Inclined K–Ar illite age spectra in brittle fault gouges: effects of fault reactivation and wall‐rock contamination

K–Ar clay fraction ages of brittle faults often vary with grain size, decreasing in the finer size fractions, producing an inclined age–grain‐size spectrum. K–Ar ages and mineralogical characterization of gouges from two normal faults in the Kongsberg silver mines, southern Norway, suggest that inclined spectra derived from brittle fault rocks reflect the mixing of inherited components with authigenic mineral phases. The ages of the coarsest and finest fractions constrain faulting at c. 260–270 Ma and reactivation around 200–210 Ma, respectively. This study demonstrates how wall‐rock contamination influences the K–Ar age of the coarsest size fractions and that authigenic illite and K‐feldspar can crystallize synkinematically under equivalent conditions and thus yield the same K–Ar ages.     

K‐Ar illite age constraints on the Proterozoic formation and reactivation history of a brittle fault in Fennoscandia

K‐Ar ages of authigenic illite from two drill‐core gouge samples of a fault in the Palaeoproterozoic basement of Finland record two distinct faulting events. The older sample yields apparent ages from 1240 ± 26 to 1006 ± 21 Ma for four grain size fractions between 6 and <0.1 μm. The second sample is structurally younger and yields statistically distinct ages ranging from 978 ± 20 to 886 ± 18 Ma. We interpret the ages of the <0.1 m fractions, which are the youngest, as representing the actual time of faulting. XRD analysis and age modelling exclude significant age contamination of the finest dated fractions with inherited host rock components. These results provide therefore an example of meaningful isotopic dating of illite‐type clay material formed during Precambrian faulting, demonstrate and constrain fault reactivation and give evidence for brittle Sveconorwegian Mesoproterozoic shortening and Neoproterozoic extension in Fennoscandia.     

断层泥自生伊利石年龄分析及其在龙门山断裂带的应用

韧性剪切带的活动年龄及其相关的隆升/剥蚀速率可以通过各种同位素技术进行直接测定和计算。相比较而言,由于形成于浅部低温环境,老的碎屑物质和新的重结晶物质相互掺杂,脆性断裂的同位素年龄往往代表的是一个混合年龄,难以反映其真实的活动时间。近些年来,断层泥自生伊利石定年方法在地表脆性断裂的年代学研究中展现出了良好的应用前景。文中介绍了断层泥中自生伊利石的生成过程、形貌特征和定年原理,并简要介绍了样品的处理过程和伊利石多型相对含量的确定方法。近几年,这种方法逐渐被应用于龙门山断裂带及其山前飞来峰活动时代的确定,为青藏高原东缘早期的构造活动提供了直接的年代证据。     

Silurian-Devonian and Jurassic Thermal Events in the Ordos Basin, China: Indications from K-Ar Dating on Illites

In the Ordos basin, two distinct thermal events of different ages have been identified for the first time by means of K-Ar dating combined with illite crystallinity analysis. For the Late Triassic and Late Permian samples, the K-Ar ages of the < 0.2μm fractions (159-173 Ma) reflect an illitization age related to the Yanshanian movement and indicate a short thermal event in the Middle Jurassic; the K-Ar ages of the <2 μm fractions (210-308 Ma) are interpreted as mixed ages of detrital material and authigenic illites. The K-Ar ages of both < 0.2μm and < 2μm fractions of a Middle Cambrian sample (368 Ma and 419 Ma) correspond to the ages of the metamorphism and earliest granite intrusion in the northern Caledonian Qinling fold zone (380-420 Ma) and show a thermal event during Silurian-Devonian time.     

Timing of brittle faulting and thermal events,Sydney region: association with the early stages of extension of East Gondwana

Structural studies in the Sydney region have revealed the presence of vertical to near-vertical, north-northeast-striking faults that are manifest as joint swarms and highly brecciated zones in which gouge of varying thickness is developed. Strike-slip movement accompanied by minor dip-slip, normal movement occurred on these faults. Timing of movement on these faults by K–Ar dating of illite and illite–smectite in fractions extracted from fault gouges, was attempted. These dates were compared with dates obtained from the host-rocks. K–Ar ages determined from the 2–10 μm to <0.1 μm fractions produced from the gouge and host-rocks, range from 159.5 ± 3.2 to 106.6 ± 2.1 Ma (n = 26). In <0.5 μm fractions extracted from the gouges that are less contaminated by detrital phases, K–Ar ages vary from 138 ± 4.4 to 106.5 ± 2.1 Ma (mean 121 Ma; n = 6) which are similar to ages obtained from host-rocks in the Sydney region. The similarity in age between the host rocks and gouge suggests that the K–Ar system has been reset. The resetting is attributed to a thermal event at ca 120 Ma related to the underplating of felsic intrusions associated with early stages of breakup of East Gondwana. Subsequent to this event, dykes of Early Eocene age (K–Ar whole-rock: 51.0 ± 1.1 Ma) exploited north-northeast-striking faults and subsequently developed brecciated margins. These observations and the fact that gouge formed before the thermal event suggests that movement took place on north-northeast-striking faults prior to 120 Ma and after 51 Ma.     

K–Ar dating of authigenic minerals in siliciclastic sequences: an example from the south Sanfranciscana Basin (Western Minas Gerais,Brazil)

K–Ar dating was applied on authigenic potassic minerals which are abundant in sandstones from the south of the Sanfranciscana Basin, Western Minas Gerais State, central Brazil. The Quintinos Member fluvial sandstones (Três Barras Formation, Areado Group) contain significant amounts of authigenic K‐feldspar as microcrystals of adularia and sanidine habits. The ages of these microcrystals cluster into three groups: 106.1 ± 2.2, 89.9 ± 1.9 and 88.8 ± 1.8 Ma (from Albian to Coniacian). The older age of 106.1 ± 2.2 Ma was obtained from the coarse fraction analysed (10–20 µm) that can contain a mixture of detrital potassic minerals (K‐feldspar, muscovite, biotite and illite) and different authigenesis of K‐feldspar (overgrowths and microcrystals). Thus, only the younger ages were interpreted as precipitation of K‐feldspar microcrystals during the Late Cretaceous into the Quintinos Member sandstones. Moreover, these ages can document the formation of microcrystals within a few million years after deposition of the sandstones. The ages of authigenic illite from the Capacete Formation epiclastic sandstones (Mata da Corda Group) range from 88.5 ± 1.9 to 71.5 ± 1.9 Ma (Coniacian–Campanian). These results suggest the timing of the illitization event in these sandstones as well as a synchrony with K‐feldspar authigenesis in the Quintinos Member sandstones. These results are well constrained and are in agreement with stratigraphic, biostratigraphic and radiometric ages previously reported for the Sanfranciscana Basin. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of 40Ar/39Ar Geochronology of Authigenic Illites in Determining Hydrocarbon Charge Timing: A Case Study from the Silurian Bituminous Sandstone Reservoirs,Tarim Basin,China

The Silurian bituminous sandstones(SBS) in the Tarim Basin, China are important basinwide reservoirs with an estimated area of approximately 249000 km2. We investigated the ages of authigenic illites in the SBS reservoirs and constrained their formation timing by using the ~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar step wise heating method. The age spectra, ~(39)Ar recoil loss and their controlling factors were investigated systematically. The ~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar ages were compared with the conventional K/Ar ages of identical clay fractions. The clay in the SBS reservoirs is dominated by orderly mixed-layer illite/smectite(I/S) with 5%–30% smectite layers. The I/S minerals morphology comprises primarily honeycomb, short filamentous and curved-lath particles, characteristic of authigenic illites. The unencapsulated ~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar total gas ages(UTGA) of the authigenic illites range from 188.56 ± 6.20 Ma to 491.86 ± 27.68 Ma, which are 7% to 103% older than the corresponding K/Ar ages of 124.87 ± 1.11 Ma to 383.45 ± 2.80 Ma, respectively. The K-Ar ages indicate multistage accumulations with distinct distribution patterns in the Tarim Basin: older(late Caledonian-early Hercynian) around the basin margin, younger(late Hercynian) in the basin centre, and the youngest(middle to late Yanshanian) in the Ha-6 well-block, central area of the North Uplift. The age difference is believed to have been caused by the ~(39)Ar recoil loss during the irradiation process. Compared with the K/Ar ages, the estimated ~(39)Ar recoil losses in this study are in the range from 7% to 51%. The ~(39)Ar recoil loss appears to increase not only with the decreasing particle sizes of the I/S, but also with increasing percentage of smectite layers(IR) of the I/S, and smectite layer content(SLC) of the samples. We conclude that due to significant ~(39)Ar recoil losses, UTGA may not offer any meaningful geological ages of the authigenic illite formation in the SBS and thus can not be used to represent the hydrocarbon charge timing. ~(39)Ar recoil losses during ~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar dating can not be neglected when dating fine authigenic illite, especially when the ordered mixed-layer I/S containing small amount of smectite layers(IR30%) in the reservoir formations. Compared with the unencapsulated Ar-Ar method, the conventional K-Ar method is less complicated, more accurate and reliable in dating authigenic illites in petroleum reservoirs.     

K–Ar dating of fault gouge in the northern Sydney Basin, NSW, Australia—implications for the breakup of Gondwana

The occurrence of synkinematic and authigenic clay minerals is a common feature in fault gouges. Few attempts have been made to date fault gouges. We present the first age data in Australia for synkinematic illite–smectite growth in two fault zones of the northern Sydney Basin, NSW. The faults occur at Burwood Beach, NSW in the northern part of the Sydney Basin and are hosted by Early Permian siltstones, tuffs and coals of the Lambton Formation, Newcastle Coal Measures. The faults are 1.5 m apart, show normal displacement and trend N–S with steep easterly dips. Foliated gouge zones, comminution and dilational breccias are developed along both fault surfaces. K–Ar ages extracted from samples in the gouge and tuffs in the damage zones are 172 (6–10 μm) to 119 Ma (<0.4 μm), respectively. Older ages of 272–281 Ma for the coarse fractions (>2 μm), 237–245 Ma for the <2 μm fraction, 218 Ma for the <0.4 μm fraction and 196 Ma for the <0.1 μm fraction have been obtained from siltstones within and outside the damage zone. We believe the younger ages of 196–237 Ma indicate the time at which diagenetic illite–smectite formed and the 122–150 Ma dates from the <2 μm fraction represent the maximum age of gouge formation. The younger ages are thought to reflect the last slip event occurring on the faults, which is related to the rifting and dispersal of the eastern margin of the Australian continent.     

Fault gouge analyses: K–Ar illite dating,clay mineralogy and tectonic significance—a study from the Sierras Pampeanas,Argentina

We introduce a method for the detailed interpretation of K–Ar illite fine-fraction ages of fault gouges from non-sedimentary host rocks. Ages are cross-evaluated with several independent parameters, e.g. illite crystallinity, illite polytype quantification, grain size, mineralogical observations, K–Ar muscovite and biotite host-rock cooling ages as well as low-temperature thermochronological data (AFT, AHe, ZHe). This interpretation approach is applied to a regional study in order to constrain the ‘deformation path’ of the Eastern Sierras Pampeanas in NW Argentina. In the course of this study, a large number of gouge-bearing fault zones were systematically sampled and analysed. Obtained K–Ar illite fine-fraction ages range from Devonian to Cretaceous times, documenting a long-lasting brittle fault activity in this region. Ages >320 Ma are synchronous with a period of intra-Carboniferous compressional tectonism, whereas Permo-Triassic ages are contemporaneous to a flat-slab subduction episode of the Farallon plate beneath the South American plate. Middle to Late Permian and Early Triassic ages as well as Early Jurassic to Middle Cretaceous ages correlate with extensional tectonics in this region. Additionally, K–Ar illite ages reveal a propagation of brittle deformation from north to south in the Sierras de Córdoba and San Luis. Data integrity and consistency with other chronometers and geological evidence show that the here suggested interpretation is valid and can provide a powerful tool to evaluate cooling and deformation histories. Despite of that, we could show that the reliability of fault gouge data strongly depends on the regional cooling.     

Complete 40Ar resetting in an ultracataclasite by reactivation of a fossil seismogenic fault along the subducting plate interface in the Mugi Mélange of the Shimanto accretionary complex,southwest Japan

We used the K–Ar ages of clay-sized mineral grains to investigate the timing of activity on the Minami-Awa Fault, which is a fossil seismogenic fault along a subducting plate interface separating the coherent strata of the Shimanto accretionary complex to the north from the tectonic mélange to the south. The K–Ar ages from the matrix shale of the mélange range from 85 to 48 Ma and decrease with decreasing amount of detrital mica, indicating that they record a mixture of authigenic illite related to burial diagenesis and detrital mica. In contrast, the K–Ar ages of an ultracataclasite within the fault core are significantly younger, ranging from 29 to 23 Ma, and are unrelated to grain size and amount of detrital mica. This indicates that s Ar diffused completely from the ultracataclasite between 29 and 23 Ma, which postdates the formation of authigenic illite by at least several million years. The diffusion of ⁴⁰Ar in the ultracataclasite was probably caused by frictional heating or high-temperature fluid migration that occurred when the fault was reactivated. The results indicate that seismogenic faults that separate tectonic mélange from coherent strata in accretionary complexes may slip, not only during accretion, but also long after accretion.     

Further evidence for a Jurassic mineralizing event in central Europe: K–Ar dating of hydrothermal alteration and fluid inclusion systematics in wall rocks of the Käfersteige fluorite vein deposit in the northern Black Forest, Germany

The hydrothermal fluorite vein deposit of `Käfersteige' ranks among the biggest in central Europe. It is located along the suture zone that separates the Moldanubian and Saxothuringian units in the northern Black Forest, and is hosted in Bunter sandstone and underlying granitic basement. K–Ar ages of authigenic illite from the wall rocks give a Jurassic formation age of around 145?Ma for the deposit. Age data scatter down to 80?Ma in illite from the clay gouge and indicate a younger Cretaceous-Tertiary hydrothermal overprint. The pyrophyllite component in authigenic illite from wall rocks and the re-equilibration of illite suggest a formation temperature around 200?°C. Secondary fluid inclusions in quartz from the wall rocks define a syn-mineralization fluid episode involving Ca–Mg–K–Na–Cl-rich brines (about 27 wt% NaCl_eq) with a T _h of about 125?°C, and a post-mineralization Na–Cl-rich fluid overprint with a T _h of about 100?°C. Both generations of fluid inclusions relate to the final event of each cycle, while authigenic illite composition and re-equilibration of illite in the clay gouge may document initial temperatures of formation. The Upper Jurassic fluid system can be traced all over western Europe. It is probably an expression of continent-wide rifting and concomitant regional fluid circulation in connection with major tectonic disturbances, magmatism and abnormal heat flow during the opening of the North Atlantic ocean. The younger barren fluid overprint could be related to the onset of the Alpine orogeny.     

伊利石40Ar-39Ar年龄的统计分析与成藏期

为了确定鄂尔多斯盆地苏里格气田的成藏年代,通过提取砂岩储层中的黏土质填隙物,分离分级成 < 0.5、0.5~1.0、1.0~2.0μm的分样品,进行伊利石激光阶段加热40Ar-39Ar定年.等时线年龄是自生伊利石与碎屑伊利石的混合年龄.通过趋势分析和回归分析分别获得极小的趋势年龄和极小的回归年龄,该年龄比较接近自生伊利石年龄.测试结果表明,伊利石的等时线年龄介于160.9~232.0 Ma之间,为自生伊利石与碎屑伊利石的混合年龄.采用数理统计方法获得极小趋势年龄和极小回归年龄分别为151.7 Ma和152.4 Ma,该年龄比较接近自生伊利石年龄,代表了热流体活动和油气成藏时间.      

郯庐断裂带构造演化的同位素年代学制约

近年来在郯庐断裂带内获得了大量的同位素年龄,为了解该断裂带的演化规律与相关动力学过程提供了有效的制约。该断裂带早期走滑构造带内给出了238～236 Ma的白云母 40Ar/39Ar 变形年龄,指示其起源于华北与华南克拉通碰撞过程的深俯冲阶段,支持其造山期陆内转换断层成因观点。其晚中生代走滑韧性剪切带内已获得的较大白云母 40Ar/39Ar冷却年龄为162～150 Ma,表明其再次左行平移发生在晚侏罗世初或中 晚侏罗世之交,出现在区域压扭性动力学背景下。这一事件应代表了中国东部滨太平洋构造域的开始时间。已获得的一系列断裂带内岩体与火山岩锆石LA ICPMS年龄显示,该断裂带内伸展性背景下最早的岩浆活动时间为136 Ma。而断裂带所控制的断陷盆地内地层时代表明其伸展活动发生在早白垩世初（约145 Ma）。这应指示了中国东部转变为伸展性动力学背景的时间。该断裂带一系列长石40Ar/39Ar年龄与磷灰石裂变径迹年龄,显示其在晚白垩世与古近纪仍处于伸展活动之中。     

青海省都兰县五龙沟金矿主断裂带断层泥K-Ar定年

应用K-Ar法对青海省都兰县五龙沟金矿主断裂带内的3个断层泥样品进行同位素测定,以确定该脆性断裂的活动时代,初步探讨该段脆性断裂与成矿之间的关系.测试得到的断层泥样品中自生伊利石的年龄为（185.54±3.06） ～（165.11 ±3.28） Ma,表明该矿床内的脆性断裂活动时代为早侏罗世晚期—中侏罗世,结合野外地质情况,推测脆性断裂的活动对成矿起到了改造和破坏的作用.     

Exhumation and uplift of the Sierras Pampeanas: preliminary implications from K–Ar fault gouge dating and low-T thermochronology in the Sierra de Comechingones (Argentina)

The Sierras Pampeanas in central and north-western Argentina constitute a distinct morphotectonic feature between 27°S and 33°S. The last stage of uplift and deformation in this area are interpreted to be closely related to the Andean flat-slab subduction of the Nazca plate beneath the South American plate. K–Ar fault gouge dating and low-temperature thermochronology along two transects within the Sierra de Comechingones reveal a minimum age for the onset of brittle deformation about 340 Ma, very low exhumation rates since Late Paleozoic time, as well as a total exhumation of about 2.3 km since the Late Cretaceous. New Ar–Ar ages (7.54–1.91 Ma) of volcanic rocks from the San Luis volcanic belt support the eastward propagation of the flat-slab magmatic front, confirming the onset of flat-slab related deformation in this region at 11.2 Ma. Although low-temperature thermochronology does not clearly constrain the signal of the Andean uplift, it is understood that the current structural relief related to the Comechingones range has been achieved after the exhumation of both fault walls (circa 80–70 Ma).     

Microtextures of authigenic Or-rich feldspar in the Upper Jurassic Humber Group, UK North Sea

ABSTRACT Detrital alkali feldspars currently at burial depths of 3·2–3·5 km in the Upper Jurassic Humber Group of the Fulmar oilfield, UK North Sea, are overgrown and have been partially replaced by authigenic Or‐rich feldspar. Intracrystal microtextures suggest several different provenances for the detrital grains. The overgrowths are uniformly non‐cathodoluminescent and have occasional celsian‐rich zones. Transmission electron microscopy shows that they are composed of a microporous mosaic of subµm‐ to µm‐sized sub‐grains associated with barite, illite and pyrite. The subgrains are somewhat rounded but have an approximate {110} Adularia habit and display a faint modulated microtexture on the nanometre scale. They have triclinic symmetry, but the lattice angles depart only slightly from monoclinic symmetry. These features are characteristic of K‐feldspar precipitated relatively rapidly and at low temperature. Authigenic Or‐rich feldspar has also partially replaced microcline and perthitic albite within the detrital grains, often at a suboptical scale. Although, like diagenetic albitization, replacement by K‐feldspar is probably a very common diagenetic reaction, it has rarely been reported owing to difficulties in imaging the diagnostic textures with the scanning electron microscopy techniques used by most workers. The permeability of the subgrain microtexture may significantly hinder the use of feldspar overgrowths for K/Ar and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of diagenesis, and the existence of suboptical, replacive authigenic K‐feldspar within detrital grains may significantly modify the apparent Ar ages of detrital grains. Similar subgrain microtextures in optically featureless quartz overgrowths are also illustrated.     

Relationships between magmatism and extension along the Autun–La Serre fault system in the Variscan Belt of the eastern French Massif Central

The ENE–WSW Autun Shear Zone in the northeastern part of the French Massif Central has been interpreted previously as a dextral wrench fault. New field observations and microstructural analyses document a NE–SW stretching lineation that indicates normal dextral motions along this shear zone. Further east, similar structures are observed along the La Serre Shear Zone. In both areas, a strain gradient from leucogranites with a weak preferred orientation to highly sheared mylonites supports a continuous Autun–La Serre fault system. Microstructural observations, and shape and lattice-preferred orientation document high-temperature deformation and magmatic fabrics in the Autun and La Serre granites, whereas low- to intermediate-temperature fabrics characterize the mylonitic granite. Electron microprobe monazite geochronology of the Autun and La Serre granites yields a ca. 320 Ma age for pluton emplacement, while mica ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar datings of the Autun granite yield plateau ages from 305 to 300 Ma. The ca. 300 Ma ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar ages, obtained on micas from Autun and La Serre mylonites, indicate the time of the mylonitization. The ca. 15-Ma time gap between pluton emplacement and deformation along the Autun–La Serre fault system argue against a synkinematic pluton emplacement during late orogenic to postorogenic extension of the Variscan Belt. A ductile to brittle continuum of deformation is observed along the shear zone, with Lower Permian brittle faults controlling the development of sedimentary basins. These results suggest a two-stage Late Carboniferous extension in the northeastern French Massif Central, with regional crustal melting and emplacement of the Autun and La Serre leucogranites around 320 Ma, followed, at 305–295 Ma, by ductile shearing, normal brittle faulting, and subsequent exhumation along the Autun–La Serre transtensional fault system.     

Patterns of mineral transformations in clay gouge,with examples from low-angle normal fault rocks in the western USA

Neoformed minerals in shallow fault rocks are increasingly recognized as key to the behavior of faults in the elasto-frictional regime, but neither the conditions nor the processes which wall-rock is transformed into clay minerals are well understood. Yet, understanding of these mineral transformations is required to predict the mechanical and seismogenic behavior of faults. We therefore present a systematic study of clay gouge mineralogy from 30 outcrops of 17 low-angle normal faults (LANF's) in the American Cordillera to demonstrate the range and type of clay transformations in natural fault gouges. The sampled faults juxtapose a wide and representative range of wall rock types, including sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks under shallow-crustal conditions. Clay mineral transformations were observed in all but one of 28 faults; one fault contains only mechanically derived clay-rich gouge, which formed entirely by cataclasis.Clay mineral transformations observed in gouges show four general patterns: 1) growth of authigenic 1M_d illite, either by transformation of fragmental 2M₁ illite or muscovite, or growth after the dissolution of K-feldspar. Illitization of fragmental illite–smectite is observed in LANF gouges, but is less common than reported from faults with sedimentary wall rocks; 2) ‘retrograde diagenesis’ of an early mechanically derived chlorite-rich gouge to authigenic chlorite–smectite and saponite (Mg-rich tri-octahedral smectite); 3) reaction of mechanically derived chlorite-rich gouges with Mg-rich fluids at low temperatures (50–150 °C) to produce localized lenses of one of two assemblages: sepiolite + saponite + talc + lizardite or palygorskite +/− chlorite +/− quartz; and 4) growth of authigenic di-octahedral smectite from alteration of acidic volcanic wall rocks. These transformation groups are consistent with patterns observed in fault rocks elsewhere. The main controls for the type of neoformed clay in gouge appear to be wall-rock chemistry and fluid chemistry, and temperatures in the range of 60–180 °C.     

On the origin of mixed-layered clay minerals from the San Andreas Fault at 2.5–3 km vertical depth (SAFOD drillhole at Parkfield,California)

A detailed mineralogical study is presented of the matrix of mudrocks sampled from spot coring at three key locations along the San Andreas Fault Observatory at depth (SAFOD) drill hole. The characteristics of authigenic illite–smectite (I–S) and chlorite–smectite (C–S) mixed-layer mineral clays indicate a deep diagenetic origin. A randomly ordered I–S mineral with ca. 20–25% smectite layers is one of the dominant authigenic clay species across the San Andreas Fault zone (sampled at 3,066 and 3,436 m measured depths/MD), whereas an authigenic illite with ca. 2–5% smectite layers is the dominant phase beneath the fault (sampled at 3,992 m MD). The most smectite-rich mixed-layered assemblage with the highest water content occurs in the actively deforming creep zone at ca. 3,300–3,353 m (true vertical depth of ca. 2.7 km), with I–S (70:30) and C–S (50:50). The matrix of all mudrock samples show extensive quartz and feldspar (both plagioclase and K-feldspar) dissolution associated with the crystallization of pore-filling clay minerals. However, the effect of rock deformation in the matrix appears only minor, with weak flattening fabrics defined largely by kinked and fractured mica grains. Adopting available kinetic models for the crystallization of I–S in burial sedimentary environments and the current borehole depths and thermal structure, the conditions and timing of I–S growth can be evaluated. Assuming a typical K⁺ concentration of 100–200 ppm for sedimentary brines, a present-day geothermal gradient of 35°C/km and a borehole temperature of ca. 112°C for the sampled depths, most of the I–S minerals can be predicted to have formed over the last 4–11 Ma and are probably still in equilibrium with circulating fluids. The exception to this simple burial pattern is the occurrence of the mixed layered phases with higher smectite content than predicted by the burial model. These minerals, which characterize the actively creeping section of the fault and local thin film clay coating on polished brittle slip surfaces, can be explained by the influence of either cooler fluids circulating along this segment of the fault or the flow of K⁺-depleted brines.     

A geochronological and petrological study of anatectic paragneiss and associated granite dykes from the Day Nui Con Voi metamorphic core complex,North Vietnam: constraints on the timing of metamorphism within the Red River shear zone

The Red River shear zone (RRSZ) is a major left‐lateral strike‐slip shear zone, containing a ductilely deformed metamorphic core bounded by brittle strike‐slip and normal faults, which stretches for >1000 km from Tibet through Yunnan and North Vietnam to the South China Sea. The RRSZ exposes four high‐grade metamorphic core complexes along its length. Various lithologies from the southernmost core complex, the Day Nui Con Voi (DNCV), North Vietnam, provide new constraints on the tectonic and metamorphic evolution of this region prior to and following the initial India–Asia collision. Analysis of a weakly deformed anatectic paragneiss using P–T pseudosections constructed in the MnO–Na₂O–CaO–K₂O–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O–TiO₂–O (MnNCKFMASHTO) system provides prograde, peak and retrograde metamorphic conditions, and in situ U–Th–Pb geochronology of metamorphic monazite yields texturally controlled age constraints. Tertiary metamorphism and deformation, overprinting earlier Triassic metamorphism associated with the Indosinian orogeny and possible Cretaceous metamorphism, are characterized by peak metamorphic conditions of ~805 °C and ~8.5 kbar between c. 38 and 34 Ma. Exhumation occurred along a steep retrograde P–T path with final melt crystallizing at the solidus at ≥~5.5 kbar at ~790 °C. Further exhumation at ~640–700 °C and ~4–5 kbar at c. 31 Ma occurred at subsolidus conditions. U–Pb geochronological analysis of monazite from a strongly deformed pre‐kinematic granite dyke from the flank of the DNCV provides further evidence for exhumation at this time. Magmatic grains suggest initial emplacement at 66.0 ± 1.0 Ma prior to the India–Asia collision, whereas grains with metamorphic characteristics indicate later growth at 30.6 ± 0.4 Ma. Monazite grains from a cross‐cutting post‐kinematic dyke within the core of the DNCV antiform provide a minimum age constraint of 25.2 ± 1.4 Ma for the termination of fabric development. A separate and significant episode of monazite growth at c. 83–69 Ma is suggested to be the result of fluid‐assisted recrystallization following the emplacement of magmatic units.