Modjarrad, Monir; Uysal, Ibrahim; Yara, Irfan O. M. A.; Sen, Ahmet Dundar; Xin, Guangyao; Müller, Dirk

We present an integrated petrological, mineral-chemical, whole-rock geochemical, microstructural, and phase-equilibrium study of the West Maku metamafics (WMM), an ophiolite-related mafic unit in NW Iran. The WMM comprises garnet amphibolites and amphibole-bearing high-grade metamafic rocks containing almandine-rich garnet, tschermakite-ferro-tschermakite, andesine, epidote/zoisite, annite, muscovite-phengite, spinel, ilmenite, chlorite, quartz, and K-feldspar. Immobile element systematics indicate a tholeiitic, MORB-like basaltic protolith; LILE and crust-sensitive element enrichment likely reflect inherited crustal/sediment-derived components and metamorphic redistribution during subduction-accretion and/or m & eacute;lange assembly. P-T modelling defines four relative stages: M1, upper greenschist-facies metamorphism at ca. 6.4 kbar and 360 degrees C; M2, prograde heating to 8.0-8.4 kbar and 700-720 degrees C; M3, peak upper-amphibolite- to granulite-facies conditions at 9.0-9.8 kbar and up to 810 degrees C, with localized anatexis; and M4, retrogression at ca. 3.8 kbar and 520 degrees C. The clockwise path records the burial and heating of MORB-derived crust in a subduction-accretionary setting, followed by collision-related thermal relaxation/crustal thickening and subsequent uplift. Regional comparisons indicate thermally heterogeneous evolution along the central Neo-Tethyan suture across Armenia, SE T & uuml;rkiye, NE Iraq and NW Iran.

Çimen, Okay; Gücer, Mehmet Ali; Göncüoglu, Mehmet Cemal; Akal, Cuneyt; Arslan, Mehmet; Simonetti, Antonio; Karaoglan, Fatih

The & Idot;stanbul-Zonguldak Terrane is located in northwest Anatolia and includes several outcrops with pre-Cambrian basement units. The Karadere Basement Unit represents the easternmost basement of this terrane and is composed of paragneiss, quartzite, and orthogneiss. The paragneiss and quartzite are cut by orthogneisses and disconformably overlain by Lower Ordovician to Middle Devonian cover units. Its pre-Cambrian to Palaeozoic tectonic evolution remains poorly understood, and therefore, this study reports whole-rock trace element signatures, detrital zircon U-Pb, and muscovite Ar-Ar age data for samples of paragneiss, quartzite, amphibolite, and orthogneiss. The whole-rock geochemical data indicate that the protoliths of the paragneiss and quartzite samples investigated here could have been derived from arc-related felsic magmatic units located in an active continental margin. The protoliths of amphibolites and orthogneiss samples are gabbro and granite, respectively, and their geochemical signatures are akin to those from continental arc igneous suites. The detrital zircon U-Pb data are characterized by predominantly Mesoproterozoic (84%) and lesser amount of Palaeoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic ages and suggest an early Tonian (youngest peak age of 915 +/- 18 Ma) maximum depositional age. Moreover, zircon U-Pb dating analyses from an orthogneiss sample yielded an age of 603 +/- 2 Ma, indicating the occurrence of mid-Ediacaran arc magmatism. This represents one of the oldest Ediacaran ages obtained from the metamagmatic basement rocks of the & Idot;stanbul-Zonguldak Terrane. Ar-Ar dating of muscovite from ortho- and paragneiss samples yielded ages of 533 +/- 25 Ma and 530 +/- 9 Ma, respectively, which are interpreted as early Cambrian cooling ages. Overall, the combined results reported here reveal that the Karadere Basement Unit is markedly different from NE African basement units but displays similarities to the basement rocks of both Avalonian and Amazonian terranes. It may have been formed and metamorphosed in an Avalonian-Cadomian active continental margin during the mid- to late Neoproterozoic and early Cambrian.

Kaygusuz, Abdullah; Güloğlu, Zikrullah Samet; Aydınçakır, Emre; Yücel, Cem; Vural, Alaaddin; Saydam Eker, Çiğdem; Cicerali, Derya

The Eastern Pontides Orogenic Belt (EPOB) in northeastern Turkey is a well-preserved continental magmatic arc in the Alpine-Himalayan Orogenic Belt and contains many Eocene I-type high-K plutons. Employing LA-ICP-MS U-Pb zircon geochronology, the crystallization ages of the investigated Yaylalıköy and Taşbaşı plutons were established to be Lutetian (Middle Eocene), ranging from 47 Ma to 46 Ma. These plutons exhibit a compositional spectrum ranging from diorite to granodiorite, characterized by I-type, metaluminous, and high-K geochemical signatures. Notably, they are enriched in large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and light rare earth elements (LREEs), displaying pronounced negative Eu anomalies (EuN/Eu* = 0.58–0.96). Isotopic signatures reveal homogeneous and moderately low initial 87 Sr/86 Sr(i) ratios (0.704643–0.705034) and positive εNd(i) values (0.24 to 1.67) for the investigated plutons. These isotopic signatures are consistent with mantle origin, as evidenced by their position within the mantle array on isotope ratio diagrams. Lead isotope compositions exhibit limited variations, with initial ratios of 206 Pb/204 Pb(i) (18.55–18.64), 207 Pb/204 Pb(i) (15.61–15.64), and 208 Pb/204 Pb(i) (38.46–38.75). Zircon εHf(i) values are positive (2.32–6.20), plotting between the depleted mantle and chondritic evolution lines. Additionally, these rocks display low zircon δ18 O values (+4.54 to + 6.53‰), comparable to mantle composition. The petrographic characteristics of the investigated plutons suggest that fractional crystallization with minimal assimilation and/or magma mixing played a dominant role during their solidification. The integration of geochemical and isotopic data, alongside regional geological constraints, advocates for enriched lithospheric mantle as the source for the parental magmas of the studied plutons. These magmas subsequently underwent differentiation within a deep-seated magma chamber, followed by emplacement into the crust.

Yücel, Cem; Aydınçakır, Emre; Kaygusuz, Abdullah; Arslan, Mehmet; Yi, Keewook; Jeong, Youn-Joong; Cicerali, Derya

The Late Cretaceous magmatic history of the Eastern Pontides Orogenic Belt (NE Turkey) was generally characterized by common I-type and lesser A-type plutons in varying size and composition. Of these, A-type plutons from the Şebinkarahisar (Giresun) area yield SHRIMP zircon U-Pb age of 77.36 ± 0.96 Ma. The rocks of these plutons display a wide range of SiO2 contents (53.63 to 70.96 wt.%) and Mg-numbers (6.2–32.19) with A-type affinities characterized by enrichment in K2O and Na2O, Ga, Zr, and strong negative Eu anomalies. They also show arc-type petrochemical features including enrichment of large-ion lithophile elements (e.g. Cs, K, Rb) and light rare earth elements (LaN/LuN = 6.27–15.61), but depletion in high strength field elements (e.g. Nb, Ta, Ti, and P). The (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios and ɛNd(i) values of the studied rocks are in the range of 0.705129 to 0.0705347 and −3.64 to −3.12, respectively, while bulk rock ɛHf(i) values are between 1.86 and 4.36. They are characterized by positive zircon ɛHf(i) (1.74 to 10.88) plotting between the chondrite and depleted mantle evolutionary line values. Our data combined with the previous studies suggest that the magmas, that formed the Late Cretaceous plutons, were generated in an extensional tectonic environment due to slap roll-back and trench ward migration of the subduction zone to the south. The generation of hybrid magmas forming the studied plutons is in response to the melts derived from a metasomatized lithospheric mantle source, a relatively deeper mantle source, and the juvenile crust along with the heat transfer and decompression. Multi-sourced magmas rise through the continental crust and reach the final composition by predominantly fractional crystallization processes.

Aydınçakır, Emre; Yücel, Cem; Kaygusuz, Abdullah; Bilici, Özgür; Yi, Keewook; Jeong, Youn-Joong; Güloğlu, Z. Samet

The Eastern Pontides in NE Turkey hosts a very limited number of plutonic rocks from the Jurassic period. Here we submit new geochemical, Sr-Nd-Pb and zircon Lu-Hf isotope data, and zircon U-Pb ages for plutonic rocks in this region. Zircon U-Pb dating for the Alemdar and Işıkdere plutons yielded an age of 175–170 Ma (Middle Jurassic). The Alemdar and Işıkdere plutons have I-type, medium to high-K calc-alkaline series, and metaluminous to slightly peraluminous characteristics. On PM-normalized diagrams, the plutons are enriched in large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs) with pronounced depletion of high field strength elements (HFSEs, Ta, Nb, Ti). Chondrite-normalized plots for the plutons show variable enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREEs) with depletion of heavy rare earth elements (HREEs). The rocks of the Alemdar Pluton have homogeneous ISr values (0.70585 to 0.70673), low εNd(i) values (−3.9 to −1.6), pozitif εHf(i) values (+3.3 to +9.1), and Hf single-stage model ages (563–712 Ma), whereas those of Işıkdere have high ISr values (0.70666 to 0.70673), low εNd(i) values (−3.9 to −3.8), εHf(i) values (−3.1 to +1.1), and Hf single-stage model ages (791–969 Ma). These values imply that they have different sources. These results suggest that the magma of the Alemdar was formed by the partial melting of a relatively depleted lithospheric mantle wedge interaction of the OIB-like melts, while those of Işıkdere have derived from the partial melting of an enriched mantle metasomatized by slab-derived sediments and then modified by fractional crystallization and crustal contamination in crustal magma chambers. Considering the available data, we conclude that the studied plutons were related to extensional tectonic events during the Middle Jurassic in response to the roll-back of the Paleotethys oceanic slab in the final stage of oceanic closure. These rocks are an example of the formation of deep subduction products following Early Jurassic subduction.

Sipahi, Ferkan; Saydam Eker, Çiğdem; Akpınar, İbrahim; Gücer, Mehmet Ali; Vural, Alaaddin; Kaygusuz, Abdullah; Aydurmuş, Tanju

The metallogenic belt containing numerous skarn mineralized systems starting from Eastern Europe continues through Turkey and Iran. The study area in the Eastern Pontides is within this metallogenic belt. The 44.39 ± 0.53 Ma Karadağ Intrusion sourced skarn mineralization is located along the granitoid-to-limestone contact. The Karadağ Intrusion is an arc-like pluton with medium–high K calc-alkaline and peraluminous–metaluminous affinity. The Karadağ Fe–Cu skarn mineralization (Gümüşhane, Turkey), an exoskarn, is hosted by Late Cretaceous limestone and consists of early garnet, clinopyroxene, and orthoclase with late epidote and chlorite. Primary ore minerals are magnetite and haematite, accompanied by minor amounts of chalcopyrite and pyrite. Pyroxene comprises mostly diopside and less hedenbergitic diopside and johannsenite. Wollastonite is very rare. Garnet is andradite and grossular–andradite. Thus, all these results imply that the Karadağ Fe–Cu skarn mineralization formed under relatively oxidized and Fe-rich conditions. The homogenization temperatures of the fluid inclusions vary from 189°C to 405°C for quartz and 186°C to 430°C for calcite. The salinity contents in the fluid inclusions are within 0.2–9 wt% NaCl equivalent for quartz and 0.4–14.8 wt% NaCl equivalent for calcite. First melting temperatures between −36.5 and −47.4°C were attained with the presence of NaCl–FeCl2± CaCl2 in the initial phase of fluid inclusions. The first melting in the later stage of fluid inclusions is between −3.8 and −17.2°C, thereby, supporting the existence of NaHCO3-Na2CO3-KCl-type salt composition. The δ18O values of minerals are 1.7–10.3‰ for garnet, 11.1–14.6‰ for quartz, 6.4 to 6.8‰ for epidote, and 2.8–3.8‰ for magnetite in the Karadağ skarn mineralization. The δ18O value of epidote indicates magmatic fluid, whereas those of garnet, magnetite, and quartz suggest magmatic fluids together with less meteoric effect. The δ18O values in limestone (18.7 to 22.3‰), marble (8.7‰), and calcite (10.5 to 12.2‰) were depleted relative to typical δ18O contents of marine carbonates (20 to 30‰). Moreover, the C isotope values of calcite (−5.4 to −1.4‰), marble (−2.1‰), and limestone (1.0 to 1.2‰) reflect those of metamorphic rocks and skarns (−4.0 to 3‰ and −18 to 2‰). Mineral paragenesis, fluid inclusion, and stable isotopic signatures are consistent with ore mineralization caused by the interaction of magmatic fluids with carbonate host rocks. Karadağ Fe-Cu skarn mineralization, associated with Karadağ postcollisional magmatism, is an example of skarn mineralized system in the Eastern Pontides.

Temizel, Irfan; Arslan, Mehmet; Yücel, Cem; Abdioğlu Yazar, Emel; Kaygusuz, Abdullah; Aslan, Zafer

Eocene intermediate to felsic plutons of different sizes and compositions are widespread in the Eastern Pontides Orogenic Belt in northern Turkey. Of these, the Taşlık Tepe pluton in the Havza (Samsun) area is fine-to-medium-grained, with granular, porphyritic, and micrographic textures, and include mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs). LA-ICP-MS U-Pb zircon dating yielded emplacement ages of 42.9 (± 1.4) and 40.5 (± 1.3) Ma for the host granodioritic pluton and the dioritic MMEs, respectively. Petrochemically, the host pluton has I-type, high-K calc-alkaline, and metaluminous-to-slightly peraluminous features (A/CNK = 0.95–1.06). The host pluton also shows geochemical features of adakite-like rocks with high SiO2 (67–68 wt%) and Al2O3 (15.5–16.0 wt%) content and Ba/La (17–23), Sr/Y (40.7–61.6), and LaN/YbN (14.4–23.7) ratios and low Y (8.2–9.9 ppm) and YbN (3.1–4.4) contents. Whole-rock major and trace element variations suggest that fractional crystallisation played a significant role in the pluton evolution. The N-MORB normalised trace element patterns of the pluton are similar to those of MMEs with enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements, Th and Ce, and negative Nb and Ti anomalies. Chondrite-normalised rare earth element plots show moderate-to-highly enriched concave patterns (LaN/LuN = 14.2–21.6) with insignificant negative Eu anomalies (EuN/Eu* = 0.86–1.14), all of which imply hornblende fractionation during magmatic evolution. The pluton samples have 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.704767 to 0.704927, 143Nd/144Nd ratios of 0.512767–0.512774, εNd values of (+2.52)–(+2.65), and δ18O values of 7.9–9.7‰. The isotopic compositions of the host pluton and MMEs are similar to I-type granitoids derived from mantle sources. The MMEs show incomplete magma mixing/mingling, representing small bodies of mafic parental magma. Combined with regional studies, these new data suggest that the parental magma of the studied adakite-like pluton was generated from the lithospheric mantle and then modified by fractional crystallisation and assimilation in a post-collisional setting.

Kaygusuz, Abdullah; Yücel, Cem; Arslan, Mehmet; Temizel, İrfan; Yi, Keewook; Jeong, Youn-Joong; Siebel, Wolfgang; Sipahi, Ferkan

The Eastern Pontides orogenic belt in NE Turkey hosts numerous I-type plutons of Eocene epoch. Here, we report new U–Pb SHRIMP zircon ages and in situ zircon Lu-Hf isotopes along with bulk-rock geochemical and Sr-Nd-Pb-O isotope data from the Kemerlikdağı, Aydıntepe and Pelitli plutons and mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) to constrain their parental melt source(s) and evolutionary processes. U-Pb SHRIMP zircon dating yielded crystallization ages between 45 and 44 Ma for the studied plutons and their MMEs. The plutons range from gabbro to granite and have I-type, medium to high-K calc-alkaline, and metaluminous to slightly peraluminous characteristics. On the primitive mantle-normalized multi-trace-element variations, the plutons and their MMEs are characterized by significant enrichment in LILE/HFSE. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns of the plutons and their MMEs are close to each other and show moderate enrichment with variable negative Eu anomalies. The studied plutons have fairly homogeneous isotope composition (87Sr/86Sr(i) = 0.70502 to 0.70560; εNd(i) = +0.9 to–1.4; δ18O = +5.0 to +8.7‰, εHf(i) =–2.2 to +13.5). The MMEs show medium to high-K calc-alkaline and metaluminous character. Although the isotope signatures of the MMEs (87Sr/86Sr(i) = 0.70508 to 0.70542; εNd(i) = +0.9 to −1.1; δ18O = +5.8 to +8.0, εHf(i) = +4.3 to +10.4) are very similar to those of the host rocks. Fractionation of plagioclase, amphibole, pyroxene and Fe-Ti oxides played an important role in the evolution of the plutons. The isotopic composition of the studied plutons and MMEs are similar to I-type plutons derived from mantle sources. The MMEs show incomplete magma mixing/mingling, representing small bodies of mafic parental magma. The parental magma(s) of the studied plutons were generated from the enriched lithospheric mantle and then modified by fractional crystallisation, and lesser assimilation and mixing/mingling in the crustal magma chambers.

Yücel, Cem

The Pliocene–Quaternary volcanics in NE Turkey are mainly hornblende–phyric trachyandesites having a narrow range of SiO 2 from 61.88 to 63.00 wt.% and exhibiting adakitic signatures with their Na 2 O (3.67–4.27 wt.%), Al 2 O 3 (16.19–16.80 wt.%), Y (14.1–16.5 ppm) contents and K 2 O/Na 2 O (0.87–1.12), Sr/Y (44.24–54.90), and La/Yb (36.80–43.88) ratios. Plagioclases as the main mineral phases show a wide range of compositions, and weak normal and reverse zoning. Hornblendes are generally edenite and pargasite (Mg#: 0.39–0.74). Clinopyroxenes are augite (Mg#: 0.58–0.76). Biotites have Mg# ranging from 0.45 to 0.66. The textural and compositional variations indicate disequilibrium crystallization possibly arising from magma mixing. The U–Pb zircon dating of the adakitic volcanics yielded 3.4–1.9 Ma. The studied rocks display moderate light rare earth element /heavy rare earth element ratios and enrichment in the lithophile element and depletion in high field strength element, implying that the parental magmas were derived from mantle sources previously enriched by slab-derived fluids and/or subducted sediments. The crystallization temperature and pressure estimations based on the clinopyroxene thermobarometry range from 1144 to 1186°C and from 3.92 to 7.97 kbar, respectively. Hornblende thermobarometry, oxygen fugacity, and hygrometer calculations yielded results as 908–993°C at a pressure of 2.87–5.22 kbar, water content of 4.4–8.4 wt.%, and relative oxygen fugacity (ΔNNO log units) of −0.6 to 0.9, respectively. Biotite thermobarometry suggests relatively higher oxygen fugacity conditions (10 –13.33 to 10 –17.60 ) at temperatures of 676–819°C and at pressures from 1.15 to 1.76 kbar. In the light of the obtained data and modelling, it can be concluded that the magmas of the adakitic volcanics were derived from enriched mantle source through relatively higher partial melting and experienced magma mixing with melts at the crustal level. Additionally, the fractional crystallization and assimilation-fractional crystallization processes may have played an important role during the evolution of the studied volcanics.

Sipahi, F.; Kaygusuz, A.; Saydam Eker, Ç.; Vural, A.; Akpınar, İ.

The geochemical and Sr–Nd–Pb isotope properties, as well as the Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma and Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U–Pb zircon age, of Eğrikar Monzogranite in the eastern Pontides, are primarily investigated in this study with the aim of determining its magma source and geodynamic evolution. The U–Pb zircon age obtained from Eğrikar Monzogranite is 78 ± 1.5 Ma, thereby reflecting the age of monzogranite. The I-type Eğrikar Monzogranite comprises quartz, plagioclase (An35–45), orthoclase, muscovite, and biotite. The geochemical analyses of the Eğrikar Monzogranite indicate being medium K calc-alkaline, peraluminous, and resembling magmatic arc granite. The Eğrikar Monzogranite is enriched in large ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements relative to high field strength elements. Chondrite-normalized rare earth element patterns have concave upward shapes (LaN/YbN 2.47–8.58) with pronounced negative Eu anomalies (EuN/Eu* = 0.29–0.65). Initial εNd(i) values vary between 1.85 and 2.18 and initial 87Sr/86Sr values between 0.7048 and 0.7067. Fractionation of plagioclase, hornblende, and apatite played an important role in the evolution of Eğrikar Monzogranite. The crystallization temperatures of the melts ranged from 770°C to 919°C based on zircon and apatite saturation temperatures. The geochemical and isotopic data suggest being generated by the partial melting of mafic lower crustal sources.