微区原位普通铅同位素分析技术及其地质应用进展

应用激光剥蚀-多接收器电感耦合等离子体质谱(LA-MC-ICP-MS)和二次离子质谱(SIMS)等分析技术进行微区原位普通Pb同位素分析是微区地球化学研究的重要内容之一.综述了矿物、熔体包裹体和沉积结核的微区原位普通Pb同位素分析技术及其地质应用的新进展.这些研究资料表明该分析技术在岩浆岩成因、沉积物物源示踪、地幔地球化学、古海洋学以及矿床学等的研究中提供了常规的全岩Pb同位素分析方法难以获得的重要信息,充分展示了该分析技术在地球科学研究中的应用前景.     

铁同位素分析测试技术研究进展

铁是地球上丰度最高的变价元素,在自然界大量分布于各类矿物、岩石、流体和生物体中,并广泛参与成岩作用、成矿作用、热液活动和生命活动过程。铁同位素组成对地球化学、天体化学和生物化学方面提供重要的信息,是同位素地球化学研究领域的热点。铁同位素的精确测量是开展相关研究的重要基础。本文评述了铁同位素测试技术的研究进展,主要包括:①溶液法测试铁同位素样品纯化过程中阴离子树脂的改进;②质谱分析从传统的热电离质谱法发展为多接收电感耦合等离子体质谱法;③激光微区原位测试技术的研发等。在此基础上,对测试过程中会导致产生铁同位素分馏的步骤和校正方法进行了总结,并对各种测试方法的优缺点进行了评述。本文认为:溶液法分析流程长且复杂,但分析精度高(0.03‰,2SD)、方法稳定;微区原位分析方法从纳秒激光剥蚀发展为飞秒激光剥蚀,脉冲持续时间更短、脉冲峰值强度更高(可达10~(12)W),聚焦强度超过10~(20)W/cm~2,使其具有分析速度快、空间分辨率高的优势。微区原位法可以从微观角度去讨论铁同位素变化的地球化学过程,但基体效应的存在限制了微区原位铁同位素的广泛应用。因此,缩短溶液法分析流程,开发系列基体匹配的标准样品,是铁同位素分析方法研发的方向。     

微区原位LA-MC-ICP-MS铅同位素分析研究进展

微区原位同位素分析是近年来同位素地球化学研究的前沿领域。其中,激光剥蚀系统与多接收电感耦合等离子体质谱联用技术(LA-MC-ICP-MS)被广泛应用于不同同位素体系和不同天然矿物的微区原位同位素测定。铅同位素作为有效的地球化学示踪手段被广泛用于岩石成因和演化、成矿时代、成矿物质来源、环境污染物源示踪和考古学等研究。目前多利用LA-MC-ICP-MS测定硅酸盐矿物、硫化物矿物和包裹体Pb同位素组成。该方法省略了冗长的化学处理流程,提高了工作效率,并且通过对不同矿物或同一矿物中不同结构部位进行微区原位Pb同位素分析,可揭示微米尺度上的Pb同位素组成变化,为解决地质问题提供了重要的证据。本文评述了近年来地质样品中LA-MC-ICP-MS测定Pb同位素的方法改进及其在部分地球科学研究中的应用。     

秦祁结合部位王家岔石英闪长岩体锆石LA-ICPMS定年及地质意义

出露于秦岭、祁连造山带结合部位的王家岔石英闪长岩体,侵入于变质基底陇山岩群之中。岩石学、岩石化学、地球化学特征显示石英闪长岩侵入体具有俯冲花岗岩特征。利用LA-ICPMS（激光剥蚀等离子体质谱）测年技术,对石英闪长岩进行单颗粒锆石微区U-Pb同位素测定,获得加权平均年龄为（454.7±1.7） Ma,代表了岩石的形成年龄。这一新的成果资料,对研究秦祁结合部位早古生代构造演化、造山过程及秦、祁造山带的关系具有重要意义。     

微束面扫描分析对比

<正>原位微区微束分析技术提供了固体物质的元素及同位素组成的空间分布信息,已在地质、环境、考古和材料科学等领域获得了重要的应用。现有的原位微区微束分析技术包括电子探针,同步辐射,全反射微区分析,激光剥蚀-电感耦合等离子体质谱等。原位微区微束分析技术包括点分析和面扫描两种重要的技术,对于点的分析目前相对比较成熟,而对微束面扫描,目前仍存在一些问题。本文拟就地球科学中常用的三种微束(电子探针EMPA、激光剥蚀-电感耦合等离子体质谱LA ICP-MS和X     

微区原位Sm-Nd同位素体系分析技术及其地质应用

微区地球化学是近年来迅速发展的地球化学分支.系统介绍了矿物微区原位Sm-Nd同位素分析技术的发展过程与现状,重点总结了目前主要的适用测试对象(如磷灰石、榍石、独居石和褐帘石等)和质谱测量过程中同量异位素干扰(包括144Sm对144Nd,130Ba16O对146Nd等)的校正方法,并展示了应用微区原位Sm-Nd分析进行年代学和造山带隆升-剥蚀定量研究的部分成果,这些应用实例充分显示了该方法在地球科学研究中所具有的重要意义.     

激光探针稳定同位素分析技术的现状及发展前景

微区分析是同位素测试发展的重要方向。激光探针微区稳定同位素分析方法是同位素微区分析的重要手段。激光探针微区稳定同位素研究始于 2 0世纪 80年代 ,开始时主要集中于轻元素的稳定同位素研究。目前它已广泛用于碳酸盐碳、氧同位素 ,硫化物硫同位素 ,硅酸盐氧、硅同位素和氮同位素研究。近年来 ,多接收等离子质谱分析技术在重金属元素 (如铁、铜、锌、钼等 )的同位素分析方面取得迅速发展。因而 ,重金属元素的微区稳定同位素研究又成为当前的热点。文中对轻元素和重元素的激光探针微区稳定同位素分析的制样装置与设备 ,各种相关分析技术 ,以及在矿物、岩石与矿石研究中的应用现状进行了介绍。对激光探针微区稳定同位素分析技术的发展前景做了讨论。     

激光剥蚀电感耦合等离子体质谱微区分析 进展评述

激光剥蚀电感耦合(LA-ICP-MS)等离子体以其高空间分辨率、高灵敏度、多元素同时测定并可提供同位素比值信息的检测能力在原位微区分析中已得到广泛应用。现从仪器的发展、基础研究等方面评述了近年来LA-ICP-MS微区分析的进展,重点介绍了与等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)联用的激光器(纳秒和飞秒激光器)的发展、校正方法、分馏效应及其在地球科学微量元素、同位素、包裹体分析中的应用。并简要地阐述了LA-ICP-MS分析技术存在的局限和发展趋势。     

流体包裹体中Sr同位素的激光剥蚀多接收等离子体质谱原位微区分析

本文研究了用激光剥蚀多接收等离子体质谱（LA-MC-ICPMS）技术原位微区分析包裹体中Sr同位素的分析方法。5、10、16和30μm剥蚀序列进行包裹体的Sr同位素组成分析结果表明,包裹体中Sr同位素比值和Rb含量明显高于与包裹体接触的方解石矿物,从大个体包裹体（大于2μm）可获得较准确的Sr同位素组成（精密度为0.08%）。由于87Rb的含量只能通过85Rb计算而来,有限包裹体分析信号而导致的Sr同位素分析精度较传统的化学方法略差,因此本方法不能得到包裹体中的Rb-Sr年龄。     

LAM-ICP MS:一项在地球化学研究领域极具潜力的新技术

ＬＡＭ ＩＣＰＭＳ：一项在地球化学研究领域极具潜力的新技术刘海臣（中国科学院广州地球化学研究所,广州,５１０６４０）将激光熔蚀微区探针技术（ＬＡＭ）与电感耦合等离子体质谱（ＩＣＰＭＳ）结合用于固体样品的直接分析始于８０年代中、后期。它的基本原理是将激...     

Micro-Analytical Zircon and Monazite U-Pb Isotope Dating by Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry

In this study we evaluated the capability of a 213 nm laser ablation system coupled to a quadrupole-based ICP-MS in delivering accurate and precise U-Pb ages on zircons and monazites. Four zircon samples ( ca. 50 Ma to ca. 600 Ma) and four monazite samples ( ca. 30 Ma to ca. 1390 Ma) of known ages were analysed utilising laser ablation pits with diameters of 20 μm and 60 μm. Instrument mass bias and laser induced time-dependent elemental fractionation were corrected for by calibration against a matrix-matched reference material. Tera-Wasserburg plots of the calculated U-Pb data were employed to assess, and correct for, common Pb contributions. The results indicated that the LA-ICP-MS technique employed in this study allowed precise and accurate U-Pb isotope dating of zircon and monazite on sample areas 20 μm in diameter. At this spot size, the precisions achieved for single spot ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages, were better than 5% (2s) for monazites and zircons with ages down to 30 Ma and 50 Ma, respectively. The precisions reported are comparable to those generally reported in SIMS and LA-MC-ICP-MS U-Pb isotope determinations.     

Zircon U–Pb age and trace element evidence for Paleoproterozoic granulite-facies metamorphism and Archean crustal rocks in the Dabie Orogen

Zircon U–Pb ages and trace elements were determined for granulites and gneiss at Huangtuling, which are hosted by ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks in the Dabie Orogen, east-central China. CL images reveal core–rim structure for most zircons in the granulites. The cores show oscillatory zoning, relatively high Th/U ratios, and HREE enriched patterns, consistent with a magmatic origin. They gave a weighted mean ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age of 2766 ± 9 Ma, interpreted as dating magma emplacement of the protolith. The rims are characterized by sector or planar zoning, low Th/U ratios, negative Eu anomalies and flat HREE patterns, consistent with their formation under granulite-facies metamorphic conditions. Zircon U–Pb dating yields a weighted mean ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age of 2029 ± 13 Ma, which is interpreted to record a metamorphic event, possibly during assembly of the supercontinent Columbia. The gneiss has a protolith age of 1982 ± 14 Ma, which is younger than the zircon age of the granulite-facies metamorphism, suggesting a generally delay between HT metamorphism and the intrusion of post-collisional granites. A few inherited cores with igneous characteristics have ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of 2.90, 3.28 and 3.53 Ga, suggesting the presence of Mesoarchean to Paleoarchean crustal remnants in the Yangtze Craton. A few Cretaceous metamorphic ages were also obtained, suggesting the influence of post-collisional collapse in response to Cretaceous extension of the Dabie Orogen. It is inferred that the recently discovered Archean basement of the Yangtze Craton occurs as far north as the Dabie Orogen.     

High resolution (5 μm) U–Th–Pb isotope dating of monazite with excimer laser ablation (ELA)-ICPMS

Monazite [(LREE)PO₄], a common accessory mineral in magmatic and metamorphic rocks, is complementary to zircon in U–Th–Pb geochronology. Because the mineral can record successive growth phases it is useful for unravelling complex geological histories. A high spatial resolution is required to identify contrasted age domains that may occur at the crystal-scale. Bulk mineral techniques such as ID-TIMS, applied to single monazite grains recording multiple overgrowths or isotope resetting can result in partly scattered discordant analytical points that produce inaccurate intercept ages. Laser ablation (LA)-ICPMS has been demonstrated to be a useful technique for U–Th–Pb dating of zircons, and this study tests its analytical capabilities for dating monazite. A sector field high resolution ICPMS coupled with a 193 nm ArF excimer laser ablation microprobe is capable of achieving a high spatial resolution and producing stable and reliable isotope measurements.

The U–Th–Pb systematic was applied to monazite grains from several samples: a lower Palaeozoic lens from high-grade terrains in Southern Madagascar, Neogene hydrothermal crystals from the Western Alps, a Palaeoproterozoic very high temperature granulite from central Madagascar and a Variscan leucogranite from Spain, directly on a polished thin section. The major aim was to compare and/or reproduce TIMS and EMP ages of monazite from a variety of settings and ages. The three independent ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U, ²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U and ²⁰⁸Pb/²³²Th ratios and ages were calculated. Isotope fractionation effects (mass bias, laser induced fractionation) were corrected using a chemically homogeneous and U–Pb concordant monazite as external standard.

This study demonstrates that excimer laser ablation (ELA)-ICPMS allows U–Th–Pb dating of monazite with a high level of repeatability, accuracy and precision as well as rapidity of analysis. A spatial resolution almost comparable to that of EMP in terms of crater width (5 μm) produced precise ²⁰⁸Pb/²³²Th, ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U and ²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U ratios for dating Palaeozoic to Precambrian monazites. The advantages of (ELA)-ICPMS isotope dating are precision, accuracy and the ability to detect discordance. In the case of late Miocene hydrothermal monazites from the Alps, a larger spot size of 25 μm diameter is required, and precise and accurate ages were obtained only for ²⁰⁸Pb/²³²Th systematics. Results from the Variscan granite show that in situ U–Th–Pb dating of monazites with (ELA)-ICPMS is possible using a 5 μm spot directly on thin sections, so that age data can be placed in a textural context.     

Lu–Hf and U–Pb isotope systematics of zircons from the Storgangen intrusion, Rogaland Intrusive Complex, SW Norway: implications for the composition and evolution of Precambrian lower crust in the Baltic Shield

The Storgangen orebody is a concordantly layered, sill-like body of ilmenite-rich norite, intruding anorthosites of the Rogaland Intrusive Complex (RIC), SW Norway. 17 zircon grains were separated from ca. 5 kg of sand-size flotation waste collected from the on-site repository from ilmenite mining. These zircons were analysed for major and trace elements by electron microprobe, and for U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopes by laser ablation microprobe plasma source mass spectrometry. Eight of the zircons define a well-constrained (MSWD=0.37) concordant population with an age of 949±7 Ma, which is significantly older than the 920–930 Ma ages previously reported for zircon inclusions in orthopyroxene megacrysts from the RIC. The remaining zircons, interpreted as inherited grains, show a range of ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages up to 1407±14 Ma, with an upper intercept age at ca. 1520 Ma. The concordant zircons have similar trace element patterns, and a mean initial Hf isotope composition of ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf_{949 Ma}=0.28223±5 (_Hf=+2±2). This is similar to the Hf-isotope composition of zircons in a range of post-tectonic Sveconorwegian granites from South Norway, and slightly more radiogenic than expected for mid-Proterozoic juvenile crust. The older, inherited zircons show Lu–Hf crustal residence ages in the range 1.85–2.04 Ga. One (undated) zircon plots well within the field of Hf isotope evolution of Paleoproterozoic rocks of the Baltic Shield. These findings indicate the presence of Paleoproterozoic components in the deep crust of the Rogaland area, but do not demonstrate that such rocks, or a Sveconorwegian mantle-derived component, contributed significantly to the petrogenesis of the RIC. If the parent magma was derived from a homogeneous, lower crustal mafic granulite source, the lower crustal protolith must be at least 1.5 Ga old, and it must have an elevated Rb/Sr ratio. This component would be indistinguishable in Sr, Nd and Hf isotopes from some intermediate mixtures between Sveconorwegian mantle and Paleoprotoerzoic felsic crust, but it cannot account for the initial ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd of the most primitive, late Sveconorwegian granite in the region, without the addition of mantle-derived material.     

湖南白马山龙潭超单元、瓦屋塘花岗岩锆石SHRIMP U-Pb年龄及其地质意义

运用阴极发光技术,对湖南白马山龙潭超单元2个样品和瓦屋塘花岗岩1个样品的锆石进行了内部结构分析,在此基础上利用锆石SHRIMP U-Pb定年方法进行了同位素年代学测定。其中,白马山龙潭超单元2个黑云母二长花岗岩样品分别给出了(215.9±1.9) Ma和(212.2±2.1) Ma的主体谐和年龄。同时还测得了一组较年轻的谐和年龄((201.0±2.8) Ma)和一组较老的锆石核部年龄(230.3~227.0 Ma),表明研究区印支晚期存在多期花岗质岩浆的侵入活动。瓦屋塘岩体黑云母二长花岗岩1个样品给出了(217.7±1.8) Ma的谐和年龄。这2个岩体的形成进一步佐证了华南大陆印支晚期岩浆活动于210~225 Ma,达到岩浆活动的峰期。地球化学测试结果显示,白马山和瓦屋塘岩体均为弱过铝-强过铝质花岗岩,具壳源型花岗岩的特征,形成于后碰撞期或碰撞晚期的构造环境,源于早元古代变质杂砂岩的部分熔融。结合区域大地构造背景认为,这2个岩体形成于秦岭-大别和松马2条印支期缝合带碰撞结束后的印支晚期伸展构造背景下,为热-应力松弛阶段,板内挤压加厚的地壳减压熔融作用的产物。     

Zircon U-Pb Age, Trace Element, and Hf Isotope Evidence for Paleoproterozoic Granulite-Facies Metamorphism and Archean Crustal Remnant in the Dabie Orogen

Zircon U-Pb age, trace elements, and Hf isotopes were determined for granulite and gneiss at Huaugtuling (黄土岭), which is hosted by ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks in the Dabie(大别) orogen, east-central China. Cathodolumineseence (CL) images reveal core-rim structure for most zircons in the granulite. The cores show oscillatory zoning, relatively high Th/U and 176 Lu/177 Hf ratios, and high rare earth element (HREE)-enriched pattern, consistent with magmatic origin. They gave a weighted mean 207 Pb/206 Pb age of (2 766±9) Ma, dating magma emplacement of protolith. The rims are characterized by sector ur planar zoning, low Th/U and 176 Lu/177 Hf ratios, negative Euanomalies and flat HREE patterns, consistent with their formation under granulite-facies metamorphicconditions. Zircon U-Pb dating yields an age of (2 029±13) Ma, which is interpreted as a record ofmetamorphic event during the assembly of the supercontinent Columbia. The gneiss has a protolith ageof (1982±14) Ma, which is similar to the zircon U-Pb age for the granulite-facies metamorphism,suggesting complementary processes to granulite-facies metamorphism and partial melting. A fewinherited cores with igneous characteristics have 207 pb/206 Pb ages of approximately 3.53, 3.24, and 2.90Ga, respectively, suggesting the presence of Mesoarchean to Paleoarchean crustal remnants. A fewTriassic and Cretaceous metamorphic ages were obtained, suggesting the influences by the Triassiccontinental collision and postcollisional collapse in response to the Cretaceous extension. Comparingwith abundant occurrence of Triassic metamorphic zircons in ultrahigh-pressure eclogite and granitehydrous melt is evident for zircon growth in theHuangtuling granulite and gneiss during thecontinental collision. The magmatic protolithzircons from the granulite show a large variationin 176 Hf/177 Hf ratios from 0.280 809 to 0.281 289,corresponding to era(t) values of-7.3 to 6.3 andHf model ages of 2.74 to 3.34 Ga. The 2.90 Gainherited zircons show the similar Hf isotope features. These indicate that both growth of juvenile crust and reworking of ancient crust took place at the time of zircon formation. It is inferred that the Archean basement of the Yangtze block occurs in thenorth as the Dabie orogen, with ca. 2.90-2.95 Ga and 2.75-2.80 Ga as two major episodes of crustalformation.     

Determination of Pb/Pb ages on zircon and monazite by laser-ablation ICPMS and application to a study of sedimentary provenance and metamorphism in southeastern Brazil

The recently developed method of laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) allows the determination of ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of single zircon grains. The main advantages of the method are minimal sample preparation, low cost, and high throughput. In this work we present an analytical routine for geochronological analyses of zircon and monazite by LA-ICPMS and its application to the Ribeira Belt of the Brazilian Orogen in southeastern Brazil. The ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of one hundred and thirty-seven detrital zircons from amphibolite facies quartzites from three lithotectonic domains in the central Ribeira Belt indicate that they are derived mainly from Paleoproterozoic crust of Transamazonian age (2.0−2.3 Ga). A small number of zircons originated in 2.6−2.9 Ga Archean crust. These results are coherent with 2.1−2.2 Ga and 2.6−3.0 Ga U---Pb ages previously obtained for basement gneisses. The viability of the method to date monazite is also assessed. Monazites from the same quartzite samples yield ages between 2.1 Ga and 0.57 Ga. indicating variable resetting of the U---Pb system during amphibolite facies metamorphism. In contrast, monazite from a basement migmatite and syn-metamorphic granitoids yields ages in the 500–700 Ma range, in general agreement with U-Pb ages of 590-565 Ma for the main metamorphic event.

The LA-ICPMS ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages are coherent and agree with expected results based on previous U---Pb geochronology, and show that the method has immediate applicability. At present, the most significant limitations of the method are the inability to yield reliable U/Pb values, analytical precision in the 1–10% range, and the requirement of grains larger than 80 gmm The method may be advantageous for provenance studies of Precambrian detrital sequences.     

三江盆地绥滨断陷基底花岗岩的锆石U-Pb年代学及其构造意义

根据三江盆地绥滨断陷滨参1井基底花岗岩锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb定年结果,探讨了盆地基底的性质。滨参1井基底花岗岩中的锆石呈自形-半自形晶,并具有典型的岩浆生长环带;锆石的Th/U值为0.22~0.82,表明其岩浆成因。花岗岩中锆石22个测点的²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U年龄值为427~502 Ma,其加权平均年龄分为2组,分别为（430±8） Ma和（496±6） Ma。（430±8） Ma的年龄代表了三江盆地绥滨断陷基底花岗岩的形成时代为早志留世晚期;而（496±6） Ma可能是花岗岩浆形成或侵位过程中的捕获锆石年龄,并且它与佳木斯地块麻山群和泛非期片麻状花岗岩的形成时间一致。上述结果表明：三江盆地绥滨断陷基底中存在加里东期花岗岩,三江盆地西部基底与佳木斯地块的属性相同。     

南秦岭佛坪西岔河角闪黑云片岩锆石U-Pb 定年及Lu-Hf同位素组成

秦岭是一个多阶段演化的复杂大陆碰撞造山带,经历了多期的洋—陆俯冲聚合过程,目前对于南秦岭勉略洋盆的闭合时间仍旧存在不同认识。本文对南秦岭佛坪西岔河角闪黑云片岩中的锆石开展了内部结构分析、原位微量元素组成分析和LA-ICP-MS微区U-Pb定年。CL图像揭示锆石内部无环带,或发育扇形分区,显示典型的变质成因锆石的内部结构特征。这些锆石在稀土配分图中显示LREE亏损,HREE富集,具有明显的Ce正异常和微弱的Eu负异常,与变质重结晶稀土配分图类似。此外,它们的Hf同位素组成均一,¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf和¹⁷⁶Lu/¹⁷⁷Hf的比值分别介于0.282 436～0.282 570和0.000 262～0.001 138,其ε_Hf（t）值介于-7～-2,两阶段Hf模式年龄（T_DM²）为1 707～1 409 Ma,晚于前人对长角坝岩群沉积时代的认识,可能与变质作用过程中流体的加入有关,使得¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf比值升高。这些变质成因锆石²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U加权平均年龄为220±1 Ma,该变质年龄及其锆石Ti温度计算结果（平均值约为716 ℃）均与佛坪热穹隆变质时代及变质温度一致,揭示这套角闪黑云片岩形成于高温伸展环境。由于典型的热穹隆常发育于伸展的构造环境中,因此佛坪热穹隆变质时代的确定揭示南秦岭勉略洋盆的闭合可能发生在晚三叠世之前。     

A Back-arc Palaeotectonic Setting for the Augaro Neoproterozoic Magmatic Rocks of Western Eritrea

The Augaro volcano-sedimentary assemblages of western Eritrea are part of the Neoproterozoic, N-S trending belt of low-grade volcano-sedimentary and associated plutonic rocks. In contrast to the volcanic-dominated oceanic-arc assemblages in central Eritrea, the predominant rock types in the west are supracrustal sequences of sedimentary origin with subordinate volcanic rocks. These Augaro supracrustal rocks are overlain, unconformably, by a basin-fill metasedimentary succession known as the Gulgula Group. The Augaro metavolcanic rocks are tholeiitic and range in composition from basalt to basaltic andesite. Comparison of trace element characteristics and N-MORB-normalised spidergrams of these rocks with those of modern volcanic environments and age-comparable metavolcanic rocks of known tectonic association from the Arabian-Nubian Shield suggest that the volcanic assemblages from western Eritrea were generated in a back-arc tectonic setting.

Single zircon Pb-Pb evaporation and vapour-transfer U-Pb analyses of magmatic zircons from pre/syn-tectonic granites yield a mean ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age of 849±20 Ma and an upper concordia intercept age of 849±26 Ma. These ages are interpreted to represent the time of major magmatism in western Eritrea and are comparable to ages of early arc magmatism in central and northern Eritrea and in the southern Nubian Shield. Initial eNd values and initial Sr isotope ratios of whole-rock samples of magmatic rocks calculated for an age of 850 Ma range from +4.0 to +7.1 and 0.7026 to 0.7037, respectively. Single zircon ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages, initial eNd value and Sr isotope ratio for a granitic clast in the Gulgula metaconglomerate suggest that the source area for the Gulgula metasedimentary rocks is similar to the surrounding Neoproterozoic rocks of western Eritrea.