SHRIMP U–Pb dating, trace elements and the Lu–Hf isotope system of coesite-bearing zircon from amphibolite in the SW Sulu UHP terrane, eastern China

Abstract In this study, we link mineral inclusion data, trace element analyses, U–Pb age and Hf isotope composition obtained from distinct zircon domains of complex zircon to unravel the origin and multi-stage metamorphic evolution of amphibolites from the Sulu ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) terrane, eastern China. Zircon grains separated from amphibolites from the CCSD-MH drill hole (G12) and Niushan outcrop (G13) were subdivided into two main types based on cathodoluminescence (CL) and Laser Raman spectroscopy: big dusty zircons with inherited cores and UHP metamorphic rims and small clear zircons. Weakly zoned, grey-white luminescent inherited cores preserve mineral inclusions of Cpx + Pl + Ap ± Qtz indicative of a mafic igneous protolith. Dark grey luminescent overgrowth rims contain the coesite eclogite-facies mineral inclusion assemblage Coe + Grt + Omp + Phe + Ap, and formed at T  = 732–839 °C and P  = 3.0–4.0 GPa. In contrast, white luminescent small clear zircons preserve mineral inclusions formed during retrograde HP quartz eclogite to LP amphibolite-facies metamorphism ( T  = 612–698 °C and P  = 0.70–1.05 GPa). Inherited zircons from both samples yield SHRIMP 206 Pb/ 238 U ages of 695–520 Ma with an upper intercept age of 800 ± 31 Ma. The UHP rims yield consistent Triassic ages around 236–225 and 239–225 Ma for G12 and G13 with weighted means of 229 ± 3 and 231 ± 3 Ma, respectively. Small clear zircons from both samples give 206 Pb/ 238 U ages around 219–210 Ma with a weighted mean of 214 ± 3 Ma, interpreted as the age of retrograde quartz eclogite-facies metamorphism. Matrix amphibole from both samples indicate Ar–Ar ages of 209 ± 0.7 and 207 ± 0.7 Ma, respectively, probably dating late amphibolite-facies retrogression. The data suggest subduction of Neoproterozoic mafic igneous rocks to UHP conditions in Middle Triassic (∼230 Ma) times and subsequent exhumation to an early HP (∼214 Ma) and a late LP stage (∼208 Ma) over a period of ∼16 and 6 Myr, respectively. Thus, early exhumation from a mantle depth of 120–100 km to about 60 km occurred at an average rate of 0.3 cm/y, while subsequent exhumation to a middle crustal level took place at approximately 0.54 cm/y. These exhumation rates are considerably slower than those obtained for UHP rocks in the Dora Maira and Kokchetav massifs (2–3 cm/y). Based on similar P – T estimates and trace element and Hf isotope compositions, Sulu amphibolites can be identified as retrograde UHP eclogites. The eHf (800) of +8 implies a significant input from the depleted mantle to the Sulu–Dabie terrane during the middle Neoproterozoic. Overgrown rims are characterized by a distinct trace element composition with low Lu/Hf and Th/U and significantly higher 176 Hf/ 177 Hf ratios than inherited cores, consistent with formation during/after garnet (re-)crystallization and fractionation of the Lu–Hf system during UHP metamorphism. The combined dataset suggests homogenization of the 176 Hf/ 177 Hf ratio within the metamorphic mineral assemblage and during protolith formation. Observed variations are explained by mixing of material from both domains during laser ablation, e.g., due to partial recrystallization of inherited cores.