Link between SSZ ophiolite formation, emplacement and arc inception, Northland, New Zealand: U–Pb SHRIMP constraints; Cenozoic SW Pacific tectonic implications

New U–Pb age-data from zircons separated from a Northland ophiolite gabbro yield a mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 31.6 ± 0.2 Ma, providing support for a recently determined 28.3 ± 0.2 Ma SHRIMP age of an associated plagiogranite and  29–26 Ma ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages (n = 9) of basalts of the ophiolite. Elsewhere, Miocene arc-related calc-alkaline andesite dikes which intrude the ophiolitic rocks contain zircons which yield mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 20.1 ± 0.2 and 19.8 ± 0.2 Ma. The ophiolite gabbro and the andesites both contain rare inherited zircons ranging from 122–104 Ma. The Early Cretaceous zircons in the arc andesites are interpreted as xenocrysts from the Mt. Camel basement terrane through which magmas of the Northland Miocene arc lavas erupted. The inherited zircons in the ophiolite gabbros suggest that a small fraction of this basement was introduced into the suboceanic mantle by subduction and mixed with mantle melts during ophiolite formation.

We postulate that the tholeiitic suite of the ophiolite represents the crustal segment of SSZ lithosphere (SSZL) generated in the southern South Fiji Basin (SFB) at a northeast-dipping subduction zone that was initiated at about 35 Ma. The subduction zone nucleated along a pre-existing transform boundary separating circa 45–20 Ma oceanic lithosphere to the north and west of the Northland Peninsula from nascent back arc basin lithosphere of the SFB. Construction of the SSZL propagated southward along the transform boundary as the SFB continued to unzip to the southeast. After subduction of a large portion of oceanic lithosphere by about 26 Ma and collision of the SSZL with New Zealand, compression between the Australian Plate and the Pacific Plate was taken up along a new southwest-dipping subduction zone behind the SSZL. Renewed volcanism began in the oceanic forearc at 25 Ma producing boninitic-like, SSZ and within-plate alkalic and calc-alkaline rocks. Rocks of these types temporally overlap ophiolite emplacement and subsequent Miocene continental arc construction.     

Late cretaceous to early paleogene paleomagnetic results from Sikhote Alin, far eastern Russia: implications for deformation of East Asia

Welded tuffs in the Bogopol and Sijanov groups were sampled at 27 sites from 12 caldera formations in the Sikhote Alin mountain range around Kavalerovo (44.3°N, 135.0°E) for chronological and paleomagnetic studies. KAr age dates show that the welded tuffs erupted between 66 Ma and 46 Ma. All sites yield reliable paleomagnetic directions, with unblocking temperatures higher than 560°C. The high-temperature component at 12 sites and the medium-temperature component at 3 sites in the Bogopol Group show reversed polarity (D = 193.7°, I = −57.6°,₉₅ = 8.1°). The high-temperature component at 11 sites in the Sijanov Group showed both reversed and normal polarities and its mean direction reveals no detectable deflection from north (D = −2.9°, I = 59.6°,₉₅ = 11.2°). The combined paleomagnetic direction of the two groups yields a paleomagnetic pole of 250.5°E, 84.1°N (A₉₅ = 8.8°), which falls near Cretaceous paleomagnetic poles from Outer Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, the North China Block and the South China Block. The Sikhote Alin area appears not to have been subjected to detectable motion with respect to East Asia since about 50 Ma. This implies that the Sikhote Alin area behaved as an integral part of East Asia during the opening of the Japan Sea at about 15 Ma. However, significant separation between the paleomagnetic poles of East Asia and Europe during the Jurassic-Paleogene implies a major relative movement between these two blocks since the Paleogene.     

Geochemical morphology of the North Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 10°–24°N: Trace element-isotope complementarity

The new data presented here from a 10–24°N segment of the North Mid-Atlantic Ridge show that this segment is the most depleted of the 10–70°N ridge section. They also show the existence of: (1) a geochemical gradient from the 14°N anomaly to 17°10′N; (2) a very depleted mantle source (the lowest Sr isotopic ratios found so far in the North Atlantic); and (3) a geochemical limit located at about 17°10′N without any obvious relation with any structural feature. The 15°20′N fracture zone does not show any relationship with respect to this gradient. The basalts located north of 17°10′N have very homogeneous features, which allow their characteristics to be averaged (i.e., ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr= 0.70238 ± 0.00004, (Nb/Zr)_N = 0.28 ± 0.1) and they are defined as normal mid-ocean ridge basalts. The basaltic glasses located south of 17°10′N present a wide spectrum of isotopic compositions and extended rare earth element patterns (from depleted to enriched). Despite this, they have a constant K/Nb of 233 ± 9 (1s_M, n = 18) whereas this ratio is 344 ± 29 north of 17°10′N. These observations illustrate the strong coherence of behaviour between K and Nb (Ta) during the petrogenic processes involved in the generation of these mid-ocean ridge basalts and also their fractionation during previous mantle processes. Possible interpretations of mixing processes are discussed and sources at the ridge segment scale are favoured. However, when looking in detail, local heterogeneities are still common and can even be traced back off-axis to 115 my.

Placed in the context of the North Atlantic Ridge from 10° to 70°N, the Sr isotopic ratios reveal the Azores superstructure (23–50°N), whereas the trace element ratios (La/Sm-Nb/Zr) trace the second-order structures (33–40°N, 42–48°N) superimposed on the superstructure. This study illustrates the complementarity of information given by certain well chosen trace element ratios on the one hand and by isotopic ratios on the other. Since there is evidence of decoupling between isotopic ratios and/or trace element ratios, it introduces the notion of complementary “chemical memory” as recorded by a given type of trace element ratio or a given type of isotopic ratio     

The tectonic and geomagnetic significance of paleomagnetic observations from volcanic rocks from central Afar, Africa

Deformation throughout Afar over the past 2 myr has been characterized by widespread and intense crustal fragmentation that results from inhomogeneous extension across the region. In eastern Afar, this situation has evolved to localized extension associated with the westward propagation of the Gulf of Aden/Gulf of Tadjurah seafloor spreading system into the Asal–Ghoubbet Rift. During the gradual process of rift propagation and localization, crustal blocks in eastern Afar sustained clockwise rotations of 11°. To better understand the processes of rift propagation and localization and how they affect the rest of Afar, we have collected and analyzed over 400 oriented paleomagnetic samples from 67 lava flows from central and southern Afar. Unlike eastern Afar, the mean paleomagnetic direction from central Afar indicates that vertical-axis rotations are statistically insignificant (3.6°±4.4°), though small clockwise rotations (<8°) are permitted. Thus, propagation and localization in central Afar have not had the same influence in causing crustal block rotations or, perhaps more likely, have not reached the same stage of evolution as seen in eastern Afar. In addition, several of the lava flows record intriguing geomagnetic field behavior associated with polarity transitions, excursions, or large secular variation events. Interestingly, the transitional or anomalous virtual geomagnetic poles (VGPs) tend to cluster in two nearly antipodal regions, one in the northern Pacific Ocean and the other in the southwest Indian Ocean. One lava flow has recorded both of the antipodal transitional components, with the two components residing in magnetic minerals with unblocking temperatures above and below 500°C, respectively. Reheating and partial remagnetization by the overlying flow cannot explain either of the transitional directions because both differ significantly from that of the reversely magnetized overlying flow. The high-temperature component gives a VGP in the northern Pacific, whereas the lower-temperature component gives a nearly antipodal VGP south of Cape Town, South Africa. Hence, the configuration of the geomagnetic field appears to have jumped nearly instantaneously from a northern-hemisphere transitional state to a southern-hemisphere one during this normal-to-reverse polarity transition.     

Rotational overthrusting of the northwestern Himalaya: further palaeomagnetic evidence from the Riasi thrust sheet, Jammu foothills, India

Thermal demagnetization results (316 samples) are presented for the Tertiary succession of the Riasi thrust sheet (Jammu foothills, northwestern Himalaya). Primary and secondary magnetization directions of Murree Group red beds (Miocene to Upper Eocene) sampled northeast of Jammu indicate, for this part of the Riasi thrust sheet, a clockwise rotation over about 45° with respect to the Indian shield since Late Eocene/Early Miocene time. This accords with clockwise rotations of similar magnitude observed in the Panjal Nappe and the Krol Belt, and is interpreted as representative for the northwestern Himalaya. Results from the western part of the Kalakot inlier, sampled northwest of Jammu, i.e. basal Murree claystone (Middle Eocene) and carbonate from the Subathu Group (lower Middle to Lower Eocene), indicate an aberrant 20–25° counterclockwise rotation which is of local importance only. Available observations on rotation of Himalayan thrust sheets with respect to the Indian shield, indicate that the Himalayan Arc has formed through oroclinal bending. This supports Powell and Conaghan's and Veevers et al.'s model of Greater India with large-scale intracontinental underthrusting along the Main Central Thrust beneath the Tibetan Plateau. Minimal magnitudes of underthrusting of 550 km in the Krol Belt and 650 km in the Thakkhola region are concluded. Palaeolatitude observations (herein and in [1[) agree with absolute positioning of the Indian plate based on India-Africa relative movement data fixed to a hotspot frame in the Atlantic Ocean, and with palaeolatitude observations from DSDP cores on the Indian plate. Collision-related secondary magnetic components observed both to the north and to the south of the Indus-Tsangpo Suture zone show palaeolatitudes between the equator and 7°N. Comparison of both datasets indicates that initial contact between Greater India and south-central Asia had been established in the Hindu Kush—Karakorum region by about 60 Ma ago whereas eastwards progressive suturing had advanced to the Lhasa Block segment of the Indus-Tsangpo Suture zone before 50 Ma ago.     

The Lhasa Terrane: Record of a microcontinent and its histories of drift and growth

The Lhasa Terrane in southern Tibet has long been accepted as the last geological block accreted to Eurasia before its collision with the northward drifting Indian continent in the Cenozoic, but its lithospheric architecture, drift and growth histories and the nature of its northern suture with Eurasia via the Qiangtang Terrane remain enigmatic. Using zircon in situ U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic and bulk-rock geochemical data of Mesozoic–Early Tertiary magmatic rocks sampled along four north–south traverses across the Lhasa Terrane, we show that the Lhasa Terrane has ancient basement rocks of Proterozoic and Archean ages (up to 2870 Ma) in its centre with younger and juvenile crust (Phanerozoic) accreted towards its both northern and southern edges. This finding proves that the central Lhasa subterrane was once a microcontinent. This continent has survived from its long journey across the Paleo-Tethyan Ocean basins and has grown at the edges through magmatism resulting from oceanic lithosphere subduction towards beneath it during its journey and subsequent collisions with the Qiangtang Terrane to the north and with the Indian continent to the south. Zircon Hf isotope data indicate significant mantle source contributions to the generation of these granitoid rocks (e.g., ~ 50–90%, 0–70%, and 30–100% to the Mesozoic magmatism in the southern, central, and northern Lhasa subterranes, respectively). We suggest that much of the Mesozoic magmatism in the Lhasa Terrane may be associated with the southward Bangong–Nujiang Tethyan seafloor subduction beneath the Lhasa Terrane, which likely began in the Middle Permian (or earlier) and ceased in the late Early Cretaceous, and that the significant changes of zircon ε_Hf(t) at ~ 113 and ~ 52 Ma record tectonomagmatic activities as a result of slab break-off and related mantle melting events following the Qiangtang–Lhasa amalgamation and India–Lhasa amalgamation, respectively. These results manifest the efficacy of zircons as a chronometer (U–Pb dating) and a geochemical tracer (Hf isotopes) in understanding the origin and histories of lithospheric plates and in revealing the tectonic evolution of old orogenies in the context of plate tectonics.     

The Bou Medfaa (Algeria) earthquake of 7 November 1959

The Bou Medfaa earthquake of 7 November 1959 occurred at 2 h 32 min 7 s (GMT); it is one of the most destructive seismic events that central Algeria experienced this century. The main shock, which lasted 8 s in Bou Medfaa, caused only two injuries but made at least 500 homeless; it destroyed or heavily damaged more than 80% of the houses, farms and public buildings in Bou Medfaa and its immediate surroundings. Poor-quality constructions were the main cause of the damage. The total cost of damage was estimated at 300 million French francs. The earthquake was preceded by two slight foreshocks and followed by a series of lower intensity aftershocks. It was associated with slight surface ground fissures in Bou Medfaa. Compilation and detailed study of the contemporary source documents relative to this earthquake have led to the reconstruction of its macroseismic field and thus to the re-assessment of the strength of the ground shaking. Intensities were re-evaluated anew in many sites. Maximum intensity has been re-estimated at I₀ = VIII (MSK), assigned to Bou Medfaa, Hammam Righa and their close vicinities, an area about 8 km radius. The shock was felt as far as Dellys 150 km away with intensity III (MSK). From the intensity data, the macroseismic epicentre was located slightly north of Bou Medfaa at 36·41°N, 2·48°E, and an isoseismal map of the main shock has been constructed. The surface-wave magnitude has been calculated, without station corrections, at 4·90 (±0·40). The instrumental epicentre has been relocated, using the present location procedure of the ISC, at 36·38°N, 2·55°E. The analysis of destructive earthquakes provides a fundamental means for the reduction of future seismic catastrophes by suggesting new ways of improving local construction procedures, building materials, strengthening and properly repairing existing structures and implantation of new urban and rural settlements.     

印欧大陆碰撞前亚洲大陆南缘古位置再研究:林周盆地上白垩统红层的古地磁新结果

拉萨地块林周盆地白垩系红层的古地磁数据一直都有较大争议.过去认为磁倾角变浅可能是造成这些分歧的主要原因.我们在林周盆地设兴组背斜两翼进行了系统的古地磁采样,15个采样点的特征剩磁分量在倾斜校正和倾伏褶皱校正后平均方向为D=339.3°,I=22.9°(α_(95)=5.1°).特征剩磁分量在大约69%展开时获得最大集中,表明其为同褶皱重磁化;此时平均方向为D=339.1°,I=27.3°(α_(95)=4.1°),对应的古地磁极为65.4°N,327.5°E(A_(95)=3.5°),参考点29.3°N/88.5°E的古纬度为15.0°N±3.5°.薄片镜下分析显示赤铁矿为次生矿物,岩石磁组构(AMS)也表现为过渡型构造变形组构.样品的特征剩磁方向应为重磁化的结果,E/I(elongation vs inclination)校正法显示特征剩磁方向并没有发生倾角变浅.根据区域构造,重磁化时代约为72.4±1.8 Ma到64.4±0.6 Ma.综合考虑拉萨地块东西部的古地磁数据以及地震层析成像资料后我们认为,碰撞前拉萨地块大约呈NW-SE向准线性分布,并处于~10°N-15.0°N;自~70 Ma以来,拉萨地块与稳定欧亚大陆之间至少存在1200±400 km(11.1°±3.5°)的南北向构造缩短量;印度大陆与欧亚大陆的碰撞不应晚于55 Ma.     

Evidence of widespread Cretaceous remagnetisation in the Iberian Range and its relation with the rotation of Iberia

A palaeomagnetic investigation has been carried out at 13 sites of Jurassic age in the Iberian Range (northern Spain). Two components of remanent magnetisation have been found at each site. A primary high-temperature component shows an average counterclockwise rotation with respect to the north of 33±2° clockwise about a vertical axis corresponding to the absolute rotation of the Iberian plate since the Jurassic. A secondary low-temperature component shows a systematic declination difference of 16±4° with respect to the primary component. This indicates that a rotation of Iberia must have occurred between the two acquisition times. Comparison of the magnetisation directions with previous palaeomagnetic data and with sea-floor spreading data, constrains the age of the remagnetisation between 95 and 125 Ma. The remagnetisation may be associated with the extensional phases in the Iberian Basin in the Early Cretaceous (Barremian–early Albian) or Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian). A principal characteristic of the remagnetisation is its widespread character in the Iberian Range.     

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge between 29°N and 31°30′N in the last 10 Ma

The segmentation of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between 29°N and 31°30′ N during the last 10 Ma was studied. Within our survey area the spreading center is segmented at a scale of 25–100 km by non-transform discontinuities and by the 70 km offset Atlantis Transform. The morphology of the spreading center differs north and south of the Atlantis Transform. The spreading axis between 30°30′N and 31°30′N consists of enéchelon volcanic ridges, located within a rift valley with a regional trend of 040°. South of the transform, the spreading center is associated with a well-defined rift valley trending 015°. Magnetic anomalies and the bathymetric traces left by non-transform discontinuities on the flanks of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge provide a record of the evolution of this slow-spreading center over the last 10 Ma. Migration of non-transform offsets was predominantly to the south, except perhaps in the last 2 Ma. The discontinuity traces and the pattern of crustal thickness variations calculated from gravity data suggest that focused mantle upwelling has been maintained for at least 10 Ma south of 30°30′ N. In contrast, north of 30°30′N, the present segmentation configuration and the mantle upwelling centers inferred from gravity data appear to have been established more recently. The orientation of the bathymetric traces suggests that the migration of non-transform offsets is not controlled by the motion of the ridge axis with respect to the mantle. The evolution of the spreading center and the pattern of segmentation is influenced by relative plate motion changes, and by local processes, perhaps related to the amount of melt delivered to spreading segments. Relative plate motion changes over the last 10 Ma in our survey area have included a decrease in spreading rate from 32 mm a⁻¹ to 24 mm a⁻¹, as well as a clockwise change in spreading direction of 13° between anomalies 5 and 4, followed by a counterclockwise change of 4° between anomaly 4 and the present. Interpretation of magnetic anomalies indicates that there are significant variations in spreading asymmetry and rate within and between segments for a given anomaly time. These differences, as well as variations in crustal thickness inferred from gravity data on the flanks of spreading segments, indicate that magmatic and tectonic activity are, in general, not coordinated between adjacent spreading segments.     

Oxygen isotope evidence for submarine hydrothermal alteration of the Del Puerto ophiolite, California

The oxygen isotope compositions and metamorphic mineral assemblages of hydrothermally altered rocks from the Del Puerto ophiolite and overlying volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks at the base of the Great Valley sequence indicate that their alteration occurred in a submarine hydrothermal system. Whole rock δ¹⁸O compositions decrease progressively down section (with increasing metamorphic grade): +22.4‰ (SMOW) to +13.8 for zeolite-bearing volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks overlying the ophiolite; +19.6 to +11.6 for pumpellyite-bearing metavolcanic rocks in the upper part of the ophiolite's volcanic member; +12.3 to +8.1 for epidote-bearing metavolcanic rocks in the lower part of the volcanic member; +8.5 to +5.7 for greenschist facies rocks from the ophiolite's plutonic member; +7.6 to +5.8 for amphibolite facies or unmetamorphosed rocks from the plutonic member.

Modelling of fluid-rock interaction in the Del Puerto ophiolite indicates that the observed pattern of upward enrichment in whole rock δ¹⁸O can be best explained by isotopic exchange with discharging¹⁸O-shifted seawater at fluid/rock mass ratios near 2 and temperatures below 500°C.¹⁸O-depleted plutonic rocks necessarily produced during hydrothermal circulation were later removed as a result of tectonism. Submarine weathering and later burial metamorphism at the base of the Great Valley sequence cannot by itself have produced the zonation of hydrothermal minerals and the corresponding variations in oxygen isotope compositions. The pervasive zeolite and prehnite-pumpellyite facies mineral assemblages found in the Del Puerto ophiolite may reflect its origin near an island arc rather than deep ocean spreading center.     

喜马拉雅─祁连山地壳构造与大陆─大陆碰撞过程

在青藏高原,利用远震波形及演所得的Moho界面深度,其横向变化很大．在班公缝合带附近,Moho界面出现10余公里的错断．羌塘块体的Moho界面向北倾斜,而柴达木和巴颜喀拉的Moho界面向南倾斜．利用近震Pn的走时验证远震波形反演所得的Moho界面深度,两者的结果十分吻合．综合近来地球物理观测的结果。我们得到喜马拉雅─祁连山的地壳构造图,它贯穿印度─欧亚的碰撞带和中生代的陆─陆碰撞带．特提斯喜马拉雅和拉萨块体的地壳是由多个双向冲断层所组成,它们可以解释为在不同时期中,印度次大陆曾经数次向拉萨块体地壳挤入,而且羌塘块体的地壳也向拉萨块体的地壳挤入．测量冲断层的水平长度,可以定量估算自50Ma陆─陆碰撞以来,印度次大陆和羌塘块体向特提斯喜马拉雅和拉萨块体地壳挤入的长度．     

青藏高原岩石圈三维电性结构

本文报道通过综合大地电磁调查数据研究青藏高原岩石圈三维电阻率模型的初步成果.大地电磁法调查区域已经覆盖了高原大部分面积,为全区三维电阻率成像研究打下了可靠的基础.对多个测区大地电磁数据进行精细的同化处理和反演成像,取得了青藏高原可靠的岩石圈三维电阻率结构图像.成像的区域为28°N—35°N,80°E—104°E.三维反演计算时采用的网格尺寸为20km×20km,垂直方向不等间距剖分为26层.结果表明,青藏高原现今岩石圈电阻率扰动主要反映印度克拉通对亚欧大陆板块俯冲引起的热流体运动和大陆碰撞和拆离产生的构造.在岩石圈地幔,察隅地块、喜马拉雅地块和拉萨地块东部联成统一的高电阻率地块,它们反映了向北东俯冲的印度克拉通.雅鲁藏布江、班公—怒江和金沙江缝合带都有明显的低电阻率异常,表明岩石圈深处有热流体活动.雅鲁藏布江、班公—怒江和金沙江缝合带都有明显的低电阻率异常,也表明它们的岩石圈还有流体活动.青藏高原东部的低阻区沿100°E向地幔下方扩大,反映了金沙江断裂带有切穿岩石圈的趋势.地幔电阻率平面扰动的模式显示,青藏高原东西部的地体碰撞拼合形式和方向是不同的.在青藏高原西部,羌塘、拉萨和喜马拉雅等地体从北到南碰撞拼合.在青藏高原东部,羌塘—拉萨、察隅、印支、雅安和扬子等地体多方向拆离拼合,在地壳造成不正交的拆离带和压扭构造系.从高阻-低阻区的分布看,东部的地体拼合有地幔的根源,今后还会进一步发展.察隅地块岩石圈对青藏高原东部的楔入,使其北部和东部地块的岩石圈发生拆离撕裂,也造成热流体上涌的低电阻率异常.     

喜马拉雅─祁连山地壳构造与大陆─大陆碰撞过程

在青藏高原,利用远震波形及演所得的Moho界面深度,其横向变化很大．在班公缝合带附近,Moho界面出现10余公里的错断．羌塘块体的Moho界面向北倾斜,而柴达木和巴颜喀拉的Moho界面向南倾斜．利用近震Pn的走时验证远震波形反演所得的Moho界面深度,两者的结果十分吻合．综合近来地球物理观测的结果。我们得到喜马拉雅─祁连山的地壳构造图,它贯穿印度─欧亚的碰撞带和中生代的陆─陆碰撞带．特提斯喜马拉雅和拉萨块体的地壳是由多个双向冲断层所组成,它们可以解释为在不同时期中,印度次大陆曾经数次向拉萨块体地壳挤入,而且羌塘块体的地壳也向拉萨块体的地壳挤入．测量冲断层的水平长度,可以定量估算自50Ma陆─陆碰撞以来,印度次大陆和羌塘块体向特提斯喜马拉雅和拉萨块体地壳挤入的长度．     

SHRIMP zircon U-Pb age and Nd isotopic study on the Nyainqêntanglha Group in Tibet

The Nyainqêntanglha Group is traditionally viewed as the oldest metamorphic basement in the Lhasa block, but its formation age and tectonic setting remain debate. Zircons extracted from the metamorphic sequence of volcanics and intrusions of the Nyainqêntanglha Group, 10 km west of Nam Co in northern Lhasa block, have been investigated by cathodoluminescence (CL), backscattered (BSE) and dated by ion microprobe (SHRIMP). We conclude that the U-Pb age of 787 ê9 Ma of zircons from the trondhjemite imposes a constraint on maxi-mum protolith age, and minimum formation age of the Nyainqêntanglha Group is constrained by U-Pb age of 748 ê8 Ma of zircons from the granite. The formation age of the Nyainqêntanglha Group is consistent with sedimentary age of Greater Himalayan rocks, showing that they devel-oped coevally in an arc-basin tectonic setting of Neoproterozoic active continental margin along the northern margin of the India shield. The inherited zircons from the tholetiite and granite give older 207 Pb/206 Pb ages from 947 to 1766 Ma. The positive å Nd(t) value indicates that the mafic rocks were derived from the depleted mantle, but contaminated by the older continental crustal material. Integrated Nd model age and U-Pb age data provide excellent evidence for the existence of Mesoproterozoic basement in the Lhasa block during Neoproterozoic time.     

Distributions of hydrothermal activity along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge: interplay of magmatic and tectonic controls

Hydrothermal activity has been investigated along three different sections of the slow-spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR): 11°20′–30°N, 36–38°N and the Reykjanes Ridge, 57°45′–63°06′N. When considered in total, the incidence of venting along these three sections of the MAR compares well with the predictions of a model in which frequency of venting is linearly related to ridge-crest spreading-rate. At the scale of individual study areas, however, departure from the model is observed by up to an order of magnitude. Venting is anomalously rare along the Reykjanes Ridge but anomalously abundant along the MAR 36–38°N. Whilst such variability may be within the error of the linear spreading-rate model, we note that the interplay between magmatic and tectonic processes also differs between the three study areas. In the case of the Reykjanes Ridge we propose that the low incidence of venting reported may reflect a limitation of the sampling/investigative strategy because the style of venting which predominates may not give rise to conventional black-smoker hydrothermal plumes. Along the oblique and broadly segmented MAR 36–38°N, we propose that vigorous hydrothermal venting in broad segment-end non-transform discontinuities may be focussed along deeply penetrating active faults with the requisite heat supply being supported through some combination of along-axis magmatic intrusions and thermal release associated with the serpentinisation of crustal peridotites.     

Palaeomagnetic studies within the Ballantrae Ophiolite; southwest Scotland: magnetotectonic and regional tectonic implications

The Early Arenig Slockenray Formation within the Ballantrae Ophiolite, southwest Scotland, displays a multivectorial magnetisation structure. Two components (S and M) are identified delineated by differing blocking temperature/ coercivity spectra. Component S is removed around 200°C/10 mT, and is regarded to be of recent viscous origin. Component M forms the characteristic formation magnetisation and resides in both magnetite and haematite. Extensive sampling of all exposed lithologies reveals an (in situ) non-Fisherian distribution of the characteristic magnetisation defining an envelope from SE moderate positive to SW shallow negative directions. A negative infra-formation conglomerate test identifies this component as a pervasive overprint.

A second conglomerate test performed in the overlying Benan Conglomerate of Llandeilo age, reveals dispersely directed magnetisation with a stability range equivalent to that of component M. This field test therefore defines a maximum remagnetisation window of 30 million years for the characteristic remanence. “Hard” viscous magnetisations are identified both in the Benan Conglomerate and at some sites within the Slockenray Formation.

Structurally corrected site mean results from the Slockenray Formation define a non-Fisherian distribution and form a small circle partial arc centred on a vertical axis (NW moderate positive to SW moderate positive directions). A combined palaeomagnetic fold and fault test suggests that acquisition of component M pre-dates both folding and faulting.

The resulting palaeolatitude of remanence acquisition (28.8°S) implies a tectonic position close to the southern Laurentian margin for the Ballantrae ophiolite in Arenig times.     

基于大地电磁测深的藏南雅鲁藏布江缝合带电性结构研究

为研究日喀则市活动断裂深浅部构造关系及深部孕震机制,跨雅鲁藏布江谢通门—日喀则段部署了48个宽频大地电磁测深点,剖面长度为108 km。在二维反演的基础上对壳幔200 km深度范围内的电性结构进行了探测研究。剖面自南向北依次经过喜马拉雅地块、雅鲁藏布江缝合带和拉萨—冈底斯地块。喜马拉雅地块地壳表现为高阻特性,其北侧的仲巴—郎杰学陆缘移置混杂地体发育了深达上地幔盖层的巨厚的北倾低阻体;雅鲁藏布江主缝合带表现为喇叭状低阻通道,宽约10 km,存在深浅部两处低阻体,浅部南倾深部北倾,低阻通道南部发育近似直立或南倾的高阻日喀则蛇绿岩,北部发育近直立的高阻冈底斯花岗岩体,整体表现为两个高阻异常体中间夹一个连通壳幔的带状低阻通道;拉萨—冈底斯地块以高阻为主,中下地壳普遍发育低阻体。缝合带附近因板块俯冲作用导致壳幔局部增厚或减薄,表现为电性的梯度变化,表现为低阻特性的部分则是壳幔物质的运移通道。      

Palaeomagnetism and palaeogeography of Mongolia from the Carboniferous to the Cretaceous—final report

The present study summarizes the results of palaeomagnetic investigations of Carboniferous to Cretaceous rocks with respect to global-tectonic interpretations of Eurasia. Normal and reverse directions of stable remanence components were found for the Carboniferous to Cretaceous rocks within single outcrops, sometimes even within individual samples. Triassic, Permian and Carboniferous pole positions for Mongolia are strikingly different from those of the Siberian platform. The conclusion about the different palaeogeographical development of Mongolia with respect to the Siberian platform is well seen from differences in palaeolatitudes (up to 50°) and palaeorotations (up to 150°). The apparent polar wander paths for Mongolia and the north China block are almost identical since the Carboniferous. This way, palaeomagnetic and palaeogeographical data are contributing to the global-tectonics model of the regions under study. During the Carboniferous, Permian and Triassic, the regions of Mongolia investigated were not part of Eurasia. Together with the north China block, they show a palaeogeographical affinity with the Pacific Plate.     

BURIAL AND EXHUMATION OF THE XIGAZE FORE-ARC BASIN FROM LOW TEMPERATURE THERMOCHRONOLOGICAL EVIDENCE

The Xigaze fore-arc basin is adjacent to the Indian plate and Eurasia collision zone. Understanding the erosion history of the Xigaze fore-arc basin is significant for realizing the impact of the orogenic belt due to the collision between the Indian plate and the Eurasian plate. The different uplift patterns of the plateau will form different denudation characteristics. If all part of Tibet Plateau uplifted at the same time, the erosion rate of exterior Tibet Plateau will be much larger than the interior plateau due to the active tectonic action, relief, and outflow system at the edge. If the plateau grows from the inside to the outside or from the north to south sides, the strong erosion zone will gradually change along the tectonic active zone that expands to the outward, north, or south sides. Therefore, the different uplift patterns are likely to retain corresponding evidence on the erosion information. The Xigaze fore-arc basin is adjacent to the Yarlung Zangbo suture zone. Its burial, deformation and erosion history during or after the collision between the Indian plate and Eurasia are very important to understand the influence of plateau uplift on erosion. In this study, we use the apatite fission track(AFT)ages and zircon and apatite(U-Th)/He(ZHe and AHe)ages, combined with the published low-temperature thermochronological age to explore the thermal evolution process of the Xigaze fore-arc basin. The samples' elevation is in the range of 3 860~4 070m. All zircon and apatite samples were dated by the external detector method, using low~U mica sheets as external detectors for fission track ages. A Zeiss Axioskop microscope(1 250×, dry)and FT Stage 4.04 system at the Fission Track Laboratory of the University of Waikato in New Zealand were used to carry out fission track counting. We crushed our samples finely, and then used standard heavy liquid and magnetic separation with additional handpicking methods to select zircon and apatite grains. The new results show that the ZHe age of the sample M7-01 is(27.06±2.55)Ma(Table 2), and the corresponding AHe age is(9.25±0.76)Ma. The ZHe and AHe ages are significantly smaller than the stratigraphic age, indicating suffering from annealing reset(Table 3). The fission apatite fission track ages are between(74.1±7.8)Ma and(18.7±2.9)Ma, which are less than the corresponding stratigraphic age. The maximum AFT age is(74.1±7.8)Ma, and the minimum AFT age is(18.7±2.9)Ma. There is a significant north~south difference in the apatite fission track ages of the Xigaze fore-arc basin. The apatite fission track ages of the south part are 74~44Ma, the corresponding exhumation rate is 0.03~0.1km/Ma, and the denudation is less than 2km; the apatite fission track ages of the north part range from 27 to 15Ma and the ablation rate is 0.09~0.29km/Ma, but it lacks the exhumation information of the early Cenozoic. The apatite(U-Th)/He age indicates that the north~south Xigaze fore-arc basin has a consistent exhumation history after 15Ma. The results of low temperature thermochronology show that exhumation histories are different between the northern and southern Xigaze fore-arc basin. From 70 to 60Ma, the southern Xigaze fore-arc basin has been maintained in the depth of 0~6km in the near surface, and has not been eroded or buried beyond this depth. The denudation is less than the north. The low-temperature thermochronological data of the northern part only record the exhumation history after 30Ma because of the young low-temperature thermochronological data. During early Early Miocene, the rapid erosion in the northern part of Xigaze fore-arc basin may be related to the river incision of the paleo-Yarlungzangbo River. The impact of Great Count Thrust on regional erosion is limited. The AHe data shows that the exhumation history of the north-south Xigaze fore-arc basin are consistent after 15Ma. In addition, the low-temperature thermochronological data of the northern Xigaze fore-arc basin constrains geographic range of the Kailas conglomerate during the late Oligocene~Miocene along the Yarlung Zangbo suture zone. The Kailas Basin only develops in the narrow, elongated zone between the fore-arc basin and the Gangdese orogenic belt. The southern part of the Xigaze fore-arc basin has been uplifted from the sea level to the plateau at an altitude of 4.2km, despite the collision of the Indian plate with the Eurasian continent and the late fault activity, but the plateau has been slowly denuded since the early Cenozoic. The rise did not directly contribute to the accelerated erosion in the area, which is inconsistent with the assumption that rapid erosion means that the orogenic belt begins to rise.