High-temperature–low-pressure metamorphism and the production of S-type granites of the Hillgrove Supersuite,southern New England Orogen,NSW, Australia

The high-temperature–low-pressure Wongwibinda Metamorphic Complex of the southern New England Orogen is bound by S-type granite plutons of the Hillgrove Supersuite to the north, east and south. New U–Pb geochronology of five samples of the Hillgrove Supersuite demonstrates that plutonism in the complex involved two pulses: ca 300 Ma and ca 292 Ma. This indicates that plutonism partially overlaps the age of high-T–low-P metamorphism (296.8 ± 1.5 Ma), but also postdates it. Zircon grains identified as xenocrysts based on age (≥310 Ma) have U–Pb–Hf isotopic character that largely overlaps detrital grains in the host Girrakool Beds, indicating that accretionary complex crust is the likely source of these xenocrysts. The ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf initial character for zircon for the ca 300 Ma plutons (three samples) is less radiogenic than those in the ca 292 Ma plutons (two samples). The progression in ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf initial character for zircon infers an increasing mantle component in the Hillgrove Supersuite with time. These data are evidence of a rift tectonic setting, where mantle-derived magmas are predicted to more readily migrate to shallower crustal levels as the crust thins and becomes hotter. Additionally, early episodes of partial melting in the system melt-depleted the metasedimentary sources, thus reducing the S-type component as anatexis progressed. The evolution of the Hillgrove Supersuite coincides with a period of early Permian slab roll back and extension accompanied by crustal rifting and thinning, leading to high-T–low-P metamorphism, anatexis and S-type granite production and the development of rift basins such as the Sydney–Gunnedah–Bowen system.     

Late Paleozoic geology of the Queensland Plateau (offshore northeastern Australia)

The southwestern Pacific region consists of segmented and translated continental fragments of the Gondwanan margin. Tectonic reconstructions of this region are challenged by the fact that many fragmented continental blocks are submerged and/or concealed under younger sedimentary cover. The Queensland Plateau (offshore northeastern Australia) is one such submerged continental block. We present detrital zircon geochronological and morphological data, complemented by petrographic observations, from samples obtained from the only two drill cores that penetrated the Paleozoic metasedimentary strata of the Queensland Plateau (Ocean Drilling Program leg 133, sites 824 and 825). Results provide maximum age constraints of 319.4 ± 3.5 and 298.9 ± 2.5 Ma for the time of deposition, which in conjunction with evidence for deformation, indicate that the metasedimentary successions are most likely upper Carboniferous to lower Permian. A comparison of our results with a larger dataset of detrital zircon ages from the Tasmanides suggests that the Paleozoic successions of the Queensland Plateau formed in a backarc basin that was part of the northern continuation of the New England Orogen and/or the East Australian Rift System. However, unlike most of the New England Orogen, a distinctive component of the detrital zircon age spectra of the Mossman Orogen is also recognised, suggesting the existence of a late Paleozoic drainage system that crossed the northern Tasmanides en route from the North Australian Craton. A distinctive shift from abraded zircon grains to grains with well-preserved morphology at ca 305 Ma reflects a direct drainage of first-cycle sediments, most likely from an outboard arc and/or backarc magmatism.     

Provenance comparisons between the Nambucca Block,Eastern Australia and the Torlesse Composite Terrane,New Zealand: connections and implications from detrital zircon age patterns

Detrital zircon U–Pb LAM-ICPMS age patterns for sandstones from the mid-Permian –Triassic part (Rakaia Terrane) of the accretionary wedge forming the Torlesse Composite Terrane in Otago, New Zealand, and from the early Permian Nambucca Block of the New England Orogen, eastern Australia, constrain the development of the early Gondwana margin. In Otago, the Triassic Torlesse samples have a major (64%), younger group of Permian–Early Triassic age components at ca 280, 255 and 240 Ma, and a minor (30%) older age group with a Precambrian–early Paleozoic range (ca 1000, 600 and 500 Ma). In Permian sandstones nearby, the younger, Late Permian age components are diminished (30%) with respect to the older Precambrian–early Paleozoic age group, which now also contains major (50%) and unusual Carboniferous age components at ca 350–330 Ma. Sandstones from the Nambucca Block, an early Permian extensional basin in the southern New England Orogen, follow the Torlesse pattern: the youngest. Early Permian age components are minor (<20%) and the overall age patterns are dominated (40%) by Carboniferous age components (ca 350–320 Ma). These latter zircons are inherited from either the adjacent Devonian–Carboniferous accretionary wedge (e.g. Texas-Woolomin and Coffs Harbour Blocks) or the forearc basin (Tamworth Belt) farther to the west, in which volcaniclastic-dominated sandstone units have very similar pre-Permian (principally Carboniferous) age components. This gradual variation in age patterns from Devonian–late Carboniferous time in Australia to Late Permian–mid-Cretaceous time in New Zealand suggests an evolutionary model for the Eastern Gondwanaland plate margin and the repositioning of its subduction zone. (1) A Devonian to Carboniferous accretionary wedge in the New England Orogen developing at a (present-day) Queensland position until late in the Carboniferous. (2) Early Permian outboard repositioning of the primary, magmatic arc allowing formation of extensional basins throughout the New England Orogen. (3) Early to mid-Permian translocation of the accretionary wedge and more inboard active-margin elements, southwards to their present position. This was accompanied by oroclinal bending which allowed the initiation of a new, late Permian to Early Triassic accretionary wedge (eventually the Torlesse Composite Terrane of New Zealand) in an offshore Queensland position. (4) Jurassic–Cretaceous development of this accretionary wedge offshore, in northern Zealandia, with southwards translation of the various constituent terranes of the Torlesse Composite Terrane to their present New Zealand position.     

U–Pb zircon geochronology of Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous extension‐related silicic volcanism in the northern New England Fold Belt

Laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) analysis of zircons confirm a Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous age (ca 360–350 Ma) for silicic volcanic rocks of the Campwyn Volcanics and Yarrol terrane of the northern New England Fold Belt (Queensland). These rocks are coeval with silicic volcanism recorded elsewhere in the fold belt at this time (Connors Arch, Drummond Basin). The new U–Pb zircon ages, in combination with those from previous studies, show that silicic magmatism was both widespread across the northern New England Fold Belt (>250 000 km² and ≥500 km inboard of plate margin) and protracted, occurring over a period of ～15 million years. Zircon inheritance is commonplace in the Late Devonian — Early Carboniferous volcanics, reflecting anatectic melting and considerable reworking of continental crust. Inherited zircon components range from ca 370 to ca 2050 Ma, with Middle Devonian (385–370 Ma) zircons being common to almost all dated units. Precambrian zircon components record either Precambrian crystalline crust or sedimentary accumulations that were present above or within the zone of magma formation. This contrasts with a lack of significant zircon inheritance in younger Permo‐Carboniferous igneous rocks intruded through, and emplaced on top of, the Devonian‐Carboniferous successions. The inheritance data and location of these volcanic rocks at the eastern margins of the northern New England Fold Belt, coupled with Sr–Nd, Pb isotopic data and depleted mantle model ages for Late Palaeozoic and Mesozoic magmatism, imply that Precambrian mafic and felsic crustal materials (potentially as old as 2050 Ma), or at the very least Lower Palaeozoic rocks derived from the reworking of Precambrian rocks, comprise basement to the eastern parts of the fold belt. This crustal basement architecture may be a relict from the Late Proterozoic breakup of the Rodinian supercontinent.     

East Antarctic sources of extensive Lower–Middle Ordovician turbidites in the Lachlan Orogen,southern Tasmanides,eastern Australia

Lower to upper Middle Ordovician quartz-rich turbidites form the bedrock of the Lachlan Orogen in the southern Tasmanides of eastern Australia and occupy a present-day deformed volume of ～2–3 million km³. We have used U–Pb and Hf-isotope analyses of detrital zircons in biostratigraphically constrained turbiditic sandstones from three separate terranes of the Lachlan Orogen to investigate possible source regions and to compare similarities and differences in zircon populations. Comparison with shallow-water Lower Ordovician sandstones deposited on the subsiding margin of the Gondwana craton suggests different source regions, with Grenvillian zircons in shelf sandstones derived from the Musgrave Province in central Australia, and Panafrican sources in shelf sandstones possibly locally derived. All Ordovician turbiditic sandstone samples in the Lachlan Orogen are dominated by ca 490–620 Ma (late Panafrican) and ca 950–1120 Ma (late Grenvillian) zircons that are sourced mainly from East Antarctica. Subtle differences between samples point to different sources. In particular, the age consistency of late Panafrican zircon data from the most inboard of our terranes (Castlemaine Group, Bendigo Terrane) suggests they may have emanated directly from late Grenvillian East Antarctic belts, such as in Dronning Maud Land and subglacial extensions that were reworked in the late Panafrican. Changes in zircon data in the more outboard Hermidale and Albury-Bega terranes are more consistent with derivation from the youngest of four sedimentary sequences of the Ross Orogen of Antarctica (Cambrian–Ordovician upper Byrd Group, Liv Group and correlatives referred to here as sequence 4) and/or from the same mixture of sources that supplied that sequence. These sources include uncommon ca 650 Ma rift volcanics, late Panafrican Ross arc volcanics, now largely eroded, and some <545 Ma Granite Harbour Intrusives, representing the roots of the Ross Orogen continental-margin arc. Unlike farther north, Granite Harbour Intrusives between the Queen Maud and Pensacola mountains of the southern Ross Orogen contain late Grenvillian zircon xenocrysts (derived from underlying relatively juvenile basement), as well as late Panafrican magmatic zircons, and are thus able to supply sequence 4 and the Lachlan Ordovician turbidites with both these populations. Other zircons and detrital muscovites in the Lachlan Ordovician turbidites were derived from relatively juvenile inland Antarctic sources external to the orogen (e.g. Dronning Maud Land, Sør Rondane and a possible extension of the Pinjarra Orogen) either directly or recycled through older sedimentary sequences 2 (Beardmore and Skelton groups) and 3 (e.g. Hannah Ridge Formation) in the Ross Orogen. Shallow-water, forearc basin sequence 4 sediments (or their sources) fed turbidity currents into outboard, deeper-water parts of the forearc basin and led to deposition of the Ordovician turbidites ～2500–3400 km to the north in backarc-basin settings of the Lachlan Orogen.     

Chronological constraints on the tectonic evolution of the Chinese Tianshan Orogen through detrital zircons from modern and palaeo-river sands

The Chinese Tianshan Orogen marks prolonged and complicated interactions between the southwestern Palaeo-Asian Ocean and surrounding blocks. New and previously published detrital zircon chronological data from modern and palaeo-river sands were compiled to reveal its tectonic evolution. It is characterized by predominant Palaeozoic as well as minor Mesozoic and Precambrian detrital zircon ages with a multimodal characteristic. The oldest Phanerozoic zircon population (peaking at 475 Ma) is a result of subduction and closure of the early Palaeozoic Terskey Ocean. However, the absence of this peak in the Chinese North and southern South Tianshan suggests that subductions of the North and South Tianshan oceans may not have initiated until the Late Ordovician with subsequent 460–390 and 360–320 Ma arc magmatism. Similar to the magmatic suite in classic collisional orogens, the youngest massive 320–270 Ma magmatism is suggested to be post-collisional. The North and South Tianshan oceans therefore probably had their closure to form the Chinese Tianshan Orogen during the late Carboniferous. The weak Mesozoic intra-plate magmatism further rejects a late Permian–Triassic Tianshan Orogen due to a lack of extensive syn- and post-collisional magmatism. Moreover, diverse Precambrian detrital zircon age patterns indicate that the surrounding blocks have distinct evolutionary processes with short-term amalgamation during the Meso- to Neoproterozoic.     

Provenance of Late Carboniferous bauxite deposits in the North China Craton: New constraints on marginal arc construction and accretion processes

The North China Craton (NCC) is bounded by two Paleozoic accretionary arc terranes: the North Qinling terrane to the south and the Bainaimiao terrane to the north. The timing of arc accretion to the NCC and the architecture of the Bainaimiao arc remain unclear. During the building and accretion of the arcs along its margins, the NCC experienced a long sedimentary hiatus since the Ordovician, which ended with the deposition of bauxite-bearing sediments in the Late Carboniferous. In this paper we report the U–Pb and Hf isotopes of detrital zircons from the Late Carboniferous bauxite layer and use these data to constrain the tectonic evolution of the margin of the NCC. The detrital zircons yield a minimum U–Pb age of ca. 310 Ma and a prominent age peak at ca. 450 Ma. Zircon crystals with ages of ca. 330 Ma and ca. 1900 Ma are more common in the bauxite samples from the northern part of the NCC than in those from the central part. The εHf(t) values of the ca. 450 Ma detrital zircon crystals of the bauxite samples from the NCC are similar to those of the contemporaneous detrital zircon crystals from the North Qinling arc terrane to the south, but different from those of the contemporaneous detrital zircon crystals from the Bainaimiao arc terrane to the north. The ca. 450 Ma detrital zircon crystals in the ca. 310 Ma bauxite deposits are therefore interpreted to have been derived from the North Qinling arc terrane. The source of the ca. 330 Ma detrital zircon crystals of the bauxite deposits is interpreted to be the northern margin of the NCC, where intermediate-felsic plutons formed at ca. 330 Ma are common. The results from this study support the interpretation that the Paleozoic continental arc terranes and their concomitant back-arc basins were developed along the margins of the NCC before ca. 450 Ma, and the arc complexes were subsequently accreted to the craton in the Late Carboniferous. This was then followed by the formation of a walled continental basin within the NCC.     

Detrital Zircon U‐Pb Ages and Geochemistry of the Silurian to Permian Sedimentary Rocks in Central Inner Mongolia,China: Implications for Closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean

The Solonker suture zone has long been considered to mark the location of the final disappearance of the PaleoAsian Ocean in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB). However, the time of final suturing is still controversial with two main different proposals of late Permian to early Triassic, and late Devonian. This study reports integrated wholerock geochemistry and LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb ages of sedimentary rocks from the Silurian Xuniwusu Formation, the Devonian Xilingol Complex and the Permian Zhesi Formation in the Hegenshan-Xilinhot-Linxi area in central Inner Mongolia, China. The depositional environment, provenance and tectonic setting of the Silurian-Devonian and the Permian sediments are compared to constrain the tectonic evolution of the Solonker suture zone and its neighboring zones. The protoliths of the silty slates from the Xuniwusu Formation in the Baolidao zone belong to wacke and were derived from felsic igneous rocks with steady-state weathering, poor sorting and compositional immaturity. The protoliths of metasedimentary rocks from the Xilingol Complex were wackes and litharenites and were sourced from predominantly felsic igneous rocks with variable weathering conditions and moderate sorting. The Xuniwusu Formation and Xilingol Complex samples both have two groups of detrital zircon that peak at ca. 0.9–1.0 Ga and ca. 420–440 Ma, with maximum deposition ages of late Silurian and middle Devonian age, respectively. Considering the ca. 484–383 Ma volcanic arc in the Baolidao zone, the Xuxiniwu Formation represents an oceanic trench sediment and is covered by the sedimentary rocks in the Xilingol Complex that represents a continental slope sediment in front of the arc. The middle Permian Zhesi Formation metasandstones were derived from predominantly felsic igneous rocks and are texturally immature with very low degrees of rounding and sorting, indicating short transport and rapid burial. The Zhesi Formation in the Hegenshan zone has a main zircon age peak of 302 Ma and a subordinate peak of 423 Ma and was deposited in a back-arc basin with an early marine transgression during extension and a late marine regression during contraction. The formation also crops out locally in the Baolidao zone with a main zircon age peak of 467 Ma and a minor peak of 359 Ma, and suggests it formed as a marine transgression sedimentary sequence in a restricted extensional basin and followed by a marine regressive event. Two obvious zircon age peaks of 444 Ma and 280 Ma in the Solonker zone and 435 Ma and 274 Ma in Ondor Sum are retrieved from the Zhesi Formation. This suggests as a result of the gradual closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean a narrow ocean sedimentary environment with marine regressive sedimentary sequences occupied the Solonker and Ondor Sum zones during the middle Permian. A restricted ocean is suggested by the Permian strata in the Bainaimiao zone. Early Paleozoic subduction until ca. 381 Ma and renewed subduction during ca. 310–254 Ma accompanied by the opening and closure of a back-arc basin during ca. 298–269 Ma occurred in the northern accretionary zone. In contrast, the southern accretionary zone documented early Paleozoic subduction until ca. 400 Ma and a renewed subduction during ca. 298–246 Ma. The final closure of the Paleo-Asian ocean therefore lasted at least until the early Triassic and ended with the formation of the Solonker suture zone.     

Chronology and evolution of the Middle Proterozoic Albany‐Fraser Orogen,Western Australia

Geochemical and Sm‐Nd isotopic data, and 19 ion‐microprobe U‐Pb zircon dates are reported for gneiss and granite from the eastern part of the Albany‐Fraser Orogen. The orogen is dominated by granitic rocks derived from sources containing both Late Archaean and mantle‐derived components. Four major plutonic episodes have been identified at ca 2630 Ma, 1700–1600 Ma, ca 1300 Ma and ca 1160 Ma. Orthogneiss, largely derived from ca 2630 Ma and 1700–1600 Ma granitic precursors, forms a belt along the southeastern margin of the Yilgarn Craton. These rocks, together with gabbro of the Fraser Complex, were intruded by granitic magmas and metamorphosed in the granulite facies at ca 1300 Ma. They were then rapidly uplifted and transported westward along low‐angle thrust faults over the southeastern margin of the Yilgarn Craton. Between ca 1190 and 1130 Ma, granitic magmas were intruded throughout the eastern part of the orogen. These new data are integrated into a review of the geological evolution of the Albany‐Fraser Orogen and adjacent margin of eastern Antarctica, and possibly related rocks in the Musgrave Complex and Gawler Craton.     

Early Carboniferous HP metamorphism in the Hida Gaien Belt,Japan: Implications for the Palaeozoic tectonic history of proto‐Japan

We report two new eclogite localities (at Kanayamadani and Shinadani) in the high‐P (HP) metamorphic rocks of the Omi area in the western most region of Niigata Prefecture, Japan, which form part of the Hida Gaien Belt, and determine metamorphic conditions and pressure–temperature (P–T) paths. The metamorphic evolution of the eclogites is characterized by a tight hairpin‐shaped P–T path from prograde epidote–blueschist facies to peak eclogite facies and then retrograde blueschist facies. The prograde metamorphic stage is characterized by various amphibole (winchite, barroisite, glaucophane) inclusions in garnet, whereas the peak eclogite facies assemblage is characterized by omphacite, garnet, phengite and rutile. Peak P–T conditions of the eclogites were estimated to be ~600°C and up to 2.0 GPa by conventional cation‐exchange thermobarometry, Ti‐in‐zircon thermometry and quartz inclusion Raman barometry respectively. However, the Raman spectra of carbonaceous material thermometry of metapelites associated with the eclogites gave lower peak temperatures, possibly due to metamorphism at different conditions before being brought together during exhumation. The blueschist facies overprint following the peak of metamorphism is recognized by the abundance of glaucophane in the matrix. Zircon grains in blueschist facies metasedimentary samples from two localities adjacent to the eclogites have distinct oscillatory‐zoned cores and overgrowth rims. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry U–Pb ages of the detrital cores yield a wide range between 3,200 and 400 Ma, with a peak at 600–400 Ma. In the early Palaeozoic, proto‐Japan was located along the continental margin of the South China craton, providing the source of the older population of detrital zircon grains (3,200–600 Ma) deposited in the trench‐fill sediments. In addition, subduction‐related magmatism c. 500–400 Ma is recorded in the crust below proto‐Japan, which might have been the source for the younger detrital zircon grains. The peak metamorphic age was constrained by SHRIMP dating of the overgrowth rims, yielding Tournaisian ages of 347 ± 4 Ma, suggesting subduction in the early Carboniferous. Our results provide clear constraints on the initiation of subduction, accretion and the development of an arc‐trench system along the active continental margin of the South China craton and help to unravel the Palaeozoic tectonic history of proto‐Japan.     

Beach sand of SE Australia traced by zircon ages through Ordovician turbidites and S-type granites of the Lachlan Orogen to Africa/Antarctica: a review

The Quaternary beach sand of SE Australia, driven northward by southern swell, contains zircons with dominant U–Pb ages of 700–500 Ma, model ages (T_DMc) of 2.2 Ga to 1.0 Ga, and ?_Hf of +12 to –30, indicating a host rock type of granitoids with alkaline affinity. These properties match those of detrital zircons in the Middle Triassic (ca 240 Ma) Hawkesbury Sandstone (T_DMc of 2.1 to 1.0 Ga, ?_Hf of +8 to –40, alkaline granitoids) and the Ordovician (ca 460 Ma) turbidites and ca 430 Ma S-type granitoids of the Lachlan Orogen (T_2DM of 2.0 to 1.0 Ga, ?_Hf of +5 to –30), all of which are identified as proximal provenances. Superimposed are the ca 400 Ma zircons in beaches in the south backed by the 420–375 Ma I-type Bega Batholith, and ca 350 Ma and ca 250 Ma zircons in the north backed by the New England Orogen. The Ordovician turbidites, part of a deep-sea super-fan, were fed by the detritus of the exhumed 700–500 Ma Transgondwanan Supermountains atop the East African–Antarctic Orogen. At the same time, the ancestral Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains of East Antarctica probably contributed a subsidiary fan of 700–500 Ma sediment. Primary zircons aged 600–500 Ma in igneous and metamorphic rocks in Australia and the ancestral Transantarctic Mountains are minor contributors of the Australian sediments. The properties of the 700–500 Ma primary zircons in the East African–Antarctic Orogen are traceable through the first-cycle Ordovician turbidite and intruding second-cycle granite, and younger sediment, such as the third-cycle Triassic Hawkesbury Sandstone and the third-cycle beach sand. The sand at the northern terminus of the coastal system off Fraser Island spills over the shelf edge into the Tasman Abyssal Plain to reflect in miniature the deep-sea depositional environment of the Ordovician.     

Provenance of Holocene beach sand in the Western Iberian margin: the use of the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test for the deciphering of sediment recycling in a modern coastal system

Detrital zircons from Holocene beach sand and igneous zircons from the Cretaceous syenite forming Cape Sines (Western Iberian margin) were dated using laser ablation – inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry. The U–Pb ages obtained were used for comparison with previous radiometric data from Carboniferous greywacke, Pliocene–Pleistocene sand and Cretaceous syenite forming the sea cliff at Cape Sines and the contiguous coast. New U–Pb dating of igneous morphologically simple and complex zircons from the syenite of the Sines pluton suggests that the history of zircon crystallization was more extensive (ca 87 to 74 Ma), in contrast to the findings of previous geochronology studies (ca 76 to 74 Ma). The U–Pb ages obtained in Holocene sand revealed a wide interval, ranging from the Cretaceous to the Archean, with predominance of Cretaceous (37%), Palaeozoic (35%) and Neoproterozoic (19%) detrital‐zircon ages. The paucity of round to sub‐rounded grains seems to indicate a short transportation history for most of the Cretaceous zircons (ca 95 to 73 Ma) which are more abundant in the beach sand that was sampled south of Cape Sines. Comparative analysis using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov statistical method, analysing sub‐populations separately, suggests that the zircon populations of the Carboniferous and Cretaceous rocks forming the sea cliff were reproduced faithfully in Quaternary sand, indicating sediment recycling. The similarity of the pre‐Cretaceous ages (>ca 280 Ma) of detrital zircons found in Holocene sand, as compared with Carboniferous greywacke and Pliocene–Pleistocene sand, provides support for the hypothesis that detritus was reworked into the beach from older sedimentary rocks exposed along the sea cliff. The largest percentage of Cretaceous zircons (<ca 95 Ma) found in Holocene sand, as compared with Pliocene–Pleistocene sand (secondary recycled source), suggests that the Sines pluton was the one of the primary sources that became progressively more exposed to erosion during Quaternary uplift. This work highlights the application of the Kolmogorov–Smirnov method in comparison of zircon age populations used to identify provenance and sediment recycling in modern and ancient detrital sedimentary sequences.     

4350–3130 Ma detrital zircons in the Southern Cross Granite‐Greenstone Terrane,Western Australia: Implications for the early evolution of the Yilgarn Craton

SHRIMP U–Pb zircon analysis indicates that detrital zircons from extensive quartzite units in the Southern Cross Granite‐Greenstone Terrane of the central Yilgarn Craton have ages ranging from ca 4350 Ma to ca 3130 Ma. Regional mapping studies indicate that the quartzites lie at the stratigraphic base of the exposed succession. The detrital zircon age profiles of the Southern Cross Granite‐Greenstone Terrane quartzites are remarkably similar to those of quartzites in the Narryer and South West Terranes, in the northwest and southwest of the Yilgarn Craton respectively, and are significantly older than any igneous rocks that have been dated anywhere in the Yilgarn Craton other than the Narryer Terrane. Similar detrital‐zircon‐bearing quartzites have not been identified in the Murchison Granite‐Greenstone Terrane. These age profiles suggest that the quartzites have a common depositional history. Granites in the central Yilgarn Craton are mainly younger than ca 2750 Ma and contain rare xenocrystic zircons older than 3100 Ma. If the central and western Yilgarn quartzites were all deposited at approximately the same time, the lack of preserved continental crust in the Southern Cross and Murchison Granite‐Greenstone Terranes, and the South West Terrane, that is older than 3100 Ma, suggests that pre‐3100 Ma Narryer‐like continental crust may have been rifted or extensively reworked during deposition of greenstone successions between ca 3000 and ca 2700 Ma. If not, then a ca 4350 Ma detrital zircon in the Southern Cross Granite‐Greenstone Terrane indicates more widespread, very old, continental crust than has previously been identified.     

Age and provenance of basement metasediments from the Kubor and Bena Bena Blocks,central Highlands,Papua New Guinea: Constraints on the tectonic evolution of the northern Australian cratonic margin

Detrital zircon from two basement blocks (Kubor and Bena Bena) in the central Highlands of Papua New Guinea has an age signature that strongly suggests a northern Australian provenance. Samples of the Omung Metamorphics, southeastern Kubor Block, together yield principal zircon populations with ages of ca 1.8 Ga (～10% of the total), ca 1.55 Ga (～10%), 470–440 Ma (～15%), ca 340 Ma (～10%) and 290–260 Ma (～40%).Two tonalite stocks of the Kubor Intrusive Complex, which intrude the Omung Metamorphics, yield indistinguishable ages of 244.8 ± 4.9 Ma and 239.1 ± 4.2 Ma.Therefore, the deposition and subsequent deformation of the Omung Metamorphics is Late Permian to Early Triassic. A sample of Goroka Formation (Bena Bena Block) contains detrital zircon of similar ages to the Omung Metamorphics, ca 1.8 Ga (5%), ca 1.55 Ga (～45%), ca 430 Ma (～5%) and ca 310 Ma (～40%), suggesting that the Goroka Formation has a similar provenance and might be correlative. In contrast, a metapsammite from the Bena Bena Formation yielded only ages of 290–280 Ma (85%) and ca 240 Ma (15%). A tuff interbedded in the Bena Bena Formation yielded only igneous zircon with a Late Triassic age of 221 ± 3 Ma. Contrary to previous interpretations, the Bena Bena Formation is probably younger than the Goroka Formation. Ages of New Guinea detrital zircon closely match those of igneous and detrital zircon from the Coen Inlier, northeastern Queensland, but contrast with the ages of zircon from terranes further south, east and west. The Kubor and Bena Bena Blocks are not suspect terranes, but rather form part of the Australian craton. The craton margin, modified by rifting during the Mesozoic, was re‐inverted during Cenozoic compression. The Australian craton, in the eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, extends at least as far north as the Markham Valley, the northern edge of the Bena Bena terrane.     

Age and tectonic significance of the Louth Volcanics: implications for the evolution of the Tasmanides of eastern Australia

Abstract

Re-evaluation of geochemical and geophysical datasets, and analysis of magmatic and detrital zircons from drill-core samples extracted from the Louth region of the southern Thomson Orogen (STO), augmented by limited field samples, has shown that two temporally and compositionally distinct igneous groups exist. The older Lower Devonian, calc-alkaline group corresponds to complexly folded, high-intensity curvilinear magnetic anomalies in the Louth region (Louth Volcanics) and are probable equivalents to Lower Devonian volcanics in the northern Lachlan Orogen. A younger Permo-Triassic alkaline assemblage forms part of an E–W corridor of diatremes that appears to relate to focussed lithospheric extension associated with the later stages of the Hunter–Bowen Orogeny in the New England Orogen. The alkaline group includes gabbros previously considered as Neoproterozoic, but all magmatic rocks, including alkaline basalts, contain an unusual number of xenocrystic zircons. The age spectra of the xenocrystic zircons mimic detrital zircons from Cobar Basin sedimentary rocks and/or underlying Ordovician turbidites, suggesting incorporation of upper crustal zircons into the alkaline basaltic magmas. A distinct difference of detrital zircon age spectra from central Thomson Orogen metasediments indicates the STO metasediments have greater affinities to the Lachlan Orogen, but both orogens probably began in the Early Ordovician during widespread backarc extension and deposition of turbidites in the Tasmanides. A surprising result is that Ordovician, Devonian and Permo-Triassic basaltic rocks from the STO and elsewhere in the Tasmanides, all yield the same Nd-model ages of ca 960–830 Ma, suggesting that Neoproterozoic subcontinental lithospheric mantle persisted throughout the evolution of the Tasmanide orogenic system.     

Geochronology and geochemistry of the Devonian Gumbardo Formation (Adavale Basin): evidence for cratonisation of the Central Thomson Orogen by the Early Devonian

Abstract

The Devonian subsurface Adavale Basin occupies a central position in the Paleozoic central Thomson Orogen of eastern Australia and records its tectonic setting during this time interval. Here, we have focussed on the basal volcanics of the Gumbardo Formation to clarify the tectonic setting of the basin. The approach has been to undertake stratigraphic logging, LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon geochronology and whole-rock geochemical analysis. The data indicate that basin initiation was rapid occurring at ca 401?Ma. The volcanic rocks are dominated by K-feldspar phyric rhyodacitic ignimbrites. The whole-rock geochemical data indicate little evidence for extensive fractional crystallisation, with the volcanic suite resembling the composition of the upper continental crust and exhibiting transitional I- to A-type tectonomagmatic affinities. One new U–Pb zircon age revealed an Early Ordovician emplacement age for a volcanic rock previously interpreted to be part of the Early Devonian Gumbardo Formation, and older basement age is consistent with seismic interpretations of uplifted basement in this region of the western Adavale Basin. Five ignimbrites dated from different stratigraphic levels within the formation yield similar emplacement ages with a pooled weighted age of 398.2?±?1.9?Ma (mean square weighted deviation?=?0.94, n?=?93). Significant zircon inheritance in the volcanic rocks records reworking of Ordovician and Silurian silicic igneous basement from the Thomson Orogen and provides insight into the crustal make-up of the Thomson Orogen. Collectively, the new data presented here suggest the Adavale Basin is a cover-type basin that developed on a stabilised Thomson Orogen after the major Bindian deformation event in the late Silurian.     

Provenance,tectonic setting and source of Archean metasedimentary rocks of the Browns Range Metamorphics,Tanami Region,Western Australia

This study combines U–Pb age and Lu–Hf isotope data for magmatic and detrital zircons, with whole-rock geochemistry of the Browns Range Metamorphics (BRM), Western Australia. The BRM are medium- to coarse-grained metasandstones that consist of angular to sub-rounded detrital quartz and feldspars with minor granitic lithic fragments. The sequence has undergone partial to extensive quartz–muscovite alteration and rare-earth-element mineralisation and has been intruded by mafic/ultramafic, syenitic and pegmatitic intrusive rock units. Uranium–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic data on detrital zircons from the metasandstones and intruding granitic rocks yield a well-defined age of ca 3.2 to ca 3.0 Ga for all samples, with relatively radiogenic ?_Hf values (?_Hf = –1.7 to 5.1) indicating derivation from Mesoarchean granite basement of juvenile origin. This is consistent with geochemical and petrological data that support deposition from a granitic source in a continental rift basin setting. The timing of sediment deposition is constrained between the ca 3.0 Ga age of the source rocks and ca 2.5 Ga age of the granitic intrusive bodies that cross-cut the metasedimentary rocks. The ca 2.5 Ga zircons from the intrusive rocks have ?_Hf model ages of ca 3.4 to ca 3.1 Ga, which is consistent with formation via partial melting of the BRM, or the Mesoarchean granite basement. Zircons of the Gardiner Sandstone that unconformably overlies the BRM return detrital ages of ca 2.6 to ca 1.8 Ga with no trace of ca 3.1 Ga zircons, which discounts a significant contribution from the underlying BRM. The Mesoarchean age and isotopic signatures of the BRM zircons are shared by some zircon records from the Pine Creek Orogen, and the Pilbara, Yilgarn and Gawler cratons. Collectively, these records indicate that juvenile Mesoarchean crust is a more significant component of Australian cratons than is currently recognised. This work also further demonstrates that detrital minerals in Paleoproterozoic/Archean sedimentary rocks are archives to study the early crustal record of Earth.     

The geodynamic evolution of the Italian South Alpine basement from the Ediacaran to the Carboniferous: Was the South Alpine terrane part of the peri-Gondwana arc-forming terranes?

Zircon U-Pb LA-ICPMS ages were obtained from three metasedimentary and two metavolcanic samples from the Monte Cavallino (South Tyrol) and the Cima Vallona (Carnic Alps) tectono-metamorphic groups from the eastern South Alpine crystalline basement in NE Italy. These analyses were performed to constrain the maximum depositional ages of the South Alpine domain, and to compare the spatial and temporal provenance variations with those of adjacent terranes. The detrital zircon dataset from the metasedimentary rocks (416 grains) yield populations with age peaks at 2.7–2.9 Ga, 1.8–2.1 Ga, 1.2–0.85 Ga, and 0.65–0.45 Ga, with maximum depositional ages ranging from the latest Neoproterozoic to the Silurian. The metavolcanic zircon dataset (209 grains) documents the presence of a two Ordovician volcanic events in the South Alpine domain. The detrital zircon dataset implies that the clastic units of the South Alpine crystalline basement were (a) deposited on the peri-Gondwanan active continental margin and (b) were originally sourced from the Proterozoic and Paleozoic units of NW Gondwana and hence should no longer be considered as exotic elements. The age spectra of the three metasedimentary units highlight differences between the Ediacaran basement gneiss, the Ordovician greywacke, and the Silurian metaconglomerate, suggesting up-section age variations due to a temporal change in provenance. Collectively, these new detrital zircon U-Pb ages imply that the clastic units within the South Alpine domain recorded sedimentation at c. 550 Ma on the peri-Gondwanan active continental margin, followed by rift-related continental and marine sedimentation in a back-arc basin setting until at least the Silurian. The South Alpine domain ultimately rifted off from Gondwana due to back-arc spreading, and subsequently underwent Variscan metamorphism during accretion onto the Laurussia margin, which started at c. 380 Ma and lasted until at least c. 320 Ma.     

SHRIMP U–Pb zircon dating of the host rocks of the Cannington Ag–Pb–Zn deposit,southeastern Mt Isa Block,Australia

SHRIMP U–Pb zircon ages are reported from a paragneiss, a pegmatite, a metasomatised metasediment and an amphibolite taken from the upper amphibolite facies host sequence of the Cannington Ag–Pb–Zn deposit at the southeastern margin of the Proterozoic Mt Isa Block. Also reported are ages from a middle amphibolite‐facies metasediment from the Soldiers Cap Group approximately 90 km north of Cannington. The predominantly metasedimentary host rocks of the Cannington deposit were eroded from a terrane containing latest Archaean to earliest Palaeoproterozoic (ca 2600–2300 Ma) and Palaeoproterozoic (ca 1750–1700 Ma) zircon. The ca 1750–1700 Ma group of zircons are consistent with sedimentary provenance from rocks of Cover Sequence 2 age that are now exposed to the north and west of the Cannington deposit. The metasedimentary samples also include a group of zircon grains at ca 1675 Ma, which we interpret as the maximum depositional age of the sedimentary protolith. This is comparable to the maximum depositional age of the metasediment from the Maronan area (ca 1665 Ma) and to previously published data from the Soldiers Cap Group. Metamorphic zircon rims and new zircon grains grew at 1600–1580 Ma during upper amphibolite‐facies metamorphism in metasedimentary and mafic magmatic rocks. Zircon inheritance patterns suggest that sheet‐like pegmatitic intrusions were most likely derived from partial melting of the surrounding metasediments during this period of metamorphism. Some zircon grains from the amphibolite have a morphology consistent with partially recrystallised igneous grains and have apparent ages close to the metamorphic age, although it is not clear whether these represent metamorphic resetting or crystallisation of the magmatic protolith. Pb‐loss during syn‐ to post‐metamorphic metasomatism resulted in partial resetting of zircons from the metasomatised metasediment.     

Late Paleozoic subduction–accretion along the southern margin of the North Qinling terrane,central China: Evidence from zircon U-Pb dating and geochemistry of the Wuguan Complex

The Qinling Orogen separating the North China plate from the Yangtze plate is a key area for understanding the timing and process of aggregation between the two plates. Two competing and highly contrasting tectonic models currently exist to explain the timing and nature of collision; one advocates a Devonian continental collision while the other favors a Triassic collision. The Wuguan Complex, between the early Paleozoic North Qinling and the Mesozoic South Qinling terranes, can provide important constraints on the late Paleozoic evolutionary processes of the Qinling Orogen. Metamorphosed sedimentary rock of the Wuguan Complex have a detrital zircon age spectrum with two major peaks at 453 Ma and 800 Ma, several minor age populations of 350–430 Ma and 1000–2868 Ma, and a youngest weighted mean age of 358 ± 3 Ma, indicating a mixed source from the North Qinling terrane. The recrystallized zircons yield a weighted mean age of 333 ± 2 Ma, representing the metamorphic age. Geochemical analyses imply that the sedimentary rocks were originally deposited in an active continental margin dominated by an acidic-arc source with a subordinate mafic-ultramafic source. The youngest population of detrital zircons (358 Ma) suggests that the Wuguan Complex developed as forearc basin along the southern accreted margin of the North Qinling terrane during the early Carboniferous, whereas the ca. 520–460 Ma mafic rocks with E-MORB, N-MORB, OIB or island arc basalt signatures probably derived from the Danfeng Group. In combination with regional data, we suggest that the depositional age of the Wuguan Complex is ca. 389–330 Ma, but it was subsequently incorporated into tectonic mélange by the northward subduction of the Paleo-Qinling Ocean. A long-lived southward-facing subduction-accretionary system in front of the North Qinling terrane probably lasted until at least the early Carboniferous.