苏鲁超高压岩石部分熔融时间的准确限定：来自含黑云母花岗岩中锆石U-Pb定年、REE和Lu-Hf同位素的证据

在北苏鲁超高压变质带中,广泛分布强变形的新三叠纪含黑云母花岗岩和伟晶岩脉。锆石中矿物包体激光拉曼测试、阴极发光图像分析、不同性质锆石微区LA-(MC)-ICP-MS和SHRIMP U-Pb定年、REE及Lu-Hf同位素测试等综合研究结果表明,北苏鲁威海地区超高压正片麻岩在构造折返的 (高压)麻粒岩相升温减压阶段,发生部分熔融 (深熔)作用形成了花岗质岩浆,并在临近角闪岩相退变质作用之前结晶结束形成了含黑云母的花岗岩。该类含黑云母花岗岩中的锆石成因复杂,可划分为三类锆石微区。第一类为强发光效应 (白色)继承性岩浆锆石 (微区I),具有典型的岩浆结晶环带,矿物包体为Qtz+Kfs+Ap,记录的²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U年龄为790~782Ma;第二类为新生锆石微区 (微区II),发光强度相对较弱 (灰色-灰白色),也具有较明显的岩浆结晶环带,矿物包体为Qtz+Kfs+Ab+Ap,记录的²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U年龄为222~217Ma,加权平均年龄为219±2Ma,表明苏鲁超高压地体的部分熔融 (深熔)作用发生在新三叠纪,这组年龄比苏鲁地体超高压变质时代 (235~225Ma)明显偏新,指示部分熔融 (深熔)作用的时代要晚于苏鲁地体的超高压变质时代;第三类锆石微区 (微区III)围绕第二类锆石微区分布,发光强度最弱 (黑色),也具有典型的岩浆结晶环带,矿物包体十分少见,为Qtz+Ap,记录的²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U年龄集中于216~209Ma之间,加权平均年龄为214±2Ma,应代表部分熔融 (深熔)而成的岩浆结晶结束的年龄,这组年龄比苏鲁地体构造折返晚期角闪岩相退变质时代(210~200Ma)偏老,表明新生岩浆结晶结束的时间要早于角闪岩相退变质时代。继承性岩浆结晶锆石 (微区I) ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf(t)=0.281975~0.281984,¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf=0.00196~0.00221,ε_Hf(t)=-11.6~-11.8,相应的t_DM2=2160~2170Ma,与研究区周围新元古代 (795~730Ma)正片麻岩继承性岩浆结晶锆石的Lu-Hf同位素特征十分相似,表明新元古代正片麻岩是新三叠纪部分熔融 (深熔)成因的含黑云母花岗岩的母岩。新三叠纪新生岩浆结晶锆石的核部 (微区II)和边部 (微区III)具有类似的¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf(t)、¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf比值和ε_Hf(t)值,¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf(t)=0.282110~0.282199,¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf=0.00041~0.00183,ε_Hf(t)=-15.8~-19.1,t_DM2=1980~2130Ma,表明新三叠纪由超高压正片麻岩部分熔融而成的岩浆自结晶开始到结束是在一个相对封闭体系条件下完成的。晚期角闪岩相退变质作用对其Lu-Hf同位素体系也未造成破坏。     

柴北缘大陆深俯冲板片折返过程中的深熔作用研究

柴北缘锡铁山地区长英质（花岗）片麻岩普遍经历了不同程度的部分熔融作用,常见新生的花岗质浅色体呈层状、脉状或网络状分布于长英质片麻岩中,并显示出混合岩化的特征。岩相学观察结果显示长英质片麻岩保留了关键的深熔作用显微结构证据:（1）石榴石内部发育有钾长石、石英和斜长石组成的矿物包裹体;（2）长石颗粒边界出现由石英+钾长石±斜长石±白云母组成的楔形矿物集合体;（3）云母颗粒边界发育尖锐的、不规则的微斜长石,而且云母边界溶蚀明显,形成锯齿状不规则的边界;（4）石英、斜长石或钾长石颗粒边界发育圆珠状（stringofbeads）结构,而且颗粒边界或三联点中尖锐状微斜长石与周围矿物的形成较小的二面角。阴极发光图像和锆石U-Pb定年结果表明花岗质浅色体中的锆石具有明显的核、幔、边三层结构,而且具有明显不同的年龄结果。发光较强的继承性锆石岩浆核部的²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U年龄约为~910Ma,而且具有高的Th/U比值;弱发光的变质锆石幔的²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U年龄结果约为~450Ma。新生的锆石增生边中等程度发光,并发育震荡环带和较低的Th/U比值,与世界典型地区混合岩中深熔锆石的特征十分相似,其²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U年龄结果为432±3Ma。野外关系、显微结构特征和年代学的研究结果显示柴北缘锡铁山地区花岗质浅色体可能是其寄主岩石长英质片麻岩在折返到高压麻粒岩相条件下深熔作用的产物,而且白云母的脱水熔融是引发岩石发生深熔作用的主要机制。柴北缘地区已有的资料综合研究表明,大陆深俯冲板片在俯冲/碰撞和折返过程中可能经历了多重深熔作用。     

苏鲁超高压变质带中非超高压花岗质片麻岩的准确识别:来自锆石微区矿物包体及SHRIMP U-Pb定年的证据

通过隐藏在锆石微区矿物包体激光拉曼的系统鉴定和阴极发光图像特征的详细研究,配合相应的锆石微区SHRIMP U-Pb定年测试,发现苏鲁地体超高压变质带中确实存在非超高压变质的花岗质片麻岩。该类岩石中的锆石晶体自核部到边部所保存的矿物包体以不含超高压矿物为特征,相应的阴极发光图像具有典型岩浆结晶锆石的核部和幔部,以及变质的再生边的特点。其中岩浆结晶锆石微区记录的~(238)U-~(206)Pb年龄为404～748Ma,表明原岩中部分锆石可能经历了Pb丢失,也不排除后期热事件因素的影响,原岩的形成年龄应大于748 Ma;而锆石的再生边所记录的~(238)U-~(206)Pb。年龄为204～214 Ma,与研究区经历超高压变质的副片麻岩和花岗质片麻岩锆石微区所记录的苏鲁地体快速折返过程中角闪岩相退变质年龄(~(238)U-~(206)Pb年龄的平均值为211±4 Ma,刘福来等,2003a)十分相似。上述特征表明,苏鲁地体超高压变质带中的部分花岗质片麻岩在超高压变质事件之前就已经形成,但并未“参与”深俯冲—超高压的变质演化过程,而是在苏鲁地体快速折返的角闪岩相退变质过程中与超高压岩片“拼贴”在一起。该项成果不仅为正确识别非超高压变质岩石提供了一个新的研究方法,而且对进一步深入探讨苏鲁地体超高压和非超高压岩片的“拼贴”机制有着重     

新疆西准噶尔克拉玛依岩体中暗色岩墙的形成时代及地质意义 ——来自锆石LA-ICP-MS和角闪石Ar-Ar定年的证据

新疆西准噶尔克拉玛依岩体以及周围地层中存在着大量暗色闪长玢岩岩墙,是岩浆物质贯入3组走向不同的裂隙形成的。对其中一个闪长玢岩岩墙样品进行锆石LA-ICP-MS年代学测试,得到303.1±1.2Ma的锆石²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U加权平均年龄,对从该闪长玢岩中分离出的角闪石进行Ar-Ar年代学测试,得到312.1±2.8Ma的坪年龄(1120～1400℃)和313.6±6.9Ma的反等时线年龄。对该闪长玢岩岩墙附近的含角闪石黑云母二长花岗岩进行的锆石LA-ICP-MS年代学测试,获得其²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U加权平均年龄为319.0±1.0Ma。对侵入石炭纪地层的一个花岗斑岩岩脉样品进行锆石LA-ICP-MS年代学测试,得到了315.3±1.0Ma的²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U加权平均年龄。上述年代学测试结果表明克拉玛依市以西地区的暗色岩墙形成时代是石炭纪末期,不是前人所说的二叠纪。在这些岩墙形成之前,该区在石炭纪晚期还发育以克拉玛依岩体及附近酸性岩脉为代表的花岗质岩浆活动。上述围岩和岩墙的年代学资料揭示出该区闪长玢岩岩墙所占据的裂隙形成时代在315～303Ma之间,为新疆西准噶尔地区晚古生代地球动力学背景及岩浆活动的深入研究,提供了时间方面的约束。     

北苏鲁威海地区超基性岩的原岩形成时代和超高压变质时代

超基性岩是苏鲁超高压变质地体中一类特殊且十分重要的岩石类型,它们通常呈规模不一的块状、条带状或不规则透镜状 (体) 赋存于区域大面积出露的花岗质片麻岩中。锆石中矿物包体激光拉曼测试、阴极发光图像分析和不同性质锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb定年等综合研究结果表明,北苏鲁威海地区含橄榄石辉石岩 (样品W1和W2) 中锆石的成因十分复杂,可进一步划分3种不同类型锆石。其中第一类锆石呈自形-半自形晶,阴极发光图像显示清晰的岩浆结晶环带,矿物包体主要为Ol+Cpx+Ap, 记录的²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb年龄为1835~1845Ma,应代表含橄榄石辉石岩的原岩形成时代;第二类为变质重结晶锆石,呈半自形-他形晶,阴极发光图像显示模糊的岩浆结晶环带,矿物包体与第一类完全一致,记录的²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U年龄变化范围大,为250~784Ma之间,表明部分继承性岩浆结晶锆石明显受到后期岩浆-变质热事件的影响而发生不完全重结晶和Pb丢失,进而使其记录的年龄相对偏新;第三类锆石呈他形晶,为典型的变质锆石,阴极发光图像十分均匀,矿物包体相对少见,主要为Grt+Cpx,记录的²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U年龄为230~234Ma, 且与苏鲁地体榴辉岩及其围岩中含柯石英锆石微区记录的超高压变质年龄 (225~235Ma) 十分一致,应代表含橄榄石辉石岩的峰期超高压变质时代。超基性岩中超高压变质锆石的准确识别表明苏鲁地体在峰期超高压变质阶段的确存在流体,流体的存在对超高压变质锆石的形成起着至关重要的作用。该项研究不仅准确厘定北苏鲁威海地区超基性岩的原岩形成时代和超高压变质时代,而且对于深入探讨苏鲁-大别超高压地体流体行为、演化规律及其水-岩相互作用机理具有重要的科学意义。     

北苏鲁超高压变质带中斜长角闪岩的成因

在北苏鲁超高压变质带的威海地区的正片麻岩中,存在大量规模不一的含石榴石斜长角闪岩的透镜体或不规则团块。锆石中矿物包体的激光拉曼测试、阴极发光图像分析、稀土元素和微量元素以及Lu-Hf同位素的LA-(MC)-ICP-MS测试等综合研究结果表明,含石榴石斜长角闪岩 (WH17) 只存在一种成因类型的锆石,即变质锆石。该类锆石自核部到边部均保存了典型的超高压包体矿物组合：柯石英 (Coe)+石榴石 (Grt)+绿辉石 (Omp)+多硅白云母 (Phe)+金红石 (Rt)+磷灰石 (Ap),相应的阴极发光图像自核部到边部十分均匀,具有典型变质锆石的特点。锆石核部和边部的稀土元素含量特征和配分模式也十分相似,主要表现为轻稀土元素相对亏损,而重稀土元素相对平坦,无Eu异常 (Eu/Eu^*=0.94~1.04), 具较明显的正Ce异常 (Ce/Ce^*=83.4~111.0),低的Th/U (<0.02) 和 Lu/Hf (<0.00010) 比值以及极低的 Th (1×10^-6~4×10^-6) 含量。锆石核部到边缘的重稀土元素亏损与石榴石稳定有关,而无Eu异常则与斜长石分解关系密切。上述特征表明,含石榴石斜长角闪岩中的锆石均是在超高压变质阶段形成的变质锆石,而研究样品中继承性岩浆结晶锆石的缺乏,是由于含石榴石斜长角闪岩在原岩形成时Zr的成分明显匮乏所致。SHRIMP U-Pb定年结果表明,含柯石英锆石自核部到边部记录了十分一致的²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U 年龄,变化于 240.2±3.3Ma 到220.2±2.8Ma 之间,加权平均年龄为229.8±2.0Ma, 这组年龄与前人对苏鲁超高压变质带中榴辉岩、正片麻岩、副片麻岩和大理岩等含柯石英锆石微区记录的年龄完全吻合,应代表苏鲁地体超高压变质时代。Lu-Hf同位素研究结果表明,含石榴石斜长角闪岩中变质锆石的Hf同位素特征与苏鲁超高压变质带中榴辉岩的继承性岩浆锆石和变质锆石均存在本质差别,其中¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf=0.00001~0.00003, ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf (_t)=0.282052~0.282107, 相应的ε_Hf(t)=-21.1~-18.8, 模式年龄t_DM2=2.14~2.24Ga,这些Lu-Hf同位素特征与围岩正片麻岩含柯石英锆石微区的Hf同位素性质十分相似, 充分表明了北苏鲁含石榴石斜长角闪岩在超高压变质阶段形成的变质锆石所必须的Zr和Hf成分不是来自体系本身,而是来源于围岩正片麻岩。     

柴北缘乌兰县二郎洞达肯大坂岩群中混合岩化黑云斜长片麻岩锆石SHRIMP测年及其意义

柴北缘乌兰县二郎洞地区的达肯大坂岩群主要由黑云斜长片麻岩、混合岩、黑云母石英片岩、斜长角闪岩和大理岩、花岗片麻岩等共同组成。本文首次对两件混合岩化黑云斜长片麻岩样品中的锆石进行了内部结构分析和SHRIMP测年, 黑云斜长片麻岩中的锆石大多具有核-边结构, 核部和边部分别表现为典型的岩浆和变质成因锆石特征。一件样品中锆石核部²⁰⁶ Pb/²³⁸ U加权平均年龄为503.8±5.1 Ma, 边部²⁰⁶ Pb/²³⁸ U加权平均年龄为449±9.9 Ma; 另一件样品核部²⁰⁶ Pb/²³⁸ U加权平均年龄为493.6±4.5 Ma。这些结果表明, 乌兰县二郎洞地区达肯大坂岩群中的混合岩化黑云斜长片麻岩原岩形成年龄为504~494 Ma, 属于晚寒武世岩浆活动的产物, 变质年龄为449 Ma, 分别与柴北缘岛弧岩浆作用和超高压变质作用的时限相一致。研究表明, 二郎洞地区达肯大坂岩群不仅有新太古代-古元古代基底岩石, 还包含早古生代的岩石组合, 为一套不同性质和不同时代的混杂岩。     

西准达尔布特蛇绿岩中辉长岩LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年

达尔布特蛇绿岩中辉长岩LA-ICPMS锆石U-Pb测年,16个测点在谐和曲线图²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U-²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U中构成比较集中的锆石群,获得²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U加权平均年龄391.1±6.8Ma,MSWD= 0.97（95%置信度）,代表了辉长岩的结晶年龄,据此确定达尔布特蛇绿岩形成于中泥盆世,该年龄的确认为准确约束达尔布特蛇绿岩的形成及西准噶尔板块构造演化提供了重要的佐证。     

北苏鲁威海地区伟晶岩的形成过程及其与超高压岩石深熔作用的成因关系

在北苏鲁超高压变质带的威海地区,普遍发育与含黑云母正片麻岩深熔作用存在密切成因关系的伟晶岩,它们主要以规模不一的脉体、无根不规则的透镜体赋存于超高压的含黑云母正片麻岩中.锆石中矿物包体的激光拉曼鉴定、锆石阴极发光图像分析、不同性质锆石微区U-Pb定年以及锆石原位微量元素和Lu-Hf同位素测试等综合研究结果表明,伟晶岩 (WH19) 中的锆石成因相对复杂,可划分为两种类型:第一类具有强发光效应 (白色) 的继承性岩浆结晶锆石的核 (Ic)、强发光效应 (灰白色) 新生岩浆结晶锆石的幔 (m) 和相对弱发光效应 (黑色) 的岩浆结晶锆石的边 (r);第二类具有强发光效应 (灰白色) 新生岩浆结晶锆石的核 (c) 和相对弱发光效应 (黑色) 的岩浆结晶锆石的边 (r).其中继承性岩浆结晶锆石核部 (Ic) 的矿物包体为Qtz + Kfs + Pl + Ap,与围岩含黑云母正片麻岩的基质矿物组合十分相似.继承性岩浆结晶锆石核部 (Ic) 记录的~(206)Pb/~(238)U年龄为769～228 Ma, 所组成的不一致线的上交点年龄为788±21 Ma,下交点年龄为225±20 Ma,这两组年龄分别与围岩含黑云母正片麻岩的原岩形成时代和超高压变质时代完全一致,表明该类继承性岩浆锆石来源于围岩含黑云母正片麻岩.新生岩浆结晶锆石的核部 (c) 和幔部 (m) 的矿物包体为Qtz + Kfs + Ap,与伟晶岩的基质矿物组合相似,记录的~(206)Pb/~(238)U年龄为223～217 Ma, 谐和年龄为219.5±1.4 Ma,应代表伟晶质岩浆的形成年龄或新生岩浆的初始结晶年龄.这组年龄比含黑云母正片麻岩的超高压年龄偏新,表明深熔作用应滞后于苏鲁地体超高压变质时代,更有可能发生于构造折返麻粒岩相升温减压退变质阶段.新生岩浆结晶锆石的边部 (r) 矿物包体相对较少,记录的~(206)Pb/~(238)U年龄为217～211 Ma, 谐和年龄为214.6±1.7 Ma,应代表伟晶质岩浆结晶结束的时代.继承性岩浆结晶锆石 (Ic) 的176Lu/177Hf = 0.00031～0.00360,~(176)Hf/~(177)Hf(t) = 0.282051 ～0.282348,εHf(t) = -8.3～2.4,T_(DM2) = 1.43～2.02 Ga,与围岩含黑云母正片麻岩中岩浆结晶锆石的Lu-Hf同位素特征完全一致,这进一步充分证明了新元古代含黑云母正片麻岩是深熔作用形成的伟晶质岩浆的母岩.麻粒岩相退变质阶段形成的新的岩浆结晶锆石的核部 (c) 和幔部 (m) 与继承性岩浆结晶锆石的Hf同位素特征存在明显差异,176Lu/177Hf = 0.00031～0.00099,~(176)Hf/~(177)Hf(t) = 0.282175～0.282225,εHf(t) = -16.7～-14.9,T_(DM2) = 1.91～2.0 Ga,表明在麻粒岩相退变质阶段,围岩含黑云母花岗岩的深熔作用是在开放体系条件下进行的.与新生岩浆结晶锆石核部 (c) 和幔部 (m) 对比,新生岩浆结晶锆石的边部 (r) 具有偏低的~(176)Hf/~(177)Hf(t)、εHf(t) 和更加离散的176Lu/177Hf(t) 值,176Lu/177Hf(t) = 0.00059～0.00288,~(176)Hf/~(177)Hf(t) = 0.282110～0.282168,εHf(t) = -20.6～-17.3,T_(DM2) = 2.03～2.21 Ma,表明伟晶质岩浆在临近结晶结束时仍然处在一个相对开放的体系条件.     

苏鲁超高压变质带含褐帘石正、副片麻岩中变质锆石的地球化学性质及其SHRIMP U-Pb定年

含褐帘石正、副片麻岩是苏鲁地体重要的超高压变质岩石。矿物包体激光拉曼鉴定、阴极发光图像分析、锆石微区LA-ICP-MS成分测试及SHRIMP U-Pb定年结果表明,含褐帘石正、副片麻岩中的锆石具有明显的三层结构,即弱发光效应的继承性(碎屑或岩浆结晶)锆石的核、强发光效应的含柯石英变质增生幔部和弱发光效应的退变边。继承性岩浆结晶锆石核部记录了新元古代(>810Ma)的原岩形成年龄,含柯石英锆石微区记录了241～223Ma的超高压变质年龄(正、副片麻岩的加权平均年龄分别为230±7Ma和229±7Ma),锆石的退变边记录了217～200Ma的角闪岩相退变质年龄(正、副片麻岩的加权平均年龄分别为211±3Ma和210±2Ma),由此限定苏鲁地体构造抬升速率为5.3km/Myr,表明苏鲁超高压岩石经历了一个相对快速抬升的变质演化过程。与苏鲁-大别其它超高压岩石变质增生锆石对比,含褐帘石正、副片麻岩中的超高压变质增生锆石微区具有十分独特的地球化学性质,主要表现为重稀土元素(HREE)明显富集,U含量明显偏低(10～29×10~(-6)),而Th/U比值则明显偏高(0.45～0.92)。HREE的明显富集与寄主岩石普遍存在超高压矿物褐帘石(富集轻稀土元素)有关,而低U含量和高Th/U比值的特点则表明超高压峰期变质阶段处在高氧逸度(f_o_2)的体系环境。     

Multiple partial melting events in the Sulu UHP terrane: zircon U–Pb dating of granitic leucosomes within amphibolite and gneiss

Thin layers and lenses of granitic leucosome are widely distributed within amphibolites, paragneisses and orthogneisses of the Sulu UHP terrane. They are parallel to, or cross‐cut, foliations in the host rocks at different scales and show evidence of coalescence and migration to form centimetre‐ to decimetre‐scale segregations. Variously migmatized rocks extend at least 350 km from SW Sulu (Maobei) to NE Sulu (Weihai), in a band at least 50 km wide. A combined study of mineral inclusions, cathoduluminescence (CL) images, U–Pb LA‐ICP‐MS dates, and in‐situ trace element compositions of zircon provide clear evidence on the nature and timing of partial melting in these UHP rocks. Most zircon from the granitic leucosomes occurs as distinct overgrowths around inherited (igneous or metamorphic) cores or as new, euhedral crystals. The overgrowths and new crystals commonly show perfectly euhedral shapes, have pronounced oscillatory zoning and contain felsic mineral inclusions, such as Kfs + Pl + Qtz ± Ilm ± monazite (Mon). In contrast, the inherited igneous or metamorphic cores are rounded or irregular, contain low‐P or UHP mineral inclusions and show clear dissolution textures. These data suggest that the new zircon is anatectic in origin and that it grew during partial melting of the UHP rocks. The REE patterns of the anatectic zircon show steep slopes from the HREE to LREE with strongly to moderately negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.31–0.72) and pronounced positive Ce anomalies (Ce/Ce* = 6.8–26.5). Abundant U–Pb spot analyses of the anatectic zircon reveal two discrete and meaningful ages of partial melting within the Sulu UHP terrane. Anatectic zircon from 12 granitic leucosomes within amphibolites, paragneisses, and orthogneisses from Sulu UHP slices II and III yields consistent mean U–Pb ages of 219.0 ± 1.2 to 218.3 ± 1.6 Ma, 218.8 ± 2.0 to 217.3 ± 1.7 Ma and 218.2 ± 1.4 to 215.0 ± 1.5 Ma, respectively. In contrast, anatectic zircon from six granitic leucosomes within paragneisses and orthogneisses from Sulu UHP slice III records younger mean U–Pb ages of 151.9 ± 1.3 to 151.1 ± 1.8 Ma and 155.9 ± 1.8 to 153.7 ± 1.7 Ma, respectively. These data imply that the Sulu UHP terrane experienced two Mesozoic partial melting events. The first partial melting event (219–215 Ma) was probably associated with a Late Triassic granulite facies stage of ‘hot’ exhumation, whereas the second (156–151 Ma) is interpreted as the result of Middle‐Late Jurassic extension and thinning of the previously thickened crust of the Sulu UHP terrane. Both partial melting events induced extensive retrograde metamorphism of the eclogites and their country rocks.     

SHRIMP zircon U–Pb ages of eclogite and orthogneiss from Sulu ultrahigh-pressure zone in Yangkou area,eastern China

We report SHRIMP U–Pb age of zircons in four samples of eclogite and one sample of orthogneiss from Sulu ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) zone in Yangkou area, eastern China. UHP rocks are distributed along the Sulu orogenic belt suturing North China Block with South China Block. In Yangkou area, UHP unit is well exposed for about 200 m along Yangkou beach section and consists mainly of blocks or lenses of ultramafic rocks and eclogite together with para- and orthogneiss which are highly sheared partly. Zircon grains examined in this study from eclogite show oscillatory zoning and overgrowth texture in CL images, and most of the grains have high Th/U ratio ranging from 0.8 to 2.1 indicating an igneous origin. The weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of zircons from the four samples range from 690 to 734 Ma. These ages can be correlated to the magmatic stage of the protoliths. In rare cases, zircon grains possess a narrow rim with very low Th/U ratio (< 0.02). EPMA U–Th-total Pb dating of such rim yields younger ages that range from 240 to 405 Ma marking the metamorphic stage. On the other hand, zircons from the orthogneiss show irregular shape and zoning with inclusion-rich core and inclusion-free rim. These grains of zircon yield U–Pb discordia intercept ages of 226 ± 63 Ma and 714 ± 110 Ma (MSWD 0.78). Bulk of the areas of the rims rim of the zircons demonstrate younger ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages close to the upper intercept, with low Th/U ratio (< 0.20) indicating their metamorphic origin. In contrast, the cores show older ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages close to lower intercept and high Th/U ratio of (0.14–5.25) indicating their igneous origin. The upper intercept age is also commonly noted in zircons from eclogite. Our results suggest a bimodal igneous activity along this zone during the Neoproterozoic, probably related to the rifting of the Rodinia supercontinent.     

UHP metamorphism and exhumation of the Dabie Orogen, China: Evidence from SHRIMP dating of zircon and monazite from a UHP granitic gneiss cobble from the Hefei Basin

A SHRIMP U-Pb study of zircons separated from an ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) granitic gneiss cobble (sample DS12) from the Upper Jurassic Fenghuangtai Formation of the Hefei Basin, north of the Dabie Orogen, has identified three different domains: (1) cores, some of which show straight boundaries and strong oscillatory zoning, with Th/U ratios of 0.12-0.70 and an imprecise upper intercept age of 777 ± 220 Ma (MSWD = 2.4); (2) mantles, variable in shape and cathodoluminescence (CL) intensity and containing many UHP mineral inclusions, including coesite and omphacite, and with Th/U ratios of 0.02-0.26 and a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 244 ± 5 Ma (MSWD = 4.7); and (3) rims, which are more homogeneous and luminescent in CL than the mantles and contain fewer UHP mineral inclusions, with Th/U ratios of 0.01-0.05 and a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 226 ± 2 Ma (MSWD = 0.65). Monazites from the same sample do not contain coesite and omphacite inclusions, but they do show sector zones and are composed of two contrasting domains. The light domains in backscattered electron (BSE) images have a Th/U ratio of 7.3-18.9 and a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 221 ± 2 Ma (MSWD = 0.94). The dark domains in BSE have a Th/U ratio of 2.8-7.2 and have a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 218 ± 2 Ma (MSWD = 0.96). Based on these data and a review of the literature, it can be concluded that (1) the protolith of gneiss sample DS12 is a granitoid of Neoproterozoic age; (2) the ages of 244 and 226 Ma for the mantle and rim domains of the zircons are time records of two discrete stages in the UHP evolution of Dabieshan; (3) the ages of 221 and 218 Ma for the light and dark gray domains, respectively, of the monazites record the times of two stages of retrogressive metamorphism during exhumation of the UHP granitic gneiss to a higher crustal level; (4) the exhumation rate of the gneiss is estimated to be >6 km/Ma; and (5) the UHP metamorphic blocks of the Dabie Orogen provided significant detritus to the Hefei Basin in the Jurassic.     

Ultrahigh-pressure and Retrograde Metamorphic Ages for Paleozoic Protolith of Paragneiss in the Main Drill Hole of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project （CCSD-MH）, SW Sulu UHP Terrane

Laser Raman spectroscopy and cathodoluminescence (CL) images show that most zircon crystals separated from paragneiss in the main drill hole of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project (CCSD-MH) at Maobei, southwestern Sulu terrane, contain low-pressure mineral-bearing detrital cores, coesite-bearing mantles and quartz-bearing or mineral inclusion-free rims. SHRIMP U Pb dating on these zoned zircons yield three discrete and meaningful age groups. The detrital cores yield a large age span from 659 to 313 Ma, indicating the protolith age for the analyzed paragneiss is Paleozoic rather than Proterozoic. The coesite-bearing mantles yield a weighted mean age of 228 ± 5 Ma for the UHP event. The quartz-bearing outmost rims yield a weighted mean age of 213 ± 6 Ma for the retrogressive event related to the regional amphibolite facies metamorphism in the Sulu UHP terrane. Combined with previous SHRIMP U-Pb dating results from orthogneiss in CCSD-MH, it is suggested that both Neoproterozoic granitic protolith and Paleozoic sedimentary rocks were subducted to mantle depths in the Late Triassic. About 15 million years later, the Sulu UHP metamorphic rocks were exhumed to mid-crustal levels and overprinted by an amphibolite-facies retrogressive metamorphism. The exhumation rate deduced from the SHRIMP data and metamorphic P-T conditions is about 6.7 km/Ma. Such a fast exhumation suggests that the Sulu UHP paragneiss and orthogneiss returned towards the surface as a dominant part of a buoyant sliver, caused as a consequence of slab breakoff.     

Melting-induced fluid flow during exhumation of gneisses of the Sulu ultrahigh-pressure terrane

Hydrothermally altered rocks are products of fluid–rock interactions, and typically preserve numerous quartz veins that formed as chemical precipitates from fluids that fill up cracks. Thus, quartz veins are the record of the fluid system that involved fracture flow in the direction of changing temperature or pressure. In order to decipher the fluid activity in the Sulu ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) terrane in eastern China, quartz veins together with an adjacent eclogite lens and the host gneiss were studied. In one location a deformed quartz vein is located at the boundary between the host gneiss and the eclogite lens. The amphibolite-facies overprinting of the eclogite lens decreases from the rim to the core of the lens, with fresh eclogite preserved in the core. The foliated biotite gneiss contains felsic veins and residual phengites. Zircon rims from the gneiss are characterized by melt-related signatures with steep HREE patterns, high Hf contents and negative Eu anomalies, and a pool of weighted average ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U analyses reveal an age of 219 ± 3 Ma (2σ), which is younger than the UHP metamorphic age (236 ± 2 Ma, 2σ) recorded by zircons from the eclogite lens. This suggests that the gneiss in the Sulu UHP terrane could have suffered from partial melting due to phengite dehydration during the “hot” exhumation stage.The formation age of the quartz vein (219 ± 2 Ma, 2σ) defined by zircon rims agrees well with the partial melting time (219 ± 3 Ma, 2σ) of the host gneiss. The initial ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios of zircon rims from the quartz vein are obviously lower than zircons from the eclogite lens, but overlap with the coeval zircon domains from the nearby granite dikes produced by partial melting of orthogneiss. These observations suggest that the quartz vein and corresponding fluid flow could be associated with partial melting of the host gneiss. On the other hand, amphibole-bearing and HREE-rich zircon rims from the amphibolite pool an amphibolite-facies metamorphic age of 217 ± 5 Ma (2σ), overlap with the formation age of the quartz vein. This implies that retrogression of the eclogite lens could have been caused by melting-induced fluid flow. Based on the above observations, we speculate that partial melting of the gneiss in the continental subduction-related UHP belt could have induced a significant fluid flow during the exhumation stage, and thus contributed significantly to the extensive retrogression of eclogites in the Sulu UHP terrane.     

SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating from Sulu-Dabie dolomitic marble, eastern China: constraints on prograde, ultrahigh-pressure and retrograde metamorphic ages

Laser Raman spectroscopy and cathodoluminescence (CL) images show that zircon from Sulu‐Dabie dolomitic marbles is characterized by distinctive domains of inherited (detrital), prograde, ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) and retrograde metamorphic growths. The inherited zircon domains are dark‐luminescent in CL images and contain mineral inclusions of Qtz + Cal + Ap. The prograde metamorphic domains are white‐luminescent in CL images and preserve a quartz eclogite facies assemblage of Qtz + Dol + Grt + Omp + Phe + Ap, formed at 542–693 °C and 1.8–2.1 GPa. In contrast, the UHP metamorphic domains are grey‐luminescent in CL images, retain the UHP assemblage of Coe + Grt + Omp + Arg + Mgs + Ap, and record UHP conditions of 739–866 °C and >5.5 GPa. The outermost retrograde rims have dark‐luminescent CL images, and contain low‐P minerals such as calcite, related to the regional amphibolite facies retrogression. Laser ablation ICP‐MS trace‐element data show striking difference between the inherited cores of mostly magmatic origin and zircon domains grown in response to prograde, UHP and retrograde metamorphism. SHRIMP U‐Pb dating on these zoned zircon identified four discrete ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age groups: 1823–503 Ma is recorded in the inherited (detrital) zircon derived from various Proterozoic protoliths, the prograde domains record the quartz eclogite facies metamorphism at 254–239 Ma, the UHP growth domains occurred at 238–230 Ma, and the late amphibolite facies retrogressive overprint in the outermost rims was restricted to 218–206 Ma. Thus, Proterozoic continental materials of the Yangtze craton were subducted to 55–60 km depth during the Early Triassic and recrystallized at quartz eclogite facies conditions. Then these metamorphic rocks were further subducted to depths of 165–175 km in the Middle Triassic and experienced UHP metamorphism, and finally these UHP metamorphic rocks were exhumed to mid‐crustal levels (about 30 km) in the Late Triassic and overprinted by regional amphibolite facies metamorphism. The subduction and exhumation rates deduced from the SHRIMP data and metamorphic P–T conditions are 9–10 km Myr^?1 and 6.4 km Myr^?1, respectively, and these rapid subduction–exhumation rates may explain the obtained P–T–t path. Such a fast exhumation suggests that Sulu‐Dabie UHP rocks that returned towards crustal depths were driven by buoyant forces, caused as a consequence of slab breakoff at mantle depth.     

SHRIMP U-Pb Dating of Zircons of a Dark Eclogite and aGarnet-bearing Gneissic Granitic Rock from Bixiling, EasternDabie Area, Anhui Province: Isotope Chronological Evidenceof Neoproterozoic UHP Metamorphism

The paper reports SHRIMP U-Pb zircon data of a dark eclogite and a post-eclogite garnet-bearing gneissic granitic rock from the Bixiling area, Yuexi County, Anhui Province, in the eastern Dabie Mountains. The eclogite, which is metamorphosed basic tuff, contains very scarce zircons in omphacite or garnet, but more zircons in quartz. They usually exhibit a double-layered texture, as shown clearly in cathodoluminescence images. Their inner main parts give a 206Pb/238U age of 757±7 Ma, representing the approximate age of the high-pressure (HP)- ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic event during which the eclogite was formed. The outer peripheral parts of the zircons, which have been modified by late-stage fluids, give an age of 223±3 Ma. The granitic rock contains more zircons of anatectic origin found mostly in feldspar and quartz and usually also showing a similar composite texture. The inner main parts of the anatectic zircons with oscillatory zoning give a 206Pb/238U age of 727±15 Ma for the approxim     

SHRIMP U–Pb ages of ultrahigh-pressure and retrograde metamorphism of gneisses, south-western Sulu terrane, eastern China

Laser Raman spectroscopy and cathodoluminescence (CL) images reveal that most zircon separated from paragneiss and orthogneiss in drillhole CCSD‐PP2 at Donghai, south‐western Sulu terrane, retain low‐P mineral‐bearing inherited cores, ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) mineral‐bearing mantles and low‐P mineral‐bearing (e.g. quartz) rims. SHRIMP U–Pb analyses of these zoned zircon identify three discrete and meaningful age groups: Proterozoic protolith ages (> 680 Ma) are recorded in the inherited cores, the UHP metamorphic event in the coesite‐bearing mantles occurred at 231 ± 4 Ma, and the late amphibolite facies retrogressive overprint in the quartz‐bearing rims was at 211 ± 4 Ma. Thus, Neoproterozoic supracrustal protoliths of the Sulu UHP rocks were subducted to mantle depths in the Middle Triassic, and exhumed to mid‐crustal levels in the Late Triassic. The exhumation rate deduced from the SHRIMP data and metamorphic P–T conditions is 5.0 km Ma^?1. Exhumation of the Sulu UHP terrane may have resulted from buoyancy forces after slab break‐off at mantle depths.     

Eclogite origin and timings in the North Qinling terrane,and their bearing on the amalgamation of the South and North China Blocks

The amalgamation of South (SCB) and North China Blocks (NCB) along the Qinling‐Dabie orogenic belt involved several stages of high pressure (HP)‐ultra high pressure (UHP) metamorphism. The new discovery of UHP metamorphic rocks in the North Qinling (NQ) terrane can provide valuable information on this process. However, no precise age for the UHP metamorphism in the NQ terrane has been documented yet, and thus hinders deciphering of the evolution of the whole Qinling‐Dabie‐Sulu orogenic belt. This article reports an integrated study of U–Pb age, trace element, mineral inclusion and Hf isotope composition of zircon from an eclogite, a quartz vein and a schist in the NQ terrane. The zircon cores in the eclogite are characterized by oscillatory zoning or weak zoning, high Th/U and ¹⁷⁶Lu/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios, pronounced Eu anomalies and steep heavy rare earth element (HREE) patterns. The zircon cores yield an age of 796 ± 13 Ma, which is taken as the protolith formation age of the eclogite, and implies that the NQ terrane may belong to the SCB before it collided with the NCB. The ?_Hf(t) values vary from ?11.3 to 3.2 and corresponding two‐stage Hf model ages are 2402 to 1495 Ma, suggesting the protolith was derived from an enriched mantle. In contrast, the metamorphic zircon rims show no zoning or weak zoning, very low Th/U and ¹⁷⁶Lu/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios, insignificant Eu anomalies and flat HREE patterns. They contain inclusions of garnet, omphacite and phengite, suggesting that the metamorphic zircon formed under eclogite facies metamorphic conditions, and their weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 485.9 ± 3.8 Ma was interpreted to date the timing of the eclogite facies metamorphism. Zircon in the quartz vein is characterized by perfect euhedral habit, some oscillatory zoning, low Th/U ratios and variable HREE contents. It yields a weighted mean U–Pb age of 480.5 ± 2.5 Ma, which registers the age of fluid activity during exhumation. Zircon in the schist is mostly detrital and U–Pb age peaks at c. 1950 to 1850, 1800 to 1600, 1560 to 1460 and 1400 to 1260 Ma with an oldest grain of 2517 Ma, also suggesting that the NQ terrane may have an affinity to the SCB. Accordingly, the amalgamation between the SCB and the NCB is a multistage process that spans c. 300 Myr, which includes: the formation of the Erlangping intra‐oceanic arc zone onto the NCB before c. 490 Ma, the c. 485 Ma crustal subduction and UHP metamorphism of the NQ terrane, the c. 430 Ma arc‐continent collision and granulite facies metamorphism, the 420 to 400 Ma extension and rifting in relation to the opening of the Palaeo‐Tethyan ocean, the c. 310 Ma HP eclogite facies metamorphism of oceanic crust and associated continental basement, and the final 250 to 220 Ma continental subduction and HP–UHP metamorphism.