Vendian-Early Paleozoic granitoid magmatism in Eastern Tuva

We summarize results of geological, geochronological, petrogeochemical, and isotope-geochemical (Sr-Nd) studies of Late Vendian-Early Paleozoic granitoid batholiths in Eastern Tuva (Kaa-Khem, East Tannu-Ola, Khamsara, etc.). Analysis of geochronological (U-Pb, Ar-Ar) data has shown that the Late Vendian-Early Paleozoic granitoids in Eastern Tuva formed in several stages in the time interval 562–450 Ma and at different geodynamic stages of the regional evolution: island-arc (562–518 Ma) and accretion-collision (500–450 Ma), with the latter stage characterized by more intense granitoid magmatism. Diorite-tonalite-plagiogranite associations with different petrogeochemical parameters are the most widespread in the region. Petrogeochemical studies of the Late Vendian-Early Paleozoic plagiogranitoid associations have revealed high- and low-alumina varieties reflecting different conditions of formation of parental melts. At the island-arc stage of the regional evolution, only low-alumina plagiogranites of tholeiitic (M-type) and calc-alkalic (I-type) series formed. Their parental melts were generated at 3–8 kbar through the partial melting of N-MORB-type metabasalts in equilibrium with amphibole restite. Isotope-geochemical studies have shown positive £_Nd values (6.9-6.3) and low Sr isotope ratios ((⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)₀ = 0.7034-0.7046). The lower (as compared with the depleted mantle) e_Nd values and specific petrogeochemical composition (negative Nb-Ta and Ti anomalies) of the plagiogranites reflect the subduction nature of metabasic substratum and the subordinate role of ancient crustal material. At the accretion-collision stage of the regional evolution, high- and low-alumina plagiogranitoids of calc-alkalic series (I-type) formed. The high-alumina plagiogranitoids are products of melting of N-MORB-type metabasalts in equilibrium with garnet restite at > 15 kbar in the lower part of the collisional structures, and the low-alumina ones formed through the melting of metabasites in equilibrium with amphibole restite at < 8 kbar in the upper part of the same structures. The Sr-Nd isotope data for the high- and low-alumina plagiogranitoids generated at the accretion-collision stage show that the rejuvenation of rocks is accompanied by the decrease in e_Nd (from 6.2 to 3.4) and the increase in their model Nd age !_Nd(DM) (from 0.73 87 86 to 0.92 Ga) and ( Sr/ Sr)0 (0.7036-0.7048). This points to the essentially metabasic composition of the parental substratum, as in the case of the island-arc plagiogranitoids, and the progressive supply of ancient crustal material to the magma generation zone.     

Composition and genesis of the intrusive rock association of the Magloi magmatic area,the Central Amur region

New geochemical and isotopic-geochronological data are reported on the intrusive association from one of the largest and relatively poorly studied Cretaceous (Aptian-Cenomanian) magmatic zones of the Sikhote-Alin accretionary fold system. The new results and previously published studies were interpreted using concepts of a blocked (terrane) structure of the region and the different geodynamic nature of the magmatic complexes. It was shown that the “transitional” geochemical and geodynamic characteristics of the studied intrusive rocks can be explained in terms of magmatism along the transform continental margin. Additional complicating factors are the composition of the terrane rocks and the change in the geodynamic setting during the formation of the considered magmatic area (114-90 Ma).     

Geodynamic settings and history of the Paleozoic intrusive magmatism of the central and southern Urals: Results of zircon dating

The main stages of the Paleozoic intrusive magmatism in the Urals, 460–420, 415–395, 365–355, 345–330, 320–315, and 290–250 Ma, as well as two virtually amagmatic periods, 375–365 Ma (Frasnian-early Famennian) and 315–300 Ma (Late Carboniferous), are recognized. The Cambrian-Early Ordovician pause predated the onset of igneous activity in the Ural Orogen, while the Early Triassic pause followed by an outburst of trap magmatism postdated this activity. The interval from 460 to 420 Ma is characterized by mantle magma sources that produced ultramafic and mafic primary melts. The dunite-clinopyroxenite-gabbro association of the Platinum Belt and miaskite-carbonatite association are specific derivatives of these melts. The rift-related (?) Tagil Synform functioned at that time. The volcanic-plutonic magmatism in this oldest magmatic zone of the Uralides comprises gabbro, gabbro-granitoid, and gabbro-syenite series and comagmatic volcanic rocks. After a break almost 20 Ma long, this magmatism ended in the Early Devonian (405–400 Ma) with the formation of small K-Na gabbro-granitoid plutons. The magmatic intervals of 415–395, 365–355, and 320–315 Ma are characterized by the mantle-crustal nature. The first interval accompanied obduction of the oceanic lithosphere on the continental crust. The subsequent magmatic episodes presumably were related to the subduction of the island-arc (?) lithosphere beneath the continent and to the collision. The intense granitoid magmatism started 365–355 Ma ago. As in the following interval 320–315 Ma, the tonalite-granodiorite complexes, accompanied by hydrous basic magmatism, were formed. Amphibole gabbro and diorite served as a source of heat and material for the predominant tonalite and granodiorite. The Permian granitic magmatism had crustal sources. Thus, the mantle-derived Ordovician-Middle Devonian magmatism gave way to the mantle-crustal Late Devonian-Early Carboniferous plutonic complexes, while the latter were followed by the crustal Permian granites. This sequence was disturbed by rifting and formation of continental arcs accompanied by specific Early Carboniferous Magnitogorsk gabbro-granitoid series and Early Permian Stepnoe monzodiorite-granite series, which deviate from the general evolutional trend.     

Manifestations of miocene acid intrusive magmatism on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus: First evidence from isotope geochronology

New isotope-geochronological data (K-Ar, Rb-Sr) provide tight geochronological constraints on the history of Late Cenozoic magmatism on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus. Several previously unknown, rhyodacite intrusive bodies with an emplacement age of 6.9 ± 0.3 Ma (Late Miocene) are reported from the Kakheti-Lechkhumi regional fault zone in the Kvemo Svaneti-Racha area. Therefore, a pulse of acid intrusive magmatism took place in a period previously considered amagmatic in the Greater Caucasus. The petrological, geochemical, and isotopic data suggest that these rhyodacites are produced by crystallization differentiation of mantle-derived magmas, which are similar in composition to Miocene mafic lavas that erupted a few hundred thousand years later in the adjacent Central Georgian neovolcanic area. The presented results allow the conclusion that the volcanic activity within the Central Georgian neovolcanic area occurred at 7.2–6.0 Ma in two discrete pulses: (1) the emplacement of acid intrusions and (2) the eruption of trachybasaltic lavas. The emplacement of rhyodacite intrusions in the Kvemo Svaneti-Racha area marked the first pulse of young magmatism on the southern slope of the Main Caucasus range and simultaneously represented the second magmatic pulse (after granitoid magmatism of the Caucasian Mineral Waters region) within the entire Greater Caucasus.     

Geology, Geochronology, and Geodynamics of the Khan Bogd alkali granite pluton in southern Mongolia

The Khan Bogd alkali granite pluton, one of the world’s largest, is situated in the southern Gobi Desert, being localized in the core of the Late Paleozoic Syncline, where island-arc calc-alkaline differentiated volcanics (of variable alkalinity) give way to the rift-related bimodal basalt-comendite-alkali granite association. The tectonic setting of the Khan Bogd pluton is controlled by intersection of the near-latitudinal Gobi-Tien Shan Rift Zone with an oblique transverse fault, which, as the rift zone, controls bimodal magmatism. The pluton consists of the eastern and the western ring bodies and comes into sharp intrusive contact with rocks of the island-arc complex and tectonic contact with rocks of the bimodal complex. The inner ring structure is particularly typical of the western body and accentuated by ring dikes and roof pendants of the country island-arc complex. According to preliminary gravity measurements, the pluton is a flattened intrusive body (laccolith) with its base subsiding in stepwise manner northwestward. Reliable geochronologic data have been obtained for both plutonic and country rocks: the U-Pb zircon age of alkali granite belonging to the main intrusive phase is 290 ± 1 Ma, the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of amphibole and polylithionite are 283 ± 4 and 285 ± 7 Ma, and the Rb-Sr isochron yields 287 ± 3 Ma; i.e., all these estimates are close to 290 Ma. Furthermore, the U-Pb zircon age of red normal biotite granite (290 ± 1 Ma) and the Rb-Sr age of the bimodal complex in the southern framework of the pluton are the same. The older igneous rocks of the island-arc complex in the framework and roof pendants of the pluton are dated at 330 Ma. The geodynamic model of the Khan Bogd pluton formation suggests collision of the Hercynian continent with a hot spot in the paleoocean; two variants of this model are proposed. According to the first variant, the mantle plume, after collision with the margin of the North Asian paleocontinent, reworked the subducted lithosphere and formed a structure similar to an asthenospheric window, which served as a source of rift-related magmatism and the Khan Bogd pluton proper. In compliance with the second variant, the emergence of hot mantle plume resulted in flattening of the subducted plate; cessation of the island-arc magmatism; and probably in origin of a local convective system in the asthenosphere of the mantle wedge, which gave rise to the formation of a magma source. The huge body of the Khan Bogd alkali granite pluton and related volcanic rocks, as well as its ring structure, resulted from the caldera mechanism of the emplacement and evolution of magmatic melts.     

Collisional mafic magmatism of the fold-thrust belts framing southern Siberia (Western Sangilen,southeastern Tuva)

We consider geochemical features of mafic magmatism manifested during the evolution of a complex nappe-folded structure in Western Sangilen, resulted from the Cambrian-Ordovician collisional tectogenesis. There are abundant ultramafic-mafic and mafic associations of different types in this region: layered low-Ti low-alkali ultramafic-mafic intrusions, high-Ti medium-alkali gabbroids, gabbro-monzodiorite intrusions, and alkali basalts. Isotope-geochronological data showed that these complexes formed over a wide time interval, from 570 to 440 Ma. At this time, the geodynamic setting in Western Sangilen changed from an island-arc one via a collision one to an intercontinental rift setting. At the early and late stages of the evolution of Western Sangilen, the geochemical features of mafites were typical of their geodynamic settings. The properties of mafites that formed synchronously with the collision are of particular interest. The studies have shown that the chemical composition of collisional mafites of Western Sangilen changed with time. They became richer in alkalies, titanium, and incompatible elements. This fact indicates a change in the type of mantle source from suprasubductional in the Cambrian to enriched deeper-level one in the Ordovician.     

Late Paleozoic granitoids in western Transbaikalia: sequence of formation,sources of magmas,and geodynamics

The evolution of Late Paleozoic granitoid magmatism in Transbaikalia shows a general tendency for an increase in the alkalinity of successively forming intrusive complexes: from high-K calc-alkaline granites of the Barguzin complex (Angara–Vitim batholith) at the early stage through transitional from calc-alkaline to alkaline granites and quartz syenites (Zaza complex) at the intermediate stage to peralkaline granitoids (Early Kunalei complex) at the last stage. This evolution trend is complicated by the synchronous development of granitoid complexes with different sets and geochemical compositions of rocks. The compositional changes were accompanied by the decrease in the scales of granitoid magmatism occurrence with time. Crustal metaterrigenous protoliths, possibly of different compositions and ages, were the source of granitoids of the Angara–Vitim batholith. The isotopic composition of all following granitoid complexes points to their mixed mantle–crustal genesis. The mechanisms of granitoid formation are different. Some granitoids formed through the mixing of mantle and crustal magmas; others resulted from the fractional crystallization of hybrid melts; and the rest originated from the fractional crystallization of mantle products or the melting of metabasic sources with the varying but subordinate contribution of crustal protoliths. Synplutonic basic intrusions, combined dikes, and mafic inclusions, specific for the post-Barguzin granitoids, are direct geologic evidence for the synchronous occurrence of crustal and mantle magmatism. The geodynamic setting of the Late Paleozoic magmatism in the Baikal folded area is still debatable. Three possible models are proposed: (1) mantle plume impact, (2) active continental margin, and (3) postcollisional rifting. The latter model agrees with the absence of mafic rocks from the Angara–Vitim batholith structure and with the post-Barguzin age of peralkaline rocks of the Vitim province.     

Crystallization history of Paleozoic granitoids in the Ol’khon region,Lake Baikal (SHRIMP-II zircon dating)

At the Center of Isotope Studies of the A.P. Karpinsky Russian Geological Research Institute, the structure and isotope composition of zircons from two granitoid complexes, the age of their sequential growth zones, and the hosted inclusions have been studied using a SHRIMP-II ion mass spectrometer. The zircons consist of deformed cores with crystalline melt inclusions and of shells: inner, with glassy, partly devitrified inclusions, and outer metamorphogene, with fluid inclusions. Judging from the zircon zoning, crystallization of melts of both complexes proceeded in several stages: (1) The generation of melts and the beginning of zircon core growth (505 and 493 Ma) were synchronous with the overthrusting in the Ol’khon region; (2) The rapid ascent of melts (the inner shell, 479 and 475 Ma) together with the host rocks was caused by upthrust faulting and shear dislocations; (3) The metamorphogene shell (456 Ma) reflects the second stage of metamorphism. At the same time, the Shara-Nur migmatite–granite complex corresponds in composition, structures, and textures to syncollisional K-granites, whereas the differentiated Khaidai gabbro-diorite–diorite–granodiorite–granite complex is close in geochemical features (similar to those of the Anga sequence metavolcanics) and the mantle (juvenile) source of substance to the recent island-arc magmatism. It is suggested that the Caledonian island-arc magmatism was close in time to the accretion of the sediments of back-arc basin (Ol’khon Group) to the continental margin, on the one hand, and to the island-arc block, on the other.     

Paleozoic Granitoids of the Southern Part of the Voznesenka Terrane (Southern Primorye): Age,Composition, Melt Sources,and Tectonic Settings

This paper presents data on the geological position, geochemistry, age, and isotopic characteristics of the granitoids of the southern part of the Voznesenka terrane, Southern Primorye (Muraviev–Amursky Peninsula and its vicinities). All of the studied granitoids were formed in three stages: the Ordovician, Silurian, and Permian. The Silurian and Permian ages of the granitoid intrusions have been previously determined (Ostrovorussky Massif, 432–422 Ma, and 250 ± 4 Ma, early and late associations, respectively; Sedanka massif, 261 ± 3 Ma). The granites of the Artem and Nadezhdinsky massifs define an U–Pb zircon age of 481 ± 6 and 452 ± 4 Ma, respectively. The geochemical and isotope data show mainly the crustal nature of the granitoids. Their formation was related to melting of relatively immature rocks of the continental crust (mafic–intermediate volcanic rocks). The Nd isotope composition of the granitods (TNd(DM–2) = 1.3 Ga) indicates the absence of the mature ancient crust at the basement of the southern Voznesenka terrane. The maximum contribution of mantle sources to the granite formation is recorded in the Permian associations. A comparison of the peaks of intrusive magmatism in the southern part of the Voznesenka terrane and adjacent territories suggests that the formation of the granitoids of the Muraviev–Amursky Peninsula and its vicinities was caused by the interaction of continental blocks with two oceanic basins: the Paleoasian (and its fragments) and Paleopacific ones.     

Metallogenesis related to Mesozoic Granitoids in the Nanling Range, South China and Their Geodynamic Settings

Affected by the compressive stress from the South-Central （Indo-China） Peninsula, the Indosinian orogenesis, characterized by collision, thrust and uplifting, took place inside the South China Plate during 250-230 Ma. The ages of the Indosinian granitoids in the Nanling Range and vicinity areas are mostly 240-205 Ma, indicating that they were emplaced in both late collision and post-collision geodynamic environments. No important granite-related metallogenesis occurred in this duration. A post-orogenic setting started at the beginning of the Yanshanian Period, which controlled large-scale granitic magmatism and related metallogenesis. This paper makes the first attempt to divide the Yanshanian Period into three sub-periods, i.e. the early, middle and late Yanshanian Periods, based mainly on the features of magmatism, especially granitoids and related metallogenesis and their geodynamic environments. The magmatic association of the Early Yanshanian （about 185-170 Ma） comprises four categories of magmatism, i.e. basalt, bimodal volcanics, A-type granite and intraplate high-K calc-alkaline （HKCA） magmatism, which indicates an extension-thinning of lithosphere and upwelling of mantle material to a relative small and local extent. Pb-Zn, Cu and Au mineralizations associated with HKCA magmatism represents the first high tide of Mesozoic metallogenesis in the Nanling Range area. During the middle Yanshanian, the lithosphere was subjected to more extensive and intensive extending and thinning, and hence mantle upwelling and basaltic magma underplating caused a great amount of crust remelting granitoids. This period can be further divided into two stages. The first stage （170-150 Ma） is represented by large-scale emplacement of crust remelting granites with local tungsten mineralization at its end. The second stage （150-140 Ma） is the most important time of large-scale mineralizations of non-ferrous and rare metals, e.g. W, Sn, Nb-Ta, Bi, Mo, Be, in the Nanling Range area. The late Yanshanian （140-65 Ma） was generally characterized by full extension and breakup of the lithosphere of South China. However, owing to the influence of the Pacific Plate movement, the eastern part of South China was predominated by subduction-related compression, which resulted in magmatism of calc-alkaline and shoshonite series and related metallogeneses of Au, Ag, Pb-Zn, Cu and （Mo, Sn）, followed by extension in its late stage. In the Nanling Range area, the late Yanshanian magmatism was represented by granitic volcanic-intrusive complexes and mafic dikes, which are genetically related to volcanic-type uranium and porphyry tin deposits, and the mobilization-mineralization of uranium from pre-existing Indosinian granites.     

New data on the period of existence of the continental margin subduction zone in the Middle Urals

U–Pb (SIMS) dating of zircons from granite of the Petrokamensk gabbro–granitoid complex, marking termination of the Devonian island–arc magmatism in the Verkhisetsk–Tura Zone of the Middle Urals, gave an age of 386 ± 3 Ma. Zircons from the West Verkhisetsk granitoids, the formation of which corresponds to the beginning stage of magmatism of the continental margin in the region, yielded ages of 386.6 ± 4.1 and 381.8 ± 6.0 Ma. This suggests that the change in the regime of the island–arc geodynamic mode to an active continental margin took place at the boundary of the Middle and Late Devonian. The upper boundary of existence of the continental margin subduction zone is determined by the closure of the Ural paleo-ocean and the beginning of continental collision processes, which resulted in accumulation of flysch in the Ural foreland trough from the second half of the Bashkirian Stage.     

Gabbro-granite intrusive series and their indicator importance for geodynamic reconstructions

One of the problems faced by researchers when paleogeodynamic reconstructions are carried out for deeply eroded orogenic terranes is the limited usage of geological and isotopic geochemical data on volcanic associations. The utilization of information on gabbroids and granitoids considered separately also fails to resolve this problem. The convergence of features of arc, collisional, and within-plate magmatic processes leads the researcher to search for indicator plutonic associations, such as paired gabbrogranite intrusive series. The latter were distinguished using geoinformation databases (including those compiled by the authors of this paper), which were composed for the Early Caledonides in the Altai-Sayan folded area and adjacent territories. This makes it possible to characterize mantle-crustal magmatism in suprasubductional and collisional environments and the conditions under which these geodynamic regimes (plate- and plume-tectonic factors) interact. This paper presents estimates of the composition of the parental basic magmas, distinctive features of their differentiation, and the compositional specifics of the accompanying extensive granite-forming processes. The example of the Altai-Sayan folded area and adjacent territories is employed to correlate the composition of the basic-ultrabasic and granitoid magmas and, on this basis, distinguish (a) differentiated gabbro-tonalite-plagiogranite intrusive series corresponding to accretionary-collisional geodynamic environments, and (b) gabbro-monzonite-granosyenite-potassic granite intrusive series, which were produced when the accretionary-collisional system was affected by a plume.     

The early stages of island-arc plagiogranitoid magmatism in Gornaya Shoriya and West Sayan

The structure, composition, and age of Vendian–Early Cambrian plagiogranitoid associations composing the Kshta and Taraskyr massifs of the Yenisei pluton in the Altai–North Sayan island-arc belt are considered. We have established that these associations formed within 550–520 Ma and differ in petrographic composition and sources. Two stages of island-arc plagiogranitoid magmatism are recognized: early (550–540 Ma, formation of plagiogranitoids of the Kshta (545 ± 8 Ma) and Taraskyr (545 ± 7 Ma) massifs) and late (525–520 Ma, formation of plagiogranitoids of the Maina complex of the Yenisei (524 ± 2 Ma) and Tabat plutons). By petrochemical composition and geochemical characteristics, the rocks of the Kshta massif are high-alumina plagiogranitoids similar to adakites. They might have been produced through the melting of metabasites compositionally similar to N-MORB in equilibrium with garnet-containing restite during the subduction of oceanic slab at ≥ 15 kbar. The rocks of the Taraskyr massif are low-alumina plagiogranites. They formed through the melting of metabasites located in the lower layers and(or) the basement of the island-arc system in equilibrium with plagioclase-containing restite at 3–8 kbar. The low-alumina plagiogranitoids of the Yenisei pluton melted out under the same conditions. Isotope-geochemical studies showed that the Vendian–Early Cambrian plagiogranitoids formed at the early stage are characterized by high positive ∑ Nd(T) values (7.5–4.9), Late Riphean model Nd-age (TNd(DM) = 0.64–0.98 Ga), and Sr isotope ratio varying from 0.7040 to 0.7053. These data point to the juvenile parental melts of the rocks and the varying content of ancient crustal material in the magma generation zone.     

Sequence of magmatic events in the Late Paleozoic of Transbaikalia,Russia (U-Pb isotope data)

The Late Paleozoic intrusive rocks, mostly granitoids, totally occupy more than 200,000 km² on the territory of Transbaikalia. Isotopic U-Pb zircon dating (about 30 samples from the most typical plutons) shows that the Late Paleozoic magmatic cycle lasted for 55–60 m.y., from ~330 Ma to ~275 Ma. During this time span, five intrusive suites were emplaced throughout the region. The earliest are high-K calc-alkaline granites (330–310 Ma) making up the Angara–Vitim batholith of 150,000 km² in area. At later stages, formation of geochemically distinct intrusive suites occurred with total or partial overlap in time. In the interval of 305–285 Ma two suites were emplaced: calc-alkaline granitoids with decreased SiO₂ content (the Chivyrkui suite of quartz monzonite and granodiorite) and the Zaza suite comprising transitional from calc-alkaline to alkaline granite and quartz syenite. At the next stage, in the interval of 285–278 Ma the shoshonitic Low Selenga suite made up of monzonite, syenite and alkali rich microgabbro was formed; this suite was followed, with significant overlap in time (281–276 Ma), by emplacement of Early Kunalei suite of alkaline (alkali feldspar) and peralkaline syenite and granite. Concurrent emplacement of distinct plutonic suites suggests simultaneous magma generation at different depth and, possibly, from different sources. Despite complex sequence of formation of Late Paleozoic intrusive suites, a general trend from high-K calc-alkaline to alkaline and peralkaline granitoids, is clearly recognized. New data on the isotopic U-Pb zircon age support the Rb-Sr isotope data suggesting that emplacement of large volumes of peralkaline and alkaline (alkali feldspar) syenites and granites occurred in two separate stages: Early Permian (281–278 Ma) and Late Triassic (230–210 Ma). Large volumes and specific compositions of granitoids suggest that the Late Paleozoic magmatism in Transbaikalia occurred successively in the post-collisional (330–310 Ma), transitional (305–285 Ma) and intraplate (285–275 Ma) setting.     

Titanite and zircon fission-track dating resolves successive igneous episodes in the formation of the composite Kaçkar batholith in the Turkish eastern Pontides

The Kaçkar batholith in the Turkish eastern Pontides comprises several intrusive units with distinctive textural, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics. Their titanite and zircon fission-track ages confirm that the different lithodem units result from consecutive igneous episodes, establish their emplacement sequence and, together with geochemical data, help to relate them to their geodynamic context. The Çaml?kaya granitoid (112.4 ± 1.6 Ma) was emplaced during an immature-arc magmatic episode of early Cretaceous age. The S?rtyayla (57.1 ± 1.2 Ma) and Marselevat (52.9 ± 1.3 Ma) granitoids are late products of a late-Palaeocene mature-arc episode. The Ayder granitoid (46.4 ± 1.0 Ma) is the result of middle- to late-Eocene post-collisional magmatism related to slab break-off. The Halkal?ta? quartz diorite (43.7 ± 2.3 Ma) and the Güllüba? monzonite (38.1 ± 0.9 Ma) document a middle- to late-Eocene episode related to post-collisional extension. The data reveal the advantages of dense sampling, spanning a maximum range of elevations. Apart from the increased precision on the mean, redundant sampling allows to shift the basis for interpretation from a priori assumptions to a posteriori numerical criteria when using geochronometers with low to moderate closure temperatures, including apatite, titanite and zircon fission-tracks but also K–Ar (Ar–Ar) biotite, muscovite and K-feldspar.     

Spatial Relations of Gold-Ore Deposits and Cretaceous Granitoid Magmatism in the Chukotka Peninsula

Analysis of the spatial relations of gold ore occurrences and the enclosing geological environment in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug (ChAO) has shown that Au–quartz ore occurrences in turbidites are located predominantly in areas of the Early Cretaceous granitoid magmatism with the thick collision-type continental crust. The Cu–Au porphyry deposits are located in areas with complete development of Early Cretaceous magmatism within the outer zone of the Okhotsk–Chukchi volcanoplutonic belt (OChVB). The Au–Ag epithermal deposits are located in the areas of the Late Cretaceous granitoid magmatism within the inner and outer zones of the OChVB. The prospects of island-arc complexes for searching for Kuroku-type Au-bearing ore objects are available.     

Stages of Granitoid Magmatism and Formation of the Continental Crust of Eastern Arctic

Geotectonics - Three main stages of granitoid magmatism and continental crust formation of Eastern Arctic are distinguished: Neoproterozoic (750–550 Ma), Devonian–Early Carboniferous...     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987112001259

The eastern Pontides orogenic belt provides a window into continental arc magmatism in the Alpine-Himalayan belt.The late Mesozoic-Cenozoic geodynamic evolution of this belt remains controversial.Here we focus on the nature of the transition from the adakitic to non-adakitic magmatism in the Kale area of Gumushane region in NE Turkey where this transition is best preserved.The adakitic lithologies comprise porphyries and hyaloclastites.The porphyries are represented by biotite-rich andesites,hornblende-rich andesite and dacite.The hayaloclastites represent the final stage of adakitic activity and they were generated by eruption/intrusion of adakitic andesitic magma into soft carbonate mud.The non-adakitic lithologies include basaltic-andesitic volcanic and associated pyroclastic rocks. Both rock groups are cutting by basaltic dikes representing the final stage of the Cenozoic magmatism in the study area.We report zircon U-Pb ages of 48.71±0.74 Ma for the adakitic rocks,and 44.68±0.84 Ma for the non-adakitic type,suggesting that there is no significant time gap during the transition from adakitic to non-adakitic magmatism.We evaluate the origin,magma processes and tectonic setting of the magmatism in the southern part of the eastern Pontides orogenic belt.Our results have important bearing on the late Mesozoic-Cenozoic geodynamic evolution of the eastern Mediterranean region.     

Late Paleozoic granitoids of western Transbaikalia: magma sources and stages of formation

Geochemical and geochronological studies of the main types of granitoids of the Angara-Vitim batholith (AVB) and granites of the Zaza complex in western Transbaikalia were carried out. U-Pb (SHRIMP-II) and Rb-Sr dating yielded the age of autochthonous gneiss-granites of the Zelenaya Griva massif (325.3±2.8 Ma), quartz syenites of the Khangintui pluton (302.3±3.7 Ma) and intruding leucogranites of the Zaza complex (294.4±1 Ma), monzonites of the Khasurta massif (283.7±5.3 Ma), and quartz monzonites of the Romanovka massif (278.5±2.4 Ma). The U-Pb and Rb-Sr dates show that the Late Paleozoic magmatism in western Transbaikalia proceeded in two stages: (1) 340–320 Ma, when predominantly mesocratic granites of the Barguzin complex, including autochthonous ones, formed, and (2) 310–270 Ma, when most AVB granitoids formed. We suggest that at the early stage, crustal peraluminous granites formed in collision geodynamic setting. At the late (main) stage, magmatism occurred in postorogenic-extension setting and was accompanied by the formation of several geochemical types of granitoids: (1) typical intrusive mesocratic granites of the Barguzin complex, similar to those produced at the first stage; (2) melanocratic granitoids (monzonitoids, quartz syenites), which were earlier dated to the early stage of the AVB evolution; (3) leucocratic medium-alkali (peraluminous) granites of the Zaza intrusive complex; and (4) some alkali-granite and syenite intrusions accompanied by alkaline mafic rocks. The diversity of granitoids that formed at the late stage of magmatism was due to the heterogeneous composition of crust protoliths and different degrees of mantle-magma participation in their formation.     

Late neoproterozoic igneous complexes of the western Baikal-Muya Belt: Formation stages

The paper presents new geological, geochemical, and isotopic data on igneous rocks from a thoroughly studied area in the western Baikal-Muya Belt, which is a representative segment of the Neoproterozoic framework of the Siberian Craton. Three rock associations are distinguished in the studied area: granulite-enderbite-charnockite and ultramafic-mafic complexes followed by the latest tonalite-plagiogranitegranite series corresponding to adakite in geochemical characteristics. Tonalites and granites intrude the metamorphic and gabbroic rocks of the Tonky Mys Point, as well as Slyudyanka and Kurlinka intrusions. The tonalites yielded a U-Pb zircon age of 595 ± 5 Ma. The geochronological and geological information indicate that no later than a few tens of Ma after granulite formation they were transferred to the upper lithosphere level. The Sm-Nd isotopic data show that juvenile material occurs in rocks of granitoid series (?_Nd(t) = 3.2–7.1). Ophiolites, island-arc series, eclogites, and molasse sequences have been reviewed as indicators of Neoproterozoic geodynamic settings that existed in the Baikal-Muya Belt. The implications of spatially associated granulites and ultramafic-mafic intrusions, as well as granitoids with adakitic geochemical characteristics for paleogeodynamic reconstructions of the western Baikal-Muya Belt, are discussed together with other structural elements of the Central Asian Belt adjoining the Siberian Platform in the south.