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    Evolution of the Archaean Karelian Province in the Fennoscandian Shield in the light of U–Pb zircon ages and Sm–Nd and Lu–Hf isotope systematics
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    Abstract:
    Abstract: In situ Lu–Hf (laser ablation microprobe–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LAM-ICPMS)) and U–Pb (LAM-ICPMS, secondary ionization mass spectrometry (SIMS)) analyses of zircon, and whole-rock Sm–Nd isotope analyses were performed on rocks formed during magmatic events in three Archaean complexes in the Karelian Province of Fennoscandia (Pudasjärvi, Koillismaa and Iisalmi). These complexes have U–Pb ages ranging from 3.5 to 2.6 Ga. In Pudasjärvi, sparse xenocrystic cores give ages of 3.6–3.7 Ga and initial 176 Hf/ 177 Hf suggesting influence of a crustal component T ≥ 4.0 Ga (assuming a CHUR-like mantle source). Ages and Nd and Hf isotope patterns indicate magmatic events at 3.6–3.7 Ga (Siurua, Pudasjärvi with ≥4.0 Ga precursor), 3.2 Ga (Iisalmi, Koillismaa), 2.8 Ga (Pudasjärvi) and 2.7 Ga (Pudasjärvi, Iisalmi). In the Meso- and Palaeoarchaean events, there is no evidence of sources equivalent to present-day depleted mantle; such sources were, however, involved in the 2.8–2.7 Ga events. ε Hf and ε Nd are strongly correlated. Contrasts between the Archaean complexes indicate that they evolved separately until c . 2.7 Ga. The age and ε Hf pattern of ≤2.8 Ga rocks in the Karelian Province is compatible with a scenario in which the Karelia, Superior, Yilgarn and Slave cratons were part of a late Archaean supercontinent, but does not constitute proof of the existence of such a supercontinent. Supplementary material: U–Pb and Lu–Hf data are available at http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18430 .
    Keywords:
    Geochronology
    Baltic Shield
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    Understanding the formation and evolution of Precambrian greenstone belts is hampered by gaps in the rock record and the uncertainty of the tectonic regime that was operating at the time. Thus identifying a modern analogue of a Precambrian greenstone belt can be problematic. In this paper we present geological, geochemical and petrological evidence outlining the case for Haida Gwaii (British Columbia, Canada) as a modern example of a greenstone belt. Haida Gwaii is comprised of two rift-related volcano-sedimentary sequences. The older (Early Triassic) Karmutsen volcanic sequence consists of subaqueous ultramafic-mafic volcanic rocks that are capped by marine carbonate and siliciclastic rocks. The younger (Paleogene) Masset bimodal volcanic sequence consists of tholeiitic and calc-alkaline basalt along with calc-alkaline silicic volcanic and intrusive rocks that are capped by epiclastic sandstones. The Karmutsen and Masset volcanic rocks have indistinguishable Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes demonstrating they were derived from a similar mantle source. Some of the Masset calc-alkaline rocks are compositionally similar to magnesian andesites (SiO2 = 56-64 wt%; Mg# = 0.50-0.64) that are typical of subduction-related Archean greenstone belts. We show that the calc-alkaline signature observed in the bimodal sequence of the Masset Formation is likely due to fractional crystallization of a tholeiitic parental magma under relatively oxidizing (ΔFMQ + 0.7) conditions indicating that a calc-alkaline signature is not prima facie evidence of a subduction setting. Given the geological and geochemical evidence, Haida Gwaii represents one of the best analogues of a modern subduction-unrelated Archean greenstone belt.
    Greenstone belt