Letšeng diamond mine,Lesotho: a variant of Kimberley-type pyroclastic kimberlite emplacement

The Letšeng Diamond Mine comprises two ~91 Ma kimberlite pipes. An update of the geology is presented based on the 2012–2017 detailed investigation of open pit exposures and all available drillcores which included mapping, logging and petrography. Each of the steep-sided volcanic pipes comprises a number of phases of kimberlite with contrasting diamond contents which were formed by the emplacement of at least four batches of mantle-derived magma. The resulting range of textures includes resedimented volcaniclastic kimberlite (RVK), Kimberley-type pyroclastic kimberlite (KPK), coherent kimberlite (CK) and minor amounts of hypabyssal kimberlite (HK). The pipes are compared with KPK occurrences from southern Africa and worldwide. Many features of the Letšeng pipes are similar to KPK infilled pipes particularly those of the widespread Cretaceous kimberlite province of southern Africa. The differences displayed at Letšeng compared to other large KPK pipe infills described from around the world are attributed to the marginal or melnoitic nature of the magma and the upper diatreme to crater setting of the Letšeng pipes, where processes become extrusive. It is concluded that the pipes comprise a variant of Kimberley-type pyroclastic kimberlite emplacement. The classification of many of the Letšeng rocks as KPK is important for developing the internal geology of the pipes as well as for predicting the distribution of diamonds within the bodies.

     

Eclogite–gneiss complex of the Muya block (East Siberia): age,mineralogy, geochemistry,and petrology

Results of study of eclogite–gneiss complex of the Muya Block (East Siberia) are presented. Several structural types of the studied eclogites have been recognized. Kyanitic eclogite has been found for the first time. The host granite-gneisses are two-mica and biotite varieties, mainly garnet-bearing. The exposure of eclogites from different depths of the subducted plate at the present-day denudation level might be the reason for the wide range of the equilibrium temperatures of the Muya block eclogites (590–740 °C). The Sm–Nd dating of the eclogites and host gneisses showed the Neoproterozoic age of high-pressure metamorphism (～630 Ma). The model age (T_DM) of the eclogites (720 Ma) differs considerably from the model age of the host gneisses (>1.3 Ga). The geochemical features of the eclogites point to the mobility of LILE (Rb, Cs, Ba, K) and LREE during their interaction with fluids, whereas the gneisses in the same process showed the mobility of LILE only. The oxygen isotope composition of minerals in the eclogites varies over a narrow range (δ¹⁸O = 5.5–3.9) and is close to the average mantle value, which evidences a negligible interaction between the eclogite protoliths and meteoric or sea water. The study of fluid inclusions in quartz from the eclogites and host gneisses showed a predominance of liquid-nitrogen inclusions in the former and carbon dioxide inclusions in the latter.     

The Žermanice sill: new insights into the mineralogy,petrology, age,and origin of the teschenite association rocks in the Western Carpathians,Czech Republic

International Journal of Earth Sciences - The Žermanice locality represents the best-exposed example of the meta-basaltoid/meta-gabbroic rock type of the teschenite association. It forms a...     

Petrogenesis of the diamondiferous Pipe-8 ultramafic intrusion from the Wajrakarur kimberlite field of Southern India and its relation to the worldwide Mesoproterozoic(～1.1 Ga) magmatism of kimberlite and related rocks

Detailed mineralogy,bulk rock major,trace and Sr-Nd isotope compositions,and ~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar dating of the Pipe-8 diamondiferous ultramafic intrusion in the Wajrakarur cluster of southern India,is reported.Based on the presence of Ti-rich phlogopite,high Na/K content in amphibole,Al-and Ti-rich diopside,a titanomagnetite trend in spinel and the presence of Ti-rich schorlomite garnet and carbonates in the groundmass,the Pipe-8 intrusion is here more precisely classified as an ultramafic lamprophyre(i.e.,aillikite).An aillikite affinity of the Pipe-8 intrusion is further supported by the bulk rock major and trace element and Sr-Nd isotope geochemistry.Sr-Nd isotope data are consistent with a common,moderately depleted upper mantle source region for both the Pipe-8 aillikite as well as the Wajrakarur kimberlites of southern India.A phlogopite-rich groundmass ~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar plateau age of 1115.8±7.9 Ma(2σ) for the Pipe-8 intrusion falls within a restricted 100 Ma time bracket as defined by the 1053-1155 Ma emplacement ages of kimberlites and related rocks in India.The presence of ultramafic lamprophyres,carbonatites,kimberlites,and olivine lamproites in the Wajrakarur kimberlite field requires low degrees of partial melting of contrasting metasomatic assemblages in a heterogeneous sub-continental lithospheric mantle.The widespread association of kimberlite and other mantle-derived magmatism during the Mesoproterozoic(ca.1.1 Ga) have been interpreted as being part of a single large igneous province comprising of the Kalahari,Australian,West Laurentian and Indian blocks of the Rodinia supercontinent that were in existence during its assembly.In India only kimberlite/lamproite/ultramafic lamprophyre magmatism occurred at this time without the associated large igneous provinces as seen in other parts of Rodinia.This may be because of the separated paleo-latitudinal position of India from Australia during the assembly of Rodinia.It is speculated that the presence of a large plume at or close to 1.1 Ga within the Rodinian supercontinent,with the Indian block located on its periphery,could be the reason for incipient melting of lithospheric mantle and the consequent emplacement of only kimberlites and other ultramafic,volatile rich rocks in India due to comparatively low thermal effects from the distant plume.     

Direct data on the ore potential of acid magmas of the Uzel’ginskoe ore field (Southern Urals,Russia)

Doklady Earth Sciences -     

Mössbauer characteristics,mineralogy and isotopic age (Rb-Sr,K-Ar) of Upper Riphean glauconites from the UK Formation,the southern Urals

Comprehensive mineralogical analysis, Mössbauer spectroscopy and isotopic-geochronological study have been carried out for globular phyllosilicates (GPS) of glauconite group from the Uk Formation, the second one below the top of the Upper Riphean stratotype in the southern Urals. Glauconites have been sampled in the Kurtaza and Kulmas sections remote from each other in the Alatau anticlinorium that corresponds to western facies zone of the Bashkirian meganticlinorium. As is shown, size and density monomineral fractions of globules are represented by Al-glauconite according to established structural formula. The isotopic (Rb-Sr and K-Ar) dating of glauconites from the Uk Formation is performed for the first time along with computer simulation of cation arrangements in their crystal lattice and comparison of the results obtained with data of Mössbauer spectroscopy. It has been assumed by simulation that origin and transformation of the Rb-Sr and K-Ar systems in glauconite are concurrent to stages in structural evolution of this mineral, which have been controlled by geological and geochemical events in the history of sedimentary successions. The approach has been aimed at recognition of stratigraphically meaningful isotopic dates corresponding to the glauconite formation at the stage of the early diagenesis close to sedimentation time and the “rejuvenated” dates characterizing ages of subsequent geological events. The comparison of simulated cation arrangements with data of Mössbauer spectroscopy shows that the Rb-Sr (663 ± 9 Ma) and K-Ar (669 ± 16 Ma) dates established for glauconites correspond to the time of early diagenesis in their host sediments, being suitable for age assessment of the Uk Formation. The dates obtained are of interregional and wider significance, as they must be taken into consideration when constructing the general curve of Sr isotope variations in the Late Riphean oceans.     

In situ U–Pb age determination and Nd isotopic analysis of perovskites from kimberlites in southern Africa and Somerset Island,Canada

Determination of the emplacement ages and initial isotopic composition of kimberlite by conventional isotopic methods using bulk rock samples is unreliable as these rocks usually contain diverse clasts of crustal- and mantle-derived materials and can be subject to post-intrusion sub-aerial alteration. In this study, 8 samples from 5 kimberlites in southern Africa and twelve samples from 7 kimberlites from Somerset Island, Canada have been selected for in situ perovskite U–Pb isotopic age determination and Nd isotopic analysis by laser ablation using thin sections and mineral separates. These fresh perovskites occur as primary groundmass minerals with grain-sizes of 10–100 μm. They were formed during the early stage of magmatic crystallization, and record data for the least contaminated or contamination-free kimberlitic magma. U–Pb isotopic data indicate that the majority of the southern Africa kimberlites investigated were emplaced during the Cretaceous with ages of 88 ± 3 to 97 ± 6 Ma, although one sample yielded an Early Paleozoic age of 515 ± 6 Ma. Twelve samples from Somerset Island yielded ages ranging from 93 ± 4 Ma to 108 ± 5 Ma and are contemporaneous with other Cretaceous kimberlite magmatism in central Canada (103–94 Ma). Although whole-rock compositions of the kimberlites from southern Africa have a large range of ε_Nd(t) values (? 0.5 to + 5.1), the analysed perovskites show a more limited range of + 1.2 to + 3.1. Perovskites from Somerset Island have ε_Nd(t) values of ? 0.2 to + 1.4. These values are lower than that of depleted asthenospheric mantle, suggesting that kimberlites might be derived from the lower mantle. This study shows that in situ U–Pb and Nd isotopic analysis of perovskite by laser ablation is both rapid and economic, and serves as a powerful tool for the determination of the emplacement age and potential source of kimberlite magmas.     

The Dovyren intrusive complex (northern Baikal region,Russia): isotope–geochemical markers of contamination of parental magmas and extreme enrichment of the source

The Dovyren intrusive complex includes the ore-bearing (Cu–Ni–PGE) Yoko–Dovyren layered pluton (728 Ma, up to 3.4 km in thickness), underlying ultramafic sills, and comagmatic leuconorite and gabbro-diabase dikes. Studies of Sr–Nd–Pb isotope systems were carried out for 24 intrusive rocks and five associated low- and high-Ti basalts. The high-Ti basalts show 0.7028 ≤ (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_T ≤ 0.7048 and 4.6 ≤ ε_Nd(T) ≤ 5.8, similar to the values in MORB. The intrusive basic and ultrabasic rocks are geochemically similar to the low-Ti formation, making a compact cluster of compositions with extremely high ratios of radiogenic Sr and Pb isotopes and low ε_Nd values. The maximum enrichment in radiogenic Sr is shown by the rocks near the pluton bottom ((⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_T = 0.71387 ± 0.00010 (2σ); ε_Nd(T) = –16.09 ± 0.06), which are the products of crystallization of the most primitive high-Mg magmas. The above-located dunites, troctolites, and gabbro show lower enrichment, probably because of the contamination of the host rocks during the filling of the magma chamber and/or because of the slight heterogeneity of the source. Calculations of the proportions of mixing of the parental melt with carbonate terrigenous material have shown that the variations in the Sr and Nd isotope ratios are due to the incredibly high contamination of the sediments, up to 40–50%. This contradicts the succession of the main rock types in the Yoko–Dovyren pluton in accordance with the crystallization of picrite-basaltic magma. The contribution of 5–10% high-Ti component seems more likely and suggests interaction between two isotopically contrasting magmas in this province in the Late Riphean. In general, the minor variations in ε_Nd(T) of the intrusive rocks and metavolcanics (–14.3 ± 1.1) testify to the isotopically anomalous source of the low-Ti magmas. The time variation trend of ε_Nd and geochemical features of the Dovyren rocks indicate that the products of melting of 2.7–2.8 Ga suprasubduction mantle might have been the massif protolith. Thus, the Dovyren parental magmas formed from a much older (sub)lithospheric source in the Late Riphean. The source was initially enriched in a mafic component with a low Sm/Nd ratio and was isolated from the convecting mantle and mantle melting processes for ~ 2 Gyr. The existence of such a long-living and at least twice reactivated lithospheric substratum is confirmed by the fact that the Nd isotope evolution trend of the initially nonanomalous mantle protolith includes not only the Dovyren rocks but also the Paleoproterozoic gabbro of the Chinei pluton and the Archean enderbites of the Baikal region.© 2015, V.S. Sobolev IGM, Siberian Branch of the RAS. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.     

On the geodynamics of the Alpine collisional granitoids from Central Anatolia: petrology,age and isotopic characteristics of the granitoids of the Ekecikdağ Igneous Association (Aksaray/Turkey)

Granitoids of the Ekecikda? Igneous Association (Central Anatolia/Turkey) are products of collisional–post-collisional magmatism in the Ekecikda? area. These granitoids are granodiorite, microgranite and leucogranite. Field relations of granodiorites with microgranites is obscured, but leucogranites intrude both rock types. Mean zircon laser ablation (LA)-ICP-MS ²⁰⁶Pb-²³⁸U ages of granodiorites and microgranites are 84.52 ± 0.93 Ma and 80.7 ± 1.6 Ma, respectively, and age of leucogranites is suggested as 80 Ma, based on field relations combined with ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U and Rb-Sr ages. Crystallisation temperatures of granodiorites, microgranites and leucogranites are 728°C-848°C, 797°C-880°C, 704°C-809°C, respectively.

Geochemical characteristics including Sr-Nd isotopic evidences infer a non-cogenetic character, as there is a high crustal contribution in I-type granodiorite sources, a crustal source with insignificant and significant mantle inputs in S-type microgranites and leucogranites, respectively. LA-ICP-MS Lu-Hf isotope data from zircons reveal their crustal nature (εHf_(t): ?1.3 ± 0.5 to ?8.8 ± 0.5). Crustal melting linked to the Alpine thickening during the Late Cretaceous led to formation of heterogeneous sourced granitoids with crustal dominated sources in the Ekecikda? area. Understanding of the nature and evolution of collisional Ekecikda? granitoids is not only important to put contribution in the geodynamic evolution of Central Anatolia and surrounding Alpine area, but also to better understand systematics of collisional magmatic systems.     

Illite authigenesis in sandstones of the Guaritas Allogroup (Early Paleozoic): Implications for the depositional age,stratigraphy and evolution of the Camaquã Basin (Southern Brazil)

Several analytical studies performed on alluvial-eolian sandstones of the Early Paleozoic Guaritas Allogroup (Camaquã Basin, southern Brazil) indicate illite to be abundant, showing different morphologies as authigenic grain rims and pore-bridging filaments. Authigenic illite separates of variable grain sizes from distinct stratigraphic intervals of the Guaritas Allogroup yielded ⁴⁰K–⁴⁰Ar ages from 521.7 ± 10.3 to 473.7 ± 9.4 Ma. These ages, interpreted to record the timing of illite authigenesis, are coincident with the age of emplacement of the Rodeio Velho andesites (470 ± 19 Ma). Moreover, field structures suggest interaction between hot, andesite lava flows and wet, poorly consolidated sediments of the Pedra Pintada Alloformation (lower strata of the Guaritas Allogroup). This set of data indicates that the Rodeio Velho volcanism could have been responsible for a widespread remobilization of interstitial fluids and consequent authigenic illite precipitation in the sandstones of the Guaritas Allogroup.     

U–Pb (zircon) and geochemical constraints on the age,origin, and evolution of Paleozoic arc magmas in the Oyu Tolgoi porphyry Cu–Au district,southern Mongolia

Uranium–Pb (zircon) ages are linked with geochemical data for porphyry intrusions associated with giant porphyry Cu–Au systems at Oyu Tolgoi to place those rocks within the petrochemical framework of Devonian and Carboniferous rocks of southern Mongolia. In this part of the Gurvansayhan terrane within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, the transition from Devonian tholeiitic marine rocks to unconformably overlying Carboniferous calc-alkaline subaerial to shallow marine volcanic rocks reflects volcanic arc thickening and maturation. Radiogenic Nd and Pb isotopic compositions (ε_Nd(t) range from + 3.1 to + 7.5 and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb values for feldspars range from 17.97 to 18.72), as well as low high-field strength element (HFSE) contents of most rocks (mafic rocks typically have < 1.5% TiO₂) are consistent with magma derivation from depleted mantle in an intra-oceanic volcanic arc. The Late Devonian and Carboniferous felsic rocks are dominantly medium- to high-K calc-alkaline and characterized by a decrease in Sr/Y ratios through time, with the Carboniferous rocks being more felsic than those of Devonian age. Porphyry Cu–Au related intrusions were emplaced in the Late Devonian during the transition from tholeiitic to calc-alkaline arc magmatism. Uranium–Pb (zircon) geochronology indicates that the Late Devonian pre- to syn-mineral quartz monzodiorite intrusions associated with the porphyry Cu–Au deposits are ~ 372 Ma, whereas granodiorite intrusions that post-date major shortening and are associated with less well-developed porphyry Cu–Au mineralization are ~ 366 Ma. Trace element geochemistry of zircons in the Late Devonian intrusions associated with the porphyry Cu–Au systems contain distinct Th/U and Yb/Gd ratios, as well as Hf and Y concentrations that reflect mixing of magma of distinct compositions. These characteristics are missing in the unmineralized Carboniferous intrusions. High Sr/Y and evidence for magma mixing in syn- to late-mineral intrusions distinguish the Late Devonian rocks associated with giant Cu–Au deposits from younger magmatic suites in the district.     

Origin of anomalously Ni-rich parental magmas and genesis of the Huangshannan Ni–Cu sulfide deposit,Central Asian Orogenic Belt,Northwestern China

The Huangshannan Ni–Cu sulfide deposit at the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is an important recent discovery in the Eastern Tianshan Region, Northwestern China. The Huangshannan Intrusion is composed of mafic and ultramafic rocks, and its websterite and lherzolite sequences host the sulfide orebodies. Olivine is the dominant mineral in the Huangshannan Intrusion, occurring as olivine inclusions hosted by pyroxene oikocrysts, as olivine crystals in magmatic sulfides, and as poikilitic crystals in the lherzolite. Small olivine inclusions always coexist with large poikilitic olivine crystals in the same sample, resulting in a heterogeneous texture on the scale of the oikocrysts. The Ni abundance ranges from 1540 to 3772 ppm in poikilitic olivine grains, from 2114 to 3740 ppm in olivine grains hosted by sulfide minerals, and from 2043 to 4023 ppm in olivine inclusions hosted by pyroxene oikocrysts. For the three types of olivine, the ranges in forsterite (Fo) content are 78.97–84.92 mol.%, 81.57–84.79 mol.%, and 80.33–84.68 mol.%, respectively. The Ni content of olivine in the lherzolite is anomalously high relative to the range found in most within plate olivine-bearing mafic-ultramafic rocks. The composition of olivine is controlled mainly by that of the parental magma, fractional crystallization and reactions with interstitial silicate and sulfide melts. Both fractional crystallization and reaction with interstitial silicate may cause a decrease in the Ni content of olivine. The possibility that Ni–Fe exchange causes the anomalously high Ni contents in olivine can be excluded because the olivine grains contained in sulfide have similar or lower Ni content than the olivine grains hosted in the silicate rock. Most of the olivine grains are unzoned, and they have anomalously high Ni contents throughout the crystal. Assuming a partition coefficient of Ni between olivine and silicate magma to be 7, the measured Ni content of olivine in the lherzolite (1540–4023 ppm with a mean of 2907 ppm) indicates that the parental magma contains 220–575 ppm (average of 415 ppm) Ni. This value is higher than that found in basaltic magmas that crystallized olivine with similar Fo contents compared to the Huangshannan Intrusion. As mentioned above, the symmetric and reproducible variations in both Fo and Ni contents from core to margin in most of the olivine grains cannot be explained by fractional crystallization and reactions with interstitial silicate or sulfide melts but may reflect the equilibration of the olivine with new fluxes of magma as the chamber was replenished. The anomalously Ni-rich composition of the parental magmas of the Huangshannan Intrusion, relative to those of many other mineralized olivine-bearing mafic-ultramafic intrusions, may be produced by upgrading and scavenging of metals from a previously formed sulfide melts by a moderately Ni-rich magma. The mass-balance calculations of PGE data indicate that the parental magma that formed lherzolite contains 0.04 ppb Os, 0.02 ppb Ir and 0.4 ppb Pd, whereas the parental magma that formed websterite has 0.02 ppb Os, 0.009 ppb Ir and 0.75 ppb Pd. Rayleigh modeling using PGE tenors indicates that the massive sulfides may be produced by monosulfide solid solution (MSS)-sulfide liquid fractionation from the magma that formed the websterite. Rayleigh modeling of Fo and Ni contents of olivine shows that the parental magma that formed the lherzolite has experienced previous sulfide segregation and olivine crystallization.     

Geology, mineralogy, and chemistry of the M’zila bentonitic clay deposit (Mostaganem, NW Algeria)

Bentonitic clay deposit of M’zila locates in the North border of the upstream portion of the Chélif basin “Bas Chélif” down to 35 km NE of Mostaganem. It consists of 14 layers (most recent) 1 to 14 (oldest) forming the North and South flanks of an E–W Syncline. These layers are enclosed in the median blue marls formation of the Upper Miocene of the “Bas Chélif” basin lying unconformably on the ante thrust sheet sandstone formation. This median member contains metric cinerites thick continuous levels and could beings originally bentonitic clay region of M’zila. The cinerites are the product of explosive type in the volcanic eruption, usually deposited in the marine environment. They are formed by a more or less rich feldspar and biotite volcanic glass dust. Bentonitic clay layers have average thicknesses vary between 2 and 6 m. They are distributed by centimeter to decimeter levels of soft sandstone, sandy, and rich black mica. Sandstone is greywacke clay and carbonated cemented, matrix consisting of quartz, feldspars, biotite as major minerals, zircon, and glauconite as accessory minerals. They deposited in a marine, reduced, and confined environment. Mineralogical composition of bentonitic clay region of M’zila is as follows: (1) Clay minerals are represented by the montmorillonite with a small amount of kaolinite. (2) Non-clay minerals are composed mainly of quartz, albite, biotite, calcite, heulandite, chlorite, dolomite, and gypsum. Infrared spectroscopy shows that bentonitic clay has highlighted the presence of the disorderly a high temperature silica tridymite. Geochemistry of the major elements of M’zila bentonitic clay shows high a percentage of SiO₂ and Al₂O₃. Chemical analysis shows that the 10, 12, 14 B 7, 4 A, and 4 clay layers are ferric clay; 11 and 3 layers are magnesian clay. Particle size analysis by sedimentation shows bentonitic clays are accrued mainly clay fractions to silt. Bentonitic clay deposit of M’zila has probably volcanic origin and deposited in a marine, reduced, and confined environment.     

The migmatite–gneiss complex of the Chuya–Kendyktas sialic massif (Southern Kazakhstan): Structure and age

A migmatite–gneiss complex made up of paraand orthogneisses and crystalline schists with bodies of ultrametagenic tonalites is distinguished in the basement of the northwestern part of the Chuya–Kendyktas Massif. ID-TIMS dating of accessory zircon from orthogneisses and ultrametagenic tonalites in combination with LA-ICP-MS analyses of detrital zircons from garnet–biotite paragneisses showed that the migmatite–gneiss complex was formed after protoliths with an age within 800–770 Ma and completed its evolution in the first half of the Neoproterozoic.     

Comparison of petrology and isotope geochemistry of the Bulka peridotite–gabbro massif and granitoids of the Kyzykchadra complex (West Sayan)

The study provides new petrologic and isotope geochemical data for rocks of the 465 ± 5 Ma Bulka massif (Borodina et al., 2011). The primary amphibole from granitoid stocks cutting across the layered series of the massif yielded an Ar–Ar age of 415.9 ± 3.7 Ma. The rocks of the Bulka massif have ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratio of 0.513243 and εNd (Т) values of +12.00. The granitoids have ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios between 0.512919 and 0.512961 and εNd (Т) values between +8.03 and +9.25. The Nd isotope composition indicates that the rocks of the Bulka massif and granitoids were derived from a depleted mantle source. Depletion of the rocks of the massif in LILE, LREE, and HFSE over LILE is inherited from the mantle source, which has geochemical signatures of N-MORB and subduction-related components. Granitoids are metaluminous I-type granites, which were probably generated either by differentiation of intermediate to mafic mantle-derived magmas or by melting of metabasites. The rocks of the granitoid stocks are characterized by enrichment in LILE and LREE and depletion in HFSE over LILE, which suggests derivation from arc-related parental magmas.     

Sandstone petrology and mudstone geochemistry of the Peruc–Korycany Formation (Bohemian Cretaceous Basin,Czech Republic)

We have studied the petrography and the bulk-rock geochemistry of arenites and mudstones of the Cenomanian Peruc–Korycany Formation to characterize their provenance and sedimentary history, as well as the influence of weathering, hydraulic sorting, and recycling of the source rocks. The Peruc–Korycany Formation contains sedimentary facies reflecting both meandering- and braided-river systems and shallow-marine systems. Differences in the three depositional settings did not cause distinctly different modifications of the framework compositions of the arenites. The sand from the fluvial systems is very mature (Qm₉₈F₀Lt₂). These fluvial arenites were subsequently modified by shallow-marine processes; reworking produced very slight decreases in the abundance of lithic fragments and polycrystalline quartz grains. The Cenomanian strata of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin were derived dominantly from metasedimentary and crystalline rocks of the Palaeozoic Teplà-Barrandian and Cadomian Moldanubian units, respectively. Periods of low tectonic activity resulted in the deposition of arenites with quartzose framework compositions, indicating that climatic and/or transport/depositional-environmental controls overwhelmed factors such as source-rock compositions. Ultrastable dense minerals are useful indicators of sedimentary recycling within the Peruc–Korycanytarenites. Mudstone samples are characterized by abundant kaolinite, illite, chlorite, and quartz but by negligible amounts of goethite and gypsum. Concentrations normalized to the post-Archaean Australian shale (PAAS) show that the sediments are strongly depleted of Na, K, Ca, Sr, and Ba, probably because of the mobility of these elements during weathering. Chemical indices of alteration (CIA, CIW, and PIA) show that the degree of weathering of the source area was high. The data fall closer to the compositional fields of highly weathered minerals such as kaolinite, gibbsite, and chlorite on an A-CN-K diagram. The indices of compositional variability of the studied samples are much less than 1, suggesting that the samples are compositionally mature and were likely dominated by recycling. The elemental ratios critical of provenance (La/Sc, Th/Sc, Th/Co, Th/Cr, and Cr/Th) are similar to fine fractions derived from the weathering of mostly granitoids rather than mafic rocks.     

The Temaguessine Fe-cordierite orbicular granite (Central Hoggar,Algeria): U–Pb SHRIMP age,petrology, origin and geodynamical consequences for the late Pan-African magmatism of the Tuareg shield

The Temaguessine high-level subcircular pluton is intrusive into the LATEA metacraton (Central Hoggar) Eburnian (2 Ga) basement and in the Pan-African (615 Ma) granitic batholiths along a major NW–SE oriented major shear zone. It is dated here (SHRIMP U–Pb on zircon) at 582 ± 5 Ma. Composed of amphibole–biotite granite and biotite syenogranite, it comprises abundant enclaves: mafic magmatic enclaves, country-rock xenoliths and remarkable Fe-cordierite (#Fe = 0.87) orbicules. The orbicules have a core rich in cordierite (40%) and a leucocratic quartz–feldspar rim. They are interpreted as resulting from the incongruent melting of the meta-wacke xenoliths collapsed into the magma: the breakdown of the biotite + quartz assemblage produced the cordierite and a quartz–feldspar minimum melt that is expelled, forming the leucocratic rim. The orbicule generation occurred at T < 850° and P < 0.3 GPa. The Fe-rich character of the cordierite resulted from the Fe-rich protolith (wacke with 4% Fe₂O₃ for 72% SiO₂). Strongly negative ε_Nd (−9.6 to −11.2), Nd T_DM model ages between 1.64 and 1.92 Ga, inherited zircons between 1.76 and 2.04 Ga and low to moderately high I_Sr (0.704–0.710) indicate a Rb-depleted lower continental crust source for the Temaguessine pluton; regional considerations impose however also the participation of asthenospheric material. The Temaguessine pluton, together with other high-level subcircular pluton, is considered as marking the end of the Pan-African magma generation in the LATEA metacraton, resulting from the linear delamination along mega-shear zones, allowing asthenospheric uprise and melting of the lower continental crust. This implies that the younger Taourirt granitic province (535–520 Ma) should be considered as a Cambrian intraplate anorogenic event and not as a very late Pan-African event.     

Petrology and Sr-Nd isotope systematics of the Ahobil kimberlite (Pipe-16) from the Wajrakarur field,Eastern Dharwar craton,southern India

Detailed mineralogical, bulk-rock geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic data for the recently discovered Ahobil kimberlite(Pipe-16) from the Wajrakarur kimberlite field(WKF), Eastern Dharwar craton(EDC),southern India, are presented. Two generations of compositionally distinct olivine, Ti-poor phlogopite showing orangeitic evolutionary trends, spinel displaying magmatic trend-1, abundant perovskite, Tirich hydrogarnet, calcite and serpentine are the various mineral constituents. On the basis of(i) liquidus mineral composition,(ii) bulk-rock chemistry, and(iii) Sr-Nd isotopic composition, we show that Ahobil kimberlite shares several characteristic features of archetypal kimberlites than orangeites and lamproites. Geochemical modelling indicate Ahobil kimberlite magma derivation from small-degree melting of a carbonated peridotite source having higher Gd/Yb and lower La/Sm in contrast to those of orangeites from the Eastern Dharwar and Bastar cratons of Indian shield. The T_Dm Nd model age(～2.0 Ga) of the Ahobil kimberlite is(i) significantly older than those(1.5～1.3 Ga) reported for Wajrakarur and Narayanpet kimberlites of EDC,(ii) indistinguishable from those of the Mesoproterozoic EDC lamproites,and(iii) strikingly coincides with the timing of the amalgamation of the Columbia supercontinent. High bulk-rock Fe-Ti contents and wide variation in oxygen fugacity fO_2, as inferred from perovskite oxybarometry, suggest non-prospective nature of the Ahobil kimberlite for diamond.     

Zircon U-Pb age evidence of the Mesoarchean(2.9–3.2 Ga) crustal remnant in the Southern Dabie Orogen,South China

<正>1. Objective Unlike the North China Plate where Archean and Paleoproterozoic crustal rocks are widely distributed, Early Precambrian basement rocks in the Yangtze Block of South China are locally exposed(Fig. 1a), such as in the Kongling Complex, the Zhongxiang Complex, and the Douling Complex(Zhao GC and Cawood PA, 2012). The Dabie Orogen is the eastward extension of the Qinling Orogen,