Cooling and inferred exhumation history of the Ryoke metamorphic belt in the Yanai district, south-west Japan: Constraints from Rb–Sr and fission-track ages of gneissose granitoid and numerical modeling

Abstract The Ryoke metamorphic belt in south-west Japan consists mainly of I-type granitoids and associated low-pressure/high-temperature metamorphic rocks. In the Yanai district, it has been divided into three structural units: northern, central and southern units. In this study, we measured the Rb–Sr whole-rock–mineral isochron ages and fission-track ages of the gneissose granodiorite in the central structural unit. Four Rb–Sr ages fall in a range of ca 89–87 Ma. The fission-track ages of zircon and apatite are 68.9 ± 2.6 Ma and 57.4 ± 2.5 Ma (1σ error), respectively. Combining the newly obtained ages with previously reported (Th–)U–Pb ages from the same unit, thermochronologic study revealed two distinctive cooling stages; 1) a rapid cooling (> 40°C/Myr) for a period (~7 Myr) soon after the peak metamorphism (~ 95 Ma) and 2) the subsequent slow cooling stage (~ 5°C/Myr) after ca 88 Ma. The first rapid cooling stage corresponds to thermal relaxation of the intruded granodiorite magma and its associated metamorphic rocks, and to the uplift by a displacement along low-angle faults which initiated soon after the intrusion of the magma. Uplift by the later stage deformation having formed large-scale upright folds resulted in progress of the exhumation during the first stage. The average exhumation velocity of the stage is ≥ 2 mm/yr. During the second stage, the rocks were not accompanied by ductile deformation and were exhumed with the rate of 0.1–0.2 mm/yr. The difference in the exhumation velocity between the first and second cooling stages resulted from the difference in the thickness of the crust and in the activity of ductile deformation between the early and later stages of the orogenesis.     

Geochronological characterization and petrogenesis of granitoids in the Ryoke belt, Southwest Japan Arc: constraints from K–Ar, Rb–Sr and Sm-Nd systematics

Abstract Rb–Sr and K–Ar chronological studies were carried out on granitic and metamorphic rocks in the Ina, Awaji Island and eastern Sanuki districts, Southwest Japan to investigate the timing of intrusion of the granitoids in the Ryoke belt. Intrusions of 'younger' Ryoke granitic magmas took place in the Ina district between 120 Ma and 70 Ma, and cooling began immediately after the emplacement of the youngest granitic bodies. Igneous activity in Awaji Island was initiated at 100 Ma and continued to 75 Ma. Along-arc variations of Rb–Sr whole-rock isochron ages suggest that magmatism began everywhere in the Ryoke and San-yo belts at almost the same time ( ca 120 Ma). The last magmatism took place in the eastern part of both belts. Rb–Sr and K–Ar mineral ages for the granitoids young eastwards. The age data suggest that the Ryoke belt was uplifted just after the termination of igneous activity. Initial Sr and Nd isotopic ratios for the Ryoke granitoids indicate that most were derived from magmas produced in the lower crust and/or upper mantle with uniform Sr and Nd isotopic compositions. Several granitoids, however, exhibit evidence of assimilation of Ryoke metamorphic rocks or older Precambrian crustal rocks beneath the Ryoke belt.     

Age gap between the intrusion of gneissose granitoids and regional high‐temperature metamorphism in the Ryoke belt (Mikawa area), central Japan

The relationships between the intrusion of gneissose granitoids and the attainment of regional high‐T conditions recorded in metamorphic rocks from the Ryoke belt of the Mikawa area, central Japan, are explored. Seven gneissose granitoid samples (tonalite, granodiorite, granite) were collected from three distinct plutonic bodies that are mapped as the so‐called “Older Ryoke granitoids.” Based on bulk‐rock compositions and U–Pb zircon ages obtained by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, the analyzed granitoids can be separated into two groups. Gneissose granitoids from the northern part of the area give weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 99 ±1 Ma (two samples) and 95 ±1 Ma (one sample), whereas those from the southern part yield 81 ±1 Ma (two samples) and 78–77 ±1 Ma (two samples). Regional comparisons allow correlation of the northern granitoids (99–95 Ma) with the Kiyosaki granodiorite, and mostly with the Kamihara tonalite found to the east. The southern granitoids are tentatively renamed as “78–75 Ma (Hbl)?Bt granite” and “81–75 Ma Hbl?Bt tonalite” (Hbl, hornblende; Bt, biotite). and seem to be broadly coeval members of the same magmatic suite. With respect to available age data, no gneissose granitoid from the Mikawa area shows a U–Pb zircon age which matches that of high‐T metamorphism (ca 87 Ma). The southern gneissose granitoids (81–75 Ma), although they occur in the highest‐grade metamorphic zone, do not seem to represent the heat source which produced the metamorphic field gradient with a low dP/dT slope.     

Cretaceous granitoids and their zircon U–Pb ages across the south‐central part of the Abukuma Highland,Japan

Zircons separated from Cretaceous granitoids are dated from a south‐central transect of the Abukuma metamorphic and granitic terrane. The zircon ages do not follow ‘older’ and ‘younger’ granitoid ages that are used conventionally. In the western part of the study area (Zones I, II and III) where the Takanuki and Gosaisho metamorphic rocks are exposed, the Iritono quartz dioritic stock intruding the greenschist facies rocks in Zone III exhibits the oldest age of 121 Ma in the studied region. Quartz diorite located northward shows 112 Ma, but the other four granitoids intruding into the Takanuki and Gosaisho metamorphic rocks are younger and 103–99 Ma. Two‐mica and biotite granites belong to the youngest age group of 99 Ma. The granitic activities of both the Abukuma and Ryoke belts were initiated by intrusion of quartz dioritic magmas and were ended by two‐mica granite activity. The ages of the eastern two batholiths vary from 110 to 106 Ma (four samples), and show no age common to the Kitakami granitoids farther to the north. Throughout the Japanese Islands arc, Cretaceous granitic activities became younger toward the marginal sea side from the Kitakami Mountains, to the Abukuma Highland, and the Ryoke Belt, then to the Sanin belt of the Inner Zone of Southwest Japan.     

CHIME monazite ages of metasediments from the Altai orogen in northwestern China: Devonian and Permian ages of metamorphism and their significance

Abstract   The chemical Th-U-total Pb isochron method (CHIME) has been applied to determine the ages of monazite grains from metasediments of greenscshist-amphibolite facies in the Altai orogen, northwest China. The area of distribution of these metamorphic rocks is divided into the Permian (261–268 Ma) central-western and Devonian (377–382 Ma) eastern units on the basis of their metamorphic ages. The Devonian CHIME ages are consistent with the Pb–Pb ages of granitoid in the eastern unit, and support the idea that emplacement of the granitoids was synchronous with regional metamorphism at deep levels. The Permian metamorphic ages (the present study) and igneous ages previously reported from the central-western unit can be interpreted in terms of subduction of crustal material and oceanic plate, and rapid exhumation.     

Ultra-high pressure metamorphic rocks in the Dabie-Su-Lu region, China: Their formation and exhumation

Abstract Based on petrological, structural, geological and geochronological research, the authors summarize the progress of ultra-high pressure (UHP) metamorphic rock study since 1989 by Chinese geoscientists and foreign geoscientists in the Dabie-Su-Lu region. The authors introduce and discuss a two-stage exhumation process for the UHP metamorphic rocks that have various lithologies; eclogite, ultramafics, jadeitic quartzite, gneiss, schist and marble. The metamorphic history of UHP metamorphic rocks is divided into three stages, that is, the pre-eclogite stage, coesite eclogite stage, and retrograde stage. Prior to UHP metamorphism, the ultramafics had a high temperature environment assemblage of mantle and others had blueschist facies assemblages. The granulite facies assemblages, which have recorded a temperature increase event with decompression, have developed locally in the Weihai basaltic rocks. Isotopic ages show a long range from > 700 Ma to 200 Ma. The diversity in protoliths of UHP metamorphic rocks may be related to the variation of isotopic ages older than 400 Ma. The Sm-Nd dating of ~ 220 Ma could reflect the initial exhumation stage after the peak UHP metamorphism in relation to the collision between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze blocks and subsequent events. Petrological and structural evidence imply a two-stage exhumation process. During the initial exhumation, the UHP metamorphic rocks were sheared and squeezed up in a high P/T regime. In the second exhumation stage the UHP metamorphic rocks were uplifted and eventually exposed with middle crustal rocks.     

Ductile deformation and development of andalusite microstructures in the Hongusan area: Constraints on the metamorphism and tectonics of the Ryoke Belt

Abstract   The main mesoscopic features of the ductile deformation in the Hongusan region of the Ryoke Belt can be explained in terms of a single deformation phase, Dm . The associated stretching lineation is roughly east–west and has an associated top-to-the-west sense of shear. This information fills an important gap in our knowledge about the deformational history of the Ryoke metamorphic belt. Andalusite porphyroblasts are well-developed in the Hongusan area and their microstructure can be used to link the deformational history with the metamorphism. However, the andalusite porphyroblasts show both intertectonic and post-tectonic microstructures. Some porphyroblasts have an intertectonic core and post-tectonic rim. Analysis of associated metamorphic minerals and bulk-rock chemistry suggests that the distinct types of microstructure can be explained in terms of distinct formation reactions related to regional and contact metamorphism. The intertectonic microstructure shows the presence of a deformation pre-dating Dm , referred to as Dc . These two deformation stages are sufficient to account for all the main deformation features. The distribution of post-tectonic andalusite growth shows a very broad thermal effect around an intrusion in the area. This can help place constraints on the thermal history of the Ryoke metamorphic belt.     

CHIME age dating of monazites from metamorphic rocks and granitic rocks of the Ryoke belt in the Iwakuni area, Southwest Japan

Abstract CHIME (chemical Th-U-total Pb isochron method) ages were determined for monazite from gneisses and granitoids of the Ryoke belt in the Iwakuni area. The CHIME monazite ages are 99.6 ± 2.4, 98.9 ± 2.1 and 98.2 ± 5.7 Ma for the Ryoke gneiss, 90.7 ± 2.2, 89.7 ± 2.0 and 89.3 ± 2.2 Ma for the Tajiri Granite, 91.0 ± 3.2, 90.6 ± 3.2 and 89.9 ± 3.2 Ma for the Namera Granite, 89.3 ±3.3 and 88.6 ± 5.6 Ma for a small stock at Shimizu, and 87.3 ± 1.6 and 86.6 ± 2.1 Ma for the post-tectonic Shimokuhara Granite. The CHIME monazite ages, interpreted as the time of the first attainment at the amphibolite facies conditions for the gneisses and as the time of emplacement for the granites, respectively, agree with the field intrusive sequence. The present dating documented that the Ryoke metamorphism in the Iwakuni area reached the amphibolite facies conditions at ∼98 Ma, was complete at -87 Ma, the time of emplacement of the post-tectonic Shimokuhara Granite.     

A high‐T metamorphic complex derived from the high‐P Suo metamorphic complex in the Omuta district,northern Kyushu,southwest Japan

New U–Pb ages of zircons from migmatitic pelitic gneisses in the Omuta district, northern Kyushu, southwest Japan are presented. Metamorphic zonation from the Suo metamorphic complex to the gneisses suggests that the protolith of the gneisses was the Suo metamorphic complex. The zircon ages reveal the following: (i) a transformation took place from the high‐P Suo metamorphic complex to a high‐T metamorphic complex that includes the migmatitic pelitic gneisses; (ii) the detrital zircon cores in the Suo pelitic rocks have two main age components (ca 1900–1800 Ma and 250 Ma), with some of the detrital zircon cores being supplied (being reworked) from a high‐grade metamorphic source; and (iii) one metamorphic zircon rim yields 105.1 ±5.3 Ma concordant age that represents the age of the high‐T metamorphism. The high‐P to high‐T transformation of metamorphic complexes implies the seaward shift of a volcanic arc or a landward shift of the metamorphic complex from a trench to the sides of a volcanic arc in an arc–trench system during the Early Cretaceous. The Omuta district is located on the same geographical trend as the Ryoke plutono‐metamorphic complex, and our estimated age of the high‐T metamorphism is similar to that of the Ryoke plutono‐metamorphism in the Yanai district of western Chugoku. Therefore, the high‐T metamorphic complex possibly represents the western extension of the Ryoke plutono‐metamorphic complex. The protolith of the metamorphic rocks of the Ryoke plutono‐metamorphic complex was the Jurassic accretionary complex of the inner zone of southwest Japan. The high‐P to high‐T transformation in the Omuta district also suggests that the geographic trend of the Jurassic accretionary complex was oblique to that of the mid‐Cretaceous high‐T metamorphic field.     

Formation of a high-temperature metamorphic complex due to pervasive melt migration in the hot crust

Abstract   Detailed reviews of metamorphic thermal structures and spatial distributions of granitic rocks in the high- T Higo metamorphic complex (HMC), central Kyushu, Japan, and Ryoke metamorphic complex in the Yanai district (RMC-Y), southwest Japan, reveal that the high-grade metamorphic rocks were associated with migmatites or syn-metamorphic granitoids. The close association of these rocks suggests that transport and solidification of granitic melts are appreciable heat sources. Partial melting of the pelitic host resists heating of the crust due to its endothermic reaction (i.e. absorption of latent heat). However, the effects of slower thermal evolution produced by partial melting are limited by the boundary conditions assumed for the HMC and RMC-Y. New thermal numerical modeling reveals that the volume fraction of the solidified melt products and the duration of melt migration required for crustal heating to a certain temperature decrease with increasing rates of melt migration. The model predicts that the melt migration rate during formation of the HMC is about three to 10 times higher than that of the RMC-Y, and the corresponding duration of melt migration is about one order of magnitude shorter. The model described here also explains the apparently contradictory observations made in different structural units of the RMC-Y: the metamorphic pressure–temperature ( P-T ) ratio of the southern unit is higher than those of the central and northern units, even though the volume fraction of granitic rocks in the southern unit is larger. The model suggests that the melt migration rate in the northern and central units was faster than that in the southern unit. Overall, the model implies that variations of metamorphic field P-T arrays and the spatial distributions of granitic rocks in high- T metamorphic complexes may be explained simply by variations in the rate and duration of melt migration in the hot crust.     

CHIME monazite dating as a tool to detect polymetamorphism in high‐temperature metamorphic terrane: Example from the Aoyama area,Ryoke metamorphic belt,Southwest Japan

Chemical Th–U–total Pb isochron method (CHIME) monazite dating was carried out for pelitic–psammitic migmatites and the Ao granite (one of the Younger Ryoke granites) from the Aoyama area, Ryoke metamorphic belt, Southwest Japan. The Ao granite gives an unequivocal age of 79.8 ± 3.9 Ma. The monazite grains in migmatites yield an age of 96.5 ± 1.9 Ma with rims and patchy domains of 83.5 ± 2.4 Ma. The 83.5 ± 2.4‐Ma overprinting on migmatites over the garnet–cordierite zone suggests a wide and combined effect of thermal input and fluid activity on the monazite grains caused by the contact metamorphism by the Younger Ryoke granites including the Ao granite. This contact metamorphism has not been detected from the major metamorphic mineral assemblage previously, possibly because the migmatites already possessed the high‐temperature mineral assemblage before the granite intrusions and were immune from contact metamorphism in terms of major metamorphic minerals. However, monazite records contact metamorphism clearly. Therefore, the field mapping of the CHIME monazite age is a powerful tool for recognition of polymetamorphism in high‐temperature metamorphic terrains where later thermal effects can not be easily detected by the growth of new major metamorphic minerals.     

Microstructurally controlled monazite chronology of ultrahigh-temperature granulites from southern India: Implications for the timing of Gondwana assembly

Ultrahigh‐temperature (UHT) granulite facies rocks from the Achankovil Shear Zone area and the southern domain of the Madurai Granulite Block in South India contain monazite useful for in situ microprobe U–Pb dating. The UHT rocks examined consist of garnet + cordierite (retrograde) + quartz + mesoperthite + biotite + plagioclase + Fe‐Ti oxides ± orthopyroxene ± sillimanite and accessory zircon and monazite. Sillimanite occurs only as inclusions in garnet. Microstructural observations suggest garnet, orthopyroxene, spinel and mesoperthite are products of peak metamorphism. Post‐peak formation of cordierite ± orthopyroxene ± quartz and cordierite + spinel + Fe‐Ti oxides assemblages is also observed. Geothermobarometry on orthopyroxene and garnet‐orthopyroxene bearing assemblages suggest peak UHT conditions of T = 940–1040°C and P = 8.5–9.5 kbar. This was followed by a retrograde stage of 3.5–4.5 kbar and 720 ± 60°C, estimated from garnet‐cordierite assemblages. A small population of rounded, probably detrital, monazites in these rocks yield ages from Meso‐ to Neoproterozoic indicating a heterogeneous source. The youngest associated spot ages are 660–600 Ma suggesting protolith deposition up to ca 600 Ma. In contrast, the vast majority of monazites that crystallized during the latest metamorphic event show late Neoproterozoic to Cambrian ages. Probability‐density plots of monazite age data show a ‘peak’ between 533 and 565 Ma, but this peak need not reflect a particular thermal event. Collating ages from homogenous metamorphic monazites associated with minerals stable at peak P‐T conditions suggests peak metamorphism in these rocks occurred at 580–600 Ma. Together with a re‐evaluation of available data from adjacent granulite blocks in southern India, these data suggest the main metamorphic event coinciding with the suturing of India with the Gondwana amalgam probably occurred 580–600 Ma. The 500–550 Ma ages commonly reported in previous studies might represent post‐peak thermal events.     

冀东陆壳结构的岩石学模型

冀东地区的古老变质岩系是一个出露的大陆地壳断面。根据变质岩系的变质相、亚相的研究和地质温压计计算的结果推定的深度,并结合地球物理测深资料,以及笔者测定和前人的岩石高压下波速实验资料提出了本区大陆地壳结构的岩石学模型。下地壳由麻粒岩相岩石组成,上部为角闪石麻粒岩亚相的中性成分的麻粒岩,下部为辉石麻粒岩亚相的基性成分的麻粒岩构成,底部夹有透镜状蛇纹石化橄榄岩以及紫苏花岗岩。中地壳主要由高角闪岩相的中性-中酸性成分的片麻岩、片岩构成,顶部为低角闪岩相的片麻岩、片岩,广泛发育英云闪长岩和花岗闪长岩岩体,含隙间高温流体相(fluid phase),形成高导-低速层。上地壳主要为绿片岩相(部分低角闪岩相)的板岩、千枚岩、片岩、变粒岩以及花岗岩组成,顶部为沉积盖层     

Time constraints for Mesoproterozoic upper amphibolite facies metamorphism in NW Namibia: a multi-isotopic approach

This study presents the chronological evolution of the upper amphibolite facies Orue Unit in NW Namibia. Metasedimentary and meta-igneous rocks of the Orue Unit were investigated using the Pb–Pb stepwise leaching technique on garnet and rutile, U–Pb multi-grain analysis on rutile, Sm–Nd–Lu–Hf leaching technique on garnet, SHRIMP analysis on zircon and Ar–Ar dating on amphibole. Each of these techniques pertains to different processes that occurred before, during, or after the metamorphic peak. Our age data can be integrated with petrological constraints to provide a more complete understanding of the metamorphic cycle. Our pre-peak metamorphic zircon ages, peak metamorphic garnet ages and peak to late peak metamorphic amphibole ³⁹Ar–⁴⁰Ar ages bracket the upper amphibolite facies metamorphic event including hydration or dehydration processes into a time span of only ca. 20 Ma. The age data obtained by peak metamorphic mineral analyses cluster around 1340–1320 Ma. Based on age data and field observation, we interpret the upper amphibolite facies metamorphism as a large-scale regional mid-crustal event. Spot analyses of inherited zircon cores obtained by SHRIMP reflect the sedimentary origin of the respective rocks of the Orue Unit and derivation from Palaeoproterozoic protoliths. The metamorphic rocks south of the anorthositic Kunene Intrusive Complex (KIC) have previously been ascribed to the Palaeoproterozoic Epupa Complex at the SW margin of the Congo craton and were thus thought to be older than the Mesoproterozoic KIC. Our data show that the high-grade metamorphic overprint took place 30–50 Ma after emplacement of the KIC. Rutile growth ages of 1248 Ma in one sample reflect fluid activity which seems to be a local phenomenon since there is no other evidence of geological activity throughout the Orue Unit at that time. The rutile ages predate the emplacement of satellite intrusions in that area by 30 Ma and there is no causal relation between these two events.     

Tectono-metamorphic evolution of the Okcheon Metamorphic Belt, South Korea: Tectonic implications in East Asia

Abstract The tectonic history of the Okcheon Metamorphic Belt (OMB) is a key to understanding the tectonic relationship between South Korea, China and Japan. The petrochemistry of 150 psammitic rocks in the OMB indicates that the depositional environment progressively deepened towards the northwest. These data, combined with the distribution pattern of oxide minerals and the abundance of carbonaceous material, support a half‐graben basin model for the OMB. Biotite and muscovite K–Ar dates from metasediments in the central OMB range from 102 to 277 Ma. K–Ar ages of 142–194 Ma are widespread throughout the area, whereas the older ages of 216–277 Ma are restricted to the metasediments of the middle part of the central OMB. The younger (Cretaceous) ages are only found in metasediments that are situated near the Cretaceous granite intrusions. The 216–277 Ma dates from weakly deformed areas represent cooling ages of M1 intermediate pressure/temperature (P/T) metamorphism. The relationship between age distribution and deformation pattern indicates that the Jurassic muscovite and biotite dates can be interpreted as complete resetting ages, caused by thermal and deformational activities associated with Jurassic granite plutonism. Well‐defined ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau ages of 155–169 Ma for micas from both metasediments and granitic rocks can be correlated with the main Jurassic K–Ar mica ages (149–194 Ma). U–Pb zircon dates for biotite granite from the southwest OMB are 167–169 Ma. On the basis of the predominantly Jurassic igneous and metamorphic ages and the uniformity of d₀₀₂ values for carbonaceous materials in the study area, it is suggested that the OMB has undergone amphibolite facies M2 metamorphism after M1 metamorphism. This low P/T M2 regional thermal metamorphism may have been caused by the regional intrusion of Jurassic granites. The OMB may have undergone tectono‐metamorphic evolution as follows: (i) the OMB was initiated as an intraplate rift in the Neoproterozoic during break‐up of Rodinia, and may represent the extension of Huanan aulacogen within the South China block; (ii) sedimentation continued from the Neoproterozoic to the Ordovician, perhaps with several unconformities; (iii) M1 intermediate P/T metamorphism occurred during the Late Paleozoic due to compression caused by collision between the North and South China blocks in an area peripheral to the collision zone; and (iv) during the Early to Middle Jurassic, north‐westward subduction of the Farallon‐Izanagi Plate under the Asian Plate resulted in widespread intrusion of granites, which triggered M2 low P/T regional thermal metamorphism in the OMB. This event also formed the dextral Honam shear zone at the boundary between the OMB and Precambrian Yeongnam massif.     

Silicification of pelitic schist in the Ryoke low-pressure/temperature metamorphic belt, Southwest Japan: Origin of competent layers in the middle crust

We propose that competent layers composed of silicified rocks in the Cretaceous Ryoke low-pressure/temperature (low- P/T ) metamorphic belt in the Iwakuni–Yanai area, Southwest Japan, may be an exhumed equivalent of a seismically-reflective bright-layer in the middle crust. Silicified rocks crop out as layers or long lenticular bodies several to fifteen meters in thickness, and they are restricted to the area of greenschist facies conditions within a structural thickness of about one kilometer. The silicified rock layers exhibit a sharp contact with subjacent biotite schist but a gradational contact with overlying pelitic schist. Silicified rock is mainly composed of fine-grained quartz and minor muscovite and biotite, and some colored minerals have been variably decolorized by alteration. This implies that silicification turned the color of pelitic schists to pale gray or milky white. Quartz veins cutting schistosity at high angles were preferentially developed in the silicified rocks, while schistosity-parallel quartz veins, which underwent viscous flow, were observed in the underlying biotite schists. En echelon quartz veins and fishnet-like quartz veins are characteristic of silicified rocks. The modes of occurrence of quartz veins indicate that silicified rocks were competent relative to underlying biotite schist. The combination of contact with high-competence contrast adjacent to low-permeability silicified rocks may be a good reflector of seismic waves. If the silicified rocks were distributed in the middle crust to a considerable extent, they may result in seismic bright-layer reflections.     

Regional metamorphic belts of the Japanese Islands

Abstract An overview of the regional metamorphic belts of Japan is given in the context of the tectonic evolution of the Japanese Islands. The Japanese Islands were situated on an active margin of the Eurasian continent or its constituent landmass before their assembly during the Phanerozoic. The Japanese Islands are composed mainly of metamorphosed and unmetamorphosed accretionary complexes, granitoids and their effusive equivalents that were formed by the Cordilleran-type orogeny. The metamorphic belts are regarded essentially as a deep-seated portion of an accretionary complex. In spite of continuous subduction of oceanic plates beneath the continents, these orogenic rocks were formed quite episodically, as evidenced by discontinuous matrix ages of the accretionary complexes and a striking concentration of isotopic ages of the granitoids. A systematic along-arc age shift of Cretaceous large-scaled granitic magmatism and regional metamorphism suggests a tectonic control such as ridge subduction, which triggered the episodic orogeny. A tectonic model based on the paired metamorphic belts, combined with the non-steady tectonic control, works well to explain this magmatism and metamorphism in a single arc-trench system as a continental margin process. However, the juxtapositional process of the paired metamorphic belts is still a problem. Two possible cases, namely transcurrent displacement and back-arc overthrusting are discussed.     

Regional occurrence of orthopyroxene-bearing basic rocks in the Yanai district, southwest Japan: Evidence for granulite-facies Ryoke metamorphism

Abstract   The present paper is reporting on the regional occurrence of orthopyroxene-bearing basic rocks from the Ryoke Metamorphic Belt in the Yanai district, southwest Japan. Their localities are confined to the highest-grade zone of the area (i.e. the garnet–cordierite zone, where garnet coexists with cordierite, K-feldspar and biotite in pelitic rocks). Orthopyroxene coexists with quartz and hydrous minerals such as biotite, cummingtonite and hornblende, and in some cases with clinopyroxene, suggesting that the highest grade of the Ryoke metamorphism reached a low-temperature subfacies of the granulite facies, contrary to the upper amphibolite facies as previously asserted.     

On the metamorphic history of an Archaean granitoid greenstone terrane, East Pilbara, Western Australia, using theAr/Ar age spectrum technique

Age spectrum analyses of blue-green hornblendes from amphibolites from the Western Shaw Belt, East Pilbara, Western Australia, indicate an age of at least 3200 Ma for early regional metamorphism. Ages on hornblende and muscovite from the narrow contact zone with the adjacent Yule Batholith probably date updoming of the granitoid gneiss terranes at 2950 Ma. Hornblendes from within the Shaw Batholith and from a contact zone of a post-tectonic granitoid yield ages of 2840–2900 Ma, indicating either prolonged high temperatures within the granitoid gneiss terranes or a separate thermal pulse associated with the intrusion of post-tectonic granitoids. The preservation of very old hornblendes in a narrow greenstone belt surrounded by massive granitoid gneiss domes indicates that remarkable contrasts in metamorphic geotherms existed over short distances during the Late Archaean, suggesting that updoming occurred during a period of rapid tectonism.     

Sm–Nd, Rb–Sr and K–Ar geochronology of the Higo metamorphic terrane, west-central Kyushu, Japan

The Higo metamorphic terrane situated in west-central Kyushu island, southwest Japan, is composed of greenschist- to granulite-facies metamorphic rocks. The southern part of the metamorphic terrane consists mainly of garnet–biotite gneiss and garnet–cordierite–biotite gneiss, and orthopyroxene or cordierite-bearing S-type tonalite with subordinate amounts of hornblende gabbro. Rb–Sr, Sm–Nd and K–Ar isotopic ages for these rocks have been determined here. The garnet–biotite gneiss gives an Sm–Nd age of 227.1 ± 4.9 Ma and a Rb–Sr age of 101.0 ± 1.0 Ma. The hornblende gabbro has an Sm–Nd age of 257.9 ± 2.5 Ma and a K–Ar age of 103.4 ± 1.1 Ma. These age differences of the same samples are due to the difference in the closure temperature for each system and minerals. The garnet-cordierite–biotite gneiss contains coarse-grained garnet with a zonal structure conspicuously distinguished in color difference (core: dark red; rim: pink). Sm–Nd internal isochrons of the garnet core and the rim give ages of 278.8 ± 4.9 Ma (initial ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratio = 0.512311 ± 0.000005) and 226.1 ± 28.4 Ma (0.512277 ± 0.000038), respectively. These ages are close to formation of the garnet core and the rim. It has been previously suggested that the Higo metamorphic terrane belongs to the Ryoke metamorphic belt. But Sr and Nd isotopic features of the rocks from the former are different from those of the Ryoke metamorphic rocks, and are similar to those of the granulite xenoliths contained in the Ryoke younger granite.