Metamorphic Zircon Growth Research Articles

H2O budget and metamorphic re-equilibration in polycyclic rocks as recorded by garnet textures and chemistry

Massive dehydration is expected to occur during oceanic subduction. The situation is quite different during continental subduction, where often a large amount of crustal material has experienced a first orogenic cycle before the burial during the second subduction/collision cycle (rocks are therefore polycyclic). The amount and timing of dehydration and/or hydration episodes in polycyclic rocks strongly controls the extent of metamorphic re-equilibration during the second orogenic cycle. This study aims at estimating the fluid budget in polycyclic metapelites from the Muret Unit (Dora-Maira Massif, Western Alps). The excellent preservation, in a kilometre-scale low-strain domain, of pre-Alpine minerals and structures allows the comparison with the textures and structures observed in the pervasively foliated adjacent rocks. In the low-strain domain, the main foliation is pre-Alpine and defined by high-temperature minerals whereas the Alpine high-pressure overprint is static. Pre-Alpine garnet porphyroblasts were fractured and partially dissolved before the growth of the Alpine garnet over pre-Alpine garnet fragments. The preservation of the overall shape of the original pre-Alpine porphyroblasts suggests that pre-Alpine garnet crystals were pseudomorphically replaced by chlorite during the late Variscan retrogression. This process was likely triggered by an episode of fluid-rock interaction and moderate hydration (⁓ 1–2 wt% H2O) which is also responsible of the growth of metamorphic zircon at ~304 Ma. In the high-strain domain, the dominant fabric is Alpine and developed at high-pressure conditions. Despite the difference in the strain intensity, metapelites from both low- and high-strain domains developed the same peak Alpine assemblage garnet-chloritoid-glaucophane-muscovite-rutile in the presence of a free H2O phase at 21–22 kbar and 530–560 °C. Thermodynamic modelling indicates that after the peak pre-Alpine metamorphism, a minimum re-hydration of at least 1 wt% was needed in order to reach H2O-saturation during the Alpine cycle. Alpine garnet mainly sealed fractures and formed thin discontinuous overgrowth on the partially dissolved pre-Alpine garnet. Its growth occurred during the Alpine prograde to peak evolution, involving progressive consumption of chlorite and lawsonite and resulting in a prograde growth zoning. The preservation of the Alpine garnet growth zoning and the absence of complex compositional modifications suggest that the rock did not record massive pulses of fluid infiltration during subduction. Instead, the main fluid-rock interaction episode was limited and occurred before the Alpine re-equilibration during the late Variscan evolution.

Tectonic evolution of the Aggeneys-Gamsberg Ore District, South Africa, and implications for the geodynamic setting of the Namaqua Sector

Understanding the deformation history of the structurally complex Aggeneys-Gamsberg Ore District (A-GOD), in the Namaqua Sector of the Mesoproterozoic Namaqua-Natal Metamorphic Province of South Africa, is key to discovering additional metasediment-hosted base metal sulphide mineralization. Although several studies have examined the structure of the main ore deposits and outcrops in the district, and others have investigated the timing of sedimentation, magmatism, and metamorphism, no previous studies have focused on integrating these two datasets. We therefore combine structural observations and the resulting relative timeline of events with new and existing zircon U-Pb geochronology, to yield a temporally constrained tectonic history for the district.The regionally recognized Paleoproterozoic D1 deformation is not recorded in the A-GOD, which preserves only Mesoproterozoic rocks. The largely stratiform base metal deposits occur near the top of a sequence of metamorphosed siliciclastic sediments (Wortel and Hotson Formations), deposited after 1261 ± 5 Ma (youngest reliable detrital zircons). These metasediments are tectonically interleaved with the intrusive ∼ 1190 Ma Little Namaqualand Suite (Aroams Gneiss) and younger ∼ 1175–1145 Ma metagranitoids (Achab Gneiss, Hoogoor Gneiss, aplite sills). Magmatism occurred early during D2a deformation, which created kilometre-scale isoclinal folds and thrusts during S/SW-directed contraction, as recorded at the Swartberg and Broken Hill-Deeps deposits. Associated M2a metamorphism is dated at ∼ 1200 Ma (metamorphic zircon rims), but this was not the peak metamorphic episode as previously thought. The sequence was then exhumed, and the unconformably overlying clastics and bimodal volcanics of the Koeris Formation were deposited in local transtensional pull-apart basins at ∼ 1130 Ma. Thrust stacking in the Aggeneys Mountains may have occurred during subsequent D2c contraction, associated with ∼ 1075 Ma M2c metamorphism, but evidence remains cryptic. The entire sequence is affected by kilometre-scale sheath folds that close downwards to the ∼ ENE (as at Gamsberg and the Quarry Fold Nappe), associated with ∼ ENE-trending open, upright folds. These developed during D3a ∼ ENE-directed extensional to constrictional shearing at peak M3 amphibolite-facies conditions, which re-used the gently dipping D2 regional fabric and overprinted it with new ∼ E-W trending D3 linear features. Abundant metamorphic zircon dates suggest an age of ∼ 1025 Ma for D3a and M3. Ongoing extension at retrograde conditions reactivated earlier structures, such as the Swartberg Thrust, as D3b low-angle, ductile–brittle detachment faults. Finally, dextral transform motion created local D4 monoclines and dextral strike-slip faults, possibly associated with ∼ 1000 Ma M4 metamorphic zircon growth and emplacement of a regional pegmatite swarm.The A-GOD has traditionally been fitted into a regional tectonic model involving accretion of distinct terranes onto the Kaapvaal Craton, during the polyphase ∼ 1.2–1.0 Ga Namaquan Orogeny. In contrast, recent studies propose that the entire Namaqua Sector instead occupied a back-arc setting between ∼ 1.35 and < 1.1 Ga. Our results support a hybrid model, involving accretion and translation of previously extended crustal fragments against the craton, with initially the entire Namaqua Sector - but later only the western portion - located in a hot back-arc setting influenced by subducting slab dynamics.

Zircon as a Recorder of Trace Element Changes during High-Grade Metamorphism of Neoarchean Lower Crust, Shevaroy Block, Eastern Dharwar Craton, India

AbstractSystematic changes in whole-rock chemistry, mineralogy, mineral textures, and mineral chemistry are seen along a ca. 95-km traverse of late Archean granitoid orthogneisses in the Shevaroy Block, Eastern Dharwar Craton, southern India. The traverse passes from amphibolite-grade gneisses in the north to granulite-grade rocks (charnockite) in the south. Changes include whole-rock depletion of Rb, Cs, Th, and U in the granulite grade rocks as relative to the amphibolite grade gneisses, and oxidation trends regionally from highly oxidised granulite-facies rocks near the magnetite–haematite buffer to relatively reduced amphibolite-facies rocks below the fayalite-magnetite-quartz. Rare earth elements show limited mobility and are hosted a variety of minerals whose presence is dependent on the metamorphic grade ranging from titanite and allanite in the amphibolite-facies rocks to monazite in the vicinity of the orthopyroxene-in isograd to apatite in the granulite-grade charnockite. Cathodoluminescence and back-scattered electron sub-grain imaging and sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe analysis of zircon from 29 samples of dioritic, tonalitic, and granitic orthogneiss from the traverse reveals magmatic zircon cores that record the emplacement of the granitoid protoliths mostly about 2580 to 2550 Ma, along with a few older mid to late Archean tonalites. Protolith zircon was modified during metamorphism by overgrowth and/or replacement. Relative to igneous cores, U-enriched metamorphic zircon, dominant in the amphibolite-grade gneisses, formed at ca. 2530 Ma, predating retrograde titanite growth at ca. 2500 Ma. Uranium-depleted mantles grew on zircon between 2530 and 2500 Ma in granulite-grade samples south of the orthopyroxene-in isograd. In some of these samples, the U-depleted metamorphic zircon is preceded by mantles of U-undepleted zircon, indicating a progression of metamorphic zircon growth with increasingly depleted compositions between 2530 and 2500 Ma. With increasing metamorphic grade (from amphibolite to granulite) and oxidation state, allanite and monazite disappear from the assemblage and zircon became depleted in U and Th. Whole-rock U-Th compositions became decoupled from relict magmatic zircon compositions, reflecting the development of U-depleted metamorphic zircon and indicating that whole-rock chemical differences along the traverse were produced during metamorphism, rather than just reflecting differences in dioritic vs granitic protoliths. Although in situ anatexis and melt extraction may have played a role, whole-rock and zircon depletion of trace elements can be explained by the action of externally derived, oxidising, low-H2O activity hypersaline fluids migrating up through the mid to lower crust. Fluids and element migration during metamorphism may be the end result of subduction related processes that cumulated in the collision and concatenation of island arcs and continental blocks. These tectonic processes assembled the Dharwar Craton at the end of the Archean.

Neoarchean magmatism in the southern Scott and Raggatt Mountains, Napier Complex, east Antarctica

The Napier Complex of Enderby Land and Kemp Land is a unique part of the Eastern Antarctic Shield, as it preserves history of crustal growth extending from the Eo- to Neoarchean. It is composed mainly of enderbitic and charnockitic gneisses and granulites metamorphosed at ca. 2.5 Ga, and locally at ca. 2.8 Ga, under high- to ultra-high temperature conditions. These events have been well-characterized in the central and western parts of the complex; however, the south-southwestern region has been little studied. Samples from the southern Scott and Raggatt Mountains were selected for zircon U-Pb dating by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry and whole-rock geochemical analysis. Tonalitic gneiss from the Raggatt Mountains and trondhjemitic gneiss from the southern Scott Mountains have protolith ages of 2711 ± 5 Ma and 2726 ± 6 Ma, respectively. In contrast, tonalitic samples from the southern Scott Mountains have protolith ages of ca. 2539 ± 5, 2533 ± 5 and 2522 ± 9 Ma. The younger generation of magmatism overlaps the timing of metamorphic zircon growth between 2540 and 2440 Ma observed in this study. The geochemistry of ca. 2720 Ma gneisses indicates that magmatism was generated by medium-pressure melting (>1.5 GPa) of basaltic crust, whereas ca. 2530 Ma magmas were generated at lower pressures (<1.2 GPa). The ca. 2.7 Ga magmatism may be associated with continental crust formed at 2.8 Ga, or be newly formed crust that was assembled with older prior to or during a tectonometamorphic event at ca. 2.5 Ga. Tonalitic magmatism at 2.53 Ga during the first half of the 2585–2420 Ma metamorphic event may be a product of partial melting during high-grade metamorphism. Although protolith ages across the complex are still scarce, differences between regions raise the possibility that the complex contains crustal domains of different ages and origins that may not have been assembled until the ca. 2.5 Ga tectonothermal event.

Applications of Pb isotopes in granite K-feldspar and Pb evolution in the Yilgarn Craton

The isotopic composition of Pb in a mineral or rock at the moment it formed – often referred to as common Pb – provides an important tool to track geological processes through time and space. There is a wide range of applications of common Pb isotopes including understanding magma sources, melt production, fractionation, contamination, and crystallization in the crust. Pb but not U is incorporated into the structure of K-feldspar during crystal growth, which, together with its widespread occurrence as a framework mineral, makes it an excellent common Pb tracer. Consequently, common Pb isotopes in granite K-feldspar crystals provide a potential signature of source composition and a link to crustal growth processes in the mid to lower crust. Hence, combining common Pb isotopes with Sm-Nd (or Lu-Hf) isotopic signatures from the same dated rocks allows assessment of the degree of isotopic communication from deep fractionation systems to those higher in the crustal column. In this contribution, we analyze common Pb isotopic signatures in K-feldspar from a granite sample transect through the Archean Yilgarn Craton in Western Australia. This transect crosses the major crustal-scale Ida Fault that is apparent on Nd and Hf isotopic maps and interpreted as a fundamental lithospheric boundary across which magma sources change. Our results yield a difference in median values of the Pb isotope derivative parameters µ (238U/204Pb) and ω (232Th/204Pb) across the Ida Fault, with higher µ and ω associated with more evolved Nd and Hf isotopic signatures on the western side of the fault. Pb evolution in the Yilgarn Craton is distinct from the widely applied Stacey & Kramers (1975) model. New Yilgarn-specific Pb evolution models are developed with implication for common Pb correction. A correlation in the spatial trends of granite K-feldspar common Pb signatures with those of upper crustal Pb ores and also the Sm-Nd and Lu-Hf systems reveals geochemical communication all the way through the crustal column, implying a common source for the entire lithospheric section on each side of the Ida Fault. Pb isotopes in granite K-feldspar are not an independent geochronometer but may yield important source context on major phase silicate growth that helps refine U-Pb geochronology interpretations (e.g., distinguishing magmatic versus metamorphic zircon growth).

Early Cretaceous partial melting recorded by pelitic gneiss from the Nagasaki Metamorphic Complex, western Kyushu, Japan: initiation of Cretaceous high-T metamorphism at eastern margin of Eurasia

ABSTRACT We present Early Cretaceous partial melting recorded by pelitic gneiss from the Nagasaki Metamorphic Complex, western Kyushu, Japan. The existence of the partially melted rock in the complex may imply initiation of long-lived high-T metamorphism in proto-southwest Japan at Cretaceous eastern margin of Eurasia. The gneisses are composed of three garnet-bearing layers and one felsic lens, and they show mylonitic foliation. Application of Zr-in-rutile geothermometer and quartz-in-garnet Raman geobarometer for inclusion rutile and quartz in garnet provided prograde condition of 670–692°C and 1.01–1.26 GPa and peak condition of 755–769°C and 1.17–1.38 GPa. These conditions correspond to those of lower crustal depths between volcanic arc and forearc where thermal advection by wedge mantle corner flow occurs. Presence of the felsic lens whose mineral assemblage can undergo partial melting under the peak condition and presence of a crystallized melt inclusion in garnet suggest that distinct partial melting occurred during the metamorphism. The concordant U–Pb ages of metamorphic zircon rims are ranging from 131.5 ± 4.3 to 120.1 ± 3.9 Ma. The mean square weighted deviation (MSWD) of the metamorphic age was as large as 6.4, implying a significant duration of high-T condition for growth of metamorphic zircon. The obtained ages are within the period of the magmatic hiatus that has previously proposed around southwest Japan and Korean Peninsula (ca. 160–120 Ma) that is due to stop of wedge mantle corner flow by flatting of subducting slab. Our results suggest that high-T metamorphism associated with partial melting at lower crustal depths along Early Cretaceous proto-southwest Japan has already been initiated at the late stage of the hiatus (ca. 130 Ma). This may be due to slab rollback and trench retreat at eastern margin of Eurasia.

Regional zircon U-Pb geochronology for the Maniitsoq region, southwest Greenland

Zircon U-Pb geochronology places high-temperature geological events into temporal context. Here, we present a comprehensive zircon U-Pb geochronology dataset for the Meso- to Neoarchean Maniitsoq region in southwest Greenland, which includes the Akia Terrane, Tuno Terrane, and the intervening Alanngua Complex. The magmatic and metamorphic processes recorded in these terranes straddle a key change-point in early Earth geodynamics. This dataset comprises zircon U-Pb ages for 121 samples, including 46 that are newly dated. A principal crystallization peak occurs across all three terranes at ca. 3000 Ma, with subordinate crystallization age peaks at 3200 Ma (Akia Terrane and Alanngua Complex only), 2720 Ma and 2540 Ma. Metamorphic age peaks occur at 2990 Ma, 2820–2700 Ma, 2670–2600 Ma and 2540 Ma. Except for one sample, all dated metamorphic zircon growth after the Neoarchean occurred in the Alanngua Complex or within 20 km of its boundaries. This U-Pb dataset provides an important resource for addressing Earth Science topics as diverse as crustal evolution, fluid–rock interaction and mineral deposit genesis.

Mesozoic crustal melting and metamorphism in the U.S. Cordilleran hinterland: Insights from the Sawtooth metamorphic complex, central Idaho

In this study, we present whole-rock geochemistry and Sm-Nd data; zircon trace element, U-Pb, and Lu-Hf data; titanite U-Pb dating; and structural analysis of igneous and metasedimentary rocks of the Sawtooth metamorphic complex that provide insight into regional metamorphism, partial melting, and crustal thickening in the Idaho batholith segment of the Cordilleran orogen. Four magmatic events are revealed: (1) pre-tectonic felsic magmatism at ca. 156 Ma, (2) syn-tectonic mafic and felsic magmatism between ca. 100 Ma and ca. 92 Ma, (3) felsic magmatism concurrent with late-stage deformation at ca. 89−84 Ma, and (4) post-tectonic felsic magmatism at ca. 77 Ma. The multiple generations of felsic magmatism include a variety of sedimentary- and igneous-derived granitoids distinguished by zircon trace element compositions (e.g., U/Ce versus Th and Ce/Sm versus Yb/Gd) and were sourced from progressively more evolved crustal components as shown by Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd isotopic data. U-Pb data of metamorphic zircons and titanites from high-grade metasedimentary rocks suggest that regional metamorphism occurred from ca. 100−93 Ma, which was characterized by granulite-facies partial melting and concurrent growth of metamorphic zircons and garnets. The episodic magmatism in the Sawtooth metamorphic complex records pervasive melt migration in a hot, mid-crustal setting at ca. 100‒92 Ma and additional magma ascent in a cool, upper-crustal setting at ca. 77 Ma. The uplift of the Sawtooth metamorphic complex from mid- to upper-crust was likely caused by underthrusting at lower crustal levels coupled with erosion and thinning of the upper crust. This work suggests that the crust of the Cordilleran hinterland in the Idaho batholith region underwent significant thickening from ca. 100‒84 Ma, and a crust of Andean-like thickness was probably achieved by ca. 84 Ma. By ca. 77 Ma, the central Idaho crust started to thin likely due to mid-crustal flow and surface erosion. The new data from the Sawtooth metamorphic complex are consistent with the two major magmatic flare-ups in the Late Jurassic and Late Cretaceous in the U.S. Cordilleran orogen.

Tracing proto-Rheic - Qaidam Ocean vestiges into the Western Tatra Mountains and implications for the Palaeozoic palaeogeography of Central Europe

Zircon petrochronology from amphibolites and retrogressed eclogites from the basement of the Western Tatra Mountains (Central Western Carpathians) reveals a complex rock evolution. An island-arc related basaltic amphibolite from Žiarska Valley shows three distinct zircon forming events: igneous zircon growth at ca. 498 Ma (Middle/Late Cambrian) and two phases of amphibolite-facies metamorphism at ca. 470 Ma (Early Ordovician) and at ca. 344 Ma (Early Carboniferous). A retrogressed eclogite from Baranèc Mountain records two zircon forming events: metamorphic zircon growth under eclogite-facies conditions at ca. 367 Ma (Late Devonian) and amphibolite-facies metamorphism at ca. 349 Ma (Early Carboniferous). These data contribute towards understanding and correlating major tectonothermal events that shaped the eastern margin of Gondwana in the Early Palaeozoic and its subsequent Variscan evolution. The metabasites record vestiges of two completely independent oceanic domains preserved within the Central Western Carpathians: (1) An Ediacaran to Cambrian oceanic arc related to the proto-Rheic - Qaidam oceans and metamorphosed to amphibolite-facies in the Early Ordovician subduction of the proto-Rheic - Qaidam arc during the Cenerian orogeny (ca. 470 Ma) and (2) Late Devonian oceanic crust related to a back-arc basin (Pernek-type), formed by the opening of the Paleotethys and metamorphosed to eclogite-facies during Devonian subduction (ca. 367 Ma). The common Variscan and later evolution of these oceanic remnants commenced with amphibolite-facies metamorphic overprinting in the Early Carboniferous (amphibolite: ca. 344 Ma; retrogressed eclogite: ca. 349 Ma) related to an Early Variscan consolidation and the formation of Pangea. None of the investigated rocks of the Central Western Carpathians show any evidence of being chronologically or palaeogeographically related to the Rheic Ocean, therefore any prolongation of the Rheic suture from the Sudetes into the Alpine-Carpathian realm is highly problematic. Instead, the Southern and Central Alpine Cenerian orogeny can be traced into the Central Western Carpathians.

Garnet and zircon geochronology of the Paleoproterozoic Kuru-Vaara eclogites, northern Belomorian Province, Fennoscandian Shield

The Belomorian Province of the Fennoscandian Shield exposes numerous Precambrian eclogites, which makes it significant for the study of early tectonic processes. The age of these eclogites has been discussed for more than 15 years and regarded as either Archean or Paleoproterozoic. In the Kuru-Vaara quarry within the northern Belomorian Province, the eclogitic assemblage is preserved in concordant mafic boudins in felsic gneisses and a partially eclogitized gabbro-norite dike cutting discordantly through the gneiss fabric. Both eclogite types preserve zircon cores with a magmatic geochemical signature that yield protolith ages of ca. 2.88 Ga for a mafic boudin and ca. 2.44 Ga for the eclogitized gabbro-norite. Ca. 1.9 Ga zircon rims and grains from the eclogites show low Th/U ratio and HREE depletion, reflecting the growth of metamorphic zircon in equilibrium with garnet. In the eclogite boudin, the Archean zircon cores yield δ18O = 5.1–5.9‰ typical of mantle melts; the oxygen isotope composition of garnet (δ18O = 4.0–5.0‰) is in equilibrium with that of the 1.9 Ga zircon (δ18O = 4.5–5.4‰). Garnet Lu-Hf geochronology coupled with U-Pb zircon geochronology constrains prograde metamorphism for the Kuru-Vaara eclogites at 1.92–1.89 Ga. Mineral inclusions of garnet, zoisite, plagioclase, kyanite, amphibole, quartz, and low-Na clinopyroxene in ca. 1.9 Ga zircon from the eclogite boudin imply epidote–amphibolite/amphibolite facies conditions for the prograde metamorphism. All data point to a Paleoproterozoic age of the eclogite facies metamorphism.

U-Pb Zircon Dating of Migmatitic Paragneisses and Garnet Amphibolite from the High Pressure Seve Nappe Complex in Kittelfjäll, Swedish Caledonides

The Seve Nappe Complex exposed in the Kittelfjäll area of the northern Scandinavian Caledonides comprises a volcano-sedimentary succession representing the Baltica passive margin, which was metamorphosed during the Iapetus Ocean closure. Garnet amphibolites, together with their host migmatitic paragneisses, record a potential (U)HP event followed by decompression-driven migmatization. The garnet amphibolites were originally thought to represent retrogressively altered granulites. The petrological and geochemical features of a studied garnet amphibolite allow for speculation about a peridotitic origin. Zirconium (Zr) content in rutile inclusions hosted in garnet in paragneisses points to near-peak temperatures between 738 °C and 780 °C, which is in agreement with the c. 774 °C obtained from the matrix rutile in the garnet amphibolite. The matrix rutile in multiple paragneiss samples records temperatures below 655 °C and 726 °C. Whereas the LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of zircon cores revealed the age spectrum from Paleoproterozoic to early Paleozoic, suggesting a detrital origin of zircon cores in paragneisses, the metamorphic zircon rims show an Early Ordovician cluster c. 475–469 Ma. Additionally, zircon cores and rims from the garnet amphibolite yielded an age of c. 473 Ma. The REE patterns of the Caledonian zircon rims from the paragneisses show overall low LREE concentrations, different from declining to rising trends in HREE (LuN/GdN = 0.49–38.76). Despite the textural differences, the cores and rims in zircon from the garnet amphibolite show similar REE patterns of low LREE and flat to rising HREE (LuN/GdN = 3.96–65.13). All zircon rims in both lithologies display a negative Eu anomaly. Hence, we interpret the reported ages as the growth of metamorphic zircon during migmatization, under granulite facies conditions related to exhumation from (U)HP conditions.

Kinetics and duration of metamorphic mineral growth in a subduction complex: zircon and phengite in the Nagasaki metamorphic complex, western Kyushu, Japan

We applied interface-controlled kinetics, including interface-controlled Ostwald ripening and non-hydrostatic dissolution–precipitation, to metamorphic zircon and phengite growth in a high-pressure (high-P) metamorphic complex. This kinetic modeling yields the growth duration of metamorphic zircon, based on the assumption that dissolution and precipitation of zircon is much slower than that of phengite. The model was applied to zircon and phengite growth in the Nishisonogi unit of the high-P Nagasaki metamorphic complex, western Kyushu, Japan. Given that detrital zircons that are tens of microns in size remain after metamorphism, our model assumption is justified. Our results show that the duration of metamorphic zircon growth in an individual rock ranges from 10 to 20 Myr. In general, the duration of metamorphic zircon growth in the whole Nishisonogi unit is ca. 30 Myr. This prolonged duration implies that high-P metamorphism is sustained by continuous subduction of hydrated oceanic crust and overlying trench-fill sediments. The continuous subduction and accretion of these materials may supply the metamorphic fluid into the high-P metamorphic domain in the deeper part of the accretionary prism, thereby contributing to interface-controlled kinetics in the metamorphic complex.

Detrital zircon constraints on Grenville sedimentation at the margin of Laurentia

The southern Grenville Province is made up of metaigneous and metasedimentary rocks that were formed and metamorphosed as part of the Mesoproterozoic active margin of Laurentia. Grenville Supergroup quartzites from the Adirondack Highlands (New York), the Morin terrane (Quebec), and New Jersey Highlands were analyzed to determine detrital and metamorphic zircon U-Pb ages and to help constrain Mesoproterozoic tectonics. These Grenville quartzites have broadly similar detrital age populations as each other, suggesting similar sedimentary source regions and depositional settings in back-arc basin environments at the Laurentian Margin during Geon 12. All samples contain detrital zircon with 1.45–1.25 Ga ages, consistent with proximal Grenville source regions. They also contain detrital ages that point to derivation from the Mazatzal (1.7–1.6 Ga), Yavapai (1.8–1.7 Ga), and Penokean (1.9–1.8Ga) orogens of the North American Midcontinent, and have a diverse population of Archean ages. These results and published data from Adirondack Lowlands metasediments (Chiarenzelli et al., 2015, 2017) show distinctly Laurentian sources, and the related and likely connected nature of the sedimentary histories of the Adirondack Highlands and Lowlands, Morin terrane and New Jersey Highlands. Metamorphic zircon formation is common in high-grade quartzites, and ages are variable between samples depending on the metamorphic history of each terrane and the melt productivity of different rocks (Peck et al., 2010a). Adirondack Highlands samples experienced metamorphic zircon grown during the Shawinigan orogeny and anorthosite-suite emplacement (1.19–1.14 Ga). Morin terrane samples are from the Morin Shear Zone, which was active and caused metamorphic zircon growth during the Ottawan phase of the Grenvillian orogeny (1.09–1.02 Ga). The New Jersey Highlands sample has metamorphic zircon formed during the Rigolet phase of the Grenvillian orogeny (1010–980 Ma).

Extreme δ18O signatures in zircon from the Saglek Block (North Atlantic Craton) document reworking of mature supracrustal rocks as early as 3.5 Ga

Research Article| April 25, 2019 Extreme δ18O signatures in zircon from the Saglek Block (North Atlantic Craton) document reworking of mature supracrustal rocks as early as 3.5 Ga Adrien Vezinet; Adrien Vezinet 1Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Emilie Thomassot; Emilie Thomassot 2Centre de Recherches Pétrographiques et Géochimiques, UMR 7358, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, 54500 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France3Institute for Geochemistry and Petrology, ETH Zürich, Clausiusstrasse 25, 8038 Zurich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar D. Graham Pearson; D. Graham Pearson 1Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Richard A. Stern; Richard A. Stern 1Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Yan Luo; Yan Luo 1Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Chiranjeeb Sarkar Chiranjeeb Sarkar 1Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2019) 47 (7): 605–608. https://doi.org/10.1130/G46086.1 Article history received: 04 Feb 2019 rev-recd: 25 Mar 2019 accepted: 27 Mar 2019 first online: 25 Apr 2019 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Adrien Vezinet, Emilie Thomassot, D. Graham Pearson, Richard A. Stern, Yan Luo, Chiranjeeb Sarkar; Extreme δ18O signatures in zircon from the Saglek Block (North Atlantic Craton) document reworking of mature supracrustal rocks as early as 3.5 Ga. Geology 2019;; 47 (7): 605–608. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G46086.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The most ancient rocks in the geological record provide insights into the processes that shaped the evolution and composition of the first continental masses. To better constrain these processes, we made a detailed study of a ca. 3.86 Ga felsic meta-igneous rock from the Eoarchean Saglek Block (North Atlantic Craton) that experienced high-grade metamorphism at ca. 3.5 Ga. Our robust zircon-isotope plus trace-element analyses reveal metamorphic zircon domains with δ18O values up to +9‰ at ca. 3.5 Ga, which are the highest values so far measured in any pre–3.0 Ga zircons, metamorphic or igneous, extracted from unambiguous (meta)igneous host rocks. Such elevated zircon δ18O signatures clearly document the involvement of mature supracrustal precursors (mafic volcanics ± clastic/chemical sediments) during the reworking of 3.86 Ga crust at ca. 3.5 Ga. This study provides unequivocal evidence for hydrosphere–crust interactions and reworking processes resulting in metamorphic zircon growth at ca. 3.5 Ga, namely 1 Ga before the Archean-Proterozoic transition. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.

Deciphering the zircon Hf isotope systematics of Eoarchean gneisses from Greenland: Implications for ancient crust-mantle differentiation and Pb isotope controversies

Abstract We report a Hf isotope investigation of zircons from four Eoarchaean orthogneisses from the Godthabsfjord region of southern West Greenland by laser ablation MC-ICPMS, to elucidate crust-mantle differentiation processes in the early Earth. Zircon crystals of all samples record a complex, multi-stage growth and disturbance history, and these discrete growth phases also exhibit disparate Lu-Hf isotope systematics. The oldest (3.84–3.82 Ga) zircon cores have tightly clustered 176Hf/177Hf ratios that are consistent with derivation of their tonalitic precursors from chondritic mantle at this time, with no evidence of input from older crustal or depleted mantle sources. Younger (3.67–3.62 Ga) zircon overgrowths have subchondritic Hf and plausibly grew from small fraction partial melts of the tonalitic host, involving variable dissolution of the older zircon cores. The Neoarchean (ca. 2.7 Ga) zircon component in some samples extends to significantly higher 176Hf/177Hf than the >3.65 Ga zircon, a feature that is interpreted to reflect addition of radiogenic Hf from the rock matrix during metamorphic zircon growth and recrystallisation at 2.7 Ga. The strongly positive eHf (3.82 Ga) values obtained by dissolution of GGU110999 zircons are interpreted to be an artifact of calculating eHf values at ages that are too old, and also from the inclusion of radiogenic younger domains in the analysed multi-grain fractions, rather than to a contribution from depleted Eoarchean mantle. Such data – from zircon grains with multiple age and isotopic components – should not be used to define the evolution of crust-mantle reservoirs. A re-interpretation of the existing Pb isotope data, incorporating the new Hf isotope constraints, posits that the protoliths to the Godthabsfjord gneisses were influenced by radiogenic Pb introduced as a fluid mobile component during recycling of a high-μ stagnant basaltic lid at ≥3.8 Ga. The destruction of this mafic protocrust, with attendant fluid release into chondritic mantle, may have been instrumental for the generation of stable Eoarchean tonalitic crust from ca. 3.8 Ga.

Tectonic Mode Switches Recorded at the Northern Edge of the Australian Plate During the Pliocene and Pleistocene

AbstractWe report new data from medium‐high grade metamorphic rocks found at the northern margin of the Lengguru Fold Belt in West Papua. The study involved a systematic analysis of cross‐cutting structures to establish the relative timing of deformation, together with isotopic dating to define when these tectono‐thermal events occurred. These data show that the region underwent multiple episodes of deformation within the last six million years. Metamorphic mineral growth was associated with the development of ductile shear zones. This episode occurred during a phase of crustal stretching associated with the formation of a metamorphic core complex. Metamorphic zircon growth at 4.9 to 5.3 Ma was documented in two of the dated samples. These data are interpreted to postdate the peak pressure and temperature conditions of the phase of regional crustal stretching. The shear fabrics associated with the metamorphic core complex were later overprinted by at least two generations of folds. The change in mode from crustal extension to shortening reflects a tectonic mode switch. A subsequent mode switch is documented by numerous brittle extensional faults that cross‐cut the earlier formed ductile fabrics. We interpret ca. 0.75–1.51 Ma (U–Th)/He age data to reflect cooling associated with the later stages of crustal shortening (marked by folds) or the later extensional unroofing of the peninsula. This work demonstrates that an orogen can record multiple tectonic mode switches within several million years. These outcomes should be considered in studies of ancient orogens where analytical uncertainties associated with isotopic dating may mask short‐lived mode switches.

Greenschist Facies Metamorphic Zircon Overgrowths as a Constraint on Exhumation of the Brooks Range Metamorphic Core, Alaska

AbstractLike many other mountain belts, the metamorphic core or hinterland of the Brooks Range fold and thrust belt in Arctic Alaska is characterized by multiply deformed and polymetamorphosed rocks whose histories have been challenging to decipher and thus difficult to relate to the supracrustal history of the orogen. The multiple greenschist and blueschist facies metamorphic events have been particularly difficult to resolve. This study provides petrologic context for recently identified low‐temperature metamorphic zircon overgrowths at two localities across some 200 km of orogenic strike that offer a unique and precise constraint on the timing of events recorded in the Brooks Range hinterland. In consideration of microstructural context, graphite thermometry, metamorphic mineral inclusions, and zircon trace element and Lu‐Hf‐isotope data, metamorphic zircon growth at 114 ± 5 Ma in the southern Brooks Range is interpreted to coincide with greenschist facies metamorphism, most probably linked to decompression and/or increased temperatures within the orogenic core. Their age coincides with a proposed pulse of extension within a &gt;600‐km shear zone along the southern flank of the Brooks Range and a regional flare‐up in magmatism and pronounced subsidence within hinterland depocenters (Yukon‐Koyukuk Basin). These regional events are consistent with subduction retreat/rollback in mid‐Cretaceous time. This study adds to a growing body of literature demonstrating the importance of searching for and characterizing metamorphic zircon growth in low‐ to medium‐grade metamorphic terranes to provide better constraints on otherwise cryptic tectonic events.

Petrologic and zircon U–Pb geochronological characteristics of the pelitic granulites from the Badu Complex of the Cathaysia Block, South China

The recognition of the Indosinian Orogeny in the South China block has been controversial and difficult because of strong weathering and thick cover. High temperature (HT) and high pressure (HP) metamorphic rocks related to this orogeny were considered to be absent from this orogenic belt until the recent discovery of eclogite and granulite facies meta–igneous rocks, occurring as lenses within the meta–sedimentary rocks of the Badu Complex. However, metamorphic state of these meta–sedimentary rocks is still not clear. Besides, there have been no geochronological data of HT pelitic granulites previously reported from the Badu Complex. This paper presents petrographic characteristics and zircon geochronological results on the newly discovered kyanite garnet gneiss, pyroxene garnet gneiss and the HT pelitic granulites (sillimanite garnet gneiss). Mineral assemblages are garnet + sillimanite + ternary feldspar + plagioclase + quartz + biotite for the HT pelitic granulite, kyanite + ternary feldspar + garnet + sillimanite + plagioclase + quartz + biotite for the kyanite garnet gneiss, and garnet + biotite + pyroxene + plagioclase + ternary feldspar + quartz for the pyroxene garnet gneiss, respectively. Decompressional coronas around garnet grains can be observed in all these pelitic rocks. Typical granulite facies mineral assemblages and reaction textures suggest that these rocks experienced HP granulite facies metamorphism and overprinted decompression along a clockwise P–T loop. Results from integrated U–Pb dating and REE analysis indicate the growth of metamorphic zircons from depleted heavy REE sources (100–50 chondrite) compared with detrital zircons derived from granitic sources (typically > 1000 chondrite). Metamorphic zircons in HP granulite exhibit no or subdued negative Eu anomalies, which perhaps indicate zircon overgrowth under eclogite facies conditions. The zircon overgrowth ages range from 250 to 235 Ma, suggesting that HP granulite (eclogite) to granulite facies metamorphism of these supracrustal rocks occurred in the Early–Middle Triassic. Based on the presence of HP granulite facies pelitic rocks, it is inferred that significant underthrusting was involved during the Indosinian Orogeny which introduced these supracrustal rocks to lower crustal levels.

Determination of reaction kinetics using grain size: An application for metamorphic zircon growth

AbstractThe reaction kinetics of metamorphic minerals can be subdivided into interface‐ and diffusion‐controlled kinetics. The discrimination of reaction kinetics is crucial for estimating reaction rates. Here, we propose a new and simple method for discriminating reaction kinetics. This method requires measuring only the initial and final grain sizes during growth. The reaction kinetics is inferred from different plotted arrays of initial vs. final grain sizes after the mineral growth. Using metamorphic zircon, we take detrital core sizes as the initial sizes and post‐metamorphic grain sizes as the final sizes. The application of the method to the subduction‐related high‐pressure Nagasaki metamorphic complex in Japan shows that this metamorphic zircon grew under interface‐controlled kinetics even at the relatively low temperature of 440°C. This method is potentially applicable to other minerals that have time‐markers, such as chemical zoning or internal structures that are captured at a given point in time during growth.

Protracted zircon growth in migmatites and In situ melt of Higher Himalayan Crystallines: U–Pb ages from Bhagirathi valley, NW Himalaya, India

The Higher Himalayan Crystallines (HHC), in western Garhwal, Uttarakhand are located in a regional-scale intracontinental ductile shear zone (15–20 km wide) bounded by the Main Central Thrust at the base, and the South Tibetan Detachment System at the top. The migmatite zone in the centre has the highest grade of metamorphism in the NW Himalayas and show evidence of flowage. Zircons extracted from samples of metasediment, migmatite, biotite granite and in situ partial melt (tourmaline-bearing leucogranite) along the Bhagirathi Valley, preserve U–Pb isotopic evidence of magmatic history, magma source and effects of the Himalayan orogeny in the region. Three distinct periods of zircon growth in the leucogranite record the episodic influx of magma between 46 Ma and 20 Ma indicating a time span of more than 25 Ma between the onset of fluid-fluxed partial melting in the mid-crustal intracontinental shear zone and the emplacement of the magma into the upper crust in a post-collisional extensional setting. Metamorphic zircon growth was initiated about 46 Ma, when the partial melts were generated as the migmatite zone was exhumed.