Radioactive elements in collisional and within-plate Sodic-Potassic Granitoids: Accumulation levels and metallogenic significance

New data are reported on the content of radioactive elements in the Precambrian Na-K granitoids from the southwestern margin of the Siberian Craton, Aldan and Ukrainian shields, and Kursk-Voronezh Massif. Analytical data on other regions were generalized for comparison. Two global epochs of Na-K granitoid magmatism bearing elevated contents of radioactive elements (U, Th, K) were distinguished in the Early Precambrian (in Ga): Neoarchean (2.8-2.6) and Late Paleoproterozoic (1.9-1.75). Mesoarchean (3.1-2.8 Ga) epoch of Na-K granite formation has been additionally distinguished at the Australian, South African, and Canadian shields. These epochs of granitization provided high maturity of the crust: geochemical differentiation of the oldest continental blocks and their geochemical and metallogenic specialization for trace elements and RAE. In the southern margin of the Siberian Craton, the most intense granite formation occurred in the Late Paleoproterozoic. The extended South Siberian belt of collisional and within-plate Na-K granitoids is characterized by intense influx of RAE and other trace elements in the upper crustal shell. The southwestern margin of the craton (Yenisei Range) was spanned by repeated Late Neoproterozoic Na-K granite formation, with wide development of collisional and within-plate Na-K granites having elevated Th content and [Th]/[U] ratio. The higher RAE concentrations are typical of within-plate Paleo and Neoproterozoic granitoids. The highest uranium content was found in the postcollisional and within-plate Na-K granites and subalkaline leucogranites. Uranium ore concentrations were formed at the riftogenic stages of evolution of these crustal blocks, when within-plate subalkaline acid magmatism and accompanying hydrothermal metamorphism overprinted granitized crystalline massifs, including high-U sedimentary and volcanic complexes. Areas with the most favorable geological-geochemical environments for the formation of uranium mineralization were distinguished in the southern margin of the Siberian Craton and its nearest folded framing.     

Phanerozoic mafic magmatism in the southern Siberian craton: geodynamic implications

The Phanerozoic history of mafic magmatism in the southern Siberian craton included three major events. The earliest event (～500 Ma) recorded in dolerite dikes occurred during accretion and collision at the early stage of the Central Asian orogen. Injection of mafic melts into the upper crust was possible in zones of diffuse extension within the southern Siberian craton which acted as an indenter. The Late Paleozoic event (～275 Ma) produced dikes that intruded in a setting of subduction-related extension at the back of the active continental margin of Siberia during closure of the Mongolia–Okhotsk ocean, as well as slightly older volcanics (290 Ma) in the Transbaikalian segment of the Central Asian orogen. Early Mesozoic magmatism in the southern Siberian craton resulted in numerous 240–250 Ma mafic intrusions in the Angara–Taseeva basin. The intrusions (Siberian traps) appeared as the subducting slab of the Mongolia–Okhotsk ocean interacted with a lower mantle plume. The post-Late Paleozoic ages of flood basalts (290–275 Ma) correspond to progressive northwestward (in present coordinates) motion of the slab beneath the southern craton margin which likely ceased after the slab had reached the zone of the Siberian superplume. Since its consolidation after the Early Mesozoic activity, the crust in the area has no longer experienced extension favorable for intrusion of basaltic magma.     

Signature of Precambrian extension events in the southern Siberian craton

We investigate extension events in the southern Siberian craton between 1.8 and 0.7 Ga. Signature of Late Paleoproterozoic within-plate extension in the Northern Baikal region is found in 167 4± 29 Ma dike swarms. A Mesoproterozoic extension event was associated with intrusion of the 1535 ± 14 Ma Chernaya Zima granitoids into the Urik-Iya graben deposits. Neoproterozoic extension recorded in the Sayan-Baikal dike belt (740-780 Ma dike complexes) was concurrent with the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent and the initiation of the Paleoasian passive margin along the southern edge of the Siberian craton. The scale of rifting-related magmatism and the features of the coeval sedimentary complexes in the southern Siberian craton indicate that Late Paleoproterozoic and Early Mesoproterozoic extension did not cause ocean opening, and the Paleoasian Ocean opened as a result of Neoproterozoic rifting.     

华北克拉通南缘小秦岭地区新太古代晚期-古元古代晚期岩浆构造热事件:锆石U-Pb-Hf同位素和地球化学证据

为了探讨华北克拉通南缘早前寒武纪形成演化,对华北克拉通南缘小秦岭地区早前寒武纪变质基底花岗质片麻岩开展了SHRIMP U-Pb锆石定年、Hf同位素组成及地球化学组成研究,获得了2个TTG片麻岩样品~2.50 Ga的岩浆锆石年龄和时代相近的变质锆石年龄,岩浆锆石ε_Hf（t）值为0.71~4.37;1个花岗质片麻岩样品的岩浆锆石年龄为~2.30 Ga,ε_Hf（t）值为－1.21~0.11.它们也记录了古元古代晚期变质锆石年龄或显示古元古代晚期构造热事件影响的存在.岩石以轻重稀土强烈分异为特征,大离子亲石元素相对富集,Nb、P、Ti相对亏损.在小秦岭地区首次发现新太古代晚期TTG岩石,并识别出新太古代晚期构造热事件.现有资料支持华北克拉通南缘与华北克拉通其他地区具有类似的早前寒武纪形成演化历史的认识.但是,华北克拉通南缘以2.3 Ga左右岩浆作用十分发育而显示出独特性.      

Precambrian terranes in the southwestern framing of the Siberian craton: isotopic provinces,stages of crustal evolution and accretion-collision events

We studied geology and main rock assemblages of the Precambrian Kan, Arzybei, and Derba terranes of the Central Asian Fold Belt which border the Siberian craton in the southwest. The Precambrian terranes include three isotopic provinces (Paleoproterozoic, Mesoproterozoic, and Neoproterozoic) distinguished from the Sm-Nd isotope compositions of granitoids, felsic metavolcanics, and metasediments. The terranes formed in three stages of crustal evolution: 2.3–2.5, 0.9–1.1, and 0.8–0.9 Ga. Proterozoic juvenile crust was produced by subduction-related magmatism; it was originally of transitional composition and transformed into continental crust by potassic plutonism as late as the Late Vendian-Cambrian. Terrigenous sediments in the Arzybei and Derba terranes vary in T(DM) Nd model ages from 1.0 to 2.0 Ga. The Nd ages of the underlying metavolcanics and lowest T(DM) of metasediments indicate that terrigenous sedimentation started in the Neoproterozoic. It was maintained by erosion of Mesoproterozoic-Neoproterozoic crust and, to a lesser extent, of Early Precambrian rocks on the craton margin or in Paleoproterozoic terranes. Ar-Ar dating of amphiboles and biotites from metamorphic rocks and U-Pb dating of zircons from granitoids yielded 600–555 and 500–440 Ma, respectively, corresponding to the Vendian and Early Paleozoic stages of nearly synchronous metamorphism and plutonism. Accretion and collision events caused amalgamation of the Paleoproterozoic, Mesoproterozoic, and Neoproterozoic terranes in the Vendian and their collision with the Siberian craton. The lateral growth of the paleocontinent completed in the Late Ordovician.     

Geochemical peculiarities and sources of Late Paleozoic high-K and ultrapotassic syenite of the Synnyr and Tas massifs (eastern Siberia)

Geochemical and Sm–Nd isotope–geochemical studies of synnyrite and syenite from the Synnyr massif and high-K syenite from the Tas massif of the Late Paleozoic (eastern Siberia) corresponding to one of the largest provinces of high-K and ultrapotassic magmatism worldwide are performed. It is shown that their formation was controlled by transformation of the Precambrian continental crust of the Siberian Craton and Central Asian Mobile Belt under the influence of the Siberian mantle plume.     

Geodynamics of late Mesozoic PGE,Au, and U mineralization in the Aldan shield,North Asian Craton

Late Mesozoic PGE, Au and U mineralization in the Precambrian Aldan Shield constitutes important ore deposits on the southern margin of the Siberian Craton. Here we provide an overview of the salient characteristics of these ore deposits and evaluate their regional geodynamic setting. Geological, geophysical, and geochronological data on the distribution and timing of the ultramafic and alkaline magmatism in the Aldan Shield and the associated Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous PGE, Au, and U mineralization correlate with the convergence in the Asia-Pacific zone during the Late Mesozoic. The multistage magmatism and ore formation can be traced along the perimeter of the subducted slab now stagnant at the mantle transition zone, the flanks of which coincide with paleo-transform faults. Slab dehydration is considered to have transferred source metals through plume conduits resulting in the formation of productive ore-magmatic systems.     

冲积扇沉积向滨岸沉积的转变--以华北克拉通南缘中元古界兵马沟组为例

中国华北克拉通南缘的前寒武纪沉积地层发育齐全、出露较好,具有较高的研究价值。但前寒武纪的沉积地层年代久远,缺少佐证的生物依据,对沉积环境的判断更多依赖于构造背景、地理环境、岩石类型和沉积构造等,导致前人研究有较多的争议。以华北克拉通南缘汝阳群兵马沟组为例,通过精细分析岩石特征、古水流和沉积相,结合相关地层的区域对比及古地貌的重建,解释了兵马沟组的沉积成因和环境转换。汝阳群沉积地层不整合覆盖在华北克拉通南缘太古宙变质结晶基底或古元古代熊耳群火山-沉积岩系之上,兵马沟组作为汝阳群底部的地层单元,受地形和断裂的明显控制,接受丰富的物源供给,发育了一套极具特色的“双层叠加”沉积地层,代表了从冲积扇沉积到砂砾质滨岸沉积的环境转变,作为华北克拉通南缘以海相为主控的沉积开端,具有重要的科学价值。     

U-Pb detrital zircon geochronology and provenance of Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks in southern Siberia: New insights into breakup of Rodinia and opening of Paleo-Asian Ocean

We present the synthesis of new data on detrital zircon geochronology of the Neoproterozoic strata of the southern part of the Siberian craton as well as a comprehensive analysis of previously published stratigraphic, sedimentological and geochronological (LA-ICP-MS) data obtained for key sections in this area that allows us to trace the process of birth and early stages of development of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO). Before the break-up of Rodinia and opening of PAO, Tonian – Cryogenian intracontinental sedimentary basin existed between southern Siberia and northern Laurentia. The detachment of the southern flank of the Siberian craton from northern Laurentia and opening of the PAO between these cratons took place in Cryogenian. The detrital zircon ages from lower parts of Neoproterozoic successions suggest the Siberian craton as the sole provenance area right after the opening of the PAO. The age constraints on the lower parts of the studied Neoproterozoic successions, which are based on correlation of their tillite horizons with the Marinoan glaciation, suggest the late Cryogenian age for these sedimentary rocks. A clear change in the age spectra of detrital zircons from “unimodal” (Early Precambrian only) in older sedimentary rocks to “bimodal” (Early Precambrian as well as Neoproterozoic) in younger sequences of the studied successions marks the next stage of the PAO evolution. The abundance of youngest (630–610 Ma) detrital zircons in the upper parts of the studied sequences reflects a shrinkage of the oceanic basin as a result of the convergence of the craton with the microcontinents and island arcs within the Paleo-Asian Ocean. We suggest that a passive oceanic margin along the southern margin of the Siberian craton has been transformed into a series of foreland basins at ~610 Ma.     

Early evolution of the Paleoasian ocean: LA-ICP-MS dating of detrital zircon from Late Precambrian sequences of the southern margin of the Siberian craton

We present U–Pb (LA-ICP-MS) data on detrital zircon from the Late Precambrian terrigenous rocks of the Baikal Group and Ushakovka Formation, western Cisbaikalia (southern flank of the Siberian craton). The sources of clastic material for the studied sediments are interpreted. The youngest group of detrital zircon grains from the upper Baikal Group and Ushakovka Formation permits assigning these sediments to the Vendian. The lack of Mesoproterozoic detrital zircon in most of the analyzed samples confirms the hypothesis of a global (~ 1 Gyr) break in endogenic activity within the southern flank of the Siberian craton through the Precambrian. The abundance of Neoproterozoic zircon in sandstones from the upper horizons of the Baikal Group and the Ushakovka Formation might be due to the shrinkage of the ocean basin as a result of the convergence of the craton with the microcontinents and island arcs within the Paleoasian ocean.     

华北克拉通中元古代裂解事件:以渣尔泰-白云鄂博-化德裂谷带岩浆与沉积作用研究为例

华北克拉通存在三个主要的中元古代裂谷带,从南到北分别为熊耳裂谷带、燕辽裂谷带以及渣尔泰-白云鄂博-化德裂谷带。其中熊耳群中火山岩的峰期年龄为1780~1750Ma,其上还有形成于被动大陆边缘的五佛山群、汝阳群以及官道口群。中北部的燕辽裂谷带包括长城系、蓟县系和青白口系,其中长城系团山子组和大红峪组火山岩的年龄分别为~1640Ma和1626~1622Ma,蓟县系高于庄组、雾迷山组和铁岭组凝灰岩的年龄分别为1560Ma、1485Ma和1437Ma,而下马岭组凝灰岩年龄为1366~1380Ma。北缘渣尔泰-白云鄂博-化德裂谷带中渣尔泰群书记沟组玄武岩年龄为1743Ma,阿古鲁沟组酸性火山岩年龄为~810Ma,白云鄂博群尖山组中基性火山岩年龄为1728Ma,化德群比鲁特组火山碎屑岩年龄为1515Ma。中元古代岩浆事件除了裂谷带中的火山作用外,还包括三期基性岩墙群(~1780Ma太行-吕梁岩墙群、~1730Ma密云岩墙群和~1620Ma泰山岩墙群)以及1.76Ga到1.65Ga非造山岩浆组合(斜长岩-环斑花岗岩体-A型花岗岩)。中元古代中期,华北克拉通北缘发育了基性岩席(墙)、A型花岗岩以及碳酸岩脉,双峰式岩浆作用说明华北北缘在中元古代中期经历了裂谷作用,与哥伦比亚超大陆的最终裂解有关,并且与白云鄂博巨型REE-Nb-Fe矿床的形成具有成因上的联系。华北克拉通北部两个裂谷带中的地层具有可以对比的层序以及时代,而中元古代中期辉绿岩墙、A型花岗岩以及碳酸岩脉可以与其它克拉通同时期的非造山岩浆作用对比,证明华北克拉通经历了哥伦比亚超大陆的最终裂解。古地磁数据已经证明在哥伦比亚超大陆时期Siberia、Laurentia、Baltica、Amazion以及华北克拉通是连接在一起的,而北缘中元古代中期大陆裂谷相关岩浆岩的发现也说明它是与另一个古大陆相连的。华北克拉通南缘熊耳火山岩的构造背景到底是大陆裂谷还是大陆边缘弧则关系着其是与另一个克拉通相连还是面向大海,这需要我们进一步深入研究。     

Precambrian mafic magmatism in the Bastar craton,central India

The Bastar craton has experienced many episodes of mafic magmatism during the Precambrian. This is evidenced from a variety of Precambrian mafic rocks exposed in all parts of the Bastar craton in the form of volcanics and dykes. They include (i) three distinct mafic dyke swarms and a variety of mafic volcanic rocks of Precambrian age in the southern Bastar region; two sets of mafic dyke swarms are sub-alkaline tholeiitic in nature, whereas the third dyke swarm is high-Si, low-Ti and high-Mg in nature and documented as boninite-norite mafic rocks, (ii) mafic dykes of varying composition exposed in Bhanupratappur-Keskal area having dominantly high-Mg and high-Fe quartz tholeiitic compositions and rarely olivine and nepheline normative nature, (iii) four suites of Paleoproterozoic mafic dykes are recognized in and around the Chattisgarh basin comprising metadolerite, metagabbro, and metapyroxenite, Neoarchaean amphibolite dykes, Neoproterozoic younger fine-grained dolerite dykes, and Early Precambrian boninite dykes, and (iv) Dongargarh mafic volcanics, which are classified into three groups, viz. early Pitepani mafic volcanic rocks, later Sitagota and Mangikhuta mafic volcanics, and Pitepani siliceous high-magnesium basalts (SHMB). Available petrological and geochemical data on these distinct mafic rocks of the Bastar craton are summarized in this paper. Recently high precision U-Pb dates of 1891.1±0.9 Ma and 1883.0±1.4 Ma for two SE-trending mafic dykes from the BD2 (subalkaline) dyke swarm, from the southern Bastar craton have been reported. But more precise radiometric age determinations for a number of litho-units are required to establish discrete mafic magmatic episodes experienced by the craton. It is also important to note that very close geochemical similarity exist between boninite-norite suite exposed in the Bastar craton and many parts of the world. Spatial and temporal correlation suggests that such magmatism occurred globally during the Neoarchaean-Paleoproterozoic boundary. Many Archaean terrains were united as a supercontinent as Expanded Ur and Arctica at that time, and its rifting gave rise to numerous mafic dyke swarms, including boninitenorite, world-wide.     

The Chara–Sina dyke swarm in the structure of the Middle Paleozoic Vilyui rift system (Siberian Craton)

The formation of the Vilyui rift system in the eastern Siberian Craton was finished with breakdown of the continent and formation of its eastern margin. A characteristic feature of this rift system is the radial distribution of dyke swarms of basic rocks. This peculiarity allows us to relate it to the breaking processes above the mantle plume, the center of which was located in the region overlain in the modern structure by the foreland of the Verkhoyan folded–thrust belt. The Chara–Sina dyke swarm is the southern part of a large area of Middle Paleozoic basaltic magmatism in the eastern Siberian Craton. The OIB-like geochemical characteristics of dolerite allow us to suggest that the melting substrate for Middle Paleozoic basaltic magmatism was represented by a relatively homogeneous, mid-depleted mantle of the plume with geochemical parameters similar to those of OIB.     

中国西秦岭碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄及其构造意义

西秦岭是北接华北克拉通、西接祁连与柴达木、南接松潘—甘孜地块的东秦岭造山带的西延。文中研究了该区从前寒武纪到三叠纪的碎屑沉积岩。这些碎屑沉积岩中分离出的锆石由LA-ICPMS(激光剥蚀等离子体质谱)进行了U-Pb定年。全岩Nd亏损地幔模式年龄类似于扬子克拉通年龄,主要分布于1.55~1.98Ga,峰值为1.81Ga,而与华北克拉通主要为古元古代与太古宙的模式年龄形成明显的对比。泥盆系中的碎屑锆石930~730Ma的U-Pb年龄指示其与扬子克拉通具亲缘性。930~730Ma是源区地壳的强烈增长阶段。二叠系—三叠系的碎屑沉积岩主体以含老于1600Ma的碎屑锆石为特征。碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄与Sm-Nd同位素组成指示此时华北克拉通南缘的基底岩石成为二叠系—三叠系碎屑沉积岩的重要物源。扬子克拉通在三叠纪时与华北克拉通拼接。西秦岭二叠系—三叠系碎屑沉积岩含有高达50%的华北克拉通南缘的基底岩石。     

Episodic widespread magma underplating beneath the North China Craton in the Phanerozoic: Implications for craton destruction

A comprehensive synthesis of U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotopes of zircons from granulite/pyroxenite xenoliths entrained in Phanerozoic magmatic rocks and inherited xenocrysts from the associated lower crust rocks from various domains of the North China Craton (NCC) provides new insights into understanding the Phanerozoic evolution of the lower crust in this craton. Episodic widespread magma underplating into the ancient lower crust during Phanerozoic has been identified throughout the NCC from early Paleozoic to Cenozoic, broadly corresponding to the Caledonian, Hercynian, Indosinian, Yanshanian, and Himalayan orogenies on the circum-craton mobile belts. The early Paleozoic (410–490 Ma) ages come from xenoliths in the northern and southern margins as well as the central domain of the Eastern Block of the craton which mark the first phase of Phanerozoic magma underplating since the final cratonization of the NCC in the Paleoproterozoic. The magmatism coincided with the northward subduction of the Paleotethysian Ocean in the south and the southward subduction of the Paleoasian Ocean in the north. The subduction not only triggered magma underplating but also led to the emplacement of the diamondiferous kimberlites on the craton, marking the initiation of decratonization. The late Paleozoic event as represented by the 315 Ma garnet pyroxenite and/or lherzolite xenoliths in Hannuoba was restricted to the northern and southern margins of the craton, correlating with the arc magmatism continuous associated with the subduction of the Paleotethysian and Paleoasian Oceans and resulting in the interaction between the melts from subducted slabs and the lithospheric mantle/lower crust. The early Mesozoic event also dominantly occurred in the northern and southern margins and was related with the final closure of the Paleotethysian and Paleoasian Oceans as well as the collisional orogeny between the NCC and the Yangtze Craton. The late Mesozoic (ca. 120 Ma) was a major and widespread magmatic event which manifested throughout the NCC, associated with the geothermal overturn due to the giant south Pacific mantle plume. The Cenozoic magmatism, identified only in the dark clinopyroxenite xenoliths in the Hannuoba, was probably induced by the Himalayan movement in eastern Asia and might also have been influenced by the subduction of the Pacific Ocean to some extent. These widespread and episodic magma underplating or rejuvenation of the ancient lower crust beneath the NCC revealed by U–Pb and Hf isotope data resulted from the corresponding addition of juvenile materials from mantle to lower crust, with a mixing of the old crust with melts. The process inevitably resulted in the compositional modification of the ancient lower crust, similar to the compositional transformation from the refractory lithospheric mantle to a fertile one through the refractory peridotite — infiltrated melt reaction as revealed in the lithospheric mantle beneath the craton.     

Metallogenesis of Precambrian gold deposits in the Wutai greenstone belt:Constrains on the tectonic evolution of the North China Craton

The Wutai greenstone belt in central North China Craton(NCC) hosts a number of Precambrian gold deposits and ore occurrences. Based on the host rock association, these can be divided into Banded Iron Formation(BIF), meta-volcano-sedimentary and meta-conglomerate types. The two former types formed during ~2.5-2.3 Ga and the third one at ~1.85 Ga. The characteristics of these Precambrian gold deposits are broadly similar with those of the orogenic gold deposits. Based on available geochronological data, here we reconstruct the major tectonic events and their relationship with gold mineralization in the Wutai-Hengshan-Fuping region during Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic as follows.(1)~2.6-2.5 Ga: widespread intrusion of tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite(TTG) magmas in the Hengshan terrane and Fuping continental arc, formation of the Wutai volcanic arc in the southern margin of Hengshan terrane with granitoids emplacement, and the Hengshan-Wutai intra-oceanic arc accretion to the Fuping arc at the end of Neoarchean.(2) ~ 2.5-2.3 Ga: the subduction of Hengshan arc from north leading to persistent magmatism and orogenic gold mineralization.(3)~2.2-2.1 Ga:extension leading to the formation of graben structure in the Wutai and Fuping region, deposition of the Hutuo and Wanzi Group sediments, formation of placer gold through erosion of the orogenic gold deposits.(4)~2.2-2.0 Ga: widespread magmatism in the Wutai-Hengshan-Fuping region.(5)~1.95-1.8 Ga: regional metamorphism associated with collision of the Western and Eastern Blocks of the NCC and associated orogenic gold deposits. The multiple subduction-accretion-collision history and subsequent deep erosion has significantly affected most of the Precambrian gold deposits in the Wutai greenstone belt.     

Precambrian sedimentation in the Urik-Iya Graben,southern Siberian Craton: Main stages and tectonic settings

The Paleoproterozoic sedimentary and volcanic-sedimentary sequences of the Urik-Iya Graben at southern flank of the Siberian Craton have been studied. Based on the isotopic U-Pb LA-ICP-MS dating of detrital zircons contained in the clastic fraction of the studied rocks, three main extension stages accompanied by sedimentation are recognized; each stage is characterized by certain types of sediments and conditions of their accumulation. The oldest rocks (Ingashi Formation) mark early extension events (～1.91?1.87 Ga), which were caused by collapse of the orogen that arose due to collision of the Biryusa and Sharyzhalgai blocks. The basin formed as a result of extension is regarded as an aulacogen. Granitoids of the Sayan Complex were emplaced in the cratonic lithosphere at the final stage of the first extension stage. The second stage of extension started ～1.75 Ga ago as a response to the effect of the inferred mantle plume on the lithosphere of the Siberian Craton. It was accompanied by deposition of the Daldarma Formation. Stress inversion took place at the final stage (～1.70 Ga), and an intracratonic fold zone arose at the place of the paleoaulacogen. The third extension stage (1.65?1.60 Ga) corresponds to the time of molasse accumulation in pull-apart basins (Yermosokha Formation). The final stage of rifting was marked by emplacement of granitoids (Chernaya Zima Complex, 1.53 Ga), which completed the active tectonic events in the region. Afterward, the Urik-Iya Graben transformed into a stable intracratonic domain. The available data allow us to revise the tectonic history of the Urik-Iya Graben. In light of new evidence, this structural unit may be interpreted as a long-evolving paleoaulacogen. The series of revealed sedimentation settings reflects the formation of a consolidated continental lithosphere at the southern flank of the Siberian Craton.     

Neoproterozoic evolution of Rodinia: constraints from new paleomagnetic data on the western margin of the Siberian craton

The paper summarizes paleomagnetic results obtained from the Neoproterozoic rocks of the western margin of the Siberian craton. On the basis of the obtained paleomagnetic poles and available paleomagnetic data for the Precambrian of Siberia, a new version of the Neoproterozoic segment of the apparent polar wandering path (APWP) is proposed for the craton and is compared with the Laurentian APWP. The superposition of these paths suggests that in the Neoproterozoic the southern margin of the Siberian craton (in modern coordinates) faced the Canadian margin of Laurentia. Most likely, in the end of the Mesoproterozoic and during the Neoproterozoic the Siberian craton and Laurentia were connected to form the supercontinent Rodinia. At 1 Ga the western margin of the Siberian craton was a northern (in modern coordinates) continuation of the western margin of Laurentia. The available paleomagnetic data on Laurentia and continental blocks of Eastern Gondwana (Australia, Antarctica, India, South China) and the proposed APWP trend allowed a new model for the breakup of this segment of Rodinia. Analysis of a total of the data available suggests that strike-slip movements on the background of the progressive opening of the oceanic basin between Siberia and Laurentia were predominant in the south of the Siberian craton during the Neoproterozoic. Similar kinematics is typical of the western margin of Laurentia, where strike-slip motions are probably associated with the progressive opening of the ocean basin between Laurentia and eastern Gondwana.     

2D model of the crust and uppermost mantle along rift profile, Siberian craton

A two-dimensional model of the crust and uppermost mantle for the western Siberian craton and the adjoining areas of the Pur-Gedan basin to the north and Baikal Rift zone to the south is determined from travel time data from recordings of 30 chemical explosions and three nuclear explosions along the RIFT deep seismic sounding profile. This velocity model shows strong lateral variations in the crust and sub-Moho structure both within the craton and between the craton and the surrounding region. The Pur-Gedan basin has a 15-km thick, low-velocity sediment layer overlying a 25-km thick, high-velocity crystalline crustal layer. A paleo-rift zone with a graben-like structure in the basement and a high-velocity crustal intrusion or mantle upward exists beneath the southern part of the Pur-Gedan basin. The sedimentary layer is thin or non-existent and there is a velocity reversal in the upper crust beneath the Yenisey Zone. The Siberian craton has nearly uniform crustal thickness of 40–43 km but the average velocity in the lower crust in the north is higher (6.8–6.9 km/s) than in the south (6.6 km/s). The crust beneath the Baikal Rift zone is 35 km thick and has an average crustal velocity similar to that observed beneath the southern part of craton. The uppermost mantle velocity varies from 8.0 to 8.1 km/s beneath the young West Siberian platform and Baikal Rift zone to 8.1–8.5 km/s beneath the Siberian craton. Anomalous high Pn velocities (8.4–8.5 km/s) are observed beneath the western Tunguss basin in the northern part of the craton and beneath the southern part of the Siberian craton, but lower Pn velocities (8.1 km/s) are observed beneath the Low Angara basin in the central part of the craton. At about 100 km depth beneath the craton, there is a velocity inversion with a strong reflecting interface at its base. Some reflectors are also distinguished within the upper mantle at depth between 230 and 350 km.