Home Publications Research Data Research Grants Equipment Inventions & Patents Awards Additional Research Activities Faculties & Institutions Research Areas

Petrochronology of a high-temperature granulite terrane – the Damara orogen (Namibia)

Jung S, Mezger K, Scherer EE, Pfänder JA, Brandt S, Hellebrand E (2026)

---

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Book Volume: 156

Pages Range: 117-140

DOI: 10.1016/j.gr.2026.02.012

Abstract

In the Southern and Northern Zones of the Proterozoic Damara orogen of Namibia, metapelites and pelitic migmatites are abundant. Pelitic migmatites are characterized by the high-grade metamorphic assemblage biotite-sillimanite-K-feldspar-cordierite-garnet-quartz plus melt. The petrogenesis and temporal evolution of the granulite facies metapelites is constrained by Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd garnet-whole rock dates and a U–Pb monazite date in combination with the trace element distribution in zoned metamorphic garnet. The preservation of HREE growth zonation profiles in garnets from the highest T pelitic granulites of the Southern Central Zone (sCZ) of the Damara orogen, where minimum metamorphic temperatures of ∼835°C were attained, indicates that the Lu–Hf system did not undergo major diffusional re-equilibration and therefore preserves prograde growth information. The Lu–Hf garnet dates range from 531.1 ± 1.3 to 513.7 ± 4.9 Ma and are thus similar to Sm–Nd garnet dates (generally ∼530–520 Ma). The general similarity between Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd garnet dates implies fast syn-orogenic cooling rates. Rapid cooling was probably accompanied by significant uplift, compatible with exposures of originally deep-seated basement rocks in this area. Pseudosection modelling yields peak temperatures of ∼695–720°C at ∼0.5 GPa for the Northern Central Zone (nCZ), In general, the U–Pb monazite dates range from 529 ± 1 to 505 ± 1 Ma and are similar to the respective Lu–Hf garnet dates. The nCZ Lu–Hf garnet dates are 16–40 Myr older than the Sm–Nd garnet dates from the same samples, which range from ∼493 to ∼473 Ma, suggesting that the latter are cooling ages. The combined geochronological data indicate an evolution of both terranes that involved the intrusion of early granites at ∼540 Ma in the Southern Central Zone and at ∼530 Ma in the Northern Central Zone. The peak of granulite facies metamorphism occurred at ∼520–510 Ma in both zones and is coeval with voluminous intrusions of crust-derived granites. Both zones record intrusion of late granites at ∼490 Ma followed by cooling of the terrane. Thus, the Central Damara orogen can be viewed as a high-temperature terrane with a relatively short granulite facies history. In the absence of evidence for lithospheric thinning and extension, which could have delivered mantle heat to shallower levels (as happens in other short-lived granulite facies terranes), flat subduction of basement rocks having with a high radioactive heat production is the main cause for high temperatures at relatively low pressures during peak metamorphism.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

How to cite

APA:

Jung, S., Mezger, K., Scherer, E.E., Pfänder, J.A., Brandt, S., & Hellebrand, E. (2026). Petrochronology of a high-temperature granulite terrane – the Damara orogen (Namibia). Gondwana Research, 156, 117-140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2026.02.012

MLA:

Jung, S., et al. "Petrochronology of a high-temperature granulite terrane – the Damara orogen (Namibia)." Gondwana Research 156 (2026): 117-140.

BibTeX: Download