Ferruginious-aluminous metapelites of the North Yenisei Ridge: Formation paleosettings, nature and age of protolith

Abstract

Research subject. Fe- and Al-rich metapelites of the Teya, Garevka and Angara complexes of the North Yenisei Ridge (western margin of the Siberian craton) were studied. Research methods. Recently-obtained geochronologic (SHRIMP II U-Pb zircon dating) and geochemical data on the distribution of major and trace elements were used to reproduce the composition and age of the protolith, along with the paleofacies formation conditions. Results. The ferruginous-aluminous metapelites of the North Yenisei Ridge consitute redeposited and metamorphosed products of Precambrian weathering crusts predominantly of the kaolinite rather than lateritic type, as was previously thought. The chemical weathering of rocks in the Early Proterozoic on the Yenisei Ridge did not reach the deep stage of lateritization with the formation of zones of final decomposition of aluminosilicates; however, this process was limited to the formation of weathering products of predominantly kaolinite-illite-montmorillonite-quartz composition. Conclusions. The petro- and geochemical characteristics of the studied metapelites are mainly due to the features of sedimentation during the formation of the protolith, which could have been formed due to the erosion of the Lower Proterozoic microgneisses of the Siberian craton with ages in the range of 1962-2043 Ma with the involvement of granitoid and volcanic admixture of mafic rocks into the erosion area and subsequent accumulation in marginal continental shallow basins under the conditions of a humid climate and a calm tectonic regime. These results are consistent with the data of lithofacies analysis and geodynamic reconstructions of the Precambrian evolution of geological complexes in the North Yenisei Ridge.