Hornblende thermobarometry of the Carboniferous granitoids from the Inner Mongolia Paleo-uplift: implications for the tectonic evolution of the northern margin of North China block

Summary Hornblende thermobarometry has been widely used to estimate the emplacement pressure (P) and temperature (T) of calc-alkaline igneous rocks. Application of hornblende thermobarometry to the newly discovered Carboniferous granitic plutons from the Inner Mongolia Paleo-uplift (IMPU) provides useful information on the exhumation and geotectonic evolution of the northern margin of the North China block (NCB) during the Late Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic. Emplacement depths estimated from aluminum-in-hornblende geobarometry indicate that the Longhua, Daguangding and Boluonuo plutons were emplaced at depths of 15.7–18.7 km. Temperatures of emplacement calculated with the hornblende-plagioclase thermometer range from 676 °C to 780 °C. Because most of these plutons are unconformably overlain by Jurassic-Cretaceous volcanic or sedimentary rocks and, regionally, the oldest strata overlying them are the Nandaling and Xiahuayuan Formations of Early Jurassic age, most of these plutons must have been exposed at the surface prior to the Early Jurassic. Therefore, the large-scale uplift and exhumation of the IMPU occurred from the Late Carboniferous to Early Jurassic; at least 15 km thick crustal rocks in the IMPU must have been eroded during this period. It is also inferred that the IMPU was not always an uplifted domain from the Neoproterozoic to Early Triassic. Some Meso-Neoproterozoic and, possibly Paleozoic sedimentary rocks or Early-Middle Triassic volcanic rocks were present in the IMPU until the Late Triassic, but were almost entirely eroded before the end of Triassic. The exhumation of the crystalline rocks and formation of the IMPU is a result of this strong erosion during the Late Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic. Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic form at Tables 1-2 available as electronic supplementary material     

Plutonism in the Variscan Odenwald (Germany): from subduction to collision

 Latest Devonian to early Carboniferous plutonic rocks from the Odenwald accretionary complex reflect the transition from a subduction to a collisional setting. For ∼362 Ma old gabbroic rocks from the northern tectonometamorphic unit I, initial isotopic compositions (ε_Nd=+3.4 to +3.8;⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr =0.7035–0.7053;δ¹⁸O=6.8–8.0‰) and chemical signatures (e.g., low Nb/Th, Nb/U, Ce/Pb, Th/U, Rb/Cs) indicate a subduction-related origin by partial melting of a shallow depleted mantle source metasomatized by water-rich, large ion lithophile element-loaded fluids. In the central (unit II) and southern (unit III) Odenwald, syncollisional mafic to felsic granitoids were emplaced in a transtensional setting at approximately 340–335 Ma B.P. Unit II comprises a mafic and a felsic suite that are genetically unrelated. Both suites are intermediate between the medium-K and high-K series and have similar initial Nd and Sr signatures (ε_Nd=0.0 to –2.5;⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr=0.7044–0.7056) but different oxygen isotopic compositions (δ¹⁸O=7.3–8.7‰ in mafic vs 9.3–9.5‰ in felsic rocks). These characteristics, in conjunction with the chemical signatures, suggest an enriched mantle source for the mafic magmas and a shallow metaluminous crustal source for the felsic magmas. Younger intrusives of unit II have higher Sr/Y, Zr/Y, and Tb/Yb ratios suggesting magma segregation at greater depths. Mafic high-K to shoshonitic intrusives of the southern unit III have initial isotopic compositions (ε_Nd=–1.1 to –1.8;⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr =0.7054–0.7062;δ¹⁸O=7.2–7.6‰) and chemical characteristics (e.g., high Sr/Y, Zr/Y, Tb/Yb) that are strongly indicative of a deep-seated enriched mantle source. Spatially associated felsic high-K to shoshonitic rocks of unit III may be derived by dehydration melting of garnet-rich metaluminous crustal source rocks or may represent hybrid magmas. Received: 7 December 1998 / Accepted: 27 April 1999     

Younger and older zircons from rocks of the oceanic lithosphere in the Central Atlantic and their geotectonic implications

Local U-Pb dating of zircons separated from various rocks in the crest zone of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) and Carter Seamount (Sierra Leone Rise) is performed. Younger zircons formed in situ in combination with older xenogenic zircons are revealed in enriched basalts, alkaline volcanic rocks, gabbroic rocks, and plagiogranites. Only older zircons are found in depleted basalts and peridotites. Older zircons are ubiquitous in the young oceanic lithosphere of the Central Atlantic. The age of the younger zircons from the crest zone of the MAR ranges from 0.38 to 11.26 Ma and progressively increases receding from the axial zone of the ridge. This fact provides additional evidence for spreading of the oceanic floor. The rate of half-spreading calculated from the age of the studied zircons is close to the rate of half-spreading estimated from magnetic anomalies. The age of the younger zircons from Carter Seamount (58 Ma) corresponds to the age of the volcanic edifice. Older zircons make up an age series from 53 to 3200 Ma. Clusters of zircons differing in age reveal quasiperiodicity of about 200 Ma, which approximately corresponds to the global tectonic epochs in the geological evolution of the Earth. Several age groups of older zircons combine grains close in morphology and geochemistry: (1) Neoproterozoic and Phanerozoic (53–700 Ma) prismatic grains with slightly resorbed faces, well-preserved or translucent oscillatory zoning, and geochemical features inherent to magmatic zircons; (2) prismatic grains dated at 1811 Ma with resorbed faces and edges, fragmentary or translucent zoning, and geochemical features inherent to magmatic zircons; (3) ovoid and highly resorbed prismatic grains with chaotic internal structure and metamorphic geochemical parameters; the peak of their ages is 1880 Ma. The performed study indicates that older xenogenic zircons from young rocks in the crest zone of the MAR were captured by melt or incorporated into refractory restite probably in the sublithospheric mantle at the level of magma generation in the asthenosphere. It is suggested that zircons could have crystallized from the melts repeatedly migrating through the asthenosphere during geological history or were entrapped by the asthenosphere together with blocks of disintegrated and delaminated continental lithosphere in the process of breakup of the continents older than Gondwana. The variability in the age of older zircons even within individual samples may be regarded as evidence for active stirring of matter as a result of periodically arising and destroyed within-asthenospheric convective flows varying in orientation and scale.     

The diapiric emplacement and related magmatic fabrics of the porphyritic Ludwigshöhe granite, Central Odenwald (Germany)

Summary The Ludwigsh?he pluton is a 1.5 by 2.5 km, oval-shaped, NE-SW oriented, distinct body of medium-grained porphyritic granite with large euhedral to lensoid K-feldspar phenocrysts and discoidal microdioritic enclaves. The granite shows a well developed NE-SW striking, steeply inclined foliation defined by mafic minerals, K-feldspar phenocrysts, and enclaves. All phenocrysts have an orthorhombic symmetry with respect to the foliation. Monoclinic shear sense criteria are absent. Shape orientation analysis of enclaves, K-feldspar phenocrysts, magmatic hornblende and plagioclase and strain analyses (R _f /Φ) result in uniaxial, oblate ellipsoids, plotting in the field of apparent flattening on the Flinn diagram. In thin section no penetrative ductile deformation of feldspars, hornblende and biotite can be observed. Twinning in feldspars occurs parallel to their flat faces, which are oriented parallel to the magmatic foliation. Quartz, growing in interstitial positions, shows early penetrative ductile deformation under high temperature (HT) late magmatic/early solid-state conditions and later deformation under low temperature (LT) conditions accompanied by sinistral shear. The latter is responsible for an oblique orientation of the quartz c-axes fabric. AMS studies as well as cathodoluminescence investigations and quartz c-axes textures indicate flattening processes under a NW-SE directed compressive strain regime during the magmatic stage and/or emplacement of the granites.

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Zusammenfassung Platznahmeprozesse des porphyrischen Ludwigsh?he-Granits, Mittlerer Odenwald (Deutschland) Der Ludwigsh?he-Pluton ist ein 1,5 km breiter und 2,5 km langer, ovaler, NE-SW-orientierter, mittelk?rniger Granit mit gro?en, idiomorphen bis linsenf?rmigen Kalifeldspat-Einsprenglingen und oblaten mikrodioritischen Enklaven. Der Granit zeigt eine deutliche NE-SW-streichende, steilstehende Foliation, die durch die Einregelung der mafischen Minerale, der Kalifeldspat-Einsprenglinge und der Enklaven definiert wird. Alle Einsprenglinge besitzen orthorhombische Symmetrie in Bezug zur Foliation. Monokline Schersinnindikatoren fehlen. Formregelungsanalysen an Enklaven, Kalifeldspat-Einsprenglingen, magmatischer Hornblende und Plagioklas sowie Strainanalysen (R _f /Φ) ergeben uniaxiale, oblate Ellipsoide, die im Pl?ttungsfeld des Flinn-Diagramms plotten. Im Dünnschliff kann keine durchgreifende, plastische Verformung, weder der Feldsp?te, noch von Hornblende oder Biotit, beobachtet werden. Feldsp?te sind generell parallel zu ihren Flachseiten verzwillingt und die L?ngsachsen liegen parallel zur magmatischen Foliation. Quarz w?chst im allgemeinen in Zwickelr?umen, er zeigt penetrative, plastische Verformung. Sie beginnt unter Hoch-Temperatur-Bedingungen nahe dem Solidus und endet unter Niedrig-Temperatur-Bedingungen und sinistraler Scherung. Diese Scherdeformation ist verantwortlich für die Schiefregelung des Quarz-c-Achsen Gefüges. AMS- und Kathodolumineszenz-Untersuchungen, sowie Quarz-c-Achsen-Messungen unterstützen die Interpretation, da? Pl?ttung unter einem NW-SE-gerichteten, einengenden Strainregime die gefügepr?gende Rolle w?hrend der Platznahme des Ludwigsh?he-Plutons spielte.

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Received July 10, 1999; revised version accepted October 4, 2000     

Abundances of chemical elements of the granitoids in different geotectonic units of China and their characteristics

On the basis of actual analytical data of 767 composited samples collected mainly from about 750 large to middle representative granitoid bodies all over China, the average chemical compositions and element abundances of about 70 chemical elements of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, FeO, MgO, CaO, Na₂O, K₂O, H₂O⁺, CO₂, TFe₂O₃, Ag, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, F, Ga, Ge, Hf, Hg, Li, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Sr, Ta, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, W, Zn, Zr, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and Y in alkalifeldspar granite, syenogranite and adamellite in 7 geotectonic units in China such as Tianshan-Xing’an orogenic series, Sino-Korean metaplatform, Kunlun-Qilian-Qinling orogenic series, Yunnan-Tibet orogenic series, Yangtze metaplatform, South China-Youjiang orogenic zone and Himalayan orogenic belt, are calculated and presented in this paper. In addition, the characteristics of petrochemical parameters, trace element contents and rare earth element distributions of different rock types of the granitoids in different geotectonic units are also sufficiently discussed. Translated from Acta Geologica Sinica, 2007, 81(1): 47–59 [译自: 地质学报]     

Emplacement of synkinematic plutons in the Variscan Odenwald (Germany) controlled by transtensional tectonics

In the Odenwald area (SW-Germany) an intermediate level of Variscan magmatic arc is exposed. Between 360 and 335 Ma the »Neunkirchen Intrusive Complex« intruded into an active NE-SW-trending zone of ductile divergent strike shear. After the thermal peak of metamorphism, but before the emplacement of the magmatic rocks shear zones developed in the wall rocks. The microfabrics of these zones infer plastic deformation of feldspar, hornblende and quartz and an increasing degree of postkinematic annealing towards the intrusive complex. During emplacement and solidification, the magmatic rocks experienced bulk strain: The intrusive complex locally crosscut the shear zones of the wall rocks, but show magmatic and also mylonitic foliations which parallel these zones. A change from plastic to brittle behavior of feldspar and amphibole and a varying degree of postkinematic annealing of quartz, suggest that in the intrusive complex strike shear continued during cooling. In wall rocks and plutonic rocks kinematic indicators imply sinistral displacement; in the wall rocks adjacent to the intrusive complex, strike shear was combined with normal displacement. This suggests that a component of horizontal extension which was associated with strike shear (transtension) facilitated ascend and emplacement of the magma. Transtension occurred at the same time, when the Schwarzwald/Vosges area (in the south of the Odenwald) was subjected to NW-SE compression; transtension was probably initiated by lateral escape of crustal fragments during overall convergent plate movements. Transtension is also supposed to be associated with significant uplift of metamorphic rocks.

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Zusammenfassung Im Gebiet des Odenwaldes (SW-Deutschland) ist das mittlere Krustenniveau eines variszischen magmatischen Gürtels aufgeschlossen. Zwischen 360 und 335 Ma intrudierte eine Abfolge magmatischer Gesteine (»Neunkirchener Flasergranitoid-komplex«) synkinematisch in eine NE-SW-streichende, divergente, duktile Blattverschiebungszone: Nach dem thermischen Höhepunkt der Metamorphose, aber noch vor der Platznahme der magmatischen Gesteine entwickelten sich im Nebengestein Scherzonen. Die Mikrogefüge dieser Zonen zeigen plastisches Deformationsverhalten von Feldspat, Hornblende und Quarz und postkinematische Temperung an. Während der Platznahme und Konsolidierung wurden die Magmatite deformiert. Die magmatische Abfolge schneidet lokal die Scherzonen des Nebengesteins, weist aber magmatische und auch mylonitische Foliationen parallel zu diesen Zonen auf. In den Magmatiten überdauerte die Abkühlung die Deformation: Feldspat und Amphibol zeigen einen Wechsel im Deformationsverhalten von plastisch zu spröde, der Grad der postkinematischen Temperung variiert. Im Nebengestein und in der magmatischen Abfolge wurden aus kinematischen Indikatoren sinistrale Blattverschiebungen abgeleitet. In den Nebengesteinen beinhalten die Blattverschiebungen eine deutliche Abschiebungskomponente. Dies läßt darauf schließen, daß horizontale Extension, die mit den Blattverschiebungen assoziiert war (Transtension) Aufstieg und Platznahme des Magmas erleichterte. Transtension fand gleichzeitig mit NW-SE-Kompression in Schwarzwald/Vogesen (südlich des Odenwaldes) statt. Transtension wurde möglicherweise durch »lateral escape« einzelner Krustenfragmente während der Kompression verursacht; sie ist wahrscheinlich auch mit signifikanter Hebung von metamorphen Gesteinen verbunden.

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Résumé Dans l'Odenwald (Allemagne du sud-ouest) affleure le niveau crustal moyen d'un arc magmatique varisque. Entre 360 et 335 Ma, un ensemble de roches magmatiques (le Complexe intrusif de Neukirchen) s'est mis en place de manière syncinématique dans une zone de cisaillement ductile divergent: après le pic thermique du métamorphisme, mais avant la mise en place des roches magmatiques, des shear-zones se sont développées dans les roches encaissantes. Les microfabriques de ces zones montrent une déformation plastique du feldspath, de la hornblende et du quartz et un recuit post-cinématique dont le degré augmente vers le complexe intrusif. Les roches magmatiques ont été déformées au cours de leur mise en place et de leur consolidation. Le complexe intrusif est localement sécant sur les shear-zones des roches encaissantes, mais présente des foliations magmatiques et mylonitiques parallèles à ces zones. Dans les roches magmatiques, la déformation cisaillante s'est poursuivie pendant le refroidissment: en témoignent le passage du comportement plastique du feldspath et de l'amphibole à un comportement rupturel, ainsi qu'un degré variable de recuit postcinématique du quartz. Tant dans les roches plutoniques que dans leurs encaissants, les marqueurs de déformation impliquent un déplacement sénestre; dans les roches encaissantes, le cisaillement est combiné à un déplacement normal. On en déduit qu'une composante d'extension horizontale, associée au cisaillement (« transtension »), a facilité la montée et la mise en place du magma. Cette «transtension» s'est manifestée au moment où la région des Vosges et de la Forêt Noire (au sud de l'Odenwald) était soumise à une compression et une transpression NW-SE; la transtension a été probablement initiée par le départ latéral («lateral escape») de fragments de croûte lors des mouvements de convergence des plaques. Elle est aussi vraisemblablement en liaison avec une montée significative des roches métamorphiques.

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. 360 335 , , NE-SW («Neunkirchener Flasergranitoidkomplex»). , . , , . . , , , . : , . , . . , , ( ), . NW-SE /, .. . , , («lateral escape») . , , .

     

S- and I-type granitoids of North Victoria Land,Antarctica, and their inferred geotectonic setting

In the context of Gondwana North Victoria Land forms the Antarctic conjugate terrain to the East Australian Lachlan Fold Belt, where the distinction between S- and I-type granitoids was first worked out (Chappell &White 1974). Thus the area was considered a good testing ground for the hypothesis when the German Antarctic North Victoria Land Expedition (Ganovex) resumed fieldwork there in 1979/80.It was known at that time that there existed a Cambro/Ordovician and a Devonian/Carboniferous granitoid generation, which, in analogy to Australia, were taken to be related to two different orogenetic events. Our geological, petrographical and geochemical investigations, together with radiometric age dating, revealed that this is true only for the older granite generation. The younger generation is in fact anorogenic. At the same time, it became obvious that the S- and I-type classification did not completely fit the observed field data. At this pointPitcher's (1982) subdivision of the I-types into a »Cordilleran« and a »Caledonian« suite offered a solution to account for the observed irregularities.At about the same time, plate tectonic models based on evidence independent from the granite classification were developed for this part of the active Gondwana margin. This offers the opportunity to crosscheck the tectonic environment derived from the granite classification:The characteristics of the older, Cambro/Ordovician granitoids allow a perfect accommodation in the model of an active margin above a subduction zone as derived from other evidence.For the younger (Devonian/Carboniferous) granitoids, however, the postulated tectonic setting (post-collisional uplift and faulting) could not be verified in North Victoria Land.It is concluded thatPitchers classification is applicable in its petrographic and geochemical aspects but that the tectonic environment postulated for the production of »Caledonian« I-type granitoids may not be the same in all investigated areas.

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Zusammenfassung Im Gondwana Rahmen bildet Nord Victoria Land das antarktische Pendant zur ostaustralischen Lachlan Mobilzone, wo die Einteilung von Graniten in S- und I-Typen entwickelt wurde (Chappell &White 1974). Deshalb war eine überprüfung dieser neu entwickelten Hypothese eines der Arbeitsziele, als die deutschen Nord Victoria Land Expeditionen (Ganovex) dort 1979 ihre Arbeiten aufnahmen. An den bekannten zwei Granitgenerationen der Region wurden geologische, petrographische und geochemische Untersuchungen sowie Altersbestimmungen durchgeführt, deren Ergebnisse sich folgenderma\en zusammenfassen lassen.Die ältere, kambro-ordovizische Granitfolge steht, analog zur Situation in Australien, in enger Beziehung zu einer bedeutenden Orogenese, während sich zur jüngeren, devonisch-karbonischen Suite kein zugehöriges tektonisches Ereignis finden lie\. Dies steht im Gegensatz zur Situation in Australien/Tasmanien.Die S- und I-Typ Klassifikation, auf Nord Victoria Land angewendet, weist ähnliche Widersprüche auf, wie siePitcher (1982) zur Aufteilung der I-Typen in »kordillere« und »kaledonische« Sippen führten.Plattentektonische Modelle, die in den letzten Jahren für diese Region am mobilen Rand Gondwanas unabhängig von der Granitklassifikation nach geologischen und tektonischen Kriterien entwickelt wurden, erlauben es, die vonPitcher entwickelten tektonischen Bildungsmilieus für verschiedene Granit-Typen zu überprüfen:Die Charakteristiken der älteren (kambro-ordovizischen) Granite erlauben ein widerspruchsloses Einfügen in das aus anderen Kriterien abgeleitete Bild eines aktiven Kontinentalrandes über einer Subduktionszone.Für die jüngeren (devonisch-karbonischen) Granite dagegen, die im Charakter den »kaledonischen« I-TypenPitchers entsprechen, sind die für deren Bildung postulierten Vorgänge, nämlich Hebung und Dehnung nach einer Kollision, in Nord Victoria Land nicht erkennbar.Demnach erscheint zwar die KlassifikationPitchers sinnvoll, da sie in ihrer petrographisch-geochemischen Charakterisierung nachvollziehbar ist, aber das abgeleitete tektonische Milieu für die Bildung der »kaledonischen« Typen bedarf einer weiteren überprüfung.

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Résumé Dans le contexte du Gondwana, la Terre Victoria est le pendant antarctique de la zone plissée de Lachlan, en Australie Orientale, où la distinction entre granites S et I a été établie pour la première fois (Chappel &White 1974). C'est pourquoi la vérification de cette hypothèse a été portée au programme de l'expédition allemande à la Terre Victoria en 1979–80 (Ganovex).On connaissait à cette époque l'existence d'une génération cambro-ordovicienne et d'une génération dévono-carbonifère de granitoÏdes qui, par analogie avec l'Australie, avaient été rapportées à deux événements orogéniques différents. Nos investigations géologiques, pétrologiques, géochimiques et géochronologiques montrent que cette conclusion n'est vraie que pour les granites de la première génération. La seconde génération est, en fait, anorogénique. Il s'est avéré en mÊme temps que la répartition en types S et I ne correspond pas exactement aux observations de terrain. Par contre, la distinction introduite parPitcher (1982) parmi les granites I entre une série »de Cordillère« et une série »Calédonienne« peut expliquer les irrégularités que nous observons.Environ à cette époque, des modèles géodynamiques basés sur des considérations indépendantes de la classification des granites ont été proposés pour cette partie de la marge active du Gondwana. Ces modèles permettent de recouper les considérations sur l'environnement tectonique des granites, déduites de leur classification:Les caractères des granitoÏdes anciens, cambro-ordoviciens, s'accordent parfaitement au modèle d'une marge active surmontant une subduction.Par contre, pour les granitoÏdes jeunes, dévono-carbonifères, la situation tectonique postulée (soulèvement et fracturation post-collision) n'a pas pu Être confirmée sur la Terre Victoria.En conclusion, la classification dePitcher est applicable dans ses aspects pétrographiques et géochimiques, mais l'environnement tectonique qui préside à la formation de granitoÏdes de type »Calédonien I« n'est pas nécessairement le mÊme dans toutes les régions étudiées.

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- Lachlan, S I (Chappell & White, 1974). (GANOVEX) 1979 . , , . : - , , , , - , , - . S I , , (Pitcher, 1982) I . , , , , : — - — , . , - , , , , .. ., , - , , , , .

     

First Triassic palaeomagnetic constraints from Junggar (NW China) and their implications for the Mesozoic tectonics in Central Asia

Northwestern China belts result from the Palaeozoic collage of Central Asia and the subsequent reactivations due to far-field effects of the Mesozoic Tibetan and the Cenozoic Himalayan collisions. Triassic is a crucial period to understand and decipher the tectonics related to these two episodes. About 250 oriented palaeomagnetic cores from 43 sites were collected from six sections of Upper Permian to Late Triassic sandstone, in South and West Junggar, Northwestern China. Thermomagnetic, IRM and hysteresis measurements reveal magnetite as the main carrier of the magnetic remanence with minor hematite and maghemite. Stepwise thermal demagnetisation has generally isolated two components. The low temperature component, up to 300–350 °C, displays a direction consistent with the present-day geomagnetic field. The locality-mean directions related to the high temperature component (above 350 °C) were also calculated. Two out of six sections display intense viscous magnetisation and the occurrence of maghemite reveals a possible Cenozoic chemical remagnetisation for these two localities. For the other four localities, we assume that the magnetisation is primary because: (1) AMS measurements reveal a primary fabric, (2) there are local occurrences of antipodal polarities, and (3) palaeolatitudes of tilt-corrected poles are compatible with previous studies. The consistency between the Early Triassic poles of West and South Junggar indicates that Junggar evolved as a rigid block only since Early Mesozoic. The comparison of the Late Palaeozoic and the Early Mesozoic poles of Junggar and those of Siberia and Tarim shows major rotations between the Late Permian and the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous. These periods of discrete rotations are characterized by strike-slip faulting in Tianshan and Altai and they may correlate with the major episodes of coarse-grained detrital sedimentation and uplift of the range. Especially, the counter-clockwise rotations of Junggar relative to Tarim and Siberia, which occurred between the Early and the Late Triassic and between the Late Triassic and the Late Jurassic, are accommodated by transpressive tectonics in the Tianshan and the Altai belts. This reactivation is a far-field effect of Tibetan blocks diachronous collisions. Therefore, these first Triassic palaeomagnetic results from Junggar infer that post-Carboniferous rotations were due to the combined effect of the post-orogenic transcurrent movement and the Mesozoic oblique reactivation.     

南秦岭花岗岩锆石U-Pb定年及其地质意义

锆石Ｕ－Ｐｂ定年结果表明,南秦岭勉、略构造带以北迷坝、光头山和东江口等花岗岩体形成于三叠纪（２０６￣２２０Ｍａ）,与南秦岭勉－略构造带洋盆的闭合时代及大别山超高压变质时代基本一致显示了它们的形成与勉－略古生代洋盆闭合后及华南陆块与华北陆块碰撞之间的内在联系。它支持华南和华北两大陆块最终在印支期碰撞的观点。     

Electron microprobe study of detrital amphiboles from Famennian synorogenic clastic sediments of the Saxothuringian belt (Erbendorf Paleozoic,NE-Bavaria,Germany): Consequences for provenance and geotectonic development

Abstract

Detrital amphiboles from the Famennian, Saxothuringian greywackes of the “Erbendorf Paleozoic” in Bavaria were analysed with an electron microprobe. The results were compared with recalculated literature data of amphiboles from potential source rocks to obtain more detailed information about the provenance of the oldest preserved synorogenic sediments in the Saxothuringian belt.

All of the detrital amphiboles show very similar, homogeneous chemical compositions. All of them are Ca-amphiboles (with (Ca+Na)_B ≥: 1.34; Naf_B < 0.67; (Na+K)_A < 0.50 and Ti < 0.50), mostly inagnesio-hornblende and tschermakitic hornblende. The comparison with amphiboles from rocks of potential provenance areas reveals that the Randamphibolit-Series of the Miinchberg Massif – or an equivalent, already eroded unit – can be regarded as source rock of the detrital amphiboles.

The presented data are the first evidence, that the Randamphibolit of the Miinchberg Massif was exhumed as early as in the Famennian, shortly after its metamorphism. It can be concluded that before Famennian time the complete Saxothuringian oceanic crust and large parts of the Saxothuringian continental crust had been subducted at the active margin. This implies that the collision of the Saxothuringian plate with the Tepla-Barrandian microplate, leading to the accretion of the Saxothuringian plate, happened 15–20 Ma earlier than previous authors had supposed. Accordingly, the collisional stage must have been reached not later than in the middle Devonian (approx. 380 Ma).     

Transitional blueschist–epidote amphibolite facies metamorphism in the Frankenberg massif, Germany, and geotectonic implications

Bimodal metavolcanic rocks, granitic gneisses and metasediments are associated in the Frankenberg massif, Germany. These rocks are faulted against underlying very low-grade Palaeozoic sequences and adjacent metamorphic complexes of the Variscan basement. The granitic gneisses record an Rb–Sr whole-rock isochron age of 461±20  Ma that is taken as at least a minimum protolith age. The bimodal meta-igneous suites are interpreted to have formed during rifting of the Gondwana continental margin in the Cambro-Ordovician. The various metamorphic units have all experienced a common P–T  history. The peak-pressure stage is constrained to around 490–520  °C and 10–14  kbar (10–12  kbar being most realistic). The metamorphism proceeded along a clockwise P–T path towards conditions of around 580–610  °C and 7–8.5  kbar at the thermal peak followed by a final low-pressure overprint which spanned amphibolite facies to prehnite–actinolite facies temperatures. Owing to a secondary Rb–Sr whole-rock isochron age of 381±24  Ma, interpreted to date the retrograde stage, the whole metamorphic cycle in the Frankenberg massif is ascribed to the late Silurian–early Devonian high-pressure event widely recorded in the European Variscides. The antiformal complexes bordering the Frankenberg massif underwent a well-documented early Carboniferous metamorphism, suggesting that the Frankenberg massif constitutes a klippe which was overthrust towards the end of this second metamorphic cycle.     

New Early Permian paleomagnetic results from the Brive basin (French Massif Central) and their implications for Late Variscan tectonics

In order to assess the structural evolution of the Brive basin and the Paleozoic activity of surrounding major faults in the French Massif Central, we carried out a paleomagnetic study on Early Permian rocks from this basin. Positive-fold tests and solely reversed polarities indicate that the characteristic remanent magnetization is likely to be primary. Early Permian tilt-corrected site mean declinations vary from 207°–167° indicating that the Brive basin experienced internal vertical-axis rotations. On the contrary, Late Permian paleomagnetic site means exhibit a circular Fisherian distribution showing no relative rotations. Detailed analyses of Permian paleomagnetic data from five contemporaneous basins of the French Massif Central reveal that these basins share the same equatorial paleolatitude with stable Europe throughout the Permian. However, in Early Permian, three of the five basins experienced differential rotations. The Saint-Affrique basin not only suffered internal deformation during the Early Permian, but the basin as a whole underwent a full-scale counterclockwise vertical-axis block rotation with respect to stable Europe. As a consequence, paleomagnetic data from similar late orogenic basins have to be thus carefully considered for establishment of Apparent Polar Wander paths.     

太古宙花岗质岩石Si-O同位素对岩石成因和板块构造的约束

板块构造的起源是地球科学核心问题之一, 而表壳物质循环是现代板块构造的重要表现之一, 因此检验地球表壳物质循环起始时间是约束板块构造启动时间的重要切入点。近年来, 岩浆岩的Si-O同位素联合示踪开始被用来约束太古宙构造环境, 但由于大多太古宙样品经历了强烈的变质作用, Si同位素数据是否代表原岩信息需要进一步的评估; 此外, Si同位素在高温岩浆分异过程中变化非常小, 在分析精度不够高的情况下, 其分析结果则很可能无法揭示其潜在的变化规律。本文结合当前地球早期构造环境研究进展以及Si-O同位素的应用情况: (1)重点总结介绍了太古宙花岗质岩石(主要包括英云闪长岩-奥长花岗岩-花岗闪长岩; 简称TTG)的Si同位素应用原理, 及应用Si-O同位素约束地球早期构造环境的优势; (2)分析了目前研究中存在的问题, 并给出了具体的改进建议和方法; (3)进一步总结了太古宙TTG Si同位素和全球规模的O同位素, Ge/Si比值, 及其他地质学和地球化学指标, 确认了在大约3.8 Ga开始有表壳物质再循环特征的出现; (4)最后依据当前的研究进展, 提出了未来具体研究方向。

     

Geochemistry of metabauxites in the Bergsträsser Odenwald (Mid German Crystalline Rise) and palaeoenvironmental implications

Summary Pre- to early Variscan metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary series of the western (Bergstr?sser) Odenwald have been intruded by Variscan calc-alkaline magmatites with plate margin affinities. Within the NE-SW trending metabasic and metapelitic series, intercalations of anomalously aluminous- and iron-rich compositions representing former bauxites are distinguishable. Geochemical data indicate that the Al-, Fe-rich rocks are the metamorphic equivalents of a former bauxitic-ferralitic weathering profile, now comprising spinel fels (top) with relics of pisolitic structures, corundum-chlorite fels, corundum-cordierite-plagioclase gneiss, sillimanite-cordierite-plagioclase gneiss, cordierite-plagioclase gneiss and kinzigite (base) displaying a decrease of weathering in the order as listed. The evolution of such terrestrial sediments is related to specific climatic, environmental, and physico-chemical conditions similar to those of the present-day tropical to subtropical humid regions with high seasonal rains and intensive drainage. Comparison with palaeomagnetic and palaeoclimatic data indicate that the Odenwald metabauxites originally formed during the Lower to Mid-Devonian. Our results imply that, during this geological time span, parts of the precursors of the Mid-German Crystalline Rise not only transversed low latitudes but also were exposed to terrestrial weathering.

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Zusammenfassung Die Geochemie der Metabauxite im Bergstr?sser Odenwald (Mitteldeutsche Kristallinschwelle) und ihre Bedeutung für das Pal?omilieu Im westlichen (Bergstr?sser) Odenwald intrudierten variszische Plattenrand-Kalkalkali-Magmatite in pr?- bis früh-variszische, ehemalige vulkano-sediment?re Serien. Innerhalb der heute NE-SW streichenden Metabasit- und Metapelitzüge treten lokal Al-Fe-reiche Einschaltungen auf, die strukturell und geochemisch als metamorphe ?quivalente eines ehemaligen bauxitisch-ferralitischen Verwitterungsprofils klassifiziert werden k?nnen. Sie umfassen Spinellfelse mit erhaltenen, ehemaligen zonierten Pisolithen, Korund-Chloritfelse, Korund-Cordierit-Plagioklasgneise, Sillimanit-Cordierit-Plagioklasgneise, Cordierit-Plagioklasgneise und Kinzigite. Bauxite k?nnen als terrestrische Bildungen nur unter speziellen klimatischen und physiko-chemischen Bedingungen entstehen. Pal?omagnetische und pal?oklimatische Daten legen die Bildung der ehemaligen Bauxite im unteren bis mittleren Devon nahe. Daraus folgt, da? w?hrend dieser geologischen Zeitspanne die Vorl?ufer der mitteldeutschen Kristallinschwelle bei der Norddrift nicht nur ?quatorn?he passierten, sondern auch partiell ungest?rte, terrestrische, tropisch-subtropische Verwitterungsprozesse abliefen.

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Received June 10, 1999; revised version accepted October 30, 2000     

Volcanic tuffs from Hesse (Germany) and their weathering behaviour

In the Hessian region of Germany numerous deposits of tuffs are known from which natural building stones were extracted. Many buildings show examples of the use of this material in the past. In contrast to their attractive appearance and ease of extraction from quarries, tuffs are liable to destruction by weathering. Most common damages are disintegration, crumbling, cracking, scaling and flaking. In this paper, the causes of damage of selected varieties have been analysed using petrographical and petrophysical methods. The measured values are disadvantageous in comparison to other natural building stones. Large amounts of swellable clay minerals, mostly forming the cementing material, cause scaling due to repeated humidification. High porosity including negative pore structures and high adsorption effects results in structural damages while freezing. Consequently, most varieties of the described tuffs possess a limited usage as an outdoor building material.     

Mineral chemistry and thermobarometry of Eocene monzogabbroic stocks from the Bafra (Samsun) area in Turkey: implications for disequilibrium crystallization and emplacement conditions

Monzogabbro stocks including felsic enclaves (monzosyenite) around the Bafra (Samsun) area at the western edge of the Eastern Pontides cut Eocene-aged volcanic and sedimentary units. The monzogabbros contain plagioclase, alkali feldspar, clinopyroxene, olivine, hornblende, biotite, apatite, and iron-titanium oxides, whereas the felsic enclaves contain alkali feldspar, plagioclase, hornblende, biotite, clinopyroxene, and iron-titanium oxides. Mineral chemistry data suggest that magmas experienced hydrous and anhydrous crystallization in deep and shallow crustal magma chambers. Several thermobarometers were used to estimate temperatures of crystallization and emplacement for the mafic and felsic magmas. Clinopyroxene thermobarometry yielded 1100–1232 C and 5.9–8.1 kbar for monzogabbros, and 931–1109 C and 1.8–6.9 kbar for felsic enclaves. Hornblende thermobarometry and oxygen fugacity estimates reveal 739–971°C, 7.0–9.2 kbar and 10^?9.71 for monzogabbros and 681–928°C, 3.0–6.1 kbar and 10^?11.34 for felsic enclaves. Biotite thermobarometry shows elevated oxygen fugacity varying from 10^?18.9–10^?11.07 at 632–904°C and 1.29–1.89 kbar for monzogabbros, to 10^?15.99 –10^?11.82 at 719–873°C and 1.41–1.77 kbar for felsic enclaves. The estimated zircon and apatite saturation temperatures are 504–590°C and 693–730°C for monzogabbros and 765–775°C and 641–690°C for felsic enclaves, respectively. These data imply that several phases in the gabbroic and syenitic magmas did not necessarily crystallize simultaneously and further indicate that the mineral compositions may register intervals of disequilibrium crystallization. Besides, thermobarometry contrasts between monzogabbro and felsic enclave may be partly a consequence of extended interactions between the mafic and felsic magmas by mixing/mingling and diffusion. Additionally, the hot felsic magma was close to liquidus conditions (crystallinity < 30%) when injected into cooler mafic magma (crystallinity > 50%), and thus, the monzogabbro stocks reflect hybrid products from the mingling and incomplete mixing of these two magmas.