Zircon geochronology and geochemistry of felsic gneisses from Harvey Nunatak, Napier Complex in East Antarctica

Abstract

The Napier Complex in East Antarctica has a complex thermal history, including ultra-high-temperature (UHT) metamorphism. Geochronology, trace element, and isotope geochemistry of zircon, apatite, and monazite in three felsic gneisses collected from Harvey Nunatak were studied using a sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) for the first time. Most zircons showed nebulous to fir-tree zoning, which is a common feature of zircons in granulite facies rocks, regardless of the core or rim. The U-Pb dating and rare earth element abundance of zircon indicated that zircon crystallization by regional metamorphism continued from 2567-2460 Ma, consistent with the previously proposed timing of UHT metamorphism. The zircon grains contained a large amount of Li (59-668 ppm). Li was incorporated with Cl at the interstitial sites of the zircon structure, and the zircons crystallized in melts with an abundant supply of Li and Cl. Monazite crystallized from apatite after the UHT metamorphism events of 2071 and 1799 Ma. The U-Pb system of apatite was completely disturbed by the crystallization of monazite at 1785 Ma. In addition, the U-Pb systems of apatite and monazite were disturbed at approximately 500 Ma.