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The Early Caledonian folded region of the southern framing of the Siberian platform, between the Zavkhan and Tuva-Mongolian terranes, contains blocks of the Songino ledge crystalline rocks. In the Bayan Nuur block (southern part of the Songino ledge), the Neoproterozoic (890–780 Ma) Bayan Nuur gneiss-migmatitic and Kholbo Nuur metaterrigenous-volcanogenic complexes are distinguished. The zone of their junction is traced by thrust structures, which are reflected in all structural-material complexes of the Bayan Nuur block. There are tectonic slabs in the junction zone. Their peculiarity is the presence of rocks formed before the formation of thrust gabbro-ultrabasite complex and post-thrust gabbroids and gabbro-diorites. The upper limit of the thrust formation interval is defined by Bayan Nuur pluton granitoids having the age of 790 ± 3 Ma and by gabbroids and anorthosites of Onzula tectonic plate giving the ages of 785 ± 3 and 784 ± 3 Ma. The lower limit of the thrust formation interval is determined by the age of the Bayan Nuur ultrametamorphic granitoid complex (802 ± 6 Ma). Bodies of massive (post-thrust) pegmatoid gabbros and rocks of gabbro-ultrabasite complex possessing clearly manifested thrust-associated structures are recognized in the tectonic slab of the ridge reaching the area of Mount Sant Uul. These rocks are dated at 782 ± 2 and 806 ± 10 Ma, respectively (ID-TIMS). The data indicate that the post-thrust and pre-thrust units cannot be parts of a united layered complex. In turn, pre-thrust units can be considered as paleooceanic fragments in the accretionary structure of the Bayan Nuur block, Songino ledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

U-Pb geochronological studies of garnet of the andradite-morimotoite series and Sm-Nd geochronological studies of this garnet and apatite from the Chikskii Massif (Tuva-Mongolia microcontinent) were carried out. The garnet studied is characterized by relatively high concentrations of U (14-16 ppm) and by a low level of common Pb (Pbс/Pbt = 0.07-0.1). The concordia age of garnet is 492 ± 2 Ma (MSWD = 0.01, probability 92%) and matches within the error with the Sm-Nd age determined by the isochrone for apatite, garnet, and bulk rock (489 ± 9 Ma, MSWD = 0.86). This allows us to consider calcic garnets of the andradite-morimotoite series as promising mineral geochronometers for U-Pb dating of ultrabasic alkaline rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the results of the dating of alkaline granitoids of the Ulug-Tanzek Massif deposit in Tuva, Russia through uranium-lead (U-Pb) method for zircon and Argon-Argon (Ar-Ar) method. A sample from polylithionite-bearing ribeckite granite was studied for Ar-Ar geochronological investigations, in which, results revealed that approximately 85% of Ar that has clearly formed reflected three-step plateau with an age of 296 plus-minus two million years (Ma). In U-Pb dating, a sample of muscovite quartz-albite-microline granite with a netlike texture was used, in which, the determined age of 301 plus-minus three Ma, is similar within the error limits of the age estimation for the first sample using Ar-Ar method.

The article discusses significance of the uranium-lead (U-Pb) geochronological study of bastnaesite from the Karasug complex deposit at the Central Tuva in Russia. Bastnaesite is a typomorphic mineral that is usually found in siderite carbonatites. During the analytical method of the study, modified Krogh technique was employed to decompose bastnaesite and chemically separate Pb and U. According to the author, U-Pb dating of bastnaesite was taken through a supergene altered siderite carbonatite with hematite. In the process, the authors noted that there is a possibility of applying bastnaesite as a tool for U-Pb geochronological dating of endogenous ore processes.