LA–ICP–MS zircon U Pb dating, Lu Hf, Sm Nd geochronology and tectonic setting of the Mesoarchean mafic and felsic magmatic rocks in the Sangmelima granite-greenstone terrane, Ntem Complex (South Cameroon)
Abstract
The Ntem Complex represents the northwestern margin of Congo Craton in southern Cameroon. It consists mainly of charnockites, TTG suites, potassic grantitoids, minor supracrustal and mafic rocks. The latter include gabbronorite enclave or sill, gabbro and dolerite dykes. The metagabbro are basaltic to andesitic in composition and show geochemical features of low-La Archean tholeiitic basalts, and LREE-depleted (LaN/SmN < 1) akin to modern N-MORB. The doleritic dykes show high TiO2/P2O5 (7.50–11.47) and (La/Yb)N ratios, and low NbTa values similar to modern intraplate continental basalts and intermediate-La Archean tholeiitic basalt, least affected by contamination from granitic continental crust. The partial melting of low-to high-K mafic rocks of oceanic and continental arc affinity generated the charnockites and low−/medium-pressure TTGs. The potassic granites were formed by partial melting of charnockite or TTG, and inherited many geochemical features of their sources. New LA–ICP–MS UPb zircon dates suggest that the charnockites and TTG suites formed at ~3155–2850 Ma. The gabbro intrusion was dated at 2866 ± 6 Ma. Migmatisation of TTG-gneiss was coeval whit the regional high–grade metamorphism event at 2843 ± 7 Ma. The potassic granites were probably crystallized at ~2758 Ma. The garnet-whole rock SmNd age of 2744 ± 31 Ma may represent the age of the second anatexis event coeval with D2 deformation. Literature data indicate the disruption or open isotopic systems in the Ntem Complex around 2500–2600 Ma.