Petrological and geochronological constraints on lower crust exhumation during Paleoproterozoic (Eburnean) orogeny,NW Ghana,West African Craton

New petrological and geochronological data are presented on high‐grade ortho‐ and paragneisses from northwestern Ghana, forming part of the Paleoproterozoic (2.25–2.00 Ga) West African Craton. The study area is located in the interference zone between N–S and NE–SW‐trending craton‐scale shear zones, formed during the Eburnean orogeny (2.15–2.00 Ga). High‐grade metamorphic domains are separated from low‐grade greenstone belts by high‐strain zones, including early thrusts, extensional detachments and late‐stage strike‐slip shear zones. Paragneisses sporadically preserve high‐pressure, low‐temperature (HP–LT) relicts, formed at the transition between the blueschist facies and the epidote–amphibolite sub‐facies (10.0–14.0 kbar, 520–600 °C), and represent a low (~15 °C km^?1) apparent geothermal gradient. Migmatites record metamorphic conditions at the amphibolite–granulite facies transition. They reveal a clockwise pressure–temperature–time (P–T–t) path characterized by melting at pressures over 10.0 kbar, followed by decompression and heating to peak temperatures of 750 °C at 5.0–8.0 kbar, which fit a 30 °C km^?1 apparent geotherm. A regional amphibolite facies metamorphic overprint is recorded by rocks that followed a clockwise P–T–t path, characterized by peak metamorphic conditions of 7.0–10.0 kbar at 550–680 °C, which match a 20–25 °C km^?1 apparent geotherm. These P–T conditions were reached after prograde burial and heating for some rock units, and after decompression and heating for others. The timing of anatexis and of the amphibolite facies metamorphic overprint is constrained by in‐situ U–Pb dating of monazite crystallization at 2138 ± 7 and 2130 ± 7 Ma respectively. The new data set challenges the interpretation that metamorphic breaks in the West African Craton are due to diachronous Birimian ‘basins’ overlying a gneissic basement. It suggests that the lower crust was exhumed along reverse, normal and transcurrent shear zones and juxtaposed against shallow crustal slices during the Eburnean orogeny. The craton in NW Ghana is made of distinct fragments with contrasting tectono‐metamorphic histories. The range of metamorphic conditions and the sharp lateral metamorphic gradients are inconsistent with ‘hot orogeny’ models proposed for many Precambrian provinces. These findings shed new light on the geodynamic setting of craton assembly and stabilization in the Paleoproterozoic. It is suggested that the metamorphic record of the West African Craton is characteristic of Paleoproterozoic plate tectonics and illustrates a transition between Archean and Phanerozoic orogens.     

The Burkinian orogenic cycle,precursor of the Eburnian orogeny in West Africa

In the best known areas of the West African craton structural, petrographic, and geochronological data provide a distinction between two separate units of the Lower Proterozoic in West Africa. A lower unit was metamorphosed from low to medium grade around 2170 Ma by horizontal shearing. This unit is mainly composed of dominantly basic bimodal magmatic rocks, and some trondhjemitic to tonalitic anatectic gneisses, and locally mesozonal mica schists known in Ivory Coast as the ‘Kounoukou formation’ which has been dated as 2183 Ma old. An upper unit, which frequently begins with polygenic conglomerates, also shows important bimodal vulcanism, but in contrast to the lower unit is dominantly silicic. This unit is affected by lower grade conditions of metamorphism and is weakly deformed. These two units correspond to the classic Eburnian I/Eburnian II succession. However, a clearer distinction is possible, with the recognition of two successive orogenic cycles. In the basal part of each of the two units a major episode of tholeiitic magmatism is evidence for separate periods of lithospheric thinning and fracturing. This was followed by the deposition of various lithological sequences, then by one or more tectonometamorphic events. Later uplift led to the emplacement of anorogenic subvolcanic granitic massifs which are displayed occasionally as ring complexes. This suggests that ‘Eburnian I’ is actually an independent orogenic cycle appearing in the West African formations between 2400 and 2150 Ma, for which we propose the name ‘Burkinian cycle’. This cycle has affected the lower magmatic and sedimentary formations, which we designate Dabakalian. This implies a restricted time span for the Eburnian cycle from 2100–2150 to 1800 Ma. The stratigraphic term ‘Birimian’ is applied to the sedimentary and magmatic formations of the upper unit. This scheme proposed for the Lower Proterozoic in West Africa is probably applicable to other Lower Proterozoic terranes in Africa.     

Petrological and geochronological constraints on the origin of the Palimé–Amlamé granitoids (South Togo, West Africa): A segment of the West African Craton Paleoproterozoic margin reactivated during the Pan-African collision

The Palimé–Amlamé Pluton (PAP) in southern Togo, consists of silica-rich to intermediate granitoids including enclaves of mafic igneous rocks and of gneisses. They are commonly called the “anatectic complex of Palimé–Amlamé” and without any convincing data, they were interpreted either as synkinematic Pan-African granitoids or as reworked pre Pan-African plutons. New field and petrological observations, mineral and whole-rock chemical analyses together with U–Pb zircon dating, have been performed to evaluate the geodynamic significance of the PAP within the Pan-African orogenic belt. With regard to these new data, the granitoids and related enclaves probably result from mixing and mingling processes between mafic and silicic magmas from respectively mantle and lower crust sources. They display Mg–calc-alkaline chemical features and present some similarities with Late Archaean granites such as transitional (K-rich) TTGs and sanukitoids.

The 2127 ± 2 Ma age obtained from a precise U/Pb concordia on zircon, points out a Paleoproterozoic age for the magma crystallization and a lower intercept at 625 ± 29 Ma interpreted as rejuvenation during Pan-African tectonics and metamorphism. Based on these results, a Pan-African syn to late orogenic setting for the PAP, i.e. the so-called “anatectic complex of Palimé–Amlamé”, can be definitively ruled out. Moreover according to its location within the nappe pile and its relationships with the suture zone, the PAP probably represents a fragment of the West African Craton reactivated during the Pan-African collision.     

Chemical and Sr-Nd compositions and 40Ar/39Ar ages of NW-trending dolerite dikes of Burkina Faso: Evidence for a Mesoproterozoic magmatism in the West African Craton

The Paleoproterozoic basement of the northeastern part of the Leo-Man craton is intruded by generally NW-trending dikes. These regional scale dikes extend over 1000 km in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. We present chemical and Sr-Nd isotope compositions, as well as ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of these dikes with the following strikes N98°–N112°, and N114°–N124° in NE Burkina Faso. Field relationships show that the dikes are posterior to all other rock types dated between 2.26 Ga and 2.0 Ga. Chemical data indicate that the dikes are continental flood basalts and composed of low-Ti (TiO₂ ≤ 2 wt.%) sub-alkaline basalts and andesites. They exhibit a minor negative Europium anomaly (0.86–0.99) and slightly fractionated REE patterns ((La/Yb)_N = 2.5–9.1; Yb_N = 9.5–19.9). The ratios of Th/Ta (1.3–11.4) and Ce/Pb (5.2–58.5) suggest a varying crustal assimilation of the dike magmas during ascent in the continental crust for all studied samples. Calculated P-T conditions indicate that the magma reached temperatures of 1285 °C (calculated from olivine compositions) and pressures of 6.9 kbar (calculated for pyroxene minerals). Calculated initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.70040–0.70260) and ɛ_Nd(t) = +2.1 to −3.5 at 1575 Ma, also point to a crustal contamination with the most primitive samples showing T_DM values of 1946 Ma and 2154 Ma. The low values of La/Ba (<0.2) and Nb/La (<1.0), contrast with the low Th/Nb (<0.9), and suggest a lithospheric mantle or subduction-modified mantle as possible source for the dikes. Sr-Nd data, Mg# and Nb-Ta-Zr-Y-Th-Tb-Yb compositions further suggest that the most primitive samples were emplaced in a none orogenic setting and their magmas were subjected to variable crustal contaminations. Literature and the present whole rock ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age determinations show that the dikes were emplaced during a widespread Mesoproterozoic magmatism between 1.6 Ga and 1.2 Ga, and were affected by a thermal event causing the argon systematics resetting, best constrained by the date of sample KK1 (1236 ± 20 Ma, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar = 294 ± 13, MSWD = 2.2). Contemporaneous 1590–1570 Ma extensive magmatism is reported in other crustal blocks in Baltica (Sveconorw-Goth, svecofennian) NW Laurentia (Slave craton, Yukon), and Australia (Gawler craton), and together with the 1575 studied dikes, are related to the breakup of the supercontinent Nuna.     

“Cretaceous black flysch” in the Pieniny Klippen Belt, West Carpathians: a case of geological misinterpretation

This is a critical assessment of the paper by Oszczypko et al. (2004: Cretaceous Research 25, 89–113), in which they tried to prove a mid-Cretaceous age for the Szlachtowa (“black flysch”) and Opaleniec Formations, in the Pieniny Klippen Belt, West Carpathians, both of which had previously been shown to be of Jurassic age. We argue that the mid-Cretaceous age assignment is a misinterpretation, primarily resulting from their field samples having been collected from some Cretaceous lithostratigraphic units, tectonically associated with the Jurassic formations, and/or from tectonic contact-breccias involving Jurassic and Cretaceous strata. In addition, we suggest that they have overlooked a number of significant palaeontological papers, published since 1962, which record the presence of in situ ammonites, aptychi, belemnites, thin-shelled bivalves (Bositra), gryphaeids, foraminifera, and ostracod assemblages, all indicating a Jurassic (mainly Aalenian), and not a Cretaceous, age for the Szlachtowa Formation, and also the in situ Jurassic (Bajocian) ammonites and thin-shelled bivalves (Bositra), Bositra-microfacies, and age-diagnostic foraminiferal assemblages of the Opaleniec Formation.Our presentation here of recently published dinocyst data from well-preserved assemblages further supports the Jurassic ages for the Szlachtowa (“black flysch”) and Opaleniec Formations.     

华北克拉通南缘古元古代末(～1.84Ga)垣头A-型花岗岩成因及其构造意义

在华北克拉通陆续发现有大量的古元古代末-中元古代早期A-型花岗岩,它们具有独特的地球化学特征和特定的形成条件,可为进一步了解A-型花岗岩的岩石成因以及华北克拉通由结晶基底的形成向稳定盖层发育时期构造环境的转折提供重要依据。本文对华北克拉通南缘产出的垣头花岗岩体进行了岩石学、锆石U-Pb年代学、元素地球化学和Nd-Hf-O同位素研究。结果表明,垣头岩体岩石类型主要为正长花岗岩,形成时代为1841±4Ma;全岩样品具有较高的铁(FeO~T/(FeO~T+MgO)=0. 75～0. 86)、富碱(K_2O+Na_2O=8. 11%～9. 13%,K_2O/Na_2O 1)、低MgO (0. 28%～0. 56%)、P_2O_5(0. 04%～0. 08%)和MnO(0. 03%～0. 04%),富含大离子亲石元素(如Rb、Th、U、K)、亏损高场强元素(Nb、Ta、Zr、Hf),具有Eu、Sr负异常,高10,000Ga/Al比值( 2. 76)、准铝质-弱过铝质且不含碱性暗色矿物,属于铝质A-型花岗岩;全岩εNd(t)=-4. 68、tC DM=2. 70Ga,锆石εHf(t)=-12. 0～-4. 71、tC8DM=3. 22～2. 78Ga,锆石δ1O=5. 4‰～6. 5‰(加权平均值为6. 1‰),指示它们是古老基底物质部分熔融的产物。结合区域上的地质特征和研究资料,我们认为垣头A-型花岗岩体形成于碰撞后的伸展环境,标志着华北克拉通1. 85Ga前后的造山运动的结束。     

Surface faulting in Norcia (central Italy): a “paleoseismological perspective”

We carried out paleoseismological analyses in Norcia, one of the oldest town of central Italy. Four trenches were dug in late Pleistocene–Holocene deposits, across an unmapped, antithetic splay of the Norcia Fault System. The investigated fault runs through the recent settlement of the town, brushing against the middle-age city walls. We found evidence of repeated surface ruptures in the past 20 ky, the last one dated to a period fitting with the 1703 AD, catastrophic earthquake (M = 6.8). Our data (i) show definitively the late Pleistocene–Holocene activity of the Norcia Fault System, (ii) strengthen the historical accounts describing surface ruptures during the 1703 event in Norcia, (iii) cast light on the seismogenic behavior of the 70-km-long fault system between L'Aquila and Norcia (central Italy) and (iv) predict the occurrence of normal surface faulting inside the municipality of Norcia during future M ≥ 6 earthquakes.     

Paleoproterozoic (2155–1970 Ma) evolution of the Guiana Shield (Transamazonian event) in the light of new paleomagnetic data from French Guiana

We present a comprehensive paleomagnetic study on Paleoproterozoic (2173–2060 Ma) plutonic and metamorphic rocks from French Guiana, representative of the full range of the main Transamazonian tectonothermal steps. Twenty-seven groups of directions and poles were obtained from combination of 102 sites (613 samples) based on age constraint, similar lithology and/or geographical proximity. Paleomagnetic results show variations between rocks of different ages which are supposed to be characteristic of magnetizations acquired during uplift and cooling of successive plutonic pulses and metamorphic phases. This is also reinforced by positive field tests (baked contact and reversal tests). Recent U/Pb and Pb/Pb on zircon and complementary ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar on amphibole and biotite allow questioning the problem of magnetic ages relative to rock formation ages. Estimated magnetic ages, based on amphibole dating as a proxy, enable us to construct a Guiana Shield apparent polar wander path for the 2155–1970 Ma period. It is also possible to present paleolatidudinal evolution and continental drift rates related to specific Transamazonian tectonic regimes.French Guiana and probably the Guiana Shield were located at the Equator from ca. 2155 to 2130 Ma during the Meso-Rhyacian D1 magmatic accretion phase, related to subduction of Eorhyacian oceanic crust. After closure of the Eorhyacian Ocean and collision of West African and Amazonian plates, the Guiana Shield moved. The first evolution towards 60° latitude, occurs after 2080 Ma, during the Neorhyacian D2a post collisional sinistral transcurrent phase. During the Late Rhyacian D2b phase, up to 2050 Ma, the Guiana Shield reaches the pole and starts to move to lower latitudes on an opposite meridian. By the Orosirian D2c phase, from ca. 2050 to 1970 Ma, the Guiana Shield reaches the Equator.Based on the amphibole ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dates, we estimate the continental drift between 12 and 16 cm/y for the Meso to Late Rhyacian period followed by a lower rate between 9 and 14 cm/y up to Orosirian time. This study highlights rock ages and magnetic ages are prerequisite to any continental reconstruction especially when it is shown continental drift is important for a 100–200 Ma time period. Our results confirm the possibility of APWP construction on Paleoproterozoic plutonic rocks but suggest improvement will rely on the combination with multidisciplinary approaches such as structural geology and multi-method radiometric dating.     

A tentative explanation of the origin of “transform faults” (with a critical remark on the term)

The offsets on the ocean floor, usually called “transform-faults” are not shear faults common in solid Hookian rocks, but reflect the viscous Newtonian properties of laminar flow at the time when the upwelling magma along the spreading center was still in a liquid state. During spreading this liquid is carried away with the walls of the spreading center. This movement creates a pattern of stream lines in the liquid which run parallel to the direction of spreading. “Transform faults” are initiated along zones where a larger rate of shear disturbs the process of solidification. Consequently the strength of the basalt after solidification will be impaired along these zones. These weak zones will fracture under the thermo-elastic stresses during the final stage of cooling.The history of the term “transform fault” is discussed and the name “spreading offset” is proposed.     

Cenozoic “radiobarite” occurrences in the Ohře (Eger) Rift, Bohemian Massif: Mineralogical and geochemical revision

Barite occurrences related to the Cenozoic (Late Alpine) low-temperature hydrothermal activity are present in the continental Ohře (Eger) Rift area. A specific, Ra-bearing type of barite has been known under the name “radiobarite” from this area since 1904. Revision of 12 localities revealed the presence of alleged radiobarite only in the Teplice (Lahošť–Jeníkov) and Karlovy Vary areas. Barite from other localities is radium-poor. Barite crystals showing concentric oscillation colour zoning totally prevail. Isomorphous substitution of Sr (X×10⁻¹ to X×wt%), Ca (X×10⁻² wt%) and Fe (X×10⁻¹ wt%) for Ba was proved. Average SrO contents of 0.4 wt% are markedly exceeded in some samples from Lahošť–Jeníkov (max. 3.2 wt%) and Karlovy Vary (max. 4.9 wt%). Besides inclusions of stoichiometric iron disulphide, the same samples also contain iron disulphides with unusual high contents of Co (max. 12.2 wt%) and Ni (max. to 8.4 wt%). Specific activity of ²³⁸U in the studied barites is very low while that of ²²⁶Ra reaches 8 Bq/g in several samples. Therefore, ²²⁶Ra is not in equilibrium with its parent uranium. These “radiobarites” or their parts must be therefore relatively young, not older than 10–15 ka. Very low uranium contents (<0.4 ppm) were also confirmed by neutron activation analyses of barite samples.

Unit-cell dimensions refined from X-ray powder diffraction data do not show any systematic variation with the measured chemical composition. Their values agree with the data given in the literature. Reflection half-widths, however, seem to correlate with chemistry. Peaks are wider in samples from Lahošť–Jeníkov and Karlovy Vary.

Sulphur and oxygen stable isotope compositions of the Cenozoic barite mineralization of Teplice area are very uniform (δ³⁴S values between 3.9‰ and 7.1‰ CDT, and δ¹⁸O values between 6.1‰ and 7.7‰ SMOW), while the barites of Děc˘ín area show more variable sulphur sources. Sulphate derived from sediments of the Tertiary Most Basin seems to dominate for the Teplice area, while Cretaceous sediments are a more probable sulphur source in the Děc˘ín area. Calculation of oxygen isotope composition of hydrothermal fluids based on fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures and barite δ¹⁸O data shows δ¹⁸O_fluid values in the range of meteoric waters or δ¹⁸O – shifted deep circulating meteoric or basinal waters.     

Pyrolytic and spectroscopic study of a sulphur-rich kerogen from the “Kashpir oil shales” (Upper Jurassic, Russian platform)

The kerogen of an organic-rich sample, termed f top, from the Gorodische section (Russian platform) was studied using a combination of microscopic, spectroscopic and pyrolytic methods so as to examine its chemical structure, source organisms and formation pathway(s). This kerogen, which is mainly composed of orange gel-like, nanoscopically amorphous organic matter, exhibits a relatively high aliphatic character; organic sulphur is mainly present as di(poly)sulphides and alkylsulphides. The f top kerogen was chiefly formed via intermolecular incorporation of sulphur in algal or cyanobacterial lipids and carbohydrates. However, its formation also involved oxidative condensation via ether linkages. Comparison of f top sample with other S-rich kerogens points to a closer similarity with Monterey kerogens rather than with a kerogen from the bituminous laminites of Orbagnoux.     

The “Taourirt” magmatic province, a marker of the closing stage of the Pan-African orogeny in the Tuareg Shield: review of available data and Sr–Nd isotope evidence

The Tuareg Shield, located between the Archaean to Palaeoproterozoic Saharan metacraton and the West African craton, is composed of 23 recognized terranes that welded together during the Neoproterozoic Pan-African orogeny (750–520 Ma). Final convergence occurred mainly during the 620–580 Ma period with the emplacement of high-K calc-alkaline batholiths, but continued until 520 Ma with the emplacement of alkali-calcic and alkaline high-level complexes. The last plutons emplaced in central Hoggar at 539–523 Ma are known as the “Taourirt” province. This expression is redefined and three geographical groups are identified: the Silet-, Laouni- and Tamanrasset-Taourirts. The Silet-Taourirts are cross-cutting Pan-African island arc assemblages while the two others intrude the Archaean–Palaeoproterozoic LATEA metacraton. The Taourirts are high-level subcircular often nested alkali-calcic, sometimes alkaline, complexes. They are aligned along mega-shear zones often delimiting terranes. Mainly granitic, they comprise highly differentiated varieties such as alaskite (Silet-Taourirts) and topaz–albite leucogranite (Tamanrasset-Taourirts). Different subgroups were defined on the basis of REE patterns and major and other trace elements. The Taourirt province displays a wide transition from dominant alkali-calcic to minor alkaline granite varieties. Sr isotopes indicate that these complexes were affected by fluid circulation during the Ordovician along shear zones probably contemporaneous to the beginning of the Tassilis sandstone deposition. Nd isotope systematic indicates a major interaction with the upper crust during the emplacement of highly differentiated melts, particularly in samples showing seagull wing-shaped REE patterns. On the other hand, all Taourirt plutons are strongly contaminated by the lower crust: _Nd vary from −2 to −8 and T_DM from 1200 to 1700 Ma. This implies the presence of an old crust at depth, also below the Silet-Taourirts, which are emplaced within Pan-African island arc assemblages. A model is proposed for the genesis of the Taourirt province where reworking of the mega-shear zones, which dissected the LATEA metacraton, provoked a linear delamination of the lithospheric mantle, asthenosphere uprise and partial melting of the lower crust (or strong interaction with), giving rise to a mixed source.     

Discussion on “Experimental study on fracture toughness and tensile strength of a clay” [Engineering Geology 94 (2007) 64–75]

The paper [Wang, J.-J., Zhu, J.-G., Chiu, C.F., Zhang, H., 2007. Experimental study on fracture toughness and tensile strength of a clay. Engineering Geology 94, 64–75.] focuses on two important fracture parameters of soils: tensile strength and fracture toughness. These parameters control the behaviour of soils in a wide range of situations, from the design of a simple footing to much complicated fracture behaviour of clay liners or covers. The authors have done extensive laboratory work to determine these two parameters and their laborious and complicated experimental program needs praise. However, some of the points raised in their conclusions, based on the analysis and comparison with the data from the literature, need to be discussed.