• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.307-317
• /
• 2023

We investigate the provenance of detrital garnets in Middle-Upper Jurassic sandstone of the Mino terrane, an accretionary complex in Southwest Japan, based on their chemical composition. The garnet grains in the Mino sandstone are mostly Fe-rich (almandine) and slightly Mg-rich (pyrope) species derived from high-grade metamorphic and intermediate to acidic plutonic rocks. The composition and interpreted origin of the garnets are generally consistent with those of metamorphic and igneous rocks of the Yeongnam Massif on the Korean Peninsula, a possible source region suggested in previous studies. In addition, two single grains of chromian spinel, an accessory mineral found in mafic to ultramafic rocks such as mantle peridotite, were found in one of the Mino sandstone samples. This finding suggests the possible presence of mafic to ultramafic rocks in the source area. The results of this study provide complimentary evidence for establishing a comprehensive tectonic and paleogeographical framework for the Mesozoic East Asian continent.