Metamorphic evolution of the pelitic and mafic granulites from Daltonganj, Chhotanagpur Granite Gneiss Complex, India: Constraints from zircon U–Pb age and phase equilibria modelling

Abstract

The Daltonganj region is located on the northwestern extension of the Chhotanagpur Granite Gneiss Complex in the eastern Indian Peninsula, which is characterized by pelitic and mafic assemblages of granulite facies rock. The pelitic granulites contain garnet, cordierite, biotite, plagioclase, K‐feldspar, sillimanite, and quartz. Petrographical interpretations divulge prograde and retrograde metamorphic events within mafic granulites, which consist of clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, amphibole, plagioclase, biotite, and quartz. Field observation, petrography, phase equilibrium modelling, and U–Pb zircon geochronology of the pelitic granulites reveal two stages of metamorphic events along the clockwise P–T path. Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) zircon U–Pb age dating of pelitic granulites shows the detrital zircon ages from ~1,734 Ma to 1,677 Ma, and the possible metamorphic domains show the weighted mean age of 1,638 ± 22 Ma, which represents the timing of metamorphism. Subsequently, the magmatic emplacement of mafic granulites was recorded at 1,629 ± 6 Ma age by Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) zircon U–Pb dating which coincide with the timing of metamorphism of the pelitic granulite. Phase equilibrium modelling in the NCKFMASHTO system divulges the pre‐peak metamorphic stage at ~3.2 kbar and ~620°C and the first stage which is characterized by a peak metamorphic condition that ranges from 7.40 to 9.10 kbar and from 815 to 835°C during ~1,638 Ma with the mineral assemblage of garnet + sillimanite + biotite + plagioclase + K‐feldspar + melt + quartz + ilmenite. Sequentially, the retrograde metamorphism is observed by a nearly isothermal decompression stage at ~4.0 kbar/~790°C after 1,638 Ma, due to the appearance of garnet + cordierite + biotite + plagioclase + K‐feldspar + melt + quartz + ilmenite + magnetite. The formation of cordierite is due to the decompression and dehydration melting phases. The Nb, Sr, and Ti negative anomalies suggest their generation from crustal sources. The geochemical analyses constrain that the sedimentation of pelitic sediments was recorded along the convergent margin and encountered by a subduction‐related tectonic setting. The geochemical interpretation provides significant evidence that the protoliths of pelitic granulites were derived from the Singhbhum Mobile Belt, Mahakoshal Supracrustal Belt, and Bundelkhand Craton, while their metamorphism was processed by the continent–continent collision and followed by exhumation.