中国东部东海地区超高压变质岩构造变形事件的^40Ar／^39Ar定年与超高压变质岩折返过程的重建

近年的研究表明,中国东部东海地区的超高压变质岩在折返过程中,经历了两期构造变形。早期的韧性变形发生在角闪岩相变质作用条件下,晚期的脆韧性变形发生在绿片岩相变质作用条件下。两期构造变形的运动矢量都表现为上盘向南东的运动。对被超高压变质岩构造掩覆的海州磷矿角闪岩相白云斜长片岩中白云母~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar定年,获得的218.0±2.9 Ma的坪年龄和219.8 Ma的等时线年龄,表明早期的角闪岩相变质变形事件发生在约220 Ma。对在第二期构造变形滑脱面上定向生长的角闪石~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar定年,获得了坪年龄为213.1±0.3 Ma,等时线年龄为213.4±4.1Ma,表明了晚期变形事件的可能时代;对在滑脱面附近生长的伟晶黑云母和伟晶钾长石的~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar定年,获得了黑云母的坪年龄为203.4±0.3 Ma和203.6±0.4 Ma,等时线年龄为204.0±2.0 Ma和200.6±3.1Ma;伟晶钾长石的坪年龄为204.8±2.2 Ma,等时线年龄为204.0±5.0 Ma,表明该区这些岩石直到侏罗纪初才冷却到黑云母和钾长石的K-Ar同位素体系的封闭温度。结合前人关于该区超高压变质作用发生在240Ma的年代学资料,推测该区超高压变质岩在240 Ma到220 Ma期间以3～4 km/Ma的折返速率从地幔(地表以下约80～100 km深处)折返到地壳中下部(约20～30 km深处),220 Ma到213     

阿尔金山巴什考供地区斜长角闪岩的岩石地球化学和Sm-Nd,Ar同位素特征

阿尔金山地区巴什考供以北、阿尔金山北缘断裂以南为一套变质程度达角闪岩相的片岩、大理岩夹少量斜长角闪岩。地球化学研究表明 ,这些斜长角闪岩原岩为玄武质成分 ,具有拉班玄武岩的特点。斜长角闪岩全岩Sm -Nd同位素等时线年龄为 1185± 130 (2σ)Ma ,其INd=0 .5 114 0 ,εNd(t) =+5 .8± 0 .6 ,表明原岩形成于中元古代晚期 ,源自亏损地幔。斜长角闪岩中角闪石4 0 Ar - 39Ar同位素分析显示变质作用发生在 6 12± 5 .8Ma之前 ,进一步表明其原岩应该形成于前寒武纪。这些年龄的确定 ,为探讨阿尔金山地区中晚元古代的古构造格局提供了重要的证据     

冀东青龙地区新太古代朱杖子群和单塔子群形成时代：锆石SHRIMP U Pb定年

本文报道了冀东青龙地区新太古代朱杖子群和单塔子群变质岩的锆石SHRIMP U-Pb定年结果。朱杖子群底部张家沟组砾岩中的TTG砾石、花岗岩砾石和基质的岩浆锆石207Pb/206Pb加权平均年龄分别为2515±9 Ma (MSWD=1.9)、2510±10 Ma (MSWD=1.6)和2512±7 Ma (MSWD=1.0),朱杖子群底部张家沟组黑云斜长片麻岩碎屑锆石207Pb/206Pb加权平均年龄为2540±6 Ma (MSWD=1.6),朱杖子群桲罗台组变质酸性火山岩岩浆锆石207Pb/206Pb加权平均年龄为2516±8 Ma (MSWD=1.1),单塔子群鲁杖子组黑云变粒岩碎屑锆石207Pb/206Pb加权平均年龄为2504±7 Ma (MSWD=1.8),另有一个数据点的207Pb/206Pb年龄为3.04 Ga。根据本文定年结果和前人资料,获得主要结论如下：朱杖子群和单塔子群形成于新太古代晚期,很可能为岛弧环境的产物; 朱杖子群与下伏单塔子群之间虽存在角度不整合关系,但时间间断不长,朱杖子群底部张家沟组砾岩不具有底砾岩性质;③绿片岩相—角闪岩相的朱杖子群和单塔子群与角闪岩相—麻粒岩相的遵化深变质绿岩带—三屯营—太平寨—迁安岩浆杂岩区变质程度差异很大,但形成时代相同,是后期构造作用把它们置于同一地壳平面。     

滇西南那邦变质基性岩两期变质作用的40Ar/39Ar年代学研究

中缅边界那邦变质基性岩出露于东缅著名的 Mogok带的东缘。那邦基性麻粒岩经历了早期麻粒岩相、晚期角闪岩相的两期变质作用的改造。早期变质作用的矿物石榴石和单斜辉石的 40 Ar/ 39Ar激光微区等时线年龄是 74.44± 1.44 Ma;石榴石和单斜辉石的 40 Ar/ 39Ar年龄谱图和等时线年龄均显示两组年龄 :74～ 76 Ma和 2 3～ 2 4Ma。晚期变质作用矿物角闪石的K- Ar法得出 2 3Ma,角闪石和斜长石的 40 Ar/ 39Ar年龄谱图和等时线年龄均显示 2 3～ 2 4Ma的变质年龄。综合这些结果 ,可以确定那邦基性麻粒岩的早期麻粒岩相变质作用的年龄是 74～ 77Ma,可能与新特提斯洋壳俯冲事件有关 ;晚期角闪岩相变质作用的年龄是 2 3～ 2 4Ma,与区内喜山期以来陆内块体响应两大陆会聚作用发生的大型走滑事件有关。那邦基性麻粒岩是世界上最年轻的麻粒岩相岩石之一 ,而且 ,两期变质作用年龄的确定对揭示区内与变质作用相关的地质事件具有重要意义。     

湖北省随州三里岗地区二长花岗岩Rb-Sr、40Ar/39Ar同位素年龄

三里岗二长花岗岩与花山蛇绿混杂岩中的基性火山岩呈侵入接触关系,其年龄的确定可解决花山蛇绿混杂岩中基性岩形成年龄的上限问题. 本文对三里岗二长花岗岩分别进行了Sm、Nd同位素研究及Rb-Sr、40Ar/39Ar同位素年龄测定.3个全岩样品的Nd模式年龄平均值为1 064±105 Ma;12个全岩样品的Rb-Sr等时线年龄为422±53(2σ)Ma;二长花岗岩中所含角闪石矿物的40Ar/39Ar坪年龄为141.4±0.3 Ma,等时线年龄为142±2 Ma.这些结果暗示了花山蛇绿混杂岩中基性火山岩的形成年龄不可能晚于422 Ma.     

华北地块南缘中段中生代花岗质岩石的40Ar-39Ar年代学研究

对华北地块南缘4个中生代花岗质岩体中的角闪石和黑云母进行了40Ar-39Ar定年研究。结果表明,陕西黑山村岩体黑云母花岗闪长岩中黑云母的40Ar-39Ar坪年龄为126. 6±0. 3Ma,河南马家湾岩体细粒黑云母花岗闪长岩中黑云母的40Ar-39Ar坪年龄为126. 6±0. 2Ma,河南洛宁南八百坡岩体黑云母二长花岗岩中角闪石的40Ar-39Ar坪年龄为128. 3±0. 3Ma,山西蚕坊岩体花岗闪长岩中角闪石的40Ar-39Ar坪年龄为129. 2±0. 2Ma。上述结果显示华北地块南缘中生代的岩浆活动主要发生在早白垩世。该期岩浆的产生应与中国东部早白垩世的伸展环境相联系。     

柴北缘鱼卡多硅白云母40Ar/39Ar年代学研究及其外来40Ar来源探讨

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

藏北纳木错西缘前寒武纪辉长岩变质变形年代学研究

前寒武纪辉长岩出露于纳木错西缘逆冲推覆构造带中。辉长岩经历了早期角闪岩相变质和韧性推覆、晚期绿片岩相变质和脆性推覆。早期变形的斜长角闪质糜棱岩中变质矿物角闪石、斜长石和石榴石的 Rb-Sr等时线年龄为173±10Ma;角闪石~(40)Ar-~(39)Ar坪年龄和等时线年龄均显示174Ma的变质和变形年龄。受晚期构造-热事件的影响,斜长石的~(40)Ar-~(39)Ar坪年龄和等时线年龄分别为109Ma和110 Ma。综合上述结果,可以确定前寒武纪辉长岩早期角闪岩相变质作用的年龄是173～174 Ma,可能与羌塘地块和拉萨地块初始碰撞引起的深层次的韧性剪切变形有关;晚期绿片岩相变质作用年龄是109～110 Ma,指示了碰撞造山晚期的冲断构造变形时代。两期变质变形年龄的确定对研究羌塘地块与拉萨地块碰撞过程具有重要的意义。     

拉萨地块东南缘晚白垩世高温变质作用及其地质意义:来自石英出溶金红石的证据和锆石U-Pb定年

文中对拉萨地块东南缘林芝杂岩中的含榴斜长角闪岩进行了详细的岩相学研究和锆石U-Pb定年。岩相学观察表明,含榴斜长角闪岩经历了峰期麻粒岩相变质和角闪岩相退变质作用。峰期麻粒岩相矿物组合为石榴子石+高Ti角闪石+紫苏辉石+斜长石+石英+金红石,其中的石榴子石、石英和角闪石中含有大量金红石出溶体,说明这些矿物的初始成分具有高Ti含量。角闪岩相退变质矿物组合为低Ti角闪石+斜长石+斜黝帘石+石英+金红石。利用Ti在石英中的含量(TitaniQ)温度计计算得到峰期麻粒岩相变质温度为803～924℃,后期角闪岩相退变质温度为555～732℃。样品中的锆石具有明显的核边结构,核部为典型岩浆型锆石,具有高的Th/U值,强烈富集HREE,明显的正Ce异常和负Eu异常,206Pb/238U年龄为(89.3±0.6)Ma,代表含榴斜长角闪岩原岩结晶年龄。锆石边部呈无环带结构,同核部相比,具有低的Th/U值,低的M-HREE和弱的Eu负异常,为变质峰期生长的锆石,206Pb/238U年龄为(81.1±0.8)Ma,代表麻粒岩相峰期变质年龄。我们认为约81Ma高温麻粒岩相变质作用可能与洋中脊俯冲造成的板片窗导致的软流圈上涌有关。     

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

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

Age of intrusion and rapid cooling of the Frankenstein gabbro (Odenwald,SW-Germany) evidenced by40Ar/39Ar and single-zircon207Pb/206Pb measurements

The Frankenstein gabbro complex in the northern Odenwald/FR Germany is one of the Hercynian plutonic bodies of the Saxothuringian zone in the Variscan belt.⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotopic investigations on pyroxene,⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age determinations on hornblendes, plagioclases, biotites and pyroxenes and²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb dating on single zircon crystals have been carried out. The⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr initial ratio of the gabbro (0.70380) indicates uncontaminated derivation of the magma from the mantle. The results on hornblendes, plagioclases and zircons establish the isotopic age of intrusion and the mode of cooling. Pyroxene and biotite data indicate disturbed K-Ar systems of these minerals. The average ages of the hornblendes (363±7 Ma), of the plagioclases (359±3 Ma) and of the zircons (362 ±9 Ma) agree within the 1-sigma levels and constrain the early history of the plutonic intrusion at the turn from Devonian to Carboniferous times. These minerals must have been cooled below their closure temperatures within a time-interval shorter than the error margins of 10 Ma. The ages therefore are, unlike those of the neighbouring Bergsträßer Odenwald, not long-time cooling ages due to largescale and slow geological uplift of the crustal segment. Instead, they will closely estimate the time of intrusion of the Frankenstein pluton into a shallow crustal level. The hiatus of about 20 Ma compared to the average ages of the crystalline rocks of the Bergsträßer Odenwald in the south characterizes the mafic Frankenstein pluton as a separated unit of the Odenwald crystalline, and underlines the importance of the Carboniferous tectonic fault zone in-between. The present data set clearly demonstrates the importance of the applied combination of methods and techniques to constrain the history of intrusion and cooling of mafic plutonic rocks.     

Cassiterite LA-MC-ICP-MS U/Pb and muscovite 40Ar/39Ar dating of tin deposits in the Tengchong-Lianghe tin district,NW Yunnan,China

The Tengchong-Lianghe tin district in northwestern Yunnan, China, is an important tin mineralization area in the Sanjiang Tethyan Metallogenic Domain. There are three N–S trending granite belts in the Tengchong-Lianghe area, with emplacement ages ranging from Early Cretaceous to Late Cretaceous and Early Cenozoic. Tin mineralization is spatially associated with these granitic rocks. However, the petrogenetic link between the tin deposits and the host granites is not clear because of the lack of age data for the tin mineralization. We investigate the possibility of direct dating of cassiterite from three typical tin deposits in the Tengchong-Lianghe tin district, using laser ablation multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS). In situ LA-MC-ICP-MS dating of seven cassiterite samples from the Lailishan (LLS-1 and LLS-2), Xiaolonghe (XLH, WDS, DSP, and HJS), and Tieyaoshan (TYS) tin deposits yielded well-defined ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb–²³⁸U/²⁰⁷Pb isochron ages. To assess the accuracy of the in situ U/Pb dating of cassiterite, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of coexisting muscovite (in samples LLS-1, DSP, and TYS) was also performed. The cassiterite in situ U/Pb ages (47.4?±?2.0, 71.9?±?2.3, and 119.3?±?1.7 Ma, respectively) are in excellent agreement with the coexisting muscovite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages (48.4?±?0.3, 71.9?±?1.4, and 122.4?±?0.7 Ma, respectively). The U/Pb ages of cassiterite combined with the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of muscovite indicate that there are three tin mineralization events in this district: the Lailishan tin deposit at 47.4?±?2.0 to 52?±?2.7 Ma, the Xiaolonghe tin deposit at 71.6?±?2.4 to 3.9?±?2.0 Ma, and the Tieyaoshan tin deposit at 119.3?±?1.7 to 122.5?±?0.7 Ma. These ages are highly consistent with the zircon U/Pb ages of the host granites. It is su.ggested that the Cretaceous tin mineralization might have taken place in a subduction environment, while the Early Tertiary tin metallogenesis was in a postcollisional geodynamic setting.     

40Ar/39Ar dating,fluid inclusions and S–Pb isotope systematics of the Shabaosi gold deposit,Heilongjiang Province,China

The Shabaosi deposit is the only large lode gold deposit in the northern Great Xing'an Range. The gold ore bodies are hosted by sandstone and siltstone of the Middle Jurassic Ershi'erzhan Formation, and are controlled by three N–S‐trending altered fracture zones. The gold ore bodies are composed of auriferous quartz veinlets and altered rocks. Fluid inclusion studies indicate that the ore‐forming fluids belong to a H₂O–NaCl–CO₂–CH₄ system, with salinities between 0.83 and 8.28 wt% NaCl eq., and homogenization temperatures ranging from 180 to 320 °C. The δ³⁴S values of sulphides show a large variation from −16.9‰ to 8.5‰. The Pb isotope compositions of sulphides are characterized by a narrow range of ratios: 18.289 to 18.517 for ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 15.548 to 15.625 for ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, and 38.149 to 38.509 for ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb. The μ values range from 9.36 to 9.51. These results suggest that the ore‐forming fluids/materials were mainly of magmatic hydrothermal origin, derived from magmas produced by partial melting of the lower crust. The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of auriferous quartz veinlets from the Shabaosi gold deposit is about 130 Ma. The Shabaosi gold deposit has counterparts in similar orogenic gold deposits, and was formed during the post‐collisional setting of the Mongolia–Okhotsk Orogen. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Post-collisional Variscan lamprophyres (Black Forest, Germany): Ar/Ar phlogopite dating, Nd, Pb, Sr isotope, and trace element characteristics

Subsequent to high-pressure and temperature metamorphism of the axial zone of the Variscan foldbelt in central Europe at ca. 340 to 330 Ma, formation of lamprophyre dikes during transtensional tectonics may be viewed as the beginning of the post-collisional stage of the orogeny. We report the results of ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar mica dating, major and trace element data, and isotope compositions for lamprophyre and rhyodacite samples from the southern Black Forest. The chemical compositions of these rocks shed light on the upper mantle and crust at the end of the Variscan orogeny. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau ages for four phlogopite–biotite separates from lamprophyres indicate emplacement at 332 to 314 Ma. This event coincides with melting of the crust as indicated by ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar biotite plateau ages of ca. 332 Ma for rhyodacite dikes which are probably related to coeval undeformed granites. Incompatible trace element patterns of the lamprophyre samples reveal the characteristics of evolved continental crust and are interpreted as evidence for melting of sediment in a subduction-modified mantle. Nd, Sr, and Pb isotope compositions indicate an enriched mantle source with _Nd-values of −1.5 to −6.8 which is similar to Variscan crust. Significant contamination of the lamprophyric melts by Variscan crust can be ruled out as mantle-derived phlogopite phenocrysts have similar _Nd-values as in the whole-rock samples. We propose that the isotope compositions and incompatible trace element characteristics of the lamprophyres were predominantly inherited from melted sediment. The isotope compositions of Variscan lamprophyres from western Europe suggest that enriched upper mantle was only partly delaminated when ascending hot mantle triggered melting of the lower crust, as has been invoked for the origin of post-collisional granites. The isotope compositions of Tertiary basalts and mantle xenoliths indicate a depleted upper mantle under western Europe, implying that the enriched Variscan material was efficiently removed and mixed into the convecting mantle.     

Geochemistry,Zircon U–Pb Analysis,and Biotite 40Ar/39Ar Geochronology of the Maoling Gold Deposit,Liaodong Rift,NE China

The Maoling gold deposit is located in the southwestern part of the Liaodong rift, NE China, and has estimated reserves of 25 t. In this paper we present the results of an investigation into the geochronology and geodynamic mechanisms of igneous activity and metallogenesis within the Maoling gold deposit. New zircon U–Pb age data, biotite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age data, whole‐rock geochemistry, and Hf isotopic analyses are presented in order to constrain the petrogenesis and mineralization of the deposit. Zircon U–Pb dating of the Wolongquan biotite monzogranite and Maoling biotite granite yielded mean ages of 194.0 ± 1.1 Ma and 196.1 ± 1.1 Ma, respectively. All the granites are characteristically high‐K calc‐alkaline, enriched in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements, and depleted in high field strength elements, which is consistent with the geochemical characteristics of arc‐type magmas. The Hf isotope characteristics indicate that the granites formed by partial melting of early Paleoproterozoic crustal material. In addition, biotite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating indicates that the Maoling gold deposit formed at 188.9 ± 1.2 Ma, implying that the mineralization was related to both the granite intrusions. Taking into account previous data on S–Pb–O–H isotopes and our new age data, the Maoling deposit can be classified as an intrusion‐related gold deposit. Taking into account the geology of the study area and adjacent regions, we propose that the Maoling gold deposit and its associated granitic intrusions formed in a geodynamic setting that was dominated by subduction of the Paleo‐Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian continent.     

Simultaneous horst-basin formation and magmatism during Late Variscan transtension: evidence from 40Ar/39Ar and 207Pb/206Pb geochronology in the Ruhla Crystalline Complex

40 Ar/³⁹Ar–mica and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb–zircon dates are presented and combined with existing P–T data and the sedimentary record. These data indicate that the RCC was faulted into three segments which underwent different exhumation histories during the Late Carboniferous/Early Permian. The eastern segment shows ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar–biotite data of336 ±4 and 323±3 Ma. Furthermore, it is intruded by the Thuringian Hauptgranite dated at 337±4 Ma by the ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb single zircon method. At approximately 300 Ma rocks of the eastern segment were finally exposed and, subsequently, subsided as part of the Oberhof pull-apart basin, filled by Late Carboniferous/Early Permian molasse sediments and volcanic rocks (296–285 Ma; Goll 1996). A similar Late Carboniferous evolution is inferred for the western segment, since it is also overlain by Upper Carboniferous volcanic rocks. In contrast to the eastern and western segments, distinctly younger intrusion and cooling ages were recorded for the central segment of the RCC (⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar muscovite: 311±3 Ma; ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar biotite: 293–288±3 Ma) that was intruded by the Trusetal Granite, the Ruhla Granite and Brotterode Diorite (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb single zircon: 298±2, 295±3, 289±4 Ma, respectively). These young data are unique in the MGCR and testify that plutonic activity and cooling of basement rocks took place simultaneously with basin formation and volcanism in the eastern and western segments. Overlying Upper Permian (Zechstein) and Triassic sediments indicate final exposure of the central segment by approximately 260 Ma, as a part of the Ruhla-Schleusingen Horst. Combination of these results with P–T data from the contact aureole of the Trusetal granite indicate that the central segment was unroofed by at least 8.5 km during the Late Carboniferous. The Late Carboniferous/Early Permian horst-basin formation, documented in the RCC, is due to dextral transtensional movements along the NW-trending Franconian fault system. It may have been enhanced by mantle upwelling widespread in Central Europe during the Early Permian that also caused intensive magmatism in the Thuringian Forest region. Received: 2 February 1999 / Accepted: 15 November 1999     

UPb emplacement and 40Ar/39Ar cooling ages of the eastern Mont-Louis granite massif (Eastern Pyrenees,France)

Zircon UPb dating by SIMS of the Mont-Louis granite yields an age of 305±5 Ma, intrepreted to reflect the igneous emplacement age of the massif. It is in agreement with the Hercynian syntectonic character of Pyrenees granite. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar on hornblende, biotite and K-feldspar permit, to estimate the massif cooling. A rapid temperature decrease (≈30 °C/Ma) is revealed from Westphalian to Late Stephanian, coeval with the emplacement of a laccolithe in the upper crust. Then, the cooling rate decreases to ≈1 °C/Ma. This would be consistent with a long time residence for the pluton from the Late Palaeozoic to the Early Cainozoic at 6–8 km depth. To cite this article: O. Maurel et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Rapid formation of the Small Isles Tertiary centre constrained by precise Ar/Ar and U–Pb ages

The relative chronology of magmatic and tectonic events is key to an understanding of the influence of the Iceland plume on the North Atlantic. In particular, the location and duration of magmatism is of fundamental importance. Initial widespread flood basalt formation occurred in Baffin Island, Greenland, and Britain before complete plate break up at 56 Ma after which time magmatism became concentrated in the active rift zone.

Historically the British Tertiary Igneous Province (BTIP) has been instrumental in advancing many concepts of igneous petrology. However, the absolute age and duration of the province remains unresolved. Here, we present new internally consistent ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages that help to constrain the volcanic activity in the Small Isles centre to within 2 my. This short duration has implications for the onset of magmatism in the larger North Atlantic province, the rapid unroofing of the Rum volcano, and more significantly, some of the evidence used to propose pulsing of the Iceland plume.     

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

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