Felsic Volcanics Research Articles

Neoarchaean Felsic Volcanic Rocks in Tracing Evolution of Arcs: An Insight from Geochemical Data of the Gadag Schist Belt, Western Dharwar Craton

Abstract Quartz porphyry of rhyolitic composition though a volumetrically minor is an important component of metavolcanic successions in the Gadag schist belt in the western Dharwar craton. The quartz porphyries are calc-alkaline, enriched in light rare earth elements (Lan/Ybn ~ 10-20) and with a strong negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu*N = 0.45-0.58). These features, coupled with high K2O/Na2O (0.8 to 1.46), low Nb/Th (<1), and Lan/Smn ratios of 4.2 to 6.0, suggest that rhyolitic magma formed from melt generated by partial melting of basaltic crust, subsequently modified by crustal assimilation and crystal fractionation. The geological setting of the quartz porphyries and the geochemical relationships suggest magmatism at a convergent plate tectonic setting. The zircon U-Pb age of 2588.0 ± 2.4 Ma for the quartz porphyry, together with an age of 2732 Ma for similar volcanic rocks in the Chitradurga schist belt further south, and 2614 Ma for felsic volcanics from the Shimoga schist belt, point to an extended period with episodic arc magmatism in the western Dharwar craton of at least ~144myr.

Geochemistry of Eocene felsic volcanic rocks from the Mesa Virgen‐Calerilla, Zacatecas, Mexico: Implications for the magma source and tectonic setting

The Mesa Virgen Calerilla (MVC) is located in the state of Zacatecas, Mexico. The most intense volcanism, which occurred during the Eocene, formed extensive ignimbrite deposits exposed in some parts as lava spills of rhyolitic (felsic) composition. This felsic volcanism may represent much of the MVC. This study describes whole‐rock geochemistry and mineralogy data from felsic volcanic rocks in the MVC to address their petrogenesis and tectonic setting. The MVC covers a compositional spectrum ranging from trachyte, dacite, to high‐silica rhyolite. The petrography and mineral assemblages indicate that the felsic rocks are composed of K‐feldspar (sanidine), quartz, plagioclase, and biotite. The felsic volcanic rocks have a composition of 64.08–78.17 wt% (SiO2)adj, 0.14–0.69 wt% (TiO2)adj, and 0.11–0.62 wt% (MgO)adj with 12–54 Mg number [Mg# = 100 × (Mg2+/[Mg2+ + Fe2+])]. These felsic volcanic rocks showed enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREE; [La/Sm]N = 3.80–7.19), and are depleted in heavy rare earth elements [HREE; (Tb/Yb)N ratios 0.35–1.84], along with negative Ba, Nb, Sr, P, Eu, and Ti anomalies. The geochemical characteristics and petrogenetic modelling indicate that felsic volcanic rocks are derived from partial melting process of an upper‐middle continental crust. The tectono‐magmatic model and multidimensional tectonic discrimination diagram indicate that an extensional‐related setting prevails for the MVC.

Subduction to post-collisional volcanism in the Northern Arabian-Nubian Shield: Genesis of Cryogenian/Ediacaran intermediate-felsic magmas and the lifespan of a Neoproterozoic mature island arc

The Neoproterozoic intermediate-felsic volcanic rocks in the Wadi Ambagy area, Eastern Desert of Egypt, comprise three units: Dokhan intermediate-felsic volcanics, post-Dokhan felsic volcanics and felsites. The Dokhan lavas are generally porphyritic and composed of andesite and dacite with subordinate basalt, whereas the post-Dokhan felsic volcanics are represented by phyric and aphyric rhyolites. The medium-K calc-alkaline nature, LILE enrichment, Ta-Nb anomalies and LREE-enriched patterns of the Dokhan volcanic rocks are consistent with development in a subduction setting. Arc crustal thickness estimation using average (La/Yb)n is ~ 32 km, indicating that these rocks were generated in a Neoproterozoic island arc with thick crust. The subduction magmas were generated by hydrous mantle melting and they evolved by fractional crystallization. In contrast, the post-Dokhan felsic volcanics and felsites have medium- to high-K and shoshonitic affinities, respectively. They are highly silicic with weak to absent Ta-Nb anomalies and significant Nb, Zr, Hf and REE enrichment, which increases from the post-Dokhan felsic volcanics to the felsites. These geochemical features suggest generation in a post-collisional to within-plate tectonic setting by partial melting of mafic or intermediate arc crustal sources. SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating indicates a crystallization age of ~ 660 Ma for the subduction-related Dokhan andesite and dacite, reflecting a magmatic arc lifespan longer than previously considered. The change of setting from subduction to post-collisional was accompanied by an increased role of crustal sources in the generation of the felsic magmas, resulting in differentiation of the accreted arc crust.

Geochemical evolution of the Lebowa Granite Pluton in western Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa: More insight into the evolution of bimodal A‐type granitoid

The ~2.05 Ga Bushveld Igneous Complex (BIC) in the Kaapvaal Craton, South Africa, with an areal extent of ~65,000 km2, represents one of the largest bimodal A‐type granitoid suites in the world. The igneous activity of this complex begun with the Rooiberg Group of basalt–rhyolite bimodal volcanism, followed by the emplacement of the ultramafic–mafic Rustenburg Layered Suite (RLS), and finally the granitoid rocks of the Rashoop Granophyre (RG) and Lebowa Granite Suite (LGS). In this study, we present our new borehole description and whole‐rock chemical data on the LGS from the relatively unknown western BIC to constrain the origin of the LGS and try to evaluate their geochemical relationship to the Rooiberg Group felsic volcanics. In the western BIC, the LGS is locally represented by the hydrothermally altered Paalkraal Granite and the Kenkelbos Granite that together form a central dome‐like feature. The Veekraal Granite forms the peripheral part of the dome. These granitoids are, in general, coarse‐grained, porphyritic, or equigranular, showing granophyric intergrowth, and consist of quartz, perthitic microcline, and albitic plagioclase with minor opaque and interstitial hornblende/biotite. Our whole‐rock chemical data on western LGS, along with those from the Groblersdal area, eastern BIC (taken as reference), form a cluster in the ‘granite’ field in the normative Ab–An–Or diagram with mean Or/(Ab+Or) ~0.5 (0.11), and are peralkaline to weakly peraluminous in composition. These A‐type granitoids are strictly ‘ferroan’ and calc‐alkalic to alkali‐calcic in nature, and evolved through partial melting as evident mainly in process identification plots. In bulk chemical composition, the LGS and high‐SiO2 Rooiberg Group rhyolites overlap with the experimental melts generated during dehydration melting of tonalite–granodiorite, indicating the Archaean Kaapvaal TTG as their possible source. Constraints from experimental petrology further suggest the pressure and temperature of this relatively anhydrous (≤1 wt% H2O) melting were 2–1 kbar (i.e., ≤7.5 km crustal depth) and ~920°C, respectively. As suggested before, the parent magma of the voluminous mafic–ultramafic body (RLS) of the BIC, forming a voluminous magma chamber in shallow crustal depth, provided the heat for this partial melting event. The following igneous event as evident from field description in the literature, our new borehole description and whole‐rock chemical data, were a limited chemical mixing between the parent basaltic magma of the Rooiberg Group and the parent LGS magma under anorogenic condition to generate the metaluminous felsic magma represented by the Rooiberg Group dacite at present. This anorogenic mixing, perhaps guided by chemical diffusion and lasted for ≤950 ka, modified the major oxide compositions (except Na), and/or transitional elements (Sc, V, Co, and Ni), LILEs (Rb, Sr, and Ba), REEs, HFSE (Y, Zr, Nb, and Ta), actinide (Th and U), and possibly Sr‐isotopic compositions of both the parent LGS and Rooiberg Group basaltic magmas. The petrogenetic model observed for the BIC is perhaps unique in explaining geochemical and isotopic variations observed in bimodal A‐type granitoid/volcanic suites like the Karoo Igneous Province.

Neoarchean Granitoids of the Hautavaara Structure, Karelia: Heterogeneous Lithosphere Melting in an Accretionary Orogen

The paper presents newly acquired isotope-geochemical and U–Pb isotope zircon dating (SHRIMP) results on four posttectonic granitoid massifs in the southeastern part of the Karelian Granite–Greenstone Province (GGP) in the Fennoscandian Shield. The massifs are located near the Hautavaara Structure, in the southeastern part of the Mesoarchean (3.05–2.85 Ga) Vedlozero–Segozero Greenstone Belt, which is confined to the western margin of the Vodlozero crustal block with a Paleoarchean (TNdDM > 3.2 Ga) prehistory. All four massifs (Hautavaara, Chalka, Shuya, and Nyalmozero) were shown to have similar structural–tectonic settings, were emplaced nearly simultaneously (at 2745–2740 Ma), and display variations in the rock compositions that were predetermined by differences in the composition of the magma sources and the conditions of their derivation. The Hautavaara Massif in the central part of the structure and the Chalka Massif on its western margin are made up of moderately alkaline high-Mg granitoids (sanukitoids), whose initial diorite melts were derived by melting the lithospheric mantle metasomatized in an active-margin setting at 3.00–2.90 Ga. The Shuya granodiorites and Nyalmozero leucogranites, which are confined to the eastern flank of the structure, yield highly fractionated HREE patterns (Dyn/Ybn = 3.5 to 5.14), negative eNdT = –0.9 to –2.8, and were produced by melting a Mesoarchean crustal source at various depths. This source was similar to the 3.05- to 2.90-Ga felsic volcanics in the Hautavaara Structure. The Shuya granodiorites contain elevated Cr and Ni concentrations, suggesting that the melts were generated in the crust with the involvement of mafic magma, which was likely coeval with the primitive sanukitoids. The melting of the continental lithosphere at mantle and crustal levels in the Karelian GGP in the latest Neoarchean are thought to have occurred in an extensional environment during collapse of the collisional orogen, in accordance with the model (Laurent et al., 2014).

Exploring our current understanding of the geological evolution and mineral endowment of the Zimbabwe Craton

AbstractA.M. Macgregor (1888-1961) is remembered for his enormous contribution to geology. His maps changed the course of geological thinking in southern Africa. Following in his footsteps we examine aspects of our current understanding of the geological evolution of the Zimbabwe Craton and, using new SHRIMP U-Pb ages of zircons from felsic volcanic and plutonic rocks from northern Zimbabwe and unpublished data related to the seminal paper by Wilson et al. (1995), a synthesis is proposed for the formation of the Neoarchaean greenstones. The data suggest marked differences (lithostratigraphy, geochemistry and isotope data, mineral endowment and deformational history), between Eastern and Western Successions, which indicate fundamentally different geodynamic environments of formation. The Eastern Succession within the southcentral part of the craton, largely unchanged in terms of stratigraphy, is reminiscent of a rift-type setting with the Manjeri Formation sediments and overlying ca. 2 745 Ma Reliance Formation komatiite magmatism being important time markers. In contrast, the Western Succession is reminiscent of a convergent margin subduction-accretion system with bimodal mafic-felsic volcanism and accompanying sedimentation constrained to between 2 715 and 2 683 Ma. At ca. 2 670 Ma, a tectonic switch likely marks the onset of deposition of Shamvaian felsic volcanism and sedimentation. The Shamvaian resembles pull-apart basin successions and is dominated by deposition of a coarse clastic sedimentary succession, with deposition likely constrained to between 2 672 and 2 647 Ma. The late tectonic emplacement of small, juvenile multiphase stocks, ranging in composition from gabbroic to granodioritic was associated with gold ± molybdenum mineralisation. Their emplacement at 2 647 Ma provides an upper age limit to the timespan of Shamvaian deposition. Amongst the youngest granites are the extensive, largely tabular late- to post-tectonic ca. 2 620 to 2 600 Ma Chilimanzi Suite granites. These granites are characterised by evolved isotopic systems and have been related to crustal relaxation and anatexis following deformation events. After their emplacement, the Zimbabwe Craton cooled and stabilised, with further deformation partitioned into lower-grade, strike-slip shear zones, and at ca. 2 575 Ma the craton was cut by the Great Dyke, its satellite dykes and related fractures.

The Age and Petrogenesis of Felsic Volcanics of the Algan Mountains, Koryak Highland, Northeast Russia

The Age and Petrogenesis of Felsic Volcanics of the Algan Mountains, Koryak Highland, Northeast Russia

Formation of the Neoproterozoic Continental Crust in the Structures of the Central Segment of the Central Asian Fold Belt

The paper considers the results of geochronological (U-Pb method, ID-TIMS), geochemical, and Sm-Nd isotopic studies of granitoids, volcanics, and terrigenous rocks of the eastern Dzabkhan terrane, as well as felsic volcanics of the Dzabkhan Formation in its southern part. It is established that the post-kinematic granitoids of the Dzabhan–Mandal Zone, Erdenekhairkhan, and Bogdoingol blocks were formed in the range of 813 ± 9–772 ± 3 and ca. 720 Ma, and the rhyolites of the Dzabkhan Formation were formed at 790 ± 3 Ma. The rock sources in the southern part of the terrane and in the Bogdoingol Block were mainly ancient crustal complexes. Nd isotopic data on the rocks of the Dzabkhan–Mandal Zone and the Erdenekhairkhan Block demonstrate the mixed nature of their sources and suggest a significant contribution of Early Neoproterozoic juvenile material. Based on obtained and previous data, it is shown that the Dzabkhan terrane is not a homogeneous block of the Early Precambrian continental crust, but represents a Neoproterozoic composite terrane consisting of rocks of island arc and continental margin complexes, and reworked Early Precambrian continental crust. The correlation of the Precambrian complexes of the Dzabkhan terrane with those of the Songino, Baidarik, and Tarbagatai terranes is discussed, and features of the formation of the Neoproterozoic continental crust in the central segment of the Central Asian fold belt are considered. It is established that the Khangay group terranes comprise widespread oceanic, island arc, continental margin, and riftogenic complexes formed at ca. 960–930, 880–850, and 810–790 Ma. Based on the data obtained, a model of the formation and evolution of the Neoproterozoic crust of the Central Asian fold belt is proposed by the example of paleoreconstructions for 925 and 825 Ma. It is assumed that the extensive growth of the Neoproterozoic continental crust of the region was related to the subduction processes in the framing of the Rodinia supercontinent at about 960–860 Ma ago and continental rifting that initiated the breakup of the supercontinent in the middle Tonian at about 860 and 800 Ma ago.

Re-Os Age and Stable Isotope (O-H-S-Cu) Geochemistry of North Eastern Turkey’s Kuroko-Type Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposits: An Example from Cerattepe-Artvin

The eastern Pontide tectonic belt (EPTB) contains greater than 350 identified Kuroko type volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits/mineralization/occurrences (VMSD). The deposits are associated with Late Cretaceous felsic volcanics consisting mainly of dacitic and rhyolitic lavas and pyroclastics that outcrop within a narrow zone running parallel to the eastern Black Sea coast and represent the axial zone of a paleo-magmatic arc. The Cerattepe deposit is the second-largest and is a hybrid VMS system with some epithermal features. To date, no geochemical research constrains the origin and timing of mineralization in the Cerattepe VMS deposit. Here, we provide Cu, O, H and S, isotope analysis of ores and alteration minerals to understand the hydrothermal history of the deposit and date the massive ore with Re-Os geochronology. Secondary weathering mobilized and redistributed metals in the deposit. The copper isotope signatures of shallow ores in the gossan follow patterns resulting from oxidative weathering of copper minerals with gossan Fe oxides of δ65Cu = −2.59‰, enrichment zone copper sulfide of d65Cu = +2.23 and +1.73‰, and primary ores of δ65Cu = +0.71 and +0.41‰. At the boundary of the enrichment zone, further cycling and migration of enrichment zone copper are evidenced by two samples having larger ranges of the δ65Cu = +3.59‰, and −2.93‰. Evidence for a magmatic source for fluids and S are evidenced by the O and H isotope values from quartz veins (δ18O = +7.93‰ to +10.82‰, and δD = −78‰ and −68‰) and sulfides that possess δ34S ratios of –5 and 0‰ from drill core samples. 187Os/188Os–187Re/188Os ratios from drill core sulfide samples of Cerattepe VMS deposit yields a 62±3 Ma isochron age and a highly radiogenic Os initial ratio. This age is compatible with silicate alteration ages from a proximal deposit and clearly shows mineralization occurs at a much younger time than previously proposed for VMS mineralization in the eastern Pontides. The new Re-Os age and source of Os imply that mineralization in the area occurs at a distinctly younger interval in the back-arc basin and metals could be sourced from the surrounding host rocks.

Paleogene magmatic flex and flux in the Ladakh Arc, NW Himalaya: Chronostratigraphy of the Khardung Formation

The Ladakh Arc was formed by subduction of Neotethyan oceanic lithosphere along the southern Eurasian margin before magmatic activity ceased upon the continental collision between India and Eurasia. The onset of arc magmatism is critical in terms of understanding when this subduction began. Termination of arc activity is associated with continental collision; thus, the youngest arc magmatism provides a maximum age for this collision. Intra-arc volcaniclastic sequences provide a stratigraphic record of arc magmatism, but also information on input from older basement rocks. We provide detailed U–Pb detrital zircon chronostratigraphy for the Khardung Formation, which represents the volcanic equivalent of the Ladakh Batholith. The lower section of the Khardung Formation is mafic to andesitic and has a maximum depositional age of c. 60 Ma and the oldest inherited zircon age population from this lowermost section is c. 69 Ma. A switch to felsic volcanism occurred soon after and continued until at least c. 52 Ma. The youngest portion of the sequence has been removed by erosion or faulting along the Miocene dextral Karakoram Fault. However, detrital zircon data from the post-collisional Indus Group indicate that magmatism within the Ladakh Arc continued until c. 41 Ma. A compilation of U–Pb zircon data for the Ladakh Batholith paired with our new data from the volcaniclastic sequence, reveal an inverse relationship between alternating pulses of volcanic and plutonic activity within the arc. We suggest, this magmatic pattern may relate to alternating episodes of extension (volcanism) and compression (plutonism) imposed on the arc.

Geochronology, geochemistry and zircon Hf-O isotopic composition of ore-bearing volcanic rocks at Dapingzhang VMS Cu-Zn deposit, SW China: Petrogenetic, metallogenic and tectonic implications

The Dapingzhang Cu-Zn deposit is exposed in the eastern Proto-Tethys Ocean (PTO) tectonic domain. The mineralization is hosted by felsic volcanics that occur in bimodal association with minor basalt. Styles of mineralization include syngenetic banded massive and fragmented sulfides and epigenetic veins, stockworks and disseminations. The deposits are classified as bimodal-felsic (Kuroko type) VMS deposit. Two rhyolite rock samples yielded zircon U-Pb ages of 413.2 ± 1.7 Ma and 430.7 ± 4.1 Ma, revealing that the ore-related magmatism took place in the mid-late Silurian. Geochemically, the submarine sodium-rich volcanic rocks are strong peraluminous and belong to the calc-alkaline series. The rocks are characterized by enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs, Ba, Th, and U), depletion in high-field-strength elements (HFSEs, Nb, Ta, Ti, Th, and P) and LREEs, and have affinities with subduction-related arc setting. The zircons yield εHf(t) values of +8.17 to +15 and two-stage model ages of 457–881 Ma. Oxygen isotopes of zircon grains show a mean δ18Ozircon of 5.20 ± 0.23‰ with variations from 3.67‰ to 7.77‰, most of which is similar to the mantle-like value of 5.3 ± 0.6‰ (2σ). The felsic volcanic rocks of the Dapingzhang deposit can be attributed to partial melting of the juvenile lower crust, while minor amounts of asthenospheric mantle components were introduced into their magma sources. Taking into account previous data, we propose that the volcanic rocks were generated in a back-arc extension setting, which provides reliable evidence for the Early Paleozoic an-back-arc system in the northeastern margin of Gondwana. The PTO may have been bipolar-subducted beneath the Sibumasu and Indochina blocks.

The assembly of the South China and Indochina blocks: Constraints from the Triassic felsic volcanics in the Youjiang Basin

Abstract The Youjiang Basin is usually regarded as an important foreland basin in the southern part of the South China Block that is related to the convergence of the South China and Indochina blocks during the Permian-Triassic. However, the nature of the basin remains controversial due to questions about the subduction polarity and suture boundary between these two blocks. Permian-Triassic felsic volcanics across the Dian-Qiong and Song Ma suture zones could offer new insights into the convergent processes of the South China and Indochina blocks. This study presents detailed petrological, zircon U-Pb dating, and Hf-O isotope and whole-rock geochemical analyses for the Triassic felsic volcanics of the Youjiang Basin (northeast of the Dian-Qiong). The dacites and rhyolites from the Beisi and Baifeng Formations were dated at ca. 240–245 Ma. All of the felsic volcanics are characterized by high SiO2 (69.40–73.15 wt%), FeOt/MgO, 10000*Ga/Al, and TZr, δ18O (9.7–11.8‰) and negative εNd(t) (from −9.6 to −12.3) and zircon εHf(t) (from −6.2 to −14.5) with A-type granitoid geochemical affinities, suggesting the reworking of crustal rocks in an extensional setting. Permian-Triassic felsic igneous rocks display similar geochemical signatures across the Dian-Qiong suture zone, whereas they show distinctive Sr-Nd and zircon Hf-O isotopes across the Song Ma suture zone. The felsic igneous rocks to the northeast of the Song Ma suture zone have much lower εNd(t) and higher δ18O with negative zircon εHf(t) than those to the southwest, which have positive zircon εHf(t). Combined with other geological and geophysical features, it is inferred that the Song Ma suture zone was probably the suture boundary between the South China and Indochina blocks, and the Youjiang Basin was likely a peripheral foreland basin in response to the southwestward convergence of the South China Block toward the Indochina Block.

Geology of the recently discovered massive and stockwork sulphide mineralization at Semblana, Rosa Magra and Monte Branco, Neves–Corvo mine region, Iberian Pyrite Belt, Portugal

AbstractThe recently discovered massive and stockwork sulphide mineralization of Semblana-Rosa Magra and Monte Branco, situated ESE of the Neves–Corvo volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposit in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) is presented. Geological setting and tectonic model is discussed based on proxies such as palynostratigraphy and U–Pb zircon geochronology. The mineralization is found within the IPB Volcano-Sedimentary Complex (VSC) Lower sequence, which includes felsic volcanic rocks (rhyolites) with U–Pb ages in zircons of 359.6 ± 1.6 Ma, and black shales of the Neves Formation of late Strunian age. Massive sulphides are enveloped by these shales, implying that felsic volcanism, mineralization and shale sedimentation are essentially coeval. This circumstance is considered highly prospective, as it represents an important exploration vector to target VMS mineralization across the IPB, in areas where the Lower VSC sequence is present. The Upper VSC sequence, with siliciclastic and volcanogenic sedimentary rocks of middle–late Visean age, shows no massive mineralization but a late Tournaisian (350.9 ± 2.3 Ma) volcanism with disseminated sulphides was also identified. Nevertheless, stratigraphic palynological gaps were found within the Strunian and in the Tournaisian sediments, between the Lower and Upper VSC sequences, reflecting probable erosion and uplift mechanisms linked with extensional tectonics. The Semblana and Monte Branco deposits and the Rosa Magra stockwork are enclosed by tectonic sheets that dismembered the VSC sequence in a fold-and-thrust tectonic complex, characteristic of the NE Neves–Corvo region. The methodologies used allow a geological comparison between Neves–Corvo and other IPB mine regions such as Lousal–Caveira, Herrerias, Tharsis and Aznalcollar.

Acritarch-based chronostratigraphic and radiometric calibration of the Cambrian volcanosedimentary Vallehondo and Playón formations in the Cambrian Ossa-Morena Rift, Spain

The detailed record of diagnostic acritarchs from the volcanosedimentary Vallehondo and Playón formations, bracketed between Cambrian Stage 4 strata bearing the trilobite Serrodiscus and Guzhangian (Miaolingian) beds with Sao aff. hirsuta, allows the establishment of a fine acritarch-based chronostratigraphy. Seven interval zones are defined by the first successive appearances of cosmopolitan index acritarchs, two in Cambrian Series 2 (Skiagia ciliosa and Heliosphaeridium notatum zones) and five in the Miaolingian (Eliasum llaniscum, Cristallinium cambriense, Adara alea, Timofeevia lancarae and Cristallinium dubium zones). The base of the E. llaniscum Zone, which approximates the first appearance of Acadoparadoxides cf. mureroensis, marks a bioevent close to the base of the Wuliuan Stage, and includes an episode of felsic volcanism in the upper member of the Vallehondo Formation. The Cristallinium cambriense Zone is underlain by rhyolites and ignimbrites previously dated at ca. 505 Ma. The base of the Adara alea Zone concurs with the last felsic volcanic episodes in the Vallehondo Formation here dated at 500.9 ± 0.9 Ma. The maximum diversification of acritarchs (A. alea–T. lancarae zones) coincides with the onset of basaltic pillow lava flows in the Playón Formation reflecting a major rifting episode. The recognized acritarch-based zonation is applicable to the Acado-Baltic (biogeographic) Province, and reinforces the great value of acritarchs in Miaolingian chronostratigaphy. The new biostratigraphic data confirm the absence of a Furongian record in the study area and the late Drumian–Guzhangian age (A. alea to C. dubium zones) for one of the main syn-rift episodes recorded in the Ossa-Morena Rift.

Chapter 1.2 Antarctic volcanism: volcanology and palaeoenvironmental overview

Abstract Since Jurassic time ( c. 200 Ma), Antarctica has had a greater diversity of volcanism than other southern continents. It includes: (1) voluminous mafic and felsic volcanism associated with the break-up of Gondwana; (2) a long-lived continental margin volcanic arc, including back-arc alkaline volcanism linked to slab rollback; (3) small-volume mafic alkaline volcanism associated with slab-window formation; and (4) one of Earth's major continental rift zones, the West Antarctic Rift System (WARS), with its numerous large alkaline central volcanoes. Several of Antarctica's volcanoes are still active. This chapter is a review of the major volcanic episodes and their principal characteristics, in their tectonic, volcanological and palaeoenvironmental contexts. Jurassic Gondwana break-up was associated with large-scale volcanism that caused global environmental changes and associated mass extinctions. The volcanic arc was a major extensional arc characterized by alternating volcanic flare-ups and lulls. The Neogene rift-related alkaline volcanism is dominated by effusive glaciovolcanic eruptions, overwhelmingly as both pāhoehoe- and ‘a‘ā-sourced lava-fed deltas. The rift is conspicuously poor in pyroclastic rocks due to the advection and removal of tephra erupted during glacial intervals. Volcanological investigations of the Neogene volcanism have also significantly increased our knowledge of the critical parameters and development of the Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Geochemistry and petrogenesis of Paleoproterozoic rhyolite-hosted zinc-rich metamorphosed volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits in the eastern Betul Belt, central India

The Palaeoproterozoic Betul Belt in central India contains several small base metal (Zn-Cu and Zn-Pb-Cu) deposits that are hosted by felsic volcanics which form part of a bimodal volcanic suite. Although a volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) origin has been attributed to these deposits, they are not well-defined based on modern classification criteria. Regionally, the volcanic facies association around the Bhuyari zinc prospect includes massive rhyolite, pillowed basalt, rhyolitic autobreccia, hyaloclastite and peperite that indicate volcanism and sedimentation in relatively deep water. At the deposit-scale, the mineralization is hosted by intensely altered massive quartz-porphyritic rhyolite and associated tremolite-carbonate rock. Alteration facies mapping show a zoned alteration system with an inner phlogopite-biotite-chlorite-garnet-rich core (BPG schist; interpreted as having a chlorite-rich protolith) and an outer quartz-muscovite-K-feldspar zone (QMK schist; sericite-rich protolith). Metamorphism was largely isochemical and the mineral assemblages are amphibolite facies equivalents of hydrothermally altered protoliths. Tremolite-carbonate rocks are spatially close to mineralization and are interpreted either as metaexhalites or intensely altered rhyolite and probably had talc-dolomite protoliths. Carbon and oxygen isotope signatures of carbonate show derivation from seawater-dominant hydrothermal solutions. Tremolite-carbonate and some BPG schist show enrichment in HREE indicating hydrothermal mobilization of REE. Geochemically, the least-altered rhyolite has transitional magmatic affinities with moderate negative Nb anomaly and strong negative Sr, and Ti anomalies. Mantle upwelling and the associated high-heat source generated high-temperature, high-silica rhyolites with elevated HSFE and REE contents. Emplacement of felsic melts at depth provided heat that drove hydrothermal fluid circulation and formation of zinc-rich mineralization and associated hydrothermal alteration zones. Pb-model ages of galena give ~1800 Ma using the Stacey and Kramers (1975) model for VMS mineralization in Bhuyari. The Bhuyari deposit possibly formed in a continental back-arc rift environment during the amalgamation of Bastar and Bundelkhand cratons along the Central Indian Tectonic Zone. The high HFSE-REE contents of Bhuyari rhyolites are similar to other highly prospective VMS districts formed by rifting of evolved continental crust. The recognition of metamorphosed VMS deposit at Bhuyari has implications for further exploration of such deposits along the Paleoproterozoic Betul Belt and similar-aged deformed terrains in India and elsewhere.

A buried Paleoarchean core of the Eastern Sarmatia, Kursk block: U-Pb, Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd isotope mapping and paleotectonic application

Zircon U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotope analyses along with whole-rock Sm-Nd isotope studies shed a light on distribution of the Paleoarchean crust in the Kursk block, Eastern Sarmatia. It has been revealed that this domain consists of two provinces with different crust ages: the Paleoarchean Kursk-Besedino granulite-gneiss domain (KBd) and the Mesoarchaean Mikhailovsky granite-greenstone area (Mgga). The KBd encompasses TTG orthogneisses and pelite, BIF, and mafic volcanics (sills) metamorphosed in the granulite facies. The orthogneiss protolith was formed ca 3.55 Ga (U-Pb SHRIMP data) from a juvenile source. In the metapelites, U-Pb detrital zircon ages cluster in three groups, 3535–3556, 3464–3472, and 3334–3384 Ma. The latter one suggests post-Middle Paleoarchean age of the protoliths deposition. Sm-Nd and Lu-Hf isotope characteristics of the volcanic-sedimentary rocks suggest the leading role of Paleoarchean crustal material in their protoliths. The age of metamorphic zircon is ca 2.8 Ga in all the KBd rocks.The Mgga consists of TTG and volcanic-sedimentary units. The ages of the TTG, felsic volcanics and metasediments fall in a narrow range of 2.96–3.12 Ga. They have juvenile isotope-geochemical characteristics (εNd(t) = +0.3 – + 4.0; εHf(t) = -0.3 – + 5.8) without any contribution of Paleoarchean crust. High-temperature 2.8 Ga-old metamorphism is not recorded in the Mgga.Pronounced differences in the age of crust-forming events in the KBd and Mgga indicate that these continental blocks had a different geological history, hence were distant from each other during most of the Archean Eon, probably up to 2.8 Ga. The Paleoproterozoic Trosnyanskaya intrusion in the Mgga bears signs of the KBd Paleoarchean crust. This suggests a collision of these Archean blocks with the Mesoarchean being thrust over the Paleoarchean rocks possibly at ca 2.8 Ga.

High-silica rhyolites in the terminal stage of massive Cretaceous volcanism, SE China: Modified crustal sources and low-pressure magma chamber

Late Cretaceous felsic volcanism erupted as calderas in the terminal stage of the massive Cretaceous volcanism in SE China. This paper reports comprehensive geochemical and isotopic data for high-silica rhyolites from the Shiniushan and Xiaoxiong calderas in eastern Fujian–Zhejiang provinces, SE China. Zircon U-Pb dating constrains these rhyolites eruptions to 94–92 Ma and 93–89 Ma in the sites of the two calderas. All the samples possess high-silica contents with peraluminous characteristics and are enriched in light rare earth elements (LREEs), Rb, and Th-U and depleted in Ba, Nb-Ta, Sr and Eu. These samples have high whole-rock F (114–596 ppm) but low Cl (3.3–54.8 ppm) contents. Apatite minerals separated from the high-silica rhyolites are classified as fluorapatite and show F-rich (F > 3.56 wt%), Cl-poor (Cl < 0.02 wt%), low (La/Sm)N and high (Gd/Yb)N ratios, with a negative Eu anomaly. The high-silica rhyolites yield initial (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.70405 to 0.70789, negative whole-rock εNd(t) (−3.3 to −6.3), negative apatite εNd(t) (−5.2 to −6.6) and negative zircon εHf(t) values (−0.1 to −9.6). Our data suggest that their primary magma was derived from modified crustal sources that could contain a mixture of ancient and juvenile components, and it then evolved, was injected into a low-pressure magma chamber, and finally erupted with the release of volatiles at the magma chamber roof. We infer that SE China was mainly under a setting of lithospheric extension from the Early to early Late Cretaceous because of slab roll-back and steepening of the subducted Paleo-Pacific Plate.

Evidence from Late Cretaceous-Paleogene volcanic rocks of the Kyrenia Range, northern Cyprus for the northern, active continental margin of the Southern Neotethys

Late Cretaceous felsic and latest Cretaceous-Paleogene basaltic volcanic rocks are exposed throughout the Kyrenia Range, N Cyprus. Field mapping of the key, well-exposed western range indicates that the felsic volcanics mainly crop out in the southerly, frontal part of the range, separated from the latest Cretaceous-Paleogene basaltic volcanics farther north by a thrust. New U-Pb zircon dating of the felsic volcanics indicates a primary age of c. 74.0 Ma (Late Campanian). The felsic volcanics are characterised by evolved compositions that were probably generated in an extensional subduction-related setting. Their relatively low Nb and Y but high Rb concentrations, together with characteristic Th/Ta ratios (6–20), suggest a mature continental arc setting. The latest Cretaceous-Paleogene basaltic volcanics have mainly within-plate chemical characteristics (in the east), although some have a subordinate subduction influence; e.g. negative Nb (in the west). Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic signatures (i.e. high positive εNd(t) and εHf(t) values) suggest derivation of the basalts from several OIB-like mantle sources, with probable involvement of a crustal (recycled) component (i.e. elevated Nb/Y ratios). Comparisons with SE Turkey, where Late Cretaceous arc-related granitic rocks are widely developed, suggest that the Kyrenia Range igneous rocks may have originated to the south of the Alanya metamorphic massif (N of Cyprus) and correlative continental units in SE Turkey. The latest Cretaceous-Paleogene basaltic volcanics in N Cyprus and SE Turkey (Maden Complex) are interpreted to represent incipient marginal basin formation, possibly in an oblique-convergent setting, prior to Miocene suturing with Arabia. In the light of alternatives, we infer genesis of the N Cyprus Late Cretaceous and Paleogene volcanic rocks related to stages in the development of the northerly active continental margin of the Southern Neotethys.

The Upper Age Boundary of the Formation of the Olondo Fragment of the Tokko–Khani Greenstone Belt, Aldan Shield: U–Pb (ID-TIMS) Geochronological Data

This work presents new U–Pb ID-TIMS geochronological data obtained for the rocks of the metagabbro–diorite–tonalite complex of the Olondo fragment of the Tokko–Khani greenstone belt of the Aldan Shield, Siberian Craton. Wide development of ultramafic and mafic volcanics associated with felsic volcanics has been recognized only within this fragment. It was established that the protoliths of metagabbro–diorite and quartz metadiorite intruding metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks were crystallized at 3002 ± 5 and 3005 ± 7 Ma, respectively. The obtained age estimates determine the upper age boundary of the formation of the Olondo supracrustal rocks (3012–2997 Ma). The Nd model ages of the Olondo metaandesites and metadacites are close to 3.0 Ga, which, to the first approximation, determines the lower age boundary of their formation. Thus, the sedimentary–volcanogenic sequence of the Olondo fragment are about 3.0 Ga old, and their formation, including superimposed structural and metamorphic transformations, occurred within a short period (a few million years).