid cooling rates of 27.4 to 58.6 °C/Ma from 800 to 300 °C in the early stage, but slow cooling rates of 6.3 to 7.2 °C/Ma from 300 to 150 °C in the late stage. The regular sequence of oxygen isotope temperatures for the different quartz–mineral pairs demonstrates that diffusion is a dominant factor controlling the closure of both radiometric and O isotopic systems during granite cooling. Pitchblende U–Pb isochron dating yields an uranium mineralization age of 106.4±2.9 Ma, which is younger than the age of the granite emplacement and thus considerably postdates the time of magma crystallization, but is close to the closure time of the K–Ar system in the biotite. This points to a close relationship between granite cooling and ore-forming process. It appears that hydrothermal mineralization took place in the stage of slow cooling of the granite, whereas the rapid cooling of the granite was concurrent with the migration of hydrothermal fluids along fault structures. Therefore, the activity of the ore-forming hydrothermal system is temporally dictated by the cooling rates of the granite and may lag about 25 to 30 Ma behind the crystallization timing of associated granite.     

福建闽江和九龙江现代沉积物重矿物特征及其物源意义*

通过对闽江和九龙江沿岸沉积物中重矿物的分析,发现重矿物组合与源区岩石具有极好的相关性。两条河流流域重矿物组合为不透明铁矿类—绿帘石—锆石—电气石—角闪石,特征矿物为绿帘石,含量高达原生透明重矿物比重的70%,其成因除与高级变质岩有关外,还与中酸性岩浆岩及其与围岩接触蚀变发生的绿帘石化有关。从重矿物组合、重矿物特征指数以及与锆石年龄谱系的比对分析发现,闽江流域重矿物源自闽西北武夷山前寒武纪的变质岩、闽东广泛出露的燕山期岩浆岩和接触变质岩,而九龙江流域重矿物源自闽西南的印支—燕山期花岗岩。闽江上游沉积物重矿物以源自高级变质岩的重矿物为特征,中下游由上游来源的重矿物和下游酸性岩浆岩及接触变质岩形成的重矿物共同构成;九龙江以印支—燕山期花岗岩中的副矿物组合为特征。研究结果显示,对于中小流域面积的河流,由于搬运距离有限,重矿物组合保存的源岩信息量大,可作为研究流域内构造演化和源汇对比的重要手段。     

Diapiric emplacement in the upper crust of a granitic body: the La Bazana granite (SW Spain)

The ascent and emplacement of granites in the upper crust is a major geological phenomenon accomplished by a number of different processes. The active processes determine the final geometry of the bodies and, in some favourable cases, the inverse problem of deducing mechanisms can be undertaken by relying on the geometry of plutons. This is the case of the La Bazana granitic pluton, a small Variscan igneous body that intruded Cambrian rocks of the Ossa-Morena Zone (SW Iberian Massif) in the core of a large late upright antiform. The granite shows no appreciable solid-state deformation, but has a late magmatic foliation whose orientation, derived from field observations, defines a gentle dome. The regional attitude of the main foliation in the country rock (parallel to the axial plane of recumbent folds) is NW–SE, but just around the granite, it accommodates to the dome shape of the pluton. Flattening in the host rock on top of the granite is indicated by boudinaged and folded veins, and appears to be caused by an upward pushing of the magma during its emplacement. The dome-shaped foliation of the granite, geometrically and kinematically congruent with the flattening in the host rock, can be related in the same way to the upward pushing of the magma. The level of final emplacement was deduced from the mineral associations in the thermal aureole to be of 7–10 km in depth. Models of the gravity anomaly related to the granite body show that the granite has a teardrop–pipe shape enlarged at its top. Diapiric ascent of the magma through the lower middle crust is inferred until reaching a high viscous level, where final emplacement accompanied by lateral expansion and vertical flattening took place. This natural example suggests that diapirism may be a viable mechanism for migration and emplacement of magmas, at least up to 7–10 km in depth, and it provides natural evidence for theoretical discussion on the ability of magmatic diapirs to pierce the crust.     

Neoarchaean magmatism and metamorphism of the western granulites in the central domain of the Mozambique belt, Tanzania: U–Pb shrimp geochronology and PT estimates

U–Pb sensitive high resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) dating of zircons from charnockitic and garnet–biotite gneisses from the central portion of the Mozambique belt, central Tanzania indicate that the protolith granitoids were emplaced in a late Archaean, ca. 2.7 Ga, magmatic event. These ages are similar to other U–Pb and Pb–Pb ages obtained for other gneisses in this part of the belt. Zircon xenocrysts dated between 2.8 and 3.0 Ga indicate the presence of an older basement. Major and trace element geochemistry of these high-grade gneisses suggests that the granitoid protoliths may have formed in an active continental margin environment. Metamorphic zircon rims and multifaceted metamorphic zircons are dated at ca. 2.6 Ga indicating that these rocks were metamorphosed some 50–100 my after their emplacement. Pressure and temperature estimates on the charnockitic and garnet–biotite gneisses were obscured by post-peak metamorphic compositional homogenisation; however, these estimates combined with mineral textures suggest that these rocks underwent isobaric cooling to 800–850 °C at 12–14 kbar. It is considered likely that the granulite facies mineral assemblage developed during the ca. 2.6 Ga event, but it must be considered that it might instead represent a pervasive Neoproterozoic, Pan African, granulite facies overprint, similar to the ubiquitous eastern granulites further to the east.     

Fluid evolution during metamorphism at increasing pressure: carbonic- and nitrogen-bearing fluid inclusions in granulites from Øksfjord,north Norwegian Caledonides

Three successive metamorphic stages M1, M2 and M3 have been distinguished in polymetamorphic granulite facies quartz-feldspathic gneisses from the Seiland Igneous Province, Caledonides of northern Norway. An early period of contact metamorphism (M1; 750–950°C, ca. 5 kbar) was followed by cooling, accompanied by strong shearing and recrystallization at intermediate-P granulite facies conditions (M2; 700–750°C, 5–6kbar). High-P granulite facies (M3; ca. 700°C, 7–8 kbar) is related to recrystallization in narrow ductile shear zones and secondary growth on M2 minerals. On the basis of composition, fluid inclusions in cordierite, quartz and garnet can be divided into three major types: (1) CO₂ inclusions; (2) mixed CO₂–N₂ inclusions; (3) N₂ inclusions. Fluid chronology and mineral assemblages suggest that the earliest inclusions consist of pure CO₂ and were trapped at the M1 contact metamorphic episode. A carbonic fluid was also present during the intermediate-P granulite facies M2 metamorphism. The CO₂-rich inclusions in M2 garnet can be divided into two generations, an early lower-density and a late higher-density, with isochores crosscutting the P-T box of M2 and M3, respectively. The nitrogen-rich fluids were introduced at a late stage in the fluid evolution during the high-P M3 event. The mixed CO₂–N₂ inclusions, with density characteristics compatible with M3 conditions, are probably produced from intersection between pre-existing pure CO₂ inclusions and N₂ fluids introduced during M3. The fluid inclusion data agree with the P-T evolution established from mineral assemblages and mineral chemistry.     

Tectonic correlations of pre-Mesozoic crust from the northern termination of the Colombian Andes, Caribbean region

Reconnaissance zircon U/Pb SHRIMP, Ar–Ar, and Sm–Nd geochronology, petrological, and geochemical data were obtained from selected localities of two pre-Mesozoic metamorphic belts from the northern termination of the Colombian Andes in the Caribbean region. The older Proterozoic belt, with protoliths formed in a rift- or backarc-related environment, was metamorphosed at 6–8 kb and 760–810 °C during Late Mesoproterozoic times. This belt correlates with other high-grade metamorphic domains of the Andean realm that formed a Grenvillian-related collisional belt linked to the formation of Rodinia. The younger belt was formed over a continental arc at <530–450 Ma in a Gondwanide position and metamorphosed at 5–8 kb and 500–550 °C, probably during the Late Paleozoic–Triassic, as part of the terranes that docked with northwestern South America during the formation of Pangea. A Mesozoic Ar–Ar tectonothermal evolution can be related to regional magmatic events, whereas Late Cretaceous–Paleocene structural trends are related to the accretion of the allocthonous Caribbean subduction metamorphic belts. Lithotectonic correlations with other circum-Caribbean and southern North American pre-Jurassic domains show the existence of different terrane dispersal patterns that can be related to Pangea’s breakup and Caribbean tectonics.     

Peraluminous potassium-rich granitoids in the Semail Ophiolite

Potassic granites are found as dikes and small stocks in the uppermost part of the mantle sequence of the Semail ophiolite, predominantly in the northern and less frequently in the central and southern part. New chemical analyses show that the biotite granites lie on the same evolutionary trend as the quartz diorites and tonalites, occurring as late intrusives in the gabboro and mantle sequence. Based on mineral chemistry, the P-T conditions of andalusite-cordierite bearing pegmatoidal granites were calculated, giving pressures of 1.8–2.2 kbar and a solidus within the stability field of andalusite. Hydrothermal experiments on five natural granite and tonalite compositions gave minimum melting between 650 and 675° C at 2 kbar. At 700° C, excess H₂O, there is already 70–80% melt from the granitic starting compositions. Potassic granites in the ophiolite can be the result of extreme fractional crystallization in the late intrusive series. Granitic melts can also be produced by a two-stage process, in which fluids escaping from the underlying metamorphic sole trigger partial melting of the more felsic members in the ophiolite series. Two-mica granites and pegmatites in the underlying metamorphic sole, possibly melting products of amphibolites and biotite gneisses, are contemporaneous. These escaping fluids could also explain the Pb and Sr isotopic compositions of the leucocratic dikes, indicating variable crustal contamination.     

The Higo metamorphic complex in Kyushu, Japan as the fragment of Permo–Triassic metamorphic complexes in East Asia

The Higo terrane in west-central Kyushu Island, southwest Japan consists from north to south of the Manotani, Higo and Ryuhozan metamorphic complexes, which are intruded by the Higo plutonic complex (Miyanohara tonalite and Shiraishino granodiorite).The Higo and Manotani metamorphic complexes indicate an imbricate crustal section in which a sequence of metamorphic rocks with increasing metamorphic grade from high (northern part) to low (southern part) structural levels is exposed. The metamorphic rocks in these complexes can be divided into five metamorphic zones (zone A to zone E) from top to base (i.e., from north to south) on the basis of mineral parageneses of pelitic rocks. Greenschist-facies mineral assemblages in zone A (the Manotani metamorphic complex) give way to amphibolite-facies assemblages in zones B, C and D, which in turn are replaced by granulite-facies assemblages in zone E of the Higo metamorphic complex. The highest-grade part of the complex (zone E) indicates peak P–T conditions of ca. 720 MPa and ca. 870 °C. In addition highly aluminous Spr-bearing granulites and related high-temperature metamorphic rocks occur as blocks in peridotite intrusions and show UHT-metamorphic conditions of ca. 900 MPa and ca. 950 °C. The prograde and retrograde P–T evolution paths of the Higo and Manotani metamorphic complexes are estimated using reaction textures, mineral inclusion analyses and mineral chemistries, especially in zones A and D, which show a clockwise P–T path from Lws-including Pmp–Act field to Act–Chl–Epi field in zone A and St–Ky field to And field through Sil field in zone D.The Higo metamorphic complex has been traditionally considered to be the western-end of the Ryoke metamorphic belt in the Japanese Islands or part of the Kurosegawa–Paleo Ryoke terrane in south-west Japan. However, recent detailed studies including Permo–Triassic age (ca. 250 Ma) determinations from this complex indicate a close relationship with the high-grade metamorphic terranes in eastern-most Asia (e.g., north Dabie terrane) with similar metamorphic and igneous characteristics, protolith assembly, and metamorphic and igneous ages. The north Dabie high-grade terrane as a collisional metamorphic zone between the North China and the South China cratons could be extended to the N-NE along the transcurrent fault (Tan-Lu Fault) as the Sulu belt in Shandong Peninsula and the Imjingang belt in Korean Peninsula. The Higo and Manotani metamorphic complexes as well as the Hida–Oki terrane in Japan would also have belonged to this type of collisional terrane and then experienced a top-to-the-south displacement with forming a regional nappe structure before the intrusion of younger Shiraishino granodiorite (ca. 120 Ma).     

广西海洋山花岗岩体侵位构造特征

花岗岩是大陆地壳的重要组成部分,是地球动力学演化的示踪剂。花岗岩体侵位构造的研究对于揭示花岗岩体的变形历史和侵位机制具有重要的科学价值。本文研究了海洋山花岗岩体的内部构造、与岩浆侵位应力有的围岩构造及热接触变质带特征,探讨了岩体和围岩的应变状态。研究发现,从岩浆侵位到冷凝固结,海洋山花岗岩体经历了液态流动、塑性变形和“半固态”冷凝阶段的演化。岩体各单元的应变类型分别是单轴压扁、平面应变、单轴压缩,     

Dolomitic marbles and associated calc-silicates, Tandilia belt, Argentina: Geothermobarometry, metamorphic evolution, and P–T path

The metamorphic evolution of dolomitic marbles and associated calc-silicate rocks from Punta Tota (NE Tandilia belt, Buenos Aires province, Argentina) has been evaluated through petrographic, geothermobarometric, and fluid inclusion studies. Thin beds of dolomitic marble are intercalated in amphibolites and constitute the upper part of a stratified basement sequence, which starts at the base with garnet migmatites showing a great abundance of pegmatitic segregates, overlain by biotite–garnet gneisses. Peak metamorphic conditions are estimated at 750–800 °C and 5–6 kb, followed by near isobaric cooling to about 500–450 °C and 5.5–6.5 kb. Anhydrous progressive metamorphic assemblages in both marbles (Fo + Cal + Dol + Cpx + Spl) and adjacent calc-silicate rocks (Cpx + An + Cal + Qtz) strongly retrogressed to hydrous minerals (Tr, Tlc, Grs, Czo, Srp) with decreasing temperatures and increasing water activities. The intense rehydration of the rocks relates to the emplacement of volatile-rich pegmatitic bodies (Qtz + Pl + Kfs + Bt + Grt), which also resulted in the crystallization of clinochlore + phlogopite in the marble and biotite + muscovite in the adjacent calc-silicate rocks. Metamorphic reactions based on textural relations and evaluated on a suitable petrogenetic grid, combined with geothermobarometric results and fluid inclusion isochores, indicate a metamorphic evolution along a counterclockwise P–T path. Two probable geotectonic settings for the determined P–T trajectory are proposed: (1) thinning of the crust and overlying supracrustal basin in an ensialic intraplate tectonic setting and (2) development of a marginal back-arc basin, associated with an oceanic–continental convergent plate margin. In both models, the initial extensional regime is followed by a compressional stage, with overthickening of the basement and supracrustal rocks, during the climax of the Transamazonian cycle at approximately 1800 Ma ago. Continuous convergence and blockage of structures produce transition to transcurrent tectonics (transpression) with a consequent moderate uplift.     

Sn-polymetallic greisen-type deposits associated with late-stage rapakivi granites, Brazil: fluid inclusion and stable isotope characteristics

Tin-polymetallic greisen-type deposits in the Itu Rapakivi Province and Rondônia Tin Province, Brazil are associated with late-stage rapakivi fluorine-rich peraluminous alkali-feldspar granites. These granites contain topaz and/or muscovite or zinnwaldite and have geochemical characteristics comparable to the low-P sub-type topaz-bearing granites. Stockworks and veins are common in Oriente Novo (Rondônia Tin Province) and Correas (Itu Rapakivi Province) deposits, but in the Santa Bárbara deposit (Rondônia Tin Province) a preserved cupola with associated bed-like greisen is predominant. The contrasting mineralization styles reflect different depths of formation, spatial relationship to tin granites, and different wall rock/fluid proportions. The deposits contain a similar rare-metal suite that includes Sn (±W, ±Ta, ±Nb), and base-metal suite (Zn–Cu–Pb) is present only in Correas deposit. The early fluid inclusions of the Correas and Oriente Novo deposits are (1) low to moderate-salinity (0–19 wt.% NaCl eq.) CO₂-bearing aqueous fluids homogenizing at 245–450 °C, and (2) aqueous solutions with low CO₂, low to moderate salinity (0–14 wt.% NaCl eq.), which homogenize between 100 and 340 °C. In the Santa Bárbara deposit, the early inclusions are represented by (1) low-salinity (5–12 wt.% NaCl eq.) aqueous fluids with variable CO₂ contents, homogenizing at 340 to 390 °C, and (2) low-salinity (0–3 wt.% NaCl eq.) aqueous fluid inclusions, which homogenize at 320–380 °C. Cassiterite, wolframite, columbite–tantalite, scheelite, and sulfide assemblages accompany these fluids. The late fluid in the Oriente Novo and Correas deposit was a low-salinity (0–6 wt.% NaCl eq.) CO₂-free aqueous solution, which homogenizes at (100–260 °C) and characterizes the sulfide–fluorite–sericite association in the Correas deposit. The late fluid in the Santa Bárbara deposit has lower salinity (0–3 wt.% NaCl eq.) and characterizes the late-barren-quartz, muscovite and kaolinite veins. Oxygen isotope thermometry coupled with fluid inclusion data suggest hydrothermal activity at 240–450 °C, and 1.0–2.6 kbar fluid pressure at Correas and Oriente Novo. The hydrogen isotope composition of breccia-greisen, stockwork, and vein fluids (δ¹⁸O_quartz from 9.9‰ to 10.9‰, δD_H2O from 4.13‰ to 6.95‰) is consistent with a fluid that was in equilibrium with granite at temperatures from 450 to 240 °C. In the Santa Bárbara deposit, the inferred temperatures for quartz-pods and bed-like greisens are much higher (570 and 500 °C, respectively), and that for the cassiterite-quartz-veins is 415 °C. The oxygen and hydrogen isotope composition of greisen and quartz-pods fluids (δ¹⁸O_qtz-H2O=5.5–6.1‰) indicate that the fluid equilibrated with the albite granite, consistent with a magmatic origin. The values for mica (δ¹⁸O_mica-H2O=3.3–9.8‰) suggest mixing with meteoric water. Late muscovite veins (δ¹⁸O_qtz-H2O=−6.4‰) and late quartz (δ¹⁸O_mica-H2O=−3.8‰) indicate involvement of a meteoric fluid. Overall, the stable isotope and fluid inclusion data imply three fluid types: (1) an early orthomagmatic fluid, which equilibrated with granite; (2) a mixed orthomagmatic-meteoric fluid; and (3) a late hydrothermal meteoric fluid. The first two were responsible for cassiterite, wolframite, and minor columbite–tantalite precipitation. Change in the redox conditions related to mixing of magmatic and meteoric fluids favored important sulfide mineralization in the Correas deposit.     

Proterozoic–Paleozoic development of the basement of the Central Andes (18–26°S) — a mobile belt of the South American craton

The Late Precambrian–Early Paleozoic metamorphic basement forms a volumetrically important part of the Andean crust. We investigated its evolution in order to subdivide the area between 18 and 26°S into crustal domains by means of petrological and age data (Sm–Nd isochrons, K–Ar). The metamorphic crystallization ages and t_DM ages are not consistent with growth of the Pacific margin north of the Argentine Precordillera by accretion of exotic terranes, but favor a model of a mobile belt of the Pampean Cycle. Peak metamorphic conditions in all scattered outcrop areas between 18 and 26°S are similar and reached the upper amphibolite facies conditions indicated by mineral paragensis and the occurrence of migmatite. Sm–Nd mineral isochrons yielded 525±10, 505±6 and 509±1 Ma for the Chilean Coast Range, the Chilean Precordillera and the Argentine Puna, and 442±9 and 412±18 Ma for the Sierras Pampeanas. Conventional K–Ar cooling age data of amphibole and mica cluster around 400 Ma, but are frequently reset by Late Paleozoic and Jurassic magmatism. Final exhumation of the Early Paleozoic orogen is confirmed by Devonian erosional unconformities. Sm–Nd depleted mantle model ages of felsic rocks from the metamorphic basement range from 1.4 to 2.2 Ga, in northern Chile the average is 1.65±0.16 Ga (1σ; n=12), average t_DM of both gneiss and metabasite in NW Argentina is 1.76±0.4 Ga (1σ; n=22), and the isotopic composition excludes major addition of juvenile mantle derived material during the Early Paleozoic metamorphic and magmatic cycle. These new data indicate a largely similar development of the metamorphic basement south of the Arequipa Massif at 18°S and north of the Argentine Precordillera at 28°S. Variations of metamorphic grade and of ages of peak metamorphism are of local importance. The protolith was derived from Early to Middle Proterozoic cratonic areas, similar to the Proterozoic rocks from the Arequipa Massif, which had undergone Grenvillian metamorphism at ca. 1.0 Ga.     

Neoarchaean high-grade metamorphism in the Central Zone of the Limpopo Belt (South Africa): Combined petrological and geochronological evidence from the Bulai pluton

The Bulai pluton represents a calc-alkaline magmatic complex of variable deformed charnockites, enderbites and granites, and contains xenoliths of highly deformed metamorphic country rocks. Petrological investigations show that these xenoliths underwent a high-grade metamorphic overprint at peak P–T conditions of 830–860 °C/8–9 kbar followed by a pressure–temperature decrease to 750 °C/5–6 kbar. This P–T path is inferred from the application of P–T pseudosections to six rock samples of distinct bulk composition: three metapelitic garnet–biotite–sillimanite–cordierite–plagioclase–(K-feldspar)–quartz gneisses, two charnoenderbitic garnet–orthopyroxene–biotite–K-feldspar–plagioclase–quartz gneisses and an enderbitic orthopyroxene–biotite–plagioclase–quartz gneiss. The petrological data show that the metapelitic and charnoenderbitic gneisses underwent uplift, cooling and deformation before they were intruded by the Bulai Granite. This relationship is supported by geochronological results obtained by in situ LA-ICP-MS age dating. U–Pb analyses of monazite enclosed in garnet of a charnoenderbite gneiss provide evidence for a high-grade structural-metamorphic–magmatic event at 2644 ± 8 Ma. This age is significantly older than an U–Pb zircon crystallisation age of 2612 ± 7 Ma previously obtained from the surrounding, late-tectonic Bulai Granite. The new dataset indicates that parts of the Limpopo's Central Zone were affected by a Neoarchaean high-grade metamorphic overprint, which was caused by magmatic heat transfer into the lower crust in a ‘dynamic regional contact metamorphic milieu’, which perhaps took place in a magmatic arc setting.