Petrology,geochemistry, and geochronology of Paleoproterozoic volcanic and granitic rocks (1.89–1.88 Ga) of the Pitinga Province,Amazonian Craton,Brazil

This paper presents geochemical, petrographic, and geochronological data on the Uatumã magmatism in the Pitinga Province, where it is represented by volcanic rocks from the Iricoumé Group and granitic rocks from the Mapuera Suite. The Iricoumé Group (1.89–1.88 Ga) is constituted of the Divisor Formation (intermediate volcanic rocks), Ouro Preto Formation (acid effusive rocks), and Paraiso Formation (acid crystal-rich ignimbrites, surge deposits, and basic rocks). The volcanic sequence is intruded by granitoids from the Mapuera Suite (1.88 Ga), mainly represented by monzogranites and syenogranites. Structural and field relations suggest that caldera complex collapse controlled the emplacement of volcanics and granitoids of the Mapuera Suite. Subsequent structure reactivations allowed the younger Madeira Suite (1.82–1.81 Ga) to be emplaced in the central portion of the caldera complex. The felsic Iricoumé magmatism is mainly composed of rhyolites, trachydacites and latites, with SiO₂ contents between 64 wt% and 80 wt%. The plutonic rocks from the Mapuera Suite present SiO₂ between 65 wt% and 77 wt%. Volcanic and granitic rocks present identical geochemical characteristics and that is attributed to their co-magmatic character. The felsic volcanic rocks and granites are metaluminous to slightly peraluminous and show affinity with silica-saturated alkaline series or with A-type magmas. They have Na₂O + K₂O between 6.6% and 10.4%, FeO^t/(FeO^t + MgO) varying between 0.76 and 0.99, Ga/Al ratios between 1.5 and 4.9, like typical A-type rocks; and plot in the within-plate or post-collisional fields in the (Nb + Y) vs. Rb diagram. The Nb/Y ratios indicate that these rocks are comparable to A2-type granites. This magmatism can be related to the (i) potassic alkaline series, with low Sr content in the felsic rocks explained by plagioclase fractionation at low pressure and high temperature or, alternatively, (ii) a bimodal association where magma had high crustal influence. The similarity of the Iricoumé felsic magmatism with A2-type granitoids and their high ETRL/Nb ratios suggest its relation with mantle sources previously modified by subduction, probably in a post-collision environment. Alternatively, this can be interpreted as bimodal within-plate magmatism with contamination by crustal melts. In this context, the extreme F, Nb and Zr enrichment of Madeira Suite could be explained by the presence of a thin crust which favored the presence and continuity of convective systems in the upper mantle.     

Cumberland batholith,Trans-Hudson Orogen,Canada: Petrogenesis and implications for Paleoproterozoic crustal and orogenic processes

Large volume, plutonic belts, such as the ～ 221,000 km², ca. 1.865–1.845 Ga Cumberland batholith (CB) of the Trans-Hudson Orogen in Canada, are major components of Paleoproterozoic orogenic belts. In many cases, they have been interpreted as continental arc batholiths. The petrogenesis and tectonic context of the CB and implications for crustal growth and recycling are interpreted herein based on a 900 km geochemical-isotopic (Nd–O) transect across it and into granitoid plutons within bounding Archean cratons in central and southern Baffin Island.The mainly granulite grade CB, emplaced over an age span of between 14 and 24 Ma, consists mainly of high-K to shoshonitic monzogranite and granodiorite, but also includes low- and medium-K granitoid rocks. Metaluminous to slightly peraluminous compositions and δ¹⁸O (VSMOW) values (+ 6 to + 10‰) indicate derivation from infracrustal (I-type) sources. ε_Nd 1.85 Ga signatures (? 12 to ? 2) of both mafic and felsic units suggest a dominance of evolved sources. Isotopic signatures in the interior of the CB (? 2 to ? 7) are more radiogenic than those within Archean domains in central (? 8 to ? 15) and southern (? 5 to ? 19) Baffin Island. The isotopic transect is interpreted as ‘imaging’ an accreted microcontinental block (Meta Incognita) and bounding Archean cratons. The CB includes granites of arc, within-plate (A-type) and post-collisional affinity and volumetrically minor mafic rocks with both arc and non-arc features. (La/Yb)_CN and Sr/Y values range from < 1 to 225 and < 1 to 611, respectively. In these respects, some CB granitoid rocks resemble Paleozoic adakitic granites, interpreted as partial melts of greatly thickened crust within post-collisional settings, such as Tibet. Thus, the CB likely encompasses various non-consanguineous magmatic suites generated at deep- to mid-crustal depths. Although CB granitoid rocks undoubtedly had important crustal sources, it is hard to assess the relative contribution of mantle-derived magmas.The CB is best interpreted as a post-accretion batholith resulting from large-scale lithospheric mantle delamination followed by the upwelling of hot asthenospheric mantle leading to voluminous crustal partial melting. Contributors to crustal instability which may have facilitated such delamination included: (a) a collage of recently assembled small cratons underlain by hot, weak lithosphere with mantle-depth structural breaks within this segment of the Trans-Hudson Orogen; (b) the gabbro-eclogite phase transformation, and (c) a greatly thickened crustal section (> 60 km), as evidenced by adakitic granites.     

First evidence for Cambrian rift-related magmatism in the West African Craton margin: The Derraman Peralkaline Felsic Complex

West of the southern, Archean, part of the Reguibat Rise of the West African Craton the Oulad Dlim Massif consists of metamorphic nappes stacked during the Mauritanides (Variscan) orogeny. In the Derraman region, about 12 km west of the nappes, we have found strongly deformed hypersolvus aegirine-riebeckite A1-type granites with SHRIMP zircon U–Pb ages of ca. 525 ± 3 Ma, ε(Nd)_525Ma (− 5.2 to − 6.8.) and Nd model ages T_CR ≈ 1.85 Ga. These granites define two km-sized bodies and a few smaller satellites. One body is emplaced within a 3.12 Ga leucocratic gneiss. The other body and its satellites are emplaced within an Archean low-grade metasedimentary sequence with detrital zircons that have ages that peak at 2.84 Ga, 2.91 Ga, and 3.15 Ga. These Archean gneisses and metapelite rocks define a tectonic unit, hereafter called the Derraman-Bulautad-Leglat (DBL) unit, which was formed from the Reguibat basement at the very margin of the WAC. The ~ 525 Ma Derraman granites are the oldest post-Archean rocks in this unit and were generated in an intraplate rifting environment from melting of crustal fenites during the ubiquitous Cambrian rifting event that affected this part of northern Gondwana. At the present level of knowledge, however, we cannot decide whether the “old” Nd isotope signature of Derraman granites resulted from melting of an old (Paleoproterozoic) fenite source or reflects the signature of the mantle-derived metasomatising fluids. The just-discovered Derraman granites are strikingly similar to other rift-related Cambrian–Ordovician hypersolvus aegirine–riebeckite granites widespread in North Gondwana. Understanding the potential connections between them would help to understand the Cambrian–Ordovician breakdown of northern Gondwana.     

Geochronological and geochemical constraints on the petrogenesis of the early Paleoproterozoic potassic granite in the Lushan area,southern margin of the North China Craton

We conducted a geochronological and geochemical study on the Paleoproterozoic potassic granites in the Lushan area, southern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) to understand the tectonic regime of the NCC at 2.2–2.1 Ga. This rock suite formed at 2194 ± 29 Ma. The rocks are rich in SiO₂ (76.10–77.73 wt.%), and K₂O (5.94–6.90 wt.%) with high K₂O + Na₂O contents from 7.56 wt.% to 8.48 wt.%, but poor in CaO (0.10–0.28 wt.%), P₂O₅ (0.02–0.05 wt.%) and MgO (0.01–0.30 wt.%, Mg# = 1.08–27.3), indicating they experienced fractional crystallization. Major element compositions suggest the potassic granites share an affinity with high K calc-alkaline granite. Even though the Lushan potassic granitic rocks have high A/CNK ratios (1.11–1.25), which can reach peraluminous feature, the very low P₂O₅ contents and negative correlation of P₂O₅ and SiO₂ ruling out they are S-type granites. Different from peralkaline A-type granites, the Lushan potassic granites have variable Zr concentrations (160–344 ppm, 226 ppm on average) and 10,000 Ga/Al ratios (1.76–3.00), together with high zircon saturation temperatures (T_Zr = 826–885 °C), indicating they are fractionated aluminous A-type granites. Enriched LREE ((La/Yb)_N = 9.72–81.8), negative Eu anomalies, and low Sr/Y with no correlations in Sr/Y and Sr/Zr versus CaO suggest the possible presence of Ca-rich plagioclase and absence of garnet in the residual. Magmatic zircon grains have variable ε_Hf(t) values (−2.4 to +7.3) with zircon two-stage Hf model ages (T_DM^C) varying from 2848 Ma to 2306 Ma (mostly around ca. 2.5 Ga), and are plotted in the evolution line of crustal felsic rock. We propose that the rocks mainly formed by partial melting of ca. 2.50 Ga tonalitic–granodioritic crust as a result of upwelling mantle-derived magmas which provided thermal flux and source materials in an intra-continent rifting. The ca. 2.2 Ga magmatism suggests that intra-continental rifting occurred at 2.35–1.97 Ga at least in the southern margin of the NCC after its final cratonization in the late Neoarchean.     

Origin of the Alxa Block,western China: New evidence from zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotopes of the Longshoushan Complex

The NW–SE trending Longshoushan is in the southwestern margin of the Alxa Block, which was traditionally considered the westernmost part of the North China Craton (NCC). Precambrian crystalline basement exposed in the Longshoushan area was termed the “Longshoushan Complex”. This complex's formation and metamorphism are significant to understand the geotectonics and early Precambrian crustal evolution of the western NCC. In this study, field geology, petrology, and zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopes of representative orthogneisses and paragneisses in the Longshoushan Complex were investigated. U–Pb datings reveal three Paleoproterozoic magmatic episodes (ca. 2.33, ca. 2.17 and ca. 2.04 Ga) and two subsequent regional metamorphic events (ca. 1.95–1.90 Ga and ca. 1.85 Ga) for metamorphic granitic rocks in the Longshoushan Complex. U–Pb dating of the detrital magmatic zircons from two paragneisses yields concordant ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages between 2.2 Ga and 2.0 Ga, and a small number of metamorphic zircon rims provide a ca. 1.95 Ga metamorphic age, suggesting that the depositional time of the protolith was between 2.0 and 1.95 Ga and that the sedimentary detritus was most likely derived from the granitic rocks in the Longshoushan Complex itself. Zircon Lu–Hf isotopic analyses indicate that nearly all magmatic zircons from ca. 2.0 Ga to ca. 2.17 Ga orthogneisses have positive εHf(t) values with two-stage Hf model ages (T_DMC) ranging from 2.45 to 2.65 Ga (peak at ca. 2.5 Ga), indicating that these Paleoproterozoic granitic rocks were derived from the reworking of the latest Neoarchean–early Paleoproterozoic juvenile crust. Detrital magmatic zircons from two paragneisses yield scattered ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios, εHf(t) and T_DMC values, further indicating that the sedimentary detritus was not only derived from these plutonic rocks but also from other unreported or denuded Paleoproterozoic igneous rocks. The ca. 2.15 Ga detrital magmatic zircons from one paragneiss have negative εHf(t) values with T_DMC ranging from 2.76 to 3.04 Ga, indicating another important crustal growth period in the Longshoushan region. These data indicate that the Longshoushan Complex experienced Neoarchean–Early Paleoproterozoic crustal growth, approximately ca. 2.3–2.0 Ga experienced multiphase magmatic events, and approximately ca. 1.95–1.90 Ga and ca. 1.85 Ga experienced high-grade metamorphic events. The sequence of tectonothermal events is notably similar to that of the main NCC. Together with the datasets from an adjacent area, we suggest that the western Alxa Block was most likely an integrated component of the NCC from the Neoarchean to the Paleoproterozoic.     

Paleoproterozoic crustal evolution of the Tarim Craton: Constrained by zircon U–Pb and Hf isotopes of meta-igneous rocks from Korla and Dunhuang

The Tarim Craton is one of three large cratons in China. Presently, there is only scant information concerning its crustal evolutionary history because most of the existing geochronological studies have lacked a combined isotopic analysis, especially an in situ Lu–Hf isotope analysis of zircon. In this study, Precambrian basement rocks from the Kuluketage and Dunhuang Blocks in the northeastern portion of the Tarim Craton have been analyzed for combined in situ laser ablation ICP-(MC)-MS zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic analyses, as well as whole rock elements, to constrain their protoliths, forming ages and magma sources. Two magmatic events from the Kuluketage Block at ∼2.4 Ga and ∼1.85 Ga are revealed, and three stages of magmatic events are detected in the Dunhuang Block, i.e., ∼2.0 Ga, ∼1.85 Ga and ∼1.75 Ga. The ∼1.85 Ga magmatic rocks from both areas were derived from an isotopically similar crustal source under the same tectonic settings, suggesting that the Kuluketage and Dunhuang Blocks are part of the uniform Precambrian basement of the Tarim Craton. Zircon Hf model ages of the ∼2.4 Ga magmatism indicate that the crust of the Tarim Craton may have been formed as early as the Paleoarchean period. The ∼2.0 Ga mafic rock from the Dunhuang Block was formed in an active continental margin setting, representing an important crustal growth event of the Tarim Craton in the mid-Paleoproterozoic that coincides with the global episode of crust formation during the assembly of the Columbia supercontinent. The ∼1.85 Ga event in the Kuluketage and Dunhuang Blocks primarily involved the reworking of the old crust and most likely related to the collisional event associated with the assembly of the Columbia supercontinent, while the ∼1.75 Ga magmatism in the Dunhuang Block resulted from a mixture of the reworked Archean crust with juvenile magmas and was most likely related to a post-collisional episode.     

Geochronological and geochemical constrains on petrogenesis of the Huangyangshan A-type granite from the East Junggar,Xinjiang, NW China

The Huangyangshan pluton occurs in the Kalamaili region which is situated in the central part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, East Junggar, Xinjiang (NW China). The granitoid rocks are composed of medium-grained biotite (richterite, arfvedsonite) alkali-feldspar granite, fine grained arfvedsonite alkali-feldspar granite and microgranular enclaves. The granites have a pronounced A-type affinity: they are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous and calc-alkaline to alkaline in composition with high concentrations of Na₂O + K₂O varying from 8.4 to 9.2 wt.%, high FeOt/MgO and 10,000 Ga/Al ratios, low abundances of CaO, MgO and TiO₂, enrichment in some LILEs (such as Rb and Th) and HFSEs (such as Zr, Y and REEs except Eu), depletion in Sr and Ba. Moreover, they display characteristic tetrad REE patterns and non-CHARAC trace element behavior, which is well demonstrated in highly differentiated rocks with strong hydrothermal interaction. The U–Pb zircon LA-ICP-MS ages of the host rocks and enclaves are 311 ± 5 Ma and 300 ± 6 Ma, respectively. The similar of these two ages suggests that host rocks and enclaves formed at a same time. Furthermore, the time span closely corresponds to known ages of post-collisional A-type granitoids of the Junggar terrane. Geochemical, geochronological and isotopic data (ε_Nd(T) in the range +5.2 to +6.6 and I_Sr mostly in the range 0.7031–0.7041) suggest that the Huangyangshan intrusions, and the enclaves are of mixed origin and are most probably formed by the interaction between the lower crust- and mantle-derived magmas in the Late Carboniferous post-collisional tectonic setting (A₂ type granite). The magma for the Huangyangshan granites was derived by partial melting of an enriched subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) that was modified by slab-derived components from an earlier subduction event, this melting resulted from heat supplied from the asthenosphere through an opening created during the break-off of an oceanic slab. This further proves the important contribution of the Late Paleozoic granitic magmatism in terms of vertical crustal growth in northern Xinjiang.     

Geochronology and Hf isotopes of the bimodal mafic–felsic high heat producing igneous suite from Mt Painter Province,South Australia

The Mt Painter Province of northern South Australia is a site of exceptional suite of Mesoproterozoic high heat producing (HHP) granites and felsic volcanics. These rocks have very high heat production values of > 5 μW m^− 3. The HHP granites, including the Mt Neill, Box Bore, Terrapinna, Wattleowie and Yerila granites, form part of a broadly coeval association of mafic and felsic volcanic rocks that also include the Pepegoona Volcanics, lamprophyres and mafic–intermediate dykes. U–Pb LA-ICPMS zircon dating and Hf-in-zircon isotopic data are used to constrain both the timing and source of these magmatic rocks. U–Pb zircon LA-ICPMS crystallization ages range from ~ 1596 to 1521 Ma and imply a protracted sequence of magmatic events. Initial Hf isotopic compositions of these zircons from both dykes and felsic rocks have overlapping compositional ranges, with ε_Hf values mainly from + 4 to − 2. These Hf values are significantly higher than contemporary crustal values which are likely to have been in the range − 4 to − 20. These data imply that the magmatic suite has both mantle and crustal sources.     

Paleozoic multi-stage accretionary evolution of the SW Chinese Tianshan: New constraints from plutonic complex in the Nalati Range

We conducted field investigations, whole-rock geochemical, Sr-Nd and zircon U-Pb-Lu-Hf isotopic analyses on a suite of intrusive complex in the southern Nalati Range, SW Chinese Tianshan in order to better understand the Paleozoic tectonic and magmatic evolution of the belt. The intrusive complex comprises weakly foliated diorite, low-grade altered diabase, and deformed monzogranite; these plutonic rocks were in turn crosscut by undeformed coarse-grained diorite, granodiorite as well as granite stock. Foliated Late Silurian diorites (421 ± 4 Ma) show arc-type geochemical features, slightly negative whole-rock εNd(t) value (− 1.7; T_DM-Nd = 1.52 Ga) and variably positive zircon εHf(t) values (2.34 to 7.27; T_DM-Hf: 0.95– 1.26 Ga). Deformed Early Devonian porphyritic monzogranites (411 ± 4 Ma) show geochemical features similar to A-type granite, and their zircon εHf(t) values range from − 6.63 to 1.02, with T_DM-Hf ages of 1.82 to 1.33 Ga. Metamorphosed Early Devonian diabases (ca. 410 Ma) have OIB-like REE patterns, εNd(t) values of − 2.0 ~ − 0.8 and T_DM-Nd ages of 1.37– 1.25 Ga. The undeformed Early Carboniferous diorite and granodiorite (353– 344 Ma) exhibit arc-type geochemical features, positive εHf(t) values of 6.11– 7.91 with T_DM-Hf ages of 0.97– 0.86 Ga, and positive εNd(t) value of 1.9 with T_DM-Nd age of 1.04 Ga. The Early Permian granite stock (292 ± 5 Ma) has highly differentiated REE pattern, slightly negative εNd(t) value (− 4.4) and variable zircon εHf(t) values of − 9.73– 6.36. Combining with available data, Early Paleozoic (500– 410 Ma) arc-related magmatic rocks occurring on both sides of the suture zone along the southern Nalati Range, likely resulted from a bi-directional subduction of the Paleo-Tianshan Ocean beneath the Yili Block to the north and the Central Tianshan to the south. Occurrences of A-type granites and OIB-like diabases (ca. 410 Ma) along the Nalati Range likely indicate a hot extensional regime probably induced by the break off of the northward subducting slab of the Paleo-Tianshan Ocean. The closure of the Paleo-Tianshan Ocean and subsequent amalgamation during Early Carboniferous resulted in the regional deformation and metamorphism of the Early Paleozoic arc-related magmatic rocks. From Early to Late Carboniferous, a magmatic arc that corresponded to the well-developed Late Paleozoic Balkhash-Yili active continental margin, superimposed upon the southern Yili Block, most likely resulted from the southward subduction of the Junggar-North Tianshan Ocean. After the closure of the North Tianshan Ocean in Late Carboniferous, the study area was dominated by post-orogenic magmatism.     

Geology and geochronology of the Betara region in south-southeastern Brazil: Evidence for possible Statherian (1.80–1.75 Ga) and Calymmian (1.50–1.45 Ga) extension events

The results of geological mapping, chemical analysis and radiometric dating of metabasic rocks of Betara Formation, and mapping and dating of those present in the Betara basement nucleus together with mylonitic granodiorite and syenogranite are reported here. U–Pb analysis of bulk zircon fractions from the metabasic rocks of the basement nucleus yielded a Statherian age of 1790 ± 22 Ma, while the metabasic rocks from the upper part of the Betara Formation yielded a Calymmian age between 1500 and 1450 Ma. This age is a minimum for the deposition of the Betara Formation. The older metabasic rocks are associated with post-tectonic, possibly anorogenic syenogranite, while the younger ones are gabbro or very porphyritic ankaramite whose REE patterns are consistent with crystallization from an N-MORB parent magma. The observations and data point to the probable events associated with extensional processes of the end of Paleoproterozoic and early Mesoproterozoic. Similar registers of Statherian (1.80–1.75 Ga) and Calymmian (1.50–1.45 Ga) extensional events are recorded in other parts of the South American and African continents. The Neoproterozoic witnessed the formation and junction of the tectonic slices which formed the Apiaí domain during the assemblage of western Gondwana.     

Petrogenesis of Dongguashan skarn-porphyry Cu-Au deposit related intrusion in the Tongling district,eastern China: Geochronological,mineralogical, geochemical and Hf isotopic evidence

The Dongguashan skarn-porphyry Cu-Au deposit, located in the Tongling district of the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Valley metallogenic belt (MLYB), consists of skarn ore bodies in the upper part and porphyry ore bodies in the lower part, both of which are hosted in quartz diorite and quartz monzodiorite. Zircon U-Pb age and geochemical studies show that the quartz diorite of the Dongguashan intrusion formed at 140.3 ± 2.0 Ma (MSWD = 0.19) and belongs to the high potassium calc-alkaline series. It is enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILE) and light rare earth elements (LREE), depleted in high field-strength elements (HFSE) and heavy rare earth elements (HREE), and has a slightly negative Eu anomaly. ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf values of the rims of zircons show a variable range (0.282087–0.282391), corresponding with calculated ε_Hf(t) values of − 10.72 to − 21.46. Plagioclases in the quartz diorite have unbalanced structure characterized by bright andesine and labradorite (An = 37.0–65.5) cores with higher contents of Fe and Sr and are corroded by dark oligoclase (An = 13.8–27.6) rim. Major elements, trace elements, Hf isotope, and the composition of plagioclases indicate that the parental magma of the Dongguashan intrusion was produced by the mixing of underplating mafic magma and felsic magma formed by remelting of Paleoproterozoic and Neoarchean crustal rocks, Neoproterozoic crust may also provide some material to the felsic magma. Mafic magma played a key role and made the parental magma rich in water, sulfur, metals (Cu, Au) and gave it a high oxygen fugacity. During its magmatic evolution, the parental magma underwent fractional crystallization of hornblende, apatite, sphene and other mafic minerals. Some quartz diorite and quartz monzodiorite samples that show adakitic signatures, may result from injection of mafic magma. Some inherited zircons of the quartz diorite in the Dongguashan intrusion gave ages of 2.40–2.50 Ga, 1.95–2.05 Ga and 0.74–0.81 Ga, coming from ultramafic, mafic and andesitic igneous rocks, and this indicates that there may have been three periods (2.4, 2.0, and 0.8 Ga) of magmatic activity in the Tongling district.     

Nd isotope mapping of Grenvillian crustal terranes in the vicinity of the Manicouagan Impact Structure

Over 70 new Nd isotope analyses are presented for the Manicouagan area of the Grenville Province to estimate the crustal age of target rocks involved in the 214 Ma Manicouagan Impact Structure, and to reconstruct the Precambrian geological evolution of this crustal segment. The rocks fall into two main groups: Samples from the Archean-aged Gagnon Terrane to the north and west of the impact give T_DM ages averaging 2.70 Ga. Samples from the Manicouagan Imbricate Zone (MIZ) and other allochthonous lithotectonic domains to the south of the impact yield Paleoproterozoic T_DM ages averaging 2.01 Ga for the MIZ and 1.86 Ga for the southern domains. These Paleoproterozoic terranes are correlated with Makkovik-age crust in Labrador that was heavily reworked by Labradorian magmatism that increased in intensity southwards. The target rocks involved in the impact event would have consisted almost entirely of the MIZ, which formed a layer several kilometres thick, overlying Archean crust at depth.     

Constraints of Sr isotopic compositions of apatite and carbonates on the origin of Fe and Cu mineralizing fluids in the Lala Fe-Cu-(Mo,LREE) deposit,SW China

Numerous Fe-Cu deposits with mineralization styles similar to iron oxide-copper gold (IOCG) deposits form the Kangdian Fe-Cu metallogenic province, southwestern (SW) China. As one of the largest deposits in the region, the ~ 1.0 Ga Lala Fe-Cu deposit is hosted in a Paleoproterozoic volcanic-sedimentary succession named the Hekou Group which is alternately intruded by ~ 1.0 Ga doleritic plutons. This deposit has a paragenetic sequence evolving from Stage I of Na-alteration to Stage II of Fe mineralization, and finally to Stage III of Cu-(Mo, REE) mineralization, coeval with mafic-felsic intra-plate magmatism in the region. This study conducted in-situ Sr isotopic analyses on apatite and carbonate, aiming to resolve the long controversial issue regarding the origin of the Fe and Cu mineralizing fluids in the deposit. Apatite of Stage II has ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios varying from 0.71380 to 0.72733, much higher than those of synchronous igneous rocks in the region (0.7074 to 0.7091), but similar to the Paleoproterozoic host rocks (0.71368 to 0.71837 at ~ 1.0 Ga). This similarity indicates that radiogenic Sr of the Fe mineralizing fluid was dominantly sourced from the host rocks. Apatite and calcites of Stage III have ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.75758–0.79293) much higher than apatite of Stage II and the host rocks but similar to the Archean basement rocks (as high as 0.80 at ~ 1.0 Ga) beneath the cover of the Yangtze Block, suggesting that the highly radiogenic Sr isotopic composition of the Cu mineralizing fluid was mainly inherited from the old basement rocks. In combination with previous C-O-S isotopic data indicating a magma-hydrothermal origin, it was suggested that the Fe mineralizing fluid was exsolved from a mafic magma that generated the ~ 1.0 Ga doleritic plutons, and inherited radiogenic Sr from the host rocks during fluid-rock interaction. By contrast, the Cu mineralizing fluid might have been sourced from another pulse of magmatic, Cu-Mo-REE- and CO₂-rich fluid which have once interacted with Archean basement rocks prior to mineralization. The source of such a Cu-Mo-REE-rich fluid was not well constrained in current study but was inferred to be exsolved from a hidden felsic magma. We propose that intrusions of the bimodal magmas in Kangdian are responsible for regional hydrothermal circulation which led to Fe-Cu-(Mo, REE) mineralization in the Kangdian province.     

Petrogenesis and tectonic evolution of Lianyunshan complex,South China: Insights on Neoproterozoic and late Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the central Jiangnan Orogen

The Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks in South China are separated by the ca. 1500 km long Jiangnan Orogen. The Lianyunshan complex, located in the central segment of Jiangnan Orogen, includes wide exposures of late Mesozoic granites. Here we report geological, geochronological and geochemical data from the Lianyunshan late Mesozoic granites and their Neoproterozoic host rocks belonging to the Lengjiaxi Group. Detrital zircon U–Pb ages reveal a single prominent peak at ca. 840 Ma in the metamorphosed and deformed Lengjiaxi Group samples. Ten of the youngest zircon grains in these rocks have a weighted mean age of 828.8 ± 7.1 Ma, which is tentatively interpreted as the maximum depositional age of the Lengjiaxi Group. Two stages of late Mesozoic S-type granites are dated at ca. 150 Ma and ca. 140 Ma from the Lianyunshan domain. From early to late, these rocks show decreasing MgO, CaO, Fe₂O₃^T, TiO₂ contents and increasing SiO₂, K₂O, Eu/Eu*, Rb/Sr ratios and differentiation index, suggesting continuous magmatic evolution dominated by fractional crystallization. The εHf(t) values of zircons with late Mesozoic ages are all negative, with their two-stage model ages mainly ranging from 1.9 to 1.4 Ga, which is significantly different from the model age of the host rocks belonging to the Lengjiaxi Group. These results indicate that the late Mesozoic granites were mainly derived from the partial melting of Paleo-Mesoproterozoic basement rocks that are older than Lengjiaxi Group. Major and trace element features suggest that the protoliths of these early stage granites in Lianyunshan are probably mixed greywacke and shale. The arc-like trace elements signature of all the late Mesozoic granites were possibly inherited through crustal contamination during the magma genesis caused by slab rollback associated with Paleo-Pacific subduction during 150- to 140 Ma beneath the central Jiangnan belt.     

Geochronological,geochemical and Pb isotopic compositions of Tasmanian granites (southeast Australia): Controls on petrogenesis,geodynamic evolution and tin mineralisation

Large volumes of Devonian-Carboniferous granites were emplaced across Tasmania in southeast Australia, which was along the easternmost boundary of mid-Palaeozoic Gondwana. Some of these granites are associated with world class Sn–W deposits. Previous studies have focused mainly on relationships between granite petrogenesis and source rocks, and rarely on geochemical controls on Sn mineralisation. New zircon U-Pb ages of 405 to 396 Ma reveal that the George River Granodiorite, Grant Point Granite and Mt. Pearson Granite from eastern Tasmania intruded prior to the Tabberabberan Orogeny. The Coles Bay Granite has a U-Pb age of 388 ± 7 Ma, implying that it was emplaced simultaneously with the Tabberabberan Orogeny in Tasmania. The western Tasmanian granites mostly intruded from 374 to 360 Ma, after the Tabberabberan Orogeny. Granites associated with Sn–W deposits are moderately to strongly fractionated, including the Housetop, Meredith, Pine Hill and Heemskirk granites. Lead isotopic compositions of K-feldspars from the analysed granites, combined with isotopic evidence from other studies, suggest that differentiated granites in Tasmania had been highly contaminated by a crustal (sedimentary) component, and that western Tasmanian granites had a crustal source with substantially different isotopic characteristics to that of eastern Tasmania, which has a character similar to the Lachlan Orogen in southeast Australia. Tin-mineralised granites in Tasmania formed in a post-collisional extensional margin, a favourable environment for the production of Sn-rich melts from the lower crust. Prolonged fractional crystallisation, low oxygen fugacity and enrichments of volatiles are crucial factors to promote Sn enrichment in magmatic-hydrothermal fluids exsolved from crystallised felsic magmas.     

Formation and evolution of Precambrian continental lithosphere in South China

An overview is presented for the formation and evolution of Precambrian continental lithosphere in South China. This is primarily based on an integrated study of zircon U–Pb ages and Lu–Hf isotopes in crustal rocks, with additional constraints from Re–Os isotopes in mantle-derived rocks. Available Re–Os isotope data on xenolith peridotites suggest that the oldest subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath South China is primarily of Paleoproterozoic age. The zircon U–Pb ages and Lu–Hf isotope studies reveal growth and reworking of the juvenile crust at different ages. Both the Yangtze and Cathaysia terranes contain crustal materials of Archean U–Pb ages. Nevertheless, zircon U–Pb ages exhibit two peaks at 2.9–3.0 Ga and ~ 2.5 Ga in Yangtze but only one peak at ~ 2.5 Ga in Cathaysia. Both massive rocks and crustal remnants (i.e., zircon) of Archean U–Pb ages occur in Yangtze, but only crustal remnants of Archean U–Pb ages occur in Cathaysia. Zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopes in the Kongling complex of Yangtze suggest the earliest episode of crustal growth in the Paleoarchean and two episodes of crustal reworking at 3.1–3.3 Ga and 2.8–3.0 Ga. Both negative and positive ε_Hf(t) values are associated with Archean U–Pb ages of zircon in South China, indicating both the growth of juvenile crust and the reworking of ancient crust in the Archean. Paleoproterozoic rocks in Yangtze exhibit four groups of U–Pb ages at 2.1 Ga, 1.9–2.0 Ga, ~ 1.85 Ga and ~ 1.7 Ga, respectively. They are associated not only with reworking of the ancient Archean crust in the interior of Yangtze, but also with the growth of the contemporaneous juvenile crust in the periphery of Yangtze. In contrast, Paleoproterozoic rocks in Cathaysia were primarily derived from reworking of Archean crust at 1.8–1.9 Ga. The exposure of Mesoproterozoic rocks are very limited in South China, but zircon Hf model ages suggest the growth of juvenile crust in this period due to island arc magmatism of the Grenvillian oceanic subduction. Magmatic rocks of middle Neoproterozoic U–Pb ages are widespread in South China, exhibiting two peaks at about 830–800 Ma and 780–740 Ma, respectively. Both negative and positive ε_Hf(t) values are associated with the middle Neoproterozoic U–Pb ages of zircon, suggesting not only growth and reworking of the juvenile Mesoproterozoic crust but also reworking of the ancient Archean and Paleoproterozoic crust in the middle Neoproterozoic. The tectonic setting for this period of magmatism would be transformed from arc–continent collision to continental rifting with reference to the plate tectonic regime in South China.     

Zircon U–Pb age,Hf isotopic compositions and geochemistry of the Silurian Fengdingshan I-type granite Pluton and Taoyuan mafic–felsic Complex at the southeastern margin of the Yangtze Block

This work presents an integrated study of zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotope along with whole-rock geochemistry on Silurian Fengdingshan I-type granites and Taoyuan mafic–felsic intrusive Complex located at the southeastern margin of the Yangtze Block, filling in a gap in understanding of Paleozoic I-type granites and mafic-intermediate igneous rocks in the eastern South China Craton (SCC). The Fengdingshan granite and Taoyuan hornblende gabbro are dated at 436 ± 5 Ma and 409 ± 2 Ma, respectively. The Fengdingshan granites display characteristics of calc-alkaline I-type granite with high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7093–0.7127, low εNd(t) values ranging from −5.6 to −5.4 and corresponding Nd model ages (T_2DM) of 1.6 Ga. Their zircon grains have εHf(t) values ranging from −2.7 to 2.6 and model ages of 951–1164 Ma. The Taoyuan mafic rocks exhibit typical arc-like geochemistry, with enrichment in Rb, Th, U and Pb and depletion in Nb, Ta. They have initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7053–0.7058, εNd(t) values of 0.2–1.6 and corresponding T_2DM of 1.0–1.1 Ga. Their zircon grains have εHf(t) values ranging from 3.2 to 6.1 and model ages of 774–911 Ma. Diorite and granodiorite from the Taoyuan Complex have initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7065–0.7117, εNd(t) values from −5.7 to −1.9 and Nd model ages of 1.3–1.6 Ga. The petrographic and geochemical characteristics indicate that the Fengdingshan granites probably formed by reworking of Neoproterozoic basalts with very little of juvenile mantle-derived magma. The Taoyuan Complex formed by magma mixing and mingling, in which the mafic member originated from a metasomatized lithospheric mantle. Both the Fengdingshan and Taoyuan Plutons formed in a post-orogenic collapse stage in an intracontinental tectonic regime. Besides the Paleozoic Fengdingshan granites and Taoyuan hornblende gabbro, other Neoproterozoic and Indosinian igneous rocks located along the southeastern and western margin of the Yangtze Block also exhibit decoupled Nd–Hf isotopic systemics, which may be a fingerprint of a previous late Mesoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic oceanic subduction.     

Tectonic regime switchover of Triassic Western Qinling Orogen: Constraints from LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb geochronology and Lu–Hf isotope of Dangchuan intrusive complex in Gansu,China

The Qinling Orogenic Belt, linking the Kunlun and Qilian Mountains to the west and continuing farther east to the Dabie Mountain, was assembled by the convergence and collision between the Greater South China and the North China blocks. The precise timing of the subduction and collision processes between these continental blocks and tectonic regime switchover is very equivocal. Zircon in-situ LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating in this contribution indicates that the biotite monzogranite and monzogranite phases of the Dangchuan complex were crystallized at ca. 239.8 ± 2.3 Ma and 227.8 ± 1.2 Ma, respectively. The ca. 240 Ma biotite monzogranite displays ε_Hf(t) values ranging from −2.4 to +2.9, and corresponding T_DM2 of 1.72–1.94 Ga and T_DM1 of 0.77–0.88 Ga. The ca. 228 Ma monzogranite exhibits ε_Hf(t) values ranging from −4.3 to +1.9, and corresponding T_DM2 of 1.73–2.08 Ga and T_DM1 of 0.81–0.88 Ga. Lutetium–Hf isotopic composition indicates that the biotite monzogranite and monzogranite probably have the same parental magmas which were originated from hybrid sources of both reworking of Paleoproterozoic ancient crust and partial melting of the Neoproterozoic juvenile crust. The more negative ε_Hf(t) values of the monzogranite suggest more contribution of the ancient crust during the source contamination, or more possible crustal assimilation during their crystallization at ca. 228 Ma than precursor biotite monzogranite. Integrated with previous research and our detailed petrography, we propose that the Dangchuan complex underwent an episodic growth documenting the tectonic regime switchover from early Paleozoic to Triassic. The ca. 439 Ma inherited zircon recorded the persistent subduction of the oceanic crust, the ca. 240 Ma biotite monzogranite emplaced during the northward subduction of the Mianlue oceanic crust beneath the South Qinling block, and the ca. 228 Ma monzogranite emplaced during the syn-collisional process in a compressional setting.     

Contrasting SHRIMP U–Pb zircon ages of two carbonatite complexes from the peri-cratonic terranes of the Reguibat Shield: Implications for the lateral extension of the West African Craton

The Oulad Dlim Massif of the Western Reguibat Shield contains several carbonatite complexes of previously unknown age. The largest and best studied are Gleibat Lafhouda, composed of magnesiocarbonatites, and Twihinate, composed of calciocarbonatites. Gleibat Lafhouda is hosted by Archean gneisses and schists. It has a SHRIMP U–Th–Pb zircon crystallization age of 1.85 ± 0.03 Ga, a Nd model age of T_CR = 1.89 ± 0.03 Ga, and a Sm–Nd age of 1.85 ± 0.39 Ga. It forms part of the West Reguibat Alkaline province. Twihinate, on the other hand, is much younger. It is hosted by Late Silurian to Early Devonian deformed granites and has a zircon crystallization age of 104 ± 4 Ma, which is within error of the age of the carbonatites of the famous Richat Structure in the southwest Reguibat Shield. Like these, the Twihinate carbonatites are part of the Mid-Cretaceous Peri-Atlantic Alkaline Pulse. The Twihinate carbonatites contain abundant inherited zircons with ages that peak at ca. 420 Ma, 620 Ma, 2050 Ma, 2466 Ma, and 2830 Ma. This indicates that their substratum has West African rather than, as previously suggested, Avalonian affinities. It has, however, a Paleoproterozoic component that is not found in the neighboring western Reguibat Shield. The 421 Ma to 410 Ma gneissic granites hosting Twihinate are epidote + biotite + Ca-rich garnet deformed I-type to A-type granites derived from magmas of deep origin compatible, therefore, with being generated in a subduction environment. These granites form a body of unknown dimensions and petrogenesis, the study of which will be of key importance for understanding the geology and crustal architecture of this region.     

Pre-Alpine evolution of a segment of the North-Gondwanan margin: Geochronological and geochemical evidence from the central Serbo-Macedonian Massif

The Serbo-Macedonian Massif (SMM) represents a composite crystalline belt within the Eastern European Alpine orogen, outcropping from the Pannonian basin in the north, to the Aegean Sea in the south. The central parts of the massif (i.e. southeastern Serbia, southwestern Bulgaria, eastern Macedonia) consist of the medium- to high-grade Lower Complex, and the low-grade Vlasina Unit. New results of U–Pb LA-ICP-MS analyses, coupled with geochemical analyses of Hf isotopes on magmatic and detrital zircons, and main and trace element concentrations in whole-rock samples suggest that the central SMM and the basement of the adjacent units (i.e. Eastern Veles series and Struma Unit) originated in the central parts of the northern margin of Gondwana. These data provided a basis for a revised tectonic model of the evolution of the SMM from the late Ediacaran to the Early Triassic.The earliest magmatism in the Lower Complex, Vlasina Unit and the basement of Struma Unit is related to the activity along the late Cadomian magmatic arc (562–522 Ma). Subsequent stage of early Palaeozoic igneous activity is associated with the reactivation of subduction below the Lower Complex and the Eastern Veles series during the Early Ordovician (490–478 Ma), emplacement of mafic dykes in the Lower Complex due to aborted rifting in the Middle Ordovician (472–456 Ma), and felsic within-plate magmatism in the early Silurian (439 ± 2 Ma). The third magmatic stage is represented by Carboniferous late to post-collisional granites (328–304 Ma). These granites intrude the gneisses of the Lower Complex, in which the youngest deformed igneous rocks are of early Silurian age, thus constraining the high-strain deformation and peak metamorphism to the Variscan orogeny. The Permian–Triassic (255–253 Ma) stage of late- to post-collisional and within-plate felsic magmatism is related to the opening of the Mesozoic Tethys.