U–Pb SHRIMP zircon geochronology and T–t–d history of the Kampa Dome, southern Tibet

Structural, petrographic and geochronologic studies of the Kampa Dome provide insights into the tectonothermal evolution of orogenic crust exposed in the North Himalayan gneiss domes of southern Tibet. U–Pb ion microprobe dating of zircons from granite gneiss exposed at the deepest levels within the dome yields concordia ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age populations of 506 ± 3 Ma and 527 ± 6 Ma, with no evidence of new zircon growth during Himalayan orogenesis. However, the granite contains penetrative deformation fabrics that are also preserved in the overlying Paleozoic strata, implying that the Kampa granite is a Cambrian pluton that was strongly deformed and metamorphosed during Himalayan orogenesis. Zircons from deformed leucogranite sills that cross-cut Paleozoic metasedimentary rocks yield concordant Cambrian ages from oscillatory zoned cores and discordant ages ranging from ca. 491–32 Ma in metamict grains. Since these leucogranites clearly post-date the metasedimentary rocks they intrude, the zircons are interpreted as xenocrysts that are probably derived from the Kampa granite. The Kampa Dome formed via a series of progressive orogenic events including regional ~ N–S contraction and related crustal thickening (D₁), predominately top-to-N ductile shearing and crustal extension (D₂), top-to-N brittle–ductile faulting and related folding on the north limb of the dome, localized top-to-S faulting on the southern limb of the dome, and crustal doming (D₃), and continued N–S contraction, E–W extension and doming (D₄). Structural and geochronologic variability amongst adjacent North Himalayan gneiss domes may reflect changes in the magnitude of crustal exhumation along the North Himalayan antiform, possibly relating to differences in the mid-crustal geometry of the exhuming fault systems.     

SHRIMP zircon dating and Sm/Nd isotopic investigations of Neoproterozoic granitoids, Eastern Desert, Egypt

There is an increasing evidence for the involvement of pre-Neoproterozoic zircons in the Arabian–Nubian Shield, a Neoproterozoic crustal tract that is generally regarded to be juvenile. The source and significance of these xenocrystic zircons are not clear. In an effort to better understand this problem, older and younger granitoids from the Egyptian basement complex were analyzed for chemical composition, SHRIMP U–Pb zircon ages, and Sm–Nd isotopic compositions. Geochemically, the older granitoids are metaluminous and exhibit characteristics of I-type granites and most likely formed in a convergent margin (arc) tectonic environment. On the other hand, the younger granites are peraluminous and exhibit the characteristics of A-type granites; these are post-collisional granites. The U–Pb SHRIMP dating of zircons revealed the ages of magmatic crystallization as well as the presence of slightly older, presumably inherited zircon grains. The age determined for the older granodiorite is 652.5 ± 2.6 Ma, whereas the younger granitoids are 595–605 Ma. Xenocrystic zircons are found in most of the younger granitoid samples; the xenocrystic grains are all Neoproterozoic, but fall into three age ranges that correspond to the ages of other Eastern Desert igneous rocks, viz. 710–690, 675–650 and 635–610 Ma. The analyzed granitoids have (+3.8 to +6.5) and crystallization ages, which confirm previous indications that the Arabian–Nubian Shield is juvenile Neoproterozoic crust. These results nevertheless indicate that older Neoproterozoic crust contributed to the formation of especially the younger granite magmas.     

Chemical and boron-isotope variations in tourmalines from an S-type granite and its source rocks: the Erongo granite and tourmalinites in the Damara Belt,Namibia

Tourmaline is widespread in metapelites and pegmatites from the Neoproterozoic Damara Belt, which form the basement and potential source rocks of the Cretaceous Erongo granite. This study traces the B-isotope variations in tourmalines from the basement, from the Erongo granite and from its hydrothermal stage. Tourmalines from the basement are alkali-deficient schorl-dravites, with B-isotope ratios typical for continental crust (δ¹¹B average −8.4‰ ± 1.4, n = 11; one sample at −13‰, n = 2). Virtually all tourmaline in the Erongo granite occurs in distinctive tourmaline-quartz orbicules. This “main-stage” tourmaline is alkali-deficient schorl (20–30% X-site vacancy, Fe/(Fe + Mg) 0.8–1), with uniform B-isotope compositions (δ¹¹B −8.7‰ ± 1.5, n = 49) that are indistinguishable from the basement average, suggesting that boron was derived from anatexis of the local basement rocks with no significant shift in isotopic composition. Secondary, hydrothermal tourmaline in the granite has a bimodal B-isotope distribution with one peak at about −9‰, like the main-stage tourmaline, and a second at −2‰. We propose that the tourmaline-rich orbicules formed late in the crystallization history from an immiscible Na–B–Fe-rich hydrous melt. The massive precipitation of orbicular tourmaline nearly exhausted the melt in boron and the shift of δ¹¹B to −2‰ in secondary tourmaline can be explained by Rayleigh fractionation after about 90% B-depletion in the residual fluid. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

郯庐断裂带张八岭隆起南段花岗岩LA-ICP MS锆石U-Pb年龄及其构造意义

本文利用LA-ICP MS方法,对零星分布于郯庐断裂带张八岭隆起南段肥东-巢湖地区的一些花岗岩体进行了锆石U-Pb同位素年代学研究.结果表明,西徐村北岩体、尖山岩体、西花村岩体、永丰岩体和锦张村岩体的形成年龄分别为126.9 ±1.0Ma、114.8±1.3Ma、108.1 ±1.6Ma、103.0 ±0.9Ma和120.3 ±0.7Ma,这些花岗岩体均形成于早白垩世,但侵位时间有一定差异.与郯庐断裂带西侧的鲁西、徐淮、蚌埠地区同时代克拉通内部侵入岩相比,断裂带内岩浆活动持续的时间更长(～27Ma).这一结果不但指示郯庐断裂带上的岩浆活动是不均一的,各地岩浆在活动的强烈程度和时间特征上均有很大的差异,而且显示了断裂带内比克拉通内部岩浆活动结束时间较晚,暗示其下岩石圈可能有更为强烈的减薄程度和更长的减薄历史.     

花岗岩研究的误区——关于花岗岩研究的思考之五

本文在对花岗岩四大基石(混合作用、结晶分离作用、构造环境和源区)问题分析的基础上,指出花岗岩研究存在的三大误区: (1)不恰当地仿效玄武岩的理论和研究方法,忽视了花岗岩的复杂性。(2)不恰当地用板块构造学说解释大陆花岗岩问题。板块构造是地球演化到一定阶段的产物,并成功解释了与板块边界相联系的岩浆活动,但是,它不能解决主要来源于大陆的花岗岩的地质问题。(3)太过重视花岗岩的地球化学研究而忽视了对花岗岩基础地质的研究。作者指出,地球化学方法在花岗岩中的使用应当是有限制的,花岗岩研究陷入误区是我们缺少扎实的基础研究、对板块构造的理解不深和对花岗岩复杂性认识不足等三个方面的原因造成的。文中还批评了学术界存在的人云亦云的奴性思想,指出它严重地阻碍了我们的创新思维,是当前亟待改进和克服的。     

21世纪的花岗岩研究, 路在何方？——关于花岗岩研究的思考之六

21世纪的花岗岩怎样研究是一个需要探索的问题。作者认为,应当对现有的花岗岩理论、流行的说法以及术语等进行清理和反思,汲取其精华,剔除其糟粕,抛弃那些不科学、不符合实际、不符合逻辑的部分。例如,在花岗岩研究中摈弃结晶分离的理论,缩小花岗岩混合作用的意义,限制花岗岩构造环境理论的应用,取消幔源、壳源和壳幔混合源的术语等。作者指出,今后花岗岩研究应当着重解决两个问题: (1)花岗岩是怎样的？(2)它何以是这样的？文中提出5个方面的任务作为今后研究的重点,即: 开展花岗岩立典式的研究,将花岗岩研究与古老地壳的研究结合起来,将花岗岩物理性质研究与地球化学究结合起来,开展广泛的实验岩石学研究和创建新的“大陆构造学”理论。鉴于花岗岩研究目前存在的严重误区,现有的花岗岩理论几乎全面崩溃,由四大基石支撑的花岗岩大厦行将坍塌,花岗岩研究正面临全球大洗牌。为此,作者建议开展一场关于花岗岩的大辩论,目的是清理思路,认清问题,明确方向,找到出路。作者呼吁,我们应当加强学习,加速引进人才,克服急躁情绪和浮夸的学风,摈弃从众思想和奴性思想,不以SCI论英雄,改进我们的学习,改善我们的制度,以推进花岗岩研究迈上新台阶。     

Heat flow and crustal thermal structure in the Late Archaean Closepet Granite batholith,south India

The Late Archaean Closepet Granite batholith in south India is exposed at different crustal levels grading from greenschist facies in the north through amphibolite and granulite facies in the south along a ∼400 km long segment in the Dharwar craton. Two areas, Pavagada and Magadi, located in the Main Mass of the batholith, best represent the granitoid of the greenschist and amphibolite facies crustal levels respectively. Heat flow estimates of 38 mW m⁻² from Pavagada and 25 mW m⁻² from Magadi have been obtained through measurements in deep (430 and 445 m) and carefully sited boreholes. Measurements made in four boreholes of opportunity in Pavagada area yield a mean heat flow of 39 ± 4 (s.d.) mW m⁻², which is in good agreement with the estimate from deep borehole. The study, therefore, demonstrates a clear-cut heat flow variation concomitant with the crustal levels exposed in the two areas. The mean heat production estimates for the greenschist facies and amphibolite facies layers constituting the Main Mass of the batholith are 2.9 and 1.8 μW m⁻³, respectively. The enhanced heat flow in the Pavagada area is consistent with the occurrence of a radioelement-enriched 2-km-thick greenschist facies layer granitoid overlying the granitoid of the amphibolite facies layer which is twice as thick as represented in the Magadi area. The crustal heat production models indicate similar mantle heat flow estimates in the range 12–14 mW m⁻², consistent with the other parts of the greenstone-granite-gneiss terrain of the Dharwar craton.     

The transition from peraluminous to peralkaline granitic melts: Evidence from melt inclusions and accessory minerals

Fractional crystallization of peraluminous F- and H₂O-rich granite magmas progressively enriches the remaining melt with volatiles. We show that, at saturation, the melt may separate into two immiscible conjugate melt fractions, one of the fractions shows increasing peraluminosity and the other increasing peralkalinity. These melt fractions also fractionate the incompatible elements to significantly different degrees. Coexisting melt fractions have differing chemical and physical properties and, due to their high density and viscosity contrasts, they will tend to separate readily from each other. Once separated, each melt fraction evolves independently in response to changing T/P/X conditions and further immiscibility events may occur, each generating its own conjugate pair of melt fractions. The strongly peralkaline melt fractions in particular are very reactive and commonly react until equilibrium is attained. Consequently, the peralkaline melt fraction is commonly preserved only in the isolated melt and mineral inclusions.

We demonstrate that the differences between melt fractions that can be seen most clearly in differing melt inclusion compositions are also visible in the composition of the resulting ore-forming and accessory minerals, and are visible on scales from a few micrometers to hundreds of meters.     

Alteration, evaluation and use of extremaduran granite residues

The necessity of eliminating debris from a granite quarry has awakened an interest in applications of by-products, called “marginal arids”, in different fields, like construction and foundations for roadways, restoration, material for the manufacture of artificial rocks, and artesian products etc. Conclusions obtained from the results of tests carried out by X-ray diffraction of granite quarry by-products in Extremadura, Spain, submitted to different treatments, are established. Test pieces from two quarries are analyzed and compared generally and specifically, for commercial use. Finally, conclusions relating to essays in test pieces and mineral dynamics of marginal arid granite are exposed.     

中国大陆科学钻探工程主孔（734～933m）榴辉岩和片麻岩元素及Sr-Nd同位素地球化学研究

对中国大陆科学钻探工程主孔两段榴辉岩与片麻岩互层的岩芯样品(Ⅰ:734.21-737.16m和Ⅱ:929.67-932.86m)分别进行了主要元素和微量元素以及Sr-Nd同位素分析。结果表明:(1)榴辉岩具有较大的成分变化范围(SiO2含量为46.8%-59.8%),表现出平坦或轻稀土(LREE)富集的分布模式和大离子亲石元素(LILE)富集或亏损以及Nb、Ta负异常特征。部分榴辉岩样品具有明显低的活动性元素(Rb、Ba和K)含量,指示了板块俯冲过程中的脱水变质效应;(2)两段岩芯中的片麻岩具有明显不同的主量和微量元素组成,其中第Ⅰ段具有相对较低的SiO2含量(61.3%～66.2%)和高的重稀土(HREE)含量,而第Ⅱ段具有明显偏高的SiO2含量(73.8%～74.1%)和低的HREE含量。但两段均表现出LREE富集和Eu负异常以及LILE富集和高场强元素(Nb、Ta、Ti)负异常特征;(3)榴辉岩和第Ⅰ段岩芯中的片麻岩具有相近的且偏高的εNd(750Ma)值(-3.6- 0.5),而第Ⅱ段岩芯中的片麻岩具有明显偏低的εNd(750Ma)值(-8.7)。部分片麻岩样品表现出较高的87Sr/86Sr比值(0.7070)和非常低的Rb/Sr比值(0.008),指示岩石Rb-Sr同位素体系受到了变质扰动。非活动性元素如Zr、Hf、Nb、Ta、Ti、Y、REE和Ti在脱水变质过程中没有受到明显扰动,因此可用于恢复榴辉岩和片麻岩的原岩性质及其形成的大地构造背景。根据分析样品的元素和Nd同位素特点,推测榴辉岩原岩具有板内玄武岩性质,第Ⅰ段岩芯中的片麻岩原岩为玄武质岩浆上升过程中同化地壳物质形成的中性岩,而第Ⅱ段岩芯中的片麻岩原岩为地壳物质重熔形成的酸性岩。因此,深钻榴辉岩和片麻岩原岩为新元古代华南陆块北缘裂谷构造带双峰式岩浆活动的产物,在岩浆侵位过程中经历了高温大气降水热液蚀变。