Exhumation of the Tauern window,Eastern Alps

The exhumation of metamorphic domes within orogenic belts is exemplified by the Tauern window in the Eastern Alps. There, the exhumation is related to partitioning of final orogenic shortening into deep-seated thrusts, near-surface antiformal bending forming brachyanticlines, and almost orogen-parallel strike-slip faults due to oblique continental plate collision. Crustal thickening by formation of an antiformal stack within upper to middle crustal portions of the lower lithosphere is a prerequisite of late-stage orogenic window formation. Low-angle normal faults at releasing steps of crustal-scale strike-slip faults accomodate tectonic unloading of synchronously thickened crust and extension along strike of the orogen, forming pull-apart metamorphic domes. Initiation of low-angle normal faults is largely controlled by rock rheology, especially at the brittle-ductile transitional level within the lithosphere. Several mechanisms may contribute to uplift and exhumation of previously buried crust within such a setting: (1) Shortening along deep-seated blind thrusts results in the formation of brachyanticlines and bending of metamorphic isograds; (2) oversteps of strike-slip faults within the wrench zone control the final geometry of the window; (3) unloading by tectonic unroofing and erosional denudation; and (4) vertical extrusion of crustal scale wedges. Rapid decompression of previously buried crust results in nearly isothermal exhumation paths, and enhanced fluid circulation along subvertical tensile fractures (hydrothermal ore and silicate veins) that formed due to overall coaxial stretching of lower plate crust.     

Understanding the pre-Variscan and Variscan basement components of the central Tauern Window, Eastern Alps (Austria): constraints from single zircon U-Pb geochronology

New single-grain and within-grain U-Pb zircon ages from the central Tauern Window help sorting out the time dimension among the various Variscan and pre-Variscan basement components that were strongly overprinted by Alpine orogeny. Single-grain isotope dilution (ID-TIMS) U-Pb zircon geochronology of three Basisamphibolit samples yield protolith formation ages of 351±2, 349±1 and 343±1 Ma. Laser ablation ICP-MS and ID-TIMS U-Pb detrital zircon dating of the Biotitporphyroblastenschiefer constrained the maximum time of sedimentation to between 362±6 Ma and 368±17 Ma. Paragneisses from the Zwölferzug yield maximum sedimentation ages from 345±5 Ma (ion microprobe data) to 358±10 Ma. Zircons from gabbroic clasts and detrital zircons from a meta-agglomerate from the Habach Phyllite give an upper intercept age of 536±8 Ma and a near-concordant age of 506±9 Ma, respectively. Hence, apart from the Habach Phyllite, the maximum sedimentation ages of the metasediments investigated range from Upper Devonian to Lower Carboniferous. Consequently, the Basisamphibolit, the Biotitporphyroblastenschiefer, and the paragneisses of the Zwölferzug form parts of the Variscan basement series. The Basisamphibolit (351-343 Ma) is distinct both in space and time of formation from the Zwölferzug garnet amphibolite (c. 486 Ma), which forms part of the pre-Variscan basement.     

Evidence for Late Carboniferous subduction-type magmatism in mafic-ultramafic cumulates of the SW Tauern window (Eastern Alps)

Hectometric bodies of fresh mafic-ultramafic cumulates have been discovered within the Central Gneiss of the Zillertal massif, SW Tauern window (eastern Alps, Italy). The cumulates, intruded by the Central Gneiss granitoids, are amphibole-bearing harzburgites and norites made of cumulitic olivine (Fo_73-80), spinels, sulphides and plagioclase (An_79-87), included in orthopyroxene (En_76-83) and Ti-pargasite (Mg#=0.73-0.81). Major and trace element geochemistry indicates that these rocks represent olivine + spinel - plagioclase cumulates, in which interstitial melt crystallized as orthopyroxene + Ti-pargasite. The parental melt has trace element patterns typical of subduction zone magmas. The crystallization sequence, mineral compositions, and modes indicate that cumulates formed from a H₂O-rich basaltic andesite, which intruded at low-pressure (~2 kbar) and temperatures of 1,050-1,100 °C. SHRIMP U-Pb dating of zircons from ultramafic cumulates and adjacent metagranodiorite yielded ages of 309LJ and 295Dž Ma, respectively. In agreement with field relationships, these results show that the mafic-ultramafic cumulates represent a co-genetic, early product of the Late Carboniferous plutonic activity in the western Tauern window, which started in the Westphalian, earlier than previously thought. Our data on the most primitive rocks in the Zillertal massif permit, for the first time, insight into the parental magma and thus into the origin of this Late Carboniferous calc-alkaline magmatism, which was most likely related to slab break off during the Late Variscan convergence.     

Palaeontological and facial features of the Upper Jurassic Hochstegen Marble (Tauern Window, Eastern Alps)

Micropalaeontological, microscopic and mineralogical investigations of the ductily deformed and greenschist-facies metamorphic Hochstegen Marble in the Tauern Window shed new light on its stratigraphy and fades.
New radiolarian and sponge spicule discoveries have been made in cherty limestone marbles. They confirm previous age assignments and permit for the first time a more exact micropalaeontological age determination of early Tithonian for the upper parts of the marble. Forty morphotypes of radiolarians could be distinguished; in one sample a Fisher diversity index of 6 is reached indicating deeper marine conditions. The spicule fauna is also diverse and shows affinity to the S-German Malm. In respect to all the data it can be presumed that carbonate sedimentation of the Hochstegen Marble took place in a deeper marine environment at the southern margin of the European continent (Helvetic realm) during the whole Late Jurassic.     

西秦岭糜署岭花岗岩体年代学、地球化学特征及其构造意义

秦岭造山带南缘勉略缝合带附近发育东西向展布的印支期花岗岩带,位于西秦岭地区勉略缝合带北侧的糜署岭岩体是该花岗岩带的一部分。本文对糜署岭岩体寄主岩及二长闪长质包体进行LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年和地球化学特征研究。结果表明,糜署岭岩体的结晶年龄为214.5±1.6Ma(MSWD=0.24)。糜署岭岩体寄主岩和二长闪长质包体A/CNK在0.64～0.97之间,具有准铝质特征。稀土元素总量(∑REE)为197.3×10-6～246.6×10-6,在稀土元素配分图上显示为右倾型,Eu具有中等的负异常。高场强元素Ta、Nb、P、Ti和大离子亲石元素Sr、Ba明显亏损,而Rb、U、La、Zr、Hf、Nd、Y等元素具有明显的正异常。寄主岩和包体是同源岩浆演化而来,是以基性岩为主的源岩部分熔融形成的花岗质岩浆上升侵位形成的,为I型花岗岩。糜署岭岩体形成于同碰撞(挤压环境)向碰撞后(伸展环境)转化阶段,为后造山花岗岩类,是印支期扬子与华北地块全面碰撞导致的地壳增厚下地壳部分熔融的产物。     

藏南错那洞淡色花岗岩成因：来自全岩地球化学和锆石U-Pb年龄的约束

藏南错那洞穹隆位于喜马拉雅造山带东部,淡色花岗岩是其核部组成部分之一。对其中的弱定向二云母花岗岩和含石榴子石二云母花岗岩进行LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年,显示其结晶年龄分别为(20.6±0.3) Ma和(16.7±0.2) Ma,属于喜马拉雅中新世淡色花岗岩。错那洞含石榴子石二云母花岗岩和弱定向二云母花岗岩均具有富硅(w(SiO2)为71.6%~74.6%)、富铝(w(Al2O3)为14.5%~16.1%)、富钾(w(K2O)为4%~4.7%)及高铝饱和指数(A/CNK=1.16~1.22)的特征,属高钾钙碱性系列的强过铝质花岗岩,并且两类花岗岩都富集Rb、U、K、Pb,相对亏损Nb、Ta、Zr、Ti。但含石榴子石淡色花岗岩具有明显的Eu负异常(Eu/Eu*=0.29~0.46),而弱定向二云母花岗岩Eu的负异常相对较弱(Eu/Eu*=0.58~0.80)。弱定向二云母花岗岩的Rb/Sr值为2.4~3.5,Ba含量为(200~253)×10-6,TiO2含量相对较低,表明错那洞弱定向二云母花岗岩是在无水条件下由变泥质岩中的白云母脱水熔融而形成,并且弱定向二云母花岗岩的产生可能与藏南拆离系(STDS)启动造成的构造减压有关。含石榴子石二云母花岗岩的K/Rb、Zr/Hf、Nb/Ta、Y/Ho值呈现出非球粒陨石异常,稀土四分组效应和异常高的Rb/Sr值(18.6~22.2)表明错那洞含石榴子石二云母花岗岩是经过岩浆高度演化而形成的。高度演化的岩浆有利于W、Sn、Be等稀有金属成矿。错那洞含石榴子石二云母花岗岩与错那洞穹隆的W-Sn-Be矿具有相邻的空间位置,两者之间可能存在一定的成因联系;而错那洞弱定向二云母花岗岩与扎西康Pb-Zn矿床在时间上和空间上都具有一致性,两者之间很可能也存在一定的成因联系。     

登封地区早前寒武纪地壳演化－地球化学和锆石SHRIMP U-Pb年代学制约

河南中部登封地区早前寒武纪基底主要由新太古代登封群、古元古代嵩山群和早前寒武纪花岗质岩石组成。登封群主要由斜长角闪岩、角闪变粒岩、黑云变粒岩、云母石英片岩及少量磁铁石英岩（BIF）等组成,变质原岩为主要基性火山岩、中酸性火山岩和碎屑沉积岩。3个登封群变质酸性火山岩样品给出2.51～2.53 Ga岩浆锆石年龄,存在2.61～2.69 Ga残余锆石。它们高SiO2,tDM(Nd)和εNd(t)分别为2.52～2.79 Ga和0.51～4.41。嵩山群主要由石英岩和片岩组成,绿片岩相变质。嵩山群石英岩碎屑锆石年龄峰值为2.5 Ga,与华北克拉通孔兹岩系变泥沙质岩石中存在大量2.1～2.3 Ga碎屑锆石明显不同。石英岩中可靠的最年轻碎屑锆石年龄为2.45 Ga,部分碎屑锆石年龄大于2.65 Ga,最大达3.26 Ga。会善寺奥长花岗岩、大塔寺英云闪长岩、路家沟钾质花岗岩和石秤二长花岗岩形成时代分别为2.55 Ga、2.53 Ga、2.51 Ga和1.78 Ga,会善寺奥长花岗岩中存在2621～2638 Ma残余锆石,并有～2.51 Ga变质增生边存在。花岗质岩石在元素地球化学组成上存在较大变化,但具有类似Nd同位素组成,tDM(Nd)为2.60～2.80 Ga（钾质花岗岩样品除外）。根据研究,可得出如下结论和认识：1）登封群形成于新太古代末期（2.51～2.53 Ga）,与前人认识一致。2）不同类型花岗质岩石,与登封群表壳岩一道,形成于一个相对较小的时间范围（2.50～2.55 Ga）,结合岩石组合和地球化学组成特征,推测其形成与板底垫托作用有关。3）在岩石组合和形成时代等方面,五台和箕山地区花岗绿岩带与登封地区的十分类似,可能为同一大型花岗绿岩带的不同部分。4）可把嵩山群形成时代限制在2.0～2.45 Ga之间,与五台地区高凡群（2.14～2.47 Ga）或滹沱群（2.08～2.14 Ga）对比。5）石秤花岗岩是华北克拉通古元古代之后拉张构造体制下壳内岩浆作用的产物。     

内蒙古荷尔勿苏铅锌矿区二叠纪侵入岩成因:锆石U—Pb年代学与岩石地球化学制约

内蒙古荷尔勿苏铅锌矿是华北板块北缘少郎河多金属成矿带内新发现的矿床。笔者对矿区黑云母石英闪长岩进行了LA—ICP—MS U—Pb年代学和岩石地球化学研究,以期揭示其岩石成因、成矿背景及对成矿的贡献。黑云母石英闪长岩锆石为自行晶-半自形晶,内部具有清晰的生长环带,Th/U比值为0. 43～1. 20,具有岩浆成因的特点。测年结果显示其形成于古生代中二叠世(268. 1±2. 6 Ma)。岩石地球化学分析显示,黑云母石英闪长岩SiO_2含量59. 23%～61. 07%,Al_2O_3含量16. 24%～16. 53%,K_2O/Na_2O比值0. 62～0. 63。稀土元素配分曲线为右倾轻稀土富集型,轻重稀土分异明显,Eu弱亏损(δEu=0. 84～0. 90),Ce弱异常(δCe=0. 91～0. 94),说明源区极少残留斜长石。富集大离子亲石元素K、Rb、Ba,亏损高场强元素Nb、Ti,并且Nb、Ti具有"TNT"负异常特征。荷尔勿苏铅锌矿黑云母石英闪长岩是在古生代中二叠世华力西晚期板块挤压环境下,火山弧岩浆作用的产物,其形成的动力学机制受古亚洲洋闭合作用的影响。     

U-Pb zircon,Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd geochronology of high- to very-high-pressure meta-acidic rocks from the western Alps

Three meta-acidic rocks from the western Italian Alps, a magnesiochloritoid-bearing metapelite from the Monte Rosa massif, a coesite-pyrope-quartzite from the Dora Maira massif and the Monte Mucrone granite in the Sesia Zone, have been studied by U-Pb zircon, Rb-Sr on whole-rock, apatite and phengite and Sm-Nd wholerock methods. The mineral parageneses of the investigated rocks indicate high- to very-high-pressure and medium-to-high-temperature metamorphism. This combined isotopic study has enabled us to constrain the ages of magmatic and metamorphic events and also to compare the behaviour of U-Pb zircon systems in three intensely metamorphosed areas of the Pennine domain. The U-Pb zircon data have yielded a magmatic age for the Monte Mucrone granite at 286±2 Ma. This result confirms the occurence of late-Hercynian magmatism in the Sesia Zone, as in other Austro-Alpine units and in other areas of the European crystalline basement. In the Monte Rosa massif, a geologically meaningless lower intercept age of 192±2 Ma has been interpreted as an artefact due to a complex evolution of the U-Pb zircon system. The magmatic shape of the zircons implies a magmatic or volcano-sedimentary protolith for this rock, originally considered as a metasediment. The very-high-pressure metamorphism in the Dora Maira quartzite has produced an opening of the U-Pb zircon system at 121+12–29 Ma. The Rb-Sr data support the occurence of high-grade metamorphism during Cretaceous times. Phengites model ages are slightly younger than the U-Pb zircon lower intercept ages due to cooling phenomena or possible response of the phengites to a later deformation. The Nd model ages from the whole-rock samples, as well as the U-Pb upper intercept ages from zircons of all three investigated rocks, indicate the presence of Proterozoic crustal components inherited from the precursors of these meta-acidic rocks. The studied zircon populations and their U-Pb systems apparently showed open-system behaviour only when affected by extreme metamorphic conditions (700–750° C, > 28 kbar), whereas eclogite-facies conditions of 500–550° C and 14–16 kbar were not enough to disturb significantly the U-Pb zircon evolution. It is also probable that the sedimentary or magmatic origin of the protoliths of these meta-acidic rocks, which involved different characteristics such as grain-size and fluid phase concentration and composition, could be another important factor controlling the U-Pb zircon system behaviour during metamorphic events.     

西藏冈底斯带西部达雄岩体的岩石成因:锆石U-Pb年龄和Hf同位素约束

对出露于冈底斯西部地区措勤北部达瓦错东侧的达雄岩体进行了锆石U-Pb定年、全岩主量元素、微量元素、Sr-Nd同位素和锆石Hf同位素研究,以约束其岩石成因.达雄岩体的主体岩性为花岗闪长岩,其中发育大量闪长质包体.花岗闪长岩的锆石LA-ICP MS年龄为107±1Ma,该年龄代表了岩体结晶年龄.花岗闪长岩锆石εNd(t)值变化于-1.0～3.0,两阶段模式年龄变化于974～1226Ma.花岗闪长岩富硅(SiO2=70.65%～71.10%),富钙(CaO=3.21%～3.26%)、贫钾(K2O=2.81%～2.99%)、低P2O5(0.09%),铝饱和指数(A/CNK)为1.01～1.02,属于偏铝质花岗岩或弱过铝质花岗岩.闪长质包体SiO2含量为57.84%,与寄主岩相比,闪长质包体更富CaO、MgO、TFe2O3和TiO2.花岗闪长岩和闪长质包体均属中钾钙碱性系列,εNd(t)值分别为-4.6和-3.2,两阶段模式年龄(tDM2)相近(分别为1277Ma和1166Ma),并与锆石Hf同位素模式年龄一致.岩相学、年代学和地球化学研究表明闪长质包体可能是由岩浆混合作用形成的镁铁质微粒包体.我们的初步研究成果似乎表明,冈底斯中西部地区在早白垩世晚期(～110Ma)很可能存在一次重要的岩浆混合作用,这一初步认识对研究冈底斯中北部地区规模宏大的白垩纪岩浆作用的深部动力学过程具有重要意义.     

Age and evolution of scheelite-hosting rocks in the Felbertal deposit (Eastern Alps): U-Pb geochronology of zircon and titanite

U-Pb isotope analyses of zircon and titanite extracted from different rocks of the Felbertal scheelite deposit yield the following information: (1) An age of 593±22 Ma (2) is obtained for zircon crystallization in the scheelite-bearing matrix of an eruption breccia in the western ore field. (2) Discordant zircons from an elongated, up to 8 m thick scheelite-rich quartzite body in the eastern ore field give an upper intercept age of 544±5 Ma. This quartzite contains a laminated, fine-grained scheelite mineralization. (3) Zircons from a small granitoid intrusion of the western ore field reveal an age of 336±16 Ma, and concordant titanites document an age of 282±2 Ma for Variscan amphibolite facies metamorphism. Both events, granitoid intrusion and later metamorphism caused ore re-mobilization, including the formation of yellowish fluorescent (molybdo-) scheelite porphyroblasts. (4) For a narrow lamprop-1hyric dike in the western ore field, a concordant titanite age of 283±7 Ma is obtained. This age is identical with the titanites from the amphibolite facies metamorphic intrusion. Tiny scheelite grains were tapped by the dike from pre-existing scheelite mineralizations in the truncated host rocks. (5) Alpine metamorphism at 31±4 Ma did not exceed lowermost amphibolite facies conditions, and it caused scheelite re-mobilization on a minor scale only, producing bluish fluorescent porphyroblasts in quartz veinlets and veins, as well as bluish fluorescent scheelite rims around older scheelite grains. Moreover, crosscutting Alpine fissure fillings show bluish fluorescent, inclusion-free scheelite. (6) The preservation of Variscan titanites, the absence of Alpine titanite growth, and the large degree of Variscan scheelite re-mobilization demonstrate that amphibolite facies metamorphism in the Felbertal area has a Variscan age. This result clearly documents Variscan tectono-metamorphism to be the dominant event, instead of the hitherto surmised Alpine metamorphism. This multi-stage evolution of the Felbertal ore bodies corroborates the view that tungsten deposits are conditioned by several succeeding thermal events, leading to a series of stages that ultimately produce high-grade scheelite concentrations. These high-grade ores predominately occur along shear zones of different age, accompanied by the formation of large volumes of low-grade scheelite mineralizations along host rock foliations and quartz veinlets and veins.     

Thrust-regime and transpression-regime tectonics in the Tauern Window (Eastern Alps)

Below the Penninic nappes of the Tauern-Window, the deepest level of the Alpine thrust system is exposed in the parautochthonous sedimentary sequence of Helvetic facies.During and after nappe emplacement and imbrication (D1), large scale tight to isoclinal recumbent folds formed (D2). They were accompanied by an axial surface schistosity and a stretching lineation in the fold limbs at a high angle to its axes. Refolding by slightly inclined large scale folds (D3) included all the exposed crystalline basement of the »Zentralgneis«. Stretching lineation was now east-west directed and parallel to the D3-fold axes, due to a transpressional regime, which acted during Neogene time. By superposition with D2, oblate or prolate finite strain ellipsoids formed in dependence of local heterogeneities. While the Insubric Lineament system is the brittle expression of the westward movement of the Italian Peninsula relative to the rest of Europe north of it, the Tauern-Window seems to have acted as ductile coupling between the two plates.

---

Zusammenfassung Unter den penninischen Decken des Tauernfensters sind als tiefste Einheiten des Alpinen Deckenstapels parautochthone Sedimente in helvetischer Fazies exponiert. Während und nach der Deckenüberschiebung und einer damit in Zusammenhang stehenden lokalen Verschuppung (D1) bildeten sich enge bis isoklinale liegende Falten mit großer Aplitude (D2). Eine kräftige Achsenflächenschieferung und eine Streckungslineation etwa senkrecht zur Faltenachse entwickelten sich. (D3)-Wiederfaltung durch leicht südvergente Falten großer Amplitude erfaßte auch die tiefen Bereiche der Zentralgneise. Sie ist als Folge einer transpressiven Deformation zu sehen, da die begleitende Streckungslineation parallel zur Faltenachse ist. Oblate bzw. prolate finite Strainellipsoide bildeten sich durch Überlagerung und in Abhängigkeit von lokalen Heterogenitäten. Während am Insubrischen Lineamentsystem die Westbewegung der Italienischen Halbinsel relativ zu Europa nördlich davon in spröder Deformation erfolgte, scheinen die Gesteine des Tauernfenster-Inhaltes als duktile »Kupplung« zwischen den beiden Kontinentalplatten reagiert zu haben.

---

Résumé Dans la fenêtre des Hohe Tauern, sous les nappes penniques, affleurent des sédiments parautochtones de facies helvétique qui constituent l'unité la plus inférieure de l'édifice tectonique alpin.Pendant et après la mise en place des nappes et leur écaillage (D1), des plis couchés serrés à isoclinaux, de grande dimension, ont été engendrés (D2). A ces plis sont associées une schistosité de plan axial et une linéation d'étirement subperpendiculaire aux axes. Des plis D3 de grande amplitude, à faible vergence sud, ont ensuite repris les structures D2; ils affectent également les domaines plus profonds, constitués par le «Zentralgneiss«. Ces plis sont accompagnés d'une linéation d'étirement E-W, parallèle à leurs axes, et liée à un régime de décrochement d'âge néogène. Les ellipsoïdes des déformations finies présentent des formes en galette ou en cigare, résultant de la superposition des structures D2 et D3, jointe à des hétérogénéités locales.La fenêtre des Tauern semble s'être comportée comme une jonction ductile entre la péninsule italienne et l'Europe septentrionale, tandis que le linéament insubrien est l'expression cassante d'un mouvement vers l'Ouest de la péninsule italienne.

---

, . , () , (D 1), (D 2) . , . D 3 — , , , . , , . . , , , , , , , .

     

U-Pb dating of magmatic zircon and metamorphic baddeleyite in the Ligurian eclogites (Voltri Massif,Western Alps)

U-Pb geochronology with ion microprobe (SHRIMP) analysis has been carried out on eclogite-facies rocks of the Beigua Unit, an ophiolitic slice of the Voltri Massif, Western Alps. The investigated samples are eclogites and high-pressure metasomatic rocks (metarodingites and centimetre-sized Ti-clinohumite-bearing dykes). Zircon contained in an eclogitic metagabbro and a metarodingite preserves magmatic zoning patterns and trace element compositions. The zircon ages of 160±1 and 161±3 Ma are interpreted to date the crystallization of the gabbroic protoliths. Ti-clinohumite dykes in the same unit contain baddeleyite crystals in textural equilibrium with Ti-clinohumite, diopside, chlorite and magnetite, which form the eclogite-facies assemblage in these rocks. Baddeleyite also contains inclusions of such minerals, indicating its formation at high pressure. The baddeleyite has cathodoluminescence intensity and chaotic patterns similar to metamorphic zircon. It contains a significant amount of Hf (1.3–1.7 wt%), traces of Ti, Y, Nb, Ta, REE, U and Th. Its chondrite-normalised trace element pattern has strong enrichment in middle REE, positive Ce-anomaly and small negative Eu-anomaly. This represents the first report of baddeleyite formed during regional metamorphism, and suggests that this mineral could (re)crystallize easier than zircon under low-temperature, high-pressure conditions. The age of the baddeleyite is interpreted as likely dating the eclogite-facies metamorphism in the Beigua Unit at 33.6±1.0 Ma. This age is very close to the Early Oligocene age of the overlying Tertiary continental breccias and conglomerates, which contains clasts of high-pressure rocks. This sedimentary record, which is unique for Alpine high-pressure units, is direct evidence of fast exhumation of the Beigua eclogites. The young age for the HP metamorphism of the Beigua ophiolite makes a revision of either the palaeogeography prior to collision, or of the subduction setting in the entire region, necessary.Editorial responsibility: J. Hoefs     

Unravelling the pre-Variscan evolution of the Habach terrane (Tauern Window, Austria) by U-Pb SHRIMP zircon data

The U-Pb SHRIMP age determinations of zircons from the Habach terrane (Tauern Window, Austria) reveal a complex evolution of this basement unit, which is exposed in the Penninic domain of the Alpine orogen. The oldest components are found in zircons of a metamorphosed granitoid clast, of a migmatitic leucosome, and of a meta-rhyolitic (Variscan) tuff which bear cores of Archean age. The U-Pb ages of discordant zircon cores of the same rocks range between 540 and 520 Ma. It is assumed that the latter zircons were originally also of Archean origin and suffered severe lead loss, whilst being incorporated into Early-Cambrian volcanic arc magmas. The provenance region of the Archean (2.64-2.06 Ga) zircons is assumed to be a terrane of Gondwana affinity: i.e., the West African craton (Hoggar Shield, Reguibat Shield). The Caledonian metamorphism left a pervasive structural imprint in amphibolite facies on rocks of the Habach terrane; it is postdated by discordant zircons of a migmatitic leucosome at <440 Ma (presumably ca. 420 Ma). Alpine and Variscan upper greenschist- to amphibolite-facies conditions caused partial lead loss in zircons of a muscovite gneiss ('white schist') only, where extensive fluid flow and brittle deformation due to its position near a nappe-sole thrust enhanced the grains' susceptibility to isotopic disturbance. The Habach terrane - an active continental margin with ensialic back-arc development - showed subduction-induced magmatic activity approx. between 550 and 507 Ma. Back-arc diorites and arc basalts were intruded by ultramafic sills and subsequently by small patches of mantle-dominated unaltered and (in the vicinity of a major tungsten deposit) altered granitoids. Fore-arc (shales) and back-arc (greywackes, cherts) basin sediments as well as arc and back-arc magmatites were not only nappe-stacked by the Caledonian compressional regime closing the presumably narrow oceanic back-arc basin and squeezing mafic to ultramafic cumulates out of high-level magma chambers (496-482 Ma). It also induced uplift and erosion of deeply rooted crystalline complexes and triggered the development of a successor basin filled with predominantly clastic greywacke-arkosic sediments. The study demonstrates that the basement rocks exposed in the Habach terrane might be the 'missing link' between similar units of the more westerly positioned External domain (i.e., Aar, Aiguilles Rouges, Mont Blanc) and the Austroalpine domain to the east (Oetztal, Silvretta).     

The DAV and Periadriatic fault systems in the Eastern Alps south of the Tauern window

Alpine deformation of Austroalpine units south of the Tauern window is dominated by two kinematic regimes. Prior to intrusion of the main Periadriatic plutons at ~30 Ma, the shear sense was sinistral in the current orientation, with a minor north-side-up component. Sinistral shearing locally overprints contact metamorphic porphyroblasts and early Periadriatic dykes. Direct Rb-Sr dating of microsampled synkinematic muscovite gave ages in the range 33-30 Ma, whereas pseudotachylyte locally crosscutting the mylonitic foliation gave an interpreted ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar age of ~46 Ma. The transition from sinistral to dextral (transpressive) kinematics related to the Periadriatic fault occurred rapidly, between solidification of the earlier dykes and of the main plutons. Subsequent brittle-ductile to brittle faults are compatible with N-S to NNW-SSE shortening and orogen-parallel extension. Antithetic Riedel shears are distinguished from the previous sinistral fabric by their fine-grained quartz microstructures, with local pseudotachylyte formation. One such pseudotachylyte from Speikboden gave a ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar age of 20 Ma, consistent with pseudotachylyte ages related to the Periadriatic fault. The magnitude of dextral offset on the Periadriatic fault cannot be directly estimated. However, the jump in zircon and apatite fission-track ages establishes that the relative vertical displacement was ~4-5 km since 24 Ma, and that movement continued until at least 13 Ma.     

Further constraints on the temporal evolution of the Oslo Rift from precise U-Pb zircon dating in the Siljan-Skrim area

Precise U-Pb ages have been obtained from zircon and baddeleyite in plutonic rocks from the Siljan-Skrim area in the Vestfold Graben Segment in the south-western part of the Permian Oslo Rift. In addition, common lead data from feldspars in the same rocks are presented. The measured common Pb compositions of the feldspars are used to correct for initial common Pb in the zircons. The common Pb data indicate that U has been present in the feldspars since the time of crystallisation, probably in a late magmatic volatile phase in fluid inclusions.

The Siljan-Skrim area comprises two intrusive complexes. The northern Skrim-Mykle complex consists of two large, composite intrusive bodies, the Skrim larvikite and the Mykle ekerite. The southern Siljan-Hvarnes complex consists of a series of monzonitic to syenitic intrusions, which are nested in a systematic way, indicating decreasing emplacement age from east to west.

U-Pb zircon ages range from 281.2 ± 0.6 Ma (2σ) to 279.8 ± 0.7 Ma for three samples from the northern part of the Siljan-Skrim area and from 278.5 ± 0.8 Ma to 277.3 ± 0.8 Ma for four samples from the southern part of the area.

The geochronological data suggest that large amounts of magma were emplaced within very short time spans, i.e. less than 2 Ma for each of the two complexes. The high precision of the U-Pb age results allows discrimination between intrusive activity in the northern and southern parts of the Siljan-Skrim area and suggests that emplacement of magmas was episodic.     

Neoproterozoic to Early-Palaeozoic magmatic evolution in the Gondwana-derived Austroalpine basement to the south of the Tauern Window (Eastern Alps)

In the Austroalpine Basement to the south of the Tauern Window, distinct suites of metabasites occur with orthogneisses in pre-Early-Ordovician units. Tholeiitic and alkaline within-plate basalt-type metabasites are associated with acid meta-porphyroids in the post-Early-Ordovician Thurntaler Phyllite Group. According to their correlated trace element abundances, metabasite zircons crystallized with their host rocks. Protolith Pb–Pb zircon ages, whole-rock Ta/Yb–Th/Yb and oxygen, Sr, Nd isotope data define two principal evolution lines. An older evolution at elevated Th/Yb typical of subduction-related magmatism, started by 590-Ma N-MORB-type and 550–530 Ma volcanic arc basalt type basic suites, which mainly involved depleted mantle sources. It finished with mainly crustal-source 470–450-Ma acid magmatites. An other evolution line by tholeiitic and 430-Ma alkaline within-plate basalt-type suites in both pre- and post-Early-Ordovician units is characterized by an intraplate mantle metasomatism and enrichment trend along multicomponent sources. These magmatic evolution lines can be related to a plate tectonic scenario that involved terranes in a progressively mature Neoproterozoic to Ordovician active margin, and a subsequent Palaeo-Tethys passive margin along the north Gondwanan periphery.     

新疆阿尔泰库卫岩体的SHRIMP锆石U-Pb年龄及其地球化学特征

阿尔泰造山带的库卫地区分布有10余个镁铁超镁铁质岩体,库卫岩体是其中面积最大的一个岩体。SHRIMP锆石U-Pb方法测年结果表明其形成时代为47±1Ma,暗示了该地区新生代曾发生过强烈的隆升过程。与阿尔泰山其他地区的镁铁超镁铁质岩体相比,库卫岩体的地球化学特征具有特殊性,以低的TiO2、稀土元素、不相容元素含量及高的Al2O3含量为特征。较大的MgO含量变化范围(6.6%~20.1%)以及MgO与其他主要元素和Ni含量之间的相关性暗示着岩浆发生过橄榄石、斜方辉石和单斜辉石的分离结晶作用。低的稀土和不相容元素含量及平坦型的稀土元素配分模式和不相容元素比值(如La/Sm和Gd/Yb)暗示了其原始岩浆来自于亏损的软流圈地幔(石榴石二辉橄榄岩)的高度部分熔融。同时,高的La/Nb比值和在微量元素原始地幔标准化图解上显示出的明显正Pb异常暗示着岩浆在岩浆房中曾遭受过下地壳物质的同化混染作用,岩体中较低的Ni含量则可能是深部硫化物熔离作用的结果。