Thermochronology of the Angara–Vitim Granitoid Batholith,Transbaikalia, Russia

Doklady Earth Sciences - We reconstructed the history of the Angara–Vitim batholith (AVB), characterized by the formation of huge volumes of granitic magma using thermochronological analysis...     

Early Hercynides of the Baikal–Vitim Fold System,western Transbaikal region

New data on the composition, age, structure, and geodynamic settings of the Upper Silurian–lower Middle Carboniferous rocks in the Baikal–Vitim Fold System (BVFS) are reported. These rocks make up the Early Hercynian structural stage of the BVFS, within which the Uda–Vitim, Vitimkan–Tsipa, and Turka–Kurba lithotectonic zones are recognized. The Early Hercynian stage combines rocks of two stratigraphic levels: Upper Silurian–Upper Devonian (S₂–D₃) and Upper–Devonian–Middle Carboniferous (D₃–C₂¹). On the basis of lithostratigraphic and spatiotemporal relationships between sedimentary and volcanic–sedimentary complexes of the Early Hercynian stage three formations are identified, which characterize the main tectonic regimes of the early half of the Late Paleozoic. It has been established that a common paleobasin that evolved through consecutively changing geodynamic settings at the passive and active continental margins existed in the Silurian (?)–early Middle Carboniferous in the northeastern part (in present-day coordinates) of the western Transbaikal region.     

Thermochronology of the Angara–Vitim Granitoid Batholith as an Evolution Record of the Mongol–Okhotsk Orogen

Doklady Earth Sciences - The thermal history of the Late Paleozoic granitoids of the Angara–Vitim batholith (AVB) was reconstructed using a comprehensive approach including U/Pb, 40Ar/39Ar,...     

The Late Riphean–Paleozoic history of the Uda–Vitim island arc system in the Transbaikalian sector of the Paleoasian ocean

New structural, petrological, chemical, isotope, and paleomagnetic data have provided clues to the Late Riphean–Paleozoic history of the Uda–Vitim island arc system (UVIAS) in the Transbaikalian sector of the Paleoasian ocean, as part of the Transbaikalian zone of Paleozoids. The island arc system consists of three units corresponding to main evolution stages: (i) Upper Riphean (Late Baikalian), (ii) Vendian–Lower Paleozoic (Caledonian), and (iii) Middle–Upper Paleozoic (Hercynian). The earliest stage produced the base of the system composed of Late Riphean ophiolite (971–892 Ma, U-Pb) and volcanic (837–789 Ma, U-Pb) and sedimentary rocks (hemipelagic siliceous sediments and dolerite sills) which represent the Barguzin–Vitim oceanic basin and the Kelyana island arc. The main event of the second stage was the formation of the large UVIAS structure (over 150,000 km2) which comprised the Transbaikalian oceanic basin, the forearc and backarc basins, and the volcanic arc itself, and consisted of many volcanic-tectonic units exceeding 100 km² in area (Eravna, Oldynda, Abaga, etc.). Lithology, stratigraphy, major–element compositions, and isotope ages of Vendian–Cambrian volcanic rocks and associated sediments indicate strong differentiation of calc-alkaline series and the origin of the island arc system upon oceanic crust, in a setting similar to that of the today’s Kuriles–Kamchatka island arc system. The Middle–Upper Paleozoic stage completed the long UVIAS history and left its imprint in sedimentary and volcanic rocks in superposed trough basins. The rocks were studied in terms of their biostratigraphic and isotope age constraints, as well as major- and trace-element compositions, and were interpreted as products of weathering and tectonic-magmatic rework of the UVIAS units.     

On the problem of the scale and composition of Paleozoic and Mesozoic granitoid magmatism in the Khilok–Vitim fold belt of Central Transbaikalia

The paper presents a study of the gneissic granitoids of the Malkhan Complex and the intruisve granitoids of the Daur and Bichur complexes developed within the Khilok–Vitim fold belt of Central Transbaikalia. In the state geological map, these complexes have been attributed to the Early and Late Paleozoic. New ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronological data indicate that these rocks are Mesozoic rather than Paleozoic in age, which suggests the much broader manifestation of the Mesozoic granitoid complexes in this area. The studied Mesozoic granitoid massifs exhibit temporal and compositional zoning reflected in a westward decrease in age (from Early to Late Mesozoic) and increase in total alkalinity and potassium content at the appropriate trace-element characteristics. The obtained results of study of the Khilok–Vitim Belt are interpreted in the framework of the model of the formation of domal–cupola structures by the multiple activity of deep thermochemical plumes.     

Diversity of Archaeocyaths and Sr Chemostratigraphy of the Lower Cambrian of West Transbaikalia,Uda–Vitim and Birami–Yanguda Zones

Doklady Earth Sciences - The morphology of archaeocyaths from the Oldynda Formation of the Uda–Vitim lithofacial zone and the Aikta Formation of the Birami–Yanguda Zone of West...     

Post-Ore Processes of Uranium Migration in the Sandstone-Hosted Type Deposits: 234U/238U, 238U/235U and U–Pb Systematics of Ores of the Namaru Deposit,Vitim District,Northern Transbaikalia

Geology of Ore Deposits - To assess the nature of the post-ore behaviour of uranium in the Namaru deposit (Khiagda ore field), U–Pb isotope systems and the isotopic composition of uranium...     

Study on the Safety of the Foundation Rock Masses in the Tangkou Bank of the Taipinghu Bridge

The Taipinghu Bridge is an important project, and the safety of rock masses of its foundation is very crucial. This article analyzes the potential causes of the deformation of the rock masses of the bridge foundation, and uses the Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua to analyze the geologic model. The simulating process shows that no mater in the excavating process or in the loading process the rock masses are suit for the engineering. The modeling and analyzing process can be used for reference.     

Estimation of the stress state of the Earth’s crust and the upper mantle in the area of the Southern Kuril Islands

The catastrophic Shikotan earthquake of October 4 (5), 1994, occurred in the Pacific Ocean. Its focus was located 80 km eastward of Shikotan Island. The stress state of the Earth’s crust in this area was estimated by the method of the cataclastic analysis of the whole range of the earthquake mechanisms. The performed reconstruction of the parameters of the current stress state of the Earth’s crust and the upper mantle in the area of the Southern Kuril Islands made it possible to establish that this area is characterized, on the one hand, by the presence of extensive areas of steady behavior of the stress tensor parameters and, on the other hand, by the presence of local sections of anomalously fast changes in these parameters.     

On the Origin of the Carat as the Unit of Weight for Gemstones

The carat is the unit of weight for diamonds and other gemstones.It corresponds to the average weight of the seeds of a leguminous tree.What kind of tree is this?We have studied the samples from Ethiopia,Egypt,Cyprus and the United States.The tree is neither“Kuara“nor“Locust“（Robina pseudoacacia Linn.）,but rather Carob(Ceratonia Siliqua).In Ethiopia,as called by local inhabitants,“Kuara“is a species of Erythrina-E.brucei rather than E.abyssinica.As might be expected,using the seeds as a means of weighing an extremely valuable commodity is not very scientific.Before 1907,at various times and in various countries,there were at least twenty-three stan-dards for the carat ranging from 187.00mg to 215.990mg.The metric carat equal to 200mg was proposed in Paris in 1907.It was adopted in the United States on July1,1913 and now is the world-accepted standard.But in reality,the standard of the carat is still confused with respect to its usage throughout the world .This is why the author reiterates that the standard of the car-at should be integrated with the metric system.     

Study on the Safety of the Foundation Rock Masses in the Tangkou Bank of the Taipinghu Bridge

The Taipinghu Bridge is an important project，and the safety of rock masses of its foundation is very crucial．This article analyzes the potential causes of the deformation of the rock masses of the bridge foundation，and uses the Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua to analyze the geologic model． The simulating process shows that no mater in the excavating process or in the loading process the rock masses are suit for the engineering．The modeling and analyzing process can be used for reference．     

On the Age of the Dongtang Formation in the Hengyang Basin of Hunan and the Cretaceous and Tertiary Boundary

Since the coexistence of the Cretaceous and Palaeocene was ascertained in the Hengyang Basin of Hunan in the middle of the 1960's, the Cretaceous and Tertiary boundary has been discussed in several papers, but it still remains controversal. The points at issue are the connotation, stratigraphical position and lateral correlation of the Dongtang (or Chejiang) Formation.     

Change in the Geodynamic Settings in the Pacific‒Eurasia Transition Zone at the End of the Early Cretaceous

Doklady Earth Sciences - An attempt to provide a new explanation for the change in the geodynamic regime in the Early Cretaceous is presented below. It accounts for data on a number of global...     

Preliminary Study on the PGE Geochemistry of the Permian Basalts in the Jinping Area

INTRODUCTIONIn comparison with studies on the geochemistryof the REE and trace elements of the Emeishan Per-mian basalts ,there has been onlyli mited research onthe platinum group elements ( PGE) . Preli minarystudies have been carried out on the PGE geochemis-try of the basalts in the Emeishan area ( QingyingPower Station profile) and Xinjie area (Zhang andLi ,1998) ,andinthe Shuicheng and Weining areasinGuizhou (Li et al .,2003) . There are no PGEanaly-sis data of the basaltsin…     

Tectonic Interpretation of the Earthquake istribution in the Contiguous Continent of the United States

With increasing high-quality geological and geophysical data it becomes clear that seismicity of the continents is characterized by linear patterns which are closely associated with tectonic features. The aim of this paper is to give reasonable interpretation for the earthquake distribution in the contiguous continent of the United States. Seismic lines and earthquake concentrated zones are defined, which reflect the characteristics of the continental seismotectonics. Similarities and differences in seismotectonics between the continental part of China and the contiguous continent of US are analysed. It is demonstrated that the spatial distribution of earthquakes can provide the information of the active structures in the earth's crust. The authors consider that the patterns of continental seismotectonics are not only controlled by the pre—existing tectonic frameworks and the current boundary dynamic conditions, but also possibly affected by dynamic factors of global tectonics at a higher level.     

Ar-Ar Dating on the Metallogenesis of the Dongchuang Gold Deposit in the Xiaoqinling Area

The Dongchuang gold deposit in the Xiaoqinling area is an orogenic-type lode gold deposit. It is one of the few superlarge (>100 t Au) deposits in China. Although it has been argued that it was formed in the Mesozoic, related isotopic age data have not been reported in previous studies. Based on detailed geological study, the authors have carried out isotopic dating on various metallogenic generations. The ore-forming process of the Dongchuang gold deposit consists of four stages: coarse-grained pyrite-bearing quartz veins (stage Ⅰ), fine-grained pyrite-quartz veinlets (stage Ⅱ), multi-sulfides (stage Ⅲ) and carbonate-quartz veinlets (stage IV). Ar-Ar dating on mineral separates of stages Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ yields plateau ages of 142.9±2.9 Ma, 132.2±2.6 Ma and 128.3±6.2 Ma, respectively. Sericite separates from stage Ⅱ assemblage also yield an Ar-Ar isochron age of 132.6±2.7 Ma, similar to the Ar-Ar plateau age. These results suggest that the Dongchuang gold deposit was mainly formed during 143-128 M     

Why did life develop on the surface of the Earth in the Cambrian?

Life was limited for most of Earth's history, remaining at a primitive stage and mostly marine until about 0.55 Ga. In the Paleozoic, life eventually exploded and colonized the continental realm. Why had there been such a long period of delayed evolution of life? Early life was dominated by Archaea and Bacteria,which can survive ionizing radiation better than other organisms. The magnetic field preserves the atmosphere, which is the main shield of UV radiation. We explore the hypothesis that the Cambrian explosion of life could have been enabled by the increase of the magnetic field dipole intensity due to the solidification of the inner core, caused by the cooling of the Earth, and the concomitant decrease with time of the high-energy solar flux since the birth of the solar system. Therefore, the two phenomena could be responsible for the growth and thickening of the atmosphere and the development of land surface life.     

Gravitational interactions of the solid core and the Earth’s mantle and variations in the length of the day

A simple mechanical model explaining the long-period (about 100-year) variations in the Earth’s rotational velocity is proposed. This model takes into account the gravitational interaction of the mantle with the solid core of the Earth and the fact that the core rotation leads that of the mantle. Well-known Earth parameters provide estimates of the gravitational torque that support the proposed model. The mathematical problem involved reduces to the classical problem of a nonlinear oscillator exposed to a constant torque. The well-known parameters of the core-mantle system result in a stable equilibrium and a stable limiting cycle on the phase cylinder of this oscillator. This equilibrium corresponds to a single angular velocity for the mantle and solid core, with no long-period oscillations in the length of the day. The limiting cycle corresponds to the core rotation leading the mantle rotation. In this case, the ellipsoidality of the gravitationally interacting bodies provides a periodic interchange of kinetic angular momentum between the mantle and solid core that results in long-period variations in the length of the day. The proposed model does not support the formerly widespread opinion that the core rotates more slowly than the mantle.     

The “Problem of the quaternary” and the taxonomic rank of the late cenozoic in the international stratigraphic scale

An international scientific conflict has arisen around the International Stratigraphic Scale, the main document that regulates the rules of reading of geological records and, hence, concerns all Earth sciences. The matter of debate is the geological time scale of 2004, developed by the International Commission on Stratigraphy, where the Quaternary system was abandoned. This ICS decision triggered a protest among Quaternary geologists, members of INQUA, and became the subject of much controversy. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the Quaternary problem and proposes a reasonable scientific solution that may be appropriate for both parties.