Early Neoproterozoic (~920 Ma) Granite–Gneiss of the Junggar Alataw, South Kazakhstan: Age Substantiation Based on the Results of U–Th–Pb (SIMS) Dating.

Based on the results of U–Th–Pb (SIMS) dating, an Early Neoproterozoic (924 ± 4 Ma) age was obtained for granite–gneiss of the Sarychabyn Complex, which is one of the oldest complexes in the Junggar Alataw Range. This value constrains the minimum age of the metasedimentary rocks of the Sarychabyn Group hosting granite–gneiss as well. The most likely age of metasediments is Late Mesoproterozoic–Early Neoproterozoic, which is consistent with the age of lithologically similar complexes in the adjacent regions of Kazakhstan and China. The age of the gneiss of the Sarychabyn Complex coincides with the ages of anorogenic granitoids and felsic volcanic rocks from the Aktau-Mointy massif of Central Kazakhstan and the ages of granitoids in the Wenquan Complex in China. An episode of granitoid magmatism at ~920 Ma, widespread in the Aktau-Junggar microcontinent, is a characteristic feature that distinguishes it from other Precambrian crustal blocks of Kazakhstan and the Northern Tianshan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]