Continental Rift Setting Research Articles

Zircon surface crystallization ages for the extremely reduced magmatic products of the Millennium Eruption, Changbaishan Volcano (China/North Korea)

The Millennium Eruption (ME) of Changbaishan volcano (Baitoushan, Paektu) at 946 CE (Common Era) is one of the largest explosive eruptions on Earth during Holocene times. We date unpolished zircon crystal faces from diverse ME products collected from the southern side of Changbaishan volcano where the ME pumice and welded and non-welded pyroclastic flow deposits (PFD) are better exposed. All zircons from a pumice sample of the southern caldera rim and the youngest (Group 1) zircons from a welded pumiceous PFD sample yield an isochron crystallization age of 0.7 ± 1.8 ka (2σ). Zircons from the welded pumiceous PFD sample yield additional two age groups at ~10 ka and ~ 100 ka. Zircons from a non-welded charcoal-containing PFD have only one age population at 100 ka. Our work shows that different eruption products from ME have different zircon surface age distributions and may tap different levels of a zoned felsic magma chamber. In addition, the results indicate that ion microprobe U-Th dating of zircon crystal surfaces from ME pumices can effectively date the Millennium eruption age. Previously reported zircon U-series ages for Qixangzhan eruption (12.2 ± 1.1 ka, 2σ) and Yuanchi eruption (7.3 ± 1.8 ka, 2σ) at Changbaishan are also likely to date their respective eruption ages. The occurrence of 100 ka zircons in welded and non-welded PFDs reveals an important magmatic event for the Changbaishan volcano. Zircon and Fe-rich clinopyroxene crystallized at similar temperature at 770–750 °C, indicative of early zircon crystallization in peralkaline magmas. Another important result is the extremely low oxygen fugacity (fO2 = ΔFMQ-2) of the Changbaishan samples. Minerals in ME magmas were crystallized under some of the most reducing magmatic environments on Earth. Highly reducing conditions of magmas from Changbaishan supports a continental rift setting and argues against significant involvements of subduction-related oxidizing fluids during magma genesis.

Age and composition of Neoproterozoic diabase dykes in North Altyn Tagh, northwest China: implications for Rodinia break-up

ABSTRACT Whether or not the Altyn Tagh terranes in northwest China were part of the Rodinia supercontinent is unclear due to the apparent absence of rift-related igneous rocks. We present U-Pb geochronology, mineral chemistry, whole-rock major and trace element and Sr-Nd isotope data for the Yapuqiasayi mafic dykes in the North Altyn Tagh. Zircon and baddeleyite from a mafic dyke sample yield indistinguishable U-Pb results and a weighted mean 207Pb/206Pb date of 740 ± 11 Ma, interpreted as the igneous crystallization age. The dykes are tholeiitic in composition, with high TiO2, Zr/Sm and Zr/Y, resembling intraplate basalts. Whole-rock major and trace elements, together with Sr and Nd isotope data, indicate that the dyke magmas originated by 3–5% partial melting of a garnet-poor (<1%) asthenospheric mantle source and were variably modified by crustal contamination. These features, together with mineral chemistry and field observations, indicate that these mafic dykes formed in a continental rift setting, possibly induced above a mantle plume. We show that the Yapuqiasayi dykes are similar in age and petrogenetic characteristics to mafic igneous rocks in Australia, South China, Seychelles, Laurentia, and Tarim, and speculate that their emplacement in North Altyn Tagh was associated with rifting and break-up of the Rodinia supercontinent above a Neoproterozoic superplume.

Provenance and tectonic setting of the Early Permian sedimentary succession in the southern edge of the Sydney Basin, eastern Australia

Early Permian basins formed during a major phase of crustal extension are common throughout eastern Gondwana. One of these basins, the Sydney Basin, has not been subjected to geochemical studies aimed at determining the sedimentary provenance and the tectonic setting. This study provides new geochemical data of the Lower Permian siliciclastic successions in the southern edge of the Sydney Basin. Published petrographic analysis indicates a source area containing sedimentary, felsic volcanic, plutonic, and low‐grade metamorphic rocks. Major, trace and rare earth element data suggest that the clastic rocks are geochemically mature and originated from a continental source that has been subjected to moderate to strong weathering. Further, they indicate that most source rocks were of felsic composition and that only the oldest sediments possess a more mafic signature. The provenance data presented in this study, along with published palaeocurrent data, point to the Lachlan orogen being the main source of sediments for the basin. Multi‐dimensional discrimination diagrams suggest a continental rift setting and agree with the published sequence stratigraphic framework that suggests a deepening‐upward depositional trend associated with tectonic subsidence. This study documents geochemically the provenance of the sedimentary successions within the southern edge of the Sydney Basin and the continental rift origin of the basin.

Dating of Guperas Formation rhyolites changes the stratigraphy of the Mesoproterozoic Sinclair Supergroup of Namibia

Abstract The volcanosedimentary Guperas Formation contains the youngest volcanic rocks of the Sinclair Supergroup in the Konkiep Terrane of southern Namibia. Precise U-Pb zircon microbeam dating shows that the Guperas Formation as mapped includes felsic volcanic rocks which belong to both the first (1.37 to 1.33 Ga) and the third (1.11 to 1.07 Ga) magmatic cycle of the Sinclair Supergroup. Volcanic rocks of the ‘true’ Guperas Formation are dated by three samples, with a combined age of 1108 ± 10 Ma. The sedimentary rocks mapped as Guperas Formation are also distinguished by two different detrital age spectra into the ~1 100 Ma true Guperas Formation and the Aruab Member of the ~1 217 Ma Barby Formation. Geochronology now resolves the previous stratigraphic separation of the very similar Nubib and Rooiberg (Sonntag) Granites. The two small outcrops of 1 334 ± 5 Ma Rooiberg Granite are now shown to be part of the regional 1 334 ± 8 Ma Nubib Granite batholith. The Konkiep Terrane was affected by faulting and shear zones, but was only gently folded and not involved in regional metamorphism, despite its proximity to the Namaqua-Natal Province to the southwest. This is due to the Konkiep Terrane having a thick and strong continental basement which may have formed as part of the mainly Palaeoproterozoic Rehoboth Province. However no Palaeoproterozoic rocks are exposed in the Konkiep Terrane, which is now interpreted as an unaffiliated terrane. The three cycles of extrusive and plutonic magmatism in the Sinclair Supergroup formed in chronologically distinct periods and different tectonic settings, which requires revision of the stratigraphic nomenclature. The Konkiep Group is replaced by three new groups which are separated by &amp;gt;100 million-year unconformities. The Betta Group, represented by the mainly volcanic Kumbis, Nagatis and Welverdiend formations in the first magmatic cycle, probably formed in a passive continental rift setting due to breakup of the Rehoboth Province between 1 374 and 1 334 Ma. The Vergenoeg Group, represented by the sedimentary Kunjas and volcanic Barby and Haiber Flats formations, formed in a subduction setting at the margin of the Konkiep Terrane. This ~1 217 to 1204 Ma magmatic cycle ended with the accretion of Namaqua-Natal terranes to the Kalahari Craton. The ~1 100 Ma Ganaams Group, represented by the volcanic Guperas Formation and sedimentary Aubures Formation, was the result of interplay between the continental-scale Umkondo mantle heating event and movements between crustal blocks following the Namaqua-Natal collisional orogeny.

The occurrence of Neoproterozoic low δ18O igneous rocks in the northwestern margin of the South China Block: Implications for the Rodinia configuration

Low δ18O felsic igneous rocks are reported for the first time in the northwestern margin of the South China Block. Zircon U-Pb dating indicates that intermediate to felsic plutons were emplaced at 780 Ma and 750 Ma, respectively, and rhyolite was erupted at about 750 Ma. Compared with other rock-forming minerals that have variable δ18O values (−2.3‰ to 8.7‰ for quartz; −5.4‰ to 6.3‰ for plagioclase, −7.6‰ to 2.5‰ for K-feldspar), zircon δ18O values mainly range from 1.0‰ to 4.7‰ with a few negative values of −7.7‰ to −2.9‰. A two-stage 18O-depletion scenario was proposed, 1) high-temperature meteoric water–rock reaction in a continental rift setting, generating low δ18O melt from which precipitated zircons with significant lower δ18O values than normal mantle; 2) post-crystallization sub-solidus high-T meteoric-hydrothermal alteration, resulting in varying δ18O values for rock-forming minerals that leads to δ18O-disequilibrium between zircon and other minerals. In addition, zircons from these rocks show positive εHf(t) values of 4.6 to 11.2 with Hf model ages of ca. 1.0–1.4 Ga, suggesting a magma source of juvenile crust due to mantle melting during the Grenvillian subduction of oceanic lithosphere in response to accretion of the South China Block to Rodinia in the Late Mesoproterozoic. The occurrence of low δ18O felsic rocks in the northwestern margin of the South China Block indicates the development of a low δ18O magmatic belt during the rifting of the South China Block away from Rodinia at about 750 Ma. The coeval occurrence of Neoproterozoic low δ18O magmatism in NW India, South China, Madagascar and Seychelles suggests a link between these continental blocks in the Rodinia configuration.

Rifting and subduction records of the Paleo–Tethys in North Laos: Constraints from Late Paleozoic mafic and plagiogranitic magmatism along the Song Ma tectonic zone

Abstract In Southeast Asia, the Jinshajiang–Ailaoshan suture in Southwest China and the Song Ma zone in Vietnam were generally accepted as the amalgamation boundary of the South China and Simao/Indochina blocks. However, the tectonic location of the Paleotethyan suture in North Laos and its tectonic affinity remain ambiguous. To address this issue, we present the geochemical and geochronological data of a set of mafic and plagiogranitic rocks along the Song Ma suture zone in North Laos. Three groups of rocks with distinctive petrological, geochronological, and geochemical signatures were identified. The ca. 370 Ma Group 1 plagioclase amphibolite was preserved as xenoliths in the ca. 260 Ma granitoids. It exhibits a normal mid–oceanic–ridge basalt (N–MORB)-like, multi-elemental pattern with highly positive εNd(t) (+3.3 to +10.7) and εHf(t) (+6.68 to +7.41) values and low δ18O values (5.3‰−5.5‰), that are interpreted as products of the Late Devonian − earliest Carboniferous continental rift setting. The ca. 270 Ma Group 2 gabbro/diabase–diorite exhibits arc-like geochemical affinity with the εNd(t), εHf(t), and δ18O values of –5.85 to –3.76, –3.8 to +3.2, and 6.6‰–7.6‰, respectively. It is derived from the metasomatized wedge. The ca. 260 Ma Group 3 plagiogranite shows Nb-Ta and Ti negative anomalies and positive εNd(t) (+3.21 to +4.21), εHf(t) (+8.4 to +13.6), and δ18O (5.9‰−6.8‰) values, which are indicative of its derivation from mafic oceanic crust in a subduction setting. In combination with the published data, these results support the development of the Carboniferous–Permian Paleotethyan branch in North Laos, which represents the tectonic location of the Song Ma suture zone that spatially connects the Jinshajiang–Ailaoshan suture zone in Southwest China and the Chenxing–Bangxi suture zone in Hainan Island, South China.

Volatile‐Rich Magmas Distributed Through the Upper Crust in the Main Ethiopian Rift

AbstractUnderstanding magma storage and differentiation in the East African Rift underpins our understanding of volcanism in continental rift settings. Here, we present the geochemistry of melt inclusions erupted in Main Ethiopian Rift transitional basalts, trachytes, and peralkaline rhyolites, produced by fractional crystallization. Basalts stored on‐ and off‐axis are saturated in an exsolved volatile phase at up to 18 km in the upper crust. Much of the CO2 outgassed from the magmas is likely lost through diffuse degassing. Observed CO2 fluxes require the intrusion of up to 0.14 km3 of basalt beneath the rift each year. On‐axis peralkaline rhyolites are stored shallowly, at ~4–8 km depth. In the Daly Gap, magmas saturate in sulfide and an exsolved volatile phase, which promotes magma rise to shallower levels in the crust. Here, magmas undergo further protracted fractional crystallization and degassing, leading to the formation of a substantial exsolved volatile phase, which may accumulate in a gas‐rich cap. The exsolved volatile phase is rich in sulfur and halogens: their projected loadings into the atmosphere during explosive peralkaline eruptions in the MER are predicted to be substantially higher than their metaluminous counterparts in other settings. The high fraction of exsolved volatiles in the stored magmas enhances their compressibility and must be considered when interpreting ground displacements thought to be caused by magma intrusion at depth; otherwise, intruding volumes will be underestimated. Pockets of exsolved volatiles may be present at the roof zones of magma reservoirs, which may be resolvable using geophysical techniques.

Late Neoproterozoic mafic sills in the Suizhou area of the South Qinling block: constraints for the tectonic evolution of the northern margin of the Yangtze craton

ABSTRACT Late Neoproterozoic gabbroic-diabasic sills are widely distributed in the eastern part of the South Qinling block. Here, a comprehensive geochronological and geochemical study of these mafic sills has been conducted. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb results indicate that the gabbroic-diabasic sills were formed at 632 ± 2 Ma. The sills consist mainly of tholeiitic basaltic rocks with relatively low TiO2 contents (0.81–1.07 wt.%) and high Fe2O3 T/MgO ratios. These rocks display relatively flat to moderate light rare earth elements (LREE) enrichment patterns and positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 1.15–1.41). On the primitive mantle normalized spider diagram, the samples show E-MORB-like geochemical features. All of the studied samples display similar Sm-Nd isotopic compositions with negative εNd (t) values ranging from −6.2 to −5.5. Most clinopyroxenes from the mafic sills have relatively low Al/Ti ratios similar to those of typical rift-related cumulates. Therefore, Whole-rock and mineral geochemical features of the studied samples suggest that the mafic sills might have been derived from partial melting of a metasomatised subcontinental lithospheric mantle source in a continental rift setting. It can be advocated that the break-up of the Rodinia supercontinent in the northern part of the Yangtze craton might have been a long-lasting process. By comparison of the coherent Neoproterozoic magmatic events in the northern Yangtze craton and the Tarim block, it can be suggested that the Yangtze craton might have been adjacent to the Tarim block in the reconstruction model of the Rodinia supercontinent.

Geochemical Evidence for Hydration and Dehydration of Crustal Rocks During Continental Rifting

AbstractTo understand the temporal sequence of geological processes such as magmatism, water‐rock interaction, and metamorphism in fossil continental rifts, a combined study of petrography, mineral geochemistry, in situ garnet O isotopes, in situ zircon U‐Pb ages and O isotopes, and pseudosection calculations was conducted for metagranites from a Neoproterozoic continental rift generated during the Rodinia breakup. The results provide insights into the operation of hydration and dehydration during continental rifting. In the metagranites from the northern margin of South China, three types of garnet (Garnet‐I to ‐III) are distinguished. They were sequentially produced by hydrothermal alteration, metamorphic dehydration, and fluid metasomatism. All of these garnets show negative δ18O values of −19.3‰ to −14.5‰, in contrast to mantle‐like δ18O values for magmatic zircon. The extremely negative δ18O values of hydrothermal Garnet‐I require infiltration of the continental deglacial meltwater during the continental rifting, and before that zircon crystallized from normal δ18O magmas. Once the rocks were hydrothermally altered, the extreme 18O depletion was retained in all later products such as metamorphic Garnet‐II and metasomatic Garnet‐III. Pseudosection calculations indicate that the metamorphic dehydration occurred at 1.0–3.0 kbar and 630–690 °C during a reheating stage, corresponding to high thermal gradients of &gt;60 °C/km. The high‐temperature/low‐pressure metamorphic rocks produced by such high thermal gradients are indicative of the continental rift setting. The mineral geochemistry records not only the temporal sequence of rift magmatism, water‐rock interaction, and rift metamorphism but also the evolution of temperature and water action in the crust during the continental rifting.

The Role of Siliceous High-Magnesium Basalts during the Formation of a Neoproterozoic Mafic-Ultramafic Intrusion in the Tarim Craton (China)

The Xingdi No.2 intrusion in the Kuluktag Block of northeastern Tarim Craton, which intrudes into the Palaeoproterozoic basement with an exposed area of ca. 12 km2, is an orthopyroxene-rich mafic-ultramafic intrusion in a continental rift setting. It consists of gabbros, pyroxenites, and peridotites, and exhibits a crystallization sequence of the principal rock-forming minerals from olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, to plagioclase. The gabbros show a concordant SHRIMP U-Pb zircon age of 752 ± 5.4 Ma. In addition, the olivine grains have forsterite content values of 78–85 mole% and mostly contain low NiO, MnO, CaO, and Cr2O3. The rocks are relatively enriched in large ion lithophile elements and LREE, and depleted in HSFE, have non-radiogenic Pb, low εNd (t) values (−2.8 to −23), initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7059–0.7130). It could be concluded that the rocks represent an analogue of siliceous high magnesium basaltic magma originated by the partial melting of a hydrous and enriched subcontinental lithospheric mantle and contaminated by the continental crust.

Petrogenesis and tectonic significance of Neoproterozoic meta-basites and meta-granitoids within the central Dabie UHP zone, China: Geochronological and geochemical constraints

A combined geochemical (whole-rock elements and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes, zircon trace elements and Hf isotopes) and geochronological (zircon U–Pb ages) study was carried out on the relatively low-grade meta-basites and meta-granitoids from Longjingguan within the central Dabie ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic zone, east-central China. Zircon investigations indicate that the meta-basites were formed at ∼772 Ma and subsequently experienced granulite-facies metamorphism at ∼768 Ma and a later thermal overprint at ∼746 Ma, while the meta-granitoids recorded three groups of zircon ages at ca. 819 Ma, 784 Ma and 746 Ma. The meta-granitoids can be subdivided into low-Si and high-Si types, and they were derived from mid-Neoproterozoic partial melting of the Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic metamorphic basement rocks of the South China Block, respectively. These Neoproterozoic zircon ages are consistent with the protolith ages of the Dabie Triassic UHP meta-igneous rocks. In addition, the low-grade rocks have bulk-rock Pb isotope compositions overlapping with the UHP meta-igneous rocks. Therefore, the low-grade meta-basites and meta-granitoids could be interpreted as counterparts of the UHP meta-igneous rocks in this area, suggesting the same petrogenesis for their protoliths in the Neoproterozoic.Trace element patterns indicate that the low-grade rocks have better preserved their protolith compositions than their equivalent UHP rocks, and thus they are more suitable for elucidating the Neoproterozoic evolution of the northern margin of the South China Block. Zircon ages combined with geochemical features strongly suggest that the protoliths of the meta-granitoids and meta-basites were formed in a magmatic arc and a continental rifting setting, respectively. More specifically, the granitoids derived from partial melting of Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic basement materials at ∼819 Ma in a magmatic arc setting, whereas the precursors of the meta-basites are products of a continental rifting event at about 784 to 772 Ma. The obtained results provide new geochronological and geochemical constraints for the Neoproterozoic evolution of the northern margin of the South China Block, which can further contribute to the understanding of the breakup of the supercontinent Rodinia.

The Western Amazonia Igneous Belt

The Western Amazonia Igneous Belt (WAIB) occupies the northern part of South American continent, and a total area close to 125,000 km2. The belt is composed dominantly by volcano-plutonic felsic rocks (Juruena supersuite, Teles Pires suite and Colíder group) and has dominant alkali-calcic, metaluminous to peraluminous, ferrous, geochemical characteristics, similar to A-type granites. The Silicic members are represented by granites and rhyolitic-rhyodacitic volcanic rocks, mafic members by gabbroic rocks and diabase dykes. Intermediate rocks are rare. Local magma mingling and hybridization are present in several areas. The assemblage of silicic and basic rocks of WAIB was formed between c. 1825 and 1757 Ma. The presence of inherited zircons, from 1875 to 2050 Ma, as well as some Archean ages in the granitic and volcanic rocks from the WAIB, are suggestive of derivation by melting of pre-existing crustal basement (Ventuari-Tapajós Province). This hypothesis is also corroborated by bimodal magmatism and by several model-ages of granites, felsic volcanic rocks and mafic plutonic rocks, with TDM ranging from 2.0 to 2.3 Ga, and εNd value, varying from −3.90 to +2.52.The preferred model of formation of the WAIB envisages the emplacement of large volumes of hot mantle-derived melts into the lower crust. These processes resulted in partial melting of lower-crustal material, mixing with the mantle-derived melts and formation of granitic melts. The timing and spatial features and interpreted petrogenetic mechanisms of WAIB are suggestive of a continental rift setting. In addition, this volcano-plutonic province is similar to silicic igneous provinces (Silicic Large Igneous Province-SLIP) in areal extent, eruptive volume and petrogenetic characteristics.

Petrogenesis and tectonic setting of the Dapingliang Late Neoproterozoic magmatic rocks in the eastern Kuluketage Block: geochronological, geochemical and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopic implications

AbstractIn the past ten years, a great deal of geological study has been reported on the magmatic rocks exposed in the central and western region of the Kuluketage Block, while similar research in the eastern region has rarely been reported. In this paper, we report zircon U–Pb geochronological, zircon Lu–Hf isotopic, whole-rock elemental and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic data for the Dapingliang intermediate-acid intrusive rocks in the eastern Kuluketage Block, in order to evaluate its petrogenesis and tectonic significance. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) zircon U–Pb dating provided a weighted mean206Pb/238U age of 735 ± 3 Ma for the albitophyre (D1), 717 ± 2 Ma for the granite porphyry (D2) and 721 ± 1 Ma for the diorite porphyrite (D3). Geochemical analyses reveal that D1 and D2 belong to Na-rich alkaline A-type granites, and D3 shows the features of high-K calc-alkaline I-type granite. D1 and D2 are characterized by light rare earth element (LREE) enrichment and relative depletion of high field strength element (HFSE), with relatively flat heavy rare earth element (HREE) patterns and obviously negative Eu anomalies. D3 is characterized by the enrichment of LREE and depletion of HFSE, with negative slope HREE patterns and slightly negative Eu anomalies. In tectonic discrimination diagrams, D1 and D2 fall in the within-plate granite (WPG) field, indicating a rift setting. Although D3 falls within the volcanic arc granite (VAG) field, it most likely formed in a rift setting, as inferred from its petrology, Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes and regional tectonic evolution. Based on pronouncedεNd(t),εHf(t), Pb isotopic data,TDM2and high (87Sr/86Sr)iand elemental compositions, D1 was derived from the partial melting of basement amphibolites of the old lower crust. D2 originated from a mixture of the old lower crust and depleted mantle-derived magmas and was dominated by partial melting of the basement amphibolites of the lower crust. D3 could have been formed by partial melting of K-rich hornblende in the lower crust. Combining previous studies, we think that thec. 745–710 Ma magmatic rocks were formed in a continental rift setting. A partial melting scheme, triggered by underplating of mantle plume-derived magmas, is proposed to interpret the formation ofc. 745–710 Ma A-type and I-type granitoids, mantle-derived mafic dykes, bimodal intrusive rocks, adakitic granites and volcanic rocks. These magmatic activities were probably a reflection of the break-up of the Rodinia supercontinent.Highlights(1)Circa 720 Ma magmatism in the eastern Kuluketage Block.(2)Na-rich granite was derived from partial melting of basement amphibolites.(3)Thec. 745–710 Ma magmatic rocks were formed in a continental rift setting.(4)The underplating of mantle plume-derived magmas is proposed.

An Early Tonian rifting event affecting the São Francisco-Congo paleocontinent recorded by the Lower Macaúbas Group, Araçuaí Orogen, SE Brazil

After it had been assembled in the very early Orosirian, the western São Francisco–Congo Paleocontinent experienced several rifting events since the Statherian (ca. 1750 Ma) to Cryogenian (ca. 700 Ma). Records of anorogenic magmatism and/or associated sedimentation from those events have been found in the Neoproterozoic Araçuaí–West Congo orogenic system (AWCO), located between the São Francisco (eastern Brazil) and Congo (central Africa) cratons. Based on detailed field studies and data from lithochemistry, zircon and titanite U-Pb dating, whole-rock Nd and Hf-in-zircon isotopic analyses, we characterize a previously poorly described Early Tonian, rift-related, volcano-sedimentary succession in order to decipher the evolution of the AWCO precursor basins. That volcano-sedimentary succession, found in the Capelinha Formation type-area, now assigned to the Lower Macaúbas Group, includes quartzites with lenses of ortho-amphibolite (metabasalt) covered by pelitic schists. Zircon grains from ortho-amphibolite samples yielded ages of 957 ± 14 Ma and 576 ± 13 Ma, constraining their magmatic crystallization and regional metamorphism, respectively. These mafic rock show ƐNd(t) from −3.64 to +0.21 and Nd TDM ages from ca. 1.4 to ca. 1.7 Ga. Positive covariation of FeOtot/MgO + FeOtot, TiO2, P2O5, V and Zr, enrichment in light rare earth elements, slightly positive Eu/Eu* anomaly and depletion of high field-strenght elements, suggest tholeiitic protolith related to a continental rifting setting. The metasedimentary rocks show broad spectra of detrital zircon ages from the Early Tonian (ca. 940 Ma) to Paleoarchean, with wide-ranging ƐHf values from predominantly negative (as low as −10.76) to positive (+9.94), evoking well-known sediment sources in the São Francisco–Congo Paleocontinent. The youngest age peak (949 ± 12 Ma) constrains a maximum sedimentation age coeval with the basaltic volcanism represented by the ortho-amphibolite. The Capelinha volcano-sedimentary succession nearly correlates in age and origin with other anorogenic units (e.g., Ilhéus and Pedro Lessa dike swarms, Salto da Divisa granitic suite, Gangila basaltic and Mayumbian felsic volcanisms) found in a large region covered by the AWCO and neighbouring cratonic region. However, the Capelinha magmatism seems to preceed by some 20–30 m.y. the main peak (930–900 Ma) of this Early Tonian anorogenic magmatism, suggesting a long-lived and complex rift system.

Late Paleoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic magmatism of the Nico Pérez Terrane (Uruguay): Tightening up correlations in southwestern Gondwana

New geochronological, isotopic and geochemical data were obtained from the late Paleoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic magmatic units of the Nico Pérez Terrane (Uruguay). A U-Pb LA-ICP-MS zircon age of 1768 ± 11 Ma confirms the Statherian age for the Illescas rapakivi intrusion, being thus comparable with the age of the Campanero Unit felsic orthogneisses. Though both the Illescas and Campanero intrusions exhibit dominantly granitic, meta- to peraluminous compositions, the first shows a dominant shoshonitic and ferroan composition, whereas high-K calc-alkaline and magnesian to ferroan compositions characterize orthogneisses of the Campanero Unit. Additionally, Sm/Yb and LaN/YbN ratios indicate that both suites were emplaced in a thickened crust, whereas Lu-Hf zircon data of the Illescas granite together with available Sm-Nd data of the Campanero Unit point to significant recycling of an older, Archean and/or Paleoproterozoic crust of the Nico Pérez Terrane. Results suggest a common origin for both the Illescas and Campanero magmatism, probably related to a post-collisional/post-orogenic setting. On the other hand, metagabbros of the Zanja del Tigre Complex present U-Pb LA-ICP-MS zircon ages of 1479 ± 4 and 1482 ± 6 Ma and tholeiitic gabbroic compositions. Geochemical and Sm-Nd isotopic data show similarities with LIP-related intracontinental mafic magmatism, suggesting a mixed magma source derived from depleted asthenosphere and fertile subcontinental lithospheric mantle contributions. Emplacement of the metagabbros was related to lithospheric extension in a continental rifting setting and, therefore, fertilization of the lithospheric mantle probably took place during older Paleoproterozoic subduction-related events. Coeval late Paleoproterozoic and early Mesoproterozoic magmatism is also recorded in the northern Nico Pérez Terrane of southernmost Brazil, and in basement inliers of the Kaoko Belt and the Angolan Shield (southwestern Congo Craton), thus suggesting a common evolution of these blocks prior to the Neoproterozoic.

Tephra layers of large explosive eruptions of Baitoushan/Changbaishan Volcano in the Japan Sea sediments

This paper is based on the results of a comprehensive investigations of sediments from seven cores sampled during the International Russian-Chinese Cruise 53 of the R/V “Akademik Lavrentyev” (2010) in the frames of the Russian-Chinese collaboration between the Pacific Oceanological Institute of the Far-Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (POI FEB RAS, Vladivostok, Russia), and the First Institute of Oceanography (FIO, Qingdao, China). Baitoushan (Chanbaishan) Volcano had several powerful explosive eruptions during the Middle Pleistocene-Holocene, which produced widespread tephra layers. The paper reports chemical composition of volcanic glasses and minerals from six tephra layers labeled as B-Og, B-Sado, B-J, B-Un1, B-V, and B-Tm, which belong to Baitoushan Volcano and were identified in sediments of the northwestern part of the Sea of Japan. The tephras were dated using geochronological data for the host sediments. The estimated ages for the Middle Pleistocene tephra is 488 ka; the Late Pleistocene tephras are 71.1–71.9 cal. kа (B-Sado), 50.8 cal. ka (B-J), 38.3 cal. ka (B-Un1), and 29.0–29.4 cal. ka (B-V). The ash layers consist of alkali-rich glass of trachydacitic to alkaline rhyolitic composition and specific assemblage of minerals including Fe-rich augite-hedenbergite, aegirine-augite, aegirine, arfvedsonite, and fayalite. The mineral assemblage is typical for alkalic volcanic rocks from continental rift setting. Aenigmatite, a rare mineral from the group of inosilicates, was firstly identified in distal tephra of Baitoushan Volcano, supplied into marine sediments. The composition of glasses and minerals from all layers are similar. It testifies about steady-state conditions of the magma accumulation under Baitoushan Volcano and about the bimodal character of magmatic chambers during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene (since 100 ka).

Metallogenic Epoch and Tectonic Setting of Saima Niobium Deposit in Fengcheng, Liaoning Province, NE China

The Saima deposit is a newly discovered niobium deposit which is located in the eastern of Liaoning Province, NE China. Its mineralization age and geochemical characteristics are firstly reported in this study. The Nb orebodies are hosted by the grey–brown to grass-green aegirine nepheline syenite. Detailed petrographical studies show that the syenite consists of orthoclase (~50%), nepheline (~30%), biotite (~15%) and minor arfvedsonite (~3%) and aegirine (~2%), with weak hydrothermal alteration dominated by silicification. In situ LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating indicates that the aegirine nepheline syenite was emplaced in the Late Triassic (229.5 ± 2.2 Ma), which is spatially, temporally and genetically related to Nb mineralization. These aegirine nepheline syenites have SiO2 contents in the range of 55.86–63.80 wt. %, low TiO2 contents of 0.36–0.64 wt. %, P2O5 contents of 0.04–0.11 wt. % and Al2O3 contents of more than 15 wt. %. They are characterized by relatively high (K2O + Na2O) values of 9.72–15.51 wt. %, K2O/Na2O ratios of 2.42–3.64 wt. % and Rittmann indexes (σ = [ω(K2O + Na2O)]2/[ω(SiO2 − 43)]) of 6.84–17.10, belonging to the high-K peralkaline, metaluminous type. These syenites are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs, e.g., Cs, Rb and Ba) and light rare earth elements (LREEs) and relatively depleted in high field strength elements (HFSEs, e.g., Nb, Zr and Ti) and heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), with transitional elements showing an obvious W-shaped distribution pattern. Based on these geochronological and geochemical features, we propose that the ore-forming intrusion associated with the Nb mineralization was formed under post-collision continental-rift setting, which is consistent with the tectonic regime of post-collision between the North China Craton and Paleo-Asian oceanic plate during the age in Ma for Indosinian (257–205 Ma). Intensive magmatic and metallogenic events resulted from partial melting of lithospheric mantle occurred during the post-collisional rifting, resulting in the development of large-scale Cu–Mo mineralization and rare earth deposits in the eastern part of Liaoning Province.

Extremely low structural hydroxyl contents in upper mantle xenoliths from the Nógrád-Gömör Volcanic Field (northern Pannonian Basin): Geodynamic implications and the role of post-eruptive re-equilibration

The structural hydroxyl content of the nominally anhydrous minerals (olivine and pyroxenes) in the upper mantle is among the important attributes that influence the physical and chemical features of the upper mantle. In this study, we provide detailed Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) data on 63 petrographically and geochemically well-defined upper mantle xenoliths from the Nógrád-Gömör Volcanic Field (Pannonian Basin, Central Europe). These xenoliths show extremely low average structural hydroxyl contents (~0, 31 and 185 ppm for olivine, orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene, respectively) compared to values reported regionally and worldwide. The studied xenoliths have anomalous types of FTIR spectra and high structural hydroxyl ratios between clinopyroxenes and orthopyroxenes (an average of ~8). Furthermore, there is usually no correlation between the structural hydroxyl content and other physical or chemical properties of the xenoliths. These specific FTIR characteristics suggest that the Nógrád-Gömör upper mantle xenoliths were exposed to significant modification of their structural hydroxyl contents, which may be linked to pre- and post-eruptive processes. Decompression during extension leads to lower ‘water’ activity, which is most likely to have played a key role. However, pre-eruptive mantle metasomatism with an agent having low water activity cannot be excluded either. The post-eruptive cooling can be significant as well, as suggested by the higher structural hydroxyl content in xenoliths hosted in more rapidly cooled volcanic facies (i.e. pyroclastics).Our study reveals how FTIR characteristics may evolve in continental rift settings in young extensional basins. Furthermore, novel applications of our study are the diagnostic features that indicate significant changes in structural hydroxyl properties. This contributes to distinguishing low structural hydroxyl contents linked to the pre-eruptive (i.e., low structural hydroxyl content in pyroxenes, anomalous partitioning and anomalous band characteristic in pyroxenes) or the post-eruptive (completely ‘dry’ olivines) periods.

Provenance of the Cretaceous Debre Libanos Sandstone in the Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia: Evidence from petrography and geochemistry

This work aims to unravel the provenance, depositional tectonic setting and source area weathering of the cretaceous Debre Libanos Sandstone in the Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia from its petrographic and geochemical signatures. Both the average chemical index of alteration (CIA) and chemical index of weathering (CIW) of sandstones (CIA = 91.08, CIW = 96.75), shales (CIA = 81.89, CIW = 98.17) and siltstones (CIA = 98.10, CIW = 99.35) of the Debre Libanos Sandstone indicate very strong chemical weathering. The low Th/Sc ratio of sandstones (1.46), shales (0.85) and siltstones (0.81), and Th/Sc versus Zr/Sc relationship indicate sediment recycling that leads to a progressive enrichment of heavy minerals such as zircon which is the major host for Zr and Th. The increase of quartz content in sandstones and dense minerals in siltstones and shales can be related to hydraulic sorting, grain-size controlled fractionation and source composition. Trace element concentration and their ratios (La/Th, Cr/Th, Th/Sc, Cr/V, Y/Ni) with rare earth element proxies (Eu/Eu*, LaN/YbN) of the studied samples revealed felsic to mixed source rocks of upper continental crust with some input from recycled old sediments. The source area of the Debre Libanos Sandstone is from the northern and northwestern Ethiopia during the time of marine regression, retreat of the Indian Ocean from NW Ethiopia back to SE Somalia. Tectonic discrimination diagrams revealed continental rift setting for the sandstones and collision setting for shales and most of the siltstones. Furthermore, the studied sandstones were partly deposited in a passive margin setting which had undergone post-depositional K-metasomatic alteration. The shales and siltstones were deposited in active margin setting.

Emplacement and growth of alkaline dikes: Insights from the shonkinite dikes (Elchuru alkaline complex, SE India)

The Mesoproterozoic Elchuru alkaline complex in the Prakasam Alkaline Province (PAP), Eastern Ghats Belt, SE India is intruded by coeval shonkinite dikes. Magmas parental to both the host nepheline syenite and shonkinite dikes formed during ca. 1350 Ma continental-rift related magmatism. The shonkinite dikes show fine-to medium-grained equigranular to foliated textures with clinopyroxene, biotite, amphibole, K-feldspar perthite and nepheline as major mineral phases. The dikes grew by inflation and coalescence of dike segments along intrusive steps, anastomosis and subsequent coalescence, and thermal/mechanical erosion of the host rocks. A few dikes resulted by filling the fractures created by shearing. Inflation of intrusive steps between magma segments by Mode I opening is the major mechanism of shonkinite dike emplacement and growth. However, the shonkinite dikes also demonstrate the application of remote shear stress on the dike walls resulting in anastomosis, entrapment and segmentation of tabular host rock xenoliths, and in extreme cases brecciation of the host rocks under volatile-rich and low-viscous melt conditions. Fractal analysis of xenolith-bearing dike further illustrates that thermal erosion was facilitated and accentuated by mechanical breakdown of host rock xenoliths due to interactions of tensile and shear forces. Cross-cutting relationships between the shonkinite dikes suggest local deviation in the least compressive stress direction during dike emplacement. The shonkinite dikes of Elchuru demonstrate that spatially- and temporally-restricted high-volatile low-viscous alkaline magmas may have distinctly different styles of emplacement, as controlled by interaction of near field (magmatic) tensile stress and far field (tectonic) shear stress, in an evolving continental-rift setting.