Re–Os pseudo-isochron of disseminated ore from the Kalatongke Cu–Ni sulfide deposit,Xinjiang, Northwest China: Implications for Re–Os dating of magmatic Cu–Ni sulfide deposits

Re–Os dating of disseminated ore from the Kalatongke Cu–Ni sulfide mineral deposit, Xinjiang, Northwest (NW) China, yields an apparent isochron age of 433 ± 31 Ma with an apparent initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os (433 Ma) ratio of 0.197 ± 0.027. This apparent age is older than not only the zircon U–Pb age of the host intrusion (287 ± 5 Ma, Han et al., 2004) but also the stratigraphic age of the intruded country rock. Thus, the regression line is a pseudo-isochron. However, previous Re–Os dating of massive ores of the same deposit yielded an age that is consistent, within analytical uncertainty, with the zircon U–Pb age (Zhang et al., 2008). This relationship is similar to that observed in the Jinchuan deposit, NW China. Therefore, we suggested that the same mechanism, post-segregation diffusion of Os (Yang et al., 2008), is applicable to the Kalatongke deposit.Re–Os isotopic studies of Kalatongke, Jinchuan and representative magmatic Cu–Ni sulfide deposits suggest that the massive ores of mafic–ultramafic-rock-associated Cu–Ni sulfide deposits would yield geologically meaningful Re–Os age, whereas a pseudo-isochron would be obtained for the disseminated ores. Therefore, to obtain a geologically meaningful Re–Os age, the type of the deposit, the type of the ore and the ore-forming process should be taken into account.     

Periglacial climate at the 2.5 Ma onset of Northern Hemisphere glaciation inferred from the Whippoorwill Formation, northern Missouri, USA

The Whippoorwill Formation is a gleyed diamicton that is present locally within bedrock depressions beneath the oldest glacial till in northern Missouri, USA. Stratigraphy, paleomagnetism, and cosmogenic-nuclide burial ages show that it was deposited between the Matuyama-Gauss magnetostratigraphic boundary at 2.58 Ma and the first advance of the Laurentide ice sheet into Missouri at 2.47 ± 0.19 Ma. High cosmogenic-nuclide concentrations also show that the constituents of the Whippoorwill Formation experienced long exposure at a stable landscape surface with erosion rates of 1-2 m/Ma. However, cosmogenic-nuclide concentrations are invariant with depth below the Whippoorwill Formation surface, indicating active mixing of the soil profile shortly before burial by till. The Whippoorwill Formation retains numerous features indicative of cryoturbation. Therefore, we interpret it as a buried Gelisol, a soil formed under periglacial conditions in the presence of permafrost. At the onset of Northern Hemisphere glaciation, climate cooling established permafrost conditions and accelerated erosion by inducing landscape instability. Thus, weathered regolith materials were mobilized and redeposited by gelifluction shortly before the ice sheet overrode the landscape.     

Burial and preservation of a 30,000 year old perennial snowbank in Red Creek valley,Ogilvie Mountains,central Yukon,Canada

This study describes the origin and age of a body of massive ground ice exposed in the headwall of a thaw slump in the Red Creek valley, central Yukon, Canada. The site is located beyond the limits of Pleistocene glaciation in central Yukon and within the southern limit of the modern continuous permafrost zone. The origin of the massive ground ice, which is preserved under a fine-grained diamicton containing thin layers of tephra, was determined through ice petrography, stable O-H isotope composition of the ice, and gas composition of occluded air entrapped in the ice. The age of the massive ground ice was established by identifying the overlying tephra and radiocarbon dating of a “muck” deposit preserved within the ice. Collectively, the results indicate that the massive ground ice formed by snow densification with limited melting-refreezing and is interpreted as being a buried perennial snowbank. The muck deposit within the ice, which yielded an age of 30,720 ± 340 ¹⁴C a BP, and the Dawson tephra (25,300 ¹⁴C a BP) overlying the perennial snowbank, indicates that the snowbank accumulated at roughly the transition between marine isotope stages 3 and 2. Dry climatic conditions at this time and possibly high winds enabled the snowbank to accumulate in the absence of extensive local valley glaciation as occurred in the mountains to the south. In addition to documenting the persistence of relict permafrost and ground ice to warming climate in regions where they are predicted to disappear by numerical models, this study presents evidence of an isotopic biosignature preserved in a body of massive ground ice.     

Tropical glacier fluctuations in the Cordillera Blanca,Peru between 12.5 and 7.6 ka from cosmogenic 10Be dating

We report cosmogenic surface exposure ¹⁰Be ages of 21 boulders on moraines in the Jeullesh and Tuco Valleys, Cordillera Blanca, Peru (～10°S at altitudes above 4200 m). Ages are based on the sea-level at high-latitude reference production rate and scaling system of Lifton et al. (2005. Addressing solar modulation and long-term uncertainties in scaling secondary cosmic rays for in situ cosmogenic nuclide applications. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 239, 140–161) in the CRONUS-Earth online calculator of Balco et al. (2008. A complete and easily accessible means of calculating surface exposure ages or erosion rates from ¹⁰Be and ²⁶Al measurements. Quaternary Geochronology 3, 174–195). Using the Lifton system, large outer lateral moraines in the Jeullesh Valley have a ¹⁰Be exposure age of 12.4 ka, inside of which are smaller moraine systems dated to 10.8, 9.7 and 7.6 ka. Large outer lateral moraines in the Tuco Valley have a ¹⁰Be exposure age of 12.5 ka, with inner moraines dated to 11.3 and 10.7 ka. Collectively, these data indicate that glacier recession from the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) in the Cordillera Blanca was punctuated by three to four stillstands or minor advances during the period 12.5–7.6 ka, spanning the Younger Dryas Chronozone (YDC; ～12.9–11.6 ka) and the cold event identified in Greenland ice cores and many other parts of the world at 8.2 ka. The inferred fluctuations of tropical glaciers at these times, well after their withdrawal from the LGM, indicate an increase in precipitation or a decrease in temperature in this region. Although palaeoenvironmental records show regional and temporal variability, comparison with proxy records (lacustrine sediments and ice cores) indicate that regionally this was a cold, dry period so we ascribe these glacier advances to reduced atmospheric temperature rather than increased precipitation.     

Glacial and volcanic history of Icelandic table mountains from cosmogenic 3He exposure ages

Basaltic table mountains in the neovolcanic zones of Iceland have been interpreted as subglacial volcanoes that emerged through an ice sheet. Using their distinctive morphological and lithostratigraphic characteristics, the approximate surface elevation and thickness of the ice sheet at the time of eruption can be determined. We measured cosmogenic ³He concentrations in olivine phenocrysts from subaerially erupted basaltic lava caps of table mountains to determine their exposure ages. We argue that these exposure ages closely approximate eruption ages; the possibility of past snow cover is the main uncertainty. The resulting ³He exposure (eruption) ages, calculated using a locally derived ³He production rate calibration, and comprising 42 individual ages from 13 table mountains, allow reconstruction of ice sheet surface profiles through time. The new ³He chronology indicates that 12 of the 13 dated table mountains experienced their final eruptive phase during the last deglaciation. This eruptive chronology is broadly consistent with the hypothesis that melt production in Iceland is enhanced by pressure release from ice sheet unloading during deglaciation. The clustered distribution of table mountain ages suggests that distinct episodes of ice sheet thinning may have coincided with, or closely followed, the two strongest warming events in the North Atlantic region during the last deglaciation: the Bølling warming (ca 14.5 ka) and the warming at the end of the Younger Dryas.     

Integrated U–Pb and Sm–Nd geochronology for a REE-rich carbonatite dyke at the giant Bayan Obo REE deposit,Northern China

The Bayan Obo deposit in North China contains the largest rare-earth element (REE) resources in the world, but its forming time remains controversial. Nearly one hundred carbonatite dykes occur around the Bayan Obo deposit, including dolomite, calcite and calcite–dolomite carbonatite varieties. Zircons from a REE-rich carbonatite dyke and wallrock quartz conglomerate at Bayan Obo have been analyzed for U–Pb to determine the age of the dyke. Zircon from the carbonatite dyke, analyzed by conventional isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry (ID-TIMS), yielded an upper intercept age of 1417 ± 19 Ma. This age is confirmed by SHRIMP U–Pb analysis of zircon from the same carbonatite dyke, which gave a ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb weighted mean age of 1418 ± 29 Ma. In situ Nd isotope measurements of monazite collected from the carbonatite dyke gave an isochron age of 1275 ± 87 Ma. These results demonstrate that the dyke intruded ~ 1400 Ma. In view of predecessor's results, it is clarified that the REE mineralization at Bayan Obo occurred at ca. 1400 Ma, consistent with the timing of carbonatite dyke intrusion in the region. The youngest detrital zircons from the quartz conglomerate yielded a ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb weighted mean age of 1941 ± 7 Ma using LA ICP-MS U–Pb method. Detrital zircons in the carbonatite dyke also gave a mean apparent age of 1932 ± 3 Ma using ID-TIMS U–Pb method and 1914 ± 14 Ma using SHRIMP U–Pb method. These ages constrain the beginning active time of the Zha'ertai–Bayan Obo rift in the northern margin of the North China Craton after ~ 1900 Ma.     

Geochemistry,Zircon U–Pb Analysis,and Biotite 40Ar/39Ar Geochronology of the Maoling Gold Deposit,Liaodong Rift,NE China

The Maoling gold deposit is located in the southwestern part of the Liaodong rift, NE China, and has estimated reserves of 25 t. In this paper we present the results of an investigation into the geochronology and geodynamic mechanisms of igneous activity and metallogenesis within the Maoling gold deposit. New zircon U–Pb age data, biotite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age data, whole‐rock geochemistry, and Hf isotopic analyses are presented in order to constrain the petrogenesis and mineralization of the deposit. Zircon U–Pb dating of the Wolongquan biotite monzogranite and Maoling biotite granite yielded mean ages of 194.0 ± 1.1 Ma and 196.1 ± 1.1 Ma, respectively. All the granites are characteristically high‐K calc‐alkaline, enriched in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements, and depleted in high field strength elements, which is consistent with the geochemical characteristics of arc‐type magmas. The Hf isotope characteristics indicate that the granites formed by partial melting of early Paleoproterozoic crustal material. In addition, biotite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating indicates that the Maoling gold deposit formed at 188.9 ± 1.2 Ma, implying that the mineralization was related to both the granite intrusions. Taking into account previous data on S–Pb–O–H isotopes and our new age data, the Maoling deposit can be classified as an intrusion‐related gold deposit. Taking into account the geology of the study area and adjacent regions, we propose that the Maoling gold deposit and its associated granitic intrusions formed in a geodynamic setting that was dominated by subduction of the Paleo‐Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian continent.     

Quaternary changes in level of the upper Taylor Glacier, Antarctica: implications for paleoclimate and East Antarctic Ice Sheet dynamics

Glacial drifts perched alongside outlet glaciers that drain through the Transantarctic Mountains constrain inland polar plateau ice elevations. The Taylor Glacier, which heads in the Taylor Dome (a peripheral dome of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet), drains East Antarctic ice into the Dry Valleys sector of Transantarctic Mountains and terminates in central Taylor Valley, about 24 km west of the Ross Sea. Five gravel-rich drifts (including 39 distinct moraine ridges) fringe a lateral lobe of the Taylor Glacier in the lower Arena Valley, Quartermain Mountains, southern Victoria Land. ³He and ¹⁰Be exposure age dating (from Brook et al . 1992), together with Arena Valley stratigraphy and soil morphologic data, provide chronologic control for these drifts and constrain maximum Quaternary thickening of the inland Taylor ice dome to less than 160 m. These minor Quaternary expansions of Taylor Glacier were out-of-phase with outlet glaciers that pass through the Transantarctic Mountains and terminate in the Ross Sea north and south of the Dry Valleys region. Textural analyses suggest that drift deposition occurred from cold-based ice, even though Taylor Glacier advances most likely occurred during global interglaciations. The thermal regime of former Taylor Glacier ice lobes, the character of geomorphic features superimposed on individual drifts, the chemical composition of soils developed on Taylor drifts, and the stability of in situ moraine ridges on steep valley walls suggest that the present cold-desert climate in Arena Valley has persisted for at least the last 2.2 Ma.     

A precise U–Pb age on cassiterite from the Xianghualing tin-polymetallic deposit (Hunan,South China)

We report the first precise U–Pb isotope data on cassiterite from the large Xianghualing tin-polymetallic deposit in the central Nanling district, South China. The results show that four separates from sample XF-51 have a relatively narrow range of ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U apparent ages, varying from 152 to 157 Ma, and the three ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U apparent ages yield a weighted average value of 156 ± 4 Ma (MSWD = 0.32). Separates from two other cassiterite samples do not have sufficient radiogenic Pb to generate a reliable ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age. Seven separates from the above three cassiterite samples define a well-constrained ²³⁸U–²⁰⁶Pb isochron corresponding to an age of 157 ± 6 Ma (MSWD = 34). A comparison of the U–Pb cassiterite ages with published Ar–Ar dates on muscovite from this deposit and K–Ar age data on biotite from the pluton genetically related to the tin mineralization in this area demonstrates that the U–Pb isotope system of cassiterite is a potential geochronometer. Combined with the Ar–Ar dates of muscovite from this deposit, we can constrain the absolute age of tin-polymetallic mineralization in Xianghualing at 154–157 Ma. The dates obtained in this study, consistent with the published geochronological results from other important deposits in this region, reveal that the large-scale tungsten–tin mineralization in the central Nanling region was predominantly emplaced during 150–161 Ma.     

Exposure ages from relict lateral moraines overridden by the Fennoscandian ice sheet

Lateral moraines constructed along west to east sloping outlet glaciers from mountain centred, pre-last glacial maximum (LGM) ice fields of limited extent remain largely preserved in the northern Swedish landscape despite overriding by continental ice sheets, most recently during the last glacial. From field evidence, including geomorphological relationships and a detailed weathering profile including a buried soil, we have identified seven such lateral moraines that were overridden by the expansion and growth of the Fennoscandian ice sheet. Cosmogenic ¹⁰Be and ²⁶Al exposure ages of 19 boulders from the crests of these moraines, combined with the field evidence, are correlated to episodes of moraine stabilisation, Pleistocene surface weathering, and glacial overriding. The last deglaciation event dominates the exposure ages, with ¹⁰Be and ²⁶Al data derived from 15 moraine boulders indicating regional deglaciation 9600 ± 200 yr ago. This is the most robust numerical age for the final deglaciation of the Fennoscandian ice sheet. The older apparent exposure ages of the remaining boulders (14,600-26,400 yr) can be explained by cosmogenic nuclide inheritance from previous exposure of the moraine crests during the last glacial cycle. Their potential exposure history, based on local glacial chronologies, indicates that the current moraine morphologies formed at the latest during marine oxygen isotope stage 5. Although numerous deglaciation ages were obtained, this study demonstrates that numerical ages need to be treated with caution and assessed in light of the geomorphological evidence indicating moraines are not necessarily formed by the event that dominates the cosmogenic nuclide data.     

豫西银家沟硫铁多金属矿床Re-Os和40Ar-39Ar年龄及其地质意义

河南省银家沟硫铁多金属矿床位于华北克拉通南缘的华熊地块内,是东秦岭地区最大的硫铁多金属矿床,以其硫铁矿储量大及共、伴生元素复杂区别于东秦岭其他以钼为主的矿床.矿化在空间上呈规律性的带状分布,从岩体内向外,依次出现斑岩型钼矿体→斑岩型硫铁矿体→矽卡岩型铁矿体、钼矿体→矽卡岩型硫铁、铜、锌、金矿体→脉型铅、锌、银矿体.选取5件接触带矽卡岩型钼矿体中的辉钼矿样品进行Re-Os同位素定年,获得(142.9±2.1) Ma～(143.7±2.3) Ma的模式年龄,加权平均值为(143.4±0.9) Ma(MSWD=0.071),等时线年龄为(140.0±18.0) Ma(2σ,MSWD=0.095),将(143.4±0.9) Ma认作辉钼矿的结晶年龄,表明银家沟矿床矽卡岩型矿体形成于约143 Ma前;选取1件硅化、绢云母化、黄铁矿化、辉钼矿化钾长花岗斑岩中的绢云母样品定年,获得40Ar-39Ar坪年龄为(143.6±1.4) Ma,相应的39 Ar/36 Ar-40 Ar/39Ar等时线年龄为(143.0±2.0) Ma(MSWD=0.13),将(143.0±2.0)Ma认作绢云母的Ar封闭年龄,表明银家沟矿床斑岩型矿化亦发生在约143Ma前.本次辉钼矿Re-Os和绢云母40Ar-39A定年结果表明,银家沟矽卡岩型和斑岩型矿体均形成于早白垩世初期.银家沟矿床辉钼矿的ω(Re)在38.5×10-6～43.2×10-6之间,成矿物质主要来自由火成物质组成的宽坪群和二郎坪群,成矿与矿区内的钾长花岗斑岩有关.结合前人对东秦岭造山带中生代期间地球动力学背景的研究成果,笔者认为银家沟矿床形成于EW向构造体制向NNE向构造体制大转换阶段,即形成于挤压体制向伸展体制转换的背景.     

Ground ice recharge via brine transport in frozen soils of Victoria Valley, Antarctica: Insights from modeling δO and δD profiles

Soils in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica contain ice and considerable amounts of salt. Ice often occurs at shallow depth throughout the Dry Valleys and other areas of hyperarid permafrost, notably on Mars. This common occurrence of shallow ice is enigmatic; however, since according to published sublimation models it should disappear relatively quickly (at rates of order 0.1 mm a⁻¹) due to vapor loss to the atmosphere. This loss may be offset by recharge from snowmelt infiltrating and freezing in the soil. Herein, we present a first quantitative estimate of this recharge based on measured vertical profiles of δD and δ¹⁸O that reveal considerable detail about the sources and sinks of ice. We model these profiles, taking into account the salt content and a soil temperature record along a 1.6 m depth profile of ∼10 ka old ice-cemented soils in Victoria Valley, Antarctica. The stable isotopes of ice are enriched in heavy isotopes at the top of the ice cement (20 cm depth); both δD and δ¹⁸O values plotted against depth exhibit a concave upward curve. At depth, the isotope composition is similar to that of Lake Victoria and modern meteoric water. The concave shape of the isotope profile is suggestive of downward advection-dispersion of snowmelt water enriched in heavy isotopes into the ice cement. Our advection-dispersion model, coupled with field data, enables us to quantify the advective flux and dispersion of melt water into the ice. The advective velocity and dispersion coefficient depend on the time since advection began and the ice-to-brine ratio; they are, respectively, of the order of 10⁻¹¹-10⁻¹⁰ m s⁻¹ and 10⁻¹²-10⁻¹¹ m² s⁻¹. These values suggest that over the ∼10 ka time period, a total of 190 mm water infiltrated into the ice-cemented ground. The isotope composition and deuterium excess values of the uppermost ice cement can be modeled from snowmelt water enriched in salts using open system-Rayleigh fractionation. To develop the isotopic signature of the upper ice cement requires evaporation of ∼95% of the snowmelt water. Based on 190 mm brine infiltrating into the soil requires an initial total of ∼4 m of snowmelt water. This corresponds to ∼0.4 mm a⁻¹ suggesting that, under the current climate condition, water from snowmelt is sufficient to compensate modeled sublimation rates, and therefore conserve ground ice in Victoria Valley.     

Zirconolite and xenotime U–Pb age constraints on the emplacement of the Golden Mile Dolerite sill and gold mineralization at the Mt Charlotte mine,Eastern Goldfields Province,Yilgarn Craton,Western Australia

In situ SHRIMP U–Pb dating of magmatic zirconolite (CaZrTi₂O₇) in the Golden Mile Dolerite from the Mt Charlotte gold deposit (Yilgarn Craton, Australia) has yielded the first robust emplacement age (2,680 ± 9 Ma) for the principle host-rock of gold mineralization in the Kalgoorlie district. In contrast, co-magmatic zircon gave ages from ~2.68 Ga to ~2.17 Ga, reflecting isotopic resetting of high-U and -Th crystals. In situ SHRIMP analysis of hydrothermal xenotime (YPO₄), which co-exists with gold in alteration pyrite, provided a Pb/Pb isochron age of 2,655 ± 13 Ma. This date indicates that the youngest deposit in the Kalgoorlie district (Mt Charlotte) formed at ~2.65 Ga, and provides a new minimum age for the structurally older Golden Mile deposit. Our results indicate that gold mineralization at Mt Charlotte is ~50 million years older than indicated by recent ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating and places new constraints on the timing of late-stage regional faulting (D₄) in the province.     

The Ranger uranium deposit,northern Australia: Timing constraints,regional and ore-related alteration,and genetic implications for unconformity-related mineralisation

The Ranger 1 unconformity-related uranium deposit in the Northern Territory of Australia is one of the world's largest uranium deposits and has ranked in the top two Australian producers of uranium in recent years. Mineralisation at the Ranger, Jabiluka and other major unconformity-related deposits in the Alligator Rivers Uranium Field (ARUF) occurs in Paleoproterozoic metamorphic basement rocks immediately beneath the unconformity with the Paleo- to Mesoproterozoic McArthur Basin.The sites of uranium mineralisation and associated alteration at the Ranger 1 deposit (Number 3 orebody) were fundamentally controlled by reactivated shear zones that were initiated during the regional Nimbuwah tectonothermal event. The timing of shearing at medium metamorphic grade was constrained by ion microprobe U–Pb dating of zircons in two pegmatites, one weakly foliated (1867.0 ± 3.5 Ma) and another that is unfoliated and cuts the shear fabric (1862.8 ± 3.4 Ma). The younger age of ~ 1863 Ma represents the minimum age of D1 shearing during the Nimbuwah event at the Ranger 1 deposit (Number 3 orebody). Titanite within veins of amphibole-plagioclase-apatite yielded an ion microprobe U–Pb age of 1845.4 ± 4.2 Ma, which represents a previously unrecognised hydrothermal event in the ARUF. Based on previous data, retrograde hydrothermal alteration during D2 reactivation of D1 shear zones is interpreted to have occurred at ~ 1800 Ma during the regional Shoobridge tectonothermal event.Detailed paragenetic observations supported by whole-rock geochemical data from the Ranger 1 deposit (Number 3 orebody) reveal a sequence of post-D2 hydrothermal events, as follows. (1) Intense magnesium-rich chlorite alteration and brecciation, focussed within schists of the Upper Mine Sequence in the Cahill Formation. (2) Silicification of Lower Mine Sequence carbonate rock units and overlying schist units, comprising quartz ± Mg-foitite (tourmaline) ± muscovite ± pyrite ± marcasite, and rare uraninite (early U1). (3) Formation of main stage uranium ore and heterolithic breccias including clasts of olivine–phyric dolerite, with breccia matrix composed of uraninite (U1), Mg-chlorite ± Mg-foitite and minor pyrite and chalcopyrite. (4) A second generation of uraninite (U2) veinlets with disordered graphitic carbon and quartz of hydrothermal origin. (5) Late-stage veinlets of massive uraninite (U3). As inferred in a previous study and confirmed herein, olivine–phyric dolerite dykes at Ranger are mineralised and chloritised, and are geochemically similar to the regional Oenpelli Dolerite. A maximum age for uranium mineralisation at the Ranger 1 deposit is therefore set by the age of the Oenpelli Dolerite (~ 1723 Ma).In-situ ion microprobe U–Pb analysis of texturally oldest U1 uraninite yielded a discordia array with a ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U-²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U upper intercept age of 1688 ± 46 Ma. The oldest individual ion microprobe ²⁰⁷Pb–²⁰⁶Pb age is 1684 ± 7 Ma whereas the oldest age determined by in-situ electron microprobe chemical dating of U1 uraninite is ~ 1646 Ma. Another sample containing both U1 and U2 uraninite yielded discordant data with a ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U–²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U upper intercept age of 1421 ± 68 Ma. When the ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages are considered the data are suggestive of U2 uraninite formation and possible resetting of the U1 age between ~ 1420 Ma and ~ 1040 Ma. All ion microprobe analyses of U1 and U2 uraninite indicate variable and possibly repeated lead loss. In contrast ion microprobe U–Pb dating of the third generation of uraninite (U3) yielded several near-concordant analyses and a ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U–²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U upper intercept age of 474 ± 6 Ma. This age is supported by electron microprobe chemical ages of U3 uraninite between 515 Ma and 385 Ma.The new results constrain the timing of initial uranium mineralisation at the Ranger 1 deposit (Number 3 orebody) to the period ~ 1720 Ma to ~ 1680 Ma, which just overlaps with a previous U–Pb age of 1737 ± 20 Ma for uraninite-rich whole-rock samples. Our results are consistent with individual laser-ICPMS ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb and chemical ages of uraninite as old as 1690–1680 Ma reported from other deposits and prospects in the ARUF.Whole-rock geochemical data in this study of the Ranger 1 deposit (Number 3 orebody) and in other studies in the ARUF demonstrate that zones of intense chloritisation associated with uranium mineralisation experienced large metasomatic gains of Mg, U, Co, Ni, Cu and S and losses of Si, Na, Ca, Sr, Ba, K, Rb, Y and the light REE. More broadly in the ARUF, a regionally extensive illite–hematite ± kaolinite-bearing ‘paleoregolith’ zone in basement beneath the McArthur Basin exhibits depletion of about half of its uranium as well as major losses in Na, Sr, Pb, Ba and minor losses of Mg. These features together with new petrographic observations suggest this zone is a regional sub-McArthur Basin alteration zone produced by interaction with diagenetic or hydrothermal fluids of primary basinal origin, rather than representing a low-temperature paleo-weathering zone before the deposition of the McArthur Basin, as previously suggested.Based on these results and a synthesis of previous work, a new multi-stage model is proposed for the Ranger 1 ore-forming mineral system that may apply to other major unconformity-related uranium deposits in the ARUF and which may be used for targeting new deposits in the region. As in most recent models, oxidised diagenetic brines within the McArthur Basin are envisaged as crucial in mobilising uranium. However, a different architecture of fluid flow is proposed involving the sub-unconformity regional basement alteration zone as a preferential source of leached uranium. Possibly driven by convection during regional magmatism at ~ 1725–1705 Ma, oxidised basinal brines were drawn downwards and laterally through fault networks and fractures in the regional sub-unconformity alteration zone, leaching uranium from hematite-altered basement rocks. Simultaneously within deeper and lateral parts of the hydrothermal system, Mg-metasomatism produced chloritic alteration and brines with increased acidity and silica content (from the desilicification of the basement rock), analogous to processes described in sub-seafloor hydrothermal systems. Silicification occurred locally (e.g., Ranger deposit) within upflow zones of convective systems due to decreases in temperature and/or pressure of the brines and/or CO₂ generation during carbonate dissolution. Interruptions to convection during transient regional extensional or strike-slip tectonic events resulted in generalised lateral and downwards flow of fluids from the McArthur Basin through deepened zones of sub-unconformity alteration, transferring leached uranium into reactivated shear zones within the basement. The main stage of uraninite precipitation at the Ranger deposit and elsewhere in the ARUF is proposed to have occurred between ~ 1720 Ma and ~ 1680 Ma as a result of reduction of oxidised and evolved basin-derived ore fluids during reaction with pre-existing Fe^2 +-bearing minerals and/or mixing of the ore fluids with basement-reacted silica-rich brines.A second, volumetrically minor but locally high-grade, stage of uraninite mineralisation was associated with hydrothermal disordered carbon and quartz of presently unknown origin. Available data suggest formation between ~ 1420 Ma and ~ 1040 Ma. Almost a billion years later at ~ 475 Ma, fluids capable of mobilising uranium again resulted in uraninite (U3) deposition as sparse veinlets in the Ranger deposit, representing the first documentation of uranium mineralisation of this age in the region.     

Distal Pb-Zn-Ag veins associated with the world-class Donggou porphyry Mo deposit,southern North China craton

The southern North China craton hosts numerous world-class porphyry Mo and Pb-Zn-Ag vein deposits. Whether or not the Pb-Zn-Ag veins are genetically associated with the porphyry Mo system remains contentious. Here we focus on the genetic relationships between the Sanyuangou Pb-Zn-Ag vein deposit and the world-class Donggou porphyry Mo deposit, and discuss the potential implications from the spatial and temporal relationships between porphyry and vein systems in the southern North China craton.At Sanyuangou, vein-hosted sulfide mineralization mainly comprises pyrite, sphalerite, and galena, with minor chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, bornite, tetrahedrite, covellite, polybasite and argentite. The mineralization is hosted by a quartz diorite stock, which has a zircon U-Pb age of 1756 ± 9 Ma. However, sericite from alteration selvages of Pb-Zn-Ag sulfide mineralization yields a well-defined ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau age of 115.9 ± 0.9 Ma. Although nominally younger, the sericite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age is similar to the age of the nearby Donggou porphyry Mo deposit (zircon U-Pb age of 117.8 ± 0.9; molybdenite Re-Os ages of 117.5 ± 0.8 Ma and 116.4 ± 0.6 Ma). Pyrite from Donggou has elevated contents of Mo and Bi, whereas pyrite from Sanyuangou is enriched in Cu, Zn, Pb, Ag, Au, and As. This trace element pattern is consistent with metal zonation typically observed in porphyry related metallogenic systems. Pyrite grains from Sanyuangou have lead isotopes overlapping those from Donggou (17.273–17.495 vs. 17.328–17.517 for ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 15.431–15.566 vs. 15.408–15.551 for ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, and 37.991–38.337 vs. 38.080–38.436 for ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb). Collectively, the geological, geochronological, and geochemical data support a magmatic-hydrothermal origin for the Sanyuangou Pb-Zn-Ag deposit and confirm that the Pb-Zn-Ag veins and the Donggou Mo deposit form a porphyry-related magmatic-hydrothermal system.Given the widespread Pb-Zn-Ag veins and Mo mineralized porphyries in many districts of the southern North China craton, the model derived from this study has broad implications for further exploration of Mo and Pb-Zn-Ag resources in the area.     

Zircon U–Pb,molybdenite Re–Os and muscovite Ar–Ar isotopic dating of the Xitian W–Sn polymetallic deposit,eastern Hunan Province,South China and its geological significance

The Xitian tungsten–tin (W–Sn) polymetallic deposit, located in eastern Hunan Province, South China, is a recently explored region containing one of the largest W–Sn deposits in the Nanling W–Sn metallogenic province. The mineral zones in this deposit comprise skarn, greisen, structurally altered rock and quartz-vein types. The deposit is mainly hosted by Devonian dolomitic limestone at the contact with the Xitian granite complex. The Xitian granite complex consists of Indosinian (Late Triassic, 230–215 Ma) and Yanshanian (Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous, 165–141 Ma) granites. Zircons from two samples of the Xitian granite dated using laser ablation-inductively coupled mass spectrometer (LA-ICPMS) U–Pb analysis yielded two ages of 225.6 ± 1.3 Ma and 151.8 ± 1.4 Ma, representing the emplacement ages of two episodic intrusions of the Xitian granite complex. Molybdenites separated from ore-bearing quartz-veins yielded a Re–Os isochron age of 149.7 ± 0.9 Ma, in excellent agreement with a weighted mean age of 150.3 ± 0.5 Ma. Two samples of muscovites from ore-bearing greisens yielded ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau ages of 149.5 ± 1.5 Ma and 149.4 ± 1.5 Ma, respectively. These isotopic ages obtained from hydrothermal minerals are slightly younger than the zircon U–Pb age of 151.8 ± 1.4 Ma of the Yanshanian granite in the Xitian area, indicating that the W–Sn mineralization is genetically related to the Late Jurassic magmatism. The Xitian deposit is a good example of the Early Yanshanian regional W–Sn ore-forming event (160–150 Ma) in the Nanling region. The relatively high Re contents (8.7 to 44.0 ppm, average of 30.5 ppm) in molybdenites suggest a mixture of mantle and crustal sources in the genesis of the ore-forming fluids and melts. Based upon previous geochemical studies of Early Yanshanian granite and regional geology, we argue that the Xitian W–Sn polymetallic deposit can be attributed to back-arc lithosphere extension in the region, which was probably triggered by the break-off of the flat-slab of the Palae-Pacific plate beneath the lithosphere.     

40Ar/39Ar Geochronology of Volcanic and Intrusive Rocks in the Papandayan Metallic Prospect Area,West Java,Indonesia

This study presents new ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages on the volcanic and intrusive rocks from the Papandayan metallic district in West Java, Indonesia. The vein system in the Arinem area, one of the prospective areas in the district, has been considered as an epithermal gold–silver–base metal deposit, however, no published age results are available for the host volcanic rocks in the district. The ages of these rocks are critical in terms of their association with mineralization and are important to understand the evolution of volcanism in the region, which has implications for mineral exploration in the district. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau ages of two typical basalt and one andesite samples of the Jampang Formation volcanic rocks yielded ages of 11.65 ± 0.52 Ma, 18.15 ± 0.46 Ma and 7.69 ± 0.05 Ma, respectively. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of three intrusive rock samples from Gunung Halang diorite, Gunung Lingga diorite, and Gunung Buligir fine‐grained quartz diorite yielded ages of 12.98 ± 0.20 Ma, 10.81 ± 0.15 Ma, and 7.37 ± 0.05 Ma, respectively. The age of the youngest fine‐grained diorite (Gunung Wayang dike) is 3.95 ± 0.03 Ma. An ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age obtained from adularia in the Arinem mineralized vein (18.30 ± 0.20 Ma) is older than the age of altered basalt sample of this study (11.65 ± 0.52 Ma) and the K–Ar illite ages of the Arinem vein (9.4 ± 0.3 Ma and 8.8 ± 0.3 Ma) which resulted from a previous study. The age results suggest that the Papandayan district may have experienced multiple hydrothermal and mineralization events. This study, therefore, provides crucial age data to support future mineral exploration in the district.     

Age and composition of Antarctic sub-glacial bedrock reflected by detrital zircons,erratics, and recycled microfossils in the Ellsworth Land–Antarctic Peninsula–Weddell Sea–Dronning Maud Land sector (240°E–0°–015°E)

The age and composition of the 14 × 10⁶ km² of Antarctica's surface obscured by ice is unknown except for some dated detrital minerals and erratics. In remedy, we present four new analyses (U–Pb age, T_DM^C, εHf, and rock type) of detrital zircons from Neogene turbidites as proxies of Antarctic bedrock, and review published proxies: detrital hornblendes analysed for Ar–Ar age and bulk Sm–Nd isotopes; Pb isotope compositions of detrital K-feldspars; erratics and dropstones that reflect age and composition; and recycled microfossils that reflect age and facies. This work deals with the 240°E–0°–015°E sector, and complements Veevers and Saeed's (2011) analysis of the 70°E–240°E sector. Each sample is located in its ice-drainage basin for backtracking to the potential provenance. Gaps in age between sample and upslope exposure are specifically attributable to the provenance. The major provenance of detritus west of the Antarctic Peninsula (AP) is West Antarctica, and of detritus east of the AP East Antarctica. We confirm that the Central Antarctic provenance about a core of the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains (GSM) and the Vostok Subglacial Highlands (VSH) contains a basement that includes igneous (mafic granitoids) and metamorphic rocks with peak U–Pb ages of 0.65–0.50, 1.20–0.9, 2.1–1.9, 2.8–2.6, and 3.35–3.30 Ga, T_DM^C of 3.6–1.3 Ga, and mainly negative εHf. The potential provenance of zircons of 650–500 Ma age with T_DM^C ages of 1.55 Ga, and of zircons of 1200–900 Ma age with positive εHf lies beneath the ice in East Antarctica south and southeast of Dronning Maud Land within the Antarctic part of the East African–Antarctic Orogen. Zircons with the additional ages of 1.7–1.4 Ga, 2.1–1.9 Ga, and 3.35–3.00 Ga have a potential provenance in the GSM.     

Anatomy of a world-class epizonal orogenic-gold system: A holistic thermochronological analysis of the Xincheng gold deposit,Jiaodong Peninsula,eastern China

Xincheng is a world-class orogenic-gold deposit hosted by the Early Cretaceous Guojialing granitoid in the Jiaodong Peninsula, eastern China. A zircon U–Pb age of 126 ± 1.4 Ma, together with previous data, constrain the emplacement of the Guojialing intrusion to 132–123 Ma. The granitoid underwent subsolidus ductile deformation at >500 °C following its intrusion. The small difference in age between the youngest zircon U–Pb age of unaltered granitoid (~123 Ma) and the ca. 120 Ma ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of sericite, associated with breccias and gold mineralization within it indicate initial rapid cooling from magmatic temperatures to those prevalent during brittle deformation and associated gold mineralization at ~220–300 °C. Evidence of a direct association between granitic magmatism and gold mineralization, such as at least localized near-magmatic depositional temperatures and metal zoning evident in undoubted intrusion-related gold deposits, is absent. The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of ~120 Ma coincides with the mineralization age of many other orogenic-gold deposits along the Jiaojia Fault. Sixteen zircon fission-track (ZFT) ages across the ore and alteration zones range from 112.9 ± 3.4 to 99.1 ± 2.7 Ma. The long period of cooling to the ~100 Ma ZFT closure temperatures recorded here suggests that ambient temperatures for hydrothermal alteration systems lasted to ~100 Ma, possibly because of their focus at Xincheng within the young Guojialing granitoid as it cooled more slowly below approximately 300 °C to 220 °C. However, the restricted number of auriferous ore stages, combined with the presence of cross-cutting gold-free quartz-carbonate veins, indicate that gold itself was only deposited over a restricted time interval at ~120 Ma, consistent with studies of orogenic gold deposits elsewhere. This highlights the complex interplay between magmatism, deformation and the longevity of hydrothermal systems that cause genetic controversies. Based on apatite fission-track (AFT) ages, the Xincheng gold deposit was then uplifted and exhumed to near the surface of the crust at 15 Ma, probably due to movement on the crustal-scale Tan-Lu Fault. Recognition of such exhumation histories along gold belts has conceptual exploration significance in terms of the probability of discovery of additional exposed or sub-surface gold ore bodies as discovery is as much a function of preservation as formation of the deposits.     

新疆哈勒尕提铜铁矿床的成矿年代学研究

首次采用锆石SHRIMP微区U-Pb测年技术,对新疆西天山哈勒尕提铜铁多金属矿床成矿岩体进行了年代学研究,通过对角闪石黑云母二长花岗岩中单颗粒锆石12个样品点的分析,获得²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U年龄介于362.7~381.7 Ma,加权平均值为（367.3±2.2）Ma,表明岩体的结晶年龄为晚泥盆世。通过ICP-MS法测定了哈勒尕提铜铁多金属矿床中的辉钼矿Re-Os同位素年龄,获得其模式年龄的加权平均值为（370.1±2.4）Ma,等时线年龄为（371±12）Ma,代表了哈勒尕提铜铁多金属矿床的成矿年龄。两种测年方法获得的年龄在误差范围内基本一致,因此该测试结果表明哈勒尕提铜铁多金属矿床与晚泥盆世角闪石黑云母二长花岗岩侵入作用密切相关,角闪石黑云母二长花岗岩为哈勒尕提铜铁多金属矿床的形成提供了成矿物质和热源。