Hornblende-dehydration melting in mafic rocks and the link between massif-type charnockite and associated granulites,Eastern Ghats Granulite Belt,India

A massif-type (intrusive) charnockite body in the Eastern Ghats granulite belt, India, is associated with hornblende-bearing mafic granulite, two-pyroxene granulite and enderbitic granulite. The charnockite is characterised by pervasive gneissic foliation (S₁). This is axial planar to the folded layers of hornblende-bearing mafic granulite (F₁ folds), indicating that the granulite protoliths were present before the development of S₁. Two-pyroxene granulite and enderbitic granulite occur as lenticular patches disposed along the foliation and hence could be syngenetic to S₁. The tonalitic to granodioritic, metaluminous to weakly peraluminous compositions and relatively high Sr/Rb of the charnockite are consistent with its derivation by partial melting of a mafic protolith. Strong Y depletion, lack of Sr depletion and strongly fractionated REE patterns with high (La/Yb)_N ratio, but relatively lower HREE (Gd/Lu) fractionation with marked positive Eu anomalies, suggest major residual hornblende (as well as garnet), but not plagioclase, consistent with the hornblende dehydration melting in the source rocks. Such a residual mineralogy is broadly similar to those of some of the hornblende-bearing mafic granulite inclusions, which have compositional features indicative of a restitic nature. Quantitative modelling supports an origin for the charnockite melts by partial melting of a hornblende-rich mafic granulite source, although source heterogeneity is very likely given the rather variable trace element contents of the charnockite. The whole-rock and mineral compositions of the two-pyroxene granulites and enderbitic granulites are consistent with them representing peritectic phase segregations of hornblende-dehydration melting. A clockwise P-T path implies that melting could have occurred in thickened continental crust undergoing decompression.Editorial responsibility: T.L. Grove     

Superposed deformation and inherited structures in an ancient dilational step-over zone: Post-mortem of the Rengali Province,India

In the eastern Indian shield, a dextral strike-slip system juxtaposed the Archaean Singhbhum Province against the Proterozoic Eastern Ghats Belt at ∼490–470 Ma. Two WNW–ESE trending strands of the strike-slip system enclose a multiply deformed (D₁ to D₃) intervening domain called the Rengali Province, with D₃ representing dextral shearing. In a granulite lens within the province, an early fabric (S_gr) was deformed by an amphibolite facies D₁–D₂ deformation continuum in the late Archaean time, forming cylindrical folds. In the surrounding quartzofeldspathic gneisses, quartzites and mica schists of the province, superimposition of syn-D₃ shortening on D₁-D₂ folds generated complex non-cylindrical geometries; the granulites escaped D₃ strain. Microstructures in the province-bounding shear zones confirm that D₃ deformation was associated with mylonitization, dynamic recrystallization and greenschist facies metamorphism. In the quartzites, syn-D₃ folds can be correlated with rotation of D₁–D₂ structures through the shortening zone of bounding dextral shears. Since the province-bounding shears form a step-over zone, the structural complexity within the Rengali Province arises from superposition of syn-D₃ shortening structures on initially asympathetically oriented inherited cylindrical D₁-D₂ folds. Hydrous fluid channeling causing greenschist facies metamorphism and quartz vein emplacement accompanied D₃ as the step-over zone was dilational in nature.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987114001297

The southern boundary of the Singhbhum Craton witnessed multiple orogenies that juxtaposed thin slice of granulite suite of the Rengali Province against the low-grade granite-greenstone belt of the cra...     

Evidence for structural discordance in the inverted metamorphic sequence of Sikkim Himalaya: Towards resolving the Main Central Thrust controversy

Inverted metamorphism in the Himalayas is closely associated with the Main Central Thrust (MCT). In the western Himalayas, the Main Central Thrust conventionally separates high grade metamorphic rocks of the Higher Himalayan Crystalline Sequence (HHCS) from unmetamorphosed rocks of the Inner sedimentary Belt. In the eastern Himalayas, the Inner sedimentary Belt is absent, and the HHCS and meta-sedimentary Lesser Himalayan Sequence (LHS) apparently form a continuous Barrovian metamorphic sequence, leading to confusion about the precise location of the MCT. In this study, it is demonstrated that migmatitic gneisses of the sillimanite zone in the higher structural levels of the HHCS are multiply deformed, with two phases of penetrative fabric formation (S_1HHCS and S_2HHCS) followed by third folding event associated with a spaced, NW-SE trending, north-east dipping foliation (S_3HHCS). The underlying LHS schists (kyanite zone and lower) are also multiply deformed, with the bedding S₀ being isoclinally folded (F_1LHS), and subsequently refolded (F_2LHS and F_3LHS). The contact zone between the HHCS and LHS is characterized by ductile, top-to-the southwest shearing and stabilization of a pervasive foliation that is consistently oriented NW-SE and dips northeast. This foliation is parallel to the S_3HHCS foliation in the HHCS, and the S_2LHS in the LHS. Early lineations in the HHCS and LHS also show different dispersions across the contact shear zone, implying that pre-thrusting orientations of the two units were distinct. The contact shear zone is therefore interpreted to be a plane of structural discordance, shows a shear sense consistent with thrust movement and is associated with mineral growth during Barrovian metamorphism. It may well be considered to represent the MCT in this region.     

胶-辽-吉构造带中段古元古代辽河群早期构造事件(D_1)中构造要素几何学特征及其动力学来源

华北克拉通东部陆块中胶-辽-吉构造带在古元古代经历了复杂的变形-变质-岩浆事件。前人工作中,对于辽河群早期构造事件(D_1)的形成背景还存在较大的争议。本文针对辽河群第一期变形(D_1)中产生的各种构造要素,进行了详细的野外构造解析工作。D_1中构造要素主要包括了透入性面理S_1、褶皱F_1及其剪切带SZ_1。其中变泥质岩透入性S1面理劈理域主要由石英、云母、长石和石榴子石等矿物定向排列组成,矿物组合显示了绿片岩相变质作用。F_1褶皱包含了紧闭褶皱、倒转褶皱、鞘褶皱和平卧褶皱等。与D_1相关构造要素的几何学及其运动学特征都指示了D_1形成于挤压环境的动力学背景。此外,研究区辽河群内不仅可以观察到大量的倒转地层,还可见与第一期构造事件(D_1)相关的逆冲断层及其断层相关褶皱,同样指示了D_1形成于挤压环境。结合区域上变质作用和岩浆作用的资料,本研究认为:(1)南、北辽河群中泥质岩及其基性岩都经历了顺时针的P-T-t演化轨迹,M_2变质级别达到了中压环境,过程与地壳的挤压增厚相关,而不是与裂谷过程的低压变质作用相关;(2)花岗岩和基性岩的地球化学和年代学特征显示了胶-辽-吉构造带中段古元古代经历了俯冲作用的影响。综上,辽河群早期构造事件(D_1)受到俯冲挤压的影响,形成于俯冲(造山)背景。     

Petrotectonic framework of granulites from northern part of Chilka Lake area,Eastern Ghats Belt,India: Compressional vis-à-vis transpressional tectonics

Granulite-facies rocks occurring north-east of the Chilka Lake anothosite (Balugan Massif) show a complex metamorphic and deformation history. The M₁–D₁ stage is identified only through microscopic study by the presence of S₁ internal foliation shown by the M₁ assemblage sillimanite–quartz–plagioclase–biotite within garnet porphyroblasts of the aluminous granulites and this fabric is obliterated in outcrop to map-scale by subsequent deformations. S₂ fabric was developed at peak metamorphic condition (M₂–D₂) and is shown by gneissic banding present in all lithological units. S₃ fabric was developed due to D₃ deformation and it is tectonically transposed parallel to S₂ regionally except at the hinge zone of the F₃ folds. The transposed S₂/S₃ fabric is the regional characteristic structure of the area. The D₄ event produced open upright F₄ folds, but was weak enough to develop any penetrative foliation in the rocks except few spaced cleavages that developed in the quartzite/garnet–sillimanite gneiss. Petrological data suggest that the M₄–D₄ stage actually witnessed reactivation of the lower crust by late distinct tectonothermal event. Presence of transposed S₂/S₃ fabric within the anorthosite arguably suggests that the pluton was emplaced before or during the M₃–D₃ event. Field-based large-scale structural analyses and microfabric analyses of the granulites reveal that this terrain has been evolved through superposed folding events with two broadly perpendicular compression directions without any conclusive evidence for transpressional tectonics as argued by earlier workers. Tectonothermal history of these granulites spanning in Neoproterozoic time period is dominated by compressional tectonics with associated metamorphism at deep crust.     

Metamorphic zonal sequences of pelitic schists and gneisses from the area around Kandra (Jharkhand): Constraints from field and textural relationship

The pelitic schists of the area around Kandra, Singhbhum district, Jharkhand belong to the Chaibasa Formation of the Singhbhum Group, which constitute a part of the youngest Precambrian orogenic cycle of the Singhbhum region. Structurally, the area represents the Singhbhum anticlinorium and is overlain by Dalma traps which form the synclinorium towards the north of the area around Kandra. This area mainly consists of medium to high grade rocks belonging to greenschist and amphibolite facies. These rocks are folded in the E-W trending doubly plunging folds (F₁) overturned towards the south with low plunges and superposed by cross-folds (F₂). The spatial distribution of the index minerals in the pelitic schists of the area shows Barrovian type of metamorphism. Four isograds, viz. biotite, garnet, staurolite and sillimanite have been delineated by the first appearance of the index minerals and also by isograd reactions. The textural relation suggests that sillimanite is formed from staurolite consumption reaction instead of kyanite consumption.     

Structural and geochronological constraints on the tectonic evolution of the Dulong-Song Chay tectonic dome in Yunnan province, SW China

The Dulong-Song Chay tectonic dome lies on the border of China (SE Yunnan Province) and northern Vietnam, and consists of two tectonic and lithologic units: a core complex and a cover sequence, separated by an extensional detachment fault. These two units are overlain unconformably by Late Triassic strata. The core complex is composed of gneiss, schist and amphibolite. SHRIMP zircon U–Pb dating results for the orthogneiss yield an age of 799±10 Ma, which is considered to be the crystallization age of its igneous protolith formed in an arc-related environment. A granitic intrusion within the core complex occurred with an age of 436–402 Ma, which probably formed during partial closure of Paleotethys. Within the core complex, metamorphic grades change sharply from upper greenschist-low amphibolite facies in the core to low greenschist facies in the cover sequence. There are two arrays of foliation within the core complex, detachment fault and the cover sequence: S₁ and S₂. The pervasive S₁ is the axial plane of intrafolial S₀ folds. D₁ deformation related to this foliation is characterized by extensional structures. The strata were structurally thinned or selectively removed along the detachment faults, indicating exhumation of the Dulong-Song Chay tectonic dome. The major extension occurred at 237 Ma, determined by SHRIMP zircon U–Pb and ³⁹Ar/⁴⁰Ar isotopic dating techniques. Regionally, simultaneous tectonic extension was associated with pre-Indosinian collision between the South China and Indochina Blocks. The S₂ foliation appears as the axial plane of NW-striking S₁ buckling folds formed during a compressional regime of D₂. D₂ is associated with collision between the South China and Indochina Blocks along the Jinshajiang-Ailao Shan suture zone, and represents the Indosinian deformation. The Dulong granites intruded the Dulong-Song Chay dome at 144±2, 140±2 and 116±10 Ma based on ³⁹Ar/⁴⁰Ar measurement on muscovite and biotite. The dome was later overprinted by a conjugate strike-slip fault and related thrust fault, which formed a vortex structure, contemporaneously with late Cenozoic sinistral movement on the Ailao Shan-Red River fault.     

辽西台里黑云母二长花岗岩地球化学特征及锆石U-Pb年代学

辽西台里地区花岗质岩石主要由花岗质片麻岩、斑状花岗质片麻岩和黑云母二长花岗岩等组成,这些花岗质岩石均曾被视为新太古代花岗岩。根据各类花岗质岩石的产状序次关系确定,块状/片麻状黑云母二长花岗岩呈岩脉或岩枝状侵入太古宙花岗质片麻岩和斑状花岗质片麻岩中,分别出露于研究区南北两侧。地球化学研究表明,黑云母二长花岗岩属于准铝质-弱过铝质的I型花岗岩,显示火山弧花岗岩的特点。黑云母二长花岗岩中锆石组成复杂,大量继承性锆石和新生锆石共存。新生锆石岩浆结晶特征明显,内部发育振荡生长环带,并具较高的Th/U值（0.15~1.70）。两个样品的新生锆石U-Pb定年结果（加权平均年龄）分别为(153.7±2.0) Ma和(153.7±4.7) Ma。研究表明,黑云母二长花岗岩为源自下地壳中基性火成岩的晚侏罗世花岗质侵入岩,其构造背景与古太平洋板块向亚洲大陆下俯冲作用有关。     

南秦岭汉阴北部金矿田控矿要素研究及找矿方向建议

选取南秦岭汉阴北部金矿田内黄龙、长沟和金斗坡典型矿区为研究区,通过野外大比例尺构造-岩相填图、剖面实测、综合编图等工作,结合前人研究成果,查明了金矿田的控矿要素,并指出了有利的找矿勘探方向。综合研究表明,汉阴北部金矿田的矿化严格受控于志留系梅子垭组的不同岩性段;脆-韧性剪切带控制了矿床的空间分布,次级断层控制矿体产出的具体部位;S₂面理对金矿化有显著的制约作用;促使石榴子石和黑云母变斑晶发育的热变质作用能够引起原始岩层中金元素发生活化,且热变质作用的晚期为退变质期,退变质期的适宜温度有利于金元素富集成矿。矿田内的金矿勘探应重点选在脆-韧性剪切带内,尤其针对不同岩性的接触面、次级断层面附近、石榴子石与黑云母变斑晶密集发育区周缘等区域,矿体追索方向应依照S₂面理的空间优势展布方向。      

Post-collisional melting of crustal sources: constraints from geochronology,petrology and Sr,Nd isotope geochemistry of the Variscan Sichevita and Poniasca granitoid plutons (South Carpathians,Romania)

The Sichevita and Poniasca plutons belong to an alignment of granites cutting across the metamorphic basement of the Getic Nappe in the South Carpathians. The present work provides SHRIMP age data for the zircon population from a Poniasca biotite diorite and geochemical analyses (major and trace elements, Sr–Nd isotopes) of representative rock types from the two intrusions grading from biotite diorite to biotite K-feldspar porphyritic monzogranite. U–Pb zircon data yielded 311 ± 2 Ma for the intrusion of the biotite diorite. Granites are mostly high-K leucogranites, and biotite diorites are magnesian, and calcic to calc-alkaline. Sr, and Nd isotope and trace element data (REE, Th, Ta, Cr, Ba and Rb) permit distinguishing five different groups of rocks corresponding to several magma batches: the Poniasca biotite diorite (P₁) shows a clear crustal character while the Poniasca granite (P₂) is more juvenile. Conversely, Sichevita biotite diorite (S₁), and a granite (S₂*) are more juvenile than the other Sichevita granites (S₂). Geochemical modelling of major elements and REE suggests that fractional crystallization can account for variations within P₁ and S₁ groups. Dehydration melting of a number of protoliths may be the source of these magma batches. The Variscan basement, a subduction accretion wedge, could correspond to such a heterogeneous source. The intrusion of the Sichevita–Poniasca plutons took place in the final stages of the Variscan orogeny, as is the case for a series of European granites around 310 Ma ago, especially in Bulgaria and in Iberia, no Alleghenian granitoids (late Carboniferous—early Permian times) being known in the Getic nappe. The geodynamical environment of Sichevita–Poniasca was typically post-collisional of the Variscan orogenic phase.     

Origin of megacrystic felsic gneisses at Broken Hill

Three sheet‐like bodies of felsic gneiss containing abundant K‐feldspar megacrysts (megacrystic felsic gneiss, augen gneiss or granite gneiss) surrounding the Broken Hill Line of Lode in western New South Wales, Australia, are inferred to be pre‐ to syn‐D₁ granitoids. We interpret the Feral gneiss to be a pre‐ to early syn‐D₁ intrusion, as it contains S₁ as its earliest foliation. However, it has no magmatic flow foliation. The Alma Gneiss, and the megacrystic portions of the Rasp Ridge Gneiss, northwest of the Line of Lode, both contain S₁ parallel to a magmatic flow foliation, and are interpreted as having been magmatic during D₁. Therefore, the Alma and Rasp Ridge Gneisses may have been intruded during D₁, probably just after the Feral gneiss, as the Alma Gneiss intrudes the Feral gneiss. S₁ in the augen gneisses and the wall rocks is defined by biotite, sillimanite, garnet and ribbon quartz, and indicates that high‐grade metamorphic conditions accompanied D₁. Evidence suggesting that these rocks were originally granitoids includes: (i) the Alma Gneiss transecting and intricately intruding the Feral gneiss, the contacts being transected by S₁; (ii) euhedral to subhedral K‐feldspar porphyroclasts (former phenocrysts), especially those with concentrically arranged inclusions; (iii) microgranitoid enclaves, particularly where megacrystic and relatively large; (iv) aplite dykes (most common in plutonic rocks and therefore reliable indicators); (v) metasedimentary xenoliths; (vi) magmatic flow foliations overprinted by parallel tectonic foliations; and (vii) chemical affinities with undoubted Australian Proterozoic granitoids. Therefore, felsic gneisses at Broken Hill should not be used for stratigraphic correlation, unless they can be definitely determined to be of volcanic flow or tuffaceous origin. The inferred intrusion of granitoids early in the tectonic history of the Broken Hill Block suggests that they may have contributed to the metamorphic and/or hydrothermal heat, and may have helped concentrate metals to form orebodies.     

Formation of elliptical garnet in a metapelitic enclave by melt-assisted dissolution and reprecipitation

Metapelitic residual enclaves in the Neogene Volcanic Province of SE Spain are residues left after melt extraction. Glass (quenched melt) of granitic composition occurs as inclusions in most minerals and as intergranular pockets. The most common enclave types show one stage of garnet growth that is interpreted to have occurred at the same time as glass production. Some of these show a well‐developed foliation outlined by fibrolite, biotite, graphite and glass, which wraps around elongate garnet crystals that have aspect ratios up to 10:1. Based on microstructures and chemistry, the garnet within these rocks shows clear core and mantle structure. The core has an average composition of Alm₇₆–Prp₀₈–Sps₁₄–Grs₀₃ and contains primary inclusions of biotite and melt, trapped during garnet growth. A thin (c. 100 μm), irregular mantle overgrows the garnet core, enclosing oriented fibrolite inclusions in strain caps, and biotite in strain shadows. In places, the overgrowths form skeletal elongated arms, which extend parallel to the foliation. The garnet mantle contains less Mn and higher X_Mg, but both core and mantle display flat Mn profiles, the contact being a sharp break. Ternary feldspar and Grt–Bt thermometry yield temperatures in the range 800–900 °C, with no systematic differences among the different microstructural domains of elliptical garnet. Based on the observed intracrystalline microstructures, the high amount of melt extraction in the rock by flattening component strain and the chemical zoning of garnet, the formation of elliptical garnet is modelled by a multistage sequence. This involves pressure solution and reprecipitation of the core, followed by post‐kinematic, partly mimetic growth of the garnet mantle.     

西藏南部康马岩体岩石类型及其同位素测年

康马岩体位于西藏南部康马县城北侧 ,其内部可划分出 5种不同的岩石类型 :(1)片麻状黑云二长花岗岩 ;(2 )眼球状黑云二长花岗岩 ;(3)片麻状二云母二长花岗岩 ;(4 )弱片麻状细粒黑云二长花岗岩 ;(5 )变质的暗色辉长辉绿岩。前两类为康马岩体的主体岩石类型 ,侵位时代为加里东早期 (约4 78～ 4 6 1Ma) ;其余均呈脉状产出 ,其中片麻状二云母二长花岗岩与康马岩体主体岩石类型属于同期产物 ,弱片麻状细粒黑云二长花岗岩形成于海西早期 ((339.0± 1.2 )Ma) ,暗色辉长辉绿岩的形成时代目前还不十分清楚。不同类型的岩石其Ar Ar冷却年龄约为 18～ 14Ma。     

Geology, geochemistry, and U–Pb geochronology of the Archean (2.74 Ga) Serra do Rabo granite stocks, Carajás Metallogenetic Province, northern Brazil

The Carajás region, located in the southeastern part of the Amazon Craton, has been considered one of the most important mineral provinces in the world. The Serra do Rabo Granite (SRG) crops out near the eastern termination of the Carajás fault as two granite stocks, elongated approximately in an E–W direction, concordant with the regional structures. Leucomicrocline granite, hornblende–microcline granite, biotite–hornblende–microcline granite, hornblende syenogranite, and subordinate aplite are identified. The granites are grayish pink and coarse to medium grained and have mainly hypidiomorphic granular texture. Granophyric textures are common. The accessory minerals are ilmenite, apatite, zircon, allanite, and rare pyroxene.The SRG rocks are either massive or foliated, with a slightly anastomosed continuous S₁ foliation (E–W/subvertical) outlined by the preferred orientation of quartz, feldspars, and mafic minerals. Locally, decimeter- to meter-wide mylonite/ultramylonite bands (S_1m) occur along the E–W foliation. The S₁ foliation was developed under higher temperatures than those of the S_1m mylonite foliation. The SRG structural evolution was controlled by progressive deformation under decreasing temperature, indicative of syntectonic emplacement. The SRG also has relatively high SiO₂, K₂O, and Na₂O contents; high FeO*/(FeO*+MgO) ratios; high Zr, Ba, Nb, and Ga; and very high rare-earth element contents. The chemical signature is moderately alkaline and metaluminous, comparable to that of the A-type, A2, and ALK-3 granites. The origin of the SRG magmas may be related to the partial melting of crustal sources, such as previously metamorphosed calc-alkaline granites.The SRG crosscuts supracrustal rocks, promoting low-pressure/high-temperature metamorphism. The interaction between regional compressive stresses and the ballooning effect of the granite stocks promoted slight aureole flattening and rheological changes in the supracrustal rocks. The U–Pb zircon age of 2743±1.6 Ma is interpreted as the age of zircon crystallization, granite stock emplacement, and regional horizontal shortening. Other 2.7 Ga syntectonic alkaline granites (e.g. Estrela, Plaquê, Planalto) have been reported in the region.     

Evolution of the Mount Woods Inlier, northern Gawler Craton, Southern Australia: an integrated structural and aeromagnetic analysis

Structural mapping integrated with interpretation and forward modelling of aeromagnetic data form complimentary and powerful tools for regional structural analysis because both techniques focus on architecture and overprinting relationships. This approach is used to constrain the geometry and evolution of the sparsely exposed Mount Woods Inlier in the northern Gawler Craton. The Mount Woods Inlier records a history of poly-phase deformation, high-temperature metamorphism, and syn- and post-orogenic magmatism between ca. 1736 and 1584 Ma. The earliest deformation involved isoclinal folding, and the development of bedding parallel and axial planar gneissic foliation (S₁). This was accompanied by high-temperature, upper amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism at ca. 1736 Ma. During subsequent north–south shortening (D₂), open to isoclinal south–southeast-oriented F₂ folds developed as the Palaeoproterozoic successions of the inlier were thrust over the Archaean nuclei of the Gawler Craton. The syn-D₂ Engenina Adamellite was emplaced at ca. 1692 Ma. The post-D₂ history involved shear zone development and localised folding, exhumation of metamorphic rocks, and deposition of clastic sediments prior to the emplacement of the ca. 1584 Ma Granite Balta Suite. The Mount Woods Inlier is interpreted as the northern continuation of the Kimban Orogen.     

Progressive development of structures in a ductile shear zone

In the Singhbhum Shear Zone of eastern India successive generations of folds grew in response to a progressive ductile shearing. During this deformation a mylonitic foliation was initiated and was repeatedly transposed. The majority of fold hinges were formed in an arcuate manner at low angles to the Y-axis in an E-W trending subhorizontal position and major segments of the fold hinges were then rotated towards the down-dip northerly plunging X-axis. The striping and intersection lineations were rotated in the same manner. The down-dip mylonitic lineation is a composite structure represented by rotated early lineations and newly superimposed stretching lineations. The consistent asymmetry of the folds, the angular relations between C and S surfaces and the evidence of two-dimensional boudinage indicate that the deformation was non-coaxial, but with a flattening type of strain with λ₁ ⪢ λ₂. The degree of non-coaxiality varied both in space and time. From the progressive development of mesoscopic structures it is concluded that the 2–3 km wide belt of ductile shear gave rise to successive anastomosing shear zones of mesoscopic scale. When a new set of shear lenses was superimposed on already sheared rocks, the preexisting foliation generally lay at a low angle to the lenses. No new folds developed where the acute angle was sympathetic to the sense of shear displacements. Where the acute angle was counter to the sense of shear, the pre-existing foliation, lying in the instantaneous shortening field, was deformed into a set of asymmetric folds.     

Petrography and mineral chemistry of Alkaline-Carbonatite Complex in Singhbhum Crustal Province,Purulia region,Eastern India

The variant rock types of an Alkaline-Carbonatite Complex (ACC) comprising alkali pyroxenite, nepheline syenite, phoscorite, carbonatite, syenitic fenite and glimmerite along with REE and Nb-mineralization are found at different centres along WNW-ESE trending South Purulia Shear Zone (SPSZ) in parts of Singhbhum Crustal Province. The ACC occurs as intrusions within the Mesoproterozoic Singhbhum Group of rocks. Alkali pyroxenite comprises of aegirine augite, magnesiotaramite, magnesiokatophorite as major constituents. Pyrochlore and eucolite are ubiquitous in nepheline syenite. Phoscorite contains fluorapatite, dahllite, collophane, magnetite, hematite, goethite, phlogopite, calcite, sphene, monazite, pyrochlore, chlorite and quartz. Coarse fluorapatite shows overgrowth of secondary apatite (dahllite). Secondary apatite is derived from primary fluorapatite by solution and reprecipitation. The primary fluorapatite released REE to crystallize monazite grains girdling around primary apatite. Carbonatite is composed dominantly of Srcalcite along with dolomite, tetraferriphlogopite, phlogopitic biotite, aegirine augite, richterite, fluorapatite, altered magnetite, sphene and monazite. The minerals comprising of the carbonatite indicate middle stage of carbonatite development. Fenite is mineralogically syenite. Glimmerite contains 50–60% tetraferriphlogopite. An alkali trend in the evolution of amphiboles (magnesiotaramite-magnesiokatophorite-richterite) and chinopyroxenes (aegirine augite, aegirine) during the crystallization of the suite of rocks is noted. Monazite is the source of REE in phoscorite and carbonatite. Fluorapatite has low contents of REE, PbO, ThO₂ and UO₂. Pyrochlore reflects Nb-mineralization in nepheline syenite and it is enriched in Na₂O, CaO, TiO₂, PbO and UO₂. Pyrochlore containing UO₂ (6.605%) and PbO (0.914%) in nepheline syenite has been chemically dated at 948 ± 24 Ma by EPMA.     

Evidence for 1808–1770 Ma bimodal magmatism,sedimentation, high-temperature deformation and metamorphism in the Aileron Province,central Australia

Field relationships and LA-ICP-MS U–Pb geochronology from the Yundurbungu Hills (Aileron Province, central Australia) reveal a record of 1808–1770 Ma bimodal magmatism, sedimentation, high-temperature deformation and metamorphism. Specifically, the data presented here provide the first unequivocal evidence for ca 1774 Ma high-temperature deformation and metamorphism during the 1790–1770 Ma Yambah Event in the southern part of the North Australian Craton. Granitic lithologies were synkinematically emplaced between 1808 and 1770 Ma, with early phases recording D₁ deformation and the youngest phase postdating D₁ deformation. The protolith to a D₁ deformed metasedimentary unit was deposited between 1792 and 1774 Ma, followed by the intrusion and deformation of a composite mafic–felsic magmatic association at ca 1774 Ma. An S₁ migmatitic fabric in the composite mafic–felsic gneiss is truncated by the youngest (ca 1770 Ma) phase of granitic magmatism, constraining the timing of S₁ deformation. A second period of sedimentation appears to post-date D₁ deformation, with deposition occurring sometime after ca 1774 Ma. Subsequent overprinting during the 1590–1550 Ma Chewings Event is recorded by the growth of metamorphic monazite and zircon. This event deformed the ca 1774 Ma S₁ gneissic fabric, producing a composite S₁/S₂ gneissic fabric in early metasedimentary and magmatic lithologies and a simple S₂-only fabric in lithologies that were intruded or deposited after ca 1774 Ma. Consistent with previous work, we suggest that localised high-temperature deformation and bimodal magmatism at ca 1774 Ma in the Yundurbungu Hills is consistent with a back-arc setting linked to prolonged north-directed subduction.     

Lithological and Structural Controls on the Genesis of Emerald Occurrences and their Exploration Implications in and around Gurabanda Area,Singhbhum Crustal Province,Eastern India

Emerald, the green gem variety of beryl (Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈), is the third most valuable gemstone after diamond and ruby. The green colour appearance of the crystal is due to trace of Cr³⁺ and V³⁺, which replaces Al³⁺ ions in the crystal lattice of beryl. The hue of green colour of emerald depends on the quantity of Cr³⁺ and V³⁺ present in the crystal. Be is incorporated along with Cr and/or V during the process of crystallization. Since Be is relatively rare in the upper continental crust, therefore specific geological and geochemical parameters are required for Be to be incorporated in the crystal lattice of emerald.The present work was carried out to understand the lithological and structural control of emerald occurrences in and around Gurabanda area within the Singhbhum shear zone (SSZ) of Singhbhum crustal province, eastern India. The biotite and serpentine schist belong to the Paleoproterozoic Dhanjori Group and constitute the major lithology of the area. Pegmatite and biotite schist contains a variety of gem minerals in abundance in the area and the gem quality emerald occur at the contact zone of quartz vein and mica-schist. Lithology and structure are the main controlling factors of gem-mineralization in the study area. The study indicates that regional metamorphism and deformation processes along the shear zone played a significant role in the formation of emerald deposits. It is inferred that Singhbhum shear zone facilitated a favourable condition, where the Be bearing pegmatites interacted with Cr bearing mica schist or ultramafic rocks to produce emerald crystal.