Cassiterite LA-MC-ICP-MS U/Pb and muscovite 40Ar/39Ar dating of tin deposits in the Tengchong-Lianghe tin district,NW Yunnan,China

The Tengchong-Lianghe tin district in northwestern Yunnan, China, is an important tin mineralization area in the Sanjiang Tethyan Metallogenic Domain. There are three N–S trending granite belts in the Tengchong-Lianghe area, with emplacement ages ranging from Early Cretaceous to Late Cretaceous and Early Cenozoic. Tin mineralization is spatially associated with these granitic rocks. However, the petrogenetic link between the tin deposits and the host granites is not clear because of the lack of age data for the tin mineralization. We investigate the possibility of direct dating of cassiterite from three typical tin deposits in the Tengchong-Lianghe tin district, using laser ablation multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS). In situ LA-MC-ICP-MS dating of seven cassiterite samples from the Lailishan (LLS-1 and LLS-2), Xiaolonghe (XLH, WDS, DSP, and HJS), and Tieyaoshan (TYS) tin deposits yielded well-defined ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb–²³⁸U/²⁰⁷Pb isochron ages. To assess the accuracy of the in situ U/Pb dating of cassiterite, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of coexisting muscovite (in samples LLS-1, DSP, and TYS) was also performed. The cassiterite in situ U/Pb ages (47.4?±?2.0, 71.9?±?2.3, and 119.3?±?1.7 Ma, respectively) are in excellent agreement with the coexisting muscovite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages (48.4?±?0.3, 71.9?±?1.4, and 122.4?±?0.7 Ma, respectively). The U/Pb ages of cassiterite combined with the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of muscovite indicate that there are three tin mineralization events in this district: the Lailishan tin deposit at 47.4?±?2.0 to 52?±?2.7 Ma, the Xiaolonghe tin deposit at 71.6?±?2.4 to 3.9?±?2.0 Ma, and the Tieyaoshan tin deposit at 119.3?±?1.7 to 122.5?±?0.7 Ma. These ages are highly consistent with the zircon U/Pb ages of the host granites. It is su.ggested that the Cretaceous tin mineralization might have taken place in a subduction environment, while the Early Tertiary tin metallogenesis was in a postcollisional geodynamic setting.     

Timing and Processes of Ore Formation in the Qingchengzi Polymetallic Orefield, Northeast China: Evidence from 40Ar/39Ar Geochronology

The Qingchengzi orefield is a large polymetallic ore concentration area in the Liaodong peninsula,northeastern China,that includes twelve Pb-Zn deposits and five Au-Ag deposits along its periphery.The ore-forming age remains much disputed,which prevents the identification of the relationship between the mineralization and the associated magmatism.In this paper,we quantitatively present the feasibility of making ore mineral ~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar dating and report reliable ~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar ages of lamprophyre groundmass,K-feldspar and sphalerite from the Zhenzigou deposit.Direct and indirect methods are applied to constrain the timing of mineralization,which plays a vital role in discussing the contribution of multistage magmatism to ore formation.The low-potassium sphalerite yielded an inverse isochron age of 232.8±41.5 Ma,which features a relatively large uncertainty.Two lamprophyre groundmasses got reliable inverse isochron ages of 193.2±1.3 Ma and 152.3±1.5 Ma,respectively.K-feldspar yielded a precise inverse isochron age of 134.9±0.9 Ma.These four ages indicate that the mineralization is closely associated with Mesozoic magmatism.Consequently,regarding the cooling age of the earliest Mesozoic Shuangdinggou intrusion(224.2±1.2 Ma)as the initial time of mineralization,we can further constrain the age of the sphalerite to 224–191 Ma.These new and existing geochronological data,combined with the interaction cutting or symbiotic relationship between the lamprophyre veins and ore veins,suggest that the Pb-Zn-Au-Ag mineralization in the Qingchengzi orefield mainly occurred during three periods:the late Triassic(ca.224–193 Ma),the late Jurassic(ca.167–152 Ma)and the early Cretaceous(ca.138–134 Ma).This polymetallic deposits are shown to have been formed during multiple events coinciding with periods of the Mesozoic magmatic activity.In contrast,the Proterozoic magmatism and submarine exhalative and hydrothermal sedimentation in the Liaolaomo paleorift served mainly to transport and concentrate the ore-forming substances at the Liaohe Group with no associated Pb-Zn-Au-Ag mineralization.     

河南嵩县土地庙沟铅锌矿床有关的花岗岩体LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年和Hf同位素特征及其地质意义

土地庙沟铅锌矿床是豫西南铅锌银多金属成矿区域的重要组成部分。本文以与土地庙沟铅锌矿床成矿关系密切的栗扎树岩体为研究对象,利用LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年和Hf同位素分析方法,探讨岩体成岩时代及其与矿床成矿时空相关性。岩体测得的LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄加权平均值分别为141.6±1.3Ma（样品YZY-G07）、135.5±1.6Ma（样品YZY-G08）、116.2±1.2Ma（样品YZY-G01）,Hf同位素分析二阶段模式年龄为1724Ma~2244 Ma,表明成岩物质主要来源于地壳,并结合矿床特征,与栾川-维摩寺断裂北侧的合峪、伏牛山、太山庙相比,从早到晚,140Ma、135Ma、117Ma均有较好的对应关系。根据形成于140Ma左右的花岗岩浆活动,结合岩石地球化学、矿床地质特征、同位素特征等资料,并与华北克拉通南缘南泥湖矿田的成矿构造热事件对比,可推断出矿床为早白垩世早期同一构造-岩浆-流体成矿事件的产物,为矿山企业勘查找矿提供了科学依据。     

Age of intrusion and rapid cooling of the Frankenstein gabbro (Odenwald,SW-Germany) evidenced by40Ar/39Ar and single-zircon207Pb/206Pb measurements

The Frankenstein gabbro complex in the northern Odenwald/FR Germany is one of the Hercynian plutonic bodies of the Saxothuringian zone in the Variscan belt.⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotopic investigations on pyroxene,⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age determinations on hornblendes, plagioclases, biotites and pyroxenes and²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb dating on single zircon crystals have been carried out. The⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr initial ratio of the gabbro (0.70380) indicates uncontaminated derivation of the magma from the mantle. The results on hornblendes, plagioclases and zircons establish the isotopic age of intrusion and the mode of cooling. Pyroxene and biotite data indicate disturbed K-Ar systems of these minerals. The average ages of the hornblendes (363±7 Ma), of the plagioclases (359±3 Ma) and of the zircons (362 ±9 Ma) agree within the 1-sigma levels and constrain the early history of the plutonic intrusion at the turn from Devonian to Carboniferous times. These minerals must have been cooled below their closure temperatures within a time-interval shorter than the error margins of 10 Ma. The ages therefore are, unlike those of the neighbouring Bergsträßer Odenwald, not long-time cooling ages due to largescale and slow geological uplift of the crustal segment. Instead, they will closely estimate the time of intrusion of the Frankenstein pluton into a shallow crustal level. The hiatus of about 20 Ma compared to the average ages of the crystalline rocks of the Bergsträßer Odenwald in the south characterizes the mafic Frankenstein pluton as a separated unit of the Odenwald crystalline, and underlines the importance of the Carboniferous tectonic fault zone in-between. The present data set clearly demonstrates the importance of the applied combination of methods and techniques to constrain the history of intrusion and cooling of mafic plutonic rocks.     

New Discovery of the Early Cretaceous Volcanic Rocks on the Barton Peninsula, King George Island,Antarctica and Its Geological Significance

Ages determined with the 40Ar/39Ar isotopic system affirms the Early Cretaceous volcanic activity in the Barton Peninsula, King George Island, Antarctica. Two specimens of basaltic andesite collected from the lowermost volcanic sequence of the peninsula were irradiated and analyzed in different experiments, yielding an identical age spectrum, and two magmatic thermal events of the Early Cretaceous (120.4± 1.6 Ma, 119± 1 Ma) and Early Tertiary (53.1± 1.5 Ma, 52± 1 Ma) are distinguished. The former is interpreted to represent the primary cooling age of basaltic andesite, whereas the latter is the thermal reset age caused by the intrusion of granitic pluton. These new ages clearly indicate that volcanism was active during the Early Cretaceous on the Barton Peninsula and that intensive hydrothermal alteration and mineralization of Mesozoic volcanic rocks resulted from Tertiary magmatism.     

Exposure of a late cretaceous layered mafic-felsic magma system in the central Sierra Nevada batholith,California

New U-Pb zircon ages for the Lamarck Granodiorite, associated synplutonic gabbro and diorite plutons, and two large mafic intrusive complexes that underlie them in the Sierra Nevada batholith are 92±1 Ma. These ages establish the Late Cretaceous as a period of extensive mafic-felsic magmatism in the central part of the batholith, and confirm the significance of mafic magmatism in the evolution of the voluminous silicic plutions in the Sierran arc. The lack of significant zircon inheritance in any of the units analyzed supports isotopic evidence that the Lamarck and other Late Cretaceous Sierran plutons were derived predominantly from young crust. Recognition of an extensive mafic-felsic magma system in the Sierra Nevada batholith emphasizes the importance of basaltic liquids in the evolution of continental crust in arc settings.     

Re–Os and U–Pb Geochronology of Porphyry and Skarn Types Copper Deposits in Jilin Province,NE China

Jilin Province in NE China lies on the eastern edge of the Xing–Meng Orogenic Belt. Mineral exploration in this area has resulted in the discovery of numerous large, medium, and small sized Cu, Mo, Au, and Co deposits. To better understand the formation and distribution of both the porphyry and skarn types Cu deposits of the region, we examined the geological characteristics of the deposits and applied zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os isotope dating to constrain the age of the mineralization. The Binghugou Cu deposit yields a zircon U–Pb age for quartz diorite of 128.1 ± 1.6 Ma; the Chang'anpu Cu deposit yields a zircon U–Pb age for granite porphyry of 117.0 ± 1.4 Ma; the Ermi Cu deposit yields a zircon U–Pb age for granite porphyry of 96.8 ± 1.1 Ma; the Tongshan Cu deposit yields molybdenite Re–Os model ages of 128.7 to 130.2 Ma, an isochron age of 129.0 ± 1.6 Ma, and a weighted mean model age of 129.2 ± 0.7 Ma; and the Tianhexing Cu deposit yields molybdenite Re–Os model ages of 113.9 to 115.2 Ma, an isochron age of 114.7 ± 1.2 Ma, and a weighted mean model age of 114.7 ± 0.7 Ma. The new ages, combined with existing geochronology data, show that intense porphyry and skarn types Cu mineralization was coeval with Cretaceous magmatism. The geotectonic processes responsible for the genesis of the Cu mineralization were probably related to lithospheric thinning. By analyzing the accumulated molybdenite Re–Os, zircon U–Pb, and Ar–Ar ages for NE China, it is concluded that the Cu deposits formed during multiple events coinciding with periods of magmatic activity. We have identified five phases of mineralization: early Paleozoic (~476 Ma), late Paleozoic (286.5–273.6 Ma), early Mesozoic (~228.7 Ma), Jurassic (194.8–137.1 Ma), and Cretaceous (131.2–96.8 Ma). Although Cu deposits formed during each phase, most of the Cu mineralization occurred during the Cretaceous.     

Age boundaries of formation of the Tomtor alkaline-ultramafic pluton: U-Pb and 40Ar/39Ar geochronological studies

This paper presents the results of geochronological studies of the Tomtor alkaline-ultramafic pluton, one of the largest Nb, Y, Sc, and TR deposits. A new scheme of its magmatism is given. The current K-Ar and Rb-Sr ages of different igneous rocks of the Tomtor pluton range from 800 to 250 Ma [Zaitsev et al., 1992; Frolov et al., 2003]. Such dispersion is probably related to the intense carbonatization of the rocks. The U-Pb zircon and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar mica ages indicate two stages of the formation of the pluton (700 and 400 Ma), which agrees well with the age of cycles of rift-related tectonogenesis of the Siberian platform.     

Early Paleozoic Magmatism and Gold Mineralization in the Northern Aitun, NW China

Abstract This paper discusses the relationships between granitic magmatism and gold mineralization and the exhumation history of the Dapinggou gold deposit in northern Altun, NW China based on the geochronological data, including zircon U‐Pb ages, Rb‐Sr isochron age and ⁴⁰Ar‐³⁹Ar dating and MDD modeling data. The main granitic magmatism age in this area is attained from the ID TIMS U‐Pb geochronology of zircons from the Kuoshibulak granite, the biggest granite in the northern Altun area, which gives a concordant age of 443±5 Ma in the Late Ordovician. Zircon ID TIMS U‐Pb geochronology of the West Dapinggou biotite granite west of the Dapinggou gold deposit gives concordant ages around 485±10 Ma, representing the early stage of Ordovician magmatism. The Rb‐Sr isochron age (487±21 Ma) of 6 quartz inclusion samples from quartz veins in this gold deposit is very close to that of the West Dapinggou granite. MDD modeling of step heating ⁴⁰Ar‐³⁹Ar data of K‐feldspar from the same West Dapinggou biotite granite gives a rapid cooling history from 300°C to 150°C during 200–185 Ma. According to the age data and the geological setting of this area, we conclude that the Dapinggou gold deposit was formed at the early stage of the Early Paleozoic granitic magmatism in northern Altun, and exhumed in the Early Jurassic due to the normal faulting of the Lapeiquan detachment. The Early Paleozoic magmatism may provide heat source and produce geological fluids, which are very important for gold mineralization. Exhumation in the Mesozoic caused the uplift of the deposit towards the ground surface.     

Geochemistry,Zircon U–Pb Analysis,and Biotite 40Ar/39Ar Geochronology of the Maoling Gold Deposit,Liaodong Rift,NE China

The Maoling gold deposit is located in the southwestern part of the Liaodong rift, NE China, and has estimated reserves of 25 t. In this paper we present the results of an investigation into the geochronology and geodynamic mechanisms of igneous activity and metallogenesis within the Maoling gold deposit. New zircon U–Pb age data, biotite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age data, whole‐rock geochemistry, and Hf isotopic analyses are presented in order to constrain the petrogenesis and mineralization of the deposit. Zircon U–Pb dating of the Wolongquan biotite monzogranite and Maoling biotite granite yielded mean ages of 194.0 ± 1.1 Ma and 196.1 ± 1.1 Ma, respectively. All the granites are characteristically high‐K calc‐alkaline, enriched in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements, and depleted in high field strength elements, which is consistent with the geochemical characteristics of arc‐type magmas. The Hf isotope characteristics indicate that the granites formed by partial melting of early Paleoproterozoic crustal material. In addition, biotite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating indicates that the Maoling gold deposit formed at 188.9 ± 1.2 Ma, implying that the mineralization was related to both the granite intrusions. Taking into account previous data on S–Pb–O–H isotopes and our new age data, the Maoling deposit can be classified as an intrusion‐related gold deposit. Taking into account the geology of the study area and adjacent regions, we propose that the Maoling gold deposit and its associated granitic intrusions formed in a geodynamic setting that was dominated by subduction of the Paleo‐Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian continent.     

福建紫金山矿田深部似斑状花岗闪长岩锆石SHRIMP U-Pb和单矿物~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar年龄及其地质意义

通过对福建紫金山矿田深部与成矿作用有关的主期似斑状花岗闪长岩3组锆石SHRIMP U-Pb和2组角闪石、钾长石~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar测年,获得锆石~(206)Pb/~(238()U加权平均年龄为101.8±1.5 Ma(n=34,MSWD=1.0),代表紫金山矿田深部与成矿作用有关的主期似斑状花岗闪长岩的成岩年龄;同时获得角闪石~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar冷却年龄为100±11 Ma、102.2 Ma,钾长石的~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar冷却年龄为96.3±1.7 Ma、98.5 Ma。依据矿物封闭温度理论,估算紫金山矿田深部与成矿作用有关的主期似斑状花岗闪长岩由锆石结晶至角闪石40Ar/39Ar体系封闭、再到钾长石~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar体系封闭的岩石冷却速率分别是40.7~67.1℃/Ma、116.9~216.3℃/Ma,显示岩石的冷却速率较大;由古地温梯度推算主期似斑状花岗闪长岩结晶(101.8±1.5 Ma)至钾长石~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar体系封闭(96.3±1.7 Ma)期间岩体隆升剥露了约3 km,暗示地壳在这一时期发生了快速隆升剥蚀作用。紫金山矿田深部似斑状花岗闪长岩锆石206Pb/238U年龄佐证了紫金山矿田深部存在一个大岩基,并约束了紫金山矿田斑岩型矿床的成矿时代,单矿物的~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar年龄为矿区的隆升剥露研究提供新资料。     

Geochronology of the Limu W–Sn–Nb–Ta‐Bearing Granite Pluton in South China

Limu W–Sn–Nb–Ta mining district is located in the Nanling Range W–Sn poly‐metallic mineralization belt in south China. The district includes a number of Sn–Nb–Ta and W–Sn ore occurrences; all of them are spatially associated with granite stocks of a largely‐unexposed pluton, the Limu granitic pluton. A granite sample collected from the Sn–Nb–Ta‐bearing Jinzhuyuan granite stock yields a zircon SHRIMP U–Pb age of 218.3 ± 2.4 Ma, a muscovite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau age of 212.4 ± 1.4 Ma, and a muscovite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar isochron age of 213.2 ± 2.2 Ma. Another granite sample collected from the W–Sn‐bearing Sangehuangniu granite stock yields a zircon SHRIMP U–Pb age of 214 ± 5 Ma. The geochronological data provide new constraints on the age of the Limu granite pluton and the timing of the associated W–Sn–Nb–Ta mineralization—at least it sets a reasonable upper age limit for the mineralization of the W–Sn–Nb–Ta ores. The reported ages suggest an active Late Triassic granitic magmatism in Limu area which is part of a regional magmatic event near the end of the Indosinian orogeny in south China.     

粤北长江铀矿田花岗岩独居石U-Pb同位素定年及其地质意义

长江铀矿田位于诸广山复式岩体中南部,是典型的花岗岩型铀矿田.前人采用锆石U-Pb定年方法对赋矿花岗岩进行了年代学研究,但由于全岩和锆石铀含量较高,锆石往往发生了蜕晶化,可能导致锆石U-Pb定年数据散乱,影响锆石U-Pb年龄的可靠性.独居石是花岗岩中广泛存在的含铀副矿物,铀和钍含量均较高,可达10000×10-6,普通铅...     

U-Pb and 39Ar/40Ar dating and Sm-Nd and Pb-Pb isotopic study of the Kalguty molybdenum-tungsten ore-magmatic system, Southern Altai

The Kalguty ore-magmatic system comprises two intrusive complexes: the Kalguty granite-leucogranite complex and Eastern Kalguty complex of dikes and small intrusions. U-Pb dating of individual zircon grains from granites of the main intrusive phase demonstrated that the crystallization age of small grains of magmatic habits and outer rims of large grains is almost concordant and is 216 ± 3 Ma. Ar-Ar isotope study shows that the K-Ar system of biotites from granites of the main phase within the Kalguty ore field was disturbed (radiogenic Ar was partially lost) and gave an age of 202 ± 1 Ma. The Ar-Ar dating of muscovites from intraore and postore dikes of the Eastern Kalguty complex devoid of signatures of postmagmatic recrystallization and superimposed greisenization gave similar ages of 205–201 Ma. This date is considered as the emplacement age of the Eastern Kalguty dikes and associated complex W-Mo-Bi-Be ore mineralization. Sm-Nd and Pb-Pb isotopic study of granites, ongonites, and elvans of the Kalguty ore-magmatic system and host rocks shows that these systems were closed. For example, recalculation of Nd isotopic ratios for corresponding ages of crystallization of magmatic systems (216 and 205 Ma) shows that ?_Nd(T) values decrease from ?1.9 to ?3.5 ... ?5.08 with transition from granite-leucogranite to subvolcanic granite porphyry, ongonite, and elvan dikes with corresponding increase of model ages of protoliths from 1.0 to 1.25 Ga. Lead isotopic ratios for leaching residues of whole-rock samples of all rock varieties (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.305–18.831; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.527–15.571) are plotted well below the line of average crustal lead evolution according to the Stacey-Kramers model.     

Formation Age and Evolution Time Span of the Koktokay No. 3 Pegmatite,Altai, NW China: Evidence from U–Pb Zircon and 40Ar–39Ar Muscovite Ages

The Koktokay No. 3 pegmatite is the largest Li–Be–Nb–Ta–Cs pegmatitic rare‐metal deposit of the Chinese Altai orogenic belt, and is famous for its concentric ring zonation pattern (nine internal zones). However, the formation age and evolution time span have been controversial. Here, we present the results of LA‐ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating and muscovite ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar dating. Four groups of zircon U–Pb ages (～210 Ma, ～193–198 Ma, ～186–187 Ma and ～172 Ma) for Zones II, V, VI, VII, and VIII, and a weighed mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 965 ± 11 Ma for Zone IV are identified. Also, Zones II, IV, and VI have muscovite ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar plateau ages of 179.7 ± 1.1 Ma, 182.1 ± 1.0 Ma, and 181.8 ± 1.1 Ma, respectively. Considering previous U–Pb age studies (Zones I, V, and VII), the ages of emplacement, Li mineralization peak, hydrothermal stage of the No. 3 pegmatite are in ranges of 193–198 Ma, 184–187 Ma and 172–175 Ma, with weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb–²³⁸U ages of 194.8 ± 2.3 Ma, 186.6 ± 1.3 Ma and 173.1 ± 3.9 Ma, respectively. The No. 3 pegmatite formed in the early Jurassic. The results of xenocrysts suggest that there is another pegmatite forming event of around 210 Ma in the mining district and the old zircon U–Pb ages imply that Neoproterozoic crustal rocks pertain to sources of the No. 3 pegmatite. Including the previous muscovite ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar age studies (Zones I and V), a cooling age range of 177–182 Ma is considered as the time of hydrothermal stage and end of formation. The evolution process of the No. 3 pegmatite lasted 16 Ma. Therein, the magmatic stage continued for 9–11 Myr and the magmatic–hydrothermal transition and hydrothermal stages were sustained at 5–7 Ma. These time spans are long because of huge scale, cupola shape, large formation depth, and complex internal zoning patterns and formation processes. Considering some pegmatite dikes in the Chinese Altai, there is an early Jurassic pegmatite forming event.     

Thermal history of the Ecstall pluton from Ar/Ar geochronology and thermal modeling

New ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar thermochronology results and thermal modeling support the hypothesis of Hollister et al. (2004), that reheating of the mid-Cretaceous Ecstall pluton by intrusion of the Coast Mountains Batholith (CMB) was responsible for spatially variable remagnetization of the Ecstall pluton. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages from hornblende and biotite from 12 locations along the Skeena River across the northern part of the Ecstall pluton decrease with proximity to the Quottoon plutonic complex, the nearest member of the CMB to the Ecstall pluton. The oldest ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages are found farthest from the Quottoon plutonic complex, and are 90 ± 3 Ma for hornblende, and 77.9 ± 1.2 Ma for biotite. The youngest ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages are found closest to the Quottoon plutonic complex, and are 51.6 ± 1.2 Ma for hornblende, and 45.3 ± 1.7 Ma for biotite. No obvious relationship between grain size and age is seen in the Ecstall pluton biotites. Spatial trends in ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages are consistent with model results for reheating by a thermal wall at the location of the Quottoon plutonic complex. Although no unique solution is suggested, our results indicate that the most appropriate thermal history for the Ecstall pluton includes both reheating and northeast side up tilting of the Ecstall pluton associated with intrusion of the Quottoon plutonic complex. Estimates of northward translation from shallow paleomagnetic inclinations in the western part of the Ecstall pluton are reduced to ∼3000 km, consistent with the Baja-BC hypothesis, when northeast side up tilting is accounted for.     

西藏隆格尔铁矿床成岩成矿时代及对区域多期铁成矿作用的启示:地球化学、锆石U⁃Pb及金云母Ar⁃Ar同位素定年约束

为了查明冈底斯成矿带隆格尔富铁矿床的成矿时代、形成环境及其对区域铁成矿作用的指示,对该矿床开展了岩石地球化学、锆石U-Pb年代学和Lu-Hf同位素及金云母Ar-Ar定年分析,结果表明:(1)矿区存在早白垩世花岗闪长岩(116.3 Ma)和晚白垩世闪长岩(94.3~93.8 Ma)两个阶段的岩浆活动,主矿体金云母40Ar/39Ar等时线年龄为93.71±2.96 Ma,表明该铁矿形成于晚白垩世;(2)与主矿体成矿相关的闪长岩具较低SiO₂含量(52.17%~55.32%),富集LREE及Rb、Ba、Pb等大离子亲石元素,亏损HREE和Nb、Ta、Ti等高场强元素,属于高钾钙碱性和准铝质岩石系列,锆石ε_Hf(t)介于1.4~3.6,Mg#指数极高(0.59~0.64),暗示成矿岩体有较多的幔源物质加入,具有壳幔混合特征;(3)结合冈底斯带其他铁矿床时代,可以将冈底斯铁成矿作用划分为~115 Ma、~94 Ma和50~65 Ma三期,隆格尔铁矿床属于冈底斯带新一期(晚白垩世)富铁成矿作用;(4)对比冈底斯成矿带多阶段矽卡岩型铁成矿作用发现,隆格尔铁矿成矿岩体与其他时期铁矿具有明显的地球化学差异,幔源物质较多的中基性岩浆相对于酸性岩浆可能更容易形成富铁矿床.      

Western Fiordland orthogneiss: Early Cretaceous arc magmatism and granulite facies metamorphism,New Zealand

U-Pb isotopic analyses of zircons from a distinctive suite of previously undated granulite facies metaplutonic rocks, here termed the Western Fiordland Orthogneiss (WFO), in Fiordland, southwest New Zealand, indicate synkinematic magmatic emplacement between 120 and 130 Ma ago. These rocks were previously interpreted as possibly being of Precambrian age. Initial Pb and Sr ratios are consistent with arc/subduction related magmagenesis with little or no involvement of ancient continental crust. Subsequent high pressure (>12 kb) metamorphism of the WFO may reflect a major collision event involving crustal thickening by overthrusting of a >15 km thick sequence. Metamorphism ceased 116 Ma ago based on²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of zircon from a retrogressed granulite. U-Pb isotopic analysis of apatite, along with previously published Rb/Sr mineral ages, indicate that final uplift and cooling to <300–400° C was largely completed by 90 Ma. The average uplift rate during this period is inferred to have been in excess of 1 mm/yr.Unmetamorphosed gabbronorites of the Darran Complex in eastern Fiordland, inferred by some investigators to be the granulite protolith, yield concordant U/Pb zircon ages of 137±1 Ma. U-Pb ages of apatite, and previously published K/Ar mineral ages indicate that these rocks experienced a rapid and simple cooling history lasting only a few million years. The high-grade WFO and unmetamorphosed Darran Complex are now separated by a profound structural break. However, the ages and similarities in initial Pb and Sr isotopic ratios suggest that both suites are products of the same Early Cretaceous cycle of subduction-related magmatism. The timing of Early Cretaceous magmatism and metamorphism, collision and resultant crustal thickening, and subsequent great uplift and erosion in Fiordland has important implications for terrane accretion and the evolution of relative plate motions along the New Zealand segment of the Gondwana margin.     

U-Pb SHRIMP geochronology of Th-poor, hydrothermal monazite: An example from the Llallagua tin-porphyry deposit, Bolivia

In situ U-Pb SHRIMP analysis of hydrothermal monazite virtually free of Th and poor in U (<0.2 ppm Th, 40-103 ppm U) from the world-class Llallagua tin porphyry deposit in Bolivia defines a mineralization age of 23.4 ± 2.2 Ma (MSWD 0.48) confirming earlier K-Ar sericite alteration age data. These ages are, however, in contrast with a weighted mean single crystal ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb evaporation age of 39.3 ± 6.0 Ma, and a related Pb-Pb inverse isochron age of 42.4 ± 4.0 Ma (MSWD 0.66) on zircon from a post-porphyry dike, as well as with an earlier single crystal Sm-Nd apatite isochron age.Our data points to a significant time gap between emplacement of the ore-hosting porphyry intrusion (magmatism) and its hydrothermal overprint (tin mineralization), suggesting long-lived magmatic-hydrothermal activity in this part of the Andean back-arc crust. The decoupling of porphyry magmatism and hydrothermal activity may explain the unusual occurrence of relatively little fractionated felsic rocks together with extensive tin mineralization.Our study demonstrates the usefulness of the application of the U-Pb SHRIMP method to direct age determination of ore mineralization using Th-poor hydrothermal monazite even when dealing with geological young events. The common assumption of synchronous magmatism and hydrothermal ore formation in porphyry systems may not always be warranted.