Arc–continent collision is a significant plate boundary process that results in crustal growth. Since the early stages of evolution are often obscured in mature orogens, more complete understanding of the processes involved in arc–continent collision require study of young, active collision settings. The Banda Arc presents an exceptional opportunity to study a young arc–continent collision zone. This thesis presents aspects of the geology and geochronology of Ataúro and the Aileu Complex of Timor-Leste, and the tectonics of the Banda Arc. / U–Pb dating of detrital zircons from the Aileu Complex by LA-ICPMS show major age modes at 270–440 Ma, 860–1240 Ma and 1460–1870 Ma. The youngest zircon populations indicate a maximum depositional age of 270 Ma. The detrital zircon age populations and evidence for juvenile sediments within the sequence favours a synorogenic setting of deposition of sediments sourced from an East Malaya – Indochina terrane. / Previous uncertainty in aspects of the cooling history for the Aileu Complex is resolved with 39Ar/40Ar geochronology of hornblende. Cooling ages of 6–10 Ma are established, with the highest metamorphic grade parts of the Complex yielding the older ages. Cooling ages of 10 Ma imply that metamorphism of the Aileu Complex must have commenced by at least ~12 Ma. Metamorphism at this time is attributed to an arc setting rather than the direct result of collision of the Australian continent with the Banda Arc, an interpretation consistent with the new provenance data. / Geological mapping of Ataúro, an island in the volcanic Banda Arc north of Timor, reveals a volcanic history of bi-modal subaqueous volcanism. 39Ar/40Ar geochronology of hornblende from dacitic lavas confirms that volcanism ceased by ~3 Ma. Following the cessation of volcanism, coral reef marine terraces have been uplifted to elevations of 700 m above sea level. Continuity of the terraces at constant elevations around the island reflects regional-scale uplift most likely linked to sublithospheric processes such as slab detachment. / North of Timor, the near complete absence of intermediate depth seismicity beneath the inactive segment of the arc is attributed to a slab window that has opened in the collision zone and extends to 350 km below the surface. Differences in seismic moment release around this slab window indicate asymmetric rupture, propagating to the east at a much faster rate than to the west. If the lower boundary of this seismic gap signifies the original slab rupture then the slab window represents ~4 m.y. of subsequent subduction and implies that collision preceded the end of volcanism by at least 1 m.y. / Variations in seismic moment release and stress state across the transition from subduction of oceanic crust to arc–continent collision in the Banda Arc are investigated using earthquake catalogues. It is shown that the slab under the western Savu Sea is unusual in that intermediate depth (70–300 km) events indicate that the slab is largely in down-dip compression at this depth range, beneath a region of the arc that has the closest spacing of volcanoes in the Sunda–Banda arc system. This unusual state of stress is attributed to subduction of a northern extension of the Scott Plateau. Present day deformation in the Savu Sea region may be analogous with the earliest stages of collision north of Timor.

Unidades litológicas, em particular arenitos, muitas vezes, carecem de um posicionamento cronoestratigráfico preciso. Como os arenitos são importantes rochas-reservatório de hidrocarbonetos e aquíferos, a falta de exatidão nestas informações dificulta a exploração destes bens minerais. A datação relativa de rochas sedimentares pode ser obtida por análise do conteúdo fossilífero ou por correlação estratigráfica. Entretanto, em algumas rochas sedimentares, esta análise não é possível ou tem um caráter duvidoso. Este é o caso da Formação Marizal (Bacia do Recôncavo) que apresenta um histórico controverso sobre a real idade deposicional. A Formação Marizal é um arenito flúvio-eólico cuja idade é discutível e, por isso, sua posição na coluna estratigráfica (aproximadamente Albiniano/Aptiniano), ainda é questionável. Em algumas amostras são encontrados overgrowths de K-feldspatos e nos quais é possível aplicar a técnica de datação 40Ar-39Ar visando obter idades que possam ser relacionadas com processos ocorrentes nestes arenitos (em geral, deposição e/ou diagênese). Entre os minerais pesados existentes nas amostras da Formação Marizal, foram encontrados grãos de zircões. A datação U-Pb de zircões detríticos pode fornecer informações sobre a proveniência desta unidade. Assim, zircões da Formação Marizal foram analisados visando complementar as informações sobre esta unidade, permitindo uma melhor interpretação. Os overgrowths de K-feldspatos indicaram valor de 159.89 ± 23.96 Ma e, para o núcleo detrítico, 432.57 ± 11.89 Ma. O valor médio obtido em torno de 160 Ma, considerando-se que todos os cuidados analíticos e de seleção de amostra foram considerados, é mais antigo do que o esperado. Assim, este valor foi interpretado como indicativo de que o overgrowth teria sido desenvolvido numa rocha fonte sedimentar sendo posteriormente transportado. Esta idade pode ser relacionada a fase pré rifte da Bacia do Recôncavo. O valor confirma ideias existentes de remobilização do substrato da bacia durante a fase rifte. Como tem sido discutido, overgrowths de K-feldspato são estáveis e possíveis de serem transportados por pequenas distâncias, o que corrobora a interpretação acima. Já o valor obtido para o núcleo mostra a contribuição do Paleoprotrozóico adjacente à bacia, retrabalhado no Brasiliano. Em relação ao zircão, a idade do núcleo detrítico de 432,53± 6,54 Ma pode ser associada com a cobertura sedimentar do Paleoproterozóico retrabalhada no ciclo Brasiliano, também observada nos valores U-Pb definidos para os zircões. Em relação ao zircão, os dados indicam ausência aparente de fontes arqueanas. Os resultados mostram duas fontes principais para a sedimentação: uma Rhyaciana (Paleoproterozóico onde ± 53 % dos grãos são “Transamazônicos”) e outra Neoproterozóica-Cambriana (30% dos zircões são “Brasilianos”). / Sandstones represent the most important reservoir rocks and aquifers in many sedimentary basins. It is necessary to have a precise chronostratigraphic position in order to provide a better explotation of water or hydrocarbons. Traditionally, the relative dating of sedimentary units is obtained with fossil content or stratigraphic correlation. But in many sedimentary rocks these analyses are not possible and sometimes have a dubious interpretation. This is the case of the Marizal Formation (Recôncavo Basin) where many questions arise when the age of the unit is questioned. The Marizal Formation is a fluvio-eolic sandstone which has been associated with an Albian/Aptian age in the stratigraphic column, although very discussible. Samples of sandstones of Marizal Formation present an important diagenetic overgrowths around K-feldspar detrital cores and they are suitable to 40Ar-39Ar dating concerning the identification of processes in the sandstones (as diagenesis or depositional ages). Among the heavy mineral suite in the Marizal Formation, zircon grains are identified. The U-Pb dating of detrital zircons can provide information about the provenance of the unit allowing better interpretation to the Marizal Formation. The overgrowths of K-feldspar indicated a value of 159.89 ± 23.96 Ma and to the detrital core, 432.57 ± 11.89 Ma. The mean value obtained around 160 Ma, considering that all care and analytical sample selection were considered, is older than expected. So, this was interpreted as indicating that the overgrowth, have been developed in a sedimentary source rock being transported latter to the depositional site. This age may be related to pre-rift stage of the Recôncavo Basin. The value confirms previous ideas of remobilization of the substrate during the rift basin stage. As has been extensively discussed, overgrowths of K-feldspars are stable and can be transported by small distances, which corroborates the above interpretation. The value obtained to the detrital core can be associated with a Paleoproterozoic sedimentary cover reworked in the Brazilian cycle. For zircon U-Pb dating, the data indicate no apparent Archean sources. The results show two main sources for sedimentation: a Rhyacian (Paleoproterozoic where ± 53% of the grains are "Transamazonian") and another Neoproterozoic-Cambrian (30% of zircon are "Brazilian").

Unidades litológicas, em particular arenitos, muitas vezes, carecem de um posicionamento cronoestratigráfico preciso. Como os arenitos são importantes rochas-reservatório de hidrocarbonetos e aquíferos, a falta de exatidão nestas informações dificulta a exploração destes bens minerais. A datação relativa de rochas sedimentares pode ser obtida por análise do conteúdo fossilífero ou por correlação estratigráfica. Entretanto, em algumas rochas sedimentares, esta análise não é possível ou tem um caráter duvidoso. Este é o caso da Formação Marizal (Bacia do Recôncavo) que apresenta um histórico controverso sobre a real idade deposicional. A Formação Marizal é um arenito flúvio-eólico cuja idade é discutível e, por isso, sua posição na coluna estratigráfica (aproximadamente Albiniano/Aptiniano), ainda é questionável. Em algumas amostras são encontrados overgrowths de K-feldspatos e nos quais é possível aplicar a técnica de datação 40Ar-39Ar visando obter idades que possam ser relacionadas com processos ocorrentes nestes arenitos (em geral, deposição e/ou diagênese). Entre os minerais pesados existentes nas amostras da Formação Marizal, foram encontrados grãos de zircões. A datação U-Pb de zircões detríticos pode fornecer informações sobre a proveniência desta unidade. Assim, zircões da Formação Marizal foram analisados visando complementar as informações sobre esta unidade, permitindo uma melhor interpretação. Os overgrowths de K-feldspatos indicaram valor de 159.89 ± 23.96 Ma e, para o núcleo detrítico, 432.57 ± 11.89 Ma. O valor médio obtido em torno de 160 Ma, considerando-se que todos os cuidados analíticos e de seleção de amostra foram considerados, é mais antigo do que o esperado. Assim, este valor foi interpretado como indicativo de que o overgrowth teria sido desenvolvido numa rocha fonte sedimentar sendo posteriormente transportado. Esta idade pode ser relacionada a fase pré rifte da Bacia do Recôncavo. O valor confirma ideias existentes de remobilização do substrato da bacia durante a fase rifte. Como tem sido discutido, overgrowths de K-feldspato são estáveis e possíveis de serem transportados por pequenas distâncias, o que corrobora a interpretação acima. Já o valor obtido para o núcleo mostra a contribuição do Paleoprotrozóico adjacente à bacia, retrabalhado no Brasiliano. Em relação ao zircão, a idade do núcleo detrítico de 432,53± 6,54 Ma pode ser associada com a cobertura sedimentar do Paleoproterozóico retrabalhada no ciclo Brasiliano, também observada nos valores U-Pb definidos para os zircões. Em relação ao zircão, os dados indicam ausência aparente de fontes arqueanas. Os resultados mostram duas fontes principais para a sedimentação: uma Rhyaciana (Paleoproterozóico onde ± 53 % dos grãos são “Transamazônicos”) e outra Neoproterozóica-Cambriana (30% dos zircões são “Brasilianos”). / Sandstones represent the most important reservoir rocks and aquifers in many sedimentary basins. It is necessary to have a precise chronostratigraphic position in order to provide a better explotation of water or hydrocarbons. Traditionally, the relative dating of sedimentary units is obtained with fossil content or stratigraphic correlation. But in many sedimentary rocks these analyses are not possible and sometimes have a dubious interpretation. This is the case of the Marizal Formation (Recôncavo Basin) where many questions arise when the age of the unit is questioned. The Marizal Formation is a fluvio-eolic sandstone which has been associated with an Albian/Aptian age in the stratigraphic column, although very discussible. Samples of sandstones of Marizal Formation present an important diagenetic overgrowths around K-feldspar detrital cores and they are suitable to 40Ar-39Ar dating concerning the identification of processes in the sandstones (as diagenesis or depositional ages). Among the heavy mineral suite in the Marizal Formation, zircon grains are identified. The U-Pb dating of detrital zircons can provide information about the provenance of the unit allowing better interpretation to the Marizal Formation. The overgrowths of K-feldspar indicated a value of 159.89 ± 23.96 Ma and to the detrital core, 432.57 ± 11.89 Ma. The mean value obtained around 160 Ma, considering that all care and analytical sample selection were considered, is older than expected. So, this was interpreted as indicating that the overgrowth, have been developed in a sedimentary source rock being transported latter to the depositional site. This age may be related to pre-rift stage of the Recôncavo Basin. The value confirms previous ideas of remobilization of the substrate during the rift basin stage. As has been extensively discussed, overgrowths of K-feldspars are stable and can be transported by small distances, which corroborates the above interpretation. The value obtained to the detrital core can be associated with a Paleoproterozoic sedimentary cover reworked in the Brazilian cycle. For zircon U-Pb dating, the data indicate no apparent Archean sources. The results show two main sources for sedimentation: a Rhyacian (Paleoproterozoic where ± 53% of the grains are "Transamazonian") and another Neoproterozoic-Cambrian (30% of zircon are "Brazilian").

A presente dissertação apresenta uma investigação sobre a evolução tectono-metamórfica da Formação São Tomé, uma das unidades metassedimentares pertencente ao Grupo Rio Doce, no Orógeno Araçuaí. Essa unidade, de origem pelítica, ocorre em uma faixa com direção geral aproximadamente N-S, com vergência para NE, contrária ao cráton São Francisco neste setor do orógeno. Possui como litotipo principal quartzo-mica xisto, com proporções variadas de granada, estaurolita, sillimanita e plagioclásio. Duas fases deformacionais estão registradas através de uma foliação continua S1 do tipo clivagem de fratura e uma foliação S2 de clivagem de crenulação. As relações texturais indicam que parte das fases minerais se cristalizaram tanto durante o evento deformacional como em condições ausentes de tensão deviatórica, e registro de condições de pico metamórfico de 6 kbar e 650 °C. Os dados geocronológicos foram obtidos em monazita por meio de datações Th-UPb em microssonda eletrônica. Foram identificadas três populações distintas: (i) A população mais antiga de 641±32 Ma, 614±39 Ma e 607±47 Ma, a qual pode representar grãos detríticos de corpos ígneos, não mais aflorantes, relacionados a um possível estagio pré-colisional ou, tratar-se de monazitas metamórficas formadas em um primeiro evento térmico; (ii) População com idades intermediárias entre 560±32 Ma e 559±29 Ma, compatíveis com as idades do ápice metamórfico regional; (iii) População mais jovem de idades entre 501±28 Ma e 491±34 Ma, condizentes com a formação concomitante à geração dos corpos ígneos tardios. Ainda que não esteja esclarecido se essas idades estão relacionadas a eventos metamórficos distintos ou são reflexo da baixa taxa de resfriamento do orógeno, os três grupos de monazita com idades distintas estão bem estabelecidos. / The present dissertation presents an investigation on the tectono-metamorphic evolution of the São Tomé Formation, one of the metasedimentary units belonging to the Rio Doce Group, in the Araçuaí Orogen. This unit, of pelitic origin, occurs in a band with general direction approximately N-S, with vergence for NE, contrary to the São Francisco craton in this sector of the orogen. It has quartz-mica schist as main lithotype, with varying proportions of grarnet, staurolite, sillimanite and plagioclase. Two deformational phases are recorded through a continuous foliation S1 of the fracture cleavage type and a foliation S2 of crenulation cleavage. The textural relations indicate that part of the mineral phases crystallized both during the deformational event and in conditions absent of deviatore voltage, and record of metamorphic peak conditions of 6 kbar and 650 ° C. The geochronological data were obtained in monazite by means of Th-U-Pb dating in electron microprobe. Three distinct populations were identified: (i) The oldest population of 641 ± 32 Ma, 614 ± 39 Ma and 607 ± 47 Ma, which may represent detrital grains of igneous bodies, no longer outcrops, related to a possible pre- collisional or, being metamorphic monazites formed in a first thermal event; (ii) Populations with intermediate ages between 560 ± 32 Ma and 559 ± 29 Ma, compatible with regional metamorphic apex ages; (iii) Younger population between 501 ± 28 Ma and 491 ± 34 Ma, consistent with the formation concomitant with the generation of late igneous bodies. Although it is unclear whether these ages are related to distinct metamorphic events or are reflective of the low orogenic cooling rate, the three monazite groups of different ages are well established.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The objectives of this study are, generally, to analyze and understand internal processes that produce melts in an oceanic-continental subduction setting; and, specifically, to understand the assembly of a Cretaceous magmatic arc pluton (Palms pluton), including the timing of melt emplacement(s) and melt evolution from the source. SiO2 concentrations vary from ~ 69-76 % by weight. Whole rock trace element concentrations vary up to 7 times. Zircon analysis shows a minimum age difference in the pluton of 3 my, if considering the uncertainties of the oldest and youngest samples. According to the model made from the HEAT program, this is approximately six times longer than the estimated crystallization time of one batch of melt with the same physical properties as the Palms pluton. Two distinct sources, perceived from chemical analysis of premagmatic zircons, are found throughout the pluton. REE compositional patterns show a hybridization of Proterozoic and Mesozoic sources in some, but not all, Palms pluton granites. This data suggests that the pluton formed from multiple intrusions and the Proterozoic source remained relatively consistent throughout the pluton’s assembly with few additions of younger Mesozoic source material.

Les travaux présentés dans ce mémoire ont pour but de mieux définir et quantifier lesprocessus d’érosion actuels en domaine glaciaire et proglaciaire. Le Glacier des Bossons,situé dans le massif du Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie, France), est un bon exemple de systèmenaturel non anthropisé permettant d’étudier cette thématique. Il repose sur deux lithologiesprincipales (le granite du Mont-Blanc et le socle métamorphique) et cette singularitépermettra de déterminer l’origine des sédiments glaciaires. Afin de comprendre lesmécanismes d’érosion mécanique et de transport particulaires en domaine glaciaire, lessédiments ont été prélevés à la surface du glacier, sous le glacier et dans les torrents sousglaciaires.L’étude des distributions granulométriques et des provenances des sédiments a étéeffectuée par une analyse lithologique à macro-échelle (à l’oeil nu) et géochimique à microéchelle(datation U-Pb sur zircons). Elles ont permis de préciser les caractéristiques del’érosion et du transport glaciaire. (1) la charge supra-glaciaire issue de l’érosion des versantsrocheux est essentiellement composée de sédiments grossiers et ne se mélange pas ou peu à lacharge sous-glaciaire, excepté au niveau de la langue terminale ; (2) les vitesses d’érosionsous-glaciaire ne sont pas homogènes, l’érosion sous la glace tempérée (0,4-0,8mm.an-1) estau moins seize fois supérieure à celle sous la glace froide (0,025-0,05mm.an-1) ; (3) lessédiments sous-glaciaires contiennent une fraction silteuse et sableuse résultant des processusd’abrasion et de crushing qui est évacuée par les torrents sous-glaciaires. L’acquisition hauterésolutiontemporelle de données hydro-sédimentaires durant la saison de fonte entre le 5 Maiet le 17 Septembre 2010 a permis de définir le comportement saisonnier des fluxhydrologiques et sédimentaires. La majeure partie des flux détritiques est concentrée sur lasaison de fonte, et une quantification de la quantité de sédiments exportés par le torrent desBossons complétée par une mesure régulière de l’évolution de la topographie du systèmefluvio-glaciaire permet d’effectuer un bilan global de l’érosion des domaines glaciaires etproglaciaires. Au cours de l’année 2010, près de 3000 tonnes de sédiments ont été érodés dont430 tonnes se sont déposeés sur le plan des eaux. Grâce à une analyse de l’évolution desconcentrations de matières en suspension en entrée et en sortie de la plaine alluviale fluvioglaciairedu torrent des Bossons, les composantes glaciaires et non-glaciaires de l’érosion ontpu être découplées. L’érosion des moraines dénudées encadrant le plan des eaux au cours desévénements orageux est responsable au minimum de 59% du flux de sédiments transporté parle torrent des Bossons, l’érosion glaciaire (41% du flux) est donc relativement moins efficace.L’évolution à long terme des systèmes glaciaires en période de réchauffement climatiquemontrerait donc une érosion soutenue des environnements proglaciaires (versants et moraines)récemment libéré des glaces et de ce fait une intensification des flux détritiques. Le glacierdes Bossons protège le sommet du Mont-Blanc, l’érosion différentielle entre les zones sous laglace et non-glaciaires pourrait mener à un accroissement de la différence d’altitude entre lesvallées et les sommets. / The study presented in this PhD memory aim at better define and quantify the present timeerosion processes in glacial and proglacial domain. The Glacier des Bossons, situated in theMont-Blanc massif (Haute-Savoie, France), is a good example of a natural and nonanthropizedsystem which allows us to study this topic. This glacier lies on two mainlithologies (the Mont-Blanc granite and the metamorphic bedrock) and this peculiarity is usedto determine the origin of the glacial sediments. The sediments were sampled at the glaciersurface and at the glacier sole and also in the subglacial streams in order to understand themechanisms of mechanical erosion and particle transportation in glacial domain. The study ofthe granulometric distribution and the origin of the sediments were performed by a lithologicanalysis at macro-scale (naked-eye) and a geochemical analysis at micro-scale (U-Pb datingof zircons). These analyses allowed specifying the characteristics of glacial erosion andtransport. (1) the supraglacial sediments derived from the erosion of the rocky valley sides aremainly coarse and the glacial transport does not mix these clasts with those derived from thesub-glacial erosion, except in the lower tongue; (2) the sub-glacial erosion rates areinhomogeneous, erosion under the temperate glacier (0,4-0,8mm.an-1) is at least sixteen timesmore efficient than the erosion under the cold glacier (0,025-0,05mm.an-1); (3) the sub-glacialsediments contain a silty and sandy fraction, resulting from processes of abrasion andcrushing, which is evacuated by sub-glacial streams. The high-resolution temporal acquisitionof hydro-sedimentary data during the 2010 melt season, between the May 5th and theSeptember 17th, allowed defining the seasonal behavior of the hydrologic and sedimentaryfluxes. The sediment exportation occurs mainly during the melt season therefore, quantify thesediment fluxes in the Bossons stream and measure regularly the topographic evolution of thefluvio-glacial system allows to perform a sedimentary balance of the erosion of glacial andnon-glacial domains. During the year 2010, about 3000 tons of sediments were eroded with430 tons settled on the fluvio-glacial system. By analyzing the evolution of suspendedparticulate matter concentrations in the Bossons stream upstream and downstream the fluvioglacialsystem, the part of glacial erosion and non-glacial denudation in the sedimentarybalance could be proportioned. The erosion during the stormy events of the uncoveredmoraines, confining the fluvio-glacial system of the Bossons stream, furnishes at least 59% ofthe sediments exported by the Bossons stream and glacial erosion (41 % of the flux) istherefore less efficient comparatively. The long-term evolution of the glacial systems inperiod of global warming would show a sustained erosion of proglacial environments(mountain sides and moraines) recently exposed and therefore an increasing of the detritalfluxes. The Glacier des Bossons protects the summit of the Mont-Blanc, the differentialerosion between zones under the ice and non-glacial could lead to an increase of thedifference of altitude between valleys and summits.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Among the several techniques used for provenance studies, the geochronological analysis associated to paleocurrent survey has presented excellent results. Therefore, this study aimed to identifying the sources of the sandstone at the outcrop that gave name to the Penedo Formation, inserted in the Sergipe-Alagoas Basin. This outcrop is located at Penedo’s city, state of Alagoas, northeast of Brazil. The methodology consisted of a continuous bibliographical survey; field work for sample collection and paleocurrent analysis; preparation of samples for concentration of the detrital zircon crystals; chemical-isotopic determination of the crystals with the U-Pb dating, by Laser Ablation Mass Spectrometer (LA-ICP-MS); data processing and the elaboration of this dissertation. The sedimentary record of paleocurrents indicated a contribution coming from north, while the analyzed crystals indicated ages ranging from Mesoarchean (3,098 ± 33 Ma) to Paleozoic (530 ± 12 Ma). This set of ages is related to five groups of sources: Neoproterozoic granites related to the Brasiliano cycle; Mesoproterozoic rocks of the Cabrobró Complex; rocks of the Paleoproterozoic basement coming from the Arapiraca Complex; and finally, rocks of Neo and Mesoarquean ages from rocks of the “Domo Jirau do Ponciano”, south of Alagoas state. Further work with the chemical characterization of zircon crystals of various igneous lithotypes (presented in this dissertation in the form of annex), indicated that these crystals of the Penedo Formation were largely provided from basic igneous or mantle affinity rocks, which ratifies the sources identified here by geocrology and paleocurrent analysis. / Dentre as diversas técnicas empregadas para estudos de proveniência, a análise geocronológica aliada ao levantamento de paleocorrentes tem se destacado com excelentes resultados. Esta pesquisa teve o objetivo de identificar as fontes dos arenitos da seção aflorante que deu nome à Formação Penedo, inserida na Bacia de Sergipe-Alagoas. Este afloramento localiza-se na cidade de Penedo, estado de Alagoas, nordeste do Brasil. A metodologia de trabalho constituiu de levantamento bibliográfico contínuo; missões de campo para coleta de amostra e levantamento de paleocorrentes; preparação das amostras para concentração dos cristais de zircão detríticos; determinação química-isotópica dos cristais com a datação U-Pb, por meio de Espectrometria de Massa por Ablação a Laser (LA-ICP-MS); tratamento de dados e elaboração desta dissertação. O registro sedimentar de paleocorrentes indicaram aporte vindo de norte, enquanto os cristais analisados indicaram idades variando do Mesoarqueano (3.098 ± 33 Ma) ao Paleozóico (530 ± 12 Ma). Este conjunto de idades está relacionado a cinco grupos de fontes: granitos neoproterozóicos relacionados ao ciclo Brasiliano; rochas mesoproterozóicas do Complexo Cabrobró; rochas do embasamento paleoproterozóico provindas do Complexo Arapiraca; e por fim, rochas de idades neo e mesoarqueanas provenientes do Domo Jirau do Ponciano, sul do estado de Alagoas. Trabalho complementar sobre a caracterização química de cristais de zircões de diversos litotipos ígneos (apresentados nesta dissertação na forma de anexo), indicaram que estes cristais da Formação Penedo eram em grande parte oriundos de rochas ígneas básicas ou com afinidade mantélica, ratificando as fontes aqui indentificadas por meio de geocrologia e paleocorrente.

This thesis results from a pilot study which, driven by repeatedly surprising results, opens up a reliable method of geochronology for Quaternary research. There have been repeated attempts to expand the limits of normal use of U-Pb dating. Geologists typically use U-Pb dating on detrital zircons (DZ) for dating and provenance studies on rocks older than the Cenozoic era. We tested several tephra layers in Utah and New Mexico, USA, with published 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages between 1.3 and 1.6 Ma and found that the ages derived from clustered U-Pb dating are reliable, even though they were discordant. We used one of these tephra layers in the La Sal Mountains, Utah, to assign a minimum age to slope deposit layers (cover beds) underlying the tephra bed. In doing so, we discovered that we could not only identify unconformities between layers by means of palaeopedology. But that - although they were similar to one another regarding physical and chemical properties - they were not the same at all in terms of the provenance of their aeolian matter as derived from U-Pb analysis of detrital zircons, as one could actually assume. The source of aeolian matter mixed to these layers has changed decisively from layer to layer. The findings also allowed tentatively assigning palpable source areas for each layer. Since this had demonstrated the feasibility of a provenance approach, we then extended our study regionally to cover beds of the central Great Basin (GB) and the northern Colorado Plateau (CP). Using a published sequence-stratigraphic approach based upon stratigraphically consistent phases of soil development, we attempted to study cover beds from the same two Upper Quaternary time slices. We expanded our range of methods by end-member modelling analyzes (EMMA) and the analysis of surface and shape of detrital zircons. We used statistical methods such as multidimensional scaling (MDS) and density functions (probability density functions and kernel density estimations) to visualize similarities and distances of age distributions. The MDS and the density functions showed very clearly that the patterns of ages between the GB and the CP can be divided into two groups that differ from one another. This is probably due to different transport cascades of the zircons to and within both areas. Due to the lack of databases on the morphology of in-situ zirconia, it is not yet possible to draw precise conclusions about transport routes from them, although we have probably been able to identify traces of several stages of aeolian transport on many zircons. Conclusions can also be drawn about detrital zircons that were transported to the sampling point purely by the kinetic energy of volcanic eruptions during the Cretaceous (Cordilleran magmatic arc) and the Paleogene (strong volcanism within the study area). Moreover, we can show main similarities of the layers across the CP. Although they are separated spatially and temporally, they have a similar age distribution. The only exception here is the upper La Sal Mountains profile, for which I have several assumptions as to why this is so. We did not have enough conclusions for the reconstruction of the palaeoenvironmental conditions during the layer and soil formation phases; further investigations will have to follow. However, we show that a provenance study on Quaternary layers and further conclusions from the results are possible and would like to condense this approach for the study area in the future, but also try to transfer it to other study areas.:Abstract .......................................................................................................................3 Kurzfassung ................................................................................................................5 Contents ......................................................................................................................7 List of figures ............................................................................................................ 11 List of tables ............................................................................................................. 13 List of abbreviations and units .................................................................................. 14 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 16 1.1 Research questions ........................................................................................... 16 1.2 Cover beds ......................................................................................................... 17 1.3 Palaeosols .......................................................................................................... 17 1.4 Study area .......................................................................................................... 18 1.5 Zircons ............................................................................................................... 21 1.6 Thesis format ...................................................................................................... 23 2 Capability of U-Pb dating of zircons from Quaternary tephra: Jemez Mountains, NM, and La Sal Mountains, UT, USA ....................................................................... 24 2.1 Abstract .............................................................................................................. 25 2.2 Kurzfassung ....................................................................................................... 25 2.3 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 26 2.4 Geological setting ............................................................................................... 27 2.4.1 Jemez Mountains, New Mexico ...................................................................... 27 2.4.2 La Sal Mountains, Utah ................................................................................... 30 2.5 Methods ............................................................................................................. 30 2.6 Results and discussion ..................................................................................... 33 2.6 Conclusions ........................................................................................................ 38 Data availability ........................................................................................................ 38 Competing interests.................................................................................................. 38 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................. 38 2.7 References ......................................................................................................... 39 3 Cover beds older than the mid-Pleistocene revolution and the provenance of their aeolian components, La Sal Mountains, Utah, USA ........................................ 42 3.1 Abstract .............................................................................................................. 43 3.2 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 43 3.3 Material and methods ........................................................................................ 44 3.3.1 The La Sal Mountains tephra layer ................................................................. 44 3.3.2 Cover beds and palaeosols............................................................................. 45 3.3.3 Samples and analyses .................................................................................... 46 3.4 Results and discussion ...................................................................................... 49 3.5 Conclusions ....................................................................................................... 56 Acknowledgments ................................................................................................... 58 Summary information A. Supplementary data ......................................................... 58 3.6 References ........................................................................................................ 58 4 Zircon provenance of Quaternary cover beds using U-Pb dating: regional differences in the south-western USA ...................................................................... 63 4.1 Abstract .............................................................................................................. 64 4.2 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 65 4.3 Materials ............................................................................................................. 66 4.3.1 Study areas ..................................................................................................... 66 4.3.2 Stratigraphy and sampling sites ...................................................................... 68 4.3.3 Palaeolake deposits ........................................................................................ 71 4.3.4 Potential sources of detrital zircons ................................................................ 71 4.4 Methods ............................................................................................................. 75 4.4.1 End-member modelling of grainsize composition ........................................... 75 4.4.2 U-Pb dating ..................................................................................................... 75 4.4.3 Zircon dimensions and surfaces ..................................................................... 77 4.4.4 Statistical and graphical representations ........................................................ 78 4.5 Results and discussion ...................................................................................... 79 4.5.1 Aeolian contribution to cover beds .................................................................. 79 4.5.2 Zircon morphology .......................................................................................... 82 4.5.3 Age distributions of detrital zircons ................................................................. 88 4.5.4 Multidimensional scaling (MDS) ..................................................................... 94 4.6 Conclusions ....................................................................................................... 98 Appendix ................................................................................................................ 102 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................ 102 4.7 References ....................................................................................................... 103 5 Extended summary .............................................................................................. 118 5.1 Synthesis .......................................................................................................... 118 5.2 Regional differences and similarities ................................................................ 123 5.3 Outlook ............................................................................................................. 128 6 Supplementary Information ................................................................................. 130 6.1 Supplementary material chapter ‘Capability of U-Pb dating of zircons from Quaternary tephra: Jemez Mountains, NM, and La Sal Mountains, UT, USA’........ 130 6.1.1 Raw data electron microprobe analyses of glass shards from tephra layers .131 6.1.2 Raw data U-Pb ratios and calculated ages for all samples ............................137 6.2 Supplementary material chapter 3 ‘Cover beds older than the mid-Pleistocene revolution and the provenance of their eolian components, La Sal Mountains, Utah, USA’ .............................................................................................................. 160 6.3 Supplementary material chapter 4 ................................................................... 175 6.3.1 SI1 Raw U-Pb ratios and calculated ages ......................................................175 6.3.2 SI 3 Grainsize diagrams of samples of the present study (except for PL)......266 6.3.3 SI 4 Zircon morphology data .........................................................................269 6.3.3.1 Great Basin .................................................................................................269 6.3.3.2 Colorado Plateau ........................................................................................289 7 References (excluding chapters 2, 3 and 4) ....................................................... 308 8 Acknowledgements ............................................................................................. 312 / Diese Arbeit ist das Ergebnis einer Pilotstudie, die aufgrund immer wieder neuer, unerwarteter Ergebnisse eine zuverlässige geochronologische Methode für die Quartärforschung eröffnet. Es wurde mehrfach versucht, die üblichen Grenzen der Verwendung der U-Pb-Datierung zu erweitern. In der Geologie wird die U-Pb-Datierung an detritischen Zirkonen (DZ) normalerweise für Datierungs- und Provenienzstudien an Gesteinen, die älter als das Känozoikum sind, eingesetzt. Wir haben mehrere Tephra-Schichten in Utah und New Mexico, USA, mit veröffentlichten 40 Ar/ 39 Ar-Altern zwischen 1.3 und 1.6 Ma getestet und festgestellt, dass die Alter, die aus den Clustern der U-Pb-Datierungen abgeleitet wurden, zuverlässig sind, obwohl sie diskordant waren. Wir haben eine dieser Tephra-Schichten in den La Sal Mountains, Utah, verwendet, umlagernden Deckschichten ein Mindestalter zuzuweisen. Dabei stellten wir fest, dass wir nicht nur mittels Paläopädologie Schichtgrenzen zwischen Schichten ausweisen konnten. Sondern dass sie sich, obwohl sie sich in Bezug auf physikalische und chemische Eigenschaften ähneln, in Bezug auch auf die Herkunft ihres äolischen Materials (abgeleitet aus der U-Pb-Analyse der DZ) überhaupt nicht glichen, wie man eigentlich annehmen könnte. Die Herkunft des eingemischten äolischen Materials hat sich von Schicht zu Schicht entscheidend verändert. Die Ergebnisse ermöglichten es auch, jeder Schicht konkrete wahrscheinliche Liefergebiete zuzuweisen. Da dies die Möglichkeit einer Provenienz-Analyse belegt hatte, erweiterten wir unsere Studie regional auf Deckschichten des zentralen Great Basin (GB) und des nördlichen Colorado Plateaus (CP). Unter Verwendung eines publizierten sequenz-stratigraphischen Ansatzes, der auf stratigraphisch konsistenten Phasen der Bodenentwicklung basiert, haben wir versucht, Deckschichten aus denselben beiden oberen quartären Zeitscheiben zu untersuchen. Wir erweiterten unser Methodenspektrum um End Member-Modellierung (EMMA) und die Analyse der Oberfläche und Form von DZ. Wir verwendeten statistische Methoden wie mehrdimensionale Skalierung (MDS) und Dichtefunktionen (Wahrscheinlichkeitsdichtefunktionen und Kerndichteschätzungen), um Ähnlichkeiten und Abstände von Altersverteilungen zu visualisieren. MDS und Dichtefunktionen zeigten deutlich, dass GB und CP unterschiedliche Altersspektren aufweisen. Dies ist wahrscheinlich auf unterschiedliche Transportkaskaden der Zirkone in beide und innerhalb beider Gebiete zurückzuführen. Aufgrund des Fehlens von Datenbanken zur Morphologie von gesteinsbürtigen Zirkonen kann man daraus noch keine genauen Rückschlüsse über Transportwege ziehen, obwohl wir wahrscheinlich an vielen Zirkonen Spuren mehrerer Schritte des äolischen Transports identifizieren konnten. Es liegen auch DZ vor, die vermutlich ausschließlich durch die kinetische Energie von Vulkanausbrüchen während der Kreidezeit (Cordilleran Magmatic Arc) und des Paläogens (starker Vulkanismus innerhalb des Untersuchungsgebiets) zum Probenahmepunkt transportiert wurden. Darüber hinaus können wir Ähnlichkeiten zwischen den verschiedenen Schichten im CP zeigen. Obwohl sie räumlich und zeitlich getrennt sind, haben sie eine ähnliche Altersverteilung. Die einzige Ausnahme hiervon ist das Profil der höheren La Sal Mountains, wofür es mehrere mögliche Gründe gibt. Wir konnten nicht genügend Erkenntnisse für die Rekonstruktion der paläoökologischen Bedingungen während der Schicht- und Bodenbildungsphasen gewinnen; weitere Untersuchungen müssen folgen. Wir zeigen jedoch, dass eine Provenienzstudie an quartären Schichten und weiterreichende Schlussfolgerungen möglich sind, und möchten diesen Ansatz für das Untersuchungsgebiet in Zukunft verdichten, aber auch versuchen, ihn auf andere Untersuchungsgebiete zu übertragen.:Abstract .......................................................................................................................3 Kurzfassung ................................................................................................................5 Contents ......................................................................................................................7 List of figures ............................................................................................................ 11 List of tables ............................................................................................................. 13 List of abbreviations and units .................................................................................. 14 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 16 1.1 Research questions ........................................................................................... 16 1.2 Cover beds ......................................................................................................... 17 1.3 Palaeosols .......................................................................................................... 17 1.4 Study area .......................................................................................................... 18 1.5 Zircons ............................................................................................................... 21 1.6 Thesis format ...................................................................................................... 23 2 Capability of U-Pb dating of zircons from Quaternary tephra: Jemez Mountains, NM, and La Sal Mountains, UT, USA ....................................................................... 24 2.1 Abstract .............................................................................................................. 25 2.2 Kurzfassung ....................................................................................................... 25 2.3 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 26 2.4 Geological setting ............................................................................................... 27 2.4.1 Jemez Mountains, New Mexico ...................................................................... 27 2.4.2 La Sal Mountains, Utah ................................................................................... 30 2.5 Methods ............................................................................................................. 30 2.6 Results and discussion ..................................................................................... 33 2.6 Conclusions ........................................................................................................ 38 Data availability ........................................................................................................ 38 Competing interests.................................................................................................. 38 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................. 38 2.7 References ......................................................................................................... 39 3 Cover beds older than the mid-Pleistocene revolution and the provenance of their aeolian components, La Sal Mountains, Utah, USA ........................................ 42 3.1 Abstract .............................................................................................................. 43 3.2 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 43 3.3 Material and methods ........................................................................................ 44 3.3.1 The La Sal Mountains tephra layer ................................................................. 44 3.3.2 Cover beds and palaeosols............................................................................. 45 3.3.3 Samples and analyses .................................................................................... 46 3.4 Results and discussion ...................................................................................... 49 3.5 Conclusions ....................................................................................................... 56 Acknowledgments ................................................................................................... 58 Summary information A. Supplementary data ......................................................... 58 3.6 References ........................................................................................................ 58 4 Zircon provenance of Quaternary cover beds using U-Pb dating: regional differences in the south-western USA ...................................................................... 63 4.1 Abstract .............................................................................................................. 64 4.2 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 65 4.3 Materials ............................................................................................................. 66 4.3.1 Study areas ..................................................................................................... 66 4.3.2 Stratigraphy and sampling sites ...................................................................... 68 4.3.3 Palaeolake deposits ........................................................................................ 71 4.3.4 Potential sources of detrital zircons ................................................................ 71 4.4 Methods ............................................................................................................. 75 4.4.1 End-member modelling of grainsize composition ........................................... 75 4.4.2 U-Pb dating ..................................................................................................... 75 4.4.3 Zircon dimensions and surfaces ..................................................................... 77 4.4.4 Statistical and graphical representations ........................................................ 78 4.5 Results and discussion ...................................................................................... 79 4.5.1 Aeolian contribution to cover beds .................................................................. 79 4.5.2 Zircon morphology .......................................................................................... 82 4.5.3 Age distributions of detrital zircons ................................................................. 88 4.5.4 Multidimensional scaling (MDS) ..................................................................... 94 4.6 Conclusions ....................................................................................................... 98 Appendix ................................................................................................................ 102 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................ 102 4.7 References ....................................................................................................... 103 5 Extended summary .............................................................................................. 118 5.1 Synthesis .......................................................................................................... 118 5.2 Regional differences and similarities ................................................................ 123 5.3 Outlook ............................................................................................................. 128 6 Supplementary Information ................................................................................. 130 6.1 Supplementary material chapter ‘Capability of U-Pb dating of zircons from Quaternary tephra: Jemez Mountains, NM, and La Sal Mountains, UT, USA’........ 130 6.1.1 Raw data electron microprobe analyses of glass shards from tephra layers .131 6.1.2 Raw data U-Pb ratios and calculated ages for all samples ............................137 6.2 Supplementary material chapter 3 ‘Cover beds older than the mid-Pleistocene revolution and the provenance of their eolian components, La Sal Mountains, Utah, USA’ .............................................................................................................. 160 6.3 Supplementary material chapter 4 ................................................................... 175 6.3.1 SI1 Raw U-Pb ratios and calculated ages ......................................................175 6.3.2 SI 3 Grainsize diagrams of samples of the present study (except for PL)......266 6.3.3 SI 4 Zircon morphology data .........................................................................269 6.3.3.1 Great Basin .................................................................................................269 6.3.3.2 Colorado Plateau ........................................................................................289 7 References (excluding chapters 2, 3 and 4) ....................................................... 308 8 Acknowledgements ............................................................................................. 312

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Diese Dissertation befasst sich mit der Entwicklung von “Fastebenen”, die im Weiteren einheitlich als “Peneplains” bezeichnet werden, sowie dem Zerfall dieses markanten geomorphologischen Erscheinungsbildes im südlichsten Teil des tibetischen Plateau dem sogenannten Lhasa Block. Im Zuge dieser Arbeit konnten neue Erkenntnisse über die Hebungsgeschichte und der Sedimentverteilung in diesem Untersuchungsgebiet gewonnen werden. Diese Ergebnisse tragen zu einem besseren Verständnis der geodynamischen Entwicklung Asiens bei, die bis heute viele Fragen aufwirft. Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts wurden Peneplains als metastabile geomorphologische Formen angesehen, die im Zuge großflächiger Erosion entstehen. Die Bezeichnung Peneplain und das dahinter stehende Konzept werden seitdem von der geomorphologischen Gemeinschaft jedoch kontrovers diskutiert. Bis heute gibt es keine standardisierte bzw. repräsentative Definition für das nicht zu übersehende landschaftsbildende Phänomen der Peneplains. Dementsprechend gibt es auch nur wenige Ansätze zu Modellierungen oder Berechnungen mit Geoinformationssystemen. Hier, in dieser Dissertation, werden idealisierte Peneplains als erhöhte, gleichmäßige und großflächige Ebenen mit abfallenden Hängen verstanden, auch wenn sich landschaftsbildende Peneplains oft gekippt darstellen und durch tektonische Prozesse gestört bzw. bereits durch fortschreitende Erosionsprozesse angegriffen sind. Gut erhaltene Peneplains sind speziell für das Gebiet um den höchstgelegenen See der Welt, dem Nam Co, im nördlichen Teil des Lhasa Blocks im Hochland von Tibet charakteristisch. Die Peneplains zerschneiden das dort vorkommende viel ältere und vorwiegend granitische Gestein sowie die angrenzenden Metasedimente. Zur Bestimmung der Abkühl- und Hebungsalter der Granite wurden geo- und thermochronologische Methoden wie Zirkon U-Pb, Zirkon (U-Th)/He, Apatit (U-Th)/He und Apatit-SpaltspurenDatierung angewendet. Neben der Hebungsrate konnte auch die Freilegung des granitischen Gesteines ermittelt werden. Mit der Methode zur Bestimmung des U-Pb-Zirkonalters konnten zwei Intrusionsgruppen, um 118 Ma und 85 Ma, festgestellt werden. Ebenso wurden vulkanische Aktivitäten nachgewiesen und auf einen Zeitraum zwischen 63 Ma und 58 Ma datiert. Thermische Modelle, aufbauend auf Zirkon- und Apatit-(U-Th)/He-Datierungen sowie auf ApatitSpaltspuren-Daten der untersuchten Granitoide, ergeben einen Hebungs- und Abkühlungszeitraum von 75 Ma bis 55 Ma mit einer Hebungsrate von 300 m/Ma, welche im Zeitfenster zwischen 55 Ma und 45 Ma stark abfällt auf 10 m/Ma. Die Auswertung der Messdaten unserer Kooperationspartner an der Universität Münster zu kosmogenen Nukliden zeigen sehr niedrigen Erosionsraten von 6-11 m/Ma und 11-16 m/Ma, in den letzten 10.000 Jahren die in den einzelnen Einzugsgebieten ermittelt wurden. Diese Daten zeugen von einer noch immer andauernden Periode der Stabilität und tragen zur Erhaltung der Peneplains bei. Während der anhaltenden Phase der Erosion und Einebnung sind vor ungefähr 45 Ma in der untersuchten Region zwischen 3 km und 6 km Gestein abgetragen und weg transportiert worden. Es ist naheliegend, dass das abgetragene Material als Sediment über das vorhandene Flusssystem fast vollständig in die heute bestehenden Ozenane transportiert wurde. Im Lhasa Block können nur verhältnismäßig wenig Sedimente aus dieser Zeit nachgewiesen werden. Alle bisherigen Untersuchungsergebnisse sowie die durchgeführte Sediment-Herkunftsanalyse untermauern die Theorie, dass die Peneplainbildung und ihre Erosionsprozesse in niedriger Höhe - höchstwahrscheinlich auf Meeresniveau - stattgefunden haben muss. Dieser Prozess wurde durch die Kollision des indischen Kontinents mit Asien gestoppt. Die resultierende Krustenverdickung führte zu einer Hebung der Landschaft mit den Peneplains, von Meeresniveau auf 5.000 bis 7.000 Höhenmeter. Die auf dem “das Dach der Welt” vorherrschenden idealen Klimabedingungen haben anschließend für die fast vollständige Erhaltung der Peneplains gesorgt. Der zweite Teil der Dissertation befasst sich mit der Entwicklung einer robusten Methode Peneplains anhand digitale Höhenmodelle (DEM) zu berechnen bzw. zu kartieren. Frei zugängliche DEMs machen es möglich, Erdoberflächen repräsentativ mathematisch und statistisch zu analysieren und zu charakterisieren. Diese Analysemethode stellt eine ausgezeichnete Möglichkeit dar, die Peneplains mittels aussagekräftiger Algorithmen zu charakterisieren und digital zu kartieren. Um Peneplains algorithmisch von der Umgebung klar abgrenzen zu können, wurde ein komplett neuer Ansatz der Fuzzylogik angewandt. Als DEM-Basis wurde ein 90 arcsec-DEM der Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) verwendet. Mithilfe eines Geoinformationssystems (GIS) wurden Algorithmen geschrieben, die vier verschiedene kritische Parameter zur Beschreibung von Peneplains berücksichtigen: (I) Gefälle, (II) Kurvigkeit, (III) Geländerauhigkeit und (IV) Relative Höhe. Um die Eignung der Methode zu prüfen, wurde auf Basis der SRTM-DEM weltweit kartiert und mit schon in der Literatur beschriebenen Peneplains verglichen. Die dabei erhaltenen Ergebnisse von den Appalachen, den Anden, dem Zentralmassif und Neuseeland bestätigen dass ein Einsatz des Modells, weltweit und unabhängig von der Höhenlage möglich ist.