The Paranapanema Lithospheric Block: Its Importance for Proterozoic (Rodinia, Gondwana) Supercontinent Theories.

This work considers the tectonics of the southeastern portion of the South American Platform based on new geological and geophysical grounds. For the last decade, only three (Amazonic, São Francisco and La Plata) of the many other cratonic blocks have been attributed/remarked to the South America portion for most of the usual Rodinia reconstitutions. The possibility of the existence of other blocks has rarely been mentioned. The postulation of the presence of a considerable Paleoproterozoic (pre-Brasiliano) fragment as part of Paraná Basin basement is highly probable. In order to infer the basement structure of Paraná Basin, previous to the sedimentation process, an isostatic modeling was applied to a large-scale gravity survey looking to correlate topographic and gravity anomalies caused by sub-surface loads. The Bouguer anomaly obtained from the gravity survey represents the crustal contribution of crystalline basement, in addition to the sedimentary and volcanic layers of the basin. Following the isostatic modeling and the basin load stripping, the residual anomaly allows observing similarities between the basement gravity signature and outcropping units. Besides, the stress pattern of the two earlier events obtained through the back stripping analysis presents a geographically coincident maximum, and a new E-SE high emerging for the second event, suggesting continuous change of the stress field as a precursor for South American plate rotation. The evident correlation between gravity highs and main attenuation suggests the presence of some pre-existing suture zones. The weakened lithosphere during Ordovician and Carboniferous provided the magma conduits to form in Early Cretaceous tectonic stress field pattern. The resultant mosaic of gravity blocks and the main faults site give support to the presence of this cratonic Proterozoic unit, here on referred to as the Paranapanema Block, which had been neglected in most of the models reported for the reconstruction of Gondwana (and Rodinia).     

Mineralizations of Base Metal Deposits of Acid-Sulfate Type Coexisting with Adularia-Sericite Type

Abstract: Two types of ores are recognized in the Huanzala mine, Peru. Zinc and lead ore of adularia-sericite type, is accompanied by pyrite body and skarn. Orthoclase (adularia), sericite and calcite are found in the skarn and altered country rocks. On the other hand, copper and silver (tin) ore of acid-sulfate type, is characterized by enargite, luzonite and bornite, accompanied by tin, silver and tellurium minerals. Although sericite and calcite are found only at the earlier stage in the mineralization of acid-sulfate type, kaolinite appears in the country rocks at a subsequent stage. It is interpreted that the ore-forming fluid of the acid-sulfate type separated from the adularia-sericite type by boiling in the early stage of mineralization. The separated fluid was nearly neutral just after boiling and changed into acidic by the oxidation of H₂S into HSO₄^-. Both types of mineralizations are studied in terms of fo₂-fs₂-pH-temperature diagrams. The adularia-sericite type might correspond to the hot-water system of a geothermal area, and the acid-sulfate type to the vapor-dominated system.
The copper ores from the Teine mine, Hokkaido, Japan and the Chinkuashih mine, Taiwan are acid-sulfate type, characterized by the occurrence of enargite and luzonite. However, zinc and lead ores of the adularia-sericite type are also present in these deposits. Both types in the Teine and Chinkuashih deposits are supposed to have formed in the similar relation as in the Huanzala deposits. The enargite and luzonite ores in the Hokuetsu mine, Japan are closely associated with native sulfur of solfataric origin.     

论扬子地块西缘元古宙铁氧化物铜金型矿床与大地构造演化

探讨和总结了扬子地块西缘大地构造演化、元古宙重大构造-岩浆事件与铁氧化物铜金型(IOCG)矿床关系,以促进对深部隐伏IOCG矿床勘查和新技术研发。在新太古界-古元古界小溜口岩组顶部和不整合面之下,含矿层状-似层状碱性方解石钠长石岩中锆石SHRIMP U-Pb年龄为2520±14 Ma,这种似层状铜矿床和其上不整合面型Cu-Co-AuAg-REE-Fe矿体,以云南东川因民铁铜矿床深部小溜口岩组中铜矿床为代表。总体上,IOCG矿床与扬子地块大地构造演化之间关系为:(1)扬子地块于东川运动(中条运动/Hudsonian Orogeny,1800 Ma)形成了陆壳基底。在中元古代初期(1700±50 Ma)发生了地幔热物质上涌侵位的构造-岩浆事件,导致古扬子地块发生裂解并形成裂谷构造和大陆裂谷盆地。在近东西向大陆裂谷盆地发育初期,构造动力学特征为火山地堑式断陷成盆。在碱性铁钠质基性岩、铁钾质粗面岩和铁质辉绿辉长岩形成过程中,形成了第一期IOCG矿床成岩成矿高峰期(1650±50 Ma),以云南大红山IOCG矿床为代表。(2)在裂谷盆地成熟发育期,构造动力学特征为裂陷沉降成盆。因民期和黑山期两次地幔热物质上涌侵位,导致了构造-岩浆-成岩成矿事件发生。在铁钠质基性火山岩、铁钾质粗面岩、水下火成碳酸岩、火山喷溢-火山热水喷流沉积相等形成过程中,形成了第二期IOCG矿床的成岩成矿高峰期(1500±50 Ma),以云南迤纳厂IOCG矿床为代表。(3)在小黑箐运动/满银沟运动(格林威尔造山期,1000 Ma±),扬子地块南缘形成了近南北向洋壳俯冲和陆缘侧向挤压收缩体制,碱性铁质辉长岩-辉绿岩体上涌侵位,伴随同构造期脆韧性剪切带形成和沉积盆地构造反转,形成区域性不整合面(小黑箐运动/满银沟运动)和后期沉积型-火山沉积型铁矿床,为IOCG矿床第三期成岩成矿高峰期(1000±100 Ma)。以白锡腊深部和新塘IOCG矿床为代表,形成IOCG矿床和IOCG矿床的叠加成岩成矿。(4)晋宁-澄江期为多重构造体制耦合与转换格局,扬子地块内部和陆缘具有造山带-沉积盆地-深部地幔柱上涌侵位,深部地幔柱上涌侵位形成的碱性铁质辉长岩具有OIB源区特征,形成了第四期IOCG矿床的成岩成矿高峰期(800±50 Ma),以四川拉拉IOCG矿床受碱性铁质辉长岩侵位与叠加成岩成矿为代表。在澄江期"盆→山"耦合与转换,IOCG矿床和东川型铜矿中进一步发生了盆地流体叠加改造富集(810~700 Ma)。     

华北陆块北缘西段中元古代与裂谷作用有关的铁、稀土、多金属矿床特征及成因

华北陆块北缘西段狼山—白云鄂博裂谷系中元古代形成的大型多金属矿床,是我国重要的铁、稀土、铜、铅、锌矿产地.矿床为产于沉积岩中热水沉积型多金属矿床.其形成受地层、构造控制,与裂谷作用有着密切的关系.裂谷系内外分支的地质环境及矿床矿种不同,导致矿床特征及成因具有一定差异.白云鄂博铁、稀土矿床为钾、钠、磷等含量较高的热水沉积型,霍各乞铜、铅、锌多金属矿床为与中基性火山岩有关的过渡热水沉积型,东升庙和甲生盘等铅、锌多金属矿床为热水沉积型.文中将对上述矿床分别进行论述.     

Geological and Isotopic Constraints on the Metallogenic Evolution of the Proterozoic Sediment-Hosted Pb-Zn (Ag) Deposits of Brazil

Integrated studies of seven Proterozoic sediment-hosted, Pb-Zn-Ag sulfide deposits of Brazil, permit the estimation of the age of the hosting sequence and the mineralization, the nature of the sulfur and metal sources, the temperature range of sulfide formation and the environment of deposition. These deposits can be classified into three groups, according to their ages. (a) Archean to Paleoproterozoic: the Boquira deposit, in Bahia state, consists of stratiform massive and disseminated sulfides hosted by parametamorphic sequences of grunnerite-cummingtonite+magnetite that represent a silicate facies of the Boquira Formation (BF). Lead isotope data of galena samples indicate a time span between 2.7 and 2.5 Ga for ore formation, in agreement with the stratigraphic position of the BF. The relatively heavy sulfur isotope compositions for the disseminated and stratiform sulfides (+8.3 to +12.8 ‰ CDT)suggest a sedimentary source for the sulfur. (b) Paleo to Mesoproterozoic: stratiform and stratabound sulfides in association with growth faults are present in the Canoas mine (Ribeira, in Paraná state) and in the Caboclo mineralization (Bahia state). They are hosted by calcsilicates and amphibolites in the Canoas deposit, whereas in the Caboclo area the mineralization is associated with hydrothermally altered dolarenites at the base of the 1.2 Ga Caboclo Formation. The interpreted Pb-Pb age of the Canoas mineralization is coeval with the 1.7 Ga host rocks. Sulfur isotopic data for Canoas sulfides (+1.2 to +16 ‰ CDT) suggest a sea water source for the sulfur. The range between −21.1 and +8.8 ‰ CDT for the Caboclo sulfides could suggest the action of bacterial reduction of seawater sulfates, but this interpretation is not conclusive. (c) Neoproterozoic: stratiform and stratabound sulfide deposits formed during the complex diagenetic history of the host carbonate rocks from the Morro Agudo (Bambui Group), Irecê and Nova Redenção (Una Group), yield heavy sulfur isotope values (+18.9 to +39.4 ‰ CDT). The uniform heavy isotope composition of the barites from these deposits (+25.1 to +40.9 ‰) reflect their origin from Neoproterozoic seawater sulfates. The late-stage, and most important, metallic concentrations represent sulfur scavenged from pre-existing sulfides or from direct reduction of evaporitic sulfate minerals. Lead isotope data from the Bambui Group suggest focused fluid circulation from diverse Proterozoic sediment sources, that probably was responsible for metal transport to the site of sulfide precipitation. (d) Late Proterozoic to Early Paleozoic: lead-zinc sulfides (+pyrite and chalcopyrite) of Santa Maria deposits, in Rio Grande do Sul, form the matrix of arkosic sandstones and conglomerates, and are closely associated with regional faults forming graben structures. Intermediate volcanic rocks are intercalated with the basal siliciclastic members. Lead isotope age of the mineralization (0.59 Ga) is coeval with the host rocks. Sulfur isotopic values between −3.6 and +4.1 are compatible with a deep source for the sulfur.Geological, petrographic and isotopic data of the deposits studied suggest that they were formed during periods of extensional tectonics. Growth faults or reactivated basement structures probably were responsible for localized circulation of metal-bearing fluids within the sedimentary sequences. Sulfides were formed by the reduction of sedimentary sulfates in most cases. Linear structures are important controls for sulfide concentration in these Proterozoic basins.     

华北陆块北缘西段中元古代与裂谷作用有关的铁、稀土、多金属矿床特征及成因

华北陆块北缘西段狼山—白云鄂博裂谷系中元古代形成的大型多金属矿床,是我国重要的铁、稀土、铜、铅、锌矿产地.矿床为产于沉积岩中热水沉积型多金属矿床.其形成受地层、构造控制,与裂谷作用有着密切的关系.裂谷系内外分支的地质环境及矿床矿种不同,导致矿床特征及成因具有一定差异.白云鄂博铁、稀土矿床为钾、钠、磷等含量较高的热水沉积型,霍各乞铜、铅、锌多金属矿床为与中基性火山岩有关的过渡热水沉积型,东升庙和甲生盘等铅、锌多金属矿床为热水沉积型.文中将对上述矿床分别进行论述.     

米仓山隆起带西缘灯影组铅锌找矿潜力评价

较系统全面地叙述了米仓山隆起带灯影组铅锌矿成矿地质条件,为在其西缘寻找与陕西马元铅锌矿相同矿床类型矿产的找矿潜力进行了评价。     

Lower Proterozoic orthorocks in the Svecofennides of the Savo belt (Western Ladoga Region): Geochemical properties

On the basis of petrochemical data, orthorocks are defined among highly metamorphosed sequences of the Landenpokh’ya Group attributed to the Kalevian and Svecofennian systems in the Ladoga region. The contents of major and trace elements in orthorocks, which constitute some volcanogenic sedimentary complexes in the western Ladoga region, are discussed. The volcanics of the first complex (Kukhka Island area) belong to the calc-alkaline series and are characterized by the presence of OIB-type basaltic andesites. The basites of the second complex (Kil’pola Island area) are attributed to the tuffaceous rocks of the WPB-type tholeiitic series. The volcanics of the third complex (Kuznechnoe-Khiitola area) are largely represented by dacites referred to the Svecofennian mature island arc. The presented geological and geochemical data imply that the first and second complexes, which include intraplate volcanics, could be formed on the basite Jatulian-Ludikovian basement (protolith). These Kalevian rocks of the western Ladoga region are correlated with the volcanogenic sedimentary complexes in the southern part of the Savo belt in Finland and belong to the Karelian province.     

Assembly and Breakup of Rodinia (Some results of IGCP project 440)

The principal results of project 440 “Assembly and Breakup of Rodinia” of the International Geological Correlation Programme (IGCP) are reviewed in this work. A map of that supercontinent compiled using geological and paleomagnetic data describes global paleogeography 900 Ma ago. The assembly of Rodinia, which comprised most of Precambrian continental blocks, lasted ca. 400 m.y. (from 1300 to 900 Ma). Its breakup presumably triggered by mantle superplume took place between 830 and 650 Ma. The correlation between tectonic events in different continental blocks is considered. Some problems concerning the Rodinia reconstruction and history, e.g., the slow growth of juvenile crust and effects of mantle-plume events during the amalgamation period and of glaciations at the breakup time, are discussed. The latter caused changes in the biosphere and climate, whereas postglacial periods stimulated progress in biota evolution.     

Ordovician K-bentonites in the upper-plate active margin of Western Gondwana, (Famatina Ranges): Stratigraphic and palaeogeographic significance

Numerous, thin-bedded, tabular pale-yellowish clay bands are interlayered with black shales in a biostratigraphically constrained Early Ordovician volcano-sedimentary succession at Famatina, western Argentina. This region was part of a fairly continuous upper-plate, convergent volcanic chain that fringed western Gondwana. Mineralogy on both clay and non-clay fractions, whole rock chemistry and field observations on these distinctive event-beds indicate that they originated as relatively coarse fallout tephras, altered first into bentonites and later, through burial metamorphism, into K-bentonites (metabentonites). These tephras were deposited as single crystals and glassy dust or pumiceous fragments in a restricted subtidal environment. The region of Famatina has previously been inferred as the source of abundant distal K-bentonites recorded in the adjacent lower-plate allochthonous Precordillera terrane. However, these K-bentonites within the proximal arc site were unknown and rather unexpected since they are generally better preserved like distal deposits, associated either with central vent plinian–ultraplinian eruptions or with accompanying co-ignimbrite ash clouds. Their chemistry and comparison with those K-bentonites in the Precordillera allow tracing an evolution from volcanic arcs into continental crust. K-bentonites described in this paper are much older than those recorded in the adjacent Precordillera terrane and seem to be associated with a first eruptive period along western Gondwana that has no counterpart in the Argentine Precordillera, suggesting a significant longitudinal separation between these two regions by the Early Ordovician.     

Genesis of the Jurassic Carbonate‐Hosted Pb–Zn Deposits of Jebel Ressas (North‐Eastern Tunisia): Evidence from Mineralogy,Petrography and Trace Metal Contents and Isotope (O,C, S,Pb) Geochemistry

The Jebel Ressas Pb–Zn deposits in North‐Eastern Tunisia occur mainly as open‐space fillings (lodes, tectonic breccia cements) in bioclastic limestones of the Upper Jurassic Ressas Formation and along the contact of this formation with Triassic rocks. The galena–sphalerite association and their alteration products (cerussite, hemimorphite, hydrozincite) are set within a calcite gangue. The Triassic rocks exhibit enrichments in trace metals, namely Pb, Co and Cd enrichment in clays and Pb, Zn, Cd, Co and Cr enrichment in carbonates, suggesting that the Triassic rocks have interacted with the ore‐bearing fluids associated with the Jebel Ressas Pb–Zn deposits. The δ¹⁸O content of calcite associated with the Pb–Zn mineralization suggests that it is likely to have precipitated from a fluid that was in equilibrium with the Triassic dolostones. The δ³⁴S values in galenas from the Pb–Zn deposits range from ?1.5 to +11.4‰, with an average of 5.9‰ and standard deviation of 3.9‰. These data imply mixing of thermochemically‐reduced heavy sulfur carried in geothermal‐ and fault‐stress‐driven deep‐seated source fluid with bacterially‐reduced light sulfur carried in topography‐driven meteoric fluid. Lead isotope ratios in galenas from the Pb–Zn deposits are homogenous and indicate a single upper crustal source of base‐metals for these deposits. Synthesis of the geochemical data with geological data suggests that the base‐metal mineralization at Jebel Ressas was formed during the Serravallian–Tortonian (or Middle–Late Miocene) Alpine compressional tectonics.     

Juvenile contribution of the Neoproterozoic Rio Negro Magmatic Arc (Ribeira Belt,Brazil): Implications for Western Gondwana amalgamation

The ca. 790–600 Ma Rio Negro Complex (RNC) of the Ribeira belt (Brazil) consists of a plutonic portion of a magmatic arc built by the E-vergent subduction of the ESE border of the São Francisco paleoplate during the amalgamation of Western Gondwana.The plutonic series comprises low- to medium-K granitoids (ca. 790–620 Ma) and high-K granitoids and shoshonite rocks (ca. 610–605). The age span of 185 m.y. is suggestive of a long history of arc-related magmatism, continuously or not in time. The Nd isotopic signatures of the RNC consist of εNd(t) ratios from ? 3 to + 5 for the medium-K series shoshonite series and from ? 14 to ? 3 for the younger high-K group. This time-dependent trend of Nd isotopes is indicative of progressive maturity of the arc over time. The same evolution is indicated by Sr data, as the medium-K rocks have ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr initial ratios < 0.705 while the high-K rocks yield values between 0.705 and 0.710. The predominance of intermediate rocks over mafic ones suggests an initial intra-oceanic to transitional stage, possibly developed in a distal portion of a passive margin, such as the Japanese arc, evolving to a more developed, differentiated felsic rock associations.The role of transform fault zones, such as the Luanda shear zone, is emphasized in order to explain the consumption of a wide oceanic plate in the inner portion of Western Gondwana.     

Study of Proterozoic (Jatulian) facies in Central Karelia

Jatulian (middle Proterozoic) deposits in Karelia form isolated synclinoria, trending northwest and surrounded by blocks of granitic rocks and schists. Individual zones are 70-250 km long by 5-130 km wide. They have been traced 600 km from south to north. Jatulian deposits consist of metamorphosed sedimentary and volcanic rocks. Sedimentary rocks in central Karelia consist of polymictic conglomerates, sericitic sandstones and carbonate-bearing sandstones. Facies change gradually away from the central parts of Jatulian troughs from lacustrine to shallow-water shore facies and then to those of streams and mountain slopes. The intervals thin in the same basins. The lateral facies sequence is repeated vertically. Variations in thickness and facies were determined by contemporaneous Jatulian tectonic activity. There resulted a system of relatively narrow zones with different rates of subsidence, sedimentation and uplift.—C. G. Tillman.     

Triassic synthems of southern South America (southwestern Gondwana) and the Western Caucasus (the northern Neotethys), and global tracing of their boundaries

Global tracing of the key surfaces of Triassic deposits may contribute significantly to the understanding of the common patterns in their accumulation. We attempt to define synthems – disconformity-bounded sedimentary complexes – in the Triassic successions of southern South America (southwestern Gondwana, Brazil and Argentina) and the Western Caucasus (the northern Neotethys, Russia), and then to trace their boundaries in the adjacent regions and globally. In southern South America, a number of synthems have been recognized – the Cuyo Basin: the Río Mendoza–Cerro de las Cabras Synthem (Olenekian–Ladinian) and the Potrerillos–Cacheuta–Río Blanco Synthem (Carnian–Rhaetian); the Ischigualasto Basin: the Ischichuca-Los Rastros Synthem (Anisian–Ladinian) and the Ischigualasto–Los Colorados Synthem (Carnian–Rhaetian); the Chaco–Paraná Basin: the Sanga do Cabral Synthem (Induan), the Santa Maria 1 Synthem (Ladinian), the Santa Maria 2 Synthem (Carnian), and the Caturrita Synthem (Norian); western Argentina: the Talampaya Synthem (Lower Triassic) and the Tarjados Synthem (Olenekian?). In the Western Caucasus, three common synthems have been distinguished: WC-1 (Induan–Anisian), WC-2 (uppermost Anisian–Carnian), and WC-3 (Norian–lower Rhaetian). The lower boundary of WC-1 corresponds to a hiatus whose duration seems to be shorter than that previously postulated. The synthem boundaries that are common to southwestern Gondwana and the Western Caucasus lie close to the base and top of the Triassic. The Lower Triassic, Ladinian, and Upper Triassic disconformities are traced within the studied basins of southern South America, and the first two are also established in South Africa. The Upper Triassic disconformity is only traced within the entire Caucasus, whereas all synthem boundaries established in the Western Caucasus are traced partly within Europe. In general, the synthem boundaries recognized in southern South America and the Western Caucasus are correlated to the global Triassic sequence boundaries and sea-level falls. Although regional peculiarities are superimposed on the appearance of global events in the Triassic synthem architecture, the successful global tracing suggests that planetary-scale mechanisms of synthem formation existed and that they were active in regions dominated by both marine and non-marine sedimentation.