Cambrian Granitoids Research Articles

The gabbro-diorite magmatism from the Narm area, western Kuh-e-Sarhangi (Central Iran): Evolution from Eocene magmatic flare up to Miocene asthenosphere upwelling

Geodynamically, the Kashmar-Kerman Tectonic Zone (KKTZ) is one of the most perplexing tectonomagmatic belts of the Central Iran Microcontinent (CIM), comprising two important districts, Bafq and Kuh-e-Sarhangi. The Late Neoproterozoic-Early Cambrian granitoids, metamorphic rocks, and mildly metamorphosed volcansedimentary sequences are the oldest geologic outcrops in the Narm area, which is located in the western part of Kuh-e-Sarhangi. Alkaline gabbro-diorites with relatively high contents of K2O (1.99–3.03 wt%) and Na2O (2.7–5.99 wt%) are among the youngest intrusive rocks in the area, representing a within-plate provenience. These rocks were emplaced into Paleozoic sedimentary units as mafic-intermediate stocks, sills and dykes. Geochemically, these rocks could have resulted directly from partial melting (e.g., FeOT/MgO>1, Nb/La>0.5) with no considerable indication of assimilation with crustal materials (e.g., Ti/Zr > 30, Ti/Y > 200). Assimilation and fractional crystallization cannot account for magma evolution of gabbro-diorite rocks in the Narm area, using rare earth element ratios and geochemical models. There are also some geochemical signatures of an asthenospheric origin for the Narm gabbro-diorite rocks, such as the low ratios of La/Nb (1.5) and La/Ta (22). U–Pb zircon ages show that the Narm gabbro-diorites formed during two major episodes of magmatism in Central Iran: 40.3 ± 0.1 Ma in the Late Eocene (Bartonian) for gabbroic units and 8.04 ± 0.05 and 7.86 ± 0.05 in the late Miocene (Tartonian) for diorite stocks and diorite sills, respectively. Despite a time difference of more than thirty million years, geochemical similarities between the Eocene gabbro rocks and the Miocene diorite from the Narm area are striking. It is proposed that the best scenarios for the west of Kuh-e-Sarhangi mafic-intermediate magmatic pulses along with the deep faults of the Central Iran, are an Eocene magmatic flare up and a Miocene asthenosphere upwelling. Temporally and spatially, these rocks are comparable to the Cenozoic alkaline intrusive rocks of the Bafq region.

Evolution of Neoproterozoic Shillong Basin, Meghalaya, NE India: implications of supercontinent break-up and amalgamation

AbstractFragmentation and amalgamation of supercontinents play an important role in shaping our planet. The break-up of such a widely studied supercontinent, Rodinia, has been well documented from several parts of India, especially the northwestern and eastern sector. Interestingly, being located very close to the Proterozoic tectonic margin, northeastern India is expected to have had a significant role in Neoproterozoic geodynamics, but this aspect has still not been thoroughly studied. We therefore investigate a poorly studied NE–SW-trending Shillong Basin of Meghalaya from NE India, which preserves the stratigraphic record and structural evolution spanning the Neoproterozoic Era. The low-grade metasedimentary rocks of Shillong Basin unconformably overlie the high-grade Archean–Proterozoic basement and comprise a c. 4000-m-thick platform sedimentary rock succession. In this study, we divide this succession into three formations: lower Tarso, middle Ingsaw and upper Umlapher. A NW–SE-aligned compression event later caused the thrusting of these sedimentary rocks over the basement with a tectonic contact in the western margin, resulting in NE–SW-trending fold belts. The rift-controlled Shillong Basin shows a comparable Neoproterozoic evolution with the equivalent basins of peninsular India and eastern Gondwana. The recorded Neoproterozoic rift tectonics are likely associated with Rodinia’s break-up and continent dispersion, which finally ended with the oblique collision of India with Australia and the intrusion of Cambrian granitoids during the Pan-African Orogeny, contributing to the assembly of Gondwana. This contribution is the first to present a complete litho-structural evolution of the Shillong Basin in relation to regional and global geodynamic settings.

Petrogenesis of Early Cambrian granitoids in the western Kunlun orogenic belt, Northwest Tibet: Insight into early stage subduction of the Proto-Tethys Ocean

Abstract The west Kunlun orogenic belt, located on the northwest margin of the Tibetan Plateau, represents a crucial tectonic junction between the central Asia and Tethys domains. Its evolution was closely related to the Paleozoic subduction and closure of the Proto-Tethys Ocean, which was formed by the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent following the Neoproterozoic. However, the early evolution of Proto-Tethys oceanic subduction (e.g., subduction initiation timing, polarity, and process) remains controversial. The source of the Early Cambrian granitoids is also unclear. To explore these questions, four Cambrian plutons (i.e., two Tianshuihai monzogranites and south Kunlun diorite and monzogranite) were chosen for geochronological and geochemical studies. Zircon U-Pb dating reveals that these plutons formed at ca. 533–513 Ma and thus represent the oldest arc-related magmatism in the west Kunlun orogenic belt. The Tianshuihai monzogranites have positive εNd(t) values (+0.76 to +1.34) and zircon εHf(t) values of +0.25 to +6.42, with low δ18Ozrn values of +5.11‰ to +7.38‰, suggesting that their source includes juvenile material. These rocks are weakly peraluminous and have relatively old Hf model ages of 1.09–1.48 Ga. Mass balance calculations show that the Tianshuihai monzogranites were derived from partial melting of Mesoproterozoic meta-igneous rocks with the addition of 22% of juvenile material. The south Kunlun monzogranites in this study are weakly peraluminous, and their lowest εNd(t) values are –9.24 to –9.27 and zircon εHf(t) values are –7.80 to –11.2. The oldest Hf model ages are 1.97–2.18 Ga, and the highest zircon δ18Ozrn values are +8.11 to +9.73‰. Their isotopic compositions are different from those of the magmas derived from partial melting of just Paleoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic basement rocks but can be produced by a mixing source of 32% meta-igneous rock and 68% meta-sedimentary rock. The south Kunlun diorites are characterized by high Sr contents and relatively high Sr/Y (52–63) ratios but low Y, Yb, Cr, and Ni contents, like those of the thickened continental crust-derived adakites. Their Sr-Nd–Hf-O isotopic compositions indicate that their parental magma was derived from a Mesoproterozoic metaigneous basement in the garnet stability field. Based on the newly identified, oldest island arc magmatic records in the west Kunlun orogenic belt, the subduction initiation of the Proto-Tethys oceanic slab must have occurred prior to the Early Cambrian (>533 Ma). Our results, with previously published data, show that the west Kunlun orogenic belt was in an extensional setting during the Early Cambrian and that the magmatism migrated northeastward along the axis of the south Kunlun terrane between 533 Ma and 513 Ma. Therefore, considering the spatial and temporal distribution and petrogenesis of the Early–Middle Cambrian plutons in the west Kunlun orogenic belt, we propose that the Early Cambrian magmatism was most plausibly triggered by asthenospheric upwelling in response to the rollback of southward-subducted Proto-Tethys oceanic slab.

Geochemical features, sources and geodynamic
 settings of accumulation of the cambrian sedimentary rocks of the Mel’gin trough (Bureya continental massif)

The first data about geochemical features of the Cambrian sedimentary rocks of the Mel’gin trough of the Bureya continental Massif, as well as ages of detrital zircons of them are obtained. It is established, that among the detrital zircons from the sandstones of the Chergilen and Allin formations of the Mel’gin trough zircons with Late Riphean (peaks on relative probability plots – 0.78, 0.82, 0.94, 1.04 Ga) and Early Riphean (peaks on relative probability plots – 1.38, 1.45, 1.64 Ga) ages predominate. The single grains have a Middle Riphean, Early Proterozoic and Late Archean ages. We can suppose, that the sources of Late Riphean detrital zircons from sandstones of the Chergilen and Allin formations are igneous rocks of gabbro-granitoids (940–933 Ma) and granite- leucogranites (804–789 Ma) association, identified in the Bureya continental Massif. We can`t assume, what kind of rocks were the source for Middle Riphean and older detrital zircons from the Cambrian sedimentary rocks of the Bureya continental Massif, because in this massif still do not identified complexes older Late Riphean age. The most probable geodynamic conditions of accumulation of the Cambrian deposits of the Mel’gin trough is the conditions of active continental margin, which is corresponding to of Early Cambrian granitoids magmatism.

Geochronology and geochemistry of early Palaeozoic intrusive rocks in the Lajishan area of the eastern south Qilian Belt, Tibetan Plateau: Implications for the tectonic evolution of South Qilian

The Lajishan area, located in the South Qilian orogenic Belt, north‐eastern Tibetan Plateau, contains a compositionally diverse range of Cambrian to early Ordovician felsic intrusions that reflect the early Palaeozoic tectonic evolution of the Central Qilian Belt. This paper presents new geochemical, Sr─Nd and Lu─Hf isotopic, and zircon U─Pb data for the Tadong, Huangcaoshan, and Yindonggou plutons in the eastern Lajishan area. LA‐ICPMS U─Pb ages of 517.4 ± 1 Ma for the Tadong pluton which is the first find Late Cambrian granitoids in this area, 467 ± 1 Ma for the Huangcaoshan pluton and 446 ± 1 Ma for the Yindonggou pluton. The new data indicate that the Tadong pluton and Huangcaoshan pluton belong to I‐type granite. Their A/CNK values range from 0.82 to 1.03, suggesting a close relationship with I‐type granitoids. Their trace‐element geochemical characteristics include enrichments in the LILEs, pronounced depletions in Nb and Ta, enrichment of the LREEs relative to the HREEs, and Eu anomalies. These features are similar to those of I‐type volcanic‐arc magmas. Combined with Hf and Sr─Nd isotopic data, The Tadong pluton generated by the mixing of melts was derived from the partial melting of the Precambrian basement and mantle‐derived magmas. The Huangcaoshan pluton was derived from juvenile crust with contamination. The Yindonggou pluton shows A‐type characteristics, their A/NCK is 0.88–1.07, and 10000 × Ga/Al is higher than 2.6. They were characteristic with high Sr, low Y, low Yb, and enriched LREE. Combined with Hf and Sr─Nd isotopic data, the Yindonggou pluton was generated by the partial melting of oceanic slab material and was crustally contaminated associated with slab breakoff. Combined previous research suggests that Tadong pluton and Huangcaoshan pluton formed from southern subduction of the South Qilian ocean into the Central Qilian Belt; the Yindonggou pluton formed in collisional setting.

A new U–Pb LA-ICP-MS age of the Rumburk granite (Lausitz Block, Saxo-Thuringian Zone): constraints for a magmatic event in the Upper Cambrian

The basement of the Saxo-Thuringian Zone consists of Upper Neoproterozoic (c. 650-570 Ma) Cadomian arc sediments (Lusatian greywackes) and voluminous intrusions of Early Cambrian granitoids with ages of c. 540 Ma (Lausitz Block and Karkonosze–Izera Massif). The latter basement complexes comprise several c. 505 Ma granites, granodiorites, and gneisses emplaced during the change from a collisional tectonic setting to rift-related geotectonics. We present a new age for the Rumburk granite of 504 ± 3 Ma linking Late Cambrian plutonism at the northern margin of Gondwana with the initial phase of a Cambro–Ordovician rift event. Trace element analysis points to a linkage of the Rumburk granite with other Late Cambrian aged rocks of the Karkonosze–Izera Massif. Furthermore, geochemical data also provide evidence of a melting and recycling of Lusatian greywackes by the intrusion of the Rumburk granite. The youngest age peak of the Rumburk granite at c. 504 Ma is considered to be the age of emplacement. Older inherited age populations at c. 540 and c. 610 Ma are present and likely the result of a melting and recycling of Lusatian granitoids and greywackes. The appearance of Neoproterozoic inheritance and Lu–Hf similarities with the Rumburk granite strongly suggest the Lusatian greywackes as source rocks. There is a significant age gap of c. 35 Ma between Cambrian plutonic and volcanic rocks in Saxo-Thuringia. Hence, we consider two distinct pulses of magmatic activity during the transition from the Cadomian orogeny to the opening of the Rheic Ocean.

Evolution of the Paleozoic granitoid magmatism in the Kuznetsk Alatau: new geochemical and U-Pb (SHRIMP-II) isotope data

A U-Pb isotope analysis has revealed zircons, dated at ~510-490 and ~430-400 Ma, in granitoid intrusions on the eastern slope of the Kuznetsk Alatau Range (Batenev Ridge). This suggests two stages of the regional granitoid magmatism: Middle-Late Cambrian and Silurian-Early Devonian. The ages of two zircon grains from the rocks of the Tigertysh pluton are ~1.9 and ~2.6 Ga; they suggest the involvement of fragments of the Paleoproterozoic continental crust in magma generation. The granitoids, independently of their age, are mostly products of rocks of the calc-alkalic (K2O/Na2O ≈ 0.5-1.7) series. In the proportions of alumina, calcium, and alkalies most of them correspond to I-type granites (A/CNK≤1.1) with reduced Fe/(Fe + Mg) values and contents of HFSE, including REE (ΣREE ≈ 100–300 ppm). The trace-element patterns of the rocks point to the possible participation of both IAB and OIB in magma genesis. Presumably, the influence of the within-plate component increased as a result of the superposition of plume on accretion-collisional structures, and their melting might have favored the preservation of geochemical features of subduction magmatism in the granitoids. The isotopic inhomogeneity (εNd(T) = 2.3-4.8, (87Sr/86Sr)T ≈ 0.7036-0.7051) of the granitoid complexes suggests the heterogeneous composition of the material sources, which consisted of the matter of moderately depleted (PREMA) and enriched (EM) lithospheric mantle and crustal substrate, mixed in different proportions. Some products of the regional alkali-basic magmatism are coeval with the Cambrian granitoids of the Kuznetsk Alatau and are similar to them in isotope composition. This magmatism confirms the interaction of plume with the active continental margin at the Caledonian stage of evolution of the Central Asian Fold Belt.

Cambrian plutonism in Northeast Japan and its significance for the earliest arc-trench system of proto-Japan: New U–Pb zircon ages of the oldest granitoids in the Kitakami and Ou Mountains

In order to clarify the early history of Japan, particularly during the Early Paleozoic, pre-Devonian granitoids in the South Kitakami Belt (SKB), NE Japan were dated by U–Pb zircon age by laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Two samples of diorite/tonalite from the Nagasaka area (Shoboji Diorite) and two of mylonitic tonalite from the Isawa area (Isawagawa Tonalite) yielded late Cambrian ages (500–490Ma) for the primary magmatism. These ages newly identify a ca. 500Ma (late Cambrian) arc plutonism in central NE Japan, which has not been recognized previously and has the following geological significance. The Cambrian granitoids are the oldest felsic plutonic rocks in NE Japan, which are independent of the previously known ca. 450Ma (latest Ordovician) Hikami Granite in SKB. The Cambrian granitoids are extremely small in size at present but likely had a much larger distribution primarily, at least 30km wide and potentially up to 80km wide in a cross-arc direction. Their southerly extension was recognized in the Hitachi area (ca. 200km to the south) and in central Kyushu (ca. 1500km to SW). They likely represent remnants of the same mature arc plutonic belt in Early Paleozoic Japan, which developed in western Panthalassan (paleo-Pacific) margin, as well as the Khanka block in Far East Russia. The extremely small size of the Cambrian granitoids at present can be best explained by intermittent, severe tectonic erosion since the Paleozoic. This Cambrian arc granitoid belt likely developed from Primorye possibly to eastern Cathaysia (South China) via Japan.

A hidden Tonian basement in the eastern Mediterranean: Age constraints from U–Pb data of magmatic and detrital zircons of the External Hellenides (Crete and Peloponnesus)

A newly discovered Precambrian basement of the External Hellenides (Peloponnesus) is composed of mica schist, quartzite and meta-greywackes intruded by Cambrian granitoids (524+6/−5Ma). As such Cambrian intrusions are frequent in the eastern Mediterranean, but are lacking in northern Africa, they are interpreted to result from a Cadomian magmatic arc that was situated along the northern margin of East Gondwana. This arc was rifted off from Gondwana in Early Paleozoic times. The sedimentation age of the meta-greywackes is bracketed between the age of their youngest detrital zircons (541±7Ma, Crete; 546±7Ma, Peloponnesus) and the intrusion of the Cambrian granitoids. The detrital zircon age spectra are dominated by two significant age peaks at ca. 600Ma and ca. 1Ga, which are characteristic for Cambrian platform sediments of Jordan, Israel and Lybia and for the Minoan-type terranes with an East Gondwana provenance. The high amount of 1Ga old zircons points to a Tonian basement as provenance, which is situated at the northern margin of the Arabian Nubian Shield (N'Sinai) and the Sahara Metacraton, today hidden under Mesozoic cover. There is a good correlation between the detrital age spectra of the Late Ediacaran/Cambrian basement of the External Hellenides and of the eastern Mediterranean realm. Apart from the Hellenides and Turkey (Menderes, Sakarya), the Minoan-type terranes have also been found in Sicily, Sardinia, and NW Iberia. Our review of detrital zircon ages obtained from Europe and northern Africa revealed four different domains during Early Cambrian times, which have affinities to (1) Baltica, (2) South-America (Avalonian-type terranes), (3) W Africa (Armorican-type terranes), and (4) E Gondwana (Minoan-type terranes and the platform sandstones of E Africa).

Arabian Shield magmatic cycles and their relationship with Gondwana assembly: Insights from zircon U–Pb and Hf isotopes

The Arabian Shield preserves a protracted magmatic record of amalgamated juvenile terranes that host a diverse range of early Neoproterozoic to Cambrian granitoids intruding volcanosedimentary basin assemblages that have corollaries in other parts of the East African Orogen. New zircon U–Pb geochronology of 19 granitoids intruding eight Arabian Shield terranes, define four discrete magmatic events: island arc (∼845 Ma), syncollisional (∼710 Ma), post-tectonic (∼620 Ma) and anorogenic (∼525 Ma). Zircon Lu–Hf isotopic analyses indicate that all studied granitoids are juvenile with typical εHf values of >+5 to +10 and Stenian-Tonian (∼1100–900 Ma) model ages, regardless of their precise intrusive ages or spatial relationship. Subtle changes in isotopic signatures between ∼850 and 600 Ma, suggest the result from changes in granite source materials brought about by; basaltic underplating, limited crustal interaction with Palaeoproterozoic basement and a change to lithospheric delamination/subduction roll-back processes driving juvenile ANS crustal growth.The cycle of granite intrusion reflects accretionary cycles initiated during Mozambique Ocean closure and during Gondwana amalgamation and final assembly. Post-tectonic magmatism is divided into a ∼636–600 Ma phase and post 600 Ma event that reflects first subduction and then within-plate related processes. The identification of magmatism at ∼525 Ma is now the youngest granitoid identified so far in the Saudi Arabian Shield and may change the identified age of the regional, basal Palaeozoic unconformity. This late magmatism may be generated by the Najd Fault reactivation correlating with the Malagasy/Kunnga Orogeny that marked the final stages of Gondwana assembly.

Assessment of mixing between shallow and thermal waters using geochemical and environmental isotope tracers (N Portugal): a review and reinterpretation

Caldas de Moledo thermal (27–46 °C) spring and borehole waters issue in the region of the famous Port Wine vineyards, in the Douro River valley (Northern Portugal). The most abundant lithotypes are lower Cambrian metasedimentary rocks, Variscan granitoids and aplite-pegmatitic veins. The thermal waters are characterised by pH ≈ 9.0, TDS ranging from 200 to 350 mg/L, and belong to the HCO3–Na facies indicating that the reservoir rock should be mainly granite. Since the local Spa is strongly dependent on water quality, the effects of mixing between local shallow cold groundwaters and deep thermal waters have been properly investigated. In the SO4 2− (mg/L) versus δ18O (‰ vs. V-SMOW) diagram we can observe that some of the thermal springs show evidences of mixing (higher SO4 2− concentrations) with local meteoric waters infiltrated at lower altitude sites (enriched δ18O signatures), showing the “altitude effect” in the isotopic composition of the recharge waters. Similar trends can be found in the K+, NO3 −, Ca2+ and Na+ (mg/L) versus δ18O (‰ vs. V-SMOW) diagrams. It should be stated that SO4 2−, K+ and Ca2+ are present in the fertilizers and fungicides used in the vineyards in the northern part of the country. Up to now, the thermal waters from boreholes used in the local Spa do not show evidences of mixing with shallow groundwaters contaminated with agrochemicals. The results obtained so far indicate that in the near future, special attention should be put on the possible occurrence of diffuse agricultural contamination (related to the Port Wine vineyards) in the thermal spring waters.

Early Cambrian granitoids of North Gondwana margin in the transition from a convergent setting to intra-continental rifting (Ossa-Morena Zone, SW Iberia)

Two distinct Cambrian magmatic pulses are recognized in the Ossa-Morena Zone (SW Iberia): an early rift-(ER) and a main rift-related event. This Cambrian magmatism is related to intra-continental rifting of North Gondwana that is thought to have culminated in the opening of the Rheic Ocean in Lower Ordovician times. New data of whole-rock geochemistry (19 samples), Sm–Nd–Sr isotopes (4 samples) and ID–TIMS U–Pb zircon geochronology (1 sample) of the Early Cambrian ER plutonic rocks of the Ossa-Morena Zone are presented in this contribution. The ER granitoids (Barreiros, Barquete, Calera, Salvatierra de los Barros and Tablada granitoid Massifs) are mostly peraluminous granites. The Sm–Nd isotopic data show moderate negative εNdt values ranging from −3.5 to +0.1 and TDM ages greatly in excess of emplacement ages. Most ER granitoids are crustal melts. However, a subset of samples shows a transitional anorogenic alkaline tendency, together with more primitive isotopic signatures, documenting the participation of lower crust or mantle-derived sources and suggesting a local transient advanced stage of rifting. The Barreiros granitoid is intrusive into the Ediacaran basement of the Ossa-Morena Zone (Série Negra succession) and has yielded a crystallization age of 524.7 ± 0.8 Ma consistent with other ages of ER magmatic pulse. This age: (1) constrains the age of the metamorphism developed in the Ediacaran back-arc basins before the intrusion of granites and (2) defines the time of the transition from the Ediacaran convergent setting to the Lower Cambrian intra-continental rifting in North Gondwana.

Geochemistry and U–Pb zircon geochronology of metagranites in Istranca (Strandja) Zone, NW Pontides, Turkey: Implications for the geodynamic evolution of Cadomian orogeny

New zircon U–Pb dating and whole-rock geochemical analysis were carried out on meta-intrusive rocks (Çatalca and İhsaniye metagranites) of the Istranca Zone, Western Pontides, with the aim of constraining the magmatic evolution of the Cadomian orogeny of the northern Gondwana margin during Late Precambrian–Early Paleozoic times. The Istranca zone is composed of metamorphic basement intruded by large granitic bodies and overlain by a Paleozoic–Mesozoic meta-sedimentary cover. The metamorphic rocks of the Istranca zone extend from Bulgaria, Istranca Mountains to NW Turkey and reach the area near Istanbul (Çatalca region).The Çatalca and İhsaniye metagranites have a subalkaline, high-K calc-alkaline and peraluminous character. Trace element geochemistry displays decreasing normalized concentrations from large-ion lithophile (LIL) elements to high field strength (HFSE) elements and from light (LREE) to heavy rare earth elements (HREE). A negative Eu anomaly is both types of metagranites. On tectonic discrimination diagrams, the samples from both metagranites plot in the subduction-related fields.The SHRIMP-II U–Pb zircon ages of the Çatalca metagranite range from 534.5±4.7Ma to 546.0±3.9Ma and LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon dating yields 535.5±3.6Ma age for the İhsaniye metagranite. The new ages together with the geochemical constraints allow a new geodynamic interpretation for the Istranca zone and we compare these metagranites with other Upper Ediacaran to Lower Cambrian granitoids of Turkey and Alpine–Himalayan orogenic belt. We deduce an origin of these elements from the northern Gondwana-Land margin.

Ordovician metagranitoid from the Anatolide‐Tauride Block, northwest Turkey: geodynamic implications

AbstractWe report a Middle Ordovician metagranitoid from the northern margin of the Anatolide‐Tauride Block, the basement of which is generally characterized by voluminous Latest Proterozoic to Early Cambrian granitoids. The Ordovician metagranitoid forms an ∼400‐m‐thick body in the marbles and micaschists of the Tavşanlı Zone. The whole sequence was metamorphosed in the blueschist facies during the Late Cretaceous (c. 80 Ma). Zircons from the metagranitoid give a Middle Ordovician Pb‐Pb evaporation age of 467.0 ± 4.5 Ma interpreted as the age of crystallization of the parent granitic magma. The micaschists underlying the metagranitoid yield Cambro‐Ordovician (530–450 Ma) and Carboniferous (c. 310 Ma) detrital zircon ages indicating that the granitoid is a pre‐ or syn‐metamorphic tectonic slice. The Ordovician metagranitoid represents a remnant of the crystalline basement of the Anatolide‐Tauride Block and provides evidence for Ordovician magmatism at the northern margin of Gondwana. Prismatic Carboniferous detrital zircons in the micaschists indicate that during the Triassic, the northern margin of the Anatolide‐Tauride Block was close to Variscan terranes.

Precambrian crystalline basement in southern Mongolia as revealed by SHRIMP zircon dating

Single zircon ages determined by ion microprobe (SHRIMP II) for granitoid gneisses from the southern slope of the Baga Bogd massif (Gobi-Altai, southern Mongolia) reveal several episodes of zircon growth, ranging from late Palaeoproterozoic to late Cambrian. The oldest events are documented by a zircon crystallization age for a gneiss protolith at 1519 ± 11 Ma and by a xenocrystic zircon from a dark grey augen-gneiss yielding an age of c. 1701 Ma. Discrete igneous events are recorded in granite-gneisses with protolith emplacement ages of 983 ± 6, 956 ± 3 and 954 ± 8 Ma. These ages provide the first record of early Neoproterozoic magmatic activity in this region. A much younger and discrete magmatic event is recorded by several dioritic to granitic orthogneisses which are tectonically interlayered with the older gneisses and have protolith emplacement ages between 502 and 498 Ma. These late Cambrian granitoids of calc-alkaline affinity are likely to have been emplaced along an active continental margin and suggest that the Baga Bogd Precambrian crustal fragment was either docked against the southward (present-day coordinates) growing margin of the CAOB or was a large enough crustal entity to develop an arc along its margin. We speculate that the Precambrian gneisses of this massif may be part of a crustal fragment rifted off the Tarim Craton.

U-Pb zircon geochronology of late Neoproterozoic–Early Cambrian granitoids in Iran: Implications for paleogeography, magmatism, and exhumation history of Iranian basement

Eurasia has largely grown to its present enormous size through episodic addition of crustal blocks by recurring birth and demise of oceans such as Paleotethys and Neotethys. Excluding the Kopet Dagh Mountains in the northeast, crystalline basement rocks of various dimensions are exposed in all continental tectonic zones of Iran. These rocks have traditionally been viewed as continental fragments with Gondwanan affinity and summarily been assigned Precambrian or younger ages, despite the fact that evidence from isotopic dating has largely been lacking. This study presents new ion microprobe and thermal-ionization zircon U-Pb geochronological data from granitoids and orthogneisses from several locations in central Iran and the Sanandaj–Sirjan structural zones to determine crystallization ages and investigate the origin and continental affinity of these various crustal fragments. The resulting U-Pb crystallization ages for the granites and orthogneisses range from late Neoproterozoic to Early Cambrian, matching the mostly juvenile Arabian–Nubian shield and Peri-Gondwanan terranes constructed after the main phase of Pan-African orogenesis. TIMS analyses of zircons with inherited cores from western Iran suggest that the Neoproterozoic crust of Iran might not be entirely juvenile, pointing to the potential presence of inherited older Proterozoic components as is common in the eastern Arabian shield. More importantly, the new zircon U-Pb crystallization ages unequivocally demonstrate that crystalline basement underlying the Sanandaj–Sirjan zone, central Iran, and the Alborz Mountains is composed of continental fragments with Gondwanan affiliation, characterized by wide spread late Neoproterozoic subduction-related magmatism. The exposure of these late Neoproterozoic–Early Cambrian basement rocks in the Iranian regions north of the Zagros is structurally controlled and linked to both large-scale crustal extension and exhumation during Mesozoic and Tertiary time as well as Tertiary collisional tectonics associated with the closure of Neotethys.

Neoproterozoic nappes and superposed folding of the Itremo Group, west-central Madagascar

The Precambrian geology of west-central Madagascar is reviewed and re-interpreted in light of new field observations, Landsat Thematic Mapper image analysis, and U–Pb geochronology. The bedrock of the area consists of: (1) late Archean (to Paleoproterozoic) migmatite gneiss and schist; (2) Mesoproterozoic stratified rocks (Itremo, Amborompotsy, and Malakialina Groups) perhaps deposited unconformably on the older metamorphic rocks (1, above); (3) Proterozoic (∼ 1000 Ma–720 Ma) plutonic rocks emplaced into both units above (1 and 2), and; (4) latest Neoproterozoic to middle Cambrian (∼ 570–520 Ma) granitoids emplaced as regionally discordant and weakly foliated plutons throughout the regions. The effects of Neoproterozoic orogenic processes are widespread throughout the region and our observations and isotopic measurements provide important constraints on the tectonic history of the region: (i) Archean gneisses and Mesoproterozoic stratified rocks are the crystalline basement and platformal sedimentary cover, respectively, of a continental fragment of undetermined tectonic affinity (East or West Gondwanan, or neither). (ii) This continental fragment (both basement and cover) was extensively invaded by subduction-related plutons in the period from ∼ 1000 Ma to ∼ 720 Ma that were emplaced prior to the onset of regional metamorphism and deformation. (iii) Continental collision related to Gondwana's amalgamation began after ∼ 720 Ma and before ∼ 570 Ma. Collision related deformation and metamorphism continued throughout the rest of the Neoproterozoic with thermal effects that lasted until ∼ 520 Ma. The oldest structures produced during continental collision were km-scale fold- and thrust-nappes with east or southeast-directed vergence (present-day direction). They resulted in the inversion and repetition of Archean and Proterozoic rocks throughout the region. During this early phase of convergence warm rocks were thrust over cool rocks thereby producing the present distribution of regional metamorphic isograds. The vergence of the nappes and the distribution of metamorphic rocks are consistent with their formation within a zone of west or northwest-dipping continental convergence (present-day direction). (iv) Later upright folding of the nappes (and related folds and thrusts) produced km-scale interference fold patterns. The geometry and orientation of these younger upright folds is consistent with E–W horizontal shortening (present-day direction) within a sinistral transpressive regime. We relate this final phase of deformation to motion along the Ranotsara and related shear zones of south Madagascar, and to the initial phases of lower crustal exhumation and extensional tectonics within greater Gondwana.

Sedimentary provenance of Mid-Devonian clastic sediments in the Teplá-Barrandian Unit (Bohemian Massif): U–Pb and Pb–Pb geochronology of detrital zircons by laser ablation ICP-MS

The provenance of the Mid-Devonian clastic sediments in the Tepla-Barrandian Unit (TBU) of the Bohemian Massif was investigated by laser ablation ICP-MS U–Pb zircon dating, bulk sediment geochemistry and mineralogical study of the heavy mineral fraction. In contrast to the island arc provenance of the TBU Neoproterozoic sediments, the Early Palaeozoic sediments contain significant amounts of differentiated crustal material. The detrital zircon populations in the Barrandian Mid-Devonian siltstones and sandstones show ages ranging from Archaean (∼3.0 Ga) to Early Palaeozoic (∼0.39 Ga). Major age maxima are at ∼2.6 Ga, 2.0–2.25 Ga, 0.62 and 0.51 Ga. The youngest identified zircons so far correspond to Lower and Mid-Devonian ages. The extensive mechanical abrasion of zircons having Archaean (3.0, 2.8 and 2.6 Ga) to Paleoproterozoic ages (2.25–2.0 Ga) suggest their provenance from recycled old sedimentary sequences. The relatively large number of zircons with ages between ∼2.0 and 3.0 Ga may indicate the presence of relicts of the Archaean/Paleoproterozoic crust in the source areas of the studied Mid-Devonian sediments. The absence of detrital zircon ages between ∼0.9 and 1.2 Ga and the presence of zircon ages of ∼2.0–2.25 and 0.5–0.8 Ga correspond to the zircon age pattern from the Gondwana-related North African, rather than Gondwana-related South American and Baltic terranes. The material was entering the basin predominantly from the west and consisted primarily of detrital material of Cambrian granitoids and recycled material of Neoproterozoic meta-sedimentary sequences.

Evolution of geochemistry and depositional settings of Early Palaeozoic siliciclastics of the Barrandian (Teplá-Barrandian Unit, Bohemian Massif, Czech Republic)

Cambrian and Ordovician-Middle Devonian sequences of two successive Early Palaeozoic basins of the Barrandian unconformably overlie Cadomian basement in the Bohemian Massif NW interior (Tepla-Barrandian unit) which is the easternmost peri-Gondwanan remnant within the Variscides. Correlation of stratigraphy and geochemistry of the Early Palaeozoic siliciclastic rocks elucidated sediment provenances. Sandstones of the Middle Cambrian Přibram-Jince Basin were derived from a Cadomian Neoproterozoic island arc. The source area of the Ordovician shallow-marine siliciclastics of the successor Prague Basin is a dissected Cadomian orogen. Late Cambrian acid volcanics of the Barrandian and Cambrian (meta)granitoids emplaced in the W part of the Tepla-Barrandian Cadomian basement are also discernible in these sediments. Old sedimentary component increased during the Ordovician. Early Llandovery siliciclastic rocks show characteristics of an abruptly weakened supply of terrigenous material and an elevated proportion of synsedimentary basic volcanics as a result of Silurian transgression. Emsian siliciclastics (intercalated in the Late Silurian to Early Devonian limestone suite) presumably comprise an addition of coeval basic/ultrabasic volcaniclastics. Middle Devonian flysch-like siliciclastics indicate reappearance of Cadomian source near the Barrandian during early Variscan convergences of Armorican microplates that preceeded accretion of the Tepla-Barrandian unit within the Bohemian Massif terrane mosaic.

Cambrian granitoids in pre-Alpine basement of Crete (Greece): evidence from U-Pb dating of zircon

The pre-Alpine basement of eastern Crete consists of at least three sub complexes which show differences in age and grade of pre-Alpine metamorphism. U-Pb analyses of zircons of two orthogneisses yielded upper intercepts in the concordia diagram at 511±16 Ma (Chamezi crystalline complex) and 514±14 Ma (Myrsini crystalline complex). These values are interpreted as protolith ages of the gneisses, suggesting that parts of the basement underwent Cadomian (Pan-African) imprints at the northern margin of Gondwana. The lower intercept ages are attributed to Alpine subduction which led to high-pressure/low-temperature metamorphism (T=ca. 300 °C), brittle-ductile deformation, and hydrothermal fluid activity. Due to pervasive Alpine fluid migration, the zircons of the Chamezi crystalline complex display disturbed zonation and solution, resulting in 87% radiogenic Pb loss, Ca- and Al-gain, and Zr depletion.