Evolution of chlorite composition in the Paleogene prototype basin of Jiyang Depression, Shandong, China, and its implication for paleogeothermal gradient

The Dongying Basin, Huimin Basin, and Zhanhua Basin constitute the Jiyang Depression in Shandong Province. They are major oil and gas exploring districts within the depression. Through reconstruc-tions of the paleotemperature of the three basins facilitated with the chlorite geothermometry, the thermal history of the Paleogene prototype basin in Jiyang Depression and its geologic significance were explored. This study reveals that the Si4 component in chlorites reduces gradually as its buried depth increases, while the AlIV component increases accordingly. The chlorite type changes from sili-con-rich diabantite to silicon-poor ferroamesite and prochlorite. The prochlorite in this district only appears in the deep buried depth, high temperature, and relatively old stratigraphies; while the diaban-tite appears in the shallower buried, low temperature, and newly formed strata; the ferroamesite exists in the conditions between prochlorite and diabantite formation. The diagenetic temperatures of the chlorites in these Paleogene basins are 171―238℃ for the Dongying Basin, 160―202℃ for the Huimin Basin, and 135―180℃ for the Zhanhua Basin. The differences of the chlorite diagenetic temperatures in the three basins were controlled by the duration time of the structural depressing processes. Higher temperature indicates longer depression time. The relationship between the chlorite diagenetic temperature and its buried depth indicates that the average paleogeothermal gradient is about 38.3℃ /km in the Paleogene prototype basin of Jiyang Depression. It was higher than the present geothermal gradient (29―30℃/km). This phenomenon was attributed to the evolution of the structural dynamics in the depression basin.     

Discovery of Cu-Zn,Cu-Sn intermetallic minerals and its significance for genesis of the Mianning-Dechang REE Metallogenic Belt,Sichuan Province,China

The Mianning-Dechang REE metallogenetic belt is among the most important of its kind in China. The typical geologic features and multiple economically- valuable components in this belt have caught attention from more and more geologists. Wide investigations from petrology, petrochemistry to rare earth and trace element geochemistry, have been carried out recently, and a large quantity of geochemical data have already been obtained[1―11]. Maoniuping REE deposit is the largest of this belt,…     

Formation of the Permian basalts and implications of geochemical tracing for paleo-tectonic setting and regional tectonic background in the Turpan-Hami and Santanghu basins,Xinjiang

The Turpan-Hami basin (as the Tu-Ha basin here-after) and the Santanghu basin, as the late Paleozoic– Mesozoic-Cenozoic reworked and superimposed sedi-mentary basins with the similar evolution history 1, 2), are located in between the Tianshan and the Altay moun-tains in northeastern Xinjiang. As the major oil-and gas-bearing basins in Xinjiang, study of both the ba-sins through their complicated tectonic evolution his-tory is scientifically significant for exploring conti-nental geology …     

Large microplastic particles in sediments of tributaries of the River Thames,UK – Abundance,sources and methods for effective quantification

Sewage effluent input and population were chosen as predictors of microplastic presence in sediments at four sites in the River Thames basin (UK). Large microplastic particles (1 mm–4 mm) were extracted using a stepwise approach to include visual extraction, flotation and identification using Raman spectroscopy. Microplastics were found at all four sites. One site had significantly higher numbers of microplastics than other sites, average 66 particles 100 g^? 1, 91% of which were fragments. This site was downstream of a storm drain outfall receiving urban runoff; many of the fragments at this site were determined to be derived of thermoplastic road-surface marking paints. At the remaining three sites, fibres were the dominant particle type. The most common polymers identified included polypropylene, polyester and polyarylsulphone. This study describes two major new findings: presence of microplastic particles in a UK freshwater system and identification of road marking paints as a source of microplastics.

He,Ne and Ar isotopic composition of Fe-Mn crusts from the western and central Pacific Ocean and implications for their genesis

The noble gas nuclide abundances and isotopic ratios of the upmost layer of Fe-Mn crusts from the western and central Pacific Ocean have been determined. The results indicate that the He and Ar nu- clide abundances and isotopic ratios can be classified into two types: low 3He/4He type and high 3He/4He type. The low 3He/4He type is characterized by high 4He abundances of 191×10-9 cm3·STP·g-1 on average, with variable 4He, 20Ne and 40Ar abundances in the range (42.8―421)×10-9 cm3·STP·g-1, (5.40―141)×10-9 cm3·STP·g-1, and (773―10976)×10-9 cm3·STP·g-1, respectively. The high 3He/4He samples are characterized by low 4He abundances of 11.7×10-9 cm3·STP·g-1 on average, with 4He, 20Ne and 40Ar abundances in the range of (7.57―17.4)×10-9 cm3·STP·g-1, (10.4―25.5)×10-9 cm3·STP·g-1 and (5354―9050)×10-9 cm3·STP·g-1, respectively. The low 3He/4He samples have 3He/4He ratios (with R/RA ratios of 2.04―2.92) which are lower than those of MORB (R/RA=8±1) and 40Ar/36Ar ratios (447―543) which are higher than those of air (295.5). The high 3He/4He samples have 3He/4He ratios (with R/RA ratios of 10.4―12.0) slightly higher than those of MORB (R/RA=8±1) and 40Ar/36Ar ratios (293―299) very similar to those of air (295.5). The Ne isotopic ratios (20Ne/22Ne and 21Ne/22Ne ratios of 10.3―10.9 and 0.02774―0.03039, respectively) and the 38Ar/36Ar ratios (0.1886―0.1963) have narrow ranges which are very similar to those of air (the 20Ne/22Ne, 21Ne/22Ne, 38Ar/36Ar ratios of 9.80, 0.029 and 0.187, respectively), and cannot be differentiated into different groups. The noble gas nuclide abundances and isotopic ratios, together with their regional variability, suggest that the noble gases in the Fe-Mn crusts originate primarily from the lower mantle. The low 3He/4He type and high 3He/4He type samples have noble gas characteristics similar to those of HIMU (High U/Pb Mantle)- and EM (Enriched Mantle)-type mantle material, respectively. The low 3He/4He type samples with HIMU-type noble gas isotopic ratios occur in the Magellan Seamounts, Marcus-Wake Seamounts, Marshall Island Chain and the Mid-Pacific Sea- mounts whereas the high 3He/4He type samples with EM-type noble gas isotopic ratios occur in the Line Island Chain. This difference in noble gas characteristics of these crust types implies that the MagellanSeamounts, Marcus-Wake Seamounts, Marshall Is- land Chain, and the Mid-Pacific Seamounts originated from HIMU-type lower mantle material whereas the Line Island Chain originated from EM-type lower mantle material. This finding is consistent with varia- tions in the Pb-isotope and trace element signatures in the seamount lavas. Differences in the mantlesource may therefore be responsible for variations in the noble gas abundances and isotopic ratios in the Fe-Mn crusts. Mantle degassing appears to be the principal factor controlling noble gas isotopic abundances in Fe-Mn crusts. Decay of radioactive isotopes has a negligible influence on the nuclide abundances and isotopic ratios of noble gases in these crusts on the timescale of their formation.     

Inversion of gravity and topography data for the crust thickness of China and its adjacent region

Introduction Since the middle of the century, gravitational isostasy has been a fundamental hypothesis for inverting the gravity data to find the crust thickness. Geophysicists have done a lot of researches on using gravity data to investigate the depth of Moho discontinuity. Since 1980, the International Lithosphere Program emphasized the importance of investigating the Moho depth variation. Thereafter a lot of results have been published in the world (Braitenberg et al, 2000; Kaban et al,…     

Geochemistry of sedimentary rocks from Permian–Triassic boundary sections of Tethys Himalaya: implications for paleo-weathering,provenance, and tectonic setting

The geochemical characteristics of two sections—the Permian–Triassic boundary(PTB) Guryul Ravine section, Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Kashmir,India; and the Attargoo section, Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India—have been studied in the context of provenance, paleo-weathering, and plate tectonic setting.These sections represent the siliciclastic sedimentary sequence from the Tethys Himalaya. The PTB siliciclastic sedimentary sequence in these regions primarily consists of sandstones and shales with variable thickness. Present studied sandstones and shales of both sections had chemical index of alteration values between 65 and 74; such values reveal low-to-moderate degree of chemical weathering. The chemical index of weathering in studied samples ranged from 71 to 94, suggesting a minor K-metasomatism effect on these samples. Plagioclase index of alteration in studied sections ranged from 68 to 92, indicating a moderate degree of weathering of plagioclase feldspars. The provenance discriminant function diagram suggests that the detritus involved in the formation of present studied siliciclastic sedimentary rocks fall in quartzose sedimentary and felsic igneous provenances. These sediments were deposited in a passive continental margin plate tectonic setting according to their location on a Si_2 O versus K_2O/Na_2 O tectonic setting diagram.     

Petrological, geochemical and chronological constraints for the tectonic setting of the Dongco ophiolite in Tibet

The Dongco ophiolite occurred in the middle-western segment of the Bangong-Nujiang suture zone. The thickness of the ophiolite suite is more than 5 km, which is composed, from bottom to top, of the mantle peridotite, mafic-ultramafic cumulates, basic sills (dykes) and basic lava and tectoni- cally emplaced in Jurassic strata (Mugagongru Group). The Dongco cumulates consist of dunite- troctolite-olivine-gabbro, being a part of DTG series of mafic-ultramafic cumulates. The basic lavas are characterized by being rich in alkali (Na2O K2O), TiO2, P2O5 and a LREE-rich type pattern dip- ping right with [La/Yb]=6.94―16.6 as well as a trace elements spider-diagram with normal anomaly of Th, Nb, Ta, Hf. Therefore, the Dongco basic lavas belong to ocean-island basalt (OIB) and dis- tinctly differ from mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) and island-arc basalt (IAB) formed in the plate convergence margin. The basic lavas have higher 87Sr/86Sr (0.704363―0.705007), lower 143Nd/144Nd (0.512708―0.512887) and εNd(t ) from 2.7― 5.8, indicating that they derive from a two-components mixing mantle source of depleted mantle (DM) and enriched mantle (EMI). From above it is ready to see that the Dongco ophiolite forms in oceanic island (OIB) where the mantle source is replaced by a large amount of enriched material, therefore it distinctly differs from these ophiolites formed in island-arc and mid-oecan ridge. Newly obtained SHRIMP U-Pb dating for zircon of the cumulate troctolite is 132 ± 3 Ma and whole-rock dating of ~(39)Ar/~(40)Ar for the basalt is 173.4 ± 2.7 Ma and 140.9 ± 2.8 Ma, indicating that the Dongco ophiolite formed at Early Cretaceous and the middle-western segment of the Bangong-Nujiang oceanic basin was still in the developing and evolving period at Early Cretaceous.     

Geometry of the Nojima Fault at Nojima-Hirabayashi, Japan – II. Microstructures and their Implications for Permeability and Strength

Samples of damage-zone granodiorite and fault core from two drillholes into the active, strike-slip Nojima fault zone display microstructures and alteration features that explain their measured present-day strengths and permeabilities and provide insight on the evolution of these properties in the fault zone. The least deformed damage-zone rocks contain two sets of nearly perpendicular (60–90° angles), roughly vertical fractures that are concentrated in quartz-rich areas, with one set typically dominating over the other. With increasing intensity of deformation, which corresponds generally to increasing proximity to the core, zones of heavily fragmented rock, termed microbreccia zones, develop between prominent fractures of both sets. Granodiorite adjoining intersecting microbreccia zones in the active fault strands has been repeatedly fractured and locally brecciated, accompanied by the generation of millimeter-scale voids that are partly filled with secondary minerals. Minor shear bands overprint some of the heavily deformed areas, and small-scale shear zones form from the pairing of closely spaced shear bands. Strength and permeability measurements were made on core collected from the fault within a year after a major (Kobe) earthquake. Measured strengths of the samples decrease regularly with increasing fracturing and fragmentation, such that the gouge of the fault core and completely brecciated samples from the damage zone are the weakest. Permeability increases with increasing disruption, generally reaching a peak in heavily fractured but still more or less cohesive rock at the scale of the laboratory samples. Complete loss of cohesion, as in the gouge or the interiors of large microbreccia zones, is accompanied by a reduction of permeability by 1-2 orders of magnitude below the peak values. The core samples show abundant evidence of hydrothermal alteration and mineral precipitation. Permeability is thus expected to decrease and strength to increase somewhat in active fault strands between earthquakes, as mineral deposits progressively seal fractures and fill pore spaces.     

Refining locations of the 2005–2006 recurrent earthquakes in Mukacheve,West Ukraine,and implications for their source mechanism and the local tectonics

Three groups of recurrent events have been identified within the 2005–2006 Mukacheve series of about forty M _SH 0.3–1.8 near-surface earthquakes. After a cross-correlation analysis of their waveforms and subsequent relocation with application of the adjusted arrivals and station terms it turned out that they most likely belong to at least two distinct crustal layers separated by an interface at about 4 km; the seismic activation started deeper and progressed upwards. As concerns polarities of first arrivals, the same source mechanism was inferred within individual groups, indicating a normal faulting along the Az ≈ 120° with a slight component of right lateral slip; this finding is consistent with data available on some other local sources, as well as with an ambient field of extensional stresses in the local crust and a significant horizontal gradient of vertical movements across the epicenter area of the Mukacheve series.     

Paleocene deep-water sediments and radiolarian faunas: Implications for evolution of Yarlung-Zangbo foreland basin, southern Tibet

Only a few Paleocene radiolarian assemblages have been reported, while the Early Paleocene zonal schemes remain poorly delineated. The Early Paleocene on-land radiolarians were described in the Hidaka melange belt of Japan and the North Island of New Zeal…     

The nature and formation of cristobalite at the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat: implications for the petrology and stability of silicic lava domes

Cristobalite is commonly found in the dome lava of silicic volcanoes but is not a primary magmatic phase; its presence indicates that the composition and micro-structure of dome lavas evolve during, and after, emplacement. Nine temporally and mineralogically diverse dome samples from the Soufrière Hills volcano (SHV), Montserrat, are analysed to provide the first detailed assessment of the nature and mode of cristobalite formation in a volcanic dome. The dome rocks contain up to 11 wt.% cristobalite, as defined by X-ray diffraction. Prismatic and platy forms of cristobalite, identified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), are commonly found in pores and fractures, suggesting that they have precipitated from a vapour phase. Feathery crystallites and micro-crystals of cristobalite and quartz associated with volcanic glass, identified using SEM-Raman, are interpreted to have formed by varying amounts of devitrification. We discuss mechanisms of silica transport and cristobalite formation, and their implications for petrological interpretations and dome stability. We conclude: (1) that silica may be transported in the vapour phase locally, or from one part of the magmatic system to another; (2) that the potential for transport of silica into the dome should not be neglected in petrological and geochemical studies because the addition of non-magmatic phases may affect whole rock composition; and (3) that the extent of cristobalite mineralisation in the dome at SHV is sufficient to reduce porosity—hence, permeability—and may impact on the mechanical strength of the dome rock, thereby potentially affecting dome stability.     

The study and analysis of floating datum selection for rugged terrain

We analyze the characteristics of different floating datums for static corrections and discuss the methods for determining them. The effect of different floating datum corrections was studied using theoretical model experiments, resulting in the conclusion that the velocity obtained after the floating datum correction with the minimum static correction errors depends on the velocity of the layer below the low velocity layer （LVL） lower boundary and is not related to topographic relief and LVL structure. For the real data processing case, wave equation numerical model experiments were conducted which resulted in a new method for calculating objective functions based on the waveform and modifications to the calculation equation for minimum static correction errors to make the method suitable for real data static correction processing using inhomogeneous velocity models with lower velocity boundary relief. Real data processing results demonstrate the method＇s superiority.     

Prospects for the Development and Application of the Earthquake Monitoring Network

With the rapid development of the economy in China, the seismic network has been changing rapidly, in that the capability of instruments, technological systems and network density are approaching those of developed countries and a large quantity of observation data has been accumulated. How to apply these resources to economic construction and public safety has become an important issue worth studying. In order to improve earthquake prediction and earthquake emergency response, it is suggested in this paper that extracting valuable precursor information, improving earthquake rapid reporting ability and extending rapid intensity reporting function are key issues. Integrating network resources, building unified standards and a multifunction seismic monitoring network are preconditions of establishing a public safety service platform and earthquake observation resources will contribute significantly to the fields of engineering, ocean, meteorology, and environmental protection. Thus, the future directions of the development of the seismic network are exploring monitoring resources, enhancing independent innovation, constructing a technological platform and enlarging the service field.     

Methods and code for ‘classical’ age-modelling of radiocarbon sequences

Age–depth models form the backbone of most palaeoenvironmental studies. However, procedures for constructing chronologies vary between studies, they are usually not explained sufficiently, and some are inadequate for handling calibrated radiocarbon dates. An alternative method based on importance sampling through calibrated dates is proposed. Dedicated R code is presented which works with calibrated radiocarbon as well as other dates, and provides a simple, systematic, transparent, documented and customizable alternative. The code automatically produces age–depth models, enabling exploration of the impacts of different assumptions (e.g., model type, hiatuses, age offsets, outliers, and extrapolation).     

Development of SLRES Software for Seismic Reservoir Inversions and Hydrocarbon Detection

This paper introduces the components and functions of software of seismic reservoir inversions and hydrocarbon detection.     

Fluid inclusion and H–O isotope study of the Jiguanshan porphyry Mo deposit,Xilamulun Metallogenic Belt: implications for characteristics and evolution of ore-forming fluids

We studied the fluid inclusions of the Jiguanshan Mo deposit in China, which is a large porphyry deposit located in the southern Xilamulun Metallogenic Belt. The irregular Mo ore body with various types of hydrothermal veinlets is hosted by Late Jurassic granite porphyry. Intense hydrothermal alterations in the deposit from the core to margin are silicification–potassium feldspar alteration,pyrite–quartz–sericite–fluorite alteration, and propylitic alteration. Based on the mineral assemblages and crosscutting relationships of ore veins, the ore-forming process were divided into three stages and two substages: quartz–pyrite veins(stage I) associated with potassic alteration;quartz–molybdenite–chalcopyrite–pyrite veins(substage Ⅱ-1) and quartz–molybdenite–fluorite veins(substage Ⅱ-2)associated with phyllic alteration; and fluorite–quartz–carbonate veins(stage Ⅲ) with carbonation. Five majorfluid inclusions(FIs) types were distinguished in the quartz associated with oxide and sulfide minerals, i.e. polyphase brine(Pb-type), opaque-bearing brine(Ob-type), solid halite(S-type), two-phase aqueous(A-type), and vapor(Vtype) inclusions. The FIs of stage I were composed of liquid-rich S-, A-, and V-type FIs with homogenization temperatures and salinities of 490 to 511 °C and 8.9 to 56.0 wt% NaCl equiv., respectively. The FIs of substage Ⅱ-1 are composed of Pb-, Ob-, S-, A-, and V-type FIs with homogenization temperatures and salinities of 352 to460 °C and 3.7 to 46.1 wt% NaCl equiv, respectively. The FIs of substage Ⅱ-2 are Ob-, S-, A-, and V-type FIs with homogenization temperatures and salinities of 234 to309 °C and 3.7 to 39.2 wt% NaCl equiv, respectively. The FIs of stage Ⅲ are A-type FIs with homogenization temperatures and salinities of 136 to 172 °C and 1.1 to 8.9 wt%NaCl equiv, respectively. Fluid boiling, which resulted in the precipitation of sulfides, occurred in stages I and Ⅱ. The initial ore-forming fluids of the Jiguanshan deposit had high temperature, high salinity, and belonged to an F-rich NaCl ± KCl–H_2O system. The fluids gradually evolved to low temperature, low salinity, and belonged to a NaCl–H_2O system. Studies of the hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions of quartz(δ~(18)O_(H2O)=-7.3 to 6.3%,δD_(H2O)=-104.3 to-83.3%) show that the ore-formingfluids gradually evolved from magmatic water to meteoric water.     

The Principles and Methods of Division of Potential Seismic Regions for Moderately Strong Earthquakes in Northeast and North China

The uncertainty of potential seismic regions for moderately strong earthquakes has a great effect on the results of seismic hazard analysis in weak seismicity regions,so it is the basement of seismic zoning and seismic hazard assessment for engineering sites by correctly dividing the potential seismic regions for moderately strong earthquakes.By taking Northeast and North China as examples,the authors compiled and systematically analyzed a large amount of basic data and then suggest the principles and methods of potential seismic regions for moderately strong earthquakes based on a great number of case studies.The practical division of potential seismic regions in the Changchun and Jilin areas shows that these principles and methods show better suitability.Moreover,the authors also discuss in this paper the progress obtained and put forward some problems that should be solved in the future.     

Th–U–total Pb geochronology of authigenic monazite in the Adelaide rift complex,South Australia,and implications for the age of the type Sturtian and Marinoan glacial deposits

The Adelaide rift complex in South Australia contains the type sections for Sturtian and Marinoan glacial deposits. The litho- and chemo-stratigraphy of these deposits play a central role in evaluating global Neoproterozoic ice age hypotheses and Rodinia supercontinent reconstructions, but reliable depositional age constraints have been extremely limited. We report results of in situ Th–U–total Pb (electron microprobe) dating of detrital and authigenic monazite in two samples from the Umberatana Group (Sturtian Holowilena Ironstone and pre-Marinoan Enorama Shale) in the Central Flinders Ranges. Several texturally and chemically distinct detrital and authigenic populations are recognized. Detrital dates range from 1600 Ma to 760 Ma and most relate to well-known orogenic or igneous events in surrounding cratonic regions. Authigenic monazite grew in three or more pulses ranging from 680 Ma to 500 Ma. The date of 680 ± 23 Ma (2σ) for the earliest generation of authigenic monazite in sandstone from the Enorama Shale (1) provides an estimate for the age of the base of the Trezona carbon isotopic anomaly just beneath the Marinoan glacial deposits, (2) provides an absolute minimum age constraint on the underlying Sturtian glacial deposits, and (3) supports proposed correlations between type Marinoan deposits and precisely dated glacial deposits in Namibia and China, which bracket the presumed Marinoan equivalents between 655 and 635 Ma. This age is inconsistent with a Re–Os isochron age of 643 ± 2.4 Ma (2σ) on shales near the bottom of the Sturtian–Marinoan interglacial succession, stratigraphically > 3000 m below the Enorama Shale sample, and militate against the hypothesis that the type Marinoan is correlative with the 580 Ma Gaskiers glaciation. Monazite growth near 600 Ma and again at about 500 Ma probably represent hydrothermal fluid-flow events, the latter of which also corresponds to the well-known Delamerian Orogeny during which the Adelaide sediments were folded into their present structural pattern.     

Degassing of Cl, F, Li, and Be during extrusion and crystallization of the rhyolite dome at Volcán Chaitén, Chile during 2008 and 2009

We investigated the distribution of Cl, F, Li, and Be in pumices, obsidians, and crystallized dome rocks at Chaitén volcano in 2008?C2009 in order to explore the behavior of these elements during explosive and effusive volcanic activity. Electron and ion microprobe analyses of matrix and inclusion glasses from pumice, obsidian, and microlite-rich dome rock indicate that Cl and other elements were lost primarily during crystallization of the rhyolitic dome after it had approached the surface. Glass in pumice and microlite-free obsidian has 888?±?121?ppm Cl, whereas residual glass in evolved microlite-rich dome rock generally retains less Cl (as low as <100?ppm). Estimated Cl losses were likely >0.7?Mt Cl, with a potential maximum of 1.8?Mt for the entire 0.8-km³ dome. Elemental variations reflect an integrated bulk distribution ratio for Cl?>?1.7 (1.7 times more Cl was degassed or incorporated into crystals than remained in the melt). Because Cl is lost dominantly as the very last H₂O is degassed, and Cl is minimally (if at all) partitioned into microlites, the integrated vapor/melt distribution ratio for Cl exceeds 200 (200 times more Cl in the evolved vapor than in the melt). Cl is likely lost as HCl, which is readily partitioned into magmatic vapor at low pressure. Cl loss is accelerated by the change in the composition of the residual melt due to microlite growth. Cl loss also may be affected by open-system gas fluxing. Integrated vapor-melt distribution ratios for Li, F, and Be all exceed 1,000. On degassing, an unknown fraction of these volatiles could be immediately dissolved in rainwater.