Identification of UHP and Non-UHP Orthogneisses in the Sulu UHP Terrane, Eastern China: Evidence from SHRIMP U-Pb Dating of Mineral Inclusion-Bearing Zircons

Mineral inclusions in zoned zircons reveal that both ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) and non-UHP orthogneisses occur in cores from drill hole CCSD-PP1 at Donghai, southwestern Sulu terrane. Zircons from the UHP orthogneiss have inherited magmatic cores containing low-P mineral inclusions, narrow mantles with UHP mineral inclusions, and rims that contain low-P minerals or are inclusion free. In contrast, zircons from non-UHP orthogneiss have only magmatic cores and metamorphic rims, both of which are characterized by low-P mineral inclusions, or are inclusion free. SHRIMP U-Pb analyses of zircons from the UHP orthogneiss identify three discrete and meaningful age groups: Proterozoic magmatic protolith ages >753 Ma in the cores, a UHP metamorphic event at 227 ± 8 Ma in the coesite-bearing mantles, and an amphibolite-facies overprint at 213 ± 7 Ma in the overgrowth rims. Zircons from non-UHP orthogneiss record only two discrete age groups, inherited magmatic cores with Proterozoic protolith ages >748 Ma, and metamo...