Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb Age and Island-Arc Origin of the Bayanhua Gabbro in the Hegenshan Suture Zone, Inner Mongolia

Objective The Bayanhua Nb-enriched gabbro is newly discovered in the Diyanmiao-Meilaotewula SSZ-type ophiolitic m61ange belt of the Hegenshan suture zone, Inner Mongolia. Nb-enriched arc gabbros are usually believed to result from partial melting of the mantle wedge peridotites metasomatized by slab melts derived from the subducting oceanic slab, which represent arc magmatic markers of the oceanic subduction zone. However, whether the Hegenshan ocean basin of the Paleo-Asian Ocean was in its subduction stage in the Early Permian requires further study for a final conclusion, and what is the evolution process of the oceanic subduction and lithospheric mantle of the Hegenshan suture zone remains speculative for the lack of further definitely petrological and chronological evidence and constraints. Therefore, this study carried out zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology and geochemistry on the Bayanhua Nb-enriched gabbro to discuss its origin, in order to provide new evidence for the tectonic evolution of the Hegenshan suture zone of the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt.

Constraints on sedimentary ages of the Chuanlinggou Formation in the Ming Tombs, Beijing, North China Craton: LA-ICP-MS and SHRIMP U–Pb dating of detrital zircons

Detrital zircons in five sedimentary samples, MC1 to MC5, from the bottom of the Chuanlinggou Formation in the Ming Tombs District, Beijing, were dated with the LA-ICP-MS and SHRIMP U-Pb methods. Age spectra of the five samples show a major peak at 2500 Ma and a secondary peak at 2000 Ma, suggesting their provenances were mainly from the crystalline basement of the North China Craton and the Trans-North China Orogen. The youngest zircon has an age of 1673 d： 44 Ma, indicating that the Chuanlinggou Formation was deposited after this age. From sample MC4 to MC5, lithology changed from a clastic rock （fine-grained sandstone） to a carbonate rock （fine-grained dolomite）, suggesting that the depositional basin became progressively deeper. The age spectrum of sample MC5 shows a major peak at 2500 Ma and a secondary peak at 2000 Ma. Sample MC4, which is stratigraphically lower than sample MC5, only had one peak at 2500 Ma. We conclude that there was a transgressive event when sediments represented by MC5 was deposited, and seawater carried ca. 2000 Ma clastic materials to the basin where the Chuanlinggou Formation was deposited, leading to the addition of ca. 2000 Ma detritus. Our research indicates that the source area for the sediments became more extensive with time. We conclude that the Chuanlinggou Formation in the Ming Tombs District was deposited in a low-energy mud fiat sedimentary environment in the inter-supra tidal zone because it is mainly composed of silty mudstone and fine-grained sandstone with relatively simple sedimentary structures.

LA-ICP-MS Zircon U-Pb Age of Longtou Syenite body in South Songxian County, Southern Margin of the North China Craton

Objective Indosinian magmatic rocks mainly locate in west Qinling Orogen, which are, however, extremely rare in east Qingling Orogen （Lu Xinxiang, 2000; Zhang Guowei et al., 2001; Guo Xianqing et al., 2017）. The Zhifang Huangzhuang （ZH） area in south Songxian County is located in the southern margin of the North China Craton （Fig. l a）, which is an important lndosinian alkaline magmatic occurrence including 32 syenite bodies and syenitic dykes in east Qinling Orogen. There are five syenite bodes in the ZH area, i.e., the Lang＇aogou, Mogou, Longtou, Jiaogou and Wusanggou from west to east （Fig. l b）.

LA-ICP-MS U-Pb Zircon Dating for Felsic Granulite, Huangtuling Area, North Dabieshan: Constraints on Timing of Its Protolith and Granulite-Facies Metamorphism, and Thermal Events in Its Provenance

Information about the protolith of the Huangtuling granulite in North Dabieshan has been unavailable. The complex evolution history of the rock and its host basement must be further discussed. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating was conducted on three textural domains in zircon from a high-temperature, high-pressure felsic granulite in the Huangtuling area, North Dabieshan, Central China. The metamorphic growth-derived detrital zircon domain yields a 207^ pb/206^Pb age in the range of （2 49±54 ） -- （2 500±180） Ma. The magmatic genesis-derived detrltal zircon domain gives a 207^pb/ 206^Pb age ranging from 2 628 Ma to 2 690 Ma, with an oldest 206^ pb/ 238^U age of （2 790 ± 150） Ma. The metamorphic overgrowth or metamorphic recrystallization zircon domain yields a diesordia with an upper intercept age of （2 044. 7 ± 29.3 ） Ma. Compositions of the mineral assemblage, major element geochemistry, and especially the complex interior texture of the zircon suggest that the prololith of the felsic granulite is of sedimentary origin. Results show that the protolith material of the granulite came from a provenance with a complex thermal history, i.e. -2.8 Ga magmatlsm and -2.5 Ga metamorphism, and was deposited in a basin not earlier than 2.5 Ga. The high-temperature and high-pressure granulite-facies metamorphic age was precisely constrained at （2.04±0.03） Ga, which indicates the granulite in Huangtuling area should be a relict of a Paleoproterozoic UHT （ultrahigh temperature） metamorphosed slab.

LA-ICP-MS Zircon U-Pb Dating of the Huangyangshan Pluton and Its Enclaves from Kalamaili Area Eastern Junggar,and Geological Implications

LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating has revealed that the Huangyangshan pluton in Eastern Junggar was formed at 311±12 Ma,and that microgranular enclaves were formed at 300±6 Ma;both ages are very consistent within errors.It is the first time that the microgranular enclaves age in Kalamaili area was determined.Petrochemistry and geochemistry research shows the characteristics of host rock as follows:

Assessment of widely used methods to derive depositional ages from detrital zircon populations

The calculation of a maximum depositional age(MDA)from a detrital zircon sample can provide insight into a variety of geological problems.However,the impact of sample size and calculation method on the accuracy of a resulting MDA has not been evaluated.We use large populations of synthetic zircon dates(N≈25,000)to analyze the impact of varying sample size(n),measurement uncertainty,and the abundance of neardepositional-age zircons on the accuracy and uncertainty of 9 commonly used MDA calculation methods.Furthermore,a new method,the youngest statistical population is tested.For each method,500 samples of n synthetic dates were drawn from the parent population and MDAs were calculated.The mean and standard deviation of each method ove r the 500 trials at each n-value(50-1000,in increments of 50)were compa red to the known depositional age of the synthetic population and used to compare the methods quantitatively in two simulation scenarios.The first simulation scenario varied the proportion of near-depositional-age grains in the synthetic population.The second scenario varied the uncertainty of the dates used to calculate the MDAs.Increasing sample size initially decreased the mean residual error and standard deviation calculated by each method.At higher n-values(>~300 grains),calculated MDAs changed more slowly and the mean resid ual error increased or decreased depending on the method used.Increasing the p roportion of near-depositional-age grains and lowering measurement uncertainty decreased the number of measurements required for the calculated MDAs to stabilize and decreased the standard deviation in calculated MDAs of the 500 samples.Results of the two simulation scenarios show that the most successful way to increase the accuracy of a calculated M DA is by acquiring a large number of low-uncertainty measurements(300300)approach is used if the calculation of accurate MDAs are key to research goals.Other acquisition method s,such as high-to moderate-precision measurement methods(e.g.,1%-5%,2σ)acquiring low-to moderate-n datasets(50300).Additionally,they are most susceptible to producing erroneous MDAs due to contamination in the field or laboratory,or through disturbances of the youngest zircon’s U-Pb systematics(e.g.,lead loss).More conservative methods that still produce accurate MDAs and are less susceptible to contamination or lead loss include:youngest grain cluster at 1σunce rtainty(YGC 1σ),youngest grain clusterat 2σuncertainty(YGC 2σ),and youngest statistical population(YSP).The ages calculated by these methods may be more useful and appealing when fitting calculated MDAs in to pre-existing chronostratigraphic frameworks,as they are less likely to be younger than the true depositional age.From the results of our numerical models we illustrate what geologic processes(i.e.,tectonic or sedimentary)can be resolved using MDAs derived from strata of different ages.

Constraints on the age of the Tuchengzi Formation by LA-ICP-MS dating in northern Hebei-western Liaoning, China

Accurately determining the age of the Tuchengzi Formation has direct influence on confirming the boundary between the Jurassic and the Cretaceous systems in northern Hebei-western Liaoning, and on related geological problems in China. However, the Tuchengzi Formation mainly consists of sedi-mentary rocks, with a poor fossil record and especially lack of index fossils. The Tuchengzi Formation is also lack of the type of volcanic rocks that can provide an isotopic age. Therefore, the age of the Tuchengzi Formation has been uncertain. Based on our systematic dating of the tuff interbedded in the Tuchengzi Formation of Chengde and Jinlingsi-Yangshan basins in northern Hebei-western Liaoning, combined with the dating results of previous researchers, here we suggest that the age range of the Tuchengzi Formation in northern Hebei-western Liaoning is from 147 Ma to 136 Ma. It implied that the Tuchengzi Formation was mainly formed in the Early Cretaceous.

The LA-ICP-MS zircons U-Pb ages and geochemistry of the Baihua basic igneous complexes in Tianshui area of West Qinling

Baihua meta-igneous complex consists mainly of pyroxenite-gabbro(diorite)-diorite-quartz diorite. They form a complete comagmatic evolutionary series. The geochemical characteristics of basic-interme- diate basic igneous rocks indicate that they belong to a tholeiite suite. The REE distribution pattern is nearly flat type and LREE is slightly enriched type, and their primitive mantle-normalized and MORB-normalized trace element spider diagrams are generally similar; the LIL elements (LILE) Cs, Ba, Sr, Th and U are enriched, but Rb, K and the HFSEs Nb, P, Zr, Sm, Ti and Y are relatively depleted. All these show comagmatic evolution and origin characteristics. The tectonics environment discrimination of trace element reveals that these igneous complexes formed in an island-arc setting. The LA-ICP-MS single-zircons U-Pb age of Baihua basic igneous complex is 434.6±1.5 Ma (MSWD = 1.3), which proves that the formation time of the island-arc type magmatite in the northern zone of West Qinling is Late Ordovician or Early Silurian, also reveals that the timing of subduction of paleo-ocean basin represented by the Guanzizhen ophiolite and resulting island-arc-type magmatic activities is probably Middle-Late Ordovician to Early Silurian.

In situ LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb age of ultrahigh-pressure eclogites in the Yukahe area,northern Qaidam Basin

Zircon grains were selected from two types of ultrahigh-pressure(UHP)eclogites,coarse-grained phengite eclogite and fine-grained massive eclogite,in the Yukahe area,the western part of the North Qaidam UHP metamorphic belt.Most zircon grains show typical metamorphic origin with residual cores in some irregular grains and sector,planar or misty internal textures on the cathodoluminescence(CL)images.The contents of REE and HREE of the core parts of grains range from 173 to 1680μg/g and 170 to 1634μg/g,respectively,in phengite eclogite,and from 37 to 2640(g/g and 25.7 to 1824μg/g,respectively,in massive eclogite.The core parts exhibit HREE-enriched patterns,representing the residual zircons of protolith of the Yukahe eclogite.The contents of REE and HREE of the rim parts and the grains free of residual cores are much lower than those for the core parts.They vary from 13.1 to 89.5(g/g and 12.5 to 85.7μg/g,respectively,in phengite eclogite,and from 9.92 to 45.8μg/g and 9.18 to 43.8(g/g,respectively,in massive eclogite.Negative Eu anomalies and Th/U ratios decrease from core to rim.Positive Eu anomalies are shown in some grains.These indicate that the presence of garnet and the absence of plagioclase in the peak metamorphic mineral assemblage,and the zircons formed under eclogite facies conditions.LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb age data indicate that phengite eclogite and massive eclogite have similar metamorphic age of 436±3Ma and 431±4Ma in the early Paleozoic and magmatic protolith age of 783―793 Ma and 748―759 Ma in the Neo-proterozoic.The weighted mean age of the metamorphic ages(434±2 Ma)may represent the UHP metamorphic age of the Yukahe eclogites.The metamorphic age is well consistent with their direct country rocks of gneisses(431(3 Ma and 432±19 Ma)and coesite-bearing pelitic schist in the Yematan UHP eclogite section(423―440 Ma).These age data together with field observation and lithology,allow us to conclude that the Yukahe eclogites were Neo-proterozoic igneous rocks and may have experienced subduction and UHP metamorphism with continental crust at deep mantle during the early Paleozoic,therefore the metamorphic age of 434±2 Ma of the Yukahe eclogites probably represents the continental deep subduction time in this area.

Tectonic evolution of the Western Kunlun orogenic belt in northern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau:Evidence from zircon SHRIMP and LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology

The Western Kunlun Range in northern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is composed of the North Kunlun Terrane,the South Kunlun Terrane and the Karakorum-Tianshuihai Terrane. Here we report zircon SHRIMP and LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages of some metamorphic and igneous rocks and field observations in order to pro-vide a better understanding of their Precambrian and Palaeozoic-early Mesozoic tectonic evolution. Based on these data we draw the following conclusions: (1) The paragneisses in the North Kunlun Terrane are likely of late Mesoproterozoic age rather than Palaeoproterozoic age as previously thought,representing tectonothermal episodes at 1.0―0.9 Ga and ～0.8 Ga. (2) The North Kunlun Terrane was an orogenic belt accreted to the southern margin of Tarim during late Mesoproterozoic to early Neopro-terozoic,the two episodes of metamorphisms correspond to the assemblage and breakup of Rodinia respectively. (3) The Bulunkuole Group in western South Kunlun Terrane,which was considered to be the Palaeoproterozoic basement of the South Kunlun Terrane by previous studies,is now subdivided into the late Neoproterzoic to early Palaeozoic paragneisses (khondalite) and the early Mesozoic metamorphic volcano-sedimentary series; the paragneisses were thrust onto the metamorphic vol-cano-sedimentary series from south to north,with two main teconothermal episodes (i.e.,Caledonian,460―400 Ma,and Hercynian-Indosinian,340―200 Ma),and have been documented by zircon U-Pb ages. (4) In the eastern part of the South Kunlun Terrane,a gneissic granodiorite pluton,which intruded the khondalite,was crystallized at ca. 505 Ma and metamorphosed at ca. 240 Ma. In combination with geochronology data of the paragneiss,we suggest that the South Kunlun Terrane was a Caledonian accretionary orogenic belt and overprinted by late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic arc magmatism.

U–Pb Zircon Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Neoproterozoic Liujiaping Group Volcanics in the Northwest Margin of the Yangtze Block:Implications For the Breakup of the Rodinia Supercontinent

Investigation of the petrogenesis and the origin of zircons from the volcanic rocks of the Liujiaping Group of the back-Longmenshan tectonic belt in the northwest margin of the Yangtze Block is conducted by analysis of U-Pb geochronology and geochemistry. Results show that selected zircons are characterized by internal oscillatory zonings and high Th/U ratios （0.43-1.18）, indicating an igneous origin. Geochronological results of LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of the Liujiaping Group zircons yield an age of 809 - 11 Ma （MSWD = 2.2）, implying that the volcanic rocks were formed in the Late Neoproterozoic. Geochemical analysis shows that the rocks are calc-alkaline, supersaturated in AI, and metaluminous to weakly peraluminous. Rare-earth elements are present at high concentrations （96.04-265.48 ppm） and show a rightward incline and a moderately negative Eu anomaly, similar to that of continental rift rhyolite. Trace element geochemistry is characterized by evident negative anomalies of Nb, Ta, P, Th, Ti, inter alia, and strong negative anomalies of K, Rb, Sr, et al. We conclude that the Liujiaping Group volcanic rocks resulted from typical continental crust source petrogenesis and were formed in a continental margin setting, which had no relation to subduction, and thus, were the products of partial melting of the lower crust due to crustal thickening caused by active continental margin subduetion and arc-continent collision orogeny in the northwestern Yangtze Block and were triggered by the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent during the Neoproterozoic.

Geochronology, petrogenesis and tectonic significance of Dahongliutan pluton in Western Kunlun orogenic belt, NW China

The Dahongliutan granitic pluton,in the eastern part of the West Kunlun orogenic belt,provides significant insights for studying the tectonic evolution of West Kunlun.This paper presents a systematic study of LA-ICP-MS zircon U Pb age,major and trace elements,Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes,and the first detailed Li isotope analysis of the Dahongliutan pluton.LA-ICP-MS zircon U Pb dating shows that the Dahongliutan granites were emplaced in the Late Triassic((213±2.1)Ma).Geochemical data show relatively high SiO2 contents(68.45 wt%73.62 wt%)and aluminum saturation index(A/CNK=1.111.21)indicates peraluminous high-K calc-alkaline granite.The Dahongliutan granites are relatively high in light rare earth elements(LREE)and large ion lithophile elements(LILEs)(e.g.,Rb,K,Th),and relatively depleted in high field strength elements(HFSEs)(e.g.,Nb,Ta,P,Ti).TheεNd(t)values range from 8.71 to 4.73,and(87Sr/86Sr)i=0.70870.71574.Zircons from the pluton yield 176Hf/177Hf values of 0.2826181 to 0.2827683,andεHf(t)values are around 0;the two-stage Hf model ages range from 0.974 to 1.307 Ga.Theδ7Li values are 0.76‰3.25‰,with an average of 2.53‰.Isotopic compositions of the pluton suggest a mixed trend between the partial melting of the Middle Proterozoic ancient crustal material and a juvenile mantle-derived material.This study infers that the Dahongliutan rock mass is formed in the post-collisional extension environment,when the collision between South Kunlun and the Tianshuihai terranes results in the closure of the Palaeo-Tethys.The mantle-derived magma results in partial melting of the lower crust.

Geochronology, Geochemistry and Tectonic Setting of the Bairiqiete Granodiorite Intrusion(Rock Mass) from the Buqingshan Tectonic Mélange Belt in the Southern Margin of East Kunlun

This study focuses on the zircon U-Pb geochronology and geochemistry of the Bairiqiete granodiorite intrusion （rock mass） from the Buqingshan tectonic mélange belt in the southern margin of East Kunlun.The results show that the zircons are characterized by internal oscillatory zoning and high Th/U （0.14-0.80）,indicative of an igneous origin.LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of zircons from the Bairiqiete granodiorite yielded an age of 439.0 ± 1.9 Ma （MSWD =0.34）,implying that the Bairiqiete granodiorite formed in the early Silurian.Geochemical analyses show that the rocks are medium-K calc-alkaline,relatively high in Al2O3 （14.57-18.34 wt％） and metaluminous to weakly peraluminous.Rare-earth elements have low concentrations （45.49-168.31 ppm） and incline rightward with weak negative to weak positive Eu anomalies （δEu =0.64-1.34）.Trace-element geochemistry is characterized by negative anomalies of Nb,Ta,Zr,Hf and Ti and positive anomalies of Rb,Th and Ba.Moreover,the rocks have similar geochemical features with adakites.The Bairiqiete granodiorite appears to have a continental crust source and formed in a subduction-related island-arc setting.The Bairiqiete granodiorite was formed due to partial melting of the lower crust and suggests subduction in the Buqingshan area of the Proto-Tethys Ocean.

Dating for Jifanggou metamorphic complex in central Jilin and its tectonic implications

Based on the results of four regional geological surveys of 1: 50000 including Shulan County map in Jilin,taking Shulan area as the study area,the authors re-delineated the rock type assemblages,e.g. metamorphic rhyolite,metamorphic tuffaceous breccia lava,sericite-quartz schist and tremolite altered rock,etc.,and the structural contacts between them. With the help of in-situ LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating for zircons,it is concluded that the zircon crystallization ages of the metamorphic rhyolite,the metamorphic andesitic tuff breccia lava and the tremolite altered rock are 339. 1 ± 1. 3 Ma( n = 27,MSWD = 0. 78),351. 8 ± 1. 7 Ma( n = 21,MSWD = 0.82),and 362.0±1.8 Ma( n = 43,MSWD = 2.2) respectively. The metamorphic complex is actually a set of tectonic melange which comprises the rocks in different types,sources,times,or tectonic settings,and was formed by tectonism.

Geochemistry,geochronology,and zircon Hf isotopic compositions of felsite porphyry in Xiangshan uranium orefield and its geological implication

Recently,a new kind of volcanic rock,felsite porphyry,has been revealed by drilling in Xiangshan area,Jiangxi Province,China.To better understand petrogenesis and magmatic evolution sequence of the Xiangshan volcanic-intrusive complex,we studied systematic petrology,geochemistry,LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating,and Hf isotope results of the felsite porphyry.Results show that the felsite porphyry has similar geochemical characteristics to the porphyroclastic rhyolite,which is the predominant lithology of Xiangshan uranium orefield.Felsite porphyry and porphyroclastic rhyolite have high SiO2,Al2O3,and K2O contents,low Na2O,and MgO contents,and slightly negative Eu anomalies.Moreover,these rocks are relatively depleted in large ion lithophile elements(K,Ba,and Sr)and are enriched in high field strength elements(Th,Zr,and Hf).LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating of the felsite porphyry yielded a crystallization age of 132.2±0.9 Ma,which is coeval to that of the porphyroclastic rhyolite.These ages signified that Xiangshan volcanic-intrusive complex formed in the Early Cretaceous,during which the entire South China was in the back-arc extension tectonic setting related to the subduction of the Pacific Plate under the Euroasian Plate.In-situ zircon Hf isotope data on a felsite porphyry sample show eHf(t)values from-8.82 to-5.11,while the Hf isotope two-stage model age(TDM2-Hf)ranges from 1513 to 1747 Ma.Combined with petrological,mineralogical,geochemistry,and geochronology results of the felsite porphyry,it is concluded that the felsite porphyry in Xiangshan might be originated from the partial melting of the Mesoproterozoic ancient metamorphic rocks,with possible input of small amounts of mantle materials.

Unraveling one billion years of geological evolution of the southeastern Amazonia Craton from detrital zircon analyses

Despite representing one of the largest cratons on Earth,the early geological evolution of the Amazonia Craton remains poorly known due to relatively poor exposure and because younger metamorphic and tectonic events have obscured initial information.In this study,we investigated the sedimentary archives of the Carajás Basin to unravel the early geological evolution of the southeastern Amazonia Craton.The Carajás Basin contains sedimentary rocks that were deposited throughout a long period spanning more than one billion years from the Mesoarchean to the Paleoproterozoic.The oldest archives preserved in this basin consist of a few ca.3.6 Ga detrital zircon grains showing that the geological roots of the Amazonia Craton were already formed by the Eoarchean.During the Paleoarchean or the early Mesoarchean(<3.1 Ga),the Carajás Basin was large and rigid enough to sustain the formation and preservation of the Rio Novo Group greenstone belt.Later,during the Neoarchean,at ca.2.7 Ga,the southeastern Amazonia Craton witnessed the emplacement of the Parauapebas Large Igneous Province(LIP)that probably covered a large part of the craton and was associated with the deposition of some of the world largest iron formations.The emplacement of this LIP immediately preceded a period of continental extension that formed a rift infilled first by iron formations followed by terrigenous sediments.This major change of sedimentary regime might have been controlled by the regional tectonic evolution of the Amazonia Craton and its emergence above sea-level.During the Paleoproterozoic,at ca.2.1 Ga,the Rio Fresco Group,consisting of terrigenous sediments from the interior of the Amazonia Craton,was deposited in the Carajás Basin.At that time,the Amazonian lithosphere could have either underwent thermal subsidence forming a large intracratonic basin or could have been deformed by long wavelength flexures that induced the formation of basins and swells throughout the craton under the influence of the growing Transamazonian mountain belt.

Discovery of Paleozoic rocks at northern margin of Sambagawa terrane,eastern Kyushu,Japan:Petrogenesis,U-Pb geochronology and its tectonic implication

Ordovician diorite-quartz diorite mylonite(Saganoseki quartz diorite) was discovered in Sambagawa metamorphic terrane at the northern margin of Saganoseki Peninsula,Kyushu Island,Japan.The LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb geochronology revealed that the intrusion age of Saganoseki quartz diorite was 473.3±3.6 Ma.These rocks show the volcanic arc affinity based on the trace element composition.On the basis of geochronological and geochemical results,Saganoseki quartz diorite is considered to be a member of the Early Paleozoic igneous rocks of the Kurosegawa tectonic zone.Saganoseki quartz diorite is located just south of the Median Tectonic Line(MTL)and is in close contact with the pelitic and psammitic schist without any brittle shear zone.U-Pb ages of detrital zircon grains from two psammitic schists show the estimated sedimentation age of early Late Cretaceous,indicate that these psammitic schists are the member of Sambagawa metamorphic rocks.Together with these results and the mode of occurrence in the field,we argue that the Early Paleozoic igneous rocks of the Kurosegawa tectonic zone existed as an upper structural unit of the Sambagawa terrane.This relationship is the key to reconstruct the Mesozoic tectonics of Japan as a part of East Asia,and its evolution through time.

Age assignment of the Upper Carboniferous Arbasay Formation in Shichang Region,North Tianshan(NW China)

The North Tianshan Orogenic Belt contains the youngest ophiolites in the Tianshan and provides some information on timing of the last closure of the Junggar-Balkhash Ocean. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating was conducted to define the formation age of the Arbasay Formation in the Shichang Region of North Tianshan, which is exposed near the suture zone but its age remains debated. The Arbasay Formation is mainly composed of volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks with tuft interlayers. The zircons from the tufts yield two age populations of 315 ± 3 Ma and 304 ± 2 Ma, constraining the commencement and demise timings of volcanism, respectively. Furthermore, zircon U-Pb age spectra of the tuffaceous sandstones display the youngest peak age at 308 Ma, indicating a 〈 308 Ma age for the depositional age of volcaniclastic rocks. The volcaniclastic rocks therefore were likely to deposit together with the syn-sedimentary volcanism during Late Carboniferous. This means that the Arbasay Formation in Shichang Region should be re-assigned to Late Carboniferous in age. Given that the Arbasay Formation was likely to be formed during the tectonic transition from compression to extension, the Junggar-Balkhash Ocean possibly closed during Late Carboniferous.

Non-matrix-matched analysis of U-Th-Pb geochronology of bastn?site by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Bastn?site is widespread in alkali granite, carbonatite and REE ore deposits. The U-Th-Pb ages of bastn?site can constrain the mineralization age. Currently, the lack of suitable in situ analysis reference material is the major obstacle of bastn?site U-Th-Pb geochronology. In this study, the matrix effects of U-Pb and Th-Pb age determination in bastn?site using glass NIST 610 as the external calibration reference were evaluated with the 193-nm excimer LA-ICP-MS analysis in normal and additional gases laser ablation modes. The obtained U-Th-Pb ages of bastn?site were approximately 7–11% lower than their reference values in the normal analytical mode(without additional gas). Fortunately, the determined systematic age biases in UTh-Pb dating were significantly reduced(less than 1–2%) with the addition of water vapor within the ablation chamber. This reduction may be attributed to the observed significant suppression of206 Pb/238 U and208 Pb/232 Th downhole fractionation in both NIST 610 glass and bastn?site by introducing a small quantity of water vapor in the ablation chamber. In addition, the obtained206 Pb/238 U and208 Pb/232 Th ages of bastn?site K-9, LZ1384, and MAD809 showed great consistency with their corresponding recommended values. The obtained results show that accurate and precise U-Th-Pb ages of bastn?site can be simultaneously obtained by using glass NIST 610 as the primary calibration standard in 193-nm LA-ICP-MS with the water vapor-assisted method. This simple and effective water vapor-assisted non-matrix-matched laser ablation method helps to promote the geological application of bastn?site U-Th-Pb geochronology.