The U–Pb ages and Hf isotopes of detrital zircons from Hainan Island,South China: implications for sediment provenance and the crustal evolution

In situ U–Pb dating and Hf isotopic of detrital zircons from beach sediments of Yalong Bay were analyzed to trace sedimentary provenance and reveal the crustal evolution of Hainan Island in South China. The grain size distribution of the sediments displays a clear single-peak feature, indicating the sediments were formed under the same condition of hydrodynamic force. The detrital zircons had Th/U ratios of greater than 0.1, and REE pattern displayed a positive Ce anomaly and a negative Eu anomaly, indicating that these zircons are predominantly of magmatic origin. The U–Pb spectrum of detrital zircons mainly peaked at the Yanshanian (96–185 Ma), Hercynian–Indosinian (222–345 Ma) and Caledonian (421–477 Ma). A portion of the detrital zircons were of Neoproterozoic origin (728–1,003 Ma), which revealed that the basement in the eastern region of Hainan Island was mainly of Neoproterozoic, with rare Archean materials. The positive ε _Hf(t) values (0 to +10.1) of the Neoproterozoic detrital zircons indicated that the juvenile crust grew in the southeastern Hainan Island mainly during the Neoproterozoic period. The Neoproterozoic orogeny in the southeastern part of the island (0.7–1.0 Ga) occurred later than in the northwestern region of the island (1.0–1.4 Ga). Importantly, the Grenvillian orogeny in the southeastern area of Hainan Island shared the same timing with that of the western Cathaysia Block; i.e., both areas concurrently underwent this orogenic event, thereby forming a part of the Rodinia supercontinent. Afterwards, the crust experienced remelting and reworking during the Caledonian Hercynian–Indosinianand Yanshanian accompanied by the growth of a small amount of juvenile crust.     

U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopes in detrital zircon from Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks in the northern Yangtze Block: Implications for Precambrian crustal evolution

A combined study of Lu–Hf isotopes and U–Pb ages for detrital zircons from sedimentary rocks can provide information on the crustal evolution of sedimentary provenances, and comparisons with potential source regions can constrain interpretations of paleogeographic settings. Detailed isotopic data on detrital zircons from Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks in the northern part of the Yangtze Block suggest that these rocks have the maximum depositional ages of ~ 750 Ma, and share a similar provenance. In their source area, units of late Archean (2.45 to 2.55 Ga) to Paleoproterozoic (1.9 to 2.0 Ga) U–Pb ages made up the basement, and were overlain or intruded by magmatic rocks of Neoproterozoic U–Pb ages (740 to 900 Ma). Hf isotopic signatures of the detrital zircons indicate that a little juvenile crust formed in the Neoarchean; reworking of old crust dominates the magmatic activity during the Archean to Paleoproterozoic, while the most significant juvenile addition to the crust occurred in the Neoproterozoic. Only the Neoproterozoic zircon U–Pb ages can be matched with known magmatism in the northern Yangtze Block, while other age peaks cannot be correlated with known provenance areas. Similar zircon U–Pb ages have been obtained previously from sediments along the southeastern and western margins of the Yangtze Block. Thus, it is suggested that an unexposed old basement is widespread beneath the Yangtze Block and was the major contributor to the Neoproterozoic sediments. This basement had a magmatic activity at ~ 2.5 Ga, similar to that in North China; but zircon Hf isotopes suggest significant differences in the overall evolutionary histories between the Yangtze and North China.     

U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotope systematics of detrital zircons from the Songpan–Ganzi Triassic flysch,NE Tibetan Plateau: implications for provenance and crustal growth

We conducted in situ U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotope analyses of 401 detrital zircons collected from the Songpan–Ganzi Triassic turbidite complex in an attempt to understand the provenance variations of the siliciclastic rocks and the crustal growth history of central China. These detrital zircons exhibit a wide age spectrum with three major peaks at 1.7–2.0 Ga, 750–1050 Ma, and 210–500 Ma. They are dominated by negative ?_Hf(t) values with a large range. Synthesis of the zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic data indicate that the Triassic Songpan–Ganzi turbiditic succession could have been derived dominantly from the Tibetan terrains + the Kunlun and Qinling orogens. Our samples are characterized by a common, prominent group of Hf crust formation model ages at 0.8–4.1 Ga with a peak at 2.7–3.4 Ga. This fact indicates that (1) Phanerozoic magmatism in central China could have been predominantly products of crustal reworking with insignificant formation of juvenile crust and (2) the Neoarchaean was an important period of continental growth in central China. In addition, our data set also reveal that three widespread tectonothermal events could have occurred in the region during the late Mesoproterzoic, Palaeozoic, and early Mesozoic, respectively.     

U–Pb ages and Lu–Hf isotopes of detrital zircons from the southern Qinling Orogen: Implications for Precambrian to Phanerozoic tectonics in central China

The Qinling Orogen, central China, was constructed during the Mesozoic collision between the North China and Yangtze continental plates. The orogen includes four tectonic units, from north to south, the Huaxiong Block (reactivated southern margin of the North China Craton), North Qinling Accretion Belt, South Qinling Fold Belt (or block) and Songpan Fold Belt, evolved from the northernmost Paleo-Tethys Ocean separating the Gondwana and Laurentia supercontinents. Here we employ detrital zircons from the Early Cretaceous alluvial sediments within the Qinling Orogen to trace the tectonic evolution of the orogen. The U–Pb ages of the detrital zircon grains from the Early Cretaceous Donghe Group sediments in the South Qinling Fold Belt cluster around 2600–2300 Ma, 2050–1800 Ma, 1200–700 Ma, 650–400 Ma and 350–200 Ma, corresponding to the global Kenorland, Columbia, Rodinia, Gondwana and Pangaea supercontinent events, respectively. The distributions of ages and εHf(t) values of zircon grains show that the Donghe Group sediments have a complex source comprising components mainly recycled from the North Qinling Accretion Belt and the North China Craton, suggesting that the South Qinling Fold Belt was a part of the united Qinling–North China continental plate, rather than an isolated microcontinent, during the Devonian–Triassic. The youngest age peak of 350–200 Ma reflects the magmatic event related to subduction and termination of the Mian-Lue oceanic plate, followed by the collision between the Yangtze Craton and the united Qinling–North China continent that came into existence at the Triassic–Jurassic transition. The interval of 208–145 Ma between the sedimentation of the Early Cretaceous Donghe Group and the youngest age of detrital zircons was coeval with the post-subduction collision between the Yangtze and the North China continental plates in Jurassic.     

Early Precambrian tectono-thermal events: coupled U–Pb–Hf of detrital zircons from Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt,North China Craton

The Dashiqiao Formation on the Liaodong Peninsula constitutes an important component within the Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt, North China Craton. It is composed dominantly of dolomitic marbles intercalated with minor carbonaceous slates and mica schists, hosting one of the largest magnesite deposits on Earth. This study presents zircon cathodoluminescence (CL) images and U–Pb–Hf isotope data, as well as single-mineral geochemical data for the staurolite–garnet–mica schist from the Dashiqiao Formation, in order to constrain its protolith age and provenance, and further to discuss the early Precambrian tectono-thermal events of the North China Craton. U–Pb isotopic dating using the LA–ICP–MS method on detrital zircons from the schist preserves at least three age populations ranging in age from 2.99 to 2.02 Ga, and grains as old as ca 4087 Ma. The dominant Neoarchean detrital zircons were most probably sourced from the basement within the Longgang and Nangrim blocks, while the minor Mesoarchean zircons were only sourced from the Longgang Block. The subordinate middle Paleoproterozoic zircons are consistent with ages of the regionally distributed coeval Liaoji granites and volcanics within the Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt. Zircon U–Pb dating yields a metamorphic age of 1930 Ma for the sample, interpreted to represent the peak stage of epidote amphibolite facies metamorphism. Thus, the depositional age for the protolith of the schist was proposed in the period between 2.01 and 1.93 Ga. LA–MC–ICP–MS Lu–Hf isotopic data show that all Archean (2.45–2.55) detrital zircons possess positive ε_Hf(t) values from +?0.7 to +?7.5 with juvenile depleted mantle model ages, suggesting a significant crustal growth event during the Neoarchean in the North China Craton. The Paleoproterozoic detrital zircons possess variable ε_Hf(t) values (??5.5–+?8.3) and depleted mantle model ages from Mesoarchean to Paleoproterozoic. The zircons with negative ε_Hf(t) values implies the Mesoarchean to Neoarchean crust undergoing a recycling event in the period 2.40–2.01 Ga, while those with positive ε_Hf(t) value suggest some indication of juvenile addition to the crust during the Paleoproterozoic. Using regional geological and new detrital zricon U–Pb–Hf isotopic data, the early Precambrian tectono-thermal events can be subdivided into the following episodes: Mesoarchean, late Neoarchean, middle Paleoproterozoic, and late Paleoproterozoic times.     

Paleo- to Eoarchean crustal evolution in eastern Hebei,North China Craton: New evidence from SHRIMP U–Pb dating and in-situ Hf isotopic study of detrital zircons from paragneisses

In the Caozhuang complex in eastern Hebei, North China Craton, the Paleo- to Eoarchean crustal evolution was earlier revealed by the preservation of detrital zircon grains older than (or as old as) 3.8 Ga in fuchsite-quartzite. In order to test if the Eoarchean antiquity is also preserved in rocks other than the fuchsite quartzite, we collected two paragneisses, a hornblende gneiss and a garnet–biotite gneiss, from Huangbaiyu village and dated their detrital zircon grains. The zircon dating of the hornblende gneiss yielded concordant ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages ranging from 3684 to 3354 Ma. However, an older date of 3782 Ma with 18% discordancy was also obtained. Detrital zircon grains from the garnet–biotite gneiss gave a similar ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age range, from 3838 to 3342 Ma. The metamorphic domains of the zircon grains from both samples, including the strongly recrystallized cores and rims, recorded an overprinting metamorphism at ca. 2.5 Ga, which correlates with the most widespread tectono-thermal event in the North China Craton. In situ zircon Hf-isotope analyses on the dated zircon grains yielded a wide range of model ages (T_DM1) from 4.0 to 3.3 Ga with corresponding ε_Hf(T) from −36.0 to +4.8. This suggests that the evolution of the crustal segment in this area has involved multiple phases of juvenile crustal addition as well as recycling of older crustal rocks. The new geochronological results imply the presence of a significant amount of Eoarchean crustal fragments in the eastern Hebei area. The sedimentary protoliths of the paragneisses and other high-grade metamorphic rocks in the Caozhuang complex were probably deposited between 3.4 and 2.5 Ga.     

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.     

Zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotopic compositions from the Sin Quyen Formation: the Precambrian crustal evolution of northwest Vietnam

The location of the suture zone between the South China and Indochina blocks in northwest Vietnam has been under debate for decades. Generally, the boundary between these blocks has been placed along (1) the Ailaoshan–Red River zone or (2) the Song Ma zone. The Sin Quyen Formation, lying between these zones, was previously regarded as a Palaeo- and Mesoproterozoic sequence. It comprises its provenance and tectonic affinity. We analysed detrital zircons from two paragneisses and one migmatite of the Sin Quyen Formation employing laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry U–Pb dating techniques. U–Pb ages of these zircons show three main periods of zircon formation: ～2.7–3.0, ～2.2–2.5, and ～1.8 Ga, suggesting that Sin Quyen rocks were mainly derived from Palaeoproterozoic and Archaean basement units. Inasmuch as the South China basement comprises rocks of similar ages, we conclude that the Sin Quyen Formation belongs to that block. Our new data strengthen the view that the suture between the South China and Indochina blocks is located within the Song Ma zone. In addition, zircons with U–Pb ages >3.0 thousand million years represent the oldest minerals reported in northwest Vietnam so far, indicating the existence of Mesoarchaean crustal remnants in this region.     

Geochemistry and detrital zircon U–Pb dating of Pliocene-Pleistocene sandstones of the Chittagong Tripura Fold Belt (Bangladesh): Implications for provenance

The Bengal Basin originated during the collision of India with Eurasia and Burma. The provenance analysis of the Chittagong Tripura Fold Belt (CTFB), which is the folded eastern flank of the Bengal Basin as well as the Neogene belt of the Indo-Burman Ranges (IBR) is key to better understand the possible sources of sediment input from the complex interplay of the Indian, Eurasian and Burma plates. We report new whole rock geochemical and detrital zircon U–Pb data from the upper Neogene sandstones of Tipam-Dupi Tila formations (Pliocene to Plio-Plestocene succession) from the CTFB. Detrital zircon U–Pb age spectra show three predominant peaks at <200 Ma, 480–650, ∼800–1000 Ma. The geochemical discriminations and elemental ratios of Eu/Eu* (∼0.70), La/Sc (∼16.13), La/Co (∼15.76), Th/Sc (∼2.95), La/Th (∼5.67), Th/Co (∼2.87), Cr/Th (∼4.63) as well as Chondrite-normalized REE patterns with flat HREE, LREE enrichment, and negative Eu anomalies for the Tipam and Dupi Tila formations are suggestive of a dominantly felsic source area experiencing moderate to intensive chemical weathering (Chemical index of alteration, CIA - 57 to 81) and have a recycled provenance orogen related to active continental or passive margin settings. Integrated geochemical and zircon U–Pb studies reveal that the main sediment input might have been from the Himalayan orogen with significant arc-derived detritus, possibly from the Gangdese arc as well as from the Burma magmatic arc.     

Lu–Hf and O isotopic compositions on single zircons from the North Eastern Desert of Egypt,Arabian–Nubian Shield: Implications for crustal evolution

Neoproterozoic juvenile crust is exposed in the Eastern Desert of Egypt, between the Nile and the Red Sea, forming the basement to Cambrian and younger sedimentary strata in the northernmost part of the Arabian–Nubian Shield (ANS). In order to reveal how the crust of this vast region was formed, four examples of widespread Neoproterozoic (653–595 Ma) calc-alkaline and alkaline intrusive rocks in the northwestern most exposures, in the NE Desert of Egypt (NED) were studied. Single zircon Hf–O isotopic compositions of these intrusives were used to characterize the Neoproterozoic syn- and post-collisional granitoids in the NED. The ~ 653 Ma Um Taghir syn-tectonic granodiorite (I-type) displays isotopic characteristics of a depleted mantle source, such as high εHf(t) (+ 9.1 to + 11.2) and mantle δ¹⁸O (mean = + 5.12‰). In contrast, the ca. ~ 600 Ma post-collision A-type granites (Al-Missikat, Abu Harba, and Gattar) show slightly higher δ¹⁸O values (+ 5.15 to 6.70) and slightly lower εHf(t) values (+ 6.3 to + 10.6, mean = + 8.6). We interpret these isotopic data to reflect melting of a juvenile Neoproterozoic mantle source that assimilated slightly older Neoproterozoic crustal material during magma mixing. The involvement of crustal component is also supported by Hf-crustal model ages (0.67–0.96 Ga) and by the occurrence of xenocrystic zircons with U–Pb ages older than the crystallization ages, indicating melting of predominantly Late Neoproterozoic crustal protoliths.     

U–Pb age and Hf isotopes of detrital zircons from the Southeastern North China Craton: Meso- to Neoarchean episodic crustal growth in a shifting tectonic regime

The North China Craton (NCC) represents one of only a few cratonic nuclei on the globe with a geological history extending back to the Eoarchean. However, extensive ca. 2.5 Ga crustal reworking has destroyed a considerable portion of the pre-existing crustal record, hindering the investigation of tectonothermal evolution prior to 2.5 Ga. The Huoqiu Complex (HQC), located at the southeastern margin of the NCC, preserves the vestiges of crustal components that survived the ca. 2.5 Ga tectonothermal events, which provide the opportunity to investigate the Meso- to Neoarchean episodic crustal evolution of the NCC. Here we present results from in-situ detrital zircon U–Pb dating and Hf isotope analyses on zircons from three paragneisses in three drill cores that cut through the basement of the HQC. In combination with published data, the concordant age spectra of the detrital zircons in the paragneisses yield ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of 2343–3997 Ma that cluster into two principal age populations with peaks at 3015 and 2755 Ma. One zircon grain dated at 3997 ± 8 Ma with 98% concordance provides new evidence for 4.0 Ga components in the NCC. The ε_Hf(t) values of all zircons range from − 5.2 to + 6.5, with most of the spots (n = 31 of 47) showing positive values, indicating at least two episodes of juvenile continental crustal growth at 3.01 Ga and 2.75 Ga. The older episode is recorded only in few ancient cratons, suggesting limited crustal accretion occurred globally at a time of subdued mantle-derived magmatism. In contrast, the younger episode is coincident with a global rise in magmatic activity in the early Neoarchean. The geochemical and geochronological data suggest that the 3.01 Ga juvenile crust was likely generated in an island-arc subduction system, whereas the 2.75 Ga crustal rocks were probably formed during magmatic underplating and subsequent partial melting of lower crustal mafic rocks. Consequently, a tectonic transition is suggested from a compressive to an extensional setting along the southeastern margin of the NCC between 3.01 and 2.75 Ga. This sequence of events heralds a shift, from a mixture of net crustal growth and crustal reworking during multiple short-lived magmatic pulses, to fragmentation and dispersal of the early continental nucleus within 260 Ma.     

Late Palaeozoic and early Mesozoic tectonic and palaeogeographic evolution of central China: evidence from U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotope systematics of detrital zircons from the western Qinling region

The western Qinling region of central China is situated centrally in the Kunlun, Qilian, Qinling, Longmenshan, and Songpan–Ganzi orogens. Late Palaeozoic and Early Mesozoic sediments deposited here may provide keys to understanding the tectonic evolution of the Palaeo-Tethys and collision of the North China and Yangtze Cratons. We conducted in situ U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotope analyses of 568 detrital zircons collected from Upper Palaeozoic to Mesozoic sandstones in the central Qinling block, Taohe depression, and Bailongjiang block in western Qinling to constrain the sources of these sandstones. Our results reveal that the Bailongjiang block has affinities with the Yangtze Craton, from which it may have been rifted. Therefore, the Palaeo-Tethyan Animaqen suture between the two cratons lies north of the Bailongjiang block. We identified the North China Craton as the main source for Triassic flysch in central China. It is possible that the Bailongjiang block could have blocked detritus shed from the North China Craton into the main depositional basins in the Songpan–Ganzi area. The dominance of 300–200 Ma detrital zircons of metamorphic origin in Lower Jurassic sandstones indicates that the Dabie–Qinling orogen was elevated during Early Jurassic time. In addition, our Lu–Hf isotopic results also reveal that Phanerozoic igneous rocks in central China were mostly products of crustal reworking with insignificant formation of juvenile crust.     

New U–Pb isotopic data for detrital zircons from metasedimentary sequences of northwestern Taimyr

This work presents the U–Pb (LA–ICP–MS) data of detrital zircons from metasedimentary sequences of northwestern Taimyr. An analysis of the youngest populations of detrital zircons testifies to the wide distribution of Cambrian sequences in the study area, but not Precambrian sequences as was considered earlier, and the need for a substantial revision of the stratigraphic scheme of this area. The detrital zircon age distribution shows that the Timan margin of the Baltic paleocontinent was a major provenance area of the Cambrian sediments in northern and northwestern Taimyr, as well as the coeval sediments of the Severnaya Zemlya archipelago.     

U–Pb dating of detrital zircons for sediment provenance studies—a comparison of laser ablation ICPMS and SIMS techniques

New developments in U–Pb dating of zircons by laser ablation (LA) ICPMS are described and, for the first time, a direct comparison of detrital zircons dated by LA ICPMS and SIMS methods is presented. True real-time mass bias correction is made by aspirating a Tl/U tracer at the same time as laser ablation. The method is similar to that described in Horn et al. (2000), except that enriched ²³³U rather than ²³⁵U is used in the tracer solution. Correction for laser-induced Pb/U elemental fractionation is based on a mathematical treatment of time-resolved data that is independent of laser ablation characteristics and does not require external standardisation. Internal corrections for mass bias and elemental fractionation eliminate the effects of variable sample matrix on isotopic ratios and improve the accuracy of U–Pb dating by laser ablation ICPMS. With the proper error propagation, the precision of U–Pb age determinations is only slightly worse than SIMS-based ion probe dating. However, LA ICPMS is capable of much more rapid analysis of the large number of zircons required for sediment provenance studies. There is excellent agreement between concordant laser ablation ICPMS and SIMS analyses of detrital zircons extracted from lower Silurian metasandstone from the Ulven Group (Skarfjell Formation) in the west Norwegian Caledonian nappes. Both LA ICPMS and SIMS U–Pb zircon ages indicate that sedimentary detritus of the Ulven Group was supplied from a terrain containing zircons of Archean, Proterozoic and early Ordovician age.     

Late Permian–Triassic siliciclastic provenance,palaeogeography, and crustal growth of the Songpan terrane,eastern Tibetan Plateau: evidence from U–Pb ages,trace elements,and Hf isotopes of detrital zircons

In order to constrain the detrital provenance of the siliciclastic rocks, palaeogeographic variations, and crustal growth history of central China, we carried out simultaneously in situ U–Pb dating and trace element and Hf isotope analyses on 368 detrital zircons obtained from upper Permian–Triassic sandstones of the Songpan terrane, eastern Tibetan Plateau. Two groups of detrital zircons, i.e. magmatic and metamorphic in origin, have been identified based on cathodoluminescence images, zircon Ti-temperatures, and Th/U ratios. Our data suggest that the derivation of siliciclastic rocks in the Songpan terrane was mainly from the Qinling, Qilian, and Kunlun orogens, whereas the Yangtze and North China Cratons served as minor source areas during late Permian–Triassic times. The detrital zircons from Middle–Late Triassic siliciclastic rocks exhibit wide age spectra with two dominant populations of 230–600 Ma and >1600 Ma, peaking at ~1.8–1.9 Ga and ~2.4–2.5 Ga, suggestive of a derivation from the Qinling, Qilian, and Kunlun orogens and the Yangtze Craton being the minor source area. The proportions of detrital zircon populations from the northern Qinling, Qilian, and Kunlun orogens distinctly decreased during Middle–Late Triassic time, demonstrating that the initial uplift of the western Qinling occurred then and it could have blocked most of the detritus from the Qilian–northern Qinling orogens and North China Cratons into the main Songpan–Ganzi depositional basin. The relatively detrital zircon proportions of the Yangtze Craton source decreased during Early-Middle Late Triassic time, indicating that the Longmenshan orogen was probably being elevated, since the early Late Triassic and gradually formed a barrier between the Yangtze Craton and the Songpan terrane. In addition, our Lu–Hf isotopic results also reveal that the Phanerozoic magmatic rocks in central China had been the primary products of crustal reworking with insignificant formation of a juvenile crust.     

Jurassic detrital zircon U–Pb and Hf isotopic geochronology of Luxi Uplift,eastern North China,and its provenance implications for tectonic–paleogeographic reconstruction

Relatively successive sequences of Late Mesozoic are preserved and exposed in Luxi Uplift (LU), eastern North China block (NCB), which is an important region to study the late Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the eastern NCB. In this study, in situ U–Pb ages and Hf isotopic analyses on detrital zircons from the sandstones of Jurassic Fangzi and Santai Formations in LU combining the analysis of sandstone detrital modes were performed, with an aim to trace the Jurassic sediment provenances and the tectonic–paleogeographic configuration of eastern NCB. Three sandstone samples (one from Fangzi Formation and two from Santai Formation) have very similar U–Pb age spectrums which can be divided into three major groups: Phanerozoic (I), Paleoproterozoic (II), and Neoarchean (III). Detrital zircons of Group II and Group III broadly match the age spectra of the basement of NCC which exposed extensively in the northern part. No middle Neoproterozoic magmatic zircons or Triassic metamorphic zircons were found in this study, ruling out the clastic provenance transported from the Sulu orogen to LU. Dominant zircon populations of Group Iare Late Paleozoic (250–393 Ma) recording the corresponding magmatic activities which are not found both in LU and its peripheral tectonic terranes, but can be well compared with that of the northern NCB (NNCB) and the Xing-Meng Orogenic Belt (XMOB). Furthermore, Hf isotope compositions of the Phanerozoic detrital zircons can be distinctly divided into two clusters with ε_Hf(t) values ranging from −1.0 to +12.7 and −21.9 to −3.0, respectively resemble those from the XMOB and NCB (mainly from NNCB). Sandstone detrital modes analysis indicates the provenance came from the areas that have been eroded deeply to expose the basement rocks which accords with the tectonic setting of the NNCB. This research proposes that an evident mountain or provenance region once increasingly developed along NNCB during Early to Late Jurassic (182–155 Ma) due to the continuous collision of the Siberia and North China–Mongolian plates, easily shed mass clastic materials southward into the inner NCB and became the major provenance of Jurassic sediments in LU.     

Neoproterozoic–Early Cambrian tectono-magmatic evolution of the Central Iranian terrane,northern margin of Gondwana: Constraints from detrital zircon U–Pb and Hf–O isotope studies

U–Pb dating and oxygen and Lu–Hf isotope analyses are applied to ~ 400 detrital zircon grains from the Neoproterozoic–Cambrian Kahar, Bayandor and Zaigun sandstones. The results reveal the evolutionary history of the Central Iranian continental crust in the northern margin of Gondwana during the Neoproterozoic–Cambrian. The U–Pb dating produces major peaks of crystallization ages at 0.5–0.7 Ga and minor peaks around the Tonian, Paleoproterozoic and Neoarchean. The zircon population in the Zaigun sandstone is dominated by long-transported grains and exhibits slightly different zircon distribution patterns than those from the older Kahar and Bayandor units. The zircon population ages and Hf isotopes of the Zaigun sample are very similar to the Neoproterozoic–Early Palaeozoic siliciclastic units in the Arabian Nubian shield (ANS) and Turkey, which suggests the late to post–Pan-African unroofing of the Afro–Arabia realm as the main process for detritus accumulation in Central Iran during the early Palaeozoic. A significant proportion of the Tonian-aged zircons (~ 64%) in the Kahar and Bayandor samples show positive εHf_(t) values, whereas those with late Cryogenian–Ediacaran ages have high δ¹⁸O and variable εHf_(t) values (~− 30‰ to + 17‰), suggesting that the crustal evolution of provenance of the Tonian-aged zircons commenced in an island arc setting and continued in an active continental margin. All the samples contain pre-Neoproterozoic zircons that are ca 1.9–2.3 Ga or 2.5–3.2 Ga, which are much older than the known Neoproterozoic igneous rocks in Iran and are more consistent with pre-Neoproterozoic igneous-metamorphic rocks in the eastern ANS and northern Africa. These ages support the eastern sector of the Afro–Arabia margin as a provenance for the detrital zircons in the oldest sedimentary sequences of Iran during the late Neoproterozoic–Cambrian. The Hf model ages of zircons with mantle-like δ¹⁸O values suggest that a significant amount of continental crust in the provenance of the detrital zircons was generated at around 1.0–2.0 and 3.0–3.5 Ga, likely by mantle-derived mafic magmas, and subsequently reworked during crustal differentiation into younger, more felsic crust with varying crustal residence times.     

Crystallogenetic models for metasomatic replacement in zircons: implications for U–Pb geochronology of Precambrian rocks

Recrystallization of zircons under the influence of fluids was studied using examples from Precambrian rocks (microcline granites, metasedimentary, and mafic rocks) of the Kola Peninsula. All zircon crystals showed complex internal textures visible by cathodoluminescence and backscattered electron (BSE) imaging. Detailed mineralogical and geochemical studies with subsequent secondary ion mass spectrometer U–Pb dating of different zircon domains show that secondary texture formation can be interpreted in terms of metasomatic replacement of zircon crystals on the base of crystallogenetic experimental models. Mechanisms of zircon replacement and interpretation of U–Pb ages for secondary zircon domains are dependent on the degree of damage of the zircon structure and the fluid composition. The recrystallization of metamict zircon without additional supply of new zircon substance (Zr, SiO₂) goes with the dissolution of amorphous domains and precipitation of new polycrystalline zircon, which preserves the U–Pb initial age, but loses radiogenic lead, and the lower intercept of Discordia lines with the Concordia curve determines the time of fluid influence. The recrystallization of metamict zircon or crystalline zircon with high contents of impurities with additional supply of Si and Zr forms monocrystalline replacements. Dissolution of primary zircon is accompanied by growth of new zircon domains differing in the composition of isomorphic impurities and zones of transitional composition, whose ages have no geological sense. The study is of particular importance for zircons from Precambrian rocks with long and complex histories.     

Nature of magmatism and sedimentation at a Columbia active margin: Insights from combined U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotope data of detrital zircons from NW India

Detrital zircons from a Palaeoproterozoic quartzite, deposited between 1.85 and 1.82 Ga in the northern Aravalli orogen of NW India, show a distinctive age peak of ca. 1.85 Ga and variable, but largely subchondritic εHf_{1.85 Ga} between ? 1.3 and ? 21.0 corresponding to hafnium model ages of 2.5 to 3.6 Ga. These data indicate an important period of reworking of ancient (Eo- to Neoarchaean), strongly heterogeneous continental crust at this time. Prevalence of ca. 1.85 Ga subduction-related granitoids, almost identical U–Pb age spectra and εHf_t of detrital zircons in ca. 1.85 Ga metasedimentary rocks in the Aravalli orogen and the inner Lesser Himalaya indicate similar sediment provenances and thus a geological connection between these two terranes during late Palaeoproterozoic. All together, the data constrain a rapid succession of sedimentation, metamorphism and subduction-related magmatic activity and support the interpretation of an active geodynamic realm along the entire north Indian margin at ca. 1.85 Ga. Comparison of detrital zircon data in conjunction with published paleomagnetic data from north India and other crustal blocks of the Columbia supercontinent, additionally, suggest a close affinity of north India with Madagascar, the Cathaysia block of South China and South Korea during Columbia times.