华北与西伯利亚板块的对接过程: 来自西拉木伦缝合带变形花岗岩锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年龄证据

房框子沟花岗质片麻岩NEE向展布于内蒙古林西县双井镇的房框子沟村一带, 是一套侵入到双井片岩中的变质变形侵入体, 其边缘和中央分别为云染状和均质的花岗质片麻岩.利用LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb原位定年方法对采自该侵入体边缘和中央的样品进行了定年, 结果表明, 岩浆在271.9±1.6Ma开始侵位于双井片岩中, 在接触带上多发生混合岩化, 造成岩体边缘呈云染状, 在264.8±1.8Ma岩体主体侵位, 之后由于西伯利亚板块与华北板块的持续碰撞缝合, 岩体在应力作用下变形变质形成了今天看到的房框子沟花岗质片麻岩的面貌, 到231±2Ma碰撞基本结束, 西伯利亚板块与华北板块最终拼合.      

Late Precambrian subduction and collision in the Al Amar—Idsas region, Arabian Shield, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Recent work on outer arcs and collision belts provides for the first time a possible model for evolution of part of the Arabian Shield. The thick volcanic, volcaniclastic and sedimentary succession of the Proterozoic Halaban Group in the east of the Shield is intruded by synto late tectonic plutons and resembles Cenozoic subduction-related magmatic areas. West of the Halaban Group, and separated from it by a major east-dipping thrust with associated ultrabasic rocks and carbonates, are folded chlorite—sericite metasediments of the Abt Schists, comparable to Cenozoic outer arc successions. West of and beneath the Abt Schists calcareous and arenaceous metasediments of the Ar-Ridaniyah Formation are analogous to Mesozoic—Cenozoic continental margin shelf facies of the subducting plate. Eastward subduction with magmatism (Halaban Group) and tectonic emplacement of ocean-floor sediments (Abt Schists) was followed by continental collision and eastward underthrusting by the Ar-Ridaniyah Group and cratonized central part of the Shield. Collision-related post-tectonic granites were emplaced during and following the collision.     

Thrusting and transpressional shearing in the Pan-African nappe southwest El-Sibai core complex,Central Eastern Desert,Egypt

The Wadi El-Shush area in the Central Eastern Desert (CED) of Egypt is occupied by the Sibai core complex and its surrounding Pan-African nappe complex. The sequence of metamorphic and structural events in the Sibai core complex and the enveloping Pan-African nappe can be summarized as follows: (1) high temperature metamorphism associated with partial melting of amphibolites and development of gneissic and migmatitic rocks, (2) between 740 and 660 Ma, oblique island arc accretion resulted in Pan-African nappe emplacement and the intrusion of syn-tectonic gneissic tonalite at about 680 ± 10 Ma. The NNW–SSE shortening associated with oblique island arc accretion produced low angle NNW-directed thrusts and open folds in volcaniclastic metasediments, schists and isolated serpentinite masses (Pan-African nappe) and created NNE-trending recumbent folds in syn-tectonic granites. The NNW–SSE shortening has produced imbricate structures and thrust duplexes in the Pan-African nappe, (3) NE-ward thrusting which deformed the Pan-African nappe into SW-dipping imbricate slices. The ENE–WSW compression event has created NE-directed thrusts, folded the NNW-directed thrusts and produced NW-trending major and minor folds in the Pan-African nappe. Prograde metamorphism (480–525 °C at 2–4.5 kbar) was synchronous with thrusting events, (4) retrograde metamorphism during sinistral shearing along NNW- to NW-striking strike-slip shear zones (660–580 Ma), marking the external boundaries of the Sibai core complex and related to the Najd Fault System. Sinistral shearing has produced steeply dipping mylonitic foliation and open plunging folds in the NNW- and NE-ward thrust planes. Presence of retrograde metamorphism supports the slow exhumation of Sibai core complex under brittle–ductile low temperature conditions. Arc-accretion caused thrusting, imbrication and crustal thickening, whereas gravitational collapse of a compressed and thickened lithosphere initiated the sinistral movement along transcurrent shear zones and low angle normal ductile shear zones and consequently, development and exhumation of Sibai core complex.     

A preliminary study of graphite-bearing rocks at Wadi Sikait area, South Eastern Desert, Egypt

The studied graphite-bearing rocks are located at Wadi Sikait in the southern part of the Eastern Desert of Egypt to the west of Marsa Alam on the Red Sea coast. They are intruded by granitic rocks and they have low radioactivity level. Mica-graphite schists are considered as a matrix of ophiolitic mélange. Graphite occurs in mica-graphite schists as disseminated grains and in talc carbonates rocks as bands or veins. Petrographically, the mica-graphite schists are mainly composed of quartz, plagioclase, muscovite, biotite, and graphite. Geochemical characteristics show that trace elements analysis reflects higher content in Cr and Ni in ash-free graphite than mica-graphite schists. Spectrometrically, the graphite-bearing rocks at Wadi Sikait are showing eU values greater than eTh values, indicating that the graphite-bearing rocks gain U from the country rocks. The U/eU ratio range from 2.7 to 11 manifesting enrichment of chemical uranium (U) may be related to recent uranium transported from the mineralized country rocks. There is a role of graphite and carbonaceous matter in the genesis of U deposits.     

Neoproterozoic nascent island arc volcanism from the Nubian Shield of Egypt: Magma genesis and generation of continental crust in intra-oceanic arcs

The Neoproterozoic Wadi Ranga metavolcanic rocks, South Eastern Desert of Egypt, constitute a slightly metamorphosed bimodal sequence of low-K submarine tholeiitic mafic and felsic volcanic rocks. The mafic volcanic rocks are represented by massive and pillow flows and agglomerates, composed of porphyritic and aphyric basalts and basaltic andesites that are mostly amygdaloidal. The felsic volcanic rocks embrace porphyritic dacites and rhyolites and tuffs, which overlie the mafic volcanic rocks. The geochemical characteristics of Wadi Ranga volcanic rocks, especially a strong Nb depletion, indicate that they were formed from subduction-related melts. The clinopyroxene phenocrysts of basalts are more akin to those crystallizing from island-arc tholeiitic magmas. The tholeiitic nature of the Wadi Ranga volcanics as well as their LREE-depleted or nearly flat REE patterns and their low K₂O contents suggest that they were developed in an immature island arc setting. The subchondritic Nb/Ta ratios (with the lowest ratio reported for any arc rocks) and low Nb/Yb ratios indicate that the mantle source of the Wadi Ranga mafic volcanic rocks was more depleted than N-MORB-source mantle. Subduction signature was dominated by aqueous fluids derived from slab dehydration, whereas the role of subducted sediments in mantle-wedge metasomatization was subordinate, implying that the subduction system was sediment-starved and far from continental clastic input. The amount of slab-derived fluids was enough to produce hydrous magmas that follow the tholeiitic but not the calc-alkaline differentiation trend. With Mg# > 64, few samples of Wadi Ranga mafic volcanic rocks are similar to primitive arc magmas, whereas the other samples have clearly experienced considerable fractional crystallization.The low abundances of trace elements, together with low K₂O contents of the felsic metavolcanic rocks indicate that they were erupted in a primitive island arc setting. The felsic volcanic rocks are characterized by lower K/Rb ratios compared to the mafic volcanic rocks, higher trace element abundances (~ 2 to ~ 9 times basalt) on primitive arc basalt-normalized pattern and nearly flat chondrite-normalized REE patterns, which display a negative Eu anomaly. These features are largely consistent with fractional crystallization model for the origin of the felsic volcanic rocks. Moreover, SiO₂-REE variations for the Wadi Ranga volcanic rocks display steadily increasing LREE over the entire mafic to felsic range and enriched La abundances in the felsic lavas relative to the most mafic lavas, features which are consistent with production of the felsic volcanic rocks through fractional crystallization of basaltic melts. The relatively large volume of Wadi Ranga silicic volcanic rocks implies that significant volume of silicic magmas can be generated in immature island arcs by fractional crystallization and indicates the significant role of intra-oceanic arcs in the production of Neoproterozoic continental crust. We emphasize that the geochemical characteristics of these rocks such as their low LILE and nearly flat REE patterns can successfully discriminate them from other Egyptian Neoproterozoic felsic volcanic rocks, which have higher LILE, Zr and Nb and fractionated REE patterns.     

Petrology and isotope geology of mafic to ultramafic metavolcanic rocks of the Brusque Metamorphic Complex,southern Brazil

The Brusque Metamorphic Complex (BMC) is one of the main units of the Tijucas Terrain within the Dom Feliciano Belt, located in the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. In the Itapema region, the BMC is composed chiefly of metasediments, including subordinate metabasalts, meta-ultramafic rocks, and clinoamphibole schists. The metavolcanic rocks form 4 m-thick lenses interlayered with metapelites and calc-silicate schists. Based on the observed textures and the associated structural, bulk-rock geochemical, and mineral chemical data, these metamafites and ultramafites were ancient lava flows of tholeiitic basalts and ultramafic cumulates. The mineral parageneses of the metabasalts are albite?+?actinolite?+?chlorite?+?epidote?+?titanite?+?magnetite and oligoclase?+?hornblende?+?epidote?+?titanite?+?magnetite, indicating progressive transformations produced under greenschist to amphibolite facies conditions. Volcanogenic metasediments show the same geochemical patterns as the metabasalts, whereas the metamorphosed ultramafic rocks consist of cumulates generated by crystal fractionation and flow segregation. The studied rocks show similar rare-earth element (REE) patterns, characterized by clearly higher normalized contents of light REEs compared with heavy REEs, without Eu anomalies in the metabasalts and positive Eu anomalies in meta-ultramafic rocks and volcanogenic metasediments. In accordance with the trace element contents that indicate a within-plate nature, the corresponding mafic melts apparently formed in the mantle by partial fusion and were subsequently enriched with crustal components during ascent into the sialic crust. The analysed ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios lie between 0.5123 and 0.5126 and 0.7067 and 0.7086, respectively, and are thus typical of tholeiitic basalts of the continental plateau type. Initial ?Nd₍₉₃₆₎ values and derived model ages (T _DM) between 1028 and 1762 million years support a mantle source or sources, with extraction and emplacement in the Neoproterozoic. Field relations and geochemical data (including isotopic data) indicate the generation of the studied mafic and ultramafic rocks in a continental rift. In the regional geologic context, the formation of the BMC volcanic and metasedimentary units marks a period of fragmentation of the Palaeoproterozoic continental crust. This extensional event is preserved regionally in gneisses from the Santa Catarina Granulitic Complex and the Camboriú Complex.     

Tectonometamorphic evolution of the Neoproterozoic Delgo suture zone,Northern Sudan

In the area around Delgo in north-east Sudan a narrow NNE-trending Neoproterozoic belt of low grade volcanosedimentary rocks is fringed by high grade migmatitic basement blocks. The volcanosedimentary sequence is structurally overlain by a rock body of several kilometres length, which is composed of metamorphosed ultramafic and mafic rocks. This sequence is interpreted as an island arc-ophiolite association representing a suture zone.With respect to their degrees of metamorphism and their structural characteristics, the lithological units of the Delgo area are significantly different from the adjacent basement rocks in the east and west. The lithological contacts of the metavolcanic-metasedimentary rocks with the basement rocks are often marked by intermediate-dipping mylonites which are locally overprinted by ductile to brittle-ductile strike-slip faults.The Delgo suture evolved through the subduction-related closure of an oceanic basin and final collision of the island arc with the migmatitic basement blocks on either side of the oceanic basin. Peak metamorphism of deeply buried back-arc basin sequences occurred at around 700 Ma ago. During the collision stage, island arc rocks, passive margin sequences and ophiolitic rocks were thrust to the east and west over the basement blocks, causing limited crustal thickening and a minor isostatic rebound.Lithospheric extension associated with increasing heat flow caused migmatization in the basement between ca. 580 and 540 Ma ago. The development of numerous intermediate-dipping mylonitic shear zones at decreasing temperatures post-dates the migmatization. Lithospheric extension may explain the juxtaposition of rocks which were formed and/or metamorphosed at significantly different crustal levels.     

Metastable persistence of pelitic metamorphic assemblages at the root of a Cretaceous magmatic arc – Fiordland, New Zealand

Four aluminosilicate-bearing, amphibolite facies pelitic schists sampled from the root of the long-lived eastern Gondwana continental magmatic arc now exposed in southwest Fiordland, New Zealand, record remarkably different P–T–t histories. The four samples were collected from within 20 km of each other within the Fanny Bay Group and Deep Cove Gneiss near Dusky Sound. Integrated petrography, mineral chemistry, mineral equilibria modelling and in situ electron microprobe chemical dating of monazite shows that the sample of the Fanny Bay Group south of the Dusky Fault records a Carboniferous history with peak conditions of 4–4.5 kbar at 570–590 °C, while one sample of the Deep Cove Gneiss from Long Island records a Cretaceous history with apparent peak conditions of 7.5 kbar at 650 °C. Two other samples of the Deep Cove Gneiss from Resolution Island record mixed Carboniferous and Cretaceous histories with apparent peak conditions of 7 kbar at 650 °C and 3–7 kbar at 640–720 °C. The metapelitic schists on Resolution Island were intruded by arc magmas including the voluminous high- P Western Fiordland Orthogneiss, yet they lack mineralogical evidence of the Cretaceous high- P (>12 kbar) event. Analysis of water isopleths in a model system shows that the amount of water accommodated in the rock mineral assemblage increases with pressure. With the exhaustion of all free water, and without the addition of external water, these rocks persisted metastably within the deep arc during the high- P event. The emplacement of large volumes of diorite (i.e. the Western Fiordland Orthogneiss) into the root of the Early Cretaceous continental magmatic arc did not lead to regional granulite facies metamorphism of the country rock schists, as large volumes of amphibolite facies rock metamorphosed under medium- P conditions persisted metastably in the deep arc crust.     

Metamorphism and tectonics of a Pan-African terrain in southeastern Sinai

The Precambrian crystalline basement of Sinai represents a low-pressure metamorphic terrain intruded by large volumes of granitic rock. Based on detailed fieldwork, a general assessment of the metamorphic and tectonic history of the Wadi Kid area, southeastern Sinai, is presented. Three lithostratigraphic units can be traced over the whole area; the Umm Zariq Formation (arkoses, greywackes, pelites), the Tarr Formation (dolomitic-calcareous rocks) and, unconformably overlying the previous two units, the Heib Formation (flows, pyroclastics, conglomerates). D₁ deformation of this 3.5 km thick sequence resulted in upright folds, with changing strike of the axial planes from NE to NW across the area. Low-grade conditions prevailed during this phase. D₂ produced recumbent folds and a subhorizontal cleavage, leading to transposition of D₁ structures in the higher grade parts of the area. Metamorphism reached its peak conditions around D₂. Pressures are estimated at 2.5–3.5 kb, whereas temperatures vary from 450–660°C. In the central Wadi Kid area, garnet, staurolite, cordierite and andalusite occur in metapelitic rocks. Highest grade rocks are syn-D₂ andalusite—K-feldspar gneiss diapirs. Metamorphic zones are shallow dippin and form a domed pattern. Most of the metavolcanics and the syntectonic and late tectonic plutonic rocks belong to the calc-alkaline suite.The Kid Group sediments and volcanics were deposited in a shallow basin and subaerially, respectively, probably on older sialic basement. This basement is at present not exposed because post-orogenic uplift directly after the Pan-African event was relatively small (3–6 km). Metamorphism and the D₂ formation phase can both be related to a rising (mafic?) diapir. The Sinai Peninsula may have been a continental margin or a cratonized, mature island arc, in Late Proterozoic times.     

新疆南天山奥图拉托格拉克一带前震旦系基底地质特征

1994年在新疆南天山地区奥图拉托格拉克一带 ,首次发现了晚太古代、元古宙结晶基底。晚太古代变质岩主要由变质深成岩组成 ,表壳岩组合为沙窝大沟岩组 ,岩性为一套变质火山—沉积岩。阜平期变侵入岩为巴什托格拉克片麻杂岩 ,为一套无序的 TTG岩系。五台期变侵入岩为沙窝布拉克片麻岩套。为一套基本有序的变侵入岩系列 ,包括 TTG和二长花岗岩两个岩系。三者组成太古宙古陆核。下元古界奥图拉托格拉克岩群为一套无序变质火山—沉积岩系 ,具有古老沟弧盆体系特征 ,阿牙克托格拉克岩组原岩为古蛇绿岩组合 ,具洋脊玄武岩特征 ;克孜拉格岩组原岩为杂砂岩 ,属盆地沉积 ;卡拉格兹岩组原岩为岛弧火山岩。长城系乱滩布拉克组由一套变火山岩、火山碎屑岩组成 ,属岛弧或活动陆缘沉积 ;卫东庄组为一变质碎屑岩建造 ,具弧盆碎屑岩沉积特征。长城纪末侵入了多岛滩超单元花岗岩     

扬子板块北缘光雾山地区钾长花岗岩年代学、地球化学特征及构造意义

为了限定扬子板块北缘地区新元古代岩浆活动事件的准确时间及和探讨岩石成因,本文对出露于四川省南江县光雾山钾长花岗岩进行了LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年和岩石地球化学研究。结果表明光雾山地区钾长花岗岩锆石U-Pb年龄为836.3Ma±8.3Ma,属于新元古代花岗岩。岩石具有高w(SiO2)(72.68%~78.10%),w(K2O)(4.26%~5.32%),w(Na2O)(1.68%~3.38%),相对富钾(K2O/Na2O=1.12~2.54),高碱(w(Na2O+K2O)=7.64%~8.99%),低P2O5含量等特征,铝饱和指数A/CNK=0.99~1.49,光雾山花岗岩属于过铝质高钾钙碱性花岗岩。岩石具有轻稀土元素相对富集,重稀土元素亏损的特征,具有明显Eu负异常,δEu为0.48~0.73。光雾山花岗岩微量元素表现出Rb,Th,K,Nd,Sm元素富集,Ba,Nb,Ta,Sr,P,Ti元素亏损的特点。地球化学研究表明,光雾山钾长花岗岩主要以粘土岩部分熔融为主及少部分含粘土的变质杂砂岩部分熔融形成的。岩浆可能来源于本区结晶基底新太古界-古元古界后河岩群和褶皱基底中-新元古界火地亚群中深变质岩为代表的地壳物质的部分熔融产物,为壳源成因类型,具有岛弧型花岗岩特征,形成于岛弧构造环境。光雾山钾长花岗岩的形成是新元古界时期扬子板块与华北板块之间的俯冲碰撞、岛弧形成构造演化过程中使区域地壳不断加厚和地壳深融作用的响应。扬子陆块北缘南江地区约836Ma同碰撞岛弧型钾长花岗岩的发现,表明该地区在约836Ma时为Rodinia超大陆汇聚形成阶段,此时期该区Rodinia超大陆尚未进入大陆裂解阶段。     

Petrology of calc-alkaline/adakitic basement hosting A-type Neoproterozoic granites of the Malani igneous suite in Nagar Parkar,SE Sindh,Pakistan

The Nagar Parkar area contains three distinct groups of rocks, from oldest to youngest, (1) basement rocks ranging in composition from mafic to (quartz)diorite, tonalite, granite, and younger granodiorite, (2) granite plutons similar in general features to those of the Malani Igneous Suite of Rajasthan, and (3) abundant mafic, felsic and rhyolitic dykes. The basement rocks show strong brittle and local plastic deformation, and epidote amphibolite/upper greenschist facies metamorphic overprint. The chemistry of the basement rocks contrasts the commonly agreed within plate A-type character of the Neoproterozoic granites (group 2) that are emplaced into them. The basement rock association is calc-alkaline; the granodiorite displays the compositional characteristics of adakites, whereas the tonalite has intermediate composition between typical adakite and classical island arc rocks. This paper presents detailed petrography of the basement rocks and compares their geochemistry with those of the group 2 granites as well as with rocks from other tectonic environments. It is proposed that the Nagar Parkar basement is part of a 900–840 Ma magmatic arc that was deformed before it was intruded 800–700 Ma ago by the A-type continental granitic rocks followed by mafic to felsic dykes.     

Evolution of arc crust and relations between contrasting sources: U-Pb (age), Nd and Sr isotope systematics of the ophiolitic terrain of SW Norway

The U/Pb dating of ophiolite and arc complexes in the Caledonides of SW Norway has demonstrated that these spatially associated rocks are also closely related in time. A sequence of tholeiitic island arc volcanics, and an unconformably overlying sequence of calc-alkaline volcanics have been dated as 494 ± 2 Ma (2σ) and 473 ± 2 Ma respectively. Ophiolitic crust formed both prior to, and during the first 10 Ma after the tholeiitic island arc volcanism. Boninitic and island arc tholeiitic dyke swarms intruded the ophiolites soon after they formed and represent a second phase of spreading-related magmatism in the ca 20 Ma period that separated the tholeiitic and the calc-alkaline island arc volcanism. The magmatism ended with the formation of alkaline, ocean island basalt (OIB)-like magmas. Quartz dioritic and S-type granitic plutons, dated to 479 ± 5 Ma and 474 +3/−2 Ma respectively, intruded into the base of the arc crust during and subsequent to the boninitic magmatism, and at the time when calc-alkaline volcanic centres developed. The quartz dioritic and the granitic rocks contain inherited zircons of Precambrian age which prove the involvement of a continental source. This together with the geology of the terrain and the geochemistry of these plutons suggests that the granitic magmas were partly derived from subducted clastic sediments. The Sr and Nd isotope systematics indicate that the same continental source was a component in the boninitic and the calc-alkaline magmas. While the calc-alkaline magmas may have gained this continental component at a crustal level by assimilation, both geology and isotope systematics suggest that the continental component in the boninitic rocks was introduced by source contamination – possibly by a direct interaction between the mantle source and the S-type granitic magmas. A modified mid ocean ridge basalt-like mantle source was the principal source during the earliest and the main crust forming stage. This source became replaced by an OIB-like source during the later stages in the evolution of this ancient arc. Received: 27 June 1994 / Accepted: 16 September 1996     

Geochemistry and age of metamorphic rocks of the Khavyven Highland,eastern Kamchatka

The metamorphic rocks of the Khavyven Highland in eastern Kamchatka were determined to comprise two complexes of metavolcanic rocks that have different ages and are associated with subordinate amounts of metasediments. The complex composing the lower part of the visible vertical section of the highland is dominated by leucocratic amphibole-mica (±garnet) and epidote-mica (±garnet) crystalline schists, whose protoliths were andesites and dacites and their high-K varieties of the island-arc calc-alkaline series. The other complex, composing the upper part of the vertical section, consists of spilitized basaltoids transformed into epidote-amphibole and phengite-epidote-amphibole green schists, which form (together with quartzites, serpentinized peridotites, serpentinites, and gabbroids) a sea-margin ophiolitic association. The high LILE concentrations, high K/La, Ba/Th, Th/Ta, and La/Nb ratios, deep Ta-Nb minima, and low (La/Yb)_N and high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of the crystalline schists of the lower unit are demonstrated to testify to their subduction nature and suggest that their protolithic volcanics were produced in the suprasubduction environment of the Ozernoi-Valaginskii (Achaivayam-Valaginskii) island volcanic arc of Campanian-Paleogene age. The green schists of the upper unit show features of depleted MOR tholeiitic melts and subduction melts, which cause the deep Ta-Nb minima, and low K/La and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios suggesting that the green schists were formed in a marginal basin in front of the Ozernoi-Valaginskaya island arc. Recently obtained K-Ar ages in the Khavyven Highland vary from 32.4 to 39.3 Ma and indicate that the metamorphism of the protolithic rocks occurred in the Eocene under the effect of collision and accretion processes of the arc complexes of the Ozernoi-Valaginskii and Kronotskii island arcs with the Asian continent and the closure of forearc oceanic basins in front of them. The modern position of the collision suture that marks the fossil subduction zone of the Ozernoi-Valaginskii arc and is spatially restricted to the buried Khavyven uplift in the Central Kamchatka Depression, which is characterized by well-pronounced linear gravity anomalies.     

Volcanism on a Proterozoic continental margin in northwestern Queensland

The oldest rocks exposed in northwestern Queensland are metamorphosed calc-alkaline volcanics (Leichhardt Metamorphics), which are intruded by elongate tonalitic to granitic batholiths (Kalkadoon Granite). These rocks are overlain by a less metamorphosed sequence containing basic lavas (Magna Lynn Metabasalt) overlain by extensive ignimbritic rhyolite and dacite (Argylla Formation). Sequences of basalt and psammite overlie the rhyolite unconformably and are overlain in turn unconformably by psammitic, pelitic, carbonate and possibly evaporitic sediments and minor volcanics. Younger granites intrude these rocks.The mineral assemblages of the Leichhardt Metamorphics, Magna Lynn Metabasalt and Argylla Formation indicate greenschist and lower amphibolite facies of metamorphism. The rocks contain no glass and some are obviously recyrstallized; however, phenocrysts, lithic fragments, spherulites, amygdales and flow-top breccias are still recognizable.Sixty-nine of the least deformed volcanic and sub-volcanic rocks were analysed for major elements and up to twenty trace elements. Element dispersion in these analyses indicated that metasomatism was probably of limited extent. The Magna Lynn Metabasalt is similar to low-potassium tholeiite, as it has less than 0.5% potash, high normative hypersthene, some normative quartz and typical Ti/Zr/Y ratios. The acid volcanics have calc-alkaline affinities although andesite is not common and the alumina content is relatively low. They have high K/Na ratios and their trace elements (especially Ba, Sr, Rb, Zr and Ce) are similar to Andean volcanics. The tholeiitic sequences that overlie the calc-alkaline volcanics in northwestern Queensland resemble the basaltic sequences of western U.S.A. that also overlie calc-alkaline volcanics.The predominantly calc-alkaline volcanics of northwestern Queensland are believed to have formed at a continental margin similar to that in the Andean region. The younger tholeiitic lavas and minor continental acid volcanism possibly accompanied crustal tension. Later regional metamorphism and intrusion of large granite batholiths stabilized the region.     

Possibility of identification of back-arc paleobasins from high-grade orthometamorphite rocks: Evidence from basic crystalline schists of the Slyudyanka crystalline complex,South Baikal region

The Slyudyanka crystalline complex is located within the composite Khamar-Daban metamorphic terrane, the part of the Central Asian fold belt. Geochemical composition of the basic crystalline schists of the Slyudyanka Group (subterrane) metamorphosed under the high-temperature subfacies of the granulite facies suggests that their protoliths were tholeiitic basalts. Their geochemical signatures are intermediate between mid-ocean ridges and island arc basalts, best approximating back-arc basin basalts. The types of the metamorphic rocks of the Slyudyanka Group and their combination in sequences also most correspond to accumulation in back-arc basins. It was concluded that the high-grade metavolcanic rocks retain main geochemical signatures of protoliths, which allows the reconstruction of their paleogeodynamic settings, including back-arc basins.     

Oxygen isotope studies of granite and migmatite,Grenville province of Ontario,Canada

O¹⁸/O¹⁶ ratios have been obtained for rocks and minerals along a 200 mile traverse from near the Grenville front north of Lake Nipissing to the Paleozoic contact to the east of Georgian Bay. Two types of oxygen isotopic relationships correlated with metamorphic grade and style of plutonic emplacement are observed: (A) from the Grenville fron to the Haliburton Highlands, upper amphibolite to granulite facies paragneisses, migmatites and concordantly emplaced granites all show relatively low and uniform δO¹⁸-values, e.g. δ (whole rock) range from 5·0 to 8·9 per mil (SMOW) and 80 per cent of the 44 samples analyzed lie between 6·5 and 8·4. We attribute this to extensive syn-anatectic oxygen isotope homogenization and exchange with a deep-seated mafic or ultramafic reservoir through a water-rich pore fluid. (B) To the southeast of the Harvey-Cardiff Arch, in the Chandos Lake-Silent Lake area, where metasediments of lower metamorphic grade are abundant and granites intrude at higher crustal level are common, we observed higher O¹⁸/O¹⁶ ratios in the granites (δ = 9?14) and paragneisses (δ = 12?17). The granites apparently have undergone various degrees of oxygen isotope exchange with the intruded metasediments. It thus appears that the granite-paragneiss assemblege as a whole has not been extensively open to some extraneous oxygen reservoir as in case (A).     

Precambrian deformed granites of possible basement in the Himalayas

Granitic rocks are abundant in the Axial zone, the core of the Himalayas. The Lesser Himalayan unfossiliferous metasedimentary sequence lying to the south of the Axial zone also contains concordant sheets of granitic rocks which were earlier described either as intrusive or metamorphosed volcaniclastic sediments. These granites have yielded Precambrian radiometric ages.The Lesser Himalayan deformed granites have been demarcated and we suggest that they represent thrust wedges of the Precambrian (older than 1000 Ma) basement rocks of the Himalayas. The deformed granite sheets of the Eastern Himalayas show the development of various types of mylonite. The chemical characters of these granites vary within reasonable limits. Geochemistry and Sr isotope ratios suggest their derivation by melting from crustal material and sediments, probably greywacke, to variable degrees. From geochemical evidence it is suggested that the central crystalline rocks of the Axial zone may contain reworked Precambrian basement components. The studied granites provide evidence of a Precambrian metamorphic and anatectic event in the Himalayas.     

K,Rb, Sr,Ba, U and Th geochemistry of the Lapland Granulites (Fennoscandia). LILE fractionation controlling factors

The LILE geochemical patterns of the three main lithological units (graywacke-shale metasedimentary sequence, tholeiitic metaigneous rocks and migmatitic rocks) of the Lapland Granulite belt are described. K, Ba, Sr and Th concentrations in metasediments are nearly similar to average continental crust, whereas Rb and U are unevenly impoverished. In particular graphitic metashales and calcsilicate rocks are not significantly depleted in uranium. Tholeiitic metaigneous rocks comprises metavolcanics which present K/Rb ratios similar to metasediments, and metaplutonics with LILE abundances close to those of the low-K-tholeiites. Migmatites show wide range in LILE content. Metatexites and diatexites have higher K, Rb, Th and U concentrations and similar K/Rb ratios with respect to equivalent unmobilized rocks. Potassic pegmatoïds are strongly enriched K, Rb, Ba and Th but moderately in Sr and U. Plagioclasic pegmatoids and ferromagnesian restites are rich in Sr and poor in other LIL elements.A comparative review of the LILE geochemistry between Lapland granulites and equivalent lithological units taken from non metamorphosed to high grade terrains suggest that fractionation processes are not systematic but controlled by original lithology and mineralogy, mineral — fluid equilibria during progressive (or retrogressive) metamorphism and mineral-melt-fluid equilibria during anatexis. Moreover, statistical analysis on K-Rb distribution patterns in these various rock types shows that there is no metamorphic trend characteristic of granulite facies terrains as previously suggested.Large Ion Lithophile Elements     

Geology, geochemistry and origin of the banded and granite gneisses in the basement complex of the Ilesha area, southwestern Nigeria

The basement complex in the Ilesha area consists of two distinct units — the gneisses and the schists. The Ilesha Schist Belt is a back-arc basin where there has been a subduction of an ocean slab into the mantle. This was followed by partial melting of mantle and ocean sediments to generate a wet basaltic magma, as revealed by spidergrams and REE fractionation patterns for the rocks in this belt. In this environment, differentiation of the wet basaltic magma led to the emplacement of a set of rocks, which formed a proto-continent. These rocks were then eroded to generate a sedimentary sequence which was metamorphosed into banded gneiss from which the granite gneisses were derived. The banded gneiss, characterised by alternation of felsic and mafic bands, is composed of medium to very coarse plagioclase, hornblende, quartz and biotite. The granite gneiss, composed of biotite, K--feldspars, quartz and minor garnet, occurs in close association with the banded gneiss.Chemical evidence revealed that elements that are depleted in the banded gneiss are concentrated in the granite gneiss and vice-versa; suggesting a petrogenetic link between these rocks.The schists were deposited as sediments composed of quartz, muscovite, biotite and Fe oxides. These sediments were metamorphosed to form quartzite schists which were folded into the gneisses. After the emplacement of these rocks, there was transpressive tectonic activity in this schist belt, causing deformation of these rocks, and emplacement of the northeast-southwest Ifewara-Zungeru Fault System, which separates the Ilesha Schist Belt into two halves.