A late Neoproterozoic paleomagnetic pole for the Congo craton: Tectonic setting, paleomagnetism and geochronology of the Nola dike swarm (Central African Republic)

New structural, geochronological and paleomagnetic data were obtained on dolerite dikes of the Nola region (Central African Republic) at the northern border of the Congo craton. In this region, metavolcanic successions were thrust southward onto the craton during the Panafrican orogenic events. Our structural data reveal at least two structural klippes south of the present-day limits of the Panafrican nappe suggesting that it has once covered the whole Nola region, promoting the pervasive hydrothermal greenschist metamorphism observed in the underlying cratonic basement and also in the intrusive dolerite dikes. Paleomagnetic measurements revealed a stable dual-polarity low-inclination magnetization component in nine dikes (47 samples), carried by pyrrhotite and magnetite. This component corresponds to a paleopole at 304.8°E and 61.8°S (dp = 5.4, dm = 10.7) graded at Q = 6. Both metamorphism and magnetic resetting were dated by the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar method on amphibole grains separated from the dikes at 571 ± 6 Ma. The Nola pole is the first well-dated paleomagnetic pole for the Congo craton between 580 and 550 Ma. It marks a sudden change in direction of the Congo craton apparent polar wander path at the waning stages of the Panafrican orogenic events.     

The Meatiq dome (Eastern Desert, Egypt) a Precambrian metamorphic core complex: petrological and geological evidence

The Meatiq basement, which is exposed beneath late Proterozoic nappes of supracrustal rocks in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt, was affected by three metamorphic events. The ophiolite cover nappes show only the last metamorphic overprint. The M1 metamorphic event (T ≥750 °C) is restricted to migmatized amphibolite xenoliths within the Um Ba′anib orthogneiss in the structurally lowest parts of the basement. Typical upper amphibolite facies M2 mineral assemblages include Grt–Zn-rich Spl–Qtz±Bt, Grt–Zn-rich Spl–Ms–Kfs–Bt–Sil–Qtz and locally kyanite in metasedimentary rocks. The mineral assemblages Ms–Qtz–Kfs–Sil in the matrix and Sil–Grt in garnet cores indicate that peak M2 P–T conditions exceeded muscovite and staurolite stabilities. Diffusional equilibration at M2 peak temperature conditions caused homogeneous chemical profiles across M2 garnets. Abundant staurolite in garnet rims and the matrix indicates a thorough equilibration during M2 at decreasing temperature conditions. M2 P–T conditions ranged from 610 to 690 °C at 6–8 kbar for the metamorphic peak and 530–600 °C at about 5.8 kbar for the retrograde stage. However, relic kyanite indicates pressures above 8 kbar, preceeding the temperature peak. A clockwise P–T path is indicated by abundant M2 sillimanite after relic kyanite and by andalusite after sillimanite. M2 fluid inclusions, trapped in quartz within garnet and in the quartz matrix show an array of isochores. Steepest isochores (water-rich H₂O-CO₂±CH₄/N₂ inclusions) pass through peak M2 P–T conditions and flatter isochores (CO₂-rich H₂O-CO₂±CH₄/N₂ inclusions) are interpreted to represent retrograde fluids which is consistent with a clockwise P–T path for M2. The M3 assemblage Grt–Chl in the uppermost metasedimentary sequence of the basement limits temperature to 460 to 550 °C. M3 temperature conditions within the ophiolite cover nappes are limited by the assemblage Atg–Trem–Tlc to<540 °C and the absence of crysotile to >350 °C. The polymetamorphic evolution in the basement contrasts with the monometamorphic ophiolite nappes. The M1 metamorphic event in the basement occurred prior to the intrusion of the Um Ba′anib granitoid at about 780 Ma. The prograde phase of the M2 metamorphic event took place during the collision of an island arc with a continent. The break-off of the subducting slab increased the temperature and resulted in the peak M2 mineral assemblages. During the rise of the basement domain retrograde M2 mineral assemblages were formed. The final M3 metamorphic event is associated with the updoming of the basement domain at about 580 Ma along low-angle normal faults.     

Événements panafricains dans l'Adrar Souttouf (Sahara marocain)

The Adrar Souttouf belt (Western Sahara) lies in the northern part of the Mauritanide belt and was considered as a part of the Hercynian Mauritanian-Appalachian belt. Recently the presence of a Panafrican protolith (595 Ma) was evidenced by the age of inherited zircons from an eclogitic unit and led to consider complex Panafrican events included in the Hercynian belt, as in the central and southern Mauritanide belt. Our new field survey completed by ten KAr dating (whole rocks and separate minerals) confirmed that multiphased Panafrican formations outcrop within the center of the Adrar Souttouf massif. Diverse events ranged from ca. 1000 to 500 Ma, some of them being indicative of an oceanic type environment and metamorphism. The 1000 Ma metamorphic event is recorded for the first time in the West African craton. A large Hercynian remobilisation is also evidenced. To cite this article: M. Villeneuve et al., C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

Relics of an early-Panafrican metabasite–metarhyolite formation in the Brno Massif, Moravia, Czech Republic

The Brno Massif in Moravia, Czech Republic, is an important exposure of Precambrian basement in central Europe. It includes large volumes of Cadomian granitoids and a narrow fault-bounded zone with metagabbros, metadiorites, and metabasalts. This so-called Central Basic Belt also contains some metarhyolites; one of these was dated by means of the zircon evaporation method at 725 ±15 Ma. Chemical and isotope data show that the dated rock represents a mantle-derived magma which is cosanguinous with surrounding MORB-type metabasites. The data suggest that the Brno Massif hosts the oldest metabasite complex currently known in central Europe. Its formation apparently coincides with the main period of ocean-floor spreading and island-arc formation in the Panafrican orogens. This lends further support to the theory that the Brno Massif is a Gondwana-derived element. Received: 9 December 1999 / Accepted: 9 February 2000     

Late Panafrican evolution of the main Hoggar fault zones: Implications of magnetic fabric study in the In Telloukh pluton (Tin Serririne basin, Algeria)

The Late Panafrican evolution of the Hoggar shield is characterized by emplacement of magmatic intrusions and by occurrence of major shear zones separating different terranes. In Telloukh granite is close to the In Guezzam faults (western border of the Tin Serririne basin). Analysis of its visible and magnetic fabrics suggests an emplacement mode and deformation that are not related to the In Guezzam faults, but most likely to a N–S compression, an event not yet identified. Dioritic dykes crosscutting the granite have a very different magnetic fabric, which is related on the contrary to dextral strike-slip movements along the In Guezzam faults. In both cases, no visible fabric can be correlated with the magnetic fabric, which has been likely acquired during late magmatic stages. This magnetic fabric was not significantly affected by the tectonic events that took place after entire crystallization of the magma. The In Guezzam faults and the major 7°30 and 4°50 shear zones are close to intrusions such as In Telloukh dykes and the Alous En Tides and Tesnou plutons where quite similar magnetic fabrics are observed, all related with dextral strike-slip movements along these structures.     

Structural reworking and heat transfer related to the late-Panafrican Angavo shear zone of Madagascar

The basement of central Madagascar displays two contrasted structural patterns. The first one (D1) is characterized by north-striking foliations that are gently dipping to the west and carry W- to WSW-plunging lineations, whereas the second one (D2) is characterized by steeper foliations that are striking to the NNE and lineations that are either subhorizontal or gently plunging to the SSW. The younger pattern is related to late-Panafrican tectonics along the major Angavo shear zone that is about 1000 km in length and 40 km in width with apparently little offset. Deformation in the Angavo zone induced interference folding on both sides. The D2 event is characterized by low pressures (ca 400 MPa) and high temperatures (up to 790 °C) responsible for prograde granulite facies conditions, that resulted from heat transfer due to magma and fluid advection in the Angavo shear zone. The D2 event is pinned at 550 ± 11 Ma by a new monazite age from a reoriented Andringitrean granite near Ankaramena. A new suite of amphibole and biotite Ar–Ar geochronological data enables to retrace the thermochronogical evolution inside and outside the Angavo shear zone. Combined with new structural results from the western interference zone, these ages yield a better understanding of the late-Panafrican history of central Madagascar. No diachronism is observed along the strike of the Angavo shear zone. Conversely, amphibole and especially biotite ages decrease from West to East, i.e. towards the shear zone. These new ages range from 511 to 469 Ma. A 1-D conductive model constrains the thermal effect in relation with the Angavo shear zone to be restricted to a lateral distance of ca 60 km (in map view) for a maximum heating duration of 20 Myr. This is in agreement with the Ar–Ar data and with the width of the observed interference zone. Following this episode of deformation and heat transfer, the estimated cooling rates of the Angavo shear zone range from to 15 to 6 °C/Myr, respectively before and after 515 Ma. A post-collision intracontinental setting is suggested for the Angavo shear zone, which is regarded as a remote effect of the Kuunga Orogeny between India and Antarctica.     

Metallogeny of gold in relation to the evolution of the Nubian Shield in Egypt

Gold mineralization in the Eastern Desert of Egypt is confined, almost completely, to the basement rocks of the Nubian Shield that was cratonized during the Panafrican orogeny.Island-arc, orogenic and post-orogenic stages are indicated for the tectonic-magmatic evolution of the Nubian Shield in Late Proterozoic times. Different styles of gold mineralization recognised in the Eastern Desert are inferred to have developed during these stages.In the island-arc stage, which is characterized by volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks in an ensimatic environment, gold mineralization is hosted in stratiform to strata-bound Algoma-type BIF and associated tuffaceous sedimentary rocks. Both types represent exhalative deposits, formed during breaks in sub-marine basaltic and bastalic–andesite volcanic eruptions. The volcanic rocks have a tholeiitic affinity and reflect an immature arc stage. Gold hosted in massive-sulphide deposits within calc-alkaline rhyolites represents another style of gold mineralization connected with mature island arc stage.During the orogenic-stage, ophiolites and island arc volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks were thrust onto the Pre-Panafrican continental margin. Subduction was active beneath the continent while the thrusting was still operative. A phase of calc-alkaline magmatic activity developed during this stage and the compressional deformation event was synchronous with regional metamorphism (greenschist–amphibolite facies). Extensional shear fractures (brittle–ductile shear zones) were broadly contemporaneous with the intense compressional tectonic regime. These fractures opened spaces in which the mineralizing fluids penetrated.Gold mineralization associated with the orogenic-stage is represented by vein-type mineralization that constituted the main target for gold since Pharaonic times. Other styles of gold mineralization during this stage are represented by altered ophiolitic serpentinites (listwaenites), Gold mineralization associated with intrusion related deposits (possibly porphyry copper deposits), as well as, auriferous quartz veins at the contacts of younger gabbros and G-2 granites.The post-orogenic stage is characterized by the dominance of intra-plate magmatism. Small amounts of the element in disseminations, stockworks and quartz veins of Sn–W–Ta–Nb mineralization represent gold mineralization connected with this stage.The link between these tectonic–magmatic stages and gold mineralization can be used as a criterion at any exploration strategy for new targets of gold mineralization in Egypt.     

Stratoid granites of Madagascar: structure and position in the Panafrican orogeny

Abstract

Stratoid granites constitute a major feature of the Precambrien basement of Madagascar. A detailed structural study was carried out NNW of Antananarivo. New zircon isotopic data on a typical alkaline granite ascertain their Panafrican age (585 Ma). The sheets of granites metric to kilometric of thickness, are interlayered with migmatitic gneisses and amphibolites. Their internal structures, determined by anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility measurements, everywhere yield foliations gently dipping to the west, and lineations striking WSW-ENE. These structures were mostly acquired at the magmatic stage in the granites, in the country-rocks they resulted from high-temperature plastic deformation.

The very constant structural pattern, interpreted in terms of shear deformation of a section of the crust, as well as the low P (P = 4 - 5 kb) - high T (T # 750°C) conditions, suggest that the emplacement of the stratoid granites was coeval with a late-orogenic stage in the Panafrican Mozambique belt, and possibly linked to the thinning of the lithosphere.     

Sur la présence d'une série molassique (de type série pourprée) au Sud-Est de l'Ahaggar (In Guezzam,Ahaggar, Algérie)Presence of molassic series (‘Série pourprée’ type) in the Southeast of the Ahaggar (In Guezzam,Ahaggar, Algeria)

In the western Ahaggar shield, the transition between the Precambrian and the Ordovician units is characterised by thick volcano-sedimentary series (‘Série pourprée’ of the Ahnet). This series, in part of Cambrian age, results from the demolition of the Panafrican belt. Similar series were known in grabens located between the West African craton and the Ahaggar, from the ‘Adrar des Iforas’, in the south, to the Ougarta belt, in the north. We describe in this study a new formation identical to the ‘Série pourprée’ of the Ahnet, but cropping out in the far Southeast of the Ahaggar (In Guezzam). This new datum improves the Panafrican belt configuration. To cite this article: H. Djellit et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 789–794.