Tetsuo Kawakami

North-south extension in the Tibetan crust triggered by granite emplacement

We combine zircon sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe U-Pb spot dating and mica 4 0 Ar- 3 9 Ar plateau ages with field-geological and geochemical constraints from the Malashan area of Southern Tibet to show that the deformed granite core of the North Himalayan metamorphic domes in this area is not Indian basement, but was intruded and deformed during the Himalayan orogeny. Microstructural observations reveal that a transition from top-to-the-south thrust-related to top-to-the-north extension-related deformation occurred during granite intrusion and related metamorphism. This suggests that intrusion triggered the onset of extensional tectonics in the Tibetan middle to upper crust. Expected positive feedback mechanisms between decompression melting leading to more intrusion and more extensional deformation suggest that this mechanism may have been important on a regional scale.

Cenozoic and Mesozoic metamorphism in the Longmenshan orogen: Implications for geodynamic models of eastern Tibet

New zircon U-Pb and mica 40Ar/39Ar dating combined with structural studies in the Longmenshan orogen confirm that most of the upper crustal deformation in the eastern margin of Tibet is Mesozoic. However, at lower structural levels, apatite U-Pb and monazite electron microprobe dating reveals a previously unknown domain of Cenozoic (ca. 65 Ma) Barrovian-type metamorphism and deformation. This discovery shows that the crust in the eastern margin of Tibet was already a substantial thickness around the time of the India-Asia collision. Associated deformation has a N-S-oriented stretching lineation, implying that deformation was not driven by topographic gradients in the Tibetan Plateau. The observed moderate amounts of distributed postmetamorphic E-W shortening can probably explain the present thickness of the continental crust in the area. These results do not support models of crustal thickening caused by solid-state lateral flow of midcrustal metamorphic rocks.

The Malashan gneiss dome in south Tibet: comparative study with the Kangmar dome with special reference to kinematics of deformation and origin of associated granites

Abstract Despite the importance of Tethys Himalayan or North Himalayan gneiss domes for discussing extrusive flow of the underlying Greater Himalayan Sequence, these metamorphic domes in general remain poorly documented. The main exception is the Kangmar dome. The Malashan metamorphic complex, a newly documented North Himalayan gneiss dome, is shown to have strong similarities with the Kangmar dome, suggesting that the North Himalayan gneiss domes have the following features in common: (i) Barrovian-type metamorphism with grade increasing towards a centrally located two-mica granite; (ii) the presence of two dominant ductile deformation stages, D1 and D2, with D2 showing an increasing strength towards the granite contacts; and (iii) the development of a strong D2 foliation (gneissosity) in the outermost part of the granite cores. In addition, field and bulk-chemical studies show: (i) D2 is associated with a dominant top-to-the-north sense of shear (in disagreement with the most recent kinematic studies in Kangmar dome); (ii) the deposition age of associated metasediments is upper Jurassic suggesting that the Malashan dome is located not at the base, but within the middle section of the Tethys Himalaya; and (iii) in contrast to the Kangmar granitic gneiss that is interpreted as Indian basement, three granitic bodies in Malashan all formed as young intrusive bodies during the Himalayan orogeny. These results suggest that the formation mechanism of the North Himalayan gneiss domes needs to be re-evaluated to test the rigidity of the hanging wall assumed in channel flow models.

Geosciences research in East Antarctica (0°E–60°E): present status and future perspectives

Abstract In both palaeoenvironmental and palaeogeographical studies, Antarctica plays a unique role in our understanding of the history of the Earth. It has maintained a unique geographical position at the South Pole for long periods. As the only unpopulated continent, the absence of political barriers or short-term economic interests has allowed international collaborative science to flourish. Although 98% of its area is covered by ice, the coastal Antarctic region is one of the well-studied regions in the world. The integrity and success of geological studies lies in the fact that exposed outcrops are well preserved in the low-latitude climate. The continuing programme of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition focuses on the geology of East Antarctica, especially in the Dronning Maud Land and Enderby Land regions. Enderby Land preserves some of the oldest Archaean rocks on Earth, and the Mesoproterozoic to Palaeozoic history of Dronning Maud Land is extremely important in understanding the formation and dispersion of Rodinia and subsequent assembly of Gondwana. The geological features in this region have great significance in defining the temporal and spatial extension of orogenic belts formed by the collision of proto-continents. Present understanding of the evolution of East Antarctica in terms of global tectonics allows us to visualize how continents have evolved through time and space, and how far back in time the present-day plate-tectonic regime may have operated. Although several fundamental research problems still need to be resolved, the future direction of geoscience research in Antarctica will focus on how the formation and evolution of continents and supercontinents have affected the Earths environment, a question that has been addressed only in recent years.

Kornerupine sensu stricto associated with mafic and ultramafic rocks in the Lützow-Holm Complex at Akarui Point, East Antarctica: What is the source of boron?

Abstract Kornerupine, (□, Mg, Fe)(Al, Mg, Fe)9(Si, Al, B)5O21(OH, F), is known from only five mafic or ultramafic settings worldwide (of the >70 localities overall). We report a sixth occurrence from Akarui Point in the Lützow-Holm Complex, East Antarctica, where two ruby corundum (0.22–0.34 wt% Cr2O3)–plagioclase lenses are found at the same structural level as boudinaged ultrabasic rocks in hornblende gneiss and amphibolite. Ion microprobe analyses of kornerupine give 13–59 ppm Be, 181–302 ppm Li, and 5466–6812 ppm B, corresponding to 0.38–0.47 B per 21.5 O; associated sapphirine also contains B (588–889 ppm). Peak metamorphic conditions are estimated to be 770–790 °C and 7.7–9.8 kbar. Kornerupine encloses tourmaline and plagioclase, which suggests the prograde reaction tourmaline (1) + plagioclase (>An34)+ sapphirine±spinel→kornerupine+corundum (ruby)+plagioclase (<An82)±(fluid or melt). Alternatively, kornerupine and tourmaline could have formed sequentially under nearly constant P–T conditions during the infiltration of fluid that was originally B-bearing, but then progressively lost Na (or gained Ca) and B through reaction with mafic rocks. Kornerupine later reacted with H2O–CO2 fluid in cracks at P–T conditions in the andalusite stability field: kornerupine+plagioclase+(Na, K, ± Si in fluid)→tourmaline+biotite+corundum (sapphire)± magnesite±andalusite+(Ca in fluid). Secondary tourmaline differs from the included tourmaline in containing less Ti and having a higher Na/(Na+Ca+K) ratio. There are two possible scenarios for introducing B into the lenses: (1) infiltration of boron-bearing aqueous fluids released by prograde breakdown of muscovite in associated metasedimentary rocks; (2) hydrothermal alteration of mafic and ultramafic rocks by seawater prior to peak metamorphism. The latter scenario is consistent with an earlier suggestion that Akarui Point could be part of an ophiolite complex developed between the Yamato–Belgica and Rayner complexes.

Possibility of scanning electron microscope observation and energy dispersive X-ray analysis in microscale region of insulating samples using diluted ionic liquid.

The possibility of scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometry analysis in microscale regions of insulating samples using diluted ionic liquid was investigated. It is possible to obtain clear secondary electron images of insulating samples such as a rock and mineral at 5,000 times magnification by dropping 10 μL of 1 wt% of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (EMI-CH₃COO) diluted with ethanol onto the samples. We also obtained EDX spectra of the samples in microscale regions (~5 μm²) without overlapping EDX spectra of other minerals with different composition. It might be possible to perform quantitative analysis of the samples if a method that does not need standard samples is applied or an X-ray detector sensitive for light elements was attached. The method of dropping 1 wt% EMI-CH₃COO diluted with ethanol onto insulating samples is useful for SEM observation, EDX analysis in microscale regions, and the preservation of scarce rock and mineral samples because ionic liquid can be easily removed with acetone.

Monazite Behaviour and Time-scale of Metamorphic Processes along a Low-pressure/High-temperature Field Gradient (Ryoke Belt, SW Japan)

Low-pressure/high-temperature metamorphic rocks exposed in the western part of the Ryoke belt (Iwakuni–Yanai area, SW Japan) include a section with increasing temperature conditions from 425 to 880 C. We use this setting to explore the evolution of monazite grain size, texture and composition, and variations in the whole-rock composition of 11 metapelite, metapsammite or metachert samples collected along the metamorphic field gradient. Monazite grain size increases with rising metamorphic grade, regardless of the whole-rock composition. From lowto high-grade conditions we infer: (1) the initial nucleation of monazite aggregates after allanite ( 425 C); (2) monazite coarsening and coalescence driven by incipient monazite recycling; that is, dissolution of small grains to grow larger ones by Ostwald ripening (500–600 C); (3) a first major recycling stage enhanced by fluid liberation owing to muscovite breakdown (600–630 C); (4) a second recycling stage assisted by an increase in the proportion of anatectic melt owing to biotite breakdown (> 850 C). A succession of four compositional domains is recognized in monazite. We emphasize the usefulness of comparing their Ce/ThMnz, Ce/YMnz and Th/UMnz molar ratios with those derived from whole-rock analyses to constrain the origin of each domain. Domain I, with variable ratios, reflects the progressive transfer of Th 6 U from allanite to monazite at low-grade conditions. Domain II, with Ce/ThMnz matching the whole-rock values, indicates growth under rock(decimetre)scale equilibrium conditions. Domains II and III, with Th/UMnz and Ce/YMnz departing from the whole-rock values, record the competition with zircon (for U) and garnet (for Y) during growth at peak P–T conditions. Domain IV points to Y supply by garnet resorption during retrograde chloritization (< 550 C). In the highest-grade sample, zircon grains included in garnet or cordierite show metamorphic rims with sillimanite and Si-rich inclusions. These rims formed at suprasolidus conditions (650–880 C) and yield Pb/U ages of 103–97 Ma (6 5 Ma), which bracket the timing of high-temperature metamorphism. Monazite dating by electron microprobe and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry reveals two age groups. For domains I–III, some relatively old Pb/U ages (99–95 6 3–5 Ma) represent minimum estimates for the timing of prograde to peak metamorphism, whereas the similar oldest Pb/U age for domain IV VC The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com 1109 J O U R N A L O F P E T R O L O G Y Journal of Petrology, 2018, Vol. 59, No. 6, 1109–1144 doi: 10.1093/petrology/egy056 Advance Access Publication Date: 11 June 2018