Charnockite composition in relation to the tectonic evolution of East Antarctica

Charnockitic suites in central Dronning Maud Land (DML), Mac.Robertson Land (MRL), and the Bunger Hills area are compositionally varied and probably include both mantle and lower-crustal components. In this paper we present new geological and geochemical data on the DML charnockitic rocks, and compare their geochemistry with that of charnockitic rocks from several other Antarctic high-grade terranes, particularly MRL and the Bunger Hills. These areas have different geological histories and one of the main aims of this study is to investigate possible links between charnockite composition and the tectonic history of their host terranes. Antarctic charnockitic rocks form two distinct compositional groups. 510 Ma DML charnockites are relatively alkalic and ferroan, with high K₂O, Zr, Ga, Fe / Mg, and Ga / Al, and very low MgO, characteristic of A-type (alkaline, commonly anorogenic) granitoids. The more mafic DML rocks, at least, were derived by fractionation of a relatively alkaline high-P–Ti ferrogabbro parent magma. Most other early Palaeozoic charnockitic rocks in Antarctica are of similar composition. In contrast, MRL (c. 980 Ma) and Bunger Hills (c. 1170 Ma) charnockites are mainly calc-alkalic or calcic and magnesian, and the associated mafic components are tholeiitic. MRL and Bunger Hills charnockites are late-orogenic, whereas DML charnockites are post-orogenic, and appear to have been emplaced after post-collision extension and decompression. These two mineralogically and geochemically distinct charnockite groups may thus reflect a compositional trend in an evolving orogen, either accretional or collisional, respectively.     

Charnockitic magmatism in southern India

Large charnockite massifs cover a substantial portion of the southern Indian granulite terrain. The older (late Archaean to early Proterozoic) charnockites occur in the northern part and the younger (late Proterozoic) charnockites occur in the southern part of this high-grade terrain. Among these, the older Biligirirangan hill, Shevroy hill and Nilgiri hill massifs are intermediate charnockites, with Pallavaram massif consisting dominantly of felsic charnockites. The charnockite massifs from northern Kerala and Cardamom hill show spatial association of intermediate and felsic charnockites, with the youngest Nagercoil massif consisting of felsic charnockites. Their igneous parentage is evident from a combination of features including field relations, mineralogy, petrography, thermobarometry, as well as distinct chemical features. The southern Indian charnockite massifs show similarity with high-Ba-Sr granitoids, with the tonalitic intermediate charnockites showing similarity with high-Ba-Sr granitoids with low K₂O/Na₂O ratios, and the felsic charnockites showing similarity with high-Ba-Sr granitoids with high K₂O/Na₂O ratios. A two-stage model is suggested for the formation of these charnockites. During the first stage there was a period of basalt underplating, with the ponding of alkaline mafic magmas. Partial melting of this mafic lower crust formed the charnockitic magmas. Here emplacement of basalt with low water content would lead to dehydration melting of the lower crust forming intermediate charnockites. Conversely, emplacement of hydrous basalt would result in melting at higher {ie565-01} favoring production of more siliceous felsic charnockites. This model is correlated with two crustal thickening phases in southern India, one related to the accretion of the older crustal blocks on to the Archaean craton to the north and the other probably related to the collision between crustal fragments of East and West Gondwana in a supercontinent framework.     

Geochemistry and zircon U–Pb chronology of charnockites in the Yinshan Block,North China Craton: tectonic evolution involving Neoarchaean ridge subduction

The Yinshan Block, part of the Neoarchaean basement of the Western Block of the North China Craton, is composed of granite–greenstone and granulite–charnockite complexes. We report research on a suite of charnockites from the granulite–charnockite complex and characterize their geochemistry, zircon U–Pb geochronology, and Hf isotopic composition. The charnockites can be divided into intermediate (SiO₂ = 59–63 wt.%) and silicic (SiO₂ = 69–71 wt.%) groups. U–Pb zircon data yield protolith formation ages of 2524 ± 4 Ma, 2533 ± 15 Ma, followed by metamorphism at 2498 ± 3 Ma, 2490 ± 11 Ma, respectively, for these groups. Although the intermediate charnockites are characterized by higher Al₂O₃, TiO₂, Fe₂O₃^T, MnO, MgO, CaO, P₂O₅, K₂O, Sr, and ΣREE content than the silicic charnockites, the ages and Hf isotopic composition of zircons and REE patterns of both intermediate and silicic charnockites are remarkably consistent, which indicates that they are genetically related. These charnockites are predominantly metaluminous to slightly peraluminous, calc-alkalic to calcic, and magnesian – characteristics generally related to a subduction setting. High-Sr + Ba granites with low K₂O/Na₂O characteristics, shown by these charnockites, imply a mixture of mafic and felsic magmas generated from an enriched mantle + lower crust. High MgO, Ni, Cr and Mg#, low K₂O/Na₂O, and metaluminous to slightly peraluminous natures imply that the source rocks most likely were amphibolites. Coeval calc-alkaline magmatism and high-T granulite-facies metamorphism under low-H₂O activity in the area lead us to propose a model involving mid-ocean ridge subduction within a Neoarchaean convergent margin. The arc-related rocks accreted along the continent margin, and became a barrier when the lithospheric mantle ascended through the slab window. Melt derived from the decompressing mantle mixed with melt derived from the overlying, juvenile lower crust melt, which was warmed and metamorphosed by the ascending lithospheric mantle.     

Significance of ~ 1.5 Ga zircon and monazite ages from charnockites in southern Lithuania and NE Poland

The presence of 1.52–1.50 Ga charnockites from the anorthosite–mangerite–charnockite–granite (AMCG) Mazury complex in southern Lithuania and NE Poland, in the western East European Craton (EEC) is revealed by secondary ion mass-spectrometry (SIMS) and EPMA geochronology. Early 1.85–1.82 Ga charnockites are related to major orogeny in the region whereas the newly studied charnockites intrude the already consolidated crust. The 1.52–1.50 Ga charnockite magmatism (SIMS data on zircon) was followed by high-grade metamorphism (EPMA data on monazite), which strongly affected the surrounding rocks. The 1.85–1.81 Ga zircon cores in Lazdijai and 1.81 Ga monazite domains in the Lanowicze charnockites represent the protolith age of a volcanic island arc. The 1.52–1.50 Ga charnockite magmatism and metamorphism are likely related to the distal, Danopolonian, orogeny further to the west, at the margin of Baltica. The c.1.52–1.50 Ga AMCG magmatism and metamorphism in the western EEC as well as the paired accretionary-rapakivi suites in Amazonia, may be the inboard manifestations of the same early Mesoproterozoic orogeny associated with the juxtaposition of Amazonia and Baltica during the amalgamation of the supercontinent Columbia.     

Geochemistry,mineralogy, and zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopes in peraluminous A-type granite xenoliths in Pliocene–Pleistocene basalts of northern Pannonian Basin (Slovakia)

Anorogenic granite xenoliths occur in alkali basalts coeval with the Pliocene–Pleistocene continental rifting of the Pannonian Basin. Observed granite varieties include peraluminous, calcic to peralkalic, magnesian to ferroan types. Quartz and feldspars are dominant rock-forming minerals, accompanied by minor early ilmenite and late magnetite–ulvöspinel. Zircon and Nb–U–REE minerals (oxycalciopyrochlore, fergusonite, columbite) are locally abundant accessory phases in calc-alkalic types. Absence of OH-bearing Fe, Mg-silicates and presence of single homogeneous feldspars (plagioclase in calcic types, anorthoclase in calc-alkalic types, ferrian Na-sanidine to anorthoclase in alkalic types) indicate water-deficient, hypersolvus crystallization conditions. Variable volumes of interstitial glass, absence of exsolutions, and lacking deuteric hydrothermal alteration and/or metamorphic/metasomatic overprint are diagnostic of rapid quenching from hypersolidus temperatures. U–Pb zircon ages determined in calcic and calc-alkalic granite xenoliths correspond to a time interval between 5.7 and 5.2 Ma. Positive εHf values (14.2 ± 3.9) in zircons from a 5.2-Ma-old calc-alkalic granite xenolith indicate mantle-derived magmas largely unaffected by the assimilation of crustal material. This is in accordance with abundances of diagnostic trace elements (Rb, Y, Nb, Ta), indicating A₁-type, OIB-like source magmas. Increased accumulations of Nb–U–REE minerals in these granites indicate higher degree of the magmatic differentiation reflected in Rb-enrichment, contrasting with Ba-enrichment in barren xenoliths. Incipient charnockitization, i.e. orthopyroxene and ilmenite crystallization from interstitial silicate melt, was observed in many granite xenoliths. Thermodynamic modeling using pseudosections showed that the orthopyroxene growth may have been triggered by water exsolution from the melt during ascent of xenoliths in basaltic magma. Euhedral-to-skeletal orthopyroxene growth probably reflects contrasting ascent rates of basaltic magma with xenoliths, intermitted by the stagnation in various crustal levels at a <3 kbar pressure. The Tertiary suite of intra-plate, mantle-derived A₁-type granites and syenites is geochemically distinct from pre-Tertiary, post-orogenic A₂-type granites of the Carpatho–Pannonian region, which exhibit geochemical features diagnostic of crustal melting along continental margins.     

Patchy charnockites from Jenapore, Eastern Ghats granulite belt, India: Structural and petrochemical evidences attesting to their relict nature

The charnockite patches that occur within leptynite host, in and around Jenapore, northern sector of the Eastern Ghats granulite belt, are disposed in a linear fashion and generally have sharp lithological contact with the host leptynite. Sometimes the patches and foliations of the host are cofolded. Also, the patches sometimes have the internalS ₁ foliation, while the host leptynite records onlyS2 foliation. Mineralogically and chemically patchy charnockites and host leptynites are distinct entities, and cannot be related by any prograde and retrograde reactions. Particularly important is the peraluminous granitic composition and high Rb/Sr ratios of the leptynites, presumably resulting from biotite-dehydration melting; as against metaluminous granodioritic to tonalitic composition and low Rb/Sr ratios of the patchy charnockites, presumably resulting from hornblende-dehydration melting. The charnockite patches here can be interpreted as caught up patches or xenolith within granitic melt (leptynite). Mg-rich rims of garnet in the charnockite patch were probably caused by heat from the crystallising melt or decompression during ascent of melt.     

Archaean high-K granitoids produced by remelting of earlier Tonalite–Trondhjemite–Granodiorite (TTG) in the Sangmelima region of the Ntem complex of the Congo craton,southern Cameroon

We present a geochemical and isotopic study that, consistent with observed field relations, suggest Sangmelima late Archaean high-K granite was derived by partial melting of older Archaean TTG. The TTG formations are sodic-trondhjemitic, showing calcic and calc-alkalic trends and are metaluminous to peraluminous. High-K granites in contrast show a potassic calc-alkaline affinity that spans the calcic, calc-alkalic, alkali-calcic and alkalic compositions. The two rock groups (TTG and high-K granites) on the other hand are both ferroan and magnesian. They have a similar degree of fractionation for LREE but a different one for HREE. Nd model ages and Sr/Y ratios define Mesoarchaean and slab-mantle derived magma compositions respectively, with Nb and Ti anomalies indicating a subduction setting for the TTG. Major and trace element in addition to Sr and Nd isotopic compositions support field observations that indicate the derivation of the high-K granitic group from the partial melting of the older TTG equivalent at depth. Geochemical characteristics of the high-K granitic group are therefore inherited features from the TTG protolith and cannot be used for determining their tectonic setting. The heat budget required for TTG partial melting is ascribed to the upwelling of the mantle marked by a doleritic event of identical age as the generated high-K granite melts. The cause of this upwelling is related to linear delamination along mega-shear zones in an intracontinental setting.     

Early Neoarchaean A-type granitic magmatism by crustal reworking in Singhbhum craton: Evidence from Pala Lahara area,Orissa

Several volumetrically minor \(\sim \)2.8 Ga anorogenic granites and rhyolites occur along the marginal part of the Singhbhum craton whose origin and role in crustal evolution are poorly constrained. This contribution presents petrographic, geochemical, zircon U–Pb and trace element, and mineral chemical data on such granites exposed in the Pala Lahara area to understand their petrogenesis and tectonic setting. The Pala Lahara granites are calc-alkaline, high-silica rocks and define a zircon U–Pb age of 2.79 Ga. These granites are ferroan, weakly metaluminous, depleted in Al, Ca and Mg and rich in LILE and HFSE. They are classified as A2-type granites with high Y/Nb ratios. Geochemical characteristics (high \(\hbox {SiO}_{2}\) and \(\hbox {K}_{2}\hbox {O}\), very low MgO, Mg#, Cr, Ni and V, negative Eu anomaly, flat HREE and low Sr/Y) and comparison with melts reported by published experimental studies suggest an origin through high-temperature, shallow crustal melting of tonalitic/granodioritic source similar to the \(\sim \)3.3 Ga Singhbhum Granite. Intrusion of the Pala Lahara granites was coeval with prominent mafic magmatism in the Singhbhum craton (e.g., the Dhanjori mafic volcanic rocks and NNE–SSW trending mafic dyke swarm). It is suggested that the \(\sim \)2.8 Ga A-type granites in the Singhbhum craton mark a significant crustal reworking event attendant to mantle-derived mafic magmatism in an extensional tectonic setting.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987112000679

Quasi-integrity of continental crust between Mid-Archaean and Ediacaran times is demonstrated by conformity of palaeomagnetic poles to near-static positions between～2.7-2.2 Ca,～1.5-1.2 Ga and～0.75-0.6 Ga.Intervening data accord to coherent APW loops turning at "hairpins" focused near a continental-centric location.Although peripheral adjustments occurred during Early Proterozoic （～2.2 Ga） and Grenville（～1.1 Ga） times,the crust retained a low order symmetrical crescent-shaped form constrained to a single global hemisphere until break-up in Ediacaran times.Conformity of palaeomagnetic data to specific Eulerian parameters enables definition of a master Precambrian APW path used to estimate the root mean square velocity(v_RMS) of continental crust between 2.8 and 0.6 Ga.A long interval of little polar movement between～2.7 and 2.2 Ga correlates with global magmatic shutdown between～2.45 and 2.2 Ga,whilst this interval and later slowdown at～0.75-0.6 Ga to velocities of <2 cm/year correlate with episodes of widespread glaciation implying that these prolonged climatic anomalies had an internal origin;the reduced input of volcanically-derived atmospheric greenhouse gases is inferred to have permitted freeze-over conditions with active ice sheets extending into equatorial latitudes as established by low magnetic inclinations in glaciogenic deposits.v_RMS variations through Precambrian times correspond to the distribution of U-Pb ages in orogenic granitoids and detrital zircons and demonstrate that mobility of continental crust has been closely related to crustal tectonism and incrementation.Both periods of near-stillstand were followed by rapid v_RMS recording massive heat release from beneath the continental lid at～2.2 and 0.6 Ga.The first coincided with the Lomagundi-Jatuli isotopic event and led to prolonged orogenesis accompanied by continental flooding and reconfiguration of the crust on the Earth’s surface;the second led to continental break-up and instigated the comprehensive Plate Tectonics that has characterised Phanerozoic times.The Mesoproterozoic interval characterised by anorogenic magmatism correlates with low v_RMS between～1.5 and 1.1 Ga.Insulation of the sub-continental mantle evidently permitted high temperature melting and weakening of the crustal lid to enable buoyant emplacement of large plutons at high crustal levels during this magmatic event unique to Mesoproterozoic and early Neoproterozoic times.     

Late-Neoproterozoic ferroan granitoids of the Transversal subprovince,Borborema Province,NE Brazil: petrogenesis and geodynamic implications

ABSTRACT

Ferroan granites (585–530 Ma) have been described in the Transversal subprovince of the Borborema Province (BP) and in Pan-African counterparts. They comprise two groups: Group 1 – slightly peraluminous to metaluminous, alkali-calcic rocks, with low Fe# mica and crystallized under intermediate fO₂ (Aroeiras Complex and Serra Branca – Coxixola dike swarms); Group 2 metaluminous to slightly peraluminous, alkalic to alkali-calcic rocks, with high Fe# mica and crystallized under low fO₂ (Queimadas and Prata intrusions). Group 1 marks transition from collision to transcurrence (ca. 585 Ma), or from transcurrence to uplift and transtension (ca. 545 Ma). Group 2 – represents granitoids intruded during extensional tectonics in transcurrent setting (ca. 550 Ma), or coeval with deposition of transtensional intracratonic basins (ca. 530 Ma). Hf and Nd model ages are older than 2.0 Ga, suggesting that the ferroan granitoids involved partial melting of Paleoproterozoic rocks. The data presented in this paper show that the ferroan magmatism was widespread in the BP and its counterparts in Africa in pre-drift reconstructions.     

The ~1.4 Ga A-type granitoids in the “Chottanagpur crustal block” (India), and its relocation from Columbia to Rodinia?

In paleogeographic reconstructions of the Columbia and Rodinia Supercontinents, the position of the Greater India landmass is ambiguous. This, coupled with a limited understanding of the tectonic evolution of the mobile belts along which the mosaic of crustal domains in India accreted, impedes precise correlation among the dispersed crustal fragments in supercontinent reconstructions. Using structural, metamorphic phase equilibria, chronological and geochemical investigations, this study aims to reconstruct the tectonic evolution of the Chottanagpur Gneiss Complex (CGC) as a distinct crustal block at the eastern end of the Greater Indian Proterozoic Fold Belt (GIPFOB) along which the North India Block (NIB) and the South India Block (SIB) accreted. The study focuses on two issues, e.g. dating the Early Neoproterozoic (0.92 Ga) accretion of the CGC with the NIB contemporaneous with the assembly of Rodinia, and documenting the widespread (>24,000 km²) plutonism of 1.5–1.4 Ga weakly peraluminous, calc-alkalic to alkali-calcic and ferroan A-type granitoids (± garnet) devoid of mafic microgrannular enclaves and coeval mafic emplacements in the crustal block. These dominantly within-plate granitoids arguably formed by asthenospheric upwelling induced partial melting of garnet-bearing anatectic quartzofeldspathic gneisses that dominate the Early Mesoproterozoic basement of the block. The major and trace element chemistry of the granitoids is similar to the 1.35–1.45 Ga A-type granitoids in Laurentia/Amazonia emplaced contemporaneous with the 1.5–1.3 Ga breakup of the Columbia Supercontinent.This study suggests the Chottanagpur Gneiss Complex occured as a fragmented crustal block following the breakup of the Columbia Supercontinent; the crustal block was subsequently integrated within India during the Early Neoproterozoic oblique accretion between the NIB and SIB contemporaneous with the Rodinia Supercontinent assembly.     

Significance of ~ 1.5 Ga zircon and monazite ages from charnockites in southern Lithuania and NE Poland

The presence of 1.52–1.50 Ga charnockites from the anorthosite–mangerite–charnockite–granite (AMCG) Mazury complex in southern Lithuania and NE Poland, in the western East European Craton (EEC) is revealed by secondary ion mass-spectrometry (SIMS) and EPMA geochronology. Early 1.85–1.82 Ga charnockites are related to major orogeny in the region whereas the newly studied charnockites intrude the already consolidated crust. The 1.52–1.50 Ga charnockite magmatism (SIMS data on zircon) was followed by high-grade metamorphism (EPMA data on monazite), which strongly affected the surrounding rocks. The 1.85–1.81 Ga zircon cores in Lazdijai and 1.81 Ga monazite domains in the Lanowicze charnockites represent the protolith age of a volcanic island arc. The 1.52–1.50 Ga charnockite magmatism and metamorphism are likely related to the distal, Danopolonian, orogeny further to the west, at the margin of Baltica. The c.1.52–1.50 Ga AMCG magmatism and metamorphism in the western EEC as well as the paired accretionary-rapakivi suites in Amazonia, may be the inboard manifestations of the same early Mesoproterozoic orogeny associated with the juxtaposition of Amazonia and Baltica during the amalgamation of the supercontinent Columbia.     

Late Neoproterozoic granulite facies metamorphism in the Menderes Massif,Western Anatolia/Turkey: implication for the assembly of Gondwana

The Menderes Massif is a major polymetamorphic complex in Western Turkey. The late Neoproterozoic basement consists of partially migmatized paragneisses and metapelites in association with orthogneiss intrusions. Pelitic granulite, paragneiss and orthopyroxene-bearing orthogneiss (charnockite) of the basement series form the main granulite-facies lithologies. Charnockitic metagranodiorite and metatonalite are magnesian in composition and show calc-alkalic to alkali-calcic affinities. Nd and Sr isotope systematics indicate homogeneous crustal contamination. The zircons in charnockites contain featureless overgrowth and rim textures representing metamorphic growth on magmatic cores and inherited grains. Charnockites yield crytallization age of ~590 Ma for protoliths and they record granulite-facies overprint at ~ 580 Ma. These data indicate that the Menderes Massif records late Neoproterozoic magmatic and granulite-facies metamorphic events. Furthermore, the basement rocks have been overprinted by Eocene Barrovian-type Alpine metamorphism at ~42 Ma. The geochronological data and inferred latest Neoproterozoic–early Cambrian palaeogeographic setting for the Menderes Massif to the north of present-day Arabia indicate that the granulite-facies metamorphism in the Menderes Massif can be attributed to the Kuunga Orogen (600–500 Ma) causing the final amalgamation processes for northern part of the Gondwana.     

Paleoproterozoic juvenile magmatism within the northeastern sector of the São Francisco paleocontinent: Insights from the shoshonitic high Ba–Sr Montezuma granitoids

New,integrated petrographic,mineral chemistry,whole rock geochemical,zircon and titanite UPb geochronology,and zircon Hf isotopic data from the Montezuma granitoids,as well as new geochemical results for its host rocks represented by the Corrego Tingui Complex,provides new insights into the late-to post-collisional evolution of the northeastern Sao Francisco paleocontinent.U-Pb zircon dates from the Montezuma granitoids spread along the Concordia between ca.2.2 Ga to 1.8 Ga and comprise distinct groups.Group I have crystallization ages between ca.2.15 Ga and 2.05 Ga and are interpreted as inherited grains.Group II zircon dates vary from 2.04 Ga to1.9 Ga and corresponds to the crystallization of the Montezuma granitoids,which were constrained at ca.2.03 Ga by the titanite U-Pb age.Inverse age zoning is common within the ca.1.8 Ga Group III zircon ages,being related to fluid isotopic re-setting during the Espinhaco rifiting event.Zircon ε_(Hf)(t) analysis show dominantly positive values for both Group I(-4 to+9) and Ⅱ(-3 to+8) zircons and T_(DM2) model ages of 2.7-2.1 Ga and 2.5-1.95 Ga,respectively.Geochemically,the Montezuma granitoids are weakly peraluminous to metaluminous magnesian granitoids,enriched in LILES and LREE,with high to moderate Mg#and depleted in some of the HFSE.Their lithochemical signature,added to the juvenile signature of both inherited and crystallized zircons,allowed its classification as a shoshonitic high Ba-Sr granitoid related to a late-to post-collisional lithosphere delamination followed by asthenospheric upwelling.In this scenario,the partial melting of the lithospheric mantle interacted with the roots of an accreted juvenile intra-oceanic arc,being these hybrid magma interpreted as the source of the Montezuma granitoids.The Corrego Tingui Complex host rocks are akin to a syn-to late-collisional volcanic arc granitoids originated from the partial melting of ancient crustal rocks.The results presented in this study have revealed the occurrence of juvenile rocks,probably related to an island arc environment,that are exotic in relation to the Paleo-to Neoarchean crust from the Sao Francisco paleocontinent's core.     

Paleoproterozoic crustal evolution of the Hengshan–Wutai–Fuping region, North China Craton

An arguable point regarding the Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic crustal evolution of the North China Craton（NCC）is whether the tectonic setting in the central belt during the mid-Paleoproterozoic（2.35-2.0 Ga）was dominated by an extensional regime or an oceanic subduction-arc regime.A review of the midPaleoproterozoic magmatism and sedimentation for the Hengshan-Wutai-Fuping region suggests that a back-arc extension regime was dominant in this region.This conclusion is consistent with the observation that the 2.35-2.0 Ga magmatism shows a typical bimodal distribution where the mafic rocks mostly have arc affinities and the acidic rocks mainly comprise highly-fractioned calc-alkaline to alkaline（or A-type）granites,and that this magmatism was coeval with development of extensional basins characteristic of transgressive sequences with volcanic interlayers such as in the Hutuo Group.Although the final amalgamation of the NCC was believed to occur at ～1.85 Ga,recent zircon U-Pb age dating for mica schist in the Wutai Group suggests a collisional event may have occurred at ～1.95 Ga.The metamorphic ages of ～1.85 Ga,obtained mostly from the high-grade rocks using the zircon U-Pb approach,most probably indicate uplifting and cooling of these high-grade terranes.This is because（i）phase modeling suggests that newly-grown zircon grains in highgrade rocks with a melt phase cannot date the age of peak pressure and temperature stages,but the age of melt crystallization in cooling stages;（ii）the metamorphic P-T paths with isobaric cooling under 6-7 kb for the Hengshan and Fuping granulites suggest their prolonged stay in the middle-lower crust;and（iii）the obtained metamorphic age data show a continuous distribution from 1.95 to 1.80 Ga.Thus,an alternative tectonic scenario for the Hengshan-Wutai-Fuping region involves：（i）formation of a proto-NCC at ～2.5 Ga;（ii）back-arc extension during 2.35-2.0 Ga resulting in bimodal magmatism and sedimentation in rifting basins on an Archean basement;?     

Geochemistry,petrogenesis and radioactive mineralization of two coeval Neoproterozoic post-collisional calc-alkaline and alkaline granitoid suites from Sinai,Arabian Nubian Shield

The Younger Granites of Yahmid-Um Adawi area, located in the southeastern part of Sinai Peninsula, comprise two coeval Late Neoproterozoic post-collisional alkaline (hypersolvous alkali-feldspar granites; 608–580?Ma) and calc-alkaline (transsolvous monzo- and syenogranites; 635–590?Ma) suites. The calc-alkaline suite granitoids are magnesian and peraluminous to metaluminous, whereas the alkaline ones are magnesian to ferroan alkaline to slightly metaluminous. Both granitoid suites exhibit many of the typical geochemical features of A-type granites such as enrichment in Nb (>20?ppm), Zr (>250?ppm), Zn (>100?ppm) and Ce (>100?ppm) and high 10000*Ga/Al₂O₃ ratios (>2.6) and Zr?+?Nb?+?Y?+?Ce (>350?ppm). Accessory mineral saturation thermometers demonstrated former crystallization of apatite at high temperatures prior to zircon and monazite separation from the magma for both granitoid suites. The mild zircon saturation temperatures of the studied Younger Granites (around 800?°C) imply low-temperature crustal fusion and incomplete melting of the largely refractory zircon. The two Younger Granite suites were semi-synchronously evolved during the post-collisional stage of the Arabian-Nubian Shield subsequent to the collision between the juvenile shield crust and the older pre-Neoproterozoic continental blocks of west Gondwana. Their parental magmas has been generated by melting of crustal source rocks with minor involvement from mantle, which might participated chiefly as a source of heat necessary for fusion of the crustal precursor. Extensive in-situ gamma-ray spectrometry revealed anomalously high radioactivity of some Younger Granite exposures along Wadi Um Adawi (eU; 388–746?ppm and eTh; 1857–2527?ppm) and pegmatitic pockets pertaining to the calc-alkaline suite (equivalent U and Th; 212–252?ppm and 750–1757?ppm, respectively). The radioactivity of the syngenetic pegmatites arises from the primary radioactive minerals uranothorite and thorite together with the U- and/or Th-bearing minerals zircon, columbite, samarskite and monazite. The anomalously high radioactivity of some Younger Granite exposures in Wadi Um Adawi stem from their appreciable enclosure of the epigenetic uranium minerals metatorbenite and uranophane.     

Magma associations in Ediacaran granitoids of the Cachoeirinha‒Salgueiro and Alto Pajeú terranes,northeastern Brazil: Forty years of studies

Granitic magmatism in the Cachoeirinha‒Salgueiro and Alto Pajeú terranes in the Transversal Zone Domain of the Borborema Province, northeastern Brazil, occurred in three main time intervals: 650–620 Ma, 590–560 Ma and 545–520 Ma. The oldest one is characterized by intrusions of magmatic-epidote (mEp) bearing calc-alkalic (some with trondhjemitic affinities) and high-K calc-alkalic plutons, synkinematic to the main regional foliation, under contractional tectonic regime, and exhibits T_DM < 2.0 Ga and ƐNd (0.6 Ga) from −1 to −4, and δ¹⁸O (zircon) values from 7.1 to 10‰_VSMOW. O- and Nd-isotope data for the 650‒620 Ma group of plutons is compatible with partial fusion of subducted oceanic basaltic crust (mEp-bearing calc-alkalic tonalites/granodiorites, equivalent to adakites). Voluminous intrusions in the 590–560 Ma interval are represented by abundant mEp-free high-K calc-alkalic, peralkalic, ultrapotassic, mEp-bearing high-K calc-alkalic, and less abundant shoshonitic magmas. Nd-model ages for this group of plutons vary from 1.5 to 2.5 Ga and ƐNd (0.6 Ga) ranges from −8 to −20; δ¹⁸O (zircon) varies from 6.4 to 7.9‰_VSMOW. Values of δ¹⁸O (zircon) for the 590‒560 Ma old group of plutons coupled with Nd isotope data are compatible with remelting of crustal (negative ƐNd, 1.6 to 2.0 Ga old) source rocks. O- and Nd-isotope data for this group of plutons are compatible with underplating of basaltic magma in the base of the lower crust for the high-K calc-alkalic granitoids, coeval to transcurrent movements along sigmoidal shear zones. Intrusion of one shoshonitic (Serrote do Arapuá), one calc-alkalic (Riacho do Icó) plutons besides the peralkalic Manaíra-Princeza Isabel dike set have witnessed this transition from contractional to transcurrent movements along shear zones, around 610‒600 Ma.     

Geochemical Characterization of Granites of Distinctly Different Ages in the Alto Pajeu Terrane,Borborema Province,Northeast Brazil

This work presents geochemical data for granitic plutons that intruded the Alto Pajeu terrane, Borborema Province, northeastern Brazil, during several distinct tectonic cycles. The Alto Pajeu terrane is represented in the study area by metasedimentary (São Caetano Formation) and metavolcanosedimentary (Irajai Formation) sequences overlying a gneissic-migmatitic basement. Several granitic plutons of different ages, mineralogical proportions, and chemical compositions have invaded the supracrustal and basement rocks. Two deformational events, one tangential (older) and the other transcurrent (younger), were identified. The metamorphic grade determined for the metasedimentary rocks varies from amphibolite to high amphibolite facies, with temperatures ranging from 600 to 680°C and pressures from 6.0 to 7.5 kbar. Three magmatic events with distinct ages were identified for the tectonic evolution of the Alto Pajeu terrane in the study area. The older magmatic event is related to the Transamazonico orogenic cycle (～ 2.0 Ga), the intermediary magmatic event to the Cariris Velhos cycle (～0.97 Ga), and the younger magmatic event to the Brasiliano orogenic cycle (～0.55 Ga). The Cariris Velhos- and Brasiliano-age granites are geochemically classified as peraluminous, subalkalic granites of the calc-alkalic series, whereas the Transamazônico-age granite is metaluminous and alkaline. Geochemical data presented and discussed here suggest that the magmatism related to the three tectonic events had distinctly different sources and petrogenetic evolutions.     

1.94–1.93 Ga charnockitic magmatism from the central part of the Guyana Shield, Roraima, Brazil: Single-zircon evaporation data and tectonic implications

Age and origin of the charnockitic rocks of the central part of the Guyana Shield have been a matter of discussion. These rocks have been interpreted either as Transamazonian granulites metamorphosed around 2.02 Ga or as 1.56 Ga old igneous charnockites. Recently, most of the Roraima charnockitic rocks have been recognized as igneous rocks and included into the Serra da Prata Suite (SPS). Five Pb–Pb single-zircon evaporation ages were obtained for samples representative of different facies of the SPS and these constrained the age of the charnockitic magmatism between 1943 ± 5 Ma and 1933 ± 2 Ma. This charnockitic magmatism may be related to a post-collisional setting after the evolution of the Cauarane-Coeroeni Belt (～2.00 Ga), or may represent a post-collisional (or intracontinental?) magmatism related to orogenic activities along the plate margins around 1.95–1.94 Ga.     

New U–Pb ages and lithochemical attributes of the Ediacaran Rio Doce magmatic arc,Araçuaí confined orogen,southeastern Brazil

The Araçuaí orogen of southeastern Brazil, together with its counterpart located in Africa, the West Congo belt, formed through closure of a gulf connected to the Adamastor Ocean by the end of the Ediacaran and beginning of the Cambrian. Convergence of the margins of the gulf led to the development of the Rio Doce magmatic arc between 630 Ma and 580 Ma on a continental basement mostly composed of Rhyacian orthogneisses. The Rio Doce arc mainly consists of tonalite-granodiorite batholiths, generally crowded with mafic to dioritic enclaves, and minor gabbronorite-enderbite-charnockite plutons, suggesting mixing processes involving crustal and mantle sources. We investigate the basement, magma sources and emplacement ages of the Rio Doce arc. Our data suggest the arc comprises three main granitic rock groups: i) Opx-bearing rocks mostly of enderbite to charnockite composition; ii) enclave-rich tonalite-granodiorite (ETG); and iii) enclave-poor granite-granodiorite with minor tonalite (GT). The Opx-bearing rocks are magnesian, calc-alkalic to alkali-calcic and metaluminous. Together, the ETG and GT rock groups range in composition from tonalite to granite, are metaluminous to slightly peraluminous, show a predominantly medium- to high-K, expanded calc-alkaline signature, and other geochemical and isotopic attributes typical of a pre-collisional volcanic arc formed on a continental margin setting. Mineralogical, chemical, and geochronological data suggest the involvement of HT-melting of granulitic (H₂O-depleted) sources of Rhyacian age for the generation of Opx-bearing granitic rocks, additionally to magma mixing and fractional crystallization processes. In conclusion, the studied rock groups of the Rio Doce arc were likely formed by interactions of mantle and crustal processes, in an active continental margin setting. These processes involved ascent of mantle magmas that induced partial melting on the continental basement represented by the Rhyacian gneisses.