Metavolcanic Research Articles

Seawater-oceanic crust interaction constrained by triple oxygen and hydrogen isotopes in rocks from the Saglek-Hebron complex, NE Canada: Implications for moderately low-δ18O Eoarchean Ocean

Estimations of Earth's earliest surface conditions assume a strong connection between the temperature and oxygen isotopic composition of oceans, balanced by surface weathering and submarine hydrothermal alteration. The oldest preserved supracrustal rocks provide rare opportunities to study and constrain the earliest surface conditions prevailing on the Earth. Here, we present a study of triple oxygen and hydrogen isotopes of hydrothermally altered Eoarchean metamorphosed basalts, ultramafic rocks, and detrital and chemical sediments, from the Saglek-Hebron Complex in northern Labrador, Canada. For the metavolcanic rocks, δ’18O values range from 4.83 ‰ to 8.56 ‰, while Δ’17O values vary from −0.076 ‰ to −0.023 ‰, both higher and lower than the mantle. Accounting for the effects of metamorphism on oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions, we demonstrate that triple oxygen isotopic values are preserved from the hydrothermal suboceanic stage, while none of the hydrogen isotope compositions (δD from −77.9 ‰ to −10.7 ‰) are interpreted as primary. Several metabasalt samples from the Saglek-Hebron Complex yielded Δ’17Ο values lower than modern mantle values, which cannot be explained by direct interaction with modern seawater and indicate complex upstream interactions. Our numerical models and Monte Carlo simulation considers one- and two-stage mechanisms of water-rock interaction, including the δ’18Ο and Δ’17Ο isotopic shift effects due to interaction between basalts and chemical sediment-derived fluids. The modelling favors Eoarchean seawater characterized by low δ’18Ο < −8 ‰ at Δ’17Ο up to 0.01 ‰. This model also works for higher Δ’17Ο at lower δ’18Ο. Our results also suggest that without proper modelling of multi-stage water-rock interaction, involving isotopic shifts and input of sediment-derived fluids, exposed sections of altered oceanic crust present only remote evidence of the original seawater. Due to the modeled isotopic shifts and fluid mixing, we favor “weak” coupling of seawater-oceanic crust interaction globally. This potentially reduces the relative importance of submarine hydrothermal alteration in explaining the oxygen isotopic record in submarine basalts across the geologic history.

The Subduction-Related Metavolcanic Rocks of Maroua, Northern Cameroon: New Insights into a Neoproterozoic Continental Arc Along the Northern Margin of the Central African Fold Belt

The metavolcanic rocks around Maroua in the Far North Region of Cameroon are located at the northern margin of the Central African Fold Belt (CAFB) and have not been studied to date. The petrographic and whole-rock geochemical data presented in this paper highlight their magma genesis and geodynamic evolution. The lavas are characterized by basaltic, andesitic, and dacitic compositions and belong to the calc-alkaline medium-K and low-K tholeiite series. The mafic samples are essentially magnesian, while the felsic samples are ferroan. On a chondrite-normalized REE diagram, mafic and felsic rocks display fractionated patterns, with light REE enrichment and heavy REE depletion (LaN/YbN = 1.41–5.38). The felsic samples display a negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.59–0.87), while the mafic lavas are characterized by a positive Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 1.03–1.35) or an absence thereof. On a primitive mantle-normalized trace element diagram, the majority of the samples exhibit negative Ti and Nb–Ta anomalies (0.08–0.9 and 0.54–0.74, respectively). These characteristic features exhibited by the metavolcanic rocks of Maroua are similar to those of subduction-zone melts. This subduction would have taken place after the convergence between the Congo craton (Adamawa-Yadé domain) and the Saharan craton (Western Cameroonian domain). Petrological modelling using major and trace elements suggests a derivation of the Maroua volcanics from primitive parental melts generated by the 5–10% partial melting of a source containing garnet peridotite, probably generated during the interaction between the subducted continental crust and the lithospheric mantle and evolved chemically through fractional crystallization and assimilation.

A synthesis of the REE-Fe-polymetallic mineral system of the REE-line, Bergslagen, Sweden: New mineralogical and textural-paragenetic constraints

Rare earth elements (REE) have gained increasing significance for numerous technologies, particularly in today’s rapidly expanding “green transition” applications such as wind generators and electric vehicle traction engines. Among the more well-known REE mineralisation types in Sweden, together with alkaline intrusions and apatite-iron oxide ores, is the classic yet enigmatic REE-Fe-polymetallic mineral system of Bastnäs-type. The mineralisation type is regional in context and occurs in a discontinuous SW-NE-striking belt (the REE-line) in the west-central part of the Palaeoproterozoic Bergslagen ore province, Sweden. This contribution is aimed at integrating and synthesising existing geological mineralogical, and textural features with new observations from both well-known and several lesser-known, underexplored or previously unrecognised REE-enriched occurrences within this belt, and to discuss key features within the context of mineral systems modelling. A considerable diversity in both the style and abundance of REE mineralisation as well as in discrete REE mineralogy is evident both regionally across the entire REE-line and locally within different ore districts or mine fields. These variations also extend laterally within or across different stratigraphic levels, and within different host rocks, primarily skarn-altered metacarbonates but also variably altered felsic metavolcanic rocks. Many of the mineralisations share similar textural features, which record a protracted evolution with multiple stages of formation or replacement of REE-minerals. The earliest recognised REE assemblages feature fine-grained cerite-(CeCa) with minor bastnäsite-(Ce) – bastnäsite-(La) or fluorbritholite-(Ce) – fluorbritholite-(Y) or locally britholite-(Ce) – britholite-(Y) minerals. Such assemblages typically display anhedral-granoblastic textures appearing in folded assemblages, all suggesting recrystallisation and ductile deformation during regional metamorphism of REE-minerals that had formed during an early stage of the Svecokarelian orogeny. Overprinting overgrowths and cross-cutting vein-like features of allanite-group minerals likely represent different stage(s) of REE mineralisation and (re)-mobilisation during this orogenic evolution. Several of the REE-enriched occurrences contain variably abundant and diverse polymetallic Cu-Mo-Bi-(Co) sulphide mineralisation that typically occur in late paragenetic positions and show a prevalence to REE-rich assemblages, often dominated by different allanite-group minerals. Sulphide and REE mineralisation are locally strongly associated with metamorphic minerals formed during metamorphism of variably Mg-(Fe)-altered metavolcanic rocks. The diversity in style and intensity of the REE mineralisations, along with variations in textures and specific mineralogy, suggest slight differences in the ore-forming conditions or environment at the time of mineralisation. Additionally, these differences may also reflect variations in the preservation or modification processes that operated later in the evolution of the Svecokarelian orogeny, also featuring remobilisation of REEs and sulphidic minerals. The insights gained from all available evidence synthesised herein, from micro-scale to province-scale, help define key proxies for prospectivity mapping. The combined evidence supports that the primary ore-forming stages in the mineral system coincided with felsic volcanism and associated sub-volcanic to plutonic processes at around 1.9 Ga.

The structural setting and evolution of the Upper Beaver gold–copper deposit, Ontario, Canada

The ca. 2680 Ma Upper Beaver deposit is an Archean intrusion-related gold–copper deposit located in the Abitibi greenstone belt, Ontario. The deposit is associated with the Upper Beaver Intrusive Complex, which was emplaced in the hanging wall of an extensional listric fault rooted in metavolcanic rocks of the ca. 2704–2695 Ma Blake River assemblage. The fault formed during the development of an overlying basin of fluvial metasedimentary and alkalic metavolcanic rocks of the ca. 2679–2669 Ma Timiskaming assemblage. The Upper Beaver deposit was subsequently rotated to its current position during the formation of a post-Timiskaming fold, the Spectacle Lakes Anticline, associated with the development of the Larder Lake–Cadillac deformation zone, located 7 km south of the deposit. The Upper Beaver deposit is overprinted by the axial planar cleavage of the anticline but is less deformed than other gold deposits located along the deformation zone. Alteration and other pre-existing planar anisotropies enhanced strain partitioning and the development of folds and fabrics in strained mineralized zones of the deposit. Steeply dipping, sericite-altered mineralized zones developed a continuous foliation surrounding boudinaged and recrystallized quartz–calcite–anhydrite veins, whereas strong, shallowly dipping, stratiform, and skarnoid mineralized zones developed a wavy disjunctive cleavage and deformed mainly by folding. The mineralized zones acted as pre-existing anisotropies during deformation and their orientation and composition were key factors in the development of structures at the Upper Beaver deposit, which can be used as a guide for interpreting the development of structures in similar but more complexly deformed deposits along major deformation zones.

Assessing decadal soil redistribution rates using 239+240Pu across diverse lithologies in Southeast Alaska

AbstractQuantifying soil redistribution rates, including both erosion and deposition, is critical for understanding erosion processes, landscape evolution, land management strategies, and the carbon cycle. In the Northeast Pacific coastal temperate rainforest, the interaction of perhumid climate and dense coniferous forest tends to form Spodosols which are soils characterized by a subsurface accumulation of organic matter and iron and aluminum oxides, across a range of contrasting lithologies. Deep Spodosols are frequently found on steep backslopes (up to 60%) of colluvial deposits, where shallower soils would typically be expected. We hypothesized that deep Spodosols in Southeast Alaska indicate slope stability, exhibiting negligible soil redistribution rates and stable surfaces regardless of the lithology. Our objective was to quantify soil redistribution rates for Spodosols formed on steep slopes across a range of lithologies in hilly and mountainous areas of Juneau, AK. We used 239+240Pu isotopes to quantify soil erosion and deposition rates in Spodosols formed on colluvial deposits from tonalite, slate, metavolcanic rock, and phyllite. 239+240Pu measurements revealed negligible soil redistribution rates for all studied pedons, ranging from erosion rates of 0.51 t/ha/year to deposition rates up to 0.43 t/ha/year. No difference was detected between the hill and mountain landforms, further supporting the idea that Spodosols could indicate slope stability over decadal timescales across the region. Understanding the resilience of Spodosols to erosion processes in varied lithologies and landforms on steep slopes is paramount for making informed decisions regarding sustainable land use, landslide risk mitigation, and effective carbon sequestration strategies.

Age and Sources of Melts of Metavolcanic Rocks of the Djagdagle Formation of the Northwestern Part of the Bureya Continental Massif, Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Age and Sources of Melts of Metavolcanic Rocks of the Djagdagle Formation of the Northwestern Part of the Bureya Continental Massif, Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Late Tonian (ca. 770-720 Ma) arc activity in the Wuyi domain of the West Cathaysia terrane, South China

The late Tonian tectonic setting of the West Cathaysia terrane in South China is highly controversial and is key to better understanding the timing of amalgamation between the Yangtze Block and the West Cathaysia terrane and the positions of these two terranes in Rodinia and Gondwana. A detailed field-based study was conducted on the petrology, zircon U-Pb geochronology and Lu-Hf isotopes, and whole-rock geochemistry of a series of Neoproterozoic meta-volcanic and meta-sedimentary rocks in the Wuyi domain in the northeastern West Cathaysia terrane. The results indicate that the meta-volcanic rocks formed in an arc setting at 756-740 Ma, and the meta-sedimentary rocks were developed in an arc-related basin with single zircon age peaks of 765-728 Ma. We propose that the late Tonian arc in the Wuyi domain was part of a major arc system in the West Cathaysia terrane. An arc setting for the West Cathaysia terrane is distinct from the continental rift setting for the southeastern margin of the Yangtze Block at the time, supporting an interpretation that the two terranes were not amalgamated until after the late Tonian and occupied separate positions in Rodinia.

Geochemistry of BIF in the Quadrilátero ferrífero, Brazil, as a proxy to neoarchean paleoenvironmental and depositional conditions

Precambrian Algoma-type banded iron formations (BIFs) are biochemical metasedimentary rocks formed in the deep water environment relatively close to centers of volcanic expansion and can be characterized on the basis of their paleodepositional environment and the associated rock types. These rocks may contain geochemical signatures indicative of changes in the redox conditions of the Archean ocean. Such variations in the Meso- and Neoarchean are crucial in understanding the processes that led to the gradual increase of oxygen in the early atmosphere, culminating in the Great Oxidation Event (2.4–2.3 Ga). Oxide- and carbonate-facies BIFs were intercepted by drill cores in the Pilar gold deposit in the NE sector of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero (QF), Brazil, located in the Neoarchean Rio das Velhas greenstone belt. These rocks are interbedded with mafic and ultramafic metavolcanic rocks and carbonaceous phyllites. In light of the potential to reconstruct paleodepositional evidence indicative of the Earth's atmospheric redox history based on this stratigraphy, we have considered specific proxies from geological and geochemical observations. Pilar BIFs geochemistry exhibits positive anomalies of La, Eu, and Y, indicating characteristics inherited from seawater and high-temperature hydrothermal fluids. In addition, a superchondritic Y/Ho ratio further supports the influence of seawater. The signatures of the major elements Al2O3 and other immobile elements typical of detrital sediments corroborate the interpretation that these rocks were deposited in a deep marine environment with low clastic influence. Furthermore, negative Ce/Ce*SN anomalies in some sections of the Pilar BIF indicate limited oxygen availability which, together with Mo, U, V, and Zn trace-element enrichment factors, indicate deposition under suboxic/euxinic conditions. This research, together with other similar BIF data from the NW QF provide new insights into the paleoenvironmental conditions prevailing during the formation of the Archean volcano sedimentary basins that compose the southern São Francisco craton (SFC).

Geochemistry of Neoproterozoic metavolcanic rocks from the Tahtai Logomiti area, Tigrai, Northern Ethiopia: Implication for petrogenesis and tectonic settings

Geochemistry of Neoproterozoic metavolcanic rocks from the Tahtai Logomiti area, Tigrai, Northern Ethiopia: Implication for petrogenesis and tectonic settings

Zircon U[sbnd]Pb geochronology and geochemistry of hot subduction volcanic suite in the deep bore-hole well-core KBH-5: Evidence of Neoarchean Shimoga greenstone belt beneath the Cretaceous Deccan Traps, India

The continents across Earth have grown through accretion and amalgamation of plume-generated oceanic plateaux and subduction-originated magmatic arcs. The evidence of such evolutionary processes is well preserved in the greenstone belts of Canada, South Africa, China, Australia and India. Unlike accretion that leads to lateral growth of the continents, flood basalt volcanism results in the superposition of large volumes of dense mafic material above relatively less dense sialic upper continental crust. The resulting density inversion is liable to generate tectonic stresses resulting in faulting of under burden along weak planes. The nature of the crust obscured beneath flood basalt provinces that have accumulated over the past 500 My in Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) has remained enigmatic, largely because of the voluminous lava pile that deters access to the concealed basement, unless otherwise retrieved through deep continental drilling. Here, we present in situ zircon UPb geochronology and bulk-rock geochemistry of a volcanic sequence discovered at −400 m m.s.l in the deep bore-hole well-core KBH-5 of the southwestern Deccan Traps, India. The ∼300 m thick metavolcanic succession includes a basalt – Nb-enriched basalt – andesite – Mg-andesite – dacite – adakite suite. The zircons yielded a 2.58 Ga U-Pb age for the suite, which also incorporates entrained zircon xenocrysts of 2.7 Ga age from a preexisting juvenile material during its emplacement. The bore-hole KBH-5 is located on an NNW-SSE trending normal fault, paralleling a series of major faults west of the Western Ghat Escarpment. Although the crustal block plummeted ∼1000 m downward along the fault plane, the geochemical attributes of the metavolcanic rocks are thoroughly comparable to those reported in the Medur Formation of the Shimoga greenstone belt, ∼300 km south of KBH-5 in the western Dharwar craton. Our study provides the first physical evidence of Dharwar greenstone belt(s) extending further beneath the Deccan Traps, which was previously only speculative based on short-wavelength gravity highs. The metavolcanic sequence evolved in a subduction-related back-arc tectonic regime and accreted to the active continental margin of India in the Neoarchean. Unveiling of potentially similar scenarios in cratons elsewhere entrapped beneath the vast canopy of continental flood basalts, would reveal new crustal growth events during the Archean -Proterozoic transition across the Earth.

Geochemical characteristics of Neoproterozoic metavolcanic rocks of Ariab Auriferous Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide deposit, Red Sea hills, North-East Sudan

The Ariab volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS, ∼118.3 Mt with >2 Moz Au recovered) district is part of the Ariab-Arbaat belt located in the Haya terrane, Red Sea Hills, Northeast Sudan. The gold-bearing gossan and VMS deposits are mainly hosted by Neoproterozoic bimodal volcanic succession. The petrogenesis, age dating, metallogenic evolution, and tectonic environment as well as the relationship between the metals occurrences and hosting materials remain poorly constrained and controversial. The study aims to investigate the geochemical characteristics of metavolcanic rocks of Ariab Auriferous Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide. XRF and ICP-MS techniques were employed to analyze major, trace, and rare earth elements content. The metavolcanics composition of Ariab VMS hosting rocks ranging from basalt to rhyolitic lava with variable pyroclastics. The chemical affinity varies from sub-alkaline tholeiitic to calc-alkaline nature, raising an argument against the possibility of fractional crystallization. The Ariab VMS metavolcanics were likely formed in the intra-oceanic arc tectonic environment. Ariab mafic lava is characterized notably by high Cr and Ni concentrations. The negative and positive anomalies in trace element profiles are typically ocean island basalt patterns, implying minimal crustal contamination. The geochemical results of dacitic and rhyolitic rocks reveal an assimilation-fractional-crystallization process, including the possibility that plagioclase-rich restite was formed in the parent magma source with a significant contribution from the old crust. The mobility of elements such as Zn, Cu, Pb, Ag, Au, As, and Co complicates the determination of their primary abundances. The partitioning behavior of REEs, the geochemical signatures of chalcophile elements, and their associations with VMS deposits, underscores the complex interaction between igneous processes and subsequent hydrothermal alteration.

Studies of radioactive minerals and geochemistry of uranium at the granitic rocks of Wadi Um Shillman Area, South Eastern Desert, Egypt

The northwestern part of Gabal Um Ara granitic pluton is represents a good example for uranium occurrence in the southeastern desert of Egypt. Among the different lithologies in the study area, the granitic rocks attract attention for more detailed geological, geochemical and radiometrical studies. Um Ara granitic masses cover an oval outline area of about 300 km2, which is characterised by moderate topography. The granitic rocks are classified as monzogranite and alkali feldspar granite. Both of them belong to the post-orogenic younger granite magmatic activity that intruded the Egyptian shield between 620 and 530 Ma. The intrusion of Um Ara monzogranite and alkali feldspar granite appears to have been controlled by deep-seated tectonic zones and block faulting. The studied area lies at southeast of Aswan City between 22ͦ 38′ 12˝–22ͦ 38′ 34˝ N and 33ͦ 47′ 27˝–33ͦ 48′ 14˝ E. Geochemically, the average concentration of the elements in North Um Ara granite shows that the relative abundance decreases gradually with decreasing incompatibility from Rb to Y. The common features are enrichment in more mobile elements Rb, Th and U. The monzogranite shows the lowest U and Th content, whereas the alkali-feldspar shows an enhanced contents of both elements, with average Th/U ratio = 3.0. the alkali-feldspar exhibits an expanded enrichment of Th relative to U. The U of the alkali-feldspar may be included within the structure of the refractory accessory minerals. The northern part of the Um Ara granitoids has subjected to different types of alterations. The radiometric survey of the northwestern part of Gabal Um area granitic pluton revealed the presence of several radioactive anomalies near the contact with the Dokhan volcanic and metavolcanic rocks in the north. Some visible uranium mineralisation of uranium minerals occur mainly along the NW, NE, E-W and N-S joints, of a highly sheared alkali feldspar-granite. Uranophane is visible secondary uranium mineral, characterised by bright yellow lemon colours and occurs mainly as filling fractures and joints associated with violet fluorite, iron and manganese oxides. The radioactive and accessory minerals studying and X-ray diffraction analysis that of the mineralised alkali feldspar-granite granite in the northwestern part of Gabal Um Ara granitic pluton revealed include the presence of fluorite, zircon, columbite, spessartine garnet whereas, the secondary uranium minerals are represented by uranophane, β-uranophane and kasolite. The hydrothermal origin was proposed as two possible alternatives for this uranium mineralisation.

Neoarchean high-Mg basalt and rhyolite bimodal complex in the Yinshan Block, North China Craton: Petrogenesis and tectonic implications

Plate tectonics plays an important role in Earth’s evolution, but it is a difficult and controversial issue to trace the operation of plate tectonics in the Archean. Calc-alkaline magmas are a diagnostic feature of modern subduction-related magmatism and thus identification of Archean subduction-related calc-alkaline magmas is crucial for understanding when Archean plate tectonics operated. Here we present zircon U-Pb, whole-rock geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic data for a metamorphosed Neoarchean calc-alkaline bimodal volcanic complex from the Yinshan Block, the North China Craton. Zircon U-Pb dating results indicate that these meta-volcanic rocks were erupted in the late Neoarchean (∼2570 Ma). Its mafic unit is characterized by high contents of K2O (0.68–4.20 wt%), MgO (Mg# = 62.0-73.4), Cr (332-904 ppm), Ni (105-269 ppm), and is enriched in light rare earth elements (REEs), but depleted in heavy REEs and Nb, Ta and Ti. These geochemical features are similar to those of high-Mg basalts in the Phanerozoic arc setting. They have positive εNd(t) values (+1.3 to + 2.4), indicating that they were derived from the depleted mantle wedge. The felsic unit has variable K2O content (1.42–4.95 wt%) and K2O/Na2O ratios of 0.23–1.36 with positive εNd(t) values (+0.7 to + 3.1). They show characteristics of modern adakites with high Sr/Y and LaN/YbN ratios, suggesting that they were generated by partial melting of the thickened juvenile mafic lower crust. We conclude that the studied Neeoarchean bimodal meta-volcanic complex was formed during subduction-zone retreating and root delamination in a Neoarchean arc. Our results further indicate that plate tectonics had already operated in the Neoarchean in the Yinshan Block.

Geological structure and metallogeny of Precambrian sedimentary structures of western Aldan-Stanovy Shield

The article presents the results of the study by various geologists of the geological structure and prospects of ore-bearing trog complexes performing structures such as throgs, which were identified at different stages of geological research in the western part of the Aldan-Stanovy shield. The main types of traction complexes and their sections were determined. The nature of the occurrence of sedimentary (terrigenous), volcanogenicsedimentary and metavolcanic rocks performing throgs and forming throg complexes was established. The nature of the ratio of these rocks in the context of the trog complex in the studied trogs was described. The results of the study of trog complexes showed that they are generally characterized by facies variability, heterogeneity of metamorphism and dynamothermal processing of rocks (especially in the sides of trogs) with the formation of mylonites and cataclasites. It was established that the throgs are confined to three regional systems of discontinuous disturbances. Both consonantal and secant discontinuities were marked inside the throgs, defining their block tectonics. The results of determining the geological age of the rocks of the trogovoi complex were presented. The trog structures are characterized by ore mineralization associated with the processes of sedimentation (ferruginous quartzites, copper sandstones) and volcanogenic ore formation (copper-crusted and polymetallic mineralization), as well as with the processes of metamorphogenic-hydrothermal redistribution of ore matter (stratiform scheelite mineralization, ore-bearing quartz veins). It was also found that the metallogeny of the trog structures has not been studied sufficiently. Nevertheless, the majority of geologists who studied the trogovye complexes noted in their reports that Precambrian trogovye complexes can be considered as important and metallogenically promising geological objects in the western part of the Aldan-Stanovy Shield and deserve more in-depth study.

Evidence of Siderian juvenile-like contribution to the continental arc magmatism in the Western Guanambi-Correntina block, São Francisco Craton (Brazil)

The Guanambi-Correntina Block, a basement relic within the São Francisco Craton, played a determining role in the stabilization of the South American plate during the Paleoproterozoic, preceding the formation of the Nuna-Columbia supercontinent. Despite its magnitude, the western part of the block is mainly hidden by Neoproterozoic to Phanerozoic sedimentary covers, limiting the exposition of a significant section of the craton. In the study area, the Correntina Complex and the Rio Corrente Suite crop out within the Paleoproterozoic basement in an erosional window showing a diverse assemblage of plutonic, volcanic, and metasedimentary lithologies interpreted as part of a continental arc setting. This study employs a comprehensive approach encompassing geological mapping, lithogeochemistry, whole rock Sm–Nd and Rb–Sr isotopic analyses, and zircon U–Pb-Hf data from metaplutonic and metavolcanic rocks aiming the investigation of the pre-stabilization tectonic stages of the São Francisco lithosphere. The U–Pb-Hf zircon data reveal a crystallization age of 2183 ± 9 Ma for the acid volcanism, characterized by a juvenile isotopic signature (εHf = +5.7 to +9.4) and TDMHf between 2.2 and 2.4 Ga. Nd–Sr whole rock geochemistry of a sanukitoid rock from the metaplutonic unit indicates εNd(t) of +3.05, TDMNd of 2.31 Ga, and 86Sr/87Sr(i) of 0.70173, for which a zircon U–Pb crystallization age of 2324 ± 9 Ma has been obtained, establishing it as the oldest known Paleoproterozoic occurrence in the São Francisco Craton basement. The results unveil the Correntina Complex as one of the oldest paleoproterozoic records of continental magmatic arc relics within the São Francisco Craton, recording one of the earliest Paleoproterozoic events in the eastern South American plate. A geological evolution model envisages juvenile crustal production during the Siderian to Rhyacian periods in the western Guanambi-Correntina Block, corroborating similar episodes documented for other regions of the craton. This study contributes to our understanding of the early tectonic processes and improves the knowledge of the paleoproterozoic terranes that shaped the São Francisco Craton.

Gold-arsenic sulfide mineralization of the Kayancha area, Gorny Altai

Gold-arsenic sulfide type mineralization has first been revealed for the Gorny Altai region. The mineralized zones associate with lamprophyre dikes and are controlled by steeply dipping faults transecting the Vendian-Cambrian terrigenous-carbonate-volcanogenic sequence. The ore bodies are localized in horizons of basic metavolcanic rocks, enclosed between limestone layers. The near-ore metasomatites are composed of the paragenesis of albite, magnesiosiderite, and sericite. The gold content is related to fine dissemination of arsenic pyrite and arsenopyrite. Gold in the primary and oxidized ores is&#x0D; submicroscopic and finely dispersed. The sulfur isotopic composition of the sulfides (δ34SCDT = 0 ‰) indicates an association of the mineralization with a deep-seated magmatic source. The Kokpatas gold deposit in western Uzbekistan is considered as an analogue.

Assessment of rock mass properties and load-bearing potential in low-grade metamorphic rocks: A study from the Tigray region, Ethiopia

&lt;p&gt;This study presents an engineering geological investigation aimed at assessing the bearing capacity of the proposed site for the Meli gold processing plant (GPP) located in the northwestern region of Tigray, Ethiopia. The geological composition of the site predominantly comprises low-grade metamorphic rocks, with intermediate metavolcanic rocks being the most prevalent. This research utilized an innovative combination of empirical methodologies, including the Hoek–Brown and Mohr–Coulomb criteria, to evaluate the strength and elasticity characteristics of the rock mass. Additionally, the rock mass foundation for the GPP was rigorously classified using renowned systems such as the rock mass rating (RMR), quality index (Q), and geological strength index (GSI). Employing five different empirical equations to estimate bearing capacity, this study significantly advances our understanding by comparing these diverse methodologies, which is a novel approach in this geological context where engineering property data are scarce or non-existent. The bearing capacities determined using the Hoek–Brown and Mohr–Coulomb criteria ranged from 11.6 to 46.2 MPa and 7.9 to 10.5 MPa, respectively. These findings not only offer valuable insights into the assessment of bearing capacity in metamorphic rock formations but also underscore the effectiveness of combining multiple empirical approaches to enhance the reliability of geological assessments. This research contributes to the advancement of construction practices and enhances project planning strategies in comparable geological environments, particularly highlighting the utility of robust empirical data in the absence of extensive drilling data. By integrating comprehensive empirical analyses, the study provides a methodological framework that significantly aids in informed decision-making for future projects located in similar geological settings.&lt;/p&gt;

Geochemistry and geochronology of the Neyshabur meta-volcanic rocks, Binalood mountains, NE Iran: witnesses of Paleo-Tethys rifting and closure

Geochemical and geochronologic data are presented for meta-mafic to meta-felsic rocks along the Paleo-Tethys Suture in the Binalood Mountains east of Neyshabur, NE Iran. The rocks have a late Cambrian age (U–Pb zircon, ~ 490 Ma) and were metamorphosed in the Early Jurassic (40Ar/39Ar amphibole and plagioclase, 199–192 Ma). The rocks of this suite are alkaline and sub-alkaline (tholeiitic). The alkaline rocks are enriched in light relative to heavy rare earth elements, and do not show depletion of high-field strength elements on primitive mantle-normalized multi-element diagrams; they are similar to ocean island basalts (OIB). The tholeiitic rocks are depleted in Nb and Ta and have higher MgO and lower TiO2 than the alkaline rocks. Both types have similar, high and variable 87Sr/86Sr(i) isotopic compositions of 0.7044 to 0.7082 and 143Nd/144Nd(i) values of 0.5118 to 0.5122. The alkaline rocks are lower-degree partial melts than the tholeiitic rocks and were generated at greater depths; they likely originated from a garnet pyroxenite-rich source. The spatial, temporal, and geochemical relationships of early Paleozoic meta-mafic to felsic rocks along the Paleo-Tethys Suture (e.g., Shahrud, Jajarm, Binalood, Torbat-e-Jam) substantiate the role of a mantle plume in continental breakup along the northern margin of Gondwana and a late Cambrian-Ordovician onset of rifting that resulted in the opening of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. The Early Jurassic metamorphism post-dates its closure.Graphical abstract

Sulphide petrology and ore genesis of the stratabound Sheep Creek sediment-hosted Zn–Pb–Ag–Sn prospect, and U–Pb zircon constraints on the timing of magmatism in the northern Alaska Range

The Sheep Creek prospect is a stratabound Zn–Pb–Ag–Sn massive sulfide occurrence in the Bonnifield mining district, northern Alaska Range. The prospect is within a quartz–sericite–graphite–chlorite schist unit associated with Devonian carbonaceous and siliceous metasedimentary rocks. Volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits in the district are hosted in felsic metavolcanic rocks (362 ± 2 Ma) associated with siliciclastic and carbonaceous sedimentary rocks that overlie the stratigraphic sequence hosting the Sheep Creek prospect. Felsic metaigneous rocks in underlying units are 372 ± 4 to 366 ± 4 Ma. Sheep Creek is atypical of the other sulfide deposits in the district in (1) having Sn grades up to 1.2%; (2) being contained in fine-grained, quartz-rich rocks and quartz–pebble conglomerate that likely originated as chert and chert-clast sediment, respectively; and (3) showing minimal evidence of volcanic components in the host rocks. Comparison of immobile trace-element proportions for graphitic and siliceous rocks from the Sheep Creek area with those for argillite associated with the Bonnifield VMS deposits indicates a continental volcanic-arc provenance for the former and a within-plate and passive margin provenance for the latter. In contrast to previously published interpretations, our data analysis supports a clastic-dominated (CD) rather than a VMS affinity for the Sheep Creek prospect. In our model, Zn–Pb–Ag–Sn mineralization formed by syngenetic or early diagenetic processes on or beneath the seafloor, possibly in the shallow-water environment of an outer continental shelf setting. Potential analogues are the Paleozoic CD deposits in the Canadian Selwyn Basin outboard of the Laurentian continental margin.

Tonian rifting coeval with the last stages of amalgamation of Rodinia: Evidence from southern Borborema province, northeastern Brazil

During the last stages of assembly of the Rodinia supercontinent at 1000-900 Ma, rifting processes were occurring in places that would be part of Gondwana in the late Neoproterozoic. In the Borborema Province, northeastern Brazil, this event is known as Cariris Velhos. It is represented in the Alto-Pajeú Domain from the Central subprovince by a 700 km-long, 70 km-wide NE-SW belt comprising bimodal metavolcanic rocks and granitic orthogneisses. Orthogneisses with similar ages were found in previous works in the western Pernambuco-Alagoas Domain from the Southern subprovince immediately to the south of the ESE-trending dextral West Pernambuco shear zone. The Airi Complex comprises several elongate bodies that extend for at least 80 km. It consists of a bimodal sequence of metafelsic (granitic orthogneisses) associated with layers and enclaves of metamafic (amphibolites) rocks. Seven orthogneiss samples dated by LA-ICPMS yielded zircon U–Pb crystallization ages of 950–1011 Ma. Zircon Hf analyses from two samples yielded εHf(t) values ranging from −1.4 to 2.1 and TDM model ages of 1.7–1.9 Ga. Geochemical analyses allow to distinct different source rocks for the protoliths of the orthogneisses. Orthogneisses derived from metasedimentary sources have modal muscovite ± garnet, are ferroan, alkali-calcic and predominantly peraluminous, exhibiting strong negative Eu anomalies in chondrite-normalized rare earth elements diagrams. Orthogneisses derived from high-K mafic rocks are calc-alkalic, slightly peraluminous, with small or absent negative Eu anomalies. Orthogneisses from tonalitic sources are magnesian, calc-alkalic to alkali-calcic, and slightly peraluminous, without Eu anomalies. There is no correlation between crystallization ages and source rock types. The results indicate that the Airi Complex originated through partial melting of ancient heterogenous crustal sources. Therefore, its geochemistry reflects the nature of these sources, not the tectonic setting of intrusion. Emplacement of the complex was broadly coeval with well-documented extensional processes in the São Francisco/Congo Craton and represents a failed attempt to break-up a larger paleocontinent encompassing this craton and the basement of the Borborema Province.