LA-ICP-MS U-Pb Zircon Dating for Felsic Granulite, Huangtuling Area, North Dabieshan: Constraints on Timing of Its Protolith and Granulite-Facies Metamorphism, and Thermal Events in Its Provenance

Information about the protolith of the Huangtuling granulite in North Dabieshan has been unavailable. The complex evolution history of the rock and its host basement must be further discussed. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating was conducted on three textural domains in zircon from a high-temperature, high-pressure felsic granulite in the Huangtuling area, North Dabieshan, Central China. The metamorphic growth-derived detrital zircon domain yields a 207Pb/206Pb age in the range of (2 493±54) -(2 500±180) Ma. The magmatic genesis-derived detrital zircon domain gives a 207Pb/206Pb age ranging from 2 628 Ma to 2 690 Ma, with an oldest 206Pb/238U age of (2 790±150) Ma. The metamorphic overgrowth or metamorphic recrystallization zircon domain yields a dicsordia with an upper intercept age of (2 044.7±29.3) Ma. Compositions of the mineral assemblage, major element geochemistry, and especially the complex interior texture of the zircon suggest that the prololith of the felsic granulite is of sedimentary origin. Results show that the protolith material of the granulite came from a provenance with a complex thermal history, i.e. ～2.8 Ga magmatism and ～2.5 Ga metamorphism, and was deposited in a basin not earlier than 2.5 Ga. The high-temperature and high-pressure granulite-facies metamorphic age was precisely constrained at (2.04±0.03) Ga, which indicates the granulite in Huangtuling area should be a relict of a Paleoproterozoic UHT (ultrahigh temperature) metamorphosed slab.     

U-Pb Age and Hf Isotope Study of Detrital Zircons from the Wanzi Supracrustals： Constraints on the Tectonic Setting and Evolution of the Fuping Complex, Trans-North China Orogen

Located in the middle segment of the Trans-North China Orogen, the Fuping Complex is considered as a critical area in understanding the evolution history of the North China Craton （NCC）. The complex is composed of various high-grade and multiply deformed rocks, including gray gneiss, basic granulite, amphibolite, fine-grained gneiss and marble, metamorphosed to upper amphibolite or granulite facies. It can be divided into four rock units： the Fuping TTG gneisses, Longquanguan augen gneisses, Wanzi supracrustals, and Nanying granitic gneisses. U-Pb age and Hf isotope compositions of about 200 detrital zircons from the Wanzi supracrustals of the Fuping Complex have been analyzed. The data on metamorphic zircon rims give ages of 1.82-1.84 Ga, corresponding to the final amalgamation event of the NCC, whereas the data for igneous zircon cores yield two age populations at -2.10 and -2.51 Ga, with some inherited ages scattering between 2.5 and 2.9 Ga. These results suggest that the Wanzi supracrustals were derived from the Fuping TTG gneisses （-2.5 Ga） and the Nanying granitic gneisses （2.0-2.1 Ga） and deposited between 2.10 and 1.84 Ga. All zircons with -2.51 Ga age have positive initial εHf values from ＋1.4 to ＋10.9, suggesting an important crustal growth event at -2.5 Ga through the addition of juvenile materials from the mantle. The Hf isotope data for the detrital zircons further imply that the 2.8 Ga rocks are important components in the lower crust, which is consistent with a suggestion from Nd isotope data for the Eastern Block. The zircons of 2.10 Ga population have initial εHf values of-4.9 to ＋6.1, interpreted as mixing of crustal re-melt with minor juvenile material contribution at 2.1 Ga. These results are distinct from that for the Western Block, supporting that the Fuping Complex was emplaced in a tectonic active environment at the western margin of the Eastern Block.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987112000679

Quasi-integrity of continental crust between Mid-Archaean and Ediacaran times is demonstrated by conformity of palaeomagnetic poles to near-static positions between～2.7-2.2 Ca,～1.5-1.2 Ga and～0.75-0.6 Ga.Intervening data accord to coherent APW loops turning at "hairpins" focused near a continental-centric location.Although peripheral adjustments occurred during Early Proterozoic （～2.2 Ga） and Grenville（～1.1 Ga） times,the crust retained a low order symmetrical crescent-shaped form constrained to a single global hemisphere until break-up in Ediacaran times.Conformity of palaeomagnetic data to specific Eulerian parameters enables definition of a master Precambrian APW path used to estimate the root mean square velocity(v_RMS) of continental crust between 2.8 and 0.6 Ga.A long interval of little polar movement between～2.7 and 2.2 Ga correlates with global magmatic shutdown between～2.45 and 2.2 Ga,whilst this interval and later slowdown at～0.75-0.6 Ga to velocities of <2 cm/year correlate with episodes of widespread glaciation implying that these prolonged climatic anomalies had an internal origin;the reduced input of volcanically-derived atmospheric greenhouse gases is inferred to have permitted freeze-over conditions with active ice sheets extending into equatorial latitudes as established by low magnetic inclinations in glaciogenic deposits.v_RMS variations through Precambrian times correspond to the distribution of U-Pb ages in orogenic granitoids and detrital zircons and demonstrate that mobility of continental crust has been closely related to crustal tectonism and incrementation.Both periods of near-stillstand were followed by rapid v_RMS recording massive heat release from beneath the continental lid at～2.2 and 0.6 Ga.The first coincided with the Lomagundi-Jatuli isotopic event and led to prolonged orogenesis accompanied by continental flooding and reconfiguration of the crust on the Earth’s surface;the second led to continental break-up and instigated the comprehensive Plate Tectonics that has characterised Phanerozoic times.The Mesoproterozoic interval characterised by anorogenic magmatism correlates with low v_RMS between～1.5 and 1.1 Ga.Insulation of the sub-continental mantle evidently permitted high temperature melting and weakening of the crustal lid to enable buoyant emplacement of large plutons at high crustal levels during this magmatic event unique to Mesoproterozoic and early Neoproterozoic times.     

Major Tectono-thermal Events in the Yangtze Craton: Insights from U-Pb-Lu-Hf Isotope Records in Zircons from End-Permian Volcanic Interlayers in Southwest China

The in situ zircon U-Pb-Lu-Hf isotope records from end-Permian volcanic interlayers in southwest China, integrated with previous studies, restructure the evolutionary history of the Yangtze Craton from Precambrian to Late Paleozoic. This includes early continental crust formation before ~3.0 Ga and massive juvenile crustal growth at 2.6–2.4 Ga; large-scale crustal reworking at ~2.1–1.7 Ga; Neoproterozoic crust addition at ~1.1 to 0.7 Ga; collision and subduction along the craton margin between ~700–541 Ma; Early Ordovician to Late Silurian magmatism; and large tectono-thermal events in the Middle Carboniferous to end-Permian. Some zircons with TMD2 ages from 4.40 to 4.01 Ga and lower initial 176Hf/177Hf values of 0.280592 to 0.280726 may imply the existence of Hadean crust relics beneath the Yangtze Craton and their provenances could be associated with Hadean crustal remelting. This study further clarifies that the Precambrian-age zircons between the end-Permian volcanic interlayers, the complexes in the western margin of the Yangtze Craton, and the sedimentary Kangdian Basin, may share an affinity based on similar U-Pb age spectra and Hf isotope features. It also shows that the Neoproterozoic tectono-thermal event may be associated with large-scale tectono-rifting activity, which is different from the Grenville-age continental collision between Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks in South China. The above findings support the inference of a widespread Archean basement extending to the western Yangtze Craton and a provenance in the Kangdian Basin that is derived from the weathering and erosion of Paleoproterozoic continental crust.     

Rates of generation and growth of the continental crust

Models for when and how the continental crust was formed are constrained by estimates in the rates o crustal growth. The record of events preserved in the continental crust is heterogeneous in time with distinctive peaks and troughs of ages for igneous crystallisation, metamorphism, continental margin and mineralisation. For the most part these are global signatures, and the peaks of ages tend to b associated with periods of increased reworking of pre-existing crust, reflected in the Hf isotope ratios o zircons and their elevated oxygen isotope ratios. Increased crustal reworking is attributed to periods o crustal thickening associated with compressional tectonics and the development of supercontinents Magma types similar to those from recent within-plate and subduction related settings appear to hav been generated in different areas at broadly similar times before ~3.0 Ga. It can be difficult to put th results of such detailed case studies into a more global context, but one approach is to consider when plate tectonics became the dominant mechanism involved in the generation of juvenile continental crust The development of crustal growth models for the continental crust are discussed, and a number o models based on different data sets indicate that 65%-70% of the present volume of the continental crus was generated by 3 Ga. Such estimates may represent minimum values, but since ~3 Ga there has been reduction in the rates of growth of the continental crust. This reduction is linked to an increase in th rates at which continental crust is recycled back into the mantle, and not to a reduction in the rates a which continental crust was generated. Plate tectonics results in both the generation of new crust and it destruction along destructive plate margins. Thus, the reduction in the rate of continental crustal growth at ~3 Ga is taken to reflect the period in which plate tectonics became the dominant mechanism b which new continental crust was generated.     

Nanorocks,volatiles and plate tectonics

The global geological volatile cycle(H, C, N) plays an important role in the long term self-regulation of the Earth system. However, the complex interaction between its deep, solid Earth components(i.e. crust and mantle), Earth's fluid envelopes(i.e. atmosphere and hydrosphere) and plate tectonic processes is a subject of ongoing debate. In this study we want to draw attention to how the presence of primary melt(MI)and fluid(FI) inclusions in high-grade metamorphic minerals could help constrain the crustal component of the volatile cycle. To that end, we review the distribution of MI and FI throughout Earth's history, from ca. 3.0 Ga ago up to the present day. We argue that the lower crust might constitute an important, longterm, volatile storage unit, capable to influence the composition of the surface envelopes through the mean of weathering, crustal thickening, partial melting and crustal assimilation during volcanic activity.Combined with thermodynamic modelling, our compilation indicates that periods of well-established plate tectonic regimes at 0.85 Ga and 1.7–2.1 Ga, might be more prone to the reworking of supracrustal lithologies and the storage of volatiles in the lower crust. Such hypothesis has implication beyond the scope of metamorphic petrology as it potentially links geodynamic mechanisms to habitable surface conditions. MI and FI in metamorphic crustal rocks then represent an invaluable archive to assess and quantify the co-joint evolution of plate tectonics and Earth's external processes.     

The Imataca Complex, NW Amazonian Craton,Venezuela： Crustal evolution and integration of geochronological and petrological coolinghistories

SHRIMP U/Pb-zircon data and Nd mean crustal residence ages indicate that the lmataca Complex developed from an Archean (≥3.2Ga) continental protolith which has undergone considerable isotopic disturbance plus and juvenile accretion during late-Archean (-2.8Ga) times. Transamazonian granulites experienced peak metamorphic conditions of 750-800℃, 6-8kbar with associated transpressive thrusting and tectonic imbrication. Geochronology on zircon, pyroxene and garnet constrains the timing of peak metamorphism at 1.98-2.05Ga. Diffusion modeling of Fe-Mg exchange between biotite inclusions and host garnet yields (near metamorphic peak) cooling rates of 50-100℃/Ma, with petrological cooling rates being generally consistent with cooling rates determined from geochronology. Combining the retrograde P-T path with cooling rates suggests that after the metamorphic peak, large portions of the lmataca Complex were exhumed from 30 to 17km at a rate of 7-2km/Ma.After this, exhumation rates progressively decreased as the rocks approached the surface. Rapid overall upliftlerosion had ceased when the rocks passed below 600-550℃ at 2.01-1.96 Ga ago. Observed variations in mineral cooling ages are interpreted as to reflect episodic differential tectonic exhumation within major fault systems. Inferred (maximum) ages of fault re-activation generally coincide with major continental accretion events in the Amazonian Craton and reflect long-term thermal evolution of the lmataca terrane, as conditioned by variable response to continued continental convergence during the Proterozoic.     

Archean of Greenland and Fennoscandia

The North Atlantic craton in southern West Greenland mainly consists of a tectonic collage of Mesoarchean continental crustal terranes, which were amalgamated at c. 2.7 Ga and are currently exposed at mid-crustal amphibolite to granulite facies levels. Tonalitic orthogneisses predominate, intercalated with slightly older tholeiitic to andesitic metavolcanic rocks and associated gabbro-anorthosite intrusive complexes. The North Atlantic craton also contains enclaves of Eoarchean, c. 3.86-3.6 Ga orthogneisses and supracrustal rocks including the Isua greenstone （or supracrustal） belt. This is the oldest known assemblage of rocks deposited at the surface of the Earth, comprising mafic pillow lavas, banded iron formations and metasedimentary schists with local disseminated graphite of possible biogenic origin. Eoarchean rocks have not been found in Kola and Karelia in Fennoscandia where most rocks are 2.9-2.7 Ga tonalitic-trondhjemitic-granodioritic orthogneisses with intercalated coeval greenstone belts and amphibolites. Mesoarchean 3.0-3.2 Ga rocks are found in the eastern and western parts of the Karelian province. Subduction-related rocks like the Iringora supra-subduction type ophiolite and basalt-andesite-dacite-rhyolite series volcanic rocks in many greenstone belts, as well as eclogites are found in the Archean of Fennoscandia. A clear distinction between Greenland and Fennoscandia is the abundance of 2.75-2.65 Ga igneous rocks in Fennoscandia which indicates that these two cratons had a separate evolution during the Neoarchean.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987114000206

The North China Craton（NCC） has a complicated evolutionary history with multi-stage crustal growth,recording nearly all important geological events in the early geotectonic history of the Earth.Our studies propose that the NCC can be divided into six micro-blocks with ＆gt;～3.0-3.8 Ga old continental nuclei that are surrounded by Neoarchean greenstone belts（CRB）.The micro-blocks are also termed as highgrade regions（HGR） and are mainly composed of orthogneisses with minor gabbros and BIF-bearing supracrustal beds or lenses,all of which underwent strong deformation and metamorphism of granulite- to high-grade amphibolite-facies.The micro-blocks are,in turn,from east to west,the Jiaoliao（JL）,Qianhuai（QH）,Ordos（ODS）,Ji’ning（JN） and Alashan（ALS） blocks,and Xuchang（XCH） in the south.Recent studies led to a consensus that the basement of the NCC was composed of different blocks/terranes that were finally amalgamated to form a coherent craton at the end of Neoarchean.Zircon U-Pb data show that TTG gneisses in the HGRs have two prominent age peaks at ca.2.9-2.7 and2.6-2.5 Ga which may correspond to the earliest events of major crustal growth in the NCC.Hafnium isotopic model ages range from ca.3.8 to 2.5 Ga and mostly are in the range of 3.0-2.6 Ga with a peak at2.82 Ga.Recent studies revealed a much larger volume of TTG gneisses in the NCC than previously considered,with a dominant ca.2.7 Ga magmatic zircon ages.Most of the ca.2.7 Ga TTG gneisses underwent metamorphism in 2.6-2.5 Ga as indicated by ubiquitous metamorphic rims around the cores of magmatic zircon in these rocks.Abundant ca.2.6-2.5 Ga orthogneisses have Hf-in-zircon and Nd wholerock model ages mostly around 2.9-2.7 Ga and some around 2.6-2.5 Ga,indicating the timing of protolith formation or extraction of the protolith magma was from the mantle.Therefore,it is suggested that the 2.6-2.5 Ga TTGs probably represent a coherent event of continental accretion and major reworking（crustal melting）.As a distinct characte     

Early Neoarchean Magmatic and Paleoproterozoic Metamorphic Events in the Northern North China Craton: SHRIMP Zircon Dating and Hf Isotopes of Archean Rocks from the Miyun Area, Beijing

The Miyun area of Beijing is located in the northern part of the North China Craton(NCC)and includes a variety of Archean granitoids and metamorphic rocks.Magmatic domains in zircon from a tonalite reveal Early Neoarchean(2752±7 Ma) ages show a small range in ε_(Hf)(t) from 3.1 to 7.4and t_(DM1)(Hf) from 2742 to 2823 Ma,similar to their U-Pb ages,indicating derivation from a depleted mantle source only a short time prior to crystallization.SHRIMP zircon ages of granite,gneiss,amphibolite and hornblendite in the Miyun area reveal restricted emplacement ages from 2594 to2496 Ma.They also record metamorphic events at ca.2.50 Ga,2.44 Ga and 1.82 Ga,showing a similar evolutionary history to the widely distributed Late Neoarchean rocks in the NCC.Positive ε_(Hf)(t) values of 1.5 to 5.9,with model ages younger than 3.0 Ga for magmatic zircon domains from these Late Neoarchean intrusive rocks indicate that they are predominantly derived from juvenile crustal sources and suggest that significant crustal growth occurred in the northern NCC during the Neoarchean.Late Paleoproterozoic metamorphism developed widely in the NCC,not only in the Trans-North China Orogen,but also in areas of Eastern and Western Blocks,which suggest that the late Paleoproterozoic was the assembly of different micro-continents,which resulted in the final consolidation to form the NCC,and related to the development of the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic Columbia or Nuna supercontinent.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987112000588

Large charnockite massifs occur in the high-grade Southern Granulite Terrain(SGT) and Eastern Ghats Belt(EGB) crustal provinces of Peninsular India.Available geochronological data indicate that the magmatism is episodic,associated with distinct orogenic cycles in the different crustal domains. The geochemical data also indicate a change in composition from trondhjemitic at～3.0—2.9 Ga to dominantly tonalitic at～2.6—2.5 Ga to tonalitic-granodiorite-granitic at—2.0—1.9 Ga to dominantly tonalitic at 1.7—1.6 Ga to quartz monzonitic or tonalitic at～1.0—0.9 Ga to granodiorite-granitic at～0.8—0.7 Ga. The trondhjemitic and tonalitic end members are metaluminous.magnesian and calcic to calc-alkalic, characteristic of magnesian group charnockites.The granodioritic to granitic end members are metaluminous to slightly peraluminous.ferroan and calc-alkalic to alkali-calcic,characteristic of ferroan group charnockites.The quartz monzonitic end members are metaluminous to peraluminous,magnesian to ferroan and calcic to calc-alkalic.neither characteristic of the magnesian group nor of the ferroan group of charnockites. Based on the occurrence and difference in composition of the charnockite massifs,it is suggested that the charnockite magmatism registers the crustal growth of the Indian plate on its southern(SGT) and eastern(EGB) sides,along active continental margins by accretion of arcs.     

Geochemistry, Nd Isotopic Characteristics of Metamorphic Complexes in Northern Hebei： Implications for Crustal Accretion

The middle segment of the northern margin of the North China Craton （NCC） consists mainly of metamorphosed Archean Dantazi Complex, Paleoproterozoic Hongqiyingzi Complex and unmetamorphosed gabbro-anorthosite-meta-alkaline granite, as well as metamorphosed Late Paleozoic mafic to granitoid rocks in the Damiao-Changshaoying area. The -2.49 Ga Dantazi Complex comprises dioritic-trondhjemitic-granodoritic-monzogranitic gneisses metamorphosed in amphibolite to granulite facies. Petrochemical characteristics reveal that most of the rocks belong to a medium- to high-potassium calc-alkaline series, and display Mg^# less than 40, right-declined REE patterns with no to obviously positive Eu anomalies, evidently negative Th, Nb, Ta and Ti anomalies in primitive mantlenormalized spider diagrams, εNd（t）=＋0.65 to -0.03, and depleted mantle model ages TDM=2.78-2.71 Ga. Study in petrogenesis indicates that the rocks were formed from magmatic mixing between mafic magma from the depleted mantle and granitoid magma from partial melting of recycled crustal mafic rocks in a continental margin setting. The 2.44-2.41 Ga Hongqiyingzi Complex is dominated by metamorphic mafic-granodioritic-monzogranitic gneisses, displaying similar petrochemical features to the Dantazi Complex, namely medium to high potassium calc-alkaline series, and the mafic rocks show evident change in LILEs, negative Th, Nb, Ta, Zr anomalies and positive P anomalies. And the other granitiod samples also exhibit negative Th, Nb, Ta, P and Ti anomalies. All rocks in the Hongqiyingzi Complex show right-declined REE patterns without Eu anomaly. The metamorphic mafic rocks with εNd（t） = -1.64 may not be an identical magmatic evolution series with granitoids that have εNd（t） values of ＋3.19 to ＋1.94 and TDM ages of 2.55-2.52 Ga. These granitic rocks originated from hybrid between mafic magma from the depleted mantle and magma from partial melting of juvenile crustal mafic rocks in an island arc setting. All the -311 Ma Late Paleozoic metamorphic mafic rocks and related granitic rocks show a medium-potassium calc-alkaline magmatic evolution series, characterized by high Mg^#, obviously negative Th, Nb, Ta anomalies and positive Sr anomalies, from no to strongly negative Ti anomalies and flat REE patterns with εNd（t） = ＋8.42, implying that the maflc magma was derived from the depleted mantle. However the other granitic rocks are characterized by right-declined REE patterns with no to evidently positive Eu anomalies, significantly low εNd（t） = -13.37 to -14.04, and TDM=1.97-1.96 Ga, revealing that the granitoid magma was derived from hybrid between maflc magma that came from -311 Ma depleted mantle and granitoid magma from Archean to Early Paleoproterozoic ancient crustal recycling. The geochemistry and Nd isotopic characteristics as well as the above geological and geochronological results indicate that the middle segment of the northern margin of the NCC mainly experienced four crustal growth episodes from Archean to Late Paleozoic, which were dominated by three continental marginal arc accretions （-2.49, -2.44 and 311 Ma）, except the 1.76-1.68 Ga episode related to post-collisional extension, revealing that the crustal accretion of this segment was chiefly generated from arc accretion and amalgamation to the NCC continental block.     

Zircon U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotope constraints on Archean crustal evolution in Southeastern Guyana Shield

The southeastern Guyana Shield,northeast Amazonian Craton,in the north of Brazil,is part of a widespread orogenic belt developed during the Transamazonian orogenic cycle(2.26-1.95 Ga)that includes a large Archean continental landmass strongly reworked during the Transamazonian orogeny,named Amapa Block.It consists mainly of a high-grade metamorphic granulitic-migmatitic-gneiss complex,of Meso-to Neoarchean age and Rhyacian granitoids and supracrustal sequences.For the first time,coupled U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotope data were obtained on zircon by LA-ICP-MS from five tectono-stratigraphic units of the Archean basement and one Paleoproterozoic intrusive rock,in order to investigate the main episodes of crustal growth and reworking.Whole-rock Sm-Nd isotope data were compared to the zircon Lu-Hf data.Three main magmatic episodes were defined by U-Pb zircon dating,two in the Mesoarchean(~3.19 Ga and 2.85 Ga)and one in the Neoarchean(~2.69-2.65 Ga).SubchondriticεHf(t)values obtained for almost all investigated units indicate that crustal reworking processes were predominant during the formation of rocks that today make up the Amapa Block.Hf-TDMC model ages,ranging from2.99 Ga to 3.97 Ga,indicate that at least two important periods of mantle extraction and continental crust formation occurred during the Archean in southeastern Guyana Shield,an older one in the Eoarchean(~4.0 Ga)and a younger one in the Mesoarchean(~3.0-3.1 Ga).The latter is recognized as an important period of crustal accretion worldwide.The recognition of an Eoarchean episode to the southeastern most part of the Guyana Shield is unprecedented and was not recorded by whole-rock Sm-Nd data,which were restricted to the Meso-Paleoarchean(2.83 Ga to 3.51 Ga).This finding reveals t hat continental crust generation in the Amazonian Craton began at least 500 Ma earlier than previously suggested by the SmNd systematics.     

Zircon U-Pb Age, Trace Element, and Hf Isotope Evidence for Paleoproterozoic Granulite-Facies Metamorphism and Archean Crustal Remnant in the Dabie Orogen

Zircon U-Pb age, trace elements, and Hf isotopes were determined for granulite and gneiss at Huaugtuling (黄土岭), which is hosted by ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks in the Dabie(大别) orogen, east-central China. Cathodolumineseence (CL) images reveal core-rim structure for most zircons in the granulite. The cores show oscillatory zoning, relatively high Th/U and 176 Lu/177 Hf ratios, and high rare earth element (HREE)-enriched pattern, consistent with magmatic origin. They gave a weighted mean 207 Pb/206 Pb age of (2 766±9) Ma, dating magma emplacement of protolith. The rims are characterized by sector ur planar zoning, low Th/U and 176 Lu/177 Hf ratios, negative Euanomalies and flat HREE patterns, consistent with their formation under granulite-facies metamorphicconditions. Zircon U-Pb dating yields an age of (2 029±13) Ma, which is interpreted as a record ofmetamorphic event during the assembly of the supercontinent Columbia. The gneiss has a protolith ageof (1982±14) Ma, which is similar to the zircon U-Pb age for the granulite-facies metamorphism,suggesting complementary processes to granulite-facies metamorphism and partial melting. A fewinherited cores with igneous characteristics have 207 pb/206 Pb ages of approximately 3.53, 3.24, and 2.90Ga, respectively, suggesting the presence of Mesoarchean to Paleoarchean crustal remnants. A fewTriassic and Cretaceous metamorphic ages were obtained, suggesting the influences by the Triassiccontinental collision and postcollisional collapse in response to the Cretaceous extension. Comparingwith abundant occurrence of Triassic metamorphic zircons in ultrahigh-pressure eclogite and granitehydrous melt is evident for zircon growth in theHuangtuling granulite and gneiss during thecontinental collision. The magmatic protolithzircons from the granulite show a large variationin 176 Hf/177 Hf ratios from 0.280 809 to 0.281 289,corresponding to era(t) values of-7.3 to 6.3 andHf model ages of 2.74 to 3.34 Ga. The 2.90 Gainherited zircons show the similar Hf isotope features. These indicate that both growth of juvenile crust and reworking of ancient crust took place at the time of zircon formation. It is inferred that the Archean basement of the Yangtze block occurs in thenorth as the Dabie orogen, with ca. 2.90-2.95 Ga and 2.75-2.80 Ga as two major episodes of crustalformation.     

Zircon U-Pb geochronology,geochemistry and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes from the metamorphic basement in the Wuhe Complex:Implications for Neoarchean active continental margin along the southeastern North China Craton and constraints on the petrogenesis of Mesozoic g

We report zircon U-Pb geochronology,geochemistry and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope data from mafic granulites and garnet amphibolites of the Wuhe Complex in the southeastern margin of the North China Craton (NCC).In combination with previous data,our results demonstrate that these rocks represent fragments of the ancient lower crust,and have features similar to those of the granulite basement in the northern margin of the NCC.A detailed evaluation of the Pb isotope data shows that Pb isotopes cannot effectively distinguish the role of the Yangtze Craton basement from that of the NCC basement with regard to the source and generation of magmas,at least for southeastern NCC.The age data suggest that the protoliths of the granulites or amphibolites in the Wuhe Complex were most likely generated in Neoarchean and that these rocks were subjected to Paleoproterozoic(1.8-1.9 Ga) high-pressure granulite facies metamorphism. This study also shows that the Precambrian metamorphic basement in the southeastern margin of the NCC might have formed in a tectonic setting characterized by a late Neoarchean active continental margin.     

Permo-Triassic high-pressure metamorphism in the central western Korean Peninsula,and its link to Paleo-Tethyan Ocean closure: Key issues revisited

Permo-Triassic high-pressure(HP) mafic granulites, together with the Bibong retrogressed eclogite,preserved along the central western Korean Peninsula provide important insights into the Late Permian to Triassic collisional orogeny in northeast Asia. The metamorphic pressureetemperatureetime(P-T-t)paths of these rocks, however, remain poorly constrained and even overestimated, owing to outdated geothermobarometers and inaccurate isopleth techniques. Here we evaluate the metamorphic Pe T conditions of Triassic HP mafic granulites including those in Baekdong, Sinri and Daepan and the Bibong Triassic retrogressed eclogite in the Hongseong area, and the Permo-Triassic Samgot mafic granulite in the Imjingang Belt of the central western Korean Peninsula through the application of modern phase equilibria techniques. The Baekdong and Samgot mafic granulites and the Bibong retrogressed eclogite yield a range of 12.0 -16.0 kbar and 800 -900℃, representing HP granulite facies conditions. The Sinri and Daepan granulites from the Hongseong area show relatively lower grade metamorphic conditions between HP granulite and normal granulite facies, and are characterized by sub-isothermal decompression during exhumation. The similarities in the metamorphic ages and the post-collisional igneous activity from the central western Korean Peninsula indicate that the Triassic ages represent the retrograde stage of the metamorphic Pe T paths. In contrast, the Late Permian metamorphic ages, which are older than protolith ages of the post-collisional igneous rocks, correspond to the possible prograde stage of metamorphism. The P-T-t paths presented in this paper, together with the metamorphic ages and post-orogenic igneous events reported from these areas suggest trace of the subduction, accretion and exhumation history, and indicate a tectonic linkage among the northeast Asian continents during the Paleo-Tethyan Ocean closure.     

Tectonic Evolution of an Early Precambrian High-Pressure Granulite Belt in the North China Craton

A large-scale high-pressure granulite belt (HPGB), more than 700 km long, is recognized within the metamorphic basement of the North China craton. In the regional tectonic framework, the Hengshan-Chengde HPGB is located in the central collision belt between the western block and eastern block, and represents the deep crustal structural level. The typical high-pressure granulite (HPG) outcrops are distributed in the Hengshan and Chengde areas. HPGs commonly occur as mafic xenoliths within ductile shear zones, and underwent multipile deformations. To the south, the Hengshan-Chengde HPGB is juxtaposed with the Wutai greenstone belt by several strike-slip shear zones. Preliminary isotopic age dating indicates that HPGs from North China were mainly generated at the end of the Neoarchaean, assocaited with tectonic assembly of the western and eastern blocks.     

Neoarchean (2.5-2.8 Ga) crustal growth of the North China Craton revealed by zircon Hf isotope: A synthesis

The crustal growth of the North China Craton(NCC) during the Neoarchean time(2.5—2.8 Ga) is a hotly controversial topic,with some proposing thai the main crustal growth occurred in the late Neoarchean (2.5—2.6 Ga),in agreement with the time of the magmatism,whereas others suggest that the main crustal accretion took place during early Neoarchean time(2.7—2.8 Ga),consistent with the time of crustalformation of other cratons in the world.Zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotope compositions can provide rigorous constraints on the time of crustal growth and the evolution and tectonic division of the NCC.In this contribution, we make a comprehensive review of zircon Hf isotope data in combination with zircon U-Pb geochronology and some geochemistry data from various divisions of the NCC with an aim to constrain the Neoarchean crustal growth of the NCC.The results suggest that both 2.7—2.8 Ga and 2.5—2.6 Ga crustal growth are distributed over the NCC and the former is much wider than previously suggested.The Eastern block is characterized by the main 2.7—2.8 Ga crustal growth with local new crustal-formation at 2.5—2.6 Ga,and the Yinshan block is characterized by～2.7 Ga crustal accretion as revealed by Hf-isotope data of detrital zircons from the Zhaertai Group.Detrital zircon data of the Khondalite Belt indicate that the main crustal growth period of the Western block is Paleoproterozoic involving some～2.6 Ga and minor Early- to Middle-Archean crustal components,and the crustal accretion in the Trans-North China Orogen(TNCO) has a wide age range from 2.5 Ga to 2.9 Ga with a notable regional discrepancy.Zircon Hf isotope compositions,coupled with zircon ages and other geochemical data suggest that the southern margin may not be an extension of the TNCO,and the evolution and tectonic division of the NCC is more complex than previously proposed,probably involving multi-stage crustal growth and subduction processes.However, there is no doubt that 2.7—2.8 Ga magmatism and crustal-formation are more widely distributed than previously considered,which is further supported by the data of zircons from Precambrian lower crustal rocks, overlying sedimentary cover,modern river sediments and Late Neoarchean syenogranites.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987114000565

During granulite-facies metamorphism of metasedimentary rocks by the infiltration of carbonic fluids, the disappearance of hydrated minerals leads to the liberation of aqueous fluids. These fluids are strongly enriched in F and C1, and a series of Large-lon-Lithophile （LIL） elements and rare metals, resulting in their depletion in granulites. To sum up the fate of these elements, we focus on three domains representing different crustal levels and showing distinct behaviours with respect to these elements. The Lapland metasedimentary granulites illustrate the behaviour of the LILE and rare metals during lower crustal metamorphism. There is no change in Ba, moderate loss in Rb, and extreme depletion in Cs, Li, and Sn. F and CI contents are also very low compared to the protoliths or average upper continental crust. Biotite and amphibole breakdown leads to the incorporation of their partitioning into a fluid or a melt. The Tranomaro metasomatized marbles recrystallizing under granulite-facies conditions represent a demonstrative example of fluid transfer from granulite-facies supracrustals to traps represented by regional scale skarns. Such fluids may be at the origin of the incompatible element enrichment detected in leucosomes of migmatites from St Malo in Brittany （France） and Black Hills in South Dakota, The northern French Massif Central provides us with an example of a potential association between incompatible element enrichment of granitic melts and granulite-facies metamorphism. U- and F- enriched fine-grained granites are emplaced along a crustal scale shear zone active during the emplacement within the St Sylvestre peraluminous leucogranitic complex, We propose that during granulite-facies metamorphism dominated by carbonic waves in a deep segment of the continental crust, these shear zones control： （i） the percolation of F-, LILE-, rare metal-rich fluids liberated primarily by the breakdown of biotite; （ii） the enhancement of partial melting by F-rich fluids at intermediate crustal lev     

Crustal Structure across the Northwestern Margin of South China Sea: Evidence for Magma‐poor Rifting from a Wide‐angle Seismic Profile

We present results from a 484 km wide-angle seismic profile acquired in the northwest part of the South China Sea (SCS) during OBS2006 cruise. The line that runs along a previously acquired multi-channel seismic line (SO49-18) crosses the continental slope of the northern margin, the Northwest Subbasin (NWSB) of the South China Sea, the Zhongsha Massif and partly the oceanic basin of the South China Sea. Seismic sections recorded on 13 ocean-bottom seismometers were used to identify refracted phases from the crustal layer and also reflected phases from the crust-mantle boundary (Moho). Inversion of the traveltimes using a simple start model reveals crustal images in the study area. The velocity model shows that crustal thickness below the continental slope is between 14 and 23 km. The continental part of the line is characterized by gentle landward mantle uplift and an abrupt oceanward one. The velocities in the lower crust do not exceed 6.9 km/s. With the new data we can exclude a high-velocity lower crustal body (velocities above 7.0 km/s) at the location of the line. We conclude that this part of the South China Sea margin developed by a magma-poor rifting. Both, the NWSB and the Southwest Sub-basin (SWSB) reveal velocities typical for oceanic crust with crustal thickness between 5 and 7 km. The Zhongsha Massif in between is extremely stretched with only 6–10 km continental crust left. Crustal velocity is below 6.5 km/s; possibly indicating the absence of the lower crust. Multi-channel seismic profile shows that the Yitongansha Uplift in the slope area and the Zhongsha Massif are only mildly deformed. We considered them as rigid continent blocks which acted as rift shoulders of the main rift subsequently resulting in the formation of the Northwest Sub-basin. The extension was mainly accommodated by a ductile lower crustal flows, which might have been extremely attenuated and flow into the oceanic basin during the spreading stage. We compared the crustal structures along the northern margin and found an east-west thicken trend of the crust below the continent slope. This might be contributed by the east-west sea-floor spreading along the continental margin.