Radioactive element distribution and rare-metal mineralization in anorogenic acid volcano-plutonic rocks of the Neoproterozoic Malani Felsic Province,western Peninsular India

The Anorogenic Malani Felsic Province (MFP) of western Peninsular India consists of peralkaline, metaluminous to mildly peraluminous A-type granites-acid volcanics with minor basic volcanics and dykes. The suite is bimodal in nature that characterized by volcano-plutonic ring structures and radial dykes. The granitoids of Siwana and Kundal areas of MFP are traversed by numerous quartz veins with fluoride, iron encrustations, druses and knots of pegmatite phases. Petrographically, they show cloudy, patchy perthitic textures; spherulite form of alkali amphibole and alkali pyroxenes; alteration of K-Na-feldspar to kaolin/sericite, magnetite to haematite; growth of granophyres/perthite/rapakivi like textures. They are enriched in SiO₂, Na₂O+K₂O, Fe/Mg, Rb, Zr, Y, Ga, REE (except Eu) and depleted in MgO, CaO, Mg#, P, Ti, Sr, Ni, Cr, Co and V. Uniform REE patterns, parallel to sub-parallel, LREE enriched over HREE and prominent negative Eu-anomalies are the characteristics of these granitoids. Geochemical parameters satisfy the A-type nature of granitoids and crustal origin of these rocks. These granitoids are high heat producing granitoids because of their high content of radioactive elements (U, Th, K), and can be classified as granite (Type I) (avg. 7.18 μWm⁻³), rhyolite and trachyte (Type II) (avg. 4.47 μWm⁻³) and acid dyke (Type III) (avg. 14.53 μ Wm⁻³). The average total heat generation unit (HGU) of Type I (17.10 HGU), Type II (10.64 HGU) and Type III (35.31 HGU) are much higher than the average value of continental crust (3.8 HGU), which imply a possible linear relationship among the surface heat generations in the MFP. Field, petrography and whole rock geochemical characteristics suggest potentiality for rare metals and rare earth elements mineralization in the studied granitoids of the MFP.     

Neoproterozoic alkaline magmatism at Sivamalai, southern India

The Sivamalai alkaline complex lies at the southern margin of the Cauvery Shear System that separates the Archaean and Proterozoic domains of the Southern Granulite Terrain in India. U–Pb TIMS dating of zircon from a pegmatitic syenite sample in the complex yields a concordant age of 590.2 ± 1.3 (2σ) Ma which is interpreted to date the intrusion of the alkaline rocks. A lower concordia intercept at 168 ± 210 Ma defined by two grains with high common lead may indicate post-magmatic disturbances due to recrystallisation which is also evident in the CL images of the zircons. EPMA dating of monazite from a post-kinematic pegmatite which intrudes the crystalline basement hosting the alkaline rocks yields an age of 478 ± 29 (2σ) Ma and provides a lower bracket for the main phase of tectonism in this part of the Southern Granulite Terrain. The Pan-African high-grade metamorphism and ductile deformation has thus most likely affected the alkaline rocks. This is supported by the presence of a metamorphic foliation and extensive recrystallisation textures seen in the rocks. The major and trace element concentrations measured on selected samples reveals the presence of both enriched and depleted rock types. The enriched group includes ferrosyenite and nepheline syenite while the depleted group has only nepheline syenites. The trace element depletion of some nepheline syenites is interpreted to be a result of fractional crystallization involving the removal of accessory phases like zircon, titanite, apatite and allanite.     

Application of medium-scale magnetotelluric sounding to identify deep criteria for promising areas for kimberlite exploration

Medium-scale magnetotelluric sounding conducted within the Malaya Botuobiya (Yakutian diamondiferous province) and Zimnii Bereg (Archangelsk diamondiferous province) kimberlite regions revealed the main features of their geoelectric sections. These features have a genetic relation to the processes of kimberlite formation. All of the known kimberlite pipes of the two regions are located within the outlines of the revealed conducting geoelectric heterogeneities. The presence of such heterogeneities can be regarded as a possible deep criterion for distinguishing promising areas for kimberlite exploration.     

塔里木新元古代盆地演化与下寒武统烃源岩发育的构造背景

下寒武统优质烃源岩的分布一直是塔里木盆地油气勘探的难点问题。在区域构造演化背景分析基础上,利用露头和新的钻井、地震资料,通过地层对比、构造解释和古地貌恢复,探讨了塔里木新元古代盆地原型、古构造及下寒武统烃源岩发育的构造背景。研究认为塔里木盆地西缘的柯坪和叶城地区,新元古代经历了陆内断陷到初始被动大陆边缘的盆地演化序列,而在塔东北的库鲁克塔格地区,主要以裂谷及其衰退期的拗陷为特征。地震反射特征进一步显示在塔里木陆内也具有相似的成盆作用,南华纪断陷具有清楚的垒、堑结构,震旦纪以后以拗陷阶段的均衡沉降为主。发生在晚震旦世末的柯坪运动造成全区抬升,奠定了塔里木盆地寒武系沉积前的构造古地貌,总体表现为西高东低,南高北低,控制了下寒武统烃源岩的形成、分布。塔西台地内中-下寒武统出现大面积增厚,可能与晚震旦世以后继承性的沉降作用有关,形成有利于玉尔吐斯组类型的碳酸盐质陆棚相烃源发育的沉积环境。而西山布拉克-西大山组类型的深水陆棚-盆地相的泥质烃源岩不仅在满加尔坳陷内发育,还可能在阿瓦提坳陷内分布。尽管中央隆起带大部分地区不利于优质烃源岩发育,但不能排除局部地区仍可能存在下寒武统泻湖相烃源岩。与盆地北部高碳酸盐岩含量的烃源岩不同,塔里木南缘改造边界附近具有形成高碎屑岩含量的深水泥质烃源岩的构造-沉积环境。     

沅水流域找原生金刚石工业矿床的意见

沅水流域分布４个金刚石砂矿床，供给金刚石砂矿的含金刚石岩体具多期多源特点。该流域前白垩系暴露区的含金刚石岩体在第三纪末和第四纪初遭受强烈剥蚀保存较好的含金刚石岩体可能隐伏在沅麻、常桃盆地红层及洞庭湖区第四系之下，这些地区应成为原生金刚石找矿远景区，因此要采用新的找矿手段和方法。     

Paleomagnetic analysis of the Marwar Supergroup,Rajasthan, India and proposed interbasinal correlations

The Marwar Supergroup refers to a 1000–2000 m thick marine and coastal sequence that covers a vast area of Rajasthan in NW–India. The Marwar Basin uncomformably overlies the ∼750–770 Ma rocks of the Malani Igneous Suite and is therefore considered Late Neoproterozoic to Early Cambrian in age. Upper Vindhyan basinal sediments (Bhander and Rewa Groups), exposed in the east and separated by the Aravalli–Delhi Fold Belt, have long been assumed to coeval with the Marwar Supergroup. Recent studies based on detrital zircon populations of the Marwar and Upper Vindhyan sequences show some similarity in the older populations, but the Vindhyan sequence shows no zircons younger than 1000 Ma whereas samples taken from the Marwar Basin show distinctly younger zircons. This observation led to speculation that the Upper Vindhyan and Marwar sequences did not develop coevally.While there are alternative explanations for why the two basins may differ in their detrital zircon populations, paleomagnetic studies may provide independent evidence for differences/similarities between the assumed coeval basins. We have collected samples in the Marwar Basin and present the paleomagnetic results. Previous paleomagnetic studies of Marwar basinal sediments were misinterpreted as being indistinguishable from the Upper Vindhyan sequence. The vast majority of our samples show directional characteristics similar to the previously published studies. We interpret these results to be a recent overprint. A small subset of hematite-bearing rocks from the Jodhpur Formation (basal Marwar) exhibit directional data (Dec = 89° Inc = −1° α95 = 9°) that are distinct from the Upper Vindhyan pole and may offer additional support for temporally distinct episodes of sedimentation in these proximal regions. A VGP based upon our directional data is reported at 1°S 344°E (dp = 5°, dm = 9°). We conclude that the Marwar Supergroup developed near the close of the Ediacaran Period and is part of a larger group of sedimentary basins that include the Huqf Supergroup (Oman), the Salt-Range (Pakistan), the Krol–Tal belt (Himalayas) and perhaps the Molo Supergroup (Madagascar).     

The dip equator over Peninsular India and its secular movement

A ground geomagnetic survey conducted in peninsular India has demarkated the dip equator for the epoch 1991.0. A well-defined southward migration in the last two decades is evident. The secular trend in the vertical component and the direction of the migration in the India zone are shown to be consistent. The migratory movement of the dip equator in different longitude sectors is compared to highlight the complex nature of the secular trends.     

The crater-facies kimberlite system of Tokapal, Bastar District, Chhattisgarh, India

Discovery of diamondiferous kimberlites in the Mainpur Kimberlite Field, Raipur District, Chhattisgarh in central India, encouraged investigation of similar bodies in other parts of the Bastar craton. The earlier known Tokapal ultramafic intrusive body, located beyond the 19-km milestone in Tokapal village along the Jagdalpur–Geedam road, was reinterpreted as crater-facies kimberlite. Its stratigraphic position in the Meso-Neoproterozoic intracratonic sedimentary Indravati basin makes it one of the oldest preserved crater-facies kimberlite systems. Ground and limited subsurface data (dug-, tube-wells and exploratory boreholes) have outlined an extensive surface area (>550 ha) of the kimberlite. The morphological and surface color features of this body on enhanced satellite images suggest that there is a central feeder surrounded by a collar and wide pyroclastic apron. Exploration drilling indicates that the central zone probably corresponds to a vent overlain by resedimented volcaniclastic (epiclastic) rocks that are surrounded by a 2-km-wide spread of pyroclastic rocks (lapilli tuff, tuff/ash beds and volcaniclastic breccia). Drill-holes also reveal that kimberlitic lapilli tuffs and tuffs are sandwiched between the Kanger and Jagdalpur Formations and also form sills within the sedimentary sequence of the Indravati basin. The lapilli tuffs are commonly well stratified and display slumping. Base surges and lava flows occur in the southern part of the Tokapal system. The geochemistry and petrology of the rock correspond to average Group I kimberlite with a moderate degree of contamination. However, the exposed rock is intensely weathered and altered with strong leaching of mobile elements (Ba, Rb, Sr). Layers of vesicular fine-grained glassy material represent kimberlitic lava flows. Tuffs containing juvenile lapilli with pseudomorphed olivine macrocrysts are set in a talc–serpentine–carbonate matrix with locally abundant spinel and sphene. Garnet has not been observed, and phlogopite is very rare. Very limited microdiamond testing (two 18-kg samples) proved negative; however, the composition of chromite grains indicate crystallization in the diamond stability field.     

Microstrain stability of Peninsular India 1864–1994

We report the results of the South Indian Strain Measuring Experiment (SISME) designed to determine whether strain related to microseismicity in the past century may have deformed the networks of the 19th century Great Trigonometrical Survey of India (GTS). More than a dozen GTS points were measured between Mangalore, Madras, and Kanyakumari in southernmost India using GPS geodesy to determine regional deformation. Detailed measurements were made near two of the original baselines of the survey to determine the reliability of dilatational strain data for the network. The regional measurements revealed negligible regional dilatational (+ 11.2 + 10 microstrain) and shear strain changes (0.66± 1.2μradians) in the southernmost 530 km of India. In addition to these measurements, we determined the rate of northward and eastward motion of a point in Bangalore (1991–1994) in the ITRF92 reference frame to be 39 ± 3.5 mm/year, and 51 ± 11 mm/year respectively. This is consistent with NUVEL-1A plate motion estimate for India. Simultaneous measurements to a point near Kathmandu reveal that the Indian plate and the Southern Himalaya are moving approximately in unison, placing an upper limit on the rate of creep processes beneath the lesser Himalaya of ≈6 mm/year, and suggesting relatively rigid behavior of the Indian plate north of Bangalore. The stability of the Indian plate is confirmed by the absence of significant changes in the lengths of the two baselines at Bangalore and Cape Comorin, which, within the limits of experimental error have not changed since 1869. The measurements place an upper limit for recent deformation in the southern peninsula, and hence a lower limit for the renewal time for intraplate earthquakes in the region of approximately 10,000 years, assuming shear failure strain of approximately 100 μradians. This, in turn, implies that recurrence intervals for Peninsular Earthquakes far exceed the length of the written historic record, suggesting that the characterisation of seismic recurrence intervals from historical studies is likely to be fruitless. In contrast, the SISME experiment demonstrates that the noise level of geodetic studies based on 19th century GTS data is less than 0.02 μstrain/year, providing considerable scope for delineating regions of anomalously high seismogenic strain, by GPS measurements at all available trig points of the 19th century GTS survey.     

Estimation of seismic spectral acceleration in Peninsular India

Peninsular India (PI), which lies south of 24°N latitude, has experienced several devastating earthquakes in the past. However, very few strong motion records are available for developing attenuation relations for ground acceleration, required by engineers to arrive at rational design response spectra for construction sites and cities in PI. Based on a well-known seismological model, the present paper statistically simulates ground motion in PI to arrive at an empirical relation for estimating 5% damped response spectra, as a function of magnitude and source to site distance, covering bedrock and soil conditions. The standard error in the proposed relationship is reported as a function of the frequency, for further use of the results in probabilistic seismic hazard analysis.     

克拉通演化的超大陆背景与克拉通盆地的成因机制

研究表明克拉通的形成与超大陆的汇聚和裂解有着重要关系。本文对近年来超大陆重建的研究进行了分析对比,对克拉通发展与超大陆事件的关系做出了总结。前人对超大陆的研究表明,其形成与地幔动力有直接联系,地幔柱重组的旋回导致了超大陆的旋回。Phillips and Bunge（2007）在前人三维球体地幔对流模型的基础上加入大陆进行了模拟实验,结果显示周期性的超大陆旋回只发生在理想模型中,而Senshu et al.（2009）对代表陆壳的英云闪长岩-奥长花岗岩-花岗岩（TTG）地壳进行了研究,提出随着俯冲的TTG地壳产热速率的下降,超大陆旋回的周期随之变长;更有许多学者指出,历史上哥伦比亚超大陆存在时间明显较长,因此超大陆的旋回并不具有周期性。对近年来不同学者提出的哥伦比亚、 罗迪尼亚、 冈瓦纳、 潘基亚4个超大陆新的重建证据进行分析,大致确定出上述4个超大陆的形成时间、 格局及演化过程。此外,对华北、 东欧、 西伯利亚、 亚马孙、 刚果、 西非6个克拉通各自的演化进行分析,也显示出克拉通演化与超大陆汇聚及裂解在时间与空间上有对应关系。通过分析得出克拉通演化与超大陆旋回有关,且确定出克拉通演化的4个超大陆旋回。本文最后讨论了克拉通盆地的成因机制以及3种端元类型,并将盆地的发育与超大陆演化的巨旋回相联系。     

安徽栏杆含金刚石基性岩中石榴子石矿物学特征

在中国东部皖北地区分布着新元古代镁铁质岩,其中一些碱性基性岩为金刚石的赋矿岩石。为了确定安徽栏杆金刚石矿区的石榴子石种类,对矿区内不同类型的石榴子石进行系统采样,测定了62件石榴子石微区化学成分。结果显示,安徽栏杆石榴子石矿物化学式A_3~(2+)B_2~(3+)(SiO_4)_3中的A组阳离子由Mg~(2+)、Fe~(2+)和Ca~(2+)离子占位,B主要由Al~(3+)、Fe~(3+)、Mn~(3+)和Cr~(3+)离子占位,三价阳离子主要为Al~(3+),二价阳离子主要为Ca~(2+),表明研究区石榴子石主要为钙铝-钙铁-镁铝石榴子石系列。在62个样品中,发现了超硅石榴子石。经过计算其形成的压力范围为12.1～12.8GPa,深度可达300km。     

Fluoride incidence in groundwater in an area of Peninsular India

Groundwater samples were collected from Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India. The district is mainly underlain by Peninsular Gneisses of Archaean age. The samples were analysed for fluoride (F^–) along with other chemical parameters. The results suggest that the main sources of F^– in groundwater in the district are the country rocks, in which fluorine is strongly absorbed in soils consisting of clay minerals. A strong positive correlation between F^– and lithogenic sodium reflects weathering activity. This is responsible for the leaching of F^–, which is also caused by the semi-arid climate and intensive irrigation in the area. An alkaline environment of circulating water in the investigated area mainly facilitates leaching of F^– from the soils, contributing to high F^–-containing groundwater. A longer residence time of water in the aquifer zone, caused by a high rate of evapotranspiration and a weathered zone of low hydraulic conductivity, which promotes the dissolution of fluorine-bearing minerals, is another factor that further increases the F^– content in groundwater. Suggestions are made to improve groundwater quality and, thus, the health status of the population.     

桂北中—新元古代镁铁质—超镁铁质岩的岩石地球化学

桂北中、新元古代镁铁质－超镁铁质岩主要属钙碱质岩系，镁铁质岩的Nb/Lapm=0.13-0.51,Th/Lapm=0.85-3.3,Ti/Ti^*=0.29-0.61，在原始地幔标准化曲线上出现明显的Nb,Ti负异常，中元古代镁铁质岩εNd(t)值低（＝－1．99－5．13），新元古代镁铁质岩εNd(t)值相对较高（＝－0．74－2．4），它们都具有岛弧火山岩系的地球化学特征，是会聚板块边缘岩浆作用的产物，不具有地幔柱来源的岩浆的特性，不能作为Rodinia超大陆裂解的标志。     

Kinematics of the Gondwana basins of peninsular India

The Gondwana successions (1–4 km thick) of peninsular India accumulated in a number of discrete basins during Permo-Triassic period. The basins are typically bounded by faults that developed along Precambrian lineaments during deposition, as well as affected by intrabasinal faults indicating fault-controlled synsedimentary subsidence. The patterns of the intrabasinal faults and their relationships with the respective basin-bounding faults represent both extensional and strike-slip regimes. Field evidence suggests that preferential subsidence in locales of differently oriented discontinuities in the Precambrian basement led to development of Gondwana basins with varying, but mutually compatible, kinematics during a bulk motion, grossly along the present-day E–W direction. The kinematic disparity of the individual basins resulted due to different relative orientations of the basement discontinuities and is illustrated with the help of a simple sandbox model. The regional E–W motion was accommodated by strike-slip motion on the transcontinental fault in the north.     

松辽盆地东南隆起区下白垩统营城组三段火山岩岩性、岩相序列

通过大比例尺野外岩性岩相填图、掌子面二维岩性岩相描述和详细岩矿鉴定,研究营城组三段内幕。本区营三段自下而上岩性序列表现为2个中基性到中酸性的火山岩旋回：①下部为石英安山岩、安山岩、安山质集块熔岩、安山质集块岩、安山质角砾岩和安山质角砾凝灰岩,向上过渡为砂质凝灰岩和英安质凝灰熔岩;②上部为玄武安山岩和玄武质集块熔岩,向上过渡为英安岩、珍珠岩、英安岩、英安质凝灰熔岩、英安质沉凝灰岩和英安岩。旋回①岩相纵向序列：溢流相下部亚相、火山通道相火山颈亚相、爆发相空落亚相、火山沉积相再搬运亚相、爆发相热碎屑流亚相。旋回②岩相纵向序列：溢流相上部亚相和下部亚相、火山通道相火山颈亚相、溢流相下部亚相、侵出相内带亚相、溢流相下部亚相、爆发相热碎屑流亚相、火山沉积相再搬运亚相、溢流相下部亚相。营三段火山岩发育于松辽盆地断陷末期,是盆地断陷转为坳陷过程的重要岩石记录。     

云开地区新元古代蛇绿岩的地球化学证据及其构造意义

粤西云开隆起区西北缘信宜贵子、茶山一带浅变质云开群底部层状、似层状变基性、超基性岩的研究表明,变基性岩以变玄武岩、变辉长岩、斜长角闪岩为主,变超基性岩则主要为蛇纹石化橄榄岩、橄辉岩和角闪辉石岩,它们是遭受后期构造变形变质作用强烈改造的蛇绿混杂岩。变基性岩的岩石地球化学特征可分为略有差异的两类:茶山的TiO2=0．71％-2．16％(平均1．38％),(La／Yb)N=0．67-1．91,轻稀土略亏损-平坦,La／Nb、Ce／ Zr、Zr／Nb、Zr／Y、Ti／Y平均值分别为1．19、0．31、15．75、2．08和434．98,Nb／Th平均值为4．0,εNd(t)=1．4-1．8;贵子的TiO2=1．55％-1．89％(平均1．74％),(La／Yb)N=2．13-2．80,轻稀土略富集,La／Nb、Ce／Zr、Zr／Nb、Zr／Y、 Ti／Y平均值分别为0．84、0．22、13．04、4．15和351．93,Nb／Th平均值为5．8,εNd(t)=2．4-5．0,均显示俯冲带上 (SSZ)和洋中脊(E-MORB)构造环境的玄武岩,并来自富集地幔源区。变超基性岩蛇纹石化橄榄岩的稀土元素配分具典型的U形特征,显示为具地幔交代作用的LREE富集地幔残余。茶山和贵子变基性岩的Sm-Nd、Rb-Sr全岩同位素等时线年龄分别为824±77 Ma和667±43 Ma、663±1 7 Ma。这为华南存在新元古代-早古生代的洋盆提供了重要证据,而且在洋盆初始阶段有地幔柱或OIB物质组分的加入。     

南岭地区新元古代变质沉积岩的地球化学特征及构造意义

对华夏地块南岭地区38个新元古代基底变质岩的岩相学和地球化学分析表明,它们的原岩都是沉积岩。不同地区变质沉积岩的化学成分存在一定的变化,但是它们大都具有明显的轻重稀土元素分异和Eu负异常（Eu／Eu^＋=0．35～0．76）,高K2O／Na2O、La／Co、Th／Sc比值和低Cr／Zr比值,显示了高成熟度和沉积再循环地壳的特点,表明沉积岩的物质主要来源于古老的再循环的地壳,它们沉积于被动大陆边缘。与其他地区元古宙沉积岩的地球化学对比显示,南岭地区这些新元古代沉积岩不同于赣中和扬子地块南缘的元古宙沉积岩,而与印度东北部ksser Himalaya地区的元古宙沉积岩较为相似。所以,南岭地区新元古代沉积岩的物质不可能来自与赣中和扬子地块南缘沉积物相同的扬子南部的源区,而应该来自南方,这一推论与岩相古地理分析以及沉积物中碎屑锆石形貌特征和年龄谱变化的结论是一致的,指示华夏南部新元古代时曾与一个大陆源区相邻。根据地球化学对比研究,结合已有的年代学对比,推断华夏地块南岭地区（特别是中部）新元古代沉积物很可能来源于与Lesser Himalaya地区元古宙沉积岩相同的源区,即东Gondwana大陆的北缘。这样,华夏地块在Rodinia超大陆裂解时期很可能是位于西澳大利亚-东印度-东南极之间。     

准噶尔盆地火山岩分类研究与应用

岩石分类一直是人们长期探索的课题。由于油气勘探的需要,针对储层研究的盆地火山岩分类已经成为火成岩研究的重要新方向。在综合分析国内外火山岩分类研究的基础上,根据3条野外剖面和21口钻井岩心岩屑的观察描述、岩石薄片鉴定和化学成分分析等资料,依照结构-成分-成因分类原则,建立了适于储层评价的准噶尔盆地石炭系火山岩及其他岩类的岩性分类体系和识别标准。将本区火山岩划分为火山熔岩、火山碎屑熔岩、火山碎屑岩、沉火山碎屑岩等4大类;同时将盆地内与火山岩共生的其他岩类也进行分类和识别,共划分出8大类45种基本类型。与我国东部的中新生代盆地火山岩不同,本区古生代火山岩普遍遭受较长期风化改造和蚀变作用,常见有绿泥石化、碳酸盐化和黏土矿化。这些蚀变会影响到TAS图解岩性判别的结果,因此笔者探讨了蚀变条件下的岩石识别和定名方法。本文分类体系针对火山岩储层研究,结果显示,基于该分类体系岩性与储集空间的类型及其变化规律呈现明显相关性,不同岩性的储集空间类型、组合方式和发育程度存在差异,由此可指导火山岩油气勘探。     

The Origin and Evolution of the Kaapvaal Cratonic Lithospheric Mantle

A detailed petrological and geochemical study of low-temperatureperidotite xenoliths from Kimberley and northern Lesotho ispresented to constrain the processes that led to the magmaphileelement depletion of the Kaapvaal cratonic lithospheric mantleand its subsequent re-enrichment in Si and incompatible traceelements. Whole-rocks and minerals have been characterized forRe–Os isotope compositions, and major and trace elementconcentrations, and garnet and clinopyroxene for Lu–Hfand Sm–Nd isotope compositions. Most samples are characterizedby Archaean Os model ages, low Al, Fe and Ca contents, highMg/Fe, low Re/Os, very low (< 0·1 x chondrite) heavyrare earth element (HREE) concentrations and a decoupling betweenNd and Hf isotope ratios. These features are most consistentwith initial melting at 3·2 Ga followed by metasomatismby hydrous fluids, which may have also caused additional meltingto produce a harzburgitic residue. The low HREE abundances ofthe peridotites require that extensive melting occurred in thespinel stability field, possibly preceded by some melting inthe presence of garnet. Fractional melting models suggest that30% melting in the spinel field or 20% melting in the garnetfield followed by 20% spinel-facies melting are required toexplain the most melt-depleted samples. Garnet Nd–Hf isotopecharacteristics indicate metasomatic trace element enrichmentduring the Archaean. We therefore suggest a model includingshallow ridge melting, followed by metasomatism of the Kaapvaalupper mantle in subduction zones surrounding cratonic nuclei,probably during amalgamation of smaller pre-existing terranesin the Late Archaean (2·9 Ga). The fluid-metasomatizedresidua have subsequently undergone localized silicate meltinfiltration that led to clinopyroxene ± garnet enrichment.Calculated equilibrium liquids for clinopyroxene and their Hf–Ndisotope compositions suggest that most diopside in the xenolithscrystallized from an infiltrating kimberlite-like melt, eitherduring Group II kimberlite magmatism at 200–110 Ma (Kimberley),or shortly prior to eruption of the host kimberlite around 90Ma (northern Lesotho). KEY WORDS: Kaapvaal craton; lithospheric mantle; metasomatism; Nd–Hf isotopes; Re–Os isotopes