Matthew A. Coble

Petrogenesis and provenance of distal volcanic tuffs from the Permian–Triassic Karoo Basin, South Africa: A window into a dissected magmatic province

We present zircon rare earth element (REE) compositions integrated with U-Pb ages of zircon and whole-rock geochemistry from 29 volcanic tuffs preserved in the Karoo Supergroup, South Africa, to investigate the history of magmatism in southern Gondwana. Whole-rock compositions suggest a subduction-driven magmatic arc source for early (before 270 Ma) to middle Permian (270–260 Ma) Karoo tuffs. After ca. 265 Ma, the magmatic source of the volcanic deposits transitioned toward intraplate shallow-sourced magmatism. Zircon U-Pb ages and REE chemistry suggest that early to middle Permian magmas were oxidizing, U- and heavy (H) REE–enriched, melts; middle Permian to Triassic zircons record HREE-depleted, more reduced magmatism. Middle Permian to Triassic tuffs contain increasingly large volumes of zircon cargo derived from assimilated crustal material; therefore magmas may have been zircon undersaturated, resulting in less zircon growth and increased inheritance in late Permian to Triassic Gondwanan volcanics. Zircon U-Pb ages and zircon REE chemistry suggest a shift from arc magmatism in the early Permian to extensional magmatism by the late Permian, which may be associated with development of a backarc magmatic system adjacent to western Antarctica that predates known extensional volcanism elsewhere in Gondwana. Opening of the Southern Ocean in the Jurassic–Cretaceous paralleled this extensional feature, which may be related to reactivation of this Permian–Triassic backarc. This study demonstrates the potential of zircon U-Pb age and REE compositions from volcanic tuffs preserved in sedimentary strata to provide a more complete record of magmatism, when the magmatic province has been largely lost to active tectonism.

Constraints on plateau architecture and assembly from deep crustal xenoliths, northern Altiplano (SE Peru)

Newly discovered xenoliths within Pliocene and Quaternary intermediate volcanic rocks from southern Peru permit examination of lithospheric processes by which thick crust (60–70 km) and high average elevations (3–4 km) resulted within the Altiplano, the second most extensive orogenic plateau on Earth. The most common petrographic groups of xenoliths studied here are igneous or meta-igneous rocks with radiogenic isotopic ratios consistent with recent derivation from asthenospheric mantle ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr = 0.704–0.709, 143 Nd/ 144 Nd = 0.5126–0.5129). A second group, consisting of felsic granulite xenoliths exhibiting more radiogenic compositions ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr = 0.711–0.782, 143 Nd/ 144 Nd = 0.5121–0.5126), is interpreted as supracrustal rocks that underwent metamorphism at ~9 kbar (~30–35 km paleodepth, assuming a mean crustal density of 2.8 g/cm 3 ) and ~750 °C. These rocks are correlated with nonmetamorphosed rocks of the Mitu Group and assigned a Mesozoic (Upper Triassic or younger) age based on detrital zircon U-Pb ages. A felsic granulite Sm-Nd garnet whole-rock isochron of 42 ± 2 Ma demonstrates that garnet growth took place in Eocene time. Monazite grains associated with quenched anatectic melt networks in the same rocks yield ion microprobe U-Pb ages ranging from 3.2 ± 0.2 to 4.4 ± 0.3 Ma (2σ). These disparate geochronologic data sets are reconciled by a model wherein Mesozoic cover rocks were transferred to >30 km depth beneath the plateau in the Eocene and progressively heated until at least Pliocene time. Isothermal decompression and partial melting ensued as these rocks were entrained as xenoliths in volcanic host magmas and transported toward the surface. Mafic granulites and peridotites from the same xenolith suite comprise the basement of the metasedimentary sequence, exhibiting isotopic characteristics of Central Andean crust. Calculated equilibrium pressures for these basement rocks are >11 kbar, suggesting that the basement-cover interface lies beneath the northernmost Altiplano at ~30–40 km below the surface. Together, these results indicate that crustal thickening under the northernmost Altiplano started earlier than major latest Oligocene and Miocene uplift episodes affecting the region and was coeval with a flat slab–related regional episode of deformation. Total shortening must have been at least 20% more than previous estimates in order to satisfy the basement to cover depth constraints provided by the xenolith data. Sedimentary rocks at >30 km paleodepth require that Andean basement thrusts decapitated earlier Triassic normal faults, trapping Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks below the main decollement. Magma loading from intense Cenozoic plutonism within the plateau probably played an additional role in transporting Mesozoic cover rocks to >30 km and thickening the crust beneath the northern Altiplano.

Thermochronology of extensional orogenic collapse in the deep crust of Zealandia

The exhumed Fiordland sector of Zealandia offers a deep-crustal view into the life cycle of a Cordilleran-type orogen from final magmatic construction to extensional orogenic collapse. We integrate U-Pb thermochronologic data from metamorphic zircon and titanite with structural observations from >2000 km 2 of central Fiordland to document the tempo and thermal evolution of the lower crust during the tectonic transition from arc construction and crustal thickening to crustal thinning and extensional collapse. Data reveal that garnet granulite facies metamorphism and partial melting in the lower crust partially overlapped with crustal thickening and batholith construction during emplacement of the Western Fiordland Orthogneiss (WFO) from 118 to 115 Ma. Metamorphic zircons in metasedimentary rocks yield 206 Pb/ 238 U (sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe–reverse geometry) dates of 116.3–112.0 Ma. Titanite laser ablation split stream inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry chronology from the same rocks yielded complex results, with relict Paleozoic 206 Pb/ 238 U dates preserved at the margins of the WFO. Within extensional shear zones that developed in the thermal aureole of the WFO, titanite dates range from 116.2 to 107.6 Ma and have zirconium-in-titanite temperatures of ∼900–750 °C. A minor population of metamorphic zircon rims and titanites in the Doubtful Sound region yield younger dates of 105.6–102.3 Ma with corresponding temperatures of 740–730 °C. Many samples record Cretaceous overdispersed dates with 5–10 m.y. ranges. Core-rim traverses and grain maps show complex chemical and temporal variations that cannot easily be attributed to thermally activated volume diffusion or simple core-rim crystallization. We interpret these Cretaceous titanites not as cooling ages, but rather as recording protracted growth and/or crystallization or recrystallization in response to fluid flow, deformation, and/or metamorphic reactions during the transition from garnet granulite to upper amphibolite facies metamorphism. We propose a thermotectonic model that integrates our results with structural observations. Our data reveal a clear tectonic break at 108–106 Ma that marks a change in processes deep within the arc. Prior to this break, arc construction processes dominated and involved (1) emplacement of mafic to intermediate magmas of the Malaspina and Misty plutons from 118 to 115 Ma, (2) contractional deformation at the roof of the Misty pluton in the Caswell Sound fold-thrust belt from 117 to 113 Ma, and (3) eclogite to garnet granulite facies metamorphism and partial melting over >8 m.y. from 116 to 108 Ma. These processes were accompanied by complex patterns of lower crustal flow involving both horizontal and vertical displacements. After this interval, extensional orogenic collapse initiated along upper amphibolite facies shear zones in the Doubtful Sound shear zone at 108–106 Ma. Zircon and titanite growth and/or crystallization or recrystallization at this time clearly link upper amphibolite facies metamorphism to mylonitic fabrics in shear zones. Our observations are significant in that they reveal the persistence of a hot and weak lower crust for ≥15 m.y. following arc magmatism in central Fiordland. We propose that the existence of a thermally weakened lower crust within the Median Batholith was a key factor in controlling the transition from crustal thickening to crustal thinning and extensional orogenic collapse of the Zealandia Cordillera.

The tempo of continental arc construction in the Mesozoic Median Batholith, Fiordland, New Zealand

We investigate the temporal record of magmatism in the Fiordland sector of the Median Batholith (New Zealand) with the goal of evaluating models for cyclic and episodic patterns of magmatism and deformation in continental arcs. We compare 20 U-Pb zircon ages from >2300 km2 of Mesozoic lower and middle crust of the Western Fiordland Orthogneiss to existing data from the Median Batholith to: (1) document the tempo of arc construction, (2) estimate rates of magmatic addition at various depths during arc construction, and (3) evaluate the role of cyclical feedbacks between magmatism and deformation during high and low magma addition rate events. Results from the Western Fiordland Orthogneiss indicate that the oldest dates are distributed in northern and southern extremities: the Worsley Pluton (123–121 Ma), eastern McKerr Intrusives (128–120 Ma), and Breaksea Orthogneiss (123 Ma). Dates within the interior of the Western Fiordland Orthogneiss (Misty and Malaspina Plutons, western McKerr Intrusives) primarily range from 118 to 115 Ma and signify a major flux of mafic to intermediate magmatism during which nearly 70% of the arc root was emplaced during a brief, ∼3 m.y., interval. The spatial distribution of dates reveals an inward-focusing, arc-parallel younging of magmatism within the Western Fiordland Orthogneiss during peak magmatic activity. Coupled with existing data from the wider Median Batholith, our data show that Mesozoic construction of the Median Batholith involved at least two high-flux magmatic events: a surge of low-Sr/Y plutonism in the Darran Suite from ca. 147 to 136 Ma, and a terminal surge of high-Sr/Y magmatism in the Separation Point Suite from 128 to 114 Ma, shortly before extensional collapse of the Zealandia Cordillera at 108–106 Ma. Separation Point Suite magmatism occurred at all structural levels, but was concentrated in the lower crust, where nearly 50% of the crust consists of Cretaceous arc-related plutonic rocks. Existing isotopic data suggest that the flare-up of high-Sr/Y magmatism was primarily sourced from the underlying mantle, indicating an externally triggered, dynamic mantle process for triggering the Zealandia high–magma addition rate event, with only limited contributions from upper plate materials.

Lithium enrichment in intracontinental rhyolite magmas leads to Li deposits in caldera basins

The omnipresence of lithium-ion batteries in mobile electronics, and hybrid and electric vehicles necessitates discovery of new lithium resources to meet rising demand and to diversify the global lithium supply chain. Here we demonstrate that lake sediments preserved within intracontinental rhyolitic calderas formed on eruption and weathering of lithium-enriched magmas have the potential to host large lithium clay deposits. We compare lithium concentrations of magmas formed in a variety of tectonic settings using in situ trace-element measurements of quartz-hosted melt inclusions to demonstrate that moderate to extreme lithium enrichment occurs in magmas that incorporate felsic continental crust. Cenozoic calderas in western North America and in other intracontinental settings that generated such magmas are promising new targets for lithium exploration because lithium leached from the eruptive products by meteoric and hydrothermal fluids becomes concentrated in clays within caldera lake sediments to potentially economically extractable levels.Lithium is increasingly being utilized for modern technology in the form of lithium-ion batteries. Here, using in situ measurements of quartz-hosted melt inclusions, the authors demonstrate that preserved lake sediments within rhyolitic calderas have the potential to host large lithium-rich clay deposits.

Dating the Paleoproterozoic snowball Earth glaciations using contemporaneous subglacial hydrothermal systems

The presence of Paleoproterozoic glacial diamictites deposited at low latitudes on different continents indicates that three or four worldwide glaciations occurred between 2.45 and 2.22 Ga. During that time period, the first atmospheric oxygen rise, known as the Great Oxidation Event (GOE), occurred, implying a potential connection between these events. Herein we combine triple oxygen isotope systematics and in situ and high-precision U-Pb zircon ages of mafic intrusions to date two episodes of snowball Earth glaciations. Subglacial hydrothermal alteration was induced by intrusions of high- Mg and high-Fe gabbros during the early Paleoproterozoic rifting on the Baltic Shield, which at the time was located at low latitudes. The low d18O values of hydrothermally altered rocks associated with these intrusions are attributed to high-temperature isotopic exchange between hot rock and glacial meltwater, indicating the presence of glacial ice globally. The triple oxygen isotope approach is used here to show that the d18O of glacial meltwaters during the dated episodes of snowball Earth glaciation was approximately –40 permil VSMOW (Vienna standard mean ocean water). High-Mg gabbro intrusions and associated low-d18O hydrothermally altered rocks formed during the earliest episode of snowball Earth glaciation between 2.43 and 2.41 Ga. High-Fe gabbro from the Khitoostrov locality (Karelia, Russia) hosts a d18O value of −27.3 permil and is dated here at 2291 ± 8 Ma. This age is interpreted to reflect the interaction between the intrusion and glacial meltwaters during the third Paleoproterozoic glaciation, which occurred after the GOE.

Post-supereruption recovery at Toba Caldera

Large calderas, or supervolcanoes, are sites of the most catastrophic and hazardous events on Earth, yet the temporal details of post-supereruption activity, or resurgence, remain largely unknown, limiting our ability to understand how supervolcanoes work and address their hazards. Toba Caldera, Indonesia, caused the greatest volcanic catastrophe of the last 100 kyr, climactically erupting ∼74 ka. Since the supereruption, Toba has been in a state of resurgence but its magmatic and uplift history has remained unclear. Here we reveal that new 14C, zircon U–Th crystallization and (U–Th)/He ages show resurgence commenced at 69.7±4.5 ka and continued until at least ∼2.7 ka, progressing westward across the caldera, as reflected by post-caldera effusive lava eruptions and uplifted lake sediment. The major stratovolcano north of Toba, Sinabung, shows strong geochemical kinship with Toba, and zircons from recent eruption products suggest Tobas climactic magma reservoir extends beneath Sinabung and is being tapped during eruptions.

The Early Paleozoic basite magmatism of Western Transbaikalia: Composition, isotope age (U-Pb, SHRIMP RG), magma sources, and geodynamics

Remnants of the Early Paleozoic gabbro and gabbromonzonite with an age of 514.6 ± 7.2 Ma (U-Pb, Zrn, SHRIMP-RG, Turka Massif) were identified among basites spatially associated with Late Paleozoic granitoids of Western Transbaikalia. Obtained geochronological data are close to those of felsic subvolcanic rocks of the Early Cambrian volcanotectonic structures of the Uda-Vitim paleoisland arc and gabbro of the Dzhida island arc in Central and Southwestern Transbaikalia. As compared to the Late Paleozoic analogues, the Early Paleozoic gabbromonzonite is characterized by the moderately low potassic alkalinity, fractionated REE pattern, and LILE enrichment relative to HFSE. The Early Paleozoic gabbro and gabbromonzonite are depleted in Nb, Ta, Zr, and Hf and enriched in Pb and Sr, which is typical of suprasubduction magmatic rocks. Geochemical data indicate a contribution of crustal (subducted) material in a magma source. A combination of geological, geochemical, and isotope-geochronological data indicates that the Early Paleozoic gabbromonzonite was formed in the Uda-Vitim paleoisland arc system in a suprasubduction setting. The geochemical similarity of the Early Paleozoic rocks and Late Paleozoic basites, which are associated with the Late Paleozoic granitic rocks of the Angara-Vitim batholith and were formed 200 Ma later, is attributed to inheritance of mantle source.

Early Onset of Franciscan Subduction

The Franciscan subduction complex of California is considered a type example of a subduction-accretion system, yet the age of subduction initiation and relationship to the tectonic history of western North America remain controversial. Estimates for the timing of Franciscan subduction initiation are largely based either indirectly on regional tectonic arguments or from the ages of high-grade blocks within mélange. Many of the high-grade blocks record counterclockwise pressure-temperature paths with early amphibolite overprinted by later eclogite and blueschist; however, their origin and significance with respect to subduction initiation have been debated. In contrast, some high-grade blocks show evidence for clockwise pressure-temperature paths and an early eclogite assemblage overprinted by later amphibolite. Zircon U-Pb ages from inclusions in garnet and Lu-Hf estimates of initial garnet growth ages from these samples record early eclogite metamorphism at ~176Ma. Matrix zircon U-Pb ages and Lu-Hf estimates of final garnet growth ages record a barroisite-amphibolite assemblage overprint of eclogite at ~160 Ma. Combined with petrologic data and existing geochronology, the data suggest that (1) Franciscan subduction was underway by no later than 180 Ma, (2) continuous subduction metamorphism occurred for at least 100 Ma, and (3) Franciscan subduction initiation predated the formation of the overlying Coast Range Ophiolite, supporting models that form the ophiolite above an east dipping Franciscan subduction zone. Plain Language Summary Subduction zones are places where dense ocean crust descends (or subducts) beneath more buoyant plates of continental or oceanic crust. Ancient subduction zones exposed at the Earth’s surface provide important information on past plate movements and processes now occurring within active subduction zones. Determining the age that subduction began in ancient subduction zones is difficult because the earliest formed rocks are rarely preserved in the rock record. Our study focuses on the Franciscan Complex of California, which is considered a type example of an ancient subduction zone. The timing of Franciscan subduction initiation, however, has long been debated, resulting in conflicting models for the tectonic history of western North America. This study is unique because we dated the mineral zircon preserved as inclusions within garnet formed during the early stages of subduction. We also analyzed zircon outside of garnet formed during a younger event within the subduction history. The zircon inclusions within garnet yield an age of ~176 Ma, whereas the zircon outside the garnet had a younger age of ~160 Ma. These ages require that Franciscan subduction began by 180 Ma, significantly older than commonly believed and constrain models for the tectonic evolution of the western North American margin.

Detrital zircon resolve longevity and evolution of silicic magmatism in extinct volcanic centers: A case study from the East Fjords of Iceland

Breiðuvik and Kaekjuskorð are two neighboring extinct eruptive centers in the East Fjords of Iceland. Together, they compose the second-largest volume of silicic rock in the country (after Torfajokull, an active volcanic system in southern Iceland). We use ages and compositions of detrital zircon collected from two riv- ers, the Storaa and Krossa-Kaekjudalsa, to investigate the origins and longevity of silicic magmatism at Breiðuvik-Kaekjuskorð. Zircon populations from the two catchments have identical median U-Pb dates (12.9 Ma), O isotopes (d 18 O Vienna standard mean ocean water = 3.1‰ versus 3.3‰), and Hf isotopes ( I Hf = 14.7). We interpret coherence of zircon elemental and isotopic compositions to indicate that a signifi cant volume of relatively uniform silicic material was produced in close temporal and spatial proximity between 11.2 ± 0.7 Ma and 15.0 ± 0.9 Ma (all errors are 1 i ), dominated by assimilation–fractional crystallization processes. To test the robustness of this longevity estimate, we applied Monte Carlo modeling to the Breiðuvik-Kaekjuskorð detrital zircon results and found the age span to be statistically resolvable at ³2.8 m.y. While this lifespan is comparable to those of large mafi c-silicic volcanic systems that have described in other settings glob- ally, it is the longest reported estimate for any Icelandic volcano, where typical longevity is thought to be ~0.5–1.5 m.y. The ³2.8 m.y. lifespan we present for Breiðuvik-Kaekjuskorð is a conservative assessment, because the dates used in this study only represent the zircon-saturated period of magmatic activity. This study demonstrates that detrital zircon analysis of volcanigenic sediment pro- vides an effi cient and powerful tool that can illuminate histories of zircon-satu- rated magmatism at targeted volcanic centers and systems. This approach can be particularly valuable in dominantly mafi c provinces where silicic material is subordinate (e.g., ocean islands, fl ood basalt provinces), where glaciation, ero- sion, or alteration has transformed the landscape, or in areas that are inaccessi- ble (e.g., obscured by glacial ice)