Metamorphic petrology of the Barchi–Kol metabasites, western Kokchetav ultrahigh-pressure–high-pressure massif, northern Kazakhstan

Abstract In the Barchi–Kol area, located at the westernmost part of the Kokchetav ultrahigh pressure (UHP) to high-pressure (HP) massif, northern Kazakhstan, metabasites from the epidote amphibolite (EA) facies to the coesite eclogite (CEC) facies are exposed. Based on the equilibrium mineral assemblages, the Barchi–Kol area is divided into four zones: A, B, C and D. Zone A is characterized by the assemblage: epidote + hornblende + plagioclase + quartz, with minor garnet. Zone B is characterized by the assemblage: garnet + hornblende + plagioclase + quartz + zoisite. Zone C is defined by the appearance of sodic–augite, with typical assemblage: garnet + sodic–augite + tschermakite–pargasite + quartz ± plagioclase ± epidote/clinozoisite. Zone D is characterized by the typical eclogite assemblage: garnet + omphacite + quartz + rutile, with minor phengite and zoisite. Inclusions of quartz pseudomorph after coesite were identified in several samples of zone D. Chemical compositions of rock-forming minerals of each zone were analyzed and reactions between each zone were estimated. Metamorphic P-T conditions of each zone were estimated using several geothermobarometers as 8.6 ± 0.5 kbar, 500 ± 30 °C for zone A; 11.7 ± 0.5 kbar, 700 ± 30 °C for zone B; 12–14 kbar, 700–815 °C for zone C; and 27–40 kbar, 700–825 °C for zone D.     

Mineralizations of Base Metal Deposits of Acid-Sulfate Type Coexisting with Adularia-Sericite Type

Abstract: Two types of ores are recognized in the Huanzala mine, Peru. Zinc and lead ore of adularia-sericite type, is accompanied by pyrite body and skarn. Orthoclase (adularia), sericite and calcite are found in the skarn and altered country rocks. On the other hand, copper and silver (tin) ore of acid-sulfate type, is characterized by enargite, luzonite and bornite, accompanied by tin, silver and tellurium minerals. Although sericite and calcite are found only at the earlier stage in the mineralization of acid-sulfate type, kaolinite appears in the country rocks at a subsequent stage. It is interpreted that the ore-forming fluid of the acid-sulfate type separated from the adularia-sericite type by boiling in the early stage of mineralization. The separated fluid was nearly neutral just after boiling and changed into acidic by the oxidation of H₂S into HSO₄^-. Both types of mineralizations are studied in terms of fo₂-fs₂-pH-temperature diagrams. The adularia-sericite type might correspond to the hot-water system of a geothermal area, and the acid-sulfate type to the vapor-dominated system.
The copper ores from the Teine mine, Hokkaido, Japan and the Chinkuashih mine, Taiwan are acid-sulfate type, characterized by the occurrence of enargite and luzonite. However, zinc and lead ores of the adularia-sericite type are also present in these deposits. Both types in the Teine and Chinkuashih deposits are supposed to have formed in the similar relation as in the Huanzala deposits. The enargite and luzonite ores in the Hokuetsu mine, Japan are closely associated with native sulfur of solfataric origin.     

Monitoring of internal failure evolution in soils using computerization X-ray tomography

Computerized X-ray tomography (CT) has been used in disciplines such as soil science, geology and rock mechanics to analyze the texture of geomaterials. However, this potentially useful method has not thus far been used adequately in engineering geological analyses.To investigate its feasibility, CT is utilized in this study to monitor the evolution of internal failure in soil masses. An apparatus that can be fitted into the chamber of a medical CT was built to conduct geotechnical tests. Loading and shearing experiments were performed on bentonite, kaolinite, sand, silicon powders, and glass beads. CT images have been taken on different cross-sections inside the specimens to monitor soil deformation continuously. The results of direct shear, horizontal and vertical loading tests are presented and discussed. It has been demonstrated that CT is a powerful non-destructive and non-invasive tool for engineering geological analyses.     

Magnetic detection of heated soils at paleolithic sites in Japan

We present a methodological approach to detect heated soil on ancient sites, using magnetic measurements. The method is based on changes in magnetic signals of soil by heating. The following three types of soil were used for testing the method: silty soil (SS), weathered volcanic ash (WVA, = loam) and fairly fresh volcanic ash (VA) called Odori tephra. On heating above 250–600°C, the magnetic susceptibility and remanent magnetization intensity increased for the SS and WVA samples, reflecting chemical alteration of magnetic minerals (from goethites to magnetites through hematites). The VA sample showed no susceptibility change suggesting the absence of goethites within it. On heating below 250°C, only the intensities of all the samples increased. This is possibly due to acquisition of thermal remanent magnetization. The largest change of the magnetic signals was identified for the SS sample and the smallest one was seen for the VA sample. Therefore, the in situ susceptibility measurement, which is the nondestructive and indirect method, seems to be effective to detect heated soil for sites of aqueous deposits as the SS. On the other hand, for sites of aeolian deposits as the WVA (loam) and VA, the intensity measurement of collected soils seems to be the most reliable method to detect evidence of heating. The degree of the magnetic stability (coercivity) against progressive alternating-field demagnetization was also an important parameter, indicating whether the investigated soils were heated or unheated. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.