Geochronology (Re–Os and U–Pb) and fluid inclusion studies of molybdenite mineralisation associated with the Shap, Skiddaw and Weardale granites, UK

Late Devonian magmatism in Northern England records key events associated with the Acadian phase of the Caledonian-Appalachian Orogen (C-AO). Zircon U-Pb and molybdenite Re-Os geochronology date emplacement and mineralisation in the Shap (405·2±1·8 Ma), Skiddaw (398·8±0·4 and 392·3±2·8 Ma) and Weardale granites (398·3±1·6 Ma). For the Shap granite, mineralisation and magmatism are contemporaneous, with mineralisation being directly associated with the boiling of CO2-rich magmatic fluids between 300 and 450°C, and 440 and 620 bars. For the Skiddaw granite, the Re-Os age suggests that sulphide mineralisation occurred post-magmatism (398·8±0·4 Ma) and was associated with the boiling (275 and 400°C and at 375-475 bars) of a non-magmatic fluid, enriched in N2, CH4 and S, which is isotopically heavy. In contrast, the co-magmatic molybdenite mineralisation of the Weardale granite formed from non-fluid boiling at 476 to 577°C at 1-1·7 kbars. The new accurate and precise ages indicate that magmatism and Mo-mineralisation occurred during the same period across eastern Avalonia (cf. Ireland). In addition, the ages provide a timing of tectonism of the Acadian phase of the C-AO in northern England. Based on the post-tectonic metamorphic mineral growth associated with the Shap and Skiddaw granite aureoles, Acadian deformation in the northern England continued episodically (before ∼405 Ma) throughout the Emsian (∼398 Ma)

Reply to discussion on 'A high-precision U-Pb age constraint on the Rhynie Chert Konservat-Lagerstatte: time scale and other implications': Journal, 168, 863-872

We welcome the opportunity to address the points raised by Mark et al. in their discussion of the chemical abrasion isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry (CA–ID–TIMS) U–Pb age constraint on the Rhynie Chert Konservat-Lagerstätte presented by Parry et al. (2011) and also to make some further observations of our own. We begin by briefly providing some context for the benefit of the wider readership. Two radio-isotopic age constraints on the Rhynie Chert Konservat-Lagerstätte and, by corollary, its parental hydrothermal (hot-spring) system have recently been published. The first of these is a weighted mean 40Ar/39Ar plateau age of 403.9 ± 2.1 Ma (2σ) derived from the analysis of two samples of vein-hosted hydrothermal K-feldspar and a single sample of hydrothermally altered andesite (Mark et al. 2011). In order to account for systematic uncertainties associated with the 40Ar/39Ar geochronometer, Mark et al. (2011) recalculated their individual sample ages with reference to the Fish Canyon Tuff sanidine (FCs) age of 28.201 Ma (Kuiper et al. 2008), thereby producing a ‘U–Pb comparable’ mean age of 407.1 ± 2.2 Ma (2σ). An alternative ‘preferred age’ for the Rhynie hot-spring activity (407.6 ± 2.2 Ma (2σ)) has now been produced from the ‘raw’ data using the optimization model of Renne et al. (2010, 2011) (this discussion). The 40Ar/39Ar system calibrations on which these various ages are based are summarized in Table 1. The second radio-isotopic age constraint in question is a weighted mean 206Pb/238U zircon age of 411.5 ± 1.3 Ma (2σ, including decay constant- and tracer calibration-related uncertainties; MSWD = 0.12, n = 4) yielded by the Milton of Noth Andesite, a moderately altered basaltic andesite lava flow (cum near-surface sill?) that lies along the northwestern margin of the Rhynie Outlier (Parry et al. 2011). U–Pb titanite data corroborate the zircon data, and c. 411.5 Ma is interpreted as the crystallization-eruption age of the Milton of Noth Andesite. Lavas and tuffs of andesitic composition occur elsewhere within the northern half of the Rhynie Outlier (Rice & Ashcroft 2004) and a holistic view of the available evidence would suggest that these volcanic rocks represent the surficial expression of the thermal drive for the Rhynie hot-spring system. Parry et al. (2011) therefore concluded that that the U–Pb zircon age yielded by the Milton of Noth Andesite dates the Rhynie hydrothermal activity within error [our italics]

The North Pennine batholith (Weardale Granite) of northern England : new data on its age and form

A three-dimensional gravity model of the North Pennine batholith is interpreted to show that it comprises five contiguous steep-sided plutons. The North Pennine batholith was previously referred to as the Weardale Granite, but this term is now restricted to the largest, most central pluton, which was proved by the Rookhope Borehole in 1961. The surrounding plutons are the Tynehead and Scordale plutons in the west, and the Rowlands Gill and Cornsay plutons in the east. A new U–Pb zircon age of 399.3±0.7 Ma demonstrates an unequivocal Early Devonian (Emsian) age of emplacement for the Weardale Pluton. The similarity of the forms of the four unsampled plutons to the body beneath Rookhope, and to other Devonian granites in northern England, strongly suggests that they are also of Devonian age. Seismic reflection evidence supports a contrast between relatively deep-seated Devonian granites and tabular Ordovician granites in northern England. The most conspicuous magnetic anomalies over the North Pennine batholith are associated with the Early Permian Great Whin Sill, but there is also evidence of magnetized basement rocks or denser magnetic intrusive phases on the flanks of the non-magnetic, low density plutons. A long-wavelength magnetic low can be explained in part by the granite puncturing a deep magnetic basement, although the demagnetized zone may extend beneath the batholith. A spatial correlation between the vein systems in the Northern Pennine Orefield and the form of the batholith suggests that the granite masses played a significant role in focussing mineralizing fluids into the overlying Carboniferous rocks. The highest temperature mineralization occurs over the Weardale and Tynehead plutons, where there is also the clearest evidence for the channelling of mineralizing fluids through the batholith. The other plutons are generally associated with a lower intensity of mineralization, which occurs on their flanks rather than above their roofs. The Rookhope and Tynehead areas may therefore mark the location of convective ‘chimneys’ which were important in focussing the fluid circulation responsible for the mineralization. The coincidence of the ‘chimney’ zones with the minimum of the long wavelength magnetic low suggests that the hydrothermal system may also have played a role in modifying crustal magnetization

A high-precision U-Pb age constraint on the Rhynie Chert Konservat-Lagerstatte : time scale and other implications

An isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry U–Pb zircon age of 411.5 ± 1.3 Ma obtained from an andesitic lava occurring within the Lower Devonian Rhynie Outlier (Aberdeenshire, NE Scotland) effectively dates the Rhynie Chert Konservat-Lagerstätte. Biostratigraphical constraints on the Rhynie Chert-bearing succession indicate that this age lies within the interval early (but not earliest) Pragian–(?)earliest Emsian. Accordingly, the Pragian–Emsian boundary must post-date or closely approximate to 411.5 ± 1.3 Ma, while the Lochkovian–Pragian boundary must predate 411.5 ± 1.3 Ma. Integration of this new high-precision age with an improved temporal framework for late Caledonian intrusive activity in NE Scotland suggests that the Rhynie hot-spring system (the ‘parental' hydrothermal system to the Rhynie cherts) was unrelated to any ‘Newer Granite' intrusion. Rhynie was instead powered by a basaltic andesite magma whose generation and ascent were directly linked to the transcurrent fault movements responsible for the formation of the Rhynie basin. Supplementary material: Details of analytical techniques (ID-TIMS U–Pb geochronology) and photomicrographs of zircon and titanite grains recovered from the Milton of Noth Andesite are available at http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18463

Constraining high-grade metamorphism in the Lewisian [abstract only]

The Lewisian complex of NW Scotland is dominantly composed of Archaean tonalitic to granodioritic gneisses, ultramafic bodies and minor metasedimentary components. Although the area is internationally well known and has been much studied for over a century, the recognition and precise timing of some high-grade metamorphic events has proven difficult to ascertain. This is partly due to repeated deformational and metamorphic episodes in the Palaeoproterozoic which overprint and obscure earlier events. We present data from both laser ablation (LA) ICP-MS and an adaptation of a U-Pb chemical abrasion ID-TIMS technique applied to multi-age component zircons from the Assynt (“Central”) block of this region. The new data reveal a previously unrecognised complexity and provide the first unequivocal proof of an Archean to Paleoproterozoic granulite metamorphic event in the Assynt area. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating has indicated a ca 2.8 Ga protolith age for a tonalitic gneiss with evidence for a ca. 3.5 Ga xenocrystic component (the oldest discovered in the UK). Non-conventional U-Pb ID-TIMS utilising a combination of high-temperature annealing followed by multi-step incremental dissolution on single grains allows identification of Pb-loss and multi-generational age trajectories on 206Pb/238U- 207Pb/235U plots. A combination of LA-ICP-MS and this non-conventional TIMS work has dated zircon growth at ca 2.7 Ga (“Badcallian”) and 2.5 Ga (“Inverian”) with later Pb-loss occurring at ca 1.9 Ga and ca 1.7 Ga (early and late “Laxfordian” respectively). This TIMS method is unique in that it combines a pseudo-spatial resolution normally associated with an in-situ technique but benefits from the highprecision analysis required to differentiate between these metamorphic events at ca 2.7 and 2.5 Ga. Zircon Hf isotopes indicate that some gneisses from the Assynt area are typical of Archaean continental crust (epsilon Hf ca -1). The tonalite gneisses however have strongly negative epsilon Hf values of -7 to -10 indicating a more complex history of derivation through partial melting of ancient crust with residual garnet as a long-lived control on Hf. Moreover, consistent zircon epsilon Hf values from inherited cores, igneous overgrowths and two separate metamorphic events indicate that the tonalitic gneisses were formed by crustal recycling, rather than new additions to the crust. These events may be summarised as: zircon crystallisation from a magma at ca 3.5 Ga, partial melting and crustal recycling producing the tonalite gneiss protoliths at ca 2.8 Ga, a prolonged lower crustal residence in granulite P-T conditions by ca 2.7 Ga, further metamorphism in amphibolite conditions at ca 2.5 Ga and later deformation associated with punctuated terrane amalgamation events between ca 1.9 Ga and ca 1.7 Ga. The occurrence of a 2.7 Ga metamorphic event preserved in gneisses from Assynt contradicts the assertion of some previous studies that it does not exist in this region and suggests at least some local terrane amalgamation occurred in the Archean

Age constraints and geochemistry of the Ordovician Tyrone Igneous Complex, Northern Ireland : implications for the Grampian orogeny

The Tyrone Igneous Complex is one of the largest areas of ophiolitic and arc-related rocks exposed along the northern margin of Iapetus within the British and Irish Caledonides. New U–Pb zircon data and regional geochemistry suggest that the Tyrone Plutonic Group represents the uppermost portions of a c. 480 Ma suprasubduction-zone ophiolite accreted onto an outboard segment of Laurentia prior to 470.3 ± 1.9 Ma. The overlying Tyrone Volcanic Group formed as an island arc that collided with the Laurentian margin during the Grampian phase of the Caledonidan orogeny. Early magmatism is characterized by transitional to calc-alkaline, light REE (LREE)-enriched island-arc signatures, with an increasing component of continentally derived material up sequence. Tholeiitic rhyolites with flat to U-shaped REE profiles and LREE-depleted basalts, located stratigraphically below a c. 473 Ma rhyolite of the upper Tyrone Volcanic Group, suggest initiation of intra-arc rifting at c. 475 Ma. Metamorphic cooling ages from the Tyrone Central Inlier imply arc–continent collision before 468 ± 1.4 Ma, with the emplacement of the Tyrone Volcanic Group onto the margin. A suite of 470.3 ± 1.9 Ma to 464.3 ± 1.5 Ma calc-alkaline intrusions are associated with the continued closure of Iapetus. Supplementary material: Geochemical data and petrography are available at http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18467

Multi-scale crystallographic ordering in the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa

Lophelia pertusa is a widespread colonial cold-water coral which can form large three-dimensional habitats for benthic communities. Although it is known to construct an aragonite skeleton with optically opaque and translucent bands, details of its biomineralized structure are unclear. New crystallographic data obtained from Lophelia pertusa using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) reveal a remarkably high degree of multiscale self-ordering and provide unprecedented detail on crystallographic orientations within the coral skeleton. The EBSD data unequivocally demonstrate a self-regulated architecture across a range of spatial scales, resulting in a specific structure which contributes to the physical robustness of its skeleton and an evolutionary advantage in such habitats

Timing, relations and cause of plutonic and volcanic activity of the Siluro-Devonian post-collision magmatic episode in the Grampian Terrane, Scotland

<p>Calc-alkaline magmatism in the Grampian Terrane started at <em>c</em>. 430 Ma, after subduction of the edge of continental Avalonia beneath Laurentia, and it then persisted for at least 22 Ma. Isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry U–Pb zircon dating yields 425.0 ± 0.7 Ma for the Lorn Lava Pile, 422.5 ± 0.5 Ma for Rannoch Moor Pluton, 419.6 ± 5.4 Ma for a fault-intrusion at Glencoe volcano, 417.9 ± 0.9 Ma for Clach Leathad Pluton in Glencoe, and, in the Etive Pluton, 414.9 ± 0.7 Ma for the Cruachan Intrusion and 408.0 ± 0.5 Ma for the Inner Starav Intrusion. The Etive Dyke Swarm was mostly emplaced during 418–414 Ma, forming part of the plumbing of a large volcano (≥2000 km³) that became intruded by the Etive Pluton and was subsequently removed by erosion. During the magmatism large volumes (thousands of km³) of high Ba–Sr andesite and dacite were erupted repeatedly, but were mostly removed by contemporaneous uplift and erosion. This volcanic counterpart to the ’Newer Granite' plutons has not previously been fully recognized. The intermediate magmas forming both plutons and volcanoes originated mainly by partial melting of heterogeneous mafic to intermediate lowermost crust that had high Ba–Sr derived from previous melting of large ion lithophile element (LILE)-enriched mantle, possibly at <em>c</em>. 1.8 Ga. This crustal recycling was induced by heat and volatiles from underplated small-degree melts of LILE- and light REE-enriched lithospheric mantle (appinite–lamprophyre magmas). The post-collision magmatism and uplift resulted from breakoff of subducted oceanic lithosphere and consequent rise of asthenosphere. </p

Timing, relations and cause of plutonic and volcanic activity of the Siluro-Devonian post-collision magmatic episode in the Grampian Terrane, Scotland

<p>Calc-alkaline magmatism in the Grampian Terrane started at <em>c</em>. 430 Ma, after subduction of the edge of continental Avalonia beneath Laurentia, and it then persisted for at least 22 Ma. Isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry U–Pb zircon dating yields 425.0 ± 0.7 Ma for the Lorn Lava Pile, 422.5 ± 0.5 Ma for Rannoch Moor Pluton, 419.6 ± 5.4 Ma for a fault-intrusion at Glencoe volcano, 417.9 ± 0.9 Ma for Clach Leathad Pluton in Glencoe, and, in the Etive Pluton, 414.9 ± 0.7 Ma for the Cruachan Intrusion and 408.0 ± 0.5 Ma for the Inner Starav Intrusion. The Etive Dyke Swarm was mostly emplaced during 418–414 Ma, forming part of the plumbing of a large volcano (≥2000 km³) that became intruded by the Etive Pluton and was subsequently removed by erosion. During the magmatism large volumes (thousands of km³) of high Ba–Sr andesite and dacite were erupted repeatedly, but were mostly removed by contemporaneous uplift and erosion. This volcanic counterpart to the ’Newer Granite' plutons has not previously been fully recognized. The intermediate magmas forming both plutons and volcanoes originated mainly by partial melting of heterogeneous mafic to intermediate lowermost crust that had high Ba–Sr derived from previous melting of large ion lithophile element (LILE)-enriched mantle, possibly at <em>c</em>. 1.8 Ga. This crustal recycling was induced by heat and volatiles from underplated small-degree melts of LILE- and light REE-enriched lithospheric mantle (appinite–lamprophyre magmas). The post-collision magmatism and uplift resulted from breakoff of subducted oceanic lithosphere and consequent rise of asthenosphere. </p

Deciphering the geochronology of a large granitoid pluton (Karkonosze Granite, SW Poland): an assessment of U-Pb zircon SIMS and Rb-Sr whole-rock dates relatives to U-Pb zircon CA-ID-TIMS

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