A. M. Larin

Rapakivi granites in the geological history of the earth. Part 1, magmatic associations with rapakivi granites: Age, geochemistry, and tectonic setting

Rapakivi granites characteristic practically of all old platforms are greatly variable in age and irregularly distributed over the globe. Four types of magmatic associations, which include rapakivi granites, are represented by anorthosite-mangerite-charnockite-rapakivi granite, anorthosite-mangerite-rapakivi-peralkaline granite, gabbro-rapakivi granite-foidite, and rapakivi granite-shoshonite rock series. Granitoids of these associations used to be divided into the following three groups: (1) classical rapakivi granites from magmatic associations of the first three types, which correspond to subalkaline high-K and high-Fe reduced A2-type granites exemplifying the plumasitic trend of evolution; (2) peralkaline granites of the second magmatic association representing the highly differentiated A1-type reduced granites of Na-series, which are extremely enriched in incompatible elements and show the agpaitic trend of evolution; and (3) subalkaline oxidized granites of the fourth magmatic association ranging in composition from potassic A2-type granites to S-granites. Magmatic complexes including rapakivi granites originated during the geochronological interval that spanned three supercontinental cycles 2.7−1.8, 1.8−1.0 and 1.0−0.55 Ga ago. The onset and end of each cycle constrained the assembly periods of supercontinents and the formation epochs of predominantly anorthosite-charnockite complexes of the anorthosite-mangerite-charnockite-rapakivi granite magmatic association. Peak of the respective magmatism at the time of Grenvillian Orogeny signified the transition from the tectonics of small lithospheric plates to the subsequent plate tectonics of the current type. The outburst of rapakivi granite magmatism was typical of the second cycle exclusively. The anorthosite-mangerite-charnockite-rapakivi granite magmatic series associated with this magmatism originated in back-arc settings, if we consider the latter in a broad sense as corresponding to the rear parts of peripheral orogens whose evolution lasted from ∼1.9 to 1.0 Ga. Magmatism of this kind was most active 1.8−1.3 Ga ago and represented the distal effect of subduction or collisional events along the convergent boundaries of lithospheric plates. An important factor that favored the emplacement of rapakivi granites and anorthosites in a huge volume was the thermal and rheologic state of the lithosphere inherited from antedating orogenic events, first of all from the event ∼1.9 Ga ago, which was unique in terms of heat capacity transferred into the lithosphere. Anorthosite-mangerite-rapakivi granite-peralkaline granite magmatism is connected with activity of the mantle plums only. Degradation of the rapakivi granite magmatism toward the terminal Proterozoic was controlled by the general cooling of the Earth in the course of the steady dissipation of its endogenic energy, as these processes became accelerated since the Late Riphean

Age of the Amur Group of the Bureya-Jiamusi Superterrane in the Central Asian Fold Belt: Sm-Nd Isotope Evidence

1245 The Bureya–Jiamusi Superterrane is located in the eastern segment of the Central Asian fold belt repre senting one of its main structural elements (Fig. 1). In the north and south, the superterrane is surrounded by folded structures of the Mongol–Okhotsk belt and Solonker zone, respectively; in the west, it borders epi Paleozoic structures of southern Mongolia and the Argun Terrane. The eastern margin of the Bureya–Jia musi Superterrane facing the Pacific Ocean is overlain by Upper Cenozoic sedimentary–volcanogenic sequences. The least studied aspect of this terrane is metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks of the Amur and Gonzha groups, which are considered as consti tuting its basement.

The Kalar Compex, Aldan-Stanovoi Shield, an Ancient Anorthosite-Mangerite-Charnockite-Granite Association: Geochronologic, Geochemical, and Isotopic-Geochemical Characteristics

The autonomous (massif-type) anorthosite massifs of the Kalar Complex (2623 ± 23 Ma) intrude high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Kurulta tectonic block at the junction of the Aldan and Dzhugdzhur-Stanovoi fold area. These rocks belong to the most ancient anorthosite-mangerite-charnockite-granite (AMCG) magmatic association, whose origin was constrained to the Mesoproterozoic (1.8–1.1 Ga). The charnockites are typical high-potassium reduced granites like rapakivi, which affiliate with the A type. The Nd and Pb isotopic composition of these rocks suggests their predominantly crustal genesis, whereas the anorthosites were most probably produced by a mantle magma that was significantly contaminated by crustal material at various depth levels. The intrusions of the Kalar Complex were emplaced in a postcollision environment, with the time gap between the collisional event and the emplacement of these massifs no longer than 30 m.y. The southern Siberian Platform includes two definitely distinguished and spatially separated AMCG associations, which have different ages and tectonic settings: (i) the Late Archean (2.62 Ga) postcollision Kalar plutonic complex and (ii) the Early Proterozoic (1.74–1.70 Ga) anorogenic Ulkan-Dzhugdzhur volcano-plutonic complex.

Age of the Ilikan Sequence from the Stanovoi Complex of the Dzhugdzhur-Stanovoi Superterrane, Central-Asian Foldbelt

This paper presents the results of Sm-Nd isotopic-geochemical and U-Pb geochronological studies of metamorphic (Ilikan Sequence) and associated igneous rocks from the Ilikan lithotectonic zone (terrane) located in the Dzhugdzhur-Stanovoi Superterrane from the Central Asian Foldbelt. The Nd model age, TNd(DM), of metamorphic rocks from the Ilikan Sequence is 2.6–3.2 Ga pointing to the likelihood that the lower boundary of their protolith formation probably does not exceed 2.6 Ga. The age of detrital zircons from metasedimentary rocks of the Ilikan Sequence is 2700–2900 Ma, which absolutely agrees with Sm-Nd isotopic-geochemical results. The U-Pb zircon age of metagabbro that intruded the rocks of the Ilikan Sequence and underwent high-temperature amphibolite metamophism with subsequent structural transformations is 2635 ± 4 Ma. The obtained results allow us to conclude that the age of the Ilikan Sequence is 2630–2700 Ma. All this gives grounds to state that the Dzhugdzhur-Stanovoi Superterrane in the Central Asian Foldbelt was formed due to amalgamation of non-Siberian terranes as is assumed for the Argun, Bureya, and Mamynskii terranes of the Amur Superterrane from the Central Asian Foldbelt.

Mesozoic age of granitoids from the Beket complex (Gonzha block within the Argun terrane of the Central-Asian Fold Belt)

U-Pb geochronological results confirm the Mesozoic age (124 ± 1 Ma) of the Beket granitoid complex, previously interpreted as being one of the markers amongst the Early Proterozoic magmatic complexes within the Amur superterrane (microcontinent) of the Central Asian Fold Belt. This implies that the structural and metamorphic amphibolite facies overprints documented either in the Beket granitoids or Gonzha host rocks are evidently Mesozoic rather than Early Proterozoic in age.

Granulite Complexes of the Dzhugdzhur-Stanovoi Fold Region and the Peristanovoi Belt: Age, Formation Conditions, and Geodynamic Settings of Metamorphism

The available data on the age and formation conditions of the granulite complexes in the western Dzhugdzhur-Stanovoi Fold Region (Dambuki and Larba blocks) and the adjacent territory of the Peristanovoi Belt (Kurul’ta, Zverevsky, and Sutam blocks) are systematized. At least three Early Precambrian episodes of high-grade granulite-facies metamorphism dated at 2.85–2.83, 2.65–2.60, and 1.90–1.88 Ga are established in the geological history of the western Dzhugdzhur-Stanovoi Fold Region. Five granulite-facies metamorphic events are documented in the Peristanovoi Belt. The early granulite-facies metamorphism, migmatization, and emplacement of charnockite are related to the first event (2183 ± 1 Ma) in the Kurul’ta Block. The structural transformation and metamorphism of charnockite under conditions of granulite facies correspond to the second event (2708 ± 7 Ma). The enderbite belonging to the Dzhelui Complex (2627 ± 16) and charnockite of the Altual Complex (2614 ± 7 Ma) were emplaced during the third tectonic event, which was immediately followed by the emplacement of the Kalar anorthosite-charnockite complex (2623 ± 23 Ma). The first episode of Early Proterozoic granulite-facies metamorphism of the Sutam Sequence in the tectonic block of the same name was related to the fourth event, probably caused by collision of the Olekma-Aldan continental microplate and the passive margin of the Uchur continental microplate. Finally, granulite-facies metamorphism superimposed on rocks of the Kalar Complex in the Kurul’ta Block and high-pressure metamorphism in the Zverevsky and Sutam blocks (1935 ± 35 Ma) correspond to the fifth metamorphic event. The Late Archean metamorphic events are most likely related to the amalgamation and subsequent collision of the terranes which currently make up the granulite basement of the Dzhugdzhur-Stanovoi Fold Region with the Olekma-Aldan continental microplate. In the Early Proterozoic, the Aldan Shield and the Dzhugdzhur-Stanovoi Fold Region were separated by an oceanic basin. Its closure, and the collision of the Aldan and Stanovoi continental microplates, were accompanied by granulite-facies metamorphism and led to the formation of the Peristanovoi Belt, or Peristanovoi Suture Zone. This collision suture continued functioning in the Phanerozoic (from the Early Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous) with the formation of thick shear zones and greenschist retrograde metamorphism.

Early precambrian A-granitoids in the Aldan Shield and adjacent mobile belts: Sources and geodynamic environments

Systematized geological, geochronologic, geochemical, and Sm-Nd isotopic geochemical data obtained over the past decade on A-granitoids in the Aldan Shield and in adjacent mobile belts surrounding it in the south make it possible to identify the sources from which the rocks were derived and the geodynamic environments in which they were generated. The territory in question provides evidence of five episodes of Early Precambrian within-plate magmatism, including the derivation of A-granites: at 2.62, 2.40–2.52, 2.07, 1.87–1.88, and 1.70–1.74 Ga. Although all of the granitoids were derived within plates, the environments of their derivation were different: (i) postcollisional lithospheric extension at 2.64 and 1.87–1.88 Ga in an anorogenic environment and (ii) in relation to the activity of mantle plumes at 2.40–2.52, 2.07, 1.74–1.70 Ga. The postcollisional magmatism generated only potassic granitoids of the subalkaline type, whereas the anorogenic magmatic rocks comprise both subalkaline granitoids (of K series) and alkaline granites (of Na series), which are intensely fractionated and strongly enriched in incompatible elements. A-granitoids in the Aldan Shield and its surrounding folded structures were derived from mixed mantle-crustal sources. The sources of the subalkaline granitoids were dominated by the material of the continental lower crust, while the alkaline granitoids were derived from mantle sources. Thereby the mantle source material of the anorogenic granitoids consisted of an OIB-type component, and the postcollisional granitoids were derived from MORB and OIB sources.

Early Proterozoic syn-and postcollision granites in the northern part of the Baikal fold area

Early Proterozoic granitoids are of a limited occurrence in the Baikal fold area being confined here exclusively to an arcuate belt delineating the outer contour of Baikalides, where rocks of the Early Precambrian basement are exposed. Geochronological and geochemical study of the Kevakta granite massif and Nichatka complex showed that their origin was related with different stages of geological evolution of the Baikal fold area that progressed in diverse geodynamic environments. The Nichatka complex of syncollision granites was emplaced 1908 ± 5 Ma ago, when the Aldan-Olekma microplate collided with the Nechera terrane. Granites of the Kevakta massif (1846 ± 8 Ma) belong to the South Siberian postcollision magmatic belt that developed since ∼1.9 Ga during successive accretion of microplates, continental blocks and island arcs to the Siberian craton. In age and other characteristics, these granites sharply differ from granitoids of the Chuya complex they have been formerly attributed to. Accordingly, it is suggested to divide the former association of granitoids into the Chuya complex proper of diorite-granodiorite association ∼2.02 Ga old (Neymark et al., 1998) with geochemical characteristics of island-arc granitoids and the Chuya-Kodar complex of postcollision S-type granitoids 1.85 Ga old. The Early Proterozoic evolution of the Baikal fold area and junction zone with Aldan shield lasted about 170 m.y. that is comparable with development periods of analogous structures in other regions of the world.

Metabasalts of the Bryanta sequence of the Stanovoi complex of the Dzhugdzhur-Stanovoi superterrane, Central Asian fold belt: Age and geodynamic environment of formation

In this paper, we report U-Pb geochronological, Sm-Nd isotopic, and geochemical data for the basic schists of the Bryanta sequence of the Stanovoi complex of the Dzhugdzhur-Stanovoi superterrane of the Central Asian fold belt. It was shown that the protolith of the schists was composed of island-arc subalkali basalts, which crystallized at 1933 ± 4 Ma; the age of the earliest metamorphic processes is approximately 1890–1910 Ma. This metamorphic event could be related to the collision of the Aldan and Stanovoi continental plates or accretion-collision processes at the boundary of the Ilikan and Kupurin lithotectonic zones during the formation of the latter.

Age and tectonic position of the Chiney Layered Massif, Aldan shield

The Chiney Complex of basic rocks includes several layered gabbroid massifs. The largest and the best stud- ied massif is the Chiney pluton, which is located among the terrigenous sequence of the Udokan Group, in the southeastern part of the Chara-Olekma geoblock of the Aldan shield. The Udokan sequences are also intruded by the rapakivilike granites of the Kodar Complex. The Chiney Massif is widely known owing to its associated economic mineralization represented by the unusual association of Ti-magnetite V-bearing and PGE-bearing sulfide copper ores. The age of this massif is presently estimated on the basis of 20-year old data: Thus, the age of the considered massif is bracketed between 2180 ± 50 and 1830 ± 50 Ma. This range is too wide to determine the position of the massif in the mod- ern integrated geodynamic models of the evolution of the Precambrian complexes of the Aldan shield (3, 4) and to estimate the promise of this region for Fe-Ti-V and Cu-PGE mineralization. In addition, more data need to be obtained to constrain the upper and lower age limits of the different units of the Udokan Group, which is the Lower Proterozoic stratotype of the Siberia and Far East and serves as an age marker in the regional stratigraphic scale. In order to solve this problem, we conducted U-Pb geochronological studies of the Chiney Massif, which are presented in this paper. The Chiney Massif is situated in the southeastern part of the Kodar-Udokan trough, which is filled mainly with metasedimentary rocks of the Udokan Group. It penetrates terrigenous-carbonate rocks of the upper Chiney (Aleksandrovskaya and Butunskaya For- mations) and lower Kemen (Sakukan Formation) sub- groups of the Udokan group. The massif is exposed as a W-E-trending elongated body with the maximal size of 9 × 16 km and an area of 150 km 2 . The study results are reported in detail in the generalized monographs (5-8).