Pegmatite Emplacement in the Seridَ Belt, Northeastern Brazil: Late Stage Kinematics of the Brasiliano Orogen

Geometric and kinematic analysis was performed in an area located in the central part of the Seridَ Belt (NE Brazil), where supracrustal rocks affected by polyphase deformation are well exposed. The first event recognized in this area (and regionally known as the D2 deformation) is characterized by top to the south thrust tectonics while a second one (D3 deformation) is marked by upright folds, strike-slip or transpressive shear zones and the development of flower structures. Major pegmatite swarms were emplaced during and late as regards the second event (dated ca. 580 Ma), being part of the Brasiliano orogeny; similar dyke swarms are known from the Nigerian Shield. These pegmatite swarms provide reliable kinematic markers of the late evolutionary stage of the Neoproterozoic Trans-Sahara-Borborema collisional belt. Mineralogical, geometric and kinematic features support two stages of pegmatite emplacement during the strike-slip event: (i) older, syn-D3 homogeneous pegmatites intruded mostly along lithological and structural discontinuities, such as foliation surfaces; (ii) late, D3 heterogeneous pegmatites were emplaced along tension gashes and other dilation structures. The heterogeneous pegmatites are economically more important, being exploited for precious metals and stones, as well as industrial minerals.