Geodynamics of the Early Precambrian,Part 1: Volcanism and associated mantle processes

The work is dedicated to most important abiotic processes of the Early Precambrian, effect of which is recorded in continental crust, and to complementary processes in subcontinental mantle. We intend to figure out when a certain process was triggered first in the past and what indications suggest its further activity, evolution and possible cessation in subsequent geological history. Considerations are based on described natural objects characterizing particular geological events and enabling the cause-and-effect interpretation in order to understand different viewpoints known from publications. Considered in the work are the early Precambrian greenstone belts and ophiolites, island-arc systems and ecologites, magmatism unconnected with subduction zones (rifting-related, plateau basalts, dykes, kimberlites) and anorthosites representing a group of heterochronous intrusions of complicated genesis. Main considerations are premised with a brief review of the earliest geodynamic phenomena associated with meteorite impacts by termination of the planetary accretion.     

北祁连俯冲-增生杂岩带中低温榴辉岩的地球化学特征

北祁连俯冲-增生杂岩带中的低温榴辉岩以透镜体形式产于蓝片岩和多硅白云母片岩中。根据稀土元素、微量元素及Sr-Nd同位素分析研究,可将本区低温榴辉岩分为两类:Ⅰ类榴辉岩以轻重稀土分异不明显和具有Eu正异常为特征;Ⅱ类榴辉岩的轻稀土富集,有轻微的Eu负异常。Sm-Nd同位素研究显示,I类榴辉岩样品的εNd(t)值为2.5~6.9,平均值为4.5;Ⅱ类榴辉岩εNd(t)=-3.3~1.4。这些研究成果表明,Ⅰ类榴辉岩的原岩来源于长期亏损的地幔源区,可能形成于大洋环境;而Ⅱ类榴辉岩的原岩在形成过程中很明显混入了陆壳物质,据此推断其原岩形成于大陆边缘或洋陆过渡环境。     

Eclogitization of the Monviso ophiolite (W. Alps) and implications on subduction dynamics

To constrain deep (40–100 km) subduction dynamics, extensive P–T data are provided on the eclogitic Monviso ophiolite derived from the subducted Liguro‐Piemontese oceanic lithosphere (which was exhumed, together with associated continental units, before the Alpine collision). The Monviso ophiolite has so far been interpreted either as a fossilized subduction channel, with tectonic blocks detached from the slab at different depths and gathered in a weak serpentinized matrix, or as a more or less continuous portion of oceanic lithosphere. To evaluate potential heterogeneities within and between the various subunits, extensive sampling was undertaken on metasedimentary rocks and Fe–Ti metagabbros. The results indicate that the Monviso ophiolite comprises two main coherent tectonic subunits (the Monviso and Lago Superiore Units) detached during subduction at different depths and later juxtaposed at epidote–blueschist facies during exhumation along the subduction interface. Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous material suggests (i) a difference in peak temperature of ～50 °C between these two subunits and (ii) a good temperature homogeneity within each subunit. Pseudosections and average P–T estimates using thermocalc in the Lago Superiore Unit suggest for the first time homogeneous HP to UHP conditions (～550 °C, 26–27 kbar). Parageneses, peak conditions and tectonic setting are very similar to those of the Zermatt‐Saas ophiolite, 200 km northwards, thus suggesting a common detachment mechanism for the whole Western Alpine belt.     

White mica K–Ar geochronology of Sanbagawa eclogites from Southwest Japan: implications for deformation-controlled K–Ar closure temperature

White mica (phengite and paragonite) K–Ar ages of eclogite-facies Sanbagawa metamorphic rocks (15 eclogitic rocks and eight associated pelitic schists) from four different localities yielded ages of 84–89 Ma (Seba, central Shikoku), 78–80 Ma (Nishi-Iratsu, central Shikoku), 123 and 136 Ma (Gongen, central Shikoku), and 82–88 Ma (Kotsu/Bizan, eastern Shikoku). With the exception of a quartz-rich kyanite-bearing eclogite from Gongen, white mica ages overlap with the previously known range of phengite K–Ar ages of pelitic schists of the Sanbagawa metamorphic belt and can be distinguished from those of the Shimanto metamorphic belt. The similarity of K–Ar ages between the eclogites and surrounding pelitic schists supports a geological setting wherein the eclogites experienced intense ductile deformation with pelitic schists during exhumation. In contrast, phengite extracted from the Gongen eclogite, which is less overprinted by a ductile shear deformation during exhumation, yielded significantly older ages. Given that the Gongen eclogite is enclosed by the Higashi-Akaishi meta-peridotite body, these K–Ar ages are attributed to excess ⁴⁰Ar gained during an interaction between the eclogite and host meta-peridotite with mantle-derived noble gas (very high ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratio) at eclogite-facies depth. Fluid exchange between deep-subducted sediments and mantle material might have enhanced the gain of mantle-derived extreme ⁴⁰Ar in the meta-sediment. Although dynamic recrystallization of white mica can reset the Ar isotope system, limited-argon-depletion due to lesser degrees of ductile shear deformation of the Gongen eclogite might have prevented complete release of the trapped excess argon from phengites. This observation supports a model of deformation-controlled K–Ar closure temperature.     

Multi-Stage Modification of the Northern Slave Mantle Lithosphere: Evidence from Zircon- and Diamond-Bearing Eclogite Xenoliths Entrained in Jericho Kimberlite, Canada

The Jericho kimberlites are part of a small Jurassic kimberlitecluster in the northern Slave craton, Canada. A variety of datingtechniques were applied to constrain the nature and age of twoJericho kimberlites, JD-1 (170·2 ± 4·3Ma Rb–Sr phlogopite megacrysts, 172·8 ±0·7 Ma U–Pb eclogite rutile, 178 ± 5 MaU–Pb eclogite zircon lower intercept) and JD-3 (173 ±2 Ma Rb–Sr phlogopite megacryst; 176·6 ±3·2 Ma U–Pb perovskite), and all yielded identicalresults within analytical uncertainty. As there is no discernibledifference in the radiometric ages obtained for these two pipes,the composite Rb–Sr phlogopite megacryst date of 173·1± 1·3 Ma is interpreted as the best estimate forthe emplacement age of both Jericho pipes. The initial Sr isotopecomposition of 0·7053 ± 0·0003 derivedfrom phlogopite megacrysts overlaps the range (0·7043–0·7084)previously reported for Jericho whole-rocks. These strontiumisotope data, combined with the radiogenic initial ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pbratio of 18·99 ± 0·33 obtained in thisstudy, indicate that the Jericho kimberlites are isotopicallysimilar to Group 1 kimberlites as defined in southern Africa.The Jericho kimberlites are an important new source of mantlexenoliths that hold clues to the nature of the Slave cratonsubcontinental mantle. A high proportion (30%) of the Jerichomantle xenolith population consists of various eclogite typesincluding a small number (2–3%) of apatite-, diamond-,kyanite- and zircon-bearing eclogites. The most striking aspectof the Jericho zircon-bearing eclogite xenoliths is their peculiargeochemistry. Reconstructed whole-rock compositions indicatethat they were derived from protoliths with high FeO, Al₂O₃and Na₂O contents, reflected in the high-FeO (22·6–27·5wt %) nature of garnet and the high-Na₂O (8·47–9·44wt %) and high-Al₂O₃ (13·12–14·33 wt %)character of the clinopyroxene. These eclogite whole-rock compositionsare highly enriched in high field strength elements (HFSE) suchas Nb (133–1134 ppm), Ta (5–28 ppm), Zr (1779–4934ppm) and Hf (23–64 ppm). This HFSE enrichment is linkedto growth of large (up to 2 mm) zircon and niobian rutile crystals(up to 3 modal %) near the time of eclogite metamorphism. Thediamond-bearing eclogites on the other hand are characterizedby high-MgO (19·6–21·3 wt %) garnet andultralow-Na₂O (0·44–1·50 wt %) clinopyroxene.Paleotemperature estimates indicate that both the zircon- anddiamond-bearing eclogites have similar equilibration temperaturesof 950–1020°C and 990–1030°C, respectively,corresponding to mantle depths of 150–180 km. Integrationof petrographic, whole-rock and mineral geochemistry, geochronologyand isotope tracer techniques indicates that the Jericho zircon-bearingeclogite xenoliths have had a complex history involving Paleoproterozoicmetamorphism, thermal perturbations, and two or more episodesof Precambrian mantle metasomatism. The oldest metasomatic event(Type 1) occurred near the time of Paleoproterozoic metamorphism(1·8 Ga) and is responsible for the extreme HFSE enrichmentand growth of zircon and high-niobian rutile. A second thermalperturbation and concomitant carbonatite metasomatism (Type2) is responsible for significant apatite growth in some xenolithsand profound light rare earth element enrichment. Type 2 metasomatismoccurred in the period 1·0–1·3 Ga and isrecorded by relatively consistent whole-rock eclogite modelNd ages and secondary U–Pb zircon upper intercept dates.These eclogite xenoliths were derived from a variety of protoliths,some of which could represent metasomatized pieces of oceaniccrust, possibly linked to east-dipping subduction beneath theSlave craton during construction of the 1·88–1·84Ga Great Bear continental arc. Others, including the diamond-bearingeclogites, could be cumulates from mafic or ultramafic sillcomplexes that intruded the Slave lithospheric mantle at depthsof about 150–180 km. KEY WORDS: zircon- and diamond-bearing eclogites; Jericho kimberlite, geochronology; Precambrian metasomatism, northern Slave Craton     

大别造山带中镁铁质——超镁铁质岩石和榴辉岩有关问题的讨论

根据近年来积累的文献资料及研究讨论指出：（１）大别山造带镁铁质－－超镁铁质岩石可分成两大类;一类以任家湾、童家冲、祝家铺道士冲、青山、沙河等辉石辉长岩类为代表,它们具有相同的牲和成岩年龄,可能与华北、华南地块聚敛碰产生的岛弧或大陆岩浆岩有关;另一类以铙拔寨,大化坪、碧溪岭和毛屋岩体为代表,虽然它们的成岩年龄均在前寒武纪,但却有着不同的成岩时代和成岩环境。（２）大别造山带榴辉岩等多属异地来源,具有不     

Hydrogen and oxygen isotope studies of metamorphic fluid-rock interactions in the Dabie Mountains

Hydrogen and oxygen isotope studies were carried out on mineral separates from high to ultrahigh pressure metamorphic rocks at Huangzhen and Shuanghe in the eastern Dabie Mountains, East China. The δ¹⁸O values of eclogites cover a wide range of −5‰ to+9‰, but the δD values of micas fall within a narrow range of −85% to −70‰. Both equilibrium and disequilibrium oxygen isotope fractionations were observed between quartz and the other minerals, with reversed fractionations between omphacite and garnet in some eclogite samples. The δ¹⁸ O values of −5‰ to −1‰ for some of the eclogites represent the oxygen isotope compositions of their protoliths which underwent meteoric water-rock interaction prior to plate subduction. The preservation of oxygen isotope heterogeneity in the eclogites implies a channelized flow of fluids during progressive metamorphism caused by rapid subduction. Retrograde metamorphism has caused oxygen and hydrogen isotope disequilibria between some of the minerals, but the fluid for retrograde reactions was internally buffered in the stable isotope compositions. Project supported by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (Grant No. 95-Pre-39), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 49794042, 49473173 and 49453003) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. KZ951-A1-401-5)     

滇西双江县勐库地区退变质榴辉岩中闪石类矿物的成因研究

勐库地区新近发现的退变质榴辉岩中晚期退变质作用形成的闪石类矿物十分丰富,其携带了大量晚期退变质过程中的岩石成因信息。本文通过系统的矿物学研究,鉴定出了3期10种闪石类矿物,其中以镁钙闪石、镁角闪石、铁镁钙闪石、铁韭闪石、透闪石、阳起石等钙质闪石类为主,有少量冻蓝闪石、蓝透闪石等钠-钙闪石类。研究发现,随着退变质过程中时间的推移,角闪石的形成环境逐渐由还原环境向弱氧化环境、氧化环境演变。根据角闪石电子探针成分测试结果计算了相应的温度、压力条件。结合岩相学的资料,将退变质过程分为3期:(1)第1期早阶段为近等温降压过程(p=0.56~0.75 GPa,t=642~709℃),主要形成铁韭闪石、铁镁钙闪石、镁钙闪石;晚阶段为等温降压过程(p=0.39~0.56 GPa,t=619~642℃),主要形成镁钙闪石及少量镁绿钙闪石、铁韭闪石;(2)第2期为降温降压过程(p=0.23~0.42 GPa,t=460~610℃),主要形成镁角闪石、冻蓝闪石及铁角闪石;(3)第3期为近等温降压过程(p=0.09~0.31 GPa,t=350~420℃),主要形成透闪石、阳起石、蓝透闪石等。闪石类的成分变化反映了退变质榴辉岩从地壳底部的角闪石榴辉岩-高压麻粒岩相温压环境向中上地壳角闪岩相、绿片岩相温压环境的渐次退变质作用过程。这与昌宁-孟连构造带上印支期的碰撞造山作用、燕山期的区域性地壳伸展、喜马拉雅期的陆内造山运动具有较好的对应关系。     

Caledonian high-pressure metamorphism in the Strona-Ceneri Zone (Southern Alps of southern Switzerland and northern Italy)

The Strona-Ceneri Zone comprises a succession of polymetamorphic, pre-Alpidic basement rocks including ortho- and paragneisses, metasedimentary schists, amphibolites, and eclogites. The rock pile represents a Late Proterozoic or Palaeozoic subduction accretion complex that was intruded by Ordovician granitoids. Eclogites, which occur as lenses within the ortho-paragneiss succession and as xenoliths within the granitoids record a subduction related high-pressure event (D1) with peak metamorphic conditions of 710 ± 30 °C at 21.0 ± 2.5 kbar. After isothermal uplift, the eclogites experienced a Barrowtype (D2) tectonometamorphic overprint under amphibolite facies conditions (570-630 °C, 7-9 kbar). U-Pb dating on zircon of the eclogites gives a metamorphic age of 457 ± 5 Ma, and syn-eclogite facies rutile gives a ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 443 ± 19 Ma classifying the subduction as a Caledonian event. These data show that the main tectonometamorphic evolution of the Strona-Ceneri Zone most probably took place in a convergent margin scenario, in which accretion, eclogitization of MOR-basalt, polyphase (D1 and D2) deformation, anatexis and magmatism all occurred during the Ordovician. Caledonian high-pressure metamorphism, subsequent magmatism and Barrow-type metamorphism are believed to be related to subduction and collision within the northern margin of Gondwana. Editorial handling: Edwin Gnos     

大别山西部熊店加里东期榴辉岩——同位素地质年代学的证据

以UP-Pb单颗粒锆石同位素稀释法、角闪石~(40)Ar—~(39)Ar坪年龄和Sm-Nd全岩及矿物等时线相结合的研究方法,系统地研究了大别造山带西部熊店榴辉岩的峰变质年龄,可能的原岩年龄和退变质年龄,建立了这一榴辉岩的构造-变质时间序列,提出了大别地区存在加里东期榴辉岩的确凿证据。