Intercept Age Research Articles

Evidence for a 2.06 Ga subduction at the western border of the Adamawa-Yade domain in Cameroon: Constraints from elemental geochemistry, zircon Hf isotopes and zircon U/Pb geochronology from Ititin metabasites

The geodynamic significance of Adamawa Yade Domain in Cameroon is still highly debated. This paper presents mineralogical, geochemical, zircon U–Pb age and Hf isotopic data for NNE-trending garnet-bearing pyroxeno-amphibolite (GPAm) and amphibolite (Am) bodies exposed in the Ititin area located at the Northwestern border of the Adamawa-Yadé domain in Cameroon. The GPAm and Am were dated by SIMS U–Pb zircon methods and yielded upper and lower intercept ages of 2065 ± 30 Ma and 557 ± 29 Ma, and 2054 ± 40Ma and 803 ± 320Ma, respectively. In the primitive mantle-normalized trace elements pattern, the metabasites display spike-like pattern, with enrichment in Th and La, and depletion in Nb, Zr, Hf, P and Ti although lower abundances are recorded in GPAm. GPAm yielded 176 Hf/177Hf initial ratios (0.281243 to 0.281491) with ϵHf (2.06Ga) values of −9.7 to −0.7 whereas the Am display 176 Hf/177Hf initial ratios (0.281143–0.281206) with values of ϵHf (t) of −12.2 to9.8.Geochemistry and geochronological data suggest that GPAm and Am originated from a subduction - modified lithospheric mantle and were emplaced at 2.06 Ga in a continental arc setting during the Paleoproterozoic event that formed the West Central Africa Fold Belt. Both the GPAm and Am were subsequently overprinted by the Pan-African orogeny.

Titanite in situ SIMS U–Pb geochronology, elemental and Nd isotopic signatures record mineralization and fluid characteristics at the Pusangguo skarn deposit, Tibet

The Pusangguo skarn is a newly discovered Cu-Pb-Zn deposit in the Gangdese metallogenic belt, Tibet. In order to constrain the age of the deposit and the source of hydrothermal fluids, various types of titanite and coexisting minerals in the Pusangguo deposit were studied. The titanite occurring interstitially in fresh granodiorite is magmatic and characterized by high REE, Y, Mn, and Lu/Hf ratios, and high crystallization temperatures (700 to 750 °C). The titanite growing with, or included in, diopside in the prograde endoskarn, or occurring with epidote, calcite, and quartz in the retrograde exoskarn, is hydrothermal titanite characterized by low REE, Y, Mn, and Lu/Hf ratios. The titanite in the retrograde exoskarn typically contains a REE-enriched early core characterized by a negative Eu anomaly, and an overgrowth REE-depleted rim with a positive Eu anomaly. The secondary-ion mass spectrometry U-Pb dating of titanite drilled from thin sections of retrograde exoskarn shows intercept ages of 14.91 ± 0.31 Ma, which are consistent with the granodiorite age (14.63 ± 0.30 Ma), indicating coeval emplacement of granodiorite and skarn mineralization at ~ 14.7 Ma. In addition, in situ epidote and calcite Sr isotopes and titanite Nd isotopes, all analyzed in the same retrograde exoskarn thin section, show similar Sr-Nd isotopic compositions to magmatic plagioclase and granodiorite (whole rock), indicating that the retrograde hydrothermal fluids were directly derived from, or had the same origin as, the granodiorite.

Dating mafic magmatism by integrating baddeleyite, zircon and apatite U–Pb geochronology: A case study of Proterozoic mafic dykes/sills in the North China Craton

Direct dating of mafic dykes/sills is crucial for understanding mantle geodynamic evolution and crust-mantle interaction, but is also challenging, especially in ancient samples. Here, we provide a reliable approach for dating Proterozoic mafic dykes/sills through an integrated investigation of U–Pb isotopes and elemental distribution maps of the coexisting baddeleyite, zircon and apatite. This study focuses on Paleo- to Neo-Proterozoic mafic dykes/sills in the North China Craton.In the studied samples, baddeleyite is undoubtedly magmatic, with sensitive high resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) 207Pb/206Pb ages that may record crystallization ages of the dykes/sills. Common lead incursion along rims and fractures of baddeleyite is identified via laser ablation quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-Q-ICP-MS) elemental mapping as the likely origin of age uncertainties. In contrast, magmatic zircons from the Proterozoic mafic intrusions are somewhat affected by metamictization as roughly indicated by high alpha dose (Dα), and thus show intricate U–Pb isotopic features. Intensely metamict zircons are susceptible to Pb loss due to fluid infiltration, as clearly illustrated by opposing enrichment trends of Pb and U in zircon maps. Where metamict zircons are unaffected by fluid alteration, they are able to preserve the original 207Pb/206Pb ratios and thus give high precision age constraints on emplacement of the ancient dykes/sills.As for apatites, abundant euhedral coarse-grained crystals were separated from the mafic rocks, rendering them suitable for LA-Q-ICP-MS measurement. U–Pb data define Tera-Wasserburg isochrons with lower intercept ages that match crystallization of the host rocks. Age uncertainties of this method lie in instrumental analysis errors caused by low concentrations of U, Pb and a low proportion of radiogenic Pb in the total Pb, with these parameters commonly showing consistent enrichment trends from crystal cores to rims. By combining U–Pb dating and elemental mapping, this study provides a novel approach to the geochronology of mafic rocks, by highlighting the potential of ubiquitous apatite, offering additional means for error analysis and age interpretation of baddeleyite and zircon.

Exploring laser ablation U–Pb dating of regional metamorphic garnet – The Straits Schist, Connecticut, USA

Garnet is a prominent recorder of metamorphic processes and plays a pivotal role in deciphering the pressure-temperature evolution of metamorphic rocks. However, the potential of regional metamorphic garnet for laser ablation U–Pb dating remains unexplored, as variable and low U (<0.1 μg/g) coupled with elevated initial Pb contents make analyses challenging, and the presence of U-rich inclusions can affect results.We applied LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating to garnet and zircon, monazite, and xenotime from The Straits Schist, western Connecticut, USA, to constrain the timing of garnet growth within the overall Acadian-age metamorphic history recorded by this unit. We assessed the effects of U-rich inclusions on garnet U–Pb data using high-resolution microbeam sampling, grain size analysis, and calculations assessing how inclusion size and abundance affect U concentrations measured in garnet.When analysing garnet, our results demonstrate that by scrutinizing the time-resolved U-signal, U-rich inclusions can be identified and effectively removed during data evaluation. If U-rich inclusions are unaccounted for, ‘garnet’ analyses have elevated U contents compared to pure garnet and in a Tera-Wasserburg diagram, data points are shifted to the left, right, or along the garnet regression line, for inclusions older, younger or of the same age as the garnet, respectively.Garnet from two metapelitic samples yielded lower intercept ages of 409 ± 10 Ma and 406 ± 15 Ma, and a combined U–Pb age of 406.1 ± 8.3 Ma. Metamorphic zircon yielded age clusters at 446.2 ± 4.2 Ma, 413.3 ± 3.0 Ma, and 382.9 ± 2.8 Ma, monazite ages range between 390 and 355 Ma, and xenotime yielded 370.1 ± 5.6 Ma. The ∼446 Ma age peak is attributed to detrital zircon formed during the waning stages of the Taconian orogeny. Early Acadian metamorphism is recorded by garnet and ∼413 Ma zircon, whereas monazite and zircon ages of 390 to 383 Ma, coincide with peak metamorphic conditions. Early Carboniferous monazite and xenotime ages could reflect the incursion of fluids into The Straits Schist during Neo-Acadian metamorphism, coeval plutonism in New England, or breakdown of garnet during regional exhumation.

In situ U-Pb Dating of Calcite from the South China Antimony Metallogenic Belt.

SummaryAccurately determining the age of hydrothermal ore deposits is difficult, because of lack of suitable mineral chronometers and techniques. Here we present the first LA-MC-ICPMS U-Pb age of carbonates from hydrothermal Sb deposits. Three stages of hydrothermal carbonates from the giant South China Sb metallogenic belt were identified: (1) pre-ore dolomite (Dol-I), (2) syn-ore calcite (Cal-II), and (3) post-ore calcite (Cal-III). The U and Pb isotopic data show that Cal-II yielded a lower intercept age of 115.3 ± 1.5 Ma (MSWD = 2.0), suggesting a Sb mineralization that corresponds to an extension event occurred during the early Cretaceous in South China. Although Cal-III yielded an age of 60.0 ± 0.9 Ma (MSWD = 1.5), indicating a potential tectonothermal event occurred in this belt during the early Cenozoic. Hence, in situ U-Pb dating of calcite offers a new way to determine the age of hydrothermal ore deposits.

Chromitites from an Archean layered intrusion in the Western Dharwar Craton, southern India

Chromite deposits hosted in a layered ultramafic–mafic intrusion in the Archean Chithradurga greenstone belt are part of a suture that divides the Western and Central Dharwar craton blocks in southern India. Serpentinised ultramafic rocks including dunite, peridotite, and phlogopite-rich clinopyroxenite occur with massive chromitite. The olivine compositions show two distinct groups, one with Fo ~91–92 olivines in the massive chromitite, and another group with olivine Fo values of ~95–96, in the serpentinised dunite. The chromite occurs as massive chromitite and as an accessory phase in dunite. The former is characterized by high Cr# (Cr/(Cr + Al) × 100 = 67–70) and moderate to high Mg# (Mg/(Mg + Fe) = 52–66); The latter shows a larger variation in Cr which is likely related to sub-solidus re-equilibration of the chromite during the serpentinization event. In the massive chromitites, sub-solidus re-equilibration of chromite is less significant or absent. Bulk-rock major and trace element analyses of the peridotites reveal a composition less magnesian than depleted mantle rocks, with low TiO2, Na2O, CaO and high Cr, Ni content, a general depletion in Sr and enrichment in Th, U. The chromitites contain variable PGE abundances (ΣPGE = 8-244 ppb) with enrichments of Os, Ir and Ru, relative to Pt and Pd . These features suggest that the chromitites are cumulates formed from a highly magnesian parental magma with komatiitic affinity, derived by large degrees of partial melting, , which underwent crustal contamination. The ReOs isotope data demonstrate a minimum Re-depletion model age (TRD) of 2895 ± 24 Ma for the serpentinized dunite (MY11/3), and a more robust age of 3120 ± 12 Ma for two chromitite samples, which we interpret as the best estimate of the magmatic age of this ultramafic intrusion. Abundant zircon grains also occur within these ultramafic rocks with UPb ages spanning from ca. 2.9 Ga to ca. 2.4 Ga, with a dominant age population in the range 2.8–2.6 Ga. We interpret the upper intercept age at ca. 2.9 Ga to represent the initial crystallization of zircon in the ultramafic rocks, potentially as a result of an early stage of metamorphism and hydrothermal alteration. The 2.5–2.4 Ga zircon ages reflect a late-stage high-grade metamorphic overprint.

Multistage mineralization in the Haoyaoerhudong gold deposit, Central Asian Orogenic Belt: Constraints from the sedimentary-diagenetic and hydrothermal sulfides and gold

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt, as one of world-class gold economic belts, preserves a number of giant, large black shale-hosted gold deposits, while it is still debated for origin of sulfides and gold mainly due to lack of identification for multiple stages of sulfides. The Haoyaoerhudong gold deposit is hosted in a sequence of Mesoproterozoic carbonaceous and pyritic slate, phyllite, and schist that form a tight syncline along the north margin of the North China Craton. Detailed petrography of the host rocks and mineralization have defined five stages of pyrites. The earliest form of pyrite (Py1) occurs as fine-grained dispersed pyrite in black carbonaceous slate and medium- to coarse-grained disseminated pyrite in pyrite-rich layers, contains relative low gold and high arsenic content, indicating a syn-sedimentary or diagenetic in origin. Stage II pyrite (Py2) occurs with garnet and quartz inclusions and Py3 occurs as pyrite veins, contains higher gold and lower As content, and are interpreted to have formed from the dissolution-reprecipitation of Py1 during the peak metamorphism or post-peak metamorphism. Stage IV pyrite (Py4) from the pyrite-quartz veins crosscut the metamorphic garnet, contains the highest gold concentrations and other trace elements, and is considered to have formed post-peak metamorphism. Abundant native gold, electrum, and maldonite occur as inclusions within Py4 and monazite and in fractures that crosscut garnet. While, Py5 with typical remobilized feature is thought to be a product of melting of former pyrites (Py1 to Py4) triggered by the large-scale Hercynian magmatism. The sedimentary/diagenetic Py1 have δ34S values that range from +12.4‰ to +16.2‰. Later generations of sulfides, including Py2 to Py5, and Ccp2 to Ccp3, have δ34S values from +9.5‰ to +12.7‰. Monazite with maldonite inclusions from quartz-pyrite veins yielded an intercept age of 341.3 ​± ​6.6 ​Ma, while coarse grained monazite associated biotite along fractures in the reefs yielded an intercept age of 254.6 ​± ​8.2 ​Ma.The paragenetic, textural, chemical, and isotopic data suggest three distinct gold producing episodes at Haoyaoerhudong gold deposit. Gold and arsenic were clearly initially concentrated in organic muds, and enriched along the structures of diagenetic arsenic-rich pyrite. Subsequently, accompanying metamorphism and deformation, gold was liberated from the dissolution of diagenetic pyrites to form the pyrite veins. Finally, accompanying transformation of pyrite into pyrrhotite, gold was released into the metamorphic fluids to become concentrated as native gold, electrum, and maldonite in pyrite-quart veins. Monazite with age of 341 ​Ma from quartz-pyrite veins suggests that the third major gold mineralizing event in Haoyaoerhudong occurred before the Hercynian magmatism, suggesting that the Haoyaoerhudong deposit is a typical orogenic gold deposit rather than intrusion-related deposit.

Late Cretaceous granitic magmatism and Sn mineralization in the giant Yinyan porphyry tin deposit, South China: constraints from zircon and cassiterite U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os geochronology

The Yinyan porphyry tin deposit in western Guangdong is spatially associated with quartz porphyry and granite porphyry. LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating defined an emplacement age of 78.5 ± 0.4 Ma for the quartz porphyry and 79.2 ± 0.9 Ma for the granite porphyry. LA–ICP–MS cassiterite U–Pb dating yielded Tera–Wasserburg lower intercept ages of 78.5 ± 0.6, 78.6 ± 1.2, and 78.2 ± 0.7 Ma, for cassiterite from a cassiterite–sulfide vein, cassiterite–sulfide ore, and a cassiterite–topaz–quartz stringer, respectively. Re–Os dating of molybdenite from seven different veins yielded an isochron age of 77.0 ± 0.5 Ma. All these new age data are indistinguishable within analytical uncertainty and, therefore, indicate a genetic relationship between the Sn mineralization and the porphyry magmatism in the Yinyan deposit. The REE tetrad effect and very low Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf ratios indicate that the quartz porphyry and the granite porphyry are highly evolved. The U–Pb dated cassiterite is enriched in Fe, W, and U and in high field strength elements (HFSEs) such as Zr, Hf, Nb, and Ta. The high Fe, Nb, and Ta contents may be responsible for the dark luminescence of cassiterite in CL images. The Zr/Hf ratio of cassiterite may potentially be used to distinguish the mineralization type. Cassiterite from pegmatites has lower Zr/Hf ratios (~ 5–6) in comparison with granite/greisen-related (~ 9–30) cassiterite. Cassiterite from the early hydrothermal stage typically contains higher amounts of Ti, Nb, Ta, Zr, and Hf than that from the late hydrothermal stage. In combination with published geochronological data of other Sn–W deposits in the western Guangdong Province, two Sn–W metallogenic events at ca. 85 and 77–80 Ma have been identified. These two metallogenic events are part of a larger-scale 75–100 Ma Sn–W mineralization event in South China, which we suggest was probably related to the subduction of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic plate.

Early Evolution of Himalayan Orogenic Belt and Generation of Middle Eocene Magmatism: Constraint From Haweng Granodiorite Porphyry in the Tethyan Himalaya

Although the Himalayan orogenic belt is dominant by Oligocene to Miocene leucogranites, it initiated magmatic activity from middle Eocene. However, the exact distribution and genesis of early magmatism is yet to be resolved. This study identified new outcrops of middle Eocene magmatism, Haweng granodiorite porphyries, from northwest Langkazi in the northern Tethyan Himalaya, southern Tibet. Identical zircon U–Pb ages were obtained by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) (17JT13: 45.3±0.4 Ma; 17JT16: 44.5±0.8 Ma) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) (17JT15: 44.3±0.8 Ma; 12FW75: 44.4±0.6 Ma) method for different outcrops there. Titanite LA-ICP-MS U-Pb analyses also gave consistent lower intercept ages for samples 17JT13 (45.3 ± 0.5 Ma) and 17JT15 (44.5 ± 0.6 Ma). Zircon metamorphic rims of sample 17JT15 recorded a younger thermal event of 29.9±0.4 Ma. The analyzed samples possess high SiO2 (69.98–73.53 wt.%), Al2O3 (15.07–16.15 wt.%), variable Na2O (3.94–5.81 wt.%) with Na2O/K2O ratios of 1.57–7.88, and A/CNK values of 1.08–1.27 indicative of sodic peraluminous series. They show variable Sr (342–481 ppm), Rb (37.9–133 ppm) concentrations, and low Rb/Sr ratios (0.10–0.39), radiogenic Sr isotopes (87Sr/86Sr(t): 0.7190 to 0.7251) and unradiogenic Nd–Hf isotopes with eNd(t) values of -13.54 to -11.55 and eHf(t) values of -11.97 to -9.37, respectively. The variation of major and trace elements, such increase of Na2O and Sr, and decreases of K2O and Rb, resulted from cumulation of plagioclase and crystal fractionation of K-feldspar during magma evolution. The Haweng granodiorite porphyries were derived from partial melting of dominant amphibolites and variable metasedimentary rocks. The newly identified outcrops help conform the EW trending middle Eocene magmatic belt along the Yarlung Tsangpo suture zone, resulting from breakoff of Neo-Tethyan slab at ca. 45 Ma.

Evaluating the reliability of U–Pb laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) carbonate geochronology: matrix issues and a potential calcite validation reference material

Abstract. We document that the reliability of carbonate U–Pb dating by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is improved by matching the aspect ratio of the LA single-hole drilling craters and propagating long-term excess variance and systematic uncertainties. We investigated the impact of different matrices and ablation crater geometries using U–Pb isotope analyses of one primary (WC-1) and two secondary reference materials (RMs). Validation RMs (VRMs) include a previously characterised one (ASH-15D) and a new candidate (JT), characterised by ID-TIMS (intercept age: 13.797±0.031 Ma) with excellent agreement to pooled LA-ICP-MS measurements (13.75±0.11 | 0.36 Ma), a U concentration of approx. 1 µg g−1 and 238U∕206Pb ratios from 5 to 460, defining the isochron well. Differences in ablation crater depth to diameter ratios (aspect ratio) introduce an offset due to downhole fractionation and/or matrix effects. This effect can be observed either when the crater size between U–Pb RM and the sample changes or when the ablation rate for the sample is different than for the RM. Observed deviations are up to 20 % of the final intercept age depending on the degree of crater geometry mismatch. The long-term excess uncertainty was calculated to be in the range of 2 % (ASH-15D) to 2.5 % (JT), and we recommend propagating this uncertainty into the uncertainty of the final results. Additionally, a systematic offset to the ID-TIMS age of 2 %–3 % was observed for ASH-15D but not for JT. This offset might be due to different ablation rates of ASH-15D compared to the primary RM or remaining matrix effects, even when the aspect ratios chosen are similar.

Columbite-group minerals and mica of peraluminous granite record the magmatic-hydrothermal processes that formed the Zhaojinggou Ta[sbnd]Nb deposit in the North China Craton

The newly discovered Zhaojinggou TaNb deposit in the northern margin of the North China Craton contains ore reserves of more than 38 Mt. at an average grade of 0.013 wt% Ta2O5 and 0.012 wt% Nb2O5. The TaNb mineralization is mainly hosted in a peraluminous, albite granite body, which is about 400 m long and 20 to 100 m wide, with a surface exposure of ~0.05 km2. Granitic pegmatites and greisen veins that range from several centimeters to meters in width, occur in the margin of the granite body, and wolframite-quartz veins intrude the wall rocks up to tens of meters away from the granite contact. LA-ICP-MS UPb dating for columbite of the granite yields the lower intercept ages between 131.8 ± 1.0 Ma and 134.6 ± 2.1 Ma on the Tera-Wasserburg concordia diagram, indicating that the mineralization occurred in the early Cretaceous, coeval with the peak stage of lithospheric thinning and destruction of the North China Craton. The columbite grains in the granite are commonly euhedral, and are surrounded or penetrated by irregular tantalite patches/rims containing Ta2O5 as high as 59.5 wt%. The Ta concentrations within single columbite crystals commonly increase slightly from the center outwards, consistent with a systematic decrease of Nb/Ta caused by crystallization of columbite from the silicic magma. Mica in the granite shows disordered bright and dark domains in their BSE images; bright domains are F-rich zinnwaldite crystallized from highly evolved melts that were relatively enriched in Fe, Li, Rb, Nb and Ta, whereas the dark domains are F-poor muscovite crystallized from later hydrothermal fluids that were relatively enriched in Al, Mn, Ba, Sn and W. It is thus likely that the tantalite patches/rims around the columbite grains crystallized from a Ta- and F-rich hydrosilicate melt in a magmatic-hydrothermal transitional stage. The wolframite-quartz veins adjacent to the granite body likely formed from a W-rich hydrothermal fluid.

Geochemistry of two types of Palaeoproterozoic granites, and zircon U–Pb dating, and Lu–Hf isotopic characteristics in the Kuandian area within the Jiao‐Liao‐Ji Belt: Implications for regional tectonic setting

Palaeoproterozoic granites accompanied with granulite‐facies gneisses can be recognized in the Kuandian area, northern Jiao‐Liao‐Ji Belt (JLJB). This study highlights two episodes of Palaeoproterozoic magmatism, identified by granites and biotite monzogranitic gneisses herein. Zircon grains from biotite monzogranitic gneiss with homogeneous oscillatory zoning yielded a U–Pb age of 2,153 ± 16 Ma, in accordance with the age of zircon cores from the monzogranitic gneiss. Zircon grains from the two granites yielded upper intercept ages of 1,892 ± 38 Ma and 1,859 ± 36 Ma respectively. Monzogranitic gneiss samples are enriched in Th, Rb, Pb, U, and REE, but depleted in Sr and P. They have high 1,000 × Ga/Al ratios versus Zr, Ce, Nb, Y contents, which are usually interpreted as the features of classical A‐type granite that originated in a lithospheric extension setting. The ~1.89–1.86 Ga granite samples have relatively high Al, Rb, Th, U and low Sr, Zr, and Hf contents. These features, combined with the observation of minor apatite grains under the microscope are similar with the I‐type granites. In situ zircon Lu–Hf isotopic analyses revealed that ~1.89–1.86 Ga granite had a similar range and TDM2 ages with the monzogranitic gneiss, but with much lower εHf(t) values. The monzogranitic gneiss may have originated from an Archean crust, while the later granite may be derived from melting of the partial melting of the monzogranitic gneiss or the Archean crust that generated the monzogranitic gneiss. The ~1.89–1.86 Ga granites, together with the coeval S‐type granites in the JLJB, represent an orogeny process that may involve a Palaeoproterozoic subduction.

U–Pb geochronology of apatite and zircon from the Brent impact structure, Canada: a Late Ordovician Sandbian–Katian boundary event associated with L-Chondrite parent body disruption

In situ LA-ICP-MS U–Pb geochronology has been performed on apatite and zircon within thermally recrystallized clast-laden and clast-poor impact melt rocks from the Brent impact structure. A total of 377 laser analyses on 120 impact melt-grown (n = 9) and impact-recrystallized zircon grains (n = 111) were obtained, from which a concordia age of 452.8 ± 2.7 Ma (MSWD 0.57, n = 11), and a weighted average mean 206Pb/238U age of 453.2 ± 2.9 Ma (MSWD 0.60) (n = 11) are calculated. A total of 300 laser analyses from 100 relict apatite grains were obtained, with an unanchored regression through all data yielding a lower intercept age of 453.2 ± 6.0 Ma (MSWD 5.8, n = 300), that overlaps within error of zircon. 207Pb/206Pb ratios obtained from feldspar clasts within clast-laden impact melt retain the same initial Pb composition as the target rocks from which they are derived, while feldspars that crystallized from impact melt have 207Pb/206Pb ratios indicative of isotopic re-equilibration between basement lithologies of two different ages. A similar variability in 207Pb/206Pb is recorded by apatite. This provides evidence for the involvement of Neoproterozoic Lake Nipissing alkaline suite, as well as Mesoproterozoic Grenville gneisses in the production of impact melt at Brent. Recrystallized apatite grains exhibit enrichments in light rare earth elements (LREEs) along neoblast grain boundaries, indicative of trace element substitution and phase precipitation during impact-induced recrystallization. An age of 452.8 ± 2.7 Ma from zircon and 453.2 ± 6.0 Ma from apatite places the impact event in the Late Ordovician, at or near the Sandbian–Katian boundary, confirming Brent’s involvement in the Middle to Late Ordovician crater cluster event—a period of enhanced impactor flux to Earth related to the L-Chondrite parent body disruption.

U–Pb dating of calcite in ancient carbonates for age estimates of syn- to post-depositional processes: a case study from the upper Ediacaran strata of Finnmark, Arctic Norway

AbstractResults of in situ U–Pb dating of calcite spherulites, cone-in-cone (CIC) calcite and calcite fibres from a calcareous concretion of the upper Ediacaran of Finnmark, Arctic Norway, are reported. Calcite spherulites from the innermost layers of the concretion yielded a lower intercept age of 563 ± 70 Ma, which, although imprecise, is within uncertainty of the age of sedimentation based on fossil assemblages. Non-deformed CIC calcite from the bottom part of the concretion yielded an age of 475 ± 25 Ma, which is interpreted as the age of CIC calcite formation during a period of fluid overpressure induced during burial of the sediments. Deformed CIC calcite from the top part of the concretion yielded an age of 418 ± 23 Ma, which overlaps with a known Caledonian tectono-metamorphic event, and indicates a potential post-depositional overprint at this time. Calcite fibres that grew in small fissures along spherulite rims, which are interpreted as a recrystallization feature during deformation and formation of a cleavage, gave an imprecise age of 486 ± 161 Ma. Our results show that U–Pb dating of calcite can provide age constraints for ancient carbonates and syn- to post-depositional processes that operated during burial and metamorphic overprinting.

Archean block rotation in Western Karelia: Resolving dyke swarm patterns in metacraton Karelia-Kola for a refined paleogeographic reconstruction of supercraton Superia

Rifting, breakup, and subsequent collision related to the ca. 1.92–1.79 Ga Svecofennian orogeny fragmented and deformed the western margin of the Archean Karelia-Kola craton into four crustal blocks: Pudasjärvi, Iisalmi, Kuhmo, and Taivalkoski. Detailed quantification of Svecofennian deformation is limited due to poorly exposed basement geology and an as yet incomplete dyke swarm record.New U-Pb ID-TIMS geochronological results on baddeleyite and zircon are presented for three key mafic dykes from the Pudasjärvi block, namely the Uolevinlehto, Myllykangas, and Sipojuntti dykes. The age of the 325°-trending Uolevinlehto dyke is estimated at ca. 2400 ± 12 Ma from discordant multigrain baddeleyite fractions, showing it to be younger than ca. 2450 Ma dykes across Karelia. The 350°-trending Myllykangas dyke has a minimum age of 2135.2 + 3.6/−3.7 Ma based on chemically abraded zircon. Results from single baddeleyite grains provide a precise upper intercept age of 2128.9 ± 1.2 Ma for the 320°-trending Sipojuntti dyke.Our new U-Pb ages are integrated with those from the literature to define six major dyke swarms in the Pudasjärvi block: the NNE-trending ca. 2.45 Ga Pääjärvi, NW-trending ca. 2.40 Ga Uolevinlehto, NW-trending ca. 2.13–2.10 Ga Tohmajärvi, WNW-trending ca. 2.07 Ga Palomaa, NNW-trending ca. 1.98 Ga Paukkajanvaara, and undated “East-West” dykes. Trends of contemporaneous dyke swarms in the Taivalkoski and Kuhmo blocks, however, are systematically offset by 35°. With subvertical dips, offset dyke swarms record 35° clockwise vertical-axis rotation of the Pudasjärvi block relative to the interior of Karelia, consistent with dextral transpression during the Svecofennian orogeny. Structural restoration of the Pudasjärvi block improves the constraints on regional dyke swarm patterns, and these are used to revise the position of the Karelia-Kola craton within the context of the paleogeographic reconstruction of supercraton Superia.

Combined Zircon, Molybdenite, and Cassiterite Geochronology and Cassiterite Geochemistry of the Kuntabin Tin-Tungsten Deposit in Myanmar

AbstractThe Kuntabin Sn-W deposit, located in southern Myanmar, is characterized by abundant greisen-type and quartz vein-type cassiterite and wolframite mineralization. We have conducted multiple geochronological methods and isotope and trace element analyses to reveal the age and evolution of the Kuntabin magmatichydrothermal system.Zircon U-Pb dating of the two-mica granite yielded a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 90.1 ± 0.7 Ma. Cassiterite U-Pb dating provided a lower intercept age of 88.1 ± 1.9 Ma in the Tera-Wasserburg U-Pb concordia diagram. Molybdenite Re-Os dating returned a weighted mean model age of 87.7 ± 0.5 Ma and an isochron age of 88.7 ± 2.7 Ma. These ages indicate a genetic relationship between granite and Sn-W mineralization in the Kuntabin deposit and record the earliest magmatism and Sn-W mineralization in the Sibumasu and Tengchong terranes related to subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic slab. Three generations of cassiterite have been identified with distinctive cathodoluminescence textures and trace element patterns, indicating the episodic input of ore-forming fluids and distinctive changes in the physical-chemical conditions of the Kuntabin magmatichydrothermal system. Sudden changes of fluid pressure, temperature, pH, etc., may have facilitated the deposition of Sn and W. Rhenium contents of molybdenite from the Kuntabin deposit and many other Sn-W deposits in Myanmar are characteristically low compared to porphyry Cu-Mo-(Au) deposits worldwide. In combination with zircon Hf isotope signatures, we infer that granites associated with Sn-W deposits in Myanmar were predominantly derived by melting of ancient continental crust and contain minimal mantle contribution.Subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic slab from west of the West Burma terrane reached beneath the Sibumasu terrane and led to magmatism and Sn-W mineralization at ~90 Ma when the Kuntabin deposit was formed. The Paleoproterozoic Sibumasu crust was activated during the subduction-related magmatism to form predominantly crust derived melts. After a high degree of fractional crystallization and fluid exsolution, physical-chemical changes of the hydrothermal fluid resulted in Sn and W precipitation to form the Kuntabin Sn-W deposit.

Petrogenesis of the Lijiagou spodumene pegmatites in Songpan-Garze Fold Belt, West Sichuan, China: Evidence from geochemistry, zircon, cassiterite and coltan U-Pb geochronology and Hf isotopic compositions

Spodumene and other pegmatites in the Lijiagou area are located in the central Songpan-Garze Fold Belt (SGFB), West Sichuan. These pegmatites are hosted within the giant Songpan-Garze polymetallic belt. A lack of precise geochronological constraints on the magmatic crystallization of the pegmatite suite and nearby plutonic granitoids has precluded definitive statements on genetic links between spodumene ore formation and the magmatic suite. Systematic zircon, cassiterite and coltan U-Pb dating, Hf isotope and whole-rock geochemical analysis were undertaken. Two-mica granite and muscovite albite granite have S-type granite affinities and chemical compositions suggesting a post-orogenic setting, and the albite spodumene pegmatites belong to the LCT (Li-Cs-Ta) group of pegmatites. Zircon LA-MC-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of the two-mica granite, muscovite albite granite, albite pegmatite and albite spodumene pegmatite give crystallization ages of 219.2 ± 2.3 Ma (MSWD = 0.55), 217 ± 2.8 Ma (MSWD = 0.47), 202.8 ± 4.9 Ma (MSWD = 3.9) and 200.1 ± 4.6 Ma (MSWD = 3.1), respectively. Zircons from the same units yield εHf(t) values of −39.17 to 6.81, −22.73 to −2.83, −11.17 to 8.14, and −4.92 to −2.4, respectively, consistent with mixed crustal sources for the pegmatite and granite magmas. Cassiterite from albite spodumene pegmatite yields a concordia intercept age of 211.4 ± 3.3 Ma (MSWD = 2.9), while coltan yields a weighted mean age of 211.1 ± 1.0 Ma (MSWD = 0.97). The U-Pb zircon ages of the two-mica granite and muscovite albite granite are interpreted as ages of magmatic crystallization. Metamictization of zircon in both albite and albite spodumene pegmatites makes their U-Pb zircon ages liable to inaccuracy due to Pb loss. The coltan U-Pb age is regarded as an accurate measure of the magmatic crystallization age of the albite spodumene pegmatite. Given the differences in magmatic ages and εHf(t) ranges between albite spodumene pegmatite and both the two-mica granite and the muscovite albite granite, the albite spodumene pegmatites probably represent anatectic melts and not fractionation products of either of the granitic magmas. U-Pb coltan and U-Pb cassiterite dating are more likely to provide accurate crystallization ages of albite spodumene pegmatites than U-Pb zircon ages.

Mesoarchean gabbro-anorthosite complex from Singhbhum Craton, India

The Singhbhum Craton in Peninsular India preserves some of the oldest continental crust on the globe with Hadean and Paleoarchean zircon record. Here we investigate a gabbro-anorthosite complex from the eastern margin of the craton exposed at Besoi, Kuliana, Sarat and Jashipura areas. These rocks display moderate SiO2 (47.94–53.77 wt%), TiO2 (0.42–2.17 wt%), Al2O3 (8.97–14.96 wt%) MgO (6.14–10.30 wt%) and CaO (10.73–15.07 wt.) at low to moderate Cr (20–862 ppm), Ni (32–636 ppm) and V (81–666 ppm) and are classified as noritic gabbros and gabbros. Their rare earth and trace element patterns exhibit mild to moderate fractionation with coherent patterns (La/Yb = 1.71–14.59), negative to positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.62–1.44) negative Nb, Ti and sparingly negative to positive ZrHf anomalies. The UPb analysis of zircon grains from the Jashipura gabbros yield upper intercept ages of 3047 to 3099 Ma and the 3047 Ma age is considered to mark the timing of emplacement. Our geochemical data suggest that these rocks were generated through fractional crystallization of magma in a magma chamber at a transitional depth of the spinel-garnet regime with subsequent crustal contamination at an active continental margin supporting a continental arc setting. The gabbro-anorthosite suites in this region are synchronous with the adjacent granites and we propose that the mafic magma provided the heat for crustal melting that generated the granitoids. This magmatic event coincides with the ca. 3.1 Ga widespread crustal growth event in the Singhbhum Craton.

Neoarchean magmatism and Palaeoproterozoic metamorphism along the margin of the Qianhuai microblock in the North China Craton

The tectonic framework of the North China Craton (NCC) involved the building of microblocks and their incorporation into larger crustal blocks during the Late Archean followed by final cratonization through collisional assembly of the crustal blocks during the Late Palaeoproterozoic. Here we investigate a newly identified gabbro‐diorite‐anorthosite suite, metamorphosed under granulite facies, along the margin of the Qianhuai microblock based on field, petrological, geochemical and zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf studies, with a view to understand the petrogenetic and metamorphic history. Mineral phase equilibria modelling of metagabbros from the suite reveals relatively high temperatures and pressures of 800–820°C and 13–14 kbar, with a typical isobaric cooling pressure–temperature path characterized by initial heating followed by moderate to high‐pressure metamorphism and cooling, consistent with a thickened arc setting. The gabbro–diorite–anorthosite association is considered to represent the fractionated sequence from a common mafic magma. Magmatic zircon grains from the metagabbro yield upper intercept ages of 2522 and 2540 Ma, corresponding to the timing of formation of the mafic protolith. The lower intercept ages of 1785 and 1833 Ma mark the timing of metamorphism associated with the collisional event between the Western and Eastern blocks of the NCC. Zircon εHf(t) values are mostly positive for the magmatic domains suggesting that the melts were derived from depleted mantle sources. The Hf model ages indicate that the magma source involved Neoarchean–Mesoarchean juvenile components and the continental crust was reworked during metamorphism in the Late Palaeoproterozoic. The lithological association and geochemical as well as isotopic features are consistent with a convergent margin setting along a continental arc, where basaltic melts were underplated beneath the overriding arc, accompanied by lower crustal melting. Our study confirms subduction‐related crust building events during the late Neoarchean followed by Late Palaeoproterozoic high‐grade metamorphism associated with the final cratonization of the NCC.

Two phases of Paleoproterozoic orogenesis in the Tarim Craton: Implications for Columbia assembly

Paleoproterozoic orogenic pulses associated magmatism and metamorphism provide important constraints on the assembly of Columbia. New zircon UPb ages and whole-rock geochemistry results are reported from the Tarim craton, an externally positioned landmass within the Columbia supercontinent. Two samples of low-grade metagranites collected from borehole samples yielded crystallization ages of 1851 ± 9 Ma and 1850.4 ± 9.1 Ma. High-grade metamorphosed granites yielded discordia with upper intercept ages of 1822 ± 52 Ma and 1843 ± 58 Ma, and amphibolitic rocks yielded a concordant age of 1915 ± 30 Ma from the outcrops in southwestern Tarim. Together with previously published data, we propose the following sequence of events in Tarim. Magmatism in the Tarim craton took place during two narrow time intervals. The first phase of magmatism occurred between 1.96 and 1.90 Ga and was followed by a slightly younger magmatic pulse between 1.86 and 1.80 Ga. The latter intrusive phase was followed immediately by ca. 1.8 Ga metamorphism, which is widespread throughout the Tarim craton. We are unable to discriminate any regional age differences between the northern and southern regions of the Tarim Craton. Elemental and zircon Hf isotopes suggest that the magmatic sources were mainly derived from partial melting of the Paleoproterozoic-Neoarchean reworked crust, while variable mantle-derived magma involved in the earliest 1.96–1.90 Ga igneous rocks. The earliest magmatic phase is geodynamically related to subduction setting, whereas the younger phase (1.86–1.80) formed in a continental collisional setting. This process suggests an orogeny at ca. 1.96–1.90 Ga with the amalgamation between the southern and northern terranes, and a collisional orogeny between 1.86 and 1.80 Ga as Tarim becomes a peripheral part of the Columbia supercontinent. The two stages of orogenic activities argue for the amalgamation of the Tarim craton followed by the assembly of Columbia.