Zircon Grains Research Articles

Zircon U–Pb–Hf Isotopes and Whole-rock Geochemistry of Rhyolite and Tuff from the Harachiyama Formation, North Kitakami Mountains, NE Japan

The Harachiyama Formation comprises Lower Cretaceous volcanic rocks, which are distributed in the eastern margin of the Kitakami Mountains in northeastern Japan. Whole-rock chemical analysis, U–Pb zircon dating and Hf isotope analysis of the Harachiyama Formation were performed to constrain the formation age and the magmatic origin was discussed. The lava and tuff samples of the Harachiyama Formation from the Omoto and Tsukue areas supported island-arc rhyolitic rocks (SiO2 content > 70%), and yielded the weighted mean U–Pb ages of 127.8 ± 3.4 Ma and 129.2 ± 2.6 Ma (2σ), respectively. Eighteen zircon grains from two samples, dated between 141.6 Ma and 123.9 Ma, yielded positive εHf(t) values between +5.0 and +8.7. The U–Pb ages and εHf(t) values are consistent with those of the Kitakami Granitoid reported in previous studies. Therefore, it is suggested that the Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks in northeastern Japan, such as the Harachiyama Formation, have the same magmatic origin as the Kitakami Granitoid.

Zircon U–Pb, oxygen and hafnium isotopic characteristics of the Neoarchean–Paleoproterozoic Betsiboka Suite, Madagascar: tracing source to sink pathways in Proterozoic and Phanerozoic provenance studies

Abstract The Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic Betsiboka Suite of Madagascar mainly consists of granitoid orthogneiss and migmatite variably metamorphosed to amphibolite and granulite facies during the late Neoproterozoic. New U–Pb zircon data yield emplacement ages of 2512 ± 17, 2507 ± 17, 2493 ± 14 and 2485 ± 16 Ma. Zircon δ 18 O data indicate involvement of the continental crust during magma genesis. Mostly positive ε Hf ( t ) values plot slightly below the depleted-mantle curve. The isotopic data favour mixing between an older Archean crustal source and a juvenile depleted-mantle source. Possible local crustal candidates for the older component in the exposed Malagasy basement are Neoarchean mafic gneisses in the Tsaratanana Complex and the c. 3200 Ma Nosy Boraha orthogneiss in the Antongil Domain. The new isotopic data support interpretations from previous studies investigating the genesis of Tonian plutonic rocks advocating crustal melting of a Mesoarchean crustal source in the Antananarivo Domain. In addition, detrital zircon in the Proterozoic Ambatolampy Group and Itremo Group probably had a local source with the same isotopic composition as the Betsiboka Suite. Our study demonstrates the significance of multi-isotopic data from zircon for constraining the sources of detrital zircon grains in sedimentary provenance studies.

The Coorg Block, southern India: Insights from felsic and mafic magmatic suites on Mesoarchean plate tectonics and correlation with supercontinent Ur

The Coorg Block in southern India is one of the oldest crustal fragments on the globe and is composed of Mesoarchean magmatic suites, dominantly charnockites, gabbros and their variants that were metamorphosed under granulite facies conditions. Here we investigate a suite of charnockites, metagabbros and amphibolite from this block by undertaking detailed field studies, petrological and geochemical analysis, and zircon and monazite isotope geochronology. Phase equilibria modeling using pseudosection computations shows ultrahigh-temperature metamorphic conditions yielding a P-T range of 10–11 kbar at 1000 °C for the charnockite assemblage and 8–9 kbar at 950 °C for the metagabbro. Geochemistry indicates that the felsic and mafic rocks are sub-alkaline and represent a tholeiitic magma series. The rocks were derived possibly through fractionation of a reduced primary magma in a Mesoarchean subduction-related setting. Zircon grains from the charnockites and gabbros show magmatic textures, with LREE depletion and HREE enrichment, negative La, Pr, Nd, Eu and positive Ce, Sm, Gd anomalies, and Th/U ratios consistent with magmatic crystallization. We present zircon and monazite U–Pb data from a comprehensive suite of samples that indicate timing of peak of magmatic emplacement for both the charnockite and gabbroic suites occurred at ∼ 3.15 Ga, closely followed by metamorphism at ∼ 3.0 Ga. The presence of magmatic xenocrysts of up to ∼ 3.5 Ga in some of these rocks suggest older crustal components in the basement. Zircon Lu–Hf analyses suggest that the amphibolite and gabbro were mostly derived from depleted mantle sources whereas the charnockite suite involved both juvenile and reworked Paleoarchean components. The tectonic setting of these felsic and mafic magmatic rock suites correlates with a Mesoarchean subduction system, complementing recent models on the emergence of modern-style plate tectonics in the early Earth. We correlate the Mesoarchean arc magmatic suites in the Coorg Block to the building blocks of the core of the Earth’s oldest supercontinent Ur, with the surrounding Neoarchean granulite blocks and their equivalents in other cratonic fragments to the ‘expanded Ur’.

Petrochronological study of chloritoid schist from the Medvednica Mts. (Croatia, Zagorje Mid-Transdanubian zone)

A chloritoid schist from the Medvednica Mts. (Croatia, Zagorje-Mid-Transdanubian zone) is part of the metasedimentary succession of a Palaeozoic-Mesozoic Metamorphic Complex. The studied samples show the mineral association of chloritoid, chlorite, quartz and white mica. A P-T pseudosection, combined with modal and chemical isopleths, and classical thermobarometric calculations yield peak metamorphic conditions of 0.8 – 1.0 GPa at around 500 °C. Monazite in-situ dating with the electron microprobe results in an age of 156 ± 3 (2σ) Ma interpreted as dating monazite growth during prograde metamorphism. Laser ablation multicollector ICP mass spectrometry of U-Th-Pb isotope systematics in detrital zircon grains indicate a maximal deposition time of the sedimentary protolith in the Permian in accordance with published palaeontological records. The presented results are synchronous with the Late Jurassic obduction of a Neotethys-derived ophiolitic mélange onto a Permotriassic sedimentary sequence originated from the continental margin of Adria. This obduction caused regional collision metamorphism by thrusting Ophiolitic units (i.e. Neotethys) upon tectonic units of continental margin of Adria. Studied chloritoid schist is a part of the continental margin of Adria and is metamorphosed during collisional metamorphic event at upper greenschist-facies.

Provenance and dispersal patterns of sediments on the continental shelf of northern South China Sea: Evidence from detrital zircon geochronology

The northern shelf of South China Sea is an important passageway for the transportation of sediments from the terrigenous source to the oceanic sink, but the provenance and dispersal patterns of sediments remain largely unclear. Here we report the results of zircon grain-size analysis and U-Pb geochronology to investigate the sediment provenance and illustrate the transport and dispersal patterns of sediments on the continental shelf of the northern South China Sea. The results show that detrital zircon U-Pb ages within sediments are characterized by a major peak at ca. 150 Ma, as well as three minor age populations at ca. 240 Ma, 400–500 Ma, and 900–1000 Ma. A detailed provenance study suggests that these sediments were primarily derived from both the Pearl River catchment and the drainage systems in Taiwan Island. Our study confirms that the transportation and dispersion of sediments were largely controlled by both topography and hydrodynamics of sea. The sediments in the inner continental shelf were transported from the Pearl River drainage system and subject to the Guangdong Coastal Current, whereas the sediments in the middle and outer continental shelf were markedly influenced by the South China Sea warm current. This study elucidates the transport and dispersal patterns of detrital sediments in the marginal sea by comprehensive analyses of detrital zircon grains.

Cadomian arc recycling along the northern Gondwana margin: Source-inherited composition of Miaolingian rift-related rhyolitic rocks (Ossa-Morena Zone, SW Iberia)

Rhyolites and rhyolitic tuffs of the Freixo-Segóvia Volcanic-Sedimentary Complex of the Cambrian of the Ossa-Morena Zone (Variscan belt, SW Iberia) were analyzed for petrography, major and trace element geochemistry, Sm–Nd isotopes and U–Pb zircon geochronology in order to deduce magma sources. New U–Pb zircon age data indicate that Freixo-Segóvia rhyolitic rocks, previously assigned to the Terreneuvian, formed during the Miaolingian (ca. 509-505 Ma). These rhyolitic rocks exhibit calc-alkaline signature, LREE enrichment, nearly flat HREE patterns, negative Eu, Nb and Ti anomalies, and are chemically similar to the bulk continental crust. Freixo-Segóvia rhyolitic rocks have negative to slightly positive εNd(T) values (−2.8; 0.5) resulting in TDM model ages (1.0–1.3 Ga) that overlap the range defined by Terreneuvian Malcocinado andesites, formed in the transition of the Cadomian (West-African) arc to continental rifting in northern Gondwana margin. Based on the Sm–Nd isotopic data, the Freixo-Segóvia rhyolitic rocks may have resulted from of partial melting of andesitic crust. The presence of Ediacaran-age zircon in the Freixo-Segóvia rhyolitic rocks indicates inheritance from the Cadomian arc. Inherited zircon grains with West African affinity were probably transferred into the rhyolitic magma from an older igneous source formed in the Cadomian arc. Based on their major and trace element composition, combined with isotopic and geochronological data, the Freixo-Segóvia rhyolitic rocks record recycling of arc crust during a Late Cambrian rifting event along the northern Gondwana margin. The transition from Cadomian accretion to peri-Gondwana break-up leading to the opening of the Rheic Ocean is also known in other parts of the Variscan belt.

Provenance of Carboniferous-Permian sedimentary units in southern Mexico: evidence for peri-arc basin evolution during the Pangea assembly

ABSTRACT The Oaxacan Complex Carboniferous-Permian sedimentary cover in southern México records provenance shifts through time, reflecting the collision between Gondwana and Laurentia to amalgamate Pangea. The integration of petrological analysis and LA-ICP-MS U-Pb zircon geochronology from Santiago, Ixtaltepec and Yododeñe formations compared with adjacent terranes suggests that: (1) during the Early Mississippian, the Santiago Formation received sediments mainly from local sources such as the Oaxacan Complex and Tiñu Formation, with minor contributions from adjacent peri-Gondwana sources. The magmatic activity may have started during this time (~359–346 Ma) (2) during the Late Mississippian (Ixtaltepec Formation), detrital zircon grains of Ediacaran-Cambrian age are dominant, derived from sediments either related to the Pan-African/Brasiliano orogeny or the opening of the Iapetus Ocean; (3) during the Late Mississippian-Middle Pennsylvanian, intercalated marine volcaniclastic sandstone (Ixtaltepec Formation) provides the first record of Carboniferous arc-related volcanism reported in southern Mexico, dated between 330 and 308 Ma; (4) the early Permian Yododeñe Formation records the exhumation and erosion of the sedimentary cover during the final stage of Pangea assembly. Rhyodacitic subvolcanic sills and lavas dated at ~282–270 Ma are present throughout the succession. Volcanism and ca. 360–308 Ma detrital zircon grains could be associated with a Carboniferous magmatic arc formed by subduction of the Rheic oceanic plate beneath Gondwana. Slightly younger detrital zircon and subvolcanic rocks dated at ~300–270 Ma are linked to a western Pangea arc developed in response to the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean following Pangea assembly. Our results suggest that the Carboniferous-Permian units were deposited in a peri-arc basin, sharing sediment provenance with the Maya and Coahuila blocks, the Sierra de Juárez Complex, and northwestern South America.

Stenian arc-magmatism and early Tonian metamorphism and anatexis along the northern border of Amazonia during the Rodinia assembly: The Pochotepec suite in southern Mexico

The eastern and southern Precambrian basement of Mexico is composed of crustal blocks linked to northern Amazonia before and during the assembly of the Rodinia supercontinent. In this paper, we examine an extensive basement block known as the Sierra de Juárez Complex (SJC) in southern Mexico by integrating fieldwork, in-situ zircon U–Pb geochronology by LA-ICPMS and whole-rock geochemistry by X-ray fluorescence. The results provide evidence for a continuous low-to high-grade metamorphic succession here re-defined as the Pochotepec suite (PS), which comprises an upper lithodeme with volcanosedimentary precursors and a lower lithodeme that includes mafic to intermediate orthogneisses and migmatites. The analytical results suggest that the PS protoliths originated in a continental-arc tectonic setting ca. 1080-1050 Ma along the northern edge of Amazonia before the consolidation of Rodinia. In addition, xenocrystic zircon U–Pb analyses indicate the presence of a recycled older crust of ca. 1200–1300 Ma. Finally, U–Pb data of recrystallized zircon rims and younger metamorphic zircon grains recorded the timing of metamorphism and anatexis of the PS during the early Tonian (954-933 Ma). The crystallization ages of two trondhjemitic leucosomes of 954 and 933 Ma strongly support the migmatization age. The Tonian metamorphic/anatectic episode of the PS differs in grade and age from the typical metamorphism related to the amalgamation of Rodinia reported in Mexico and Colombia (granulite-facies at ca. 990 Ma). Therefore, we interpret this event as produced by either post-orogenic crustal collapse or contractive tectonics.

ON THE TIME AND CONDITIONS OF FORMATION OF THE SHOKSHA QUARTZITE-SANDSTONES OF THE SOUTH ONEGA DEPRESSION BASED ON THE NEW DATA FROM ISOTOPE GEOCHRONOLOGY

The first results of U-Pb isotope dating of detrital zircons (dZr) from red-colored quartzitic-sandstones of the Shoksha formation (Shoksha horizon) are presented. The Shoksha formation completes the Vepsian sub-horizon (Vepsian) of the Lower Proterozoic of Karelia and is distributed within the South Onega trough. A sample (KL-555) of red-colored quartzitic sandstones was taken from the lower part of the section of the Shoksha formation in the same name deposit within the southwestern Cis-Onega Lake region. The 79 dZr grains isolated from this sample were analyzed by the staff of the Chemistry-Isotopic Analytic Laboratory of the GIN RAS using the equipment of the Shared Research Facilities of the GIN RAS. The weighted average of the three youngest U-Pb isotope dates for dZr grains is 1906±13 Ma. Taking into account the known isotopic dates of gabbro-dolerites from the Ropruchei sill, that cuts through the Shoksha formation, it makes possible to constrain the time of the Shoksha formation accumulation by ~1.90–1.75 Ga. A significant part of the carried out analyzes has yielded a high degree of discordance of the dates. The features of the distribution of the figurative points of these analyzes in the diagram with concordia suggest that the rocks of the studied section of the Shoksha formation were subjected to the alteration that disturbed the U-Pb isotope system of these zircon grains in the Phanerozoic.The set of obtained dates for dZr grains has been compared with the known ages of the crystalline complexes of the basement of the East European Platform. The age sets of dZr grains from sample KL-555 and rocks of the Ladoga group, developed along the margin of the Svecofennian accretionary orogen, are very similar (p similarity coefficient in Kolmogorov – Smirnov test is 0.27) and characterize mainly tectonic–magmatic events that had immediately preceded the manifestation of the Svecofennian orogeny (1.9–1.87 Ga). Therefore, the rocks of the Ladoga group could highly probably be a secondary source for the Shoksha quartzites. Based on a comparative analysis of ages and thorium-uranium ratios (Th/U) in dZr grains from sample KL-555, it was concluded that some of the studied dZr grains with high Th/U>1.5 originate from Ludicovian mafic rocks, but those with low Th/U<0.1 originate from ultra-high-pressure formations, such as eclogites known in the Salma, Kuru-Vaara and Gridino.A paleo-geographic scheme for the Late Vepsian is proposed, showing that the highly mature Shoksha sandstones were generated under continental conditions in a local basin due to the accumulation of clastic material carried by an extensive and branched

One size does not fit all: Refining zircon provenance interpretations via integrated grain shape, geochronology, and Hf isotope analysis

Sediment provenance studies commonly utilize isotopic signatures to resolve detrital mineral sources and routing. However, non-unique ages and geochemical characteristics across geographically distinct crystalline source regions can lead to significant ambiguities in mineral provenance interpretations. Such ambiguity is apparent in southern Australia’s Cenozoic Eucla Basin, which hosts world-class heavy mineral sand resources. Here, new Hf isotope data are provided from four heavy mineral prospects (N = 8, n = 844 [N = samples, n = grains]). Zircon grain shape data are also presented for a suite of detrital Eucla Basin samples (N = 22, n = 35,604) and the basin’s underlying basement, the Coompana Province (N = 13, n = 824). The data are integrated with published detrital and non-detrital primary zircon data to investigate the efficacy of grain shape analysis to better resolve the basin’s mineral provenance. Zircon Hf isotope compositions indicate a primary Mesoproterozoic juvenile source for zircon melts (∼1250–1000 Ma, −2.5 <ɛHf > ∼+5) with additional contributions from a range of juvenile to evolved late Archean to Phanerozoic-aged zircon bearing magmas (−28.0 <ɛHf > +11). U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotopes are incapable of differentiating Mesoproterozoic-aged source rocks bounding the region for the majority of heavy mineral deposits analyzed as potential sources express overlapping crystallization ages and similarities in Hf-isotope characteristics. However, distinct zircon grain shapes (i.e., perimeter, major axis and circularity) facilitate improved differentiation across these Mesoproterozoic sources. Filtering of U–Pb age, Hf isotope and shape data implicate the underlying Madura and Coompana provinces as dominant sediment sources for Eucla Basin detritus aged ∼1400–1000 Ma. The lack of direct sediment pathways between the underlying basement provinces and placer sediments analyzed demonstrates the significance of zircon reworking from intermediate sedimentary basins in the formation of the economically significant Eucla Basin beach placers. Zircon grain shape represents a cheaply acquired and readily incorporated grain characteristic that can enhance provenance investigations.

Geology and accretionary age of the Otori Unit, North Kitakami Belt

The North Kitakami Belt in Northeast Japan mainly comprises accretionary complexes formed during the Jurassic to earliest Cretaceous. The accretionary complex of the North Kitakami Belt is less studied compared to the age-equivalent accretionary complexes in Southwest Japan. Here, we provide additional data on the accretionary complex formerly classified as the Otori Unit, distributed in the northeastern part of the North Kitakami Belt in the upper reaches of the Akka River in Iwate Prefecture. Based on detailed field mapping, we clarified that the Otori Unit is composed of the structurally lower coherent facies of chert and siliceous mudstone (Okoshizawa Subunit) and the structurally upper mixed facies of mudstone, sandstone, chert and minor basaltic rocks (Osakamoto Subunit). Manganese nodules from siliceous mudstone within the Okoshizawa Subunit yielded radiolarians indicating the Bathonian (upper Middle Jurassic). Detrital zircon grains from sandstone in the Osakamoto Subunit has a youngest age of ~170 Ma (YC1σ: 171.8 ± 2.4 Ma; YSG: 170.9 ± 3.8 Ma). Based on the radiolarian and detrital zircon ages, the accretionary age of the Otori Unit is estimated as the Bathonian. Our new data were also considered to discuss the correlation between the North Kitakami Belt and the Southern Chichibu Belt in Southwest Japan. The Otori Unit corresponds to the Ohirayama Unit of the Southern Chichibu Belt in structural position, and the two units are similar in being a mixed facies and have overlapping accretionary age. However, the Otori Unit lacks limestone and has a considerably younger age for siliceous mudstone, suggesting that the two units may not be strictly correlative.

Detrital zircon geochronology and provenance of the Mesoproterozoic Husky Creek Formation: a fluvial sandstone recording the waning stages of one of Earth's largest magmatic episodes

The Mesoproterozoic Husky Creek Formation is an interlayered redbed and basalt package that overlies a ca. 2.5 km thick, regionally extensive basaltic plateau linked to the 1.27 Ga Mackenzie Large Igneous Province. This succession provides an opportunity to study the interaction between contemporaneous fluvial sedimentation and flood basalt volcanism. The Husky Creek Formation is approximately 1900 m thick, consisting predominantly of fluvial channel and subordinate floodplain and eolian strata dominated by lithic detritus intercalated with basalt flows. U–Pb dating of detrital zircon grains collected from four stratigraphic levels in the Husky Creek Formation reveals two main age groupings: (1) a 1270 Ma peak attributed to the Mackenzie Large Igneous Province; and (2) Pre-1.6 Ga detrital zircon ages, which reflect sources from a broad region of northwestern Laurentia and are interpreted to be recycled from underlying sedimentary rocks of the Hornby Bay Basin. An upsection decrease in the proportion of ca. 1270 Ma zircon grains, coupled with increasing sandstone compositional maturity, reflects the expansion of the drainage basin during burial of a volcanic pile, with recycling becoming more dominant as the Husky Creek Formation accumulated. The Husky Creek Formation was deposited in the waning stages of the Mackenzie Igneous Event by west-flowing rivers into a geographically restricted basin above an extensive mafic volcanic plateau. This paper provides insight into fluvial basin development during the aftermath of one of Earth's largest igneous events.

Magmatic-hydrothermal evolution of long-lived Nb-Ta-(Sn) mineralization in Lianyunshan, NE Hunan, South China

The Lianyunshan Complex (LYSC) is a Nb-Ta-Li-Be rare metals mining area in northeastern Hunan, South China. The deposit is composed of a granite-type rare-metal pegmatite mineralization that occurs as dikes around the LYSC. The present study examines the genetic relationship, fluid evolution, and metallogeny of the co-developed ore-free pegmatite (OFP) and ore-bearing pegmatite (OBP) in granite-related pegmatite-type Nb-Ta rare-metal deposits in the LYSC. Four minerals: columbite-tantalite (coltan), zircon, cassiterite, and monazite were investigated for their chemical and isotopic compositions. The coltan grains range from homogeneous crystals to zoned varieties with growth rims that result from equilibrium and disequilibrium reactions due to local changes in the physical and chemical conditions. These structures were altered by later metasomatic replacement processes related to the hydrothermal fluid activity and produced structures such as alteration rims, patches, irregular zonations, and complex zonations, with a corresponding increase in Ta. Coltan in OBP yielded two weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages of 135.9 ± 2.1 Ma and 120.5 ± 1.2 Ma, corresponding to magmatic (early-stage) and hydrothermal (late-stage) Nb-Ta mineralization ages, respectively. The cassiterite gives a weighted mean U-Pb mineralization age of 130.5 ± 3.9 Ma, which is interpreted as the magmatic-hydrothermal age (transitional stage). Zircon grains in OBP give a lower weighted mean U-Pb age of 121.5 ± 0.8 Ma, resulting from metamictization by the later fluid-assisted alteration and recrystallization in the late-stage hydrothermal event. Monazite grains from OFP yielded a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 137.1 ± 0.5 Ma, while zircon gives a mean U-Pb age of 130.3 ± 0.6 Ma. The ages of 137 and 130 Ma obtained for the OFP represent the magmatic (early-stage) and magmatic-hydrothermal stage (transitional) of OFP crystallization in the LYSC. Calculated zircon εHf (t) values and TDM2 ages from OFP (−7.6 to −5.4 and 1663−1532 Ma, respectively) and OBP (−8.7 to −8.2 and 1735−1704 Ma, respectively) are akin to those of the schist and metasandstone strata of the metasedimentary Lengjiaxi metasedimentary group—a melt source material to the LYSC composite batholith. We propose a long-lived ∼15 m.y. Nb-Ta-(Sn) mineralization model for the Lianyunshan complex.

Zircon geochronology, Hf isotope, and rare earth element geochemistry of the Apdong Nb-Ta deposit in North Korea

The Apdong Nb-Ta deposit is hosted within the syenite and in the Hoamsan area in the northern part of the Imjingang Belt in North Korea. Our new sensitive high-resolution microprobe zircon U-Pb results reveal two stages of Neoproterozoic to Ordovician inherited cores (887 Ma to 465 Ma) and Silurian emplacement and mineralization (425.5 ± 7.4 Ma) events. The zircon grains from the Apdong syenite show typical magmatic or textureless and sponge-like hydrothermal domains. These textural analyses supported the rare earth element characteristics obtained from the laser ablation-induced coupled plasma mass-spectrometry analyses (LA-ICP-MS). Neoproterozoic magmatic activities reportedly occur in the Pyeongnam Basin, Imjingang Belt [present study], Gyeonggi Massif, and Okcheon metamorphic belt in the central part of the Korean Peninsula and China (North China Craton, Qinling Orogenic Belt, and South China Craton). Notably, the Caledonian mineralization events in the southeastern part of the South China Craton coincided with emplacement and mineralization ages from the Apdong syenite (425.5 ± 7.4 Ma). The LA multi-collector ICP-MS Hf isotope of zircons from the Apdong syenite yielded positive initial εHf values plotted along the Neoproterozoic crustal evolution path, indicating that the host rock of Nb-Ta ore was formed from the pre-existing Neoproterozoic source. The source materials of Neoproterozoic intrusives in the central part of the Korean Peninsula were generally derived from Mesoproterozoic depleted mantle sources. Considering the previously reported Hf isotopic results, the involvement of pre-existing crustal materials is more prominent in the Neoproterozoic intrusives in the southern part of the central Korean Peninsula, i.e., the Gyeonggi Massif, than in the northern part of the central Korean Peninsula, such as the Imjingang Belt and Pyeongnam Basin in the northern part of the central Korean Peninsula.

Geochemical Studies of Detrital Zircon Grains from the River Banks and Beach Placers of Coastal Odisha, India

Zircon grains are reasonably ubiquitous in river banks and beach placers as detrital minerals, including along the ~1700 km long Indian east coast, from Odisha state to the state of Kerala. Zircons from beach placers and river banks located along the eastern part of Odisha, India, were studied using LA-ICP-MS in order to delineate their geochemical characteristics. Hf (mean = 11270 ppm) and Y (mean = 1064 ppm) were the two most abundant trace elements found within zircon grains as compared to other trace elements. The abundance of uranium was observed to be 2–4 times larger than that of thorium. Zircon overgrowths formed in equilibrium with a partial melt and were similar to magmatic zircon in terms of the high Y, Hf and P content, steep heavy-enriched REE pattern, positive Ce anomaly and negative Eu anomaly. The average low Th/U ratio of the studied zircon grains distinguished them from the magmatic ones. The REE present in zircon grains was restricted to high-grade metamorphic events. The result of the present study would be useful for delineating the source region and the efficacy of resource potential and indigenous export.

Stenian sediments (

The Meso- to Neoproterozoic tectonic evolution of the Aravalli orogen in northwestern India is poorly understood because of limited combined isotopic-geochemical constraints on magmatic and sedimentary rocks. In this study, we present new zircon U-Pb-Hf isotope and whole-rock geochemical data for the Sendra Granitoid Suite and associated host quartzite of the Sendra Formation (Kumbhalgarh Group of the South Delhi Supergroup). Detrital zircon grains reveal a maximum age of deposition during the Stenian at 1065 Ma, and two major sources in the hinterland: (1) a Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic basement (HfTDM = 2.7 – 2.0 Ga) affected by crustal reworking at 1.8–1.6 Ga, and (2) a juvenile terrain derived from the depleted mantle at ca. 1.6 Ga, and periodically reworked until 1.06 Ga in the Aravalli hinterland. Sediment deposition occurred in a passive margin setting. The post-collisional Sendra granitoids intruded during the Tonian between 1000 and 970 Ma from multiple sources. The highly superchondritic I-type granitoids (εHft = +10.8 to +12.1; HfTDM = 1.22 Ga) were formed from the fractional crystallisation of calc-alkaline mafic magma generated from partial melting of a mantle wedge. In contrast, the A-type granitoids originated either from melting of (1) relatively young, arc-related juvenile basaltic crust (εHf1.0 Ga = +10.3 to +15.3), (2) ancient felsic crust of the Aravalli continental margin (εHf1.0 Ga = -4.4 to −6.4; TDM = 2.08 Ga), and/or (3) by mixing of melts derived from different crust and mantle sources (εHf0.98 Ga = +0.8 to +3.1). All together, the new results provide evidence that NW India underwent transformation from a passive margin to an accretionary orogenic terrane between 1065 and 1000 Ma, followed by post-collisional magmatism and extension until 970 Ma.

Metallic lead (Pb) nanospheres discovered in Hadean and Eoarchean zircon crystals at Jack Hills

Here, we report small randomly-distributed crystalline lead (Pb) nanospheres occurring in detrital zircon grains obtained from a weakly metamorphosed Archean conglomerate at Jack Hills, Western Australia, making this the third known global example of this phenomenon. They form in zircon crystals ranging from Hadean (> 4 billion years—Ga) to Eoarchean (> 3.6 Ga) in age, but are absent from Paleoarchean (~ 3.4 Ga) crystals. Unlike previous discoveries of nanospheres in zircon from Precambrian gneisses in Antarctica and India, detrital zircon from Jack Hills shows no evidence of ever undergoing ultra-high temperature (UHT) metamorphism, either before or after deposition, therefore implying that nanospheres can form at temperatures lower than ca. 900 °C. The nanospheres are composed of radiogenic Pb released by the breakdown of uranium (U) and thorium (Th) and are present in zircon irrespective of its U, Th and water contents, its oxygen isotopic composition, and the degree of discordance due to Pb loss or gain. The nanospheres pre-date annealed cracks in the crystals, showing that, once formed, they effectively ‘freeze’ radiogenic Pb in the zircon structure, precluding any further interaction during subsequent geological processes. Both Pb nanoclusters and nanospheres are now reported from Jack Hills, and it appears likely the former is a precursor stage in the formation of the latter. Although the precise mechanism for this transition remains unresolved, a later thermal event is required, but this likely did not reach UHT conditions at Jack Hills.

New geochronological and provenance constraints on the Late Mesozoic sedimentary formations in the western Shandong Province and Tanlu fault zone, China

We present new LA-ICP-MS detrital zircon U-Pb age and trace element data of the Late Mesozoic sedimentary sequences from the western Shandong and Tanlu fault zone, with the aim to constrain the depositional ages and sedimentary sources. The samples from the western Shandong have similar U-Pb age spectra, which can be divided into three major age groups, peaking age at circa 2,475–2,540 Ma, 1820–1870 Ma and 257–285 Ma, with minor Mesoproterozoic, Neoproterozoic and Paleozoic detrital zircon grains. The sample JN recovered from the Tanlu fault zone has an overwhelming majority of the Early Cretaceous detrital zircons with the age peak at circa 125 Ma, whereas the Archean and Paleoproterozoic detrital zircons are subordinate. The weighted average age of the youngest zircons show that the Santai Formation probably had begun deposition at circa 158 Ma and terminated deposition at circa 150 Ma, and the Tianjialou Formation of the Dasheng Group had begun deposition at circa 122 Ma. Our study indicates that the activity of the dinosaurs might occur during the Late Jurassic rather than the Cretaceous in the Shandong province. In addition, most detrital zircons of the studied samples are characterized by the high Th/U ratios and left-inclined REE patterns, revealing a magmatic origin. Morphologically, most detrital zircon grains characterized by angular to sub-rounded shapes indicate a middle-short distance transport from the source regions, whereas minor detrital zircon grains show rounded shapes, indicating a long-distance transport or multiphase recycling. According to detrital age populations in this study, combined with previously published data, we conclude that depositional provenances of the Santai Formation were mainly derived from the western Shandong and Jiao-Liao Belt, and minor detritus were derived from the northern part of the North China Craton and Xing-Meng orogenic belt. The sediments deposited in the Tanlu fault zone were mainly derived from the volcanic and subvolcanic rocks of the Qingshan period in the eastern Shandong, and subordinate depositional sources were from the Jiao-Liao and the basement uplift of the western Shandong, with minor supplier being derived from the Yinshan-Yanshan orogenic belt. The detrital provenance of the Santai Formation indicates that extension of the eastern NCC occurred during the Late Jurassic. The Neoproterozoic detrital zircons play a minor role in the studied strata, indicating that the large sinistral movement of the Tanlu fault zone might have occurred at the Early-Middle Jurassic and formed a paleogeographic separation of the western Shandong and eastern Shandong (Sulu orogenic belt).

Zircon reveals crystal-melt segregation processes in the genesis of Cretaceous A-type granites and related cumulated rocks in southeastern China

A-type granites are a distinctive group of igneous rocks classified based on chemical and mineralogical criteria. Although numerous theories for the origin of A-type granite have previously been proposed, their genesis remains highly controversial. In the current study, we present bulk-rock geochemistry and zircon UPb isotopes, Hf isotopes, and trace elemental data for a suite of quartz monzonite, porphyritic granite, and miarolitic alkali feldspar granite from the coastal area of Fujian, southeastern China, to evaluate the genetic link between these rocks. Zircon UPb dating indicates that these rocks were crystallized at ∼94–102 Ma. Our data strongly suggests that lithological differences in these rocks are the result of crystal-melt segregation in the shallow crust. The quartz monzonites are enriched in Sr and Ba, with high Zr/Hf and low silica content and a weak negative Eu anomaly, representing the cumulate residue from the crystal-melt segregation of a magma reservoir. A limited fraction of zircon from the quartz monzonite has evolved trace element signatures (high Hf, Nb, Y, U; low Eu/Eu⁎), indicating that the quartz monzonite represents a mixture of accumulated crystals and high silicic melt trapped in cumulate mush. The miarolitic alkali feldspar granites and porphyritic granites are enriched in silica and Rb, and depleted in Sr and Eu. They also display low whole-rock Zr/Hf and Eu/Eu⁎ ratios, and high Rb/Sr ratios, representing highly evolved silicic melts that were segregated from a magma reservoir. The majority of the zircon grains from the miarolitic alkali feldspar granites exhibit the most evolved trace element signatures (high Hf, Nb, Y, U; low Zr/Hf and Eu/Eu⁎) of the entire suite. This reveals that these zircons crystallized from the high silicic melts extracted from a magma reservoir. Magma recharge and the exsolution of volatiles from the interstitial melt have promoted the segregation and upward extraction of high silica magmas from a compacting magma reservoir in the upper crust. Our work demonstrates that the miarolitic alkali feldspar granites with A-type granite features from the coastal area of southeastern China were generated by the crystal-melt segregation process in a shallow crustal magma reservoir.

Direct age constraints on the magnetism of Jack Hills zircon

A potential record of Earth's magnetic field going back 4.2billion years (Ga) ago is carried by magnetite inclusions in zircon grains from the Jack Hills. This magnetite may be secondary in nature, however, meaning that the magnetic record is much younger than the zircon crystallization age. Here, we use atom probe tomography to show that Pb-bearing nanoclusters in magnetite-bearing Jack Hills zircons formed during two discrete events at 3.4 and<2 Ga. The older population of clusters contains no detectable Fe, whereas roughly half of the younger population of clusters is Fe bearing. This result shows that the Fe required to form secondary magnetite entered the zircon sometime after 3.4 Ga and that remobilization of Pb and Fe during an annealing event occurred more than 1 Ga after deposition of the Jack Hills sediment at 3 Ga. The ability to date Fe mobility linked to secondary magnetite formation provides new possibilities to improve our knowledge of the Archean geodynamo.