Timing of magmatic-hydrothermal activity in the Variscan Orogenic Belt: LA-ICP-MS U–Pb geochronology of skarn-related garnet from the Schwarzenberg District, Erzgebirge

Abstract Here, we present in situ U–Pb laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) ages of andradite-grossular garnet from four magmatic-hydrothermal polymetallic skarn prospects the Schwarzenberg District, Erzgebirge (Germany), located internal zone Variscan Orogenic Belt. Within geochronological framework igneous rocks and hydrothermal mineralization Erzgebirge, obtained define three distinct episodes formation: (I) early late-collisional (338–331 Ma) recording onset fluid flow shortly after peak metamorphic event, (II) (~ 327–310 related to emplacement large peraluminous granites following large-scale extension caused by orogenic collapse (III) post-collisional 310–295 contemporaneous with widespread volcanism associated Permian crustal reorganization. Our results demonstrate that formation skarns District occurred episodically all sub-stages cycle over a time range at least 40 Ma. This observation is consistent age available data ore deposits other zones Belt central western Europe. In analogy time–space relationship major porphyry-Cu belts South America, congruent evolution distinctly later (by ~ 30 occurrence external may be interpreted as function their tectonic position relative collisional front.