Study on the threshold value of organic enrichment of carbonate as gas source rocks

In this paper, calculations have been performed about gas quantity of generation, adsorption, dissolving in oil, dissolving in water, diffusion of unit area carbonate rocks at different geologic conditions in the Tarim basin. According to the material balance principle, the corresponding organic carbon content when gas started expelling from source rocks with separate phases has been worked out. We regard it as the theoretical threshold value (TOCmin) of gas source rocks under the same geologic condition. Based on the simulating calculation, a fact has been discovered that TOCmin decreases with the increasing source rocks thickness, decreases at the beginning and then increases with the increasing maturity and decreases with the better type of organic matter. TOCmin evaluation table of carbonate gas source rocks in the Tarim basin has been established. Investigations indicate that the TOCmin of carbonate gas source rocks varies greatly with the differences of geologic conditions, and gas source rocks cannot be evaluated with a unified TOC threshold value. And we also establish a preliminary evaluation table of TOC industrial threshold value, TOCgy, of carbonate gas source rocks in the Tarim basin.     

Petrology and geochemistry of clastic sedimentary rocks as evidences for provenance of the Late Palaeozoic Madzaringwe Formation,Tshipise-Pafuri Basin,South Africa

Petrography and geochemistry(major, trace and rare earth elements) of clastic rocks from the Late Palaeozoic Madzaringwe Formation, in the Tshipise-Pafuri Basin, Northern South Africa, have been investigated to understand their provenance. Sandstone petrography and detrital modes indicates that the Late Palaeozoic succession was derived from craton interior and recycled orogen provenance. Sandstones in the Madzaringwe Formation are sub-arkosic to sub-litharenite. The sediments may represent a recycled to craton interior provenance. The geochemical data of major elements show that sandstone and shales have the same source. The study of paleoweathering conditions based on modal composition, chemical index of alteration(CIA) and A-CN-K(Al2O3-Ca O+Na2O-K2O) relationships indicate that probably chemical weathering in the source area and recycling processes have been more important in shale and sandstone rocks. The relatively high CIA values(70–90%) indicates moderate to high weathering conditions of the samples and the paleoclimate of the source area was warm. K2O/Na2 O versus Si O2 and Na2O-Ca O-K2 O tectonic setting discrimination plots, suggest a passive continental margin. In the study of trace elements, triangular Th-Sc-Zr/10 and La-Th-Sc plots both suggest a passive margin setting of the basin. Petrographic and geochemical results of the samples suggest uplifted basement source areas dominated by sedimentary rocks and/or granite-gneiss rocks. The source rocks might have been the recycled pre-Soutpansberg Karoo Supergroup rocks and the metasedimentary rocks of the Soutpansberg Group. Other source rocks may have been the pre-Beit-Bridge basement rocks(granites and gneisses).     

核磁共振测井在火成岩地层应用的适应性分析

火成岩岩石具有高磁化率特征,与沉积岩差别明显,岩石的高磁化率会对核磁共振信号产生显著影响,开展核磁共振测井在火成岩地层应用的适应性分析研究,为广泛使用核磁共振测井用于火成岩储层评价提供参考.采用理论模拟、实验分析及实际测井资料相结合的方法,分析了高磁化率岩石的核磁共振响应特征.分析结果表明,火成岩岩石具有很高的磁化率,从酸性火成岩到基性火城岩,岩石的磁化率一般是逐渐增大的.高磁化率岩石孔隙内部会产生强梯度磁场,孔隙内部的磁场梯度越强,核磁共振的T2谱前移越明显,核磁信号衰减幅度也越大,核磁分析孔隙度与常规分析的孔隙度误差也越大;相同岩石磁化率情况下,岩石孔径越小,岩石孔隙内部磁场梯度越强,核磁信号衰减越大,核磁共振测井计算的孔隙度也越低.因此,核磁共振测井与岩性有关系,核磁共振测井会受到高磁化率岩石的显著影响.核磁共振测井在部分火成岩,尤其在中基性火成岩和小孔径火成岩储层中应用具有很大的局限性.     

The geology of Raoul Island,Kermadec group,Southwest Pacific

Cauldron collapse and voluminous pumice eruptions, some 2000 years ago, indicate a mature stage in the summit cone of a volcano rising 8000 feet above the ocean floor. Volcanic rocks ranging from early submarine tholeiitic basalts to young subaerial dacite obsidians have been mapped in chronologic sequence through five formations; plutonic rocks, found as accidental blocks and as disrupted cumulates, are gabbros or diorites. Twenty-three new analyses are listed.     

Rhyolite magmas of central America

True rhyolites are found in two contrasting occurrences in Central America: in recent obsidian domes in the basalt-rhyolite association of southeastern Guatemala, and in late Tertiary ignimbrites in Honduras and adjacent parts of Nicaragua. Both are on the inner side of the main volcanic axis in a region that is visibly underlain by older metamorphic and plutonic rocks. They have not been found in southern Central America where the basement series consists only of older volcanic rocks, eugeosynclinal sediments, and peridotite. Rhyolite obsidian has erupted alternately with basalts in the Obrajuelo Complex of southeastern Guatemala. Cumulate rocks and moderate compositional variations in the basalts provide evidence of limited crystal fractionation, but abundant venocrysts and partially fused xenoliths indicate that partial melting of the plutonic and metamorphic basement may also have been important. Extremely siliceous rhyolite ignimbrites with a volume of several thousands of cubic kilometers closely resemble the rhyolite obsidians in their major element compositions, but in contrast to the totally glassy obsidians they contain abundant phenocrysts of quartz and alkali feldspar. A few ignimbrites contain inclusions of partially melted basement rocks. The basalts with which they are associated have a limited compositional range. Melting experiments performed on rocks of the basement series, together with chemical, isotopic, and volumetric relations, indicate that the ignimbrites are products of partial fusion of the basement series, while obsidians of the Obrajuelo Complex have differentiated from more basic magmas by a process other than crystal fractionation.     

Verification of precarious rock methodology using shake table tests of rock models

Precariously balanced rocks in seismically active regions are effectively upper-limit strong motion seismoscopes that have been in place for thousands of years. Thus, estimates of the dynamic toppling acceleration of these rocks (through rigid body rocking) can provide constraints on the peak ground accelerations experienced during past earthquakes. We have developed a methodology that uses a two-dimensional numerical code to calculate the dynamic rocking response of precarious rocks to realistic ground acceleration time histories. Statistical analyses of the dynamic response of these rocks to a range of synthetic seismograms, as well as strong motion records, can provide important information about the ground motion attenuation curves and seismic hazard maps. We use shake table tests to investigate the dynamic rocking response of 13 wooden rectangular blocks of various sizes and aspect ratios subjected to realistic seismograms and compare the results with those of numerical tests. Our results indicate good agreement between the shake table and numerical results.     

Geology of the ignimbrites and the associated volcano–plutonic complex of the Ezine area, northwestern Anatolia

The Ezine region is located in the northwestern part of Anatolia where young granitic and volcanic rocks are widespread and show close spatial and temporal association. In this region magmatism began with the Kestanbol granite, which intruded into metamorphic basement rocks, and formed contact metamorphic aureole. To the east and southeast the pluton is surrounded by hypabyssal rocks, which in turn, are surrounded by volcanic associations. The volcanic rocks may be divided into two main groups on the basis of their lithological properties. Lavas and lahar deposits dominate the northern sector while ignimbrites dominate the southern sector. The ignimbrite eruptions were formed partly coevally with the plutonic and the associated volcanic rocks during the early Miocene. They appear to have been associated in a caldera collapse environment. Geochemical properties of the plutonic and the associated volcanic assemblages indicate that the magmas are hybrid and co-genetic and, were formed from a similar mantle source, under a compressional regime prior to the opening of the present E–W-trending graben of the Aegean western Anatolian region.     

Delineation of an exhumed intermediate-depth crustal fault in a collisional setting: An example from the Himalaya

The regionally prominent main boundary thrust (MBT) of the Himalayan fold-thrust belt in northwest India is typically defined by the presence of Proterozoic rocks in the hanging wall and Cenozoic rocks in the footwall. The present study focuses on identifying the MBT contact across Gambar River section in Himachal Pradesh, India, using alternative methodologies, such as the meter-scale litho-structural mapping, followed by detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology to precisely identify the thrust contact and provide insights on the deformation history of the MBT zone. We have identified a sharp change in the age (from ~600 to ~61 Ma) of the sedimentary units along a narrow zone in the study area by detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology using LA-ICP-MS. The sharp change in the detrital zircon U–Pb age data thus delineate the MBT occurring in the area along a < ~1 m thickness. The lithological assemblage and the age data indicate the unified maximum depositional age from ~700 to ~600 Ma for the hanging wall rocks, which have been equated with the Krol Group of the Lesser Himalayan Sequence (LHS). In comparison, the footwall rocks exhibit the maximum depositional age of ~61 Ma and have been equated with the Cenozoic Subathu Formation of the Sub-Himalayan Sequence (SHS).     

Complex Archean lower crustal structure revealed by COCORP crustal reflection profiling in the Wind River Range,Wyoming

A COCORP deep crustal reflection profile across the Wind River uplift crosses exposed Archean rocks and resolves an unusual complex deep crustal structure at a depth of 24–31 km in an area where depth relations in Precambrian rocks can be inferred. The different levels of exposure across the beveled plunge of the Wind River uplift reveal supracrustal rocks at shallower levels with migmatites and pyroxene granulites at deeper levels. For the first time, deep crustal structure from reflection profiling may be interpreted in terms of exposed basement geology. A folded, multilayered deep structure shown by relfection data resembles multiply folded pyroxene granulite interlayered with granitic gneiss exposed in the central Wind River uplift; isoclinal folding is suggested in the folded layered seismic structure. Earlier seismic reflection studies suggested a simpler lower crust. These data indicate that lower crustal structure may have a complexity similar to deeply eroded Precambrian granulite-facies rocks. If this seismic feature represents folded metamorphic rocks, it seems unlikely that this Archean crust could have been thickened by underplating after 2.7 b.y. B.P. and the crust would have to be at least 30 km thich when this structure was formed.     

A model for lower continental crust

This proposed model is based on geological, geophysical and geochemical data. Previous models suggested for the lower continental crust consisted of basalt, gabbro, or charnockitic rocks; however, experimental and field petrological data indicate that the bulk of crustal rocks are metamorphic. A lower crust of heterogeneous metamorphic rocks also agrees with seismic reflection results which show numerous reflections from “layering”. Geothermal conditions favor a “dry” charnockitic or gabbroic lower crust rather than an amphibolitic lower crust because heat production data imply that wet amphibolitic rocks would have a higher heat production than their dry metamorphic equivalents. Relatively high velocities from field and laboratory measurements in such low-density rocks as granite, syenite, anorthosite and granulitic rocks in general imply that the composition of the lower crust is more felsic than gabbro. Variation in seismic velocity and depths from crustal refraction studies and numerous seismic reflections all indicate a highly heterogeneous lower crust. The lower crust, which has traditionally been described as gabbroic or mafic, may consist of such diverse rocks as granite gneiss, syenite gneiss, anorthosite, pyroxene granulite, and amphibolite, interlayered on a small scale, deformed, and intruded by granite and gabbro. Interlayering of these rocks explains the presence and character of seismic reflections. Abrupt changes in dip, tight folding, disruption of layers, intrusion, and changes in layer thickness explain the characteristic discontinuity of deep reflections. Igneous intrusions may be floored by metamorphic rocks. The lower crust consists of a complex series of igneous and metamorphic rock of approximate intermediate composition.     

Sr–Nd isotopic systematics and geochemistry of intermediate plutonic rocks from Ikoma Mountains, Southwest Japan: evidence for a sequence of Mesozoic magmatic activity in the Ryoke Belt

Abstract The Ryoke Belt in the Ikoma Mountains, Nara Prefecture, Japan, is composed mainly of various granitic, intermediate and gabbroic rocks. Igneous activity in this area is divided into two periods, early–middle Jurassic and late Cretaceous, based on isotopic dating. The intermediate plutonic rocks in the Fukihata area are composed of two rock types: Kyuanji quartz diorite and Fukihata tonalite. Rb–Sr whole-rock isochron ages have been determined for both plutonic rocks. Their ages and initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios are as follows: the Kyuanji quartz diorite has an age of 161.0 ± 17.9 Ma with an initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of 0.70727 ± 0.00007, while the Fukihata tonalite has an age of 121.4 ± 24.6 Ma with an initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of 0.70753 ± 0.00020. Our chronological results indicate that the Kyuanji quartz diorite belongs to the Jurassic mafic rocks, such as the Ikoma gabbroic mass, while the Fukihata tonalite belongs to the early Cretaceous granitic rocks. Both these intermediate plutonic rocks have different chemical characteristics and were derived from different magmas.     

Petrogenesis of the Ulsan carbonate rocks from the south-eastern Kyongsang Basin, South Korea

Abstract The petrogenesis of the Ulsan carbonate rocks in the Mesozoic Kyongsang Basin of South Korea, which have previously been interpreted as limestone of Paleozoic age, is reconsidered in the present study. Within the Kyongsang Basin, a small volume of carbonate rocks, containing a magnetite deposit and spatially associated ultramafic rocks, is surrounded by sedimentary, volcanic and granitic rocks of the Mesozoic age. The simple cross‐cutting relationships and other outcrop features of the area indicate that the carbonate rocks are an intrusive phase and younger than the other surrounding Mesozoic rocks. The Ulsan carbonates have low concentrations of rare earth elements (REE) and trace elements with the carbon and oxygen isotope values in the range of δ¹³C_PDB = 2.4 to 4.0‰ and δ¹⁸O_SMOW = 17.0 to 19.5‰. Outcrop evidence and geochemical signatures indicate that the Ulsan carbonates were formed from crustal carbonate melts, which were generated by the melting/fluxing of crustal carbonate materials, caused by the emplacement‐related processes of alkaline A‐type granitic rocks. Compared to typical mantle‐derived carbonatites associated with silica‐undersaturated, strongly peralkaline systems, the relatively small size and geochemical characteristics of the Ulsan carbonates reflect carbonatite genesis in a silica‐saturated, weakly alkali intrusive system. Major deep‐seated tectonic fractures formed by the collapse of the cauldron or the rift system associated with the opening of the East Sea (Japan Sea) might have facilitated the ascent of the crustal carbonate melts.     

Petrochemistry and origin of pleistocene volcanic rocks from northern Taiwan

The Pleistocene volcanic rocks from northern Taiwan include the Tatun volcano group and the Chilung volcano group. Three rock types occur in this area: Tatun volcano group yield high-alumina basalt and andesites, whereas the chilung volcano group mainly consists of dacites. In addition, amphibole-rich nodules have also been found in different cruptive units of the former volcano group. Around seventy sample of various rock types have been conducted for geochemical studies, including analyses of major elements and trace elements such as Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Ni, Zn, Zr, V, Rb and Sr. Results of Al₂O₃, MnO, TiO₂ total alkali content, MgO/ΣFeO and K₂O/Na₂O ratios and AMF diagram indicate that these Pleistocene volcanic rocks belong to typical calalkaline rock series. Detailed study of the trace elements reveals that these volcanic rocks are closely correlated with rocks of continental margin type with respect to Rb, Cu, Co, Ni, V and Cr contents, and K/Rb and Ni/Co ratios. These rocks are most probably derived from the fractionation of basaltic magma controlled mainly by the crystallization of amphibole and plagioclase with magnetite playing a minor role.     

Provenance of sandstones from the Wakino Subgroup of the Lower Cretaceous Kanmon Group, northern Kyushu, Japan

Abstract The Wakino Subgroup is a lower stratigraphic unit of the Lower Cretaceous Kanmon Group. Previous studies on provenance of Wakino sediments have mainly concentrated on either petrography of major framework grains or bulk rock geochemistry of shales. This study addresses the provenance of the Wakino sandstones by integrating the petrographic, bulk rock geochemistry, and mineral chemistry approaches. The proportions of framework grains of the Wakino sandstones suggest derivation from either a single geologically heterogeneous source terrane or multiple source areas. Major source lithologies are granitic rocks and high‐grade metamorphic rocks but notable amounts of detritus were also derived from felsic, intermediate and mafic volcanic rocks, older sedimentary rocks, and ophiolitic rocks. The heavy mineral assemblage include, in order of decreasing abundance: opaque minerals (ilmenite and magnetite with minor rutile), zircon, garnet, chromian spinel, aluminum silicate mineral (probably andalusite), rutile, epidote, tourmaline and pyroxene. Zircon morphology suggests its derivation from granitic rocks. Chemistry of chromian spinel indicates that the chromian spinel grains were derived from the ultramafic cumulate member of an ophiolite suite. Garnet and ilmenite chemistry suggests their derivation from metamorphic rocks of the epidote‐amphibolite to upper amphibolite facies though other source rocks cannot be discounted entirely. Major and trace element data for the Wakino sediments suggest their derivation from igneous and/or metamorphic rocks of felsic composition. The major element compositions suggest that the type of tectonic environment was of an active continental margin. The trace element data indicate that the sediments were derived from crustal rocks with a minor contribution from mantle‐derived rocks. The trace element data further suggest that recycled sedimentary rocks are not major contributors of detritus. It appears that the granitic and metamorphic rocks of the Precambrian Ryongnam Massif in South Korea were the major contributors of detritus to the Wakino basin. A minor but significant amount of detritus was derived from the basement rocks of the Akiyoshi and Sangun Terrane. The chromian spinel appears to have been derived from a missing terrane though the ultramafic rocks in the Ogcheon Belt cannot be discounted.     

Silicification of pelitic schist in the Ryoke low-pressure/temperature metamorphic belt, Southwest Japan: Origin of competent layers in the middle crust

We propose that competent layers composed of silicified rocks in the Cretaceous Ryoke low-pressure/temperature (low- P/T ) metamorphic belt in the Iwakuni–Yanai area, Southwest Japan, may be an exhumed equivalent of a seismically-reflective bright-layer in the middle crust. Silicified rocks crop out as layers or long lenticular bodies several to fifteen meters in thickness, and they are restricted to the area of greenschist facies conditions within a structural thickness of about one kilometer. The silicified rock layers exhibit a sharp contact with subjacent biotite schist but a gradational contact with overlying pelitic schist. Silicified rock is mainly composed of fine-grained quartz and minor muscovite and biotite, and some colored minerals have been variably decolorized by alteration. This implies that silicification turned the color of pelitic schists to pale gray or milky white. Quartz veins cutting schistosity at high angles were preferentially developed in the silicified rocks, while schistosity-parallel quartz veins, which underwent viscous flow, were observed in the underlying biotite schists. En echelon quartz veins and fishnet-like quartz veins are characteristic of silicified rocks. The modes of occurrence of quartz veins indicate that silicified rocks were competent relative to underlying biotite schist. The combination of contact with high-competence contrast adjacent to low-permeability silicified rocks may be a good reflector of seismic waves. If the silicified rocks were distributed in the middle crust to a considerable extent, they may result in seismic bright-layer reflections.     

Geochemical evolution within a Devonian intra-oceanic island arc: The Gamilaroi terrane, southern New England orogen, Australia

Abstract Geochemical analyses of volcanic rocks in the Gamilaroi terrane reveal several phases of arc activity within an intra-oceanic island-arc terrane. Felsic volcanic rocks at the base of the section have rare earth element (REE) and trace element compositions which indicate that they were derived from an island-arc source. Basalts immediately overlying the felsic volcanic rocks have a distinctive geochemical signature with low levels of Ti and Y and high levels of Ni, Cr and Mg. Low concentrations of REE and trace elements relative to mid-ocean-ridge basalts (MORB) indicate that they were also derived from an intra-oceanic island-arc source. Extensive basalts and basaltic andesites among the youngest rocks of the terrane have typically flat to enriched REE and trace element compositions, indicating a transitional arc-back-arc source. The change in basalt compositions indicates that rifting had occurred by this stage in the evolution of the arc. Confirmation of an intra-oceanic setting for this terrane enables a more detailed comparison with similar intra-oceanic rocks in the northern New England orogen. This study of the Gamilaroi terrane is an example of the potential use of geochemical data to identify other ancient intra-oceanic island-arc-rift suites.     

贺根山镁铁-超镁铁岩与缝合带的关系——来自地球物理的证据

长期以来,对内蒙古贺根山缝合带中的镁铁-超镁铁岩,有着"蛇绿岩"、"岩浆岩"、"幔源熔-流体"等不同认识.近年来在铬铁矿中发现了金刚石等深部地幔矿物,如何认识携带这些物质的幔源熔-流体的上涌?缝合带在镁铁-超镁铁岩的形成过程中起到什么作用?解决问题的关键之一是弄清镁铁-超镁铁岩的深部产状,这需要来自地球物理观测数据的依据.本文基于航磁和重力数据的研究表明,贺根山地区的蛇绿岩块均呈现高磁异常特征,其中贺根山岩块埋深明显大于其他岩块,表现为高磁异常与低重力异常,与地表出露的蛇纹石化的镁铁-超镁铁岩带对应.对航磁化极异常与布格重力异常数据做了向上延拓处理,进行了磁源形态及底界深度的估算,并利用基于相异度算子的边缘增强方法辅助识别断裂.结果表明,贺根山岩块贯穿地壳,且附近存在超壳断裂.地表至中地壳主要由蛇纹石化的镁铁-超镁铁岩组成,下地壳主要为超镁铁质岩组成,它们充填在一组宽约30km的NEE向断裂带中,大地电磁测深剖面揭示的壳-幔电性结构进一步证实控制缝合带的是岩石圈断裂,贺根山缝合带具有明显的根部.由此推测,在地幔底辟上涌的背景下,幔源熔-流体沿着岩石圈断裂持续上升到达浅表,暗示该区板块的拼合可能是通过深部幔源物质的侵入而成的.     

Studies of the dielectric constant of Indian rocks and minerals and some other materials

The experimental arrangement for the measurement of the dielectric constant has been described in brief. The dielectric constants of numerous metamorphic, igneous and sedimentary rocks have been reported in the frequency range of 100 KHz and 20 MHz, whereas the dry samples have less dispersion in the dielectric constant, the wet samples, in turn, have greater dispersion. The role of water in increasing the values of the dielectric constant has been discussed. There is no direct correlation between the amount of water and the change of the dielectric constant. In general, basic rocks have higher values than the acidic rocks.     

岩石声弹性理论与应用的研究进展

大量岩石实验证明了岩石声弹现象的存在,即岩石的弹性波波速会随着岩石的应力状态的改变而改变,即岩石的声弹性现象.岩石的声弹性现象为地应力无损检测提供了可能.目前许多研究已经分别给出了岩石声弹性的细观和宏观理论,并初步应用到地应力测量方面.为了促进岩石声弹理论的应用,本文总结了岩石声弹性的细观和宏观理论研究及其在地应力测量方面应用研究的进展.     

Prediction of thermal conductivity in reservoir rocks using fabric theory

An accurate prediction of the thermal conductivity of reservoir rocks in the subsurface is extremely important for a quantitative analysis of basin thermal history and hydrocarbon maturation. A model for calculating the thermal conductivity of reservoir rocks as a function of mineral composition, porosity, fluid type, and temperature has been developed based on fabric theory and experimental data. The study indicates that thermal conductivities of reservoir rocks are dependent on the volume fraction of components (minerals, porosity, and fluids), the temperature, and the fraction of series elements (FSE) which represents the way that the mineral components aggregate. The sensitivity test of the fabric model shows that quartz is the most sensitive mineral for the thermal conductivity of clastic rocks. The study results indicate that the FSE value is very critical. Different lithologies have different optimum FSE values because of different textures and sedimentary structures. The optimum FSE values are defined as those which result in the least error in the model computation of the thermal conductivity of the rocks. These values are 0.444 for water-saturated clay rocks, 0.498 for water-saturated sandstones, and 0.337 for water-saturated carbonates. Compared with the geometric mean model, the fabric model yields better results for the thermal conductivity, largely because the model parameters can be adjusted to satisfy different lithologies and to minimize the mean errors. The fabric model provides a good approach for estimating paleothermal conductivity in complex rock systems based on the mineral composition and pore fluid saturation of the rocks.