Stratigraphic control of hot fluids on anthracitization, Lackawanna synclinorium, Pennsylvania

The Lackawanna synclinorium of Pennsylvania contains abundant coal that was altered to anthracite rank during the Late Paleozoic Alleghanian orogeny. Why did the coal in the synclinorium undergo anthracitization? Two alternatives have been suggested. (1) The region was buried deeply during and/or after the Alleghanian orogeny and thus became hot in response to Earth's geothermal gradient; and (2) hot fluids migrating from the orogen toward the foreland carried heat into the coal and caused anthracitization. If the second hypothesis is correct, the region should contain evidence that hot fluids passed through the coal. Field observations, illite-crystallinity studies and fluid-inclusion analyses indicate that the coal-bearing Pottsville and Llewellyn Formations, and an underlying detachment fault, called the Pottchunk fault (at or slightly below the base of the Pottsville Formation), acted as a regional aquifer for the migration of hot fluids during the Alleghanian orogeny. The presence of quartz veins and the hydrothermal minerals tosudite and pyrophyllite in strata above the Pottchunk fault, and the apparent absence of an illite-crystallinity burial gradient in the underlying strata, suggest that fluids migrated through large pores in coarse-grained sandstones, through abundant fractures that developed in response to Alleghanian deformation, and along the Pottchunk fault. The quartz veins, tosudite and pyrophyllite mineralization do not occur below the Pottchunk fault (except at one locality), suggesting that fluid flow was greater above the fault, perhaps because fracturing accompanying deformation increased permeability of the fault's hanging wall. Fluid inclusions in the Pottsville and Llewellyn Formations indicate fluids achieved a minimum temperature of 270 °C at a depth of 3.1–8.5 km. Heat-flow calculations constrained by fluid-inclusion data show the heat carried by the migrating fluids through the coal-bearing strata was sufficient to elevate the rock temperature to anthracite-grade conditions (250 °C), assuming that the fluid event lasted about 1 year. Thus, deep burial (6–9 km) of the coal-bearing strata in the Lackawanna synclinorium was not required for anthracitization. Anthracitization was likely the result of stratigraphically controlled hot fluid migration through the coal-bearing strata at shallow depths (≤5 km).     

Late Mesozoic‐Cenozoic exhumation history of the Lesser Hinggan Mountains,NE China,revealed by fission track thermochronology

This study uses zircon and apatite fission‐track (FT) analyses to reveal the exhumation history of the granitoid samples collected from the Lesser Hinggan Mountains, northeast China. A southeast to northwest transect across the Lesser Hinggan Mountains yielded zircon FT ages between 89.8 ± 5.7 and 100.4 ± 8.6 Ma, and apatite FT ages between 50.6 ± 13.8 and 74.3 ± 4.5 Ma with mean track lengths between 11.7 ± 2.0 and 12.8 ± 1.7 µm. FT results and modelling identify three stages in sample cooling history spanning the late Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras. Stage one records rapid cooling from the closure temperature of zircon FT to the high temperature part of the apatite FT partial annealing zone (∼210–110 °C) during ca. 95 to 65 Ma. Stage two records a period of relative slow cooling (∼110–60 °C) taking place between ca. 65 and 20 Ma, suggesting that the granitoids had been exhumed to the depth of ∼1−2 km. Final stage cooling (60–20 °C) occurred since the Miocene at an accelerated rate bringing the sampled rocks to the Earth's surface. The maximum exhumation is more than 5 km under a steady‐state geothermal gradient of 35 °C/km. Integrated with the tectonic setting, this exhumation is possibly led by the Pacific Plate subduction combined with intracontinental orogeny associated with asthenospheric upwelling. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Contrasted seismogenic and rheological behaviours from shallow and deep earthquake sequences in the North Tanzanian Divergence,East Africa

We report preliminary results of a seismological experiment, SEISMO-TANZ’ 07, which consisted in the deployment of a local network (35 stations) in the East African Rift System (EARS), North Tanzania, during 6 months in 2007. We compare two earthquake sequences (Gelai and Manyara) occurring, respectively, in the southern end of the Kenya rift and in the North Tanzanian Divergence (NTD). Only distant of ∼150 km, their triggering mechanisms are different. None of the sequences depicts typical swarm or mainshock–aftershock patterns. They highlight the change in the magmatic/tectonic nature of the rift where the eastern branch of the EARS enters the Tanzanian craton. The similar shape and long-axis of the elongate sequences emphasize the preferred locus of active strain release along NE–SW discontinuities which probably root at depth into steep Proterozoic shear zones. At Gelai, the deformation is dominated by aseismic process involving slow slip on normal fault and dyke intrusion within the upper crust (Calais et al., 2008). The spatial and temporal earthquake distribution indicates a possible correlation between the Gelai crisis and the eruption of the nearby Oldoinyo Lengai volcano. At Manyara, the sequence is more uncommon, revealing a long-lasting seismic activity deeply rooted (∼20–35 km depth) possibly related to stress loading transmitted laterally. The yield strength envelope modelled from the depth frequency distribution of earthquakes in the NTD is consistent with the presence of a mafic lower crust and further supports the strength increase of the rifted crust from south Kenya to the NTD.     

Superposed folding in the Rockley district,Lachlan Fold Belt,New South Wales

Low grade metasediments and metavolcanics of the Hill End Synclinorial Zone within the Rockley district, NSW have experienced two phases of macroscopic folding (D1 and D2), both of which are post‐latest Silurian in age. No hiatus is evident between D1 and D2. D1 produced large Fi folds (λ/2 usually > 2 km) lacking mesoscopic elements and having variable axial trends. D2 was associated with the development of regional slaty cleavage (S2) and mesoscopic folds which are parasitic on plunging macroscopic F2 folds (λ/2=0.4–2 km). D2 strain is variable, being most intense in the north of the district where slaty cleavage and tight mesoscopic F2 folds are well developed, and weakest in the south where mesoscopic folds are absent or usually gentle and cleavage is often feebly developed even in mica‐rich rocks, which are stratigraphic equivalents to slates and schists in the north. The F1 fold mechanism may involve multiple folding, simultaneous folding in more than one direction, or complex buckling of layers of variable thickness. D1 and D2 are tentatively correlated with folding events elsewhere in the Hill End Synclinorial Zone.     

Structural effects on the Proterozoic Ullensvang Group (West Norway) relatable to forceful emplacement of expanding plutons

An isolated synclinorium, comprising the up to 5 km thick Ullensvang Group of metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks, is surrounded by granitoid plutons and has no recognizable older basement. From an earlier interpretation based on regional data this area is inferred to be part of a Proterozoic, cordilleran-type volcanic-plutonic belt. Major structures in the synclinorium are interpreted to have evolved as follows: 1) Early folds were produced by regional compression; 2) within a part of the synclinorium, such folds were tightened and reoriented during a subsequent deformation phase caused by forceful emplacement of the Kvinnherad batholith, flanking the synclinorium to the southwest; 3) this deformation was accompanied by thrust faulting towards the northeast, away from the batholith; 4) forceful emplacement of plutons belonging to the Eidfjord-Kinsarvik batholith, on the northeastern flank of the synclinorium, produced southwest-vergent overfolding of the earlier structures in the synclinorium. In addition, local deformation around a pluton intruding the northern part of the synclinorium near Utne produced areally restricted deformation structures, approximately corresponding in time with the second deformation event (2) above. Structures in plutonics rocks of the batholiths are interpreted in terms of an emplacement model involving distension diapirism. The deformation zones associated with diapiric plutons in this area appear to be more similar to some of those reported from Archaean greenstone belts than to those found in volcanic-plutonic belts of younger cordilleran-type orogens.     

Forced regression across the marine to continental transition in Jammu sub-basin: Implication to the Oligo-Miocene unconformity in the Himalayan foreland

Similar to the other sub-basins, marine to continental transition in Jammu foreland also shows the presence of a characteristic greenish gray, quartz arenite unit, locally termed as White Sandstone unit. Process based sedimentological and sequence stratigraphic work carried out across this White Sandstone unit suggest that this unit was deposited in a shoreface settings during a forced regression. The sharp base of the White Sandstone unit represents a surf diastem (a kind of regressive surface of marine erosion) and does not signify a >10 Myr unconformity. The gradational top of the unit, showing various degree of exposure and soil development, has been interpreted as type 1 sequence boundary. The White Sandstone unit, present along the entire stretch of the western Sub-Himalaya, also shows forced regressive nature in the Subathu sub-basin situated ∼350 km SE of Jammu. So, the forced regression across the marine to continental transition in the entire western Himalayan foreland is a regional phenomena and not a local one. Contrary to the earlier works, which proposed the presence of an unconformity spanning >10 Myr encompassing the Oligo-Miocene period, the present study showed that the unconformity, if present, is of small duration possibly spanning <40 kyr. These findings seriously question the earlier interpretations of accelerated exhumation and unloading of the mountain load in response to climate driven enhanced erosion or passage of the forebulge for the development of the Oligo-Miocene unconformity in the Himalayan foreland and its relation to Cenozoic tectonic–climate connection.     

Anatomy of the transpressional Dom Feliciano Belt and its pre-collisional isotopic (Sr–Nd) signatures: A contribution towards an integrated model for the Brasiliano/Pan-African orogenic cycle

The Dom Feliciano Belt evolution is reviewed based on cross-sections, space–time diagrams, P-T paths, and Sr–Nd isotopic data of pre-collisional metaigneous rocks. The belt is divided into northern, central and southern sectors, subdivided into tectonic domains, developed at Neoproterozoic pre-, syn- and post-collisional stages. The northern sector foreland pre-collisional setting represents a rift, with tholeiitic (meta)volcanic rocks (∼800 Ma) chronocorrelated to hinterland intermediate and acidic orthogneisses of high-K calc-alkaline arc signature. In contrast, the central sector records a complete section from the forearc towards the back-arc region during pre-collisional times. In the western domain, ophiolites (∼920 Ma) are associated with arc-related orthogneisses and metavolcanic rocks (880–830 Ma; 760–730 Ma). At back-arc position, continental arc-related magmatism (800–780 Ma) is registered by hinterland orthogneisses and central foreland metavolcanic rocks. Ophiolites on the hinterland opposite side comprise two compositional groups, with N-MORB and supra subduction signature, interpreted as a back-arc basin record (∼750 Ma). The pre-Neoproterozoic basement of the whole belt is correlated with the Nico Perez Terrane and Luis Alves Block (Archean to Mesoproterozoic, with Congo Craton affinity). This contrasts with the Piedra Alta Terrane (Rio de La Plata Craton, only Paleoproterozoic), westernmost Uruguay. The suture between the Piedra Alta and Nico Perez terranes is correlated with the suture zone in the westernmost central sector. Transpression affected both foreland and hinterland during collision (660–640 Ma), with high-T/low-P hinterland progressive exhumation, whilst foreland low- to medium-grade correlated sequences record underthrusting. Post-collisional processes included magmatism throughout the belt (640–580 Ma), strain partitioning along strike-slip shear zones, and foreland basin fill. Late tectono-metamorphic and magmatic processes (560–540 Ma) were attributed to the Kalahari Craton collision. Arc magmatism migration due to subduction angle variations suggests modern-style plate tectonics during Gondwana amalgamation. Diachronism and kinematic inversion are characteristic of an oblique convergent multi-plate orogenic system.     

U-Pb ages of detrital and volcanic zircons of the Toro Negro Formation,northwestern Argentina: Age,provenance and sedimentation rates

The Toro Negro Formation is a foreland sequence in western La Rioja province, Argentina, which records the late-stage tectonic evolution of the Vinchina Basin. Together with the underlying Vinchina Formation, these two units represent one of the thickest and longest continually exposed foreland sections in northwest Argentina. The Vinchina basin is uniquely situated between the Toro Negro and Umango blocks of the Western Sierra Pampeanas to the north and south, the Precordillera to the west, and the Sierra de Famatina to the east. New U-Pb dating of volcanic tephra provides improved age constraints on the pace of sedimentation, and U-Pb ages of detrital zircons serve to strengthen existing provenance interpretations. We show that deposition of the Toro Negro Formation spans roughly 6.9 to 2.3 Ma: Late Miocene to Early Pleistocene. A high-relief, erosional unconformity with the underlying Vinchina Formation developed sometime between 9.3 and 6.9 Ma, although stratigraphic considerations suggest it spanned only the later part of this time interval (perhaps 7.5–6.9 Ma). Above this unconformity, undecompacted sedimentation rates are remarkably high at ∼1.2 mm/yr, slowing to ∼0.3 mm/yr after ∼6 Ma. An unconformity in the upper part of the section is constrained to occur sometime between 5.0 and 3.0 Ma, probably beginning not long after 5.0 Ma. The timing of both unconformities broadly Matches the timing of inferred tectonic events in the Sierra Famatina ∼50 km to the east, the Fiambalá basin to the north, and the Bermejo basin to the south, suggesting they May record regional tectonism at these times. Provenance interpretations of detrital zircon spectra are consistent with previous interpretations based on sediment petrography. They show that provenance did not change significantly during the course of Toro Negro deposition, precluding major tectonically-induced drainage reorganization events. Sediments were derived primarily from the north (Toro Negro Block) and west (Precordillera). The data are consistent with a subtle increase in sediment supply from the Precordillera beginning around 6.5 Ma.     

El Sibai gneissic complex,Central Eastern Desert,Egypt: Folded nappes and syn-kinematic gneissic granitoid sheets – not a core complex

The El Sibai area of the Central Eastern Desert (CED) of Egypt consists of an ophiolitic association of arc metavolcanics, ophiolitic rocks, mélange, metasediments and minor mafic intrusions; and a gneissic association of amphibolite, gneissic diorite, tonalite, granodiorite and granite. Previous studies of the El Sibai area have identified the gneissic association as a lower crustal infrastructure in sheared contact with upper crustal ophiolitic association suprastructure, and have presented it as an example of a metamorphic or magmatic core complex. Detailed structural remapping of the El Sibai area reveals that the gneissic association rocks are not infrastructural but form a unit within the ophiolitic association nappes. Furthermore, the El Sibai structure is not domal in shape, and is not antiformal. The main gneissic association rocks are tabular intrusions roughly concordant with the shears dividing the ophiolitic association into nappes, and are syn-kinematic with the nappe stacking event (∼700–650 Ma). The gneissic granite tabular intrusions and their ophiolitic host were later folded about upright NW–SE trending mainly open folds during a NE–SW directed shortening event (∼625–590 Ma). Subsequently, NW–SE regional extension effects became evident including low angle normal ductile shear zones and mylonites. The latest gneissic red granites are syn-kinematic with respect to these shear zones. Probably continuing from the low-angle shearing event were steep normal faults, and sinistral WNW and N–S trending transcurrent faults (∼590–570 Ma). The normal faults mark the southeastern and maybe also the northwestern limits of the El Sibai gneissic association rocks. The El Sibai complex is not a core complex, but exemplifies the overlap of NW–SE folding and NW–SE extensional which is a significant theme of CED regional structure.     

Sedimentary record from Lake Hovsgol, NW Mongolia: Results from the HDP-04 and HDP-06 drill cores

The Hovsgol Drilling Project retrieved Pleistocene sediment section with the basal age of ca. 1 Ma from the Hovsgol rift basin, NW Mongolia. Detailed lithologic data on drill cores is presented and compared with analogous sediment facies in the radiocarbon-dated records of the last glacial–interglacial transition. Drill cores from two sites, presently in 239 m and 235 m water depth, represent somewhat different depositional settings. The shorter HDP-06 drill core (26 m) at the base of the gentler SE slope of the rift basin contains lithologic evidence for several recent lake lowstands on the order of −200 m. The longer HDP-04 drill core (81 m) some 8 km away at the base of the steep NW underwater slope is composed of finer sediments and contains at least 10 characteristic transitions from calcareous to carbonate-free (diatomaceous) layers. These lithologic transitions are interpreted here as signals of repeated Pleistocene lake transgressions in the Hovsgol basin. Transgressions appear to have been associated with lower sedimentation rates and with the deposition of thin turbidite beds at the drill site. Comparison of drill core lithology with the available seismic data shows reasonable agreement in terms of the number of lowstand events and the general trends of changing lake level. HDP-04 drill core retrieved shallow-water facies containing sand and carbonate oolites deposited at the time of the most dramatic mid-Pleistocene regression of the lake. At ca. 24 m core depth, this interval corresponds to a major basinwide angular unconformity apparent in the seismic pattern. Lake Hovsgol, a smaller sister rift lake of the grand Lake Baikal, has a confined local catchment, which makes it very sensitive to regional variations in the effective moisture. Consisting primarily of calcareous mud, the sedimentary record of Lake Hovsgol provides a unique regional sedimentary archive. Future multi-proxy studies of the Hovsgol sedimentary records will allow constraint of the mid-late Pleistocene history of the hydrologic budget in the Baikal region of continental interior Asia.     

叠合型不整合结构与油气分布样式：以塔中石炭系东河砂岩为例

探讨了东河砂岩三级层序界面处发育的不整合结构在空间上有序分布所造成油气的差异运聚。将东河砂岩划分为底部不整合上覆层、原状输导层、风化残余层、风化黏土层、顶部不整合上覆层和区域盖层6类成藏结构单元。成藏结构单元在塔中西北地区和塔中东南地区组成不同,构成两类7种不整合成藏结构样式。两类成藏结构样式分别对应两类的油气藏组合:(1)在塔中地区西北部成藏结构单元被分隔,油气沿东河砂岩段顶部风化黏土层及盖层底部发生运移,形成不整合遮挡型油气藏组合,包括不整合上覆层背斜油气藏、不整合上覆层岩性油气藏和风化残余层低幅背斜油气藏3种油气藏;(2)在东南地区成藏结构单元之间发生连通,油气底部不整合上覆层和盖层底部向隆起部位侧向输导,形成不整合连通型油气藏组合,包括连通型背斜油气藏和连通型地层超覆油气藏2种油气藏。这为东河砂岩的进一步勘探开发提供了指导。     

Fluid-driven low-grade metamorphism in polydeformed rocks of Avalonia (Arisaig Group, Nova Scotia, Canada)

The Lower Silurian??Lower Devonian Arisaig Group (Antigonish Highlands) in the Canadian Appalachians is a sequence of shallow marine strata deposited after the accretion of Avalonia to Baltica during the closure of the Iapetus Ocean. Deformation of the strata is widely attributed to the Devonian Acadian orogeny and produced shallowly plunging regional folds and a cleavage of varying penetrativity. Phyllosilicate minerals from the finest-grained rocks exhibit very low-grade (diagenetic-anchizone) metamorphic conditions. X-ray diffraction study reveals that the sampled rocks contain quartz, K-white mica, chlorite, and feldspars; illite?Csmectite and chlorite?Csmectite mixed-layers are common but Na?CK mica and kaolinite occur only in some samples. The identification of illite?Csmectite mixed-layers in diagenetic samples, with Kübler Index >0.50 ??°2?? and the highly heterogeneous b-cell dimension of the K-white micas are in agreement with the variable chemical composition of dioctahedral micas, which present low illitic substitution and variable phengitic content. The spatial variation in the above crystal-chemical parameters was plotted along a NW?CSE composite cross section across the regional folds. No correlation was found between the metamorphic conditions and either the stratigraphic depth or the strain values measured by phyllosilicates orientation analyses, as a function of the penetrativity of the cleavage. However, the metamorphic grade generally increases towards the Hollow Fault, and is highest in samples located within a 1?km corridor from the fault surface. Incipient cleavage is observed in the anchizonal samples located in the vicinity of the Hollow Fault and in some of the diagenetic samples, indicating cleavage development under low temperatures (<200?oC). These relationships, together with regional syntheses, suggest low-grade metamorphism post-dated regional folding and was coeval with Late Carboniferous dextral movement along the Hollow Fault. Fluid circulation associated with movement along this major fault may be the driving mechanism for the increasing metamorphism towards it.     

Evidence for shear heating,Musgrave Block,central Australia

The phenomenon of shear-heating is generally difficult to recognise from petrologic evidence alone. Establishing that shear zones attain higher temperatures than the surrounding country rocks requires independent evidence for temperature gradients. In the Musgrave Block, central Australia, there is a clear spatial association between shear zones and interpreted elevated temperatures. Eclogite facies shear zones that formed at ∼550 Ma record temperatures of ∼650–700°C. Outside the high-pressure shear zones, minerals with low closure temperatures such as biotite (∼450°C in the ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar and Rb–Sr systems), preserve ages >800 Ma, suggesting that these rocks did not experience temperatures greater than about 450°C at ∼550 Ma for any extended period. Thus, the shear zones record temperatures that are ∼200°C higher than the surrounding country rocks. Simple calculations show that the combination of relatively high shear stresses (∼100 MPa) and high strain rates (∼10⁻¹¹ s⁻¹) for short durations (<1 Ma) can account for the observed apparent temperature variations. The evidence indicates that shear heating is the dominant mechanism for localised temperature increases in the shear zones, while the country rock remained at relatively lower temperatures.     

Lower Pliensbachian caldera volcanism in high-obliquity rift systems in the western North Patagonian Massif,Argentina

In the Cerro Carro Quebrado and Cerro Catri Cura area, located at the border between the Neuquén Basin and the North Patagonian Massif, the Garamilla Formation is composed of four volcanic stages: 1) andesitic lava-flows related to the beginning of the volcanic system; 2) basal massive lithic breccias that represent the caldera collapse; 3) voluminous, coarse-crystal rich massive lava-like ignimbrites related to multiple, steady eruptions that represent the principal infill of the system; and, finally 4) domes, dykes, lava flows, and lava domes of rhyolitic composition indicative of a post-collapse stage.The analysis of the regional and local structures, as well as, the architectures of the volcanic facies, indicates the existence of a highly oblique rift, with its principal extensional strain in an NNE–SSW direction (∼N10°).The analyzed rocks are mainly high-potassium dacites and rhyolites with trace and RE elements contents of an intraplate signature. The age of these rocks (189 ± 0.76 Ma) agree well with other volcanic sequences of the western North Patagonian Massif, as well as, the Neuquén Basin, indicating that Pliensbachian magmatism was widespread in both regions. The age is also coincident with phase 1 of volcanism of the eastern North Patagonia Massif (188–178 Ma) represented by ignimbrites, domes, and pyroclastic rocks of the Marifil Complex, related to intraplate magmatism.     

The tectonic evolution of the Qiongdongnan Basin in the northern margin of the South China Sea

Qiongdongnan Basin is a Cenozoic rift basin located on the northern passive continental margin of the South China Sea. Due to a lack of geologic observations, its evolution was not clear in the past. However, recently acquired 2-D seismic reflection data provide an opportunity to investigate its tectonic evolution. It shows that the Qiongdongnan Basin comprises a main rift zone which is 50–100 km wide and more than 400 km long. The main rift zone is arcuate in map view and its orientation changes from ENE–WSW in the west to nearly E–W in the east. It can be divided into three major segments. The generally linear fault trace shown by many border faults in map view implies that the eastern and middle segments were controlled by faults reactivated from NE to ENE trending and nearly E–W trending pre-existing fabrics, respectively. The western segment was controlled by a left-lateral strike-slip fault. The fault patterns shown by the central and eastern segments indicate that the extension direction for the opening of the rift basin was dominantly NW–SE. A semi-quantitative analysis of the fault cut-offs identifies three stages of rifting evolution: (1) 40.4–33.9 Ma, sparsely distributed NE-trending faults formed mainly in the western and the central part of the study area; (2) 33.9–28.4 Ma, the main rift zone formed and the area influenced by faulting was extended into the eastern part of the study area and (3) 28.4–20.4 Ma, the subsidence area was further enlarged but mainly extended into the flanking area of the main rift zone. In addition, Estimates of extensional strain along NW–SE-trending seismic profiles, which cross the main rift zone, vary between 15 and 39 km, which are generally comparable to the sinistral displacement on the Red River Fault Zone offshore, implying that this fault zone, in terms of sinistral motion, terminated at a location near the southern end of the Yinggehai Basin. Finally, these observations let us to favour a hybrid model for the opening of the South China Sea and probably the Qiongdongnan Basin.     

Insights into geological evolution of Princess Elizabeth Land,East Antarctica-clues for continental suturing and breakup since Rodinian time

Svenner Islands-Brattstrand Bluffs-Larsemann Hills constitutes ~70 km long coastal outcrops of Princess Elizabeth Land (PEL), comprising complexly deformed metapelites and orthogneisses. Pelitic granulites from these outcrops are investigated in this work. Conventional geothermobarometric estimations and Pseudosection modelling consistently indicate that the peak metamorphic grade throughout the area is high to ultra-high temperature (800–950 °C) at low to medium pressure (2–5 kbar). A high pressure (~10 kbar) relict metamorphic event and a substantial decompression component of ~5 kbar, corresponding to >15 km uplift, are inferred through petrographic as well as pseudosection analysis. Two set of ages are estimated (~800 Ma and ~500 Ma), corresponding to Tonian and Pan-African metamorphic events, respectively. Field data, petrographic studies and ages estimated from orthogneisses from the Brattstrand Bluffs and the Grovnes Peninsula suggest that this unit is a product of in-situ melting of the pelitic granulites.Pelitic granulites of PEL possess similarities with those exposed in the Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt of India. We propose that these sectors represent a contiguous terrane with two major orogenic imprints, reflecting Rodinia and Gondwana amalgamations. An attempt is made to mark out paleo-orogenic belt axes, supported by both field as well as recent aero-magnetic signatures in interior PEL. We support that the parent sediments of the pelitic granulites were deposited during Stenian period, which underwent compressional UHT-HP(?) metamorphism at ~800 Ma. Another extensive basin is proposed at ~600 Ma prior to the Pan-African orogenic event. We propose that the Pan-African orogeny marked the collision of Indo-Australo-Africo-Antarctic cratons and stitched the East Gondwana. We also propose a thinned lithosphere along the system of subglacial lakes-canyons confirmed by ICECAP data. Analog modelling is used to demonstrate the influence of pervasive mechanical anisotropy of the basement in defining the orientation of this rift system and its connection to the Lambert Graben.     

Compressional origin of the Aegean Orogeny,Greece

The Aegean Sea area is thought to be an actively extending back-arc region, north of the present day Hellenic volcanic arc and north-dipping subduction zone in the Eastern Mediterranean. The area shows extensive normal faulting, ductile ‘extensional’ shear zones and extensional S-C fabrics throughout the islands that have previously been related to regional Aegean extension associated with slab rollback on the Hellenic Subduction Zone. In this paper, we question this interpretation, and suggest the Cenozoic geodynamic evolution of the Aegean region is associated with a Late Cretaceous–Eocene NE-dipping subduction zone that was responsible for continent-continent collision between Eurasia and Adria-Apulia/Cyclades. Exhumation of eclogite and blueschist facies rocks in the Cyclades and kyanite-sillimanite grade gneisses in the Naxos core complex have pressures that are far greater than could be accounted for purely by lithospheric extension and isostatic uplift. We identify four stages of crustal shortening that affected the region prior to regional lithospheric extension, herein called the Aegean Orogeny. This orogeny followed a classic Wilson cycle from early ophiolite obduction (ca. 74 Ma) onto a previously passive continental margin, to attempted crustal subduction with HP eclogite and blueschist facies metamorphism (ca. 54–45 ?Ma), through crustal thickening and regional kyanite – sillimanite grade Barrovian-type metamorphism (ca. 22–14 ?Ma), to orogenic collapse (<14 ?Ma). At least three periods of ‘extensional’ fabrics relate to: (1) Exhumation of blueschists and eclogite facies rocks showing tight-isoclinal folds and top-NE, base-SW fabrics, recording return flow along a subduction channel in a compressional tectonic setting (ca. 50–35 ?Ma). (2) Extensional fabrics within the core complexes formed by exhumation of kyanite- and sillimanite gneisses showing thrust-related fabrics at the base and ‘extensional’ fabrics along the top (ca. 18.5–14 ?Ma). (3) Regional ductile-brittle ‘extensional’ fabrics and low-angle normal faulting related to the North Cycladic Detachment (NCD) and the South(West) Cycladic Detachment (WCD) during regional extension along the flanks of a major NW–SE anticlinal fold along the middle of the Cyclades. Major low-angle normal faults and ductile shear zones show symmetry about the area, with the NE chain of islands (Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Ikaria) exposing the NE-dipping NCD with consistent top-NE ductile fabrics along 200 ?km of strike. In contrast, from the Greek mainland (Attica) along the SE chain of islands (Kea, Kythnos, Serifos) a SW-dipping low-angle normal fault and ductile shear zone, the WCD is inferred for at least 100 ?km along strike. Islands in the middle of the Cyclades show deeper structural levels including kyanite- and sillimanite-grade metamorphic core complexes (Naxos, Paros) as well as Variscan basement rocks (Naxos, Ios). The overall structure is an ~100 ?km wavelength NW–SE trending dome with low-angle extensional faults along each flank, dipping away from the anticline axis to the NE and SW. Many individual islands show post-extensional large-scale folding of the low-angle normal faults around the domes (Naxos, Paros, Ios, Sifnos) indicating a post-Miocene late phase of E–W shortening.     

Using microstructures and TitaniQ thermobarometry of quartz sheared around garnet porphyroclasts to evaluate microstructural evolution and constrain an Alpine Fault Zone geotherm

Interpretations of deformation processes within ductile shear zones are often based on the characterisation of microstructures preserved in exhumed rocks. However, exhumed microstructures provide only a snapshot of the closing stages of deformation and we need ways of understanding how microstructures change through time and at what rate this occurs. To address this problem, we study optical microstructures and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) data from samples of quartz layers deflected around garnet porphyroclasts (which generate local stress and strain rate perturbations) during mylonitic deformation in the Alpine Fault Zone of New Zealand.During shearing around rigid garnet porphyroclasts, quartz undergoes grain size reduction in response to locally increased stresses, while c-axes reveal increasing components of rhomb <a> and prism <a> slip, reflecting a local increase in shear strain and strain rate. TitaniQ thermobarometry and quartz microstructures suggest a rather narrow range of recorded quartz deformation temperatures around 450–500 °C, which we propose reflects the cessation of grain boundary migration driven deformation. Given that temperatures well above the brittle–ductile transition for quartz (∼350 °C) are preserved, we anticipate that rapid cooling and exhumation must have occurred from the 500 °C isotherm. Ultimately, we propose a modified geotherm for the central Alpine Fault Zone hanging wall, which raises the 500 °C isotherm to 11 km depth, near the brittle–ductile transition. Our updated Alpine Fault Zone geotherm implies a hotter and weaker middle to lower crust than previously proposed.     

The role of rift‐inherited hyper‐extension in Alpine‐type orogens

Alpine‐type orogens are interpreted to result from the collision of former rifted margins. As many present‐day rifted margins consist of hyper‐extended domains floored by thinned continental crust (<10 km) and/or exhumed mantle, this study explores the influence of rift inheritance on the architecture and final evolution of Alpine‐type orogens. We propose that rift‐related necking zones, separating weakly thinned 25‐ to 30‐km‐thick crust from hyper‐extended domains, may act as buttresses during the transition from subduction to collision. As a result, former necking zones may now be found at the boundary between a highly deformed and overthickened nappe stack, made of relics of hyper‐extended domains, and an external, weakly deformed fold‐and‐thrust belt, which largely escaped significant rift‐related crustal thinning and orogeny‐related thickening. Therefore, the role of rift inheritance is of critical importance and is largely underestimated in controlling the architecture and evolution of Alpine‐type orogens.     

Magmatism-dominated intracontinental rifting in the Mesoproterozoic: The Ngaanyatjarra Rift,central Australia

The Late Mesoproterozoic (1085–1040 Ma) Ngaanyatjarra Rift, previously referred to as the Giles Event, is the dominant component of the Warakurna Large Igneous Province (LIP) that affected much of central and western Australia. This rift is well preserved and provides excellent examples of rift structure at a variety of crustal levels and times in the rift's evolution. Geological knowledge is integrated with geophysical interpretations and models to understand the crustal structure and evolution of this rift. Two phases are identified: an early rift stage (1085–1074 Ma) that is characterised by voluminous magmatism within the upper crust and relatively little tectonic deformation; and a late rift stage that is characterised by tectonic deformation, synchronous with the deposition of a thick pile of volcanic and sedimentary rocks (1074–1040 Ma). Compared to modern rift examples, this rift is unusual in that the crust was thickened by ~ 15 km and overall extension was very limited. However, its structure and evolution are very similar to the near-contemporaneous Midcontinent Rift, which shows the addition of a similar quantity of magmatic material as well as crustal thickening and limited extension. For these Mesoproterozoic rifts, we suggest that magmatism was the dominant process, and that the extension observed was a response to magmatism-induced crustal thickening and the gravitational collapse of the crustal column. Other Proterozoic rifts show similar characteristics (e.g. Transvaal Rift), whereas most Phanerozoic rifts are dissimilar, showing instead a dominance of extension, with magmatism largely a result of this extension. This change in the style of rifting from the Precambrian to the Phanerozoic may relate to the influence of a typically cooler and stronger lithosphere, which has caused stronger strain localisation and a greater role for extension as the controlling factor in rift evolution.