40Ar/39Ar and oxygen isotope studies of polymetamorphism from Tinos Island, Cycladic blueschist belt, Greece

Abstract Petrological, oxygen isotope and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar studies were used to constrain the Tertiary metamorphic evolution of the lower tectonic unit of the Cyclades on Tinos. Polyphase high-pressure metamorphism reached pressures in excess of 15 kbar, based on measurements of the Si content in potassic white mica. Temperatures of 450–500° C at the thermal peak of high-pressure metamorphism were estimated from critical metamorphic assemblages, the validity of which is confirmed by a quartz–magnetite oxygen isotope temperature of 470° C. Some ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar spectra of white mica give plateau ages of 44–40 Ma that are considered to represent dynamic recrystallization under peak or slightly post-peak high-pressure metamorphic conditions. Early stages in the prograde high-pressure evolution may be documented by older apparent ages in the high-temperature steps of some spectra. Eclogite to epidote blueschist facies mineralogies were partially or totally replaced by retrograde greenschist facies assemblages during exhumation. Oxygen isotope thermometry of four quartz–magnetite pairs from greenschist samples gives temperatures of 440–470° C which cannot be distinguished from those deduced for the high-pressure event. The exhumation and overprint is documented by decreasing ages of 32–28 Ma in some greenschists and late-stage blueschist rocks, and ages of 30–20 Ma in the lower temperature steps of the Ar release patterns of blueschist micas. Almost flat parts of Ar–Ar release spectra of some greenschist micas gave ages of 23–21 Ma which are assumed to represent incomplete resetting caused by a renewed prograde phase of greenschist metamorphism. Oxygen isotope compositions of blueschist and greenschist facies minerals show no evidence for the infiltration of a δ¹⁸O-enriched fluid. Rather, the compositions indicate that fluid to rock ratios were very low, the isotopic compositions being primarily controlled by those of the protolith rocks. We assume that the fundamental control catalysing the transformation of blueschists into greenschists and the associated resetting of their isotopic systems was the selective infiltration of metamorphic fluid. A quartz–magnetite sample from a contact metamorphic skarn, taken near the Miocene monzogranite of Tinos, gave an oxygen isotope temperature of 555° C and calculated water composition of 9.1%. The value of δ¹⁸O obtained from this water is consistent with a primary magmatic fluid, but is lower than that of fluids associated with the greenschist overprint, which indicates that the latter event cannot be directly related to the monozogranite intrusion.     

Low-angle faults above and below a blueschist belt—Tinos Island, Cyclades, Greece

New observations from the Island of Tinos, Greece, allow a better definition of the structural position of the Alpine (Eocene) blueschist belt exposed in the islands of the Aegean Sea. These blueschists, over a significant part of the Aegean sea, are delimited from below by a low-angle thrust fault, while from above they are delimited by a low-angle, normal-type fault which omits a substantial crustal interval. Both underlying and overlying rocks were not affected by the high? metamorphism. The rapid uplift and exhumation of the high? rocks was therefore mainly the result of fault movements rather than erosion and whole-crust uplifting. The low-angle normal fault apparently had a major role in the uplift of the blueschists.     

Depositional age,provenance and metamorphic age of metasedimentary rocks from southern Madagascar

Southern Madagascar is the core of a > 1 million km² Gondwanan metasedimentary belt that forms much of the southern East African Orogen of eastern Africa, Madagascar, southern India and Sri Lanka. Here the Vohibory Series yielded U–Pb isotopic data from detrital zircon cores that indicate that it was deposited in the latest Tonian to late Cryogenian (between ~ 900 and 640 Ma). The deposition of the Graphite and Androyen Series protoliths is poorly constrained to between the late Palaeoproterozoic and the Cambrian (~ 1830–530 Ma). The Vohibory Series protoliths were sourced from very restricted-aged sources with a maximum age range between 910 and 760 Ma. The Androyen and Graphite Series protoliths were sourced from Palaeoproterozoic rocks ranging in age between 2300 and 1800 Ma. The best evidence of the timing of metamorphism in the Vohibory Series is a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 642 ± 8 Ma from 3 analyses of zircon from sample M03-01. A considerably younger ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U metamorphic age of 531 ± 7 Ma is produced from 10 analyses of zircon from sample M03-28 in the Androyen Series. This ~ 110 Ma difference in age is correlated with the early East African Orogeny affecting the west of Madagascar along with its type area in East Africa, whereas the Cambrian Malagasy Orogeny affected the east of Madagascar and southern India during the final suturing of the Mozambique Ocean.     

Mineral chemical and geochronological constraints on the age and provenance of the eastern Circum-Rhodope Belt low-grade metasedimentary rocks, NE Greece

In north-eastern Greece the mid-greenschist facies Makri Unit and the anchizonal Melia Formation belong to the eastern Circum-Rhodope Belt that forms the uppermost tectonostratigraphic unit of the Rhodope metamorphic nappe pile. The two metasedimentary successions had different source areas, although they now lie in close proximity in the Rhodope Massif. The U-Pb isotopic ages of detrital zircons from a metasandstone of the Makri Unit analysed using LA-SF-ICP-MS and SHRIMP-II gave age clusters at ca. 310-290 Ma and at ca. 240 Ma for magmatic zircons, which may have been derived from Carboniferous-Permian basement rocks of the Thracia Terrane (Lower Tectonic Unit of the Rhodope Massif) that subsequently underwent Triassic rifting. The youngest detrital zircon grains found so far indicate that the metasedimentary succession of the Makri Unit, or at least parts of it, cannot be older than Late Triassic. By contrast, clastic sedimentary rocks of the Melia Formation contain the primary detrital mineral assemblage of epidote, zoisite, garnet, and phengitic mica, which is absent in the Makri Unit, and clearly points to metamorphic rocks being the major source for these sediments. U-Pb analyses of detrital zircons gave a prominent age cluster at ca. 315-285 Ma for magmatic zircons. Inherited cores indicate the involvement of Pan-African and Late Ordovician-Early Silurian crustal sources during Late Carboniferous-Early Permian igneous event(s). Moreover, U-Pb detrital zircon geochronology indicates that the Melia Formation cannot be older than latest Middle Jurassic. We suggest that the Melia Formation was deposited in front of a metamorphic nappe pile with Rhodopean affinities in Tithonian or Cretaceous times. Both the Makri Unit and the Melia Formation have been tectonically juxtaposed from different sources to their present location during Balkan and Alpine orogenic processes.     

Evolution of the blueschist and greenschist facies rocks of Sifnos,Cyclades, Greece

The metamorphism on the island of Sifnos is characterized by the Eocene development of a coherent highpressure blueschist terrane and an early Miocene greenschist facies overprint. This study documents the metamorphic evolution of the blueschist assemblages, still preserved in the northern parts of the island, and their subsequent transformation into greenschists in the central and southern parts.The oxygen isotope geothermometry is based on calibrations for quartz, pyroxenes and magnetite (Matthews et al. 1983a) augmented by revised calibrations for the minerals muscovite ( _Qz–Mu=1.55×10⁶ T _–2), epidote ( _Qz–Ep= 1.56+1.92 _ps)10⁶ T _–2), and rutile ( _Qz–Ru=4.54×10⁶ T _–2).Oxygen isotope analyses of minerals from the Blueschist unit of northern Sifnos give consistent fractionations which are independent of rock type. An average temperature of 455° C was obtained, although the scatter in temperatures deduced from the various geothermometers suggests that equilibration occurs under slightly changing physicochemical conditions. Analyses of minerals and whole rocks shows that pervasive equilibration in the presence of a common metamorphic fluid has not occurred.The minerals and whole rocks of the greenschists of central Sifnos are systematically enriched in ¹⁸O relative to the blueschist assemblages. Chemical data indicate that the greenschist overprint was accompanied by a metasomatic enrichment of Ca²⁺ and CO₂. The petrologic, isotopic and chemical evidence favour a metamorphism governed by the infiltration of ¹⁸O-CO₂ enriched aqueous solutions. It is reasonable to assume that this is connected with the Miocene magmatic activity observed throughout the Cyclades. The marbles separating the Blueschist from the Greenschist unit probably acted as barriers to fluid infiltration into the blueschists and were responsible for their preservation.The pressure of the blueschist metamorphism is estimated at 14±2 kbar, corresponding to a depth of ca. 50 km. The structural style and stratigraphy of Sifnos are suggestive of the subduction of a continental margin sequence. It is clear that the considerable tectonic depression may be associated with continental collision and underthrusting.     

U–Pb dating of detrital zircons from Andros,Greece: constraints for the time of sediment accumulation in the northern part of the Cycladic blueschist belt

The Attic–Cycladic Crystalline Belt in the central Aegean region represents a major tectono‐stratigraphic unit of the Hellenides. The essential geological, magmatic and tectono‐metamorphic features are well documented. Unresolved questions concern the time of sediment accumulation and litho‐ and/or tectono‐stratigraphic relationships across the study area. In order to address this issue we have studied siliciclastic metasedimentary rocks from Andros Island, northern Cyclades. The sampling strategy aimed at covering the complete age range recorded by the Andros metamorphic succession. Detrital zircon U–Pb dating of nine samples indicates maximum depositional ages of c. 260 Ma for the topmost part of the metamorphic succession and of c. 160–140 Ma for rock sequences below a prominent serpentinite belt that is interpreted to outline a major tectonic contact. These age constraints are in accordance with interpretations suggesting that the metamorphic rocks of Andros represent different tectonic subunits (Makrotantalon Unit and Lower Unit) that are separated by a thrust fault. Modification of the internal structure of the Lower Unit by tectonic stacking can currently not be ascertained. The new data for the Lower Unit corroborate the importance of Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous sediment accumulation for the larger study area. In contrast to some of the neighbouring islands, no evidence for transfer of Late Cretaceous (c. 80 Ma) material into the Andros sedimentary environment was found. The most striking feature of the zircon populations of the Lower Unit is a remarkable age cluster at 250–200 Ma that documents the importance of Triassic igneous sediment sources. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Deformation volume and cleavage development in metasedimentary rocks from the Ballarat slate belt

Psammites from the Ballarat slate belt in SE Australia exhibit well-developed differentiated or spaced cleavage defined by alternating phyllosilicate- and quartz-rich domains (termed P- and Q-domains, respectively). Strain estimates derived from independent microstructural and chemical observations suggest that the P-Q fabrics developed in response to plane-strain deformation dominated by solution transfer with the principal finite shortening in the P-domains approximately twice that in the adjacent Q-domains. Significant finite extensions are indicated by ubiquitous quartz-albite-chlorite overgrowths in both P- and Q-domains, while pressure-shadow development around syntectonic pyrite porphyroblasts suggest finite extension of at least 100%. This estimate is comparable with the extension predicted for constant-volume deformation and consequently there appears to have been no significant bulk material loss or gain on the hand-specimen scale. These observations are consistent with solute transfer scales as little as a few centimetres via diffusion in a stationary fluid and do not require, although do not necessarily preclude, large-scale advective fluid transport through the slate belt during cleavage formation as suggested in previous studies.     

Tectonic juxtaposition of blueschists and greenschists in Sifnos Island (Aegean Sea)—implications for the structure of the Cycladic blueschist belt

In the Cyclades, kilometre-thick high-pressure rock sequences, displaying blueschist- and eclogite-facies mineral assemblages, overlie a rock sequence which was thoroughly overprinted in the greenschist and amphibolite facies during its exhumation. Both rock sequences, subducted and metamorphosed at high-pressures in Eocene times, have been considered by previous workers to have been exhumed as a coherent rock unit. In contrast, it is suggested here that the preserved high-pressure rock sequences were exhumed more rapidly and prior to the underlying greenschists. Significant metamorphic, structural and geochronological discontinuities exist across the blueschist-greenschist contact and field evidence suggests that the high-pressure metamorphic rocks in Sifnos are tectonically juxtaposed above the greenschists. These two rock sequences were juxtaposed by a low-angle fault subsequent to the Oligocene-Miocene greenschist-facies overprint. Published geochronological data and petrological criteria are used to show that the high-pressure sequence cooled below 350°C when the rocks now immediately underlying it suffered a greenschist-facies overprint at temperatures of ca 450°C. The section inferred to absorb this temperature difference is now missing and it is suggested that it has been cut out by the low-angle fault.     

南秦岭佛坪地区地层格架与物源分析:变质沉积岩中碎屑锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb定年提供的制约

南秦岭佛坪地区位于东西秦岭交汇部位,以前寒武纪基底穹状隆升为主要特征,因其特殊的构造位置和变质变形特征而受到广泛关注。为了更好地揭示南秦岭构造带的性质及其在秦岭造山带构造演化中的作用,本文对佛坪地区的前寒武纪基底和沉积盖层进行了系统的碎屑锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年代学研究。佛坪穹隆核部前寒武纪基底中碎屑锆石主要年龄峰值为600~820Ma、2021Ma和2467Ma,其中3个样品给出最年轻的年龄区间约为615~728Ma,沉积时代不早于新元古代,另外1个样品给出的最年轻的年龄峰值为1113Ma,沉积时代不早于中元古代,否定了关于认为其为太古代或古元古代的变质结晶基底的认识,其碎屑物质可能来源于南秦岭构造带和扬子陆块北缘。佛坪穹隆上覆盖层和外围南侧盖层给出了相似的年龄图谱,主要年龄峰值为410～450Ma、650～880Ma和910～950Ma,其中最年轻的年龄区间为344～416Ma,表明其沉积时代晚于泥盆纪,碎屑物质来源为北秦岭构造带和南秦岭构造带。上述研究结果表明,南秦岭构造带(前寒武纪基底)于新元古代已增生为扬子陆块北缘的重要组成部分,于晚古生代(泥盆纪)紧邻华北-北秦岭构造带南缘,并共同为南秦岭大面积的泥盆纪盆地提供碎屑物质。     

Rutile chemistry and thermometry as provenance indicator: An example from Chios Island,Greece

In the present study we focused on detrital rutile separated from 12 psammitic samples that belong to three different sedimentary successions (Carboniferous, Permo-Carboniferous, Permo-Triassic) occurring on Chios Island, Greece. The Ti, Cr, Al, Fe, Nb, Zr, Si, and V contents of the rutiles were obtained by electron-microprobe analyses to trace their provenance.The Cr and Nb concentrations of the analysed rutile grains show a wide range and indicate that this mineral in the Carboniferous succession is mainly derived from metamafic rocks, whereas in the Permo-Carboniferous and Permo-Triassic successions stem from a metapelitic source. The calculated formation temperatures using the Zr-in-rutile thermometer range from ca. 520 to 850 °C with “hotter” rutile being encountered in the Permo-Carboniferous and Permo-Triassic successions. This feature together with the rutile chemistry indicate a change in source-rock lithology through time, which could either reflect an increasing depth of erosion of an exhumed ‘Variscan’ nappe pile of heterogeneous composition in the hinterland or a change in the style of accretion and erosion of different terranes at the southern margin of Laurussia during the subduction of a branch of the Palaeotethys Ocean in the Late Palaeozoic. In general, this study underscores the importance of rutile chemistry and thermometry in quantitative single-mineral provenance analysis and in chemostratigraphic analysis of clastic sedimentary rocks.     

Pressure–temperature evolution of blueschist facies rocks from Sifnos, Greece, and implications for the exhumation of high-pressure rocks in the Central Aegean

The blueschist and greenschist units on the island of Sifnos, Cyclades were affected by Eocene high‐pressure (HP) metamorphism. Using conventional geothermobarometry, the HP peak metamorphic stage was determined at 550–600 °C and 20 kbar, close to the blueschist and the eclogite facies transition. The retrograde P–T paths are inferred with phase diagrams. Pseudosections based on a quantitative petrogenetic grid in the model system Na₂O–CaO–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O reveal coeval decompression and cooling for both the blueschist and the greenschist unit. The conditions of the metamorphic peak and those of the retrograde stages conform to a similar metamorphic gradient of 10–12 °C km^?1 for both units. The retrograde overprint can be assigned to low‐pressure blueschist to HP greenschist facies conditions. This result cannot be reconciled with the (prograde) Barrovian‐type event, which affected parts of the Cyclades during the Oligocene to Miocene. Instead, the retrograde overprint is interpreted in terms of exhumation, directly after the HP stage, without a separate metamorphic event. Constraints on the exhumation mechanism are given by decompression‐cooling paths, which can be explained by exhumation in a fore‐arc setting during on‐going subduction and associated crustal shortening. Back‐arc extension is only responsible for the final stage of exhumation of the HP units.     

Mobility of metamorphic fluids inferred from infrared microspectroscopy on natural fluid inclusions: the example of Tinos Island,Greece

OH structure of metamorphic fluids has been studied by high temperature infrared (IR) microspectroscopy on natural fluid inclusions contained in quartz veins, over the temperature range 25–370 °C. Blueschist-facies veins from Tinos island core complex (Cyclades, Greece) display H₂O–NaCl–CaCl₂–CO₂ inclusions whereas greenschist-facies veins contain H₂O–NaCl ± CO₂ inclusions. From 25 to 370 °C, peak positions of OH stretching IR absorption bands increase quasi-linearly with slopes of 0.25 and 0.50 cm^–1 °C^–1 for inclusions trapped under blueschist and greenschist conditions, respectively. Extrapolation to 400 °C yield peak positions of 3,475 cm^–1 for blueschist inclusions and 3,585 cm^–1 for greenschist inclusions. Because the smaller wave number indicates the shorter hydrogen-bond distance between water molecules, fluids involved in the greenschist event have a loose structure compared with blueschist fluids. We suggest that these properties might correspond to a low wetting angle of fluids. This would explain the high mobility of aqueous fluids suggested by structural observation and stable isotope analysis.Editorial responsibility: J. Hoefs     

Cymrite and celsian in manganese-rich metamorphic rocks from Andros Island/Greece

Manganese-rich rocks from the island of Andros (Cyclades/Greece) contain cymrite (BaAl₂Si₂O₈·H₂O) and celsian. The textural relationships indicate replacement of celsian by cymrite. Several microprobe analyses of cymrites show a solid solution of 0.7–6.1 mole% KAlSi₃O₈·H₂O. The relic celsians have similar K contents. Thus the described rocks from Andros represent the first natural example for the reaction celsian+water= cymrite. The rocks from Andros underwent an Eocene high pressure metamorphism. Lateron, the high pressure parageneses were nearly effaced by a Late Oligocene Barrovian type metamorphism. It is assumed that both cymrite and celsian were formed at conditions near the reaction curve celsian_ss+water= cymrite_ss during the Barrovian type event.     

Distribution of elements between coexisting phengite and chlorite from low grade rocks from Skiros Island,Greece

Summary The distribution of Fe²⁺ and Mg between coexisting phengite and chlorite has been examined in a suite of low-grade rocks. The distribution coefficientK _D(Mg) is influenced in part by the content of tetrahedral or octahedral Al of either chlorite or phengite and in part byX _Mg of phengite. The tie lines for the mineral pairs on a SAF triangular diagram show a subparallel trend.

---

Elementarverteilung zwischen koexistierenden Phengit und Chlorit aus niedrig metamorphen Gesteinen von der Insel Skiros, Griechenland

Zusammenfassung Es wird untersucht, wie Fe²⁺ und Mg zwischen koexistierenden Phengit und Chlorit aus einer Folge schwach metamorpher Gesteine verteilt sind. Der VerteilungskoeffizientK _D(Mg) wird teils durch den Gehalt an tetraedrischem bzw. oktaedrischem Al in Chlorit oder in Phengit und teils durch dasX _Mg vom Phengit beeinflußt. Die Konoden zwischen den Mineralpaaren in einem SAF-Dreieckdiagramm zeigen subparallelen Verlauf.

---

---

With 4 Figures     

Geochemistry of Archean metasedimentary rocks from West Greenland

Archean metasedimentary rocks occur as components of the Isua supracrustals, Akilia association and Malene supracrustals of southern West Greenland. Primary structures in these rocks have been destroyed by metamorphism and deformation. Their chemistry and mineralogy is consistent with a sedimentary origin, but other possible parents (e.g. acid volcanics, altered pyroclastic rocks) cannot be excluded for some of them. There is little difference in the composition of metasedimentary rocks from the early Archean Isua supracrustals and probable correlative Akilia association. Both have a wide range in rare earth element (REE) patterns with $\text{La}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>N</mtext>}}\text{Yb}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>N</mtext>}}$ ranging from 0.61?5.8. The REE pattern of one Akilia sample, with low $\text{La}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>N</mtext>}}\text{Yb}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>N</mtext>}}$, compares favourably with that of associated tholeiites and it is likely that such samples were derived almost exclusively from basaltic sources. Other samples with very steep REE patterns are similar to felsic volcanic boulders found in a conglomeratic unit in the Isua supracrustals. Samples with intermediate REE patterns are best explained by mixing of basaltic and felsic end members. Metasedimentary rocks from the Malene supracrustals can be divided into low silica (≤55% SiO₂) and high silica (>77% SiO₂) varieties. These rocks also show much variation in $\text{La}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>N</mtext>}}\text{Yb}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>N</mtext>}}$ (0.46?14.0) and their origin is explained by derivation from a mixture of mafic volcanics and felsic igneous rocks. The wide range in trace element characteristics of these metasedimentary rocks argues for inefficient mixing of the various source lithologies during sedimentation. Accordingly, these data do not rigorously test models of early Archean crustal composition and evolution. The systematic variability in trace element geochemistry provides evidence for the bimodal nature of the early Archean crust.     

Contrasting metamorphic evolution of metasedimentary rocks from the Çine and Selimiye nappes in the Anatolide belt, western Turkey

Abstract P–T conditions, mineral isograds, the relation of the latter to foliation planes and kinematic indicators are used to elucidate the tectonic nature and evolution of a shear zone in an orogen exhumed from mid‐crustal depths in western Turkey. Furthermore, we discuss whether simple monometamorphic fabrics of rock units from different nappes result from one single orogeny or are related to different orogenies. Metasedimentary rocks from the Çine and Selimiye nappes at the southern rim of the Anatolide belt of western Turkey record different metamorphic evolutions. The Eocene Selimiye shear zone separates both nappes. Metasedimentary rocks from the Çine nappe underneath the Selimiye shear zone record maximum P–T conditions of about 7 kbar and >550 °C. Metasedimentary rocks from the overlying Selimiye nappe have maximum P–T conditions of 4 kbar and c. 525 °C near the base of the nappe. Kinematic indicators in both nappes are related to movement on the Selimiye shear zone and consistently show a top‐S shear sense. Metamorphic grade in the Selimiye nappe decreases structurally upwards as indicated by mineral isograds defining the garnet‐chlorite zone at the base, the chloritoid‐biotite zone and the biotite‐chlorite zone at the top of the nappe. The mineral isograds in the Selimiye nappe run parallel to the regional S_R foliation, parallel the Selimiye shear zone and indicate that the Selimiye shear zone formed during this prograde greenschist to lower amphibolite facies metamorphic event but remained active after the peak of metamorphism. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar mica ages and the tectonometamorphic relationship with the Eocene Cyclades–Menderes thrust, which occurs above the Selimiye nappe in the study area, suggests an Eocene age of metamorphism in the Selimiye nappe. Metasedimentary rocks of the Çine nappe 20–30 km north of the Selimiye shear zone record maximum P–T conditions of 8–11 kbar and 600–650 °C. An age of about 550 Ma is indicated for amphibolite facies metamorphism and associated top‐N shear in the orthogneiss of the Çine nappe. Our study shows that simple monophase tectonometamorphic fabrics do not always indicate a simple orogenic development of a nappe stack. Preservation in some areas and complete overprinting of those fabrics in other areas apparently occur very heterogeneously.     

Age and provenance of early Precambrian metasedimentary rocks in the Lapland–Kola Belt, Russia: evidence from Pb and Nd isotopic data

²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages are presented for detrital zircons (Laser Ablation Microprobe ICP‐MS) and whole‐rock Nd isotopic determinations (TIMS) from samples of Neoarchean and Palaeoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks from the Umba granulite terrane and the Keivy domain of the Central Kola composite terrane, Kola Peninsula, north‐western Russia. Three are samples of rocks from the Umba granulite terrane that were deposited ≈ 2.20–1.90 Ga; they contain Archaean detritus, much of it older than 3.0 Gyr, as well as abundant 2.20–1.95‐Gyr‐old material. Deposition may have occurred on the margin of an Archaean craton with an exposed Palaeoproterozoic magmatic arc source, possibly during orogenesis. Two samples from the Keivy domain have remarkably similar, dominantly Archaean detrital zircon age spectra. One was deposited pre‐2.4 Ga, whereas the other was probably deposited post‐2.01 Ga. Both had similar sources, compatible with the proximal country rocks, and possible shallow‐water (?) cratonic margin depositional settings.     

Geochemistry and petrogenetic evolution of metasedimentary rocks in Bunu Area,part of Kabba-Lokoja-Igarra schist belt,SW Nigeria

Field and geochemical studies of the Bunu area, SW Nigeria, were carried out on gneiss-metasedimentary rocks that consist of migmatised gneiss, quartz-mica schist, and foliated and massive quartzites. These gneiss-metasedimentary rocks are interbedded with meta-igneous rock (amphibolite), all of which are intruded by granitoid and cut by basic and felsic dykes. Geochemical data on major, trace, and rare Earth elements of these rocks from the area were used to speculate on the petrogenetic and geodynamic evolution of the rocks in the area. Compositionally, the metasedimentary rocks in the area have a restricted range of major oxides such as SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ with low average values of Fe₂O₃, MnO, CaO, and P₂O₅. Concentrations of average values of HSFE such as Zr, Nb, and Y are moderately high in migmatitic gneiss, quartz-mica schist, and low in both massive and foliated quartzite. ∑LREE average values are 124.25, 132.41, and 18.64 ppm respectively for migmatite gneiss, quartz-mica schist, and low in both massive and foliated quartzite. These rocks are also generally enriched in Ba, Cs, Pb, U, Cr, Rb, and Zr and depleted in Be, Sr, Ti, Mo, Th, and W. This enrichment–depletion in major oxides and trace elements of the rocks in this area is probably a consequence of the movement of metamorphic remobilized fluids within the rocks in the area during the Pan-African or earlier events as noted in the adjacent Egbe-Isanlu Schist belt. A further geochemical characterisation of the rocks in the area using Log (Na₂O/K₂O) vs Log (SiO₂/Al₂O₃ indicates that while the protolith of migmatised gneiss and quartz-mica schist are greywackes to litharenite in compositions that of quartzites are sublitharenite to quartz arenite. On the ternary plot of Al₂O₃-(CaO + Na₂O)-K₂O for metasedimentary rocks in the area, most migmatitic gneiss and quartz-mica schist rocks plot close to average shale while quartzites mostly tend to illite compositions and almost toward the Al₂O₃-apex of the diagram attesting to depletion of CaO and NaO with the removal of K₂O. CIA vs PIA plot of the rocks in the area shows that while migmatitic-gneiss and quartz-mica schist are moderately weathered, both massive and foliated quartzites are high to extremely weathered. They are all derived mostly from predominantly felsic igneous to quartzose sedimentary provenance and mostly emplaced in passive continental margins. These nature of the protoliths suggests gradual subsidence of the basin during its genesis, and/or tectonic stable or inactive environment from which the sediments were derived.

     

White mica 40Ar/39Ar age spectra and the timing of multiple episodes of high‐P metamorphic mineral growth in the Cycladic eclogite–blueschist belt,Syros, Aegean Sea,Greece

New geochronology from Syros in the Cycladic eclogite–blueschist belt, Aegean Sea, Greece, shows that ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology consistently dates microstructural events in metamorphic rocks. We demonstrate that the age spectra depend on microstructure in a predictable and systematic way. Ages can be inferred by applying the method of asymptotes and limits to data from the step ‐ heating experiments. The results are consistent with previously published estimates for the timing of a sequence of distinct and discrete episodes of high ‐ P metamorphic mineral growth observed regionally across this belt. Arrhenius plots from these experiments imply that phengitic white mica is highly retentive of argon, and therefore (if these data can be extrapolated to the natural environment) the ages can be interpreted as recording the timing of episodic deformation and metamorphism. Porphyroblastic growth begins: (i) for omphacite – jadeite–eclogite facies parageneses at c. 53 Ma; and (ii) for garnet – glaucophane facies parageneses at c. 47 Ma. The Kini Shear Zone started as an extensional post ‐ epidote–albite‐transitional–blueschist facies shear zone that had completed operation by c. 31 Ma. The scatter in ages is due to the effect of deformation, recrystallization and multiple growth events in shear zones that continued operating for 3 – 6 million years from the start of each episode.     

青海格尔木市黑海地区三叠系巴颜喀拉山群变质碎屑岩地球化学特征及物源分析

巴颜喀拉地块位于青藏高原东北部,是古特提斯的主体,对其进行深入的研究不仅对确定古特提斯的演化过程与方式具有重要意义,而且对探讨该地区与古板块演化有关的成矿地质作用和矿产分布规律具有重要的现实意义。巴颜喀拉山群位于巴颜喀拉地块,对其物源研究较为薄弱。碎屑岩中的碎屑组分特征和地球化学特征可以反映物源区和沉积盆地的构造环境。本文通过对三叠系巴颜喀拉山群变碎屑岩岩相学特征、沉积结构特征、地球化学判别参数以及地球化学判别图解的研究,结合前人在这一地区所做的如古水流等相关工作,认为巴颜喀拉沉积盆地是在古老基底裂解的基础上形成的,存在裂陷扩张、海水加深的过程,具有大陆岛弧和活动大陆边缘型物源的特征,接受其北部东昆仑造山带碎屑的沉积,沉积物来自亲上地壳长英质源区。