Precise U–Pb dating of Paleoproterozoic mafic dyke swarms of the Dharwar craton,India: Implications for the existence of the Neoarchean supercraton Sclavia

We report seven high precision U–Pb age determinations for mafic dykes from a number of major Precambrian swarms located in the Dharwar craton, south India. These new age results define two previously unrecognized widespread Paleoproterozoic dyking events at 2221–2209 and 2181–2177 Ma, and confirm a third at 2369–2365 Ma. Three parallel E–W trending mafic dykes from the petrographically and geochemically variable Bangalore dyke swarm, the most prominent swarm in the Dharwar craton, yield indistinguishable U–Pb baddeleyite ages of 2365.4 ± 1.0, 2365.9 ± 1.5 and 2368.6 ± 1.3 Ma, indicating rapid emplacement in less than five million years. A compilation of Paleoproterozoic U–Pb ages for mafic magmatic events worldwide indicates that the 2369–2365 Ma Bangalore dyke swarm represents a previously unrecognized pulse of mafic magmatism on Earth.     

Contrasting crustal evolution processes in the Dharwar craton: Insights from detrital zircon U–Pb and Hf isotopes

New in situ U–Pb-Hf analyses of detrital zircons from across the Archaean Dharwar craton indicate significant juvenile crustal extraction events at ~ 3.3 and 2.7 Ga, and continuous extraction from 3.7 to 3.3 Ga. Reworking in the older western block at ~ 3.0 Ga marks the onset of cratonisation, most likely due to ‘modern’ plate tectonic processes, whilst reworking in both the western and younger eastern block at 2.55–2.50 Ga indicates accretion of the two terranes and final cratonisation much later than in most other Archaean terranes (~ 2.7 Ga). Different patterns of disturbance to the zircon U–Pb systematics reflect variations in both the U content of parent rocks and later metamorphic conditions. Tectonic links are observed between the Kaapvaal and western Dharwar cratons, and between the north China and eastern Dharwar cratons, though none of these links necessarily requires a consanguineous origin.     

Geochemical and Sm–Nd isotopic study of titanite from granitoid rocks of the eastern Dharwar craton,southern India

Titanite occurs as an accessory phase in a variety of igneous rocks, and is known to concentrate geologically important elements such as U, Th, rare earth element (REE), Y and Nb. The differences in the abundances of the REEs contained in titanite from granitoid rocks could reflect its response to changes in petrogenetic variables such as temperature of crystallization, pressure, composition, etc. Widespread migmatization in the granodiorite gneisses occurring to the east of Kolar and Ramagiri schist belts of the eastern Dharwar craton resulted in the enrichment of the REEs in titanite relative to their respective host rocks. A compositional influence on the partitioning of REEs between titanite and the host rock/magma is also noticed. The relative enrichment of REEs in titanite from quartz monzodiorite is lower than that found in the granodioritic gneiss. Depletion of REE and HFSE (high field-strength elements) abundances in granitic magmas that have equilibrated with titanite during fractional crystallization or partial melting has been modelled. As little as 1% of titanite present in residual phases during partial melting or in residual melts during fractional crystallization can significantly lower the abundances of trace elements such as Nb, Y, Zr and REE which implies the significance of this accessory mineral as a controlling factor in trace element distribution in granitoid rocks. Sm–Nd isotope studies on titanite, hornblende and whole rock yield isochron ages comparable to the precise U–Pb titanite ages, invoking the usefulness of Sm–Nd isochron ages involving minerals like titanite.     

Petrogenesis of 3.15 Ga old Banasandra komatiites from the Dharwar craton,India: Implications for early mantle heterogeneity

Spinifex-textured.magnesian(MgO 25 wt.%) komatiites from Mesoarchean Banasandra greenstone belt of the Sargur Group in the Dharwar craton,India were analysed for major and trace elements and~(147,146)Sm-~(143,142)Nd systematics to constrain age,petrogenesis and to understand the evolution of Archean mantle.Major and trace element ratios such as CaO/Al_2O_3.Al_2O_3/TiO_2,Gd/Yb,La/Nb and Nb/Y suggest aluminium undepleted to enriched compositional range for these komatiites.The depth of melting is estimated to be varying from 120 to 240 km and trace-element modelling indicates that the mantle source would have undergone multiple episodes of melting prior to the generation of magmas parental to these komatiites.Ten samples of these komatiites together with the published results of four samples from the same belt yield ~(147)Sm-~(143)Nd isochron age of ca.3.14 Ga with an initial ε_(Nd)(f) value of+3.5.High precision measurements of ~(142)Nd/~(144)Nd ratios were carried out for six komatiite samples along with standards AMES and La Jolla.All results are within uncertainties of the terrestrial samples.The absence of~(142)Nd/~(144)Nd anomaly indicates that the source of these komatiites formed after the extinction of ~(146)Sm,i.e.4.3 Ga ago.In order to evolve to the high ε_(Nd)(t) value of +3.5 by 3.14 Ga the time-integrated ratio of~(147)Sm/~(144)Nd should be 0.2178 at the minimum.This is higher than the ratios estimated,so far,for mantle during that time.These results indicate at least two events of mantle differentiation starting with the chondritic composition of the mantle.The first event occurred very early at ~4.53 Ga to create a global early depleted reservoir with superchondritic Sm/Nd ratio.The source of Isua greenstone rocks with positive ~(142)Nd anomaly was depleted during a second differentiation within the life time of ~(146)Sm,i.e.prior to 4.46 Ga.The source mantle of the Banasandra komatiite was a result of a differentiation event that occurred after the extinction of the ~(146)Sm,i.e.at 4.3 Ga and prior to 3.14 Ga.Banasandra komatiites therefore provide evidence for preservation of heterogeneities generated during mantle differentiation at4.3 Ga.     

Pb–Pb baddeleyite ages of mafic dyke swarms from the Dharwar Craton: Implications for Paleoproterozoic LIPs and diamond potential of mantle keel

The Dharwar Craton in Peninsular India was intruded by a series of mafic dykes during the Paleoproterozoic and these mafic magmatic events have important implications on continental rifting and LIPs. Here we report ten precise Pb–Pb TE-TIMS age determinations on baddeleyite grains separated from seven mafic dykes and three sills, intruding into Archean basement rocks and Proterozoic sedimentary formations of the Eastern Dharwar Craton respectively. The crystallization age of the baddeleyite shows 2366.3 ​± ​1.1 ​Ma, and 2369.2 ​± ​0.8 ​Ma for the NE–SW trending dykes, 2368.1 ​± ​0.6 ​Ma, 2366.4 ​± ​0.8 ​Ma, 2207.2 ​± ​0.7 ​Ma and 1887.3 ​± ​1.0 ​Ma for the ENE–WNW to E–W striking dykes, 1880.6 ​± ​1.0 ​Ma, 1864.3 ​± ​0.6 ​Ma and 1863.6 ​± ​0.9 ​Ma for Cuddapah sills, and 1861.8 ​± ​1.4 ​Ma for the N–S trending dyke. Our results in conjunction with those from previous studies identify eight distinct stages of widespread Paleoproterozoic magmatism in the Dharwar craton. The mantle plume centres of the four radiating dyke swarms with ages of ~2367 ​Ma, ~2210 ​Ma, ~2082 ​Ma, and ~1886 ​Ma were traced to establish their proximity to the EDC kimberlite province. Though the ~2367 ​Ma and ~1886 ​Ma plume centres are inferred to be located to the west and east of the present day Dharwar craton respectively away from the kimberlite province, location of plume heads of the other two swarms with ages of ~2207 ​Ma and ~2082 ​Ma are in close proximity. In spite of the ubiquitous occurrence of dyke intrusions of all the seven generations in the kimberlite province, only few of these kimberlites are diamondiferous. Kimberlite occurrences elsewhere in the vicinity of older Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) like the Mackenzie, Karoo, Parana-Etendeka and Yakutsk-Vilui are also non-diamondiferous. This has been attributed to the destruction of the lithospheric mantle keel (that hosts the diamonds) by the respective mantle plumes. The diamondiferous nature of the EDC kimberlites therefore suggests that plume activity does not always result in the destruction of the mantle keel.     

Petrology and Sr-Nd isotope systematics of the Ahobil kimberlite (Pipe-16) from the Wajrakarur field,Eastern Dharwar craton,southern India

Detailed mineralogical, bulk-rock geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic data for the recently discovered Ahobil kimberlite(Pipe-16) from the Wajrakarur kimberlite field(WKF), Eastern Dharwar craton(EDC),southern India, are presented. Two generations of compositionally distinct olivine, Ti-poor phlogopite showing orangeitic evolutionary trends, spinel displaying magmatic trend-1, abundant perovskite, Tirich hydrogarnet, calcite and serpentine are the various mineral constituents. On the basis of(i) liquidus mineral composition,(ii) bulk-rock chemistry, and(iii) Sr-Nd isotopic composition, we show that Ahobil kimberlite shares several characteristic features of archetypal kimberlites than orangeites and lamproites. Geochemical modelling indicate Ahobil kimberlite magma derivation from small-degree melting of a carbonated peridotite source having higher Gd/Yb and lower La/Sm in contrast to those of orangeites from the Eastern Dharwar and Bastar cratons of Indian shield. The T_Dm Nd model age(～2.0 Ga) of the Ahobil kimberlite is(i) significantly older than those(1.5～1.3 Ga) reported for Wajrakarur and Narayanpet kimberlites of EDC,(ii) indistinguishable from those of the Mesoproterozoic EDC lamproites,and(iii) strikingly coincides with the timing of the amalgamation of the Columbia supercontinent. High bulk-rock Fe-Ti contents and wide variation in oxygen fugacity fO_2, as inferred from perovskite oxybarometry, suggest non-prospective nature of the Ahobil kimberlite for diamond.     

Geochemistry of granitoids of Bilgi area,northern part of eastern Dharwar craton,southern India — Example of transitional TTGs derived from depleted source

Mildly deformed granitoids exposed around Bilgi in the northernmost part of the eastern Dharwar craton are divided into two groups viz. granodiorites and monzogranites. The granodiorites contain microgranular enclaves and amphibolite xenoliths, and show low-Al TTG affinity with high SiO₂ (71–74 %), Na₂O, Y and Sr/Y, moderate to moderately high Mg#, Cr and Ni, low to moderate LILE, and low Nb and Ta. However, compared to similar TTGs from different cratons the Bilgi granodiorites have distinctly higher K₂O, K₂O/Na₂O, Rb and lower REE and Th. The amphibolite xenoliths are characterized by variable enrichment of K₂O, Rb, Ba and Th and depletion of Ti, Zr and P compared to MORB. The microgranular enclaves are quartz diorite to granodiorite in composition with high Mg, Ni and Cr, and compared to MORB, are enriched in LILE and depleted in Ti and Y. The monzogranites, compared to the granodiorites, display higher SiO₂, K₂O and Rb with lower Mg#, although still maintaining the high Na₂O, Ni and Cr and low REE character. The Bilgi granodiorites are explained as transitional TTGs late synkinematic with respect to regional deformation. Geochemical signatures and regional geological set up suggest that they are probably derived from partial melting of a highly depleted slab material (metabasalt) followed by variable contamination or assimilation of intermediate crustal rocks in a subduction zone set up. Late stage fluid activity on the granodioritic magma is probably responsible for the generation of monzogranites. The amphibolite xenoliths predate the granodiorites and possibly represent fragments of a schist belt carried away by the granitic magma. They are probably island arc basalt derived from mantle source that has been metasomatized by slab-derived fluids. The microgranular enclaves are coeval with the Bilgi granodiorites and also likely to be island arc magmas derived from mantle variably enriched in slab-derived and within-plate components.     

U–Pb and Hf-isotope analysis of zircons in mafic xenoliths from Fuxian kimberlites: evolution of the lower crust beneath the North China craton

Mafic xenoliths from the Paleozoic Fuxian kimberlites in the North China craton include garnet granulite, and minor pyroxene amphibolite, metagabbro, anorthosite and pyroxenite. The formation conditions of the amphibolites are estimated at 745–820 °C and 7.6–8.8 Kb (25–30 km); the granulites probably are derived from greater depths in the lower crust. LAM-ICPMS U–Pb dating of zircons from four granulites reveals multiple age populations, recording episodes of magmatic intrusion and metamorphic recrystallisation. Concordant ages and upper intercept ages, interpreted as minimum estimates for the time of magmatic crystallisation, range from 2,620 to 2,430 Ma in three granulites, two amphibolites and two metagabbros. Lower intercept ages, represented by near-concordant zircons, are interpreted as reflecting metamorphic recrystallisation, and range from 1,927 to 1,852 Ma. One granulite contains two metamorphic zircon populations, dated at 1,927±55 Ma and 600–700 Ma. Separated minerals from one granulite and one amphibolite yield Sm–Nd isochron ages of 1,619±48 Ma (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd)i=0.51078), and 1,716±120 Ma (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd)i=0.51006), respectively. These ages are interpreted as recording cooling following metamorphic resetting; model ages for both samples are in the range 2.40–2.66 Ga. LAM-MC-ICPMS analyses of zircon show a range in ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf from 0.28116 to 0.28214, corresponding to a range of _Hf from –34 to +12. The relationships between ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age and _Hf show that: (1) the granulites, amphibolites and metagabbro were derived from a depleted mantle source at 2.6–2.75 Ga; (2) zircons in most samples underwent recrystallisation and Pb loss for 100–200 Ma after magmatic crystallisation, consistent with a residence in the lower crust; (3) metamorphic zircons in several samples represent new zircon growth, incorporating Hf liberated from breakdown of silicates with high Lu/Hf; (4) in other samples metamorphic and magmatic zircons have identical ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf, and the younger ages reflect complete resetting of U–Pb systems in older zircons. The Fuxian mafic xenoliths are interpreted as the products of basaltic underplating, derived from a depleted mantle source in Neoarchean time, an important period of continental growth in the North China craton. Paleoproterozoic metamorphic ages indicate an important tectonic thermal event in the lower crust at 1.8–1.9 Ga, corresponding to the timing of collision between the Eastern and Western Blocks that led to the final assembly of the North China craton. The growth of metamorphic zircon at 600–700 Ma may record an asthenospheric upwelling in Neoproterozoic time, related to uplift and a regional disconformity in the North China craton.     

The Taihua group on the southern margin of the North China craton: further insights from U–Pb ages and Hf isotope compositions of zircons

The "Taihua Group" is a collective term for a series of old terranes scattered along the southern margin of the North China Craton. The timing of formation and thermal overprinting of the Taihua Group have long been contentious, and its relationship with the Qinling orogenic belt has been unclear. In this study, new data from integrated in-situ U–Pb dating and Hf isotope analysis of zircons from an amphibolite (from the Xiong’ershan terrane) and a biotite gneiss (from the Lantian-Xiaoqinling terrane) indicate that the Upper Taihua Group formed during the Paleoproterozoic (2.3–2.5 Ga) and thus was originally part of the southern edge of North China Craton, detached during the Mesozoic Qinling orogeny and displaced about 100 km north from its original location. This suggests that the Taihua Group became part of the tectonic terrane associated with the Qinling orogeny and now forms part of the overthrust basement section of the Qinling belt. Before the Qinling orogeny, the Taihua Group was metamorphosed at 2.1 Ga. The initial Hf-isotope compositions of zircons, together with positive εNd(t) values for the whole-rocks, imply that the original magmas were derived from a juvenile source with some assimilation of an Archean crustal component.     

Proterozoic granite magmatism along the terrane boundary tectonic zone to the east of Cuddapah basin, Andhra Pradesh — petrotectonic implications for precambrian crustal growth in Nellore schist belt of eastern Dharwar craton

The area adjoining the western part of Archaean Nellore schist belt and the eastern margin of the Proterozoic Cuddapah basin in south Peninsular India is marked by emplacement of a number of granite plutons of Proterozoic age, intermittently extending over a stretch of 350 km from Vinukonda in the north to Sri Kalahasti in the south. Vinukonda, Darsi, Podili and Anumalakonda plutons are intensely deformed particularly along the margins, while development of crude deformational fabric is noticed in Kanigiri, Rapur and Kayyuru-Vendodu plutons. Petrographically majority of these granites vary from alkali feldspar granite to granite with the exception of Rapur granite which varies from granite to granodiorite. Geochemically they exhibit calc-alkaline trend and in A/NK-A/CNK plot they are positioned at the juncture of peraluminous-metaluminous-peralkaline field. Characteristically, majority of these granites are fluorite bearing. Biotite mineral chemistry suggests high FeO^T contents (31.68 to 34.69 %) and very low MgO contents (0.49 to 2.41 %). Geochemically, these are charecterised by high SiO₂ (69 to 74.5 %), Na₂O+K₂O (8.19 to 10.11%), Zr (280–660ppm), Y (70–340 ppm), Rb content (180–370 ppm) and high REE contents (except Eu); and low CaO (0.01 to 1.99), MgO (0.01 to 0.92%) and Sr (10 ppm to 85 ppm) contents. Rare earth element studies reveal a general enrichment of LREE, pronounced negative Eu anomaly; flat and depleted HREE. Enriched LILE and HFSE contents; presence of fluorite and interstitial biotite indicate that these granites are crystallized from a fluorine saturated magma derived from enriched crustal source. The field setup, distinct mineralogy and chemical characteristics suggest that these granite plutons are emplaced along a major tectonic zone i.e. terrane boundary shear zone (TBSZ) in a late-orogenic to anorogenic tectonic setup, close to the vicinity of a collision boundary zone; western margin of NSB and eastern margin of Nallamalai Fold Belt (NFB). The Proterozoic granite magmatism reported in the present studies represents a significant event of Precambrian crustal growth at the juncture of two tectonically contrasting terranes i.e. the Archaean Nellore schist belt and the Proterozoic Cuddapah basin in eastern Dharwar craton.     

Pb–Pb Age of Carbonate Rocks of the Kamo Group,Baikit Anteclise of the Siberian Platform

Doklady Earth Sciences - The first direct Pb–Pb dating of carbonate rocks of the Kamo Group has been carried out. The Pb–Pb age of carbonates of the lower units (the Madra, Jurubchen,...     

Precambrian geotectonic units of the Río de La Plata craton

The main Precambrian tectonic units of Uruguay include the Piedra Alta tectonostratigraphic terrane (PATT) and Nico Pérez tectonostratigraphic terrane (NPTT), separated by the Sarandí del Yí high-strain zone. Both terranes are well exposed in the Río de La Plata craton (RPC). Although these tectonic units are geographically small, they record a wide span of geologic time. Therefore improved geological knowledge of this area provides a fuller understanding of the evolution of the core of South America. The PATT is constituted by low- to medium-grade metamorphic belts (ca. 2.1 Ga); its petrotectonic associations such as metavolcanic units, conglomerates, banded iron formations, and turbiditic deposits suggest a back-arc or a trench-basin setting. Also in the PATT, a late to post-orogenic, arc-related layered mafic complex (2.3–1.9 Ga), followed by A-type granites (2.08 Ga), and finally a taphrogenic mafic dike swarm (1.78 Ga) occur. The less thoroughly studied NPTT consists of Palaeoproterozoic high-grade metamorphic sequences (ca. 2.2 Ga), mylonites and postorogenic and rapakivi granites (1.75 Ga). The Brasiliano-Pan African orogeny affected this terrane. Neoproterozoic cover occurs in both tectonostratigraphic terranes, but is more developed in the NPTT. Over the past 15 years, new isotopic studies have improved our recognition of different tectonic events and associated processes, such as reactivation of shear zones and fluids circulation. Transamazonian and Statherian tectonic events were recognized in the RPC. Based on magmatism, deformation, basin development and metamorphism, we propose a scheme for the Precambrian tectonic evolution of Uruguay, which is summarized in the first Palaeoproterozoic tectonic map of the Río de La Plata craton.     

Pb—Pb Age of the Bakal Ore Field Riphean Magnesite

For the first time, the age of magnesite in the Lower Riphean Bakal Formation of the Southern Urals is determined by the U—Pb (Pb—Pb) method: it is equal to 1366 ± 47 Ma (MSWD = 18). The stage of magnesite formation of the Bakal ore field was associated with the Mashak rifting pulse and took place prior to the formation of industrial deposits of the Bakal siderite.     

Zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf systematics of the major terranes of the Western Superior Craton,Canada: Mantle-crust interaction and mechanism(s) of craton formation

Paleo-to Neoarchean granitoid gneisses (ca. 3.30 to 2.49 Ga) are well preserved in the Western Superior Craton. Protoliths of these gneisses are mainly I-type granitoids characterized by high Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios and low Mg#, consistent with Archean tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorites. Zircons from granitoid gneisses commonly contain three growth phases: inherited cores (zircon I), magmatic rims (zircon II) and outer rims that have undergone Pb-loss (zircon III). The 3.12 Ga to 2.86 Ga zircon I represent early crustal material, that was captured in younger zircons; zircon II preserve crustal re-working and younger crustal additions that are constrained between 2.85 to 2.72 and 2.69 to 2.65 Ga.Zircon II contains both positive and negative εHf(t) values (−6.3 to +8.1), with both depleted-mantle and older crustal signatures. Half of the magmatic rims (II) are characterized by depleted mantle signatures with positive εHf(t) values representing juvenile crust-forming events, whereas the other half are characterized by recycled crustal signatures with negative εHf(t) values. εHf(t) results show that the North Caribou and the Island Lake terranes and the northern Uchi domain are isotopically more enriched than the southern Uchi, English River, Wabigoon and Winnipeg River terranes, suggesting the northern Uchi margin represents a major terrane boundary.Based on mass balance calculations, large volumes of juvenile material at circa 3.0 Ga mixed with smaller amounts of older crust. The vast majority of the granites were derived from a source with about 50% mantle material during the peak crust formation events after 2.8 Ga. The decline in the volume of felsic magmatism in the later Archean is coeval with a reduced supply of both heat and material from depleted mantle sources. Combined with previously published geochemical, geochronological and isotopic data, this suggests an evolution in felsic magma sources consistent with crustal thickening.     

Geochronology of the Birim Supergroup of the West African craton in the Wa-Bolé region of west-central Ghana: Implications for the stratigraphic framework

The Birim rocks of the West African craton comprise belts of greenschist- to amphibolite-grade gneiss and schist, and subparallel basins of greenschist-grade phyllite of volcaniclastic and epiclastic origin, which were intruded by igneous rocks. The granitoids intruded between 2213 and 2060 Ma and overlap with the volcaniclastic units dated between 2211 and 2064 Ma. The simultaneous occurrence of the magmatic events and irregular distribution of the rock ages hamper the formulation of a stratigraphic succession. SHRIMP spot analyses were done on older cores, crystals and rims from 23 rocks from the Bolé-Wa region in west-central Ghana. The crystallization ages range from 2195 to 2118 Ma, the inherited ages from 2876 to 2130 Ma, and metamorphic ages from 2114 to 2090 Ma. Aided by metamorphic, structural and chemical studies an older geotectonic cycle (2195–2150 Ma), containing the Dole and Guropie Suite and Bolé Group, was established. These units were subjected to several orthogonal and shear deformation events. These events were followed by the contemporaneous Sawla calc-alkaline monzonitic plutonism (2132–2126 Ma) and deposition of the epiclastic Maluwe Group (2137–2125 Ma) of calc-alkaline felsic to tholeiitic volcanic origin. Deformation of the basin beds was succeeded by the intrusion of the Tanina Suite granitoids of 2122–2120 Ma, which, themselves, were deformed prior to 2119 Ma. At 2118 Ma syenite and gabbro intruded along conjugate extension fractures. The gabbro and syenite of the Wakawaka Suite were only affected by three events of brittle strike-slip faulting. The first had significant displacement along NNE- to NE-directed shear zones, while the latter only formed conjugate joint systems with limited transport. Palaeo- to Neoarchaean cores, the oldest yet reported in the Baoulé Mossi domain, are restricted to the gneissic Dole Suite biotite granites. The presence of Dole-, Guropie-, Sawla-, and Tanina-aged older cores and grains in younger rocks reflects continuous reworking of the developing crust during successive magmatic episodes. Zircon rim growth between 2105 and 2090 Ma indicates posttectonic crustal thickening. The low Rb/Sr R_o of ～0.7032 of gabbro and monzonite, and the recycling of the Birim-age crust confirm the primary and juvenile nature of the West African craton after ～2195 Ma. With the various ages obtained, it was possible to link deposition, magmatism and deformation to crustal processes, and establish the cyclic geotectonic evolution in the West Africa craton (individual basin opening and closure) over time as part of an intraoceanic arc–back-arc basin system.     

Genesis of the Late Archean granitoids of the northern part of the Dharwar foreland (Dharwar Craton), south India – Insights from field,crystal size distribution,thermobarometry, microgeochemical and bulk-rock geochemical studies

An intrusive granitoid pluton into TTG-Dharwar Supergroup greenstone sequence is being reported for the first time from the Dharwar Foreland region. Based on field and petrographic characteristics, these granitoids are classified as - quartz-monzodiorites and granites. Occasional mafic bodies of dioritic-granodioritic composition with size ranging from small microgranular magmatic enclaves to bodies of several centimeters are common in these granitoids.The granitoids are devoid of any crystal-plastic fabric as well as high-strain characteristics. The textural (CSD) studies indicate that the quartz-monzodiorites are derived from magma mixing whereas the granites are derived from equilibrium crystallization of the magma derived from the reworking of quartz-monzodiorites. The P-T estimates indicate that the quartz-monzodiorites were crystallized at higher temperature (>950 °C) and pressure (3.09–4.36 kbar) conditions in a reducing environment at mid-crustal levels. However, the granites indicate lower temperature (<750 °C) and pressure (0.89–1.88 kbar) conditions of crystallization in an oxidizing environment at shallow-crustal levels. The bulk rock chemical characteristics indicate that the quartz-monzodiorites were derived from the melt generated by the mixing of two melts - a melt derived from the differentiation of sanukitoids senso lato (s.l.) and a melt derived from the partial melting of TTG. On the other hand, reworking of the hot crystallizing quartz-monzodiorite due to its rapid upliftment to shallow crustal levels resulted in a decompression melting which gave rise to granitic melts.The relative age of the Dharwad granitoids is estimated to be ∼2580–2560 Ma and unlike the other older granitoids (> 2.61 Ga) reported from the northern part of the Shimoga greenstone belt, the studied granitoids marks the final stage of cratonization in the Foreland region.     

Tourmaline from the Archean G.R.Halli gold deposit,Chitradurga greenstone belt,Dharwar craton （India）： Implications for the gold metallogeny

Tourmaline occurs as a minor but important mineral in the alteration zc,ne of the Archean orogenic gold deposit of Guddadarangavanahalli （G.R.Halli） in the Chitradurga greenst~ne belt of the western Dharwar craton, southern India. It occurs in the distal alteration halo of the G.R.Halli golcl deposit as （a） clusters of very fine grained aggregates which form a minor constituent in the natrix of the altered metabasalt （AMB tourmaline） and （b） in quartz-carbonate veins （vein tourmaline）. ~[＇he vein tourmaline, based upon the association of specific carbonate minerals, is further grouped as （i） albite-tourmaline-ankerite-quartz veins （vein-1 tourmaline） and （ii） albite-tourmaline-calcite-quartz veins （vein-2 tourmaline）. Both the AMB tourmaline and the vein tourmalines （vein-I and vein-2） belong to the alkali group and are clas- sified under schorl-dravite series. Tourmalines occurring in the veins are zoned while the AMB tour- malines are unzoned. Mineral chemistry and discrimination diagrams 1eveal that cores and rims of the vein tourmalines are distinctly different. Core composition of the ve：n tourmalines is similar to the composition of the AMB tourmaline. The formation of the AMB tourmaline and cores of the vein tour- malines are proposed to be related to the regional D1 deformational event associated with the emplacement of the adjoining ca. 2.61 Ga Chitradurga granite whilst rims of the vein tourmalines vis-a- vis gold mineralization is spatially linked to the juvenile magmatic accretion （2.56-2.50 Ga） east of the studied area in the western part of the eastern Dharwar craton.     

Towards a complete magmatic barcode for the Zimbabwe craton: Baddeleyite U–Pb dating of regional dolerite dyke swarms and sill complexes

We present baddeleyite U–Pb ages of Neoarchaean to Palaeoproterozoic dyke swarms and the Mashonaland sill province in Zimbabwe. The 2575.0 ± 1.5 Ma age of the Umvimeela dyke is indistinguishable from the 2575.4 ± 0.7 Ma result (Oberthür et al., 2002) for a pyroxenite layer of the Great Dyke and testifies to synchronous emplacement of the Great Dyke and its satellites. Three samples of WNW- to NNW-trending dykes of the Sebanga swarm yielded ages of 2512.3 ± 1.8 Ma, 2470.0 ± 1.2 Ma and 2408.3 ± 2.0 Ma, the latter of which dates the Sebanga Poort Dyke of this swarm. These results suggest that emplacement took place over a protracted period which involved at least three generations of dykes within the swarm and, more importantly, invalidate previous inferences of a genetic link between the Sebanga swarm and the Mashonaland sills. Crystallisation ages of 1877 ± 2.2 Ma, 1885.9 ± 2.4 Ma and 1875.6 ± 1.6 Ma for three dolerite samples of the extensive Mashonaland sills from different parts of the Zimbabwe craton were also obtained. This is the oldest common igneous event that is recorded in the Zimbabwe and Kaapvaal cratons. Collectively with previous published geochronological and petrological evidence in favour of a major 2.0 Ga event within the Limpopo Belt, these results suggest that the Zimbabwe and Kaapvaal cratons did not form a coherent unit (Kalahari) until ca. 2.0 Ga.