New age constraints for Grenville-age metamorphism in western central Dronning Maud Land (East Antarctica), and implications for the palaeogeography of Kalahari in Rodinia

New SHRIMP zircon data from Gjelsvikfjella and Mühlig–Hofmann–Gebirge (East Antarctica) indicate that the metamorphic basement is composed of Grenville-age rocks that are most likely part of the north-eastern continuation of the Namaqua–Natal–Maud Belt. Crystallisation ages of meta-igneous rocks range between ca. 1,150 to 1,100 Ma, with little inheritance recorded. Metamorphic zircon overgrowth during high-grade metamorphism is dated between ca. 1,090 to 1,050 Ma. Both, the crystallisation ages and the metamorphic overprint are similar to U–Pb data from a number of areas along a ca. 2,000-km stretch from Natal in South Africa to central Dronning Maud Land. The basement underwent in part strong high-grade reworking during the collision of East and West Gondwana at ca. 550 Ma. The timing of Grenville-age metamorphism has important implications for the position of Kalahari in Rodinia. It also questions that Coats Land is part of the Maud Belt because the undeformed volcanic rocks of Coats Land are older than the main metamorphism within the Maud Belt and, therefore, must rest on older basement. This interpretation explains why the pole of Coats Land at ca. 1,110 Ma differs from the Kalahari poles by 30°, i.e. Coats Land had not yet amalgamated to Kalahari. On the other hand, the palaeopoles from Coats Land and Laurentia at 1,110 Ma are identical within error. Thus, Coats Land could have been part of Laurentia prior to the final amalgamation of Rodinia, the Namaqua–Natal–Maud Belt could have been a part of the Grenville Belt and the entire Kalahari Craton could indeed have opposed Laurentia on its eastern side.     

Eastern Laurentia in Rodinia: constraints from whole-rock Pb and U/Pb geochronology

Whole-rock Pb isotopic signatures and U/Pb geochronology refute a Rodinian correlation of northeastern Laurentia and proto-Andean Amazonia. According to this previously proposed model, the Labrador–Scotland–Greenland Promontory (LSGP) of northeastern Laurentia collided with the proto-Andean margin of Amazonia, at the Arica Embayment, during the Grenville/Sunsás Orogeny (ca. 1.0 Ga). Links between the two margins were based upon the correlation of the LSGP with Arequipa-Antofalla Basement (AAB), a Proterozoic block along the proto-Andean margin of Amazonia adjacent to the Arica Embayment. Specifically, similarities in 1.8–1.0 Ga basement rocks in both regions suggested that the AAB was originally a piece of the LSGP. Furthermore, similarities in unique, post-collisional, but pre-rift, glacial sedimentary sequences also supported a link between the AAB and LSGP.Tests of these apparent similarities fail to support correlation of the AAB and the LSGP and, thus, eliminate a direct link between northeastern Laurentia and southwestern Amazonia in Rodinia. However, Pb isotopic compositions and U/Pb geochronology provide the basis for two new correlations, namely, (1) the ca. 1.3–1.0 Ga basement in the central and southern Appalachians may be an allochthonous block that was transferred to Laurentia from Amazonia at ca. 1.0 Ga, and (2) an allochthonous AAB may be a piece of the Kalahari Craton that was transferred to Amazonia at ca. 1.0 Ga. Based on these new correlations and a previously proposed Grenvillian connection between southern Laurentia (Llano) and Kalahari, we propose that Amazonia may have collided with a contiguous southeastern Laurentia/Kalahari margin at ca. 1.0 Ga.     

Palaeomagnetic results from the ca. 1130 Ma Borgmassivet intrusions in the Ahlmannryggen region of Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica, and tectonic implications

Detailed palaeomagnetic and rock magnetic analyses provide improved palaeomagnetic results from 23 sites in the Borgmassivet intrusions in the Ahlmannryggen region of Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica. These intrusions are of similar age to their host, the ca. 1130 Ma Ritscherflya Supergroup (RSG). A mean direction of D=235.4°, I=−7.6° with k=45.9 and α₉₅=4.5° was obtained from this study. When combined with previously reported results from 11 sites in the same region, including sites from the Ritscherflya Supergroup, it gives an overall mean direction for 34 sites from the igneous suite with D=236.5°, I=−3.6°, k=27.9 and α₉₅=4.8°. Isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) experiments on several specimens suggest magnetite or titanomagnetite as the primary remanence carrier, while high temperature magnetic susceptibility experiments indicate the presence of single domain particles. These observations, together with field evidence and the high coercivities and unblocking temperatures, support a primary origin for the observed characteristic remanence. The Borgmassivet palaeomagnetic pole lies at 54.5°E, 8.3°N with A₉₅=3.3°. If Antarctica is moved to its Gondwanan position adjacent to southeast Africa, the Borgmassivet pole (BM) coincides with that of the African well-established, well-dated (1100 Ma) Umkondo Large Igneous Province pole, supporting the hypothesis that the Grunehogna craton of Dronning Maud Land was part of the Kalahari craton of southern Africa at ca. 1100 Ma.     

梵净山区格林威尔期造山带与Rodinia超大陆

贵州梵净山区有保存完好、发育齐全的中元古代的地质记录 ,是扬子陆块晚前寒武地质研究的理想场所和重要窗口。现有地质和同位素年代学等资料表明 ,该区存在格林威尔期造山带 ,其形成时间为ca 10 0 0Ma±。它同原始江南造山带一起成为华南Rodinia超大陆的组成部分 ;对其进行探讨 ,必将促进我国Rodinia超大陆聚合、裂解及其演化的研究 ,并具有重大的科学意义。     

康滇地轴元古代成矿作用对Rodinia事件的响应

中一新元古代,全球发生了重大的Rodinia超大陆地质事件。近年研究表明,中国在华南板块发生的晋宁造山运动是Rodinia事件的重要组成部分。大量研究数据显示,康滇地轴前寒武纪地层中所形成的金属矿床大多集中在900～700Ma间。这些矿床的形成与大规模基性、酸性岩浆活动密切相关,与晋宁一澄江运动构造一热液作用密切相关,显示构造环境由挤压向拉伸发展,这正是全球Rodinia超大陆由汇聚转变为裂解的重要时期。本文从同位素地质年代学、沉积环境方面探讨该时期的成矿作用对Rodinia事件的响应,铀成矿作用与Rodinia事件的关系。     

A new key pole for the East European Craton at 1452 Ma: Palaeomagnetic and geochronological constraints from mafic rocks in the Lake Ladoga region (Russian Karelia)

Palaeomagnetic and geochronological studies on mafic rocks in the Lake Ladoga region in South Russian Karelia provide a new, reliably dated Mesoproterozoic key paleopole for the East European Craton (Baltica). U–Pb dating on baddeleyite gives a crystallisation age of 1452 ± 12 Ma for one of the studied dolerite dykes. A mean palaeomagnetic pole for the Mesoproterozoic dolerite dykes, Valaam sill and Salmi basalts yields a paleopole at 15.2°N, 177.1°E, A₉₅ = 5.5°. Positive baked contact test for the dolerite dykes and positive reversal test for the Salmi basalts and for the dykes confirm the primary nature of the magnetisation. Comparison of this Baltica palaeopole with coeval paleomagnetic data for Laurentia and Siberia provides a revised palaeoposition of these cratons. The results verify that the East European Craton, Laurentia and Siberia were part of the supercontinent Columbia from the Late Palaeoproterozoic to the Middle Neoproterozoic.     

Palaeomagnetic,geochronological and geological constraints on the tectonic evolution of the Mejillones Peninsula,northern Chile

Palaeomagnetic and geochronological data from an Early Palaeozoic high grade metamorphic complex (Jorgina Formation) and Jurassic layered basic intrusion (Moreno Complex) are reported from the Mejillones Peninsula of northern Chile (23–23°30'S). ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar dates from the Lower Palaeozoic Jorgina Formation and the Moreno Complex are between 170 and 158 Ma, coincident with a phase of emplacement of the north Chilean coastal batholith. This suggests that intrusion and magnetization of the Moreno Complex and the metamorphism and remagnetization of the Jorgina Formation were related to batholith emplacement. Extracted stable components of magnetization from all units (17 sites) define site-mean directions with a scattered distribution. The scatter in site-mean directions is interpreted as being due to minor, localized, non-uniform, block-fault related (normal or strike-slip, or both) rotation after 158 Ma. The palaeomagnetic and geochronological data indicate that no significant large-scale latitudinal translation of crustal blocks has taken place in this part of northern Chile since the Late Jurassic. In addition, they indicate that the uniform clockwise rotation after the mid-Cretaceous which affected the adjacent Cordillera de la Costa either did not extend into the Mejillones Peninsula or took the form of localized block-fault rotations. The restriction of palaeomagnetically defined styles of rotation to discrete areas within the north Chilean forearc indicates that forearc wide block-fault rotation models are not applicable to the Pacific margin of northern Chile.     

Lithostratigraphy of the Kalahari Group in northeastern Namibia

The Kalahari Group in northeastern Namibia consists of terrestrial sediments deposited in a tectonically active basin that was formed by flexural uplift of the African continental margin and independent structures related to rifting. The thickness of the sequence varies from a few meters to around 400 m. Greatest thicknesses occur where the NW–SE trending Kalahari basin axis conjugates with NE–SW trending grabens.Repeated phases of flooding and desiccation dominate the depositional environments of the Kalahari Group in northeastern Namibia. Associations of lithofacies allow recognition of distinct depositional settings such as proximal debris flows, braided streams and sand fans, and pans and sandflats.The northeastern Namibian Kalahari Group rests unconformable on the pre-Kalahari surface which showed a relatively pronounced relief in the Epukiro area. The succession starts with conglomerates, breccias and pebbly sandstones, followed by carbonates, sandstones of various maturities, and silcretes. Ferruginous sandstones and ferricretes occur locally. The onset of Kalahari Group deposition was likely a basin-wide event and therefore the basal lithostratigraphic units can be correlated with confidence. Conversely, the correlation of the succeeding lithostratigraphic units remains fairly speculative.     

New Precambrian palaeomagnetic constraints on the position of the North China Block in Rodinia

We report new palaeomagnetic results from a ca. 1300 to 800 Ma continental shelf succession on the southern margin of the North China Block. A total of 386 oriented core samples were subjected to stepwise demagnetisation. Two overprint components (‘A’ and ‘B’) were identified, with ‘A’ being a Recent geomagnetic field component and ‘B’ a likely Mesozoic remagnetisation related to collision of the North and South China Blocks. An interpreted primary remanence was isolated from six rock units. The most reliable results are as follow, in the order of stratigraphic ascendance. (1) Purple mudstone, muddy sandstone and andesite of the lower Yunmenshan Formation (Rb–Sr age ca. 1270 Ma) yields a high-temperature component that passes both reversal and fold tests and gives a palaeopole at (60.6°S, 87.0°E, A₉₅ = 3.7°). (2) Mudstone in the overlying Baicaoping Formation yields a high-temperature component with a palaeopole at (43.0°S, 143.8°E, A₉₅ = 11.1°). (3) Purple sandstone of the earliest Neoproterozoic Cuizhuang and Sanjiaotang Formations exhibits a high-temperature component that provides a palaeopole at (41.0°S, 44.8°E, A₉₅ = 11.3°). Based on both our new results and a critical selection of available palaeomagnetic data, we construct a preliminary apparent polar wander path (APWP) for the North China Block between 1300 and 510 Ma. Regardless of alternative polarity options applicable to these poles, North China was located within equatorial latitudes for much of this interval. Comparing the North China poles with coeval poles from Laurentia suggests that the two continents were situated on the same plate between 1200 and 700 Ma. North China was thus likely part of the supercontinent Rodinia. Separation of North China and Laurentia occurred between 650 and 615 Ma.     

Origins of strandline duricrusts around the Makgadikgadi Pans (Botswana Kalahari) as deduced from their chemical and isotope composition

Trace elements together with some O and C isotope analysis were undertaken on duricrust strandline deposits in the palaeo-Makgadikgadi sub-basin (PMSB) to provide insight into palaeo-climatic conditions through the interpretation of calcrete, silcrete–calcrete intergrade and silcrete deposits. Trace element content and relative abundance suggest that the duricrust origins are associated with the long-term weathering of the Karoo Large Igneous Province which underlies the PMSB. This work shows that duricrust origins are related to Ca²⁺ and Si (and associated trace elements) being transported mainly through the groundwater and then subsequently precipitated at different strandline elevations over time. Local groundwater feeding in towards the pan margin and accumulating in near-neutral pan-marginal pools, appears to facilitate Si concentration and permeation of pre-existing calcretes. The silica precipitates as the pH drops when renewed freshwater enters the pools. Hence the inferred palaeo-climatic regime for silcretisation may be similar to that occurring in Botswana at present being dry semi-arid with low seasonal rainfall. In contrast the extensive calcrete precipitation in the strandlines results from abundant Ca²⁺ in adjacent waters which appear to be derived from both local and regional sources. The arrival of Ca²⁺ from regional sources (shown by trace element evidence) infers heavy rainfall in the upper catchment suggesting a major humid event followed by regional drying. Palaeo-climatic inferences suggest the juxtaposition of major humid events interspersed with more normal semi-arid palaeo-climates with an exception obtained from isotope data, of drier and cooler conditions than usual for the region around 80–90 000 years ago. Whereas trace element data can greatly assist in the interpretation of complex deposits such as duricrusts, care should be taken over the use of particular ratios (such as Yb/Gd ratio) which may produce spurious results.     

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.     

Basement–cover relationships of the Kalak Nappe Complex, Arctic Norwegian Caledonides and constraints on Neoproterozoic terrane assembly in the North Atlantic region

The Kalak Nappe Complex (KNC) has been regarded as Baltica passive margin metasediments telescoped eastwards onto the Baltic (Fennoscandian) Shield during the Caledonian Orogeny. Recent studies have questioned this interpretation, instead pointing to a Neoproterozoic exotic origin. In an effort to resolve this controversy we present a Sm–Nd and U–Th–Pb study of gnessic units, traditionally considered as the depositional basement, along with cover rock sediments and intrusives. Late Palaeoproterozoic gneisses now beneath the KNC were deposited after 1948 ± 33 Ma, before intrusion of the Tjukkfjellet Granite at 1796 ± 3 Ma, and were affected by later melting events at 1765 ± 9 and 1727 ± 9 Ma. These gneisses are interpreted as part of the Baltic Shield and underlie the KNC across a tectonic contact. An unconformity between psammites of the KNC and other paragneisses previously considered as its Precambrian basement is reinterpreted as a modified sedimentary contact between Neoproterozoic metasediments. These metasediments have statistically very similar detrital zircon populations with grains as young as 1034 ± 22, 1025 ± 32 and 1014 ± 14 Ma. The results indicate that the KNC sediments were deposited during the Neoproterozoic in basins along the Laurentian margin of eastern Rodinia and were not connected to Baltica via a depositional basement. Dating of the 851 ± 5 Ma Eidvågvatnet and 853 ± 4 Ma Nordneset granites shows that intrusive material associated with the Porsanger Orogeny (c. 850 Ma) affected a considerable region of the upper KNC terrane. Later Neoproterozoic events at 711 ± 6, 687 ± 12 and 617 ± 6 Ma are also recognised the latest of which may be an expression of rifting. Since early Neoproterozoic magmatism (c. 840–690 Ma) is unknown in Baltica, these results support an exotic origin for the KNC terranes.     

Seemingly disparate temperatures recorded in coexisting granulite facies lithologies

Phase equilibrium modelling of a conformable sequence of supracristal lithologies from the Bushmanland Subprovince of the Namaqua–Natal Metamorphic Complex (South Africa) reveals a disparity of some 60–70°C in estimated peak metamorphic temperature. Aluminous metapelites were equilibrated at ~770–790°C, whereas two‐pyroxene granulite and garnet–orthopyroxene–biotite gneiss record distinctly higher conditions of ~830–850°C. Semi‐pelite and Mg–Al‐rich gneisses yield poorly constrained estimates that span the range derived from other lithologies. All samples record peak pressure of ~5–6 kbar, and followed a roughly isobaric heating path from andalusite‐bearing greenschist/lower amphibolite facies conditions through a tight clockwise loop at near‐peak conditions, followed by near‐isobaric cooling. The disparity in peak temperatures appears to be robust, as the low‐variance assemblages in all samples reflect well‐known melting reactions that only occur over narrow temperature intervals. The stable coexistence of both products and reactants of these melting reactions indicates that they did not go to completion before metamorphism waned. Calculated pressure–enthalpy diagrams show that the melting reactions are strongly endothermic and therefore buffer temperature while heat is consumed by melting. Because the respective reactions occur at distinct P–T conditions and have different reactant assemblages, individual lithologies are thermally buffered at different temperatures and to different degrees, depending on the occurrence and abundance of reactant minerals. Our calculations show that all lithologies received essentially the same suprasolidus heat budget of 19 ± 1 kJ/mol, which led to the manifestation of lower peak temperatures in the more fertile and strongly buffered aluminous metapelites compared with more refractory rock types. If little to no thermal communication is assumed, this implies that lithology exerts a first‐order control over the heating path and the peak temperature that can be attained for a specific heat budget. Our results caution that the metamorphic conditions derived from pelitic granulites should not be assumed or extrapolated to larger sections of an orogenic crust that consist of other, more refractory lithologies.     

博茨瓦纳境内卡拉哈瑞铜-金成矿带找矿前景

卡拉哈瑞(K alah ari)成矿带上有世界著名的铜、金、镍矿产,其中纳米比亚辛克莱特大型铜矿和赞比亚特大型铜矿,已探明储量占世界的10%.该成矿带经纳米比亚~博茨瓦纳~赞比亚,长1500km ,宽15 km .博茨瓦纳位于该成矿带的中段,境内长约500 km 、宽10 km .1982年西方一家公司在乔贝(C hobe)地区的古哈山钻探验证航磁异常,寻找成矿潜力区.在深部见多层铜、金矿体.1995年 A stra E xploration and M ining C om pany(Pty)Ltd 公司在卡拉哈瑞成矿带乔贝(C hobe)地区完成了航磁调查和重力异常调查     

Neoproterozoic (800 Ma) orogeny in the Tuva-Mongolia Massif (Siberia): island arc–continent collision at the northeast Rodinia margin

The Tuva-Mongolia Massif is a composite Precambrian terrane incorporated into the Palaeozoic Sayany-Baikalian belt. Its Neoproterozoic amalgamation history involves early (800 Ma) and late Baikalian (600–550 Ma) orogenic phases. Two palaeogeographic elements are identified in the early Baikalian stage — the Gargan microcontinent and the Dunzhugur oceanic arc. They are represented by the Gargan Glyba (Block) and the island-arc ophiolites overthrusting it. The Gargan Glyba is a two-layer platform comprising an Early Precambrian crystalline basement and a Neoproterozoic passive-margin sedimentary cover. The upper part comprises olistostromes deposited in a foreland basin during the early Baikalian orogeny. The Dunzhugur arc ophiolite form klippen fringing the Gargan Glyba, and show a comprehensive oceanic-arc ophiolite succession. The Dunzhugur arc faced the microcontinent, as shown by the occurrence of forearc complexes. The arc–continent collision followed a pattern similar to Phanerozoic collisions. When the marginal basin lithosphere had been completely subducted, the microcontinental edge partially underthrust the arc, and the forearc ophiolite overrode it. Continued convergence caused a break of the arc lithosphere resulting in the uplift of the submerged microcontinental margin with the overthrust forearc ophiolites sliding into the foreland basin. Owing to the lithospheric break, a new subduction zone, inclined beneath the Gargan microcontinent, emerged. Initial melts of the newly-formed continental arc are represented by tonalites intruded into the Gargan microcontinent basement and its cover, and into the ophiolite nappe. The tonalite Rb–Sr mineral isochron age is 812±18 Ma, which is similar to a U–Pb zircon age of 785±11 Ma. A period of tonalite magmatism in Meso–Cenozoic orogenic belts is recognized some 1–10 m.y. after the collision. Accordingly, the Dunzhugur island arc–Gargan microcontinent collision is conventionally dated at around 800 Ma. It is highly probable that in the early Neoproterozoic, the Gargan continental block was part of the southern (in modern coordinates) margin of the Siberia craton. It is suggested that a chain of Precambrian massifs represents an elongate block separated from Siberia in the late Neoproterozoic. The Tuva-Mongolia Massif is situated in the northwest part of this chain. These events occurred on the NE Neoproterozoic margin of Rodinia, facing the World Ocean.     

Palaeomagnetic study of the Ronda peridotites (Betic Cordillera, southern Spain)

A palaeomagnetic study of the Ronda peridotites (southern Spain) has been carried out on 301 samples from 20 sites, spread along the three main outcrops of the ultrabasic complex: Ronda, Ojén and Carratraca massifs. Different lithologies and outcrops with different degrees of serpentinization have been sampled and analysed. Rock magnetic experiments have been carried out on a representative set of samples. These measurements include: Curie curves, hysteresis cycles, isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) acquisition curves, thermal demagnetization of IRM imparted along three orthogonal axes and magnetic bulk susceptibility. Results indicate that magnetite is the main magnetic mineral present in the samples. Stepwise thermal and alternating field (AF) demagnetization of the natural remanent magnetization (NRM) reveals the presence of a characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) carried by magnetite, and in some sepentinized samples, a northward component with variable unblocking temperatures up to 250–575 °C. The appearance and the relative intensity of this northward component are strongly related to serpentinization degree. Taking into account the geological history of the peridotites, the ChRM has been considered as a thermo-chemical remanent magnetization acquired during the first serpentinization phase associated to the post-metamorphic cooling of this unit. On the basis of radiometric and fission track analysis, the ChRM is proposed to have been acquired between 20 and 17–18 Ma. The inclination of the mean direction of the ChRM statistically coincides with the expected inclination for stable Iberia during the Oligocene–Miocene. The declination of the ChRM differs from the expected declination, indicating clockwise block rotations of 41±12° about vertical axes since the cooling of the peridotites. When applying a compositional layering correction, the ChRM directions fail to pass this kind of fold test, thus, the compositional layering was not a palaeohorizontal during ChRM acquisition time. Normal and reversed polarities of the ChRM are reported, showing that at least one reversal of the Earth's magnetic field took place during ChRM acquisition process. A tentative polarity zonation within the peridotitic outcrops is also suggested. No evidence is found from these data for the previously proposed simultaneity between post-metamorphic cooling and rotation of the peridotites.     

Palaeomagnetic study of Archaean Banded Hematite Jasper Rocks from the Singhbhum-Orissa Craton, India

The Banded Hematite Jasper Formation within the Iron Ore Supergroup of the Singhbhum Craton in eastern India comprises fine alternating layers of jasper and specularite. It was deposited at 3000 Ma and deformed by a mobile episode at 2700 Ma. Hematite pigment (<1 μm) mixed with cryptocrystalline silica and specularite (> 10 μm) is chiefly responsible for red to brown rhythmic bands in the hematite jasper facies although thermomagnetic study also shows that minor amounts (1–2%) of magnetite are present. Palaeomagnetic study identifies a dual polarity remanence resident in hematite (D/I = 283/60°, α₉₅ = 12°) which predates deformation. Studies of the fabric of magnetic susceptibility and rock magnetic results suggest a diagenetic origin for this magnetisation with the hematite formed from oxidation of primary magnetite. The palaeopole (32°E, 24°N, dp/dm = 14/18°) records the earliest post-metamorphic magnetisation event in the Orissa Craton. A minimum apparent polar wander motion of the Orissa-Singhbhum craton of through 80° is identified during Late Archaean times (2900-2600 Ma).     

新元古代Rodinia超大陆裂解事件在扬子北东缘的最初响应：东海片麻状碱性花岗岩的锆石U-Pb年代学及Nd同位素制约

东海片麻状碱性花岗岩是扬子克拉通北东缘最具代表性的含碱性铁镁矿物的过碱性A型花岗岩.高精度的LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年结果表明,这些岩石形成于新元古代中期770Ma左右,并在约250Ma时经历超高压变质作用,之后又于210Ma左右遭受了大规模的角闪岩相退变质作用的改造.Nd同位素示踪表明东海片麻状碱性花岗岩具有相对偏高的εNd（t）值（＋1.4～-5.91）,指示其应是成熟度较低的下地壳部分熔融的产物,但不排除部分岩体在成岩过程中可能有少量幔源物质卷入.综合Rodinia超大陆古地理复原资料,推测扬子板块北东缘自新元古早期以来一直为接受大洋板块俯冲的活动大陆边缘.形成于新元古代中期的东海片麻状碱性花岗岩属A2型花岗岩,为弧后拉张背景下岩浆活动的产物,该类岩石的产出代表了Rodinia超大陆裂解事件在该地区的最初响应.     

Stenian A-type granitoids in the Namaqua-Natal Belt,southern Africa,Maud Belt,Antarctica and Nampula Terrane,Mozambique:Rodinia and Gondwana amalgamation implications

We carried out SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating on A-type granitic intrusions from the Namaqua-Natal Province,South Africa,Sverdrupfjella,western Dronning Maud Land,Antarctica and the Nampula Province of northern Mozambique.Zircon grains in these granitic rocks are typically elongated and oscillatory zoned,suggesting magmatic origins.Zircons from the granitoid intrusions analyzed in this study suggest~1025-1100 Ma ages,which confirm widespread Mesoproterozoic A-type granitic magmatism in the Namaqua-Natal(South Africa),Maud(Antarctica) and Mozambique metamorphic terrains.No older inherited(e.g.,~2500 Ma Achean basement or~1200 Ma island are magmatism in northern Natal)zircon grains were seen.Four plutons from the Natal Belt(Mvoti Pluton,Glendale Pluton,Kwalembe Pluton,Ntimbankulu Pluton) display 1050-1040 Ma ages,whereas the Nthlimbitwa Pluton in northern Natal indicates older 1090-1080 Ma ages.A sample from Sverdrupfjella,Antarctica has~1091 Ma old zircons along with~530 Ma metamorphic rims.Similarly,four samples analysed from the Nampula Province of Mozambique suggest crystallization ages of~1060-1090 Ma but also show significant discordance with two samples showing younger~550 Ma overgrowths.None of the Natal samples show any younger overgrowths.A single sample from southwestern Namaqualand yielded an age of~1033 Ma.Currently available chronological data suggest magmatism took place in the Namaqua-Natal-MaudMozambique(NNMM) belt between~1025 Ma and~1100 Ma with two broad phases between~1060-1020 Ma and 1100-1070 Ma respectively,with peaks at between~1030-1040 Ma and~1070-1090 Ma.The age data from the granitic intrusions from Namaqualand.combined with those from Natal,Antarctica and Mozambique suggest a crude spatial-age relationship with the older1070 Ma ages being largely restricted close to the eastern and western margins of the Kalahari Craton in northern Natal,Mozambique.Namaqualand and WDML Antarctica whereas the younger 1060 Ma ages dominate in southern Natal and western Namaqualand and are largely restricted to the southern and possibly the western margins of the Kalahari Craton.The older ages of magmatism partially overlap with or are marginally younger than the intracratonic Mkondo Large lgneous Provinee intruded into or extruded onto the Kalahari Craton,suggesting a tectonic relationship with the Maud Belt.Similar ages from granitic augen gneisses in Sri Lanka suggest a continuous belt stretching from Namaqualand to Sri Lanka in a reconstituted Gondwana,formed during the terminal stages of amalgamation of Rodinia and predating the East African Orogen.This contiguity contributes to defining the extent of Rodinia-age crustal blocks,subsequently fragmented by the dispersal of Rodinia and Gondwana.     

Mineral paragenesis of the Kalahari managanese field, South Africa

The mineralogy of the managanese ores of the giant Paleoproterozoic Kalahari manganese deposit of the Transvaal Supergroup has been subject of many studies and up to now 135 different ore and gangue minerals have been described, of which eight represent new mineral species. Through correlation of different mineral assemblages with specific geological events and by determining relative ages of minerals in outcrop, hand specimen and under the microscope an attempt is made in this publication to construct a paragenetic sequence for this complex mineral assemblage. Sedimentation and early diagenesis of the Hotazel Formation, composed of interbedded iron formation and braunite lutite, was followed by low-grade metamorphism and associated stratabound metasomatism. Braunite lutite of sedimentary origin, comprising 97% of the total ore reserve, is composed of braunite, hematite and kutnahorite, and abundant early diagenetic kutnahorite and manganoan calcite forming laminae and ovoids. Fluid flow during late diagenesis or lower greenschist facies metamorphism led to stratabound metasomatic oxidation of Mn-bearing carbonates to hausmannite and Mn-poor calcite. Three structurally controlled hydrothermal alteration events succeed metamorphism. These events are referred to as Wessels, Mamatwan and Smartt events. The Wessels alteration event is the oldest of the three events and it is of great economic importance because virtually all of the high-grade ore (> 42% Mn), 3% of the total ore reserve, formed during this event through alteration of carbonate-rich low-grade Mamatwan-type ore (braunite lutite) to high-grade, carbonate-poor Wessels-type manganese ore. This Wessels hydrothermal alteration event took place in the northwestern part of the Kalahari deposit, associated with a system of major north-south- and minor east-west-striking normal faults. The Mamatwan alteration event is observed throughout the Kalahari manganese deposit but alteration is very localized. Reduction halos and discolouration of braunite lutite around fracture or joint-hosted sulphide-carbonate mineralization are typical of the Mamatwan alteration event. In contrast, the Smartt alteration event is characterized by oxidation of braunite lutite and the formation of todorokite and manganomelane. Syn- and Post-Kalahari supergene alteration has taken place below the suboutcrop of the Hotazel Formation against the calcretized sediments of the Cenozoic Kalahari Formation. Cryptomelane and pyrolusite are the predominant products of surficial weathering.