Ancient Zircons Research Articles

Effects of Thermal Annealing and Chemical Abrasion on In-situ U-Pb Dating of Complex Ancient Zircons by Laser Ablation ICP-MS

Effects of Thermal Annealing and Chemical Abrasion on In-situ U-Pb Dating of Complex Ancient Zircons by Laser Ablation ICP-MS

SOURCES OF MAGMAS OF PERMIAN GABBROS OF THE KHANGAI MOUNTAINS (Western Mongolia)

We present Sm–Nd and Rb–Sr isotope composition data on mafic–ultramafic massifs in the Khangai Mountains of Western Mongolia: Oortsog-Uul, Nomgon, and Yamaat-Uul. The U–Pb age of zircon and its Lu–Hf isotope and trace-element compositions were determined by LA–ICP–MS. New and previous geochronological data obtained by SIMS and LA–ICP–MS support the Permian age of the studied gabbros. The trace-element composition of zircon, characterized by strong HREE enrichment ((Lu/Gd)n > 7) and cerium positive (Ce/Ce* > 6.6) and europium negative (Eu/Eu* = 0.16–0.49) anomalies, indicates its magmatic genesis and the possibility of using isotope characteristics to assess the origin of mafic magmas. The formation of zircon from a residual mafic melt is inferred from the enrichment of zircon in U and Th with increasing Th/U, reflecting the accumulation of these highly incompatible elements in the residual melt, and from the crystallization temperature of zircon (810–880 °С). The geochemical characteristics of the rocks, their isotopic composition, the absence of xenogenic ancient zircons, and the lack of correlation between εNd(T) and major indices of crustal contamination indicate that crustal contamination did not influence the composition of the gabbros. Isotopic data on rocks and zircon indicate the involvement of two mantle sources in the formation of the mafic–ultramafic massifs of the Khangai Mountains: (a) depleted, predominant for the Nomgon and Yamaat-Uul massifs (εHf = 16.1–2.0; εNd = 4.5–0.0; and ISr = 0.70385–0.70537), and (b) enriched, predominant for the second phase of the Oortsog-Uul massif (εHf = 1.4–0.2; εNd = –3.6… –5.7; and ISr = 0.70704–0.70933).

CRUSTAL STRUCTURE OF THE MENDELEEV RISE IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN: A SYNTHESIS OF SEISMIC PROFILES AND ROCK SAMPLING DATA

The Mendeleev Rise is located in the Amerasia Basin of the Arctic Ocean. The work is based on a synthesis of interpretation of regional seismic profiles of the OGT 2D DOM and data from rock sampling using special underwater vehicles on the slopes of seamounts and scarps. The uplift is represented by alternation of highs (horsts) and half-grabens. At the base of the horst sections, bright reflectors are distinguished, which are interpreted as volcanics. Half-graben sections are wedge-shaped in section and are similar in geometry to seaward-dipping reflectors (SDRs) of continental passive volcanic margins. Rock sampling has shown that the horsts are composed of sedimentary rocks of Palaeozoic age, penetrated by intrusions. Aptian-Albian sections with volcanics (basalts, trachybasalts, trachyandesites) were identified on the horsts. U/Pb dating of igneous rocks showed that typical age of rocks is 110-114 Ma. Magmatic Cretaceous rocks contain zircons with ages ranging from pre-Barremian Mesozoic to Palaeozoic and Precambrian. These zircons were captured by basaltic magma during its upward movement. The presence of these ancient zircons indicates that the Mendeleev Rise is composed of continental crust. A model of the crustal structure of the Mendeleev Rise is proposed. The base of the section visible on seismic profiles is dominated by volcanics (on horsts from basalts to trachyandesites, in half-grabens mainly basalts). The upper and lower crust is approximately 20-30% saturated with intrusions of basic composition. At the base of the crust, a high-velocity layer up to 5 km thick is distinguished. It is assumed that its lower part is entirely represented by gabbro-type intrusions, and the upper part is the lowest part of the lower crust, maximally saturated with intrusions.

Bimodality in zircon oxygen isotopes and implications for crustal melting on the early Earth

Zircons from the oldest dated felsic crust, the Acasta Gneiss Complex, Canada, provide key information that may help understand the generation of crust on our nascent planet. When screened to eliminate grains with secondary alteration by measuring relative hydration (Δ16O1H/16O), primary ≥ 3.99 Ga zircon cores show δ18O of 5.88 ± 0.15 ‰, at the extreme upper (heavy) range for mantle values. Another early (≥3.96 Ga) zircon component indicates distinctly different, primary light δ18O values (δ18O ≤ 4.5 ‰). This bimodality in ancient zircon oxygen isotopes implies partial melting of both deep (lower crustal) and shallower (near surface) source rocks, responsible for felsic crust production on the early Earth. A similar bimodality in zircon δ18O is recognised in data from other ancient cratons, albeit at different times. Although alternative (uniformitarian) interpretations may also satisfy the data, the tempo of this bimodality matches models of planetary high-energy impact flux, consistent with a fundamental role for bolide impacts in the formation of crustal nuclei on the early Earth.

Modification of Archean lower crust of the North China Craton by magma underplating during the Mesozoic: Evidence from zircon U-Pb-Hf-O isotopes of granulite xenoliths

Previous studies of felsic granulite and pyroxenite xenoliths have confirmed the existence of the Archean lower crust beneath the Fuxin region which experienced magma underplating in the Phanerozoic. U-Pb-Hf-O isotopes of zircons in felsic granulite xenoliths from the Fuxin late Cretaceous basalts in the North China Craton were analyzed to evaluate the role of magma underplating in the modification of the Archean lower crust during the Phanerozoic. The felsic granulites recorded a uniform upper intercept age of 2.5 Ga and a spread of concordant Mesozoic zircons from 177 to 105 Ma, with a peak at 118 Ma. Most Precambrian zircons show discordant U-Pb ages and obvious core-rim structure. The Mesozoic zircons from the granulite xenoliths can be divided into two groups: zircons with an age of >106 and those with an age of ≤106 Ma. Zircons with ages older than 106 Ma are characterized by an unzoned or core-rim structure and enriched Hf-O isotopic compositions, whereas zircons with ages of ≤106 Ma mainly exhibit oscillatory zoning and have depleted Hf-O isotopic compositions. Some >106 Ma zircons with strongly negative εHf(t) values of −40.4 to −24.9 are considered to be age resets of ancient zircons. The relatively higher Hf-O isotopic values for the rest of the >106 Ma zircons indicate that various proportions of underplated magmas with high εHf(t) and δ18O values contributed to their formation. The underplated magmas may have originated from the lithospheric mantle, metasomatized by melts/fluids from subducted Paleo-Asian and Paleo-Pacific oceanic crusts. The ≤106 Ma zircons probably crystallized in a melt from the depleted mantle. These observations suggest that long-lived magma underplating occurred beneath the Fuxin region during the Mesozoic, and the derivation of underplated magmas changed from an enriched lithospheric mantle to a depleted asthenospheric mantle at ∼106 Ma. Combined with our previous studies, we conclude that magma underplating not only provided heat for remelting, but also added exotic material in the modification of ancient lower crust beneath the Fuxin region during the Mesozoic. Furthermore, continuous modifications of cratonic lower crust by magma underplating weaken its refractory and made it more susceptible to chemical erosion and partial melting, which played an important role in the lower crust destruction of the craton.

Revisiting the boundary between the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and North China Craton in Alxa area, China: Insights from zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotopes of Phanerozoic granitoids

The Alxa Block, located in the southern Alxa area of Inner Mongolia, is generally accepted as the westernmost part of the North China Craton (NCC), but there is still a controversy over the boundary between the southern CAOB and the Alxa Block. Currently, either the Enger Us ophiolite belt or Quagan Qulu ophiolite belt in the mid-eastern Alxa area is a candidate for the NCC-CAOB boundary, and the extension of the two ophiolite belts in the western Alxa area is ambiguous. In this study, we present a compilation of newly obtained and published zircon U-Pb age and Hf isotopic data from the Ordovician-Triassic granitoids in the Alxa area and discuss the implications of two contrasting isotope provinces for the NCC-CAOB boundary. Specifically, the granitoids in the Zongnaishan-Shalazhashan belt between the two ophiolite belts and the North Beidashan belt in the western Alxa area share similar emplacement ages (Carboniferous to Triassic) and juvenile zircon Hf isotopic compositions (two-stage mode ages < 1.30 Ga), and both Carboniferous to Permian granitoids in the Yabulai-Honggueryulin belt to the south of Quagan Qulu ophiolite belt and Ordovician to Devonian granitoids in the South Beidashan belt of the western Alxa area are characterized by similar ancient zircon Hf isotopic features (two-stage mode ages > 1.30 Ga), but most Late Carboniferous to Permian granitoids in the South Beidashan belt are characterized by juvenile zircon Hf isotopes. The two contrasting isotope provinces (juvenile in the north and generally ancient in the south) for the Phanerozoic granitoids could not result from differential denudation, but drastic differences in compositions of deep crusts. The Yabulai-Honggueryulin and South Beidashan belts with ancient crust sources are parts of the Alxa Block, whereas the Zongnaishan-Shalazhashan and North Beidashan belts with juvenile crust sources could be parts of CAOB, and thus the boundary between the CAOB and the Alxa Block is inferred located in between.

Zircon U-Pb age of tuffaceous sandstone in the southern margin of Turpan-Hami Basin and its geological significance

The Dongdagou area of Yamansu in the southeastern margin of Turpan-Hami basin, which is located to the north of the Kangguertag collision zone, is one of the representative areas to discuss whether there is a Precambrian basement problem in the Junggar Turpan-Hami massif. As a consequence, zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating has been carried out for the shallow metamorphic tuffaceous fine sandstone in the Yamansu formation of the Lower Carboniferous in this area. The results show that the ages of 30 clastic zircons range from 365 ±3 Ma to 2451 ±39 Ma, with multi-peak distribution characteristics. The ages of clastic zircons are mainly concentrated in 365~496 Ma, the main peak is 365~436Ma, the secondary peak is 440~496 Ma, and the ages of 8 clastic zircons are between 765~2451 Ma. The study shows that the formation age of the sedimentary rock is not the early Carboniferous but the late Middle Devonian. Based on the isotopic dating data of the two-cloud quartz schist in the Xiaohuangshan area in the northeast of the study area, it is considered that the lower limit of the formation period of this set of strata is not earlier than the Devonian. Combined with the age data of ancient zircons in diabase and fused tuff in the study area, and the comprehensive analysis of regional sedimentary characteristics, it is concluded that there may be Precambrian crystalline basement in the sediment source area-Junggar-Turpan-Hami block.

Middle-Late Jurassic chronology and source-to-sink system of the Sikeshu section in the southern margin of the Junggar Basin, Xinjiang

With the improvement of isotopic testing technology, high-precision dating methods such as SHRIMP or LA-ICP-MS of detrital zircon have been used to analyze and infer the formation age of sedimentary basins, the source of detrital materials, and the tectonic background of the formation and widely used. The LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating method was used to study the detrital zircon in the Middle-Late Jurassic sandstone in the Sikeshu section of the southern margin of the Junggar Basin, Xinjiang. The results show that the detrital zircon ages are mainly 270~447Ma,240~440Ma,245~432Ma, and 286~360Ma. There are also several ancient zircon ages, mainly 945~1080Ma. Combined with zircon mineralogical characteristics, CL images, Th/U ratio, sandstone petrographic characteristics, and regional chronological data, the primary provenance of the Middle-Late Jurassic sandstone is mainly from the Yilinghabilga Mountains in the North Tianshan, and Carboniferous-Permian volcanic rocks, pyroclastic rocks and Carboniferous granites exposed in the Borokonu Mountains of the Central Tianshan Mountains. By comparing the age changes between the four sampling points, the change process of the North Tianshan-Middle Tianshan source-sink system is obtained. From west to east, the upper Devonian glutamate, the Middle Devonian carbonate, and the large granite bodies of the Carboniferous series constituted the early watershed. From the middle to late period of the Toutunhe Formation to the Xishanyao Formation, from east to west, the Cambrian and Silurian carbonate rocks and the large granites and other rocks formed the late water line.

Grain-scale zircon Hf isotope heterogeneity inherited from sediment-metasomatized mantle: Geochemical and Nd-Hf-Pb-O isotopic constraints on Early Cretaceous intrusions in central Lhasa Terrane, Tibetan Plateau

AbstractClarifying the mechanism of recycling of pre-existing continental crustal materials into the source of mantle-derived magma is a challenging effort that can be of great value to improving our understanding of mantle processes and continental crust growth. This study presents an integrated investigation of whole-rock and mineral geochemical and Nd-Hf-O-Pb isotopic data for dolerites and diorites intruded in the central Lhasa Terrane of Tibetan Plateau at ca. 120 Ma (zircon U-Pb ages). These intrusions have similar distributions of trace elements that are characterized by depletion in Nb-Ta relative to Th, Ba, and U, and moderately negative whole-rock εNd(t) (–5.0 to –1.7) values. Magmatic zircon shows dramatically variable εHf(t) values (from –5.0 to +13.7 in the same rock, including up to 12 epsilon unit variability in single grains). On the other hand, the zircon δ18O values are relatively uniform (+6.0‰ to +7.7‰). The constant 208Pb/206Pb values of clinopyroxene crystallized at ca. 500–900 MPa suggest no contamination with lower continental crust. The lack of covariation between Hf and O isotopes from the same grains, and the lack of relationship between Hf isotopes and trace elements (e.g., Hf, Th/U, and Yb/Gd) in the magmatic zircons, together with the absence of ancient zircon xenocrysts, imply limited upper crustal contamination. In combination with high-whole-rock Th/La (&amp;gt;0.29) ratios, we interpret the zircon Hf isotope heterogeneity as inherited from a depleted asthenospheric mantle with the addition of 1–4% Hf from isotopically heterogeneous sediments. Our study therefore emphasizes the need for caution when using complex Hf isotopic zonation in zircon as an argument for intracrustal hybridization of two end-member magmas derived from distinct reservoirs. In addition, the high-Zr/Y ratios and no negative Zr-Hf anomalies of the Aruo intrusions imply a high surface temperature of the down going slab that was able to fully dissolve zircons in the subducted sediments. This requires a special geodynamic condition that was most likely related to the steepening of flatly subducted Neo-Tethyan lithosphere at ca. 120 Ma according to a synthesis of regional tectonic-magmatic-sedimentary records.

Cretaceous uplift history of the Tibetan Plateau: Insights from the transition of marine to terrestrial facies in central Tibet

The uplift of the Tibetan Plateau has been widely associated with India-Asia continental collision during the Cenozoic. However, recent studies have proposed that a proto-Tibetan Plateau in central Tibet was elevated during the late Mesozoic. This paper improves that understanding by focusing on the Cretaceous terrestrial strata in the Gerze area of central Tibet. Our studies suggest that the Qushenla Formation in the Nare area contains alluvial fan conglomerate intercalated with rhyolitic ignimbrite and vesicular rhyolite. Zircon UPb dating of rhyolitic ignimbrite (103.9 ± 1.4 Ma) and two granitoid boulders of conglomerate (106.0 ± 1.6 and 106.1 ± 1.5) indicate that the Qushenla Formation was deposited during the late Albian. The compositions of the Qushenla Formation conglomerate were dominated by hypabyssal intrusions on the southern Qiangtang terrane, which recorded a rapid uplift and denudation process in the late Albian, accompanied by intense volcanic eruptions. The second set of terrestrial strata is the Upper Cretaceous Jingzhushan Formation alluvial fan-braided river deposits, which can be divided into a lower conglomerate member (Member 1) and a upper sandstone member (Member 2). The large amount of bioclastic limestone fragments in the Member 1 show that they come from the Upper Cretaceous Langshan Formation in the central and northern Lhasa subterranes. While in the Member 2, abundant limestone debris, detrital zircon yielding Jurassic–Cretaceous ages with εHf(t) values between −18.6 and + 8.4, and occurrence of volcanic and ancient zircon grains indicate a volcanic-sedimentary source located in the central and northern Lhasa subterranes, with some input from the Bangong-Nujiang suture zone. This suggests that the central and northern Lhasa subterranes experienced rapid crustal uplift in the Late Cretaceous, thus ending the marine sedimentary environment since the Jurassic. Based on the temporal and spatial sedimentary characteristics of the Qushenla and Jingzhushan formations as well as the regional data, our integrated study suggests that the central plateau (Lhasa and southern Qiangtang terranes) experienced a complex uplift history during the Aptian-Turonian, with southwards stepwise growth in time and space. Furthermore, the uplift mechanism of the central plateau is complex, which was controlled by the diachronous closure of the Bangong-Nujiang Tethyan Ocean from east to west during the Early Cretaceous, and by the far-field forces associated with northwards subduction of the Neo-Tethys Ocean during the Late Cretaceous.

Zircon petrochronology reveals the moderately juvenile signature of a diatexite from the boundary zone between the Brasília and Ribeira orogens (SE Brazil): Relict of a Tonian arc?

Unraveling the tectonic evolution of Precambrian high-grade rocks is often challenging owing to widespread metamorphic overprint under high to ultra-high temperature conditions. In this scenario, isotopic systems-based investigations constitute an important tool to obtain the time constrains of formation and evolution of rocks.We present a petrochronological investigation using U–Pb and Lu–Hf data of zircon grains extracted from a biotite-bearing granitic leucosome from a diatexite found in the boundary zone between the Brasília and Ribeira orogens, SE Brazil. Clusters of 176Hf/177Hf(t) ratio values characterize two distinct zircon data groups, suggesting at least two different crystallization stages. 176Hf/177Hf(t) ratios from group 1 range from 0.28230 to 0.28247 with εHf (t) between +7.54 and −1.55, representing a moderately juvenile to evolved magma. This group constrains a time interval of ca. 890-540 Ma, and the ancient zircon core (890 Ma) could potentially record the minimum age for the magmatic crystallization of a moderately juvenile protolith, with ϵHf (890) ranging from +8.66 to +0.36. Excluding this ancient zircon (since it is the only date older than 800 Ma), the oldest grain provides a minimum crystallization age of ca. 797 Ma, with ϵHf (797) between +6.73 and -1.61. Group 2, exhibiting 176Hf/177Hf(t) ratios from 0.28214 to 0.28225and negative εHf(t) values (−3.35 to −7.53), represents xenocrysts of crustal origin from the protolith or an influx of allochthonous crustal melt during high-grade metamorphism. The age spreading from ca. 890 Ma to ca. 540 Ma along the concordia is consistent with a Pb-loss scenario, with cores locally providing younger ages than rims. This is also consistent with prolonged metamorphism, as newly crystallized domains also present a spread of ages. Our data indicate that the leucosome is the metamorphic product of a moderately juvenile rock. When placed in the regional context, the biotite-bearing granitic leucosome may represent the relic of a magmatic arc, now located in the boundary zone between the Brasília and Ribeira orogens. Its moderately juvenile signature suggests the following tectonic setting interpretations: (i) an intra-oceanic subduction setting similar to modern island arcs or an early stage of continental subduction, formed at ca. 890–800 Ma and, thus could be potentially correlated with juvenile magmatic arcs found in both Brasília (Mara Rosa – Arenópolis arc system) and Ribeira (Serra da Prata – Rio Negro arc system) orogens, suggestive of a large ocean realm to the south of the São Francisco paleocontinental block in Tonian time; and (ii) the most primitive relic of an early stage of the continental magmatic arc installed on the active margin of the Paranapanema paleocontinent.

Syn-rift to post-rift tectonic transition and drainage reorganization in continental rifting basins: Detrital zircon analysis from the Songliao Basin, NE China

Tectonic transition from a syn-rift stage to subsequent post-rift stage is an important mechanism in the evolution of extensional basins. The sedimentary infill records the crustal response to this process. We have obtained new detrital zircon U-Pb and Lu-Hf signatures from the Lower Cretaceous stratigraphic successions encompassing the commonly accepted syn- to post-rift transition boundary, the T4 unconformity, in the Songliao Basin, NE China. These constrain the Songliao Basin’s evolution from its center to distal margins, providing insights into the sediment provenance and dispersal pattern over the tectonic transition. Analysis of zircons from the syn-rift (the Shahezi and Yingcheng formations) and immediate post-rift (the Lower and Middle Denglouku Formation) stages reveals Phanerozoic age populations with positive ƐHf(t) values, which were derived from the proximal juvenile mantle-derived melt origin bedrocks of the Songliao Block. In contrast, the overlying samples from the Upper Denglouku Formation deposited in the subsequent post-rift stage contain exotic and ancient zircon populations with ages of 2.5 Ga & 1.8 Ga and complex hafnium signatures, characteristic of a mixed origin. These are interpreted to be transported from distant cratonic terranes via larger drainage networks. It is obvious that the sediment dispersal pattern switched from being a local and hydrologically closed “intraregional” pattern to a “transcontinental” pattern during the transition. The time lag between the development of the T4 unconformity and the drainage reorganization also ensures a distinguishable ∼3 Myr (106103 Ma, Late Albian) transition period of regional extent. During this transition stage, syn-rift faulting was replaced by post-rift thermal subsidence, exhibiting a uniform sag configuration. Our new findings are important for understanding other continental rift basins during syn- to post-rift transition, which often demonstrates a complex interaction between the linkage and integration of sub-basins, and the reorganization of fluvial drainages and catchment systems.

Zircon Xenocrysts from the Shaka Ridge Record Ancient Continental Crust: New U-Pb Geochronological and Oxygen Isotopic Data

Over the past two decades, a significant number of discoveries of ancient zircon xenocrysts in ocean-floor magmatic rocks have been reported. These findings provide compelling evidence for the presence of ancient continental crust within young oceanic lithosphere. Almost all finds of ancient zircon xenocrysts within oceanic crust are from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. For other localities, however, similar data are very limited. This report presents the first age determinations (U-Pb, SHRIMP-II) and isotope-geochemical data (oxygen, trace and rare earth elements) for zircon xenocrysts from gabbro-diorites of the Shaka Ridge, in the vicinity of the Shaka fracture zone, near the western end of the Southwest Indian Ridge. The work is based on a study of bottom rock material dredged during expeditionary research on the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” (Russia) in 2016. The U-Pb isotope system of the zircon xenocrysts recorded a crystallization age of ∼2.8 Ga at an upper discordia intercept and an age of ∼600 Ma interpreted as the timing of a superimposed thermal event at a lower discordia intercept. The zircon xenocrysts show geochemical signatures of magmatic origin, i.e., fractionated REE distribution spectra with an increase in chondrite-normalized values from light to heavy REE, positive Ce anomalies and negative Eu anomalies, and high Th/U ratios (0.59–7.77). In discrimination diagrams based on a series of inter-element relationships, zircon compositions fall into the fields of zircons from rocks of continental crust, mostly granitoids. The Li content of the zircons is high (1.8 ppm–50 ppm), adding further evidence to their derivation from rocks of continental crust. During their residence within young oceanic crust, the zircon xenocrysts experienced alterations under the influence of submarine high-temperature hydrothermal fluids, which selectively affected the distribution of trace elements in the zircons and reduced the δ18O values to 1.75‰–3.15‰. The presence of obviously older zircons in Shaka gabbro-diorites clearly demonstrates the presence of ancient continental fragments and their recycling into the mantle at the western end of the Southwest Indian Ridge.

To the Question of Magmatism and Origin of the Afanasy Nikitin Rise Due to Discovery of Ancient Zircon by Three Billion Years Age

To the Question of Magmatism and Origin of the Afanasy Nikitin Rise Due to Discovery of Ancient Zircon by Three Billion Years Age

The low-grade basement at Península La Carmela, Chilean Patagonia: new data for unraveling the pre-Permian basin nature of the Eastern Andean Metamorphic Complex

The Eastern Andean Metamorphic Complex at Península La Carmela (48°50’S) consists of quartz-rich metaturbiditic sequences with tectonic slices of pillow metabasalt bodies deformed under low-grade metamorphic conditions. Previous and new detrital zircon U–Pb geochronological data from metasandstones indicate a preferred early Carboniferous maximum depositional age of the protolith, interpreted from the youngest single zircon grains of several metasedimentary rocks in the area. The wide spectrum of zircon ages from Península La Carmela, includes Neoproterozoic-early Paleozoic components and subordinate ancient zircon grains (> 2200 Ma). They were sourced from cratonic regions and/or reworked material from older metasedimentary successions and plutonic belts in southwestern Gondwana (e.g., North Patagonian and Deseado massifs or from the Tierra del Fuego Igneous and Metamorphic Complex). The pillow metabasalts have geochemical affinities of normal mid-oceanic ridge basalts and island-arc tholeiites with Nb–Ta negative anomalies, derived from a depleted mantle source (εNdt of + 6 and + 7.5). In consideration that pillow metabasalts with ocean island basalt affinities are reported, we propose that metaturbiditic successions and metabasalts were tectonically juxtaposed within a pre-Permian accretionary wedge of an active continental margin, after the development of island arcs and back-arc marginal basins.

Trace elements and Hf isotopic compositions of four ancient zircon megacrysts from Yakutian kimberlite, Siberia: Implications for identifying mantle and old zircon megacrysts from Kimberlites

金伯利岩中的锆石按照颗粒大小可以分为细粒锆石（一般小于200μm）和巨晶锆石（一般大于500μm）。前人的研究结果显示在金伯利岩中粒径较大的巨晶锆石的U-Pb体系在高温的地幔中一直保持着开放状态，直到寄主金伯利岩浆的喷发才使地幔锆石的U-Pb体系封闭，因此这些巨晶锆石是确定金伯利岩年龄的重要矿物之一。然而，近年来的研究表明，金伯利岩中还存在一些时代远老于金伯利岩年龄的锆石，也具有较大的粒径（以下称古老锆石巨晶）。它们的存在无疑影响了利用锆石U-Pb方法确定金伯利岩年龄的准确性。本文以西伯利亚雅库特（Yakutia）金伯利岩省中的四颗古老锆石巨晶为研究对象，通过形态学、年代学、微量元素和Hf同位素组成，讨论古老锆石巨晶的来源。同时，我们统计和对比了全球多个金伯利岩中能够确定金伯利岩年龄的锆石和古老锆石巨晶的形态学、U、Th含量和微量元素组成、Hf-O同位素等特征。研究结果显示，金伯利岩中的古老锆石巨晶的t_DM年龄和O同位素组成与可以用来确定金伯利岩年龄的锆石巨晶具有明显的差别。这些手段在未来的研究中可以用来区分可确定金伯利岩年龄的锆石巨晶和古老的锆石巨晶。;Zircon from kimberlite can be divided into fine-grained zircon (<200μm) and megacrystal zircon (>500μm) according to its grain size. Previous studies have shown that the U-Pb system of mantle zircon is an open state in the high temperature mantle until the eruption of host kimberlite. Therefore, mantle zircon is one of the important minerals for dating the age of kimberlite. However, recent studies have shown that some zircon megacrysts from kimberlite with ages much older than kimberlite also have large grain sizes. Their presence undoubtedly influences the quasi-dating of kimberlite ages. In this study, four ancient zircon megacrysts from the Siberian kimberlite were studied,and the origin of the ancient zircon megacrysts was discussed through morphology, chronology, trace elements and Hf isotopic compositions. Moreover, the morphology, U and Th contents, trace element composition, and Hf-O isotopes of mantle zircon and old zircon from cratonic kimberlite rocks in the world are collected and compared. The results show obvious differences in t_DM ages and O isotopic compositions between the large old zircon and mantle zircons. These methods can be used to distinguish old zircon from mantle zircon megacrysts in kimberlite in future studies.

The internal structure and geodynamics of Mars inferred from a 4.2-Gyr zircon record.

Combining U-Pb ages with Lu-Hf data in zircon provides insights into the magmatic history of rocky planets. The Northwest Africa (NWA) 7034/7533 meteorites are samples of the southern highlands of Mars containing zircon with ages as old as 4476.3 ± 0.9 Ma, interpreted to reflect reworking of the primordial Martian crust by impacts. We extracted a statistically significant zircon population (n = 57) from NWA 7533 that defines a temporal record spanning 4.2 Gyr. Ancient zircons record ages from 4485.5 ± 2.2 Ma to 4331.0 ± 1.4 Ma, defining a bimodal distribution with groupings at 4474 ± 10 Ma and 4442 ± 17 Ma. We interpret these to represent intense bombardment episodes at the planet's surface, possibly triggered by the early migration of gas giant planets. The unradiogenic initial Hf-isotope composition of these zircons establishes that Mars's igneous activity prior to ∼4.3 Ga was limited to impact-related reworking of a chemically enriched, primordial crust. A group of younger detrital zircons record ages from 1548.0 ± 8.8 Ma to 299.5 ± 0.6 Ma. The only plausible sources for these grains are the temporally associated Elysium and Tharsis volcanic provinces that are the expressions of deep-seated mantle plumes. The chondritic-like Hf-isotope compositions of these zircons require the existence of a primitive and convecting mantle reservoir, indicating that Mars has been in a stagnant-lid tectonic regime for most of its history. Our results imply that zircon is ubiquitous on the Martian surface, providing a faithful record of the planet's magmatic history.

Archean to paleoproterozoic crustal evolution in the Phan Si Pan zone, Northwest Vietnam: evidence from the U-Pb geochronology and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic geochemistry

ABSTRACT We studied zircon U-Pb geochronology, Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes, and whole-rock geochemistry of Mesoarchean-Paleoproterozoic igneous rocks in the Phan Si Pan zone, NW Vietnam. The Mesoarchean-Paleoproterozoic magmatism in the area can be divided into three phases as represented by ca. 2.9 Ga Mesoarchean tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorites (TTGs), ca. 2.3 Ga Paleoproterozoic mafic dykes, and ca. 1.8 Ga Paleoproterozoic granites. The ca. 2.9 Ga Mesoarchean TTGs serve as part of the oldest basement rocks in SE Asia, which have zircon εHf(t) and whole-rock εNd(t) values ranging from −2.8 to +2.1. Their ancient zircon Hf and whole-rock Nd isotopic model ages (TDM2) of 3.4 Ga to 3.2 Ga suggest an origin from partial melting of ancient crustal rocks. The ca. 2.3 Ga mafic dykes were affected by post-tectonic thermal events at ca. 1.9–1.8 Ga. Their zircon εHf(t) (+1.4 to +5.9) and whole-rock εNd(t) (−4.1 to −1.6) and 87Sr/86Sr ratio (0.703459 to 0.719079) isotopic characteristics show that they originated from partial melting of mantle components with a minor input of Archaean continental crust. The Paleoproterozoic granites in the Phan Si Pan zone crystallized at 1803–1864 Ma, and show negative εHf(t) values of −17.9 to −14.8 and zircon Hf model ages (TDM2) ranging from 3.48 to 3.66 Ga, suggesting a derivation by partial melting of Paleoarchean continental crust during Paleoproterozoic time. These isotopic results shed light on the Precambrian tectonic evolution of NW Vietnam and its relationship with continental blocks in Yangtze and India.

KV01 zircon—A potential New Archean reference material for microbeam U-Pb age and Hf-O isotope determinations

To meet the rapid development of zircon U-Pb geochronology and Hf-O isotope geochemistry, it is imperative to develop well-characterized zircon reference materials for microbeam analysis. Here, zircon KV01 separated from the Kaap Valley pluton, South Africa is introduced as a potential Archean reference material for microbeam U-Pb age and Hf-O isotope determination. SIMS and LA-ICP-MS U-Pb isotopic measurements gave grand mean 207Pb/206Pb ages of 3233±16 Ma (2s, n=90) and 3230±26 Ma (2s, n=52), which are consistent with reported CA-ID-TIMS results. Slight heterogeneity of oxygen isotopes is revealed by SIMS analyses that yielded a relatively large δ18O range of 4.61–6.51‰. Among them, the zircon grains with clear oscillatory zones give a grand mean δ18O value of 6.17±0.33‰ (2s), which is suggested to record the primary O isotopic compositions. The homogeneity in the Hf isotopic compositions of KV01 zircon was checked by the laser ablation and solution MC-ICP-MS methods. They yielded consistent results with a recommended 176Hf/177Hf ratio of 0.280810±0.000013 (2s). The results reported here demonstrate that KV01 zircon could be a reliable reference material for microbeam 207Pb/206Pb age and Hf isotope determinations of ancient zircons, and be suitable as a quality monitor for SIMS oxygen isotopic analysis.

Unraveling the complexity of zircons from the 4.0–2.9 Ga Acasta Gneiss Complex

The Acasta Gneiss Complex (AGC) of the Northwest Territories, Canada, contains some of the oldest evolved terrestrial crust and has a sustained record of more than a billion years of magmatism (>4.0–2.9 Ga). These rocks provide an opportunity to investigate the nature of continental crust formation on the early Earth. Because complexities in zircons and bulk rocks are characteristic of the early Earth record—including the AGC—strategies are needed to extract accurate and meaningful age and isotopic information. In order to evaluate the accuracy of the early Earth Hf isotope record, we examined AGC zircons from a range of lithologies using paired chemical abrasion isotope dilution U-Pb age and solution Lu-Hf isotope analysis and compared these with previous results obtained using laser ablation split-stream (LASS) analysis. We describe an approach whereby LASS is used to identify rocks with the least complex zircons, and, when appropriate, solution methods are then used to refine the age and Hf isotopic composition to the highest precision. This two-pronged analytical approach results in a more robust determination of the age and Hf isotopic record of complex rocks and zircons and allows identification of complexity in the Hf isotopic record that would not be apparent by solution analysis alone, thereby refining the record of magmatic evolution on the early Earth. Despite the better precision, solution techniques are unsuitable for rocks with complexly zoned zircons. In particular, zircons from the two oldest AGC rocks in this study have positive initial εHf values when determined by solution analysis (+2.8 and +4.9 at 4.0 and 3.9 Ga, respectively) but have negative εHf values when determined by LASS (−3.4 and −4.7, respectively). This is attributable to the presence of later radiogenic overgrowths on the zircon grains which are incorporated in solution analyses but can be avoided using LASS. This provides important clarity to the AGC Hf isotope record. In total, all but one of the AGC rocks we analyzed, including the oldest samples, have negative εHf values and indicate derivation from an enriched reservoir; none of these samples—in contrast to whole rock Nd isotope compositions—have sufficiently positive εHf values to indicate their derivation from a depleted mantle reservoir. Despite the presence of ancient AGC crust, there is no record of corresponding mantle depletion. This implies that extraction of Hadean crust in this region did not happen in sufficient volume to result in widespread mantle depletion in the AGC source by the Eoarchean.Our results underscore the importance of identifying different components in ancient zircons—and the rocks that contain them—and accurately determining the age and isotopic composition of those components. This is critically important for clarifying the record of the formation of enriched crust and development of the depleted mantle in Earth’s early history.