Lower crustal hot zones as zircon incubators: Inherited zircon antecryts in diorites from a mafic mush reservoir

Abstract

Abstract Continental arcs are key sites of granitic magmatism, yet details of the origins of these magmas, including the role and contribution of mafic magma, the timing and location of initial zircon formation and how zircon isotopic signatures relate to granite formation, remain as challenges. Here we use U–Pb dating, trace elements and Hf isotopic systematics of zircon in mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs), from the convergent plate margin Satkatbong diorite (SKD) in Korea to understand lower arc magmatism and zircon production. The host granitic body and MMEs display similar major element evolutionary trends and similar ranges of Sr, Nd and Hf isotopes, implying a cognatic relationship. Zircons show a large variability in ε Hf ( t ) ( c. 6 units) and age (>30 Ma). We propose that the SKD and MMEs originated from the same, long-lasting, lower crustal mush reservoir, enabling long and variable residence times for zircons. Prolonged zircon ages, combined with the Hf isotope variability within a single pluton (SKD and its MME), indicate that not all zircons were instantaneously crystallized in a rapidly cooling shallow magma chamber but were continuously formed in a long-lasting hot source. A low-melt-fraction mush type reservoir in a deep crustal hot zone provides a viable model for the source setting. Continuous replenishment of mafic magmas acts as the main re-activator of the reservoir, and provide a critical role in spawning zircons that record a long age span, because (1) the magma adds Zr into the reservoir, enabling it to reach zircon saturation and (2) the generated zircon grains are transported upward as antecrysts by flow inside of the reservoir. This means that antecrysts with different ages may mix with each other in the ascending magma body. The significance of this model is that a conclusive time of intrusion cannot be constrained by such zircon ages, as these antecrysts constitute inherited grains.