Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193

Contrasting mechanism of crustal growth

Geodynamic evolution of the Paleoproterozoic granite–greenstone
belts of French Guiana
Olivier Vanderhaeghe *, Patrick Ledru, Denis Thiéblemont, Emmanuel Egal,
Alain Cocherie, Monique Tegyey, Jean-Pierre Milési
BRGM, B.P. 6009, 45060 Orléans, Cedex, France
Received 10 January 1997; accepted 8 May 1998

Abstract

The Paleoproterozoic granite–greenstone belts of French Guiana formed during a period of major crustal growth
at the scale of the Earth. Two contrasting mechanisms of crustal growth have been identified by recent structural,
metamorphic, geochronological and geochemical investigations in the Cayenne–Régina region, which is part of the
northern granite–greenstone belt of French Guiana. Following the formation of oceanic crust, which is characterized
by a tholeiitic volcanic sequence dated at 2174±7 Ma, the early stage of crustal generation was marked by successive
building of calc-alkaline plutonic–volcanic complexes, with the formation of the Ile de Cayenne complex dated at
2144±6 Ma to the north, and of the Central Guiana complex dated at 2115±7 Ma to the south. This first period of
crustal generation by accumulation of mantle-derived magmas was followed by a period of crustal recycling and
tectonic accretion. Sediments derived from the granite–greenstone belts were deposited in large marginal basins, such
as the Orapu basin, separating the plutonic–volcanic complexes. Convergence between the newly formed crustal
blocks caused deformation during the Transamazonian orogeny of the Orapu marginal basin caught in between the
Ile de Cayenne and Central Guiana complexes. Oblique convergence is further characterized by the development of
en-echelon pull-apart basins along the North Guiana Trough sinistral strike-slip shear zones, affecting the edges of
the Orapu marginal basin. The lithological succession in these basins is typical of foreland basins, and the metamorphic
and structural evolution of the Kaw and Régina basins in the Cayenne–Régina region indicate burial to depth up to
20 km in a context of heterogeneous transpression. The geochemical signature of small syntectonic granitic plutons
dated at 2093±8 Ma and 2083±8 Ma emplaced along the major strike-slip shear zones is consistent with crustal
thickening and partial melting of an enriched crustal source. These features suggest that the last stage of the
Transamazonian orogeny was marked by oblique convergence, collision and crustal thickening in a similar way to
modern orogens. © 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.

Keywords: Continental collision; Crustal growth; Guiana shield; Granite–greenstone belt; Paleoproterozoic

* Corresponding author. E-mail: olivier@adder.ocean.dal.ca

0301-9268/98/$ – see front matter © 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
PII S0 3 0 1 -9 2 6 8 ( 9 8 ) 0 0 07 4 - 6
166 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193
1. Introduction
The early stage of continental crust generation
is marked by the formation of large tonalite–
trondhjemite batholiths with calc-alkaline geo-
chemical signatures surrounded by greenstone
belts. These plutonic–volcanic complexes are typi-
cal of Archean provinces ( Windley, 1984) and
correspond to accumulation of mantle-derived
magmas attributed to either (1) upwelling of
mantle plumes ( Kröner, 1984; Kröner and Layer,
1992) or (2) active subduction (Condie, 1975,
1995; Hoffmann, 1988). The dome-and-basin
structure of several Archean granite–greenstone
belts reflects diapiric rise of the buoyant granitic
material with respect to the dense greenstone unit
(Choukroune et al., 1995). This first stage of
crustal generation is commonly followed by a
period of crustal recycling characterized by the
formation of sedimentary basins at the margins of
the belts and then by the formation of large
continents through tectonic accretion and collision
between the newly formed crustal blocks accom-
modated by thrusting (Shackelton, 1986), and
strike-slip (Hudleston et al., 1988).
The development of the circum Atlantic
Paleoproterozoic provinces illustrates the trans-
ition between these two contrasting mechanisms
of crustal growth. The early stage of magmatic
accretion between 2.2 and 2.1 Ga recognized in
South French Guiana and West Africa (Gruau
et al., 1985; Abouchami et al., 1990; Taylor et al.,
1992; Milési et al., 1992) is characterized by the
formation of a new crust composed of volcanic–
plutonic belts similar to Archean granite–green-
stone belts. In contrast, the formation at ~2.0 Ga
of a supercontinent by collision between West
Africa and Guiana during the Transamazonian
orogeny (Fig. 1, Bullard et al., 1965; Cohen and
Gibbs, 1989; Bertrand and Jardim de Sa, 1990;
Hoffman, 1991; Ledru et al., 1994) shares many
characteristics with Phanerozoic orogens. Tectonic
accretion occurred around Archean cratons, such
as the Imataca complex in Venezuela, the Man
province in Ivory coast and Liberia, the
Gabon–Cameroon Archean units, the Jequié com-
plex, and the Gavião block in Brazil; and collision
resulted in thickening of the continental crust
( Teixeira et al., 1989; Bertrand and Jardim de Sa,
1990; Ledru et al., 1994; Feybesse and Milési,
1994).
The aim of this paper is to present the case of
a granite–greenstone belt recently characterized in
the northern part of French Guiana (Egal et al.,
1994, 1995; Milési et al., 1995) where the two
different styles of crustal accretion are distin-
guished. The early stage of crustal generation
resulted in the formation of the Ile de Cayenne
and Central Guiana plutonic–volcanic complexes,
which are typical granite–greenstone belts. The
source, age, and context of formation of the vol-
canic and plutonic series are constrained by
updated lithological and structural maps, and new
geochemical and geochronological data on the
Cayenne–Régina area. The two granite–greenstone
belts are separated by the Orapu sedimentary basin
filled by flysh-like sequences of the Armina forma-
tion. During the first stages of oblique convergence
between the newly formed crustal blocks, pull-
apart foreland basins formed along a major strike-
slip shear zone, the North Guiana Trough (Ledru
et al., 1991). The structural and metamorphic
evolution of some of these basins indicate signifi-
cant burial followed by rapid exhumation. The
proposed geodynamic model resulting from this
multidisciplinary approach favours the formation
of two magmatic arcs thickened and accreted with
their erosional products during oblique collision
between the Guiana and West Africa provinces.
2. Previous work and geological setting
French Guiana is part of the Guiana shield
composed of granite–greenstone belts accreted to
a small Archean core — the Imataca complex of
Venezuela — at about 2.0 Ga during the
Transamazonian orogeny ( Teixeira et al., 1989;
Montgomery and Hurley, 1978). In French
Guiana, no Archean basement has been recog-
nized. The greenstone belts appear in two synclino-
ria that converge in Surinam and are pinched in
between large metamorphic and granitic complexes
( Fig. 1, Choubert, 1974; Gibbs and Barron, 1983).
Recent work on the geology of the southern and
northern belts (Gruau et al., 1985; Ledru et al.,
 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193 167

Fig. 1. Schematic geologic map of the Guiana Shield. Two greenstone belts alternate with granitic massifs. Pull-apart en-echelon
marginal basins are formed along the sinistral strike-slip North Guiana Trough with, from west to east, the Maroni, the Mana, the
Régina and the Kaw basins. Inset: Schematic tectonic map of circum South Atlantic Paleoproterozoic provinces (from Ledru et al.,
1991) showing the distribution of Archean and Paleoproterozoic terrains.

1991; Egal et al., 1992) provides a lithologic
sequence consistent with the one described in
Surinam (Bosma et al., 1983).
– A Lower Volcanic and Sedimentary Unit
(LVSU ) composed of (1) high grade metamor-
phic rocks of the Ile de Cayenne, (2) metavol-
canics of the Paramaca formation, (3) flysh-like
sediments of the Armina formation.
– An Upper Sedimentary Unit ( USU ) composed
of sandstone and conglomerates deposited in
en-echelon pull-apart basins formed during sinis-
tral strike-slip motion along the North Guiana
Trough (Fig. 1, Ledru et al., 1991; Manier
et al., 1993).
The geologic evolution of the southern granite–
greenstone belt is further constrained by geochemi-
cal data (Gruau et al., 1985). The metavolcanic
series yields a Sm–Nd isochron of 2.11±0.09 Ga,
interpreted as the age of volcanism, and a positive
S N value (+2.1±1.8) excluding significant
d
crustal contamination during magma genesis. A
whole-rock Rb–Sr isochron obtained on the gra-
nitic plutons yields an age of 2.00±0.07 Ga inter-
preted to be the age of intrusion in the volcanics.
The low initial Sr value (0.7019±4) suggests that
the granitic magma originated from partial melting
of short-lived crustal precursors of basaltic to
granodioritic composition.
3. New data on the Cayenne–Régina region
A recent multidisciplinary program of explora-
tion conducted by the BRGM on the Cayenne–
Régina region [Fig. 2(a)] provides a significant
amount of new structural, metamorphic, geochem-
ical, and geochronological data constraining the
geodynamic evolution of the northern part of
French Guiana. We propose a new definition of
the litho-tectonic units and distinguish two pluton-
ic–volcanic complexes, the Ile de Cayenne and the
Central Guiana from north to south, separated by
a sedimentary basin, the Orapu basin comprising,
from bottom to top, the schists of the Armina
formation and the sediments of the USU.
168 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193

Fig. 2. (a) Schematic geologic and tectonic map of the Cayenne–Régina area. Localization of the samples used in geochemistry and
geochronology. The Orapu sedimentary basin is folded in between the batholith of the Ile de Cayenne and Central Guiana
complexes. The Kaw and Régina basins of the USU, uncomformably/tectonically overlying the Arima formation of the Orapu basin,
are formed along sinistral strike-slip faults of the North Guiana Trough. Dextral motion along the N–S Imperatrice shear zone causes
 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193 169

Fig. 2. (continued ) — lateral extrusion of crustal blocks and bending of the North Guiana Trough which is responsible for burial of
the Kaw and Régina basins. (b) Cross-section of the northern granite–greenstone belt of French Guiana. The legend is the same as
(a). The position of the cross-section is indicated in (a) by the letters A, B, C. In the Tortue mountain (Régina basin) the lower
stratigraphic layer with grey ellipses represents the debris flow unit, whereas the layer with white ellipses represents quartz conglomer-
ate. The senses of motion on the sinistral strike-slip zones are indicated by two circles, the one containing a black dot indicating
motion of the block toward the reader.

3.1. Litho-tectonic units
3.1.1. The Ile de Cayenne complex
The Ile de Cayenne complex forms a narrow
band of metamorphic rocks in the northern part
of French Guiana [Fig. 2(a)]. It is best exposed
within the Ile de Cayenne peninsula and in the
Gabrielle and Kaw mountains. In contrast to
Choubert (1974), we consider the gneissic rocks
of the Ile de Cayenne as the equivalent of the
neighbouring metavolcanics (Paramaca forma-
tion) of the Gabrielle and Kaw mountains. The
metalavas, interlayered with mettuffs, range in
composition from basaltic to rhyolitic but are
dominated by dacites and andesites. The volcanic–-
volcaniclastic sequence is intruded by various
dikes, sills, of trondhjemites and metagabbros.
Larger plutons form the Mahury mountain domi-
nated by tonalities and granodiorites, and the
Gabrielle mountain dominated by gabbros and
norites. In the Ile de Cayenne peninsula ( Fig. 3),
a last magmatic event is characterized by the
intrusion of muscovite–garnet pegmatites and leu-
cogranites. The major fabric in the Ile de Cayenne
peninsula is characterized by transposition of the
bedding of the Paramaca volcanic–volcaniclastic
sequence in a major foliation S , consistent with
0–1
axial planes of centimetre to metre scale isoclinal
folds F . The S foliation is folded by a second
1 0–1
generation of folds (F ) with horizontal axes,
2
roughly homoaxial with the F resulting in ‘hook-
1
like’ interference patterns. F folds range from the
2
centimetre to hectometre scale, and are associated
with the development of a second axial planar
schistosity S . F folds deform intrafolial leuco-
2 2
somes, but leucosomes are also located along the
axial plane schistosity, which suggests that devel-
opment of S occurred in the presence of melts.
2
The S carries a lineation defined by preferred
2
orientation of amphiboles and biotite and by elon-
gation of quartz. Open metre scale upright folds
( F ), with N–S axis, reorient the previous
3
structures. Metamorphic conditions grade from
greenschist facies in the south-western part of the
complex at the contact with the Orapu basin to
amphibolite facies and local anatexis in the Ile de
Cayenne peninsula.
3.1.2. The Central Guiana complex
The Central Guiana complex forms massive but
smooth mountain ranges covering about a third
of French Guiana. In the Cayenne–Régina region,
it is best exposed along the largest rivers such as
the Comté, the Orapu, the Mataroni and the
Approuague [Figs. 2(a) and (b)]. The lithological
sequence of the Central Guiana complex is com-
posed of volcanic–volcaniclastic sequences of the
Paramaca formation intruded by abundant plu-
tonic rocks. The metavolcanics of the Paramaca
formation are dominated by intermediate composi-
tions. The cores of two distinct volcanoes, centred
on Villaflore and Lavillette, are preserved despite
170 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193

Fig. 3. Geologic map of Paleoproterozoic basement of the Ile de Cayenne peninsula. The lateritic profiles and the Atlantic dikes are
not represented.

intense deformation and metamorphism. They are
characterized by breccia pipes and coarse pyroclas-
tic sequences in the volcanic centres which grade
into finer grained tuff and epiclastites interlayered
with up to centimetre thick cherts and carbonates.
The large batholith forming the bulk of the com-
plex is dominated by tonalites and granodiorites,
but also comprises smaller plutons of gabbros,
granites and leucogranites. To the south of the
area the major fabric of the volcanic–volcaniclastic
sequence is characterized by a subvertical compos-
ite S foliation which carries a down-dip linea-
0–1–2
tion and transposes previous layering of the rocks.
Local obliquity between bedding, S , the first
0
schistosity, S , and a vertical axial planar cleavage,
1
S , suggests folding of S at the kilometre scale
2 0–1
with subhorizontal axes. However, as the bedding
is not always well defined, it is difficult to distin-
guish between these planes. Metamorphism is char-
acterized by widespread greenschist to amphibolite
 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193
facies conditions with local anatexis near Mapaou
for example. Crystallization of andalusite and stau-
rolite porphyroblasts is limited to epiclastites in
the vicinity of granitoids. Radially oriented amphi-
boles are probably related to a hydrothermal event
also marked by crystallization of sulfides. The low
pressure and intermediate temperature metamor-
phism suggested by these assemblages and the
deformation/crystallization relationships are con-
sistent with widespread contact metamorphism
related to the intrusion of the plutonic rocks.
3.1.3. The Orapu sedimentary basin
The Orapu basin forms a narrow belt of sedi-
mentary rocks pinched in between the Central
Guiana and the Ile de Cayenne plutonic–volcanic
complexes [Figs. 2(a) and (b)]. The sedimentary
sequence is dominated by the flyschs of the Armina
formation. To the edges of the Orapu basin, the
schists are uncomfortably overlain by coarser clas-
tic sediments of the USU deposited in pull-apart
basins of the North Guiana Trough (Fig. 1) and
deformed into two narrow synclinoria (Ledru
et al., 1991). The northern synclinorium, referred
to as the Kaw basin, encompasses Chevaux and
Kaw mountains, the southern synclinorium, called
the Régina basin, comprises from west to east,
Maripa, Tortue, Genevieve and Trois Pitons
mountains [Fig. 2(a)].
The schists of the Armina formation constitute
flysh-like sedimentary sequences characterized by
folded rhythmic alternations of graded greywackes–
sandstones and tuff layers. The corresponding
sediments in Surinam have been interpreted as
turbidites (Bosma et al., 1983). The bedding of
the schists is transposed by a first schistosity,
associated with the crystallization of muscovite,
chlorite and biotite, which is axial-planar to macro-
scopic isoclinal folds. This S foliation is affected
0–1
by upright chevron folds which form pluri-
kilometre scale and synclines. The anticlines axial
planes are delineated by a second crenulation
schistosity S associated with crystallization of
2
biotite, chlorite or sericite, suggesting greenschist–
facies metamorphism.
The sedimentary sequences of the USU in the
Cayenne–Régina region (Ledru et al., 1991;
Manier et al., 1993) are dominated by monogenic
171
quartz-rich conglomerates and sandstone. In the
Tortue area (Régina basin) the sedimentary
sequence is thicker and comprises in addition
unstratified polygenic conglomerates forming
pluri-decametre scale lenses interpreted as debris
flow deposits [Fig. 4(a)]. At the scale of the basin,
the distribution of the sedimentary facies and the
directions of palleocurrents suggest that an alluvial
fan progressed from the southern border of the
basin to the north at the back of a system of
braided rivers flowing to the northwest (Ledru
et al., 1991; Manier et al., 1993). The major fabric
of the USU is characterized by a steeply dipping
foliation, S , in an axial plane position of metre
2
to kilometre scale folds with horizontal to slightly
plunging axes, and by a down-dip lineation L ,
2
marked by kyanite and white micas preferred
orientation and stretched pebbles. In the sediments
of Tortue mountain, andalusite porphyroblasts
preserved a first schistosity S underlined by white
1
micas oblique to the bedding S marked by oxides
0
(magnetite, hematite, illmenite) and millimetre
scale quartzitic and pelitic layers. S is surrounding
2
the andalusite porphyroblasts and the relationship
between S outside and inside the porphyroblasts
0
indicates a moderate rotation of the blasts (<90°).
In the debris flow unit, the presence of various
types of clasts from round rigid quartz clasts to
cigar shaped passive phyllitic clasts allows qualita-
tive strain analysis. Crystallization tails around
quartz clasts are symmetric and phyllitic clasts are
not sigmoidal, indicating a coaxial regime of defor-
mation. The phyllitic clasts are marked by a schis-
tosity parallel to the regional schistosity S , which
2
is crenulated with an axis parallel to the elongation
of the clasts and to the regional lineation L . This
2
suggests that the clasts were elongated in a direc-
tion parallel to the lineation, while they were
shortened perpendicular to the schistosity and
perpendicular to the lineation in the plane of
schistosity. These features are consistent with the
cigar shape of the clasts and suggest deformation
in the constrictional field. In addition, a compo-
nent of sinistral strike-slip is heterogeneously dis-
tributed within the stratigraphic sequence and
superimposed on the coaxial deformation. The
USU also displays a network of veins containing
amphiboles, tourmaline, quartz, white micas,
172 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193

Fig. 4. (a) Geologic and tectonic map of the Régina basin in the Tortue mountain area. The transposed bedding plane (S ) is folded
0–1
with a first axial planar schistosity S consistent with the sinistral strike-slip motion imposed at the boundaries of the basin. Secondary
2
sinistral strike-slip shear zones are responsible for the formation of the S schistosity and fold interference patterns. The lineation is
2∞
 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193 173

oxides, fuchsite and pyrite, suggesting pervasive
hydrothermal activity.
3.2. Structural framework
The S foliation of the Paramaca volcanic–vol-
0–1
caniclastics of the Ile de Cayenne and Central
Guiana complexes, and of the schists of the
Armina formation in the Orapu basin, is domi-
nantly steeply dipping over the Cayenne–Régina
region and carries a variably plunging but domi-
nantly down-dip lineation [Figs. 2(a) and (b)].
Even though it is generally cross-cut by the plu-
tonic rocks, S roughly delineates the shape of
0–1
the large tonalite–granodiorite batholiths and is
locally warped around plutons as near Villaflore
[Fig. 2(a)].
Several regional scale steeply-dipping shear
zones are defined by deflection of S and by the
0–1
development of the S foliation associated with
2
mylonitic fabrics. With the exception of a south-
dipping top to the north thrust along the shore of
the Ile de Cayenne peninsula ( Fig. 3), kinematic
criteria such as S/C fabric, C∞ shear bands, sigmoi-
dal microlithons and drag folds (Berthé et al.,
1979; Passchier and Simpson, 1986), suggest that
most shear zones have a major strike-slip compo-
nent of displacement, dominantly sinistral in
NW–SE trending shear zones (Lavillette and
North Guiana Trough shear zones) and dextral on
N–S trending shear zones (Imperatrice and
Gabrielle shear zones).
In particular, sinistral strike-slip motion along
the NW–SE trending North Guiana Trough is
responsible for the formation of pull-apart fore-
land basins in which the clastic sequences of the
USU are deposited and deformed (Fig. 1). The
most complex structural evolution is recorded in
the Tortue area [Figs. 4(a) and (b)] where the
USU is dissected by sinistral strike-slip shear zones
several hundred metres thick oriented N150–N160.
The shear zones are characterized by the develop-
ment of a vertical schistosity S cross-cutting S
2∞ 2
and bearing a horizontal lineation L marked by
2∞
the same markers as L . Some phyllitic pebbles
2
show a double crenulation with the horizontal one
cross-cutting the vertical one. These S shear zones
2∞
accommodate further strain localization along the
North Guiana Trough and are responsible for
complex fold interference patterns [Figs. 4(a) and
(b)] and are also associated with the emplacement
of small granitic plutons [Fig. 2(a)]. In the eastern
part of the Régina basin, in Genevieve and Trois
Pitons mountains, the data are scarce but consis-
tent with a similar structural evolution. To the
west of Tortue mountain, towards Maripa moun-
tain [Fig. 2(a)], the bedding is transposed into the
sinistral strike-slip shear zone and obliquity
between schistosity and bedding is only perceptible
in coarse conglomeratic layers. In this area, the
homogeneity of the stratigraphic sequence is not
favourable to large scale folding and the sinistral
strike-slip component induces discontinuous slic-
ing and repetition of the stratigraphic sequence.
Similarly, the structure of the Kaw basin, charac-
terized by S/C fabrics, C∞ shear planes, and myloni-
tic shear zones, is dominated by the sinistral strike-
slip deformation. The horizontal lineation is
underlined by kyanite, chloritoid, white mica, and
stretched clasts. Kaw mountain shows a large scale
syncline geometry which has not been identified in
Chevaux mountain. The major schistosity S is
2
locally affected at Maripa and Chevaux mountains
by kink bands and by N–S trending ductile shear
zones resulting in rotation of the schistosity consis-
tent with dextral sense of shear.
The association of these structures suggests a
context of pure shear dominated transpression
( Tikoff and Teyssier, 1994). The pure shear com-
ponent with horizontal shortening is recorded by
the development of foliations carrying a domi-
nantly down-dip lineation, and by folding of the

mostly down-dip, except for the horizontal lineation appearing in the secondary shear zones. The intrusion of leucogranites along
the sinistral strike-slip zones might be responsible for the early crystallization of andalusite porphyroblasts. (b) Schematic block
diagram representing the style of deformation of the sediments of the USU in the Tortue area. The folded layer corresponds to the
conglomeratic layer represented in the map (a). The shear zones S correspond to those marked with white arrows in (a). Note the
2∞
dome-shaped interference figures of folding in the area affected by S and S .
2 2∞
174 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193
S with vertical axial planes. Where transposition
0–1
of S is not complete, S is slightly oblique to
0–1 2
the axial plane of the folds which further supports
a non-plane-strain deformation. The component
of strike-slip deformation is partitioned along ver-
tical shear zones.
To summarize, the structural evolution of
the area is characterized by (1) deformation
dominated by the intrusion of the large tonalite–
trondhjemite batholiths (D1), followed by (2)
transpression accommodating oblique convergence
and collision between the batholiths (D2 and D2∞).
Progressive burial of the sedimentary basins occurs
at the edges of the plutonic–volcanic complexes
and is followed by lateral south-east extrusion of
the southern corner of the area.
3.3. Geochemical data
3.3.1. Sampling and analytical methods
In order to constrain the geodynamical signifi-
cance of the volcanism and plutonism that form
the northern granite–greenstone belt of French
Guiana, geochemical investigations on samples
from the Cayenne–Régina area have been con-
ducted [Fig. 2(a)]. X-ray fluorescence ( XRF ) and
ICP-MS analysis have been performed at the
BRGM on 27 samples from the Ile de Cayenne
(five samples) and Central Guiana (22 samples)
complexes, representing trondhjemites, volcanics
and granitoids (Milési et al., 1992; Egal et al.,
1994, 1995, Table 1). Details about analytical tech-
niques and precision are given in Thiéblemont
et al. (1994).
3.3.2. Results
Although the Ile de Cayenne and the Central
Guiana plutonic–volcanic complexes constitute
two distinct tectonic units separated by the Orapu
basin and by the North Guiana Trough, their
geochemical characteristics indicate a similar geo-
dynamical evolution, with the formation of tholei-
itic oceanic basins followed by the building of calc-
alkaline complexes. The late evolution of the vol-
canic sequence and of the plutonic complexes
suggests the formation of an enriched source and
the development of a thick crust generating high-
potassic magmas and eventually peraluminous
granites.
3.3.2.1. Tholeiitic trend: formation of oceanic
basins. Part of the volcanic sequence of the Ile de
Cayenne and Central Guiana complexes,
represented by trondhjemites (two samples) and
metalavas (eight samples), show geochemical char-
acteristics closely comparable to those of tholeiitic
rocks emplaced at mid-oceanic ridges or within
oceanic back-arc basin (Fig. 5, Miyashiro, 1974;
Gill, 1981).
The two samples of trondhjemites show gra-
noblastic textures; one (Cay9A) is from a sill
intrusive in the metavolcanics of the Paramaca
formation, the other (Cay18A) is a felsic gneiss
alternating with amphibolites. The two rocks show
high SiO (>75%) and low K O (<2%) contents,
2 2
consistent with their definition as trondhjemites
( Table 1). The Th/Nb and La/Nb ratios are char-
acteristically low (<2.5 and <1.5 respectively),
well outside the range for subduction related lavas
(i.e. Th/Ta>6 and La/Nb>2.5) ( Wood et al.,
1979a; Saunders et al., 1980), and typical of mag-
matic rocks emplaced at mid-oceanic ridges ( Wood
et al., 1979a; Pearce et al., 1984). Likewise, the
low Al O (<11.5%), high Yb (>10 ppm)
2 3
contents, and unfractionated heavy rare earth ele-
ments (Fig. 6), are characteristics of ‘low-Al O ’,
2 3
‘oceanic type’ trondhjemites (Arth, 1979). Two
alternative models are classically proposed to
describe the origin of such rocks (e.g. Arth, 1979):
(1) melting of an amphibolite protolith under low-
to medium-pressure conditions (<10 kbar); or (2)
fractional crystallization of a tholeiitic basalt. The
former is unlikely because under such conditions
the stability of Ti-oxides (ilmenite) (Patiño-Douce
and Beard, 1995) would result in a strong parti-
tioning of Ta and Nb in the residue (Stimac and
Hickmott, 1994) and consequently to high Th/Ta
and La/Nb ratios in the magma. We thus favour
a model of fractional crystallization of a tholeiitic
basalt for the origin of Paramaca trondhjemites.
In addition to the trondhjemites, the volcanics
of the Cayenne–Régina area comprise basalts
(samples Reg88.91, Reg480.93, Cay74.90,
Cay101e.90, Cay44c.90); basaltic andesites
(samples Cay101d.90, Cay79.90); and andesites
Table 1
Chemical analyses indicating the major and trace contents of rocks from the Paleoproterozoic northern granite–greenstone belt

Sample Ile de Cayenne complex Central Guiana complex

Trondhjemites Plutonic rocks Ultramafic rocks Volcanic rocks Plutonic rocks

Cay9A Cay18A Cay12A Cay12D Cay12C 21.90 82.90 56.90 72.91 74.90 101e.90 44c.90 79.90 88.91 480.93 101d.90 78.90 2.a 1.b 17.c 4.b Reg31A Reg27B Reg27A Reg22 Reg25 Reg26

SiO (%) 75 78.71 59.92 61.98 52.48 52.04 42.81 46.05 40.13 47.78 49.62 47.67 54.27 46.5 49.33 55.44 60.02 63.55 70.33 61.57 47.84 70.11 61.25 68.58 69.07 64.58 72.64
2
TiO 0.37 0.13 0.68 0.61 0.45 0.3 0.43 0.34 0.59 0.76 1.08 1.35 0.88 1.83 1.7 0.91 0.71 0.96 0.32 0.71 1.85 0.31 0.57 0.42 0.45 0.74 0.26
2
Al O 11.47 10.96 17.32 16.42 16.13 5.07 10.18 4.09 8.98 15.5 16.49 12.33 15.94 15.39 14.74 18.12 16.27 15.78 15.81 16.44 20.03 15.78 15.16 15.51 15.62 16.46 14.21
2 3
Fe O 5.35 2.59 6.52 6.28 8.1 9.19 12.61 12.96 11.39 12.7 13.55 14.12 11.73 14.65 17.01 8.36 7.47 6.31 2.17 7.01 10.23 2.64 6.13 3.52 3.69 4.76 2.41
2 3
MnO 0.1 0.09 0.1 0.1 0.14 0.06 0.19 0.09 0.17 0.19 0.19 0.26 0.19 0.22 0.27 0.11 0.1 0.05 0.03 0.09 0.16 0.05 0.13 0.06 0.07 0.09 0.06
MgO 0.25 nd 3.12 3.02 7.57 27.45 20.44 28.14 20.46 6.78 5.45 9.5 2.3 8.27 3.68 3.79 2.08 3.02 0.49 2.87 4.53 1.01 4.24 1.55 1.01 1.32 0.44
CaO 2.03 1.12 6.6 5.74 10.65 0.34 7.7 1.43 9.57 11.65 8.1 11.44 11.8 9.81 9.31 6.98 7.48 3.33 1.9 5.4 5.46 2.76 5.51 3.14 2.7 2.84 1.29
Na O 5.38 4.66 3.92 3.96 2.93 nd nd nd 0.37 nd 2.64 1.38 nd 2.69 2.86 3.41 3.81 4.41 5.66 3.49 4.15 5.2 4.72 5.09 5.2 4.03 3.87
2
KO 0.24 1.64 1.37 1.47 0.58 nd nd nd nd 0.07 0.37 0.28 nd 0.16 0.21 0.69 0.2 1.87 1.78 1.63 3.46 2.19 1.54 2.03 1.98 3.76 4.2
2
PO 0.08 nd 0.18 0.25 0.11 nd nd nd 0.06 0.06 0.17 0.1 0.09 0.19 0.19 0.11 0.12 0.37 0.09 0.16 0.74 0.08 0.21 0.12 0.14 0.44 0.07
2 5
PF nd 0.67 0.58 0.61 1.17 5.66 5.49 6.46 7.85 4.86 2.63 1.92 2.94 0.94 1.37 2.1 1.7 0.82 1 0.69 0.96 0.37 0.53 0.38 0.54 0.67 0.91

Rb (ppm) 5 63 49 38 8 nd nd nd 1 2 9 6 nd 1 2 14 7 62 35 52 108 59 30 36 43 70 162

Ba 190 603 517 460 118 nd nd 14 144 112 273 47 11 91 50 325 1183 482 701 587 1350 637 596 940 990 2512 898
Sr 94 90 556 496 362 7 nd 24 84 51 445 189 170 290 141 327 203 335 821 381 1001 681 706 806 773 831 265
U 0.6 2.7 1.2 0.5 0.7 0.1 nd nd 0.1 0.3 0.2 nd 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.7 1.9 0.6 0.8 2.5 1.1 0.8 0.6 1 0.9 5.6
Th 1.6 8.7 1.2 2.6 0.8 0.7 0.1 0.1 nd 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 nd nd 0.5 1.4 7.3 2.1 2.9 9.5 5.3 1.9 1.8 4.2 4.4 12.4
Hf 6.9 13.1 3 3 1 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.7 1.1 1.2 1.8 1.3 1.4 2.1 1.6 2.2 4.7 2.6 2.7 6.3 2.4 2.1 2.1 2.9 6 4.8
Zr 209 283 113 107 33 17 16 11 32 38 45 59 50 47 88 62 91 245 127 137 470 76 78 73 97 214 135
Ta 0.9 3.5 0.3 0.2 0.2 nd nd nd nd 0.3 0.2 nd 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.3 1.1 0.1 0.4 1.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.6 1.9
Nb 13.6 49.6 4.7 5.1 2.6 0.9 1 1 nd 2 2.5 3.2 3.4 2.3 2.6 3.2 4 19.9 1.4 4.1 17.2 3 3.9 3.6 6.9 7.3 22.7
V nd 90 556 496 362 116 131 93 153 239 265 302 188 264 386 189 124 96 25 123 164 681 706 806 773 831 265
Co 5 nd 19 20 35 93 90 122 82 42 39 49 26 56 42 26 22 22 8 27 35 8 18 8 11 9 6
Cr nd nd 32 31 128 4995 2718 3779 1944 793 50 453 248 85 nd 73 235 44 nd 250 130 nd 119 14 nd nd nd
Ni nd nd 34 41 107 812 875 1525 1088 101 18 144 98 85 nd 17 43 47 nd 145 78 nd 76 nd nd nd nd
La 18.7 58.4 11.6 30 8.3 2.2 16.2 0.6 2.6 10.1 5.4 6.7 17.6 4.6 7.8 6.1 7.6 45.4 9.6 18.7 87.1 21 29.1 21.1 25.8 46.5 63.8
Ce 48.5 136.3 27.8 63.3 20.2 4.7 3.7 1.6 6.2 15.2 14.5 17.7 15.3 13.4 22.3 15.6 18.1 126 29.5 49.2 243 39.5 54.7 34.9 56.9 92.4 84.9
Pr 7 17 3.6 7.3 2.5 0.5 4.7 0.2 0.8 4.1 2.1 2.4 4.5 1.6 2.9 2 2.1 13 3.4 5.8 28.7 4.3 7.2 4.1 6.5 10.6 15.1
Nd 34.5 74.5 16.7 27.8 10.5 2 21 1 4.8 20.8 10.8 11.7 19.5 7.8 14.3 9.5 9 49.5 13.6 23.1 111 15.2 30.1 15.1 25 38.6 57.1
Sm 10.8 19 3.7 5.2 2.2 0.5 5.2 0.3 1.4 5.5 2.7 3.3 4.5 2.4 3.8 2.2 2.1 8.4 2.3 4.5 17.7 2.5 5.5 2.4 4.3 5.5 11.4
Eu 2.6 2.8 1 1.2 0.7 0.2 2.1 0.2 0.4 2.2 1.2 1.4 1.9 1 1.4 1.1 0.6 1.8 0.3 0.9 3.2 0.5 1 0.7 1 1.3 1.5
Gd 13.2 22.6 3 3.3 1.8 0.4 7.1 0.5 2 6.6 3.5 3.7 5 3.4 4.3 2.3 2.1 5.2 1.2 3.1 7.2 1.2 3.8 1.5 2.8 3 10.7
Tb 2.4 3.9 0.5 0.5 0.3 nd 1 nd 0.3 1 0.5 0.6 0.8 0.5 0.7 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.7 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.4 0.3 1.8
O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193

Dy 16.4 27.3 2.7 3 1.8 0.5 6.8 0.4 2.2 6.9 3.5 3.6 5.6 3.5 5.1 2.6 1.8 3 0.4 2.2 5.2 0.9 2.8 1.1 2.1 2.4 11.4
Ho 3.8 6 0.6 0.6 0.4 nd 1.4 nd 0.4 1.4 0.7 0.7 1.1 0.7 1.1 0.6 0.3 0.4 nd 0.4 0.9 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.4 0.5 2.3
Er 10.6 18.1 1.6 1.6 1.1 0.3 4 0.3 1.3 4.8 2.2 2 3.4 2 3.6 1.9 1 1.3 0.2 1.1 2.7 0.4 1.3 0.6 1.1 1.9 6.4
Tm 1.7 2.9 0.3 0.3 0.2 nd 0.5 nd 0.2 0.6 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.1 nd 0.1 0.3 nd 0.2 nd 0.2 0.3 1
Yb 11.3 19.2 1.6 1.5 1.1 0.3 3.5 0.3 1.2 4.7 1.9 1.7 3.1 1.8 4.2 1.7 1.1 1.3 0.2 1.2 2.4 0.4 1 0.4 0.9 3.5 6
Lu 1.7 2.8 0.3 0.2 0.2 nd 0.5 nd 0.1 0.7 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.2 0.6 0.3 0.2 0.2 0 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.5 0.8
Y 88.1 142.2 14.8 14.5 9.7 2.4 41.9 2.7 14.9 30.4 18.4 18.6 28 15.9 37.4 16.2 9.9 16 3.2 13.5 35.8 5.1 12.3 5.6 11.6 17.5 67.8

( Th/Nb) 0.89 1.33 1.94 3.88 2.34 5.91 0.76 0.76 14.9 1.90 1.52 1.19 1.12 1.19 2.66 2.79 11.41 5.38 4.20 13.43 3.70 3.80 4.63 4.58 4.15
N
(La/Nb) 1.38 1.18 2.47 5.88 3.19 2.44 16.20 0.60 14.9 5.05 2.16 2.09 5.18 2.00 3.00 1.91 1.90 2.28 6.86 4.56 5.06 7.00 7.46 5.86 3.74 6.37 2.81
N
( Zr/Nb) 0.98 0.36 1.53 1.33 0.81 1.20 1.02 0.70 14.9 1.21 1.14 1.17 0.93 1.30 2.15 1.23 1.45 0.78 5.77 2.12 1.74 1.61 1.27 1.29 0.89 1.86 0.38
N
( Y/Nb) 1.02 0.45 0.49 0.45 0.58 0.42 6.57 0.42 14.9 2.38 1.15 0.91 1.29 1.08 2.25 0.79 0.39 0.13 0.36 0.52 0.33 0.27 0.49 0.24 0.26 0.38 0.47
N
( Tb/Nb) 1.16 0.52 0.70 0.64 0.76 6.57 14.9 3.28 1.31 1.23 1.55 1.43 1.77 0.82 0.49 0.17 0.47 0.48 0.27 0.44 0.84 0.36 0.38 0.27 0.52
N
175
176 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193

(a)

Fig. 5. SiO vs. FeO /MgO diagram (Miyashiro, 1974) for the
2 t
metalavas of the Paramaca formation. Open square: calc-alka-
line group; full square: tholeiitic group.

(b)

Fig. 6. Chondrite normalized rare earth element patterns (nor-

malization values after Anders and Grevesse, 1989) for two
trondhjemites from the Ile de Cayenne complex.

(sample Cay78.90), that also plot in the tholeiitic

field of a SiO vs. FeO/MgO diagram (Fig. 5). In
2
two samples (101e.90, 101d.90) positive Eu ano-
malies [Fig. 7(a)] and high Al O (>16%) and Sr
2 3
(>300 ppm) contents suggest plagioclase cumula-
tion ( Table 1). Two other samples (74.90 and
79.90) show a strong negative anomaly in Ce,
which, together with the very low content in
Na O (below detection limit) and K O (<0.1%),
2 2
suggests a mobilization of these elements during
metamorphism or alteration. The low contents of
the less mobile elements (Zr, Y, Nb, Ta, Th) are
consistent with a tholeiitic affinity (Pearce and
Cann, 1973). The slight enrichment of Th relative
to Nb ([ Th/Nb] ratios from 1.1 to 1.9) is common
N 2
in recent back-arc basins and continental tholeiites
([Fig. 8] Thiéblemont et al., 1994). However, all
the lavas plot in the back-arc basin field of the
[ Tn/Nb] vs. [ Tb/Nb] diagram (Fig. 8 later,
N N
Thiéblemont et al., 1994). The high [ Y/Nb] and
N
[Zr/Nb] ratios (>1) suggest derivation from an
N
oceanic-type depleted source (Schillingh et al.,
(c)
Fig. 7. Chondrite normalized rare earth element patterns for
the metavolcanics and ultramafic rocks from the Paramaca for-
mation. (a) Tholeiitic group. (b) Ultramafic group. (c) Calc-
alkaline group and shoshonite.
1985). Finally, one sample of andesitic composi-
tion (78.90, SiO ~60%) exhibits a distinct REE
2
pattern [Fig. 7(a)] characterized by strong HREE
fractionation and low HREE contents, suggesting
a distinct origin for this rock.
The volcanic sequence also contains small elon-
gated bodies of basic to ultrabasic rocks
(SiO ~40–52%) and ultramafic (MgO~20–28%;
Co~80–120 ppm, Cr~2000–5000 ppm, Ni~800–
2000 ppm) rocks. Highly variable REE patterns
[Fig. 7(b)] preclude a common origin for these
rocks ( Table 1). Sample 72.91 shows some charac-
teristics of komatiites, such as a relatively flat REE
pattern with a slight negative Eu anomaly (Jensen,
1976; Viljoen et al., 1982). On the other hand, a
 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193 177

Fig. 9. Primordial Mantle normalized trace element patterns

( Wood et al., 1979b; Hoffmann, 1988) for the calc-alkaline
Fig. 8. ( Th/Nb) vs. ( Tb/Nb) diagram (adapted from
N N group of rocks and shoshonite from the Paramaca formation.
Thiéblemont et al., 1994) for the basic metavolcanics
(SiO ≤55%) of the Paramaca formation. Discriminant fields
2
are indexed as follows. N-type MORB: normal MORB; E-type
MORB: enriched MORB; WRAB: within-plate alkaline and
transitional basalts; BAB: back-arc basin basalts; CFB: conti-
nental tholeiites; IAT: island-arc basalts; CAB: subduction-
related calc-alkaline basalts.

magmatic origin is very unlikely for sample 82.90

which shows a pronounced negative Ce anomaly
and high La/Th (162) ratio. Finally, two samples
(a)
(21.90 and 56.90) showing enriched (21.90) to flat
(56.90) REE patterns and positive Eu anomalies
may be interpreted as cumulates (plagio-
clase–olivine?).

3.3.2.2. Calc-alkaline trend: building of plutonic–

volcanic complexes. The development of more
differentiated plutonic complexes following the for-
mation of the Lower Paramaca oceanic crust is
attested by the calc-alkaline to shoshonitic affinity (b)
of lavas forming the top of the lithologic sequence
in the Régina area, and by tonalitic to dioritic
plutons intrusion in the volcanic/volcaniclastic
sequences (Fig. 5).
The calc-alkaline lavas include a rhyolite (1.b),
and andesite (17.c), a basic shoshonite or absaro-
kite (4.b), and a dacite (2.a), which are all charac-
terized by fractionated REE patterns [ Table 1,
Fig. 7(c)]. The pronounced Ta–Nb anomaly shown
(c)
especially by samples 1.b and 17.c in a Primordial
Mantle normalized diagram is characteristic of Fig. 10. Chrondrite normalized rare earth element patterns for
recent subduction-related lavas (Fig. 9 Briqueu several plutonic rocks from French Guiana. (a) Plutonic rocks
et al., 1984). Rhyolite 1.b exhibits all the character- from the Ile de Cayenne complex, Mahury mountain, compari-
istics of adakites (i.e. Al O >15.5%, son with one calc-alkaline dacite from the Paramaca formation
2 3 (sample 17.c). (b) Plutonic rocks, tonalites and biotite–granites
Yb<1.5 ppm, Y<15 ppm, SR/Y>40, Defant of the Central Guiana complex. (c) High-K porphyritic granite
et al., 1991) interpreted in terms of high-pressure (Reg25) and peraluminous leucogranite (Reg26) of the Central
partial melting of a garnet–amphibolite or eclogite Guiana complex.
178 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193

protolith (Drummond and Defant, 1993; Peacock

et al., 1994). The low Ta and Nb contents and
high (Zr/Nb) ratio of the andesite 17.c suggest
N
the involvement of a Nb–Ta depleted reservoir
(Schillingh et al., 1985), which favours a mantle
origin. The shoshonite 4.b (Peccerillo and Taylor,
1976; Gill, 1981) is characterized by a high LREE
content, a strongly fractionated REE pattern, and
(a)
high ( Th/Ta) and (La/Nb) ratios ( Fig. 9). Its
N N
low SiO content suggests a mantle origin and
2
precludes any contamination by felsic fluids
derived from partial melting of the crust. Thus the
high contents of incompatible elements may be
attributed to the involvement of a strongly Th-,
LREE-enriched mantle source. Finally, the dacite
(2.a) differs from the other samples by its slighter
Ta–Nb anomaly ( Fig. 9), despite higher Th and
La contents. This sample is also characterized by (b)
a low (Zr/Nb) ratio (<1) suggesting the involve-
N
ment of an enriched (crustal?) source ( Thiéblemont
and Tegyey, 1994). Thus the calc-alkaline lavas of
the upper part of the Paramaca series show highly
variable trace element characteristics which suggest
variable petrologic processes and/or sources for
the original magmas. Nevertheless, the range of
observed compositions is consistent with the devel-
opment of a magmatic arc in a subduction context.
(c)
The major part of the batholiths of the
Cayenne–Régina area is composed of tonalites Fig. 11. Primordial Mantle normalized trace element patterns
(Cay12A, Cay12D, Reg27A, Reg27B), diorites for several plutonic rocks from French Guiana. (a) Mahury
(Cay12C ), and granites ( Reg31A, Reg22). These mountain, comparison with one calc-alkaline dacite from the
samples plot in the medium-K field of the Paramaca formation (sample 17.c). (b) Tonalites and biotite–-
granites of the Central Guiana complex. (c) High-K porphyritic
SiO /K O diagram (Peccerillo and Taylor, 1976)
2 2 granite and peraluminous leucogranite of the Central Guiana
and are defined as calc-alkaline in the SiO vs. complex.
2
FeO /MgO plot (Fig. 5). Their Primordial Mantle
t
normalized trace element patterns ( Wood et al.,
1979a,b; Hoffmann, 1988) show pronounced nega- Paramaca formation with very low Nb (≤5 ppm)
tive anomalies in Ta and Nb. and Ta (≤0.3 ppm) contents and high (La/Nb)
N
The tonalites (Cay12A and Cay12D, (≥2.5) and (Zr/Nb) (>0.8) ratios. These are
N
SiO ~60–62%) and diorite (Cay12C, characteristics of recent subduction-related lavas
2
SiO ~52.5%) of the northern part of French and plutonic rocks (Saunders et al., 1980;
2
Guiana [Mahury mountain, Fig. 2(a)] show rather Thiéblemont and Tegyey, 1994). The low Nb and
low K O (<1.5%) contents and FeO /MgO ratios Ta contents and high ( Zr/Nb) preclude a deriva-
2 t N
(≤2), which indicate a low- to medium-K and tion from an enriched crustal source. Thus, the
calc-alkaline affinity (Peccerillo and Taylor, 1976; tonalites and diorites are probably derived from a
Miyashiro, 1974). Their REE [Fig. 10(a)] and mantle source.
Primordial Mantle normalized patterns [Fig. 11] Amongst the plutonic rocks of the Central
are equivalent to those of the dacite 17.c from the Guiana complex [Fig. 2(a)], two tonalites
 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193
(Reg27A, Reg27B, SiO ~61–68.5%) and one bio-
2
tite–granite (Reg31A, SiO ~70.1%) from a large
2
pluton, and a granite (Reg22, SiO ~69%) from
2
another pluton, show a medium-K and calc-alka-
line affinity similar to the samples from the Mahury
mountain. Likewise, they show marked negative
Nb–Ta anomaly [Fig. 11(b)] and low Nb
(<7 ppm) and Ta (<0.5 ppm) contents typical of
recent subduction-related magmatic rocks. Despite
moderate LREE contents (e.g. La~20–30 ppm),
these rocks show strongly fractionated REE pat-
terns ([La/Yb] >15), which reflect low HREE
N
contents [Fig. 10(b)]. Like the rhyolite 1.b
from the Paramaca formation, these plutonic
rocks exhibit features typical of adakites (i.e.
Al O >15.5%, Yb<1.5 ppm, Y<15 ppm,
2 3
SR/Y>40, Defant et al., 1991). According to
recent work, this suggests an origin by high-pres-
sure partial melting of a garnet–amphibolite or
eclogite protolith (Drummond and Defant, 1993;
Peacock et al., 1994).
In contrast to the above plutonic rocks, a
restricted massif of porphyroid granite (sample
Reg25) is classified as highly potassic. This rock
shows an unusual REE pattern [Fig. 10(c)], char-
acterized by a relative depletion from Gd to Er.
The MREE depletion could be attributed to the
fractionation of titanite and/or apatite. The REE
content of the porphyroid granite is higher than
those of the tonalites and granites. On the other
hand, the Nb, Ta, and Th contents [Fig. 11(c)] are
comparable and rather low. The (Zr/Nb) (~2),
N
( Th/Nb) (~3), and (La/Nb) (~6) ratios are
N N
high and comparable to those of recent subduc-
tion-related lavas and plutonic rocks (Saunders
et al., 1980; Briqueu et al., 1984; Thiéblemont and
Tegyey, 1994). Similarly to the calc-alkaline lavas
of the upper part of the Paramaca formation, the
above plutonic rocks exhibit geochemical charac-
teristics consistent with an emplacement in a sub-
duction setting. The high-K affinity of the
porphyroid granite could reflect a progressive
thickening of the crust.
3.3.2.3. Peraluminous trend: crustal thickening and
partial melting. The late evolution of the orogen
is marked by the emplacement of small peralumi-
179
nous leucogranitic plutons intruding along the
major shear zones. A sample from a peraluminous
leucogranite emplaced along the Mataroni river
(Reg26) shows a mildly fractionated REE pattern
and does not show strong Nb and Ta anomalies
[Fig. 10(c)]. The high Nb (22.7 ppm) and Ta
(1.9 ppm) contents [Fig. 11(c)] are common fea-
tures of recent collision-related peraluminous gran-
ites (Pearce et al., 1984; Thiéblemont and Cabanis,
1990) and the low ( Zr/Nb) ratio (~0.4) indicates
N
an enriched source. These characteristics suggest
an origin of the leucogranite by crustal partial
melting. Slight fractionation between the HREE
suggests that garnet was not an important phase
in the residue, implying melting at pressure
<8–10 kbar (Green, 1976).
3.4. Geochronology
3.4.1. Sampling and analytical methods
The plutonic rocks of the Cayenne–Régina area
have been dated by the zircon evaporation tech-
nique ( Kober, 1986, 1987). Details on the pro-
cedure followed and age calculations are given by
Cocherie et al. (1992). Isotope measurements were
carried out on a Finnigan MAT 261 mass spec-
trometer at the BRGM in Orléans. Data acquisi-
tion is performed by peak switching using a
secondary electron multiplier (SEM ). Errors in
age calculations are taken as one standard devia-
tion (1s), which leads to much larger errors than
the conventional error of 2s used in isotope ratio
m
determination involving n, the number of analyses
(2s =2s/앀n). As an example, a 2s error in the
m m
age of tonalite CAY 12A would give an unrealistic
calculated error of 2×6/앀495#0.5 (i.e.
2144±0.5 Ma). The zircon evaporation technique
consists of exposing a single zircon to increasing
temperature during a step-heat experiment. Ages
are calculated for a single grain at several temper-
ature steps. Step ages are either constant during
the experiment and reflect the homogeneity of the
zircon, or increase with temperature indicating
that the zircon did not record a simple history. A
zircon age is obtained only if at least two steps
give similar ages or if the age of the high-temper-
ature step obtained on one grain is also obtained
180 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193
on another grain of the same sample. In addition,
the 208Pb/206Pb ratio, which reflects the value of
the Th/U ratio of the magma in equilibrium with
the zircon at the time of crystallization, is used to
detect similarities among the zircons from the same
sample. Finally, all the step ages obtained from
several grains which fall within the 1s analytical
error are used for the determination of the mean
207Pb*/206Pb* age ( Table 2).
3.4.2. Results
All the zircons selected for analysis indicate
crystallization at high temperature following the
morphologic analysis of Pupin (1980). The zircon
analysed did not show any Archean inheritance
and yield ages comprised between 2.17 Ga and
2.08 Ga. The ages are consistently younger in the
Central Guiana plutonic–volcanic complex than
in the Ile de Cayenne plutonic–volcanic complex,
suggesting successive development of magmatic
arcs and progressive northward tectonic accretion.
3.4.2.1. Age of the tholeiitic trondhjemites. Six zir-
cons of trondhjemite (Cay18A) were selected for
analysis at the mass spectrometer and provided
isotopic ratios for three temperature steps
[ Table 2(a)], leading to three distinct mean ages.
– A mean age of 2216±4 Ma is obtained at
high temperature for two grains ( Zr A and Zr
F ). Younger ages obtained at lower temperature
are interpreted as due to radiogenic lead loss.
– A mean age of 2174±7 Ma is obtained for
several high-temperature steps of two other
grains ( Zr C and Zr D).
– A third age is measured at two high temper-
atures of grain Zr E (2199±7 Ma). This age is
not confirmed by data from any other grain.
The sixth zircon ( Zr B) gives increasing ages
with increasing temperature, which typically
cannot be used to determine the crystallization age
of the grain. Two interpretations are proposed.
(1) 2174±7 Ma is the crystallization age of the
trondhjemite and the older age (2216±4 Ma)
is a minimum age of inherited cores.
(2) 2216±4 Ma is the crystallization age of the
trondhjemite followed by a thermal event lead-
ing to partial (Zr A and Zr F ) or complete
recrystallization ( Zr C and Zr D) of the
zircons.
Inheritance is suggested by the higher
208Pb/206Pb ratio associated with steps of grains
Zr A and Zr F yielding old ages than for steps
obtained for the younger zircons [ Table 2(a)].
Furthermore, the 208Pb/206Pb ratio associated with
young ages obtained on Zr A and Zr F are
comparable with the 208Pb/206Pb ratio of the youn-
ger zircons, suggesting that all represent the growth
and overgrowth of zircon around old cores during
the 2174 Ma magmatic event. However, the lack
of visible cores, the primitive character of such
trondhjemitic magma and the high temperature of
crystallization of all the grains do not favour this
hypothesis.
3.4.2.2. Age of the calc-alkaline plutons. Tonalite
(Cay12A) yields two zircon populations
[ Table 2(a)]. One consists of rounded and dark
zircon but non-metamict zircons, the other consists
of clear homogeneous zircons. The analysis of one
dark zircon ( Zr A) provides a well-defined mean
age of 2128±7 Ma for three temperature steps.
An older mean age of 2144±6 Ma is obtained for
four grains from the clear zircons ( Zr B, C, D, E)
which show a remarkable homogeneity of the
208Pb/206Pb isotopic ratios. These different mean
ages obtained for two distinct zircon populations
probably result from a mixture of two sources of
zircons. We interpret 2144±6 Ma as the crystalli-
zation age of the tonalite and propose that the
younger age obtained on the dark zircon corres-
ponds to a subsequent thermal event implying
crystallization of a second population of zircons
possibly from fluids enriched in incompatible
elements.
Most of the zircons obtained from the tonali-
te–diorite batholith of the Mataroni river (Reg27)
are dark and rounded [ Table 2(a)]. However, four
grains, with well-developed crystal faces, were
selected for mass spectrometry. A well-defined
mean age of 2115±7 Ma is obtained on two
zircons ( Zr B and Zr C ). The other two zircons
( Zr A and Zr E ) yield a less constrained but
significantly older age of 2129±6 Ma. The
208Pb/206Pb ratio obtained for the temperature step
 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193 181

Table 2
Isotopic data obtained by lead evaporation on single zircon from various plutons from Guiana. Errors in mean age of the rocks are
equal to the standard deviation over the whole individual ages. Data in italics are not considered for the calculation of the mean age
of the rocks

Zircon Size Type T (°C ) No. of 206Pb/ 208Pb/ 207Pb*/ Step age Zircon age Mean age
(mm) (Pupin, 1980) step ratios 204Pb 206Pb 206Pb* (±s) (Ma±s) (Ma±s) (Ma±s)

(a) Trondhjemite Cay18A

Zr A 320 D-P5 1/ 1440 53 31954 0.105 0.13636±25 2182±3
2/ 1460 55 90807 0.149 0.13914±15 2117±2
3/ 1480 62 106340 0.163 0.13920±25 2217±3 2217±3
Zr F 190 D-J5 1/ 1440 11 2812 0.129 0.13487±55 2162±7 2216±4
2/ 1460 54 8957 0.162 0.13850±39 2209±5 (141 ratios)
3/ 1480 24 15789 0.180 0.13890±44 2214±5 2214±5

Zr B 230 D-J5 1/ 1440 59 27195 0.089 0.13493±25 2163±3

2/ 1460 45 40679 0.123 0.13732±21 2194±3
3/ 1480 38 40449 0.153 0.13836±32 2207±4
Zr E 230 P5 1/ 1440 58 2392 0.065 0.13325±67 2141±9
2/ 1460 53 7319 0.146 0.13777±31 2199±4
3/ 1480 58 22460 0.112 0.13720±52 2192±7 2196±7

Zr C 240 P5 1/ 1440 6 10526 0.065 0.13557±75 2171±10

2/ 1460 45 25656 0.073 0.13597±83 2177±11 2175±11
3/ 1480 14 19804 0.064 0.13560±82 2172±11 2174±7
Zr D 260 D-P5 1/ 1440 31 14177 0.072 0.13429±42 2155±5 (181 ratios)
2/ 1460 54 25103 0.096 0.13568±21 2173±3
3/ 1480 62 18163 0.105 0.13577±36 2174±5 2173±4

Tonalite Cay12A
Zr B 300 S22–S23 1/ 1440 51 6300 0.138 0.13300±69 2138±9
2/ 1460 59 8610 0.218 0.13354±46 2145±6 2145±6
Zr C 360 S23–S24 1/ 1460 59 19670 0.240 0.13377±46 2148±6
2/ 1480 58 24070 0.226 0.13346±31 2144±4 2146±6
Zr D 430 S24 1/ 1440 56 31090 0.200 0.13331±53 2142±7
2/ 1460 54 46140 0.202 0.13338±31 2143±4 2142±6 2144±6
Zr E 370 S22–S24 1/ 1440 55 15510 0.201 0.13339±61 2143±8 (495 ratios)
2/ 1460 58 40550 0.214 0.13361±45 2146±6
3/ 1480 56 39280 0.222 0.13354±46 2145±6 2144±7
4/ 1620 40 13260 0.213 0.13338±53 2143±7

Zr A 460 ‘dark’ 1/ 1440 59 2530 0.174 0.13157±45 2119±6

2/ 1460 53 4730 0.164 0.13232±61 2129±8
3/ 1500 55 4760 0.179 0.13255±53 2132±7 2128±7
4/ 1540 54 6044 0.176 0.13187±38 2123±5

Tonalite Reg27
Zr A 320 S7–S12 1/ 1440 10 626 0.144 0.12781±55 2068±8
2/ 1460 60 2090 0.121 0.13147±39 2118±5
3/ 1480 54 3620 0.122 0.13246±31 2131±4 2131±4 2129±6
Zr E 290 S3–S7 1/ 1460 49 18090 0.129 0.13213±41 2127±5 (137 ratios)
2/ 1480 34 20560 0.131 0.13231±55 2129±7 2127±6

Zr B 340 S8 1/ 1480 35 2030 0.212 0.13123±70 2115±9

2/ 1500 54 2540 0.297 0.13139±55 2117±7 2116±9 2115±7
3/ 1560 6 1605 0.368 0.13142±87 2117±12 (142 ratios)
Zr C 260 S7 1480 47 2450 0.212 0.13121±24 2114±3 2114±3
182 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193

Table 2 (continued )
Isotopic data obtained by lead evaporation on single zircon from various plutons from Guiana. Errors in mean age of the rocks are
equal to the standard deviation over the whole individual ages. Data in italics are not considered for the calculation of the mean age
of the rocks

Zircon Size Type T (°C ) No. of 206Pb/ 208Pb/ 207Pb*/ Step age Zircon age Mean age
(mm) (Pupin, 1980) step ratios 204Pb 206Pb 206Pb* (±s) (Ma±s) (Ma±s) (Ma±s)

(b) Granite de Maripa

Zr A 500 S24 1/ 1500 50 10460 0.129 0.12880±18 2082±3
2/ 1520 51 10730 0.129 0.12935±12 2089±2
3/ 1560 33 12440 0.116 0.12991±39 2097±5 2097±5
Zr B 450 S24–S25 1/ 1500 51 3520 0.124 0.12818±42 2073±6
2/ 1520 52 9570 0.118 0.12949±25 2091±3
3/ 1560 58 9020 0.132 0.12971±33 2094±5 2093±4 2094±5
Zr C 340 S24–S25 1/ 1500 53 730 0.192 0.12783±54 2068±8 (304 ratios)
2/ 1560 64 7090 0.124 0.12963±30 2093±4 2093±4
ZR F 370 S24–J4 1520 38 9780 0.121 0.12966±39 2093±5 2093±5
Zr G 380 S24–S25 1500 59 12140 0.116 0.12982±36 2096±5 2096±5

Granite Reg25
Zr D 300 S17 1520 59 1250 0.164 0.12958±60 2092±8 2092±8
Zr E 360 S7 1/ 1500 51 4780 0.140 0.12884±36 2082±5
2/ 1520 61 13490 0.091 0.13016±53 2100±7 2100±7 2093±8
Zr F 370 ? 1/ 1500 60 4670 0.095 0.12941±44 2090±6 (361 ratios)
2/ 1520 62 8820 0.133 0.12967±28 2094±4 2092±5
Zr G 300 S11–S12 1/ 1500 60 3600 0.073 0.12933±64 2089±9
2/ 1520 59 9510 0.136 0.12962±30 2092±4 2091±6

Zr B 430 S11–S12 1500 54 4690 0.091 0.12855±50 2078±7

Zr C 370 ? 1560 54 2130 0.135 0.12804±56 2071±8

Leucogranite Reg26
Zr C 260 S25 1520 11 10180 0.099 0.12947±63 2091±9 2091±9
ZR F 350 S25–P5 1500 55 4590 0.098 0.12868±61 2080±8 2080±8
Zr G 230 ? 1/ 1440 61 6830 0.108 0.12781±34 2068±5
2/ 1460 57 11930 0.106 0.12883±44 2082±6 2082±6 2083±8
Zr I 300 P1–P2 1/ 1440 61 2400 0.097 0.12875±30 2081±4 (233 ratios)
2/ 1460 39 3690 0.096 0.12952±44 2091±6 2085±7

Zr E 360 P1–P2 1/ 1500 47 776 0.129 0.1254±55 2035±8

2/ 1520 61 789 0.123 0.12560±67 2037±9 2036±9

Zr A 360 P5 1/ 1500 54 259 0.217 0.11553±96 1888±15

2/ 1520 59 2930 0.098 0.12821±43 2074±6
Zr B 310 S19 1500 45 356 0.159 0.11781±70 1923±11
Zr D 430 P1–P2 1500 50 682 0.135 0.12236±128 1991±19
Zr H 370 P5–S25 1440 55 606 0.146 0.11912±47 1943±7

used for the calculation of the mean ages are
similar for the two grains analysed and significantly
different from the ones obtained for the younger
zircons. Therefore we attribute the 2129±6 Ma
mean age to an inherited population of zircons
(note that it is similar to the 2128±7 Ma age
obtained on zircons from the Cay12A tonalite),
and 2115±7 Ma is interpreted to be the age of
crystallization of the tonalite.
The Maripa granite yields clear zircons. Within
the analytical precision the ages of five grains are
identical with error and provide a mean age of
 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193
2094±5 Ma [ Table 2(b)]. Some moderate radio-
genic lead loss appears for three ( Zr A, Zr B, and
Zr C ) of the five grains, whereas all the high-
temperature steps lead to the same age. Therefore,
we interpret 2094±5 Ma to be the crystallization
age of the granite.
Zircons from the high-K porphyritic granite
(Reg25) are dark and often rounded [ Table 2(b)]
and only 30% exhibit well-developed crystal faces.
Four of the six grains analysed ( Zr D, E, F, G)
lead to a mean age of 2093±8 Ma obtained in six
temperature steps. This age is consistent with the
age of 2094±5 Ma obtained on a sample from a
similar facies at Maripa, and we interpret it as the
crystallization age of the granite.
3.4.3. Age of the peraluminous leucogranite
Half of the zircons from leucogranite ( Reg26)
are too dark to be identified in the morphologic
diagram. The others are widely scattered indicating
very different temperatures of crystallization
(Pupin, 1980). Nine grains representing the various
types of zircons were selected for mass spectrome-
ter analysis [ Table 2(b)]. The results present no
correlation between ages calculated and the mor-
phology of the zircons. Several zircons ( Zr A, B,
D, E, H ) are rich in common Pb, and therefore
not appropriate for dating because that implies
large errors in 207Pb*/206Pb* ages. Furthermore,
the lower 207Pb*/206Pb* for these zircons than for
the others indicates a loss of Pb*. The other grains
(Zr C, F, G, I ) lead to zircon ages ranging from
2080 to 2091 Ma. The regularity of the
208Pb/206Pb ratio recorded for these four zircons,
showing the homogeneity of the Th/U ratio in the
magma in equilibrium with the zircons during
crystallization, confirms their cogenetic origin
despite the variability of their morphologies.
Therefore, the mean age of 2083±8 Ma is interpre-
ted as the crystallization age of the leucogranite
which is significantly younger than the ages
obtained from the calc-alkaline plutons in the area.
3.5. Thermobarometry of conglomerates from the
USU
The USU displays two distinct mineral associa-
tions, which probably reflect differences in chemi-
183
cal composition of the sediments:
quartz+muscovite+andalusite+kyanite
+garnet+oxides
quartz+muscovite+andalusite+chloritoid
+garnet+oxides
Andalusite and kyanite are expected in any meta-
pelite rich in silica and aluminium, whereas crystal-
lization of chloritoid requires a high FeO/MgO
ratio (Hoschek, 1969), and a high Mn content.
Accordingly, the chloritoid shows a high
FeO/MgO ratio in the sediments of Kaw mountain
and a high Mn content in the Kaw and Trois
Pitons mountains, where in addition the garnet is
spessartine-rich ( Table 3). However, in order to
definitely test the hypothesis of a chemically-con-
trolled crystallization of chloritoid, the bulk com-
position of the sediments should be compared.
Note the absence of feldspar, staurolite and biotite.
Accessory minerals are similar for both associa-
tions: zircon, tourmaline, pyrite, and graphite.
Mineral associations are relatively well-preserved
and retrograde muscovite locally appears as pseu-
domorphs after kyanite or andalusite, while chlo-
rite replaces garnet and chloritoid.
The variability of metamorphic assemblages
allows the partial reconstruction of contrasted
pressure and temperature evolution within the
sedimentary basins. This is illustrated by the dis-
tinct metamorphic evolution recorded by the Trois
Pitons and Maripa–Tortue area. For aluminosili-
cate-bearing rocks, andalusite is replaced by kya-
nite, except locally in the Trois Pitons area where
andalusite is stable. The paragonite content of the
white mica solid-solutions provides a tool to better
constrain the temperature ( Eugster and Yoder,
1955; Guidotti, 1984) and pressure (Chaterjee and
Froese, 1975). The high paragonite content of
several samples, attributed to exsolution of parago-
nite and mixing with muscovite, suggests that the
samples are close to solvus compositions, and the
presence of paragonite satisfies the condition of
Na O saturation ( Table 4). In Tortue and Maripa
2
mountains, the paragonite content of the samples
(~20–25%) is within the range predicted by the
diagram of Chaterjee and Froese (1975) obtained
184 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193

Table 3
Representative microprobe analyses of samples from the Kaw basin. (a) Analyses of garnets from Kaw mountain. Formula with
eight cations for 12 oxygens. (b) Analyses of chloritoid from Kaw mountain (O=12; H O=2)
2
Kaw mountain

(a) Sample K6 C-1 K 22 K 22 (b) Sample K6 C-1 K6 C-1 CJ 11 CJ 13

SiO 24.27 24.39 24.76 SiO 36.44 36.61 36.66 36.67

2 2
TiO 0.00 0.00 0.00 TiO 0.00 0.00 0.08 0.17
2 2
Al O 39.99 39.91 40.25 Al O 20.24 20.43 20.51 20.76
2 3 2 3
FeO 21.62 24.57 23.52 Cr O 0.12 0.01 0.15 0.00
t 2 3
MnO 3.81 1.34 1.79 FeO 15.10 15.42 5.60 4.45
MgO 2.01 2.05 2.08 MnO 27.42 26.94 35.31 34.88
CaO 0.02 0.00 0.00 MgO 0.52 0.47 0.84 0.81
KO 0.01 0.05 0.00 CaO 0.61 0.59 1.46 1.66
2
HO 7.17 7.21 7.26
2
Total 100.45 100.47 100.61 99.40
Total 98.90 99.52 99.66
Si 2.98 3.00 2.98 3.00
Si 2.03 2.03 2.05 AlIV 0.02 0.00 0.02 0.00
Ti 0.00 0.00 0.00 Ti 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01
Al 3.94 3.91 3.92 AlVI 1.93 1.97 1.95 2.00
Fe 1.51 1.71 1.63 Cr 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.00
Mn 0.27 0.10 0.13 Fe3+ 0.08 0.04 0.06 0.00
Mg 0.25 0.25 0.26 Fe2+ 0.96 1.02 0.33 0.31
Ca 0.00 0.00 0.00 Mn 1.90 1.87 2.43 2.42
K 0.00 0.01 0.00 Mg 0.06 0.01 0.10 0.10
Ca 0.05 0.05 0.13 0.15
OH 4.00 4.00 4.00
FM 0.88 0.88 0.87 Total 8.00 7.95 8.00 7.99

Ouvarovite 0.39 0.03 0.49 0.00

Andradite 1.40 1.70 2.71 0.00
Pyrope 2.13 1.91 3.41 3.33
Spessartine 63.80 62.36 81.47 81.50
Grosulaire 0.00 0.00 0.93 4.91
Almandine 32.28 34.00 10.86 10.27
Shorlomite 0.00 0.00 0.14 0.00
% Cations 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

at 7 kbar (kyanite field ) thus indicating a temper-
ature of about 650°C ( Figs. 12 and 13). The white
micas with the highest paragonite contents corre-
spond to large lamellas developed in late sinistral
shear zones, which are also characterized by stable
kyanite. In the Trois Pitons mountain, to the east
of Tortue mountain, both mineral assemblages
(chloritoid/kyanite) are represented. The fact that
the chloritoid is not transformed into staurolite or
cordierite suggests that the temperature was not
exceeding 575°C (Ganguly and Newton, 1969). In
addition, the paragonite content (~7–9%) is con-
sistent with temperatures less than 550°C as extrap-
olated from the diagrams of Chaterjee and Froese
(1975) between 4 and 7 kbar (Figs. 12 and 13).
Similarly to the Régina basin, the USU in the
Kaw basin displays both mineral assemblages with
the presence of chloritoid instead of kyanite to the
east ( Kaw mountain). Since the type of deforma-
tion is more homogeneous and dominated by the
strike-slip component, we expect less lateral varia-
tion in the amount of burial than in the Régina
basin. Chevaux mountain is marked by widespread
kyanite but no analysis of the white micas is
 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193 185

Table 4
Representative microprobe analyses of white micas from the USU. % Na-paragonite represents the proportion of paragonite–musco-
vite in the K–Na line

Tortue Kaw Trois Pitons

Sample JLL JLL JLL JLL JLL K6 K6 K6 K K CJ CJ CJ CJ CJ

608 609 619 619 619 Cl Cl Cl 22 22 11 11 13 13 13

SiO 46.88 48.27 46.61 46.19 45.45 45.55 47.50 44.82 49.30 45.53 45.56 45.65 44.64 47.05 45.06
2
Al O 36.73 35.49 36.68 36.51 40.06 35.42 34.91 36.13 33.67 36.05 35.76 35.88 36.17 36.45 35.99
2 3
TiO 0.06 0.08 0.01 0.00 0.05 0.11 0.06 0.09 0.00 0.14 0.07 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.10
2
FeO 0.20 1.57 1.97 1.69 0.73 2.29 1.84 2.04 1.91 2.08 2.58 1.62 1.65 1.70 2.06
MgO 2.00 0.25 0.34 0.24 0.07 0.15 0.10 0.12 0.10 0.12 0.15 0.17 0.12 0.17 0.18
KO 8.11 7.17 8.90 8.55 0.80 8.74 8.38 8.78 8.55 8.99 10.03 9.88 9.52 9.65 10.12
2
Na O 1.96 1.96 1.68 20.02 6.73 1.55 1.56 1.80 1.57 1.68 0.69 0.70 0.73 0.74 0.78
2
CaO 0.08 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.94 0.00 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.36 0.10 0.00 0.00 0.00
BaO 0.39 0.89 0.00 0.04 0.33 0.00 0.89 0.46 0.38

Total 96.46 94.80 97.09 95.26 94.88 93.88 94.40 93.78 95.10 94.63 95.53 94.08 93.80 96.30 94.67

Si 6.13 6.34 6.11 6.11 5.86 6.14 6.31 6.05 6.49 6.09 6.10 6.14 6.06 6.18 6.07
AlIV 1.87 1.66 1.89 1.89 2.14 1.86 1.69 1.95 1.95 1.91 1.90 1.86 1.94 1.82 1.93
Tet. 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00

AlVI 3.80 3.83 3.77 3.81 3.95 3.76 3.78 3.80 3.72 3.78 3.73 3.83 3.84 3.83 3.79
Fe 0.22 0.17 0.21 0.19 0.08 0.26 0.20 0.23 0.21 0.23 0.29 0.18 0.19 0.19 0.23
Mg 0.04 0.05 0.07 0.05 0.01 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.03 0.04
Oct. 4.06 4.05 4.05 4.05 4.04 4.05 4.00 4.05 3.95 4.03 4.05 4.04 4.06 4.05 4.06

K 1.35 1.20 1.49 1.44 0.13 1.50 1.42 1.51 1.44 1.53 1.71 1.70 1.65 1.62 1.74
Na 0.50 0.50 0.43 0.52 1.68 0.40 0.40 0.47 0.40 0.44 0.18 0.8 0.19 0.19 0.20
Ca 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.13 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00
Int. 1.86 1.70 1.91 1.96 1.94 1.90 1.82 1.98 1.84 1.97 1.94 1.89 1.84 1.81 1.93

Muscovite 59.83 52.76 65.68 64.14 5.24 65.51 61.19 67.77 57.31 68.00 75.26 77.60 77.65 74.62 79.30
Na-paragonite 25.77 25.62 22.13 26.32 84.86 21.07 20.35 23.56 19.58 22.04 8.86 9.64 10.63 10.11 10.57
Ca-paragonite 3.67 1.96 0.43 0.72 9.40 2.37 1.04 3.56 0.20 4.23 3.25 3.56 2.33 0.89
Fe-celedonite 9.16 7.21 7.31 7.94 0.51 11.06 9.82 8.67 11.68 9.75 11.65 7.82 6.83 7.69 9.24
Mg-celedonite 0.07 0.99 0.00 0.89 0.54 2.18 0.36 0.89
% Na-paragonite 22.06 20.08 19.43 23.81 76.45 18.24 16.59 21.52 15.05 19.85 7.45 8.41 9.39 8.56 9.50

available. However, Kaw mountain, which is char- 4. Discussion and interpretation

acterized by the presence of chloritoid, shows
paragonite content (15–21%) consistent with a
pressure of about 7 kbar since the temperature is
limited to 575°C by the presence of chloritoid
(Figs. 12 and 13, Ganguly and Newton, 1969;
Chaterjee and Froese, 1975). The absence of silli-
manite and the preservation of the relatively high-
pressure/low-temperature mineral assemblages
suggest that exhumation of the sediments rapidly
followed burial and peak metamorphism.
A new geodynamical model is presented for the
formation of the Paleoproterozoic granite–green-
stone belt of northern French Guiana (Figs. 14
and 15). The first constraint is the absence of
Archean basement in the northern granite–green-
stone belt. This is consistent with the data
described for the southern belt where a positive
S N value excludes any significant crustal contam-
d
ination (Gruau et al., 1985). Geochronological
186 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193

Fig. 12. Temperature/composition diagram [T−X( KNa )] depicting the muscovite–paragonite and alkali feldspar solvi, and the
−1
binary loop defined by the assemblage white mica+alkali felspar+alumino silicate+quartz, +H O, for a pressure of 4 kbar and
2
7 kbar (from Chaterjee and Froese, 1975). The grey boxes indicate the range of paragonitic content corresponding to the samples of
Tortue, Trois Pitons and Kaw mountains. The white mica chemical analyses are reported in Table 4.

data indicate a southward younging trend for the

magmatic events from the Ile de Cayenne complex
(this work) to the southern synclinorium (Gruau
et al., 1985). Two stages of crustal growth are
distinguished following the formation of oceanic
crust: (1) an early stage of crustal generation
marked by the accumulation of mantle-derived
magmas; followed by (2) a later stage of crustal
recycling and tectonic accretion.

4.1. Early stage of crustal generation: formation of

plutonic–volcanic calc-alkaline complexes

Geochemical and geochronological investiga-

Fig. 13. Pressure–temperature evolution of the sediments of the
USU. Al SiO triple point (Holdaway, 1971). Staurolite-in
2 5
curve ( Winkler, 1979). The dashed lines represent the temper-
ature inferred from the paragonitic content of the white micas
shown in Fig. 12. The boxes delimit approximately pressure and
temperature fields recorded by the successive mineral assem-
blages preserved in the conglomerates from Trois Pitons, Kaw
and Tortue mountains. D1, D2, and D2∞ indicate the progressive
stages of deformation associated with each mineral assemblage.
tions on the metavolcanic and plutonic rocks of
the Ile de Cayenne and Central Guiana complexes,
combined with petrologic and structural analysis,
characterize the early stages of the geodynamic
evolution of the granite–greenstone belt, from the
accretion of oceanic crust to the first stages of
convergence between the plutonic–volcanic com-
plexes ( Fig. 14).
The size of the basins that separate the plutonic–
volcanic complexes is not constrained but the
geochemistry of the metavolcanics of the Ile de
 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193
Cayenne and Central Guiana complexes indicates
a signature similar to tholeiitic lavas emplaced in
recent mid-oceanic ridge or back-arc basin context
[Fig. 14(a)]. The ages of 2216±4 Ma and
2174±7 Ma obtained on the trondhjemite of the
Ile de Cayenne mark the onset of this accretion
which can be compared to the Nd/Sm age of
2110±70 Ma obtained in the southern synclino-
rium on rocks with similar geochemical signatures
(Gruau et al., 1985).
The formation of volcanic centres with calc-
alkaline tuff lavas and pyroclastites deposited on
top of the tholeiitic lavas represents a major change
in the geochemical evolution of this oceanic-type
basin. Differentiation of continental crust is further
achieved by emplacement of tonalitic to dioritic
calc-alkaline plutons intruding the volcanic
sequences of the Ile de Cayenne and Central
Guiana complexes respectively at 2144 Ma and
2115 Ma [Fig. 14(b)]. The late evolution of the
plutonic complexes is marked by the emplacement
at 2093±8 Ma of highly potassic granitoids with
a geochemical signature indicating an enrichment
of the magmatic source and suggesting thickening
of the crust [Fig. 14(c)].
The initial size of the Orapu basin and the
nature of its substratum are not known. It occupies
a marginal position with respect to the plutonic–-
volcanic complexes and is filled by turbidites of
the Armina formation derived from volcanic–vol-
caniclastics of the Paramaca formation. Closure
of the Orapu basin with homogeneous flattening
and horizontal shortening of the less competent
volcanic–volcaniclastic and flyschs sequences
accommodates the emplacement of the calc-alka-
line batholiths and the early stages of convergence
between the newly formed crustal blocks.
At the scale of the Earth, this period between
2220 and 2000 Ma corresponds to one of the most
important events of crustal generation and green-
stone belt formation recognized so far in West
Africa and Venezuela ( Taylor and MacLennan,
1985; Abouchami et al., 1990; Milési et al., 1992;
Taylor et al., 1992; Cox et al., 1993; Condie, 1975).
The ages obtained in French Guiana are compara-
ble to the ages between 2200 and 2100 Ma
dating the onset of accretion and formation of the
187
granite–greenstone belts in West Africa ( Feybesse
and Milési, 1994; Hirdes et al., 1996) prior to the
deposition of the main flyshoid sequences. These
latter sedimentary formations belonging to the
upper part of the first accretionary event of the
Birimian (B1 sedimentary sequence of Milési et al.,
1992) could be the equivalent to the Armina
formation of the northern Guiana province. In
contrast with the Guiana province, the West Africa
province is marked by the accretion of several
volcanic belts following this event at 2100 Ma.
4.2. Late stage of crustal accretion: crustal
recycling and tectonic accretion
The presence of relatively rigid and light crustal
blocks profoundly modifies the processes associ-
ated with crustal accretion in convergent systems.
The formation of voluminous and light plutonic
complexes results in relief formation. The erosional
products of these newly formed belts are deposited
in en-echelon pull-apart basins associated with
sinistral strike-slip shear zones of the North
Guiana Trough developed along the borders of
the plutonic–volcanic complexes and reflecting
oblique convergence between the crustal blocks.
The lithologic succession within the basins with
asymmetric lateral and upward transition from
debris flow and conglomerates to coarse sandstone
mostly derived from the plutonic rocks, indicating
close proximity of the sediment source, and the
position of the basins at the front of the belts, are
typical of foreland basins [Fig. 14(c)].
The last stages of oblique convergence are
marked by thrusting and burial of the units located
in between the moving blocks, as exemplified by
the structural and metamorphic evolution of the
USU deposited in pull-apart basins formed along
the North Guiana Trough. They show kyani-
te–white mica and chloritoid–white mica paragene-
sis, indicating a temperature of approximately
575–645°C and pressure between 4 and 7 kbar,
that we interpret in terms of burial to depth up to
15–20 km in the area of Maripa and Tortue moun-
tains. We relate the evolution of these basins to
SSE lateral extrusion of the eastern part of the
Central Guiana complex achieved by continued
188 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193
 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193 189

Fig. 15. (a) Timing of the major events marking the geodynamic evolution of the Paleoproterozoic granite–greenstone belts of French
Guiana. Ages described in this paper are given with error bars and ages obtained from the southern granite–greenstone belt (Gruau
et al., 1985) are given for comparison. The boxes indicate the range of duration of events as constrained by geologic data. The
colours and patterns are the same as those used in the schematic lithostratigraphic column. (b) given as an inset to the right. Black
boxes correspond to the range for deformation events (D1, D2, D2∞).

sinistral strike-slip motion along the North Guiana
Trough, and conjugate dextral strike-slip along the
Imperatrice shear zone [Fig. 14(d )]. We propose
that the dextral strike-slip motion of the
Imperatrice shear zone is accommodated by bend-
ing of the North Guiana Trough and horizontal
shortening of the incompetent flyschs of the
Armina formation, and is prolonged by the
Gabrielle shear zone in the Ile de Cayenne area
[Fig. 2(a)]. Lateral extrusion and bending of the
North Guiana Trough creates a restraining bend
causing local burial of the Régina and Kaw basins

Fig. 14. Geodynamic evolution of French Guiana during the Transamazonian orogeny, Paleoproterozoic. Crustal growth by magmatic
accretion. (a) Formation of an oceanic basin of unknown size. (b) Successive formation of magmatic arcs related to subduction zones
(?) of unknown polarity or to mantle plumes. Crustal recycling. (c) Oblique convergence between the magmatic arcs. Thickening of
the arcs is attested by the emplacement of highly potassic plutons. The erosional products of the newly formed blocks are deposited
in the pull-apart en-echelon basins opened along the North Guiana Trough. (d) Late stage of oblique convergence with lateral
extrusion of crustal blocks responsible for the burial of part of the marginal basins. The emplacement of leucogranites is controlled
by the strike-slip shear zones.
190 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193
at the edges of the plutonic–volcanic complexes.
The shear zones also localize the emplacement of
potassic granitoids and peraluminous leucogran-
ites respectively dated at 2094–2093 Ma and
2083 Ma. Note also that the geochemical signature
of the leucogranites attests for crustal partial melt-
ing. In contrast, the basins located to the north of
the plutonic belt, exemplified by the Mana basin,
only reflect opening of the basin in pull-apart
related to sinistral strike-slip ( Fig. 1). On the west-
ern side of the Central Guiana complex, the
Maroni basin is bordered by a west-dipping listric
normal fault, which is also consistent with eastern
motion of the complex (Fig. 1). This period of
oblique collision can be correlated to northward
thrusting identified on the shore of the Ile de
Cayenne peninsula (Fig. 3).
Concerning the burial of the Kaw and Régina
basins, it is worth noting that the overthrusting
unit has not been identified. In addition, a striking
feature is the low grade of metamorphism shown
by the volcanic–volcaniclastic and flyschs
sequences surrounding the foreland basins. This
might be due to pervasive retrograde metamor-
phism or may simply imply that these rocks were
not as deeply buried. In addition, the mechanisms
of exhumation of the foreland basins have not
been elucidated. A temperature of 675°C for a
pressure of 7 kbar represents a geotherm of about
32°C/km, typical in a context of stable continental
crust. However, the preservation of paragenesis
reflecting these conditions without an imprint of
any thermal relaxation implies that the sedi-
mentary sequences were exhumed very rapidly.
4.3. Subduction versus mantle plumes
The mechanism of crustal accretion during
Archean–Paleoproterozoic time is a subject of cur-
rent debate and it is not clear whether or not it is
related to the presence of subducting slabs or to
the upwelling of mantelic plumes (e.g. Condie,
1975, 1995; Kröner and Layer, 1992; Hoffmann,
1988). In French Guiana, a subduction model is
favored by (1) the calc-alkaline geochemical signa-
ture of the plutonic–volcanic complexes which is
typical of modern subduction-related magmatism;
(2) the convergence recorded by deformation of
the turbidites, which is comparable to the deforma-
tion recorded in modern accretionary prisms (e.g.
Taira et al., 1992); and (3) the high-pressure/low-
temperature metamorphism recorded by the sedi-
ments of the USU. High-pressure/low-temperature
units are typically exhumed at the front of major
orogenic belts due to overthrusting of cold material
during convergence and followed by rapid exhu-
mation related to the buoyancy of the less dense
crustal material (Platt, 1987; Chemenda, 1994).
The short time period of 30 Ma separating the
formation of oceanic crust and emplacement of
calc-alkaline plutons in the Ile de Cayenne penin-
sula would imply subduction of a young oceanic
crust which would not be very dense or very
buoyantly unstable (Parsons and Sclater, 1977;
Cloos, 1993). The polarity of subduction cannot
be reconstructed from the magmatic succession or
the map distribution of the lithologic facies.
5. Conclusions
The data presented in this paper can be summa-
rized by the following results ( Figs. 14 and 15).
(1) No Archean basement has been found in
French Guiana, and inherited zircons of the
trondhjemite sampled in the Ile de Cayenne
provide, with 2216±5 Ma, the oldest age
obtained yet in French Guiana.
(2) The formation of mid-oceanic ridge or back-
arc basins is marked by the emplacement of
trondhjemites of the Ile de Cayenne at
2174±7 Ma and by the emplacement of bas-
altic and andesitic tholeiitic lavas in the
Central Guiana plutonic–volcanic complex
[Fig. 14(a)].
(3) Early continental crust accretion is charac-
terized by the formation of volcanic centres
with calc-alkaline tuff lavas and pyroclastites,
associated with the emplacement of plutonic–-
volcanic complexes composed by calc-alkaline
tonalite–diorite batholith dated at
2144±6 Ma in the Ile de Cayenne complex
and 2115±7 Ma in the Central Guiana com-
plex. The deep Orapu flysch-like basin was
formed between the plutonic–volcanic com-
plexes, collecting the first volcaniclastic ero-
sional products as well as cherts and
carbonates [Fig. 14(b)].
 O. Vanderhaeghe et al. / Precambrian Research 92 (1998) 165–193
(4) Thickening of the continental crust is sug-
gested by the emplacement, at 2093±8 Ma, of
porphyritic grandioritic and granitic plutons
with an increasing potassic composition, and
by the formation, in a context of oblique
convergence, of marginal basins where the
erosional products of the plutonic complexes
are deposited [Fig. 14(c)].
(5) Oblique collision between the newly formed
continental blocks is accommodated by lateral
extrusion to the south-east of part of the
Central Guiana complex along conjugate
shear zones and by burial of part of the
plutonic–volcanic complexes and of the mar-
ginal basins to depth up to 15–20 km.
Subsequent crustal thickening is followed by
crustal partial melting and the formation of
peraluminous leucogranites emplaced at
2083±8 Ma along the conjugate shear zones
[Fig. 14(d )].
These results indicate a similar sequence of
events to the one described in the West Africa
province and provide new insights into the timing
of crustal generation during the Earth history.
Two contrasting periods of crustal accretion are
responsible for the formation of the northern
granite–greenstone belts of French Guiana.
(1) An early accretion of crustal blocks by accu-
mulation of mantle-derived magmas and
building of calc-alkaline plutonic–volcanic
complexes and tholeiitic oceanic basis.
(2) A period of crustal recycling in a context of
oblique convergence characterized by erosion
and deposition of batholith-derived sediments
in foreland basins. Continuing oblique con-
vergence is followed by tectonic accretion and
collision between the newly formed continental
blocks accommodated by horizontal shorten-
ing, burial of the foreland basins and lateral
extrusion.
The late geodynamic evolution of French
Guiana during the Paleoproterozoic presents some
features of Phanerozoic orogens such as under-
thrusting and burial of the marginal basins, and
generation of peraluminous leucogranites probably
reflecting the initiation of processes such as sub-
duction and crustal thickening.
191
Acknowledgment
This work, BRGM Contribution No. 97023, was
financially supported by the BRGM research pro-
ject: ‘Facteurs de concentration de l’or dans l’évo-
lution géodynamique des chaines aciennes et
modernes’. O.V. would like to express his thanks
to the staff in Orléans and the local base in
Cayenne of the Bureau de Recherche Géologique
et Miniere. The ideas developed in this paper
benefitted from helpful reviews from J. Martignole
and J.M. Bertrand, spirited discussions with
Michel Donzeau, Bruno Martel-Jantin, Lucien
Toux, and Pierre Sabaté, and the careful analysis
of thin sections performed by Anne-Marie Hottin.
The pilot project ERS1 supervised by Jean-Pierre
Rudant provided a radar image which comple-
mented the bad outcrop conditions. O.V. is also
indebted to the many intrepid people who made
fieldwork possible (François Mounié, Oswaldo,
Jean-Pierre Caira, Pierre Baysset, Eric Capmartin,
Christian Toinon, Raphael Lucchini, and David
Barriere). Special thanks to Gaston Brugnot; with-
out his devotion and acute experience of the
appealing but treacherous rivers of French Guiana,
the field missions would not have been so enjoya-
ble. He shares today the secrets of the virgin forest
and of greenstone belt formation with the Creator.
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