The provenance of Western Irish Namurian Basin sedimentary strata inferred using detrital zircon U–Pb LA‐ICP‐MS geochronology

The Western Irish Namurian Basin (WINB) preserves classic examples of basin floor sequences through to slope deposits and deltaic cyclothems. Despite over 50 years of research into the WINB, its sediment provenance remains highly contested. Sedimentological arguments, including palaeocurrent vectors and palaeoslope indicators have been invoked to propose a sediment source from the NW or the west (i.e. from within Laurentia). These same indicators have been subsequently reinterpreted to reflect a southern provenance. It is not clear from sedimentological arguments alone which interpretation more accurately reflects the infilling of the WINB. Regional‐scale constraints on WINB provenance may be obtained with detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology. U–Pb LA‐ICP‐MS detrital zircon analysis was undertaken on samples from three sandstone units at different stratigraphic levels within the WINB siliciclastic sedimentary fill (Ross Formation, Tullig Sandstone, Doonlicky Sandstone). The samples are dominated by 500–700 Ma zircons, which can be correlated with Cadomian–Avalonian orogenic activity within terranes to the south of the WINB (Avalonia/Ganderia, Armorica and Iberia). In contrast, Eastern Laurentia, to the north of the WINB, was devoid of orogenic activity at this time. WINB samples also yield age populations younger than 500 Ma, and older than 700 Ma. These are not diagnostic of a particular source terrane and thus could be derived from terranes north and/or south of the WINB. WINB detrital zircon age spectra can be reconciled by an Avalonian or combined Avalonian–Laurentian provenance for WINB sedimentary strata. Further research is required in order to distinguish between these two possibilities. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

华北克拉通南缘中-新元古代沉积演化:以豫西地区黄连垛组和董家组为例

华北克拉通(华北)南缘中元古代早期熊耳群火山活动之后,在渑池-确山地区发育了一套中-新元古代沉积(汝阳群、洛峪群、黄连垛组、董家组以及罗圈组和东坡组),记录了该时期沉积-构造演化过程。通过该区碎屑锆石和洛峪群顶部凝灰岩年龄的约束,将汝阳群-洛峪群的沉积时代基本限定于约1750～1600Ma,导致洛峪群由中元古界上部或新元古界下划到中元古界长城系。因此,在现有的地层年代格架下,需要重新对该区中-新元古代沉积演化进行讨论。本文通过对洛峪口组上覆黄连垛组和董家组沉积环境和物源分析,同时借助古生界辛集组源区分析的约束,揭示华北南缘中-新元古代沉积-构造演化。沉积环境分析显示,黄连垛组沉积初期发育了河口湾沉积环境。伴随海侵扩大,在下汤地区沉积了潮上带长石石英砂岩与泥质粉砂岩,而叶县地区发育了潮间带泥晶白云岩。晚期下汤和叶县地区发育潮下带泥晶白云岩与含硅质条带白云岩。董家组与下伏黄连垛组为平行不整合接触,董家组沉积初期为陆源碎屑物质供给充分的滨海相,在下汤和叶县地区沉积底部细砾岩及长石石英砂岩。随后,两个地区发育潮坪相长石石英砂岩与泥质粉砂岩,在顶部沉积了局限台地钙质泥岩。黄连垛组在豫西下汤和叶县地区沉积于河口湾-潮坪沉积环境,整体表现为自南向北的海进序列,而董家组总体上沉积于局限海盆的滨浅海-潮坪环境。由于下伏汝阳群-洛峪群分别沉积在河流-滨海-潮坪和浅海-滨海-潮坪环境,黄连垛组和董家组指示其沉积时期盆地产生收缩。碎屑锆石定年结果显示,黄连垛组和董家组碎屑锆石年龄主要峰值为1800Ma、2250Ma、2350Ma、2650Ma,两者物源均为华北克拉通。但下汤地区早古生界辛集组碎屑锆石显示主要峰值年龄为1850Ma、2500Ma、2200Ma、2700Ma,其次为1200Ma。结合华北克拉通发育大量的中元古代末期到新元古代碎屑锆石以及南缘中元古界官道口群和新元古界栾川群沉积特征,黄连垛组和董家组代表的局限盆地(海盆)沉积可能构成了该时期盆地的边缘相,期间伴随的抬升和盆地中心迁移可能与同期大地构造演化密切相关。     

The inner ramp facies of the Thanetian Lockhart Formation,western Salt Range,Indus Basin,Pakistan

The Lockhart Formation from a major carbonate unit of the Paleocene Charrat Group in Upper Indus Basin, Pakistan represents a larger foraminiferal–algal build up deposited in a cyclic sequence of the carbonate ramp. The foraminiferal–algal assemblages of the Lockhart Formation are correlated here to larger foraminiferal biostratigraphic zone, i.e. Shallow Benthic Zone (SBZ3) of the Thanetian Age. Inner ramp lagoon, shoal and fore shoal open marine are three main facies associations represented by wackstone and packstone foraminiferal–algal deposits. These facies are present in a cyclic order and displayed a retrograding carbonate ramp indicating the Thanetian transgressive deposits associated with eustatic sea level rise. The correlation of the microfacies of the Lockhart Formation (Upper Indus Basin) and facies of the Dungan Formation (Lower Indus Basin) provide detailed configuration of the depositional setting of the Indus Basin during the time interval represented by the Thanetian Zone SBZ3.     

How far did the Cadomian ʽterranesʼ travel from Gondwana during early Palaeozoic? A critical reappraisal based on detrital zircon geochronology

In this paper, laser ablation ICP-MS U–Pb detrital zircon ages are used to discuss provenance and early Palaeozoic palaeogeography of continental fragments that originated in the Cadomian–Avalonian active margin of Gondwana at the end of Precambrian, were subsequently extended during late Cambrian to Early Ordovician opening of the Rheic Ocean, and finally were incorporated into and reworked within the European Variscan belt. The U–Pb detrital zircon age spectra in the analysed samples, taken across a late Neproterozoic (Ediacaran) to Early/Middle Devonian metasedimentary succession of the southeastern Teplá–Barrandian unit, Bohemian Massif, are almost identical and exhibit a bimodal age distribution with significant peaks at about 2.1–1.9 Ga and 650–550 Ma. We interpret the source area as an active margin comprising a cratonic (Eburnean) hinterland rimmed by Cadomian volcanic arcs and we suggest that this source was available at all times during deposition. The new detrital zircon ages also corroborate the West African provenance of the Teplá–Barrandian and correlative Saxothuringian and Moldanubian units, questioned in some palaeogeographic reconstructions. Finally, at variance with the still popular concept of the Cadomian basement units as far-travelled terranes, we propose that early Palaeozoic basins, developed upon the Cadomian active margin, were always part of a wide Gondwana shelf and drifted northwards together before involvement in the Variscan collisional belt.     

Provenance of detrital zircon from siliciclastic rocks of the Sebkha Gezmayet unit of the Adrar Souttouf Massif (Moroccan Sahara) – Palaeogeographic implications

The Oued Togba and Sebkha Gezmayet units of the Adrar Souttouf Massif in the southern Moroccan Sahara are thought to represent tectonic fragments that may have an affinity to the Avalonian and Meguma terranes of eastern North America. Here we study siliciclastic rocks of the Sebkha Gezmayet unit with respect to their detrital zircon spectra. Beside the commonly used U–Th–Pb ages, several aspects of zircon morphology (length, width, roundness, surficial indicators of sedimentary transport, morphotype) are described. The detrital zircon age spectrum of the Sebkha Gezmayet unit resembles that of the already dated underlying igneous rocks. Occurrences of Early Devonian zircon ages are at odds with the magmatic history of the West African Craton but are common in the Avalonian and Meguma terranes, which were affected by the Appalachian orogenies. The scarcity of Mesoproterozoic detrital zircon grains corroborates the previously suggested Meguma terrane affinity of this part of the Adrar Souttouf Massif. Combining zircon morphology and isotopic data, we propose first assumptions on the sedimentary environments of the Sebkha Gezmayet unit during different periods of the Palaeozoic.     

Provenance of Cretaceous sandstones in the Banda Arc and their tectonic significance

The provenance of Cretaceous sandstones in the Banda Arc islands differs from west to east. Sandstones in Sumba and West Timor contain significant amounts of feldspar (K-feldspar and plagioclase) and lithic fragments, suggesting a recycled to magmatic arc origin. In comparison, East Timor and Tanimbar sandstones are quartz rich, and suggest a recycled origin and/or continental affinity. Heavy mineral assemblages in Sumba and West Timor indicate metamorphic and minor acidic igneous sources and include a mixture of rounded and angular zircon and tourmaline grains. In East Timor, Babar and Tanimbar, an ultimate origin from a mainly acid igneous and minor metamorphic source is interpreted, containing a mixture of rounded and angular zircon and tourmaline grains.Detrital zircon ages in all sandstones range from Archean to Mesozoic, but variations in age populations indicate local differences in source areas. Sumba and West Timor are characterised by zircon age peaks at 80–100 Ma, 200–240 Ma, 550 Ma, 1.2 Ga, 1.5 Ga and 1.8 Ma. East Timor and Tanimbar contain 80–100 Ma, 160–200 Ma, 240–280 Ma, 550 Ma and 1.5 Ga zircon peaks. Most populations are also common in Triassic and Jurassic formations along the Outer Banda Arc and in many other areas of SE Asia. However, the abundance of Jurassic and Cretaceous populations was unexpected. We interpret Cretaceous sandstones from Sumba, Timor and Tanimbar to have been deposited in SE Sundaland. Syn-sedimentary Cretaceous (68–140 Ma) sources are suggested to include the Schwaner Mountains in SW Borneo and Sumba. Material derived mainly from older recycled sediments that had their main sources in the Bird's Head, Western and Central Australia, and local sources close to Timor.     

中国沉积学的今后发展:若干思考与建议

出露于北京西山房山岩体南北两侧的官地杂岩,主要由正片麻岩、斜长角闪岩组成,局部具混合岩化特征。对官地杂岩的形成时代及出露原因一直存在很大的争议。一种观点认为官地杂岩形成时代为太古宙,出露于中生代早期的区域伸展体制下,另一种观点则认为官地杂岩是中新元古界或古生界泥质变质岩,在房山岩体侵位过程中发生接触变质作用的产物。研究表明,官地杂岩是一套正片麻岩,其中的锆石核部为岩浆成因,而外部普遍发育较窄的浅色边。SHRIMP II锆石铀铅年龄测定获得锆石的一致曲线与不一致曲线上交点年龄值为(2 521 ±20) Ma,代表了新太古代的岩浆结晶年龄,从而证明官地杂岩原岩形成于新太古代。构造分析表明,官地杂岩与上覆中元古代蓟县系至早古生代地层间为剥离断层接触关系,并为房山岩体侵位和改造,证明是一个形成于房山岩体侵位前的变质核杂岩构造。但房山岩体的侵位并未对锆石的岩浆年龄和变质年龄产生明显影响。     

Sources of Zircons from Cretaceous and Lower Paleogene Terrigenous Sequences of the Southern Koryak Upland and Western Kamchatka

The mineral composition of sandstones from Cretaceous–Lower Paleocene terrigenous sequences of the western Kamchatka–Ukelayat zone (southern Koryak Upland, western Kamchatka) suggests that the Okhotsk–Chukot volcanogenic belt and fragments of the Uda–Murgal island arc served as the most probable provenance. Fission-track dating of zircon showed that sandstones from this zone contain detrital zircon of several different-age populations. Fission tracks in zircon grains were nor subjected to secondary ignition. The age of young zircon population coincides with the biostratigraphic age of host sequences. Thus, results of dating of detrital zircon grains from sandstones, which did not experience heating above 215–240°C, indicate that this method is appropriate for dating fossil-free terrigenous sequences. The young zircon population in the sandstones is related to erosion of plagiogranite and diorite intrusions of the Uda–Murgal arc and outer zone of the Okhotsk–Chukot volcanic belt exposed at the day surface owing to differential vertical movements and rapid exhumation of blocks.     

U‒Pb age of detrital zircons from Upper Precambrian deposits of the Sredni and Rybachi peninsulas (northern margin of the Kola Peninsula)

The first U?Pb dates are obtained for detrital zircons from Upper Precambrian deposits of the Sredni (Zemlepakhtinskaya and Kuyakan formations) and Rybachi (Lonskii Formation) peninsulas. The spectra of ages of detrital zircons in sandstone samples from the Zemlepakhtinskaya and Kuyakan formations are similar to a significant extent to each other, which implies the dominant role of the same provenances. Most zircon grains are the Paleoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic in age; some of them are characterized by Mesoarchean and Neoarchean ages. Zircons dated back to 1.0?2.0 Ga with maxima at approximately 1.8, 1.5, 1.3, and 1.1 Ga are the most abundant. The youngest zircon grains are the Mesoproterozoic in age: 1050 ± 21Ma (i.e., close to the Mesoproterozoic?Neoproterozoic boundary) and 1028 ± 21 Ma from the Zemlepakhtinskaya and Kuyakan formations, respectively. The distribution spectrum of ages obtained for zircons from sandstones of the Lonskii Formation significantly differs from that characteristic of zircons from sandstones of the Zemlepakhtinskaya and Kuyakan formations. The zircon population from the Lonskii Formation is dominated by detrital zircons with Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic ages (2.8?1.6 Ga); Paleoarchean and Mesoarchean grains are scarce. Their age maxima are registered at levels of approximately 2.7 and 1.8 Ga. The minimum age obtained for zircons from sandstones of the Lonskii Formation (1349 ± 35 Ma) allows the Rybachi block to be considered as being older as compared with the Sredni bock. Crystalline complexes of the Baltic Shield served as a main provenance for the Upper Precambrian deposits of the peninsulas under consideration. The dates obtained for detrital zircons from the Upper Precambrian deposits of the Sredni and Rybachi peninsulas are compared with similar data on the Upper Precambrian sequences of the Timan and Varanger Peninsula areas to reveal differences and similarities in the distribution of ages.     

Tectonic controls on sediment provenance evolution in rift basins: Detrital zircon U–Pb and Hf isotope analysis from the Perth Basin,Western Australia

The role of tectonics in controlling temporal and spatial variations in sediment provenance during the evolution of extensional basins from initial rifting to continental breakup and passive margin development are not well established. We test the influence of tectonics in a rift basin that has experienced minimal uplift but significant extension throughout its history: the Perth Basin, Western Australia. We use published zircon U–Pb and Hf isotope data from basin inception through to continental drift and complement this with new data from samples deposited synchronously with the continental breakup of eastern Gondwana. Three primary source regions are inferred, namely the Archean Yilgarn Craton to the east, the Paleo- and Mesoproterozoic Albany–Fraser–Wilkes Orogen to the south and east, and the Mesoproterozoic and Ediacaran–Cambrian Pinjarra Orogen underlying the rift basin and comprising the dominant crustal components to the west and southwest. From mid-Paleozoic basin inception to Early Cretaceous breakup of eastern Gondwana, drainage in the Perth Basin was primarily north- to northwest-directed as evidenced by the dominant Mesoproterozoic detrital zircon cargo, paleodrainage patterns and paleocurrent directions. Thus, provenance was primarily parallel to the rift axis and perpendicular to the extension direction, particularly during periods of thermal subsidence. During episodes of mechanical extension, detrital zircon ages are polymodal and consistently dominated by Paleo- and Mesoproterozoic grains derived from the Albany–Fraser–Wilkes Orogen, but with significant Archean and Neoproterozoic inputs from the rift margins. It is inferred that during mechanical extension the rate of subsidence exceeded sediment supply, which generated basin-margin scarps and enhanced direct input from the rift shoulders. Detrital zircon spectra from temporally-equivalent samples at the rift margin and in the rift axis reveal that distinct sedimentary routing operated on the flanks. In summary, sediment provenance in the Perth Basin (and probably other rift basins) is tectonically controlled by: (1) extension direction, (2) episodes of mechanical extension (rift) or thermal subsidence (post-rift), and (3) proximity to rift axis or rift margin.     

塔里木北缘新元古代早期构造演化的锆石U-Pb年代学和地球化学约束

塔里木盆地被沙漠区覆盖,基底岩心样品对前寒武纪构造演化的研究具有重要意义。在前人研究基础上,结合盆地内钻井、地震资料,通过基底岩心样品的锆石U-Pb年代学和地球化学分析,为塔里木盆地北缘新元古代构造演化格架提供约束。LA-ICP-MS法给出片麻岩基底样品的加权平均年龄为822?7 Ma(置信度95%,MSWD=2.4),SHRIMP法在上覆震旦系砂岩中获得~2.5 Ga和2.1~1.8 Ga的两组锆石年龄。岩相学和元素地球化学特征显示二云斜长片麻岩样品的原岩为花岗闪长岩类,与相邻钻井揭示的青白口系基性岩墙都属于钙碱性–高钾钙碱性岩浆系列,具有相似的REE配分型式,以强烈亏损Nb、Ta、P等HFSE为特征。构造环境判别图解和Sr-Nd同位素比值显示塔里木盆地北缘新元古代早期的岩浆活动可能形成于陆缘弧的构造环境。     

Provenance of Permian Delaware Mountain Group,central and southern Delaware Basin,and implications of sediment dispersal pathway near the southwestern terminus of Pangea

ABSTRACT

The Delaware Basin is located near the southwestern end of the Alleghanian–Ouachita–Marathon orogenic belt. The basin is mostly filled by Permian clastic rocks of the Delaware Mountain Group with ramp- to shelf-carbonate rimming basin edges. The Delaware Mountain Group has been well-documented as a deep-water clastic reservoir unit in the prolific Permian Basin, but its sources and related sediment dispersal pathways remain inconclusive. In this study, a total of 55 samples of the Delaware Mountain Group were collected from whole core and sidewall core from the central and southern Delaware Basin, and sandstone modal analyses and U-Pb detrital zircon geochronology were applied to constrain their potential sources. Sandstone modal analyses show that the majority of samples fall within the transitional continental source field. Age spectra of detrital zircon from five selected samples include a prominent middle Palaeozoic age cluster (~490–275 Ma), a major Neoproterozoic to early Palaeozoic age cluster (~790–510 Ma), and a series of minor age clusters of the middle to late Mesoproterozoic (~1300–920 Ma), early Mesoproterozoic (~1600–1300 Ma), late Palaeoproterozoic (~1825–1600 Ma), and Archaean and Palaeoproterozoic (> ~1825 Ma). Integrating detrital zircon data from all potential sources and coeval sandstones from the northern Delaware Basin suggests that the majority of sediment was derived from the Appalachian foreland, the Ouachita orogenic system, and the peri-Gondwanan terranes. Variation in the abundance of the different age groups reveals a provenance shift between deposition of the Brushy Canyon Formation and the Cherry and Bell Canyon Formations. To accommodate the composition, and the stratigraphic and spatial age spectral variations, we proposed that the sediment dispersal pathway includes a transcontinental fluvial system from the Appalachian orogenic belt to the east, a regional scale fluvial system from the Ouachita orogenic belt to the north and northeast, and a local, proximal fluvial system from the peri-Gondwanan terranes to the south and southeast.     

保山地体新元古代——早古生代沉积岩碎屑锆石年代学及其构造意义

滇西潞西地区位于青藏高原东南缘,大地构造位置上属于保山地体。由于新生代强烈的陆内变形作用,保山地体与青藏高原腹地体的对应关系难以确定。野外观察及LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年结果表明,潞西新元古代—早古生代地层(震旦系—寒武系蒲满哨群及下奥陶统大矿山组)大部分碎屑锆石Th/U0.1,说明其大多为岩浆成因。U-Pb年龄跨度较大,太古宙—早古生代都有分布,且具有明显的562Ma、892Ma及2265Ma年龄峰,以及较弱的1680Ma和2550Ma年龄峰。保山地体潞西地区沉积岩碎屑锆石年龄分布特征与特提斯喜马拉雅、南羌塘沉积地层碎屑锆石年龄分布特征相似,说明其具有相同的物源——冈瓦纳大陆北部的印度大陆。在新元古代晚期—早古生代,保山地体位于印度大陆北缘,与南羌塘、喜马拉雅地体相邻。伴随着俯冲相关的增生造山过程,保山地体形成相应的新元古代末期—早古生代沉积地层。     

Ediacaran to Lower Ordovician age for rocks ascribed to the Schist–Graywacke Complex (Iberian Massif,Spain): Evidence from detrital zircon SHRIMP U–Pb geochronology

New SHRIMP U–Pb ages of detrital zircon obtained from eight samples of Neoproterozoic to Lower Paleozoic graywackes, schists, microconglomerates and shales provide the maximum depositional age and a new zircon age pattern for the Schist–Graywacke Complex (SGC) from the Iberian Massif (SW Europe). The ages of the youngest zircon grains found in four samples provide a maximum depositional age of latest Ediacaran–Lower Cambrian for the complex. Lower-Middle Cambrian fossiliferous formations on top of the lithologies correctly attributed to the SGC constrain its minimum depositional age. Unexpectedly, two samples attributed to the SGC yielded Cambro-Ordovician zircon populations. These must belong to younger Lower Ordovician sedimentary successions that, up to now, have not been differentiated from those of the SGC. The new age patterns are mainly composed of Neoproterozoic (73%) and Paleoproterozoic (15%) ages, with minor Neoarchean (7%), Mesoarchean (2%), Mesoproterozoic (3%) and Cambrian (1%) ages for the latest Ediacaran–Lower Cambrian successions, and Neoproterozoic (46%) and Cambro-Ordovician (46%) ages, with minor Neoarchean (1%), Mesoarchean (0.5%), Paleoproterozoic (6%), Mesoproterozoic (0.5%) and Carboniferous (1%) ages for the Lower Ordovician successions. The presence of Mesoproterozoic zircon points to the Saharan Metacraton as a contributing source for these sediments. Cadomian granitoids could have been a local Neoproterozoic source. The Cambro-Ordovician zircons may also indicate that Cambro-Ordovician magmatism contributed as a source. Cambro-Ordovician volcanism, the most probable source of the Cambro-Ordovician zircons, would have been coeval with the deposition of the Lower Ordovician successions.     

Zircon U–Pb age constraints on the Paleoproterozoic sedimentary basement of the Ediacaran Porongos Group,Sul-Riograndense Shield,southern Brazil

Thick quartzites record significant information on cratonic environments during long geological periods. The capacity to resist weathering and deformation turn the quartzite covers especially useful in the provenance studies of Precambrian basins. Provenance of 194 detrital zircon grains from two samples of thick quartzite cover on the Paleoproterozoic Encantadas Complex displays mostly Paleoproterozoic (95%) and minor Archean (5%) sources. The results indicate that sediments were derived from the La Plata Craton with the maximum depositional age at 2.03 Ga possibly up to 1.7 Ga. In comparison, the adjacent Porongos Group has provenance data of 61 detrital zircon grains indicating mostly Mesoproterozoic (69%), subordinately Paleoproterozoic (26%) and minor Archean ages (5%). Considering previous published data, the Porongos Group is Ediacaran in age and probably chronocorrelated with sedimentary basins from the Tandilia Belt (Argentina). Therefore, the quartzite cover and the Porongos Group require distinct evolution in time and in tectonic environment.     

四川会理地区古近纪雷打树组碎屑锆石LA-ICP-MSU-Pb年龄及其地质意义

采用LA-ICP-MS方法,对四川盆地南部会理地区古近纪雷打树组碎屑锆石进行了U-Th-Pb同位素测定,获得了72组单颗粒锆石的U-Pb年龄,建立了碎屑锆石的U-Pb年龄谱。结果表明,雷打树组碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄区间为2465~204Ma,地质时代为古元古代最早期成铁纪至晚三叠世最晚期瑞替阶,年龄分布具有清晰的幕式分布特征,集中分布于5个区间,出现了5个明显的峰值,物源区主要为扬子陆块西缘及其西侧的“三江”造山带。雷打树组碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄谱显示,扬子陆块西缘经历了古元古代陆壳增生、中元古代Rodinia超大陆汇聚、新元古代晚期Rodinia超大陆裂解、二叠纪玄武岩喷溢及中—晚三叠世印支运动5次重要的构造热事件,与扬子陆块西缘形成演化进程完全吻合。与四川盆地古近纪柳嘉组碎屑锆石的U-Pb年龄谱相比,雷打树组碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄谱缺失侏罗纪、白垩纪信号,增加了早奥陶世和早泥盆世信号,说明四川盆地北部与南部的物源存在一定的区别。碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄谱对比结果显示, 雷打树组碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄谱具有较高的精确度, 扬子陆块与华夏陆块自1000Ma汇聚以来具有很好的亲缘性, 而与华北克拉通之间直至400Ma才开始建立亲缘关系。     

四川会理地区古近纪雷打树组碎屑锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年龄及其地质意义

采用LA-ICP-MS方法,对四川盆地南部会理地区古近纪雷打树组碎屑锆石进行了U-Th-Pb同位素测定,获得了72组单颗粒锆石的U-Pb年龄,建立了碎屑锆石的U-Pb年龄谱。结果表明,雷打树组碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄区间为2465~204Ma,地质时代为古元古代最早期成铁纪至晚三叠世最晚期瑞替阶,年龄分布具有清晰的幕式分布特征,集中分布于5个区间,出现了5个明显的峰值,物源区主要为扬子陆块西缘及其西侧的“三江”造山带。雷打树组碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄谱显示,扬子陆块西缘经历了古元古代陆壳增生、中元古代Rodinia超大陆汇聚、新元古代晚期Rodinia超大陆裂解、二叠纪玄武岩喷溢及中-晚三叠世印支运动5次重要的构造热事件,与扬子陆块西缘形成演化进程完全吻合。与四川盆地古近纪柳嘉组碎屑锆石的U-Pb年龄谱相比,雷打树组碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄谱缺失侏罗纪、白垩纪信号,增加了早奥陶世和早泥盆世信号,说明四川盆地北部与南部的物源存在一定的区别。碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄谱对比结果显示,雷打树组碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄谱具有较高的精确度,扬子陆块与华夏陆块自1000Ma汇聚以来具有很好的亲缘性,而与华北克拉通之间直至400Ma才开始建立亲缘关系。     

Was Cathaysia part of Proterozoic Laurentia? – new data from Hainan Island,south China

We report here new field and analytical data from Precambrian rocks on Hainan Island of the Cathaysia Block, south China, and examine its probable connection to Laurentia. Granitoids and newly discovered felsic volcanic rocks dated at 1433 ± 6 Ma and 1439 ± 9 Ma (SHRIMP U‐Pb zircon) on Hainan Island are coeval with, and isotopically similar to the 1500–1350 Ma trans‐continental granite‐rhyolite province in southern Laurentia. Quartzites unconformably overlying the ca. 1430 Ma volcaniclastic rocks on Hainan Island are interpreted as locally‐sourced Grenvillian foreland basin deposits that can be correlated with the Deer Trail Group of south‐western Laurentia. The detrital provenance of the quartzites contains age populations comparable to the 1610–1490 Ma, westerly‐sourced non‐Laurentian detrital grains reported in the Belt Basin of south‐western Laurentia. Our new data thus make Cathaysia the most likely continental block next to western Laurentia before and during the late Mesoproterozoic assembly of Rodinia.     

One size does not fit all: Refining zircon provenance interpretations via integrated grain shape,geochronology, and Hf isotope analysis

Sediment provenance studies commonly utilize isotopic signatures to resolve detrital mineral sources and routing. However, non-unique ages and geochemical characteristics across geographically distinct crystalline source regions can lead to significant ambiguities in mineral provenance interpretations. Such ambiguity is apparent in southern Australia’s Cenozoic Eucla Basin, which hosts world-class heavy mineral sand resources. Here, new Hf isotope data are provided from four heavy mineral prospects (N = 8, n = 844 [N = samples, n = grains]). Zircon grain shape data are also presented for a suite of detrital Eucla Basin samples (N = 22, n = 35,604) and the basin’s underlying basement, the Coompana Province (N = 13, n = 824). The data are integrated with published detrital and non-detrital primary zircon data to investigate the efficacy of grain shape analysis to better resolve the basin’s mineral provenance. Zircon Hf isotope compositions indicate a primary Mesoproterozoic juvenile source for zircon melts (～1250–1000 Ma, ?2.5 < ?_Hf > ～+5) with additional contributions from a range of juvenile to evolved late Archean to Phanerozoic-aged zircon bearing magmas (?28.0 < ?_Hf > +11). U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotopes are incapable of differentiating Mesoproterozoic-aged source rocks bounding the region for the majority of heavy mineral deposits analyzed as potential sources express overlapping crystallization ages and similarities in Hf-isotope characteristics. However, distinct zircon grain shapes (i.e., perimeter, major axis and circularity) facilitate improved differentiation across these Mesoproterozoic sources. Filtering of U–Pb age, Hf isotope and shape data implicate the underlying Madura and Coompana provinces as dominant sediment sources for Eucla Basin detritus aged ～1400–1000 Ma. The lack of direct sediment pathways between the underlying basement provinces and placer sediments analyzed demonstrates the significance of zircon reworking from intermediate sedimentary basins in the formation of the economically significant Eucla Basin beach placers. Zircon grain shape represents a cheaply acquired and readily incorporated grain characteristic that can enhance provenance investigations.     

丹凤地区秦岭岩群片麻岩锆石U-Pb年龄:北秦岭地体中-新元古代岩浆作用和早古生代变质作用的记录

秦岭岩群被认为是出露于北秦岭地体内最古老的前寒武纪基底岩石,记录了北秦岭造山带的地壳形成和演化历史。本文报道丹凤-西峡地区五件秦岭岩群片麻岩锆石U-Pb年龄结果,限定其形成和变质时代,探讨北秦岭地体的构造归属。定年结果表明,岩浆成因锆石颗粒的年龄集中在1400～1600Ma左右和850～950Ma左右,记录两期主要岩浆活动。6粒锆石具有变质成因特征,低Th/U比值(0.03),206Pb/238U年龄变化在510～465Ma之间,加权平均值477±18Ma。这一古生代变质叠加时代与北秦岭地体南北缘高压变质作用时代基本一致,说明秦岭岩群遭受到北秦岭造山带俯冲-碰撞造山过程的变质作用。秦岭岩群主要形成于中元古代晚期至新元古代早期,基底岩石缺乏早元古代和太古代岩浆活动的记录。在岩浆作用时代上,北秦岭地体与广泛发育新元古代中-晚期岩浆作用的扬子陆块北缘有差别,也不同于晚太古代-早元古代的华北陆块南缘,可能是中-新元古代形成的独立微陆块。