Caracterização geoquímica e isotópica de depósitos sedimentares vulcanogénicos do Ordovícico Inferior do Sinclinal de Moncorvo, Nordeste de Portugal

Os ambientes geodinâmicos extensionais na Zona Centro Ibérica, durante o Ordovícico Inferior, favoreceram a ocorrência de episódios vulcânicos. No sinclinal de Moncorvo há evidências desses episódios, preservados sob a forma de depósitos sedimentares vulcanogénicos intercalados em metassedimentos da Formação Marão. Estes depósitos são essencialmente constituídos por quartzo, mas também contêm moscovite, fosfatos da série lazulite - scorzalite, zircão, monazite, raros opacos e turmalina. Embora os depósitos se apresentem recristalizados e com foliação metamórfica penetrativa, a sua granulometria fina, espessura (< 40 cm) e mineralogia sugerem que corresponderiam a depósitos de cinzas distais, com afinidade riodacítica, envolvendo a mistura com materiais detríticos. A datação U-Pb, obtida por ID-TIMS em zircão, indica uma idade preliminar de formação de 484.5 ± 3.0 Ma. Os elevados teores em alguns elementos incompatíveis, a razão CaO/Na2O de 0.33 a 1.77, perfis de REE com (La/Lu)N = 3.37 a 7.96 e discreta anomalia negativa de Eu, valores de (87Sr/86Sr)i t variáveis entre 0.71156 e 0.71304 e -10.8 e -10.0, respectivamente, indicam que os materiais vulcânicos teriam resultado da fusão parcial de metassedimentos semelhantes aos do Grupo do Douro e equivalentes do n orte da Zona Centro Ibérica. Porém, o envolvimento de processos sedimentares terá tido uma influência significativa na geoquímica elementar e isotópica destas rochas.The extensional geodynamic conditions in the Central Iberian Zone, during Lower Ordovician, were favorable to the occurrence of volcanic episodes. At the syncline of Moncorvo there are evidences of those episodes, which occur in the form of volcanogenic sedimentary deposits interbedded in the metasediments of Marão Formation. These deposits are mainly composed of quartz, but also contain muscovite, phosphates of the lazulite-scorzalite series, zircon, monazite, rare opaques and tourmaline. Despite the recrystallization and metamorphic foliation overprint, the fine -grained texture, the thickness (< 40 cm) and mineralogy of the deposits suggest that they correspond to distal ash -fall layers, with rhyodacitic to dacitic affinity, involving mixing with detrital materials. The U-Pb zircon dating, obtained by ID-TIMS, indicates a preliminary formation age of 484.5 ± 3.0 Ma. The high contents of some incompatible elements, the CaO/Na2O ratio between 0.33 and 1.77, the REE pattern with (La / Lu)N = 3.37 to 7.96 and slight negative Eu anomaly,(87Sr/86Sr)i and Ndt values variable between 0.71156 and 0.71304 and -10.8 and -10.0, respectively, indicate that the volcanogenic materials were derived from partial melting of metasediments similar to those of Douro Group and equivalents from northern Central Iberian Zone. However, the involvement of sedimentary processes may have had significant influence on elemental and isotopic geochemistry of these rocks

Anticlockwise metamorphic pressure–temperature paths and nappe stacking in the Reisa Nappe Complex in the Scandinavian Caledonides, northern Norway: evidence for weakening of lower continental crust before and during continental collision

This study investigates the tectonostratigraphy and metamorphic and tectonic evolution of the Caledonian Reisa Nappe Complex (RNC; from bottom to top: Vaddas, Kåfjord, and Nordmannvik nappes) in northern Troms, Norway. Structural data, phase equilibrium modelling, and U-Pb zircon and titanite geochronology are used to constrain the timing and pressure–temperature (P–T) conditions of deformation and metamorphism during nappe stacking that facilitated crustal thickening during continental collision. Five samples taken from different parts of the RNC reveal an anticlockwise P–T path attributed to the effects of early Silurian heating (D1) followed by thrusting (D2). At ca. 439&thinsp;Ma during D1 the Nordmannvik Nappe reached the highest metamorphic conditions at ca. 780&thinsp;∘C and ∼9–11&thinsp;kbar inducing kyanite-grade partial melting. At the same time the Kåfjord Nappe was at higher, colder, levels of the crust ca. 600&thinsp;∘C, 6–7&thinsp;kbar and the Vaddas Nappe was intruded by gabbro at &gt;&thinsp;650&thinsp;∘C and ca. 6–9&thinsp;kbar. The subsequent D2 shearing occurred at increasing pressure and decreasing temperatures ca. 700&thinsp;∘C and 9–11&thinsp;kbar in the partially molten Nordmannvik Nappe, ca. 600&thinsp;∘C and 9–10&thinsp;kbar in the Kåfjord Nappe, and ca. 640&thinsp;∘C and 12–13&thinsp;kbar in the Vaddas Nappe. Multistage titanite growth in the Nordmannvik Nappe records this evolution through D1 and D2 between ca. 440 and 427&thinsp;Ma, while titanite growth along the lower RNC boundary records D2 shearing at 432±6&thinsp;Ma. It emerges that early Silurian heating (ca. 440&thinsp;Ma) probably resulted from large-scale magma underplating and initiated partial melting that weakened the lower crust, which facilitated dismembering of the crust into individual thrust slices (nappe units). This tectonic style contrasts with subduction of mechanically strong continental crust to great depths as seen in, for example, the Western Gneiss Region further south.</p

Zircon M127 - A Homogeneous Reference Material for SIMS U-Pb Geochronology Combined with Hafnium, Oxygen and, Potentially, Lithium Isotope Analysis

In this article, we document a detailed analytical characterisation of zircon M127, a homogeneous 12.7 carat gemstone from Ratnapura, Sri Lanka. Zircon M127 has TIMS-determined mean U-Pb radiogenic isotopic ratios of 0.084743 ± 0.000027 for 206Pb/238U and 0.67676 ± 0.00023 for 207Pb/235U (weighted means, 2s uncertainties). Its 206Pb/238U age of 524.36 ± 0.16 Ma (95% confidence uncertainty) is concordant within the uncertainties of decay constants. The d18O value (determined by laser fluorination) is 8.26 ± 0.06‰ VSMOW (2s), and the mean 176Hf/177Hf ratio (determined by solution ICP-MS) is 0.282396 ± 0.000004 (2s). The SIMS-determined d7Li value is -0.6 ± 0.9‰ (2s), with a mean mass fraction of 1.0 ± 0.1 µg g-1 Li (2s). Zircon M127 contains ~ 923 µg g-1 U. The moderate degree of radiation damage corresponds well with the time-integrated self-irradiation dose of 1.82 × 1018 alpha events per gram. This observation, and the (U-Th)/He age of 426 ± 7 Ma (2s), which is typical of unheated Sri Lankan zircon, enable us to exclude any thermal treatment. Zircon M127 is proposed as a reference material for the determination of zircon U-Pb ages by means of SIMS in combination with hafnium and stable isotope (oxygen and potentially also lithium) determination

Zircon ages in granulite facies rocks: decoupling from geochemistry above 850 °C?

Granulite facies rocks frequently show a large spread in their zircon ages, the interpretation of which raises questions: Has the isotopic system been disturbed? By what process(es) and conditions did the alteration occur? Can the dates be regarded as real ages, reflecting several growth episodes? Furthermore, under some circumstances of (ultra-)high-temperature metamorphism, decoupling of zircon U–Pb dates from their trace element geochemistry has been reported. Understanding these processes is crucial to help interpret such dates in the context of the P–T history. Our study presents evidence for decoupling in zircon from the highest grade metapelites (> 850 °C) taken along a continuous high-temperature metamorphic field gradient in the Ivrea Zone (NW Italy). These rocks represent a well-characterised segment of Permian lower continental crust with a protracted high-temperature history. Cathodoluminescence images reveal that zircons in the mid-amphibolite facies preserve mainly detrital cores with narrow overgrowths. In the upper amphibolite and granulite facies, preserved detrital cores decrease and metamorphic zircon increases in quantity. Across all samples we document a sequence of four rim generations based on textures. U–Pb dates, Th/U ratios and Ti-in-zircon concentrations show an essentially continuous evolution with increasing metamorphic grade, except in the samples from the granulite facies, which display significant scatter in age and chemistry. We associate the observed decoupling of zircon systematics in high-grade non-metamict zircon with disturbance processes related to differences in behaviour of non-formula elements (i.e. Pb, Th, U, Ti) at high-temperature conditions, notably differences in compatibility within the crystal structure

Interbedded quartz-muscovite layers in the ferriferous quartzites of the Lower Ordovician deposits of Moncorvo synclinorium (NE Portugal): an example of volcanogenic metasedimentary deposits?

Nos quartzitos ferríferos do Membro Malhada da Formação Marão aflorantes no sinclinório de Moncorvo (Ordovícico Inferior), encontram-se intercalados níveis de depósitos metassedimentares, de granulometria fina e espessura máxima de 40 cm, que são constituídos essencialmente por quartzo e moscovite, contendo também fosfatos da série lazulite-scorzalite, zircão, turmalina, hematite, localmente com núcleos de magnetite, esfena e, mais raramente, monazite, xenótimo, rútilo, hidróxidos de Fe e Ti e clorite. A geoquímica de elementos tendencialmente imóveis (Ti, Zr, La e Sc) sugere que a sua deposição terá ocorrido próximo de uma margem continental ativa, sendo posteriormente afetados por processos metamórficos de baixo grau e metassomáticos/hidrotermais, relacionados com a Orogenia Varisca, que terão influenciado a sua mineralogia e geoquímica elementar e isotópica. Contudo, o contraste mineralógico, textural e granulométrico existente entre estes depósitos metassedimentares e os quartzitos ferríferos, bem como a ocorrência de episódios vulcânicos/vulcano-sedimentares na Zona Centro-Ibérica, durante o Ordovícico Inferior, sugere que estes depósitos teriam incorporado materiais detríticos resultantes da erosão de rochas vulcânicas/hipabissais com idade anterior à Idade Floiano superior-Dapingiano (471-467 Ma). Com efeito, os elevados teores em alguns elementos incompatíveis, a razão CaO/Na2O de 0,33 a 1,77, perfis de REE com (La/Lu)N = 3,37 a 7,96 e discreta anomalia negativa de Eu, valores de (87Sr/86Sr)i e εNdt variáveis entre 0,71156 e 0,71304 e -10,8 e -10,0, respetivamente, indicam que os materiais vulcânicos primordiais poderiam ter afinidade riodacítica, resultando da fusão parcial de metassedimentos semelhantes aos do Grupo do Douro e equivalentes do norte da Zona Centro Ibérica. A datação U-Pb, obtida por ID-TIMS em zircão, indica uma idade de 484,5 ± 3,0 Ma para a formação desses materiais vulcânicos primordiais.In the Moncorvo synclinorium, ferriferous quartzites of the Malhada Member of the Marão Formation (Lower Ordovician) comprise interbedded layers of fine grained metasedimentary deposits, with a maximum thickness of 40 cm, and mainly composed of quartz and muscovite, but also containing phosphates of the lazulite-scorzalite series, zircon, tourmaline, hematite, locally with magnetite cores, titanite, and, more rarely, monazite, xenotime, rutile, Fe and Ti hydroxides and chlorite. The geochemistry of immobile elements (Ti, Zr, La and Sc) suggests that the metasedimentary rocks have been deposited near an active continental margin, but the subsequent low grade metamorphism and metasomatic/hydrothermal processes, related to the Variscan Orogeny, had a significant influence on their mineralogy and elemental and isotopic geochemistry. The mineralogical, textural and granulometric contrast between these metasedimentary deposits and the ferriferous quartzite, as well as the occurrence of Lower Ordovician volcanic/volcano-sedimentary episodes in the Central Iberian Zone, suggest that these deposits could have incorporated detritus derived from volcanic/hypabyssal rocks, older than the upper Floian-Dapingian age (471-467 Ma). However, the high contents of some incompatible elements, the CaO/Na2O ratio between 0.33 and 1.77, the REE pattern with (La / Lu)N = 3.37 to 7.96 and a slight negative Eu anomaly, (87Sr/86Sr)i varying from 0.71156 to 0.71304 and εNdt values of -10.8 to -10.0 indicate that the primary volcanogenic materials could have had a rhyodacitic to dacitic affinity, deriving from partial melting of metasediments similar to those of the Douro Group and equivalents from the northern Central Iberian Zone. Dating of zircon by U-Pb ID-TIMS indicates a formation age of 484.5 ± 3.0 Ma for the original volcanogenic materials

Earthquake nucleation in the lower crust by local stress amplification

Deep intracontinental earthquakes are poorly understood, despite their potential to cause significant destruction. Although lower crustal strength is currently a topic of debate, dry lower continental crust may be strong under high-grade conditions. Such strength could enable earthquake slip at high differential stress within a predominantly viscous regime, but requires further documentation in nature. Here, we analyse geological observations of seismic structures in exhumed lower crustal rocks. A granulite facies shear zone network dissects an anorthosite intrusion in Lofoten, northern Norway, and separates relatively undeformed, microcracked blocks of anorthosite. In these blocks, pristine pseudotachylytes decorate fault sets that link adjacent or intersecting shear zones. These fossil seismogenic faults are rarely >15 m in length, yet record single-event displacements of tens of centimetres, a slip/length ratio that implies >1 GPa stress drops. These pseudotachylytes represent direct identification of earthquake nucleation as a transient consequence of ongoing, localised aseismic creep

A 60-million-year Cenozoic history of western Amazonian ecosystems in Contamana, eastern Peru

Weprovide a synopsis of ~60million years of life history in Neotropical lowlands, based on a comprehensive survey of the Cenozoic deposits along the Quebrada Cachiyacu near Contamana in PeruvianAmazonia. The 34 fossilbearing localities identified have yielded a diversity of fossil remains, including vertebrates,mollusks, arthropods, plant fossils, and microorganisms, ranging from the early Paleocene to the lateMiocene–?Pliocene (N20 successive levels). This Cenozoic series includes the base of the Huchpayacu Formation (Fm.; early Paleocene; lacustrine/ fluvial environments; charophyte-dominated assemblage), the Pozo Fm. (middle + ?late Eocene; marine then freshwater environments; most diversified biomes), and complete sections for the Chambira Fm. (late Oligocene–late early Miocene; freshwater environments; vertebrate-dominated faunas), the Pebas Fm. (late early to early late Miocene; freshwater environments with an increasing marine influence; excellent fossil record), and Ipururo Fm. (late Miocene–?Pliocene; fully fluvial environments; virtually no fossils preserved). At least 485 fossil species are recognized in the Contamana area (~250 ‘plants’, ~212 animals, and 23 foraminifera). Based on taxonomic lists from each stratigraphic interval, high-level taxonomic diversity remained fairly constant throughout themiddle Eocene–Miocene interval (8-12 classes), ordinal diversity fluctuated to a greater degree, and family/species diversity generally declined, with a drastic drop in the early Miocene. The Paleocene–?Pliocene fossil assemblages from Contamana attest at least to four biogeographic histories inherited from (i) Mesozoic Gondwanan times, (ii) the Panamerican realm prior to (iii) the time of South America’s Cenozoic “splendid isolation”, and (iv) Neotropical ecosystems in the Americas. No direct evidence of any North American terrestrial immigrant has yet been recognized in the Miocene record at Contamana.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Comparisons between Tethyan Anorthosite-bearing Ophiolites and Archean Anorthosite-bearing Layered Intrusions: Implications for Archean Geodynamic Processes

Elucidating the petrogenesis and geodynamic setting(s) of anorthosites in Archean layered intrusions and Tethyan ophiolites has significant implications for crustal evolution and growth throughout Earth history. Archean anorthosite-bearing layered intrusions occur on every continent. Tethyan ophiolites occur in Europe, Africa, and Asia. In this contribution, the field, petrographic, petrological, and geochemical characteristics of 100 Tethyan anorthosite-bearing ophiolites and 155 Archean anorthosite-bearing layered intrusions are compared. Tethyan anorthosite-bearing ophiolites range from Devonian to Paleocene in age, are variably composite, contain anorthosites with highly calcic (An44-100) plagioclase and magmatic amphibole. These ophiolites formed predominantly at convergent plate margins, with some forming in mid-ocean ridge, continental rift, and mantle plume settings. The predominantly convergent plate margin tectonic setting of Tethyan anorthosite-bearing ophiolites is indicated by negative Nb and Ti anomalies and magmatic amphibole. Archean anorthosite-bearing layered intrusions are Eoarchean to Neoarchean in age, have megacrystic anorthosites with highly calcic (An20-100) plagioclase and magmatic amphibole and are interlayered with gabbros and leucogabbros and intrude pillow basalts. These Archean layered intrusions are interpreted to have predominantly formed at convergent plate margins, with the remainder forming in mantle plume, continental rift, oceanic plateau, post-orogenic, anorogenic, mid-ocean ridge, and passive continental margin settings. These layered intrusions predominantly crystallized from hydrous Ca- and Al-rich tholeiitic magmas. The field, petrographic and geochemical similarities between Archean and Tethyan anorthosites indicate that they were produced by similar geodynamic processes mainly in suprasubduction zone settings. We suggest that Archean anorthosite-bearing layered intrusions and spatially associated greenstone belts represent dismembered subduction-related Archean ophiolites

Cryptic Disc Structures Resembling Ediacaran Discoidal Fossils from the Lower Silurian Hellefjord Schist, Arctic Norway

The Hellefjord Schist, a volcaniclastic psammite-pelite formation in the Caledonides of Arctic Norway contains discoidal impressions and apparent tube casts that share morphological and taphonomic similarities to Neoproterozoic stem-holdfast forms. U-Pb zircon geochronology on the host metasediment indicates it was deposited between 437 ± 2 and 439 ± 3 Ma, but also indicates that an inferred basal conglomerate to this formation must be part of an older stratigraphic element, as it is cross-cut by a 546 ± 4 Ma pegmatite. These results confirm that the Hellefjord Schist is separated from underlying older Proterozoic rocks by a thrust. It has previously been argued that the Cambrian Substrate Revolution destroyed the ecological niches that the Neoproterozoic frond-holdfasts organisms occupied. However, the discovery of these fossils in Silurian rocks demonstrates that the environment and substrate must have been similar enough to Neoproterozoic settings that frond-holdfast bodyplans were still ecologically viable some hundred million years later