Toward a unified model of Altaids geodynamics: Insight from the Palaeozoic polycyclic evolution of West Junggar (NW China)

The Altaid tectonic collage extends over Central Asia, exposing numerous accretionary orogens that can account for the Palaeozoic continental crust growth. A pluridisciplinary approach, using geochronological, geochemical, structural and palaeomagnetic tools was carried out to unravel the architecture and the evolution of West Junggar(Northwestern China), a segment of the Altaid Collage. A polycyclic geodynamic evolution is inferred and includes:(1) an Early Palaeozoic cycle, characterized by the closure of two oceanic basins bounded by island-arc systems;(2) an Early Devonian subduction jamming resulting in a minor-scale collision documented by thrusting, syntectonic sedimentation and subsequent crutal thinning associated with alkaline magmatism;(3) a Late Palaeozoic cycle, driven by the evolution of two opposite subduction zones developed upon the Early Palaeozoic basement. Detailed structural analysis and paleomagnetic data provide constraints for the late evolution of Junggar in the frame of the development of the Late Palaeozoic Kazakh orocline, which led to oblique subduction and transpression in the West Junggar accretionary complex. Progressive buckling of the Kazakh orocline further resulted in Late Carboniferous to Permian wrench tectonics, and lateral displacement of lithotectonic units. Block rotations that continued after the Late Triassic are due to diachronous intraplate reactivation. This scenario mirrors the Palaeozoic geodynamics of the Altaid Collage. Multiple Early Palaeozoic collisions of intra-oceanic arcs and micro continents have contributed to the formation of the Kazakhstan Microcontinent. Since the Late Palaeozoic, subductions formed around this microcontinent and the final oblique closure of oceanic domains resulted in the transcurrent collage of Tarim and Siberia cratons. Palaeozoic strike-slip faults were later reactivated during Mesozoic intracontinental tectonics.     

Bayesian inversion with Markov chains—II. The one-dimensional DC multilayer case

In this paper, we will report on the application of Bayesian inference to DC resistivity inversion for 1-D multilayer models. The posterior probability distribution is explored through a Markov process based upon a Gibbs's sampler. The process would lead to unrealistic estimates without additional prior information, which takes the form of a second Markov chain where the transition kernel corresponds to a smoothness constraint. The outcomes are posterior marginal probabilites for each parameter, as well as, if required, joint probabilities for pairs of parameters. We will discuss the main properties of the method in the light of a theoretical example and illustrate its capabilities with some field examples taken from various contexts.     

Computation of GPS P1–P2 Differential Code Biases with JASON-2

GPS Differential Code Biases (DCBs) computation is usually based on ground networks of permanent stations. The drawback of the classical methods is the need for the ionospheric delay so that any error in this quantity will map into the solution. Nowadays, many low-orbiting satellites are equipped with GPS receivers which are initially used for precise orbitography. Considering spacecrafts at an altitude above the ionosphere, the ionized contribution comes from the plasmasphere, which is less variable in time and space. Based on GPS data collected onboard JASON-2 spacecraft, we present a methodology which computes in the same adjustment the satellite and receiver DCBs in addition to the plasmaspheric vertical total electron content (VTEC) above the satellite, the average satellite bias being set to zero. Results show that GPS satellite DCB solutions are very close to those of the IGS analysis centers using ground measurements. However, the receiver DCB and VTEC are closely correlated, and their value remains sensitive to the choice of the plasmaspheric parametrization.     

Relationships between magmatism and extension along the Autun–La Serre fault system in the Variscan Belt of the eastern French Massif Central

The ENE–WSW Autun Shear Zone in the northeastern part of the French Massif Central has been interpreted previously as a dextral wrench fault. New field observations and microstructural analyses document a NE–SW stretching lineation that indicates normal dextral motions along this shear zone. Further east, similar structures are observed along the La Serre Shear Zone. In both areas, a strain gradient from leucogranites with a weak preferred orientation to highly sheared mylonites supports a continuous Autun–La Serre fault system. Microstructural observations, and shape and lattice-preferred orientation document high-temperature deformation and magmatic fabrics in the Autun and La Serre granites, whereas low- to intermediate-temperature fabrics characterize the mylonitic granite. Electron microprobe monazite geochronology of the Autun and La Serre granites yields a ca. 320 Ma age for pluton emplacement, while mica ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar datings of the Autun granite yield plateau ages from 305 to 300 Ma. The ca. 300 Ma ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar ages, obtained on micas from Autun and La Serre mylonites, indicate the time of the mylonitization. The ca. 15-Ma time gap between pluton emplacement and deformation along the Autun–La Serre fault system argue against a synkinematic pluton emplacement during late orogenic to postorogenic extension of the Variscan Belt. A ductile to brittle continuum of deformation is observed along the shear zone, with Lower Permian brittle faults controlling the development of sedimentary basins. These results suggest a two-stage Late Carboniferous extension in the northeastern French Massif Central, with regional crustal melting and emplacement of the Autun and La Serre leucogranites around 320 Ma, followed, at 305–295 Ma, by ductile shearing, normal brittle faulting, and subsequent exhumation along the Autun–La Serre transtensional fault system.     

Mineralogy,microchemistry and fluid inclusion studies of the Besshi-type Nudeh Cu-Zn VMS deposit,Iran

The southwestern Sabzevar basin is the north of Central Iranian Microcontinent hosts abundant mineral deposits, including exhalative Mn mineralization and Cu-Zn volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits. Amongst them, the Nudeh Besshi-type Cu–Zn volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit is hosted within the lower part of a Late Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary sequence composed of alkali olivine basalt flows and tuffaceous silty sandstone. Based on investigations into the ore geometry, mineralogy, and texture, we recognized three different ore facies: (1) a stockwork of sulfide-bearing quartz veins cutting across the footwall volcano-sedimentary rocks and representing the stringer zone; (2) a massive ore type, displaying replacement texture with pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, friedrichite, and minor magnetite; and (3) a bedded ore type, with laminated to disseminated pyrite and chalcopyrite. EPMA studies indicate a distinctive minor element distribution between the different ore types of the Nudeh deposit. The Fe content in the sphalerite ranges from 0.65–1.80?wt.%, indicating the Fe-poor nature of the sphalerite. However, the Cd content in sphalerite ranged between 0.164–0.278?wt.%. According to the mineral compositions, Zn, Se, and Ag are found in bornite as minor elements. In the bedded ore facies, the pyrite contains higher levels of Se (up to 0.35?wt.%). The Zn content in the friedrichite in all of the ore samples is low. The Co/Ni ratios in pyrite from the Nudeh ore are lower than those of most magmatic deposits, but are similar to those from volcanogenic deposits, and hence support the proposed hydrothermal origin of the deposit. Two generations of quartz, Q1 and Q2 in the stockwork veins, contain primary fluid inclusions and these contain two phases (liquid and vapor). The lack of vapor-rich inclusions or variable liquid/vapor ratios indicate that the fluids did not boil at the site of trapping. Salinity for both Q1 and Q2 fluid inclusions ranges between 2.2–6.8?wt.% eq. NaCl. Homogenization temperatures for inclusions in the Q1 and Q2 veins average at about 296?°C and are similar to the temperatures of hydrothermal fluids discharged through vents in many modern seafloor VMS deposit. The Nudeh Besshi-type VMS deposit appears to have formed on the seafloor and based on the salinity and temperature constraints from the underlying stockwork, a buoyancy plume model is proposed as a mechanism for precipitation.     

A review of major non-sulfide zinc deposits in Iran

The numerous non-sulfide zinc ore deposits were the historical basis for the development of zinc mining in Iran.They include the Mehdiabad,Irankouh and Angouran world-class deposits,as well as the Zarigan and Haft-har deposits.These deposits were formed by supergene oxidation of primary sulfide minerals during the complex interplay of tectonic uplift,karst development,changes in the level of the water table,and weathering.Zn(Pb)carbonates,Zn-hydrosilicates and associated hydrated phases directly replace the primary ore bodies or fill cavities along fractures related to uplift tectonics.Direct replacement of primary sulfides is accompanied by distal precipitation of zinc non-sulfide minerals in cavities or internal sediments filling.The mineralogy of the non-sulfide mineralization in all six deposits is generally complex and consists of smithsonite,hydrozincite,and hemimorphite as the main economic minerals,accompanied by iron and manganese oxy-hydroxides and residual clays.Commonly,non-sulfide minerals in these deposits consist of two types of ore:red zinc ore(RZO),rich in Zn,Fe,Pb-(As)and white zinc ore(WZO),typically with very high zinc grades but low concentrations of iron and lead.Typical minerals of the RZO are Fe-oxyhydroxides,goethite,hematite,hemimorphite,smithsonite and/or hydrozincite and cerussite.Common minerals of the WZO are smithsonite or hydrozincite and only minor amounts of Fe-oxyhydroxides and hemimorphite.     

Excavation of subglacial bedrock channels by seasonal meltwater flow

Subglacial water flow drives the excavation of a variety of bedrock channels including tunnel valleys and inner gorges. Subglacial floods of various magnitudes – events occurring once per year or less frequently with discharges larger than a few hundred cubic metres per second – are often invoked to explain the erosive power of subglacial water flow. In this study we examine whether subglacial floods are necessary to carve bedrock channels, or if more frequent melt season events (e.g. daily production of meltwater) can explain the formation of substantial bedrock channels over a glacial cycle. We use a one‐dimensional numerical model of bedrock erosion by subglacial meltwater, where water flows through interacting distributed and channelized drainage systems. The shear stresses produced drive bedrock erosion by bed‐ and suspended‐load abrasion. We show that seasonal meltwater discharge can incise an incipient bedrock channel a few tens of centimetres deep and several metres wide, assuming abrasion is the only mechanism of erosion, a particle size of D=256 mm and a prescribed sediment supply per unit width. Using the same sediment characteristics, flood flows yield wider but significantly shallower bedrock channels than seasonal meltwater flows. Furthermore, the smaller the shear stresses produced by a flood, the deeper the bedrock channel. Shear stresses produced by seasonal meltwater are sufficient to readily transport boulders as bedload. Larger flows produce greater shear stresses and the sediment is carried in suspension, which produces fewer contacts with the bed and less erosion. We demonstrate that seasonal meltwater discharge can excavate bedrock volumes commensurate with channels several tens of metres to a few hundred metres wide and several tens of metres deep over several thousand years. Such simulated channels are commensurate with published observations of tunnel valleys and inner gorges. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intracontinental subduction: a possible mechanism for the Early Palaeozoic Orogen of SE China

The Early Palaeozoic Orogen of SE China consists of three litho-tectonic elements, from top to bottom: a sedimentary Upper Unit, a metamorphic Lower Unit and a gneissic basement. The boundaries between these units are flat lying, south directed, ductile decollements. The lower one is coeval with an amphibolite facies metamorphism (M1). The belt is reworked by migmatite–granite domes, high-temperature metamorphism (M2) and granitic plutons related to post-orogenic crustal melting. We date here the syn-M1 ductile shearing at 453 ± 7 Ma by U-Th/Pb method on monazite. Previous ages and our new ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of biotites and muscovites show that the metamorphic rocks experienced syn-M2 exhumation from 440 to 400 Ma. The Early Palaeozoic Orogen of SE China is an intracontinental belt in which decollements accommodated the north-directed subduction of the Cathaysian continent. This orogen is an example of intracontinental subduction that was not preceded by oceanic subduction.     

From oblique accretion to transpression in the evolution of the Altaid collage: New insights from West Junggar,northwestern China

Along active margins, tectonic features that develop in response to plate convergence are strongly controlled by subduction zone geometry. In West Junggar, a segment of the giant Palaeozoic collage of Central Asia, the West Karamay Unit represents a Carboniferous accretionary complex composed of fore-arc sedimentary rocks and ophiolitic mélanges. The occurrence of quasi-synchronous upright folds and folds with vertical axes suggests that transpression plays a significant role in the tectonic evolution of the West Junggar. Latest Carboniferous (ca. 300 Ma) alkaline plutons postdate this early phase of folding, which was synchronous with accretion of the Carboniferous complex. The Permian Dalabute sinistral fault overprints Carboniferous ductile shearing and split the West Karamay Unit ca. 100 km apart. Oblique convergence may have been provoked by the buckling of the Kazakh orocline and relative rotations between its segments. Depending upon the shape of the convergence zone, either upright folds and fold with vertical axes, or alternatively, strike–slip brittle faults developed in response to strain partitioning. Sinistral brittle faulting may account for the lateral imbrication of units in the West Junggar accretionary complex.