Pre-existing Continental Crust Research Articles

Depositional age and formation conditions of Archean banded iron formations, Bundelkhand Craton, Central India: Geochemistry, neodymium isotopes and U-Pb zircon geochronology

In this study, we present major and trace element concentrations, U-Pb zircon geochronology as well as neodymium isotopic compositions of the banded iron formations (BIFs) from the Bundelkhand Craton, India. The study aims to constrain the source characteristics, depositional age and evaluate the paleoenvironmental implications of the Meso-Neoarchean seawater from which the BIF precipitated. The presence of a 2898 ± 26 Ma rounded zircon grain in the Girar BIFs indicates their maximum depositional age, which is consistent with the reported age of the metabasalts (2989 ± 190 Ma). Bearing in mind the errors, we consider the age of the studied BIFs to be ca. 2850 Ma. The BIFs from Mauranipur are associated with 2810 Ma dacite and formed at the same time. They have zircon with ages of 2718 ± 22, 2573 ± 66, 2070 ± 29 and 1934 ± 39 Ma. The BIFs from Babina are associated with 2540 Ma felsic volcanics and can be considered of the same age. Our study shows that the sedimentation of BIF in the Girar and Mauranipur greenstone belts took place in the Mesoarchean between ca. 2850 and 2810 Ma, respectively, and in the Babina greenstone belt in the Neoarchean at ca. 2540 Ma.A positive correlation between TiO2 and Zr, Al2O3 and Zr, Zr and Th/U, Y and Zr, Ni and Cr, as well as Hf and Zr, may suggest a detrital component to the BIF derived from terrigenous mafic and felsic sources. The PAAS-normalized REE patterns of the Bundelkhand BIFs are characterized by depleted LREEs, positive La, Eu, Y anomalies and Y/Ho ratios mostly ranging between 18 and 47. The studied BIFs are broadly similar to worldwide BIF occurrences at the time with the exception of the Mauranipur BIFs, which show elevated MnO concentrations (0.92 to 4.82 wt%). The studied BIF samples from the Bundelkhand Craton display a wide range of εNd(t) ranging from −6.57 to + 4.12. The broad range of isotopic values along with the above-noted geochemical signatures suggest that the BIF from the Bundelkhand Craton had significant inputs from submarine hydrothermal sources as well as pre-existing continental crust. The elevated manganese concentrations in BIFs from Mauranipur may imply the availability of free oxygen in seawater on the Bundelkhand Craton during the Mesoarchean.

Growth of early Paleozoic continental crust linked to the Proto-Tethys subduction and continental collision in the East Kunlun Orogen, northern Tibetan Plateau

The East Kunlun Orogen (EKO) in the northern Tibetan Plateau records two continental collisional orogenic events and magmatism in early Paleozoic and early Mesozoic. However, possible magmatic additions to the continental crust growth of the EKO in different tectonic stages of early Paleozoic collisional orogeny have been overlooked. Three phases of early Paleozoic plutons from the Xiangride-Kuhai area in the east of the EKO have been chosen for detailed investigation and the results are reported here. The oldest magmatic suite (Stage 1) includes the ca. 471 Ma Qurelong Monzodiorite and ca. 454 Ma granodiorite in the Zhiyu Intrusive Complex. The monzodiorite has a sanukitoid-like composition with high TiO2 and Y contents and is interpreted as being derived from partial melting of metasomatized mantle wedge lherzolite. The granodiorite is typified by its high SiO2 content, high Sr/Y ratio, and depleted Hf isotope, and is interpreted as an adakite-like melt derived from the melting of a subducted Proto-Tethys oceanic crust. The magmatism can be linked to northward subduction of the Proto-Tethys Ocean between 520 and 450 Ma. Stage 2 magmatism is represented by a plutonic suite emplaced during ca. 450−431 Ma with an I-type granitic composition. Of these, the ca. 447 Ma Kengdenongshe Intrusion composed of peraluminous granite with enriched Nd-Hf isotopes is indicative of a Mesoproterozoic igneous source in the orogen. The ca. 450−434 Ma monzogranite and granodiorite in the Walega and Zhiyu intrusive complexes exhibit variable element and isotope compositions. They would have been generated by magma mixing of felsic melts from the old crust and mafic magmas derived from the metasomatized lithospheric mantle, with a mafic melt proportion of >30%. The ca. 431 Ma quartz diorite in the Walega Intrusive Complex is formed through crustal assimilation and fractional crystallization of mafic magmas derived from the metasomatized lithospheric mantle, with a mafic melt proportion >60%. Stage 2 suite was emplaced during the closure of Proto-Tethys oceanic branches and subsequent continental collision during 450−426 Ma. Magmatism diminished between ca. 426 and 410 Ma during exhumation of the continental lithosphere as indicated by the presence of retrograde eclogites in the EKO. Stage 3 magmatic suite includes the ca. 408 Ma Langmuri Intrusion and ca. 403 Ma Niantang Syenogranite. These plutons are adakite-like or have an A-type granitic composition and are enriched in Nd-Hf isotopes. They might have been derived from the remelting of old and juvenile continental crust in a post-collisional extensional setting during 410−390 Ma. Identification of partial melts, derived from the subducted Proto-Tethys oceanic crust and metasomatized lithospheric mantle in stage 1 and 2 plutons, show that the subcrustal materials have been significantly transferred to the overlying continental crust. Hence the magmatism in oceanic subduction (Stage 1) and continental collision (Stage 2) settings contributes to the early Paleozoic juvenile continental crust growth of the EKO. The post-collisional extensional setting (Stage 3) is dominated by the reworking of a pre-existing continental crust. The early Paleozoic continental crust growth processes in the EKO are different from the previous view in which the continental collision orogens have no crust growth, and inconsistent with the proposal that crust growth is significant only in a continental collision setting.

Contamination of basalt through silicic melts: The first chaotic dynamics experiments with Paraná-Etendeka starting materials

This work is the first attempt to simulate experimentally the impact of underplating high-Ti basaltic melt from Paraná-Etendeka Magmatic Province (PEMP) on a pre-existing continental crust. Our final aim is to unravel the origin of high volumes of high-Ti Chapecó dacitic melts. A campaign of three new chaotic mixing experiments was performed starting from a natural basaltic melt composition (i.e., high-Ti Pitanga-type) while solely varying the chemical composition of rhyolitic end-member (i.e., the contaminant). The choice of end-members was based on the major oxide composition and isotopic signatures. After experiments, chemical analyses were performed by electron microprobe microscopy along contact zones between the interconnected end-members on the experimental charges produced.The results confirm and quantify elemental homogenization in the melt, which occurs by diffusion. The degree of homogenization varies according to the element, and the differential mobility in the mixing system culminates in non-linear correlation in inter-elemental plots. The mobility of major/minor elements along contact areas was quantified calculating the normalized variance, which consistently indicates the connection between viscosity and mobility. Orbicular structures containing dendritic crystals and remnant portions of glass in the basaltic area were described in detailed for the first time. The observed dendritic areas of the basaltic regions point towards an early crystallization process during the initial quench phase of the experiment, and that the crystallization process does not happen homogeneously.Chaotic mixing experiments confirmed that mixing between melts with vastly different viscosities is physically possible. Chaotic dynamics governs this process initially producing vortex structures, and stretched and folded filaments within regions that appear to correspond to remnants of the unmixed end-members. The created filaments become systematically thinner as continuously stretched and folded process develops. It exponentially increases the contact surfaces and, therefore, the mixing efficiency. In respect to the formation of the PEMP high-Ti Chapecó dacites, our results lead us to infer that basalts commonly melt crustal rocks, partially or totally, on their way to the surface. Initial calculations using the linear mixing model are in disagreement with our experimental results regarding the best contaminant candidate, which reflects the very complex simulated scenario. Nevertheless, the reproduced features such as the variability of basaltic compositions and chemical similarities with PEMP intermediary rare outcrops point towards short interaction times, low convective forces, and a predominance of density driven separation of contrasting melts (i.e., simulated conditions) as possible mechanisms involved in the genesis of Chapecó dacites.

The Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic crustal evolution of the Clearwater block, northwestern Laurentia: Implications for the assembly of supercontinents

We report new coupled zircon U-Pb age and Hf isotope data, along with whole-rock Hf-Nd isotope data for 20 samples from the Priest River and Clearwater complexes—Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic basement exposures in northern Idaho, northwest Laurentia. The new zircon data reveal two well-defined periods of magmatism at ∼ 2.66 and ∼ 1.86 Ga in each complex, with no evidence of any intervening or older magmatic events. Positive zircon initial εHf values of the Neoarchean rocks (+1 to +3) indicate juvenile magmas derived from a depleted mantle source. The Paleoproterozoic rocks, in both complexes, share a much wider range of initial zircon εHf values (−7 to +6) which suggests magmas derived from a depleted mantle source intruded and assimilated pre-existing Neoarchean continental crust. The shared age and isotope compositions in the Priest River and Clearwater complexes suggest that the two complexes likely belong to a single crustal block—the Clearwater block.Based on these new zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotopic data of the Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic rocks, the Clearwater block is shown to be distinct from the nearby Wyoming Province, the Medicine Hat block, and components of the Great Falls tectonic zone. We also report new zircon Hf isotope data for the ∼ 1.58 Ga Laclede orthogneiss in the Clearwater block, which along with published U-Pb and Hf isotope constraints, support a paleogeographic connection between the Gawler craton, East Antarctica, and northwestern Laurentia during ∼ 1.9 Ga to ∼ 1.6 Ga. Comparison with other examples of co-existing Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic igneous rocks present in other continents suggests that the global record of 2.7–2.5 Ga magmatism often represents new crustal additions from a depleted mantle reservoir. The record of 2.0–1.7 Ga rocks also represent additions of juvenile magma, but with significantly larger contributions from pre-existing continental crust. In many cases the 2.0–1.7 Ga crust preserved on Earth today was added during the assembly of the supercontinent Nuna.

Crustal thickening and continental formation in the Neoarchean: Geochemical records by granitoids from the Taihua Complex in the North China Craton

The Earth’s lithosphere changed dramatically in many aspects during the Neoarchean era. In this period, the crust became more felsic and shows significant diversification in the composition of granitoids. Although this change has been noticed for many years, the mechanism that drove the change remains unclear. Here we report a geochemical study of Neoarchean granitoids from the Taihua Complex in the North China Craton. Zircon U-Pb dating reveals two episodes of granitoid magmatisms at ca. 2.65 Ga and ca. 2.55–2.50 Ga. Sodic TTGs at ca. 2.65 Ga are characterized by low K2O/Na2O ratios of < 0.6, high Sr/Y and (La/Yb)N ratios, positive Eu anomalies, positive zircon ɛHf(t) values of 0.9 to 5.2, and zircon δ18O values of 6.3–6.5‰, suggesting that they were derived from partial melting of the thickened oceanic crust. In contrast, K-rich granitoids at ca. 2.65 Ga have higher K2O/Na2O ratios, low Sr/Y and (La/Yb)N ratios, negative Eu anomalies, mostly positive zircon ɛHf(t) values of −0.4 to 8.0, and high zircon δ18O values of 7.0–8.4‰. The K-rich granitoids at 2.55–2.50 Ga show similarly high Sr/Y and (La/Yb)N ratios to the sodic TTGs at ca. 2.65 Ga. All these geochemical evidences suggest that these Neoarchean K-rich granitoids were derived from partial melting of the low-T seawater-hydrothermally altered oceanic basalt at different depths. Therefore, the sodic TTG and K-rich granitoids are linked to each other through both similarity and difference in their source compositions rather than magmatic processes such as partial melting and crystal fractionation. On the other hand, high-K granites at ca. 2.55–2.50 Ga are highly siliceous, have very high K2O/Na2O ratios of 4.0–7.9, and contain many relict zircons with U-Pb ages of ca. 3.49–2.68 Ga, indicating their formation by reworking of the pre-existing continental crust. Using a filtered global geochemical database, we find that the Neoarchean is the most important period for the growth of both sodic TTGs and K-rich granitoids. The Sr/Y and (La/Yb)N ratios of these granitoids also reach the maximum during this period, suggesting global-scale thickening of the oceanic crust caused by warm plate convergence. Once the orogenic lithospheric mantle was foundered for thinning, the thickened oceanic crust experienced partial melting at different depths. This gave rise to the different types of granitoid for growth of the continental crust along convergent plate boundaries. Therefore, partial melting of the thickened crust at different depths is a viable mechanism for the compositional transition of continental crust in the Neoarchean.

Origin of syn-collisional granitoids in the Gangdese orogen: Reworking of the juvenile arc crust and the ancient continental crust

AbstractGranitoids at convergent plate boundaries can be produced either by partial melting of crustal rocks (either continental or oceanic) or by fractional crystallization of mantle-derived mafic magmas. Whereas granitoid formation through partial melting of the continental crust results in reworking of the pre-existing continental crust, granitoid formation through either partial melting of the oceanic crust or fractional crystallization of the mafic magmas leads to growth of the continental crust. This category is primarily based on the radiogenic Nd isotope compositions of crustal rocks; positive εNd(t) values indicate juvenile crust whereas negative εNd(t) values indicate ancient crust. Positive εNd(t) values are common for syn-collisional granitoids in southern Tibet, which leads to the hypothesis that continental collision zones are important sites for the net growth of continental crust. This hypothesis is examined through an integrated study of in situ zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotopes, whole-rock major trace elements, and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes as well as mineral O isotopes for felsic igneous rocks of Eocene ages from the Gangdese orogen in southern Tibet. The results show that these rocks can be divided into two groups according to their emplacement ages and geochemical features. The first group is less granitic with lower SiO2 contents of 59.82–64.41 wt%, and it was emplaced at 50–48 Ma in the early Eocene. The second group is more granitic with higher SiO2 contents of 63.93–68.81 wt%, and it was emplaced at 42 Ma in the late Eocene. The early Eocene granitoids exhibit relatively depleted whole-rock Sr-Nd-Hf isotope compositions with low (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.7044−0.7048, positive εNd(t) values of 0.6−3.9, εHf(t) values of 6.5−10.5, zircon εHf(t) values of 1.6−12.1, and zircon δ18O values of 5.28–6.26‰. These isotopic characteristics are quite similar to those of Late Cretaceous mafic arc igneous rocks in the Gangdese orogen, which indicates their derivation from partial melting of the juvenile mafic arc crust. In comparison, the late Eocene granitoids have relatively lower MgO, Fe2O3, Al2O3, and heavy rare earth element (HREE) contents but higher K2O, Rb, Sr, Th, U, Pb contents, Sr/Y, and (La/Yb)N ratios. They also exhibit more enriched whole-rock Sr-Nd-Hf isotope compositions with high (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.7070−0.7085, negative εNd(t) values of −5.2 to −3.9 and neutral εHf(t) values of 0.9−2.3, and relatively lower zircon εHf(t) values of −2.8–8.0 and slightly higher zircon δ18O values of 6.25–6.68‰. An integrated interpretation of these geochemical features is that both the juvenile arc crust and the ancient continental crust partially melted to produce the late Eocene granitoids. In this regard, the compositional evolution of syn-collisional granitoids from the early to late Eocene indicates a temporal change of their magma sources from the complete juvenile arc crust to a mixture of the juvenile and ancient crust. In either case, the syn-collisional granitoids in the Gangdese orogen are the reworking products of the pre-existing continental crust. Therefore, they do not contribute to crustal growth in the continental collision zone.

Mantle-like Hf[sbnd]Nd isotope signatures in ~3.5 Ga greenstones: No evidence for Hadean crust beneath the East Pilbara Craton

The geological setting of extensive ~3.5 Ga greenstone sequences in the Pilbara Craton (Australia) has been controversial for many years. Models range from a purely oceanic origin to emplacement over a pre-existing, possibly Hadean, sialic basement. Here we present new isotopic (NdHf) and trace element data for a geographically extensive suite of komatiitic-tholeiitic metavolcanic rocks which comprise much of the Pilbara Supergroup. Most of the samples have flat to mildly enriched normalised trace element patterns, often associated with a slight NbTa depletion. A small subset of samples, represented throughout the stratigraphy, show strong LREE enrichment and pronounced HFSE anomalies (low Nb/Th, high La/Nb and Zr/Y) either requiring a different magma source or the addition of an enriched component (possibly pre-existing continental crust). Despite this compositional diversity, the SmNd and LuHf data for all samples define ~3.5 Ga isochrons and yield homogeneous initial ratios (εNd = 1.15 ± 0.19; εHf = 2.29 ± 0.65) suggesting a magma source — or sources — slightly more depleted than the putative primitive (chondritic) mantle but consistent with recent observations of other primordial, deep mantle reservoirs. Published SmNd data for the Dresser Formation obtained during the Pilbara Drilling Project appear to be affected by alteration processes and are considered unreliable for the estimation of an accurate initial isotopic composition.The data for the enriched samples are inconsistent with assimilation of known examples of locally exposed continental crust as a mechanism responsible for their trace element characteristics. If an alternate crustal contaminant is invoked it cannot be much older than the basaltic magmatism itself. As a consequence, we see no evidence for an extensive Hadean (>4.0 Ga) sialic basement in the region.

Geochemistry and U-Pb-Lu-Hf zircon isotopes of Cu (±Au ± Mo) hosted granitoids of Malanjkhand pluton, Central India: Implications on petrogenesis, source, and crustal evolution

The early Paleoproterozoic granitoids (2.45–2.5 Ga) at Malanjkhand and surrounding regions, referred herein to as Malanjkhand granitoids (MG), host Cu (±Mo ± Au) deposit. The MG lie in the south of Central Indian Tectonic Zone (CITZ), forming an integral part of the Bastar Craton. Whole-rock geochemistry, zircon U-Pb-Lu-Hf isotopes of MG are presented with an aim to insight into petrogenesis of MG and its implication on crustal evolution of the Bastar Craton. U-Pb zircon geochronology suggests the formation of MG pluton at least by three felsic magmatic pulses generated at 2.50, 2.47, and 2.45 Ga. Geochemically both the mineralized and unmineralized MG are broadly identical. They bear moderately high Sr/Y and (La/Yb)N similar to as adakite-like melt. However, its typical non-slab-melt (young or old) origin can be predicted. The observed geochemical signatures may result from interactions of mantle-derived mafic melt with a felsic melt derived from pre-existing continental crust. It has been argued that mafic melt is essentially formed by partial melting of slab-melt metasomatised mantle/enriched mantle. Subsequently the mafic melt fractionated to form cumulates. On the other hand, the felsic melt was formed by the melting of Archean continental crust. The observed sub- to ultra-chondritic ɛHf(2.47Ga) zircons (−4.69 to +2.87) and TDMc ages (2.79–3.25 Ga) propound the origin of MG from ancient and juvenile crustal sources. The magmatic pulses (2.45–2.50 Ga) forming the MG and together with synchronous volcano-plutonic complexes from nearby Dongargarh region might have played significant role in rapid crustal growth of Bastar Craton at ~2.5 Ga.

Origin and tectonic implications of the early Middle Triassic tuffs in the western Yangtze Craton: Insight into whole-rock geochemical and zircon U-Pb and Hf isotopic signatures

The tuff layer steadily distributed in the western Yangtze Craton is a regional marker for the Early–Middle Triassic (Olenekian–Anisian) boundary. Integrated studies of whole-rock geochemistry and zircon geochronology reveal that the parental magma of the tuff is of felsic composition, generated via volcanic eruptions in the continental arc setting along the southwestern margin of the Yangtze Craton at ~247 Ma. The syn-depositional zircons in the tuff layers and in the coeval igneous rocks exhibit uniform negative εHf(t) values of approximately −20 to −6, indicating the significant input of crustal materials. Massive crustal assimilation implies a large-scale remelting of the pre-existing continental crust, triggered by the intensive arc–continental collision during that time. This intensive collisional tectonomagmatic event is an important signal for the closing of the eastern Paleo-Tethys branch and points to the initial collision of the Indochina Block and the Yangtze Craton. Xenocrystic zircons in the Precambrian-age offer insight into the early evolution of the southwestern Yangtze Craton, which shows episodic crustal growth and reworking of ~2.9–2.2 Ga, crustal reworking of ~1.9–1.7 Ga, rifting-related tectonomagmatism of ~1.6–1.4 Ga, and crustal growth of ~1.1–0.8 Ga. The older crystallization ages (3.4–2.5 Ga), lower initial 176Hf/177Hf values (0.2805–0.2813), negative εHf(t) values (−15.7 to −1.6), and two-stage Hf model ages (3.9–2.8 Ga) of zircons further suggest that an unexposed Archean basement exists beneath the southwestern Yangtze Craton. Significant contributions of mantle-derived materials occur at ~1.3–1.0 Ga, implying that the southwestern Yangtze Craton may not be involved in the Grenvillian-aged continental–continental collision orogeny. Comparable age spectrums and Hf isotopic data suggest that the Paleoproterozoic igneous rocks are a non-negligible provenance for Proterozoic metasedimentary in the Kangdian region.

Do Supercontinent-Superplume Cycles Control the Growth and Evolution of Continental Crust?

The evolution of continental crust can be directly linked to the first-order supercontinent-superplume cycles. We demonstrate that: (1) a mantle-like oxygen isotopic signature is not a diagnostic feature for distinguishing crustal addition from the reworking of pre-existing continental crust; (2) juvenile continental crust shows a wide range of whole-rock Hf isotopic compositions throughout Earth’s history; and (3) detrital zircon Hf model ages cannot reliably determine the growth of continental crust. Thus, the wide use of zircon Hf model ages, based on zircon grains with mantle-like oxygen isotopes, is inappropriate for estimating the timing of continental crustal generation. Based on an analysis of global Hf and O isotope and zircon age databases, we argue that the actual U-Pb crystallization ages of juvenile zircon grains provide the best opportunity to unravel crustal growth through time and to test its relationship with supercontinent-superplume cycles. Furthermore, when the Hf isotopes of these juvenile grains plot within the field of juvenile continental crust, they correlate well with times of global mantle depletion as recorded by Os and He isotopes, plume activity as recorded by LIP events, and periods of crustal growth and the breakup of supercontinents. In contrast, zircon grains crystallized from magmas that were produced by partial melting of pre-existing continental crust show U-Pb age peaks that correspond mainly to times of supercontinent assembly and crustal reworking. Detailed analysis shows the key role played by recycling of mafic crustal components in the generation of juvenile continental crust.

Neoproterozoic tectonic switch on the southwestern Yangtze Block: evidence from zircon U-Pb-Hf isotopes and geochemistry of the A- and I-type granites

ABSTRACT The petrogenesis and tectonic affinity of late Mesoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic magmatic records in the Yangtze Block is important to understand its tectonic evolution within the context of the Rodinia supercontinent’s reconstruction. In this paper, our new SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating results demonstrate that the Luonie granodiorites and Gonghe granites were emplaced at 1019.2 ± 5.3 Ma and 925.0 ± 4.9 Ma, respectively. The Luonie granodiorites show high HFSE and HREE contents and Ga/Al ratios, resembling A-type granites. They exhibit negative εHf(t) values (−1.6 to −3.9) with TDM2 ages of 1980–2125 Ma, suggesting that they were derived from partial melting of pre-existing continental crust. The Gonghe granites are calc-alkaline, slightly peraluminous and have low P2O5 contents, which are typical features of I-type granites. Zircons from Gonghe granites possess positive εHf(t) values (+10.8 to +13.1) with TDM2 ages of 969–1113 Ma, indicating juvenile mafic lower crust source. In conclusion, Luonie granodiorites were formed in an intra-plate rifting environment, whereas Gonghe arc-related intrusion was emplaced into an arc-setting. On the basis of these results, we propose that the rifting-related igneous rocks and subduction-related magmatism in the southwestern Yangtze Block record a tectonic transition from a continental-rifting basin in the passive plate margin to a collisional setting in an active continental margin in the early Neoproterozoic.

Petrology, age, and tectonic setting of the rapakivi-bearing Margaree pluton, Cape Breton Island, Canada: evidence for a Late Devonian posttectonic cryptic silicic-mafic magma chamber

The Margaree pluton extends for &gt;40 km along the axis of the Ganderian Aspy terrane of northern Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. The pluton consists mainly of coarse-grained megacrystic syenogranite, intruded by small bodies of medium-grained equigranular syenogranite and microgranite porphyry, all locally displaying rapakivi texture. The three rock types have similar U–Pb (zircon) ages of 363 ± 1.6, 364.8 ± 1.6, and 365.5 ± 3.3 Ma, respectively, consistent with field and petrological evidence that they are coeval and comagmatic. The rare earth elements display parallel trends characterized by enrichment in the light rare earth elements, flat heavy rare earth elements, moderate negative Eu anomalies, and, in some cases, positive Ce anomalies. The megacrystic and rapakivi textures are attributed to thermal perturbation in the magma chamber caused by the mixing of mafic and felsic magma, even though direct evidence of the mafic magma is mainly lacking at the current level of exposure. Magma evolution was controlled by fractionation of quartz, K-feldspar, and Na-rich plagioclase in molar proportions of 0.75:0.12:0.13. The chemical and isotopic (Sm–Nd) signature of the Margaree pluton is consistent with the melting of preexisting continental crust that was enriched in heat-producing elements, likely assisted by intrusion of mantle-derived mafic magma during Late Devonian regional extension. The proposed model involving magma mixing at shallow crustal levels in a cryptic silicic-mafic magma chamber during post-Acadian extension is consistent with models for other, better exposed occurrences of rapakivi granite in the northern Appalachian orogen.

Crustal Structure of the Greenland‐Iceland Ridge from Joint Refraction and Reflection Seismic Tomography

AbstractWe report a reanalysis of active‐source wide‐angle seismic data collected along the Greenland‐Iceland Ridge during the 1996 Seismic Investigation of the Greenland Margin (SIGMA) experiment. Interpreting the crustal structure of volcanic rifted margins has suffered from nonuniqueness because thick crust at the continent‐ocean transition may not be totally of igneous origin. In this regard, the Greenland‐Iceland Ridge presents a unique opportunity because, together with the Faroe‐Iceland Ridge, it is generally considered to constitute the Iceland hotspot track, and as such, the bulk of its crust may be considered to be of igneous origin. From 15 ocean‐bottom instruments deployed along a 290‐km‐long refraction transect, we collect 5,383 Pg and 1,118 PmP travel times, and we use joint refraction and reflection seismic tomography with adaptive importance sampling to invert them to construct a two‐dimensional compressional wave speed (Vp) model across the Greenland‐Iceland Ridge. Based on the covariation of crustal thickness and Vp, the western part of the transect may be almost entirely continental. Even the eastern part could include a significant fraction of preexisting continental crust. When considered together with the seismic structure of the Icelandic crust and its geochemical characteristics, our results suggest that the putative Iceland mantle plume could be considerably weaker than commonly assumed.

Petrogenesis of Silicic Magmas in Iceland through Space and Time: The Isotopic Record Preserved in Zircon and Whole Rocks

Iceland exemplifies the potential for generation of abundant silicic magma in the absence of mature island arc or preexisting continental crust. Zircon ages (U-Th and U-Pb) and isotope compositions (Hf and O), combined with whole-rock isotope data (Nd, Hf, Pb), provide insight into the petrogenesis and mantle heritage of these silicic magmas. Zircon and whole-rock samples represent the past 15 Ma of Iceland’s geologic evolution, geographic extent (marginal fjordlands to neovolcanic zones), and modern tectonic settings (on-rift, propagating-rift, off-rift). The generation of Icelandic silicic magma has been influenced by hydrothermally altered crust, via assimilation and/or anatexis, throughout Iceland’s history. This is shown by consistently depleted O isotopes in zircon (median δ18O +3.1‰; >98% below +5.3‰), and silicic rocks. Zircon δ18O values appear to have become lower and more diverse since ca. 0.7 Ma (median +1.9‰). This decrease may reflect lower δ18O of meteoric waters involved in hydrothermal alteration during the Pleistocene and/or more volumetrically significant contributions from low δ18O altered crust. Zircon O compositions from historically active volcanoes confirm that the role of altered crust is greater in on-rift than in off-rift settings; diversity in δ18O at volcanoes in propagating rift settings suggests highly variable contributions from altered crust. The silicic record (whole-rock and zircon) exhibits a correlation between geographic position and isotope composition that seems to be independent of local tectonic setting. Silicic samples of all ages collected above 65° N have more radiogenic whole-rock Hf and Nd isotopic compositions, and less radiogenic Pb, than samples collected in southern Iceland; published isotopic data for basalts suggest a similar time-independent latitudinal trend. The persistence of this trend through time suggests that northern Iceland has been underlain by a more depleted mantle source than southern Iceland throughout the island’s history.

The Eastern Khoy metamorphic complex of NW Iran: a Jurassic ophiolite or continuation of the Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone?

The Khoy complex in NW Iran has been widely regarded to consist of both Jurassic and Cretaceous ophiolites, but whereas the western Late Cretaceous ophiolite is unequivocal the nature of the eastern Jurassic body has been unclear. Field observations show that the presumed eastern meta-ophiolite has no similarities to an ophiolite sequence. Here, we report geological and zircon–rutile–titanite U–Pb data for rocks from the presumed Jurassic ophiolite obtained to verify whether these are real ophiolitic units and to understand their relations either to the Late Cretaceous Zagros–Bitlis ophiolites in western Iran–southern Anatolia or to the Sevan–Akera (northern Armenia) and Izmir–Ankara (southern Pontides) complexes. The new U–Pb ages show that the ‘presumed’ ophiolite is in fact a collage of Ediacaran to Cambrian ( c. 606–517 Ma) and Jurassic ( c. 160 Ma) meta-igneous rocks, similar to ages obtained for igneous rocks of the Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone, which has been interpreted as a Jurassic continental rift. The Jurassic igneous rocks contain abundant Ediacaran, Ordovician–Silurian and Carboniferous–Permian inherited zircons, further suggesting involvement of pre-existing continental crust. Our results indicate that Jurassic continental rifting provided a lithospheric weakness along which a new subduction zone formed in Late Cretaceous times.

Insights into the origin of purely sediment-derived Himalayan leucogranites: Si–O isotopic constraints

Granite is the dominant rock type in Earth’s continental crust. The origin of granite can be directly or indirectly related to the fractional crystallization of mantle-derived basaltic melt or the reworking of pre-existing continental or oceanic crust, which contribute to the growth of continental crust.

Zircon U–Pb chronology, Hf isotope analysis and whole-rock geochemistry for the Neoarchean-Paleoproterozoic Yudongzi complex, northwestern margin of the Yangtze craton, China

The Archean-Paleoproterozoic high-grade basement of Yudongzi complex is a key to understanding the early Precambrian crustal evolution of the Yangtze craton. It comprises mainly orthogneiss, paragneiss and amphibolite, whose protoliths are tonalitic-trondhjemitic-granitic (TTG), sedimentary and basic-intermediate volcanic rocks, respectively. The TTG gneiss, amphibole plagiogneiss and biotite plagiogneiss yield magmatic zircon LA-ICP-MSU–Pb ages of 2815±18Ma (MSWD=0.92), 2692±26Ma (MSWD=0.59) and 2449±4Ma (MSWD=0.94), respectively. Metamorphic overgrowths on zircon from amphibolite have an age of 1848±5Ma (MSWD=0.71). TTG gneisses show medium Sr/Y and variable high (La/Yb)N ratios with low Y and Yb contents. They are characterized by positive Eu anomaly and distinct depletion of HREE together with negative Nb, Ta and Ti, implying amphibole, garnet and minor rutile as residual phases. Their positive εHf(t) values of +2.1 to +8.1 with TDM2 of ca. 2.80–3.10Ga suggest significant reworking of juvenile crust. Amphibole plagiogneisses display a strong enrichment of LREEs and depletion of Nb, Ta and Ti. Additionally, a relative enrichment of Ba, Rb, Pb and Zr, as well as high Cr and Ni contents and Mg# values, imply a mantle source with the addition of continental crust material. Zircon εHf(t) values vary between −0.9 and +3.9, suggesting a proportionally significant input of juvenile material and therefore interaction between the mantle and pre-existing continental crust. Biotite plagiogneisses show negative εHf(t) values between −3.4 and −0.1 with a few positive εHf(t) values ranging from +0.1 to +1.5. Together with TDM2 ages of ca. 2.80–3.00Ga, these εHf(t) values suggest that these rocks were mainly generated by reworking of ancient crust. Thus, the Yudongzi complex exposed in the northern part of the Yangtze craton has experienced significant reworking of juvenile crust at ca. 2.80Ga and subsequent crustal growth at ca. 2.70Ga, followed by a second stage of reworking of ancient crust at ca. 2.45Ga. During the Late Paleoproterozoic, the Yudongzi complex was probably involved in the amalgamation of the Paleoproterozoic supercontinent Columbia, and affected by a post-collisional metamorphic event at ca.1.85Ga.

40Ar/39Ar ages and zircon petrochronology for the rear arc of the Izu-Bonin-Marianas intra-oceanic subduction zone

ABSTRACTLong-lived intra-oceanic arcs of Izu-Bonin-Marianas (IBM)-type are built on thick, granodioritic crust formed in the absence of pre-existing continental crust. International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 350, Site U1437, explored the IBM rear arc to better understand continental crust formation in arcs. Detailed petrochronological (U–Pb geochronology combined with trace elements, oxygen and hafnium isotopes) characterizations of zircon from Site U1437 were carried out, taking care to exclude potential contaminants by (1) comparison of zircon ages with ship-board palaeomagnetic and biostratigraphic ages and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology, (2) analysing zircon from drill muds for comparison, (3) selectively carrying out in situ analysis in petrographic thin sections, and (4) minimizing potential laboratory contamination through using pristine equipment during mineral separation. The youngest zircon ages in Site U1437 are consistent with 40Ar/39Ar and shipboard ages to a depth of ~1390 m below sea floor (mbsf) where Igneous Unit Ig 1 yielded an 40Ar/39Ar age of 12.9 ± 0.3 Ma (all errors 2σ). One single zircon (age 15.4 ± 1.0 Ma) was recovered from the deepest lithostratigraphic unit drilled, Unit VII (1459.80–1806.5 mbsf). Site U1437 zircon trace element compositions are distinct from those of oceanic and continental arc environments and differ from those generated in thick oceanic crust (Iceland-type) where low-δ18O evolved melts are produced via re-melting of hydrothermally altered mafic rocks. Ti-in-zircon model temperatures are lower than for mid-ocean ridge rocks, in agreement with low zircon saturation temperatures, suggestive of low-temperature, hydrous melt sources. Zircon oxygen (δ18O = 3.3–6.0‰) and hafnium (εHf = + 10–+16) isotopic compositions indicate asthenospheric mantle sources. Trace element and isotopic differences between zircon from Site U1437 rear-arc rocks and the Hadean detrital zircon population suggest that preserved Hadean zircon crystals were probably generated in an environment different from modern oceanic convergent margins underlain by depleted mantle.

The Betic Ophiolites and the Mesozoic Evolution of the Western Tethys

The Betic Ophiolites consist of numerous tectonic slices, metric to kilometric in size, of eclogitized mafic and ultramafic rocks associated to oceanic metasediments, deriving from the Betic oceanic domain. The outcrop of these ophiolites is aligned along 250 km in the Mulhacén Complex of the Nevado-Filábride Domain, located at the center-eastern zone of the Betic Cordillera (SE Spain). According to petrological/geochemical inferences and SHRIMP (Sensitive High Resolution Ion Micro-Probe) dating of igneous zircons, the Betic oceanic lithosphere originated along an ultra-slow mid-ocean ridge, after rifting, thinning and breakup of the preexisting continental crust. The Betic oceanic sector, located at the westernmost end of the Tethys Ocean, developed from the Lower to Middle Jurassic (185–170 Ma), just at the beginning of the Pangaea break-up between the Iberia-European and the Africa-Adrian plates. Subsequently, the oceanic spreading migrated northeastward to form the Ligurian and Alpine Tethys oceans, from 165 to 140 Ma. Breakup and oceanization isolated continental remnants, known as the Mesomediterranean Terrane, which were deformed and affected by the Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene Eo-Alpine high-pressure metamorphic event, due to the intra-oceanic subduction of the Jurassic oceanic lithosphere and the related continental margins. This process was followed by the partial exhumation of the subducted oceanic rocks onto their continental margins, forming the Betic and Alpine Ophiolites. Subsequently, along the Upper Oligocene and Miocene, the deformed and metamorphosed Mesomediterranean Terrane was dismembered into different continental blocks collectively known as AlKaPeCa microplate (Alboran, Kabylian, Peloritan and Calabrian). In particular, the Alboran block was displaced toward the SW to occupy its current setting between the Iberian and African plates, due to the Neogene opening of the Algero-Provençal Basin. During this translation, the different domains of the Alboran microplate, forming the Internal Zones of the Betic and Rifean Cordilleras, collided with the External Zones representing the Iberian and African margins and, together with them, underwent the later alpine deformation and metamorphism, characterized by local differences of P-T (Pressure-Temperature) conditions. These Neogene metamorphic processes, known as Meso-Alpine and Neo-Alpine events, developed in the Nevado-Filábride Domain under Ab-Ep amphibolite and greenschists facies conditions, respectively, causing retrogradation and intensive deformation of the Eo-Alpine eclogites.

Paleozoic intrusive rocks from the Dunhuang tectonic belt, NW China: Constraints on the tectonic evolution of the southernmost Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Dunhuang tectonic belt (DTB) is of great importance for understanding the tectonic evolution of the southernmost Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). In this study, the temporal-spatial distribution, petrogenesis and tectonic setting of the Paleozoic representative intrusive rocks from the DTB were systematically investigated to discuss crustal evolution history and tectonic regime of the DTB during Paleozoic.Our results reveal that the Paleozoic magmatism within the DTB can be broadly divided into two distinct episodes of early Paleozoic and late Paleozoic. The early Paleozoic intrusive rocks, represented by a suite metaluminous-slight peraluminous and medium- to high-K calc-alkaline I-type granitoids crystallized at Silurian (ca. 430–410Ma), are predominantly distributed along the northern part of the DTB. They were probably produced with mineral assemblage of eclogite or garnet+amphibole+rutile in the residue, and were derived from magma mixing source of depleted mantle materials with various proportions of Archean-Mesoproterozoic continental crust. The late Paleozoic intrusive rocks can be further subdivided into two stages of late Devonian stage (ca. 370–360Ma) and middle Carboniferous stage (ca. 335–315Ma). The former stage is predominated by metaluminous to slight peraluminous and low-K tholeiite to high-K calc-alkaline I-type granitic rocks distributed in the central part of the DTB. They were also generated with mineral assemblage of amphibolite- to eclogite-facies in the residue, and originated from magma source of depleted mantle materials mixed with different degrees of old continental crust. The later stage is represented by adakite and alkali-rich granite exposed in the southern part of the DTB. The alkali-rich granites studied in this paper were possibly produced with mineral assemblage of granulite-facies in the residue and were generated by partial melting of thickened lower continental crust. Zircon Hf isotopes and field distribution of those Paleozoic intrusive rocks reveal that both the Silurian and the late Devonian magmatic activities predominantly represent crustal growth processes in the DTB, accompanied by different degrees of reworking of pre-existing continental crust. However, the middle Carboniferous (ca. 335–315Ma) magmatic activity reflects a crustal reworking process. The Silurian and late Devonian intrusive rocks were most likely formed in the arc-related subduction zones, whereas, the middle Carboniferous intrusive rocks were possibly formed in a transitional tectonic setting from compression to extension, representing the final stage of Paleozoic orogeny in the DTB.These Paleozoic magmatic rocks further suggest that the DTB has reactivated from a stable block to an orogen and undergone two episodes (the early Paleozoic and the late Paleozoic) of orogeny during Paleozoic. It represents a Paleozoic accretionary orogen of the southernmost margin of the CAOB between the Tarim Craton and North China Craton, and tectonically extends northward to the Beishan orogen and westward to the eastern South Tianshan Belt.