The boyndie syncline,a D1 structure in the Dalradian of Scotland

The structure of the Dalradian rocks of the Banffshire coast has been re-examined. It is shown that D₁ structures face upwards along the entire section and the major Boyndie Syncline (Sutton and Watson 1956) must also be of D₁, age and not D₃ as proposed by Johnson (1962). D₂ structures are developed in the west, most strongly in the Portsoy Group and Cowhythe Gneiss where they may be related to the Portsoy Thrust (Elles 1931). East of the Cowhythe Gneiss D₂ structures are not developed but D₃ structures are of local importance. Porphyroblast growth is considered to be post-D₁, pre-D₃ related to the ‘active’ D₂ deformation in the west (Barrovian) and to the ‘static’ D₂ interval in the east (Buchan). The wider implications of these conclusions for Dalradian structure are briefly considered.     

A peridotitic komatiite from the Dalradian of Shetland

Komatiite lavas occur in the Dunrossness Spilitic Group in southeast Shetland in the Cunningsburgh area. This metavolcanic group is the easternmost member of the East Mainland Succession of Shetland and probably the youngest. It overlies a thick succession of deep-water metasediments and metavolcanic rocks probably forming part of an extensional basin and has been correlated with a part of the upper Dalradian of Scotland. Komatiites are not common in rock sequences as young as this. Their eruption is thought to require tectonic and thermal conditions which have been unusual since Archean times. Such conditions could arise when the crust beneath an extensional basin splits to form a constructive margin.     

Metabasite amphiboles of the Scottish Dalradian

Blue-green hornblendes are observed in metabasite assemblages throughout the chlorite, biotite and garnet zones of the southwest Scottish Highlands. Actinolites are common in more Mg-rich metabasites in these zones. At low grade, hornblendes are relatively edenite-rich, and may sometimes occur together with a more Mg-rich, Al-poor actinolite. Within the garnet zone, hornblendes are pargasitic, showing extensive tschermakite substitution. Textural and chemical evidence do not indicate the presence of any miscibility gap between hornblende and actinolite within the chlorite to garnet zones in the southwest Highlands. The occurrence of hornblende-actinolite pairs in metabasites of the Scottish Dalradian, and perhaps also in other metamorphic terrains, is considered to reflect the incomplete chemical equilibration of lower grade actinolitic amphibole during prograde metamorphism, rather than a miscibility gap. The paucity of amphibole compositions intermediate between hornblende and actinolite in many metamorphic terrains is thought to reflect the rapid but continuous change of stable amphibole compositions in metabasites over a small range of increased metamorphic grade.     

Models for the tectonothermal evolution of the eastern Dalradian of Scotland

Abstract The preserved array of pressures in the eastern Dalradian indicates that considerable syn- to post-metamorphic differential uplift has occurred. This inferred differential uplift suggests that Buchan sillimanite zone rocks originally lay at higher structural levels than presently adjacent cooler kyanite zone rocks to the west. A number of features are believed to coincide with the western margin of the sillimanite zone. These are a maximum in temperature, sharp thermal features, a high strain zone, and a train of metabasites. These features are explained by invoking syn-metamorphic movement between the Buchan sillimanite zone and the kyanite zone to its west, involving some horizontal component of movement. It is suggested that the lateral, now eroded, equivalents of the Buchan area once provided part of the required tectonic thickening for other parts of the Dalradian. Areas surrounding the Buchan area suffered tectonic burial followed by metamorphism during uplift relative to the Buchan area.     

The clay mineralogy of the Scottish Dalradian meta-limestones

The clay mineralogy of the Scottish Dalradian meta-limestones has been studied mainly by X-ray diffraction. In the samples from the north-east part of the Dalradian outcrop, which often show evidence of intense metamorphism, clay minerals found include saponite, regularly and irregularly interstratified smectite-chlorite, swelling chlorite, normal chlorite, illite and kaolinite. Limestones from the weakly metamorphosed South-West Highlands area contain only kaolinite, illite and chlorite. The genesis of the clay minerals is considered, particular attention being paid to the swelling minerals from the north-east region.     

冈底斯岩浆弧东端泥质岩的变质作用及构造意义

冈底斯岩浆弧东端林芝地区出露的中-高级变质岩来自岩浆弧的中、下地壳,是研究岩浆弧深部组成与形成演化的窗口。本文对林芝布久地区西部产出的泥质片岩进行了岩石学和锆石U-Pb年代学研究。研究表明,含夕线石石榴石云母片岩的峰期矿物组合为石榴石+黑云母+斜长石+白云母+夕线石+石英+金红石,经历了角闪岩相变质作用和部分熔融,峰期变质温度和压力条件为~7.4kbar和~715℃。片岩的进变质和部分熔融作用很可能开始于~70Ma,退变质和熔体结晶作用发生在61~48Ma。本文和现有研究成果表明,冈底斯岩浆弧东端变质岩的变质条件存在明显的空间变化,角闪岩相和麻粒岩相变质带变质岩分别代表岩浆弧的中地壳和下地壳组成。同时,岩浆弧的下地壳主要由变质的基性和长英质岩浆岩组成,含少量变质沉积岩,而中地壳主要由变质的花岗质岩浆岩和变质沉积岩组成。我们认为在晚中生代-早新生代,印度大陆与亚洲大陆的碰撞和俯冲的新特提斯洋岩石圈的断离,引起了岩浆弧地壳构造缩短加厚和幔源岩浆增生,进而导致上地壳的沉积岩被埋藏到中、下地壳,并经历长期持续的高温变质和部分熔融作用。本研究不仅揭示出冈底斯岩浆弧经历了晚中生代-早新生代的变质作用,也为岩浆弧的地壳组成与空间变化提供了重要信息。     

Post‐tectonic clastic dykes in the Dalradian of Scotland and Ireland: implications for delayed lithification and deformation of sediments

Structures associated with soft‐sediment deformation are preserved in the Neoproterozoic Dalradian Supergroup of SW Scotland and NW Ireland. Clastic dykes display a range of age relationships to regional Caledonian D₁ folds and fabrics from pre‐tectonic to hitherto unrecognized post‐tectonic. Evidence for the post‐D₁ timing of some dykes includes the emplacement of centimetre‐scale injections along regional S₁ cleavage, the disorientation and transport of cleaved wall‐rock clasts within larger dykes, and clastic dykes which markedly cross‐cut and transect F₁ fold hinges and axial planes. Collectively, these observations are compatible with the earliest regional (D₁) structures deforming a sequence which contained locally overpressured and unlithified pockets of sediment. These critical relationships indicate that overpressured pockets of unlithified sediment were possibly retained within the Dalradian for significant periods of time spanning at least 120 Ma given existing isotopic constraints. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Controls on the mechanisms of fluid infiltration and front advection during regional metamorphism: a stable isotope and textural study of retrograde Dalradian rocks of the SW Scottish Highlands

Vein-controlled retrograde infiltration of H₂O-CO₂ fluids into Dalradian epidote amphibolite facies rocks of the SW Scottish Highlands under greenschist facies conditions resulted in alteration of calcite-rich marble bands to dolomite and spatially associated ¹⁸O enrichment of about 10%. on a scale of metres. Fluid inclusion data indicate that the retrograde fluid was an H₂O-salt mixture with a low CO₂ content, and that the temperature of the fluid was about 400d? C. Detailed petrographic and textural (backscattered electron imaging) studies at one garnet-grade locality show that advection of fluid into marbles proceeded by a calcite-calcite grain edge flow mechanism, while alteration of non-carbonate wall-rock is associated with veinlets and microcracks. Stable isotopic analysis of carbonates from marble bands provides evidence for advection of isotopic fronts through carbonate wall-rocks perpendicular to dolomite veins, and fluid fluxes in the range 2.4–28.6 m³/m² have been computed from measured advection distances. Coincidence of isotope and reaction fronts is considered to result from reaction-enhanced kinetics of isotope exchange at the reaction front. Front advection distances are related to the proportion of calcite to quartz in each marble band, with the largest advection distance occurring in nearly pure calcite matrix. This relationship indicates that fluid flow in carbonates is only possible along fluid-calcite-calcite grain edges. However, experimental constraints on dihedral angles in calcite-fluid systems require that pervasive infiltration occurred in response to calcite dissolution initiated at calcite-calcite grain junctions rather than to an open calcite pore geometry. The regional extent of the retrograde infiltration event has been documented from the high δ¹⁸O of dolomite-ankerite carbonates from veins and host-rocks over an area of least 50 × 50 km in the SW Scottish Highlands. Isotopically exotic ¹⁸O-rich retrograde fluids have moved rapidly upwards through the crust, inducing isotopic exchange and mineral reaction in wall-rocks only where lithology, pore geometry or mineral solubilities, pressure and temperature have been appropriate for pervasive infiltration to occur.     

Regional metamorphism of some Dalradian pelites in the Buchan area,N.E. Scotland

Regional metamorphic zones, based on mineral assemblages in pelites, are presented for the Dalradian rocks of Aberdeenshire and Banffshire, in the type area of Buchan metamorphism; electron microprobe analyses of cordierite (C), staurolite (S), chlorite (Chl), biotite (B) and white mica (Ms) are reported for rocks from the classic sections of the Banffshire coast and the valley of the Ythan.A low grade biotite zone, separates two NE-SW trending sets of higher grade zones, in which the sequence s defined by the entry of cordierite, andalusite (A) and (in the west only) staurolite. The zones are characterised by the assemblages (with quartz and muscovite) B-Chl, C-B-Chl, A-C-B and S-A-B.The western sequence contains a transition towards higher pressure, Barrovian type, metamorphism. The isograds arise from continuous reactions affecting rocks of restricted bulk composition (M/FM). With increasing grade, there is a regular trend towards more magnesian ranges of composition for the assemblages C-B-Chl, A-C-B and finally (as P increases in the west), S-A-B. The isograds form when these assemblages intersect the most Fe⁺⁺-rich rock compositions present which occurs in each case when the biotite M/FM=40. A complex of divariant equilibria, derived for the system KFMASH, is used to model the natural reactions.     

Zircon geochronology reveals polyphase magmatism and crustal anatexis in the Buchan Block,NE Scotland: Implications for the Grampian Orogeny

The type locality for high-temperature,low-pressure regional metamorphism,the Buchan Block in NE Scotland,exhibits profound differences to the rest of the Grampian Terrane.These differences have led some to regard the Buchan Block as an exotic crustal fragment comprising Precambrian basement gneisses and cover rocks thrust into their current position during Grampian orogenesis.Although rocks of the Buchan Block are now generally correlated with Dalradian strata elsewhere,the origin of the gneisses and the cause of the high heat flow and associated magmatism is debated.We report SIMS U-Pb and LA-ICPMS Hf isotopic data in zircon from high-grade rocks from the northeast(Inzie Head Gneiss)and northwest(Portsoy)corners of the Buchan Block.Around Inzie Head,upper amphibolite to granulite facies metasedimentary gneisses coexist with diorite sheets that were emplaced contemporaneously with partial melting of their host rocks,at least locally.U-Pb geochronology indicates a crystallisation age for the diorite of 486±9 Ma.Highly-deformed diorites within the Portsoy Gabbro have a crystallisation age of 493±8 Ma.Ages of ca.490 Ma for magmatism and high-grade metamorphism,which are broadly contemporaneous with ophiolite obduction and the onset of orogenesis,are significantly older than the established peak of Grampian metamorphism(ca.470 Ma).We propose a new model for the Grampian Orogeny involving punctuated tectonothermal activity due to tectonic switching during accretionary orogenesis.Rollback of a NW-dipping subduction zone at ca.490 Ma produced a back-arc environment(the Buchan Block)with associated arc magmatism and high dT/dP metamorphism.Arrival of an outboard arc resulted in shortening(the initial phase of the Grampian Orogeny)at ca.488 Ma.Rollback of a NW-dipping subduction zone to the SE of the ca.488 Ma suture began at 473 Ma and led to lithospheric-scale extension,decompression melting and advective heating of the middle crust,producing the widespread ca.470 Ma Grampian(classic Barrovian and Buchan)regional metamorphism.Resumed hinge advance and the final phase of shortening cut off the heat supply at ca.465 Ma,marking the end of the Grampian Orogeny.     

Composition and applied sedimentology of salt from brines of the Mamfe Basin, Cameroon

Salts produced using brines of the Mamfe Basin were analysed by XRD for their mineral composition and ICP-MS for minor element composition. Halite (NaCl) and dolomite (CaMg (CO₃)₂) constitute the major minerals with minor impurities from Mo and Cd in the chlorides and Sc and Cu in the carbonates. The mineral composition is evidence of dissolution of evaporites with parent brine of marine origin. Other elements analysed are suggested to be adsorbed to these salts and result from water–rock interaction. The elements partitioned based on their correlation to other elements are suggested to derive from sulphates including barite for Ba, sulphides for Pb, Zn, silicates for Zr, Mn and oxides for V, Cr. The electrical conductance of the brines is related to the salt yield by the equation; M = 9 × 10^− 4E− 3.27, and it can be used to estimate salt yield throughout the year. Over 1200 tons of salt consisting dominantly of grade I halite are lost annually as brines across the basin. Purification is required for some minor elements including Ba, Pb, Hg and Cd for use as a condiment. A genetic relation between the parent brine, sulphide minerals and organic matter-rich sediments is proposed.     

Quartz deformation mechanisms during Barrovian metamorphism: Implications from crystallographic orientation of different generations of quartz in pelites

The behaviour of quartz during metamorphism is studied based on two case studies from the Barrovian terrains of Sulitjelma in arctic Scandinavia and Loch Tay in the Central Highlands Dalradian of Scotland. Both terrains preserve evidence for metamorphism in pelites involving nucleation and growth of garnet at different times in the deformation history. Data are presented on the size, shape and crystallographic orientation of quartz preserved as inclusions in garnet and as grains in the surrounding matrix. While quartz-grains remain small and dispersed between mica grains, deformation appears to be dominated by grain-boundary sliding accommodated by dissolution–precipitation. At amphibolite facies, textural coarsening occurs by dissolution of small quartz grains and growth of larger quartz grains, coupled with segregation of quartz from mica. As a result, quartz deforms by dislocation creep, developing crystallographic preferred orientations (CPO) consistent with both coaxial and non-coaxial strain. Quartz CPOs with <0001> axes lying parallel to foliation and stretching direction are commonly developed, and best explained by mechanical rotation of inequant (detrital?) quartz grains. There is no evidence for selective entrapment of quartz inclusions in garnet on the basis of quartz crystallographic orientation.     

Amphibolite facies metamorphism in shear zones in the Buchan area of NE Scotland

Abstract A major system of steep Caledonian shear zones, of regional extent, has been identified in NE Scotland. The shear zones affect a wide range of lithologies, including Argyll and Southern Highland Group Dalradian, 'Younger Basic'intrusives and their hornfelses, and also the earlier of the more acid intrusions. The observed fabrics and parageneses are consistent with low-pressure amphibolite facies metamorphism. These shear zones represent a phase of movement which occurred in the 490-465 Ma interval when ambient temperatures were still high, and it is concluded that this is the principal control on the metamorphic grade achieved within the shear zones, although local anomalies may exist.     

基于Diviner热红外数据的Apollo 15登陆区元素含量反演

月球元素含量的反演是了解月球物质成分的分布和月球矿产资源开发利用的依据。通过比较月球样品元素含量与不同粒径样品光谱CF值所建立模型的反演精度,确定10~20μm粒径样品最适用于月表元素含量反演。以Apollo 15登陆点附近为例,利用Diviner热红外数据得到了完整覆盖度和更高分辨率月球CF值影像,反演了月表Al、Fe、Mn、Mg和Ca元素相对含量。与月球样品实测值进行了对比,均方根误差均小于3,验证了利用红外数据反演月表元素相对含量的可行性,为月表元素含量反演提供了新的思路。     

Boron isotopic composition of subduction-zone metamorphic rocks

Many arc lavas contain material derived from subducted oceanic crust and sediments, but it remains unresolved whether this distinctive geochemical signature is transferred from the subducting slab by aqueous fluids, silicate melts, or both. Boron isotopic measurements have the potential to distinguish between slab transfer mechanisms because ¹¹B fractionates preferentially into aqueous fluids whereas little fractionation may occur during partial melting. Previous studies have shown that δ¹¹B values of island arc lavas (−6 to +7) overlap the range of δ¹¹B values for altered oceanic crust (−5 to +25) and pelagic sediments and turbidites (−7 to +11). Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) analyses of minerals in subduction-zone metamorphic rocks yield δ¹¹B=−11 to −3 suggesting that slab dehydration reactions significantly lower the δ¹¹B values of subducted oceanic crust and sediments. In order to explain the higher δ¹¹B values reported for arc lavas as compared to subduction-zone metamorphic rocks, the B-bearing component derived from the metamorphosed slab must be enriched in ¹¹B relative to the slab, favoring an aqueous fluid as the slab transfer mechanism.     

Implications of elemental concentrations for provenance, redox conditions, and metamorphic studies of shales and limestones near Pueblo, CO, USA

Major element and some trace element compositions (including the REE) of shales, carbonate-rich shales, and limestones of Late Cretaceous age have been analyzed at two outcrops near Pueblo, CO. Elemental ratios that are characteristic of the provenance of terrigenous debris that are the least variable with changing percent acid insoluble residue vs. percent calcite are Th/Cr, La/Co, (La/Lu)_cn, and Eu/Eu*. The Ce/Ce*, La/Sc, and La/Cr ratios, however, are only constant when greater than 30% of a sample is composed of acid insoluble residue. At less than 30% acid insoluble residue, these elemental ratios increase markedly. The Th/Co and Th/Sc ratios are fairly constant from nearly 0% to about 60% acid-insoluble residue. Above 60% residue, these ratios increase due to the high concentration of Th in the Graneros to Hartland shales at Everhart Ranch. The average of the Th/Co, Th/Sc, Th/Cr, La/Co, La/Sc, and La/Cr ratios are similar to those of the MCS (mid-continent shales) and PAAS (Post-Archean Australian shales). Thus, these carbonate-rich to carbonate poor rocks analyzed in this study contain terrigenous debris that has been derived from granitoids similar to those that supplied debris to the MCS and PAAS. The Ce/Ce* ratios are lower and the Mn* (Mn*=log[(Mn_sample/Mn_shales)/(Fe_sample/Fe_shales)]) values are more positive in the more calcite-rich Bridge Creek and Ft. Hays limestones than in the other units, suggesting that they formed in an oxidizing environment. The Ce/Ce* are the highest and the Mn* values are the most negative in the Graneros to Hartland shales, suggesting that they formed under more reducing conditions.The elemental concentration of one sample relative to that of another sample over a few meters distance usually vary in small amounts (e.g., medians of the ratios of the same elements between adjacent samples ranges from 1.06 to 1.70). However, the ratio of elemental concentrations between adjacent samples can sometimes be quite large. The least variation of elemental ratios between adjacent samples often occurs within the more carbonate-poor shales; the greatest variation occurs within the limestones. Thus, trying to decipher local movement of elements due to metamorphism in similar carbonate shale-limestone sequences should be done cautiously since local elemental variation due to sedimentary processes can be large.     

Holocene reworking of drift‐mantled hillslopes in the Scottish Highlands

Episodic erosion and resedimentation of valley‐side glacigenic drift is evident at three sites in the Scottish Highlands in the form of buried in situ palaeosols intercalated with stacked sediment units. Radiocarbon dating of 10 palaeosols exposed in sections in debris cones suggests that gully erosion and redeposition of drift represents asynchronous debris flow and slopewash activity within the past 6⋅5 cal.kyr. Palynological and charcoal analyses confirm that reworking was unrelated to burning of vegetation, and post‐dated the main phase of anthropogenic woodland clearance at two sites, although the possibility that recent debris flow activity in Glen Docherty may have been associated with removal of woodland cover cannot be dismissed. However, the collective evidence points to discrete, extreme storm‐generated events of random occurrence as the most likely cause of episodes of enhanced slope reworking at the sites investigated. Evidence for periodic climatic deterioration is more equivocal. By implication, the accumulation of substantial debris cones in upland Britain may reflect primarily the reworking of sediment during extremely rare, intense rainstorms, essentially independent of progressive climate changes. Consequently, caution is necessary in using debris flow stratigraphies alone as a means of reconstructing former long‐term climatic changes. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

松嫩沙地元素和Sr-Nd同位素组成特征及其对区域粉尘物源的指示

松嫩沙地位于欧亚黄土带最东端,其物质组成的研究有利于重建松嫩平原冰期—间冰期粉尘传输路径。为此,系统采集了松嫩沙地123个河流沙和风成沙样品,对其进行分粒级的常量、微量和稀土元素以及Sr-Nd同位素组成等地球化学分析,并利用Frequentist模型进行风尘物源定量重建,探讨松嫩沙地不同区域、不同粒级组分对哈尔滨黄土的贡献及搬运路径。结果表明,松嫩沙地经历了初级的化学风化过程（＜63 μm、＜30 μm、＜10 μm组分CIA平均值分别为55.20、57.46、57.51）,有较低的再循环历史（＜63 μm、＜30 μm、＜10 μm组分CIA/WIP比值的平均值为0.98、1.08、1.04）。根据不同粒度组分的元素地球化学与Sr-Nd同位素组成特征,将松嫩沙地划分为西北部和西南部两个地球化学分区。不同粒度组分地球化学组成的定量重建结果表明,这两个分区不同粒级组分（＜63 μm、＜30 μm、＜10 μm）对哈尔滨黄土的贡献度分别为：75.7%~88.5%、73.4%~84.9%、61.0%~89.7%（西南部）和11.5%~24.3%、15.1%~26.6%、10.3%~39%（西北部）。本研究揭示了末次冰期以来松嫩平原粉尘传输路径以西南方向为主,与冰期以西北风为主导的环流模式存在差异。

     

Major element composition of the Loch Coire migmatite complex,Sutherland, Scotland

Analyses of Moine metasediments and migmatites in the Loch Coire area of northern Scotland are used to delineate the fields of composition of the major rock groups. An assessment is made of the relative merits of the hypotheses of isochemical metamorphism and metasomatism in the genesis of the migmatites. Within the migmatites the Fe/Fe ratio is constant, a feature not shown by the metasediments. This is interpreted as evidence of permeation of the migmatites by metasomatising fluids. Granitic sheets which are common in the migmatites have a very variable and predominantly sodium-rich composition more easily reconciled with metasomatism than a simple magmatic or anatectic origin. Attention is also drawn to the sodic nature of the large mass of Loch Coire granite which occurs in the centre of the migmatite area and the possibility is considered that the uprise of sodic magma provided sodium-rich fluids for permeation of the rest of the complex.     

Late Devensian and Flandrian palaeoenvironmental changes on the Scottish continental shelf west of the Outer Hebrides

Examination of two radiocarbon-dated vibrocores taken from south of St Kilda at a water depth of about 155 m, a short distance within the maximum position of the Late Devensian (Dimlington Stadial) ice sheet, suggests that the St Kilda Basin became free of glacier ice after 15250 yr BP. Sedimentation in a shallow, low energy, high arctic, muddy environment continued until after 13500 yr BP. There followed a higher energy temperate episode during which water depths were roughly about 40 m: this is correlated with the latter part of the Windermere Interstadial and with the warmer interval known in shallow Scottish seas about or a little before 11 000 yr BP. The Loch Lomond (Younger Dryas) Stadial is marked in the vibrocores by the return of muddy sediments and a cold-water fauna. Relatively shallow water conditions seem to have persisted into the earliest Flandrian, when the water depth was still roughly 60 m, corresponding to a sea-level in the area 90–100 m below present. It is suggested that pack ice was widespread in the northeast Atlantic before the Windermere Interstadial and also during the Loch Lomond Stadial, when it transported shards of Icelandic volcanic ash into the St Kilda basin. Estimates of sea-surface temperature for the last part of the Windermere Interstadial are close to those derived from the deep-sea record for the same period.