Assembly of central Gondwana along the Zambezi Belt: Metamorphic response and basement reactivation during the Kuunga Orogeny

Central Gondwana was assembled by three continental collisions in relatively quick succession: late Cryogenian East Africa Orogen, early Ediacaran West Antarctica Orogen and late Ediacaran Kuunga Orogen. The Kuunga Orogen involved diachronous closure of the South Adamastor–Khomas–Mozambique Oceans and accretion of Kalahari Craton and cratonic elements in Antarctica, with a previously assembled North Gondwana. The two older orogens were still hot and deforming at the time of final assembly by the Kuunga Orogen, and were therefore reworked and re-metamorphosed. The Central Kuunga Orogen is comprised of the Lufilian Arc, Zambezi Belt, Malawi–Unango Complex and the Lurio Belt. This region was the site of earliest collision in the Kuunga Orogen at ~575 Ma, and involved collision of two buoyant, previously metamorphosed rigid basement promontories. Pivoting on the Zambezi Belt indenters led to clockwise rotation of the Kalahari Craton and oblique collision within the Damara Belt ~20–30 m.y. later. The Central Kuunga Orogen is a relatively cold collisional belt dominated by eclogite, whiteschist and Barrovian series metamorphic parageneses, and contrasts with the paired metamorphic response in the Damara Belt to the west, and low-P/high-T metamorphism in the East Kuunga Orogen. Metamorphic parageneses are preserved from each stage of the full Wilson Cycle: from initiation of continental lithosphere thinning at ~940 Ma, widespread rifting between 725 and 805 Ma, and passive margin sedimentation until ~580 Ma. Eclogite-facies subduction parageneses indicate consumption of ocean lithosphere was underway by ~630–660 Ma. Collision at ~575 Ma involved deep burial of continental crust and formation of very high-P, low T/depth metamorphic parageneses, followed by Barrovian series thermal peaks at ~545 and ~525 Ma. Isostatic compensation and stress switches associated with plate reconfigurations once Gondwana was assembled, resulted in exhumation and local extension in an intra-continental setting from ~518 Ma.     

Tectonic implications of new single zircon Pb-Pb evaporation data in the Lossogonoi and Longido ruby-districts,Mozambican metamorphic Belt of north-eastern Tanzania

Three single zircon Pb-Pb evaporation dating studies were performed on felsic orthogneisses and migmatites from the Longido and Lossogonoi ruby districts, Mozambique Belt of north-eastern Tanzania, in order to better constrain the geological setting of gemstone mineralizations. Igneous emplacement ages of protoliths ranging between 2636 and 2448 Ma document for the first time the presence of a Neoarchean to Lower Paleoproterozoic (Siderian) basement reworked in the Late Neoproterozoic Mozambique Belt of north-eastern Tanzania. This ancient crust of unknown dimension is well documented farther south, but also in south-eastern Kenya. A shearing event under high-grade amphibolite facies conditions, postdating the Pan-African metamorphic peak at 640 Ma and following nappes emplacement is demonstrated at ca. 610 Ma from metamorphic zircons of Lossogonoi district. In Lossogonoi district, ruby crystallizes during this last stage of deformation.     

Pe trology and SHRIMP zircon geochronology of granulites from Vesleknausen,Lützow-Holm Complex,East Antarctica: Neoarchean magmatism and Neoproterozoic high-grade metamorphism

We report new petrological data and geochronological measurements of granulites from Vesleknausen in the highest-grade section of the L＆#252;tzow-Holm Complex, part of the Gondwana-assembling collisional orogen in East Antarctica. The locality is dominated by felsic to intermediate orthogneiss （charnockite and minor biotite gneiss）, mafic orthogneiss, and hornblende-pyroxene granulite, with deformed and undeformed dykes of metagranite and felsic pegmatite. Pseudosection analysis of charnockite in the system NCKFMASHTO, supported by geothermometry of mafic orthogneiss, was used to infer peak metamorphic temperatures of 750e850 ？C, approximately 150 ？C lower than those estimated for met-asedimentary gneisses from Rundv？gshetta, 6 km to the northeast. SHRIMP U-Pb analysis of zircons from feldspar-pyroxene gneiss, which corresponds to a partially molten patch around mafic orthogneiss, yielded a Concordia upper intercept ages of 2507.9 ？ 7.4 Ma, corresponding to the time of formation of the magmatic protolith to the orthogneiss. Partial melting during peak metamorphism probably took place between 591 and 548 Ma, as recorded in rims overgrew around magmatic zircon. Our results suggest that Rundv？gshetta-Vesleknausen-Strandnibba region in southwestern L＆#252;tzow-Holm Bay, where orthogneisses are dominant, consists of a single crustal block, possibly formed by ca. 2.5 Ga arc mag-matism. The Neoarchean magmatic terrane was tectonically mingled with other fragments （such as metasedimentary units in northern L＆#252;tzow-Holm Bay） by subduction/collision events during the as-sembly of Gondwana supercontinent, and subsequently underwent w850 ？C granulite-facies meta-morphosed during Neoproterozoic to Cambrian final collisional event.     

Precambrian terranes in the southwestern framing of the Siberian craton: isotopic provinces,stages of crustal evolution and accretion-collision events

We studied geology and main rock assemblages of the Precambrian Kan, Arzybei, and Derba terranes of the Central Asian Fold Belt which border the Siberian craton in the southwest. The Precambrian terranes include three isotopic provinces (Paleoproterozoic, Mesoproterozoic, and Neoproterozoic) distinguished from the Sm-Nd isotope compositions of granitoids, felsic metavolcanics, and metasediments. The terranes formed in three stages of crustal evolution: 2.3–2.5, 0.9–1.1, and 0.8–0.9 Ga. Proterozoic juvenile crust was produced by subduction-related magmatism; it was originally of transitional composition and transformed into continental crust by potassic plutonism as late as the Late Vendian-Cambrian. Terrigenous sediments in the Arzybei and Derba terranes vary in T(DM) Nd model ages from 1.0 to 2.0 Ga. The Nd ages of the underlying metavolcanics and lowest T(DM) of metasediments indicate that terrigenous sedimentation started in the Neoproterozoic. It was maintained by erosion of Mesoproterozoic-Neoproterozoic crust and, to a lesser extent, of Early Precambrian rocks on the craton margin or in Paleoproterozoic terranes. Ar-Ar dating of amphiboles and biotites from metamorphic rocks and U-Pb dating of zircons from granitoids yielded 600–555 and 500–440 Ma, respectively, corresponding to the Vendian and Early Paleozoic stages of nearly synchronous metamorphism and plutonism. Accretion and collision events caused amalgamation of the Paleoproterozoic, Mesoproterozoic, and Neoproterozoic terranes in the Vendian and their collision with the Siberian craton. The lateral growth of the paleocontinent completed in the Late Ordovician.     

SHRIMP U–Pb zircon geochronology of high-grade rocks and charnockites from the eastern Amery Ice Shelf and southwestern Prydz Bay, East Antarctica: Constraints on Late Mesoproterozoic to Cambrian tectonothermal events related to supercontinent assembly

The eastern Amery Ice Shelf (EAIS) and southwestern Prydz Bay are situated near the junction between the Late Neoproterozoic/Cambrian high-grade complex of the Prydz Belt and the Early Neoproterozoic Rayner Complex. The area contains an important geological section for understanding the tectonic evolution of East Antarctica. SHRIMP U–Pb analyses on zircons of felsic orthogneisses and mafic granulites from the area indicate that their protoliths were emplaced during four episodes of ca. 1380 Ma, ca. 1210–1170 Ma, ca. 1130–1120 Ma and ca. 1060–1020 Ma. Subsequently, these rocks experienced two episodes of high-grade metamorphism at > 970 Ma and ca. 930–900 Ma, and furthermore, most of them (except for some from the Munro Kerr Mountains and Reinbolt Hills) were subjected to high-grade metamorphic recrystallization at ca. 535 Ma. Two suites of charnockite, i.e. the Reinbolt and Jennings charnockites, intrude the Late Mesoproterozoic/Early Neoproterozoic and Late Neoproterozoic/Cambrian high-grade complexes at > 955 Ma and 500 Ma, respectively. These, together with associated granites of similar ages, reflect late- to post-orogenic magmatism occurring during the two major orogenic events. The similarity in age patterns suggests that the EAIS–Prydz Bay region may have suffered from the same high-grade tectonothermal evolution with the Rayner Complex and the Eastern Ghats of India. Three segments might constitute a previously unified Late Mesoproterozoic/Early Neoproterozoic orogen that resulted from the long-term magmatic accretion from ca. 1380 to 1020 Ma and eventual collision before ca. 900 Ma between India and the western portion of East Antarctica. The Prydz Belt may have developed on the eastern margin of the Indo-Antarctica continental block, and the Late Neoproterozoic/Cambrian suture assembling Indo-Antarctica and Australo-Antarctica continental blocks should be located southeastwards of the EAIS–Prydz Bay region.     

Detrital zircon geochronology of quartzites from the southern Madurai Block,India: Implications for Gondwana reconstruction

Detrital zircons are important proxies for crustal provenance and have been widely used in tracing source characteristics and continental reconstructions. Southern Peninsular India constituted the central segment of the late Neoproterozoic supercontinent Gondwana and is composed of crustal blocks ranging in age from Mesoarchean to late Neoproterozoic–Cambrian. Here we investigate detrital zircon grains from a suite of quartzites accreted along the southern part of the Madurai Block. Our LA-ICPMS U-Pb dating reveals multiple populations of magmatic zircons, among which the oldest group ranges in age from Mesoarchean to Paleoproterozoic (ca. 2980–1670 Ma, with peaks at 2900–2800 Ma, 2700–2600 Ma, 2500–2300 Ma, 2100–2000 Ma). Zircons in two samples show magmatic zircons with dominantly Neoproterozoic (950–550 Ma) ages. The metamorphic zircons from the quartzites define ages in the range of 580–500 Ma, correlating with the timing of metamorphism reported from the adjacent Trivandrum Block as well as from other adjacent crustal fragments within the Gondwana assembly. The zircon trace element data are mostly characterized by LREE depletion and HREE enrichment, positive Ce, Sm anomalies and negative Eu, Pr, Nd anomalies. The Mesoarchean to Neoproterozoic age range and the contrasting petrogenetic features as indicated from zircon chemistry suggest that the detritus were sourced from multiple provenances involving a range of lithologies of varying ages. Since the exposed basement of the southern Madurai Block is largely composed of Neoproterozoic orthogneisses, the data presented in our study indicate derivation of the detritus from distal source regions implying an open ocean environment. Samples carrying exclusive Neoproterozoic detrital zircon population in the absence of older zircons suggest proximal sources in the southern Madurai Block. Our results suggest that a branch of the Mozambique ocean might have separated the southern Madurai Block to the north and the Nagercoil Block to the south, with the metasediments of the khondalite belt in Trivandrum Block marking the zone of ocean closure, part of which were accreted onto the southern Madurai Block during the collisional amalgamation of the Gondwana supercontinent in latest Neoproterozoic–Cambrian.     

S?o Francisco-Congo Craton break-up delimited by U-Pb-Hf isotopes and trace-elements of zircon from metasediments of the Ara?uaí Belt

Detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology combined with Hf isotopic and trace element data from metasedimentary rocks of the Aracuai Belt in southeastern Brazil provide evidence for break-up of the Congo-Sao Francisco Craton. The U-Pb age spectra of detrital zircons from metasediments of the Rio Doce Group(RDG) range from 900-650 Ma and define a maximum depositional age of ca. 650 Ma. Zircon trace element and whole rock data constrain an oceanic island arc as source for the deposition setting of the protoliths to the metasediments. Zircon ε_(Hf)(t) values from these rocks are positive between +1 and +15, supporting previous evidence of a Neoproterozoic extensional phase and oceanic crust formation in a precursor basin to the Aracuai Belt. Recrystallization of detrital zircon at ca. 630 Ma is compatible with a regional metamorphic event associated with terrane accretion to the Paleoproterozoic basement after transition from an extensional to a convergent regime. The juvenile nature, age spectra and trace element composition recorded in detrital zircons of metasediments from the Aracuai Belt correspond with zircons from metasedimentary rocks and oceanic crust remnants of other orogenic belts to its south. This suggests that rifting and oceanic crust formation of the entire orogenic system, the so-called Mantiqueira Province, was contemporaneous, most likely related to the opening of a large ocean. It further indicates that the cratonic blocks involved in the orogenic evolution of the Mantiqueira Province were spatially connected as early as 900 Ma.     

Late Neoproterozoic granulite facies metamorphism in the Menderes Massif,Western Anatolia/Turkey: implication for the assembly of Gondwana

The Menderes Massif is a major polymetamorphic complex in Western Turkey. The late Neoproterozoic basement consists of partially migmatized paragneisses and metapelites in association with orthogneiss intrusions. Pelitic granulite, paragneiss and orthopyroxene-bearing orthogneiss (charnockite) of the basement series form the main granulite-facies lithologies. Charnockitic metagranodiorite and metatonalite are magnesian in composition and show calc-alkalic to alkali-calcic affinities. Nd and Sr isotope systematics indicate homogeneous crustal contamination. The zircons in charnockites contain featureless overgrowth and rim textures representing metamorphic growth on magmatic cores and inherited grains. Charnockites yield crytallization age of ~590 Ma for protoliths and they record granulite-facies overprint at ~ 580 Ma. These data indicate that the Menderes Massif records late Neoproterozoic magmatic and granulite-facies metamorphic events. Furthermore, the basement rocks have been overprinted by Eocene Barrovian-type Alpine metamorphism at ~42 Ma. The geochronological data and inferred latest Neoproterozoic–early Cambrian palaeogeographic setting for the Menderes Massif to the north of present-day Arabia indicate that the granulite-facies metamorphism in the Menderes Massif can be attributed to the Kuunga Orogen (600–500 Ma) causing the final amalgamation processes for northern part of the Gondwana.     

拉萨地体东南缘始新世早期变质作用及其构造意义

本文对位于青藏高原拉萨地体东南缘林芝杂岩中的片麻岩进行了岩石学和锆石U-Pb年代学研究.所研究的样品包括正片麻岩和副片麻岩,它们经历了中压角闪岩相变质作用.岩石地球化学分析结果表明,所研究的正片麻岩的原岩具有钙碱性岛弧岩浆岩的特征.锆石U-Pb年代学分析结果表明,副片麻岩中的碎屑锆石核部为岩浆成因,它们给出的206Pb/238U年龄范围为3012～ 522Ma,其锆石的增生边给出了～51Ma的变质年龄.在正片麻岩中,黑云母片麻岩给出了～67Ma的原岩结晶年龄和～ 55 Ma的变质年龄;石榴石角闪黑云斜长片麻岩给出了～58Ma的原岩结晶年龄和～54Ma的变质年龄.因此,所研究的林芝杂岩并不能代表拉萨地体中的前寒武纪变质基底,而是古生代的沉积岩和晚白垩纪至早新生代的岩浆岩在始新世早期变质而成.这一时期,表壳岩和侵入岩一起经历的中压角闪岩相变质作用很可能跟新特提斯洋俯冲导致的地壳增生、加厚有关.     

Ordovician passive continental margin magmatism in the Central-European Variscides: U–Pb zircon data from the SE part of the Karkonosze-Izera Massif, Sudetes, SW Poland

Approximately 500-Ma-old orthogneisses are widespread in the eastern part of the Variscan belt and are commonly interpreted to have intruded mica-schist series of assumed Neoproterozoic age. New SHRIMP zircon ages of quartzofeldspathic metavolcanogenic rocks of the mica schist series in the eastern part of the Karkonosze-Izera Massif (SW Poland) indicate that they are late Cambrian/early Ordovician rather than Neoproterozoic in age, based on the zircon age spectra distributed mainly between ca. 500 and 660 Ma (with a few Proterozoic inherited minimum ages of ca. 970 and 1,825 Ma). Younger zircon dates, dispersed between ca. 412 and 464 Ma, are interpreted as a result of Pb-loss likely caused by subsequent metamorphism. Consequently, the felsic metavolcanogenic rocks appear to be roughly contemporaneous with the intrusion of ca. 500-Ma-old orthogneiss protoliths (with the pooled concordia age of 487 ± 8 Ma interpreted as the best approximation of the protolith intrusive age). Field relationships, petrological and geochemical features of the felsic and mafic rocks studied support a model in which the accompanying mica schist series are not the original country rocks to the ca. 500 Ma granite intrusions, and indicate that their recent close proximity is the result of tectonic juxtaposition. However, both the mica schists enclosing the bimodal metavolcanic rocks, and the orthogneisses, are interpreted to represent a Cambro-Ordovician passive continental margin sequence being part of the Saxothuringian domain. They are tectonically overlain to the east by HP/T metamorphic units, comprising MORB-type metaigneous rocks, and delineating a tectonic suture separating the Saxothuringian block in the west from an assumed continental block (Tepla-Barrandian) to the south-east.     

吉林南部新太古代末地壳深熔作用——来自变质石英闪长岩及淡色花岗岩的证据

深熔作用是大陆地壳分异、元素迁移富集和混合岩化作用的主要机制和关键地质过程.吉南地区出露的太古宙基底普遍经历了角闪岩相-麻粒岩相变质及深熔作用,长英质淡色体及淡色花岗岩广泛分布.吉南和龙花岗-绿岩地体出露的太古宙变质石英闪长岩及相关的长英质浅色体和含斜方辉石(角闪石)淡色伟晶花岗岩的野外地质特征、相互关系及岩相学特征指...     

Diversity of Archean crust in the eastern Tula Mountains,Napier Complex,East Antarctica

The Napier Complex of Enderby and Kemp Lands forms the north-western part of the East Antarctic Shield and consists predominantly of gneisses and granulites metamorphosed during a ca. 2.8 Ga high-grade and a ca. 2.5 Ga ultra-high temperature event. The western segment of the Napier Complex includes coastal outcrops, islands and nunataks around Amundsen and Casey Bays, and the Tula Mountains. This region records some of the highest metamorphic temperatures measured on Earth, affecting a variety of gneisses as old as ca. 3.8 Ga. Five samples of orthogneiss from the less-studied eastern Tula Mountains, including three granitic, one trondhjemitic and one dioritic gneiss, were dated by zircon U-Pb Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS). The three orthogneisses yield protolith ages of 3750 ± 35 Ma (granitic), 3733 ± 21 (trondhjemitic) Ma and 3560 ± 42 Ma (dioritic), whereas the two other granitic orthogneisses record ages of 2903 ± 14 Ma and 2788 ± 24 Ma. Zircon growth during metamorphism occurred at 2826 ± 10 Ma, and also between 2530 Ma and 2480 Ma. Samples from the Tula Mountains can be geochemically subdivided into Y-HREE-Nb-Ta depleted and undepleted groups. Eoarchean granitoids are included in both geochemical groups, as are Meso- and Neoarchean granitoids. The Y-HREE-Nb-Ta depleted granitoids can be generated by medium- to high-pressure melting of mafic crust, whereas undepleted granitoids can be generated by low-pressure melting. However, relatively high potassium contents in most samples, and the presence of xenocrystic/inherited zircon in some, reflect the likely involvement of felsic crustal sources. This diversity in granitoid composition occurs across the Napier Complex. The lack of a simple correlation between protolith age and geochemical type is an indication that magmatism during the Eoarchean (and later) involved diverse sources and processes, including re-melting and recycling of various crustal components, rather than just the formation of juvenile crust.     

Geology of the Chewore Inliers,Zimbabwe: constraining the Mesoproterozoic to Palæozoic evolution of the Zambezi Belt

Structural, metamorphic and geochronological studies of the Chewore Inliers of the Zambezi Belt within the Karoo age Zambezi Rift, allow recognition of a protracted multi-stage evolution, from the Mesoproterozoic to culminating in the Early. Palaeozoic Pan-African Orogeny. Tectono metamorphic events recognised in the Chewore Inliers occur throughout the Zambezi Belt and alternative models for the history of the Zambezi Belt are presented.Four terranes are recognised in the Chewore Inliers, and contacts between them are observed or inferred to be ductile thrusts, along which juxtaposition of the terranes occurred late in the Pan-African metamorphic cycle (M₂, at 526 Ma). The oldest portion of the inliers is a metamorphosed sequence of mafic and ultramafic gneisses with an age of 1393 Ma. These constitute what is tentatively called the Ophiolite Terrane, together with closely associated high-P/moderate T schists possibly represents a suture. The other three terranes (Granulite, Zambezi and Quartzite Terranes) experienced a common history of tectonothermal events but show variable degrees of reworking during the latest tectono metamorphic event (M₂). Concordant granitic orthogneisses were emplaced at 1087 Ma into supracrustal sequences. No Pan-African supracrustals are recognised in the Chewore Inliers, which are wholly basement gneisses and quartzites that have been reworked during successive orogenies including the Pan-African Orogeny.A high-T/low-P metamorphic event (M₁ of possibly 1068–1071 Ma age, with a minimum age of 943 Ma, was responsible for totally recrystallizing the Granulite Terrane during south to north tectonic transport. M₁ mineral parageneses are only preserved as inclusion phases and overgrown fabrics in the other terranes. These other terranes were pervasively recrystallised at high-P/moderate T conditions accompanying a clockwise P-T path related to northeast over southwest tectonic transport and crustal over-thickening during the Pan-African metamorphic cycle (M₂) at approximately 526 Ma. Reworking of the Granulite Terrane during M₂ was minor, leaving M₁ fabrics and mineral assemblages preserved with little recrystallization. M₂ orogenesis culminated in the juxtaposition of the terranes, rapid uplift through the thermal peak and eventual slow cooling accompanying a multitude of post-tectonic intrusions; pegmatites at 480 Ma, the Chewore Ultramafic Complex and dolerite dykes. The 830 Ma tectonothermal event involving pervasive syn-tectonic granitic orthogneisses in the south Zambezi Belt is not recognised in the Chewore Inliers, suggesting a localised, possibly extensional, regime restricted to the southern part of the Zambezi Belt at 830 Ma.     

Geochronology of the Precambrian crust in the Mozambique belt in NE Mozambique, and implications for Gondwana assembly

Zircon and monazite U–Pb data document the geochronology of the felsic crust in the Mozambique Belt in NE Mozambique. Immediately E of Lake Niassa and NW of the Karoo-aged Maniamba Graben, the Ponta Messuli Complex preserves Paleoproterozoic gneisses with granulite-facies metamorphism dated at 1950 ± 15 Ma, and intruded by granite at 1056 ± 11 Ma. This complex has only weak evidence for a Pan-African metamorphism. Between the Maniamba Graben and the WSW–ENE-trending Lurio (shear) Belt, the Unango and Marrupa Complexes consist mainly of felsic orthogneisses dated between 1062 ± 13 and 946 ± 11 Ma, and interlayered with minor paragneisses. In these complexes, an amphibolite- to granulite-facies metamorphism is dated at 953 ± 8 Ma and a nepheline syenite pluton is dated at 799 ± 8 Ma. Pan-African deformation and high-grade metamorphism are more intense and penetrative southwards, towards the Lurio Belt. Amphibolite-facies metamorphism is dated at 555 ± 11 Ma in the Marrupa Complex and amphibolite- to granulite-facies metamorphism between 569 ± 9 and 527 ± 8 Ma in the Unango Complex. Post-collisional felsic plutonism, dated between 549 ± 13 and 486 ± 27 Ma, is uncommon in the Marrupa Complex but common in the Unango Complex. To the south of the Lurio Belt, the Nampula Complex consists of felsic orthogneisses which gave ages ranging from 1123 ± 9 to 1042 ± 9 Ma, interlayered with paragneisses. The Nampula Complex underwent amphibolite-facies metamorphism in the period between 543 ± 23 to 493 ± 8 Ma, and was intruded by voluminous post-collisional granitoid plutons between 511 ± 12 and 508 ± 3 Ma. In a larger context, the Ponta Messuli Complex is regarded as part of the Palaeoproterozoic, Usagaran, Congo-Tanzania Craton foreland of the Pan-African orogen. The Unango, Marrupa and Nampula Complexes were probably formed in an active margin setting during the Mesoproterozoic. The Unango and Marrupa Complexes were assembled on the margin of the Congo-Tanzania Craton during the Irumidian orogeny (ca. 1020–950 Ma), together with terranes in the Southern Irumide Belt. The distinctly older Nampula Complex was more probably linked to the Maud Belt of Antarctica, and peripheral to the Kalahari Craton during the Neoproterozoic. During the Pan-African orogeny, the Marrupa Complex was overlain by NW-directed nappes of the Cabo Delgado Nappe Complex before peak metamorphism at ca. 555 Ma. The nappes include evidence for early Pan-African orogenic events older than 610 Ma, typical for the Eastern Granulites in Tanzania. Crustal thickening at 555 ± 11 Ma is coeval with high-pressure granulite-facies metamorphism along the Lurio Belt at 557 ± 16 Ma. Crustal thickening in NE Mozambique is part of the main Pan-African, Kuunga, orogeny peaking between 570 and 530 Ma, during which the Congo-Tanzania, Kalahari, East Antarctica and India Cratons welded to form Gondwana. Voluminous post-collisional magmatism and metamorphism younger than 530 Ma in the Lurio Belt and the Nampula Complex are taken as evidence of gravitational collapse of the extensive orogenic domain south of the Lurio Belt after ca. 530 Ma. The Lurio Belt may represent a Pan-African suture zone between the Kalahari and Congo-Tanzania Craton.     

Petrology and geochronology of the Namche Barwa Complex in the eastern Himalayan syntaxis, Tibet: Constraints on the origin and evolution of the north-eastern margin of the Indian Craton

The Namche Barwa Complex (NBC) in the eastern Himalayan syntaxis, south Tibet, is generally interpreted as the north-eastern extremity of the exposed Greater Himalayan Sequence, comprising Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic sedimentary strata along the northern margin of the Indian continent. Field and petrological investigations indicate that the NBC consists mainly of orthogneiss, paragneiss, amphibolites and calc-silicate rocks. U-Pb zircon data demonstrate that the protoliths of the orthogneiss formed during late Paleoproterozoic at ca. 1610 Ma and also in early Paleozoic at ca. 490-500 Ma. The amphibolites were derived from mafic magmatic rocks formed during 1645 to 1590 Ma. Zircons in the paragneisses have highly variable inherited zircon ages ranging from the Neoarchean to early Paleozoic, with four major age populations of 2490 Ma, 1640 Ma, 990 Ma and 480 Ma. The calc-silicate rock has zircons with early Paleozoic metamorphic age of 538 Ma. Almost all the rocks of the NBC have been metamorphosed during Cenozoic with the metamorphic zircon U-Pb ages ranging from 8 to 30 Ma and a peak at 23 Ma. These, together with previous results suggest that the NBC was originally derived from an Andean-type orogeny following the Columbia supercontinent assembly, and experienced multiple reworking during the Grenvillian, Pan-African and Himalayan orogenies. We conclude that the NBC in the eastern Himalayan syntaxis was derived from different provenance and tectonic setting as compared to those of the Greater Himalayan Sequence which constitutes the high-grade metamorphic core of the western and central Himalayan orogenic belt. We thus infer that the NBC was originally part of the eastern segment of the Central Indian Tectonic Zone.     

First Results of Study of Detrital Zircons from Late Precambrian Quartzite–Schist Sequences of the Aktau–Mointy Block,Central Kazakhstan

For the first time, the U–Pb age is determined for detrital zircons of quartzite–schist sequences, which are part of the Precambrian basement of the Aktau–Mointy Block (Central Kazakhstan) along with Neoproterozoic felsic volcanic (925–920 Ma) and granitic (945–917 Ma) rocks [6]. We analyzed 219 zircon grains from small-grained quartzites of the northern part of the block (Mt. Bol’shoi Alabas) including 206 grains with concordant age (1149–1273, 1276–1975, 2354–2592 Ma). These ages indicate the Mesoproterozoic, Paleoproterozoic, and Neoarchean rocks as provenances. The youngest statistically significant age peak of 1209 Ma indicates that the quartzite–schist sequences accumulated 1200–900 Ma ago (at the end of the Mesoproterozoic and beginning of the Neoproterozoic) prior to the formation of the Early Neoproterozoic felsic rocks and granites.     

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

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

The Kabul Block (Afghanistan), a segment of the Columbia Supercontinent,with a Neoproterozoic metamorphic overprint

We report field relationships, petrography and isotopic ages from two superposed basement units of the Kabul Block, the so called Lower Sherdarwaza and Upper Welayati formations. The Sherdarwaza Formation is represented mostly by migmatites and gneisses that are derived from pelitic and psammitic lithologies with lenses and layers of mafic and carbonate rocks. Several bodies of orthogneisses are also exposed in the Sherdarwaza Formation. The Upper Welayati Formation is characterized by micaschist, quartzite and amphibolites. SHRIMP U–Pb data on zircon from the orthogneiss in the Sherdarwaza Formation indicates a Neoarchean age of ca 2.5–2.8 Ga for their magmatic crystallization. The rocks exhibit granulite facies conditions of 5–7 kbar and 800 °C that are documented by the presence of orthopyroxene and Ti-rich biotite in the orthogneiss and by olivine and phlogopite in some calc-silicate rocks at contact with marble. A Paleoproterozoic age of ca. 1.85–1.80 Ga for this metamorphism was obtained using U-Pb SHRIMP dating on zircon and U-Th dating on monazite. Mineral textural relations also show a younger amphibolite facies metamorphism that is documented in both the Sherdarwaza and Welayati formations. This metamorphism occurred at relatively higher pressure conditions of up to 9 kbar at ca. 650 °C, compared to the granulite facies event. A Neoproterozoic age of ca 0.85–0.9 Ga, for this metamorphism is confirmed by Ar-Ar data on biotite and white mica as well as by U-Th data on monazite. By combining the presented results on the metamorphic petrology, geochronology and geochemistry, we conclude that: (1) The Kabul basement is a fragment of an Archean block (craton); (2) the ca. 1.85–1.8 and 0.9–0.85 Ga metamorphism marks an important orogenic events for the basement rocks of the Kabul Block which was stabilized during the early Precambrian; (3) the two metamorphic ages correlate well with global-scale orogenies related to the assembly of the Paleoproterozoic Columbia and Neoproterozoic Rodinia supercontinents; (4) based on metamorphic characteristics and ages, the Kabul basement rocks show an affinity to the Neoarchean rocks of the Tarim and/or South China cratons.     

Detrital zircon geochronology of the Lützow-Holm Complex,East Antarctica: Implications for Antarctica–Sri Lanka correlation

The Lützow-Holm Complex (LHC) of East Antarctica has been regarded as a collage of Neoarchean (ca. 2.5 Ga), Paleoproterozoic (ca. 1.8 Ga), and Neoproterozoic (ca. 1.0 Ga) magmatic arcs which were amalgamated through the latest Neoproterozoic collisional events during the assembly of Gondwana supercontinent. Here, we report new geochronological data on detrital zircons in metasediments associated with the magmatic rocks from the LHC, and compare the age spectra with those in the adjacent terranes for evaluating the tectonic correlation of East Antarctica and Sri Lanka. Cores of detrital zircon grains with high Th/U ratio in eight metasediment samples can be subdivided into two dominant groups: (1) late Meso- to Neoproterozoic (1.1–0.63 Ga) zircons from the northeastern part of the LHC in Prince Olav Coast and northern Sôya Coast areas, and (2) dominantly Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic (2.8–2.4 Ga) zircons from the southwestern part of the LHC in southern Lützow-Holm Bay area. The ca. 1.0 Ga and ca. 2.5 Ga magmatic suites in the LHC could be proximal provenances of the detrital zircons in the northeastern and southwestern LHC, respectively. Subordinate middle to late Mesoproterozoic (1.3–1.2 Ga) detrital zircons obtained from Akarui Point and Langhovde could have been derived from adjacent Gondwana fragments (e.g., Rayner Complex, Eastern Ghats Belt). Meso- to Neoproterozoic domains such as Vijayan and Wanni Complexes of Sri Lanka, the southern Madurai Block of southern India, and the central-western Madagascar could be alternative distal sources of the late Meso- to Neoproterozoic zircons. Paleo- to Mesoarchean domains in India, Africa, and Antarctica might also be distal sources for the minor ∼2.8 Ga detrital zircons from Skallevikshalsen. The detrital zircons from the Highland Complex of Sri Lanka show similar Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic (ca. 2.5 Ga) and Neoproterozoic (ca. 1.0 Ga) ages, which are comparable with those of the LHC, suggesting that the two complexes might have formed under similar tectonic regimes. We consider that the Highland Complex and metasedimentary unit of the LHC formed a unified latest Neoproterozoic suture zone with a large block of northern LH–Vijayan Complex caught up as remnant of the ca. 1.0 Ga magmatic arc.     

Early Mesozoic metamorphism and tectonic significance of the eastern segment of the Lhasa terrane,south Tibet

The metamorphic belt in the Basongco area, the eastern segment of Lhasa terrane, south Tibet, occurs as the tectonic blocks in Paleozoic sedimentary rocks. The Basongco metamorphic rocks are mainly composed of paragneiss and schist, with minor marble and orthogneiss, and considered previously to be the Precambrian basement of the Lhasa terrane. This study shows that the Basongco metamorphic belt experienced medium-pressure amphibolite-facies metamorphism under the conditions of T = 640–705 °C and P = 6.0–8.0 kbar. The inherited detrital zircon of the metasedimentary rocks yielded widely variable ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages ranging from 3105 Ma to 500 Ma, with two main age populations at 1150 Ma and 580 Ma. The magmatic cores of zircons from the orthogneiss constrain the protolith age as ca. 203 Ma. The metamorphic zircons from all rocks yielded the consistent metamorphic ages of 192–204 Ma. The magmatic cores of zircons in the orthogneiss yielded old Hf model ages (T_DM2 = 1.5–2.1 Ga). The magmatic zircons from the mylonitized granite yielded a crystallization age of ca. 198 Ma. These results indicate that the high-grade metamorphic rocks from the Basongco area were formed at early Jurassic and associated with coeval magmatism derived from the thickening crust. The Basongco metamorphic belt, together with the western and coeval Sumdo and Nyainqentanglha metamorphic belts, formed a 400-km-long tectonic unit, indicating that the central segment of the Lhasa terrane experienced the late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic collisional orogeny.