Petrology and geodynamic significance of the post-collisional Pan-African magmatism in the Eastern Saghro area (Anti-Atlas, Morocco)

The Saghro Group consists of a thick volcanic-sedimentary sequence with intercalated basaltic lavas, the first magmatic event in eastern Saghro area. Nd isotopes of basaltic pillow lavas show T_DM model ages ranging from 640 to 580 Ma, which represent a maximum age for basalt eruption.Granitoids within the Saghro Group consist of a charnockitic suite, tonalites, granodiorites and monzogranites. They are high-K calc-alkaline (HKCA) with a post-collisional character, and were emplaced at high-levels in the crust. Their ages of emplacement are within the 580–560 Ma bracket, implying that the entire Saghro Group is slightly older than or partly coeval to granitoid emplacement and implying a common geodynamical setting. Sr–Nd isotopic compositions and Nd T_DM model ages point to a mixed origin, combining a juvenile mantle source and an Eburnean crustal component, which could be the West African Craton (WAC). The juvenile component in the Saghro granitoids could be the depleted upper mantle that has sourced the earlier basalts.Field observations, geochemical and geochronological data together support that, during the Pan-African orogeny, the Anti-Atlas was subjected to a regional transpressional to transtensional event. This event would have been responsible for the dissection of the northern margin of the WAC into several blocks, the development of deep sedimentary basins and the emplacement of HKCA magmas.     

The alkaline–peralkaline granitic post-collisional Tin Zebane dyke swarm (Pan-African Tuareg shield, Algeria): prevalent mantle signature and late agpaitic differentiation

The Tin Zebane dyke swarm was emplaced at the end of the Pan-African orogeny along a mega-shear zone separating two contrasting terranes of the Tuareg shield. It is located along the western boundary of the Archaean In Ouzzal rigid terrane, but inside the adjacent Tassendjanet terrane, strongly remobilized at the end of the Precambrian. The Tin Zebane swarm was emplaced during post-collisional sinistral movements along the shear zone at 592.2±5.8 Ma (19WR Rb–Sr isochron). It is a dyke-on-dyke system consisting of dykes and stocks of gabbros and dykes of metaluminous and peralkaline granites. All rock types have Sr and Nd isotopic initial ratios (Sr_i=0.7028 and _Nd=+6.2) typical of a depleted mantle source, similar to the prevalent mantle (PREMA) at that period. No crustal contamination occurred in the genesis of the Tin Zebane swarm. Even the samples showing evidence of fluid interaction (essentially alkali mobility) have the same isotopic signature. The peralkaline granites have peculiar geochemical characteristics that mimic subduction-related granites: this geochemical signature is interpreted in terms of extensive differentiation effects due to late cumulates comprising aegirine, zircon, titanite, allanite and possibly fergusonite, separated from the liquid in the swarm itself due to magmatic flow turbulence. The Tin Zebane dyke swarm is thus of paramount importance for constraining the differentiation of mantle products to generate highly evolved alkaline granites without continental crust participation, in a post-collisional setting.     

Geochemistry,zircon UPb ages and Hf isotopes of granites and pegmatites from Gubrunde region in the Eastern Nigeria Terrane: Insight into magmatism and tectonic evolution of the late Pan-African orogeny

This study reports a new dataset of whole-rock geochemistry, biotite chemistry, in situ zircon UPb geochronology and Hf isotope for a suite of granite and associated pegmatite samples from the Gubrunde region in the Eastern Nigeria Terrane (ENT), Nigeria. The Gubrunde granitic rocks are weakly ferroan, peraluminous and calc-alkalic to alkali-calcic in composition, and show I-type affinity. The zircon UPb geochronology gives an age of ~580 Ma for the rocks, although the presence of inherited zircons with early Pan-African ages of 696 ± 12, 647 ± 7 and 624–613 Ma are evident indicative of a complex history of their source rocks. The Gubrunde granite and the pegmatite yielded similar average Hf crustal model age T_DM2 of 1.9 ± 0.1 Ga and εHf(t) values ?6.2 ± 1.2, suggesting that they may have sourced from reworked old crustal rocks with minor contributions from the mantle. The granite and the pegmatite were likely to connect by fractional crystallization under low to moderate pressure (~2.2 to 3.0 kbar) and temperature (~717 °C), and low oxygen fugacity (<ΔNNO ?1.14). The ca. 580 Ma magmatism may have been triggered by delamination of the lithospheric mantle as a consequence of crustal thinning during waning stage of the Pan-African orogeny.     

The Anfeg post-collisional Pan-African high-K calc-alkaline batholith (Central Hoggar, Algeria), result of the LATEA microcontinent metacratonization

The Anfeg batholith (or composite laccolith) occupies a large surface (2000 km²) at the northern tip of the Laouni terrane, just south of Tamanrasset in Hoggar. It is granodioritic to granitic in composition and comprises abundant enclaves that are either mafic microgranular enclaves (MME) or gneissic xenoliths. It intruded an Eburnian (≈2 Ga) high-grade basement belonging to the LATEA metacraton at approximately 608 Ma (recalculated from the U–Pb dating of [Tectonics 5 (1986) 955]) and cooled at approximately 4 kbar, with a temperature of about 750 °C. This emplacement occurred mainly along subhorizontal thrust planes related to Pan-African subvertical mega-shear zones close to the attachment zone of a strike-slip partitioned transpression system. Although affected by some LILE mobility, the Anfeg batholith can be ascribed to a high-K calc-alkaline suite but characterized by low heavy REE contents and high LREE/HREE ratios. The MME belong to the Anfeg magmatic trend while some xenoliths belong to Neoproterozoic island arc rocks.The Anfeg batholith defines a Nd–Sr isotopic initial ratios trend (_Nd/(⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i from −2.8/0.7068 to −11.8/0.7111) pointing to a mixing between a depleted mantle and an old Rb-depleted granulitic lower crust. Both sources have been identified within LATEA and elsewhere in the Tuareg shield (_Nd/⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i of +6.2/0.7028 for the depleted mantle, −22/0.708 for the old lower crust.The model proposed relates the above geochemical features to a lithospheric delamination along the subvertical mega-shear zones that dissected the rigid LATEA former passive margin without major crustal thickening (metacratonization) during the general northward tectonic escape of the Tuareg terranes, a consequence of the collision with the West African craton. This delamination allowed the uprise of the asthenosphere. In turn, this induced the melting of the asthenosphere by adiabatic pressure release and of the old felsic and mafic lower crust due to the high heat flow. A gradient in the mantle/crust ratio within the source of the Pan-African magmatism is observed in LATEA from the northeast (Egéré-Aleksod terrane) where rare plutons are rooted within the Archaean/Eburnian basement to the southwest (Laouni terrane) where abundant batholiths, including Anfeg, have a mixed signature. Some mantle melts with only slight crustal contamination (Laouni troctolitic layered intrusions) are even present. This suggests that the southern boundary of LATEA microcontinent is not far south of the Tuareg shield.     

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.     

Shoshonitic liquid line of descent from diorite to granite: the Late Precambrian post-collisional Tismana pluton (South Carpathians, Romania)

The post-collision late-kinematic Tismana pluton belongs to the shoshonitic series. It is part of a Late Precambrian basement within the Alpine Danubian nappes of the South Carpathians (Romania). This pluton displays an exceptionally complete range of compositions from ultramafic to felsic rocks (granites). Widespread mingling/mixing relationships at all scales give rise to a variety of facies. A liquid line of descent from the diorites to the granites is reconstructed by considering the variation in major and trace elements (REE, Sr, Rb, Ba, Nb, Zr, Hf, Zn, V, Co, Cr, U, Th, Ga, Pb) from 33 selected samples as well as mineral/melt equilibrium relationships. The first step of fractional crystallization is the separation from a monzodioritic parent magma of a peridotitic cumulate similar to the ultramafic rock found in the massif. A possible contamination by lower crustal mafic component takes place at this stage. The second step marks the appearance of apatite and Fe–Ti oxide minerals as liquidus phases, and the third step, saturation of zircon. Mixing by hybridisation of magmas produced at different stages of the evolution along the liquid line of descent is also operating (endo-hybridisation). As depicted by Nd and Sr isotopes, fractional crystallization was combined to an important early contamination by a mafic lower crust in a deep-seated magma chamber and to a later and mild contamination by a felsic medium crust in an intermediate chamber. The mingling essentially occurred during the final emplacement in the high-level magma chamber. The monzodioritic parent magma, identified by major and trace element modelling, is shown by Sr and Nd isotopes to have its source in the lithospheric mantle or in a juvenile mafic lower crust derived from it. The necessarily recent enrichment in K₂O and associated elements of the lithospheric mantle is likely to be related to the preceding Pan-African subduction period. The partial melting of this newly formed deep source has to be linked to a major change in the thermal state of the plate.     

Mineral chemistry constraints on the evolution of the 1.88–1.87 Ga post-kinematic granite plutons in the Central Finland Granitoid Complex

A suite of post-kinematic, 1.88–1.87 Ga, silicic plutons crosscut 1.89–1.88 Ga synkinematic granitoids in the Central Finland Granitoid Complex (CFGC) in south-central Finland. The plutons range from biotite±hornblende quartz monzonite to syenogranite and include pyroxene- and olivine-bearing varieties. Mineral chemical data on feldspars, biotite, amphibole, pyroxenes, olivine, and oxides of the post-kinematic plutons are presented. The data are interpreted to show that these plutons register (1) a considerable range in pressure from 2–4 kbar (amphibole barometry) to 5–7 kbar (olivine–pyroxene barometry), (2) temperatures mostly reflecting resetting during cooling (450–800°C; QUIlF thermometry), and (3) low fO₂ (log fO₂ ΔFMQ −0.3 to −1.5; QUIlF equilibria). In particular, plutons with olivine- and pyroxene-bearing margins and amphibole-dominated central parts record progressive oxidation and hydration upon cooling, shifting from the QUIlF equilibrium toward KUIlB. The post-kinematic granites can be considered post-collisional in regard to compressional events in the CFGC and display many of the characteristics of the anorogenic 1.6 Ga rapakivi granites further south. They were presumably derived from a deep and dry crustal source, like the rapakivi granites.     

Rare-earth elements as source indicators of Pan-African granites from Obudu Plateau,Southeastern Nigeria

The rare-earth element （REE） concentrations of representative granite samples from the southeast of the Obudu Plateau, Nigeria, were analyzed with an attempt to determine the signatures of their source, evolutionary history and tectonic setting. Results indicated that the granites have high absolute REE concentrations （190×10^-6-1191×10^-6; av.=549×10^-6） with the chondrite-normalized REE patterns characterized by steep negative slopes and prominent to slight or no negative Eu anomalies. All the samples are also characterized by high and variable concentrations of the LREE （151×10^-6-1169×10^-6; av.= 466×10^-6）, while the HREE show low abundance （4×10^-6-107×10^-6; av.=28×10^-6）. These are consistent with the variable levels of REE fractionation, and differentiation of the granites. This is further supported by the range of REE contents, the chondrite-normalized patterns and the ratios of LaN/YbN （2.30-343.37）, CeN/YbN （5.94-716.87）, LaN/SmN （3.14-11.68） and TbN/YbN （0.58-1.65）. The general parallelism of the REE patterns, suggest that all the granites were comagmatic in origin, while the high Eu/Eu＊ ratios （0.085-2.807; av.=0.9398） indicate high fo2 at the source. Similarly, irregular variations in LaN/YbN, CeN/YbN and Eu/Eu＊ ratios and REE abundances among the samples suggest behaviors that are related to mantle and crustal sources.     

The “Taourirt” magmatic province, a marker of the closing stage of the Pan-African orogeny in the Tuareg Shield: review of available data and Sr–Nd isotope evidence

The Tuareg Shield, located between the Archaean to Palaeoproterozoic Saharan metacraton and the West African craton, is composed of 23 recognized terranes that welded together during the Neoproterozoic Pan-African orogeny (750–520 Ma). Final convergence occurred mainly during the 620–580 Ma period with the emplacement of high-K calc-alkaline batholiths, but continued until 520 Ma with the emplacement of alkali-calcic and alkaline high-level complexes. The last plutons emplaced in central Hoggar at 539–523 Ma are known as the “Taourirt” province. This expression is redefined and three geographical groups are identified: the Silet-, Laouni- and Tamanrasset-Taourirts. The Silet-Taourirts are cross-cutting Pan-African island arc assemblages while the two others intrude the Archaean–Palaeoproterozoic LATEA metacraton. The Taourirts are high-level subcircular often nested alkali-calcic, sometimes alkaline, complexes. They are aligned along mega-shear zones often delimiting terranes. Mainly granitic, they comprise highly differentiated varieties such as alaskite (Silet-Taourirts) and topaz–albite leucogranite (Tamanrasset-Taourirts). Different subgroups were defined on the basis of REE patterns and major and other trace elements. The Taourirt province displays a wide transition from dominant alkali-calcic to minor alkaline granite varieties. Sr isotopes indicate that these complexes were affected by fluid circulation during the Ordovician along shear zones probably contemporaneous to the beginning of the Tassilis sandstone deposition. Nd isotope systematic indicates a major interaction with the upper crust during the emplacement of highly differentiated melts, particularly in samples showing seagull wing-shaped REE patterns. On the other hand, all Taourirt plutons are strongly contaminated by the lower crust: _Nd vary from −2 to −8 and T_DM from 1200 to 1700 Ma. This implies the presence of an old crust at depth, also below the Silet-Taourirts, which are emplaced within Pan-African island arc assemblages. A model is proposed for the genesis of the Taourirt province where reworking of the mega-shear zones, which dissected the LATEA metacraton, provoked a linear delamination of the lithospheric mantle, asthenosphere uprise and partial melting of the lower crust (or strong interaction with), giving rise to a mixed source.     

From migmatites to granites in the Pan-African Damara orogenic belt,Namibia

The Swakop River exposes a unique structural section into the root of the Pan-African Damara orogenic belt (DOB) in Namibia formed as a result of collision between the Congo and the Kalahari cratons from ca. 550 to 500 Ma. The Central Zone of the Damara orogenic belt is characterized by amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism accompanied by intense partial melting. Three tectonic units are defined in the Central Zone based on the proportion and distribution of the granitic fraction, namely (1) a lower unit dominated by diatexites and comprising plutons of homogeneous granites, (2) a middle unit composed by metatexites with mainly a metasedimentary protolith, and (3) an upper unit corresponding to metamorphic rocks with intrusive leucogranitic sills and laccoliths. The increase in the granitic fraction with structural depth is suggesting an increase in the degree of partial melting and implies a relative inefficiency of magma mobility from the source to higher structural levels. The transition from metatexites of the middle unit to diatexites and granites of the lower unit is interpreted as reflecting the former transition from partially molten rocks to a crustal-scale magmatic layer. Mushroom-shaped granitic plutons in the lower unit are consistent with their emplacement as diapirs and the development of gravitational instabilities within the magmatic layer. In the middle unit, granitic veins concordant and discordant to the synmigmatitic foliation localized in structurally-controlled sites (foliation, boudin’s necks, shear zones, fold hinges) indicate that, within the partially molten zone, deformation plays the dominant role in melt segregation and migration at the outcrop scale. Melt migration from the partially molten zone to the intrusive zone is related to the build-up of an interconnected network of dikes and sills with diffuse contacts with the migmatitic hosts in the middle unit. In contrast, the upper unit is characterized by homogeneous leucogranitic plutons in sharp intrusive contact with genetically unrelated host rocks suggest that part of the melt fraction has migrated upward from its source to an intrusive zone.     

Structure and emplacement of granite plutons in the Paleoproterozoic crust of Eastern Burkina Faso: rheological implications

The Fada N′Gourma area in Burkina Faso is underlain by Paleoproterozoic rocks that make the northeastern West-African Craton. This region is composed of NE-trending volcano-sedimentary belts and foliated tonalites, affected by several shear zones. A generation of younger, ∼2100 Ma-old, non-foliated biotite-bearing granites intrudes the former rock units. We have investigated the younger granite pluton of Kouare that was previously considered as forming a single body with the pluton of Satenga to the west, a pluton which likely belongs to the ∼20 Ma more recent Tenkodogo-Yamba batholith. Magnetic fabric measurements have been combined with microstructural observations and the analysis of field and aeromagnetic data. The granite encloses angular enclaves of the host tonalites. Magmatic microstructures are preserved inside the pluton and solid-state, high-temperature deformation features are ubiquitous at its periphery. The presence of steeply plunging lineations in the pluton of Kouare and its adjacent host-rocks suggests that large volumes of granitic magmas became crystallized while they were ascending through the crust that was softened and steepened close to the contact. Around Kouare, the foliation in the host tonalites conforms with a map-scale, Z-shaped fold in between NNE-trending shear zones, implying a bulk clockwise rotation of the material contained in-between the shear zones, including the emplacing pluton. Regionally, the Fada N′Gourma area is concluded to result from NW-shortening associated with transcurrent shearing and vertical transfer of granitic magmas. This study concludes that the ∼2200 Myears old juvenile crust of Burkina Faso was brittle before the intrusion of the biotite-granites, became softened close to them and that gravity-driven and regional scale wrench tectonics were active together.     

中国阿尔泰早古生代后碰撞花岗岩的发现及其地质意义

新疆哈巴河县白哈巴岩体主要岩石类型为黑云母斜长花岗岩,另有少量花岗闪长岩。SiO₂含量介于65.58%~65.79%之间,A/CNK≤1.05,为弱过铝质岩石,属高钾钙碱性系列。稀土元素总量为174.1×10^-6~210.6×10^-6,具明显的Eu负异常（0.54~0.63）,稀土元素分馏中等（（La/Yb）_N值为4.46~5.56）,稀土配分曲线为轻稀土富集型,富集Rb,Th,U,K,La,Ce,Nd,Hf,Zr和Sm等元素,而强烈亏损Ba,Nb,Ta,Sr,P和Ti等元素。主量元素、稀土元素和微量元素特征表明,白哈巴岩体形成于挤压体制向拉张体制转换的构造环境,属后碰撞花岗岩类。SHRIMP锆石U-Pb年龄为413.8±6.4Ma。白哈巴岩体后碰撞花岗岩的发现,支持阿尔泰-蒙古微大陆的存在,丰富了对新疆北部构造演化的认识。     

Magmatic and post-magmatic evolution of post-collisional rare-metal bearing granite: The Neoproterozoic Homrit Akarem Granitic Intrusion,south Eastern Desert of Egypt,Arabian-Nubian Shield

The Homrit Akarem granitic intrusion (HAGI) outcrops near the western edge of the south Eastern Desert basement exposure in Egypt. It is a composite of two cogenetic intrusive bodies: an early albite granite phase shallowly emplaced at the apex of a magmatic cupola, and a later subjacent pink granite phase with a marginal zone of muscovite granite and better preservation of magmatic features. Mineral chemistry of primary biotite and garnet, together with whole-rock chemistry, identify the HAGI as a highly fractionated A-type peraluminous intrusion. The chemistry of F-dominant, Li-bearing, Fe³⁺-rich primary magmatic mica in the pink granite resembles that typically found in highly evolved Nb-Y-F pegmatites. The HAGI is the evolved product of a primary magma generated by partial melting of juvenile crust of the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS), emplaced along a regional strike-slip fault system that promoted its ascent. The main emplacement mechanism and evolutionary sequence of the HAGI was magmatic, although secondary minerals and textures resulting from hydrothermal fluid interactions are observed, especially at its margins. Primary columbite-(Mn) crystallized from melt and was partly replaced by secondary fluorcalciomicrolite. The high fluorine content of magmatic fluids exsolved from the intrusion is indicated by quartz-fluorite veins, greisenization, albitization, and F-bearing secondary oxide minerals. The magmatic derivation of this fluid is demonstrated by the F-dominant primary mica, a siderophyllite-polylithionite solid solution commonly known as zinnwaldite. The chemistry of zinnwaldite constrains the F/OH activity ratio and oxygen fugacity of its parental melt and thereby resolves the ambiguity between pressure and the effects of F in controlling the normative quartz content of rare-metal granites. The HAGI is less mineralized than the post-collisional rare-metal granites found further east in the south Eastern Desert, replicating a trend observed previously in the central Eastern Desert and suggesting that east-west zoning in rare metal enrichment is a persistent feature across latitudes at the western edge of the ANS.     

The Anti-Atlas Pan-African Belt (Morocco): Overview and pending questions

Between the High Atlas and the Saharan platform, the Anti-Atlas of Morocco offers large exposures of Precambrian rocks beneath the moderately folded Paleozoic series. These inliers allow reconstructing a segment of the Pan-African Belt and of its foreland at the northern outskirts of the West African Craton (WAC). From ∼ 885 Ma to ∼ 540 Ma, three periods are recognized in the Pan-African cycle. The Tonian–Cryogenian period ends with the obduction of supra-subduction ophiolite and oceanic arc material at ∼ 640 Ma. The Early Ediacaran period is marked by the development and subsequent closure of a wide marginal basin next to a likely Andean-type arc. The Late Ediacaran period is recorded by subaerial molasse deposits associated with post-collisional high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic magmatism. Although a wide consensus has been reached based on the number of new robust datings, several questions still remain pending, which we address taking into account relevant African and European correlations.     

Evolution of the Pan-African Wadi Haimur metamorphic sole, Eastern Desert, Egypt

By comparison with the general features of metamorphic soles (e.g. vertical and lateral extension, metamorphic grade and diagnostic mineral parageneses, deformation and dominant rock types), it is inferred that the amphibolites, metagabbros and hornblendites of the Wadi Um Ghalaga–Wadi Haimur area in the southern part of the Eastern Desert of Egypt represent the metamorphic sole of the Wadi Haimur ophiolite belt. The overlying ultramafic rocks represent overthrusted mantle peridotite. Mineral compositions and thermobarometric studies indicate that the rocks of the metamorphic sole record metamorphic conditions typical of such an environment. The highest P – T conditions ( c . 700 °C and 6.5–8.5 kbar) are preserved in clinopyroxene amphibolites and garnet amphibolites from the top of the metamorphic sole, which is exposed in the southern part of the study area. The massive amphibolites and metagabbros further north (Wadi Haimur) represent the basal parts of the sole and show the lowest P – T  conditions (450–620 °C and 4.7–7.8 kbar). The sole is the product of dynamothermal metamorphism associated with the tectonic displacement of ultramafic rocks. Heat was derived mainly from the hot overlying mantle peridotites, and an inverted P – T  gradient was caused by dynamic shearing during ophiolite emplacement. Sm/Nd dating of whole-rock–metamorphic mineral pairs yields similar ages of c . 630 Ma for clinopyroxene and hornblende, which is interpreted as a lower age limit for ophiolite formation and an upper age limit for metamorphism. A younger Sm/Nd age for a garnet-bearing rock ( c . 590 Ma) is interpreted as reflecting a meaningful cooling age close to the metamorphic peak. Hornblende K/Ar ages in the range 570–550 Ma may reflect thermal events during late orogenic granite magmatism.     

藏东八宿地区泛非期花岗岩锆石SHRIMP U—Pb定年

卡穷细粒黑云母碱长花岗岩出露于藏东八宿县同卡地区,是藏东地区首次发现的泛非期花岗岩。卡穷微陆块呈岩片状夹持于班公湖-怒江缝合带内．卡穷岩群构成卡穷微陆块的主体,卡穷岩群是由花岗岩、花岗片麻岩、黑云斜长片麻岩、大理岩、黑云斜长变粒岩、退变榴辉岩等组成的构造地质体。卡穷细粒黑云母碱长花岗岩获得的锆石SHRIMPU—Pb年龄为507Ma±10Ma,为泛非事件的岩浆活动记录．进一步证实班公湖-怒江板块缝合带以南是泛非期基底．为解决青藏高原南部的构造演化问题提供了新资料。     

藏东八宿地区泛非期花岗岩锆石SHRIMP U-Pb定年

卡穷细粒黑云母碱长花岗岩出露于藏东八宿县同卡地区,是藏东地区首次发现的泛非期花岗岩.卡穷微陆块呈岩片状夹持于班公湖-怒江缝合带内,卡穷岩群构成卡穷微陆块的主体,卡穷岩群是由花岗岩、花岗片麻岩、黑云斜长片麻岩、大理岩、黑云斜长变粒岩、退变榴辉岩等组成的构造地质体.卡穷细粒黑云母碱长花岗岩获得的锆石SHRIMPU-Pb年龄为507Ma±10Ma,为泛非事件的岩浆活动记录,进一步证实班公湖-怒江板块缝合带以南是泛非期基底,为解决青藏高原南部的构造演化问题提供了新资料.     

Rare-earth and trace element imprints on the origin and tectonic setting of gabbro-diorite complex in the Pan-African belt of Southeast Obudu Plateau,Nigeria

A gabbro-diorite plutonic complex from the Southeast Obudu Plateau, representing limited volumes of magma, was studied for its trace and rare-earth element characteristics, in an attempt to document its genetic and geodynamic history. Geochemical studies indicate that the gabbro samples are characterized by variable concentrations and low averages of such index elements as Cr (40×10-6–200×10-6; av. 80×10-6), Ni (40×10-6–170×10-6; 53.33×10-6) and Zr (110×10-6–240×10-6; 116.67×10-6); variable and high average...     

A post-collisional magmatic plumbing system: Mesozoic granitoid plutons from the Dabieshan high-pressure and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic zone, east-central China

Three groups of Mesozoic shoshonitic or high-K calc-alkaline intrusive rocks are identified in Dabieshan high-pressure (HP) and ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic zone, east-central China and they are related to: (I) slab breakoff; (II) magmatic underplating; and (III) doming. Group-I, the slab breakoff-type, consists of late Triassic (210 Ma) mafic monzodiorites. It has moderate to high Sr, and low Rb and Ba abundances, and moderate light rare earth element (LREE)/heavy rare earth element (HREE) and K/Rb ratios. Group-II, the underplating-type, consists mainly of middle Jurassic–early Cretaceous (160–120 Ma) hornblende quartz monzonitic, biotite monzogranitic, and syenogranitic plutons, characterized by relatively high LREE/HREE and K/Rb ratios, and by a large range in concentration of Sr and Ba, coupled with much smaller range in Rb. Group-III, the doming-type, is represented by Cretaceous (125–95 Ma) granitic stocks and granitic porphyry. Compared with group-II, it has high Rb, Y and HREE abundances, low Sr and Ba abundances and low LREE/HREE and K/Rb ratios. All groups have similar Nd and Sr isotopic compositions. Among the three groups, post-collisional granitoid magmatism (group-II) with ages of 160 to 120 Ma, post-dating the HP and UHP metamorphism at 245 to 220 Ma, is the most abundant in the Dabieshan area. The post-collisional granitoid plutons were initially emplaced at different levels ranging from mid-crust to near-surface. This study shows that the whole-rock chemistry of the granitoids vary systematically with crystallization pressures. For example, K₂O, normative Or, Rb and Zr show the strongest increase with decreasing pressure, whereas Ba, Nb, Nd, Yb, MnO, and normative An decrease upward in the Dabie Block. It is suggested that ascent of differentiated, buoyant liquids, combined with fractionation paired with assimilation (AFC), is responsible for the vertical variation. Geological, geochemical and petrological data indicate that group-I could have been generated by partial melting of enriched subcontinental lithosphere mantle due to slab breakoff. Group-II rocks could have been produced mainly from crustal assimilation/melting and fractional crystallization of mantle-derived magmas, whereas group-III magma could have derived from anatexis of the Dabie complex and was highly evolved in a hot doming setting. The late Triassic-early Jurassic slab breakoff may be responsible for the exhumation of UHP rocks through the mantle. The voluminous granitic emplacement together with an episode of rapid denudation suggests that magmatic underplating and inflation could have played a role in the Middle Jurassic–Early Cretaceous rapid exhumation of Dabieshan.     

Petrological and mineralogical studies of Pan-African serpentinites at Bir Al-Edeid area, central Eastern Desert, Egypt

The studied serpentinites occur as isolated masses, imbricate slices of variable thicknesses and as small blocks or lenses incorporated in the sedimentary matrix of the mélange. They are thrusted over the associated island arc calc-alkaline metavolcanics and replaced by talc-carbonates along shear zones. Lack of thermal effect of the serpentinites upon the enveloping country rocks, as well as their association with thrust faults indicates their tectonic emplacement as solid bodies. Petrographically, they are composed essentially of antigorite, chrysotile and lizardite with subordinate amounts of carbonates, chromite, magnetite, magnesite, talc, tremolite and chlorite. Chrysotile occurs as cross-fiber veinlets traversing the antigorite matrix, which indicate a late crystallization under static conditions. The predominance of antigorite over other serpentine minerals indicates that the serpentinites have undergone prograde metamorphism or the parent ultramafic rocks were serpentinized under higher pressure. The parent rocks of the studied serpentinites are mainly harzburgite and less commonly dunite and wehrlite due to the prevalence of mesh and bastite textures. The serpentinites have suffered regional metamorphism up to the greenschist facies, which occurred during the collisional stage or back-arc basin closure, followed by thrusting over a continental margin. The microprobe analyses of the serpentine minerals show wide variation in SiO₂, MgO, Al₂O₃, FeO and Cr₂O₃ due to different generations of serpentinization. The clinopyroxene relicts, from the partly serpentinized peridotite, are augite and similar to clinopyroxene in mantle-derived peridotites. The chromitite lenses associated with the serpentinites show common textures and structures typical of magmatic crystallization and podiform chromitites. The present data suggest that the serpentinites and associated chromitite lenses represent an ophiolitic mantle sequence from a supra-subduction zone, which were thrust over the continental margins during the collisional stage of back-arc basin.