Abstract
The Paleoproterozoic Aketashitage orogenic belt lies in between the two large accretionary orogenic systems, i.e., Paleo-Asian ocean and Paleo-Tethys ocean systems, in northwest China. Previous geochronologic studies reveal widespread Paleoproterozoic orogeny-related magmatism and high-grade metamorphism in this area, determined by the U-Pb dating of zircon and monazite. In this paper, 40Ar/39Ar dating of hornblende of three representative amphibolite samples yielded cooling ages of ∼1.88–1.85 Ga. Comparison of the zircon/monazite U-Pb and hornblende 40Ar/39Ar ages suggests that these amphibolite samples record different exhumation and cooling processes. These new geochronologic data further confirm that the Aketashitage orogenic belt only records Paleoproterozoic metamorphism but no overprint of Paleozoic thermal event. It is thus inferred that the Aketashitage area might act as a continental fragment/terrane which was passively collaged onto the ambilateral Paleozoic orogens but was not involved in the Paleozoic subduction.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.