Petrogenesis and source characteristics of metatholeiites from the Archean Ramagiri schist belt, eastern part of Dharwar craton, India

The N–S trending, 2–4 km wide Ramagiri schist belt is made up of three blocks dominated by metavolcanic rocks, separated and surrounded by granitic rocks of distinct characteristics. The metavolcanic rocks are tholeiitic in composition and are very similar in their major element composition as well as in their abundances of some trace elements. However, the rare earth elements (REE) require distinct sources. The rocks of the amphibolite facies eastern block have LREE depleted REE patterns ([Ce/Yb] = 0.7–0.9), requiring derivation from depleted mantle-like sources. The greenschist facies metatholeiitic rocks of the central block have LREE enriched REE patterns ([Ce/Yb] = 3–6), reflecting the nature of their source(s). The Nd isotopic data require that the LREE enriched nature could not have been attained significantly prior to its melting. The fine-grained, upper greenschist facies metatholeiites of the western block have flat to slightly LREE depleted patterns ([Ce/Yb] = 0.8–0.95). Minor fractional crystallization of rock forming minerals may relate a few samples to each other among samples from each of the three blocks. Different extents of partial melting of distinct mantle sources have played a dominant role in the generation of the parent magmas to the central versus eastern and western block metatholeiites. The geochemical data suggest that the mantle sources were non-lherzolitic, and that these sources may have seen previous episodes of melt addition and extraction prior to melting that gave rise to the parent melts to the rocks ∼2750 Ma ago. The REE data indicate that while the sources of the eastern and western block rocks were similar to depleted mantle (ɛ_{Nd( i )} about +2), the source of the central block rocks (ɛ_{Nd( i )} about +3.5) were enriched in large ion lithophile element (LILE)-rich fluids/melts probably derived from subducting oceanic crust. This and other trace element signatures point to magma extraction in tectonic settings similar to modern island arcs. Subsequent to magma emplacement and crystallization, all the three suites of rocks were affected by interaction with low-temperature, crustal derived fluids (ɛ_{Nd 2750Ma} of about −8 to −12), probably during the accretion of the three blocks of the belt in the present form. The inferred source characteristics, tectonic setting of magma generation and the crustal fluid processes seem to suggest that Phanerozoic-style tectonic processes may have been important in the generation of Archean crust in the Dharwar craton. Received: 31 July 1995 / Accepted: 12 May 1997     

Superposed folding in the Honakere arm of the Chitradurga-Karighatta schist belt in the Dharwar tectonic province,southern India,and its bearing on the Sargur-Dharwar relation

The supracrustal enclave within the Peninsular Gneiss in the Honakere arm of the Chitradurga-Karighatta belt comprises tremolite-chlorite schists within which occur two bands of quartzite coalescing east of Jakkanahalli(12°39′N; 76°41′E), with an amphibolite band in the core. Very tight to isoclinal mesoscopic folds on compositional bands cut across in the hinge zones by an axial planar schistosity, and the nearly orthogonal relation between compositional bands and this schistosity at the termination of the tremolite-chlorite schist band near Javanahalli, points to the presence of a hinge of a large-scale, isoclinal early fold (F₁). That the map pattern, with an NNE-plunging upright antiform and a complementary synform of macroscopic scale, traces folds 'er generation (F ₂),is proved by the varying attitude of both compositional bands (S₀) and axial pranar schistosity (S ₁), which are effectively parallel in a major part of the area. A crenulation cleavage (S ₂) has developed parallel to the axial planes of theF ₂ folds at places. TheF ₂ folds range usually from open to rarely isoclinal style, with theF ₁ andF ₂ axes nearly parallel. Evidence of type 3 fold interference is also provided by the map pattern of a quartzite band in the Borikoppalu area to the north, coupled with younging directions from current bedding andS ₀ -S ₁ inter-relation. Although statistically theF ₁ andF ₂ linear structures have the same orientation, detailed studies of outcrops and hand specimens indicate that the two may make as high an angle as 90°. Usually, in these instances, theF ₁ lineations are unreliable around theF ₂ axes, implying that theF ₂ folding was by flexural slip. In zones with very tight to almost isoclinalF ₂ folding, however, buckling attendant with flattening has caused a spread of theF ₁ lineations almost in a plane. Initial divergence in orientation of theF ₁ lineations due to extreme flattening duringF ₁ folding has also resulted in a variation in the angle between theF ₁ andF ₂lineations in some instances. Upright later folding (F₃) with nearly E-W strike of axial planes has led to warps on schistosity, plunge reversals of theF ₁ andF ₂ axes, and increase in the angle between theF ₁ andF ₂ lineations at some places. Large-scale mapping in the Borikoppalu sector, where the supposed Sargur rocks with ENE ‘trend’ abut against the N-‘trending’ rocks of the Dharwar Supergroup, shows a continuity of rock formations and structures across the hinge of a large-scaleF ₂ fold. This observation renders the notion, that there is an angular unconformity here between the rocks of the Sargur Group and the Dharwar Supergroup, untenable.     

P–T estimates from the Nellore schist belt (India) and evidence for superimposed metamorphic events

The Nellore schist belt (NSB) is one of the prominent schist belts of southern India. It is thrust over an unmetamorphosed Proterozoic sedimentary sequence (Cuddapah Basin) in the west and in turn is overthrust by the Eastern Ghats Granulite Terrain (EGGT) in the east. Metamorphic grade has been considered to be either greenschist to amphibolite facies or else to show high- and low-grade groups of rocks. Detailed mineralogical and P, T studies on representative rock types across the high- to low-grade groups (metapelite and metadacite from the high- and low-grade groups respectively) near Vinjamuru reveal that there are high (M1) and medium (M2) grade metamorphic events. While metapelite documents both M1 and M2 events, metadacite shows only the M2 event, thus indicating the presence of high- and medium-grade groups of rocks in the NSB. The stable mineral assemblage during the early prograde part of M1 was Qtz+St₁+Ms₁+Pl₁+Bt±Grt, which subsequently suffered high-grade metamorphic conditions (T∽715–765°C and P∽8·6–9·2 kbar) leading to the demise of St₁ and melting of Ms₁. In contrast, medium-grade metamorphism (M2) is characterized by the stable association of St₂+Qz. Quantitative geothermobarometry suggests T=520–570°C and P=6·1-6·8 kbar, and these results show good consistency with the average P, T estimates obtained from the THERMOCALC program. This metamorphic episode is probably coeval with the 900 Ma granulite facies metamorphic event in the EGGT. The superimposition of M2 over M1 probably has led to widespread retrogression of the high-grade rocks to medium grade, thereby giving the general impression of a greenschist to amphibolite facies gradation. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Compositional variations in the Mesoarchean chromites of the Nuggihalli schist belt, Western Dharwar Craton (India): potential parental melts and implications for tectonic setting

The chromite deposits in the Archean Nuggihalli schist belt are part of a layered ultramafic–mafic sequence within the Western Dharwar Craton of the Indian shield. The 3.1-Ga ultramafic–mafic units occur as sill-like intrusions within the volcano-sedimentary sequences of the Nuggihalli greenstone belt that are surrounded by the tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) suite of rocks. The entire succession is exposed in the Tagdur mining district. The succession has been divided into the lower and the upper ultramafic units, separated by a middle gabbro unit. The ultramafic units comprise of deformed massive chromitite bodies that are hosted within chromite-bearing serpentinites. The chromitite bodies occur in the form of pods and elongated lenses (~60–500 m by ~15 m). Detailed electron microprobe studies reveal intense compositional variability of the chromite grains in silicate-rich chromitite (~50% modal chromite) and serpentinite (~2% modal chromite) throughout the entire ultramafic sequence. However, the primary composition of chromite is preserved in the massive chromitites (~60–75% modal chromite) from the Byrapur and the Bhaktarhalli mining district of the Nuggihalli schist belt. These are characterized by high Cr-ratios (Cr/(Cr + Al) = 0.78–0.86) and moderate Mg-ratios (Mg/(Mg + Fe²⁺) = 0.38–0.58). The compositional variability occurs due to sub-solidus re-equilibration in the accessory chromite in the serpentinite (Mg-ratio = 0.01–0.38; Cr-ratio = 0.02–0.99) and in silicate-rich chromitite (Mg-ratio = 0.06–0.48; Cr-ratio = 0.60–0.99). In the massive chromitites, the sub-solidus re-equilibration for chromite is less or absent. However, the re-equilibration is prominent in the co-existing interstitial and included olivine (Fo_96–98) and pyroxene grains (Mg-numbers = 97–99). Compositional variability on the scale of a single chromite grain occurs in the form of zoning, and it is common in the accessory chromite grains in serpentinite and in the altered grains in chromitite. In the zoned grains, the composition of the core is modified and the rim is ferritchromit. In general, ferritchromit occurs as irregular patches along the grain boundaries and fractures of the zoned grains. In this case, ferritchromit formation is not very extensive. This indicates a secondary low temperature hydrothermal origin of ferritchromit during serpentinization. In some occurrences, the ferritchromit rim is very well developed, and only a small relict core appears to remain in the chromite grain. However, complete alteration of the chromite grains to ferritchromit without any remnant core is also present. The regular, well-developed and continuous occurrence of ferritchromit rims around the chromite grain boundaries, the complete alteration of the chromite grains and the modification of the core composition indicate the alteration in the Nuggihalli schist belt to be intense, pervasive and affected by later low-grade metamorphism. The primary composition of chromite has been used to compute the nature of the parental melt. The parental melt calculations indicate derivation from a high-Mg komatiitic basalt that is similar to the composition of the komatiitic rocks reported from the greenstone sequences of the Western Dharwar Craton. Tectonic discrimination diagrams using the primary composition of chromites indicate a supra-subduction zone setting (SSZ) for the Archean chromitites of Nuggihalli and derivation from a boninitic magma. The composition of the komatiitic basalts resembles those of boninites that occur in subduction zones and back-arc rift settings. Formation of the massive chromitites in Nuggihalli may be due to magma mixing process involving hydrous high-Mg magmas or may be related to intrusions of chromite crystal laden magma; however, there is little scope to test these models because the host rocks are highly altered, serpentinized and deformed. The present configurations of the chromitite bodies are related to the multistage deformation processes that are common in Archean greenstone belts.     

Evolution of Hutti-Maski greenstone belt of the Eastern Dharwar Craton: Evidence for metamorphic and hydrothermal phases from the Hira-Buddini deposit,Raichur district,Karnataka, India

The Hira-Buddini gold deposit is located along the steeply dipping ENE trending sheared contact of felsic and mafic rocks of strike length of about 600 m with mylonitic foliation parallel to the S1 schistosity in amphibolites. Second-generation open folds with axial planes (S2) marked by fractures that are often filled by later calcite veins are observed in surface and underground exposures. Garnetiferous amphibolites occur in patches on the footwall side of the shear in the western part of the deposit. This rock shows garnet porphyroblasts, coarse second-generation hornblende and large grains of biotite that grow over an early S1 fabric which is made up of early hornblende, plagioclase, ilmenite and retrograde first-generation chlorite. Second-generation hornblende and biotite grains make high angles to S1 schistosity and are sub-parallel to S2. Late hydrothermal alteration is marked by an albite-epidote-chlorite-zoisite assemblage. Geothermometric estimates based on garnet-biotite, and garnet-hornblende pairs, as well as Ti in biotite, show that temperatures during D2 deformation that led to the growth of the porphyroblasts were \(530{\pm }20^{\circ }\hbox {C}\). The fabric and mineralogy of the rock indicate that porphyroblastic growth of garnet, hornblende and biotite was preceded and succeeded by stages of hydrothermal alteration. Primary gold mineralization is inferred to be associated with the early stage of hydrothermal ingress.     

Petrological and geochemical characteristics of Marunthurkota syenites from the Kerala khondalite belt,southern India

This note reports new occurrences of syenite bodies around Marunthurkota area from the Kerala khondalite belt (KKB). Petrological and geochemical studies suggest that the syenites have a pronounced A-type affinity, metaluminous characteristics with high concentrations of alkalies, Rb, Sr, Zr, and high K₂O/Na₂O ratio. Miaskitic nature (agpaitic index<1) of syenite suggest involvement of CO₂ related phase in their genesis. The petrological characteristics signify crystallization of the rock at shallow levels within the crust. Geochemistry favours mantle origin of the magma and enrichment of Ba and Sr are indicative of involvement of carbonatite melt in the source region. The study envisages the presence of a juvenile CO₂ enriched upper mantle below the southern Indian continental crust during the Pan-African time.     

华北克拉通新太古代早期构造热事件的响应:来自左权地区ca.2.7Ga TTG片麻岩的证据

新太古代早期是全球地质历史上一个重要的地壳生长时期,世界众多克拉通中广泛存在2. 7Ga左右的岩浆年龄记录。华北克拉通最主要的岩浆事件发生在新太古代晚期,这与世界其他克拉通广泛存在～2. 7Ga的构造热事件明显不同。但全岩Nd和锆石Hf同位素研究表明,华北克拉通～2. 5Ga的岩石主体来自于中太古代晚期-新太古代早期大陆物质的重熔或再造。因此,厘定～2. 7Ga地质事件在华北克拉通的空间分布对深入理解新太古代地壳形成与演化具有重要科学意义。华北克拉通已识别出的～2. 7Ga的花岗质岩石主要分布在胶东、鲁西、武川、赞皇和太华等少数杂岩区,中部带的恒山、阜平和中条杂岩中亦有零星出露。左权变质杂岩位于中部带中南段,赞皇杂岩西南,初步地球化学和锆石年代学研究表明,该地区有多种岩石类型记录了～2. 7Ga的年龄信息,包括副片麻岩、长英质浅色体、磁铁矿角闪片麻岩和TTG片麻岩。其中,TTG片麻岩的原岩为英云闪长岩,锆石发育明显的核边结构,核部具有清晰的岩浆环带,两个不同LA-ICP-MS实验室获得的不一致线上交点年龄分别为2727±14Ma和2731±12Ma,代表了TTG岩浆岩的结晶年龄。同时,左权变质岩石中较好地保存了新太古代晚期的岩浆和变质年龄记录,推测其所代表的构造热事件与华北克拉通～2. 5Ga所经历的大规模幔源岩浆的底侵作用有关。     

Eoarchean to Mesoarchean crustal evolution in the Dharwar craton,India: Evidence from detrital zircon U-Pb and Hf isotopes

The formation and evolution of continental crust in the Early Earth are of fundamental importance in understanding the emergence of continents, their assembly into supercontinents and evolution of life and environment. The Dharwar Craton in southern India is among the major Archean cratons of the world, where recent studies have shown that the craton formation involved the assembly of several micro-continents during Meso- to Neoarchean through subduction-accretion-collision processes. Here we report U-Pb-Hf isotope data from detrital zircons in a suite of metasediments (including quartz mica schist, fuchsite quartzite and metapelite) from the southern domain of the Chitradurga suture zone that marks the boundary between the Western and Central Dharwar Craton. Morphology and internal structure of the zircon grains suggest that the dominant population was derived from proximal granitic (felsic) sources. Zircon U-Pb data are grouped into Paleo-Mesoarchean and Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic with peaks at 3227 Ma and 2575 Ma. The age spectra of detrital zircon grains, in combination with the Lu-Hf isotopic analyses indicate sediment provenance from magmatic sources with model ages in the range of ca. 3.67 to 2.75 Ga. A transition from dominantly juvenile to a mixture of juvenile and recycled crustal components indicate progressive crustal maturity. The results from this study suggest major crustal growth events during ca. 3.2 Ga and 2.6 Ga in Dharwar. Our study provides insights into continental emergence, weathering and detrital input through river drainage systems into the trench during Eoarchean to Mesoarchean.     

Dehydration melting and the granulite transition in metapelites from southern Namaqualand,S. Africa

In a prograde amphibolite-granulite transition zone in the Namaqualand Metamorphic Complex, metapelites show an interbanding of the amphibolite facies association biotite+sillimanite+quartz with the granulite facies association garnet+cordierite+K-feldspar. Relict graded bedding shows that compositional banding is of sedimentary origin. The garnet-cordierite-K-feldspar gneisses contain quartzofeldspathic segregations surrounding garnets, and have more Fe-rich bulk compositions than the biotite-sillimanite schists.The contrasting asemblages could have formed at the same pressure and temperature provided that a(H₂O) was systematically lower in the garnet-cordierite-K-feldspar layers. The a(H₂O) reduction resulted from the production of silicate melt by a vapour-absent continuous Fe-Mg reaction such as biotite+sillimanite+quartz=garnet+K-feldspar+liquid which affects Fe-rich compositions before vapour-absent melting occurs in more Mg-rich rocks. The segregations represent the solid and liquid products of the reaction.Such processes imply local control of a(H₂O), and indicate that this granulite transition did not result from a regional influx of metasomatising fluids.     

Ion microprobe analysis of graphite from ca. 3.8 Ga metasediments, Isua supracrustal belt, West Greenland: Relationship between metamorphism and carbon isotopic composition

In-situ ion microprobe measurements of carbon isotopic compositions of graphite were made in seven metasediments and two carbonate rocks from the ca. 3.8 Ga Isua supracrustal belt, West Greenland. The δ¹³C values of micron-scale graphite globules in the metasediments and the carbonate rocks vary from -18 to +2‰ and from -7 to -3‰, respectively. The maximum δ¹³C value of graphite globules in the metasediment rises from -14 to -5‰, as the metamorphic grade increases from epidote-amphibolite to upper amphibolite facies. In a single hand specimen, the δ¹³C values of graphite inclusions in garnet are ∼7‰ lower on average than those outside garnet. Similarly, graphite armored by quartz apparently shows a few permil lower δ¹³C values than those on grain boundaries between noncarbonate minerals. The fact that early crystallized minerals include relatively ¹³C-depleted graphite indicates that the regional metamorphism increased the δ¹³C values of the Isua graphite. This is consistent with the regional trend of ¹³C-enrichment accompanied by the increase of metamorphic grade. The minimum fractionation between graphite and carbonate is consistent with the equilibrium fractionation at about 400 to 550 °C. These observations indicate that isotopic exchange with isotopically heavy carbonate caused ¹³C-enrichment of Isua graphite. The δ¹³C values of graphite reported here (δ¹³C > -18‰) were produced either as a metamorphic modification of organic carbon with initially much lower δ¹³C values, or as an abiological reaction such as decomposition of carbonate. If the isotopic exchange between carbonate and graphite during regional metamorphism controlled the ¹³C-enrichment of Isua graphite, previously reported large ¹³C-depletion of graphite, especially armored by apatite (Mojzsis et al., 1996) was probably premetamorphic in origin. This supports the existence of life at Isua time (ca. 3.8 Ga).     

青藏高原冈底斯带南部的紫苏花岗岩：安第斯型造山作用的证据

青藏高原南部白垩纪形成的冈底斯岩基是新特提斯大洋岩石圈向北部的欧亚大陆之下俯冲形成的安第斯型会聚板块边缘的重要组成部分。已经有研究证明,冈底斯岩基主要由钙碱性和埃达克质的花岗闪长岩组成,但本文报道了在冈底斯带东南缘产出的紫苏花岗岩。这种岩石主要由中长石、微斜长石、顽火辉石、透辉石、石英、富钛的黑云母和角闪石组成。在化学成分上,其铁镁指数FeO/（FeO+MgO）=0.47~0.50,钙碱指数MALI为-3.97~+0.11, 铝饱和指数ASI为0.83~0.92,是典型的镁质、钙碱性、准铝质紫苏花岗岩。计算出的结晶温度为850~950℃,压力>0.4GPa,形成深度为13~15km。紫苏花岗岩中的锆石为岩浆结晶成因,两个样品的U-Pb定年分别给出了87Ma的相同加权平均年龄。岩石学和地球化学特征表明,冈底斯带南缘晚白垩纪的紫苏花岗岩形成在典型的大陆岩浆弧环境。紫苏花岗岩和伴生高温麻粒岩的存在为冈底斯带在晚中生代经历的安第斯型造山作用提供了更加确凿的证据。     

Petrography and geochemical behaviour of trace element,REE and precious metal signatures of sulphidic banded iron formations from the Chikkasiddavanahalli area,Chitradurga schist belt,India

The ～1.2 km long and ～250 m wide Chikkasiddavanahalli (C.S. Halli) hill range consists of mixed sulphidic-oxide banded iron formations (BIFs) and Fe-rich phyllites (±carbonaceous), which overlie carbonated schistose and massive meta volcanics. In stratigraphic succession, the lithologies represent the Ingaldhal Formation and are an integral part of the Chitradurga schist belt in the Western Dharwar Craton. The general strike at C.S. Halli varies from N–S to 340° with vertical to steep dips towards east and west. The sulphides, oxides and silicates exhibit intergrowth replacement textures developed during regional greenschist- and amphibolites- facies metamorphism. The BIFs show mesobands of recrystallised cherts and iron sulphides such as pyrite, arsenopyrite, and silicates such as subordinate grunerite, hornblende, chlorite, muscovite, actinolite and minor carbonates such as ankerite, calcite and magnesian siderite. Chemical data indicate depletion in Ti, Mn, Co, Cu, Cr and Ni in these iron formations. Most chondrite normalized REE patterns of the iron formation show moderate LREE and HREE enrichment coupled with strong positive Eu anomaly; the mineralized portions exhibit characteristic negative Ce and Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu1 0.21 to 3.00). The total REE abundance varies, correlates well with the iron contents of the BIFs, and similar to those exhibited by hydrothermal plumes [Chown, E.H., Dah, E.N., Mueller, W.G., 2000. The relation between iron formation and low temperature alteration in a Archean volcanic environment. Precambrian Research 101, 263–275]. Trace and REE data suggest that primary mantle-derived hydrothermal solutions were added to the pore fluids of sediments of the Chitradurga basin and supplied chemical constituents such as FeO, SiO₂ and REE. Oxidation of FeO to Fe₂O₃ was caused by the photosynthesis of primitive stromatolite-building cyanobacteria. Geochemical data suggest a model involving epigenetic gold mineralisation in close association with shear zone deformation, quartz-calcite vein activity and sulphidation in the mixed sulphide oxide facies BIF and associated iron phyllites in the C.S. Halli area, Western Dharwar Craton, India.     

U-Pb SHRIMP ages of detrital zircons from Hiriyur Formation in Chitradurga greenstone belt and its implication to the Neoarchean evolution of Dharwar craton,south India

We report newly obtained U-Pb SHRIMP ages of detrital zircons from metagreywackes in the Hiriyur Formation (Chitradurga Group, Dharwar Supergroup) from the central eastern part of the Chitradurga greenstone belt. U-Pb analyses yield three major Neoarchean age populations ranging from 2.70–2.54 Ga with some minor age population of Mesoarchean. The maximum age of deposition is constrained by the youngest detrital zircon population at 2546 Ma. This is the first report of the occurrence of supracrustal rocks less than 2.58 Ga in the central part of Chitradurga greenstone belt. Close evaluation of detrital ages with the published ages of surrounding igneous rocks suggest that the youngest detrital zircons might be derived from rocks of the Eastern Dharwar craton and the inferred docking of the western and eastern Dharwar cratons happened prior to the deposition of the Hiriyur Formation. The Chitradurga shear zone, dividing the Dharwar craton into western and eastern blocks, probably developed after the deposition. Furthermore, the lower intercept is interpreted as evidence for the Pan-African overprints in the study area.     

Physical volcanology and geochemistry of Palaeoarchaean komatiite lava flows from the western Dharwar craton,southern India: implications for Archaean mantle evolution and crustal growth

ABSTRACT

Palaeoarchaean (3.38–3.35 Ga) komatiites from the Jayachamaraja Pura (J.C. Pura) and Banasandra greenstone belts of the western Dharwar craton, southern India were erupted as submarine lava flows. These high-temperature (1450–1550°C), low-viscosity lavas produced thick, massive, polygonal jointed sheet flows with sporadic flow top breccias. Thick olivine cumulate zones within differentiated komatiites suggest channel/conduit facies. Compound, undifferentiated flow fields developed marginal-lobate thin flows with several spinifex-textured lobes. Individual lobes experienced two distinct vesiculation episodes and grew by inflation. Occasionally komatiite flows form pillows and quench fragmented hyaloclastites. J.C. Pura komatiite lavas represent massive coherent facies with minor channel facies, whilst the Bansandra komatiites correspond to compound flow fields interspersed with pillow facies. The komatiites are metamorphosed to greenschist facies and consist of serpentine-talc ± carbonate, actinolite–tremolite with remnants of primary olivine, chromite, and pyroxene. The majority of the studied samples are komatiites (22.46–42.41 wt.% MgO) whilst a few are komatiitic basalts (12.94–16.18 wt.% MgO) extending into basaltic (7.71 – 10.80 wt.% MgO) composition. The studied komatiites are Al-depleted Barberton type whilst komatiite basalts belong to the Al-undepleted Munro type. Trace element data suggest variable fractionation of garnet, olivine, pyroxene, and chromite. Incompatible element ratios (Nb/Th, Nb/U, Zr/Y Nb/Y) show that the komatiites were derived from heterogeneous sources ranging from depleted to primitive mantle. CaO/Al₂O₃ and (Gd/Yb)_N ratios show that the Al-depleted komatiite magmas were generated at great depth (350–400 km) by 40–50% partial melting of deep mantle with or without garnet (majorite?) in residue whilst komatiite basalts and basalts were generated at shallow depth in an ascending plume. The widespread Palaeoarchaean deep depleted mantle-derived komatiite volcanism and sub-contemporaneous TTG accretion implies a major earlier episode of mantle differentiation and crustal growth during ca. 3.6–3.8 Ga.     

P–T conditions of mineralization in the Jonnagiri granitoid-hosted gold deposit, eastern Dharwar Craton, southern India: Constraints from fluid inclusions and chlorite thermometry

Gold mineralization at Jonnagiri, Dharwar Craton, southern India, is hosted in laminated quartz veins within sheared granodiorite that occur with other rock units, typical of Archean greenstone–granite ensembles. The proximal alteration assemblage comprises of muscovite, plagioclase, and chlorite with minor biotite (and carbonate), which is distinctive of low- to mid-greenschist facies. The laminated quartz veins that constitute the inner alteration zone, contain muscovite, chlorite, albite and calcite. Using various calibrations, chlorite compositions in the inner and proximal zones yielded comparable temperature ranges of 263 to 323 °C and 268 to 324 °C, respectively. Gold occurs in the laminated quartz veins both as free-milling native metal and enclosed within sulfides. Fluid inclusion microthermometry and Raman spectroscopy in quartz veins within the sheared granodiorite in the proximal zone and laminated auriferous quartz veins in inner zone reveal the existence of a metamorphogenic aqueous–gaseous (H₂O–CO₂–CH₄ + salt) fluid that underwent phase separation and gave rise to gaseous (CO₂–CH₄), low saline (~ 5 wt.% NaCl equiv.) aqueous fluids. Quartz veins within the mylonitized granodiorites and the laminated veins show broad similarity in fluid compositions and P–T regime. Although the estimated P–T range (1.39 to 2.57 kbar at 263 to 323 °C) compare well with the published P–T values of other orogenic gold deposits in general, considerable pressure fluctuation characterize gold mineralization at Jonnagiri. Factors such as fluid phase separation and fluid–rock interaction, along with a decrease in f(O₂), were collectively responsible for gold precipitation, from an initial low-saline metamorphogenic fluid. Comparison of the Jonnagiri ore fluid with other lode gold deposits in the Dharwar Craton and major granitoid-hosted gold deposits in Australia and Canada confirms that fluids of low saline aqueous–carbonic composition with metamorphic parentage played the most dominant role in the formation of the Archean lode gold systems.     

Petrology and geochemistry of the Mesoproterozoic Vattikod lamproites,Eastern Dharwar Craton,southern India: evidence for multiple enrichment of sub-continental lithospheric mantle and links with amalgamation and break-up of the Columbia supercontinent

Numerous lamproite dykes are hosted by the Eastern Dharwar Craton, southern India, particularly towards the northwestern margin of the Cuddapah Basin. We present here a comprehensive mineralogical and geochemical (including Sr and Nd isotopic) study on the lamproites from the Vattikod Field, exposed in the vicinity of the well-studied Ramadugu lamproite field. The Vattikod lamproites trend WNW–ESE to NW–SE and reveal effects of low-temperature post-magmatic alteration. The studied lamproites show porphyritic texture with carbonated and serpentinized olivine, diopside, fluorine-rich phlogopite, amphibole, apatite, chromite, allanite, and calcite. The trace-element geochemistry (elevated Sr and HFSE) reveals their mixed affinity to orogenic as well as anorogenic lamproites. Higher fluorine content of the hydrous phases coupled with higher whole-rock K₂O highlights the role of metasomatic phlogopite and apatite in the mantle source regions. Trace-element ratios such as Zr/Hf and Ti/Eu reveal carbonate metasomatism of mantle previously enriched by ancient subduction processes. The initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr-isotopic ratios (calculated for an assumed emplacement age of 1350 Ma) vary from 0.7037 to 0.7087 and ?Nd range from ??10.6 to ??9.3, consistent with data on global lamproites and ultrapotassic rocks. We attribute the mixed orogenic–anorogenic character for the lamproites under study to multi-stage metasomatism. We relate the (1) earlier subduction-related enrichment to the Paleoproterozoic amalgamation of the Columbia supercontinent and the (2) second episode of carbonate metasomatism to the Mesoproterozoic rift-related asthenospheric upwelling associated with the Columbia breakup. This study highlights the association of lamproites with supercontinent amalgamation and fragmentation in the Earth history.     

A ca. 2.2Ga Acidic Magmatic Event at the Northern Margin of the Yangtze Craton: Evidence from U‐Pb Dating and Hf Isotope Analysis of Zircons from the Kongling Complex

正Objective The Yangtze craton experienced Paleoproterozoic collisional orogeny at ca.1.95–2.0 Ga and post-orogenic extensional events at ca.1.85 Ga related to amalgamation of the Columbia(Nuna)supercontinent(Zhao and Cawood,2012).A ca.2.15 Ga suprasubduction zone ophiolitic mélange was recongized in the ArcheanPaleoproterozoic Kongling Complex of the northern     

Secondary geochemical dispersion in the Precambrian auriferous Hutti-Maski schist belt, Raichur district, Karnataka, India. Part I: anomalies of As, Sb, Hg and Bi in soil and groundwater

The nature of secondary geochemical dispersion of As, Sb, Hg and Bi in soil and ground water of the semi-arid, tropical, Archaean, auriferous, Hutti-Maski greenstone belt has been investigated for identification of appropriate geochemical techniques for Au exploration in similar terrains.Results indicate that the <180 μm size-fraction of C-horizon soil is an appropriate sampling medium for delineating pedogeochemical anomalies of As, Sb, Hg and Bi related to gold mineralisation. These pedogeochemical anomalies along with anomalous values of alkalinity, chloride, sulphate, As and Sb in groundwater are controlled significantly by primary mineralisation located along shear zones in the greenstone belt. Arsenic anomalies in soil are broad, whereas, those of Sb and Bi are restricted to narrow zones directly over mineralised areas. In contrast, Hg anomalies around known mineralised areas are irregular and do not clearly demarcate the mineralised areas. The study indicates that anomalies of As, Sb and Hg in soil are principally hydromorphic, whereas those of Bi are clastic.The study recommends use of groundwater sampling at 2–3 km spacing with routine analysis of chloride, sulphate and alkalinity along with As and Sb in the first phase. This may be followed up with sampling of C-horizon of soils on a 1 km square grid for As-anomalies. Arsenic-anomalous areas may be sampled for As, Sb, Hg and Bi on a 500 m square grid for detailed exploration.     

Meta-igneous (non-gneissic) tonalites and quartz-diorites from an extensive ca. 3800 Ma terrain south of the Isua supracrustal belt, southern West Greenland: constraints on early crust formation

In the Itsaq Gneiss Complex south of the Isua supracrustal belt (West Greenland) some areas of early Archaean tonalite and quartz-diorite are non-gneissic, free of pegmatite veins, and in rarer cases are undeformed with relict igneous textures and hence were little modified by heterogeneous ductile deformation under amphibolite facies conditions in several Archaean events. Such well-preserved early Archaean rocks are extremely rare. Tonalites are high Al, and have bulk compositions close to experimental liquids. Trace element abundances and modelling suggest that they probably originated as melts derived from basaltic compositions at sufficiently high pressures to require residual garnet + amphibolites ± clinopyroxene in the source. The major element characteristics of the quartz-diorites suggest these were derived from more mafic magmas than the tonalites, and underwent either igneous differentiation or mixing with crustal material. As in modern arc magmas, high relative abundances of Sr, Ba, Pb, and alkali elements cannot be generated simply from a basaltic source formed by large degrees of melting of a depleted mantle. This may indicate an important role for fluids interacting with mafic rocks in generating the earliest preserved continental crust. The high Ba/Th, Ba/Nb, La/Nb and low Nb/Th, Ce/Pb, and Rb/Cs ratios of these tonalites are also observed in modern arc magmas. SHRIMP U-Pb zircon geochronology was undertaken on seven tonalites, one quartz-diorite, a thin pegmatitic vein and a thin diorite dyke. Cathodoluminescence images show the zircon populations of the quartz-diorite and tonalites are dominated by single-component oscillatory-zoned prismatic grains, which gave ages of 3806 ± 5 to 3818 ± 8 Ma (2σ) (quartz-diorite and 5 tonalites) and 3795 ± 3 Ma (1 tonalite). Dating of recrystallised domains cutting oscillatory-zoned zircon indicates disturbance as early as 3800–3780 Ma. There are rare ca. 3600 Ma and 3800–3780 Ma (very high U and low Th/U) ≤ 20 μm wide partial overgrowths on the prismatic grains. Given likely Zr-undersaturation of precursor melts and evidence of zircon recrystallisation and metamorphic regrowth as early as 3800–3780 Ma, the age determinations on the prismatic oscillatory-zoned zircon populations give the igneous crystallisation age of the tonalite and quartz-diorite protoliths. When the coherency of the geochemistry is considered, these samples represent the best preserved suites of ca. 3800 Ma felsic igneous rocks yet documented. Received: 1 December 1998 / Accepted: 23 July 1999