Abstract New high spatial resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) U–Pb zircon data from the Sadh gneiss complex and the intruding Marbat granodiorite of the Marbat region, southern Sultanate of Oman, yield Cryogenian magmatic protolith ages for gneisses ranging from c. 850 to 830 Ma. Zircon ages record a c. 815–820 Ma period of deformation and migmatization, followed by intrusion of a hornblende gabbro/diorite and the undeformed Marbat granodiorite at c. 795 Ma. Following break-up and rifting of Rodinia at c. 870 Ma, crustal growth in the Marbat region occurred via arc accretion at c. 850–790 Ma, possibly in the easternmost part of the Mozambique Ocean based on earlier cessation of accretion here compared to the Arabian–Nubian Shield. Similarity of the new zircon geochronology to peaks of detrital zircon ages in the unconformably overlying Ediacaran Marbat sandstone suggests relatively local derivation from uplifted basement for the latter. Supplementary material: Detailed petrographic descriptions and photographs of hand specimens and thin-sections are available at http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18685 .

Abstract The boron-bearing minerals grandidierite, werdingite, serendibite and sinhalite are common in high-grade rocks of the Tranomaro belt in southeastern Madagascar. The mutual occurrence of these phases allows a new understanding of the role of boron-rich fluids in the crustal evolution of Gondwana, and we provide critical borosilicate data to constrain that development. We distinguish two types of grandidierite depending on their B 2 O 3 and Al 2 O 3 contents and on their relations with associated borosilicate phases. (1) At Vohibola the presence of sinhalite and serendibite associated with phlogopite lenses in metasedimentary diopsidites indicates an evaporitic origin from calc-silicate sediments. (2) At Cape Andrahomana borosilicates are associated with pegmatites and granites that were emplaced along shear zones on the boundary of the Tranomaro belt. The shear zones acted as conduits for boron-bearing fluids and for granitic partial melts, which had derived their boron from calc-silicate sedimentary protoliths. Using geothermometry and geobarometry of minerals from associated rocks, we calculate that ambient pressures and temperatures changed in time from 7.5 to 4.0 kbar and from c . 800 °C to 700 °C. Our results confirm the important role of shear zones in channelling the fluid flow of boron-bearing fluids that were derived from crustal melt granites in the same shear zones, but that ultimately derived their boron from early metasediments. We provide new information on the mineralogy, phase assemblages and paragenetic history of multiple borosilicates.

Abstract Accretionary orogens form at intraoceanic and continental margin convergent plate boundaries. They include the supra-subduction zone forearc, magmatic arc and back-arc components. Accretionary orogens can be grouped into retreating and advancing types, based on their kinematic framework and resulting geological character. Retreating orogens (e.g. modern western Pacific) are undergoing long-term extension in response to the site of subduction of the lower plate retreating with respect to the overriding plate and are characterized by back-arc basins. Advancing orogens (e.g. Andes) develop in an environment in which the overriding plate is advancing towards the downgoing plate, resulting in the development of foreland fold and thrust belts and crustal thickening. Cratonization of accretionary orogens occurs during continuing plate convergence and requires transient coupling across the plate boundary with strain concentrated in zones of mechanical and thermal weakening such as the magmatic arc and back-arc region. Potential driving mechanisms for coupling include accretion of buoyant lithosphere (terrane accretion), flat-slab subduction, and rapid absolute upper plate motion overriding the downgoing plate. Accretionary orogens have been active throughout Earth history, extending back until at least 3.2 Ga, and potentially earlier, and provide an important constraint on the initiation of horizontal motion of lithospheric plates on Earth. They have been responsible for major growth of the continental lithosphere through the addition of juvenile magmatic products but are also major sites of consumption and reworking of continental crust through time, through sediment subduction and subduction erosion. It is probable that the rates of crustal growth and destruction are roughly equal, implying that net growth since the Archaean is effectively zero.

Abstract During Proterozoic time, growth of the continents took place by the addition of mantlederived, juvenile material to pre-existing continental blocks. This accretion took place largely within three tectonic environments: (1) most importantly, in accretionary orogens such as the Birimian, the Baltic Shield, the Arabian–Nubian Shield and the early Altaids in Central Asia-these orogens grew largely by the accretion of island arcs, oceanic plateaus, accretionary prisms and ophiolites; (2) in the juvenile parts of collisional orogens as in the Trans-Hudson and Grenville; (3) within supercontinents that underwent rifting and breakup, giving rise to continental flood basalts and mafic dyke swarms. In addition to plate tectonics, the role of plume tectonics is increasingly emphasized as a fundamental process in Earth evolution. A mantle superplume may increase the oceanic spreading rate, the subduction rate and thus the island-arc production rate. It may also be responsible for the formation of a supercontinent, thus preserving the juvenile parts of collisional orogens, and it may be instrumental in the fragmentation of a supercontinent, giving rise to juvenile continental flood basalts. The balance between these processes is still poorly understood, as are calculated growth rates of Proterozoic crust.