U-Pb zircon and monazite dating of a mafic-ultramafic complex and its country rocks

U-Pb data on zircons from the largest mafic-ultramafic body (6×2 km) of the French Central Massif (Sauviat-sur-Vige) yield the following age results: Primary magmatic crystallization of the gabbroic and peridotitic protoliths took place in the Cambro-Ordovician (496±25/17 m.y.). Variable transformation under eclogite facies conditions was Hercynian (320±29/36 m.y.). The same age pattern, derived by U-Pb monazite analyses, was found also for the immediate country rocks, i.e. kyanite bearing, coarse-grained metagranites occurring to the W and N of the Sauviat massif. Due to the fact that there is no regional Hercynian high-grade metamorphism in this part of the French Central Massif (e.g. Duthou 1977; Bernard-Griffiths 1975), both mafic-ultramafic complex as well as immediate felsic country rocks must have been emplaced tectonically into pre-Hercynian (Acadian±Caledonian) crustal rocks. The cause for such a Hercynian tectonism is thought to be due to continent-continent collision of the Spanish with the Armorican plate. Preliminary U-Pb zircon results on one eclogite sample taken about 50 km S of the Sauviat complex indicate also an Early Palaeozoic age for the magmatic protolith and a Hercynian transformation into eclogite, combined with and/or followed by tectonic emplacement. However, opposite to the continental Sauviat massif, we are probably dealing here with oceanic material, possibly deposited in an Early Palaeozoic marginal sea basin. Thus, subduction and tectonic emplacement of oceanic crust into continental crust terminated in this area also in the Hercynian. Concerning U-Pb systematics of zircon and monazite the following conclusions can be drawn:

1. U-Pb systems of primary magmatic zircons of mafic and ultramafic rocks are only weakly disturbed during static eclogite facies metamorphism (T>820° C; P> 15 kbar);
2. New- and overgrowth of zircon during eclogite facies metamorphism seems to be the major cause for the degree of discordance;
3. Amphibolitization of metagabbros and eclogites had no effect on the degree of discordance of zircon;
4. U-Pb systems of monazites remained undisturbed during intense weathering of the mother rock.

     

Age and origin of detrital zircons from the pre-Permian basements of the Bohemian Massif and the Alps

U-Pb isotopic analyses were made on detrital zircon populations from sandstones and quartzites of the pre-Permian basement in an attempt to shed light on the presedimentary history of the zircons and the age of their primary source rocks. Eight rock samples were collected from the Saxothuringian and Moldanubian parts of the Bohemian Massif, the western part of the Upper Austroalpine Nappes, and the Southern Alps. The heterogeneous populations were separated into fractions of different size, magnetic susceptibility, color, and shape. Because of their typically pitted surface all zircon grains from the sandstones and quartzites appear to be detrital. Only in three samples from the Alps—one from a contact metamorphic aureole—the zircons show surface recrystallization and minor new growth. With the exception of some euhedral crystals in the Saxothuringian quartzites all zircon fractions have highly discordant U-Pb ages. On a concordia diagram their data points scatter slightly around best-fit lines with upper intersections between 2000 and 2300 m.y. From this pattern the following conclusions are reached:

1. A large proportion of the material of the metasedimentary basement rocks in the Bohemian Massif as well as in the Alps derives from one or more sources, about 2000 to 2300 m.y. old.
2. The estimated proportion of detrital zircons with primary ages of 700 to 1500 m.y. is less than 10%.
3. The existence of a regional high-grade metamorphism in the Bohemian Massif as well as in the Alps during 700 to 1500 m.y. can be excluded. From Rb-Sr isotopic data, a metamorphism for the time prior to 1500 m.y. is very unlikely.

The lower intersections of the best-fit lines with the concordia curve cannot be clearly correlated with an episodic disturbance of the U-Pb systems during weathering and sedimentation and/or during regional metamorphism. For the zircons of the Bohemian Massif a disturbing event, about 550 to 600 m.y. ago, is likely. Clear, euhedral, but nevertheless detrital zircons found among the zircon populations of two Saxothuringian quartzites (“Plattenquarzit” of the pre-Ordovician “Arzberger Serie” and Lower Ordovician “FrauenbachQuarzit”) crystallized most probably during the Upper Proterozoic and/or the Assyntian petrogenesis. The highly discordant age pattern of the detrital zircons from the Alps is likely to be the result of the Caledonian and/or Hercynian (=Variscan) metamorphism. Differences in concentration levels of common lead in detrital zircons and the problem of red zircons as indicators of Precambrian origin are discussed.     

Uranium-lead isotopic evidence from zircons for lower Palaeozoic tectonic activity in the Austroalpine Nappe,the Eastern Alps

U/Pb isotopic data for two zircon suites are presented:

1. a pre D ₁ tonalite gneiss gives an age of 443 ± ₁₆ ¹³ m.y.
2. a post D ₁ leucogranite gneiss gives 427 ± ₁₁ ¹⁰ m.y.

Both zircon suites contain a minor inherited pre-Cambrian component. The data confirm a lower Palaeozoic age for the major, fabric-forming D ₁ event. Hercynian metamorphism which was sufficient to reset muscovite K/Ar ages to ca. 290 m.y. had little effect on the zircons. The possible importance of lower Palaeozoic orogeny in southern Europe and the uncertainties in regional palaeogeography are emphasised.     

Temperaturen und Drucke bei der regionalen Metamorphose: Prinzipielle und praktische Hinweise

The author's concept (1970, 1974) of evaluating metamorphic conditions is explained on the basis of most recent petrologic data. The major points treated are:

1. Instead of usual petrographic mapping, petrographic work in the field is aimed at specific “targets”, i.e., rock compositions. This is so because only specific rocks may give petrogenetically relevant information in the four metamorphic grades.
2. There are very many mineral reactions in metamorphism but only a few are petrogenetically significant. These are important to know, and they are graphically demonstrated. Any mineral assemblage that is formed by a significant mineral reaction must be verified as a paragenesis of mutually contacting minerals. Only such parageneses deserve to be mapped in the field as isograds or isoreactiongrads.
3. Crossing isograds or isoreactionsgrads provide data on temperature and pressure during metamorphism for that part of a metamorphic terrane where the crossing has been observed.
4. The sequence of isograds or isoreaction-grads may be a pressure indicator. Moreover, such a sequence provides geodynamic information whether a larger metamorphic area has been lifted up evenly or has been tilted while it was uplifted after metamorphism.

     

Time and duration of Variscan high-temperature metamorphic processes in the south European Variscides: constraints from U-Pb chronology and trace element chemistry of zircon

The lower crust of the Serre massif (Calabria, southern Italy) provides a window into the mid- to lower crust of the south European Variscan orogenic belt. Previously, zircon U-Pb ages were employed to date high-temperature processes affecting this portion of the Variscan crust. The present paper reports new LA-ICP-MS U-Pb data on the zircon of a deformed quartz-monzodiorite dike and of three mafic granulites sampled at the base of the lower crust section. Determination of trace elements on zircon, including rare earth elements (REE), has been also performed. The end of the Variscan exhumation, dated by anatectic zircon from migmatitic metapelites, and the growth-modification of zircon with respect to the growth of Variscan metamorphic garnet have been assumed as ??time markers??. The concordant zircon ages of the metamorphic basic rocks cover a range from 744?±?20 Ma to 231?±?10 Ma with high age density from 357?±?11?Ma to 279?±?10 Ma, a few ages comprised between 418?±?14 Ma and 483?±?12 Ma and between 505?±?11 Ma and 593?±?14 Ma. Zircon from the deformed quartz-monzodiorite dike evidences a minimum age of emplacement of 323?±?5 Ma. Most of the analysed zircon domains dated between 357?±?11 Ma to 279?±?10 Ma from garnet-bearing metabasic rocks show flat patterns of heavy rare earth elements (HREE), as expected in the case of their simultaneous growth with garnet. This allows to consider (1) zircon domains giving Variscan ages as ??metamorphic?? with specific geological significance, and (2) zircon domains with ages ranging from 564?±?17 Ma to 593?±?14 Ma as dating the emplacement of the magmatic protoliths as shown by internal microtextures, fractionated patterns of HREE and Th/U ratios (0.16?C0.19). The Variscan zircon ages (357?C279?Ma) reflect effects of crustal thickening, peak metamorphism and subsequent multistage Variscan decompression documented by the statistically significant clusters of ages around 347?C340?Ma, 323?C318?Ma, 300?C294?Ma and 279?Ma. The U-Pb zircon ages of the metabasic rocks suggest a period of about 60?C70?Ma for granulite facies metamorphism and anatectic conditions. Literature data indicate that the migmatitic metapelites of the upper part of the Serre crust section also underwent a long period, about 40?Ma, of granulite facies metamorphism and anatectic conditions. A diachronism emerges through the time comparison of the Variscan evolution between the upper and the lower portions of the Serre deep crust. The duration of the Variscan processes defined in Calabria is comparable to that of other south European Variscan blocks.     

U-Pb zircon,Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd geochronology of high- to very-high-pressure meta-acidic rocks from the western Alps

Three meta-acidic rocks from the western Italian Alps, a magnesiochloritoid-bearing metapelite from the Monte Rosa massif, a coesite-pyrope-quartzite from the Dora Maira massif and the Monte Mucrone granite in the Sesia Zone, have been studied by U-Pb zircon, Rb-Sr on whole-rock, apatite and phengite and Sm-Nd wholerock methods. The mineral parageneses of the investigated rocks indicate high- to very-high-pressure and medium-to-high-temperature metamorphism. This combined isotopic study has enabled us to constrain the ages of magmatic and metamorphic events and also to compare the behaviour of U-Pb zircon systems in three intensely metamorphosed areas of the Pennine domain. The U-Pb zircon data have yielded a magmatic age for the Monte Mucrone granite at 286±2 Ma. This result confirms the occurence of late-Hercynian magmatism in the Sesia Zone, as in other Austro-Alpine units and in other areas of the European crystalline basement. In the Monte Rosa massif, a geologically meaningless lower intercept age of 192±2 Ma has been interpreted as an artefact due to a complex evolution of the U-Pb zircon system. The magmatic shape of the zircons implies a magmatic or volcano-sedimentary protolith for this rock, originally considered as a metasediment. The very-high-pressure metamorphism in the Dora Maira quartzite has produced an opening of the U-Pb zircon system at 121+12–29 Ma. The Rb-Sr data support the occurence of high-grade metamorphism during Cretaceous times. Phengites model ages are slightly younger than the U-Pb zircon lower intercept ages due to cooling phenomena or possible response of the phengites to a later deformation. The Nd model ages from the whole-rock samples, as well as the U-Pb upper intercept ages from zircons of all three investigated rocks, indicate the presence of Proterozoic crustal components inherited from the precursors of these meta-acidic rocks. The studied zircon populations and their U-Pb systems apparently showed open-system behaviour only when affected by extreme metamorphic conditions (700–750° C, > 28 kbar), whereas eclogite-facies conditions of 500–550° C and 14–16 kbar were not enough to disturb significantly the U-Pb zircon evolution. It is also probable that the sedimentary or magmatic origin of the protoliths of these meta-acidic rocks, which involved different characteristics such as grain-size and fluid phase concentration and composition, could be another important factor controlling the U-Pb zircon system behaviour during metamorphic events.     

Kyanite eclogites

Prior experimental work has shown that in the laboratory the mineralogy of eclogites is sensitive to the ratio of CaO ∶ MgO ∶ FeO and that the reaction pyroxene + kyanite?garnet + quartz proceeds to the right at high pressures in rocks rich in magnesium and to the left in rocks rich in calcium and iron. Typical basalts crystallized at high pressure never contain kyanite. The chemistry and mineralogy of a large number of naturally occurring eclogites show they belong to three classes.

1. Kyanite-free magmatic eclogites, rich in magnesium, from:
2. kimberlites
3. dunites and serpentinites.
4. Kyanite-bearing eclogites and grosspydites rich in CaO and low in FeO with intermediate MgO from:
5. kimberlites
6. gneisses.
7. Kyanite-free eclogites of metamorphic origin rich in iron with low magnesium and intermediate amounts of calcium from:
8. glaucophane schists
9. gneisses.

     

Geologische und geochemische Untersuchungen im Zentralgneis und in der Greiner Schiefer Serie (Zillertaler Alpen,Tirol)

Geologic, petrological and geochemical investigations have been carried out in the western part of the “Zillertaler Alpen”. Important results are:

1. The premetamorphic material of the Greiner series consists of conglomerates, breccias, arcosic-sandstones or greywackes, bituminous shales, volcanic lavas and tuffs.
2. The southern part of the “Zentralgneis” shows a differentiation trend from alkaline granite to quarzdiorite with predomination of granodiorite.
3. Chemical relationships of granodiorite to its restitic inclusions allow the supposition of a palingenetic origin of the granitic rocks.
4. At least two stages of metamorphism can be differentiated.
5. Parts of the Greiner series, covered by triassic metasediments, are supposed to be of Permian age. A lower age boundary can not yet be given.
6. Some vertical, northeast striking faults with throws of more than 1 or 2 kilometers produced southward verging drag folds.
7. Geodynamic aspects, revealed from regional metamorphism and tectonics, are discussed.

     

大别山北部榴辉岩和英云闪长质片麻岩锆石U-Pb年龄及多期变质增生

大别山北部榴辉岩及英云闪长质片麻岩的锆石U-Pb年龄分析表明：北部榴辉岩相峰期变质时代为226～230Ma左右;北部塔儿河一带英云闪长质片麻岩经历过印支期变质事件;大别山北部与南部超高压岩石中一致的（226～230Ma）高压或超高压变质年龄表明,北部镁铁-超镁铁质岩带中部分岩石也曾作为扬子俯冲陆壳的一部分,在印支期发生过高压或超高压变质作用;本区锆石发生过两期变质增生事件,一是印支期高压或超高压变质,另一期是燕山期热变质事件;榴辉岩及英云闪长质片麻岩的原岩形成时代为晚元古代;锆石U-Pb年龄可用多期变质增生模型来解释。     

Petrochemistry of the volcanic rocks of the Island of Principe,Gulf of Guinea

Principe is one of the volcanic centres comprising the Cameroun line in West Africa. The volcanic rocks can be divided into two stratigraphic units:

1. Younger lava series — basanite and nephelinite overlying.
2. Older lava series — transitional to mildly alkaline basalt and hawaiite.

These units lie on a basement of palagonite breccias of tholeiitic affinities. The basic lavas are intruded by plugs ranging in composition from tristanite to phonolite and are overlain by phonolite lavas. These rocks form two chemically and mineralogically distinct suites:

1. Phonolites which evolved by low pressure crystal fractionation of the younger lava series basanitic magma, and
2. Tristanite — trachyte — trachyphonolite suite which may have evolved by high pressure crystal fractionation of the older lava series magma.

     

Interpretation of discordant U-Pb zircon ages: An evaluation

The most widely used technique for the determination of high precision mineral growth ages in igneous and metamorphic rocks is dating of zircons with the U-Pb method. The interpretation of these ages, particularly in metamorphic settings, is hampered by an incomplete understanding of the common phenomenon of partial Pb-loss in zircon. In principle, this Pb-loss may occur in four very different ways: diffusion in metamict zircon, diffusion in pristine zircon, leaching from metamict zircon and recrystallization of metamict zircon. Here it is argued that, under conditions common in the continental crust, Pb-loss is only possible in partially to strongly metamict zircons. Pb-diffusion in the pristine zircon lattice is insignificant up to temperatures of at least 1000 °C. Pb-loss is only possible if the zircons experienced a time interval below their annealing temperature of about 600–650 °C, because only below this temperature can the lattice damage through α-decay and spontaneous fission accumulate. Zircons that remain above this temperature do not lose Pb by diffusion and will stay closed systems. Complete resetting of the U-Pb system in zircon under crustal conditions is only possible through dissolution and reprecipitation of zircon. Partial resetting results from recrystallization, leaching or diffusion in metamict zircon. As a consequence, special care has to be taken to interpret lower intercepts on concordia diagrams defined by discordant U-Pb data. Lower intercept ages may be significant only if they are defined by zircons with low U-content (<100 p.p.m.) or if confirmed by other geochronological methods. In addition, the accuracy of the lower intercept should be confirmed by abrading the zircon fractions that define the discordia.     

China’s crust-and mantle-source pegmatites and their discriminating criteria

According to their material sources, China’s pegmatities can be divided into two broad types: (1) the crust-source pegmatites derived mainly from the upper continental crust, which can be subdivided into metamorphic differentiated, mixed metasomatic and anatectic magmadifferentiated pegmatites, and (2) the mantle-source pegmatites generated from the mantle, including those related to late differentiates and carbonatites. In space, carbonatites are usually accompanied with alkaii syenite. The criteria of discriminating the two-source pegmatites of China are listed as follows:

1. Rock-forming minerals (micas and feldspars);
2. REE distribution patterns;
3. Zr/Hf ratios in zircons; and
4. Species of apatite and REE contents.

     

The structural geology of the Dalradian rocks of Slieve Gamph,Cos. Mayo and Sligo,Western Ireland

The paper presents novel information on the Caledonian orogeny in Ireland. A series of Dalradian (Upper Precambrian-Lower Cambrian) metasedimentary rocks occur as an envelope to a granitic igneous complex at Slieve Gamph, Western Ireland. These metasedimentary rocks have been deformed at several distinct times and evidence is shown for the following sequence of events:

1. formation of major nappe structures and a tectonic slide. The axial-plane traces of the folds probably trended N. E.-S. W.
2. formation of upright, gently plunging folds with axial-plane traces of the folds trending N. E.-S. W. Emplacement of the components of the Slieve Gamph igneous complex.
3. formation of a conjugate set of folds:
   1. Open folds with N. N. E.-S. S. W. trending axial-planes which dip to the east,
   2. Open folds with E.W. trending axial-planes which dip to the north.
4. formation of kink-bands, open and conjugate folds with an axialplane trace trending N. W.-S. E.

Late phase of faulting. No isotopic dates are available for these structural events.     

Lithostratigraphy and U-Pb zircon dating in the overturned limb of the Siviez-Mischabel nappe: a new key for Middle Penninic nappe geometry.

Detailed field work and zircon analysis have improved the knowledge of the lithostratigraphy at the base of the Siviez-Mischabel nappe in the Mattertal (St-Niklaus-Törbel area). They confirm the existence of an overturned limb and clarify the structure of the St-Niklaus syncline. The following formations can be observed:

• Polymetamorphic gneisses; composed of paragneisses, amphibolites and micaschists (Bielen Unit, pre-Ordovician).
• Fine-grained, greyish quartzite and graywacke with kerogen-rich horizons (Törbel Formation, presumed Carboniferous).
• Green or white micaschists characterized by brown carbonate spots associated with white conglomeratic quartzites (Moosalp Formation, Early Permian).
• Massive, green or white, fine grained, microconglomeratic or conglomeratic quartzites with characteristic pink quartz pebbles (Bruneggjoch Formation, Late Permian-Early Triassic).

This coherent overturned sequence can be observed from the St-Niklaus area to the Moosalp pass to the north. Detailed mapping revealed that the St-Niklaus syncline is symmetrical and connects the overturned limb of the Siviez-Mischabel nappe to the normal series of the Upper Stalden zone. U-Pb zircon geochronology on magmatic and detrital zircons allowed constraining ages of these formations. Detrital zircons display ages ranging from 2900 ± 50 to 520 ± 4 Ma in the Törbel Formation, and from 514 ± 6 to 292 ± 9 Ma in the Moosalp Formation. In addition, the Permian Randa orthogneiss is intrusive into the polymetamorphic gneisses and into the Permo-Carboniferous metasediments of the overturned limb of the Siviez-Mischabel nappe. This revision clarified also the lithostratigraphy of the nearby and subjacent Lower Stalden zone composed of an overturned limb with Permo-Carboniferous formations. This has critical implications for the tectonic setting of the nappes in the region, speaking for few recumbent folds with well preserved normal and overturned limbs instead of a succession of imbricate thrust sheets in a normal stratigraphic position.     

Age and degree of metamorphism and time of nappe emplacement along the southern margin of the Damara Orogen/Namibia (SW-Africa)

Along the southern margin of the Damara orogen age and degree of metamorphism were determined by means of K/Ar dating and illite crystallinity. The investigations include the following units:

1. The southwestern-most part of the east-west striking branch of the Damara orogen.
2. The nappes of the Naukluft Mountains.
3. The Nama-Group from north of the Naukluft Mountains to the Fish River in the south (including the western part of the Dwyka-Formation).

The metamorphism of the Naukluft nappes as well as the underlying Nama beds corresponds to the higher part of the anchi-zone and lower epi-zone. Between the Naukluft nappes and the folded Nama rocks adjoining the southeastern front of the nappes there is an obvious step from higher down to lower metamorphism. Further to the southeast the metamorphism in the Nama beds decreases continuously down to diagenesis. K/Ar age determinations were carried out on the three units mentioned above and also on the basement underlying the Nama sequence. Muscovites of this basement gave an age of about 1160 m. y. Determinations on white micas of the southern Damara belt, the Naukluft Mountains and the northern Nama basin define two isochrons with ages of 495 and 530 m. y The age of 530 m. y. represents the peak of metamorphism and the age of syncrystalline deformation. The age of 495 m. y. can be interpreted as a cooling age of the higher metamorphic rocks or as a dating of rejuvenation caused by a second post-crystalline deformation in parts of the Naukluft and Damara rocks. This age of 495 m. y. was also found in the mylonite of the main thrust plane of the Naukluft nappes and it represents the time of emplacement of the Naukluft nappes.     

The role of fluids in the formation and subsequent development of early continental crust

A petrogenetic model is developed to explain the evolution and geochemical character of granitic rocks in early Archean (pre 3.6 Gyr) continental crust taking into account the following important geological constraints, viz.:

1. High geothermal gradients (probably in excess of 90 ° C/km) and resulting widespread granulite facies metamorphism even at relatively shallow depths
2. The fractionation of certain major and trace elements under granulite facies conditions
3. The composition and geochemical behaviour of fluids which emanate from or pass through terrains undergoing granulite facies metamorphism viz. carbonic fluids containing significant amounts of SO₂ and halogens.

In this model tonalitic and trondhjemitic intrusives are regarded as being derived dominantly by partial melting of mafic granulite. The ubiquitous potassic granites, which typical post-date sodic plutonic activity are interpreted to be anatectic melts generated under granulite or amphibolite facies conditions from the previously formed ‘plagiogranites’. The presence of a postulated granulite facies source area for Archean tonalitic rocks, and the geochemical character of fluids which accompany metamorphism under such conditions explains the HREE geochemistry of these suites and casts doubt on the validity of applying currently used trace element fractional melting or crystallization models to these terrains. Similarly it suggests that petrogenetic interpretations based on Sr and Pb isotopic systems must be reevaluated because of the extreme mobility of both parent and daughter elements under granulite facies conditions.     

Charriage crustal,anatexie et decrochements ductiles dans les Maures orientales (Var,France) au cours de l'orogenese varisque

The kinematics of the deformational events recorded in the catazonal gneisses within the eastern part of the Maures massif (Variscan basement of Provence, southeastern France) has been established. These events can be correlated with both the metamorphic and the magmatic evolution, and the orogenic history of the eastern Maures then consists of the following stages:

1. -HP-metamorphism preserved only in relict eclogites and quartzites rich in calc-silicates,
2. -Catazonal metamorphism involving anatectic melting, broadly contemporaneous with large-scale horizontal transport towards the NNE. During this event, the lithologic units were disrupted and intensively mylonitized.
3. -Intrusion of a first generation of anatectic granitoids.
4. -A second tectonic event under epi-to mesozonal metamorphism conditions is responsible for the northward displacement of the eastern Maures relative to the western part along a sinistral strike-slip fault 4 km wide (Ramatuelle — Plan de la Tour fault) in which the early anatectic granitoids have been mylonitized. Outside the fault zone, this event is marked by upright to W-vergent open folds trending N-S, i.e. parallel to the transport direction.
5. -A moderate cataclastic reactivation of the Ramatuelle — Plan de la Tour fault with a dextral sense of shear, locally accompanied in the eastern part of the area by minor lowtemperature thrusting towards the south.
6. -Intrusion of a second generation of anatectic granites about 320 Ma ago.

The metamorphic, magmatic and tectonic evolution of the eastern Maures suggests a continuous orogenic history in an area of rapid crustal thickening by large-scale thrusting within the continental crust. This evolution may be related to the development of continental subduction during the continent/continent collision responsible for the Variscan orogeny in southern Europe.     

The Araguainha astrobleme/Central Brazil

The following facts have supported the origin of the Araguainha circular structure in Central Brazil by a meteoritic impact:

1. the almost circular contour
2. the impact-morphologic sequence including a central uplift, ring walls and a basin rim of escarpments
3. outcrops of suevites and mixed breccias
4. the evidence of shock metamorphism
5. the presence of shatter cones, and
6. negative anomalies of the total intensity of the magnetic field at the center of the ring structure.

     

Field and petrological evidence for the development of an ensialic marginal basin related to the Hercynian orogeny in the Massif Central,France

Six lithologic units in tectonic contact with each other have been defined during mapping of the Devonian in the Beaujolais area of the northeastern Massif Central. Five main igneous suites have been recognized:

1. A transitional basaltic suite restricted to a single unit.
2. An acid volcanic-plutonic suite the members of which are related by fractional crystallization and magma mixing.
3. Low-TiO₂ volcanic rocks with calc-alkaline affinities.
4. A TiO₂-rich tholeiitic suite related to an ophiolitic complex.
5. A plutonic suite with close resemblances to Alaskantype intrusions.

The transitional metabasalts (1) form the oldest igneous suite and could represent either an intraplate magmatic forerunner of rifting or tectonic slices of weakly metamorphosed rocks representing a pre-Acadian event. The next three suites may be related to a short-lived ensialic marginal basin that developed between the Acadian and Bretonian orogenies. The basin is asymmetric, with the ophiolite of the central part flanked by an acid ridge on one side and a passive continental margin on the other. Quartz-keratophyres (2) and calc-alkalic basic volcanic rocks (3) were intercalated in varying proportions to form a bimodal volcanic pile before the rifting event that led to the formation of the ophiolites (4). The acid ridge (2) may be due to the reactivation of a continental basement. Cumulate rocks with Alaskan-type affinities occur as olistoliths, emplaced before the formation of the rift basin, supporting a comparison of the Hercynian belt with accreted magmatic arc terranes.     

Petrogenesis of the Elzevir batholith and related trondhjemitic intrusions in the grenville province of eastern Ontario,Canada

The Elzevir batholith belongs to a suite of trondhjemitic intrusions emplaced at ca. 1,240 Ma in the Grenville Province of eastern Ontario. New major and trace element data, including REE, combined with isotopic and petrographic data indicate that:

1. the batholith has calc-alkalic affinities;
2. the Elzevir parental magma is very similar to that of dacites in the nearby, coeval metavolcanic rocks; the magma formed by partial melting of crustal material at granulite grade;
3. chemical differences between the plutonic and volcanic rocks can be best explained by accumulation of plagioclase in the plutonic environment;
4. fractionation was dominated by plagioclase and quartz, with lesser biotite and epidote, and minor zircon and apatite.

It is suggested that melting of sialic crust took place during the ‘docking’ of a partly-evolved, originally ensimatic arc system against the main cratonic mass to the northwest.