Coupled Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd geochronology constrains garnet growth in ultra-high-pressure eclogites from the Dabie orogen

Ultra-high-pressure eclogites from the Dabie orogen that formed over a range in temperatures (similar to 600 to > 700 degrees C) have been investigated with combined Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd geochronology. Three eclogites, sampled from Zhujiachong, Huangzhen and Shima, yield Lu-Hf ages of 240.0 +/- 5.0, 224.4 +/- 1.9 and 230.8 +/- 5.0 Ma and corresponding Sm-Nd ages of 222.5 +/- 5.0, 217.6 +/- 6.1 and 224.2 +/- 2.1 Ma respectively. Well-preserved prograde major- and trace-element zoning in garnet in the Zhujiachong eclogite suggests that the Lu-Hf age mostly reflects an early phase of garnet growth that continued over a time interval of c. 17.5 Myr. For the Huangzhen eclogite, despite preserved elemental growth zoning in garnet, textural study reveals that the Lu-Hf age is biased towards a later garnet growth episode rather than representing early growth. The narrow time interval of < 6.6 Myr defined by the difference between Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd ages indicates a short final garnet growth episode and suggests a rapid cooling stage. By contrast, the rather flat element zoning in garnet in the Shima eclogite suggests that Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd ages for this sample have been reset by diffusion and are cooling ages. The new Lu-Hf ages point to an initiation of prograde metamorphism prior to c. 240 Ma for the Dabie orogen, while the exact peak metamorphic timing experienced by specific samples ranges between c. 230 to c. 220 Ma.