In-situ trace element analyses of zircons from Dabieshan Huangzhen eclogite: Trace element characteristics of eclogite-facies metamorphic zircon

The internal structures of zircons in eclogite from Huangzhen have been studied by cathodoluminescence(CL) microscopy. Two growth stages were distinguished:protolith magmatic cores and metamorphic overgrowthrims. These different domains were analyzed for trace ele-ments using LAM-ICP-MS. The protolith and theovergrowth zircons have different trace elements charac-teristics. The trace element contents of protolith zircons arehigh and very variable. The overgrowth zircons show a typi-cal trace element feature of equilibrium with garnet, e.g. lowcontents of HREE (132.2-197.6 ?g/g) and small differentialdegree of HREE ((Yb/Gd)CN=8.6-11.9). The contents of Nb,Ta and the ratio of Nb/Ta are lower in the metamorphic do-mains (0.5-1.4 ?g/g, 0.7-1.5 ?g/g, 0.3-1.3, respectively)than in the protolith domains (3.8-19.7 ?g/g, 2.7-12.1 ?g/g,1.0-4.6, respectively). This is the first time to give the evi-dence that the metamorphic zircon equilibrates with therutile, which formed during the peak metamorphic stage.The REEs and other trace elements data demonstrate that the metamorphic zircons overgrow in the eclogite-facies con-ditions. The trace element composition of zircon can there-fore give new ways to constrain their formation conditions.     

A combined study of SHRIMP U-Pb dating, trace element and mineral inclusions on high-pressure metamorphic overgrowth zircon in eclogite from Qinglongshan in the Sulu terrane

Methods recently advanced for discrimination on the genesis of metamorphic zircon, such as analysis of mineral inclusions and trace elements, provide us powerful means to distinguish zircon overgrowth during high-pressure metamorphism. Zircons in ultrahigh-pressure eclogite from Qinglongshan in the Sulu terrane were studied by the SHRIMP U-Pb method in combining with trace element and mineral inclusion analyses. No inherited core was identified in the analyzed zircons by means of cathodoluminescence images. The occurrence of high-pressure metamorphic mineral inclusions in zircon, such as garnet, omphacite, rutile, and the flat HREE pattern in zircon indicate that the zircon formed at high-pressure metamorphic conditions. Therefore, a weighted average U-Pb age of 227.4±3.5 Ma obtained from such a kind of zircon is interpreted to represent the timing of peak nietamorphism for the Qinglongshan eclogite.     

Preliminary study of microscale zircon oxygen isotopes for Dabie-Sulu metamorphic rocks： Ion probe in situ analyses

151 in situ analyses of oxygen isotopes were carried out by ion micro-probe for zircons from 8 localities of HP-UHP metamorphic rocks including eclogites in the Dabie-Sulu terrane. The results show significant heterogeneity in δ^18O values, with variation in different rocks from -8.5‰ to 9.7‰ and within one sample from 2‰ to 12‰. No measurable difference in δ^18O was observed between protolith magmatic (detrital) zircons and metamorphic recrystallized zircons within analytical uncertainties from the ion micro-probe measurements. This indicates that the metamorphic zircons have inherited the oxygen isotopic compositions of protolith zircons despite the HP to UHP metamorphism. According to their protolith ages from zircon U-Pb in situ dating by the same ion micro-probe, two groups of oxygen isotope composition are recognized, with one having δ^18O values of 6‰-7‰ for old protolith of 1.9-2.5 Ga ages and the other 0‰-2‰ for young protolith of 0.7-0.8 Ga ages. The latter anomalously low δ^18O values of zircons indicate that the magma has had the obvious involvement of meteoric water when forming the young protolith of high-grade metamorphic rocks. This may be correlated with the snowball Earth event occurring in South China and the world elsewhere during the Neoproterozoic.     

SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating for Qiashikansayi granodiorite, the Northern Altyn Tagh Mountains and its geological implications

The Qiashikansayi granodiorite is foliated resulting in a granodioritic gneiss. Its geochemical features, such as alumina saturation index(A/CNK) of 0.81-0.99, Na2O/K2O values>1, TiO2 contents <1.0%, LREE enrichment with high fractionation factors, weakly negative or no Eu anomalies, and significant Ba and Ti negative anomalies, suggest that it is similar to a typical island arc pluton. The trace elements of the Qiashikansayi granodiorite are plotted in the island arc field in the tectonic setting discrimination diagrams as well. Cathodoluminescence images demonstrated that the zircons have clear rhythmic crystallized zoning, without any remnant core and new crystallized rim, suggesting the zircons be magmatic ones. Their U and Th contents vary in the range of 574-870 μg/g, and 279-556μg/g respectively, with the Th/U ratio in the range of 0.52-0.68. SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating yielded the 481.5±5.3 Ma age for the intrusion of the granodiorite, which is coeval with the island arc volcanic rocks in the no     

应用锆石研究铀成矿流体的地球化学特征:以粤北棉花坑铀矿床为例

铀矿中锆石富集Li、P、Ti、Nb、Hf、U、Th、Ta、Y、Rare earth elements(REE)等微量元素,Th/U比值较低,在以大陆上地壳为标准化的模式图上呈现明显的重稀土富集、Ce、Y正异常和Eu负异常的特征。根据锆石/热液间微量元素的分配系数估算了成矿流体的微量元素质量分数。铀成矿流体具有富U,低Th/U比值,高稀土元素质量分数,轻、重稀土分异不明显,显著的Ce、Eu负异常和Y正异常,低Ce~(4+)/Ce~(3+)比值等特征。成矿流体主要来源于岩浆期后热液,并得到流体/岩石反应的改造,流体上升减压导致流体沸腾、气体溢出、碱性增高和还原环境,最终导致铀矿物的沉淀和铀矿床的形成。     

Caledonian reworking of Paleoproterozoic basement in the Cathaysia Block: Constraints from zircon U-Pb dating,Hf isotopes and trace elements

A combined study of zircon U-Pb dating, Hf isotopes and trace elements has been carried out for granodioritic neosomes of migmatites from the Tianjingping area in northwestern Fujian Province. Zircons are characterized by zoning, higher Th/U ratios （mostly≥0.1）, HREE enrichment, and positive Ce and negative Eu anomalies, and show features similar to magmatic or anatectic zircons. Apparent ^206Pb/^238U ages for the zircons are 447±2 Ma （95 % conf., MSWD=0.88）, corresponding to a Caledonian event. εHf（t） values are -13.3 to -9.7, indicating a crustal source. Two-stage Hf model ages are 1.7 to 1.9 Ga, suggesting that protolith of the migmates was probably formed in the Paleoproterozoic. The granodioritic neosomes have the characteristics of peraluminous calc-alkaline granite, and their REE patterns and trace elements spidergrams show features of middle to upper crustal rocks. Together with previous studies, we conclude that the protolith of the Cathaysia basement in the Tianjingping area was likely formed in the middle-late Paleoproterozoic and experienced partial melting during the Caledonian period. The recognition of Caledonian reworking of the Paleoproterozoic basement in the Cathaysia Block provides a new insight into the tectonic evolution of the Cathaysia Block in the Caledonian period and the interaction between the Cathaysia Block and the Yangtze Block.     

Genesis of zircon and its constraints on interpretation of U-Pb age

Zircon U-Pb dating is the most commonly used method for isotopic geochronology. However, it has been a difficult issue when relating zircon U-Pb ages to metamorphic conditions in complex metamorphic rocks. Much progress has been made in the past decade with respect to the genesis of zircon and its constraints on interpretation of U-Pb age. Three methods have been proposed to link zircon U-Pb age to metamorphic conditions: ( i ) internal structure; ( ii ) trace element feature; (iii) mineral inclusion composition. Magmatic zircon shows typical oscillatory zoning and/or sector zoning, whereas metamorphic zircon has internal structures such as no zoned, weakly zoned, cloudy zoned, sector zoned, planar zoned, and patched zoned ones. Zircons formed in different geological environments generally have characteristic internal structures. Magmatic zircons from different rock types have variable trace element abundances, with a general trend of increasing trace element abundances in zircons from ultramafic through mafic to granitic rocks. Zircons formed under different metamorphic conditions have different trace element characteristics that can be used to relate their formation to metamorphic conditions. It is an effective way to relate zircon growth to certain P-T conditions by studying the trace element partitioning between coexisting metamorphic zircon and garnet in high-grade metamorphic rocks containing both zircon and garnet. Primary mineral inclusions in zircon can also provide unambiguous constraints on its formation conditions. Therefore, interpretation of zircon U-Pb ages can be constrained by its internal structure, trace element composition, mineral inclusion and so on.     

Trace element geochemistry during chemical weathering

The granite weathering in Longnan, Jiangxi, is represented by mineralogical changes of feldspars → montmorillonite, illite → kaolinite, halloysite → bauxite, with Na, Ca, Si, P, V, U and Sr being in a mobile state while Ti, Al, Fe, Sc, Th, Zr and Hf remaining relatively conservative. With the exception of Zr/Hf, Nb/Ta, Th/Sc, Zr/Nd and Sm/Nb, changes are notable in ratios between most of the trace elements. Re-distribution of REE and Y has taken place during the chemical weathering, and the REE patterns of weathered samples in the profile, with original characters of the parent rock still recognizable, has undergone some fractionation. Generally, the extent of chemical weathering is the critical factor determining the mineralogical and chemical characteristics of the profiles and this must be taken into account in any study of tracing the provenance on the basis of mineralogical and trace element characteristics of the sediments.     

LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating for high-pressure basic granulite from North Qinling and its geological significance

Inrecentyears,discoveriesofhightoultrahighpressuremetamorphicrocksatthenorthandsouthsidesoftheQinlingGroupinthenorthernpartoftheQinlingMountains(hereafterNorthQinling)haveattractedfocusattentionofgeologistsworldwide.Thenorthhigh-pressure(HP)metamorphicbelt,distributedintheareafromGuanpotoShuanghuaishunorthwardtoShizipin,LushCountyinHenanProvince,consistsmainlyofeclogiteoutcroppedaslenticularmassesofdifferentsizesinthegneissesoftheQinlingGroupclosetothesouthsideofZhuyangguan-Xiaguanfault…     

SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating of the Gangou granitoids, Central Tianshan Mountains, Northwest China and tectonic significances

Two types of granitoids, highly deformed eugen grenitoids end undeformed fine-grained grenitoids, ere widely distributed in Gangou area, Central Tianshen Mountains, Northwest China. The augen grenitoids are high-K calc-alkaline characterized by high K20, Rb, Y and Th, and low Sr and Sr/Y. They also have high contents of large ion lithophile elements （LILE）, such as Be, Rb, K and Th, and relatively low contents of high field strength elements （HFSE）, such as Zr, Y and Nb. The fine-grained granitoids are calc-alkaline cherecterlzed by high Sr, low Y and HREE, similar to adakitic rocks, and with Na20/K20〈2 （1.76-1.91）, high/sr （0.70689--0.70981）, and negative εNd（t） （-2.4-5.3）. High-precision SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating results indicate that the Gangou augen greniUods were formed at 428 ± 10 Me, and the fine-grained granitoids were emplaced at 361 -368 Me. These geochemical and U-Pb zircon data have significant implications for the timing of closure of the Mishigou-Gangou Ocean and the evolution of the Central Tianshan orogenic belt.     

中祁连湟源群中片麻岩的岩石学成因及构造意义*

湟源群中的刘家台组为一套以长英质片麻岩为主,夹黑云变粒岩的低角闪岩相的中-深变质岩系。长英质片麻岩的原岩为酸性侵入岩体,其具有低CaO(1.80~1.85 wt%)、高SiO_2(68.78~71.58 wt%)和碱含量(Na_2O+K_2O=7.6~7.7 wt%)。样品相对富集轻稀土,亏损Nb、Ta、Ti等高场强元素,富集Ba、Sr等大离子亲石元素,并且具有明显的Eu负异常(δEu=0.23~0.38)。它们最主要的特征是具有较高含量的高场强元素,使得Zr+Nb+Ce+Y=(402~420)×10~(-6)(ppm)[350×10~(-6)(ppm)],而10 000Ga/Al=3.2~3.3(2.6)。这些岩石地球化学特征表明这套片麻岩的原岩为A型花岗岩。单颗粒锆石U-Pb同位素测年获得的不一致曲线的上交点年龄1 124±29 Ma,属中元古代,比前人认为的湟源群形成时代古元古代要年轻。     

Zircon U/Pb ages for gniess from Qianshan, Anhui

Zircon U/Pb ages were measured for Qianshan gneiss at the ultrahigh pressure metamorphic (UHPM) complex in the Southern Dabie Terrain (SDT). According to morphology, Th and U contents of eight fractions of zircon and data distribution on the discordia, it is indicated that they should be treated as metamorphic overgrowth mixing zircons, in which the cores mainly are magmatic and the outers were metamorphic. The intercept ages show that the gneiss underwent UHPM. There is no direct correlation for zircon between morphological feature and genesis.     

内蒙古西乌旗地区二叠纪双峰式火山岩的年代学、地球化学特征和地质意义

为了加深对中亚造山带东段晚古生代构造背景的认识, 选取内蒙古西乌旗地区二叠纪火山岩进行年代学和地球化学研究。分别利用X光荧光光谱(XRF)、SHRIMP锆石U-Pb测年、ICP-MS和ISOPROBE-T方法测定研究区火山岩的主量元素含量、年龄、微量元素和稀土元素含量及Sr-Nd同位素。结果表明, 这套火山岩的SiO₂含量集中分布在53.54%~54.71%和72.61%~80.81%两个区间, 分别属于玄武安山岩和流纹岩, 构成双峰式火山岩组合。流纹岩SHRIMP锆石U-Pb年龄为279 ± 4.3 Ma, 说明它喷发于早二叠世。玄武安山岩轻稀土略富集而重稀土略亏损, (La/Yb)_N为2.06~2.34, 有轻微的Eu负异常, 富集大离子亲石元素和高场强元素, Nb, Ta和Sr有明显的负异常, 推断其来源于深部非原始地幔, 很大程度上受地壳成分的混染。流纹岩亦略富集轻稀土, 略亏损重稀土, (La/Yb)_N为1.70~3.81, 有很强的Eu负异常, Sr, P和Ti相对强烈亏损, Nb和Ta轻度亏损, K, Zr和Hf相对富集, 具有较高的正ε_Nd(t)值(+3.98~+5.62)和年轻的模式年龄T_DM(490~690 Ma), 具有A型花岗岩的特征, 推断其为新生陆壳来源。综合地球化学特征、区域地质特征和前人研究资料, 这套双峰式火山岩具有板内成因特征, 形成于碰撞后的伸展环境。     

Simultaneous in-situ determination of U-Pb age and trace elements in zircon by LA-ICP-MS in 20 μm spot size

Simultaneous in-situ determination of U-Pb ages and 20 trace elements of three international zircon standards （91500, GJ1 and TEMORA 1） and one laboratory zircon standard （SK10-2） separated from Cenozoic fine-grained gabbro was carried out on quadrupole ICP-MS equipped with 193 nm excimer laser in 20 μm spot size. The weighted mean ^206Pb/^238U ages of 91500, GJ1 and TEMORA 1 are 1064.4±4.8 Ma （2σ）, 603.2±2.4 Ma （2σ） and 418.2±2.4 Ma （2σ）, respectively. The relative standard deviations （RSDs） of ^206Pb/^238U ages （2σ） are less than 2.2% for single measurements and 0.6% for weighted means. The obtained weighted mean ^206Pb/^238U ages of three standard zircons agree with the recommended values within 2σrerror. The weighted mean ^206Pb/^238U age of SK10-2 is 31.42=0.25 Ma （2σ） and the RSDs of ^206Pb/^238U ages （2σ） are between 2.4% and 5.7% for single measurements and less than 0.8% for weighted mean. The obtained weighted mean ^206Pb/^238U age is in good agreement with the age obtained by Yuan （2004）. Trace element concentrations of NIST612 and NIST614 obtained under the same LA-ICP-MS operating conditions agree with the recommended values within analytical error. The results indicate that it is possible to measure U-Pb age and trace elements simultaneously by LA-ICP-MS in a small spot size of 20μm.     

Discovery of ∼4.0 Ga detrital zircons in the Changdu Block,North Qiangtang,Tibetan Plateau

Using in situ zircon dating by LA-ICP-MS and MC-ICP-MS, detrital zircon of 3981±9 Ma age was found in metamorphic rocks of the Ningduo Rock Group, Changdu Block of Northern Qiangtang. This is the oldest age record that has been found in the Qiangtang area. This finding also constitutes the third zircon locality in China with an age older than 3.9 Ga. Thus, the discovery provides new information for the study of Hadean crust. In addition, we found 3.51–3.13 Ga, ∼2440 Ma, ∼1532 Ma, ∼982 Ma and ∼618 Ma age peaks from 100 test spots. The younger ages of ∼982 Ma and ∼618 Ma correspond to the formation of the Rodinian super-continent and the Pan-African event, respectively. These findings suggest a close relationship between these zircons and the Gondwanan super-continent. The age of ∼618 Ma defines the lower limit on the deposit time of the protolith for the garnet-mica-quartz schist in the Ningduo Rock Group. Zircons with an age of ∼982 Ma generally display a negative ɛ_Hf(t) and a two-stage Hf model with concentrated ages around 1933–2553 Ma. This pattern indicates that the source area of the Ningduo Rock Group underwent a significant separation of depleted mantle into the crust during the Paleoproterozoic Era. However, zircons with ages of 2854–3505 Ma also show a negative ɛ_Hf(t) and a two-stage Hf model with a concentration of ages around 3784–4316 Ma. These results demonstrate that the source area of the Ningduo Rock Group contains a residual amount of ancient (Hadean) crustal materials. This paper provides new information on the relationship between the basement of the Qiangtang area and the Paleoproterozoic basements of the Gangdese and Himalayan regions, which constrains the northern boundary of Gondwana.     

Fluid inclusions hidden in coesite-bearing zircons in ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks from southwestern Sulu terrane in eastern China

Fluidinclusionstudiesarepowerfultoolsfordeci-pheringthefluidevolutionandfluid-rockinteractionin-volvingultrahigh-pressure(UHP)metamorphismofcrustalrocksatmantledepths.Thecompositionandprop-ertiesoffluidinclusionscanreflectthephysico-chemicalconditionsofthefluidsduringplatesubduction,UHPmetamorphismandexhumation.However,UHPmeta-morphicrockscommonlyexperiencedconsiderablede-compressionrelatedtotherapidexhumationprocess.Thishascausedtheinternalpressureoftheinclusionstrappedinthemetamorphicmin…     

Discovery of the Early Paleozoic post-collisional granites in northern margin of the Erguna massif and its geological significance

The Luoguhe intrusion, located in Mohe County, Heilongjiang Province, is mainly composed of monzogranite, quartz diorite and granodiorite, with minor diorite, tonalite, quartz monzodiorite, quartz monzonite, syenogranite and alkali-feldspar granite. The intrusion can be divided into two iithological units, i.e. quartz diorite and monzogranite units, with affinities to high-K caic-alkaline series. The quartz diorite unit （SiO2： 54.79%-58.30%, Na2O/CaO： 0.79-1.53 and Shand index： 0.77-0.82） belongs to metaluminous rocks. And the monzogranite unit （SiO2： 65.29%-66.45%, Na2O/CaO： 1.73-3.43 and Shand index 〈1.05） can be considered as weakly peraluminous rocks. The intrusion is characterized by high REE abundance （∑REE = 180.2-344.3μg/g）, medium-strong negative Eu anomalies （δEu = 0.33-0.82）, weak REE fractionation [（La/Yb）N = 4.12-10.45], enrichments in Rb, Th, U, K, La, Ce, Nd, Hf, Zr and Sm, but strong depletions of Ba, Nb, Ta, Sr, P and Ti. These characteristics of major, REE and trace elements indicate that the intrusion was formed in a transitional tectonic setting from compressionai to extensional regime, which can be classified as post-collisional granitoids. SHRIMP U-Pb zircon analyses yield ages of 517±9 and 504±8 Ma for the quartz diorite and monzogranite units, respectively. The discovery of Early Paleozoic post-collisionai granites in the northern margin of the Erguna massif indicates that the northern branch of Paleo-Asian Ocean between Siberian plate and Erguna massif was closed in the Early Paleozoic and the Salair orogeny ended ca. 500 Ma ago.     

In situ simultaneous determination of trace elements, U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopes in zircon and baddeleyite

This paper describes a combined method of simultaneously measuring U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopes as well as trace elements in Phalaborwa baddeleyite and 91500, GJ-1, TEMORA-1 and SK10-2 zircons by means of Neptune MC-ICPMS and Agilent Q-ICPMS connected to a 193 nm excimer laser ablation system. Material ablated by laser was carried in different proportions into Q-ICPMS for U-Pb isotopic and trace elemental and MC-ICPMS for Lu-Hf isotopic compositions. Experiments indicate that different proportions of ablated material for the Q-ICPMS and MC-ICPMS （6：4, 5：5 and 4：6 respectively） do not show any bias for the zircon/baddeleyite U-Pb age, Lu-Hf isotope and trace elemental compositions within analytical errors. Using 40-60 μm spot size, the obtained U-Pb ages of Phalaborwa baddeleyite, 91500, GJ-1, TEMORA and SK10-2 zircons are 2065±15 （2σ, n=20）, 1063±6 （2σ, n=-19）, 613±6 （2σ, n=20）, 416±5 （2σ, n=20） and 32.6±0.5 （2σ, n=20） Ma, respectively. The ^176Hf/^177Hf ratios are 0.281231±24 （2SD, n=20）, 0.282310±35 （2SD, n=19）, 0.282028±34 （2SD, n=20）, 0.282687±34 （2SD, n=20） and 0.282752±53 （2SD, n=20）, respectively. The obtained trace elemental compositions are identical to the reference values. Therefore, this kind of technique makes it possible to simultaneously obtain the U-Pb age, Lu-Hf isotopes and trace elemental compositions of zircon and baddeleyite, which could be an important tool in solving problems in earth sciences.     

Repeated modification of lithospheric mantle in the eastern North China Craton: Constraints from SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating of dunite xenoliths in western Shandong

Four dunite xenoliths from the Tietonggou intrusion of western Shandong,China,were subjected to SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating to constrain timing of the North China Craton(NCC) destruction,a topic of much controversy.Cathodoluminescence images revealed that 15 of the 18 zircon grains from the xenoliths display striped absorption.The rest showed oscillatory growth zoniation.All the zircons had variable contents of Th(49-3569 ppm;average,885 ppm) and U(184-5398 ppm;average,1277 ppm),and variable Th/U ratios(0.15-2.04).These zircon characteristics indicate a magmatic origin.The zircon age data can be divided into five groups:131-145,151-164,261-280,434-452,and 500-516 Ma.Group I(131-145 Ma) is consistent with timing of formation of the Tietonggou high-Mg diorites.Group II(151-164 Ma) is similar in age to Middle-Late Jurassic magmatism in the eastern NCC,which included both mantle-derived and intensive crust-derived magmatism.Group III(261-280 Ma) is similar in age to the Emeishan large igneous province,and Group IV(434-452 Ma) is similar in age to Paleozoic high-silica magmatism in the eastern NCC.Group V(500-516 Ma) may correspond to the global Pan-African event.Results indicate repeated modification of lithospheric mantle in the eastern NCC,and suggest that the most intensive modification occurred in the late Mesozoic(131-164 Ma).     

Geochronology and geochemistry of the Fangcheng Neoproterozoic alkali-syenites in East Qinling orogen and its geodynamic implications

Finding of Neoproterozoic syenites at Fangcheng in the northern Qinling region of the East Qinling orogen provides an important constraint on timing of tectonic transformation to extensional regime. The alkaline pluton consists mainly of nepheline syenite, aegirine syenite, and alkali-feldspar syenite. The syenites are of intermediate （SiO2 = 54%-62%）, rich in alkali （K2O＋Na2O = 12%-15%）, aluminum （Al2O3= 16.81%-23.26%） and large ion lithophile elements （LILE）, without any obvious Nb, Ta, Zr, and Hf anomalies. The Fangcheng syenites are geochemically characterized by relative enrichment of LREE, minor differentiation of HREE, significant negative Eu anomalies （Eu = 0.13-0.23）, less negative εNd（t） values of -1.37 to-3.90, young Nd model ages of 1364 to 1569 Ma, and high zircon saturation temperatures of 915 to 1044℃. The syenitic magmas probably originated from small proportion melting of upper mantle in an extensional regime of intraplate-anorogenic tectonic setting, and have been slightly contaminated by crustal materials during ascending and/or emplacement. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating yields ages of 844.3±1.6 Ma （MSWD=0.86）, suggesting that the Fangcheng alkaline syenites formed in the early Neoproterozoic. They are the oldest Neoproterozoic alkaline rocks ever recognized in the Qinling orogen as well as in South China. This implies that the tectonic regime of the Qinling region would have transformed from post-collisional stretch to intraplate-anorogenic extension no later than 844 Ma.