Hercynian blueschist metamorphism in North Portugal: tectonothermal implications

Abstract Aegirine–jadeite clinopyroxene (>60 mol% jadeite) locally occurs within blueschists of the 'Lower Allochthon'exposed in the Trás-os-Montes region of northern Portugal. Peak conditions attained during blueschist facies metamorphism are estimated to have been c. 420° C and >11 kbar. Porphyroblastic white mica (paragonite/phengite) within the blueschist assemblage records a ³⁶Ar/⁴⁰Ar versus ³⁹Ar/⁴⁰Ar isotope correlation age of 329.4 ± 1.6 Ma. In view of the relatively low- T nature of the metamorphism, the c. 330-Ma age is interpreted to date closely the high- P recrystallization. This tectonothermal activity is interpreted to have resulted from structural emplacement of a previously assembled crystalline nappe complex ('Upper Allochthon/Ophiolite Nappe') onto Iberian protoliths of the Lower Allochthon during terminal stages of the Hercynian orogeny.     

Early Carboniferous blueschist facies metamorphism in metapelites of the West Sudetes (Northern Saxothuringian Domain,Bohemian Massif)

The metamorphic evolution of micaschists in the north‐eastern part of the Saxothuringian Domain in the Central European Variscides is characterized by the early high‐pressure M1 assemblage with chloritoid in cores of large garnet porphyroblasts and a Grt–Chl–Phe–Qtz ± Pg M2 assemblage in the matrix. Minerals of the M1–M2 stage were overprinted by the low‐pressure M3 assemblage Ab–Chl–Ms–Qtz ± Ep. Samples with the best‐preserved M1–M2 mineralogy mostly appear in domains dominated by the earlier D1 deformation phase and are only weakly affected by subsequent D2 overprint. Thermodynamic modelling suggests that mineral assemblages record peak‐pressure conditions of ≥18–19 kbar at 460–520 °C (M1) followed by isothermal decompression 10.5–13.5 kbar (M2) and final decompression to <8.5 kbar and <480 °C (M3). The calculated peak P–T conditions indicate a high‐pressure/low‐temperature apparent thermal gradient of ～7–7.5 °C km^?1. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry isotopic dating and electron microprobe chemical dating of monazite from the M1–M2 mineral assemblages give ages of 330 ± 10 and 328 ± 6 Ma, respectively, which are interpreted as the timing of a peak pressure to early decompression stage. The observed metamorphic record and timing of metamorphism in the studied metapelites show striking similarities with the evolution of the central and south‐western parts of the Saxothuringian Domain and suggest a common tectonic evolution along the entire eastern flank of the Saxothuringian Domain during the Devonian–Carboniferous periods.     

佳木斯地块南缘牡丹江地区高压变质作用：黑龙江杂岩的岩石学和地质年代学

牡丹江地区出露的黑龙江杂岩是由变质基性岩、泥质片岩、大理岩和变硅质岩系列组成的类似于蛇绿岩层序的构造混杂岩,代表了佳木斯地块西南缘碰撞增生的产物。钠长石和绿帘石变斑晶中共生的矿物组合(钠云母+蓝闪石+多硅白云母+绿帘石)的地质温压计估算结果表明,黑龙江杂岩的峰期变质的温压条件为 T=320~480℃, p=800~1600MPa,为典型的绿帘-蓝片岩相高压变质作用。黑龙江杂岩带中泥质片岩所含的多硅白云母单矿物给出的40Ar/39Ar坪年龄为164.9Ma±0.5Ma。根据白云母中K-Ar同位素体系的封闭温度(350~430℃)接近于得到的黑龙江杂岩的峰期变质温度,可以认为40Ar/39Ar坪年龄指示了这期高压变质事件的年龄,也证实了黑龙江杂岩带中普遍存在一期中侏罗世末期的变质-热事件。     

Subduction-related Late Cretaceous high-K volcanism in the Central Pontides orogenic belt: constraints on geodynamic implications

Mineral chemistry, major and trace elements, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic data are presented for the Late Cretaceous Hamsilos volcanic rocks in the Central Pontides, Turkey. The Hamsilos volcanic rocks mainly consist of basalt, andesite and associated pyroclastics (volcanic breccia, vitric tuff and crystal tuff). They display shoshonitic and high-K calc-alkaline affinities. The shoshonitic rocks contain plagioclase, clinopyroxene, alkali feldspar, phlogopite, analcime, sanidine, olivine, apatite and titanomagnetite, whereas the high-K calc-alkaline rocks contain plagioclase, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, magnetite / titanomagnetite in microgranular porphyritic, hyalo-microlitic porphyritic and glomeroporphyritic matrix. Mineral chemistry data reveal that the pressure condition of the clinopyroxene crystallisation for the shoshonitic rocks are between 1.4 and 6.3 kbar corresponds to 6–18-km depth and the high-K calc-alkaline rocks are between 5 and 12 km. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age data changing between 72 ± .5 Ma and 79.0 ± .3 Ma (Campanian) were determined for the Late Cretaceous Hamsilos volcanic rocks, contemporaneous with the subduction of the Neo-Tethyan Ocean beneath the Pontides. The studied volcanic rocks were enriched in the large-ion lithophile and light rare earth element contents, with pronounced depletion in the contents of high-field-strength elements. Chondrite-normalised rare earth element patterns (La_N/Lu_N = 6–17) show low to medium enrichment, indicating similar sources of the rock suite. Initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values vary between .70615 and .70796, whereas initial ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd values change between .51228 and .51249. Initial ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb values vary between 18.001 and 18.349, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb values between 15.611 and 15.629 and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb values between 37.839 and 38.427. The main solidification processes involved in the evolution of the volcanic rocks consist of fractional crystallisation, with minor amounts of crustal contamination ± magma mixing. According to geochemical evidence, the shoshonitic melts in the Hamsilos volcanic rocks were possibly derived from the low degree of partial melting of a subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM), while the high-K calc-alkaline melts were derived from relatively high degree of partial melting of SCLM that was enriched by fluids and/or sediments from a subduction of oceanic crust.     

佳木斯地块南缘牡丹江地区高压变质作用：黑龙江杂岩的岩石学和地质年代学

牡丹江地区出露的黑龙江杂岩是由变质基性岩、泥质片岩、大理岩和变硅质岩系列组成的类似于蛇绿岩层序的构造混杂岩,代表了佳木斯地块西南缘碰撞增生的产物。钠长石和绿帘石变斑晶中共生的矿物组合(钠云母+蓝闪石+多硅白云母+绿帘石)的地质温压计估算结果表明,黑龙江杂岩的峰期变质的温压条件为 T=320~480℃, p=800~1600MPa,为典型的绿帘-蓝片岩相高压变质作用。黑龙江杂岩带中泥质片岩所含的多硅白云母单矿物给出的40Ar/39Ar坪年龄为164.9Ma±0.5Ma。根据白云母中K-Ar同位素体系的封闭温度(350~430℃)接近于得到的黑龙江杂岩的峰期变质温度,可以认为40Ar/39Ar坪年龄指示了这期高压变质事件的年龄,也证实了黑龙江杂岩带中普遍存在一期中侏罗世末期的变质-热事件。     

西藏羌塘中部才多茶卡蓝闪石40Ar/39Ar年代学及地质意义

本文报道了藏北羌塘中部才多茶卡地区晚三叠世蓝闪石片岩及蓝闪石矿物的新发现及地质意义。通过对才多茶卡构造混杂岩地质剖面的实测,在剖面第6层灰绿色变基性火山岩(绿片岩)中新发现以产蓝闪石类矿物为特征的中—高压变质岩系——蓝闪石片岩。对蓝闪石片岩的岩石学和矿物学特征进行了详细室内研究。从蓝闪石片岩中挑选出蓝闪石单矿物进行了40Ar/39Ar同位素年龄测定,结果表明,蓝闪石单矿物的坪年龄值为209±4Ma,等时线年龄值为216±4Ma,坪年龄与等时线年龄基本一致,属于晚三叠世诺利期,这与区域上羌塘中部发育的红脊山—双湖蓝闪石片岩的中—高压变质事件相吻合。由于蓝闪石类矿物的产出具有特殊的构造机制和地质意义,因此双湖以东的才多茶卡地区蓝闪石片岩的新发现及蓝闪石矿物的40Ar/39Ar同位素年代学研究进一步补充和丰富了青藏高原腹地羌塘中部龙木错-双湖构造混杂岩带的物质组成和同位素年代学信息,同时也为解决羌塘地区"龙木错-双湖构造混杂岩带是否向东延伸"等重大基础性地质问题,提供了新的重要资料。研究资料表明,羌塘中部自西向东从冈玛错、红脊山、绒马,经嘎尔错到才多茶卡地区,沿构造线方向断续分布的长达600km的含蓝闪石片岩的中—高压变质岩系,都是龙木错-双湖构造混杂岩带印支期构造活动事件的产物。     

Influence of dissolution/reprecipitation reactions on metamorphic greenschist to amphibolite facies mica 40Ar/39Ar ages in the Longmen Shan (eastern Tibet)

Linking ages to metamorphic stages in rocks that have experienced low‐ to medium‐grade metamorphism can be particularly tricky due to the rarity of index minerals and the preservation of mineral or compositional relicts. The timing of metamorphism and the Mesozoic exhumation of the metasedimentary units and crystalline basement that form the internal part of the Longmen Shan (eastern Tibet, Sichuan, China), are, for these reasons, still largely unconstrained, but crucial for understanding the regional tectonic evolution of eastern Tibet. In situ core‐rim ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar biotite and U–Th/Pb allanite data show that amphibolite facies conditions (~10–11 kbar, 530°C to 6–7 kbar, 580°C) were reached at 210–180 Ma and that biotite records crystallization, rather than cooling, ages. These conditions are mainly recorded in the metasedimentary cover. The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages obtained from matrix muscovite that partially re‐equilibrated during the post peak‐P metamorphic history comprise a mixture of ages between that of early prograde muscovite relicts and the timing of late muscovite recrystallization at c. 140–120 Ma. This event marks a previously poorly documented greenschist facies metamorphic overprint. This latest stage is also recorded in the crystalline basement, and defines the timing of the greenschist overprint (7 ± 1 kbar, 370 ± 35°C). Numerical models of Ar diffusion show that the difference between ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar biotite and muscovite ages cannot be explained by a slow and protracted cooling in an open system. The model and petrological results rather suggest that biotite and muscovite experienced different Ar retention and resetting histories. The Ar record in mica of the studied low‐ to medium‐grade rocks seems to be mainly controlled by dissolution–reprecipitation processes rather than by diffusive loss, and by different microstructural positions in the sample. Together, our data show that the metasedimentary cover was thickened and cooled independently from the basement prior to c. 140 Ma (with a relatively fast cooling at 4.5 ± 0.5°C/Ma between 185 and 140 Ma). Since the Lower Cretaceous, the metasedimentary cover and the crystalline basement experienced a coherent history during which both were partially exhumed. The Mesozoic history of the Eastern border of the Tibetan plateau is therefore complex and polyphase, and the basement was actively involved at least since the Early Cretaceous, changing our perspective on the contribution of the Cenozoic geology.     

佳木斯地块南缘牡丹江地区高压变质作用:黑龙江杂岩的岩石学和地质年代学

牡丹江地区出露的黑龙江杂岩是由变质基性岩、泥质片岩、大理岩和变硅质岩系列组成的类似于蛇绿岩层序的构造混杂岩,代表了佳木斯地块西南缘碰撞增生的产物.钠长石和绿帘石变斑晶中共生的矿物组合(钠云母+蓝闪石+多硅白云母+绿帘石)的地质温压计估算结果表明,黑龙江杂岩的峰期变质的温压条件为T=320～4800℃,p=800--1600MPa,为典型的绿帘-蓝片岩相高压变质作用.黑龙江杂岩带中泥质片岩所含的多硅白云母单矿物给出的~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar坪年龄为164.9Ma±0.5Ma.根据白云母中K~Ar同位素体系的封闭温度(350～430℃)接近于得到的黑龙江杂岩的峰期变质温度,可以认为~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar坪年龄指示了这期高压变质事件的年龄,也证实了黑龙江杂岩带中普遍存在一期中侏罗世末期的变质-热事件.     

Amphibolite facies retrograde metamorphism of the Zhujiachong eclogite,SE Dabieshan: 40Ar/39Ar age constraints from argon extraction using UV‐laser microprobe,in vacuo crushing and stepwise heating

The Zhujiachong eclogite in the south‐eastern Dabieshan ultra‐high‐P terrane has been overprinted during retrograde metamorphism, with the development of garnet‐amphibolite mineral assemblages in most rocks in the outcrop. This study is focused on providing age constraints for the retrograde amphibolite facies and greenschist facies mineralogy by ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating. By applying a novel approach of combining three different techniques for extracting argon: laser stepwise heating of single grains and small separates, a spot fusion technique by UV‐laser ablation microprobe on polished sections and an in vacuo crushing technique for liberating radiogenic argon from fluid inclusions, it is demonstrated that an internally consistent thermal history can be derived. The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages indicate that phengite formed before 265 Ma, probably during the ultra‐high‐P event. Ages associated with amphibolite facies retrograde metamorphism range from 242 to 217 Ma by the analyses of amphibole. Ages of c. 230 Ma were found for the symplectite matrix that formed during retrogression from eclogite pyroxene. Late stage hydrothermal activity leading to the formation of coarse‐grained paragonite and fluid inclusions in vein amphibole was dated at c. 200 Ma. These age results agree well with the mineral crystallization sequence observed from thin‐sections of the retrograded eclogite: phengite → paragonite and amphibole in matrix → amphibole in the corona.     

Granitoids in the Dalat zone,southern Vietnam: age constraints on magmatism and regional geological implications

The Dalat zone in southern Vietnam comprises a Cretaceous Andean-type magmatic arc with voluminous granitoids and contemporary volcanic rocks. On the basis of petrographical and mineralogical studies, the granitoids were subdivided into three suites: Dinhquan, Deoca and Cana. Rocks of the Dinhquan suite are hornblende–biotite diorites, granodiorites and minor granites. The Cana suite encompasses mainly leucocratic biotite-bearing granites with scarce hornblende. The Deoca suite is made up of granodiorites, monzogranites and granites. Geochemically, the granitoids are of subalkaline affinity, belong to the high-K, calc-alkaline series, and most of them display typical features of I-type granites. This paper presents the new Rb–Sr mineral and U–Pb zircon and titanite age data for the granitoids, which establish the ages of the plutonic suites as: the Dinhquan at ~112–100 Ma, Cana at ~96–93 Ma and Deoca at ~92–88 Ma. These ages are significantly different from earlier publications, and indicate that the earliest magmatism in the Dalat zone began at ~112 Ma ago, that is ~30–50 Ma later than previously thought. Our geochronological data are also support the continuation of an Andean-type arc running from SE China via southern Vietnam to SW Borneo.     

土耳其Pütürge变质地体晚白垩世岩浆作用与变质作用的年代学研究

Pütürge变质地体位于新特提斯构造带南部的土耳其Anatolia逆冲推覆构造带内,形成于欧亚板决与阿拉伯板块之间晚白垩纪碰撞造山事件.Pütürge变质地体主要由变质泥质片岩及片麻岩、花岗质片麻岩、石英岩、角闪岩和大理岩组成,发育类似巴罗型递增变质带的变质带序列,变质程度达高绿片岩相至低角闪岩相.此前该变质地体一直缺乏精确的年代学约束,为此我们采用了二次离子质谱锆石U-Pb测年方法和黑云母40Ar/39 Ar测年方法,对该变质地体进行了年代学研究.结果表明,区内花岗片麻岩原岩形成于84.2±1.1Ma,变质泥质片麻岩中黑云母40Ar/39 Ar年龄所代表的变质时代为83.21±0.1Ma.这说明早白垩世期间岩浆侵入事件不久,Pütürge变质地体就发生了区域变质作用.     

Diachronous Palaeoproterozoic deformation and metamorphism in the Committee Bay belt,Rae Province,Nunavut: insights from 40Ar–39Ar cooling ages and thermal modelling

Regional‐scale ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar data presented in this paper reveal significant across‐strike and along‐strike age differences in the Committee Bay belt (CBb), Rae Province, Nunavut, Canada, that complement variations in observed monazite ages. ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar hornblende ages are c. 1795, 1775, and 1750 Ma in the western, eastern and central parts of the Prince Albert Group (PAG) domain respectively. The migmatite domain and Walker Lake intrusive complex are characterized by c. 1750–1730 ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar hornblende ages without significant along‐strike variation. The ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar data provide important constraints on the cooling history and on thermal modelling that elucidates the controls on diachroneity and metamorphic patterns within the belt. In the western CBb, prograde monazite growth occurred 26 ± 10 Myr earlier in the migmatite domain (1864 ± 9 Ma; peak P–T = 5 kbar?700 °C) than in the PAG domain (1838 ± 5 Ma; peak P–T = 5 kbar?580 °C). Calculations indicate that this earlier monazite growth results from tectonic thickening of higher heat productivity Archean lithologies in the migmatite domain, which undergoes more rapid prograde heating than the less radiogenetic and lower grade rocks of the PAG domain. Granite generation via biotite dehydration melting at 800 °C and 20 km depth is predicted to occur c. 1835 Ma, in agreement with geochronological constraints. The tectonic burial of crustal domains with contrasting radiogenic properties also explains the general congruence of lower to upper amphibolite facies metamorphic zones generated during the two main orogenic cycles (i.e. M₂–D₁ and M₃–D₂). The modelled timing of prograde monazite growth in the migmatite domain suggests that D₂ tectonic thickening began at 1872 ± 9 Ma, some 8 ± 3 Myr before monzazite growth, coeval with the inferred time of collision of the Meta Incognita terrane with the southern Rae Province. Along‐strike diachroneity, reflected in 25 Myr younger monazite and ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar hornblende ages in the eastern relative to the western PAG domain, cannot be accounted for by heat productivity contrasts along the belt. Instead the younger deformation and metamorphism in the eastern CBb was driven by its proximity to the eastern promontory of the Superior Province which collided with the Rae Province at c. 1820 Ma. The ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar data presented here support the interpretation that the youngest monazite in the CBb crystallized at c. 1790 Ma in the central CBb when this part of the belt was downfolded into a gentle synformal structure while the western part of the belt cooled through ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar hornblende closure. The results of this study illustrate the important influence of contrasting rock properties on the thermal evolution of orogenic belts and on the temporal record of this evolution.     

小秦岭303号石英脉流体包裹体Rb—Sr,^40Ar—^39Ar成矿年龄测定

用石英流体包裹体Ｒｂ－Ｓｒ、＾４０Ａｒ－＾３９Ａｒ法测定了小秦岭３０３号石英脉的形成时代为石元古代。其流体包裹体属Ｈ２Ｏ＋ＣＯ２＋ＣａＣｌ型,盐度为６．５％－１２．９８％,ＣＯ２含量高,Ｎａ＾＋〉Ｋ＋。３０３号石英脉Ｒｂ－Ｓｒ等时线年龄为（２３８２±３３６）Ｍａ－（２２３４±４７）Ｍａ,（＾８７ｓＲ／＾８６Ｓｒ）ｉ为（０．７３５１±０．００１９）－（０．７４１６±０．０００４）,＾４０Ａｒ＾＾３９     

Comparison of 40Ar-39Ar and Rb-Sr Data on Phengites from the UHP Brossasco-Isasca Unit (Dora Maira Massif, Italy): Implications for Dating White Mica

Different lithologies (impure marble, eclogite and graniticorthogneiss) sampled from a restricted area of the coesite-bearingBrossasco–Isasca Unit (Dora Maira Massif) have been investigatedto examine the behaviour of ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar and Rb–Srsystems in phengites developed under ultrahigh-pressure (UHP)metamorphism. Mineralogical and petrological data indicate thatzoned phengites record distinct segments of the P–T path:prograde, peak to early retrograde in the marble, peak to earlyretrograde in the eclogite, and late retrograde in the orthogneiss.Besides major element zoning, ion microprobe analysis of phengitein the marble also reveals a pronounced zoning of trace elements(including Rb and Sr). ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar apparent ages (35–62Ma, marble; 89–170 Ma, eclogite; 35–52 Ma, orthogneiss),determined through Ar laserprobe data on phengites (step-heatingand in situ techniques), show wide intra-sample and inter-samplevariations closely linked to within-sample microchemical variations:apparent ages decrease with decreasing celadonite contents.These data confirm previous reports on excess Ar and, more significantly,highlight that phengite acted as a closed system in the differentlithologies and that chemical exchange, not volume diffusion,was the main factor controlling the rate of Ar transport. Conversely,a Rb–Sr internal isochron from the same eclogite yieldsan age of 36 Ma, overlapping with the time of the UHP metamorphicpeak determined through U–Pb data and thereby corroboratingthe previous conclusion that UHP metamorphism and early retrogressionoccurred in close succession. Different phengite fractions ofthe marble yield calcite–phengite isochron ages of 36to 60 Ma. Although this time interval matches Ar ages from thesame sample, Rb–Sr data from phengite are not entirelyconsistent with the whole dataset. According to trace elementvariations in phengite, only Rb–Sr data from two wet-groundphengite separates, yielding ages of 36 and 41 Ma, are internallyconsistent. The oldest age obtained from a millimetre-sizedgrain fraction enriched in prograde–peak phengites mayrepresent a minimum age estimate for the prograde phengite relics.Results highlight the potential of the in situ ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Arlaser technique in resolving discrete P–T stages experiencedby eclogite-facies rocks (provided that excess Ar is demonstrablya negligible factor), and confirm the potential of Rb–Srinternal mineral isochrons in providing precise crystallizationages for eclogite-facies mineral assemblages. KEY WORDS: ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar dating; Rb–Sr dating; phengite; SIMS; UHP metamorphism     

Petrogenesis and deformation history of the lawsonite‐bearing blueschist facies metabasalts of the Diamante‐Terranova oceanic unit (southern Italy)

The Neotethyan oceanic Diamante‐Terranova unit (DIATU; southern Apennines–Calabria–Peloritani Terrane system) includes basic rocks that during the Cenozoic were subducted and metamorphosed to lawsonite‐blueschist facies conditions. Petrological and structural observations (both at the meso‐ and micro‐scale) show that lawsonite growth was continuous during three distinctive ductile deformation stages (D1–D3). These likely occurred close to the metamorphic peak, estimated at 350–390°C and 0.9–1.1 GPa, producing an equilibrium assemblage made of blue Na‐amphibole, lawsonite, chlorite and pumpellyite. Locally, pods dominated by quartz and epidote (plus chlorite, calcite and green Ca‐amphibole) developed at similar conditions (350–370°C, 0.8–0.9 GPa). Post‐peak evolution during the final exhumation of the DIATU along the subduction channel, also consisted of three deformation stages, defined by folding (D4) and normal faulting (D5) and finally by strike‐slip faulting (D6), affecting both the blueschist unit and the unconformably overlying Tortonian conglomerates. Vorticity analysis on syn‐tectonic lawsonite crystals indicates that severe flattening occurred during the D2 stage, with a significant secondary non‐coaxial strain component along the W–E plane. This is associated with an eastward tectonic vergence, consistent with the subsequent D3 and D4 folding stages characterized by a dominant ENE tectonic transport. It is suggested that exhumation started from the D2 stage and continued during D3 at similar HP/LT metamorphic conditions. The widespread occurrence of unreacted lawsonite crystals suggests that exhumation was very fast and supports the idea that concurrent ductile deformation might play a role in its preservation.     

Rate of strike-slip motion on the Amanos Fault (Karasu Valley, southern Turkey) constrained by K–Ar dating and geochemical analysis of Quaternary basalts

The left-lateral Amanos Fault follows a 200-km-long and up to 2-km-high escarpment that bounds the eastern margin of the Amanos mountain range and the western margin of the Karasu Valley in southern Turkey, just east of the northeastern corner of the Mediterranean Sea. Regional kinematic models have reached diverse conclusions as to the role of this fault in accommodating relative motion between either the African and Arabian, Turkish and African, or Turkish and Arabian plates. Local studies have tried to estimate its slip rate by K–Ar dating Quaternary basalts that erupted within the Amanos Mountains, flowed across it into the Karasu Valley, and have since become offset. However, these studies have yielded a wide range of results, ranging from 0.3 to 15 mm a⁻¹, which do not allow the overall role and significance of this fault in accommodating crustal deformation to be determined. We have used the Cassignol K–Ar method to date nine Quaternary basalt samples from the vicinity of the southern part of the Amanos Fault. These basalts exhibit a diverse chemistry, which we interpret as a consequence varying degrees of partial melting of their source combined with variable crustal contamination. This dating allows us to constrain the Quaternary slip rate on the Amanos fault to 1.0 to 1.6 mm a⁻¹. The dramatic discrepancies between past estimates of this slip rate are partly due to technical difficulties in K–Ar dating of young basalts by isotope dilution. In addition, previous studies at the key locality of Hacılar have unwittingly dated different, chemically distinct, flow units of different ages that are juxtaposed. This low slip rate indicates that, at present, the Amanos Fault takes up a small proportion of the relative motion between the African and Arabian plates, which is transferred southward to the Dead Sea Fault Zone. It also provides strong evidence against the long-standing view that its slip continues offshore to the southwest along a hypothetical left-lateral fault zone located south of Cyprus.     

The Early Triassic Indosinian orogeny in Vietnam (Truong Son Belt and Kontum Massif); implications for the geodynamic evolution of Indochina

New structural field data at various scale and ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar geochronological results, from the basement rocks in the Truong Son belt and Kontum Massif of Vietnam, confirm that ductile deformation and high-temperature metamorphism were caused by the Early Triassic event of the Indosinian Orogeny in the range of 250–240 Ma. A compilation of isotopic data obtained in other countries along the Sibumasu–Indochina boundary broadly indicates same interval of ages. This tectonothermal event is interpreted as the result of a synchronous oblique collision of Indochina with both Sibumasu and South China, inducing dextral and sinistral shearing along E–W to NW–SE and N–S fault zones, respectively. The collision along Song Ma follows the northwards subduction of Indochina beneath South China and the subsequent development of the Song Da zone which in turn was affected by the Late Triassic Indosinian phase of shortening. Within the Indochina plate, internal collisions occurred coevally in the Early Triassic, as along the Poko suture, at the western border of the Kontum Massif.     

Diverse tectonic settings of formation of the metaigneous rocks in the Jurassic metamorphic accretionary complexes (Refahiye,NE Turkey) and their geodynamic implications

Two isolated metamorphic accretionary complexes of Jurassic age, the Refahiye and Kurtlutepe metamorphic rocks, crop out as tectonic slices within the coeval suprasubduction-zone ophiolite at the southern margin of the Eastern Pontides (NE Turkey), close to the ?zmir-Ankara-Erzincan suture. The Refahiye metamorphic rocks are made up of greenschist, marble, serpentinite, phyllite and minor garnet amphibolite, garnet micaschist and metachert. The whole unit was metamorphosed under garnet-amphibolite-facies conditions and strongly retrogressed during exhumation. The Kurtlutepe metamorphic rocks consist of subgreenschist-facies metavolcanics, metavolcaniclastics, marble, calc-phyllite, and minor serpentinite and metachert. Metabasites in the Refahiye metamorphic rocks are represented by four distinct geochemical affinities: (i) cumulate “flavor,” (ii) alkaline oceanic island basalt (OIB), (iii) enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt (E-MORB) and (iv) tholeiitic island arc basalt (IAB). On the other hand, the Kurtlutepe metavolcanic rocks display only tholeiitic to calc-alkaline island arc geochemical affinities. The metabasic rocks with OIB affinities were interpreted as parts of the accreted oceanic islands, and those with E-MORB affinities as parts of accreted ridge segments close to oceanic islands and/or plume-distal mid-ocean ridges with a mantle previously metasomatized by plume components. The metabasic rocks with IAB affinities might have been derived from the overlying suprasubduction ophiolite and/or arc domain by a number of tectonic or sedimentary processes including tectonic slicing of accretionary complex and overlying fore-arc ophiolite, juxtaposition of the magmatic arc with subduction zone by strike slip faults, submarine gravity sliding and debris flows or subduction erosion. However, totally recrystallized nature of the metabasic rocks together with field relations does not allow any inference on the processes involved. The Kurtlutepe metavolcanic rocks might represent collided and accreted oceanic island arc with the subduction zone. Attempted subduction of an intraoceanic island arc may also explain the magmatic lull during Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous in the Eastern Pontides.     

The Campo Felice late Pleistocene Glaciation (Apennines,central Italy)

Study of the glacial deposits and lacustrine sediments of Campo Felice (Apennines, central Italy) has enabled the glacial phases of the last 40 ka to be dated more precisely, and has demonstrated that the maximum glacial advance did not occur in correspondence with the last global glacial maximum and with the coldest and most arid phase suggested by the pollen, but in a period dated between about 33 and 27 ka, characterized by a less extreme climate. Furthermore, a glacial expansion took place also in the period prior to 35 ka. Correlation with the Alpine glacial variations has shown that the Apennine last glacial maximum occurred before that of the southern slope of the Alps. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

~(40)Ar-~(39)Ar Dating of Albite and Phlogopite from Porphyry Iron Deposits in the Ningwu Basin in East-Central China and Its Significance

40Ar-39Ar dating of albite from the Meishan and Taocun iron deposits yields plateau ages of 122.90±0.16 Ma and 124.89±0.30 Ma, and isochron ages of 122.60±0.16 Ma and 124.90±0.29 Ma, respectively. Phlogopite from the Zhongshan-Gushan ore field has a plateau age of 126.7±0.17 Ma and an isochron age of 127.21±1.63 Ma. Analysis of regional geodynamic evolution of the middle-lower Yangtze River region suggests that the porphyry iron deposits were formed as a result of large-scale lithosphere delamination and strong sinistral strike-slip movement of the Tancheng Lujiang fault zone. The copper, molybdenum and gold deposit system in the middle-lower Yangtze River region was formed during the stress transition period of the eastern China continent.