Crustal growth stages in the Songino block of the Early Caledonian superterrane in Central Asia: I. Geological and geochronological data

The Early Caledonian folded area in Central Asia (Early Caledonian superterrane) hosts micro-continent fragments with an Early and Late Precambrian crystalline basement, the largest of them being the Dzabkhan and Tuva-Mongolian fragments. Their junction zone hosts exposures of crystalline rocks that were previously thought to be part of the Early Precambrian Dzabkhan microcontinent. The Bayannur zone in the southern part of the Songino block hosts the Baynnur gneiss-migmatite and Kholbonur metavolcanic-terrigenous metamorphic complexes. The former is believed to be the Early Proterozoic crystalline basement, and the latter is thought to unconformably overly the Late Riphean cover complex of the Songino block. Various rocks of the tectono-stratigraphic complexes in the Bayannur zone were studied geologically and geochronologically (by the U-Pb technique of zircon). Regional metamorphism and folding in the Bayannur Complex were dated at 802 ± 6 Ma. The Nd model ages lie within the range of 1.5–2.0 Ga and thus preclude the correlation of these rocks with those in the Archean and Early Proterozoic basement of the Dzabkhan microcontinent. The upper age limit for folding and metamorphism in the Bayannur zone is marked by postkinematic granites dated at 790 ± 3 Ma, and the lower limit of the volcano-sedimentary complex is determined by the Nd model age of the sandstone (1.3 Ga). The upper age limit of the volcano-plutonic rocks in this zone is set by the gabbroids and anorthosites: 783 ± 2 and 784 ± 3 Ma, respectively. The complex of island-arc granitoids in the Bayannur zone is dated at 859 ± 3 Ma. The age constraints make it possible to correlate crystalline rocks in the Bayannur Complex of the Sangino block and the Dzhargalant Complex in the Tarbagatai block. Currently available data testify that the Precambrian Khangai group of blocks in the Early Caledonian Central Asian superterrane includes continental crustal blocks related to the processes of Early Precambrian, Late Riphean, and Vendian tectonism.     

The Early Baikalian crystalline complex in the basement of the Dzabkhan microcontinent of the Early Caledonian orogenic area, Central Asia

Fragments of continental blocks or microcontinents are represented in the Early Caledonian orogenic area of Central Asia (or Early Caledonian superterrane); the largest of these are the Dzabkhan and Tuva-Mongolian microcontinents, with Early and Late Precambrian crystalline basements, respectively. In the linkage zone of these microcontinents, crystalline rocks of the Tarbagatai and Songino blocks that are considered as units of the Early Precambrian ensialic basement of the superterrane are also known. They are composed of strongly metamorphosed rocks formed during the Early Baikalian orogeny about 790 to 820 Ma. U-Pb zircon dating and Nd isotope studies revealed, within the northwestern Dzabkhan microcontinent, the Dzabkhan-Mandal zone of crystalline rocks associated with the Riphean crust-forming process. The age of the gneiss substrate of this zone is estimated as 1.3 to 0.86 Ga. An early episode of metamorphism is dated at about 856 ± 2 Ma. The data available so far indicate a heterogeneous structure of the Dzabkhan microcontinent basement represented by Early Precambrian and Early and Late Baikalian crystalline formations.     

Crustal growth stages in the Songino block of the early caledonian superterrane in Central Asia: II. Geochemical and Nd-isotope data

Geochemical and Nd isotope data are reported for Late Riphean metamorphic complexes and granitoids of the Bayannur zone of the Songino block in the Early Caledonian superterrane of Central Asia. Geological, geochronolgical, geochemical, and isotope data were integrated to discuss rock sources and main mechanisms responsible for the formation and evolution of the Late Riphean continental crust. It was established that lithotectonic complexes of the Bayannur zone were formed on a convergent plate during Late Proterozoic tectonogenesis (around 1.3–0.78 Ga). This period primarily produced a juvenile crust represented by paleooceanic (N- and E-MORB types) and island arc basalts. An interval of 800–880 Ma was marked by the formation of rocks of the Bayannur complex and metaterrigenous sequence (accretionary wedge) of the Kholbonur complex, and the emplacement of quartz diorites and granodiorites of the Gashunnur pluton due to erosion and melting of both Late Riphean juvenile sources and ancient possibly Early Precambrian crustal material in a setting of ensialic island arc. At the final stage of the Late Riphean evolution of the Bayannur zone, postkinematic granitoids of the Bayannur pluton, and gabbrodiorites and anorthosites of the Ontsula pluton were derived from mantle juvenile and crustal sources in a within-plate setting. In terms of isotope characteristics, the crystalline complexes of the Bayannur zone are comparable with the Japan-type modern island arc systems. A synthesis of geological, geochronological, and isotope-geochemical data indicates a much wider distribution of the Late Riphean juvenile crust-forming processes than considered previously and remobilization of continental crust in the eastern segment of the Central Asian Fold Belt. The Vendian-Paleozoic stage in the evolution of this segment was characterized by an intense growth of juvenile crust, while magmatism during Late Riphean stage was determined by mixing of Late Riphean juvenile and ancient Early Precambrian sources.     

Late Riphean episode in the formation of crystalline rock complexes in the Dzabkhan microcontinent: Geological,geochronologic, and Nd isotopic-geochemical data

The Early Caledonian Central Asian Orogenic Belt hosts fragments of continental blocks with Early and Late Precambrian crystalline basement. One of the structures with an Early Precambrian basement was thought to be the Dzabkhan microcontinent, which was viewed as an Early Precambrian “cratonal terrane”. The first geochronologic data suggest that the basement of the Dzabkhan microcontinent includes a zone of crystalline rocks related to Late Riphean tectonism. Geological, geochronological (U-Pb zircon dates), and Nd isotopic-geochemical data were later obtained on the northwestern part of the Dzabkhan microcontinent. The territory hosts the most diverse metamorphic complexes thought to be typical of the Early Precambrian basement. The complexes were determined to comprise the Dzabkhan-Mandal and Urgamal zones of high-grade metamorphic rocks. Gabbrodiorites related to the early metamorphic episode and dated at 860 ± 3 Ma were found in the Dzabkhan-Mandal zone, and the gneiss-granites marking the termination of this episode were dated at 856 ± 2 Ma. The granitoids of the Dzabkhan batholith, whose emplacement was coeval with the termination of the late high-grade metamorphic episode in rocks of both zones, have an age of 786 ± 6 Ma. Similar age values were determined for the granitoids cutting across the Late Precambrian rocks of the Songino and Tarbagatai blocks, which mark the stage when the mature Late Riphean continental crust was formed. The Late Riphean magmatic and metamorphic rocks of the Dzabkhan microcontinent were found out to have Nd model ages mostly within the range of 1.1–1.4 Ga at ?_Nd(T) from +1.9 to +5.5. The Nd model age of the metaterrigenous rocks is 2.2?1.3 Ga at ?_Nd(T) from ?7.2 to +3.1. The results of our studies provide evidence of convergence processes, which resulted in the Late Riphean (880?780 Ma) continental crust in Central Asia. Simultaneously with these processes, divergence processes that were responsible for the breakup of Rodinia occurred in the structures of the ancient cratons. It is reasonable to suggest that divergence processes within ancient continental blocks and Rodinia shelf were counterbalanced by the development of the Late Riphean continental crust in the convergence zones of its surrounding within established interval.     

Geochronology of igneous rocks at and near to the Nezhdaninka gold deposit, Yakutia, Russia: U-Pb, Rb-Sr, and Sm-Nd isotopic data

The intrusive rocks associated with the large Nezhdaninka gold deposit (Au > 470 t) hosted in the Permian carbonaceous terrigenous sequence have been dated on zircon and rock-forming minerals with precision U-Pb (ID-TIMS) and Rb-Sr methods. The lamprophyre of the dike complex that occurs in the ore field and spatially is related to gold mineralization has concordant U-Pb zircon age (121 ± 1 Ma) and the same isochron Rb-Sr age (121.0 ± 2.8 Ma). The concordant U-Pb zircon age of granodiorite that dominates in the Kurum pluton is 94 ± 1 Ma, whereas the Rb-Sr isochron age of various intrusive rocks from this pluton is 1–4 Ma younger. This difference is caused by long-term cooling of the Kurum pluton and later closure of Rb-Sr isotopic system of biotite (300–350°C) and other rock-forming minerals as compared with U-Pb isotopic system of zircon (～ 900°C). The Rb-Sr age of quartz diorite from the Gel’dy group of stocks (92.6 ± 0.8 Ma) coincides within uncertainty limits with the age of the Kurum pluton. Thus, the rocks pertaining to two epochs of magmatic activity, which developed in the South Verkhoyansk Foldbelt and divided by a time span of 25–28 Ma, are documented in the Nezhdaninka ore field. Taking into account that the age of gold mineralization is no less than 120 Ma, the data obtained allow us to specify the previously proposed formation model of the Nezhdaninka deposit. These data give grounds to rule out the Late Cretaceous Kurum pluton and the Gel’dy group of stocks from constituents of the ore-magmatic system, and to suggest that an Early Cretaceous deep-seated magma source existed beneath the deposit. Along with host terrigenous rocks, this magma source participated in the supply of matter to the hydrothermal system. The Nd, Sr, and Pb isotopic systematics of igneous rocks and ore mineralization in the Nezhdaninka ore field show that the Early and Late Cretaceous magma sources were formed in the Precambrian crust dated at ～1.8 Ga.     

U-Pb dating and provenance of detrital zircons from the Upper Precambrian deposits of North Timan

Timan comprises the southwest edge of the Pechora Plate. The plate basement is composed of variably metamorphosed sedimentary, mainly terrigenous, and igneous rocks of the Late Precambrian age that are generally overlain by Ordovician-Cenozoic platform cover. Poor exposition and discontinuous distribution of the Upper Precambrian outcrops of dominantly fossil-free sedimentary rocks cause considerable disagreements in stratigraphic correlation. This applies equally to North Timan, which represents an uplifted block of basement, in which sedimentary-metamorphic rocks form the Barminskaya Group (～5000 m thick), previously dated as Early Riphean to Vendian. Earlier Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isotope dating of schist and cross-cutting gabbro-dolerite and dolerite established the timing of greenschist facies metamorphism at 700 Ma. Thus, Late Riphean age of the Barminskaya Group has been suggested. Results of local U-Pb dating of detrital zircon from silty sandstones of the Malochernoretskaya Formation, which constitutes the middle part of the outcropping section of the Barminskaya Group, confirm this conclusion. Age data for 95 zircon grains cover the range of 1035–2883 Ma with age peaks at 1150, 1350, 1550, 1780, and 1885 Ma. The minimum age of zircons, considered as the lower age constraint on sediment deposition, provides grounds to date the Barminskaya Group as Late Riphean and indicates eroded rock complexes of the Fennoscandian Shield as the possible provenance areas.     

Age and source of terrigenous rocks of the turan group of the bureya terrane of the eastern part of the central Asian foldbelt: Results of geochemical (Sm-Nd) and geochronological (U-Pb LA-ICP-MS) studies

According to Sm-Nd isotopic-geochemical studies, the t _Nd(DM) of the terrigenous rocks of the Turan Group of the Bureya terrane is 1.4–1.5 Ga and their sources are Precambrian rocks and (or) younger effusive rocks, the formation of which is related to the reworking of the Late Precambrian continental crust. The U-Pb LA-ICP-MS geochronological studies indicate dominant Vendian-Cambrian (588–483 Ma) and Late Riphean (865–737 Ma) detrital zircons. Our data point to their accumulation at the beginning of the Paleozoic rather than in the Precambrian as is accepted in modern stratigraphic schemes.     

Nd and Pb Isotopic Composition of Granitoids in the Khangai Batholith as an Indicator of Crust-Forming Processes in the Terranes of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Khangai batholith is one of the largest groups of granitoid plutons produced in Central Asia in the Late Permian–Early Triassic, at 270–240 Ma. The batholith occurs in the Khangai collage of Precambrian terranes, which include Early Precambrian crustal blocks (Dzabkhan and Tarbagatai) and Early to Late Neoproterozoic structures of the Songino block in their surroundings. The axial zone of this collage is overprinted by a basin filled with Devonian volcanic–siliceous rocks and Early to Middle Carboniferous terrigenous rocks. The isotopic parameters (Nd and Pb) of granitoids in the Khangai batholith indicate that the melts were derived from compositionally contrasting crustal sources and a single mantle one. The massifs hosted in the Precambrian blocks were produced with the involvement of lower crustal material, with various ages of the origin of the crust and its differentiation into upper and lower ones. The crust of the Tarbagatai and Dzabkhan blocks was produced in the Early Archean and was differentiated at the Archean–Proterozoic boundary. The crust of the Songino block was formed in the Paleoproterozoic and differentiated in the Early Neoproterozoic. According to the Pb and Nd isotopic parameters of granitoids in the Khangai Basin, the regional continental crust was close to the juvenile one, i.e., the continental crust of the Khangai Basin had still not been differentiated by the time when the Khangai batholith was produced. A single mantle source was involved in the origin of the melts of granitoids of the Khangai batholith in various tectonic blocks. The evolution of the Pb isotopic composition of this sources is consistent with the Stacey–Kramers model at µ = 9.5. This source can be identified with the enriched mantle, which has a higher U/Pb ratio than the depleted mantle and lower ε_Nd(T) of 0 to +2.     

The age of the last episode of the Precambrian regional metamorphic event in south Ulutau (Central Kazakhstan): Results of U-Pb geochronological studies of granites from the Aktas complex

The basement of the south Ulutau sialitic massif, which is located in the western part of Central Kazakhstan, comprises metamorphized volcanogenic-sedimentary and plutonic complexes of Proterozoic age. The upper boundary of the metamorphism age corresponds to the age of nonmetamorphized syenites from the Karsakpai massif (673 ± 2 Ma, Late Riphean). U-Pb geochronological studies of accessory zircon were made, and a Late Riphean age of biotite alkali granite from the Aktas massif (the youngst metamorphic Precambrian igneous units in South Ulutau) was found. The obtained age estimate of 791 ± 7 Ma can be considered as the lower age limit of metamorphism. Thus, the last stage of regional metamorphism in South Ulutau took place in the second half of the Late Riphean, in the time interval of 790?C670 Ma.     

新疆南天山克孜尔河沉积物碎屑锆石U‐Pb年代学研究及其地质意义

新疆克孜尔河流经南天山造山带南缘,其河流沉积物中记录了流域内地质体的重要信息。为进一步约束南天山造山带的构造演化历史,探讨该造山带古生代地壳生长与演化,对克孜尔河沉积物中的碎屑锆石进行U‐Pb定年。结果表明锆石年龄主要集中分布在460~390 Ma和310~260 Ma,少量分布在前寒武纪,暗示南天山造山带在古生代期间发生了强烈的岩浆活动。物源分析表明克孜尔河沉积物中的碎屑锆石主要源于南天山造山带和塔里木克拉通北部,年龄为460~390 Ma的碎屑锆石很可能记录了南天山洋在晚奥陶—早泥盆世期间向南俯冲到塔里木克拉通之下的弧岩浆作用。南天山洋闭合以及塔里木克拉通与伊犁—中天山地块的最终碰撞可能发生在晚石炭世,随后发生同碰撞和后碰撞岩浆作用,以样品中大量310~260 Ma的碎屑锆石为代表。结合南天山造山带内已有的古生代岩浆岩锆石的Hf同位素数据分析表明,晚奥陶—早泥盆世南天山造山带的大陆地壳演化主要以古老地壳的再造和部分新生地幔物质的加入为主,晚石炭—早二叠世该造山带地壳演化则以前寒武纪古老基底岩石的改造为主,仅有限的新生组分加入到岩浆的形成过程中。     

柴北缘构造带深部岩石的LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄及微量元素研究:对全吉地块基底演化的启示

通过LA-ICP-MS方法对柴北缘全吉地块基底的斜长角闪岩和花岗闪长岩进行了锆石U-Pb年代学及锆石微区微量元素的研究。斜长角闪岩中的岩浆锆石上交点年龄为2 396±26 Ma,代表了锆石结晶的年龄,下交点为905±140 Ma,代表了锆石发生铅丢失事件的年龄。其岩浆锆石具有U/Yb较高(0.1~1),Hf值较低(10 000×10~(-6)),U值较低(150×10~(-6))的特点,显示其岩浆源区与富集地幔密切相关。在锆石微量元素判别图解中数据主要落在陆弧区和洋岛区,指示其形成的构造环境为弧后盆地。花岗闪长岩中岩浆锆石的加权平均年龄为484±21 Ma,岩浆锆石具有U/Yb较高(1)和U值较高(平均值为640×10~(-6))的特点,显示岩浆源区为典型陆壳。锆石微量元素判别图解显示其形成于陆弧。研究结果表明,全吉地块基底除前寒武纪岩石外,还包含早古生代的岩石组合。全吉地块基底内部岩石组合与形成时代的复杂性,与全吉地块经历的多次洋壳俯冲、陆陆碰撞密切相关。     

塔里木克拉通北缘的前寒武纪构造热事件——新疆库尔勒铁门关高级变质岩的锆石U-Pb年代学限定

本文对位于塔里木盆地北缘库尔勒铁门关地区高级变质岩中的锆石进行了U-Pb年代学研究。研究结果表明,铁门关地区的变质岩由片麻岩、片岩、角闪岩和钙硅酸盐组成,普遍经历了角闪岩相变质作用,矿物组合为斜长石+钾长石+石英+黑云母±白云母±角闪石±石榴石。锆石U-Pb定年分析揭示出三期构造热事件:古元古代早期(~2370Ma)的岩浆事件、古元古代晚期(1890~1850Ma)的变质事件,和新元古代早期(980~910Ma)变质事件。这些结果为塔里木克拉通的前寒武纪构造演化提供了新的限定。     

Volcanic-sedimentary complex of Otrozhnaya sheet in the Ust-Belaya Terrane,western Koryakia

New data on the structure and composition of the rock complexes making up the Otrozhnaya sheet of the Ust-Belaya Terrane are discussed. This sheet is currently regarded as a complete section of the Early Devonian oceanic crust. The U-Pb age of zircon (547 ± 17 Ma) from plagiogranite porphyry that cuts through the ultramafic-gabbroic complex indicates that the country rocks are much older. Basalts of volcanic complex are similar to MORB-type rocks. The contact between volcanic and volcano-sedimentary complexes is tectonic. No volcanic-cherty association of rocks typical of ophiolites has been established at the base of the sedimentary sequence. The U-Pb age of detrital zircons from the base of this section is 571 Ma. As follows from the composition of terrigenous rocks and the suprasubduction origin of andesitic lavas and tuffs, the rocks of the lower part of volcano-sedimentary complex were deposited at the marginal part of the basin near convergent boundary. The remains of conodont elements make it possible to estimate the age of the upper part of the volcano-sedimentary complex as Late Devonian. The composition of terrigenous rocks shows that the provenance has abruptly changed. Sporadic rock fragments evidence the erosion of ophiolitic sections. Silurian rocks became the main source of clastic material. This is corroborated by redeposited microfauna species and U-Pb age of detrital zircons (～432 Ma). The geochemistry of dacite pebbles from conglomerate indicates that this volcanic rock was formed in a suprasuduction setting. The Ordovician-Silurian island arc could have been a source.     

Age of granitoids from the conjunction zone of the Baikal-Muya foldbelt and the Kalar metamorphic terrane

One of the key segments in the conjunction zone between the Baikal folded area of Baikalides, the Early Precambrian Aldan-Stanovoi shield, and the Barguzin-Vitim superterrane involving fragments of the Early Precambrian, Baikalian, and Paleozoic folded complexes is discussed. Within this segment, complicated tectonic contacts between the Late Riphean complexes of the Param-Shaman paleotrough zone in the Baikal-Muya foldbelt of Baikalides and Lower Precambrian complexes of the Kalar metamorphic terrane are mapped. The results of the U-Pb zircon isotopic dating (TIMS and SHRIMP-II) of gneisses-syenites from the Burgai Complex and gneissoid granites of the Drevnestanovoi Complex of the Early Precambrian age, as well as results of the Nd-isotope study of reference magmatic and stratified complexes of the region are presented. The ages of the oldest gneiss-syenites from the Burgai Complex and overlying plagiomigmatites in the conjunction zone have been established to differ by less than 1 Ma, making up 601 ± 5 Ma. Drevnestanovoi gneissoid granites in the conjunction zone are of the Late Paleozoic age (325–270 Ma). According to Nd isotopic data, the age of the source, from which Vendian gneisses-syenites and granites were melted, was established to be not older than the Riphean, and the material of the old continental crust to be the protolith of the upper Paleozoic granites. It has been inferred that the collision junction of Baikalian and Early Precambrian structures of the Baikal folded area and the Aldan-Stanovoi Shield into a single block took place 600 Ma ago.     

SOVETSKAYA GEOLOGIYA (SOVIET GEOLOGY) IN COVER-TO-COVER TRANSLATION, 1960, NOS. 11 AND 12

The Río Negro-Juruena Province (RNJP) occupies a large portion of the western part of the Amazonian Craton and is a zone of complex granitization and migmatization. Regional metamorphism, in general, occurred in the upper amphibolite facies. The granites and gneisses of the RNJP yield Rb-Sr and Pb-Pb whole-rock isochron dates ranging from 1.8 Ga to 1.55 Ga, with initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of ～ 0.703 and a single-stage model μ₁ value of ～ 8.1. In order to improve the geochronological control, SHRIMP U-Pb zircon ages, conventional U-Pb zircon ages, and additional Pb-Pb whole-rock isochron ages were determined for samples of granitoids and gneisses from the Papuri-Uaupés and Guaviare-Orinoco rivers areas (northern part of the province) and Jamari-Machado rivers and Pontes de Lacerda areas (southern part). The granitoids from the northern part of the province yield conventional U-Pb zircon ages of 1709 ± 17 Ma and 1521 ± 31 Ma, and SHRIMP U-Pb concordant zircon results of 1800 ± 18 Ma. Samples of gneissic rocks from the southern part of the RNJP yielded SHRIMP U-Pb concordant ages of 1750 ± 24 Ma and 1570 ± 17 Ma and a Pb-Pb whole-rock isochron age of 1717 ± 120 Ma. These new U-Pb and Pb-Pb results confirm the previous Rb-Sr and Pb-Pb geochronological evidence that the main magmatic episodes within the RNJP occurred between 1.8 and 1.55 Ga, and suggest that this crustal province constitutes a segment of continental crust newly added to the Amazonian Craton at the end of the Early Proterozoic. In the area of the RNJP, there are several anorogenic rapakivi-type granite plutons. Because of the absence of recognized Archean material within the basement rocks, it is reasonable to consider the Early to Middle Proterozoic continental crust as the magmatic source for the rapakivi granite intrusions.     

New SHRIMP U-Pb zircon ages of the metapelitic granulites from NW of Madurai,Southern India

Zircon cathodoluminescent imaging and SHRIMP U-Pb dating were carried out for metapelitic rocks (sapphirine-bearing granulites and garnet-cordierite gneisses) from the NW of Madurai, Southern India. The cathodoluminescence images reveal the complex, inhomogeneous internal structure having irregular-shaped core and overgrowths. Zircon grains have obliterated oscillatory zoning. SHRIMP U-Pb chronological results yield ages of 550±15 Ma and 530±50 Ma as a time of metamorphic overprint, and the age of 2509±12 Ma and 2509±30 Ma corresponding to a timing of protolith formation for sapphirine-bearing granulites and garnet-cordierite gneisses respectively. Zircon ages reflect that continental crust in the NW of Madurai region resulted from the recycling of Archaean protolith of an igneous origin similar to the preserved crust in the southern part of Dharwar craton. The present SHRIMP U-Pb zircon ages are in close agreement with earlier published Nd isotopic data which suggest an extended precrustal history of their protoliths. The abraded zircon grains indicate multiple recycling and repeated metamorphism that has ultimately resulted in present day continental crust exposed in Madurai region. These SHRIMP U-Pb zircon ages from metapelitic UHT granulites are also significant to understanding the architecture of the SGT during the amalgamation of Gondwana in Neoproterozoic time.     

Mesoproterozoic Continental Arc Type Granite in the Central Tianshan Mountains: Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb Dating and Geochemical Analyses

The Central Tianshan belt in northwestern China is a small Precambrian block located in the southern part of the Central Asia Orogenic Belt （CAOB）, which is considered as ＂the most voluminous block of young continental crust in the world＂ that comprises numerous small continental blocks separated by Paleozoic magmatic arcs. The Precambrian basement of the central Tianshan Mountains is composed of volcanic rocks and associated volcano-sedimentary rocks that were intruded by granitic plutons. Geochemical analyses demonstrate that the granitic plutons and volcanic rocks were generated in the Andean-type active continental arc environment like today＇s Chile, and the zircon U-Pb SHRIMP dating indicates that they were developed at about 956 Ma, possibly corresponding to the subduction of the inferred Mozambique Ocean under the Baltic-African super-continent.     

内蒙古红山子复式岩体地质时代的厘定及其地质意义

通过岩相学研究和LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年,对红山子岩体的主要侵入期次和侵入岩形成时代进行了厘定,明确了红山子岩体为复式岩体并探讨了其地质意义。岩相学研究表明,红山子复式岩体由粗粒碱长花岗岩、斑状黑云母花岗岩、细粒黑云母碱长花岗岩和花岗斑岩等组成; LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年结果显示:粗粒碱长花岗岩的年龄为153. 6±1. 2 Ma,斑状黑云母花岗岩年龄为151. 4±1. 1 Ma,与周边火山盆地赋矿火山岩的年龄一致,属晚侏罗世早期;细粒黑云母碱长花岗岩的年龄为131. 5±1. 8 Ma,花岗斑岩年龄为133. 3±1. 4 Ma,与侵入红山子盆地的花岗斑岩的年龄一致,属早白垩世早期。因此,红山子岩体是由燕山期2个相隔20 Ma的不同期次侵入体组成的复式岩体。研究表明,红山子铀矿床赋存在早白垩世早期花岗斑岩与晚侏罗世火山岩的内、外接触带中,暗示复式岩体早白垩世早期细粒黑云母花岗岩、花岗斑岩与晚侏罗世粗粒碱长花岗岩、斑状黑云母花岗岩的内、外接触带是有利的找矿部位,并得到了铀矿勘查实践的初步证实。     

Geological framework and Paleozoic tectonic history of the Chinese Altai, NW China: a review

The Chinese Altai, as a key portion of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), is dominated by variably deformed and metamorphosed sedimentary rocks, volcanic rocks and granitic intrusions. Its Early Paleozoic tectonic setting has been variously considered as a passive continental margin, a subduction-accretion complex, or a Precambrian microcontinent, and two representative competing tectonic models have been proposed, i.e., open-closure versus subduction-accretion. Recent studies demonstrate that the high-grade metamorphic rocks previously considered as fragments of a Precambrian basement have zircon U-Pb ages (predominantly 528 to 466 Ma) similar to those of the widely distributed low-grade metasedimentary rocks named as Habahe Group in the region, and all these meta-sedimentary rocks were dominantly deposited in the Early Paleozoic. Petrological evidence and geochemical compositions further suggest that these meta-sedimentary rocks were probably deposited in an active margin, not a passive continental margin as previously proposed. The detrital zircons of sediments and igneous zircons from granitoids including the inherited ones (mainly 543–421 Ma) mostly give positive ?_Hf(t) values, suggesting significant contributions from mantle-derived juvenile materials to the lower crust. A modeling calculation based on zircon Hf isotopic compositions suggests that as much as 84% of the Chinese Altai is possibly made up of “juvenile” Paleozoic materials. Thus, available data do not support the existence of a Precambrian basement, but rather indicate that the Chinese Altai represented a huge subduction-accretion complex in the Paleozoic. Zircon U-Pb dating results for granitoids indicate that magmatism was active continuously from the Early to Middle Paleozoic, and the strongest magmatic activity took place in the Devonian, coeval with a significant change in zircon Hf isotopic composition. These findings, together with the occurrence of chemically distinctive igneous rocks and the high-T metamorphism, can be collectively accounted for by ridge-trench interaction during the accretionary orogenic process.     

甘肃敦煌水峡口地区前寒武纪岩石的锆石U-Pb年龄、Hf同位素组成及其地质意义

敦煌杂岩位于塔里木克拉通的东部,探寻和研究其中的早前寒武纪地质体对于探讨敦煌地块早前寒武纪地壳的形成和演化及其构造归属等问题具有重要的意义.甘肃敦煌水峡口地区的敦煌杂岩主要由英云闪长质片麻岩、花岗闪长质片麻岩以及表壳岩石组成.利用LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年方法测得水峡口英云闪长片麻岩和花岗片麻岩原岩的形成年龄分别为2561±16Ma和2510±22Ma,确证了在敦煌杂岩中存在太古宙岩石.此外,还获得斜长角闪岩的变质年龄为1806±14Ma,推测其原岩岩浆可能来自古老岩石圈地幔的部分熔融.根据已有的资料提出在古元古代晚期(1.80 ～ 1.85Ga)敦煌杂岩经历了一期较广泛的变质作用.锆石Hf同位素显示～2.5Ga的岩石年龄在敦煌地块代表新太古代晚期重要地壳生长时期,而～1.8Ga的构造-热事件则是以古老地壳物质循环再造为主.这些资料显示敦煌地块和华北克拉通在早前寒武纪经历了类似的地壳形成和演化过程,且共同记录了全球性的Columbia碰撞造山事件信息.