A Neoarchean–Proterozoic Supercontinent (~2.8–0.9 Ga): An Alternative to the Model of Supercontinent Cycles

The model of supercontinent cycles is revisited on the basis of reevaluation of existing ideas on the geodynamics and tectonics of granulite gneiss belts and areals. Granulite-gneiss belts and areals of a regional scale correspond to mantle–plume (superplume) activity and form the major components of intracontinental orogens. The evolution of geodynamic settings of the Earth’s crust origin can be imagined as a “spiral sequence”: (1) interaction of mantle plumes and “embryonic” microplate tectonics during the Paleo- Mesoarchean (~3.80–2.75 Ga); (2) plume-tectonics and local plume-driven plate-tectonics within supercontinent during Neoarchean and Proterozoic (~2.75–0.85 Ga); (3) plate tectonics in the Phanerozoic along with a reduced role of mantle plumes starting from ~0.85 Ga.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987113000054

Substantial part of the northern margin of Indian plate is subducted beneath the Eurasian plate during the Caenozoic Himalayan orogeny, obscuring older tectonic events in the Lesser Himalaya known to host Proterozoic sedimentary successions and granitic bodies. Tectonostratigraphic units of the Proterozoic Lesser Himalayan sequence (LHS) of Eastern Himalaya, namely the Daling Group in Sikkim and the Bomdila Group in Arunachal Pradesh, provide clues to the nature and extent of Proterozoic passive margin sedimentation, their involvement in pre-Himalayan orogeny and implications for supercontinent reconstruction. The Daling Group, consisting of flaggy quartzite, meta-greywacke and metapelite with minor mafic dyke and sill, and the overlying Buxa Formation with stromatolitic carbonate-quartzite-slate, represent shallow marine, passive margin platformal association. Similar lithostratigraphy and broad depositional framework, and available geochronological data from intrusive granites in Eastern Himalaya indicate strikewise continuity of a shallow marine Paleoproterozoic platformal sequence up to Arunachal Pradesh through Bhutan. Multiple fold sets and tectonic foliations in LHS formed during partial or complete closure of the sea/ocean along the northern margin of Paleoproterozoic India. Such deformation fabrics are absent in the upper Palaeozoic–Mesozoic Gondwana formations in the Lesser Himalaya of Darjeeling-Sikkim indicating influence of older orogeny. Kinematic analysis based on microstructure, and garnet composition suggest Paleoproterozoic deformation and metamorphism of LHS to be distinct from those associated with the foreland propagating thrust systems of the Caenozoic Himalayan collisional belt. Two possibilities are argued here: (1) the low greenschist facies domain in the LHS enveloped the amphibolite to granulite facies domains, which were later tectonically severed; (2) the older deformation and metamorphism relate to a Pacific type accretionary orogen which affected the northern margin of greater India. Better understanding of geodynamic evolution of the northern margin of India in the Paleoproterozoic has additional bearing on more refined model of reconstruction of Columbia.     

The boring billion? – Lid tectonics, continental growth and environmental change associated with the Columbia supercontinent

The evolution of Earth＇s biosphere,atmosphere and hydrosphere is tied to the formation of continental crust and its subsequent movements on tectonic plates.The supercontinent cycle posits that the continental crust is periodically amalgamated into a single landmass,subsequently breaking up and dispersing into various continental fragments.Columbia is possibly the first true supercontinent,it amalgamated during the 2.0-1.7 Ga period,and collisional orogenesis resulting from its formation peaked at 1.95-1.85 Ga.Geological and palaeomagnetic evidence indicate that Columbia remained as a quasi-integral continental lid until at least 1.3 Ga.Numerous break-up attempts are evidenced by dyke swarms with a large temporal and spatial range; however,palaeomagnetic and geologic evidence suggest these attempts remained unsuccessful.Rather than dispersing into continental fragments,the Columbia supercontinent underwent only minor modifications to form the next supercontinent （Rodinia） at 1.1 -0.9 Ga; these included the transformation of external accretionary belts into the internal Grenville and equivalent collisional belts.Although Columbia provides evidence for a form of ‘lid tectonics’,modern style plate tectonics occurred on its periphery in the form of accretionary orogens.The detrital zircon and preserved geological record are compatible with an increase in the volume of continental crust during Columbia＇s lifespan; this is a consequence of the continuous accretionary processes along its margins.The quiescence in plate tectonic movements during Columbia＇s lifespan is correlative with a long period of stability in Earth＇s atmospheric and oceanic chemistry.Increased variability starting at 1.3 Ga in the environmental record coincides with the transformation of Columbia to Rodinia; thus,the link between plate tectonics and environmental change is strengthened with this interpretation of supercontinent history.     

华北东南缘五河杂岩中镁铁质麻粒岩的变质演化

华北东南缘五河杂岩的变质演化过程研究有助于揭示研究区前寒武纪变质基底的形成与演化历史.基于对五河杂岩中镁铁质麻粒岩进行的详细岩相学观察、矿物电子探针及锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb定年和微量元素分析,识别出古元古代变质演化的3个阶段,重建了峰期后近等温减压及降压冷却的顺时针P-T-t轨迹.峰期高压麻粒岩相变质阶段的代表性矿物组合为石榴子石（富Ca核部）+单斜辉石（富Al）+斜长石+石英+金红石±角闪石（富Ti）,所记录的峰期温压条件为850~900 ℃、1.5 GPa;峰期后近等温减压麻粒岩相变质阶段,富Ti角闪石分解在周围形成石榴子石+斜方辉石+斜长石±单斜辉石的矿物组合,所记录的温压条件为~900 ℃、1.1~1.2 GPa;晚期角闪岩相退变质阶段,石榴子石分解产生角闪石+斜长石±石英,所记录的温压条件为600~680 ℃、0.65~0.75 GPa.锆石U-Pb定年结果表明,高压麻粒岩相、中压麻粒岩相和角闪岩相变质时代分别为~1.90 Ga、~1.85 Ga和~1.78 Ga.因此,研究区镁铁质麻粒岩的变质演化过程与胶北地体可以对比,结合已有的2.1 Ga花岗质岩石的成因和锆石年代学等方面研究成果,进一步证明五河杂岩属于胶-辽-吉带的西延,二者共同构成了华北克拉通东部一条古元古代碰撞造山带.      

桐柏造山带古元古代变质基性岩的锆石U-Pb年龄及其地质意义

桐柏造山带位于秦岭和大别造山带之间,其北侧对应于北秦岭中高级变质杂岩,南侧对应于大别山高压/超高压变质杂岩.锆石U-Pb定年在一个榴辉岩中获得其原岩侵位年龄和锆石重结晶或生长年龄分别为(1961±23) Ma和(1949±51) Ma,在一个石榴角闪岩(退变榴辉岩？)中获得其变质年龄为(1936±26) Ma,表明这两种基性岩石在二叠-三叠纪高压变质之前经历了古元古代变质作用的影响.由桐柏—大别—苏鲁造山带可利用的年代学资料确定,扬子陆块北缘发育的古元古代构造热事件可分为两幕,第一幕发生在约1.97～1.93 Ga,可能与Columbia超大陆的聚合有关;第二幕发生在约1.85～1.82 Ga,或者代表Columbia超大陆汇聚的继续,或者是陆块边缘增生过程的结果.     

Petrological and geochronological constraints on lower crust exhumation during Paleoproterozoic (Eburnean) orogeny,NW Ghana,West African Craton

New petrological and geochronological data are presented on high‐grade ortho‐ and paragneisses from northwestern Ghana, forming part of the Paleoproterozoic (2.25–2.00 Ga) West African Craton. The study area is located in the interference zone between N–S and NE–SW‐trending craton‐scale shear zones, formed during the Eburnean orogeny (2.15–2.00 Ga). High‐grade metamorphic domains are separated from low‐grade greenstone belts by high‐strain zones, including early thrusts, extensional detachments and late‐stage strike‐slip shear zones. Paragneisses sporadically preserve high‐pressure, low‐temperature (HP–LT) relicts, formed at the transition between the blueschist facies and the epidote–amphibolite sub‐facies (10.0–14.0 kbar, 520–600 °C), and represent a low (~15 °C km^?1) apparent geothermal gradient. Migmatites record metamorphic conditions at the amphibolite–granulite facies transition. They reveal a clockwise pressure–temperature–time (P–T–t) path characterized by melting at pressures over 10.0 kbar, followed by decompression and heating to peak temperatures of 750 °C at 5.0–8.0 kbar, which fit a 30 °C km^?1 apparent geotherm. A regional amphibolite facies metamorphic overprint is recorded by rocks that followed a clockwise P–T–t path, characterized by peak metamorphic conditions of 7.0–10.0 kbar at 550–680 °C, which match a 20–25 °C km^?1 apparent geotherm. These P–T conditions were reached after prograde burial and heating for some rock units, and after decompression and heating for others. The timing of anatexis and of the amphibolite facies metamorphic overprint is constrained by in‐situ U–Pb dating of monazite crystallization at 2138 ± 7 and 2130 ± 7 Ma respectively. The new data set challenges the interpretation that metamorphic breaks in the West African Craton are due to diachronous Birimian ‘basins’ overlying a gneissic basement. It suggests that the lower crust was exhumed along reverse, normal and transcurrent shear zones and juxtaposed against shallow crustal slices during the Eburnean orogeny. The craton in NW Ghana is made of distinct fragments with contrasting tectono‐metamorphic histories. The range of metamorphic conditions and the sharp lateral metamorphic gradients are inconsistent with ‘hot orogeny’ models proposed for many Precambrian provinces. These findings shed new light on the geodynamic setting of craton assembly and stabilization in the Paleoproterozoic. It is suggested that the metamorphic record of the West African Craton is characteristic of Paleoproterozoic plate tectonics and illustrates a transition between Archean and Phanerozoic orogens.     

区域变质作用与中国大陆地壳的形成与演化

在编制1∶500万中国变质地质图的基础上,本文总结了中国主要变质带的演化以及各变质带与中国大陆地壳形成演化之间的内在联系。虽然在华北和华南克拉通都有古太古代到中太古代的变质年代记录,但是由于后期改造其变质作用的特点及与区域构造背景的联系已难以追索。新太古代末-古元古代初期的变质作用在华北克拉通表现最明显,这期变质作用紧随大规模的TTG岩浆作用,普遍具有逆时针的P-T演化轨迹,反映了地幔柱主导的岩浆-变质事件特点。古元古代晚期的变质事件在华北、华南、塔里木克拉通都有强烈反映。这期变质作用以形成具有顺时针P-T演化轨迹的高压麻粒岩为特点,与形成Columbia超大陆的一些造山带的特点类似,但是这三个不同克拉通在与Columbia聚合的时间和空间方位上存在差异。华南克拉通是相对年轻的克拉通,是沿新元古代江南造山带扬子和华夏地块拼合的产物。新元古代江南造山带的火山岩形成时代和变质作用程度从北东向南西迁移,反映了造山过程逐渐迁移和剪刀式闭合的特点。形成华南克拉通后,在其东南缘又先后经历了加里东期和印支期的变质改造,并且由北西向南东变质带从加里东期转变为印支期,但是这两期变质作用的构造背景尚不很清楚。中国南北大陆的聚合首先从西昆仑-阿尔金-北祁连-北秦岭-桐柏开始,所反映的变质作用是早古生代的蓝片岩相和榴辉岩相变质岩相伴产出,表明经历了从洋壳俯冲到陆陆碰撞的演化过程。中国东部的南北大陆到印支期才最终汇聚,相应的变质作用以南部出现高压蓝片岩相、北部出现超高压的榴辉岩相变质带为特点,表明南方大陆向北方大陆的俯冲。超高压带内普遍含有柯石英,意味着大规模的陆壳深俯冲。华北克拉通和塔里木克拉通以北的中亚造山带内存在多条从早古生代到晚古生代的变质带和多条蓝片岩相变质带,表明这是一个由多阶段、多条变质带组成的造山区。但是其变质作用的空间和时间演化还有待进一步深入。青藏高原变质带具有北老南新的空间分布特点,最北部的印支期龙木错-双湖-澜沧江变质带反映了原特提斯和古特提斯洋的碰撞拼合过程,北部的燕山期班公湖-怒江变质带和中部的喜马拉雅早期雅鲁藏布江变质带反映了新特提斯洋的两次碰撞拼合过程,南部喜马拉雅晚期的高喜马拉雅变质带反映了印度板块向北俯冲导致的高原快速隆升过程。     

The Mesoproterozoic Guaporé suture in the SW Amazonian Craton: Geotectonic implications based on field geology,zircon geochronology and Nd–Sr isotope geochemistry

A major Mesoproterozoic paleo-plate boundary in the southwestern Amazonian Craton, the Guaporé Suture Zone, is investigated by U–Pb zircon geochronology, Sr–Nd isotope geochemistry and aeromagnetic data. This suture zone is constituted dominantly by ophiolitic mafic–ultramafic rocks of the Trincheira Complex, and minor proportion of tonalites of the Rio Galera and São Felipe complexes, Colorado Complex, amphibolites of the Rio Alegre Terrane and syn- to late-kinematic mafic to felsic plutonic rocks. The ophiolitic Trincheira Complex formed during an accretionary phase from 1470 to 1430 Ma and was overprinted by upper amphibolite–granulite facies metamorphism during the collisional phase of the Ectasian followed by syntectonic emplacement of gabbro and granite plutons (1350–1340 Ma). The ophiolites were intruded by syntectonic tonalitic–plagiogranitic plutons ca. 1435 Ma. Mafic–ultramafic rocks of the Trincheira ophiolites show moderate to highly positive initial epsilon Nd (t = 1.46 Ga) values (+2.6 to +8.8) and very low initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio (0.7013–0.7033). It is suggested that these magmas originated from a depleted mantle source in an island-arc–back-arc setting. The identification of a fossil ophiolite in the Guaporé Suture Zone early as 1470–1435 Ma and later collisional phase, as late as 1350 Ma, marks the impingement of the proto-Amazonian Craton against the Paragua Block, before the formation of the Rodinia supercontinent. The results provide important insights into the geodynamic history of the SW Amazonian Craton, with evidence for both accretionary orogen and subduction of oceanic lithosphere in the Mesoproterozoic, and provide information that allows other workers to evaluate the configuration of supercontinents.     

Granulite Gneiss Belts: The Geodynamic Aspect

The features of the structure and tectonic evolution of granulite gneiss belts (GGBs) are analyzed and summarized from the present-day data. Their continent–continent collision tectonic origin is supported, as well as multicycle and an inherited style of evolution expressed in multiple manifestations of granulite facies metamorphism of the belt separated by few 100 Ma. GGBs are permanently mobile structures that exhibit endogenic activity during all stages of their evolution, including intraplate conditions. Their relationship with supercontinental cyclicity is evident from (i) the spatial location of most GGBs in the margins of young oceans that originated during the breakup of Pangea, (ii) the amalgamation and breakup of ancient supercontinents along the GGBs, and (iii) the correlation between various types of granulite metamorphism of these belts and stages of supercontinental cycle. The evolution of these belts leads to complex interaction of plate and mantle plume tectonics, which is expressed in combination of continent–continent collision and underplating. The possible use of GGBs in paleotectonic analysis along with other indicators of geodynamic settings is shown.     

The Paleoproterozoic North Hebei Orogen: North China craton's collisional suture with the Columbia supercontinent

Understanding the geologic history and position of the North China craton in the Paleoproterozoic Columbia supercontinent has proven elusive. Paleoproterozoic orogenic episodes (2.00–1.85 Ga) are temporally associated with ultimate stabilization of the North China craton (NCC), followed by the development of extensive craton-wide rift systems at 1.85–1.80 Ga. The age difference between the sedimentary cover and the metamorphic basement is up to 500–700 Ma, suggesting that uplift and doming of cratonic basement occurred in the latest Paleoproterozoic. Mafic dike swarms (1.80–1.77 Ga) and anorogenic magmatism (1.80–1.70 Ga) record the extensional breakup and dispersal of the North China craton during this stage. The late Paleoproterozoic tectonic framework and geological events documented provide important constraints for reconstruction of the NCC within the Late Paleoproterozoic supercontinent of Columbia.An east-west striking thousand kilometer long belt of khondalites (granulite facies metapelites) stretches along the northern margin of the North China craton, on the cratonward side of the Northern Hebei orogenic belt. This granulite belt includes Mg–Al (sapphirine bearing) granulites that reached ultrahigh-temperature “peak” metamorphic conditions of  1000 °C at 10 kbars at 1927 ± 11 Ma. Following peak ultrahigh-temperature conditions, the rocks underwent initial isobaric cooling and subsequent isothermal decompression, and these trajectories are interpreted to be part of an overall anti-clockwise P-T evolution indicating that the northern margin of the craton experienced continental collision at 1.93–1.92 Ga. The position of the khondalite belt south of the Northern Hebei orogenic belt makes it analogous to Tibet, a continental collision-related plateau characterized by double crustal thicknesses and granulite facies metamorphism at depth. We suggest that the tectonic evolution of the NCC during this period was closely related to the assembly and break-up of the Columbia supercontinent, and that the NCC was adjacent to the Baltic and Amazonian cratons in the period 2.00–1.70 Ga. Craton-wide extension occurred within 100–150 Ma of collision along the northern margin of the craton at 1.93–1.92 Ga. It is concluded that mantle upwellings are chiefly responsible for the breakup of the NCC from the Paleoproterozoic supercontinent.     

华北陆块基底构造格局及早期大陆克拉通化过程

依据区域构造分析及同位素年代娄数据库,华北克拉通普质基底主要可以区划为以处构造单元：１）鄂尔多斯陆块新太古代被动边缘沉积;２）恒山－－承德太古代末期构造带;３）太古代末期五台－－登封岛弧带杂岩及构造缝合带;４）鲁西－－冀东－辽吉新太古代活动大陆边缘岩浆杂岩带;５）胶辽陆块;６）冀北－－固阳古元代初造山带及内蒙－＝东再造麻粒岩要带;７）吕梁－－中条古元古代裂谷带;８）辽南古元古代裂谷带。华北克拉通早     

Absolute paleogeographic reconstructions of the Siberian Craton in the Phanerozoic: A problem of time estimation of superplumes

The intraplate activity within the Siberian Craton in the Phanerozoic is related to continental migration above the hot spot agglomeration compared to the African superplume. The continuity of intraplate activity within this superplume testifies to its age identity to the antipodal to the Rodinian superplume that destroyed the Rodinia supercontinent. This allowed us to conclude that the African superplume has existed for no less than 1 Ga. Because the Rodinian and Pacific superplumes are compared, it may be gathered that superplumes are the most long-lived deep-seated structures of the Earth. Their relation to the formation of supercontinents probably reflects the antiphased activity caused by the thermostating effect and energy accumulation by superplumes when being overlapped by supercontinents. When analyzing the evolution and generation of modern continents, it is necessary to consider both processes related to the plate boundaries and the activity of superplumes determining the intraplate magmatism therein.     

3D model of Svecofennian Accretionary Orogen and Karelia Craton based on geology,reflection seismics,magnetotellurics and density modelling: Geodynamic speculations

A 3D model of deep crustal structure of the Archaean Karelia Craton and late Palaeoproterozoic Svecofennian Accretionary Orogen including the boundary zone is presented. The model is based on the combination of data from geological mapping and reflection seismic studies, along profiles 1-EU, 4B, FIRE-1-2a-2 and FIRE-3-3a, and uses results of magnetotelluric soundings in southern Finland and northern Karelia. A seismogeological model of the crust and crust–mantle boundary is compared with a model of subhorizontal velocity-density layering of the crust. The TTG-type crust of the Palaeoarchaean and Mesoarchaean microcontinents within the Karelia Craton and the Belomorian Province are separated by gently dipping greenstone belts, at least some of which are palaeosutures. The structure of the crust was determined mainly by Palaeoproterozoic tectonism in the intra-continental settings modified by a strong collisional compression at the end of the Palaeoproterozoic. New insights into structure, origin and evolution of the Svecofennian Orogen are provided. The accretionary complex is characterized by inclined tectonic layering: the tectonic sheets, ~15 ​km thick, are composed of volcanic-sedimentary rocks, including electro-conductive graphite-bearing sedimentary rocks, and electro-resistive granitoids, which plunge monotonously and consecutively eastward. Upon reaching the level of the lower crust, the tectonic sheets of the accretionary complex lose their distinct outlines. In the seismic reflection pattern they are replaced by a uniform acoustically translucent medium, where separate sheets can only be traced fragmentarily. The crust–mantle boundary bears a diffuse character: the transition from crust to mantle is recorded by the disappearance of the vaguely drawn boundaries of the tectonic sheets and in the gradual transition of acoustically homogeneous and translucent lower crust into transparent mantle. Under the effect of endogenic heat flow, the accretionary complex underwent high-temperature metamorphism and partial melting. Blurring of the rock contacts, which in the initial state created contrasts of acoustic impedance, was caused by partial melting and mixing of melts. The 3D model is used as a starting point for the evolutionary model of the Svecofennian Accretionary Orogen and for determination of its place in the history of the Palaeoproterozoic Lauro-Russian intracontinental orogeny, which encompassed a predominant part of the territory of Lauroscandia, a palaeocontinent combining North American and East European cratons. The model includes three stages in the evolution of the Lauro-Russian Orogen (~2.5, 2.2–2.1 and 1.95–1.87 ​Ga). The main feature of the Palaeoproterozoic evolution of the accretionary Svecofennian Orogen and Lauroscandia as a whole lay in the causal link with evolution of a superplume, which initiated plate-tectonic events. The Svecofennian–Pre-Labradorian palaeo-ocean originated in the superplume axial zone; the accretionary orogens were formed along both continental margins due to closure of the palaeo-ocean.     

华北中部造山带五台-恒山地区古元古代变质作用与构造演化

华北克拉通古元古代造山带的时空分布与构造属性尚有很大争论,一种观点认为华北克拉通从新太古代至古元古代受大洋俯冲闭合控制,在1.85~1.95 Ga之间先后发生3次陆-陆碰撞形成3条造山带,即孔兹岩带、胶-辽-吉带和中部造山带;另一种观点强调华北克拉通这3条元古代造山带在1.80~1.98 Ga之间经历了相同的漫长演化过程,指示当时特有的热俯冲和碰撞环境.通过总结中部造山带中的五台-恒山地区变质作用研究进展,阐述该区古元古代造山时代与构造属性.五台-恒山地区的主要变质岩石-构造单元包括恒山杂岩、五台杂岩和滹沱群.恒山杂岩和五台杂岩主体为新太古代TTG片麻岩和表壳岩,它们在古元古代晚期经历了两期变质作用改造.第一期变质作用为中压型,是由于陆-陆碰撞导致弧后伸展盆地闭合、地壳加厚造山所致,从南向北形成一个递增序列:包括五台群下部和南恒山杂岩南部的低角闪岩相、南恒山杂岩北部高角闪岩相和北恒山杂岩的高压麻粒岩相,其压力峰期所对应的地热梯度为~15 ℃/km.变质锆石所记录的年龄峰值随着变质程度增高而降低,依次为~1.95 Ga、~1.92 Ga和~1.85 Ga,这是因为在变质过程中锆石生长受流体和熔体行为控制:在亚固相线下,变质锆石可记录峰期变质年龄,而在超固相线条件下记录伴随熔体结晶的退变质年龄.由此确定该区中压相系变质作用压力峰期时间为~1.95 Ga,对应地壳加厚造山的峰期.加厚地壳由于重力均衡导致变质岩从深部地壳折返至中部地壳,在P-T轨迹上表现为压力峰期之后发生等温减压（ITD）至0.5~0.7 GPa,岩相学上表现为峰期石榴石分解形成斜长石"白眼圈"等,指示缺流体条件.南恒山北部高角闪岩相岩石中的变质锆石记录的折返时间为~1.92 Ga,指示第一次造山结束.第二期变质作用为中-低压型,系为板内变形所致,表现为折返至中地壳的岩石伴随挤压型剪切变形和流体注入形成平衡矿物组合.朱家坊韧性剪切带就是这次板内变形的强构造域,其中也记录了顺时针型P-T轨迹,但所反映的地壳加厚程度有限,第二期变质-变形峰期时间为~1.85 Ga.由于朱家坊韧性剪切带左行走滑,导致北恒山麻粒岩地体抬升.五台-恒山地区在1.80~1.96 Ga之间经历两期变质-变形事件,这一认识或对讨论华北克拉通其他地区的古元古代造山带演化有一定启示意义.      

Petrological evolution of silica-undersaturated sapphirine-bearing granulite in the Paleoproterozoic Salvador–Curaçá Belt,Bahia, Brazil

The Salvador–Curaçá Belt, located in São Francisco Craton, Brazil, was subjected to granulite facies metamorphism during the Paleoproterozoic orogeny (c. 2.0 Ga). Well preserved in enclaves of silica-undersaturated sapphirine-bearing granulite occur in a charnockite outcrop located along a kilometric-scale shear zone. The sapphirine-bearing granulite preserves domains with distinct mineral assemblages that record interactions between melt and peritectic phases (orthopyroxene₁ + spinel₁ + biotite₁). Sapphirine was crystallized in the Si-poor cores of the enclaves, sillimanite and spinel–cordierite symplectites in the intermediate Si-rich domains between cores and margins, and garnet and quartz-bearing cordierite/biotite symplectites in Si-rich margins of the enclaves. Melt-rock interactions and metamorphism occurred at ultrahigh temperatures of 900–950 °C at 7.0–8.0 kbar pressures. The mineralogical evolution of the domains reflects not only the influence of changes in bulk composition in the equilibrium volume of the reactions but also P–T changes during orogeny evolution. Electron microprobe dating of monazite both in the sapphirine-bearing granulite and charnockite indicates UHT metamorphism timing at c. 2.08–2.05 Ga that is related to global Paleoproterozoic UHT metamorphic events that occurred during the Columbia supercontinent assembly.     

胶北地块斜长角闪岩的岩石学与年代学研究

胶北地块位于华北克拉通东部陆块,胶-辽-吉活动带的南端.胶北地区荆山杂岩中存在一组与高压基性麻粒岩密切共生的斜长角闪岩,是构成前寒武纪变质基底的重要组成部分.岩石学矿物学研究表明,斜长角闪岩记录了3个阶段的变质作用:峰期变质矿物组合（M1）为角闪石1+斜长石+榍石,根据NCKFMASHTO体系的成分视剖面图和角闪石压力计估算出温度条件T=660~715 ℃,压力条件P=0.65~0.71 GPa;其后经历了退变质作用（M2）,矿物组合为角闪石2+绿帘石+斜长石+绿泥石+钠长石,估算温压条件为537~630 ℃/0.41~0.58 GPa;晚期发生前绿片岩相退变质作用（M3）,其矿物组合为钠长石+葡萄石+绿泥石+方解石,其温压条件 < 400 ℃/0.35 GPa.斜长角闪石的CL图像显示其具有较弱的阴极发光效应和弱震荡环带,Th/U比值相对较小（0.06~0.43）,锆石形态和内部结构指示锆石形成于深熔作用过程,21个锆石的LA-ICP-MS定年研究的结果表明,斜长角闪岩记录的最老206Pb/238U年龄为2 075±25 Ma,上交点年龄为1 845±23 Ma（MSWD=0.35）,该组年龄记录了斜长角闪岩峰期变质作用时代的上限.斜长角闪岩在原岩形成以后,可能曾经历麻粒岩相变质作用,并记录了在胶-辽-吉带~1.85 Ga碰撞闭合过程中的深熔事件,此后经历了角闪岩相变质作用,及其二次退变质作用,终结于前绿片岩相的变质温压条件.      

Age constraints of high-temperature metamorphic events in crystalline complexes of the Irkut block,the Sharyzhalgai ledge of the Siberian platform basement: Results of the U-Pb single zircon dating

Geochronological data obtained in this work and previously known results of U-Pb geochronology suggest that principal metamorphic events, which took place in eastern part of the Irkut block (the Sharyzhalgai marginal ledge of the Siberian platform basement), correspond in age to (1) about 2.8 Ga, (2) 2649 ± 6 to 2562 ± 20 Ma, and (3) 1865 ± 4 to 1855 ± 5 Ma. Structural and metamorphic reworking of the earliest event originated under conditions of the granulite facies, whereas conditions of granulite and amphibolite facies were characteristic of the second and third events. Metasomatites after carbonate rocks originated in eastern part of the Sharyzhalgai ledge during the Early Proterozoic metamorphic event that lasted approximately 20 m.y. Being combined with age data, which are known at present for the reference syn-and post-collision granitoids in the Siberian platform basement and flanking foldbelts, new geochronological results show that accretion of basement blocks to the Siberian craton progressed from the east to the west between 1900 and 1840 Ma. To a first approximation, this geochronological interval characterizes time span of the Paleoproterozoic ocean closure and ultimate time, when the craton and supercontinent Columbia became amalgamated.     

Geochronology and Tectonic Evolution of Karimnagar and Bhopalpatnam Granulite Belts, Central India

The Karimnagar Granulite Belt (KGB) and the Bhopalpatnam Granulite Belt (BGB) occur along both flanks of the Pranhita-Godavari (PG) rift basin. We present a state-of-the-art overview on the geochronological and tectonic aspects of these belts and surrounding geologic domains, and report new age data on zircon, monazite and uraninite recovered from granulite facies assemblages from KGB and BGB based on electron microprobe analyses (EPMA). Zircons from KGB charnockites show core ages of up to 3.1 Ga mantled by rims of 2.6 Ga. Zircons from BGB have 1.9 Ga cores mantled by 1.7 Ga rims. Zircons with core ages of 1.6 to 1.7 Ga in BGB rocks suggest new growth at this time. Monazites and uranitite from KGB show clear peaks with well-defined ages in the narrow range between 2.42±0.08 Ga and 2.47°0.03 Ga. Rims of monazite show mean age of 2.21±0.08 Ga. Monazites from BGB define sharp linear trend in PbO vs. ThO₂* diagram delineating a clear isochron with age of 1.59±0.03 Ga. Age data from KGB and BGB presented in this report negate current models linking these terrains to "Godavari Granulite Belt" and considering them as single and contemporaneous entity. The mid-Archaean to early Palaeoproterozoic signature recognized from KGB is totally missing in BGB. On the other hand, KGB rocks do not record any evidence for major Mesoproterozoic thermal regime. The two granulite belts shouldering the PG rift basin have therefore evolved in different times under distinct P-T conditions and thermal regimes. Our results have important implications in evaluating models of supercontinent assemblies, particularly the older assemblies of Ur, Columbia and Rodinia. While tectonothermal events in KGB broadly match with those of East Dharwar, we propose that BGB represents a 1.6 Ga collisional mobile belt between the Bastar and the Dharwar cratons. The 1.6 Ga collisional mobile belt at the southern margin of the Bastar craton was superposed by rift activity along the PG basin at 1.5 Ga. This sequence of events goes against the existence of a 3.0 Ga old contiguous assembly of Ur but closely matches with the history of accretion and break-up of the Columbia. Further, parts of the PG basin located away from the influence of the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt, neither recorded any Grenville ages (1.0 Ga) corresponding to the Rodinia accretion nor late Pan-African ages (ca. 550 Ma) relating to the Gondwana amalgamation, indicating that the region did not witness any of these younger tectonic events.     

Deep in the Heart of Dixie: Pre-Alleghanian Eclogite and HP Granulite Metamorphism in the Carolina Terrane, South Carolina, USA

The central part of the Carolina terrane in western South Carolina comprises a 30 to 40 km wide zone of high grade gneisses that are distinct from greenschist facies metavolcanic rocks of the Carolina slate belt (to the SE) and amphibolite facies metavolcanic and metaplutonic rocks of the Charlotte belt (to the NW). This region, termed the Silverstreet domain, is characterized by penetratively deformed felsic gneisses, granitic gneisses, and amphibolites. Mineral assemblages and textures suggest that these rocks formed under high‐pressure metamorphic conditions, ranging from eclogite facies through high‐P granulite to upper amphibolite facies. Mafic rocks occur as amphibolite dykes, as metre‐scale blocks of coarse‐grained garnet‐clinopyroxene amphibolite in felsic gneiss, and as residual boulders in deeply weathered felsic gneiss. Inferred omphacite has been replaced by a vermicular symplectite of sodic plagioclase in diopside, consistent with decompression at moderate to high temperatures and a change from eclogite to granulite facies conditions. All samples have been partially or wholly retrograded to amphibolite assemblages. We infer the following P‐T‐t history: (1) eclogite facies P‐T conditions at ≥ 1.4 GPa, 650–730 °C (2) high‐P granulite facies P‐T conditions at 1.2–1.5 GPa, 700–800 °C (3) retrograde amphibolite facies P‐T conditions at 0.9–1.2 GPa and 720–660 °C. This metamorphic evolution must predate intrusion of the 415 Ma Newberry granite and must postdate formation of the Charlotte belt and Slate belt arcs (620 to 550 Ma). Comparison with other medium temperature eclogites and high pressure granulites suggests that these assemblages are most likely to form during collisional orogenesis. Eclogite and high‐P granulite facies metamorphism in the Silverstreet domain may coincide with a ≈570–535 Ma event documented in the western Charlotte belt or to a late Ordovician‐early Silurian event. The occurrence of these high‐P assemblages within the Carolina terrane implies that, prior to this event, the western Carolina terrane (Charlotte belt) and the eastern Carolina terrane (Carolina Slate belt) formed separate terranes. The collisional event represented by these high‐pressure assemblages implies amalgamation of these formerly separate terranes into a single composite terrane prior to its accretion to Laurentia.     

胶北南山口古元古代高压基性麻粒岩和钙硅酸盐岩的岩石地球化学特征探讨

胶北莱西古元古代的高压基性麻粒岩和钙硅酸盐岩的基本矿物组合分别为以铁铝榴石为主的石榴石-普通辉石-铁紫苏辉石和钙铝榴石-黝帘石-葡萄石-钠长石.矿物岩石学研究表明钙硅酸盐岩是由含石榴石高压基性麻粒岩经退变质和钙质交代作用形成.南山口高压基性麻粒岩记录了麻粒岩相变质作用前、麻粒岩相变质作用、退变质和钙硅酸盐岩化共同作用以及完全钙硅酸盐岩化的四个阶段的地质作用,其矿物组合分别为Cpx+ Pl+ Qtz(M1),Grt+ Cpx+ Rt+ Qtz(M2),Cpx+Pl+ Opx+ Ilm+ Mgt+ Ep(M3)和Grs+ Zo+ Prh+ Ab+ Cal(M4).微量元素研究表明,高压基性麻粒岩中大离子亲石元素Ba、Rb、K、Rb、Th富集,而高场强元素Nb、Zr、Ti、Y亏损,具有轻稀土富集的右倾型稀土配分曲线.稀土元素和微量元素配分图解显示了岛孤拉斑玄武岩的特征.主元素、微量元素的构造判别图解进一步分析表明高压基性麻粒岩及其钙硅酸盐岩的原岩形成于大陆边缘的岛弧环境.综合高压基性麻粒岩岩石学、元素地球化学特征认为,莱西高压基性麻粒岩的原岩是拉斑玄武岩质岩石,可能是形成于孤后扩张背景下基性的侵入岩或喷出岩.岩石形成以后,在胶-辽-吉带碰撞闭合过程中,经历了麻粒岩相变质作用,又在后来的抬升过程中经历退变质和钙硅酸盐岩化作用.