Migmatites record multiple episodes of crustal anatexis and geochemical differentiation in the Sulu ultrahigh‐pressure metamorphic zone,eastern China

Partial melting of ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks is common during collisional orogenesis and post‐collisional reworking, indicating that determining the timing and processes involved in this partial melting can provide insights into the tectonic evolution of collisional orogens. This study presents the results of a combined whole‐rock geochemical and zirconological study of migmatites from the Sulu orogen in eastern China. These data provide evidence of multiple episodes of crustal anatexis and geochemical differentiation within the UHP metamorphic rocks. The leucosomes contain higher concentrations of Ba and K and lower concentrations of the rare earth elements (REE), Th and Y, than associated melanosomes and granitic gneisses. The leucosomes also have homogenous Sr–Nd–O isotopic compositions that are similar to proximal (i.e. within the same outcrop) melanosomes, suggesting that the anatectic melts were generated by the partial melting of source rocks that are located within individual outcrops. The migmatites contain zircons with six different types of domains that can be categorized using differences in structures, trace element compositions, and U–Pb ages. Group I domains are relict magmatic zircons that yield middle Neoproterozoic U–Pb ages and contain high REE concentrations. Group II domains represent newly grown metamorphic zircons that formed at 230 ± 1 Ma during the collisional orogenesis. Groups III, IV, V, and VI zircons are newly grown anatectic zircons that formed at 222 ± 2 Ma, 215 ± 1 Ma, 177 ± 2 Ma, and 152 ± 2 Ma, respectively. The metamorphic zircons have higher Th/U and lower (Yb/Gd)_N values, flat heavy REE (HREE) patterns with no significantly negative Eu anomalies relative to the anatectic zircons, which are characterized by low Th/U ratios, steep HREE patterns, and negative Eu anomalies. The first two episodes of crustal anatexis occurred during the Late Triassic at c. 222 Ma and c. 215 Ma as a result of phengite breakdown. The other two episodes of anatexis occurred during the Jurassic period at c. 177 Ma and c. 152 Ma and were associated with extensional collapse of the collision‐thickened orogen. The majority of Triassic anatectic zircons and all of the Jurassic zircons are located within the leucosomes, whereas the melanosomes are dominated by Triassic metamorphic zircons, suggesting that the leucosomes within the migmatites record more episodes of crustal anatexis. Both metamorphic and anatectic zircons have elevated ε_Hf(t) values compared with relict magmatic zircon cores, suggesting that these zircons contain non‐zircon Hf derived from material with more radiogenic Hf isotope compositions. Therefore, the Sulu and Dabie orogens experienced different episodes of reworking during the exhumation and post‐collisional stages.     

深俯冲陆壳部分熔融初始熔体的厘定:来自苏鲁超高压地体混合岩中浅色体证据

深俯冲陆壳物质部分熔融产生的熔体,实验岩石学方面已有广泛报道,而天然初始熔体的组分却难以厘定。对此,本文从苏鲁超高压地体荣成混合岩中识别出了深俯冲花岗质陆壳部分熔融产生的天然初始熔体组成。野外露头显示,混合岩中主要矿物组成为钾长石+斜长石+石英的浅色熔体呈不连续的条带状与残余体互层产出,指示了原位或近源区的部分熔融特征。混合岩浅色体锆石CL图像呈明显的核-边结构,继承核部为扬子板块来源的岩浆锆石,形成时代为721±24Ma;新生边部CL图像具震荡环带结构,微量元素上REE呈明显左倾,具有Eu的负异常及Ce的正异常,低的Hf/Y和Th/U比值,具深熔锆石特征,指示形成于花岗质陆壳物质的部分熔融。边部U-Pb谐和年龄为225.9±2Ma,略晚于苏鲁超高压地体超高压峰期变质年龄,表明初始熔融发生在超高压地体折返早期。浅色熔体的全岩地球化学特征表明,主量元素上具有高SiO_2、K_2O及Na_2O含量,低的Fe_2O_3~T、MgO及CaO含量,A/CNK=1.02~1.04,呈弱过铝质亚碱性花岗岩的特征,这与实验岩石学中富硅陆壳物质部分熔融产生的熔体组分极为相近;微量元素上富集大离子亲石元素(如Rb、Ba、Pb等),亏损Nb、Ta、Ti等高场强元素,REE呈较为平坦的配分模式,具弱的Eu负异常并亏损Sr。本文通过上述对天然样品研究,厘定了深俯冲花岗质陆壳部分熔融及其初始熔体的组成,为理解大陆俯冲带壳幔相互作用提供了关键依据。     

苏鲁超高压变质带中非超高压花岗质片麻岩的准确识别:来自锆石微区矿物包体及SHRIMP U-Pb定年的证据

通过隐藏在锆石微区矿物包体激光拉曼的系统鉴定和阴极发光图像特征的详细研究,配合相应的锆石微区SHRIMP U-Pb定年测试,发现苏鲁地体超高压变质带中确实存在非超高压变质的花岗质片麻岩。该类岩石中的锆石晶体自核部到边部所保存的矿物包体以不含超高压矿物为特征,相应的阴极发光图像具有典型岩浆结晶锆石的核部和幔部,以及变质的再生边的特点。其中岩浆结晶锆石微区记录的~(238)U-~(206)Pb年龄为404～748Ma,表明原岩中部分锆石可能经历了Pb丢失,也不排除后期热事件因素的影响,原岩的形成年龄应大于748 Ma;而锆石的再生边所记录的~(238)U-~(206)Pb。年龄为204～214 Ma,与研究区经历超高压变质的副片麻岩和花岗质片麻岩锆石微区所记录的苏鲁地体快速折返过程中角闪岩相退变质年龄(~(238)U-~(206)Pb年龄的平均值为211±4 Ma,刘福来等,2003a)十分相似。上述特征表明,苏鲁地体超高压变质带中的部分花岗质片麻岩在超高压变质事件之前就已经形成,但并未“参与”深俯冲—超高压的变质演化过程,而是在苏鲁地体快速折返的角闪岩相退变质过程中与超高压岩片“拼贴”在一起。该项成果不仅为正确识别非超高压变质岩石提供了一个新的研究方法,而且对进一步深入探讨苏鲁地体超高压和非超高压岩片的“拼贴”机制有着重     

Geochronology and tectonic significance of Middle Proterozoic granitic orthogneiss, North Qaidam HP/UHP terrane, Western China

Summary Amphibolite-facies para- and orthogneisses near Dulan, in the southeast part of the North Qaidam terrane, enclose minor ultra-high pressure (UHP) eclogite and peridotite. Field relations and coesite inclusions in zircons from paragneiss suggest that felsic, mafic, and ultramafic rocks all experienced UHP metamorphism and a common amphibolite-facies retrogression. Ion microprobe U–Pb and REE analyses of zircons from two granitic orthogneisses indicate magmatic crystallization at 927 ± Ma and 921 ± 7 Ma. Zircon rims in one of these samples yield younger ages (397–618 Ma) compatible with partial zircon recrystallization during in-situ Ordovician-Silurian eclogite-facies metamorphism previously determined from eclogite and paragneiss in this area. The similarity between a 2496 ± 18 Ma xenocrystic core and 2.4–2.5 Ga zircon cores in the surrounding paragneiss suggests that the granites intruded the sediments or that the granite is a melt of the older basement which supplied detritus to the sediments. The magmatic ages of the granitic orthogneisses are similar to 920–930 Ma ages of (meta)granitoids described further northwest in the North Qaidam terrane and its correlative west of the Altyn Tagh fault, suggesting that these areas formed a coherent block prior to widespread Mid Proterozoic granitic magmatism.     

苏鲁仰口超高压岩石SHRIMP锆石U/Pb定年与部分熔融时限

在大型碰撞造山带中,在陆壳物质深俯冲或快速折返早期,在超高压-高压条件下,易熔组分可能发生水致或脱水部分熔融,形成花岗质熔体。在超高压-高压条件下,苏鲁超高压岩石发生过部分熔融作用,形成长英质多晶体包裹体和不同尺度的花岗质岩石, 导致可观的地球化学效应。为确定苏鲁超高压岩石部分熔融的时限,对山东仰口超高压副片麻岩和其中平行片麻理的同构造钾质花岗岩脉进行了SHRIMP锆石U/Pb地质年代学、全岩地球化学和锆石内矿物包裹体的研究。副片麻岩的锆石具有典型的核-幔-边结构。核部锆石为碎屑锆石,²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U年龄大于282Ma,可能反映了副片麻岩的原岩包含不同成因的物质;幔部和边部的Th/U比都小于0.1,分别给出233±3Ma和214±4Ma的²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U 年龄,分别对应于超高压变质和角闪岩相退变质年龄。同构造花岗岩脉是富钾过铝质花岗岩(A/CNK=1.2),锆石也具有核-幔-边结构;核部锆石年龄与副片麻岩的核部锆石年龄相当,反映了该花岗岩脉的源区可能是变沉积岩;除幔部锆石的一个点具有²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U年龄为234.6±3.9Ma之外,其它幔部锆石位于谐和线附近,给出²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U年龄为220.8±2.9Ma, 该年龄代表着该花岗岩脉的形成年龄。上述数据表明,在仰口地区,超高压岩石的部分熔融作用早于角闪岩相退变质作用。     

Ultrahigh-pressure and Retrograde Metamorphic Ages for Paleozoic Protolith of Paragneiss in the Main Drill Hole of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project （CCSD-MH）, SW Sulu UHP Terrane

Laser Raman spectroscopy and cathodoluminescence (CL) images show that most zircon crystals separated from paragneiss in the main drill hole of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project (CCSD-MH) at Maobei, southwestern Sulu terrane, contain low-pressure mineral-bearing detrital cores, coesite-bearing mantles and quartz-bearing or mineral inclusion-free rims. SHRIMP U Pb dating on these zoned zircons yield three discrete and meaningful age groups. The detrital cores yield a large age span from 659 to 313 Ma, indicating the protolith age for the analyzed paragneiss is Paleozoic rather than Proterozoic. The coesite-bearing mantles yield a weighted mean age of 228 ± 5 Ma for the UHP event. The quartz-bearing outmost rims yield a weighted mean age of 213 ± 6 Ma for the retrogressive event related to the regional amphibolite facies metamorphism in the Sulu UHP terrane. Combined with previous SHRIMP U-Pb dating results from orthogneiss in CCSD-MH, it is suggested that both Neoproterozoic granitic protolith and Paleozoic sedimentary rocks were subducted to mantle depths in the Late Triassic. About 15 million years later, the Sulu UHP metamorphic rocks were exhumed to mid-crustal levels and overprinted by an amphibolite-facies retrogressive metamorphism. The exhumation rate deduced from the SHRIMP data and metamorphic P-T conditions is about 6.7 km/Ma. Such a fast exhumation suggests that the Sulu UHP paragneiss and orthogneiss returned towards the surface as a dominant part of a buoyant sliver, caused as a consequence of slab breakoff.     

SHRIMP U–Pb ages of ultrahigh-pressure and retrograde metamorphism of gneisses, south-western Sulu terrane, eastern China

Laser Raman spectroscopy and cathodoluminescence (CL) images reveal that most zircon separated from paragneiss and orthogneiss in drillhole CCSD‐PP2 at Donghai, south‐western Sulu terrane, retain low‐P mineral‐bearing inherited cores, ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) mineral‐bearing mantles and low‐P mineral‐bearing (e.g. quartz) rims. SHRIMP U–Pb analyses of these zoned zircon identify three discrete and meaningful age groups: Proterozoic protolith ages (> 680 Ma) are recorded in the inherited cores, the UHP metamorphic event in the coesite‐bearing mantles occurred at 231 ± 4 Ma, and the late amphibolite facies retrogressive overprint in the quartz‐bearing rims was at 211 ± 4 Ma. Thus, Neoproterozoic supracrustal protoliths of the Sulu UHP rocks were subducted to mantle depths in the Middle Triassic, and exhumed to mid‐crustal levels in the Late Triassic. The exhumation rate deduced from the SHRIMP data and metamorphic P–T conditions is 5.0 km Ma^?1. Exhumation of the Sulu UHP terrane may have resulted from buoyancy forces after slab break‐off at mantle depths.     

Petrological and zircon evidence for anatexis of UHP quartzite during continental collision in the Sulu orogen

Petrological evidence is provided for anatexis of ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) metamorphic quartzite in the Sulu orogen. Some feldspar grains exhibit elongated, highly cuspate shapes or occur as interstitial, cuspate phases constituting interconnected networks along grain boundaries. Elongated veinlets composed of plagioclase + quartz ± K‐feldspar also occur in grain boundaries. These features provide compelling evidence for anatexis of the UHP quartzite. Zircon grains from impure quartzite are all metamorphic growth with highly irregular shape. They contain inclusions of coesite, jadeite, rutile and lower pressure minerals, including multiphase solid inclusions that are composed of two or more phases of muscovite, quartz, K‐feldspar and plagioclase. All zircon grains exhibit steep REE patterns, similar U–Pb ages and Hf isotope compositions with a weighted mean of 218 ± 2 Ma. Most grains have similar δ¹⁸O values of ?0.6 to 0.1‰, but a few fall in the range ?5.2 to ?4.3‰. Thus, these grains would have grown from anatectic melts at various pressures. Zircon O isotope differences indicate that anatectic melts were derived from different sources with contrasting O isotopes, but similar Hf isotopes, that is, one from the quartzite itself and the other probably from the country‐rock granitic gneiss. Zircon grains from pure quartzite contain relict magmatic cores and significant metamorphic overgrowths. Domains that contain eclogite facies minerals exhibit flat HREE patterns, no Eu anomalies and concordant U–Pb ages of c. 220 Ma. Similar U–Pb ages are also obtained for domains that contain lower pressure minerals and exhibit steep REE patterns and marked negative Eu anomalies. These observations indicate that zircon records subsolidus overgrowth at eclogite facies conditions but suprasolidus growth at lower pressures. Zircon enclosed by garnet gave consistent U–Pb ages of c. 214 Ma. Such garnet is interpreted as a peritectic product of the anatectic reaction that involves felsic minerals and possibly amphibole and titanite. The REE patterns of epidote and titanite also record multistage growth and metasomatism by anatectic melts. Therefore, the anatexis of UHP metamorphic rocks is evident during continental collision in the Triassic.     

SHRIMP Dating and Recrystallization of Metamorphic Zircons from a Granitic Gneiss in the Sulu UHP Terrane

An unusual zircon SHRIMP dating result of a granitic gneiss from the Qinglongshan eclogite-gneiss roadcut section is presented in this paper. The very peculiar and complicated internal structures, as well as the very low Th/U ratios (0.01-0.08) of the zircons indicate that they were formed by metamorphic recrystallization. Strongly in contrast with previously published zircon U-Pb ages of the Dabie-Sulu UHP metamorphic rocks where protolith ages of 600-800 Ma are commonly recorded, only metamorphic age of 218±5 Ma, defined by 18 analytical spots either in rim or in core of zircons, are recorded in this granitic gneiss. This age represents the time of the complete metamorphic recrystallization overprint on primary magmatic zircons. The recrystallization was derived by the UHP metamorphism, and was strengthened by the early stage of retrograde metamorphic fluid activity.     

The timing of eclogite facies metamorphism and migmatization in the Orlica–Śnieżnik complex, Bohemian Massif: constraints from a multimethod geochronological study

The Orlica–?nie?nik complex (OSC) is a key geological element of the eastern Variscides and mainly consists of amphibolite facies orthogneisses and metasedimentary rocks. Sporadic occurrences of eclogites and granulites record high‐pressure (HP) to ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) metamorphic conditions. A multimethod geochronological approach (⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar, Rb–Sr, Sm–Nd, U–Pb) has been used to gain further insights into the polymetamorphic evolution of eclogites and associated country rocks. Special attention was given to the unresolved significance of a 370‐ to 360 Ma age group that was repeatedly described in previous studies. Efforts to verify the accuracy of c. 370 Ma K–Ar phengite and biotite dates reported for an eclogite and associated country‐rock gneiss from the location Nowa Wie? suggest that these dates are meaningless, due to contamination with extraneous Ar. Extraneous Ar is also considered to be responsible for a significantly older ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar phengite date of c. 455 Ma for an eclogite from the location Wojtowka. Attempts to further substantiate the importance of 370–360 Ma zircon dates as an indicator for a melt‐forming high‐temperature (HT) episode did not provide evidence in support of anatectic processes at this time. Instead, SHRIMP U–Pb zircon dating of leucosomes and leucocratic veins within both orthogneisses and (U)HP granulites revealed two age populations (490–450 and 345–330 Ma respectively) that correspond to protolith ages of the magmatic precursors and late Variscan anatexis. The results of this study further underline the importance of Late Carboniferous metamorphic processes for the evolution of the OSC that comprise the waning stages of HP metamorphism and lower pressure HT overprinting with partial melting. Eclogites and their country rocks provided no chronometric evidence for an UHP and ultrahigh‐temperature episode at 387–360 Ma, as recently suggested for granulites from the OSC, based on Lu–Hf garnet ages ( Anczkiewicz et al., 2007 ).     

Tracing the protolith, UHP metamorphism, and exhumation ages of orthogneiss from the SW Sulu terrane (eastern China): SHRIMP U–Pb dating of mineral inclusion-bearing zircons

Orthogneisses are the major country rocks hosting eclogites in the Sulu UHP terrane, eastern China. All of the analyzed orthogneiss cores from the main drilling hole of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project (CCSD-MH) have similar major and trace element compositions and a granite protolith. These rocks have relatively high LREE/HREE ratios, strong negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu*=0.20–0.39), and negative Ba anomalies (Ba/Ba*=0.25–0.64). Coesite and coesite-bearing UHP mineral assemblages are common inclusions in zircons separated from orthogneiss, paragneiss, amphibolite, and (retrograded) eclogite of the CCSD-MH. This suggests that the eclogite, together with its country rocks, experienced in situ ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphism. Laser Raman spectroscopy and cathodoluminescence (CL) images show that zircons from the orthogneisses are zoned and that they have distinct mineral inclusions in the different zones. Most zircons retain early magmatic cores with abundant low-pressure mineral inclusions, which are mantled with metamorphic zircon-containing inclusions of coesite and other UHP minerals. The outermost rims on these grains contain low-pressure mineral inclusions, such as quartz and albite. SHRIMP U–Pb dating of the zoned zircons gives three discrete and meaningful groups of ages: Proterozoic ages for the protolith, 227±2 Ma for the coesite-bearing mantles, and 209±3 Ma for the amphibolite facies retrograde rims. The widespread occurrence of UHP mineral inclusions in zircons from the Sulu metamorphic belt dated at about 227 Ma suggests that voluminous continental crust experienced late Triassic subduction to depths of at least 120 km and perhaps more than 200 km. Eighteen million years later, the terrane was rapidly exhumed to midcrustal levels, and the UHP rocks were overprinted by amphibolite facies metamorphism. The exhumation rate deduced from the zircon age data and previously obtained metamorphic P–T data is estimated to be 5.6–11.0 km/Ma. Such rapid exhumation of the Sulu UHP terrane may be due to the buoyancy forces produced by subduction of low-density continental material into the deep mantle.     

Eclogite origin and timings in the North Qinling terrane,and their bearing on the amalgamation of the South and North China Blocks

The amalgamation of South (SCB) and North China Blocks (NCB) along the Qinling‐Dabie orogenic belt involved several stages of high pressure (HP)‐ultra high pressure (UHP) metamorphism. The new discovery of UHP metamorphic rocks in the North Qinling (NQ) terrane can provide valuable information on this process. However, no precise age for the UHP metamorphism in the NQ terrane has been documented yet, and thus hinders deciphering of the evolution of the whole Qinling‐Dabie‐Sulu orogenic belt. This article reports an integrated study of U–Pb age, trace element, mineral inclusion and Hf isotope composition of zircon from an eclogite, a quartz vein and a schist in the NQ terrane. The zircon cores in the eclogite are characterized by oscillatory zoning or weak zoning, high Th/U and ¹⁷⁶Lu/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios, pronounced Eu anomalies and steep heavy rare earth element (HREE) patterns. The zircon cores yield an age of 796 ± 13 Ma, which is taken as the protolith formation age of the eclogite, and implies that the NQ terrane may belong to the SCB before it collided with the NCB. The ?_Hf(t) values vary from ?11.3 to 3.2 and corresponding two‐stage Hf model ages are 2402 to 1495 Ma, suggesting the protolith was derived from an enriched mantle. In contrast, the metamorphic zircon rims show no zoning or weak zoning, very low Th/U and ¹⁷⁶Lu/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios, insignificant Eu anomalies and flat HREE patterns. They contain inclusions of garnet, omphacite and phengite, suggesting that the metamorphic zircon formed under eclogite facies metamorphic conditions, and their weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 485.9 ± 3.8 Ma was interpreted to date the timing of the eclogite facies metamorphism. Zircon in the quartz vein is characterized by perfect euhedral habit, some oscillatory zoning, low Th/U ratios and variable HREE contents. It yields a weighted mean U–Pb age of 480.5 ± 2.5 Ma, which registers the age of fluid activity during exhumation. Zircon in the schist is mostly detrital and U–Pb age peaks at c. 1950 to 1850, 1800 to 1600, 1560 to 1460 and 1400 to 1260 Ma with an oldest grain of 2517 Ma, also suggesting that the NQ terrane may have an affinity to the SCB. Accordingly, the amalgamation between the SCB and the NCB is a multistage process that spans c. 300 Myr, which includes: the formation of the Erlangping intra‐oceanic arc zone onto the NCB before c. 490 Ma, the c. 485 Ma crustal subduction and UHP metamorphism of the NQ terrane, the c. 430 Ma arc‐continent collision and granulite facies metamorphism, the 420 to 400 Ma extension and rifting in relation to the opening of the Palaeo‐Tethyan ocean, the c. 310 Ma HP eclogite facies metamorphism of oceanic crust and associated continental basement, and the final 250 to 220 Ma continental subduction and HP–UHP metamorphism.     

Zoned Zircon from Eclogite Lenses in Marbles from the Dabie-Sulu UHP Terrane, China： A Clear Record of Ultra-deep Subduction and Fast Exhumation

Eclogite lenses in marbles from the Dabie-Sulu ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) terrane are deeply subducted meta-sedimentary rocks. Zircons in these rocks have been used to constrain the ages of prograde and UHP metamorphism during subduction, and later retrograde metamorphism during exhumation. Inherited (detrital) and metamorphic zircons were distinguished on the basis of transmitted light microscopy, cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging, trace element contents and mineral inclusions. The distribution of mineral inclusions combined with CL imaging of the metamorphic zircon make it possible to relate zircon zones (domains) to different metamorphic stages. Domain 1 consists of rounded, oblong and spindly cores with dark-luminescent images, and contains quartz eclogite facies mineral inclusion assemblages, indicating formation under high-pressure (HP) metamorphic conditions of T = 571-668℃and P = 1.7-2.02 GPa. Domain 2 always surrounds domain 1 or occurs as rounded and spindly cores with white-luminescent images. It contains coesite edogite facies mineral inclusion assemblages, indicating formation under UHP metamorphic conditions of T = 782-849℃and P > 5.5 GPa. Domain 3, with gray-luminescent images, always surrounds domain 2 and occurs as the outermost zircon rim. It is characterized by low-pressure mineral inclusion assemblages, which are related to regional amphibolite facies retrograde metamorphism of T = 600-710℃and P = 0.7-1.2 GPa. The three metamorphic zircon domains have distinct ages; sample H1 from the Dabie terrane yielded SHRIMP ages of 245±4 Ma for domain 1, 235±3 Ma for domain 2 and 215±6 Ma for domain 3, whereas sample H2 from the Sulu terrane yielded similar ages of 244±4 Ma, 233±4 Ma and 214±5 Ma for Domains 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The mean ages of these zones suggest that subduction to UHP depths took place over 10-11 Ma and exhumation of the rocks occurred over a period of 19-20 Ma. Thus, subduction from～55 km to > 160 km deep mantle depth took place at rates of approximately 9.5-10.5 km/Ma and exhumation from depths >160 km to the base of the crust at～30 km occurred at approximately 6.5 km/Ma. We propose a model for these rocks involving deep subduction of continental margin lithosphere followed by ultrafast exhumation driven by buoyancy forces after break-off of the UHP slab deep within the mantle.     

Melting-induced fluid flow during exhumation of gneisses of the Sulu ultrahigh-pressure terrane

Hydrothermally altered rocks are products of fluid–rock interactions, and typically preserve numerous quartz veins that formed as chemical precipitates from fluids that fill up cracks. Thus, quartz veins are the record of the fluid system that involved fracture flow in the direction of changing temperature or pressure. In order to decipher the fluid activity in the Sulu ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) terrane in eastern China, quartz veins together with an adjacent eclogite lens and the host gneiss were studied. In one location a deformed quartz vein is located at the boundary between the host gneiss and the eclogite lens. The amphibolite-facies overprinting of the eclogite lens decreases from the rim to the core of the lens, with fresh eclogite preserved in the core. The foliated biotite gneiss contains felsic veins and residual phengites. Zircon rims from the gneiss are characterized by melt-related signatures with steep HREE patterns, high Hf contents and negative Eu anomalies, and a pool of weighted average ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U analyses reveal an age of 219 ± 3 Ma (2σ), which is younger than the UHP metamorphic age (236 ± 2 Ma, 2σ) recorded by zircons from the eclogite lens. This suggests that the gneiss in the Sulu UHP terrane could have suffered from partial melting due to phengite dehydration during the “hot” exhumation stage.The formation age of the quartz vein (219 ± 2 Ma, 2σ) defined by zircon rims agrees well with the partial melting time (219 ± 3 Ma, 2σ) of the host gneiss. The initial ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios of zircon rims from the quartz vein are obviously lower than zircons from the eclogite lens, but overlap with the coeval zircon domains from the nearby granite dikes produced by partial melting of orthogneiss. These observations suggest that the quartz vein and corresponding fluid flow could be associated with partial melting of the host gneiss. On the other hand, amphibole-bearing and HREE-rich zircon rims from the amphibolite pool an amphibolite-facies metamorphic age of 217 ± 5 Ma (2σ), overlap with the formation age of the quartz vein. This implies that retrogression of the eclogite lens could have been caused by melting-induced fluid flow. Based on the above observations, we speculate that partial melting of the gneiss in the continental subduction-related UHP belt could have induced a significant fluid flow during the exhumation stage, and thus contributed significantly to the extensive retrogression of eclogites in the Sulu UHP terrane.     

北苏鲁变辉长岩锆石U-Pb年龄和Lu-Hf同位素组成及其对源区的指示

在北苏鲁经历超高压变质的花岗片麻岩中零星分布着一些变质表壳岩包体或者残片,通常称之为荆山群。北苏鲁荆山群的年代学特征以及构造亲缘性仍不清楚。本文报道了威海市郊和海阳所附近的荆山群露头,有脉状变质辉长岩侵入到荆山群岩系中。对上述两处变质辉长岩中锆石的阴极发光照片、稀土元素配分模式和Th/U比值的综合分析表明,它们均为岩浆锆石,部分岩浆锆石具有弱发光效应和岩浆韵律环带的核部、以及被改造的强发光效应的边部,但未见新生的变质锆石。未被改造的岩浆锆石微区的LA-ICP-MS U-Pb定年结果表明,威海市郊变辉长岩(S4-2)的~(207)Pb/~(206)Pb年龄值变化范围是1831~1966 Ma,加权平均年龄为1870±34 Ma(MSWD=0.6);海阳所变辉长岩(H3)中绝大部分锆石的~(207)Pb/~(206)Pb年龄值变化范围是1769~1887 Ma,加权平均年龄为1839±37 Ma(MSWD=0.5),两件样品共同记录了一致的ca.1.85 Ga岩浆事件。另外,海阳所变辉长岩中3颗捕获的岩浆锆石分别测得ca.2.9 Ga、ca.2.3 Ga和ca.2.1 Ga等三组~(207)Pb/~(206)Pb年龄。两件样品ca.1.85 Ga岩浆锆石具有相似的Hf同位素组成,其ε_(Hf)(t)=-6.1~-10.7,t_(DM2)=2.74~2.98 Ga,捕获ca.2.1 Ga和ca.2.9 Ga锆石的ε_(Hf)(t)值和t_(DM2)年龄分别是-1.9和2.7 Ga、-4.8和3.5 Ga。锆石U-Pb年龄、Lu-Hf同位素特征表明,北苏鲁两处变辉长岩记录的岩浆事件与胶北前寒武纪陆壳的多期演化历史一致,变辉长岩及其围岩荆山群可能是源自胶北的外来地质体。     

Dating mafic–ultramafic intrusions by ion-microprobing contact-melt zircon: examples from SW Sweden

Zircons from anatectic melts of the country rocks of three Proterozoic mafic–ultramafic intrusions from the Sveconorwegian Province in SW Sweden were microanalyzed for U–Th–Pb and rare earth elements. Melting and interaction of the wall rocks with the intrusions gave rise to new magmas that crystallized zircon as new grains and overgrowths on xenocrysts. The ages of the intrusions can be determined by dating this newly crystallized zircon. The method is applied to three intrusions that present different degrees of complexity, related to age differences between intrusion and country rocks, and the effects of post-intrusive metamorphism. By careful study of cathodoluminescent images and selection of ion probe spots in zircon grains, we show that this approach is a powerful tool for obtaining accurate and precise ages. In the contact melts around the 916?±?11?Ma Hakefjorden Complex, Pb-loss occurred in some U-rich parts of xenocrystic zircon due to the heat from the intrusion. In back-veins of the 1624?±?6?Ma Olstorp intrusion we succeeded in geochemically distinguishing new magmatic from xenocrystic zircon despite small age differences. At Borås the mafic intrusion mixed with country rock granite to form a tonalite in which new zircon grew at 1674?±?8?Ma. Reworking of zircon occurred during 930+33/–34?Ma upper amphibolite facies Sveconorwegian metamorphism. Pb-loss was the result of re-equilibration with metamorphic fluids. REE-profiles show consistent differences between xenocrystic, magmatic, and metamorphic zircon in all cases. They typically differ in Lu/La_N, Ce/Ce*, and Eu/Eu*, and igneous zircon with marked positive Ce/Ce* and negative Eu/Eu* lost its anomalies during metamorphism.     

Mineral inclusions in zircons of para- and orthogneiss from pre-pilot drillhole CCSD-PP1, Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project

The pre-pilot drillhole CCSD-PP1, Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project (CCSD), with depth of 432 m, is located in the Donghai area in the southwestern Sulu terrane. The core samples are mainly comprised of paragneiss, orthogneiss and ultramafic rock with minor intercalated layers of eclogite and phengite-bearing kyanite quartzite. All analyzed paragneiss and orthogneiss samples were overprinted on amphibolite facies retrograde metamorphism. Coesite and coesite-bearing ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) mineral assemblages were identified by Raman spectroscopy and electron microprobe analysis as inclusions in zircons separated from paragneiss, eclogite and phengite-bearing kyanite quartzite samples. In the paragneiss samples, UHP mineral inclusion assemblages mainly consist of Coe+Omp+Grt+Phe, Coe+Jd+Phe+Ap preserved in the mantles (M) and rims (R) of zircons. These UHP mineral inclusion assemblages yield temperatures of 814–852 °C and pressures of ≥28 kbar, presenting the P–T condition of UHP peak metamorphism of these country rocks. According to the mineral inclusions and cathodoluminescence images of zircons, the orthogneisses can be divided into two types: UHP (OG1) and non-UHP (OG2). In OG1 orthogneisses, low-pressure mineral inclusion assemblage, mainly consisting of Qtz+Phe+Ab+Ksp+Ap, were identified in zircon cores (C), while coesite or coesite-bearing UHP mineral inclusions were identified in the mantles (M) and rims (R) of the same zircons. These features suggest that the OG1 orthogneisses, together with the paragneisses, phengite-bearing kyanite quartzite and eclogite experienced widespread UHP metamorphism in the Sulu terrane. However, in the zircons of OG2 orthogneiss samples, no UHP mineral inclusions were found. Inclusions mainly comprised Qtz+Phe+Ap and were identified in cores (C), mantles (M) and rims (R) of OG2 zircons; the cathdoluminescence images of all analyzed zircons showed clear zonings from cores to rims. These features indicate that the OG2 orthogneisses in pre-pilot drillhole CCSD-PP1 did not experience UHP metamorphism. Therefore, we should not rule out the possibility that some orthogneisses in Sulu terrane might represent relatively low-pressure granitic intrusives emplaced after the UHP event.     

SHRIMP U-Pb Dating of Zircons of a Dark Eclogite and aGarnet-bearing Gneissic Granitic Rock from Bixiling, EasternDabie Area, Anhui Province: Isotope Chronological Evidenceof Neoproterozoic UHP Metamorphism

The paper reports SHRIMP U-Pb zircon data of a dark eclogite and a post-eclogite garnet-bearing gneissic granitic rock from the Bixiling area, Yuexi County, Anhui Province, in the eastern Dabie Mountains. The eclogite, which is metamorphosed basic tuff, contains very scarce zircons in omphacite or garnet, but more zircons in quartz. They usually exhibit a double-layered texture, as shown clearly in cathodoluminescence images. Their inner main parts give a 206Pb/238U age of 757±7 Ma, representing the approximate age of the high-pressure (HP)- ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic event during which the eclogite was formed. The outer peripheral parts of the zircons, which have been modified by late-stage fluids, give an age of 223±3 Ma. The granitic rock contains more zircons of anatectic origin found mostly in feldspar and quartz and usually also showing a similar composite texture. The inner main parts of the anatectic zircons with oscillatory zoning give a 206Pb/238U age of 727±15 Ma for the approxim     

Partial melting of deeply subducted continental crust during exhumation: insights from felsic veins and host UHP metamorphic rocks in North Qaidam,northern Tibet

A combined petrological, geochronological and geochemical study was carried out on felsic veins and their host rocks from the North Qaidam ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) metamorphic terrane in northern Tibet. The results provide insights into partial melting of deeply subducted continental crust during exhumation. Partial melting is petrograpically recognized in metagranite, metapelite and metabasite. Migmatized gneisses, including metagranite and metapelite, contain microstructures such as granitic aggregates with varying outlines, small dihedral angles at mineral junctions and feldspar with magmatic habits, indicating the former presence of felsic melts. Partial melts were also present in metabasite that occurs as retrograde eclogite. Felsic veins in both the eclogites and gneisses exhibit typical melt crystalline textures such as large euhedral feldspar grains with straight crystal faces, indicating vein crystallization from anatectic melts. The Sr–Nd isotope compositions of felsic veins inside gneisses suggest melt derivation from anatexis of host gneisses themselves, but those inside metabasites suggest melt derivation from hybrid sources. Felsic veins inside gneisses exhibit lithochemical compositions similar to experimental melts on the An–Ab–Or diagram. In trace element distribution diagrams, they exhibit parallel patterns to their host rocks, but with lower element contents and slightly positive Eu and Sr anomalies. The geochemistry of these felsic veins is controlled by minerals that would decompose and survive, respectively, during anatexis. Felsic veins inside metabasites are rich either in quartz or in plagioclase with low normative orthoclase. In either case, they have low trace element contents, with significantly positive Eu and Sr anomalies in plagioclase‐rich veins. Combined with cumulate structures in some veins, these felsic veins are interpreted to crystallize from anatectic melts of different origins with the effect of crystal fractionation. Nevertheless, felsic veins in different lithologies exhibit roughly consistent patterns of trace element distribution, with variable enrichment of LILE and LREE but depletion of HFSE and HREE. There are also higher contents of trace elements in veins hosted by gneisses than veins hosted by metabasites. Anatectic zircon domains from felsic veins and migmatized gneisses exhibit consistent U–Pb ages of c. 420 Ma, significantly younger than the peak UHP eclogite facies metamorphic event at c. 450–435 Ma. Combining the petrological observations with local P–T paths and experimentally constrained melting curves, it is inferred that anatexis of UHP gneisses was caused by muscovite breakdown while anatexis of UHP metabasites was caused by fluid influx. These UHP metagranite, metapelite and metabasite underwent simultaneous anatexis during the exhumation, giving rise to anatectic melts with different compositions in various elements but similar patterns in trace element distribution.     

Polygenetic titanite records the composition of metamorphic fluids during the exhumation of ultrahigh‐pressure metagranite in the Sulu orogen

An integrated study of U–Pb ages and trace elements was carried out for titanite and zircon from ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) metagranites in the Sulu orogen, east‐central China. The results provide constraints on the composition of metamorphic fluids during the exhumation of deeply subducted continental crust. Titanite has two domain types based on REE patterns and trace element variations, Ttn‐I and Ttn‐II respectively. These two domains show indistinguishable U–Pb ages of 232 ± 14 to 220 ± 8 Ma, in general agreement with anatectic zircon U–Pb ages of 223 ± 4 to 219 ± 2 Ma for the partial melting event during early exhumation. The Ttn‐I domains have significantly higher REE, Th, Ta and Sr, and higher Th/U ratios than the Ttn‐II domains, indicating that the two domains have grown from metamorphic fluids with different compositions. For the Ttn‐I domains, Zr‐in‐titanite thermometry yields high temperatures of 773–851 °C at 2.5 GPa, and petrographic observations reveal the presence of melt pseudomorphs. Thus, they are interpreted to have grown from hydrous melts in the early exhumation stage. In contrast, the Ttn‐II domains were texturally equilibrated with amphibolite facies minerals such as biotite and plagioclase and contain inclusions of plagioclase and quartz. The Zr‐in‐titanite thermometry yields lower temperatures of 627–685 °C at 1.0 GPa. In combination with their REE patterns, they are interpreted to have grown from aqueous solutions at amphibolite facies metamorphic conditions during further exhumation. The differences in Th and Sr contents are prominent between the Ttn‐I and Ttn‐II domains, signifying the compositional difference between the hydrous melts and aqueous solutions. Therefore, the polygenetic titanite in the UHP metamorphic rocks provides insights into the geochemical property of metamorphic fluids during the continental subduction‐zone processes.