Paleoproterozoic age of the protoliths of metaterrigenous rocks in the east of the Irkut Granulite-Gneiss block (Sharyzhalgai salient,Siberian Craton)

The Early Precambrian granulite-gneiss complex of the Irkut Block (Sharyzhalgai salient of the Siberian Craton basement) with the protoliths represented by a wide range of magmatic and sedimentary rocks, has a long-term history including several magmatic and metamorphic stages. To estimate the age of sedimentation and metamorphism of the terrigenous deposits, the composition of the garnet-biotite, hyper-sthene-biotite, and cordierite-bearing gneisses has been studied; their isotopic Sm-Nd values have been revealed; and the U-Pb zircon dating has been performed using the SHRIMP II ion microprobe. The protoliths of the terrigenous sediments metamorphosed under conditions of the granulite facies correspond to a rock series from siltstones and graywackes to pelites. The Nd model ages of paragneisses range from 2.4 to 3.1 Ga. Zircons of the cordierite-bearing and hypersthene—biotite gneisses show the presence of cores and rims. The clastic, smoothed, and irregular shape of the cores indicates their detrital character and relicts of oscillatory zoning suggest the magmatic origin of zircon. The rim’s metamorphic genesis is indicated by the lack of zoning and by the lower Th/U ratio compared to that of the cores. The age of the detrital cores (≥2.7, ~2.3, and 1.95—2.0 Ga) and metamorphic rims (1.85–1.86 Ga) defines the time of sedimentation at 1.85–1.95 Ga ago. Potential sources for the Archean detrital zircons were metamagmatic rocks of the granulite—gneiss complexes in the southwestern margin of the Siberian Craton. The age of the dominant detrital cores at 1.95–2.0 Ga ago, together with the minimal T_Nd(DM) values, indicates the contribution of the juvenile Paleoproterozoic crust to the formation of sediments. The juvenile Paleoproterozoic crust was likely represented by magmatic complexes similar to the volcanic and granitoid associations of the Aldan shield, which were formed 1.99–2.0 Ga ago and showthe model age of 2.0—2.4 Ga. The isotopic Sm-Nd data show that the Late Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks occur not only in the Sharyzhalgai salient but in the Aldan and Anabar shields of the Siberian Craton as well.     

Evolution of subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath eastern China: Re–Os isotopic evidence from mantle xenoliths in Paleozoic kimberlites and Mesozoic basalts

The ages of subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath the North China and South China cratons are less well-constrained than the overlying crust. We report Re–Os isotope systematics of mantle xenoliths entrained in Paleozoic kimberlites and Mesozoic basalts from eastern China. Peridotite xenoliths from the Fuxian and Mengyin Paleozoic diamondiferous kimberlites in the North China Craton give Archean Re depletion ages of 2.6–3.2 Ga and melt depletion ages of 2.9–3.4 Ga. No obvious differences in Re and Os abundances, Os isotopic ratios and model ages are observed between spinel-facies and garnet-facies peridotites from both kimberlite localities. The Re–Os isotopic data, together with the PGE concentrations, demonstrate that beneath the Archean continental crust of the eastern North China Craton, Archean lithospheric mantle of spinel- to diamond-facies existed without apparent compositional stratification during the Paleozoic. The Mesozoic and Cenozoic basalt-borne peridotite and pyroxenite xenoliths, on the other hand, show geochemical features indicating metasomatic enrichment, along with a large range of the Re–Os isotopic model ages from Proterozoic to Phanerozoic. These features indicate that lithospheric transformation or refertilization through melt-peridotite interaction could be the primary mechanism for compositional changes during the Phanerozoic, rather than delamination or thermal-mechanical erosion, despite the potential of these latter processes to play an important role for the loss of garnet-facies mantle. A fresh garnet lherzolite xenolith from the Yangtze Block has a Re depletion age of ∼1.04 Ga, much younger than overlying Archean crustal rocks but the same Re depletion ages as spinel lherzolite xenoliths from adjacent Mesozoic basalts, indicating Neoproterozoic resetting of the Re–Os system in the South China Craton.     

Age of the Siberian craton crust beneath the northern kimberlite fields: Insights to the craton evolution

Comprehensive studies of zircon xenocrysts from kimberlites of the Kuoika field (northeastern Siberian craton) and several kimberlite fields of the eastern Anabar shield, along with data compilation on the age of kimberlite-hosting terranes, reveal details of the evolution of the northern Siberian craton. The age distribution and trace element characteristic of zircons from the Kuoika field kimberlites (Birekte terrane) provide evidence of significant basic and alkaline–carbonatite magmatism in northern Siberia in the Paleozoic and Mesozoic periods. The abundance of 1.8–2.1 Ga zircons in both the Birekte and adjacent Hapchan terranes (the latter hosting kimberlites of the eastern Anabar shield) supports the Paleoproterozoic assembly and stabilization of these units in the Siberian craton and the supercontinent Columbia. The abundance of Archean zircons in the Hapchan terrane reflects the input of an ancient source other than the Birekte terrane and addresses the evolution of the terrane to west (Magan and Daldyn terranes of the Anabar shield). The present study has also revealed the oldest known remnant of the Anabar shield crust, whose 3.62 Ga age is similar to that of another ancient domain of Siberia, the Aldan shield. The first Hf isotope data for the Anabar shield coupled with the U–Pb systematics indicate three stages of crustal growth (Paleoproterozoic, Neoarchean and Paleoarchean) and two stages of the intensive crustal recycling in the Paleoproterozoic and Neoarchean. Intensive reworking of the existing crust at 2.5–2.8 Ga and 1.8–2.1 Ga is interpreted to provide evidence for the assembly of Columbia. The oldest Hf model age estimation provides a link to Early Eoarchean (3.7–3.95 Ga) and possibly to Hadean crust. Hence, some of the Archean cratonic segments of the Siberian craton could be remnants of the Earth's earliest continental crust.     

SHRIMP U–Pb analyses of detrital zircon: a window to understanding the Paleoproterozoic development of the Tanami Region, northern Australia

Poorly exposed Paleoproterozoic turbiditic to shallow marine sedimentary rocks of the Tanami Basin, NT, Australia are largely the erosional products of either the ∼1.87–1.85 Hooper Orogeny and/or magmatism associated with the ∼1.87 Ga Nimbuwah Event. Dating of detrital zircon from six of the principal sedimentary units shows that deposition spanned at least the period ∼1.84–1.77 Ga. Collectively, the detrital zircon ages reveal a progression in provenance that is a record of the development of the orogen. The basal Dead Bullock Formation contains only zircon derived from Archean basement and no contemporaneous products of orogeny. Its deposition age is inferred to be ∼1.87–1.84 Ga. Orogenic ∼1.86 Ga zircon appears in the overlying Killi Killi Formation, deposited between ∼1.84–1.82 Ga and persists, probably due to recycling in all overlying units except one, the Mount Charles Formation. The accepted stratigraphic position of this unit might be incorrect. Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Formation and evolution of Precambrian continental lithosphere in South China

An overview is presented for the formation and evolution of Precambrian continental lithosphere in South China. This is primarily based on an integrated study of zircon U–Pb ages and Lu–Hf isotopes in crustal rocks, with additional constraints from Re–Os isotopes in mantle-derived rocks. Available Re–Os isotope data on xenolith peridotites suggest that the oldest subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath South China is primarily of Paleoproterozoic age. The zircon U–Pb ages and Lu–Hf isotope studies reveal growth and reworking of the juvenile crust at different ages. Both the Yangtze and Cathaysia terranes contain crustal materials of Archean U–Pb ages. Nevertheless, zircon U–Pb ages exhibit two peaks at 2.9–3.0 Ga and ~ 2.5 Ga in Yangtze but only one peak at ~ 2.5 Ga in Cathaysia. Both massive rocks and crustal remnants (i.e., zircon) of Archean U–Pb ages occur in Yangtze, but only crustal remnants of Archean U–Pb ages occur in Cathaysia. Zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopes in the Kongling complex of Yangtze suggest the earliest episode of crustal growth in the Paleoarchean and two episodes of crustal reworking at 3.1–3.3 Ga and 2.8–3.0 Ga. Both negative and positive ε_Hf(t) values are associated with Archean U–Pb ages of zircon in South China, indicating both the growth of juvenile crust and the reworking of ancient crust in the Archean. Paleoproterozoic rocks in Yangtze exhibit four groups of U–Pb ages at 2.1 Ga, 1.9–2.0 Ga, ~ 1.85 Ga and ~ 1.7 Ga, respectively. They are associated not only with reworking of the ancient Archean crust in the interior of Yangtze, but also with the growth of the contemporaneous juvenile crust in the periphery of Yangtze. In contrast, Paleoproterozoic rocks in Cathaysia were primarily derived from reworking of Archean crust at 1.8–1.9 Ga. The exposure of Mesoproterozoic rocks are very limited in South China, but zircon Hf model ages suggest the growth of juvenile crust in this period due to island arc magmatism of the Grenvillian oceanic subduction. Magmatic rocks of middle Neoproterozoic U–Pb ages are widespread in South China, exhibiting two peaks at about 830–800 Ma and 780–740 Ma, respectively. Both negative and positive ε_Hf(t) values are associated with the middle Neoproterozoic U–Pb ages of zircon, suggesting not only growth and reworking of the juvenile Mesoproterozoic crust but also reworking of the ancient Archean and Paleoproterozoic crust in the middle Neoproterozoic. The tectonic setting for this period of magmatism would be transformed from arc–continent collision to continental rifting with reference to the plate tectonic regime in South China.     

Zircon geochronology and Sm–Nd isotopic study: Further constraints for the Archean and Paleoproterozoic geodynamical evolution of the southeastern Guiana Shield, north of Amazonian Craton, Brazil

The eastern part of the Guiana Shield, northern Amazonian Craton, in South America, represents a large orogenic belt developed during the Transamazonian orogenic cycle (2.26–1.95 Ga), which consists of extensive areas of Paleoproterozoic crust and two major Archean terranes: the Imataca Block, in Venezuela, and the here defined Amapá Block, in the north of Brazil.

Pb-evaporation on zircon and Sm–Nd on whole rock dating were provided on magmatic and metamorphic units from southwestern Amapá Block, in the Jari Domain, defining its long-lived evolution, marked by several stages of crustal accretion and crustal reworking. Magmatic activity occurred mainly at the Meso-Neoarchean transition (2.80–2.79 Ga) and during the Neoarchean (2.66–2.60 Ga). The main period of crust formation occurred during a protracted episode at the end of Paleoarchean and along the whole Mesoarchean (3.26–2.83 Ga). Conversely, crustal reworking processes have dominated in Neoarchean times. During the Transamazonian orogenic cycle, the main geodynamic processes were related to reworking of older Archean crust, with minor juvenile accretion at about 2.3 Ga, during an early orogenic phase. Transamazonian magmatism consisted of syn- to late-orogenic granitic pulses, which were dated at 2.22 Ga, 2.18 Ga and 2.05–2.03 Ga. Most of the ε_Nd values and T_DM model ages (2.52–2.45 Ga) indicate an origin of the Paleoproterozoic granites by mixing of juvenile Paleoproterozoic magmas with Archean components.

The Archean Amapá Block is limited in at southwest by the Carecuru Domain, a granitoid-greenstone terrane that had a geodynamic evolution mainly during the Paleoproterozoic, related to the Transamazonian orogenic cycle. In this latter domain, a widespread calc-alkaline magmatism occurred at 2.19–2.18 Ga and at 2.15–2.14 Ga, and granitic magmatism was dated at 2.10 Ga. Crustal accretion was recognized at about 2.28 Ga, in agreement with the predominantly Rhyacian crust-forming pattern of the eastern Guiana Shield. Nevertheless, T_DM model ages (2.50–2.38 Ga), preferentially interpreted as mixed ages, and ε_Nd < 0, point to some participation of Archean components in the source of the Paleoproterozoic rocks. In addition, the Carecuru Domain contains an oval-shaped Archean granulitic nucleus, named Paru Domain. In this domain, Neoarchean magmatism at about 2.60 Ga was produced by reworking of Mesoarchean crust, as registered in the Amapá Block. Crustal accretion events and calc-alkaline magmatism are recognized at 2.32 Ga and at 2.15 Ga, respectively, as well as charnockitic magmatism at 2.07 Ga.

The lithological association and the available isotopic data registered in the Carecuru Domain suggests a geodynamic evolution model based on the development of a magmatic arc system during the Transamazonian orogenic cycle, which was accreted to the southwestern border of the Archean Amapá Block.     

U–Pb and Hf isotopic analysis of zircon in lower crustal xenoliths from the Navajo volcanic field: 1.4 Ga mafic magmatism and metamorphism beneath the Colorado Plateau

Zircon from lower crustal xenoliths erupted in the Navajo volcanic field was analyzed for U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic compositions to characterize the lower crust beneath the Colorado Plateau and to determine whether it was affected by ∼1.4 Ga granitic magmatism and metamorphism that profoundly affected the exposed middle crust of southwestern Laurentia. Igneous zircon in felsic xenoliths crystallized at 1.73 and 1.65 Ga, and igneous zircon in mafic xenoliths crystallized at 1.43 Ga. Most igneous zircon has unradiogenic initial Hf isotopic compositions (ɛ_Hf=+4.1–+7.8) and 1.7–1.6 Ga depleted mantle model ages, consistent with 1.7–1.6 Ga felsic protoliths being derived from “juvenile” Proterozoic crust and 1.4 Ga mafic protoliths having interacted with older crust. Metamorphic zircon grew in four pulses between 1.42 and 1.36 Ga, at least one of which was at granulite facies. Significant variability within and between xenoliths in metamorphic zircon initial Hf isotopic compositions (ɛ_Hf=−0.7 to +13.6) indicates growth from different aged sources with diverse time-integrated Lu/Hf ratios. These results show a strong link between 1.4 Ga mafic magmatism and granulite facies metamorphism in the lower crust and granitic magmatism and metamorphism in the exposed middle crust.     

Archean and Paleoproterozoic crustal evolution and evidence for cryptic Paleoarchean-Hadean sources of the NW São Francisco Craton,Brazil: Lithochemistry,geochronology, and isotope systematics of the Cristalândia do Piauí Block

The Cristalândia do Piauí Block, located in the northwestern margin of the São Francisco Craton, represents the basement of the Rio Preto Fold Belt. It is composed of Archean orthogneisses of ca. 3.2 Ga reworked at 2.81 and 2.68 Ga with juvenile to moderately juvenile εHf values between −1.51 and −8.07, and high-K syenogranites dated at 2.65 Ga with crustal εHf values between −10.37 and −19.54, both with model ages (T_DMc) varying from 3.57 to 4.33 Ga, indicating cryptic Paleo- to Eoarchean and even Hadean sources. Metamafic-ultramafic rocks, iron formations, metacherts, and graphite schists occur in association with the Archean orthogneiss. The whole set is intruded by Paleoproterozoic (ca. 2.2 Ga) metagranitoids with compositions varying from granodioritic with sanukitoid-type signatures to monzogranitic, and alkali-feldspar granitic with crustal signatures. They are related to the Rhyacian-Orosirian orogeny, responsible for the complex deformation patterns printed in the Archean basement. Orosirian metasedimentary rocks are represented by garnet-biotite paragneiss with maximum depositional age of ca. 1.95 Ga. Intrusive mafic dikes in the complex show ages of ca. 2.07 Ga and isotopic features of mantle-derived magmas. Considering the presented data, the Cristalândia do Piauí Block represents a metacratonic domain corresponding to part of the Guanambi-Correntina Paleoplate, wich had been involved in crustal accretion and reworking from the Archean to the Paleoproterozoic. Many of the elements of the evolutionary stages wich are present in the São Francisco-Congo Paleocontinent can be recognized, suggesting an evolution of this crustal segment amounts to the Eoarchean era and disclosing the existence of cryptic Paleoarchean or even Hadean nuclei, reworked in at least three metamorphic events during the Rhyacian-Orosirian orogeny.     

Geochemistry of the Paleoproterozoic metaterrigenous rocks of the Biryusa Block,southwestern Siberian Craton

Major and trace element compositions of the Paleoproterozoic metaterrigenous rocks (Neroi Group) formed in a large sedimentation basin in the southwestern Siberian Craton (Biryusa Block) were determined to reconstruct the protoliths of metasediments, degree of their recycling, and maturity of source rocks. Primary rocks from the lower part of the sequence (Alkhadyr Formation) are represented by both petrogenic (“first cycle”) and recycled sediments of the graywacke to siltstone and aluminous pelite series. Protoliths of the micaceous and carbonaceous schists from the upper part of the sequence (Tumanshet Formation) correspond to silty pelites and pelites. As the micaceous schists of the Alkhadyr Formation, these rocks have K₂O/Al₂O₃ < 0.3 and elevated Th concentrations, indicating the contribution of recycling in the formation of the fine-grained rocks. Distribution of trace and rare earth elements (REE) in metaterrigenous rocks of the Neroi Group testifies to the predominance of felsic rocks in the source area, while the prominent Eu minimum indicates the presence of granitoids—the products of crustal melting. Rocks of the Alkhadyr Formation also show elevated contents of Cr, Co, Ni, Sc, and Fe, indicating the development of mafic rocks in the source area. Comparison of the trace element contents and their ratios in rocks of the Neroi Group with those in the Archean (3.5–2.5 Ga) and Paleoproterozoic (2.5–1.6 Ga) upper continental crust made it possible to establish that metasedimentary rocks of the Neroi Group were formed by the erosion of sufficiently mature (geochemically differentiated) protoliths, which are similar to the Paleoproterozic crust. Judging from the Sm-Nd isotope data, one of the components of source areas for the terrigenous rocks of the Neroi Group were Archean rocks similar to basement rocks of the Biryusa block with the Nd model ages within 2.8–2.6 Ga. The second component in the source area could be juvenile Paleoproterozoic crust (Nd model age ∼1.9 Ga), which was probably represented by the metavolcanic associations of grabens surrounding the Biryusa block. The minimum Nd model ages for metaterrigenous rocks of the Neroi Group define the lowermost sedimentation boundary at 1.9 Ga.     

Nd isotopic constraints on crustal formation in the North China Craton

Recent tectonic analysis suggests that the North China Craton consists of two Archean continental blocks, called the Eastern and Western Blocks, separated by the Paleoproterozoic Trans-North China Orogen. Although the published geochronological data are not sufficient to constrain the detailed tectonothermal evolution of the craton, the available Nd isotopic data show some important differences in Nd model ages between the tectonic units. The Eastern Block shows two main Nd model age peaks, one between 3.6 and 3.2 Ga and the other between 3.0 and 2.6 Ga. Limited Nd isotopic data from the Western Block show a large range of model ages between 3.2 and 2.4 Ga. These differences are consistent with the recently-proposed model.The Nd isotopic data from mantle-derived mafic rocks indicate that the mantle beneath the North China Craton was depleted in the Archean, consistent with major crustal growth during this period. In the Paleoproterozoic, however, the mantle-derived mafic rocks show negative ε_Nd(t) values, implying crustal contamination. This may have resulted from subduction and collision between the Eastern and Western Block, implying that the mechanisms of crustal formation and evolution may have been different between the Archean and Paleoproterozoic.The North China Craton was re-activated by addition of mantle-derived magma into the lower crust in the late Mesozoic, resulting in rejuvenation of the lower crust. This indicates that underplating is also an important mechanism for continental addition, although in this case it may not equate to crustal growth, since it was preceded by removal of lithospheric mantle and possible some lower crust.     

Nd and Sr isotopic geochemistry of mafic layered intrusions in the eastern Baltic shield: implications for the evolution of Paleoproterozoic continental mafic magmas

 Nd and Sr isotopic data are presented for the 2449–2441 Ma Olanga and Burakovka layered mafic complexes in the eastern Baltic Shield. These complexes have similar tectonic position, but differ in two aspects: the age of the enclosing crust and the post-crystallization metamorphic history. The Sm–Nd isotopic results for the Kivakka and Lukkulaisvaara intrusions, Olanga Complex, are consistent with the model of closed-system crystallization of a single magma without significant wallrock assimilation. The Rb–Sr systems of minerals were disturbed by late Rb addition during 1.75–1.50 Ga metamorphism. The Nd and Sr isotopic systems in the Burakovka complex show no metamorphic disturbance and indicate mixing of at least four isotopically distinct components. Isotopic variations in the Burakovka Complex can be explained by a 4–20 per cent contamination of a primary komatiitic or picritic magma with a Mesoarchean crust, similar to that exposed in the region. A similar model, applied to the Olanga Complex using a Neoarchean crustal isotopic composition, cannot reproduce the observed isotopic signature. The nearly uniform initial ɛ_Nd values between −1 and −2.3, observed in the Kivakka and Lukkulaisvaara intrusions of the Olanga Complex, as well as in the other 2.50–2.44 Ga layered mafic intrusions throughout the eastern Baltic Shield, are better explained by a mantle plume model with small amounts of crustal contamination and minor involvement of asthenospheric material. This model is also consistent with the geological observations and the temporal distribution of the Paleoproterozoic mafic magmatism in the eastern Baltic Shield. As an alternative, the enriched isotopic characteristics may be explained by melting of a metasomatically modified lithospheric mantle source. Received: 4 August 1994/Accepted: 5 April 1996     

大别造山带新太古代地壳岩石和古元古代混合岩化作用——来自锆石U-Pb年代学和Hf同位素证据

大别造山带北大别超高压变质带是研究秦岭-大别-苏鲁造山带古老基底演化过程的关键区域,其内广泛发育的混合岩长期被认为主要形成于中生代。本文对北大别团风一带新识别出的一套混合岩开展了锆石U-Pb定年和Hf同位素组成分析,结果显示,混合岩第一类锆石核部具有岩浆锆石特点,组成的不一致线上交点年龄为2850±86 Ma,该年龄代表了混合岩原岩年龄。第二类锆石具有变质深熔锆石特点,其加权平均²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb年龄为2011±12 Ma,代表了混合岩化的时间。岩浆锆石多数具有负的ε_Hf(t)值(—8.1～2.2),对应两阶段Hf同位素模式年龄(T_DM2)为3.6～3.0 Ga,表明原岩可能为大别造山带内古太古代地壳物质重熔形成,并可能在形成过程中伴有少量幔源物质加入。与之相比,变质锆石均具有正的ε_Hf(t)值(0.3～8.2),对应T_DM2为2.7～2.2 Ga,说明在混合岩化变质深熔过程中锆石Lu-Hf同位素体系完全开放,导致了锆石Hf同位素组成的升高。本文研究表...     

Isotope Lu–Hf composition of detrital zircon from paragneisses of the Sharyzhalgai uplift: evidence for the Paleoproterozoic crustal growth

We present results of study of the trace-element and Lu–Hf isotope compositions of zircons from Paleoproterozoic high-grade metasedimentary rocks (paragneisses) of the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton (Irkut terrane of the Sharyzhalgai uplift). Metamorphic zircons are represented by rims and multifaceted crystals dated at ~ 1.85 Ga. They are depleted in either LREE or HREE as a result of subsolidus recrystallization and/or synchronous formation with REE-concentrating garnet or monazite. In contrast to the metamorphic zircons, the detrital cores are enriched in HREE and have high (Lu/Gd)_n ratios, which is typical of igneous zircon. The weak positive correlation between ¹⁷⁶Lu/¹⁷⁷Hf and ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf in the zircon cores evidences that their Hf isotope composition evolved through radioactive decay in Hf = the closed system. Therefore, the isotope parameters of these zircons can give an insight into the provenance of metasedimentary rocks. The Paleoproterozoic detrital zircon cores from paragneisses, dated at ~ 2.3–2.4 and 2.0–1.95 Ga, are characterized by a wide range of ε_Hf values (from + 9.8 to –3.3) and model age T ^C 2.8–2.0 Ga. The provenance of these detrital zircons included both rocks with juvenile isotope Hf parameters and rocks resulted from the recycling of the Archean crust with a varying contribution of juvenile material. Zircons with high positive ε_Hf values were derived from the juvenile Paleoproterozoic crustal sources, whereas the lower ε_Hf and higher T ^C values for zircons suggest the contribution of the Archean crustal source to the formation of their magmatic precursors. Thus, at the Paleoproterozoic stage of evolution of the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton, both crustal recycling and crustal growth through the contribution of juvenile material took place. On the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton, detrital zircons with ages of ~ 2.3–2.4 and 1.95–2.0 Ga are widespread in Paleoproterozoic paragneisses of the Irkut and Angara–Kan terranes and in terrigenous rocks of the Urik–Iya graben, which argues for their common and, most likely, proximal provenances. In the time of metamorphism (1.88–1.85 Ga), the age of Paleoproterozoic detrital zircons (2.4–2.0 Ga), and their Lu–Hf isotope composition (ε_Hf values ranging from positive to negative values) the paragneisses of the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton are similar to the metasedimentary rocks of the Paleoproterozoic orogenic belts of the North China Craton. In the above two regions, the sources of detrital zircons formed by both the reworking of the Archean crust and the contribution of juvenile material, which is evidence for the crustal growth in the period 2.4–2.0 Ga.     

扬子陆块西南缘3.8 Ga碎屑锆石及其地质意义

古老锆石和岩石的发现,是探索地球早期地质演化的关键.为进一步揭示扬子陆块基底物质组成和早期地壳形成演化,采用LA-ICP-MS锆石微区U-Pb测年,对扬子陆块西南缘禄丰地区东川群变质砂岩进行了年代学研究,发现3 822±21 Ma的古老碎屑锆石.这是目前在扬子陆块获得的第2颗>3.8 Ga的古老锆石,也是目前在该地区发现的最老锆石.变质砂岩碎屑物质主要包括4个峰值年龄（~2 320 Ma、~2 162 Ma、~2 036 Ma和~1 915 Ma）,2颗最年轻的锆石年龄基本限定了东川群早期最大沉积时限,与区域上火山岩时代相吻合.另外还包含少量中-晚太古代（2.6~2.9 Ga）和始太古代（3.7~3.8 Ga）的碎屑物质.Hf同位素组成显示这些碎屑锆石具有不同成因,其中2 674~3 822 Ma的碎屑锆石总体具有正的ε_Hf（t）值和2.9~3.9 Ga的两阶段模式年龄,暗示扬子陆块在冥古宙-古太古代时期就有一定规模的新生陆壳分布.古元古代（1.9~2.4 Ga）的岩浆活动除有少量古元古代（2.3~2.4 Ga）新生地壳组分熔融外,大多为太古宙（2.5~3.7 Ga）古老地壳部分熔融.中元古代更多表现为古老地壳的熔融和物质再循环.研究结果为深化扬子陆块早前寒武纪地质演化认识提供了新资料.      

华北和扬子陆块及秦岭-大别造山带地表和深部太古宙基底的新信息

本文根据华北和扬子陆块及秦岭-大别造山带地表和深部出露的各种岩石中发现的继承性锆石的测年数据,报道了太古宙基底和岩浆事件的新信息,并简要地论述其地质意义。华北陆块东北缘、东南缘、北缘、西北缘共6个地区的深部都存在新太古代和中、古太古代岩浆事件的新信息;南缘深部也存在古太古代岩浆事件的新信息。在华北陆块早前寒武纪同位素年龄直方图(以太古宙岩浆事件为主)上,最高峰值位于2.45-2.6 Ga区间,而以2.5-2.55 Ga最为突出,显示该区间岩浆事件最为强烈,可能代表一次重要的碰撞事件。此外还见有2.7 Ga,2.8 -2.85 Ga,2.95-3.0 Ga,3.1-3.15 Ga,3.3-3.4 Ga,3.45-3.5 Ga,3.6 Ga和3.8 Ga等较高峰值,反映了岩浆事件不同活动阶段的演化趋势。扬子陆块北缘地表和深部有与华北陆块相似的太古宙古老基底信息。扬子陆块中部的长江中下游地区、东南缘相当于江南古陆的地区以及扬子陆块西南缘地区在地壳深部均保留有新太古代和/或古太古代岩浆锆石的年龄信息。秦岭-大别造山带从东到西,多处(主要是深部)也发现有新-中太古代残余岩浆锆石的年龄信息。     

Protolith and metamorphic ages of the Haiyangsuo Complex, eastern China: a non-UHP exotic tectonic slab in the Sulu ultrahigh-pressure terrane

Summary The Haiyangsuo Complex in the NE Sulu ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) terrane has discontinuous, coastal exposures of Late Archean gneiss with amphibolitized granulite, amphibolite, Paleoproterozoic metagabbroic intrusives, and Cretaceous granitic dikes over an area of about 15 km². The U–Pb SHRIMP dating of zircons indicates that theprotolith age of a garnet-biotite gneiss is >2500 Ma, whereas the granulite-facie metamorphism occurred at around 1800 Ma. A gabbroic intrusion was dated at ∼1730 Ma, and the formation of amphibolite-facies assemblages in both metagabbro and granulite occurred at ∼340–460 Ma. Petrologic and geochronological data indicate that these various rocks show no evidence of Triassic eclogite-facies metamorphism and Neoproterozoic protolith ages that are characteristics of Sulu-Dabie HP-UHP rocks, except Neoproterozoic inherited ages from post-collisional Jurassic granitic dikes. Haiyangsuo retrograde granulites with amphibolite-facies assemblages within the gneiss preserve relict garnet formed during granulite-facies metamorphism at ∼1.85 Ga. The Paleoproterozoic metamorphic events are almost coeval with gabbroic intrusions. The granulite-bearing gneiss unit and gabbro-dominated unit of the Haiyangsuo Complex were intruded by thin granitic dikes at about 160 Ma, which is coeval with post-collisional granitic intrusions in the Sulu terrane. We suggest that the Haiyangsuo Complex may represent a fragment of the Jiao-Liao-Ji Paleoproterozoic terrane developed at the eastern margin of the Sino-Korean basement, which was juxtaposed with the Sulu terrane prior to Jurassic granitic activity and regional deformation.     

华北克拉通太古宙构造热事件时代及演化

华北克拉通存在3.8 Ga以上的形成演化历史,存在4.0~4.1 Ga锆石年龄记录.本文对华北克拉通太古宙变质基底构造热事件进行了综述,重点是事件时限.最古老变质锆石年龄记录为3.71~3.75 Ga和4.0 Ga,为北秦岭造山带西段古生代变质火山-沉积岩中的碎屑或外来锆石.古太古代（~3.3 Ga）构造热事件在鞍山地区广泛存在,导致条带状奥长花岗岩形成.新太古代早期-中太古代晚期变质锆石年龄可进一步划分为两期:2.65~2.85 Ga和~2.6 Ga.2.65~2.85 Ga变质锆石年龄记录存在于胶东、鲁西、鲁山地区.由于后期构造热事件影响,在很多情况下难以确定变质锆石的准确年龄,但>2.65 Ga构造热事件在华北克拉通无疑存在.与2.65~2.85 Ga构造热事件相比,~2.6 Ga构造热事件更为发育,除在鲁西地区广泛存在外,在胶东、鲁山等地也存在.可把2.6 Ga作为华北克拉通新太古代早期和晚期的年龄界线.华北克拉通最重要的太古宙构造热事件出现在新太古代晚期（2.49~2.53 Ga）.所有太古宙岩石分布区,都遭受了这一构造热事件影响.总体上,与华北克拉通南部地区相比,华北克拉通北部地区普遍记录了更高级别变质作用,可能与地壳剥蚀深度不同有关.华北克拉通太古宙变质作用强度和范围随时间演化不断增大,在新太古代晚期达到高潮.与太古宙大陆壳厚度和规模随时间演化不断增大的演化趋势一致.一些地区存在古元古代最早期（2.40~2.47 Ga）甚至更年轻的变质锆石年龄记录,并不意味着构造热事件的真实存在,而是古元古代晚期构造热事件强烈叠加改造的缘故.      

Detrital zircon evidence for Hf isotopic evolution of granitoid crust and continental growth

We have determined U-Pb ages, trace element abundances and Hf isotopic compositions of approximately 1000 detrital zircon grains from the Mississippi, Congo, Yangtze and Amazon Rivers. The U-Pb isotopic data reveal the lack of >3.3 Ga zircons in the river sands, and distinct peaks at 2.7-2.5, 2.2-1.9, 1.7-1.6, 1.2-1.0, 0.9-0.4, and <0.3 Ga in the accumulated age distribution. These peaks correspond well with the timing of supercontinent assembly. The Hf isotopic data indicate that many zircons, even those having Archean U-Pb ages, crystallized from magmas involving an older crustal component, suggesting that granitoid magmatism has been the primary agent of differentiation of the continental crust since the Archean era. We calculated Hf isotopic model ages for the zircons to estimate the mean mantle-extraction ages of their source materials. The oldest zircon Hf model ages of about 3.7 Ga for the river sands suggest that some crust generation had taken place by 3.7 Ga, and that it was subsequently reworked into <3.3 Ga granitoid continental crust. The accumulated model age distribution shows peaks at 3.3-3.0, 2.9-2.4, and 2.0-0.9 Ga.The striking attribute of our new data set is the non-uniformitarian secular change in Hf isotopes of granitoid crusts; Hf isotopic compositions of granitoid crusts deviate from the mantle evolution line from about 3.3 to 2.0 Ga, the deviation declines between 2.0 and 1.3 Ga and again increases afterwards. Consideration of mantle-crust mixing models for granitoid genesis suggests that the noted isotopic trends are best explained if the rate of crust generation globally increased in two stages at around (or before) 3.3 and 1.3 Ga, whereas crustal differentiation was important in the evolution of the continental crust at 2.3-2.2 Ga and after 0.6 Ga. Reconciling the isotopic secular change in granitoid crust with that in sedimentary rocks suggests that sedimentary recycling has essentially taken place in continental settings rather than active margin settings and that the sedimentary mass significantly grew through addition of first-cycle sediments from young igneous basements, until after ∼1.3 Ga when sedimentary recycling became the dominant feature of sedimentary evolution. These findings, coupled with the lack of zircons older than 3.3 Ga in river sands, imply the emergence of large-scale continents at about 3.3 Ga with further rapid growth at around 1.3 Ga. This resulted in the major growth of the sedimentary mass between 3.3 and 1.3 Ga and the predominance of its cannibalistic recycling later.     

Paleoproterozoic crustal evolution of the Tarim Craton: Constrained by zircon U–Pb and Hf isotopes of meta-igneous rocks from Korla and Dunhuang

The Tarim Craton is one of three large cratons in China. Presently, there is only scant information concerning its crustal evolutionary history because most of the existing geochronological studies have lacked a combined isotopic analysis, especially an in situ Lu–Hf isotope analysis of zircon. In this study, Precambrian basement rocks from the Kuluketage and Dunhuang Blocks in the northeastern portion of the Tarim Craton have been analyzed for combined in situ laser ablation ICP-(MC)-MS zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic analyses, as well as whole rock elements, to constrain their protoliths, forming ages and magma sources. Two magmatic events from the Kuluketage Block at ∼2.4 Ga and ∼1.85 Ga are revealed, and three stages of magmatic events are detected in the Dunhuang Block, i.e., ∼2.0 Ga, ∼1.85 Ga and ∼1.75 Ga. The ∼1.85 Ga magmatic rocks from both areas were derived from an isotopically similar crustal source under the same tectonic settings, suggesting that the Kuluketage and Dunhuang Blocks are part of the uniform Precambrian basement of the Tarim Craton. Zircon Hf model ages of the ∼2.4 Ga magmatism indicate that the crust of the Tarim Craton may have been formed as early as the Paleoarchean period. The ∼2.0 Ga mafic rock from the Dunhuang Block was formed in an active continental margin setting, representing an important crustal growth event of the Tarim Craton in the mid-Paleoproterozoic that coincides with the global episode of crust formation during the assembly of the Columbia supercontinent. The ∼1.85 Ga event in the Kuluketage and Dunhuang Blocks primarily involved the reworking of the old crust and most likely related to the collisional event associated with the assembly of the Columbia supercontinent, while the ∼1.75 Ga magmatism in the Dunhuang Block resulted from a mixture of the reworked Archean crust with juvenile magmas and was most likely related to a post-collisional episode.     

阿拉善地块东部早前寒武纪变质基底性质及归属

阿拉善地块是一个被造山带和断裂带围限的前寒武纪微陆块,其早前寒武纪变质基底的性质和归属一直存在争议.本文根据笔者最近在阿拉善地块东部地区获取的研究资料,结合阿拉善地块近年来的研究进展,对阿拉善地块东部早前寒武纪变质基底的性质和归属进行了讨论,认为阿拉善地块东部地区出露的2.64 Ga的斜长角闪岩和～2.5 Ga的TTG...