Origin of the 3500-3300 Ma calc-alkaline rocks in the Pilbara Archaean: isotopic and geochemical constraints from the Shaw Batholith

Calc-alkaline plutonic rocks, intruded at 3450Ma, comprise a major component of the Shaw Batholith in the Archaean east Pilbara Block, Western Australia. New whole-rock Pb isotopic geochronology confirms the extent of these rocks, but a minor plutonic phase is dated at 3338±52 Ma and represents a second plutonic event of the same age as much of the nearby Mt Edgar Batholith. The Sm----Nd isotopic systematics of the 3450Ma rocks imply their derivation from a heterogeneous source, which probably included a slightly older crustal component as well as a depleted mantle component. The 3338±52 Ma pluton includes components derived from crustal sources older than 3600 Ma. The geochemistry and Sm---Nd isotopic systematics of these rocks are consistent with crustal growth in the early Archaean from upper mantle sources as depleted as the modern upper mantle. The Shaw Batholith calc-alkaline suites exhibit very similar chemical trends on variation diagrams to modern calc-alkaline plutonic rocks which can be modelled by a combination of mixing and fractionation. A suite collected from outcrops displaying prominent igneous layering shows distinct geochemical trends which can be modelled by differentiation into a component enriched in ferromagnesian minerals, principally hornblende, and possibly sphene, magnetite and epidote, and into a leucocratic component containing quartz, plagioclase and K-feld-par. These Archaean calc-alkaline plutonic rocks, in common with rocks from many other Archaean calc-alkaline provinces, exhibit very fractionated REE patterns with depleted HREE contents, a feature considered to result from equilibrium with garnet at depth in lower crustal regions. The geochemistry of the Pilbara Archaean calc-alkaline rocks is identical to the subset of modern continental-margin calc-alkaline plutonic rocks with fractionated REE patterns, such as those from the central and eastern Peninsular Ranges Batholith, western USA. The tectonic setting in which the Archaean calc-alkaline rocks formed is still not known. This reflects both uncertainty associated with the petrogenesis and environments of modern calc-alkaline rocks, as well as the limited knowledge of the precise timing and relationships of plutonic, depositional and tectonic events in the Pilbara Archaean.     

The age and origin of younger granitic plutons of the Shaw Batholith in the Archaean Pilbara Block,Western Australia

The whole-rock Pb-Pb method has been used to date four of the younger, mainly adamellite, late-tectonic plutonic phases within the ca. 3.5 Ga Shaw Batholith of the Archaean east Pilbara Block. Three suites give ages within error of 2966 Ma (Porphyritic Granites at 2948±50 Ma, Leuco-adamellites at 2943±46 Ma and Garden Creek Adamellite at 3007±48 Ma). The post-tectonic Cooglegong Adamellite gives an age of 2847±34 Ma. The Sm-Nd model isotopic systematics of all four suites indicate derivation from crust ranging between ca. 3200 and 3600 Ma in age. The sources for these four younger plutonic phases were heterogeneous and, although exhibiting some isotopic characteristics of the older (3.5–3.3 Ga) calc-alkali plutonic suites, were more depleted in the LIL elements Rb, U and Th. In addition, the Garden Creek Adamellite and the Cooglegong Adamellite lack the very fractionated and HREE-depleted REE patterns characteristic of both the older calc-alkali plutonic rocks and the Porphyritic Granites and Leuco-adamellites. The crust underlying the Shaw Batholith at ca. 2950 Ma must have been both markedly heterogeneous and variably depleted, a conclusion consistent with the complex tectonic and plutonic evolution of this region.     

Sources of continental magmatism adjacent to the late Archean Kolar Suture Zone,south India: distinct isotopic and elemental signatures of two late Archean magmatic series

 Conspicuous Nd, Sr and Pb isotopic differences exist between the Archean gneiss terranes adjoining the suture at the Kolar Schist Belt, south India. These gneisses, which are the deformed equivalents of plutonic and volcanic rocks, have known or inferred igneous ages of 2630 to 2530 Ma. Initial isotopic ratios of Nd, Sr and Pb suggest that metaplutonic gneisses west of the Kolar Schist Belt were emplaced into, and variably contaminated by, an evolved continental crust that formed prior to 3200 Ma. Felsic metaigneous gneisses that occur as slivers on the western margin of the schist belt have an isotopic character similar to that of the metaplutonic rocks on the same side of the Kolar Schist Belt. On the east side of the Kolar Schist Belt the isotopic evidence suggests that the 2530 Ma granitic gneisses were not derived from or contaminated by an older continental crust. Their source probably evolved with a Nd isotopic composition similar to that of typical Archean mantle, but became light rare earth element enriched after 2900 to 2700 Ma. The inferred tectonic setting for the west side of the Kolar Schist Belt is an Andean continental magmatic arc. For the east side of the Kolar Schist Belt, a possible Phanerozoic analog is an evolved island arc, such as Japan. Received: 24 June 1994/Accepted: 9 January 1995     

抚顺南部早前寒武纪变质杂岩的地质事件序列

抚顺南部早前寒武纪变质杂岩是华北克拉通北缘辽北-吉南早前寒武纪变质地块的一个重要组成部分,主要由浑南群石棚子组角闪岩相变质火山岩、火山碎屑岩及相伴生的沉积岩等表壳岩系和侵位于其中的石英闪长质片麻岩、英云闪长质-奥长花岗质-花岗闪长质(TTG)片麻岩和花岗闪长岩-二长花岗岩-钾长花岗岩岩石组合组成。LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb同位素分析结果显示,侵位于表壳岩中的石英闪长质片麻岩样品12LN39-3的岩浆结晶年龄为2571±7Ma,指示存在老于该年龄的表壳岩系。英云闪长质片麻岩样品12LN04-1和奥长花岗质片麻岩样品13LB49-3的岩浆结晶年龄分别为2544±4Ma和2550±10Ma,记录了一期重要的英云闪长质-奥长花岗质片麻岩侵位事件。斜长角闪岩(样品12LN25-2)的岩浆结晶的最小年龄为2530±5Ma,指示另一火山喷发阶段。晚期钾长花岗岩样品12LN01-1和奥长花岗质片麻岩样品12LN27-1分别侵位于2522±4Ma和2518±23Ma,说明它们的岩浆作用发生于同一时期。而采自于晚期未变形侵入体的石英闪长岩样品12LN30-2的岩浆结晶年龄为2496±18Ma,与上述表壳岩和深成侵入体的主要变质作用(2510~2470Ma)同期发生。这些年代学结果表明,抚顺南部地区新太古代大规模的铁镁质火山喷发作用在大于2571±7Ma已经发生,紧接着2571±7Ma发生石英闪长质岩浆侵位,在2550±10Ma~2544±4Ma之间发生英云闪长质-奥长花岗质岩浆侵位。接下来铁镁质火山再度喷发(~2530±5Ma),随后为钾长花岗岩和奥长花岗质岩浆的侵位(2522±4Ma~2518±23Ma)。晚期为角闪岩相变质作用时期(2510~2470Ma),伴随一定规模的石英闪长岩侵位。     

Early Archaean Amîtsoq tonalites and granites of the Isukasia area,southern West Greenland: development of the oldest-known sial

Amphibolite facies early Archaean Amîtsoq gneisses envelop and intrude the c. 3,800 Ma Isua supracrustal belt, Isukasia area, southern West Greenland. Most of these gneisses are strongly deformed, but in a c. 75 km² augen of lower deformation, the Amîtsoq gneisses are seen to comprise predominantly 3,750–3,700 Ma tonalitic grey gneisses that were intruded first by thin bodies of mafic to dioritic composition, known collectively as the Inaluk dykes, and then by c. 3,600 Ma white gneisses and finally by sporadic c. 3,400 Ma pegmatitic gneiss sheets. The grey gneisses could have formed by partial melting of crust consisting predominantly of basic rocks. The Inaluk dykes are interpreted as strongly fractionated basic melts of mantle origin, contaminated by crustal material. The white gneisses consist mostly of medium grained granite and occur as lenses and anastomosing sheets throughout their host of grey gneisses with subordinate inclusions of supracrustal rocks. The white gneisses have chemistry compatible with formation by partial melting at depth of a source dominated by grey gneisses. The igneous chemistry, including REE abundances, of the grey gneisses and white gneisses has been modified to varying degrees by metasomatism and assimilation reactions during the crystallisation of the white gneisses and also during subsequent tectonometamorphic events. The white gneisses are evidence for considerable reworking by anatexis of sialic crust in the early Archaean, 150 to 100 Ma after its formation. The white gneisses and the pegmatitic gneisses show that granitic rocks s.s. were important in the earliest Archaean, and are further evidence of the diversity of the oldest-known sial.Previously at and the Geological Survey of Greenland, Øster Voldgade 10, 1350 Copenhagen K, Denmark     

Mineralkogical and Petrochemical Characterisitics and Genesis of Laoniugou Geneiss in Jiapigou Gold Mine,Jilin Province

Detailed mineralogical and petrochemical studies show that the Laoniugou gneiss of the Jiapigou gold mine is composed mainly of plagioclase gneiss and irregular to lentiform plagioclase amphibolite melanic enclaves.The major element contents show an obvious bimodal and trondhjemitic series evolutional trend.This situation is significantly different from that encountered in bimodal calc-alkalic volcanic rocks in the rift-type Archaean greenstone belt.The contents of Rb,Sr and Ba are 7-21 ppm,153-363ppm and 201-1451 ppm respectively ,close to those of common Archaean grey gneisses.All the samples of plagioclase gneisses show positive Eu anomalies (even up to 4.6).The protoliths of the plagioclase gneiss are high-Al2O3 trondhjemitic series rocks,belonging to typical TTG of Archaean high-grade metamorphic terrain .The gneiss is quite similar to the B-type Amitsoq gneiss of W.Greenland .The authors believe that the plagioclase amphibolite enclaves are the relics of ancient oceanic crust while the plagioclase gneiss is the TTG ancient intrusive rock resulting from partial melting of the oceanic crust.     

Geochronology of an archaean tonalitic gneiss dome in Northern Finland and its relation with an unusual overlying volcanic conglomerate and komatiitic greenstone

Archaean gneiss-greenstone relationships are still unresolved in many ancient cratonic terrains although there is growing evidence that most of the late Archaean greenstone assemblages were deposited on older tonalitic crust.We report here well defined basement-cover relationships from a late Archaean greenstone belt in Lapland, north of the Polar Circle. The basal greenstone sequence contains quartzite, schist, komatiitic volcanics and an unusual volcanic conglomerate with well preserved granite pebbles of an older basement. These rocks surround a gneiss dome composed of foliated tonalite which shows a polyphase deformation pattern not seen in the neighbouring greenstones.Zircon fractions of the gneisses plot on two discordia lines and give upper intercept ages with concordia at 3,069±16 Ma and 3,110±17 Ma respectively. One fraction contains metamict zircons with components at least 3,135 Ma old. These are the oldest reliable ages yet reported from the Archaean of the Baltic Shield. Rb-Sr whole-rock dating of the tonalitic gneiss yielded an isochron age of 2,729±122 Ma and an I_Sr of 0.703±0.001. This is interpreted to reflect a resetting event during which the gneisses may have acquired their present tectonic fabric.Rb-Sr model age calculations yield mantle values for I_Sr at about 2,950±115 Ma and suggest that the tonalite was intruded into the crust as juvenile material at about 3.1 Ga ago as reflected by the zircon ages. It was subsequently deformed and isotopically reset at about 2.7 Ga ago, prior to greenstone deposition.Comparison with tonalitic gneisses of eastern Karelia displays significant differences and suggests that the Archaean of Finland may contain several generations of pre-greenstone granitoid rocks.     

A 2.5 G.a. reworked sialic crust: Rb-Sr ages and isotopic geochemistry of late archaean volcanic and plutonic rocks from E. Finland

In east-central Finland, Archaean terrains present three main lithologic units: a) gneissic basement, emplaced from 2.86 G.a. to 2.62 G.a., b) greenstone belt (2.65 G.a.) and c) calc-alkaline magmatism (2.50 G.a. to 2.40 G.a). Twenty three rocks of the calc-alkaline suite have been chosen for geochronologic and Rb-Sr isotopic studies. These rocks are subdivided into three groups: 1) acid volcanics from Luoma, 2) augen gneiss from Arola, and 3) post kinematik pink leucogranite from Arola. The 2.50±0.10 G.a. age of the Luoma volcanics indicates that they represent the upper part of a greenstone belt composed of a single sequence of volcanic rocks. The ages, initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (I_Sr) and major element compositions of the augen gneisses of Arola and Suomussalmi indicate that these rocks are the plutonic equivalents of the Luoma acid volcanics. The Arola pink leucogranite marks the terminal phase of Archaean magmatic activity (from 2.86 G.a. to 2.41 G.a.). This was followed by at least 0.40 G.a. of quiescence. The I_Sr and major element compositions suggest that the genesis of the calc-alkaline magmatic rocks involved crustal materials, but all their geochemical features cannot be explained without the participation of mafic greenstone belt materials. The first crustal components had low I and low K₂O/ Na₂O ratios while the younger ones (calc-alkaline magmas) had medium to high I_Sr and high K₂O/Na₂O ratios. Thus the petrogenetic processes have changed with time from ensimatic to ensialic, implying major reworking of preexisting crustal materials. This evolution leads to the accretion of the continental crust from the mantle.     

巴西卡拉加斯地区基底杂岩的地质特征与时代约束

巴西卡拉加斯(Carajás)地区出露世界上重要且古老的太古宙变质基底,是世界上矿床类型最为丰富、资源聚集程度最高的成矿区之一,它的基底兴谷(Xingú)杂岩是南美克拉通古老的太古宙花岗岩-绿岩地体。在调查该地区基底杂岩地质特征的基础上,对侵入其中的变质深成岩体进行了年代学研究,提出了基底杂岩的组成、结构与构造的认识,认为兴谷杂岩是以麻粒岩相-角闪岩相片麻岩和混合岩为主体的古老变质岩,将其中的紫苏花岗岩和英云闪长质-奥长花岗质片麻岩从中剥离出来,进一步分解出不同时期的变质侵入体;本次在其中的片麻状花岗岩中获得了(2899±45)Ma、(2742±9.5)Ma和(2831±19)Ma的锆石LA-ICP-MS年龄,进一步确认兴谷杂岩的时代为中太古代,时代约束在3.05~2.85 Ga,其中包含3.05~2.96 Ga和2.96~2.85 Ga的两个构造时段的表壳岩和TTG片麻岩套。     

The western border of the Archaean province of the Baltic shield: evidence from northern Sweden

Restricted areas of acid to intermediate gneisses in northernmost Sweden are known to be Archaean and several other gneissic granodioritic to tonalitic massifs have been suggested to be of this age. To delimit the western border of the Archaean province of the Baltic Shield, and to characterize the Swedish Archaean, we have studied the 2.83 Ga old Soppero gneiss and 8 of the proposed Archaean massifs in northern Sweden by Sm-Nd isotopic analyses, U-Pb zircon dating (in two cases), and geochemistry.Of the Archaean gneisses proposed thus far, only those from the Soppero and Kukkola areas have Archaean ages (2.83 and 2.67 Ga, respectively). These gneisses have geochemical characteristics such as LREE-enrichment, low U-contents, and low K/Na-ratios, which are typical of Archaean TTG (tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite) rocks worldwide. The REE results indicate that the Soppero and the Kukkola gneisses were generated by partial melting of basic rocks, presumably amphibolites. According to the Sm-Nd isotopic data for the Soppero gneiss, this process occurred only a short time after initial segregation from the mantle ( _Nd values between +0.9 and +3.5). The Kukkola gneiss, however, has longer crustal residence time as indicated by negative _Nd values (–1.0 and –2.5) at the U-Pb zircon age of 2.67 Ga. Evidence in support of an important event at that time is given by secondary overgrowth on zircon cores in the 2.83 Ga old Soppero gneiss.The Sm-Nd isotope results show that the Proterozoic granitoids in northern Sweden have a decreasing involvement of Archaean source material with increasing distance from the Archaean areas. Before the Proterozoic reworking, the rather small Archaean areas in northern Sweden presumably belonged to a large continuous Archaean craton. The western palaeoboundary of this craton in Sweden probably follows approximately a line extrapolated from the western limit of the Archaean of central Finland, passing west of Kukkola, and then continues to the Lofoten area in northern Norway.     

Geochronology and Petrogenesis of the Archean Silicic Volcanoplutonic Series of the Verkhovtsevo Greenstone Structure,Ukraine

Geological and isotope-geochemical studies of acid volcanics in the Verkhovtsevo greenstone belt and surrounding tonalite-trondhjemite plutons within the central Dnieper gneiss-green- stone terrain were conducted in the search for genetic relationships and increased understanding of the petrogenesis of acid melts. The acid volcanic and plutonic rocks are similar in mineral composition and form a unified calc-alkaline-like trend from dacite/tonalite to rhyolite/ trondhjemite. Dacites and tonalites have the same rare-earth element (REE) patterns with moderately fractionated light and heavy REE as well as small negative Eu anomalies. Rhyolite and trondhjemites have less-fractionated REE patterns with larger negative Eu anomalies. Whole-rock data for the acid volcanic and plutonic rocks yielded a single isochron of 3117 ± 204 Ma, εNd = +1.14 ± 0.80.

The data suggest a temporal and genetic relationship between the acid volcanics of the greenstone sequences and the surrounding plutonic rocks; both appear to belong to a single suite. The positive eNd value tends to suggest that a source of their melts can be traced to mafic materials rather than to older sialic crust. Petrochemical data and REE-model calculations suggest that dacite/tonalite liquids might have formed during partial melting of a mafic source, such as Archaean tholeiite TH-1 in equilibrium with hornblende-pyroxene-plagioclase restite. Subsequent differentiation of these melts in equilibrium with titanoilmenite-pyroxene-plagioclase cumulate may have given rise to the trondhjemites and rhyolites. Such a mineralogy of the restite and cumulate phases suggests that felsic melts containing little water in the Verkhovtsevo greenstone belt were generated at depths up to 30 km, probably in the greenstone belt's mafic basement.     

西藏措勤晚白垩世英安岩的厘定与地球化学特征

野外地质调查和SHRIMP锆石U/Pb地质年代学研究表明,拉萨地块中带措勤地区发育一套形成于晚白垩世中期的英安岩(88.5±1.2 Ma)。该套火山岩具有岛弧火山岩的地球化学特征,为地壳深部岩浆岩部分熔融形成的Ⅰ型岩浆岩,经历了明显的斜长石分离结晶作用。与同时代的侵入岩相比,该套火山岩为高度演化的岩浆,Rb/Sr比值较高,但Sr/Y比值较低。在拉萨地块内部,广泛发育的90～85 Ma的岩浆作用与新特提斯洋的北向俯冲作用相关。     

Age of granite emplacement in the Norseman region of Western Australia

Ion probe U‐Th‐Pb dating of zircons from the Late Archaean granites of the Norseman region of the southeastern Yilgarn shows the existence of two distinct magmatic episodes. Large regional tonalite and granodiorite plutons were emplaced between 2685 and 2690 Ma, whereas large regional granite, and small tonalite and leucogranite plutons that intrude the greenstones have ages of 2660–2665 Ma. A small body of granite that intrudes the western edge of the greenstones has an inferred emplacement of 2672 ± 7Ma, and contains inherited zircon that is ～2800 Ma. The monzogranite core from a second pluton in a similar structural position also contains ～2800 Ma zircon; this age is similar to published Sm‐Nd and Rb‐Sr whole rock ages for banded gneisses associated with other members of this suite of domal plutons and is interpreted as representing the age of a significant component within the source region for these distinctive rocks.

Available geochemical and isotopic data are interpreted as indicating derivation of both the older granodiorite and younger granite suites through anatexis of pre‐existing crust of broadly andesitic composition, whereas both the domal granites and the small, late tonalite plutons could have been derived by anatexis of heterogeneous material similar to that represented by the banded gneisses.

If regional metamorphism was related to the emplacement of large volumes of felsic magma within the upper crust, as suggested by Binns et al. (1976), then the Norseman area has probably undergone two periods of regional metamorphism of comparable intensity at approximately 2660 and 2685 Ma.     

The nature of the basement in the Archaean Dharwar craton of southern India and the age of the Peninsular Gneiss

The Archaean Peninsular Gneiss of southern India is considered by a number of workers to be the basement upon which the Dharwar supracrustal rocks were deposited. However, the Peninsular Gneiss in its present state is a composite gneiss formed by synkinematic migmatization during successive episodes of folding (DhF₁, DhF_1a and DhF₂) that affected the Dharwar supracrustal rocks. An even earlier phase of migmatization and deformation (DhF_*) is evident from relict fabrics in small enclaves of gneissic tonalites and amphibolites within the Peninsular Gneiss. We consider these enclaves to represent the original basement for the Dharwar supracrustal rocks. Tonalitic pebbles in conglomerates of the Dharwar Supergroup confirm the inference that the supracrustal rocks were deposited on a gneissic basement. Whole rock Rb-Sr ages of gneisses showing only the DhF₁ structures fall in the range of 3100–3200 Ma. Where the later deformation (DhF₂) has been associated with considerable recrystallization, the Rb-Sr ages are between 2500 Ma and 2700 Ma. Significantly, a new Rb-Sr analysis of tonalitic gneiss pebbles in the Kaldurga conglomerate of the Dharwar sequence is consistent with an age of ～2500 Ma and not that of 3300 Ma reported earlier by Venkatasubramanian and Narayanaswamy (1974). Pb-Pb ages based on direct evaporation of detrital zircon grains from the metasedimentary rocks of the Dharwar sequence fall into two groups, 3300–3100 Ma, and 2800–3000 Ma. Stratigraphic, structural, textural and geochronologic data, therefore, indicate that the Peninsular Gneiss of the Dharwar craton evolved over a protracted period of time ranging from > 3300 Ma to 2500 Ma.     

Early Precambrian tonalite-trondhjemite sialic nuclei

Early Precambrian batholiths evolved by diapiric intrusion of near-liquidus to superheated tonalitic and trondhjemitic magmas into an early greenstones crust. Distribution patterns of enclaves and xenolith screens derived from the latter provide reference markers which define the internal geometry and detailed structure of the “gregarious batholiths” (Macgregor) as polydomal multi-lobal bodies. Near-liquidus temperatures are suggested by the digestion of vast volumes of ultramafic—mafic crust by the acid magmas. Tracing of xenolith trains between low and high grade metamorphic terrains provide key evidence for coeval relations between granite—greenstone type terrains and amphibolite to granulite facies infracrustal root zones of the latter. The formation of the plutonic tonalite—trondhjemite suite was accompanied by dacitic to rhyolitic extrusions, the acid volcanic lenses being located above early greenstone units intruded by the batholiths and below upper greenstone sequences which postdate these intrusions. The geochemical characteristics of high-level and deep-level tonalites and trondhjemites are compared. Both suites display very wide compositional spectra, but data from high-grade terrains tend to define a more basic field than data from granite—greenstone terrains. Effects of source compositions on the geochemistry of the acid plutonic rocks are pointed out. Tonalites dominate in South African terrains whereas trondhjemites dominate in Western Australian terrains — a difference conceivably related to the more ultramafic composition of source rocks represented by early greenstone units in southern Africa. Granodiorites and potassic granites form a comparatively minor component of Archaean batholiths, and may occur in the following forms: (1) bands of augen gneiss in high-grade terrains; (2) components of trondhjemitic to granitic gneisses in high-level plutons; and (3) discrete post-tectonic intrusions typically emplaced at high levels of the batholiths and along older tonalite—greenstone contacts. Migmatites characteristically form in close spatial association with xenolith-rich zones, probably due to depression of the solidus consequent on water addition related to dehydration of the xenoliths. A derivation of the acid sodic magmas by anatexis of sialic materials is inconsistent with geochemical evidence and petrological theory. In contrast, the commonly low to very low LIL element levels and REE evidence indicate derivation by about 30–50% melting of basic rocks. Marked trace element anomalies are characteristic of some Archaean plutonic suites, e.g. very high Sr in some Western Australian rocks, low Rb in some Lewisian (Scotland) and South African rocks, U depletion in South African and southwestern Greenland suites, high Li in some Pilbara rocks and high Zr in some southwestern Greenland rocks. However, the only consistent anomaly observed to date is a well-pronounced depletion in Y and heavy REE, suggesting extensive equilibration of the acid melts with eclogite and/or amphibolite. Uniformitarian interpretations of the Archaean are questioned in the light of the evidence for high temperature and pressure, the unique tectonic style of diapirism and the low initial⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr as compared to Proterozoic plutonic suites. The diachronous nucleation of tonalite—trondhjemite plutons during the Archaean is seen as the major process effecting a transformation of an early Archaean sima into sial.     

Zircon U–Pb geochronology of the Mesozoic metamorphic rocks and granitoids in the coastal tectonic zone of SE China: Constraints on the timing of Late Mesozoic orogeny

The coastal Changle-Nan’ao tectonic zone of SE China contains important geological records of the Late Mesozoic orogeny and post-orogenic extension in this part of the Asian continent. The folded and metamorphosed T₃–J₁ sedimentary rocks are unconformably overlain by Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks or occur as amphibolite facies enclaves in late Jurassic to early Cretaceous gneissic granites. Moreover, all the metamorphic and/or deformed rocks are intruded by Cretaceous fine-grained granitic plutons or dykes. In order to understand the orogenic development, we undertook a comprehensive zircon U–Pb geochronology on a variety of rock types, including paragneiss, migmatitic gneiss, gneissic granite, leucogranite, and fine-grained granitoids. Zircon U–Pb dating on gneissic granites, migmatitic gneisses, and leucogranite dyke yielded a similar age range of 147–135 Ma. Meanwhile, protoliths of some gneissic granites and migmatitic gneisses are found to be late Jurassic magmatic rocks (ca. 165–150 Ma). The little deformed and unmetamorphosed Cretaceous plutons or dykes were dated at 132–117 Ma. These new age data indicate that the orogeny lasted from late Jurassic (ca. 165 Ma) to early Cretaceous (ca. 135 Ma). The tectonic transition from the syn-kinematic magmatism and migmatization (147–136 Ma) to the post-kinematic plutonism (132–117 Ma) occurred at 136–132 Ma.     

Alteration and metamorphism of Amitsoq gneisses from the Isukasia area,West Greenland: Recommendations for isotope studies of the early crust

Early Archaean gneisses (3400–3700 Ma) in the Isukasia area of West Greenland have been subjected to a series of local and regional metamorphic processes. Metasomatic alteration accompanied the intrusion of the early Archaean white gneisses (~3600 Ma) into the grey gneisses (~3700 Ma), and resulted in local formation of altered rocks. Pb-Pb isotope results on whole rock and feldspar from the gneisses reveal a major rearrangement of Pb isotopes at about 2600 Ma together with some local third stage Pb changes at a later time. This 2600 Ma event is also shown by Rb-Sr data for phengites in the ~3400 Ma Pegmatitic gneiss sheets and can be correlated with metamorphism accompanying the intrusion of a late Archaean pegmatite (~2600 Ma) swarm. Local hydrothermal alteration by fluids emanating from Proterozoic faults and fractures is petrographically recognised in and near major faults and lithological boundaries. This fault-controlled alteration, though only locally significant, may correlate with low grade thermal metamorphism reflected in a 1600 Ma Rb-Sr mineral isochron on biotites from both altered and unaltered gneisses. Oxygen isotope results show that this alteration probably was associated with influx of a low-δ¹⁸O fluid, perhaps meteoric water. Selection of the least altered Amitsoq gneisses can be made on the basis of petrographic and field criteria, and furnishes the best material to study original geochemical and isotopic systematics in these early Archaean rocks.     

Continental arc magmatism along the southeast Hearne Craton margin in Saskatchewan,Canada: Comparison of the 1.92–1.91 Ga Porter Bay Complex and the 1.86–1.85 Ga Wathaman Batholith

Detailed mapping, coupled with geochronological and geochemical investigations, has revealed the presence of a 1917–1913 Ma gabbro–monzodiorite–monzonite suite along the southeast margin of the Hearne Craton in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. The predominantly plutonic suite is also characterised by 1915 Ma old trachyandesitic subvolcanic and volcaniclastic inclusions. The rocks are hornblende–epidote–titanite ± augite bearing and collectively termed the Porter Bay Complex. The plutonic rocks cut the 2569 Ma Lueaza River granitoid suite, a component of the Hearne Craton and are themselves intruded by 1859 Ma pegmatitic diorite, 1856 Ma layered gabbro-anorthosite, and 1853 Ma quartz-diorite belonging to the Wathaman Batholith, one of the world's largest Paleoproterozoic Andean-type continental arcs. Wholerock major element geochemistry characterises the Porter Bay Complex as calc-alkalic to alkali-calcic, metaluminous and variable from ferroan to magnesian. Trace element concentrations are characterised by negative high field strength element anomalies, suggesting emplacement along a destructive plate margin. The geochemical signatures of the Wathaman Batholith and the Porter Bay Complex are largely identical. The geographic location, map relationships, and geochronological, geochemical and petrographic constraints are consistent with the Porter Bay Complex having formed in a subduction-related continental arc setting. The southeastern margin of the Hearne Craton was therefore a long-lived active continental margin with two separate periods of continental arc magmatism between 1.92–1.91 Ga and 1.86–1.85 Ga.     

Middle to late Archaean geology of the eastern Baltic shield,with a note on its similarity and contrast with the Archaean of southern India

The middle to late Archaean rocks of Kola and Karelia in the eastern Baltic shield consist of the Infracomplex overlain by the Saamian complex, and the Lopian greenstone belts. The Infracomplex which forms the basement is a polymigmatite, parts of which are at least 3100 Ma old. The Saamian in the central Belomorian region comprises granite gneiss, amphibolite, garnet-kyanite gneiss and high alumina gneisses which belong to the Keret, Hetolombina and Chupa suites. The Lopian greenstone belts ranging in age from 3000 to 2700 Ma are composed of peridotitic, pyroxenitic and basaltic komatiites, tholeiitic basalts, andesites, dacites and rhyolites, together with tuffs, graywackes and iron formations. Whereas there is a dominance of volcanic over sedimentary rocks in the greenstone belts of the Baltic shield, a significant proportion of detrital and chemogenic sedimentary rocks characterizes the Dharwar succession of approximately the same time span in the southern Indian shield. Association of mature and immature detrital sedimentary rocks with bimodal volcanic assemblages points to a back-arc setting for the Dharwar belts. This contrasts with the association of immature sediments with calc-alkaline volcanic rocks in the greenstone belts of the eastern Baltic shield, suggesting an island arc environment there.     

Evolution of the Neoproterozoic Delgo suture zone and crustal growth in Northern Sudan: geochemical and radiogenic isotope constraints

In the Delgo basement area of northern Sudan, low to medium grade metamorphosed volcanic, sedimentary and plutonic rocks are surrounded by high grade gneisses. A NNE-SSW trending suture zone can be defined by the lithological, chemical and structural characteristics of several distinct units. The early Proterozoic gneiss terrain is overlain by metasedimentary units, the metamorphism of which has been dated by the Sm-Nd whole rock-mineral technique (702 ± 27 Ma in the west, 592 ± 16 Ma in the east). In the central part, the Abu Sari volcanic rocks show geochemical signatures of formation at an arc, with a protracted tholeiitic, calc-alkaline and shoshonitic evolution. The overlying El Hamri ophiolite contains chemical features of a back-arc tectonic environments. The ophiolite was dated by the Sm-Nd whole rock method on metagabbros at 752 ± 48 Ma. The further extension of this oceanic basin into the Jebel Rahib in the south-west was dated at 707 ± 54 Ma (Sm-Nd whole rock and minerals).Widespread suite of syn-tectonic granitoid intrusives displays subduction-related characteristics. They where emplaced between 650 to 760 Ma (Pb-zircon evaporation method). Their Nd and Sr isotopic compositions indicate a changing pattern of island arc to active continental margin character along an east-west transect and suggest a west to north-west dipping subduction zone. All units were juxtaposed at the minimum age of 600 Ma and rearranged during an extensional event, which was dated by the Rb-Sr thin slab technique (546 ± 19 Ma) on a migmatite. The Delgo suture provides evidence of a complex terrane pattern in north-east Africa and crustal growth during the Pan-African event by the addition of oceanic material to pre-existing continental crust.