Carboniferous Granitoid Magmatism of Northern Taimyr: Results of Isotopic-Geochemical Study and Geodynamic Interpretation

Data on the petrography, geochemistry, and isotopic geochronology of granites from the northern part of the Taimyr Peninsula are considered. The Early–Middle Carboniferous age of these rocks has been established (U–Pb, SIMS). Judging by the results of ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating, the rocks underwent metamorphism in the Middle Permian. In geochemical and isotopic composition, the granitic rocks have much in common with evolved I-type granites. This makes it possible to specify a suprasubduction marginal continental formation setting. The existence of an active Carboniferous margin along the southern edge of the Kara Block (in presentday coordinates) corroborates the close relationship of the studied region with the continent of Baltia.     

塔里木南缘煌斑岩的时代及其地质意义

在塔里木南缘皮山县境内发现东西向煌斑岩带,它们呈脉状产出,围岩为前寒武纪绢云绿泥石英片岩、变质粉砂岩及石炭纪玄武岩、结晶灰岩等。岩石地球化学特征与典型地区的钾镁煌斑岩相似。从煌斑岩中挑选的金云母经ArAr测年,获得理想的坪年龄为217.65±0.39Ma,⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar³⁹Ar/³⁶Ar等时线年龄为217.27±1.38Ma,与坪年龄一致。这一年龄值代表了煌斑岩的形成时代,与阿尔金断裂形成时代基本一致,它代表了塔里木南缘在这一时期重要的走滑事件。煌斑岩带的发现,对塔里木南缘的金刚石找矿勘查具有重要意义。     

Tectonothermal implications of laser40Ar/39Ar ages of sulphide-bearing veins and their host rocks in the Willyama Supergroup,South Australia

Summary ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age spectra of mica separates from sulphide-bearing veins and associated metasedimentary whole-rock samples in the Olary Block, South Australia, indicate widespread emplacement of epigenetic mineralisation in Willyama Supergroup metasediments between 450 and 480 Ma, during the Delamerian Orogeny. This age range complements petrographic, structural and geochemical studies, which indicate that periodic tectonic disturbances occurred in the Olary Block since the Mid-Proterozoic, triggering the intermittent development of hydrothermal fluid circulation and infiltration into reactivated faults and shear zones over time scales of more than 1000 Ma.Vein emplacement did not result in extensive outgassing of argon from Mid-Proterozoic potassic minerals, as long as alteration of the psammopelitic host rock was restricted to the immediate contact of the vein. The release patterns of whole-rock samples illustrate that loss of^40*Ar in these assemblages is a function of the degree of metasomatism. Resetting of the K-Ar system occurred only in host rock assemblages that experienced strong pervasive alteration. The good retention properties of the host rock assemblages and the lack of a pervasive thermal pulse allow us to see through the Delamerian events. A positive correlation between increasing apparent ages and distance from the vein contact in less altered samples strongly support the view that the epigenetic alterations assemblages record actual vein emplacement ages.

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Tektonik und Temperaturgeschichte der Wllyama Supergroup (Süd-Australien)—Schlußfolgerungen anhand von Laser⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Datierungen an sulfidführenden Gängen und assoziierten Nebengesteinen

Zusammenfassung ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Altersspektra von Glimmer-Separaten aus sulfidführenden Gängen und assoziiertem Nebengesteins-Proben im Proterozoischen Olary Block, Süd-Australien, weisen auf die weitverbreitete Entstehung von Gangvererzungen zwischen 450 und 480 Ma in den Metasedimenten der Willyama Supergroup hin. Diese Gangmineralisationen stehen somit im Zusammenhang mit der Delamerian Orogenese. Die Entstehungsalter unterstützen petrographische, strukturelle und geochemische Untersuchungen, wonach periodische tektonische Aktivität im Olary Block seit dem Mittleren Proterozoikum auftrat. Dies führte zu der wiederholten Bildung und Zirkulation von hydrothermalen Lösungen sowie deren Infiltration in re-aktivierte Störungen und Scherzonen über einen Zeitraum von mehr als 1000 Ma.Die Entstehung der Gangvererzungen bewirkte keinen signifikanten Verlust von Argon aus Mittel-Proterozoischen, Kalium-reichen Mineralen, solange die hydrothermale Alteration im Nebengestein auf den unmittelbaren Kontakt zur Gangvererzung beschränkt blieb. Die Gasspektren der Nebengesteins-Proben zeigen deutlich, daß Verlust von radiogenem Argon in diesen Gesteinen vom Grad der hydrothermalen Alteration abhängig ist. Neueinstellung des K-Ar Systems geschah nur im Fall von extremer, durchdringender hydrothermaler Alteration des Nebengesteins. Die⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Analysen der Nebengesteins-Proben ermöglichen somit in Abwesenheit eines durchdringenden thermalen Pulses Alterbestimmungen über die Ereignisse der Delamerian Gebirgsbildung hinaus. Die positive Korrelation zwischen zunehmenden Ar/Ar Altern der Nebengesteine und deren Abstand vom Kontakt zu den Gangvererzungen in schwach alterierten Proben unterstützt die Ansicht, daß die epigenetischen Alterierungsparagenesen tatsächliche Vererzungsalter repräsentieren.

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With 6 Figures     

Ar/Ar analyses of clinopyroxene inclusions in African diamonds: implications for source ages of detrital diamonds

Clinopyroxene inclusions in diamond contain elevated potassium contents and can potentially be dated by ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar techniques. Previous ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar studies of clinopyroxene inclusions contained in cleaved diamonds have suggested that argon, produced from the decay of potassium prior to eruption of the host kimberlite magma, diffuses to the diamond/clinopyroxene interface under mantle conditions. After intrusion and cooling below the closure temperature for argon diffusion, radiogenic argon is retained by the clinopyroxene inclusions. This behaviour complicates efforts to date diamond crystallisation events; however, extraction of inclusions from their host diamond should induce loss of all interface argon, thus raising the possibility of determining kimberlite emplacement ages. This possibility has important implications for constraining the source localities of detrital diamond deposits worldwide, with concomitant benefits to diamond exploration. To investigate this premise, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar laser probe results are presented for single clinopyroxene inclusions extracted from a total of fifteen gem-quality diamonds from the Mbuji-Mayi kimberlite in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Jwaneng and Orapa kimberlites in Botswana.Initial fusion analyses of clinopyroxene inclusions from Mbuji-Mayi diamonds yielded ages older than the time of host kimberlite intrusion, indicating partial retention of extraneous argon by the clinopyroxene inclusions themselves. Step-heating analyses of clinopyroxene inclusions from Orapa and Jwaneng diamonds produced older apparent ages from lower temperature steps and the ‘rim’ fragment of one Orapa inclusion. High temperature (fusion) analyses yielded younger apparent ages, commonly approaching the times of host kimberlite eruption. Total-gas integrated ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages are mostly intermediate between the times of inferred diamond crystallisation and kimberlite eruption. Ca/K ratios for each sample are uniform across step-heating increments, indicating that age variations are not due to compositional, mineralogical or alteration effects. The favoured explanation for these results is partial retention of extraneous argon in primary and/or secondary fluid inclusions. This component is then preferentially outgassed in lower temperature heating steps, yielding older apparent ages.The partial retention of extraneous argon by clinopyroxene inclusions clearly restricts efforts to determine source ages for detrital diamond deposits. Results from individual samples must necessarily be interpreted as maximum source emplacement ages. Nonetheless, step-heating analyses of several clinopyroxene inclusions from a detrital diamond deposit may provide reasonable constraints on the ages of source kimberlites/lamproites; however minor age populations as well as those closely spaced in time, may be difficult to resolve.It is argued that the majority of older ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages can be explained in terms of the partial retention of inherited argon, produced between the times of diamond crystallisation and kimberlite eruption. Although the presence of excess argon in some clinopyroxene inclusions cannot be excluded, available evidence (e.g. no excess argon in Premier eclogitic inclusions or potassium-poor inclusions) suggests that this is not a factor for most samples. Three possible mechanistic models are forwarded to account for the uptake of inherited (± excess) argon in fluid inclusions. The first envisages negligible interface porosity and diffusion of extraneous argon exclusively to primary fluid inclusions, which subsequently partially decrepitated during eruption, causing accumulation of argon at the diamond/clinopyroxene interface. The second model permits diffusive loss of extraneous argon to both the interface region and primary fluid inclusions. The third involves diffusion of extraneous argon to the interface region, with later entrapment of some interface argon in secondary fluid inclusions, produced by fracture/annealing processes active during eruption. The first model can account for all ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar results, whereas the latter two mechanisms require the presence of an excess argon component to explain older integrated ages (up to 2.9 Ga) from two Jwaneng samples. Excess argon contamination would compromise efforts to determine diamond genesis ages using the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating technique. However, if the first model is valid, then the older ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar integrated ages support previous Re-Os age results for the crystallisation of Jwaneng diamonds.     

An 40Ar/39Ar investigation of the contact effects of a dyke intrusion,Kapuskasing Structural Zone,Ontario

An ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar study on biotite and hornblende from baked tonalite gneiss adjacent to a 14-m-wide Kapuskasing dyke in the Chapleau Block of the Kapuskasing Structural Zone employed resistance-furnace step-heating, of bulk-mineral separates, single-grain laser step-heating, and laser spot dating of individual grains in thick section. All three methods yielded concordant results for the biotite, indicating that it has been uniformly overprinted at ca. 2.05 Ga. This date is probably a close estimate of the age of the dyke intrusion. The argon data from the hornblende are more difficult to interpret. All three methods suggest that the hornblende was partially overprinted and then affected by a later influx of excess argon from the external environment. Laser spot dates record an apparent age gradient, extending radially outward from 2.25 Ga in the grain cores to 2.4–2.7 Ga in the grain rims. Corresponding ³⁷Ar/³⁹Ar values show no systematic variation across the hornblende, although ³⁸Ar/³⁹Ar ratios display a similar pattern to the age distribution, with lower values in the cores than in the rims. The bulk separate and single grain step-heating spectra mimic a volume diffusion Ar-loss profile that would appear to be inconsistent with the laser-spot dates. Three possible interpretations to explain this apparent discrepancy may involve either experimental difficulties, an effective radius of diffusion which is much smaller than the actual grain radius, or an effective radius of diffusion that is of the order of the grain radius. It is clear that for the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of samples that have experienced complex geologic histories, it is important to utilize both resistance-furnace and laser techniques.     

40Ar‐39Ar and K‐Ar age constraints on the Early Proterozoic Tennant Creek Block,northern Australia,and the age of its gold deposits∗

⁴⁰Ar‐³⁹Ar age spectra on minerals from granitic, metamorphic and hydrothermal rocks confirm that the Early Proterozoic Tennant Creek Block was affected by two thermal events during its evolution. Although extensive alteration of biotite and feldspar within the granites precludes the direct determination of their cooling history, ⁴⁰Ar‐³⁹Ar analyses for hydrothermal muscovite from several nearby gold‐copper deposits indicate that regional cooling to below ～ 300°C was not prolonged. Flat, uniform muscovite age spectra were obtained from gold deposits east of the Tennant Creek town site and indicate a minimum age of 1825–1830 Ma for their formation. These ages are within error of those for the felsic volcanism of the Flynn Subgroup, and a genetic relationship between the two may exist. Samples from gold deposits elsewhere in the area indicate disturbance of the K‐Ar isotope system. The second thermal event to affect the region occurred at around 1700 Ma, and is confirmed by the ⁴⁰Ar‐³⁹Ar muscovite ages for the ‘Warrego’ granite (1677 ± 4 Ma) and for the metamorphism of the Wundirgi Formation (1696 ± 4 Ma).     

Evidence for excess argon during high pressure metamorphism in the dora maira massif (Western Alps,Italy), using an ultra-violet laser ablation microprobe 40Ar-39Ar technique

 Ultra-high pressure eclogite/amphibolite grade metamorphism of the Dora Maira Massif in the western Alps is a well established and intensively studied event. However, the age of peak metamorphism and early cooling remains controversial. The ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar step-heating and laser spot ages from high pressure phengites yield plateau ages as old as 110 Ma which have been interpreted as the time of early cooling after the high pressure event. Recent U/Pb and Sm/Nd results challenge this assertion, indicating a much younger age for the event, around 45 Ma, and hence a radically different timing for the tectonic evolution of the western Alps. In a new approach to the problem, samples from the undeformed Hercynian metagranite, Brossasco, were studied using an ultra-violet laser ablation microprobe technique for ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar dating. The new technique allowed selective in situ analysis, at a spatial resolution of 50 μm, of quartz, phengite, biotite and K-feldspar. The results demonstrate the frequent occurrence of excess argon with high ⁴⁰Ar-³⁶Ar ratios (1000–10000) and a strong relationship between apparent ages and metamorphic textures. The highest excess argon ratios are always associated with high closure temperature minerals or large diffusion domains within single mineral phases. The best interpretation of this relationship seems to be that excess argon was incorporated in all phases during the high pressure event, then mixed with an atmospheric component during rapid cooling and retrogression, producing a wide range of argon concentrations and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratios. Step-heating analysis of minerals with this mixture would produce linear arrays on a ³⁶Ar/⁴⁰Ar versus ³⁹Ar/⁴⁰Ar correlation diagram, leading to geologically meaningless plateau ages, older than the true closure age. In the present case, some ages in the range 60–110 Ma could be explained by the presence of excess argon incorporated around 40–50 Ma ago. Similar results found in other high pressure terrains in the Alps may reconcile the argon geochronometer with other systems such as Rb/Sr, U/Pb or Sm/Nd. This study therefore calls for an increasing use of high resolution in situ sampling techniques to clarify the meaning of ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages in many high pressure terrains. Received: 6 January 1994/Accepted: 4 April 1995     

Phlogopite40Ar/39Ar geochronology of mantle xenoliths from the North China Craton: Constraints on the eruption ages of Cenozoic basalts

Mantle xenoliths provide direct information about lithospheric evolution and asthenosphere–lithosphere interaction, and therefore precise dating of the host basalts which carried the xenoliths is important. Here we report ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology of phlogopite separates from five spinel lherzolite xenoliths collected from the North China Craton (Hannuoba of Hebei Province, Sanyitang of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Hebi of Henan Province), as well as the groundmass of the host basalts. Argon extraction was performed by conventional step heating technique and ultra-violet laser ablation microprobe (UVLAMP) technique. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar incremental heating results on groundmass yielded geologically meaningless ages. However, conventional step heating on phlogopites produced Miocene cooling ages, identical to the eruption ages obtained from the K–Ar dating methods of the Hannuoba and Sanyitang basalts. Adopting procedures to exclude potential influence of excess radiogenic Ar from a deep fluid source on a phlogopite separate from lherzolite yielded results with a good agreement of ages suggesting that the argon isotopes are distributed homogenously in this mineral, with no influence of excess argon. Phlogopites from Hebi yield ages between 6.43 and 6.44 Ma which are slightly older than those obtained from K–Ar method on whole-rocks. The discrepancy in the K–Ar ages obtained from the altered whole-rock samples suggests partial loss of ⁴⁰Ar. As a consequence, phlogopite Ar–Ar ages are considered more accurate than that of the whole-rocks. These results suggest that ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar chronology of phlogopite provides reliable and precise ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of host basalts.     

Variscan vs Cadomian tectonothermal activity in northwestern sectors of the Teplá-Barrandian zone, Czech Republic: constraints from 40Ar/39Ar ages

Five muscovite concentrates from high-grade, pelitic metasedimentary basement rocks exposed in northwestern sectors of the Teplá-Barrandian zone (Czech Republic) record ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar mineral plateau ages which range between ca. 376 and 362?Ma. Hornblende concentrates from metagabbro (Mariánské Lánzě complex) and fine-grained basement amphibolite display plateaux which define ³⁶Ar/⁴⁰Ar vs ³⁹Ar/⁴⁰Ar isotope-correlation ages of ca. 370 and ca. 375 Ma. The mineral ages are interpreted to date relatively rapid cooling through appropriate argon retention temperatures following early phases of Variscan (Early Devonian) regional metamorphism. A slate/phyllite basement sample collected within lower-grade metasedimentary rocks in southeastern portions of the Teplá-Barrandian zone is characterized by an internally discordant ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar whole-rock age spectrum which suggests partial Variscan rejuvenation of intracrystalline argon systems which had cooled through appropriate argon retention temperatures following an initial regional metamorphism at or prior to ca. 500 Ma (Cadomian). Hornblende from undeformed diorite of the Kdyn? complex records a well-defined ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age plateau which corresponds to an isotope-correlation age of ca. 516?Ma. This is interpreted to date post-magmatic cooling following emplacement.     

Variable Variscan thermal rejuvenation in the St Malo region, Cadomian Orogen, France: evidence from 40Ar/39Ar mineral ages

Abstract The St Malo region in north-west France contains migmatites and anatectic granites derived by partial melting of metasedimentary protoliths during Cadomian orogenesis at c. 540 Ma. Previously reported Rb–Sr model ages for muscovite and biotite range from c. 550 to c. 300 Ma, and suggest variable resetting of mineral isotopic systems. These rocks display microscopic evidence for variably intense Cadomian intracrystalline plastic strain but record no obvious evidence of penetrative Palaeozoic regional deformation. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar mineral ages have been determined to evaluate better the extent, timing and significance of Palaeozoic overprinting. Eleven muscovite concentrates and one whole-rock phyllite have been prepared from various units exposed in the St Malo and adjacent Mancellian regions. In the Mancellian region, muscovite from two facies of the Bonnemain Granite Complex record ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau ages of c. 527 and 521 Ma. An internally discordant ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar release spectrum characterizes muscovite from protomylonitic granite within the Cadomian Alexain-Deux Evailles-Izé Granite Complex, and probably records the effects of Variscan displacement along the North Armorican Shear Zone. Muscovite concentrates from anatectic granite and from Cadomian mylonites along ductile shear zones within the north-western sector of the St Malo region exhibit internally discordant ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar release spectra which suggest variable and partial late Palaeozoic rejuvenation. By contrast, muscovite concentrates from samples of variably mylonitic Brioverian metasedimentary rocks exposed within the south-eastern sector of the St Malo region display internally concordant apparent age spectra which define plateaux of 326–320 Ma. A whole-rock phyllite sample from Brioverian metasedimentary rocks exposed along the eastern boundary of the St Malo region displays an internally discordant argon release pattern which is interpreted to reflect the effects of a partial late Palaeozoic thermal overprint. Muscovite from the Plélan granite, part of the Variscan Plélan-Bobital Granite Complex, yields a ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau age of c. 307 Ma. The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar results indicate that Cadomian rocks of the St Malo region have undergone a widespread and variable Palaeozoic (Carboniferous) rejuvenation of intracrystalline argon systems which apparently did not affect the Mancellian region. This rejuvenation was not accompanied by penetrative regional deformation, and was probably of a static thermal–hydrothermal origin. The heat source for rejuvenation was probably either the result of heating during Variscan extension or advection from Variscan granites which are argued to underlie the St Malo region.     

Thermochronological record of Middle–Late Jurassic magmatic reheating to Eocene rift-related rapid cooling in the SE South China Block

We investigate the Mesozoic–Cenozoic thermal history of the Daxi region (central SE South China Block) to evaluate the influence of the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific oceanic plate beneath the SE South China Block along the block's southeast margin on the tectonothermal evolution of the upper plate. We apply a multi-chronological approach that includes U-Pb geochronology on zircon, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating on muscovite and biotite from granitic rocks as well as fission-track and (U-Th-Sm)/He analyses on zircon and apatite from granitic and sedimentary rocks. The Heping granite, located in the Daxi region, has a magmatic age of ca. 441 Ma. The biotite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of ca. 193 Ma for the Early Jurassic Shibei granite and ca. 160 Ma for the Late Jurassic Fogang granite, respectively, reflect magmatic cooling. The Triassic Longyuanba granite yielded a muscovite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of ca. 167 Ma, recording heating to ≥ 350 °C induced by nearby intrusion of Middle Jurassic granites. Zircon fission-track and (U-Th-Sm)/He ages from Lower Carboniferous–Lower Jurassic sandstones (140–70 Ma) record continuous cooling during the Cretaceous that followed extensive Middle–Late Jurassic magmatism in the Daxi region. Cretaceous cooling is related to exhumation in an extensional tectonic setting, consistent with lithospheric rebound due to foundering and rollback of the subducted Paleo-Pacific oceanic plate. Apatite fission-track (53–42 Ma) and (U-Th-Sm)/He ages (43–36 Ma), and thermal modelling document rapid cooling in the Paleocene–Eocene, which temporally coincides with continental rifting in the SE South China Block in the leadup to the opening of the South China Sea.     

A microstructural and argon laserprobe study of shear zone development at the western margin of the Nanga Parbat–Haramosh Massif,western Himalaya

A sample of banded amphibolite from the western margin of the Nanga Parbat–Haramosh Massif as Sassi has been studied using microstructural and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar laserprobe techniques to investigate the relationship between deformation and argon isotope variations in a natural system. Amphibolite-grade deformation occurred during south-directed overthrusting of the Kohistan arc over India along the Main Mantle Thrust and was overprinted by extensional reactivation of the earlier fabric and the formation of biotite-rich shear zones. Subsequent deformation along discrete fine-grained fault zones was characterised by the formation of scapolite, chlorite and K-feldspar, early plastic deformation and later cataclasis. Different minerals developed during this history show a wide range in apparent ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages. Biotite, chlorite and scapolite exhibit much lower concentrations of excess argon, indicating their equilibration in a fluid relatively poor in excess argon. A `true' age of ca. 8 Ma from biotite represents a minimum age for deformation associated with formation of the Nanga Parbat Syntaxis and also precludes Pliocene metamorphism in this area of the syntaxis. Both high- and low-closure temperature minerals (amphiboles and feldspars) record apparent ages which are associated with the incorporation of excess argon within the mineral lattice. Although differential thermal resetting of minerals at different closure temperatures is important, variations in the inherited ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratio throughout the sample is dominated by deformation and fluid infiltration. Consequently it appears that within deforming metamorphic rocks, areas with significantly different argon isotope compositions may be present and need not be homogenised by diffusion. Received: 6 July 1994 / Accepted: 24 December 1996     

Excess and Radiogenic Argon in High-Pressure Mylonites of the Tan-Lu Fault Zone, Eastern China

Bulk separates of porphyroclastic phengite, neoformed phengite and their mixtures from the Tan-Lu HP mylonites overprinted on the Sulu UHP rocks were analyzed with the 40Ar/39Ar step heating method. Two samples of the neoformed phengite from ultramylonite give 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages of 209.9±1.8 Ma and 214.3±1.8 Ma, which are interpreted as representing cooling times of the TanLu sinistral faulting, and provide geochronological evidence for the syn-orogenic faulting of the Tan-Lu fault zone. The results show that the phengite formed during the retrograde eclogite-facies mylonitization was not contaminated with excess argon and can be used for dating the deformation. Argon closure in previous K-bearing minerals with excess argon under a retrograde HP dry condition is considered to be the reason for lack of excess argon incorporation in the neoformed phengite. Five porphyroclastic phengite samples yield 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages ranging from 666±12 Ma to 307.1±3.3 Ma, which are interpreted as being contaminated with excess argon. Two mixture samples with plateau ages of 239.4±2.1 Ma and 239.3±2.0 Ma show upward-convex age spectra caused by the mixture of older porphyroclastic phengite with excess argon incorporation and younger neoformed phengite without excess argon incorporation. It is demonstrated that excess argon introduced from the previous UHP metamorphism is still preserved in the pre-existing phengite after the Tan-Lu eclogite-facies mylonitization. The intense deformation under HT and HP conditions cannot erase excess argon in the previous phengite totally due to restricted fluid activities. These porphyroclastic phengite previously contaminated with excess argon cannot be used for dating the later HP deformation. This indicates that deformation under a HP dry condition does not play an important role in removing previous 40Are in phengite.     

40Ar/39Ar ages of detrital white mica from Upper Austroalpine units in the Eastern Alps, Austria: Evidence for Cadomian and contrasting Variscan sources

Five detrital white mica concentrates from very low-grade, metaclastic sequences within pre-Variscan basement and post-Variscan cover units of the Upper Austroalpine Nappe Complex (Eastern Alps) have been dated with ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar incremental heating techniques to constrain the age of tectonothermal events in their respective source areas. Two samples from early Palaeozoic sandstone exposed within the same Alpine nappe record slightly discordant age spectra. The maximum age recorded in one is 562.2±0.7?Ma, whereas the other yielded a ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau age of 607.3±0.3?Ma. These results indicate a source area affected by Cadomian tectonothermal activity. Three detrital muscovite concentrates from post-Variscan, Late Carboniferous and Permian cover sequences exposed within three different Alpine nappes yielded ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau ages of 359.6?±?1.1?Ma, 310.5±1.2?Ma, and 303.3±0.2?Ma. The contrasting detrital white mica ages are interpreted to reflect different source areas. Detrital muscovite from a post-Variscan Carboniferous molasse-type sequence and from a Permian Verrucano-type sequence record ages which indicate “late” Variscan (e.g. 330–300?Ma) metamorphic sources. By contrast, detrital white mica from another Permian Verrucano-type sequence suggests a source area affected by “early” Variscan (e.g. 400–360?Ma) metamorphism. These results help clarify palinspastic relationships and tectonic correlations between pre-Late Carboniferous metamorphic basement sequences and Carboniferous to Permian cover sequences.     

An 40Ar/39Ar study of a polymetamorphic complex in the Arunta Block,Central Australia

A polymetamorphic complex in the Arunta Block, Central Australia, which has undergone metasomatism involving introduction of Rb and loss of Sr has been investigated by ⁴⁰Ar/ ³⁹Ar step and total-degassing techniques in an attempt to date five metamorphic events (M1–M5) identified microstructurally. The complex isotopic data and apparent age spectra obtained have been interpreted in the light of constraints provided by an associated tectonometamorphic study, together with independent geochronological controls from the immediate study area and elsewhere in the Arunta Block. This has led to the delineation of ages of 1,780–1,820 M.y. for M1, 1,690–1,720 M.y. for M2, 1,450–1,500 M.y. for M3, 1,030–1,060 M.y. for M4 and 370–510 for M5. The polyphase M5 event is correlated with the Alice Springs Orogeny, previously accorded younger age limits of 330–370 M.y. The latter are interpreted to reflect closure of mica K/Ar systems as uplift continued subsequent to the close of the event, possibly culminating in minor high-level brittle deformation and the development of pseudotachylytes in the study area.Apparent age spectra recorded in this study do not all conform with generally accepted patterns of behaviour of mineral systems which have undergone polythermal histories. Two hornblendes have survived subsequent high temperature metasomatic reheating without loss of argon or resetting of their ages. Their resistance to argon loss may be attributable to low water contents, due to their growth under anhydrous granulite facies conditions, and may reflect a relationship between argon loss from hornblende and the water content of hornblende, which decreases with increasing metamorphic grade (Kostyuk and Sobolev 1969). Other samples display false plateaux in their apparent age spectra and in three cases the spectra are indistinguishable from those of undisturbed spectra.The age data recorded in this study suggest that during basement reactivation loss of argon is mainly confined to the vicinity of shear zones, implying that diffusion of argon from minerals in the deep crust may be dependent more on deformation than on reheating. However, thermal activity may also be associated with active shear zones, through the medium of superheated fluids streaming up the shear zones from below. The wide spread of K/Ar and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages (330–510 M.y.), recorded for the Alice Springs Orogeny in the Arunta basement, may reflect such controls.     

Tracing the exhumation of the Eclogite Zone (Tauern Window,Eastern Alps) by <Superscript>40</Superscript>Ar/<Superscript>39</Superscript>Ar dating of white mica in eclogites

New radiometric ages from the Subpenninic nappes (Eclogite Zone and Rote Wand – Modereck Nappe, Tauern Window) show that phengites formed under eclogite-facies metamorphic conditions retain their initial isotopic signature, even when associated lithologies were overprinted by greenschist- to amphibolite-facies metamorphism. Different stages of the eclogite-facies evolution can be dated provided ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating is combined with micro-structural analyses. An age of 39 Ma from the Rote Wand – Modereck Nappe is interpreted to be close to the burial age of this unit. Eclogite deformation within the Eclogite Zone started at the pressure peak along distinct shear zones, and prevailed along the exhumation path. An age of ca. 38 Ma is only observed for eclogites not affected by subsequent deformation and is interpreted as maximum age due to the possible influence of homogenously distributed excess argon. During exhumation deformation was localised along distinct mylonitic shear zones. This stage is mainly characterised by the formation of dynamically recrystallized omphacite2 and phengite. Deformation resulted in the resetting of the Ar isotopic system within the recrystallized white mica. Flat argon release spectra showing ages of 32 Ma within mylonites record the timing of cooling along the exhumation path, and the emplacement onto the Venediger Nappe. Ar-release patterns and ³⁶Ar/⁴⁰Ar vs.³⁹Ar/⁴⁰Ar isotope correlation analyses indicate no significant ⁴⁰Ar-loss after initial closure, and only a negligible incorporation of excess argon. From the pressure peak onwards, eclogitic conditions prevailed for almost 8–10 Ma.     

Late Palaeozoic mineralization and tectonic evolution of the West Junggar metallogenic belt,Central Asia: constraints from Re–Os and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology

ABSTRACT

The West Junggar Metallogenic Belt (WJMB) is located between the Tianshan fault system and the Ertix fault system in the western part of the Central Asian Metallogenic Domain (CAMD). The belt features widespread late Palaeozoic granitic plutons, strike-slip faults, and porphyry copper and orogenic gold deposits. We collected nine molybdenite samples from the Baogutu III–IV Cu–Mo deposit and the Suyunhe Mo–W deposit, and 12 granitoid samples from the Jiaman, Kangde, Kulumusu, Bieluagaxi, Hatu, Akbastau, Miaoergou, Baogutu, Karamay, and Hongshan plutons in the WJMB. Molybdenite Re–Os dating gives metallogenesis ages of 312.7 and 299.7 Ma for the Baogutu III–IV and Suyunhe deposits, respectively. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar thermochronology yields biotite ages ranging from 326 to 302 Ma and K-feldspar ages from 297 to 264 Ma, indicating a regional medium-temperature cooling history in the WJMB during the late Carboniferous to middle Permian. By integrating these data with previous zircon U–Pb, amphibole ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar, and zircon and apatite fission-track ages, we reconstruct the whole thermal history of the WJMB, which includes late Palaeozoic intrusive magmatism, porphyry Cu and W–Mo mineralization, and late Mesozoic tectonic uplift and exhumation of the WJMB. The regional ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar cooling ages are consistent with the timing of regional sinistral strike-slip faulting, thereby indicating the tectonic significance of the cooling ages. We suggest that the biotite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages represent the static cooling of the granitic plutons after emplacement, since the ages are consistent with the U–Pb ages of the plutons. Thereafter, the oldest K-feldspar ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age may record the initiation of sinistral strike-slip movement on the Darabut, Mayile, and Baerluke faults. The regional faulting resulted in significant uplift of the WJMB during the early and middle Permian.     

Interpretation of discordant 40Ar/39Ar age-spectra of mesozoic tholeiites from antarctica

Conventional K-Ar ages of tholeiitic basalts of the Ferrar Group in the central Transantarctic Mountains indicate significant loss of radiogenic ⁴⁰Ar from this unit over much of its outcrop area. Argon loss varies inversely with amount of devitrified matrix in the basalts, which have not been thermally or tectonically disturbed since extrusion. ⁴⁰Ar/¹⁹Ar age-spectra of these tholeiites are generally discordant and indicate significant inhomogeneity in the distribution of radiogenic ⁴⁰Ar with respect to ³⁹Ar, but are distinctly different from release patterns of thermally disturbed samples. Amounts of argon redistribution vary directly with amounts of devitrification and are reflected in progressive modification of the age spectra. A model of redistribution of radiogenic ⁴⁰Ar by devitrification of originally glassy matrix is suggested that is consistent with disturbance of the conventional K-Ar systematics as well as the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age-spectra. Samples with substantial redistribution but minor loss of radiogenic argon yield age spectra whose apparent ages decrease from low-temperature to high-temperature steps, similar to those reported for some lunar basalts, breccias, and soils. Modification of all the age spectra is attributed to redistribution of radiogenic ⁴⁰Ar during progressive devitrification, although ³⁹Ar-recoil effects suggested by Turner and Cadogan (1974) may be a factor in some cases. Where devitrification involves most potassium sites within the basalt, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age-plateaux may be formed that have no geologic significance.     

Evaluation of KAr isochron methods

The KAr isochron method is an attempt to obtain the initial age or reset age and the extraneous argon isotopic ratio of a suite of cogenetic samples of different K-contents. Some samples contain excess argon-40 and others lose argon-40. The resultant ages on single samples are not significant geologically. We have discussed the principles of three types of isochrons commonly used, the ⁴⁰Ar vs ⁴⁰K isochron, the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar vs ⁴⁰K/³⁰Ar isochron, and the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar vs ³⁹Ar/³⁶Ar isochron, and evaluated the first two types for ten different hypothetical cases. If a straight line is obtained in the ⁴⁰Ar vs ⁴⁰K isochron, a positive intercept indicates an approximately constant amount of excess argon, whereas a negative intercept indicates argon loss. A curved line or scattering of points indicates that the basic assumptions are not valid for the set of samples under consideration. The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar vs ⁴⁰K/³⁶Ar isochron method is valid, rigorously, only when all samples of the system under consideration have the same non-radiogenic argon isotope composition. This requires that either no excess argon is present in the system, or else each analysis contains the same proportion of excess and atmospheric argon. If these conditions do not hold, approximately, invalid ages and invalid intercepts are obtained. Any KAr isochron needs to be used with caution.     

40Ar/39Ar年代学中几个重要问题的讨论

40Ar/39Ar年代学是同位素地质年代学中重要的两个"金钉子"手段之一(另一个为U-Pb法),广泛应用于重大地质事件、地质界线的精确定年,是确定地质年表的主要手段。40Ar/39Ar年代学测定的母体元素钾为常量元素,且实现分析时由于只需测定Ar同位素的比值,因而具有很高的分析精度,因此可以测定非常年轻(数千年)地质体的年龄。此外,由于在自然界中不易发生(物理、化学)反应的特性,Ar在矿物中的扩散可被准确地定量描述,因此40Ar/39Ar年代学也是热年代学的重要支柱,被广泛应用于地球深部物质上涌、折返、剥露、变质的冷却历史,率先提供了解析造山带、地壳作用过程等热历史的定量模型。这些特点使得40Ar/39Ar年代学成为地质年代学的三大支柱之一。那么,近年来该方法发展到了什么程度,其精确度和准确度达到了怎样的高度?为何年轻火山样品中极少发现过剩Ar?高压环境中的样品过剩Ar为何难以辨认?压力影响矿物的封闭温度吗?缓慢冷却K-长石的年龄谱是否可以真实地反映岩体所经历的热历史?多重扩散域模型(MDD)遇到了哪些挑战、该如何应用?40Ar/39Ar法和U-Pb法在构造热过程研究中有何不同的应用?本文对这些问题进行了思考和讨论,以期推动大家对40Ar/39Ar年代学的深入探索,推动其在我国地质研究中的应用。