40Ar/ 39Ar mineral ages within metamorphic clasts from the Kuma Group (Eocene), central Shikoku, Japan: Implications for tectonic development of the Sambagawa accretionary prism

Abstract

The Sambagawa metamorphic belt exposed in central Shikoku records a high- P/T metamorphism. It is comprised by the Oboke nappe and the structurally overlying, internally imbricated Besshi nappe complex. The Besshi nappe complex locally is unconformably overlain by the Kuma Group (Eocene) which consists of conglomerates and subordinate sandstones and mudstones. Clasts within Kuma conglomerates exposed in the Kamegamori district include low-grade schists (derived from the unconformably underlying Sambagawa complex) and high-grade metamorphic rocks of uncertain provenance (including garnet-amphibolite and oligoclase-bearing pelitic schist). 36Ar/ 40Ar vs. 39Ar/ 40Ar isotope correlation ages recorded by hornblende from two amphibolite clasts are 131.1 ± 4.9 Ma and 156.8 ± 4.3 Ma. These are interpreted to date post-metamorphic cooling through temperatures required for intracrystalline retention of argon, and are older than cooling ages previously reported from any presently exposed segments of the Sambagawa terrane. Plateau ages of 108.8 ± 0.7 Ma and 115.7 ± 0.6 Ma are recorded by muscovite from two clasts of schist. Muscovite within a proximal basement exposure of unconformably underlying Sambagawa pelitic schist records a plateau age of 78.7 ± 0.5 Ma. Combined with isotopic ages previously reported for the Sambagawa terrane, 40Ar/ 39Ar data from clasts in the Kuma Group suggest that metamorphic culmination within a high-grade source terrane occured at c. 185-145 Ma. Sectors of this complex cooled through c. 500°C at c. 150 Ma. Other portions cooled through c. 500°C at c. 130 Ma. Contrasts in the cooling ages likely reflect internal imbrication within the source terrane. The Besshi nappe complex reached peak metamorphic conditions at c. 100-90 Ma and experienced relatively rapid uplift and cooling at c. 85-75 Ma. The Besshi nappe complex was structurally emplaced onto the Oboke nappe which attained peak metamorphic conditions at c. 75 Ma. Subsequently, the entire Sambagawa section was exhumed, and most high-grade metamorphic rocks were removed. The Eocene Kuma Group was unconformably deposited over the Sambagawa terrane at c. 50 Ma.