Very Low-Grade Metamorphism of Clastic Rocks from the Meso-Neoproterozoic and the Paleozoic along the Profile Yueyang-Linxiang in Northeastern Hunan Province and Its Geological Implications

This study uses illite crystallinity,chlorite crystallinity,illite polytypes,the b0 cell-dimension of K-white mica,clay mineral assemblages and mineral geothermo-geobarometers to investigate the overprint of diagenesis and metamorphism on the Meso-Neoproterozoic and the Lower Paleozoic along the profile Yueyang-Linxiang in northeastern Hunan Province,China.Illite crystallinity Kbler index（KI） of the 〈2μm fractions ranges from 0.225 to 0.485°Δ2θ while chlorite crystallinity Arkai index（AI） ranges from 0.244 to 1.500°Δ2θ.This indicates that the Meso-Neoproterozoic and the Lower Paleozoic along the profile Yueyang-Linxiang were overprinted with diagenesis and anchi- to epimetamorphism.Peak metamorphic temperature is estimated with the IV site chlorite geothermometer roughly at 360℃.The b0 cell dimension values of illites（K-mica） range from 0.9002 to 0.9054 nm and,on average,at 0.9030 nm for the Meso-Neoproterozoic.Based on cumulative frequency curves of illite（K-mica） b0 cell dimension,the peak metamorphic pressure of the MesoNeoproterozoic along the profile Yueyang-Linxiang is derived of an intermediate pressure type.Most illites occur in the 2M1 polytype and some of them in a mixture of 2M1＋1M types especially those in the Paleozoic.This result partly agrees with the conclusion of the lower greenschist and greenschist facies of the Lengjiaxi and Banxi Groups.However,it is not agreed with the sedimentary cover from the Sinian to the Lower Paleozoic or from the Banxi Group to the Lower Paleozoic.Crustal thickening due to ＂collision＂ between the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks led to an increase in the thickness of the Meso-Neoproterozoic to ca.14 km and resulted in a temperature increase in those rocks due to burial.The very low grade to low grade metamorphism overprinting the Meso-Neoproterozoic implies that the so called ＂Chiangnania or Jiangnan orogen＂ was no relative with the ＂Grenvillian orogeney;instead,it might be a continuous amalgamation product between the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks.

Diagenesis and Very Low-Grade Metamorphism of the Upper Permian Yangjiagou Formation in Eastern Changchun, China:Evidence from Clay Mineral Geothermobarometers

The metamorphic conditions of the Upper Permian Yangjiagou Formation in eastern Changchun, China, were evaluated based on the mineral assemblage, illite crystallinity, illite polytypism,the b dimension of illite, and the chemical composition of chlorite. The pelitic rocks in the Yangjiagou Formation are characterized by illite + kaolinite + chlorite ± mixed-layer chlorite/smectite and detrital quartz + plagioclase. Illite in the formation has a crystallinity of 0.38-0.55 and comprises mixed 2 Mand1 Mpolytypes, indicating a metamorphic temperature of >200℃. Based on the chemical composition of chlorite and the chlorite geothermometer, we estimated diagenetic to very low-grade metamorphic conditions with temperatures of 185℃～204℃. The b dimension of illite varies from 8.992 A to 9.005 A.We used a mathematical algorithm to extend Guidotti and Sassi’s(1986) diagram relating illite b dimension with temperature and pressure, and used this diagram, together with illite crystallinity and chlorite chemical composition, to semi-quantitatively estimate the formation pressure at<1.2 kbar. These reveal that the Yangjiagou Formation has experienced very low-grade metamorphism.

Asymptomatic low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm:A case report

BACKGROUND Low-grade appendiceal neoplasms(LAMN)are characterized by low incidence and atypical clinical presentations,often leading to misdiagnosis as acute or chronic appendicitis before surgery.The primary diagnostic tool for LAMN is abdominal computed tomography(CT)imaging.Surgical resection remains the cornerstone of LAMN management,necessitating en bloc tumor excision to minimize the risk of iatrogenic rupture.Laparoscopy,known for its minimal invasiveness,reduced postoperative discomfort,and expedited recovery,is a safe and reliable approach for LAMN treatment.Despite the possibility of pseudomyxoma peritonei development,appendectomy and partial appendectomy generally result in negative tumor margins and favorable outcomes,which can be attributed to the disease’s slow growth and lower malignancy.CASE SUMMARY A 71-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital with a pelvic spaceoccupying lesion detected 1 mo prior.Physical examination showed a soft abdomen without tenderness or rebound and no palpable masses.No shifting dullness was noted,and digital rectal examination revealed no palpable mass.Enteroscopy revealed a raised,smooth-surfaced mass measuring 3.0 cm in the cecum.Abdominal contrast-enhanced CT showed a markedly thickened and dilated appendix with visible cystic shadows.Laparoscopic surgery was performed and revealed a significantly dilated appendix,leading to laparoscopic resection of the appendix and part of the cecum.Post-surgical pathologic analysis confirmed LAMN.The patient received symptomatic and supportive post-operative care and was discharged on postoperative day 4 without complications such as abdominal bleeding,intestinal obstruction,or incision infection.No tumor recurrence was observed during a 7-mo follow-up period.CONCLUSION LAMN is a rare disease that lacks specific clinical manifestations.Abdominal CT plays a crucial role in diagnosing LAMN,and laparoscopic surgery is a safe and effective diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Low-grade myofibrosarcoma of the maxillary sinus:Two case reports

BACKGROUND Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma(LGMS)is an extremely rare tumor characterized by the malignant proliferation of myofibroblasts.LGMS most commonly develops in adults,predominantly in males,in the head and neck region,oral cavity,especially on the tongue,mandible,and larynx.This article presents 2 cases of LGMS localized to the maxillary sinus and provides an overview of the available literature.CASE SUMMARY Two patients with LGMS located in the maxillary sinus underwent surgery at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery.Case 1:A 46-year-old patient was admitted to the clinic with suspected LGMS recurrence in the right maxillary sinus(rT4aN0M0),with symptoms of pain in the suborbital area,watering of the right eye,thick discharge from the right nostril,and augmented facial asymmetry.After open biopsy-confirmed LGMS,the patient underwent expanded maxillectomy of the right side with immediate palate reconstruction using a microvascular skin flap harvested surgically from the middle arm.The patient qualified for adjuvant radiotherapy for the postoperative bed,with an additional margin.Currently,the patient is under 1.5 years of observation with no evidence of disease.Case 2:A 45-year-old man was admitted to our clinic with facial asymmetry,strabismus,exophthalmos,and visual impairment in the right eye.Six months earlier,the patient had undergone partial jaw resection at another hospital for fibromatosis.A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan revealed a tumor mass in the postoperative log after an earlier procedure.An open biopsy confirmed lowgrade fibrosarcoma(rT4aN0M0).The patient qualified for an extended total right maxillectomy with orbital excision and right hemimandibulectomy with immediate microvascular reconstruction using an anterolateral thigh flap.The patient subsequently underwent adjuvant radiotherapy to the postoperative area.After 9 months,recurrence occurred in the right mandibular arch below the irradiated area.The lesion infiltrated the base of the skull,which warranted the withdrawal of radiotherapy and salvage surgery.The patient qualified for palliative chemotherapy with a regimen of doxorubicin+dacarbazine+cyclophosphamide and palliative radiotherapy for bone metastases.The patient died 26 months after surgical treatment.The cases have been assessed and compared with cases in the literature.CONCLUSION No specific diagnostic criteria or treatment strategies have been developed for LGMS.The treatment used for LGMS is the same as that used for sinonasal cancer radical tumor excision;adjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy should also be considered.They have low malignant potential but are highly invasive,tend to recur,and metastasize to distant sites.Patients should undergo regular follow-up examinations to detect recurrence or metastasis at an early stage.Patients should be treated and observed at the highest referral centers.

Thermally Chargeable Proton Capacitor Based on Redox-Active Effect for Energy Storage and Low-Grade Heat Conversion

Thermal energy is abundantly available in our daily life and industrial production,and especially,low-grade heat is often regarded as a byproduct.Collecting and utilizing this ignored energy by low-cost and simple technologies may become a smart countermeasure to relieve the energy crisis.Here,a unique device has been demonstrated to achieve high value-added conversion of low-grade heat by introducing redox-active organic alizarin(AZ)onto N-doped hollow carbon nanofibers(N–HCNF)surface.As-prepared N–HCNF/AZ can deliver a high specific capacitance of 514.3 F g^(-1)(at 1 A g^(-1))and an outstanding rate capability of 60.3%even at 50 A g^(-1).Meanwhile,the assembled symmetric proton capacitor can deliver a high energy density of 28.0 Wh kg^(-1) at 350.0 W kg^(-1) and a maximum power density of 35.0 kW kg^(-1) at 17.0 Wh kg^(-1).Significantly,the thermally chargeable proton capacitors can attain a surprisingly high Seebeck coefficient of 15.3 mV K^(-1) and a power factor of 6.02µW g^(-1).Taking advantage of such high performance,a satisfying open-circuit voltage of 481.0 mV with a temperature difference of 54 K is achieved.This research provides new insights into construction of high value-added energy systems requiring high electrochemical performances.

Anlotinib in combination with pembrolizumab for low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma of the pancreas: A case report

BACKGROUND Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma(LGMS)is a rare spindle cell sarcoma espe-cially in the pancreas,with myofibroblastic differentiation.Hitherto,only a few cases have been reported.CASE SUMMARY Herein,we report a case involving the discovery of a pancreatic mass detected during a routine physical examination.Subsequent imaging and pathological tests of the patient led to the diagnosis of LGMS of the pancreas.Following surgical intervention,the patient experienced recurrence and metastasis.Conventional treatment is not effective for postoperative recurrent pancreatic LGMS with multiple metastases.After communicating with the patients and their families,informed consent was obtained for the treatment of anlotinib combined with pembrolizumab.Evaluation of imaging and clinical symptoms post-treatment revealed a relatively favorable response to the combination of anlotinib and pembrolizumab.CONCLUSION Based on the comprehensive literature review,our report aimed to provide evidence for a better understanding of the disease characteristics,diagnostic criteria,imaging findings,and identification of LGMS.And explore novel treatment strategies for this disease.

Metamorphic P-T conditions and zircon U-Pb ages of amphibolite in Laojinchang area,southern Jilin Province

The Longgang Block is one of the most important parts of the eastern North China Craton,characterized by extensive Late Neoarchean(~2.5 Ga)granulite facies metamorphism.However,it remains uncertain whether it was influenced by Paleoproterozoic magmatism-metamorphism.The authors provide a comprehensive analysis of amphibolite in Laojinchang area,southern Jilin Province,through petrographic,geochemical,mineralogical,and zircon dating.The main findings are as follows:The mineral assemblage of amphibolite is Hb+Pl+Cpx+Bi+Kf+Q,characteristic of amphibolite facies;zircon U-Pb dating indicates that the metamorphic age of amphibolite is 1834±33 Ma;the amphibolite has geochemical characteristics of calcium alkaline,with depletion of Nb,Ta,Ti and P.The plagioclase in the amphibolite is oligoclase,belonging to acidic plagioclase.It is speculated that the protolith of the amphibolite is diorite;using geothermobarometer,the peak metamorphic P-T conditions of amphibolite are determined to be 536–593℃/3.4–5.0 kbar,and the post-peak conditions are 429–566℃/1.3–3.1 kbar.The above results indicate that the Paleoproterozoic metamorphism has been superimposed on Longgang Block,linked to a new orogenic event on the northern edge of North China Craton.

Migmatite-like textures in anthracite:Further evidence for low-grade metamorphic melting and resolidification in high-rank coals

Previous studies demonstrated that melting,initiated by supercritical fluids in the 375-400℃range,occurred as part of anthracite metamorphism in the Appalachian Basin.Based on the known behavior of vitrinite at high temperatures and,to a lesser extent,at high pressures,it was determined that the duration of the heating,melting,and resolidification event was about 1 h.In the current study,featureless vitrinite within banded maceral assemblages demonstratesthe intimate association of melted and resolidified vitrinite with anthracite-rank macerals.By analogy with metamorphosed inorganic rocks,such associations represent diadysites and embrechites,i.e.,cross-cutting and layered migmatites,respectively.Even though the temperature of formation of the anthracite structures is several hundred℃lower than that seen in metamorphosed inorganic rocks,anthracites are metamorphic rocks and the nomenclature for metamorphic rocks may be appropriate for coal.

Structural,^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar Geochronological and Rheological Feature Analysis of the Guoxuepu Shear Zone:Indications for the Jitang Metamorphic Complex in the Northern Lancangjiang Zone

The Jitang metamorphic complex is key to studying the tectonic evolution of the Northern Lancangjiang zone.Through structural-lithological mapping,structural analysis and laboratory testing,the composition of the Jitang metamorphic complex was determined.The macro-and microstructural analyses of the ductile detachment shear zone(Guoxuepu ductile shear zone,2–4 km wide)between the metamorphic complex and the overlying sedimentary cap show that the shear sense of the ductile shear zones is top-to-the-southeast.The presence of various deformation features and quartz C-axis electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD)fabric analysis suggests multiple deformation events occurring at different temperatures.The average stress is 25.68 MPa,with the strain rates(έ)ranging from 9.77×10^(−14)s^(−1)to 6.52×10^(−16)s^(−1).The finite strain of the Guoxuepu ductile shear zone indicates an elongated strain pattern.The average kinematic vorticity of the Guoxuepu ductile shear zone is 0.88,implying that the shear zone is dominated by simple shear.The muscovite selected from the protomylonite samples in the Guoxuepu ductile shear zone yields a 40Ar-39Ar age of 60.09±0.38 Ma.It is suggested that,coeval with the initial Indo–Eurasian collision,the development of strike-slip faults led to a weak and unstable crust,upwelling of lower crust magma,then induced the detachment of the Jitang metamorphic complex in the Eocene.

TWO EPISODES OF MONAZITE CRYSTALLIZATION DURING METAMORPHISM AND CRUSTAL MELTING IN THE EVEREST REGION OF THE NEPALESE HIMALAYA

New monazite U\|Pb geochronological data from the Everest region suggest that 20～25Ma elapsed between the initial India—Asia collision and kyanite\|sillimanite grade metamorphism. Our results indicate a two\|phase metamorphic history, with peak Barrovian metamorphism at (32 2±0 4)Ma and a later high\|temperature, low\|pressure event (620℃, 400MPa) at (22 7±0 2)Ma.. Emplacement and crystallization of the Everest granite subsequently occurred at 20 5～21 3Ma. The monazite crystallization ages that differ by 10Ma are recorded in two structurally adjacent rocks of different lithology, which have the same post collisional p—T history.. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that the younger monazite is elaborately shaped and grew in close association with apatite at grain boundaries and triple junctions, suggesting that growth was stimulated by a change in the fluid regime. The older monazite is euhedral, is not associated with apatite, and is commonly armoured within silicate minerals. During the low\|pressure metamorphic event, the armouring protected the older monazites, and a lack of excess apatite in this sample prevented new growth. Textural relationships suggest that apatite is one of the necessary monazite\|producing reactants, and spots within monazite that are rich in Ca, Fe, Al and Si suggest that allanite acted as a preexisting rare earth element host. We propose a simplified reaction for monazite crystallization based on this evidence.

High- and Ultrahigh-pressure Metamorphism and Retrogressive Textures of Gneiss in the Donghai Area——Evidence from gneisses in drillhole ZK2304

In the gneisses from the drillhole ZK2304 of the Donghai area, there have been preserved high- and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic mineral assemblages, a series of complicated retrogressive textures and relevant metamorphic reactions. In addition to garnet, jadeititic-clinopyroxene and rutile, other peak stage (M2) minerals in some gneisses include phengite, aragonite and coesite or quartz pseudomorphs after coesite. The typical peak-stage mineral assemblages in gneisses are characterized by garnet + jadeitic-clinopyroxene + rutile + coesite, garnet + jadeitic-clinopyroxene + phengite + rutile ± coesite and garnet + jadeitic-clinopyroxene + aragonite + rutile ± coesite. The grossular content (Gro) in garnet is high and may reach 50. 1 mol%. The SiO2 content of phengite ranges from 54.37% to 54.84% with 3.54-3.57 p.f.u. Quartz pseudomorphs after coesite occur as inclusions in garnet.The gneisses of the Donghai area have been subjected to multistage recrystallization and exhibit a closewise P-T evolutional path characterized by the near-isothermal decompression. The inclusion assemblage (Hb+Ep+Bi+Pl+Qz) within garnet and other minerals has recorded a pre-peak stage (Mi) epidote amphibole fades metamorphic event. High- and ultrahigh-pressure peak metamorphism (M2) took place at T=750-860℃ and P>2.7 GPa. The symplectitic assemblages after garnet, jadeitic-clinopyroxene and rutile imply a near-isothermal decompression metamorphism (M3, M4) during the rapid exhumation. Several lines of evidence of petrography and metamorphic reactions indicate that both gneisses and eclogites have experienced ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism in the Donghai area. This research may be of great significance for an in-depth study of the metamorphism and tectonic evolution in the Su-Lu ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt.

Metamorphism of the East Sector of the Southern Qinling Orogenic Belt and Its Geological Significance

The east sector of the southern Qinling belt is, lithologically, composed mainly of metapelites, ***qüartzites, marbles and small amount of metabasites and gneisses, whose protoliths are the Silurian, Devonian and less commonly the Sinian and Upper Palaeozoic. They have been subjected at least to two epochs of metamorphism. The early epoch belongs to progressive metamorphism which is centered on high amphibolite-granulite fades in the Fuping area and changed outwards into low amphibolite facies (staurolite-kyanite zone), epidote amphibolite facies (garnet zone) and greenschist facies (chlorite and biotite zones), the metamorphic age of which is about 220–260 Ma. This early-epoch metamorphism belongs to different pressure types: the rocks from greenschist to low amphibolite facies belong to the typical medium-pressure type which shows geothermal gradients of about 17–20 ***C/km and was probably produced by a crustal thickening process related to continental collision, and the high amphibolite-granulite facies belongs to the low-pressure type which shows geothermal gradients of about 25–38 ***C/km and was probably affected by some magmatic heats. Based on the basic characteristics of the P-T paths of the different facies calculated from the garnet zonations, it can be deduced that the metamorphism of medium-pressure facies series took place during an imbricated thickening process, rather than during the uplifting process after thickening. The late-epoch metamorphism belongs to dynamic metamorphism of greenschist facies which is overprinted on the early-epoch metamorphic rocks and is Yanshanian or Himalayan in age, probably related to intracontinental orogeny.

Eclogites of the Dabie Region: Retrograde Metamorphismand Fluid Evolution

Based upon fluid effects, retrograde metamorphism of eclogites in the Dabieregion can be divided into the fluid-poor, fluid-bearing and fluid-rich stages. The fluid-poor stageis marked by polymorphic inversion, recrystallization and exsolution of solid solutions, and isthought to represent eclogite-facies retrograde environments. The fluid-bearing stage is likely tohave occurred at the late stage of ecologite-facies diaphthorosis and is represented by kyaniteporphyroblasts, rutile, and sodic pyroxene in association with high-pressure hydrous minerals suchas phengite and zoisite (clinozoisite) without significant amount of hydrous minerals such asamphibole, epidote and biotite. The fluid-rich stage might have commenced concomitantly with loweramphibolite-facies diaphthoresis and persisted all the way towards the near-surface environment. Theproduct of this stage is characterized by plentiful hydrous and volatile-bearing phases.The dissemination-type rutile mineralizations in eclogites might have formed by preferentialshearing-induced pressure solution of gangue minerals at the fluid-bearing stage. The accompanyingvein rutile was precipitated from fluids of this stage after local transport and concentration, andmay hence represent proximal mobilization of titanium from the eclogite. Therefore, rutile veins canbe used as an exploration indicator for dissemination-type rutile deposits.

Precambrian Metamorphism of Tiya－Olokit Metamorphic Belt in Northern Balkal Region and its Metallogeny

The paper deals with results of petrological observations of the Precambrian rocks in the Tiya-Olokit metamorphic belt of the Northern Balkal region. Evoluhon of mstamorphic processes from Archean through to Paleozoic is characterized. Interrelations of metamorphic and ore formation processes are shown .Various genetic types of metamorphism and their metallogeulc speianzation (pyrihc-polylnetallic, gold-sulphide and others) are established.A great number of previously published analyses of garnets, biohtes, amphiholes, pyroxenes and muscovitde from metamorphic rocks have been made use of. The evoluhon of their compositions under progressive zoned metamorphism and diaphthoresis is revealed.

Diagenesis and Metamorphism of Triassic Flysch Along Profile Zoige-Lushan,Northwest Sichuan,China

We used illite and chlorite crystaHinities, index minerals, mineral assemblages, polytype and domain size of white mica, electron microprobe analysis （EMPA）, b0 geobarometer and chlorite geothermometer to quantify the diagenetic and metamorphic overprint on the Triassic flysch formations in the Songpan-Garze orogen along profile Zoige-Lushan, northwest Sichuan. Two anchizones, two epizones, one diagenetic zone and a transition belt in-between them are defined on the basis of the obtained data. lllite crystallinity correlates strongly with the best mean domain size of mica and moderately with chlorite crystallinity. 2M1 white mica polytype are observed within the epizone whilst 2M1 and 1M polytypes occur in the anchizone and diagenetic zone. Epizonal metamorphism reached maximum temperatures of 370℃±21℃ at low-to intermediate pressure conditions. Clay minerals underwent Ostwald ripening during metamorphism. Rocks from both sides of the Longmenshan fault reveal contrasting degrees of metamorphic overprint： on the northwest side of the Longmenshan fault, epimetamorphic conditions contrast with diagenetic rocks on the southeast side.

Mineralogical Evidence for Regional Metamorphism Overprinted by Contact Metamorphism

The Soursat metamorphic complex （SMC） in northwestern Iran is part of the Sanandaj- Sirjan metamorphic belt. The complex is composed of different metamorphic and plutonic rocks, but is dominated by metapelites composed of garnet, staurolite, kyanite, fibrolite, cordierite, and andalusite. Porphyroblasts in schists have the same fabric, and three stages of schistosity are present. The internal schistosity （Sn） inclusion trails are also offset by conjugate sets of extensional schistosity （Sn＋l） and a second （Sn＋2） that crenulates （Sn＋l）. Polyphase metamorphisms are present in the complex. Garnet, staurolite, kyanite, and fibrolite assemblage preserves conditions during the M1 metamorphic event. This assemblage yields a P-t estimate of 645±11℃ and 6.5±0.5 kbar. Other samples of the central part of SMC contain cordierite and andalusite （M2） overgrowth that yields a P- t estimate of 532±33℃ and 2.1±1.1 kbar.

Hepatic steatosis,low-grade chronic inflammation and hormone/growth factor/adipokine imbalance

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a further expression of metabolic syndrome, strictly linked to obesity and diabetes mellitus, is characterized by insulin resistance (IR), elevated serum levels of free fatty acids and fatty infi ltration of the liver, which is known as hepatic steatosis. Hepatocyte apoptosis is a key feature of this disease and correlates with its severity. Free-fatty-acidinduced toxicity represents one of mechanisms for the pathogenesis of NAFLD and hormones, growth factors and adipokines influence also play a key role. This review highlights the various pathways that contribute to the development of hepatic steatosis. Circulating concentrations of inflammatory cytokines are reckoned to be the most important factor in causing and maintaining IR. Low-grade chronic inflammation is fundamental in the progression of NAFLD toward higher risk cirrhotic states.

Study of oxidative desulphurization process of coal with different metamorphism degrees

The oxidative desulphurization process of coal with different metamorphism degrees treated by an air-steam mixture has been studied.It has been shown that the pyrite present in black coal and anthracite is oxidized with the sulphur dioxide formation,and the process chemical mechanism does not depend on the quality of organic matter.The medium-metamorphized coal,capable of turning into a plastic state and cake in the range of investigated temperatures(350～450 ℃),is desulphurized with the greatest difficulty.The chemical mechanism dealing with the transformations of pyritic sulphur present in brown coal differs from similar processes taking place in black coal and anthracite,because FeS2 is converted with hydrogen sulphide formation at desulphurization.

Timing of Metamorphism and Provenance of the Metamorphic Basement of the Xiangshan Uranium Orefield, Jiangxi Province, China

The origin, age and evolution of the Precambrian metamorphic basement of southern China provide useful insights into early crustal development. Here, we present new laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry （LA-ICP-MS） U-Pb age data for detrital zircons from five samples of the Precambrian metamorphic basement of the Xiangshan uranium orefield. Two of these samples, from the northern Xiangshan volcanic basin, yielded a total of 140 U-Pb ages that cluster within the Neoproterozoic （773-963 Ma; 79.3% of data points）, with the rest being scattered through the Paleoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic, along with a single Archean age. These ages indicate that this basement material is associated with the Cathaysia Block. In comparison, the 172 concordant ages from the other three samples from the southern part of the Xiangshan volcanic basin cluster within the Neoproterozoic （767-944 Ma; 59.8%） as well as the Proterozoic （37.8%） and the Archean （2502-2712 Ma; 14.5%）. These samples are also free of zircons with Grenvillian ages, indicating that these units are associated with the southeastern Yangtze Block. Combining these data with the geochemistry of these units, which suggests that the metamorphosed sedimentary rocks within the northern and southern parts of the Xiangshan basin have a common component from a magmatic island arc that formed during the early Neoproterozoic, we infer that the basin was located along the boundary between the Cathaysian and Yangtze blocks. In addition, the zircons within the samples from the southern and northern parts of the Xiangshan basin show different pre-Neoproterozoic （963 Ma） age populations but similar post- Neoproterozoic zircon populations, indicating that the amalgamation of the Cathaysian and Yangtze blocks occurred after the Neoproterozoic （960 Ma）, with magmatism peaking at 830 Ma and rifting starting at -770 Ma, leading to the subsequent deposition （from bottom to top） of the Shenshan, Kuli, and Shangshi formations.

Distinguishing and Correlating Multiple Phases of Metamorphism across Multiply Deformed Regions Using the Axes of Inclusion Trails in Porphyroblasts

Successions of FIAs（foliation inflection/intersection axes preserved within porphyroblasts） provide a relative time scale for deformation and metamorphism.In-situ dating of monazite grains preserved as inclusions within garnet and staurolite porphyroblasts within the foliations defining each FIA from such successions provides a rigorous approach to grouping ages that formed over extended periods of deformation and metamorphism.Matching age and FIA progressions confirms the suitability of this approach plus provides access to lengthy histories that cannot otherwise be determined.Tectonism in the Big Thompson region of the Colorado Rocky Mountains,USA began about a SW-NE trending axis defined by FIA set 1 at around 1761±13 Ma.Subsequent periods of tectonism occurred around 1712±25 and 1672±21 Ma about W-E and NW-SE trending FIAs 2 and 3, respectively.Tectonism in the Balcooma Metamorphic Group NW of Greenvale in NE Queensland, Australia began around 470 Ma with the growth of garnet porphyroblasts about a W-E trending axis defined by FIA set 1.No monazite grains were preserved as inclusions in this mineral phase but they were in subsequently grown staurolite.Tectonism then occurred around 443.2±3.8,424±4 and 408.9±8.9 Ma about NNW-SSE,SSW-NNE and W-E trending FIAs 2,3 and 4,respectively.This test of a FIA based approach to monazite dating in tectonic regimes in different parts of the world and with dramatically different ages suggests it can be used in all orogens containing porphyroblasts preserving inclusion trails.