Magmatic thickening of crust in non–plate tectonic settings initiated the subaerial rise of Earth’s first continents 3.3 to 3.2 billion years ago

When and how Earth's earliest continents—the cratons—first emerged above the oceans (i.e., emersion) remain uncertain. Here, we analyze a craton-wide record of Paleo-to-Mesoarchean granitoid magmatism and terrestrial to shallow-marine sedimentation preserved in the Singhbhum Craton (India) and combine the results with isostatic modeling to examine the timing and mechanism of one of the earliest episodes of large-scale continental emersion on Earth. Detrital zircon U-Pb(-Hf) data constrain the timing of terrestrial to shallow-marine sedimentation on the Singhbhum Craton, which resolves the timing of craton-wide emersion. Time-integrated petrogenetic modeling of the granitoids quantifies the progressive changes in the cratonic crustal thickness and composition and the pressure–temperature conditions of granitoid magmatism, which elucidates the underlying mechanism and tectonic setting of emersion. The results show that the entire Singhbhum Craton became subaerial ∼3.3 to 3.2 billion years ago (Ga) due to progressive crustal maturation and thickening driven by voluminous granitoid magmatism within a plateau-like setting. A similar sedimentary–magmatic evolution also accompanied the early (>3 Ga) emersion of other cratons (e.g., Kaapvaal Craton). Therefore, we propose that the emersion of Earth’s earliest continents began during the late Paleoarchean to early Mesoarchean and was driven by the isostatic rise of their magmatically thickened (∼50 km thick), buoyant, silica-rich crust. The inferred plateau-like tectonic settings suggest that subduction collision–driven compressional orogenesis was not essential in driving continental emersion, at least before the Neoarchean. We further surmise that this early emersion of cratons could be responsible for the transient and localized episodes of atmospheric–oceanic oxygenation (O2-whiffs) and glaciation on Archean Earth.

Polyformational Agdai Massif (Verkhoyansk-Kolyma Orogenic Region)

The earliest Mesozoic granitoid formations of the Verkhoyansk-Kolyma orogenic region are derivatives of the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous gabbro-diorite-granodiorite formation, involvinggold and polymetallic mineralization. Late Cretaceous alkaline-feldspar or alkaline granites with associated rare-earth mineralization complete the granitoid magmatism of the region. The Agdai massif, which combines both of the mentioned groups of rocks, was the object of our research. Therefore, understanding their petrological and genetic features is of great interest. It is determined that the eastern part of the massif is composed of diorites and granodiorites and includes autoliths and xenoliths of gabbro-diorite composition. The isotopic K-Ar age of gabbro-diorites is 154Ma, diorites –148 Ma, granodiorites –117–124 Ma, and dike granites – 114 Ma. The rocks are characterized bydisequilibrium mineral assemblages: early magmatic pyroxene-Labrador, typical for the basic rocks, and late - micropegmatite granitoid. The origin of the parent melts occurred within the lower crust in amphibolite substrates at temperatures of 1000–1150°C and a pressure of 1.4-1.6 GPa under the influence of the mantle main melt and the partial mixing of the latter with the resulting crustal melt. The western part of the outcrop was formed at the beginning of the Late Cretaceous (the isotopic K-Ar age of the granites is 92+/-3 Ma) and is composed of alkaline feldspar leucogranites. According to all petro - and geochemical parameters, the rocks are defined as post-orogenic or rift-related granites of the A-type. The presence of inclusions of pyroxene-labrador composition, titanomagnetite, zircon of morphotype D and the ratio of the basic petrochemical parameters allow us to refer them to A-type granites related to continental rifting. High melt temperatures (990-1030°C) at relatively low pressures during magma generation (0.7–0.8 GPa) could be achieved only when additional heat was supplied from an external (deep) source. The presence of nonequilibrium mineral associations indicates a possible syntax of the granite and the main melt. In general, the Agdai massif is a polyformational, polygenic structure formed by the intrusion of melts through common or closely located magma conduits.

Petrology of Granitoids of the Selennyakh Ridge (Verkhoyansk-Kolyma Orogenic Belt)

The Verkhoyansk-Kolyma orogenic belt is characterized by intense Late Mesozoic granitoid magmatism. Numerous granitoids plutons form longitudinal belts, elongated parallel to the boundaries of major tectonic structures (Main and Northern), and transverse belts, oriented across or at an angle to them. The Main belt is dominated by massifs of granodiorite-granite composition, accompanied by tin-tungsten, boron-tin, and gold mineralization of various scale. Therefore, understanding their petrological and genetic characteristics and crystallization conditions leading to the generation of mineralization is of not only theoretical but also practical interest. The aim of the research was a detailed study of petrography, geochemical features and crystallization conditions of granodiorite-granite massifs of the Selennyakh block of the Omulevka terrane of the Kolyma-Omolon microcontinent that forms part of the Verkhoyansk-Kolyma orogenic belt. It was found that the formation of granitoids took place in an active continental margin setting and was long-term and complex. During the evolution of magmatism, the homodrome character of development (granodiorites → granites → leucogranites and aplites) was replaced by the antidrome one (granite-porphyries and granodiorite-porphyries). The Rb-Sr isotopic age of the rocks varies from 136 to 122 Ma. The generation of the parent melts for the granitoid massifs occurred within the lower crust at the boundary between amphibolite and dacite-tonalite substrates at temperatures of 1070–990° C and a pressure of 1.1–0.9 GPa. These parameters are comparable to those of the melt that formed the granodiorite-porphyry dikes: 990° C and 0.94 GPa. Maintaining high temperatures of the melt formation from initial to final derivatives at deeper levels of the magma chamber with a simultaneous increase in their fluid saturation requires the supply of juvenile heat and fluids. The main mineral in the territory is tin. The formation of mineralization is associated with late fluid-saturated derivatives of the granitoid melt. During the crystallization of leucogranites and pegmatites, fluorine was the main Sn-extracting agent. With depth, in the course of crystallization of granite and granodiorite porphyries, boron and then sulfur became the major extractants of tin.

PALEOZOIC GRANITOID MAGMATISM OF THE URALS: THE REFLECTION OF THE STAGES OF THE GEODYNAMIC AND GEOCHEMICAL EVOLUTION OF A COLLISIONAL OROGEN

The Ural mobile belt is an intracontinental epioceanic orogen that has already gone through all stages of the geodynamic development. Igneous rocks formed during each stage are important indicators for understanding the evolution of this belt and determining potential ore contents of its segments. We consolidated large datasets on petrogeochemistry and isotope geochronology of the Paleozoic (490–250 Ma) granitoids associated with the opening and evolution of the Ural paleoocean and the subsequent formation of the collisional orogen. Using these data, we have revised the ages of several tectono-magmatic events, clarified the paleogeodynamic settings for the generation of granitoids of different compositions, and described the roles of mantle-crust interactions and the plume factor in the formation of the mature continental crust in the study area. The results can be useful for geological mapping and improving the assessment of the potential ore contents in granitoid complexes that differ in origin and composition.

GRANITOID MAGMATISM IN THE NORTH OF THE URALS: U–Pb AGE, EVOLUTION, SOURCES

This work presents the summarization of U–Pb (SIMS, TIMS) zircon dates and petrogeochemical signatures of granitoids of the north of the Urals (Polar, Subpolar, and Northern Urals) obtained over the last decade. Granitе melts were formed from melting of different substrates, highly heterogeneous in composition and age, at all geodynamic stages distinguished in the studied area. Preuralides include island arc–accretionary (735–720 Ma, 670 Ma), collisional (650–520 Ma), and rift-related (520–480 Ma) granitoids. Uralides includes primitive island-arc granitoids (460–429 Ma), mature island-arc granitoids (412–368 Ma), early collisional (360–316 Ma) and late collisional (277–249 Ma) granitoids. As a result, the general trend of variations of oxygen (δ18OZrn, ‰), neodymium (εNd(t)wr), and hafnium (εHf(t)Zrn) isotope compositions identified in time. Mantle isotope compositions (δ18OZrn (+5.6), εNd(t)wr (+1.7), εHf(t)Zrn (+8.7...+10.6)), common for island arc granitoids (Preuralides) are changed by crustal–mantle ones (δ18OZrn (+7.2...+8.5), εNd(t)wr (–4.8...+1.8), εHf(t)Zrn (+2.1 to +13)), typical of collisional granites. According to this, the crustal matter played a significant role during the formation of the latter. The crustal-mantle isotope compositions are changed by the mantle ones, characteristic of rift-related (δ18OZrn (+4.7...+7), εNd(t)wr (+0.7...+5.6), εHf(t)Zrn (–2.04...+12.5)) and island-arc (Uralides; δ18OZrn (+4.2...+5.7), εNd(t)wr (+4.1...+7.4), εHf(t)Zrn (+12...+15.2)) granitoids.

Protracted intra- and inter-pluton magmatism during the Acadian orogeny: evidence from new LA-ICP-MS U-Pb zircon ages from northwestern Maine, USA

Devonian granitoid plutons comprise a major part of the bedrock of northwestern Maine representing the magmatic expression of the Acadian orogeny in this part of the northern Appalachian orogen. They are petrographically diverse with minerals characteristic of both I- and S-type granites, in some cases within the same intrusion, and some are compositionally zoned. New LA-ICP-MS ages presented here elucidate the timing and duration of this magmatism. The earliest phase of granitoid magmatism began around 410–405 Ma with the emplacement of the Flagstaff Lake Igneous Complex, and the presence of contemporaneous mafic rocks suggests that mantle-derived magmas were also produced at this time. Late Devonian ages, ca. 365 Ma, for many intrusions, such as the Chain of Ponds and Songo plutons, reveal that magmatism continued for 45 million years during which compositionally diverse I- and S-type magmas were produced. In addition, there is evidence that intrusive activity was prolonged within some plutons, for example the Rome-Norridgewock pluton and the Mooselookmeguntic Igneous Complex, with 10–15 myr between intrusive units. The new ages suggest a break in magmatism between 400 Ma and 390 Ma apparently separating Acadian magmatism into early and late pulses. The production of lower crustal I-type magmas appears to have been concentrated later, ca. 380–365 Ma, although several S-type granitoids were also emplaced during this period. These Late Devonian plutons display abundant zircon inheritance with ages around 385 Ma, which suggests that the crust was experiencing enhanced thermal perturbations during this extended timeframe. The new data for granitoid plutons in northwestern Maine are consistent with tectonic models for other parts of Ganderia which propose initial flat slab subduction followed by slab breakoff and delamination.