Mineral chemistry of Plio-Quaternary subvolcanic rocks,southwest Yazd Province,Iran

The NW–SE-trendingLate Cretaceous–Cenozoic Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Arc (UDMA) in southwest Iran hosts numerous Plio-Quaternary subvolcanic porphyritic andesitic to rhyodacitic domes intruded into a variety of rock sequences. Bulk-rock geochemical data show that the calc-alkaline dacitic to rhyodacitic subvolcanic rocks share compositional affinities with high-silica adakites, including high ratios of Na₂O/K₂O >1, Sr/Y (most >70), and La/Yb (>35), high Al₂O₃ (>15 wt.%), low Yb (<1.8 ppm) and Y (<18 ppm) contents, no significant Eu anomalies, and flat to gently upward-sloping chondrite-normalized heavy rare-earth element (HREE) patterns. All analysed rocks are characterized by enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and depletion in high field strength elements (HFSEs). They also display typical features of subduction-related calc-alkaline magmas. In chondrite-normalized rare-earth element patterns, the light rare-earth elements (LREEs) are enriched ((La/Sm) _N = 3.49–7.89) in comparison to those of the HREE ((Gd/Yb) _N = 1.52–2.38). Except for the G-Aliabad Dome, plagioclase crystals in the Shamsabad, Ostaj, Abdollah, and Bouragh Domes are mostly oligoclase to andesine (An_19–49). Amphibole and biotite are abundant ferromagnesian minerals in the subvolcanic rocks. Calcic amphiboles are dominantly magnesiohornblende, magnesiohastingsite, and tschermakite with Mg/(Mg + Fe_tot) ratios ranging from 0.58 to 0.78. In all the studied domes, amphiboles are typically ferric iron-rich, but that those the Shamsabad Dome have the highest Fe³⁺/(Fe³⁺ + Fe²⁺) ratios, between 0.69 and 0.98. Amphiboles from the Ostaj and Shamsabad Domes are relatively rich in F (0.39–1.01 wt.%) in comparison to the other studied domes. This phase commonly shows pargasitic and hastingsitic substitutions with a combination of tschermakitic and edenitic types.

Temperature-corrected Al-in-hornblende data show that amphibole phenocrysts from the Ostaj, Abdollah, and G-Aliabad Domes crystallized at pressures ranging from 2.14 to 3.42 kbar, 3.49 to 3.96 kbar, and 2.02 to 3.47 kbar, respectively. Temperatures of crystallization calculated with the amphibole–plagioclase thermometer for the Ostaj, Abdollah, and G-Aliabad subvolcanic domes range from 735°C to 826°C (mean = 786 ± 29), 778°C to 808°C (mean = 791 ± 13), and 866°C to 908°C (mean = 885 ± 12), respectively. In the annite–siderophyllite–phlogopite–eastonite quadrilateral, biotite from the G-Aliabad, Bouragh, and Ostaj Domes are characterized by relatively low total Al contents with variable Fe_tot/(Fe_tot + Mg) values from 0.26 to 0.43. All biotite analyses define a nearly straight line in the X _Mg versus Fe_tot plot, with r = –0.96 correlation coefficient. In comparison to other domes, the F content of biotite from the G-Aliabad Dome shows high concentrations in the range of 1.80–2.57 wt.% (mean = 2.20). Inferred pre-eruptive conditions based on the calcic amphibole thermobarometric calculations for the Shamsabad, Abdollah, and Ostaj Domes show that the calc-alkaline subvolcanic magma chamber, on average, was characterized by a water content of 6.10 wt.%, a relatively high oxygen fugacity of 10^–10.66 (ΔNNO + 1.28), a temperature of 896°C, and a pressure of 2.75 kbar.     

Geochronological evidence and tectonic significance of Carboniferous magmatism in the southwest Trabzon area,eastern Pontides,Turkey

The northern and southern zones of the eastern Pontides (northeast Turkey) contain numerous plutons of varying ages and compositions. Geochemical and isotopic results on two Hercynian granitoid bodies located in the northern zone of the eastern Pontides allow a proper reconstruction of their origin for the first time. The intrusive rocks comprise four distinct bodies, two of which we investigated in detail. Based on LA–ICP–MS U–Pb zircon dating, the Derinoba and Kayadibi granites have similar ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U versus ²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U Concordia ages of 311.1 ± 2.0 and 317.2 ± 3.5 million years for the former and 303.8 ± 1.5 million years for the latter. Aluminium saturation index values of both granites are between 0.95 and 1.35, indicating dominant peraluminous melt compositions. Both intrusions have high SiO₂ (74–77 wt.%) contents and show high-K calc-alkaline and I- to S-type characteristics. Primitive mantle-normalized element diagrams display enrichment in K, Rb, Th, and U, and depletion in Ba, Nb, Ta, Sr, P, and Ti. Chondrite-normalized rare earth element patterns are characterized by concave-upward shapes and pronounced negative Eu anomalies with La_cn/Yb_cn?=?4.6–9.7 and Eu_cn/Eu*?=?0.11–0.59 (Derinoba), and La_cn/Yb_cn?=?2.7–5.5 and Eu_cn/Eu*?=?0.31–0.37 (Kayadibi). These features imply crystal-melt fractionation of plagioclase and K-feldspar without significant involvement of garnet. The Derinoba samples have initial ?Nd values between –6.1 and –7.1 with Nd model ages and T _DM between 1.56 and 2.15 thousand million years. The Kayadibi samples show higher initial ?Nd_(I) values, –4.5 to –6.2, with Nd model ages between 1.50 and 1.72 thousand million years. This study demonstrates that the Sr isotope ratios generally display negative correlation with Nd isotopes; Sr isotope ratios were lowered in some samples by hydrothermal interaction or alteration. Isotopic and petrological data suggest that both granites were produced by the partial melting of early Palaeozoic lower crustal rocks, with minor contribution from the mantle. Collectively, these rocks represent a late stage of Hercynian magmatism in the eastern Pontides.     

Chemical composition of rock-forming minerals in granitoids associated with Au–Bi–Cu,Cu–Mo,and Au–Ag mineralization at the Freegold Mountain,Yukon, Canada: magmatic and hydrothermal fluid chemistry and petrogenetic implications

The chemical compositions of rock-forming minerals have been determined for both altered and least-altered igneous rocks spatially associated with numerous mineralized zones (Nucleus Au–Bi–Cu–As deposit, Revenue Au ± Cu and Stoddart Cu–Mo ± W mineral occurrences, and Laforma Au–Ag deposit) across the Freegold Mountain area, Yukon, Canada. Within the study area, K-feldspar has a narrow compositional range (89.4–91% Or), whereas plagioclase spans a wide range (4.4–70.07% An). In all of the investigated samples, T _Ab = T _An = T _Or, suggesting that magmatic equilibrium between the coexisting plagioclase and K-feldspar was maintained. Igneous amphibole phenocrysts from hypabyssal dikes are typically calcic, whereas the Stoddart Cu–Mo ± W, Laforma Au–Ag, and Goldy Au mineralization are associated with Mg-enriched primary amphibole of edenite composition, and Au–Bi–Cu–As mineralization from Nucleus is related to Al-enriched primary amphibole of ferropargasite composition. Primary biotite phenocrysts across the Freegold Mountain area re-equilibrated with oxidized magma (f(O₂) values between 10–13 and 10–11.5 bars, lying between the Ni/NiO and the magnetite/haematite buffers). However, biotite and amphibole phenocrysts from Stoddart, Goldy, Laforma, and the Highway zones crystallized from a more oxidized magma, as indicated by their elevated X _Mg up to 0.65, relative to biotite and hornblende from Nucleus and Revenue characterized by a lower X _Mg (typically < 0.50). This suggests that various sources and (or) rapid emplacement were involved in magma genesis, as further supported by the considerable variation of pressure (1.8–7.3 kb) of amphibole crystallization and of the total Al content in least-altered biotite (2.6–2.9 afu) within the Freegold Mountain area. Biotite and apatite equilibrated within the T range of 520–780°C, consistent with temperatures of equilibration between ilmenite and magnetite, and their compositions indicate that they formed from an oxidized I-type magma. Magma differentiated by fractional crystallization (indicated by the presence of normally zoned plagioclase with Ca-rich cores and Na-enriched outer rims) and multiple magma mixing (supported by the presence of reversed zoned plagioclase and coexistence of normally and reversely zoned plagioclase). Lower X _Mg biotite associated with the mineralized (Cu–Mo ± W) potassic alteration incorporated more F and Cl relative to least-altered biotite with higher X _Mg. In both Nucleus and Revenue Au–Cu mineralizations, secondary biotite composition varies with respect to the associated alteration mineral assemblages. Although secondary biotite in the skarn re-equilibrated with F-poor fluids, secondary biotite from the pervasive biotitization is related to F- and Cl-enriched fluids, and secondary biotite from the phyllitic zone is related to F-, Cl-, and Mg-depleted fluids, thus consistent with a change in mineralizing fluid composition during mineralization.     

Prospects for gold and other economically valuable minerals in volcanogenic formations of northern Sea of Okhotsk coastal region

We review data for the Tuva–Mongolia Massif and show that this massif was not derived from the Siberian Craton.     

Nd–Sr isotopic constraint to the formation of metatexite and diatexite migmatites,Higo metamorphic terrane,central Kyushu,Japan

ABSTRACT

Metatexite and diatexite migmatites are widely distributed within the upper amphibolite and granulite-facies zones of the Higo low-P/high-T metamorphic terrane. Here we report Nd–Sr isotopic and whole rock composition data from an outcrop in the highest-grade part of the granulite-facies zone, in which diatexite occurs as a 3 m-thick layer between 2 m-thick layers of stromatic-structured metatexite within pelitic gneiss. The metatexite has Nd–Sr isotopes and whole rock compositions similar to those of the gneiss, but the diatexite shows the reverse. The diatexite has a higher ε_Nd(t) and ¹⁴⁷Sm/¹⁴⁴Nd ratio (ε_Nd(t) = ?0.5; ¹⁴⁷Sm/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0.1636) than the gneiss (ε_Nd(t) = ?2.1; ¹⁴⁷Sm/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0.1287) and metatexite (ε_Nd(t) = ?3.1; ¹⁴⁷Sm/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0.1188). The (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_initial and ⁸⁷Rb/⁸⁶Sr of the diatexite ((⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_initial = 0.70568; ⁸⁷Rb/⁸⁶Sr = 0.416) are lower than those of the gneiss ((⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_initial = 0.70857; ⁸⁷Rb/⁸⁶Sr = 1.13) and metatexite ((⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_initial = 0.70792; ⁸⁷Rb/⁸⁶Sr = 1.11). The metatexite and gneiss show enrichment of Th and depletion of P and Eu and have a similar chondrite-normalized REE pattern, which shows steep LREE–MREE-enriched and gently declining HREE patterns and negative Eu anomalies, whereas the diatexite shows enrichment of Sr and depletion of Th and Y, and exhibits gently declining LREE and steeply declining HREE pattern and weak Eu depletion. The metatexite migmatite is interpreted to have formed by in situ partial melting in which the melt did not migrate from the source, whereas the diatexite migmatite included an externally derived melt with a juvenile component. The Cretaceous high-temperature metamorphism of the Higo metamorphic terrane is interpreted to reflect emplacement of mantle-derived basalts under a volcanic arc along the eastern margin of the Eurasian continent, and mass transfer and advection of heat via hybrid silicic melts from the lower crust.     

New LA-ICPMS U–Pb ages of detrital zircons from the Highland Complex: insights into late Cryogenian to early Cambrian (ca. 665–535 Ma) linkage between Sri Lanka and India

ABSTRACT

Here we report new LA-ICPMS U–Pb zircon geochronology of ultrahigh temperature (UHT) metasedimentary rocks and associated crystallized melt patches, from the central Highland Complex (HC), Sri Lanka. The detrital zircon ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age spectra range between 2834 ± 12 and 722 ± 14 Ma, evidencing new and younger depositional ages of sedimentary protoliths than those known so far in the HC. The overgrowth domains of zircons in these UHT granulites yield weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age clusters from 665.5 ± 5.9 to 534 ± 10 Ma, identified as new metamorphic ages of the metasediments in the HC. The zircon ages of crystallized in situ melt patches associated with UHT granulites yield tight clusters of weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages from 558 ± 1.6 to 534 ± 2.4 Ma. Thus, using our results coupled with recently published geochronological data, we suggest a new geochronological framework for the evolutionary history of the metasedimentary package of the HC. The Neoarchean to Neoproterozoic ages of detrital zircons indicate that the metasedimentary package of the HC has derived from ancient multiple age provenances and deposited during the Neoproterozoic Era. Hence, previously reported upper intercept ages of ca. 2000–1800 Ma from metaigneous rocks should be considered as geochronological evidence for existence of a Palaeoproterozoic igneous basement which possibly served as a platform for the deposition of younger supracrustal rocks, rather than timing of magmatic intrusions into the already deposited ancient sediments, as has been conventionally interpreted. The intense reworking of entire Palaeoproterozoic basement rocks in the Gondwana Supercontinent assembly may have caused sediments of multiple ages and provenances to incorporate within supra-crustal sequences of the HC. Further, our data supports a convincing geochronological correlation between the HC of Sri Lanka and the Trivandrum Block of Southern India, disclosing the Gondwanian linkage between the HC of Sri Lanka and Southern Granulite Terrain of India.     

Zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotopic compositions of two types of supracrustal rocks in the Northeastern Sulu UHP terrane: constraints on the surface boundary between South China and North China

ABSTRACT

There are voluminous ultrahigh pressure-related orthogneisses and minor metamorphic supracrustal rocks in the northeastern Sulu UHP terrane (NSL), East China. The tectonic affinities of the supracrustal rocks are crucial for unravelling the deep continental subduction processes and locating the tectonic suture between the South China (SCB) and North China (NCB) blocks. In this contribution, we report new zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotope data for the supracrustal rocks and metagabbros in the Zeku region of the NSL. In the Zeku region, the supracrustal rocks are spatially associated with granitic gneisses, metagabbros, and eclogites. Detrital zircon U–Pb analyses yield ages between 3.39 and 0.65 Ga that cluster as three major age populations including (1) 2.15–1.68 Ga with two subpeaks at ~1.83 Ga and~1.97 Ga, (2) 2.45–2.15 Ga with a peak at ~2.37 Ga, and (3) 0.79–0.65 Ga. In addition, there is a small age population between 3.39 and 2.61 Ga. The youngest age population of 0.79–0.65 Ga indicates that the Zeku supracrustal rocks must have been deposited after 650 Ma rather than during the Palaeoproterozoic as previously thought. The 210–190 Ma metamorphic ages suggest that the Zeku rocks were affected by Triassic collision–subduction and exhumation. Most of the Archaean-Palaeoproterozoic zircons have negative ε_Hf(t) values and two-stage Hf model ages concentrating at 2.4–3.4 Ga (peak at ~2.9 Ga), indicating that source rocks of these zircons were mainly derived from recycling of ancient crustal material. These ages, together with the Hf isotopic compositions and rock assemblages, indicate that the Zeku supracrustal rocks were mainly derived from the Precambrian basement rocks of the northern Yangzte Block and have a tectonic affinity to the SCB, rather than the NCB. Our results, together with previously published data, suggest that there are two types of supracrustal rocks with different zircon U–Pb ages and tectonic affinities in the NSL. On the basis of new data, we suggest that the surface boundary between the SCB and NCB in the Jiaodong Peninsula is a complicated tectonic mélange zone rather than a single fault.     

The Eastern Makran Ophiolite (SE Iran): evidence for a Late Cretaceous fore-arc oceanic crust

ABSTRACT

The nature, magmatic evolution, and geodynamic setting of both inner and outer Makran ophiolites, in SE Iran, are enigmatic. Here, we report mineral chemistry, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotope composition of mantle peridotites and igneous rocks from the Eastern Makran Ophiolite (EMO) to assess the origin and tectono-magmatic evolution of the Makran oceanic realm. The EMO includes mantle peridotites (both harzburgites and impregnated lherzolites), isotropic gabbros, diabase dikes, and basaltic to andesitic pillow and massive lava flows. The Late Cretaceous pelagic limestones are found as covers of lava flows and/or interlayers between them. All ophiolite components are somehow sheared and fragmented, probably in Cenozoic time, during the emplacement of ophiolite. This event has produced a considerable extent of tectonic melange. Tectonic slices of trachy-basaltic lavas with oceanic island basalt (OIB)-like signature seal the tectonic melange. Our new geochemical data indicate a magmatic evolution from fore-arc basalt (FAB) to island-arc tholeiite (IAT)-like signatures for the Late Cretaceous EMO lavas. EMO extrusive rocks have high εNd(t) (+8 to +8.9) and isotopically are similar to the Oman lavas. This isotopic signature indicates a depleted mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) mantle source for the genesis of these rocks, except isotopic gabbros containing lower εNd(t) (+5.1 to +5.7) and thus show higher contribution of subducted slab components in their mantle source. High ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb isotopic ratios for the EMO igneous rocks also suggest considerable involvement of slab-derived components into the mantle source of these rocks. The variable geochemical signatures of the EMO lavas are mostly similar to Zagros and Oman ophiolite magmatic rocks, although the Pb isotopic composition shows similarity to the isotopic characteristic of inner Zagros ophiolite belt. This study postulates that the EMO formed during the early stages of Neo-Tethyan subduction initiation beneath the Lut block in a proto-forearc basin. We suggest subduction initiation caused asthenospheric upwelling and thereafter melting to generate the MORB-like melts. This event left the harzburgitic residues and the MORB-like melts interacted with the surrounding peridotites to generate the impregnated lherzolites, which are quite abundant in the EMO. Therefore, these lherzolites formed due to the refertilization of mantle rocks through porous flows of MORB-like melts. The inception of subduction caused mantle wedge to be enriched slightly by the slab components. Melting of these metasomatized mantle generated isotropic gabbros and basaltic to andesitic lavas with FAB-like signature. At the later stage, higher contribution of the slab-derived components into the overlying mantle wedge causes formation of diabase dikes with supra-subduction zone – or IAT-like signatures. Trachy-basalts were probably the result of late-stage magmatism fed by the melts originated from an OIB source asthenospheric mantle due to slab break-off. This occurred after emplacement of EMO and the formation of tectonic melange.     

Modelling ecohydrological feedbacks in forest and grassland plots under a prolonged drought anomaly in Central Europe 2018–2020

Recent studies have highlighted the importance of understanding ecohydrological drought feedbacks to secure water resources under a changing climate and increasing anthropogenic impacts. In this study, we monitored and modelled feedbacks in the soil–plant-atmosphere continuum to the European drought summer 2018 and the following 2 years. The physically based, isotope-aided model EcH₂O-iso was applied to generic vegetation plots (forest and grassland) in the lowland, groundwater-dominated research catchment Demnitzer Millcreek (NE Germany; 66 km²). We included, inter alia, soil water isotope data in the model calibration and quantified changing “blue” (groundwater recharge) and “green” (evapotranspiration) water fluxes and ages under each land use as the drought progressed. Novel plant xylem isotope data were excluded from calibration but were compared with simulated root uptake signatures in model validation. Results indicated inter-site differences in the dynamics of soil water storage and fluxes with contrasting water age both during the drought and the subsequent 2 years. Forest vegetation consistently showed a greater moisture stress, more rapid recovery and higher variability in root water uptake depths from a generally younger soil water storage. In contrast, the grassland site, which had more water-retentive soils, showed higher and older soil water storage and groundwater recharge fluxes. The damped storage and flux dynamics under grassland led to a slower return to younger water ages at depth. Such evidence-based and quantitative differences in ecohydrological feedbacks to drought stress in contrasting soil-vegetation units provide important insights into Critical Zone water cycling. This can help inform future progress in the monitoring, modelling and development of climate mitigation strategies in drought-sensitive lowlands.     

Nonlocal period parameters of frequency content characterization for near-fault ground motions

This paper focuses on the frequency property analysis of near-fault ground motions with and without distinct pulses, separately from the Chi-Chi and Northridge earthquakes. Ten scalar period parameters of ground motions, especially several nonlocal period parameters, are considered. Two new nonlocal parameters, namely the mean period of Hilbert marginal spectrum (T_mh) and the improved characteristic period (T_gi), are suggested. Moreover, comprehensive comparison and analysis indicate that T_mh, T_gi and T_avg (average spectral period) can distinguish the low-frequency components of near-fault ground motions; T_m (mean period of Fourier amplitude spectrum) and T_o (smoothed spectral predominant period) represent the moderate- and high-frequency components, respectively. The variance coefficient of predominant instantaneous frequency of Hilbert spectrum (H_cov) can be regarded as an alternative index to measure the non-stationary degree of near-fault ground motions. Finally, the velocity pulses and earthquake magnitude remarkably affect the frequency parameters of near-fault ground motions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.