Volcanic Protoliths Research Articles

Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous orogenesis in the Klamath Mountains Province (Northern California–southern Oregon, USA) occurred by tectonic switching: Insights from detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology of the Condrey Mountain schist

The Klamath Mountains Province of Northern California and southern Oregon, USA, consists of generally east-dipping terranes assembled via Paleozoic to Mesozoic subduction along the western margin of North America. The Klamath Mountains Province more than doubled in mass from Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous time, due to alternating episodes of extension (e.g., rifting and formation of the Josephine ophiolite) and shortening (e.g., Siskiyou and Nevadan events). However, the tectonic mechanisms driving this profound Mesozoic growth of the Klamath Mountains Province are poorly understood. In this paper, we show that formation of the Condrey Mountain schist (CMS) of the central Klamath Mountains Province spanned this critical time period and use the archive contained within the CMS as a key to deciphering the Mesozoic tectonics of the Klamath Mountains Province. Igneous samples from the outer CMS subunit yield U-Pb zircon ages of ca. 175–170 Ma, which reflect volcanic protolith eruptive timing. One detrital sample from the same subunit contains abundant (~54% of zircon grains analyzed) Middle Jurassic ages with Paleozoic and Proterozoic grains comprising the remainder and yields a maximum depositional age (MDA) of ca. 170 Ma. These ages, in the context of lithologic and thermochronologic relations, suggest that outer CMS protoliths accumulated in an outboard rift basin and subsequently underthrust the Klamath Mountains Province during the Late Jurassic Nevadan orogeny. Five samples of the chiefly metasedimentary inner CMS yield MDAs ranging from 160 Ma to 130 Ma, with younger ages corresponding to deeper structural levels. Such inverted age zonation is common in subduction complexes and, considering existing K-Ar ages, suggests that the inner CMS was assembled by progressive underplating over a >10 m.y. timespan. Despite this age zonation, age spectra derived from structurally shallow and deep portions of the inner CMS closely overlap those derived from the oldest section of the Franciscan subduction complex (South Fork Mountain schist). These relations suggest that the inner CMS is a composite of South Fork Mountain schist slices that were sequentially underplated beneath the Klamath Mountains Province. The age, inboard position, and structural position (i.e., the CMS resides directly beneath Jurassic arc assemblages with no intervening mantle) of the CMS suggest that these rocks were emplaced during one or more previously unrecognized episodes of shallow-angle subduction restricted to the Klamath Mountains Province. Furthermore, emplacement of the deepest portions of the CMS corresponds with the ca. 136 Ma termination of magmatism in the Klamath Mountains Province, which we relate to the disruption of asthenospheric flow during slab shallowing. The timing of shallow-angle subduction shortly precedes that of the westward translation of the Klamath Mountains Province relative to correlative rocks in the northern Sierra Nevada Range, which suggests that subduction dynamics were responsible for relocating the Klamath Mountains Province from the arc to the forearc. In aggregate, the above relations require at least three distinct phases of extension and/or rifting, each followed by an episode of shallow-angle underthrusting. The dynamic upper-plate deformation envisioned here is best interpreted in the context of tectonic switching, whereby slab steepening and trench retreat alternate with slab shallowing due to recurrent subduction of buoyant oceanic features.

Geochemistry of basaltic blueschists from the Deyader Metamorphic Complex (Makran Accretionary Prism, SE Iran): New constraints for magma generation in the Makran sector of the Neo-Tethys

• The Deyader Complex in the Makran includes a blueschist HT-LP metaophiolitic unit. • Blueschist volcanic protoliths show N-MORB, E-MORB, and P-MORB affinities. • Volcanic protoliths were erupted in mid-ocean ridge featuring plume-ridge interaction. • Blueschists show geochemical features similar to those of the Makran ophiolites. The North Makran Domain in the Makran Accretionary Prism consists of an imbricate stack of Mesozoic Neo-Tethyan ophiolitic and metaophiolitic units. The Deyader Complex is an important metamorphic unit of this Domain and includes tectonic slices of HP-LT blueschists derived from upper oceanic crust protoliths. The volcanic protoliths consist of basalts with Mg#=75.1–62.7, SiO 2 = 41.59–48.02 wt%, and TiO 2 = 0.79–1.53 wt%. Based on incompatible and REE contents and ratios, three geochemical types can be distinguished. Group 1 basalts show trace element compositions, and La N /Yb N and La N /Sm N ratios <1 resembling those of normal-type (N-) mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB). Compared to N-MORBs, Group 2 basalts show slight enrichment in Th, Ta, Nb, as well as La N /Yb N and La N /Sm N ratios = ∼1 similar to those observed in enriched-type (E-) MORB . Group 3 basalts show a transitional-alkaline nature (Nb/Y = 0.7–1.0), marked Th, Ta, Nb enrichment and high La N /Yb N (4–7) and La N /Sm N (2–3.5) ratios resembling those of plume-type (P-) MORB. Trace element and REE petrogenetic models show that N-MORB protoliths were generated from a depleted MORB mantle source (DMM), whereas E-MORB and P-MORB protoliths were generated from partial melting of a DMM source that was metasomatized to variable extents by OIB-type chemical components. The Deyader blueschists protoliths show close geochemical and petrogenetic similarities with all the North Makran ophiolites, suggesting that they were formed in a large Late Jurassic – Cretaceous oceanic basin that was strongly affected by mantle plume activity and different extents of plume-ridge interaction.

Geodynamic environment of the ca. 3800 Ma Outer Arc Group, Isua (Greenland)

The arcuate, 35 km long Isua supracrustal belt (ISB, southern West Greenland) contains the world9s largest remnants of Eoarchean volcanic and sedimentary sequences. The ISB is broadly divided into: (i) the northern <i>Inner Arc Group</i> of 3720 to 3690 Ma rocks, and (ii) the southern <i>Outer Arc Group</i> of <i>ca.</i> 3800 Ma rocks which is bounded on its northern side by the highly tectonized <i>ca.</i> 3750 Ma <i>Dividing Sedimentary Unit</i>. The boundary between the two groups is a mylonite formed between 3685 and 3660 Ma. Despite the generally high strain, amphibolite facies metamorphism and layer-parallel dislocations that can thin or altogether excise some units, domains of lower deformation comprising ≪1% (qualitative assessment) of the Outer Arc Group contain relict sedimentary and igneous structures. Combined with zircon U-Pb geochronology and whole rock geochemistry, this enables the Outer Arc Group lithological sequence and geodynamic setting to be reconstructed. The lower part of the Outer Arc Group is dominated by metabasaltic amphibolites of the <i>Mafic Volcanic formation</i> in which rarely-preserved pillow structures indicate both their predominantly subaqueous eruption and also their stratigraphic facing. They erupted &gt;3800 Ma, because they were first intruded by subconcordant sheets of fine-grained hypabyssal tonalite dated at 3803±3 Ma (Crowley, 2003) and then by coarser-grained 3795 to 3791 Ma tonalite-granodiorite, which forms a large deformed pluton along the south side of the ISB. This formation is succeeded by the <i>Sedimentary formation</i> whose base consists of discontinuous rare, thin fuchsitic quartzites with 3890 to 3805 Ma detrital zircons. Overlying is a diverse package of dolostones, marls and siliceous rocks. Although they are extensively modified by metamorphism and metasomatism, producing widespread growth of talc or tremolite, relict graded sedimentary layering, chemical and isotopic signatures indicate originally sedimentary protoliths. Detrital zircons in these rocks range in age from <i>ca.</i> 3820 to 3805 Ma. This unit shows an upwards transition from ‘pure9 chemical sedimentary rocks with distinct seawater-like trace element signatures into lithologies increasingly contaminated by felsic material that is locally preserved as graded layers, which are interpreted as an increasing volcanogenic input. Succeeding the sedimentary rocks is the <i>Felsic Volcanic formation</i>, an extensive unit of mostly schistose 3807 to 3802 Ma felsic potassic-altered rocks with carbonate-rich interludes and veins. Locally-preserved andesitic units with graded layering, massive vesicular lavas, polymict breccias, resorbed quartz phenocrysts and fiammé, attest to volcanic and volcano-sedimentary protoliths. Whole rock geochemistry and oxygen isotope analyses on these rocks and their zircons indicate predominantly felsic volcanic protoliths that experienced massive alteration in a surficial environment, probably following subaerial eruption. Massive volcanic rocks are commonest in the west of the ISB, suggesting this part of the belt was proximal to a volcanic center. Using these stratigraphic data, we conclude that the ISB volcanic and sedimentary rocks formed in a mobile geodynamic regime resembling plate tectonics, and not within a stagnant lid regime.

On the article “Weathered potassic volcanic rocks as protoliths of the hematitic phyllites of the southern Serra do Espinhaço (MinasGerais)”: a discussion

Chaves and Knauer (2020) have presented three new whole-rock chemical analyses of phyllitic hematite, a unique metamorphic rock of the southern Serra do Espinhaço. Based on their three samples and a selection of other three samples from the literature, Chaves and Knauer have proposed that the geochemical uniqueness of the rock – i.e., high contents of K2O, Al2O3 and Fe2O3, and depletion in SiO2 – would represent a weathered, feldspathoid-rich alkaline basalt. This contribution is a discussion of their new data, the trace-element contents of which are at odds with those of a potassic, mantle-derived volcanic protolith for the hematitic phyllite. Its Nb/Th ratios of ~3 and chondrite-normalised La/Yb ratios of ~9–17, for instance, are typical of the continental crust. We also point out aspects that escaped the attention of Chaves and Knauer (2020), one of which is the ubiquitous occurrence of tourmaline in the hematitic phyllite.

Lu-Hf analyses of zircon from the Makoppa Dome and Amalia-Kraaipan area: implications for evolution of the Kimberley and Pietersburg blocks of the Kaapvaal Craton

Abstract Previously dated zircon crystals from the Amalia-Kraaipan granite-greenstone belts and Makoppa Dome were analysed for their Lu-Hf isotopic characteristics to refine the geological evolution of these areas. Samples from the Makoppa Dome, belonging to the Pietersburg Block, largely fall within the epsilon Hf-age range for granitoids from the eastern part of the block. However, the oldest 3.01 to 3.03 Ga trondhjemitic gneisses show that reworking of juvenile mafic crust started earlier in the western than the eastern part of the block, suggesting a diachronous tectonic evolution. The three granitoids from the Amalia-Kraaipan area fall within the field for Pietersburg and Kimberley block granitoids. Contribution from older crustal material is seen in a 3.08 Ga schist, likely derived from a volcanic protolith, from the Madibe Belt, in the far east of the Kimberley Block, with a mantle extraction age of 3.25 to 3.45 Ga. The data suggest that the Kimberley Block, like the Pietersburg Block, also contains (minor) ancient crustal components, derived from a depleted mantle source prior to 3.1 Ga. The new data suggest that the Kimberley and Pietersburg blocks underwent a very similar Paleo- to Mesoarchean crustal evolution, with a major crust formation event at 3.1 to 3.0 Ga followed by successive crust reworking until 2.77 Ga. Lavas of the Ventersdorp Supergroup, for which zircon grains from a ca. 2.75 lapilli tuff give εHfi of +2, are the first evidence of a juvenile source, after 300 Myr of crustal reworking.

Further evidence of Rhyacian arc magmatism in the basement of the Brasília Belt, western São Francisco pericraton

A recently mapped area in central Brazil revealed a slice of Paleoproterozoic basement within Neoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks of the Brasília Belt. The area, named here the Artulândia area for its proximity to the homonymous village, contains metatonalites and metagranodiorites in tectonic contact with a meta-volcanosedimentary sequence that encompasses felsic, intermediate and mafic metavolcanic rocks interlayered with clastic and chemical metasedimentary rocks. A sample of felsic orthogneiss from the metavolcano-sedimentary sequence, yielded a U–Pb zircon age of 2142 ± 4.4 Ma, which is interpreted as the crystallization age of the volcanic protolith. Samples from the metagranite unit returned U–Pb zircon ages of 2130 ± 7.4 Ma for a biotite metatonalite, 2157 ± 9 for a biotite metagranite, and 2147 ± 5 Ma for a sulfide-bearing metagranodiorite, indicating roughly contemporaneous plutonic activity. Whole-rock geochemistry shows calc-alkaline signatures for both units, and trace element results are compatible with an extensional setting, such as back-arc or intra-arc, for the metavolcano-sedimentary sequence, and a magmatic arc system for the metagranite unit. These rocks were generated in an episode of juvenile crust formation, as suggested by εNd(2.14Ga) values between 0 and + 3.18. Based on lithological association, age and chemical signature, we suggest that the studied rocks represent a lateral continuation of the Campinorte Arc beyond the Rio Maranhão Thrust. Thus, the occurrence of Campinorte Arc rocks on both sides of the thrust argues against the thrust being a Neoproterozoic collisional suture. The geology of the Artulândia area in the context of the Campinorte Arc attests to the complexity of the Rhyacian amalgamation that generated the São Francisco Paleocontinent during a Rhyacian Orogeny.

Elucidating the Effects of Hydrothermal Alteration on Seismic Reflectivity in the Footwall of the Lalor Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposit, Snow Lake, Manitoba, Canada

The integrated analysis of seismic rock properties, lithogeochemical data, and mineral compositional data, estimated via scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), provides insight into the effects of hydrothermal alteration on seismic reflectivity in the footwall of the Lalor volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit, Manitoba, Canada. The effects of hydrothermal alteration on variations in acoustic impedance are secondary in magnitude and superimposed on the dominant acoustic impedance contrast between felsic and mafic volcanic protoliths. This secondary effect is due to an increase in P-wave velocity with increasing intensity of hydrothermal alteration, as measured by the Ishikawa and Carbonate-Chlorite-Pyrite alteration indices. Mixture modeling of the seismic rock properties and mineral percentages suggests that the increase in seismic velocity is due to an increase in abundance of cordierite, which is one of the diagnostic aluminum silicates for hydrothermally-altered volcanic rocks metamorphosed in the upper almandine amphibolite facies. The synthetic seismic data of a simple VMS model consisting of mafic-felsic host rock contacts, a sulfide ore lens, and a discordant hydrothermal conduit, consisting of the amphibolite-facies mineral assemblage (600 °C, 6 kbar) encountered at Lalor, show enhanced seismic reflections at conduit-host rock contacts, in comparison to its greenschist facies equivalent (350 °C, 2.5 Kbar). This zone of enhanced seismic reflectivity in the footwall of the massive sulfide ore zone is also recognized on the Lalor seismic data suggesting that high-grade terrains hosting VMS deposits possess enhanced potential for the seismic detection of their footwall hydrothermal alteration zones.

Preliminary characteristics of rare earth elements and other trace elements in fine-grained deposits from the Triassic-Jurassic transition in the former Mid-Polish Trough

Fine-grained siliciclastic rocks from the Triassic-Jurassic transition (Rhaetian–Hettangian) in the former Mid-Polish Trough were the subject of the geochemical study at the Polish Geological Institute – National Research Institute in Warsaw. Ninety-four samples of claystones and mudstones from six archived drill cores were analysed by ICP-MS and XRF for rare earth elements (REE) and other trace elements. The results indicate that the sources of most of the claystones and mudstones were sedimentary rocks of the upper continental crust of old cratonic areas, where the protolith had a moderately felsic character. Weathering and recycling processes modified the original chemical composition to some extent. However, during Rhaetian and early Hettangian, some geochemical data in the south-eastern segment of the MPT suggest significant input from a mafic volcanic protolith. Moreover, a clear enrichment in rare-earth elements was observed in few samples, caused by admixtures of accessory minerals (being a main carrier of REE). Nevertheless, based on currently obtained data, the Rhaetian–Hettangian concentrations of REE (and other trace elements) in the MPT are low and they are of scientific indicative significance, not of raw material importance.

Mass balance and origin of fluids associated to smectite and chlorite/smectite alteration in Seival Mine Cu–Mineralization – Camaquã Basin – Brazil (Part II)

The Seival Mine, located in the Camaquã Basin, hosts several small Cu and Ag ore deposits in volcano–sedimentary sequence surrounding the Lavras do Sul Intrusive Complex. Alteration minerals consist of calcite, sulfate, smectite and chlorite/smectite associated with Cu–rich sulfides. The mass balance calculations from less altered to altered volcanic rocks show large chemical changes with the mobility of mettallic elements in major or trace amounts. Mass balance calculations for similar volcanic protoliths, with different degrees of alteration or textural variations, indicate that increasing proportions of clay minerals reflects higher degrees of alteration. This alteration did not mobilize Si, Al, Fe, and Mg and had a small effect on other metallic elements such as Cu, Zn, Ni, and Au. Consequently, fluids associated with propylitic to argillic alteration with chlorite–smectite precipitation did not participate in the transport of base metals and ore deposition. Interpretations of oxygen stable–isotopes for magmatic, late magmatic and hydrothermal minerals show decreasing proportion magmatic fluid (δ18Ofluid of andesine labradorite ca. 5 to 7‰), toward a predominance of meteoric fluid (δ18Ofluid of quartz and calcite) between −12 and 0‰ for the low–temperature alteration (250 to 80 °C). Carbon stable isotopes result suggest a mixture of inorganic carbon ca. −7 to −5‰ from volcanic CO2 with late carbonate precipitation with atmospheric signatures ca. −4 to −1‰. These mass balance and stable isotopes interpretations suggest that high–temperature late–magmatic fluid/rock interaction (650 to 350 °C) has promoted the base metal enrichment.

The Rio Doce Group revisited: An Ediacaran arc-related volcano-sedimentary basin, Araçuaí orogen (SE Brazil)

The Araçuaí orogen developed between the São Francisco and Congo cratons, during the Western Gondwana amalgamation in Late Neoproterozoic time. Located in the eastern Araçuaí orogen, the Ediacaran Rio Doce magmatic arc includes a large amount of plutonic rocks (the G1 supersuite, ca. 630-580 Ma) spatially associated with a supracrustal succession, the Rio Doce Group (RDG). This group, poorly studied until recently, encompasses four formations (from base to top): Palmital do Sul, Tumiritinga, São Tomé, and João Pinto. The Palmital do Sul and Tumiritinga formations mostly include pelitic schists to paragneisses, interbedded with metavolcanic and meta-volcaniclastic rocks, representing proximal deposits in relation to the volcanic arc front. Pyroclastic deposits represented by lapilli-rich meta-tuffs with scattered volcanic bombs denote explosive volcanism of dacitic to rhyolitic composition. Zircon U-Pb data provide magmatic crystallization ages of 595 ± 13 Ma and ca. 584 ± 5 Ma for the volcanic protoliths. The São Tomé Formation mainly includes psammitic to pelitic meta-turbidites with lenses of calcsilicate rocks, indicating relatively distal marine deposits with a maximum depositional age of ca. 594 Ma and a striking arc-related lithochemical signature. The João Pinto Formation mostly includes quartz sandstones and micaceous to feldspathic sandstones, with a maximum sedimentation age of ca. 620 Ma, representing fluvial to continental shelf environments related to the late stages of the Rio Doce arc development. The Rio Doce Group can be correlated with other orogenic supracrustal successions (i.e., parts of the Andrelândia Group) found in the region covered by the Rio Doce arc, connecting the Araçuaí and Ribeira orogens.

Updating the Geologic Barcodes for South China: Discovery of Late Archean Banded Iron Formations in the Yangtze Craton

Banded iron formations (BIFs) in Archean cratons provide important “geologic barcodes” for the global correlation of Precambrian sedimentary records. Here we report the first finding of late Archean BIFs from the Yangtze Craton, one of largest Precambrian blocks in East Asia with an evolutionary history of over 3.3 Ga. The Yingshan iron deposit at the northeastern margin of the Yangtze Craton, displays typical features of BIF, including: (i) alternating Si-rich and Fe-rich bands at sub-mm to meter scales; (ii) high SiO2 + Fe2O3total contents (average 90.6 wt.%) and Fe/Ti ratios (average 489); (iii) relative enrichment of heavy rare earth elements and positive Eu anomalies (average 1.42); (iv) and sedimentary Fe isotope compositions (δ56FeIRMM-014 as low as −0.36‰). The depositional age of the BIF is constrained at ~2464 ± 24 Ma based on U-Pb dating of zircon grains from a migmatite sample of a volcanic protolith that conformably overlied the Yingshan BIF. The BIF was intruded by Neoproterozoic (805.9 ± 4.7 Ma) granitoids that are unique in the Yangtze Craton but absent in the North China Craton to the north. The discovery of the Yingshan BIF provides new constraints for the tectonic evolution of the Yangtze Craton and has important implications in the reconstruction of Pre-Nuna/Columbia supercontinent configurations.

Geological, geochronological and geochemical constraints on the Tianhu iron deposit, Chinese Tianshan Orogen, NW China: A modified Algoma-type BIF deposit

The Tianhu large Fe deposit (104Mt @ 42%) contains bedded- and lenticular-shaped orebodies hosted by the metamorphosed Neoproterozoic Tianhu Group in the Chinese Tianshan Orogen, NW China. In this study, an integrated geological, age and geochemical investigation was conducted to decipher whether the deposit belongs to the long debated BIF- or skarn-type. A newly-measured cross-section shows that the orebodies are stratiform, in intrusive contact with migmatite, and are divided into the upper, middle and lower units by faults. The well-preserved primary banded ores are hosted in the lower unit, while sulfide veins crosscut the banded formation in the middle and upper units, indicating pre-existing Fe-rich sediments modified by later sulfide-bearing magmatic-metamorphic fluids. Petrographic observation has identified a biotite-sphene-epidote-K-feldspar-plagioclase-ilmenite metamorphic mineral assemblage, whilst phase equilibrium simulation indicates that the ore-hosting Tianhu Group (with volcanic protoliths) were amphibolite-facies metamorphosed at 7.8–8.8kbar and 605–635°C. The Tianhu migmatite is newly zircon U–Pb dated to be Middle Ordovician (469.6±2.3Ma and 469.3±1.7Ma). Geochemical features of the Tianhu Fe ores, including low Al2O3, TiO2 and HFSEs and the poor correlations among them, coupled with the presence of positive Y and Eu anomalies, point to a mixed ore-forming material source of high-temperature hydrothermal vent fluids and seawater. The negative Eu anomalies and REY patterns, atypical to BIFs, may have been derived from the sedimentary and hydrothermal apatite. The pyrite δ34S (−9.23 to +11.07‰), 206Pb/204Pb (19.513–21.156), 207Pb/204Pb (15.691–15.764) and 208Pb/204Pb (38.655–39.136) indicate that the pyrite may have been of a mixed primary sedimentary and later hydrothermal origin. Based on the new geological, age and geochemical data, we conclude that the Tianhu Fe deposit is a Neoproterozoic Algoma-type BIF deposit modified by Ordovician magmatic-metamorphic events.

Geochemical constraints on the oldest arc rocks of the Arabian-Nubian Shield: The late Mesoproterozoic to late Neoproterozoic (?) Sa'al volcano-sedimentary complex, Sinai, Egypt

The Wadi Sa'al metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary complex represents the deepest exposed stratigraphic levels of the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS). Recent isotopic ages (1.12–0.95Ga, Be'eri-Shlevin et al., 2012) assigned the Sa'al complex as the oldest arc rocks of the ANS (pre-Pan-African?). It encompasses a wide variety of non-consanguineous, late Mesoproterozoic to late Neoproterozoic (?) rock units that preserve a complicated and protracted record of orogenic and tectonic assembly. They experienced regional low-pressure greenschist up to amphibolite facies metamorphism. The tectono-stratigraphic rock units of the Wadi Sa'al complex can be distinguished into two superimposed metavolcanic formations (Agramiya and post-Ra'ayan), separated by the metasedimentary Ra'ayan Formation. Both the Agramiya and post-Ra'ayan metavolcanics comprise basalts, basaltic andesite and rhyolite. The Ra'ayan metasediments encompass metagreywacke, semi-metapelite and metapelite. Geochemical consanguinity, tectonic setting and petrogenesis of the different rock units of the Sa'al complex are addressed. The metavolcanics of the Sa'al complex imply calc-alkaline affinities with subordinate tholeiitic signature and probable island-arc setting. The Ra'ayan metasedimentary rocks were accumulated as fluvial sediments in basins adjacent to their uplifted volcanic protoliths (Agramiya Formation). The detritus was deposited in fresh-water environment. New geological mapping was undertaken for the area using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Advanced Space-borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) band rationing-based images (b6/b4, b6/b7, and b4/b2) effectively discriminate the different basement rock units of the Wadi Sa'al area from each other.

Sluggish Hadean geodynamics: Evidence from coupled 146,147Sm–142,143Nd systematics in Eoarchean supracrustal rocks of the Inukjuak domain (Québec)

The discovery of deficits in 142Nd/144Nd in mafic rocks of the Nuvvuagittuq supracrustal belt (NSB) has triggered a debate about the possible preservation of Hadean (pre-3.85 Ga) crustal remnants in the little-known but areally extensive Innuksuac complex (3.6–3.8 Ga, Inukjuak domain, Northeast Superior Province, Canada). Geochronological investigations in the NSB, however, are hampered by the poor preservation and highly disturbed isotopic record of various mafic (amphibolite) lithologies that host the 142Nd anomalies. Here we present 146Sm–142Nd and 147Sm–143Nd data for rocks of extrusive magmatic and sedimentary protoliths from the Ukaliq supracrustal belt, a newly discovered volcano-sedimentary enclave enclosed in granitoid gneisses of the Inukjuak domain. Our study also includes the first 146Sm–142Nd data for quartz-magnetite rocks (banded iron-formation; BIF) of the NSB and the Eoarchean Isua supracrustal belt (ISB) in southern West Greenland. We show that Ukaliq amphibolites carry variably negative 142Nd anomalies, ranging from 0 to −10 ppm, which are positively correlated with their Sm/Nd ratio. If considered as an isochron relationship, the 146Sm–142Nd array yields an apparent Hadean emplacement age of 4215−76+50 Ma. The negative 142Nd anomalies, however, appear to be mainly restricted to amphibolites with boninitic affinities, likely reflecting inheritance from an enriched mantle source. In contrast, tholeiitic and ultramafic lavas have normal μ142Nd regardless of their Sm/Nd ratio. Furthermore, BIF from Ukaliq and Nuvvuagittuq lack the negative 142Nd anomalies that should have been produced by in situ decay of 146Sm had these sediments been deposited prior to ca. 4.1 Ga. Instead, they exhibit μ142Nd identical to that measured in Isua BIF. Collectively, our results suggest that the 146Sm–142Nd array characterizing mafic lithologies of Ukaliq and Nuvvuagittuq is an inherited signature with doubtful chronological significance. We interpret the volcanic protoliths of the Innuksuac complex to have been produced by metasomatically triggered melting of a variably enriched Eoarchean mantle, following addition of felsic melts and/or fluids derived from a foundering Hadean mafic crust. Application of coupled 146,147Sm–142,143Nd chronometry to Ukaliq lavas yields a model age of differentiation of 4.36−0.06+0.05 Ga for this Hadean precursor. This is similar to late-stage crystallization ages inferred for the lunar and terrestrial magma oceans. The long-term preservation of Earth's primordial crust points to subdued lithospheric recycling in the post-magma ocean Earth.

Rare earth element distribution in fine-grained deposits from the uppermost Triassic and Lower Jurassic of the Polish Basin: provenance and weathering in the source area

Nineteen samples of uppermost Triassic and Lower Jurassic claystones and mudstones, which were formed in the epicontinental Polish Basin, were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for rare earth elements (REE) and other selected trace elements (Sc, Y, Th, Zr and U). The results indicate that the source of most of the claystones and mudstones studied were sedimentary rocks of the upper continental crust of old cratonic areas, where the protolith had a mainly felsic character. However, in the latest Triassic a characteristic layer formed, implying significant input from mafic volcanic protolith. It was also found that moderately intense chemical weathering usually favoured increased concentration of the rare earths. Extremely strong hydrolysis, related to episodes of very hot and humid climate (greenhouse events), caused conspicuous impoverishment in REE in residual clays. Weathering and recycling processes modified the composition of REE to some extent, but generally did not obliterate the original characteristics of the protolith. In some samples, enrichment in rare earth elements was observed, caused by admixtures of accessory minerals (being a main carrier of REE) and/or increased sorting during recycling.

Interpretation of borehole gravity data of the Lalor volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, Snow Lake, Manitoba, Canada

We have acquired borehole gravity data along five drillholes intersecting the Lalor volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit hosted in the eastern Flin Flon greenstone belt at Snow Lake, Manitoba, Canada. Inverted apparent interval density (IAID) logs were calculated from the borehole gravity data and compared with lithofacies and [Formula: see text] logs; the latter of which is a geochemical proxy for differentiating volcanic rocks of felsic to mafic composition. The IAID anomalies predominantly reflect alternating mafic and felsic volcanic rock units in the footwall and hanging wall of the massive sulfide deposit. IAID lows are associated with [Formula: see text] highs that correspond to rhyolite and rhyodacite intervals in the hanging wall. IAID lows with associated [Formula: see text] peaks in the footwall occur within intervals of gneiss and schist formed by metamorphism of hydrothermally altered rocks, suggesting that these IAID lows still reflect the felsic composition of their volcanic protoliths. A significant peak-to-peak Bouguer anomaly of 0.66 mGal caused by an estimated excess mass of 0.7 mT can be correlated with gamma-gamma density signature of the main sulfide ore zone in three boreholes. This anomaly is aligned with the ore zone after restoring the displacement along a northeast-dipping structure. When integrated with drillhole lithology and lithogeochemistry logs, gravity borehole data can, in addition to the direct detection of mineralization, be used as a subsurface geological mapping tool.

Crustal reworking in the North China Craton at ~2.5 Ga: evidence from zircon U–Pb age, Hf isotope and whole rock geochemistry of the felsic volcano‐sedimentary rocks from the western Shandong Province

The western Shandong Province (WSP) is one of the typical Neoarchaean granite–greenstone belts in the Eastern Block of the North China Craton (NCC) and is an important region to investigate the early Precambrian evolutionary history of the NCC. The Taishan association, consisting of a ~2.7 Ga komatiite–tholeiite sequence and a ~2.5 Ga felsic volcano‐sedimentary sequence, is the major lithological assemblage in the WSP. In the Qixingtai area, the felsic volcano‐sedimentary sequence, partly subjected to anatexis, is composed of hornblende gneiss, voluminous fine‐grained biotite gneiss and biotite plagioclase gneiss. SHRIMP zircon dating shows that the protolith of the biotite plagioclase gneiss formed after ca. 2.53 Ga. The tonalite intrusion into the volcanic protoliths of the fine‐grained biotite gneiss and biotite plagioclase gneiss occurred at 2.52 Ga. Our age data constrain the time of formation of the felsic volcano‐sedimentary sequence in the Taishan area as 2.53–2.52 Ga. The majority of zircons from the felsic volcano‐sedimentary rocks have intermediate εHf(t) values (−1.2 to +2.1). The whole rock Nd isotopes of the Taishan felsic volcano‐sedimentary rocks yield the εNd(t = 2522 Ma) values of +2.6 to −1.8 and TDM2 ages 3.03–2.68 Ga. These values indicate the pre‐existing crust was reworked at the end of the Neoarchaean (~2.5 Ga).The Taishan felsic volcano‐sedimentary rocks are rhyodacite–dacite and andesite in composition. These rocks and the tonalite display similar high SiO2 (65–72 wt.%) and low MgO (1–2 wt.%) content. In contrast, the minor andesites in the area have lower SiO2 (61–62 wt.%) and higher MgO (5.3–6.3 wt.%), suggesting more mantle contribution during their petrogenesis. However, the Mg‐rich andesites have identical rare earth element and multi‐element patterns with the rhyodacite–dacites and distinguish them from the Taishan sanukitoids. We suggest that the 2.53–2.52 Ga felsic volcanics of the Taishan association are the products of partial melting of a subducted oceanic crust. The andesites were produced by minor modification of the ascending tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite‐type magma by the mantle wedge.Our study indicates that (1) the tectonic regime of the WSP greenstone belt was dominated by an arc‐subduction system at ~2.52 Ga and (2) the 2.53–2.52 Ga felsic volcano‐sedimentary rocks and intrusive tonalite are the products of crustal reworking. The felsic volcano‐sedimentary sequence of the Taishan association and other ~2.5 Ga arc‐like assemblages in the NCC provide important clues to understand the nature of the tectonothermal events at the end of the Neoarchaean. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Structural and geochronological constraints on the evolution of the eastern margin of the Tanzania Craton in the Mpwapwa area, central Tanzania

A study of the position, nature and geochronology of the eastern margin of the Tanzania Craton near Mpwapwa yields new constraints on Archaean to Neoproterozoic orogenesis of central Tanzania. The eastern part of the craton comprises typical Neoarchaean grey granodioritic orthogneisses dated with the LA-ICP-MS method by U–Pb zircon at ca. 2.7Ga. A gradual eastward increase in strain in these rocks culminates in a 1–2km wide, locally imbricated, north–south-trending, ductile thrust/shear zone with an oblique top-to-the-NW sense of movement. East of the craton-edge shear zone, high-grade supracrustal rocks are termed the “Mpwapwa Group” in view of uncertain regional correlations. There is an apparent lithological zonation of the Mpwapwa Group parallel to the craton margin shear zone. In the west, the group consists of typical “shelf facies” metasedimentary rocks (marbles, calc-silicates, quartzites, etc.). U–Pb dating of detrital zircons from two quartzites reveal only Archaean detritus, constraining their maximum depositional age to <ca. 2.6Ga. The shelf rocks pass eastwards into semi-pelitic gneisses interlayered with bimodal mafic-felsic gneisses, which may have volcanic protoliths and are intruded by multiple mafic sills. Dating of a felsic gneiss showed it to probably be a Neoarchaean rock which underwent Palaeoproterozoic metamorphism during the Usagaran event at ca. 1930Ma. This date likely represents initial juxtaposition of the (Archaean) Mpwapwa Group against the Tanzania Craton. Consequently the Group are not considered to be stratigraphic correlates of the Usagaran Konse Group or Isimani Suite seen further south, but rather form part of the Neoarchaean crust of the “Western Granulite” terrane of the East African Orogen. The Mpwapwa Group was intruded by weakly foliated biotite granite at 1873±31Ma. Zircons in the granite have metamorphic rims dated between 550 and 650Ma that grew during the East African orogenic event.Distinctive para- and orthogneisses, including charnockite dated at 2707±21Ma, outcrop in the southern part of the area. A sliver of southern tonalitic orthogneiss, entrained in the craton margin shear zone, is an igneous rock of probable early Palaeoproterozoic or Archaean age (>ca. 2300Ma) with a strong metamorphic overprint at ca. 1960Ma (zircon), confirmed by a metamorphic titanite age of ca. 1990Ma, again believed to date the initial phase of craton-margin shearing and juxtaposition of the Archaean crustal blocks. The role of the Neoproterozoic East African orogeny in the evolution of the craton margin is unclear, but the geometry of the shear zone, the presence of Neoproterozoic zircon rims in the Palaeoproterozoic granite and published studies from nearby, all suggest that the latest movements on the shear zone may be Neoproterozoic in age and that the structure may represent the local western front of the East African Orogeny.

Evolução petrogenética e tectônica do evento Cariris Velhos na região de Afogados da Ingazeira (PE), terreno Alto Pajeú, Província Borborema

The Tonian Cariris Velhos event was studied in the area around Afogados da Ingazeira town, Pernambuco State, Northeast Brazil, which is situated within the Alto Pajeú terrane, a Tonian-Ediacaran composite domain of the Borborema Province. The exposed rocks belong to the São Caetano Complex, which is formed of biotite-muscovite paragneisses and quartz-feldspathic gneisses, derived from arkosic or felsic volcanic protoliths, with marble and quartzite intercalations. The deformation started with a D1/D2 thrusting episode, when metamorphism ranged from greenschist to amphibolite facies, and was accompanied by emplacement of orthogneiss sheets. The subsequent episode, the D3 phase, had an extensional character and was marked by intrusion of small metadiorite dikes, which were strongly transposed by the D4 phase, a new episode of transcurrent deformation. The main structure of the D4 phase is the Afogados da Ingazeira shear zone (ZCAI), which Ediacaran age was well constrained by the associated Solidão granite, dating from 574 ± 54 Ma. A geochemical study of the metasedimentary rocks shows that the protoliths of the paragneisses located in the southeastern part of the ZCAI are greywackes, whereas those of the northwestern part are greywackes, lithic sandstones and arkoses, although the REE patterns of these samples normalized to NASC (North American Shale Composite) show minor differences between them. These metasedimentary rocks have geochemical signatures and patterns of synorogenic sediments compatible with island and continental arc sources. The geochemical patterns of the orthogneisses are also consistent with a magmatic arc environment, the same conclusion reached by other authors with respect to the metavolcanic rocks of the Alto Pajeú terrane. The occurrence of the pre-transcurrent D3 extensional episode suggests that the D1/D2 thrusting deformation and associated metamorphism may be related to orogenic processes, pointing to the existence of the Cariris Velhos orogeny.

Testing the survival of microfossils in artificial martian sedimentary meteorites during entry into Earth’s atmosphere: The STONE 6 experiment

If life ever appeared on Mars, could we find traces of primitive life embedded in sedimentary meteorites? To answer this question, a 3.5-byr-old volcanic sediment containing microfossils was embedded in the heat shield of a space capsule in order to test survival of the rock and the microfossils during entry into the Earth’s atmosphere (the STONE 6 experiment). The silicified volcanic sediment from the Kitty’s Gap Chert (Pilbara, Australia) is considered to be an excellent analogue for Noachian-age volcanic sediments. The microfossils in the chert are also analogues for potential martian life. An additional goal was to investigate the survival of living microorganisms ( Chroococcidiopsis) protected by a 2-cm thick layer of rock in order to test whether living endolithic organisms could survive atmospheric entry when protected by a rocky coating. Mineralogical alteration of the sediment due to shock heating was manifested by the formation of a fusion crust, cracks in the chert due to prograde and retrograde changes of α quartz to β quartz, increase in the size of the fluid inclusions, and dewatering of the hydromuscovite-replaced volcanic protoliths. The carbonaceous microfossils embedded in the chert matrix survived in the rock away from the fusion crust but there was an increase in the maturity index of the kerogen towards the crust. We conclude that this kind of sediment can survive atmospheric entry and, if it contains microfossils, they could also survive. The living microorganisms were, however, completely carbonised by flame leakage to the back of the sample and therefore non-viable. However, using an analytical model to estimate the temperature reached within the sample thickness, we conclude that, even without flame leakage, the living organisms probably need to be protected by at least 5 cm of rock in order to be shielded from the intense heat of entry.