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The Chang'e-5 mission returned new lunar samples after the last sample mission of the Moon 44 years ago, and is also the first mission that China has completed the sampling of extraterrestrial bodies. Recently, independent teams from the Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, and the National Astronomical Observatories and the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences reported the first batch of results of Chang'e-5 lunar samples. The basic physical properties of the Chang'e-5 soil are within the range of the Apollo and Luna samples though the Chang'e-5 soil is finer-grained, better sorted, and has a slightly lower true density than the mare basalt previosuly reported. The Pb-Pb dating of U-rich minerals in the Chang'e-5 basalt clasts indicated that they formed at about 2.0 Ga, 800 million years younger than the youngest lunar sample recovered previously (2.8 Ga), confirming that lunar volcanic activity can last at least until 2 Ga. In-situ Sr-Nd isotope analyses suggested that the Chang'e-5 basalt originated from a depleted mantle source. The contribution of the KREEP component is less than 5%, which excluded the hypothesis that KREEP-rich sources provide an additional heat source for mantle melting. In addition, water contents and H isotopes of apatite and melt inclusions of the Chang'e-5 basalt suggested that the source region is not rich in water which can lower the melting point. Therefore, the reason why lunar volcanic activity can last so long is still unclear, which is a new direction for future lunar exploration and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Inner Mongolia Suture Zone (IMSZ, incorporating the Khondalite Belt) forms part of an accretionary orogen developed during the Paleoproterozoic collision between the Yinshan Block and Ordos Blocks within the North China Craton (NCC). The granulites within the IMSZ are characterized by high-temperature (HT) to ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) metamorphism with diagnostic mineral assemblages for UHT conditions preserved in some localities such as Tuguiwula and Wuchuan. We report here a new locality in Heling''er, located within the southern domain of the IMSZ where spinel–garnet–sillimanite-bearing granulites record UHT metamorphic conditions. The prograde assemblages occurring as inclusions in porphyroblastic minerals in these rocks include sillimanite+quartz+spinel, whereas coarse grained garnet+sillimanite+quartz+spinel+cordierite+plagioclase+K-feldspar+magnetite+ilmenite represent the peak assemblages. The retrograde stage is marked by orthopyroxene and cordierite rims developed on garnet and spinel. Biotite marks the final hydration stage of the high-grade metamorphism. Spinel and quartz occur in direct contact, with the spinel showing low Zn, Cr, and Fe3+. Application of Ti-in-zircon and ternary feldspar geothermometers yields temperatures up to ~940°C for the peak stage. Mineral phase equilibria modeling based on the bulk chemistry and mineral assemblages shows that the peak assemblage of garnet+plagioclase+spinel+cordierite+sillimanite+quartz+ilmenite+magnetite was stabilized at 1030°C at 6.5–7.5kbar, thus we infer a 940–1030°C temperature range for peak metamorphism in these rocks. The newly discovered UHT rocks in Heling''er, dated as 1.92Ga, together with the two previously reported UHT localities at Tuguiwula and Wuchuan, suggest that the Paleoproterozoic UHT metamorphism occurred on a regional scale within the IMSZ, probably in association with the subduction–accretion–collision tectonics and the incorporation of the NCC within the Columbia supercontinent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Khondalite Belt within the Inner Mongolia Suture Zone (IMSZ) in the North China Craton is a classic example for Paleoproterozoic ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) metamorphism. Here we report new spinel-bearing metapelitic granulites from a new locality at Xumayao within the southern domain of the IMSZ. Petrological studies and thermodynamic modeling of the spinel + quartz-bearing assemblage shows that these rocks experienced extreme metamorphism at UHT conditions. Spinel occurs in two textural settings: 1) high X Zn(Zn/(Mg + FeII + Zn) = 0.071–0.232) spinel with perthitic K-feldspar, sillimanite and quartz in the rock matrix; and 2) low X Zn (0.045–0.070) spinel as inclusions within garnet porphyroblasts in association with quartz and sillimanite. Our phase equilibria modeling indicates two main stages during the metamorphic evolution of these rocks: 1) near-isobaric cooling from 975 °C to 875 °C around 8 kbar, represented by the formation of garnet porphyroblasts from spinel and quartz; and 2) cooling and decompression from 850 °C, 8 kbar to below 750 °C, 6.5 kbar, represented by the break-down of garnet. The spinel + quartz assemblage is considered to have been stable at peak metamorphism, formed through the break-down of cordierite, indicating a near isothermal compression process. Our study confirms the regional extent of UHT metamorphism within the IMSZ associated with the Paleoproterozoic subduction-collision process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper carried out a study on U–Th–Pb behavior of zircons in a “dry” rock system during high-grade metamorphism in the Archean basement of eastern Shandong. The studied sample has a mineral assemblage of plagioclase + K-feldspar + clinopyroxene + biotite + quartz and its protolith is considered to be diorite. The zircons are stubby, equant or irregular in shape and show fir-leaf, sectorial, banded or oscillatory zoning. They contain inclusions, including mineral assemblages of clinopyroxene + orthopyroxene + hornblende + quartz and plagioclase + K-feldspar + biotite + quartz. Fifty SHRIMP analyses were performed on 34 zircon grains, which commonly yielded high Th/U ratios (mostly >0.5). Most analyses are distributed along concordia from 2.54 to 2.25 Ga, with the youngest age being ∼1.95 Ga. Compositions and ages show large variations even in a same zircon grain. Combined with early studies, conclusions can be drawn as follows: 1) the diorite underwent two episodes of high-grade metamorphism, at the end of the Neoarchean and the Paleoproterozoic (∼2.50 Ga and ∼1.95 Ga or slightly later); 2) high-grade metamorphism in a “dry” rock system may partially reset the U–Th–Pb system of zircons and, in this case, the ages between the oldest and youngest are chronologically meaningless; and 3) high Th/U ratios may be common features of zircons formed during high-grade metamorphic conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The accretion and recycling of Archean-Paleoproterozoic continental crust is the key to understanding the formation and evolution of early continental crust. Early Precambrian metamorphic basement is well developed in the Aktashtagh area, southeastern margin of the Tarim Craton, northwestern China. We report zircon SHRIMP U Pb dating, LA-MC-ICP-MS Lu Hf isotopic analysis and whole-rock geochemical analysis on 16 samples (mainly TTG, tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite) from Aktashtagh. Multiple episodes of early Precambrain magmatism, including 3.72 Ga, 3.63 Ga, 3.10 Ga, 2.83–2.69 Ga, 2.55–2.50 Ga, 2.05–2.02 Ga and 1.93–1.82 Ga events, have been identified in the Aktashtagh region. The most intense magmatism occurred in the late Mesoarchean to early Neoarchean. Significantly, 3.63 Ga and 3.10 Ga TTG rocks are identified, together with more extensive 2.8–2.7 Ga and ∼ 2.5 Ga TTG rocks. The TTG suites are dominated by tonalitic, with some trondhjemitic and grandioritic rocks. They show large variations in REE contents, are mainly distributed in the high- and medium-pressure fields in the Sr/Y-Y and La/Yb-Yb diagrams, and the 2.7 Ga TTG rocks commonly show higher and more variable Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios. The 3.63–3.10 Ga TTG rocks have magmatic zircon ε Hf (t) values of −3.9 to +3.1 and t DM1 (Hf) model ages of 3.9–3.6 Ga, whereas the ∼2.7–2.51 Ga TTG rocks have magmatic zircon ε Hf (t) values of −13.4 to +2.1 and t DM1 (Hf) model ages of 3.3–3.0 Ga. The ∼2.7 to ∼2.0 Ga meta-gabbroic-dioritic rocks have magmatic zircon ε Hf (t) values of −19.7 to +0.6 and t DM1 (Hf) model ages of 3.2–2.4 Ga. Metamorphic zircon ages of 3.56 Ga, 2.75–2.73 Ga, 2.53–2.51 Ga, 2.03–1.96 Ga and ∼ 1.85 Ga are also recorded, whereas ∼2.83 Ga, 2.53–2.40 Ga, 2.05–2.02 Ga and 1.86–1.83 Ga crustally-derived K-rich granites are identified, with the most important occurring in the late Neoarchean and late Paleoproterozoic. In this regard, the Tarim Craton is similar to the North China Craton in its early Precambrian geological evolution. The main difference is that the Paleoproterozoic tectonothermal event in the Tarim Craton started as early as 2.00 Ga, whereas in the North China Craton it occurred between 1.95 and 1.80 Ga. • Aktashtagh of the southeastern Tarim Craton has multiple episodes of magmatism from 3.72 to 1.82 Ga. • TTG show large Sr/Y-Y and La/Yb-Yb variations and magmatic zircons have ε Hf (t) of −15.2 to +3.1. • There were multiple Paleoarchaean to Paleoproterozoic events leading to crustal recycling. • The early Precambrian geological records are similar to those in the North China Craton. • The Tarim and North China cratons may be different portions of a larger craton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are different viewpoints on metamorphic and anatectic zircons recording ages of 2.45–2.48 Ga or even younger in some areas of the North China Craton where both late Neoarchean and late Paleoproterozoic tectono-thermal events are well developed. These are: 1) partial resetting of the U-Pb isotopic system in the late Neoarchean zircons, 2) metamorphism lasting from the late Neoarchean to the earliest Paleoproterozoic, and 3) earliest Paleoproterozoic metamorphism as separate different event. Western Shandong Province is an area where the late Neoarchean tectono-thermal event is widely developed but the late Paleoproterozoic event has not been identified. This provides an opportunity to understand the geological processes around the Archean-Proterozoic boundary. Based on a field study, we carried out SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating on seventeen samples of ∼2.5 Ga old metamorphic and anatectic rocks, including tonalite, trondhjemite, granodiorite, gabbro, quartz diorite, granite and paragneiss with primary emplacement or depositional ages of 2.52–2.68 Ga. Anatectic zircons show some textural and compositional features: a) Homogenous or blurred oscillatory zoning, b) high U contents and low in Th/U ratios (commonly <0.3), c) rare idiomorphic morphologies, and d) commonly containing inherited (xenocrystic) cores. We conclude that the strong late Neoarchean event is widespread in western Shandong and is limited between ∼2.50 and 2.54 Ga. In contrast, apparent 2.45–2.48 Ga metamorphic zircon ages in some other areas of the North China Craton may be the result of overprinting and partial recrystallization of Neoarchean metamorphic zircons during the late Paleoproterozoic event. The Archaean rocks of western Shandong can be divided into three belts, namely Belts A, B and C from the northeast to the southwest. The difference between Belts A and B in ∼2.5 Ga metamorphic and anatectic intensity may indicate that the former was elevated to a higher crustal level compared with the latter at the end of the Neoarchean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the Daqingshan area within the Khondalite Belt of the North China Craton, Paleoproterozoic gabbro and dolerite intrusions show amphibolite to granulite-facies metamorphism. U–Pb zircon dating and whole-rock geochemistry were undertaken on these rocks in order to understand the timing of mantle magmatism and thermal processes. Ten samples yielded zircon U–Pb formation ages of 2.46–2.44Ga, 1.97–1.92Ga and 1.84Ga and metamorphic ages of 1.95–1.83Ga. They are variable in geochemical composition with some being enriched in light rare earth and large ion lithosphere elements but depleted in Nb–Ta. Combined with previous results, it is concluded that mafic magmatism at 2.45–2.37Ga and 1.97–1.92Ga indicates two Paleoproterozoic extensional phases, with the latter accompanied by HT–UHT metamorphism as a result of underplating of mantle magma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]