Rutile U-Pb age for the ultrahigh pressure eclogite from the Dabie Mountains,central China: Evidence for rapid cooling

The U-Pb isotope compositions of rutile, omphacite and garnet in the eclogite from the Jinheqiao area in the Southern Dabie ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic zone were analyzed. The consistent high precision U-Pb age (218 ± 1.2) Ma of rutile in eclogite from the Dabie Mountains was obtained by two ways of isochron and common Pb correction based on the composition of omphacite. This proves that the omphacite in eclogite has a U/Pb ratio (m = 2.8) low enough to be used for common Pb correction in the analyses of rutile. Under the rapid cooling condition (40℃/Ma) the closure temperature for U-Pb diffusion in rutile is about 470℃. Thus, this U-Pb age of rutile proves that 218 Ma should be the cooling age of eclogite at 470℃ instead of the peak metamorphic age.     

Rutile U-Pb age for the ultra-high pressure eclogite from the dabie Mountains,central China:Evideence for rapid cooling

The U-Pb isotope compositions of rutile, omphacite and garnet in the eclogite from the Jinheqiao area in the Southern Dabie ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic zone were analyzed. The consistent high precision U-Pb age (218 ±(1.2) Ma of rutile in eclogite from the Dabie Mountains was obtained by two ways of isochron and common Pb correction based on the composition of omphacite. This proves that the omphacite in eclogite has a U/Pb ratio (μ = 2.8) low enough to be used for common Pb correction in the analyses of rutile. Under the rapid cooling condition (40℃/Ma) the closure temperature for U-Pb diffusion in rutile is about 470℃. Thus, this U-Pb age of rutile proves that 218 Ma should be the cooling age of eclogite at 470℃ instead of the peak metamorphic age.     

The ages of U-Pb and Sm-Nd for eclogite from the western segment of Altyn Tagh tectonic belt

The eclogites of Altyn Tagh tectonic belt occur as lens within gneisses characterized by amphibolite-facies mineral parageneses. The well-preserved eclogite is selected for Sm-Nd and U-Pb isotopic dating. The Sm-Nd isotopic data yield a whole rock-garnet-omphacite isochron of (500 ± 10) Ma. The U-Pb isotopic measurements of zircons show that the four grain populations are nearly concordant and well plotted on concordia curves, giving a weighted mean age (503.9 ± 5.3) Ma. Two kinds of methods obtain a similar age which reveals the peak metamorphic age of eclogites, and reflect the existence of orogenic root related to Caledonian subduction and continent-continent collision.     

SHRIMP dating of zircons from the Caledonian Xiongdian eclogite, western Dabie Mountains, China

This note reports the SHRIMP U-Pb data of zircons from the Caledonian Xiongdian eclogite, western Dabie Mountains. Zircons from the rock occur mainly in garnet and other metamorphic minerals with sharp boundaries and exhibit textures growing under metamorphic conditions. Analyses of 7 grains give ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages ranging from 335 to 424 Ma, showing a certain degree of radiogenic lead loss. This suggests a minimum age of (424±5) Ma for the metamorphic zircons, as well as the high-pressure metamorphic event. The outer peripheral zone of a zircon gives ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of about 300 Ma. Combined with Sm-Nd, ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar, U-Pb and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages, the peak metamorphism of the Xiongdian eclogite is documented between 424—480 Ma.     

The ages of U-Pb and Sm-Nd for eclogite from the western segment of Altyn Tagh tectonic belt——Evidence for existence of Caledonian orogenic root

The eclogites of Altyn Tagh tectonic belt occur as lens within gneisses characterized by amphibolite-facies mineral parageneses. The well-preserved eclogite is selected for Sm-Nd and U-Pb isotopic dating. The Sm-Nd isotopic data yield a whole rock-garnet-omphacite isochron of (500 ± 10) Ma. The U-Pb isotopic measurements of zircons show that the four grain populations are nearly concordant and well plotted on concordia curves, giving a weighted mean age (503.9 ± 5.3) Ma. Two kinds of methods obtain a similar age which reveals the peak meta-morphic age of eclogites, and reflect the existence of orogenic root related to Caledonian sub-duction and continent-continent collision.     

The Rb-Sr age and geological implication of alkaline syenitic complex from Liangtun-Kuangdonggou at Gaixian, eastern Liaoning Province

Liangtun-Kuangdonggou complex, 30 km southeast of Gaixian Town, Liaoning Province, is composed of aegirine-augite hornblende syenite, aegirine-augite syenite, hornblende syenite, pyroxene syenite and syeno-aegirinolite. Rb-Sr isotopic data to the complex are reported and used for discussion of chronology and geological implication. They show that the complex occurred in early Proterozoic and is a tectonic sign of extension setting. Moreover, the date indicates that the Liaohe Group, which is metamorphic wall rock of the complex, formed over 1 900 Ma ago.     

Nd isotopic characteristics of Proterozoic metasedimentary rocks and constraints on their provenance in the eastern segment of Central Tianshan Belt, Xinjiang

Sm-Nd isotopic characteristics, εNd(t) values and Nd model ages (TDM) of Proterozoic metasedimentary rocks in the eastern segment of Central Tianshan Belt (ESCTB), Xinjiang, are used to constrain the sedimentary provenance as well as to evaluate their tectonic implications. εNd(t) and TDM values of these samples range from -4.00 to +6.36 and from 1.29 to 2.29 Ga, respectively. These feature values are distinguished from those of Archean Tarim Craton. Their average εNd(t) values of the Weiya, the Kumishi and the south to the Dikar samples are -2.46, +2.06 and +1.37, respectively. Nd model ages of the Weiya samples vary between 1.86 and 2.29 Ga, but those of the Kumishi and the south to the Dikar samples show a significant concentration at 1.6～1.9 Ga and the youngest Nd model age is 1.29 Ga. Those Nd isotopic characteristics suggest that these metasedimentary rocks could be derived from a significant proportion of Paleoproterozoic crustal source and a participation of young arc materials, rather than Archean Tarim Craton. Furthermore, the data also indicate that these two sources were paleogeographically separated. Thus we can deduce that the Kumishi and the south to the Dikar metasedimentary rocks were formed proximal to the arc side of the back-arc basin, but the Weiya metasedimentary rocks were closer to the continental side of the back-arc basin.     

Single grain Rb-Sr dating of euhedral and cataclastic pyrite from the Qiyugou gold deposit in western Henan, central China

The Rb-Sr isotopic dating of pyrite mineral from ore deposits can directly provide mineralization age. However, many geological factors may affect the Rb-Sr isotopic system,which baffles application of this method. Employing ultra-low procedural blank Rb-Sr method,we have dated pyrites separated from the No. 4 breccia pipe of the Qiyugou gold deposit,western Henan Province. Single grains of euhedral pyrite crystal with few microcracks yield an isochron age of 126 ± 11 Ma, which represents time of the main mineralization stage of the deposit. Pyrite grains of cataclastic type show nevertheless scattered Rb-Sr isotopic composition and no reasonable isochron can be defined. Crystal morphology and mineral inclusion studies reveal that Rb and Sr of pyrite mineral probably are preserved mainly in biotite, K-feldspar, and sericite mineral inclusions. The dating results likely suggest that cataclastic pyrite is not suitable for the Rb-Sr dating due to modification of the Rb-Sr isotopic system by later hydrothermal activity of fluid.     

The first discovery of eclogite and Palaeoproterozoic granitoids in the Beishan area, northwestern Gansu Province, China

The eclogite, discovered in Liuyuan, occurs as lenticular enclave within granitic gneiss. It has typical features of eclogite in petrology and mineralogy. The eclogite provides an important window to reconstruct the tectonic border of the Tarim block. The granitoids, located in Baihu area, yield U-Pb zircon ages of 1 660–2 000 Ma (Palaeoproterozoic), which implies an early Precambrian basement in the area.     

The neodymium isotopic characteristic and geological significance of Kuokesu plagioclase amphibolites from the Kuruktag, Xinjiang, China

The plagioclase amphibolites from Kuokesu area, Kuruktag, Xinjiang occur as enclaves embedded in the granodioritic gneiss. In the light of major elements and REE data, the parent rocks of the plagioclase amphibolites belong to weak_alkaline basalts. Their Nd model ages mainly range from 2 832 to 3 075 Ma. The seven plagioclase amphibolites yield a reasonable good isochron age of (828±86) Ma(2σ) with I Nd =0.510 981±82, ε Nd ( t )=-11.5±1.6. Such a case shows the existence of great proportion of the Archaean mafic crustal basement on the Kuokesu area. The strong tectonic_thermal event at about 820 Ma made the Sm_Nd isotope of the metamorphic rocks homogenization. This event would be associated with the Tarim Movement.     

琼中古-中元古代变质基性火山岩地球化学特征

琼中斜长角闪(片麻)岩为变质的古-中元古代基性火山岩,属于高铝和低钛的高钾钙碱性玄武岩系.其LILE和LREE明显富集,HFSE相对亏损,具有典型岛弧玄武岩特征.微量元素、Sm-Nd同位素组成还揭示其岩浆源区偏离原始地幔,但未受成熟地壳物质的明显污染,是消减带上部地幔楔与俯冲洋壳析出的流体二元混合物部分熔融的产物.古-中元古宙时期,海南地块可能经历了由拉张到挤压的地球动力学转变,早期拉张阶段形成琼西洋脊型和过渡型拉斑玄武岩,中晚期强烈俯冲作用形成琼中岛弧高钾钙碱性玄武岩,该俯冲期与华南统一地块古-中元古宙板块俯冲时期相对应.     

The Rb-Sr isochron of ore and pyrite sub-samples from Linglong gold deposit, Jiaodong Peninsula, eastern China and their geological significance

Here we report the first direct Rb-Sr dating of pyrites and ores using sub-sampling from lode gold deposits in Linglong, Jiaodong Peninsula, which is a supra-large lode gold deposit and propose this as a useful geochronological technique for gold mineralization with poor age constraint. The Rb-Sr data of pyrites yield an isochron age of (121.6±8.1) Ma, whereas those of ore and ore-pyrite spread in two ranges from 120.0 to 121.8 Ma and from 110.0 to 111.7 Ma. Studies of characteristic of gold deposit and microscopy of pyrite and quartz indicate that the apparent ages of ore and ore-pyrite are not isochron ages, only mixed by two end members, i.e. the primitive hydrothermal fluids and wall rocks, whereas the isochron age of pyrite sub-samples constrains the age of gold mineralization (121.6±8.1) Ma, i.e. early Cretaceous, which is in good agreement with the published SHRIMP zircon U-Pb ages.     

Isotopic composition of helium in eclogite from the Dabie Mountains, central China and its geological significance

Isotopic geochemical characteristics of helium in garnet and omphacite of eclogite in the Dabie Mountains are discussed. Concentrations of³He and⁴He in garnet and omphacite are 3.9 × 10⁻¹⁴–24.0 × 10⁻¹⁴ and 0.48 × 10⁻⁷–9.42 × 10⁻⁷cm¹³.g⁻¹, respectively. Values of³He/⁴He have a range of (1.19–4.63) × 10⁻⁷. Helium In the eclogite is derived from both mantle and crust. Isotopic geochemical data of helium indicate that eclogite in the Dabie Mountains might be formed in depleted mantle and the age of the cologite would be Indo-China epoch.     

Discovery of eclogite inclusions and its geological significance in early Jurassic intrusive complex in Xuzhounorthern Anhui,eastern China

The early Jurassic intrusive complex is chiefly made of monzodioritic porphyry in northern Anhui and northern Jiangsu, which emplaced in 191 Ma. The intrusive complexes contain a lot of eclogite inclusions which belong to eclogite and garnet-pyroxenite. The inclusions had undergone eclogite facies high-pressure metamorphism and amphibolite facies retrogressive metamorphism. The garnets in eclogite inclusions are mainly almandine varieties and clinopyroxenes are omphacite and augite. The mineral assemblage and P-T estimation results show that P-T conditions of eclogite facies metamorphism and amphibolite facies retrogressive metamorphism are over 1.2—1.5 GPa, 709—861℃ and 0.7—1.03 GPa, 666—738℃, respectively. The discovery of the highpressure xenoliths not only is of important significance to understand the composition and structure of deep crust in southern edge of North China Platform, but also can be of important influence on realizing the subduction-collision-exhumation evolutional process of the DabieSulu ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic belt.     

Nd isotopic variations and its implications in the recent sediments from the northern South China Sea

The chondrite-normalized REE distribution patterns in recent sediments from the northern South China Sea and surrounding areas are similar, with the HREE values being almost equal to or slightly higher, and the La_N/Lu_N ratio being lower, than PAAS standards. However, samples from the Xijiang River, a major branch of the Pearl River system, show opposite trends, i.e., with slightly lower HREE values and higher La_N/Lu_N ratio than PAAS. The distribution of Nd isotopes in sediments from the northern South China Sea was controlled by the Pearl River and the inshore area of South China, respectively. The volume of ε_Nd(0) from inshore areas of southern China is apparently higher than that from the Pearl River, and ε_Nd(0) values in offshore sediments and Taiwan Island are between these values. The results clearly show that ε_Nd(0) volume in the northeastern South China Sea is higher than in the southwest part of the northern South China Sea, indicating different source rock types. The main source rock of the Pearl River sediment is carbonate types and affects sediment deposition in the southwest of the northern South China Sea, while the source rock in the inshore area of southern China, mainly Mesozoic and Cenozoic granites, contributes to sediments in the northeastern area of the northern South China Sea. Due to different source rock types, the HREE values and the volume of ε_Nd(0) in recent sediments supplied by the inshore area of southern China are higher than those from the Pearl River. Over 80% of the rapidly accumulated sediments on the northern slope of the South China Sea in the southeast of Dongsha Islands area were derived from Taiwan Island and from inshore areas of South China, with only less than 20% from the Pearl River. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40276019, 40238060 and 40621063), and National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2007CB819501)     

Isotope composition of helium in eclogite from the Dabie Mountains, central China and its geological significance

Isotopic geochemical characteristics of helium in garnet and omphacite of eclogite in the Dabie Mountains are discussed. Concentrations of 3He and 4He in garnet and omphacite are 3.9×10 -14- 24.0×10 -14 and 0.48×10 -7-9.42×10 -7cm+3·g -1, respectively. Values of 3He/ 4He have a range of (1.19-4.63)×10 -7. Helium in the eclogite is derived from both mantle and crust. Isotopic geochemical data of helium indicate that eclogite in the Dabie Mountains might be formed in depleted mantle and the age of the cologite would be Indo-China epoch.     

Determination and geological significance of the eclogites from the northern Dabie Mountains, central China

Numerous eclogite-amphibolite blocks have been found along the Mayanling fault in the northern Dabie complex. Most of the eclogites are strongly retrograded and contain garnet, rutile and the amphibole-plagioclase symplectite. The occurrence of these eclogites may have something to do with the inverted movement of the Mayanling thrust fault.