Journal of South American Earth Sciences 38 (2012) 1e12

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Journal of South American Earth Sciences

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Remains of early Ordovician mantle-derived magmatism in the Santander Massif

(Colombian Eastern Cordillera)
Luis C. Mantilla Figueroa a, *, Thomas Bissig b, **, John M. Cottle c, Craig J.R. Hart b
a
Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS), Escuela de Geología, AA. 674, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia
b
Mineral Deposit Research Unit (MDRU), Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
c
Department of Earth Science, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9630, USA

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: An Early Ordovician magmatic event has been documented in the Santander Massif (north-Eastern
Received 18 January 2012 Cordillera, Colombia). Three U/Pb laser ablation ages of 477
2 Ma (Arenig), were obtained from
Accepted 21 March 2012 metamorphosed and foliated calc-alkaline diorites. The 176Hf/177Hf values in zircons from these meta-
diorites, yielded epsilon Hf values (3 Hft) > 0 (Mean ¼ 2
1, at 477 Ma). These data allow interpreta-
Keywords: tion of the origin of these zircons from a radiogenic initial Hf isotope source, which is characteristic of the
Colombia
Earth’s mantle. This, together with the fact that the rocks have been affected subsequently by tectono-
Santander Massif
metamorphic processes, suggests that the early Ordovician diorites have been emplaced in a supra-
Ordovician
U/Pb laser ablation
subduction tectonic setting, related to onset of the Iapetus Ocean closure.
Epsilon Hf Ó 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

r e s u m e n

Un evento magmático del Ordovícico Temprano ha sido documentado para el Macizo de Santander
(sector norte de la Cordillera Oriental, Colombia). Tres edades U/Pb entorno a 477
2 Ma (Arenig), fueron
obtenidas mediante la técnica ablación laser a partir de unas dioritas foliadas calco-alcalinas y con
metamorfismo regional. Los valores 176Hf /177Hf en zircones de estas metadiorítas, arrojaron unos valores
épsilon Hf (εHft) >0 (Media ¼ 2
1, a 477 Ma). Estos datos permiten interpretar el origen de éstos zir-
cones como procedentes a partir de una fuente de isótopos de Hf inicial radiogénica, lo cual es
característico del manto terrestre. Esto, junto al hecho que las rocas han sido afectadas posteriormente
por procesos tectono-metamórficos, apuntan a que las dioritas del Ordovícico Temprano fueron
emplazadas en un amiente de supra-subducción, relacionado con el inicio del cierre del Océano Iapetus.
Ó 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction constrained magmatic pulses during the Early Paleozoic time

Studies of igneous lithologies cropping out in different areas of
the Santander Massif (SM), led to the recognition that this area of
the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia has been affected by important
magmatic events especially during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic time
(Goldsmith et al., 1971; Ward et al., 1973; Mendoza and Jaramillo,
1979; Dörr et al., 1995; Restrepo-Pace et al., 1997; Cordani et al.,
2005; Mantilla et al., 2009, 2011). The pre-Mesozoic magmatic
history of the SM has received comparatively less attention.
However, some published data suggest the existence of poorly
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +57 1048225503.
** Corresponding author.
E-mail address: lcmantil@uis.edu.co (L.C. Mantilla Figueroa).
(Goldsmith et al., 1971; Ward et al., 1973; Boinet et al., 1985; Forero,
1990; Cordani et al., 2005).
Early Devonian sedimentary rocks (Rabe, 1977; Forero, 1990),
cover the SM in some areas. This has led to classifying all rocks
older than this time marker as ‘Pre-Devonian’. These rocks are
mostly metamorphic and lesser igneous rocks. However, within
this ample ‘Pre-Devonian’ group of rock units, igneous rocks
possibly attributable to a Silurian magmatic event have been
reported (Goldsmith et al., 1971). Pre-Devonian metamorphic rocks
derived from sedimentary and igneous protoliths are related to
both Precambrian and Early Paleozoic tectonothermal and tecto-
nomagmatic events (Goldsmith et al., 1971; Ward et al., 1973;
Boinet et al., 1985; Cordani et al., 2005; Ordóñez-Carmona et al.,
2006; Restrepo-Pace and Cediel, 2010).

0895-9811/$ e see front matter Ó 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.jsames.2012.03.001
2 L.C. Mantilla Figueroa et al. / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 38 (2012) 1e12

To help constraining the pre-Devonian evolution of the SM, this
study was conducted in the Vetas-California Mining District
(VCMD), where Grenvillian aged rocks assigned to Bucaramanga
Gneiss have previously been described (Ward et al., 1973;
Restrepo-Pace et al., 1997; Cordani et al., 2005). Foliated orthog-
neisses crosscutting the gneissosity of the Bucaramanga gneiss
have been recognized in the area as well and are subject of the
study presented herein. An additional motivation for this study is
the general knowledge contributed to the geology of the study
area which contains significant epithermal and porphyry style
mineralization.
2. Background and geological context
The Colombian territory can in broad terms be divided into two
regions: the Andean Orogenic System, in which the study area is
located, to the west and a relatively flat region to the east of the
territory, coinciding with the western part of the Amazonian Craton.
The Guacaramo Fault System, a.k.a. Borde Llanero fault system, is the
main structure that divides these two mentioned domains (Restrepo
and Toussaint, 1988; Cediel and Caceres, 2000; Restrepo-Pace and
Cediel, 2010). The Colombian Andean Orogenic System, as well as
Venezuelan (Mérida Andes) and Ecuadorian Andes, belongs to the so

Fig. 1. Simplified geological map of the Santander Massif and its relationship to the Chibcha Terrane (Ch). Auth: Autochthonous block; An: Andaquí Terrane. Fig. 1a is modified from
Restrepo et al. (2011) and Fig. 1b is modified from Goldsmith et al. (1971).
 L.C. Mantilla Figueroa et al. / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 38 (2012) 1e12
called Northern Andes (Gansser, 1973; Alemán and Ramos, 2000).
The Colombian Andean Orogenic System is considered the result of
several events of accretion of terranes (Restrepo et al., 2011).
According to Cediel et al. (2003), the Andean region of Colombia is
composed of the Central Continental Subplate Realm, Maracaibo
Subplate Realm, Western tectonic Realm and Guajira-Falcon
composite Terrane. The study area of the SM is located in the
Chibcha Terrane, in the sense of Restrepo et al. (2011), and in the
Maracaibo Subplate Realm, in the sense of Cediel et al. (2003).
Included within the broad range of ‘Pre-Devonian’ lithologies of
the SM (see Fig. 1), are: (a) the metamorphic rocks belonging to the
Bucaramanga Gneiss (affected by high grade amphibolite facies
metamorphism); (b) the Silgará schists (affected by metamorphism
of lower amphibolite to upper green-schist facies conditions) and;
(c) the Orthogneiss unit (Ward et al., 1973; Clavijo, 1996; Royero,
1997; Restrepo-Pace et al., 1997; García and Ríos, 1999; Cordani
et al., 2005; Ordóñez-Carmona et al., 2006). The metamorphism
of the Bucaramanga Gneiss is considered to be Grenvillian in age,
with U/Pb ages clustering around 1112
24 and 864
66 Ma,
which have been interpreted as related to the main metamorphic
event and to late metamorphic episodes, respectively (Cordani
et al., 2005). In contrast, the metamorphism of the Silgará schists
has been considered to be related to the Caledonian orogenic event
(Forero, 1990; Ordóñez-Carmona et al., 2006; Clavijo et al., 2008),
also known as Quetame orogeny (in Colombia), Caparonensis
orogeny (in Venezuela), or Ocloy orogeny (in Ecuador and Peru;
Restrepo-Pace et al., 1997; Cediel et al., 2003). Restrepo-Pace and
Cediel (2010), pointed out that the metamorphic climax for Sil-
gará schists was reached in the early Ordovician, because igneous
rocks younger than w470 Ma do not display regional metamorphic
foliation. Those authors relate this tectonometamorphic event to
the CaparonensiseFamatinian orogenic event. The protoliths of the
Silgara schists are mainly siliciclastic and based on carbon isotope
stratigraphy they are EdiacaraneEarly Cambrian in age (Silva et al.,
2004, 2005), and have been deposited unconformably on the
Proterozoic rocks (Royero and Clavijo, 2001).
The Orthogneiss unit cuts the Silgará schists. Diorites, tonalites,
granodiorites and possibly more felsic granitic igneous rocks are
included in this unit (Ward et al., 1973). In some areas these rocks
present a regional foliation which is developed to variable degree
(some are ‘Flaser’ orthogneisses, Ward et al., 1973), while in other
areas they lack the regional foliation overprint. These igneous rocks
were emplaced at different times during the Caledonian orogenic
evolution in the Early Paleozoic, as it may be inferred from the
differences in the intensity of the regional foliation. An Orthogneiss
located in Caraba River sector (about 20 km south of the studied
area), yielded a whole rock Rb/Sr age of 450
80 Ma, suggesting an
Ordovician age for this lithology (Ward et al., 1973).
Some similar ages have also been reported from locations
elsewhere in the SM, including a 456
23 Ma age (KeAr on
hornblende) for a gabbro located south of the town of Pamplona
(about 32 km to the east of the studied area) and one of
457
12 Ma (KeAr in Muscovite) for a pegmatite cutting the
Bucaramanga Gneiss, to the east of Chitagá, located about 40 km
southeast of the studied area (Ward et al., 1973; Boinet et al., 1985).
Horton et al. (2010) and Nie et al. (2010), mainly on the basis of
on detrital zircon U/Pb geochronology, presented an exhumation
history for the Colombian Eastern Cordillera basement and related
it to the sedimentation in the northern Andes. According to these
authors, zircons have been derived from Proterozoic, Paleozoic and
Mesozoic crystalline basement rocks in Cenozoic sedimentary
rocks. Among the different ages obtained from detrital zircons, an
early Paleozoic age population was recognized in Devonian, Jurassic
and Cretaceous sedimentary rocks. Moreover, three granitic
samples collected and dated (using the same geochronological
3
technique) from Floresta and Quetame Massifs, yielded ages from
477
11 to 483
10 Ma. Horton et al. (2010) and Nie et al. (2010)
concluded that the crystalline basement of the Colombian Eastern
Cordillera has been affected by early Paleozoic magmatism poten-
tially linked to subduction and possible collision. Additional early
Paleozoic U/Pb zircon ages from the SM, as well as Quetame and
Floresta Massifs, were reported by Leal-Mejía (2011) and Leal-Mejía
et al. (2011).
Somewhat younger ages (but equally Pre-Devonian), have also
been reported. These include, among others, an age of 413
30 Ma
(KeAr on hornblende) for a metadiorite from the Ocaña area,
located about 110 km north of the studied area (Goldsmith et al.,
1971), and samples of pegmatites cutting the Bucaramanga
Gneiss to the east of the Chitagá town which were dated between
448 and 439 Ma by KeAr on Muscovite (Goldsmith et al., 1971;
Ward et al., 1973; Boinet et al., 1985; Forero, 1990). Those ages,
suggest that a younger magmatic event took place during the
Silurian which is possibly related to the final stages of the Caledo-
nian orogeny (Forero, 1990). Restrepo-Pace and Cediel (2010),
report the presence of a variety of calc-alkaline granitic rocks of the
SM, without regional metamorphic foliation, and related them to
an important magmatic event which took place during the time
interval from 470 to 360 Ma.
In addition to the three principal Pre-Devonian rock units
described above, among others, phyllites, metasandstones, meta-
pelites, and to a lesser extent metaconglomerates are exposed
along the northwestern foothills of the Eastern Cordillera and are
grouped in the ‘La Virgen’ unit (INGEOMINAS-UIS, 2006; Clavijo
et al., 2008).
3. Methodology
For UeThePb and LueHf Analytical Methods, zircon separates
were prepared using standard crushing, heavy liquid, and iso-
dynamic separation techniques. Zircons were embedded into
a 25 mm diameter epoxy resin disc and polished. All zircons were
mapped using a Cathodo-luminescence imaging system attached to
a FEI Q400 FEG scanning electron microscope (SEM) at the
University of California, Santa Barbara. SEM operating conditions
were 10 kV accelerating voltage and a beam current of 0.5 nA.
Zircons were dated using a laser ablation multi collector
inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICPMS)
system, housed at the University of California, Santa Barbara
(UCSB). Instrumentation consists of a Nu Plasma MC-ICPMS (Nu
Instruments, Wrexham, UK) and a 193 nm ArF laser ablation system
equipped with a two-volume ‘HelEx’ ablation cell that facilitates
rapid transfer and washout of ablated material (Photon Machines,
San Diego, USA). Analytical protocol is similar to that described by
Cottle et al. (2009) with the modification that the collector
arrangement on the Nu Plasma at UCSB allows for simultaneous
determination of 232Th and 238U on high-mass side Faraday cups
equipped with 1011 U resistors and 208Pb, 207Pb, 206Pb and 204Pb on
four low-mass side ETP discrete dynode secondary electron
multipliers.
UeThePb analyses were conducted for 20 s each using a spot
diameter of 20 mm diameter, a frequency of 4 Hz and 1.5 J/cm2
fluence (equating to crater depths of approximately 9 mm).
UeThePb data from three samples were collected during a single
analytical session. A primary reference material, ‘91500’ zircon
(1065.4
0.3 Ma 207Pb/206Pb ID-TIMS age and 1062.4
0.4 Ma
206
Pb/238U ID-TIMS age, Wiedenbeck et al., 1995) was employed to
monitor and correct for mass bias as well as Pb/U fractionation. To
monitor data accuracy, a secondary reference zircon ‘GJ-1’
(608.5
0.4 Ma 207Pb/206Pb ID-TIMS age, Jackson et al., 2004) and
601.7
1.3 Ma 206Pb/238U ID-TIMS age was analyzed concurrently
 4
Table 1
UePb analytical results from the different zones within the studied zircons from the sample GE-58-M1 and their respective ages.

Points of analysis Pb (ppm)a U (ppm)a Th (ppm)a Th/Ua Measured isotopic ratios Apparent isotopic ages 207
Pb-corrected
isotopic age
207
Pb/206Pb 2s abs. 207
Pb/235Ub 2s abs. 206
Pb/238U 2s abs. Rhoc 207
Pb/235Ud 2s abs. 206
Pb/238Ud 2s abs. 206
Pb/238Ue 2s abs.f
GE_58_M1_1 12.30 155 53 0.35 0.05652 0.00071 0.52821 0.01165 0.06874 0.00130 0.84 431.2 7.9 429.5 8.0 428.0 7.9

L.C. Mantilla Figueroa et al. / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 38 (2012) 1e12
GE_58_M1_2 5.61 63 23 0.37 0.05875 0.00121 0.62916 0.01822 0.07903 0.00152 0.68 494.2 11.4 490.2 9.1 489.3 9.2
GE_58_M1_3 15.44 155 65 0.43 0.05716 0.00070 0.59327 0.01342 0.07625 0.00144 0.79 476.2 8.6 473.6 8.6 473.3 8.8
GE_58_M1_4 218.75 1073 928 0.88 0.05702 0.00025 0.59390 0.01145 0.07623 0.00138 0.98 472.9 7.3 473.5 8.3 473.3 8.4
GE_58_M1_5 41.03 368 177 0.49 0.05625 0.00042 0.58016 0.01292 0.07523 0.00160 0.93 463.9 8.3 469.8 9.2 467.7 9.7
GE_58_M1_6 115.27 1782 486 0.27 0.05644 0.00023 0.54057 0.01176 0.07090 0.00148 0.98 438.3 7.8 441.4 8.9 441.2 9.0
GE_58_M1_7 7.33 86 32 0.38 0.05749 0.00094 0.60468 0.01761 0.07783 0.00182 0.87 481.5 11.6 483.0 10.9 482.7 11.1
GE_58_M1_8 5.38 1102 44 0.04 0.05157 0.00033 0.23664 0.00543 0.03353 0.00073 0.95 215.5 4.5 212.6 4.6 212.3 4.6
GE_58_M1_9 45.50 137 101 0.75 0.06833 0.00082 1.14954 0.04389 0.12517 0.00463 0.96 775.3 20.9 765.5 28.2 756.9 27.1
GE_58_M1_10 4.75 55 20 0.37 0.05895 0.00112 0.61666 0.01835 0.07667 0.00169 0.68 487.7 11.7 476.1 10.1 474.9 10.2
GE_58_M1_11 4.70 971 42 0.04 0.05179 0.00044 0.23241 0.00520 0.03274 0.00074 0.94 212.0 4.3 207.7 4.6 207.3 4.6
GE_58_M1_12 24.95 440 105 0.24 0.05636 0.00042 0.59521 0.01072 0.07736 0.00126 0.93 473.7 6.8 480.2 7.5 480.5 7.7
GE_58_M1_13 75.88 514 315 0.62 0.05708 0.00039 0.60236 0.00974 0.07654 0.00124 0.89 478.4 6.2 475.3 7.4 475.1 7.5
GE_58_M1_14 7.53 82 30 0.38 0.05861 0.00083 0.60564 0.01630 0.07569 0.00147 0.80 479.7 10.3 470.2 8.8 469.1 8.9
GE_58_M1_15 13.95 114 51 0.45 0.05769 0.00080 0.64566 0.01802 0.08247 0.00180 0.87 506.1 10.9 510.7 10.7 510.7 10.9
GE_58_M1_16 34.01 270 145 0.55 0.05858 0.00060 0.60152 0.01809 0.07517 0.00227 0.95 477.2 11.4 467.0 13.6 466.0 13.7
GE_58_M1_17 37.58 568 160 0.29 0.05680 0.00032 0.62368 0.01473 0.07939 0.00177 0.97 491.3 9.2 492.3 10.5 492.6 10.7
GE_58_M1_18 123.37 657 578 0.89 0.05729 0.00034 0.59624 0.01374 0.07527 0.00159 0.97 474.2 8.7 467.7 9.5 467.3 9.6
GE_58_M1_19 6.22 71 26 0.38 0.05897 0.00116 0.63155 0.01695 0.07775 0.00154 0.68 496.0 10.6 483.7 9.4 481.4 9.3
GE_58_M1_20 36.40 281 151 0.54 0.05689 0.00050 0.62629 0.01396 0.07941 0.00174 0.92 494.0 8.9 492.4 10.4 492.7 10.6
GE_58_M1_21 2.50 1510 19 0.01 0.05193 0.00034 0.27055 0.00643 0.03781 0.00074 0.96 244.0 5.1 239.2 4.6 239.0 4.6
GE_58_M1_22 25.44 85 36 0.43 0.08990 0.00063 2.98437 0.06258 0.23775 0.00490 0.94 1401.3 16.0 1381.2 25.4 1371.5 27.3
GE_58_M1_23 43.32 309 179 0.59 0.05990 0.00059 0.61262 0.01576 0.07398 0.00189 0.94 484.4 9.9 459.9 11.3 458.0 11.4
GE_58_M1_24 138.71 698 611 0.89 0.05641 0.00036 0.58570 0.01657 0.07446 0.00187 0.97 468.3 10.8 462.8 11.2 462.9 11.3
GE_58_M1_25 5.35 62 23 0.37 0.06050 0.00129 0.61269 0.02074 0.07283 0.00176 0.77 486.3 12.7 453.1 10.6 450.7 10.7
GE_58_M1_26 6.53 1285 60 0.05 0.05123 0.00040 0.23109 0.00659 0.03217 0.00076 0.96 210.9 5.4 204.1 4.7 203.9 4.8
GE_58_M1_27 6.69 668 34 0.05 0.05364 0.00054 0.26601 0.00759 0.03548 0.00100 0.92 239.2 6.1 224.7 6.2 223.9 6.2
GE_58_M1_28 8.14 101 35 0.35 0.05849 0.00099 0.62801 0.02363 0.07756 0.00232 0.88 495.3 14.4 481.3 13.9 480.5 14.1
GE_58_M1_29 12.55 110 53 0.49 0.05864 0.00092 0.63661 0.01747 0.07773 0.00195 0.87 500.5 11.1 482.3 11.7 481.5 11.8
GE_58_M1_30 6.96 90 29 0.33 0.05783 0.00080 0.62519 0.01683 0.07691 0.00177 0.85 492.0 10.5 477.5 10.6 477.0 10.7
a
Concentration data are normalized to the primary reference material and are accurate to w10%.
b 207
Pb/235U calculated assuming a natural 235U/238U ratio of 137.88.
c
Rho value is calculated following the method outlined in Paton et al. (2010).
d
Age calculations are based on the decay constants of Jaffey et al. (1971).
e 207
Pb-corrected age based on single stage model common lead composition (Stacey and Kramers, 1975) at the inferred crystallization age.
f
Incorporates uncertainties on the measured 206Pb/238U and 207Pb/206Pb ratios as well as a 2% uncertainty on the assumed common lead composition.
Table 2
UePb analytical results from the different zones within the studied zircons from the sample GH72-M2 and their respective ages.

Points of analysis Pb (ppm)a U (ppm)a Th (ppm)a Th/Ua Measured isotopic ratios Apparent isotopic ages 207
Pb-corrected
isotopic age
207
Pb/206Pb 2s abs. 207
Pb/235Ub 2s abs. 206
Pb/238U 2s abs. Rhoc 207
Pb/235Ud 2s abs. 206
Pb/238Ud 2s abs. 206
Pb/238Ue 2s abs.f
GH_72_M2_1 190.10 925 859 0.91 0.05637 0.00028 0.58085 0.01073 0.07516 0.00142 0.96 464.5 6.9 467.1 8.5 467.2 8..6
GH_72_M2_2 79.29 400 342 0.85 0.05655 0.00044 0.60495 0.01332 0.07835 0.00150 0.94 480.8 8.6 486.1 9.0 486.5 9.1
GH_72_M2_3 51.18 313 225 0.72 0.05602 0.00043 0.58774 0.01344 0.07642 0.00155 0.94 470.8 8.3 474.6 9.3 475.0 9.4
GH_72_M2_4 10.77 104 45 0.44 0.05696 0.00072 0.61688 0.01530 0.07889 0.00159 0.85 487.1 9.6 489.4 9.5 489.5 9.7
GH_72_M2_5 15.38 122 68 0.56 0.05700 0.00072 0.59627 0.01247 0.07601 0.00126 0.77 475.3 7.8 472.2 7.5 472.0 7.6
GH_72_M2_6 182.78 874 803 0.93 0.05611 0.00029 0.58822 0.01262 0.07645 0.00144 0.97 469.1 8.1 474.8 8.6 475.2 8.8
GH_72_M2_7 20.20 229 92 0.40 0.05635 0.00061 0.54638 0.00949 0.07098 0.00107 0.84 442.3 6.2 442.0 6.5 441.7 6.5
GH_72_M2_8 10.84 98 47 0.48 0.05647 0.00069 0.59325 0.01147 0.07732 0.00123 0.78 473.4 7.5 480.0 7.4 480.3 7.5
GH_72_M2_9 79.06 517 349 0.68 0.05622 0.00030 0.58043 0.01303 0.07550 0.00154 0.97 465.1 8.2 469.1 9.2 469.3 9.3
GH_72_M2_10 4.68 54 21 0.38 0.05678 0.00134 0.59083 0.01811 0.07596 0.00160 0.73 470.3 11.5 471.8 9.6 471.8 9.8

L.C. Mantilla Figueroa et al. / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 38 (2012) 1e12
GH_72_M2_11 8.04 86 34 0.40 0.05619 0.00084 0.59338 0.01246 0.07723 0.00135 0.76 472.4 8.0 480.5 7.9 479.9 8.2
GH_72_M2_12 4.30 46 19 0.41 0.05748 0.00126 0.60622 0.01935 0.07867 0.00178 0.75 482.6 12.3 488.0 10.6 487.8 10.8
GH_72_M2_13 6.33 69 28 0.40 0.05755 0.00098 0.60317 0.01585 0.07725 0.00164 0.77 479.6 10.2 479.5 9.8 479.2 10.0
GH_72_M2_14 113.13 695 486 0.72 0.05621 0.00036 0.59127 0.01243 0.07685 0.00151 0.95 471.0 7.9 477.2 9.1 477.6 9.2
GH_72_M2_15 5.36 56 24 0.43 0.05841 0.00128 0.58314 0.01879 0.07247 0.00151 0.78 466.7 12.2 450.9 9.1 449.7 9.2
GH_72_M2_16 23.11 219 100 0.47 0.05647 0.00055 0.59087 0.01360 0.07689 0.00180 0.93 470.7 8.7 477.4 10.7 477.6 10.9
GH_72_M2_17 26.43 239 112 0.47 0.05727 0.00059 0.60578 0.01723 0.07778 0.00174 0.91 481.2 10.7 482.7 10.4 482.6 10.5
GH_72_M2_18 23.98 245 102 0.43 0.05697 0.00051 0.60682 0.01329 0.07776 0.00153 0.91 480.9 8.4 483.8 9.0 482.6 9.3
GH_72_M2_19 4.45 48 19 0.41 0.05914 0.00110 0.62187 0.01513 0.07762 0.00140 0.69 491.4 9.7 481.8 8.4 480.5 8.5
GH_72_M2_20 85.53 582 373 0.64 0.05658 0.00028 0.59638 0.00949 0.07759 0.00130 0.94 475.5 6.2 481.6 7.8 481.8 7.9
GH_72_M2_21 4.88 50 21 0.43 0.06024 0.00118 0.62269 0.01810 0.07576 0.00169 0.69 493.0 11.8 470.6 10.1 468.6 10.2
GH_72_M2_22 144.78 971 638 0.65 0.05657 0.00025 0.57875 0.01097 0.07521 0.00142 0.98 463.2 7.1 467.4 8.5 467.4 8.6
GH_72_M2_23 100.41 567 435 0.78 0.05646 0.00037 0.58269 0.01522 0.07574 0.00183 0.96 465.3 9.8 471.8 11.2 470.7 11.1
GH_72_M2_24 33.86 260 151 0.58 0.05684 0.00052 0.57474 0.01368 0.07412 0.00154 0.93 460.3 8.8 460.8 9.2 460.6 9.3
GH_72_M2_25 7.82 74 34 0.45 0.05763 0.00089 0.59098 0.01789 0.07637 0.00199 0.84 475.5 11.2 475.6 12.1 473.8 12.1
GH_72_M2_26 8.34 54 37 0.68 0.05759 0.00125 0.58565 0.01645 0.07380 0.00170 0.75 468.5 10.1 458.9 10.2 458.2 10.4
GH_72_M2_27 5.64 56 23 0.41 0.06032 0.00173 0.62036 0.02037 0.07500 0.00171 0.64 488.6 12.8 466.1 10.3 464.0 10.4
GH_72_M2_28 70.79 429 312 0.74 0.05602 0.00037 0.56538 0.01159 0.07393 0.00144 0.94 456.2 7.2 459.7 8.6 459.9 8.8
GH_72_M2_29 27.24 156 101 0.61 0.05700 0.00064 0.59224 0.01584 0.07564 0.00167 0.86 472.6 10.2 469.9 10.0 469.7 10.2
GH_72_M2_30 214.39 1193 895 0.76 0.05696 0.00022 0.58639 0.01338 0.07552 0.00161 0.98 468.9 8.7 469.2 9.7 469.0 9.8
GH_72_M2_31 8.07 86 35 0.40 0.05655 0.00085 0.59590 0.01570 0.07711 0.00161 0.82 474.8 9.8 478.7 9.6 478.9 9.8
GH_72_M2_32 10.79 86 46 0.53 0.05712 0.00087 0.60107 0.01686 0.07698 0.00164 0.85 476.7 10.7 477.9 9.8 477.8 10.0
GH_72_M2_33 5.52 62 24 0.39 0.05859 0.00106 0.60714 0.01669 0.07721 0.00148 0.74 482.0 10.4 479.3 8.8 478.3 9.0
GH_72_M2_34 65.60 342 292 0.86 0.05684 0.00040 0.58129 0.01471 0.07410 0.00187 0.96 464.5 9.4 460.6 11.2 460.5 11.3
GH_72_M2_35 75.20 360 326 0.91 0.05670 0.00043 0.59412 0.01559 0.07585 0.00188 0.96 473.7 9.7 471.1 11.3 471.2 11.4
GH_72_M2_36 7.46 80 30 0.38 0.05732 0.00097 0.62332 0.01783 0.07950 0.00183 0.78 490.7 11.1 492.9 10.9 493.0 11.1
GH_72_M2_37 31.41 204 136 0.63 0.05704 0.00051 0.61207 0.01595 0.07815 0.00190 0.94 485.1 9.8 484.9 11.3 484.9 11.5
GH_72_M2_38 4.25 46 19 0.40 0.05829 0.00113 0.62016 0.01747 0.07768 0.00152 0.72 491.4 11.0 482.2 9.1 481.4 9.2
GH_72_M2_39 7.53 73 33 0.46 0.05842 0.00094 0.61458 0.02100 0.07729 0.00209 0.85 486.2 13.4 479.7 12.5 478.9 12.7
GH_72_M2_40 407.10 1460 1733 1.19 0.05689 0.00023 0.60726 0.00395 0.07756 0.00038 0.77 482.1 2.5 481.5 2.3 481.5 2.3
GH_72_M2_41 419.11 1993 1822 0.92 0.05648 0.00017 0.58446 0.00495 0.07498 0.00050 0.94 467.6 3.1 466.1 3.0 466.0 3.0
GH_72_M2_42 28.16 238 121 0.51 0.05636 0.00044 0.60328 0.00655 0.07767 0.00039 0.57 479.1 4.2 482.2 2.4 482.5 2.4
GH_72_M2_43 7.64 76 33 0.43 0.05710 0.00104 0.61138 0.01221 0.07747 0.00047 0.40 483.8 7.7 481.0 2.8 480.8 2.9
GH_72_M2_44 8.30 85 37 0.43 0.05666 0.00090 0.60414 0.00963 0.07729 0.00053 0.29 479.5 6.1 479.9 3.2 479.9 3.3
GH_72_M2_45 195.23 889 865 0.98 0.05635 0.00029 0.59256 0.00419 0.07581 0.00038 0.72 472.4 2.7 471.1 2.3 471.1 2.3
GH_72_M2_46 11.67 104 49 0.48 0.05697 0.00088 0.61474 0.01725 0.07813 0.00180 0.85 485.4 10.9 484.8 10.8 484.9 10.9
GH_72_M2_47 10.98 95 46 0.47 0.05745 0.00083 0.60985 0.01937 0.07813 0.00235 0.88 482.1 12.2 484.7 14.0 484.6 14.3
GH_72_M2_48 4.25 46 18 0.39 0.05599 0.00122 0.59550 0.01603 0.07709 0.00163 0.59 473.4 10.2 478.6 9.7 479.1 9.9
GH_72_M2_49 123.01 1054 517 0.49 0.05648 0.00025 0.60547 0.01438 0.07757 0.00180 0.98 481.0 8.9 481.4 10.8 481.8 11.0
a
Concentration data are normalized to the primary reference material and are accurate to w10%.
b 207
Pb/235U calculated assuming a natural 235U/238U ratio of 137.88.
c
Rho value is calculated following the method outlined in Paton et al. (2010).
d
Age calculations are based on the decay constants of Jaffey et al. (1971).
e 207
Pb-corrected age based on single stage model common lead composition (Stacey and Kramers, 1975) at the inferred crystallization age.

5
f
Incorporates uncertainties on the measured 206Pb/238U and 207Pb/206Pb ratios as well as a 2% uncertainty on the assumed common lead composition.
 6
Table 3
UePb analytical results from the different zones within the studied zircons from the sample GI-60-M2 and their respective ages.

Points of analysis Pb (ppm)a U (ppm)a Th (ppm)a Th/Ua Measured isotopic ratios Apparent isotopic ages 207
Pb-corrected
isotopic age
207
Pb/206Pb 2s abs. 207
Pb/235Ub 2s abs. 206
Pb/238U 2s abs. Rhoc 207
Pb/235Ud 2s abs. 206
Pb/238Ud 2s abs. 206
Pb/238Ue 2s abs.f
GI_60_M2_1 7.31 89 26 0.29 0.05752 0.00102 0.64201 0.02193 0.08101 0.00248 0.85 502.2 13.5 501.9 14.8 502.0 15.1

L.C. Mantilla Figueroa et al. / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 38 (2012) 1e12
GI_60_M2_2 20.41 116 82 0.70 0.05754 0.00087 0.62849 0.02279 0.07819 0.00251 0.87 495.5 13.9 485.0 15.0 484.9 15.2
GI_60_M2_3 61.09 1153 247 0.20 0.05682 0.00027 0.61792 0.01498 0.07827 0.00183 0.98 490.5 8.8 488.8 10.3 485.8 11.1
GI_60_M2_4 0.93 201 1 0.02 0.05755 0.00131 0.26893 0.00922 0.03404 0.00087 0.64 241.5 7.4 215.7 5.4 213.9 5.4
GI_60_M2_5 16.68 84 65 0.79 0.05875 0.00091 0.66609 0.01983 0.08190 0.00209 0.86 517.1 12.0 507.2 12.4 506.6 12.7
GI_60_M2_6 51.30 230 210 0.92 0.05722 0.00059 0.62538 0.01973 0.07965 0.00241 0.96 496.1 12.4 493.8 14.4 493.9 14.6
GI_60_M2_7 0.10 150 0 0.03 0.05201 0.00120 0.24170 0.00870 0.03341 0.00078 0.76 220.3 7.0 211.8 4.9 211.4 4.9
GI_60_M2_8 16.81 107 70 0.66 0.05777 0.00092 0.62605 0.01918 0.07718 0.00261 0.87 494.1 12.3 478.9 15.6 478.6 15.8
GI_60_M2_9 0.61 57 1 0.05 0.06530 0.00294 0.32565 0.01698 0.03589 0.00159 0.68 285.4 12.9 227.2 9.9 223.2 9.8
GI_60_M2_10 16.93 124 63 0.51 0.06096 0.00114 0.66164 0.01894 0.07787 0.00202 0.72 516.5 11.8 483.3 12.1 481.0 12.2
GI_60_M2_11 147.76 843 596 0.67 0.05690 0.00033 0.61155 0.01634 0.07732 0.00193 0.97 483.5 10.2 479.9 11.5 480.0 11.7
GI_60_M2_12 0.18 204 1 0.06 0.05147 0.00096 0.23577 0.00751 0.03297 0.00096 0.80 214.6 6.2 209.0 6.0 208.8 6.0
GI_60_M2_13 56.85 2353 241 0.10 0.05773 0.00039 0.53020 0.02276 0.06639 0.00274 0.99 431.3 15.1 414.2 16.5 413.0 16.6
GI_60_M2_14 41.13 499 182 0.37 0.05640 0.00043 0.57944 0.01687 0.07420 0.00218 0.97 464.8 11.2 461.2 13.1 461.3 13.2
GI_60_M2_15 0.22 78 0 0.13 0.05823 0.00205 0.27412 0.01147 0.03412 0.00124 0.58 245.3 9.1 216.2 7.7 214.2 7.7
GI_60_M2_16 0.13 242 1 0.02 0.05106 0.00078 0.24410 0.00698 0.03435 0.00089 0.82 221.5 5.7 217.6 5.5 217.5 5.6
GI_60_M2_17 19.29 110 77 0.71 0.05697 0.00116 0.61772 0.02035 0.07816 0.00221 0.79 487.3 12.8 484.9 13.2 485.0 13.4
GI_60_M2_18 1.39 70 1 0.19 0.07446 0.00297 0.39224 0.02184 0.03719 0.00128 0.53 334.2 15.8 235.3 8.0 228.5 7.9
GI_60_M2_19 57.24 747 102 0.14 0.09282 0.00030 2.39250 0.06480 0.18620 0.00500 0.99 1237.8 19.1 1099.9 27.1 1080.0 27.9
GI_60_M2_20 149.10 897 599 0.68 0.05673 0.00029 0.62544 0.01598 0.07926 0.00208 0.97 493.4 10.1 491.4 12.4 491.8 12.6
GI_60_M2_21 10.41 620 55 0.09 0.05382 0.00040 0.40557 0.01079 0.05431 0.00140 0.96 345.1 7.8 340.8 8.6 340.7 8.6
GI_60_M2_22 51.21 448 221 0.50 0.05674 0.00045 0.60259 0.01995 0.07594 0.00246 0.97 477.3 12.6 471.5 14.7 471.7 14.9
GI_60_M2_23 76.67 442 320 0.73 0.05659 0.00043 0.60420 0.01796 0.07671 0.00207 0.97 478.6 11.4 476.2 12.4 476.5 12.6
GI_60_M2_24 3.52 249 12 0.04 0.05183 0.00074 0.27705 0.00862 0.03881 0.00109 0.91 247.9 6.8 245.4 6.8 245.2 7.1
GI_60_M2_25 18.09 149 77 0.52 0.05633 0.00074 0.58165 0.01711 0.07407 0.00187 0.93 464.3 11.0 460.4 11.3 460.5 11.4
GI_60_M2_26 34.40 376 139 0.37 0.05629 0.00056 0.60201 0.01899 0.07727 0.00227 0.95 479.2 12.3 479.6 13.6 480.0 13.8
GI_60_M2_27 84.69 317 341 1.12 0.05739 0.00053 0.63345 0.01390 0.07960 0.00163 0.92 497.6 8.7 493.6 9.7 493.6 9.9
GI_60_M2_28 100.10 568 433 0.78 0.05636 0.00043 0.58544 0.01584 0.07459 0.00192 0.96 468.5 10.3 463.6 11.5 463.7 11.7
GI_60_M2_29 32.20 230 134 0.59 0.05718 0.00080 0.58896 0.01943 0.07553 0.00260 0.93 472.9 13.2 469.1 15.6 469.0 15.8
GI_60_M2_30 18.56 163 78 0.49 0.05628 0.00084 0.59656 0.01806 0.07681 0.00223 0.88 477.2 12.0 478.6 13.0 477.2 13.5
GI_60_M2_31 117.46 702 494 0.64 0.05621 0.00032 0.62133 0.01816 0.07974 0.00227 0.98 490.8 11.6 494.3 13.6 495.1 13.8
a
Concentration data are normalized to the primary reference material and are accurate to w10%.
b 207
Pb/235U calculated assuming a natural 235U/238U ratio of 137.88.
c
Rho value is calculated following the method outlined in Paton et al. (2010).
d
Age calculations are based on the decay constants of Jaffey et al. (1971).
e 207
Pb-corrected age based on single stage model common lead composition (Stacey and Kramers, 1975) at the inferred crystallization age.
f
Incorporates uncertainties on the measured 206Pb/238U and 207Pb/206Pb ratios as well as a 2% uncertainty on the assumed common lead composition.
 L.C. Mantilla Figueroa et al. / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 38 (2012) 1e12 7

Table 4
Lu/Hf analytical results from the Ordovician zircons taken from the sample GH72-M2 and their respective epsilon values (3 Hft).
176
Points of analysis Hf signal (V) Hf/177Hf 2 S.E. 174
Hf/177Hf 2 S.E. 176
Lu/177Hf 2 S.E. 176
Yb/177Hf 2 S.E. 3 Hft 2 S.E.
GH_72_M2_14 6.12 0.282528 0.000034 0.008589 0.000025 0.001048 0.000023 0.042937 0.001200 1.5 1.2
GH_72_M2_16 5.51 0.282539 0.000044 0.008698 0.000042 0.001785 0.000056 0.074247 0.002600 1.7 1.6
GH_72_M2_17 6.52 0.282557 0.000068 0.008744 0.000029 0.000826 0.000042 0.034327 0.002000 2.6 2.4
GH_72_M2_18 5.63 0.282482 0.000040 0.008669 0.000030 0.001336 0.000120 0.055938 0.005600 0.2 1.4
GH_72_M2_20 5.29 0.282600 0.000048 0.008715 0.000023 0.000578 0.000007 0.021931 0.000460 4.2 1.7
GH_72_M2_23 5.77 0.282583 0.000045 0.008621 0.000013 0.000330 0.000002 0.012311 0.000100 3.7 1.6
GH_72_M2_25 5.39 0.282559 0.000044 0.008638 0.000025 0.000300 0.000001 0.011532 0.000140 2.9 1.6
GH_72_M2_26 5.91 0.282549 0.000038 0.008640 0.000014 0.000561 0.000048 0.022356 0.002200 2.4 1.3
GH_72_M2_31 5.05 0.282587 0.000064 0.008634 0.000025 0.000320 0.000000 0.012218 0.000086 3.9 2.3
GH_72_M2_33 4.98 0.282497 0.000044 0.008655 0.000030 0.001561 0.000065 0.064944 0.002400 0.3 1.6
GH_72_M2_36 6.19 0.282585 0.000049 0.008617 0.000022 0.000319 0.000002 0.012143 0.000100 3.8 1.7
GH_72_M2_38 5.93 0.282605 0.000036 0.008646 0.000020 0.000366 0.000028 0.014090 0.001100 4.5 1.3
GH_72_M2_39 4.96 0.282481 0.000054 0.008777 0.000050 0.002436 0.000035 0.100140 0.001200 0.6 1.9
GH_72_M2_40 5.33 0.282644 0.000055 0.008666 0.000018 0.000285 0.000001 0.010727 0.000085 5.9 1.9
GH_72_M2_42 5.71 0.282494 0.000065 0.008632 0.000026 0.001310 0.000061 0.052672 0.002900 0.2 2.3

(once every 7 unknowns) and mass bias- and fractionation-
corrected based on measured isotopic ratios of the primary refer-
ence material. Analyses of the GJ-1 secondary reference zircon
during the analytical period yield a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age
of 599.4
1.6 (0.3% 2s), MSWD ¼ 1.2, n ¼ 38. Data reduction,
including corrections for baseline, instrumental drift, mass bias,
down-hole fractionation and uncorrected age calculations were
carried out using Iolite version 2.1.2. Full details of the data
reduction methodology can be found in Paton et al. (2010). Where
noted, a 207Pb-based correction was applied to the data using
a common lead composition derived from the single stage model of
Stacey and Kramers (1975) at the inferred crystallization age. The
uncertainty on the 207Pb corrected age incorporates uncertainties
on the measured 206Pb/238U and 207Pb/206Pb ratios as well as a 1%
uncertainty on the assumed common lead composition. All
uncertainties are quoted at the 95% confidence or 2s level and
include contributions from the external reproducibility of the
primary reference material for the 207Pb/206Pb and 206Pb/238U
ratios. Concordia diagrams were constructed using Isoplot 3.67
(Ludwig, 2008). The complete dataset is presented in Tables 1e4.
The spot diameter for the U/Pb was 24 mm, whereas for Hf
measurements (placed over the U/Pb spot) a spot diameter 53 mm
diameter was employed.
In-situ LueHf measurements in zircon were made in laser-
ablation mode on the Nu Plasma HR MC-ICP-MS. The 10 F cup
central array is set to enable simultaneous detection of all Hf
isotopes as well as potentially interfering ions from 171Yb to 180Hf
(inclusive). LA Hf data were collected and analyzed in time-
resolved mode so that any changes in 176Hf/177Hf corresponding
to ablation though different growth zones can be easily identified.
Interference corrections for LA YbeLueHf analysis follow the
methods outlined in Horstwood (2008) and are briefly summa-
rized here. The Yb mass bias was determined by measuring the
173
Yb/171Yb ratio at the time of ablation following (e.g., Woodhead
et al., 2004). To determine the present-day 176Hf/177Hf of a zircon
the 176Lu interference on the 176Hf peak is subtracted using an
accepted 176Lu/175Lu ratio of 0.02653. The Hf isotope ratio at the
time of zircon crystallization is calculated through normalization
to 91500 or Mud Tank reference zircons, which have Lu/Hf ratio
consistent to within 10% (Workman and Hart, 2005) (in the
absence of an appropriate reference material with a consistent
LueHf ratio). Because of this additional source of uncertainty, the
reproducibility of the Lu/Hf ratio of the reference material and the
uncertainty on the reference value itself are propagated into the
final uncertainty in the reported initial Hf isotope ratio. The
effectiveness of the correction routine(s) applied are monitored
during analytical sessions by repeated measurements of reference
zircons with a variety of REE concentrations (e.g., R33, 91500,
Temora, Plesovice, Seiland, Mud Tank) for which generally agreed
upon Hf isotope ratios exist. Initial 3 Hf values are calculated from
the assumed age and using a 176Lu decay constant of
1.8648  1011 (Scherer et al., 2001) and chondritic Hf composi-
tion (176Hf/177Hf ¼ 0.282772) and 176Lu/177Hf ratio of 0.0332
(Blichert-Toft and Albarède, 1997). Model (TDM) ages are calcu-
lated using the measured 176Lu/177Hf ratio of the zircon and
provide a minimum estimate of the age of the source material.

Fig. 2. General view of the rocks inside ‘Veta de Barro’ tunnel. a) View of the Ordovician rocks cutting the Bucaramanga Gneiss (lower right corner); b) Ordovician igneous rock cut
by a Triassic muscovite bearing granite dyke (with coin), both types of rock are affected by hydrothermal alteration. Pr: Proterozoic rocks of the Bucaramanga Gneiss; Pz1; Early
Ordovician metaigneous rocks; JT: Juratriassic rocks. The dashed line represents contacts between lithologies.
8 L.C. Mantilla Figueroa et al. / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 38 (2012) 1e12

4. Results

4.1. Overview of the sampled area

The sampled location (Fig. 1) is part of the ‘Veta de Barro’ area of

the Angostura gold prospect (Santander Massif, north-Eastern
Cordillera, Colombia). Samples were taken from an underground
adit with entrance location at latitude 7 230 27.600 N and longitude
72 530 28.700 W (or X ¼ 1.309.243; Y ¼ 1.130.963; Z ¼ w3107 m.o.s.l.;
Bogotá as origin of the reference system; Plane Gauss Krüger pro-
jected coordinates). The studied area is reached by road from the
town of California following the La Baja creek for about 7 km.
The Bucaramanga Gneiss, which is variably affected by quartz-
sericitic hydrothermal alteration is the dominant rock unit
exposed in the underground adit. Rocks of dioritic to gabbroic
composition are also present. These locally cut the regional folia-
tion of the Bucaramanga Gneiss (here roughly 160/40; Fig. 2), but
are affected by a regional foliation subparallel to that of the gneiss.
The diorite rocks are calc-alkaline medium-K and consist mainly
of amphiboles, plagioclase and quartz, and locally are also affected
by quartz-sericite hydrothermal alteration, which obliterates the
precursor igneous minerals where alteration is most intense.
Similar rocks have been observed in other areas of the SM (Ward
et al.,1973), containing mainly hornblende, plagioclase and relatively
little or no quartz. These rocks have local discordant contacts, which
indicate a primary igneous intrusive origin. Their foliation is usually
subparallel to the regional foliation of the crystalline basement.
Both types of rocks, the Bucaramanga Gneiss and the meta-
diorite, are cut by fine-grained igneous muscovite bearing granite
dykes of about 30 cm thickness (Fig. 2). The latter are also affected
by quartz-sericitic hydrothermal alteration which is typical for
porphyry environments and gives an overall white milky appear-
ance to the altered rock exposures. Hydrothermal alteration clearly
post-dates all other rocks and is likely Late Miocene or younger
since porphyritic rocks, 5 km SW of Veta de Barro, dated between
w11 and 8.4 Ma (Mantilla et al., 2009, 2011), are also affected by
hydrothermal alteration.

4.2. U/Pb geochronology

Three samples were dated by U/Pb (samples GE-58-M1; GH-72-

M2 and GI-60-M2; Tables 1e3, respectively). One of these samples
(GH-72-M2), was subsequently studied for Lu/Hf systematic in
zircons.
Zircons from sample GE-58-M1 are euhedral and display bright
luminescent cores surrounded by dark rims under cathodo-lumi-
nescence (CL). The rims commonly display oscillatory zoning sug-
gesting a magmatic origin (Fig. 3a). Zircons from GE-58-M1 yield
a range of ages with the dominant population at w477.0
4.1 Ma
(MSWD ¼ 2.9) (Fig. 4a; Table 1). Five younger ages obtained from
Fig. 3. Cathodo-luminescence images for some of the zircons of sample GE-58-M1 (a);
the rims of the zircons spread between 204 and 240 Ma with two GH-72-M (b) and GI-60-M2 (c). Ages shown are 206Pb/238U ages.
core analyses yielding ages of w765 Ma and 1380 Ma. The age of
477
4.1 Ma is interpreted as the intrusive age for this diorite body,
the older ages are likely inherited from the Bucaramanga Gneiss Given the potential for lead loss, the 477
2 Ma age is our best
whereas the young age population probably reflects zircon growth estimate for the minimum crystallization age of these zircons.
or recrystallization during intrusion of late Triassic granitoid dykes. The zircons from sample GI-60-M2 are euhedral as well with
Zircons from sample GH-72-M2 are euhedral and display concentrically zoned cores, surrounded by either structure-less or
concentric oscillatory zoning, suggesting a magmatic origin oscillatory-zoned rims (Fig. 3c). GI-60-M2 zircon contains two
(Fig. 3b). The U/Pb ages obtained from the analyzed zircons dominant sub-populations, one at w481.9
6.1 Ma, MSWD ¼ 4.1,
(Table 2) consistently plot at w477 Ma. Rejecting two younger the other consisting of 7 analyses that define a discordia with
analyses that may be affected by lead loss and analyses with a lower intercept age of 211.3
3.1 Ma (MSWD, ¼ 1.2 Table 3, Fig. 4c
significant common lead (207Pb/206Pb > 0.06), the data yield and d). A single zircon core yields an apparent 207Pb/206Pb date of
a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 477
2 Ma (Fig. 4b). The MSWD 1485 Ma (Table 3). The scatter in the 481.9 Ma population is
of 4.7, suggests that additional scatter in the data remains which we interpreted to be a result of lead loss affecting some analyses, this
attribute to minor amounts of lead loss in some zircon crystals. age therefore represents our best estimate for the minimum
 L.C. Mantilla Figueroa et al. / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 38 (2012) 1e12
Fig. 4. Concordia diagrams for the studied rocks in the ‘Veta de Barro’ area; Angostura gold prospect (Santander Massif, north-Eastern Cordillera, Colombia); samples GE-58-M1 (a),
GH-72-M2 (b) and GI-60-M2 (c and d).
magmatic crystallization age of this rock. As with sample GE-58-
M1, the 211 Ma sub-population is inferred to be related to intru-
sion of late Triassic granitoid dykes.
In summary, the Proterozoic ages 765.5 Ma (point of analysis
GE-58-M1-9, Table 1), 1485 Ma (point of analysis GI-60-M2-19,
Table 3), and 1381.2 Ma (point of analysis GE-58-M1-22, Table 1)
obtained from the cores of the analyzed zircons, are interpreted as
inherited from the host Bucaramanga Gneiss. Within theses
inherited ages, the date corresponding to 765.5 Ma, may be related
to a late metamorphic event affecting the Bucaramanga Gneiss,
while the 1485 and 1381.2 Ma ages, probably correspond to the
protolith, as was previously interpreted for zircons with similar
ages (Cordani et al., 2005).
The ages between 204.1 and 239.2 Ma in sample GE-58-M1
(points of analysis GE-58-M1-8; GE-58-M1-11; GE-58-M1-21; GE-
58-M1-26 y GE-58-M1-27; Table 1) and the 211.3
3.1 Ma age
obtained from rims of zircon in GI-60-M2 are interpreted as over-
growths during the Triassic magmatic episode. These ages are
consistent with a 205e210 Ma age for a granodiorite (Dörr et al.,
1995) at Paramo Rico some18 km SE of Veta de Barro.
4.3. Lu/Hf ratios
The 176Hf/177Hf, 174Hf/177Hf, 176Lu/177Hf and 176Yb/177Hf ratios
were measured on 15 dated zircon grains (Table 4). These grains are
all part of the early Ordovician zircon population and were taken
9
from sample GH72-M2. The data are presented in the epsilon
notation values (3 Hf(t)) (Table 4).
The epsilon notation value is defined as 3 Hf(t) ¼ (176Hf/177
Hfsample(t)/176Hf/177HfCHUR(t)  1)  104, where (t) is the geological
age of the sample, 176Hf/177HfCHUR(t) is the isotopic composition of
the CHUR (Chondritic Uniform Reservoir) at time t. This reservoir
has been assumed to be primitive material of the early Solar System
(Blichert-Toft and Albarède, 1997; Blichert-Toft et al., 1997;
Machado and Simonetti, 2001; Scherer et al., 2001; Albarède et al.,
2006). As it has been documented in Blichert-Toft and Albarède
(1997) and Machado and Simonetti (2001), the temporal variation
in 176Hf/177Hf ratios of CHUR through geologic time is defined by
a 176Lu/177Hf value ¼ 0.0332
2 and a present-day value
176
Hf/177Hf ¼ 0.282772
29 (initial value for Solar System material
at 4.56 Ga 176Hf/177Hf ¼ 0.279742
29). Thus, samples derived from
a depleted or enriched source relative to CHUR at time t, have 3 Hf(t)
values >0 (positive) and <0 (negative), respectively. In this sense,
the Hf isotopic composition (radiogenic 3 Hf(t) > 0 or unradiogenic
3 Hf(t) < 0) of newly formed crust is inherited from its mantle
source, and its depleted or enriched nature is dependent on its
precursor evolutionary history, i.e., felsic melts derived from
melting of old continental crust generate zircons with unradiogenic
initial Hf isotope ratios (3 Hf(t) < 0), whereas melts formed by the
melting of young crust recently formed from depleted mantle
crystallize zircons with radiogenic initial Hf isotopic compositions
(3 Hf(t) > 0) similar to that of their mantle source (Machado and
10 L.C. Mantilla Figueroa et al. / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 38 (2012) 1e12
Fig. 5. Mean epsilon Hf values (3 Hft) obtained from sample GH-72-M2 dated at 477 Ma.
Simonetti, 2001). Several studies, which have used the LueHf
systematics, have highlighted this same distinctive feature
(Stevenson and Patcheitt, 1990; Vervoort et al., 1999; Griffin et al.,
2000; Andersen and Griffin, 2004; Condie et al., 2005; Harrison
et al., 2005; Hawkesworth, 2006; Andersen et al., 2007; Arvizu
et al., 2009; Deckart et al., 2010).
The epsilon Hf values (Hft) obtained from sample GH-72-M2
dated at 477
2 Ma, have a mean value of 2
1 and MSWD ¼ 1.3
(Fig. 5). These values indicate a radiogenic initial Hf isotopic
composition (3Hf(t) > 0), which is typical for a depleted mantle
source.
5. Geological implications
The confirmation of an early Ordovician magmatic pulse in the
SM and its association with partial melting processes in the mantle
(depleted mantle-derived magmas, as indicated by the 3Hf(t)
values > 0), has important implications for the understanding of the
geological evolution of this area of the Colombian Eastern Cordillera.
Although proposing a comprehensive early Paleozoic paleotec-
tonic model and paleogeography of the study area is beyond the
scope of this study, since more data on pressureetemperature-
evolution for the different metamorphic units as well as petro-
chemical studies would be needed to generate a comprehensive
model, we advance a possible paleogeographic interpretation below.
There are two principal models for global paleogeography for
the time interval of 615e530 Ma (Pisarevsky et al., 2008), these are:
a high- and a low-latitude model. The first model requires three
discrete plume events and the second one requires a single plume
event to explain the evolution of Laurentia, Baltica and Gondwana
during the mentioned time interval. The both models explain the
relationship between collisions, extensional events and opening of
ocean basins that took place during that time interval (the Torn-
quist Sea and the eastern Iapetus Ocean opened between 600 and
550 Ma), whereas the western Iapetus Ocean was established
somewhat later after 550 Ma. These ocean basins formed a three-
arm rift between Laurentia, Baltica, and Gondwana. In this
scenario, some continental crust fragments such as the Oaxaquia,
Avalonian, Cadomian terranes, as well as the SM (were rifted away
from Gondwana when the Iapetus Ocean formed).
The early Ordovician paleotectonic configuration and paleoge-
ography of northern South America, have been debated in various
papers (Neuman, 1984; Hoffman, 1991; Scotese and McKerrow,
1991; Cocks and Kerrow, 1993; Dalziel et al., 1994; Niocaill et al.,
Fig. 6. Simplified paleogeographic scheme for the early Ordovician, adapted from
Moreno-Sanchez et al. (2008). A subduction related magmatic arc must have existed in
the Santander Massif (SM) (Whittington and Hughes, 1972; Zhen and Percival, 2003;
Cocks and Torsvik, 2005; Bergström et al., 2006; Owens and Servais, 2007; Paskevicius,
2007). Dark gray color represents emerged areas, light gray color represents the
submerged platforms and white color represents the oceanic areas.
1997; Cocks and Torsvik, 2002; Aceñolaza et al., 2002; Torsvik
and Van der Voo, 2002; Fortey and Cocks, 2003; Benedetto, 2004;
van Staal et al., 2008; Thompson et al., 2010), indicating that the
North American continent (part of Laurentia) was in general terms
likely positioned near the equator, whereas that Gondwana was
positioned more southerly (Neuman, 1984; Hoffman, 1991; Cocks
and Torsvik, 2002). The position of the terrane, which SM is part
of (part of Chibcha Terrane, according to Restrepo et al., 2011), is not
clear, but is inferred that it was located between Gondwana and
Laurentia, in a similar position as the other terranes rifted away
from the Gondwana margin (see also Pisarevsky et al., 2008).
Furthermore, the presence of marble in the Silgara Formation
(with precursor limestones deposited during the EdiacaraneEarly
Cambrian, according to Silva et al., 2004), is consistent with the
interpretation that SM (not accreted yet to Gondwana at that time)
was located likely at low paleolatitudes and likely was being
transported when Ordovician Iapethus ocean was opening (Dalla
Salda et al., 1993; Semtner and Klitzsch, 1994; Thomas and Astini,
1996, 1999; Niocaill et al., 1997; Ramos, 1998; Pankhurst and
Rapela, 1998; Aceñolaza et al., 2002; Benedetto, 2004; Pisarevsky
et al., 2008).
Considering that the early Ordovician igneous rocks studied are
calc-alkaline and their magma is related to a mantle source, it is
proposed that this magmatism took place in a supra-subduction
setting (Fig. 6), coinciding with the beginning of the closure of
the Iapetus Ocean interpreted to have occurred at that time by
Niocaill et al. (1997). The Chibcha terrane, finally was accreted back
to NW Gondwana after complete subduction of the Iapetus during
the Caledonian orogeny in the OrdovicianeSiluriane
Eodevonian. The arguments supporting the interpretation that
this terrane wasn’t accreted to the NW South America continent
prior to the early Ordovician, have been outlined in Restrepo and
Toussaint (1988), Toussaint (1993), Ordóñez-Carmona et al.
(2006) and Restrepo et al. (2011), who have indicated that Anda-
quí Terrane (Macarena Range, Colombia, Fig. 1) and the region east
 L.C. Mantilla Figueroa et al. / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 38 (2012) 1e12
of the Andes, presents sedimentary rocks with Cambrian fossils,
while the rocks of the same age in the SM have been intensely
metamorphosed. Thus, the Precambrian rocks were deposited prior
to the metamorphism related to the accretion of the Chibcha
Terrane to Gondwana.
From the metallogenetic point of view the Ordovician magma-
tism was subduction related and can, potentially be related to
magmatic-hydrothermal mineralization. The presence of marbles
and calc-silicate rocks containing garnet and scapolite in proximity
to Ordovician intrusive rocks cutting the Silgara formation (Ríos
et al., 2008) is potentially related to metasomatism and skarn
mineralization. The epithermal and porphyry style mineralization
which is the focus of current mining and exploration activities in
the study area are, however, Miocene or younger in age (Mantilla
et al., 2009, 2011; Leal-Mejía et al., 2011) and unrelated to Ordo-
vician magmatism.
6. Conclusions
The Vetas-California Mining District contains igneous rocks
(meta-diorítes) of early Ordovician (around 477 Ma) age. Hf isotope
signature reveals that these are mantle-derived magmas typical for
supra-subduction setting.
The Ordovician rocks have been affected by intense deformation
and amphibolite facies metamorphism before the culmination of
the Caledonian orogeny. A subsequent late Triassic magmatic
episode represented by muscovite bearing granites intruding the
meta-diorites and the Bucaramanga Gneiss are thought to be the
cause of zircon growth rims of 204e210 Ma age.
Those early Ordovician igneous rocks are considered related to
the subduction leading to the closure of the Iapetus Ocean, pre-
caledonian collision and orogeny which happened at the end of
the Ordovician through to the Silurian. This early Ordovician
magmatic event is potentially a magmatic-hydrothermal process
which may be related to precious and base metal enrichment.
Acknowledgments
The authors express our deep thanks to the Industrial University
of Santander (UIS), for the support and commitment to the tasks
which brings forward the School of Geology, aimed at creating new
geologic knowledge about Colombia territory. To the Mineral
Deposit Research Unit (MDRU), at the Earth and Ocean Sciences
Department (University of British Columbia), for all its support and
help. To all civil, military and ecclesiastical authorities from Cal-
ifornia, Vetas and surrounding areas, for their permanent kindness
and cooperation. A special gratitude to all those students from the
School of Geology at the UIS, who have done their geological
fieldwork practices in the studied area. Our gratitude to all
colleagues and staff’ personal from Eco Gold Minerals Corp., CVS
Explorations Ltda., AUX Colombia Ltda companies, and to all miners
from the area, for their continuing support to the School of Geology
(UIS), especially during its geological fieldworks activities. To Sara
Jenkins (MDRU-EOS-UBC), for her assistance in the preparation of
some Figures. To Hernando Mendoza, Juan Diego Colegial, Jorge
Pinto and Ricardo Amorocho, for their support during the field-
works developed along with students of the UIS. Constructive
reviews by Julio Cezar Mendes (Dept of Geology, UFRJ, Rio de
Janeiro) and one anonymous referee are acknowledged and helped
improve this paper.
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