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Precambrian Research
Elsevier Pub. Co.
Precambrian Research

Elsevier Pub. Co.

0301-9268

Precambrian Research/Journal Precambrian ResearchSCIISTP
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    Neoproterozoic metavolcanic suites in the Micangshan terrane and their implications for the tectonic evolution of the NW Yangtze block, South China

    Berkana, WafaWu, HuiLing, WenliKusky, Tim...
    38页
    查看更多>>摘要:The Micangshan terrane is located along the NW margin of the Yangtze block and contains the second oldest Precambrian basement in South China. It comprises the Beiba and the Wangcang-Nanjiang segments, while the oldest suites (similar to 2.1 Ga Houhe complex) occur in the Beiba. The Hekou and the Wangjiaping metamorphic volcano-sedimentary sequences in the Wangcang are characterized by intensive metamorphism and deformation, long being regarded as the equivalent of the Houhe suite. This contribution presents an integrated study of zircon U-Pb geochronology and Hf isotope, whole rock elemental and Sr-Nd isotope geochemistry on volcanic rocks of the metastrata. It reveals that they formed at similar to 865-860 Ma and underwent upper amphibolite facies metamorphism at similar to 815 Ma with lower limits in P-T conditions of similar to 5.0 kbar and similar to 650-660 degrees C. The Hekou metavolcanics comprise dacitic-rhyolitic and alkaline basaltic rocks with minor tholeiitic mafics, whereas those of the Wangjiaping are composed of dacitic and tholeiitic mafic rocks. The Hekou alkaline metamafics show affinity to high-Nb to Nb-enriched basalts (HNB-NEB) with epsilon(Nd)(t) values of + 5.80 to + 6.25, whereas tholeiitic metamafics of the both sequences display characteristics typifying high-Al basalt (HAB) with epsilon(Nd)(t) value similar to +2.66. The Hekou and the Wangjiaping metafelsics have epsilon(Nd)(t) ranges of -2.33 to + 5.60 and -0.82 to + 0.99 (except one + 2.29), respectively, and the dacitic rocks show features akin to the high Mg-number andesites. The similar to 865-860 Ma magmatism is suggested to have occurred in an extensional basin with a post-subduction affinity. It was induced by upwelling of convective asthenosphere succeed the ceased slab subduction: the Wangjiaping metafelsics were derived from partial melting of juvenile lower crust, the Hekou dacitic rocks were produced by partial melts of the relict of subducted oceanic crust interacted with mantle wedge; the Hekou HNB-BEB were sourced by metasomatized mantle wedge, whereas the HAB lavas were generated by anhydrous partial melts of the upwelling asthenosphere. The similar to 815 Ma metamorphism was caused by an amalgamation between the South Qinling belt and the proto margin of the northwestern Yangtze block. This event was followed by an expanding rift from the Micangshan successively to the South Qinling.

    In situ U-Pb dating and geochemical characterization of multi-stage dolomite cementation in the Ediacaran Dengying Formation, Central Sichuan Basin, China: Constraints on diagenetic, hydrothermal and paleo-oil filling events

    Su, AoChen, HonghanFeng, Yue-xingZhao, Jian-xin...
    22页
    查看更多>>摘要:Improved understanding of subsurface paleo-fluid circulation history can assist in reconstructing associated pore evolution of carbonate reservoirs. Multi-stage dolomite cements generated by basinal fluids over time were investigated using a combination of petrography, geochemistry, fluid-inclusion studies, LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology, and seismic interpretation. This study aims to gain clues about diagenetic, hydrothermal and paleo-oil filling events within the Ediacaran Dengying Formation, Sichuan Basin, China. Four main phases of dolomite cementation were petrographically, geochemically and geochronologically distinguished that can be ascribed to major tectonic events throughout the basin evolution. The earliest dolomite generation occurs as fibrous dolomite crust (FDC) growing along the karst vug wall, interpreted as marine diagenetic cement formed in a submarine environment during the Late Ediacaran, most likely from the influx of seawaters following the uplift and subaerial exposure related to the Tongwang movement. In situ U-Pb ages obtained from the other three generations of cement dolomites are interpreted to coincide with the timing of repeated strike-slip fault movements as indicated by the seismic data, suggesting a direct link between cement emplacement and regional tectonic-thermal events. Sub-vertical extension dolomite veins (EDV), representing the second generation, are considered as being syntectonic, generated from slightly modified connate seawaters at a shallow to moderate burial depth in a transtensional stress regime during the Cambrian taphrogenesis. Two generations of saddle dolomite cements, SD1 and SD2, have recorded two major episodes of hot fluids circulating in the Dengying Formation. The SD1, filling in hydraulic fractures and vugs, formed during the third phase of cementation, as a result of a hydrothermal event associated with Caledonian exhumation. Deep-seated hot brines squeezed into the Dengying reservoirs along the sub-vertical strike-slip faults combined with some meteoric waters that percolated downward, are deemed responsible for precipitating SD1. The SD2 is the youngest cement present, which is interpreted to have formed during the ingress of deeper, hot, hypersaline brines arising from the late Permian hydrothermal activity likely triggered by the eruption of Emeishan flood basalts. Cross-cutting relationships between bitumen phases and different dolomite generations indirectly define the dates of two paleo-oil charging events. The first episode of paleo-oil charging occurred during the Late Ediacaran to Early Cambrian, likely sourced from underlying Ediacaran Doushantuo shales. Late oil emplacement occurred after the Late Permian, in agreement with the reported bitumen Re-Os age and the age inferred through fluid inclusion analysis. Primary source rocks generating this phase of oil were considered as the Cambrian Qiongzhusi shales, because basin modeling-derived date of oil window matches with the second oil filling time.

    Neoproterozoic protracted arc basaltic magmatism in the southern margin of the Yangtze Block, south China: New constraints from mafic-ultramafic intrusive rocks

    Zhou, YiZhong, HongZhu, Wei-GuangBai, Zhong-Jie...
    15页
    查看更多>>摘要:Mantle plume activity and subduction are two popular geodynamic models that have been used to explain the widespread Neoproterozoic basaltic magmatism in the Jiangnan Orogenic Belt along the southern margin of the Yangtze Block, South China. We have evaluated the competing hypotheses using new geochronological, petrological and geochemical data of two mafic-ultramafic intrusions in the Yuanbaoshan (YBS) area of this orogenic belt, namely the YBS south and west intrusions. Zircons from the YBS south intrusion yielded a U-Pb age of 835 +/- 3 Ma. This new age and the previously reported age for another mafic-ultramafic intrusion situated < 10 km to the northwest (the YBS west intrusion) reveal a protracted (12-20 Myr) episode of mafic magmatism in a very small area. Such temporal-spatial relationship is more consistent with the style of subduction-related magmatism than that of mantle plume-related magmatism. The YBS south and west intrusions are characterized by arc-like geochemical features such as light REE enrichments and pronounced negative Nb-Ta anomalies in whole rocks. Olivine Mn/Fe and Ca contents, clinopyroxene Al-z/TiO2 and Cr-spinel TiO2/Al2O3 of these intrusions are similar to those of some undisputed subduction-related mafic-ultramafic intrusions elsewhere in the world. Zircons from the YBS south intrusion have mantle-like Hf-O isotope compositions, with epsilon(Hf)(t) varying from + 3.3 to + 8.7 and delta O-18 of 5.32 +/- 0.29 parts per thousand. The whole rock samples yielded epsilon(Nd)(t) from + 5.2 to + 8.8 and (Sr-87/Sr-86); from 0.7034 to 0.7051 for the YBS south intrusion, and epsilon(Nd)(t) from + 1.7 to + 5.2 and (Sr-87/Sr-86); from 0.7036 to 0.7051 for the YBS west intrusion. The Sr-Nd isotope compositions of these intrusions are similar to those of global Cenozoic arc basalts, but are also consistent with mantle plume-derived magma with < 5% of crustal contamination. However, the lack of correlation between Th/Nb and epsilon(Nd)(t) or (Sr-87/Sr-86); for the intrusive rocks is inconsistent with the contamination model. The results from this study support for a popular view that northward oceanic subduction beneath the southern margin of the Yangtze Block took place in the Neoproterozoic.

    Post-collisional orogen-parallel extension in the Trans-North China Orogen: Evidence from syn-kinematic pegmatite dikes

    Li, YunjianZhu, GuangGu, ChengchuanLiu, Cheng...
    18页
    查看更多>>摘要:Orogen-parallel extension is common in collisional settings, but its cause is debated. The Paleoproterozoic Trans -North China Orogen (TNCO) provides insights into the process of orogen-parallel extension. We present struc-tural and geochronological data from pegmatite dikes in the Xiaoqinling region of central China to constrain the time and nature of Paleoproterozoic extension in the TNCO. The pegmatite dikes strike roughly E-W, have various dip angles, and are either deformed or undeformed. A progression from ductile to brittle deformation is commonly observed in the deformed dikes, suggesting synchronous orogenic uplift probably driven by isostatic adjustments. The deformation structures demonstrate that the intrusion of the pegmatite dikes was associated with a single phase of regional extension, thus making them syn-kinematic. Both ductile fabrics and fault-slip data from the dikes indicate that N-S (orogen-parallel) extension was responsible for dike deformation. Zircon U-Pb ages for the syn-kinematic pegmatite dikes constrain the time of extension to between 1840 and 1781 Ma, suggesting a duration of ~ 59 Myr for the orogen-parallel extension. These data suggest that the extension postdated the syn-collisional shortening in the TNCO, which occurred between 1863 and 1840 Ma. The orogen-parallel extension, the synchronous isostatic uplift, and the intense magmatism in the TNCO are consistent with a gravitational collapse model in a post-collisional setting.

    Diverse multicellular algae from the early Ediacaran Doushantuo chert nodules and their palaeoecological implications

    Shang, XiaodongLiu, Pengju
    17页
    查看更多>>摘要:Morphologically diverse multicellular algae preserved with anatomical details are recovered from the chert nodules in the member II of the early Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation in the Yangtze Gorges area, South China. They are taxonomically identified as Archaeophycus yunnanensis, Sarcinophycus papilloformis, Thallophyca ramosa, Thallophyca sp., Thallophycoides phloeatus, Wengania exquisita, W. globosa, W. minuta and two unnamed species. An individual growth of spheroidal thallus is evidenced by a series of specimens of Wengania minuta. Archae-ophycus yunnanensis and Sarcinophycus papilloformis are possibly green algae, while the others are interpreted as red algae. The radiation of multicellular algae likely enhanced the efficiency of the biological pump, influencing the ocean ecology and environment during the early Ediacaran.

    Contrasting P-T-t paths of basement and cover within the Buzios Orogen, SE Brazil - Tracking Ediacaran-Cambrian subduction zones

    Silva, Raphaela Lopes de Andradede Medeiros, Silvia Reginada Silva Schmitt, RenataMoraes, Renato...
    29页
    查看更多>>摘要:Deeply eroded collisional orogens show complex structural and inverted stratigraphic relations with juxtaposition of rock stacks from distinct crustal levels, origins and ages, hence with contrasting P-T-t paths during convergent tectonics. This paper presents petrochronological data on Paleoproterozoic (basement) and Ediacaran (cover) gneisses tectonically interleaved during the Ediacaran-Cambrian Btizios Orogeny, in southeastern Brazil. U-Pb in zircon and EPMA U-Th-Pb in monazite data, coupled with geothermobarometric data, plus Zr-in-rutile, reveal that at a first orogenic stage (ca. 530-520 Ma), these units were at distinct crustal levels. Samples within the Paleoproterozoic basement show metamorphic near-peak conditions of similar to 800 degrees C and 10 kbar, at a depth of c.37 km. Contrastingly, Ediacaran kyanite-orthoclase-garnet-biotite granulite with retrometamorphic sillimanite (cover) reached near-peak conditions of 15 kbar and 818 degrees C-785 degrees C at depths of c. 55 km, in high-pressure granulite facies. This deep burial of Ediacaran sediments in less than 20 m.y. would be compatible with a low angle subduction zone active from ca. 550 to 530 Ma. Intrusion of ca. 550 Ma tholeiitic dykes in the Paleoproterozoic gneiss indicates a high geothermal gradient for this subduction setting, which is consistent with a low subduction rate. In a second orogenic stage (ca. 520-500 Ma), these distinct stratigraphic units were placed tectonically side by side during a fast exhumation, preserving an inverted metamorphic stack. The cover underwent retrometamorphic conditions of 800 degrees C and 10 kbar on a clockwise return path due to decompression. It is proposed here that the contact between reworked units within a Paleoproterozoic continental crust and Ediacaran magmatic and sedimentary units represent the suture of an Ediacaran NW-subduction of the Angola continental paleomargin below the Oriental Terrane of the Ribeira belt. This paper reports the highest pressure recorded in Ediacaran-Cambrian metamorphic rocks from the Brasiliano belts along the actual South Atlantic continental margins. The suture we propose here is aligned along strike, with a medium to high-pressure Ediacaran metamorphic occurrence 700 km to the SW, in the Curitiba Terrane.

    Paleoproterozoic polyphase deformation in the Helanshan Complex: Structural and geochronological constraints on the tectonic evolution of the Khondalite Belt, North China Craton

    Qiao, HengzhongYin, ChangqingXiao, WenjiaoZhang, Jian...
    17页
    查看更多>>摘要:The Khondalite Belt is widely regarded as a Paleoproterozoic collisional orogen between the Yinshan and Ordos Blocks in the Western Block of the North China Craton. However, the deformation history of the Khondalite Belt is poorly understood, and many aspects of the tectonic processes involved in the collision remain enigmatic. In this paper, we carried out detailed field-based structural analyses integrated with geochronological studies in the Helanshan Complex, one of the multiply deformed high-grade gneiss terrains in the Khondalite Belt. Three major phases of deformation (D-1-D-3) were identified in the Helanshan Complex. D-1 mainly produced S(SW)-verging recumbent to overturned intrafolial isoclinal folds F-1, originally sub-horizontal penetrative transposition foliations S-1 and SSW-plunging mineral lineations L-1. D-1 deformational fabrics occurred coevally with the granulite-facies peak metamorphism. D-2 dominantly generated steeply SE(E)-plunging asymmetrical upright open folds F-2 that successively refolded the previous D-1 structures. D-3 gave rise to a series of NE- to E-trending ductile shear zones, featured by top-to-the-(N)NW oblique thrusting with a component of sinistral strike-slip movement. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb zircon dating results of seven deformation-related samples reveal that D-1 occurred at some time from 1954 Ma to 1911 Ma, most likely at 1954-1949 Ma. D-2 successively happened in the period of 1911-1870 Ma, and D-3 had broadly taken place at similar to 1870 Ma. The D-1-D-3 deformation sequences recorded tectonic processes including the initial top-to-the-SSW thrusting and crustal thickening, subsequently followed by exhumation of the khondalites in the Paleoproterozoic. Combined with previous studies, these new structural and geochronological data indicate that the Khondalite Belt underwent a long-term (>100 Myr) orogenic history and developed polyphase deformation, high-grade metamorphism as well as magmatism in response to the NNE-SSW-directed oblique collision between the Yinshan and Ordos Blocks at similar to 1.95 Ga.

    Entrapment history of aqueous fluids in Archean cherts from the Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa

    Trieloff, MarioOtt, UlrichDeutschmann, ChristophHopp, Jens...
    14页
    查看更多>>摘要:We performed fluid inclusion microthermometric analyses of four cherts and one silicified anhydrite from various successions of the Mesoarchean Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa, and constrained the entrapment conditions and provenance of fluids that were incorporated during different magmatic or tectono-thermal events. Major saline aqueous fluid inclusion assemblages in cherts from the 3.2 Ga old Mendon Formation (Barite Valley Syncline, Power Line Road) and from the 3.42-3.45 Ga old uppermost Hooggenoeg Formation (Buck Reef Chert) correspond to fluids incorporated during metamorphism. Their documented P-T conditions compare well with reported petrologic constraints. In Buck Reef chert we also found a distinctive suite of inclusions with high salinities and low homogenization temperatures (61-118 ?). This is in agreement with a hydrothermal formation of these fluids at subseafloor conditions. Finally, we investigated quartz in a silicified anhydrite and its sandstone host from the Stolzburg Syncline (Moodies Group, ca. 3.2 Ga). One major inclusion assemblage in the evaporite and in adjacent quartz within the embedding sandstone share the P-T range observed for the cherts from the Mendon Fm. Its incorporation is postdating the silicification process. We also found two higher temperature inclusion types that favor a magmatic origin. In particular, one of these inclusion suites is only observed in quartz within the matrix and likely mirrors trapping of brines associated with magmatic fluids predating sedimentation of the sandstone, e.g., from the potential magmatic source region of the quartz. Our results indicate the presence of coexisting aqueous fluids in cherts derived from distinct source environments, spanning an age range of several 100 Ma on a grain scale. The earliest hydrothermal aqueous inclusions were documented in a Buck Reef chert (3.42-3.45 Ga), whereas the majority of aqueous fluids are metamorphic in origin and likely related to the documented 3.23 Ga and 3.1 Ga tectono-thermal events. Our findings demonstrate that constraining environmental conditions by the volatile record of Archean cherts requires analyses on inclusion, not grain scale.

    Ediacaran cap dolomite of Shennongjia, northern Yangtze Craton, South China

    Le Heron, Daniel PaulZhu, ZhicaiBai, HuaqingWang, Yuchong...
    20页
    查看更多>>摘要:Ediacaran cap dolomites are strong evidence for the glaciation during the Neoproterozoic. Stratigraphic- sedimentological studies combined with delta 13C and delta 18O isotope analyses are used for defining the processes of post-glacier environmental changes and sea-level rise caused by glacier melting and the reconstruction of the depositional environments for the Doushantuo cap dolomites in Shennongjia, northern Yangtze Craton (YC). Like many other cap dolomites in the YC and worldwide, those in Shennongjia exhibit strongly negative delta(13)Ccarb excursions, ranging from 7.3 to 2.5 parts per thousand (averagely from 5.4 to 4.1 parts per thousand). A laminated clast-free calcareous siltstone commonly occurs between the cap dolomite and the underlying diamictites, indicating a low-energy, shallow-water depositional environment, wherein alkaline conditions developed before the deposition of the cap dolomite. The most prominent features of the cap dolomites in Shennongjia are the very thin thickness and monotonous sedimentary structures. The maximum thickness of the cap dolomites from the six sections in Shennongjia is 1.8 m, and the thinnest cap dolomite is 0.4 m with simple laminations. Sedimentary structures such as low-angle cross-bedding, giant wave ripples, sheet-crack cement, and tepee breccias are rare in Shen-nongjia except in the area near the Three Gorges. These evidences, therefore, point to the deposition of the Shennongjia cap dolomite in restricted shallow-water tidal environments. The space-time distribution of sedimentary facies in Shennongjia and the southeastern areas to Shennongjia indicate that the Ediacaran cap dolomite was formed on a ramp. Accordingly, we propose a sedimentary facies model for the formation of the cap dolomite, covering the inner and middle ramp facies. This model explains the thickness variations and distributions of the cap dolomites at both the local and regional scale, including their sedimentary structures, compositions, and barite occurrences. The model successfully illustrates why the cap dolomites in the Shennongjia area share a unique set of sedimentary features. Finally, the cap dolomite is interpreted as a diachronous deposit (bottom to top), tracking glacioeustatic flooding and recording ocean-wide changes over the time following deglaciation, and a correlation and cause of negative delta 13Ccarb excursions in cap dolomites worldwide, particularly in those in the Yangtze Carton, are further discussed

    Ages of the Proterozoic strata in Fanhe Basin revisited: Implications for geological records of the Great Oxidation Event in the North China Craton

    Cai, Yu-HangZhang, Shuan-HongZhao, YueHu, Guo-Hui...
    16页
    查看更多>>摘要:The Great Oxidation Event (GOE) and Lomagundi-Jatuli Event (LJE) during Paleoprterozoic Era represent significant global environmental changes in Earth's history and their geological records have been identified from many ancient cratons. However, reliable records of GOE and LJE are rare in the North China Craton (NCC) due to high-grade metamorphism on Paleoproterozoic strata during Orosirian Period and poor age constraints. Weakly metamorphosed to unmetamorphosed Proterozoic strata termed as Fanhe Group of around 8 km thick are well preserved in Fanhe Basin in the Archean Longgang Block in northeastern NCC and the Guanmenshan Formation from the lower part of the Fanhe Group is characterized by positive (delta C-13(earb) excursion of around +5 parts per thousand. Since the Fanhe Group was usually considered as Meso-Neoproterozoic in ages, the reasons for positive (delta C-13(earb) excursions in the lower Fanhe Group are unclear. Our new LA-(MC-)ICP-MS U-Pb dating on a dolerite sill intruding into the Guanmenshan Formation yields two upper intercept Pb-207/Pb-206 ages of 2065 + 20 Ma (95% confidence, MSWD = 1.4, N = 26) and 2062 +/- 22 Ma (95% confidence, MSWD = 1.05, N = 22), respectively. Combined with the weighted mean Pb-207/Pb-206 age of the youngest detrital zircon population of the Daposhan Formation (2199 +/- 19 Ma, 95% confidence, N = 8, MSWD = 0.47) and their contact relations, the deposition ages of the Daposhan, Kangzhaungzi, Guanmenshan and Tongjiajie formations from the lower part of Fanhe Group were constrained to be Rhyacian Period from ca. 2200 Ma to ca. 2060 Ma, not Mesoproterozoic Era as previously regarded. These new age constraints provide solid evidence for the existence of weakly metamorphosed stratigraphic records of GOE and LJE in lower part of Fanhe Group in the NCC. Stratigraphic correlations with other ancient cratons show that the Guanmenshan Formation in Fanhe Basin in the northeastern NCC can be correlated with the Dashiling Formation of the Hutuo Group in the central NCC, the Lucknow Formation in West Australia, the Upper Pretoria Formation in South Africa, the Gordon Lake Formation in North America and the Tulomozero and Kuetsjarvi formations in Fennoscandia, and therefore the Fanhe Group provides excellent stratigraphic records to study GOE and LJE in the NCC.