Tectonic Evolution of The Mogok Metamorphic Belt Burma - Searle Et Al 2007

TECTONICS, VOL. 26, TC3014, doi:10.
1029/2006TC002083, 2007
Tectonic evolution of the Mogok metamorphic belt, Burma

(Myanmar) constrained by U-Th-Pb dating of metamorphic
and magmatic rocks
M. P. Searle,1 S. R. Noble,2 J. M. Cottle,1 D. J. Waters,1 A. H. G. Mitchell,3 Tin Hlaing,3
M. S. A. Horstwood2
Received 17 November 2006; revised 15 February 2007; accepted 20 March 2007; published 21 June 2007.
[1] The Mogok metamorphic belt (MMB) extends for

over 1500 km along the western margin of the ShanThai block, from the Andaman Sea north to the eastern
Himalayan syntaxis. Previous geochronology has
suggested that a long-lasting Jurassicearly Cretaceous
subduction-related event resulted in emplacement of
granodiorites and orthogneisses (171120 Ma) and a
poorly constrained Tertiary metamorphic event. On the
basis of new U-Pb isotope dilution thermal ionization
mass spectrometry and U-Th-Pb laser ablation
multicollectorinductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer geochronology presented here, we propose two
Tertiary metamorphic events affected the MMB in
Burma. The first was a Paleocene event that ended
with intrusion of crosscutting postkinematic biotite
granite dikes at 59 Ma. A second metamorphic event
spanned late Eocene to Oligocene (at least from 37,
possibly 47, to 29 Ma). This resulted in the growth of
metamorphic monazite at sillimanite grade, growth of
zircon rims at 4743 Ma, sillimanite + muscovite
replacing older andalusite, and synmetamorphic
melting producing garnet and tourmaline bearing
leucogranites at 45.5 0.6 Ma and 24.5 0.7 Ma.
These data imply high-temperature sillimanite +
muscovite metamorphism peaking at 680C and
4.9 kbar between 45 and 33 Ma, to around 606
656C and 4.44.8 kbar at 29.3 0.5 Ma. The later
metamorphic event is older than 24.5 0.3 Ma, the
age of leucogranites that crosscut all earlier fabrics.
Our structural and geochronological data suggest that
the MMB links north to the unexposed middle or
lower crust rocks of the Lhasa terrane, south Tibet,
and east to high-grade metamorphic core complexes
in northwest Thailand. Citation: Searle, M. P., S. R. Noble,
Department of Earth Sciences, Oxford University, Oxford, UK.

NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory, British Geological Survey,
Keyworth, UK.
3
Ivanhoe Myanmar Holdings Ltd., Sanchaung Township, Yangon,
Myanmar.
2
Copyright 2007 by the American Geophysical Union.

0278-7407/07/2006TC002083
J. M. Cottle, D. J. Waters, A. H. G. Mitchell, T. Hlaing, and M. S. A.

Horstwood (2007), Tectonic evolution of the Mogok metamorphic
belt, Burma (Myanmar) constrained by U-Th-Pb dating of
metamorphic and magmatic rocks, Tectonics, 26, TC3014,
doi:10.1029/2006TC002083.
1. Introduction
[2] The collision of India with Asia occurred at equatorial
latitudes approximately 54 49 Ma ago [Dewey et al., 1989;
Zhu et al., 2005]. Since then India has indented northward
some 2000 km into central Asia creating the Himalaya and
enhancing crustal thickening and the whole scale uplift of
the Tibetan Plateau (Figure 1). A large geochronological
data set now exists for the Himalayan region leading to a
reasonably detailed knowledge of the metamorphic and
magmatic consequences of the collision along the Indian
plate (see, e.g., Searle et al. [1999a, 1999b, 2006] and
Godin et al. [2006] for reviews). However, the metamorphic
and magmatic consequences of collision on the Asian side
are less well known, partly due to the fact that very few
deep crustal metamorphic rocks are exposed along the south
Asian margin in Tibet. Prior to the Indian collision, the
southern margin of Asia was an Andean-type plate boundary, dominated by calc-alkaline, subduction-related granitoids and volcanic rocks, with continental red bed
deposition. It is likely that, prior to Indian plate collision,
the Lhasa Block of south Tibet had a similar crustal
thickness and altitude to the present-day Andes [England
and Searle, 1986; Leier et al., 2007]. The 2000 km long
Kohistan-Ladakh-Gangdese batholith, stretching from NW
Pakistan to SE Tibet, is composed of diorite, granodiorite
and hornblende-biotite granite, intruded between circa 103
49 Ma [Honegger et al., 1982; Scharer et al., 1984;
Weinberg and Dunlap, 2000].
[3] Whereas the postcollisional thermal history of the
south Asian crust is not well known in Tibet, it is reasonably
well constrained in the far west, in the Hindu Kush
[Hildebrand et al., 1998, 2000, 2001] and Karakoram
[Fraser et al., 2001] ranges (Figure 1). In these areas, deep
crustal rocks have been extensively exhumed due to extreme rates of rock uplift and erosion, resulting in 7 8 km
high mountains and deeply incised glacial and river valleys
[Searle, 1991]. In the Karakoram, sillimanite-grade metamorphism occurred along the south Asian margin both
before Indian plate collision, and more or less continuously
after the collision from circa 65 to at least 5.4 Ma [Searle et
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SEARLE ET AL.: U-TH-PB AGES OF MOGOK BELT
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Figure 1. Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) image of the Indian plate and South Asian
margin region from the Hindu Kush and Karakoram Ranges to Burma and SE Asia, showing the main
zone of collision and major faults.
al., 1999a; Fraser et al., 2001]. Lower crustal xenoliths in

3 2.5 Ma shoshonitic volcanics in central Tibet [Hacker et
al., 2000] and 57 11 Ma ultrapotassic volcanic pipes in the
southeast Pamirs [Ducea et al., 2003; Hacker et al., 2005]
include ultrahigh-temperature felsic granulites and both
felsic and mafic eclogites. These xenoliths attest to the
protracted and probably still active HT-HP metamorphism
of the lower crust under the Karakoram-Pamir ranges and
possibly also along strike in the unexposed lower crust of
southern Tibet.
[4] Along the northeastern margin of the Indian plate,
ophiolitic and associated rocks of the Indus Yarlung
Tsangpo suture zone continue around the eastern Himalayan
syntaxis (Namche Barwa region) southward along the IndoBurma ranges to the Andaman Sea (Figure 2). The plate
boundary shifted from the Paleogene suture zone to the
Neogene Sagaing fault, a 700 km long N-S aligned rightlateral strike-slip fault that connects south to the active
spreading centers in the Andaman Sea [Curray, 2005]. East
of the Sagaing fault, the Mogok metamorphic belt (MMB)
extends from Moulmein north to Mogok, then along an
arcuate belt that connects north directly to the eastern
Himalayan syntaxis [Mitchell, 1993; Mitchell et al., 2007],
south of the Jiale fault (Figure 2). Although poorly exposed,
the MMB in Burma has long been of interest because it
contains some of the worlds best quality rubies and sapphires [Chhibber, 1934; Iyer, 1953; Searle and Haq, 1964;
Bender, 1983; Mitchell, 1993].
[5] Geochronological data along the MMB are limited.
Metamorphism in the Mogok belt was originally interpreted
as Precambrian [Chhibber, 1934]. After the most comprehensive field study of the MMB to date, Searle and Haq
[1964, p. 154] concluded that the protolith rocks of the
MMB spanned Precambrian to Late Paleozoic and that the
metamorphism was post-Paleozoic and almost certainly
related to the Himalayan orogeny. A range of Rb-Sr and
K-Ar ages from rocks in the Mogok belt were reported by
Brook and Snelling [1976], and Cobbing et al. [1992]. On
the basis of these radiometric data, combined with stratigraphic evidence, Mitchell et al. [2004, 2007] inferred three
orogenic events resulting in metamorphism and granite
emplacement in Burma: an early Permian event, an early
Jurassic event and early to mid-Tertiary event.
[6] Garnier et al. [2006] reported Miocene 39Ar/40Ar
ages between 18.7 0.2 and 17.1 0.2 Ma from phlogopite
micas in marble hosted ruby deposits in the MMB. Bertrand
et al. [1999] reported late Oligocene to early Miocene
39
Ar/40Ar ages ranging from 26.9 1 Ma to 16.6
0.3 Ma on biotite and muscovite from rocks along the Shan
scarp. They interpreted these as ages of metamorphic
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Figure 2. Geological map of SE Asia, Burma, and the Andaman Sea region north to southeastern Tibet,
showing the major suture zones, faults, and terrane boundaries.
3 of 24
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Figure 3. Geological map of the Mandalay-Kyanigan area, modified from Mitchell et al. [2007].
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Figure 4. Geological map of the Belin-Kyaukse area, modified from Mitchell et al. [2007].
events. Because metamorphism reached kyanite and sillimanite grade, the 39Ar/40Ar method will, however, only
reveal later cooling, not timing of peak metamorphism.
These cooling ages may also not be related to motion along
the Sagaing fault, because the Mogok rocks were clearly
metamorphosed prior to shearing along the Sagaing fault.
[7] Barley et al. [2003] reported the first sensitive highresolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) U-Pb age data from
the MMB. These authors reported zircon ages of Jurassic,
mid-Cretaceous and early Eocene time, confirming that
Andean-type granite magmatism was widespread along the

Burma margin throughout the precollisional period [Mitchell,
1993]. Zircon rim ages of 43 30.9 Ma suggest that new
zircon growth occurred during a postcollisional high-grade
metamorphic event in the late Eocene Oligocene [Barley et
al., 2003].
[8] In this paper we describe the central part of the MMB,
in particular two regions centered on the Mandalay hills
Kyanigan region, north of Mandalay (Figure 3), and the Belin
quarry Kyaukse region, south of Mandalay (Figure 4). We
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present new U-Pb isotope dilution thermal ionization mass

spectrometry (ID-TIMS) and U-Th-Pb laser ablation multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer
(LA-MC-ICPMS) geochronological data to constrain the
timing of metamorphism and granitioid magmatism. We
combine these age data with structural and thermobarometric
constraints to determine P-T conditions and timing of major
structural, metamorphic and melting events along the MMB.
Finally, we use these new data to compare the evolution of the
MMB to regional tectonic provinces across Tibet and Southeast Asia.
2. Geology of Burma
[9] The geology of Burma, together with eastern Bangladesh and eastern India has traditionally been divided into
three terranes, the Indian plate to the west, the Burma
microplate west of the Sagaing fault and the Shan-Thai
block, east of the Sagaing fault (Figure 2). The presently
active Indian plate boundary is the east dipping Andaman
subduction zone that continues onshore along the western
margin of the Indo-Burman range accretionary prism. The
eastern margin of the Burma microplate is the right-lateral
Sagaing fault that has accommodated some of the northward
motion of India subsequent to the collision.
2.1. Burma Microplate
[10] The Indo-Burman (Arakan-Yoma) ranges are composed mainly of Late Cretaceous Paleogene marine sedimentary rocks unconformably overlying Upper Triassic
flysch-type sediments and associated ophiolitic rocks,
thought to be the southern continuation of the Indus
Yarlung Tsangpo suture zone [Mitchell, 1993]. These rocks
are in tectonic contact with a belt of mica schists (Mount
Victoria-Kawlun belt) to the west. The western part of the
Indo-Burman ranges are dominantly Eocene to Quaternary
molasse conglomerates and sandstones, part of a pile of
sediments, up to 20 km thick beneath the Ganges delta, that
were eroded from the Himalaya [Curray, 2005]. The Paleogene sediments are continuous south to the Andaman
Nicobar Islands where they overlie ophiolite complexes
and form the forearc sediments to the active volcanic arc
to the east (Barren Island Narcondam volcanoes, the northward continuation of the Sumatra Java volcanic arc).
[11] To the east of the Indo-Burman ranges a series of
sedimentary basins (Chindwin, Minbu and Pathein basins)
show intermittent subsidence from mid-Cretaceous to Miocene time followed by basin inversion and east-west compression during the Pliocene-Pleistocene [Pivnik et al.,
1998]. Beneath these basins the Burma seismic zone shows
a narrow, east dipping, steeply inclined subduction zone
revealed by recent earthquakes extending down to at least
200 km [Ni et al., 1989; Guzman-Speziale and Ni, 1996].
Above this seismic zone two large calc-alkaline andesitedacite stratovolcanoes (Mounts Popa and Taungthonlon),
and the smaller Mount Loimye, were active from Pliocene
to recent times [Stephenson and Marshall, 1984] suggesting
that the seismic zone may represent a thin slab of subduct-
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ing Indian oceanic lithosphere that extends north from the

Bay of Bengal beneath Bangladesh [Rao and Kalpna, 2005;
A. Bally, personal communication, 2005]. A belt of Late
Cretaceous granodiorites and diorites and Cenozoic volcanics (with associated porphyry and epithermal copper
deposits) extending north of Mount Popa [Mitchell, 1993]
suggests that this subduction zone may have been relatively
long-lived.
2.2. Sagaing Fault
[12] The MMB follows the eastern flank of the Sagaing
fault to about 80 km north of Mandalay where it is displaced
to the east and follows an arcuate trend north toward the
eastern Himalayan syntaxis (Figure 2). The N-S striking
Sagaing fault is a 1200 km long right-lateral strike-slip fault
that runs most of the length of Burma and cuts the western
margin of the Mogok belt (Figure 2). It connects south to
the active back-arc spreading center in the Andaman Sea via a
series of short transfer faults [Vigny et al., 2003; Curray,
2005]. Right-lateral displacement has been estimated
at 330 km [Curray, 2005], or less than 100 150 km
[Bertrand and Rangin, 2003]. Mitchell [1993] proposed an
offset of 450 km based on the displacement of pre-Albian
ophiolitic rocks from the Mount Victoria belt in the west to
the Tagaung-Myktyina belt, north of Mogok, in northern
Burma (Figure 2). Morley [2004] mapped a series of strikeslip duplexes in a region 250 km wide east of the Sagaing
fault. The major strike-slip fault systems in Thailand include
the NW-SE striking left-lateral Mae Ping (or Wang Chau)
fault and the Three Pagodas fault [Lacassin et al., 1997;
Morley, 2004]. Apatite fission track ages show evidence of
late Oligocene early Miocene cooling and exhumation
extending along the Thai-Burma border [Upton, 1999;
Morley, 2004]. The 40Ar/39Ar mica ages from Mogok rocks
adjacent to the Sagaing fault range from 30 to 18 Ma, with
ages younging to the north [Bertrand et al., 1999]. Together
with some older apatite fission track ages of 40 36 Ma
along the Mae Ping fault zone [Upton, 1999; Morley, 2004],
these data suggest that not only do the metamorphic and
magmatic ages predate strike-slip motion but also that most
of the exhumation and cooling occurred prior to movement
on the Sagaing fault [Bertrand and Rangin, 2003].
2.3. Northern Burma and the Jade Mines Belt
[13] Three metamorphic belts splay off from the Sagaing
fault in northern Burma, the Jade Mines belt, Katha-Gangaw
belt and the Tagaung-Myitkyina belt (Figure 2). High-grade
gneisses of the Katha-Gangaw ranges pass eastward to the
schists of the Tagaung-Myitkyina belt, which are thought be
to the northern continuation of the MMB [Mitchell et al.,
2007]. The Katha-Gangaw belt south of Myitkyina, may be
the offset equivalent of the Mount Victoria Kawlun belt
in the west [Chhibber, 1934; Mitchell, 1993]. All of
these metamorphic rocks are low-/medium-pressure hightemperature rocks whereas the Jade mines belt has been
subjected to high-pressure metamorphism. Serpentinized
peridotites occur as boulders in alluvial deposits together
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with pure jadeite, amphibole jade and kyanite-bearing

omphacite jade. Goffe et al. [2002] determined eclogite
facies P-T conditions P > 14 kbar and T 550 600C
overprinted by 8 kbar and 500 550C amphibolite facies
conditions. Jadeite + quartz and omphacite + zoisite +
kyanite blueschists record similar high pressures but lower
temperatures around 400 450C [Goffe et al., 2002]. We
speculate that late Mesozoic ophiolitic rocks obducted onto
the Burma microplate were later metamorphosed during east
dipping subduction, and then exhumed to the surface prior to
dextral shearing along the Sagaing fault.
[14] The relationship between the Jade Mines belt and the
MMB is not clear, partly because they are separated by
strands of the Sagaing fault. Although both belts contain
high-grade metamorphic rocks there are some fundamental
differences between the two. Ultramafic rocks including
harzburgites, dunites and wehrlites, are common in the Jade
Mines belt, but rare in the Mogok belt. Gem-quality pure
jadeite within peridotite is present only in the Jade Mines
belt. Sapphire-bearing nepheline syenites are not present in
the Jade Mines belt, but are present in the Mogok belt where
the host rock phlogopite diopside marbles contain gemquality rubies and spinel [Iyer, 1953; Kane and Kammerling,
1992; Waltham, 1999].
2.4. Shan-Thai Block, Eastern Highlands
Figure 5. (a) Xenoliths of sillimanite schist within Kfeldspar augen gneiss from Kyauskse. Sample M54 came
from the sillimanite schist at this locality and indicates
the metamorphism and high grade were Oligocene in age
(29.3 0.5 Ma). (b) Biotite granite dike (sample M33)
showing flow banding intruding and crosscutting earlier
biotite granite sills, migmatites, calc-silicates, quartzites, and
pelitic bands from Belin quarry. (c) K-feldspar augen gneiss
(sample M4) showing in situ melts of quartz + tourmaline
leucogranite (sample M5) from Kyanigan quarry. Melts
seams percolate through the preexisting fabric of the augen
gneiss.
[15] The Shan-Thai block is continuous with the Qiangtang and Lhasa blocks of central Tibet to the north and the
Malay Peninsula, including the central granite belt of
Cobbing et al. [1986, 1992] to the south. The Shan-Thai
block is bounded to the east by the Sukhotai-Lao fold belt
and the Nan-Uttaradit suture [Barr and McDonald, 1987]
separating the Shan-Thai block from the Indo-China block
of eastern Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. Final suturing
occurred during the Late Triassic [Mitchell, 1977]. The
Shan-Thai block east of the Sagaing fault includes the
metamorphic rocks of the Mogok belt, Jurassic-Cretaceous
granites that are continuous south to the western Thailand
Sn-W-bearing granite belt (western granite belt of Cobbing
et al. [1986, 1992]), and Late Carboniferous Lower Permian Mergui Group sediments [Mitchell, 1992, 1993].
[16] Most of the Shan-Thai block is composed of Cambrian to Triassic sedimentary rocks structurally overlying
metamorphic rocks (Chaung Magyi Group of Mitchell
[1992]), and overlain by Upper Jurassic Lower Cretaceous
red beds. Apatite fission track dating of these red beds in
northern Thailand indicate maximum burial between 70 and
50 Ma [Upton, 1999] suggesting that metamorphism was
older than this. The Mergui Group is a distinctive unit of
sedimentary rocks comprising Upper Carboniferous
and Lower Permian mudstones, slates and rare limestones
that bounds the eastern margin of the MMB and extends
from Mandalay at least as far south as Phuket [Mitchell,
1992, 1993] and into Sumatra [Barber et al., 2005]. The
metamorphic rocks (Chaung Magyi Group of Mitchell et al.
[2007]) may be structurally continuous with the MMB
and possibly also with some major metamorphic core
complexes in NW Thailand, the Doi Inthanon and Doi
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Figure 6a. Photomicrograph of part of the M54 probe section, showing the typical mylonitic
sillimanite-bearing domain at top right, but primarily showing the coarse white mica and andalusitebearing domain that may reflect a zone of late high-T fluid infiltration. Garnet 2 is in the center left,
andalusite is the pale gray moderate relief phase in the lower right.
Suthep core complexes [Dunning et al., 1995; Barr et al.,

2002; MacDonald et al., 1993].
3. Mogok Metamorphic Belt (MMB)

[17] The MMB includes a variety of paragneisses,
orthogneisses and migmatites with at least two, possibly
more, generations of tourmaline + garnet (Grt) + biotite (Bt)
muscovite (Ms) leucogranites. The main lithologies exposed are diopside + phlogopite + spinel + tremolite
marbles and calc-silicates that host gem-quality rubies.
Some marbles are exceptionally pure. Micaceous quartzites
are common and pelitic rocks relatively rare. Sillimanite,
kyanite, and staurolite-bearing schists and gneisses occur
around Kyanigan and elsewhere along the MMB. One
sample of highly deformed sillimanite gneiss, also containing garnet, biotite and earlier relic andalusite, partly
replaced by late muscovite, was collected from Kyaukse
(sample M54; 213602500N; 96903300E; Figures 4 and 5a)
for U-Th-Pb dating. This sample contains weakly zoned
garnets, where Mn decreases slightly toward the rim, then
shows a sharp increase at the rim itself (Figures 6a and 6b).
Mg shows a similar but inverted pattern. These features are
characteristic of almost homogenized garnet that has undergone late retrograde resorption. We infer that the rock
was intensely deformed at high temperatures, in the sillimanite stability field. The best estimate for peak metamor-
phism, calculated with the Grt-Bt geothermometer of

Holdaway [2000] (calibration 5AV) in combination with
THERMOCALC 3.25 in average P mode for the assemblage Grt (inner rim) + Bt + Ms + sillimanite (Sil) +
Figure 6b. Compositional zoning profile across the largest

analyzed garnet in sample M54. Error bars are 2 sigma
uncertainties on the cation mole fraction.
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Table 1a. Microprobe Analyses From Sample M54

Mineral
Location
SiO2
TiO2
Al2O3
Cr2O3
FeO
MnO
MgO
CaO
Na2O
K2O
ZnO
Total
Number of oxygens
Si
Ti
Al
Cr
Fe
Mn
Mg
Ca
Na
K
Zn
Sum
Mg/(Mg + Fe)
Grt
Bt
Ms
Pl
location 2 inner rim

36.72
0.00
21.09
0.01
32.45
6.57
2.31
1.61
0.26
0.00
0.00
101.03
location 2 mean
35.02
2.02
19.35
0.03
20.27
0.18
8.17
0.10
0.29
9.22
0.05
94.69
location 2 mean
45.72
0.73
36.37
0.03
0.92
0.03
0.50
0.01
0.56
8.92
0.03
93.83
location 2 mean
60.45
0.01
25.19
0.05
0.10
0.00
0.00
6.35
7.77
0.02
0.02
99.96
12
2.960
0.000
2.004
0.001
2.187
0.449
0.278
0.139
0.040
0.000
0.000
8.058
0.113
22
5.391
0.234
3.512
0.004
2.610
0.023
1.874
0.017
0.085
1.811
0.005
15.566
0.418
22
6.108
0.073
5.727
0.003
0.103
0.003
0.099
0.002
0.146
1.521
0.003
13.787
0.491
8
2.689
0.000
1.320
0.002
0.004
0.000
0.000
0.302
0.670
0.001
0.001
4.989
plagioclase (Pl) + quartz (Qtz) is 625 25C and 4.8

0.9 kbar. Garnet-biotite temperatures for the retrograde
equilibrium of garnet outer rims are 550 25C (Table 1a).
[18] In Belin quarry (214005800N; 96074400E) a quartz +
plagioclase + K-feldspar + biotite granite dike 1 1.2 m
wide, with a weak flow banding fabric cuts across diopside +
spinel marbles and calc-silicates interbanded with layered
felsic gneisses, sillimanite gneisses, migmatites and early
biotite granite sills that contain xenoliths of the metamorphic
rocks (Figure 5b). Ductile fabrics in the gneisses are truncated at the margins of the dike and therefore must be earlier
than the dike. Sample M33 was collected for U-Th-Pb dating
from this locality to constrain the minimum timing of
metamorphism and associated ductile fabric development
(see section 4).
[19] K-feldspar augen gneisses represent metamorphosed
intrusions of biotite granodiorite granite that have been
subjected to high-temperature metamorphism and postcrystallization ductile deformation. Sample M4 (220501400N;
960901300E) is a heterogeneous granitic gneiss (K-feldspar >
plagioclase) from Kyanigan quarry containing bands of
rounded, millimeter-sized garnets, sillimanite-rich stringers,
scattered biotite, some tourmaline and relic andalusite.
Unzoned garnets are presumed to have been in equilibrium
with Bt, Sil, Pl, Kfs and Qtz at the maximum metamorphic
temperature reached. Garnet-biotite geothermometry combined with THERMOCALC 3.25 in average P mode gave a
relatively poorly constrained result of about 680C at 4.9
1.7 kbar (Table 1b). In situ quartz + tourmaline + garnet
leucogranite melts (sample M5) are seen emanating from
the augen gneiss (sample M4) and intruding along the

dominant fabric in the gneiss (Figure 5c). Field relations
in Kyanigan quarry supported by geochronological data
suggest that the leucogranites were derived from in situ
melting of the augen gneiss, a protolith not usually thought
to be a suitable source rock. Another tourmaline + garnet +
two-mica leucogranitic gneiss (sample M52; 213602.900N;
960805900E) was collected from Kyaukse (Figure 4), also
for dating.
[20] In the northern MMB around Mogok town the
youngest phase of magmatism appears to be a suite of
nepheline syenites that contain gem quality sapphires intruding marble, gneiss and cutting metamorphic fabrics. In
the southern part of the MMB, a biotite syenogranite from
Yesin Dam yielded a U-Pb zircon (SHRIMP) age of 22.6
0.4 Ma, interpreted as the magmatic age [Barley et al.,
2003]. The youngest igneous phase in the MMB in the
Mandalay area is a suite of undeformed biotite granites and
syenogranites that crosscut all earlier lithologies and ductile
fabrics. Similar late granites include the Nattaung granite
sheets to the south [Mitchell et al., 2007]. Others form large
plutons that may be part of a regional batholith. These
include the undeformed Sedo granite and the Kabaing
granite in the Mogok area; the latter has an 40Ar/39Ar age
of 15.8 1.1 Ma [Bertrand et al., 2001].
[21] Deformation fabrics along the MMB are variable and
there are at least two phases of ductile fabric formation,
each cut by crosscutting undeformed granitc dikes. Early,
ductile metamorphic planar fabrics have also been subjected
to subsequent clockwise rotation and dextral shearing along
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Table 1b. Microprobe Analyses From Sample M4

Mineral
Grt
Bt
Pl
Pl
Kfs
Location
SiO2
TiO2
Al2O3
Cr2O3
FeO
MnO
MgO
CaO
Na2O
K2O
ZnO
Total
core
36.18
0.00
20.68
0.02
34.81
3.85
3.01
0.86
0.20
0.00
0.00
99.60
with Sil
35.27
2.54
19.53
0.03
21.39
0.22
6.85
0.01
0.17
10.22
0.10
96.33
with Bt
63.01
0.01
23.43
0.05
0.10
0.01
0.02
4.12
9.22
0.22
0.04
100.23
with Grt
63.08
0.00
23.06
0.03
0.08
0.00
0.00
3.79
9.35
0.22
0.02
99.64
mean
65.48
0.02
18.98
0.03
0.06
0.01
0.00
0.05
1.84
14.83
0.07
101.36
Number of oxygens
Si
Ti
Al
Cr
Fe
Mn
Mg
Ca
Na
K
Zn
Sum
Mg/(Mg+Fe)
12
2.956
0.000
1.991
0.001
2.378
0.266
0.366
0.075
0.032
0.000
0.000
8.066
0.134
22
5.390
0.292
3.518
0.003
2.733
0.028
1.561
0.002
0.050
1.991
0.011
15.579
0.364
8
2.783
0.000
1.220
0.002
0.004
0.000
0.002
0.195
0.789
0.013
0.001
5.009
8
2.800
0.000
1.207
0.001
0.003
0.000
0.000
0.180
0.805
0.012
0.001
5.009
8
2.976
0.001
1.017
0.001
0.002
0.000
0.001
0.002
0.162
0.860
0.002
5.025
the Sagaing fault [Bertrand and Rangin, 2003]. Kinematic

indicators, such as rotated porphyroclasts and C-S fabrics
are common, but do not give a consistent sense of shear
along the belt. It is clear, however, that all the ductile
deformation fabrics were imposed prior to shearing along
the Sagaing fault. Later NNW-SSE aligned stretching lineations related to regional NNW-SSE transtension are prominent along the length of the MMB [Bertrand and Rangin,
2003].
[22] Chhibber [1934] originally considered the metamorphism as Precambrian age. Searle and Haq [1964], Thein et
al. [1998] and Mitchell et al. [2004] regarded the diopside
tremolite marbles of the MMB as metamorphosed equivalents of Permian and Ordovician limestones exposed in the
Shan Plateau to the east. On the basis of stratigraphic and
structural analysis, Mitchell [1992] concluded that rocks of
the Mogok belt consisted of both Precambrian metamorphic
rocks, and Paleozoic units of the Shan Plateau metamorphosed in the Late Triassic Early Jurassic and possibly a
final early Miocene event. Barley et al. [2003] dated a suite
of hornblende-biotite granodiorites from Yebokson, and
orthogneisses from the Mandalay hills and Kyanikan as
Jurassic Early Cretaceous (170 120 Ma). These orthogneisses were recrystallized during an Eocene (43 Ma)
high-grade metamorphic event and intruded by a final phase
of synkinematic leucogranites and hornblende syenites
between 35 and 23 Ma [Barley et al., 2003].
[23] In order to constrain the ages of peak metamorphism
and magmatism along the MMB in more detail, we ana-
lyzed samples of schist, gneiss and leucogranite for petrology, thermobarometry and U-Th-Pb dating.
4. Analytical Methods
[24] This study makes use of two complimentary analytical
techniques, isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry (ID-TIMS) and laser ablationmulticollectorinductively
coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICPMS) to
obtain U-Th-Pb isotopic data. All geochronology analytical
work was undertaken at the Natural Environment Research
Council Isotope Geoscience Laboratories (NIGL) at the
British Geological Survey. Zircon, monazite, xenotime and
thorite were separated by standard crushing, heavy liquid,
and isodynamic magnetic separation techniques. Dated minerals were handpicked under ethanol, and only the highest
quality crack-free grains were selected for analysis. Ages
were calculated using the U decay constants of Jaffey et al.
[1971], and the Th decay constant of Le Roux and Glendenin
[1963] and Amelin and Zaitsev [2002]. Pbdat [Ludwig, 1993]
was used for TIMS raw data reduction and an in-house excel
spreadsheet for LA-MC-ICPMS data processing. Calculated
ages and data plots for both TIMS and LA-MC-ICPMS data
were generated using Isoplot [Ludwig, 2003]. Tables 2, 3a
and 3b contain the full data set. All errors in data tables and
concordia plots are quoted at the 2s confidence level.
4.1. ID-TIMS
[25] Prior to dissolution selected monazites, zircons,
xenotimes, and thorites were washed in distilled 2N
10 of 24
11 of 24
2159
3095
13.2
19.6
3544
5.1
2824
1595
3.6
6.6
2446
5.7
1960
16.0
58.60
41.14
56.37
224.7
99.70
143.5
171.0
133683 2029
9.0
19566 74.94
5.5
119.4
65.02
107.6
180.1
5032 63.90
30852 176.6
7758
4693
7180
15609
2.1
2.6
4.4
3.5
209.2
346.9
262.1
222.8
Pb,
ppm
4.6
4.1
20702
14220
16839
14602
U,
ppm
12.9
18.4
7.7
8.3
Weight,
mg
30
14
10
12
4.1
14
24
73
1.4
2.4
100
3.0
2.7
3.8
4.6
37
55
18
17
Common
Pb,
pg
613.2
601.7
550.6
639.0
568.8
424.6
692.9
8878
19043
3019
371.8
2050
3196
3704
4148
2517
2096
3168
2858
Pb/204Pbc
206
3.544
3.643
3.931
10.15
10.24
9.123
0.1164
1.024
0.004681
0.33
0.65
0.51
Sample M54
0.004571
0.004657
0.73
0.006524
0.59
0.92
Sample M52
0.006626
0.006366
0.34
0.008266
0.14
Sample M33
0.008460
0.15
0.21
Sample M5
0.005103
0.004375
0.11
0.26
0.31
0.19
0.15
0.25
0.16
0.15
0.16
0.005951
0.005888
0.005781
0.005609
Sample M4
0.005443
0.006889
0.006966
0.006193
Pb/238Ud Error
206
0.004203
0.01322
1.823
0.2866
1.941
1.675
1.950
1.328
1.085
3.018
1.530
1.795
Pb/206Pbd
208
0.03050
0.03019
0.02943
0.04034
0.03825
0.04040
0.05381
0.05472
0.02707
0.03116
0.02702
0.03763
0.03737
0.03657
0.03486
0.03312
0.04291
0.04387
0.03883
0.81
0.74
0.82
0.77
0.81
1.07
0.67
0.16
0.13
0.20
1.77
0.28
0.32
0.21
0.18
0.40
0.35
0.19
0.21
Pb/235Ud Error
207
Atomic Ratios
0.04726
0.04701
0.04669
0.04485
0.04358
0.04422
0.04721
0.04691
0.04672
0.04429
0.04479
0.04587
0.04603
0.04588
0.04507
0.04414
0.04518
0.04568
0.04547
0.74
0.35
0.64
0.24
0.55
0.54
0.58
0.07
0.07
0.14
1.76
0.11
0.07
0.09
0.10
0.31
0.31
0.11
0.13
Pb/206Pbd Error
207
30.10
29.95
29.40
41.92
40.91
42.57
53.07
54.31
27.03
32.81
28.14
38.25
37.84
37.16
36.06
34.99
44.26
44.75
39.80
Pb-238U
206
30.51
30.20
29.45
40.15
38.12
40.21
53.21
54.10
27.12
31.16
27.07
37.51
37.25
36.47
34.79
33.09
42.66
43.60
38.68
Pb-235U
207
Pb-206Pb rhoe
0.95
64.09
62.48
49.93
0.40
0.88
0.62
0.73
134.5
33.45
0.86
0.51
0.88
0.86
98.70
59.84
44.83
34.80
0.74
0.10
0.93
0.98
0.91
0.84
9.45
0.67
8.65
51.98
94.42
67.21
0.64
0.46
0.81
0.79
103.1
45.95
19.34
30.55
207
Ages, Ma
a
Fraction abbreviations are mo, monazite; zr, zircon; th, thorite; xe, xenotime; l:w aspect ratio; abr, air abraded; eu, euhedral; sub, subhedral; ye, yellow; gr, green; dk, dark green; cl, colorless; oi, opaque
inclusions; ci, colorless inclusions; length (mm); (x), number of grains analyzed.
b
Maximum errors are 20%. Weights were measured on a Cahn C32 microbalance or calculated from grain dimensions measured on binocular microscope photos.
c
Measured ratio corrected for mass fractionation and common Pb in the 205Pb/235U spike.
d
Corrected for mass fractionation, spike, laboratory blank Pb and U, and initial common Pb [Stacey and Kramers, 1975] (calculated at 30 Ma, with an uncertainty of 2% propagated through calculations).
The laboratory blank Pb composition is 206Pb/204Pb:207Pb/204Pb:208Pb/204Pb = 17.46:15.55:37.32. Quoted errors are 2 sigma (% for atomic ratios, absolute for ages).
e
The 207Pb/235U 206Pb/238U error correlation coefficient is calculated following Ludwig [1993].
17. mo 1:1 3:1 sub, cl, oi,

30 40 mm (48)
18. mo 1:1 3:1 sub, cl, oi,
30 40 mm (50)
19. mo 1:1 3:1 sub, cl, oi,
30 40 mm (50)
14. mo 2:1 3:1 sub, ye,

60 mm (8)
15. mo 2:1 3:1 sub, ye,
60 mm (9)
16. mo 2:1 3:1 sub, ye,
60 mm (11)
12. th 2:1 3:1 eu, dg, oi,

80 100 mm (2)
13. zr 3:1 5:1 eu, cl, ci,
200 400 mm (4)
9. mo, 1:1, eu, ye, 80 mm (4)

10. mo, 2:1, eu, gr, oi, ci,
80 mm (1)
11. xe, 2:1, eu, gr, ci, 80 mm (1)
1.
2.
3.
4.
mo,1:1, eu, ye, ci, 250 mm (1)

mo, 1:1 eu, ye, ci, 300 mm (1)
mo, 3:1, eu, ye, 100 mm (2)
mo, 3:1 eu, ye, ci,
70 90 mm (5)
5. mo, 2:1 eu, ye, 70 mm (6)
6. mo, 2:1 eu, ye, 70 mm (7)
7. mo, 2:1 eu, ye, 110 mm (1)
8. mo, 2:1 eu, ye, 130 mm (1)
Fractions
Concentrationsb
Table 2. Mogok Belt U-Pb TIMS Data
TC3014
TC3014
TC3014
TC3014
Table 3a. U-Pb LA-MC-ICPMS Data

Uncorrected Isotopic Ratios
a
207
Pb/
207
Pb
2s, %
206
Pb/
238
2s, %
207
Pb/
Uncorrected Ages
235
2s, %
Rho
206
238
Pb/
Pb/235U
U, ppm
004-1
004-2
005-1
005-2
009-1
009-2
003-1
003-2
8999.81
8788.20
2727.78
2389.79
17097.54
19557.67
12629.68
16817.97
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
3.27
3.45
7.75
6.59
3.08
2.60
2.80
2.86
0.00
0.00
0.01
0.01
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Sample
2.51
2.51
2.52
2.54
2.50
2.51
2.51
2.54
M5 Xenotime
0.03
4.12
0.03
4.27
0.04
8.15
0.03
7.06
0.02
3.97
0.02
3.61
0.03
3.76
0.02
3.82
0.61
0.59
0.31
0.36
0.63
0.70
0.67
0.66
30.87
30.93
35.21
34.58
24.61
24.37
25.01
23.89
0.78
0.78
0.89
0.88
0.62
0.61
0.63
0.61
31.20
31.46
35.39
33.92
24.31
24.63
25.43
23.91
1.30
1.36
2.93
2.43
0.98
0.90
0.97
0.92
005-1
005-2
005-3
015-1
015-2
006-1
006-2
79941.47
72605.58
82615.32
80845.68
85196.17
72864.14
92129.50
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
6.63
6.64
6.63
7.00
6.67
6.65
6.65
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
Sample
3.13
3.18
3.09
3.25
3.14
3.27
3.10
M33 Thorite
0.06
7.33
0.06
7.36
0.06
7.32
0.06
7.72
0.07
7.38
0.06
7.41
0.06
7.34
0.43
0.43
0.42
0.42
0.43
0.44
0.42
59.55
58.48
59.39
57.91
60.07
56.35
58.88
1.87
1.87
1.85
1.89
1.89
1.85
1.84
59.50
58.93
58.87
61.41
63.97
57.18
58.85
4.48
4.45
4.42
4.87
4.86
4.35
4.43
Common Pb Corrected Isotopic Ratiosd

c
f206%
207
Pb/
207
Pb
2s%
206
Pb/
238
2s%
207
Pb/
2s, Ma
207
Name
2s, Ma
Common Pb Corrected Ages

235
2s%
Rho
206
238
Pb/
2s (Ma)
207
Pb/235U
2s, Ma
004-1
004-2
005-1
005-2
009-1
009-2
003-1
003-2
1.04
0.48
3.38
2.43
0.67
0.81
0.85
0.29
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.05
15.68
14.03
50.04
53.83
10.81
9.30
13.31
10.36
0.00
0.00
0.01
0.01
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Sample
2.48
2.50
3.11
3.28
2.46
2.46
2.54
2.49
M5 Xenotime
0.03
15.88
0.03
14.25
0.03
50.13
0.03
53.93
0.02
11.09
0.02
9.62
0.02
13.55
0.02
10.66
0.16
0.18
0.06
0.06
0.22
0.26
0.19
0.23
31.24
31.40
35.04
34.78
24.93
24.67
25.41
24.34
0.78
0.79
1.09
1.14
0.61
0.61
0.65
0.61
28.38
28.53
27.79
27.34
21.44
22.31
23.30
24.71
4.56
4.12
14.03
14.83
2.40
2.17
3.19
2.66
005-1
005-2
005-3
015-1
015-2
006-1
006-2
0.09
0.09
0.10
0.45
0.38
0.17
0.11
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
3.37
3.70
3.34
4.09
3.44
4.83
3.43
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
Sample
3.42
3.46
3.39
3.50
3.44
3.52
3.38
M33 Thorite
0.06
4.80
0.06
5.07
0.06
4.75
0.06
5.39
0.06
4.87
0.06
5.98
0.06
4.82
0.71
0.68
0.71
0.65
0.71
0.59
0.70
60.05
59.10
60.03
58.11
60.42
56.57
59.75
2.06
2.05
2.04
2.04
2.09
2.00
2.03
58.12
59.34
60.51
58.77
61.10
55.86
60.03
2.87
3.09
2.96
3.25
3.06
3.43
2.97
U content in ppm accurate to approximately 10%.

Rho is the error correlation defined as err206Pb/238U/err207Pb/235U.
c
Percentage of 206Pb that is common.
d
Isotopic ratios are corrected for common Pb. Common Pb correction based on a single-stage model [Stacey and Kramers, 1975] and the interpreted age
of the crystal.
b
HNO3 at 60C followed by ultrapure water. Monazites

and xenotimes were then spiked with a 205Pb/235U tracer,
dissolved in 10.5 N HCl at 180 C for 3 days in Parrish-type
PFA Teflon microcapsules [Parrish, 1987], dried down and
converted to chloride form with 3.1 M HCl at 140 C for
12 hours prior to chemistry. Zircon and thorite dissolutions
were performed with 29M HF trace HNO3 for 3 days at
240 C, and converted for chemistry as with xenotime and
monazite. U and Pb chemical separations followed [Krogh,
1973] with modifications [Corfu and Noble, 1992]. Data
were obtained on a VG 354 mass spectrometer with an ioncounting Daly detector following [Noble et al., 1993] and
on a ThermoElectron Triton fitted with a modified Mascom
high linearity ion-counting secondary electron multiplier
(SEM) [Noble et al., 2006]. Procedural blanks were <10 pg Pb
and <0.1 pg U. All data were reduced assuming a maximum

of a 10 pg procedural blank, the remainder being allocated
to common Pb intrinsic to the mineral. The common Pb
isotope composition was estimated using the two-stage
model of [Stacey and Kramers, 1975].
4.2. LA-MC-ICPMS
[26] Separated grains were mounted in 25 mm epoxy
resin discs, doubly polished to reveal equatorial cross
sections and carbon coated. Backscatter electron (BSE)
images were acquired for all grains using a scanning
electron microscope (SEM) (Figure 7). Grains that displayed complex BSE patterns were further imaged for Y
and Th using an electron microprobe (EMP) in order to gain
information on the internal compositional zonation and
12 of 24
Th,a
ppm
31726
43727
45001
42607
30134
34690
32367
38409
39931
115887
104227
46209
22829
58879
49077
43854
30341
42895
30150
32605
31945
33072
13108
33906
22827
21716
20470
19543
29687
57865
33747
70684
66773
80775
22670
36888
80465
43631
41255
Name
A 020-1
A 017-1
A 017-2
A 005-1
A 003-1
A 007-1
A 004-1
A 010-1
A 012-1
B 015-1
B 015-2
B 013-1
B 004-1
B 010-2
B 013-2
B 016-2
A 005-2
A 012-2
L 001-1
L 001-2
L 003-1
L 005-1
001-3
L 006-1
R 011-1
R 001-1
R 001-2
R 002-1
13 of 24
004-1a
031-1
002-1
025-1
018-1
027-1
032-1
032-2
028-1
015-1
007-1
0.0072
0.0081
0.0072
0.0074
0.0074
0.0075
0.0072
0.0065
0.0072
0.0072
0.0081
0.0036
0.0037
0.0051
0.0036
0.0039
0.0037
0.0053
0.0037
0.0037
0.0038
1.71
2.02
1.91
1.77
1.64
1.65
3.12
2.62
1.54
1.57
1.65
2.27
2.14
2.23
2.21
2.35
2.19
2.27
2.18
2.17
2.18
0.0023
0.0023
0.0020
0.0023
0.0022
0.0023
0.0020
0.0022
0.0024
0.0022
0.0023
0.0012
0.0012
0.0016
0.0012
0.0013
0.0012
0.0018
0.0012
0.0012
0.0013
1.20
1.38
1.38
1.29
1.35
1.21
2.14
2.10
1.91
1.84
1.73
2.61
2.63
2.66
2.64
2.78
2.68
2.68
2.65
2.69
2.62
5.19
5.20
5.20
5.30
5.20
3.06
3.06
3.09
3.06
3.07
3.15
3.15
3.07
3.97
3.98
4.02
3.98
4.04
3.98
0.0018
0.0031
0.0019
0.0017
0.0016
0.0018
0.0030
0.0020
0.0017
0.0016
0.0029
0.0029
0.0020
0.0019
0.0019
0.0018
0.0019
0.0020
0.0018
0.0062
0.0102
0.0065
0.0061
0.0063
0.0060
0.0093
0.0063
0.0058
0.0055
0.0100
0.0096
0.0064
0.0069
0.0062
0.0062
0.0061
0.0064
0.0062
8.75
8.76
8.75
8.75
8.74
3.77
3.81
3.76
3.75
3.79
3.78
5.16
5.06
2.99
2.95
3.04
2.95
2.92
2.95
Pb/232Th 2s, %
208
Pb/238U 2s%
206
45.9
52.0
46.0
47.8
47.3
47.9
46.3
41.5
46.1
46.2
51.9
22.9
23.6
32.9
23.5
25.1
24.0
33.8
23.7
24.0
24.7
40.1
65.1
41.7
39.1
40.6
38.5
59.7
40.7
37.4
35.4
63.9
61.4
40.8
44.1
39.7
40.1
39.4
41.2
39.6
0.8
1.1
0.9
0.8
0.8
0.8
1.5
1.1
0.7
0.7
0.9
0.5
0.5
0.7
0.5
0.6
0.5
0.8
0.5
0.5
0.5
3.5
5.7
3.7
3.4
3.6
1.5
2.3
1.5
1.4
1.3
2.4
3.2
2.1
1.3
1.2
1.2
1.2
1.2
1.2
Pb/238U 2s, Ma
206
0.0063
0.0103
0.0065
0.0061
0.0064
0.0061
0.0095
0.0063
0.0060
0.0056
0.0102
0.0096
0.0064
0.0069
0.0063
0.0063
0.0062
0.0066
0.0062
0.0036
0.0038
0.0051
0.0037
0.0040
0.0038
0.0053
0.0037
0.0038
0.0039
0.0073
0.0079
0.0068
0.0073
0.0078
0.0076
0.0068
0.0073
0.0068
0.0067
0.0088
Sample M4 Monazite
36.8
1.9
0.9
62.4
3.3
0.2
37.7
2.0
0.6
33.4
1.8
0.3
33.2
1.7
0.5
36.2
1.1
0.2
59.8
1.8
1.3
39.7
1.2
1.9
35.1
1.1
0.3
32.4
1.0
0.8
58.9
1.9
0.6
58.4
1.8
0.1
39.5
1.2
0.5
39.2
1.6
1.2
38.4
1.5
0.6
36.7
1.5
0.7
38.7
1.5
0.5
39.6
1.6
0.3
37.2
1.5
0.8
Sample M5 Monazite
24.3
0.6
0.2
24.8
0.7
0.2
33.3
0.9
0.4
25.2
0.7
0.4
25.9
0.7
0.2
24.9
0.7
0.4
36.2
1.0
1.9
25.1
0.7
0.4
25.1
0.7
0.2
26.4
0.7
0.8
Sample M52 Monazite
46.6
0.6
1.3
45.7
0.6
4.9
40.3
0.6
2.7
45.7
0.6
0.0
45.0
0.6
1.4
46.3
0.6
2.5
40.4
0.9
8.4
45.1
0.9
4.9
47.6
0.9
5.8
44.0
0.8
4.7
46.3
0.8
2.9
3.05
6.30
9.19
3.65
3.82
3.15
17.25
8.25
4.11
7.45
5.86
2.09
1.81
3.12
1.90
2.60
1.94
3.24
1.97
1.95
2.05
7.73
7.25
7.30
7.22
7.28
4.36
4.61
4.38
4.20
4.23
4.13
4.27
4.16
3.62
3.13
3.04
3.07
3.36
3.37
Pb/238U 2s, %
206
0.0023
0.0023
0.0020
0.0023
0.0022
0.0023
0.0020
0.0023
0.0023
0.0021
0.0023
0.0012
0.0012
0.0016
0.0012
0.0012
0.0012
0.0018
0.0013
0.0012
0.0012
0.0018
0.0030
0.0018
0.0017
0.0016
0.0018
0.0029
0.0019
0.0018
0.0016
0.0029
0.0029
0.0019
0.0019
0.0019
0.0018
0.0019
0.0020
0.0018
2.26
1.58
2.79
1.54
1.72
1.42
3.44
2.68
2.21
2.49
2.51
4.04
4.01
3.73
4.16
8.47
3.45
3.57
4.13
5.77
4.52
6.05
5.49
5.68
5.53
6.11
3.79
3.43
3.67
3.78
3.70
3.14
3.17
3.40
5.36
4.17
4.11
4.37
4.53
4.44
Pb/232Th 2s, %
208
Pb/232Th 2s, Ma f206%c
208
Uncorrected Ages
47.0
50.8
44.0
47.1
50.0
49.0
43.8
46.7
43.4
42.8
56.5
23.3
24.2
32.6
23.8
25.4
24.5
34.0
24.1
24.4
24.9
40.5
65.9
42.1
39.1
41.1
39.4
60.8
40.2
38.3
36.2
65.2
61.9
41.3
44.1
40.4
40.5
40.1
42.4
39.8
1.4
3.2
4.1
1.7
1.9
1.5
7.6
3.9
1.8
3.2
3.3
0.5
0.4
1.0
0.5
0.7
0.5
1.1
0.5
0.5
0.5
3.1
4.8
3.1
2.8
3.0
1.7
2.8
1.8
1.6
1.5
2.7
2.7
1.7
1.6
1.3
1.2
1.2
1.4
1.3
Pb/238U 2s, Ma
206
47.3
45.9
40.0
45.8
45.4
46.9
39.6
46.6
46.9
43.0
47.0
23.9
24.6
32.8
24.5
24.1
24.3
35.6
25.3
24.3
25.0
36.4
61.5
37.0
33.4
33.1
35.6
59.4
38.6
35.4
31.7
59.0
58.3
39.1
37.7
38.5
36.2
38.7
40.2
36.6
1.1
0.7
1.1
0.7
0.8
0.7
1.4
1.3
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.0
1.0
1.2
1.0
2.0
0.8
1.3
1.0
1.4
1.1
2.2
3.4
2.1
1.8
2.0
1.4
2.0
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.9
1.9
1.3
2.0
1.6
1.5
1.7
1.8
1.6
Pb/232Th 2s, Ma
208
11.9
36.2
26.9
24.5
24.2
21.4
33.2
30.9
30.5
33.6
23.0
0.8
0.8
5.1
0.9
0.9
1.0
6.3
0.9
0.8
1.0
4.0
4.1
3.9
3.8
3.1
8.7
4.8
3.7
3.5
13.5
12.9
4.1
3.4
5.6
4.0
3.8
4.3
4.2
Th/Ub
Table 3b. U-Th-Pb LA-MC-ICPMS Data
TC3014
TC3014
52.3
51.8
52.3
49.9
51.4
49.9
52.2
Pb/232Th 2s, Ma
Th content in ppm accurate to approximately 10%.

Normalized to Th/U ratio of the standard and is therefore corrected for Th-U plasma fractionation.
Percentage of 206Pb that is common.
d
Isotopic ratios are corrected for common Pb. Common Pb correction based on a single-stage model [Stacey and Kramers, 1975] and the interpreted age of the crystal.
2.6
2.9
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.8
2.6
208769
214016
225184
220815
229921
206420
235009
005-1
005-2
005-3
015-1
015-2
006-1
006-2
Sample M33 Thorite

52.5
1.6
0.1
51.9
1.5
0.1
52.2
1.6
0.1
50.4
1.7
0.5
51.9
2.3
0.4
50.1
1.6
0.2
52.1
1.7
0.1
1.9
1.9
1.8
1.9
1.9
1.8
1.8
59.5
58.5
59.4
57.9
60.1
56.4
58.9
2.99
2.96
3.04
3.35
4.41
3.28
3.28
0.0026
0.0026
0.0026
0.0025
0.0026
0.0025
0.0026
3.13
3.18
3.09
3.25
3.14
3.27
3.10
0.0093
0.0091
0.0093
0.0090
0.0094
0.0088
0.0092
Pb/
U 2s%
Pb/
Th/U
Name
3.10
3.10
3.16
3.60
4.50
3.39
3.41
0.0026
0.0026
0.0026
0.0025
0.0025
0.0025
0.0026
3.42
3.46
3.39
3.50
3.44
3.52
3.38
0.0094
0.0092
0.0094
0.0091
0.0094
0.0088
0.0093
U 2s, %
Pb/
Th 2s, Ma f206%
Pb/
U 2s, Ma
Pb/
Th 2s, %
206
232
208
238
206
b
Th,a
ppm
Table 3b. (continued)
60.0
59.1
60.0
58.1
60.4
56.6
59.7
2.1
2.1
2.0
2.0
2.1
2.0
2.0
208
U 2s, Ma
Th 2s, %
Pb/
232
208
238
206
c
232
208
238
Uncorrected Ages
206
Pb/
238
1.6
1.6
1.7
1.8
2.3
1.7
1.8
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TC3014
growth history. BSE, Y and Th images were also used to

select spot locations for analysis. U-Th-Pb isotope spot
analyses (35 mm diameter 20 mm deep for monazite,
50 mm diameter 15 mm deep for xenotime, and
10 mm diameter 5 mm deep for thorite) were obtained via
a laser ablation plasma ionization multicollector mass
spectrometer (LA-MC-ICPMS). The method employed here
modified from Horstwood et al. [2003] uses a pseudosimultaneous static acquisition with an extra static acquisition
to collect 232Th.
5. U-Th-Pb Geochronology
5.1. M4 K-Feldspar Augen Gneiss, Kyanigan Quarry
[27] Monazites separated from Kyanigan augen gneiss
(M4) are translucent yellowish-green squat subhedral
prisms with long axes typically ranging from 100 to
180 mm in length. BSE images (Figures 7a 7c) reveal a
complex chemical petrography with the majority of grains
displaying patchy zoning where significant portions of the
grain have been recrystallized. Some crystals preserve a
multidomain (in BSE) core mantled by a thick, relatively
homogeneous rim. Remnant oscillatory zoning is also
preserved in a few crystals. All of the grains examined
contain abundant microinclusions predominately of quartz
and K-feldspar with rare zircon and thorite also present.
5.1.1. ID-TIMS
[28] Eight single and multigrain flawless subhedral monazite fractions were analyzed by ID-TIMS with the results
shown in Figure 8a. All analyses are reversely discordant
and form an array above and parallel to concordia with
207
Pb/235U ages ranging between 33.1 and 43.6 Ma. As the
end-members of the ID-TIMS data array have not been
replicated, the maximum and minimum ages of metamorphic monazite in this rock cannot be determined with any
degree of confidence. In an attempt to resolve the age of this
rock additional grains were analyzed by LA-MC-ICPMS.
5.1.2. LA-MC-ICPMS
[29] Nineteen analyses were obtained from 13 grains via
the LA-MC-ICPMS method (Figure 8b). The majority of
analyses display minor reverse discordance, as noted in the
TIMS analyses, which we attribute to the incorporation of
excess 230Th leading to an excess of 206Pb [Scharer, 1984;
Parrish, 1990]. With this in mind we take the 208Pb*/232Th
(where Pb* represents the radiogenic Pb, the total Pb minus
common Pb) dates as the most reliable estimates of the ages
of these grains. The data show two distinct clusters, one at
31 Ma to 40 Ma and the other at 59 Ma. On the basis
of good agreement between the youngest ID-TIMS and LAMC-ICPMS analyses our best estimate of the cessation of
monazite growth recording high-grade metamorphism in
M4 is 31 33 Ma. We interpret the oldest age component in
the younger group of analyses (at 40 Ma) to represent the
earliest phase of monazite growth associated with this
metamorphic event.. In the light of the ICP data, the two
> 40 Ma TIMS monazite analyses are interpreted as
representing mixtures of 31 40 Ma and 59 Ma domains.
The remaining 4 analyses define a 208Pb*/232Th weighted
mean age of 59 1 Ma with a mean squared weighted
14 of 24
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Figure 7. Backscatter electron (BSE) images of minerals analyzed. Circles represent positions of LA-MCICPMS spot analyses with the ages (208Pb*/232Th ages for monazite and 207Pb/235U ages for xenotime and
thorite) for each analysis. Prefixes M, X, and T refer to grain type: monazite, xenotime, and thorite,
respectively. Note that gray scale intensities are not necessarily directly comparable between images. Sample
M4, K-feldspar augen gneiss, Kyanigan quarry: (a) image of grain M-A22 which comprises a thick
homogeneous rim surrounding a complex multidomain core that contains inclusions of K-feldspar, (b) image
of grain M-B15, an older grain that preserves patchy zoning where portions of the grain have been
recrystallized; (c) image of grain M-B10, this grain preserves a multidomain core mantled by a thick, relatively
homogeneous rim. Sample M5, Tourmaline quartz leucogranite Kyanigan quarry: (d) image of grain X-R3,
displaying oscillatory zoning with large ovoid zircon inclusion, (e) image of grain X-R4, internally
homogeneous grain with a thin 24 Ma(?) rim; (f) image of grain X-R5, surrounded by a rim of 24 Ma(?)
xenotime; (g) image of grain M-L1, an example of a typical monazite from M5, a large homogeneous grain
with little internal structure evident; (h) image of grain M-R2, a homogeneous grain with faint oscillatory
zoning toward the center of the grain; (i) image of grain M-R1, a homogeneous grain with rare microinclusions
of quartz and K-feldspar. Sample M52, Tourmaline 2 mica leucogranite Kyaukse hills: (j) image of grain M25, an equant grain with patchy zoning; (k) image of grain M-32 a homogeneous core surrounded by a thin
rim, the core contains numerous inclusions of quartz; (l) image of grain M-4, in which an equant core has been
partially resorbed prior to overgrowth of a thick, and in places oscillatory zoned, rim. Sample M33, Biotite
granite dike, Belin quarry: (m) image of grain T-006; (n) image of grain T-005; (o) image of grain T-015. The
three images show evidence of alteration, in the form of hydration along cracks and near inclusions. Outside
the altered areas the grains are internally very homogeneous. Sample M54, Kyanite staurolite schist, Kyaushe
north: (p) and (q) image of representative monazite grains showing inclusions of muscovite, quartz, and
ilmenite; (r) field of view showing typical textural setting of monazite (arrowed), occurring as elongate grains
subparallel to foliation within mica-rich pods: bt, biotite; ms, muscovite; qz, quartz; kfs, K-feldspar.
15 of 24
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TC3014
deviation (MSWD) of 0.98 [Wendt and Carl, 1991]. We

tentatively interpret this age to record an earlier syncollisional(?) metamorphic event. The presence of an older
monazite population along with relic andalusite suggests
that these rocks have undergone at least two metamorphic
events: an initial event at >59 Ma (equivalent to the Belin
quarry metamorphic rocks, see section 5.4) that was subsequently overprinted by a further, protracted metamorphic
event ranging in age from 40 31 Ma.
[30] Prior to our work Barley et al. [2003] used a
SHRIMP ion microprobe to obtain U-Pb zircon ages from
a sample of biotite augen gneiss (UB 055A), collected from
the same locality as our sample M4. Their data indicate that
the zircon protolith age of the gneiss is 171.2 2.9 Ma with
43.4 0.8 Ma recrystallized overgrowths which they
interpreted to record the timing of high-temperature metamorphism. Our new data suggests that zircon recrystallization occurred between 2 and 4 Ma earlier than monazite in
the same rock. We suggest that the youngest zircon and
monazite ages record slightly different periods during the
same high-T metamorphic event, highlighting the need to
use multiple chronometers to fully assess the timing and
duration of high-grade metamorphic events.
5.2. M5 Tourmaline Quartz Leucogranite Kyanigan
Quarry
[31] A sample of garnet-tourmaline leucogranite (M5)
was dated in order to establish both the timing of in situ
melt generation and the minimum age of metamorphism in
the Kyanigan area. Monazite and xenotime were separated
from M5 and three reconnaissance analyses obtained by
TIMS, and more extensively analyzed by LA-MC-ICPMS.
BSE imaging of xenotime indicate that they either have
well-developed oscillatory zoning throughout or comprise a
compositionally homogeneous core surrounded by a thin,
higher (relative to the core) Th rim (Figures 7d 7f).
Monazites are relatively homogeneous with numerous
microinclusions of quartz and K-feldspar (Figures 7g 7i).
Faint oscillatory growth zoning is occasionally evident.
5.2.1. ID-TIMS
[32] The three TIMS analyses of xenotime and monazite
are illustrated in Figure 8c. Xenotime and monazite grains
have 207Pb/235U ages of 27.1 0.1 Ma and 27.1 1.0 Ma,
while a second single monazite grain is older at 31.2
0.1 Ma. The 27.1 0.1 Ma monazite grain is unusual in that
although it is reversely discordant its 208Pb/206Pb ratio is
significantly lower than other monazites analyzed in this
study. This low ratio, coupled with the high U content and
presence of opaque inclusions suggests that some of the
inclusions may have been a uraniferous mineral such as
uraninite. The spread in ages obtained warranted further
detailed study using LA-MC-ICPMS.
5.2.2. LA-MC-ICPMS
[33] Ten U-Th-Pb monazite (Figure 8d) and eight U-Pb
xenotime (Figure 8c) analyses were obtained from 7 and
4 grains, respectively. Eight concordant U-Th-Pb monazite
analyses yield a weighted mean 208Pb*/232Th age of 24.5
0.4 Ma (MSWD 0.79) which we interpret to reflect the
crystallization age of this leucogranite body. This interpre-
TC3014
tation is corroborated by four U-Pb xenotime analyses that

give a 206Pb/238U 207Pb/235U concordia age of 24.5
0.3 Ma (MSWD of concordance 0.41, probability of concordance 0.52) [Ludwig, 1998]. These ages are slightly
younger than the 27 Ma ID-TIMS xenotime and monazite
data, indicating the two ID-TIMS analyses are probably
mixtures of 24.5 Ma overgrowths with minor older inheritance. LA-MC-ICPMS data indicate that both monazite and
xenotime preserve older age components at 31 32 Ma
and 35 Ma. One of the ID-TIMS monazite analyses is in a
similar age range also reflecting an older age component,
although it cannot be discerned whether this age is a mixture
of 31 35 Ma domains or reflects a single discrete age. We
thus interpret these ages to reflect inheritance from at least
two distinct age populations, either from the melt source,
(equivalent to M4) and/or xenocrysts that were entrained
from wall rocks during emplacement.
5.3. M52 Tourmaline 2 Mica Leucogranite Kyaukse
Hills
[34] South of Belin quarry the Kyaukse ridge exposes
augen gneisses and sillimanite + garnet gneisses intruded by
discordant dikes of tourmaline + muscovite + biotite leucogranite, which have undergone later deformation and
metamorphism. A sample from one of these deformed dikes
(M52) was analyzed by both ID-TIMS and LA-MCICPMS. Monazites separated from M52 are 180 250 mm
long subhedral prisms that are light yellowish green in
color. All grains contain abundant micro inclusions of
quartz and K-feldspar and minor zircon. BSE images reveal
a complex chemical petrography. A few grains preserve
remnant oscillatory zoning, but the majority display lobatecuspate recrystallization structures on the 10 mm scale and
have no consistent core-rim relationship either within single
grains or within the grain population (Figures 7j 7l).
5.3.1. ID-TIMS
[35] Three reconnaissance single grain monazite analyses
were obtained, illustrated in Figure 8e. Although reversely
discordant, the 207Pb*/235U ages of two grains overlap
within error, giving a mean age of 40.2 0.3 Ma. The
third analysis is younger at 38.1 0.3 Ma. In order to refine
these age data we utilized the higher spatial resolution of
LA-MC-ICPMS to obtain further analyses.
5.3.2. LA-MC-ICPMS
[36] Eleven U-Th-Pb analyses were acquired from ten
monazite grains (Figure 8f). Eight analyses define a reversely
discordant linear array on a 208Pb*/232Th 206Pb*/238U concordia plot and give a weighted mean 208Pb*/232Th age of
46.3 0.6 Ma with an MSWD [Wendt and Carl, 1991] of
2.7. Two near-concordant analyses are significantly younger
than the main population with a mean age of 39.9 0.9 Ma.
A further single spot analysis has an age of 43.0 1.1 Ma.
[37] We interpret the 46.3 0.6 Ma age to reflect the age
of intrusion of the granite dike and the youngest ages of
38.1 0.3 Ma (ID-TIMS) and 39.1 0.8 Ma (LA-MCICPMS) to record the timing of subsequent metamorphism.
These data also indicate that an earlier metamorphic episode
occurred prior to emplacement of the M52 dike (see next
section). On the basis of simple modeling of U and Th data
16 of 24
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Figure 8
17 of 24
TC3014
TC3014
along with further BSE observations we infer that the

43 Ma LA-MC-ICPMS spot analysis is a mixture of
39 Ma and 45 Ma components. The overlap between the
age data from M52 and the age of metamorphic monazites
from M4 suggest that this dike is the result of a partial
melting episode that is temporally coincident with, and
possibly genetically related to high-T metamorphism of the
Kyanikan augen gneiss.
5.4. M33 Biotite Granite Dike, Belin Quarry
[38] Thorite and zircon were extracted from M33 and
analyzed by ID-TIMS and LA-MC-ICPMS. Most M33
zircons are colorless to pale brown, euhedral, 40 200 mm
long crystals, >50% of which have pitted surfaces (pits 5 mm),
and many of the latter zircons contain colorless to opaque
inclusions. Those chosen for analysis were euhedral, colorless squat prisms, 80 200 mm long, with unpitted outer
surfaces. These selected zircons were moderately air abraded
[Krogh, 1982] to reduce Pb loss. (Urano)thorites (17 wt %
SiO2, 56 wt % ThO, 20 wt % UO, 0.4 wt % PbO) are doubly
terminated, euhedral green translucent crystals that range
from squat (2:1) (length: width aspect ratio) to elongate (5:1).
The majority of grains examined contain inclusions of zircon,
quartz, and K-feldspar. Along some cracks, at the rim, and in
the vicinity of inclusions the crystals are darker in BSE, lower
in Si, Pb and U and higher in P, Ca, Fe, Y and (OH) suggesting
that these regions have undergone hydrous alteration. Away
from the altered areas the crystals are internally very homogeneous in terms of their appearance in BSE (Figures 7m7o)
as well as U, Th and Pb concentrations.
5.4.1. ID-TIMS
[39] A single grain zircon fraction gives a 206Pb/238U
207
Pb/235U concordia age of 53.1 0.2 Ma, MSWD (of
concordance) = 0.93, Probability (of concordance) = 0.33
(Figure 8g) [Ludwig, 1998]. A single grain thorite fraction
also analyzed is slightly reversely discordant, yielding a
207
Pb*/235U age of 54.1 0.1 Ma.
5.4.2. LA-MC-ICPMS
[40] Seven U-Pb LA-MC-ICPMS spot analyses were
obtained from five grains. Five of the analyses are entirely
concordant, one is slightly reversely discordant and one
subconcordant analysis is significantly younger than the rest,
suggesting a small amount of Pb loss has affected this analysis.
Taking the five concordant analyses gives a 206Pb/238U
207
Pb*/235U concordia age of 59.5 0.9 Ma, MSWD (of
concordance) = 0.98; probability (of concordance) = 0.32
(Figure 8g) [Ludwig, 1998]. We attribute the 5 Ma discrepancy between the ID-TIMS and LA-MC-ICPMS ages to
TC3014
variable Pb loss affecting the ID-TIMS zircon and thorite

fractions. This interpretation is consistent with BSE observations (Figures 7m7o), in which all 15 thorite grains imaged
contain altered regions, and the 59 Ma 207Pb/206Pb age of the
zircon fraction. The higher spatial resolution of the LA-MCICPMS technique allowed us to avoid areas of alteration and
obtain analyses free from significant Pb loss, whereas the
thorite fraction analyzed by TIMS was not air abraded to
minimize Pb loss. As a result we take the 207Pb*/235U LA-MCICPMS thorite concordia age of 59.5 0.9 Ma as our best
estimate of the magmatic crystallization age of this rock.
5.5. M54 Sillimanite Gneiss, Kyaukse North
[41] A sample of sillimanite gneiss from Wei Bu, on the
north side of the Kyaukse ridge (M54) contains abundant <
50 mm equant monazite grains. The vast majority of monazite
occurs within mica-rich pods along biotite grain boundaries
and was dated to further constrain the timing of metamorphism. SEM examination of the monazites reveals that
they contain muscovite as well as quartz and ilmenite
(Figures 7p7r).
[42] Three single grain monazite fractions were analyzed
by ID-TIMS. One analysis is entirely concordant and two
are slightly normally discordant (Figure 8h). A regression
line through all three data points yields a lower intercept age
[Ludwig, 2003] of 29.3 0.5 Ma, MSWD 0.4 which is our
best estimate for the timing of high-grade metamorphism
affecting this rock. The normal discordance of two of the
data points indicates that there is a component of inheritance, but because the data are all close to 29 Ma no age
significance can be placed on the calculated upper intercept.
6. Suggested Chronology for Mogok Belt

[43] Combining our data with zircon SHRIMP data of
Barley et al. [2003], we conclude that the rocks from the
Mandalay and Kyanigan areas show a protracted period of
sillimanite-grade high-temperature metamorphism lasting
from at least 43 to 29 Ma (possibly from 45 to 24 Ma)
with intermittent periods of crustal melting producing
leucogranites at 45.4 Ma and 24.5 Ma (Figure 9). These
ages may correspond to the regional Sedo-type granites
(plus Yesin dam, Nattaung granites) which crosscut all
earlier rocks and fabrics along the Mogok belt.
[44] Mitchell et al. [2007] inferred two pre-Tertiary
orogenies in Burma based on stratigraphic and structural
arguments, an Early Permian event and an Early Jurassic
event. Mid-Permian limestones overlie a regional unconfor-
Figure 8. Concordia diagrams showing U-Th-Pb ID-TIMS and LA-MC-ICPMS isotope data. (a) U-Pb ID-TIMS
monazite data from sample M4, K-feldspar augen gneiss, Kyanigan quarry. (b) U-Th-Pb LA-MC-ICPMS monazite data
from M4. (c) U-Pb ID-TIMS and LA-MC-ICPMS monazite and xenotime data from sample M5, tourmaline quartz
leucogranite Kyanigan quarry. (d) U-Th-Pb LA-MC-ICPMS monazite data from M5. (e) U-Pb ID-TIMS monazite data
from M52, tourmaline 2 mica leucogranite Kyaukse hills. (f) U-Th-Pb LA-MC-ICPMS monazite data from M52. (g) U-Pb
ID-TIMS zircon and thorite and LA-MC-ICPMS thorite data from M33, biotite granite dike, Belin quarry. Dashed ellipses
are those rejected from the final age determination, see text for details. (h) U-Pb ID-TIMS monazite data from M54, kyanite
staurolite schist, Kyaushe north.
18 of 24
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mity above strongly folded Carboniferous Mergui Group

and older rocks, some of which are metamorphosed. A
second major regional unconformity separates Lower Jurassic deformed turbidites from overlying Middle and
Upper Jurassic clastic sedimentary rocks. Mitchell et al.
[2007] tentatively related this deformation phase to the
eastward emplacement of ophiolite thrust sheets across
western Burma. Although the geology does suggest these
older metamorphic episodes, our data presented here shows
no evidence of a Permian event. Our new data suggest that
high-grade metamorphism in the Mogok belt was Paleocene
and late Eocene Oligocene in age (Figure 9). Structural
data, combined with U-Th-Pb geochronology from the
Mogok metamorphic belt in Burma, suggest that the chronology of deformation, metamorphism and magmatism can
be summarized as follows:
6.1. Jurassic Early Cretaceous I-Type Granite
Intrusion and Metamorphism (171 120 Ma)
[45] Widespread I-type calc-alkaline magmatism occurred along the Burmese margin during the Jurassic and
Cretaceous, as suggested by a suite of hornblende-biotite
granodiorites and K-feldspar augen orthogneisses. These
rocks are similar to the precollisional granitoids of the
Ladakh and Gangdese batholiths in south Tibet [Honegger
et al., 1982; Scharer et al., 1984; Weinberg and Dunlap,
2000] and are interpreted as forming along an active
continental margin above an oceanic subduction zone.
Barley et al. [2003] dated zircons at 171.7 2.1 Ma from
the Mandalay hills granodiorite and 120.9 0.9 Ma from
Yebokson granodiorite. There is some older inherited monazite at about the same age in the M4 augen gneiss sample
from the Kyanigan quarry. Zircon cores from a similar
sample of augen gneiss from Kyanigan hills have a mean
age of 170.1 1.1 Ma [Barley et al., 2003] interpreted as
the magmatic age of the orthogneiss protolith.
6.2. Paleocene Early Eocene Metamorphism
[46] The main evidence for Paleocene metamorphism
comes from Belin quarry where a series of highly deformed
metamorphic rocks (calc-silicates, amphibolites, migmatites)
are cut by late biotite granite dikes that show only a weak
magmatic flow foliation (Figure 5b). The deformation and
metamorphism in the gneisses clearly have to be older than
the magmatic age of the biotite granite dike (M33) which is
59.5 0.9 Ma. Other evidence for Paleocene metamorphism
includes the 58 1 Ma inherited component to the Kfeldspar + sillimanite + biotite + tourmaline orthogneiss at
Kyanigan. Protolith rocks could include Carboniferous
slates, Permian-Triassic limestones, and Triassic, Jurassic
and early Cretaceous granites and granodiorites.
6.3. Late Eocene Oligocene Metamorphism
[47] Considerable geochronological evidence now exists
to support a late Eocene Oligocene phase of metamorphism that lasted at least from 37 to 29 Ma and possibly as
long as 45 to 24 Ma (Figure 9). The K-feldspar augen gneiss
from Kyanigan gives a metamorphic age of 37.4 1.3 Ma
TC3014
with an inherited component at 58 1 Ma. The garnet

tourmaline leucogranite sweat from adjacent to this sample
at Kyanigan gives a crystallization age of 24.5 0.7 Ma,
with inherited metamorphic(?) components at 30.9 0.5 Ma
and 34.9 0.6 Ma. The deformed leucogranite dike from
Kyaukse north has a 208Pb*/232Th age of 45.5 0.6 Ma.
This dike is very different composition from the older
biotite granite dike at Belin quarry and probably relates
more to the postcollisional late Eocene metamorphic event
rather than the earlier, precollisional Paleocene event.
[48] Additional evidence for this metamorphic event
comes from the SHRIMP ages of Barley et al. [2003]. They
reported late stage zircon overgrowths from both the Mandalay hills orthogneiss (47.2 1.3 Ma) and the Kyanigan
hills orthogneiss (similar to our M5 sample) of 43.4
0.8 Ma. The youngest growth zone reported from the
Mandalay hills samples has a mean age of 33.1 0.9 Ma.
Finally, our sample of sillimanite gneiss from Kyaukse
north (M54) gives a U-Pb monazite age of 29.3 0.5 Ma.
The puzzling factor in this analysis is why the Oligocene
sillimanite-grade metamorphic event seems to have had no
influence on the older Belin quarry rocks only 6 km north
of the Kyaukse locality. We propose that our Oligocene
ages of metamorphism also provide the best estimate for the
age of rubies in phlogopite marbles and calc-silicate rocks
of the MMB.
6.4. Late Oligocene Early Miocene Granite
Magmatism
[49] This is probably the youngest thermal event recorded
from the Mogok belt, producing mantle-derived syntectonic
hornblende syenites (3523 Ma [Barley et al., 2003]) and
crust-derived leucogranite melts (24.5 0.7 Ma age of tourmaline leucogranite from Kyanigan quarry). Cobbing et al.
[1992] and Barley et al. [2003] described a suite of strongly
peraluminous potassic syenogranites that crosscut all regional
fabrics and appear to be the youngest phase of igneous
intrusion. These rocks occur along the entire MMB and include
the Sedo leucocratic biotite granite batholith. A sample from
the Yesin dam area gave a mean SHRIMP age of 22.6 0.4 Ma
[Barley et al., 2003]. Ar-Ar cooling ages from the Mogok belt
span 22 to 16 Ma [Bertrand et al., 1999], postdating the hightemperature metamorphic and magmatic events.
6.5. Pliocene-Quaternary Volcanism (6 0 Ma)
[50] Three major calc-alkaline stratovolcanoes occur at
Mounts Loimye, Popa and Taungthonlon in central Burma
(Figure 2). Latest Miocene Pliocene latites, rhyodacites
and ignimbrites are interbedded with arenaceous sediments
and overlain by Pleistocene to Recent basaltic andesites and
pyroclastic flows at Mount Popa [Stephenson and Marshall,
1984]. The composition and geochemistry of these lavas
suggest that magmas were derived from hydrous melting
above an oceanic subduction zone. This has major implications for the Burma seismic zone, along which deep
earthquakes down to depths of 250 km have been recorded
underlying central Burma [Ni et al., 1989]. It remains
unclear how far north the old oceanic lithosphere extends
19 of 24
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TC3014
Figure 9. Time chart showing all U-Th-Pb age data from Burma. Our ID-TIMS and LA-MC-ICPMS
data (crosses) and SHRIMP ages (squares) of Barley et al. [2003] are compared with the U-Pb data from
the NW Thailand metamorphic core complexes [Dunning et al., 1995; Barr et al., 2002] and U-Pb ages
from granites along the Red River Shear zone in Yunnan and Vietnam (age data from Scharer et al.
[1994], Zhang and Scharer [1999], Gilley et al. [2003], and Chung et al. [1997, 2005]). Timing of
shearing along the Red River shear zone is from Searle [2006].
beneath the Bay of Bengal but if the Burma seismic zone is

an active subducting slab of oceanic lithosphere, it must
extend northeast across eastern Bangladesh.
7. Wider Tectonic Implications

7.1. Northwest Thailand
[51] Metamorphic core complexes in NW Thailand have
similar lithologies and age relationships to the MMB
(Figure 9). The Doi Inthanon complex has protolith

206
Pb/238U zircon ages of circa 211 4 Ma and 203
4 Ma from 2-mica K-feldspar orthogneisses, reflecting the
original I-type plutonism, and monazite ages of 84 2
and 72 1 Ma, interpreted to represent timing of peak
metamorphism [Dunning et al., 1995]. The Doi Suthep
orthogneiss near Chiang Mai has U-Pb zircon and monazite
ages of 40.0 0.5 Ma, interpreted as the age of metamorphism and mylonitization [Barr et al., 2002]. The youngest
magmatic phase in NW Thailand appears to be the Mae
Figure 10. Time chart comparing all the published U-Th-Pb age data from the southern margin of the Asian plate. The
Lhasa block of southern Tibet does not expose deep crustal metamorphic rocks, but the along-strike rocks from the Hindu
Kush and Karakoram are compared to those of the Mogok belt in Burma.
20 of 24
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Figure 10
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21 of 24
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Klang biotite granite leucogranite which has 206Pb/238U

zircon and monazite age of 26.8 0.5 Ma [Dunning et al.,
1995], similar to the youngest tourmaline leucogranite from
Kyanigan in Burma. The geology of NW Thailand seems to
have an overall analogous evolution to that of the MMB
with older Triassic (211 203 Ma), Jurassic and Early
Cretaceous, mainly I-type granites overprinted by strong
metamorphism up to sillimanite grade and ductile deformation during the Late Cretaceous (84 72 Ma) and also during
the late Eocene early Miocene (4021 Ma).
7.2. Red River Shear Zone, Yunnan and Vietnam
[52] Interesting comparisons can also be made father
afield to exhumed metamorphic rocks along the Red River
shear zone in Yunnan and North Vietnam (Figure 9). Older
Triassic metamorphic rocks have been exhumed along the
Red River fault zone with regional garnet growth and
metamorphism during the Oligocene early Miocene (34
21 Ma [Gilley et al., 2003]) and overprinted in metamorphic
core complexes away from the fault at around 26 Ma [Nagy
et al., 2000]. An important phase of metamorphism and
localized leucogranite melting occurred between 35 and
22 Ma [Scharer et al., 1990, 1994; Zhang and Scharer,
1999]. Alkali granites in North Vietnam (FanSiPan granite)
have a U-Pb age of 35 Ma and are related to a regional highalkali magmatic event producing hornblende syenites and
volcanics across central Tibet, Yunnan, Laos and North
Vietnam. This may be related more to a very large scale
Tibetan-type mantle anomaly during the period 40 30 Ma
[Chung et al., 1997, 2005], which may have extended west
to Burma. Searle [2006] suggested that all the metamorphic
complexes along the Ailao Shan Red River shear zone in
Yunnan and Vietnam were formed prior to left-lateral
shearing along the Red River fault, and only the younger
Ar-Ar ages might be related to transpressional exhumation
and uplift. We suggest that metamorphism along both the
Red River and Sagaing faults is prestrike-slip shearing and
cannot be directly related to strike-slip generated shear
heating as proposed by Leloup et al. [2001] and Lacassin
et al. [1997].
7.3. South Asian Margin
[53] The geological location of the MMB is analogous to
the Lhasa Block and Karakoram Hindu Kush terranes
along the southern margin of the Asian plate. Although
few metamorphic complexes are exposed in the Lhasa
block, the Karakoram and Hindu Kush terranes have been
well mapped and there are numerous U-Th-Pb ages from
metamorphic and magmatic rocks (Figure 10). The MMB
mirrors the thermal chronology of the Karakoram and
Hindu Kush in several ways. The precollisional granodioritic rocks from the MMB [Barley et al., 2003] have similar
Jurassic Early Cretaceous ages as similar rocks in the
Karakoram [Searle et al., 1990; Fraser et al., 2001] and
Hindu Kush [Desio, 1964; Gaetani et al., 1996; Hildebrand
et al., 2001]. Paleocene metamorphism in the MMB as
recorded by our age data here mirrors that in the Karakoram
[Fraser et al., 2001]. A U-Pb monazite age of 63.3 0.4 Ma
TC3014
from sillimanite gneisses in the Hunza Karakoram [Fraser

et al., 2001], and our pre-59 Ma Paleocene metamorphic
event in the Mogok belt might suggest that initial India-Asia
collision (50 Ma [Zhu et al., 2005]) and the crustal
thickening that followed was earlier than previously
thought. Alternatively, this Paleocene metamorphic event
was unconnected to India-Asia collision. Postcollision Miocene metamorphism and crustal melting known from the
MMB is also apparent from across the southern Karakoram
[Parrish and Tirrul, 1989; Scharer et al., 1990; Fraser et
al., 2001] and sporadically along the Hindu Kush range in
Pakistan [Hildebrand et al., 1998].
8. Conclusions
[54] Our field and structural data, combined with thermobarometry and U-Th-Pb geochronology, indicate that the
MMB represents a middle to lower crustal section exhumed
during the Tertiary by compressional deformation, prior to
dextral strike-slip motion along the Sagaing fault. The
Burma microplate was probably continuous northward to
the Lhasa block, which formed the southern margin of the
Asian plate with semicontinuous Andean, I-type magmatism (diorite-granodiorite-granite magmatism and associated
calc-alkaline andesitic volcanism) from at least Early Jurassic to Early Cretaceous time. Calc-alkaline magmatism in
the Lhasa block probably extended from the Early Cretaceous to circa 50 Ma, the timing of India-Asia collision,
whereas similar I-type magmatism in the MMB extends as
far back as the Middle Jurassic (circa 170 Ma [Barley et al.,
2003]). These granites can all be linked to the northward
subduction of Tethyan oceanic lithosphere beneath the
southern margin of the Asian landmass prior to the collision
of India during the early Eocene.
[55] A significant phase of I-type granitoid magmatism
along the Mogok belt has been dated at Middle Jurassic to
Early Cretaceous time (171 120 Ma; Kyanigan augen
gneiss protolith, Mandalay hills, and Yebokson granodiorites and Yepanung-Kalaw hornblende granodiorites [Barley
et al., 2003]). Regional metamorphism, migmatization,
biotite granite sill injection and ductile deformation in the
Belin and Kyaukse areas occurred prior to 59.4 Ma, the age
of the crosscutting Belin dike. This metamorphic episode
occurred before the early Eocene India-Asia collision. A
second, postcollisional high-grade sillimanite metamorphic
event occurred between 37 and 29 Ma and may have lasted
as long as 47 24 Ma, when metamorphic zircon overgrowths and metamorphic monazites crystallized. Localized
partial melting resulted in in situ tourmaline + garnet
leucogranite melt pods (24.5 0.7 Ma) and crosscutting
garnet, muscovite + biotite leucogranite dikes (45.5
0.6 Ma). Right-lateral motion on the Sagaing fault must
have initiated after circa 22 Ma and probably after 16 Ma by
which time the MMB had cooled through 350C (the
nominal 40Ar/39Ar muscovite closure temperature). These
data strongly suggest that shear heating on the Sagaing fault
cannot be responsible for metamorphism and melting within
the MMB.
22 of 24
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[56] Striking similarities exist in the structural, metamorphic, magmatic and temporal evolution of the MMB and
core complexes in northwestern Thailand suggesting that
these two areas may be genetically linked.
TC3014
[57] Acknowledgments. This work was carried out using NERC

grant NER/K/S/2000/951 to M.P.S. and a NERC Isotope Geosciences grant
to M.P.S. and S.R.N. We are grateful to Myint Naing Win and Myint Thein
Htay for field assistance and San Myint and KoKo Than for logistics, and
Ivanhoe Myanmar Holdings Ltd. We thank Mark Barley and Bert Bally for
discussions and Claude Rangin and Manuel Pubellier for insightful reviews.
Thanks also Vanessa Pashley to Adrian Wood of NIGL for assistance with laser
ablation mass spectrometry and sample preparation. NIGL publication 848.
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J.

M. Cottle,
M. P. Searle, and D. J. Waters,

Department of Earth Sciences, Oxford University, Parks
Road, Oxford OX1 3PR, UK. (mike.searle@earth.ox.
ac.uk)
T. Hlaing and A. H. G. Mitchell, Ivanhoe Myanmar
Holdings Ltd., 321-323 U Wisara Road, Sanchaung
Township, Yangon, Myanmar.
M. S. A. Horstwood and S. R. Noble, NERC
Isotope Geosciences Laboratory, British Geological
Survey, Keyworth NG12 5GG, UK.

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TECTONICS, VOL. 26, TC3014, doi:10.

Tectonic evolution of the Mogok metamorphic belt, Burma

[1] The Mogok metamorphic belt (MMB) extends for

Department of Earth Sciences, Oxford University, Oxford, UK.

Copyright 2007 by the American Geophysical Union.

J. M. Cottle, D. J. Waters, A. H. G. Mitchell, T. Hlaing, and M. S. A.

SEARLE ET AL.: U-TH-PB AGES OF MOGOK BELT

al., 1999a; Fraser et al., 2001]. Lower crustal xenoliths in

SEARLE ET AL.: U-TH-PB AGES OF MOGOK BELT

SEARLE ET AL.: U-TH-PB AGES OF MOGOK BELT

Andean-type granite magmatism was widespread along the

SEARLE ET AL.: U-TH-PB AGES OF MOGOK BELT

present new U-Pb isotope dilution thermal ionization mass

ing Indian oceanic lithosphere that extends north from the

SEARLE ET AL.: U-TH-PB AGES OF MOGOK BELT

with pure jadeite, amphibole jade and kyanite-bearing

SEARLE ET AL.: U-TH-PB AGES OF MOGOK BELT

Suthep core complexes [Dunning et al., 1995; Barr et al.,

3. Mogok Metamorphic Belt (MMB)

phism, calculated with the Grt-Bt geothermometer of

Figure 6b. Compositional zoning profile across the largest

SEARLE ET AL.: U-TH-PB AGES OF MOGOK BELT

Table 1a. Microprobe Analyses From Sample M54

location 2 inner rim

plagioclase (Pl) + quartz (Qtz) is 625 25C and 4.8

the augen gneiss (sample M4) and intruding along the

SEARLE ET AL.: U-TH-PB AGES OF MOGOK BELT

Table 1b. Microprobe Analyses From Sample M4

the Sagaing fault [Bertrand and Rangin, 2003]. Kinematic

SEARLE ET AL.: U-TH-PB AGES OF MOGOK BELT

17. mo 1:1 3:1 sub, cl, oi,

14. mo 2:1 3:1 sub, ye,

12. th 2:1 3:1 eu, dg, oi,

9. mo, 1:1, eu, ye, 80 mm (4)

mo,1:1, eu, ye, ci, 250 mm (1)

Table 2. Mogok Belt U-Pb TIMS Data

SEARLE ET AL.: U-TH-PB AGES OF MOGOK BELT

Table 3a. U-Pb LA-MC-ICPMS Data

Common Pb Corrected Isotopic Ratiosd

Common Pb Corrected Ages

U content in ppm accurate to approximately 10%.

HNO3 at 60C followed by ultrapure water. Monazites

and <0.1 pg U. All data were reduced assuming a maximum

Common Pb Corrected Isotopic Ratiosd

Pb/232Th 2s, Ma f206%c

Common Pb Corrected Ages

SEARLE ET AL.: U-TH-PB AGES OF MOGOK BELT

Uncorrected Isotopic Ratios

Table 3b. U-Th-Pb LA-MC-ICPMS Data

Th content in ppm accurate to approximately 10%.

Sample M33 Thorite

Uncorrected Isotopic Ratios

Table 3b. (continued)

Common Pb Corrected Isotopic Ratiosd

Common Pb Corrected Ages

SEARLE ET AL.: U-TH-PB AGES OF MOGOK BELT

growth history. BSE, Y and Th images were also used to

SEARLE ET AL.: U-TH-PB AGES OF MOGOK BELT

SEARLE ET AL.: U-TH-PB AGES OF MOGOK BELT

deviation (MSWD) of 0.98 [Wendt and Carl, 1991]. We

tation is corroborated by four U-Pb xenotime analyses that

SEARLE ET AL.: U-TH-PB AGES OF MOGOK BELT

SEARLE ET AL.: U-TH-PB AGES OF MOGOK BELT