The mesozonal, calcic and reduced Los Santos skarn, in the Central Iberian Zone, is a low-tonnage, high-grade tungsten deposit that occurs as discontinuous stratabound lenses enriched in scheelite along the contact between Variscan granodiorite– monzogranite and early Cambrian calcic and dolomitic marble and calc-silicate and pelitic hornfelses. The δ18O values of the garnet and clinopyroxene in the prograde skarn are indicative of δ18Ofluid compositions near 9.5–10.9‰. The compositions of clinoamphibole and biotite of the retrograde skarn suggest equivalent δ18Ofluid values (9.1–12.0‰). These heavy δ18O values indicate that the mineralizing fluids equilibrated with deep crustal rocks, with no significant input of surficial waters, even during the formation of the retrograde skarn. The Sr and Nd radiogenic isotope data for the scheelite (87Sr/86Sr in the range 0.7117–0.7119; eNd300Ma between −9.4 and −8.5), garnet–pyroxene skarn (87Sr/86Sr in the range 0.7119–0.7128; eNd300Ma between −8.5 and −8.7) and plagioclase-rich skarn (87Sr/86Sr in the range 0.7124–0.7129; eNd300Ma between −9.7 and −7.0) trace the complex evolution of hydrothermal fluids circulating through deep perigranitic systems. These signatures, as well as the REE contents, suggest equilibration of an external fluid with the host metasedimentary sequence. The regional geology and the Nd isotopes indicate that the ultimate source of the hydrothermal fluids and the tungsten and fluorine is not the adjacent barren granodiorite–tonalite nor the host metamorphic rocks, but rather an unexposed granitic pluton geochemically equivalent to the (biotite ± tourmaline)-bearing, fine-grained leucogranite dikes that crop out nearby. These are characterized by high 87Sr values (87Sr/86Sr > 0.7112–0.7149) and intermediate eNd signatures (eNd300Ma in the range −5.6 to −4.6) and are similar to those hosting perigranitic W–(Sn) mineralization in other areas of the Variscan Belt. Thus, the geochemical data show that the magmatic fluids extensively interacted with the host aluminosilicate rocks but were not able to precipitate the scheelite and fluorite until the reaction with carbonate rocks. Scheelite from nearby regionally stratabound orebodies have isotopic signatures (87Sr/86Sr in the range 0.7108–0.7110; eNd300Ma = −8.6) similar to those of the Los Santos skarn, strongly suggesting that they are also of Variscan perigranitic origin and not exhalative or synmetamorphic, as had been previously proposed.
Abstract: The Early Palaeozoic stratigraphy and tectonic history of the Eastern Sierras Pampeanas of central Argentina are complicated by metamorphism and deformation resulting from the Pampean (545–510 Ma) and Famatinian (490–440 Ma) orogenies. We report U–Pb sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe dating of detrital zircons in two metasedimentary successions exposed at Quebrada de La Cébila ( c . 28°45'S, 66°25'W): the Ambato and the La Cébila metamorphic complexes. The Ambato zircons record age peaks corresponding to Pampean (530 ± 10 Ma), Brasiliano ( c . 570 and c . 640 Ma), Grenville ( c . 950 to c . 1025 Ma) and minor Neoarchaean ages. Similar peaks are also apparent in the La Cébila sample but it additionally contains Palaeoproterozoic zircons ( c . 2.1 Ga) corresponding to the age of the Rio de la Plata craton, from which they are considered to have been sourced. Our interpretation is that the protolith of the Ambato complex was deposited prior to juxtaposition with the craton and is older than the Early Ordovician La Cébila metamorphic complex. We infer that the craton reached its current relative position in the Mid- to Late Cambrian, after the main Pampean tectonothermal event (530–520 Ma) and before deposition of the La Cébila protolith and the Achavil Formation (Sierra de Famatina), which contain comparable detrital zircon populations.
Whereas north of 33°S Devonian calcalkaline magmatism is notably absent, a Devonian arc is well developed to the south of 33°S. The Carrizalito, Pampa de los Avestruces, and Papagayos plutons are located in the Frontal Cordillera between 34° and 35°S. U-Pb zircon SHRIMP and LA-MC-ICP-MS data from the plutons yield Early Devonian ages of 389 ± 3 and 409 ± 3 for Carrizalito, 413 ± 2 Ma for Pampa de los Avestruces, and 346 ± 3, 393 ± 5 and 412 ± 3 Ma for Papagayos. The younger zircon age from the Papagayos pluton suggests that the Devo nian magmatism continued during the Early Carboniferous. Carrizalito and Pampa de los Avestruces plutons display metaluminous to slightly peraluminous granodiorite composition, with SiO2 ranging from 65.1 to 67.8 wt.% and from 67.9 to 69.7 wt.%, respectively, and define a magnesian calc-alkalic trend. The Papagayos pluton is metaluminous to slightly peraluminous and slightly more evolved in composition (felsic granodiorite to monzogranite), with a SiO2 content that varies between 68.4 to 70.5 wt.%, defining a magnesian with ferroan enrichment and calc-alkalic to alkali-calcic trend. These geochemical characteristics are similar to those reported for the Carboniferous arc granitoids in the Frontal Cordillera and Western Sierras Pampeanas at 27°–30°S and the archetypical calc-alkaline granitoids of the Peruvian Coastal batholith, indicating an Early Devonian magmatic arc. Rare earth element patterns ([La/Yb]N = 10–20) with mostly slight to moderate negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.62–0.80) and geochemical 'spider-diagrams' are similar to arc granitoids. Combined whole-rock Nd and Sr isotope data from the largest Carrizalito and Pampa de los Avestruces plutons (εNdt = −4.3 and −4.6; 87Sr/86Srt = 0.70704 and 0.70762; TDM = ca. 1.5 Ga) together with in situ U–Pb and Hf isotope data from magmatic zircon (εHft ranging from −16.5 to −5.4; TDM = ca. 1.7 Ga), suggest a common older continental lithosphere source. The presented data indicate tectonic segmentation in the pre-Andean margin controlling the presence or absence of Devonian subduction-related magmatism. This segmentation is best explained by changes in the tectonic plate configuration occurred in a long-lived convergent margin.
Slightly peraluminous to metaluminous leucogranites are common as dyke swarms in the Burguillos del Cerro Plutonic Compfex. They show superimposed hydrothermal alterations consisting of quartzrich albitites and Au-bearing quartz veins. Several types of fluid inclusions have been distinguished in the alteration. They belong to the system H2O-NaCI-KCI-MgCl2 -CaCl2 and range from high salinity to low salinity types. In any type, a trend of decreasing salinity concomitant to a decrease of minimum P and T trapping conditions is found. An evolutive model is proposed consisting in the repetitive mixing of hot saline waters, initially of probable magmatic derivation, with a cold low salinity meteoric fluid, in several discrete episodes of hydrofracturing, under declining regional temperature conditions. Albitites and quartz veins seem to be temporally and genetically related.
The Neoproterozoic Difunta Correa meta-sedimentary sequence (DCSS) of Western Sierras Pampeanas is a cover to a rejuvenated Grenvillian basement. The Western Sierras Pampeanas are allegedly part of the exotic Precordillera Terrane, which was accreted to the proto-Andean margin of Gondwana in lower Palaeozoic times. A para-amphibolite from this sedimentary sequence contains abundant zircons mostly consisting of detrital igneous cores with a metamorphic overgrowth. The latter formed at 439±34 Ma, i.e., during the Famatinian orogeny, although mantles are also found with mixed Grenvillian - Ordovician ages due to Pb-loss. Ages of igneous cores are ~ 625 Ma , 1050-1150 Ma and 1200-1500 Ma with a peak at c. 1.4 Ga. The ~ 625 Ma group zircon is of Gondwanan provenance and this age is an upper value for the age of the host amphibolite. An age between 580 Ma and 620 Ma is inferred for the DCSS. The provenance of zircons between 1.05 Ga and c. 1.2 Ga probably lies in the underlying Grenvillian basement. However zircons older than 1.2 Ga were derived from an unexposed area: palaeogeographical considerations suggest that this area could be either in Laurentia (trans-Laurentia belt) or in southern Amazonia (RondoniaSan Ignacio belt), both 1.3-1.5 Ga in age.
Research Article| August 01, 1998 Early evolution of the Proto-Andean margin of South America C. W. Rapela; C. W. Rapela 1Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 1 No. 644, 1900 La Plata, Argentina Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar R. J. Pankhurst; R. J. Pankhurst 2British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge CB30ET, United Kingdom Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar C. Casquet; C. Casquet 3Departamento de Petrología y Geoquímica, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar E. Baldo; E. Baldo 3Departamento de Petrología y Geoquímica, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar J. Saavedra; J. Saavedra 4CSIC, Instituto de Agrobiología y Recursos Naturales, 37071 Salamanca, Spain Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar C. Galindo C. Galindo 3Departamento de Petrología y Geoquímica, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1998) 26 (8): 707–710. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<0707:EEOTPA>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation C. W. Rapela, R. J. Pankhurst, C. Casquet, E. Baldo, J. Saavedra, C. Galindo; Early evolution of the Proto-Andean margin of South America. Geology 1998;; 26 (8): 707–710. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<0707:EEOTPA>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract From a detailed study of a 500 km transect in the Sierras Pampeanas, central-west Argentina, two pre-Silurian tectono-magmatic episodes are recognized and defined, each culminating in micro-continental collisions against the proto-Andean margin of Gondwana. The Pampean orogeny started in Early Cambrian time with short-lived subduction, indicated by ca. 535 Ma calc-alkaline granitoids. Following Pampean terrane collision, burial to granulite facies conditions (ca. 9 kbar) generated widespread migmatites and ca. 520 Ma highly peraluminous granites in the Eastern Sierras Pampeanas. After brief quiescence, a second major episode, the Famatinian orogeny, started with subduction ca. 490 Ma, forming a wide continental arc and ensialic backarc basin. This heralded the approach of Laurentia to Gondwana, during which the Precordillera terrane separated from the southern Appalachian region, finally colliding with Gondwana in Silurian–Devonian time. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.