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Here new evidence of the isotope geochronology and the geochemistry from the Yuanmou-Miyi complexes reveal the Precambrian tectono-magmatism geodynamic process in the study area. The Yangtze Block basement with 1.81- ~1.77 Ga and negative εHf(t) values of −7.8 to −0.7 corresponded to the assembly of the Columbia-supercontinent. However, the rifting magmatic event of ~ 1.70 Ga, which caused the continental crust extension-thinning in the study area, may exert influence on the subduction-magmatism in the Grenvillian period. The Yuanmou-Miyi complexes of 1.19- ~1.00 Ga are characterized by (La/Sm)N＞1, depletion in HFSEs, negative anomalies of Nb-Ta, and enrichment of LILEs, which show a genetic link with the subduction-magmatism. The temporal tendency that the magmatism from Yuanmou to Miyi gradually became younger, may be responsible for the subducting direction. The subduction caused the reactivation of the Anninghe-Lvzhijiag fault zone, and created the rupture windows of the subduction slab, leading to upwelling of the deep magma. These granitoids were derived from the partial melting of the mantle wedge, while the small-scale gabbro dikes intruded into the granitoids were likely spillover products from the asthenosphere mantle melts through the rupture windows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Montana metasedimentary terrane in the northern Wyoming Province provides valuable insight into crustal formation and reworking processes along the cratonic margin and offers a unique opportunity to decipher the complex Neoarchean-Paleoproterozoic terrane assembly in southwestern Laurentia. We report new zircon U-Pb dates and Hf isotopes from seven metaigneous samples in the northwestern Montana metasedimentary terrane. The internal textures of zircon in this study are complex; some lack inherited cores and metamorphic overgrowths, while others exhibit core-rim relationships. Based on the cathodoluminescence (CL) features, we interpret these grains to be magmatic populations. These data demonstrate discrete igneous pulses at 2.7 Ga, 2.4 Ga, and 1.7 Ga, which indicate significant crustal formation intervals in the Montana metasedimentary terrane. Zircons at 2.7 Ga have positive εHf values (+2.4 to +0.9) that indicate a depleted mantle source. Most 2.4 Ga and 1.7 Ga samples have negative εHf values (-1.6 to -15.5), which indicate significant contributions from preexisting crust. Two 1.7 Ga samples, however, have near-chondritic εHf values (+0.4 to +0.3) that indicate larger juvenile contributions. The time-integrated Hf isotope trend suggests that the Paleoproterozoic zircons were produced from a mixture of older crust and juvenile mantle inputs. Additionally, the isotopic age fingerprint of the Montana metasedimentary terrane suggests that it differs from northern-bounding terranes. Viewed more broadly, the 2.7 Ga and 1.7 Ga age peaks that the Montana metasedimentary terrane shares with the global zircon age spectrum suggest that the drivers of these events in the Montana metasedimentary terrane were common throughout the Earth and may be associated with the assembly of supercontinents Kenorland and Nuna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in initial Hf isotopes identified in early Mesoarchean detrital zircon is commonly interpreted as a reflection of the geodynamic transition from stagnant‐lid to mobile‐lid tectonics. However, given the lack of petrogenetic context, interpreting detrital zircon may lead to spurious conclusions. In this contribution, we use zircon U‐Pb‐Hf‐O isotopic and bulk rock compositions of newly identified 3.05–2.9 Ga granitoids from the SW Yangtze Block to posit petrogenesis within an isotopically juvenile magmatic system. A statistical analysis of these data with a global igneous zircon Lu‐Hf isotopic compilation reveals an increase in average initial radiogenic Hf isotopes during the Paleoarchean to Mesoarchean transition. We posit that the Earth's continental crust underwent a global rejuvenation across the Paleo‐Mesoarchean transition. This rejuvenation can be explained by an independently observed increase in mantle temperatures resulting from mantle thermal evolution and does not require a change in tectonic style. Plain Language Summary: In this study, we explore the Earth's continental crust evolution before 3.0 billion years ago, a period characterized by limited preserved ancient rocks. We focus on zircon from igneous rocks, which provides a more reliable petrogenetic record than detrital zircon. Our study challenges the widely observed increase in detrital zircon initial Hf isotopes during the Paleo‐to Mesoarchean transition, often interpreted as a shift in tectonic regimes. We present new data from 3.05 to 2.9 billion‐year‐old granitoids in the Yangtze Block, suggesting isotopically juvenile magmatic activity. Statistical analysis of a global database of igneous zircon Hf isotopes reveals a state‐shift increase in εHf(t) across the Paleo‐to Mesoarchean transition, indicating global crustal rejuvenation at that time. Contrary to prevailing theories, we propose that this rejuvenation can be attributed to elevated mantle temperatures, challenging the notion of a significant geodynamic change during this period. Our findings emphasize the need to consider mantle thermal evolution in understanding continental crust growth on early Earth. Key Points: 3.05 and 2.9 Ga granitoids derived from juvenile crust are identified in the SW Yangtze BlockGlobal crust rejuvenation occurred across the Paleo‐to Mesoarchean transitionThis period of rejuvenation resulted from the effects of peak mantle temperatures [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the assembly of an updated dataset of detrital zircon geochronology and Lu–Hf isotopes for Turkey, Cyprus and Greek peninsula. This first version of the dataset documented 286 samples with detrital zircon U–Pb data and 70 samples with zircon Lu–Hf isotopes from 42 published articles. These samples are mainly distributed in seven geologic‐tectonic units in the Eastern Mediterranean Tethyan region. The compilation of dataset will be periodically accessed in the Deep‐Time Digital Earth repository, containing more updated raw data of (un)published scientific research. We believe that the construction of such a dataset is fundamental to studies of clastic strata and also to understanding of crustal evolution in the Eastern Mediterranean region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detrital zircon records significant information in the 'source‐sink' system. With the application of in situ laser ablation technology, a large number of high‐quality detrital zircon data have been published since 2000. In this study, a total of 41,342 detrital zircon U–Pb ages and 6,129 Hf isotopes were compiled from the published literatures of the Middle East (Iranian and Arabian plates). Through data filtering and recalculation, valid data were employed for further analysis. The detrital zircons from the Middle East show a Cambrian–Precambrian age population of 500–1,000 Ma, with a major age peak of ~620 Ma and dispersed εHf(t) values of −35 to +20. The Alborz Mountains and central Iran terrane show a Permo–Triassic age range of 200–300 Ma. The Mesozoic–Cenozoic detrital zircons are mostly occurred in the Zagros orogenic belt and Makran accretionary complex, with three obvious age ranges of 145–180 Ma, 80–110 Ma and 15–65 Ma. The Mesozoic zircons yield positive εHf(t) values, while Cenozoic zircons have varied εHf(t) values. This database allows for the further exploration of the provenance analysis and application in constraining the timing of the major tectonic events in the Middle East, and may also help to explore the affinities of plates, thus guiding future palaeogeographic research efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated petrological, geochemical, isotopic and thermobarometric study of metasedimentary rocks from the amphibolite‐ to granulite‐facies transition zone of the Eastern Dharwar Craton (EDC), South India, has provided new insight into the evolution of the lower continental crust in this region. Phase equilibrium modelling of metapelites and metagreywackes suggests that they reached peak metamorphism at ~800–850°C and 6–7 kbar (corresponding to a paleodepth of ~20 km), with minor retrograde change occurring at ~700°C and 3–5 kbar during exhumation. U–Pb ages of conventionally separated zircon from metapelite samples range from 2.5 to 3.4 Ga, whereas garnet‐hosted zircons yield younger ages of 2.5–2.7 Ga. Zircon Th/U ratios and Hf isotopes reveal several significant pulses of zircon growth at 3.0, 2.95 and 2.7 Ga. Hf isotope data suggest the evolution of juvenile magma at around 3.2 Ga, while Hf model ages show that the crust building process also involved the recycling of pre‐existing Mesoarchean crust. Our study confirms the presence of a Paleoarchean component in the EDC lower crust, as well as older metamorphic events in the terrain and the gradational distribution of the metamorphic rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Songliao Basin is rich in uranium ores, and the Yaojia Formation, which is dominated by gray fine-grained sandstones, contains the main ore-bearing stratum. Rocks in the formation contain high SiO2, Al2O3, and total alkali, with enrichment in Rb, Th, U, K, and light rare earth elements but are depleted in high field strength elements, similar to upper crustal rocks. U–Pb dating of zircon grains from sandstones in the formation yielded four groups of ages, including 99–182, 202–245, 284–365, and 1800–1900 Ma. These ages combined with the Hf isotope composition, geochemical characteristics, and regional history suggest that the Yaojia Formation rocks are associated with passive and active continental margin settings. These clastic rocks originate principally from felsic rocks in the Zhangguangcailing–Xiao Xing'anling area, and these were deposited in oxic freshwater environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stable Zr isotope ratios in zircon yield a novel geochemical tracer that, together with the Lu‐Hf and U‐Pb radiogenic isotope systems, allows for a better understanding of the magmatic evolution of silicate melts. We present a solution‐based procedure for coupled stable Zr, Lu‐Hf and U‐Pb isotope ratio determinations for individual zircons using a 91Zr‐96Zr tracer purified from Hf and a late‐spiking protocol for Zr. This method yields high‐precision Zr and Hf isotope results while maintaining low blank levels for U‐Pb isotope and Lu/Hf ratio determinations. With a two‐fold improvement on the precision relative to previous solution‐based work, we report δ94ZrIPGP‐Zr values (deviation of the 94Zr/90Zr ratio in the sample relative to the IPGP‐Zr reference material) and associated intermediate precisions (2s) for the zircon reference materials 91500, Mud Tank, Plešovice and Penglai of ‐0.041 ± 0.015‰, 0.018 ± 0.013‰, 0.089 ± 0.020‰ and ‐0.117 ± 0.021‰, respectively. Furthermore, this method yields un‐biased δ94ZrIPGP‐Zr and 176Hf/177Hf results for 25‐ng Zr and 0.56‐ng Hf aliquots of the Mud Tank zircon with intermediate precisions (2s) of 0.027‰ and 1.7 ε (parts per ten thousand), respectively. Thus, the presented method is applicable for the analysis of extremely small and rare zircon grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enabling the build-up of continental crust is a vital step in the stabilization of cratonic lithosphere. However, these initial crustal nuclei are commonly either destroyed by recycling or buried by younger rocks. In the Fennoscandian Shield, the oldest rocks are ca. 3.5 Ga, but ca. 3.7 Ga inherited and detrital zircons suggest the presence of an older, unexposed crustal substrate. We present U-Pb, O, and Hf isotope data from detrital zircons of three major Finnish rivers as well as zircon O and Hf isotope data from previously dated rocks of the Archean Suomujärvi and Pudasjärvi complexes, central Finland. Combined, these data indicate a previously unidentified ca. 3.75 Ga crustal nucleus in the Fennoscandian Shield. This adds to the growing number of Eoarchean nuclei recognized in Archean terranes around the globe, highlighting the importance of such nuclei in enabling the growth of continental crust. The isotope signatures of the Fennoscandian nucleus correlate with equivalent-aged rocks in Greenland, consistent with a common Eoarchean evolution for Fennoscandia and the North Atlantic craton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first results of the U–Th–Pb isotope dating of detrital zircons (dZr, N = 130, n = 91) from the middle Danian sandstones (63.9–65.3 Ma) of the Cretaceous–Eocene Novorossiisk–Anapa flysch widely developed in the Sochi synclinorium (southern slope of the Western Caucasus) are presented. The maximum and minimum dZr age is 2973 ± 12 Ma and 318 ± 3 Ma, respectively; weighted average age of the four youngest dZr is ~322 ± 7 Ma. There are no signs of erosion products of the Jurassic magmatites involved in the structure of the Greater Caucasus and Crimean Mountains into the sedimentary basin, where the Novorossiisk–Anapa flysch was formed. The results have revealed a high degree of similarity between the provenance signals of the Danian sandstones from the Novorossiisk–Anapa flysch, some Paleogene–Neogene and Early Quaternary (Early Pleistocene) sandstones of the Western Caucasus and Western Cis-Caucasia, red-colored Upper Permian and Lower Triassic sandstones of the Moscow syneclise, as well as Late Quaternary alluvium at lower reaches of the Don and Volga rivers draining vast expanses of the Russian Plate. These facts suggest: (1) the absence of eroded mountain structures of the Greater Caucasus and Crimea in the middle Danian; (2) the main volume of detrital material composing the Novorossiisk–Anapa flysch was formed due to the recycling of Permian–Triassic and younger sequences of the Russian Plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The basalts within the greenstone belt worldwide serve as an ideal target to decipher the nature of Archean mantle sources and further to extend the understanding of the early stages of Earth's evolution. To provide important insights into the issues, we carried out a detailed investigation of whole-rock geochemistry and Sm-Nd isotopes, and zircon U-Pb-Hf isotopes for the Late Neoarchean metamorphosed basalts in eastern Hebei, North China Craton. U-Pb isotopic dating using the LA-ICP-MS on zircons reveals that the basalts in eastern Hebei erupted at ca. 2.48–2.51 Ga and subsequently experienced multiple regional metamorphic events at 2 477 and 1 798 Ma, respectively. The metamorphosed basalts are featured by low SiO2, MgO, K2O + Na2O, and high FeO contents, endowed with the subalkaline and high-Fe tholeiitic affinities. The radiogenic initial Nd and Hf isotope values and correlations among V, Ni and Cr contents strongly imply that the basalts experienced significant clinopyroxene and olivine fractionation and minor crustal contamination during magma evolution. They are also characterized by the relatively low total REE contents and exhibit significant depletions to moderate enrichments in the LREE contents, indicating the derivation from a deep mantle source in an Archean proto-mantle plume setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voluminous Early Cretaceous granitoids and associated large-scale ore deposits are distributed within the southern Great Xing' an Range (SGXR), NE China. Based on previously published geochronology and zircon Hf-isotope data, Hf isotope mapping is undertaken to improve our understanding of crustal architecture and its controls on ore deposits. The ore-related Early Cretaceous granitoids were sourced predominantly from juvenile crust, with the involvement of variable proportions of ancient crustal materials. The crustal architecture, as inferred from Hf isotopic contour maps, indicates two distinct Hf isotopic domains in SGXR, including (1) a higher-εHf (+7 to +11) juvenile crust containing minor ancient crustal material, and (2) a lower-εHf (+2 to +6) juvenile crust containing a greater proportion of ancient crustal materials. The Hf isotopic maps identify links between crustal architecture and regional metallogeny. Copper deposits and other deposits with significant Cu production are restricted mainly to the higher-εHf juvenile crustal regions in the northern and eastern SGXR. Deposits dominated by other metals (e.g., Mo, Sn, W, Pb, Zn, and Ag) occur mainly in the lower- εHf juvenile crustal regions in the southern and western SGXR. Interaction between juvenile crust-derived melts and ancient crustal components played an important role on the distribution of various ore metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Huaduoshan Cu–Mo prospect is in the Duobaoshan orefield, northeast China. The Cu–Mo mineralization occurs in the granodiorites as veinlet-disseminated. The ore-forming process can be divided into four mineralization stages: (I) quartz–pyrite–magnetite; (II) quartz–pyrite–chalcopyrite ± molybdenite; (III) quartz–pyrite–molybdenite–chalcopyrite–sphalerite; and (IV) quartz–calcite–minor pyrite. Liquid-rich two-phase aqueous (L-type), vapour-rich aqueous (V-type) and daughter-minerals three-phase (S-type) fluid inclusions (FIs) were identified at Huaduoshan. The last two types of FIs are absent in stages III and IV. The homogenization temperatures of FIs from stages I to IV are 375–438, 335–378, 283–335, and 223–267 ℃, with corresponding salinities of 2.4–50.4, 2.1–44.9, 2.7–10.1, and 1.7–7.3 wt. % NaCl eqv., respectively. The H–O isotope data of quartz in stages I (δ18OH2O = 6.1–8.0‰, δDH2O = −102.4–−94.6‰) show a magmatic origin of ore-forming fluid; the decreasing δ18OH2O (−6.8–3.2‰) and δDH2O (−117.1–−98.5‰) values of quartz in stage II–IV show the fluid mixing with meteoric water. The S–Pb isotopic values (δ34S = −2.7–0.8; 206Pb/204Pb = 18.236–18.599; 207Pb/204 Pb = 15.504–15.557; 208Pb/204Pb = 37.816–38.629) of pyrites indicate that the ore-forming materials are of magmatic origin. Fluid boiling and mixing may be the major mechanisms of ore precipitation. Zircon U–Pb age (172.1 ± 0.5 Ma) and geochemical data indicate that the ore-related granodiorites are I-type rocks formed in the subduction setting of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean Plate in the Early–Middle Jurassic. In conclusion, we propose that the Huaduoshan Cu–Mo prospect is a porphyry deposit and has potential for further exploration of porphyry Cu–Mo prospecting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prydz Bay is an important part of the Pan-African high-grade tectonic mobile belt. The focus of this investigation, by applying zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology, zircon Lu-Hf isotope systematics, and whole-rock geochemistry, is on Pan-African pegmatites in the Larsemann Hills of Prydz Bay, East Antarctica, their association with country rocks, and the formation conditions. Based on the obtained results, it is concluded that the pegmatites exhibit elevated levels of silica and alkali and possess peraluminous features. These pegmatites originated during the late Neoproterozoic–Early Cambrian (Pan-African) event, specifically in the D2–D4 stages. The D2 stage occurred between 546 and 562 Ma, followed by D3-stage pegmatites around 534 Ma. The pegmatites from the D2–D3 stages are considered to originate from Paleoproterozoic crustal materials, while there are at least two phases of pegmatites in the D4 stage (~517 Ma and ~521 Ma). The D4-1 pegmatite (~521 Ma) suggested both Paleo–Mesoproterozoic crustal origin, perhaps connected to extension. The D4-2 pegmatite (~517 Ma) originated from the crust layers. In the Larsemann Hills, Pan-African pegmatites formed in a recurring regime of tension. Therefore, the obtained data elucidate that a Pan-African stretching process might have occurred in Prydz Bay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Early Cretaceous Weideshan granites are associated with large-scale Au and polymetallic Cu-Mo-Pb-Zn mineralization. To investigate the petrogenesis of the Weideshan granite and constrain its tectonic setting during the Early Cretaceous, we conducted a zircon U-Pb-Hf isotope and whole-rock geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic study of the granite. In situ zircon U-Pb dating of three granite samples yielded Early Cretaceous ages of 112.83 ± 0.80, 112.64 ± 0.91, and 111.82 ± 0.78 Ma. The samples had high-K calc-alkaline compositions and were enriched in the light rare earth and large-ion lithophile elements (e.g., K, Rb, Ba, Th, and U) and depleted in high-field-strength elements (e.g., Nb, Ti, and P). The samples had small negative Eu anomalies and initial 87Sr/86Sr and εNd(t) values of 0.70853–0.71029 and –18 to –14, respectively. The zircon εHf(t) values varied between −16 and −12, with corresponding two-stage model ages (tDM2) of 2180–2000 Ma. These characteristics indicated that the Weideshan pluton was formed in a back-arc extensional environment caused by subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate toward the Asian continent during the early Cretaceous. The magma was generated by crust–mantle interaction during lithospheric thinning. The diagenetic age of the Weideshan granites was the same as the formation age of gold and polymetallic ores in the Jiaodong area. The extensive fluid circulation induced by the magma emplacement may be the main source of ore-forming materials for the gold and polymetallic Cu-Mo-Pb-Zn deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The age of magmatic rocks of basic composition sampled at the Alpha–Mendeleev Rise in the Arctic Ocean by a research submarine was studied based on the measurement of the U/Pb age of zircons separated from them. Early Cretaceous rocks of the moderately alkaline series, which had been formed at the turn of 112 million years, are most common on the Rise. These rocks contain a large number of ancient xenogenic zircons the age analysis of which shows that the subalkaline melts interacted with the crust at two levels including the horizon of Early Cretaceous sandstones and with rocks of the Late Archean crystalline basement aged 2675.1 ± 11.6 Ma. They also contain a small number of younger zircons aged 83 to 87 Ma, which probably arose during the recrystallization of Early Cretaceous zircons under the influence of Late Cretaceous magmatism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Permo-Carboniferous rhyolitic rocks are widespread in the NE German Basin and NW Polish Basin. Hafnium (Hf) and oxygen (O) isotopes analysed in zircon from these rocks suggest diverse sources and processes involved in the formation of rhyolitic magmas. In this study, detailed core-to-rim trace element compositions were analyzed in zircon from four localities that were previously analyzed for Hf and O isotopes. The trace element analyses, in particular Hf concentrations as well as Eu/Eu*, Ce/U, Yb/Gd, and Th/U ratios, are consistent with prolonged magma evolution in three localities from the NE German Basin (Fehmarn, Slazwedel and Penkun). The fourth locality within the NW Polish Basin (Wysoka Kamieńska) is consistent with a shorter period of magma evolution. Similar stages were distinguished in zircon from the three NE German Basin localities that include: early crystallization followed by rejuvenation with more primitive magma (stage A), subsequent fractional crystallization (stage B) and finally late crystallization in a saturated system or alternatively late rejuvenation with a more primitive magma (stage C). Interestingly magmatic rims on inherited zircon grains have compositions typical for late stage B and stage C, which is consistent with their late addition to evolving rhyolitic magma, most probably during assimilation and not during source melting. The zircon from the fourth, NW Polish Basin locality shows limited compositional variability consistent with the eruption of hot magma not long after the zircon started crystallizing. Thus trace element analyses in zircon provide a record of magmatic processes complementary to that of Hf and O isotope analysis, in that, a detailed analyses of core-to-rim compositional variations are particularly useful in distinguishing respective stages of magma evolution and can pinpoint the relative timing of inherited grains being incorporated into magma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Banded iron formations (BIFs) are widespread over the world (3.81 Ga to 1.80 Ga) as the Algoma and Superior types. The paper provides new isotope (Nd-Sr, U-Pb) data on associated noble-metal mineralization in Algoma-type BIFs of the Fennoscandian Shield. U-Pb dating of accessory zircon applied to estimate the formation time of noble-metal-bearing skarn and related rocks in the Olenegorsk and Kirovogorsk BIFs, NW Fennoscandian Shield show that they occurred in the interval between the formation of basalt protolith (2.81 Ga amphibolites) and metamorphism in BIFs (2.75 Ga) to the formation of gold-bearing iron-rich skarn with native Au, Ag, Bi and tellurides (2.65 Ga) and low-temperature quartz-zeolite veins with redeposited Au (2.55 Ga). REE distribution in zircons and corresponding rocks indicated an important role of redox reactions in Fe and REE redistribution affected by reducing fluids on haematite-quartz protolith of BIFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Puchezh–Katunki crater is located in the central part of the East European Platform in the area of the Gorky Reservoir, has a diameter of ~80 km, and is morphologically expressed by the central uplift of the basement (Vorotilov knoll) and the ring depression surrounding it, on the periphery of which there is a ring terrace. The crater is filled with various coptogenic (explosive (?)) formations: breccias of various types and bodies of suevites and tagamites. The results of studying the U‒Th‒Pb isotope system of detrital zircon grains from variegated explosive Puchezh breccias in the northwestern part of the ring terrace (three samples) are presented. The weighted average of the three youngest U‒Pb dates of detrital zircons from all studied samples is 258 ± 7 Ma, which corresponds to the Late Permian. We take this date as the lower age limit of the Puchezh breccias. The age sets of detrital zircon grains from the studied samples and from (1) crystalline rocks of the Vorotilov knoll and suevites of the ring depression and (2) Upper Permian–Lower Triassic sandstones of the Zhukov Ravine reference section (Moscow Syneclise) were compared. The absence of zircon grains, whose U‒Th‒Pb isotope system is similar to the parameters of those from the rocks of the Vorotilov knoll and suevites among the detrital zircons from the Puchezh breccia indicates the local nature of the Puchezh–Katunki explosion, the impact-thermal impact of which did not affect the detrital zircons in rocks of the marginal part of the ring terrace of the crater. A high degree of similarity of the age sets of detrital zircon grains from the lens of redeposited sandstones of the Puchezh breccias and Upper Permian rocks of the Zhukov Ravine section indicates that the Puchezh breccias were formed mainly due to the reworking of the Upper Permian–Lower Triassic sequences underlying the explosive formations. We consider the Uralian paleo-orogenic belt as the main provenance area for the deposits of the central regions of the East European Platform in the stratigraphic interval close to the Permian–Triassic boundary. The deposits were formed as a result of a high degree of mixing and averaging of clastic material of sedimentary flows containing the Uralian and Asha provenance signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clarifying the mechanism of recycling of pre-existing continental crustal materials into the source of mantle-derived magma is a challenging efort that can be of great value to improving our understanding of mantle processes and continental crust growth. This study presents an integrated investigation of whole-rock and mineral geochemical and Nd-Hf-O-Pb isotopic data for dolerites and diorites intruded in the central Lhasa Terrane of Tibetan Plateau at ca. 120 Ma (zircon U-Pb ages). These intrusions have similar distributions of trace elements that are characterized by depletion in Nb-Ta relative to Th, Ba, and U, and moderately negative whole-rock εNd(t) (–5.0 to –1.7) values. Magmatic zircon shows dramatically variable εHf(t) values (from –5.0 to +13.7 in the same rock, including up to 12 epsilon unit variability in single grains). On the other hand, the zircon δ18O values are relatively uniform (+6.0‰ to +7.7‰). The constant 208Pb/206Pb values of clinopyroxene crystallized at ca. 500–900 MPa suggest no contamination with lower continental crust. The lack of covariation between Hf and O isotopes from the same grains, and the lack of relationship between Hf isotopes and trace elements (e.g., Hf, Th/U, and Yb/Gd) in the magmatic zircons, together with the absence of ancient zircon xenocrysts, imply limited upper crustal contamination. In combination with high-whole-rock Th/La (>0.29) ratios, we interpret the zircon Hf isotope heterogeneity as inherited from a depleted asthenospheric mantle with the addition of 1–4% Hf from isotopically heterogeneous sediments. Our study therefore emphasizes the need for caution when using complex Hf isotopic zonation in zircon as an argument for intracrustal hybridization of two end-member magmas derived from distinct reservoirs. In addition, the high-Zr/Y ratios and no negative Zr-Hf anomalies of the Aruo intrusions imply a high surface temperature of the down going slab that was able to fully dissolve zircons in the subducted sediments. This requires a special geodynamic condition that was most likely related to the steepening of flatly subducted Neo-Tethyan lithosphere at ca. 120 Ma according to a synthesis of regional tectonic-magmatic-sedimentary records. [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]

Characteristic granites of the East Tethyan Tectonic Domain (ETTD) are primarily exposed along the Himalayan orogenic belt and Gangdese batholith in the north, extend from western Yunnan in the centre, and through the Burma batholith to Peninsular Malaysia in the south. Western Yunnan is an important part of the ETTD magmatic arc, featuring characteristic granites that mainly developed between the Jurassic and Paleogene. Nonetheless, compared to other regions of the ETTD, Miocene magmatism has been poorly documented in western Yunnan. The Xiaomasa granite occurs in the Ximeng area of western Yunnan. In this study, we present U–Pb ages, and Hf–O isotope data for zircon crystals from the Xiaomasa granite pluton. Laser Ablation–Multicollector–Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (LA–MC–ICP–MS) zircon U–Pb dating yields precise emplacement ages of 15.8–16.1 Ma for the Xiaomasa granite, indicating that Miocene granitic magmatism occurred in western Yunnan. Zircons from the Xiaomasa granite have negative εHf(t) values ranging from −6.6 to −11.6, relatively high δ18O values (6.8%–10.2‰), and two‐stage Hf isotopic model ages (1.51–1.83 Ga). Zircon Hf–O isotopic characteristics indicate that the Xiaomasa granite was mainly derived from partial melting of ancient continental crust. The Ximeng Precambrian metamorphic basement is a probable material source for the granite. The Xiaomasa granite was probably produced by partial melting of the thickened Ximeng ancient metamorphic basement under a reduced pressure environment, reflecting a cumulative effect of the escape of Sundaland caused by the dynamics of the continuous India–Asia collision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yukon-Tanana terrane in Yukon, Canada, records Late Devonian (ca. 366-360 Ma) rifting and the onset of latest Devonian-Carboniferous arc and back-arc magmatism (ca. 360-325 Ma) in the Northern Cordillera. Detrital zircon U-Pb and Hf isotope analyses indicate that the metasedimentary basement of the Yukon-Tanana terrane was sourced in northwestern Laurentia. Sandstones in Late Devonian-Carboniferous successions generally have robust Late Devonian-Mississippian age peaks, and their Hf isotope signatures are characterized by strongly negative eHft values in Late Devonian zircons followed by progressively more juvenile eHft values in Carboniferous zircons. This Hf isotopic "pull-up" reflects the melting of Precambrian crust related to regional extension in the Late Devonian, followed by progressively more juvenile magmatism as the arc matured through the Carboniferous. Paleozoic rocks of the Tracy Arm terrane in southeastern Alaska, USA (formerly Yukon-Tanana south), have been compared with the Yukon-Tanana terrane in Yukon. Detrital zircons from the metasedimentary basement to the Tracy Arm terrane have distinct Precambrian populations that indicate sources along a different segment of the Laurentian margin compared to basement of the Yukon-Tanana terrane. Magmatism in the Tracy Arm terrane ranges from 440 Ma to 360 Ma and is characterized by an Hf isotopic "pull-down" in the Silurian to Early Devonian, followed by a "pull-up" in the Middle to Late Devonian and a second "pull-down" in the Late Devonian to early Mississippian. Thus, the Yukon-Tanana and Tracy Arm terranes record distinct pre-Carboniferous histories. Interactions between these two terranes are suggested by the influx of exotic early Mississippian clasts and detrital zircons on the Tracy Arm terrane that match sources in the Yukon-Tanana terrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We undertook Zr isotope measurements on zircon, titanite, biotite, amphibole, and whole rocks from the La Posta pluton (Peninsular Ranges, southern California) together with trace element analyses and U-Pb age measurements to understand the controls on Zr isotope fractionation in igneous rocks, including temperature, crystallization sequence, and kinetic effects. We find large (>0.6‰) Zr isotope fractionations (expressed as δ94/90Zr) between titanite and zircon forming at approximately the same temperature. Using equilibrium fractionation factors calculated from ionic and ab initio models, we infer the controls on Zr isotope evolution to include the relative order in which phases appear on the liquidus, with titanite fractionation resulting in isotopically lighter melt and zircon fractionation resulting in isotopically heavier melt. While these models of Zr fractionation can explain δ94/90Zr variations in zircon of up to ∼1.5‰, crystallization order, temperature and presence of co-crystallizing phases do not explain all aspects of the intracrystalline Zr isotopic distribution in zircons in the La Posta pluton or the large range of Zr isotopic values among zircons (>2‰). Without additional constraints, such as knowledge of co-crystallizing phases and a better understand of the true causes of Zr isotope fractionation, Zr isotopes in zircon remains an ambiguous proxy of magmatic evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Almogholagh Intrusive Complex (AIC) in the central part of the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone (C-SaSZ) includes gabbros to granites. Zircon U-Pb dating of mafic, intermediate, and felsic intrusions yield age of 146 to 141 Ma (Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous). Bulk chemistry shows a wide range for SiO2 (46.8 to 73.3 wt.%), MgO (0.08 to 8.95 wt.%), and Fe2O3(T) (0.47 to 9.25 wt.%) and also alkali elements ranging from 3.59 to 10.12 wt.%. These rocks are characterized by a high content of large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs; e.g. Rb, U, Th, and K) and LREEs with weak Nb and Ta negative anomalies, showing many similarities to an extensional setting. The 176Hf/177Hf ratios vary from 0.282802 to 0.282985 with positive εHf(t) values from + 1.67 to +10.74 (avg: 7.85). Trace-element and isotope ratios modelling indicate that the AIC mafic-intermediate rocks were generated by partial melting of spinel lherzolite and then underwent considerable crustal contamination. The present work in combination with previous data confirm an extensional tectonic regime for the northern part of the C-SaSZ during the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous. Magmatic differentiation with crustal contamination played a fundamental role in the wide compositional range from mafic to felsic types that formed the AIC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the discovery of one of the largest ancient (>3.0 Ga) crustal terranes on Earth. Granitoids with crystallization ages >3.0 Ga and/or Sm-Nd depleted mantle model ages ≥3.2 Ga define a -1000 x 100 km belt on the western margin of the Rae craton, Canada, referred to herein as the Perry River terrane (PRT). Zircon U-Pb-Hf-O isotope and whole-rock geochemical data from granitoids show that the PRT is a predominantly juvenile 3.3--3.2 Ga terrane that was partially reworked by more evolved ca. 3.1 Ga magmatism. These findings call for a reassessment of the timing and extent of ancient continental growth on Earth. A global compilation of zircon Hf isotope data from 3.6 to 3.0 Ga igneous rocks reveals clusters of relatively juvenile (initial εHf -2 to +3) rocks at ca. 3.31 and ca. 3.23 Ga, which include samples from the PRT and 13 other terranes worldwide. Other global zircon data sets also document age peaks between 3.3 and 3.2 Ga, and a cluster of broadly chondritic initial εHf values around 3.2 Ga. The 3.3--3.2 Ga period may therefore have been a time of enhanced net continental growth on Earth, and the PRT is one of the largest terranes preserved from that time. Furthermore, zircon Hf isotope data from 3.3--3.1 Ga PRT granitoids and 3.5--3.0 Ga igneous rocks worldwide yield little evidence for parent magmas that interacted with or derived from pre--3.6 Ga continental material. Contrary to some continental-growth models, this latter observation suggests that the volume of continental crust established by 3.6 Ga was relatively small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Xinghongpu Formation is very important for understanding the Devonian tectonic evolution of the South Qinling orogenic belt. Geochemical, detrital zircon U-Pb-Hf isotopic studies were carried out on the Late Devonian metasedimentary rocks of the Xinghongpu Formation to constrain the depositional age, the provenance, and the tectonic setting. The detrital zircon U-Pb dating results revealed that the depositional age of the Xinghongpu Formation of the Late Devonian was not earlier than 363.2 Ma. The whole-rock geochemistry suggested that (1) this suite of metasedimentary rocks was mainly derived from quartzose sediments of mature continental provenance, with a small contribution from mafic and intermediate igneous provenance, and (2) the metasedimentary sandstone of the Xinghongpu Formation from the Late Devonian was deposited in an active continental margin to continental arc setting. The detailed detrital zircon U-Pb dating showed that the age spectra of detrital zircon could be divided into four groups: (1) 416–480 Ma, accounting for about 23%; (2) 740–850 Ma, accounting for about 19%; (3) 889–1017 Ma, accounting for about 19%; and (4) 1072–1146 Ma, accounting for about 12%. It also contained a group of Early Proterozoic zircons. The age and Hf isotope of the detrital zircons suggested that the clastic sediment deposited in the Xinghongpu Formation mainly came from the South Qinling Orogenic Belt and the North Qinling Orogenic Belt. The detrital zircon Lu-Hf isotopes indicated that most zircons were the products of the ancient crustal remelting, and the mantle-derived magmatic sources contributed to the provenance. The Xinghongpu Fm. formed in an oceanic basin in a continental margin environment with arc systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cretaceous‐Miocene sedimentary rocks in the Nepalese Lesser Himalaya provide an opportunity to decipher the timing of India‐Asia collision and unroofing history of the Himalayan orogen, which are significant for understanding the growth processes of the Himalayan‐Tibetan orogen. Our new data indicate that detrital zircon ages and whole‐rock Sr‐Nd isotopes in Cretaceous‐Miocene Lesser Himalayan sedimentary rocks underwent two significant changes. First, from the Upper Cretaceous‐Palaeocene Amile Formation to the Eocene Bhainskati Formation, the proportion of late Proterozoic‐early Palaeozoic zircons (quantified by an index of 500–1200 Ma/1600–2800 Ma) increased from nearly 0 to 0.7–1.4, and the percentage of Mesozoic zircons decreased from ca. 14% to 5–12%. The whole‐rock 87Sr/86Sr and εNd(t = 0) values changed markedly from 0.732139 and −17.2 for the Amile Formation to 0.718106 and −11.4 for the Bhainskati Formation. Second, from the Bhainskati Formation to the lower‐middle Miocene Dumri Formation, the index of 500–1200 Ma/1600–2800 Ma increased to 2.2–3.7 and the percentage of Mesozoic zircons abruptly decreased to nearly 0. The whole‐rock 87Sr/86Sr and εNd(t = 0) values changed significantly to 0.750124 and −15.8 for the Dumri Formation. The εHf(t) values of Early Cretaceous zircons in the Taltung Formation and Amile Formation plot in the U‐Pb‐εHf(t) field of Indian derivation, whereas εHf(t) values of Triassic‐Palaeocene zircons in the Bhainskati Formation demonstrate the arrival of Asian‐derived detritus in the Himalayan foreland basin in the Eocene based on available datasets. Our data indicate that (1) the timing of terminal India‐Asia collision was no later than the early‐middle Eocene in the central Himalaya, and (2) the Greater Himalaya served as a source for the Himalayan foreland basin by the early Miocene. When coupled with previous Palaeocene‐early Eocene provenance records of the Tethyan Himalaya, our new data challenge dual‐stage India‐Asia collision models, such as the Greater India Basin hypothesis and its variants and the arc–continent collision model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Archaean crustal evolution of the northern São Francisco Craton (SFC) reveals significant similarity with Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe and Pilbara, cratons, especially before 3.0 Ga. Likewise, compiled geochronological and Nd-Sr-Hf isotope data suggest that the Archaean blocks of the northern part of SFC (e.g. Gavião, Uauá and Serrinha) shared similar crustal evolution since 3.15 Ga. The 3.42–3.35 Ga TTGs of the southern and western Gavião Block have negative and slightly positive ɛNd(t) and ɛHf(t) values and TDM(Hf) ages between 3.50 and 3.90 Ga, indicating that they were produced by partial melting of Eoarchaean to Palaeoarchaean crust, with minor mantle sources. The ca. 3.30 Ga high-silica plutonic-volcanic system, which is related to intraplate magmatism and intracrustal differentiation processes, would represent processes of continental rifting and break-up. In the northern Gavião Block, the 3.64 Ga migmatite-gneiss paleosomes with negative ɛHf(t), 176Hf/177Hf ratio between 0.2802 and 0.2805 and TDM(Hf) ages between 3.75 and 4.15 Ga of the Mairi Complex represent the oldest dated rocks of the whole São Francisco Craton, suggesting late Hadean and Eoarchaean sources. The 3.15 and 3.00 Ga rocks of the Serrinha Block have positive ɛNd(t) values, suggesting a predominant juvenile source. Likewise, coeval 3.15 and 3.00 Ga Uauá Block rock assemblage has slightly positive to negative ɛNd(t) values, which indicate mixing of crustal and juvenile sources. The 2.90 to 2.77 Ga period in the SFC is characterized by pervasive crustal anatexis with high-K granite generation, similar to Kaapvaal and Pilbara cratons. Therefore, Archaean migmatite-gneiss terrains recorded four crustal differentiation intervals (e.g. 3.66–3.51, 3.45–3.30, 3.15–3.00 and 2.90–2.77 Ga) in the São Francisco Craton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiogenic Hf isotope disequilibrium during crustal anatexis complicates petrogenetic studies that link sources to sinks in granitoid systems and hinders the applications of Hf isotopes to evaluating long-term crustal growth and evolution. Garnet can be a dominant host of radiogenic Hf in crustal rocks, and its behavior in granitoid sources may play a crucial role in isotopic decoupling between residue and melt. We document covariation between (Gd/Lu)N ratios and εHf(t) in post-collisional granitoids from the Dabie orogen (central China). This covariation reflects different garnet modal contents in the residue during anatexis. Quantitative modeling further confirms the dominant role of mixing between melts derived from garnet-rich and garnet-poor residua in producing the observed covariation patterns, but results are inconsistent with the entrainment of garnet rich in radiogenic Hf in the melt. Our results demonstrate that the garnet effect on Hf isotope ratios during crustal anatexis is a crucial factor in elucidating the granitoid source and complicates interpretations of crustal growth from the global zircon archive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Late Mesozoic felsic volcanic rocks are mostly distributed in the Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong provinces, southeastern China, with an outcrop area of >100,000 km2. Although many studies have been published, however, the petrogenesis and tectonic background of these felsic volcanic rocks have remained controversial. Here, we present nineteen new SHRIMP U-Pb zircon ages and Lu-Hf isotopes of the felsic volcanic rocks from southeastern Zhejiang Province. The studied samples have zircon U-Pb ages range from 134 to 89 Ma and become younger towards the coastal zone. A group of zircons with U-Pb ages of 120–110 Ma have been documented, which argue against the proposed magmatic quiescence of 120–110 Ma in the study area. Together with all the published data, our zircon U-Pb mapping has shown that the lower volcanic series (140–120 Ma) are all distributed in the inland of Zhejiang Province, whereas the upper volcanic series (120–90 Ma) are mostly exposed in the coastal zone. Furthermore, nine felsic volcanic samples from Yandangshan area show negative correlation between the zircon ɛHf(t) values and the volcanic ages, which suggests the increased juvenile components in the source region with time. Our zircon Lu-Hf isotope mapping does not show a clearly trend towards the coastal zone. The variation of zircon Lu-Hf isotopes among felsic volcanic rocks were most likely attribute to the different degrees of juvenile contribution. Based on our new results, a episodic roll-back of the Palaeo-Pacific plate model can well explain the petrogenesis of the felsic volcanic rocks. There is no evidence supporting the scenario that a large volume of felsic magma erupted at a short interval of 3–10 Ma. Therefore, at least in Zhejiang Province, the Cretaceous felsic volcanic rocks cannot be considered as a part of a Silicic Large Igneous Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dongnan Cu–Mo deposit, located in the southeast of the Zijinshan ore field (the largest porphyry–epithermal system in Southeast China), represents the complex magmatic and metallogenesis events in the region. The petrogenesis and metallogenesis of granitoids from the deposit are not determined, especially the interactions between ore-bearing (granodiorite porphyry) and barren samples (granodiorite and diorite). In the paper, the whole rock geochemical features shared a similar affinity to the middle-lower content and revealed that they derived from partial melting of the Cathaysian basement with the contribution of mantle materials, even represented that they generated in the plate subduction; LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb ages show that these granodiorites, granodioritic porphyry and diorite, were generated during 114–103 Ma. The ore-bearing samples mostly presented εHf(t) of negative values (peak value is −4 to −3) with old two-stage Hf model ages (tDM2) (peak value is 1.10–1.15 Ga), while the barren sample showed slightly negative εHf(t) (peak value is −1 to 0) values with young tDM2 (peak value is 1.00–1.05 Ga). The value of zircon Ce4+/Ce3+ ratio mostly higher than 450 was first verified for the ore-bearing samples in the Dongnan Cu–Mo deposit, and the values of ore-bearing were found to be higher than those from the barren, which suggests that the ore-bearing formed in more oxidized parental magma with higher oxygen fugacity. Based on the geochemical characteristic of the element and isotope, we concluded that the Early Cretaceous multi-phases magmatic activities, low melting temperature and low pressure of pluton, and high oxygen fugacity of zircon, were the favorable conditions for metallogenesis of Dongnan Cu–Mo deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Eastern Pontides orogenic belt (EPOB) represents a significant segment of the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt that evolved from the Paleozoic to Cenozoic periods. Here we report new zircon U-Pb ages, together with Lu-Hf isotopes, and whole-rock geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic analyses of plutonic rocks from EPOB, northeastern Turkey. Our aim is to interpret magmatic evolution in which the granitoids formed. Zircon U-Pb dating of six samples yielded crystallization ages of ∼134, ∼82, ∼39 Ma, respectively. They show a wide range of 87Sr/86Sr(i) (0.703 9–0.710 9), and εNd(t) values varying from −9 to +4.6, yielding model ages (TDM) from 520 to 1 623 Ma, suggesting a heterogeneous magma source. Dated zircons show exlusively positive εHf(t) values (+12.4 to +1.4), yielding model ages (TDM) from 352 to 1 059 Ma, implying that they are most likely derived from a juvenile lower crust rather than the mature continental crust. In this study, we suggested that the northward subduction of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic slab began from the Early Cretaceous and resulted in the Late Cretaceous magmatism. Moreover, the Middle Eocene magmatism in the EPOB was related to the collision of the Anatolide Taurid Platform (ATP) with the Pontides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

S-type granites constitute an important component of the Paleoproterozoic Khondalite Belt in the North China Craton. Here we present results from petrography, geochemistry and isotope geochronology on the porphyritic garnet-bearing syenogranite and garnet-bearing monzogranite samples in the Jining-Liangcheng area. The geochemical characteristics of these samples indicate formation through partial anatexis of the khondalites, with heat and material input from mantle-derived magma. Geochemical similarities between the porphyritic garnet-bearing syenogranite, garnet-bearing monzogranite, and metapelitic gneiss suggest their broad affinity. Sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe zircon U–Pb dating revealed that the S-type granites formed at ca. 1.92–1.90 Ga and were subsequently metamorphosed at ca. 1.85 Ga. The ca. 1.92–1.91 Ga porphyritic garnet-bearing syenogranite shows zircon εHf(t) values of −1.94–+3.38 with two-stage Hf crustal model ages (TDM2) ages of ca. 2.42–2.59 Ga. The 1.91–1.90-Ga garnet-bearing monzogranites show zircon εHf(t) values ranging from −4.36 to +0.38, with TDM2 ranging from ca. 2.57 to ca. 2.82 Ga. The geochemical isotopic compositions suggest that the porphyritic garnet-bearing syenogranite and garnet-bearing monzogranite originated from the partial melting of pre-existing crust of heterogeneous compositions with the addition of mantle-derived material. On the basis of our results, combined with geological data on the Paleoproterozoic structural evolution of the Khondalite Belt, we assume that the timing of the metamorphism and anatexis in the Jining–Liangcheng area is correlated with a regional metamorphism and mantle-derived magmatism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents data on the U–Pb chronology of detrital zircon grains and radiogenic isotopic composition (87Sr/86Sr, ɛNd) from the Proterozoic clastic successions of the Garhwal‐Kumaon Lesser Himalaya representing the extended northern Indian cratonic margin, NW India. The Proterozoic Lesser Himalayan Basin in Garhwal‐Kumaon Himalaya is divided into two sectors, namely, Inner Lesser Himalaya (ILH) and Outer Lesser Himalaya (OLH) by a tectonic boundary, namely the Tons Thrust (TT). Age distribution from inner and outer sectors of the Lesser Himalaya shows that the U–Pb chronology of most of these zircons provides Palaeoproterozoic (between 1.6 and 1.8 Ga) to Neoproterozoic (800 Ma) ages. The age data suggest sedimentation of the Rautgara Formation (Damtha Group) of ILH continued till the Neoproterozoic (~850 Ma), which was earlier regarded as ≤1.6 Ga. Tracking the detrital U–Pb zircon ages in the near adjacent cratonic parts point towards Aravalli Orogen as the major source region. Whole‐rock ƐNd(0) values for ILH rocks range from −37.6 to −14.6 and for OLH it ranges from −19.6 to −6.7. More negative ƐNd values along with dominance of Neoarchean‐Palaeoproterozoic ages in ILH indicates supply from more evolved protolith or recycled sources and less negative ƐNd values with major Neoproterozic zircon ages from OLH supports for less evolved source rock. The change from more negative ƐNd to less negative ƐNd values progressively upward the stratigraphy can be due to a shift in source with time. Both U–Pb zircon and ƐNd supports for a continuous sedimentation model, rule out the presence of ~500 Ma unconformity within the LH and argues for separate evolution of the Lesser Himalayan Basin on the trailing edge of the extended north Indian craton in "Columbia" configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf and O isotope data for granitic rocks in the Zijinshan ore field, southwestern Fujian Province, China. The intrusive rocks comprise monzogranite, granite and granodiorite. The magmatic zircon U–Pb ages from these granitic rocks can be divided into four episodes: episodes 1 (157.9–159.9 Ma) and 2 (141 Ma) in the Late Jurassic and episodes 3 (108.1–103.2 Ma) and 4 (97.5–99.7 Ma) in the Middle and Late Cretaceous, respectively. Patterns of rare-earth elements (REE) show enrichment in light REE and obvious negative Eu anomalies. These rocks are also enriched in Rb, Th, U, La, Ce, Nd and Hf, and depleted in Ba, Nb, Sr, P and Ti. The increasing La/Yb ratio and decreasing heavy REE content with decreasing age may imply an increasing contribution of mantle-derived materials from the Late Jurassic to Cretaceous. The zircon ϵ Hf(t) and δ18O values, ranging from −37.7 to −2.8 and 12.0 ‰ to 6.3 ‰, respectively, indicate that the lower crust is an important source of granitic rocks. There was a significant increase in ϵ Hf(t) values and a decrease in δ18O values in the younger magmatic episodes (3 and 4), which ranged from −11.4 to −0.6 and 10.7 to 6.3 ‰, respectively. This suggests an increasing contribution of mantle-derived magma to the crustal melts from the Late Jurassic to late Early Cretaceous in response to the changing regional tectonic setting from compression to extension and an increasing interaction between the crust and mantle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Belts of Cordilleran arc plutons in the eastern part of the Mojave crustal province, inboard from the southwestern North American plate boundary, record major magmatic pulses at ca. 180–160 and 75 Ma and smaller pulses at ca. 100 and 20 Ma. This cyclic magmatism likely reflects evolving plate- margin processes. Zircon Lu-Hf isotopic characteristics and inherited zircons for different- age plutons may relate magma sources to evolving tectonics. Sources similar in age to the bulk of the exposed Mojave crust (1.6–1.8 Ga) dominated the magmas. Rare zircons having εHf(t) values as low as −52 indicate that Cretaceous melt sources also included more ancient crustal components, such as Archean- derived detritus in supracrustal gneisses of the Vishnu basin. Some rocks signal contributions from mantle lithosphere (in the Miocene) or asthenosphere (middle Cretaceous). Temporal shifts in isotopic pattern in this sample of the Cordillera relate to cyclic pulses of magmatic flux. Hf- isotopic pull- downs suggestive of dominantly crustal sources characterize the Jurassic and Late Cretaceous flare- ups. The Late Cretaceous flare- up, occurring near the onset of flat- slab subduction, produced abundant Proterozoic xenocrystic zircon and Hf isotopes implicating derivation largely from heterogeneous deep Mojave crust. Isotopic pull- ups characterize the lower- flux middle Cretaceous and Miocene magmatic episodes. The middle Cretaceous pulse ca. 105–95 Ma produced Mojave crust signals but also the isotopically most juvenile magmatic zircons, ranging upward to barely positive εHf values and suspected to signal an asthenosphere contribution. This may point toward transtension or slab retreat causing 105–95 Ma backarc extension in the Mojave hinterland of the Cordillera. That possibility of backarc extension raises questions about the tectonic environment of the contemporaneous main Sierra Nevada high- flux arc closer to the continental margin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present integrated in situ zircon U–Pb and Hf isotope data, along with whole‐rock and mineral chemistry data for the Salari granite of western Arunachal Himalaya to constrain its emplacement age, origin, and geodynamic evolution. The investigated Salari granites are high Fe2O3, CaO, and Nb, and low SiO2 and Rb/Sr ratio with fractionated rare earth element patterns ((Ce/Yb)N = 9.90–20.24) and minor negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.69–0.94). They are metaluminous (molar A/CNK = 0.93–1.07) and have relatively similar FeOt/MgO ratio in biotite (1.58–1.60) to Mg‐biotite, indicating their affinity with I‐type granites. The enrichment of large‐ion lithophile elements with highly depleted negative Nb anomalies is consistent with their origin in a subduction‐related environment. Our zircon U–Pb ages suggest that the magmatic emplacement of the Salari granite took place between 1,791 and 1,768 Ma. The zircon grains have mostly negative εHf(t) values up to −5.5 and yield crustal Hf model ages from 2.4 to 2.8 Ga, suggesting the occurrence of a major crustal growth event in the Neoarchean and re‐melting of the crust during the Palaeoproterozoic. Our new results, that is, zircon U–Pb age and Hf isotope data, in conjunction with the field observations and petro‐mineralogical and geochemical characteristics, suggest that the Salari granite of eastern Himalaya was produced by partial melting of older metabasaltic/metatonalitic rocks in a continental arc setting of the supercontinent Columbia during the Palaeoproterozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Permo-Carboniferous Oslo Rift is a narrow, aborted continental rift with comparatively little extension but voluminous magmatism, developed at a Proterozoic lithospheric discontinuity. On the southern flank of the onshore part of the rift, the multiple intrusive phase Larvik plutonic complex (LPC) encompasses almost the width of the rift with a conspicuous over- to undersaturated assemblage of monzonite (larvikite, tønsbergite) and nepheline syenite (lardalite, foyaite). We present new single-crystal U–Pb–, Lu–Hf–, and O–in–zircon isotope data for the intrusive centers of the complex. U–Pb ages of slightly over- to undersaturated monzonites show a shift in igneous activity from 299 Ma on the eastern edge of the complex to 289 Ma in the west. The western part of the complex is built of two consanguineous magmatic systems with a northward shift in the locus of magmatism, from 296 to 289 Ma (undersaturated monzonite) and 296 to ~288 Ma (nepheline syenite). Moreover, an early oversaturated monzonite was emplaced in the eastern part of the complex at ~302 Ma. The Hf and O isotope composition of the monzonites and nepheline syenites shows little variation with zircon εHf (295 Ma) values of +5.5 to +8 and δ18Ο values of +4.79‰ to +5.49‰. No change in isotope values is observed with varying alkalinity and the Hf and O isotope compositions are interpreted as mantle source values. The source of the precursors of the monzonitic and nepheline syenitic magmas was probably a mildly depleted, sublithospheric peridotite in the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary zone (at 3–4 GPa). Rhyolite–MELTS modeling implies polybaric fractionation of weakly alkaline basaltic melts from the source having led to an oversaturated/saturated liquid line of descent at ~0.5 GPa and an undersaturated one at ~1 GPa. Magmatism had an imperative role in the evolution of the rift by localizing strain and weakening the lithosphere along the discontinuity. A fractionating crustal melt column was tapped at varying depths in the course of advancing rupturing with no significant mixing of the over- and undersaturated melts, and magma batches were emplaced as sequential nested plutons in response to differential opening of the rift. Among continental saturated-undersaturated alkaline complexes, the LPC may be unique in the emplacement of successive magma batches across a continental rift in the direction of opening, tapping of increasingly deeper parts of the melt column with advancing rifting, and intrusion of two contemporaneous, contrasting magmatic lineages at the end of igneous activity. The marked lithospheric step at the rift locus in the Precambrian basement of southeastern Norway was probably the driving force for the inception and evolution of the Larvik magmatic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oceanic arcs are crucial sites for producing new continental crust. However, how the continental crust has acquired its bulk "andesitic to dacitic" compositions is not well-understood. To address this issue, we carry out an integrated study for granitoids from the East Junggar oceanic arc, Central Asian Orogenic Belt. All the granitoid samples with ages of 332–280 Ma have high SiO2 but low MgO contents, indicating a dominant crustal source. Based on zircon O isotopes, these granitoids can be divided into three groups: Group I (5.0 ± 0.46‰, 2SD), Group II (8.6 ± 0.47–9.4 ± 0.52‰, 2SD) and Group III (6.8 ± 0.36–7.4 ± 0.48‰, 2SD) with mantle-like, elevated and intermediate zircon δ18O ratios, respectively. The formation of Group I granitoids can be ascribed to partial melting of juvenile mafic crust, while Group II and III granitoids were likely derived from a mixed source of juvenile mafic crust and supracrustal rocks in variable proportions. Combined with their depleted mantle-like zircon εHf(t) values (+ 11.6 to + 13.5), it is inferred that these supracrustal rocks were mainly isotopically unevolved, immature volcanogenic sediments. The zircon Hf–O isotope array is compatible with mixing between juvenile mafic crust and supracrustal volcanics (40–70% for Group II and 20–40% for Group III) in their magma sources. The incorporation of supracrustal rocks into such high-δ18O granitoids was likely associated with fore-/intra-arc basin closure triggered by arc–arc collision. Our results thus highlight the role of supracrustal recycling induced by collisional events in driving the compositional differentiation of oceanic arc crust from basaltic to felsic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present new U–Pb ages and Hf and O isotope data for zircon from I-, S- and A-type granites from both the western and eastern edges of the Delamerian Orogen in southeastern Australia. The I-type Tanunda Creek Gneiss contains zircon populations of 507 ± 4 and 492 ± 6 Ma inferred to reflect igneous and metamorphic ages, respectively. The I-type Palmer Granite yielded an age of 509 ± 3 Ma, and the Port Elliot S-type Granite has a magmatic age of 508 ± 7 Ma. Inherited zircon in these granites range from 1092 to 3343 Ma, probably derived from assimilation of Adelaide Group sediments. The Murray Bridge A-type Granite is 490 ± 2 Ma in age and lacks inherited zircon. In the Glenelg River Complex, an S-type migmatite from near Harrow contains a complex zircon population. It is most likely ~500 Ma in age and has inherited zircon of 550–700, 1000–1100 and 2437 Ma, hence matching those from the Kanmantoo Group. From this and detrital zircon ages, we infer that only the Kanmantoo Group extends across the Murray Basin into the Glenelg River Complex. The Wando Tonalite and Loftus Creek I-type granites yielded ages of 501 ± 2 and 486 ± 3 Ma, respectively. Zircon from the Dergholm Granite has suffered Pb loss, and the best age estimate for this granite is 488 ± 5 Ma. Combining all the granite data together, εHft and δ18O in the magmatic zircon range from 5.6 to −10.3 and from 5.8 to 8.1, respectively, and are well correlated. The zircon indicates the same temporal and compositional evolution of granitic petrogenesis across ~300 km of strike, reaffirming the notion that these terranes form part of the same orogen. Westward-directed subduction caused orogenic thickening, heating and increasing amounts of crustal contribution. This was followed by convective thinning of the thickened mantle lithosphere and a return to more primitive magmas lacking significant crustal contributions. It contrasts significantly with inferred granite petrogenesis and tectonic style in the younger Lachlan and New England Fold Belts further east that were not built upon extended cratonic lithosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bakoshi-Gadanya area, with widespread Neoproterozoic granites, is located within the Pan-African Trans-Sahara Belt, sandwiched between the West African and the Sahara metacraton. The whole-rock geochemistry, Sr-Nd isotope systematics and LA-(MC)-ICP-MS U-Pb-Hf isotopes of zircon were analysed to shed light on the age and genesis of the Bakoshi-Gadanya granites in the Precambrian basement of the northern western Nigeria shield. The granites are silicic (SiO2: 72.8–77.2 wt.%), ferroan, high-K, calc-alkalic to alkali-calcic in composition, with A-type granite affinities. The ferroan calc-alkalic types range in age from 706.6 ± 1 Ma to 638.4 ± 1 Ma, and the alkali-calcic type is dated at 710 ± 1 Ma. Whole-rock Sr-Nd and zircon Hf isotope systematics have constrained the ferroan calc-alkalic granites to an enriched mantle lithospheric magma source, contaminated by Archaean-Palaeoproterozoic crustal components. On the other hand, the magma that crystallized the alkali-calcic Gadanya granite originated from an enriched mantle source, triggered by reactivation of the lithosphere-scale Kalangai fault during the post 750 Ma major collision between West African Craton and the Saharan metacraton. Both alkali-calcic and calc-alkalic ferroan granites were formed contemporaneously with the last major Pan-African syn-metamorphic deformation in northern western Nigerian shield; thus, they are syn-kinematic granites. Neoproterozoic magmatism at Bakoshi-Gadanya area is related to easterly dipping subduction at the margin of microcontinental blocks in northern western Nigeria shield. Zircon U-Pb-Hf data envisaged both early Neoproterozoic and Cryogenian juvenile magmatic additions in this part of western Nigeria shield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The northern Alxa area is the southernmost segment of the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Its tectonic environment during the Middle–Late Devonian is debated: post-collisional or subduction settings. Here, we conducted a combined study associated with the geochemistry, geochronology, and zircon Hf isotope in Middle–Late Devonian (386–375 Ma) granodiorites from the northern Alxa area for understanding their petrogenesis and tectonic setting. Our results show that these granodiorites are peraluminous (ACNK = 1.08–1.12) and (high-potassium) calc-alkaline I-type granites. Moreover, they exhibit light rare-earth elements (LREEs) and large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) enrichment as well as depletions in Nb, Ta, and Ti. The εHf(t) values of these granodiorites could be divided into two groups: the granodiorites with ages of 385–380 Ma yield mostly positive εHf(t) values (+0.2–+5.1) with young two-stage model ages of 1.78–1.33 Ga and few negative εHf(t) values (from − 0.2 to – 9.9) with old two-stage model ages of 2.69–1.80 Ga, suggesting that they were derived from juvenile oceanic crust materials mixed with older continental materials. In contrast, the Late Devonian granodiorite (375 Ma) yielded radiogenic εHf(t) values between − 12.6 and − 2.1 with old two-stage model ages of 2.91–1.98 Ga, indicating its origination of the partial melting of ancient crustal materials. Combined with sedimentary evidences, coeval adakites, and arc-related volcanic rocks in the northern Alxa area and the adjacent South Beishan Orogenic Belt, implying the Zhusileng–Hangwula Tectonic Zone underwent a subduction setting during the Middle–Late Devonian and this subduction was possibly associated with the Enger Us Ophiolitic Belt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deciphering the composition and extent of Earth's earliest continents is hampered by the scarcity of preserved Hadean–Eoarchean material. Here, we report U–Pb and Lu–Hf data of detrital zircon from sediments proximal to the Archean Yilgarn Craton in Western Australia. This detrital cargo, in part derived from the crystalline basement of the southwestern Yilgarn Craton and its conjugate terranes, helps to resolve the ancient substrate of the craton. Zircon Hf isotopes point to a Hadean–Eoarchean crustal vestige that has remained isotopically coherent over 2 Gyr of episodic crustal reworking. Geophysical characteristics suggest a distinct 100,000 km2 region of ancient protocrust beneath much of the western Yilgarn Craton, cropping out in the Narryer Terrane. Comparison with global data reveals similar Hf isotope trends in many other cratons documenting the widespread existence of voluminous protocrust and implying extensive reservoir extraction at c. 4,000–3,800 Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zircon Hf isotopic mapping has been proposed to image large‐scale lithospheric architecture. Here we present zircon Hf isotope maps of the Proterozoic Albany–Fraser Orogen (AFO) in Western Australia, which records a protracted geological history in both extensional and compressional tectonic regimes. The spatial variation in Hf isotope composition of AFO granites is nearly orthogonal to the dominant crustal fabric. Although the 176Hf/177Hf compositions are too juvenile to represent direct melts of the Archaean basement, the variability in 176Hf/177Hf in these AFO magmatic rocks closely mimics the structure of the adjoining Yilgarn Craton. This orogen‐parallel heterogeneity is best illustrated during earliest Palaeoproterozoic magmatic events, which are characterised by low Sr/Y ratios, consistent with tectonic models involving relatively uniform extension along the craton margin during the Palaeoproterozoic. These results demonstrate that regional‐scale zircon Hf variability does not always image coeval lithospheric architecture, but may help illuminate deep basement structure in regions with complex deformation histories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Alxa Block is the westernmost part of the North China Craton (NCC), and is regarded as one of the basement components of the NCC. Its geological evolution is of great significance for the understanding of the NCC. However, the Precambrian basement of the Alxa Block is still poorly studied. In this study, we present new in situ LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U‐Pb and Lu‐Hf isotope data from the Diebusige Metamorphic Complex (DMC) which located in the eastern Alxa Block. Field and petrological studies show that the DMC consists mainly of metamorphic supracrustal rocks and minor metamorphic plutonic rocks and has experienced amphibolite‐granulite facies metamorphism. Zircon U‐Pb dating results suggested that the amphibolite sample yields a crystallization age of 2636 ± 14 Ma and metamorphic ages of 2517–2454 Ma and 1988–1952 Ma, proving the existence of exposed Archean rocks in the Langshan area and indicating that late Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic metamorphic events existed in the Alxa Block. Two paragneiss samples show that the magmatic detrital zircons from the DMC yield 207Pb/206Pb ages ranging from 2.48 Ga to 2.10 Ga with two youngest peaks at 2.13 Ga and 2.16 Ga, respectively, and they were also overprinted by metamorphic events at 1.97–1.90 Ga and 1.89–1.79 Ga. Compilation of U‐Pb ages of magmatic detrital and metamorphic zircons suggested that the main part of the DMC may have been formed at 2.1–2.0 Ga. Zircon Lu‐Hf isotope data show that the source materials of the main part of the DMC were originated from the reworking of ancient Archean crust (3.45–2.78 Ga). The Hf isotope characteristics and the tectonothermal event records exhibit different evolution history with the Khondalite Belt and the Yinshan Block and the other basements of the Alxa Block, indicating that the Langshan was likely an independent terrain before the middle Paleoproterozoic and was subjected to the middle to late Paleoproterozoic tectonothermal events with the Khondalite Belt as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dongnam Fe-Mo skarn deposit is located at the northern part of the Taebaeksan Basin, an important mineralized province in South Korea. The age of Fe-Mo mineralization is Late Cretaceous (79.1–75.9 Ma), and the orebodies are distributed along the contact between age-unknown igneous complex (quartz monzodiorite, granodiorite, and granite) and Pungchon Formation (limestone). Previous study suggested that the Dongnam Fe-Mo skarn deposit was mainly formed by the hydrothermal replacement of quartz monzodiorite. However, Fe-Mo mineralization and skarn are also commonly observed along the contact between granite and limestone, and the hydrothermal replacement of quartz monzodiorite began at the contact with granite. In this study, we conducted whole-rock geochemistry and zircon U-Pb-Hf isotope analyses to examine the characteristics of the ore-associated igneous rocks from the Dongnam deposit. Whole-rock chemistry and zircon Hf isotopes indicate that the granite was formed from crust-derived magma in a volcanic arc setting and exhibits geochemical characteristics (highly fractionated, oxidized, peraluminous, and high-K calc-alkaline etc.) similar to those from the Shinyemi and Wondong magnetite-associated igneous rocks in the Taebaeksan Basin. According to the zircon U-Pb age dating, quartz monzodiorite and granodiorite were emplaced in the Early Cretaceous (113.7–109.4 Ma) and granite was emplaced in the Late Cretaceous (80.3 Ma). Combined with geological observations, the geochemical and zircon U-Pb-Hf isotope data of the igneous rocks suggest that the Dongnam skarn Fe-Mo deposit was formed in association with Late Cretaceous granite derived from highly fractionated and oxidized magma, which is consistent with the mineralization age estimated by previous K-Ar and Re-Os dating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Shiquanhe–Laguoco–Yongzhu–Jiali ophiolite mélange belt in Tibet includes the Laguoco Tso ophiolite as part of its western segment. Researchers studying the evolution of the Tibetan Plateau and the Tethys have taken a keen interest in the debated relationship between this ophiolite belt and the Bangong–Nujiang ophiolite belt. However, there is little research in this field. This study reports the rock geochemistry, SIMS (the secondary ion mass spectrometry) zircon U-Pb ages, and O isotope compositions of gabbro from the Laguoco ophiolite. Gabbro has substantial depletion in HFSEs (the high field strength elements) such as Th, Nb, Zr, and Hf, as well as exhibits comparatively high Mg# (80.6 on average), and low K, N, P, and Ti contents. Therefore, it was possibly formed in an intra oceanic subduction island arc environment originating from ~30% partial melting of the depleted spinel lherzolite. The SIMS zircon U-Pb ages of the gabbro samples are 187 ± 1.2 Ma and 189 ± 2.1 Ma, and the weighted averages of δ18O are 5.24‰ ± 0.12‰ and 5.34‰ ± 0.13‰, which are close to mantle-derived zircon δ18O (5.3‰ ± 0.3‰). These results suggest that during the Early Jurassic, the Laguoco ophiolite recorded the intra oceanic subduction of the northern branch of the Neo-Tethys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New U-Pb zircon geochronology using high-spatial resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry fills a data gap and provides crystallization ages for granitoids from the Asir composite terrane in the southernmost Arabian Shield of Saudi Arabia. Ages of c. 810–685 Ma, c. 663–636 Ma, and 625–610 Ma reflect oceanic island arc genesis, subduction-related arc accretion (syn-collisional), and post-collisional stabilization, respectively. All samples have juvenile εNd(t) compositions with no evidence of older material being involved in their genesis, indicating that this part of the Arabian Shield grew through juvenile magmatic addition and that assimilation by syn- and post-tectonic magmatism involved an isotopically juvenile component(s). The crustal thickness derived from the (La/Yb)N proxy indicates significant thickening from 10–20 km to c. 70 km at c. 650 Ma, consistent with timing of orogenic uplift and increasing crustal thickness post-dating peak Nabitah orogeny. The age of an intrusion cross-cutting the Atura formation, when combined with other data, provides a well-constrained depositional age of c. 646–625 Ma for the Atura formation and indicates that erosion of the orogenic edifice in this part of the Arabian Shield began at latest by 625 Ma. Our new data indicate that denudation occurred 80–100 m.y. before the development of the prominent sub-Cambrian peneplain, consistent with previous assertions that major pulses of denudation occurred prior to the waning stages of Nabitah orogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]