Abstract U-Pb geochronology on baddeleyite is a powerful technique that can be applied effectively to chronostratigraphy. In southern Africa, the Kaapvaal Craton hosts a well-preserved Mesoarchean to Paleoproterozoic geological record, including the Neoarchean Ventersdorp Supergroup. It overlies the Witwatersrand Supergroup and its world-class gold deposits. The Ventersdorp Supergroup comprises the Klipriviersberg Group, Platberg Group, and Pniel Group. However, the exact timing of formation of the Ventersdorp Supergroup is controversial. Here we present 2789 ± 4 Ma and 2787 ± 2 Ma U-Pb isotope dilution-thermal ionization mass spectrometry (ID-TIMS) baddeleyite ages and geochemistry on mafic sills intruding the Witwatersrand Supergroup, and we interpret these sills as feeders to the overlying Klipriviersberg Group flood basalts. This constrains the age of the Witwatersrand Supergroup and gold mineralization to at least ca. 2.79 Ga. We also report 2729 ± 5 Ma and 2724 ± 7 Ma U-Pb ID-TIMS baddeleyite ages and geochemistry from a mafic sill intruding the Pongola Supergroup and on an east-northeast–trending mafic dike, respectively. These new ages distinguish two of the Ventersdorp Supergroup magmatic events: the Klipriviersberg and Platberg. The Ventersdorp Supergroup can now be shown to initiate and terminate with two large igneous provinces (LIPs), the Klipriviersberg and Allanridge, which are separated by Platberg volcanism and sedimentation. The age of the Klipriviersberg LIP is 2791–2779 Ma, and Platberg volcanism occurred at 2754–2709 Ma. The Allanridge LIP occurred between 2709–2683 Ma. Klipriviersberg, Platberg, and Allanridge magmatism may be genetically related to mantle plume(s). Higher heat flow and crustal melting resulted as a mantle plume impinged below the Kaapvaal Craton lithosphere, and this was associated with rifting and the formation of LIPs.
Abstract In the Tatra Mountains (Slovakia) metamorphic complex, kyanite-quartz segregations with biotite-rich selvage occur in mylonitized mica schists. In this paper, the problem of fluid flow and aluminium mobility during the uplift of the crystalline massif, and the position of the segregations in the history of Western Tatra metamorphic complex, is adressed. The reaction Alm + Rt ➔ Ilm + Ky + Qtz is considered to be the result of a pressure drop from above to below 9 kbar. Ti-in-biotite geothermometry shows the temperature range to be 579-639°C that is related to heating and decompression associated with granite intrusion. Major-element mass-balance calculations show that Al remained stable in the selvage + segregation system whereas other elements (e.g. Cr, HFSE) were mobilized. The kyanite-quartz segregations formed from local fluids generated during dehydration of the metapelitic rocks during uplift. The main mechanism was likely diffusion-driven mass-transfer into extension-related cracks.
In this study the formation of the polygenetic High Tatra granitoid magma is discussed. Felsic and mafic magma mixing and mingling processes occurred in all magma batches composing the pluton and are documented by the typical textural assemblages, which include: mafic microgranular enclaves (MME), mafic clots, felsic clots, quartz-plagioclase-titanite ocelli, biotite-quartz ocelli, poikilitic plagioclase crystals, chemically zoned K-feldspar phenocrysts with inclusion zones and calcic spikes in zoned plagioclase. Geochemical modelling indicates the predominance of the felsic component in subsequent magma batches, however, the mantle origin of the admixed magma input is suggested on the basis of geochemical and Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd and Pb isotopic data. Magma mixing is considered to be a first-order magmatic process, causing the magma diversification. The cumulate formation and the squeezing of remnant melt by filter pressing points to fractional crystallization acting as a second-order magmatic process.
The Upper Silesia – Dąbrowa Basin is one of the highest industrially transformed regions in Europe. However, places of geotouristic value are still preserved and should be protected. One of them is the abandoned “Kamionka” quarry and nearby St. Dorota hill, known as “local Olympus” with historical monuments, located in the Grodziec district of Będzin. The profile of Triassic limestones, dolomitized limestones and marly dolomites belong to so called Gogolin Beds and represent the sedimentation typical of sea transgression with numerous changes in water energy, up to stormy sedimentation, imprinted in rock textures and sedimentary structures. Both proximal and distal tempestites are found here. Local bioturbations are indicative for breaks in storm activity and low-energy sedimentation. In general, the carbonate sediments of Grodziec district were formed in shallow basin, on the carbonate ramp, influenced by storms and/or bottom currents. The link between the history of that area, geomorphology and geological features makes that area of special importance for geotourism.
The rocky sandstone landforms, which are interesting geotouristic objects, occur in the eastern part of Istebna village. The series of rock walls and pulpits is located on the southern slopes of the Karolówka Range. Fragments of the upper sandstones of Istebna Formation (Upper Cretaceous–Paleocene) crop out within these rocks. They represent the period of intensive supply of the clastic material into the Outer Carpathian Silesian Basin leading to the origin of thick-bedded , very coarse-grained sandstones and conglomerates. The occurrence of large, numerous crystalline rocks is a particular and unique feature of these outcrops. These magmatic and metamorphic rocks were derived from the basement of the Carpathian basins. This paper describes the detailed characteristics of these rocky landform objects.
Abstract On the southeastern slope of the Baranec Mount in the Western Tatra Mountains (Slovakia) an apatite-rich pegmatite-like segregation was found in the subvertical fault zone cutting metapelitic rocks. Two zones: felsic (F) and mafic (M) were found, differing in mineral assemblages and consequently in chemistry. Fluorapatite crystals yield a LA-ICP-MS U-Pb age of 328.6 ± 2.4 Ma. A temperature decrease from 634 °C to 454 °C at a pressure around 500 to 400 MPa with oxygen fugacity increasing during crystallization are the possible conditions for formation of the pegmatite-like segregation, while secondary alterations took place in the temperature range of 340 – 320 °C. The Sr-Nd isotope composition of both apatite and whole rock point toward a crustal origin of the dike in question, suggesting partial melting of (P, F, H 2 O)-rich metasedimentary rocks during prolonged decompression of the Tatra Massif. The original partial melt (felsic component) was mixed with an external (F, H 2 O)-rich fluid, carrying Fe and Mg fluxed from more mafic metapelites and crystallizing as biotite and epidote in the mafic component of the dyke.
Variscan granitoids of the High Tatra Mts. in Poland were the subject of palaeomagnetic, petrographical and rock magnetic investigations. The sampled rocks were granodiorites, rarely tonalites showing weak hydrothermal alterations (chloritisation, epidotisation). 31 hand samples from 7 localities were palaeomagnetically investigated. Stable palaeomagnetic directions of Late Palaeozoic age were isolated in four localities (mean direction: D = 193o, I = 17o, a 95 = 12, k = 59, palaeopole: 4oE, 31oS). The stable magnetisation resides in hematite. This mineral occurs in hematite-ilmenite intergrowths that exsolved in high temperatures (670-720oC) and as secondary hematite of hydrothermal origin. Because of heterogeneity of magnetic carriers it is possible that the characteristic magnetisation is shifted in time between localities. Question of tectonic tilt of the High Tatra granite is discussed. The age of characteristic magnetisation based on palaeoinclination estimations apparently fits the isotopic cooling age of the intrusion (330-300 Ma) if tectonic correction is not applied. The palaeopole is situated between the European and African Apparent Polar Wander Paths (APWP) and could be matched with both reference curves. After tectonic correction the palaeopole could be matched only with the African APWP at the point ca . 360 Ma. In this case the magnetisation related to the high temperature hematite would preceed the cooling ages recorded by Ar-Ar method.
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