Southern Granulite Terrain, South of the Palghat-Cauvery Shear Zone: Implications for India-Madagascar Connection

The present paper correlates the southern Madgascar terrain, south of the Ranotsara shear with the granulite terrain of southern India, occurring south of the Palghat-Cauvery (P-C) shear zone. Both the terrains have witnessed high temperature to ultra high temperature granulite metamorphism at 550 Ma and are traversed by shear zones and deep crustal faults. The 550 Ma old granulite terrains of Madagascar and southern India have similar lithologies, in particular, sapphirine bearing pelitic assemblages. Graphite deposits and gem occurrences are common to both these terrains. The 550 Ma old southern granulite terrain of southern India comprises of different blocks, the Madurai and the Kerala Khondalite belt, but all the blocks have similar lithologies with pelite—calc silicate rocks inter-banded with two pyroxene granulite bodies. These lithologies occur amidst an essentially charnockitic terrain. The protolith ages of the southern granulite terrain, south of the P-C shear zone ranges between 2400–2100 Ma. The terrain as a whole has witnessed the 550 Ma old granulite event. The granulite metamorphism took place under temperatures of 800–1000°C and at pressures of 9.5 to 5 Kbar.The source of heat for the high temperature granulite event of the southern Madagascar terrain has been linked to advective heat transfer along mantle deep faults. The source for the high temperature granulite metamorphism for the southern granulite terrain may be attributed to high temperature carbonatite and alkaline intrusives in an extensional setting which followed an initial crustal thickening.Many workers have linked Madagascar to southern India by connecting the Ranotsara shear either to the P-C shear zone or to the Achankovil shear zone, further south. The important factor is the lithologies of the Madagascar terrain, south of Ranotsara shear zone and the 550 Ma. old southern Indian granulite terrain are similar in many aspects. It will be more appropriate to link the Ranotsara shear to the curvilinear lineament bounding the Anaimalai-Kodaikanal ranges and which merges with the southern margin of the P-C shear zone.However, north of the Ranotsara shear/fault, the northern Madagascar terrain comprises of a dominant Itremo sequence (< 1850 Ma) and 780 Ma old calc-alkaline intrusives. The latter have similarities with that of Aravallis and the Sirohi, Malani sequences occurring further north east. The Rajasthan terrain has witnessed igneous intrusive activity at 1000–800 Ma. If we can broaden the area of investigations and include the above areas, the Madagascar-India connection can be better understood.     

Tectonic framework of the Precambrian of Madagascar and its Gondwana connections: a review and reappraisal

The Precambrian of Madagascar is divided into two sectors by the north-west trending sinistral Ranotsara shear zone, which continues in the Mozambique belt, probably as the Surma shear zone, and in Southern India as the Achankovil shear zone. South of Ranotsara six north-south trending tectonic belts are recognized that consist largely of granulite and high amphibolite facies paragneisses, phlogopite diopsidites, concordant granites and granulites. North of Ranotsara the central-northern segment is traversed by a north-trending axial 100–150 km wide dextral shear zone of probable Pan-African age, which was metamorphosed under granulite and high amphibolite facies conditions and which has reworked older basement. This shear zone continues across southern India as the Palghat-Cauvery shear zone. Major stratiform basic -ultrabasic complexes occur in the axial zone and in the basement to the west. Well preserved low grade continental margin-type sediments (quartzites, mica schists and stromatolitic marbles) of Kibaran age are present in western Madagascar. Two partly greenschist grade sedimentary groups lie unconformably on high grade basement in north-east Madagascar. Isotopic age data suggest the presence in Madagascar of Archaean, Early and Mid-Proterozoic crustal material that was extensively reworked in Pan-African times.     

Pink Sapphire from Southern Kerala, S. India: Implications on India-Madagascar Correlation Within Gondwana Assembly

We report here the occurrence of pink sapphires in association with a variety of gemstones from the Trivandrum Granulite Block south of the Achankovil Shear Zone in southern India. The mineralization is associated with pegmatites or veins emplaced within granulite facies aluminous supracrustals. The sapphires show near-pure A1,0, composition (98.43-99.48 wt.%) with traces of Cr, O, (0.02-0.12 wt.%) and FeO (0.01-0.12 wt.%). The available radiometric age of 513-2 Ma for gem quality zircon associated with pink sapphire in the Melankode locality confirms that the mineralization is of late Pan-African age. Pink sapphires have been widely reported from a number of localities in southern Madagascar including Betroka, Illakaka, Antranondambo and Ambossary. Sapphires of various hues also occur in the Ratnapura gem district in the southwestern part of Sri Lanka. The pink sapphire occurrences in southern Madagascar and southern Kerala provide strong evidence for India-Madagascar juxtaposition in the Gondwana assembly with the Ranotsara Shear Zone in southern Madagascar extending into the Achankovil Shear Zone in southern India.     

Peninsular India in Gondwana: The tectonothermal evolution of the Southern Granulite Terrain and its Gondwanan counterparts

Peninsular India forms a keystone in Gondwana, linking the East African and Malagasy orogens with Ediacaran–Cambrian orogenic belts in Sri Lanka and the Lützow Holm Bay region of Antarctica with similar aged belts in Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia. Ediacaran–Cambrian metamorphism and deformation in the Southern Granulite Terrane (SGT) reflect the past tectonic setting of this region as the leading vertex of Neoproterozoic India as it collided with Azania, the Congo–Tanzania–Bangweulu Block and Kalahari on one side and the Australia/Mawson continent on the other. The high-grade terranes of southern India are made up of four main tectonic units; from north to south these are a) the Salem Block, b) the Madurai Block, c) the Trivandrum Block, and d) the Nagercoil Block. The Salem Block is essentially the metamorphosed Dharwar craton and is bound to the south by the Palghat-Cauvery shear system — here interpreted as a terrane boundary and the Mozambique Ocean suture. The Madurai Block is interpreted as a continuation of the Antananarivo Block (and overlying Palaeoproterozoic sedimentary sequence — the Itremo Group) of Madagascar and a part of the Neoproterozoic microcontinent Azania. The boundary between this and the Trivandrum Block is the Achankovil Zone, that here is not interpreted as a terrane boundary, but may represent an Ediacaran rift zone reactivated in latest Ediacaran–Cambrian times.     

A new perspective on the significance of the Ranotsara shear zone in Madagascar

The Ranotsara shear zone in Madagascar has been considered in previous studies to be a >350-km-long, intracrustal strike-slip shear zone of Precambrian/Cambrian age. Because of its oblique strike to the east and west coast of Madagascar, the Ranotsara shear zone has been correlated with shear zones in southern India and eastern Africa in Gondwana reconstructions. Our assessment using remote sensing data and field-based investigations, however, reveals that what previously has been interpreted as the Ranotsara shear zone is in fact a composite structure with a ductile deflection zone confined to its central segment and prominent NW–SE trending brittle faulting along most of its length. We therefore prefer the more neutral term “Ranotsara Zone”. Lithologies, tectonic foliations, and axial trace trajectories of major folds can be followed from south to north across most of the Ranotsara Zone and show only a marked deflection along its central segment. The ductile deflection zone is interpreted as a result of E–W indentation of the Antananarivo Block into the less rigid, predominantly metasedimentary rocks of the Southwestern Madagascar Block during a late phase of the Neoproterozoic/Cambrian East African Orogeny (c. 550–520 Ma). The Ranotsara Zone shows significant NW–SE striking brittle faulting that reactivates part of the NW–SE striking ductile structures in the flexure zone, but also extends along strike toward the NW and toward the SE. Brittle reactivation of ductile structures along the central segment of the Ranotsara Zone, confirmed by apatite-fission track results, may have led to the formation of a shallow Neogene basin underlying the Ranotsara plain. The present-day drainage pattern suggests on-going normal fault activity along the central segment. The Ranotsara Zone is not a megascale intracrustal strike-slip shear zone that crosscuts the entire basement of southern Madagascar. It can therefore not be used as a piercing point in Gondwana reconstructions.     

Lithological and Structural Controls on the Genesis of Emerald Occurrences and their Exploration Implications in and around Gurabanda Area,Singhbhum Crustal Province,Eastern India

Emerald, the green gem variety of beryl (Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈), is the third most valuable gemstone after diamond and ruby. The green colour appearance of the crystal is due to trace of Cr³⁺ and V³⁺, which replaces Al³⁺ ions in the crystal lattice of beryl. The hue of green colour of emerald depends on the quantity of Cr³⁺ and V³⁺ present in the crystal. Be is incorporated along with Cr and/or V during the process of crystallization. Since Be is relatively rare in the upper continental crust, therefore specific geological and geochemical parameters are required for Be to be incorporated in the crystal lattice of emerald.The present work was carried out to understand the lithological and structural control of emerald occurrences in and around Gurabanda area within the Singhbhum shear zone (SSZ) of Singhbhum crustal province, eastern India. The biotite and serpentine schist belong to the Paleoproterozoic Dhanjori Group and constitute the major lithology of the area. Pegmatite and biotite schist contains a variety of gem minerals in abundance in the area and the gem quality emerald occur at the contact zone of quartz vein and mica-schist. Lithology and structure are the main controlling factors of gem-mineralization in the study area. The study indicates that regional metamorphism and deformation processes along the shear zone played a significant role in the formation of emerald deposits. It is inferred that Singhbhum shear zone facilitated a favourable condition, where the Be bearing pegmatites interacted with Cr bearing mica schist or ultramafic rocks to produce emerald crystal.     

Passage through India: the Mozambique Ocean suture,high‐pressure granulites and the Palghat‐Cauvery shear zone system

The Mozambique Ocean closed as Gondwana formed. Its suture has been identified in Madagascar (Betsimisaraka suture), but its continuation, into India, is controversial. The Palghat‐Cauvery shear system appears an ideal candidate as it: (i) lies along strike of the Betsimisaraka suture in Gondwana; (ii) forms a high‐pressure granulite belt; and (iii) separates crustal domains with different geological histories. However, existing age constraints have been used to suggest that the structure is Archaean/Palaeoproterozoic. Here we date metamorphic zircons using secondary ion mass spectrometry (535.0 ± 4.9 Ma) and monazites using electron probe micro‐analysis (537 ± 9, 532 ± 8, 525 ± 10 Ma). No evidence for an earlier metamorphic event was found. The identification of Palghat‐Cauvery high‐pressure metamorphism as Cambrian, and recognition that it bounds crustal domains of contrasting origin, points to it being the southern continuation of the Betsimisaraka suture and southern margin of Neoproterozoic India.     

Juxtaposition of India and Madagascar: A Perspective

Proterozoic terrains in South India and Madagascar provide important clues in understanding the Gondwanaland tectonics, especially the assembly of this mega-continent during the Pan-African period. The Archaean terrains in both Madagascar and India are characterized by N-S trending greenstone belts occurring within gneissose granitic rocks in the northern part. Extensive development of K-rich granitic rocks of ca. 2.5 Ga is also characteristic in both areas. Such a broad age zonation of younger Dharwar (ca 2.6–3.0 Ga) in the north and the older Sargur (ca 3.0–3.4 Ga) in the south as in South India remains to be identified in future studies from Madagascar. The occurrence of greenschist facies rocks in the northeastern part and higher grade rocks in most of other parts in the north-central terrain of Madagascar is comparable with the general tendency of increasing metamorphic grade from northwestern to southern areas ranging from greenschist to granulite facies in South India. The Proterozoic crystalline rocks in both continents show pronounced lithological similarity with the wide occurrence of graphite-bearing khondalite in association with charnockitic rocks. While the Archaean-Proterozoic boundary is well defined in southern India by the Palghat-Cauvery or the KKPT shear zones as recently identified, this boundary is ill-defined in Madagascar due to extensive Pan-African overprinting, as well as the development of the Proterozoic cover sequence, the Itremo Group. There is also a possible general correlation between the Mesoproterozoic cover sequences in Madagascar and India, such as between the Itremo Group of west-central Madagascar and the Kaladgi and Cuddapah sequences of South India. The Pan-African granulite facies metamorphism of ca. 0.5 Ga extensively developed in both India and Madagascar is generally comparable in intensity and extent. P-T conditions and P-T-t paths also appear comparable, with the general range of ca. 700–1000°C and 6–9 kb, and near-isothermal decompressional paths. A-type granite plutons and alkaline rocks including anorthosites and mafic plutonic rocks of ca. 500–800 Ma develop in both terrains, provide strong basis for the correlation of both terrains, and define a Pan-African igneous province within East Gondwanaland. Major shear zones in both continents are expected to play a critical role in the correlation, albeit are still poorly constrained. Detailed elucidation of the tectonic history of the shear zones, and the timing of various events along the shear zones would provide important constraints on the correlation of the two continental fragments.     

Re-Os Geochronology of Molybdenite from Yuanzhuding Porphyry Cu-Mo Deposit in South China

The Yuanzhuding porphyry Cu-Mo deposit, discovered in 2008, is located within the southern segment of the Chenzhou-Huaiji fault belt, South China. The deposit is hosted within the Upper Cambrian neritic facies sandstone and shale formation that is the strata of the axis and wings of within the Yuanzhuding anticline. Both of the porphyry and exo-contact zone contain Cu-Mo mineralization. Economic orebodies occur mainly in the exo-contact zone around the porphyry. We dated 11 molybdenite samples obtained from two borehole cores of the deposit, using the Re-Os method. Analyses of eight molybdenite samples from borehole ZK12-112 yield a Re-Os isochron age of 157.3 ± 4.3 Ma (2σ), and analyses of 11 samples from boreholes ZK12-112 and ZK16-104 yield a Re-Os isochron age of 155.6 ± 3.4 Ma (2σ). These isochron ages are within the error of the Re-Os model ages, demonstrating that the age results are reliable and that the Yuanzhuding porphyry Cu-Mo deposit formed during the late Middle Jurassic. The formation age of the Yuanzhuding Cu-Mo deposit is similar to the age of intermediate-acid rocks and W-Sn polymetallic deposits along the Chenzhou-Huaiji fault belt. This concordance suggests the same geodynamic process to the igneous activity and related mineralization, raising the potentiality of the porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization in the belt.     

宝玉石的找矿标志

本文主要探讨宝石的找矿标志。包括在超基性岩、辉长岩—斜长岩中含虹彩长石、喷发岩、花岗伟晶岩中的宝石,还有变花岗岩云英岩中含海蓝宝石,镁矽卡岩中含尖晶石、红宝石、蓝宝石和青金石,风化壳中的宝石,砂矿中的宝石等。     

Oxygen isotope systematics of gem corundum deposits in Madagascar: relevance for their geological origin

The oxygen isotopic composition of gem corundum was measured from 22 deposits and occurrences in Madagascar to provide a gemstone geological identification and characterization. Primary corundum deposits in Madagascar are hosted in magmatic (syenite and alkali basalt) and metamorphic rocks (gneiss, cordieritite, mafic and ultramafic rocks, marble, and calc-silicate rocks). In both domains the circulation of fluids, especially along shear zones for metamorphic deposits, provoked in situ transformation of the corundum host rocks with the formation of metasomatites such as phlogopite, sakenite, and corundumite. Secondary deposits (placers) are the most important economically and are contained in detrital basins and karsts. The oxygen isotopic ratios (¹⁸O/¹⁶O) of ruby and sapphire from primary deposits are a good indicator of their geological origin and reveal a wide range of δ¹⁸O (Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water) between 1.3 and 15.6‰. Metamorphic rubies are defined by two groups of δ¹⁸O values in the range of 1.7 to 2.9‰ (cordieritite) and 3.8 to 6.1‰ (amphibolite). “Magmatic” rubies from pyroxenitic xenoliths contained in the alkali basalt of Soamiakatra have δ¹⁸O values ranging between 1.3 and 4.7‰. Sapphires are classified into two main groups with δ¹⁸O in the range of 4.7 to 9.0‰ (pyroxenite and feldspathic gneiss) and 10.7 to 15.6‰ (skarn in marble from Andranondambo). The δ¹⁸O values for gem corundum from secondary deposits have a wide spread between −0.3 and 16.5‰. The ruby and sapphire found in placers linked to alkali basalt environments in the northern and central regions of Madagascar have consistent δ¹⁸O values between 3.5 and 6.9‰. Ruby from the placers of Vatomandry and Andilamena has δ¹⁸O values of 5.9‰, and between 0.5 and 4.0‰, respectively. The placers of the Ilakaka area are characterized by a huge variety of colored sapphires and rubies, with δ¹⁸O values between −0.3 and 16.5‰, and their origin is debated. A comparison with oxygen isotope data obtained on gem corundum from Eastern Africa, India, and Sri Lanka is presented. Giant placer deposits from Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Tanzania have a large variety of colored sapphires and rubies with a large variation in δ¹⁸O due to mingling of corundum of different origin: mafic and ultramafic rocks for ruby, desilicated pegmatites for blue sapphire, syenite for yellow, green, and blue sapphire, and skarn in marbles for blue sapphire.     

Cretaceous climate oscillations in the southern palaeolatitudes: New stable isotope evidence from India and Madagascar

Palaeotemperatures for the Cretaceous of India and Madagascar have been determined on the basis of oxygen isotopic analysis of well-preserved Albian belemnite rostra and Maastrichtian bivalve shells of from the Trichinopoly district, southern India, and Albian nautiloid and ammonoid cephalopods from the Mahajang Province, Madagascar. The Albian (possibly late Albian) palaeotemperatures for Trichinopoly district are inferred to range from 14.9 °C to 18.5 °C for the epipelagic zone, and from 14.3 °C to 15.9 °C for the mesopelagic zone, based on analyses of 65 samples; isotopic palaeotemperatures interpreted as summer and winter values for near-bottom shelf waters in this area fluctuate from 16.3 to 18.5 °C and from 14.9 to 16.1 °C, respectively. The mentioned palaeotemperatures are very similar to those calculated from isotopic composition of middle Albian belemnites of the middle latitude area of Pas-de-Calais in Northern hemisphere but significantly higher than those calculated from isotopic composition of Albian belemnites from southern Argentina and the Antarctic and middle Albian belemnites of Australia located within the warm-temperate climatic zone. Isotopic analysis of early Albian cephalopods from Madagascar shows somewhat higher palaeotemperatures for summer near-bottom shelf waters in this area (20.2-21.6 °C) in comparison with late Albian palaeotemperatures calculated from southern India fossils, but similar winter values (13.3-16.4 °C); however, the latter values are somewhat higher than those calculated from early Albian ammonoids of the tropical-subtropical climatic zone of the high latitude area of southern Alaska and the Koryak Upland. The new isotopic palaeotemperature data suggest that southern India and Madagascar were located apparently in middle latitudes (within the tropical-subtropical climatic zone) during Albian time. In contrast to the Albian fossils, isotope results of well-preserved early Maastrichtian bivalve shells from the Ariyalur Group, Trichinopoly district, are characterised by lower δ¹⁸O values (up to −5.8‰) but normal δ¹³C values, which might be a result local freshwater input into the marine environment. Our data suggest that the early Maastrichtian palaeotemperature of the southern Indian near-bottom shelf waters was probably about 21.2 °C, and that this middle latitude region continued to be a part of tropical-subtropical climatic zone, but with tendency of increasing of humidity at the end of Cretaceous time.     

Geo–tectonic Position of Tin Polymetallic Mineralization Zone in the Southern Da Hinggan Mountains Area, Inner Mongolia, China: An Introduction to This Special Issue

Abstract: As a part of the main activities of Japan‐China technical cooperation project, a test survey area, approximately 5,000 km², was established for the implement of its geological and geochemical research program. A major mineralization zone called Huanggang–Ganzhuermiao–Wulanhaote Sn‐Cu polymetallic mineralization zone is recognized in the southern Da Hinggan Mountains area. The southern half of this zone is known as the sole Sn‐mineralization zone in North China. The survey area lies in this prominent zone. As the most of the papers presented in this issue have concerns to the geology and mineralization in this survey area, this report was prepared to introduce geo‐tectonic situation of the Sn‐Cu polymetallic mineralization zone in the Inner Mongolia orogenic belt. The belt is divided into four tectonic facies (from NW to SE); I: Wuliyasitai volcano‐plutonic zone, II: Hegenshan ophiolite mélange zone, III: Sunitezuoqi volcano‐plutonic zone, IV: Wenduermiao ophiolite mélange zone. The subject Sn‐Cu polymetallic mineralization zone is situated in the southeastern part of the Sunitezuoqi magmatic zone. About this Sunitezuoqi magmatic zone, three geo‐tectonic characteristics are pointed out. In late Carboniferous to early Permian period, subduction of Hegenshan oceanic crust occurred, which accelerated volcano‐plutonic activities and brought about basic to intermediate volcanic rocks of tholeiitic to calc‐alkaline series represented by Dashizhai Group in the Sunitezuoqi magmatic zone. Late Jurassic to early Cretaceous acidic rocks representing the most culminated volcanism and plutonism in Mesozoic era in the Da Hinggan Moutains area are distributed very extensively in and around the Sn‐Cu polymetallic mineralization zone. The Proterozoic metamorphic basement rocks called Xilinhaote complex are distributed close to the mineralized area in the Sunitezuoqi magmatic zone. Although the real mineralization was known associated with Mesozoic acidic to intermediate volcano‐plutonic activities, it is thought that the lower Permian Dashizhai volcanic rocks and pre‐Cambrian basement rocks might have played certain significant role in the process respectively of extraction of elements and formation of the magma favorable for such mineralization in the Sunitezuoqi magmatic zone. It would be necessary to give further considerations to these three geological units in relation to the Sn‐Cu polymetallic mineralization.     

A classification of gem corundum deposits aimed towards gem exploration

This classification of gem corundum (ruby and sapphire) deposits takes into consideration petrographic data, and the mode of genesis of the deposits. It is aimed at being practical and useful in the field, particularly for prospecting purposes.Deposits are classified into primary and secondary deposits. Primary deposits include igneous and metamorphic deposits. Igneous gem corundum deposits are rare and include sapphire-bearing syenites from Kenya. Emphasis is put on metamorphic deposits, that are subdivided into metamorphic s.s., metasomatic, and anatectic deposits. Many gem corundum deposits result from metasomatic processes. Small-scale metasomatism mostly involves desilication reactions between silico-aluminous rocks (pegmatites, gneisses, etc) and silica-poor rocks (ultramafites, meta-carbonates), and leads to the formation of limited-size deposits. Large-scale (diffuse) metasomatism is usually more difficult to characterize, and therefore is not separated from isochemical metamorphism in this classification. In metamorphic deposits, gem corundum results from transformation of an Al-rich and/or Si-poor protolith. Such deposits include ruby-bearing mafic granulites, ruby-bearing meta-limestones, and ruby/sapphire-bearing gneisses and granulites. An intermediate category includes anatectic deposits. Secondary deposits encompass sedimentary and volcanic (xenoclastic) occurrences. In sedimentary deposits, gem corundum occurs as clasts originating from other lithologies. In volcanic deposits, gem corundums are xenocrysts that have a range of origins.The proposed classification outlines geological environments favorable to the crystallization and distribution of gem corundum, thus facilitating prospecting and mining of this gemstone.     

中天山北缘大型右旋走滑韧剪带研究

中天山北缘是一个近 EW向的大型右旋走滑韧剪带。宏、微观构造尺度的运动学研究表明 ,该带经历过至少二期韧性变形作用。第一期为从南向北的逆冲推覆韧剪变形 ,时代为中—晚志留世 ,以米什沟剖面为代表 ,对应于早古生代洋壳从北向南俯冲及稍后吐哈陆块朝中天山岛弧的碰撞事件。第二期为沿 EW方向的右旋走滑韧性变形 ,其构造形迹广泛分布于中天山北缘带各个地段 ;北天山石炭纪火山岩已卷入该期构造活动 ,走滑时代为晚石炭世—早二叠世 ,对应于晚石炭世塔里木与西伯利亚两大板块碰撞造山诱发的陆内变形、走滑剪切。走滑带中新生白云母 4 0 Ar/39Ar年龄为 ( 2 69± 5) Ma。剪切面理、拉伸线理、矿物韧剪构造、石英 C轴组构提供了构造运动学证据 ;地层不整合及同位素测年值提供了变形时间证据。二叠纪以后的构造事件也影响到中天山北缘带 ,但只有脆性变形形迹 ,无韧性剪切。最后对本区古生代构造演化进行了讨论     

湖南省界牌矽卡型铜钨矿地质特征及控矿条件

界牌矽卡型铜钨矿位于南岭成矿带内越城岭NNE向构造带铺里-界牌断裂南段西侧,为一典型的矽卡岩铜钨矿床.通过对该矿床的地质特征、地球化学特征及控矿条件分析研究表明,该矿床受构造断裂控制,容矿岩石主要为寒武系上统下段碳酸盐岩及少量花岗岩,在时空上可能与燕山期侵入活动密切相关.     

Ruby Mineralization in Southwest Madagascar

Gem-variety of red corundum (i.e. ruby) is produced in the Ejeda-Fotadrevo area, in southwestern Madagascar. The primary ruby deposits are closely associated with basic/ultrabasic complexes within the high grade metamorphic terranes of the Precambrian Vohibory unit. Ruby is recovered from amphibolite and anorthosite veins within these complexes. Petrographic data and P-T estimates indicate that the ruby-bearing rocks crystallized under granulites facies conditions of 750–850°C and 9–11.5kbar, in accordance with the conditions recorded from the surrounding granulites. The Malagasy ruby deposits present numerous similarities with East African deposits, especially Tanzanian, indicating similar geological context of ruby mineralization and suggesting that ruby formation in both these areas resulted from a same mineralizing event when Madagascar was still adjacent to East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania) in the Gondwanaland assembly at the end of Proterozoic times.     

新疆卡拉先格尔铜矿韧脆性剪切变形与铜矿化的关系

卡拉先格尔铜矿位于阿尔泰成矿带南缘东段, 通过对阿尔泰南缘卡拉先格尔铜矿发育的构造变形的分析, 认为矿区内发育的脆韧性剪切带对矿化、围岩蚀变的形成和空间展布具有一定的控制作用。今后在矿区内找矿不仅要重视岩性对矿化的控制, 还要重视韧性剪切变形带对矿化的制约, 尤其是位于剪切带的斑岩岩体与围岩的接触带附近, 岩体微裂隙发育, 易形成矿体的富集。      

东昆仑大干沟一带铜金锑矿特征及找矿意义

东昆仑地区处于中朝、塔里木-柴达木、扬子和印度板块的拼合部位,元古宙以来经历了多期次的裂解和拼合。该区以Au、Co、Cu、Pb、Zn、Hg、Sb、As元素组合为特征,其中多处已证实为矿致异常,共发现矿床、矿点等198处,初步显示了良好的找矿前景。目前在大干沟一带已发现铜多金属矿化带一条、金锑含矿构造蚀变带一条。矿化特征基本一致,均赋存于中三叠统闹仓坚沟组北西西向脆韧性剪切带内及两侧的灰白-烟灰色方解石石英脉内,且具有南侧金锑矿化、北侧铜多金属矿化的分带特征。      

马达加斯加石墨矿床控矿构造特征与找矿模型

马达加斯加石墨矿床主要分布于马达加斯加岛中东部及南部,矿床类型丰富且成矿地质条件优越,具有良好的找矿前景。综合研究表明,石墨矿床成矿作用经历了自新太古代至新元古代沉积、变质变形及岩浆叠加改造三个阶段。控矿构造研究表明,中部石墨矿床主要受由于紧密同斜褶皱改造的变质片理构造控制,矿体翼部薄而转折端较厚。东部石墨矿床受同斜褶皱及顺变质片理的剪切带控制,并被后期沿脆性断裂迁移的热液叠加富集。南部石墨矿床由于受深层次剪切变形带的影响而延伸稳定。在控矿构造研究的基础上,提出针对石墨矿床"层带复合-岩浆叠加"为主体的区域找矿模型。结合已有矿化时空分布规律及成矿条件,提出了马达加斯加4个主要的成矿远景区。