Paleoproterozoic Potassic Granitoids in the Sushui Complex from the Zhongtiao Mountains, Northern China： Geochronology, Geochemistry and Petrogenesis

1 Introduction The early Precambrian basement of the North China Craton (NCC) consists mainly of the Eastern Continental Block, the Western Continental Block and the Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO, or “the Central Tectonic Zone”), which formed by continental collision between the Eastern and Western Blocks (Zhao et al., 1998). This evolutionary model has now been widely accepted (Wu and Zhong, 1998; Guan et al., 2002; Guo et al., 2002; Liu et al., 2002a, b; Liu et al., 2004a, b;…     

皖南变质岩区古生物化石的发现和研究进展

皖南岩变岩分布区是古陆还是一个造山带？这一直是国内外地质学家讨论华南大地构造的焦点问题。在综合分析前人的研究及存在的问题后,提出以造山带的观点解体本区地层是未来发展的主要趋势;并以新发现的大量古生物化石为依据,讨论了目前地这个造山带研究取得的进展及需要进一步研究的问题,同时个华南的大地构造问题提供了新的资料。     

Depositional age and provenance of the Cobar Supergroup

Abstract

The turbidite-filled, Lower Devonian Cobar Basin is characterised through a detrital zircon study. Uranium–Pb age data for six samples were combined with published data to show the basin has a unique age spectrum characterised by a subordinate Middle Ordovician (ca 470?Ma) peak superimposed on a dominant ca 500?Ma peak. Maximum depositional ages for 3 samples were ca 425?Ma, close to the published Lower Devonian (Lochkovian 419–411?Ma) biostratigraphic ages. A minor ca 1000?Ma zircon population was also identified. The major source of the 500?Ma zircons was probably the local Ordovician metasedimentary basement, which was folded, thickened and presumably exposed during the ca 440?Ma Benambran Orogeny. The ca 470?Ma age peak reflects derivation from Middle Ordovician (Phase 2) rocks of the Macquarie Arc to the east. The I-type Florida Volcanics, located ～50?km eastward from the Cobar Basin, contains distinctive Middle and Late Ordovician zircon populations, considered to be derived from deeply underthrust Macquarie Arc crust. Protracted silicic magmatism occurred before, during and after Cobar Basin deposition, indicating that the basin formed by subduction-related processes in a back-arc setting, rather than as a continental rift.     

Paleomagnetism of the Carboniferous Gresford Block,Tamworth Belt,southern New England Orogen: minor counter-clockwise rotation of a primary arc segment

Abstract

Four oroclinal structures have been identified from structural, magnetic and gravity trends across a Carboniferous continental arc, forearc basin [Tamworth Belt (TB)] and conjugate accretionary complex in the southern New England Orogen (SNEO) of eastern Australia. None of the structures has yet been confirmed conclusively by paleomagnetism as oroclinal. Ignimbrites are common within the forearc basin and have been demonstrated to retain primary magnetisations despite prevalent overprinting. They are well exposed across six major tectono-stratigraphic blocks with partly interlinked stratigraphies, making the forearc basin highly prospective to oroclinal testing by comparing pole path segments for individual blocks across curved structures. Paleomagnetic studies have shown no noticeable rotation across the western/southwestern TB (Rocky Creek, Werrie and Rouchel blocks), but documented herein is a minor counter-clockwise rotation of the Gresford Block of the southern TB. This study details paleomagnetic, rock magnetic and magnetic fabric results for 87 sites (969 samples) across the southern Gresford Block. Predominantly thermal, also alternating field and liquid nitrogen, demagnetisations show a widely present low-temperature overprint, attributed to regional late Oligocene weathering, and high-temperature primary and overprint components residing in both mainly magnetite and mainly hematite carriers. Subtle, but systematic, directional differences between magnetite and hematite subcomponents show the latter as the better cleaned, better-defined, preferred results, detailing nine primary poles of middle and late Carboniferous ages and Permian and Permo-Triassic overprints as observed elsewhere in the western/southwestern TB. The primary poles update a poorly defined mid-Carboniferous section of the SNEO pole path and demonstrate counter-clockwise rotation, quantified at about 15° ± 13° from comparison of mid-Carboniferous Martins Creek Ignimbrite Member poles for the Rouchel and Gresford blocks, that may not necessarily have been completed prior to the Hunter–Bowen phase of the Gondwanide Orogeny. This minor counter-clockwise rotation of the Gresford Block accentuates a primary curvature of the southwestern/southern TB and heralds further, more complex, rotations of the Myall Block of the southeastern TB.     

Metamorphism in the New England Orogen,eastern Australia: a review

Abstract

This paper summarises current knowledge on metamorphism within the entire New England Orogen (NEO) of eastern Australia. Rocks recording metamorphic assemblages characteristic of each of the three metamorphic facies series (high, medium and low P/T) have been identified within the orogen. These include high P/T blueschists and eclogites, mid P/T orogenic metamorphism and low P/T contact aureoles and sub-regional high-temperature–low-pressure (HTLP) metamorphism (regional aureoles). Metamorphism is described as it relates to six tectonic phases of development of the NEO that together comprise two major cycles of compression–extension. Medium–high-grade contact metamorphism spans all six tectonic phases while low-grade burial and/or orogenic metamorphism has been identified for four of the six phases. In contrast, exposure of high P/T eclogites and blueschists, and generation of sub-regional low P/T metamorphism is restricted to extensional phases of the orogen. Hallmarks of the orogen are two newly identified zones of HTLP metamorphism, the older of which extends for almost the entire length of the orogen.

1. KEY POINTS

2. The orogen is dominated by low-temperature rocks while high-temperature amphibolite to granulite facies rocks are restricted to small exposures in HTLP complexes and contact aureoles.

3. Blueschist metamorphism falls into two categories; that associated with subduction during the Currabubula-Connors continental arc phase occurring at depths of ～13–30?km; and the other of Cambrian–Ordovician age, exposed within a serpentinite melange and associated with blocks of eclogite. The eclogite, initially from depths of ～75–90?km, appears to have been entrained in the deep crust for an extended period of geological time.

4. A comprehensive review of contact metamorphism in the orogen is lacking and as studies on low-grade metamorphism are more extensive in the southern part of the orogen than the north, this highlights a second research gap.

     

Geochronology, Geochemistry, Whole Rock Sr-Nd and Zircon Hf-O Isotopes of the Early Neoproterozoic Volcanic Rocks in Jiangshan, Eastern Part of the Jiangnan Orogen: Constraints on Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

This paper presents the results of combined studies of geochronology, geochemistry, whole rock Sr-Nd and zircon Hf-O isotopes carried out upon the rhyodacite and ignimbrite of Shangshu village, Shangyu town and Shanghupeng village of Jiangshan City in Zhejiang Province, along the northwestern side of the Jiangshan–Shaoxing suture. SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating of samples in the three areas yielded weighted mean 206 Pb/238 U ages of 842.8 ± 6.9 Ma and 850.0 ± 7.3 Ma, 839 ± 9 Ma and 832.2 ± 8.1 Ma, 828.3 ± 8.5 Ma and 836.9 ± 9.9 Ma, respectively. These ages are older than the volcanic rocks of the Shangshu Formation dated at around 780 Ma distributed in Fuyang City, Hangzhou City, Kaihua County, etc. The volcanic rocks generally have high SiO2(54.08–76.80 wt%) and Al2 O3(12.40–21.31 wt%), low Fe2 O3(0.68–8.92 wt%), MgO(0.29–2.49 wt%), CaO(0.12–2.86 wt%), TiO2(0.10–1.59 wt%) and P2 O5(0.01–0.39 wt%), with variable total alkalis(K2 O + Na2 O =5.42–8.29 wt%). There exists a clear negative correlation between SiO2 and P2 O5. The volcanic rocks have A/CNK ratios of 1.03–2.77 and thus are peraluminous. They are characterized by enrichment in LREE, Rb, Ba, Zr, Hf, K, Th, La, U and depletion in Nb, Sr, P, Ti, with distinct LREE and HREE fractionation of(La/Yb)N values of 5.68–11.67, and with a moderate negative Eu anomaly(Eu=0.58–0.89). Whole-rock geochemical data shows that the Jiangshan volcanic rocks are possibly I-type granitic rocks, even though they have some characteristics of AS-type granites due to the magma fractional crystallization and water-rock interaction. Zircon δ18 O values are 3.97‰–5.49‰(average 4.50‰), 2.90‰–5.21‰(average 4.32‰) for ignimbrite from Shangshu village section, and Shanghupeng village section, respectively. They are slightly lower than the average δ18 O values of igneous zircons in equilibrium with mantle magmas(5.3 ± 0.6‰(2σ)), the lower δ18 O value also demonstrating the presence of high temperature water-rock interactions. The ignimbrite rocks have positive εNd(t)(4.02, 3.37, 3.91, 4.74, 2.85, 4.39, totals from the three areas) and εNd(t)(in-situ zircon)(4.3–14.6, a weighted mean of 8.4; 6.6–12.7, a weighted mean of 9.0; 8.1–12.0, a weighted mean of 9.5, respectively, from the three areas). In conjunction with the trace element studies, they indicate that the source region of the Jiangshan volcanic rocks was mainly composed of juvenile lower crustal material, mixed with some mantle-sourced magma. Detailed elemental and isotopic data suggest that the Jiangshan volcanic rocks were formed in a continental arc setting. There is a series of ca. 860–830 Ma volcanic rocks formed in a back-arc extensional setting in the southern margin of the eastern Jiangnan Orogen, along the northwest side of the Jiangshan–Shaoxing suture. The first stage rift-related anorogenic magmatism may have occurred as early as ca. 860 Ma in the eastern Jiangnan Orogen.     

Petrology of Whiteschists and Associated Rocks at Mautia Hill (Tanzania): Fluid Infiltration during High-Grade Metamorphism?

Talc–kyanite schists (whiteschists), magnesiohornblende–kyanite–talc–quartzschists and enstatite–sapphirine–chlorite schistsoccur at Mautia Hill in the East African Orogen of Tanzania.They are associated with metapelites and garnet–clinopyroxene–quartzmetabasites. Geobarometry (GASP/GADS equilibria) applied tothe latter two rock types indicates a peak pressure of P = 10–11kbar. These results are confirmed by the high fO₂ assemblagehollandite–kyanite–quartz and late-stage manganianandalusite that contains up to 19·5 mol. % Mn₂SiO₅. Maximumtemperatures of T = 720°C are inferred from late-stage yoderite+ quartz. A clockwise P–T evolution is constrained byprograde kyanite inclusions in metapelitic garnet and late-stagereaction rims of cordierite between green yoderite and talcthat reflect conditions at least 3–4 kbar below the peakpressure. Oxidizing conditions are recorded throughout the metamorphichistory of the whiteschists and chlorite schists, as indicatedby the presence of haematite coexisting with pseudobrookiteand/or rutile. Increasing water activity near peak pressuresis thought to have led to the breakdown of the high-pressureassemblages (Tlc–Ky–Hem and Mg-Hbl–Ky–Hem)and the subsequent formation of certain uncommon minerals, e.g.yellow sapphirine, Mn–andalusite, green and purple yoderite,piemontite and boron-free kornerupine. The proposed increasein water activity is attributed to fluid infiltration resultingfrom the devolatilization of underlying sediments during metamorphism. KEY WORDS: fluid infiltration; high-pressure amphibolite facies; East African Orogen; Pan-African; whiteschist     

DETACHMENT FAULT IN DINGGYE AREA IN THE MIDDLE PART OF THE HIMALAYAN OROGEN

Dinggye lies in the middle part of the Himalayan Orogen. A lot of low angle extension detachment faults have been developed in Dinggye area and some of them make up the main body of the South Tibet Detachment System. On the whole, the extension direction of all the detachment faults is perpendicular to the strike of the Himalayan Orogen. Each detachment fault has its distinct characteristics. Mylonite was extensively developed in the detachment faults and can be divided into a variety of types such as siliceous mylonite, felsic mylonite, granite mylonite, protomylonite, crystallization mylonite and so on. On the basis of our field survey works, these detachment faults can be classified according to their locations into three units listed as follows: (1) In the northern part of the study area, the detachment faults occur on large scale and in orbicular shape, and form the middle layer of the metamorphic core complexes. (2) In the southern part of the study area, the detachment faults occur in linear shape that is parallel to the Himalayan Orogen and has a stable attitude, and have undergone two phases of development. In the first phase, the Rouqiechun Group rocks were formed and make up the hanging wall, while in the second phase the Jiachun Group rocks were formed and make up the hanging wall. (3) In the southeastern part of the study area, the detachment faults strike nearly along southeast direction in a stable way and some of these detachment faults were distorted by the late-formed faults and folds. Furthermore, in the southwestern part of the study area, the ductile shear zones are parallel to the detachment faults.     

辽吉地区古元古代造山作用的大陆动力学过程及其壳内响应

古元古代是地质演化历史中一个重要转折时期,探讨其大陆动力学特征、机制、过程及其壳内响应具有重要的科学意义．本文以辽吉地区古元古代造山带为例,结合同位素年代学资料,综合分析了该区大陆动力学过程的构造、变质、岩浆、沉积等方面壳内响应特征最后,将该区深部大陆动力学过程划分为三大历史阶段：1)造山期前伸展阶段,包括建造伸展期和改造伸展期,深部底侵发生,壳内响应出现基底裂解、盖层顺层滑脱、拉张型垂向递增变质、岩浆呈席状侵位等;2)造山期挤压收缩阶段,俯冲碰撞,岩石田地幢可能出现拆沉,壳内响应出现招皱逆冲、双侧造山、侧向递增变质、碰撞型岩浆作用发生、早期岩浆底辟再就位等;3)造山期后伸展塌陷阶段,大陆岩石田在重力均衡作用下发生微弱伸展塌陷,出现环斑花岗岩侵位,等压冷却为特征的退变质表明没有明显的伸展剥蚀,没有出现明显的山根．     

新疆北部花岗岩─水~18O/~16O交换反应动力学──对于造山带岩浆熔融与流体循环的意义

对新疆北部花岗岩的两个典型岩体-阿拉尔和二台北岩体进行了系统的氧同位素组成测定,以探讨造山带的流体循环以及岩浆源区的熔融两个岩体的岩浆源区相对亏损18OZ它们在上部地壳侵位的次团相冷凝过程中共生矿物向富集18O的方向不平衡偏转推覆到阿尔泰山区热板片之下的晚古生代沉积物冷板片,通过进变质过程中的脱水反应提供了大量的含水流体．在倒转地温梯度驱动下,含水流体从下伏冷板片释放到上覆热板片,与富18O的早古生代变质沉积物发生18O／16O交换反应,并且最终导致造山花岗岩源区的熔融,产生相对亏损18O的过铝质花岗岩浆．对于以二台北岩体为代表的非造山花岗岩而言,幔源岩浆的下垫诱导的进变质反应造成流体对流,促进了幔源岩浆与花岗岩源区岩石的18O／16O交换反应,从而降低了后者的δ18O值．流体循环是深熔作用的先驱事件．与两个岩体侵位相联系的流体具有围绕岩体分布的外封皮性质．当岩浆温度下降到某一数值时,它们迅速进入岩体,瞬间流动速率较大．随着18O／16O交换反应的进行,流体来源迅速枯竭.