Evolution of Tectonic Uplift, Hydrocarbon Migration, and Uranium Mineralization in the NW Junggar Basin: An Apatite Fission-Track Thermochronology Study

The Mesozoic–Cenozoic tectonic movement largely controls the northwest region of the Junggar Basin (NWJB), which is a significant area for the exploration of petroleum and sandstone-type uranium deposits in China. This work collected six samples from this sedimentary basin and surrounding mountains to conduct apatite fission track (AFT) dating, and utilized the dating results for thermochronological modeling to reconstruct the uplift history of the NWJB and its response to hydrocarbon migration and uranium mineralization. The results indicate that a single continuous uplift event has occurred since the Early Cretaceous, showing spatiotemporal variation in the uplift and exhumation patterns throughout the NWJB. Uplift and exhumation initiated in the northwest and then proceeded to the southeast, suggesting that the fault system induced a post spread-thrust nappe into the basin during the Late Yanshanian. Modeling results indicate that the NWJB mountains have undergone three distinct stages of rapid cooling: Early Cretaceous (ca. 140–115 Ma), Late Cretaceous (ca. 80–60 Ma), and Miocene–present (since ca. 20 Ma). These three stages regionally correspond to the Lhasa-Eurasian collision during the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous (ca. 140–125 Ma), the Lhasa-Gandise collision during the Late Cretaceous (ca. 80–70 Ma), and a remote response to the India-Asian collision since ca. 55 Ma, respectively. These tectonic events also resulted in several regional unconformities between the J3/K1, K2/E, and E/N, and three large-scale hydrocarbon injection events in the Piedmont Thrust Belt (PTB). Particularly, the hydrocarbon charge event during the Early Cretaceous resulted in the initial inundation and protection of paleo-uranium ore bodies that were formed during the Middle–Late Jurassic. The uplift and denudation of the PTB was extremely slow from 40 Ma onward due to a slight influence from the Himalayan orogeny. However, the uplift of the PTB was faster after the Miocene, which led to re-uplift and exposure at the surface during the Quaternary, resulting in its oxidation and the formation of small uranium ore bodies.     

Seismic Hazard Assessment of District Mansehra,Khyber Pakhtoonkhawa,Pakistan

The site of Mansehra is located seismically in an active regime, known as the Crystalline Nappe Zone and Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis in NW Himalayas, Pakistan. Seismic Hazard Assessment （SHA） for the site has been carried out by considering the earthquake source zones, selection of appropriate attenuation equations, near fault effects and maximum potential magnitude estimation. The Mansehra Thrust, Oghi Fault, Banna Thrust, Balakot Shear Zone, Main Boundary Thrust, Panjal Thrust, Jhelum Fault and Muzaffarabad Fault and, further to the south, the Sanghargali, Nathiagali, and Thandiani Thrusts are the most critical tectonic features within the 50 km radius of Mansehra. Using the available instrumental seismological data from 1904 to 2007, SHA has been carried out. Other reactivated critical tectonic features in the area have been investigated. Among them the Balakot-Bagh fault, with the fault length of 120 km from Balakot to Poonch, has been considered as the most critical tectonic feature on the basis of geological/structural/seismological data. The potential earthquake of maximum magnitude 7.8 has been assigned to the Balakot-Bagh fault using four regression relations. The peak ground acceleration value of 0.25 g （10% probability of exceedance for 50 years） and 0.5 g has been calculated with the help of the attenuation equation using probabilistic and deterministic approaches.     

Marsh benthic Foraminifera response to estuarine hydrological balance driven by climate variability over the last 2000 yr (Minho estuary,NW Portugal)

A high-resolution study of a marsh sedimentary sequence from the Minho estuary provides a new palaeoenvironmental reconstruction from NW Iberian based on geological proxies supported by historical and instrumental climatic records. A low-salinity tidal flat, dominated by Trochamminita salsa, Haplophragmoides spp. and Cribrostomoides spp., prevailed from AD 140–1360 (Roman Warm Period, Dark Ages, Medieval Climatic Anomaly). This sheltered environment was affected by high hydrodynamic episodes, marked by the increase in silt/clay ratio, decrease of organic matter, and poor and weakly preserved foraminiferal assemblages, suggesting enhanced river runoff. The establishment of low marsh began at AD 1380. This low-salinity environment, marked by colder and wet conditions, persisted from AD 1410–1770 (Little Ice Age), when foraminiferal density increased significantly. Haplophragmoides manilaensis and Trochamminita salsa mark the transition from low to high marsh at AD 1730. Since AD 1780 the abundances of salt marsh species (Jadammina macrescens, Trochammina inflata) increased, accompanied by a decrease in foraminiferal density, reflecting climate instability, when droughts alternate with severe floods. SW Europe marsh foraminifera respond to the hydrological balance, controlled by climatic variability modes (e.g., NAO) and solar activity, thus contributing to the understanding of NE Atlantic climate dynamics.     

阿尔金山喀腊大湾地区变形岩石EBSD组构分析

岩石组构是指组成岩石的矿物在岩石中分布的各向异性,EBSD(Electron Back Scattered Diffraction)岩组分析就是运用电子背散射衍射技术测定岩石结构要素——岩石中矿物分布的规律性。本文作者运用EBSD技术方法,对阿尔金山喀腊大湾地区变形岩石的组构分析显示,花岗质糜棱岩和蚀变变形花岗岩中,石英变形机制是以中温I级柱面(10-10)0001和中高温II级柱面(10-10)0001滑移为主,少量为中低温底面(0001)11-20滑移;而在变形火山岩中,石英变形机制是以中低温底面(0001)11-20滑移系为主。在区域南北向剖面分布上,接近阿尔金北缘断裂和白尖山断裂的中北部变形温度较高,向南变形温度有逐渐降低的趋势。从岩石组构特点结合宏观构造分析,可以认为本区北段属于中—中深层次(15~25km,t=350~550℃,P=0.40~0.60GPa)的韧性变形,而中南段为中浅层次(10~15km,t=250~350℃,P=0.25~0.40GPa)的韧脆性变形。结合不同变形特点花岗岩的年代学资料,确定构造变形的时代为早古生代。上述特征与区域上发育板块碰撞带,且北部发育高压榴辉岩和蓝片岩的构造部位以及该构造变形带的演化历史相吻合。     

滇西北三叠系铅锌铁铜多金属矿含矿层位

滇西北德钦—维西一带有一类重要的铁铜铅锌多金属矿,含矿岩石为一套夹中酸性—基性火山岩的沉积岩系。目前的地质文献中,该沉积岩系的时代和名称争论颇多。笔者研究后认为应是中三叠统攀天阁组、中—上三叠统崔衣比组。建议以巍山地区歪古村组、三合洞组、挖鲁八组及麦初箐组作为兰坪—思茅中、新生代上叠陆内盆地的上三叠统地层名称;而攀天阁组、崔衣比组及石钟山组则为金沙江构造带维西陆缘弧带的三叠系地层名称,便于两个不同大地构造单元三叠系地层的对比。     

Qiarbahete Sanukitoids and adakitic rocks in NW Tianshan: age and geochemical constraints on their petrogenesis and tectonic settings

The Qiarbahete complex in NW China consists of gabbroic diorite, granodiorite, and late-stage quartz diorite porphyry veins. Zircon sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) U–Pb analyses show that the gabbroic diorite and granodiorite formed at 368 ± 5.2 Ma and 354 ± 4.1 Ma, respectively, indicating that the complex was emplaced in the Late Devonian–Early Carboniferous. The gabbroic diorites, characteristic of Sanukitoids, exhibit high Mg^# (62 average), MgO (6.84% average), Cr (195 ppm average), and Ni (61.4 ppm average) contents. The rocks show moderately fractionated rare earth element (REEs) patterns and weak negative Eu anomalies (δEu: 0.83–0.89), enrichment of large ion lithophile elements (LILEs), and depletion of high field strength elements (HFSEs), with low ?_Nd(t) values (1.46–1.73). The gabbroic diorites originated from partial melting of a hydrous mantle wedge followed by assimilation of crust during ascent. The granodiorites show a geochemical affinity with adakitic rocks, e.g. SiO₂ (64.95–67.87%) > 56%, Al₂O₃ (15.88–16.56%) > 15%, MgO (1.79–2.31%) < 3%, Sr (315–375 ppm) > 300 ppm, and Yb (1.84–2.06 ppm). They are enriched in light rare earth elements (LREEs) and LILEs and depleted in HFSEs, with weak negative Eu anomalies (δEu: 0.78–0.87). The granodiorites were mainly derived by the partial melting of a subducted oceanic slab, followed by subsequent melt–mantle interaction and crustal rocks contamination. All these indicate that the Qiarbahete complex was emplaced in a continental arc setting attending the southward subduction of the Junggar Ocean during the Late Devonian–early Carboniferous, generating the lateral accretion of continental crust in NW Tianshan.     

Stratigraphy and tectonic evolution of the Kazdağı Massif (NW Anatolia) based on field studies and radiometric ages

The Kazda?? Massif was previously considered as the metamorphic basement of the Sakarya Zone, a microcontinental fragment in NW Anatolia. Our new field mapping, geochemical investigations, and radiometric dating lead to a re-evaluation of previous suggested models of the massif. The Kazda?? metamorphic succession is subdivided into two major units separated by a pronounced unconformity. The lower unit (the Tozlu metaophiolite) is a typical oceanic crust assemblage consisting of ultramafic rocks and cumulate gabbros. It is unconformably overlain by a thick platform sequence of the upper group (the Sar?k?z unit). The basement ophiolites and overlying platform strata were subjected to a single stage of high-temperature metamorphism under progressive compression during the Alpine orogeny, accompanied by migmatitic metagranite emplacement. Radiometric age data obtained from the Kazda?? metamorphic succession reveal a wide range of ages. Metagranites of the Kazda?? metamorphic succession define a U–Pb discordia upper intercept age of ca. 230 Ma and a lower intercept age of 24.8 ± 4.6 Ma. This younger age agrees with ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb single-zircon evaporation ages of 28.2 ± 4.1 to 26 ± 5.6 Ma. Moreover, a lower intercept age of 28 ± 10 Ma from a leucocratic metagranite supports the Alpine ages of the massif within error limits. Reconnaissance detrital zircon ages constrain a wide range of possible transport and deposition ages of the metasediments in the Sar?k?z unit from ca. 120 to 420 Ma. Following high-temperature metamorphism and metagranite emplacement, the Kazda?? sequence was internally imbricated by Alpine compression, and the lowermost Tozlu ophiolite thrust southward onto the Sar?k?z unit. Field mapping, internal stratigraphy, and new radiometric age data show that the Sar?k?z unit is the metamorphic equivalent of the Mesozoic platform succession of the Sakarya Zone. The underlying metaophiolites are remnants of the Palaeo tethys Ocean, which closed during the early Alpine orogeny. After strong deformation attending nappe emplacement, the unmetamorphosed Miocene Evciler and Kavlaklar granites intruded the tectonic packages of the Kazda?? Massif. During Pleistocene time, the Kazda?? Massif was elevated by EW trending high-angle normal faults dipping to Edremit Gulf, and attained its present structural and topographic position. Tectonic imbrication, erosion and younger E–W-trending faulting were the main cause of the exhumation of the massif.     

Early Cambrian alkaline volcanism on the southern margin of Laurentia: evidence in the volcaniclastic units from the Puerto Blanco Formation in the Caborca block,NW Mexico

ABSTRACT

Volcaniclastic units are exposed at the base of the Puerto Blanco Formation in the Caborca region, northwestern Mexico. The lower unit reveals the presence of Early Cambrian mafic volcanism in this region. It consists of a volcano-sedimentary sequence represented by tuffaceous conglomerates, agglomerates, lapillistones, tuffs, and altered mafic volcanic flows. Petrographic analysis classified the volcanic clasts as albite-sphene-calcite-actinolite granofels, with a moderate to intense hydrothermal alteration, precisely characterized by EPMA analysis. Albite-actinolite geothermometry indicates temperatures from 400 to 500°C, suggesting metamorphic conditions in the upper temperature greenschist facies. Geochemistry analysis shows a high TiO₂ basic–ultrabasic volcanism that originated the volcanic clasts. Rock protoliths were studied using immobile trace elements, which classified them as OIB-type alkaline basalts with the characteristic spider hump-shaped pattern, situated in an anorogenic intracontinental tectonic setting with enriched mantle signatures. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology shows metamorphic ages of 52.58 ± 2.0 and 91.67 ± 0.55 Ma, consistent with the emplacement of Laramidic granitoids identified in the region. Possible correlations of this alkaline volcanism include the Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen and the late stages of the rifting of north western Laurentia represented in western United States.     

前陆盆地异常流体压力: 地质作用及其增压效率

在前陆盆地形成过程中,强烈挤压构造应力场和特殊的盆-山关系造成极为复杂的沉积环境和构造形变,多种地质作用都可能对地层内异常流体压力的产生及演化起到十分重要的作用。通过对准噶尔盆地南缘地区中段的地质条件及压力分布的分析,利用数值盆地模型方法,模拟分析了在前陆盆地构造挤压和盆地沉降过程中压实作用、断裂开启、褶皱、剥蚀等地质过程对流体压力的作用和影响,定量讨论了压力异常的成因机制及其效率。模拟分析结果表明,构造应力在水平方向上派生的侧向压实作用、强烈的褶皱作用及伴随的快速沉积-剥蚀作用等是前陆盆地中特有的增压作用,都可造成较高压力异常。准噶尔盆地南缘中新生界地层中广泛分布的高异常压力是新生代以来,特别是第四纪以来,在快速的压实作用、构造挤压作用所形成的高地层压力背景下,叠加了近期因断裂活动和背斜构造快速形成所引起的他源高压而形成的。     

越南西北部莱州地区新生代煌斑岩地球化学特征及其成因

越南西北部菜州地区出露的新生代煌斑岩岩脉对理解特提斯造山带东段的深部岩石圈特征和演化具有重要的地质意义.本文报道莱州地区煌斑岩的元素地球化学和Sr-Nd-Pb同位素组成特征,探讨其岩石成因.该地区煌斑岩属于钙碱性,钾质-超钾质煌斑岩特征.地球化学特征对比表明,菜州地区煌斑岩与哀牢山断裂带碱性岩具有相似的地球化学特征,但与海南和越南南部火山岩存在明显差异.分析结果表明,煌斑岩具有高的87Sr/86Sr比值、低143Nd/144Nd比值和高放射性成因Pb同位素组成特征.岩石的微量元素组成特征指示,形成煌斑岩的地幔源区可能经历过流体交代作用或沉积物组分的加入.低208Pb*/206Pb*比值暗示地幔源区富集事件是近期发生的,可能与晚古生代-早中生代印支地块向扬子地块俯冲事件有关.