Post-collisional transition from calc-alkaline to alkaline magmatism during transcurrent deformation in the southernmost Dom Feliciano Belt (Braziliano–Pan-African, Uruguay)

In the southernmost Dom Feliciano Belt of Uruguay, highly fractionated calc-alkaline granites, mildly alkaline granites, shoshonitic volcanics, and peralkaline intrusions and volcanics are spatially and temporal associated with the evolution of shear zones. Four representative magmatic unites of this diverse association were petrographic and geochemically investigated: the Solís de Mataojo Complex, a medium to high K2O calc-alkaline granite with signature typical of mature continental arcs and post-collisional settings; the Maldonado granite, highly fractionated calc-alkaline to alkaline, with characteristics that are transitional between both types of series; the Pan de Azúcar Pluton, with characteristics typical of post-collisional alkaline granites and the Las Flores shoshonitic basalts.

Geochemistry and geotectonic setting point out that slab breakoff was most likely the mechanism associated with the generation of high-K calc-alkaline magmas (Solís de Mataojo and Maldonado) shortly after collision. Extension associated to the formation of molassic basins and emplacement of dolerites and basalt flows with shoshonitic affinity (Las Flores) 15and finally a shift to magmas with alkaline signatures (Pan de Azúcar) simultaneous with a second transpressional phase were probably linked with lithospheric thinning through delamination. This evolution took place between 615 and 575 Ma, according to available data. Contrary to previous proposals, which considered this magmatism to represent the root of a continental magmatic arc, a post-collisional environment, transitional from orogenic to anorogenic, during transcurrent deformation is proposed.     

北秦岭丹凤地区早古生代花岗岩的Pb、Sr、Nd同位素地球化学特征

通过对北秦岭丹凤地区早古生代花岗岩的Ｐｈ、Ｓｒ、Ｎｄ同位素地球化学特征的系统研究，结合元素地球化学特征，证明早古生代具成分极性的枣园、黄柏岔、石门花岗岩是由于秦岭群斜长角闪岩和黑云斜长片麻岩部分熔融，近俯冲带以熔体与熔体的混合、远离俯冲带是前者产生的熔体与后者熔融后的残留相以不同比例混合形成的。     

The 401–409 Ma Xiaodonggou granitic intrusion: implications for understanding the Devonian Tectonics of the Northwest China Altai orogen

Abstract

Palaeozoic granitoids in the Chinese Altai are important for understanding the evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The Xiaodonggou granitic intrusion, situated in the Chinese Altai (southern CAOB), is composed of two intrusive phases, medium-grained granite intruded by porphyritic granite. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb analyses of medium-grained granite and porphyritic granite yield ages of 409 ± 2 Ma and 400 ± 1 Ma, respectively, indicating that these formed in Early Devonian time. Medium-grained granite and porphyritic granite have similar geochemical features and Nd–Hf isotopic compositions. Arc-like geochemical characteristics (e.g. enrichment of LILEs and negative anomalies of Nb, Ta, Ti, and P) show that both phases are volcanic arc granites (VAGs). Geochemical and isotopic characteristics suggest that these magmas originated from melting older crust. Based on their near-zero or negative ε_Nd(t) values (?1.4to 0) and positive ε_Hf(t) values (+1.4 to +7.8), together with Nd model ages of 1.15–1.26 Ga and zircon Hf model ages of 0.90–1.30 Ga, we suggest that the Xiaodonggou granites were derived from a mixture of juvenile and old crustal components. Some other Devonian granitic intrusions were recently identi?ed in the Chinese Altai with ages between 416 and 375 Ma. These Devonian granites have similar geochemical characteristics and petrogenesis as Xiaodonggou granites. The formation of these Devonian granites was in response to subduction processes, suggesting that Chinese Altai was an active continental margin in Early Devonian time.     

Sm–Nd isotopic compositions as a proxy for magmatic processes during the Neoproterozoic of the southern Brazilian shield

Combined analyses of Nd isotopes from a wide range of Neoarchaean–Cretaceous igneous rocks provides a proxy to study magmatic processes and the evolution of the lithosphere. The main igneous associations include the Neoproterozoic granitoids from the southern Brazilian shield, which were formed during two tectonothermal events of the Brasiliano cycle: the São Gabriel accretionary orogeny (900–700 Ma) and the Dom Feliciano collisional orogeny (660–550 Ma). Rocks related to the formation of the São Gabriel arc (900–700 Ma) mainly have a depleted juvenile signature. For the Neoproterozoic collisional event, the petrogenetic discussion focuses on two old crustal segments and three types of mantle components. However, no depleted juvenile material was involved in the formation of the Dom Feliciano collisional belt (800–550 Ma), which implies an ensialic environment for the Dom Feliciano orogeny. In the western Neoproterozoic foreland, records of a Neoarchaean lower crust predominate, whereas a Paleoproterozoic crust does in the eastern Dom Feliciano belt. The western foreland includes two amalgamated geotectonic domains, the São Gabriel arc and Taquarembó block. In the collisional belt, the old crust was intensely reworked during the São Gabriel event. In addition to the Neoproterozoic subduction-processed subcontinental lithosphere (São Gariel arc), we recognize two old enriched mantle components, which also are identified in the Paleoproterozoic intraplate tholeiites from Uruguay and the Cretaceous potassic suites from eastern Paraguay. One end member displays the prominent influence of Trans-Amazonian (2.3–2.0 Ga) or older subduction events, whereas the other can be interpreted as a reenrichment of the first during the latest Trans-Amazonian collisional or younger events. This reenriched mantle is documented in late Neoproterozoic suites from the western foreland (605–550 Ma) and younger suites from the eastern collisional belt (600–580 Ma). The other enriched mantle component with an old subduction signature, however, appears only in older rocks of the collisional belt (800–600 Ma). The participation of the subduction-related Brasiliano mantle as an end member of binary mixing occurred in some early Neoproterozoic suites (605–580 Ma) from the western foreland, but the contribution of the Neoarchaean lower crust increased near the late igneous event (575–550 Ma).     

北秦岭丹凤地区早古生代花岗岩的Pb、Sr、Nd同位素地球化学特征

通过对北秦岭丹凤地区早古生代花岗岩的Ph、Sr、Nd同位素地球化学特征的系统研究,结合元素地球化学特征,证明早古生代具成分极性的枣园、黄柏岔、石门花岗岩是由于秦岭群斜长角闪岩和黑云斜长片麻岩部分熔融,近俯冲带以熔体与熔体的混合、远离俯冲带是前者产生的熔体与后者熔融后的残留相以不同比例混合形成的。     

Post-collisional potassic granitoids from the southern and northwestern parts of the Late Neoproterozoic East African Orogen: a review

Potassic metaluminous granitoids with enrichments of HFS elements constitute part of widespread post-collisional magmatism related to the Late Neoproterozoic Pan-African orogeny in northeastern Africa (Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia) and Madagascar. The plutons were emplaced between 580 and 470 Ma and comprise both subsolvus and hypersolvus biotite–granite, biotite–hornblende–granite, quartz–monzonite and quartz–syenite. Pyroxene-bearing granitoids are subordinate. Basic dikes and enclaves of monzodioritic composition are locally associated with the granitoid plutons. Granitoids emplaced in pre-Neoproterozoic crust have Sr_i-ratios between 0.7060 and 0.7236 and _Nd(t) values between −15.8 and −5.6 while those emplaced in, or close to the contact with, juvenile Neoproterozoic crust have lower Sr_i-ratios (0.7036–0.7075) and positive _Nd(t) values (4.6). However, it is unlikely that the potassic granitoids represent products of crustal melting alone. The association with basic magmas derived from subduction-modified enriched mantle sources strongly suggests that the granitoids represent hybrid magmas produced by interaction and mixing of mantle and crust derived melts in the lower crust. The most intense period of this potassic granitoid magmatism occurred between 585 and 540 Ma, largely coeval with HT granulite facies metamorphism in Madagascar and with amphibolite facies retrogression in northeastern Africa (Somalia, Sudan). Granitoid magmatism and high-grade metamorphism are probably both related to post-collisional lithospheric thinning, magmatic underplating and crustal relaxation. However, the emplacement of potassic granites continued until about 470 Ma and implies several magmatic pulses associated with different phases of crustal uplift and cooling. The potassic metaluminous granites are temporally and spatially associated with post-collisional high-K calc-alkaline granites with which they share many petrographical, geochemical and isotopical similarities, except the incompatible element enrichments. The resemblance indicates a strongly related petrogenesis of both granite associations.     

The Central Granites-Gneiss-Migmatite Belt (CGGMB) of Madagascar: the Eastern Neoproterozoic Suture of the East African Orogen

The northeastern part of Madagascar is characterized by Archaean to early Proterozoic rocks composed principally of Archaean granite and greenstone/amphibolite as well as reworked migmatite with subordinate Proterozoic paragneisses. The southern part is mostly occupied by Proterozoic rocks, composed mostly of Meso to Neo-Proterozoic and less metamorphic metasediments (Itremo Group) in the northwest, para- and ortho-gneisses in most other areas, with minor granitic gneisses with some Archaean components in the southeast. The north-northwest trending Central Granite-Gneiss-Migmatite Belt (CGGMB) is situated at the western margin of the Archaean-early Proterozoic terrain. The CGGMB is composed of granite, gneiss and migmatite with distinct lithologies and structures. They are: i) many types of granites including alkaline to mildly alkaline granites, and calc-alkaline granites; ii) batholitic granites, migmatitic granites and granite dyke swarm, iii) eclogite, and iv) the Ankazobe-Antananarivo-Fianarantsoa Virgation.

The CGGMB was formed by the collision of the palaeo-Dharwar Craton to the east and the East African Orogen to the west at ca. 820-720 Ma and suffered indentation by a part of the western part of the East African Orogen at ca. 530 Ma that produced the Ankazobe-Antananarivo-Fianarantsoa Virgation at the centre of the CGGMB. Thus, the CGGMB is proposed to be the continuation of the eastern suture between the palaeo Dharwar Craton and the East African Orogen, and carries the main feature of the Pan-African collisional event in Madagascar.     

U/pb dating of precambrian rocks from northern cameroon,orogenic evolution and chronology of the pan-african belt of central africa

Northern Cameroon has been classically divided into an old ‘basement complex’, a Middle Proterozoic cover (‘séries intermédiaires’) and granites emplaced during the Pan-African orogeny. New U/Pb geochronological data on different rock units from this region are presented. A rhyolite from the Poli schists (‘séries intermédiaires’) gives an age close to 800 Ma. Migmatitic gneisses of the ‘basement complex’ seem to derive from different detrital or magmatic sources. The metadiorites and foliated granites of the ‘basement complex’ give ages around 630 Ma. The 800 Ma age is interpreted as dating volcanic activity, probably related to the initial stage of the Pan-African evolution. Ages around 630 Ma date a syn-tectonic plutonism dominated by a regional-scale basic to intermediate plutonic suite (BIP). Zircons of the BIP suite are almost concordant and show no evidence of inheritance; the suite shows calc-alkaline affinity and relatively low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr initial ratios; thus the BIP suite represents material newly added to the crust during the PanAfrican orogeny. These data are at variance with previous interpretations of this part of the mobile belt as old Precambrian crust reactivated during the Pan-African orogeny. The previous distinction between the ‘séries intermédiaires’ and a regional ‘basement complex’ must be reappraised, similar ages being found in both units. A chronological succession of the Pan-African evolution is established and tentatively compared with that of the Trans-Saharan belt in Nigeria and Hoggar.     

Magmatism and metallogenic mechanisms of the Baoshan Cu-polymetallic deposit from the Lesser Xing’an Range,NE China: Constraints from geology,geochronology, geochemistry,and Hf isotopes

The Baoshan Cu-polymetallic deposit is a recently discovered skarn deposit in the northern Lesser Xing’an Range, NE China. The orebodies are mainly hosted in the contact zone between granitic intrusions and Lower Cambrian dolomitic crystalline limestones or skarns. We present here zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os age data, whole-rock geochemistry, and zircon Hf isotopic data to constrain the geodynamic mechanisms of igneous activity and metallogenesis within the Baoshan Cu–polymetallic deposit. LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating suggests that a hornblende–quartz monzonite and porphyritic biotite granite were emplaced at 252.45 ± 0.70 Ma and 251.10 ± 0.98 Ma, respectively. Molybdenite separated from ore-bearing quartz veins or skarn-type ores yields a weighted mean model age of 250.3 ± 3.4 Ma, which coincide with the emplacement of the igneous rocks. These data suggest that the Late Permian-Early Triassic magmatic and mineralization event led to the formation of the Baoshan Cu–polymetallic deposit. Granitic intrusions are closely associated with this mineralization and have high contents of SiO₂ (60.90–68.98 wt.%), Al₂O₃ (15.15–16.98 wt.%) and K₂O (2.77–4.17 wt.%), with A/CNK ratios of 0.86–0.96. These granites are classified as metaluminous and high-K calc-alkaline I-type granites, and are enriched in Rb, Th, U, and K, and depleted in Nb, Ta, P, and Ti. Moreover, Moreover, the hornblende–quartz monzonite and porphyritic biotite granite have geochemical characteristics similar to adakites and island arc calc-alkaline rocks, respectively. In situ zircon Hf isotope data on the hornblende–quartz monzonite samples show ε_Hf(t) values from +0.1 to +3.1, and porphyritic biotite granite samples exhibit heterogeneous ε_Hf(t) values from −5.4 to +1.1. The geochemical and isotopic data for the Baoshan intrusions indicate that the Late Permian–Early Triassic continental–continental collision caused over thickening and delamination of the lower crust. Partial melting of delaminated lower crust formed the primary adakitic magmas, which may have reacted with surrounding mantle peridotite during ascent. Hornblende–quartz monzonite was formed by the emplacement of the adakitic magmas, whereas the formation of the porphyritic biotite granite was caused by the mixing of adakitic magmas with ancient crustal materials during ascent. Moreover, ore-forming materials were typically derived from the adakitic magmas with high oxygen fugacity, which incorporated significant amounts of ore-forming elements. Based on the regional geological history and the new geochemical and isotopic data from intrusions, we suggest that diagenesis and mineralization of the Baoshan Cu–polymetallic deposit took place in a transitional tectonic setting from collisional orogeny to extension, after collision of the North China Plate and Songnen Block, during the latter stages of the Xingmeng orogeny.     

内蒙古那仁乌拉埃达克质花岗岩的发现、成因、锆石U-Pb年龄及其构造意义

在中亚造山带东段华北克拉通北缘,识别出一套晚古生代那仁乌拉黑云母花岗岩。其LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄为267.2Ma±1.4 Ma(MSWD=1.3,n=21)和捕获锆石年龄为296.3Ma～296.1Ma、278.8Ma～277.4 Ma;岩石为低钾(拉斑)到高钾钙碱性,弱准铝质到过铝质I型;ΣREE较低,轻重稀土分馏较强(LaN/YbN:15.59～32.36)。在稀土元素配分模式图上,都表现为轻稀土富集,重稀土亏损的右倾散开式。弱到正的铕负异常(δEu:0.79～1.08);在微量元素蛛网图上,相对富集LREE(La,Ce),LILE(K,Rb)和HFSE(Zr,Hf),元素Nb,Ta,P,Ti,Y,Yb,Lu亏损程度较大,元素U,Th,Sr由相对亏损到富集。岩石整体具有埃达克质岩的亲合性,形成于弧向同碰撞过渡的构造环境;锆石εHf(t)值(0.95～4.05)显示具有弱亏损的幔源组分特性,与主量元素、微量元素及REE一致,变化范围都较大,共同暗示其源岩的壳幔混源性。较年轻的锆石Hf模式年龄(1 030.9Ma～1 226.8Ma)与兴蒙造山带范围一致;那仁乌拉花岗岩与西部乌拉特中旗克布岩体,东部吉林大玉山岩体共同组成一条华北克拉通北缘埃达克质岩浆带,其都为与古亚洲洋俯冲碰撞引起的具有弧岩浆性质的年轻的基性玄武质下地壳部分熔融有关的C型埃达克岩。这条埃达克质岩浆带与稍晚期的华北克拉通北缘碱性岩浆带相对应,都具有西部形成早于东部的特征,可能暗示古亚洲洋自西向东逐渐闭合的规律。     

阿尔泰造山带的铅同位素地质及其构造意义

阿尔泰遣山带中各构造带混合岩、片麻状花岗岩、钾长花岗岩的17个单矿物长石铅同位素测试分析表明:阿尔泰造山带中普遍存在前海西基底,模式年龄l₁年龄段为:1286²483Ma,对应着陆壳的增生事件及初始成岩年龄.模式年龄l₂年龄段为:389⁴12Ma,311³46Ma,166¹96Ma,分别对应着晚志留-海西早期大陆裂谷作用;海西中晚期强烈挤压遣山和斜向逆冲及印支期造山期后花岗岩的侵入作用.t₂中各时间段与各构造环境的判别相吻合.     

Some progress on understanding the Phanerozoic granitoids in China

There are large volumes of the Phanerozoic granitoid rocks in China and neighboring areas. In recent years, numerous new and precise U-Pb zircon ages have been published for these granitoids, and define many important magmatic events, such as ca. 500 Ma granitoid events in the West Junggar, Altai orogens in the NW China, and Qinling orogen in the central China. These ages accurately constrain the time of important Early Paleozoic, Late Paleozoic, Early Mesozoic and Late Mesozoic magmatic events of the northern, central, western, southern and eastern orogenic Mountains in China. There occur various types of granitoids in China, such as calc-alkaline granite, alkali granite, highly-fractionated granite, leucogranite, adakite, and rapakivi granite. Rapakivi granites are not only typical Proterozoic as in the North China Craton, but were also emplaced during Paleozoic and Mesozoic in the Kunlun-Qinling orogen, a part of the China Central Orogenic Belt (CCOB). Nd-Hf isotopic tracing and mapping show that granitoids in the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) in China (or the Northern China Orogenic Belt) are characterized predominantly by juvenile sources. The juvenile crust in this orogenic domain accounts for over 50% by area, distinguishing it from other orogenic belts in the world, and those in central (e.g., Qinling), southwestern and eastern China. Based on a large amount of new age data, a preliminary granitoid and granitoid-tectonic maps of China have been preliminarily compiled, and an evolutionary framework of Phanerozoic granitoids in China and neighboring areas has been established from the view of assembly and breakup of continental blocks. Research ideas on granitoid tectonics has also been proposed and discussed.     

Granite provinces and basement terranes in the Lachlan Fold Belt,southeastern Australia

Many granites have compositional features that directly reflect the composition of their source rocks. Since most granites come from the deeper parts of the Earth's crust, their study provides information about the nature of parts of that deep crust. Granites and related volcanic rocks are abundant and widely distributed in the Palaeozoic Lachlan Fold Belt of southeastern Australia. These granites show patterns of regional variation in which sharp discontinuities occur between provinces which internally are of a rather constant character. Such a discontinuity has long been recognized at the I‐S line and the extent of that line can now be defined more fully. Breaks of this type are thought to correspond to sharp changes in the composition of the deep crust that correspond to unexposed or basement terranes. Nine such basement terranes can be recognized in the Lachlan Fold Belt. The character of these basement terranes appears to be different from that of the terranes recognized in the Mesozoic‐Cainozoic Cordilleran fold belt, in which the plates accreted during the period of tectonism reflected in the exposed surface rocks. In the Lachlan Fold Belt, it is postulated that fragments of continental crust, or microplates, were assembled in the Late Proterozoic or Early Palaeozoic to form the substrate of the presently exposed Palaeozoic sedimentary rocks; the compositional features of these fragments were later redistributed vertically by magmatic processes. The identification of basement terranes of this type shows that models which involve the lateral growth of the Lachlan Fold Belt during the Palaeozoic, in a manner analogous to the accretion of younger belts, are untenable. These basement terranes have implications for mineral exploration because the content of heavy metals can vary from one to another and this would ultimately affect the probability of concentrating these metals to form a mineral deposit.     

Late Neoproterozoic alkaline magmatism in the Arabian–Nubian Shield: the postcollisional A-type granite of Sahara–Umm Adawi pluton, Sinai, Egypt

The Sahara–Umm Adawi pluton is a Late Neoproterozoic postcollisional A-type granitoid pluton in Sinai segment of the Arabian–Nubian Shield that was emplaced within voluminous calc-alkaline I-type granite host rocks during the waning stages of the Pan-African orogeny and termination of a tectonomagmatic compressive cycle. The western part of the pluton is downthrown by clysmic faults and buried beneath the Suez rift valley sedimentary fill, while the exposed part is dissected by later Tertiary basaltic dykes and crosscut along with its host rocks by a series of NNE-trending faults. This A-type granite pluton is made up wholly of hypersolvus alkali feldspar granite and is composed of perthite, quartz, alkali amphibole, plagioclase, Fe-rich red biotite, accessory zircon, apatite, and allanite. The pluton rocks are highly evolved ferroan, alkaline, and peralkaline to mildly peraluminous A-type granites, displaying the typical geochemical characteristics of A-type granites with high SiO₂, Na₂O + K₂O, FeO*/MgO, Ga/Al, Zr, Nb, Ga, Y, Ce, and rare earth elements (REE) and low CaO, MgO, Ba, and Sr. Their trace and REE characteristics along with the use of various discrimination schemes revealed their correspondence to magmas derived from crustal sources that has gone through a continent–continent collision (postorogenic or postcollisional), with minor contribution from mantle source similar to ocean island basalt. The assumption of crustal source derivation and postcollisional setting is substantiated by highly evolved nature of this pluton and the absence of any syenitic or more primitive coeval mafic rocks in association with it. The slight mantle signature in the source material of these A-type granites is owed to the juvenile Pan-African Arabian–Nubian Shield (ANS) crust (I-type calc-alkaline) which was acted as a source by partial melting of its rocks and which itself of presumably large mantle source. The extremely high Rb/Sr ratios combined with the obvious Sr, Ba, P, Ti, and Eu depletions clearly indicate that these A-type granites were highly evolved and require advanced fractional crystallization in upper crustal conditions. Crystallization temperature values inferred average around 929°C which is in consistency with the presumably high temperatures of A-type magmas, whereas the estimated depth of emplacement ranges between 20 and 30 km (upper-middle crustal levels within the 40 km relatively thick ANS crust). The geochronologically preceding Pan-African calc-alkaline I-type continental arc granitoids (the Egyptian old and younger granites) associated with these rocks are thought to be the crustal source of f this A-type granite pluton and others in the Arabian–Nubian Shield by partial melting caused by crustal thickening due to continental collision at termination of the compressive orogeny in the Arabian–Nubian Shield.     

Geochemistry,U–Pb geochronology,Sm–Nd and O isotopes of ca. 50 Ma long Ediacaran High-K Syn-Collisional Magmatism in the Pernambuco Alagoas Domain,Borborema Province,NE Brazil

The Pernambuco Alagoas (PEAL) domain shows the major occurrence of granitic batholiths of the Borborema Province, NE Brazil, with Archean to Neoproterozoic range of Nd T_DM model ages, giving clues on the role of granites during the Brasiliano orogeny. SHRIMP U/Pb zircon geochronological data for seven granitic intrusions of the PEAL domain divide the studied granitoids into three groups: 1) early-to syn-collision granitoids with crystallization ages ca. 635 Ma (Serra do Catú pluton), 2) syn-collision granitoids with crystallization ages 610–618 Ma (Santana do Ipanema, Água Branca, Mata Grande and Correntes plutons) and 3) late-to post-collision granitoids with ages of ca. 590 Ma (Águas Belas, and Cachoeirinha plutons). The intrusions of group 1 and 2, except the Mata Grande and Correntes plutons, show Nd T_DM model ages ranging from 1.2 to 1.5 Ga, while the granitoids from group 3, and Mata Grande Pluton and Correntes plutons have Nd T_DM model ages ranging from 1.7 to 2.2 Ga. The studied granitoids with ages <600 Ma are high-K, calc-alkaline, shoshonitic and those with ages <600 Ma are transitional high-K calc-alkaline to alkaline. The volcanic arc signatures associated with the Paleoproterozoic Nd T_DM model ages are interpreted as inherited from the source rocks. The oldest ages and lower Nd T_DM model ages are recorded from granitoids intruded in the southwest part of the PEAL domain, suggesting that these intrusions are associated with slab-tearing during convergence between the PEAL and the Sergipano domains. Zircon oxygen isotopic data in some of the studied plutons, together with the available Nd isotopic data suggest that the Brasiliano orogeny strongly reworked older crust, of either Paleoproterozoic or Tonian ages. The studied granitoids are coeval with calc-alkaline granitoids of the Transversal Zone and Sergipano domains and rare high-K calc-alkaline granitoids from the Transversal Zone domain. Such large volumes of high-K granitoids with crystallization ages older than 600 Ma are not recorded in the Transversal Zone domains, suggesting that at least between 600 and 650 Ma, the granitic magmatism of these two areas were distinct. However, the studied granitoids (630–580 Ma) located in the north part of the PEAL domain, north of the Palmares shear zone are coeval with granitoids of similar geochemical compositions in the Transversal Zone domain. It suggests that the southeastern part of the Transversal Zone and the northern part of the PEAL domains belonged to the same crustal block during the Brasiliano/Pan-African orogeny.     

Middle Proterozoic anorogenic magmatism in Sweden and worldwide

Compilation of geochronological data from southeastern Sweden indicates widespread anorogenic intrusive activity between 1.40 and 1.35 Ga ago. This activity was part of a major igneous event in a belt extending from Siberia and the Urals in the U.S.S.R. across southern Scandinavia, southern Greenland, and Labrador to western North America. It was characterized by high-level granites, sometimes rapakivilike, intruded under anorogenic conditions. The source granite melts were probably derived by the fusion of lower crust, i.e. older calc-alkaline Proterozoic granitoids, by mantle magma. These composite melts were mixed at the time of intrusion and gave rise to granitoids showing mixed I- and S-type features. The causes for the igneous activity were probably related to changes in the configuration of the continents with ensuing rifting and associated igneous activity. The 1.40-1.35 Ga old intrusions reset older isotope systems, especially the K---Ar one in southeastern Sweden. Between 1.25 and 1.20 Ga ago, there was a second event of smaller magnitude, characterized by the intrusion of acid and basic dykes. These dykes probably correspond to an initial stage of the Grenvillian (Sveconorwegian) orogeny soon to be followed by a 90° rotation of the Baltic shield.     

滇西腾冲-梁河地块石英闪长岩-二长花岗岩锆石U-Pb年龄、Hf同位素特征及其地质意义

高黎贡-腾梁花岗岩带是冈底斯花岗岩带的东延部分。腾梁花岗岩中辉长-闪长质包体、花岗岩、石英闪长岩密切共生。辉长-闪长质包体的结构构造、矿物学特征表明,它们是岩浆快速冷凝结晶的产物。地球化学数据显示,辉长-闪长质包体为钙碱性系列,具有低SiO2、高MgO和Mg#的特征,富集Rb、Sr、Th、Ba和Ce,亏损Nb、Ta、P、Zr、Yb和Y;寄主花岗岩为中钾—高钾钙碱性系列,准铝质到弱过铝质,富集Rb、Th、Zr和Hf,亏损Nb、Ta、Ti、Sr、P和Ba,具有中等程度的负Eu异常;石英闪长岩介于二者之间。锆石U-PbLA-ICP-MS定年显示,石英闪长岩形成年龄为127.10±0.96Ma,花岗岩形成年龄为123.8±2.5Ma。结合辉长-闪长质包体形成年龄为122.6Ma,三者年龄基本一致,从年代学角度为花岗岩、辉长-闪长质包体和石英闪长岩岩浆混合作用成因提供了证据。石英闪长岩锆石εHf(t)值变化于-7.61～-3.80。结合辉长-闪长质包体、花岗岩的εHf(t)值及地球化学特征,认为花岗岩来源于古老地壳的部分熔融,辉长-闪长质包体来源于地幔楔橄榄岩部分熔融,石英闪长岩为幔源岩浆与古老地壳部分熔融的岩浆完全混合的产物。腾梁地块早白垩世侵入岩很可能与班公湖-怒江洋壳岩石圈向南俯冲的动力学背景有关。     

Late Archaean—early proterozoic source ages of zircons in rocks from the Paleozoic orogen of western Galicia,NW Spain

U-Pb data are reported for nine suites of zircons and three monazites from the Paleozoic orogen in western Galicia (NW Spain): one paragneiss and six orthogneisses from the early Paleozoic basement, and two Carboniferous (ca. 310 Ma old) intrusions of two-mica granite. New whole-rock Rb-Sr analyses, along with earlier data, indicate an age of ca. 470-440 Ma (Ordovician) for the emplacement of the granitic precursors of the orthogneisses. Monazite from the paragneiss also yields an U-Pb age of ca. 470 Ma. For all nine investigated suites of zircons the U-Pb systematics signal the presence of a minor proportion of Precambrian zircon. The zircon data from two orthogneisses and the paragneiss display roughly linear arrays with upper intercepts between about 3.0 Ga and 2.0 Ga, and lower intercepts between ca. 480 and 460 Ma; the former are interpreted as approaching the age of the old zircon component, and the latter as reflecting either the time of crystallization of new zircons from the magma (orthogneisses), or the time of radiogenic lead loss from the old zircons (paragneiss). The suites of zircons from all other investigated orthogneisses suffered isotopic disturbance posterior to the granite emplacement 470-440 Ma ago, in most cases leading to ‘false’ discordias without geochronological significance. Similarly, the zircons of the two investigated two-mica granites do not produce meaningful discordias because of post-Paleozoic disturbance. The monazite U-Pb systems of the latter granites indicate (sub)recent lead loss.From the high initial ${}^{87}\text{Sr}{}^{86}\text{Sr}$ ratios an involvement of Precambrian continental crust material is evident in the generation of the early Paleozoic suite of granites, while the zircon U-Pb data give evidence of the presence of about 3.0-2.0 Ga old (late Archaean—early Proterozoic) components in the source material. Zircons from the oldest sedimentary rocks in the area, now present as catazonal paragneisses and a likely source for the granites, likewise reveal a provenance age of 3.0-2.0 Ga. The late Archaean—early Proterozoic source rocks in western Galicia probably formed part of an Archaean continental crust underlying much of western Europe, but mostly modified beyond recognition by younger events.     

The role of the granite emplacement and structural setting on the genesis of gold mineralization in Egypt

The Eastern Desert of Egypt is well known as a gold-mining district since ancient times. Gold mineralization is closely associated with the granitic rocks in such way that the mineralization is either hosted by or occurs immediately adjacent to the granite intrusions. Granitic rocks accompanying gold mineralization in the Eastern Desert can be grouped into three categories i.e. syn-late tectonic calc-alkaline granites, calc-alkaline to mildly alkaline granites of the transitional stage and post-tectonic alkaline granites.Tectonically, gold mineralization is linked with the tectonothermal stages that were operative during the evolution of the Arabian–Nubian Shield (ANS). During the primitive stages of the island-arc formation, pre-orogenic gold mineralization (auriferous exhalites) was formed by hot brines accompanying submarine volcanic activity. No role for the granite is observed in this stage. Syn-orogenic gold mineralization (i.e. gold hosted in altered ophiolitic serpentinites along thrust faults and in sutures, quartz veins hosted in the metavolcano-sedimentary assemblage and/or the I-type granitic rocks surrounding them) connected with the collision and accretion stage is characterized by emplacement of calc-alkaline (I-type) older granite batholiths. Shear fractures reflected in brittle–ductile shear zones and amphibolite-green schist facies regional metamorphism were broadly contemporaneous with this intense compressional tectonic regime. Available fluid inclusion microthermometry and isotopic studies reveal that both metamorphic and magmatic fluids related to the syn-late tectonic calc-alkaline granites were operative. A further indication for the role of the granites is indicated by the presence of some concentrations of Antimony, Bismuth, Molybdenum, Tungsten, Rubidium, Beryllium, Tin, Yttrium, Ytterbium, Tantalum and Niobium in some auriferous quartz veins in the Egyptian gold mines.In the cratonal development of the (ANS), the land underwent a transitional stage between the major subduction-related calc-alkaline magmatic activity and the subsequent post-tectonic plutonism represented by the alkaline granites. This transitional stage is dominated by the eruption of Dokhan volcanics and deposition of molass-type Hammamat sediments. At ~ 590–530 Ma, the Arabian–Nubian Shield was deformed by post-accretionary structures, in the form of N-trending shortening zones such as the Hamisana shear zone and NW-trending strike-slip faults such as the Najd fault system. The regional NNW–SSE directed extension opened spaces that were progressively sealed with different magmatic phases including among them a considerable proportion of rocks referred to as “younger granites” in the Egyptian literature. Late-orogenic gold mineralization connected with the transitional stage is represented principally by the gold-bearing quartz veins traversing Hammamat molasse sediments, quartz veins traversing syn-extensional younger granites and generally quartz veins in ductile to brittle shears related to the Najd fault system and within Hamisana shear zone and its splays.By the end of Pan African orogeny until the Tertiary, the basement was intermittently intruded by a number of sub-alkaline to per alkaline granite bodies that host Mo, Sn, W, Nb–Ta and U mineralization in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Anorogenic gold mineralization connected with post-orogenic granites is represented by small amounts of the element in disseminations, stockworks and quartz veins of Sn–W–Ta–U mineralization.The present review shows that gold mineralization in Egypt is an expression of two major cycles with distinct magmatic and tectonic characteristics, and the two cycles were separated by a transitional stage. The emplacement of granites in the compressional cycle played an important role in metamorphosing the country rocks by producing the heat energy required for the regional metamorphism and the providing of the magmatic fluids. The H₂O–CO₂ fluids enriched in volatiles were released at the greenschist–amphibolite facies transition at 450°–500 °C and mixed with the I-type calc-alkaline granite related fluids and both moved down a temperature gradient away from the amphibolite-green schist transition at depth to a lower temperature regime in the upper levels where it is deposited in brittle–ductile shear zones. With the extensional cycle, the syn-extensional granite intrusions acted as heat engine in such way that the heat of the granite drove the convective cells to circulate through the auriferous host-granite contacts, leaching gold and other elements and depositing it in structurally favorable sites. In addition, the contrasts in competency between the granites with brittle deformational characteristics and the surrounding country rocks with a ductile response to stress, led to a generation of extensive fracture pattern within the more competent unit.     

The Avalon Zone: A Pan-African terrane in the Appalachian Orogen of Canada

The Precambrian sequences of the Avalon Zone in Canada (southeastern margin of the Appalachian Orogen) are interpreted as a Pan-African orogenic belt incorporated into the Appalachian Orogen during Palaeozoic times as its southeastern margin. The Precambrian evolution of the Avalon Zone was genetically unrelated to subsequent Palaeozoic evolution. The Avalon Zone shows marked similarities in age, tectonic history, and facies development to the Pan-African belts adjacent to the West African Craton. Precambrian evolution of the zone began with circa 800 Ma rifting of a sialic gneissic basement and deposition of a Middle Proterozoic(?) carbonate-clastic cover sequence. Early crustal rifting was associated with localized partial melting and metamorphism. Limited crustal separation led to the restricted development of circa 760 Ma oceanic volcanics. Continued rifting and subsequent closure of these narrow ocean basins led to the eruption of widespread subaerial volcanic suites, block faulting, granite plutonism, and local, late Proterozoic sedimentary basin formation. Precambrian evolution of the zone terminated with the Avalonian Orogeny (circa 650-600 Ma), a deformational event, the affects of which are most evident locally along the northwestern margin of the zone. The controlling features of the Proterozoic evolution of the Avalon Zone are a series of linear intracratonic troughs and small ocean basins that formed during thinning and separation of the crust by ductile spreading, rupture, and delamination (cf. Martin and Porada 1977). The variation in degree of crustal separation led to subsequent variation in orogenesis during late Proterozoic compression. The zone marks the original westward limit of Pan-African activity and displays no apparent genetic link with the Appalachian Orogen in Canada until Devonian times.