Kinematics of orocline-parallel faults in the Texas and Coffs Harbour oroclines (eastern Australia) and the role of flexural slip during oroclinal bending

The Texas and Coffs Harbour oroclines are defined by a Z-shaped curvature in the southern New England Orogen (eastern Australia), but the geometry and kinematics of faults around these oroclines, as well as their possible role during oroclinal bending, have hitherto not been understood. Using aeromagnetic and open file seismic data, as well as field observations, the pattern, geometry and kinematics of fault systems, have been investigated. Fault traces with a strike-slip component are oriented parallel to the curved magnetic and structural fabrics of the Texas and Coffs Harbour oroclines. Our observations show evidence for sinistral or sinistral-reverse, dextral (or dextral-reverse) and normal kinematics along NW-striking faults. The dominant kinematics along NNE- and NE-striking faults is dextral or dextral-reverse. The timing of faulting is not well constrained, but the ubiquitous recognition of orocline-parallel faults may suggest that a flexural slip mechanism operated during oroclinal bending in the early–middle Permian (ca 299–265 Ma). Our observations indicate that many of the orocline-parallel faults, with strike-slip separation, were reactivated during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic, as indicated by the recognition of displaced Triassic granitoids, Mesozoic sedimentary rocks and Cenozoic basalts.     

Crustal and thermal structure of the Thomson Orogen: constraints from the geochemistry,zircon U–Pb age,and Hf and O isotopes of subsurface granitic rocks

Abstract

The origin of elevated geothermal gradients in the subsurface Thomson Orogen and the nature of the crustal basement beneath it, whether oceanic or continental, remain enigmatic. Previous studies have demonstrated that a higher crustal radiogenic input is required to explain these anomalous thermal gradients. In this study, we have investigated the nature and age of this crustal input by undertaking geochemical, geochronological and Hf and O isotope analyses of buried granitic rocks as well as evaluating the heat-producing potential of metasedimentary rocks. The mineralogy, composition and Neoproterozoic/Cambrian to Devonian age of the low to moderate heat-producing I- and S-type granitic rocks strongly contrast with the Carboniferous A-type high-heat-producing granites of the Big Lake Suite, which have been suggested to be an important contributor to the elevated geothermal gradients, near the southwest corner of the Thomson Orogen. These differences suggest the Big Lake Suite rocks do not extend into the Queensland part of the temperature anomaly. Heat production of the metasedimentary rocks is also low to moderate. Based on Hf isotope compositions of zircons characterised by mantle-like oxygen signature (?_Hf(t) = –12 to +2), we propose the temperature anomaly results from the occurrence of Mesoproterozoic and/or Paleoproterozoic high-heat-producing rocks beneath the Thomson Orogen. Precambrian crust, therefore, lies well east of the Tasman line. The results do not support a Neoproterozoic to Cambrian oceanic crust, as previously suggested, but instead point to a continental substrate for the Thomson Orogen. Hf isotopes indicate an overall trend towards more isotopically juvenile compositions with a progressive reduction in the contribution of older crustal sources to granitic magmas towards the present time. Different Hf isotopic signatures for the Lachlan (?_Hf(t) = –13 to +15), Thomson (?_Hf(t) = –14 to +5) and Delamerian (?_Hf(t) = –7 to +4) orogens highlight lateral variations in the age structures of crustal basement beneath these orogens.     

SHRIMP U–Pb phosphate dating shows metamorphism was synchronous with magmatism during the Paleoproterozoic Capricorn Orogeny

Abstract

Unlike many Phanerozoic orogens, where the primary effects of orogenic events can be easily determined, Precambrian orogens are commonly characterised by repeated tectonothermal events making it challenging to decipher the geological history. The Capricorn Orogen is a complex Precambrian intraplate orogen located within the West Australian Craton that has been subjected to four separate reworking tectonic events between 1820 and 900?Ma. Although direct U–Pb ages for metamorphism have been obtained for the younger events, there is only limited geochronological data for the oldest event, the 1820–1770?Ma Capricorn Orogeny. This is primarily because of multiple episodes of deformation and metamorphism overprinting and obscuring the original tectonic fabrics and destroying metamorphic chronometers. In this study, we use in situ U–Pb monazite and xenotime geochronology, from a feldspathic metasandstone, a quartz–muscovite–chlorite–garnet pelitic schist, a quartz–muscovite–tourmaline schist and a garnet–biotite–plagioclase pelitic gneiss, to obtain the first direct age constraints for metamorphism during the Capricorn Orogeny in the northern Gascoyne Province. Metamorphism was synchronous with the 1820–1775?Ma magmatism in the northern part, and possibly in the southern part, of the Gascoyne Province. Furthermore, our results hint at a late stage hydrothermal fluid event at ca 1750–1730?Ma, post-dating the magmatism in the northern Gascoyne Province.     

Palaeomagnetism and tectonic rotation of the Hastings Terrane,eastern Australia

The Hastings Terrane comprises two or three major fragments of the arc‐related Tamworth Belt of the southern New England Orogen, eastern Australia, and is now located in an apparently allochthonous position outboard of the subduction complex. A palaeomagnetic investigation of many rock units has been undertaken to shed light on this anomalous location and orientation of this terrane. Although many of the units have been overprinted, pre‐deformational magnetizations have been isolated in red beds of the Late Carboniferous Kullatine Formation from the northern part of the terrane. After restoring these directions to their palaeohorizontal (pre‐plunging and pre‐folding) orientations they appear to have been rotated 130° clockwise (or 230° anti‐clockwise) when compared with coeval magnetizations from regions to the west of the Hastings Terrane. Although these data are insensitive to translational displacements, a clockwise rotation is incompatible with models previously proposed on geological grounds. While an anti‐clockwise rotation is in the same sense as these models the magnitude appears to be too great by about 100°. Nevertheless, the palaeomagnetically determined rotation brings the palaeoslopes of the Tamworth Belt, facing east, and the Northern Hastings Terrane, facing west before rotation and facing southeast after rotation, into better agreement. A pole position of 14.4°N, 155.6°E (A₉₅ = 6.9°) has been determined for the Kullatine Formation (after plunge and bedding correction but not corrected for the hypothetical rotation). Reversed magnetizations interpreted to have formed during original cooling are present in the Werrikimbe Volcanics. The pole position from the Werrikimbe Volcanics is at 31.6° S, 185.3° E (A₉₅ = 26.6°). These rocks are the volcanic expression of widespread igneous activity during the Late Triassic (～ 226 Ma). While this activity is an obvious potential cause of the magnetic overprinting found in the older units, the magnetic directions from the volcanics and the overprints are not coincident. However, because only a few units could be sampled, the error in the mean direction from the volcanics makes it difficult to make a fair comparison with the directions of overprinted units. The overprint poles determined from normal polarity magnetizations of the Kullatine Formation is at 61.0°S, 155.6°E (A₉₅ = 6.9°) and a basalt from Ellenborough is at 50.7° S, 148.8° E (A₉₅ = 15.4°), and from reversed polarity magnetizations, also from the basalt at Ellenborough is at 49.4° S, 146.2° E (A₉₅ = 20.4°). These are closer to either an Early Permian or a mid‐Cretaceous position, rather than a Late Triassic position, on the Australian apparent polar wandering path. Therefore, despite their mixed polarity, and global observations that the Permian and mid‐Cretaceous geomagnetic fields were of constant polarities, the age of these overprint magnetizations appears to be either Early Permian or mid‐Cretaceous.     

Age and composition of dykes emplaced before and during the opening of the Tasman Sea—source implications

Abstract

Dykes are common in the wave-cut platforms along the coast from Newcastle to Sydney. According to some authors, they may be related to the opening of the Tasman Sea that commenced ca 84?Ma ago. However, there are few detailed radiogenic dating and geochemical studies to evaluate this. We attempt to resolve this by K–Ar dating of plagioclase in and geochemical studies of, basaltic dykes intruding Permo-Triassic sequences on the wave-cut platforms and Carboniferous and Permo-Triassic sequences inland. The plagioclase separated from the dykes give K–Ar ages ranging from 266 to 53?Ma with the majority older than 84?Ma indicating that most dykes were emplaced before the Tasman Seafloor formation. The dykes are generally mildly alkaline, high-Ti basalts; fewer are tholeiitic and calc-alkaline, low-Ti basalts. Strongly light rare earth element (LREE)-enriched patterns typify the former and flat, LREE-depleted or slightly to moderately enriched LREE patterns, the latter. High-Ti basalts have ocean-island-basalt-like and low-Ti basalts, calc-alkaline or mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)-like patterns. Most high-Ti and some low-Ti basalts show plume-like characteristics, others N-type MORB and arc-like characteristics. Dykes intruding the Carboniferous sequences show a distinct contamination signature that could be crustal or due to subduction-related metasomatism of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle. The sources of the basaltic magmas vary substantially and in places changes with time. All alkali basalts are derived from enriched asthenospheric sources at varying depths (90–147?km) and most tholeiitic, low-Ti basalts have been extracted from asthenospheric and depleted asthenospheric–lithospheric sources indicating substantial compositional heterogeneity of the mantle. Further, Nd model ages varying from Neoproterozoic (940–580?Ma) to Paleozoic (460–370?Ma) suggest variation in the age of mantle sources for the basalts.     

Revisiting the ca. 845–820-Ma S-type granitic magmatism in the Jiangnan Orogen: new insights on the Neoproterozoic tectono-magmatic evolution of South China

ABSTRACT

The Neoproterozoic tectonic evolution of the Jiangnan Orogen is controversial, with one of the issues being whether the ca. 850–820-Ma granitoids were generated by mantle plumes or the collision between the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks. This paper tackles this problem by examining the age and petrogenesis of one of the granitoids, the Getengling pluton in the central Jiangnan Orogen, and through comparison with a regional geochronological–geochemical database compiled from previous studies. The Getengling pluton is characterized by high A/CNK values (~1.5), slight negative whole-rock ε_Nd(t) values (?2.8 to ?3.4), and positive zircon ε_Hf(t) values (0.7 ± 1.1), suggesting S-type granite affinities with juvenile contributions. Rb/Sr, Rb/Ba, and high CaO/Na₂O ratios indicate psammitic sources with both clay-rich and clay-poor characters. These geochemical characteristics are distinct from those of the granitoids (typically of A type) associated with mantle plumes. The zircon laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry U–Pb age of 845 ± 4 Ma obtained in this study, together with other ca. 835–820 Ma ages of S-type granites in the Jiangnan Orogen, indicates that the felsic magmatism in the Jiangnan Orogen lasted for ca. 25 Ma, which is longer than typical plume-related felsic magmatism. In addition, the mafic rocks in the Jiangnan Orogen and elsewhere in the South China Block are geochemically distinct from the coeval mantle plume-related ones in Australia and west Laurentia. In geochemical diagrams diagnostic of tectonic settings, the Getengling pluton and other ca. 850–820 Ma intrusions plot in the syn- and post-collisional fields, whereas the pre-850 and post-820-Ma igneous rocks plot in the arc and within-plate settings, respectively. This sequential tectonic evolution from plate subduction through collision to within-plate environments further supports the hypothesis that the ca. 850–820-Ma granitoids in the Jiangnan Orogen resulted from the Yangtze–Cathaysia collision rather than from mantle pluming.     

Detrital zircon geochronology of Devonian quartzite from tectonic mélange in the Mianlue Suture Zone,Central China: provenance and tectonic implications

ABSTRACT

Devonian quartzite occurs as blocks within a phyllite matrix in Puziba area of the Mianlue Suture Zone (MLSZ) in central China. The depositional time of the quartzite is younger than 425 Ma (mainly Early Devonian), constrained by the zircon U–Pb geochronology data from the quartzite, cross-cutting relationships with granite, and palaeontology evidence. The detrital zircons in the quartzite show typical magmatic features with four main age peaks at: 2676–2420 Ma (11.6% of the population), 1791–1606 Ma (4.8%), 997–817 Ma (26.5%), and 597–425 Ma (17.5%). In combination with the zircon εHf(t) values, we propose that the quartzite in the MLSZ was sourced from Neoproterozoic and Palaeozoic magmatic and sedimentary rocks in the South Qinling Block and the South China Block (particularly from the Bikou Terrane), with minor contributions from Archaean and Palaeoproterozoic magmatic units from both of the South and North China blocks. The blocks of quartzite, slate, marble, metasandstone, and chert blocks in the phyllite matrix in the Puziba area show a typical block-in-matrix texture in a tectonic mélange, and provide significant evidence from sedimentary rock blocks rather than ophiolite or volcanic rock for the existence of the MLSZ.     

Geochronology and petrogenesis of Cretaceous A-type granites from the NE Jiangnan Orogen,SE China

The Jiangnan Orogen is located at a key tectonic position along the junction between the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks. We obtained detailed major and trace elements, whole-rock Nd + zircon Hf isotope data, and U–Pb age data from several Mesozoic granites, including the Fuling (FL), Taiping–Huangshan (TH), Lingshan (LS), Sanqingshan (SQS), and Baijuhuajian intrusions in order to investigate their sources and petrogeneses related to extension in South China. Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analyses of zircon from the FL, TH, SQS, and LS bodies yield Early Cretaceous ages of 124–135 Ma. These plutons are alkali-feldspar granites to syenogranites–monzogranites, and show A-type affinities. They have high K₂O and total alkali contents, and are enriched in rare earth elements (except for Eu), Zr, and other high-field-strength elements as well as high Ga/Al ratios, and are depleted in Ba and Sr. These granites are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous (ACNK from 0.81 to 1.27). The whole-rock ?Nd(T) values of??5.34 to??0.96 are coupled with zircon ?Hf(T) values (from??5.3 to +4.24), and all samples plot along the mantle array. Field observations, geochronology, geochemistry, Nd isotopic, and zircon Hf isotopic compositions suggest that they formed by the partial melting of Mesoproterozoic metamorphic basement, with input from juvenile, mantle-derived materials in the shallow (<30 km) crust at high temperatures (756–965°C). These melts underwent crystal fractionation of biotite, plagioclase, and K-feldspar. The upwelling of asthenosphere triggered partial melting of the metamorphic protolith in a back-arc or intra-arc rift setting, reflecting rollback of the Pacific plate. Our research adds new geochronologic constraints on Cretaceous (135–120 Ma) A-type granites from the NE sector of the Jiangnan Orogen. Combined with previous research, we suggest that three main episodes of late Mesozoic extensional tectonism took place in South China: (1) 190–170 Ma (mainly inland), (2) 165–120 Ma (including 165–150 Ma in SE Shi-Hang, 135–120 Ma in NE Shi-Hang, and ～125 Ma in the Lower Yangtze River Belt), and (3) 100–90 Ma (coastal area), showing an oceanwards younging trend due to the subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific plate.     

东昆仑东段晚古生代—中生代若干不整合面特征及其对重大构造事件的响应

地层不整合接触是研究地质发展历史和鉴定地壳运动特征的重要依据。通过大范围露头尺度和填图尺度不整合面的识别,结合不同时代地层沉积体系的特征及构造变形样式的对比研究,发现东昆仑造山带东段晚古生代—中生代地层由底到顶共发育有4个不同类型的不整合面,分别是上二叠统格曲组与上石炭统浩特洛哇组之间的角度不整合面、中三叠统希里可特组与闹仓坚沟组之间的微角度不整合面、上三叠统八宝山组与下伏不同时代地层之间的角度不整合面、下侏罗统羊曲组与上三叠统八宝山组之间的平行不整合面。这几个不同时代的不整合面分别代表了东昆仑东段晚古生代—中生代地质演化时期中特定的构造事件。其中,格曲组与浩特洛哇组角度不整合关系代表东昆仑造山带南缘阿尼玛卿—布青山古特提斯洋晚二叠世开始向北俯冲的构造事件;希里可特组与闹仓坚沟组微角度不整合关系与陆(弧)陆局部差异性初始碰撞的洋陆转换构造事件密切相关;八宝山组与下伏不同时代地层角度不整合关系是东昆仑地区分布较广、意义重大的一个不整合面,代表中三叠世晚期—晚三叠世早期东昆仑地区陆(弧)陆全面碰撞的主造山构造事件,同时该期碰撞造山事件铸就了东昆仑及其周缘地区的基本构造格架。羊曲组与八宝山组之间平行不整合面则与晚三叠世晚期—早侏罗世早期陆内演化过程中地壳垂向抬升事件相关。这些不整合面的厘定及其代表的相应构造事件对于合理建立东昆仑地区晚古生代—中生代构造演化过程具有重要意义。     

东秦岭花山复式岩基中蒿坪与金山庙花岗岩体岩石地球化学、锆石U-Pb年代学和Lu-Hf同位素组成

蒿坪与金山庙花岗岩体位于华北陆块南缘,是熊耳山地区花山复式岩基的重要组成部分。锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb定年显示,蒿坪岩体两个样品年龄为128.7±1.0Ma 和129.3±2.4Ma,金山庙岩体一个样品年龄为127.6±1.6Ma,均为早白垩世岩浆作用的产物。蒿坪岩体以发育碱性长石大斑晶为主要特征,主要组成矿物为碱性长石、斜长石、石英、黑云母和少量角闪石等,而金山庙岩体矿物组合则为碱性长石、斜长石、石英和黑云母。化学组成上二岩体均具高硅准铝、富碱高钾及富铁贫镁的特征,轻重稀土元素分馏显著,Eu异常较弱或无明显Eu异常,Eu/Eu^*为0.69~1.26,富集Cs、Rb、Ba、Sr等大离子亲石元素,亏损Nb、Ta、Ti、Y等高场强元素,在成因类型上可归为I型花岗岩,其中金山庙岩体经历了更高程度的分离结晶作用(D.I.=96.6~97.3),应属高分异I型花岗岩。锆石Lu-Hf同位素分析结果显示,蒿坪岩体ε_Hf(t)为-10.2~-13.3,t_DM2为1.8 Ga~2.0 Ga,金山庙岩体ε_Hf(t) 为-13.3~-17.5,t_DM2为2.0~2.2Ga,表明二者的源区很可能是遭受了幔源或新生地壳改造的太华群古老基底物质。根据区域地质和全岩地球化学组成及产出动力地质背景的全面分析,表明蒿坪与金山庙岩体应形成于扬子陆块与华北陆块碰撞造山后的陆内伸展引张环境,是古特提斯构造域向古太平洋构造域转换体制下岩浆作用的产物。在成岩过程中,蒿坪和金山庙岩浆体系释放出大量富挥发组分(如F, Cl)的热液流体(特别是高分异的金山庙岩体),萃取富集了围岩中的成矿物质或是叠加改造了先期(印支期或燕山早期)形成的金矿床,使之运移至构造交汇部位规模性成矿。