History of crustal growth and recycling at the Pacific convergent margin of South America at latitudes 29°–36° S revealed by a U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotope study of detrital zircon from late Paleozoic accretionary systems

Detrital zircon provides a powerful archive of continental growth and recycling processes. We have tested this by a combined laser ablation ICP-MS U–Pb and Lu–Hf analysis of homogeneous growth domains in detrital zircon from late Paleozoic coastal accretionary systems in central Chile and the collisional Guarguaráz Complex in W Argentina. Because detritus from a large part of W Gondwana is present here, the data delineate the crustal evolution of southern South America at its Paleopacific margin, consistent with known data in the source regions.Zircon in the Guarguaráz Complex mainly displays an U–Pb age cluster at 0.93–1.46 Ga, similar to zircon in sediments of the adjacent allochthonous Cuyania Terrane. By contrast, zircon from the coastal accretionary systems shows a mixed provenance: Age clusters at 363–722 Ma are typical for zircon grown during the Braziliano, Pampean, Famatinian and post-Famatinian orogenic episodes east of Cuyania. An age spectrum at 1.00–1.39 Ga is interpreted as a mixture of zircon from Cuyania and several sources further east. Minor age clusters between 1.46 and 3.20 Ga suggest recycling of material from cratons within W Gondwana.The youngest age cluster (294–346 Ma) in the coastal accretionary prisms reflects a so far unknown local magmatic event, also represented by rhyolite and leucogranite pebbles. It sets time marks for the accretion history: Maximum depositional ages of most accreted metasediments are Middle to Upper Carboniferous. A change of the accretion mode occurred before 308 Ma, when also a concomitant retrowedge basin formed.Initial Hf-isotope compositions reveal at least three juvenile crust-forming periods in southern South America characterised by three major periods of juvenile magma production at 2.7–3.4 Ga, 1.9–2.3 Ga and 0.8–1.5 Ga. The ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf of Mesoproterozoic zircon from the coastal accretionary systems is consistent with extensive crustal recycling and addition of some juvenile, mantle-derived magma, while that of zircon from the Guarguaráz Complex has a largely juvenile crustal signature. Zircon with Pampean, Famatinian and Braziliano ages (< 660 Ma) originated from recycled crust of variable age, which is, however, mainly Mesoproterozoic. By contrast, the Carboniferous magmatic event shows less variable and more radiogenic ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf, pointing to a mean early Neoproterozoic crustal residence. This zircon is unlikely to have crystallized from melts of metasediments of the accretionary systems, but probably derived from a more juvenile crust in their backstop system.     

Focused ion beam technique and transmission electron microscope studies of microdiamonds from the Saxonian Erzgebirge, Germany

A focused ion beam of Ga ions is a relatively new technique that has been developed for microelectronic industries. Now researchers of the Earth sciences find it to be a promising tool for studying various geological materials. Using the FIB technique and an FEI Strata DB 235 dual beam system, we have successfully prepared several electron-transparent foils, which crossed μm-sized diamonds included in host minerals such as zircon and garnet from quartzofeldspathic rocks of the Saxonian Erzgebirge, Germany. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy applied to these foils revealed that the diamonds contain crystalline nanometric inclusions. These inclusions consist of minerals of known stoichiometries such as SiO₂ and Al₂SiO₅, whereas others are characterized by different combinations of Si, K, P, Ti, and Fe in the presence of oxygen (stoichiometries are not clear at this stage of research). One suite of inclusions is assumed to be represented by archerite, KH₂PO₄, which is known to be stable at pressures of 4–22 GPa, and one nanocrystal containing Pb, oxygen and carbon is interpreted to be Pb_xO_y or PbCO₃. Along with solid crystalline inclusions, the diamonds contain cavities filled by liquid/gas that escaped during sample preparation. These are associated with dislocations of diamond growth. Our data are consistent with the concept of diamond crystallization from a COH-rich multicomponent supercritical fluid and suggest that the composition of such a fluid is more consistent with a local crustal source rather than that of a mantle origin.     

A comparison of the evolution of diamondiferous quartz-rich rocks from the Saxonian Erzgebirge and the Kokchetav Massif: are so-called diamondiferous gneisses magmatic rocks?

The petrography and chemical composition of minerals of quartz-rich diamondiferous rocks from the Kokchetav Massif, especially the zonation of garnet, were studied and compared with diamondiferous quartzofeldspathic rocks from the Saxonian Erzgebirge. Many compositional and textural features were found to be similar. For instance, microdiamonds are enclosed systematically in a specific intermediate growth zone of garnet in these rocks. On the basis of experimental data, a magmatic scenario was constructed to check if the quartz-rich diamondiferous rocks are of magmatic origin. By this, the P-T paths, derived here for the Kokchetav rocks, and the textural observations it is concluded that the minerals of the diamondiferous rocks have crystallized from silicate melts. These melts originated by anatexis of deeply submerged metasediments (Erzgebirge: at T as high as 1200°C, Kokchetav Massif: at 50-100°C lower T) and ascended from at least 200 km depth. Relics of the pre-anatectic evolution are still present, for instance, as garnet cores. After ascent and emplacement of the magma in deep portions of thickened continental crust (Kokchetav Massif: 45-50 km close to 800°C, Erzgebirge: 55-60 km at 30-50°C lower T) considerable quantities of (white and/or dark) micas formed by peritectic reactions from melt. For instance, garnets could be resorbed at this stage and biotite grew instead. After the magmatic stage, retrogression took place much stronger in the Kokchetav Massif. This was accompanied by deformation transforming broadly the magmatic texture of quartz-rich diamondiferous rocks from the Kokchetav Massif to a gneissic texture.     

A high precision U–Pb age of metamorphic rutile in coesite-bearing eclogite from the Dabie Mountains in central China: a new constraint on the cooling history

This paper first reports a high precision U–Pb age of 218±1.2 Ma for rutile in coesite-bearing eclogite from Jinheqiao in the Dabie Mounteins, east–central China. This work shows that the U–Pb mineral (rutile+omphacite) isochron age of 218±2.5 Ma and conventional rutile U–Pb concordia age of 218±1.2 Ma obtained by common Pb correction based on the Pb isotopic composition of omphacite in the same eclogite sample are consistent, proving that the omphacite with low U/Pb ratio (μ=2.8) can be used for common Pb correction in U–Pb dating of rutile. Oxygen isotope analysis of rutile aliquots gave the consistent δ¹⁸O values of −6.1±0.1%, demonstrating oxygen isotope homogenization in the rutile of different grains as inclusion in garnet and grain in matrix. Oxygen isotope thermometry yields temperatures of 695±35 and 460±15 °C for quartz–garnet and quartz–rutile pairs, respectively. These oxygen isotopic observations suggest that the diffusion of oxygen in rutile as inclusion in garnet is not controlled by garnet. According to field-based thermochronological studies of rutile, an estimate of the T_c of about 460 °C for U–Pb system in rutile under rapid cooling conditions (20 °C/Ma) was advised. Based on this U–Pb age as well as the reported chronological data with their corresponding metamorphic and/or closure temperature, an improved T–t path has been constructed. The T–t path confirms that the UHPM rocks in South Dabie experienced a rapid cooling following the peak metamorphism before 220 Ma and a long isothermal stage from 213 to 180 Ma around 425 °C.     

Zircon fission‐track ages from Newfoundland—A proxy for high geothermal gradients and exhumation before opening of the Central Atlantic Ocean

Following Appalachian orogenesis, metamorphic rocks in central Newfoundland were exhumed and reburied under Tournaisian strata. New zircon fission‐track (ZFT) ages of metamorphic rocks below the Tournaisian unconformity yield post‐depositionally reset ages of 212–235 Ma indicating regional fluid‐absent reheating to at least ≥220°C. Post‐Tournaisian sedimentary thicknesses in surrounding basins show that burial alone cannot explain such temperatures, thus requiring that palaeo‐geothermal gradients increased to ≥30–40°C/km before final late Triassic accelerated cooling. We attribute these elevated palaeo‐geothermal gradients to localized thermal blanketing by insulating sediments overlying radiogenic high‐heat‐producing granitoids. Late Triassic rifting and magmatism before break up of Pangaea likely also contributed to elevated heat flow, as well as uplift, triggering late Triassic accelerated cooling and exhumation. Thermochronological ages of 240–200 Ma are seen throughout Atlantic Canada, and record rifting and basaltic magmatism on the conjugate margins of the Central Atlantic Ocean preceding the onset of oceanic spreading at ~190 Ma.     

High-P (P = 1.5–1.8 GPa) blueschist from Elba: Implications for underthrusting and exhumation of continental units in the Northern Apennines

The Acquadolce Subunit on the Island of Elba, Italy, records blueschist facies metamorphism related to the Oligocene–early Miocene stages of continental collision in the Northern Apennines. The blueschist facies metamorphism is represented by glaucophane- and lawsonite-bearing metabasite associated with marble and calcschist. These rock types occur as lenses in a schistose complex representing foredeep deposits of early Oligocene age. Detailed petrological analyses on metabasic and metapelitic protoliths, involving mineral and bulk-rock chemistry coupled with P–T and P–T–X(Fe₂O₃) pseudosection modelling using PERPLE_X, show that the Acquadolce Subunit recorded nearly isothermal exhumation from peak pressure–temperature conditions of 1.5–1.8 GPa and 320–370°C. During exhumation, peak lawsonite- and possibly carpholite- or stilpnomelane-bearing assemblages were overprinted and partially obliterated by epidote-blueschist and, subsequently, albite-greenschist facies metamorphic assemblages. This study sheds new light on the tectonic evolution of Adria-derived metamorphic units in the Northern Apennines, by showing (a) the deep underthrusting of continental crust during continental collision and (b) rapid exhumation along ‘cold’ and nearly isothermal paths, compatible with syn-orogenic extrusion.     

Alpine metamorphism of low-grade schists from the Slavonian Mountains (Croatia): new P-T and geochronological constraints

Low-grade schists from the Slavonian Mountains (Tisia Mega-Unit, Mt Papuk, Croatia), previously assigned to Precambrian to Lower Palaeozoic metamorphism, have been subjected to geochemical investigations, P-T modelling, and in situ age dating of monazite. The studied fine-grained metasediments consist of chlorite (5–15 vol.%), K white-mica (40–55 vol.%), quartz (20–35 vol.%), feldspar (albite 15–20 vol.%), opaques (<2 vol.%), and accessory minerals. According to their whole-rock geochemistry, the detritus of the former sediments came from upper crustal felsic rocks as they occur, for instance, at Mt Papuk. The schists show a complex microtectonic fabric, including well-developed schistosity systems. P-T pseudosections in the system MnNCKFMASHTO, constructed for typical schists of the study area, resulted in peak P-T conditions of 445–465 °C and 4.6–6.0 kbar for a sample from Kutjevo (eastern part of the study area) and 450–460 °C and 5.2–6.0 for a Vranovo sample (western part). Electron microprobe (EMP) dating of monazite in the schists gave a weighted average age of 109.0 ± 13.1 Ma (2σ) eventually with three subgroups of ages at 225 ± 63 (two analyses), 114 ± 24 and 83 ± 22 Ma. We conclude that the metamorphism of the studied schists at depths of c. 20 km is due to an Alpine collisional event.     

Intergranular coesite and coesite inclusions in dolomite from the Dabie Shan: Constraints on the preservation of coesite in UHP rocks

Intergranular coesite is extremely rare in, and bears crucial information on the formation and preservation of, ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) rocks. Here, we report the first occurrence of intergranular coesite in a metasedimentary rock, which occurs in the Ganjialing area in the Dabie Shan, east‐central China, and contains abundant coesite inclusions in both garnet and dolomite. We investigated the content of structural water in these minerals with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Our new results undermine the ubiquity of the “pressure‐vessel” model and highlight the role of reaction kinetics in preserving coesite due to the availability of water in UHP rocks.     

Korrelation der Sporenzonen der Oberen Trias und des Jura im Mittleren Orient und in Süddeutschland

Zusammenfassung Bei der sporenstratigraphischen Gliederung des mittleren Mesozoikums im Mittleren Orient konnten vom Nor bis zur Unteren Kreide 6 Sporenzonen unterschieden werden: Unterkreide:Ischyosporites variegatus — Rouseisporites laciniatus — Cicatricosisporites-Zone Malm:Ischyosporites variegatus — Rouseisporites laciniatus-Zone Dogger:Ischyosporites variegatus — Duplexisporites problematicus-Zone Lias:Concavisporites — Duplexisporites problematicus-Zone Rät:Concavisporites — Duplexisporites problematicus — Lophotriletes sangburensis — Ricciisporites tuberculatus-Zone Nor:Concavisporites — Duplexisporites problematicus — Lophotriletes sangburensis — Cyclotriletes oligogranifer-ZoneVergleichende Untersuchungen ergaben, daß diese Sporenzonen auch auf Süddeutschland übertragbar sind und den faunistischen Grenzen entsprechen. Nur die sporenstratigraphische Festlegung der Nor/Rätsowie der Dogger/Malm- und der Malm/Unterkreide-Grenze bedürfen noch der Verifizierung.

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In the middle Mesozoic of the Middle East 6 spore-assoziations could be distinguished from the Norian to the Lower Cretaceous: Lower Cretaceous:Ischyosporites variegatus — Rouseisporites laciniatus — Cicatricosisporites zone Upper Jurassic:Ischyosporites variegatus — Rouseisporites laciniatus zone Middle Jurassic:Ischyosporites variegatus — Duplexisporites problematicus zone Lower Jurassic:Concavisporites — Duplexisporites problematicus zone Rhaetian:Concavisporites — Duplexisporites problematicus — Lophotriletes sangburensis — Ricciisporites tuberculatus zone Norian:Concavisporites — Duplexisporites problematicus — Lophotriletes sangburensis — Cyclotriletes oligogranifer zone.The interregional validity and the correspondance of these spore zones with the faunistic boundaries could be substantiated in equivalent sequences in Southern Germany. However, the palynological definition of the Norian/Rhaetian, Middle/Upper Jurassic and Jurassic/Cretaceous boundaries have still to be confirmed in other regions since suitable sections have not been available in Southern Germany.

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Résumé Dans le Mésozoïque moyen du Moyen Orient, six zones de spores peuvent être distinguées du Norien au Crétacé inférieur: Crétacé inférieur: Zone àIschyosporites variegatus — Rouseisporites laciniatus — Cicatricosisporites Jurassique supérieur: Zone àIschyosporites variegatus — Rouseisporites laciniatus Jurassique moyen: Zone àIschyosporites variegatus — Duplexisporites problematicus Jurassique inférieur: Zone àConcavisporites — Duplexisporites problematicus Réthien: Zone àConcavisporites — Duplexisporites problematicus — Lophotriletes sangburensis — Ricciisporites tuberculatus Norien: Zone àConcavisporites — Duplexisporites problematicus — Lophotriletes sangburensis — Cyclotriletes oligogranifer Une étude comparative montre que les mêmes zones de spores existent en Allemagne du sud et qu'elles correspondent aux limites faunistiques. Toutefois, les limites Norien/ Rhétien, Dogger/Malm et Malm/Crétacé inférieur demandent à être vérifiées.

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- : : Ischyosporites variegatus —Rouseisporites laciniatus — Cicatricosisporites : Ischyosporites variegatus — Rouseisporites laciniatus : Ischyosporites variegatus — Duplexisporites problematicus : Concavisporites — Duplexisporites problematicus : Concavisporites — Duplexisporites problematicus — Lophotriletes sangburensis — Ricciisporites tuberculatus : Concavisporites — Duplexisporites problematicus — Lophotriletes sangburensis — Cyclotriletes oligogranifer. , , . , /, / / .