We present improved age constraints for the world-class Zinkgruvan Zn-Pb-Ag and Cu deposit: one of the largest Zn deposits of the Fennoscandian shield, and one of the earliest large, basin-hosted Zn deposits that formed from oxidized saline brines. Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) U-Pb dating on zircon is used to constrain at least two phases of c. 1.9 Ga volcanism in the Zinkgruvan area, separated by a period of fluvial sedimentation, all of which predated formation of the stratiform Zn-Pb-Ag mineralization. A 1908 ± 4 Ma age for a rhyolitic rock of the first volcanic phase is the oldest recorded U-Pb zircon age of a volcanic rock in the Bergslagen lithotectonic unit (BLU) where Zinkgruvan is located. Similarly, two identical ages of 1898 ± 5 Ma for volcanic rocks belonging to the second volcanic phase indicate that the local volcanic activity, which formed the stratigraphic footwall, ended earlier in the Zinkgruvan area than in other parts of the BLU, where intense explosive felsic volcanic and intrusive activity until c. 1891 Ma has been demonstrated. This, along with a hybrid siliciclastic-volcaniclastic (tuffitic) character of the Zinkgruvan ore host, confirms earlier interpretations that the Zinkgruvan deposit formed in an actively subsiding basin, distal to active volcanic centers in the BLU in the time range 1.90–1.89 Ga. Our results support models suggesting that basinal brine-driven hydrothermal systems in sedimentary basins distal to volcanic centers could form world-class Zn deposits as early as c. 1.90 Ga.

Here, we present a compilation of 44 metamorphic pressure-temperature (P-T) estimates from 31 localities in the Svecofennian province of eastern and central Sweden. Based on these P-T estimates, which were obtained using the average P-T method of the computer programme THERMOCALC, we calculated an apparent metamorphic field gradient of 54 +/- 4 degrees C/km for the Svecofennian province. This is typical for low-medium P/T (Buchan) metamorphism and supports tectonic models that imply Svecofennian crustal growth by accretion of volcanic arc systems. In general, estimated P and T conditions range from 0.2 to 0.6 GPa and from 400 to 800 degrees C, respectively; i.e., from greenschist to granulite facies conditions. Metamorphic grade is generally higher, reaching upper amphibolite or granulite facies in northern and southwestern parts of the Svecofennian province, whereas metamorphism in Bergslagen was at greenschist to lower amphibolite facies conditions. The higher metamorphic temperatures recorded by rocks in the southwestern part of the province might relate to magmatic activity associated with the Transscandinavian Igneous Belt (TIB). Higher pressure, epidote amphibolite facies metamorphic conditions in the western part of the province probably reflect Sveconorwegian overprinting. Finally, local upper amphibolite and granulite facies conditions probably reflect contact metamorphism.

Malingen is the 0.7km wide minor crater associated to the 10 times larger Lockne crater in the unique Lockne-Malingen doublet. The craters formed at 458Ma by the impact of a binary asteroid related to the well-known 470Ma Main Belt breakup event responsible for a large number of Ordovician craters and fossil meteorites. The binary asteroid struck a target sequence including similar to 500m of sea water, similar to 80m of limestone, similar to 30m of dark mud, and a peneplainized Precambrian crystalline basement. Although the Lockne crater has been extensively studied by core drillings and geophysics, little is known about the subsurface morphology of Malingen. We performed magnetic susceptibility and remanence, as well as density, measurements combined with gravity, and magnetic field surveys over the crater and its close vicinity as a base for forward magnetic and gravity modeling. The interior of the crater shows a general magnetic low of 90-100nT broken by a clustered set of high-amplitude, short wavelength anomalies caused by bodies of mafic rock in the target below the crater and as allogenic blocks in the crater infill. The gravity shows a general -1.4mgal anomaly over the crater caused by low-density breccia infill and fractured crystalline rocks below the crater floor. The modeling also revealed a slightly asymmetrical shape of the crater that together with the irregular ejecta distribution supports an oblique impact from the east, which is consistent with the direction of impact suggested for the Lockne crater.

Ulfanderssonite-(Ce) is a new mineral (IMA 2016-107) from the long-abandoned Malmkärra iron mine, one of the Bastnäs-type Fe-rare earth element (REE) deposits in the Bergslagen ore region, central Sweden. It is named for Ulf B. Andersson, a Swedish geologist and petrologist. In the type specimen, the mineral occurs with västmanlandite-(Ce), bastnäsite-(Ce), phlogopite, talc, magnetite, pyrite, fluorbritholite-(Ce) and scheelite. Ulfanderssonite-(Ce) forms pinkish, translucent subhedral grains, 100-300 mu m, in aggregates up to 2 mm. Fracture is uneven, and there is an indistinct cleavage parallel (001). Mohs' hardness is 5-6, D-calc = 4.97 g cm(-3). Optically, ulfanderssonite-(Ce) is nonpleochroic, biaxial negative, with 2V(meas) = 55 degrees and n(calc) = 1.82. The ideal composition is Ce15CaMg2(SiO4)(10)(SiO3OH)(OH,F)(5)Cl-3. Electron microprobe and LA-ICP-MS chemical analyses yielded (in wt%) La2O3 11.87, Ce2O3 30.98, Pr2O3 3.99, Nd2O3 17.14, Sm2O3 2.81, Eu2O3 0.18, Gd2O3 1.15, Dy2O3 0.30, Tb2O3 0.10, Y2O3 1.11, CaO 2.26, FeO 0.02, MgO 1.97, P2O5 0.08, SiO2 19.13, H2Ocalc 1.07, F 1.09, Cl 2.89, O=(F, Cl) -1.10, sum 97.04. The five strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [I(%) d(obs) (angstrom) (hkl)]: 100 2.948 (- 421), 47 2.923 (204), 32 2.660 (- 225), 26 3.524 (40-1), 25 1.7601 (6-23). Ulfanderssonite-(Ce) is monoclinic, Cm, with a = 14.1403(8), b = 10.7430(7), c = 15.498(1) angstrom, b = 106.615(6)degrees and V = 2256.0 (2) angstrom 3 for Z = 2. The crystal structure has been solved by direct methods and refined to R-1 = 2.97% for 5280 observed reflections. It consists of a regular alternation of two layers, designated A and B, along the c-axis: A (ca. 9 angstrom thickness), with composition [(Ce8Ca) MgSi7O22(OH, F) 4](8+), and B (ca. 6.5 angstrom), with composition [Ce7MgSi4O21(OH, F)(2)Cl-3](8); the A layer is topologically and chemically closely related to cerite-(Ce). A FTIR spectrum shows strong absorption in the region 2850-3650 cm(-1), related to the presence of OH stretching bands. Ulfanderssonite-(Ce) is interpreted as a primary mineral at the deposit, along with the more common fluorbritholite-(Ce), formed by a magmatic-hydrothermal fluid with REE, Si, F and Cl ion complexes reacting with dolomite marble. The presence of ulfanderssonite-(Ce) is direct evidence of a Cl-rich mineral-forming aqueous solution, normally not reflected in the composition of skarn minerals in Bastnäs-type deposits.