滇东南震旦-寒武纪沉积岩的碎屑锆石组成和对扬子-华夏界线的限制

滇东南屏边地区的基底组成一直是个谜。该区域的构造属性对约束扬子地块和华夏地块的西段界线非常重要。本文 对出露于该地区的震旦-寒武纪沉积岩进行了碎屑锆石U-Pb-Hf同位素分析。二个样品的锆石U-Pb同位素分析显示这二个 地层中的碎屑物质组成相似,都是以新元古代（700~937 Ma）碎屑物质为主,构成了~815 Ma的主峰。岩石中都含有少量 古-中元古代碎屑物质。屏边群沉积岩样品六个最年轻谐和锆石年龄变化于696~761 Ma,指示屏边形成于新元古代晚期, 与震旦系相当。屏边地区基底变质沉积岩的碎屑锆石年龄谱为一明显富集新元古代年龄的单峰模式,不同于华夏地块和印 支地块的年龄谱,而与扬子地块南缘及扬子西缘的沉积岩相似。Hf同位素特征也显示了与扬子地块（尤其是西缘）的亲缘 关系。结合其他证据,本文认为滇东南屏边地区属于扬子地块,扬子地块与华夏地块分界线的西延部分应该在研究区以南 或东南,而不可能是研究区以北的师宗-弥勒-罗甸断裂。碎屑锆石年龄分布特征还指示屏边群这套浅变质碎屑岩沉积于弧 后盆地,暗示扬子地块西南缘的新元古代俯冲作用可能一直持续到~752 Ma之后。     

南岭地区新元古代变质沉积岩的地球化学特征及构造意义

对华夏地块南岭地区38个新元古代基底变质岩的岩相学和地球化学分析表明,它们的原岩都是沉积岩。不同地区变质沉积岩的化学成分存在一定的变化,但是它们大都具有明显的轻重稀土元素分异和Eu负异常（Eu／Eu^＋=0．35～0．76）,高K2O／Na2O、La／Co、Th／Sc比值和低Cr／Zr比值,显示了高成熟度和沉积再循环地壳的特点,表明沉积岩的物质主要来源于古老的再循环的地壳,它们沉积于被动大陆边缘。与其他地区元古宙沉积岩的地球化学对比显示,南岭地区这些新元古代沉积岩不同于赣中和扬子地块南缘的元古宙沉积岩,而与印度东北部ksser Himalaya地区的元古宙沉积岩较为相似。所以,南岭地区新元古代沉积岩的物质不可能来自与赣中和扬子地块南缘沉积物相同的扬子南部的源区,而应该来自南方,这一推论与岩相古地理分析以及沉积物中碎屑锆石形貌特征和年龄谱变化的结论是一致的,指示华夏南部新元古代时曾与一个大陆源区相邻。根据地球化学对比研究,结合已有的年代学对比,推断华夏地块南岭地区（特别是中部）新元古代沉积物很可能来源于与Lesser Himalaya地区元古宙沉积岩相同的源区,即东Gondwana大陆的北缘。这样,华夏地块在Rodinia超大陆裂解时期很可能是位于西澳大利亚-东印度-东南极之间。     

赣南地区寒武纪高滩组碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄和Hf同位素特征及地质意义

寒武纪高滩组广泛分布于赣南武功山-雩山地区,主体为一套浅变质砂岩夹板岩的复理石建造。为分析其物源,并对源区地壳生长和构造演化提供约束,本文对采自高滩组的变长石石英杂砂岩进行了LA-ICP-MS碎屑锆石U-Pb年代学和Hf同位素研究。锆石U-Pb年龄数据显示2 500 Ma、1 100~900 Ma和900~700 Ma 3个主要年龄峰值。2 500 Ma的年龄峰值代表了新太古代末期—古元古代的古陆核生长事件。1 100~900 Ma和900~700 Ma两个峰最显著,表明Rodinia超大陆聚合裂解在华南地区的响应,为该区寒武纪地层提供了主要物源。此外,3 003 Ma锆石年龄的捕获说明,华夏地块可能存在太古宙地壳基底。Hf同位素数据表明,源区锆石结晶多为古老地壳组分部分熔融产生的岩浆。结合锆石年龄数据分析认为,华南地区存在强烈的新元古代岩浆活动,该时期岩浆活动主要是古老地壳物质的再循环。     

扬子地块与华夏地块的西段界线： 来自桂北和桂东新元古界—寒武系沉积岩的证据

华夏块体与扬子块体拼合带在广西境内的界线一直没有统一的认识.本文对桂北和桂东两个地区的新元古代—寒武纪浅变质沉积岩开展系统的地球化学、碎屑锆石年代学和Hf同位素学研究,以期为此提供岩石学证据.研究显示桂东大瑶山藤县地区存在南华系—震旦系沉积岩,沉积时代晚于741～622 Ma.这些南华系—震旦系沉积岩的碎屑锆石年龄谱以明显的～1.0Ga年龄峰和～2.5Ga弱峰为特征,相似于桂东广泛分布的寒武系沉积岩以及西华夏南岭-云开地体基底变质岩的锆石年龄谱.桂北龙胜地区新元古代沉积岩具有不同的碎屑锆石年龄谱,以一个～0.80 Ga主峰和两个(～2.0 Ga、～2.5 Ga)弱峰为特征,具有扬子南缘新元古代沉积岩的典型年龄谱.桂北新元古代沉积岩具有低的K2 O/Na2 O、Al2 O3/(Na2 O+CaO)和CIA指数,指示源区风化程度和成分成熟度较低,而桂东地区南华系—震旦系和寒武系沉积岩与之相反,说明源区的风化程度以及成分成熟度较高.主量元素和微量元素特征都表明桂北地区新元古代沉积岩的源区中有更多的镁铁质组分,相似于江南造山带其他地区新元古代沉积岩;而桂东地区南华系—震旦系和寒武系沉积岩的源区有较多长英质组分,相似于华夏南岭—云开地区新元古代沉积岩.结合桂东震旦系沉积岩具有与南岭-云开地体基底岩石相似的碎屑锆石Hf同位素组成,可以确定桂东大瑶山地区属于西华夏地块,而桂北龙胜地区属于扬子地块南缘江南造山带.因此,扬子地块与华夏地块西段的界线最有可能从桂北龙胜地区与桂东大瑶山地区之间通过.     

湘东新元古代沉积岩的地球化学和碎屑锆石年代学特征及其构造意义

本文对湘东湘乡-醴陵地区和湘东南桂阳地区的新元古代浅变质沉积岩进行了岩石地球化学研究和锆石U-Pb定年及锆石Lu-Hf同位素分析。研究显示两个地区的碎屑沉积岩具有相似的中等的成分成熟度,但大的K₂O/Na₂O变化指示不同沉积岩经历了不同程度的风化淋滤作用。两个地区多数样品的稀土分配模式与澳大利亚后太古代页岩(PAAS)的稀土分配模式相似,但总体具有更高的含量,尤其是重稀土。湘东地区板溪群沉积岩含有更高的相容元素(如Sc, Cr, Ni),说明源区具有更多的中基性组分,而湘东南震旦纪沉积岩主要由再循环物质组成。碎屑锆石U-Pb定年结果表明湘东新元古代沉积岩中含有大量850~800Ma的碎屑锆石,而缺少1000Ma左右的碎屑锆石,显示了与扬子地块的亲缘性。而湘东南新元古代沉积岩中含有丰富的Grenville期和一定数量的~2.5Ga的碎屑锆石,相似于华夏地块物质组成。表明扬子地块和华夏地块在西南地区的分界线很可能就从湘东的湘乡-醴陵地区和湘东南的桂阳地区之间通过。前人对华南早古生代沉积岩中碎屑锆石的年代学研究显示湘东和湘东南地区的早古生代沉积岩的物质组成均相似于华夏地块,指示它们的源区是东南的华夏地块。因此,从新元古代到早古生代,湘东地区的沉积物源区发生了重大改变,暗示在新元古代晚期(震旦纪)与早古生代(中寒武世)之间发生过一次构造运动,使华夏地块逐渐隆起或使湘东-湘西盆地进一步沉陷,从而使湘乡-醴陵地区从早古生代开始接受了来自华夏地块的碎屑物质。这期构造运动可能与泛非构造事件相关。     

赣南地区寒武系牛角河组碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄 和Hf同位素特征及其地质意义

通过对赣南地区寒武纪牛角河组变余长石石英砂岩锆石U-Pb年代学和Hf同位素分析表明,牛角河组地层沉积年龄晚于556Ma。LA-ICP-MS U-Pb数据结果显示550～600Ma、700～900Ma、900～1100Ma、1500Ma和2500Ma为五个主要年龄峰值,其中900～1100Ma和700～900Ma两个峰值最显著,表明Rodinia超大陆的裂解聚合在华南地区的响应为赣南地区寒武纪地层提供了主要物源,该物源曾遭受泛非运动的影响,进一步说明华夏地块与冈瓦纳大陆具有一定亲缘性。此次工作中3568Ma锆石的捕获,说明华夏地块可能存在太古宙结晶基底。对具有不同年龄峰值的锆石进行稀土元素分析,其结果表明研究区锆石具有重稀土富集、强Ce正异常、弱或不明显的Eu负异常的地球化学特征,与岩浆锆石特征相似,指示其物源区以岩浆岩为主。此外,Lu-Hf同位素分析显示源区锆石除少数源于新生地壳物质组分熔融产生的岩浆,大多结晶于古老地壳部分熔融产生的岩浆;综合锆石年代学结果,暗示华南地区存在强烈的古元古代到新元古代岩浆活动,其中中元古代末期-新元古代的岩浆事件最甚;而新太古代为一个重要的新生地壳生长时期。     

广西大明山地块寒武系碎屑锆石U Pb年龄及其构造意义

大明山地区位处扬子地块与华夏地块结合带的西南段,对该区寒武系碎屑锆石开展U-Pb年龄谱研究可为新元古代—早古生代扬子地块与华夏地块结合带构造属性的进一步确定和对华南大地构造演化的深入研究提供新的依据。本次研究对该区2件寒武纪砂岩样品分选出的碎屑锆石进行了LA-ICPMS U-Pb年代测定和分析。锆石的透射光及阴极发光图像、Th/U比值、稀土元素特征说明其主要为岩浆岩锆石。222个谐和年龄数据显示出5个主要年龄区间:550~560Ma、750~780 Ma、950~1020 Ma、1560~1740Ma和2390~2450Ma,其中以950~1020Ma区间表现为最突出的峰值。对比大明山与大瑶山地区的寒武系碎屑锆石年龄谱系,两者表现出相似的分布特征。最明显的年龄峰值(980Ma)揭示物源区曾是Grenville期造山带的一部分。与扬子地块和华夏地块碎屑锆石年龄谱系进行比较,结合古水流及相关地质证据,认为所研究样品的碎屑锆石主要来自华夏地块。根据现有的资料,我们更倾向于认为寒武纪时扬子—华夏之间可能没有大洋的分割,而是一陆间海(intercontinental sea)格局。本次研究还在大明山寒武系中测得8颗具有太古宙年龄的古老锆石(≥2500Ma,其中1颗≥3200Ma)。这些锆石具振荡环带结构,Th/U比值均≥0.4,稀土分布多具有明显的Ce正异常与Eu负异常,指示其来自岩浆岩,反映物源区在太古宙发生过岩浆作用。结合前人研究获得的华夏地块太古宙锆石年龄信息,认为华夏地块可能存在太古宙地壳基底或接受过古老陆块的物源供给。     

额尔古纳地块新元古代岩浆作用与微陆块构造属性:来自侵入岩锆石U-Pb年代学、地球化学和Hf同位素的制约

对额尔古纳地块新元古代花岗岩进行了锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年代学、岩石地球化学和锆石Hf同位素研究,以便对其新元古代岩浆作用历史与微陆块构造属性给予制约.所测花岗质岩石中锆石的CL图像特征和Th/U比值(0.17~1.46) 显示其为岩浆成因.测年结果并结合前人定年结果,可以判定额尔古纳地块上至少存在~929 Ma、~887 Ma、~850 Ma、~819 Ma、~792 Ma、~764 Ma和~738 Ma岩浆事件.岩石地球化学特征显示,~887 Ma花岗岩为一套后碰撞花岗岩类;而850~737 Ma花岗质岩石整体上属于A-型花岗岩,也有部分岩体(漠河、阿木尔、碧水和室韦岩体)显示I-型花岗岩特征.锆石Hf同位素特征反映这些花岗岩的源区既有中-新元古代(T_DM2=884~1 563 Ma)新增生地壳物质的部分熔融,同时伴有少量古老地壳物质的混染,也有残留的古老中基性下地壳物质的部分熔融.综合研究区新元古代侵入岩的地球化学特征,同时对比新元古代全球构造热事件,认为额尔古纳地块上新元古代岩浆活动记录了Rodinia超大陆形成和演化过程中的地壳响应:927~880 Ma的岩浆作用应是Rodinia超大陆汇聚造山的产物;而850~737 Ma的岩浆作用应是对Rodinia超大陆快速裂解的记录.通过岩浆事件对比发现,额尔古纳地块与邻近的西伯利亚南缘微陆块(如中蒙古地块和图瓦地块)具有亲缘性,而与塔里木板块和华南板块至少在新元古代岩浆活动上具有一定的相似性,而明显区别于华北板块和西伯利亚板块.      

福建上杭盆地发现3.4Ga碎屑锆石

碎屑锆石已经成为研究区域地质演化的一种重要手段。本文对华夏地块东部上杭盆地底部产出的含砾石英砂岩中的碎屑锆石开展了LA-MC-ICP-MS U-Pb测年和Hf同位素测量。结果表明,这些碎屑锆石主要是岩浆锆石,锆石年龄变化于328~3 403 Ma,至少记录了10期的岩浆活动事件,表明该地区曾经历了长期复杂的地质演化历史。与华夏地块其他地区的碎屑锆石或捕获锆石一样,上杭盆地这些碎屑锆石年龄数据记录下了诸如晚太古代—早元古代地壳生长事件、哥伦比亚超大陆和Rodinia超大陆的汇聚与裂解、冈瓦纳大陆的聚合等全球主要地质事件,以及具有华夏地块特征的早古生代强烈的板内造山运动(武夷—云开运动)。最高峰值年龄出现在450 Ma,表明研究区附近最为强烈的事件是加里东运动(当地称作武夷—云开运动,或者广西运动)。Hf同位素数据表明,?Hf(t)=-27.2~19.8,绝大多数εHf(t)值小于0,两阶段亏损地幔Hf模式年龄(tDM2)介于1 124~3 979 Ma,峰值1 800~1 900 Ma,表明其早期岩浆活动主要与大规模的新生地壳有关,而晚期主要表现为对早期形成地壳的大规模改造,古老物质的再循环,很少有新生地壳增生。     

华夏地块: 一个由古老物质组成的年轻陆块

对华夏地块三个主要前寒武纪地质体出露区变质岩的详细锆石年代学的综合分析显示，华夏地块大致可以被分成武夷山区和南岭-云开区。武夷山区由古元古代核和新元古代（形成于730-820 Ma）的盖层组成，构成华夏地块最老的古陆，在其深部很可能还存在一个新太古代基底。新元古代的沉积物主要来自武夷微古陆本身。南岭与云开具有相似的前寒武纪地壳组成，它们主要是由新元古代形成的沉积物夹少量火山岩组成。这些沉积物质中包含了非常古老的中太古代和新太古代组分，甚至古太古代组成。Grenville期和中元古代组分是其中最丰富的。这些组分在华夏没有对应出露的岩石，说明它们主要来自另外一个曾经与华夏相邻的陆块。该陆块很可能是东印度－东南极大陆。南岭－云开区最初可能是Rodinia超大陆裂解时形成的一个裂谷盆地，加里东的造山运动使盆地中的沉积物挤压、褶皱和隆起，与武夷陆块共同构成了一个新的年轻的大陆     

扬子克拉通北部前泥盆纪地壳演化：来自碎屑锆石U- Pb和Hf同位素证据

扬子克拉通前泥盆纪地壳演化过程一直是地学界研究的热点。本文报道了扬子克拉通北部武汉地区玉笋山剖面的志留系坟头组和泥盆系云台观组碎屑沉积岩中锆石U- Pb年龄和Hf同位素组成。结果表明，武汉地区坟头组和云台观组样品中最年轻的碎屑锆石年龄分别为430±5 Ma和415±5 Ma，将该地区坟头组和云台观组的沉积时代各限定在中志留世和晚泥盆世。碎屑锆石Hf同位素特点表明，沉积物源区在中太古代、新太古代以及新元古代形成了少量初生地壳，而古老地壳的再造主要发生在新太古代、新元古代和古生代，区域上最显著的初生地壳生长时期则是古元古代。综合对比扬子克拉通北部东、西两侧具有明显不同的锆石U- Pb年龄、微量元素和Hf同位素组成，暗示扬子克拉通可能由多个相对独立地壳演化过程的部分构成，而不具有统一的早前寒武纪基底。     

U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopes in detrital zircon from Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks in the northern Yangtze Block: Implications for Precambrian crustal evolution

A combined study of Lu–Hf isotopes and U–Pb ages for detrital zircons from sedimentary rocks can provide information on the crustal evolution of sedimentary provenances, and comparisons with potential source regions can constrain interpretations of paleogeographic settings. Detailed isotopic data on detrital zircons from Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks in the northern part of the Yangtze Block suggest that these rocks have the maximum depositional ages of ~ 750 Ma, and share a similar provenance. In their source area, units of late Archean (2.45 to 2.55 Ga) to Paleoproterozoic (1.9 to 2.0 Ga) U–Pb ages made up the basement, and were overlain or intruded by magmatic rocks of Neoproterozoic U–Pb ages (740 to 900 Ma). Hf isotopic signatures of the detrital zircons indicate that a little juvenile crust formed in the Neoarchean; reworking of old crust dominates the magmatic activity during the Archean to Paleoproterozoic, while the most significant juvenile addition to the crust occurred in the Neoproterozoic. Only the Neoproterozoic zircon U–Pb ages can be matched with known magmatism in the northern Yangtze Block, while other age peaks cannot be correlated with known provenance areas. Similar zircon U–Pb ages have been obtained previously from sediments along the southeastern and western margins of the Yangtze Block. Thus, it is suggested that an unexposed old basement is widespread beneath the Yangtze Block and was the major contributor to the Neoproterozoic sediments. This basement had a magmatic activity at ~ 2.5 Ga, similar to that in North China; but zircon Hf isotopes suggest significant differences in the overall evolutionary histories between the Yangtze and North China.     

胶北地体地壳演化：玲珑黑云母花岗岩继承锆石U-Pb年龄、微量元素和Hf同位素证据

胶北地体晚侏罗世下地壳重熔的玲珑黑云母花岗岩大面积出露,其中残留有大量继承锆石,记录了多期热事件,为复杂的地壳演化过程提供了重要线索。论文通过分析玲珑黑云母花岗岩中继承锆石的U-Pb年龄、微量元素和Hf同位素组成,探讨了胶北地体的地壳演化历史。结果显示胶北地体前寒武纪经历了~2.9Ga和~2.7Ga两期主要的地壳生长事件,~2.5Ga和2.2~1.8Ga两期地壳重熔改造事件,~2.5Ga和1.95~1.8Ga两期变质事件。~2.9Ga的岩浆作用形成于岛弧环境,~2.7Ga岩浆活动与下地壳基性物质的部分熔融有关,~2.5Ga发生的岩浆和变质事件与地幔柱底侵作用有关,并有同时期的表壳岩组合-胶东岩群形成。~2.1Ga地壳处于拉张状态,伴有与裂谷活动有关的双峰式岩浆作用,荆山群和粉子山群开始沉积,而后1.95~1.8Ga发生碰撞造山运动,胶北所有早前寒武纪岩石单元卷入此次事件,并发生变质作用。自此之后,直至二叠纪末,胶北处于岩浆活动的沉寂期,但于~1.7Ga和~1.0Ga发生沉积作用,形成芝罘群和蓬莱群。二叠纪末扬子板块向北俯冲于华北克拉通之下,并于三叠纪与华北克拉通发生陆陆碰撞作用,致使扬子板块北缘新元古代花岗岩发生超高压变质,形成苏鲁超高压变质带,之后超高压变质岩发生折返。玲珑黑云母花岗岩复杂的继承锆石组成可能表征了前寒武纪岩石卷入陆-陆碰撞事件而发生再循环作用。     

The U–Pb ages and Hf isotopes of detrital zircons from Hainan Island,South China: implications for sediment provenance and the crustal evolution

In situ U–Pb dating and Hf isotopic of detrital zircons from beach sediments of Yalong Bay were analyzed to trace sedimentary provenance and reveal the crustal evolution of Hainan Island in South China. The grain size distribution of the sediments displays a clear single-peak feature, indicating the sediments were formed under the same condition of hydrodynamic force. The detrital zircons had Th/U ratios of greater than 0.1, and REE pattern displayed a positive Ce anomaly and a negative Eu anomaly, indicating that these zircons are predominantly of magmatic origin. The U–Pb spectrum of detrital zircons mainly peaked at the Yanshanian (96–185 Ma), Hercynian–Indosinian (222–345 Ma) and Caledonian (421–477 Ma). A portion of the detrital zircons were of Neoproterozoic origin (728–1,003 Ma), which revealed that the basement in the eastern region of Hainan Island was mainly of Neoproterozoic, with rare Archean materials. The positive ε _Hf(t) values (0 to +10.1) of the Neoproterozoic detrital zircons indicated that the juvenile crust grew in the southeastern Hainan Island mainly during the Neoproterozoic period. The Neoproterozoic orogeny in the southeastern part of the island (0.7–1.0 Ga) occurred later than in the northwestern region of the island (1.0–1.4 Ga). Importantly, the Grenvillian orogeny in the southeastern area of Hainan Island shared the same timing with that of the western Cathaysia Block; i.e., both areas concurrently underwent this orogenic event, thereby forming a part of the Rodinia supercontinent. Afterwards, the crust experienced remelting and reworking during the Caledonian Hercynian–Indosinianand Yanshanian accompanied by the growth of a small amount of juvenile crust.     

扬子板块西北缘碧口微地块南华系碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄及其物源示踪

扬子板块西北缘碧口微地块红岩沟地区碧口群火山岩系之上发育有南华—震旦纪沉积盖层,但南华系的沉积时代尚缺乏依据,其物源及构造背景也仍无定论。本文采用LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年方法,对南华系上部含砾岩系中的长石砂岩进行了碎屑锆石测年研究,结果表明碎屑锆石的年龄可以分为两组:(1)新元古代晚期年龄组(750~800Ma),峰值年龄为795Ma;(2)新元古代早中期年龄组(820~920Ma),该组有明显峰值,峰值年龄为850Ma。碎屑锆石最小年龄组平均年龄为750Ma,即南华系上部含砾岩系沉积时代不老于750Ma,结合地层序列中的层位关系,认为该地层的沉积时代可能为晚南华世。综合研究认为,南华系上部含砾岩系物源具多源性,主要来自扬子板块西北缘碧口微地块内部和南侧后龙门山构造带、汉南-米仓山微地块的新元古代中酸性岩浆岩,北侧勉略构造带出露的岩浆岩可能也为该地层提供了少量的物源,其沉积事件对应于新元古代中晚期(~810Ma)碧口微地块及扬子板块西北缘后碰撞-裂解阶段。     

Formation and evolution of Precambrian continental lithosphere in South China

An overview is presented for the formation and evolution of Precambrian continental lithosphere in South China. This is primarily based on an integrated study of zircon U–Pb ages and Lu–Hf isotopes in crustal rocks, with additional constraints from Re–Os isotopes in mantle-derived rocks. Available Re–Os isotope data on xenolith peridotites suggest that the oldest subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath South China is primarily of Paleoproterozoic age. The zircon U–Pb ages and Lu–Hf isotope studies reveal growth and reworking of the juvenile crust at different ages. Both the Yangtze and Cathaysia terranes contain crustal materials of Archean U–Pb ages. Nevertheless, zircon U–Pb ages exhibit two peaks at 2.9–3.0 Ga and ~ 2.5 Ga in Yangtze but only one peak at ~ 2.5 Ga in Cathaysia. Both massive rocks and crustal remnants (i.e., zircon) of Archean U–Pb ages occur in Yangtze, but only crustal remnants of Archean U–Pb ages occur in Cathaysia. Zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopes in the Kongling complex of Yangtze suggest the earliest episode of crustal growth in the Paleoarchean and two episodes of crustal reworking at 3.1–3.3 Ga and 2.8–3.0 Ga. Both negative and positive ε_Hf(t) values are associated with Archean U–Pb ages of zircon in South China, indicating both the growth of juvenile crust and the reworking of ancient crust in the Archean. Paleoproterozoic rocks in Yangtze exhibit four groups of U–Pb ages at 2.1 Ga, 1.9–2.0 Ga, ~ 1.85 Ga and ~ 1.7 Ga, respectively. They are associated not only with reworking of the ancient Archean crust in the interior of Yangtze, but also with the growth of the contemporaneous juvenile crust in the periphery of Yangtze. In contrast, Paleoproterozoic rocks in Cathaysia were primarily derived from reworking of Archean crust at 1.8–1.9 Ga. The exposure of Mesoproterozoic rocks are very limited in South China, but zircon Hf model ages suggest the growth of juvenile crust in this period due to island arc magmatism of the Grenvillian oceanic subduction. Magmatic rocks of middle Neoproterozoic U–Pb ages are widespread in South China, exhibiting two peaks at about 830–800 Ma and 780–740 Ma, respectively. Both negative and positive ε_Hf(t) values are associated with the middle Neoproterozoic U–Pb ages of zircon, suggesting not only growth and reworking of the juvenile Mesoproterozoic crust but also reworking of the ancient Archean and Paleoproterozoic crust in the middle Neoproterozoic. The tectonic setting for this period of magmatism would be transformed from arc–continent collision to continental rifting with reference to the plate tectonic regime in South China.     

Detrital zircon U–Pb age and Hf isotope constrains on the generation and reworking of Precambrian continental crust in the Cathaysia Block,South China: A synthesis

The South China Block, consisting of the Yangtze and the Cathaysia blocks, is one of the largest Precambrian blocks in eastern Asia. However, the early history of the Cathaysia Block is poorly understood due largely to intensive and extensive reworking by Phanerozoic polyphase orogenesis and magmatism which strongly overprinted and obscured much of the Precambrian geological record. In this paper, we use the detrital zircon U–Pb age and Hf isotope datasets as an alternative approach to delineate the early history of the Cathaysia Block. Compilation of published 4041 Precambrian detrital zircon ages from a number of (meta)sedimentary samples and river sands exhibits a broad age spectrum, with three major peaks at ~ 2485 Ma, ~ 1853 Ma and ~ 970 Ma (counting for ~ 10%, ~ 16% and ~ 24% of all analyses, respectively), and four subordinate peaks at ~ 1426 Ma, ~ 1074 Ma, ~ 780 Ma and ~ 588 Ma. Five of seven detrital zircon age peaks are broadly coincident with the crystallisation ages of ~ 1.89–1.83 Ga, ~ 1.43 Ga, ~ 1.0–0.98 Ga and ~ 0.82–0.72 Ga for known igneous rocks exposed in Cathaysia, whereas, igneous rocks with ages of ~ 2.49 Ga and ~ 0.59 Ga have not yet been found. The Hf isotopic data from 1085 detrital zircons yield Hf model ages (T_DM^C) between ~ 4.19 Ga and ~ 0.81 Ga, and the calculated εHf(t) values between − 40.2 and 14.4. The Archean detrital zircons are exclusively oval in shape with complicated internal textures, indicating that they were sourced by long distance transportations and strong abrasion from an exotic Archean continent. In contrast, the majority of detrital zircons in age between ~ 1.9 and ~ 0.8 Ga are euhedral to subhedral crystals, indicative of local derivation by short distance transportations from their sources. The oldest crustal basement rocks in Cathaysia were most likely formed by generation of juvenile crust and reworking of recycled Archean components in Late Paleoproterozoic at ~ 1.9–1.8 Ga, rather than in the Archean as previously speculated. Reworking and recycling of the continental crust are likely the dominant processes for the crustal evolution of Cathaysia during the Mesoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic time, with an intervenient period of significant generation of juvenile crust at ~ 1.0 Ga.Precambrian crustal evolutions of the Cathaysia Block are genetically related to the supercontinent cycles. By comparing detrital zircon data from Cathaysia with those for other continents, and integrating multiple lines of geological evidence, we interpret the Cathaysia Block as an orogenic belt located between East Antarctica, Laurentia and Australia during the assembly of supercontinent Columbia/Nuna at ~ 1.9–1.8 Ga. The Cathaysia Block amalgamated with the Yangtze Block to form the united South China Block during the Sibao Orogeny at ~ 1.0–0.89 Ga. The Laurentia–Cathaysia–Yangtze–Australia–East Antarctica connection gives the best solution to the paleo-position of Cathaysia in supercontinent Rodinia. The significant amount of ~ 0.6–0.55 Ga detrital zircons in Cathaysia and West Yangtze have exclusively high crustal incubation time of > 300 Ma, indicating crystallisation from magmas generated dominantly by crustal reworking. This detrital zircon population compares well with the similar-aged zircon populations from a number of Gondwana-derived terranes including Tethyan Himalaya, High Himalaya, Qiangtang and Indochina. The united South China–Indochina continent was likely once an integral part of Gondwanaland, connected to northern India by a “Pan-African” collisional orogen.