Cadomian and Variscan metamorphic events in the Léon Domain (Armorican Massif) resolved by trace element analysis in monazite and garnet

The question, whether crustal domains are allochthonous terranes or not is crucial for plate tectonic models of the Ibero-Armorican segment of the Variscan belt. The Léon Domain in the Armorican Massif appears as a displaced crustal block as it bears a resemblance to the South Armorican Domain of the internal Variscan belt (Le Corre et al. 1989). In the central part of the Léon, the amphibolite-facies Conquet- Penze Micaschist Unit (CPMU) overlies the high-grade Lesneven Gneiss Unit (LGU). At the base of the LGU, a high-pressure stage at 700°C/>13 kbar, recorded by garnet-clinopyroxene assemblages in eclogites was followed by a high-temperature event at 800°C/8 kbar with garnet and cordierite in aluminous paragneisses. Maximal temperatures in the upper parts of the LGU were 630°C/6 kbar. In the micaschists of the Conquet-Penze Unit, microstructures indicate a crystallization of garnet and then staurolite during the development of S1 and S2 foliations. Zoned garnet in assemblages with staurolite recorded prograde P–T paths from 490– 610°C at 5–8 kbar in the upper and at 6– 9 kbar in the lower parts of the CPMU. The foliation S2 was overprinted by shear bands with a top-to- SW directed normal sense of shear, corresponding to a dextral strike-slip movement (Balé & Brun 1986). A younger population of monazite with variable Y contents displays Variscan Th-U-Pb ages (EMP dating method) between 340 and 300Ma. In contrast, an older population of Cadomian monazite at 552–517Ma is uniformly rich in Y and was observed in samples with only few or even no garnet. As the 330–340Ma Saint Renan- Kersaint granite postdates the foliations S1 and S2 with peak metamorphic assemblages one can conclude that 340–300Ma Variscan monazites should postdate garnet crystallization.conferenc

MPI-DING reference glasses for in situ microanalysis: New reference values for element concentrations and isotope ratios

We present new analytical data of major and trace elements for the geological MPI-DING glasses KL2-G, ML3B-G, StHs6/80-G, GOR128-G, GOR132-G, BM90/21-G, T1-G, and ATHO-G. Different analytical methods were used to obtain a large spectrum of major and trace element data, in particular, EPMA, SIMS, LA-ICPMS, and isotope dilution by TIMS and ICPMS. Altogether, more than 60 qualified geochemical laboratories worldwide contributed to the analyses, allowing us to present new reference and information values and their uncertainties (at 95% confidence level) for up to 74 elements. We complied with the recommendations for the certification of geological reference materials by the International Association of Geoanalysts (IAG). The reference values were derived from the results of 16 independent techniques, including definitive (isotope dilution) and comparative bulk (e.g., INAA, ICPMS, SSMS) and microanalytical (e.g., LA-ICPMS, SIMS, EPMA) methods. Agreement between two or more independent methods and the use of definitive methods provided traceability to the fullest extent possible. We also present new and recently published data for the isotopic compositions of H, B, Li, O, Ca, Sr, Nd, Hf, and Pb. The results were mainly obtained by high-precision bulk techniques, such as TIMS and MC-ICPMS. In addition, LA-ICPMS and SIMS isotope data of B, Li, and Pb are presented. Copyright 2006 by the American Geophysical Union

MPI-Ding reference glasses for in situ microanalysis: New reference values for element concentrations and isotope ratios

We present new analytical data of major and trace elements for the geological MPI-DING glasses KL2-G, ML3B-G, StHs6/80-G, GOR128-G, GOR132-G, BM90/21-G, T1-G, and ATHO-G. Different analytical methods were used to obtain a large spectrum of major and trace element data, in particular, EPMA, SIMS, LA-ICPMS, and isotope dilution by TIMS and ICPMS. Altogether, more than 60 qualified geochemical laboratories worldwide contributed to the analyses, allowing us to present new reference and information values and their uncertainties (at 95% confidence level) for up to 74 elements. We complied with the recommendations for the certification of geological reference materials by the International Association of Geoanalysts (IAG). The reference values were derived from the results of 16 independent techniques, including definitive (isotope dilution) and comparative bulk (e.g., INAA, ICPMS, SSMS) and microanalytical (e.g., LA-ICPMS, SIMS, EPMA) methods. Agreement between two or more independent methods and the use of definitive methods provided traceability to the fullest extent possible. We also present new and recently published data for the isotopic compositions of H, B, Li, O, Ca, Sr, Nd, Hf, and Pb. The results were mainly obtained by high-precision bulk techniques, such as TIMS and MC-ICPMS. In addition, LA-ICPMS and SIMS isotope data of B, Li, and Pb are presented

Geochronology and Geochemistry on Granitoides from the Ruhla Crystalline Complex, Mid-German Crystalline Rise

Das Ruhlaer Kristallin (RK) ist Teil der NE-streichenden, variszisch angelegten Mitteldeutschen Kristallinzone. Das RK liegt am Nordwestrand des Thüringer Wald Horstes und wird von der NW-streichenden, variszisch bis rezent aktiven Fränkischen Linie durchschnitten. Die vier strukturell-metamorphen Einheiten (Truse Formation, Ruhla Formation, Brotterode Formation und Zentrales Kristallin) werden von Graniten, Dioriten und subvulkanischen Gängen intrudiert. Zirkondatierungen ergaben, daß das RK vom Silur bis zum Perm von mindestens fünf magmatischen Ereignissen betroffen war. Das älteste magmatische Ereignis um 425 Ma zeigen Zirkone zweier Orthogneise aus der Ruhlaer Formation. Geochemisch ähneln diese Orthogneise Granitoiden, die im Bereich vulkanischer Inselbögen (VAG) intrudieren. Dagegen zeigen die Orthogneise aus dem Zentralen Kristallin ein zweites, deutlich jüngeres magmatisches Ereignis um 405 Ma an. Die spätsilurischen Orthogneise sind I-Typ Granitoide mit Ähnlichkeiten zu VAG, der frühdevonische Orthogneis ist ein A-types Gestein mit Intraplatten-Granit (WPG) Signatur. Nahezu alle Orthogneise haben Zirkone mit deutlich höheren, proterozoischen Alterswerten, die Orthogneis-Protolithe haben demnach bei der Platznahme älteres Krustenmaterial assimiliert und/oder wurden daraus erschmolzen. Das dritte magmatische Ereignis wird mit der kompressiven Phase der Variszischen Gebirgsbildung in Verbindung gebracht und ist durch die Intrusion des Thüringer Hauptgranits um 350 Ma angezeigt. Es handelt sich um einen I-Typ Granit ähnlich denen die an kontinentalen Inselbögen intrudieren. Während der extensionalen Phase der Gebirgsbildung kam es im späten Karbon/ frühen Perm (um 295 Ma) zur Intrusion von zahlreichen Magmatiten. Geochemisch handelt es sich bei den Granitoiden des vierten magmatischen Ereignisses um post-kollisionale A-Typ Granite. Diese werden von Gängen rhyolithischer Zusammensetzung durchschnitten. Die Gänge können dem Spätkarbon/Rotliegend Vulkanismus im Thüringer Wald zugeordnet werden und repräsentieren das fünfte magmatische Ereignis (um 280 Ma) im RK. Die NNE-SSW-streichenden Gänge sind dabei älter als die NW-SE-streichenden Gänge. Eine geochemisch bearbeitete Probe besitzt alkaligranitische Zusammensetzung und zeigt Ähnlichkeit mit WPG.The Ruhla Crystalline Complex (RCC) is part of the NE-trending Mid-German Crystalline Rise formed during the Variscan Orogeny. It is situated at the northwestern margin of the Thuringian forest horst block and is transected by a late Variscan to recently active NW-trending transcurrent fault system, the Franconian line. The RCC can be subdivided into four structural-metamorphic units (Truse Formation, Ruhla Formation, Brotterode Formation and Central Gneiss Unit) intruded by granitic, dioritic and subvolcanic magmatism. Age determinations on zircons indicate that the RCC was affected by at least five magmatic events between the Silurian and Permian. The first and oldest magmatic event is recorded by zircons from orthogneisses of the Ruhla Formation at about 425 Ma. They belong to the calc-alkaline series and show similarities to volcanic arc granites (VAG). Orthogneisses from the Central Gneiss Unit point to a second, significantly younger magmatic event at about 405 Ma. While late Silurian orthogneisses are I-type granitoides comparable to VAG the early Devonian orthogneiss is an A-type granitoid showing Within-Plate-Granite (WPG) signature. Nearly all orthogneisses contain zircons which yield significantly older, proterozoic ages, indicating assimilation and/or derivation by partial melting of Proterozoic crust. A third magmatic event at about 350 Ma, assumed to be related to the compressive phase of the Variscan Orogeny, is represented by the intrusion of the Thuringian Hauptgranite, an I-type granite similar to continental island arc granites. During the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian at about 295 Ma the RCC was again affected by voluminous magmatism, related to extensional tectonism. The granites are A-type granites and their geochemical pattern display similarities to post-collision granites. Plutonic rocks of the fourth magmatic event are transected by dykes of rhyolitic composition, related to Late Carboniferous and the Rotliegend volcanism in the Thuringian Forest horst block (fifth magmatic event at about 280 Ma). The NNE-SSW-trending dykes are older than the NW-SE-trending dykes. One sample investigated geochemically is alkaligranitic and shows affinities to WPG

Analysis of Rare Earth Elements in Geological Samples by Laser Ablation - Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) Geological

Abstract The unique, coherent chemical properties of the rare earth elements (REE) make them highly suitable for geological studies into the history of rocks. Prior to the advent of reliable laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) methods, the steps required to prepare the rock samples for REE analysis were both time consuming and costly. Now, the same fusion beads prepared for X-ray-fluorescence (XRF) analysis, used for the determination of major and certain trace elements, can also be use

Different age response of zircon and monazite during the tectono-metamorphic evolution of a high grade paragneiss from the Ruhla Crystalline Complex, central Germany

Results of TIMS, SIMS and SEM analyses show that zircon and monazite in a high-grade paragneiss of the Ruhla Crystalline Complex, central Germany, were formed and/or altered during different stages of a tectono-metamorphic history between Early Devonian and Permian times. Detrital zircon cores of >460 Ma place an older limit on the age of anatexis, and show that the paragneiss sequence contains rocks at least as young as early Cambrian. Metamorphic zircon growth commenced at similar to365 Ma, peaking at similar to360-355 Ma at the same time that granite dykes were emplaced. In contrast, monazite in the paragneiss preserves little record of the metamorphic peak. Most monazite grains grew or were recrystallised in the Lower Carboniferous at similar to339 Ma, contemporaneous with the emplacement of voluminous diorite and granite bodies. These intrusions and related tectonics caused some of the high-U zircon overgrowths to undergo moderate to severe Pb loss. A second Pb loss event, between 300 and 280 Ma, can be related to Late Carboniferous/Early Permian large-scale block faulting

Cu- and Mn-bearing tourmalines from Brazil and Mozambique: crystal structures, chemistry and correlations

Cu- and Mn-bearing tourmalines from Brazil and Mozambique were characterised chemically (EMPA and LA-ICP-MS) and by X-ray single-crystal structure refinement. All these samples are rich in Al, Li and F (fluor-elbaite) and contain significant amounts of CuO (up to ~1.8 wt%) and MnO (up to ~3.5 wt%). Structurally investigated samples show a pronounced positive correlation between the distances and the (Li + Mn$^{2+}$ + Cu + Fe$^{2+}$) content (apfu) at this site with R$^2$ = 0.90. An excellent negative correlation exists between the distances and the Al$_2$O$_3$ content (R$^2$ = 0.94). The samples at each locality generally show a strong negative correlation between the X-site vacancies and the (MnO + FeO) content. The Mn content in these tourmalines depends on the availability of Mn, on the formation temperature, as well as on stereochemical constraints. Because of a very weak correlation between MnO and CuO we believe that the Cu content in tourmaline is essentially dependent on the availability of Cu and on stereochemical constraints

Isolated alkaline basalt occurrences in the northern Spessart, Germany: Outposts of the Early Miocene Vogelsberg shield volcano?

Four isolated occurrences of Tertiary volcanic rocks in the northern Spessart at Beilstein, Hoher Berg, Madstein and Kasselgrund are relics of volcanic vents or dikes. They display alkaline basalts (s. l.) with mainly trachybasaltic composition, which, from normative mineral contents, may be designated as nepheline-bearing alkali-olivine basalts and basanites. In part, centimetre-sized xenoliths of spinel lherzolite occur. According to Ar-Ar dating, the alkaline basalts (s. l.) from Kasselgrund have erupted at 18.1 ± 0.3 or 19.3 ± 0.4 Ma, those of Hoher Berg between c. 18 and c. 21 Ma. These ages correspond to the Vogelsberg eruption stage I. A slightly younger Ar-Ar age of 16.8 ± 0.3 Ma was recorded for the Beilstein basalt, which is in chronological accordance to the turn of Vogelsberg eruption stages II and III. Samples of all four occurrences reveal major and trace element compositions, which are different from those of the Vogelsberg basalts. Compositions of basalts of the stage III from Vogelsberg coincide most with the Spessart basalts. This signals a special position of the northern Spessart volcanic rocks either as a discrete spatial part of the Vogelsberg volcanic suite or as smaller, independent eruption centres