Petrology and geochemistry of the Karaj Dam basement sill: Implications for geodynamic evolution of the Alborz magmatic belt

The northeastward subduction of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere beneath the Iranian block produced vast volcanic and plutonic rocks that now outcrop in central (Urumieh–Dokhtar magmatic assemblage) and north–northeastern Iran (Alborz Magmatic Belt), with peak magmatism occurring during the Eocene. The Karaj Dam basement sill (KDBS), situated in the Alborz Magmatic Belt, comprises gabbro, monzogabbro, monzodiorite, and monzonite with a shoshonitic affinity. These plutonic rocks are intruded into the Karaj Formation, which comprise pyroclastic rocks dating to the lower–upper Eocene. The geochemical and isotopic signatures of the KDBS rocks indicate that they are cogenetic and evolved through fractional crystallization. They are characterized by an enrichment in LREEs relative to HREEs, with negative Nb–Ta anomalies. Geochemical modeling using Sm/Yb versus La/Yb and La/Sm ratios suggests a low-degree of partial melting of a phlogopite–spinel peridotite source to generate the KDBS rocks. Their low I_Sr = 0.70453–0.70535, ɛNd (37.2 Ma) = 1.54–1.9, and T_DM ages ranging from 0.65 to 0.86 Ga are consistent with the melting of a Cadomian enriched lithospheric mantle source, metasomatized by fluids derived from the subducted slab or sediments during magma generation. These interpretations are consistent with high ratios of ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.43–18.67, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.59, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.42–38.71, indicating the involvement of subducted sediments or continental crust. The sill is considered to have been emplaced in an environment of lithospheric extension due to the slab rollback in the lower Eocene. This extension led to localized upwelling of the asthenosphere, providing the heat required for partial melting of the subduction-contaminated subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath the Alborz magmatic belt. Then, the shoshonitic melt generates the entire spectrum of KDBS rocks through assimilation and fractional crystallization during the ascent of the magma.     

阿尔金造山带东段地质构造演化概论

阿尔金造山带曾是一个早古生代拗拉槽,其两侧地质体具有极为相似的地质构造特征。该区构造演化可以概括为:晚太古代至早元古代处于底侵造壳阶段,经吕梁旋回发生克拉通化,出现中元古代稳定型盖层沉积。加里东旋回中叶,经过短暂的拗拉、裂陷,分裂的塔柴板块又重新聚合。华力西旋回该区以剥蚀夷平作用为主,仅在山间断陷或山前凹陷的局部地段沉积有上泥盆统磨拉石建造。石炭纪发生短暂小规模海侵。侏罗纪全区进入陆相发育阶段。区内岩浆活动频繁,燕山旋回为最高潮。在喜山旋回,随着印度板块与欧亚板块的碰撞,该区也被卷入青藏高原总体的巨大演变之中。早期由边缘断陷转化为大型断陷盆地,至上新世湖水淹没了大部地区;晚期,随着阿尔金迅速崛起,塔里木—柴达木板块再度分裂,南盘抬升,北盘下降。文章最后探讨了阿尔金左行斜滑地震断裂带的控震作用。     

Coupling forward modelling of garnet growth with monazite geochronology: an application to the Rappold Complex (Austroalpine crystalline basement)

Results from forward modelling of garnet growth and U–Th–Pb chemical dating suggest three periods of metamorphism that affected metapelitic rocks of the Rappold Complex (Eastern European Alps). Garnet first grew during Barrovian-type metamorphism, possibly during the Carboniferous Variscan orogeny. The second period of metamorphism produced monazite and resulted in minor garnet growth in some samples. Variable garnet growth was controlled by changes to the effective bulk rock composition resulting from resorption of older garnet porphyroblasts. Monazite crystals have variable morphology, textures and composition, but all yield Permian ages (267 ± 12 to 274 ± 17 Ma). In samples in which there was Permian garnet growth, monazite forms isolated and randomly distributed grains. In other samples, monazite formed pseudomorphous clusters after allanite. This difference is attributed to higher transport rates of monazite-forming elements in samples which underwent dehydration reactions during renewed garnet growth. The third and final period of garnet growth took place during Eo-Alpine (Cretaceous) metamorphism. Garnet of this age displays a wart-like texture. This may reflect transport-limited growth, possibly as a result of repeated dehydration during polyphase metamorphism.     

宽甸北部早元古宙铅锌矿地质特征及成因讨论

辽宁宽甸北部早元古宙铅锌矿位于辽东青城子—吉林荒沟山—朝鲜检德铅锌矿带上。赋存于辽东优、冒地槽的过渡带,靠近优地槽一侧的碳酸盐岩建造中。矿体受岩相、岩性控制明显,属层控矿床。吕梁构造旋回的变质变形作用对矿带的改造不明显。矿带的同位素特征表明,张家堡子铅锌矿形成于封闭盆地环境,矿质来源于大陆边缘深部液态矿源层;而高丽墓子铅锌矿带则形成于正常海洋环境,表现了明显的原始沉积矿床的特点。     

Late Proterozoic High-pressure granulite facies meta-morphism in the north-east Ox inlier, north-west Ireland

Abstract High-pressure granulite-facies gneisses in the NE Ox inlier in NW Ireland have undergone extensive Caledonian retrogression. In the local area of Slishwood, however, reworking was negligible and the gneisses (psammites, semipelites, pelites, metabasites and ultramafites) preserve evidence of P–T changes at high grade which mainly post-date pre-Caledonian polyphase deformation. Temperatures reached 850–900°C (based on garnet-clinopyroxene geothermometry and the presence of mesoperthite) during and after decompression from earlier eclogite-facies conditions (inferred from textural evidence of plagioclase release in sieve-textured augite). Subsequent cooling at high pressure is inferred from the unequivocal replacement of sillimanite by kyanite.
A Sm–Nd mineral isochron (gt–cpx–plag–WR) of 605 ± 37 Ma is taken to date a point on the cooling path, and confirms the hitherto suspected pre-Caledonian age of the high-grade metamorphism. Geochemical and Sm–Nd isotopic data indicate that the protoliths were probably late Proterozoic arkosic sediments and tholeiites. Following metamorphism they apparently came to reside near the base of the crust where they slowly cooled. The eventual exhumation of these gneisses is attributed to Caledonian crustal imbrication, followed by rapid isostatic recovery.     

Stable isotope constraints on the Al2SiO5'triple-point' rocks from the Proterozoic Priest pluton contact aureole, New Mexico, USA

The Priest pluton contact aureole in the Manzano Mountains, central New Mexico preserves evidence for upper amphibolite contact metamorphism and localized retrograde hydrothermal alteration associated with intrusion of the 1.42 Ga Priest pluton. Quartz–garnet and quartz–sillimanite oxygen isotope fractionations in pelitic schist document an increase in the temperatures of metamorphism from 540 °C, at a distance of 1 km from the pluton, to 690 °C at the contact with the pluton. Comparison of calculated temperature estimates with one‐dimensional thermal modelling suggests that background temperatures between 300 and 350 °C existed at the time of intrusion of the Priest pluton. Fibrolite is found within 300 m of the Priest pluton in pelitic and aluminous schist metamorphosed at temperatures >580 °C. Coexisting fibrolite and garnet in pelitic schist are in oxygen isotope equilibrium, suggesting these minerals were stable reaction products during peak metamorphism. The fibrolite‐in isograd is coincident with the staurolite‐out isograd in pelitic schist, and K‐feldspar is not observed with the first occurrence of fibrolite. This suggests that the breakdown of staurolite and not the second sillimanite reaction controls fibrolite growth in staurolite‐bearing pelitic schist. Muscovite‐rich aluminous schist locally preserves the Al₂SiO₅ polymorph triple‐point assemblage – kyanite, andalusite and fibrolite. Andalusite and fibrolite, but not kyanite, are in isotopic equilibrium in the aluminous schist. Co‐nucleation of fibrolite and andalusite at 580 °C in the presence of muscovite and absence of K‐feldspar suggests that univariant growth of andalusite and fibrolite occurred. Kyanite growth occurred during an earlier regional metamorphic event at a temperature nearly 80 °C lower than andalusite and fibrolite growth. Quartz–muscovite fractionations in hydrothermally altered pelitic schist and quartzite are small or negative, suggesting that late isotopic exchange between externally derived fluids and muscovite, but not quartz, occurred after peak contact metamorphism and that hydrothermal alteration in pelitic schist and quartzite occurred below the closure temperature of oxygen self diffusion in quartz (<500 °C).     

The Application of Basement Tectonic Research to the Development of Natural Resources—Example Midcontinent North America

An understanding of an area in four dimensions is an important factor in utilizing our natural resources. The additional aspect of change through time, particularly the tectonic processes that have shaped the architecture of an area, can influence the interpretation of the origin and characterization of a resource. An example is provided of the influence that the patterns created during the formation of the continent in central North America demonstrates the continued influence of the original tectonic features and how they have persisted through time. It is this persistence and rejuvenation, that has controlled the occurrence of many of the natural resources on which we depend. Other references are provided to specific examples of the relationships between tectonics, particularly within the crystalline basement rocks, and our natural resource system.     

Neoproterozoic and Cambro-Ordovician magmatism in the Variscan Kłodzko Metamorphic Complex (West Sudetes,Poland): new insights from U/Pb zircon dating

The Kodzko Metamorphic Complex (KMC) in the Central Sudetes consists of meta-sedimentary and meta-igneous rocks metamorphosed under greenschist to amphibolite facies conditions. They are comprised in a number of separate tectonic units interpreted as thrust sheets. In contrast to other Lower Palaeozoic volcano-sedimentary successions in the Sudetes, the two uppermost units (the Orla-Googowy unit and the Kodzko Fortress unit) of the KMC contain meta-igneous rocks with supra-subduction zone affinities. The age of the KMC was previously assumed to be Early Palaeozoic–Devonian, based on biostratigraphic findings in the lowermost tectonic unit. Our geochronological study focused on the magmatic rocks from the two uppermost tectonic units, exposed in the SW part of the KMC. Two orthogneiss samples from the Orla-Googowy unit yielded ages of 500.4±3.1 and 500.2±4.9 Ma, interpreted to indicate the crystallization age of the granitic precursors. A plagioclase gneiss from the same tectonic unit, intimately interlayered with metagabbro, provided an upper intercept age of 590.1±7.2 Ma, which is interpreted as the time of igneous crystallization. From the topmost Kodzko Fortress unit, a metatuffite was studied, which contains a mixture of genetically different zircon grains. The youngest ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages, which cluster at ca. 590-600 Ma, are interpreted to indicate the maximum depositional age for this metasediment. The results of this study are in accord with a model that suggests a nappe structure for the KMC, with a Middle Devonian succession at the base and Upper Proterozoic units at structurally higher levels. It is suggested here that the KMC represents a composite tectonic suture that juxtaposes elements of pre-Variscan basement, intruded by the Lower Ordovician granite, against a Middle Palaeozoic passive margin succession. The new ages, combined with the overall geochemical variation in the KMC, indicate the existence of rock assemblages representing a Gondwana active margin. The recognition of Neoproterozoic subduction-related magmatism provides additional arguments for the hypothesis that equivalents of the Teplá-Barrandian domain are exposed in the Central Sudetes.     

Multi-electrode resistivity survey for groundwater exploration in the Harare greenstone belt, Zimbabwe

A multi-electrode resistivity survey, carried out over metasedimentary strata and metavolcanics in the Harare greenstone belt in northeastern Zimbabwe as part of a groundwater resources investigation, illustrates the ability of this technique to produce high-resolution images of the subsurface, which are useful for groundwater resources assessment. The resistivity results provide a clear view of the thickness of the weathered regolith and of the distribution of the various lithological units. Using a combination of apparent formation resistivity and inferred depth of weathering, it is possible to characterize the various lithologies on the geophysical profiles. These assigned lithologies show excellent correlation with the mapped geology, and the main lithologies, metabasalt, meta-arenite, granodiorite and banded iron formation can be clearly identified. The banded iron formation is characterized by low resistivity values, while a combination of the depth of weathering and resistivity values are used to distinguish between the meta-arenite on one hand and the metabasalt and granodiorite on the other. The multi-electrode method is successful in identifying potentially favourable zones for obtaining groundwater, such as areas with a maximum depth of weathered regolith, zones of fracturing and faulting, and high porosity and permeability zones associated with lithological contacts.

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Resumen Un estudio de resistividad multi-electrodo que se llevó a cabo en estratos meta sedimentarios y metavolcánicos en el cinturón de rocas verdes de Harare, en la parte noreste de Zimbabwe, como parte de una investigación de recursos de agua subterránea, ilustra la capacidad de esta técnica para producir imágenes de alta resolución de la subsuperficie, las cuales son útiles para la evaluación de los recursos da agua subterránea. Los resultados de resistividad suministran una visión clara el espesor del regolito meteorizado y de la distribución de varias unidades litológicas. Mediante el uso de una combinación de resistividad aparente de formación y de una profundidad inferida de meteorización, es posible caracterizar las diferentes litologías en los perfiles geofísicos. Estas litologías asignadas muestran una excelente correlación con la cartografía geológica y se pueden identificar las litologías predominantes como metabasalto, meta-arenita, granodiorita y formación de hierro bandeado. Esta última se caracteriza por valores bajos de resistividad, mientras que se utiliza una combinación de profundidad de meteorización y valores de resistividad, para distinguir entre meta-arenita por un lado y metabasalto y granodiorita por el otro. El método multi-electrodo es exitoso para identificar zonas potencialmente favorables para captar agua subterránea, las cuales pueden ser áreas con una profundidad máxima de regolito meteorizado, o bien zonas de fracturamiento y fallamiento, o también zonas de porosidad y permeabilidad altas asociadas con contactos litológicos.

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Résumé La prospection électrique par la méthode de multiélectrodes, effectuée pour linvestigation des eaux souterraines cantonnés dans des roches métamorphiques dorigine sédimentaire et volcanique de la ceinture de Harare-Zimbabwe a mis en évidence les possibilités de cette technique de réaliser des images à grande résolution du sous-sol qui sont très utiles pour lévaluation de la ressource en eaux souterraines. Daprès la distribution de la résistance il résulte une image très claire de lépaisseur des regolithes altérés ainsi que de la distribution des différentes unités lithologiques. Daprès les profiles géophysiques on peut caractériser les différents lithologies en utilisant les résistivités apparentes de la formation respective et les informations sur la profondeur de la zone altérée. Les lithologies ainsi déterminées montrent une excellente corrélation avec les cartes géologiques et on peut très bien identifier les lithologies principales comme les metabasaltes et les meta-arenites, les granodiorites et les formations de fer rubanées. Cettes dernières sont caractérisées par des faibles valeurs de la résistivité, tandis que en utilisant les résistivité et la profondeur de la zone altérée on peut distinguer les meta-arenites de granodiorites et des metabasaltes. La méthode des multiélectrodes est donc capable didentifier des formations favorables à laccumulation en eau comme les zones de faille et des fractures, ainsi que les zones à grande porosité et perméabilité, associées aux contactes lithologiques.

     

Early Mesozoic unroofing pattern of the Dabie Mountains (China): Constraints from the U-Pb detrital zircon geochronology and Si-in-white mica analysis of synorogenic sediments in the Jianghan Basin

This paper presents the results of an integrated U-Pb detrital zircon geochronology and Si-in-white mica analysis for synorogenic sediments in the Jianghan Basin to the south of the Dabie Orogen. The results provide an improved understanding of the provenance of these sediments and the unroofing pattern of the early Mesozoic Dabie Mountain. Si contents of detrital white micas range from 3.09 to 3.34 atoms pfu for the upper Triassic sandstones whereas 3.06 to 3.59 atoms pfu for the lower and middle Jurassic sandstones. The majority of detrital white micas in the lower Jurassic sandstones is phengitic and originated exclusively from the Dabie high- to ultrahigh- pressure rocks. The U-Pb dating results of the detrital zircons for seven samples suggest that these synorogenic sediments have a significant change of provenance from late Triassic to early and middle Jurassic. For the upper Triassic sandstone, the U-Pb age clusters of these zircons are characterized by ~ 420-450 Ma, ~ 750-820 Ma, ~ 1050-1200 Ma and ~ 2500 Ma with minor Luliangian (~ 1700–2000 Ma) components. In contrast, the zircon ages of the Jurassic sandstones are dominated by the Luliangian (~ 1700–2000 Ma) ages with only minor Caledonian (~ 420-450 Ma) and Greenville (~ 1050-1200 Ma) ages. In combination with other available geological data, it can be concluded that the Dabie HP-UHP rocks might initially be exposed to the surface at the beginning of early Jurassic (~ 190 Ma). The Jiangnan terrain (also named “Jiangnan old continental in Chinese) to the south of the Jianghan basin provided the predominant supply of upper Triassic sediments, whereas the Paleoproterozoic Yangtze crustal materials (overlying the present Dabie Complex at the time) were the important provenance of the Jurassic sediments in the Jianghan basin.