U-Pb systematics of monazite and xenotime: case studies from the Paleoproterozoic of the Grand Canyon, Arizona

Monazite is accepted widely as an important U-Pb geochronometer in metamorphic terranes because it potentially preserves prograde crystallization ages. However, recent studies have shown that the U-Pb isotopic system in monazite can be influenced by a variety of processes that partially obscure the early growth history. In this paper, we attempt to interpret complex monazite and xenotime U-Pb data from three Paleoproterozoic granite dikes exposed in the Grand Canyon. Single-crystal monazite analyses from an unfoliated granite dike spread out along concordia from the crystallization age of the dike (defined by U-Pb zircon data to be 1685 ± 1 Ma) to 1659 ± 2 Ma, a span of 26 million years. Back-scattered electron (BSE) imaging reveals that magmatic domains within most crystals from this sample are truncated by secondary domains associated with prominent embayments at the grain margin. Fragments of a single crystal yield contrasting, concordant dates and fragments from the edges and tips of crystals yield the youngest dates. Based on these observations we suggest that the secondary domains formed at least 26 million years after the crystal formed. Monazite and xenotime dates from the second sample, a sheared dike that cross-cuts the previous dike, spread out along concordia over 16 million years and range up to 2.4% normally discordant. Again, BSE imaging reveals secondary domains that truncate both magmatic zoning and xenocrystic cores. Fragments sliced from specific domains of a previously imaged monazite crystal demonstrate that the secondary domain is 13 million years younger than the core domain. Textures revealed in BSE images suggest that the secondary domains formed by fluid-mineral interaction. Normal discordance appears to result from both radiation damage accumulated at temperatures below 300 °C and water-mineral interaction. Monazite data from the third sample exhibit dispersion in both the ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb dates (1677–1690 Ma) and discordance (+ 1.6% to − 3.1%). Reverse discordance in these monazites cannot be explained by incomplete dissolution or excess (thorogenic) ²⁰⁶Pb. Sliced fragments from several crystals reveal dramatic intragrain U-Pb disequilibrium that does not correlate with either Th or U concentration or position within the crystal. We suggest that reverse discordance resulted from mechanisms that involve exchange or fractionation of elemental U or elemental Pb, and that neither the U-Pb dates nor the ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb dates are reliable indicators of the rock's crystallization age. Given the large number of processes proposed in the recent literature to explain monazite U-Pb systematics from rocks of all ages, our results can be viewed as another cautionary note for single-crystal and multi-crystal monazite geochronometry. However, we suggest that because individual crystals can preserve a temporal record of primary and secondary monazite growth, micro-sampling of individual monazite crystals may provide precise absolute ages on a variety of processes that operate during the prograde, peak and/or retrograde history of metamorphic terranes. Received: 9 June 1996 / Accepted: 18 October 1996     

U-Pb monazite ages in amphibolite- to granulite-facies orthogneiss reflect hydrous mineral breakdown reactions: Sveconorwegian Province of SW Norway

In the Rogaland–Vest Agder terrain of the Sveconorwegian Province of SW Norway, two main Sveconorwegian metamorphic phases are reported: a phase of regional metamorphism linked to orogenic thickening (M1) and a phase of low-pressure thermal metamorphism associated with the intrusion of the 931 ± 2 Ma anorthosite-charnockite Rogaland igneous complex (M2). Phase M1 reached granulite facies to the west of the terrane and M2 culminated locally at 800–850 °C with the formation of dry osumilite-bearing mineral associations. Monazite and titanite U-Pb geochronology was conducted on 17 amphibolite- to granulite-facies orthogneiss samples, mainly from a suite of 1050 ⁺²/₋₈ Ma calc-alkaline augen gneisses, the Feda suite. In these rocks, prograde negatively discordant monazite crystallized during breakdown of allanite and titanite in upper amphibolite facies at 1012–1006 Ma. In the Feda suite and other charnockitic gneisses, concordant to slightly discordant monazite at 1024–997 Ma probably reflects breakdown of biotite during granulite-facies M1 metamorphism. A spread of monazite ages down to 970 Ma in biotite ± hornblende samples possibly corresponds to the waning stage of this first event. In the Feda suite, a well defined monazite growth episode at 930–925 Ma in the amphibolite-facies domain corresponds to major clinopyroxene formation at the expense of hornblende during M2. Growth or resetting of monazite was extremely limited during this phase in the granulite-facies domain, up to the direct vicinity of the anorthosite complex. The M2 event was shortly followed by cooling through ca. 610 °C as indicated by tightly grouped U-Pb ages of accessory titanite and titanite relict inclusions at 918 ± 2 Ma over the entire region. A last generation of U-poor monazite formed during regional cooling below 610 °C, in hornblende-rich samples at 912–904 Ma. This study suggests: (1) that monazite formed during the prograde path of high-grade metamorphism may be preserved; (2) that monazite ages reflect primary or secondary growth of monazite linked to metamorphic reactions involving redistribution of REEs and Th, and/or fluid mobilisation; (3) that the U-Pb system in monazite is not affected by thermal events up to 800–850 °C, provided that conditions were dry during metamorphism. Received: 9 January 1997 / Accepted: 15 April 1998     

Geochronology in migmatites a SmNd, UPb and RbSr study from the Proterozoic Damara belt (Namibia): implications for polyphase development of migmatites in high-grade terranes

Sm–Nd (garnet), U–Pb (monazite) and Rb–Sr (biotite) ages from a composite migmatite sample (Damara orogen, Namibia) constrain the time of high‐grade regional metamorphism and the duration of regional metamorphic events. Sm–Nd garnet whole‐rock ages for a strongly restitic melanosome and an adjacent intrusive leucosome yield ages of 534±5, 528±11 and 539±8 Ma. These results provide substantial evidence for pre‐500 Ma Pan‐African regional metamorphism and melting for this segment of the orogen. Other parts of the migmatite yield younger Sm–Nd ages of 488±9 Ma for melanosome and 496±10, 492±5 and 511±16 Ma for the corresponding leucosomes. Garnet from one xenolith from the leucosomes yields an age of 497±2 Ma. Major element compostions of garnet are different in terms of absolute abundances of pyrope and spessartine components, but the flat shape of the elemental patterns suggests late‐stage retrograde equilibration. Rare earth element compositions of the garnet from the different layers are similar except for garnet from the intrusive leucosome suggesting that they grew in different environments. Monazite from the leucosomes is reversely discordant and records ²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U ages between 536 and 529 Ma, indicating that this monazite represents incorporated residual material from the first melting event. Monazite from the mesosome MES 2 and the melanosome MEL 3 gives ²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U ages of 523 and 526 Ma, and 529 and 531 Ma, respectively, which probably indicates another thermal event. Previously published ²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U monazite data give ages between 525 and 521 Ma for composite migmatites, and 521 and 518 Ma for monazite from neosomes. Monazite from granitic to granodioritic veins indicates another thermal event at 507–505 Ma. These ages are also recorded in ²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U monazite data of 508 Ma from the metasediment MET 1 from the migmatite and also in the Sm–Nd garnet ages obtained in this study. Taken together, these ages indicate that high‐grade metamorphism started at c. 535 Ma (or earlier) and was followed by thermal events at c. 520 Ma and c. 505 Ma. The latter event is probably connected with the intrusion of a large igneous body (Donkerhoek granite) for which so far only imprecise Rb–Sr whole‐rock data of 520±15 Ma are available. Rb–Sr biotite ages from the different layers of the migmatite are 488, 469 and 473 Ma. These different ages indicate late‐stage disturbance of the Rb–Sr isotopic system on the sub‐sample scale. Nevertheless, these ages are close to the youngest Sm–Nd garnet ages, indicating rapid cooling rates between 13 and 20°C Ma^?1 and fast uplift of this segment of the crust. Similar Sm–Nd garnet and U–Pb monazite ages suggest that the closure temperatures for both isotopic systems are not very different in this case and are probably similar or higher than the previously estimated peak metamorphic temperatures of 730±30°C. The preservation of restitic monazite in leucosomes indicates that dissolution of monazite in felsic water‐undersaturated peraluminous melts can be sluggish. This study shows that geochronological data from migmatites can record polymetamorphic episodes in high‐grade terranes that often contain cryptic evidence for the nature and timing of early metamorphic events.     

Time calibration of a P–T path from a Variscan high-temperature low-pressure metamorphic complex (Bayerische Wald, Germany), and the detection of inherited monazite

A temperature–time path was constructed for high-temperature low-pressure (HT–LP) migmatites of the Bayerische Wald, internal zone of the Variscan belt, Germany. The migmatites are characterised by prograde biotite dehydration melting, peak metamorphic conditions of approximately 850 °C and 0.5–0.7 GPa and retrograde melt crystallisation at 800 °C. The time-calibration of the pressure–temperature path is based on U–Pb dating of single zircon and monazite grains and titanite separates, on ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages obtained by incremental heating experiments on hornblende separates, single grains of biotite and K-feldspar, and on ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar spot fusion ages of biotite determined in situ from sample sections. Additionally, crude estimates of the duration of peak metamorphism were derived from garnet zoning patterns, suggesting that peak temperatures of 850 °C cannot have prevailed much longer than 2.5 Ma. The temperature–time paths obtained for two areas approximately 30 km apart do not differ from each other considerably. U–Pb zircon ages reflect crystallisation from melt at 850–800 °C at 323 Ma (southeastern area) and 326 Ma (northwestern area). The U–Pb ages of monazite mainly coincide with those from zircon but are complicated by variable degrees of inheritance. The preservation of inherited monazite and the presence of excess ²⁰⁶Pb resulting from the incorporation of excess ²³⁰Th in monazite formed during HT–LP metamorphism suggest that monazite ages in the migmatites of the Bayerische Wald reflect crystallisation from melt at 850–800 °C and persistence of older grains at these temperatures during a comparatively short thermal peak. The U–Pb ages of titanite (321 Ma) and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of hornblende (322–316 Ma) and biotite (313–309 Ma) reflect cooling through the respective closure temperatures of approximately 700, 570–500 and 345–310 °C published in the literature. Most of the feldspars' ages (305–296 Ma) probably record cooling below 150–300 °C, while two grains most likely have higher closure temperatures. The temperature–time paths are characterised by a short thermal peak, by moderate average cooling rates and by a decrease in cooling rates from 100 °C/my at temperatures between 850–800 and 700 °C to 11–16 °C/my at temperatures down to 345–310 °C. Further cooling to feldspar closure for Ar was probably even slower. The lack of decompressional features, the moderate average cooling rates and the decline of cooling rates with time are not easily reconciled with a model of asthenospheric heating, rapid uplift and extension due to lithospheric delamination as proposed elsewhere. Instead, the high peak temperatures at comparatively shallow crustal levels along with the short thermal peak require external advective heating by hot mafic or ultramafic material. Received: 7 July 1999 / Accepted: 28 October 1999     

Crustal response to continental collisions between the Tibet, Indian, South China and North China Blocks: geochronological constraints from the Songpan-Garzê Orogenic Belt, western China

We report SHRIMP U–Th–Pb monazite, conventional U–Pb titanite, Sm–Nd garnet and Rb–Sr muscovite and biotite ages for metamorphic rocks from the Danba Domal Metamorphic Terrane in the eastern Songpan‐Garzê Orogenic Belt (eastern Tibet Plateau). These ages are used to determine the timing of polyphase metamorphic events and the subsequent cooling history. The oldest U–Th–Pb monazite and Sm–Nd garnet ages constrain an early Barrovian metamorphism (M1) in the interval c. 204–190 Ma, coincident with extensive Indosinian granitic magmatism throughout the Songpan‐Garzê Orogenic Belt. A second, higher‐grade sillimanite‐grade metamorphic event (M2), recorded only in the northern part of the Danba terrane, was dated at c. 168–158 Ma by a combination of U–Th–Pb monazite and titanite and Sm–Nd garnet ages. It is suggested that M1 was a thermal event that affected the entire orogenic belt while M2 may represent a local thermal perturbation. Rb–Sr muscovite ages range from c. 138–100 Ma, whereas Rb–Sr biotite ages cluster at c. 34–24 Ma. These ages document regional cooling at rates of c. 2–3 °C Myr^?1 following the M1 peak for most of the terrane. However, those parts of the terrane affected by the higher‐temperature M2 event (e.g. the migmatite zone) experienced initially more rapid (c. 8 °C Myr^?1) cooling after peak M2 before joining the regional slow cooling path defined by the rest of the terrane at c. 138 Ma. Regional slow cooling between c. 138 and c. 30 Ma is thought to be the result of post‐tectonic isostatic uplift after extensive crustal thickening caused by collision of the South and North China Blocks. The clustering of biotite Rb–Sr ages marks the onset of rapid uplift across the entire terrane commencing at c. 30–20 Ma. This cooling history is shared with many other regions of the Tibet Plateau, suggesting that uplift of the Tibet Plateau (including the Songpan‐Garzê Orogenic Belt) occurred predominantly in the last c. 30 Myr as a response to the continuing northwards collision of India with Eurasia.     

High T/P evolution and metamorphic ages of the migmatitic basement of northern Sierras Pampeanas,Argentina: Characterization of a mid-crustal segment of the Famatinian belt

New petrologic, thermobarometric and U-Pb monazite geochronologic information allowed to resolve the metamorphic evolution of a high temperature mid-crustal segment of an ancient subduction-related orogen. The El Portezuelo Metamorphic-Igneous Complex, in the northern Sierras Pampeanas, is mainly composed of migmatites that evolved from amphibolite to granulite metamorphic facies, reaching thermal peak conditions of 670–820 °C and 4.5–5.3 kbar. The petrographic study combined with conventional and pseudosection thermobarometry led to deducing a short prograde metamorphic evolution within migmatite blocks. The garnet-absent migmatites represent amphibolite-facies rocks, whereas the cordierite-garnet-K-feldspar-sillimanite migmatites represent higher metamorphic grade rocks. U-Pb geochronology on monazite grains within leucosome record the time of migmatization between ≈477 and 470 Ma. Thus, the El Portezuelo Metamorphic-Igneous Complex is an example of exhumed Early Ordovician anatectic middle crust of the Famatinian mobile belt. Homogeneous exposure of similar paleo-depths throughout the Famatinian back-arc and isobaric cooling paths suggest slow exhumation and consequent longstanding crustal residence at high temperatures. High thermal gradients uniformly distributed in the Famatinian back-arc can be explained by shallow convection of a low-viscosity asthenosphere promoted by subducting-slab dehydration.     

U–Pb isotopic constraints on diachronous metamorphism in the northern Monashee complex, southern Canadian Cordillera

U–Pb isotopic data from the northern Monashee complex, one of the deepest structural exposures in the southern Canadian Cordillera, indicate that the age of metamorphism varies according to structural position in a 6 km thick section. This metamorphism resulted in an unusual sequence in which rocks with the lowest-grade mineral assemblage (kyanite–sillimanite–staurolite–muscovite) are underlain and overlain by higher-grade rocks. Xenotime and monazite U–Pb dates vary progressively from 64 Ma in the structurally highest rocks to 49 Ma in the deepest rocks. Discordant U–Pb ages from Proterozoic and Cretaceous monazite and titanite are used to interpret the thermal significance of the early Tertiary dates. The discordant analyses define linear arrays with lower intercepts that broadly overlap with early Tertiary, and the amount of discordance varies with structural level; it is least in the deeper rocks and greatest in higher rocks. Electron microprobe work showed that the monazite discordance in the deeper rocks resulted from Tertiary mineral overgrowth and recrystallization rather than Pb diffusion. We use previous studies of Pb diffusion and the fact that Proterozoic monazite and titanite suffered only negligible to moderate amounts of diffusive Pb loss to contend that elevated temperatures (c. 600–650 °C are inferred from pelitic mineral assemblages) existed in the deeper rocks for a short duration, perhaps a few million years. The downwards younging 64–49 Ma U–Pb dates are interpreted as closely reflecting xenotime and monazite growth ages rather than cooling ages or substantially reset ages based on the lack of Pb diffusion in monazite and the previously obtained ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar data which suggest that rapid cooling occurred immediately after the U–Pb dates. In addition, growth ages are interpreted as thermal peak ages based on U–Pb dates from coeval kyanite-bearing leucosomes, the consistent nature of the U–Pb dates throughout the study area, and petrographic relationships which suggest that monazite grew before or during development of the syn-metamorphic foliation. These interpretations lead us to conclude that metamorphism was diachronous according to structural level, with higher rocks attaining peak temperatures and cooling rapidly while deeper rocks were heating towards a thermal peak that was attained a few million years later. This thermal scenario requires that higher rocks cannot have been the heat source for the deeper metamorphism, as was previously proposed.     

U–Pb evidence for a polyorogenic evolution of the HP–HT units of the NW Iberian Massif

. A isotope dilution thermal ionisation mass spectrometry U-Pb geochronological study was carried out on the high-pressure and high-temperature units (HP-HT units) overlying the oceanic suture in the Allochthonous Complexes of the NW Iberian Variscan Belt. The rocks investigated are seven granulite- to eclogite-facies paragneisses and one leucosome within mafic high-pressure granulites in the Ordenes and Cabo Ortegal Complexes of NW Spain. U-Pb dating of zircon, monazite, titanite and rutile reveal the presence of a pervasive Early Ordovician metamorphic event at ca. 500-480 Ma and a later Early Devonian event at ca. 400-380 Ma. The U-Pb ages, in conjunction with petrological and structural data, indicate that the high-pressure event recorded by these rocks is Early Ordovician in age. Monazite ages in the paragneisses suggest that peak metamorphic conditions were reached at ca. 500-485 Ma. Subsequently, the rock ensemble underwent exhumation accompanied by partial melting and zircon growth at ca. 485-470 Ma. Melting of mafic granulites was coeval with this latter episode as indicated by zircon crystallisation age in the leucosomes dated at ca. 486 Ma. Based on these data and on the general features of magmatism and metamorphic evolution, it is proposed that this process took place at a convergent plate boundary within a peri-Gondwanan oceanic domain. Monazite, titanite and rutile data in some of the samples studied show evidence of a second metamorphic episode that took place between ca. 400 and 380 Ma (with a peak at ca. 390-385 Ma). This Early Devonian event, at variance with the previous one, was not pervasive, but, rather, was localised in areas of intense Variscan tectonothermal reworking. It is claimed that this later metamorphic event was recorded by the U-Pb system in areas where monazite and titanite growth was enhanced by fluid circulation in highly strained rocks (Variscan shear zones). According to previous structural studies and Ar-Ar dating of fabrics, this Early Devonian episode took place as the HP-HT units were deformed and thrusted upon the ophiolitic units in the early stages of the Variscan collision.     

Post-granulite facies monazite growth and rejuvenation during Permian to Lower Jurassic thermal and fluid events in the Ivrea Zone (Southern Alps)

U-Pb analyses of single monazite grains from two granulite facies metapelites in the Ivrea Zone (Southern Alps) reveal the presence, in both samples, of at least three different ages and prove that earlier interpretations of supposedly concordant monazite data as cooling ages are unwarranted. One group of monazite data defines a subconcordant discordia line with an upper intercept age of 293.4 ± 5.8 Ma and a lower intercept age of 210 ± 14 Ma. The upper intercept is interpreted as the real cooling age of the monazites. The lower intercept is interpreted as an episode of fluid-driven Pb-loss, indicated by the presence of internal and external corrosion structures not only of the monazites but also of the zircons in the same samples that are also rejuvenated at 210 ± 12 Ma. Another group of monazite data lies above the concordia. The presence of excess ²⁰⁶Pb indicates that these crystals have grown below the monazite blocking temperature, thus after the granulite facies metamorphism. The age of growth of the new monazite crystals is approached by their ²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U ages that range between 273 and 244 Ma. The two groups of post-cooling age (post-293.4 ± 5.8 Ma) monazite data correspond to two distinct late- and post-Variscan geotectonic regimes that affected the Southern Alps, (1) Permian transtension with decompression and anatectic melting; (2) Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic rifting with geographically dispersed hydrothermal activity and alkaline magmatism. Received: 7 July 1998 / Accepted: 4 November 1998     

Zircon and monazite response to prograde metamorphism in the Reynolds Range, central Australia

We report an extensive field-based study of zircon and monazite in the metamorphic sequence of the Reynolds Range (central Australia), where greenschist- to granulite-facies metamorphism is recorded over a continuous crustal section. Detailed cathodoluminescence and back-scattered electron imaging, supported by SHRIMP U–Pb dating, has revealed the different behaviours of zircon and monazite during metamorphism. Monazite first recorded regional metamorphic ages (1576 ± 5 Ma), at amphibolite-facies grade, at ∼600 °C. Abundant monazite yielding similar ages (1557 ± 2 to 1585 ± 3 Ma) is found at granulite-facies conditions in both partial melt segregations and restites. New zircon growth occurred between 1562 ± 4 and 1587 ± 4 Ma, but, in contrast to monazite, is only recorded in granulite-facies rocks where melt was present (≥700 °C). New zircon appears to form at the expense of pre-existing detrital and inherited cores, which are partly resorbed. The amount of metamorphic growth in both accessory minerals increases with temperature and metamorphic grade. However, new zircon growth is influenced by rock composition and driven by partial melting, factors that appear to have little effect on the formation of metamorphic monazite. The growth of these accessory phases in response to metamorphism extends over the 30 Ma period of melt crystallisation (1557–1587 Ma) in a stable high geothermal regime. Rare earth element patterns of zircon overgrowths in leucosome and restite indicate that, during the protracted metamorphism, melt-restite equilibrium was reached. Even in the extreme conditions of long-lasting high temperature (750–800 °C) metamorphism, Pb inheritance is widely preserved in the detrital zircon cores. A trace of inheritance is found in monazite, indicating that the closure temperature of the U–Pb system in relatively large monazite crystals can exceed 750–800 °C. Received: 7 April 2000 / Accepted: 12 August 2000     

U-Pb chronology of the Northampton Complex, Western Australia – evidence for Grenvillian sedimentation, metamorphism and deformation and geodynamic implications

Conventional and SHRIMP U-Pb analyses of zircon, monazite, titanite and apatite from the high grade rocks of the Northampton Complex in Western Australia provide constraints on the timing of metamorphic processes and deformation events in the northern Darling Mobile Belt (western margin of the Archean Yilgarn Craton). Paragneisses and mafic volcanics and/or intrusions have undergone granulite facies metamorphism in a probable extensional tectonic setting prior to formation of W- to NW-verging folds and thrusts cut by normal shears (interpreted as late collapse structures) during the main deformation event (D₁). These structures are folded by open to tight folds with NW-striking axial surfaces developed in a second, NE-SW contractional event (D₂). Zircons from a mafic granulite provide an age of 1079 ± 3 Ma attributed to new zircon growth prior to, or at the peak of regional granulite facies metamorphism. Metamorphic monazites extracted from a paragneiss yield an identical age of 1083 ± 3 Ma. The similarity of ages between zircons from the mafic granulite (1079 ± 3 Ma) and monazites from the paragneiss (1083 ± 3 Ma) is interpreted to reflect fast cooling and/or rapid uplift, which is consistent with thrusting of the gneissic units during the first deformation event (D₁) associated with the onset of retrograde metamorphism. Granitic activity at 1068 ± 13 Ma was followed by intrusion of post-D₂ pegmatite (989 ± 2 Ma), which constrains the end of metamorphism and associated deformation. Cooling of the complex to about 500 °C is timed by the apatite age of 921 ± 23 Ma. SHRIMP U-Pb ages of detrital zircons from a paragneiss sample yield a maximum age of 2043 Ma, with no evidence of an Archean Yilgarn signature. A majority of ages between 1.6 and 1.9 Ga are consistent with derivation from the Capricorn Orogen on the northern margin of the Yilgarn Craton. Younger detrital zircons with 1150–1450 Ma ages, however, indicate an additional source that had undergone early Grenvillian igneous or metamorphic event(s) and also places a maximum age constraint upon deposition. The source of this clastic material may have been from within the southern Darling Mobile Belt or from Greater India (adjacent to the Northampton Complex in Rodinia reconstructions). This study documents an extended Grenvillian history, with basin formation, sedimentation, granulite facies metamorphism, contractional tectonics (two periods with orthogonal directions of shortening) and late pegmatite emplacement taking place between 1150–989 Ma on the western margin of the Yilgarn Craton. Ages recorded in this study indicate that the proposed global distribution of Grenvillian belts during assembly of the Rodinia supercontinent should be reassessed to include the Darling Mobile Belt. Received: 7 January 1998 / Accepted: 10 March 1999     

Multi-mineral geochronology: insights into crustal behaviour during exhumation of an orogenic root

Under rare conditions, reworked cratons and their margins preserve the orogenic roots of ancient mountain-building events. However, based on the preservation of high-temperature (~?800?°C), middle and lower crustal metamorphic assemblages, present day exposure of these terrains is not simply a result of protracted denudation, but also must reflect a multifaceted exhumational history. In situ analysis within thin section preserves the textural setting of target minerals that can be used as thermochronometers such as U-Pb of zircon, monazite, titanite and apatite, and Sm-Nd of apatite. In situ analyses of these chronometers has the potential to provide critical timing constraints on exhumation processes related to decompression, melting and cooling across large metamorphic terrains. The Repulse Bay block of the Rae craton preserves a large composite amphibolite–granulite area (50,000 km²) of Archean orthogneiss, migmatite, and slivers of Proterozoic metasediments that underwent high-grade metamorphism, partial melting, ductile flow and finally exhumation during the Paleoproterozoic Trans-Hudson Orogeny. The granulite domain preserves dry granitoid assemblages, whereas the amphibolite domain is dominated by hydrated migmatites and orthogneiss. Metasediments occur in both domains and preserve mineral assemblages that are consistent with having undergone tectonometamorphic conditions of ~?9 kbar/800?°C during burial. U-Pb thermochronometers document identical cooling histories of the granulite and amphibolite domains through the U-Pb closure temperatures of titanite (~?650?°C) and apatite (~?450?°C). This suggests that melt-loss from the underlying granulite domain and melt-gain to the amphibolite domain prior to cooling through 650?°C are a controlling factor of the metamorphic assemblages across the composite granulite–amphibolite terrains such as the Repulse Bay block, rather than significant differences in burial history, cooling history, and/or reorganization of the crust.     

内蒙古西部狼山地区晚古生代变质事件的厘定及其地质意义——来自乌拉山岩群LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年的新证据

乌拉山岩群是狼山地区最重要的前寒武纪变质基底之一,准确测定其原岩成岩与变质时代,对于进一步探讨狼山地区前寒武纪地质演化具有重要的意义。对狼山地区乌拉山岩群角闪黑云斜长片麻岩及其伴生的花岗质浅色脉体进行了岩石学和锆石U-Pb年代学研究。碎屑锆石U-Pb定年和野外地质调查表明,狼山地区乌拉山岩群角闪黑云斜长片麻岩碎屑锆石年龄介于2591～1800Ma之间,其中最小一组碎屑锆石年龄为1873Ma,结合其约270Ma的变质年龄,初步限定乌拉山岩群角闪黑云斜长片麻岩的原岩沉积年龄为1873～270Ma。综合新的研究资料,认为狼山地区乌拉山岩群除存在新太古代—古元古代变质岩外,可能还存在中元古代—晚古生代变沉积岩。锆石阴极发光图像与U-Pb定年结果综合表明,角闪黑云斜长片麻岩中发育大量变质锆石,获得的206Pb/238U年龄加权平均值为269±4Ma,代表狼山地区乌拉山岩群遭受晚古生代末期角闪岩相变质作用的时代,可能与华北板块与西伯利亚板块晚古生代末期碰撞造山作用有关。此外,采用预剥蚀方法,在乌拉山岩群高硅花岗质浅色脉体高U锆石中,获得的~(206)Pb/~(238)U年龄加权平均值为264±3Ma,被解释为乌拉山岩群花岗质浅色脉体的形成时代,代表本区晚古生代造山作用由同碰撞挤压向碰撞后伸展转换的时限。     

Separating metamorphic events in the Fosdick migmatite–granite complex,West Antarctica

The Fosdick migmatite–granite complex in West Antarctica records evidence for two high‐temperature metamorphic events, the first during the Devonian–Carboniferous and the second during the Cretaceous. The conditions of each high‐temperature metamorphic event, both of which involved melting and multiple melt‐loss events, are investigated using phase equilibria modelling during successive melt‐loss events, microstructural observations and mineral chemistry. In situ SHRIMP monazite and TIMS Sm–Nd garnet ages are integrated with these results to constrain the timing of the two events. In areas that preferentially preserve the Devonian–Carboniferous (M₁) event, monazite grains in leucosomes and core domains of monazite inclusions in Cretaceous cordierite yield an age of c. 346 Ma, which is interpreted to record the timing of monazite growth during peak M₁ metamorphism (～820–870 °C, 7.5–11.5 kbar) and the formation of garnet–sillimanite–biotite–melt‐bearing assemblages. Slightly younger monazite spot ages between c. 331 and 314 Ma are identified from grains located in fractured garnet porphyroblasts, and from inclusions in plagioclase that surround relict garnet and in matrix biotite. These ages record the growth of monazite during garnet breakdown associated with cooling from peak M₁ conditions. The Cretaceous (M₂) overprint is recorded in compositionally homogeneous monazite grains and rim domains in zoned monazite grains. This monazite yields a protracted range of spot ages with a dominant population between c. 111 and 96 Ma. Rim domains of monazite inclusions in cordierite surrounding garnet and in coarse‐grained poikiloblasts of cordierite yield a weighted mean age of c. 102 Ma, interpreted to constrain the age of cordierite growth. TIMS Sm–Nd ages for garnet are similar at 102–99 Ma. Mineral equilibria modelling of the residual protolith composition after Carboniferous melt loss and removal of inert M₁ garnet constrains M₂ conditions to ～830–870 °C and ～6–7.5 kbar. The modelling results suggest that there was growth and resorption of garnet during the M₂ event, which would facilitate overprinting of M₁ compositions during the M₂ prograde metamorphism. Measured garnet compositions and Sm–Nd diffusion modelling of garnet in the migmatitic gneisses suggest resetting of major elements and the Sm–Nd system during the Cretaceous M₁ overprint. The c. 102–99 Ma garnet Sm–Nd ‘closure’ ages correspond to cooling below 700 °C during the rapid exhumation of the Fosdick migmatite–granite complex.     

Protracted fluid-induced melting during Barrovian metamorphism in the Central Alps

The timing and dynamics of fluid-induced melting in the typical Barrovian sequence of the Central Alps has been investigated using zircon chronology and trace element composition. Multiple zircon domains in leucosomes and country rocks yield U–Pb ages spanning from ~32 to 22 Ma. The zircon formed during Alpine melting can be distinguished from the inherited and detrital cores on the basis of their age, Th/U (<0.1) and trace element composition. Ti-in-zircon thermometry indicates crystallization temperatures around 620–700°C. Their composition allows discriminating between (1) zircon formation in the presence of early garnet, (2) zircon in equilibrium with abundant L-MREE-rich accessory phases (allanite, titanite and apatite) typical of metatonalites, and (3) zircon formed during melting of metasediments in feldspar-dominated assemblages. The distribution of zircon overgrowths and ages indicate that repeated melting events occurred within a single Barrovian metamorphic cycle at roughly constant temperature; that in the country rocks zircon formation was limited to the initial stages of melting, whereas further melting concentrated in the segregated leucosomes; that melting occurred at different times in samples a few meters apart because of the local rock composition and localized influx of the fluids; and that leucosomes were repeatedly melted when fluids became available. The geochronological data force a revision of the temperature–time path of the migmatite belt in the Central Alps. Protracted melting over 10 My followed the fast exhumation of Alpine eclogites contained within the same region and preceded fast cooling in the order of 100°C/Ma to upper crustal levels.     

Conventional and in situ geochronology of the Teplá Crystalline unit, Bohemian Massif: implications for the processes involving monazite formation

The Teplá Crystalline unit (TCU), western Bohemian Massif, proves highly suitable for studying the effects of differential metamorphic reworking on the U–Th–Pb systematics in monazite, as the overprint of Variscan regional metamorphism onto high-grade Cadomian paragneisses intensifies progressively towards the northwest. Although variably hampered by scarcity, small size, and low uranium contents of monazite, isotope dilution–thermal ionisation mass spectrometry of monazite from paragneisses from the garnet, staurolite, and kyanite zones of the TCU gives a narrow ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age range from 387 to 382 Ma for Variscan peak metamorphism. These data are supported by 382–373 Ma monazite ages derived from electron microprobe analyses. Inheritance of older components in grains from the central TCU imply major “resetting” of pre-Variscan monazite around 380 Ma, possibly due to widespread garnet growth during Variscan metamorphism, which led to the consumption of pre-Variscan high-Y monazite and subsequent growth of new low-Y monazite. Concordant 498–494 Ma monazite ages in a migmatitic paragneiss close to the adjacent Mariánské Lázně Complex (MLC) grew in response to metagabbro emplacement in the MLC from 503 to 496 Ma and not during either Cadomian or Variscan regional metamorphism. Backscatter imaging and electron microprobe analyses reveal that discordant monazite of the migmatite comprises a mix of various age domains that range from ca. 540 to 380 Ma. Combined evidence presented here suggests that instead of Pb loss by volume diffusion, the apparent resetting of the U–Th–Pb systematics in monazite rather involves new crystal growth or regrowth by recrystallisation and dissolution/reprecipitation.     

Growth, annealing and recrystallization of zircon and preservation of monazite in high-grade metamorphism: conventional and in-situ U-Pb isotope, cathodoluminescence and microchemical evidence

Zircon and monazite from granulite- to amphibolite-facies rocks of the Vosges mountains (central Variscan Belt, eastern France) were dated by ion-microprobe and conventional U-Pb techniques. Different granulites of igneous (so-called leptynites) and sedimentary origin (kinzigites) and their leucosomes were dated at 334.9 ± 3.6, 335.4 ± 3.6 and 336.7 ± 3.5 Ma (conventional age 335.4 ± 0.6 Ma). Subsequent growth stages of zircon were distinguished by secondary electron (SEM) and cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging: (1) subsolidus growth producing round anhedral morphologies and sector zoning; (2) appearance of an intergranular fluid or melt phase at incipient dehydration melting that first resulted in resorption of pre-existing zircons, followed by growth of acicular zircons or overgrowths on round zircons consisting of planar growth zoning; (3) advanced melting producing euhedral prismatic zircons with oscillatory zoning overgrowing the sector zones. Two further lithologies, the Kaysersberg granite and the Trois-Epis units, were both formerly considered as migmatites. The intrusion of the Kaysersberg granite was dated at 325.8 ± 4.8 Ma. The Trois-Epis unit was found to be the product of volume recrystallization of a former granulite, which occurred under amphibolite-facies conditions 327.9 ± 4.4 Ma ago. The amphibolite-facies overprint of the Trois-Epis zircons led to the complete rejuvenation of most of the zircon domains by annealing and replacement/recrystallization processes. Annealing is assumed to occur in strained lattice domains, which are possibly disturbed by high trace element contents and/or large differences in decay damage between adjacent growth zones. Investigation of cathodoluminescence structures reveals that the replacement occurs along curved chemical reaction fronts that proceed from the surface towards the interior of the zircon. The monazite U-Pb system still records the age of high-grade metamorphism at around 335 Ma. The chemical reagent responsible for the rejuvenation of zircon obviously left the monazite unaffected. Received: 19 February 1998 / Accepted: 19 October 1998     

Ordovician high-grade metamorphism of a newly recognised late Neoproterozoic terrane in the northern Harts Range,central Australia

Granulite facies rocks from the northernmost Harts Range Complex (Arunta Inlier, central Australia) have previously been interpreted as recording a single clockwise cycle of presumed Palaeoproterozoic metamorphism (800–875 °C and >9–10 kbar) and subsequent decompression in a kilometre‐scale, E‐W striking zone of noncoaxial, high‐grade (c. 700–735 °C and 5.8–6.4 kbar) deformation. However, new SHRIMP U‐Pb age determinations of zircon, monazite and titanite from partially melted metabasites and metapelites indicate that granulite facies metamorphism occurred not in the Proterozoic, but in the Ordovician (c. 470 Ma). The youngest metamorphic zircon overgrowths from two metabasites (probably meta‐volcaniclastics) yield ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 478±4 Ma and 471±7 Ma, whereas those from two metapelites yield ages of 463±5 Ma and 461±4 Ma. Monazite from the two metapelites gave ages equal within error to those from metamorphic zircon rims in the same rock (457±5 Ma and 462±5 Ma, respectively). Zircon, and possibly monazite ages are interpreted as dating precipitation of these minerals from crystallizing melt within leucosomes. In contrast, titanite from the two metabasites yield ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages that are much younger (411±5 Ma & 417±7 Ma, respectively) than those of coexisting zircon, which might indicate that the terrane cooled slowly following final melt crystallization. One metabasite has a second titanite population with an age of 384±7 Ma, which reflects titanite growth and/or recrystallization during the 400–300 Ma Alice Springs Orogeny. The c. 380 Ma titanite age is indistinguishable from the age of magmatic zircon from a small, late and weakly deformed plug of biotite granite that intruded the granulites at 387±4 Ma. These data suggest that the northern Harts Range has been subject to at least two periods of reworking (475–460 Ma & 400–300 Ma) during the Palaeozoic. Detrital zircon from the metapelites and metabasites, and inherited zircon from the granite, yield similar ranges of Proterozoic ages, with distinct age clusters at c. 1300–1000 and c. 650 Ma. These data imply that the deposition ages of the protoliths to the Harts Range Complex are late Neoproterozoic or early Palaeozoic, not Palaeoproterozoic as previously assumed.     

Exhumation of subducted continental crust along the arc region

The Kutná Hora crystalline complex (KHCC) in the Bohemian Massif is a HP/HT complex adjacent to the magmatic arc. It is dominated by migmatite, orthogneiss and granulite with bodies of eclogite and peridotite. The KHCC migmatite consists of K-feldspar, plagioclase, quartz, phengite, biotite, garnet and kyanite. Melting conditions were estimated at 780 °C and >16 kbar and inferred melt volume varies between 1 and 4 vol%. Peak temperature is 865 °C at 18–19 kbar followed by decompression in the presence of melt to 12–13 kbar and 770–800 °C. U-Pb monazite geochronology reveals a spread of ages between 550 Ma and 330 Ma. REE patterns show low Yb/Gd for 550–500 Ma, high Yb/Gd for ages at ~480 Ma, and decreasing Yb/Gd towards ~340 Ma. First monazite in equilibrium with garnet constrains the HP metamorphism to ~350 Ma, which is followed by recrystallization of monazite down to 325 Ma. U-Pb zircon geochronology displays an age range from ~670 Ma to ~430 Ma. The broad age range records a span of protolith crystallization and/or old metamorphism. The presence of HP ky + mu migmatite, their P–T path, protolith zircon and monazite metamorphic ages and whole-rock geochemistry are similar to HP migmatites in the Eger crystalline complex (ECC) in the Saxothuringian domain further in the west. We propose the following geodynamic scenario for subduction-relamination-exhumation mechanism: (i) subduction of the Saxothuringian continental lithosphere at 360 Ma related to early stage of trans-lithospheric diapirism triggered by arc-related magma weakening; (ii) large-scale emplacement of relaminant into the upper plate lithosphere at 350–340 Ma; and (iii) return flow of the relaminant along the subduction interface (the ECC) and emplacement of relaminant in the upper–middle crust in the rear part of the arc system (the KHCC) at 340–330 Ma.     

Alpine and pre-Alpine magmatism in the root-zone of the western Central Alps

 The highest grade of metamorphism and associated structural elements in orogenic belts may be inherited from earlier orogenic events. We illustrate this point using magmatic and metamorphic rocks from the southern steep belt of the Lepontine Gneiss Dome (Central Alps). The U-Pb zircon ages from an anatectic granite at Verampio and migmatites at Corcapolo and Lavertezzo yield 280–290 Ma, i.e., Hercynian ages. These ages indicate that the highest grade of metamorphism in several crystalline nappes of the Lepontine Gneiss Dome is pre-Alpine. Alpine metamorphism reached sufficiently high grade to reset the Rb-Sr and K-Ar systematics of mica and amphibole, but generally did not result in crustal melting, except in the steep belt to the north of the Insubric Line, where numerous 29 to 26 Ma old pegmatites and aplites had intruded syn- and post-kinematically into gneisses of the ductile Simplon Shear Zone. The emplacement age of these pegmatites gives a minimum estimate for the age of the Alpine metamorphic peak in the Monte Rosa nappe. The U-Pb titanite ages of 33 to 31 Ma from felsic porphyritic veins represent a minimum-age estimate for Alpine metamorphism in the Sesia Zone. A porphyric vein emplaced at 448±5 Ma (U-Pb monazite) demonstrates that there existed a consolidated Caledonian basement in the Sesia Zone. Received: 23 May 1995/Accepted: 12 October 1995