Late Panafrican evolution of the main Hoggar fault zones: Implications of magnetic fabric study in the In Telloukh pluton (Tin Serririne basin,Algeria)

The Late Panafrican evolution of the Hoggar shield is characterized by emplacement of magmatic intrusions and by occurrence of major shear zones separating different terranes. In Telloukh granite is close to the In Guezzam faults (western border of the Tin Serririne basin). Analysis of its visible and magnetic fabrics suggests an emplacement mode and deformation that are not related to the In Guezzam faults, but most likely to a N–S compression, an event not yet identified. Dioritic dykes crosscutting the granite have a very different magnetic fabric, which is related on the contrary to dextral strike-slip movements along the In Guezzam faults. In both cases, no visible fabric can be correlated with the magnetic fabric, which has been likely acquired during late magmatic stages. This magnetic fabric was not significantly affected by the tectonic events that took place after entire crystallization of the magma. The In Guezzam faults and the major 7°30 and 4°50 shear zones are close to intrusions such as In Telloukh dykes and the Alous En Tides and Tesnou plutons where quite similar magnetic fabrics are observed, all related with dextral strike-slip movements along these structures.     

A review of Archaean and Paleoproterozoic evolution of the In Ouzzal granulitic terrane (Western Hoggar, Algeria)

The In Ouzzal terrane (Western Hoggar) is an example of Archaean crust remobilized during a very-high-temperature metamorphism related to the Paleoproterozoic orogeny (2 Ga). Pan-African events (≈0.6 Ga) are localized and generally of low intensity. The In Ouzzal terrane is composed of two Archaean units, a lower crustal unit made up essentially of enderbites and charnockites, and a supracrustal unit of quartzites, banded iron formations, marbles, Al–Mg and Al–Fe granulites commonly associated with mafic (metanorites and garnet pyroxenites) and ultramafic (pyroxenites, lherzolites and harzburgites) lenses. Cordierite-bearing monzogranitic gneisses and anorthosites occur also in this unit. The continental crust represented by the granulitic unit of In Ouzzal was formed during various orogenic reworking events spread between 3200 and 2000 Ma. The formation of a continental crust made up of tonalites and trondhjemites took place between 3200 and 2700 Ma. Towards 2650 Ma, extension-related alkali-granites were emplaced. The deposition of the metasedimentary protoliths between 2700 and 2650 Ma, was coeval with rifting. The metasedimentary rocks such as quartzites and Al–Mg pelites anomalously rich in Cr and Ni, are interpreted as a mixture between an immature component resulting from the erosion and hydrothermal alteration of mafic to ultramafic materials, and a granitic mature component. The youngest Archaean igneous event at 2500 Ma includes calc-alkaline granites resulting from partial melting of a predominantly tonalitic continental crust. These granites were subsequently converted into charnockitic orthogneisses. This indicates crustal thickening or heating, and probably late Archaean high-grade metamorphism coeval with the development of domes and basins. The Paleoproterozoic deformation consists essentially of a re-activation of the pre-existing Archaean structures. The structural features observed at the base of the crust argue in favour of deformation under granulite-facies. These features are compatible with homogeneous horizontal shortening of overall NW–SE trend that accentuated the vertical stretching and flattening of old structures in the form of basins and domes. This shortening was accommodated by horizontal displacements along transpressive shear corridors. Reactional textures and the development of parageneses during the Paleoproterozoic suggest a clockwise P–T path characterized by prograde evolution at high pressures (800–1050 °C at 10–11 kbar), leading to the appearance of exceptional parageneses with corundum–quartz, sapphirine–quartz and sapphirine–spinel–quartz. This was followed by an isothermal decompression (9–5 kbar). Despite the high temperatures attained, the dehydrated continental crust did not undergo any significant partial melting. The P–T path followed by the granulites is compatible with a continental collision, followed by delamination of the lithosphere and uprise of the asthenosphere. During exhumation of this chain, the shear zones controlled the emplacement of carbonatites associated with fenites.     

New African Lower Carboniferous paleomagnetic pole from intrusive rocks of the Tin Serririne basin (Southern border of the Hoggar, Algeria)

A paleomagnetic study has been conducted on intrusive doleritic rocks cropping out within Devonian horizontal tabular formations of the Saharan craton (Tin Serririne basin, South of Hoggar shield). The ⁴⁰K/⁴⁰Ar dating of the dolerites gave an age of 347.6 ± 8.1 Ma, i.e. Tournaisian. The paleomagnetic data present three different directions. The first has a paleomagnetic pole close to the previous African poles of Permian age. This direction is therefore interpreted as a Permian remagnetization. The second direction, which is defined by both linear regression and remagnetization circles analysis, is considered as the primary magnetization. It yields a new African Tournaisian paleomagnetic pole (λ = 18.8° S,  = 31.2° E, K = 29, A₉₅ = 7.5°) very close to the Ben Zireg Tounaisian pole [Aifa, T., Feinberg, H., Pozzi, J.P., 1990. Devonian/Carboniferous paleopoles for Africa. Consequences for Hercynian geodynamics. Tectonophysics, 179, 288–304]. The third direction has intermediate orientation between those of the first or second directions and that of the Upper Cenozoic field. It is interpreted as related to a composite magnetization. This new Tin Serririne pole improves the APWP of Gondwana, for this key period of the evolution of the Pangea. This APWP confirms the previous paleogeographic reconstruction which shows that the pre-Hercynian ocean between Gondwana and Laurussia is still not close during the beginning of the Carboniferous.     

The LATEA metacraton (Central Hoggar, Tuareg shield, Algeria): behaviour of an old passive margin during the Pan-African orogeny

Historically, the Tuareg shield is divided into three parts bordered by mega-shear zones with the centre, the Central Polycyclic Hoggar, characterized by Archaean and Palaeoproterozoic lithologies. Nearly 10 years ago, the Tuareg shield was shown to be composed of 23 displaced terranes [Geology 22 (1994) 641] whose relationships were deciphered in Aïr to the SE [Precambr. Res. 67 (1994) 59]. The Polycyclic Central Hoggar terranes were characterized by the presence of well preserved Archaean/Palaeoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic lithologies.We show here that the terranes from Central Hoggar (Laouni, Azrou-n-Fad, Tefedest, Egéré-Aleksod) belonged to a single old passive margin, to which we gave the acronym name LATEA, which behaved as a craton during the Mesoproterozoic and the Early-Middle Neoproterozoic but was partly destabilized and dissected during the Late Neoproterozoic as a consequence of its involvement as a passive margin in the Pan-African orogen.An early Pan-African phase consisted of thrust sheets including garnet-bearing lithologies (eclogite, amphibolite, gneiss) that can be mapped and correlated in three LATEA terranes. In the Tin Begane area, P–T–t paths have been established from>15 kbar––790 °C (eclogite) to 4 kbar––500 °C (greenschist retrogression) through 12 kbar––830 °C (garnet amphibolite) and 8 kbar––700 °C (garnet gneiss), corresponding to the retrograde path of a Franciscan-type loop. Sm–Nd geochronology on minerals and laser ablation ICP-MS on garnet show the mobility of REE, particularly LREE, during the retrograde greenschist facies that affects, although slightly, some of these rocks. The amphibolite-facies metamorphism has been dated at 685 ± 19 Ma and the greenschist facies at 522 ± 27 Ma. During the thrust phase, the Archaean–Palaeoproterozoic basement was only locally affected by the Pan-African tectonics. LATEA behaved as a craton. Other juvenile terranes were also thrust early onto LATEA: the Iskel island arc at ≈850 Ma to the west of LATEA, the Serouenout terrane in the 700–620 Ma age range to the east. No subduction-related magmas have intruded LATEA during this epoch, which behaved as a passive margin.During the main Pan-African phase (625–580 Ma), LATEA was dissected by mega-shear zones that induced several hundreds km of relative displacement and allowed the emplacement of high-K calc-alkaline batholiths. Smaller movements continued till 525 Ma, accompanied by the emplacement of subcircular plutons with alkaline affinity. Here is dated the Ounane granodiorite (624 ± 15 Ma; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i=0.70839 ± 0.00016; 6WR, MSWD=0.87) and the Tisselliline granite (552 ± 15 Ma; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i=0.7074 ± 0.0001; 5WR, MSWD=1.4). Nd isotopes indicate a preponderant Palaeoproterozoic crustal source for these two plutons: _Nd=−14 to −21 at 624 Ma and T_DM=1650–2320 Ma for Ounane and _Nd=−13 to −15 at 555 Ma and T_DM=1550–1720 Ma for Tisselliline. Our model links these intrusions to a linear lithospheric delamination along mega-shear zones, allowing the hot asthenosphere to rise, melt by adiabatic pressure release and inducing the melting of the Palaeoproterozoic and Archaean lower crust.The LATEA cratonic microcontinent remained however sufficiently rigid to preserve Archaean and Palaeoproterozoic lithologies as well as Middle Neoproterozoic oceanic thrust sheets. This corresponds to the notion of metacraton [J. African Earth Sci. 34 (2002) 119], i.e. a craton that has been remobilized during an orogenic event but is still recognizable dominantly through its rheological, geochronological, isotopic and sometimes petrological characteristics.     

P–T–X evolution in garnet pyroxenites from Tin Begane (Central Hoggar, Algeria)

Garnet pyroxenite from high pressure granulite facies occurs with different mineral assemblages which involve garnet, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, plagioclase, amphibole and quartz with spinel developing as symplectite with orthopyroxene and plagioclase in large cracks. Three successive parageneses have been identified. The primary assemblage is characterised by the presence of quartz. The second assemblage involves orthopyroxene–plagioclase–hornblende symplectite, and the third assemblage is characterised by the development of spinel in symplectites with orthopyroxene and plagioclase. Using THERMOCALC (V2.7), a quantitative pseudosection in the system CaO–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O has been calculated. The assemblage involving quartz developed at high pressure, while the assemblage involving spinel developed at lower pressure. The peak of metamorphism in Tin Begane was calculated at 860 °C and 13.5 kb with a_H2O=0.2. These conditions are followed by a decrease of pressure down to 4.8 kb.     

Granulitic metamorphism in the Laouni terrane (Central Hoggar, Tuareg Shield, Algeria)

In the Laouni terrane, which belongs to the polycyclic Central Hoggar domain, various areas contain outcrops of formations showing granulite-facies parageneses. This high-temperature metamorphism was accompanied by migmatization and the emplacement of two types of magmatic suite, one of continental affinity (garnet pyroxenites and granulites with orthoferrossilite–fayalite–quartz), and the other of arc affinity (layered metanorites). Paragenetic, thermobarometric and fluid-inclusion studies of the migmatitic metapelites and metabasites make it possible to reconstruct the P–T–aH₂O path undergone by these formations. This path is clockwise in the three studied areas, being characterized by a major decompression (Tamanrasset: 10.5 kbar at 825 °C to 6 kbar at 700 °C; Tidjenouine: 7.5 kbar at 875 °C; to 3.5 kbar at 700 °C; Tin Begane: 13.5 kbar at 850 °C; to 5 kbar at 720 °C), followed by amphibolitization that corresponds to a fall of temperature (from 700 to 600 °C) and an increase in water activity (from 0.2–0.4 to almost 1).The main observed features are in favour of petrogenesis and exhumation related to the Eburnean orogeny. However, the lacks of good-quality dating work and a comparison with juvenile Pan-African formations having undergone high-pressure metamorphism, in some cases reaching the eclogite facies, do not rule out the possibility that high-temperature parageneses are locally due to Pan-African events.     

Contrasting evolution of low-P rare metal granites from two different terranes in the Hoggar area, Algeria

Two mineralogically different rare metal granites located in two distinct terranes from the Tuareg area are compared: the Tin-Amzi granite in the north of the Laouni Terrane and the Ebelekan granite in the Assodé–Issalane Terrane.The Tin-Amzi granite is enclosed within Eburnean granulitic gneisses, and consists of albite, quartz, protolithionite, K-feldspar and topaz granite (PG). The accessory minerals include columbite tantalite, U- and Hf-rich zircon, Th-uraninite, wolframoixiolite and wolframite. This facies is characterised by a mineralogical evolution from the bottom to the top underlined by a strong resorption of K-feldspar and albite and the crystalliK-feldspar of more abundant topaz and protolithionite II which is further altered in muscovite and Mn-siderite. It is underlain by an albite, K-feldspar, F-rich topaz, quartz and muscovite granite (MG), with W–Nb–Ta oxides, wolframite, Nb-rutile, zircon and scarce uranothorite as accessories.The Ebelekan granite intrudes into a coarse-grained biotite granite enclosed within upper amphibolite-facies metasediments. It comprises a zinnwaldite, albite, topaz porphyritic granite (ZG) with “snow ball” quartz and K-feldspar. The accessories are zircon, monazite, uranothorite, Ta bearing cassiterite, columbite tantalite and wodginite. It is capped by a banded aplite-pegmatite (AP).The geochemistry of Tin-Amzi and Ebelekan granites is nearly comparable. Both are peraluminous (A/CNK=1.10–1.29; ASI=1.17–1.31), sodolithic and fluorine rich with high SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Na₂O+K₂O, Rb, Ga, Li, Ta, Nb, Sn and low FeO, MgO, TiO₂, Ba, Sr, Y, Zr and REE contents. These rare metal Ta bearing granites belong to the P-poor subclass, relating to their P₂O₅ content ( 0.03–0.15 wt.%). Nevertheless, they are distinguished by their concentration of W, Sn and Ta. The Tin-Amzi granite is W–Ta bearing with high W/Sn ratio whereas the Ebelekan granite is Ta–Sn bearing with insignificant W content.At Tin-Amzi the W–Nb–Ta minerals define a sequence formed by W-columbite tantalite followed by wolframoixiolite and finally wolframite showing the effect of hydrothermal overprinting with an extreme W enrichment of the fluids. At Ebelekan, the Sn–Nb–Ta oxides follow a Mn sequence: manganocolumbite→manganotantalite→wodginite+titanowodginite→cassiterite that represents a trend of primary crystallisation resulting from progressive substitution Fe→Mn and Nb→Ta during the magmatic fractionation.     

An example of post-collisional mafic magmatism: the gabbro–anorthosite layered complex from the Tin Zebane area (western Hoggar, Algeria)

The Tin Zebane gabbro–anorthosite layered mafic intrusion represented by plagioclase-rich cumulates forms a set of small lenticular to round-shaped mainly undeformed bodies intruding the Pan-African high-pressure metamorphic rocks from western Hoggar (Tuareg shield, southwest Algeria). The coarse-grained anorthosites are mainly made of slightly zoned bytownite (An_86–74) with the higher anorthite content at the cores. Anorthosites are interlayered with leucogabbros and gabbros that show preserved magmatic structures and with olivine gabbros characterised by coronitic textures. The primary assemblage in gabbros includes plagioclase (An_93–70), olivine (Fo_77–70), zoned clinopyroxene (En_43–48Fs_05–13Wo_41–49 with Al₂O₃ up to 4.3 wt.%) and rare orthopyroxene (En_73–78). Pyroxenes and olivine are commonly surrounded by Ca-amphibole. The olivine–plagioclase contact is usually marked by a fine orthopyroxene–Cr-spinel–amphibole symplectite. A magnesian pigeonite (En_70–75Fs_19–20Wo_6–10) is also involved in corona. The coronitic minerals have equilibrated with the primary mineral rims at P–T–a_H2O conditions of 797 ± 42 °C for a_H2O=0.5 and 808 ± 44 °C for a_H2O=0.6 at 6.2 ± 1.4 kbar. The Tin Zebane gabbroic rocks are depleted in REE with a positive Eu anomaly, high Sr (>10 * chondrite) and Al₂O₃ concentrations (17–33%) that support plagioclase accumulation with the extreme case represented by the anorthosites. The REE patterns can be modelised using plagioclase, clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene REE signature, without any role played by accessory minerals. High MgO content points to olivine as a major cumulate phase. Anorthositic gabbros Sr and Nd isotopic initial ratios are typical of a depleted mantle source (Sr_i=0.70257–0.70278; _Nd=+5.9 to +7.8). This isotopic signature is identical to that of the 10-km wide 592 Ma old dyke complex composed of alkaline to peralkaline granites and tholeiitic gabbros and one single bimodal complex can be inferred. The source of the Tin Zebane basic rocks corresponds to the prevalent mantle (PREMA). The Tin Zebane complex was emplaced along the mega-shear zone bounding to the west the Archaean In Ouzzal metacraton. The model proposed suggests a linear lithospheric delamination along this rigid and cold terrane due to post-collisional transtensional movements. This allowed the asthenosphere to rise rapidly and to melt by adiabatic pressure release. Transtension along a rigid body allowed these mantle melts to reach the surface rapidly without any crustal contamination.     

Geochemistry and isotope (Sr, Nd, O) study of Al–Mg granulites from the In Ouzzal Archaean block (Hoggar, Algeria)

The In Ouzzal Al–Mg granulites are found within sedimentary units deposited after 2.7 Ga, the whole association being metamorphosed under extreme temperature conditions (c. 1000 °C) at 2 Ga. The Al–Mg granulites are interlayered with other metasediments, including metapelites, quartzites and magnetite-bearing quartzites, forsterite-spinel marbles, and a few meta-igneous rocks (mainly pyroxenites). They do not occur at a specific position in the sedimentary suite, and they do not reflect any particular structural control. The major and trace element compositions of Al–Mg granulites (especially the high Cr, Ni, Co contents) show that their peculiar ‘refractory’ chemistry is more compatible with premetamorphic sedimentary characteristics rather than with metasomatic, metamorphic or partial melting processes. Sedimentary admixtures of a common mature detrital component coming from the weathering of the local acidic igneous crustal protoliths (normal pelitic component) with an extremely immature component derived from reworking of basic/ultrabasic lithologies (Al–Mg–Cr–Co–Ni–rich chloritic component) is consistent with the geochemistry of such rocks. As in other instances, the quartz-garnet oxygen isotopic thermometer here records an apparent temperature close to the peak metamorphism (c. 1000 °C). Although the persistence of pre-existing δ¹⁸O variations on a small scale during the metamorphism does not support a major pervasive fluid flow during metamorphism, it does not rule out the presence of syn- to post-metamorphic CO₂. The low δ¹⁸O (c.+ 5 to + 6‰) of the most typical Al–Mg granulites indicate that the ‘chloritic component’ in these rocks was derived from hydrothermally altered mafic/ultramafic protoliths rather than dominantly from palaeosols. It is suggested that the presence of such Al–Mg–Cr–Co–Ni–rich sediments is indirect evidence for the presence of greenstone belts in the local crust of the In Ouzzal at 2.6–2.7 Ga.     

U–Pb zircon (TIMS and SIMS) and Sm–Nd whole-rock geochronology of the Gour Oumelalen granulitic basement, Hoggar massif, Tuareg shield, Algeria

Two major granulitic units are recognized in the Gour Oumelalen area. One of the units is composed partially of Archean gneisses (Red Gneiss complex) with U–Pb zircon SIMS and TIMS ages of approximately 2.7 Ga. Although they were formed from 3.0- to 3.2-Ga-old precursors, as indicated by Nd model ages, we find no evidence of any older history (≈3.5 Ga) as suggested by previous Pb–Pb ages. The other formation (Gour Oumelalen supergroup) is a metasedimentary sequence at least partly of Paleoproterozoic age, as indicated by zircon dates of a metavolcanic rock at approximately 2.2 Ga. A later magmatic event is recorded at approximately 1.9 Ga in both units and related to coeval granulite-facies metamorphism that affected both units. Nd model ages at approximately 2.0 Ga suggest an accretion of juvenile crust formation at that time. The existence of T_DM Nd model ages intermediate between 2.5 and 2.9 Ga could result from the mixing of 3.2 and 2.0-Ga-old material or may reflect separate events.     

Metasomatic effects related to channelled fluid streaming through deep crust: fenites and associated carbonatites (In Ouzzal Proterozoic granulites, Hoggar, Algeria)

The In Ouzzal granulitic unit (IOGU) consists predominantly of felsic orthogneisses most of which correspond to granitoids emplaced during the Archaean, plus metasediments, including olivine-spinel marbles, of late Archaean age. All units were metamorphosed at granulite facies during the Eburnean (2 Ga). The stable isotope signature of the marbles (δ¹³C=–0.8 to –4.2‰/PDB; δ¹⁸O = 7.9 to 18.9‰/SMOW) does not record a massive streaming of C-bearing fluids during metamorphism. Most of the isotopic variation in the marbles is explained in terms of pregranulitic features. Metasomatic transformation of granulites into layered potassic syenitic rocks and emplacement of carbonate veins and breccias occurred during retrogressive granulite facies conditions. The chemistry of these rocks is comparable with that of fenites and carbonatites with high contents of (L)REEs, Th, U, F, C, Ba and Sr but, with respect to these elements, a relative depletion in Nb, Ta, Hf, Zr and Ti. The isotopic compositions of Nd (?Nd_(T)=–6.3 to –9.9), of Sr (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_(T)= 0.7093–0.7104), and the O isotopic composition of metasomatic clinopyroxene (δ¹⁸O = 6.9 to 8‰), all indicate that the fluid had a strong crustal imprint. On the basis of the C isotope ratios (δ¹³C =–3.5 to –9.7‰), the fluid responsible for the crystallization of carbonates and metasomatic alteration is thought to be derived from the mantle, presumably through degassing of mantle-derived magmas at depth. Intense interaction with the crust during the upward flow of the fluid may explain its chemical and isotopic signatures. The zones of metasomatic alteration in the In Ouzzal granulites may be the deep-seated equivalents of the zones of channelled circulation of carbonated fluids described at shallower levels in the crust.     

U–Pb dating of the end of the Pan-African orogeny in the Tuareg shield: the post-collisional syn-shear Tioueine pluton (Western Hoggar, Algeria)

The Tioueine pluton intrudes the Neoproterozoic series of the Iskel terrane, located in the Tuareg shield, western Hoggar. The consistency of the internal structures as well as the nature and organization of the associated microstructures demonstrate that the Tioueine pluton was emplaced syn-kinematically while N–S strike–slip shear zones were active. The syn-tectonic emplacement of the Tioueine massif implies that this pluton, although belatedly crystallized, entirely belongs to the concept of post-collisional magmatism. In order to date precisely the late Pan-African tectono-metamorphic event in the studied area, an U–Pb age of 523±1 Ma was obtained from abraded zircons of a late quartz–syenite from the Tioueine pluton. This early Cambrian age is younger than the other plutons of the Tuareg shield, which were mainly emplaced between 630 Ma and 580 Ma. This dating also shows that the Tuareg shield was not a single coherent block at 525 Ma, but rather an amalgam of active terranes moving each other along major shear zones. Finally, the Tioueine massif represents probably the final welding of the Tuareg shield assembly of terranes and consequently the end of the post-collisional orogenic episode in the whole Pan-African belt.     

Origin of fault domains and fault-domain boundaries (transfer zones and accommodation zones) in extensional provinces: Result of random nucleation and self-organized fault growth

In many extensional provinces, large normal faults dip in the same direction forming fault domains. Features variously named transfer faults, transfer zones, and accommodation zones (hereafter non-genetically referred to as fault-domain boundaries) separate adjacent fault domains. Experimental modeling of distributed extension provides insights on the origin, geometry, and evolution of these fault domains and fault-domain boundaries. In our scaled models, a homogeneous layer of wet clay or dry sand overlies a latex sheet that is stretched orthogonally or obliquely between two rigid sheets. Fault domains and fault-domain boundaries develop in all models in both map view and cross-section. The number, size, and arrangement of fault domains as well as the number and orientation of fault-domain boundaries are variable, even for models with identical boundary conditions. The fault-domain boundaries in our models differ profoundly from those in many published conceptual models of transfer/accommodation zones. In our models, fault-domain boundaries are broad zones of deformation (not discrete strike-slip or oblique-slip faults), their orientations are not systematically related to the extension direction, and they can form spontaneously without any prescribed pre-existing zones of weakness. We propose that fault domains develop because early-formed faults perturb the stress field, causing new nearby faults to dip in the same direction (self-organized growth). As extension continues, faults from adjacent fault domains propagate toward each another. Because opposite-dipping faults interfere with one another in the zone of overlap, the faults stop propagating. In this case, the geometry of the domain boundaries depends on the spatial arrangement of the earliest formed faults, a result of the random distribution of the largest flaws at which the faults nucleate.     

Magnetic fabrics and microstructures of the Jurassic Shah-Kuh granite pluton (Lut Block, Eastern Iran) and geodynamic inference

The Jurassic Shah-Kuh granite pluton was emplaced in the northeastern part of the Lut Block (Eastern Iran) while this block was a part of the active margin under which the Tethys ocean, that separated Arabia from Central Iran, was subducting. Since this time, the Lut Block has rotated and migrated northward up to its present position. This structural study of the Shah-Kuh aims at strengthening the evidence of its original geodynamical location. Thanks to a systematic collection of oriented samples in the field, well-defined fabric and microstructural patterns were deduced from magnetic fabric measurements and optical microscopy observations. The overall magnetic fabric of the pluton yields vertical, north–south striking foliations and shallow lineations plunging to the north. The corresponding microstructures attest to their formation in the magmatic stage, i.e. during emplacement. Subsequent deformation, characterized by (sub)mylonitic microstructures, has modified the original fabric into a northwest and locally a west–northwest trend inside a two kilometre-wide corridor. This corridor reflects the trace of a sinistral shear zone that offsets the previous north–south magmatic pattern of the pluton. The latter magmatic pattern is proposed to result from the shear component of strain that was parallel to the ancient active margin during pluton emplacement, as a result of strain partitioning, a situation frequently documented at convergent margins. Sinistral shear along an  E–W directed south-facing active margin, assuming a northeastward slip vector for the Tethys ocean during the Jurassic, and accepting a  150° counterclockwise rotation of the Lut Block after emplacement of the Shah-Kuh pluton, best explains both the magmatic and the solid-state lineation patterns.     

Magnetic fabric study of the SE Rhenohercynian Zone (Bohemian Massif): Implications for dynamics of the Paleozoic accretionary wedge

The progressive deformation recorded in the magnetic fabric of sedimentary rocks was studied in the SE Rhenohercynian Zone (RHZ), eastern margin of the Bohemian Massif, Czech Republic. Almost 800 oriented samples of the Lower Carboniferous mudstones and graywackes were collected from the SSE part of the Czech RHZ, so-called the Drahany Upland. The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) is predominantly controlled by the preferred orientation of paramagnetic phyllosilicates, mainly iron-bearing chlorites. A regional distribution of the magnetic fabric within the Drahany Upland revealed an increasing deformation from the SSE to the NNW. In the SE, the magnetic fabric is bedding-parallel with magnetic lineation scattered in the bedding plane or trending N–S to NNE–SSW. Further to the NW, the magnetic foliation rotates from the bedding-parallel orientation to the orientation parallel to the evolving cleavage. This rotation is accompanied by a decrease of the anisotropy degree and the prolate nature of the anisotropy ellipsoids. The magnetic lineation is parallel to the strike of the bedding, bedding/cleavage intersection, pencil structure or the fold axes on a regional scale. In the NW part of the Drahany Upland, the magnetic foliation becomes parallel to the cleavage accompanied by an increase of the anisotropy degree and the oblate nature of the anisotropy ellipsoids. The increasing trend of deformation corresponds to the SSE–NNW increase in the degree of anchimetamorphism; both trends being oblique to the main lithostratigraphic formations as typically observed in the sedimentary rocks of the accretionary wedges. The SSE–NNW increase in deformation and anchimetamorphism continues to the Nízký Jeseník Mts., representing the northern part of the same accretionary wedge. The kinematics of deformation could not be unambiguously assessed. The observed magnetic fabric may reflect either lateral shortening or horizontal simple shear or a combination of both mechanisms. Regarding the subduction process, it seems that the sedimentary sequences of the Drahany Upland were subducted, partly offscraped and accreted frontally or partly underplated as opposed to the Nízký Jeseník Mts. where some return flow must have occurred.     

Corundum–quartz-bearing assemblage in the Ihouhaouene area (In Ouzzal, Algeria)

Granulite facies quartzites from the Ihouhaouene region, in the northern part of In Ouzzal, contain the assemblage corundum+quartz+magnetite together with hercynitic spinel+quartz+magnetite, sillimanite+quartz+magnetite and almandine-rich garnet+quartz+magnetite. Two types of corundum have been recognized: the first is primary and is found with quartz and magnetite only; the second type is found together with magnetite and chlorite rimming spinel as a fine-grained corona. The textures show that spinel-rich magnetite probably exsolved primary corundum, sillimanite, spinel and garnet during the cooling history. The secondary corundum formed later from the spinel already exsolved from magnetite. The secondary corundum is certainly metastable with respect to quartz. This may also apply for the primary corundum. However, given the high-temperature setting of this rock, it cannot be excluded that the stable contacts observed between primary corundum and quartz indicate equilibrium between the two phases. Taking into account the uncertainties in the thermodynamic data, the stability of this assemblage would imply that this part of In Ouzzal has recorded very high P–T conditions, above 1100°C at 12 kbar.     

Textures and phase relationships in ferrous granulites from Tidjenouine (Hoggar, Algeria): fayalite–ferrossilite–quartz secondary assemblage

Ferrous granulites in the area of Tidjénouine (Central Hoggar) exhibit a remarkable mineralogical composition characterized by the association orthoferrossilite–fayalite–quartz. These granulites are metamorphosed mafic igneous rocks showing the juxtaposition of different metamorphic parageneses. Peak paragenesis with garnet–clinopyroxene–amphibole–plagioclase–quartz reach to assemblage with orthopyroxene–plagioclase₂. Secondary orthopyroxene reacted with garnet to produce symplectites with fayalite + plagioclase + quartz. The latest stage corresponds to an orthopyroxene–fayalite–quartz–plagioclase assemblage. The metamorphic history of the ferrous granulites is inferred by combining the study of phase relations with the construction of a petrogenetic grid and pseudosection in the CFMASH and CFAS systems using the Thermocalc program of [J. Metamorph. Geol. 6 (1988) 173]. The evolution of paragenetic minerals indicates a metamorphic P–T path through the following conditions: 7.1 ± 1 kbar at 880 °C, 4.9 ± 1.6 kbar at 750 °C and 3–4 kbar at 700 °C, which is consistent with a clockwise P–T path recorded throughout the area.     

Understanding the Mesozoic kinematic evolution in the Cameros basin (Iberian Range,NE Spain) from magnetic subfabrics and mesostructures

Analysis of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and brittle mesostructures (hydroplastic synsedimentary faults and tension gashes) is applied in this study in order to characterize the Mesozoic tectonic events in the Cameros basin (NW Iberian Range), formed between Tithonian and Albian times. Low-field AMS at room and low temperature (LF-AMS at RT and LF-AMS at LT, respectively) together with high-field AMS (HF-AMS) measurements allow separating ferro- and paramagnetic fabrics. The combination of LF-AMS at LT and HF-AMS torque measurements confirms the reliability of both procedures in terms of isolating the paramagnetic contribution to the AMS. Magnetic fabric results combined with the analyses of synsedimentary faults indicate a NW–SE extension direction during Aptian (and probably Barremian) times. This extension direction is perpendicular to the main extension direction (NE–SW) prevailing during early and late stages of basin evolution. It is also consistent with extension direction deduced from large-scale bending folds and tension gashes, developed after partial lithification. Cleavage development during Albian enhanced the orientation of the magnetic fabric in lithologies where the previous extensional magnetic lineation is coaxial with the expected one for compression.     

A review of the In Ouzzal granulitic terrane (Tuareg shield, Algeria): its significance within the Pan-African Trans-Saharan belt

The In Ouzzal terrane (IOT) or In Ouzzal granulite unit (IOGU) is an elongated Palaeoproterozoic block within the Neoproterozoic Pan-African belt of north-west Africa. The granulites derive from Archaean protoliths that include a large volume of metasediments which were deposited on a 3.2-Ga gneissic basement. Near-peak granulite facies conditions between 2.17 and 2 Ga were estimated at P=10 kbar and T rising from 800 to 1000°C. Premetamorphic orthogneisses were intruded at 2.5 Ga, and followed by the emplacement of syn- to late-kinematic charnockites, syenites and carbonatites at around 2 Ga. Cooling of the granulites occurred till 1800 Ma. Shortly after its exhumation coeval with crustal extension and related alkaline magmatism in adjacent areas, the IOT was buried beneath late Palaeoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic cover sequences, and then behaved as a rigid block. Both margins are lithospheric faults, as evidenced by the occurrence of shear-zone-related mafic and felsic plutons. Pan-African tectonothermal events were negligible in the north, but granulites in the south were significantly reworked under lower greenschist facies conditions during the northern motion of the block with respect to both the western and the eastern Pan-African terranes. The Cambrian molasse, associated with widespread alkaline volcanism and subvolcanic granites, is horizontal in the north. The IOT, which was part of a larger continental mass including its counterpart in northern Mali, is interpreted as an exotic terrane which may have docked during Pan-African plate convergence and lateral collision. The unchanged pediplain since c. 1.7 Ga in the north suggests that the IOT is underlain by thick Palaeoproterozoic lithospheric mantle, whereas its southern part is probably allochthonous and overlies Pan-African structural units.