Atomic structures and energies of grain boundaries in Mg2SiO4 forsterite from atomistic modeling

Grain boundaries influence many physical and chemical properties of crystalline materials. Here, we perform molecular dynamics simulations to study the structure of a series of [100] symmetric tilt grain boundaries in Mg₂SiO₄ forsterite. The present results show that grain boundary energies depend significantly on misorientation angle. For small misorientation angles (up to 22°), grain boundary structures consist of an array of partial edge dislocations with Burgers vector $\frac{1}{2}[001]$ associated with stacking faults and their energies can be readily fit with a model which adds the Peach-Koehler equation to the Read-Shockley dislocation model for grain boundaries. The core radius of partial dislocations and the spacing between the partials derived from grain boundary energies show that the transition from low- to high-angle grain boundaries occurs for a misorientation angle between 22° and 32°. For high misorientation angles (32.1° and 60.8°), the cores of dislocations overlap and form repeated structural units. Finally, we use a low energy atomic configuration obtained by molecular dynamics for the misorientation of 12.18° as input to simulate a high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) image. The simulated image is in good agreement with an observed HRTEM image, which indicates the power of the present approach to predict realistic atomic structures of grain boundaries in complex silicates.     

Mutual validation of GNSS height measurements and high-precision geometric-astronomical leveling

The method of geometric-astronomical leveling is presented as a suited technique for the validation of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) heights. In geometric-astronomical leveling, the ellipsoidal height differences are obtained by combining conventional spirit leveling and astronomical leveling. Astronomical leveling with recently developed digital zenith camera systems is capable of providing the geometry of equipotential surfaces of the gravity field accurate to a few 0.1 mm per km. This is comparable to the accuracy of spirit leveling. Consequently, geometric-astronomical leveling yields accurate ellipsoidal height differences that may serve as an independent check on GNSS height measurements at local scales. A test was performed in a local geodetic network near Hanover. GPS observations were simultaneously carried out at five stations over a time span of 48 h and processed considering state-of-the-art techniques and sophisticated new approaches to reduce station-dependent errors. The comparison of GPS height differences with those from geometric-astronomical leveling shows a promising agreement of some millimeters. The experiment indicates the currently achievable accuracy level of GPS height measurements and demonstrates the practical applicability of the proposed approach for the validation of GNSS height measurements as well as the evaluation of GNSS height processing strategies.     

Intra-oceanic island arc origin for Iratsu eclogites of the Sanbagawa belt,central Shikoku,southwest Japan

New geochemical and Sr–Nd isotopic data for the Iratsu eclogite and surrounding metamorphic rocks of the Sanbagawa belt, Japan, show that, while the protoliths of the metamorphic rocks formed in a variety of tectonic settings, the Iratsu body represents a deeply subducted and accreted island arc. The igneous protoliths of eclogites and garnet amphibolites were probably generated from a mantle source that had components of both a depleted mantle modified by slab-released fluid (as seen in a negative Nb anomaly) and an enriched mantle, similar to that of ocean island basalts (OIB). Fractional crystallization modeling indicates that the protoliths of some garnet clinopyroxenites from the Iratsu body are cumulates from a basaltic magma that crystallized under high O₂ and H₂O fugacities in the middle to lower crust. The source characteristics and crystallization conditions suggest that the protoliths of the Iratsu rocks formed in an oceanic island arc. Quartz eclogites from the marginal zone of the Iratsu body have geochemical signatures similar to turbidites from the Izu–Bonin island arc (as seen in a negative Nb anomaly and a concave REE pattern). The protoliths might be volcaniclastic turbidites that formed in a setting proximal to the oceanic island arc. Geochemical and isotopic signatures of the surrounding mafic schists are similar to normal (N-) and enriched (E-) mid-ocean-ridge basalt (MORB), and distinct from the rocks from the Iratsu body. The protoliths of the mafic schists likely formed in a plume-influenced mid-ocean ridge or back-arc basin. Pelitic schists from the surrounding rocks and pelitic gneisses from the marginal zone of the Iratsu body have evolved, continental geochemical signatures (as seen in a negative ε_Nd(t) value (~?5)), consistent with their origin as continent-derived trench-fill turbidites.     

Crustally-derived granites in the Panzhihua region,SW China: Implications for felsic magmatism in the Emeishan large igneous province

In the Panxi region of the Late Permian (~ 260 Ma) Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP) there is a bimodal assemblage of mafic and felsic plutonic rocks. Most Emeishan granitic rocks were derived by differentiation of basaltic magmas (i.e. mantle-derived) or by mixing between crustal melts and primary basaltic magmas (i.e. hybrid). The Yingpanliangzi granitic pluton within the city of Panzhihua intrudes Sinian (~ 600 Ma) marbles and is unlike the mantle-derived or hybrid granitic rocks. The SHRIMP zircon U–Pb ages of the Yingpanliangzi pluton range from 259 ± 8 Ma to 882 ± 22 Ma. Younger ages are found on the zircon rims whereas older ages are found within the cores. Field relationships and petrography indicate that the Yingpanliangzi pluton must be < 600 Ma, therefore the older zircons are interpreted to represent the protolith age whereas the younger analyses represent zircon re-crystallization during emplacement. The Yingpanliangzi granites are metaluminous and have negative Ta–Nb_PM anomalies, low εNd_{(260 Ma)} values (? 3.9 to ? 4.4), and high I_Sr (0.71074 to 0.71507) consistent with a crustal origin. The recognition of a crustally-derived pluton along with mantle-derived and mantle–crust hybrid plutons within the Panxi region of the ELIP is evidence for a complete spectrum of sources. As a consequence, the types of Panxi granitoids can be distinguished according to their ASI, Eu/Eu*, εNd_(T), εHf_(T), T_Zr(°C) and Nb–Ta_PM values. The diverse granitic magmatism during the evolution of the ELIP from ~ 260 Ma to ~ 252 Ma demonstrates the complexity of crustal growth associated with LIPs.     

Highly fractionated I-type granites in NE China (II): isotopic geochemistry and implications for crustal growth in the Phanerozoic

NE China is the easternmost part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The area is distinguished by widespread occurrence of Phanerozoic granitic rocks. In the companion paper (Part I), we established the Jurassic ages (184–137 Ma) for three granitic plutons: Xinhuatun, Lamashan and Yiershi. We also used geochemical data to argue that these rocks are highly fractionated I-type granites. In this paper, we present Sr–Nd–O isotope data of the three plutons and 32 additional samples to delineate the nature of their source, to determine the proportion of mantle to crustal components in the generation of the voluminous granitoids and to discuss crustal growth in the Phanerozoic.

Despite their difference in emplacement age, Sr–Nd isotopic analyses reveal that these Jurassic granites have common isotopic characteristics. They all have low initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7045±0.0015), positive _Nd(T) values (+1.3 to +2.8), and young Sm–Nd model ages (720–840 Ma). These characteristics are indicative of juvenile nature for these granites. Other Late Paleozoic to Mesozoic granites in this region also show the same features. Sr–Nd and oxygen isotopic data suggest that the magmatic evolution of the granites can be explained in terms of two-stage processes: (1) formation of parental magmas by melting of a relatively juvenile crust, which is probably a mixed lithology formed by pre-existing lower crust intruded or underplated by mantle-derived basaltic magma, and (2) extensive magmatic differentiation of the parental magmas in a slow cooling environment.

The widespread distribution of juvenile granitoids in NE China indicates a massive transfer of mantle material to the crust in a post-orogenic tectonic setting. Several recent studies have documented that juvenile granitoids of Paleozoic to Mesozoic ages are ubiquitous in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, hence suggesting a significant growth of the continental crust in the Phanerozoic.     

Deep subduction of mantle-derived garnet peridotites from the Su-Lu UHP metamorphic terrane in China

Garnet peridotites from the southern Su‐Lu ultra‐high‐pressure metamorphic (UHPM) terrane, eastern China, contain porphyroblastic garnet with aligned inclusions comprising a low‐P–T mineral assemblage (chlorite, hornblende, Na‐gedrite, Na‐phlogopite, talc, spinel and pyrite). Orthopyroxene porphyroblasts show fine exsolution lamellae of clinopyroxene and minor chromite. A clinopyroxene inclusion in garnet shows some orthopyroxene exsolution lamellae. Both the rims of porphyroblastic pyroxene and garnet and the matrix pyroxene and garnet crystallized at the expense of olivine. This is interpreted as a result of metasomatism of the peridotites by an SiO₂‐rich melt at UHP conditions. A chromian garnet further overgrew on the rims of the garnet. The X_Mg values (Mg/(Mg+Fe)) of porphyroblastic garnet decrease from core to rim and vary in different peridotite samples, while the compositions of both the porphyroblastic and the matrix pyroxene are similar in terms of Ca–Mg–Fe. The Mg‐rich cores of porphyroblastic garnet and orthopyroxene record high temperatures and pressures (c. 1000 °C, ≥5.1 GPa), whereas the matrix minerals, including the rims of porphyroblasts, record much lower P–T (c. 4.2 GPa, c. 760 °C). Sm–Nd data give apparent isochron ages of c. 380 Ma and negative ε_Nd(0) values (c.?9). These dates are considered meaningless due to isotopic disequilibrium between garnet cores and the rest of the rocks. The isotopic disequilibrium was probably caused by metasomatism of the peridotites by melt/fluids derived from the coevally subducted crustal materials. On the other hand, the Rb–Sr isotopic systems of phlogopite and clinopyroxene appear to have reached equilibrium and record a cooling age of c. 205 Ma. It is suggested that the garnet peridotites were originally emplaced into a low‐P–T environment prior to the c. 220 Ma continental collision, during which they were subducted together with crustal rocks to mantle depth and subjected to UHP metamorphism. An important corollary is that at least some of the coevally subducted crustal rocks in the Su‐Lu terrane have been subjected to peak metamorphism at P–T conditions much higher than presently estimated (≥2.7 GPa, ≤800 °C).     

A petrogenetic model for the igneous complex in the Spanish Peaks region,Colorado

Twenty representative rocks ranging from lamprophyric to granitic composition, from the Spanish Peaks igneous Complex, south-central Colorado, were analyzed for Sr isotopic compositions and their concentrations of K, Rb, Sr and Ba. The various igneous rocks from this Cenozoic complex do not have a comagmatic relationship from the evidence of their Sr isotopic compositions. Due to the generally low Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ isotopic ratios, the possibility of the highly radiogenic underlying Precambrian basement as the source of magma generation can be ruled out. The sources for the magmas of this igneous complex must be in the upper mantle or the lower crust. Model calculations using elemental distribution coefficients and assumed mantle materials suggest that the abundant lamprophyric magmas in this region could be derived from a phlogopite-bearing hornblende peridotite by a small degree of partial melting (<5%) at lower pressure environment (<50 km). Other possibilities for lamprophyric magma generation were also examined. The slightly higher Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ ratios observed in the granitic rocks are interpreted as reflecting the nature of this source-the lower crust. Alternatively, they may suggest a limited contamination of the original liquid by upper crustal material. For the entire igneous complex, mixing of two independent magmas, lymprophyric and granitic, is suggested to be the mechanism responsible for the complicated and diverse chemical characteristics.