Early Neoproterozoic Granite-Gneisses of the Junggar Alataw(Southeastern Kazakhstan):Age,Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

The combined petrographic,petrological,geochemical and geochronological study of the Neoproterozoic gneisses of the Sarychabyn and Baskan complexes of the Junggar Alataw of South Kazakhstan elucidate the Precambrian tectonic evolution of the Aktau–Yili terrane.It is one of the largest Precambrian crustal blocks in the western Central Asian orogenic belt.The U-Pb single-grain zircon ages indicate that granite-gneisses formed from the same source and crystallised in the early Neoproterozoic ca.930–920 Ma.The chemical composition of gneisses corresponds to A2-type granites.The whole-rock Nd isotopic characteristics(εNd(t)=−4.9 to−1.0 and TNd(DM-2st)=1.9 to 1.7 Ga)indicate the involvement of Paleoproterozoic crustal rocks in magma generation.Early Neoproterozoic ca.930–920 Ma A-type granitoids in the Aktau–Yili terrane of South and Central Kazakhstan might reflect within-plate magmatism adjacent to the collisional belt or a local extension setting in back-arc areas of the continental arc.

Exoscopy of Detrital Zircons from Niamey Neoproterozoic Sandstones (Eastern Edge of the West African Craton, Southwestern Niger): Interpretation of Detrital Sediments Provenance

This study focuses on exoscopic analyses of detrital zircon grains of Archean and Paleoproterozoic age, contained in the sediments from the Niamey Neoproterozoic sandstones (Niamey region), with a view to confirming the sediments sources already proposed (Kénéma-Man domain for Archean-age zircons and Baoulé Mossi domain for Paleoproterozoic-age zircons). Exoscopic analysis reveals that Archean zircon grains are more corroded, with rounded to sub-rounded shapes, while Paleoproterozoic zircon grains are less corroded and mostly angular in shape. The strong corrosion of Archean zircon grains, implying long-distance transport, is consistent with the remoteness of the Kenema-Man domain which are the source these sediments. The fact that the Paleoproterozoic zircon grains show little or no wear implies a proximal source of sediments, corresponding to the Baoulé Mossi domain.

Petrological and geochemical characteristics of mafic rocks from the Neoproterozoic Sugetbrak Formation in the northwestern Tarim Block,China

The Neoproterozoic Sugetbrak Formation in the Aksu area,which is located at the northwest margin of Tarim Block,comprises mafic rocks and provides key records of the evolution of the Rodinia supercontinent.However,the genetic relationship among these mafic rocks exposed in different geographical sections are still unclear.In this study,the petrology,geochemistry,and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope geochemistry of the mafic rocks exposed in the Aksu-Wushi and Yuermeinark areas have been studied in some detail along three sections.The authors found that the mafic rocks in these three typical sections were mainly composed of pyroxene and plagioclase,containing a small amount of Fe-Ti oxides and with typical diabasic textures.All the mafic rocks in this region also showed similar geochemical compositions.They were characterised by high TiO_(2)contents(1.47%–3.59%)and low MgO(3.52%–7.88%),K_(2)O(0.12%–1.21%).Large ionic lithophile elements(LILEs)(Rb,Sr,and Cs)were significantly depleted.Meanwhile,high field strength elements(HFSEs)were relatively enriched.In the samples,light rare earth elements(LREEs)were enriched,while heavy rare earth elements(HREEs)were depleted.Based on the Zr/Nb,Nb/Y,and Zr/TiO_(2)ratios,the Aksu mafic rocks belong to a series of sub-alkaline and alkaline transitional rocks.The mafic rocks along the three typical sections showed similar initial values of^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr(I_(Sr))(0.7052–0.7097)and ε_(Nd)(t)(–0.70 to–5.35),while the Pb isotopic compositions with^(206)Pb/^(204)Pb,^(207)Pb/^(204)Pb and^(208)Pb/^(204)Pb values of 16.908–17.982,15.487–15.721,37.276–38.603,respectively.Most of the samples plot into the area near EM-Ⅰ,indicating that the magma of the mafic rocks might have derived from a relatively enriched mantle with some crustal materials involved.The geochemical element characteristics of most samples showed typical OIB-type geochemical characteristics indicating that the source region had received metasomatism of recycled materials.Combining with the regional geological background and geochemical data,we inferred that the mafic rocks of the Sugetbrak Formation in the Aksu area were formed in an intraplate rift environment.Summarily,based on our study,the mafic rocks of the Sugetbrak Formation in the Aksu area were derived from a common enriched mantle source,and they were product of a magmatic event during the rift development period caused by the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent.

The Paleoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic Carbon Cycle Promoted the Evolution of a Habitable Earth

The carbon cycle is an important process that regulates Earth's evolution.We compare two typical periods,in the Paleoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic,in which many geological events occurred.It remains an open question when modern plate tectonics started on Earth and how it has influenced the carbon cycle through time.In the Paleoproterozoic,intense weathering in a highly CO_(2)and CH_(4)rich atmosphere caused more nutritional elements to be carried into the ocean.Terrestrial input boosted high biological productivity,deposition of sediments and the formation of an altered oceanic crust,which may have promoted an increase in the oxygen content.Sediment lubrication and a decrease in mantle potential temperature made cold and deep subduction possible,which carried more carbon into the deep mantle.Carbon can be stored in the mantle as diamond and carbonated mantle rocks,being released by arc and mid-ocean ridge outgassing at widely different times.From the Paleoproterozoic through the Neoproterozoic to the Phanerozoic,the carbon cycle has promoted the evolution of a habitable Earth.

Europium anomalies in detrital zircons reveal the crustal thickness evolution of South China in Early Neoproterozoic

The South China Block(SCB)is formed by the amalgamation of the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks during the Early Neoproterozoic along the Jiangnan Orogen.However,the precise amalgamation time of these two blocks and the location of the united SCB in the Rodinia supercontinent remain highly debatable.Various tectonic models have been proposed and they may have different implications for the crustal thickness evolution of the central SCB in Early Neoproterozoic.To evaluate these models,this paper uses a recently calibrated Eu/Eu*-inzircon proxy to reconstruct crustal thickness evolution of the central SCB during Early Neoproterozoic.I compiled and screened U–Pb ages and trace elements of 900–700 Ma detrital zircons from the central SCB and then calculated the zircon Eu/Eu*values.The age-binned average zircon Eu/Eu*displays a decreasing trend from 870 to 790 Ma,and thus indicates no significant crustal thickening event occurred during this time interval.This finding seems to be inconsistent with tectonic models that the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks amalgamated during this time interval.Yet,given that available coupled detrital zircon U–Pb and trace element datasets are very limited,additional studies are warranted to further evaluate this hypothesis.

Geochronology and geological significance of the strata of the Neoproterozoic Nanhua System,SW North China Craton

A set of low-grade clastic metamorphic and carbonate rocks,and greenschists outcropping in the southwestern(SW)margin of the North China Craton(NCC),was originally classified as the Paleoproterozoic Xiong’er Group according to stratigraphic correlation.To verify the age,this paper carried out detrital zircon U–Pb LA-ICP-MS dating of low-grade clastic metamorphic rocks exposed in the Changqing area at the SW margin of the Ordos Block in the SW part of the NCC.Results from detrital zircon dating indicate that the metamorphic and carbonate rocks can be classified into the Neoproterozoic Nanhua System,which is the only Nanhua System stratum in this block so far,and it probably could provide new clues to Rodinia break-up and Snowball Earth of the NCC.The nine peak ages of the low-grade clastic metamorphic rocks reflected its relatively complex provenance,and almost all major geological events experienced by the NCC basement since the Neoarchean,but some age peaks were difficult to correspond to that of the NCC,indicating that the southwestern part of the Ordos Block was also affected by the Qinling and Qiliang orogenic belts during Nanhua System of Neoproterozoic.Combined with provenance analysis,it was revealed that the current southwest boundary of the Ordos Block was the previous southwest boundary of the Ordos Block during the Qingbaikou-Nanhua Period of the Neoproterozoic.

SHRIMP Zircon U-Pb Dating of Gabbro and Granite from the Huashan Ophiolite,Qinling Orogenic Belt,China: Neoproterozoic Suture on the Northern Margin of the Yangtze Craton

The recently identified Huashan ophiolitic mélange was considered as the eastern part of the Mianlüe suture in the Qinling orogenic belt. SHRIMP zircon U-Pb geochronology on gabbro from the Huashan ophiolite and granite intruding basic volcanic rocks indicates crystallization ages of 947±14 Ma and 876±17 Ma respectively. These ages do not support a recently proposed Hercynian Huashan Ocean, but rather favor that a Neoproterozoic suture assemblage （ophiolite） is incorporated into the younger （Phanerozoic） Qinling orogenic belt.

Reclassification of the Meso- and Neoproterozoic Chronostratigraphy of North China by SHRIMP Zircon Ages

High-quality zircon U-Pb ages acquired from Meso- and Neoproterozoic strata in North China in recent years has provided a high-resolution chronostratigraphic framework for dating. A basis of this high-level chronostratigraphic system provides the foundation for a global Precambrian study and stratigraphic correlation and so recent geological studies have focused attention on systemic SHRIMP zircon dating. A chronology of Meso- and Neoproterozoic strata and the time of origin of the overlying Changcheng System is given on the basis of new SHRIMP zircon dating from the Qianxi Complex and diabase of the Chuanlinggou Formation. A new tectonostratigraphy for a Neoproterozoic chronostratigraphic framework in the southeastern margin of the North China continent is underpinned by the new SHRIMP zircon dating of a Neoproterozoic mafic magma diabase in the Jiao-Liao-Xu-Huai Sub-Province.

Mid—Late Neoproterozoic rift-related volcanic rocks in China:Geological records of rifting and break-up of Rodinia

Early Cambrian and Mid--Late Neoproterozoic volcanic rocks in China are widespread on several Precambrian continental blocks, which had aggregated to form part of the Rodinia supercon- tinent by ca. 900 Ma. On the basis of petrogeochemical data, the basic lavas can be classified into two major magma types： HT （Ti/Y 〉 500） and LT （Ti/Y 〈 500） that can be further divided into HT1 （Nb/La 〉 0.85） and HT2 （Nb/La ≤ 0.85）, and LT1 （Nb/La 〉 0.85） and LT2 （Nb/La ≤ 0.85） subtypes, respectively. The geochemical variation of the HT2 and LT2 lavas can be accounted for by lithospheric contamination of asthenosphere- （or plume-） derived magmas, whereas the parental magmas of the HT1 and LT1 lavas did not undergo, during their ascent, pronounced lithospheric contamination. These volcanics exhibit at least three characteristics： （1） most have a compositional bimodality; （2） they were formed in an intracontinental rift setting; and （3） they are genetically linked with mantle plumes or a mantle surperplume. This rift-related volcanism at end of the Mid-- Neoproterozoic and Early Cambrian coincided temporally with the separation between Australia-- East Antarctica, South China and Laurentia and between Australia and Tarim, respectively.

Neoproterozoic Mafic Dykes and Basalts in the Southern Margin of Tarim,Northwest China:Age,Geochemistry and Geodynamic Implications

Neoproterozoic rifting-related mafic igneous rocks are widely distributed both in the northern and southern margins of the Tarim Block,NW China.Here we report the geochronology and systematic whole-rock geochemistry of the Neoproterozoic mafic dykes and basalts along the southern margin of Tarim.Our zircon U-Pb age,in combination with stratigraphic constraint on their emplacement ages,indicates that the mafic dykes were crystallized at ca.802 Ma,and the basalt, possibly coeval with the ca.740 Ma volcanic rocks in Quruqtagh in the northern margin of Tarim. Elemental and Nd isotope geochemistry of the mafic dykes and basalts suggest that their primitive magma was derived from asthenospheric mantle（OIB-like） and lithospheric mantle respectively,with variable assimilation of crustal materials.Integrating the data supplied in the present study and that reported previously in the northern margin of Tarim,we recognize two types of mantle sources of the Neoproterozoic mafic igneous rocks in Tarim,namely the matasomatized subcontinental lithospheric mantle（SCLM） in the northern margin and the long-term enriched lithospheric mantle and asthenospheric mantle in the southern margin.A comprehensive synthesis of the Neoproterozoic igneous rocks throughout the Tarim Block led to the recognition of two major episodes of Neoproterozoic igneous activities at ca.820-800 Ma and ca.780-740 Ma,respectively.These two episodes of igneous activities were concurrent with those in many other Rodinian continents and were most likely related to mantle plume activities during the break-up of the Rodinia.

Neoproterozoic Molar-tooth Structure and Constraint of Depositional Facies and Environment in the North China Platform in Jiangsu, Anhui and Liaoning, Eastern China

Molar tooth structure （MTS） represented by complex ptygmatical shapes is widely distributed in the Proterozoic of the world. MTS filled by fine, equant sparry calcite （or dolomite） displays an abrupt contact with hosting rocks, which are mainly composed of carbonaceous micrites and fine-grained carbonates with local silts and stormdominated deposits with graded, cross or wave beddings, numerous erosional surfaces and truncated and fills or guttered bases. Occurrence of MTS suggests a result of the constraint of sedimentary facies, and the storm-base in ramp settings is the maximum depth for the formation of MTS. Vertical succession of MTS-bearing carbonates shows a deposition stacked by high-frequency shallow subtidal and peritidal cycles. An individual cyclic MTS-bearing sequence is characterized by thinning, shallowing and dynamic decreasing-upward, and peritidal caps of purple red iron and organic carbonaceous sediments with more complicated shapes of MTS are common on the top of individual MTS-bearing sequences.

SHRIMP U-Pb Dating of Zircons of a Dark Eclogite and a Garnet-bearing Gneissic Granitic Rock from Bixiling,Eastern Dabie Area,Anhui Province:Isotope Chronological Evidence of 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 approximate age of the emplacement of the granitic rock, and their outer parts, an age of 219±3 Ma for a similar or even the same fluid event. It is thus suggested that the HP-UHP metamorphism of the Bixiling eclogite facies rocks took place during the Neoproterozoic Jinningian, and the Indosinian age values may only represent a late event in the nature of fluid activity.

Annelid from the Neoproterozoic Doushantuo Formation in Northeastern Guizhou,China

Wenghuiia jiangkouensis gen. et sp. nov., characterized by modern annelid taxonomy in morphology and functional biology, is found in black carbonaceous shale from the Neoproterozoic Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation （about 555 Ma） near Wenghui, Jiangkou, northeastern Guizhou Province. The elongate, cylindrical body is composed of many homologous metameres with a true coelom and coelomic pouches. The mouth is at the front of the first segment and the anus at the end of body. A long 11th or 12th segment is probably functionally for procreation, being a clitellum. There are parapodia on the venter of the segments from the rear of the second segment to the front of the clitellum. The setae on all metameres, on the parapodia, and around the anus, differ. In the centre of body, a line probably represents the alimentary canal passing through the body from mouth to anus. A closed vascular system consists of a dorsal vessel at least. W. jiankouensis might represent the oldest discovered ＇modern＇ annelid but it is not a primitive type. It lived on the depositional surface of a shallow sea with an environment of calm-water and abundant light.

Microorganisms Linked to Neoproterozoic Microspar Carbonate Sedimentation in the Jilin-Liaoning Area

Molar-tooth carbonate refers to a sort of rock that has ptygmatical folded structure comparable to the ivory. This kind of carbonate exists in a special time range (from Middle to Neoproterozoic). Its origin and the possibility to use it in stratigraphic correlation of the paleocontinent is the key task of the IGCP447, a project on Proterozoic molar tooth carbonates and the evolution of the earth (2001-2005). The importance lies in that the molar-tooth structure is the key to solving problems related to Precambrian biological and global geochemical events. The molar-tooth structure is associated with microorganisms. Development and recession of such carbonates have relations with the evolution process of early lives and abrupt changes in sea carbonate geochemistry. In recent years, based on researches on petrology, geochemistry and Sr isotope of molar-tooth carbonate in the Jilin-Liaoning and Xuzhou-Huaiyang area, the authors hold that it can be used as a marker for stratigraphic sequence and sedimentary fades analyses.

Age and geochemistry of the Neoproterozoic granitoids in the the Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif, NE China: Petrogenesis and tectonic implications

1 Introduction The Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif(SZRM)crops out over an extensive part of NE China and was thought to contain Precambrian crystalline basement material,as evidenced by the presence of what appears to bePaleoproterozoicbasementmaterialwithin exploration drillholes(Pei et al.,2007).An alternative view is that the basement within the SZRM is

Detrital Zircon Dating of Meso-and Neoproterozoic Rocks in North China and Its Implications

New dates from Meso- and Neoproterozoic strata contribute to the recently defined Precambrian stratigraphical timescale of China agreed by the Subcommission on the Precambrian System, and the National Commission on Stratigraphy of China on Nov. 24, 2009. First, the age range of the Changcheng System, including the Changzhougou, Chuanlinggou, Tuanshanzi and Dahongyu formations has been constrained to 1.8-1.6 Ga. Second, the Jixian System including the Gaoyuzhuang,Yangzhuang, Wumishan, Hongshuizhuang and Tieling formations has been constrained to 1.6-1.4 Ga.Third, an as-yet unnamed （undefined） system （1.4-1.0 Ga） is only developed in the Xiamaling Formation at the Jixian section, Tianjing. Fourth, the Qingbaikou System, including the Luotuoling and Jing＇eryu formations has been constrained to 1.0-0.78 Ga. Fifth, the Nanhuan System ranges between 780-635 Ma, and the Sinian System is within 635-542 Ma. However, according to a series of SHRIMP U-Pb dates from the late Precambrian in the Jiangnan Orogen Belt in South China Platform, the constrained strata will be redefined as in the upper part of the Qingbaikou System. To aid global geodynamies, it is useful to denote a late Precambrian section with unified, precise and high-precision chronological dating; this is here defined in North China Block and Jiaoliao-Korean Block. However, the Neoproterozoic Qingbaikou study in North China will be influence in whole Meso- and Neoproterozoic in the Jiangnan Orogenic Belt in between the Yangtze Block and the Cathaysia Block in South China.

Geochemistry of an Alaskan-type mafic-ultramafic complex in Eastern Desert, Egypt:New insights and constraints on the Neoproterozoic island arc magmatism

Mikbi intrusion(MI) is a part of the Neoproterozoic Nubian Shield located along the NE-SW trending major fracture zones prevailing southern Eastern Desert of Egypt. In this study, we present for the first time detailed mineralogical and bulk-rock geochemical data to infer some constraints on the parental magma genesis and to understand the tectonic processes contributed to MI formation. Lithologically, it is composed of fresh peridotite, clinopyroxenite, hornblendite, anorthosite, gabbronorite, pyroxene amphibole gabbro, amphibole gabbro and diorite. All rocks have low Th/La ratios(mostly <0.2) and lack positive Zr and Th anomalies excluding significant crustal contamination. They show very low concentrations of Nb, Ta, Zr and Hf together with sub-chondritic ratios of Nb/Ta(2-15) and Zr/Hf(19-35),suggesting that their mantle source was depleted by earlier melting extraction event. The oxygen fugacity(logfO_2) estimated from diorite biotite is around the nickel-nickel oxide buffer(NNO) indicating crystallization from a relatively oxidized magma. Amphiboles in the studied mafic-ultramafic rocks indicate relative oxygen fugacity(i.e. ΔNNO; nickel-nickel oxide) of 0.28-3 and were in equilibrium mostly with 3.77-8.24 wt.% H_2 O_(melt)(i.e. water content in the melt), consistent with the typical values of subduction-related magmas. Moreover, pressure estimates(0.53-6.79 kbar) indicate polybaric crystallization and suggest that the magma chamber(s) was located at relatively shallow crustal levels. The enrichment in LILE(e.g., Cs, Ba, K and Sr) and the depletion in HFSE(e.g., Th and Nb) relative to primitive mantle are consistent with island arc signature. The olivine, pyroxene and amphibole compositions also reflect arc affinity. These inferences suggest that their primary magma was derived from partial melting of a mantle source that formerly metasomatized in a subduction zone setting. Clinopyroxene and bulkrock data are consistent with orogenic tholeiitic affinity. Consequently, the mineral and bulk-rock chemistry strongly indicate crystallization from hydrous tholeiitic magma. Moreover, their trace element patterns are subparallel indicating that the various rock types possibly result from differentiation of the same primary magma. These petrological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics show that the MI is a typical Alaskan-type complex.

Geochronology, Geochemistry, Whole Rock Sr-Nd and Zircon Hf-O Isotopes of the Early Neoproterozoic Volcanic Rocks in Jiangshan, Eastern Part of the Jiangnan Orogen: Constraints on Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

This paper presents the results of combined studies of geochronology, geochemistry, whole rock Sr-Nd and zircon Hf-O isotopes carried out upon the rhyodacite and ignimbrite of Shangshu village, Shangyu town and Shanghupeng village of Jiangshan City in Zhejiang Province, along the northwestern side of the Jiangshan–Shaoxing suture. SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating of samples in the three areas yielded weighted mean 206 Pb/238 U ages of 842.8 ± 6.9 Ma and 850.0 ± 7.3 Ma, 839 ± 9 Ma and 832.2 ± 8.1 Ma, 828.3 ± 8.5 Ma and 836.9 ± 9.9 Ma, respectively. These ages are older than the volcanic rocks of the Shangshu Formation dated at around 780 Ma distributed in Fuyang City, Hangzhou City, Kaihua County, etc. The volcanic rocks generally have high SiO2(54.08–76.80 wt%) and Al2 O3(12.40–21.31 wt%), low Fe2 O3(0.68–8.92 wt%), MgO(0.29–2.49 wt%), CaO(0.12–2.86 wt%), TiO2(0.10–1.59 wt%) and P2 O5(0.01–0.39 wt%), with variable total alkalis(K2 O + Na2 O =5.42–8.29 wt%). There exists a clear negative correlation between SiO2 and P2 O5. The volcanic rocks have A/CNK ratios of 1.03–2.77 and thus are peraluminous. They are characterized by enrichment in LREE, Rb, Ba, Zr, Hf, K, Th, La, U and depletion in Nb, Sr, P, Ti, with distinct LREE and HREE fractionation of(La/Yb)N values of 5.68–11.67, and with a moderate negative Eu anomaly(&Eu=0.58–0.89). Whole-rock geochemical data shows that the Jiangshan volcanic rocks are possibly I-type granitic rocks, even though they have some characteristics of A&S-type granites due to the magma fractional crystallization and water-rock interaction. Zircon δ18 O values are 3.97‰–5.49‰(average 4.50‰), 2.90‰–5.21‰(average 4.32‰) for ignimbrite from Shangshu village section, and Shanghupeng village section, respectively. They are slightly lower than the average δ18 O values of igneous zircons in equilibrium with mantle magmas(5.3 ± 0.6‰(2σ)), the lower δ18 O value also demonstrating the presence of high temperature water-rock interactions. The ignimbrite rocks have positive εNd(t)(4.02, 3.37, 3.91, 4.74, 2.85, 4.39, totals from the three areas) and εNd(t)(in-situ zircon)(4.3–14.6, a weighted mean of 8.4;6.6–12.7, a weighted mean of 9.0;8.1–12.0, a weighted mean of 9.5, respectively, from the three areas). In conjunction with the trace element studies, they indicate that the source region of the Jiangshan volcanic rocks was mainly composed of juvenile lower crustal material, mixed with some mantle-sourced magma. Detailed elemental and isotopic data suggest that the Jiangshan volcanic rocks were formed in a continental arc setting. There is a series of ca. 860–830 Ma volcanic rocks formed in a back-arc extensional setting in the southern margin of the eastern Jiangnan Orogen, along the northwest side of the Jiangshan–Shaoxing suture. The first stage rift-related anorogenic magmatism may have occurred as early as ca. 860 Ma in the eastern Jiangnan Orogen.

Anchimetamorphism of the Neoproterozoic and the Lower Paleozoic along the Profile of Yuanguping in Western Hunan Province, China

The Neoproterozoic and Lower Paleozoic along the profile of Yuanguping in western Hunan Province, China underwent anchimetamorphism. The illite crystallinity (IC) of the <2 μm fractions ranges from 0.23-0.34°△2θfor the Neoproterozoic to 0.23-0.35°△A2θ for the Lower Paleozoic (calibrated with the Kisch IC set, Kisch, 1991). This indicates that the metamorphic grade of the Neoproterozoic and Lower Paleozoic is the anchizone. The peak metamorphic temperature is estimated to be 290-210℃. This result does not agree with the greenschist or subgreenschist facies of the Banxi Group, nor with the lower-greenschist facies or sedimentary cover of the Sinian to Lower Paleozoic, as most previous researchers thought. The illite (K-mica) b0 values range from 0.9074 to 0.8963 (nm) for the Neoproterozoic and the Lower Paleozoic. Based on cumulative frequency curves of the illite (K-mica) b0, the peak metamorphic pressure of the Banxi Group was derived to be of a type that is slightly higher than that of the N. New Hampshire low-intermediate pressure type. Most illites occur as the 2M1 polytype and some in the Neoproterozoic as a mixture of the 2M1+1M types. The distributions of coherent scanning domains (CSDs) of illites along the profile, measured with the XRD method, display a lognormal model and spread out with decreasing Kubler Index of IC. It indicates that illites underwent an Ostwald ripening. The post-anchimetamorphic structural movement not only results in a series of faults but also induces the lattice strain in minerals along the faults and hence impacts the illite crystallinity and causes diagenetic samples to occur within the anchizone. Compared with the cases in eastern and central Hunan Province, the Neoproterozoic and Lower Paleozoic rocks in the west underwent a lower-temperature anchimetamorphism with a pressure lower than that in the east and higher than that in the center of Hunan Province.

Neoproterozoic Trench-arc System in the Western Segment of Jiangnan Orogenic Belt, South China

The Jiangnan orogenic belt is a key to understanding of the Neoproterozoic tectonic evolution of the South China Block. We investigate the mafic-ultramafic suites of lherzolite, pyroxenite, gabbro, pillow basalt and gabbroic diorite as well as red jasper interbedded with marine marbles that are mainly exposed as fault-trapped blocks in the Yuanbaoshan and Longsheng domains of the western Jiangnan belt. The postcollisional granite plutons that intruded the ultramafic-mafic rocks are developed well. Zircons in the gabbro yield crystallization ages of 867±10 Ma, 863±8 Ma, 869±9 Ma and 855±5 Ma whereas those from the granites show ages of 823±5 Ma, 831±5 Ma, 824±5 Ma and 833±6 Ma. The Neoproterozoic serpentinited ultramafic samples display minor REE enriched pattern with depletion of Rb, Ba, Nb, Ta and Ti, similar to those of SSZ type ophiolite. The coeval gabbro shows tholeiitic features and is characterized by negative Ba, Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf and Sr anomalies and LREE enriched patterns, with a minor negative Eu anomaly. Some zircon grains from the Longshen gabbro yield Neoarchean-Paleoproterozoic ages(2859–2262 Ma), suggesting its continental arc setting. Geochemical signature of the maficultramafic rocks is consistent with subduction related setting. The pyroxene-bearing diorite exhibits a distinctive arc affinity. The zircons from the gabbro show positive εHf(t) values ranging from 3.9 to 13.8. The granitoids are typical S–type granites with high ACNK values(1.15–1.40) and negative εHf(t) values(–15.1 to –3.2), and are classified as collision–related granites. Combined with the occurrences of mafic-ultramafic rocks, siliceous marble and red jasper mixed with basalt, our new results suggest the presence of a Tonian(863–869 Ma) SSZ ophiolite system and continental arc-type magmatism in the western Jiangnan orogen.