Paleoproterozoic (2155–1970 Ma) evolution of the Guiana Shield (Transamazonian event) in the light of new paleomagnetic data from French Guiana

We present a comprehensive paleomagnetic study on Paleoproterozoic (2173–2060 Ma) plutonic and metamorphic rocks from French Guiana, representative of the full range of the main Transamazonian tectonothermal steps. Twenty-seven groups of directions and poles were obtained from combination of 102 sites (613 samples) based on age constraint, similar lithology and/or geographical proximity. Paleomagnetic results show variations between rocks of different ages which are supposed to be characteristic of magnetizations acquired during uplift and cooling of successive plutonic pulses and metamorphic phases. This is also reinforced by positive field tests (baked contact and reversal tests). Recent U/Pb and Pb/Pb on zircon and complementary ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar on amphibole and biotite allow questioning the problem of magnetic ages relative to rock formation ages. Estimated magnetic ages, based on amphibole dating as a proxy, enable us to construct a Guiana Shield apparent polar wander path for the 2155–1970 Ma period. It is also possible to present paleolatidudinal evolution and continental drift rates related to specific Transamazonian tectonic regimes.French Guiana and probably the Guiana Shield were located at the Equator from ca. 2155 to 2130 Ma during the Meso-Rhyacian D1 magmatic accretion phase, related to subduction of Eorhyacian oceanic crust. After closure of the Eorhyacian Ocean and collision of West African and Amazonian plates, the Guiana Shield moved. The first evolution towards 60° latitude, occurs after 2080 Ma, during the Neorhyacian D2a post collisional sinistral transcurrent phase. During the Late Rhyacian D2b phase, up to 2050 Ma, the Guiana Shield reaches the pole and starts to move to lower latitudes on an opposite meridian. By the Orosirian D2c phase, from ca. 2050 to 1970 Ma, the Guiana Shield reaches the Equator.Based on the amphibole ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dates, we estimate the continental drift between 12 and 16 cm/y for the Meso to Late Rhyacian period followed by a lower rate between 9 and 14 cm/y up to Orosirian time. This study highlights rock ages and magnetic ages are prerequisite to any continental reconstruction especially when it is shown continental drift is important for a 100–200 Ma time period. Our results confirm the possibility of APWP construction on Paleoproterozoic plutonic rocks but suggest improvement will rely on the combination with multidisciplinary approaches such as structural geology and multi-method radiometric dating.     

Zircon geochronology and Sm–Nd isotopic study: Further constraints for the Archean and Paleoproterozoic geodynamical evolution of the southeastern Guiana Shield, north of Amazonian Craton, Brazil

The eastern part of the Guiana Shield, northern Amazonian Craton, in South America, represents a large orogenic belt developed during the Transamazonian orogenic cycle (2.26–1.95 Ga), which consists of extensive areas of Paleoproterozoic crust and two major Archean terranes: the Imataca Block, in Venezuela, and the here defined Amapá Block, in the north of Brazil.

Pb-evaporation on zircon and Sm–Nd on whole rock dating were provided on magmatic and metamorphic units from southwestern Amapá Block, in the Jari Domain, defining its long-lived evolution, marked by several stages of crustal accretion and crustal reworking. Magmatic activity occurred mainly at the Meso-Neoarchean transition (2.80–2.79 Ga) and during the Neoarchean (2.66–2.60 Ga). The main period of crust formation occurred during a protracted episode at the end of Paleoarchean and along the whole Mesoarchean (3.26–2.83 Ga). Conversely, crustal reworking processes have dominated in Neoarchean times. During the Transamazonian orogenic cycle, the main geodynamic processes were related to reworking of older Archean crust, with minor juvenile accretion at about 2.3 Ga, during an early orogenic phase. Transamazonian magmatism consisted of syn- to late-orogenic granitic pulses, which were dated at 2.22 Ga, 2.18 Ga and 2.05–2.03 Ga. Most of the ε_Nd values and T_DM model ages (2.52–2.45 Ga) indicate an origin of the Paleoproterozoic granites by mixing of juvenile Paleoproterozoic magmas with Archean components.

The Archean Amapá Block is limited in at southwest by the Carecuru Domain, a granitoid-greenstone terrane that had a geodynamic evolution mainly during the Paleoproterozoic, related to the Transamazonian orogenic cycle. In this latter domain, a widespread calc-alkaline magmatism occurred at 2.19–2.18 Ga and at 2.15–2.14 Ga, and granitic magmatism was dated at 2.10 Ga. Crustal accretion was recognized at about 2.28 Ga, in agreement with the predominantly Rhyacian crust-forming pattern of the eastern Guiana Shield. Nevertheless, T_DM model ages (2.50–2.38 Ga), preferentially interpreted as mixed ages, and ε_Nd < 0, point to some participation of Archean components in the source of the Paleoproterozoic rocks. In addition, the Carecuru Domain contains an oval-shaped Archean granulitic nucleus, named Paru Domain. In this domain, Neoarchean magmatism at about 2.60 Ga was produced by reworking of Mesoarchean crust, as registered in the Amapá Block. Crustal accretion events and calc-alkaline magmatism are recognized at 2.32 Ga and at 2.15 Ga, respectively, as well as charnockitic magmatism at 2.07 Ga.

The lithological association and the available isotopic data registered in the Carecuru Domain suggests a geodynamic evolution model based on the development of a magmatic arc system during the Transamazonian orogenic cycle, which was accreted to the southwestern border of the Archean Amapá Block.     

A review of Archaean and Paleoproterozoic evolution of the In Ouzzal granulitic terrane (Western Hoggar, Algeria)

The In Ouzzal terrane (Western Hoggar) is an example of Archaean crust remobilized during a very-high-temperature metamorphism related to the Paleoproterozoic orogeny (2 Ga). Pan-African events (≈0.6 Ga) are localized and generally of low intensity. The In Ouzzal terrane is composed of two Archaean units, a lower crustal unit made up essentially of enderbites and charnockites, and a supracrustal unit of quartzites, banded iron formations, marbles, Al–Mg and Al–Fe granulites commonly associated with mafic (metanorites and garnet pyroxenites) and ultramafic (pyroxenites, lherzolites and harzburgites) lenses. Cordierite-bearing monzogranitic gneisses and anorthosites occur also in this unit. The continental crust represented by the granulitic unit of In Ouzzal was formed during various orogenic reworking events spread between 3200 and 2000 Ma. The formation of a continental crust made up of tonalites and trondhjemites took place between 3200 and 2700 Ma. Towards 2650 Ma, extension-related alkali-granites were emplaced. The deposition of the metasedimentary protoliths between 2700 and 2650 Ma, was coeval with rifting. The metasedimentary rocks such as quartzites and Al–Mg pelites anomalously rich in Cr and Ni, are interpreted as a mixture between an immature component resulting from the erosion and hydrothermal alteration of mafic to ultramafic materials, and a granitic mature component. The youngest Archaean igneous event at 2500 Ma includes calc-alkaline granites resulting from partial melting of a predominantly tonalitic continental crust. These granites were subsequently converted into charnockitic orthogneisses. This indicates crustal thickening or heating, and probably late Archaean high-grade metamorphism coeval with the development of domes and basins. The Paleoproterozoic deformation consists essentially of a re-activation of the pre-existing Archaean structures. The structural features observed at the base of the crust argue in favour of deformation under granulite-facies. These features are compatible with homogeneous horizontal shortening of overall NW–SE trend that accentuated the vertical stretching and flattening of old structures in the form of basins and domes. This shortening was accommodated by horizontal displacements along transpressive shear corridors. Reactional textures and the development of parageneses during the Paleoproterozoic suggest a clockwise P–T path characterized by prograde evolution at high pressures (800–1050 °C at 10–11 kbar), leading to the appearance of exceptional parageneses with corundum–quartz, sapphirine–quartz and sapphirine–spinel–quartz. This was followed by an isothermal decompression (9–5 kbar). Despite the high temperatures attained, the dehydrated continental crust did not undergo any significant partial melting. The P–T path followed by the granulites is compatible with a continental collision, followed by delamination of the lithosphere and uprise of the asthenosphere. During exhumation of this chain, the shear zones controlled the emplacement of carbonatites associated with fenites.     

古元古代变质作用及其构造成因模式综述

以Ｐ－Ｔ－ｔ轨迹为手段，有助于探讨变质作用随大地构造演化或变迁而动态演化的特点，本文主要讨论了古元古代普遍出现的低压高温变质作用、高压高温变质作用及其Ｐ－Ｔ－ｔ轨迹，而且讨论了高压低温变质作用在古元古代很少出现的原因。在此基础上，综述了以上各类变质作用的各种可能的构造成因模式。     

Geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic study of alkaline syenites in Liangtun-Kuangdonggou, Liaoning Province, China： Evidence for enriched mantle before 1.86 Ga and implications

The 1.86 Ga Liangtun-Kuangdonggou complex (LKC) is one of the oldest alkaline syenite bodies so far discovered in China. This syenite suite has elevated contents of total alkali (K2O Na2O), with an average of 10.50%, and a mean Rittmann Index (σ) of 6.48. The intrusions have slightly higher concentrations of K2O than those of Na2O on a weight percent basis, indicating the rocks belong to potassium-rich alkaline syenite series. Total rare-earth element concentrations (∑REE ) of the rocks are relatively high, ranging from 324×10 -6 to 1314×10 -6, with a mean value of 666×10 -6. The REE patterns are subparallel and rightward steep with (La/Yb)N >33, showing mild negative to positive Eu anomalies (δEu: 0.63-1.15). All samples exhibit strong LILE and LREE enrichments and TNT (Nb, Ta, Ti) and P depletions in multi-element spidergrams. On the εSr(t)-εNd(t) correlation diagram, most analytical data points plot within the enriched mantle field with low ( 87Sr/86Sr)i ratios (0.7045-0.7051) and negative εNd(t) values (-3.72--3.97), falling among those kimberlites from Fuxian County, Liaoning Provinve, from Mengyin County, Shandong Province and the Ⅱ-type kimberlites from South Africa. These characteristics imply that the LKC-rocks may have the same source as the above-mentioned kimberlites, i.e., they have close connections to the materials derived from enriched mantle reservoirs, further revealing that the upper mantle beneath the northeastern part of the North China Plate had been highly enriched before 1.86 Ga. Geodynamically, the LKC-rocks were formed in a within-plate environment with close genetic connections to rift-related alkaline magma activities possibly controlled by ancient mantle plumes.     

华北克拉通大青山-集宁地区古元古代变质沉积岩的锆石氧同位素组成:SHRIMP微区原位分析

在已获得锆石U-Pb年龄基础上,我们首次对孔兹岩带典型出露区大青山和集宁土贵乌拉地区古元古代变质沉积岩进行了锆石SHRIMP氧同位素研究。锆石具有复杂的内部结构和年龄分布。大青山地区古元古代早期变质沉积岩4个样品碎屑锆石的δ18O为5.52‰~7.11‰,部分重结晶锆石的δ18O为7.22‰~7.90‰,变质新生锆石的δ18O为6.37‰~8.31‰。大青山地区古元古代晚期变质沉积岩2个样品的锆石O同位素组成特征与古元古代早期的类似,另外2个样品的锆石O同位素组成与之不同,碎屑锆石、部分重结晶锆石和变质新生锆石的δ18O分别为6.26‰~10.80‰、9.00‰~11.20‰和9.66‰~11.90‰。集宁土贵乌拉地区古元古代晚期超高温变质沉积岩4个样品不存在碎屑锆石,变质锆石的δ18O变化范围为11.41‰~13.57‰。主要认识如下:1)大青山地区碎屑沉积物主要来自新太古代晚期-古元古代早期成熟度不高的TTG花岗质岩石物源区,与之相比,集宁土贵乌拉地区古元古代晚期超高温岩石的变质原岩成熟度更高;2)不同类型变质沉积岩变质新生锆石的δ18O和变质新生锆石与碎屑锆石的Δ18O存在明显区别,主要反映了岩石体系和变质流体的O同位素组成不同;3)大青山地区高角闪岩相-麻粒岩相变质沉积岩,重结晶锆石的O同位素完全重置,但U-Th-Pb体系未完全重置,集宁土贵乌拉地区超高温变质沉积岩的重结晶锆石O和U-Th-Pb同位素体系都完全重置。变质作用强度不同是主要原因。     

华北克拉通南缘豫西下汤地区2.3 Ga岩浆作用和1.94 Ga变质作用

本文报道了华北克拉通南缘豫西鲁山下汤地区古元古代片麻状花岗岩和黑云角闪斜长片麻岩的全岩地球化学和锆石SHRIMP U-Pb年龄和Hf同位素组成。岩石呈包体形式存在于中元古代花岗岩中。片麻状花岗岩具深熔特征,岩浆锆石年龄为2.30Ga;岩石高SiO2和K2O,低ΣFeO、MgO和CaO,具稀土总量较高(ΣREE=165.8×10-6)、轻重稀土分离较强[(La/Yb)n=37.8]及弱负铕异常(Eu/Eu*=0.76)的稀土模式;εNd(t)(t=2.30Ga)=-0.75;tDM(Nd)=2.66Ga。黑云角闪斜长片麻岩变质原岩为辉长闪长岩,捕获锆石年龄为2.25Ga;岩石低SiO2和MgO,高Al2O3和P2O5,具稀土总量高(ΣREE=373.4×10-6)、轻重稀土分离不强[(La/Yb)n=9.4]及较强负铕异常(Eu/Eu*=0.44)的稀土模式;εNd(t)(t=2.25Ga)=-1.21;tDM(Nd)=2.75Ga。片麻状花岗岩和黑云角闪斜长片麻岩都记录了1.94Ga变质锆石年龄。片麻状花岗岩的岩浆锆石组成域的εHf(t)(t=2.30Ga)=-6.71～0.38,tDM1(Hf)=2627～2910Ma,tDM2(CC)(Hf)=2823～3255Ma。黑云角闪斜长片麻岩的捕获锆石组成域的εHf(t)(t=2.25Ga)=-19.58～-1.73,tDM1(Hf)=2664～3360Ma,tDM2(CC)(Hf)=2968～4011Ma。结合前人资料,得出如下结论:华北克拉通南缘豫陕晋结合部地区存在一规模较大的约2.3Ga地质体分布区;华北克拉通南缘很可能存在规模巨大的>2.7Ga基底;中部造山带与孔兹岩带具有类似的古元古代晚期构造热事件演化历史。     

柴北缘布赫特山一带达肯大坂岩群变质岩变形特征、地球化学特征及地质意义

古元古代达肯大坂岩群为柴北缘构造带的变质结晶基底,是柴北缘造山带的重要组成部分。前人在德令哈以西的鱼卡河—锡铁山—沙柳河一带和大柴旦等地对达肯大坂岩群做了较深入的研究,但对于柴北缘东段的研究还相对薄弱,缺乏东西段的对比研究。通过对布赫特山一带达肯大坂岩群中片麻岩和斜长角闪片岩的岩石学、岩石地球化学、年代学研究和区域对比,认为研究区的岩性、矿物组合、变质程度与德令哈以西鱼卡河—锡铁山—沙柳河一带达肯大坂岩群具有较高的相似性。布赫特山一带达肯大坂岩群主要为一套碎屑岩夹火山岩的岩石组合,变形强烈,其形成环境为岛弧与活动性陆缘的过渡环境,且岩浆来源为壳幔混染。由采集的2件Sm-Nd同位素样品得到了2组等时线年龄分别为2085±14Ma和2027±19Ma。由此可知达肯大坂岩群为古元古代柴北缘地区的变质结晶基底,是柴北缘古元古代造山带的重要组成部分。     

华北克拉通的形成以及早期板块构造

地球上最早的地壳岩石是高钠的花岗质(TTG)岩石,但是否有更老的洋壳存在过、以及陆壳是怎样形成的,涉及到地球动力学几乎所有的问题。其中板块构造是在什么时候开始的,就是个延续了数十年热度不减的前沿科学问题。流行的说法是板块构造始于新元古代,也有一些学者认为在新太古代就已经开始,或者认为自从地球上有了水的记录,就开始有板块构造。在众多的判别板块构造的标志中,蛇绿岩残片和古老的高压变质岩无疑是两个最具影响力的问题。前者可以确定有远古的古老洋壳存在过并成为缝合带中的残片,后者可以指示曾有地表的岩石单元被俯冲到深部,是俯冲、消减与碰撞的岩石学证据。本文在讨论和比较了太古宙绿岩带与蛇绿岩,以及早前寒武纪高温高压(HTHP)麻粒岩/高温—超高温(HT-UHT)麻粒岩与造山带高压变质带之后,认为尚不能作为板块构造的证据。本文还对华北的新太古代末的稳定大陆形成以及古元古代活动带的裂谷-俯冲-碰撞进行了论述。提出华北克拉通在新太古代末的绿岩带-高级区格局可能标志着热体制下有限的横向活动构造,微陆块被火山-沉积岩系焊接,随后发生变质作用和花岗岩化,完成稳定大陆的克拉通化过程。其构造机制可能是适度规模且多发的地幔柱构造控制下小尺度的横向构造运动的机制。华北克拉通的古元古代活动带有与绿岩带-高级区不同的构造样式,表壳岩带状分布,经受了强烈的变形以及中级变质作用,伴随花岗岩的侵入,虽然没有蛇绿岩和高压变质带,但已表现出板块构造的雏形特征。     

华北克拉通南缘蚌埠隆起古元古代侵入体地质地球化学特征

华北陆块是世界上最古老、最大的克拉通地块之一。蚌埠隆起作为华北陆块的组成部分,其初始陆壳的形成时限为中太古代晚期,随着扬子陆块与华北陆块碰撞、拼接,经历了较为复杂的演化过程。为了深入探讨蚌埠隆起带古元古代岩浆活动,更新补充年代学及岩石地球化学分析数据,本次通过对区内古元古代侵入体的野外观察、年代学和岩石地球化学研究,在庄子里岩体和磨盘山岩体中分别获得锆石U-Pb年龄为(2089±44)Ma、(2133±27)Ma。地球化学研究显示两岩体明显富钠贫钾,总体铝碱比偏高,钙碱比偏低,属准铝—铝过饱和类型;轻稀土相对富集,具明显的铕负异常,铈异常不明显或无异常;K、Nb、Sr、P和Ti有较明显的亏损,Rb、Th、U、Nd、Zr和Sm相对富集,成因类型具备造山后A型花岗岩特征。ε_(Nd)(t)值介于-3.87～+3.20,暗示侵入体可能来源于同一源区,Nd两阶段模式年龄(2.37～2.84 Ga)与华北克拉通主体形成于太古宙,并以2.40～2.50 Ga为主体相一致。ε_(Hf)(t)值介于-9.77～+9.59,且差别较大,说明其具物质起源的复杂性,古老的两阶段Hf模式年龄(2.27～2.96 Ga)说明其物质起源主要为新太古宙,与蚌埠隆起拉张背景时间上具有一致性。构造环境判别属板内花岗岩范畴,表现为非造山构造环境,暗示其伸展构造背景。