Tectonics of the Beja-Acebuches Ophiolite: a major suture in the Iberian Variscan Foldbelt

The Beja-Acebuches Ophiolitic Complex (BAOC) (south Portugal/Spain) corresponds to a high grade metamorphic belt along the boundary between Ossa-Morena and the South Portuguese Zones and comprises a lithostratigraphic sequence including (from top to bottom) metabasalts, (metamorphosed) multiple dyke intrusions in gabbro, flasergabbros and metaserpentinites. It is affected by three deformation phases. D₁ affects the ophiolite lower stratigraphic units and is represented by a mylonitic cleavage with a stretching lineation where shear criteria indicates the sense of shear to be towards the north-north-east; this deformation event can be related to the ophiolite emplacement above the crystalline footwall of the Serpa antiform, affecting Precambrian basement and Cambrian cover rocks. The obduction polarity ist north-eastwards, similar to the subduction polarity that generates the Beja Gabbroic Complex (BGC), implying a flake geometry. The second deformation phase, D₂, is represented by an intense WNW-ESE sinistral shear event which is responsible for the shattered appearance of the suture; D₂ is reactivated later by a more brittle D₃ event involving thrusting to the south-west, again with a sinistral component. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar isotopic ages were obtained for (metamorphosed) multiple dyke intrusions in the BAOC's gabbro (342.6 ± 1.4 Ma), for metagabbroic cumulates (340.7 ± 1.9 Ma), and for the undeformed/unmetamorphosed BGC (341.1 ± 1.3 Ma) occurring to the north of the ophiolitic suture. These ages reflect a last regional cooling event in the area which post-dates the ophiolite emplacement and the intrusion of the BGC through this oceanic sequence. Correspondence to: P. Fonseca     

Metamorphic and deformational imprint of Cambrian–Lower Ordovician rifting in the Ossa-Morena Zone (Iberian Massif, Spain)

The high-temperature metamorphism recorded in the Valuengo and Monesterio areas constitutes a rare occurrence in the Ossa-Morena Zone of Southwest Iberia, where low-grade metamorphism dominates. The metamorphism of the Valuengo area has been previously considered either Cadomian or Variscan in age, whereas that of Monesterio has been interpreted as a Cadomian imprint. However, these areas share important metamorphic and structural features that point towards a common tectonometamorphic evolution. The metamorphism of the Valuengo and Monesterio areas affects Late Proterozoic and Early Cambrian rocks, and is syn-kinematic with a top-to-the-north mylonitic foliation, which was subsequently deformed by early Variscan folds and thrusts. The U–Pb zircon age (480±7 Ma) we have obtained for an undeformed granite of the Valuengo area is consistent with our geological observations constraining the age of the metamorphism. We propose that this high-temperature metamorphic imprint along a NW–SE ductile extensional shear zone is related to the crustal extension that occurred in the Ossa-Morena Zone during the Cambro-Ordovician rifting. In the same way, the tectonothermal effect of the preorogenic rifting stage may have been wrongly attributed to orogenic processes in other regions as well as in this one.     

Age and significance of voluminous mafic–ultramafic magmatic events in the Murchison Domain,Yilgarn Craton

Mafic–ultramafic rocks in structurally dismembered layered intrusions comprise approximately 40% by volume of greenstones in the Murchison Domain of the Youanmi Terrane, Yilgarn Craton. Mafic–ultramafic rocks in the Murchison Domain may be divided into five components: (i) the ～2810 Ma Meeline Suite, which includes the large Windimurra Igneous Complex; (ii) the 2800 ± 6 Ma Boodanoo Suite, which includes the Narndee Igneous Complex; (iii) the 2792 ± 5 Ma Little Gap Suite; (iv) the ～2750 Ma Gnanagooragoo Igneous Complex; and (v) the 2735–2710 Ma Yalgowra Suite of layered gabbroic sills. The intrusions are typically layered, tabular bodies of gabbroic rock with ultramafic basal units which, in places, are more than 6 km thick and up to 2500 km² in areal extent. However, these are minimum dimensions as the intrusions have been dismembered by younger deformation. In the Windimurra and Narndee Igneous Complexes, discordant features and geochemical fractionation trends indicate multiple pulses of magma. These pulses produced several megacyclic units, each ～200 m thick. The suites are anhydrous except for the Boodanoo Suite, which contains a large volume of hornblende gabbro. They also host significant vanadium mineralisation, and at least minor Ni–Cu–PGE mineralisation. Collectively, the areal distribution, thickness and volume of mafic–ultramafic magma in these complexes is similar to that in the 2.06 Ga Bushveld Igneous Complex, and represents a major addition of mantle-derived magma to Murchison Domain crust over a 100 Ma period. All suites are demonstrably contemporaneous with packages of high-Mg tholeiitic lavas and/or felsic volcanic rocks in greenstone belts. The distribution, ages and compositions of the earlier mafic–ultramafic rocks are most consistent with genesis in a mantle plume setting.     

石榴石的塑性变形及差异应力计算

岩石在形成时和形成后所经历的任何热力学事件都应在其内部留下痕迹,如何寻找和发现这些遗迹是地质学界长期关注和亟待解决的问题。笔者认为,电子显微技术(TEM)是解决这一问题的最有效、最直观的方法之一。最近几年,大量的TEM研究结果证实,各类变质岩中的石榴石均发生不同程度的塑性变形。深入研究其变形程度和变形特征,对于揭示岩石所经历的变质变形历史具有重要的意义,特别是通过观测位错密度,可定性推算岩石曾经历的古差异应力,为拟定区域构造演化模式提供佐证。      

The Narryer Gneiss Complex of the Yilgarn Block, Western Australia: a segment of Archaean lower crust uplifted during Proterozoic orogeny

The Narryer Gneiss Complex of the Yilgarn Block is a key segment of the Western Australian Precambrian Shield. It is a regional granulite facies terrain comprised of predominantly quartzo-feldspathic gneisses derived from granitic intrusions c. 3.6–3.4 Ga old. Granulite facies metamorphism occurred c. 3.3 Ga ago, and conditions of 750–850°C and 7–10 kbar are estimated for the Mukalo Creek Area (MCA) near Errabiddy in the north. The P–T path of the MCA has been derived from metamorphic assemblages in younger rocks that intruded the gneisses during at least three subsequent events, and this path is supported by reaction coronas in the older gneisses. There is no evidence for uplift immediately following peak metamorphism of the MCA, and a period of isobaric cooling is inferred from the pressures recorded in younger rocks. Pressures and temperatures estimated from metadolerites, which intruded the older gneisses during ‘granite–greenstone’tectonism at about 2.6 Ga and during early Proterozoic thrusting show that the Errabiddy area remained in the lower crust, although it was probably reheated during the younger events. Isothermal uplift to upper crustal levels occurred at c. 1.6 Ga ago, and was followed by further deformation and patchy retrogression of high-grade assemblages. The effects of younger deformation, cooling and reheating can be discerned in the older gneisses, but as there has been no pervasive deformation or rehydration, the minerals and microstructures formed during early Archaean granulite facies metamorphism for the most part are retained. The MCA remained in the lower crust for about 1700 Ma following peak metamorphism and some event unrelated to the original metamorphism was required to exhume it. Uplift occurred during development of the Capricorn Orogen, when some 30–35 km were added to the crust beneath the Errabiddy area. The recognition of early Proterozoic thrusting, plus crustal thickening, suggests that the Capricorn Orogen is a belt of regional compression which resulted from convergence of the Yilgarn and Pilbara Cratons.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987114000607

The Qinling Complex of central China is thought to be the oldest rock unit and the inner core of the North Qinling Orogenic Belt （NQOB）. Therefore, the Qinling Complex is the key to understanding the pre- Paleozoic evolution of the NQOB. The complex, which consists of metagraywackes and marbles, un- derwent regional amphibolite-facies metamorphism. In this study, we constrained the formation age of the Qinling Complex to the period between the late Mesoproterozoic and the early Neoproterozoic （ca. 1062-962 Ma）, rather than the Paleoproterozoic as previously thought. The LA-ICP-MS data show two major metamorphic ages （ca. 499 and ca. 420-400 Ma） for the Qinling Complex. The former age is consistent with the peak metamorphic age of the high- and ultra-high pressure （HP-UHP） rocks in the Qinling Complex, indicating that both the HP-UHP rocks and their country rocks experienced intensive regional metamorphism during the Ordovician. The latter age may constrain the time of partial melting in the NQOB between the late Silurian and early Devonian. The Qinling Complex is mostly affiliated with subduction-accretion processes along an active continental margin, and should contain detritus deposited in a forearc basin.     

华北克拉通南缘太华杂岩组成及演化

太华杂岩位于华北克拉通南部,其组成复杂,记录了几乎所有早前寒武纪各阶段重要的地质事件;此外,由于其所处特殊地理位置,研究太华杂岩对于华北克拉通早前寒武纪地壳形成和演化、构造单元划分和基底拼合等都具有举足轻重的科学价值。本文综合已有的岩石学、变质作用、地球化学以及同位素年代学等诸多研究工作,得到以下阶段性结论和认识:1)将鲁山地区太华划分为以深成侵入岩为主的片麻岩系和以变质沉积-火山岩为主的表壳岩系;前者形成于中太古代晚期-新太古代早期,后者形成于古元古代晚期。而小秦岭地区太华杂岩中变质深成侵入岩形成时间跨度较大,为中太古代晚期-古元古代早期;而其上覆的火山-沉积岩可与鲁山太华杂岩的表壳岩类比,形成时间亦为古元古代晚期。2)中太古代-新太古代(2.91～2.50Ga)为华北克拉通南部大陆最主要的地壳形成时期。提出太华杂岩在太古宙经历了两期明显的地壳生长时间,一期发生在2.85～2.70Ga,以鲁山太华片麻岩系中的深成侵入岩和斜长角闪岩为代表;另一期发生在～2.50Ga,以小秦岭华山和崤山地区太华杂岩中各类花岗质岩石为代表。3)太华杂岩在所谓的全球陆壳生长"沉寂期(2.45～2.20Ga)"岩浆活动异常发育,推测这一时期的岩石形成于古元古代俯冲-汇聚环境,可能是与华北克拉通南部太古宙陆块和其他陆块汇聚-碰撞相关。4)太华杂岩在古元古代晚期普遍遭受了强烈的变质和变形,其变质程度主体为高角闪岩相,局部可达麻粒岩相,且记录了包含近等温降压退变质片段的顺时针变质作用P-T轨迹,经历了一个漫长的变质演化过程(1.97～1.80Ga),变质作用的时限跨度可达150Myr。5)提出华北克拉通南部曾经为一个统一基底,称之为"南部太古宙地块",此地块形成时间为新太古代末期(～2.5Ga)。该古老陆块经历了如下5个构造-演化阶段:(1)冥古宙-始太古代初始陆核形成;(2)中太古代-新太古代陆壳快速生长;(3)古元古代早期(～2.3Ga)岩浆活动异常活跃;(4)古元古代(2.30～1.97Ga)陆内拉伸-破裂;和(5)古元古代末期(1.97～1.80Ga)陆块最终拼合。     

Sm–Nd evidence for high-grade Ordovician metamorphism in the Arunta Block, central Australia

Sm–Nd ages from the Harts Range in the south-eastern Arunta Inlier in central Australia indicate that regional metamorphism up to granulite facies occurred in the Early Ordovician (c. 475 Ma). This represents a radical departure from previous tectonic models for the region and identifies a previously unrecognized intraplate event in central Australia. Peak metamorphic assemblages (800 °C and 10.5 kbar) formed at around 476±14 Ma and underwent approximately 4 kbar of near-isothermal decompression at 475±4 Ma. A coarse-grained unfoliated garnet–clinopyroxene-bearing marble inferred to have recrystallized late in the decompressional evolution, gives an age of 469±7 Ma. Two lines of evidence suggest the Early Ordovician tectonism occurred in an extensional setting. First, the timing of the high-grade lower crustal deformation coincides with a period of marine sedimentation in the Amadeus and Georgina basins that was associated with a seaway that developed across central Australia. Second, isothermal decompression of lower crustal rocks was associated with the formation of a regional, sub-horizontal mid-crustal foliation. In the Entia Gneiss Complex, which forms the structurally lowest part of the Harts Range, upper-amphibolite facies metamorphism (c. 700 °C, 8–9 kbar) occurred at 479±15 Ma. There is no evidence that P–T conditions in the Entia Gneiss Complex were as high as in the overlying units. This implies that the extensional system was reworked during a later compressional event. Sm–Nd data from the mid-amphibolite facies (c. 650 °C and 6 kbar) detachment zone that separates the Irindina Supracrustal Assemblage and Entia Gneiss Complex give an age of 449±10 Ma. This age corresponds to the timing of a change in the pattern and style of sedimentation in the Amadeus and Georgina basins, and indicates that the change in basin dynamics was associated with mid-crustal deformation. It also suggests that compressional deformation culminating in the Devonian to Carboniferous (400–300 Ma) Alice Springs Orogeny may have begun as early as c. 450 Ma. At present, the extent of Early Ordovician tectonism in central Australia is unknown. However, granulite facies metamorphism and associated intense deformation imply an event of regional extent. An implication of this work is that high-grade lower crustal metamorphism and intense deformation occurred during the development of a broad, shallow, slowly subsiding intraplate basin.     

Granulite complexes of the Dzhugdzhur-Stanovoi Fold Region and the Peristanovoi Belt: Age,formation conditions,and geodynamic settings of metamorphism

The available data on the age and formation conditions of the granulite complexes in the western Dzhugdzhur-Stanovoi Fold Region (Dambuki and Larba blocks) and the adjacent territory of the Peristanovoi Belt (Kurul’ta, Zverevsky, and Sutam blocks) are systematized. At least three Early Precambrian episodes of high-grade granulite-facies metamorphism dated at 2.85–2.83, 2.65–2.60, and 1.90–1.88 Ga are established in the geological history of the western Dzhugdzhur-Stanovoi Fold Region. Five granulite-facies metamorphic events are documented in the Peristanovoi Belt. The early granulite-facies metamorphism, migmatization, and emplacement of charnockite are related to the first event (2183 ± 1 Ma) in the Kurul’ta Block. The structural transformation and metamorphism of charnockite under conditions of granulite facies correspond to the second event (2708 ± 7 Ma). The enderbite belonging to the Dzhelui Complex (2627 ± 16) and charnockite of the Altual Complex (2614 ± 7 Ma) were emplaced during the third tectonic event, which was immediately followed by the emplacement of the Kalar anorthosite-charnockite complex (2623 ± 23 Ma). The first episode of Early Proterozoic granulite-facies metamorphism of the Sutam Sequence in the tectonic block of the same name was related to the fourth event, probably caused by collision of the Olekma-Aldan continental microplate and the passive margin of the Uchur continental microplate. Finally, granulite-facies metamorphism superimposed on rocks of the Kalar Complex in the Kurul’ta Block and high-pressure metamorphism in the Zverevsky and Sutam blocks (1935 ± 35 Ma) correspond to the fifth metamorphic event. The Late Archean metamorphic events are most likely related to the amalgamation and subsequent collision of the terranes which currently make up the granulite basement of the Dzhugdzhur-Stanovoi Fold Region with the Olekma-Aldan continental microplate. In the Early Proterozoic, the Aldan Shield and the Dzhugdzhur-Stanovoi Fold Region were separated by an oceanic basin. Its closure, and the collision of the Aldan and Stanovoi continental microplates, were accompanied by granulite-facies metamorphism and led to the formation of the Peristanovoi Belt, or Peristanovoi Suture Zone. This collision suture continued functioning in the Phanerozoic (from the Early Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous) with the formation of thick shear zones and greenschist retrograde metamorphism.     

华北陆块前寒武纪两次重大地质事件的特征和性质

分类统计了华北陆块236个精度较高的大于16亿年的年龄数据。统计分析显示,年龄数据存在2个最为明显的峰期,分别位于2550～2475MaBP和1900～1750MaBP区间,对应华北陆块25亿年和18亿年地质事件。同时,这2次地质事件所包含的变质作用峰期和成岩作用峰期均有不同步的特点。25亿年地质事件中成岩作用峰期早于变质作用峰期,而18亿年地质事件中变质作用峰期早于成岩作用峰期。由此反映这 2次地质事件性质的差异。25亿年地质事件表现为巨型麻粒岩带、岩浆构造热事件、沉积建造开始和环境变化等,可能代表华北陆块一次重要的拼合事件;而18亿年地质事件表现为非造山岩浆活动、裂谷型火山-岩浆活动和强烈的退变质作用等,可能代表华北陆块一次重要的裂解事件。     

Trans-alkaline magmatism in the Serrinha–Pedro Velho Complex,Borborema Province,NE Brazil and its correlations with the magmatism in eastern Nigeria

The Solânea Complex (572 ± 8 Ma) comprises various intrusions that total 200 km². It cuts Palaeoproterozoic migmatized orthogneisses of the Serrinha–Pedro Velho Complex, which is part of the São José do Campestre Massif, North Tectonic Domain of the Borborema Province, NE Brazil. It is a post-collisional intrusion constituted of coarse-grained biotite–amphibole monzogranites, fine-grained leucogranites and diorites. Major, trace and rare earth elements data, used to constrain the origin and nature of these rocks, indicate that the monzogranites display chemical features of weakly peraluminous ferro-potassic trans-alkaline granitoids, similar to coeval occurrences described in eastern Nigerian. Sm–Nd data together with the whole rock geochemical data suggest that: (I) the monzogranites were generated by partial melting of tonalitic gneiss from the lower crust, leaving behind a granulitic residue; (II) the diorites originated by partial melting of an enriched lithospheric mantle; (III) the evolution of the Solânea Complex involved magma mixing between the monzogranites and diorites. K-feldspar and amphibole fractionation appear to have occurred during the evolution of the monzogranites.Leucogranites constituting an elliptical shaped intrusion (80 km²), the Dona Inês Pluton, are intruded to the north of the Solânea Complex. They also occur as small intrusions cross-cutting the border of the Solânea Complex. Geochemical and isotopic data suggest that the leucogranites were generated by melting of crustal Palaeoproterozoic rocks. Rb–Sr data gave an age of 544 ± 16 Ma.Trans-alkaline magmatism is associated with ductile–brittle deformation in the Serrinha–Pedro Velho Complex of the São José do Campestre Massif. This event follows the peak of an extensional-related high-temperature metamorphism (upper amphibolite to granulite facies), with estimated age of 578 to 574 Ma. If a pre-Gondwana reconstruction is considered, this event is seen to extend to the African side of Gondwana in eastern Nigeria.     

Reappraising the P–T evolution of the Rogaland–Vest Agder Sector,southwestern Norway

The Rogaland-Vest Agder Sector of southwestern Norway comprises high-grade metamorphic rocks intruded by voluminous plutonic bodies that include the ~1000 km~2 Rogaland Igneous Complex(RIC).New petrographic observations and thermodynamic phase equilibria modelling of three metapelitic samples collected at various distances(30 km,10 km and ~ 10 m) from one of the main bodies of RIC anorthosite were undertaken to assess two alternative P-T-t models for the metamorphic evolution of the area.The results are consistent with a revised two-phase evolution.Regional metamorphism followed a clockwise P-T path reaching peak conditions of ~ 850-950 ℃ and ~7-8 kbar at ~1035 Ma followed by high-temperature decompression to ~5 kbar at ~950 Ma,and resulted in extensive anatexis and melt loss to produce highly residual rocks.Subsequent emplacement of the RIC at ~930 Ma caused regional-scale contact metamorphism that affected country rocks 10 km or more from their contact with the anorthosite.This thermal overprint is expressed in the sample proximal to the anorthosite by replacement of sillimanite by coarse intergrowths of cordierite plus spinel and growth of a second generation of garnet,and in the intermediate(10 km) sample by replacement of sapphirine by coarse intergrowths of cordierite,spinel and biotite.The formation of late biotite in the intermediate sample may suggest the rocks retained small quantities of melt produced by regional metamorphism and remained at temperatures above the solidus for up to 100 Ma.Our results are more consistent with an accretionary rather than a collisional model for the Sveconorwegian Orogen.     

Sudbury Breccia (Canada): a product of the 1850 Ma Sudbury Event and host to footwall Cu–Ni–PGE deposits

The Sudbury Structure, formed by meteorite impact at 1850 Ma, consists of three major components: (1) the Sudbury Basin; (2) the Sudbury Igneous Complex, which surrounds the basin as an elliptical collar; and (3) breccia bodies in the footwall known as Sudbury Breccia. In general, the breccia consists of subrounded fragments set in a dark, fine-grained to aphanitic matrix. A comparison of the chemical composition of host rocks, clasts and matrices indicates that brecciation was essentially an in-situ process. Sudbury Breccia forms irregular-shaped bodies or dikes that range in size from mm to km scale. Contacts with the host rocks are commonly sharp. The aspect ratio of most clasts is approximately 2 with the long axes parallel to dike walls. The fractal dimension (Dr)=1.55. Although there appears to be some concentration of brecciation within concentric zones, small Sudbury Breccia bodies within and outside these zones have more or less random strikes and steep dips. Sudbury Breccia bodies near an embayment structure tend to be subparallel to the base of the Sudbury Igneous Complex. Sudbury Breccia occurs as much as 80 km from the outer margin of the Sudbury Igneous Complex. In an inner zone, 5 to 15 km wide, breccia comprises 5% of exposed bedrock with an increase in brecciation intensity in embayment structures. Sudbury Breccia may be classified into three types based on the nature of the matrix: clastic, pseudotachylite and microcrystalline. Clastic Sudbury Breccia, the dominant type in the Southern Province, is characterized by flow-surface structures. Possibly, a sudden rise in pore pressure caused explosive dilation and fragmentation, followed by fluidization and flowage into extension fractures. Pseudotachylite Sudbury Breccia, mainly confined to Archean rocks, apparently formed by comminution and frictional melting. Microcrystalline Sudbury Breccia formed as a result of the thermal metamorphism, of the North Range footwall, by the Sudbury Igneous Complex. This produced a zone, approximately 1.2 km wide, wherein the matrix of the breccia either recrystallized or, locally, melted. An overprint of regional metamorphism obliterated contact effects in the South Range footwall. The Ni–Cu–PGE magmatic sulphide deposits may be classified into four types based on structural setting: Sudbury Igneous Complex–footwall contact, footwall, offset, and sheared deposits. Sudbury Breccia is the main host for footwall deposits (e.g., McCreedy East, Victor, Lindsley). Sudbury Breccia locally hosts mineralization in radial (e.g., Parkin and Copper Cliff) and concentric (e.g., Frood–Stobie) offset dikes.     

Early Cambrian granitoids of North Gondwana margin in the transition from a convergent setting to intra-continental rifting (Ossa-Morena Zone,SW Iberia)

Two distinct Cambrian magmatic pulses are recognized in the Ossa-Morena Zone (SW Iberia): an early rift-(ER) and a main rift-related event. This Cambrian magmatism is related to intra-continental rifting of North Gondwana that is thought to have culminated in the opening of the Rheic Ocean in Lower Ordovician times. New data of whole-rock geochemistry (19 samples), Sm–Nd–Sr isotopes (4 samples) and ID–TIMS U–Pb zircon geochronology (1 sample) of the Early Cambrian ER plutonic rocks of the Ossa-Morena Zone are presented in this contribution. The ER granitoids (Barreiros, Barquete, Calera, Salvatierra de los Barros and Tablada granitoid Massifs) are mostly peraluminous granites. The Sm–Nd isotopic data show moderate negative εNdt values ranging from ?3.5 to +0.1 and TDM ages greatly in excess of emplacement ages. Most ER granitoids are crustal melts. However, a subset of samples shows a transitional anorogenic alkaline tendency, together with more primitive isotopic signatures, documenting the participation of lower crust or mantle-derived sources and suggesting a local transient advanced stage of rifting. The Barreiros granitoid is intrusive into the Ediacaran basement of the Ossa-Morena Zone (Série Negra succession) and has yielded a crystallization age of 524.7 ± 0.8 Ma consistent with other ages of ER magmatic pulse. This age: (1) constrains the age of the metamorphism developed in the Ediacaran back-arc basins before the intrusion of granites and (2) defines the time of the transition from the Ediacaran convergent setting to the Lower Cambrian intra-continental rifting in North Gondwana.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987113000029

The Preandean geological configuration of the eastern North Patagonian Massif is established through the use of geological and geophysical analysis.The positive gravity anomalies located near the Atlantic coast are due to 535 and 540 Ma old rocks belonging to the Pampean Orogeny （Precambrian-middle Cambrian）,which are widely recognized in central and northern Argentina.The Famatinian Cycle （Ordovician-Devonian） is represented by a Silurian-Devonian marine basin equivalent to those of eastern-central Argentina and South Africa,and which was deformed at the end of the Devonian byan～E-W to WNW-ESE compressional event,part of the Famatinian Orogeny.Containing strong gravity gradients,the NW-SE belt is coincident with fault zones which were originated during the Gondwanide Orogeny.This event also produced NW-SE overthrusting of the Silurian-Devonian sequences and strike-slip faults that displaced blocks in the same direction.This deformation event belongs to the Gondwanide Orogeny that includes movements related to a counterclockwise rotation of blocks in northern Patagonia.The strong negative anomalies located in the western part of the area stem from the presence of rocks of the Jurassic Ca（n）adón Asfalto basin interbedded in the Marifil Complex.These volcaniclastic sequences show mild deformation of accommodation zones in a pre-Jurassic paleorelief.     

Reconstruction of the mid-Devonian HP-HT metamorphic event in the Bohemian Massif (European Variscan belt)

Mid-Devonian high-pressure (HP) and high-temperature (HT) metamorphism represents an enigmatic early phase in the evolution of the Variscan Orogeny. Within the Bohemian Massif this metamorphism is recorded mostly in allochthonous complexes with uncertain relationship to the major tectonic units. In this regard, the Mariánské Lázně Complex (MLC) is unique in its position at the base of its original upper plate (Teplá-Barrandian Zone). The MLC is composed of diverse, but predominantly mafic, magmatic-metamorphic rocks with late Ediacaran to mid-Devonian protolith ages. Mid-Devonian HP eclogite-facies metamorphism was swiftly followed by a HT granulite-facies overprint contemporaneous with the emplacement of magmatic rocks with apparent supra-subduction affinity. New Hf in zircon isotopic measurements combined with a review of whole-rock isotopic and geochemical data reveals that the magmatic protoliths of the MLC, as well as in the upper plate Teplá-Barrandian Zone, developed above a relatively unaltered Neoproterozoic lithospheric mantle. They remained coupled with this lithospheric mantle throughout a geological timeframe that encompasses separate Ediacaran and Cambrian age arc magmatism, protracted early Paleozoic rifting, and the earliest phases of the Variscan Orogeny. These results are presented in the context of reconstructing the original architecture of the Variscan terranes up to and including the mid-Devonian HP-HT event.     

豫西秦岭杂岩变质带的分布及主期变质时代的限定

豫西秦岭杂岩中变质分级可呈与造山带大致平行的带状分布,从两侧向中心变质级别升高,尤其南侧分带明显:由南向北,依次为黑云母带-石榴子石带-蓝晶石带-夕线石带,直至斜方辉石带,而不是整体上经历了麻粒岩相变质作用。局部发生的麻粒岩相变质未见明显向角闪岩相变质转化的退变结构。通过几种岩石的锆石LA-MC-ICPMS测年研究,多数样品中的锆石经受了后期强烈的改造,同位素体系或多或少被重置。尽管如此,侵位花岗岩和伟晶岩年龄限定了主期变质作用的时代应老于484±3Ma,并可能与早期的榴辉岩相变质作用在演化上有联系。主期变质(不包括榴辉岩相变质)性质与经典的巴罗式变质带可以对比;此外,研究区未经历明显的地壳增厚,与高喜马拉雅结晶岩系类似,秦岭杂岩可能经历了中、下地壳物质沿隧道流上升过程。     

Cambro-Silurian magmatisms at the northern Gondwana margin (Penninic basement of the Ligurian Alps)

The Early Paleozoic evolution of the northern margin of Gondwana is characterized by several episodes of bimodal magmatism intruded or outpoured within thick sedimentary basins. These processes are well recorded in the Variscan blocks incorporated in the Ligurian Alps because they experienced low temperature Alpine metamorphism. During the Paleozoic, these blocks, together with the other Alpine basements, were placed between the Corsica-Sardinia and the Bohemian Massif along the northern margin of Gondwana. In this framework, they host several a variegated lithostratigraphy forming two main complexes(Complexs I and II) that can be distinguished by both the protoliths and their crosscutting relationships, which indicate that the acidic and mafic intrusives of Complex II cut an already folded sequence made of sediments, basalts and granitoids of Complex I. Both complexes were involved in the Variscan orogenic phases as highlighted by the pervasive eclogite-amphibolite facies schistosity(foliation II). However, rare relicts of a metamorphic foliation at amphibolite facies conditions(foliation I)is locally preserved only in the rocks of Complex I. It is debatable if this schistosity was produced during the early folding event e occurred between the emplacement of Complex I and II e rather than during an early stage of the Variscan metamorphic cycle.New SHRIMP and LA ICP-MS Ue Pb zircon dating integrated with literature data, provide emplacement ages of the several volcanic or intrusive bodies of both complexes. The igneous activity of Complex I is dated between 507 ± 15 Ma and 494 ± 5 Ma, while Complex II between 467 ± 12 Ma and 445.5 ± 12 Ma.The folding event recorded only by the Complex I should therefore have occurred between 494 ± 5 Ma and 467 ± 12 Ma. The Variscan eclogite-amphibolite facies metamorphism is instead constrained between ~420 Ma and ~300 Ma. These ages and the geochemical signature of these rocks allow constraining the Early Paleozoic tectono-magmatic evolution of the Ligurian blocks, from a middleeupper Cambrian rifting stage, through the formation of an Early Ordovician volcanic arc during the Rheic Ocean subduction, until a Late Ordovician extension related to the arc collapse and subsequent rifting of the PaleoThetys. Furthermore, the ~420-350 Ma ages from zircon rims testify to thermal perturbations that may be associated with the Silurian rifting-related magmatism, followed by the subduction-collisional phases of the Variscan orogeny.     

Geology,structure and age of the Nahuel Niyeu Formation in the Aguada Cecilio area,North Patagonian Massif,Argentina

The low-grade Nahuel Niyeu Formation in the Aguada Cecilio area (40°50′S–65°53′W) shows ultramafic to felsic metaigneous rocks forming a sill swarm intercalated in the metasedimentary sequence and a polyphase deformation which permit an integrated study of the magmatic and tectonometamorphic evolution of this geological unit.In this paper we present a geological characterization of the Nahuel Niyeu Formation in the Aguada Cecilio area combining mapping, structural and metamorphic analysis with a SHRIMP U–Pb age and geochemical data from the metaigneous rocks.The metasedimentary sequence consists of alternating metagreywackes and phyllites, and minor metasandstones and granule metaconglomerates. The sills are pre-kinematic intrusions and yielded one SHRIMP U–Pb, zircon crystallization age of 513.6 ± 3.3 Ma. Their injection occurred after consolidation of the sedimentary sequence. A syn-sedimentary volcanic activity is interpreted by a metaandesite lava flow interlayered in the metasedimentary sequence. Sedimentary and igneous protoliths of the Nahuel Niyeu Formation would have been formed in a continental margin basin associated with active magmatic arc during the Cambrian Epoch 2. Two main low-grade tectonometamorphic events affected the Nahuel Niyeu Formation, one during the Cambrian Epoch 2–Early Ordovician and the other probably in the late Permian at ∼260 Ma. Local late folds could belong to the final stages of the late Permian deformation or be even younger.In a regional context, the Nahuel Niyeu and El Jagüelito formations and Mina Gonzalito Complex show a comparable Cambrian–Ordovician evolution related to the Terra Australis Orogen in the south Gondwana margin. This evolution is also coeval with the late and early stages of the Pampean and Famatinian orogenies of Central Argentina, respectively. The late Permian event recorded in the Nahuel Niyeu Formation in Aguada Cecilio area is identified by comparable structures affecting the Mina Gonzalito Complex and El Jagüelito Formation and resetting ages from granitoids. This event represents the Gondwanide Orogeny within the same Terra Australis Orogen.     

Zircon Dating and Geological Implications of Granitic Gneiss in the Metamorphic Zone of Gaoligong Mountains in Western Yunnan, China

The general classification of intermediate-acid intrusive rocks in the metamorphic zone of Gaoligong Mountains as one of the metamorphic terranes of Proterozoic Gaoligong Mountains is problematic regarding the intrusion stage and age, as well as the subsequent metamorphism and deformation. In this study, we investigated granitic gneiss in the metamorphic zone of Gaoligong Mountains based on the 1:50,000 regional geological survey of Qushi Street (2011-2013) and SHRIMP U-Pb zircon geochronology. Results showed that the SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating of granitic gneiss ranged from 163.5±5.7 Ma to 74.0±2.0 Ma. Thus, the granitic gneiss was grouped into orthometamorphic rocks (metamorphic intrusions). The dating data of granite rocks associated with intense metamorphism and deformation were divided into three groups, 163.5±5.7 to 162.3±3.1 Ma, 132.2-101.0 Ma and 99.4±3.5-74.0±2.0 Ma, which respectively represented three independent geologic events including an important magma intrusion with superimposed metamorphic effects in the late Middle Jurassic, regional dynamic metamorphism and superimposed reformation of fluid action in the early Cretaceous, and dynamic metamorphism dominated by ductile shear and metamorphism starting from the late Cretaceous.