Die Gneise des Erzgebirges: hochmetamorphe Äquivalente von neoproterozoisch-frühpaläozoischen Grauwacken und Granitoiden der Cadomiden

Das Erzgebirge ist Teilstruktur der Fichtelgebirgs-Erzgebirgischen Antiklinalzone. Es besteht aus einem Gneiskern und einer Schieferhülle, wobei der Gneiskern flächenmäßig den größten Anteil des Erzgebirgskristallins bildet. Die Vorstellungen über den geologischen Aufbau des Erzgebirges haben sich in den letzten 10 Jahren drastisch gewandelt. Moderne PT-Untersuchungen der Gneise und Glimmerschiefer lieferten Beweise einer unterschiedlichen metamorphen Überprägung verschiedener lithologischer Einheiten des Erzgebirges und belegen dessen Deckenbau. Unterschiedliche Altersvorstellungen wurden durch neuere Datierungen erzeugt, da viele Datierungssysteme eine (oft unvollständige) Umstellung durch die metamorphe Überprägung erfuhren. Ziel dieser Arbeit war eine umfassende Charakterisierung der Gneise, die neue Erkenntnisse zu deren Genese und eine gesicherte Altersstellung der Gneise liefert. Die durchgeführten Untersuchungen erlauben die Unterscheidung von drei genetischen Gruppen der Erzgebirgsgneise (Untere "Freiberger" Graugneise, Obere Graugneise, Rotgneise), die unterschiedlichen Altersetappen zugeordnet werden können. Die Unteren Graugneise und die Rotgneise stellen Orthogneise dar ("Meta-Granitoide"), die Oberen Graugneise - Paragneise ("Meta-Grauwacken"). Desweiteren sind sogenannte Mischgneise im Erzgebirge weit verbreitet, die wahrscheinlich aus meta- bis diatektischen Migmatiten hervorgegangen sind. Anhand der Altersdatierungen der Erzgebirgsgneise konnten drei Etappen magmatischer Aktivität belegt werden (ca. 575 Ma, 540-530 Ma, 500-470 Ma), die sehr gut mit magmatischen Zeitmarken anderer saxothuringischer Einheiten (Lausitz, Elbe-Zone, Schwarzburger Sattel) korrelieren. Ein Vergleich der neoproterozoisch-frühpaläozoischen Entwicklung der saxothuringischen Einheiten mit anderen Segmenten des Böhmischen Massivs und des cadomischen Orogengürtels zeigt z.T. auffallende Ähnlichkeiten (insbesondere mit dem Mancellian Terrane des Armorikanischen Massivs) aber auch signifikante Unterschiede auf, die in der Arbeit diskutiert werden

India (Tethyan Himalaya Series) in central Myanmar: implications for the evolution of the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis and the Sagaing transform-fault system

In the Katha Range of central Myanmar, lithologic tracers and pressure-temperature-deformation time data identify Cambro-Ordovician, Indian-affinity Tethyan Himalaya Series, located ∼700 km from their easternmost outcrop in S-Tibet, and ∼450 km from Himalayan rocks in the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis. Metamorphism began at ∼65 Ma, peaked at ∼45 Ma (∼510°C, 0.93 GPa), and exhumation/cooling (∼25°C/ Myr) occurred until ∼30 Ma in a subduction-early collision tectonic setting. When the Burma microplate-part of the intra-Tethyan Incertus arc-accreted to SE-Asia, its eastern boundary, the southern continuation of the Indus-Yarlung suture (IYS), was reactivated as the Sagaing fault (SF), which propagated northward into Indian rocks. In the Katha rocks, this strike-slip stage is marked by ∼4°C/Myr exhumation/cooling. Restoring the SF system defines a continental collision-oceanic subduction transition junction, where the IYS bifurcates into the SF at the eastern edge of the Burma microplate and the Jurassic ophiolite-Jadeite belts that include the Incertus-arc suture

Die Gneise des Erzgebirges: hochmetamorphe Äquivalente von neoproterozoisch-frühpaläozoischen Grauwacken und Granitoiden der Cadomiden

Das Erzgebirge ist Teilstruktur der Fichtelgebirgs-Erzgebirgischen Antiklinalzone. Es besteht aus einem Gneiskern und einer Schieferhülle, wobei der Gneiskern flächenmäßig den größten Anteil des Erzgebirgskristallins bildet. Die Vorstellungen über den geologischen Aufbau des Erzgebirges haben sich in den letzten 10 Jahren drastisch gewandelt. Moderne PT-Untersuchungen der Gneise und Glimmerschiefer lieferten Beweise einer unterschiedlichen metamorphen Überprägung verschiedener lithologischer Einheiten des Erzgebirges und belegen dessen Deckenbau. Unterschiedliche Altersvorstellungen wurden durch neuere Datierungen erzeugt, da viele Datierungssysteme eine (oft unvollständige) Umstellung durch die metamorphe Überprägung erfuhren. Ziel dieser Arbeit war eine umfassende Charakterisierung der Gneise, die neue Erkenntnisse zu deren Genese und eine gesicherte Altersstellung der Gneise liefert. Die durchgeführten Untersuchungen erlauben die Unterscheidung von drei genetischen Gruppen der Erzgebirgsgneise (Untere "Freiberger" Graugneise, Obere Graugneise, Rotgneise), die unterschiedlichen Altersetappen zugeordnet werden können. Die Unteren Graugneise und die Rotgneise stellen Orthogneise dar ("Meta-Granitoide"), die Oberen Graugneise - Paragneise ("Meta-Grauwacken"). Desweiteren sind sogenannte Mischgneise im Erzgebirge weit verbreitet, die wahrscheinlich aus meta- bis diatektischen Migmatiten hervorgegangen sind. Anhand der Altersdatierungen der Erzgebirgsgneise konnten drei Etappen magmatischer Aktivität belegt werden (ca. 575 Ma, 540-530 Ma, 500-470 Ma), die sehr gut mit magmatischen Zeitmarken anderer saxothuringischer Einheiten (Lausitz, Elbe-Zone, Schwarzburger Sattel) korrelieren. Ein Vergleich der neoproterozoisch-frühpaläozoischen Entwicklung der saxothuringischen Einheiten mit anderen Segmenten des Böhmischen Massivs und des cadomischen Orogengürtels zeigt z.T. auffallende Ähnlichkeiten (insbesondere mit dem Mancellian Terrane des Armorikanischen Massivs) aber auch signifikante Unterschiede auf, die in der Arbeit diskutiert werden

The Chemical Evolution from Older (323–318 Ma) towards Younger Highly Evolved Tin Granites (315–314 Ma)—Sources and Metal Enrichment in Variscan Granites of the Western Erzgebirge (Central European Variscides, Germany)

The sources and critical enrichment processes for granite related tin ores are still not well understood. The Erzgebirge represents one of the classical regions for tin mineralization. We investigated the four largest plutons from the Western Erzgebirge (Germany) for the geochemistry of bulk rocks and autocrystic zircons and relate this information to their intrusion ages. The source rocks of the Variscan granites were identified as high-grade metamorphic rocks based on the comparison of Hf-O isotope data on zircons, the abundance of xenocrystic zircon ages as well as Nd and Hf model ages. Among these rocks, restite is the most likely candidate for later Variscan melts. Based on the evolution with time, we could reconstruct enrichment factors for tin and tungsten starting from the protoliths (575 Ma) that were later converted to high-grade metamorphic rocks (340 Ma) and served as sources for the older biotite granites (323–318 Ma) and the tin granites (315–314 Ma). This evolution involved a continuous enrichment of both tin and tungsten with an enrichment factor of ~15 for tin and ~7 for tungsten compared to the upper continental crust (UCC). Ore level concentrations (>10–100 times enrichment) were achieved only in the greisen bodies and dykes by subsequent hydrothermal processes

Die Gneise des Erzgebirges: hochmetamorphe Äquivalente von neoproterozoisch-frühpaläozoischen Grauwacken und Granitoiden der Cadomiden

Das Erzgebirge ist Teilstruktur der Fichtelgebirgs-Erzgebirgischen Antiklinalzone. Es besteht aus einem Gneiskern und einer Schieferhülle, wobei der Gneiskern flächenmäßig den größten Anteil des Erzgebirgskristallins bildet. Die Vorstellungen über den geologischen Aufbau des Erzgebirges haben sich in den letzten 10 Jahren drastisch gewandelt. Moderne PT-Untersuchungen der Gneise und Glimmerschiefer lieferten Beweise einer unterschiedlichen metamorphen Überprägung verschiedener lithologischer Einheiten des Erzgebirges und belegen dessen Deckenbau. Unterschiedliche Altersvorstellungen wurden durch neuere Datierungen erzeugt, da viele Datierungssysteme eine (oft unvollständige) Umstellung durch die metamorphe Überprägung erfuhren. Ziel dieser Arbeit war eine umfassende Charakterisierung der Gneise, die neue Erkenntnisse zu deren Genese und eine gesicherte Altersstellung der Gneise liefert. Die durchgeführten Untersuchungen erlauben die Unterscheidung von drei genetischen Gruppen der Erzgebirgsgneise (Untere "Freiberger" Graugneise, Obere Graugneise, Rotgneise), die unterschiedlichen Altersetappen zugeordnet werden können. Die Unteren Graugneise und die Rotgneise stellen Orthogneise dar ("Meta-Granitoide"), die Oberen Graugneise - Paragneise ("Meta-Grauwacken"). Desweiteren sind sogenannte Mischgneise im Erzgebirge weit verbreitet, die wahrscheinlich aus meta- bis diatektischen Migmatiten hervorgegangen sind. Anhand der Altersdatierungen der Erzgebirgsgneise konnten drei Etappen magmatischer Aktivität belegt werden (ca. 575 Ma, 540-530 Ma, 500-470 Ma), die sehr gut mit magmatischen Zeitmarken anderer saxothuringischer Einheiten (Lausitz, Elbe-Zone, Schwarzburger Sattel) korrelieren. Ein Vergleich der neoproterozoisch-frühpaläozoischen Entwicklung der saxothuringischen Einheiten mit anderen Segmenten des Böhmischen Massivs und des cadomischen Orogengürtels zeigt z.T. auffallende Ähnlichkeiten (insbesondere mit dem Mancellian Terrane des Armorikanischen Massivs) aber auch signifikante Unterschiede auf, die in der Arbeit diskutiert werden

Latest Carboniferous to early Permian volcano-stratigraphic evolution in Central Europe: U–Pb CA–ID–TIMS ages of volcanic rocks in the Thuringian Forest Basin (Germany)

Mainly acidic Stephanian to early Permian volcanic rocks and intercalated sediments accumulated in the Thuringian Forest Basin (TFB) in central Germany to a total thickness of ca. 2000 m. This basin offers a wide range of biostratigraphic information. New high-precision U–Pb CA–ID–TIMS (chemical abrasion–isotope dilution–thermal ionization mass spectrometry) zircon data are obtained from volcanic rocks for the first time in the TFB. Pre-treatment of the zircons by chemical abrasion was important to get rid of severe Pb loss. The zircon ages of the investigated formations indicate that the total duration of the volcanic activity in the TFB was considerably shorter [ca. 4 Myr: from 300 Ma for the oldest formation (Möhrenbach) until ca. 296 Ma for the youngest volcanic-rock-bearing formation (Rotterode)] than suggested in previous studies (ca. 20 Myr; 295 Ma to 275 Ma). Consequently, the well-documented gap of the sedimentary record from the early Permian volcanic rocks up to the Illawarra geomagnetic reversal has to be extended to ca. 25 Myr from the previously proposed 5 Myr. The zircon ages of the investigated volcanic rocks allow the constraining of some intercalated fossiliferous horizons crucial for biostratigraphic correlation of latest Carboniferous–early Permian (Rotliegend) sections. The high-precision age data require a new interpretation of the evolution of the TFB but also offer the chance to obtain a more reliable comparison of the timing of the main magmatic activity across intramontane basins as well as to obtain links to the Standard Global Stratigraphic Scale.Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (3135

The chemical evolution from older (323–318 Ma) towards younger highly evolved tin granites (315–314 Ma)—sources and metal enrichment in variscan granites of the western Erzgebirge (central european variscides, Germany)

The sources and critical enrichment processes for granite related tin ores are still not well understood. The Erzgebirge represents one of the classical regions for tin mineralization. We investigated the four largest plutons from the Western Erzgebirge (Germany) for the geochemistry of bulk rocks and autocrystic zircons and relate this information to their intrusion ages. The source rocks of the Variscan granites were identified as high-grade metamorphic rocks based on the comparison of Hf-O isotope data on zircons, the abundance of xenocrystic zircon ages as well as Nd and Hf model ages. Among these rocks, restite is the most likely candidate for later Variscan melts. Based on the evolution with time, we could reconstruct enrichment factors for tin and tungsten starting from the protoliths (575 Ma) that were later converted to high-grade metamorphic rocks (340 Ma) and served as sources for the older biotite granites (323–318 Ma) and the tin granites (315–314 Ma). This evolution involved a continuous enrichment of both tin and tungsten with an enrichment factor of ~15 for tin and ~7 for tungsten compared to the upper continental crust (UCC). Ore level concentrations (>10–100 times enrichment) were achieved only in the greisen bodies and dykes by subsequent hydrothermal processes

The Late Carboniferous deeply eroded Tharandt Forest caldera–Niederbobritzsch granite complex: a post-Variscan long-lived magmatic system in central Europe

Samples and documentation of outcrops and drillings, facies analysis, whole rock geochemistry and radiometric ages have been employed to re-evaluate the Late Carboniferous Tharandt Forest caldera (TFC) and the co-genetic Niederbobritzsch granite (NBG) in the eastern Erzgebirge near Dresden, Germany. The c. 52 km2 TFC harbours strongly welded ignimbrites with a preserved minimum thickness of 550 m. Composition of initial fallout tephra at the base of the TFC fill, comprising lithics of rhyolitic and basic lava, and of silica-rich pyroclastic rocks, suggests a bimodal volcanic activity in the area prior to the climactic TFC eruption. The lower part of the TFC fill comprises quartz-poor ignimbrites, overlain by quartz-rich ignimbrites, apparently without a depositional break. Landslides originating from the collapse collar of the caldera plunged into the still hot TFC fill producing monolithic gneiss mesobreccia with clasts ≤ 1 m in a pyroclastic matrix. Aphanitic and porphyritic rhyolitic magma formed ring- and radial dykes, and subvolcanic bodies in the centre of TFC. Whole rock geochemical data indicate a high silica (most samples have > 73 wt% SiO2) rhyolitic composition of the TFC magma, and a similar granodiorite–granitic composition for the NBG. Based on drillings and caldera extent, a minimum volume of 22 km3 of TFC fill is preserved, the original fill is assumed at about 33 km3. This estimate translates into a denudation of at least c. 210 m during Late Paleozoic to pre-Cenomanian. Telescopic subsidence of the TFC took place in two, perhaps three stages. A possible TFC outflow facies has been completely eroded and distal TFC tuff has not been recognized in neighboring basins. New CA-ID-TIMS measurements on two TFC samples gave mean zircon ages of 313.4 ± 0.4 Ma and 311.9 ± 0.4 Ma; two samples from NBG resulted in 318.2 ± 0.5 Ma and 319.5 ± 0.4 Ma. In addition, for one sample of the ring dyke an age of ca. 314.5 ± 0.5 Ma has been obtained. These ages, together with field relations, allow for a model of a long-standing evolution of an upper crustal magmatic system (~ 5 Ma?), where pulses of magmatic injection and crustal doming alternate with magmatic quietness and erosion. Together with the Altenberg–Teplice Volcanic Complex, located some 10 km to the southeast, the TFC–NBG Complex represents an early post-Variscan magmatic activity in central Europe.Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (3135

New CA-ID-TIMS U–Pb zircon ages for the Altenberg–Teplice Volcanic Complex (ATVC) document discrete and coeval pulses of Variscan magmatic activity in the Eastern Erzgebirge (Eastern Variscan Belt)

The Altenberg–Teplice Volcanic Complex (ATVC) is a large ~ NNW–SSE trending volcano-plutonic system in the southern part of the Eastern Erzgebirge (northern Bohemian Massif, south-eastern Germany and northern Czech Republic). This study presents high precision U–Pb CA-ID-TIMS zircon ages for the pre-caldera volcano-sedimentary Schönfeld–Altenberg Complex and various rocks of the caldera stage: the Teplice rhyolite, the microgranite ring dyke, and the Sayda-Berggießhübel dyke swarm. These data revealed a prolonged time gap of ca. 7–8 Myr between the pre-caldera stage (Schönfeld–Altenberg Complex) and the climactic caldera stage. The volcanic rocks of the Schönfeld–Altenberg Complex represent the earliest volcanic activity in the Erzgebirge and central Europe at ca. 322 Ma. The subsequent Teplice rhyolite was formed during a relatively short time interval of only 1–2 Myr (314–313 Ma). During the same time interval (314–313 Ma), the microgranite ring dyke intruded at the rim of the caldera structure. In addition, one dyke of the Sayda-Berggiesshübel dyke swarm was dated at ca. 314 Ma, while another yielded a younger age (ca. 311 Ma). These data confirm the close genetic and temporal relationship of the Teplice rhyolite, the microgranite ring dyke, and (at least part of) the Sayda-Berggießhübel dyke swarm. Remarkably, the caldera formation in the south of the Eastern Erzgebirge (caldera stage of ATVC: 314–313 Ma) and that in the north (Tharandt Forest caldera: 314–312 Ma) occurred during the same time. These data document a large ~ 60 km NNW–SSE trending magmatic system in the whole Eastern Erzgebirge. For the first time, Hf-O-isotope zircon data was acquired on the ring dyke from the ATVC rocks to better characterize its possible sources. The homogeneous Hf-O-isotope zircon data from the microgranite ring dyke require preceding homogenization of basement rocks. Some small-scale melts that were produced during Variscan amphibolite-facies metamorphism show similar Hf-O-isotope characteristics and can therefore be considered as the most probable source for the microgranite ring dyke melt. In addition, a second source with low oxygen isotope ratios (e.g. basic rocks) probably contributed to the melt and possibly triggered the climactic eruption of the Teplice rhyolite as well as the crystal-rich intrusion of the ring dyke

The Late Carboniferous deeply eroded Tharandt Forest caldera–Niederbobritzsch granite complex: a post-Variscan long-lived magmatic system in central Europe

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Samples and documentation of outcrops and drillings, facies analysis, whole rock geochemistry and radiometric ages have been employed to re-evaluate the Late Carboniferous Tharandt Forest caldera (TFC) and the co-genetic Niederbobritzsch granite (NBG) in the eastern Erzgebirge near Dresden, Germany. The c. 52 km<jats:sup>2</jats:sup> TFC harbours strongly welded ignimbrites with a preserved minimum thickness of 550 m. Composition of initial fallout tephra at the base of the TFC fill, comprising lithics of rhyolitic and basic lava, and of silica-rich pyroclastic rocks, suggests a bimodal volcanic activity in the area prior to the climactic TFC eruption. The lower part of the TFC fill comprises quartz-poor ignimbrites, overlain by quartz-rich ignimbrites, apparently without a depositional break. Landslides originating from the collapse collar of the caldera plunged into the still hot TFC fill producing monolithic gneiss mesobreccia with clasts ≤ 1 m in a pyroclastic matrix. Aphanitic and porphyritic rhyolitic magma formed ring- and radial dykes, and subvolcanic bodies in the centre of TFC. Whole rock geochemical data indicate a high silica (most samples have > 73 wt% SiO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>) rhyolitic composition of the TFC magma, and a similar granodiorite–granitic composition for the NBG. Based on drillings and caldera extent, a minimum volume of 22 km<jats:sup>3</jats:sup> of TFC fill is preserved, the original fill is assumed at about 33 km<jats:sup>3</jats:sup>. This estimate translates into a denudation of at least c. 210 m during Late Paleozoic to pre-Cenomanian. Telescopic subsidence of the TFC took place in two, perhaps three stages. A possible TFC outflow facies has been completely eroded and distal TFC tuff has not been recognized in neighboring basins. New CA-ID-TIMS measurements on two TFC samples gave mean zircon ages of 313.4 ± 0.4 Ma and 311.9 ± 0.4 Ma; two samples from NBG resulted in 318.2 ± 0.5 Ma and 319.5 ± 0.4 Ma. In addition, for one sample of the ring dyke an age of ca. 314.5 ± 0.5 Ma has been obtained. These ages, together with field relations, allow for a model of a long-standing evolution of an upper crustal magmatic system (~ 5 Ma?), where pulses of magmatic injection and crustal doming alternate with magmatic quietness and erosion. Together with the Altenberg–Teplice Volcanic Complex, located some 10 km to the southeast, the TFC–NBG Complex represents an early post-Variscan magmatic activity in central Europe.</jats:p&gt