Diachronous Redistribution of Hf and Nd Isotopes at the Crystal Scale—Consequences for the Isotopic Evolution of a Poly-Metamorphic Crustal Terrane

In metamorphic rocks, mineral species react over a range of pressure–temperature conditions that do not necessarily overlap. Mineral equilibration can occur at varied points along the metamorphic pressure–temperature (PT) path, and thus at different times. The sole or dominant use of zircon isotopic compositions to constrain the evolution of metamorphic rocks might then inadvertently skew geological interpretations towards one aspect or one moment of a rock’s history. Here, we present in-situ U–Pb/Sm–Nd isotope analyses of the apatite crystals extracted from two meta-igneous rocks exposed in the Saglek Block (North Atlantic craton, Canada), an Archean metamorphic terrane, with the aim of examining the various signatures and events that they record. The data are combined with published U–Pb/Hf/O isotope compositions of zircon extracted from the same hand-specimens. We found an offset of nearly ca. 1.5 Gyr between U-Pb ages derived from the oldest zircon cores and apatite U–Pb/Sm–Nd isotopic ages, and an offset of ca. 200 Ma between the youngest zircon metamorphic overgrowths and apatite. These differences in metamorphic ages recorded by zircon and apatite mean that the redistribution of Hf isotopes (largely hosted in zircon) and Nd isotopes (largely hosted in apatite within these rocks), were not synchronous at the hand-specimen scale (≤~0.001 m3). We propose that the diachronous redistribution of Hf and Nd isotopes and their parent isotopes was caused by the different PT conditions of growth equilibration between zircon and apatite during metamorphism. These findings document the latest metamorphic evolution of the Saglek Block, highlighting the role played by intra-crustal reworking during the late-Archean regional metamorphic event.

Multiple sources and magmatic evolution of the Late Triassic Daocheng batholith in the Yidun Terrane: Implications for evolution of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean in the eastern Tibetan Plateau

Granitoids with diverse composition and tectonic settings provide important tools for exploring crustal evolution and regional geodynamic history. Here we present an integrated study using petrological, mineralogical, zircon U-Pb geochronological, whole-rock geochemical, and isotopic data on the Late Triassic Daocheng batholith in the Yidun Terrane with a view to understanding the petrogenesis of a compositionally diverse batholith and its implications for the evolution of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean in the eastern Tibetan Plateau. The different lithological units of the batholith, including granodiorite, monzogranite, and quartz diorite, with abundant mafic microgranular enclaves in the granodiorite (MME I) and monzogranite (MME II), show identical crystallization ages of 218−215 Ma. The mineral assemblage and chemical composition of the granodiorite are identical to those of tonalitic-granodioritic melts generated under water-unsaturated conditions. The insignificant Eu anomalies and low magmatic temperatures indicate hydrous melting in the source. The relatively narrow range of whole-rock chemical and Sr-Nd isotopes, as well as the zircon trace element and Hf isotopic compositions of the granodiorite, suggest a homogeneous crustal source for the magma. Our modeling suggests that the rock was produced by 20−50% of lower crustal melting. The Daocheng monzogranites display more evolved compositions and larger variations in Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes than the granodiorite, which are attributed to assimilation and the fractional crystallization process. This is evidenced by the presence of metasedimentary enclave and inherited zircon grains with Neoproterozoic and Paleozoic ages, a non-cotectic trend in composition, and the trend shown by the modeling of initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios and Sr. The quartz diorites and MMEs showing composition similar to that of andesitic primary magma have high zircon εHf(t) values and are characterized by enrichment in LILEs and depletion of HFSEs. They were derived from the partial melting of lithospheric mantle that had been metasomatized by slab melts and fluids. The MMEs in both rocks display typical igneous texture and higher rare earth element (REE) and incompatible element concentrations than their host granites. The presence of fine-grained margins, acicular apatite, and plagioclase megacrysts suggests a magma mingling process. The overgrowth of amphibole around the pyroxene, quartz ocelli rimmed by biotite, and oscillatory zones of plagioclase are all indicative of chemical diffusion. Their enriched Sr-Nd isotopes imply isotopic equilibrium with the host granites. Based on a comparison with the coeval subduction-related magmatism, we propose that subduction and subsequent rollback of the Paleo-Tethys (Garzê-Litang Ocean) oceanic slab was the possible mechanism that triggered the diverse Triassic magmatism within the eastern Tibetan Plateau.