Geochemistry and Geochronology of Peraluminous High-K Granitic Leucosomes of YaoundéSeries (Cameroon): Evidence for a Unique Pan-African Magmatism and Melting Event in North Equatorial Fold Belt

Geochemical and geochronological studies have been carry out on the leucosomes of Yaoundé series with the aims to identify the magma sources and to indicate their production periods and emplacement within the formations of the Pan-African North-Equatorial Fold Belt (PANEFB) in Cameroon. The Yaoundé series belongs to the Southern domain of the PANEFB and it is composed of migmatites in which two types of granitic leucosomes (in situ leucosomes and injected leucosomes) have been distinguished. These rocks display characteristic of calc-alkaline (in situ leucosomes) and high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic series (injected leucosomes). All the rocks are peraluminous with in situ leucosomes conform to S-type and injected leucosomes conform to I- and S-type granitoids. Major and trace elements composition reveal that in situ leucosomes derived from the partial melting of the host metapelite whereas injected leucosomes derived from the melting of metagreywacke. These sources are similar to those of granitoids from central and northern domains of the PANEFB. Th-U-Pb dating by electron microprobe (EMP) and LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating on zircon have been used to constraints the melting event and emplacement of leucosomes in Yaoundé series. Th-U-Pb monazite dating, undertaken in two samples of leucosomes, gives two groups of monazite ages. The older group gives an age of 658 Ma whereas the age of younger group is 592 Ma. U-Pb dating of zircons from the leucosomes reveals a Pan-African age ranging from 626 to 654 Ma whereas zircons from metapelitic host rock reveal the overprinting of an early Pan-African event 911 - 1127 Ma on Palaeoproterozoic (2127 Ma) inheritance. These data clearly indicate that the host rocks of leucosomes of Yaoundé series have been firstly metamorphosed during Tonien-Stenien period (911 - 1127 Ma) and reveal the existence of extended unique melting event (592 and 658 Ma) in the Yaoundé series which is contemporaneous with the magmatism responsible for the emplacement of granitoids in the other domains of the PANEFB.

Distribution domains of the Pan-African event in East Antarctica and adjacent areas

The Pan-African event is widely distributed in East Antarctica （EA） craton, including both the coastal regions and interior of the EA. From aspects of the shear zones, granites, pegmatites, time of high-grade metamorphism and detrital zircon age peaks of the downflowing sediments from the inland, the Pan-African event in the EA and adjacent areas in the Gondwana reconstruction, like SE Africa, southern India and SW Australia, was described in the paper. The water or fluid available along the shear zones was responsible for retrogression of the earlier, e.g., Grenville age, high-grade outcrops to later Pan-African amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism. In geochemistry, the granites are generally anorogenic, ocassionally with some gabbros or dolerite dykes, showing sign of bimodal feature. Meanwhile, the event has influenced most isotopic systems, including the U-Pb, Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr and Ar-Ar systems, giving Pan-African apparent ages. Spatially, the Pan-African event is demonstrated from possibly local granitic magmatism, to wider medium-high grade metamorphism, and mostly widespread in resetting for some isotope systems, suggesting the prevailing thermal effect of the event. Before Gondwana formation, local depressions in the EA may have been filled with sediments, implying the initial breakup period of the Rodinia. The later Pan-Gondwana counterrotating cogs shaped the interstitial fold belts between the continent blocks and formed a set of shear zones. The mafic underplating in the Gondwana may be responsible for the typical features of the Pan-African event. The event may be an overwhelmingly extensional and transcurrent tectonics in mechanism and is a possible response of the plate movement surrounding the continent swarms in the non-stable interior of the yet consolidated Gondwana.

The U-Pb Geochronology and Lu-Hf Isotope Compositions of Detrital Zircons from the Nanhua Group of the Longsheng Region,South China and their Implications for Pan-African Events

It is unclear whether the South China blocks have an affinity with continental Gondwana due to a lack of direct Pan-African magmatic and metamorphic features.In this study,we conducted U-Pb geochronological and Lu-Hf isotopic analyses for detrital zircons from a sandstone of the Chang'an Formation of the Nanhua Group in the Longsheng region of northern Guangxi,with the aim of constraining the timing of sedimentation and information as to its source,as well as seeking evidence for Pan-African events in the South China blocks.The results show that the ages of detrital zircons peaked at 654.7±6.2 Ma,773.2±4.1 Ma and 821.9±6.5 Ma,with some at 920–870 Ma;the youngest age indicates the existence of the Pan-African thermal event.The ε_(Hf)(t)and T_(DM2) values demonstrate that the study area has experienced three stages of crustal growth at 3.0–2.4 Ga,2.1–1.5 Ga and 1.3–0.9 Ga.With intensively distributed Neoproterozoic mafic-ultramafic and granitic plutons emplaced at 830–810 Ma along the southwestern section of the Jiangnan Orogenic Belt and positiveεHf(t)values from a large group of zircon grains,it is proposed that the sediments of the Chang'an Formation(of Nanhua Group)were largely sourced from the southeastern margin of the Yangtze block.Comparison with the zircon age spectra of the Cathaysian block shows that about 79%of the Pan-African aged detrital zircon grains that have TDM2=1352–1031 Ma andεHf(t)=3.68–8.79,were sourced from the recycled Grenvillian crust of the Cathaysian block,suggesting that the Cathaysian block had a close connection with Gondwana.

Structural Organization and Tectono-Metamorphic Evolution of the Pan-African Suture Zone: Case of the Kabye and Kpaza Massifs in the Dahomeyide Orogen in Northern Togo (West Africa)

The Kabye and Kpaza Massifs correspond to two main granulitic suites in the suture zone of the Pan-African Dahomeyide orogenic belt, in northern Togo. The Kabye Massif is composed of an important west verging nappe pile subdivided into two petrographic units. The nappes in its western petrographic unit are made up of leucocratic garnetbearing granulites defined as the “Lassa-Soumdina Granulites” (GLS). The eastern petrographic unit consists of mela-nocratic granulites, with metagabbroic structures, called the “Ketao-Sirka Granulites” (GKS). These two petrographic units are separated by the Panalo Mylonitic Zone (ZMP). This major west verging zone includes a syn-Dn + 2 dextral shear contact. The Kpaza Massif comprises nappes of melanocratic granulites (GKM), comparable to the GKS of the Kabye Massif. All these granulitic nappes include boudins of pyroxenites or meta-anorthosites, and ultramafic rocks represented by serpentinites, talcschists, actinolite- and chlorite-schists which generally mark thrust soles. The GLS nappes are thrust over the Kara-Niamtougou orthogneissic unit (UKN) which is considered as the easternmost structural unit of the Dahomeyide external zone. On the other hand, the GKS nappes underlie those of the Binah meta-volcano sedimentary Complex (CB) which belongs to the Dahomeyide internal zone. As regards the Kpaza Massif, it occurs as a geologic window tectonically enclosed in the Mono Complex nappes (CM) corresponding to the southern part of the CB. The organization of the Kabye and Kpaza Massifs, as west verging nappe piles, and their relationships with the surrounding structural units express the tangential and folding tectonics that structured the Pan-African belt in northern Togo. The microstructures and mineral parageneses of the granulites and associated rocks in these two massifs indicate a polyphase tectono-metamorphic evolution: a syn-Dn granulitization (collision phase);a syn-Dn + 1 amphibolitization (obduction or tangential phase);and a syn- to post-Dn + 2 greenschist facies retrogressive metamorphism (post-nappe folding phase).

Magnetic Characterization of Amphibolites from the Fomopéa Pluton(West Cameroon):Their Implication in the Pan-African Deformation of the Central African Fold Belt

The Fomopea granitic pluton is emplaced in gnessic and amphibolitic basement. These gneissic and amphibolitic basement rocks are represented in the pluton＇s body as sub-rounded, elongated or stretched xenoliths. Amphibolitic xenoliths display testimonies of two main tectonic events namely： （i） El flattening deformation event characterized by a NW-SE to E-W foliation with a best pole at 246/57 and a mineral stretched lineation with a best line at 293/47; and （ii） E2 compressive event typified by （1） N-S to NNE-SSW steeply dipping foliation; （2） S-type flexion-fold indicating a sinistral shear movement. These amphibolite rocks indicate a magnetic susceptibility magnitude （Km） range from 418 ~SI to 90092 IISI for 87% of the stations showing a ferromagnetic behavior. K-T curves reveal the presence of Ti-poor magnetite as susceptibility mineral carrier. Magnetic foliation and lineation suggest that the N-S strike direction observed in the Bamendou amphibolite is, as pointed out elsewhere in the Central African Fold Belt, of paramount importance in the tectonic evaluation of the Fomopea area, since it has most likely acted as major deformation phase in the second tectonic event in the belt.

Distribution of the Pan-African Domains in East Antarctica and Adjacent Areas

The Pan-African event is widely distributed in East Antarctica craton. Many terranes or outcrops of the craton bear more or less signs of the event. From characteristics of the shear zones, granites, pegmatites, feature and time of high grade metamorphism and detrital zircon ages peaks of the downflowing sediments from the plateau, the Pan-African event in the East Antarctica and adjacent areas in the Gondwana reconstruction, like SE Africa, southern India and SW Australia, wasdistributed as special zones or areas in many localities, including both the coastal regions and interior of the East Antarctica. In geochemistry, the granites are generally anorogenic, ocassionally with some gabbros or dolerite dykes, showing sign of bi-modal feature. The water or fluid available along the shear zones were responsible for retrogression of the earlier, e.g., Grenville age, high grade outcrops to later Pan-African amphibolite facies metamorphism. Meanwhile, the Pan-African event has influenced most isotopic systems, including the U-Pb, Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr and Ar-Ar systems, giving younger apparent ages. Manifestation of the Pan-African event is distributed from possibly locally granitic magmatism, to wider medium-high grade metamorphism, and mostly widespread in resetting for some isotope systems, suggesting the prevailing thermal effect.Before Gondwana formation, local depressions in the East Antarctica could be filled with sediments, implying the initial breakup period of the Rodinia. The later Pan-Gondwana counterrotating cogs shaped the interstitial fold belts between continent blocks and formed a set of shear zones. The mafic underplating in the Gondwana may be responsible for the widespread granites, pegmatites and more or less isotopic resetting due to strong thermal effect from the deep. That is, the Pan-African event is a possible response of the plate movement surrounding the continent swarms in the non-stable interior of theyet consolidated Gondwana.The Pan-African event may be an overwhelmingly extensional and transcurrent tectonics in mechanism.

The Chromitites Associated with the Pan-African Ophiolites in Egypt

Ophiolites components occur in Pan-African belt in Central Eastern Desert(CED)and South Eastern Desert(SED.The ultramafic components are severely serpentinized and in some areas occur as small fresh

Compositional Variations and Tectonic Settings of Podiform Chromitites Associated with Ultramafic Rocks of the Pan-African Proterozoic Ophiolites from South Eastern Desert, Egypt

The Precambrian podiform chromitites associated with ophiolites are abundant in Pan-African belt in central Eastern Desert(CED)and south Eastern Desert(SED),Egypt and range from 690 to 890 Ma in age.The studied chromitites associated with Neoproterozoic ophiolites are distributed in southern Eastern Desert,Egypt in Baranis-Shalaten sheet and occur as lenticular bodies with variable dimensions in ultramafic component(serpentinites).We present geochemical and mineralogical data from three areas of ophiolites and associated chromitites namely Gebel Abu Dahr(D),Gebel Arais(A)and Gebel Anbat in the Wadi Hodein area(H)(Fig.1).The paper studies the compositional variations and tectonic settings of podiform chromitites associated with ultramafic rocks,in addition to the alteration process of chromite during metamorphism.The ophiolite in the present areas is composed of the ultramafic rocks(mainly serpentinites)with minor relics of fresh dunite and harzburgite.All these rocks are affected by metamorphism and subsequent retrograde during subduction and exhumation.Six samples selected from the serpentinites geochemically analyzed for major,trace and some REE elements and the geochemical results reflect that harzburgite and dunite compositions are typical of depleted mantle peridotite.Microprobe analyses and SIMS investigations were carried out for three massive podiform chromitite ore bodies and disseminated chromites in serpentinites(1215 spot probe analyses),and silicate minerals in serpentinite rocks such as serpentine and olivine(102 spots).Serpentine minerals are mainly antigorite with some chrysotile in serpentinite rocks and in chromitites,mainly filling cross-cutting veins.In this study,we consider that the alteration occurred in two stages:during the first one chromite reacted with olivine and water to form Cr-and Fe-rich,porous chromite and chlorite;during the second event magnetite filled the pores,created in the porous chromite and defused into this chromite to form homogeneous magnetite.According to this,the composition of chromite is a key factor controlling the metamorphic reaction between olivine and chromite because if the primary chromite is very poor in Al,the chlorite-forming reaction hardly takes place.In this case,during the second event,the addition of magnetite only contributes to create a magnetite corona around the former chromite grains without any diffusion at the chromite-magnetite boundary as suggested by Gerbilla et al.(2012).Barnes(2000)studied the chromite in komatiites and modification during green schist to mid amphibolite facies metamorphism.He suggested that the chromite cores continually equilibrated with magnetite rims document metamorphic grade conditions.Barnes(2000)suggested that the relative proportions of Cr3+,Al3+and Fe3+of chromite are not affected by metamorphism up to lower temperature amphibolite facies implying restricted mobility of these elements occurred under lower amphibolite facies.So,the chromite in lower temperature amphibolite facies preserves its primary igneous chemistry and can be used to estimate the metamorphic grade.Sack and Ghiorso(1991)and Barnes(2000)suggested that all chromite cores are equilibrated at temperature below^500–550℃corresponding to lowest amphibolite facies metamorphism and reflect magmatic composition not influenced by metamorphism.In this study,there is no alteration but only nearly pure magnetite deposition and development with restricted Cr-solubility at<500℃in the chromite rims on crystal boundaries and within fractures as shown in Fig 2a,b.Also magnetite alters later to hematite.The podiform chromitites are common in the Moho transition zone(MTZ)to the mantle section of ophiolites or harzburgite dominant peridotite massifs(e.g.,Arai,1997;Miura et al.,2012).They have been interpreted as a product of peridotite/melt reaction and subsequent melt mixing within the MTZ to the upper mantle;they are basically magmatic cumulates that formed at the upper mantle level(e.g.,Arai and Yurimoto,1994;Zhou et al.,1994).They are thus a good marker of peridotite/melt reaction(e.g.,Arai,1997).The Pan-African podiform chromitites mayh ave formed in the same way as the Phanerozoic,namely by melt-harzburgite reaction and subsequent melt mixing.The podiform chromatites and disseminated chromites are high-Cr chromites and have range in Cr#(Cr/Cr+Al)atomic ratio from 0.75 to 0.95 and low Ti with boninitic affinity(Fig.3a),indicating an island arc setting in supra-subduction zone setting.The present massive chromitites and disseminated chromites in serpentinites fall in the field of chromites de Bou Azer,chromites de Cordoba,Argentinia in the Cr#versus Mg#diagram(Fig.3 b,c)(Gervilla et al.,2012)The studied chromatites contain some grains of platinumgroup minerals(PGM)such as sulfides(Os-rich laurite)and Os–Ir alloy as shown in Fig.4 and as reported in South Eastern Desert by Ahmed(2007).

Petrography and Mineralogy of the Quartz and Quartz-Feldspar Sulphide Veins in the Pan-African Syenitic Massif of Guider (North Cameroon)

In the syenitic pluton of Guider (593 ± 4 Ma) in the North-West Cameroon domain of Central African Fold Belt, mineralized N-S to NE-SW vertical or sub-vertical quartz and quartz feldspar veins has been recently identified. In this contribution, we present petrography and mineralogy of these veins, in order to constrain their genesis and emplacement mechanisms based on detailed field work, petrographic studies and chemical characterization of minerals by using an electron probe microanalyser (EPMA). Field observations and vein microstructures show that the emplacement of the veins has been controlled by the dextral N-S trending strike-slip shear zones related to the regional D2 deformation phase. The results of mineralogical analysis reveal the co-presence of silicates and metallic minerals that include magnetite, ilmenite, pyrite, bismuthite, galena (very rare) and sulphide complexes (BiPbS, BiAgPbS, FeBiPbCuS, BiFe(TeS), FeBiPbS, BiPbCuS). The gangue is represented by quartz (quartz 1, quartz 2 and quartz 3), feldspars, sericite, chlorite, yellowish brown clay minerals, and hematite. The textural relationships between sulphides, quartz and alteration products show that the mineralization is essentially syn- to late-D2 and suggest that syenitic country rock and dextral shear zones have played an important role in the metallogenesis of these veins. This mineralization shows characteristics for copper-bearing calc-alkaline deposits, but differs from these by its more extensive alteration and its abundance in hematite. Substitutions of Al(IV) by Si(IV) in sericite associated with the sulphide mineralization and cataclastic deformation suggest that the temperature of trapping of the fluids is between 230&#176;C and 275&#176;C.

From Nationalist Rebellion to Pan-African Liberation: A Theory of the Apartheid Endgame in South Africa

Why did the apartheid’s endgame favor the African National Congress (ANC) over other contenders? This article advances a path dependence argument, hypothesizing Mandela’s 1962 trip across Africa as a “critical juncture” whose arc of counter-intuitive developments narrowed the ruling National Party’s bargaining options down to its worst enemy—Mandela’s ANC.

U-Th-Pb monazite and Sm-Nd dating of high-grade rocks from the Grove Mountains, East Antarctica: further evidence for a Pan-African-aged monometamorphic terrane

The Grove Mountains, 400 km south of the Chinese Antarctic Zhongshan Station, are an inland continuation of the Pan-African-aged （i.e., Late Neoproterozoic/Cambrian） Prydz Belt, East Antarctica. In this paper we carried out a combined U-Th-Pb monazite and Sm-Nd mineral-whole-rock dating on para- and orthogneisses from bedrock in the Grove Mountains. U-Th-Pb monazite dating of a cordierite-bearing pelitic paragneiss yields ages of 523 ？ 4 Ma for the cores and 508 ？ 6 Ma for the rims. Sm-Nd mineral-whole-rock isotopic analyses yield isochron ages of 536 ？ 3 Ma for a coarse-grained felsic orthogneiss and 507 ？ 30 Ma for a fine-grained quartzofeldspathic paragneiss. Combined with previously published age data in the Grove Mountains and adjacent areas, the older age of ~530 Ma is interpreted as the time of regional medium- to low-pressure granulite-facies metamorphism, and the younger age of ~510 Ma as the cooling age of the granulite terrane. The absence of evidence for a Grenville-aged （i.e., Late Mesoproterozoic/Early Neoproterozoic） metamorphic event indicates that the Grove Mountains have experienced only a single metamorphic cycle, i.e., Pan-African-aged, which distinguishes them from other polymetamorphic terranes in the Prydz Belt. This will provide important constraints on the controversial nature of the Prydz Belt.

Petrogenesis and geotectonic setting of the Pan-African basement rocks in Bamenda Massif, Obudu Plateau, southeastern Nigeria: Evidence from trace element geochemistry

The rocks of the Obudu Plateau range from high-grade metagreywacke-pelite sequence to metaigneous (granitic to tholeiitic) and polymagmatic (calc-alkaline granitic to olivine tholeiitic) igneous rocks. Several co-variance diagrams and other parameters indicate that the trace elements of rocks in southern Obudu Plateau exhibit systematic variations and suggest highly heterogeneous protoliths. The tectonic setting of the rocks indicates rifting and collisional to non-orogenic emplacements in oceanic to ensialic environments. The calc-alkaline and tholeiitic nature of the magmatism as well as the greywacke-pelite sequence is suggestive of an Andean-type continental environment.

Origin and geochemistry of Pan-African granitoid rocks in the Gabal Um Shomer area,Southwestern Sinai,Egypt

Geological, petrological and geochemical studies indicated that there are two distinct types of granitoid rocks: older quartz diorites to granodiorite assemblage and younger granitoids, the latter occurring in two phases. The older granitoids have a meta-aluminous chemistry and a calc-alkaline character, with high MgO, Fe2O3, TiO2, CaO, P2O5, Sr and low SiO2, K2O, and Rb. Their major and trace elements data, together with low 87Sr/ 86Sr ratios (0.7029±0.0008) are indicative of I-type affinities. The second- and third-phase granitoids range from calc-alkaline to alkaline, respectively. The second-phase granitoids have a peraluminous chemistry and high Sr, Ba, CaO, MgO, Al2O3 and Ti2O and low SiO2, K2O, Nb, Y and Rb relative to the third-phase granitoids. The corundum normative nature and field observations suggested that it was formed by partial melting of the lower crust. The third-phase granitoids are alkaline in nature and characterized by higher SiO2, Rb, Y, Nb and lower MgO, Sr and Ba values than the younger granitoids (phase Ⅱ). They are A-type granitoids which were generated from below or within the existing continental crust.

Rare-earth elements as source indicators of Pan-African granites from Obudu Plateau,Southeastern Nigeria

The rare-earth element (REE) concentrations of representative granite samples from the southeast of the Obudu Plateau, Nigeria, were analyzed with an attempt to determine the signatures of their source, evolutionary history and tectonic setting. Results indicated that the granites have high absolute REE concentrations (190×10-6-1191×10-6; av.=549×10-6) with the chondrite-normalized REE patterns characterized by steep negative slopes and prominent to slight or no negative Eu anomalies. All the samples are also characterized by high and variable concentrations of the LREE (151×10-6-1169×10-6; av.= 466×10-6), while the HREE show low abundance (4×10-6-107×10-6; av.=28×10-6). These are consistent with the variable levels of REE fractionation, and differentiation of the granites. This is further supported by the range of REE contents, the chondrite-normalized patterns and the ratios of LaN/YbN (2.30-343.37), CeN/YbN (5.94-716.87), LaN/SmN (3.14-11.68) and TbN/YbN (0.58-1.65). The general parallelism of the REE patterns, suggest that all the granites were comagmatic in origin, while the high Eu/Eu* ratios (0.085-2.807; av.=0.9398) indicate high fO2 at the source. Similarly, irregular variations in LaN/YbN, CeN/YbN and Eu/Eu* ratios and REE abundances among the samples suggest behaviors that are related to mantle and crustal sources.

Rare-earth and trace element imprints on the origin and tectonic setting of gabbro-diorite complex in the Pan-African belt of Southeast Obudu Plateau,Nigeria

A gabbro-diorite plutonic complex from the Southeast Obudu Plateau, representing limited volumes of magma, was studied for its trace and rare-earth element characteristics, in an attempt to document its genetic and geodynamic history. Geochemical studies indicate that the gabbro samples are characterized by variable concentrations and low averages of such index elements as Cr (40×10-6–200×10-6; av. 80×10-6), Ni (40×10-6–170×10-6; 53.33×10-6) and Zr (110×10-6–240×10-6; 116.67×10-6); variable and high averages of Rb (3×10-6–270×10-6; 80.67×10-6), Sr (181×10-6–1610×10-6; 628.17×10-6) and U (0.14×10-6–3.46×10-6; 1.51×10-6), and fairly uniform Co (34×10-6–49×10-6; 36.33×10-6) and Sc (23×10-6–39×10-6; 34.5×10-6), while the diorite samples exhibit higher trace element compositions. The range of REE contents and distinctive chondrite-normalized patterns indicate moderate fractionation with slight positive Eu anomaly in the diorites to very low fractionation with flat patterns and slight positive Eu anomaly in the gabbros. However, the general element systematics of the samples, especially LILE (Ba, Rb, Sr, Cs and Pb), HFSE (Zr, Th, U, Hf, Mo, W, Nb and Sn), relatively immobile elements (Zr, Ni, Cr) and REE, suggests a differentiation model, involving fractional crystallization of olivine and clinopyroxene from a partial melt generated beneath an island arc complex. A possible model for the complex is therefore an island arc setting, the development of which was dominated by calc-alkaline magmatism across the Obudu Plateau.

Geochemistry and mineral chemistry of Pan-African amphibolites of South Sinai,Egypt

In the Wadi Feiran area, amphibolites occur as inclusions, bands, linear bodies of variable thickness and irregular lenses in para-geneisses. Chemical evidence indicates that these amphibolites display an igneous origin and were derived from magma essentially of tholelitic rather than alkaline composition; transitional in character between continental and island-arc. The chemistry of amphiboles, related to pressure and temperature conditions of metamorphism, showed that they were formed under low pressure and high temperature conditions.

Fluid components in accessory minerals of Pan-African granitoids in the S■r Rondane Mountains, East Antarctica

Fluids (fluorine, chlorine, and OH) in accessory minerals (apatite, titanite and allanite) of Pan-African granitoids (Group-I granitoids, Group-II granitoids and Mefjell Plutonic Complex) from the S?r Rondane Mountains, East Antarctica were precisely measured by an electronic microprobe analyzer in this study. Apatites in the granites have commonly high fluorine contents. However, fluorine contents from the Group-I, Group-II granitoids and Mefjell Plutonic Complex (MPC) are of important variation, which F contents (3.21~7.20 wt%) in apatite from the Group-II granitoids are much higher than those from the Group-I granitoids (1.22~3.60 wt%) and the MPC (3.21~4.11 wt%). Titanite in the MPC has a low fluorine content (0.23~0.50 wt%), being less than those in the Group-I granitoids (2.28 wt%) and Group-II granitoids (1.85~2.78 wt%). Fluorine in allanite in the Group-II granitoids seems to have much lower contents than those from the Group-I granitoids and the MPC. Higher fluorine contents in the titanite from the Group-II granitoids may be mainly controlled by late-magmatic fluid-rock interaction processes associated with melt, but may not be indicative of original magma contents based on its petrographic feature. Due to very lower chlorine contents from all of accessory minerals, the authors suggest that titanite and apatite with higher fluorine contents in the Group-II granitoids have much lower H2O (OH) contents compared with those in the Group-I granitoids according to the partition among (F, Cl, OH). Fluorine contents in whole-rock samples show a variation from the higher in the Group-I granitoids to the lower in the Group-II granitoids and the MPC, which are consistent with the changes of those from the biotite and hornblende as well as fluorite occurred in the Group-I granitoids reported previously. Based on the above study of fluorine in accessory minerals and combined with the previous fluorine contents from biotites and hornblendes, the authors suggest that apatites and titanites with higher F contents in the Group-II granitoids and the MPC may not be an indicator of higher fluorine contents in whole-rock, which reflect fluorine contents in magma sources and/or late-thermal activity. Higher fluorine contents in apatite, titanite and allanite may be an additional evidence of A-type affinity.

Pan-African metamorphism and magmatism in the Prydz Belt,East Antarctica:a geochronological perspective

The Prydz Belt in East Antarctica underwent extensive reworking during the late Neoprotertozoic–early Paleozoic Pan-African orogeny,which is characterized by granulite facies,clockwise P–T paths,and high dT/dP values.This study compiles the existing age and composition data of zircon and monazite from metamorphic rocks and links their key characteristics to the metamorphic evolution of the Prydz Belt.The frequency of zircon U–Pb ages starts to increase noticeably from~555 Ma,peaking between 530 Ma and 520 Ma,followed by a dramatic decline after 520 Ma.High Th/U values(>0.1)of zircon are observed from~545 Ma,displaying a noticeable increasing trend in Th/U values before a rapid decline from~520 Ma.The frequency of monazite ages progressively increases from~540 Ma,reaching its peak at 515 Ma,and then rapidly decreases after 490 Ma.Combined with the crystallization behaviors of zircon and monazite,this study suggests that the systematic changes in Th/U values of zircon after 545 Ma indicate a transition in the thermal regime of the Prydz Belt towards the cooling stage.Abundant growth of zircon and monazite corresponds to the post-peak cooling process,while the crystallization peak of monazite lags behind that of zircon by~5–15 Ma,which indicates a relatively low cooling rate.Though the granitic intrusions accompanied the entire metamorphic evolution,the majority of them are younger than 520 Ma.The results suggest that the Pan-African event likely peaked at~555–545 Ma and gradually cooled to near-solidus conditions at~520–510 Ma,with a relatively slow average cooling process.

泛非构造及其在中国大陆和邻区的表现

发端于非洲、进而扩展到整个冈瓦纳古陆,“泛非构造”是发生在新元古代晚期-早古生代期间、主要分布在冈瓦纳古陆范围内的构造-热事件,其表现既有陆块或板块间的缝合、碰撞,也有古老造山带的重新活化。泛非构造之后冈瓦纳得以形成,同时伴随其他大陆的裂解和全球海平面上升,并可在全球范围内形成早古生代的重要不整合。如今,中国大陆,直至亚洲、亚欧,陆续识别出一些泛非期构造的记录,如中国东北地区兴凯地块、佳木斯地块和布列亚地块,显示典型的泛非期变形-变质作用和花岗岩活动;其他一些地块和造山带亦显示泛非构造的影响,如华夏地块、塔里木地块以及青藏高原、中央造山带和中亚造山带,均有泛非期构造或事件的显示。中国境内几乎所有的早古生代造山带、部分的地块亦有泛非期事件或构造的记录。泛非期构造的影响几乎波及到了全球所有大陆,该事件的发生可能是多中心的。亚欧地区的泛非期记录可能源自冈瓦纳周缘的早期裂解、边缘陆块和造山带。泛非期构造的活动基本限于中、下地壳,可能是板内为主的一种过程,并与引张、剪切活动有关,而不限于狭义冈瓦纳内水平方向的挤压、拼贴。泛非期热事件记录或花岗岩侵位常常发生在新元古代早期片麻岩之中,并在泛非期记录之后可发生更为剧烈的加里东期构造,即加里东构造活动对泛非构造有很好的继承性。与泛非期记录有关的活动区可有相对稳定区与活动带的区分,并相间分布,两者在沉积建造、不整合性质、构造变形强度、变质作用、火山类型和岩浆作用均有显著区别。泛非构造与现代板块机制的活动密切相关。板块运动中会造成泛非构造带的俯冲、淹没或剥蚀,可能有隐藏或消失了的泛非构造带。冈瓦纳古陆内的泛非构造带容易成为后期中-新生代大陆裂解的部位,如大西洋的形成。

Mapping Structurally Controlled Alterations Sparked by Hydrothermal Activity in the Fatira–Abu Zawal Area,Eastern Desert,Egypt

The Eastern Desert of Egypt suffered a protracted period of deformation triggered by cratonization of the new juvenile crust known as the Arabian Nubian Shield(ANS),which has been proposed for potential gold discoveries associated with the corresponding tectonic event.The Fatira area,on the border of Egypt’s Northern and Central Eastern Deserts,is covered with metavolcanic rocks twisted by a dextral relocation of the Fatira Shear Zone(FSZ)relative to the Barud magmatic body.The recent study evaluated many deformed post-orogenic granitic intrusions and felsite dikes associated with promising mineralization localities,notably orogenic gold deposits.The combination of various field observations and remote sensing data,followed by the analysis of aeromagnetic enhanced maps,allowed the differentiation of distinct lithologies,structural features,and hydrothermal alterations in the study area.Additionally,the integrated results obtained from the different interpretation techniques are utilized to identify and confirm the previously supposed mineralized localities in the Fatira and Abu Zawal areas and predict other matched localities.The final ASTER,Sentinel 2 hydrothermal alteration,and orientation entropy heat maps demonstrate the association between these mineralized regions and major structures related to the FSZ late stage of deformation rather than other structures studied throughout the area of interest.