U–Pb dating of zircon and cassiterite from the Early Cretaceous Jiaojiguan iron-tin polymetallic deposit,implications for magmatism and metallogeny of the Tengchong area,western Yunnan,China

The newly discovered Jiaojiguan deposit, a medium-scale skarn iron-tin polymetallic deposit on the Sino-Burma boundary of Yunnan Province (SW China), is spatially associated with the biotite monzonitic granite. Here, we report new in situ zircon LA-MC-ICP-MS U–Pb ages, trace element and Hf isotope data from the granite, and U–Pb dating ages of cassiterite from the ore bodies. In this study, we obtain a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 124.1 ± 1.4 Ma for the zircon and a ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb-²³⁸U/²⁰⁶Pb intercept age of 123.8 ± 2.2 Ma for the cassiterite. The granite crystallized during the Early Cretaceous, with zircons exhibiting εHf(t) values from ?5.8 to ?0.6 and two-stage Hf model ages (T_DM2) of 1.21–1.54 Ga. The close temporal and spatial links between pluton emplacement and ore-forming events suggest that magmatic-hydrothermal events were the key factors that triggered the genesis of the iron-tin polymetallic deposits in the area. Regional geochronological data show that tin mineralization took place three times during the Cretaceous–Palaeogene in the Tengchong block due to re-melting of the underlying supposed Proterozoic (1.5 ± 0.5 Ga) Sn-rich strata/materials. Compared with those in the Bangong–Nujiang metallogenic belt (BNMB), we propose that the Cretaceous iron-tin polymetallic mineralization events in Tengchong–Baoshan closely resemble those of the Bangong–Nujiang belt in northern Tibet, both of which have experienced similar tectono-magmatic-metallogenic histories since the Mesozoic.     

Neoproterozoic island arcs in East Sayan: duration of magmatism (from U–Pb zircon dating of volcanic clastics)

Two island arcs of different ages have been reconstructed in the Neoproterozoic history of southeastern East Sayan: Dunzhugur and Shishkhid. According to earlier concepts, the Dunzhugur arc formed at ～1020 Ma and underwent collision with the Siberian(?) continent at ～810 Ma. The Shishkhid arc formed somewhat earlier than 800 Ma and existed till the end of the Late Baikalian (～600 Ma, from indirect data). This primitive geologic history, when each arc existed for 200 Myr, was suggested because of the deficit of direct data, and its reconstruction cast doubt. In this work we present results of preliminary dating of detrital zircons separated from the volcaniclastic rocks composing the above arcs. We analyzed 12 zircon crystals from the Dunzhugur volcanic clastics, whose ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age varies from 844 ± 8 to 1048 ± 12 Ma (1σ). Five most ancient zircons form a concordant cluster with an age of 1034 ± 9 Ma (2σ). Hence, the arc formed earlier than it was assumed and existed for a long time, most likely, till its collision with the continent. We also studied two zircon samples from the volcaniclastic rocks of the Oka accretionary prism, which probably formed in the Shishkhid arc. All ten crystals of the first sample form a concordant cluster with an age of 813 ± 7 Ma (2σ). The analyzed zircons of the second sample arrange in two clusters, with an age of 775 ± 8 Ma (2σ, nine crystals) and 819 ± 17 Ma (three crystals). Thus, the Shishkhid arc formed earlier than it was assumed, at the end of the Early Baikalian, and underwent active volcanism at least till 775 Ma. Dating of detrital zircons from the volcaniclastics generated at the mature stage of the Shishkhid-arc evolution will help to reconstruct partly or completely its history in the period 775–600 Ma.     

U–Pb and Ar–Ar geochronology of the Fujiawu porphyry Cu–Mo deposit,Dexing district,Southeast China: Implications for magmatism,hydrothermal alteration,and mineralization

The Fujiawu porphyry Cu–Mo deposit is one of several porphyry Cu–Mo deposits in the Dexing district, Jiangxi Province, Southeast China. New zircon SHRIMP U–Pb data yield a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 172.0 ± 2.1 and 168.5 ± 1.4 Ma from weakly altered granodiorite porphyry and quartz diorite porphyry, respectively. Two hydrothermal biotites from granodiorite porphyry give an Ar–Ar step-heating plateau age of 169.9 ± 1.8 and 168.7 ± 1.8 Ma. Hydrothermal apatite exsolved from altered biotite yields an isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry isochron age of 164.4 ± 0.9 Ma. The apatite age is similar to the ages obtained from hydrothermal rutile (165.0 ± 1.1 and 164.8 ± 1.6 Ma) and indicates that the magmatism and hydrothermal activity in the Fujiawu deposit occurred in the Middle Jurassic. Hydrothermal fluid circulation related to multiple stages of magma emplacement resulted in Cu–Mo mineralization in the Fujiawu porphyry deposit. The zircon SHRIMP U–Pb ages and the published molybdenite Re–Os age (170.9 ± 1.5 Ma) represent the timing of magma crystallization and Mo mineralization, whereas the rutile and apatite U–Pb ages reflect the timing of Cu mineralization following quartz diorite emplacement. The data suggest slow cooling after emplacement of the quartz diorite porphyry.     

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.     

Multimillion year thermal history of a porphyry copper deposit: application of U–Pb, 40Ar/39Ar and (U–Th)/He chronometers, Bajo de la Alumbrera copper–gold deposit, Argentina

Application of multiple chronometers (including U–Pb and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology and zircon and apatite (U–Th)/He thermochronology) to porphyry intrusions at the Bajo de la Alumbrera porphyry copper–gold deposit, Argentina, reveals a complex history of reheating that spans millions of years. Previous U–Pb geochronology, combined with our new ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar data, shows that the multiple porphyritic intrusions at Bajo de la Alumbrera were emplaced during two episodes, the first at about 8.0 Ma (P2 and associated porphyries) and the second about a million years later (Early and Late P3 porphyries). Complex overprinting alteration events have obscured the earliest hydrothermal history of the deposit. By contrast, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar data reveal the close temporal relationship of ore-bearing potassic alteration assemblages (7.12 ± 0.13 Ma; biotite) to the emplacement of the P3 intrusions. Consistent with low closure temperatures, younger ages have been determined for associated hydrothermal alkali feldspar (6.82 ± 0.05 Ma and 6.64 ± 0.09 Ma). The temperature-sensitive Ar data also record an unexpected prolonged cooling history (to below 200°C) extending to 5.9 Ma. Our data suggest that the Bajo de la Alumbrera system underwent protracted cooling, after the collapse of the main hydrothermal system, or that one or more low-temperature (~100–200°C) reheating events occurred after emplacement of the porphyritic intrusions at Bajo de la Alumbrera. These have been constrained in part by our new ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar data (including multidomain diffusion modeling) and (U–Th)/He ages. Single-grain (U–Th)/He ages (n = 5) for phenocrystic zircon from P2 and P3 intrusive phases bracket these thermal events to between 6.9 (youngest crystallization of intrusion) and 5.1 Ma. Multidomain modeling of alkali feldspar data (from both igneous and hydrothermal crystals) is consistent with the deposit cooling rapidly from magmatic temperatures to below about 300°C, with a more protracted history down to 150°C. We conclude that the late-stage low-temperature (150 to 200°C) thermal anomaly localized at Bajo de la Alumbrera resulted from radiation of heat and/or fluids sourced from deeper-seated magma bodies, emplaced beneath the deposit. To produce the observed thermal longevity of the porphyry system, magma bodies underlying the Bajo de la Alumbrera deposit must have been repeatedly replenished by new magma batches. Without replenishment, crystallization of the source magma will occur, and heat release will stop, leading to rapid cooling (in less than ten thousand years). The influx of deep-seated magma may have caused the development of late low-temperature hydrothermal alteration assemblages at Bajo de la Alumbrera, at the same time that mineralization formed at Agua Rica, some 25 km away. All available chronologic data for the Bajo de la Alumbrera deposit suggest that the hydrothermal system was active episodically over at least a three-million and possibly up to a four-million-year period. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Granitic magmatism,basement ages,and provenance indicators in the Malay Peninsula: Insights from detrital zircon U–Pb and Hf-isotope data

The Malay Peninsula lies on two continental blocks, Sibumasu and East Malaya, which are intruded by granitoids in two provinces: the Main Range and Eastern. Previous models propose that Permian–Triassic granitoids are subduction-related and syn-to post-collisional. We present 752 U–Pb analyses that were carried out on zircons from river sands in the Malay Peninsula; of these, 243 grains were selected for Hf-isotope analyses. Our data suggest a more complex Sibumasu–East Malaya collision history. ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf_i ratios reveal that Permian–Triassic zircons were sourced from three magmatic suites: (a) Permian crustally-derived granitoids, (b) Early-Middle Triassic granitoids with mixed mantle–crust sources, and (c) Late Triassic crustally-derived granitoids. This suggests three Permian–Triassic episodes of magmatism in the Malay Peninsula, two of which occurred in the Eastern Province. Although the exact timing of the Sibumasu–East Malaya collision remains unresolved, current data suggest that it occurred before the Late Triassic, probably in Late Permian–Early Triassic. Our data also indicate that Sibumasu and East Malaya basements are chronologically heterogeneous, but predominantly of Proterozoic age. Some basement may be Neoarchaean but there is no evidence for basement older than 2.8 Ga. Finally, we show that Hf-isotope signatures of Triassic zircons can be used as provenance indicators.     

Zircon geochronology of the Koraput alkaline complex: Insights from combined geochemical and U–Pb–Hf isotope analyses,and implications for the timing of alkaline magmatism in the Eastern Ghats Belt,India

Zircon formation and modification during magmatic crystallization and high-grade metamorphism are explored using TIMS and LA-ICP-MS U–Pb geochronology, Lu–Hf isotope chemistry, trace element analysis and textural clues on zircons from the Koraput alkaline intrusion, Eastern Ghats Belt (EGB), India. The zircon host-rock is a granulite-facies nepheline syenite gneiss with an exceptionally low Zr concentration, prohibiting early magmatic Zr saturation. With zircon formation occurring at a late stage of advanced magmatic cooling, significant amounts of Zr were incorporated into biotite, nearly the only other Zr-bearing phase in the nepheline syenite gneisses. Investigated zircons experienced a multi-stage history of magmatic and metamorphic zircon growth with repeated solid-state recrystallization and partial dissolution–precipitation. These processes are recorded by complex patterns of internal zircon structures and a wide range of apparently concordant U–Pb ages between 869 ± 7 Ma and 690 ± 1 Ma. The oldest ages are interpreted to represent the timing of the emplacement of the Koraput alkaline complex, which significantly postdates the intrusion ages of most of the alkaline intrusion in the western EGB. However, Hf model ages of TDM = 1.5 to 1.0 Ga suggest an earlier separation of the nepheline syenite magma from its depleted mantle source, overlapping with the widespread Mesoproterozoic, rift-related alkaline magmatism in the EGB. Zircons yielding ages younger than 860 Ma have most probably experienced partial resetting of their U–Pb ages during repeated and variable recrystallization events. Consistent youngest LA-ICP-MS and CA-TIMS U–Pb ages of 700–690 Ma reflect a final pulse of high-grade metamorphism in the Koraput area and underline the recurrence of considerable orogenic activity in the western EGB during the Neoproterozoic. Within the nepheline syenite gneisses this final high-grade metamorphic event caused biotite breakdown, releasing sufficient Zr for local saturation and new subsolidus zircon growth along the biotite grain boundaries.     

The Vendian Vorogovka Group of Yenisei Ridge: Chemostratigraphy and results of U–Pb dating of detrital zircons

Application of the method of isotope stratigraphy showed that the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio in the least altered carbonate rocks of the Severnaya Rechka and Sukhaya Rechka formations in the Vorogovka Group of Yenisei Ridge ranges from 0.70813 to 0.70828, and δ¹³C varies from –0.7 to +1.8‰. Comparison of these data with similar data for the Late Precambrian sequences from other regions provides evidence for the Vendian age of the Vorogovka Group. This is supported by the results of LA ICP-MS U–Pb dating of detrital zircons from sandstone of the Severnaya Rechka Formation, which is the basal level of the group: the mid-weight age of the youngest zircon population is 584 ± 3 Ma.     

Late Mesozoic magmatism from the Daye region,eastern China: U–Pb ages,petrogenesis, and geodynamic implications

Late Mesozoic dioritic and quartz dioritic plutons are widespread in the Daye region, eastern Yangtze craton, eastern China. Detailed geochronological, geochemical, and Sr–Nd isotopic studies have been undertaken for most of these plutons, in an attempt to provide a comprehensive understanding in the age, genesis and geodynamical control of the extensive magmatism. SHRIMP and LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating indicate that the plutons were emplaced in the range of latest Jurassic (ca. 152 Ma) to early Cretaceous (ca. 132 Ma), which was followed by dyke emplacement between 127 and 121 Ma and volcanism during the 130–113 Ma interval. Both diorites and quartz diorites are sodic, metaluminous, high-K calc-alkaline, and characterized by strongly fractionated, sub-parallel REE patterns without obvious Eu anomalies. The rocks are enriched in highly incompatible elements and large ion lithophile elements, but depleted in high field strength elements. Samples of diorite and quartz diorite have similar Sr–Nd isotopic compositions that are consistent with the early Cretaceous basalts and mafic intrusions throughout the eastern Yangtze craton. The geochemical and isotopic data, together with results of geochemical modeling, indicate an enriched mantle source for the plutonic rocks. The quartz diorites have geochemical signatures resembling adakites, such as high Al₂O₃ (15–19 wt.%), Sr (630–2,080 ppm), Na₂O (>3.5 wt.%), negative Nb–Ta anomalies, low Y (7–19 ppm), Yb (0.5–1.8 ppm), Sc (5–15 ppm), and resultant high Sr/Y (45–200) and La/Yb (31–63) ratios. Genesis of the adakitic quartz diorites is best explained in terms of low-pressure intracrustal fractional crystallization of cumulates consisting of hornblende, plagioclase, K-feldspar, magnetite, and apatite from mantle-derived dioritic magmas. Mantle-derived magmatism broadly coeval with that of the Daye region also is widespread in other regions of the eastern Yangtze craton, reflecting large-scale melting of the lithospheric mantle during the Late Mesozoic. The large-scale magmatism was most likely driven by lithospheric extension associated with thinning of lithospheric mantle beneath the eastern China continent.     

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 dating of granites in the Neoproterozoic Sergipano Belt,NE-Brazil: Implications for the timing and duration of continental collision and extrusion tectonics in the Borborema Province

The Sergipano Belt is the outcome of collision between the Pernambuco–Alagoas Massif and the São Francisco Craton during Neoproterozoic assembly of West Gondwana. Field relationships and U–Pb geochronology of granites intruded in garnet micaschists of the Macururé Domain are used to constrain the main collisional event (D₂) in the belt. The granites are divided into two groups, the pre-collisional granites (pre- to early-D₂) and the syn-collisional granites (syn- to tardi-D₂), the latter were emplaced as sheets along the S₂ axial plane foliation or they were collected at the hinge zones of F₂ folds. A U–Pb SHRIMP zircon age of 628 ± 12 Ma was obtained for the pre-collisional Camará tonalite. Two U–Pb TIMS titanite ages were obtained for the syn-collisional granites, 584 ± 10 Ma for the Angico granite and 571 ± 9 Ma for the Pedra Furada granite, and these ages are close to the garnet-whole rock Sm–Nd isochron of 570 Ma found for the peak of metamorphism in the Sergipano Belt. The ages of the Camará tonalite (628 Ma) and the Pedra Furada granite (571 Ma) mark respectively the maximum age for beginning of the D₂ event and minimum age for the end in the Macururé Domain. Using these ages, the main Neoproterozoic D₂ collisional event has been in operation in the Sergipano Belt for at least 57 million years. Correlation with coeval granitoids farther north in the Borborema Province indicate that while in the Sergipano Belt the syn-D₂ granites (ca. 590–570 Ma) were emplaced under compression, in the Borborema Province they emplaced under extensional conditions related to regional strike-slip shear zones. These contrasting emplacement settings for contemporaneous Neoproterozoic granitoids are explained by a combination of continent–continent collision and extrusion tectonics.     

U–Pb and Th–Pb dating of apatite by LA-ICPMS

Apatite is a common U- and Th-bearing accessory mineral in igneous and metamorphic rocks, and a minor but widespread detrital component in clastic sedimentary rocks. U–Pb and Th–Pb dating of apatite has potential application in sedimentary provenance studies, as it likely represents first cycle detritus compared to the polycyclic behavior of zircon. However, low U, Th and radiogenic Pb concentrations, elevated common Pb and the lack of a U–Th–Pb apatite standard remain significant challenges in dating apatite by LA-ICPMS, and consequently in developing the chronometer as a provenance tool.This study has determined U–Pb and Th–Pb ages for seven well known apatite occurrences (Durango, Emerald Lake, Kovdor, Mineville, Mud Tank, Otter Lake and Slyudyanka) by LA-ICPMS. Analytical procedures involved rastering a 10 μm spot over a 40 × 40 μm square to a depth of 10 μm using a Geolas 193 nm ArF excimer laser coupled to a Thermo ElementXR single-collector ICPMS. These raster conditions minimized laser-induced inter-element fractionation, which was corrected for using the back-calculated intercept of the time-resolved signal. A Tl–U–Bi–Np tracer solution was aspirated with the sample into the plasma to correct for instrument mass bias. External standards (Ple?ovice and 91500 zircon, NIST SRM 610 and 612 silicate glasses and STDP5 phosphate glass) along with Kovdor apatite were analyzed to monitor U–Pb, Th–Pb, U–Th and Pb–Pb ratiosCommon Pb correction employed the ²⁰⁷Pb method, and also a ²⁰⁸Pb correction method for samples with low Th/U. The ²⁰⁷Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb corrections employed either the initial Pb isotopic composition or the Stacey and Kramers model and propagated conservative uncertainties in the initial Pb isotopic composition. Common Pb correction using the Stacey and Kramers (1975) model employed an initial Pb isotopic composition calculated from either the estimated U–Pb age of the sample or an iterative approach. The age difference between these two methods is typically less than 2%, suggesting that the iterative approach works well for samples where there are no constraints on the initial Pb composition, such as a detrital sample. No ²⁰⁴Pb correction was undertaken because of low ²⁰⁴Pb counts on single collector instruments and ²⁰⁴Pb interference by ²⁰⁴Hg in the argon gas supply.Age calculations employed between 11 and 33 analyses per sample and used a weighted average of the common Pb-corrected ages, a Tera–Wasserburg Concordia intercept age and a Tera–Wasserburg Concordia intercept age anchored through common Pb. The samples in general yield ages consistent (at the 2σ level) with independent estimates of the U–Pb apatite age, which demonstrates the suitability of the analytical protocol employed. Weighted mean age uncertainties are as low as 1–2% for U- and/or Th-rich Palaeozoic–Neoproterozoic samples; the uncertainty on the youngest sample, the Cenozoic (31.44 Ma) Durango apatite, ranges from 3.7–7.6% according to the common Pb correction method employed. The accurate and relatively precise common Pb-corrected ages demonstrate the U–Pb and Th–Pb apatite chronometers are suitable as sedimentary provenance tools. The Kovdor carbonatite apatite is recommended as a potential U–Pb and Th–Pb apatite standard as it yields precise and reproducible ²⁰⁷Pb-corrected, ²³²Th–²⁰⁸Pb, and common Pb-anchored Tera–Wasserburg Concordia intercept ages.     

U–Pb isotopic dating of titanite microstructures: potential implications for the chronology and identification of large impact structures

Identifying and dating large impact structures is challenging, as many of the traditional shock indicator phases can be modified by post-impact processes. Refractory accessory phases, such as zircon, while faithful recorders of shock wave passage, commonly respond with partial U–Pb age resetting during impact events. Titanite is an accessory phase with lower Pb closure temperature than many other robust chronometers, but its potential as indicator and chronometer of impact-related processes remains poorly constrained. In this study, we examined titanite grains from the Sudbury (Ontario, Canada) and Vredefort (South Africa) impact structures, combining quantitative microstructural and U–Pb dating techniques. Titanite grains from both craters host planar microstructures and microtwins that show a common twin–host disorientation relationship of 74° about <102>. In the Vredefort impact structure, the microtwins deformed internally and developed high- and low-angle grain boundaries that resulted in the growth of neoblastic crystallites. U–Pb isotopic dating of magmatic titanite grains with deformation microtwins from the Sudbury impact structure yielded a ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age of 1851?±?12 Ma that records either the shock heating or the crater modification stage of the impact event. The titanite grains from the Vredefort impact structure yielded primarily pre-impact ages recording the cooling of the ultra-high-temperature Ventersdorp event, but domains with microtwins or planar microstructures show evidence of U–Pb isotopic disturbance. Despite that the identified microtwins are not diagnostic of shock-metamorphic processes, our contribution demonstrates that titanite has great potential to inform studies of the terrestrial impact crater record.     

Mesozoic magmatism and metallogenesis associated with the destruction of the North China Craton: Evidence from U–Pb geochronology and stable isotope geochemistry of the Mujicun porphyry Cu–Mo deposit

The North China Craton (NCC) provides a classic example of lithospheric destruction and refertilization. The timing and duration of magmatism and related metallogenesis associated with the destruction process are pivotal to understanding the geodynamic controls. In this study, we present zircon U–Pb and Hf data, Re–Os ages, and He, Ar, Pb and S isotope data from the Mujicun porphyry Cu–Mo deposit in the northern Taihang Mountains within the Central Orogenic Belt of the NCC. We constrain the timing of magmatism as 144.1 ± 1.2 Ma from zircon U–Pb data on the diorite porphyry that hosts Cu–Mo mineralization. Another U–Pb age of 139.7 ± 1.4 Ma was obtained from an epidote skarn that is located in the contact zone between the porphyry and its wall rocks. These data and five Re–Os molybdenite ages that range from 142.7 ± 2.0 Ma to 138.5 ± 1.9 Ma suggest that magmatism and mineralization occurred in about five million year duration from ~ 143 Ma to ~ 138 Ma. The He, Ar, Pb and, Hf data suggest that magmatism involved recycled Neoarchean lower crustal components, with input of heat and volatiles from an upwelling mantle. The Mujicun porphyry and associated mineralization provide a typical example for magmatism and metallogeny associated with lithospheric thinning in the NCC.     

U–Pb geochronology and Pb isotope characteristics of the Chahgaz volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit,southern Iran

The Chahgaz Zn–Pb–Cu volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposit occurs within a metamorphosed bimodal volcano–sedimentary sequence in the south Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone (SSZ) of southern Iran. This deposit is hosted by rhyodacitic volcaniclastics and is underlain and overlain by rhyodacitic flows, volcaniclastics, and pelites. Peperitic textures between rhyodacite flows and contact pelites indicate that emplacement of the rhyodacite occurred prior to the lithification of the pelites. The rhyodacitic flows are calc-alkaline, and show rare earth and trace elements features characteristic of arc magmatism. Zircons extracted from stratigraphic footwall and hanging-wall rhyodacitic flows of the Chahgaz deposit yield concordant U–Pb ages of 175.7 ± 1.7 and 172.9 ± 1.4 Ma, respectively, and a mean age of 174 ± 1.2 Ma. This time period is interpreted to represent the age of mineralization of the Chahgaz deposit. This Middle Jurassic age is suggested as a major time of VMS mineralization within pull-apart basins formed during Neo-Tethyan oblique subduction-related arc volcano-plutonism in the SSZ. Galena mineral separates from the layered massive sulphide have uniform lead isotope ratios of ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb?=?18.604–18.617, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb?=?15.654–15.667, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb?=?38.736–38.769; they show a model age of 200 Ma, consistent with the derivation of Pb from a Late Triassic, homogeneous upper crustal source.     

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 age of detrital zircons from the Tekes River,Xinjiang, China,and implications for tectonomagmatic evolution of the South Tian Shan Orogen

The South Tian Shan, which is located along the southwestern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, is widely accepted as a collisional orogen between the Kazakhstan-Yili Block in the north and the Tarim Craton in the south, and the collision is thought to have occurred in either Late Paleozoic or Triassic. Regardless of the timing of the collision, the major magmatic events in the South Tian Shan Orogen should be related to subduction, collision and post-collision. We investigate this problem through U–Pb age of detrital zircons from the eastward-flowing Tekes River and its southern branches flowing through the northern slope of the Chinese South Tian Shan. A total of 500 analyses on 494 zircon grains from five sand samples yield an age range of 2590 to 268 Ma, but they are dominated by Paleozoic magmatic zircon grains, with some Precambrian population, but no Mesozoic and Cenozoic grains were detected. One of the samples from the Tekes River contains zircon grains from the Chinese South Tian Shan and other areas because the river receives its discharge from multiple sources. The other four samples were collected from four branches originating from the Chinese South Tian Shan only. From west to east, the sample from the Kayintemuzhate River shows two peak ages of 475 and 345 Ma, sample from the Muzhaerte (also called Xiate) River has peak ages of 422 and 290 Ma, sample from the Akeyazi River is characterized by a single peak age of 421 Ma, and sample from the Kekesu River shows a more complicated spectra with peak ages of 426, 398, 362, 327, and 285 Ma. When pooled together, the four samples yield four distinct age populations of 500–460, 450–390, 360–320, and 300–270 Ma, indicating the major magmatic events in the Chinese South Tian Shan. These results, combined with regional data, show an absence of Mesozoic magmatic events in the drainage areas of the Tekes River, and thus the South Tian Shan does not seem to be a Triassic orogen because of the lack of syn-collisional and post-collisional magmatism. The 300–270 magmatic event is thought to post-date the closure of the South Tian Shan Ocean, while the 360–320 and 450–390 Ma events were closely related to the northward subduction of the South Tian Shan Ocean. Our results strongly suggest a Late Carboniferous (320–300 Ma) collision between the Kazakhstan-Yili Block and the Tarim Craton. Possibly, the 500–460 Ma magmatism was related to subduction and closure of the Early Paleozoic Terskey Ocean.     

Results of U–Pb dating of zircons from wehrlite of the platinum-bearing Feklistov massif (Shantar Archipelago,Russia)

The compositional and isotope–geochemical features of zircons from wehrlite of the Feklistov massif, which formed platinum coastal placers, are discussed in this paper for the first time. Zircons from wehrlite of the Feklistov massif, similarly to worldwide zoned clinopyroxenite–dunite massifs, are characterized by different morphology, composition and a wide spectrum of ages (from 2.717 to 0.373 Ga). The Late Devonian age (373.2 ± 7.5 Ma) of zircons allows us to characterize the timing of the formation of wehrlite from the Feklistov massif and to correlate its emplacement with a significant superplume event, which covered the Siberia and Laurussia continents. The geological meaning of this dating refers to limiting the lower age boundary for emplacement of the Feklistov clinopyroxenite–dunite massif into the Earth’s crust, which does not contradict geological observations.