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As the world's largest accretionary orogen, the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) underwent continuous juvenile crustal growth in the Phanerozoic. The northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) and its adjacent area form the eastern segment of the CAOB, which is a key area for learning about the geological evolution of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO). In the Permian, the west of the northern margin of the NCC was a post-collision extensional environment, while the east was in a subduction stage. As a connecting area, the Permian evolution of the PAO in the middle of the northern margin of the NCC has not been systematically studied. In order to fill the gap and understand the continuous temporal and spatial evolutionary process of the PAO, this paper focuses on the Permian granitic rocks in the Chifeng area. Zircon U-Pb dating and the geochemical analysis of whole-rock major and trace elements were conducted to build a granite chronological framework, and to discuss the genesis and tectonic background of the granitic rocks, along with tectono-magmatic evolutionary history in the Chifeng area. The respective LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating results from eight samples are 269 ± 1, 268 ± 3, 260 ± 4, 260 ± 1, 260 ± 1, 255 ± 2, 254 ± 2 and 256 ± 1 Ma, respectively. These results, combined with previous data, revealed that the Permian granitic rocks had undergone three events of magmatism: (1) monzogranitic-syenitic phase (294–284 Ma; Cisuralian); (2) monzogranitic phase (269–260 Ma; Guadalupian) and (3) late monzogranitic-syenitic phase (256–254 Ma; Lopingian). From the Early Permian (294–284 Ma) to the Middle Permian (269–260 Ma), granites with fine-medium-grained locally porphyritic texture and massive structure showed a high-potassium calc-alkaline series formed in a compressional setting, indicating a continuous collision between the Xing'an-Mongolian Orogenic Belt (XMOB) and the NCC. During the Late Permian-Early Triassic (256–248 Ma), granites with massive structure and medium-grained texture in the Chifeng area were magmatism dominated by A- and I-type granites of high-potassium calc-alkaline series, combined with the coeval basic rocks, which constituted a typical "bimodal" rock assemblage. This suggests that the Chifeng area was located in an extensional setting where the subducting slab broke off during the collision between the XMOB and NCC. These granitic plutons from the Permian are believed to have been generated by the subduction-collision of the Paleo-Asian oceanic crust beneath the NCC, according to emplacement time and occurrence location. Our findings provide strong evidence for Permian continuous temporal and spatial tectonic evolution and the characterization of the eventual closure of the PAO in Chifeng area at the northern margin of the NCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various magmatic–hydrothermal activities have resulted in different styles of polymetallic mineralization in South China. Shuikoushan is a large Fe-Cu-Pb-Zn-Au-Ag orefield situated in fold-and-thrust belts within the South China Block. Two types of granodiorite have been identified in recent drilling work. The early-stage, coarse-grained granodiorite has developed magnetite-bearing skarns in the deep level. The late-stage, fine-grained granodiorite is associated with garnet-hematite–magnetite–pyrite–sphalerite–chalcopyrite-bearing skarns in its contact zone. Away from the garnet-bearing skarn are calcite–quartz–pyrite–sphalerite–galena veinlets in faulted breccia. Fieldwork has identified iron mineralization in both skarns, whereas copper mineralization was only discovered in the garnet-bearing skarns. Lead, zinc, gold, and silver mineralization were observed in the garnet-bearing skarns and faulted breccia. Zircon U–Pb analyses suggested the emplacement of two granodiorite at 167.8 ± 0.8 Ma (MSWD = 1.1, N = 31) and 163.6 ± 0.7 Ma (MSWD = 1.3, N = 32). Apatite and garnet U–Pb dating further indicated the magnetite-bearing skarns of 166.2 ± 1.9 Ma (MSWD = 4.5, N = 27), the hematite–magnetite–sulfide-bearing skarns of 158.6 ± 2.8 Ma (MSWD = 1.3, N = 34), and the calcite–quartz–sulfide veinlets of 159.5 ± 5.2 Ma (MSWD = 1.7, N = 24). The time–space relationship between the two intrusions and hydrothermal activities suggests that the fine-grained granodiorite is responsible for polymetallic mineralization. Whole-rock geochemistry analyses demonstrated the enrichment of LILEs and the depletion of Nb and Ta in two granodiorites, with a slight enrichment in LREEs and flat HREE patterns. These granodiorite bodies therefore belong to high-K calc-alkaline magma generated via the crust's partial melting. The fine-grained granodiorite generally has a lower HREE and higher Dy/Yb, Sr/Y ratios than coarse-grained granodiorite, corresponding to the source of magma in garnet stable lower crust. The residual garnet keeps ferric iron in melts, leaving the fine-granodiorite more oxidized for copper and gold concentration. Through these analyses and our drilling work, a continuous skarn–hydrothermal–epithermal system has been identified for Cu-Pb-Zn-Au-Ag targeting in Shuikoushan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current debate on volcanic-plutonic connection is centered on whether eficient liquid-crystal segregation dominates the evolution of a mushy reservoir to produce evolved, crystal-poor rhyolite and cumulate leftover. However, magma recharge may remarkably influence the evolution of a mushy reservoir and obscure the evidence of liquid-crystal segregation. This complexity poses a challenge to exploring the connection of volcanic-plutonic rocks. This study investigates the Qinzhou Bay granitic complex (~250–248 Ma) from South China, which contains crystal-poor (<19 vol%) peraluminous rhyolites and subsequent crystal-rich (28–54 vol%) porphyries. Although the rhyolite and porphyry units have a close spatio-temporal link, they do not share a fractionation trend and similar whole-rock Sr-Nd-O isotopic compositions; thus, a direct connection is not evidenced. We further present textural analyses, mineral and melt inclusion compositions, thermobarometry (the combination of Ti-in-zircon thermometer and Ti-in-quartz thermobarometer), and thermodynamic modeling to examine the alternative interpretations, i.e., the two units may have intrinsically independent origins or the connection of the two units has been obscured. For the rhyolite unit, thermobarometric results reveal a polybaric storage system consisting of middle (>600 ± 80 MPa) and upper (~150 ± 40 and ~60 ± 20 MPa) crustal reservoirs. Variations in quartz Fe content and chlorine-rich, metaluminous melt inclusions suggest that magma hybridization with less-evolved metaluminous magmas occurred at both crustal levels. In particular, the elevated Fe contents in the quartz population that crystallized at the shallowest level (~60 ± 20 MPa) suggest that recharge magmas were directly injected into the shallowest reservoir. Deviation of the whole-rock composition from the liquid evolution trend recorded in melt inclusions suggests a combined efect of magma mixing and crystal-melt segregation processes in upper crustal reservoirs. Thermodynamic modeling and mass balance calculations suggest that the whole-rock composition of the rhyolite could be reproduced by mixing between regionally exposed dacites and segregated melts at crystallinities of 50–60% (using parental magma represented by the least-evolved melt inclusion). For the porphyry unit, thermobarometric results reveal magma storage at middle (more than 450 ± 40 to 550 ± 40 MPa) and upper (110 ± 20 to 140 ± 20 MPa) crustal levels. The small-scale oscillatory zonation of plagioclase, the pervasive resorption of quartz and alkali feldspar, and the presence of peraluminous microgranular enclaves in the porphyries suggest a recharge event of metasediment-sourced magmas, triggering reactivation and convection of the reservoir. Autoclastic and overgrowth textures of quartz, plagioclase, and alkali feldspar phenocrysts and development of columnar jointing suggest that the reactivated porphyritic magmas ascended and emplaced at ultrashallow levels (~30 ± 10 MPa). Because of the similar storage pressures, the porphyries may represent remobilized cumulates of rhyolitic magmas, whereas the texture and geochemistry of the cumulate-liquid pair were modified, a key factor rendering a cryptic connection between the rhyolite and porphyry. Alternatively, the plumbing systems feeding the rhyolite and porphyry units are horizontally independent or vertically discrete, but this circumstance is inconsistent with the same evolution trend of quartz Fe and Al contents of the rhyolite and porphyry. Our study highlights that whole-rock composition may record blended information of complex processes, and caution should be taken when whole-rock composition is used to extract information of a single process. Multi-method constraints are required to evaluate the influence of recharge processes on the modification of liquid-cumulate records, and big data analysis on the basis of geochemistry should be conducted with caution to avoid biased understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the evolution and stability characteristics of granite thermal damage, a series of Brazilian splitting tests is conducted on high-temperature granite samples using digital image correlation (DIC) technology. The results show that the Brazilian tensile strength and P-wave velocity exhibit a clear decline beyond a temperature threshold of 450~600°C, with a linear relationship between them. The presence of micro-cracks alters the stress transfer path, disrupting the stress balance on the Brazilian disc and leading to complex fracture patterns. At temperatures below 450°C, high strain areas and the development of micro-cracks occur at both the upper and lower loading ends of the granite Brazilian disc. However, these phenomena are only observed at the upper loading end when the temperature exceeds 450°C. Thermal cracks also cause changes in the internal structure of rock samples, and temperature variations can affect both the P-wave velocity and tensile strength. In terms of the relationship between P-wave velocity and Brazilian tensile strength (BTS) of high-temperature granite under water cooling, the negative exponential function model proposed in this study fits the experimental data very well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluid-inclusion and thermochronometric analyses have been applied to hydrothermal alteration zones and their host rocks outcropping in the Hongu area of the Kii Peninsula, southwestern Japan in an attempt to detect thermal anomalies related to hydrothermal events and quantify the thermal effects on the host rocks. Hydrothermal events at ~ 150 °C and ~ 200 °C were identified by fluid-inclusion microthermometry of quartz veins in the alteration zones. For the host rocks and alteration zones, in the youngest population zircon yielded U–Pb dates ranging between ~ 74.7–59.2 Ma, fission-track dates of ~ 27.2–16.6 Ma, and (U–Th)/He single-grain dates of ~ 23.6–8.7 Ma. Apatite yielded pooled fission-track ages of ~ 14.9–9.0 Ma. The zircon U–Pb dates constrain the maximum depositional ages of the sedimentary samples. However, the fission-track and (U–Th)/He dates show no clear trend as a function of distance from the alteration zones. Hence, no thermal anomaly was detected in the surrounding host rocks based on the thermochronometric data patterns. The fission-track and (U–Th)/He dates are rather thought to record regional thermal and exhumation histories rather than a direct thermal imprint of fluid flow, probably because the duration of such activity was too short or because fluid flow occurred before regional cooling events and were later thermally overprinted. Apatite fission-track ages of ~ 10 Ma may reflect regional mountain uplift and exhumation related to the obduction of the SW Japan lithospheric sliver onto the Shikoku Basin, or the rapid subduction of the Philippine Sea slab associated with the clockwise rotation of the Southwest Japan Arc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present contribution, we aim to better constrain the age of the oldest arc-related volcanic units in the North Tianshan of Kyrgyzstan (NTS) in order to improve our understanding of the early evolution of subduction systems in the western part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. We conducted zircon U–Pb dating (LA-ICP-MS) on andesitic tuffs from the Sultansary and Tashtambektor formations, which were previously believed to be of early Cambrian and middle Cambrian to early Ordovician age, respectively. The results reveal ages of 491 ± 3 and 487 ± 3 Ma for these formations, indicating that both units are of Late Cambrian age. We conclude that these volcanic rocks belong to a major magmatic arc that evolved on a heterogeneous basement in the NTS during the Late Cambrian and Early Ordovician. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined zircon grain growth during isothermal sintering of a zircon–glass composite with a zircon volume fraction of 0.525 zircon volume/solids volume, at a temperature of 1200°C, with different residence times, ranging from 5min to 1500min. Scanning electron microscopy and image analysis were used to determine zircon grain size and number in the fired test specimens. The residual glass composition was determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. For each firing condition, the grain size number distribution was fitted to a lognormal function and to a Weibull function. In every case, the lognormal distribution described the results better. Grain size grew and distribution width decreased with sintering time in accordance with non-steady-state grain growth models. At high sintering times, the variation of average grain diameter and grain number density per unit solids cross-section fitted well to steady-state growth models. Moreover, when grain size distribution was scaled by the average size, it was practically time independent. In contrast, scaled grain distribution width was much wider than that predicted by these models. A model was developed that satisfactorily predicts zircon grain evanescence throughout the sintering process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yongfeng composite granitic pluton, located in the southern section of the Nanling area, is composed of the Yongfeng and Longshi biotite monzonitic granites. In order to reveal the genesis of this composite granitic pluton and its relationship with mineralization, this study conducted zircon U-Pb dating, whole-rock major and trace element analysis, and biotite electron probe analysis. The results show that the Yongfeng composite granitic pluton is rich in silicon and alkali, weakly peraluminous, and poor in calcium and iron. It shows the enrichment of light rare earth elements and a significant fractionation of light and heavy rare earth elements. It also shows the enrichment of large ion lithophile elements and depletion of Ba, K, P, Eu, and Ti relative to the primitive mantle. The contents of TFe2O3, MgO, CaO, TiO2, and P2O5 are low and decrease with increasing SiO2 content. The Yongfeng composite granitic pluton does not contain alkaline dark minerals. Its average zircon saturation temperature is 776 °C, average TFe2O3/MgO is 4.81, and average Zr + Nb + Ce + Y is 280.6 ppm, which correspond to a highly fractionated I-type granite. The Yongfeng and Longshi granites were respectively formed at 152.0 ± 1.0 Ma–151.3 ± 1.1 Ma and 148.9 ± 1.2 Ma. They were formed in the extensional tectonic setting during the post-orogenic stage, under the control of the breakup or retreat of the backplate after the subduction of the Pacific Plate into the Nanling hinterland. The magmatic system of the Yongfeng composite granitic pluton is characterized by high fractionation, high content of F, high temperature, and low oxygen fugacity, which is conducive to mineralization of Sn, Mo, and fluorite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Devonian magmatism is one of the most important tectonothermal events in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). However, little is known regarding the petrogenesis and geodynamic setting of the widely distributed Devonian granitoids in the eastern Southern Beishan Orogenic Belt (SBOB). Early-Devonian granitic magmatism has been recognized from the Luotuoquan area, and the granites were emplaced between 404.9 Ma and 399.4 Ma according to LA-ICPMS zircon U–Pb dating. Geochemically, the granites exhibit high SiO2 and Al2O3 contents and are enriched in light rare earth elements as well as Rb, Th, Nd, Zr, and Hf, while being depleted in heavy rare earth elements and Ba, U, Sr, and Ti, with distinct rare earth element fractionation and pronounced negative Eu anomalies. According to the comprehensive analysis, they closely resemble the features typically associated with A-type granites. The zircons εHf(t) values are within the range of +0.90–+5.19 (averaged 3.23) for the monzogranite and syenogranite, whereas their TDM2 values fall between 1.05 and 1.34 Ga, suggesting that the magma source of the monzogranite–syenogranite originated from the partial melting of the Mesoproterozoic crust dominated by metagreywackes. Furthermore, the monzogranite and syenogranite exhibit high temperatures (average 782 °C), thin crustal thickness (average 30 km), and A-type characteristics, suggesting their formation in post-collision extensional settings. We propose the closure of the Beishan Ocean occurred before the early Devonian, followed by a transition in the Southern Beishan Orogenic Belt from a compressional to an extensional setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Paleoproterozoic gneiss domes are important structures of the Khondalite Belt in the northwestern North China Craton. However, less attention has been paid to their formation and evolution, and it thus hampers a better understanding of the deformation history of the Khondalite Belt. In this paper, we conducted structural and geochronological studies on the Qianlishan gneiss domes of the Khondalite Belt. The field observations and zircon U–Pb dating results show that the Qianlishan gneiss domes consist of 2.06–2.01 Ga granitoid plutons in the core, rimmed by granulite facies metasedimentary rocks (khondalites) of the Qianlishan Group. Both of them were subjected to two major phases of deformation (D1–D2) in the late Paleoproterozoic. Of these, D1 deformation mainly generated overturned to recumbent isoclinal folds F1 and penetrative transposed foliations/gneissosities S1 at ~1.95 Ga. Subsequently, D2 deformation produced the NW(W)–SE(E)-trending doubly plunging upright folds F2 at 1.93–1.90 Ga, and they have strongly re-oriented S1 gneissosities, giving rise to the Qianlishan gneiss domes. Combined with previous studies, we argue that the Qianlishan gneiss domes were the products of the Paleoproterozoic collisional orogenesis between the Yinshan and Ordos Blocks. Additionally, the development of doubly plunging antiforms is considered an important dome-forming mechanism in the Khondalite Belt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hongyuan porphyry Mo–Cu deposit (PMCD) is a rare example of a "reduced" deposit, in contrast to classical oxidized porphyry Cu or Mo–Cu deposits. It is characterized by an ilmenite–series I–type felsic granitoid intrusion, reduced ore‐forming fluids with methane‐rich fluid inclusions, and widely distributed primary pyrrhotite. Mo–Cu mineralization in the Hongyuan PMCD occurs as disseminated in porphyry, granular in miarolitic cavity, and vein‐type in the quartz vein. These three types of mineralization are generally produced in the late magmatic period, magmatic‐hydrothermal transition period, and hydrothermal period, respectively. Molybdenite from miarolitic cavities shows a greater contribution from mantle fluid, as evidenced by mantle He proportions of 37.6%–16.8%. Molybdenite in quartz veins has relatively lower mantle He proportions of 1.63%–10.5%, indicating a predominantly crustal fluid source. The 3He/4He variations of these two groups of molybdenite illustrate an increasing input of crustal fluid during the magmatic to hydrothermal transition. Molybdenite samples from miarolitic cavities and quartz veins yield a Re‐Os model age of 300.5 ± 3.7 Ma, which is consistent with the U–Pb ages of zircons in the wallrock porphyries (300–302 Ma). This further indicates simultaneous diagenesis accompanied by mineralization. The Sr–Nd isotopic compositions (initial 87Sr/86Sr: 0.703404–0.703552; initial 143Nd/144Nd: 0.512585–0.512655; εNd[t]: +6.56 to +7.90) and young T2DM model ages (421–531 Ma) of the Hongyuan porphyries suggest that these rocks were derived from partial melting of the basaltic lower crust. We propose that mantle‐derived fluids rose up and mixed with fluids from the lower crust under an extensional tectonic setting, forming mantle‐like Sr–Nd–He–Ar isotopic compositions. The pre‐mineralization stage of the Hongyuan reduced PMCD is marked by quartz‐molybdenite ± K‐feldspar ± pyrite veins or veinlets and miarolitic cavities in the intensively potassic alteration zone. These veins formed at high temperatures (400–476°C) and high salinities (47.5–56.6 wt.%). The syn‐mineralization stage is the main metallogenic stage represented by numerous quartz‐molybdenite ± pyrrhotite veins associated with moderate to high temperatures (248°C–424°C) and low to high salinities (1.57–50.1 wt.%). The post‐mineralization stage is characterized by low temperatures (104–270°C) and low salinities (0.35–8.81 wt.%). Fluid immiscibility, mixing with meteoric water, ore fluid‐wall rock interactions, and decreasing temperature and salinity have played important roles during molybdenum mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subaqueous eruptions alter the chemical conditions of the lake by intensifying the interaction between hot volcanic rocks and water, resulting in the exchange of alkalis. The lower part of the Fengcheng Formation in the Mahu Sag, NW China, has abundant rhyolitic welded tuff and related pyroclastic deposits, which were deposited under ancient alkaline lacustrine deposits of the Fengcheng Formation. Despite this, the effect of the eruption process on the formation of the alkali lake remains unclear. To gain a better understanding of the eruptive behaviour and emplacement processes, detailed drilling core descriptions, microscopic observations, and interpretations of textural characteristics of rhyolitic welded tuff units and adjacent volcano‐sedimentary associations have been conducted. The rhyolitic welded tuff can be categorized into seven lithofacies units based on the degree of welding, devitrification characteristics, pore development, and filling characteristics. The age of eruption was determined through zircon U–Pb dating of the rhyolitic welded tuff, revealing it to be approximately 300 Ma, thereby providing constraints on the deposition time of alkaline lacustrine deposits. Mudstones that encase the welded tuff unit and quenched structures such as perlitic fractures, quench cracks of spherulite and lithophysae, and chalcedony spherules indicate that the welded tuff unit was formed through subaqueous eruption. Alkali fractionation (sodium and potassium) occurs in the spherulite and lithophysae zone and at the top condensation boundary, demonstrating that the subaqueous eruption process significantly enhanced devitrification and hydration, causing sodium to escape from the welded tuff and released into the lake water as sodium ions. The rhyolitic welded tuff provides evidence of the evolution of a subaqueous felsic eruption where the water‐rock reaction played a fundamental role in alkalizing the lake by providing the lake with sodium ions in Mahu Sag. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contrary to what is currently known, archetypal zircon samples from gneisses and intrusive leucogranites in the Palaeoproterozoic Suhum Basin, SE Ghana, suggest the involvement of Neoarchean crustal material in the formation of the Palaeoproterozoic juvenile crust of the Birimian terranes in Ghana. The zircons dated using U–Pb dating methods and subjected to Lu–Hf isotopic analysis suggest that crustal‐forming events from different contemporaneous magmatic episodes within the Suhum Basin took place over a time interval of 139 Ma from 2224 to 2085 Ma. Whole‐rock Lu–Hf data obtained for the gneissic and leucogranitic rocks gave model ages (TDM2) ranging from 2789 to 2456 Ma with ɛHf(t) values ranging from −1.1 to +5.4. These model ages imply that the magmas that formed these rocks were sourced from the early Palaeoproterozoic juvenile mantle with substantial Neoarchean crustal reworking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents new isotopic U–Pb zircon data (LA-ICP-MS method) on the intrusive rocks from the Chinorsai massif, which is spatially and probably genetically related to the large Jilau tungsten-gold deposit. This deposit, together with the other large Au deposits (Muruntau, Zarmitan, Kumtor, etc.) is part of the largest Au (Au–W) metallogenic belt of Tien Shan. The deposit is represented by small zones of scheelitebearing skarn and later (overprinting) large stockwork of veins and veinlets with scheelite-gold mineralization that occurs within and near the intrusion. The concordant isotopic zircon U-Pb data (301.0 ± 2.6 Ma; MSWD = 2.6) are older than the isotopic zircon U–Pb data previously reported (about 288 Ma). This indicates a substantial extent of the magma emplacement and crystallization process that probably corresponded to several intrusive events or phases, which is a prerequisite for the formation of associated intrusive-related Au deposits. Also, the isotopic age determined highlights the earlier formation of gold-polymetallic-tungsten deposits as compared to Mo–W and Sn-W deposits in the region, which are related to the later Early Permian intrusions. In addition, zircon xenocrysts with much older age (from ca. 970 Ma to ca. 2200 Ma) have been identified; they probably represent the age of the orogenic basement including that of the basement terranes of the Tarim and Karakum cratons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The age of sedimentation (530–520 Ma) of the Teregtig Formation of South Tuva is estimated on the basis of U–Pb dating of detrital zircon grains from terrigenous rocks and Sr chemostratigraphy of carbonate rocks. It is shown that granitoids with an age of 580 Ma were the main source of detrital zircon. The presence of a representative Precambrian detrital zircon population indicates the deposition of sediments of the Teregtig Formation within the continental crustal block with a long evolution. During the accumulation of coarse-grained rocks of the Teregtig Formation, this part of the eroded area also comprised rocks of the Agardag ophiolite massif, which is evident from numerous angular clasts of olivine, pyroxenes, and Cr-spinels in the conglomerate matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About half of the lunar meteorites in our collections are feldspathic breccias. Acquiring geochronologic information from these breccias is challenging due to their low radioactive‐element contents and their often polymict nature. We used high‐spatial‐resolution (5 μm) NanoSIMS (nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry) U‐Pb dating technique to date micro‐zircons in the lunar feldspathic meteorites Dhofar 1528 and Dhofar 1627. Three NanoSIMS dating spots of two zircon grains from Dhofar 1528 show a discordia with an upper intercept at 4354 ± 76 Ma and a lower intercept at 332 ± 1407 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 0.01, p = 0.91). Three spots of two zircon grains in Dhofar 1627 define a discordia with an upper intercept at 3948 ± 30 Ma and a lower intercept at 691 ± 831 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 0.40, p = 0.53). Both samples likely experienced shock metamorphism caused by impacts. Based on the clastic nature, lack of recrystallization and the consistent U‐Pb and Pb‐Pb dates of the zircons in Dhofar 1528, the U‐Pb date of 4354 Ma is interpreted as the crystallization age of its Mg‐suite igneous precursor. Some of the Dhofar 1627 zircons show poikilitic texture, a crystallization from the matrix impact melt, so the U‐Pb date of 3948 Ma corresponds to an impact event, likely the Imbrium basin‐forming event. These data are the first radiometric ages for these two meteorites and demonstrate that in situ (high spatial resolution) U‐Pb dating has potential for extracting geochronological information about igneous activities and impact events from lunar feldspathic and polymict breccias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a detailed geological survey of the Sendai region, covering an area of 100 × 50 km. Our survey focused on accurately mapping river terraces, identifying the source volcanoes responsible for intercalated tephras, and locating the Nagamachi-Rifu fault and associated faults. The river terraces were observed and categorized based on their elevation relative to the present river channels. These terraces are predominantly found on the hanging wall of major reverse faults. Each terrace comprises fluvial gravels at the lower levels and eolian loam intercalated with local and regional tephras at higher levels, with the contact age corresponding to the time of emergence. To determine the ages of the terrace gravels, we employed a combination of zircon U–Pb dating, sedimentation rate calculations, and extrapolation techniques. This allowed us to establish the abandonment or emergent dates of the terraces. The formation of these terraces coincided with periods of fault activity, including hanging wall uplift, footwall subsidence, and fault vertical displacement, effectively monitoring the co-seismicity of the Nagamachi-Rifu fault. While we cannot predict the exact timing of future events, it is crucial to remain vigilant regarding the potential occurrence of a significant earthquake triggered by these fault activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most recent studies consider the formation of individual pegmatite bodies to be a fast process with estimated crystal growth rates reaching a walloping 10 m/day. This opinion is presumably underpinned by the traditional way of thinking of them as the end products of magmatic fractionation. Indeed, modelling has shown that if a pegmatite-forming substance with a temperature near granitic solidus intrudes into a much colder host rock, as recorded in some outcrops, it must cool rapidly. From here, a conclusion is made that the crystallisation must likewise be rapid. However, this view is challenged by several studies that published isotopic dates supported by petrological characterisation of the analysed materials, which suggested or can be used to suggest that some minerals in pegmatites grew over millions of years. Surprisingly, such in-depth work on the geochronology of individual pegmatite bodies is relatively uncommon, so it is early to make generalisations. Here, I highlight some of the existing evidence with the aim to stimulate further research into the timescales of pegmatite crystallisation, including the use of petrologically constrained isotopic dating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Super-deep drilling in the central Sichuan Basin encountered volcanic rocks of the Suxiong Formation, which are overlain by multiple hydrothermal alterations within the upper section of the Ediacaran Dengying Formation. This provides an excellent research opportunity to understand the pre-Cambrian hydrothermal activity and geological evolution of the western margin of the Yangtze Craton. Observations revealed the development of a series of hydrothermal dolomite aggregates characterized by the presence of brown sphalerite within fractures and pores of the carbonate rock. Microscopically, the dolomite exhibited fibrous columnar crystallization, forming radial bands with a gradual decrease in crystallization intensity from the center to the periphery. Cathodoluminescence analysis revealed the presence of approximately eight dolomite bands within the aggregate. U–Pb dating from the inner to outer bands yielded isotopic ages of 781 ± 12 Ma for the second band, 683 ± 12 Ma for the fifth, 562 ± 12 Ma for the sixth, and 545.4 ± 6.9 Ma for the seventh. The in situ rare earth element (REE) distribution patterns of the 781 and 683 Ma dolomite bands exhibited similarities. They both showed low total REE content (∑REE), with significant fractionation between light and heavy REEs. Additionally, they exhibited negative anomalies in cerium (Ce) and europium (Eu), while heavy REEs were relatively enriched. The dolomite bands at 562 and 545 Ma also exhibited similar REE characteristics, with low ∑REE and weak fractionation between light and heavy REEs. They also displayed distinct negative anomalies in Ce and Eu, indicating similar distribution patterns. These findings suggested that formation of the banded hydrothermal dolostone occurred during different tectonic events, and the presence of heavy REE-enriched hydrothermal fluids suggested a deep-seated origin. This study has provided preliminary evidence that the Dengying Formation, previously considered to be of the Ediacaran age, has undergone multiple episodes of deep-seated fluid infiltration and alteration since the Mesoproterozoic Era. Importantly, these events coincide with the rifting of the Rodinia and Pannotia supercontinents, aligning with their respective timeframes. This finding raises questions regarding the stratigraphic division and correlation of the formations in the deeply buried core area of the basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geodynamic mechanisms that controlled magmatic activity in South China during the late Mesozoic have been a cutting-edge focus of recent research. Southeastern Guangxi, which is located at the juncture between the Pacific and Neo-Tethyan tectonic domains, is a transitional zone characterized by the occurrence of widespread Jurassic–Cretaceous magmatic rocks. Investigation of this region can shed light on the late Mesozoic tectonic setting of South China. We conducted U–Pb geochronological and geochemical analyses of the Liuwang granodiorite and quartz porphyry, which are exposed in southeastern Guangxi. Zircon U–Pb dating yielded an age of 161.8 ± 1.2 Ma for the granodiorite and 97.89 ± 0.68 Ma for the quartz porphyry, indicating that they formed during the Late Jurassic and Late Cretaceous, respectively. The Liuwang granodiorites are weakly peraluminous high-K calc-alkaline rocks characterized by enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (including Rb) and high field strength elements (including Th, U, Pb, and Ta) and depletion in Ba, Nb, and Sr. The granodiorites also exhibit weak rare earth element (REE) fractionation and slightly negative Eu anomalies. Conversely, the Liuwang quartz porphyry is weakly peraluminous and belongs to the potassic syenite series, transitioning into the high-K calc-alkaline series. It is characterized by enrichment in Rb and high field strength elements (including Th, U, Pb, and Ta), with depletion in Ba, Nb, Sr, and Zr. It does not exhibit REE fractionation but does yield prominent negative Eu anomalies. The granodiorite and quartz porphyry yield εHf(t) values of −23.26 to −2.48 and −4.4 to +0.8, respectively, with tDM2 ages of 2642–1270 and 1411–1081 Ma, respectively. These data suggest that the Liuwang granodiorite formed under a background of Late Jurassic lithospheric extension–thinning and was derived from partial melting of Palaeoproterozoic–Mesoproterozoic metasedimentary sandstones with a minor contribution from mantle-derived melts. In contrast, the Liuwang quartz porphyry was derived from partial melting of Mesoproterozoic pelitic rocks and formed in a Late Cretaceous tectonic setting linked to the northward subduction of the Neo-Tethys Ocean beneath South China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Middle Permian Maokou Formation in the Sichuan Basin has huge resources and is an important target for natural gas exploration. In recent years, significant exploration breakthroughs have been made in the dolomite field of member Mao-2 in central Sichuan, and the gas production of several wells has exceeded 1 × 106 m3/d, indicating promising prospects for exploration. However, the origin of the dolomite reservoir in member Mao-2 remains ambiguous, which restricts the accurate prediction of favorable reservoirs. This study focuses on drilling in the Hechuan area as its research object, by using a detailed description of the cores from member Mao-2 of seven wells; samples were selected for tests of the degree of dolomite cation ordering, stable carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions, strontium isotopic composition, rare earth elements, LA-ICP-MS element mapping and U-Pb dating. It is clarified that: (1) The crystalline dolomite of member Mao-2 in the Hechuan area is the main reservoir rock, and the heterogeneous vugs and fractures are the main reservoir space. The dolomite in member Mao-2 has been characterized by a low degree of cation ordering value (avg. 0.59), with values of δ13C (avg. 3.87‰), δ18O (avg. −7.15‰) and 87Sr/86Sr (avg. 0.707474) having similar geochemical characteristics to Middle Permian seawater; the REEs normalized distribution patterns have similar characteristics to limestone; and the U-Pb age (261.0~262.0 Ma) corresponds to the age in the Capitanian stage of the Permian Guadalupian Series. (2) Petrological studies show that member Mao-2 has vertical karstification zonation characteristics; syngenetic karstification controls the formation of a large-scale fracture-cave system in the phreatic zone; the dolomitization of sediment in the fracture-cave system occurred during the penecontemporaneous period with locally restricted seawater. (3) The main controlling factors of the reservoir were syngenetic karstification, early dolomitization and hydrothermal dissolution related to Emei taphrogenesis. The research results are of great significance for dolomite reservoir prediction; the highlands of paleogeomorphology with syndepositional faults are favorable areas for dolomite reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of strain in nascent continental plate boundaries commonly involves distributed deformation and transitions between different styles of deformation as the plate boundary matures. Distributed NW-striking faults, many with km-scale right-lateral separation, are prevalent near Blythe, California, and have been variably interpreted to have accommodated either Middle Miocene NE-SW extension as normal faults or Late Miocene to Pliocene dextral shear as strike-slip faults. However, with poor timing and kinematic constraints, it is unclear how these faults relate to known domains of Neogene deformation and the evolution of the Pacific–North America plate boundary. We present kinematic data (n = 642 fault planes, n = 512 slickenlines) that demonstrate that these faults dominantly dip steeply northeast; ~96% of measured faults record normal, dextral, or oblique dextral-normal kinematics that likely reflect a gradational transition between normal and dextral oblique kinematic regimes. We constrain fault timing with 11.7 Ma and 7.0 Ma 40Ar/39Ar dates of rocks cut by faults, and laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry U-Pb dating of calcite mineralized during oblique dextral faulting that demonstrates fault slip at ca. 10–7 Ma and perhaps as late as ca. 4 Ma. This Late Miocene dextral oblique faulting is best compatible with a documented regional transition from Early to Middle Miocene NE-directed extension during detachment fault slip to subsequent NW-directed dextral shear. We estimate 11–38 km of cumulative dextral slip occurred across a 50-km-wide zone from the Palen to Riverside mountains, including up to 20 km of newly documented dextral shear that may partly alleviate the regional discrepancy of cumulative dextral shear along this part of the Late Miocene Pacific–North America plate boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A suite of subduction-related early Triassic igneous rocks crops out in the Pingxiang area of the DianQiong suture (DQS) in southwest China; this suite represents an important geological record of subduction and closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. In this study, we report geochronological, geochemical, and NdHf isotope data for newly discovered rhyolites and biotite granites in the Pingxiang area. We use these data to constrain their emplacement ages, origins, and geodynamic implications. Zircon U-Pb dating indicates that the rhyolites and biotite granites were emplaced at 251–250 Ma and 249 Ma (early Triassic), respectively. The rhyolites and biotite granites have elevated FeOT/(FeOT + MgO) (0.78–0.89) and 10,000 × Ga/Al (2.83–4.11) ratios, with geochemical affinities to A2-type granites. These rocks are enriched in some large-ion lithophile elements (e.g., Rb, Th, and Ba) and depleted in high-field-strength elements (e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti), indicating their formation in a subduction-related arc. The rhyolites and biotite granites have negative whole-rock εNd(t) (−11.5 to −9.7) and zircon εHf(t) (−14.5 to −6.2) values, suggesting that these magmas were derived from an ancient crust-dominated source. Geochemical and Nd isotope data reveal that the peraluminous A2-type rhyolites and biotite granites were derived by partial melting of felsic crustal rocks under low-pressure and high-temperature conditions. By integrating all the available data with the regional tectonic evolution of the southwestern Youjiang Basin and adjacent regions, we attribute the generation of the peraluminous A2-type rhyolites and biotite granites to the extensional setting that existed during oceanic subduction, which was induced by roll-back of the Paleo-Tethys oceanic lithosphere at 251–249 Ma. This study indicates that subduction-related magmatism related to Paleo-Tethys oceanic lithosphere was still active in the early Triassic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-pressure low-temperature rocks from Svalbard are an excellent target for studying metamorphic reactions in Phanerozoic subduction zones. This study reveals the presence of monazite in an eclogite and a blueschist from the Vestgötabreen Complex, southwestern Svalbard. In order to investigate the monazite-forming reaction, we obtained pressure–temperature estimates coupled with U–Pb and Lu–Hf dating. Combined geothermobarometry allows to constrain three evolutionary stages of garnet growth in the eclogite: nucleation (1.6 ± 0.3 GPa at 460 ± 60 °C), peak-pressure (2.3 ± 0.3 GPa at 507 ± 60 °C), and peak-temperature (2.1 ± 0.3 GPa at 553 ± 60 °C). A zircon age of 482 ± 10 Ma is interpreted to belong to the prograde part of the pressure–temperature path. Monazite forms inclusions within garnet rims, or it is surrounded by allanite and apatite, altogether forming pseudomorphs of a tabular shape in the matrix. Textures, geothermobarometry and geochronology support the conclusion the monazite formed under high-pressure conditions at 471 ± 6 Ma. We propose that the monazite crystallization in the eclogite happened due to a decomposition of accessory phases during the decompression after peak-pressure of the metamorphic cycle. Monazite in the blueschist occurs as inclusions in garnet cores and gives an indicative age of 486 ± 6 Ma, which is interpreted to reflect the prograde growth of the garnet. Lu–Hf garnet dating resolves an age of peak-pressure metamorphism in the blueschist at 471.1 ± 4 Ma under conditions of 2.0 ± 0.03 GPa and 500 ± 30 °C. The Vestgötabreen Complex provides evidence for an early Ordovician modern-style subduction system in the proximity of the Baltica margin. Hence, this study also supports the tectonic models that favour a mixed Baltican and Laurentian provenance of south-western Svalbard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new locality Kimiltei, Irkutsk oblast, where unmineralized remains of arthropods were buried en masse, is described. The U–Pb zircon dating yielded a Cambrian age with the youngest values of 492 ± 4 Ma. Kimiltei arthropods are represented by Chasmataspidida, Synziphosurina, and Euthycarcinoidea. The last two groups have not been known in the Siberian Platform, and the first one has been described in this area only from Devonian rocks. The Irkutsk findings are the most ancient representatives of their groups, and their distribution areas turn out to be wider than previously known. Their co-burial is noteworthy, because the representatives of these groups have never been found together before. Taking into account the fact that the descendants of all three groups gave rise to the terrestrial lines of chelicerates and insects, the Kimiltei assemblage is the entire fauna of the land arthropod ancestors. Their cohabitation is indicative of the fact that they started their expansion on land from some close ecological niches in the intertidal zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qinling Complex is located in the core of the northern Qinling Orogen and plays a key role in understanding the tectonic evolution of the Qinling Orogen, but its metamorphic evolution remains controversial. The combined investigation of petrographic observation, zircon U-Pb dating, and phase equilibria modeling for garnet amphibolites from the Tianshui area in the West Qinling Orogen is reported in this study. The results show that the garnet amphibolites record a clockwise P-T path characterized by a pre-TMax decompression heating stage, a temperature peak at P-T conditions of 0.84–0.99 GPa and 869–886 °C, followed by a decompression cooling stage. Zircon U-Pb dating yields four age populations of ~479 ± 4 Ma, ~451 ± 8 Ma, ~411 ± 4 Ma, and ~377 ± 6 Ma. The 479–450 Ma reflects the timing of the pre-TMax high–medium pressure upper amphibolite-facies metamorphism. The metamorphism at peak temperature condition occurred at c.411 Ma and was followed by decompression cooling to c.377 Ma. The Ordovician high–medium pressure metamorphism is related to the continental collision, which is slightly later than the HP–UHP eclogite-facies metamorphism in the East Qinling Orogen. The HT granulite-facies metamorphism at peak temperature condition took place at reduced pressures, suggesting thinning of the collision-thickened orogenic crust. Therefore, the northern West Qinling Orogen experienced a tectonothermal evolution from initial crust thickening to thinning during the Paleozoic collisional orogeny. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The early Paleoproterozoic (ca. 2.2–2.1 Ga) tectonic evolution of the Jiao–Liao–Ji belt (JLJB) is a continuous hot topic and remains highly controversial. Two main tectonic regimes have been proposed for the JLJB, namely arc-related setting and intra-continental rift. Abundant ca. 2.2–2.1 Ga volcanic rocks were formed in the JLJB, especially in the Liaodong Peninsula. These ca. 2.2–2.1 Ga volcanic rocks therefore could host critical information for the evolution of the JLJB. In this study, we report a suit of ca. 2.2–2.1 Ga felsic metavolcanic rocks in the Liaodong Peninsula of the JLJB to provide new insights into the above issue. Zircon U-Pb dating reveals that the felsic metavolcanic rocks were erupted at 2185–2167 Ma. They have variable εHf(t) values (−0.70 to +9.69), high SiO2 (66.30–75.30 wt.%) and relatively low TiO2 (0.03–0.78 wt.%), tFe2O3 (0.55–5.03 wt.%), MgO (0.17–8.76 wt.%), Cr (9.16–67.30 ppm), Co (2.01–7.00 ppm) and Ni (3.90–25.70 ppm) contents with enrichments in light rare earth element (REE) and large ion lithophile element (LILE), and depletions in heavy REE and high field strength element (HFSE). Geochemical and isotopic results indicate that the felsic metavolcanic rocks were sourced from partial melting of ancient Archean TTG rocks and juvenile lower crustal materials. Combined with coeval A-type granites, bimodal volcanic rocks and the absence of typical arc magmatism, the most likely tectonic regime at ca. 2.2–2.1 Ga for the JLJB is an intra-continental rift. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the composition, formation and evolution of the oldest continental crust is crucial for comprehending the mechanism and timing of crustal growth and differentiation on early Earth. However, the preservation of the ancient continental crust is limited due to extensive reworking by later tectonothermal events. In the Lulong area of eastern Hebei, abundant ca. 3.8–3.4 Ga detrital zircons of the fuchsite quartzite have been previously identified. Nonetheless, the provenance and Hf isotopic compositions of the fuchsite quartzite remain unclear. In this study, we present new detrital zircon ages and Hf isotopic for the fuchsite quartzite in the Lulong area to establish the timing of deposition, the provenance and the regional stratigraphic relationship. Zircon U-Pb dating indicates that the fuchsite quartzite was deposited between 3.3–3.1 Ga and most grains were sourced from the 3.8 Ga TTG gneisses and Paleoarchean magmas. Field investigations and regional correlations reveal that the fuchsite quartzite from the Lulong area is equivalent to that of the Caozhuang area. Zircon Hf isotopic data from eastern Hebei Province (Lulong and Caozhuang areas) and Anshan and Xinyang areas indicate that the oldest crustal growth event of North China Craton occurred in the Hadean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Zhangbaling tectonic belt (ZTB), one of the most representative tectonic belts in East China, has experienced uplift since the Early Cretaceous and is, thus, an excellent object for understanding the tectonic uplift and topographical evolution of East China and the whole of East Asia. On the basis of field observations, in this contribution to the literature, we carried out detrital zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating for the Upper Cretaceous sediments in the basins adjacent to the ZTB and zircon (U–Th)/He dating for the Early Cretaceous plutons along the western flank of this belt. Detailed field observation showed that the orthogneiss of the Feidong Complex experienced sinistral strike–slip activities, while the marbles underwent thrusting; thrust faults were developed in the Early Cretaceous plutons and volcanic rocks, and normal faults were superimposed on thrust or strike–slip faults. The detrital zircon dating results showed that the Upper Cretaceous sediments are characterized by an Early Cretaceous major cluster with just a minor cluster from the middle Neoproterozoic ages, indicating that the Zhangbaling Group and the Feidong Complex of the ZTB are not their main provenance. Zircon (U–Th)/He dating results showed that the ZTB experienced rapid uplifting during the mid-Cretaceous and recorded another rapid uplifting after 30 Ma. Combining existing research with our new data, it can be concluded that the ZTB was characterized by thrust activity in the mid-Cretaceous, which occurred under regional compression setting and was the basis of the formation of a watershed after 30 Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continental arc is characterized by alternant magmatic flare-ups and lulls. From the Permian to the Middle Jurassic period, two flare-ups with a lull developed in NE China, but the tectonic controls that caused the flare-ups remain unclear. Sedimentary rocks of the Heilongjiang Complex were derived from these magmatic rocks; thus, we employed detrital zircon U-Pb dating and trace elements analyses to unravel the regional tectono-magmatic evolution. Eu anomaly, (Dy/Yb)N and Th/U ratios of the detrital zircons and Sr/Y and (La/Yb)N of the regional granitoids together indicate the occurrence of two episodes of crustal thickening during the two flare-ups, accompanied with a westward migration of magmatism. We propose that the Permian flare-up was caused by the shallowing subduction from the east, which thickened the upper plate and enhanced the deep crustal melting. During the Middle Triassic period, the mantle wedge was expelled by the flat slab and thickened crust, leading to the magmatic lull. However, the westward subduction of the back-arc oceanic plate occurred before the lull, gradually producing the Jurassic magmatic flare-up and crustal thickening. Closure of the back-arc ocean caused by the outboard Paleo-Pacific oceanic plate subduction was important in the formation of the episodic magmatic flare-ups and crustal thickening in NE China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skarn-type tungsten deposits are widely distributed all over the world and contribute more than 70% of the world's W supply. The temporal relation between the W mineralization and causative intrusions and the evolution of ore-forming fluids are matters of ongoing debate. In this study, we combine in situ LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating and trace element compositions of scheelite from Zhuxi, the world's largest W deposit, and compare them with literature data to address the above issues. Three primary ore stages exist at Zhuxi: prograde skarn, retrograde skarn, and quartz-sulfide stages. Most scheelite occurs in the retrograde skarn stage and is further subdivided into three generations: Sch A, B, and C. The obtained LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages for three scheelite generations in the Zhuxi deposit are 154.0 ± 2.8, 150.3 ± 3.5, and 150.4 ± 6.3 Ma, respectively, indicating that the entire W mineralization is closely related to the emplacement of the nearby Late Jurassic granites (~154 to 150 Ma, zircon U-Pb ages). In situ LA-ICP-MS trace element results demonstrate that Sch A shows the highest Mo content (mean = 1002 ppm), where those for Sch B and Sch C are 109 and 45 ppm, respectively. These, combined with the gradually increasing trend of Ce contents and δCe values, indicate a shift from oxidizing to reducing conditions for the ore-forming fluid. All three scheelite generations yield significant positive δEu anomalies, which are considered to be unrelated to the redox state, but caused by the addition of Eu (e.g., feldspar dissolution). The high-Y/Ho ratio of scheelite and a good correlation between Y/Ho ratio and δEu (R2 = 0.96) suggest that intense fluid-rock interactions between ore fluids and the Shuangqiaoshan Group metasedimentary rocks as well as earlier-formed skarns drove fluid evolution. This study demonstrates that scheelite U-Pb geochronology is a useful technique when identifying the temporal link between hydrothermal W mineralization and the causative intrusion. Our results also highlight that the reactions of the ore fluids with wall rocks and earlier-formed skarns significantly modify the primary fluid compositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a detailed geological survey of the Sendai region, covering an area of 100 × 50 km. Our survey focused on accurately mapping river terraces, identifying the source volcanoes responsible for intercalated tephras, and locating the Nagamachi-Rifu fault and associated faults. The river terraces were observed and categorized based on their elevation relative to the present river channels. These terraces are predominantly found on the hanging wall of major reverse faults. Each terrace comprises fluvial gravels at the lower levels and eolian loam intercalated with local and regional tephras at higher levels, with the contact age corresponding to the time of emergence. To determine the ages of the terrace gravels, we employed a combination of zircon U–Pb dating, sedimentation rate calculations, and extrapolation techniques. This allowed us to establish the abandonment or emergent dates of the terraces. The formation of these terraces coincided with periods of fault activity, including hanging wall uplift, footwall subsidence, and fault vertical displacement, effectively monitoring the co-seismicity of the Nagamachi-Rifu fault. While we cannot predict the exact timing of future events, it is crucial to remain vigilant regarding the potential occurrence of a significant earthquake triggered by these fault activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite suites (TTGs) are key components of the Archean continental crust and therefore crucial to the understanding of the evolution of the early Earth. Here, we present in situ zircon Si–O isotope data of TTGs from Barberton. Results show that the 3.45–3.42 Ga (Group 1) and 3.24–3.23 Ga TTGs (Group 2) have elevated δ30Simelt values but mantle‐like δ18Ozrc values, whereas the 3.23–3.22 Ga TTGs (Group 3) have coupled elevated δ30Simelt and δ18Ozrc values relative to mantle‐derived rocks. We suggest that the Group 1 and 2 TTGs had a silicified source that was affected by low‐δ18O fluid released from the komatiitic rocks. The low‐δ18O fluid decreased the δ18Ozrc values of Group 1 and 2 TTGs but had negligible influence on their δ30Simelt values. The Group 3 TTGs were generated solely from the silicified source, as the low‐δ18O fluid had become exhausted at that time. Plain Language Summary: The Archean granitic continents are dominated by tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite suites (TTGs) that are generated from the partial melting of hydrous basaltic rocks. The genesis of TTGs is controversial, as the source of water is unclear. Si and O isotopes are effective indicators of the water source and should be covariant. However, in this study, we discovered both decoupled enriched Si but mantle‐like O isotopic compositions, and coupled enriched Si–O isotopic compositions of TTGs from the Barberton region. We suggest that the decoupled Si–O isotope compositions resulted from the involvement of both supracrustal silicified materials and fluid released from komatiitic rocks, and that the coupled Si–O isotopic compositions were produced by the silicified materials only. The results indicate that TTGs have more variable sources than previously thought. Key Points: Elevated δ30Si and δ18O values of Archean granitic continental rocks indicate the involvement of a supracrustal silicified sourceMantle‐like δ18O values of Archean granitic continental rocks may have been caused by low‐δ18O fluid released from komatiitic rocksMantle‐like δ18O values of Archean granitoids might not reflect the absence of supracrustal materials [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are several different models for the origin of syenites, but the role of magma mixing in the formation of syenites remains unclear. The Wulingshan alkaline complex in the northern North China Craton consists mainly of porphyritic syenite and syenite with abundant enclaves. These enclaves may provide new insights into the petrogenesis of syenites. We obtained zircon U–Pb age, mineral chemistry, whole‐rock major and trace elements, and Sr–Nd isotopic data for the enclaves and their host rocks to constrain the petrogenesis and identify the role of magma mixing during the formation of the different syenites in the Wulingshan alkaline complex. The results of zircon U–Pb dating indicate that the enclaves and host rocks crystallized contemporaneously at ca. 133 Ma. The enclaves contain abundant clinopyroxene, amphibole, and biotite, and their average Nb/Ta (18.46) and Th/Ce (0.04) ratios are similar to those of the mantle. The enclaves have relatively high Fe2O3T, MgO, and CaO contents, and their SiO2 contents are equivalent to those of intermediate rocks, indicating that they formed by mixing the mafic and felsic magmas to some extent. The different mineral assemblages, major and trace elements and isotopic compositions of the enclaves in the porphyritic syenite and syenite indicate that they are two batches of parental magma with different properties derived from the mantle. The porphyritic syenite and syenite have high SiO2 and low Fe2O3T, MgO, and CaO contents, as well as low V, Cr, Co, and Ni contents. These major and trace element characteristics of the host rocks require the involvement of crustal components. The Sr–Nd isotopic compositions of the enclaves and the host syenitoids plot on a mixing curve between enriched lithospheric mantle and lower crust, indicating that these rocks are the products of magma mixing and crust–mantle interaction. Considering the contact relationships, the geochemistry data, and the mixing model presented in the paper, we propose that the upwelling of the hot asthenosphere heated the overlying enriched lithospheric mantle and triggered low‐degree partial melting. The alkalic mafic magmas derived from enriched mantle sources were mixed with felsic magmas generated by partial melting of the lower (or upper) crust to form the different syenites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction of oceanic crusts in ultraslow-spreading ridges are controlled by detachment faults, but the specific ways they are determined by detachments remain unclear. Abundant ophiolite massifs discovered along the Yarlung-Tsangpo Suture Zone, southern Tibet, are considered to represent ultraslow-spreading centers of the Cretaceous Neo-Tethys ocean. The presence of various mafic blocks within the ophiolitic mélange beneath the lithospheric mantle provides evidence of the entire processes involved in crustal generation. Therefore, in this study geochemical investigations on these mafic blocks from the southern Luqu (Xigaze) ophiolitic mélanges were conducted to shed new lights on the petrogenesis of mafic crust rocks in ultraslow-spreading settings. Geochronological results via zircon U–Pb dating gave evidence for their coeval formation to other Yarlung-Tsangpo ophiolitic crust rocks in the Early Cretaceous (ca. 120–130 Ma). Geochemistry and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes document depleted and primitive characteristics, revealing that these mafic rocks were crystallized from residual melts experienced substantial fractional crystallization following along liquid lines of descent of H2O-poor magmas. However, amphiboles are pervasive throughout our samples, which is in contrast with expectations of clinopyroxene and plagioclase as dominant liquidus phases of anhydrous magma. Textures of replacement of clinopyroxene by magnesio-hornblende and their higher contents of trace elements and Eu negative anomalies support that the amphiboles crystallized during transition from dry magma to hydrous one, indicative of water additions to solidifying melts. Based on the tectonic settings of ultraslow-spreading centers, we proposed a model in which seawater-derived fluids induced through detachment faults could be responsible for the generation of ultraslow-spreading crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arc magmatism is fundamental to the generation of new continental or island arc crust. However, the mechanisms that add to the chemical complexity of natural calc-alkaline magmas ranging from basaltic to rhyolitic compositions are debated. Differentiation mechanisms currently discussed include magma mixing, assimilation, crustal melting, or (fractional) crystallisation. In this contribution, the differentiation of arc magmas by decompression-driven crystallisation is investigated. We performed a set of equilibrium crystallisation experiments at variable crustal pressures (200–800 MPa) on a hydrous high-Al basalt (3.5 wt.% of H2O in the starting material) with run temperatures varying from near-liquidus conditions (1110 °C) to 900 °C. Oxygen fugacity was buffered at moderately oxidising conditions close to the NNO equilibrium. Combining these novel experiments with previous polybaric fractional crystallisation experiments (Marxer et al., Contrib Mineral Petrol 177:3, 2022) we demonstrate the effects of pressure on the crystallisation behaviour of calc-alkaline magmas with respect to liquid and cumulate lines of descent, mineral chemistry, and phase proportions. Decompression shifts the olivine-clinopyroxene cotectic curve towards melt compositions with higher normative clinopyroxene and enlarges the stability field of plagioclase. This exerts a key control on the alumina saturation index of residual liquids. We argue that near-adiabatic (or near-isothermal) decompression accompanied by dissolution of clinopyroxene entrained during residual melt extraction in the lower crust keeps arc magmas metaluminous during crystallisation-driven differentiation thereby closely reproducing the compositional spread observed for natural arc rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large volume, intermediate-felsic magma reservoirs are the source of melt and mineralising fluids which generate porphyry copper deposits. Cooling and crystallisation of hydrous magmas drives the exsolution and expulsion of a magmatic volatile phase—a process which remains challenging to constrain in porphyry Cu systems where the record of magma volatile compositions is rarely preserved. Here, we use the halogen compositions of apatite inclusions shielded as inclusions within zircon to constrain volatile evolution in magma reservoirs which pre-date and are synchronous with porphyry Cu mineralisation at Quellaveco, Southern Peru. Geochemical and textural data confirm that the zircon-included apatites escaped re-equilibration with hydrothermal fluids, unlike apatites found in the groundmass of the same rocks. We, therefore, recommend that future studies attempting to reconcile magmatic volatile budgets using apatite in porphyry Cu systems should focus on apatite inclusions in zircon. By combining the apatite inclusion data with numerical modelling, we find evidence that the magma reservoir sourcing porphyry Cu mineralisation remained fluid-saturated for the entire period recorded by apatite crystallisation. By contrast, the pre-mineralisation batholith shows more variable, potentially fluid-undersaturated behaviour. Our modelling suggests that in order to attain the porphyry melt volatile compositions inferred from apatite, the magma reservoir must have exsolved a large proportion of its volatile budget, consistent with having been held at high crystallinity (40–60% crystals). This crystallisation interval coincides with peak chlorine and copper extraction from intermediate-felsic magmas, and would have permitted efficient fluid migration and accumulation at the roof of the system. We suggest that the storage of large-volume, long-lived, crystal-rich magma reservoirs in magmatic arcs may be a critical step in generating world-class porphyry copper deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The petrochronological records of eclogites in the Scandinavian Caledonides are investigated using EPMA and LA-ICPMS of zircon and apatite for U–Pb geochronology, combined with major and trace element characteristics. Metamorphic zircon from two eclogites from the Lofoten-Vesterålen Complex (Lofoten Archipelago region) collectively yielded a Concordia age 427.8 ± 5.7 Ma and an upper intercept U–Pb age 425 ± 30 Ma. Apatites from the same eclogites provided U–Pb lower intercepts at 322 ± 28 Ma and 354 ± 33 Ma, with the latter also yielding a younger age of 227 ± 24 Ma. Two eclogites from the Lower Seve Nappe (Northern Jämtland) demonstrate different zircon and apatite age records. Metamorphic zircon provided Concordia ages of 467.2 ± 5.9 Ma and 444.5 ± 5.5 Ma, which resolve the age of prograde metamorphism and zircon growth during retrogression, respectively. The lower intercept U–Pb ages of apatites from the same eclogites are 436 ± 18 and 415 ± 25 Ma, respectively. In combination with their geochemical characteristics, they suggest two separate stages of exhumation of eclogite bodies in the Lower Seve Nappe. Zircons from an eclogite from the Blåhø Nappe (Nordøyane Archipelago) yielded a continuum of concordant U–Pb dates from ca. 435 to 395 Ma, which suggests several cycles of HT metamorphism within short intervals. Distinctive trace element characteristics of apatites from the Blåhø Nappe eclogite suggest formation coeval with zircon and garnet during HT metamorphism, but Pb diffusion behaved as an open system until cooling during exhumation of the nappe at 390 ± 12 Ma (lower intercept U–Pb age of apatite). To summarize, this study presents the high potential of coupled zircon and apatite petrochronology of eclogites in resolving their metamorphic evolution, particularly with respect to using trace element characteristics of apatites to constrain the records of their growth, alterations and the meaning of their U–Pb age record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northeast China composes the main part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Traditionally, Northeast China has been considered a collage of several microcontinental blocks. However, the tectonic evolution of these blocks remains uncertain. Igneous rocks can be used to infer the magmatic histories of the blocks and thus help reconstruct their evolution. In this study, we present new zircon U–Pb and whole-rock geochemical data for Carboniferous igneous rocks from the Wunuer area, northern Great Xing'an Range, Northeast China, to constrain the Carboniferous amalgamation of the united Xing'an–Erguna and Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range massifs. On the basis of zircon U–Pb dating results, we identify two main stages of magmatism, i.e., early Carboniferous (332–329 Ma) and late Carboniferous (312–310 Ma). The early Carboniferous igneous rocks include diorites and granodiorites, with the former being classified as calc-alkaline to tholeiitic and the latter as tholeiitic. Both rock types are enriched in Th and U and depleted in Nb and Ti. The rocks display slightly fractionated rare earth element (REE) patterns, with an enrichment in light REEs and a depletion in heavy (H)REEs. The geochemical characteristics of the early Carboniferous rocks indicate that they formed in a subduction-related continental-arc setting. The late Carboniferous igneous rocks include monzogranites and syenogranites, both of which are classified as high-K calc-alkaline rocks and show enrichment in Th, U, and Rb and depletion in Nb and Ti. The rocks display strongly fractionated REE patterns, with an enrichment in light REEs and a depletion in HREEs. The geochemical characteristics of the late Carboniferous rocks indicate that they formed in a syn-collisional tectonic setting. Combining the new geochronological and geochemical results and inferred tectonic settings with regional magmatic data, we propose a new three-stage model to interpret the late Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the united Xing'an–Erguna and Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range massifs of Northeast China: (1) early Carboniferous (360–340 Ma) subduction of the Paleo-Asian oceanic plate beneath the united Xing'an–Erguna Massif and formation of the Wunuer oceanic basin in the Yakeshi area; (2) early to late Carboniferous (340–310 Ma) sustained subduction of the Paleo-Asian oceanic plate beneath the united Xing'an–Erguna Massif and initiation of subduction of the Wunuer oceanic basin; and (3) late Carboniferous–early Permian (310–275 Ma) syn-collisional to post-collisional tectonic transition between the united Xing'an–Erguna Massif and the Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we present the results of U–Pb (ID-TIMS) geochronological studies of calcic garnet from the alkaline ultramafic complexes of Eastern Sayan province (eastern Siberia). New U–Pb ID–TIMS garnet ages obtained from different rocks of Bolshaya Tagna (632 ± 2 Ma) and Srednaya Zima intrusions (624 ± 5 Ma), as well as previously published garnet ages of the Belaya Zima complex (646 ± 6 Ma), allow us to constrain the timing and duration of episodes of alkaline ultramafic magmatism in Eastern Sayan province (619–651 Ma). Variations in the chemical compositions of rocks from three massifs indicate that the parental melts were separated from different magmatic chambers generated during the same episode of mantle melting. This study further highlights garnet U–Pb dating as a potentially robust, high-resolution geochronometer to constrain the evolution of the main pulse of alkaline ultramafic magmatism in the large magmatic provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detrital zircons in the matrix of an accretionary complex play an important role in providing evidence to reconstruct oceanic plate subduction and accretion processes. The Nadanhada accretionary complex (NAC) dominated by the Yuejinshan, Raohe and Tongjiang accretionary complexes provides significant geological evidence to better understand the Paleo-Pacific subduction–accretion process. Most previous studies have focused on the Yuejinshan and Raohe accretionary complexes, while those of the Tongjiang accretionary complex on the north side have focused on blocks. In this study, we present zircon U–Pb dating and Hf isotopic data for the matrix of metasedimentary rock in the Tongjiang accretionary complex. The analysis results show that the zircons in the fine silty mudstone, phyllonite and fine argillaceous siltstone define the youngest weighted mean ages (youngest detrital zircon ages) of 261.4 ± 2.9 Ma (247 Ma), 175.2 ± 4.9 Ma (169 Ma) and 168.6 ± 2.1 Ma (162 Ma), respectively, and yield a younging trend of the accretion materials from west to east. Provenance analysis indicates that the matrix was mainly sourced from the neighboring Jiamusi and Xingkai blocks. Based on previous results of the Permian and Late Triassic blocks in the Yuejinshan region, the Permian and Early Jurassic blocks in the Tongjiang region, and the Late Triassic and Early–Middle Jurassic blocks in the Raohe region, as well as the lower limit of the depositional age of the Late Triassic matrix in the Yuejinshan region and the Middle Jurassic and Early Cretaceous matrices in the Raohe region, we propose that the NAC may record the Late Permian–Triassic, Jurassic and Early Cretaceous oceanic accretion events, representing the westward subduction and accretion process of the Paleo–Pacific Ocean Plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impact events modify and leave behind a complex history of rock metamorphism on terrestrial planets. Evidence for an impact event may be recorded in physical changes to minerals, such as mineral deformation and formation of high P-T polymorphs, but also in the form of chemical fingerprints, such as enhanced elemental diffusion and isotopic mixing. Here we explore laboratory shock-induced physical and chemical changes to zircon and feldspar, the former of which is of interest because its trace elements abundances and isotope ratios are used extensively in geochemistry and geochronology. To this end, a granular mixture of Bishop Tuff sanidine and Kuehl Lake zircon, both with well characterized Pb isotope compositions, was prepared and then shocked via a flat plate accelerator. The peak pressure of the experiment, as calculated by the impedance matching method, was ~24 GPa although a broader range of P-T conditions is anticipated due to starting sample porosity. Unshocked and shocked materials were characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and Raman spectroscopy. These methods show that the starting zircon material had abundant metamict regions, and the conversion of the feldspar to glass in the post-shock material. Analyses of the shocked product also yielded multiple occurrences of the high-pressure ZrSiO4 polymorph reidite, with some domains up to 300 μm across. The possibility of U-Pb system disturbance was evaluated via laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The isotopic data reveal that disturbance of the U-Pb geochronometer in the reidite was minimal (<2% for the main U-Pb geochronometers). To better constrain the P-T conditions during the shock experiment, we complement impedance matching pressure calculations with iSALE2D impact simulations. The simulated results yield a range of P-T conditions experienced during the experiment and show that much of the sample may have reached >30 GPa, which is consistent with formation of reidite. In the recovered shocked material, we identified lamellae of reidite, some of which interlock with zircon lamellae. Reidite {112} twins were identified, which we interpret to have formed to reduce stress between the crystal structure of the host zircon and reidite. These two findings support the interpretation that shear transformation enabled the transition of zircon to reidite. The size and presence of reidite found here indicate that this phase is probably common in impact-shocked crustal rocks that experienced ~25 to ~35 GPa, especially when the target material has porosity. Additionally, shock loading of the zircon and transformation to reidite at these pressures in porous materials is unlikely to significantly disturb the U-Pb system in zircon and that the reidite inherits the primary U and Pb elemental and isotopic ratios from the zircon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Beyond EPICA project aims to extract a continuous ice core of up to 1.5 Ma, with a maximum age density of 20 kyr m -1 at Little Dome C (LDC). We present a 1D numerical model which calculates the age of the ice around Dome C. The model inverts for basal conditions and accounts either for melting or for a layer of stagnant ice above the bedrock. It is constrained by internal reflecting horizons traced in radargrams and dated using the EPICA Dome C (EDC) ice core age profile. We used three different radar datasets ranging from a 10 000 km 2 airborne survey down to 5 km long ground-based radar transects over LDC. We find that stagnant ice exists in many places, including above the LDC relief where the new Beyond EPICA drill site (BELDC) is located. The modelled thickness of this layer of stagnant ice roughly corresponds to the thickness of the basal unit observed in one of the radar surveys and in the autonomous phase-sensitive radio-echo sounder (ApRES) dataset. At BELDC, the modelled stagnant ice thickness is 198±44 m and the modelled oldest age of ice is 1.45±0.16 Ma at a depth of 2494±30 m. This is very similar to all sites situated on the LDC relief, including that of the Million Year Ice Core project being conducted by the Australian Antarctic Division. The model was also applied to radar data in the area 10–15 km north of EDC (North Patch), where we find either a thin layer of stagnant ice (generally <60 m) or a negligible melt rate (<0.1 mm yr -1). The modelled maximum age at North Patch is over 2 Ma in most places, with ice at 1.5 Ma having a resolution of 9–12 kyr m -1 , making it an exciting prospect for a future Oldest Ice drill site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palaeomagnetic studies in the Malani Igneous Suite (ca. 770-750 Ma) of the Marwar Crustal Block, NW India, provide essential constraints on palaeogeographic reconstructions of the Rodinia Supercontinent. The Malani Igneous Suite is intrusive into megacrystic granite and granite-gneissic enclaves of the Marwar Crustal Block. A crustal-scale NE-SW ductile transpressional shear zone with a southeasterly dip known as the Phulad Shear Zone (820-810 Ma) separates this Marwar Crustal Block from the rocks farther east. The pre-shearing tectonic evolution of the Marwar Crustal Block is poorly understood. Three phases of ductile deformations (D1, D2, and D3, with associated fabrics S1, S2, and S3) were identified in the Marwar Crustal Block. The D1 deformation is restricted to enclave gneisses. The megacrystic granite was emplaced syn-tectonically during D2 deformation. The S2 magmatic foliation (NNW-SSE) in the megacrystic granite is oblique to the Phulad Shear Zone. The D3 deformation in the megacrystic granite is synchronous with the Phulad Shear Zone mylonites. Another porphyritic granite (Phulad granite, ca. 820 Ma) emplaced syn-tectonically during D3 deformation along and across the Phulad Shear Zone. U-Pb zircon dates in the Marwar Crustal Block document ca. 890 Ma and ca. 860 Ma magmatic dates. U-Pb-Th monazite dates in the Marwar Crustal Block show a strong peak at ca. 820 Ma. By integrating critical field relations, deformational patterns, and geochronology, we argue that the Marwar Crustal Block shows distinct geological evolution prior to its accretion with the remaining parts of India. We propose that the accretion of the Marwar Crustal Block must be younger than ca. 860 Ma and culminated during ca. 820-810 Ma to form the Greater India landmass along the Phulad Shear Zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jurassic Chon Aike Silicic Large Igneous Province (Patagonia and the Antarctic Peninsula) is dominated by voluminous, crust-derived magmas (235,000 km³) that erupted as predominately explosive silicic material over ~40 m.y. In this study, we combine petrological descriptions and bulk-rock major- and trace-element compositions with quartz oxygen-isotope measurements from multiple silicic units (primarily ignimbrites and some rhyolitic flows) from two of the five silicic formations in Patagonia. We have identified that quartz oxygen-isotope values are high (>9°-12°). Quartz phenocrysts analyzed by secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) are also homogeneous at the microscale with no measurable change in isotope value with respect to internal and often complex zoning textures. The ubiquity of widespread high d18O rhyolites and their trace-element compositions support their origin from melting of a metasedimentary source with a similarly high d18O value. Mass balance calculations require that an average of >75% melt derived from partial melting of the dominant basement lithology is needed to explain the isotopic and chemical composition of the rhyolites. The ideal P-T environment was identified by thermodynamic models for fluid-absent melting of graywackes at 900 °C and 5 kbar. Regional-scale crustal melting occurred during a widespread, high heat-flux environment within an extensional setting during the breakup of the Gondwanan supercontinent. The overlap of a unique tectonic and igneous environment, combined with a fertile crust dominated by graywacke and pelitic compositions in southern Patagonia, generated large volumes of some of the highest d18O silicic magmas documented in the geologic record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TiNb2O7 microspheres are prepared via a microwave‐assisted solvothermal method. The microwave irradiation lowers the compound formation temperature to 600°C, and highly crystalline TiNb2O7 powders are obtained upon calcination at 800°C. Morphological analysis of the sample shows uniformly distributed microspheres with a particle size of around 1 μm. The Li+‐ion diffusion coefficient calculated from the electrochemical impedance result is around 1.21 × 10−13 cm2 s−1, which is 1.5 times higher than the sample obtained from the conventional solvothermal method. The TiNb2O7 sample derived from microwave yields a high discharge capacity of 299 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C, whereas the sample synthesized via the conventional solvothermal process yields only 278 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C. Excellent rate capabilities such as 220 mA h g−1 at 5 C and 180 mA h g−1 at 10 C are also observed for the microwave‐assisted solvothermal sample. Moreover, the sample exhibits a large capacity retention of 95.5% after 100 discharge–charge cycles at 5 C. These results reveal the appropriateness of the microwave‐assisted solvothermal process to prepare TiNb2O7 powders with superior properties for battery applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Variscan orogen in southern Ireland and Britain is characterized by an intensely deformed, E-W-trending fold-and-thrust belt. Farther north in Ireland, the Carboniferous North Dublin Basin exhibits tight chevron folds and kinematically linked en echelon vein sets, along with bedding-parallel veins with slickenfibers. This deformation is assumed to be Variscan in age, despite lying 150 km north of the supposed Variscan "front." The laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb dating of these calcite veins undertaken for this study showed that relict Variscan U-Pb ages are very poorly preserved. Instead, late Eocene ages were obtained from many calcite veins, including fold hinge breccias and bedding-parallel slickenfiber veins associated with N-S shortening (flex-ural slip). Also, U-Pb ages from one bedding-parallel vein showed protracted flexural slip over --5 m.y. during late Eocene times. Detection of the growth domains within this vein was facilitated by the imaging approach to LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating adopted in this study, which can identify age-homogeneous domains by integrating spatial U-Pb isotopic information with maps of petrogenetically diagnostic major and trace elements. The late Eocene fold reactivation phase was hitherto undetected on the Irish mainland, but regional Cenozoic N-directed shortening has been documented in Mesozoic-Cenozoic sequences of the southern Irish Sea, Celtic Sea, southern England, and the Paris Basin. We attribute late Eocene fold reactivation to far-field, N-directed shortening associated with the Alpine/Pyrenean orogenies. It is likely that many Variscan or Caledonian folds, particularly in southern onshore Ireland, were reactivated during Eocene-Oligocene shortening, which has not been recognized to date because of the lack of post-Variscan markers (e.g., dikes, Mesozoic-Cenozoic cover sequences). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The superlarge Huaaobaote Ag–Pb–Zn deposit is located on the western slope of the southern Great Xing'an Range (SGXR). The deposit includes four ore blocks, namely, ore blocks I, II, III, and V. Except for the no. I orebody of ore block I, which is hosted in the contact zone between the Carboniferous serpentinized harzburgite and the Permian siltstone, the other orebodies all occur as veins controlled by faults. The mineralization process at the deposit can be divided into four stages: cassiterite–arsenopyrite–pyrite–quartz stage (stage I), cassiterite–chalcopyrite–pyrite–freibergite–arsenopyrite–pyrrhotite–quartz stage (stage II), sphalerite–galena–jamesonite–stibnite–freibergite–silver mineral–quartz–calcite–chlorite stage (stage III), and argentite–pyrargyrite–pyrite–quartz–calcite (stage IV). Cassiterite U–Pb dating of the Huaaobaote deposit yielded ages of 136.3–134.3 Ma, indicating that the deposit formed in the Early Cretaceous period. Two types of fluid inclusions (FIs), including liquid-rich and gas-rich FIs, have been distinguished in the quartz vein and sphalerite. The homogenization temperature during the four stages gradually decreases, with temperatures of 302–340 °C for stage I, 267–304 °C for stage II, 186–273 °C for stage III, and 166–199 °C for stage IV, respectively. The salinity (wt% NaCl eqv.) at stages I, II, III, and IV is 3.7–6.6, 0.2–4.5, 0.2–5.0, and 0.4–1.6, respectively, indicating that the ore-forming fluid is characterized by low salinity. The δ18Owater and δD values of the ore-forming fluid range from −11.9‰ to 7.9‰ and −168‰ to −76‰, respectively, indicating that the ore-forming fluid was dominantly derived from a mixture of magmatic and meteoric water. The calculated δ34SH2S values range from −3.6‰ to 1.2‰, indicating that the sulfur mainly came from granitic magma. The 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb ratios of sulfides are in the ranges of 18.195–18.317, 15.509–15.667, and 37.965–38.475, respectively, implying that the ore-forming material was mainly derived from felsic magma that may be formed by the partial melting of orogenic materials. Fluid mixing, cooling, and immiscibility were the three primary mechanisms for mineral precipitation in the Huaaobaote deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hardly any previous studies have focused on the granitic dykes which intrude into the Paleoproterozoic Liaohe Group in the Liaodong Peninsula, northeast of the North China Craton. In situ zircon U-Pb dating, Lu-Hf isotopic and geochemical analyses on three representative monzogranite dykes were taken in this study. These dykes have relatively high content of SiO2 (72.20%–74.78%) and K2O (2.83%–6.37%), and have characteristics of high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonite series. Two dyke samples have I-type granite features and have high Sr/Y ratios and positive Eu anomalies, showing an adakitic feature. Another dyke has a high ratio of Ga/Al, but has a low Zr saturation temperature, which differs from the typical A-type granite. Zircon grains from these three dykes have typical magmatic zoning in CL images and yield consistent U-Pb ages of ~1859–1852 Ma, which are interpreted as the crystallization ages of these dykes. Hf isotopic analyses yield mainly negative εHf(t) values and TDM2 ages of 2782–2430 Ma, similar to those of the 2.2–2.1 Ga granitoids and meta-sedimentary rocks (the Liaohe Group), indicating these monzogranitic dykes may have been sourced from melting of Paleoproterozoic granitoids and meta-sedimentary rocks. The monzogranitic dykes were generated under a post-collisional geological setting after the Jiao-Liao-Ji orogeny process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fengcheng Formation of the Mahu Sag is an unconventional reservoir that is of paramount importance for exploration and development of hydrocarbon resource. However, current research on natural fractures in the Fengcheng Formation remains limited, posing challenges for exploration of hydrocarbon resource in the region. This study is based on core observations, thin section identification, geochemical testing and the evolution of regional tectonic movements to investigate the characteristics and periods of formation of natural fractures to address this gap. According to the characteristics of natural fractures in the drilling core samples and microsections, the natural fractures in the Fengcheng Formation can be grouped into structural fractures and atectonic fractures. Structural fractures can be further divided into three subtypes: high-angle interlayer shear fractures, along-layer shear fractures, and tensile fractures. Additionally, non-tectonic fractures in this studied area are primarily bedding fractures, hydraulic fractures, and hydrocarbon-generating overpressure fractures. Vertically, fracture development is more prominent at the bottom of Feng #2 Formation and at the top of Feng #3 Formation. Results also indicate that natural fractures primarily formed during three distinct tectonic movement periods. The initial stage of fracture evolution pertains to the Late Permian period (243–266 Ma), filled with fibrous calcite, and exhibiting a uniform temperature of 70–100 °C. The second stage of fracture evolution occurred during the Late Indosinian to Early Yanshanian period (181–208 Ma), mostly filled or semi-filled with calcite, with a uniform temperature of 110–130 °C. The third stage of fracture development happened during the late Yanshanian to early Himalaya period (50–87 Ma), predominantly filled with calcite, and presenting a uniform temperature of 130–150 °C. Among the various types of structural fractures, the density of high-angle interlayer shear fractures demonstrates a positive correlation with daily gas production, indicating their vital role in promoting hydrocarbon resource production and transportation. Furthermore, microfractures generated by hydrocarbon-generating overpressure fractures exhibit small pore sizes and strong connectivity. These microfractures can create an effective permeability system by connecting previously isolated micropores in shale reservoirs, thus establishing interconnected pore spaces in the shale formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]