Hida Gaien Research Articles

Detrital zircon U–Pb ages and geochemistry of Devonian–Carboniferous sandstones and volcanic rocks of the Hida Gaien belt, Southwest Japan: Provenance reveals a Gondwanan lineage for the early Paleozoic tectonic evolution of proto-Japan

Devonian–Carboniferous strata in the Hida Gaien belt, Southwest Japan, are characterized by a change in the dominant lithology from clastic rocks and limestones to volcanic rocks. The sandstone compositions and detrital zircon U–Pb ages indicate that the Devonian sedimentary rocks were derived from various basement rocks, including granite and basalt, that were uplifted, exposed, and eroded during the Early–Middle Devonian (398–383 Ma). The source of sediment to these strata changed to basalts and rhyolites in the early Carboniferous (∼346 Ma). Early Carboniferous bimodal volcanic rocks are present in the Hida Gaien and South Kitakami belts, the southeastern margin of the South China block (Hainan), and the Jilin area (NE China) of the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The Cambrian–Silurian zircon grains (540–480 Ma and 460–420 Ma) in the Hida Gaien belt were derived from arc basement of a similar age to the South Kitakami and Kurosegawa belts, the Jiamusi–Khanka–Bureya (NE China and the Russian Far East) and Songliao–Xilinhot (Inner Mongolia) blocks in the eastern CAOB, and the eastern South China and Indochina blocks. The Devonian strata also contain Precambrian zircon grains derived from Mesoarchean basement (∼3000 Ma) and the Grenvillian tectonothermal event (∼1000 Ma), suggesting sediment supply from NE Gondwana (the Thomson and Lachlan orogens of eastern Australia) or related continental remnants. Detrital zircon U–Pb age spectra similar to those of the Devonian strata of the Hida Gaien belt are also observed in Silurian–Devonian metasedimentary rocks in the Jilin area. During the early Paleozoic, the Hida Gaien belt, the eastern margin of the South China block, and the magmatic arcs and microcontinents in the eastern CAOB were located close to NE Gondwana along the western margin of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean.

Magmatism and tectonic setting of proto-Japan during the Early Carboniferous: Constraints from the geochemical characteristics of mafic volcanic rocks in the Hida Gaien Belt, SW Japan

• Early Carboniferous subduction-related basalts–andesites are found in SW Japan. • High-Al basalts were generated by arc tholeiitic magma near crust–mantle boundary. • Basaltic andesites were generated by fractional crystallization of the high-Al magma. • Early Carboniferous tectonic setting of proto-Japan was a primitive island arc . The Hida Gaien Belt in southwest Japan consists mainly of Paleozoic to Mesozoic shelf-facies rocks and records the tectonic evolution of East Asia. Here we report a study of the geochemistry of mafic volcanic rocks from the Early Carboniferous Arakigawa Formation of this belt. Two types of mafic volcanic rock are identified: (1) high-Al basaltic lavas, which were generated by island arc tholeiitic magma that formed under high-pressure conditions near the crust–mantle boundary and in which the nucleation of plagioclase was suppressed and delayed; and (2) basaltic andesitic lavas, which were generated by fractional crystallization of the high-Al tholeiitic magma. Combining our new results with previous geological findings, we consider that the tectonic setting of proto-Japan during the Early Carboniferous was a primitive island arc characterized by active island arc tholeiitic magmatism and the absence of a granitic batholith.

Kasimovian (Late Pennsylvanian) conodont fauna from a limestone block in the Ōtani Formation, Kuzuryu area of the Hida Gaien belt, Fukui Prefecture, central Japan

Kasimovian (Late Pennsylvanian) conodont fauna from a limestone block in the Ōtani Formation, Kuzuryu area of the Hida Gaien belt, Fukui Prefecture, central Japan

Mid-Permian Fusulinoidean Territories in Panthalassa

Two evolutionary lineages of the Neoshwagerinidae are recognized in the East Tethys-Panthalassa region in the mid-Permian time. These are the Misellina-Cancellina-Colania-Lepidolina and Misellina-Maklaya-Neoschwagerina-Yabeina evolutionary lineages. They formed distinctly isolated habitats in the Panthalassa region and are named the Colania-Lepidolina and Neoschwagerina-Yabeina territories, respectively. The paleogeographic distribution of the two territories is newly presented with an analysis of the Circum-Pacific accretionary complex combining the fusulinoidean faunas in mid-oceanic paleo-atoll limestones and the timing of their accretion clarified by radiolarian fossils. It is concluded that the Colania-Lepidolina territory expanded into a paleo-equatorial area in mid-Panthalassa with the Neoschwagerina-Yabeina territory at its southern side in the southern hemisphere. In East Paleo-Tethys, South China and Indochina continental blocks which were isolated in equatorial regions throughout the Permian period are striking territories characterized by an extension of the Lepidolina of the Colania-Lepidolina evolutionary lineage. On the Japanese Islands, Kurosegawa, Hida Gaien, South Kitakami and Maizuru belts are also characterized by the occurrence of Lepidolina.

U–Pb ages and sandstone provenance of the Permian volcano-sedimentary sequence of the Hida Gaien belt, Southwest Japan: Implications for Permian sedimentation and tectonics in Northeast Asia

The Permian volcano-sedimentary strata of the Hida Gaien belt of SW Japan are characterized by Lower Permian felsic tuffs and tuffaceous clastic rocks, Middle Permian andesites and sandstones rich in volcanic detritus, and upper Middle to Upper Permian feldspathic sandstones and mudstones. A combination of petrographic and geochemical analyses together with zircon U–Pb dating for the sandstones reveals a provenance change from an immature undissected arc with active felsic and intermediate volcanism during the Early–Middle Permian to a mature arc with basement uplift during the Late Permian. The Upper Permian sandstone yields syn-depositional zircons with 500–400 Ma zircons. This age distribution suggests that sediment was derived from the Permian arc and early Paleozoic basement. Similar characteristics to Permian strata in the Hida Gaien belt are recognized in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt in terms of detrital zircon ages and the change in dominant lithology from volcanic to clastic rocks. In particular, Permian strata of the Jilin area (NE China) are lithostratigraphically similar to those of the Hida Gaien belt and have similar detrital zircon U–Pb ages. As such, Permian strata in both areas would have been deposited proximal to each other in the same tectonic setting along a single subduction zone in the western Paleo-Pacific Ocean.

An early Carboniferous (late Visean) brachiopod fauna from the Arakigawa Formation of Hongo, Hida Gaien Belt, central Japan, and its tectonic significance

An early Carboniferous (late Visean) brachiopod fauna from the Arakigawa Formation of Hongo, Hida Gaien Belt, central Japan, and its tectonic significance

Early Carboniferous HP metamorphism in the Hida Gaien Belt, Japan: Implications for the Palaeozoic tectonic history of proto‐Japan

AbstractWe report two new eclogite localities (at Kanayamadani and Shinadani) in the high‐P(HP) metamorphic rocks of the Omi area in the western most region of Niigata Prefecture, Japan, which form part of the Hida Gaien Belt, and determine metamorphic conditions and pressure–temperature (P–T) paths. The metamorphic evolution of the eclogites is characterized by a tight hairpin‐shapedP–Tpath from prograde epidote–blueschist facies to peak eclogite facies and then retrograde blueschist facies. The prograde metamorphic stage is characterized by various amphibole (winchite, barroisite, glaucophane) inclusions in garnet, whereas the peak eclogite facies assemblage is characterized by omphacite, garnet, phengite and rutile. PeakP–Tconditions of the eclogites were estimated to be ~600°C and up to 2.0 GPa by conventional cation‐exchange thermobarometry, Ti‐in‐zircon thermometry and quartz inclusion Raman barometry respectively. However, the Raman spectra of carbonaceous material thermometry of metapelites associated with the eclogites gave lower peak temperatures, possibly due to metamorphism at different conditions before being brought together during exhumation. The blueschist facies overprint following the peak of metamorphism is recognized by the abundance of glaucophane in the matrix. Zircon grains in blueschist facies metasedimentary samples from two localities adjacent to the eclogites have distinct oscillatory‐zoned cores and overgrowth rims. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry U–Pb ages of the detrital cores yield a wide range between 3,200 and 400 Ma, with a peak at 600–400 Ma. In the early Palaeozoic, proto‐Japan was located along the continental margin of the South China craton, providing the source of the older population of detrital zircon grains (3,200–600 Ma) deposited in the trench‐fill sediments. In addition, subduction‐related magmatismc. 500–400 Ma is recorded in the crust below proto‐Japan, which might have been the source for the younger detrital zircon grains. The peak metamorphic age was constrained by SHRIMP dating of the overgrowth rims, yielding Tournaisian ages of 347 ± 4 Ma, suggesting subduction in the early Carboniferous. Our results provide clear constraints on the initiation of subduction, accretion and the development of an arc‐trench system along the active continental margin of the South China craton and help to unravel the Palaeozoic tectonic history of proto‐Japan.

Detrital zircon U-Pb ages from clastic rocks of the Hida Gaien Belt in the Hongo area, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, and their geological significance

Detrital zircon U-Pb ages from clastic rocks of the Hida Gaien Belt in the Hongo area, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, and their geological significance

Boron isotope compositions of antigorite–grade serpentinites in the Itoigawa–Omi area of the Hida–Gaien Belt, Japan

Boron isotope compositions of antigorite–grade serpentinites in the Itoigawa–Omi area of the Hida–Gaien Belt, Japan

Two groups of fluid inclusions in the Yunotani eclogite from the Hida–Gaien Belt: Implications for changes of fluid salinity during exhumation

Two groups of fluid inclusions in the Yunotani eclogite from the Hida–Gaien Belt: Implications for changes of fluid salinity during exhumation

Missourian (Kasimovian, Late Pennsylvanian) Conodonts from Limestone Boulders, Mizuboradani Valley, Gifu Prefecture, Central Japan

Abstract. Two Late Pennsylvanian conodont species, Gondolella sublanceolata Gunnell and Idiognathodus sulciferus Gunnell, were extracted from limestone boulders in the Mizuboradani Valley, Fukuji district, central Japan. These provide the first evidence of Missourian (Kasimovian) cosmopolitan conodonts in the Akiyoshi and Hida Gaien belts, Inner Zone of Japan. The limestone boulders might be derived from the Ichinotani Formation and/or from limestone clasts in conglomerates of the Permian Sorayama Formation that crop out in the Mizuboradani Valley.

Geochronology of Ashidani Formation in the Hida Gaien Belt at Kuzuryu, Central Japan

Previously a mystery, era in which the Ashidani Formation was formed in the Hida Gaien Belt at Kuzuryu is determined. The detrital zircon SHRIMP U–Pb age of Ashidani Formation sandstone is found to be within the range of 280 and 220 Ma. The most recent generation noted in samples collected is 224.2 ± 5.4 Ma (between the Carnian and Norian stages of the late Triassic Period). The metamorphic muscovite K–Ar age of sandstone schist is 182.6 ± 3.9 Ma (between the Pliensbachian and Toarcian stages of the Early Jurassic Age). There are no previous reports on metamorphic age values of 180 Ma in the Hida Gaien Belt. According to these dating results, geological development of the Ashidani Formation was limited to between the latter part of the late Triassic period and the start of the early Jurassic period, and can be compared to the Chizu metamorphic belt in the Chugoku region. Geological development of the Ashidani Formation is limited to the start of the early Jurassic period. Ashidani Formation Rocks were deposited in the forearc region of the eastern margin of the China craton at the beginning of the early Jurassic period. They then underwent high-pressure metamorphism alongside protoliths of the Chizu metamorphic belt in the middle part of the early Jurassic period due to subduction of the oceanic plate.

Middle Permian (Wordian) Mixed Boreal—Tethyan Brachiopod Fauna from Matsukawa, South Kitakami Belt, Japan

Abstract. A middle Permian (Wordian) brachiopod fauna, consisting of 19 species in 18 genera, is described from the lower part of the Kamiyasse Formation in Matsukawa, South Kitakami Belt, northeastern Japan. The Matsukawa fauna is a mixed Boreal—Tethyan brachiopod fauna that shows strong affinities with the middle Permian (Wordian—Capitanian) brachiopod faunas of central Japan (Hida Gaien Belt), eastern Russia (South Primorye), northeastern China (Heilongjiang), northern China (Inner Mongolia) and northwestern China (Xinjiang). The palaeobiogeographical data suggest that Proto-Japan, including South Kitakami, was part of a continental shelf along the northern and eastern margins of North China, located in the mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere during the middle Permian (Wordian).

Early Paleozoic subduction initiation volcanism of the Iwatsubodani Formation, Hida Gaien belt, Southwest Japan

In placing Japanese tectonics in an Asian context, variation in the Paleozoic geological environment is a significant issue. This paper investigates the geochemistry of the lower Paleozoic basalt formation (Iwatsubodani Formation) in the Hida Gaien belt, Japan, to consider its tectonic setting. This formation includes the following two types of rock in ascending order: basalt A with sub-ophitic texture and basalt B with porphyritic texture. Basalt A has a high and uniform FeO*/MgO ratio, moderate TiO2, high V, and low Ti/V. The HFSE and REE are nearly the same as those in MORB, and all the data points to basalt A being the “MORB-like fore-arc tholeiitic basalt (FAB)” reported, for example, from the Izu–Bonin–Mariana arc. By contrast, basalt B has a low FeO*/MgO ratio, low TiO2, and low V and Ti/V. It has an LREE-enriched trend and a distinct negative Nb anomaly in the MORB-normalized multi-element pattern and a moderately high LREE/HREE. All these factors suggest that basalt B is calc-alkaline basalt. It is known that FAB is erupted at the earliest stage of arc formation—namely, subduction initiation—and that boninitic/tholeiitic/calc-alkaline volcanism follows at the supra-subduction zone (SSZ). Thus, the occurrence of basalts A (FAB) and B (calc-alkaline rock) is strong evidence of early Paleozoic arc-formation initiation at an SSZ. Evidence for an early Paleozoic SSZ arc is also recognized from the Oeyama, Hayachine-Miyamori, and Sergeevka ophiolites. Hence, both these ophiolites and the Iwatsubodani Formation probably coexisted in a primitive SSZ system in the early Paleozoic.

In–situ U–Pb zircon age dating deciphering the formation event of the omphacite growth over relict edenitic pargasite in omphacite–bearing jadeitite of the Itoigawa–Omi area of the Hida–Gaien belt, central Japan

In–situ U–Pb zircon age dating deciphering the formation event of the omphacite growth over relict edenitic pargasite in omphacite–bearing jadeitite of the Itoigawa–Omi area of the Hida–Gaien belt, central Japan

Carboniferous ostracods from central Honshu, Japan

AbstractSilicified beyrichiocopid and podocopid ostracods from limestone nodules derived from the middle part of the Ichinotani Formation within the Hida Gaien Terrane of central Honshu Island, Japan, are associated with fusulinid foraminifera that indicate strata of the middle Moscovian (Pennsylvanian, Carboniferous). This is a rare record of ostracods from the Palaeozoic of Japan and the first systematic description of ostracods from the Carboniferous of the Hida Gaien Terrane. The fauna comprises six ostracod species (two new) assigned to the generaAmphissites,Kirkbya,Bairdia,AechminaandHealdia, and additional material of possible cavellinids. The numerical dominance of ornamented beyrichiocopids such asKirkbyaandAmphissites, along with smaller numbers of smooth podocopids such asBairdia, indicates an ‘Eifelian mega-assemblage’ ecotype (sensuG. Becker), that is typical of mid Palaeozoic shallow marine, high-energy environments in a fore-reef ecosystem.

U-Pb zircon age from the radiolarian-bearing Hitoegane Formation in the Hida Gaien Belt, Japan

The dating of radiolarian biostratigraphic zones from the Silurian to Devonian is only partially understood. Dating the zircons in radiolarian-bearing tuffaceous rocks has enabled us to ascribe practical ages to the radiolarian zones. To extend knowledge in this area, radiometric dating of magmatic zircons within the radiolarian-bearing Hitoegane Formation, Japan, was undertaken. The Hitoegane Formation is mainly composed of alternating beds of tuffaceous sandstones, tuffaceous mudstones and felsic tuff. The felsic tuff and tuffaceous mudstone yield well-preserved radiolarian fossils. Zircon grains showing a U–Pb laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry age of 426.6 ± 3.7 Ma were collected from four horizons of the Hitoegane Formation, which is the boundary between the Pseudospongoprunum tauversi to Futobari solidus–Zadrappolus tenuis radiolarian assemblage zones. This fact strongly suggests that the boundary of these assemblage zones is around the Ludlowian to Pridolian. The last occurrence of F. solidus is considered to be Pragian based on the reinterpretation of a U–Pb sensitive high mass-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) zircon age of 408.9 ± 7.6 Ma for a felsic tuff of the Kurosegawa belt, Southwest Japan. Thus the F. solidus–Z. tenuis assemblage can be assigned to the Ludlowian or Pridolian to Pragian. The present data also contribute to establishing overall stratigraphy of the Paleozoic rocks of the Fukuji–Hitoegane area. According to the Ordovician to Carboniferous stratigraphy in this area, Ordovician to Silurian volcanism was gradually reduced to change the sedimentary environment into a tropical lagoon in the early Devonian. And the quiet Carboniferous environment was subsequently interrupted, throwing it once more into the volcanic conditions in the Middle Permian.

Geology of the Hida Gaien Belt in the upper Kuzuryu‐gawa River Area in Ono City, Fukui Prefecture, Central Japan

AbstractGeological, paleontological, and geochronological studies of the Hida Gaien Belt were carried out in the upper Kuzuryu‐gawa River area, northern central Japan. The Hida Gaien Belt lies between the Hida and Mino belts of Southwest Japan and is one of the most complex geologic belts in Japan. The geology of the following units in the study area, mostly bounded by longitudinal, high‐angle faults, was particularly reexamined and described: the Ise metamorphic rocks, the Fujikuradani, Tomedoro, Oguradani, Motodo, Ootani, and Konogidani Formations, and the Tetori Group. Among them, the Tomedoro and Konogidani Formations are both composed mainly of greenstone, and were conventionally coupled together as ‘the Tomedoro schalstein member’ or ‘the Konogidani Formation’. However, the conformable relationship between the Tomedoro Formation and overlying Middle Permian Oguradani Formation, and the K–Ar and 40Ar–39Ar ages of 75–69 Ma (Late Cretaceous) from the basalt lava of the Konogidani Formation reveal that they are separate formations with different ages. The Oguradani Formation, consisting of limestone, shale, and sandstone with Middle Permian Boreal‐Tethyan mixed brachiopod fauna, is correlated with the Moribu Formation in the Takayama area of the Hida Gaien Belt, and with the Middle Formation of the Maizuru Group in the Maizuru Belt. The Tomedoro Formation below the Oguradani Formation, in turn, is correlated with the Lower Formation of the Maizuru Belt. The new Late Cretaceous age data from the Konogidani Formation and presence of latest Cretaceous, post‐tectonic volcanic rocks in the study area finally indicate that the fault‐bound structure of the Hida Gaien Belt between the Hida and Mino belts was formed in a very short period in Late Cretaceous age.

Geology and tectonics of Japanese islands: A review – The key to understanding the geology of Asia

The age of the major geological units in Japan ranges from Cambrian to Quaternary. Precambrian basement is, however, expected, as the provenance of by detrital clasts of conglomerate, detrital zircons of metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, and as metamorphic rocks intruded by 500Ma granites. Although rocks of Paleozoic age are not widely distributed, rocks and formations of late Mesozoic to Cenozoic can be found easily throughout Japan. Rocks of Jurassic age occur mainly in the Jurassic accretionary complexes, which comprise the backbone of the Japanese archipelago. The western part of Japan is composed mainly of Cretaceous to Paleogene felsic volcanic and plutonic rocks and accretionary complexes. The eastern part of the country is covered extensively by Neogene sedimentary and volcanic rocks. During the Quaternary, volcanoes erupted in various parts of Japan, and alluvial plains were formed along the coastlines of the Japanese Islands. These geological units are divided by age and origin: i.e. Paleozoic continental margin; Paleozoic island arc; Paleozoic accretionary complexes; Mesozoic to Paleogene accretionary complexes and Cenozoic island arcs. These are further subdivided into the following tectonic units, e.g. Hida; Oki; Unazuki; Hida Gaien; Higo; Hitachi; Kurosegawa; South Kitakami; Nagato-Renge; Nedamo; Akiyoshi; Ultra-Tamba; Suo; Maizuru; Mino-Tamba; Chichibu; Chizu; Ryoke; Sanbagawa and Shimanto belts.The geological history of Japan commenced with the breakup of the Rodinia super continent, at about 750Ma. At about 500Ma, the Paleo-Pacific oceanic plate began to be subducted beneath the continental margin of the South China Block. Since then, Proto-Japan has been located on the convergent margin of East Asia for about 500Ma. In this tectonic setting, the most significant tectonic events recorded in the geology of Japan are subduction–accretion, paired metamorphism, arc volcanism, back-arc spreading and arc–arc collision. The major accretionary complexes in the Japanese Islands are of Permian, Jurassic and Cretaceous–Paleogene age. These accretionary complexes became altered locally to low-temperature and high-pressure metamorphic, or high-temperature and low-pressure metamorphic rocks. Medium-pressure metamorphic rocks are limited to the Unazuki and Higo belts. Major plutonism occurred in Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic time. Early Paleozoic Cambrian igneous activity is recorded as granites in the South Kitakami Belt. Late Paleozoic igneous activity is recognized in the Hida Belt. During Cretaceous to Paleogene time, extensive igneous activity occurred in Japan. The youngest granite in Japan is the Takidani Granite intruded at about 1–2Ma. During Cenozoic time, the most important geologic events are back-arc opening and arc–arc collision. The major back-arc basins are the Sea of Japan and the Shikoku and Chishima basins. Arc–arc collision occurred between the Honshu and Izu-Bonin arcs, and the Honshu and Chishima arcs.

飛騨外縁帯糸魚川‐青海地域の地質と変成作用―日本列島地質体最古の沈み込み帯型変成作用と上昇期の加水変成作用―

The geology and petrology of the Itoigawa–Omi area of the Hida Gaien belt have been reexamined with pioneering metamorphic zonal mapping of glaucophane schist facies done by Banno (1958). A geologic study shows that crystalline schists of ca. 262-381 Ma, 450 Ma garnet amphibolite, amphibolite, 520 Ma jadeitite, albitite, and rodingite, reaching 10 km long and 2-5 km wide, occur as tectonic blocks of serpentinite forming the Omi serpentinite melange (OSM). Along the Omi–River of the eastern side of the OSM, chlorite, garnet, and biotite zones of pelitic schists are again recognized across several tectonic blocks of schist, indicating the slightly broken nature of a large metamorphic unit that resulted probably from exhumation of the serpentinite mélange belt. Kfs and chlorite are common throughout pelitic schists along the Omi–River. Thus, biotite- and oligclase-forming reactions may have been K-feldspar + chlorite → muscovite + biotite + quartz + H2O, and muscovite + clinozoisite + quartz → K-feldspar + anorthite + H2O, respectively. Glaucophane described by Banno (1958) in the chlorite zone of the Omi River has been recognized in composite grains consisting of hornblende core, gluacophane mantle, and actinolite rim. In contrast, glaucophane appears in a few samples along with eclogitic assemblages as plurifacial minerals before, during, and after eclogite facies in the pelitic schists of the western side of OSM (EC unit). Thus, the regional metamorphism described along the Omi–river of OSM (EA unit) is not a retrogressive metamorphism of the EC unit, but a regional hydrothermal recrystallization just before or during exhumation in the serpentinite mélange belt.