Cold avalanche, “super subduction”, mantle overturn, followed by buoyant subduction of an oceanic plateau and the formation of TTG´s during the Eocene in Viti Levu, Fiji islands

Author(s):  
Holger Sommer ◽  
Alfred Kröner ◽  
Dorrit E. Jacob ◽  
Xiao-chao Che ◽  
Jean Wong ◽  
...  

<p>Tonalite, Trondhjemite, Granodiorite (TTG) rocks in Viti Levu, Fiji islands formed through hydrous melting of gabbroic oceanic crust at low-pressure amphibolite-facies conditions caused by flat subduction of an oceanic plateau from Yavuna creek. During mid Miocene time, magmatic underplating took place and a Qtz-diorite unit was formed out of the gabbro under granulite-facies conditions. The investigated TTG´s occur as stocks and veins within the older gabbroic unit of the Yavuna Pluton.</p><p>Zircon ages show the parental gabbro to be ~47.5 Ma in age, whereas the TTG´s, which can be subdivided into a tonalite and a Qtz-diorite suite, are ~37.1 Ma and ~16.5 Ma, old respectively. The average d<sup>18</sup>O value of ~4.8 in zircon selected from the parental gabbro and the tonalite suggest a very homogenous mantle source. However, about 50% of the analyzed zircons from the gabbroic and tonalitic rock samples showing lower d<sup>18</sup>O values, and these are interpreted as reflecting interaction of hydrothermally altered seafloor with the deep depleted mantle source. eHf in zircon values of ~13 in the analyzed TTG´s are interpreted as reflecting typical juvenile continental crust. PerpleX whole-rock calculations suggest that the tonalite formed by melting of the gabbro through decompression under water-saturated amphibolite-facies conditions at a temperature of ~770 °C and a pressure of ~3.8 kbar, whereas the Qtz-diorite formed at a temperature up to ~900 °C at very shallow depth close to the Earth’s surface caused by the emplacement of a magmatic underplate during the mid Miocene. Our investigation provides new evidence for episodic growth of continental crust < 0.1 Ga in the South Pacific region.</p>

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cody L. MacCabe ◽  
◽  
Greg L. Melton ◽  
Richard Wendlandt

Author(s):  
Clark M. Johnson ◽  
Steven B. Shirey ◽  
Karin M. Barovich

ABSTRACT:The Lu-Hf and Re-Os isotope systems have been applied sparsely to elucidate the origin of granites, intracrustal processes and the evolution of the continental crust. The presence or absence of garnet as a residual phase during partial melting will strongly influence Lu/Hf partitioning, making the Lu–Hf isotope system exceptionally sensitive to evaluating the role of garnet during intracrustal differentiation processes. Mid-Proterozoic (1·1–1·5Ga ) ‘anorogenic’ granites from the western U.S.A. appear to have anomalously high εHf values, relative to their εNd values, compared with Precambrian orogenic granites from several continents. The Hf-Nd isotope variations for Precambrian orogenic granites are well explained by melting processes that are ultimately tied to garnet-bearing sources in the mantle or crust. Residual, garnet-bearing lower and middle crust will evolve to anomalously high εHf values over time and may be the most likely source for later ‘anorogenic’ magmas. When crustal and mantle rocks are viewed together in terms of Hf and Nd isotope compositions, a remarkable mass balance is apparent for at least the outer silicate earth where Precambrian orogenic continental crust is the balance to the high-εHf depleted mantle, and enriched lithospheric mantle is the balance to the low-εHf depleted mantle.Although the continental crust has been envisioned to have exceptionally high Re/Os ratios and very radiogenic Os isotope compositions, new data obtained on magnetite mineral separates suggest that some parts of the Precambrian continental crust are relatively Os-rich and non-radiogenic. It remains unclear how continental crust may obtain non-radiogenic Os isotope ratios, and these results have important implications for Re-Os isotope evolution models. In contrast, Phanerozoic batholiths and volcanic arcs that are built on young mafic lower crust may have exceptionally radiogenic Os isotope ratios. These results highlight the unique ability of Os isotopes to identify young mafic crustal components in orogenic magmas that are essentially undetectable using other isotope systems such as O, Sr, Nd and Pb.


Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 711
Author(s):  
Irina Nedosekova ◽  
Nikolay Vladykin ◽  
Oksana Udoratina ◽  
Boris Belyatsky

The Ilmeno–Vishnevogorsk (IVC), Buldym, and Chetlassky carbonatite complexes are localized in the folded regions of the Urals and Timan. These complexes differ in geochemical signatures and ore specialization: Nb-deposits of pyrochlore carbonatites are associated with the IVC, while Nb–REE-deposits with the Buldym complex and REE-deposits of bastnäsite carbonatites with the Chetlassky complex. A comparative study of these carbonatite complexes has been conducted in order to establish the reasons for their ore specialization and their sources. The IVC is characterized by low 87Sr/86Sri (0.70336–0.70399) and εNd (+2 to +6), suggesting a single moderately depleted mantle source for rocks and pyrochlore mineralization. The Buldym complex has a higher 87Sr/86Sri (0.70440–0.70513) with negative εNd (−0.2 to −3), which corresponds to enriched mantle source EMI-type. The REE carbonatites of the Chetlassky сomplex show low 87Sr/86Sri (0.70336–0.70369) and a high εNd (+5–+6), which is close to the DM mantle source with ~5% marine sedimentary component. Based on Sr–Nd isotope signatures, major, and trace element data, we assume that the different ore specialization of Urals and Timan carbonatites may be caused not only by crustal evolution of alkaline-carbonatite magmas, but also by the heterogeneity of their mantle sources associated with different degrees of enrichment in recycled components.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Xu Kong ◽  
Xueyuan Qi ◽  
Wentian Mi ◽  
Xiaoxin Dong

We report zircon U–Pb ages and Lu-Hf isotopic data from two sample of the retrograded eclogite in the Chicheng area. Two groups of the metamorphic zircons from the Chicheng retrograded eclogite were identified: group one shows characteristics of depletion in LREE and flat in HREE curves and exhibit no significant Eu anomaly, and this may imply that they may form under eclogite facies metamorphic condition; group two is rich in HREE and shows slight negative Eu anomaly indicated that they may form under amphibolite facies metamorphic condition. Zircon Lu-Hf isotopic of εHf from the Chicheng eclogite has larger span range from 6.0 to 18.0, which suggests that the magma of the eclogite protolith may be mixed with partial crustal components. The peak eclogite facies metamorphism of Chicheng eclogite may occur at 348.5–344.2 Ma and its retrograde metamorphism of amphibolite fancies may occur at ca. 325.0 Ma. The Hongqiyingzi Complex may experience multistage metamorphic events mainly including Late Archean (2494–2448 Ma), Late Paleoproterozoic (1900–1734 Ma, peak age = 1824.6 Ma), and Phanerozoic (495–234 Ma, peak age = 323.7 Ma). Thus, the metamorphic event (348.5–325 Ma) of the Chicheng eclogite is in accordance with the Phanerozoic metamorphic event of the Hongqiyingzi Complex. The eclogite facies metamorphic age of the eclogite is in accordance with the metamorphism (granulite facies or amphibolite facies) of its surrounding rocks, which implied that the tectonic subduction and exhumation of the retrograded eclogite may cause the regional metamorphism of garnet biotite plagioclase gneiss.


1982 ◽  
Vol 110 ◽  
pp. 55-57
Author(s):  
A.A Garde ◽  
V.R McGregor

Previous geological work on the 1:100000 map sheet 64 V.l N (fig. 15) includes published maps of smaller areas by Berthelsen (1960, 1962) and Lauerma (1964), mapping by Kryolitselskabet Øresund A/S (Bridgwater et al., 1976) and mapping by GGU geologists for the 1:500000 map sheet Frederikshåb Isblink - Søndre Strømfjord (Allaart et al., 1977, 1978). The Amltsoq and Niik gneisses and Malene supracrustal rock units south and east of Godthåbsfjord have not so far been correlated with rocks in the Fiskefjord area. Godthåbsfjord separates the granulite facies gneisses in Nordlandet from amphibolite facies Nûk gneisses on Sadelø and Bjørneøen; the granulite facies metamorphism occurred at about 2850 m.y. (Black et al., 1973), while no published isotopic age determinations from the Fiskefjord area itself are available.


2010 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 35-65
Author(s):  
Paul Martin Holm ◽  
L.E. Pedersen, ◽  
B Højsteen

More than 250 dykes cut the mid Proterozoic basement gneisses and granites of Bornholm. Most trend between NNW and NNE, whereas a few trend NE and NW. Field, geochemical and petrological evidence suggest that the dyke intrusions occurred as four distinct events at around 1326 Ma (Kelseaa dyke), 1220 Ma (narrow dykes), 950 Ma (Kaas and Listed dykes), and 300 Ma (NW-trending dykes), respectively. The largest dyke at Kelseaa (60 m wide) and some related dykes are primitive olivine tholeiites, one of which has N-type MORB geochemical features; all are crustally contaminated. The Kelseaa type magmas were derived at shallow depth from a fluid-enriched, relatively depleted, mantle source,but some have a component derived from mantle with residual garnet. They are suggested to have formed in a back-arc environment. The more than 200 narrow dykes are olivine tholeiites (some picritic), alkali basalts, trachybasalts, basanites and a few phonotephrites. The magmas evolved by olivine and olivine + clinopyroxene fractionation. They have trace element characteristics which can be described mainly by mixing of two components: one is a typical OIB-magma (La/Nb < 1, Zr/Nb = 4, Sr/Nd = 16) and rather shallowly derived from spinel peridotite; the other is enriched in Sr and has La/Nb = 1.0 - 1.5, Zr/Nb = 9, Sr/Nd = 30 and was derived at greater depth, probably from a pyroxenitic source. Both sources were probably recycled material in a mantle plume. A few of these dykes are much more enriched in incompatible elements and were derived from garnet peridotite by a small degree of partial melting. The Kaas and Listed dykes (20-40 m) and related dykes are evolved trachybasalts to basaltic trachyandesites. They are most likely related to the Blekinge Dalarne Dolerite Group. The few NW-trending dykes are quartz tholeiites, which were generated by large degrees of rather shallow melting of an enriched mantle source more enriched than the source of the older Bornholm dykes. The source of the NW-trending dykes was probably a very hot mantle plume.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charitra Jain ◽  
Antoine Rozel ◽  
Emily Chin ◽  
Jeroen van Hunen

&lt;div&gt;Geophysical, geochemical, and geological investigations have attributed the stable behaviour of Earth's continents to the presence of strong and viscous cratons underlying the continental crust. The cratons are underlain by thick and cold mantle keels, which are composed of melt-depleted and low density peridotite residues [1]. Progressive melt extraction increases the magnesium number Mg# in the residual peridotite, thereby making the roots of cratons chemically buoyant [2, 3] and counteracting their negative thermal buoyancy. Recent global models have shown the production of Archean continental crust by two-step mantle differentiation, however this primordial crust gets recycled and no stable continents form [4]. This points to the missing ingredient of cratonic lithosphere in these models, which could act as a stable basement for the crustal material to accumulate on and may also help with the transition of global regime from &quot;vertical tectonics'' to &quot;horizontal tectonics''. Based on the bulk FeO and MgO content of the residual peridotites, it has been proposed that cratonic mantle formed by hot shallow melting with mantle potential temperature, which was higher by 200-300 &amp;#176;C than present-day [5]. We introduce Fe-Mg partitioning between mantle peridotite and melt to track the Mg# variation through melting, and parametrise craton formation using the corresponding P-T formation conditions. Using self-consistent global convection models, we show the dynamic formation of cratons as a result of naturally occurring lateral compression and thickening of the lithosphere, which has been suggested by geochemical and petrological data. To allow for the material to compact and thicken, but prevent it from collapsing under its own weight, a combination of lithospheric strength, plastic yielding, dehydration strengthening, and depletion-induced density reduction of the depleted mantle material is necessary.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&amp;#160;[1] Boyd, F. R. High-and low-temperature garnet peridotite xenoliths and their possible relation to the lithosphere- asthenosphere boundary beneath Africa. In Nixon, P. H. (ed.) &lt;em&gt;Mantle Xenolith&lt;/em&gt;, 403&amp;#8211;412 (John Wiley &amp; Sons Ltd., 1987).&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;[2] Jordan, T. H. Mineralogies, densities and seismic velocities of garnet lherzolites and their geophysical implications. In &lt;em&gt;The Mantle Sample: Inclusion in Kimberlites and Other Volcanics&lt;/em&gt;, 1&amp;#8211;14 (American Geophysical Union, Washington, D. C., 1979).&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;[3] Schutt, D. L. &amp; Lesher, C. E. Effects of melt depletion on the density and seismic velocity of garnet and spinel lherzolite. &lt;em&gt;Journal of Geophysical Research &lt;/em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;111&lt;/strong&gt; (2006).&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;[4] Jain, C., Rozel, A. B., Tackley, P. J., Sanan, P. &amp; Gerya, T. V. Growing primordial continental crust self-consistently in global mantle convection models. &lt;em&gt;Gondwana Research&lt;/em&gt; &lt;strong&gt;73&lt;/strong&gt;, 96&amp;#8211;122 (2019).&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;[5] Lee, C.-T. A. &amp; Chin, E. J. Calculating melting temperatures and pressures of peridotite protoliths: Implications for the origin of cratonic mantle. &lt;em&gt;Earth and Planetary Science Letters&lt;/em&gt; &lt;strong&gt;403&lt;/strong&gt;, 273&amp;#8211;286 (2014)&lt;/div&gt;


1991 ◽  
Vol 128 (4) ◽  
pp. 307-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. W. Passchier ◽  
R. F. Bekendam ◽  
J. D. Hoek ◽  
P. G. H. M. Dirks ◽  
H. de Boorder

AbstractThe presence of polyphase shear zones transected by several suites of dolerite dykes in Archaean basement of the Vestfold Hills, East Antarctica, allows a detailed reconstruction of the local structural evolution. Archaean and early Proterozoic deformation at granulite facies conditions was followed by two phases of dolerite intrusion and mylonite generation in strike-slip zones at amphibolite facies conditions. A subsequent middle Proterozoic phase of brittle normal faulting led to the development of pseudotachylite, predating intrusion of the major swarm of dolerite dykes around 1250 Ma. During the later stages and following this event, pseudotachylite veins were reactivated as ductile, mylonitic thrusts under prograde conditions, culminating in amphibolite facies metamorphism around 1000–1100 Ma. This is possibly part of a large-scale tectonic event during which the Vestfold block was overthrust from the south. In a final phase of strike-slip deformation, several pulses of pseudotachylite-generating brittle faulting alternated with ductile reactivation of pseudotachylite.


1976 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1201-1211 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. B. W. Harris ◽  
A. M. Goodwin

The eastern Lac Seul region of the English River Gneiss Belt is divided into two domains defined by contrasting petrology and structure. The northern domain is underlain by east-trending, steeply south-dipping, migmatized metasediments, intruded by occasional granite sills, and the southern domain by gneissic tonalite and trondhjemite, with abundant amphibolite inclusions, intruded by granite dykes and diapirs: this domain has a complex structure with gently east-plunging open folds of about 5 km wavelength. Field evidence suggests that metasediments of the northern domain have been deposited on the tonalite trondhjemite basement, which was subsequently mobilized, thereby producing the steeply dipping paragneiss belt of the northern domain.The grade of metamorphism throughout the region lies in the upper amphibolite facies, rising locally to the granulite facies. Within 15 km of the southern margin of the gneiss belt, the metamorphic grade decreases to the greenschist facies.U–Pb dating of zircons indicates that the tonalite gneiss was emplaced at least 3040 m.y. ago, and the granite plutons at 2660 m.y., coeval with migmatization and upper amphibolite facies metamorphism. Late pegmatites were emplaced at 2560 m.y.


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