Geochemistry and U-Pb zircon geochronology of metagranites in Istranca (Strandja) Zone, NW Pontides, Turkey: Implications for the geodynamic evolution of Cadomian orogeny

Abstract

New zircon U-Pb dating and whole-rock geochemical analysis were carried out on meta-intrusive rocks (Catalca and Ihsaniye metagranites) of the Istranca Zone, Western Pontides, with the aim of constraining the magmatic evolution of the Cadomian orogeny of the northern Gondwana margin during Late Precambrian-Early Paleozoic times. The Istranca zone is composed of metamorphic basement intruded by large granitic bodies and overlain by a Paleozoic-Mesozoic meta-sedimentary cover. The metamorphic rocks of the Istranca zone extend from Bulgaria, Istranca Mountains to NW Turkey and reach the area near Istanbul (Catalca region).