The Ediacaran volcanosedimentary succession of Gabal Abu Had,North Eastern Desert,Egypt: geological study,facies analyses,and depositional setting

Gabal Abu Had is an exposure of a volcanosedimentary succession in the North Eastern Desert Basement Complex. This succession includes intercalation of two major rock units, which are Dokhan Volcanics and Hammamat Group with different styles of formation, deposition environments, and genesis. Gabal Abu Had succession (GHS) is a northward dipping, c. 700-m-thick volcanosedimentary succession that rests on metavolcanic and old granitoid rocks with erosion unconformity. The lower part of GHS is dominated by volcaniclastic mass flow deposits and andesitic lava with interbedded gravely sandstone, whereas the upper sequence is composed of pyroclastic flow deposits including welded to no welded ignimbrite intercalated with gravely sandstone and massive clast-support conglomerate toward the top. Facies analysis study of GHS presented eight lithofacies types, which grouped into five lithofacies associations. The GHS basin started with effusive eruption of silica-poor volcanic center, which produced andesitic lava. A part of lava underwent hyaloclastic fragmentation due to the presence of fluvial water in places producing the volcaniclastic mass flow deposits. Later, an explosive silica-rich volcanic center affected the GHS basin and created the pyroclastic plain deposits (ignimbrite and bedded tuff). The fluvial braided river is still in action since the first eruption, producing gravely sandstone, which is intercalated with the volcanic sequence. The upper GHS is characterized by thick, massive, and clast-supported conglomerate (well rounded clasts up to 100 cm) of alluvial fan facies. Several silica-rich and silica-poor subvolcanic intrusions were emplaced in the GHS. The GHS development displays a cycle from low- to high-energy sedimentation under humid climatic conditions, in addition to extension and down faulting of basin shoulders. In comparison with Gabal El Urf, located to the north of GHS and was studied by El-Gameel (2010), the GHS is a lava-rich succession rather than Gabal El Urf succession which is mainly pyroclastic rich.     

Geochronology and magmatic evolution of the Huautla volcanic field: last stages of the extinct Sierra Madre del Sur igneous province of southern Mexico

The Huautla volcanic field (HVF), in the Sierra Madre del Sur (SMS), is part of an extensive record of Palaeogene magmatism reflecting subduction of the Farallon plate along the western edge of North America. Igneous activity resulting from Farallon subduction is also exposed to the north, in the Sierra Madre Occidental (SMO) and Mesa Central (MC) provinces. We present the results of a stratigraphic and K–Ar, Ar–Ar, and U–Pb geochronological study of the Huautla volcanic successions, in order to refine our knowledge on the petrologic and temporal evolution of the northern SMS and gain insights on magmatic–tectonic contrasts between the SMS and the SMO–MC provinces. The HVF is made up of lava flows and pyroclastic successions that overlie marine Cretaceous sequences and post-orogenic continental deposits of Palaeogene age. In the study area, the main Oligocene succession is pre-dated by the 36.7 million years its caldera west of the Sierra de Huautla. The HVF succession ranges in age from ～33.6 to 28.1 Ma and comprises a lower group of andesitic–dacitic lava flows, an intermediate sequence of ignimbrites and dacitic lavas, and an upper group of andesitic units. The silicic succession comprises a crystal-poor ignimbrite unit (i.e. the Maravillas ignimbrite; 31.4 ± 0.6, 32.0 ± 0.4 Ma; ～260 km³), overlain by a thick succession of dacitic lavas (i.e. the Agua Fría dacite; 30.5 ± 1.9, 31.0 ± 1.1 Ma). Integration of the new stratigraphic and geochronological data with prior information from other explosive centres of the north-central SMS allows us to constrain the temporal evolution of a silicic flare-up episode, indicating that it occurred between 37–32 Ma; it consisted of three major ignimbrite pulses at ～36.5, ～34.5, and ～33–32 Ma and probably resulted from a progressive, mantle flux-driven thermomechanical maturation of the continental crust, as suggested in the HVF by the transition from andesitic to voluminous siliceous volcanism. The information now available for the north-central sector of the SMS also allows recognition of differences between the temporal and spatial evolution of magmatism in this region, and of that documented in the southern SMO and MC provinces, suggesting that such contrasts are probably related to local differences in configuration of the subduction system. At ～28 Ma, the MC and southern SMO provinces experienced a trenchward migration of volcanism, associated with slab rollback; on the other hand, the broad, more stable distribution of Oligocene magmatism in the central and north oceanic plate was subducting at a low angle.     

松辽盆地东南隆起区下白垩统营城组三段火山岩岩性、岩相序列

通过大比例尺野外岩性岩相填图、掌子面二维岩性岩相描述和详细岩矿鉴定,研究营城组三段内幕。本区营三段自下而上岩性序列表现为2个中基性到中酸性的火山岩旋回：①下部为石英安山岩、安山岩、安山质集块熔岩、安山质集块岩、安山质角砾岩和安山质角砾凝灰岩,向上过渡为砂质凝灰岩和英安质凝灰熔岩;②上部为玄武安山岩和玄武质集块熔岩,向上过渡为英安岩、珍珠岩、英安岩、英安质凝灰熔岩、英安质沉凝灰岩和英安岩。旋回①岩相纵向序列：溢流相下部亚相、火山通道相火山颈亚相、爆发相空落亚相、火山沉积相再搬运亚相、爆发相热碎屑流亚相。旋回②岩相纵向序列：溢流相上部亚相和下部亚相、火山通道相火山颈亚相、溢流相下部亚相、侵出相内带亚相、溢流相下部亚相、爆发相热碎屑流亚相、火山沉积相再搬运亚相、溢流相下部亚相。营三段火山岩发育于松辽盆地断陷末期,是盆地断陷转为坳陷过程的重要岩石记录。     

Hydrothermal alteration and K–Ar ages of Neogene‐Quaternary magmatic‐hydrothermal systems at Toyoha‐Muine area in southwest Hokkaido,Japan

This paper presents a review of hydrothermal alteration and K–Ar age data from the Toyoha‐Muine area (TMA), where the Toyoha polymetallic (Ag–Pb–Zn–Cu–In) deposit is located near the Pliocene andesitic volcano that formed Mt Muine. Systematic prospect‐scale mapping, sampling, X‐ray analysis and microscopic observation show that hydrothermal alteration is divided into two groups: acid‐pH and neutral‐pH alteration types. The former is further divided into mineral assemblages I, II and III, while the latter into mineral assemblages IV and V. Different mineralogical features in five mineral assemblages are summarized as follows: (I) Quartz (silicified rock); (II) Pyrophyllite or dickite; (III) Kaolinite or halloysite ± alunite; (IV) Sericite or K‐feldspar; and (V) Interstratified minerals (illite/smectite and chlorite/smectite) and/or smectite. K–Ar radiometric ages determined on twenty‐eight K‐bearing samples (whole volcanic rocks and separated hydrothermal minerals) mainly fall into one of three periods: Early Miocene (24.6–21.4 Ma), Middle–Late Miocene (12.5–8.4 Ma) and Pliocene–Pleistocene (3.2–0 Ma). These three periods are characterized as follows. Early Miocene: A minor hydrothermal activity, which might be genetically related to the intermediate or felsic magmatic activities, formed mineral assemblage IV at 24.6 Ma in the northern part of the TMA. Middle to Late Miocene: The basaltic intrusion, andesitic eruption, and granodiorite intrusions induced hydrothermal activities between 12.5 and 8.4 Ma, resulting in the formation of a mineral assemblage IV with some base metal mineralization. Pliocene–Pleistocene: An andesitic eruption formed Mt Muine between 3.2 and 2.9 Ma. The andesitic activity was associated with acid‐pH mineral assemblages I, II and III locally around the volcano. Latent magmatic intrusions subsequent to the andesitic eruption generated hydrothermal activities that formed mineral assemblages IV and V between 1.9 and 0 Ma in the southern and southeastern parts of Toyoha deposit at depth, overprinting the Middle to Late Miocene alteration. The hydrothermal activities also formed mineral assemblages I, II and III along the Yunosawa fault (east of the Toyoha deposit) and assemblage III in the south and southeast of the Toyoha deposit near the surface.     

Lithofacies and depositional characteristics of gas shales in the western area of the Lower Yangtze,China

The Lower Yangtze is considered as a potentially productive shale gas area in China, but only limited research has thus far been carried out there. On the basis of a detailed investigation of fourteen outcrops, eight lithofacies in the Hetang Formation (510–541 Ma), the Gaojiabian Formation (430–443.4 Ma), the Gufeng Formation (270–281 Ma) and the Dalong Formation (252–263 Ma) have been identified: silicalite, siliceous non‐calcareous mudstone, siliceous shale, carbonaceous shale, calcareous mudstone, silty–shaly interlaminated mudstone, siltstone and limestone. Three types of fossils were also found in the four formations: sponge spicules, radiolarians and graptolites. Moreover, four key outcrops of the fourteen were suitable for more additional detailed analyses and interpretation of their depositional environments and plausible sequence of the stratigraphic system tracts. As a result, the four potential shale gas formations were all divided into third‐order sea‐level sequences. Every third‐order sequence was further divided into four system tracts, corresponding to an early transgressive system tract (ETST), a late transgressive system tract (LTST), an early highstand system tract (EHST) and a late highstand system tract (LHST). On the basis of the interpretation of the lithofacies and depositional environments in the western area of the Lower Yangtze, sediments can be related to hydrothermal and biological processes, terrigenous clastic input and calcium compensation. These processes were interpreted to occur in a sequential order that we divide into three stages. The ETST period was the first stage, in which hydrothermal upwelling from the open ocean produced a siliceous lithological combination. During the second stage corresponding to the LTST + EHST, our results suggest that some biological communities in the stable deep water provided plenty of organic‐rich matter. The LHST period was the third stage, in which terrigenous clastic material was deposited close to the land, and some carbonate sediments began appearing near the platform. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mineral chemistry,crystallization conditions and magma mixing‐mingling at Orduzu volcano (Malatya), Eastern Anatolia,Turkey

The Middle Miocene Orduzu volcanic suite, which is a part of the widespread Neogene Yamadağ volcanism of Eastern Anatolia, consists of a rhyolitic lava flow, rhyolitic dykes, a trachyandesitic lava flow and basaltic trachyandesitic dykes. Existence of mafic enclaves and globules in some of the volcanic rocks, and microtextures in phenocrysts indicate that magma mingling and mixing between andesitic and basaltic melts played an important role in the evolution of the volcanic suite. Major and trace element characteristics of the volcanic rocks are similar to those formed in convergent margin settings. In particular, incompatible trace element patterns exhibit large depletions in high field strength elements (Nb and Ta) and strong enrichments in both large ion lithofile elements (Ba, Th and U) and light rare earth elements, indicating a strong subduction signature in the source of the volcanic rocks. Furthermore, petrochemical data obtained suggest that parental magmas of rhyolite lava and dykes, and trachyandesite lava and basaltic trachyandesite dykes were derived from subduction‐related enriched lithospheric mantle and metasomatized mantle (± asthenosphere), respectively. A detailed mineralogical study of the volcanic suite shows that plagioclase is the principal phenocryst phase in all of the rock units from the Orduzu volcano. The plagioclase phenocrysts are accompanied by quartz in the rhyolitic lava flows and by two pyroxenes in the trachyandesitic lava flows and basaltic trachyandesitic dykes. Oxide phases in all rocks are magnetite and ilmenite. Calculated crystallization temperatures range from 650°C to 800°C for plagioclase, 745°C–1054°C for biotite, 888°C–915°C for pyroxene and 736°C–841°C for magnetite–ilmenite pairs. Calculated crystallization pressures of pyroxenes vary between 1.24–5.81 kb, and oxygen fugacity range from −14.47 to −12.39. The estimates of magmatic intensive parameters indicate that the initial magma forming the Orduzu volcanic unit began to crystallize in a high‐level magma chamber and then was stored in a shallow reservoir where it underwent intermediate‐mafic mixing. The rhyolitic lava flow and dykes evolved in relatively shallower crustal magma chambers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

塔里木下寒武统富有机质沉积层段地球化学特征及意义

塔里木盆地寒武系下统玉尔吐斯组底部富有机质沉积层段分布广泛,层位稳定,其中的硅质岩发育,并伴有磷矿产出.硅质岩的Al(Al Fe Mn)和Si/(Si Al Fe)比值分别在0.0023～0.0046和0.965～0.98之间,表明其形成于海底热水沉积环境,远离陆源区.富有机质沉积层段明显富集As、Hg、Pb、Zn、Cu、Co、P、V、Ba等微量元素,富集系数F(N)远大于1.Ba/Sr比值远远大于1,与现代海底热水沉积物中的Ba/Sr比值相似,具有明显的海底热水沉积特征;Th/U和V/Sc比值显示其形成与海洋缺氧事件有关,而导致缺氧事件发生的主要原因则是海底火山作用及其与之相伴的海底热水流体活动.     

Geology,mineralogy, and sulfur isotope geochemistry of the Sargaz Cu–Zn volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit,Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone,Iran

The Sargaz Cu–Zn massive sulfide deposit is situated in the southeastern part of Kerman Province, in the southern Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone of Iran. The stratigraphic footwall of the Sargaz deposit is Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic (?) pillowed basalt, whereas the stratigraphic hanging wall is andesite. Mafic volcanic rocks are overlain by andesitic volcaniclastics and volcanic breccias and locally by heterogeneous debris flows. Rhyodacitic flows and volcaniclastics overlie the sequence of basaltic and andesitic rocks. Based on the bimodal nature of volcanism, the regional geologic setting and petrochemistry of the volcanic rocks, we suggest massive sulfide mineralization in the Sargaz formed in a nascent ensialic back-arc basin. The current reserves (after ancient mining) of the Sargaz deposit are 3 Mt at 1.34% Cu, 0.38% Zn, 0.08%Pb, 0.24 g/t Au, and 7 g/t Ag. The structurally dismembered massive sulfide lens is zoned from a pyrite-rich base, to a pyrite?±?chalcopyrite-rich central part, and a sphalerite–chalcopyrite-rich upper part, with a sphalerite-rich zone lateral to the upper part. The main sulfide mineral is pyrite, with lesser chalcopyrite and sphalerite. The feeder zone, comprised of a vein stockwork consists of quartz–sulfide–sericite pesudobreccia and, in the deepest part, chlorite–quartz–pyrite pesudobreccia. Footwall hydrothermal alteration extends at least 70–80 m below the massive sulfide lens and more than a hundred meters along strike from the massive sulfide lens. Jasper and Fe–Mn bearing chert horizons lateral to the sulfide deposit represent low-temperature hydrothermal precipitates of the evolving hydrothermal system. Based on mineral textures and paragenetic relationships, the growth history of the Sargaz deposit is complex and includes: (1) early precipitation of sulfides (protore) on the seafloor as precipitation of fine-grained anhedral pyrite, sphalerite, quartz, and barite; (2) anhydrite precipitation in open spaces and mineral interstices within the sulfide mound followed by its subsequent dissolution, formation of breccia textures, and mound clasts and precipitation of coarse-grained pyrite, sphalerite, tetrahedrite–tennantite, galena and barite; (3) replacement of pre-existing sulfides by chalcopyrite precipitated at higher temperatures (zone refining); (4) continued “refining” led to the dissolution of stage 3 chalcopyrite and formation of a base-metal-depleted pyrite body in the lowermost part of the massive sulfide lens; (5) carbonate veins were emplaced into the sulfide lens, replacing stage 2 barite. The δ³⁴S composition of the sulfides ranges from +2.8‰ to +8.5‰ (average, +5.6‰) with a general increase of δ³⁴S ratios with depth within the massive sulfide lens and underlying stockwork zone. The heavier values indicate that some of the sulfur was derived from seawater sulfate that was ultimately thermochemically reduced in deep hydrothermal reaction zones.     

The Colima volcanic complex,Mexico:III

A 34 meter section of ash- and scoria-fall units has been studied on the upper NE flank of the active Volcán Colima. Charcoal and soil horizons are restricted to the topmost 12 m. Nine ¹⁴C dates show a smooth progression from 235 years near the surface to 8,300 years at 10 meters depth, indicating a post-Pleistocene accumulation rate of 1.3 m/1,000 years at 6 km from the vent. This figure allows an estimate of the magmatic eruption rate for fallmaterial of 0.31 km³/1,000 years, less than 15% of Colima's lava eruption rate. An unusually thick and coarse-grained scoria-fall horizon at about 4 m depth in the section appears to have been produced by the caldera-forming eruption of Colima some 4,300 years ago.The majority (40) of 46 analyzed scoria and ash horizons are typical Colima hornblende-andesites with an average SiO₂ content of 58%, nearly identical to the scoriae of Colima's 1913 pyroclastic flows. The scoriae are significantly more basic than Colima's andesitic lavas, which average 61% SiO₂. The six remaining scoria horizons are anomalously alkalic and rich in incompatible elements. Five coarse alkaline scoria layers occur in sequence just below the 8,300 year level. They show progressive upward increases in K, P, Ba, Sr, Zr, La, Ce, and related elements, culminating in a phlogopite-bearing scoria horizon.Over the last 20,000 years or so, a group of cinder cones erupted 20–35 km to the north of Volcán Colima, producing basic alkalic magmas including basanites and phlogopite-bearing minettes. The alkaline scoriae of the studied sections probably record pre-eruptive injections of minette magma into the subvolcanic, calc-alkaline system of V. Colima. The age, composition, and mineralogy of the alkaline scoriae are consistent with this interpretation. Least squares mixing models suggest 60 wt.% minette component in the phlogopite-bearing horizon.     

Volcanology and lava flow morpho-types from the Koyna-Warna region,western Deccan Traps,India

Flow mapping and physical volcanology of 15 basaltic lavas exposed in three critical road pass sections (ghats) in the Koyna-Warna region of the western Deccan Traps is presented in this paper. Transitional lavas like rubbly pahoehoe are most common morpho-type exposed in these ghat sections. Sinking of rubbly breccia into flow interiors and formation of breccia-cored rosette are common in some lava flows. Few rubbly lavas exhibit slabby tendencies. The amount and nature of the associated rubble is variable and result from the mechanical fracturing and auto-brecciation of the upper vesicular crust in response to distinctive stages in the cooling, crystallization and emplacement history of individual lava flows. Occurrence of aa and pahoehoe morpho-types in the lava flow sequence is subordinate. Three prominent pahoehoe flows separated by red bole horizons are seen in the upper parts of the Kumbharli ghat. These are thick, P-type sheet pahoehoe. The pahoehoe lavas represent compound flow fields that grew by budding, endogenous lava transfer and inflation. Presence of pahoehoe lavas in the Koyna-Warna region hints at possible hitherto unrecorded southern extension of Bushe-like flow fields. This study reconfirms the existence of pahoehoe-slabby-rubbly-aa flow fields and transitions even in the upper echelons of the Deccan Trap stratigraphy. The study of morphology and internal structure of lava flows exposed at the ghat sections in the Koyna-Warna region could guide subsurface core-logging that is critical in deciphering the physical volcanology and emplacement dynamics of basaltic lava flows penetrated by drill holes sunk under the scientific deep drilling programme.     

Hydrothermal alteration associated with gold mineralization in the southern Apuseni Mountains, Romania: preliminary Sr isotopic data

Precious-metal mineralization in the southern Apuseni Mountains of western Romania is hosted by mid-Miocene (∼14 Ma) andesitic stocks and lava flows. The mineralized veins are surrounded by aureoles of hydrothermal alteration, consisting of quartz, sericite, K-feldspar, pyrite and calcite. The alteration process caused a total homogenization of initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr in the rocks. Ages determined for the hydrothermal alteration are 13.7–15.7 Ma, indicating that hydrothermal alteration immediately followed igneous activity. Furthermore, a large influx of radiogenic Sr took place during alteration, this Sr probably being derived from the hydrothermal leaching of continental meta-sedimentary rocks in the basement. Received: 5 December 1997 / Accepted: 26 February 1998     

Possible lava tube system in a hummocky lava flow at Daund,western Deccan Volcanic Province,India

A hummocky flow characterised by the presence of toes, lobes, tumuli and possible lava tube system is exposed near Daund, western Deccan Volcanic Province, India. The lava tube system is exposed as several exhumed outcrops and is composed of complex branching and discontinuous segments. The roof of the lava tube has collapsed but original lava tube walls and fragments of the tube roof are seen at numerous places along the tube. At some places the tube walls exhibit a single layer of lava lining, whereas, at other places it shows an additional layer characterised by smooth surface and polygonal cracks. The presence of a branching and meandering lava tube system in the Daund flow, which represents the terminal parts of Thakurwadi Formation, shows that the hummocky flow developed at a low local volumetric flow rate. This tube system developed in the thinner parts of the flow sequence; and tumuli developed in areas where the tube clogged temporarily in the sluggish flow.     

Crystal Clusters, Feldspar Glomerocrysts, and Magma Envelopes in the Atascosa Lookout Lava Flow, Southern Arizona, USA: Recorders of Magmatic Events

The Atascosa Lookout trachyandesite lava flow is the youngestand most compositionally primitive unit in the middle TertiaryAtascosa–Tumacacori–Cerro Colorado volcanic complex(ATCC). The flow hosts a variety of objects of contrasting origin,including (1) clusters of plagioclase ± chromian diopside,magnesian augite, quartz, hornblende, and orthopyroxene; (2)amoeboid-shaped quartz-bearing enclaves; (3) plagioclase crystalswith a concentric interior zone of small melt inclusions (dustyplagioclase); (4) plagioclase crystals with cores filled withlarge melt inclusions (honeycomb plagioclase); (5) plagioclaseglomerocrysts. The groundmass of the trachyandesitic flow istrachydacite. Some crystal clusters, enclaves, and plagioclaseglomerocrysts are surrounded by diffuse envelopes of trachydacitehigher in K and Mg and lower in Si than the trachydacitic groundmassof the flow. This envelope material is interpreted as foreignmagma that engulfed these objects as it invaded their host magma.Both the crystal clusters and plagioclase glomerocrysts maybe the remains of cumulate crystal layers, disrupted by influxesof magma into their reservoirs. Crystals in the lava flow originatedin at least three distinct magmas and their hybrids. The groundmassof the lava flow preserves evidence for repeated infusion ofenvelope magma into the system. These influxes fueled the invasionof crystal clusters, plagioclase glomerocrysts, enclaves, andswirls of the envelope magma into the groundmass of the AtascosaLookout lava flow. Despite the compositional and textural varietyapparent in the lava flow, the magmas involved in its developmentmay have been genetically closely related. The collection offeatures in the lava flow resulted from the development of compositionallayers in the magma, accumulation of crystal-rich horizons,disturbance of the system by repeated magma influx, and minorcrustal assimilation. KEY WORDS: crystal clusters; enclaves; glomerocrysts; trachyandesite     

Geological Fluid Mapping in the Tongling Area： Implications for the Paleozoic Submarine Hydrothermal System in the Middle-Lower Yangtze Metallogenic Belt, East China

The Tongling area is one of the 7 ore-cluster areas in the Middle-Lower Yangtze metallogenic belt,East China,and has tectonically undergone a long-term geologic history from the late Paleozoic continental rifting,through the Middle Triassic continent-continent collision to the Jurassic-Cretaceous intracontinental tectono-magmatic activation.The Carboniferous sedimentary-exhalative processes in the area produced widespread massive sulfides with ages of 303-321 Ma,which partly formed massive pyrite-Cu deposits,but mostly provided significant sulfur and metals to the skarn Cu mineralization associated with the Yanshanian felsic intrusions. To understand the Carboniferous submarine hydrothermal system,an area of about 1046 km~2 was chosen to carry out the geological fluid mapping.Associated with massive sulfide formation,footwall sequences 948 m to 1146m thick,composed of the Lower Silurian-Upper Devonian sandstone,siltstone and thin-layered shale,were widely altered.This hydrothermal alteration is interpreted to reflect large- scale hydrothermal fluid flow associated with the late Paleozoic crustal rifting and subsidence.Three hydrothermal alteration types,i.e.,deep-level semiconformable silicification(S_1),fracture-controlled quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration(S_(2-3)),and upper-level sub-discordant quartz-sericite-chlorite alteration(D_3),were developed to form distinct zones in the mapped area.About 50-m thick semiconformable silicification zones are located at～1-km depth below massive sulfides and developed between an impermeable shale caprock(S_1)and the underlying Ordovician unaltered limestone. Comparisons with modern geothermal systems suggest that the alteration zones record a sub-seafloor aquifer with the most productive hydrothermal fluid flow.Fracture-controlled quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration formed transgressive zones,which downward crosscut the semiconformable alteration zones, and upwards grade into sub-discordant alteration zones that enveloped no economic stringer- stockwork zones beneath massive sulfides.This transgressive zone likely marks an upflow path of high- flux fluids from the hydrothermal aquifer.Lateral zonation of the sub-discordant alteration zones and their relationship to overlying massive sulfide lenses suggest lateral flows and diffusive discharging of the hydrothermal fluids in a permeable sandstone sequence.Three large-sized,14 middle-small massive sulfide deposits,and 40 massive sulfide sites have been mapped in detail.They show regional strata- bound characters and two major styles,i.e.,the layered sheet plus strata-bound stringer-style and the mound-style.Associated exhalite and chemical sedimentary rock suites include(1)anhydrite-barite,(2) jasper-chert,(3)Mg-rich mudstone-pyrite shale,(4)barite lens,(5)siderite-Fe-bearing dolomite,and (6)Mn-rich shale-mudstone,which usually comprise three sulfide-exhalite cyclic units in the area. The spatial distribution of these alteration zones(minerals)and associated massive sulfides and exhalites,and regional variation inδ~(34)S of hydrothermal pyrite and inδ~(18)O-δ~(34)C of hanging wall carbonates,suggest three WNW-extending domains of fluid flow,controlled by the basement faults and syn-depositional faults.Each fluid domain appears to have at least two upflow zones,with estimated even spacing of about 5-8 km in the mapped area.The repeated appearance of sulfide-sulfate or sulfide-carbonate rhythmic units in the area suggests episodically venting of fluids through the upflow conduits by breaking the overlying seals of the hydrothermal aquifer.     

Significance of strain localization and fracturing in relation to hydrothermal mineralization at Mount Isa, Australia

The rheology of layered meta-sedimentary rocks, and their orientation and position relative to major fault systems were the key controls on Proterozoic hydrothermal copper mineralization at Mount Isa, Australia. Compositional layering in the host rock partitioned mechanical behavior and strain, leading to selective permeability generation and the focusing of fluid flow. Shale layers preferentially failed by plastic shearing, whereas meta-siltstones remained elastic or failed in tension depending on magnitude of deformation and fluid pressure. Numerical simulations support the hypothesis that the orientation of layering and the proximity to major fault systems controlled fracturing and permeability increase in the Urquhart shale. The dilating shale provided a pathway for an upward-flowing, reduced basement fluid, from which quartz was precipitated during cooling. During a later event, the reactivation of steep structures provided access to surface derived oxidized metal-bearing brine, causing the precipitation of dolomite followed by chalcopyrite ore in the brecciated silicified shale.     

Geochemical evidence for Late Cretaceous marginal arc-to-backarc transition in the Sabzevar ophiolitic extrusive sequence,northeast Iran

The ophiolitic extrusive sequence, exposed in an area north of Sabzevar, has three major parts: a lower part, with abundant breccia, hyaloclastic tuff, and sheet flow, a middle part with vesicular, aphyric pillow lava, and an upper part with a sequence of lava and volcanic-sedimentary rocks. Pelagic limestone interlayers contain Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian–Late Maastrichtian) microfauna. The supra-ophiolitic series includes a sequence of turbidititic and volcanic-sedimentary rocks with lava flow, aphyric and phyric lava, and interlayers of pelagic limestone and radiolarian chert. Paleontological investigation of the pelagic limestone and radiolarite interlayers in this series gives a Late Cretaceous age, supporting the idea that the supra-ophiolitic series formed in a trough, synchronous with the Sabzevar oceanic crust during the Late Cretaceous. Geochemical data indicate a relationship between lava in the upper part of the extrusive sequence and lava in the supra-ophiolitic series. These lavas have a calc-alkaline to almost alkaline characteristic, and show a clear depletion in Nb and definite depletions in Zr and Ti in spider diagrams. Data from these rocks plot in the subduction zone field in tectonomagmatic diagrams. The concentration and position of the heavy rare earth elements in the spider diagrams, and their slight variation, can be attributed to partial melting of the depleted mantle wedge above the subducted slab, and enrichment in the LILE can be attributed to subduction components (fluid, melt) released from the subducting slab. In comparison, the sheet flow and pillow lava of the lower and middle parts of the extrusive sequence show OIB characteristics and high potassium magmatic and shoshonitic trends, and their spider diagram patterns show Nb, Zr, and Ti depletions. The enrichment in the LILE in the spider diagram patterns suggest a low rate of partial melting of an enriched, garnet-bearing mantle. It seems that the marginal arc basin, in which the Sabzevar ophiolite was forming, experienced lithospheric extension in response to slab rollback. This process, which formed a backarc basin, may have aborted the embryonic arc, stopped arc magmatism, and led to the rise of mantle diapirs. The extrusive ophiolite sequence, north of Sabzevar probably formed during the transition from a marginal arc basin to a backarc basin during the Late Cretaceous.     

The Miduk porphyry Cu deposit,Kerman, Iran: A geochemical analysis of the potassic zone including halogen element systematics related to Cu mineralization processes

Miduk hypogene and supergene porphyry Cu–Mo mineralization occurs within the Miocene porphyritic quartz–diorite and host Eocene plagioclase–hornblende phyric andesitic pyroclastic and flow sequence. Both the host rocks were extensively altered by hydrothermal fluids to dominantly potassic, phyllic, and argillic with interstitial to distal propylitic types.     

上扬子地区五峰组-龙马溪组页岩层序地层及演化模式

学者们在页岩层序划分与构成等方面还存在较大分歧;其次,现有研究中针对页岩非均质性在层序格架内的变化特征及成因规律方面亦有不足.五峰组-龙马溪组页岩是上扬子地区重要的页岩气勘探层位之一,通过钻井岩心、露头剖面、常规测井、能谱测井和地球化学参数等资料,对上奥陶统五峰组-下志留统龙马溪组黑色页岩层序地层学进行了定量分析.在五峰组-龙马溪组识别出3个三级层序,其中五峰组为一个三级层序,进一步划分出海侵体系域（五峰组下部黑色页岩）和高位体系域（五峰组上部观音桥段）;龙马溪组一段作为一个三级层序,进一步划分出海侵体系域、早期高位和晚期高位体系域;龙马溪组二段和三段为一个三级层序,进一步划分出低位体系域、海侵体系域和高位体系域.以不同体系域为单元分析了五峰组-龙马溪组层序发育与沉积环境特征,揭示了各体系域内古生产力与水体氧化还原条件对有机质富集的控制机理,总结并提出了系统的五峰组-龙马溪组黑色页岩层序地层垂向演化模式.      

Detailed <Superscript>40</Superscript>Ar/<Superscript>39</Superscript>Ar dating of geologic events associated with the Mantos Blancos copper deposit,northern Chile

The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronological method was applied to date magmatic and hydrothermal alteration events in the Mantos Blancos mining district in the Coastal Cordillera of northern Chile, allowing the distinction of two separate mineralization events. The Late Jurassic Mantos Blancos orebody, hosted in Jurassic volcanic rocks, is a magmatic-hydrothermal breccia-style Cu deposit. Two superimposed mineralization events have been recently proposed. The first event is accompanied by a phyllic hydrothermal alteration affecting a rhyolitic dome. The second mineralization event is related to the intrusion of bimodal stocks and sills inside the deposit. Because of the superposition of several magmatic and hydrothermal events, the obtained ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age data are complex; however, with a careful interpretation of the age spectra, it is possible to detect complex histories of successive emplacement, alteration, mineralization, and thermal resetting. The extrusion of Jurassic basic to intermediate volcanic rocks of the La Negra Formation is dated at 156.3 ± 1.4 Ma (2σ) using plagioclase from an andesitic lava flow. The first mineralization event and associated phyllic alteration affecting the rhyolitic dome occurred around 155–156 Ma. A younger bimodal intrusive event, supposed to be equivalent to the bimodal stock and sill system inside the deposit, is probably responsible for the second mineralization event dated at ca. 142 Ma. Other low-temperature alteration events have been dated on sericitized plagioclase at ca. 145–146, 125, and 101 Ma. This is the first time that two distinct mineralization events have been documented from radiometric data for a copper deposit in the metallogenic belt of the Coastal Cordillera of northern Chile. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Note on the evolution of a Miocene composite volcano in an extensional setting, Zârand Basin (Apuseni Mts., Romania)

Bontâu is a major eroded composite volcano filling the Miocene Zârand extensional basin, near the junction between the Codru-Moma and Highi?-Drocea Mountains, at the tectonic boundary between the South and North Apuseni Mountains. It is a quasi-symmetric structure (16–18 km in diameter) centered on an eroded vent area (9×4 km), buttressed to the south against Mesozoic ophiolites and sedimentary deposits of the South Apuseni Mountains. The volcano was built up in two sub-aerial phases (14–12.5 Ma and 11–10 Ma) from successive eruptions of andesite lava and pyroclastic rocks with a time-increasing volatile budget. The initial phase was dominated by emplacement of pyroxene andesite and resulted in scattered individual volcanic lava domes associated marginally with lava flows and/or pyroclastic block-and-ash flows. The second phase is characterized by amphibole-pyroxene andesite as a succession of pyroclastic eruptions (varying from strombolian to subplinian type) and extrusion of volcanic domes that resulted in the formation of a central vent area. Numerous debris flow deposits accumulated at the periphery of primary pyroclastic deposits. Several intrusive andesitic-dioritic bodies and associated hydrothermal and mineralization processes are known in the volcano vent complex area. Distal epiclastic deposits initially as gravity mass flows and then as alluvial volcaniclastic and terrestrial detritic and coal filled the basin around the volcano in its western and eastern part. Chemical analyses show that lavas are calc-alkaline andesites with SiO₂ ranging from 56–61%. The petrographical differences between the two stages are an increase in amphibole content at the expense of two pyroxenes (augite and hypersthene) in the second stage of eruption; CaO and MgO contents decrease with increasing SiO₂. In spite of a ～4 Ma evolution, the compositions of calc-alkaline lavas suggest similar fractionation processes. The extensional setting favored two pulses of short-lived magma chamber processes.