Age, sources, and provenances of protoliths of metasedimentary rocks of the Dzheltulak group, Dzheltulak suture

Abstract

The results of Sm–Nb isotopic–geochemical studies of metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks of the Dzheltulak Group of the central part of the Dzheltulak suture, as well as geochronological U–Th–Pb (LA ICP MS) studies of detrital zircons from metasedimentary rocks, which are considered as Paleoproterozoic in current stratigraphic schemes, are presented. The age of the youngest zircons is 170–190 Ma, whereas the age of the last stage of regional metamorphism is 140–150 Ma. Thus, the Dzheltulak Group hosts metasedimentary rocks, the age of the protolith of which ranges from 140–150 to 170–190 Ma. The detrital zircons derived from intrusive and metamorphic rocks of the Selenga–Stanovoi and Dzhugdzhur–Stanovoi superterranes.