SHRIMP U–Pb zircon dating of the Neoproterozoic Penglai Group and Archean gneisses from the Jiaobei Terrane, North China, and their tectonic implications

Archean basement gneisses and supracrustal rocks, together with Neoproterozoic (Sinian) metasedimentary rocks (the Penglai Group) occur in the Jiaobei Terrane at the southeastern margin of the North China Craton. SHRIMP U–Pb zircon dating of an Archean TTG gneiss gave an age of 2541 ± 5 Ma, whereas metasedimentary rocks from the Neoproterozoic Penglai Group yielded a range in zircon ages from 2.9 to 1.8 Ga. The zircons can be broadly divided into three age populations, at: 2.0–1.8 Ga, 2.45–2.1 Ga and >2.5 Ga. Detrital zircon grains with ages >2.6 Ga are few in number and there are none with ages <1.8 Ga. These results indicate that most of the detrital material comes from a Paleoproterozoic source, most likely from the Jianshan and Fenzishan groups, with some material coming from Archean gneisses in the Jiaobei Terrane. An age of 1866 ± 4 Ma for amphibolite-facies hornblende–plagioclase gneiss, forming part of a supracrustal sequence within the Archean TTG gneiss, indicates Late Paleoproterozoic metamorphism. Both the Archean gneiss complex and Penglai metasedimentary rocks resemble previously described components of the Jiao-Liao-Ji orogenic belt and suggest that the Jiaobei Terrane has a North China Craton affinity; they also suggest that the time of collision along the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt was at 1865 Ma.     

华北克拉通古元古代中期伸展体制新证据:鞍山-弓长岭地区变质辉长岩的锆石SHRIM PU-Pb定年和全岩地球化学

本文报道了华北克拉通鞍山-弓长岭地区古元古代中期变质辉长岩的锆石定年结果和地球化学组成。根据地球化学组成特征,可把变质辉长岩划分为两种类型。类型1变质辉长岩低MgO高FeOT,稀土总量高(TREE=107.5×10-6～114.0×10-6),轻重稀土分离不强((La/Yb)N=2.6～2.7),高场强元素Nb、P、Ti无明显亏损,相容元素Cr强烈亏损。类型2变质辉长岩高SiO2低FeOT,轻重稀土分离更强((La/Yb)N=6.8),高场强元素Nb和相容元素Cr存在一定程度的亏损。类型1变质辉长岩的斜锆石和岩浆锆石SHRIMP U-Pb定年,年龄为2110±31Ma,捕获锆石年龄为～2.95Ga。研究表明,类型1辉长岩是偏超基性-基性岩浆在深部岩浆房停留较长时间经历强烈结晶分异的产物。支持了华北克拉通在古元古代中期处于伸展体制构造环境的认识。     

Petrology,phase equilibria modelling and zircon U–Pb geochronology of Paleoproterozoic mafic granulites from the Fuping Complex,North China Craton

The Fuping Complex is one of the important basement terranes within the central segment of the Trans‐North China Orogen (TNCO) where mafic granulites are exposed as boudins within tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) gneisses. Garnet in these granulites shows compositional zoning with homogeneous cores formed in the peak metamorphic stage, surrounded by thin rims with an increase in almandine and decrease in grossular contents suggesting retrograde decompression and cooling. Petrological and phase equilibria studies including pseudosection calculation using thermocalc define a clockwise P–T path. The peak mineral assemblages comprise garnet+clinopyroxene+amphibole+quartz+plagioclase+K‐feldspar+ilmenite±orthopyroxene±magnetite, with metamorphic P–T conditions estimated at 8.2–9.2 kbar, 870–882 °C (15FP‐02), 9.6–11.3 kbar, 855–870 °C (15FP‐03) and 9.7–10.5 kbar, 880–900 °C (15FP‐06) respectively. The pseudosections for the subsequent retrograde stages based on relatively higher H₂O contents from P/T–M(H₂O) diagrams define the retrograde P–T conditions of <6.1 kbar, <795 °C (15FP‐02), 5.6–5.8 kbar, <795 °C (15FP‐03), and <9 kbar, <865 °C (15FP‐06) respectively. Data from LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U–Pb dating show that the mafic dyke protoliths of the granulite were emplaced at c. 2327 Ma. The metamorphic zircon shows two groups of ages at 1.96–1.90 Ga (peak at 1.93–1.92 Ga) and 1.89–1.80 Ga (peak at 1.86–1.83 Ga), consistent with the two metamorphic events widely reported from different segments of the TNCO. The 1.93–1.92 Ga ages are considered to date the peak granulite facies metamorphism, whereas the 1.86–1.83 Ga ages are correlated with the retrograde event. Thus, the collisional assembly of the major crustal blocks in the North China Craton (NCC) might have occurred during 1.93–1.90 Ga, marking the final cratonization of the NCC.     

Evolution of the Yunkai Terrane, South China: Evidence from SHRIMP zircon U–Pb dating, geochemistry and Nd isotope

The Yunkai Terrane is one of the most important pre-Devonian areas of metamorphosed supracrustal and granitic basement rocks in the Cathaysia Block of South China. The supracrustal rocks are mainly schist, slate and phyllite, with local paragneiss, granulite, amphibolite and marble, with metamorphic grades ranging from greenschist to granulite facies. Largely on the basis of metamorphic grade, they were previously divided into the Palaeo- to Mesoproterozoic Gaozhou Complex, the early Neoproterozoic Yunkai ‘Group’ and early Palaeozoic sediments. Granitic rocks were considered to be Meso- and Neoproterozoic, or early Palaeozoic in age. In this study, four meta-sedimentary rock samples, two each from the Yunkai ‘Group’ and Gaozhou Complex, together with three granite samples, record metamorphic and magmatic zircon ages of 443–430 Ma (Silurian), with many inherited and detrital zircons with the ages mainly ranging from 1.1 to 0.8 Ga, although zircons with Archaean and Palaeoproterozoic ages have also been identified in several of the samples. A high-grade sillimanite–garnet–cordierite gneiss contains 242 Ma metamorphic zircons, as well as 440 Ma ones. Three of the meta-sedimentary rocks show large variations in major element compositions, but have similar REE patterns, and have t_DM model ages of 2.17–1.91 Ga and ε_Nd (440 Ma) values of −13.4 to −10.0. Granites range in composition from monzogranite to syenogranite and record t_DM model ages of 2.13–1.42 Ga and ε_Nd (440 Ma) values of −8.4 to −1.2. It is concluded that the Yunkai ‘Group’ and Gaozhou Complex formed coevally in the late Neoproterozoic to early Palaeozoic, probably at the same time as weakly to un-metamorphosed early Palaeozoic sediments in the area. Based on the detrital zircon population, the source area contained Meso- to Neoproterozoic rocks, with some Archaean material. Palaeozoic tectonothermal events and zircon growth in the Yunkai Terrane can be correlated with events of similar age and character known throughout the Cathaysia Block. The lack of evidence for Palaeo- and Mesoproterozoic rocks at Yunkai, as stated in earlier publications, means that revision of the basement geology of Cathaysia is necessary.     

五台地区高凡群形成时代新证据:锆石SHRIMP U-Pb定年

五台地区高凡群对于华北克拉通早前寒武纪变质地层层序建立具有重要意义。本文对高凡群磨河组开展了地球化学和锆石年代学研究。变质沉积岩稀土总量为(132.78~231.84)×10^-6(样品W1927的稀土总量为1016.55×10^-6),轻重稀土分离弱((La/Yb)_N=4.5~12.5),具明显负铕异常(δEu=0.37~0.62),稀土模式与太古宙后泥砂质碎屑沉积岩十分类似。一个白云石英片岩样品(D004)的变质原岩中存在大量2.7 Ga、2.54~2.5 Ga、2.3 Ga和2.18 Ga碎屑锆石,最年轻锆石可能来自同时代火山岩。一个含黄铁矿白云片岩样品(W1927)的最年轻锆石年龄为2194 Ma,被认为代表了岩石形成时代。结合前人研究,可把高凡群形成时代限定在<2176 Ma和2350 Ma之间,碎屑物质主要来自恒山、五台、阜平、云中山、吕梁地区新太古代—古元古代变质基底或更远的地区。     

Zircon U–Pb SHRIMP ages of weakly to unmetamorphosed granitoids of the Yangtze basement outcrop in Dabieshan, central China

The Qichun granitoids exposed in the Dabie Orogen of China are composed of two types of rocks: porphyritic monzogranite (with variable schistosity) and syenogranite (without schistosity). The two types show large differences in geochemical characteristics. The porphyritic monzogranite is characterized by high Al₂O₃ content (15.73%), relatively high CaO (2.46%) and Na₂O contents (Na₂O/K₂O=1.27), strong depletion in HREE and strong fractionation between LREE and HREE ((La/Yb)_N=46.8), similar to some high Al₂O₃ Archaean TTG gneisses. Conversely, the syenogranite is characterized by relatively low Al₂O₃ (14.05%) and CaO (0.82%) contents, and higher K₂O than Na₂O (Na₂O/K₂O=0.81). The degree of fractionation between LREE and HREE is minor. The U–Pb SHRIMP zircon age of the porphyritic monzogranite is 841±15 and 824±27 Ma for the syenogranite. These ages are similar to the protolith emplacement ages of granitic gneisses in the Dabie Orogenic Belt. The existence of weakly to unmetamorphosed granitoids in the Dabie Orogen shows that the granitoids were situated in the back part of the subducted plate during collision and subduction between the Yangtze and the North China cratons, and may represent outcrops of the Yangtze basement.     

华北克拉通古元古代晚期地壳演化和荆山群形成时代制约——胶东地区变质中-基性侵入岩锆石SHRIMP U-Pb定年

胶东地区的荆山群呈近东西向环绕太古宙TTG花岗质片麻岩展布,主要由成熟度高的含石墨变泥砂质岩石、钙硅酸岩和大理岩组成,变质程度达高角闪岩相-麻粒岩相,具孔兹岩系性质。变质中-基性岩侵入到荆山群。它们的侵位时代对于探讨华北克拉通东部元古宙构造演化以及对荆山群沉积时代的制约,都有重要意义。锆石SHRIMP U-Pb定年结果表明,遭受低级变质的闪长岩(S0835)岩浆锆石年龄为1852±9Ma (MSWD=2.1),遭受中高级变质的辉长岩(S0816)变质锆石年龄为1865±11Ma (MSWD=0.76)。结合区域资料,可得出如下结论:(1)荆山群孔兹岩系形成于古元古代晚期(2.2~1.9Ga);(2)古元古代期间,胶东地区从挤压体制转入伸展体制的时间在1.87Ga之前。在华北克拉通中西部的恒山、大青山地区,存在1.97~1.92Ga辉长岩,在1.92~1.83Ga期间发生变质,与本文研究结果类似。这表明华北克拉通中-西部和东部具有类似的古元古代演化历史。     

Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous Plutonism in the Northern Part of the Precambrian North China Craton: SHRIMP Zircon U–Pb Dating of Diorites and Granites from the Yunmengshan Geopark, Beijing

The Yunmengshan Geopark in northern Beijing is located within the Yanshan range. It contains the Yunmengshan batholith, which is dominated by two plutons: the Yunmengshan gneissic granite and the Shicheng gneissic diorite. Four samples of the Yunmengshan gneissic granite give SHRIMP zircon U–Pb ages from 145 to 141 Ma, whereas four samples of the Shicheng gneissic diorite have ages from 159 Ma to 151 Ma. Dikes that cut the Yunmengshan diorite record SHRIMP zircon U–Pb age of 162±2 and 156±4 Ma. The cumulative plots of zircons from the diorites show a peak age of 155 Ma, without inherited zircon cores, and the peak age of 142 Ma for granite is interpreted as the emplacement age of the Yunmengshan granitic pluton, whose igneous zircons contain inherited zircon cores. The data presented here show that there were two pulses of magmatism: early diorites, followed c13 Ma later by true granites, which incorporated material from an older continental crust.     

华北克拉通古元古代晚期地壳演化和荆山群形成时代制约——胶东地区变质中-基性侵入岩锆石SHRIMP U-Pb定年

胶东地区的荆山群呈近东西向环绕太古宙TTG花岗质片麻岩展布,主要由成熟度高的含石墨变泥砂质岩石、钙硅酸岩和大理岩组成,变质程度达高角闪岩相-麻粒岩相,具孔兹岩系性质.变质中-基性岩侵入到荆山群.它们的侵位时代对于探讨华北克拉通东部元古宙构造演化以及对荆山群沉积时代的制约,都有重要意义.锆石SHRIMP U-Pb定年结果...     

Dating pseudotachylyte of the Asuke Shear Zone using zircon fission-track and U–Pb methods

Zircon fission-track (FT) and U–Pb analyses were performed on zircon extracted from a pseudotachylyte zone and surrounding rocks of the Asuke Shear Zone (ASZ), Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The U–Pb ages of all four samples are  67–76 Ma, which is interpreted as the formation age of Ryoke granitic rocks along the ASZ. The mean zircon FT age of host rock is 73 ± 7 (2σ) Ma, suggesting a time of initial cooling through the zircon closure temperature. The pseudotachylyte zone however, yielded a zircon FT age of 53 ± 9 (2σ) Ma, statistically different from the age of the host rock. Zircon FTs showed reduced mean lengths and intermediate ages for samples adjacent to the pseudotachylyte zone. Coupled with the new zircon U–Pb ages and previous heat conduction modeling, the present FT data are best interpreted as reflecting paleothermal effects of the frictional heating of the fault. The age for the pseudotachylyte coincides with the change in direction of rotation of the Pacific plate from NW to N which can be considered to initialize the NNE–SSW trending sinistral–extensional ASZ before the Miocene clockwise rotation of SW Japan. The present study demonstrates that a history of fault motions in seismically active regions can be reconstructed by dating pseudotachylytes using zircon FT thermochronology.     

Middle Carboniferous crustal melting in the Variscan Belt: New insights from U–Th–Pbtot. monazite and U–Pb zircon ages of the Montagne Noire Axial Zone (southern French Massif Central)

In France, the Devonian–Carboniferous Variscan orogeny developed at the expense of continental crust belonging to the northern margin of Gondwana. A Visean–Serpukhovian crustal melting has been recently documented in several massifs. However, in the Montagne Noire of the Variscan French Massif Central, which is the largest area involved in this partial melting episode, the age of migmatization was not clearly settled. Eleven U–Th–Pb_tot. ages on monazite and three U–Pb ages on associated zircon are reported from migmatites (La Salvetat, Ourtigas), anatectic granitoids (Laouzas, Montalet) and post-migmatitic granites (Anglès, Vialais, Soulié) from the Montagne Noire Axial Zone are presented here for the first time. Migmatization and emplacement of anatectic granitoids took place around 333–326 Ma (Visean) and late granitoids emplaced around 325–318 Ma (Serpukhovian). Inherited zircons and monazite date the orthogneiss source rock of the Late Visean melts between 560 Ma and 480 Ma. In migmatites and anatectic granites, inherited crystals dominate the zircon populations. The migmatitization is the middle crust expression of a pervasive Visean crustal melting event also represented by the “Tufs anthracifères” volcanism in the northern Massif Central. This crustal melting is widespread in the French Variscan belt, though it is restricted to the upper plate of the collision belt. A mantle input appears as a likely mechanism to release the heat necessary to trigger the melting of the Variscan middle crust at a continental scale.     

Zircon SHRIMP U–Pb and in-situ Lu–Hf isotope analyses of a tuff from Western Beijing: Evidence for missing Late Paleozoic arc volcano eruptions at the northern margin of the North China block

Zircon SHRIMP U–Pb and in-situ Lu–Hf isotopic analyses via laser ablation microprobe-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LAM-ICPMS) of a tuff within the Upper Paleozoic from Western Beijing were carried out to give new constraints on volcano eruption ages and source area of the tuffs within the North China block (NCB). SHRIMP U–Pb zircon dating of the tuff yielded a ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U weighted mean age of 296 ± 4 Ma (95% confidence, MSWD = 3.3), which is very similar to the emplacement age of the newly discovered Carboniferous calc-alkaline, I-type continental arc granitoid plutons in the Inner Mongolia Paleo-uplift (IMPU) on the northern margin of the NCB. In-situ Lu–Hf analysis results of most zircons from the tuff yielded initial ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios from 0.282142 to 0.282284 and ε_Hf(t) values from − 15.9 to − 10.7. These Lu–Hf isotopic compositions are very similar to those of the Late Carboniferous granitoids in the IMPU, but are very different to those of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Together with the sedimentary and tectonic analyses results, we inferred that the source area of the tuffs within the NCB is the IMPU instead of the CAOB. Therefore, some arc volcanoes once existed in the IMPU on northern margin of the NCB during the Late Carboniferous, but they were entirely eroded due to strong exhumation and erosion of the IMPU during the Late Carboniferous to Early Jurassic.     

Petrology and zircon U–Pb dating of well‐preserved eclogites from the Thongmön area in central Himalaya and their tectonic implications

The discovery of eclogites is reported within the Great Himalayan Crystalline Complex in the Thongmön area, central Himalaya, and their metamorphic evolution is deciphered by petrographic studies, pseudosection modelling, and zircon dating. For the first time, omphacite has been found in the matrix of eclogites taken from a metamorphic mafic lens. Two groups of garnet have been identified in the Thongmön eclogites on the basis of major and rare earth elements and mineral inclusions. Core and intermediate sections of garnet represent Grt I, in which the major elements (Ca, Mg, and Fe) show a nearly homogenous distribution with little or weak zonation. This Grt I displays an almost flat chondrite‐normalized HREE pattern, and the main inclusions are amphibole, apatite, quartz, and abundant omphacite. Grt II, forms thin rims on large garnet grains, and is characterized by rim‐ward Ca decrease and Mg increase and MREE enrichment relative to HREE and LREE. No amphibole inclusions are found in Grt II, indicating the decomposition of amphibole contributed to its MREE enrichment. Two metamorphic stages, recorded by matrix minerals and inclusions in garnet and zircon, outline the burial of the Thongmön eclogites and progressive metamorphic processes to the pressure peak: (a) the assemblage of amphibole–garnet–omphacite–phengite–rutile–quartz, with the phengite interpreted as having been replaced by Bt+Pl symplectites, represents the prograde amphibole eclogite facies stage M1₍₁₎, (b) in the peak eclogite facies [stage M1₍₂₎], amphibole was lost and melting started. Based on the compositions of garnet and omphacite inclusions, M1₍₁₎ is constrained to 19–20 kbar and 640–660°C and M1₍₂₎ occurred at >21 kbar, >750°C, with appearance of melt and its entrapment in metamorphic zircon. SHRIMP U–Pb dating of zircon from two eclogite samples yielded consistent metamorphic ages of 16.7 ± 0.6 Ma and 17.1 ± 0.4 Ma respectively. The metamorphic zircon grew concurrently with Grt II in the peak eclogite facies. Thongmön eclogites characterized by the prograde metamorphism from amphibolite facies to eclogite facies were formed by the continuing continental subduction of Indian plate beneath the Euro‐Asian continent in the Miocene.     

Age and autochthonous evolution of the Sunsás Orogen in West Amazon Craton based on mapping and U–Pb geochronology

The West Amazon Craton consists of rocks of the Sunsás Orogen and the Rondônia-Juruena Province. The Sunsás Orogen comprises the western part of the Amazon Craton in South America and is best exposed in eastern Bolivia and western Rondônia and Mato Grosso states of Brazil. The integration of available maps and isotopic data together with new U–Pb and Sm–Nd analyses from 20 samples (plus 55 earlier dates), establish the timing of geologic events in the West Amazon Craton from 1840 to 1110 Ma. To unravel the complex geologic history of the study area, we primarily sampled granitoids and gneisses to develop a better stratigraphy and secondarily to narrow the age gaps between known discordances. Four periods of orogenic activity are identified within the Sunsás Orogen: 1465–1427 Ma (Santa Helena orogeny), 1371–1319 Ma (Candeias orogeny), ca. 1275 Ma (San Andrés orogeny), and 1180–1110 Ma (Nova Brasilândia orogeny). Notable is the absence of an Ottawan orogeny (1080–1020 Ma) equivalent. In the Rondônia-Juruena Province three main orogenies are recognized: the Juruena (1840–1780 Ma), the Jamari (1760–1740 Ma) and the Quatro Cachoeiras (1670–1630 Ma). Post-Sunsás rocks include Rondônia tin granites, Palmeiral sandstones, Nova Floresta basalt, and alkalic pipes.All inherited U–Pb ages of zircon and all exposed pre-Sunsás rocks in Bolivia have ages that correlate well to the neighbouring Rondônia-Juruena Province. This fact, together with the absence of fragments of older, Archean and Trans-Amazonian crust, suggests that the Sunsás Orogen is autochthonous and evolved over a continental margin formed dominantly by rocks of the Jamari (1760–1740 Ma) and Quatro Cachoeiras (1670–1630 Ma) orogenies plus rocks of the post-tectonic Serra Providência Suite (1560–1540 Ma). Almost all granulites known in Eastern Bolivia and in neighbouring area in Brazil are not basement rocks, but were formed during the Mesoproterozoic and are mainly associated with the Candeias orogeny (1371–1319 Ma). Dated samples of the Chiquitania and Lomas Manechi Complexes in Bolivia revealed a variety of ages and types of ages (metamorphic, magmatic, and inherited) indicating that those two units require more study. There is no evidence for the existence of a Paraguá Craton or Paraguá Block, which is almost totally composed of arc-related granites also formed during the Candeias orogeny.The main difference between the Sunsás Orogen and the Grenville Orogen of Laurentia is the absence in Amazonia of an Ottawan-equivalent orogeny (1080–1020 Ma). The existence of age-equivalents of the Candeias and Santa Helena orogenies in Laurentia (Pinwarian orogeny and rocks of the Eastern Granite-Rhyolite Province and the Composite Arc Belt) indicates that the connection of the two continents may have started from about 1450 Ma. In addition, the two belts may not have been directly juxtaposed, but instead, that one may have been the extension of the other during the Mesoproterozoic. The possibility that Amazonia joined the southwestern part of Laurentia also provides a good fit for the Hudson-Tapajós and Mazatzal-Yapavai-Rondônia-Juruena Provinces. This possible link to Laurentia may have started during the formation of the Trans-Hudson Orogen and its correlative Rondônia-Juruena and Tapajós provinces from about 1900 Ma.     

华北克拉通大青山-集宁地区古元古代变质沉积岩的锆石氧同位素组成:SHRIMP微区原位分析

在已获得锆石U-Pb年龄基础上,我们首次对孔兹岩带典型出露区大青山和集宁土贵乌拉地区古元古代变质沉积岩进行了锆石SHRIMP氧同位素研究。锆石具有复杂的内部结构和年龄分布。大青山地区古元古代早期变质沉积岩4个样品碎屑锆石的δ18O为5.52‰~7.11‰,部分重结晶锆石的δ18O为7.22‰~7.90‰,变质新生锆石的δ18O为6.37‰~8.31‰。大青山地区古元古代晚期变质沉积岩2个样品的锆石O同位素组成特征与古元古代早期的类似,另外2个样品的锆石O同位素组成与之不同,碎屑锆石、部分重结晶锆石和变质新生锆石的δ18O分别为6.26‰~10.80‰、9.00‰~11.20‰和9.66‰~11.90‰。集宁土贵乌拉地区古元古代晚期超高温变质沉积岩4个样品不存在碎屑锆石,变质锆石的δ18O变化范围为11.41‰~13.57‰。主要认识如下:1)大青山地区碎屑沉积物主要来自新太古代晚期-古元古代早期成熟度不高的TTG花岗质岩石物源区,与之相比,集宁土贵乌拉地区古元古代晚期超高温岩石的变质原岩成熟度更高;2)不同类型变质沉积岩变质新生锆石的δ18O和变质新生锆石与碎屑锆石的Δ18O存在明显区别,主要反映了岩石体系和变质流体的O同位素组成不同;3)大青山地区高角闪岩相-麻粒岩相变质沉积岩,重结晶锆石的O同位素完全重置,但U-Th-Pb体系未完全重置,集宁土贵乌拉地区超高温变质沉积岩的重结晶锆石O和U-Th-Pb同位素体系都完全重置。变质作用强度不同是主要原因。     

Re–Os and U–Pb Geochronology of the Dawan Mo–Zn–Fe Deposit in Northern Taihang Mountains,China

The Dawan Mo–Zn–Fe deposit located in the Northern Taihang Mountains in the middle of the North China Craton (NCC) contains large Mo‐dominant deposits. The mineralization of the Dawan Mo–Zn–Fe deposit is associated with the Mesozoic Wanganzhen granitoid complex and is mainly hosted within Archean metamorphic rocks and Proterozoic–Paleozoic dolomites. Rhyolite porphyry and quartz monzonite both occur in the ore field and potassic alteration, strong silicic–phyllic alteration, and propylitic alteration occur from the center of the rhyolite porphyry outward. The Mo mineralization is spacially related to silicic and potassic alteration. The Fe orebody is mainly found in serpentinized skarn in the external contact zone between the quartz monzonite and dolomite. Six samples of molybdenite were collected for Re–Os dating. Results show that the Re–Os model ages range from 136.2 Ma to 138.1 Ma with an isochron age of 138 ± 2 Ma (MSWD = 1.2). U–Pb zircon ages determined by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry yield crystallization ages of 141.2 ± 0.7 (MSWD = 0.38) and 130.7 ± 0.6 Ma (MSWD = 0.73) for the rhyolite porphyry and quartz monzonite, respectively. The ore‐bearing rhyolite porphyry shows higher K₂O/Na₂O ratios, ranging from 58.0 to 68.7 (wt%), than those of quartz monzonite. All of the rock samples are classified in the shoshonitic series and characterized by enrichment in large ion lithophile elements; depletion in Mg, Fe, Ta, Ni, P, and Y; enrichment in light rare earth elements with high (La/Yb)_n ratios. Geochronology results indicate that skarn‐type Fe mineralization associated with quartz monzonite (130.7 ± 0.6 Ma) formed eight million years later than Mo and Zn mineralization (138 ± 2 Ma) in the Dawan deposit. From Re concentrations in molybdenite and previously presented Pb and S isotope data, we conclude that the ore‐forming material of the deposit was derived from a crust‐mantle mixed source. The porphyry‐skarn type Cu–Mo–Zn mineralization around the Wanganzhen complex is related to the primary magmatic activity, and the skarn‐type Fe mineralization is formed at the late period magmatism. The Dawan Mo–Zn–Fe porphyry‐skarn ores are related to the magmatism that was associated with lithospheric thinning in the NCC.     

Zircon U–Pb age and trace element evidence for Paleoproterozoic granulite-facies metamorphism and Archean crustal rocks in the Dabie Orogen

Zircon U–Pb ages and trace elements were determined for granulites and gneiss at Huangtuling, which are hosted by ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks in the Dabie Orogen, east-central China. CL images reveal core–rim structure for most zircons in the granulites. The cores show oscillatory zoning, relatively high Th/U ratios, and HREE enriched patterns, consistent with a magmatic origin. They gave a weighted mean ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age of 2766 ± 9 Ma, interpreted as dating magma emplacement of the protolith. The rims are characterized by sector or planar zoning, low Th/U ratios, negative Eu anomalies and flat HREE patterns, consistent with their formation under granulite-facies metamorphic conditions. Zircon U–Pb dating yields a weighted mean ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age of 2029 ± 13 Ma, which is interpreted to record a metamorphic event, possibly during assembly of the supercontinent Columbia. The gneiss has a protolith age of 1982 ± 14 Ma, which is younger than the zircon age of the granulite-facies metamorphism, suggesting a generally delay between HT metamorphism and the intrusion of post-collisional granites. A few inherited cores with igneous characteristics have ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of 2.90, 3.28 and 3.53 Ga, suggesting the presence of Mesoarchean to Paleoarchean crustal remnants in the Yangtze Craton. A few Cretaceous metamorphic ages were also obtained, suggesting the influence of post-collisional collapse in response to Cretaceous extension of the Dabie Orogen. It is inferred that the recently discovered Archean basement of the Yangtze Craton occurs as far north as the Dabie Orogen.     

SHRIMP zircon U–Pb geochronological and whole-rock geochemical evidence for an early Neoproterozoic Sibaoan magmatic arc along the southeastern margin of the Yangtze Block

It has been generally accepted that the South China Block was formed through amalgamation of the Yangtze and Cathaysia Blocks during the Proterozoic Sibaoan orogenesis, but the timing and kinematics of the Sibao orogeny are still not well constrained. We report here SHRIMP U–Pb zircon geochronological and geochemical data for the Taohong and Xiqiu tonalite–granodiorite stocks from northeastern Zhejiang, southeastern margin of the Yangtze Block. Our data demonstrate that these rocks, dated at 913 ± 15 Ma and 905 ± 14 Ma, are typical amphibole-rich calc-alkaline granitoids formed in an active continental margin. Combined with previously reported isotopic dates for the  1.0 Ga ophiolites and  0.97 Ga adakitic rocks from northeastern Jiangxi, the timing of the Sibao orogenesis is thus believed to be between  1.0 and  0.9 Ga in its eastern segment. It is noted that the Sibao orogeny in South China is in general contemporaneous with some other early Neoproterozoic (1.0–0.9 Ga) orogenic belts such as the Eastern Ghats Belt of India and the Rayner Province in East Antarctica, indicating that the assembly of Rodinia was not finally completed until  0.9 Ga.     

Electron microprobe U–Th–Pb monazite dating of the Transamazonian metamorphic overprint on Archean rocks from the Amapá Block, southeastern Guiana Shield, Northern Brazil

The Amapá Block, southeastern Guiana Shield, represents an Archean block involved in a large Paleoproterozoic belt, with evolution related to the Transamazonian orogenic cycle (2.26 to 1.95 Ga). High spatial resolution dating using an electron-probe microanalyzer (EPMA) was employed to obtain U–Th–Pb chemical ages in monazite of seven rock samples of the Archean basement from that tectonic block, which underwent granulite- and amphibolite-facies metamorphism. Pb–Pb zircon dating was also performed on one sample.Monazite and zircon ages demonstrate that the metamorphic overprinting of the Archean basement occurred during the Transamazonian orogenesis, and two main tectono-thermal events were recorded. The first one is revealed by monazite ages of 2096 ± 6, 2093 ± 8, 2088 ± 8, 2087 ± 3 and 2086 ± 8 Ma, and by the zircon age of 2091 ± 5 Ma, obtained in granulitic rocks. These concordant ages provided a reliable estimate of the time of the granulite-facies metamorphism in the southwest of the Amapá Block and, coupled with petro-structural data, suggest that it was contemporaneous to the development of a thrusting system associated to the collisional stage of the Transamazonian orogenesis, at about 2.10–2.08 Ga.The later event, under amphibolite-facies conditions, is recorded by monazite ages of 2056 ± 7 and 2038 ± 6 Ma, and is consistent with a post-collisional stage, marked by granite emplacement and coeval migmatization of the Archean basement along strike-slip shear zones.     

SHRIMP U–Pb zircon ages of pyroclastic rocks in the Bansong Group, Taebaeksan Basin, South Korea and their implication for the Mesozoic tectonics

The Bansong Group (Daedong Supergroup) in the Korean peninsula has long been considered to be an important time marker for two well-known orogenies, in that it was deposited after the Songnim orogeny (Permian–Triassic collision of the North and South China blocks) but was deformed during the Early to Middle Jurassic Daebo tectonic event. Here we present a new interpretation on the origin of the Bansong Group and associated faults on the basis of structural and geochronological data. SHRIMP (Sensitive High-Resolution Ion MicroProbe) U–Pb zircon age determination of two felsic pyroclastic rocks from the Bansong Group formed in the foreland basin of the Gongsuweon thrust in the Taebaeksan Basin yielded ages of 186.3 ± 1.5 and 187.2 ± 1.5 Ma, respectively, indicating the deposition of the Bansong Group during the late Early Jurassic. Inherited zircon component indicates ca. 1.9 Ga source material for the volcanic rocks, agreeing with known basement ages.The Bansong Group represents syntectonic sedimentation during the late Early Jurassic in a compressional regime. During the Daebo tectonic event, the northeast-trending regional folds and thrusts including the Deokpori (Gakdong) and Gongsuweon thrusts with a southeast vergence developed in the Taebaeksan Basin. This is ascribed to deformation in a continental-arc setting due to the northwesterly orthogonal convergence of the Izanagi plate on the Asiatic margin, which occurred immediately after the juxtaposition of the Taebaeksan Basin against the Okcheon Basin in the late stage of the Songnim orogeny. Thus, the Deokpori thrust is not a continental transform fault between the North and South China blocks, but an “intracontinental” thrust that developed after their juxtaposition.