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Geological setting
The Sierra de San Luis comprises three variable NNESSWstriking basement domains of amphibolite- to granulite-facies
965
966
A. STEENKEN ET AL.
Fig. 1. Simplified sketch map of the protoAndean basement that crops out in
northwestern Argentina (modified from von
Gosen 1998b). The geographical division
into the morphotectonic basement domains
of the Northern and Eastern Sierras
Pampeanas is indicated, as well as the
Western Sierras Pampeanas, developed on
the Cuyania Terrane. ASC, Sierras de
Cordoba; SL, Sierra de San Luis; SCh,
Sierra de Chepes; VF, Sierra de Valle Fertil;
PP, Sierra de Pie de Palo; SF, Sierra
Famatina.
FA M AT I N I A N G E O DY NA M I C E VO L U T I O N O F G O N DWA NA
967
Sample description
968
A. STEENKEN ET AL.
Sillimanite appears in prismatic crystals of up to 3 cm length. Macroscopically these crystals are parallel the stretching lineation, whereas at
the microscopic scale some of the crystals overprint the foliation,
pointing to a post-deformational growth (Fig. 3e). Sericite rims that
border some of the staurolite crystals indicate retrogression.
The second sample (A 56-01) belongs to a NNE-trending hightemperature mylonite from the western realm of the complex that is
composed of a stable paragenesis of quartz + plagioclase + garnet + Kfeldspar + prismatic sillimanite cordierite (Fig. 3f). Sillimanite prisms
parallel the stretching lineation. At the microscopic scale two textures are
observed: coarse-grained relicts of the non-mylonitic granulite-facies rock
and the fine-grained mylonitic bands. Within the latter the disequilibrium
of sillimanite is indicated by its replacement by muscovite. Subgrain
boundaries and recrystallization of feldspars indicate mylonitization at
amphibolite-facies conditions.
Conlara Metamorphic Complex Two dominant rock types constitute this
basement domain. The first is a fine-grained banded gneiss, whose
banding is the result of isoclinal folding and metamorphism. Macroscopically, those rocks are composed of quartz, plagioclase, biotite,
muscovite and scarce garnet. Muscovite plates frequently overgrow the
planar fabrics. The other gneissic rock type is generally homogeneous but
locally migmatitic. Transitions between the two rock types seem to be
gradational. The latter type (A 25-01) was subjected to provenance
analyses.
This medium-grained gneiss is composed of quartz, plagioclase
(oligoclase), biotite, muscovite and accessory minerals (tourmaline,
apatite, zircon, opaque minerals). The pervasive banding, defined by finegrained biotite and coarse-grained quartz + plagioclase biotite, is the
result of the transposition of a previous S1 planar fabric (Lopez de Luchi
& Cerrado 2001). Quartz experienced a static recrystallization that led to
a fine-grained mosaic with triple junctions, although in close proximity to
feldspar crystals parallel subgrains are present. Brown to yellowbrown
biotite appears in two generations. The smaller crystals (up to 0.5 mm in
diameter) help define the S2 foliation, whereas crystals of up to 0.75 mm
are frequently oblique to this foliation. Both generations contain zircon
inclusions. A late-stage alteration of the rock is indicated by the
formation of scarce chlorite and muscovite in the quartz-rich domains.
Geochronology
SHRIMP U/Pb data
To contribute to the continuing discussion on the geodynamic
history of the Sierra de San Luis, six samples from Famatinian(?)
granitoids (three zircon samples) and the metasedimentary
successions (one monazite and two zircon samples) were dated
using the U/Pb SHRIMP method. Reported uncertainties on
SHRIMP analyses are at the 1 level, while uncertainties in any
calculated weighted mean age or concordia age (Ludwig 1998)
are reported at 95% confidence limits if not stated otherwise (see
appendix for details). Ages determined for the intrusions point to
their crystallization during the Famatinian cycle. Inherited
zircons indicate variable sources for the Pringles and Conlara
Metamorphic Complexes, implying for the latter a probable link
and contemporaneity with the Puncoviscana Formation. Constraints on the metamorphic history suggest a common metamorphism of all basement domains during the Famatinian.
Amphibolite-facies conditions within the Pringles basement seem
to continue until the Early Silurian.
Las Verbenas pluton (A 40-01). The tonalite sample yielded
high-quality euhedral, clear zircons with well-developed prismatic habitus (Fig. 4a). Most grains are composed of a weakly
zoned central area overgrown by oscillatory-zoned zircon. The
limited presence of rounded cores suggests some inherited
material. One core analysis provided a 206 U/238 Pb apparent age
of 520 7 Ma (1) (Table 1, analysis 15.1). Nineteen addi-
FA M AT I N I A N G E O DY NA M I C E VO L U T I O N O F G O N DWA NA
969
Fig. 3. (a) High-temperature solid-state fabrics within the Paso del Rey granite (A 02-02). Twinning lamellae of plagioclase are slightly bent. Quartz
aggregates are characterized by grain boundary migration recrystallization fabrics. (Note the appearance of garnet (arrow).) Width of view is c. 15 mm.
(b) Chessboard pattern within quartz from the El Penon pluton (A 59-01) indicates its high-temperature solid-state deformation. Width of view is c.
5.5 mm. (c) Garnet of the leucomonzogranite from the Nogol Metamorphic Complex (A 14-02). The corona of Ms and Pl denotes its disequilibrium.
Width of view is c. 5.5 mm. (d) Recrystallized plagioclasebiotite fabric within the migmatic sample A 39-01 from the Nogol Metamorphic Complex.
The triple junctions between the plagioclase crystals should be noted. The fabrics are overgrown by large discordant muscovite plates (light crystal, upper
half of the image). Width of view is c. 5.5 mm. (e) Staurolite-bearing mica schist (A 41/42-03) from the western realm of the Pringles Metamorphic
Complex. The large staurolite crystals locally overgrow the mica fabric. Width of view is c. 9 mm. (f) Preserved granulite-facies domain showing the
paragenesis of garnet + biotite + plagioclase + sillimanite + quartz within a mylonite from the Pringles Metamorphic Complex (A 56-01). Width of view
is c. 16 mm.
Ordovician
nations on
al. 1998)
units; that
cycle (Fig.
crystallization age agree with previous age determiother tonalitic to granodioritic intrusions (Sims et
that were considered as pre-Famatinian intrusive
is, belonging to the early stage of the Famatinian
6).
970
A. STEENKEN ET AL.
206
Pbc
U (ppm)
Th (ppm)
232
Th/238 U
206
Pb*
(ppm)
Pb*/
Pb*
(%)
207
Pb*/235 U* (%)
206
Pb*/238 U* (%)
r (6/8
7/5)
206
206
207
207
Pb/206 Pb*
Disc. (%)
14.8
16.6
8.24
17.3
17.3
16.9
15.7
23.5
18.5
24.5
23.5
9.33
15.6
24.2
14.2
13
18.6
20.7
24.7
18.3
468.3
483.2
492.8
489.1
474.4
477.2
485
481.7
480.8
489.5
481
505
471
466.7
494.5
477.4
461
458.1
519.5
435
6.1
6.5
7.6
6.4
6.2
6.4
6.9
6
6.3
6.4
6.1
10
6.3
5.7
6.6
7.1
5.9
5.7
6.7
5.9
450
472
504
489
444
479
492
515
518
472
491
497
415
413
438
380
397
396
540
484
56
120
160
93
53
120
130
73
96
71
46
130
100
46
89
180
97
82
46
110
4
2
2
0
7
0
1
6
7
4
2
2
13
13
13
26
16
16
4
10
0.0559
0.0565
0.0573
0.0569
0.0558
0.0567
0.057
0.0576
0.0577
0.0565
0.057
0.0571
0.0551
0.055
0.0556
0.0542
0.0546
0.0546
0.0583
0.0568
2.5
5.4
7.5
4.2
2.4
5.3
6
3.3
4.4
3.2
2.1
6
4.5
2
4
8
4.3
3.6
2.1
4.8
0.581
0.606
0.628
0.619
0.588
0.6
0.614
0.616
0.616
0.615
0.609
0.642
0.575
0.57
0.611
0.575
0.558
0.555
0.674
0.547
2.9
5.6
7.7
4.4
2.7
5.5
6.2
3.6
4.6
3.5
2.5
6.3
4.7
2.4
4.2
8.2
4.5
3.9
2.5
5
0.0753
0.0778
0.0794
0.0788
0.0764
0.0768
0.0781
0.0776
0.0774
0.0789
0.0775
0.0816
0.0758
0.07509
0.0797
0.0769
0.07413
0.07364
0.0839
0.06981
1.4
1.4
1.6
1.4
1.4
1.4
1.5
1.3
1.4
1.4
1.3
2.1
1.4
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.4
0.476
0.249
0.209
0.309
0.494
0.255
0.238
0.362
0.297
0.39
0.532
0.328
0.297
0.525
0.329
0.189
0.291
0.335
0.536
0.281
44.2
25.1
18.6
37.5
38.6
26.4
43.3
33.4
32.8
41.4
47.6
562
547.7
542.4
504.2
488.9
464.7
183.8
145
161.8
68.4
80.4
14
7.5
7.3
6.2
2.8
6.2
2.4
2
2.3
2
1.5
507
564
577
508
553
495
476
422
505
930
562
48
53
61
46
22
66
230
340
250
1300
380
11
3
6
1
12
6
61
66
68
93
86
0.0574
0.0589
0.0593
0.0574
0.05862
0.0571
0.0566
0.0552
0.0574
0.07
0.059
2.2
2.4
2.8
2.1
1
3
11
15
12
63
18
0.72
0.72
0.717
0.644
0.6368
0.588
0.226
0.173
0.201
0.103
0.102
3.4
2.8
3.1
2.5
1.2
3.3
11
15
12
63
18
0.091
0.0887
0.0878
0.0814
0.07879
0.0747
0.02892
0.02275
0.02541
0.01067
0.01255
2.7
1.4
1.4
1.3
0.59
1.4
1.3
1.4
1.4
3
1.9
0.773
0.503
0.451
0.518
0.499
0.421
0.124
0.09
0.122
0.047
0.106
(continued )
FA M AT I N I A N G E O DY NA M I C E VO L U T I O N O F G O N DWA NA
971
Table 1. (continued )
Grain/spot
206
Pbc
U (ppm)
Th (ppm)
232
Th/238 U
206
Pb*
(ppm)
Pb/238 U*
207
Pb/206 Pb*
74.4
50.42
257.7
341.9
247
88.3
329.4
415.1
426
459.5
251.6
234.6
155.6
388.2
386.6
268.1
412.1
486.8
409.7
452.6
683.5
1006
1.2
0.9
1.7
1.9
3
1.9
2.6
2.4
5.8
5.8
2.1
1.6
6
2.4
5
1.6
2.9
3.9
5.8
2.6
8.6
22
713
733
405
512
429
528
470
380
403
450
541
465
566
428
449
444
668
413
548
466
667
1093
440
590
180
110
560
990
130
110
150
25
390
170
140
79
100
78
150
76
63
31
43
75
496.7
492.1
500.8
918.6
517
562
1022.2
1089.7
89.6
192.7
166.7
467.1
0.7
1.3
1.1
4.6
32
2.9
2.7
3.4
3.0
3.2
2.0
2.5
486
494
495
1039
557
1011
1039
1290
310
681
544
8
13
10
17
26
14
10
1300
1400
660
400
23.5
8.55
21.7
10.6
9.78
11.8
11.1
18.4
24.1
10.1
22.4
14.7
60.4
16.2
9.93
13.3
7.84
14.1
10
10.5
70.6
17.2
10.3
22.2
552.2
530.3
545
534.9
550.1
557.3
562.1
454.2
493.1
318.6
466.8
378.1
510.8
481
401.4
348.2
515
494.2
526.4
572
604
999
2664
417.9
7.2
9.2
7.4
7.6
8.8
9
8.7
6.1
6.3
4.4
5.9
5
6.8
7.1
6.8
5.2
8.9
7
7.7
14
10
14
58
5.8
588
519
506
482
541
492
586
501
488
482
519
486
510
405
386
494
427
425
619
588
653
1115
2699
1249
25.1
44.6
14.7
69.4
106
13.7
75.2
24.6
9.64
7.23
10.5
16.9
29.2
17.8
38.9
17.1
31.2
14.5
19.5
45.8
78.9
590.9
577.6
585.4
591.8
641.5
612
634.1
754.5
753
889
829
1046
1098
1008
949
951
963
973
954
2021
519.9
6.7
6.4
7.7
6.5
7.2
8.3
7.3
9.2
11
20
12
13
13
12
11
11
11
12
11
23
5.9
595
629
557
518
699
757
634
808
1212
968
836
1022
1100
1075
1015
973
963
963
1065
1987
535
26.2
33.4
50
71
48.7
53.6
80.6
50.9
42.7
73.8
35
18.4
32.2
22.7
33.6
22.9
24.2
9.49
25.8
36.1
43.3
14.1
500
39.9
67.2
50.5
81
10.9
61.1
43.8
99.5
76.6
176
744
Pb*/
Pb*
(%)
207
Pb*/235 U* (%)
206
Pb*/238 U* (%)
r (6/8
7/5)
206
206
13.1
9.51
2372
3032
1.32
14.1
12.57
4335
1674
0.4
15.2
3.69
1374
331
0.25
18.1
2.35
1482
336
0.23
20.1
6.95
1350
580
0.44
21.2
14.61
3866
1174
0.31
26.1
2.38
1747
243
0.14
17.2
1.63
876
143
0.17
3.1
2.82
707
140
0.2
5.2
0.22
1161
29
0.03
17.1
7.99
942
427
0.47
22.1
2.41
564
362
0.66
25.1
2.93
1490
1386
0.96
27.1
1.09
421
55
0.14
1.1
1.54
622
242
0.4
21.1
1.13
620
40
0.07
23.1
1.69
420
98
0.24
16.1
0.57
140
37
0.27
9.1
0.7
454
62
0.14
19.1
0.32
576
56
0.1
15.1
0.54
448
144
0.33
14.2
1.1
96
41
0.44
SHRIMP RG, El Penon granite (A 59-01)
1.1
0.08
7255
19
0
3.1
0
585
40
0.07
5.1
0
968
36
0.04
1.2
0.08
383
14
0.04
2.1
51.78
545
16
0.03
4.1
0.15
139
65
0.48
7.1
0.1
413
241
0.6
9.1
0
277
224
0.84
6.1
21.49
6496
642
0.1
8.1
22.2
2285
798
0.36
10.1
14.39
6706
3963
0.61
11.1
8.81
10509
84
0.01
SHRIMP II, Pringles Metamorphic Complex (A 56-01)
5.2
306
29
0.1
9.2
0.18
116
40
0.36
14.1
0.26
286
65
0.24
15.1
0.86
142
27
0.2
17.1
1.19
126
69
0.56
18.1
1.53
150
85
0.59
19.1
1.19
140
27
0.2
1.1
1.08
290
8
0.03
3.1
0.23
352
14
0.04
8.1
0.51
230
8
0.04
9.1
0.23
347
15
0.04
10.1
2.54
275
11
0.04
18.2
2.36
833
23
0.03
2.1
0.9
241
76
0.32
4.1
1.07
178
35
0.2
6.1
1.55
276
95
0.36
13.1
1.71
108
78
0.74
16.1
0.99
204
57
0.29
12.1
0.69
137
37
0.28
19.3
0.74
131
52
0.41
19.2
1.39
825
218
0.27
11.1
0.21
119
50
0.43
7.1
1.09
23
26
1.17
7.2
3.68
371
18
0.05
SHRIMP II, Conlara Metamorphic Complex (A 25-01)
2.1
0.27
304
63
0.22
5.2
0.56
551
33
0.06
6.1
0.85
179
69
0.4
7.1
1.22
828
34
0.04
1.1
2.37
1158
293
0.26
10.1
2.9
157
106
0.7
11.1
0.68
841
112
0.14
1.2
0.54
230
66
0.3
3.1
4.01
89
33
0.39
12.1
5.93
54
13
0.26
17.1
2.38
87
43
0.51
4.1
0.18
111
42
0.39
14.1
1.82
180
92
0.53
8.1
0.71
122
64
0.54
5.1
0.52
285
49
0.18
9.1
0.62
124
98
0.82
13.1
1.26
223
71
0.33
13.2
0.57
103
24
0.24
15.1
0.62
142
62
0.45
16.1
144
144
1.03
8.2
3.63
1055
282
0.28
207
0.063
0.064
0.0548
0.0575
0.055
0.058
0.0564
0.0542
0.0548
0.05593
0.058
0.0563
0.059
0.0554
0.0559
0.0558
0.0618
0.055
0.0585
0.05634
0.0618
0.0759
21
28
8.1
5.2
25
45
5.9
4.7
6.9
1.1
18
7.6
6.6
3.5
4.5
3.5
6.9
3.4
2.9
1.4
2
3.7
0.101
0.069
0.308
0.432
0.298
0.11
0.408
0.497
0.516
0.5698
0.32
0.288
0.199
0.474
0.476
0.327
0.563
0.595
0.529
0.5651
0.953
1.769
21
28
8.2
5.2
25
45
5.9
4.7
7
1.7
18
7.6
7.7
3.6
4.7
3.6
7
3.5
3.2
1.5
2.4
4.4
0.01161
0.00785
0.04079
0.05448
0.03906
0.01379
0.05243
0.06651
0.06831
0.07388
0.0398
0.03706
0.02443
0.06207
0.06181
0.04247
0.06601
0.07843
0.06561
0.07274
0.1119
0.1689
1.6
1.8
0.67
0.58
1.3
2.2
0.81
0.6
1.4
1.3
0.83
0.7
3.9
0.64
1.3
0.63
0.72
0.84
1.4
0.58
1.3
2.4
0.076
0.066
0.082
0.112
0.05
0.049
0.137
0.127
0.2
0.764
0.047
0.092
0.506
0.179
0.286
0.176
0.103
0.239
0.448
0.382
0.548
0.536
2
0
1
12
1
1
5
93
38
76
14
0.05684
0.05706
0.05708
0.07392
0.05873
0.07288
0.07391
0.084
0.053
0.062
0.058
0.34
0.61
0.47
0.85
1.2
0.67
0.51
66
61
31
18
0.6277
0.624
0.6357
1.561
0.7376
1.727
1.877
0.16
0.22
0.225
0.61
0.37
0.67
0.52
1
1.3
0.73
0.61
66
61
31
18
0.08009
0.07932
0.08078
0.15316
0.0834
0.09109
0.17182
0.18418
0.014
0.03035
0.0262
0.07515
0.15
0.28
0.22
0.54
6.5
0.54
0.29
0.34
3.4
1.7
1.2
0.56
0.394
0.421
0.425
0.534
0.411
0.397
0.556
0.052
0.027
0.039
0.031
32
70
43
56
65
73
72
57
29
51
31
110
97
60
84
77
95
55
65
53
52
25
24
96
6
2
8
11
2
13
4
9
1
34
10
22
0
19
4
29
20
16
15
3
8
10
1
67
0.05957
0.0577
0.0574
0.0568
0.0583
0.057
0.0595
0.0572
0.0569
0.0567
0.05771
0.0569
0.0575
0.0548
0.0544
0.0571
0.0554
0.0553
0.0604
0.0596
0.0614
0.07675
0.1851
0.0821
1.5
3.2
1.9
2.5
3
3.3
3.3
2.6
1.3
2.3
1.4
5
4.4
2.7
3.7
3.5
4.2
2.5
3
2.4
2.4
1.2
1.5
4.9
2
3.6
2.4
2.9
3.3
3.6
3.7
2.9
1.9
2.7
1.9
5.2
4.6
3.1
4.1
3.8
4.5
2.8
3.3
3.4
3
1.9
2.7
5.1
0.0894
0.0857
0.0882
0.0865
0.0891
0.0903
0.0911
0.07299
0.0795
0.05067
0.07509
0.06041
0.0825
0.0775
0.0643
0.0555
0.0832
0.0797
0.0851
0.0928
0.0982
0.1676
0.512
0.06698
1.3
1.7
1.4
1.4
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.4
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.4
1.6
1.4
1.5
1.4
1.4
2.4
1.7
1.4
2.3
1.3
0.675
0.467
0.573
0.492
0.448
0.412
0.419
0.466
0.705
0.519
0.679
0.252
0.287
0.47
0.405
0.37
0.337
0.486
0.433
0.71
0.564
0.753
0.84
0.262
59
32
94
83
100
140
43
51
110
280
160
48
79
47
31
55
83
61
26
17
180
1
8
5
14
8
19
0
7
38
8
1
2
0
6
7
2
0
1
10
2
3
0.0598
2.7
0.06071 1.5
0.0587
4.3
0.0577
3.8
0.0627
4.8
0.0645
6.6
0.0609
2
0.0661
2.4
0.0806
5.7
0.0714 14
0.0669
7.6
0.0733
2.4
0.0762
4
0.0752
2.4
0.073
1.5
0.0715
2.7
0.0712
4.1
0.0712
3
0.07488 1.3
0.1221
0.97
0.0581
8
0.096
0.0937
0.0951
0.0962
0.1046
0.0996
0.1034
0.1242
0.1239
0.1478
0.1373
0.1762
0.1856
0.1693
0.1586
0.1589
0.1611
0.1629
0.1595
0.3683
0.084
1.2
1.2
1.4
1.2
1.2
1.4
1.2
1.3
1.6
2.4
1.5
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.2
1.3
1.2
1.4
1.3
1.3
1.2
0.397
0.61
0.303
0.292
0.241
0.21
0.518
0.466
0.264
0.178
0.2
0.489
0.315
0.485
0.63
0.435
0.291
0.412
0.708
0.802
0.145
0.735
0.682
0.698
0.677
0.716
0.71
0.748
0.576
0.624
0.396
0.598
0.474
0.653
0.586
0.482
0.437
0.635
0.608
0.709
0.762
0.832
1.774
13.06
0.759
0.791 3
0.785 1.9
0.77
4.5
0.765 3.9
0.905 4.9
0.885 6.7
0.867 2.3
1.131 2.8
1.377 5.9
1.45 14
1.267 7.7
1.78
2.7
1.95
4.2
1.756 2.7
1.597 2
1.567 3
1.581 4.3
1.599 3.3
1.646 1.8
6.2
1.6
0.673 8.1
Errors are 1; Pbc and Pb* indicate the common and radiogenic portions, respectively. Error in standard calibration was 0.25% (SHRIMP II) and 0.12% (SHRIMP RG). ,
common Pb too high to calculate any meaningful 207 Pb/206 Pb data or age.
*Common Pb corrected using measured 204 Pb.
972
A. STEENKEN ET AL.
Fig. 5. Wetherill concordia diagrams and cumulative probability plots of SHRIMP U/Pb zircon data for the analysed igneous samples from the Sierra de
San Luis. Las Verbenas Tonalite: grey error ellipses are used to calculate the concordia age. Paso del Rey, north: white error ellipses (inner overgrowth
zones) and ruled ellipses (tips with high U and common Pb) are used to calculate the discordia age. Light and dark grey refer to core data. El Penon
Granite: white error ellipses refer to high U (low Th/U) and partly unacceptable high common Pb, whereas grey ellipses indicate near-concordant rim and
core analyses. The cumulative probability plots show the Proterozoic inheritance of the zircon cores.
Paso del Rey granite, northern stock. The zircons from the Paso
del Rey granite (A 02-02) are generally subhedral and heterogeneous, with many grains showing overgrowths of euhedral
zircon (Fig. 4b). In SEM cathodoluminescence (CL) images
these overgrowths are observed on host crystals of various forms
that are presumably inherited grains. The overgrowths have a low
CL response but do have an inner zone of higher response (lower
U) that probably reflects continuous crystallization during changing conditions and magmatic compositions rather than two
different overgrowths (see arrow in Fig. 4b). The rims are
sometimes large enough to be accessed by the SHRIMP but in
almost all cases they have very high U contents, high common
Pb and are generally highly discordant.
A total of 34 analyses were carried out on 27 grains (Table 1).
Most analyses were sited in what is presumed to be the magmatic
overgrowths, to establish an age of crystallization or emplacement
for the granite. Other analyses were sited on cores or discrete,
zoned grains that appeared to be magmatic. The 207 Pb/206 Pb ages
determined for cores range from about 1.09 Ga to about 495 Ma.
The two analysed near-concordant older cores appear in the
cumulative probability plot only (Fig. 5). A group of three core
analyses gives a concordia age of 547 10 Ma (2). This is the
FA M AT I N I A N G E O DY NA M I C E VO L U T I O N O F G O N DWA NA
973
A. STEENKEN ET AL.
25
22
5
5
5
5
11
5
5
5
5
7
15
7
5
10
6
469
500
467
470
476
477
490
491
476
480
483
483
498
479
497
468
477
0.07352
0.0733
0.07539
0.0753
0.07586
0.07688
0.07577
0.07649
0.07751
0.0793
0.07857
0.07732
0.07865
0.07769
0.07893
0.07757
0.07807
1.0
1.3
0.8
0.83
0.8
0.9
0.88
1.1
0.84
0.88
0.86
0.78
0.81
0.91
0.74
0.73
0.78
Pb*/ (%)
U*
238
1.5
1.4
1.6
2.1
1.4
2.0
2.3
3.0
2.4
3.0
2.4
1.9
1.5
1.9
1.1
1.0
1.0
0.5659
0.5666
0.5889
0.58
0.6081
0.588
0.588
0.579
0.588
0.581
0.587
0.587
0.615
0.617
0.6106
0.6025
0.6143
5.2
4.4
1.0
1.0
1.1
1.0
2.2
1.0
1.0
1.1
1.0
1.4
3.0
1.4
1.0
2.1
1.3
0.0235
0.025
0.0234
0.0235
0.0238
0.0239
0.0245
0.0246
0.0238
0.024
0.0242
0.0242
0.0249
0.024
0.0249
0.0234
0.0239
1.0
1.3
0.8
0.83
0.8
0.9
0.88
1.1
0.84
0.88
0.86
0.78
0.81
0.91
0.74
0.73
0.78
13.6
13.64
13.26
13.28
13.18
13.01
13.2
13.07
12.9
12.61
12.73
12.93
12.71
12.87
12.67
12.89
12.81
0.54
0.39
0.69
0.77
0.73
0.76
0.89
0.74
0.80
0.86
0.82
0.64
0.74
0.95
0.52
0.42
0.54
0.0567
0.05642
0.05785
0.05907
0.05898
0.05829
0.05807
0.06176
0.05884
0.05864
0.05812
0.05757
0.05811
0.05959
0.05665
0.05756
0.05681
1.0
1.3
0.79
0.82
0.8
0.89
0.87
1.1
0.83
0.87
0.85
0.77
0.8
0.91
0.74
0.73
0.78
34306
28824
31968
37949
52685
43904
26828
33120
45784
24866
34369
39158
40802
28846
30579
36700
39426
3923
6261
1882
1800
2353
1922
1414
1832
2031
1311
1395
2552
2214
1179
3385
4778
4357
0.11
0.04
0.15
0.39
0.10
0.35
0.22
0.84
0.48
0.69
0.49
0.31
0.17
0.24
0.07
0.15
0.03
3.1
12.1
8.1
16.1
4.1
13.2
1.1
2.1
6.1
7.1
14.1
9.1
13.1
5.1
11.1
10.1
15.1
Errors are 1; Pbc and Pb* indicate the common and radiogenic portions, respectively
*Common Pb corrected using measured 204 Pb.
13.59
13.64
13.25
13.23
13.17
12.96
13.17
12.96
12.84
12.53
12.67
12.89
12.69
12.84
12.66
12.87
12.81
24
11
31
43
25
39
46
60
50
63
49
38
28
37
17
16
13
445
456
478
449
535
432
464
413
413
336
382
416
482
516
455
466
494
3.7
3.7
4.1
4.2
4.1
4.3
4.6
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.5
4.0
4.4
4.8
4.0
3.7
3.9
Pb/206 Pb*
207
Pb/238 U*
206
457.3
478.3
468.3
469.3
470.7
478.3
481.7
474.7
482.0
477.3
482.0
473.9
494.7
485.2
492.8
473.1
476.9
248.0
414.4
122.0
117.1
153.3
127.6
94.4
121.2
136.0
87.1
93.4
167.7
151.9
79.4
231.2
313.0
287.4
9.0
4.8
17.6
21.8
23.1
23.6
19.6
18.7
23.3
19.6
25.5
15.9
19.0
25.3
9.3
7.9
9.3
206
Pb*/ (%)
U*
235
207
(%)
Pb*/
Th*
232
208
U/ (%)
Pb**
238
206
Pb/ (%)
Pb(tot)
207
206
U/ (%)
Pb(tot)
238
206
206
Th/238 U
232
Th (ppm)
U (ppm)
Pbc
206
Grain/spot
Table 2. Summary of SHRIMP U/Pb monazite data for sample A 39-01 (Nogol Metamorphic Complex)
Pringles Metamorphic Complex. The zircons from sample A 5601 are generally clear, with some inclusions, but of variable habit
ranging from elongate prismatic to more oblate rounded forms
(Fig. 4e). SEM CL imaging shows well-developed oscillatory
zoning in most grains. Fragmented, inherited cores are observed,
and many zircons have a small rim of unzoned zircon, denoting
a complex geological history.
Twenty-four analyses were carried out on 19 zircons, with the
younger portion of the data plotted on a conventional UPb
Wetherill concordia plot (Fig. 8, Table 1). The results of the U/Pb
analyses show a complex pattern as a result of inherited time
increments and new growth of rims during high-temperature
metamorphism. Although inheritance is common the appropriate
cores are difficult to identify. The oldest xenocrystic core
analysed yields an Archaean age of about 2.7 Ga, whereas
Mesoproterozoic ages were recorded in two cases. The majority
of the analyses were sited in the strongly zoned, magmatic zircons
(Fig. 8, dark grey error ellipses) but despite the moderate U (and
low Th) contents in this zircon type, many of the analyses show
extensive Pb loss. Therefore, calculating an age for these zircons
is difficult, but a number of the least discordant analyses do plot
as a group on the concordia, yielding an age of 545 8 Ma (95%
confidence, Fig. 8). Two analyses (Table 1, 19.2 and 19.3) of what
appears to be a core give slightly older apparent ages.
Attempts to date the small enveloping rims were not satisfactory because of severe Pb loss. Low Th/U ratios in the range
0.030.05 could indicate a metamorphic origin. A second
concordia age based on the oldest and least discordant rim
analyses (n 5) gives an age 498 10 Ma (95% confidence, Fig.
8). In light of the available geochronological and structural data,
no meaning could be attributed to one younger and near perfectly
concordant rim analysis at c. 400 Ma (Table 1, analysis 4.1).
0.688
0.932
0.487
0.389
0.573
0.450
0.385
0.370
0.346
0.293
0.355
0.409
0.526
0.474
0.695
0.698
0.784
Error corr.
208
Age (Ma)
Pb/232 Th*
974
Conlara Metamorphic Complex. The zircons from sample A 2501 are generally anhedral to subhedral, with most grains showing
some degree of rounding that could be of either sedimentary or
metamorphic origin (Fig. 4f). The SEM CL imaging shows the
grains to be composed predominantly of zoned fragments
representing probably inherited cores, surrounded by very thin
overgrowths. In many instances these overgrowths are dark in
CL, with thin outer surfaces of bright CL colours, which could
represent a late-stage reworking or recrystallization of the zircon.
These rims are too small to analyse.
Twenty-one analyses were carried out on 17 grains (Table 1)
to clarify the full history of this rock. The data are presented in
the form of a Wetherill UPb concordia plot (Fig. 8). It is clear
that most of the zircons from this rock are inherited from a range
of sources. Some have elevated common Pb contents of a few
per cent (e.g. analyses 3.1 and 12.1 in Table 1). The oldest grain
measured (analysis 16.1 in Table 1) gives an age close to 2 Ga,
but the majority were derived from Late Mesoproterozoic and
Neoproterozoic sources, as documented by age clusters at
962 17 Ma (n 5, 95% confidence) and 631 15 Ma (n 3,
95% confidence). Establishing a maximum age for the sedimentation of this rock is difficult. The youngest cluster of analyses
(n 4) gives a weighted mean 206 U/238 Pb age of 587 7 Ma
(2). Two of these analyses were sited in zircon rims, and two in
zoned parts of larger crystals. One younger age obtained from a
rim (analysis 8.2 in Table 1) has relatively high U, high common
Pb and most probably suffered Pb loss, making this result highly
suspect. Similar findings have been reported for the adjacent
basement block of the Sierras de Cordoba (Schwartz & Gromet
2004; Escayola & Pimentel 2006).
FA M AT I N I A N G E O DY NA M I C E VO L U T I O N O F G O N DWA NA
975
Fig. 7. Wetherill concordia diagram and weighted mean of 208 Pb/232 Th ages from SHRIMP U/Pb monazite data for sample A 39-01. Light and dark grey
error ellipses are used to calculate the two concordia ages. White error ellipses are excluded from the dataset. U/Pb and Pb/Th ages are indistinguishable
within error.
Fig. 8. Wetherill concordia diagrams and cumulative probability plots of SHRIMP U/Pb zircon data for the analysed metasedimentary samples from the
Pringles and Conlara Metamorphic Complexes. A 56-01: dark grey error ellipses represent core data of magmatically grown zircons that were used to
calculate the concordia age. White error ellipses (metamorphic grown rims) and light grey error ellipses (cores with extensive Pb loss) are used to
calculate the discordia age of the granulite-facies metamorphism. A 25-01: dark error ellipses refer to analysed cores. White error ellipses are excluded
from further inspection because of the scarcity of data and rather high common Pb. The cumulative probability plots show the Proterozoic and Archaean
inheritance within the zircon cores.
976
A. STEENKEN ET AL.
Discussion
Timing of sedimentation and provenance of the basement
units of the Sierra de San Luis
The detrital zircon ages of sample A25-01 from the Conlara
Metamorphic Complex allow a discussion of the provenance of
Table 3. Summary of PbSL experiments for the samples A 56-01 (grt), A 14-02 (grt) and A 41/42-03 (st)
Pb/204 Pb
2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
18.921
21.197
56.092
621.928
275.356
24.581
21.947
0.032
0.046
0.268
12.803
10.322
0.091
0.157
15.689
15.832
17.716
49.479
30.292
16.030
15.850
30 min
1h
3h
6h
17 h
17 h
96 h
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
19.566
41.501
646.356
563.421
52.088
34.710
44.660
0.027
0.244
48.101
34.027
0.588
0.126
0.350
20 min
1h
3h
12 h
48 h
12 h
24 h
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
19.389
21.910
234.807
284.994
71.406
47.411
25.879
0.032
0.045
2.300
2.674
0.865
0.453
0.034
Sample
Phase
Acid*
Time
A 56-01
A 56-01
A 56-01
A 56-01
A 56-01
A 56-01
A 56-01
grt
grt
grt
grt
grt
grt
grt
mix
1N HBr
4N HBr
8.8N HBr
8.8N HBr
HF conc.
HF conc.
30 min
1h
3h
6h
17 h
17 h
96 h
A14-02
A14-02
A14-02
A14-02
A14-02
A14-02
A14-02
grt
grt
grt
grt
grt
grt
grt
mix
1N HBr
4N HBr
8.8N HBr
8.8N HBr
HF conc.
HF conc.
A41/42-03
A41/42-03
A41/42-03
A41/42-03
A41/42-03
A41/42-03
A41/42-03
st
st
st
st
st
st
st
mix
1N HBr
4N HBr
8.8N HBr
8.8N HBr
14N HNO3
residue
Leach
step
206
207
Pb/204 Pb
2
0.028
0.036
0.085
1.019
1.137
0.065
0.114
40.020
46.551
179.027
2279.903
935.189
39.680
39.043
0.093
0.108
0.866
46.959
35.064
0.205
0.281
0.8292
0.7469
0.3158
0.0796
0.1100
0.6521
0.7222
0.0003
0.0003
0.0002
0.0001
0.0002
0.0011
0.0005
2.1151
2.1961
3.1917
3.6659
3.3963
1.6143
1.7789
15.674
16.959
50.818
46.272
17.370
16.565
17.000
0.023
0.100
3.783
2.795
0.197
0.060
0.134
38.540
47.125
707.088
869.085
58.088
39.004
39.133
0.059
0.279
52.624
52.509
0.657
0.143
0.307
0.8011
0.4086
0.0786
0.0821
0.3335
0.4772
0.3807
0.0003
0.0002
0.0001
0.0001
0.0002
0.0002
0.0002
15.691
15.844
27.593
30.439
18.623
17.292
16.089
0.027
0.033
0.276
0.286
0.227
0.166
0.023
38.851
41.626
482.669
610.431
116.121
80.482
38.562
0.068
0.090
4.736
5.740
1.409
0.772
0.066
0.8093
0.7231
0.1175
0.1068
0.2608
0.3647
0.6217
0.0003
0.0003
0.0002
0.0001
0.0004
0.0003
0.0003
Pb/204 Pb
r1 206 Pb=204 Pb v. 207 Pb/204 Pb error correlation (Ludwig 1990); r2 206 Pb=204 Pb v.
*Mix denotes a mixture of 1N HBr and 1.5N HCl in the proportion 12:1.
2
208
208
207
Pb/206 Pb
2
208
Pb/206 Pb
2
r1
r2
0.0032
0.0014
0.0019
0.0018
0.0022
0.0058
0.0012
0.978
0.984
0.994
1.000
0.999
0.911
0.995
0.752
0.962
0.992
1.000
1.000
0.721
0.995
1.9697
1.1355
1.0940
1.5425
1.1152
1.1237
0.8762
0.0009
0.0007
0.0008
0.0026
0.0006
0.0005
0.0004
0.976
0.996
1.000
1.000
0.998
0.996
0.997
0.957
0.995
1.000
1.000
0.999
0.993
0.998
2.0038
1.8999
2.0556
2.1419
1.6262
1.6976
1.4901
0.0008
0.0011
0.0008
0.0010
0.0008
0.0011
0.0015
0.983
0.981
0.981
0.998
0.993
0.996
0.954
0.973
0.965
0.999
0.999
0.999
0.998
0.801
FA M AT I N I A N G E O DY NA M I C E VO L U T I O N O F G O N DWA NA
977
978
A. STEENKEN ET AL.
206
Pb garnet ages within the same sample indicate that the Pb
isotope equilibration took place during the Mid- to Late Ordovician (452 19 Ma), defining the lower limit of the metamorphism (Fig. 6). Cooling below c. 580 8C at c. 454 18 Ma was
demonstrated by K/Ar hornblende dating (Steenken et al. 2006).
As there are no petrological data indicating a two-phase metamorphic history (Hauzenberger et al. 2001), the new data suggest
that the high-grade metamorphism lasted for c. 46 Ma.
Little is understood about the meaning of the young 207 Pb/
206
Pb age of 428 17 Ma. A possible resetting of the Pb isotope
system as a result of the Devonian compression as a result of the
approaching Chilenia Terrane seems unlikely. Hitherto, only
resetting of the Ar system in micas has been reported (Sims et
al. 1998; Steenken et al. 2004). The connection of the age with a
SilurianDevonian accretion of the Cuyania Terrane against the
Pampean Terrane as proposed by Keller et al. (1998) and Keller
(1999) appears to be unlikely in view of the increasing evidence
for a Mid-Ordovician collision (Casquet et al. 2001; Astini &
Davila 2004). The most likely explanation for the age of 428 Ma
is probably related to the re-equilibration of the staurolite during
slow cooling after the peak metamorphism. This protracted
cooling can find a probable explanation in the differential
exhumation of the basement as proposed by Steenken et al.
(2004, 2006).
Post-dating the onset of high-grade metamorphism the Pringles
Metamorphic Complex was intruded by tonalitic to granitic melts
that exhibit distinct structural relations with their host. A group
of granodioritic to tonalitic intrusions is restricted to the lowgrade metamorphic successions of the San Luis Formation.
These were previously considered to predate the Famatinian
orogeny (Llambas et al. 1998). Available SHRIMP U/Pb ages
for two of these intrusions, i.e. the Bemberg and Tamboreo
plutons at 468 6 and 470 5, respectively (Stuart-Smith et al.
1999), are insignificantly younger than the new age of the Las
Verbenas tonalite at 478 4 (Fig. 6), increasing the evidence
that all of these tonalitic to granodioritic stocks were emplaced
during a narrow period during the Mid-Ordovician (Fig. 6).
Structural investigations (Steenken et al. 2006) and microstructures denote an emplacement synchronous with the development
FA M AT I N I A N G E O DY NA M I C E VO L U T I O N O F G O N DWA NA
979
Conclusions
The combination of SHRIMP U/Pb zircon and monazite dating
and PbSL experiments on garnet and staurolite with structural
observations at the macroscopic to microscopic scale provides
crucial absolute time constraints as well as substantiation of
previous results on the structural and metamorphic evolution of
the basement complexes of the Sierra de San Luis. This
evolution is the result of multiple depositions of psammopelitic
sediments involved in the distinct compressional events (i.e. the
Pampean, Famatinian and Achalian tectonic cycles) that occurred
on the Palaeozoic margin of southwestern Gondwana.
The crystallization ages of the various Ordovician granitoid
intrusions allow no separation into a pre- and syn-orogenic group
with respect to the Famatinian orogenic cycle. It has been shown
that the S2 fabric formation within the Pringles Metamorphic
Complex (i.e. the S1 axial-plane foliation within the phyllites of
the San Luis Formation) corresponds to the emplacement of the
Ordovician tonalites and granites during the Early to MidOrdovician. Their synkinematic nature has been inferred from
the continuity of (sub-)magmatic to high-temperature solid-state
microstructural indications. Differences in the structural integration with their host have to be related to variations in magma
viscosity and rheological behaviour of the host rocks.
980
A. STEENKEN ET AL.
Within the Pringles basement the granulite- to amphibolitefacies metamorphism might have lasted for c. 46 Ma, starting at
498 Ma as suggested by U/Pb zircon data. The capture of the
lower limit of the metamorphism at c. 428 Ma by PbSL staurolite
data is probably related to Pb diffusion during amphibolite-facies
conditions. The younger metamorphic peak in the Nogol
Metamorphic Complex is constrained from 208 Pb/232 Th data on
monazite at c. 480 Ma and from PbSL garnet data at c. 460 Ma.
This metamorphic peak corresponds to the D2 folding within this
complex, emphasizing an entirely Famatinian history of the
complex. No geochronological evidence for a pre-Famatinian
evolution of the Nogol Metamorphic Complex was found.
The Early Ordovician metamorphic peak within the basement
domains of the Sierra de San Luis predates the metamorphic peak
in the eastern sector of the Cuyania Terrane (Casquet et al.
2001), which was considered to slightly post-date the collision of
this terrane with Gondwana. Therefore, magmatism and metamorphism within the Sierra de San Luis are instead related to
foreland compression (i.e. closure of an extensional basin in the
west of the Pampean orogen as a result of the continuous
subduction), and there is no need to invoke a stage of crustal
thickening related to continental collision in the area of San Luis.
Within the Conlara Metamorphic Complex the structural
relation of the El Penon pluton with its host denotes the preFamatinian evolution of the basement. The appearance of folded
xenoliths (D3 ) demands a pre-Famatinian (i.e. Pampean) deformation and metamorphism of the eastern basement domain of
the Sierra de San Luis. Sub-magmatic to high-temperature solidstate microstructures within the granite point to its synkinematic
emplacement with respect to D3.
Provenance results indicate clearly separated sedimentary
basins for the psammopelitic precursors of the Conlara and
Pringles Metamorphic Complexes. The detrital zircon cores of
the metasediments of the latter denote an early to mid-Cambrian
deposition. The inheritance pattern indicates a source on the
nearby Pampean orogen. These sediments were accommodated in
an extensional basin on the western outboard of the Pampean
block that formed as a result of the resumption of convergence
and subduction along the margin of Gondwana.
Inherited zircon cores within the Conlara Metamorphic Complex indicate a Gondwana provenance. Deposition of the clastic
sequence took place after 587 Ma during the Ediacaran, and most
probably represents higher-grade metamorphic equivalents of the
Puncoviscana Formation, suggesting that the proto-Andean basement of a part of the Eastern Sierras Pampeanas belonged to a
common sedimentary basin at this time.
We are grateful for the German Science Foundation (DFG) Grant Si 438/
16-1 that funded our research project in central Argentina. A.S. is grateful
for the Feodor-Lynen Fellowship V.3/FLF/1116298 granted by the Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation. The support by the Danish Natural
Science Research Council (SNF) via grant 56943 is gratefully acknowledged by R.F. For valuable and fruitful discussion of the analytical data
we thank R. Armstrong (Canberra). The manuscript was substantially
improved by reviews by V. Ramos (Bs. As.) and an anonymous reviewer.
Appendix
SHRIMP U/Pb dating
All zircons and monazites were mounted in epoxy at the
Research School of Earth Sciences (RSES, Canberra), together
with the RSES reference zircons FC1 and SL13 and the
Thompson Mine WB.T.329 monazite standard (age 1768 Ma, U
concentration 2100 ppm). Photomicrographs in transmitted and
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