Age and sources of late precambrian sedimentary sequences of the Southern Baikal Region: Results of the U-Pb LA-ICP-MS dating of detrital zircons

The first data on the age of detrital zircons are given for Late Precambrian terrigenous rocks of the Baikal Group and Ushakovka Formation of the southern flank of the Siberian Craton. The ages obtained for 348 zircons cover the Paleoarchean to Late Ediacaran period, demonstrate the dynamics of change of sources of the clastic material in the sedimentation basin, and mark the changes of the Late Precambrian tectonic regimes. The age of the youngest group of detrital zircons extracted from the rocks of the Kachergat Formation allows us to restrict the upper age limit of accumulation of the rocks of the Baikal Group to the Late Ediacaran (Late Vendian).     

U-Pb detrital zircon geochronology and provenance of Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks in southern Siberia: New insights into breakup of Rodinia and opening of Paleo-Asian Ocean

We present the synthesis of new data on detrital zircon geochronology of the Neoproterozoic strata of the southern part of the Siberian craton as well as a comprehensive analysis of previously published stratigraphic, sedimentological and geochronological (LA-ICP-MS) data obtained for key sections in this area that allows us to trace the process of birth and early stages of development of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO). Before the break-up of Rodinia and opening of PAO, Tonian – Cryogenian intracontinental sedimentary basin existed between southern Siberia and northern Laurentia. The detachment of the southern flank of the Siberian craton from northern Laurentia and opening of the PAO between these cratons took place in Cryogenian. The detrital zircon ages from lower parts of Neoproterozoic successions suggest the Siberian craton as the sole provenance area right after the opening of the PAO. The age constraints on the lower parts of the studied Neoproterozoic successions, which are based on correlation of their tillite horizons with the Marinoan glaciation, suggest the late Cryogenian age for these sedimentary rocks. A clear change in the age spectra of detrital zircons from “unimodal” (Early Precambrian only) in older sedimentary rocks to “bimodal” (Early Precambrian as well as Neoproterozoic) in younger sequences of the studied successions marks the next stage of the PAO evolution. The abundance of youngest (630–610 Ma) detrital zircons in the upper parts of the studied sequences reflects a shrinkage of the oceanic basin as a result of the convergence of the craton with the microcontinents and island arcs within the Paleo-Asian Ocean. We suggest that a passive oceanic margin along the southern margin of the Siberian craton has been transformed into a series of foreland basins at ~610 Ma.     

Signature of Precambrian extension events in the southern Siberian craton

We investigate extension events in the southern Siberian craton between 1.8 and 0.7 Ga. Signature of Late Paleoproterozoic within-plate extension in the Northern Baikal region is found in 167 4± 29 Ma dike swarms. A Mesoproterozoic extension event was associated with intrusion of the 1535 ± 14 Ma Chernaya Zima granitoids into the Urik-Iya graben deposits. Neoproterozoic extension recorded in the Sayan-Baikal dike belt (740-780 Ma dike complexes) was concurrent with the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent and the initiation of the Paleoasian passive margin along the southern edge of the Siberian craton. The scale of rifting-related magmatism and the features of the coeval sedimentary complexes in the southern Siberian craton indicate that Late Paleoproterozoic and Early Mesoproterozoic extension did not cause ocean opening, and the Paleoasian Ocean opened as a result of Neoproterozoic rifting.     

Detrital zircons from Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks in the Yili Block: Constraints on the affinity of microcontinents in the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Yili Block is one of the Precambrian microcontinents dispersed in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Detrital zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotopic data of Neoproterozoic meta-sedimentary rocks (the Wenquan Group) are presented to constrain the tectonic affinity and early history of the Yili Block. The dating of detrital zircons indicates that both the lower and upper Wenquan Groups have two major populations with ages at 950–880 Ma and 1600–1370 Ma. Moreover, the upper Wenquan Group has two minor populations at ~ 1100 Ma and 1850–1720 Ma. According to the youngest age peaks of meta-sedimentary rocks and the ages of related granitoids, the lower Wenquan Group is considered to have been deposited during the early Neoproterozoic (900–845 Ma), whereas the upper Wenquan Group was deposited at 880–857 Ma. The zircon ε_Hf (t) values suggest that the 1.85–1.72 Ga source rocks for the upper Wenquan Group were dominated by juvenile crustal material, whereas those for the lower Wenquan Group involved more ancient crustal material. For the 1.60–1.37 Ga source rocks, however, juvenile material was a significant input into both the upper and lower Wenquan Groups. Therefore, two synchronous crustal growth and reworking events were identified in the northern Yili Block at ca. 1.8–1.7 Ga and 1.6–1.3 Ga, respectively. After the last growth and reworking event, continuous crustal reworking took place in the northern Yili Block until the early Neoproterozoic. Comparing the age patterns and Hf isotopic compositions of detrital zircons from the Yili Block and the surrounding tectonic units indicates that the Yili Block has a close tectonic affinity to the Chinese Central Tianshan Block in the Precambrian. The Precambrian crustal evolution of the Yili Block is distinct from that of the Siberian, North China and Tarim Cratons. Such difference therefore suggests that the Yili Block and the Chinese Central Tianshan Block may have been united in an isolated Precambrian microcontinent within the CAOB rather than representing two different blocks rifted from old cratons on both sides of the Paleo-Asian Ocean.     

Detrital and xenocrystic zircon ages from Neoproterozoic to Palaeozoic arc terranes of Mongolia: Significance for the origin of crustal fragments in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt contains many Precambrian crustal fragments whose origin is unknown, and previous speculations suggested these to be derived from either Siberia, Tarim or northern Gondwana. We present an age pattern for detrital and xenocrystic zircons from Neoproterozoic to Palaeozoic arc and microcontinental terranes in Mongolia and compare this with patterns for Precambrian rocks in southern Siberia, the North China craton, the Tarim craton and northeastern Gondwana in order to define the most likely source region for the Mongolian zircons. Our data were obtained by SHRIMP II, LA-ICP-MS and single zircon evaporation and predominantly represent arc-related low-grade volcanic rocks and clastic sediments but also accretionary wedges and ophiolitic environments.The Mongolian pattern is dominated by zircons in the age range ca. 350–600 and 700–1020 Ma as well as minor peaks between ca. 1240 and 2570 Ma. The youngest group reflects cannibalistic reworking of the Palaeozoic arc terranes, whereas the Neoproterozoic to late Mesoproterozoic peak reflects both reworking of the arc terranes as well as Neoproterozoic rifting and a Grenville-age crust-formation event.The 700–1020 Ma peak does not exist in the age spectra of the Siberian and North China cratons and thus effectively rules out these basement blocks as potential source areas for the Mongolian zircons. The best agreement is with the Tarim craton where a major Grenville-age orogenic event and early Neoproterozoic rifting have been identified. The age spectra also do not entirely exclude northeastern Gondwana as a source for the Mongolian zircons, but here the Neoproterozoic age peak is related to the Pan-African orogeny, and a minor Grenville-age peak may reflect a controversial orogenic event in NW India.Our Mongolian detrital and xenocrystic age spectrum suggests that the Tarim craton was the main source, and we favour a tectonic scenario similar to the present southwestern Pacific where fragments of Australia are rifted off and become incorporated into the Indonesian arc and microcontinent amalgamation that will evolve into a future orogenic belt.     

Detrital zircon analysis from the Neoproterozoic–Cambrian sedimentary cover (Cuyania terrane), Sierra de Pie de Palo,Argentina: Evidence of a rift and passive margin system?

Metamorphic basement and its Neoproterozoic to Cambrian cover exposed in the Sierra de Pie de Palo, a basement block of the Sierras Pampeanas in Argentina, lie within the Cuyania terrane. Detrital zircon analysis of the cover sequence which includes, in ascending order, the El Quemado, La Paz, El Desecho, and Angacos Formations of the Caucete Group indicate a Laurentian origin for the Cuyania terrane. The lower section represented by the El Quemado and La Paz Formations is interpreted as having an igneous source related to a rift setting similar to that envisioned for the southern and eastern margins of Laurentia at approximately 550 Ma. The younger strata of the El Desecho Formation are correlative with the Cerro Totora Formation of the Precordillera, and both are products of rift sedimentation. Finally, the Angacos Formation and the correlative La Laja Formation of the Precordillera were deposited on the passive margin developed on the Cuyania terrane. The maximum depositional ages for the Caucete Group include ca. 550 Ma for the El Quemado Formation and ca. 531 Ma for the El Desecho Formation. Four different sediment sources areas were interpreted in the provenance analysis. The main source is crystalline basement dominated by early Mesoproterozoic igneous rocks related to the Granite-Rhyolite province of central and eastern Laurentia. Possible source areas for 1600 Ma metamorphic detrital zircons of the Caucete Group include the Yavapai-Mazatzal province (ca. 1800–1600 Ma) of south-central to southwestern Laurentia. Younger Mesoproterozoic zircon is likely derived from Grenville-age medium- to high-grade metamorphic rocks and subordinate igneous rocks that form the basement of Cuyania as well as the southern Grenville province of Laurentia itself. Finally, Neoproterozoic igneous zircon in the Caucete Group records different magmatic pulses along the southern Laurentian margin during opening of Iapetus and break-up of Rodinia. Northwestern Cuyania terrane includes a small basement component derived from the Granite-Rhyolite province of Laurentia, which was the source for detrital zircons found in the middle Cambrian passive margin sediments of Cuyania.     

Geochemistry and U–Pb detrital zircon dating of Paleozoic graywackes in East Junggar,NW China: Insights into subduction–accretion processes in the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is characterized by multiple and linear accretionary orogenic collages, including Paleozoic arcs, ophiolites, and accretionay wedges. A complex history of subduction–accretion processes makes it difficult to distinguish the origin of these various terranes and reconstruct the tectonic evolution of the southern CAOB. In order to provide constraints on the accretionary history, we analyzed major and trace element compositions of Paleozoic graywackes from the Huangcaopo Group (HG) and Kubusu Group (KG) in East Junggar. The HG graywackes have relatively low Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) values (50 to 66), suggesting a source that underwent relatively weak chemical weathering. The identical average Index of Compositional Variability (ICV) values (~ 1.1) for both the KG and HG samples point to an immature source for the Paleozoic graywackes in East Junggar, which is consistent with an andesitic–felsic igneous source characterized by low La/Th ratios and relatively high Hf contents. These graywackes are geochemically similar to continental island arc sediments and therefore were probably deposited at an active continental margin. U–Pb dating of detrital zircons from the lower subgroup of the HG yielded a young age peak at ~ 440 Ma, indicating a post-Early Silurian depositional age. However, the youngest populations of detrital zircons from the KG graywackes and the upper subgroup of the HG yielded ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of ~ 346 Ma and ~ 355 Ma, respectively, which suggest a post-Early Carboniferous depositional age. Because of similarities of rock assemblages, these two units should be incorporated into the Early Carboniferous Nanmingshui Formation. The detrital zircon age spectrum of the Early Paleozoic HG graywackes resembles that of the Habahe sediments in the Chinese Altai, which suggests that the ocean between East Junggar and the Chinese Altai was closed before the deposition of the sediments and that the Armantai ophiolite was emplaced prior to the Early Devonian. The differences in age spectra for detrital zircons from the post-Early Carboniferous graywackes in East Junggar and the Harlik arc indicate that the emplacement of the Kalamaili ophiolite postdates the Early Carboniferous. Therefore, a long-lasting northward subduction–accretion process is suggested for the formation of East Junggar and the reconstruction of the Early Paleozoic evolution of the southern CAOB.     

Provenance of the Vazante Group: New U–Pb,Sm–Nd,Lu–Hf isotopic data and implications for the tectonic evolution of the Neoproterozoic Brasília Belt

The Vazante Group show varied U–Pb provenance patterns along the basin. Zircon ages range from 936 to 3409 Ma, but Paleo- and Mesoproterozoic terrains constitute the main sources of the original sediments. The youngest population (~ 930 Ma) establishes the maximum depositional age of the group. Sm–Nd T_DM data show the predominance of Paleoproterozoic ages (1.90–2.08 Ga) and also indicate some input from younger sources in rocks of the Lapa Formation (1.67 to 2.0 Ga) in the upper part of the group, whereas rocks of the Serra do Garrote Formation present the oldest model ages (2.03 to 2.76 Ga). Hf isotopic compositions of the detrital zircons indicate that they were derived mainly from recycled Paleoproterozoic crust with a minor Mesoproteroic juvenile component. Terranes within the São Francisco Craton represent the main sources of detrital sediments of this group and reinforce the interpretation that it may be a passive margin sequence developed along the western margin of the original continent. However, the origin of Mesoproterozoic grains remains uncertain. Slightly younger Sm–Nd model ages in the Lapa Formation, however, are not entirely consistent with derivation solely from the craton and may indicate contribution from younger sources, such as the Neoproterozoic Goiás Magmatic Arc.     

Sedimentary response to the paleogeographic and tectonic evolution of the southern North China Craton during the late Paleozoic and Mesozoic

With the aim of constraining the influence of the surrounding plates on the Late Paleozoic–Mesozoic paleogeographic and tectonic evolution of the southern North China Craton (NCC), we undertook new U–Pb and Hf isotope data for detrital zircons obtained from ten samples of upper Paleozoic to Mesozoic sediments in the Luoyang Basin and Dengfeng area. Samples of upper Paleozoic to Mesozoic strata were obtained from the Taiyuan, Xiashihezi, Shangshihezi, Shiqianfeng, Ermaying, Shangyoufangzhuang, Upper Jurassic unnamed, and Lower Cretaceous unnamed formations (from oldest to youngest). On the basis of the youngest zircon ages, combined with the age-diagnostic fossils, and volcanic interlayer, we propose that the Taiyuan Formation (youngest zircon age of 439 Ma) formed during the Late Carboniferous and Early Permian, the Xiashihezi Formation (276 Ma) during the Early Permian, the Shangshihezi (376 Ma) and Shiqianfeng (279 Ma) formations during the Middle–Late Permian, the Ermaying Group (232 Ma) and Shangyoufangzhuang Formation (230 and 210 Ma) during the Late Triassic, the Jurassic unnamed formation (154 Ma) during the Late Jurassic, and the Cretaceous unnamed formation (158 Ma) during the Early Cretaceous. These results, together with previously published data, indicate that: (1) Upper Carboniferous–Lower Permian sandstones were sourced from the Northern Qinling Orogen (NQO); (2) Lower Permian sandstones were formed mainly from material derived from the Yinshan–Yanshan Orogenic Belt (YYOB) on the northern margin of the NCC with only minor material from the NQO; (3) Middle–Upper Permian sandstones were derived primarily from the NQO, with only a small contribution from the YYOB; (4) Upper Triassic sandstones were sourced mainly from the YYOB and contain only minor amounts of material from the NQO; (5) Upper Jurassic sandstones were derived from material sourced from the NQO; and (6) Lower Cretaceous conglomerate was formed mainly from recycled earlier detritus.The provenance shift in the Upper Carboniferous–Mesozoic sediments within the study area indicates that the YYOB was strongly uplifted twice, first in relation to subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean Plate beneath the northern margin of the NCC during the Early Permian, and subsequently in relation to collision between the southern Mongolian Plate and the northern margin of the NCC during the Late Triassic. The three episodes of tectonic uplift of the NQO were probably related to collision between the North and South Qinling terranes, northward subduction of the Mianlue Ocean Plate, and collision between the Yangtze Craton and the southern margin of the NCC during the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian, Middle–Late Permian, and Late Jurassic, respectively. The southern margin of the central NCC was rapidly uplifted and eroded during the Early Cretaceous.     

The Pacific Gondwana margin in the late Neoproterozoic–early Paleozoic: Detrital zircon U–Pb ages from metasediments in northwest Argentina reveal their maximum age,provenance and tectonic setting

U–Pb detrital zircon ages are reported from Puncoviscana Formation (late Neoproterozoic–Early Cambrian) and Mesón Group (Late Cambrian) greywackes of northwest Argentina, to constrain provenance and depositional environment.The new data are combined with previously-published detrital zircon ages, to show that Puncoviscana Formation age patterns contain two broad groups: late Mesoproterozoic–early Neoproterozoic (1150–850 Ma) and late Neoproterozoic–Early Cambrian (650–520 Ma); with their relative proportions varying inversely with youngest component age. The 1150–850 Ma age components are dominant in greywackes with oldest late Neoproterozoic components > 600 Ma. The former diminish considerably when late Neoproteozoic components become dominant and younger, to 520 Ma. A northernmost greywacke sample from Purmamarca, Jujuy, is distinctive: whilst its zircon age pattern partly resembles other Puncoviscana Formation samples, it contains no Cambrian–late Neoproterozoic ages, the youngest ages being early Neoproterozoic. This may reflect an early, Neoproterozoic, passive-margin depocentre for the Formation, or an older (early Neoproterozoic) succession within it, which may predate the Brasiliano orogeny in Brazil. The youngest age components, c. 520 Ma, in a greywacke from Rancagua (Cachi, Salta province), dominate an almost unimodal pattern suggestive of contemporary volcanic sources at a late Early Cambrian depocentre. Detrital zircon age patterns of the Mesón Group (Lizoite Formation) have major Cambrian–latest Neoproterozoic components resembling those of the Puncoviscana Formation, but its Mesoproterozoic component is diminished, and there are no significant age components of this age. Small youngest components at c. 500 Ma suggest a maximum Late Cambrian stratigraphic age. The Puncoviscana Formation detrital zircon patterns suggest a provenance in a continental hinterland having a stabilised, extensive late Mesoproterozoic orogen (with minor Paleoproterozoic and Archean precursors), and a more variable late Neoproterozoic orogen containing an evolving sequence of less extensive subcomponents. A direct relationship with the Brazilian Shield is suggested; with sediment supplies originating within active-margin orogens of the interior and collisional orogens at the suture between African and South American cratons, but ultimate deposition in passive-margin environments of western Gondwanaland.     

Peri-Gondwanan origin and early geodynamic history of NE Sicily: A zircon tale from the basement of the Peloritani Mountains

The ages of detrital zircon grains from one paragneiss and inherited zircon cores from two augen gneisses from the amphibolite facies basement of the Peloritani Mountains (southern Italy) measured by SHRIMP U–Pb constrain the previously unknown deposition age of the original sediments and help to elaborate a model for their provenance and subsequent evolution. The deposition age is latest Neoproterozoic to Cambrian (~ 545 Ma), bracketed by the combined ages of the youngest detrital/inherited zircon populations and of zircon from virtually coeval granitoids that intrude the metasediments. This is consistent with the subgreenschist facies Palaeozoic volcano–sedimentary sequences exposed in the southern Peloritani Mountains being the original cover rocks of the northern Peloritani late Neoproterozoic to early Cambrian basement. The age spectra of the detrital/inherited zircon grains show that the Neoproterozoic/Cambrian sediments were derived from the erosion of sources dominated by Neoproterozoic rocks with ages in the range of 0.85–0.54 Ga, with other main components aged 1.1–0.9 and ~ 2.7–2.4 Ga, and a minor one aged ~ 1.6 Ga, as typically found in peri-Gondwanan terranes. The presence of a large amount of Grenvillian-aged zircon contradicts previous models that propose a West African affinity for the Calabria–Peloritani Terrane, and the absence of 2.2–1.9 Ga Trans Amazonian/Tapajós–Parima/Eburnean zircon rules out an Amazonian provenance. The age spectra are more consistent with the basement sediments having an East African origin, similar to that of the early Palaeozoic sandstones in southern Israel and Jordan, part of a “provenance regionality” shared with other terranes currently located in the eastern Mediterranean area.     

Isotope Lu–Hf composition of detrital zircon from paragneisses of the Sharyzhalgai uplift: evidence for the Paleoproterozoic crustal growth

We present results of study of the trace-element and Lu–Hf isotope compositions of zircons from Paleoproterozoic high-grade metasedimentary rocks (paragneisses) of the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton (Irkut terrane of the Sharyzhalgai uplift). Metamorphic zircons are represented by rims and multifaceted crystals dated at ~ 1.85 Ga. They are depleted in either LREE or HREE as a result of subsolidus recrystallization and/or synchronous formation with REE-concentrating garnet or monazite. In contrast to the metamorphic zircons, the detrital cores are enriched in HREE and have high (Lu/Gd)_n ratios, which is typical of igneous zircon. The weak positive correlation between ¹⁷⁶Lu/¹⁷⁷Hf and ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf in the zircon cores evidences that their Hf isotope composition evolved through radioactive decay in Hf = the closed system. Therefore, the isotope parameters of these zircons can give an insight into the provenance of metasedimentary rocks. The Paleoproterozoic detrital zircon cores from paragneisses, dated at ~ 2.3–2.4 and 2.0–1.95 Ga, are characterized by a wide range of ε_Hf values (from + 9.8 to –3.3) and model age T ^C 2.8–2.0 Ga. The provenance of these detrital zircons included both rocks with juvenile isotope Hf parameters and rocks resulted from the recycling of the Archean crust with a varying contribution of juvenile material. Zircons with high positive ε_Hf values were derived from the juvenile Paleoproterozoic crustal sources, whereas the lower ε_Hf and higher T ^C values for zircons suggest the contribution of the Archean crustal source to the formation of their magmatic precursors. Thus, at the Paleoproterozoic stage of evolution of the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton, both crustal recycling and crustal growth through the contribution of juvenile material took place. On the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton, detrital zircons with ages of ~ 2.3–2.4 and 1.95–2.0 Ga are widespread in Paleoproterozoic paragneisses of the Irkut and Angara–Kan terranes and in terrigenous rocks of the Urik–Iya graben, which argues for their common and, most likely, proximal provenances. In the time of metamorphism (1.88–1.85 Ga), the age of Paleoproterozoic detrital zircons (2.4–2.0 Ga), and their Lu–Hf isotope composition (ε_Hf values ranging from positive to negative values) the paragneisses of the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton are similar to the metasedimentary rocks of the Paleoproterozoic orogenic belts of the North China Craton. In the above two regions, the sources of detrital zircons formed by both the reworking of the Archean crust and the contribution of juvenile material, which is evidence for the crustal growth in the period 2.4–2.0 Ga.     

U–Pb detrital zircon geochronology and its implications: The early Late Triassic Yanchang Formation,south Ordos Basin,China

U–Pb detrital zircon geochronology has been used to identify provenance and document sediment delivery systems during the deposition of the early Late Triassic Yanchang Formation in the south Ordos Basin. Two outcrop samples of the Yanchang Formation were collected from the southern and southwestern basin margin respectively. U–Pb detrital zircon geochronology of 158 single grains (out of 258 analyzed grains) shows that there are six distinct age populations, 250–300 Ma, 320–380 Ma, 380–420 Ma, 420–500 Ma, 1.7–2.1 Ga, and 2.3–2.6 Ga. The majority of grains with the two oldest age populations are interpreted as recycled from previous sediments. Multiple sources match the Paleozoic age populations of 380–420 and 420–500 Ma, including the Qilian–Qaidam terranes and the North Qilian orogenic belt to the west, and the Qinling orogenic belt to the south. However, the fact that both samples do not have the Neoproterozoic age populations, which are ubiquitous in these above source areas, suggests that the Late Triassic Yanchang Formation in the south Ordos Basin was not derived from the Qilian–Qaidam terranes, the North Qilian orogenic belt, and the Qinling orogenic belt. Very similar age distribution between the Proterozoic to Paleozoic sedimentary rocks and the early Late Triassic Yanchang Formation in the south Ordos Basin suggests that it was most likely recycled from previous sedimentary rocks from the North China block instead of sediments directly from two basin marginal deformation belts.     

Tectonic evolution of the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt: Evidence from zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopes and geochemistry of early Paleozoic rocks in Yanbian region,NE China

We present the first evidence of an early Paleozoic terrane in the southern Yanbian region, NE China. We used LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb and Hf isotope techniques to analyze one plagioclase gneiss and two garnet-bearing two-mica quartz schists from the early Paleozoic Jiangyu Group, as well as two tonalites that intruded the Jiangyu Group. The tonalites yield weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U zircon crystallization ages of 423 and 422 Ma. Zircons from the Jiangyu Group gneiss and two schist samples yield maximum depositional ages of 439 ± 4, 443 ± 2, and 443 ± 5 Ma, respectively. These constraints, together with the age of the tonalite intrusion, indicate that the Jiangyu Group was deposited between 443 and 423 Ma (i.e., Silurian). In addition, detrital zircon age spectra of the three Jiangyu Group samples exhibit prominent age peaks at 442, 473, 513, 565, 600, 635, 671, 740, 1000, and 1162 Ma, as well as secondary peaks between 1344 and 3329 Ma. The occurrence of the prominent Meso- and Neoproterozoic detrital zircon age populations for the Jiangyu Group, combined with the corresponding zircon Hf isotopic data, reveals that the Jiangyu Terrane has a tectonic affinity with northeastern Gondwana. The early Paleozoic magmatism, as suggested by the medium-K calc-alkaline I-type tonalite intrusion and Jiangyu Group detrital zircon age spectra, corresponds to coeval subduction–accretion events along the southern margin of the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Accordingly, we propose that the Jiangyu Group is part of an exotic terrane that rifted from northeastern Gondwana, drifted northward, and ultimately became involved in the early Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the southern margin of the eastern CAOB after the Early Cambrian.     

The early Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Russian Altai: Implications from geochemical and detrital zircon U–Pb and Hf isotopic studies of meta-sedimentary complexes in the Charysh–Terekta–Ulagan–Sayan suture zone

The Charysh–Terekta–Ulagan–Sayan suture zone was regarded as a tectonic boundary separating two distinct subduction–accretion systems in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). In the north, magmatic arcs, such as the Gorny Altai terrane, formed in the southwestern periphery of the Siberian continent, whereas in the south, arc-prism systems, such as the Altai–Mongolian terrane, formed around the so-called Kazakhstan–Baikal composite continent with Gondwana affinity. When did these two systems amalgamate and whether the metamorphic complexes in the suture zone represent Precambrian micro-continental slivers are critical for our understanding of the accretionary orogenesis and crustal growth rate in the CAOB. A combined geochemical and detrital zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopic study was conducted on the meta-sedimentary rocks from the Ulagan (also referred to Bashkaus) and Teletsk Complexes in the suture zone. The results indicate that the protoliths of these rocks were dominated by immature sediments deposited in a time period between 500 and 420 Ma. Thus, Precambrian micro-continental slivers may not exist in the suture zone and even in the whole Altai Orogen.The meta-sedimentary rocks from the Ulagan Complex yield geochemical compositions between those of common intermediate and felsic igneous rocks, implying that these kinds of rocks possibly served as dominant sources. Detrital zircons from this complex consist of a major population of ca. 620–500 Ma, a subordinate one of ca. 931–671 Ma and rare grains of ca. 2899–1428 Ma. This age spectrum is compatible with the magmatic records of the western Mongolia. We propose that the Ulagan Complex possibly represents part of a subduction–accretion complex built upon an active continental margin of the western Mongolia in the early Paleozoic. The remarkable similarities in source nature, provenance, and depositional setting to the early Paleozoic meta-sedimentary rocks from the northern Altai–Mongolian terrane imply that the Ulagan Complex was possibly fragmented from this terrane.The meta-sedimentary rocks from the Teletsk Complex show similar detrital zircon populations but contain higher proportions of mafic sediments and have more depleted whole-rock Nd isotopic compositions. Our data suggest that the detritus mostly came from the same source as that for the Ulagan Complex but those from the Gorny Altai terrane also contributed. This implies that the Gorny Altai and Altai-Mongolian terranes possibly amalgamated prior to the early Devonian rather than in the middle Devonian to early Carboniferous as previously thought. Thus, the widespread Devonian to early Carboniferous magmatism within these two terranes was possibly generated in a similar tectonic setting. Moreover, the dominant Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic detrital zircons from the Teletsk Complex yield largely varied ɛ_Hf(t) values of − 23.8 to 12.4, indicating that crustal growth and reworking are both important in the accretionary orogenesis.     

The provenance and tectonic affinity of the Paleozoic meta-sedimentary rocks in the Chinese Tianshan belt: New insights from detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf–isotope analysis

The tectonic evolution of the Chinese Tianshan Belt which is located in the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt remains controversial. In order to reveal the evolutionary history of this belt, we investigate metasedimentary rocks from the Tianshanmiao of Harlik domain and Xingxingxia area of central Tianshan domain in this study. The Permian siltstones from Xingxingxia contain six zircon populations with ages peak at 280, 815 and 910, 1590, 1855 and 2340 Ma, suggesting a diverse provenance. The 2544–2294 Ma ages correlate with the generation of continental nuclei in Tarim. The tectonothermal events during 1855, 1590, 910 and 815 Ma may correspond to the assembly and breakup of the Columbia and Rodinia supercontinents, respectively. Similar Precambrian age spectra and “event signature” curves suggest that the central Tianshan was most likely a part of the Tarim block in the Proterozoic. The detrital zircon U–Pb ages of Ordovician meta-greywackes from the Tianshanmiao sequence reveal six zircon populations with peaks at 460, 933, 1382, 1850, 2000 and 2462 Ma, among which the zircons with dominant age peaks (460 Ma and 930 Ma, more than 70%) are euhedral, low sphericity and exhibit clear oscillatory zoning, suggesting local derivation from the proximal Ordovician and Neoproterozoic granitoids. The range of εHf(t) values (−5.4 to +21) of zircon grains from Ordovician rocks suggests that these were derived from depleted mantle or through partial melting of juvenile crust, similar to the case for the Early Paleozoic magmatism in Chinese Altai. Our detrital zircon data suggest that the provenance of the Harlik was neither the Tarim nor the Junggar, and instead, we propose a connection with the Chinese Altai-Tuva–Mongol Arc along the southern margin of the Siberia craton at ∼500 Ma. The Harlik domain drifted southward and then collided with the central Tianshan in the Carboniferous-Permian as a result of the closure of Paleo-Tianshan Ocean.     

Detrital mineral age,radiogenic isotopic stratigraphy and tectonic significance of the Cuddapah Basin,India

The Cuddapah Basin is one of a series of Proterozoic basins that overlie the cratons of India that, due to limited geochronological and provenance constraints, have remained subject to speculation as to their time of deposition, sediment source locations, and tectonic/geodynamic significance.Here we present 21 new, stratigraphically constrained, U–Pb detrital zircon samples from all the main depositional units within the Cuddapah Basin. These data are supported by Hf isotopic data from 12 of these samples, that also encompass the stratigraphic range, and detrital muscovite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar data from a sample of the Srisailam Formation. Taken together, the data demonstrate that the Papaghni and lower Chitravati Groups were sourced from the Dharwar Craton, in what is interpreted to be a rift basin that evolved into a passive margin. The Nallamalai Group is here constrained to be deposited between 1659 ± 22 Ma and ~ 1590 Ma. It was sourced from the coeval Krishna Orogen to the east, and was deposited in its foreland basin. Nallamalai Group detrital zircon U–Pb and Hf isotope values directly overlap with similar data from the Ongole Domain metasedimentary rocks. Depositional age constraints on the Srisailam Formation are permissive with it being coeval with the Nallamalai Group and it was possibly deposited within the same basin. The Kurnool Group saw a return to Dharwar Craton derived provenance and is constrained to being Neoproterozoic. It may represent deposition in a long-wavelength basin forelandward of the Tonian Eastern Ghats Orogeny. Detrital zircons from the Gandikota Formation, which is traditionally considered a part of the Chitravati Group, constrain it to being deposited after 1181 ± 29 Ma, more than 700 Ma after the lower Chitravati Group. It is possible that the Gandikota Formation is correlative with the Kurnool Group.The new data suggest that the Nallamalai Group correlates temporally and tectonically with the Somanpalli Group of the Pranhita–Godavari Valley Basin, which is tightly constrained to being deposited at ~ 1620 Ma. These syn-orogenic foreland basin deposits firmly link the SE India Proterozoic basins to their orogenic hinterland with their discovery filling a ‘missing-link’ in the tectonic development of the region.     

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.     

Rift–Related Sediments of the Passive Continental Margin of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (Baikal Segment)

The geological position, composition, and age of detrital zircons of sedimentary deposits of the Nugan Formation of the Western Baikal region underlying the Golousta Formation of the Baikal series of Ediacaran age have been studied. The formation of both stratigraphic units due to the same sources of detrital material, located within the southern flank of the Siberian Craton, has been proved. The deposits of the Nugan Formation have been demonstrated to mark the rifting stage of the formation of the passive margin of the Paleo-Asiatic Ocean: their accumulation occurred in the Late Cryogenian during the interval 720–640 Ma.     

U–Pb ages and Lu–Hf isotopes of detrital zircons from the southern Qinling Orogen: Implications for Precambrian to Phanerozoic tectonics in central China

The Qinling Orogen, central China, was constructed during the Mesozoic collision between the North China and Yangtze continental plates. The orogen includes four tectonic units, from north to south, the Huaxiong Block (reactivated southern margin of the North China Craton), North Qinling Accretion Belt, South Qinling Fold Belt (or block) and Songpan Fold Belt, evolved from the northernmost Paleo-Tethys Ocean separating the Gondwana and Laurentia supercontinents. Here we employ detrital zircons from the Early Cretaceous alluvial sediments within the Qinling Orogen to trace the tectonic evolution of the orogen. The U–Pb ages of the detrital zircon grains from the Early Cretaceous Donghe Group sediments in the South Qinling Fold Belt cluster around 2600–2300 Ma, 2050–1800 Ma, 1200–700 Ma, 650–400 Ma and 350–200 Ma, corresponding to the global Kenorland, Columbia, Rodinia, Gondwana and Pangaea supercontinent events, respectively. The distributions of ages and εHf(t) values of zircon grains show that the Donghe Group sediments have a complex source comprising components mainly recycled from the North Qinling Accretion Belt and the North China Craton, suggesting that the South Qinling Fold Belt was a part of the united Qinling–North China continental plate, rather than an isolated microcontinent, during the Devonian–Triassic. The youngest age peak of 350–200 Ma reflects the magmatic event related to subduction and termination of the Mian-Lue oceanic plate, followed by the collision between the Yangtze Craton and the united Qinling–North China continent that came into existence at the Triassic–Jurassic transition. The interval of 208–145 Ma between the sedimentation of the Early Cretaceous Donghe Group and the youngest age of detrital zircons was coeval with the post-subduction collision between the Yangtze and the North China continental plates in Jurassic.