In-situ monazite Th–U–total Pb dating and zircon LA–ICP–MS depth-profiling was applied to metasedimentary rocks from the Vaimok Lens in the Seve Nappe Complex (SNC), Scandinavian Caledonides. Results of monazite Th–U–total Pb dating, coupled with major and trace element mapping of monazite, revealed 603 ± 16 Ma Neoproterozoic cores surrounded by rims that formed at 498 ± 10 Ma. Monazite rim formation was facilitated via dissolution–reprecipitation of Neoproterozoic monazite. The monazite rims record garnet growth as they are depleted in Y₂O₃ with respect to the Neoproterozoic cores. Rims are also characterized by relatively high SrO with respect to the cores. Results of the zircon depth-profiling revealed igneous zircon cores with crystallization ages typical for SNC metasediments. Multiple zircon grains also exhibit rims formed by dissolution–reprecipitation that are defined by enrichment of light rare earth elements, U, Th, P, ± Y, and ± Sr. Rims also have subdued Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* ≈ 0.6–1.2) with respect to the cores. The age of zircon rim formation was calculated from three metasedimentary rocks: 480 ± 22 Ma; 475 ± 26 Ma; and 479 ± 38 Ma. These results show that both monazite and zircon experienced dissolution–reprecipitation under high-pressure conditions. Caledonian monazite formed coeval with garnet growth during subduction of the Vaimok Lens, whereas zircon rim formation coincided with monazite breakdown to apatite, allanite and clinozoisite during initial exhumation.

The Vestgӧtabreen Complex exposed in the Southwestern Caledonian Basement Province of Svalbard comprises two Caledonian high-pressure units. In situ white mica ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and monazite Th-U-total Pb geochronology has resolved the timing of the tectonic evolution of the complex. Cooling of the Upper Unit during exhumation occurred at 476 ± 2 Ma, shortly after eclogite-facies metamorphism. The two units were juxtaposed at 454 ± 6 Ma. This was followed by subaerial exposure and deposition of Bullbreen Group sediments. A 430–400 Ma late Caledonian phase of thrusting associated with major sinistral shearing throughout Svalbard deformed both the complex and the overlying sediments. This phase of thrusting is prominently recorded in the Lower Unit, and is associated with a pervasive greenschist-facies metamorphic overprint of high-pressure lithologies. A c. 365–344 Ma geochronological record may represent an Ellesmerian tectonothermal overprint. Altogether, the geochronological evolution of the Vestgӧtabreen Complex, with previous petrological and structural studies, suggests that it may be a correlative to the high-pressure Tsäkkok Lens in the Scandinavian Caledonides. It is suggested that the Vestgӧtabreen Complex escaped to the periphery of the orogen along the sinistral strike-slip shear zones prior to, or during the initial stages of continental collision between Baltica and Laurentia.

Integrated structural, geochemical, and geochronological investigations were conducted on metasedimentary rocks in the eclogite‐bearing Tsäkkok Lens of the Seve Nappe Complex (Scandinavian Caledonides) to resolve its exhumation history. Three deformation events are defined. D1 is likely related to the prograde to peak‐metamorphic stages, represented by a locally preserved S1. D2 resulted in vertical shortening and is defined by a pervasive S2 and cm‐/m‐scale F2 closed folds. D2 terminated with Scandian thrusting, which emplaced the overlying Köli Nappe Complex. D3 records NE‐SW shortening and constitutes m‐/km‐scale F3 open folds that deformed the Tsäkkok Lens and Köli Nappe Complex together. In situ white mica ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology was conducted on select metasedimentary samples possessing S1 or S2 to resolve the timing of exhumation. Postdecompression cooling of the Tsäkkok Lens is best recorded by samples containing S1 or S2 that yield homogeneous white mica chemistry and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dates. The timing of cooling is resolved to 477.2 ± 4.1 Ma (S1) and 475.3 ± 3.5 Ma (S2). Vertical shortening of the lens during exhumation may have proceeded until 458.1 ± 9.0 Ma. Later‐stage deformation during Scandian thrusting penetrated the Tsäkkok Lens at 429.9 ± 9.0 Ma, or younger. This resulted in noncoaxial deformation of the metasedimentary rocks, producing heterogeneous white mica chemistry and partially reset the older ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar cooling record. Temperatures for deformation are resolved to the upper greenschist‐lower amphibolite facies. Altogether, the Tsäkkok Lens records rapid exhumation from eclogite‐facies conditions to midcrustal depths or shallower, followed by emplacement of the overlying Köli Nappe Complex.

The petrochronological records of eclogites in the Scandinavian Caledonides are investigated using EPMA and LA-ICPMS of zircon and apatite for U–Pb geochronology, combined with major and trace element characteristics. Metamorphic zircon from two eclogites from the Lofoten-Vesterålen Complex (Lofoten Archipelago region) collectively yielded a Concordia age 427.8 ± 5.7 Ma and an upper intercept U–Pb age 425 ± 30 Ma. Apatites from the same eclogites provided U–Pb lower intercepts at 322 ± 28 Ma and 354 ± 33 Ma, with the latter also yielding a younger age of 227 ± 24 Ma. Two eclogites from the Lower Seve Nappe (Northern Jämtland) demonstrate different zircon and apatite age records. Metamorphic zircon provided Concordia ages of 467.2 ± 5.9 Ma and 444.5 ± 5.5 Ma, which resolve the age of prograde metamorphism and zircon growth during retrogression, respectively. The lower intercept U–Pb ages of apatites from the same eclogites are 436 ± 18 and 415 ± 25 Ma, respectively. In combination with their geochemical characteristics, they suggest two separate stages of exhumation of eclogite bodies in the Lower Seve Nappe. Zircons from an eclogite from the Blåhø Nappe (Nordøyane Archipelago) yielded a continuum of concordant U–Pb dates from ca. 435 to 395 Ma, which suggests several cycles of HT metamorphism within short intervals. Distinctive trace element characteristics of apatites from the Blåhø Nappe eclogite suggest formation coeval with zircon and garnet during HT metamorphism, but Pb diffusion behaved as an open system until cooling during exhumation of the nappe at 390 ± 12 Ma (lower intercept U–Pb age of apatite). To summarize, this study presents the high potential of coupled zircon and apatite petrochronology of eclogites in resolving their metamorphic evolution, particularly with respect to using trace element characteristics of apatites to constrain the records of their growth, alterations and the meaning of their U–Pb age record.