Geochronological problems related to polymetamorphism in the Limpopo Complex, South Africa

The integration of new and published geochronologic data with structural, magmatic/anatectic and pressure-temperature (P-T) process information allow the recognition of high-grade polymetamorphic granulites and associated high-grade shear zones in the Central Zone (CZ) of the Limpopo high-grade terrain in South Africa. Together, these two important features reflect a major high-grade D-3/M-3 event at similar to 2.02 Ga that overprinted the >2.63 Ga high-grade Neoarchaean D-2/M-2 event, characterized by SW-plunging sheath folds. These major D-2/M-2 folds developed before similar to 2.63 Ga based on U-Pb zircon age data for precursors to leucocratic anatectic gneisses that cut the high-grade gneissic fabric. The D3/M3 shear event is accurately dated by U-Pb monazite (2017.1 +/- 2.8 Ma) and PbSL garnet (2023 +/- 11 Ma) age data obtained from syntectonic anatectic material, and from sheared metapelitic gneisses that were completely reworked during the high-grade shear event. The shear event was preceded by isobaric heating (P=similar to 6 kbar and T=similar to 670-780 degrees C), which resulted in the widespread formation of polymetamorphic granulites. Many efforts to date high-grade gneisses from the CZ using PbSL garnet dating resulted in a large spread of ages (similar to 2.0-2.6 Ga) that reflect the polymetamorphic nature of these complexly deformed high-grade rocks. (C) 2008 International Association for Gondwana Research. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.