Vendian-Early Paleozoic granitoid magmatism in Eastern Tuva

We summarize results of geological, geochronological, petrogeochemical, and isotope-geochemical (Sr-Nd) studies of Late Vendian-Early Paleozoic granitoid batholiths in Eastern Tuva (Kaa-Khem, East Tannu-Ola, Khamsara, etc.). Analysis of geochronological (U-Pb, Ar-Ar) data has shown that the Late Vendian-Early Paleozoic granitoids in Eastern Tuva formed in several stages in the time interval 562–450 Ma and at different geodynamic stages of the regional evolution: island-arc (562–518 Ma) and accretion-collision (500–450 Ma), with the latter stage characterized by more intense granitoid magmatism. Diorite-tonalite-plagiogranite associations with different petrogeochemical parameters are the most widespread in the region. Petrogeochemical studies of the Late Vendian-Early Paleozoic plagiogranitoid associations have revealed high- and low-alumina varieties reflecting different conditions of formation of parental melts. At the island-arc stage of the regional evolution, only low-alumina plagiogranites of tholeiitic (M-type) and calc-alkalic (I-type) series formed. Their parental melts were generated at 3–8 kbar through the partial melting of N-MORB-type metabasalts in equilibrium with amphibole restite. Isotope-geochemical studies have shown positive £_Nd values (6.9-6.3) and low Sr isotope ratios ((⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)₀ = 0.7034-0.7046). The lower (as compared with the depleted mantle) e_Nd values and specific petrogeochemical composition (negative Nb-Ta and Ti anomalies) of the plagiogranites reflect the subduction nature of metabasic substratum and the subordinate role of ancient crustal material. At the accretion-collision stage of the regional evolution, high- and low-alumina plagiogranitoids of calc-alkalic series (I-type) formed. The high-alumina plagiogranitoids are products of melting of N-MORB-type metabasalts in equilibrium with garnet restite at > 15 kbar in the lower part of the collisional structures, and the low-alumina ones formed through the melting of metabasites in equilibrium with amphibole restite at < 8 kbar in the upper part of the same structures. The Sr-Nd isotope data for the high- and low-alumina plagiogranitoids generated at the accretion-collision stage show that the rejuvenation of rocks is accompanied by the decrease in e_Nd (from 6.2 to 3.4) and the increase in their model Nd age !_Nd(DM) (from 0.73 87 86 to 0.92 Ga) and ( Sr/ Sr)0 (0.7036-0.7048). This points to the essentially metabasic composition of the parental substratum, as in the case of the island-arc plagiogranitoids, and the progressive supply of ancient crustal material to the magma generation zone.     

P-T-t reconstructions of South Yenisei Ridge metamorphic history (Siberian craton): Petrological consequences and application to the supercontinental cycles

Studies of gneisses from the Yenisei regional shear zone (YRSZ) provide the first evidence for Mesoproterozoic tectonic events in the geologic history of the South Yenisei Ridge and allowed the recognition of several stages of deformation and metamorphism spanning from Late Paleoproterozoic to Vendian. The first stage (~ 1.73 Ga), corresponding to the period of granulite-amphibolite metamorphism at P = 5.9 kbar and T = 635 °C, marks the final amalgamation of the Siberian craton to the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic Nuna supercontinent. During the second stage, corresponding to a hypothesized breakup of Nuna as a result of crustal extension, these rocks underwent Mesoproterozoic dynamic metamorphism (P = 7.4 kbar and T = 660 °C) with three peaks at 1.54, 1.38, and 1.25 Ga and the formation of high-pressure blastomylonite rocks in shear zones. Late-stage deformations during the Mesoproterozoic tectonic activity in the region, related to the Grenville-age collision processes and assembly of Rodinia, took place at 1.17-1.03 Ga. The latest pulse of dynamic metamorphism (615–600 Ma) marks the final stage of the Neoproterozoic evolution of the Yenisei Ridge, which is associated with the accretion of island-arc terranes to the western margin of the Siberian craton. The overall duration of identified tectonothermal processes within the South Yenisei Ridge during the Riphean (~ 650 Ma) is correlated with the duration of geodynamic cycles in the supercontinent evolution. A similar succession and style of tectonothermal events in the history of both the southern and the northern parts of the Yenisei Ridge suggest that they evolved synchronously within a single structure over a prolonged time span (1385–600 Ma). New data on coeavl events identified on the western margin of the Siberian craton contradict the hypothesis of a mantle activity lull (from 1.75 to 0.7 Ga) on the southwestern margins of the Siberian craton during the Precambrian. The synchronous sequence and similar style of tectonic events on the periphery of the large Precambrian Laurentia, Baltica, and Siberia cratons suggest their spatial proximity over a prolonged time span (1550–600 Ma). The above conclusion is consistent with the results of modern paleomagnetic reconstructions suggesting that these cratons represented the cores of Nuna and Rodinia within the above time interval.     

Middle Paleozoic and Early Mesozoic anorogenic magmatism of the South Yenisei Ridge: first geochemical and geochronological data

In this paper we present complex geological, petrographic and geochronological data of the study of intermediate and acid composition intrusive and volcanogenic rocks from the Porozhnaya massif of the South Yenisei Ridge. For the first time in the Yenisei Ridge Devonian and Triassic U-Pb age values (SHRIMP method) have been obtained for leucogranites—387 ± 5 Ma and alkaline trachytes—240 ± 3 Ma, which allows us to attribute them to two different complexes, despite the fact that these rocks were formed within the same Severnaya riftogenic structure. Geochronological Ar-Ar data (392–387 Ma) for micas from paragneisses and leucogranitic dikes of the Yenisei suture zone on whose extension the Severnaya riftogenic structure is located are also given in this study. These data on Devonian tectonic-magmatic events in the South Yenisei Ridge agree well with coeval events of continental rifting—the formation of intrusive and volcanogenic rocks of the Agul graben in the Prisayan region and the Minusa basin in the Altai-Sayan folded area. The forming of alkaline trachytes and alkaline syenites of the Severnaya riftogenic structure, for which an age of 240 ± 3 Ma has been established, is related to the trap magmatism of the Siberian platform.     

A multidisciplinary study on the emplacement mechanism of the Qingyang–Jiuhua Massif in Southeast China and its tectonic bearings. Part I: Structural geology,AMS and paleomagnetism

During the Cretaceous, the South China Block (SCB) experienced a widely distributed extensional event including numerous plutons emplacement and basin opening. Investigations on the tectonic regime coeval with pluton emplacement, and emplacement mechanism of the pluton remain relatively rare in the SCB. In order to address these questions, a multidisciplinary approach, including field structural and petrographic observations, anisotropy magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and paleomagnetic analyses, was carried out on the Qingyang–Jiuhua granitic massif which intrudes into the Lower Yangtze fold belt in the northeastern part of the SCB. The Qingyang–Jiuhua massif is composed of the granodioritic Qingyang and monzogranitic Jiuhua plutons dated by zircon U–Pb method at ca. 142 Ma, and ca. 131 Ma, respectively. Our structural observations show that the intrusion of the Qingyang–Jiuhua massif does not modify the fold strike. A weak ductile deformation of the country rocks and granitoid can be only observed in the boundary zone with limited contact metamorphism. In the contact aureole of the massif, the foliation follows the pluton contour, and the mineral lineation is rare. When present, it exhibits a down-dip attitude. Field and microstructural observations indicate isotropic magmatic textures in most parts of the massif. The AMS analysis of 93 sites reveals weak values for the anisotropy degree (P_J < 1.2) and oblate magnetic fabric dominance (T > 0) for most of the measured samples. Two principal foliation patterns are identified: horizontal foliations in the center of the plutons, and vertical foliations on the boundaries. Magnetic lineation strike is largely scattered, and weakly inclined at the scale of the entire massif. The paleomagnetic investigations indicate that (a) the younger Jiuhua pluton did not produce a remagnetization in the older Qingyang pluton, (b) no relative movement can be observed between these two plutons, (c) the entire massif did not experience any important relative movement with respect to South China, considering the paleomagnetic uncertainties. Integrating the newly obtained results with previous observations, our study favors a permissive emplacement mechanism for the two plutons, i.e. vertical magma intrusion into an opening space controlled by the NW–SE brittle stretching of the upper crust, which is in agreement with a weak extensional regional tectonic framework of the SCB.     

Polygenesis of mafic-ultramafic complexes: Isotope-geochronological and geochemical evidence from zircons of the Berezovka massif rocks (Sakhalin Island)

Results of comprehensive isotope-geochronological (U-Pb dating; SHRIMP II) and geochemical (LA-ICP-MS) studies of zircons from different rocks of the Berezovka polygenetic mafic-ultramafic massif of the East Sakhalin ophiolite association are presented. The massif includes three proximal but genetically autonomous structure-lithologic complexes of different ages: protrusion of ultramafic rocks of restite nature, gabbroid intrusion breaking through it, and contact reaction zone located along their boundaries. The isotopic age of zircons in the massif as a whole and in its individual rocks varies over a broad range of values. The zircons belong to several populations according to their age (Ma) and other features: relict and xenogenous (~ 3100-990, 70–410, and ~ 395-210) and syngenetic (~ 200-100, ~ 90-65, and ~ 30-20). They differ in grain size and morphology, optical and cathodoluminescence images, and trace-element patterns. By morphology, the grains are divided into short-prismatic crystals with well-developed faces and edges, long-prismatic crystals with well-developed faces and edges, prismatic crystals with slightly resorbed faces and edges, prismatic crystals with strongly resorbed faces and edges, and intensely resorbed grains totally or partly lacking faceting. The ages of zircons depend inversely on the contents of La, Ce, and Yb, total contents of REE, (Ce/Ce*)n, and (Eu/Eu*)n. Some grains are characterized by abnormal REE and trace-element patterns due to their epigenetic redistribution. The wide scatter of the intermediate ages of relict and xenogenous zircon grains, their resorption and disturbed optical and geochemical features are probably due to the nonuniform rejuvenation of their isotope systems and variations in other parameters, caused by the effect of younger mafic melt and its fluids, whose crystallization gave rise to a gabbroid intrusion dated at 170–150 Ma. The obtained data on the isotopic age and other properties of zircons from the rocks of the Berezovka massif agree with the geological model of its polygenesis.     

Relationship between platinum-bearing ultramafic-mafic intrusions and large igneous provinces (exemplified by the Siberian Craton)

This study aims at summarizing available geological and geochemical data on known Proterozoic platinum-bearing ultramafic-mafic massifs in the south of Siberia. Considering new data on geochemistry and geochronology of some intrusions, it was feasible to compare ore-bearing complexes of different time spans and areas and to follow their relationships with the recognized large igneous provinces. In the south of Siberia, the platinum-bearing massifs might be united into three age groups: Late Paleoproterozoic (e.g., Chiney complex, Malozadoisky massif), Late Mesoproterozoic (e.g., Srednecheremshansky massif), and Neoproterozoic (e.g., Kingash complex, Yoko-Dovyren massif, and massifs in the center of the East Sayan Mts.). In most massifs but Chiney the initial magmas are magnesium-rich. On paleogeodynamic reconstructions, the position of the studied massifs is the evidence that three most precisely dated events in North Canada continued into southern Siberia: In the period 1880-1865 Ma, it was the Ghost-Mara River-Morel LIP; at 1270-1260 Ma, the Mackenzie LIP; and at 725-720 Ma, Franklin LIP. In Siberia, the mostly productive massifs with respect to PGE-Ni-Cu mineralization are those linked with the Franklin LIP: Verkhny Kingash, Yoko-Dovyren, and central part of the Eastern Sayan Mountains, e.g., Tartay, Zhelos, and Tokty-Oy.     

First data on late vendian granitoid magmatism of the Northwestern Sayan–Yenisei accretionary belt

Late Vendian (540–550 Ma) U–Pb age was established for zircon from postcollisional granites of the Osinovsky Massif located among island-arc complexes of the Isakovka terrane in the northwestern Sayan–Yenisei accretionary belt. The granites were formed 150 Ma after the formation of the host island-arc complexes and 50–60 Ma after the beginning of their accretion to the Siberian Craton. These events mark the final stage of the Neoproterozoic history of the Yenisei Ridge related to the end of accretion of oceanic fragments and the beginning of the Caledonian Orogeny. The granites are subalkaline leucoractic Na–K rocks enriched in Rb, U, and Th. The petrogeochemical and Sm–Nd isotope data (T_Nd(DM)-2st = 1490–1650 Ma and ε_Nd(T) from–2.5 to–4.4) indicate that their source was highly differentiated continental crust of the SW margin of the Siberian Craton. Therefore, the host Late Riphean island-arc complexes were thrust over the craton margin for distance significantly exceeding the size of the Osinovsky Massif.     

A high-pressure folded klippe at Tehuitzingo on the western margin of an extrusion zone,Acatlán Complex,southern México

High-pressure (HP) rocks at Tehuitzingo, on the western margin of the HP belt within the Paleozoic Acatlán Complex (southern México), occur in a klippe that was thrust over low-grade clastic rocks. The youngest detrital zircon cluster in the low-grade rocks yielded U-Pb ages of 481 ± 16 Ma, which provide an older limit for deposition. The HP rocks are composed of metabasites, serpentinite, granite (482 ± 3 Ma) and mica schist (youngest concordant detrital zircon: 433 ± 3 Ma). The schist and granite are inferred to be high-grade equivalents of lower Paleozoic, low-grade rocks exposed elsewhere in the Acatlán Complex, from which they are inferred to have been removed by subduction erosion. Mineral analyses indicate that the subducted rocks underwent HP metamorphism and polyphase deformation at depths of ~ 50 km (~ 16 kbar and 750 °C: eclogite facies). Subsequent retrogression passed through epidote-amphibolite to greenschist facies, which was synchronous with W-vergent thrusting over the low-grade clastic rocks. Deposition of the low-grade rocks and thrusting are bracketed between either 481–329 Ma (Ordovician-Mississippian), and was followed by F₃ synformal folding. Cooling through ca. 385 °C is indicated by 329 ± 1 and 316–317 ± 2 Ma, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar muscovite plateau ages in HP rocks, which are 5–17 my younger than those of the adjacent Piaxtla eclogites suggesting younger exhumation. The petrology, P-T conditions and ages of the Piaxtla Suite is consistent with an extrusion channel within the Acatlán Complex along the active western margin of Pangea during the Carboniferous. Detrital zircon populations in the low-grade psammite (ca. 481, 520–650, 720, 750, 815, 890, 1050 and 2750 Ma) and the HP schist (ca. 457–480, 534, 908, 954–1150, 1265, 1845 and 2035 Ma) indicate derivation from the Ordovician Acatlán granitoids, Neoproterozoic Brasiliano orogens, 900–750 Ma Goiás arc (Amazonia), 1–1.3 Ma Oaxaquia, and more ancient sources in Oaxaquia/Amazonia.     

Crustally-derived granites in the Panzhihua region,SW China: Implications for felsic magmatism in the Emeishan large igneous province

In the Panxi region of the Late Permian (~ 260 Ma) Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP) there is a bimodal assemblage of mafic and felsic plutonic rocks. Most Emeishan granitic rocks were derived by differentiation of basaltic magmas (i.e. mantle-derived) or by mixing between crustal melts and primary basaltic magmas (i.e. hybrid). The Yingpanliangzi granitic pluton within the city of Panzhihua intrudes Sinian (~ 600 Ma) marbles and is unlike the mantle-derived or hybrid granitic rocks. The SHRIMP zircon U–Pb ages of the Yingpanliangzi pluton range from 259 ± 8 Ma to 882 ± 22 Ma. Younger ages are found on the zircon rims whereas older ages are found within the cores. Field relationships and petrography indicate that the Yingpanliangzi pluton must be < 600 Ma, therefore the older zircons are interpreted to represent the protolith age whereas the younger analyses represent zircon re-crystallization during emplacement. The Yingpanliangzi granites are metaluminous and have negative Ta–Nb_PM anomalies, low εNd_{(260 Ma)} values (? 3.9 to ? 4.4), and high I_Sr (0.71074 to 0.71507) consistent with a crustal origin. The recognition of a crustally-derived pluton along with mantle-derived and mantle–crust hybrid plutons within the Panxi region of the ELIP is evidence for a complete spectrum of sources. As a consequence, the types of Panxi granitoids can be distinguished according to their ASI, Eu/Eu*, εNd_(T), εHf_(T), T_Zr(°C) and Nb–Ta_PM values. The diverse granitic magmatism during the evolution of the ELIP from ~ 260 Ma to ~ 252 Ma demonstrates the complexity of crustal growth associated with LIPs.     

Neoproterozoic collisional S-type granitoids of the Yenisei Ridge: petrogeochemical composition and U-Pb,Ar-Ar,and Sm-Nd isotope data

Collisional granitoid magmatism caused by the Early Neoproterozoic orogeny in the west of the Siberian craton is considered. New data on the petrogeochemical composition, U-Pb (SHRIMP II), Ar-Ar, and Sm-Nd isotopic ages of the Middle Tyrada granitoid massif in the northwestern Yenisei Ridge are presented. Plagiogranites, granodiorites, and quartz diorites of the massif are of calcareous and calc-alkalic composition. The elevated alumina contents and presence of accessory garnet permit them to be assigned to S-type granitoids. Their spidergrams show Rb, Ba, and Th enrichment, minimum Nb, P, and Ti contents, and no Sr depletion. The granitoids formed through the melting of plagioclase-enriched graywacke source, obviously Paleoproterozoic metaterrigenous rocks of the Garevka Formation and Teya Group (T_Nd(DM) = 2.0-2.5 Ga), judging from the isotope composition of the granitoids (T_Nd(DM-2st) = 2200 Ma and 8_Nd(T) = − 6.0) and the presence of ancient zircon cores (1.80-1.85 Ga). Formation of granitoids took place in the final epoch of the Grenville collision events in the late Early Neoproterozoic (U-Pb zircon age is 857.0 ± 9.5 Ma). In the Late Neoproterozoic, the granitoids underwent tectonothermal reworking caused by Vendian accretion and collision events on the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton, which explain the younger K-Ar biotite age, 615.5 ± 6.3 Ma.     

Pre-collisional (> 0.5 Ga) complexes of the Olkhon terrane (southern Siberia) as an echo of events in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Olkhon terrane is a part of the Early Palaeozoic accretionary-collisional system in the northern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The terrane was produced by an Ordovician collision as a collage of numerous chaotically mixed tectonic units composed of rock complexes of different ages originated in different tectonic settings. The pre-collisional history of the terrane is deciphered using new data on zircon ages and chemistry of rocks from several complexes. The oldest Olkhon rocks are the 1.87–1.83 Ga granulite and gneissic granites of the Kaltygey complex, which is an exotic Palaeoproterozoic tectonic slice. The next age group consists of the Ust-Zunduk orthogneisses (807 ± 9 Ma) and the Orso amphibolites and gneisses (792 ± 10 and 844 ± 6 Ma). Samples of both complexes have negative ε_Nd(t) values. The Ust-Zunduk and Orso complexes can have formed in active margins of continents or in crustal blocks other than southern Siberia. The Ediacaran subduction-related rocks of the Olkhon complex may have formed in an island arc setting within the Palаeo-Asian Ocean (PAO). The protolith of schists after volcanic rocks has an age of 637 ± 4 Ma and shows positive ɛ_Nd(t) values. The Ediacaran/Cambrian Tonta mafic granulites (ca.545 Ma), with OIB affinity and slightly positive ɛ_Nd(t), were derived from an enriched mantle source and may represent a fragment of an oceanic island. The Cambrian Shebarta gneisses after continental-arc greywackes with negative ɛ_Nd(t) values were deposited in a back-arc basin of a microcontinent within the PAO, between 530 and 500 Ма. The Cambrian Birkhin metamorphics after PAO mature island-arc rocks have U-Pb ages of ca. 500–490 Ma and positive ɛ_Nd(t) values. All pre-collisional complexes in the Olkhon terrane have their analogues among the rocks formed during main events in the northern CAOB history. Thus the reconstructed milestones in the Olkhon terrane history appear to be an echo of events in the CAOB northern segment.     

The Guarguaraz Complex and the Neoproterozoic–Cambrian evolution of southwestern Gondwana: Geochemical signatures and geochronological constraints

The Guarguaraz Complex, in western Argentina, comprises a metasedimentary assemblage, associated with mafic sills and ultramafic bodies intruded by basaltic dikes, which are interpreted as Ordovician dismembered ophiolites. Two kinds of dikes are recognized, a group associated with the metasediments and the other ophiolite-related. Both have N-MORB signatures, with ε_Nd between +3.5 and +8.2, indicating a depleted source, and Grenville model ages between 0.99 and 1.62 Ga. A whole-rock Sm–Nd isochron yielded an age of 655 ± 76 Ma for these mafic rocks, which is compatible with cianobacteria and acritarchae recognized in the clastic metasedimentary platform sequences, that indicate a Neoproterozoic (Vendian)–Cambrian age of deposition.The Guarguaraz metasedimentary–ophiolitic complex represents, therefore, a remnant of an oceanic basin developed to the west of the Grenville-aged Cuyania terrane during the Neoproterozoic. The southernmost extension of these metasedimentary sequences in Cordón del Portillo might represent part of this platform and not fragments of the Chilenia terrane. An extensional event related to the fragmentation of Rodinia is represented by the mafic and ultramafic rocks. The Devonian docking of Chilenia emplaced remnants of ocean floor and slices of the Cuyania terrane (Las Yaretas Gneisses) in tectonic contact with the Neoproterozoic metasediments, marking the Devonian western border of Gondwana.     

Zircon recycling and crystallization during formation of chromite- and Ni-arsenide ores in the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (Serranía de Ronda,Spain)

The ultramafic massifs of the Serranía de Ronda (namely Ronda, Ojén and Carratraca) are portions of Proterozoic (∼1.2–1.8 Ga) subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) affected by partial melting and infiltration of melts. The latter of these events was broadly coeval with the tectonic emplacement of the peridotites into the continental crust in the Early Miocene. This resulted in the formation of chromite and Ni-arsenide ores (Cr-Ni) associated with orthopyroxenites and cordieritites. Six zircons recovered from a massive chromitite sample from the Ronda massif yield both concordant and discordant ages between 2309 ± 37 Ma and 109 ± 15 Ma, and δ¹⁸O between 8.3‰ and 9.4‰. Two Proterozoic ages obtained for zircons of this population (1815 ± 9 Ma and 1794 ± 17 Ma) are identical, within error, to those of zircons reported previously in the garnet pyroxenites of Ronda (1783 ± 37 Ma). Similarly, concordant Early Jurassic (192 ± 13 Ma) and Cretaceous ages (109 ± 15 Ma) obtained from the core and rim, respectively, of a single zircon from the chromitite are also consistent with the ages (180 ± 5 Ma, 178 ± 6 Ma, and 131 ± 3 Ma) already reported for magmatic zircons from corunudum-bearing garnet pyroxenites in the Ronda massif. The observation that chromitites and garnet-pyroxenites contain similar populations of zircons suggests that the parental melts of chromitites inherited zircons from their protolithic garnet pyroxenites, representing relics of oceanic/arc crust recycled in the mantle. Eleven zircons recovered from a massive cordieritite associated with chromitite in the Ronda massif yield scattered concordant and discordant ages between 568 Ma and 21 Ma, with correspondingly variable δ¹⁸O (4.8–13.5‰) and unradiogenic Hf-isotope ratios (ε_Hf(t) from −12.36 to −4.43). The youngest age is concordant at 21.18 ± 0.4 Ma and matches the ages of zircons from the chromitite (weighted average age of 20.4 ± 0.87 Ma, n = 4) and a plagioclasite dyke (scattering between 20.1 ± 0.2 Ma and 17.9 ± 0.1 Ma; n = 11) associated with the Cr-Ni mineralization in the Ojén massif. These zircons show similar unradiogenic Hf-(ε_Hf(t) between −14.5 and −7.6) and heavy O-isotope compositions (δ¹⁸O = 11.3–12.4‰). A sample of the massive cordieritite hosting the chromitites contains abundant zircons that yield scattered concordant, sub-concordant and discordant U-Pb ages varying from 33.8 ± 1 Ma to 781 ± 10 Ma; these zircons (n = 21) have variable U-contents (105–13900 ppm) and Th/U ratios (0.003–0.8). On the basis of O- and Hf-isotope compositions, these zircons define three populations independently of their ages: (1) grains with consistent high δ¹⁸O (6.1–12.7‰) and negative ε_Hf(t) (from −14.42 to −6.88); (2) grains with high δ¹⁸O (7.6–11.1‰) and positive ε_Hf(t) (3.10–4.84); and (3) grains with δ¹⁸O < 5.5‰ typical of mantle values. We suggest that zircons from this cordieritite with U-Pb ages older than Miocene are inherited, and were incorporated physically into the SCLM by fluids or melts produced during dehydration-melting of the crustal rocks wrapping the peridotite massifs. The population of Early Miocene zircons found in the chromitites and associated cordieritites and the plagioclasite dyke in the mineralization of the Ojén massif date the crustal emplacement of the peridotites and, therefore, the formation of the Cr-Ni ores. We propose a model in which the unique Cr-Ni mineralizations found in the ultramafic rocks of the Serranía de Ronda were formed as a result of contamination of the SCLM with crustal components.     

High-pressure metamorphism in Antarctica from the Proterozoic to the Cenozoic: A review and geodynamic implications

The survey of high-P metamorphic rocks in Antarctica can help clarify the geodynamic evolution of the continent by pointing out palaeo-suture zones and constraining the age of subduction and collision events. There are eclogite-facies rocks along the eastern margin of the ‘Mawson block’ (e.g., in the Nimrod Glacier region and George V Land). Some of these have been long forgotten (George V Land; Eyre Peninsula in Australia). Stillwell (1918) described rocks from George V Land containing glaucophane, lawsonite, garnet coronas and symplectites possibly after omphacite. These high-P rocks were apparently involved in the Nimrod-Kimban orogenic cycle and therefore provide a record of convergence along the eastern margin of the Mawson block at ~ 1700 Ma; they could represent one of the oldest blueschist-facies imprint. Many terranes in East Antarctica underwent a tectonometamorphic evolution during the Grenvillian (1300–900 Ma) and/or the Pan-African (600–500 Ma) orogenies, corresponding to the amalgamation of Rodinia and Gondwana, respectively. High-P relicts have been described or are suspected to occur in these terranes. Garnet-bearing coronitic metagabbros, in some cases possibly containing omphacite, are common in Dronning Maud Land and the Rayner Complex. They formed under high-P granulite-facies or eclogite-facies conditions and recall similar metabasites from the Grenville mobile belt of Canada. Note that some reconstructions of the Rodinia supercontinent consider these two Antarctic regions as an extension of the Grenvillian belt of Canada. Other eclogite-facies metamorphic rocks and ophiolites (Shackleton Range and possibly Sverdrupfjella) belong to the Pan-African mobile belt extending from Tanzania to East Antarctica. Since the Cambrian, the terranes of West Antarctica have been accreted along the palaeo-Pacific margin of Gondwana/Antarctica during several subduction-accretion orogenies. The ultrahigh-P metamorphic rocks of Northern Victoria Land formed through the accretion of an arc-backarc system during the Cambrian-Ordovician Ross orogeny; eclogites of the same orogeny also exist in Tasmania and Australia. Lastly, on the western edge of the Antarctic Peninsula, the Mesozoic–Cenozoic Andean orogeny generated a subduction-accretionary complex containing blueschist-facies rocks.     

Late Vendian postcollisional leucogranites of Yenisei Ridge

The Late Vendian (540–550 Ma) U–Pb zircon age of postcollisional granitoids in the Osinovka Massif was obtained for the first time. The Osinovka Massif is located in rocks of the island-arc complex of the Isakovka Terrane, in the northwestern part of the Sayany–Yenisei accretion belt. These events stand for the final stage of the Neoproterozoic history of the Yenisei Ridge, related to the completing accretion of the oceanic crust fragments and the beginning of the Caledonian orogenesis. The petrogeochemical composition and the Sm–Nd isotopic characteristics support the fact that the granitoid melt originated from a highly differentiated continental crust of the southwestern margin of the Siberian Craton. Hence, the granite-bearing Late Riphean island-arc complexes were thrust over the craton margin at a distance considerably exceeding the dimensions of the Osinovka Massif.     

Syn-kinematic emplacement of the Pangong metamorphic and magmatic complex along the Karakorum Fault (N Ladakh)

This paper investigates the age, P–T conditions and kinematics of Karakorum Fault (KF) zone rocks in the NW part of the Himalaya–Karakorum belt. Granulite to greenschist facies assemblages were developed within the KF zone during strike-slip shearing. The granulites were formed at high temperature (800 °C, 5.5 kbar), were subsequently retromorphosed into the amphibolite facies (700–750 °C, 4–5 kbar) and the greenschist facies (350–400 °C, 3–4 kbar). The Tangtse granite emplaced syn-kinematically at the contact between a LT and the HT granulite facies. Intrusion occurred during the juxtaposition of the two units under amphibolite conditions. Microstructures observed within the Tangtse granite exhibit a syn-magmatic dextral S–C fabric. Compiled U–Pb and Ar–Ar data show that in the central KF segment, granulite facies metamorphism occurred at a minimum age of 32 Ma, subsequent amphibolite facies metamorphism at 20–18 Ma. Further shearing under amphibolite facies (650–500 °C) was recorded at 13.6 ± 0.9 Ma, and greenschist-facies mica growth at 11 Ma. These data give further constrains to the age of initiation and depth of the Karakorum Fault. The granulite-facies conditions suggest that the KF, accommodating the lateral extrusion of Tibet, could be at least a crustal or even a Lithosphere-scale shear zone comparable to other peri-Himalayan faults.     

Late Mesozoic compressional to extensional tectonics in the Yiwulüshan massif,NE China and their bearing on the Yinshan–Yanshan orogenic belt: Part II: Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility and gravity modeling

Granitoids play an important role in deciphering both crustal growth and tectonic evolution of Earth. In the eastern end of the Yinshan–Yanshan belt of North China Craton, the Yiwulüshan massif is a typical region that presents the tectonic evolution features of this belt. Our field work on the host rocks has demonstrated two phases of opposite tectonics: compressional and extensional, however, the deformation is almost invisible in the intrusive rocks. To improve the understanding of the tectonic evolution of the Yiwulüshan massif and the Late Mesozoic tectonics of East Asia, a multidisciplinary study has been carried out. In this study, anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and gravity modeling have been applied on these Jurassic plutons (Lüshan, Jishilazi and Guanyindong), which intrude into the Yiwulüshan massif. According to laboratory measurements and microscopic observations on thin sections, the AMS of the Yiwulüshan massif is characterized by secondary fabrics, indicating that the intensive post solidus deformation has reset the (primary) magmatic magnetic fabrics. A relatively gentle NW dipping magnetic foliation has been identified with two distinct groups of magnetic lineations of N34°E and N335°E orientations, namely L_M1 and L_M2, relatively. Gravity modeling reveals a southward thinning of the massif with a possible feeding zone rooted in the northern part of the massif. Integrating all results from structural observation, geochronological investigation, AMS measurement and gravity modeling, two tectonic phases have been identified in the Yiwulüshan massif, posterior to the Jurassic (180–160 Ma) magmatism in the Yinshan–Yanshan area. The early one concerns a Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous (~ 141 Ma) compressional event with a top-to-the-south to southwest sense of shear. The second one shows an Early Cretaceous (~ 126 Ma) NW–SE ductile extensional shearing. At that time, sedimentary basins widened and Jurassic plutons started to be deformed under post solidus conditions. In fact, the NW–SE trend of the maximum stretching direction is a general feature of East Asian continent during Late Mesozoic.     

Field relationship of high-grade Neo- to Mesoarchaean rocks of South-East Greenland: Tectonometamorphic and magmatic evolution

South-East Greenland forms part of the North Atlantic Craton and is characterized by migmatitic orthogneisses, narrow bands of mafic granulite, ultramafic and possible meta-sedimentary rocks, and alkaline-carbonatitic intrusive rocks. Mafic granulite, meta-sedimentary and ultramafic rocks form the basement for the emplacement of granitic intrusions at ca. 2865 Ma that lasted episodically until ca. 2790 Ma and continuously during 2750–2700 Ma. The area is structurally complex with evidence of at least seven deformation events including reclined and mushroom-like fold interference patterns. An older (> 2790 Ma) foliation formed in granitic rocks and the basement during the Timmiarmiut Orogeny (D_T). Deformation associated with the ca. 2790–2700 Ma Skjoldungen Orogeny folded this early foliation, and is associated with a penetrative foliation that is refolded progressively in a northeast–southwest oriented stress field. The orientation of the stress field progressively rotated into a northnorthwest–southsoutheast orientation during the last stages of the orogeny. The orogeny is also characterized by syn-deformational anatexis at granulite-facies (at approximately 800 °C and 5–8 kbar, ca. 2790–2740 Ma), which decreased to the amphibolite-facies at ca. 2730 Ma.The late- to post-tectonic granite and alkaline rocks assigned to the Skjoldungen Alkaline Province intruded the central-northern part around 2710 Ma. This was followed by north–south extensional deformation during the Singertat Stage forming discrete shear-zones at greenschist-facies grades, which is coeval with the emplacement of pegmatite, ijolite, and carbonatite emplacement during ca. 2680–2650 Ma.Similar lithology and tectonic processes in the Tasiusarsuaq Terrane of southern West Greenland and the Lewisian Complex in Scotland suggest a possibly large Archaean terrane at that time, which, taking the present size, at least covered around 500–600 km in an east–west direction and approximately 200 km in a north–south direction.     

Paleomagnetic data and K–Ar ages from Mesozoic units of the Santa Marta massif: A preliminary interpretation for block rotation and translations

We report 6 K–Ar ages and paleomagnetic data from 28 sites collected in Jurassic, Lower Cretaceous and Paleocene rocks of the Santa Marta massif, to test previous hypothesis of rotations and translations of this massif, whose rock assemblage differs from other basement-cored ranges adjacent to the Guyana margin. Three magnetic components were identified in this study. A first component has a direction parallel to the present magnetic field and was uncovered in all units (D = 352, I = 25.6, k = 57.35, a95 = 5.3, N = 12). A second component was isolated in Cretaceous limestone and Jurassic volcaniclastic rocks (D = 8.8, I = 8.3, k = 24.71, a95 = 13.7, N = 6), and it was interpreted as of Early Cretaceous age. In Jurassic sites with this component, Early Cretaceous K–Ar ages obtained from this and previous studies are interpreted as reset ages. The third component was uncovered in eight sites of Jurassic volcaniclastic rocks, and its direction indicates negative shallow to moderate inclinations and northeastward declinations. K–Ar ages in these sites are of Early (196.5 ± 4.9 Ma) to early Late Jurassic age (156.6 ± 8.9 Ma). Due to local structural complexity and too few Cretaceous outcrops to perform a reliable unconformity test, we only used two sites with (1) K–Ar ages, (2) less structural complexity, and (3) reliable structural data for Jurassic and Cretaceous rocks. The mean direction of the Jurassic component is (D = 20.4, I = −18.2, k = 46.9, a95 = 5.1, n = 18 specimens from two sites). These paleomagnetic data support previous models of northward along-margin translations of Grenvillian-cored massifs. Additionally, clockwise vertical-axis rotation of this massif, with respect to the stable craton, is also documented; the sense of rotation is similar to that proposed for the Perija Range and other ranges of the southern Caribbean margin. More data is needed to confirm the magnitudes of rotations and translations.     

40Ar/39Ar geochronological constraints on the formation of the Dayingezhuang gold deposit: New implications for timing and duration of hydrothermal activity in the Jiaodong gold province,China

China's largest gold resource is located in the highly endowed northwestern part of the Jiaodong gold province. Most gold deposits in this area are associated with the NE- to NNE-trending shear zones on the margins of the 130–126 Ma Guojialing granite. These deposits collectively formed at ca. 120 ± 5 Ma during rapid uplift of the granite. The Dayingezhuang deposit is a large (> 120 t Au) orogenic gold deposit in the same area, but located along the eastern margin of the Late Jurassic Linglong Metamorphic Core Complex. New ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology on hydrothermal sericite and muscovite from the Dayingezhuang deposit indicate the gold event is related to evolution of the core complex at 130 ± 4 Ma and is the earliest important gold event that is well-documented in the province. The Dayingezhuang deposit occurs along the Linglong detachment fault, which defines the eastern edge of the ca. 160–150 Ma Linglong granite–granodiorite massif. The anatectic rocks of the massif were rapidly uplifted, at rates of at least 1 km/m.y. from depths of 25–30 km, to form the metamorphic core complex. The detachment fault, with Precambrian metamorphic basement rocks in the hangingwall and the Linglong granitoids and migmatites in the footwall, is characterized by early mylonitization and a local brittle overprinting in the footwall. Gold is associated with quartz–sericite–pyrite–K-feldspar altered footwall cataclasites at the southernmost area of the brittle deformation along the detachment fault. Our results indicate that there were two successive, yet distinct gold-forming tectonic episodes in northwestern Jiaodong. One event first reactivated the detachment fault along the edge of the Linglong massif between 134 and 126 Ma, and then a second reactivated the shears along the margins of the Guojialing granite. Both events may relate to a component of northwest compression after a middle Early Cretaceous shift from regional NW–SE extension to a NE–SW extensional regime.