Paleoproterozoic Crustal Growth Research Articles

Zircon U-Pb-Hf isotope evidence for juvenile Penokean sources (ca. 1.9 Ga) in the SW Grenville Province

The Proterozoic evolution of Laurentia involved intermittent orogens and arc-related crustal growth along a modern-style convergent margin, termed the Great Proterozoic Accretionary Orogen (GPAO). The major lithotectonic provinces of the GPAO in the United States are exposed as telescoped equivalents within the thrust stack of the Grenville Province in Canada. We report zircon UPb and LuHf isotope analyses for two orthogneisses and one quartzite from Archean and Paleoproterozoic domains in the gneiss belt of the SW Grenville Province, Canada. The data constrains Paleoproterozoic crustal growth and sedimentation for this part of the Laurentian margin. The orthogneisses have similar zircon UPb and LuHf isotope systematics that reflect igneous reworking (ca. 1700–1660 Ma) of a Penokean aged (ca. 1.9 Ga) depleted mantle derived source, along with metamorphic reactivation at both ca. 1.45 Ga and during the Grenville Orogeny (1.2–1.0 Ga). The quartzite has a bimodal Paleoproterozoic (2.1–1.8 Ga) and Archean (> 2.5 Ga) detrital zircon age spectrum. The Paleoproterozoic detrital zircon grains have a wide range of Hf(t) compositions (εHf(t) = −12.5 to 10) reflecting co-eval interaction of Archean and depleted Paleoproterozoic sources, contrasted by a more restricted range for the Archean population (εHf(t) = −7 to 4). The new data support the presence of reworked ca. 1.9 Ga depleted mantle sources in the Paleoproterozoic Parautochthon, which extend further east than previously thought. They also identify correlations amongst detrital zircon age spectra and Hf isotope compositions in quartzites from different locations of the Archean Parautochthon.

Constraints on Paleoproterozoic crustal growth from Birimian Supergroup lavas of the Bui belt (Ghana) in the West African Craton

The volcano-metasedimentary Bui belt in Ghana is one of the lesser known Birimian belts of the West African Craton that provide constraints on Paleoproterozoic crustal growth. This study presents the first major, trace element and Nd-Hf isotope data for the mafic suite of the Bui belt to constrain their petrogenesis and geodynamic setting. Although alteration is prevalent, the volcanic, volcaniclastic and plutonic rocks show tholeiitic signatures, with Mg# 35–65. Chondrite-normalised REE patterns are mainly flat, with slight LREE enrichment or depletion, and multi-element diagrams show Th and LREE depletion relative to other immobile incompatible trace elements. These features suggest derivation from a moderately depleted mantle source. Whole rock Sm-Nd isotope data yields an errorchron at ca. 2.2 Ga, with an initial εNd of +3.4 but the Lu-Hf isotopic system appears to be disturbed. The lack of arc related geochemical signatures (absence of negative Nb-Ta and Ti peaks, a nearly flat to depleted REE pattern) in the Bui mafic suite, together with the volcanic-sedimentary rock association, point towards magma generation in an oceanic plateau or divergent setting similar to a mid-ocean ridge, contrasting with the subduction setting that has been proposed for most other instances of Birimian magmatism in the West African Craton.

A crustal growth model for the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt: Constraints from granitoids in the Songnen Massif and Duobaoshan terrane

The crustal growth and reworking processes of accretionary orogen such as the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) have been a controversial issue. Here, we present in situ zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic data for granitoids from a microcontinent (the Songnen Massif) and an arc terrane (the Duobaoshan arc terrane), which generally represent two main crustal components in the eastern CAOB to establish a crustal growth model for an accretionary orogen and to trace the influence of the assembly and breakup of supercontinents on crustal evolution in an accretionary orogen. Neoproterozoic–Mesozoic granitoids distributed in the Songnen Massif show a step-like crustal growth pattern over time with three major periods of development: Paleoproterozoic crustal growth at 2.2–1.8 Ga, Mesoproterozoic growth at 1.6–1.0 Ga, and a third pulse of growth at 0.85–0.6 Ga, along with two short pauses at 1.8–1.6 Ga and 1.0–0.85 Ga. The assembly and collision phases of supercontinents corresponded to the enhanced and degressive crustal growth rates of the Songnen Massif, respectively, suggesting that the supercontinent cycles are responsible for the episodic crustal growth pattern in the region. Crustal reworking of the Songnen Massif occurred during 1000–180 Ma, with a fluctuation at 800–600 Ma, which provided a major contribution to the isotopic heterogeneity of lower continental crust. Isotopic compositions of granitoids from the Duobaoshan arc terrane located between the Xing'an and Songnen massifs, together with those of granitoids from other microcontinents, suggest that most of the continental crust beneath the microcontinents in the eastern CAOB generated during the Precambrian, whereas a significant amount of lateral crustal accretion occurred in continental arc settings during orogenies and amalgamation of microcontinents during the Phanerozoic.

Metamorphic history and Neoarchean–Paleoproterozoic crustal growth of the central Trans-North China Orogen: Evidence from granulite- to amphibolite-facies rocks of the Hengshan complex

The Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO) is a major Paleoproterozoic collisional orogen exposed within the North China Craton (NCC). The orogen has undergone a complex tectonic evolution, but its role in the growth of continental crust is contentious. High-grade metamorphic rocks may carry key information required to clarify these issues. Here, using petrography, mineral chemistry, and zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopes, we investigate a suite of Neoarchean–Paleoproterozoic high-grade metamorphic rocks in the Hengshan Complex within the central TNCO. Garnet-bearing mafic granulites and amphibolites occur as lenses or dikes within tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) gneisses. Three stages of metamorphic mineral assemblages are identified in a mafic granulite from the northern Hengshan Complex: (1) the prograde assemblage is preserved as small plagioclase and apatite inclusions within garnet porphyroblasts; (2) the peak mineral assemblage is recorded by a high-Ca garnet core coexisting with clinopyroxene, plagioclase, hornblende, biotite, and quartz; and (3) the retrograde assemblage is represented mainly by vermicular symplectites of hornblende + plagioclase and plagioclase coronae surrounding low-Ca garnet rims. Phase equilibria modeling and conventional geothermobarometry suggest that the mafic granulite records a clockwise P–T path, including decompression and cooling from the granulite-facies peak (12.5–14 kbar and >750 °C) to amphibolite-facies conditions during retrogression (7.3–8.3 kbar and 615–721 °C). In contrast, the amphibolite in the southern Hengshan Complex preserves only amphibolite-facies assemblages (hornblende + plagioclase + quartz), consistent with the metamorphic pressures of <7.1 kbar and temperatures below 720 °C.Zircon U--Pb dating of magmatic zircons shows that the protoliths of the TTG gneisses and amphibolite were emplaced at ca. 2.5 and 2.1 Ga, respectively. The metamorphic zircons reveal ages of 1.92–1.80 Ga for the mafic granulite (weighted mean of ca. 1.87 Ga) and 1.92–1.83 Ga for the amphibolites (weighted mean of ca. 1.88 Ga). These 1.88–1.87 Ga metamorphic ages are interpreted to represent the time when the rocks cooled to the solidus. By comparing Paleoproterozoic metamorphic ages across the TNCO, we infer that the subduction–collision–amalgamation between the Western and Eastern Blocks of the NCC lasted from 1.95 to 1.80 Ga at least, marking the final cratonization of the NCC. The ca. 2.5 Ga magmatic zircons within the TTG gneisses show positive εHf(t) values (+0.49 to +7.12) with model ages of 2.8–2.7 Ga, suggesting that the protoliths were derived from the partial melting of Neoarchean juvenile mafic crust. Zircon Hf model ages (TDM = 2.1–2.0 Ga) of the mafic granulite may represent the approximate time at which the mafic magma was generated in the mantle. Thus, the Hengshan Complex within the central TNCO records two episodes of crustal growth at 2.8–2.7 and 2.1–2.0 Ga, respectively. To further understand the processes involved in crustal evolution, we reconstructed a layered crust model for the Hengshan Complex, and the layered crust was strongly influenced by Paleoproterozoic thermal events.

Neoarchean–Paleoproterozoic crustal growth and tectonic evolution of the Trans-North China Orogen, North China Craton: evidence from granite–greenstone successions in the Dengfeng Complex

Granite–greenstone successions and associated tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) suites constitute dominant components of Precambrian cratons. Here, we present petrology, geochemistry, zircon U–Pb geochronology, and Lu–Hf isotopes on monzonite, granodiorite, granite, and amphibolite from the Dengfeng Complex in the southern part of the North China Craton (NCC). Zircon U–Pb data yield weighted mean 207Pb/206Pb ages of 2498 ± 6 Ma for monzonite, 2481 ± 16 Ma for granodiorite, and 2475 ± 21 Ma for granite. Lu–Hf isotope systematics show eHf(t) values ranging from 1.3 to 6.7 and crustal model ages ( $$T_{{{\text{DM}}}}^{{\text{C}}}$$ ) in the range of 2584–2934 Ma for the rocks. The monzonite, granodiorite, and granite show moderate total rare-earth element (REE) contents, enrichment in light REEs (LREE) and depletion in heavy REEs (HREE), negative Nb, Ta, and Ti anomalies, high Al2O3, Sr/Y, and (La/Yb)N ratios, with low Cr and Ni, indicating that the magma was possibly sourced from partial melting of the lower crust. The geochemical features of amphibolites are characterized by low SiO2, Na2O, K2O, Sr/Y, (La/Yb)N and high FeO, low total REEs values, limited LREE/HREE fractionation, and absence of obvious Ce anomaly, showing similarity to island arc magmatic rocks. Our results are consistent with the model of subduction and arc–continent collision in the Trans-North China Orogen during the Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic.

The Siderian crust (2.47–2.3 Ga) of the Goiás Massif and its role as a building block of the São Francisco paleocontinent

The basement of the northern Brasília Belt, in Central Brazil, is dominated by large volumes of TTG magmatism generated during the Early Paleoproterozoic, and represents a continental block formed prior to the welding of the São Francisco paleocontinent during the Rhyacian, holding important information concerning the mechanisms and products of Paleoproterozoic crustal growth and amalgamation. New U-Pb zircon geochronological data was obtained from metagranitoids and mafic–ultramafic intrusions from the Almas-Conceição do Tocantins Domain (ACTD). This was coupled with geochemical data from the metagranitoids to better constrain the processes of continental crust evolution in this region during the Siderian period. Two main plutonic episodes were recognized in the mapped area: (i) an early suite (2.47 Ga) dominated by tonalites and trondhjemites with subordinate biotite granites (Ribeirão das Areias Complex - RAC); and (ii) a later suite (2.30 Ga) including tonalites and trondhjemites (Ribeirão Itaboca Suite - RIS). Most of the RAC trondhjemite-tonalite-granodiorite (TTG) rocks are marked by fractionated REE patterns with high (La/Yb)N = 15–107 and samples have medium to high Sr/Y ratio (28–257). These TTG include both high- and low-Al types and high- and medium-pressure groups. The RIS TTG suite displays higher HREE contents with high (La/Yb)N = 65–89 and high Sr/Y ratio (59–95) and contains the high-Al type and the medium pressure group. In spite of the wide age gap between them, both RAC and RIS are characterized by TTG rocks formed in a subduction-like tectonic setting. The biotite granites are related to a magmatic stage after the TTG formation. Mafic rocks of the Gameleira Suite have an abundance of zircon, interpreted as crustal contamination, with dominant 207Pb/206Pb age populations of 2.48 and 2.30 Ga, and are interpreted to be associated with an extensional magmatic event following the Siderian period. Regional geotectonic correlations within the São Francisco Craton based on data compiled from the literature indicate a significant volume of Siderian crust generation that has been overlooked in continental amalgamation models and that TTG magmatism is a more common geochemical signature in Paleoproterozoic rocks than has been previously suggested.

Episodic Paleoproterozoic crustal growth preserved in the Aillik Domain, Makkovik Province, Labrador

The convergent margin of southeastern Laurentia consists of reworked continental crust as well as accretion of continental ribbons and juvenile arc terranes forming part of the Great Proterozoic Accretionary Orogen. The Makkovik orogen, in Labrador, preserves evidence of the timing, duration and complexities of these accretionary events during the interval 1.88–1.78 Ma.New regional bedrock geological mapping combined with new U-Pb zircon SHRIMP ages constrain the Paleoproterozoic felsic magmatism in the Aillik Group of the Makkovik orogen. Nine samples from the Aillik Group yield magmatic 207Pb/206Pb ages between 1883 ± 7 Ma and 1858 ± 3 Ma. The ages extend the previously documented ages of felsic volcanism, providing evidence for periodic volcanism spanning 35 m.y. with the most prolific volcanic activity occurring ca. 1860 Ma. Combined with previous studies, the Aillik Group is now constrained between 1883 ± 7 and 1848 ± 2.7 Ma. Development of a pervasive planar fabric associated with the northwestward thrusting of the Aillik Group (D3) occurred after 1848 Ma.Lithotectonic evolution in the Makkovik Province comprised significant crustal reworking, magmatism, and minor preserved juvenile crustal growth between ca. 1883 and 1848 Ma. The revised model for formation of the Aillik Group proposed herein suggests that the Aillik Group formed in a continental back-arc setting. These new ages further refine the timing of the accretionary events as well as characterizing the age of the crustal root of the arc, which could be a juvenile substrate (Neoarchean/Paleoproterozoic) or reworked Archean crust, possibly the 2.3–2.6 Ma Mistinibi-Raude crust of the Southeast Churchill Province.

Instability of the southern Canadian Shield during the late Proterozoic

Cratons are generally considered to comprise lithosphere that has remained tectonically quiescent for billions of years. Direct evidence for stability is mainly founded in the Phanerozoic sedimentary record and low-temperature thermochronology, but for extensive parts of Canada, earlier stability has been inferred due to the lack of an extensive rock record in both time and space. We used 40Ar/39Ar multi-diffusion domain (MDD) analysis of K-feldspar to constrain cratonic thermal histories across an intermediate (∼150–350 °C) temperature range in an attempt to link published high-temperature geochronology that resolves the timing of orogenesis and metamorphism with lower-temperature data suited for upper-crustal burial and unroofing histories. This work is focused on understanding the transition from Archean–Paleoproterozoic crustal growth to later intervals of stability, and how uninterrupted that record is throughout Earth's Proterozoic “Middle Age.” Intermediate-temperature thermal histories of cratonic rocks at well-constrained localities within the southern Canadian Shield of North America challenge the stability worldview because our data indicate that these rocks were at elevated temperatures in the Proterozoic. Feldspars from granitic rocks collected at the surface cooled at rates of <0.5 °C/Ma subsequent to orogenesis, seemingly characteristic of cratonic lithosphere, but modeled thermal histories suggest that at ca. 1.1–1.0 Ga these rocks were still near ∼200 °C – signaling either reheating, or prolonged residence at mid-crustal depths assuming a normal cratonic geothermal gradient. After 1.0 Ga, the regions we sampled then underwent further cooling such that they were at or near the surface (≪60 °C) in the early Paleozoic. Explaining mid-crustal residence at 1.0 Ga is challenging. A widespread, prolonged reheating history via burial is not supported by stratigraphic information, however assuming a purely monotonic cooling history requires at the very least 5 km of exhumation beginning at ca. 1.0 Ga. A possible explanation may be found in evidence of magmatic underplating that thickened the crust, driving uplift and erosion. The timing of this underplating coincides with Mid-Continent extension, Grenville orogenesis, and assembly of the supercontinent Rodinia. 40Ar/39Ar MDD data demonstrate that this technique can be successfully applied to older rocks and fill in a large observational gap. These data also raise questions about the evolution of cratons during the Proterozoic and the nature of cratonic stability across deep time.

Paleoproterozoic Cordilleran-style accretion along the south eastern margin of the eastern Dharwar craton: Evidence from the Vinjamuru arc terrane of the Krishna orogen, India

Accretion along continental or island arcs at cratonic margins was responsible for most Paleoproterozoic crustal growth. For the development of the Krishna orogen, India, at the southeastern margin of the Eastern Dharwar craton (EDC), two contrasting models, one by long-lived accretion between ~1.85Ga and 1.33Ga terminating in continental collision with the Napier Complex and the other involving continental collision with the Napier Complex at ~1.6Ga have been proposed. Here we report the geology and geochemistry of the granitoid rocks grouping them into the Vinjamuru arc terrane. These comprise biotite±hornblende high-silica granite which are mostly calc-alkaline, weakly metaluminous to peraluminous with normalized trace and rare earth element plots resembling those derived from arc sources as seen by negative Nb, Ti, Zr anomalies, enriched LREE and moderate Eu anomalies. On (La/Yb)CN vs YbCN and Sr/Y vs Y discrimination diagrams these rocks plot in the field of liquids from mantle-derived melts resembling Cordilleran type granitoids. Petrography, major oxide and trace element concentrations suggest formation in an arc tectonic setting during convergent tectonics at the active continental margin of the EDC with evidence for crustal assimilation. To generate the observed high-silica granite, using selected trace and REE, we modeled 10% aggregate continuous melting of a lower crustal hydrous, high K2O-bearing gabbro yielding a granodiorite magma that underwent fractional crystallization at mid-to lower crust followed by mixing with country rock tonalite and minor assimilation with metasedimentary crustal rocks resulting in the observed heterogeneity in trace elements from the granite. We interpret Paleoproterozoic paleopostions of component Indian cratons leading to their Mesoproterozoic assembly and in that context relate the crustal growth along the southeastern margin of the EDC. In contrast to the existing two models, we propose an alternative Cordilleran-style accretion involving development of an intra-oceanic arc due to ocean-ward migration following the earlier choking of the subduction zone at an active continental margin, caused probably by the North China crustal ribbon that had by ~1.78Ga accreted to the EDC margin. The formation of the outboard intra-oceanic Ongole arc terrane occurred thereafter and was eventually accreted (and metamorphosed) to the Vinjamuru arc terrane between ~1.63 and 1.55Ga to form the two arc terranes of the Krishna orogen; we discount any continental collision at this stage as tectonics along this margin, post 1.5Ga, switched to an extensional regime.

Isotope Lu–Hf composition of detrital zircon from paragneisses of the Sharyzhalgai uplift: evidence for the Paleoproterozoic crustal growth

We present results of study of the trace-element and Lu–Hf isotope compositions of zircons from Paleoproterozoic high-grade metasedimentary rocks (paragneisses) of the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton (Irkut terrane of the Sharyzhalgai uplift). Metamorphic zircons are represented by rims and multifaceted crystals dated at ~1.85 Ga. They are depleted in either LREE or HREE as a result of subsolidus recrystallization and/or synchronous formation with REE-concentrating garnet or monazite. In contrast to the metamorphic zircons, the detrital cores are enriched in HREE and have high (Lu/Gd)n ratios, which is typical of igneous zircon. The weak positive correlation between 176Lu/177Hf and 176Hf/177Hf in the zircon cores evidences that their Hf isotope composition evolved through radioactive decay in Hf = the closed system. Therefore, the isotope parameters of these zircons can give an insight into the provenance of metasedimentary rocks. The Paleoproterozoic detrital zircon cores from paragneisses, dated at ~2.3–2.4 and 2.0–1.95 Ga, are characterized by a wide range of εHf values (from +9.8 to –3.3) and model age TC 2.8–2.0 Ga. The provenance of these detrital zircons included both rocks with juvenile isotope Hf parameters and rocks resulted from the recycling of the Archean crust with a varying contribution of juvenile material. Zircons with high positive εHf values were derived from the juvenile Paleoproterozoic crustal sources, whereas the lower εHf and higher TC values for zircons suggest the contribution of the Archean crustal source to the formation of their magmatic precursors. Thus, at the Paleoproterozoic stage of evolution of the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton, both crustal recycling and crustal growth through the contribution of juvenile material took place. On the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton, detrital zircons with ages of ~2.3–2.4 and 1.95–2.0 Ga are widespread in Paleoproterozoic paragneisses of the Irkut and Angara–Kan terranes and in terrigenous rocks of the Urik–Iya graben, which argues for their common and, most likely, proximal provenances. In the time of metamorphism (1.88–1.85 Ga), the age of Paleoproterozoic detrital zircons (2.4–2.0 Ga), and their Lu–Hf isotope composition (εHf values ranging from positive to negative values) the paragneisses of the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton are similar to the metasedimentary rocks of the Paleoproterozoic orogenic belts of the North China Craton. In the above two regions, the sources of detrital zircons formed by both the reworking of the Archean crust and the contribution of juvenile material, which is evidence for the crustal growth in the period 2.4–2.0 Ga.

Zircon U-Pb geochronology, Lu-Hf isotope systematics, and geochemistry of bimodal volcanic rocks and associated granitoids from Kotri Belt, Central India: Implications for Neoarchean–Paleoproterozoic crustal growth

The Bastar Craton of Central India has a thick sequence of volcano–sedimentary rocks preserved in Kotri–Dongargarh belt that developed on a tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) basement followed upwards by the Amgaon, Bengpal, Bailadila, and Nandgaon Groups of rocks. Here, we report the U-Pb geochronology and Lu-Hf isotope systematics and whole rock geochemistry of volcanic rocks and associated granitoids belonging to the Pitepani basalts, Bijli rhyolites, and Dongargarh granite in the Nandgaon Group of the Kotri belt. The volcanic rocks of the Nandgaon Group are bimodal in nature in which the basalts exhibit intergranular, porphyritic to spherulitic texture composed of pyroxenes, plagioclase, tremolite, actinolite, and chlorite±Fe oxides. The rhyolites display porphyritic texture consisting of K-feldspar, quartz, and plagioclase as phenocrysts. The associated porphyritic granitoids have K-feldspar, microcline, plagioclase, and biotite phenocrysts within a groundmass of similar composition. The bimodal suite displays LILE, LREE enrichment, and HFSE depletion with significant negative Nb-Ta anomalies combined with slightly fractionated REE patterns in the basalts and highly fractionated patterns and prominent negative Eu anomalies in the rhyolites endorsing their generation in an island-arc/back-arc tectonic setting. The geochemical features of the associated granitoids indicate that these are potassic and classify as within-plate A-type granites. Zircons from the basalts show clear oscillatory zoning in their CL images. They cluster as a coherent group with 207Pb/206Pb spot ages ranging from 2446 to 2522Ma and weighted mean age of 2471±7Ma. Zircons from the rhyolite samples are subhedral to euhedral and show simple oscillatory zoning with some heterogeneous fractured domains. The data from two samples define upper intercept ages of 2479±13Ma and 2463±14Ma. Zircon grains in the granite show clear oscillatory zoning and their U-Pb data define an upper intercept age of 2506±50Ma. The Lu-Hf isotopic data on the zircons from the basalts show initial 176Hf/177Hf ratios from 0.280925 to 0.281018. Their εHf(t) values are in the range of −10.0 to −6.7. The Hf-depleted model ages (TDM) are between 3038Ma and 3171Ma, and Hf crustal model ages (TDMC) vary from 3387–3589Ma. The zircons from the rhyolites show initial 176Hf/177Hf ratios from 0.280919 to 0.281020 and from 0.281000 to 0.281103, respectively, with εHf(t) values varying from −10 to −6.4 and from −7.5 to −3.9. Among these, one sample shows TDM between 3038Ma and 3182Ma, and TDMC varies from 3377 to 3596Ma, whereas the other sample shows ages of 2925Ma and 3072Ma with TDMC varying from 3208 to 3432Ma. The initial 176Hf/177Hf ratios of the granites range from 0.280937 to 0.281062 with εHf(t) values of −8.8 to −4.3. The TDM shows a range of 2979Ma and 3170Ma, and TDMC varies from 3269 to 3541Ma. The predominant negative εHf(t) values of zircons from these rocks suggest that the source material was evolved from the Paleoarchean crust. The geological, geochemical, and geochronological evidence suggests coeval tectonic and magmatic episodes of volcanic and plutonic activity in an island-arc setting where the arc migrated toward the continental margin and played a significant role in the Neoarchean–Paleoproterozoic crustal growth of the Kotri belt of Central India.

Origin of the Alxa Block, western China: New evidence from zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotopes of the Longshoushan Complex

The NW–SE trending Longshoushan is in the southwestern margin of the Alxa Block, which was traditionally considered the westernmost part of the North China Craton (NCC). Precambrian crystalline basement exposed in the Longshoushan area was termed the “Longshoushan Complex”. This complex's formation and metamorphism are significant to understand the geotectonics and early Precambrian crustal evolution of the western NCC. In this study, field geology, petrology, and zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopes of representative orthogneisses and paragneisses in the Longshoushan Complex were investigated. U–Pb datings reveal three Paleoproterozoic magmatic episodes (ca. 2.33, ca. 2.17 and ca. 2.04Ga) and two subsequent regional metamorphic events (ca. 1.95–1.90Ga and ca. 1.85Ga) for metamorphic granitic rocks in the Longshoushan Complex. U–Pb dating of the detrital magmatic zircons from two paragneisses yields concordant 207Pb/206Pb ages between 2.2Ga and 2.0Ga, and a small number of metamorphic zircon rims provide a ca. 1.95Ga metamorphic age, suggesting that the depositional time of the protolith was between 2.0 and 1.95Ga and that the sedimentary detritus was most likely derived from the granitic rocks in the Longshoushan Complex itself. Zircon Lu–Hf isotopic analyses indicate that nearly all magmatic zircons from ca. 2.0Ga to ca. 2.17Ga orthogneisses have positive εHf(t) values with two-stage Hf model ages (TDMC) ranging from 2.45 to 2.65Ga (peak at ca. 2.5Ga), indicating that these Paleoproterozoic granitic rocks were derived from the reworking of the latest Neoarchean–early Paleoproterozoic juvenile crust. Detrital magmatic zircons from two paragneisses yield scattered 176Hf/177Hf ratios, εHf(t) and TDMC values, further indicating that the sedimentary detritus was not only derived from these plutonic rocks but also from other unreported or denuded Paleoproterozoic igneous rocks. The ca. 2.15Ga detrital magmatic zircons from one paragneiss have negative εHf(t) values with TDMC ranging from 2.76 to 3.04Ga, indicating another important crustal growth period in the Longshoushan region. These data indicate that the Longshoushan Complex experienced Neoarchean–Early Paleoproterozoic crustal growth, approximately ca. 2.3–2.0Ga experienced multiphase magmatic events, and approximately ca. 1.95–1.90Ga and ca. 1.85Ga experienced high-grade metamorphic events. The sequence of tectonothermal events is notably similar to that of the main NCC. Together with the datasets from an adjacent area, we suggest that the western Alxa Block was most likely an integrated component of the NCC from the Neoarchean to the Paleoproterozoic.

The Precambrian tectonic evolution of the western Jiangnan Orogen and western Cathaysia Block: Evidence from detrital zircon age spectra and geochemistry of clastic rocks

The Jiangnan Orogen and Cathaysia Block constitute integral components in the geological framework of the South China Craton. However, the tectonic attributes of these two regions remain controversial. In this study we present LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb ages, Lu–Hf isotopes, and major and trace elements data from a suite of clastic rocks. Two hundred and forty seven zircon U–Pb ages obtained from the Neoproterozoic meta-sandstones in western Jiangnan Orogen define three major age populations: 2564–2395Ma, 2068–1849Ma and 963–730Ma, corresponding to the early Paleoproterozoic crustal growth, amalgamation of the supercontinent Columbia and tectonics associated with Rodinia. Two hundred and forty three zircon U–Pb age data from Cambrian and Ordovician sandstones in the western Cathaysia yield five age populations: 2626–2392Ma, 2050–1518Ma, 1173–904Ma, 857–708Ma and 630–502Ma, which can be correlated to the Neoarchean–early Paleoproterozoic continental growth, the tectono-thermal events associated with the Columbia supercontinent, the assembly and breakup of Rodinia, as well as the Pan-African event. The 630–502Ma population correlates with the assembly of Gondwana supercontinent during late Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic, although direct geological evidence for this event has not yet been reported from this region. These results suggest that the western Jiangnan belt and western Cathaysia Block have distinct crustal evolution histories albeit with close affinities. The REE geochemisty and Lu–Hf isotope data also indicate that the provenances of the Neoproterozoic and early Paleozoic detritus in western Jiangnan belt and western Cathaysia are mostly composed of reworked crustal materials. The metamorphic rims of zircon grains with core–rim structures yield ages of 912–891Ma and 853–835Ma, suggesting two phases of metamorphic events during Neoproterozoic in the source areas. These two events are likely associated with the tectonics related to the collision of Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks in the western and eastern segments, respectively.

Paleoproterozoic crustal growth in the North China Craton: Evidence from the Lüliang Complex

The building of continental blocks and their assembly into supercontinents are linked to episodic crustal growth through Earth history, where both vertical and horizontal accretions in convergent plate margins play a significant role. Here we investigate the Paleoproterozoic crustal growth in the North China Craton (NCC) from a traverse covering continent-trench-ocean section in the Lüliang Complex within the western margin of the Trans-North China Orogen, a major accretionary belt that sutures the Eastern and Western Blocks in the NCC. We present petrological, geochemical and zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf data from a suite of samples including meta granitoids and gabbroic diorite that built the continental arc, and metabasalts, felsic tuff, mafic and pelitic schists, and garnet amphibolites that form part of an imbricated package of oceanic and continental material that was accreted onto the eastern margin of the Western Block in the NCC. The salient geochemical features of the magmatic suite such as high Th/Ta and La/Nb ratios, negative Nb–Ta anomalies, and high concentration of LILE as compared to HFSE suggest magma derivation from sub-continental mantle source which has undergone different degree of enrichment with crustal components or material derived from subduction-related older components. In tectonic discrimination diagrams, the granitoids show VAG affinity and all the rocks straddle the field between IAB and MORB reflecting subduction-related arc signature. The majority of zircon grains in all the rock types from the Lüliang Complex show typical magmatic crystallization textures and high Th/U values. Zircons from the meta-granitoids and diorite enclave yield upper intercept or 207Pb/206Pb mean ages in the range of 2250±20 to 2084±69Ma. Those in the mafic schist show a mean age of 2234±9Ma. In the felsic schist group, the mean ages are in the range of 2298±15 to 1933±11Ma. A minor older population of zircons with ages of 2992±28Ma and 2610±80Ma also occurs in these rocks. In the metabasalt, zircon 207Pb/206Pb mean ages are between 2391±40 and 2022±39Ma with rare magmatic xenocrysts showing Mesoarchean age of 3294±21Ma. Zircons in the felsic tuff show mean ages of 2155±25 to 1897±24Ma, with xenocryst populations yielding mean ages of 2528±31Ma and 2710±20Ma. The youngest zircons with 207Pb/206Pb mean age of ca. 1.9Ga from the felsic schist (metasediment) and felsic tuff (volcanic suite) suggest deposition within the trench of an active convergent margin at this time. In the garnet-bearing amphibolite, the zircons yield a limited age range of 1996±17Ma to 1984±12Ma. The Lu–Hf data on zircons from all samples show dominantly positive ɛHf(t) values. In the granitoid–diorite suite, the ɛHf(t) values range up to 7.6 with crustal residence ages (TDMC) of 2371–2729Ma. Zircons in the mafic and felsic schists also possess positive ɛHf(t) values (up to 9.6) with TDMC in the range of 2366–2798Ma. In the metabasalt, both positive and negative ɛHf(t) values are displayed (3.8 to −3.2) with TDMC in the range of 2495–2830Ma. Zircons in the felsic tuff also show prominent positive ɛHf(t) value (up to 7.4) and crustal residence ages range from 2274 to 2607Ma. In the garnet-bearing amphibolite, the ɛHf(t) values lie between 3.3 and 4.8 and TDMC are in the range of 2321–2413Ma. The majority of ɛHf(t) values from all the rock types in the present study are compatible with juvenile magma sources, with limited input from crustal components. Their TDMC values indicate that both Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic components were involved in the source, attesting to a continental arc setting. The Hf data also suggest the possible presence of Mesoarchean vestiges among the dominantly Neoarchean–Paleoproterozoic basement. Our data demonstrate active plate tectonics and major crustal growth during the Paleoproterozoic history of the NCC, broadly coeval with the making of the global supercontinent Columbia, and provide insights into continent building through subduction–accretion–collision tectonics analogous to those in Phanerozoic orogenic belts.

Refining the Early History of the Mojave-Yavapai Boundary Zone: Rifting versus Arc Accretion as Mechanisms for Paleoproterozoic Crustal Growth in Southwestern Laurentia

AbstractThree outstanding questions regarding Paleoproterozoic crustal growth and assembly in southwestern Laurentia are (1) the mechanisms of crustal growth (back-arc rifting and associated juvenile magmatism vs. accretion of juvenile arcs), (2) the nature and significance of pre-Yavapai orogeny (>1.70 Ga) deformation, and (3) how the isotopically mixed boundary zone between the Mojave and Yavapai Paleoproterozoic crustal provinces formed. Supracrustal successions associated with the Mojave-Yavapai boundary zone in northwestern Arizona are dominated by >1730 Ma bimodal metavolcanic sequences and compositionally siliciclastic metasedimentary rocks, with minor ultramafic rocks, chert, and carbonate. This lithologic assemblage requires juvenile mafic volcanism in a basin that also received abundant quartz-rich (i.e., continental) detritus. A pre-D1 (first deformational event), back-arc rift setting for northwestern Arizona best explains the observed supracrustal assemblage. Plutonic rocks that intrude the s...

Contributions of secular changes in the regional evolution of ore deposits to predictive mineral exploration: A case study of the Zhongtiao Mountain Cu metallogenic area, southern North China Craton

The Zhongtiao Mountain is located in the southern part of the North China Craton. The area experienced multi-stage tectono-magmatic events during the Precambrian, including Neoarchean-Early Paleoproterozoic (2550–2350Ma) crustal growth, Paleoproterozoic (2350–1850Ma) rifting–subduction–accretion–collision, and Early Mesoproterozoic (1800–1750Ma) extension. The geological events contributed to a major copper mineral system in the region. Here we evaluate the processes of the mineral system, such as the source of metals, migration pathways, the formation of trap zones, and the deposition of metal in an attempt to establish a mineral accumulation evaluation model for regional ore prospecting. A three-step process has been proposed in this study as follows. (i) Determining the spatial and temporal distribution of the essential elements and processes of the mineral system to understand the most critical ore-controlling factors. (ii) Translating the ore-forming processes into mappable features and quantitative extraction of the information on mineralization using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to establish a mineral accumulation evaluation model. They were treated as evidence layers for weight-of-evidence (WofE) analysis. (iii) Utilizing the weighted values of the evidence layers to create a posterior probability map. Based on the posterior probabilities, four mineral accumulation horizons were finally delineated for the Zhongtiao Mountain, which are considered to provide important guidelines for further ore exploration and study.

Geochemistry of Jamari complex, central-eastern Rondônia: Andean-type magmatic arc and Paleoproterozoic crustal growth of the southwestern Amazonian Craton, Brazil

The Jamari complex (gabbro-diorite-tonalite/enderbite-granodiorite/charnoenderbite) represents a Paleoproterozoic (ca. 1.76–1.74 Ga) magmatic arc emplaced along the southwestern Amazonian Craton in central-eastern Rondônia, Brazil. Comprising metaplutonic and metasedimentary rocks, the Jamari complex constitutes the polydeformed Paleoproterozoic basement of Rondônia state. Together with regional data from the Rondônia-Juruena Province, our findings suggest that the southwestern border of the Amazonian Craton was the site of magmatic arc evolution from at least ca. 1.78 to 1.63 Ga. Elemental geochemical data show that intermediate/acid orthogneisses are metaluminous to mildly peraluminous, and have a medium to high-K, calc-alkaline signature, suggesting that they were formed in an immature Andean-type magmatic arc. Gabbros have signatures similar to tholeiites of active continental margin and diorites show characteristics compatible with rocks of tholeiite/calc-alkaline active continental margin volcanic arc. The chemical data of the Jamari complex felsic plutonic rocks show general trends of increasing contents of incompatible elements (K2O, Rb, Nb, Th, La, Ba and Sr) and decreasing contents of compatible elements (Ni, V, Sc, MgO, Fe2O3, Al2O3, CaO and TiO2) with increasing SiO2. Although these variations are consistent with closed system fractional crystallization processes, the wide variation of Rb/Zr, La/Sm, K/Rb, Nb/Y, Th/Y and Th/Yb in the felsic rocks may indicate random crustal contamination during the evolution of these rocks. Normalized trace element patterns show enrichment in LILEs (Rb, Ba, K, Th and Ce) relative to HFSEs (Nb, Zr, P and Ti) and are very similar to calc-alkaline subduction-related rocks from orogenic belts. The Jamari complex represents the western extension of similar metaplutonic rocks (Juruena Complex, Mato Grosso), occurring along some 500 km of the Paleoproterozoic Madeirinha orogen (1.78–1.63 Ga). During this event the rocks were metamorphosed under upper amphibolite to granulite facies conditions that only mildly disturbed their igneous characteristics. Zircon U–Pb crystallization ages (ID-TIMS, SHRIMP and LA-ICP-MS) set the acretional phase of the magmatic arc in Rondônia between 1.76 and 1.74 Ga. Metamorphic mineral paragenesis and textural features in these rocks, combined with geochronologic data, indicate that metamorphic conditions in the study area reached the granulite facies (T = ca. 750–800 °C, P = 7 to 8 kbar) in a tectonothermal collisional event that occurred between 1.67 and 1.63 Ga. The Jamari complex in this region was subsequently reworked during the Rondonian-San Ignácio Orogeny (1.50–1.30 Ga), a tectonic episode characterized by crytical metamorphic mineral assemblages and anatexis, suggesting upper-amphibolite-facies metamorphism. The youngest tectonic event recognized in the Jamari complex is associated with tectonic reactivation, deformation, thermal overprint, and magmatism related to the Sunsás Orogeny (1.30–0.95 Ga). Its effects are represented by extensive development of shear zones (Ji-Paraná system), mylonitic belts, rifts and sedimentary deposits, and post-collisional A-type intrusions. Nd isotopic data of the high-grade orthogneisses show a wide range of εNd values (−1.5 to +5.6) and a wide spectrum of TDM model-ages, from 1.79 to 2.2 Ga. These values demonstrate that the crustal generation processes involved juvenile mantle sources and variable proportions of older recycled crust.

Paleoproterozoic granitoids from the northern limit of the Archean Amapá block (Brazil), southeastern Guyana Shield: Pb–Pb evaporation in zircons and Sm–Nd geochronology

Central Amapá, northern Brazil is located at the boundary between: (a) a northern Paleoproterozoic domain, consisting mainly of granite-greenstones terrains and (b) a southern Archean continental block (Amapá block), including an Archean basement reworked during the Transamazonian orogeny (2.26–1.95 Ga). Field investigations, Pb–Pb zircon and Sm–Nd whole rock geochronology supported by geochemical data on granitoids brought further constraints on Paleoproterozoic crustal growth in the southeastern Guyana Shield. A first magmatic episode, dated at 2.26 Ga, is marked by the crystallization of metaluminous low-K tholeiitic tonalites and quartz-diorites, which geochemical affinity with volcanic arc and association with T-MORB amphibolites suggest that they formed in a back-arc basin – island arc system. This event is coeval to the oceanic stage registered in French Guyana during the Eorhyacian (2.26–2.02 Ga). A second magmatic episode is represented by peraluminous, medium- to high-K calc-alkaline tonalite and granodiorite, which revealed some similarities with Mesorhyacian TTG rocks of French Guyana. For granitoids of both episodes, TDM and εNd values indicate the contribution of some Archean crustal component, probably by assimilation or contamination. This second magmatic episode occurred at 2.10 Ga, indicating that the period of successive calc-alkaline magmatic arcs formation may have extended until the Neorhyacian. Meanwhile, during this time, tectonic accretion by collision of the newly formed continental landmass was the prevailing process in French Guyana. The latter magmatic episode, even though poorly constrained, was registered around 2.08–2.02 Ga in central Amapá. It corresponds to the emplacement and solidification of high-K collisional granitoids, produced by partial melting of the Archean continental crust, as testified by the Archean TDM, inherited Pb–Pb zircon ages and strongly negative εNd values. Our results point toward the existence of a protracted episode of crustal growth during the Neorhyacian in the southeastern Guyana Shield. This episode has been predominantly driven by magmatic arc accretion during, at least, 160 My, along the period of 2.26–2.10 Ga. This cycle ended with diachronic closure of the oceanic basins and arc–continent collision.

The geochemistry and petrogenesis of the Paleoproterozoic Green Mountain arc: A composite(?), bimodal, oceanic, fringing arc

The inferred subduction affinity of the ∼1780-Ma Green Mountain arc, a dominantly bimodal igneous terrane (together with immature marine and volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks) accreted to the southern margin of the Wyoming province, is integral to arc-accretion models of the Paleoproterozoic growth of southern Laurentia. Conversely, the dominantly bimodal nature of many putative arc-related igneous suites throughout southern Laurentia, including the Green Mountain arc, has also been used to support models of growth by extension of pre-existing crust. We report new geochemical and isotopic data from ∼1780-Ma gabbroic and granodioritic to tonalitic rocks of the Big Creek Gneiss, interpreted as consanguineous with previously studied metavolcanic rocks of the Green Mountain Formation.The ∼1780-Ma Big Creek Gneiss mafic rocks show clear geochemical signatures of a subduction origin and provide no supporting evidence for extensional tectonism. The ∼1780-Ma Big Creek Gneiss felsic rocks are attributed to partial melting of mafic and/or mixed lower-crustal material. The bimodal nature of the suite results from the combination of arc basalts and felsic crustal melts. The lack of andesite is consistent with the observed tholeiitic differentiation trend of the mafic magmas. The lower ɛNd(1780Ma) values for the felsic rocks vs. the mafic rocks suggest that the unexposed lower crust of the arc may be older than the arc and that Trans-Hudson- or Penokean-aged rocks possibly form the substratum of the arc. Our results reinforce previous interpretations that arc-related magmatism played a key role in the Paleoproterozoic crustal growth of southern Laurentia, but also support the possibility of unexposed older crust as basement to the arcs.

New models for Paleoproterozoic orogenesis in the Cheyenne belt region: Evidence from the geology and U-Pb geochronology of the Big Creek Gneiss, southeastern Wyoming

The disputed age of the deep crust of the Colorado Province is central to hypotheses for Paleoproterozoic crustal growth in the region. We studied the high-grade Big Creek Gneiss, southeastern Wyoming, as a potential exposure of pre-1780 Ma basement rocks. New geologic mapping and U-Pb geochronological data indicate that the Big Creek Gneiss exposes a deeper, but coeval, level of the Green Mountain arc relative to the predominantly supracrustal section to the west. The Big Creek Gneiss is composed of: supracrustal rocks; a ca. 1780 Ma Green Mountain arc–correlative, bimodal intrusive suite; a ca. 1763 Ma extensional(?) bimodal intrusive suite; and widespread ca. 1630 Ma pegmatitic leucogranite. The mafic member of the younger bimodal suite is documented here for the first time. U-Pb zircon ages from migmatite leucosomes indicate penetrative deformation of the Big Creek Gneiss at ca. 1750 Ma. We find that the postarc intrusive suite is mantle-involved, implying a second period of crustal growth. Shortening postdates arc magmatism by ∼20 m.y., implying that termination of arc magmatism and accretion were separate events. Finally, criteria previously used to constrain the polarity of subduction for the Green Mountain arc are not reliable. We propose two competing models: (1) southward-dipping Green Mountain arc subduction (present coordinates), with slab breakoff–related magmatism following arc accretion; or (2) northward-dipping subduction, with extensional postarc magmatism. In both models, high-temperature deformation coincides with accretion along the Cheyenne belt, and extensional magmatism is an important component of crustal growth. We prefer the northward-dipping subduction model because it can be better integrated with regional tectonic events and published isotopic compositions of the igneous rocks.