Zircon U–Pb geochronology has become one of the most fundamental and powerful tools in modern Earth and planetary sciences. Zircon (ZrSiO4) is an exceptionally robust mineral capable of withstanding extreme geological conditions without significant alteration or isotopic resetting. Its chemical and isotopic resilience enables the preservation of primary age information through multiple cycles of magmatic crystallization, metamorphism, and sedimentary reworking. The application of U–Pb dating to zircon has therefore transformed our ability to quantify geological time and to reconstruct the tectonic, magmatic, and thermal evolution of the Earth’s crust [1,2]. Zircon geochronology is particularly valuable in distinguishing multiple stages of magmatism and metamorphism within orogenic belts, providing direct temporal evidence for crustal reworking, juvenile crust formation, and subduction-related magmatic activity [3,4].
Methodological advances over the past two decades have significantly enhanced the precision and spatial resolution of zircon U–Pb dating. Techniques such as cathodoluminescence imaging, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), and isotope dilution–thermal ionization mass spectrometry (ID-TIMS) now permit high-resolution analysis and observation of individual zircon domains at micron scales. These advances enable researchers to distinguish inherited cores, metamorphic overgrowths, and magmatic zoning, thus revealing complex polyphase histories that were previously unresolved. In addition, the integration of zircon trace-element geochemistry and Hf isotopes provides complementary insights into magma sources, crustal assimilation, and mantle contributions, linking geochronological data directly to petrogenetic processes.
This Special Issue of Geosciences, titled “Zircon U–Pb Geochronology Applied to Tectonics and Ore Deposits,” is a comprehensive collection of contributions that highlight the diverse and evolving applications of zircon U–Pb geochronology in resolving fundamental geological questions. By constraining the timing of these events with ever-increasing precision, zircon U–Pb dating continues to refine the temporal framework of regional geology and global tectonic evolution.
A key focus of this Special Issue lies in the application of zircon U–Pb geochronology to metallogenic systems. The ability to precisely date the timing of ore-related magmatism and hydrothermal activity has profound implications for understanding the genesis, spatial distribution, and tectonic control of mineral deposits. Several contributions in this volume explore zircon age constraints on porphyry Cu–Au, skarn, and W–Sn–REE systems, revealing how ore-forming processes are intimately linked to magmatic and tectonic evolution [5].
The topics and goals related to the SI are presented below:
- Advancing Applications of Zircon U–Pb Geochronology: Highlight cutting-edge research that utilizes zircon U–Pb dating to constrain the timing of magmatic, metamorphic, and sedimentary events, improving our understanding of crustal evolution and tectonic processes across diverse geological settings.
- Integrating Geochronology with Geochemistry: Emphasize multidisciplinary approaches combining zircon U–Pb ages with geochemical, isotopic data to develop comprehensive models of crustal growth, orogenic evolution, and lithospheric dynamics.
- Linking Tectonics to Metallogeny: Showcase studies that use zircon U–Pb geochronology to establish temporal and genetic relationships between tectonic events, magmatism, and ore formation, enhancing exploration models for porphyry, skarn, and rare-metal deposits worldwide.
The accepted papers present detailed mineralogical analyses and regional-scale studies from diverse geological terranes, aiming to integrate laboratory-based geochronological data with field observations and to connect insights across multiple spatial and geological scales (e.g., [6,7,8,9]).
Guo et al. (2024) [6] conducted a detailed study of the Luang Prabang–Loei metallogenic belt, spanning parts of Laos and Thailand, which is one of Southeast Asia’s major gold–copper provinces and developed during the late Paleozoic to Mesozoic evolution of the Paleo-Tethys. By integrating previously published data with new analyses of ore-forming fluids, they provide robust evidence that the region’s vein-type gold deposits are predominantly orogenic in origin. Their comprehensive metallogenic model links diverse mineralization styles—including epithermal, porphyry–skarn, and orogenic systems—to processes of subduction, ocean closure, and continental collision. The study emphasizes the complex tectonomagmatic controls on mineralization and highlights the importance of further geochemical and petrological investigations of both the deposits and associated magmatic activity to better understand metallogenic processes in the region.
Qasim et al. (2024) [7] carried out a detailed and comprehensive investigation to better constrain the timing and nature of the India–Asia collision along the western Indian Plate. Their study focused on the Paleocene Dunghan and Eocene Ghazij formations in Pakistan, combining U–Pb detrital zircon geochronology with detailed sandstone petrography. The zircon age distributions reveal a clear transition from older Indian-derived sources, predominantly of Paleozoic to Archean age, to younger Asian sources, notably the Kohistan–Ladakh Arc and the Karakoram Block. This shift in sediment provenance reflects a significant tectonic reorganization, marking the onset of collisional interactions in the western segment of the plate. Based on their data, Qasim et al. (2024) [7] considered this initial collisional phase to approximately 50–48 Ma, which is younger than previously reported ages along other segments of the India–Asia margin. Their findings provide critical insights into the spatiotemporal evolution of early collision processes, sediment routing, and crustal interactions in this key portion of the orogeny, highlighting the complex and diachronous nature of the India–Asia collision along its western boundary.
Yousefi et al. (2024) [8] conducted a comprehensive study of high silica adakitic granitoids in New Brunswick, utilizing detailed geochemical analyses to unravel their petrogenesis and tectonomagmatic significance. They identified characteristic geochemical signatures, including high Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios, low Y and Yb concentrations, pronounced enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements (LILE), and depletion in high-field-strength elements (HFSE). These features, they argued, are indicative of slab-related processes, specifically the transition from slab rollback to eventual slab break-off during the final stages of subduction. The granitoids were emplaced within transpressional to transtensional tectonic regimes, and their oxidized, fertile nature makes them especially important for the formation of Cu-bearing porphyry systems. Beyond their economic significance, these rocks provide valuable insights into the post-subduction evolution of the region, recording the interplay between crustal melting, mantle contributions, and tectonic reorganization. Overall, the study highlights the role of adakitic magmatism as a key marker of late subduction processes and associated metallogenic potential.
Craddock et al. (2025) [9] examined and reassessed the Mesoproterozoic (~1470 Ma) Wolf River Batholith (WRB), which spans approximately 6500 km2 and comprises 11 plutons that intrude both the Archean Marshfield and Proterozoic Penokean terranes. Traditionally considered an anorogenic batholith, the WRB’s emplacement style was reassessed using anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) as a proxy for magmatic flow. Seven igneous phases were analyzed, showing predominantly subhorizontal fabrics across six orientations: however, paleomagnetic data reveal subvertical paleopoles, including both normal and reversed polarities. The youngest associated unit, the synorogenic Baldwin Conglomerate (<1460 Ma), displays horizontal magnetic fabrics but subvertical multidomain and paleopole signatures, indicating post-emplacement deformation. Key xenoliths and inliers—including McCauley Gneiss (1886 Ma), Rib Mountain Quartzite (1750 Ma), Dells of the Eau Claire Rhyolite (1483–1469 Ma), and Baldwin Conglomerate—also preserve subvertical orientations, while the Wausau turbidite (1850 Ma), intruded by the WRB, dips ~25° west. Collectively, these structural and paleomagnetic observations suggest that the WRB experienced significant deformation after emplacement, supporting its reinterpretation as a deformed, synorogenic intrusion rather than an anorogenic batholith, highlighting the importance of integrating AMS, paleomagnetic, and U–Pb geochronology data to understand Proterozoic tectonomagmatic evolution.
This Special Issue cannot encompass all recent developments in Zircon U–Pb geochronology applied to tectonics and ore deposits. Ongoing and future research is expected to provide important new insights and further advance our understanding in this rapidly evolving field.
Author Contributions
Conceptualization, K.Z., C.M. and J.A.S.G.-R.; methodology, K.Z.; software, K.Z.; validation, K.Z., C.M. and J.A.S.G.-R.; formal analysis, K.Z.; investigation, K.Z.; resources, K.Z.; data curation, K.Z. and C.M.; writing—original draft preparation, K.Z.; writing—review and editing, K.Z., C.M. and J.A.S.G.-R.; visualization, K.Z.; supervision, K.Z.; project administration, K.Z.; funding acquisition, K.Z. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Acknowledgments
We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to all the authors for their valuable contributions and to the reviewers for their insightful and constructive comments, which have significantly improved the scientific quality of this collection. We are grateful to the Geosciences Editorial Office for their continuous guidance and efficient handling of the publication process. Finally, we dedicate this volume to the global community of geoscientists whose unwavering commitment continues to advance our understanding of Earth’s evolution and its mineral resources. The first Guest Editor acknowledges the BP (Brain Pool) Fellowship from the Korean Government.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare that the research was carried out without any commercial or financial affiliations that could be perceived as potential conflicts of interest.
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