Integrated ophiolite and arc evolution, southern Brasiliano Orogen

Abstract

Integrated study of Tonian ophiolite mélanges and intra-oceanic arc of the São Gabriel juvenile terrane exposes a key geotectonic unit in the evolutionary history of Gondwana during Brasiliano Orogeny. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology in rutile and zircon were combined with Lu-Hf and rare earth elements in zircon. We report the first rutile dating of ultramafic rock in the Brazilian Shield of 787.6 ± 2.6 Ma for the Cambaizinho ophiolite magnesian schist. Dating of rutile corresponds to the metamorphic age of the mantle section of the ophiolite. São Gabriel arc infrastructure is represented by the Cambaí Complex, including the Vila Nova Suite metatonalite with zircon U-Pb age of 724.6 ± 3.2 Ma and late Sanga do Jobim Suite monzogranite intrusions with two main pulses at 698.9 ± 4.2 Ma and 673.9 ± 6.8 Ma. Zircon εHf(t) values are positive for both rocks and range between +10.1 and +7.4 in metatonalite and +9.2 to +2.5 in monzogranite. Detrital zircon from metasedimentary rocks support superstructure arc investigation. Ages range from 817 to 650 Ma, with strong concentration between 750 and 730 Ma. Positive εHf(t) values and Rare Earth Elements (REE) signature point to main source of metasedimentary rocks in the arc, with ophiolitic contribution. Therefore, geotectonic processes in the Brasiliano Orogeny include the construction of São Gabriel terrane with Tonian oceanic crust evolving to intra-oceanic subduction until 650 Ma to final development along the margin of continental crust. Overthrusting of the São Gabriel terrane onto the Rio de La Plata Craton occurred at 650–620 Ma. Our data correlate with Tonian intra-oceanic arcs from Brasilia belt (Goiás arc ca. 862–630 Ma) and Ribeira belt (Serra da Prata arc – 856–838 Ma; Rio Negro arc – 790–620 Ma). Oceanic crust generation combined with subduction to form Tonian arcs along the Brasiliano Orogen were most significant for construction of West Gondwana.