Monazite trumps zircon: applying SHRIMP U–Pb geochronology to systematically evaluate emplacement ages of leucocratic, low-temperature granites in a complex Precambrian orogen

Although zircon is the most widely used geochronometer to determine the crystallisation ages of granites, it can be unreliable for low-temperature melts because they may not crystallise new zircon. For leucocratic granites U–Pb zircon dates, therefore, may reflect the ages of the source rocks rather than the igneous crystallisation age. In the Proterozoic Capricorn Orogen of Western Australia, leucocratic granites are associated with several pulses of intracontinental magmatism spanning ~800 million years. In several instances, SHRIMP U–Pb zircon dating of these leucocratic granites either yielded ages that were inconclusive (e.g., multiple concordant ages) or incompatible with other geochronological data. To overcome this we used SHRIMP U–Th–Pb monazite geochronology to obtain igneous crystallisation ages that are consistent with the geological and geochronological framework of the orogen. The U–Th–Pb monazite geochronology has resolved the time interval over which two granitic supersuites were emplaced; a Paleoproterozoic supersuite thought to span ~80 million years was emplaced in less than half that time (1688–1659 Ma) and a small Meso- to Neoproterozoic supersuite considered to have been intruded over ~70 million years was instead assembled over ~130 million years and outlasted associated regional metamorphism by ~100 million years. Both findings have consequences for the duration of associated orogenic events and any estimates for magma generation rates. The monazite geochronology has contributed to a more reliable tectonic history for a complex, long-lived orogen. Our results emphasise the benefit of monazite as a geochronometer for leucocratic granites derived by low-temperature crustal melting and are relevant to other orogens worldwide

Genesis and stability of accessory phosphates in silicic magmatic rocks: a Western Carpathian case study

The formation of accessory phosphates in granites reflects many chemical and physical factors, including magma composition, oxidation state, concentrations of volatiles and degree of differentiation. The geotectonic setting of granites can be judged from the distribution and character of their phosphates. Robust apatite crystallization is typical of the early magmatic crystallization of I-type granitoids, and of late magmatic stages when increased Ca activity may occur due to the release of anorthite from plagioclase. Although S-type granites also accumulate apatite in the early stages, increasing phosphorus in late differentiates is common due to their high ASI. The apatite from the S-types is enriched in Mn compared to that in I-type granites. A-type granites characteristically contain minor amounts of apatite due to low P concentrations in their magmas. Monazite is typical of S-type granites but it can also become stable in late I-type differentiates. Huttonite contents in monazite correlate roughly positively with temperature. The cheralite molecule seems to be highest in monazite from the most evolved granites enriched in B and F. Magmatic xenotime is common mainly in the S-type granites, but crystallization of secondary xenotime is not uncommon. The formation of the berlinite molecule in feldspars in peraluminous melts may suppress phosphate precipitation and lead to distributional inhomogeneities. Phosphate mobility commonly leads to the formation of phosphate veinlets in and outside granite bodies. The stability of phosphates in the superimposed, metamorphic processes is restricted. Both monazite-(Ce) and xenotime-(Y) are unstable during fluid-activated overprinting. REE accessories, especially monazite and allanite, show complex replacement patterns culminating in late allanite and epidote formation

Terr. Nova

This study presents the first preliminary U-Pb zircon data on tin-bearing S-type granites from the Gemeric unit of the Western Carpathians (Slovakia). U-Pb single zircon dating controlled by cathodoluminescence suggests crystallization of the Gemeric granites during Permian to Early Triassic (303-241 Ma) time. Post-crystallization, low-temperature metamorphic overprint is reflected by partial Pb loss in zircons. These Gemeric granites are younger than the highly fractionated, S- type, tin- and rare-element-bearing leucogranites in the European Variscides. They may have resulted from partial melting, triggered by increased heat flow from the mantle below the continental crust, and most probably intruded during the post-collisional extension and initial rifting of the Variscan orogenic belt. During Alpine orogeny, the Gemeric granites were affected by a low-temperature deformation and metamorphism

First Permian-Early Triassic zircon ages for tin-bearing granites from the Gemeric unit (Western Carpathians, Slovakia): connection to the post-collisional extension of the Variscan orogen and S-type granite magmatism

This study presents the first preliminary U-Pb zircon data on tin-bearing S-type granites from the Gemeric unit of the Western Carpathians (Slovakia). U-Pb single zircon dating controlled by cathodoluminescence suggests crystallization of the Gemeric granites during Permian to Early Triassic (303-241 Ma) time. Post-crystallization, low-temperature metamorphic overprint is reflected by partial Pb loss in zircons. These Gemeric granites are younger than the highly fractionated, S- type, tin- and rare-element-bearing leucogranites in the European Variscides. They may have resulted from partial melting, triggered by increased heat flow from the mantle below the continental crust, and most probably intruded during the post-collisional extension and initial rifting of the Variscan orogenic belt. During Alpine orogeny, the Gemeric granites were affected by a low-temperature deformation and metamorphism