High-grade Metamorphic Terrain Research Articles

Reaction-diffusion modelling of petrological mixing mechanisms in the evolution of continental crusts

Petrological assimilation is a key process in the evolution of high-grade metamorphic terrains in the continental crusts. This study examines the mechanisms of such macroscopic assimilation between felsic (F) and mafic (M) constituents as two petrologically interacting continuum phases, as observed in the Chotanagpur Granite Gneissic Complex (CGGC), India, which underwent amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism (∼775 to 900°C and 7 to 11 kb) between from the Paleoproterozoic to the late Mesoproterozoic. From field investigation we could recognized four interface patterns: planar, wavy, fingering and incoherent, which are generated at the interface between the F and M units. We have adopted the Turing type reaction-diffusion (RD) approach, which is a well established theoretical model to interpret any complex auto-regulatory pattern in natural and physical sciences, to understand the physics of the self-organizing interface geometries observed across the CGGC. The RD model findings suggest that these patterns are constrained by a combination of: diffusion coefficients (DF, DM) of F and M, a linear or non-linear reaction term (R) that describes phase interactions and a pinning field (W) that introduces microscale heterogeneity. For linear interactions, F − M undergo homogeneous mixing and show planar/wavy interfaces, when DF = DM and W = 0. The mixing turns heterogeneous as DF ≠ DM and W > 0, resulting in phase boundary migration with a fingering pattern. Non-linear reaction coupling enhances heterogeneous mixing and produces incoherent phase boundaries where F-phases host relics of M-phases, following a power-law size distribution. Striking similarities of interface patterns and fractal dimensions estimated from model and CGGC validate the proposed mechanism of macroscopic petrological assimilation. We argue that RD model provides a new insight into the genesis of hybrid rocks in metamorphic terrains.

Python programs to apply regularized derivatives in the magnetic tilt derivative and gradient intensity data processing: A graphical procedure to choose the regularization parameter

The Tikhonov regularization parameter is a key parameter controlling the smoothness degree and oscillations of a regularized unknown solution. Usual methods to determine a proper parameter (L-curve or the discrepancy principle, for example) are not readily applicable to the evaluation of regularized derivatives, since this formulation does not make explicit a set of model parameters that are necessary to implement these methods. We develop a procedure for the determination of the regularization parameter based on the graphical construction of a characteristic “staircase” function associated with the L2-norm of the regularized derivatives for a set of trial regularization parameters. This function is independent of model parameters and presents a smooth and monotonic variation. The regularization parameters at the upper step (low values) of the ''staircase'' function provide equivalent results to the non-regularized derivative, the parameters at the lower step (high values) leading to over-smoothed derivatives. For the evaluated data sets, the proper regularization parameter is located in the slope connecting these two flat end-members of the staircase curve, thus balancing noise amplification against the amplitude loss in the transformed fields. A set of Python programs are presented to evaluate the regularization procedure in a well-known synthetic model composed of multiple (bulk and elongated) magnetic sources. This numerical approach also is applied in gridded aeromagnetic data covering high-grade metamorphic terrains of the Anápolis-Itauçu Complex in the Brasília Fold Belt central portion of Tocantins Province, central Brazil, characterized by multiple magnetic lineaments with different directions and intersections which are associated with shear zones, geologic faults, and intrusive bodies. The results obtained from the regularization procedure show efficiency in improving the maps of filtered fields, better tracking the continuity of magnetic lineaments and general geological trends. The results from the application in the Brasília Fold Belt enhance the importance and broader coverage of the Pirineus Zone of High Strain.

Late Mesoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic evolution of the Meghalaya gneissic complex, NE India: significance in Rodinia assembly

ABSTRACT The Meghalaya Gneissic Complex (MGC) of northeast India is a little-studied high-grade metamorphic terrain, located close to the Late Palaeoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic orogenic front. We include mapping, petrography, mineral chemistry, geochemistry, phase equilibria modelling, and U-Th-total Pb monazite geochronology to investigate the evolutionary history of deformed and metamorphosed ortho- and para-gneisses from the central MGC. The metapelite and metamafic rocks of the MGC are folded to E-W upright, antiforms-synforms; and intruded by charnockites during progressive deformations. Reconstructing the metamorphic history of pelite (garnet-cordierite granulite) and two pyroxene granulite, using a TiMnNCKFMASH and TiNCKFMASHO system, reveals a clockwise P–T path where the peak metamorphism was associated with mid crustal burial heating to granulite facies (~825°C and 5.5 to 6.5 kbar) and subsequent cooling with a minor decompression (~ 816°C and 5.3 kbar). Chemically zoned monazites were grown episodically during 1035 ± 13 Ma (n = 21), 976 ± 14 Ma (n = 16), and 494 ± 14 Ma (n = 26). The granulite metamorphism here initiated at 1035 ± 13 Ma and reached thermal peak at 976 ± 14 Ma. This contribution emphasizes the importance of late Mesoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic metamorphic evolution of the MGC related to the collision of North and South Indian cratonic blocks. The studied P-T path differs from the previously reported Meso- to early Neoproterozoic paths of Central and Western India and close to Western Australia. This finding further explains the change in the early Neoproterozoic collisional pattern of the Central Indian Suture in extreme east (near MGC) and its significance in reconstructing the western Rodinia.

Rhyacian evolution of high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Porto Nacional Granulite Complex, based on geocronological data U-Pb-Hf in zircon and U- Pb in monazite

The Porto Nacional Complex in the northern portion of the Goiás Massif, in north-central Brazil, represents a Paleoproterozoic/Archean microcontinent reworked in the Neoproterozoic during the Brasiliano Cycle. This NE-SW-trending belt of high-grade metamorphic rocks consists, predominantly, of orthogranulites in addition to aluminous paragneisses that reached high-grade metamorphic conditions in the granulite facies (∼860 °C and 9 kbar). The zircon U–Pb geochronological results obtained on orthogranulite (enderbite) crystal cores yielded an age of 2.16 Ga, however, the crystal borders present lower values (2.09 Ga). These results represent, respectively, the age of igneous crystals of tonalitic protoliths, and high-grade metamorphism. The zircon crystals of another enderbite sample yielded lower values of about 2.09 Ga, reinforcing the interpretation of metamorphic zircons. The U–Pb geochronological results between 2.09 Ga and 2.10 Ga obtained on monazite from the aluminous paragneisses, coincide with the values obtained for enderbite metamorphic zircon crystals, allowing us to define the high-grade metamorphism age and the formation of igneous protoliths in the Rhyacian. This small age difference demonstrates the metamorphism role contemporary to the magmatism of the tonalitic protoliths of the Porto Nacional Complex, related to the Late-Transamazonian orogeny. The Hf-TDMC model ages suggest two crust formation episodes that gave rise to the following rocks: one from the Siderian (2.40–2.48 Ga) and another from the Neo-Mesoarchean (2.52–3.01 Ga). The positive petrogenetic parameters ƐHf(t) (+3.9 to +5.2) evidence a mantle source derivation for the Siderian material, while the negative and positive petrogenetic parameters ƐHf(t) (−4.6 to +3.3) indicate a mixture between crustal and juvenile material for the Neo-Mesoarchean material. These results allow us to disregard the proposed correlation between this high-grade metamorphic terrain with the Porangatu-Talismã Granulitic Belt, which occurs to the south of this region, whose thermo-tectonic evolution is related to the late Neoproterozoic. On the other hand, there are records of several other Rhyacian similar granulitic terrains, such as the granulites of the Bacajá and Tartarugal Grande in the Amazonian Craton, the Itabuna-Salvador-Curaçá Granulitic Belt in the São Francisco Craton, as well as in the Bakhuis Belt, in Suriname, and Limpopo Belt in the West African Craton.

Microbial diversity and ecology of geothermal springs in the high-grade metamorphic terrain of Sri Lanka

The current study evaluated the bacterial diversity of six hot water spring clusters in Sri Lanka by Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Bacterial abundance measures and diversity statistics were assessed using QIIME2 metagenomics workflow, and the results were compared according to the region, the water temperature at the surface (36–59 °C), and pH (6.25–8.35). The predominant phyla observed were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, [Thermi], and Cyanobacteria. A low abundance of Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, TM7, and Spirochaetes was detected in most of the springs. Several important bacterial species such as Deinococcus geothermalis that can tolerate Martian-like conditions, genera such as Legionella and Campylobacter that contain pathogenic species, sulfur metabolizing Desulfovibrio, Desulfatirhabdium, Desulforhabdus, Desulfacinum, Thermodesulfovibrio, Desulfovirga, and Thiobacter species, and several other species with the potential practical industrial application were detected. Several opportunistic human pathogens were detected in the water samples and raised a public health concern about the management of post-bathing water. Based on the Bray Curtis beta diversity metric, the microbial distribution correlated with temperature rather than the geographic distance. This study provides valuable new insights into the bacterial diversity of the hot springs in Sri Lanka. Future research needs to be conducted on industrially important thermophiles identified in this study.

Graphitization during high-grade metamorphism in the southern Bohemian Massif

Raman spectroscopy on carbonaceous matter reconstructs the progressive path of graphitization during granulite facies metamorphism in the Variscan collisional belt of the southern Bohemian Massif. In this area, heating to 650–750 °C gradually altered the graphite microstructure, attributed to a metamorphic field gradient. Late low-pressure and high-temperature metamorphism at temperatures above 800 °C as well as advective heat transport due to rising granulite diapirs improved the graphite lattice ordering significantly. Numerical parameters derived from the Raman spectra of carbonaceous matter, in particular the G-band width and the S2-band dispersion map metamorphic field gradients in high-grade metamorphic terrains.

Variation of lead isotopic composition and atomic weight in terrestrial materials (IUPAC Technical Report)

Abstract The isotopic composition and atomic weight of lead are variable in terrestrial materials because its three heaviest stable isotopes are stable end-products of the radioactive decay of uranium (238U to 206Pb; 235U to 207Pb) and thorium (232Th to 208Pb). The lightest stable isotope, 204Pb, is primordial. These variations in isotope ratios and atomic weights provide useful information in many areas of science, including geochronology, archaeology, environmental studies, and forensic science. While elemental lead can serve as an abundant and homogeneous isotopic reference, deviations from the isotope ratios in other lead occurrences limit the accuracy with which a standard atomic weight can be given for lead. In a comprehensive review of several hundred publications and analyses of more than 8000 samples, published isotope data indicate that the lowest reported lead atomic weight of a normal terrestrial materials is 206.1462 ± 0.0028 (k = 2), determined for a growth of the phosphate mineral monazite around a garnet relic from an Archean high-grade metamorphic terrain in north-western Scotland, which contains mostly 206Pb and almost no 204Pb. The highest published lead atomic weight is 207.9351 ± 0.0005 (k = 2) for monazite from a micro-inclusion in a garnet relic, also from a high-grade metamorphic terrain in north-western Scotland, which contains almost pure radiogenic 208Pb. When expressed as an interval, the lead atomic weight is [206.14, 207.94]. It is proposed that a value of 207.2 be adopted for the single lead atomic-weight value for education, commerce, and industry, corresponding to previously published conventional atomic-weight values.

Analytical Protocol for U-Th-Pb Chemical Dating of Monazite using CAMECA SXFive EPMA Installed at the Mantle Petrology Laboratory, Department of Geology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

Abstract Chemical Th-U-total Pb method of dating monazite by an Electron Probe Micro Analyzer (EPMA) is a well-known technique for constraining chronology of geological events. In this communication, the analytical conditions of monazite dating using SXFive EPMA recently installed at the Department of Geology, Banaras Hindu University is reported. Consistency in the geochronological data of the monazites from the geochronologically well-constrained high grade metamorphic terrain of Bundelkhand craton, north central India, confirms the reliability of the BHU-EPMA facility for the U-Th-Pb geochemical dating of monazite.

Mixing geochemistry of cold water around non-volcanic thermal springs in high-grade metamorphic terrain, Sri Lanka

A geochemical survey was conducted on thermal water and cold water around non-volcanic geothermal fields at Mahaoya and Marangala in Sri Lanka. One hundred forty-two samples were analyzed for fifteen selected irons to investigate geochemical relationships resulting from water-rock interactions and mixing. Based on measurements using a Na-K-Mg geothermometer, the maximum temperatures of thermal reservoirs were estimated to be 148°C in Mahaoya and 191°C in Marangala, which were higher values than those obtained using Na-Li and Li-Mg geothermometers. This suggests that the reservoirs extend from intermediate to deep levels. Hydrogeochemistry of thermal waters is distinct from that of cold water; higher contents of Na, K, Cl, F, SO4, and TDS in thermal water are most likely due to the dissolution of feldspar, mica, and sulfide minerals in the granitic rocks. Conversely, lower values of Fe, Mg, Cu, Zn, and Pb imply less ferromagnesian minerals in the basement. Classification based on major ions reveals a Na-K-SO4 type of thermal water for Mahaoya and Marangala. Cold water is dominated by the Na-K-HCO3 type, which indicates deep groundwater influence by iron exchange. Non-mixing cold water indicates a Ca-HCO3 type. In general, chemistry of cold water wells (<400m) close to the thermal water changes significantly due to direct mixing of thermal water and cold water. In comparison, a contrasting action occurs with increasing distance from the geothermal field. Gradual decline of SO4 with increasing distance from thermal water may indicate a trend of clear oxidation. However, the chemistry of more distant wells demarcates deep circulations through fractures and faults in the basement.

Mineralogical and chemical evolution of tantalum–(niobium–tin) mineralisation in pegmatites and granites. Part 2: Worldwide examples (excluding Africa) and an overview of global metallogenetic patterns

Mineralogical and chemical evolution of tantalum–(niobium–tin) mineralisation in pegmatites and granites. Part 2: Worldwide examples (excluding Africa) and an overview of global metallogenetic patterns

On the processes that formed Archaean Ni-Cu sulfide mineralisation in the deep continental crust, Thrym Complex, southeastern Greenland

We report high-precision geochronological, structural and geochemical data from a series of mafic–ultramafic bands and lenses hosted in orthogneiss of the remote Archaean Thrym Complex of southeast Greenland. These rocks primarily comprise mafic granulite and ultramafic rocks, which locally host orthomagmatic Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide mineralisation that consists of pyrrhotite, pyrite, pentlandite and chalcopyrite. In situ SHRIMP analyses on zircon grains from a representative mafic granulite sample yield an age of 2859±6Ma, which is interpreted as the crystallisation age for the protolith of the mafic granulite. A younger 2744±9Ma zircon is interpreted to represent peak metamorphism associated with the Skjoldungen Orogeny. On the basis of zircon textural features, whole rock geochemistry and cross-cutting field relationships between the ultramafic rocks and the mafic granulite, it is possible to conclude that emplacement and crystallisation of the Ni-Cu-PGE mineralised peridotite and pyroxenite of the Thrym Complex took place at lower crustal levels (∼25–40km depth), synchronously with the granulite facies conditions that prevailed at the base of the Skjoldungen Orogen. Occurrences of Ni-Cu-PGE mineralisation in the high-grade metamorphic terrains of the Thrym Complex are extremely significant, because they shed light on ore forming processes that happen at the base of the continental crust. Therefore, outcomes from this study suggest that the current exploration search space for Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide mineralisation, which is largely constrained to upper and middle crustal settings, could be significantly expanded to exhumed deeper crustal level terrains of high metamorphic central orogenic complexes.

Localized occurrences of granulite: P–T modeling, U–Pb geochronology and distribution of early-Sveconorwegian high-grade metamorphism in Bamble, South Norway

New localities of granulite in the Bamble lithotectonic domain of south Norway illustrate localized distribution of granulite facies rocks in an amphibolite facies gneiss terrain. U–Pb zircon SIMS data constrain the magmatic age of the protoliths to be both 1545±7 to 1542±5Ma and 1149±8Ma. They provide a robust date of 1139±11Ma for metamorphic zircon, supporting available estimates for early-Sveconorwegian metamorphism in Bamble. P–T modeling using Grt+Opx±Cpx+Pl+Bt+Qz-assemblages yields pressures up to 1.15GPa and T>850°C. Clinopyroxene-free granulite assemblages are preserved in low-strain lenses, while high-strain granulite shows crystallization of clinopyroxene. The replacement of orthopyroxene by amphibole illustrates hydration and reequilibration at amphibolite facies. The new findings in Bamble show that granulite-facies rocks occur unevenly distributed in high-grade metamorphic terrains and that relationship between granulite and amphibolite facies is complex and irregular. It suggests that factors as fluid availability, deformation and whole-rock composition are important for metamorphic evolution in addition to pressure and temperature gradients.

Metallic lead nanospheres discovered in ancient zircons

Zircon (ZrSiO4) is the most commonly used geochronometer, preserving age and geochemical information through a wide range of geological processes. However, zircon U-Pb geochronology can be affected by redistribution of radiogenic Pb, which is incompatible in the crystal structure. This phenomenon is particularly common in zircon that has experienced ultra-high temperature metamorphism, where ion imaging has revealed submicrometer domains that are sufficiently heterogeneously distributed to severely perturb ages, in some cases yielding apparent Hadean (>4 Ga) ages from younger zircons. Documenting the composition and mineralogy of these Pb-enriched domains is essential for understanding the processes of Pb redistribution in zircon and its effects on geochronology. Using high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy, we show that Pb-rich domains previously identified in zircons from East Antarctic granulites are 5-30 nm nanospheres of metallic Pb. They are randomly distributed with respect to zircon crystallinity, and their association with a Ti- and Al-rich silica melt suggests that they represent melt inclusions generated during ultra-high temperature metamorphism. Metallic Pb is exceedingly rare in nature and previously has not been reported in association with high-grade metamorphism. Formation of these metallic nanospheres within annealed zircon effectively halts the loss of radiogenic Pb from zircon. Both the redistribution and phase separation of radiogenic Pb in this manner can compromise the precision and accuracy of U-Pb ages obtained by high spatial resolution methods.

Constraints on the thermal evolution of the Adriatic margin during Jurassic continental break-up: U–Pb dating of rutile from the Ivrea–Verbano Zone, Italy

The Ivrea–Verbano Zone (IVZ), northern Italy, exposes an attenuated section through the Permian lower crust that records high-temperature metamorphism under lower crustal conditions and a protracted history of extension and exhumation associated partly with the Jurassic opening of the Alpine Tethys ocean. This study presents SHRIMP U–Pb geochronology of rutile from seven granulite facies metapelites from the base of the IVZ, collected from locations spanning ~35 km along the strike of Paleozoic fabrics. Rutile crystallised during Permian high-temperature metamorphism and anatexis, yet all samples give Jurassic rutile U–Pb ages that record cooling through 650–550 °C. Rutile age distributions are dominated by a peak at ~160 Ma, with a subordinate peak at ~175 Ma. Both ~160 and ~175 Ma age populations show excellent agreement between samples, indicating that the two distinctive cooling stages they record were synchronous on a regional scale. The ~175 Ma population is interpreted to record cooling in the footwall of rift-related faults and shear zones, for which widespread activity in the Lower Jurassic has been documented along the western margin of the Adriatic plate. The ~160 Ma age population postdates the activity of all known rift-related structures within the Adriatic margin, but coincides with extensive gabbroic magmatism and exhumation of sub-continental mantle to the floor of the Alpine Tethys, west of the Ivrea Zone. We propose that this ~160 Ma early post-rift age population records regional cooling following episodic heating of the distal Adriatic margin, likely related to extreme lithospheric thinning and associated advection of the asthenosphere to shallow levels. The partial preservation of the ~175 Ma age cluster suggests that the post-rift (~160 Ma) heating pulse was of short duration. The regional consistency of the data presented here, which is in contrast to many other thermochronometers in the IVZ, demonstrates the value of the rutile U–Pb technique for probing the thermal evolution of high-grade metamorphic terrains. In the IVZ, a significant decoupling between Zr-in-rutile temperatures and U–Pb ages of rutile is observed, with the two systems recording events ~120 Ma apart.

Fluid-inclusion microthermometry and the Zr-in-rutile thermometer for hydrothermal rutile

The Zr-in-rutile thermometer is well established for the determination of metamorphic temperatures, particularly in high-grade metamorphic terrains, and for sedimentary provenance studies. The robustness of the rutile thermometry has not been tested on hydrothermal systems. Unlike quartz, a common hydrothermal mineral with abundant fluid inclusions, it is difficult to find fluid inclusions in rutile that are suitable for fluid-inclusion microthermometry. Here, we report fluid-inclusion microthermometric measurements in rutile from the auriferous quartz–kaolinite–hematite vein that typifies the gold deposit of Mil Oitavas in the southern Serra do Espinhaco, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Primary fluid inclusions in the rutile record moderately saline (10–12 wt% NaCl equivalent), aqueous–carbonic fluids with a total homogenization temperature of ~250 °C, which were likely trapped at about 300 °C and 2.0 kbar. This temperature is approximately 200 °C lower than that predicted by the Zr-in-rutile thermometer. For hydrothermal conditions of relatively low temperature, direct measurements of homogenization temperatures in rutile-hosted fluid inclusions should be preferred to the Zr-in-rutile thermometer.

Petrogenesis of the Kulyk Lake monazite-apatite-Fe(Ti)-oxide occurrence revealed using in-situ LA-(MC)-ICP-MS trace element mapping, U-Pb dating, and Sm-Nd isotope systematics on monazite

The high-grade metamorphic metasedimentary rocks that comprise the Wollaston Domain, northern Saskatchewan, are host to numerous REE-mineralized pegmatite bodies, including the Kulyk Lake monazite-apatite-Fe(Ti)-oxide occurrence. This occurrence, which is defined by a 3-5 cm wide sinouous zone of granoblastic monazite, apatite, and titanomagnetite, is enclosed within aplitic monzonite and granitic pegmatite dikes. Monazite in this dike was studied in detail using in situ laser ablationinductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and LA-multi-collector (MC)-ICP-MS. A combination of in situ LA-ICP-MS trace element mapping, trace-element quantification, and U-Pb dating were used to identify a significant volume of partial resorbed xenocyrstic monazite and zircon cores within the monazite-apatite-Fe(Ti)-oxide zone. This xenocrystic monazite is locally characterized by anomalously high As, V, Mo, and Eu concentrations and high (La/Yb) CN (i.e., &gt;1000) consistent with their derivation from metalliferous black shales. The U-Pb age distribution of the inherited monazite and zircon populations matches that of the middle- to upper-Wollaston Group sedimentary succession. The latter was confirmed by in situ Sm-Nd isotope systematics measured by LA-MCICP- MS that yielded εNd (1830Ma) between -5.0 and -5.7 consistent with derivation from Wollaston Group metasediment. The crystallization of ~1830 Ma anatectic overgrowths on xenocrystic cores is indistinguishable from monazite crystallization in the aplitic monzonite dike hosting the monaziteapatite- Fe(Ti)-oxide bodies. This study reveals the potential importance of metalliferous monazite-rich lithologies in the anatectic zone to these pegmatite-hosted REE occurrences and suggests that entrainment and magmatic segregation mechanisms may have helped to concentrate monazite, apatite, and Fe(Ti)-oxide prior to final emplacement of the aplite-pegmatite dikes. Similar processes may have occurred regionally and in other high-grade metamorphic terrains worldwide that are endowed with metalliferous metasedimentary protoliths.

Mature Archean continental crust in the Yangtze craton: Evidence from petrology, geochronology and geochemistry

Previous studies have shown that the Archean basement is widely distributed throughout the Yangtze craton. To date, however, Archean basement terrains have not been found, except for a few Kongling high-grade metamorphic terrains in the Huangling dome that have been confirmed to be of Archean age. To further understand the basement component and crustal evolution of the Yangtze craton, we carried out a petrological, geochronological and geochemical study of the Jinshan K-feldspar granite emplaced within the Yangpo Group, located in Huji Town, Zhongxiang City, Hubei Province. Results indicate that the zircon SHRIMP U-Pb age of the Jinshan granite is 2655±9 Ma, placing it within the middle Neoarchean. Chemically, this pluton yields abundant silica and alkalis and is depleted in Ca, Mg and Ti. Furthermore, it is enriched in Rb, Th, Ga, Y and Zr, depleted in Sr, Ba, Nb and Ta, and especially lacking in Eu. High ratios of FeO*/MgO (32.0 to 58.7) and 104×Ga/Al (3.19 to 3.41) were also found. The pluton exhibits characteristics typical of A-type granites with crustal source magmas. Moreover, the meta-sedimentary rock association of the Yangpo Group, into which the pluton intruded, clearly shows relatively stable depositional environments of a shallow shelf sequence. Therefore, before the middle Neoarchean, the Yangtze craton contained mature continental crust. This breakthrough discovery opens a new window on the study of the formation and evolution of the Yangtze craton basement.

Provenance of Pleistocene sediments from Site U1359 of the Wilkes Land IODP Leg 318 – evidence for multiple sourcing from the East Antarctic Craton and Ross Orogen

Abstract Site U1359 is located on the eastern levée of the Jussieau submarine channel on the Wilkes Land margin, East Antarctica. The upper approximately 60 m of the sediment core records more than 2.5 Ma of the depositional history. Present work focuses on inferring provenance from the heavy mineral fraction from the Pleistocene sediments. Clay and non-clay fractions were characterized using X-ray diffraction and micro-beam techniques. Metamorphic minerals including orthopyroxene, high-Ca garnet and high-Ti biotite indicate a source in a high-grade metamorphic terrain. Mixing from a low- to medium-grade metamorphic component is also indicated. Several basaltic rock fragments, showing mineralogical affinities to the Ferrar volcanic province in the Ross Sea sector, are present. The metamorphic component is correlatable with the Proterozoic East Antarctic cratonic shield component. Ordovician–Silurian ages for the euhedral xenotime and monazite, coupled with the Ferrar equivalent basalts, indicate an additional sediment source from the Ross Orogen along with that from the craton.

Geochemical and isotope characterization of geothermal spring waters in Sri Lanka: Evidence for steeper than expected geothermal gradients

Summary Seven geothermal springs from the Precambrian high-grade metamorphic terrain of Sri Lanka were investigated to assess their formation processes and to determine reservoir temperatures based on their chemical compositions. Silica-based geothermometric calculations for the Marangala and Nelumwewa springs showed the highest average reservoir temperatures of 122 °C and 121 °C, respectively. Samples of low temperature (

Geochemistry and neodymium model ages of Precambrian charnockites, Southern Granulite Terrain, India: Constraints on terrain assembly

The Southern Granulite Terrain (SGT) of southern India comprises a collage of Archean and Neoproterozoic high-grade metamorphic terrains, where the regional tectonic and high-grade metamorphic events culminated at ca.2.52Ga in the northern granulite blocks and ca.0.55Ga in the Neoproterozoic Madurai and Trivandrum Blocks. These domains were presumed to be separated either by the crustal-scale Cauvery shear zone system (CSZ) or the less known Karur–Kambam–Painavu–Trichur shear zone (KKPT). The Neoproterozoic granulite domains comprise mainly the Madurai Block (MB) to the north and Trivandrum Block (TB) to the south separated by the Achenkovil shear zone (ASZ) system. The SGT has been central to several studies focusing on the amalgamation of Gondwana supercontinent. A favored view has been that the Neoproterozoic terrains of the SGT represent segments of orogen(s) that accreted to an Archean continental margin during the early Cambrian although whether the tectonic regime was collisional, accretionary or intracratonic remains enigmatic. This article presents a large data set of major, trace element, Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd isotopic compositions focusing on Sm–Nd model ages (TDM) signifying the crustal residence age of charnockitic orthogneisses from both Archean and Neoproterozoic domains of the SGT, especially from the data deficient MB and TB domains. We present a regional Sm–Nd model age map for the SGT that delineates four distinct isotopic provinces with ages in the range of ∼3.5–3.2Ga, 3.2–2.8Ga, 2.8–2.0Ga and 2.0–1.2Ga. Clearly, the KKPT shear zone separates two isotopic provinces, extending the Archean terranes further south across the CSZ. The Archean and Neoproterozoic charnockites show distinct compositional characteristics indicating contrasting conditions of magma genesis and tectonic setting. Most importantly, an overwhelming majority of the Neoproterozoic charnockite gneisses show Sm–Nd model ages significantly older than their crystallization age constrained by zircon dating. The charnockite gneisses bear a strong affinity to calc-alkaline magmas and compositions consistent with mixing of Neoproterozoic arc magmas and older crustal components prompting a close analogy with magmatism at convergent margin-collisional tectonic settings.