Late Thermal Event Research Articles

Modelo cinemático del control estructural 4D y metalogénesis del distrito auroargentífero Vetas-California (Santander, Colombia)

). The gold and silver deposits of the Vetas-California mining district are hosted in Paleozoic gneisses and Mesozoic granites of the Santander massif in the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia, far from the northern Andean volcanic arc. In the California area, there is ambiguity in defining the epithermal-type metallogenic model with high to intermediate sulfidation due to the presence of Late Triassic-Early Jurassic and Miocene magmatism. The best-known hydrothermal episodes comprise two early porphyritic-style phases: a) characterized by a propylitic alteration with molybdenite of the ~10.1 Ma-old La Mascota breccia, related to granodiorite porphyries and smaller-volume rhyodacitic dykes; and b) attributed to a magmatic-hydrothermal system due to phyllic alteration associated with quartz-pyrite veins with hydrothermal sericite dated at ~3.4 Ma. These two hydrothermal episodes were followed by four epithermal phases related to the development of multiphase hydrothermal breccias and quartz-alunite alteration, defined by bornite, covellite, and chalcopyrite, alongside wolframite, enargite, and sphalerite, with gold and silver mineralization between ~2.6 and ~ 1.6 Ma. To understand the relationship of the emplacement of the porphyries and the subsequent auro-argentiferous enrichments to the deformation front observed in the Pamplona buttress, to the east of the Santander Massif, a 4D structural model of the mineralization is formulated here. This model is based on the spatial analysis of the stresses responsible for the La Baja-Angostura dextral fault in terms of the regional kinematics of the Bucaramanga sinistral fault. It is considered that the SW sector of the deposit area corresponds to a well-defined, tabular, sub-vertical body of the La Mascota breccia. On the other hand, the NE sector in the La Baja-Angostura fault is expressed as a topographically elevated right horsetail splay, which controls the more disseminated distribution of the mineralization by means of veinlet swarms arranged in an ~E-W direction. The disseminated mineralization of Vetas-California was probably favored by late thermal expansion-contraction events in the gneissic sockets, which allowed the accumulation and precipitation of boiling solutions rich in volatiles and elements of economic interest.

In situ Lu–Hf dating of allanite by LA-ICP-MS/MS: Implications for geochronology

Allanite is a common REE-rich accessory mineral found in various igneous and metamorphic rocks, and can record a variety of geological processes. Therefore, allanite geochronology has the potential to answer a range of important geological questions. Allanite U–Th–Pb geochronology is hampered by common open-system behavior in the system. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of in situ allanite Lu–Hf dating by LA–ICP–MS/MS. A total of nine allanite samples from different rock types (e.g., granite, pegmatite) were investigated. These allanite samples have ages ranging from ca. 2650 to ca.100 Ma, and Lu contents ranging from several to hundreds of μg g−1 levels and relatively high Lu/Hf ratios (> 30). At a mass shift of +82, the isobaric interferences 176Lu and 176Yb have extremely low reaction rates of ∼0.003 % and ∼ 0.0003 %, respectively, indicating the isobaric interference corrections are insignificant for the allanite samples (mean 175Lu/177Hf = ∼814; mean 172Yb/177Hf = ∼719). A two-step calibration strategy was proposed for the 176Lu/176Hf and 177Hf/176Hf ratio corrections using NIST SRM 610 (for instrument drift) and LE2808 (for matrix effect). The nine allanite samples contain common Hf contents (f176Hf) of ∼5 % to >90 %, and the data are plotted in inverse isochron diagrams. Unanchored inverse isochron ages exhibit a large deviation in accuracy (5–10 %), whilst anchored isochron ages have a better accuracy of <5 %. The uncertainty of anchor initial 176Hf/177Hf values was investigated and, in general, was insignificant (< 2.8 %) for samples with f176Hf < 80 %. Our results demonstrate that in situ allanite Lu–Hf dating by LA-ICP-MS/MS is feasible and can yield precise and accurate ages (< 5 %). Lu–Hf geochronometer captures the high-temperature process and may be more resistant during the late thermal event. Thus, it provides an alternative solution for those samples which are suffered by open-system behavior in U-Th-Pb system.

Structural architecture and metamorphism of the Mayombe Chain and Niari Basin (West Congo Belt) in Congo Brazzaville

Geological mapping of the Mayombe Chain and Niari Basin of Congo Brazzaville allows for the first time defining the structural architecture and metamorphism of the West Congo Belt. Four different tectono-metamorphic domains, separated by crustal-scale shear zones, are now distinguished (Niari Basin (NB), Eastern (EMC), Central (CMC) and Western (WMC) Mayombe Chain).The NB is marked by only weak regional deformation under middle to upper diagenetic conditions. It is delimited in the west from the EMC by the Mount Belo Shear Zone forming the terminal thrust system of the West Congo orogen.The tectonic style in the EMC is characterized by discrete, widely-spaced low-angle thrusts, reverse faults and strike-slip faults resulting in the formation of duplex and/or positive flower structures. Off these high-strain zones, the rocks are folded into gentle syn- and anticlines. Penetrative schistosity starts in shales in the western part. The metamorphism increases from eastern anchizonal conditions to lower greenschist facies in the west. The EMC is juxtaposed along the Moukondo thrust/back-thrust system with the CMC.The CMC is typified by open to closed upright to NE-verging folds, S1 schistosity with moderate to steep SW dips, onset of regional crenulation cleavage (S2), frequent reverse thrusts and numerous faults. Metamorphic conditions remain in the greenschist facies. The Loukenéné-Mandji Thrust marks the CMC-WMC contact and coincides with a jump in metamorphic grade marked by biotite-in.The WMC consists of Palaeoproterozoic basement stacked with Neoproterozoic rocks. Autochthonous Palaeoproterozoic gneiss and schist record Late Eburnean sedimentation, magmatism and metamorphism between 2110 and 1970 Ma, which are compared with the Eburnean history in Gabon and the Transamazonian orogeny in Brazil. The allochthonous Bikossi Group was thrust during the Pan-African event from the west over Tonian metavolcaniclastic and plutonic rocks before further folding and stacking of both units. The intensity of Pan-African deformation increases from open to closed folds with spaced cleavage in the southeast of the WMC to thrust-dominated tectonics in the northwest, where the Palaeo- and Neoproterozoic rocks are transposed into parallelism with the pronounced schistosity.Geochronology of illite and muscovite documents two Pan-African events at 590-570 Ma (M1) and at 520-500 Ma (M2) that are related to the main collisional and late thermal events in the Araçuai-Ribeira Belt in Brazil. Metamorphic isogrades shifted from M1 to M2 for more than 30 km to the west. Detrital mica and metamorphic illite of the Mpioka Group record M1 and M2, respectively constraining sedimentary deposition between 570 and 520 Ma, which implies the interpretation of the group as molasse of the West Congo Belt.

Malotas (b), a new eucrite from an old fall

AbstractOn the night of June 22, 1931 at 4 h 30 min, a fireball was seen in the vicinity of Malotas, Argentina. During the atmospheric trajectory (southwest to northeast), it experienced several fragmentation events. After the fall, a piece was given to Professor Juan A. Olsacher (National University of Córdoba City, Argentina), who collected some further pieces. One of those samples was officially classified as an H5 ordinary chondrite termed Malotas. The present work focuses on the study of another two pieces rediscovered recently in the Museo de Mineralogía y Geología Dr. Alfred Stelzner in Cordoba City, Argentina. The first piece turned out to be an achondritic meteorite termed Malotas (b). Petrographic features, chemical composition, and oxygen isotopes point to a monomict basaltic eucrite belonging to the Stannern‐trend chemical subgroup of eucrites. The occurrence of anorthitic plagioclase veins in clinopyroxene, veinlet apatite, irregular‐shaped pockets of silica and troilite and porous silica signal metasomatism and thermal annealing before a late thermal event took place after brecciation. The latter was possibly recorded in the nominal U/Th‐4He ages of 1.2–3.4 Ga detected in this work, whereas nominal K‐Ar gas retention ages are within the range 3.5–4.2 Ga and may have escaped late thermal modifications. The second piece is classified as an L5 chondrite. The different cosmic ray exposure ages of 3, ~50, and 27 Ma determined for the H5 and L5 chondrites and the eucrite samples, respectively, might signal a common fall as a result of the breakup of a polymict meteoroid.

A thermal event in the Dolpo region (Nepal): a consequence of the shift from orogen perpendicular to orogen parallel extension in central Himalaya?

In the Lower Dolpo region (central Himalaya), structurally above the South Tibetan Detachment System (STDS), blastesis of static micas have been recognized. Nevertheless, until now, very little work has been done to constrain the tectonic meaning and the timing of this static mica growth. In this work we investigate samples from the STDS hanging wall, characterized by three populations of micas, defining (i) S1 and (ii) S2 foliations, and (iii) M3 static mineral growth cutting both foliations. New geochronological 40 Ar/ 39 Ar analyses on the microtexturally different micas, complemented by microstructural and compositional data, allow us to place temporal constraints on the static (re)crystallization at the STDS hanging wall. Results reveal homogeneous chemical compositions and ages of micas within the investigated samples, irrespective of the structural positions. Phlogopite and muscovite on S1 and S2 and post-kinematic biotite yielded 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages within 14–11 Ma with decreasing ages upward. We suggest that mica (re)crystallized under static conditions during a late thermal event at low structural levels ( c. 15–18 km), after cessation of the ductile activity of the shear zone. We hypothesize that this later thermal event is kinematically linked to the switch from orogen perpendicular to orogen parallel extension in central Himalaya. Supplementary material: Electron microprobe analyses of biotite and white mica are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5509998 Thematic collection: This article is part of the Isotopic Dating of Deformation collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/isotopic-dating-of-deformation

Primary crystallization and partial remelting of chondrules in the protoplanetary disk: Petrographic, mineralogical and chemical constraints recorded in zoned type-I chondrules

Chondrules from unequilibrated ordinary chondrites are among the oldest Solar system materials and preserve mineralogical, chemical and isotopic signatures that link them to their primary formation mechanisms and environments in the early Solar System. Some chondrules record features indicating modifications by high- to low-temperature processes throughout their residence time in the protoplanetary disk. Chondrules that were partially modified after their primary formation record chemical, isotopic and textural information on their initial formation conditions and subsequent reprocessing that are essential to reconstruct their formation environments and interpret the ages recorded by individual chondrules correctly.The detailed textural and major, minor and trace element analyses of two type-I chondrules from the low petrologic type ordinary chondrites MET 00526 and MET 00452 (L/LL3.05) reveal complex chemical and textural systematics bearing testimony of their multi-stage high temperature evolution, including reheating and partial remelting, in the evolving protoplanetary disk prior to accretion into their parent bodies. During primary crystallization of chondrule MET00526_Ch43, mineral growth, including incipient formation of feldspar in the outer parts of the chondrule, led to the fractionation of melt, eventually resulting in a chemical gradient in the mesostasis. During a later punctuated reheating that ultimately led to partial remelting of the outer parts of the chondrule, mesostasis and low-Ca pyroxene remelted partially. This partial remelting enhanced the chemical differences within the mesostasis and led to the formation of two chemically distinct mesostases in the inner and the outer zone of the chondrule with almost complementary abundances of Rb, Na, K, Ba, Sr and Eu. The calculated bulk mesostasis composition reveals chondritic relative abundances of these elements in the bulk chondrule with a slight depletion of the most volatile elements. Chemical and textural observations further indicate that this disequilibrium remelting occurred under more reducing conditions than the primary melting event preserved in the chondrule centre, allowing for the crystallization of a second generation of low-Ca pyroxene in the outer parts of the chondrule. Very similar processes are also recorded in chondrule MET00452_Ch22 with the degree of remelting being more extensive.A previously determined young 26Al-26Mg age of ∼3 Ma after CAIs determined for chondrule MET00452_Ch22 dates the time of the chondrule remelting rather than its primary formation. This is evidence for a late thermal event in the protoplanetary disk and generally indicates that multiple, distinct thermal pulses occurred in the chondrule forming region of the protoplanetary disk throughout the time of chondrule formation. The nonconcentric secondary outer zone around a spherical inner zone may indicate a directed heat source as the cause of partial remelting and reprocessing of primary chondrules.

Diversity of Felsic Rocks in Oceanic Crust: Implications From the Neoproterozoic Plagiogranites Within the Northeast Jiangxi Ophiolite, Southern China

AbstractSilicic igneous rocks in the oceanic crust provide insights into the formation of proto‐continental crust, which can be investigated by studying rare silicic rocks within ophiolite complexes. This study focuses on plagiogranites that crop out as lenses and blocks in the northeast Jiangxi ophiolite (NJO), located in the eastern segment of the Neoproterozoic Jiangnan Orogen, southern China. The plagiogranites yield a mean SHRIMP U‐Pb zircon crystallization age of ca. 995 Ma and also record a late thermal event at ca. 220 Ma. The plagiogranites have high Na, very low K, and highly variable rare earth element (REE) concentrations from extremely depleted total REEs to strong enrichment in light REEs. Some samples have adakitic characteristics. Zircons from the plagiogranites have positive εHf(t) values (9.96 to 16.6) and mantle‐like δ18O values (5.13 ± 0.21‰), indicating a juvenile crustal or mantle source. Based on REE modeling, we propose a two‐stage model for the formation of the geochemically variable NJO plagiogranites: (1) High‐REE adakitic magmas plagiogranites were generated by 20% partial melting of basaltic oceanic crust; and (2) subsequent fractional crystallization (up to 50%) of these magmas and crystal accumulation produced the low‐REE plagiogranites. Our results show that granitic magmas can become highly differentiated in an oceanic setting. The diversity of silicic rocks in the oceanic crust is mainly the result of partial melting of subducted basaltic rocks and subsequent differentiation rather than just fractional crystallization of basaltic magmas.

What is underneath the juvenile Ordovician Macquarie Arc (eastern Australia)? A question resolved using Silurian intrusions to sample the lower crust

The Ordovician intra-oceanic Macquarie Arc of eastern Australia collided with the eastern Gondwanan margin at ~440 Ma. However, the deep crustal architecture resulting from this assembly is poorly known. This is addressed here by a zircon U-Pb-Hf study of the post-assembly Silurian Browns Creek Intrusive Complex and Davies Creek Granite dykes that intrude into the arc, and not adjacent Gondwanan sedimentary sequences. Zircon UPb dating integrated with CL imagery indicate two igneous phases at 430–437 Ma and 420–426 Ma and a zircon recrystallisation phase at 395–396 Ma attributed to a late thermal event. The magmatic zircon initial ɛHf values vary from −5.1 to +4.7. This signature indicates the source of these granitic rocks is strongly influenced by typical pre-Silurian Gondwanan material. Granitic rock and zircon compositions demonstrate that at the likely temperature of the Silurian granitic magma, especially the Davies Creek Granite dykes, inherited source zircons were mostly dissolved, explaining the absence of pre-Ordovician xenocrysts within the zircon population. The unradiogenic Hf isotopic signatures preserved in the Silurian magmatic zircons demonstrate the contribution of Gondwanan crustal material to the magma source region. These results support the interpretation of the Macquarie Arc as an intra-Panthalassa ocean allochthon, emplaced and resting over the edge of Gondwanan crystalline basement, possibly including the continent-derived sedimentary rocks of the Adaminaby Group.

Differences in natural gamma radiation characteristics of Erinpura and Malani granites in NW India

In NW India, large volumes of exposed Neoproterozoic basement rocks are formed by two magmatic suites, Erinpura granites as a late thermal event with respect to the $${\sim }$$ 1 Ga Delhi Orogeny and the younger Malani igneous suite (770–750 Ma). Average uranium and thorium equivalent concentrations (in ppm) inferred from spectroscopic gamma radiation survey are higher in Malani rocks (Th 47.33 ppm and U 6.95 ppm) as compared to the Erinpura granites (Th 33.55 ppm and U 4.77 ppm). These values are considerably above the granite world average (Th $$14.8 \pm 13.2$$ ppm; U $$3.93 \pm 3.27$$ ppm). High U (up to 19 ppm) and Th (up to 88 ppm) in some Malani granites and a constant Th–U ratio of 7 points to a high degree of fractionation of the felsic magma. Higher radioelement concentration in the east (Mirpur granite) as compared to the west (Jaswantpura granite) is substantiated by geochemical data. Areas to the west and east of the Sirohi frontal thrust show differences, most likely a consequence of anatexis in the eastern sector. A high linear correlation between inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and gamma-ray data underlines the suitability of in-situ measurements for the determination of U and Th concentrations during a field survey providing basic information for future petrogenetic and risk-hazard studies in this granitic terrain.

New age in the geological evolution of the Cerro de Mercado Iron Oxide Apatite deposit, Mexico: Implication in the Durango apatite standard (DAP) age variability

Cerro de Mercado Iron Oxide Apatite deposit (CM-IOA) is known as a classical example of an IOA deposit worldwide and is also probably the most prolific locality in terms of gem-quality fluorapatite. The CM-IOA deposit is located in the Chupaderos Caldera Complex (CCC), a large rhyolitic volcanic center belonging to the Upper Volcanic Supergroup of Oligocene age. The main Cerro de Mercado IOA mineralization body is crosscut by a kilometer long rhyodacite dyke that acted as channelway for the rhyodacite flow. The rhyodacite dyke crosscuts all the volcanic sequence. K-Ar ages of this dyke range from ca. 28 to 27 Ma. Apatite in the Cerro de Mercado deposit appears in two different positions, (1) altered crystals intergrown with martite within massive mineralization, with or without diopside; and (2) on martite in degassing cavities and fracture zones, with accompanying chalcedony and calcite. Crystallization of the apatite phase was complete prior to the eruption of the overlying felsic flows of the Tinaja Member of the Cacaria Formation at ca. 31.44 Ma and preserve of potential late thermal event (McDowell et al., 2005). The mean ages reported by numerous and different isotopic methods for the fluorapatite DAP are coincident within the margins of uncertainty with the volcanic host rocks ages. But DAP ages reported present a significant variability of up to 8%. Such variability is also found in all dating technics applied in Durango Apatite (fission-track, U/Pb and (U-Th)/He ages) and suggest a thermal resetting related to the late volcanic event at 28-27 Ma.

A-type Medina batholith and post-collisional anatexis in the Araçuaí orogen (SE Brazil)

The Medina batholith and its host granitic migmatites record intriguing plutonic processes in the northern Araçuaí orogen (SE Brazil). This orogen shows a long lasting (630–480 Ma) succession of granite production events from the earliest pre-collisional plutons to the latest post-collisional intrusions. The Medina batholith includes granite intrusions ascribed to the post-collisional stage. They show high alkali and halogen contents, low CaO (at SiO2 = 71%: Na2O + K2O = 7 to 9%; CaO = 1.6%), and high FeOt/(FeOt + MgO) ratios (0.78 to 0.92). The Medina granites are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous, with ASI (molecular ratio Al/(Ca-1.67P + Na_K)) values of 1.76 to 2.07, and have high concentrations of high field strength elements (Zr + Nb + Ce + Y > 700 ppm), as well as high Ga/Al ratios. Accordingly, the Medina intrusions are typical ferroan A-type granites. UPb ages from zircon (501 ± 2 Ma) and monazite (497 ± 2 Ma) constrain the emplacement timing of the Medina batholith. Surprisingly, all monazite ages from host rocks also cluster around 500 Ma, despite their nature and distance from the batholith, suggesting that they would have shared a same thermal process. The studied host rocks are granitic migmatites varying from patch metatexite to nebulitic diatexite, comprising paleosome of foliated sillimanite-garnet-biotite metagranite to gneiss, and non-foliated garnet-cordierite neosome poor to free of biotite. A metatexite (R14) located relatively far from the Medina batholith, and a diatexite (M26) found at the batholith contact were sampled for detailed studies. The paleosome of foliated metagranite (R14A) only shows zircon grains with igneous features and Th/U ratio from 1.64 to 0.26. Although the spreading of zircon spots, the main cluster yields a Concordia age at 556 ± 6 Ma, constraining the protolith magmatic crystallization. A minor cluster furnishes a Concordia age at 499 ± 7 Ma, in agreement with the UPb monazite age at 501 ± 2 Ma. Extracted from the same metatexite sample, the non-foliated garnet-cordierite neosome (R14B) shows both igneous and metamorphic zircon domains with Th/U ratios ranging from 1.47 to 0.00. Again, the UPb spots cluster at two distinct Concordia ages (562 ± 3 Ma and 499 ± 3 Ma). The youngest of them, fitting with the monazite age (495 ± 3 Ma), constrains melt crystallization, while the oldest age suggests paleosome inheritance. The nebulitic diatexite (M26) shows monazite (497 ± 2 Ma) and zircon (Th/U = 1.7 to 0.0; Concordia ages at 564 ± 2 Ma and 507 ± 3 Ma) populations similar to the metatexite neosome, also with the youngest ages bracketing the melt crystallization process around 500 Ma. Accordingly, all those ages at around 500 Ma disclose a partial melting episode coeval with the Medina batholith emplacement. Phase equilibrium modeling on a garnet-cordierite neosome furnished P-T conditions of 750–840 °C at 2.4–3.5 kbar for that post-collisional anatexis. Evidence for such a late thermal event are common in the Araçuaí orogen, even far from the post-collisional batholiths. Thus, a possible major heat source can be envisaged, like a mantle plume triggering crustal anatexis and regional fluid circulation during the gravitational collapse of the Araçuaí orogen.

Young asteroidal fluid activity revealed by absolute age from apatite in carbonaceous chondrite.

Chondritic meteorites, consisting of the materials that have formed in the early solar system (ESS), have been affected by late thermal events and fluid activity to various degrees. Determining the timing of fluid activity in ESS is of fundamental importance for understanding the nature, formation, evolution and significance of fluid activity in ESS. Previous investigations have determined the relative ages of fluid activity with short-lived isotope systematics. Here we report an absolute 207Pb/206Pb isochron age (4,450±50 Ma) of apatite from Dar al Gani (DaG) 978, a type ∼3.5, ungrouped carbonaceous chondrite. The petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical features suggest that the apatite in DaG 978 should have formed during metamorphism in the presence of a fluid. Therefore, the apatite age represents an absolute age for fluid activity in an asteroidal setting. An impact event could have provided the heat to activate this young fluid activity in ESS.

Palaeozoic polymetamorphism in the North Qinling orogenic belt, Central China: Insights from petrology and in situ titanite and zircon U–Pb geochronology

The Qinling orogenic belt experienced multiple phases of orogenesis during the Palaeozoic. Unraveling the timing and P–T conditions of these events is the key to understanding the convergence processes between the South China and the North China Blocks. The Songshugou Complex, located in the southern part of the North Qinling orogenic belt, has registered multistage metamorphism in Palaeozoic, and thus potentially provides insights into the tectonic evolution of the Qinling orogenic belt. In this study, three metabasic rocks (a garnet pyroxenite, a garnet amphibolite and a gneissic amphibolite) from the Songshugou Complex were selected for petrological study and zircon and titanite U–Pb dating. Our results show that the metabasic rocks experienced three metamorphic events during the Palaeozoic. The first metamorphic event (M1) is characterized by high pressure conditions. Two zircon grains in equilibrium with garnet and in absence of plagioclase were recognized from the garnet pyroxenite sample. They yielded Ti-in-zircon temperatures of 660–851°C at ∼12.0kbar and a weighted mean age of 498±15Ma, providing the constraints on the temperature and timing of prograde or peak metamorphism (M1-1). Zircons that are inequilibrium with garnet from the garnet pyroxenite and the garnet amphibolite gave U–Pb ages of 494±9Ma and 484±4Ma, and Ti-in-zircon temperatures of 793±33°C and 738±18°C, respectively. Thus, these zircons were formed on the retrograde amphibolite-facies conditions at ∼8.0kbar (M1-2). Titanite inclusions were found in actinolite cores of zoned amphibole from the garnet amphibolite. They yielded a U–Pb age of ∼470Ma and Zr-in-titanite temperature of 676±23°C at pressure of ∼7.0kbar, suggesting that the amphibolite-facies retrogression perhaps persisted to ∼470Ma.Weakly zoned zircons from the garnet amphibolite and inclusion-free titanites from the garnet pyroxenite gave consistent U–Pb ages of 418±5Ma and 423±10Ma, and Ti-in-zircon temperature of 742±26°C and Zr-in-titanite temperature of 764±18°C at ∼7.0kbar, respectively. It is suggested that a heating event (M2) is registered by a subsequent phase of amphibolite-facies metamorphism. The ilmenite-bearing titanite crystals from the garnet pyroxenite yielded a U–Pb age of 352±4Ma, recording a late thermal event (M3).On the basis of combined petrological and geochronological results, we propose a revised tectonic model for the North Qinling orogeny in Palaeozoic. The high pressure granulites were formed by the northward subduction of the Shangdan oceanic slab and the arc-continent collision at ca. 500Ma. Their exhumation happened at ca. 494–484Ma as a result of slab breakoff. Subsequent amphibolite-facies metamorphism dated at ca. 440–420Ma are coeval with the widespread magmatism in the North Qinling Terrane, which are likely caused by the reinitiation northward-subducted of Shangdan oceanic slab. At ca. 350Ma, the North Qinling Terrane was likely affected by another thermal overprinting event.

Heavily fractionated noble gases in an acid residue from the Klein Glacier 98300 EH3 chondrite

Noble gases were measured both in bulk samples (stepped pyrolysis and total extraction) and in a HF/HCl residue (stepped pyrolysis and combustion) from the Klein Glacier (KLE) 98300 EH3 chondrite. Like the bulk meteorite and as seen in previous studies of bulk type 3 E chondrites (“sub-Q”), the acid residue contains elementally fractionated primordial noble gases. As we show here, isotopically these are like those in phase-Q of primitive meteorites, but elementally they are heavily fractionated relative to these. The observed noble gases are different from “normal” Q noble gases also with respect to release patterns, which are similar to those of Ar-rich noble gases in anhydrous carbonaceous chondrites and unequilibrated ordinary chondrites (with also similar isotopic compositions). While we cannot completely rule out a role for parent body processes such as thermal and shock metamorphism (including a later thermal event) in creating the fractionated elemental compositions, parent body processes in general seem not be able to account for the distinct release patterns from those of normal Q noble gases. The fractionated gases may have originated from ion implantation from a nebular plasma as has been suggested for other types of primordial noble gases, including Q, Ar-rich, and ureilite noble gases. With solar starting composition, the corresponding effective electron temperature is about 5000 K. This is lower than inferred for other primordial noble gases (10,000–6000 K). Thus, if ion implantation from a solar composition reservoir was a common process for the acquisition of primordial gas, electron temperatures in the early solar system must have varied spatially or temporally between 10,000 and 5000 K. Neon and xenon isotopic ratios of the residue suggest the presence of presolar silicon carbide and diamond in abundances lower than in the Qingzhen EH3 and Indarch EH4 chondrites. Parent body processes including thermal and shock metamorphism and a late thermal event also cannot be responsible for the low abundances of presolar grains. KLE 98300 may have started out with smaller amounts of presolar grains than Qingzhen and Indarch.

Faint recombination lines in Galactic PNe with a [WC] nucleus

Aims. We present spatially resolved high-resolution spectrophotometric data for the planetary nebulae PB 8, NGC 2867, and PB 6. We have analyzed two knots in NGC 2867 and PB 6 and one in PB 8. The three nebulae are ionized by [WC] type nuclei: early [WO] for PB 6 and NGC 2867 and [WC 5-6] in the case of PB 8. Our aim is to study the behavior of the abundance discrepancy problem (ADF) in this type of planetary nebula. Methods. We measured a large number of optical recombination (ORL) and collisionally excited lines (CEL), from different ionization stages (many more than in any previous work), thus, we were able to derive physical conditions from many different diagnostic procedures. We determined ionic abundances from the available collisionally excited and recombination lines. Based on both sets of ionic abundances, we derived total chemical abundances in the nebulae using suitable ionization correction factors. Results. From CELs, we have found abundances typical of Galactic disk planetary nebulae. Moderate ADF(O ++ ) were found for PB 8 (2.57) and NGC 2867 (1.63). For NGC 2867, abundances from ORLs are higher but still consistent with Galactic disk planetary nebulae. On the contrary, PB 8 presents a very high O/H ratio from ORLs. A high C/O was obtained from ORLs for NGC 2867; this ratio is similar to C/O obtained from CELs and with the chemical composition of the wind of the central star, indicating that there was no further C-enrichment in the star, relative to O, after the nebular material ejection. On the contrary, we found C/O < 1 in PB 8. Interestingly, we obtain (C/O) ORLs /(C/O) CELs < 1 in PB 8 and NGC 2867; this added to the similarity between the heliocentric velocities measured in [O III] and O II lines for our three objects argue against the presence of H-deficient metal-rich knots coming from a late thermal pulse event.

LA-ICPMS U-Pb Ages of Zircon from Metaleucosomes, Olongbuluke Microcontinent, North Qaidam, and Implications on the Response to the Global Rodinia Supercontinent Assembly Event in NW China

U-Pb dating was conducted on different domains of zircons from metamorphosed leucosomes in Delingha () complex, the lower basement rocks of the Olongbuluke () microcontinent, North Qaidam, in order to review its complex tectonothermal history. The zircon core is comprised of highly-modified magmatic zircon relicts, the zircon mantle was produced in response to anatexis of a Late Protoproterozoic thermal event; age and isotopic composition of both the zircon core and the zircon mantle have been seriously disturbed due to the thermal event related with growth of the zircon overgrowth rim. The 207Pb/206Pb apparent age of the overgrowth rim was estimated to be ∼1 030 Ma. This Late Mesoproterozoic thermal event has been interpreted as a response to the global Rodinia supercontinent assembly event in the Olongbuluke microcontinent, Northwest China.

Evidence from the Rb-Sr system for 4.4 Ga alteration of chondrules in the Allende (CV3) parent body

Abstract— The timing and processes of alteration in the CV parent body are investigated by the analysis of Sr isotopes, major and trace elements, and petrographic type and distribution of the secondary minerals (nepheline and sodalite) in 22 chondrules from the Allende (CV3) chondrite. The Sr isotopic compositions of the chondrules are scattered around the 4.0 Ga reference line on the 87Sr/86Sr evolution diagram, indicating that the chondrules have been affected by late thermal alteration event(s) in the parent body. The degree of alteration, determined for individual chondrules based on the distribution of nepheline and sodalite, is unrelated to the disturbance of the Rb-Sr system, suggesting that the alteration process that produced nepheline and sodalite is different from the thermal process that disturbed the Rb-Sr system of the chondrules. Considering the geochemical behavior of Rb and Sr, the main host phase of Sr in chondrules is likely to be mesostasis, which could be most susceptible to late thermal alteration. As there is a poor connection between the alteration degree determined from abundances of nepheline and sodalite and the disturbance of Rb-Sr isotopic system, we consider the mesostasis to provide a constraint on the late parent body alteration process. From this point of view, 23 mesostasis-rich chondrules, including those from literature data, were selected. The selected chondrules are closely correlated on the 87Sr/86Sr evolution diagram, with an inferred age of 4.36 ± 0.08 Ga. This correlation would represent an age of the final major Sr isotopic redistribution of the chondrules in the parent body.

Geochemistry of the Ganesh Himal zinc-lead deposits, central Nepal Himalaya

A dolomite hosted strata-bound high-grade (19-25%) zinc-lead sulphide deposit occurs, between 4,000 m and 5,100 m over an area of 5 km2 in the ~ 7 km wide MCT zone of the Ganesh Himal area of central Nepal. The host crystalline milky white sugary dolomite occurs in a repeated sequence of garnet-mica schist, quartzite, calc-schist and concordant amphibolite of older Lesser Himalayan sequence (Upper Nawakot Group), all showing ductile deformation. The rocks along with the ore have undergone at least three phases of deformation. A series of overturned, steep northerly dipping and NE to ENE plunging anticlines and synclines form the dominating structure, characterised by disharmonic shape of the dolomite host rock because of apparent squeezing out from limbs into the axial regions. Compared to their strike lengths, the ore bodies and the host rock bodies have long extension along the plunge direction. The ore has a very simple composition of sphalerite-galena-pyrite with a little pyrrhotite, magnetite and chalcopyrite. Chemically, it consists mainly of zinc along with iron, lead, silver and very low silica, silicates and alumina. Concentrations of trace and rare elements are very low. Ore body types vary from dissemination and bands to massive sulphide lenses, arranged en echelon parallel to the schistosity/ bedding. The rocks of the area were subjected to almandine-amphibolite facies of metamorphism, to 750±150 MPa pressure and 500 °C to 750 °C temperature conditions. The latest thermal event was as young as ~12 Ma. The lead isotope data are interpreted to establish an age of 875 to 785 Ma for the Ganesh Himal deposits, while sulphur isotope data imply an age greater than 650 Ma. The Ganesh Himal deposit appears to be Vindhyan equivalent in the Himalaya, showing highest metal values as on date. Only two out of six occurrences in the area have been explored so far. The ore reserve estimates stand at 2.4 million tonnes with 14.66% zinc, 3.01 % lead, and 23.5 g/t silver. Taking into account all the occurrences the Ganesh Himal basin might have had 861,000 tonnes zinc and 182,000 tonnes lead at the minimum. The lithologic sequence represents a shallow marine facies of deposition. The δ34 S values for Ganesh Himal sulphides indicate that the sulphur was probably produced by biogenic reduction of contemporaneous seawater sulphate. The lead isotope ratios of Ganesh Himal deposit fall on a single-stage growth curve, on which also fall many big deposits of the world, indicating that the Ganesh Himal zinc-lead deposit has high potential. The primary control of the mineralisation is stratigraphic, the present ore body configuration being controlled by south vergent folding related with the metamorphism and thrusting along the MCT. Pyrite framboids and geochemical characters of ore indicate that the mineralisation is syngenetic sedimentary, and it may have been deposited in association with a bioherm or reef in an anoxic environment. The source of metal ions is not clear yet, but the contemporaneous basic rock bodies providing the metal ions could be a possibility.

Fluid-controlled quartz recovery in granulite as revealed by cathodoluminescence and trace element analysis (Bamble sector, Norway)

Dispersed quartz veinlets in Proterozoic enderbitic charnockite from Tromoy, Bamble sector (southern Norway), with Ti-concentrations of mostly 80–180 ppm, produce bright blue cathodoluminescence (CL), against contrasting micro-textures of secondary pure quartz with low CL intensity. The textures comprise grain boundary alteration, healed micro-fractures, patches of secondary quartz, and euhedral quartz nuclei. The secondary quartz locally makes up 50% of the total quartz. Trace element analysis has been done by electron-probe micro-analysis (EPMA), laser-induced coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS), and additional electron-paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. These studies testify systematic trace element reduction and extensive quartz recovery during retrograde metamorphism. We assume healing of a part of the aqueous fluid inclusions during a late thermal event, possible correlated with Paleozoic magmatic activity in the Oslo-Rift. During final cooling, aqueous fluids were largely retrapped in patches of secondary quartz associated with healed fractures, whereas carbonic inclusions (without secondary quartz) may have survived retrograde metamorphism. The variable but generally high salinity of fluid inclusions is assumed to be in part the result of quartz recovery by which ion concentrations were increased in the percentage range.

Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Gold Deposits in theUrals

During the past 10 years, the Paleozoic Urals mountain belt has been the subject of internationally based, deep seismic, and ancillary geologic studies aimed at improving our knowledge of the lithospheric evolution of the orogenic belt, in general, and its prominent crustal root, in particular. In view of its wide-ranging mineral endowment, especially for gold, this work also provides important keys to help clarify relationships between collisional tectonic processes and gold mineralization. Following an outline of current ideas on the tectonic evolution of the Urals, we present an overview of the distribution of the majority of known gold deposits. This information, together with the available isotopic and geologic age data of associated alteration assemblages, is compared to available geochronological data for various magmatic and deformation episodes. Spatial and temporal relationships suggest that hydrothermal mineralizing processes and the geodynamic evolution of the orogen are linked. In an attempt to analyze the deep structural framework of the orogen, down to the mantle, we have also examined a number of subcontinental- and regional-scale continuous geophysical datasets. The Urals have been subdivided traditionally into a series of north-south–striking tectonic zones but more recently into three principal tectono-magmatic sectors, which comprise a Suture sector along the Main Uralian fault zone and two sectors with tectonically imbricated island-arc, transitional (viewed as active continental margin), and continental zones. Gold deposits are found in all tectono-magmatic sectors of the orogen. Minor gold occurs in Siluro-Devonian volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits, magnetite(-copper) skarns, and porphyry copper deposits. In a number of cases, younger structures (shear zones, faults, and their intersections) have controlled the deposition of higher gold grades. In the Urals, this has led to the concept of progressive concentration of gold during later tectonic overprinting, and the understanding that regional deformation and hydrothermal fluid-rock interaction in the Late Carboniferous to Early Triassic upgraded gold contents of earlier deposits. During the Late Carboniferous to Early Triassic, gold-bearing quartz vein lodes, which effectively encompass the majority of the larger gold deposits in the Urals, were also formed in structural-chemical traps. Some deposits, such as Mindyak that is hosted by tectonic melanges along the Main Uralian fault zone, are clearly typical late-orogenic lode gold deposits. Others occur within and along the margins of early to middle Carboniferous older granite and, although local orthomagmatic relationships have been described, most recent observations now favor a strong structural control on the lodes and no direct genetic association with granite intrusion. In the two largest gold deposits, Kochkar and Berezovskoe, gold mineralization was controlled by structural and combined structural-chemical traps in dilational jogs in both shear and contact zones. Locally, gold mineralization has been shown to occur during a change from orthogonal to transpressional compression. The inferred ages of the lode gold deposits suggest they are mostly coeval with the generally undeformed Permian-Early Triassic younger granites. However, a spatial relationship with gold mineralization has not been observed. The younger granites were formed in an extensional regime following Ural-wide magma generation, caused by a thermal flux attributed to underplating of the crust by mantle-derived mafic magmas. The widespread distribution of this late thermal event, during changes in stress regime, and the involvement of magma-generating mantle processes suggest regional delamination in the lithosphere and concomitant upwelling of the asthenosphere. These processes may have largely occurred prior to the formation of the prominent crustal root of the Urals, which formed during subsequent transpressional convergence. Another, Triassic, Ural-wide phase of hydrothermal alteration has been recognized, but associated gold deposits have been documented in only two cases. We tentatively attribute this phase to destabilization of the lithosphere of the wider Altaids, reflected by the formation of the West Siberian and Central Asian basins, east of the Urals, during the Mesozoic. The integrated analysis of magnetic, Bouguer gravity, heat flow, and crustal thickness data suggests that a major indenter of the East European craton is responsible for a singular, transcrustal, sidewall ramp in the subsurface of the middle Urals. This ramp may extend into the mantle and formed the principal conduit zone for mineralizing fluids. The world-class Kochkar and Berezovskoe gold deposits are adjacent to this proposed conduit.