Early Precambrian granitoids of the Batomga inlier of the southeastern Siberian Platform basement: Age and geodynamic formation settings

New data on the age, composition, sources, and formation conditions of the Early Precambrian granitoids of the Batomga inlier of the southeastern Siberian Platform basement are discussed. Geochronological SRHIMP II U–Pb study of the zircons reveals that the calc-alkaline granitoids of the Khoyunda Complex are 2056–2057 Ma in age and their formation was related to the Early Proterozoic stage in the development of the Batomga granite–greenstone domain. It is established that the primary melts for these rocks formed in subduction settings through melting of the depleted mantle source with some contribution of ancient crustal material. In terms of temperature, partial melting followed by crystallization of the granitoids under peak metamorphic conditions corresponds to the transition between amphibolite and granulite facies at elevated pressure; high temperature and high-grade metamorphism are subduction-related phenomena reflected in the back-arc settings of the active continental margin. The protoliths of calc-alkaline metavolcanics of the Batomga Group are found to be chronologically and compositionally analogous to the subduction granitoids of the Khoyunda and Dzhagdakan complexes; i.e., these granitoids are coeval with the Batomga island arc. The lower age limit of the Batomga Group is estimated at 2.2 Ga and its upper age limit is defined by the age of the intruded Khoyunda granitoids. The formation of the rocks of the Batomga Group and associated granitoids of the Khoyunda and Dzhagdakan complexes reflects the formation of the continental crust at the Early Paleoproterozoic stage of the evolution of the Batomga lithosphere block (2.2–2.0 Ga ago).     

ASTER spectral ratioing for lithological mapping in the Arabian–Nubian shield, the Neoproterozoic Wadi Kid area, Sinai, Egypt

The Neoproterozoic Wadi Kid metamorphic belt in southeastern Sinai in Egypt represents a structurally and metamorphically complex assemblage of metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks folded into a series of ENE–WSW-trending antiforms and synforms. Geological mapping in this region is challenging, primarily due to difficult access, complexity of structures, and lack of resolution and areal integrity of lithological differentiation using conventional mapping techniques. Spectral ratioing of selected bands of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data of the area, in synergy with geological field observation, proved effective in resolving geological mapping problems in the region. A new ASTER band-ratio image 4/7-4/6-4/10 is applied successfully for lithological mapping in the Wadi Kid area, showing improvement over previous techniques in detailing the main rock units. These are gneiss and migmatite, amphibolite, volcanogenic sediments with banded iron formation, meta-pelites, talc schist, meta-psammites, meta-acidic volcanics, meta-pyroclastics volcaniclastics, albitites and granitic rocks. Validating the use of the new ASTER band-ratio image relied on both calculating statistical optimum index factor (OIF) and matching interpreted lithological boundaries to field data and previously published geologic maps. The adopted ASTER band-ratio image demonstrates the benefit of using ASTER remote sensing data in lithological mapping of the Wadi Kid area and therefore for lithological mapping in the Arabian–Nubian shield and other arid areas.     

阿尔泰造山带变质岩系时代问题的讨论

针对目前阿尔泰地区变质岩系时代划分中年龄数据应用的一些问题,提出如下认识:富蕴县城西的石榴石片麻岩中锆石UPb上交点年龄2349±226Ma(2σ),初步确证了该区古元古代大陆地壳岩石的存在;克木齐群和富蕴群变质岩全岩SmNd等时线年龄代表其母岩形成时代。变质岩系和显生宙花岗岩类的Nd模式年龄,以及各种类型岩石中长石Pb二阶段模式t1年龄仅指出存在前寒武纪大陆地壳的可能性,没有真正的年龄意义,不能作为划分地层时代的依据。阿尔泰造山带是否存在1400Ma和700～900Ma的变质岩系岩石,至今仍缺乏可靠年龄数据的佐证     

Precambrian terranes in the southwestern framing of the Siberian craton: isotopic provinces,stages of crustal evolution and accretion-collision events

We studied geology and main rock assemblages of the Precambrian Kan, Arzybei, and Derba terranes of the Central Asian Fold Belt which border the Siberian craton in the southwest. The Precambrian terranes include three isotopic provinces (Paleoproterozoic, Mesoproterozoic, and Neoproterozoic) distinguished from the Sm-Nd isotope compositions of granitoids, felsic metavolcanics, and metasediments. The terranes formed in three stages of crustal evolution: 2.3–2.5, 0.9–1.1, and 0.8–0.9 Ga. Proterozoic juvenile crust was produced by subduction-related magmatism; it was originally of transitional composition and transformed into continental crust by potassic plutonism as late as the Late Vendian-Cambrian. Terrigenous sediments in the Arzybei and Derba terranes vary in T(DM) Nd model ages from 1.0 to 2.0 Ga. The Nd ages of the underlying metavolcanics and lowest T(DM) of metasediments indicate that terrigenous sedimentation started in the Neoproterozoic. It was maintained by erosion of Mesoproterozoic-Neoproterozoic crust and, to a lesser extent, of Early Precambrian rocks on the craton margin or in Paleoproterozoic terranes. Ar-Ar dating of amphiboles and biotites from metamorphic rocks and U-Pb dating of zircons from granitoids yielded 600–555 and 500–440 Ma, respectively, corresponding to the Vendian and Early Paleozoic stages of nearly synchronous metamorphism and plutonism. Accretion and collision events caused amalgamation of the Paleoproterozoic, Mesoproterozoic, and Neoproterozoic terranes in the Vendian and their collision with the Siberian craton. The lateral growth of the paleocontinent completed in the Late Ordovician.     

澜沧江构造带南段变质岩系锆石U-Pb年代学及构造涵义

澜沧江构造带南段的古老变质岩系因临沧花岗岩基的大面积出露而呈零星分散状出露,该地区是否存在前寒武纪结晶基底和变质岩系的精确时代以及澜沧江构造带变质岩系的变质时限等问题还不是很清楚。本文以变质岩系为研究对象,挑选出锆石颗粒进行U-Pb SHRIMP定年,获得锆石核部U-Pb年龄是1802Ma、1404Ma、1092Ma、906~961Ma、812Ma和727~623Ma,时代为古元古代、中元古代和新元古代,揭示研究区存在前寒武纪的结晶基底,三叠纪(~230Ma)发育区域性岩浆作用事件,破坏改造了其结晶基底;昌宁-耈街剖面近澜沧江岸边花岗质片麻岩的锆石U-Pb谐和年龄为73.9±1.8Ma(MSWD=1.3,N=6),记录澜沧江构造带变质岩经历了晚白垩世变质事件。综合研究认为澜沧江构造带南段存在区域性前寒武纪结晶基底,构造带中昌宁段之变质岩系的变质时间为晚白垩世(85~74Ma),并一直持续到36Ma,约32Ma之后构造带发生走滑运动,变质事件明显早于走滑运动事件。     

Main stages of tectonomagmatic activity of the Tuva–Mongolian microcontinent in the Precambrian: data on the U–Pb age of zircons

The U–Pb age of zircons from Ediacaran sandstones of the cover of the Tuva–Mongolian microcontinent and the rocks of its Early Precambrian basement (Gargan block) was analyzed by the LA–ICP–MS method. The major stages of tectonomagmatic activity of this block include the Neoarchean, Paleoproterozoic (no younger than 2 Ga), and Neoproterozoic. Comparison of the age of zircons from Ediacaran terrigenous rocks of the Tuva–Mongolian microcontinent and sandstones of the reference sections of the Ediacaran shelf of the Siberian platform undeniably indicates their independent accumulation.     

内蒙古锡林浩特地区中元古代锡林浩特岩群的厘定及其意义

通过大比例尺填图和剖面研究, 将内蒙古锡林浩特地区的"锡林郭勒杂岩"解体分为3大部分: 一套表壳岩、晚元古代基性-超基性侵入岩和早古生代酸性侵入岩.在此基础上根据变质岩的岩性组合和变形变质特点, 可将其中的表壳岩化分为4个岩性段: 黑云(石榴石)斜长片麻岩, 间夹多层条纹状斜长角闪岩, 在其顶部多见薄层含磁铁石英岩; 中粗粒黑云斜长片麻岩和细粒长英质片麻岩; 混合岩化条带状黑云(角闪)斜长片麻岩, 含石榴石黑云二长片麻岩夹条纹状斜长角闪岩组合; 夕线石黑云斜长片麻岩, 条纹状黑云斜长片麻岩, 间夹含石榴石黑云母石英片岩.通过对比区域内宝音图群、艾勒格庙组、白乃庙群等古老地块的岩石组合, 发现在原岩建造、变质级别、沉积环境等特征上均有区别, 应将这套表壳岩单独厘定为锡林浩特岩群, 它们组成了锡林郭勒微陆块前寒武变质基底岩系, 其地质特征的研究对锡林郭勒微陆块基底的形成和演化及华北板块与西伯利亚板块的构造关系演化有重要意义.      

西昆仑地区元古宙岩浆侵入作用及构造-岩浆演化过程

通过对西昆仑地区元古代侵入岩的岩石类型、形成时代和岩石地球化学资料的综合分析,探讨各个构造单元侵入岩形成期次、岩石成因及构造-岩浆演化过程。铁克里克断隆带元古宙中酸性侵入岩以A型花岗岩为主,是塔里木板块古老基底在高温低压条件下发生部分熔融的产物。西昆仑造山带古元古代和中元古代早期中酸性侵入岩为钙碱性I型花岗岩,是变玄武岩在低温条件下部分熔融条件下形成的,而古元古代晚期和新元古代中酸性侵入岩则是高温条件下老基底岩系部分熔融而形成的A型花岗岩。甜水海地块仅发育新元古代侵入岩,为S型花岗岩,是高温高压环境下甜水海地块古老基底部分熔融而形成。根据侵入岩岩浆演化规律,将西昆仑地区元古宙划为4个演化阶段:12 426~1 567Ma:以铁克里克断隆带A型花岗岩为代表的塔里木板块陆内演化,以西昆仑造山带钙碱性-拉斑质I型花岗岩为代表的陆缘弧。21 301~1 000Ma:铁克里克断隆带和西昆仑造山带均以陆内演化性质的A型花岗岩为主。31 000~851 Ma:甜水海地块S型花岗岩可能是陆-陆碰撞导致地壳加厚的产物,指示甜水海地块可能作为Rodinia超大陆的一员发生聚合拼接作用。4815~644 Ma:铁克里克断隆带和西昆仑造山带均存在碱性基性岩浆岩和A型花岗岩的双峰式侵入岩组合,指示塔里木地块和西昆仑地块可能作为Rodinia超大陆组成部分,在该阶段发生了裂解作用。通过对元古宙侵入岩的系统分析,西昆仑地区不同构造单元地壳演化有一定差异,经历了不同演化过程。     

白云鄂博地区早前寒武纪基底岩浆作用和变质作用:锆石SHRIMP U-Pb定年和LA-MC-ICPMS Hf同位素分析

白云鄂博位于华北克拉通北缘,是阴山地块的重要组成部分。本文对该区变质基底的5个花岗质岩石样品进行了锆石SHRIMP U-Pb定年,获得了2.63Ga和1.89~2.20Ga的岩浆锆石年龄以及2.47~2.51Ga和1.86~1.94Ga的变质锆石年龄。新太古代早期片麻状英云闪长岩的岩浆锆石ε_Hf(t)值和t_DM2(CC)(Hf)年龄分别为3.57~8.36和2.59~2.88Ga,古元古代中晚期花岗质岩石的岩浆锆石ε_Hf(t)值和t_DM2(CC)(Hf)年龄分别为-17.20~8.58和2.11~3.70Ga。变质锆石与岩浆锆石具有类似的Hf同位素组成。结合前人研究成果,表明:白云鄂博地区存在新太古代早期到古元古代晚期岩浆作用;在每一岩浆作用过程中,地幔添加和壳内再循环都起了重要作用;白云鄂博地区变质基底经历了新太古代晚期-古元古代早期和古元古代晚期构造热事件;阴山地块与南侧孔兹岩带具有类似的早前寒武纪地质演化历史。     

PCA and SVM as geo-computational methods for geological mapping in the southern of Tunisia,using ASTER remote sensing data set

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficiency of Advanced Space Borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data in the discrimination of geological formations and the generation of geological map in the northern margin of the Tunisian desert. The nine ASTER bands covering the visible (VIS), near-infrared (NIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectral regions (wavelength range of 400–2500 nm) have been treated and analyzed. As a first step of data processing, crosstalk correction, resampling, orthorectification, atmospheric correction, and radiometric normalization have been applied to the ASTER radiance data. Then, to decrease the redundancy information in highly correlated bands, the principal component analysis (PCA) has been applied on the nine ASTER bands. The results of PCA allow the validation and the rectification of the lithological boundaries already published on the geologic map, and gives a new information for identifying new lithological units corresponding to superficial formations previously undiscovered. The application of a supervised classification on the principal components image using a support vector machine (SVM) algorithm shows good correlation with the reference geologic map. The overall classification accuracy is 73 % and the kappa coefficient equals to 0.71. The processing of ASTER remote sensing data set by PCA and SVM can be employed as an effective tool for geological mapping in arid regions.     

Neoproterozoic nappes and superposed folding of the Itremo Group, west-central Madagascar

The Precambrian geology of west-central Madagascar is reviewed and re-interpreted in light of new field observations, Landsat Thematic Mapper image analysis, and U–Pb geochronology. The bedrock of the area consists of: (1) late Archean (to Paleoproterozoic) migmatite gneiss and schist; (2) Mesoproterozoic stratified rocks (Itremo, Amborompotsy, and Malakialina Groups) perhaps deposited unconformably on the older metamorphic rocks (1, above); (3) Proterozoic ( 1000 Ma–720 Ma) plutonic rocks emplaced into both units above (1 and 2), and; (4) latest Neoproterozoic to middle Cambrian ( 570–520 Ma) granitoids emplaced as regionally discordant and weakly foliated plutons throughout the regions.

The effects of Neoproterozoic orogenic processes are widespread throughout the region and our observations and isotopic measurements provide important constraints on the tectonic history of the region: (i) Archean gneisses and Mesoproterozoic stratified rocks are the crystalline basement and platformal sedimentary cover, respectively, of a continental fragment of undetermined tectonic affinity (East or West Gondwanan, or neither). (ii) This continental fragment (both basement and cover) was extensively invaded by subduction-related plutons in the period from  1000 Ma to  720 Ma that were emplaced prior to the onset of regional metamorphism and deformation. (iii) Continental collision related to Gondwana's amalgamation began after  720 Ma and before  570 Ma. Collision related deformation and metamorphism continued throughout the rest of the Neoproterozoic with thermal effects that lasted until  520 Ma. The oldest structures produced during continental collision were km-scale fold- and thrust-nappes with east or southeast-directed vergence (present-day direction). They resulted in the inversion and repetition of Archean and Proterozoic rocks throughout the region. During this early phase of convergence warm rocks were thrust over cool rocks thereby producing the present distribution of regional metamorphic isograds. The vergence of the nappes and the distribution of metamorphic rocks are consistent with their formation within a zone of west or northwest-dipping continental convergence (present-day direction). (iv) Later upright folding of the nappes (and related folds and thrusts) produced km-scale interference fold patterns. The geometry and orientation of these younger upright folds is consistent with E–W horizontal shortening (present-day direction) within a sinistral transpressive regime. We relate this final phase of deformation to motion along the Ranotsara and related shear zones of south Madagascar, and to the initial phases of lower crustal exhumation and extensional tectonics within greater Gondwana.     

小秦岭太华杂岩副片麻岩碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄、Hf同位素及其地质意义

小秦岭地区是华北克拉通南缘早前寒武纪基底重要分布区,可见大量构造抬升剥露的基底结晶杂岩带。太华杂岩是小秦岭出露最古老的地质体,对于探讨华北克拉通南缘早期地壳形成和演化及其构造归属等问题具有重要意义。在小秦岭地区,太华杂岩被划分为正片麻岩系和以孔兹岩系为主的表壳岩。利用LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年方法测得小秦岭地区太华杂岩表壳岩中黑云斜长片麻岩碎屑锆石的源区物质主要形成于2.40～2.11 Ga,经历了两期的古元古代晚期变质事件（～2.04 Ga和～1.91 Ga）,限定该套表壳岩的沉积时代介于2.11～1.91 Ga。结合锆石Hf同位素特征,我们认为该表壳岩的碎屑物质可能主要来自中条山的涑水杂岩体及绛县杂岩体、熊耳花岗岩体、小秦岭古元古代花岗岩体等,其初始的源区物质可能为太华杂岩的新太古代正片麻岩系。此外,本研究揭示华北中部造山带可能记录了一个长达约250 Ma（～2.05～1.8 Ga）持续的俯冲-碰撞过程。     

Geochronology,geochemistry and tectonics of the NE Bayuda Desert,N Sudan: Implications for the western margin of the late Proterozoic fold belt of NE Africa

Five suites of rocks collected from the Precambrian basement in the NE Bayuda Desert of central northern Sudan give late Proterozoic whole-rock $\text{Rb}\text{Sr}$ isochron ages. The Abu Harik Complex, thought by some previous workers to be an older basement, gives an age of 898 ± 51 Ma. Upper amphibolite-facies metasediments give a metamorphic age of 761 ± 22 Ma. The supposedly younger greenschist-facies El Koro Volcanic Series were erupted 800 ± 83 Ma ago. These are chemically similar to the volcanics which unconformably overlie the Sol Hamed ophiolite in the Red Sea Hills of NE Sudan and to some modern island are volcanics. The metasediments were intruded 678 ± 43 Ma ago by the Diefallab Granite, which is itself deformed. The younger, weakly-deformed Amaki Series, with a basal conglomerate containing basement clasts overlain by purple grits, is probably equivalent to the molasse-type Hammamat Group of the Eastern Desert of Egypt which was deposited between 616 and 596 Ma ago. Finally, the post-tectonic Shallal Granite, with within-plate geochemistry, was intruded 549 ± 12 Ma ago. Geochemical data suggest that the Abu Harik Complex, the El Koro Volcanic Series and the Diefallab Granite are arc-related magmatic rocks. They were intruded into, or thrust onto, shallow-water, shelf sediments during subduction and then collision, between c. 900 and 550 Ma. The data presented here give no support to previous views that the high-grade metasediments were metamorphosed prior to the late Proterozoic events, that they unconformably overlie a still older, perhaps Archaean, basement or that they are unconformably overlain by younger late Proterozoic low-grade volcanics. The Precambrian rocks along the E side of the Bayuda Desert must now all be assigned to the late Proterozoic and the boundary between this late Proterozoic fold belt and an older craton, known to crop out at Jebel Uweinat, must lie farther to the W.     

Tectonics and metallogeny of the junction zone between the North Asian craton and Pacific tectonic belt

The tectonics and metallogeny of the junction zone between the North Asian craton and Pacific tectonic belt are considered. This zone is characterized by a wide variety of structures superposed on the metamorphic basement, which was formed in the course of a multistage geologic development of the craton from the Precambrian to the Cenozoic. They are related to the craton evolution and its response to the collision and subduction processes in the adjacent orogenic belt, processes in the passive and active continental margins, and plume magmatism. The geological structure of the region includes blocks of metamorphic rocks of the Aldan–Stanovoi shield, Paleoproterozoic volcanogenic troughs, Mesoproterozoic–Neoproterozoic and Early Paleozoic structures of the platform cover, Late Paleozoic volcanic and terrigenous troughs, structures of the Late Mesozoic Okhotsk–Chukotka volcanic belt of the active continental margin, and Late Cretaceous riftogenic structures formed in response to plume magmatism. In total, six metallogenic epochs are recognized in the development of ore mineralization: Archean–Early Paleoproterozoic, Late Paleoproterozoic, Mesoproterozoic, Neoproterozoic, Late Paleozoic, and Late Mesozoic. The minerageny of the junction zone between the craton and Pacific belt is highly diversified, being characterized by distinct evolution in time and space. Each development stage features its own set of mineral resources.     

Age constraints of high-temperature metamorphic events in crystalline complexes of the Irkut block,the Sharyzhalgai ledge of the Siberian platform basement: Results of the U-Pb single zircon dating

Geochronological data obtained in this work and previously known results of U-Pb geochronology suggest that principal metamorphic events, which took place in eastern part of the Irkut block (the Sharyzhalgai marginal ledge of the Siberian platform basement), correspond in age to (1) about 2.8 Ga, (2) 2649 ± 6 to 2562 ± 20 Ma, and (3) 1865 ± 4 to 1855 ± 5 Ma. Structural and metamorphic reworking of the earliest event originated under conditions of the granulite facies, whereas conditions of granulite and amphibolite facies were characteristic of the second and third events. Metasomatites after carbonate rocks originated in eastern part of the Sharyzhalgai ledge during the Early Proterozoic metamorphic event that lasted approximately 20 m.y. Being combined with age data, which are known at present for the reference syn-and post-collision granitoids in the Siberian platform basement and flanking foldbelts, new geochronological results show that accretion of basement blocks to the Siberian craton progressed from the east to the west between 1900 and 1840 Ma. To a first approximation, this geochronological interval characterizes time span of the Paleoproterozoic ocean closure and ultimate time, when the craton and supercontinent Columbia became amalgamated.     

Typologie du zircon dans les granitoïdes de la boutonnière précambrienne de Sidi Flah-Bouskour, Saghro, Anti Atlas, Maroc

The Precambrian inlier at Sidi Flah-Bouskour is cut by several successive intrusions of Neoproterozoic granitoids, whose zircon crystal morphology allows precise definition of granite types (Pupin, 1976, 1980, 1988) and, by inference, an assessment of tectonic settings. The first intrusion consists of gabbro, quartz-diorite and amphibole-granodiorite, belonging to the Pan-African B1 phase related to a pre-collision domain. It shows a calc-alkaline granodioritic composition. The second intrusion includes the Bouskour biotite-granite, which belongs to the high-K calc-alkaline suite emplaced at the time of the second Pan-African B2 phase in the context of syn-collision. These units are intruded by a Late Proterozoic pink granite followed by injection of submeridian sigmoidal cracks of rhyolitic dykes that represent the last Precambrian magmatic event in this area.     

华北克拉通南缘小秦岭地区新太古代晚期-古元古代晚期岩浆构造热事件:锆石U-Pb-Hf同位素和地球化学证据

为了探讨华北克拉通南缘早前寒武纪形成演化,对华北克拉通南缘小秦岭地区早前寒武纪变质基底花岗质片麻岩开展了SHRIMP U-Pb锆石定年、Hf同位素组成及地球化学组成研究,获得了2个TTG片麻岩样品~2.50 Ga的岩浆锆石年龄和时代相近的变质锆石年龄,岩浆锆石ε_Hf（t）值为0.71~4.37;1个花岗质片麻岩样品的岩浆锆石年龄为~2.30 Ga,ε_Hf（t）值为－1.21~0.11.它们也记录了古元古代晚期变质锆石年龄或显示古元古代晚期构造热事件影响的存在.岩石以轻重稀土强烈分异为特征,大离子亲石元素相对富集,Nb、P、Ti相对亏损.在小秦岭地区首次发现新太古代晚期TTG岩石,并识别出新太古代晚期构造热事件.现有资料支持华北克拉通南缘与华北克拉通其他地区具有类似的早前寒武纪形成演化历史的认识.但是,华北克拉通南缘以2.3 Ga左右岩浆作用十分发育而显示出独特性.      

华北克拉通太古宙典型地区栖霞县幅1∶5万地质图修编——野外地质调查和SHRIMP锆石U-Pb定年

栖霞是胶东早前寒武纪变质基底的典型地区。在原1∶5万地质图中,许多TTG岩石都被作为胶东群表壳岩看待,岩石形成时代也只在少数露头被确定。根据野外地质调查和SHRIMP锆石U-Pb定年,对该区TTG岩石时空分布进行了研究。在新修编的1∶5万地质图中,太古宙变质基底的主要岩石类型为约2.9Ga、约2.7Ga和约2.5Ga的英云闪长质片麻岩,也存在少量同时代的奥长花岗质片麻岩。2.9Ga和2.5Ga左右的表壳岩(黄崖底表壳岩和胶东群)比原认为要少得多。所有岩石大致呈北西西—南东东向分布,它们在空间上共存,可能是新太古代晚期和古元古代晚期强烈构造热事件作用的结果。这是国内首次在复杂的太古宙高级变质岩区,以野外地质调查和SHRIMP锆石U-Pb定年有机结合,确定不同类型、不同时代地质体时空分布的有益尝试,对于今后类似地区开展专题地质填图具有重要的借鉴意义。     

Neoproterozoic metamorphism and deformation at the southeastern margin of the East European Craton,Uralides, Russia

The eastern margin of the East European Craton (EEC) has a long lasting geological record of Precambrian age. Archaean and Proterozoic strata are exposed in the western fold-and-thrust belt of the Uralides and are known from drill cores and geophysical data below the Palaeozoic cover in the Uralides and its western foredeep. In the southern Uralides, sedimentary, metamorphic and magmatic rocks of Riphean and Vendian age occur in the Bashkirian Mega-anticlinorium (BMA) and the Beloretzk Terrane. In the eastern part of the BMA (Yamantau anticlinorium) and the Beloretzk Terrane, K-Ar ages of the <2-µm-size fraction of phyllites (potassic white mica) and slates (illite) give evidence for a complex pre-Uralian metamorphic and deformational history of the Precambrian basement at the southeastern margin of the EEC. Interpretation of the K-Ar ages considered the variation of secondary foliation and the diagenetic to metamorphic grade. In the Yamantau anticlinorium, the greenschist-facies metamorphism of the Mesoproterozoic siliciclastic rocks is of Early Neoproterozoic origin (about 970 Ma) and the S1 cleavage formation of Late Neoproterozoic (about 550 Ma). The second wide-spaced cleavage is of Uralian origin. In the central and western part of the BMA, the diagenetic to incipient metamorphic grade developed in Late Neoproterozoic time. In post-Uralian time, Proterozoic siliciclastic rocks with a cleavage of Uralian age have not been exhumed to the surface of the BMA. Late Neoproterozoic thrusts and faults within the eastern margin of the EEC are reactivated during the Uralian deformation.     

Gold in Madagascar

Gold is commonly found throughout the Precambrian basement exposed in the eastern two-thirds of Madagascar, composed of Archean and Proterozoic greenstone belts and metasediment belts. Gold occurs in four main kinds of deposits:- as a diffuse component of the crystalline basement rocks, - in concordant quartz veins within the metamorphic rocks of the Precambrian basement, - in recent discordant veins, - and in recent and ancient alluvial deposits.The initial gold mineralisation is probably in relation with the greenstone belt formation, and many have been formed and/or reworked during different metamorphic and magmatic events. It is therefore difficult to obtain an accurate age of the different kinds of deposits.