Yu. L. Ronkin

The tectono-metamorphic evolution of gneiss complexes in the Middle Urals, Russia: a reappraisal

Abstract The Middle Urals are characterized by a major virgation in the linear trend of the Urals orogen, and represent the most highly contracted part of the late Palaeozoic collisional belt. This part of the orogen is dominated by metamorphic complexes and major fault and shear zones. The Main Uralian Fault zone (MUF), the east-dipping suture of the orogen containing low-grade metamorphic rocks, separates the Sysert Complex in the east from the Ufaley Complex in the west. The Sysert Complex in the hanging wall of the MUF consists of intensely deformed gneisses, granitic intrusions and a metamorphosed melange zone. Tectonic and isotopic investigations suggest the following stages for the evolution of the Sysert Complex: (a) pre-orogenic rifting and magmatism during Ordovician and Silurian times; (b) oceanic closure, island arc formation related to convergence and subduction during Devonian times; (c) major ductile deformation under amphibolite facies conditions related to NW-directed thrusting associated with crustal stacking during collision in Carboniferous times; (d) exhumation and contractional intracontinental tectonics during Permian times; and (e) closing of isotope systems related to cooling and the end of orogenic shortening through Triassic times. The Ufaley Complex, in the footwall of the MUF, is interpreted as an east-dipping crustal stack that records an amphibolite facies Uralian metamorphism. Lithologically the complex can be divided into pre-orogenic European basement (West Ufaley) and intensely deformed Palaeozoic metasediments and amphibolites (East Ufaley). High-pressure relics in the East Ufaley Complex are interpreted to be the result of subduction, whereas intense ductile deformation is related to overthrusting onto West Ufaley. The West Ufaley Complex is composed of gneisses, amphibolites, migmatites and granitic intrusions and has been thrust onto Devonian limestones along a major shear zone. In both Sysert and Ufaley Complexes, NW-trending stretching lineations and top-to-the-NW kinematic indicators suggest an oblique plate convergence with a significant sinistral component. The MUF is interpreted as a major normal fault that developed congruent with continental subduction and that compensated lithospheric thickening and the rapid exhumation of subducted crust in the footwall.

Sm-Nd Isotopic Systematics of Precambrian Metapelites from the Yenisei Range and Age Variations of Their Provenances

Geochemical and Nd isotopic characteristics of clayey sediments and their metamorphosed analogues (metapelites) are widely used for reconstructing the composition and average model age of provenances and their temporal changes, assessing the degree of maturity of eroded substrates, and deciphering tectonic sedimentation settings [1‐4].

Archean U-Pb isotope age of zircon from dunite of the Nizhny Tagil massif (the Uralian Platinum Belt)

Material identity of dunite from zoned-type massifs of the Aldan shield (Kondyor, Chad and others) and dunite “cores” from the Uralian Platinum Belt (i.e., UPB) allows considering them as blocks of ancient material, which have the platform nature, integrated into complex structure of the UPB. In order to provide more clarity in the proposed hypothesis, grains of zircon from dunite of the Nizhny Tagil massif, an undisputable example of a zoned Uralian-type clinopyroxenite-dunite complex, genetically not connected to gabbro, have been studied by methods of isotope geology. Grains of zircon are represented by crystals and their fragments in the size range from 70 up to 170 microns long with length to width ratios from 1.3 up to 1.6. Parameters of U-Th-Pb isotope system were measured using sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe SHRIMP-II at 11 local areas of 8 crystals. Results for studied zircons in concordia diagram 207Pb/235U-206Pb/238U define three statistically different age clusters, i.e., 585 ± 29, 1608 ± 56 and about 2655 million years, accordingly. We presume that the Late Archean age cluster characterize time of dunite generation in a subcontinental mantle. Presence of three discrete age clusters, along with morphological variety of zircons and 232Th/238U values in an interval 0.071–1.692, together with already existing geological facts, reflect prolonged evolution of the dunite in complex geochemical and geodynamic conditions, supporting the conclusion about autonomy of the dunite “cores” in the structure of the UPB.

Fine-Grained Aluminosiliciclastic Rocks of the Middle Riphean Stratotype Section in the Southern Urals: Formation Conditions, Composition and Provenance Evolution

General trends of the formation of Middle Riphean fine-grained aluminosiliciclastic rocks in the Bashkir Meganticlinorium are considered. It is shown that Yurmatinian shales do not contain any significant pyroclastic admixture. Judging from the relatively constant Th/Cr ratio throughout the Yurmatinian section, the tectonic regime in the study territory during the early Middle Riphean is suggested to be rather stable. The main paleoclimatic indices and indicators of the pelitic material maturity (CIA, CIW, IVC, PIA, and ΣCe/ΣY) suggest that paleodrainage systems in the early Middle Riphean were dominated by humid climate that gave way to the arid or semiarid type in the middle Yurmatinian. The low Mo/Mn ratio and some other indicators of redox conditions in shales from all Yurmatinian lithostratigraphic units show that no explicit reducing conditions existed in the basin during the early Middle Riphean. The shales were characterized by the increase in K2O/Al2O3 ratio, gradual enrichment in REE, and growth of LREE/HREE and LaN/YbN ratios toward the middle Yurmatinian, indicating the gain of an appreciable amount of slightly weathered arkosic aluminosiliciclastic material in the sedimentary basin about 1220–1200 Ma ago. The REE distribution and the UCC- and AUC-normalized shale compositions suggest that the eroded upper crust was compositionally close to the UCC. The occurrence of mafic and ultramafic rocks is also inferred. Data points of Yurmatinian shales plotted in the Cr–Ni, Eu/Eu*–GdN/YbN, and (La/YB)N–YbN diagrams are localized between the fields of Upper Archean and post-Archean rocks or within the latter field. Hence, post-Archean igneous and metamorphic complexes prevailed in paleodrainage systems of the early Middle Riphean. This is also confirmed by the model Nd ages.

Composition of sediment provenances and patterns in geological history of the Late Vendian Mezen Basin

Formation conditions of sedimentary successions in the Mezen Basin are considered on the basis of Cr, Th, Sc, Ni, Hf, and REE distribution and model Nd age of the Upper Vendian fine-grained terrigenous rocks. Geochemistry of mudstones and shales of the Lyamitsa, Verkhovka, Zimnie Gory, and Erga formations in the Belomorian-Kuloi Plateau, as well as the Ust-Pinega and Mezen formations in the Vychegda Trough, does not allow us to consider these stratigraphic units as erosion products of the primitive Archean basement of the Baltic Shield or the central segment of the East European Craton (EEC) basement. Taking into account sedimentological data on the direction of paleoflows in the basin and the model Nd age of the fine-grained terrigenous rocks, we suggest that the Mezen Basin was filled in the Late Vendian mainly with erosion products of the Riphean igneous and metasedimentary complexes of the Timan-Pechora region. These conclusions are consistent with the sequence-stratigraphic architecture of sediments in the basin. According to the new model proposed, the Late Vendian Mezen Basin was a foredeep formed as a result of subsidence of the northeastern margin of the EEC under the load of overthrusted rock masses of the Timan-Pechora Foldbelt. The clastic material was derived from the emerging orogen.

Pre-Riphean metapelites of the Yenisei Range: Chemical composition, sources of eroded material, and paleogeodynamics

The paper reports data on metapelites (gneisses and crystalline schists) from various Early Precambrian lithostratigraphic units of the Yenisei Range (Kan and Yenisei complexes, Garevka Unit, and Teya Group). A representative selection of 57 samples from the examined vertical section were analyzed for major oxides, LILE, transition elements, HFSE, REE, radioactive elements, and other trace and minor elements. The most important distinctive geochemical feature of metapelites composing most of the vertical section is their elevated concentrations of Al, which are higher than in the Post-Archean Australian Shale (PAAS), K, Rb, Ba, Ga, Sc, Pb, Th, Nb, Y, and REE. These data and the systematics of elements in certain discriminant diagrams testify that the metasedimentary complexes in the sedimentation basin and the rocks associations composing the erosion area (crystalline massifs of the ancient basement of the Siberian craton) were strongly geochemically differentiated and mature. The composition of the eroded crustal material was close to the average composition of the post-Archean continental crust and PAAS. The metapelites of the Kuzeeva Unit in the Kan Complex and Penchenginskaya Formation in the Teya Group were the only ones that could have basic rocks as an additional source of material, as also follows from the elevated Cr concentrations of the rocks and their REE systematics. The three types of REE patterns of the metapelites largely correspond to the composition of the rocks that composed the ancient drainage areas and the degrees of the differentiation and averaging of their terrigenous material. The first predominant type corresponds to PAAS and the averaged composition of the upper continental crust. The second and third types of the REE patterns with high and low LaN/YbN ratios, respectively, and with or without negative Eu anomalies provide evidence of the contribution of tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) or basite sources typical of granite-greenstone provinces. In certain diagrams, the compositional fields of Early Precambrian metapelites in the Yenisei Range almost exactly coincide with the compositional fields of regional fine-grained Riphean terrigenous rocks. This suggests that the Late Precambrian sedimentary rock sequences inherited their geochemical features from more ancient rocks. The reproduced ancient geodynamic environments in which the Early Precambrian metaterrigenous complexes of the Yenisei Range were accumulated correspond to ensialic continental marginal basins. The rocks of the Kan and Yenisei complexes and the Garevka Unit were formed mostly on active continental margins and, less frequently, on passive margins. The protoliths of metasedimentary rocks of the Teya Group were accumulated in a subplatform environment at a passive margin.

U-Pb (SHRIMP II) Age of Zircons from Ash Beds of the Chernokamen Formation, Vendian Sylvitsa Group (Central Urals)

The Serebryanka and Sylvitsa groups on the western slope of the Urals characterize the Vendian section of the eastern folded framework of the East European Platform [1]. They are conspicuous against the background of the coeval platformal sequences by their relatively complete sedimentary record, sufficiently good outcrops, and opportunities for detailed sedimentological study both along and across the regional paleoslope. The tillite units serve as key elements of the stratigraphic framework of the Serebryanka Group. However, their number and continuity along the strike remain a matter of debate [1, 2]. The Sylvitsa Group comprises the following formations recognized on a regional scale (from bottom to top): Staropechny Formation (with a thin tillite unit at the base), Perevalok, Chernokamen, and Ust’-Sylvitsa formations. Their specific structural features serve as criteria for largescale correlation with Upper Vendian platformal sequences [1‐3]. The Ediacaran-type soft-bodied fossil biota is abundant in the Chernokamen Formation. The great density of fossil populations, the high taxonomic diversity of this biota, and the presence of endemic (for the Southeast White Sea region) taxons give grounds to suggest biogeographic links between the Central Ural and White Sea segments of the Late Vendian paleobasin [4]. The fossil biota from sedimentary rocks of the Chernokamen Formation comprises Cyclomedusa davidi Sprigg, Dickinsonia sp., Dickinsonia tenuis Glaessner et Wade, Ediacaria flindersi Sprigg, Eoporpita medusa Wade, Inaria khatyspytia (Vodanjuk), Irridinitus multiradiatus Fedonkin, Medusinites mawsoni (Sprigg), Nemiana simplex Palij, Paliella patelliformis Fedonkin, Palaeopascichnus delicatus Palij, Protodipleurosoma wardi Sprigg, Vaizitsinia sophia Sokolov et Fedonkin, and Yorgia sp. These data make it possible to correlate the Chernokamen Formation of the Central Urals with the reference section of the southeastern White Sea region. The Upper Vendian of the White Sea region includes a very characteristic taxon Yorgia , which appears for the first time in the Zimnegorsk Formation. However, insufficiently reliable stratigraphic and facies affiliations of the Sylvitsa Group and the absence of isotopic datings remained serious obstacles for such correlation until recently. In 2002, we found thin volcanic ash beds in the upper part of the Staropechny Formation. These beds are associated with the chocolate brown thin-bedded mudstones that crop out on the left bank of the Sylvitsa River downstream of the Kernos Creek. In 2003, volcanic ash beds, which are also closely related to the chocolate brown mudstones, were revealed in the Staropechny and Perevalok formations and in the lower subformation of the Chernokamen Formation in the Vilukha ravine on the left and right banks of the Us’va River. In 2004, ash beds were traced for 4.5 km in the lower subformation of the Chernokamen Formation along the Mezhevaya Utka River. In all the above cases, ash beds were readily discernible as a poorly cemented light gray (with pinkish, cream, and greenish hues) rock among the host chocolate brown mudstones. Members of chocolate brown mudstones with volcanic ash beds are important for Upper Vendian stratigraphy of the East European Platform. The tuffaceous rocks serve as key units for subdivision and correlation of outcrops and borehole sections [2, 3, 5, 6]. The most complete Upper Vendian platformal sections of the Mezen syneclise and the southeastern White Sea region

Vendian and Silurian ophiolite-formation stages on the eastern slope of the Middle Urals

In his works published in the early 20th century, H. Steinman characterized ophiolites as a genetic asso� ciation of peridotites, gabbro, dolerites, and basalts. The Penrose Conference held in 1972 contributed much to generalization of available materials and solution of problems related to the origin, composi� tion, and structure of the ophiolitic association. At this meeting, it was suggested to consider ophiolites as fragments of the oceanic crust and include the ultra� mafic, gabbroid, doleritic (basic complex of sheeted dikes), and basaltic complexes into this association [1]. Subsequently, R.G. Coleman, N.L. Dobretsov, J. Pierce, A. Miyashiro, and other researchers paid attention to the formation of ophiolites in different

Specific features of the distribution of trace and rare earth elements in recent bottom sediments in the lower course of the Severnaya Dvina River and White Sea

The paper discusses results of the lithogeochemical examination of recent bottom sediments in the lower course of the Severnaya Dvina River and White Sea. It has been established that the average concentration of several trace elements (Hf, Sc, Co, Y, Ni, V, Cr, Zr, Ba, and others) therein correlates with the content of the silt-pelite fraction. Maximal concentrations of the majority of above elements are confined to the silty-clayey sediments at the Basin/Dvina Bay boundary. They localized near the coastal zone only for some clastophile (Zr, Cr, and others). Typical values of the hydrolyzate module, chemical index of alteration, and Al2O3/SiO2 ratio in the aleuropelitic and pelitic sediments of the Severnaya Dvina River delta, Dvina Bay, and the Dvina Bay Basin boundary suggest that these sediments are confined to sufficiently cold climate settings. Data points of sediment composition in discriminant paleotectonic diagrams are scattered over a large field probably due to high contents of the weakly weathered plagioclases, micas, and amphiboles, as well as the hydrogenic process promoting the accumulation of Fe and Mn. The PAAS-normalized spectra of rare earth elements (REE) in bottom sediments of the Pinega and Severnaya Dvina rivers, marginal filter of the latter river, Dvina Bay, and the Dvina Bay Basin boundary are similar to the REE distribution in clayey rocks of the ancient platform cover (except for a slight positive Eu anomaly). The REE systematics and distribution pattern of compositional data points of recent bottom sediments in the GdN/YbN-Eu/Eu* and Eu/Eu*-Cr/Th diagrams and values of several indicator ratios of trace elements suggest that the studied rocks were formed by the mixing of clastic materials from geochemically contrast provenances: northwestern provenance (Kola-Karelia geoblock), which is mostly composed of the Archean and Early Proterozoic crystalline complexes, and the southeastern provenance (northwestern periphery of the Mezen syncline), which is almost totally composed of Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks. The latter provenance likely played a crucial role in the geochemical signature of recent bottom sediments over a significant area of the White Sea.

Geochemical and Lu-Hf (LA-ICP-MS) systematic of detrital zircons from lower neoproterozoic Lemeza Sandstones, Southern Urals

1200 In our previous communication [1], we presented geochronological data on detrital zircons (dZr) from sandstones of the Lemeza Subformation of the Karat� avian Zil’merdak Formation (standard of the Upper Riphean in northern Eurasia) developed in the Bash� kir Anticlinorium of the Southern Urals that borders the East European Platform (Fig. 1). From a total of 79 analyses, 66 qualified measurements yielded 206 Pb/ 207 Pb ages ranging from 3070 ± 27 to 1817 ± 59 Ma (Fig. 2a). The occurrence of two distinct differ�