Comparative Orotomy of the Archean Superior,North China,and Phanerozoic Altaid Orogenic Systems Architecture

Geological maps encode vast amounts of data about rock types,ages,chemistry,orogenic architecture and deep-time history or different tectonic units,yet these are often difficult to extract because of the way different geologists portray their results at various scales.To understand orogenesis in 4D,it is essential to uniformly integrate map data,together with geophysical data and deep geochemical mapping(Wang et al.,2023).

Geochemistry and Petrogenesis of Basic and Ultrabasic Rocks Elogo Complex in Ivindo Archean Block (Congo Craton): Geodynamic Implications

The Elogo complex is a greenstone belt portion located on the Eastern edge of the Archean Congo craton at the junction with the Paleoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic Sembe Ouesso basin. This study was carried out on this complex to determine the context of the placement of basaltic rocks. Metaluminous tholeiitic basalts (basic and ultrabasic), calc-alkaline basalts, andesitic basalts, and peraluminous calc-alkaline dacites represent greenstones. Tholeiitic and calc-alkaline basalts come from deep enriched and depleted mantle sources, including garnet in fusion residues [Al2O3/TiO2 > 16 (16.5 to 35.12) and in some samples between 12.45 to 14.48;CaO/Al2O3 1 (1.04 to 1.35) in ten samples and (Gb/Yb)PM > 1]. The calc-alkaline dacites come from a shallow depleted mantle source [Al2O3/TiO2 > 16;CaO/Al2O3 1]. Tholeiitic and calc-alkaline basalts have a negative Rb, Ba, Ce, and Nb anomaly without negative Ti anomaly, positive Ta, Pb anomalies, and a lack of significant REE [(La/Yb)n = 0.36 to 0.97 and 1 to 2.15;(Ce/Yb)n = 0.27 to 0.96 and 1.04 to 1.72, respectively] fractionation. High Nb/Th (2 to 10) and Nb/U (1.82 to 26) ratios and low La/Ta (5 to 27) ratios are characteristic of divergent margin magmatic sources. Tholeiitic and calc-alkaline basalts correspond to an extensive back-arc basin-type tectonic setting. Calc-alkaline andesitic basalts and dacites show positive Ba, U, Th, K, La, Ce, Pb, and Li anomalies and negative Nb, Ta, and Ti anomalies reflecting crustal contamination and hydrothermal alteration in a compressive tectonic context as a volcanic arc in a subduction regime marking the interruption of the meso-neoarchean Elogo’s opening. Elogo’s opening and closing are probably associated with the emplacement of the greenstone of the meso-neoarchean Gabon Belinga group and the relics of the Mesoarchean greenstones of the Cameroun Ntem complex.

Archean Basement and a Paleoproterozoic Collision Orogen in the Huoqiu Area at the Southeastern Margin of North China Craton: Evidence from Sensitive High Resolution Ion Micro-Probe U-Pb Zircon Geochronology

This paper reports sensitive high resolution ion micro-probe U-Pb zircon ages for the ＂Huoqiu Group＂ and granitoids of the Early Precambrian basement in the Huoqiu area, southeastern margin of the North China Craton. The ＂Huoqiu Group＂ is similar in rock association and metamorphism to the khondalite series, apart from it containing considerable amounts of banded iron formation. All detrital zircons from the ＂Huoqiu Group＂ meta-sedimentary rocks are 3.0 Ga and 2.75 Ga, without any 2.5 Ga and younger ones, as is commonly found in Paleoproterozoic khondalite series in other areas of the North China Craton. In the Huoqiu area, 2.75 Ga and 2.56 Ga granitoids have also been identified. This basement assemblage underwent strong metamorphism during the late Paleoproterozoic （-1.84 Ga） tectonothermal event that is widely developed in the North China Craton. Thus the formation time of the ＂Huoqiu Group＂ can be constrained between 2.75 and 1.84 Ga in terms of detrital and metamorphic zircon ages. It is considered, combined with regional data, that there may be a Paleoproterozoic collision orogen extending in a NWW-SEE direction to the southern margin of the North China Craton.

Tourmaline from the Archean G.R.Halli gold deposit,Chitradurga greenstone belt,Dharwar craton(India):Implications for the gold metallogeny

Tourmaline occurs as a minor but important mineral in the alteration zc,ne of the Archean orogenic gold deposit of Guddadarangavanahalli （G.R.Halli） in the Chitradurga greenst^ne belt of the western Dharwar craton, southern India. It occurs in the distal alteration halo of the G.R.Halli golcl deposit as （a） clusters of very fine grained aggregates which form a minor constituent in the natrix of the altered metabasalt （AMB tourmaline） and （b） in quartz-carbonate veins （vein tourmaline）. ~[＇he vein tourmaline, based upon the association of specific carbonate minerals, is further grouped as （i） albite-tourmaline-ankerite-quartz veins （vein-1 tourmaline） and （ii） albite-tourmaline-calcite-quartz veins （vein-2 tourmaline）. Both the AMB tourmaline and the vein tourmalines （vein-I and vein-2） belong to the alkali group and are clas- sified under schorl-dravite series. Tourmalines occurring in the veins are zoned while the AMB tour- malines are unzoned. Mineral chemistry and discrimination diagrams 1eveal that cores and rims of the vein tourmalines are distinctly different. Core composition of the ve：n tourmalines is similar to the composition of the AMB tourmaline. The formation of the AMB tourmaline and cores of the vein tour- malines are proposed to be related to the regional D1 deformational event associated with the emplacement of the adjoining ca. 2.61 Ga Chitradurga granite whilst rims of the vein tourmalines vis-a- vis gold mineralization is spatially linked to the juvenile magmatic accretion （2.56-2.50 Ga） east of the studied area in the western part of the eastern Dharwar craton.

Modern-style Subduction Processes in the Archean:Evidence from the Shangyi Complex in North China Craton

Three fragments of the Archean oceanic crust have been found between the Archean granulite belt and the Paleo-Proterozoic Hongqiyingzi group in North China craton, which spread along the Shangyi-Chicheng ancient fault. This paper presents integrated field, petrology, geochemistry and geochronology evidence of the ancient oceanic fragments. The magma crystallizing age of the tonalite in the Shangyi complex is 2512±19 Ma and the geochemical characteristics suggest that the Nbenriched basalts may be related to crustal contamination and formed in the intra-oceanic arc of the supra subduction zone setting.

Formation and evolution of the Archean continental crust of China:A review

The mainland of China is composed of the North China Craton,the South China Craton,the Tarim Craton and other young orogehie belts.Amongst the three cratons,the North China Craton has been studied most and noted for its widely-distributed Archean basement rocks.In this paper,we assess and compare the geology,rock types,formation age and geochemical composition features of the Archean basements of the three cratons.They have some common characteristics,including the fact that the crustal rocks prior to the Paleoarchean and the supracrustal rocks of the Neoarehean were preserved,and Tonalite-Trondhjemtite- Granodiorite (TTG)magmatism and tectono-magmatism occurred at about 2.7 Ga and about 2.5 Ga respectively.The Tarim Craton and the North China Craton show more similarities in their early Precambrian crustal evolution.Significant findings on the Archean basement of the North China Craton are coneluded to be:(1)the tectonic regime in the early stage (>3.1 Ga)is distinct from modem plate tectonics;(2)the continental crust accretion occurred mostly from the late Mesoarchean to the early Neoarehean period;(3)a huge linear tectonic belt already existed in the late Neoarchean period,suggesting the beginning of plate tectonics;and (4)the preliminary cratonization had already been completed by about 2.5 Ga. Hadean detrital zircons were found at a total of nine locations within China.Most of them show clear oscillatory zoning,sharing similar textures with magmatic zircons from interrnediate-felsic magmatic rocks. This indicates that a fair quantity of continental material had already developed on Earth at that time.

Zircon U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotope constraints on Archean crustal evolution in Southeastern Guyana Shield

The southeastern Guyana Shield,northeast Amazonian Craton,in the north of Brazil,is part of a widespread orogenic belt developed during the Transamazonian orogenic cycle(2.26-1.95 Ga)that includes a large Archean continental landmass strongly reworked during the Transamazonian orogeny,named Amapa Block.It consists mainly of a high-grade metamorphic granulitic-migmatitic-gneiss complex,of Meso-to Neoarchean age and Rhyacian granitoids and supracrustal sequences.For the first time,coupled U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotope data were obtained on zircon by LA-ICP-MS from five tectono-stratigraphic units of the Archean basement and one Paleoproterozoic intrusive rock,in order to investigate the main episodes of crustal growth and reworking.Whole-rock Sm-Nd isotope data were compared to the zircon Lu-Hf data.Three main magmatic episodes were defined by U-Pb zircon dating,two in the Mesoarchean(~3.19 Ga and 2.85 Ga)and one in the Neoarchean(~2.69-2.65 Ga).SubchondriticεHf(t)values obtained for almost all investigated units indicate that crustal reworking processes were predominant during the formation of rocks that today make up the Amapa Block.Hf-TDMC model ages,ranging from2.99 Ga to 3.97 Ga,indicate that at least two important periods of mantle extraction and continental crust formation occurred during the Archean in southeastern Guyana Shield,an older one in the Eoarchean(~4.0 Ga)and a younger one in the Mesoarchean(~3.0-3.1 Ga).The latter is recognized as an important period of crustal accretion worldwide.The recognition of an Eoarchean episode to the southeastern most part of the Guyana Shield is unprecedented and was not recorded by whole-rock Sm-Nd data,which were restricted to the Meso-Paleoarchean(2.83 Ga to 3.51 Ga).This finding reveals t hat continental crust generation in the Amazonian Craton began at least 500 Ma earlier than previously suggested by the SmNd systematics.

Petrogenesis of Two Types of Archean TTGs in the North China Craton:A Case Study of Intercalated TTGs in Lushan and Non-intercalated TTGs in Hengshan

TTG （Tonalite-Trondhjemite-Granodiorite） gneisses, a major component of Precambrian continental crust, play a significant role in understanding the process and mechanism of the crustal evolution in the early periods of the Earth. In terms of field occurrence, there are two kinds of Archean TTGs in the NCC （North China Craton）： intercalated and non-intercalated TTGs. In this contribution, we make a comprehensive comparison of these two types of TTGs from the typical areas （Lushan and Hengshan） in the NCC with an aim to constrain their petrogenesis. The results suggest that they have similar mineral assemblages of Pl ＋ Qtz ＋ Bt ± Amp ± Kfs but different field appearances and geochemical compositions, thus probably reflecting different source materials and tectonic settings. Differences in the contents of characteristic elements, such as Sr, REE and HFSE, suggest that the non-intercalated TTGs in Hengshan were generated at deeper levels than those of intercalated TTGs in Lushan. Constraints from element contents and geochemical modeling results are consistent with derivation from dual sources involving both garnet amphibolite and rutile-bearing eclogite residues for the non-intercalated TTGs in Hengshan, whereas the compositions of intercalated TTGs in Lushan indicate that they were formed by partial melting with amphibolite to garnet-amphibolite residues. Moreover, accumulation of plagioclase is also required in the petrogenesis of intercalated TTGs in Lushan, at least for part of them. In addition, the non-intercalated TTGs in Hengshan display distinctly higher MgO, Mg#, Cr and Ni values and lower SiO2 average contents compared to the intercalated TTGs in Lushan. These features suggest that the former magma, at least a part, might have interacted with the mantle wedge during ascent. Considering all the above factors and in combination with the whole-rock Nd and zircon Hf isotopic data, it is suggested that the non-intercalated TTGs in Hengshan were produced by partial melting of subducted slab contaminated by the overlying mantle wedge at deeper levels and high pressures, whereas the intercalated TTGs in Lushan were generated by melting of the thickened lower crust at lower pressures and shallower depths. The tectonic settings of the two types of TTGs shed new light on the growth of the NCC.

Structural analysis, metamorphism, and geochemistry of the Archean granitoids-greenstones of the Sukumaland Greenstone Belt around Geita Hills, Northern Tanzania

Greenstone rocks, which include Banded Iron Formations (BIFs), tuffs, volcanic flows (basalt, andesite and rhyolite), and clastic sedimentary rocks (shale-mudstone, greywacke-sandstone and conglomerate), crop out around Geita Hills and are flanked by granites and granodiorites. BIFs and tuffs occupy larger area than other lithological units, which crop out as patches. Structural analysis indicates that layers of green-stone rocks are folded and display a regional fold axis with an attitude of 320o/40o. Low-grade metamorphic mineral assemblages (actinolite-epidote-chlorite in basalts and muscovite-epidote-chlorite in granitoids) are common in these rocks;this indicates a regional metamorphism at greenschist facies. However, BIFs and basalts are locally metamorphosed to epidote-amphibolite and amphibolite facies. Basalts belong to the tholeiite series whereas granites, diorites and rhyolites belong to the calcalkaline series. Chondrite normalized rare earth element pattern of basalt is flat and plot slightly below the average N-MORB values suggesting the enrichment of the light rare earth elements, which means that mantle magma source was an E-MORB. Granitoids and rhyolites have strong affinities to the continental arc source magma displaying strong enrichments in the LREEs with (La/Sm)N values ranging between 2.53 and 3.95 in rhyolites and between 4.08 and 5.40 in granitoids. The granitoids are classified as the I-type synorogenic metaluminous granites and granodiorites. Geochemical signatures suggest that the Geita Hills basalts erupted at the enriched mid ocean ridge setting of the back arc setting, and the granites, granodiorite and rhyolite formed in a volcanic arc setting particularly the continental arc.

Metamorphism of the northern Liaoning Complex:Implications for the tectonic evolution of Neoarchean basement of the Eastern Block,North China Craton

As one of the areas where typical late Archean crust is exposed in the Eastern Block of the North China Craton, the northern Laioning Complex consists principally of tonalitic-trondhjemitic-granodioritic （TTG） gneisses, massive granitoids and supracrustal rocks. The supracrustal rocks, named the Qingyuan Group, consist of interbedded amphibolite, hornblende granulite, biotite granulite and BIF. Petrological evidence indicates that the amphibolites experienced the early prograde （M1）, peak （M2） and post-peak （M3） metamorphism. The early prograde assemblage （M1） is preserved as mineral inclusions, represented by actinotite ＋ hornblende - plagioclase ＋ epidote ＋ quartz 4- sphene, within garnet porphyroblasts. The peak assemblage （M2） is indicated by garnet ＋ clinopyroxene ＋ hornblende ＋ plagioclase ＋ quartz ＋ ilmenite, which occur as major mineral phases in the rock. The post-peak assemblage （M3） is characterized by the garnet 4- quartz symplectite. The P-T pseudosections in the NCFMASHTO system constructed by using THERMOCALC define the P-T conditions of M1, M2 and M3 at 490-550 C＋（4.5 kbar, 780 810 C/7.65- 8.40 kbar and 630-670 ＋C]8.15-9.40 kbar, respectively. As a result, an anticlockwise P-T path involving isobaric cooling is inferred for the metamorphic evolution of the amphibolites. Such a P-T path suggests that the late Archean metamorphism of the northern Liaoning Complex was related to the intrusion and underplating of mantle-derived magmas. The underplating of voluminous mantle-derived magmas leading to metamorphism with an anticlockwise P-T path involving isobaric cooling may have occurred in continental magmatic arc regions, above hot spots driven by mantle plumes, or in continental rift envi- ronments. A mantle plume model is favored because this model can reasonably interpret many other geological features of late Archean basement rocks from the northern Liaoning Complex in the Eastern Block of the North China Craton as well as their anticlockwise P-T paths involving isobaric cooling.

Archean Mass-independent Fractionation of Sulfur Isotope:New Evidence of Bedded Sulfide Deposits in the Yanlingguan-Shihezhuang area of Xintai,Shandong Province

Multiple sulfur isotope ratios （^34S/^33S/^32S） of Archean bedded sulfides deposits were measured in the Yanlingguan Formation of the Taishan Group in Xintai, Shandong Province, East of China; 633S = -0.7%o to 3.8‰,δ^34S = 0.1‰-8.8‰, △^33S = -2.3‰ to -0.7‰. The sulfur isotope compositions show obvious mass-independent fractionation （MIF） signatures. The presence of MIF of sulfur isotope in Archean sulfides indicates that the sulfur was from products of photochemical reactions of volcanic SO2 induced by solar UV radiation, implying that the ozone shield was not formed in atmosphere at that time, and the oxygen level was less than 10-5 PAL （the present atmosphere level）. The sulfate produced by photolysis of SO2 with negative △^33S precipitated near the volcanic activity center; and the product of element S with positive △^33S precipitated far away from the volcanic activity center. The lower △^33S values of sulfide （-2.30‰ to --0.25‰） show that Shihezhuang was near the volcanic center, and sulfur was mostly from sulfate produced by photolysis. The higher △^33S values （-0.5‰ to -‰） indicate that Yanlingguan was far away from the volcanic center and that some of sulfur were from sulfate, another from element S produced by photolysis. The data points of sulfur isotope from Yanlingguan are in a line parallel to MFL （mass dependent fractionation line） on the plot of δ^34S--δ^33S, showing that the volcanic sulfur species went through the atmospheric cycle into the ocean, and then mass dependent fractionation occurred during deposition of sulfide. The data points of sulfur isotope from Shihezhuang represent a mix of different sulfur source.

Nd-Sr Isotopic Geochemistry of the Late Archean-Paleoproterozoic Granitoids in the Lüliang-Wutai Terrain,North China Craton,and Implications for Petrogenesis

In this paper we report geochemical and Nd-Sr isotopic data for a late Archean gneissic granitic pluton （Hengling pluton）, an early Paleoproterozoic complex （Xipan complex） and a late Paleoproterozoic granitic pluton （Yunzhongshan granites） from the Liiliang-Wutai terrain, North China, to trace the source of these late Archean-Paleoproterozoic granitoids and, particularly, to understand the nature and mechanism of continental growth at that time. The Hengling granitic gneisses （ca. 2.51 Ga） are characterized by high Na2O and LILEs, TTG-like REE patterns （highly depleted HREE and minor Eu anomalies） and moderately depleted Nd-Sr isotopic compositions （εNd（t） =1.2-2.7, ISr=0.7015-0.7019）, and were considered as being products of arc magmatism that was developed upon the North China craton. The Xipan complex （ca. 2.2 Ga） contain gabbroic diorite and monzonite, mostly being Na2O-rich, highly fractionated REE patterns and isotopically enriched （εNd（t） =-1.5 to -4.1, Isr=0.7038-0.706）. The gabbroic diorites probably originated from melting of an enriched mantle source, but significantly contaminated by lower crustal material, and the monzonites probably represent a product of a mixture between the gabbroic dioritic magma and granitic melts of crustal origin. The Yunzhongshan post-collisional granitoids （ca. 1.8 Ga） are characterized by high-K affinity and highly-enriched and homogeneous Nd isotopic compositions （εNd（t）=-4.9 to -5.7）, although they split into two groups in terms of REE patterns： one group showing elevated HREE （and Sc, Y and Zr） with significant negative Eu anomalies and the other showing highly depleted HREE and, to a lesser extent, mid-REE with negligible Eu anomalies. These granites are genetically related to a process of extensional collapse of a thickened orogen. They formed through magma mixing between mantle-derived basaltic magmas and crust-derived granitic melts, followed by significant fractionation of ferromagnesian phases （like hornblende and Cpx） and feldspar and accessory zircons. Some Yunzhongshan granites show very old Nd model ages （2.9-3.0 Ga）, suggesting the existence of continental crust older than 2.7 Ga, which is supported by our zircon Hf isotopic data for these granites.

A primitive mantle source for the Neoarchean mafic rocks from the Tanzania Craton

Mafic rocks comprising tholeiitic pillow basalt, dolerite and minor gabbro form the basal stratigraphic unit in the ca. 2.8 to 2.6 Ga Geita Greenstone Belt situated in the NW Tanzania Craton. They outcrop mainly along the southern margin of the belt, and are at least 50 million years older than the supracrustal assemblages against which they have been juxtaposed. Geochemical analyses indicate that parts of the assemblage approach high Mg-tholeiite （more than 8 wt.% MgO）. This suite of samples has a restricted compositional range suggesting derivation from a chemically homogenous reservoir. Trace element modeling suggests that the mafic rocks were derived by partial melting within the spinel peridotite field from a source rock with a primitive mantle composition. That is, trace elements maintain primitive mantle ratios （Zr/Hf = 32-35, Ti/Zr - 107-147）, producing flat REE and HFSE profles [（La/Yb）pm = 0.9 -1.3], with abundances of 3-10 times primitive mantle and with minor negative anomalies of Nb [（Nb/ La）pm - 0.6-0.8] and Th [（Th/La）pm = 0.6-0.9]. Initial isotope compositions （εNd） range from 1.6 to 2.9 at 2.8 Ga and plot below the depleted mantle line suggesting derivation from a more enriched source compared to present day MORB mantle. The trace element composition and Nd isotopic ratios are similar to the mafic rocks outcropping -50 km south. The mafic rocks outcropping in the Geita area were erupted through oceanic crust over a short time period, between -2830 and-2820 Ma; are compositionally homogenous, contain little to no associated terrigenous sediments, and their trace element composition and short emplacement time resemble oceanic plateau basalts. They have been interpreted to be derived from a plume head with a primitive mantle composition.

Geochemical Characteristics of Archean High-Grade Terrain of Kongling Complex and Early Crustal Evolution of Yangtze Craton

This paper reports the systematic studies of geochemistry on the meta sedimentary rocks, felsic gneisses and amphibolites of the Kongling complex from the Archean high grade terrain of the Yangtze craton. It shows that the amphibolites originated from a weakly depleted mantle resource. Nb negative anomaly, negative ε (Nd, t ) and the t DM ages which older than their isochron ages of the TTG gneisses imply the possible existence of the crust older than round about 2.7 Ga in the region. Three types of meta sedimentary rocks are identified from the Kongling complex. The first type originated from the juvenile crust with the features of the first cycle sedimentary rocks. Cratonic sedimentary rocks characterize the second type. Mobilization of REE and other elements resulted from partial melting during the migmatization is found in the third type of meta sedimentary rocks. Apart from the early TTG gneisses, some of the mafic rocks are also expected to be the source rocks of the first type of para rocks. The deposition times of the first and second type paragneisses are closed in the Neoarchean of about 2.7 Ga and the early period of Proterozoic respectively, and the period when cratonization of the Yangtze continental block completed is referred to be earlier than the Mesoproterozoic. Nd isotopic tracing on the magma sources of the Jinning granitic rocks in the region reveals that the major part of the Kongling basement is Neoarchean.

High-Field-Strength Elements in Mafic Volcanics from North China Craton: Implications for Archean-Proterozoic Boundary and Source Composition

Archean to Cenozoic mafic volcanic rocks from the North China craton are studied. They show Archean Proterozoic (Ar Pt) boundary and geochemical anomalies in Cenozoic basalts. Proterozoic mafic volcanics are enriched in most of the high field strength elements (HFSE) compared with Archean ones. Nb, Ta and Th show a distinct sequence of incompatibility in Archean and Proterozoic. The Cenozoic basalts are enriched in HFSE and Ni and their REEs are strongly differentiated with positive Eu anomalies ( δ (Eu)=1.14). The Ar Pt boundary could be related to change in oxygen fugacity and requires an increasing importance of enriched mantle source. The geochemistry of Cenozoic basalts implies a mantle source similar to OIB. Residuum from subducting partial melting of old basaltic oceanic crust and continental crust is likely to contribute to the formation of the enriched mantle.

Zircon U-Pb Ages for TTG Gneiss and a Concomitant Felsic Vein from the South Hengshan Complex,Trans-North China Orogen:New Evidence for Late Archean Metamorphism

Objective The Trans-North China Orogen(TNCO)is widely considered as a Paleoproterozoic(1.95-1.85 Ga)continental collisional belt along which the Eastern and Western blocks amalgamated to form the North China Craton.In recent years,several late Archean(~2.50 Ga)metamorphic ages were reported in this belt(Yang et al.,2015;Xiao et al.,2019;Wang et al.,2020),arousing widespread discussion on late Archean metamorphism.In the South Hengshan Complex(SHC)of the TNCO,an interesting outcrop has been discovered(Fig.1),which shows a clear truncation relationship between a strongly deformed tonal ite-trondhjemite-granodiorite(TTG)gneiss and a weakly deformed mafic dyke with'red-eye socket'texture(Fig.la).

Neoarchean atmospheric chemistry and the preservation of S-MIF in sediments from the São Francisco Craton

Sulfur mass-independent fractionation(S-MIF)preserved in Archean sedimentary pyrite is interpreted to reflect atmospheric chemistry.Small ranges in Δ^(33)S that expanded into larger fractionations leading up to the Great Oxygenation Event(GOE;2.45–2.2 Ga)are disproportionately represented by sequences from the Kaapvaal and Pilbara Cratons.These patterns of S-MIF attenuation and enhancement may differ from the timing and magnitude of minor sulfur isotope fractionations reported from other cratons,thus obscuring local for global sulfur cycling dynamics.By expanding the Δ^(33)S record to include the relatively underrepresented São Francisco Craton in Brazil,we suggest that marine biogeochemistry affected S-MIF preservation prior to the GOE.In an early Neoarchean sequence(2763–2730 Ma)from the Rio das Velhas Greenstone Belt,we propose that low δ^(13)Corg(<-30‰)and dampened Δ^(33)S(-0.4‰to-0.7‰)in banded iron formation reflect the marine diagenetic process of anaerobic methane oxidation.The overlying black shale(TOC up to 7.8%)with higher δ^(13)Corg(-33.4‰to-19.2‰)and expanded Δ^(33)S(2.3‰±0.8‰),recorded oxidative sulfur cycling that resulted in enhance preservation of S-MIF input from atmospheric sources of elemental sulfur.The sequence culminates in a metasandstone,where concomitant changes to more uniform δCorg(-30‰to--25‰),potentially associated with the RuBisCO I enzyme,and near-zero Δ^(33)S(-0.04‰to 0.38‰)is mainly interpreted as evidence for local oxygen production.When placed in the context of other sequences worldwide,the Rio das Velhas helps differentiate the influences of global atmospheric chemistry and local marine diagenesis in Archean biogeochemical processes.Our data suggest that prokaryotic sulfur,iron,and methane cycles might have an underestimated role in pre-GOE sulfur minor isotope records.

Eclogite-High-Pressure Granulite Belt in Northern Edge of the Archean North China Craton

The discovery of retrograded eclogites and high pressure basic granulites in the joining region of Hebei Shanxi Inner Mongolia (HSIM) abandon the old thoughts that Archean granulites in the North China craton are of middle or low pressure facies and promote the reconsideration of Early Precambrian cratonization tectonic process, and reveal the geological fact that the scale, rigid behavior and geological structure of Archean cratonic blocks have strong similarities to the present fundamental plate tectonics, which suggest new tectonic mechanism to understand the early continental evolution of the North China craton. (1) The retrograded eclogites and high pressure granulites constitute a ENE NE striking structure rock zone termed as the Sanggan structural belt. (2) The retrograded eclogites are closely associated with high pressure granulites. We can call this belt a transitional eclogite granulite facies metamorphic belt. Petrographically three metamorphic stages, at least, in the retrograded eclogite can be distinguished. ① The main mineral assemblage is composed of garnet+clinopyroxene+quartz+rutile. The mineral inclusions in garnet are fine grained quartz, rutile and small inclusions of fine grained second stage mineral aggregate. This aggregate consists of hypersthene+albite, and has the typical texture of small hypersthene core surrounded by albite micro grained grains. ② The second mineral assemblage is represented by corona of garnet and symplectite of clinopyroxene. The corona of garnet is composed of hypersthene+plagioclase+clinopyroxene+a minor amount of quartz and magnetite. The symplectite of clinopyroxene is composed of hypersthene + albite+clinopyroxene. The secondary mineral assemblage along boundaries between quartz and garnet (or clinopyroxene) is fine grained aggregate of hypersthene and clinopyroxene. ③ The third retrograded metamorphic minerals are mainly amphiboles replacing pyroxenes and plagioclases replacing garnets. The estimated metamorphic temperature and pressure of symplectitic minerals are 850-900 ℃ and 1.1-1.2 GPa, and those of the third stage are 600-700 ℃ and 0.6-0.7 GPa. They indicate a decompressional pTt path. (3) Geochemically, the compositions of the retrograded eclogites and high pressure basic granulites are the same as those of tholeiite and olivine tholeiite, which are Fe rich and show the differentiation tendency of tholeiitic cumulate rocks. Connecting with isotopic data, we can prove that the original rocks of retrograded eclogites and high pressure basic granulites were formed by partial melting of depleted mantle ( ε (Nd) =1.2-3.6) in the age of about 2 650-2 510 Ma. It might be formed in the lowermost crust by underplating and underwent high pressure metamorphism afterwards.

Metamorphic disturbances of magnetite chemistry and the Sm-Nd isotopic system of reworked Archean iron formations from NE Brazil

Iron formations are valuable archives of sedimentary conditions and post-depositional events.However,geochemical proxies commonly used to determine genetic characteristics can be variably modified during metamorphism and deformation,hampering their use as records of regional geological events.This work focuses on strongly reworked magnetite-quartz-rich rocks from the São Josédo Campestre Massif,one of the oldest fragments of preserved crust in South America.The genetic classification of these magnetite-quartz-rich rocks is not straightforward because primary assemblages and textures were variably modified by granulite facies metamorphism during a regional Paleoproterozoic migmatization event.To address genetic ambiguities,we analyzed their magnetite and pyroxene chemistry,wholerock geochemistry,and Sm-Nd isotopes.Magnetite chemistry indicates that pyroxene-poor iron formations(Type B)are low in trace elements such as Ti,Al,V,and Mn,suggesting a chemical similarity to iron formations elsewhere.In contrast,magnetites from pyroxene-enriched Type A iron formations are rich in trace elements and more akin to magnetite crystallized from higher temperature systems,such as skarn and IOCG.The^(147)Sm/^(144)Nd of these rocks show substantial variation even at the outcrop scale,indicating a locally-controlled,highly heterogeneous mixture of Archean,Paleoproterozoic,and Neoproterozoic sources.Therefore,our geochemical tools point out to heterogenous signatures of these magnetitequartz rocks and proxies compatible with both low and high-temperature conditions and age of deposition spanning sources from the Archean to the Neoproterozoic.We interpret that the studied São Josédo Campestre magnetite-quartz rocks represent Archean iron formations with original magnetite chemistry and isotopic signatures variably modified by metamorphism and by at least one deformation-related hydrothermal event.These results contrast with similar examples from China and Greenland where iron formations either preserved the magnetite chemistry or the primary isotopic signatures.Our study indicates that metamorphism can selectively affect chemical proxies used to study iron formations and undermine the genetic classification of iron ores.Thus,these proxies should be carefully applied in the interpretation of syn-depositional environments of polydeformed belts.

Mafic Archean continental crust prohibited exhumation of orogenic UHP eclogite

The absence of ultrahigh pressure(UHP)orogenic eclogite in the geological record older than c.0.6 Ga is problematic for evidence of subduction having begun on Earth during the Archean(4.0-2.5 Ga).Many eclogites in Phanerozoic and Proterozoic terranes occur as mafic boudins encased within low-density felsic crust,which provides positive buoyancy during subduction;however,recent geochemical proxy analysis shows that Archean continental crust was more mafic than previously thought,having greater proportions of basalt and komatiite than modern-day continents.Here,we show via petrological modelling that secular change in the petrology and bulk composition of upper continental crust would make Archean continental terranes negatively buoyant in the mantle before reaching UHP conditions.Subducted or delaminated Archean continental crust passes a point of no return during metamorphism in the mantle prior to the stabilization of coesite,while Proterozoic and Phanerozoic terranes remain positively buoyant at these depths.UHP orogenic eclogite may thus readily have formed on the Archean Earth,but could not have been exhumed,weakening arguments for a Neoproterozoic onset of subduction and plate tectonics.Further,isostatic balance calculations for more mafic Archean continents indicate that the early Earth was covered by a global ocean over 1 km deep,corroborating independent isotopic evidence for large-scale emergence of the continents no earlier than c.3 Ga.Our findings thus weaken arguments that early life on Earth likely emerged in shallow subaerial ponds,and instead support hypotheses involving development at hydrothermal vents in the deep ocean.