Tectonic position of the Early Neoproterozoic–Early Paleozoic metamorphic belts within the Tuva–Mongolian terrane of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Abstract

The Tuva–Mongolian terrane (TMT) of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt is a composite structure with a Vendian–Cambrian terrigenous-carbonate cover. The formation of the northern part of TMT is marked by the granitoids of the Sumsunur Complex with an age of 785 ± 11 Ma. The Sangilen and Khan-Khukhay blocks of its southern part also form a composite structure, which originated during Early Paleozoic(500–490 Ma) low-moderate pressure regional metamorphism reaching amphibolites-granulite facies. The earlier high-pressure metamorphism was established in the Moren Complex of both the blocks. In the Sangilen block, this metamorphism reached conditions of kyanite-garnet-biotite-orthoclase subfacies of amphibolites facies (temperature ~750oC, pressure 9–10 kbar). The upper age limit of this metamorphism is determined by granites with an age of 536 ± 6 Ma, which cut across migmatized biotite gneisses of the Moren Complex. The latter are intruded by the granitoids of the Ortoadir pluton, which were previously dated at 521 ± ± 12 Ma (U-Pb method, TIMS). Its emplacement predated the Early Paleozoic low-moderate pressure metamorphism, the timing of which is constrained by syn- and postmetamorphic granitoids with ages of 496 ± 4 and 489 ± 3 Ma. The age of 513 ± 4 Ma established for the granitoids of the Ortoadir Complex in the Khan-Khukhay Block more accurately constrains the lower age boundary of collision processes. This determined the amalgamation of the fragments of the high-pressure metamorphic belt with basement and carbonate-shelf cover units of the Tuva–Mongolian terrane, as well as the upper age boundary of early metamorphism. The timing of the main mappable structure of the Khan–Khukhay Block and low-moderate pressure regional metamorphism is marked by the synmetamorphic granitoids with an age of 505 ± ± 2 Ma. In general, the metamorphic rocks of the Sangilen, Khan–Khukhay, and Kaakhem blocks can be considered as fragments of the Late Ediacaran high-pressure metamorphic belt, which were amalgamated to the western margin of TMT within 515–505 Ma, after emplacement of the granitoids of the Ortoadir Complex, and were reworked by regional Early Paleozoic low-moderate pressure metamorphism.