Zircons were studied from high-pressure/low-temperature metamorphosed meta-igneous lithologies from Syros. These rocks carry several zircon generations related to each other by dissolution–reprecipitation processes. One generation is pristine zircon that shows growth zoning, relatively elevated contents of trivalent cations and high Th/U ratios. The other end-member is a skeletal zircon generation with negligible trivalent cation contents and low Th/U ratios (≤0·1). Texturally between these two, there is a range of zircon crystals with complex inclusion populations of Y–HREE–Th phases and fluid inclusions, showing variable progress of replacement– recrystallization. Both end-members yield distinct sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) U–Pb ages. The pristine generation has an age of 80·2 ± 1·6 Ma from a metagabbro, and 76·4 ± 2·1 Ma from a meta-plagiogranite dyke. The skeletal, low-Th/U zircon generation yields an age of 52·4 ± 0·8 Ma. The older, Late Cretaceous, zircons are interpreted to date emplacement of the magmatic protoliths in a small segment of oceanic crust. The younger, Eocene, age, however, dates a zircon recrystallization event, which possibly coincides with high solubility and mobility of high field strength elements in a high-pressure aqueous fluid phase. Intergrowth relations between zircon and peak-metamorphic garnet, and excellent agreement of the U–Pb ages with white mica Ar–Ar ages for the same samples support the conclusion that Eocene is the true age of high-pressure metamorphism on Syros.

South China has been considered as part of the Rodinian supercontinent during Neoproterozoic time, although its paleogeographic position within this supercontinent is still a matter of debate. The Wangjiangshan and Bijigou complexes along the northern margin of South China are among the largest mafic intrusions in China. New SHRIMP zircon U-Pb results indicate that these two intrusions have crystallization ages of 820 Ma and 780 Ma, respectively. Enrichment of large ion lithophile and light rare earth elements and depletion of high field-strength elements in these intrusions suggest derivation from an active arc along a continental margin. This interpretation of these intrusions as part of a continental arc assemblage is in contrast with the previous view that they were products of a Neoproterozoic mantle plume that initiated the breakup of Rodinia. The presence of a Neoproterozoic magmatic arc suggests that Rodinian oceanic lithosphere was subducted beneath the (present) northern margin of South China and therefore that South China flanked the Rodinian ocean.published_or_final_versio