Zircon U–Pb geochronology and Nd isotope systematics of the Abas terrane, Yemen: Implications for Neoproterozoic crust reworking events

• We report two magmatic events at c. 790–730 Ma and 625–590 Ma.
• Lack of zircon inheritance despite involvement of pre-Neoproterozoic crust.
• Strongly evolved initial ɛNd(t) values unlike most of Arabian-Nubian Shield.
• Change in tectonic setting controls the temporal variation of initial ɛNd(t).

High-spatial-resolution secondary-ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) U–Pb zircon ages, whole-rock Nd isotopic and geochemical data are reported for granites and granitic gneisses from a traverse across the Abas terrane, Yemen, a part of the Precambrian basement of southern Arabian Peninsula. SIMS U–Pb dating identifies two magmatic episodes, the first at c. 790–725 Ma represented by granitic gneisses, the second clearly post-tectonic at c. 625–590 Ma. The oldest sample in the post-tectonic group is slightly deformed while younger samples are undeformed indicating that penetrative deformation ceased at c. 625 Ma in the Abas region. Whole-rock Nd(t) values between −11 and +0.8, Nd model ages of 1.70–1.13 Ga indicate a significant contribution of evolved continental material in the genesis of the Abas granitoids, unlike most of the juvenile Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS), although there are few inherited zircons. Secular variation in ɛNd(t) reflects a change in magma source with increasing juvenile magma and diminishing crustal input during post-tectonic (625–590 Ma) magmatism. The combination of subduction zone chemistry, absence of older rocks, paucity of inherited zircons, evolved Nd isotopic signatures and the I-type characteristics of the samples suggest that assimilation occurred at depth.