Albrecht von Quadt

Zircon crystallization and the lifetimes of ore-forming magmatic- hydrothermal systems

Magmatic-hydrothermal copper ore formation involves multiple pulses of subvolcanic porphyry intrusion, vein opening, and hydrothermal ore deposition. It is driven by larger subjacent magma reservoirs, acting as the source of fluid and ore-forming components. High-precision U-Pb ages of individual zircon crystals from porphyries immediately predating and postdating Cu-Au mineralization at Bingham Canyon (Utah, United States) and Bajo de la Alumbrera (northwestern Argentina) show a significant spread of reliably concordant ages. This demonstrates zircon crystal formation over a protracted period of ∼1 m.y., which is interpreted to record the lifetime of the magma reservoir from which porphyries and ore fluids were extracted. The youngest zircons in all pre-ore and post-ore intrusions overlap within a much shorter time interval of 0.32 m.y. at Bingham Canyon and 0.090 m.y. at Alumbrera; these youngest zircons of each intrusion are interpreted to bracket the maximum duration of porphyry emplacement and ore formation to short periods, consistent with thermal constraints. This study illustrates that age brackets based on individual magmatic zircon grains are geologically more informative than the calculation of means and standard deviations based on apparently normal age distributions in zircon populations.

U-Pb zircon and Sm—Nd geochronology of mafic and ultramafic rocks from the central part of the Tauern Window (eastern Alps)

Geochronological and geochemical analyses were carried out in order to identify the pre-Variscan basement of the Tauern Window (eastern Alps). Maficultramafic rocks from the central part of the Tauern window have been studied by REE-analysis and U-Pb and Sm-Nd isotopic analyses on whole rock, zircons, garnets and sphene. U-Pb and Sm—Nd zircon dating define both magmatic Pan-African and Cambro-Ordovician events from 650 Ma to 486 Ma within the Alpine fold belt. This indicates a time span of 150 Ma for magmatic activities in the Tauern Window of the eastern Alps. The ages of 657 Ma (U-Pb zircon) and 644 (Sm—Nd zireon) obtained from an amphibolite are the oldest dates of the Eastern Alps; they may be related to the Pan-African orogeny, and imply an early cycle of magmatic intrusion before major activity started at around 500 Ma. Sm-Nd whole rock analyses of the Precambrian rocks do not define an isochron, reflecting heterogenities within the mantle source. The initial εNd values (+1.2 to +4.7) are very low, implying an enrichment of the magma source. The second main phase of magmatic activity (539 486 Ma) is characterized by the emplacement of mafic/ultramafic rock sequences. As no ophiolitic relies are observed in these domains, the Early Paleozoic magmatism was likely associated with extensional tectonics. Obtained ages of 301±3 and 314+4/-3 Ma point to a Variscan metamorphism. The first combined U-Pb zircon/Sm—Nd zircon data for an amphibolite from the Basal Amphibolite Formation (BAF) favoured the Sm-Nd zircon isochron age as a magmatic age, whereas the low initial εNd value point to an enriched magma source as well as to heterogenities within the magma source. The obtained ages suggest that parts of the pre-Variscan basement within the Alpine fold belt were formed during the Pan-Africa cycle. The detection of Pre-Variscan ages within the Alpine basement must reffect a complex history involving significant pre-Variscan activity.

The Elatsite porphyry copper deposit in the Panagyurishte ore district, Srednogorie zone, Bulgaria: U-Pb zircon geochronology and isotope-geochemical investigations of magmatism and ore genesis

Abstract Single zircons from several porphyry dykes bracketing the time of formation of the Elatsite porphyry Cu-Au deposit (Bulgaria) were dated by high-precision U-Pb isotope analysis, using thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS). On the basis of cross-cutting relationships, and the mineralogy and geochemistry of igneous and altered rocks, five dyke units are distinguished. The earliest porphyry dyke is associated with, and overprinted by, the main stage of ore-related veining and potassic alteration. U-Pb analyses of zircons yield a mean 206Pb/238U age of 92.1 ± 0.3 Ma, interpreted to reflect the time of intrusion. Zircons of the latest ore forming dyke, crosscutting the main stage veins but still associated with minor potassic alteration and veining, give an intrusion age of 91.84 ± 0.3 Ma. Thus, ore mineralization is confined by individually dated igneous events, indicating that the entire time span for the ore-forming magmatism and high temperature hydrothermal activity extended over a maximum duration of 1.1 Ma, but probably much less. Zircon analyses of a late ore dyke cutting all ore veins and hosting pyrite as the only sulphide mineral give a concordant 206Pb/238U age of 91.42 ± 0.15 Ma. Based on a spatial relationships of the magnetite-bornite-chalcopyrite assemblage with coarse-grained hydrothermal biotite and K-feldspar, a Rb-Sr age of 90.55 ± 0.8 Ma is calculated using the two K-rich minerals. This age is interpreted as a closing date for the Rb-Sr system at T ≈ 300 °C consistent with published K-Ar data. Therefore the entire lifespan of the magmatic-hydrothermal system is estimated to have lasted about 1.2 Ma. Soon after, the Cretaceous complex was exposed by erosion, as shown by palaeontologically dated (Turonian; 91–88.5 Ma) sandstones containing fragments of porphyry dykes. Geochemical discrimination ratios suggest a mixed mantle and crustal source of the Cretaceous magma. Isotope analyses of Sr, Nd and Hf confirm the conclusion that all porphyry rocks within and around the Elatsite deposit originate from an enriched mantle source at Cretaceous times, with crustal contamination indicated by moderately radiogenic Pb.

SmNd and UPb dating of eclogites and granulites from the Oberpfalz, NE Bavaria, Germany

Abstract The formation of eclogites and felsic granulites of the Moldanubian basement of the Oberpfalz (area of Winklarn, NE Bavaria) has been dated at 424 Ma using the SmNd method on minerals (garnet, zircon, rutile) and whole rock. Only estimates on the age of the tholeiitic protoliths of the eclogite boudins are possible from the scattered U-Pb zircon data and from SmNd systematics. Both methods suggest protolith ages around 1 Ga and indicate, together with the major-, trace- and rare-earth element data, extraction of the tholeiitic melts from a suboceanic mantle with an initial ϵ Nd of + 7.5. Based on the geochronological data of three typical Moldanubian cordierite-bearing paragneisses which surround the Winklarn area in distances of 30–60 km, tectonic contacts to the low-pressure country rocks of the eclogites are probable as these paragneisses yielded Ordovician ages for their amphibolite-facies metamorphism and post-Pan-African ages for the deposition of their sedimentary precursors. Low-pressure-high-temperature metamorphism at 323 Ma fully reset monazites in the granulites. This widespread and synchronous Carboniferous overprinting of the Moldanubian basement is probably also responsible for the variable opening of UPb zircon, RbSr whole-rock and SmNd mineral systems. A terrane or microcontinent model still appears most suitable to explain the Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian and Carboniferous high-pressure (subduction) events detected all over the European Variscan belt. In this model, oceanic basins between Gondwana-derived microcontinents were successively closed since the Ordovician, causing differently old subduction zone-related high-pressure metamorphisms.

Laser-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon ages and geochemical and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions of the Niyasar plutonic complex, Iran: constraints on petrogenesis and tectonic evolution

We conducted geochemical and isotopic studies on the Oligocene–Miocene Niyasar plutonic suite in the central Urumieh–Dokhtar magmatic belt, in order better to understand the magma sources and tectonic implications. The Niyasar plutonic suite comprises early Eocene microdiorite, early Oligocene dioritic sills, and middle Miocene tonalite + quartzdiorite and minor diorite assemblages. All samples show a medium-K calc-alkaline, metaluminous affinity and have similar geochemical features, including strong enrichment of large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs, e.g. Rb, Ba, Sr), enrichment of light rare earth elements (LREEs), and depletion in high field strength elements (HFSEs, e.g. Nb, Ta, Ti, P). The chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns of microdiorite and dioritic sills are slightly fractionated [(La/Yb)n = 1.1–4] and display weak Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.72–1.1). Isotopic data for these mafic mantle-derived rocks display ISr = 0.70604–0.70813, ϵNd (microdiorite: 50 Ma and dioritic sills: 35 Ma, respectively) = +1.6 and −0.4, TDM = 1.3 Ga, and lead isotopic ratios are (206Pb/204Pb) = 18.62–18.57, (207Pb/204Pb) = 15.61–15.66, and (208Pb/204Pb) = 38.65–38.69. The middle Miocene granitoids (18 Ma) are also characterized by relatively high REE and minor Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.77–0.98) and have uniform initial 87Sr/86Sr (0.7065–0.7082), a range of initial Nd isotopic ratios [ϵNd(T)] varying from −2.3 to −3.7, and Pb isotopic composition (206Pb/204Pb) = 18.67–18.94, (207Pb/204Pb) = 15.63–15.71, and (208Pb/204Pb) = 38.73–39.01. Geochemical and isotopic evidence for these Eocene–Ologocene mafic rocks suggests that the magmas originated from lithospheric mantle with a large involvement of EMII component during subduction of the Neotethyan ocean slab beneath the Central Iranian plate, and were significantly affected by crustal contamination. Geochemical and isotopic data of the middle Miocene granitoids rule out a purely crustal-derived magma genesis, and suggest a mixed mantle–crustal [MASH (melting, assimilation, storage, and homogenization)] origin in a post-collision extensional setting. Sr–Nd isotope modelling shows that the generation of these magmas involved ∼60% to 70% of a lower crustal-derived melt and ∼30% to 40% of subcontinental lithospheric mantle. All Niyasar plutons exhibit transitional geochemical features, indicating that involvement of an EMII component in the subcontinental mantle and also continental crust beneath the Urumieh–Dokhtar magmatic belt increased from early Eocene to middle Miocene time.

High-precision zircon U/Pb geochronology by ID-TIMS using new 1013 ohm resistors

Accessory mineral U–Pb geochronology by isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry (ID-TIMS) requires precise and accurate determinations of parent–daughter isotope ratios. The small sample size, particularly with respect to radiogenic Pb (Pb*), requires highly sensitive ion detection systems. Most studies therefore employ either secondary electron multipliers (SEMs) or Daly photomultipliers that provide low background noise and high sensitivity but have a limited linear range and require dynamic peak-hopping. We here evaluate the application of new 1013 ohm resistors in a Faraday cup amplifier feedback loop for the static collection of all Pb isotopes (sample and tracer) with 202,205,206,207,208Pb measured on Faraday cups and 204Pb measured in the axial SEM of a Thermo Scientific™ TRITON™ Plus TIMS instrument. We demonstrate long-term stability of the amplifier gain calibration using a secondary Nd standard and test short- and long-term stability and reproducibility of amplifier baselines. Accurate calibration of static detector arrays is demonstrated by repeated analyses of synthetic and natural U–Pb standards (ET100, Temora-2 and AUS_Z7_5) with variable Pb* (0.551 to 699 pg) and comparison with conventional dynamic ion counting data. Excellent agreement between the two detector systems for all analysed standards suggests that our static measurement routine with 1013 ohm resistors produces accurate and precise U–Pb isotopic data with superior external reproducibility. We anticipate that this new technique will push the frontiers of high-precision U–Pb geochronology and may represent a crucial advancement in the quest towards inter- and intra-laboratory reproducibility at the 0.01% level.

Tectonic, magmatic, and metallogenic evolution of the Late Cretaceous arc in the Carpathian‐Balkan orogen

The Apuseni – Banat – Timok – Srednogorie (ABTS) Late Cretaceous magmatic arc in the Carpathian –Balkan orogen formed on the European margin during closure of the Neotethys Ocean. It was subsequently deformed into a complex orocline by continental collisions. The Cu-Au mineralised arc consists of geologically distinct segments: the Apuseni, Banat, Timok, Panagyurishte and Eastern Srednogorie segments. New U-Pb zircon ages and geochemical whole rock data for the Banat and Apuseni segments are combined with previously published data to reconstruct the original arc geometry and better constrain its tectonic evolution. Trace element and isotopic signatures of the arc magmas indicate a subduction-enriched source in all segments and variable contamination by continental crust. The magmatic arc was active for 25 m.y. (~92-67 Ma). Across-arc age trends of progressively younger ages towards the inferred paleo-trench indicate gradual steepening of the subducting slab away from the upper plate European margin. This leads to asthenospheric corner flow in the overriding plate, which is recorded by decreasing 87Sr/86Sr (0.70577 to 0.70373) and increasing 143Nd/144Nd (0.51234 to 0.51264) ratios over time in some segments. The close spatial relationship between arc magmatism, large-scale shear zones and related strike-slip sedimentary basins in the Timok and Pangyurishte segments indicates mild transtension in these central segments of the restored arc. In contrast, the Eastern Srednogorie segment underwent strong orthogonal intra-arc extension. Segmental distribution of tectonic stress may account for the concentration of rich porphyry Cu deposits in the transtensional segments, where lower-crustal magma storage and fractionation favoured the evolution of volatile-rich magmas.

The mafic-ultramafic rock association of Loderio-Biasca (lower Pennine nappes, Ticino, Switzerland): Cambrian oceanic magmatism and its bearing on early Paleozoic paleogeography

Abstract Dismembered relics of mafic and ultramafic rock in high-grade basement rocks often record pre-collisional stages of deep lithospheric and/or oceanic mafic magmatism in an orogen. A lens of amphibolites and serpentinites, intercalated between the crystalline Simano and Leventina nappes (lower Penninic nappes, Central Alps, Switzerland) was investigated for the protolith age and chemical and isotopic composition. Despite the polyphase high-grade metamorphic overprinting, primary isotopic and chemical relationships are still preserved and are indicative of an origin in an active margin situation. Trace element geochemistry and Nd isotopes of amphibolites argue for the fractionated gabbros as protoliths, which were formed by the partial melting of the upper mantle. The rocks show a variation of e Nd values from +7.3 to +4.2 and Nd model ages up to 2 Ga, taken as evidence for the contamination by a geochemically enriched, old lithospheric source. Sr isotopes are heavily disturbed through the percolating crustal fluids after the emplacement into the continental crust. U–Pb age determination of zircon from two amphibolites using both in situ (SHRIMP) and conventional methods converge at an age of 518±11 Ma for the crystallization of the protoliths. The rock association of Loderio–Biasca is a further example from the Alpine basement recording an oceanic domain between Gondwana and the different Gondwana-derived microcontinents in the Cambrian–Ordovician times. Remnants of this ocean were incorporated into the accretionary wedges that formed during the subduction/collision events from Ordovician to Carboniferous, commonly summarized as the Caledonian and Variscan orogeny, and are today spread over the so-called Saxothurigian and Moldanubian domain of the Variscan orogen. These domains consist, thus to large extents, of heterochronous accretionary wedge sequences.

Jurassic rifting at the Eurasian Tethys margin: Geochemical and geochronological constraints from granitoids of North Makran, southeastern Iran

This study focuses on an east-west trending belt of granitic to intermediate intrusions and their volcanic cover in the northern Dur Kan Complex, a continental slice outcropping to the north of the exposed Makran accretionary wedge in southeastern Iran. Field observations, petrographic descriptions, trace element, and isotope analyses combined with U-Pb zircon geochronology are presented to determine the time frame of magmatism and tectonic setting during the formation of these rocks. Results document three magmatic episodes with different melt sources for (1) granites, (2) a diorite-trondhjemite-plagiogranite sequence, and (3) diabases and lavas. Granites, dated at 170–175 Ma, represent crystallized melt with a strong continental isotopic contribution. The diorite-trondhjemite-plagiogranite sequence is 165–153 Ma old and derives from a mantle magma source with minor continental contribution. East-west trending diabase dikes and bodies intruded the granitoids, which were eroded and then covered by Valanginian (140–133 Ma) alkaline lavas and sediments. Alkaline dikes and lavas have a mantle isotopic composition. Temporal correlation with plutonites of the Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone to the northwest defines a narrow, NW-SE striking and nearly 2000 km long belt of Jurassic intrusions. The increasing mantle influence in the magma sources is explained by thinning of continental lithosphere and related mantle upwelling/decompression melting. Accordingly, the formation of the studied igneous rocks is related to the extension of the Iranian continental margin, which ultimately led to the formation of the Tethys-related North Makran Ophiolites.

From Mesoproterozoic magmatism to collisional Cretaceous anatexis: Tectonomagmatic history of the Pelagonian Zone, Greece

The magmatic history of the Pelagonian Zone, in northern Greece, is constrained with secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS) U-Pb dating on zircons of various granitoids whose structural positions were defined with respect to the regional main foliation. Ages pertain to four groups: (i) Mesoproterozoic (circa 1430 Ma) crystallization of granites inferred from inherited magmatic zircon cores that have been partially molten during the (ii) Neoproterozoic at circa 685 Ma (metamorphic zircon rims) and subsequently intruded by a Neoproterozoic leucogranite (circa 600 Ma). (iii) Late- or post-Variscan calc-alkaline granitoids (315–301 Ma) were in turn intruded by a subvolcanic dike at about 280 Ma. In the Early Permian the eNd(t) in magmas decreased from −7.3 to −1.3, hinting to mantle-derived melts produced during extension. Rifting is further heralded by two acidic and one mafic dike containing Lower-Middle Triassic zircons (246–242 Ma). (iv) Early Cretaceous anatectic melts at 117 ± 8 Ma formed during regional metamorphism. This age is the first report of in situ anatexis in the Pelagonian Zone. Cretaceous anatexis developed during the Mesozoic collision of Pelagonia with the Eurasian margin. Major- and trace-element geochemistry of amphibolites further attests for the complex pre-Alpine tectonic history with Neoproterozoic calc-alkaline and back-arc geochemical signature and Triassic alkali-magmatism.