Campaign-style U-Pb titanite petrochronology:Along-strike variations in timing of metamorphism in the Himalayan metamorphic core

Present-day along-strike heterogeneities within the Himalayan orogen are seen at many scales, from variations within the deep architecture of the lithospheric mantle, to differences in geomorphologic surface processes. Here, we present an internally consistent petrochronologic dataset from the Himalayan metamorphic core(HMC), in order to document and investigate the causes of along-strike variations in its Oligocene-Miocene tectonic history. Laser ablation split-stream analysis was used to date and characterise the geochemistry of titanite from 47 calc-silicate rocks across >2000 km along the Himalaya.This combined U-Pb-REE-Zr single mineral dataset circumvents uncertainties associated with interpretations based on data compilations from different studies, mineral systems and laboratories, and allows for direct along-strike comparisons in the timing of metamorphic processes. Titanite dates range from ～30 Ma to 12 Ma, recording(re-)crystallization between 625 ℃ and 815 ℃. Titanite T-t data overlap with previously published P-T-t paths from interleaved peltic rocks, demonstrating the usefulness of titanite petrochronology for recording the metamorphic history in lithologies not traditionally used for thermobarometry. Overall, the data indicate a broad eastward-younging trend along the orogen.Disparities in the duration and timing of metamorphism within the HMC are best explained by alongstrike variations in the position of ramps on the basal detachment controlling a two-stage process of preferential ductile accretion at depth followed by the formation of later upper-crust brittle duplexes.These processes, coupled with variable erosion, resulted in the asymmetric exhumation of a younger,thicker crystalline core in the eastern Himalaya.

Deformation induced decoupling between U-Pb and trace elements in titanite revealed through petrochronology and study of localized deformation

In this contribution,we analyzed a pair of mafic samples collected from a recently identified shear zone and its proximal footwall from the Manicouagan Imbricate Zone(MIZ)of the central Grenville Province,Québec,Canada.Titanite petrochronology,metamorphic phase equilibria modelling,trace element thermometry,and electron backscattered diffraction data were used to define a Pressure-Temperature-timeDeformation path for the two samples.An interconnected dislocation network within titanite grains,as outlined with Kerneled Average Misorientation maps,are spatially correlated with variation in the U-Pb system but not with that observed for trace element These results suggest that the U-Pb system was decoupled from trace and rare earth elements and that deformation,rather than interface-coupled dissolution-precipitation reactions or re-crystallisation,was the main driver for this decoupling.In addition to highlighting a potential pitfall of titanite petrochronology,our P-T-t-D path reveals that ductile shear zones were active later than previously suggested within the MIZ.

Timing of metamorphism and deformation in the Swat valley, northern Pakistan:Insight into garnet-monazite HREE partitioning

New metamorphic petrology and geochronology from the Loe Sar dome in the Swat region of northern Pakistan place refined constraints on the pressure, temperature and timing of metamorphism and deformation in that part of the Himalayan orogen. Thermodynamic modelling and monazite petrochronology indicate that metamorphism in the area followed a prograde evolution from ～525 ± 25 ℃and 6 士 0.5 kbar to ～610 ± 25 ℃ and 9 士 0.5 kbar, between ca. 39 Ma and 28 Ma. Partitioning of heavy rare earth elements between garnet rims and 30-28 Ma monazite are interpreted to indicate coeval crystallization at peak conditions. Microtextural relationships indicate that garnet rim growth post-dated the development of the main foliation in the area. The regional foliation is folded about large-scale N-S trending fold axes and overprinting E-W trending folds to form km-scale domal culminations. The textural relationships observed indicate that final dome development must be younger than the 30-28 Ma monazite that grew with garnet rims post-regional foliation development, but pre-doming-related deformation. This new timing constraint helps resolve discrepancy between previous interpretations,which have alternately suggested that N-S trending regional folds must be either pre-or post-early Oligocene. Finally, when combined with existing hornblende and white mica cooling ages, these new data indicate that the study area was exhumed rapidly following peak metamorphism.

Re-evaluating monazite as a record of metamorphic reactions

This study presents a re-examination of historical specimens(DG136 and DG167)from the Monashee complex in the southeastern Canadian Cordillera that are critical to the current understanding of rare earth element(REE)distribution between garnet and monazite(and other accessory minerals)during metamorphism.Nine-hundred and fifty-one new monazite petrochronology spot analyses on 29 different grains across two specimens outline detailed(re)crystallization histories.Trace element data collected from the same ablated volume,interpreted in the context of new phase equilibria modelling that includes monazite,xenotime and apatite,link ages to specific portions of the pressure-temperature(P-T)paths followed by the specimens.These linkages are further informed by garnet Lu-Hf geochronology and xenotime petrochronology.The clockwise P-T paths indicate prograde metamorphism was ongoing by ca.80 Ma in both specimens.The structurally deeper specimen,DG136,records peak P-T conditions of~755-770℃and 8.8-10.4 kbar,interpreted to coincide with(re-)crystallization of low Y monazite at~75-70 Ma.Near-rim garnet isopleths from DG167 cross in the observed peak assemblage field at~680℃ and 9.3 kbar.These conditions are interpreted to correspond with low Y monazite(re-)crystallisation at~65 Ma.Both specimens record decompression along their retrograde path coincident with high Y 70-55 Ma and 65-55 Ma monazite populations in DG136 and DG167,respectively.These findings broadly agree with those initially reported~20 years ago and confirm early interpretations using trace elements in monazite as generally reliable markers of metamorphic reactions.Modern phase equilibria modelling and in situ petrochronological analysis,however,provide additional insight into monazite behaviour during anatexis and the effects of potential trace element buffering by REE-bearing phases such as apatite.

Metamorphic stages in mountain belts during a Wilson cycle:A case study in the central Sanandaj-Sirjan zone(Zagros Mountains,Iran)

Polymetamorphic units are important constituents of continent-continent collisional orogens,and rift metamorphic assemblages are often overprinted by subsequent metamorphism during subduction and collision.This study reports the metamorphic conditions and evolution of the Dorud-Azna metamorphic units in the central part of the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone(SSZ),Iran.Here,new geothermobarometry results are integrated with ^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar mineral and Th-U-Pb monazite and thorite ages to provide new insight of polyphase metamorphism in the two different basement units of the SSZ,the lower Galeh-Doz orthogneiss and higher Amphibolite-Metagabbro units.In the Amphibolite-Metagabbro unit,staurolite micaschist underwent a prograde P-T evolution from 640±20℃/6.2±0.8 kbar in garnet cores(M1)to 680±20℃/7.2±1.0 kbar in garnet rims(M2).Three Th-U-Pb monazite ages of 306±5 Ma,322±28 Ma and 336±39 Ma from the garnet-micaschists testify the Carboniferous age of M1 metamorphism.In the same unit,the metagabbro records P-T conditions of 4.0±0.8 kbar and 580±50℃ in the(magmatic)amphibole core(Late Carboniferous intrusion)to 7.5±0.7 kbar and 700±20℃ in the amphibole rim indicating a prograde P-T path during subsequent burial(M1).New ^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar dating of white mica from the staurolite micaschist yielded a staircase pattern ranging from 36±12 Ma to 170±2 Ma.This implies polymetamorphism with a minimum Late Jurassic cooling age through the Ar retention temperature of ca.425±25℃ after M2 metamorphism and a Paleogene low-grade metamorphic overprint(M3),while ^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar white mica dating of garnet micaschist yielded a plateau age of 137.84±0.65 Ma.We therefore interpret the amphibolite-grade metamorphism M2 to have predated 170 Ma and is likely between 180 and 200 Ma.Furthermore,it is overprinted at about 36 Ma under retrogressive low-grade M3 metamorphism(at temperatures of~350-240℃)during final shortening and exhumation.In the underlying Galeh-Doz unit,the Panafrican granitic orthogneiss intruded at P-T conditions of 3.2±4 kbar and 700±20℃,then it was metamorphosed and deformed at 600±50℃ and 2.0±0.8 kbar(metamorphic stage M1)prior to Late Carboniferous intrusion of mafic dikes.^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar dating of amphibole from the Galeh-Doz orthogneiss gave plateau-like steps between 260 and 270 Ma,representing the age of cooling through ca.500℃ after the M1 metamorphic event.Interestingly,the results of this study demonstrate polyphase metamorphic histories in both the Galeh-Doz orthogneiss and Amphibolite-Metagabbro units at different P-T conditions and final thickskinned Paleogene emplacement of these units over the underlying low-grade metamorphic June Complex.Our findings suggest that both units are affected by high-T/low-P Late Carboniferous orogenic metamorphism along with the bimodal magmatism,as result of rifting.We propose that the Early Jurassic amphibolite-grade M2 metamorphism of the SSZ is correlated with the initial subduction of the Neotethyan Ocean.Eventually,the investigated units reflect various stages of a Wilson cycle,from rifting to initiation of the subduction in final plate collision.