Trace element and isotopic (Sr, Nd, Pb, O) arguments for a mid-crustal origin of Pan-African garnet-bearing S-type granites from the Damara orogen (Namibia)

Jung, S; Mezger, Klaus; Hoernes, Stephan (2001). Trace element and isotopic (Sr, Nd, Pb, O) arguments for a mid-crustal origin of Pan-African garnet-bearing S-type granites from the Damara orogen (Namibia). Precambrian research, 110(1-4), pp. 325-355. Elsevier 10.1016/S0301-9268(01)00175-9

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Geochronological data, major and trace element abundances, Nd and Sr isotope ratios, δ18O whole rock values and Pb isotope ratios from leached feldspars are presented for garnet-bearing granites (locality at Oetmoed and outcrop 10 km north of Omaruru) from the Damara Belt (Namibia). For the granites from outcrop 10 km N′ Omaruru, reversely discordant U–Pb monazite data give 207Pb/235U ages of 511±2 Ma and 517±2 Ma, similar to previously published estimates for the time of regional high grade metamorphism in the Central Zone. Based on textural and compositional variations, garnets from these granites are inferred to be refractory residues from partial melting in the deep crust. Because P–T estimates from these xenocrystic garnets are significantly higher (800°C/9–10 kbar) than regional estimates (700°C/5 kbar), the monazite ages are interpreted to date the peak of regional metamorphism in the source of the granites. Sm–Nd garnet–whole rock ages are between ∼500 and ∼490 Ma indicating the age of extraction of the granites from their deep crustal sources. For the granites from Oetmoed, both Sm–Nd and Pb–Pb ages obtained on igneous garnets range from ∼500 to ∼490 Ma. These ages are interpreted as emplacement ages and are significantly younger than the previously proposed age of ∼520 Ma for these granites based on Rb/Sr whole rock age determinations. Major and trace element compositions indicate that the granites are moderately to strongly peraluminous S-type granites. High initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (>0.716), high δ18O values of >13.8‰, negative initial εNd values between −4 and −7 and evolved Pb isotope ratios indicate formation of the granites by anatexis of mid-crustal rocks similar to the exposed metapelites into which they intruded. The large range of Pb isotope ratios and the lack of correlation between Pb isotope ratios and Nd and Sr isotope ratios indicate heterogeneity of the involved crustal rocks. Evidence for the involvement of isotopically highly evolved lower crust is scarce and the influence of a depleted mantle component is unlikely. The crustal heating events that produced these granites might have been caused by crustal thickening and thrusting of crustal sheets enriched in heat-producing elements. Very limited fluxing of volatiles from underthrust low- to medium-grade metasedimentary rocks may have also been a factor in promoting partial melting. Furthermore, delamination of the lithospheric mantle and uprise of hot mantle could have caused localized high-T regions. The presence of coeval A-type granites at Oetmoed that have been derived at least in part from a mantle source supports this model.

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