Origin of the Tonaru body in the Sanbagawa metamorphic belt,SW Japan

Zircon U–Pb dating of the Tonaru metagabbro body in the Sanbagawa metamorphic belt, southwest Japan, suggests that igneous events at ca 200–180 Ma were involved in the protolith formation. The trace element compositions of the Tonaru zircons are enriched in U (a fluid‐mobile element) and Sc (an amphibole‐buffered element), and depleted in Nb (a fluid‐immobile element), suggesting that the parental magmas related to the Tonaru metagabbros formed in an arc setting. Integration of our results with previous studies of the metasedimentary rocks in the Tonaru body clearly indicates that the protoliths of the Tonaru body were produced by oceanic‐arc magmatism. With the previous geochronological and geological studies, the tectono‐magmatic–metamorphic history of the Tonaru and other mafic bodies in the Sanbagawa metamorphic belt may be summarized as follows: (i) the protolith formation by the oceanic‐arc magmatic event had occurred at 200–180 Ma; (ii) the protoliths were accreted in the trench at ca 130–120 Ma; and (iii) they were completely subducted into the depth of the eclogite‐facies condition after 120 Ma.     

U–Pb zircon geochronology of the North Pole Dome adamellite in the eastern Pilbara Craton

Supracrustal rocks around the North Pole Dome area, Western Australia, provide valuable information regarding early records of the evolution of crustal processes, surface environments, and biosphere. Owing to the occurrence of the oldest known microfossils, the successions at the North Pole Dome area have attracted interest from many researchers. The Paleoarchean successions (Warrawoona Group) mainly comprise mafic‐ultramafic greenstones with intercalated cherts and felsic lavas. Age constraints on the sediments have been mainly based on zircon U–Pb geochronology. However, many zircon grains have suffered from metamictization and contain anomalously high contents of common Pb, which makes interpretation of the U–Pb data complicated. In order to provide more convincing chronological constraints, an U–Pb Concordia age is widely accepted as the best estimate. Most zircons separated from two adamellites also suffered from severe metamictization. In our analyses, less metamictized domains were selected using a pre‐ablation technique in conjunction with elemental mapping, and then their U–Pb isotopic compositions were determined with a laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Most analyzed domains contained certain amounts of common Pb (²⁰⁴Pb/²⁰⁶Pb > 0.000 1), whereas three and five U–Pb data points with less common Pb (²⁰⁴Pb/²⁰⁶Pb < 0.000 1) were obtained. These U–Pb datasets yielded U–Pb Concordia ages of ca 3 445 Ma and 3 454 Ma, respectively. These ages represent the timing of the adamellite intrusion, and constrain the minimum depositional age of the Warrawoona Group. In addition, a single xenocrystic zircon grain showed a ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age of ca 3 545 Ma, supporting the idea that the sialic basement of the Pilbara Craton existed prior to 3 500 Ma. The in situ U–Pb zircon dating combined with the pre‐ablation technique has the potentials to identify non‐metamictized parts and to yield precise and accurate geochronological data even from partially metamictized zircons.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In-situ</Emphasis> trace element analyses and Pb-Pb dating of zircons in granulite from Huangtuling,Dabieshan by LAM-ICP-MS

It is revealed by CL images that there are multi-stage growth internal structures of zircons in the Huangtuling granulite, including the inherited zircons, protolith zircons, sector and planar zone zircons and retrograde zircons. In-situ trace element compositions and Pb-Pb ages have been analyzed by LAM-ICP-MS. The sector and the planar zone domains show typical trace element characteristics of granulite zircon (low Th, U, Th/U, total REEs, clear negative Eu anomalies, relatively depleted HREE and small differential degree between MREE and HREE, etc.), indicating that they formed during granulite-facies metamorphism. The protolith zircons have trace element characteristics of crustal zircon (high Th, U, Th/U, total REEs and enriched HREEs, etc.). 12 analyzed spots on granulite-facies domains give a weighted mean ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age of (2154±26) Ma (MSWD = 3.8), which is the best estimated age of granulite-facies metamorphism of this sample. The weighted mean ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age of 5 analyzed spots on protolith zircon domains is (2714 ± 22) Ma (MSWD = 1.4), which represents the protolith forming time. The discovery of ca. 3.4 Ga inherited zircon indicates that there are Palaeoarchean continental materials in this area. The interpretation of formation conditions and the ages of zircons can be constrained by simultaneous in-situ analysis of trace elements and ages.     

Age gap between the intrusion of gneissose granitoids and regional high‐temperature metamorphism in the Ryoke belt (Mikawa area), central Japan

The relationships between the intrusion of gneissose granitoids and the attainment of regional high‐T conditions recorded in metamorphic rocks from the Ryoke belt of the Mikawa area, central Japan, are explored. Seven gneissose granitoid samples (tonalite, granodiorite, granite) were collected from three distinct plutonic bodies that are mapped as the so‐called “Older Ryoke granitoids.” Based on bulk‐rock compositions and U–Pb zircon ages obtained by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, the analyzed granitoids can be separated into two groups. Gneissose granitoids from the northern part of the area give weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 99 ±1 Ma (two samples) and 95 ±1 Ma (one sample), whereas those from the southern part yield 81 ±1 Ma (two samples) and 78–77 ±1 Ma (two samples). Regional comparisons allow correlation of the northern granitoids (99–95 Ma) with the Kiyosaki granodiorite, and mostly with the Kamihara tonalite found to the east. The southern granitoids are tentatively renamed as “78–75 Ma (Hbl)?Bt granite” and “81–75 Ma Hbl?Bt tonalite” (Hbl, hornblende; Bt, biotite). and seem to be broadly coeval members of the same magmatic suite. With respect to available age data, no gneissose granitoid from the Mikawa area shows a U–Pb zircon age which matches that of high‐T metamorphism (ca 87 Ma). The southern gneissose granitoids (81–75 Ma), although they occur in the highest‐grade metamorphic zone, do not seem to represent the heat source which produced the metamorphic field gradient with a low dP/dT slope.     

U–Pb ages of zircons from metamorphic rocks in the upper sequence of the Hidaka Metamorphic Belt,Hokkaido, Japan: Identification of two metamorphic events and implications for regional tectonics

The Hidaka Metamorphic Belt is a well-known example of island-arc crustal section, in which metamorphic grade increases westwards from unmetamorphosed sediment up to granulite facies. It is divided into lower (granulite to amphibolite facies) and upper (amphibolite to greenschist facies) metamorphic sequences. The metamorphic age of the belt was considered to be ~55 Ma, based on Rb – Sr whole-rock isochron ages for granulites and related S-type tonalities. However, zircons from the granulites in the lower sequence yield U – Pb ages of ~21 – 19 Ma, and a preliminary report on zircons from pelitic gneiss in the upper sequence gives a U – Pb age of ~40 Ma. In this paper we provide new zircon U – Pb ages from two pelitic gneisses in the upper sequence to assess the metamorphic age and also the maximum depositional age of the sedimentary protolith. The weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages from a biotite gneiss in the central area of the belt yield 39.6 ± 0.9 Ma for newly grown metamorphic rims and 53.1 ± 0.9 Ma for the youngest detrital cores. The ages of zircons from a cordierite–biotite gneiss in the southern area are 35.9 ± 0.7 Ma for metamorphic rims and 46.5 ± 2.8 Ma for the youngest detrital cores. These results indicate that metamorphism of the upper sequence took place at ~40 – 36 Ma, and that the sedimentary protolith was deposited after ~53 – 47 Ma. These metamorphic ages are consistent with the reported ages of ~37–36 Ma plutonic rocks in the upper sequence, but contrast with the ~21–19 Ma ages of metamorphic and plutonic rocks in the lower sequence. Therefore, we conclude that the upper and lower metamorphic sequences developed independently but coupled with each other before ~19 Ma as a result of dextral reverse tectonic movement.     

U-Pb dating of zircon from the Central Zone of the East Kunlun Orogen and its implications for tectonic evolution

LA-ICP-MS and SHRIMP U-Pb dating of zircons from orthogneisses and amphibolite from the Central Zone of the Kunlun Orogen is reported in this paper. One orthogneiss sample has metamorphic zircons yielding weighted average 206Pb/238U age of 517.0 5.0/-6.0 Ma, and the other orthogneiss sample con- tains zircons with inherited magmatic cores giving three population 207Pb/206Pb ages of 955 Ma, 895 Ma and 657 Ma for the magmatic protolith, and metamorphic recrystallized rims with peak 206Pb/238U ages of 559 12/?17 Ma and 516 ± 13 Ma. The amphibolite yielded three populations of weighted average 206Pb/238U age of 482.0 10/?8.0 Ma, 516.2 ± 5.8 Ma and 549 ± 10 Ma for the metamorphic zircons. These dating results recorded the tectonothermal events that occurred in the early Paleozoic and the Pre- cambrian time. The records of the Cambrian magmatic-metamorphic event in the Qinling Orogen, the Altyn Tagh belt, north margin of the Qaidam Block and the Kunlun Orogen suggest that continental assembly probably occurred in the early evolutionary history of the Proto-Tethys.     

SHRIMP ziron U-Pb geochronology of early Mesozoic felsic igneous rocks from the southern Lancangjiang and its tectonic implications

The SHRIMP zircon U-Pb geochronology of three typical samples, including two monzonitic granites from the Lincang batholith and a rhyolite from the Manghuai Formation are presented in the southern Lancangjiang, western Yunnan Province. The analyses of zircons for the biotite monzonitic granites from the northern (02DX-137) and southern (20JH-10) Lincang batholith show the single and tight clusters on the concordia, and yield the weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 229.4 ± 3.0 Ma and 230.4 ± 3.6 Ma, respectively, representing the crystallized ages of these granites. The zircons for the rhyolitic sample (02DX-95) from the Manghuai Formation give a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 231.0 ± 5.0 Ma. These data suggest that the igneous rocks from the Lincang granitic batholith and Manghuai Formation have a similar crystallized age. In combination with other data, it is inferred that both were generated at a narrow age span (∼230 Ma) and were originated from the postcollisional tectonic regime. An early Proterozoic ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U apparent age of 1977±44 Ma is additionally obtained from one zircon from the biotite monzonitic granite (southern Lincang batholith), indicative of development of the early Proterozoic Yangtze basement in the region. These precisely geochronological data provide important constraints on better understanding the Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Tethys, western Yunnan Province.     

Zircon U–Pb dating of gabbro and diorite from the Bato pluton,northeast Japan

To constrain the timing of the tectonothermal events and formation process of a plutonic suite, U–Pb dating was carried out by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry combined with cathodoluminescence imaging on zircon grains extracted from the Bato pluton, northern Yamizo Mountains, Japan. The Bato pluton consists of gabbro and diorite. Zircon grains separated from a gabbro sample had a unimodal ²³⁸U–²⁰⁶Pb age (105.7 ±1.0 Ma). It was interpreted as the solidification age of the gabbro. Cathodoluminescence observation showed that the zircon grains from a diorite sample were characterized by anhedral cores, oscillatory zoned mantles, and dark rims. The ²³⁸U–²⁰⁶Pb age of the anhedral cores ranged from 2 165 Ma to 161 Ma, indicating the assimilation of surrounding sedimentary rocks. The ²³⁸U–²⁰⁶Pb ages of the oscillatory zoned mantles and dark rims are 109.0 ±1.3 Ma and 107.7 ±1.3 Ma, respectively. Observation under polarizing microscopy suggests that the anhedral cores occurred before plagioclase and hornblende, and the oscillatory zones around the anhedral cores had crystallized at the same time as the crystallization of biotite. Moreover, the dark rims formed at the same time as the crystallization of quartz and K‐feldspar. The formation process of the gabbro‐diorite complex in the Bato pluton was inferred as follows. (i) A mafic initial magma intruded into Mesozoic sedimentary rocks, and the assimilation of these sedimentary rocks led to geochemical variation yielding a dioritic composition. Subsequently, plagioclase and hornblende of the diorite were crystallized before 109.0 ±1.3 Ma. (ii) Biotite crystallized in the middle stage around 109.0 ±1.3 Ma. (iii) Quartz and K‐feldspar of the diorite were crystallized at 107.7 ±1.3 Ma. The gabbroic magma solidified (105.7 ±1.0 Ma) after solidification of the diorite.     

Fission track and U–Pb zircon ages of psammitic rocks from the Harushinai unit,Kamuikotan metamorphic rocks,central Hokkaido,Japan: constraints on metamorphic histories

Accurate pressure–temperature–time (P–T–t) paths of rocks from sedimentation through maximum burial to exhumation are needed to determine the processes and mechanisms that form high‐pressure and low‐temperature type metamorphic rocks. Here, we present a new method combining laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) U–Pb with fission track (FT) dates for detrital zircons from two psammitic rock samples collected from the Harushinai unit of the Kamuikotan metamorphic rocks. The concordant zircon U–Pb ages for these samples vary markedly, from 1980 to 95 Ma, with the youngest age clusters in both samples yielding Albian‐Cenomanian weighted mean ages of 100.8 ± 1.1 and 99.3 ± 1.0 Ma (2σ uncertainties). The zircon U–Pb ages were not reset by high‐P/T type metamorphism, because there is no indication of overgrowth within the zircons with igneous oscillatory zoning. Therefore, these weighted mean ages are indicative of the maximum age of deposition of protolithic material. By comparison, the zircon FT data yield a pooled age of ca. 90 Ma, which is almost the same as the weighted mean age of the youngest U–Pb age cluster. This indicates that the zircon FT ages were reset at ca. 90 Ma while still at their source, but have not been reset since. This conclusion is supported by recorded temperature conditions of less than about 300 °C (the closure temperature of zircon FTs), as estimated from microstructures in the deformed detrital quartz grains in psammitic rocks, and no shortening of fission track lengths in the zircon. Combining these new data with previously reported white mica K–Ar ages indicates that the Harushinai unit was deposited after ca. 100 Ma, and underwent burial to its maximum depth before being subjected to a localized thermal overprint during exhumation at ca. 58 Ma.     

Zircon U–Pb ages of plutonic rocks in the southern Abukuma Mountains: Implications for Cretaceous geotectonic evolution of the Abukuma Belt

Plutonic rocks in the southern Abukuma Mountains include gabbro and diorite, fine‐grained diorite, hornblende–biotite granodiorite (Ishikawa, Samegawa, main part of Miyamoto and Tabito, Kamikimita and Irishiken Plutons), biotite granodiorite (the main part of Hanawa Pluton and the Torisone Pluton), medium‐ to coarse‐grained biotite granodiorite and leucogranite, based on the lithologies and geological relations. Zircon U–Pb ages of gabbroic rocks are 112.4 ±1.0 Ma (hornblende gabbro, Miyamoto Pluton), 109.0 ±1.1 Ma (hornblende gabbro, the Hanawa Pluton), 102.7 ±0.8 Ma (gabbronorite, Tabito Pluton) and 101.0 ±0.6 Ma (fine‐grained diorite). As for the hornblende–biotite granodiorite, zircon U–Pb ages are 104.2 ±0.7 Ma (Ishikawa Pluton), 112.6 ±1.0 Ma (Tabito Pluton), 105.2 ±0.8 Ma (Kamikimita Pluton) and 105.3±0.8 Ma (Irishiken Pluton). Also for the medium‐ to fine‐grained biotite granodiorite, zircon U–Pb ages are 106.5±0.9 Ma (Miyamoto Pluton), 105.1 ±1.0 Ma (Hanawa Pluton) and the medium‐ to coarse‐grained biotite granodiorite has zircon U–Pb age of 104.5 ±0.8 Ma. In the case of the leucogranite, U–Pb age of zircon is 100.6 ±0.9 Ma. These data indicate that the intrusion ages of gabbroic rocks and surrounding granitic rocks ranges from 113 to 101 Ma. Furthermore, K–Ar ages of biotite and or hornblende in the same rock samples were dated. Accordingly, it is clear that these rocks cooled down rapidly to 300 °C (Ar blocking temperature of biotite for K–Ar system) after their intrusion. These chronological data suggest that the Abukuma plutonic rocks in the southern Abukuma Mountains region uplifted rapidly around 107 to 100 Ma after their intrusion.     

U–Pb ages of granitoids around the Kofu basin: Implications for the Neogene geotectonic evolution of the South Fossa Magna region,central Japan

The Japanese archipelago underwent two arc–arc collisions during the Neogene. Southwest Honshu arc collided with the Izu‐Bonin‐Mariana arc and the northeast Honshu arc collided with the Chishima arc. The complicated geological structure of the South Fossa Magna region has been attributed to the collision between the Izu‐Bonin‐Mariana arc and the southwest Honshu arc. Understanding the geotectonic evolution of this tectonically active region is crucial for delineating the Neogene tectonics of the Japanese archipelago. Many intrusive granitoids occur around the Kofu basin, in the South Fossa Magna region. Although the igneous ages of these granitoids have been mainly estimated through biotite and hornblende K–Ar dating, here, we perform U–Pb dating of zircon to determine the igneous ages more precisely. In most cases, the secondary post‐magmatic overprint on the zircon U–Pb system was minor. Based on our results, we identify four groups of U–Pb ages: ca 15.5 Ma, ca 13 Ma, ca 10.5 Ma, and ca 4 Ma. The Tsuburai pluton belongs to the first group, and its age suggests that the granite formation within the Izu‐Bonin‐Mariana arc dates back to at least 15.5 Ma. The granitoids of the second group intruded into the boundary between the Honshu arc and the ancient Izu‐Bonin‐Mariana arc, suggesting that the arc–arc collision started by ca 13 Ma. As in the case of the Kaikomagatake pluton, the Chino pluton likely corresponds to a granodiorite formed in a rear‐arc setting in parallel with the other granodiorites of the third group. The U–Pb age of the Kogarasu pluton, which belongs to the fourth group, is the same as those of the Tanzawa tonalitic plutons. This might support a syncollisional rapid granitic magma formation in the South Fossa Magna region.     

The subduction of the Paleo‐Pacific Plate to the Jiamusi Block: Evidence from the Early Mesozoic sedimentary rocks of the eastern Jiamusi Block

In order to provide references of the subduction process of the Paleo‐Pacific Plate beneath the Jiamusi Block, this paper studied the clastic rocks of the Nanshuangyashan Formation using modal analysis of sandstones, mudstone elements geochemistry, and detrital zircon U–Pb dating. These results suggest the maximum depositional age of the Nanshuangyashan Formation was between the Norian and Rhaetian (206.8 ±4.6 Ma, mean standard weighted deviation (MSWD) = 0.17). Whole‐rock geochemistry of mudstone indicates that source rocks of the Nanshuangyashan Formation were primarily felsic igneous rocks and quartzose sedimentary rocks, which were mainly derived from the stable continental block and a magmatic arc. Detrital zircon analysis showed the Nanshuangyashan Formation samples recorded four main age groups: 229–204 Ma, 284–254 Ma, 524–489 Ma and 930–885 Ma, and the provenances were attributed to the Jiamusi Block and a Late Triassic magmatic arc near the study area. Furthermore, the eastern Jiamusi Block was a backarc basin, affected by the subduction of the Paleo‐Pacific Plate in the Late Triassic, but the magmatic arc related to the subduction near the study area finally died out due to tectonic changes and stratigraphic erosion.     

Existence of multiple units with different accretionary and metamorphic ages in the Sanbagawa Belt,Sakuma–Tenryu area,central Japan

U–Pb ages of detrital zircons and white mica K–Ar ages are obtained from two psammitic schists from the western and eastern units of the Sanbagawa Metamorphic Belt located in the Sakuma–Tenryu area. The detrital zircons in the sample from the western unit (T1) show an age cluster around 95 Ma, and the youngest age in the detrital zircons is 94.0 ± 0.6 Ma. The detrital zircons in the sample from the eastern unit (T5) show a main age cluster in the Late Cretaceous with some older ages, and the youngest age in the detrital zircons is 72.8 ± 0.9 Ma. The youngest zircon ages restrict the older limit of the depositional ages of each sample. White mica K–Ar ages of T1 and T5 are 69.8 ± 1.5 Ma and 56.1 ± 1.2 Ma, respectively, which indicate the age of exhumation and restrict the younger limit on the depositional age of each sample. The results show that the western and eastern units were different in their depositional and exhumation ages, suggesting the episodic subduction and exhumation of the Sanbagawa Belt in the Sakuma–Tenryu area. These results also suggest simultaneous existence of subduction and exhumation paths of metamorphic rocks in the high‐P/T Sanbagawa Metamorphic Belt.     

Timescale of magma chamber processes revealed by U–Pb ages,trace element contents and morphology of zircons from the Ishizuchi caldera,Southwest Japan Arc

U–Pb geochronology and trace element chemistry of zircons in a microscale analysis were applied to the Ishizuchi caldera in the Outer Zone of Southwest Japan in order to estimate the timescale of the magma process, in particular, the magma differentiation. This caldera is composed mainly of ring fault complexes, major pyroclastic flow deposits, and felsic intrusion including central plutons. Using SHRIMP‐IIe, our new U–Pb zircon ages obtained from the major pyroclastic flow deposits (Tengudake pyroclastic flow deposits), granitic rocks from central plutons (Soushikei granodiorite and Teppoishigawa quartz monzonite), and rhyolite from the outer ring dike (Tenchuseki rhyolite) and the inner ring dike (Bansyodani rhyolite) are 14.80 ±0.11 Ma, 14.56 ±0.10 Ma, 14.53 ±0.12 Ma, 14.55 ±0.11 Ma and 14.21 ±0.19 Ma, respectively. Based on the U–Pb ages, the Hf contents and the REE patterns of the zircons, three stages are recognized in the evolutionary history of the magma chamber beneath the Ishizuchi caldera: (i) climactic Tengudake pyroclastic flow eruption; (ii) Tenchuseki rhyolite intrusion into the outer ring dike and central pluton intrusion; and (iii) Bansyodani rhyolite intrusion in the inner ring dike. These results indicate a magma evolution history of the Ishizuchi caldera system which took at least ca 600 kyr from the climatic caldera‐forming eruption to the post‐caldera intrusions. Our new geochronological data suggest that the Ishizuchi caldera formed as part of the voluminous and episodic magmatism that occurred in the wide zone along the Miocene forearc basin of Southwest Japan during the inception of the young Philippine Sea Plate subduction.     

Mineral inclusions in zircon domains and geological significance of SHRIMP U-Pb dating for coesite-bearing zircons of paragneiss in Sulu terrane,eastern China

Laser Raman spectroscopy and cathodoluminescence (CL) image reveal that zircons separated from paragneisses in the southwestern Sulu terrane (eastern China) preserve multi-stage mineral assemblages in different zircon domains. In the same paragneiss zircon sample, some zircon grains retain inherited (detrital) cores with abundant low-pressure mineral inclusions of Qtz + Phe + Ap + impurities and Qtz + Phe + impurities. The ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic overgrowths mantles of these zircons preserve Coe, Coe + Phe and other UHP mineral inclusions, indicating that these inherited (detrital) zircons from protoliths experienced metamorphic recrystallization during the Sulu UHP metamorphic event. However, other zircon grains preserve UHP mineral inclusions of Coe, Coe + Ap and Coe + Phe in the cores and mantles, whereas the outmost rims contain quartz (Qtz) and other low-pressure mineral inclusions. These phenomena prove that the second group zircons were crystallized at UHP metamorphic stage and overpr     

U–Pb zircon age from the radiolarian‐bearing Hitoegane Formation in the Hida Gaien Belt,Japan

The dating of radiolarian biostratigraphic zones from the Silurian to Devonian is only partially understood. Dating the zircons in radiolarian‐bearing tuffaceous rocks has enabled us to ascribe practical ages to the radiolarian zones. To extend knowledge in this area, radiometric dating of magmatic zircons within the radiolarian‐bearing Hitoegane Formation, Japan, was undertaken. The Hitoegane Formation is mainly composed of alternating beds of tuffaceous sandstones, tuffaceous mudstones and felsic tuff. The felsic tuff and tuffaceous mudstone yield well‐preserved radiolarian fossils. Zircon grains showing a U–Pb laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry age of 426.6 ± 3.7 Ma were collected from four horizons of the Hitoegane Formation, which is the boundary between the Pseudospongoprunum tauversi to Futobari solidus–Zadrappolus tenuis radiolarian assemblage zones. This fact strongly suggests that the boundary of these assemblage zones is around the Ludlowian to Pridolian. The last occurrence of F. solidus is considered to be Pragian based on the reinterpretation of a U–Pb sensitive high mass‐resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) zircon age of 408.9 ± 7.6 Ma for a felsic tuff of the Kurosegawa belt, Southwest Japan. Thus the F. solidus–Z. tenuis assemblage can be assigned to the Ludlowian or Pridolian to Pragian. The present data also contribute to establishing overall stratigraphy of the Paleozoic rocks of the Fukuji–Hitoegane area. According to the Ordovician to Carboniferous stratigraphy in this area, Ordovician to Silurian volcanism was gradually reduced to change the sedimentary environment into a tropical lagoon in the early Devonian. And the quiet Carboniferous environment was subsequently interrupted, throwing it once more into the volcanic conditions in the Middle Permian.     

A high‐T metamorphic complex derived from the high‐P Suo metamorphic complex in the Omuta district,northern Kyushu,southwest Japan

New U–Pb ages of zircons from migmatitic pelitic gneisses in the Omuta district, northern Kyushu, southwest Japan are presented. Metamorphic zonation from the Suo metamorphic complex to the gneisses suggests that the protolith of the gneisses was the Suo metamorphic complex. The zircon ages reveal the following: (i) a transformation took place from the high‐P Suo metamorphic complex to a high‐T metamorphic complex that includes the migmatitic pelitic gneisses; (ii) the detrital zircon cores in the Suo pelitic rocks have two main age components (ca 1900–1800 Ma and 250 Ma), with some of the detrital zircon cores being supplied (being reworked) from a high‐grade metamorphic source; and (iii) one metamorphic zircon rim yields 105.1 ±5.3 Ma concordant age that represents the age of the high‐T metamorphism. The high‐P to high‐T transformation of metamorphic complexes implies the seaward shift of a volcanic arc or a landward shift of the metamorphic complex from a trench to the sides of a volcanic arc in an arc–trench system during the Early Cretaceous. The Omuta district is located on the same geographical trend as the Ryoke plutono‐metamorphic complex, and our estimated age of the high‐T metamorphism is similar to that of the Ryoke plutono‐metamorphism in the Yanai district of western Chugoku. Therefore, the high‐T metamorphic complex possibly represents the western extension of the Ryoke plutono‐metamorphic complex. The protolith of the metamorphic rocks of the Ryoke plutono‐metamorphic complex was the Jurassic accretionary complex of the inner zone of southwest Japan. The high‐P to high‐T transformation in the Omuta district also suggests that the geographic trend of the Jurassic accretionary complex was oblique to that of the mid‐Cretaceous high‐T metamorphic field.     

The petrogenesis and implications of deformed late Caledonian–early Hercynian granites in the Wuyi area,South China

Precambrian basement rocks have been affected by Caledonian thermal metamorphism. Caledonian‐aged zircon grains from Precambrian basement rocks may have resulted from thermal metamorphism. However, Hercynian ages are rarely recorded. Zircon U–Pb Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe (SHRIMP) dating reveals that zircon ages from the Huyan, Lingdou, and Pengkou granitic plutons can be divided into two groups: one group with ages of 398.9 ±5.3 Ma, 399 ±5 Ma, and 410.2 ±5.4 Ma; and a second group with ages of 354 ±11 Ma, 364.6 ±6.7 Ma, and 368 ±14 Ma. The group of zircon U–Pb ages dated at 410–400 Ma represent Caledonian magmatism, whereas the 368–354 Ma ages represent the age of deformation, which produced gneissosity. The three plutons share geochemical characteristics with S‐type granites and belong to the high‐K calc‐alkaline series of peraluminous rocks. They have (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios of 0.710 45–0.724 68 and εNd(t) values of ?7.33 to ?10.74, with two‐stage Nd model ages (T_DM2) ranging from 1.84 Ga to 2.10 Ga. Magmatic zircon εHf(t) values range from ?3.79 to ?8.44, and have T_DMC ages of 1.65–1.93 Ga. The data suggest that these granites formed by partial melting of Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic continental crust. A collision occurred between the Wuyi and Minyue microcontinents within the Cathaysia Block and formed S‐type granite in the southwest Fujian province. The ca 360 Ma zircon U–Pb ages can represent a newly recognized period of deformation which coincided with the formation of the unified Cathaysia Block.     

LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating from granitoids in southern basement of Songliao basin:Constraints on ages of the basin basement

Seven LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb datings from granitoids in the southern basement of the Songliao basin were done in order to constrain the ages of the basin basement. The cathodoluminescence (CL) images of the zircons from seven granitoids indicate that they are euhedral-subhedral ones with striped ab-sorption and obvious oscillatory zoning rims. The dating results show that a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age is 236±3 Ma for quartz diorite (sample No.T6-1) located in the western slope of the basin,that weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages are 319±1 Ma (2126 m) and 361±2 Ma (1994 m) for diorite (sample No.YC1-1) and granite (sample No.YC1-2) located in northern part of southeastern uplift of the basin,respectively,and that weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages are 161±5 Ma,165±2 Ma,165±1 Ma and 161±4 Ma for samples Q2-1,SN121,SN122,and SN72 granitoids located in southern part of southeastern uplift of the basin,respectively. The statistical results of ages suggest that the middle Jurassic granitoids con-stitute the main part of basement granitoids,and that the Hercynian and Indo-Sino magmatisms also occur in the basin basement. It is implied that the Songliao basin should be a rift one formed in the intracontinent or active continental margin settings in the late Mesozoic after the Middle Jurassic orogeny took place.     

SHRIMP zircon U-Pb geochronology of early Mesozoic felsic igneous rocks from the southern Lancangjiang and its tectonic implications

The SHRIMP zircon U-Pb geochronology of three typical samples, including two monzo nitic granites from the Lincang batholith and a rhyolite from the Manghuai Formation are presented in the southern Lancangjiang, western Yunnan Province. The analyses of zircons for the biotite monzonitic granites from the northern (02DX-137) and southern (20JH-10) Lincang batholith show the single and tight clusters on the concordia, and yield the weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages of 229.4 ± 3.0 Ma and 230.4 ± 3.6 Ma, respectively, representing the crystallized ages of these granites. The zircons for the rhyolitic sample (02DX-95) from the Manghuai Formation give a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 231.0 ± 5.0 Ma. These data suggest that the igneous rocks from the Lincang granitic batholith and Manghuai Formation have a similar crystallized age. In combination with other data, it is inferred that both were generated at a narrow age span (~230 Ma) and were originated from the postcollisional tectonic regime. An early Proterozoic 206Pb/238U apparent age of 1977±44 Ma is additionally obtained from one zircon from the biotite monzonitic granite (southern Lincang batholith), indicative of devel- opment of the early Proterozoic Yangtze basement in the region. These precisely geochronological data provide important constraints on better understanding the Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Tethys, western Yunnan Province.