Stonehenge—a unique Late Cretaceous phosphatic Chalk geology: implications for sea-level,climate and tectonics and impact on engineering and archaeology

Ground investigations for the A303 Stonehenge Tunnels revealed a unique and complex Chalk geology including the presence of the thickest (>20 m thick), and previously unknown phosphatic chalks in England, partly filling fault controlled erosional channels. The use of natural gamma-ray borehole logs to determine the presence and thickness of the phosphatic deposits is of particular value and combined with the lithostratigraphy, macrofossil and nannofossil biostratigraphy from cores has, for the first time, accurately constrained the Coniacian to Santonian age and the lenticular geometry of such deposits. Four phosphatic chalk events between 88.5–86.5 Ma are recognised associated with synsedimentary faulting. We suggest a causal link between tectonics, subsidence and channel-formation, phosphatisation events, pulses of oceanic upwelling on a frequency of about 0.5 million years to mantle-controlled plate tectonic episodes. The implications of this geology for construction of the A303 and the archaeology of the area are discussed.     

Cambrian-Early Ordovician intrusive bodies in Dunhuang Block: Records of Paleo-Asian Ocean subduction and implications for regional Early Paleozoic tectonic evolutionSCIEI北大核心CSCD

一直以来,敦煌地块缺少1.6-0.46Ga的地质记录,从而严重制约了对该地块在新元古代和早古生代期间地质构造演化的全面认识。通过1:5万区域地质调查,本次工作在敦煌地块东北缘新发现了寒武纪-早奥陶世小宛山岩体、截山子岩体和小宛南岩体等多个中酸性侵入体,测得其LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄分别为517±3Ma、480±3Ma和473±3Ma,由此厘定出敦煌地块目前古生代最古老的侵入岩体及早奥陶世侵入岩体。通过这些岩体的岩石岩相学、岩石地球化学特征、岩石成因及大地构造环境分析,表明它们属于与洋壳俯冲消减作用有关的活动陆缘环境下形成的富钠质I型花岗岩。其中,小宛山花岗闪长质岩体是在低压低温条件下由玄武质地幔楔部分熔融而成,同时受到俯冲流体的强烈交代;截山子岩体和小宛南岩体则是在高压低温富水条件下,由新生镁铁质洋壳发生部分熔融并受到地幔楔强烈混染而形成,虽然它们均属于(类)O型埃达克岩,但其部分熔融的压力及其残留矿物组合不同。上述研究揭示敦煌地块北缘早古生代517Ma就存在俯冲作用,且至少持续了44Myr。结合区域地质资料和以往研究成果,敦煌地块北缘早古生代洋陆转换过程可分为三个阶段:(1)晚震旦世-早寒武世(574-518Ma),敦煌地块北缘被动陆缘演化阶段;(2)寒武纪第二世-早奥陶世(517-471Ma),敦煌地块北缘活动陆缘演化阶段,期间,古亚洲洋南支洋分别向敦煌地块和石板山地块/马鬃山地块发生双向俯冲消减;(3)中奥陶世-早泥盆世(464-412Ma),敦煌地块与石板山地块/马鬃山地块碰撞造山阶段,期间古亚洲洋南支洋闭合。     

Revisiting Early–Middle Jurassic igneous activity in the Nanling Mountains,South China: Geochemistry and implications for regional geodynamics

Early–Middle Jurassic igneous rocks (190–170 Ma) are distributed in an E–W-trending band within the Nanling Tectonic Belt, and have a wide range of compositions but are only present in limited volumes. This scenario contrasts with the uniform but voluminous Middle–Late Jurassic igneous rocks (165–150 Ma) in this area. The Early–Middle Jurassic rocks include oceanic-island basalt (OIB)-type alkali basalts, tholeiitic basalts and gabbros, bimodal volcanic rocks, syenites, A-type granites, and high-K calc–alkaline granodiorites. Geochemical and isotopic data indicate that alkaline and tholeiitic basalts and syenites were derived from melting of the asthenospheric mantle, with asthenosphere-derived magmas mixing with variable amounts of magmas derived from melting of metasomatized lithospheric mantle. In comparison, A-type granites in the study area were probably generated by shallow dehydration-related melting of hornblende-bearing continental crustal rocks that were heated by contemporaneous intrusion of mantle-derived basaltic magmas, and high-K calc-alkaline granodiorites resulted from the interaction between melts from upwelling asthenospheric mantle and the lower crust. The Early–Middle Jurassic magmatic event is spatially variable in terms of lithology, geochemistry, and isotopic systematics. This indicates that the deep mantle sources of the magmas that formed these igneous rocks were significantly heterogeneous, and magmatism had a gradual decrease in the involvement of the asthenospheric mantle from west to east. These variations in composition and sourcing of magmas, in addition to the spatial distribution and the thermal structure of the crust–mantle boundary during this magmatic event, indicates that these igneous rocks formed during a period of rifting after the Indosinian Orogeny rather than during subduction of the paleo-Pacific oceanic crust.     

The Las Matras tonalitic–trondhjemitic pluton,central Argentina: Grenvillian-age constraints,geochemical characteristics,and regional implications

The N–S trending belt with Grenvillian-age rocks developed in central western Argentina represents the basement of an allochthonous terrane derived from Laurentia during the Early Paleozoic. The Las Matras pluton (36°46′S, 67°07′W) is located at the southern extension of this belt in the Las Matras Block. It consists of a low-Al tonalitic to trondhjemitic facies characteristic of an arc magmatism. Isotopic studies yielded Grenvillian Rb–Sr (1212±47 Ma) and Sm–Nd (1188±47 Ma) ages which, due to the undeformed and non-metamorphosed character of the pluton, are interpreted to represent a crystallization age of around 1200 Ma. Although this age is slightly older than available dates from other exposures of the same belt, and the undeformed feature is also distinctive for Las Matras, the depleted Sr and Nd isotopic signatures of the pluton agree with those from other magmatic rocks involved in that belt. The differences found between Las Matras and the northern exposures indicate that this belt with Grenvillian-age rocks comprises regions of non-homogeneous evolution. Although the correlation of the Lower Paleozoic platform carbonates from the sedimentary cover of the Grenvillian-age basement rocks suggests the surroundings of the Southern Grenville Province (Texas and northern Mexico) as the probable detachment site for the Argentine belt, comparison of magmatic and tectonic processes involved in these basement rocks does not indicate similar evolutions. This fact can suggest an independent evolution of the Argentine belt prior to amalgamation to the Laurentian Grenville orogen.     

Geochronology and geochemistry of Cretaceous–Eocene granites,Tengchong Block (SW China): Petrogenesis and implications for Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectonic evolution of Eastern Tethys

The Early Cretaceous–Early Eocene granitoids in the Tengchong Block record the evolutionary history of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectono-magmatic evolution of Eastern Tethys. (a) The Early Cretaceous granitoids with relatively low (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios of 0.7090–0.7169 and ε_Nd(t) values of ?9.8 to ?7.8 display metaluminous, calc-alkaline dominated by I-type granite affinity and hybrid mantle–crust geochemical signatures. They may have been derived from melting of the subducted Meso-Tethyan Bangong-Nujiang oceanic crust with terrigenous sediments in an arc-continent collisional setting. (b) The Late Cretaceous–Paleocene granitoids with relatively high (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios of 0.7109–0.7627, and ε_Nd(t) values of ?12.1 to ?7.9 exhibit metaluminous to peraluminous, calc-alkaline dominated by S-type granite affinity and hybrid Lower–Upper crust geochemical signatures, which may be originated from partial melting of the Meso-Proterozoic continental crust in the collision setting between the Tengchong Block and Baoshan Block. (c) The Early Eocene granitoids have metaluminous, calc-alkaline I-type and S-type granites dual affinity, with relatively high (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios of 0.711–0.736, ε_Nd(t) values of ?9.4 to ?4.7, showing crust-mantle mixing geochemical signatures. They may have been originated from partial melting of the late Meso-Proterozoic upper crustal components mixed with some upper mantle material during the ascent process of mantle magma caused by the subduction of the Neo-Tethyan Putao–Myitkyian oceanic crust, and collision between the Western Burma Block and the Tengchong Block. It is these multi-stage subductions and collisions that caused the spatial and temporal distribution of the granitic rocks in the Tengchong Block.     

Geology,geochronology and geochemistry of large Duobaoshan Cu-Mo-Au orefield in NE China: Magma genesis and regional tectonic implications

Duobaoshan is the largest porphyry-related Cu-Mo-Au orefield in northeastern(NE)Asia,and hosts a number of large-medium porphyry Cu(PCDs),epithermal Au and Fe-Cu skarn deposits.Formation ages of these deposits,from the oldest(Ordovician)to youngest(Jurassic),have spanned across over 300 Ma.No similar orefields of such size and geological complexity are found in NE Asia,which reflects its metallogenic uniqueness in forming and preserving porphyry-related deposits.In this study,we explore the actual number and timing of magmatic/mineralization phases,their respective magma genesis,fertility,and regional tectonic connection,together with the preservation of PCDs.We present new data on the magmatic/mineralization ages(LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb,pyrite and molybdenite Re-Os dating),whole-rock geochemistry,and zircon trace element compositions on four representative deposits in the Duobaoshan orefield,i.e.,Duobaoshan PCD,Tongshan PCD,Sankuanggou Fe-Cu skarn,and Zhengguang epithermal Au deposits,and compiled published ones from these and other mineral occurrences in the orefield.In terms of geochronology,we have newly summarized seven magmatic phases in the orefield:(1)Middle-Late Cambrian(506-491 Ma),(2)Early and Middle Ordovician(485-471 Ma and~462 Ma),(3)Late Ordovician(450-447 Ma),(4)Early Carboniferous and Late-Carboniferous to Early Permian(351-345 and 323-291 Ma),(5)Middle-Late Triassic(244-223 Ma),(6)Early-Middle and Late Jurassic(178-168 Ma and~150 Ma),and(7)Early Cretaceous(~112 Ma).Three of these seven major magmatic phases were coeval with ore formation,including(1)Early Ordovician(485-473 Ma)porphyry-type Cu-Mo-(Au),(2)Early-Middle Triassic(246-229 Ma)porphyry-related epithermal Au-(Cu-Mo),and(3)Early Jurassic(177-173 Ma)Fe-Cu skarn mineralization.Some deposits in the orefield,notably Tongshan and Zhengguang,were likely formed by more than one mineralization events.In terms of geochemistry,ore-causative granitoids in the orefield exhibit adakite-like or adakite-normal arc transitional signatures,but those forming the porphyry-/epithermal-type Cu-Mo-Au mineralization are largely confined to the former.The varying but high Sr/Y,Sm/Yb and La/Yb ratios suggest that the ore-forming magmas were mainly crustal sourced and formed at different depths(clinopyroxene-/amphibole-/garnet-stability fields).The adakite-like suites may have formed by partial melting of the thickened lower crust at 35-40 km(for the Early Ordovician arc)and>40 km(for the Middle-Late Triassic arc)depths.The Early Jurassic Fe-Cu skarn orecausative granitoids show an adakitic-normal arc transitional geochemical affinity.These granitoids were likely formed by partial melting of the juvenile lower crust(35-40 km depth),and subsequently modified by assimilation and fractional crystallization(AFC)processes.In light of the geological,geochronological and geochemical information,we proposed the following tectonometallogenic model for the Duobaoshan orefield.The Ordovician Duobaoshan may have been in a continental arc setting during the subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean,and formed the porphyry-related deposits at Duobaoshan,Tongshan and Zhengguang.Subduction may have ceased in the latest Ordovician,and the regional tectonics passed into long subsidence and extension till the latest Carboniferous.This extensional tectonic regime and the Silurian terrestrial-shallow marine sedimentation had likely buried and preserved the Ordovician Duobaoshan magmatic-hydrothermal system.The south-dipping Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean subduction from north of the orefield had generated the Middle-Late Triassic continental arc magmatism and the associated Tongshan PCD and Zhengguang epithermal Au mineralization(which superimposed on the Ordovician PCD system).The Middle Jurassic closure of Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean in the northwestern Amuria block(Erguna terrane),and the accompanying Siberia-Amuria collision,may have placed the Paleo-Pacific subduction system in NE China(including the orefield)under compression,and formed the granodiorite-tonalite and Fe-Cu skarn deposits at Sankuanggou and Xiaoduobaoshan.From the Middle Jurassic,the consecutive accretion of Paleo-Pacific arc terranes(e.g.,Sikhote-Alin and Nadanhada)onto the NE Asian continental margin may have gradually distant the Duobaoshan orefield from the subduction front,and consequently arc-type magmatism and the related mineralization faded.The minor Late Jurassic and Cretaceous unmineralized magmatism in the orefield may have triggered mainly by the far-field extension led by the post-collisional(Siberia-Amuria)gravitational collapse and/or Paleo-Pacific backarc-basin opening.     

Crustal architecture beneath Madurai Block,southern India deduced from magnetotelluric studies: Implications for subduction–accretion tectonics associated with Gondwana assembly

The Madurai Block in southern India is considered to represent the eroded roots of an arc-accretionary complex that developed during the subduction–collision tectonics associated with the closure of the Mozambique Ocean and final suturing of the crustal fragments within the Gondwana supercontinent in the Late Neoproterozoic–Cambrian. Here we present a magnetotelluric (MT) model covering the main collisional suture (Palghat–Cauvery Suture Zone) in the north into the central part of the Madurai Block in the south comprising data from 11 stations. Together with a synthesis of the available seismic reflection data along a N–S transect further south within the Madurai Block, we evaluate the crustal architecture and its implications on the tectonic development of this region. According to our model, the predominantly south dipping seismic reflectors beneath the Madurai Block define a prominent south-dipping lithological layering with northward vergence resembling a thrust sequence. We interpret these stacked layers as imbricate structures or mega duplexes developed during subduction–accretion tectonics. The layered nature and stacking of contrasting velocity domains as imaged from the seismic profile, and the presence of thick (>20 km) low resistivity layers ‘floating’ within high resistivity domains as seen from MT model, suggest the subduction of a moderately thick oceanic crust. We identify several low resistivity domains beneath the Madurai Block from the MT model which probably represent eclogitised remnants of oceanic lithosphere. Their metamorphosed and exhumed equivalents in association with ultrahigh-temperature metamorphic orogens have been identified from surface geological studies. Both seismic reflections and MT model confirm a southward subduction polarity with a progressive accretion history during the northward migration of the trench prior to the final collisional assembly of the crustal blocks along the Palghat–Cauvery Suture Zone, the trace of the Gondwana suture in southern India.     

Age and nature of the Jurassic–Early Cretaceous mafic and ultramafic rocks from the Yilashan area,Bangong–Nujiang suture zone,central Tibet: implications for petrogenesis and tectonic Evolution

The Jurassic–Early Cretaceous Yilashan mafic–ultramafic complex is located in the middle part of the Bangong–Nujiang suture zone, central Tibet. It features a mantle sequence composed of peridotites and a crustal sequence composed of cumulate peridotites and gabbros that are intruded by diabases with some basalts. This article presents new whole-rock geochemical and geochronological data for peridotites, gabbros, diabases and basalts to revisit the petrogenesis and tectonic setting of the Yilashan mafic–ultramafic complex. Zircon laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LA-ICP-MS) U–Pb ages of three diabase samples are 169.6 ± 3.3 Ma, 132.5 ± 2.5 Ma, and 133.6 ± 4.9 Ma, respectively. These ages together with previous studies indicate that the Yilashan mafic–ultramafic complex probably formed during the Jurassic–Early Cretaceous. The peridotites exhibit nearly U-shaped REE patterns and are distinct from abyssal peridotites. The diabase and basalt samples show arc features with selective enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREE) and large ion lithophile elements (LILEs; e.g. Rb, U, and Sr) and depletion in high field strength elements (HFSEs; e.g. Nb, Ta, and Ti). The gabbro samples display cumulate features with selective enrichment in LILEs (e.g. Rb, Ba, and Sr) but depletion in LREEs and HFSEs (e.g. Nb, Zr, and Ti). Combing the positive ε_Nd(t) values (+6.1 to +10.0) and negative zircon ε_Hf(t) values (–16.5 to –11.7 and –13.6 to –0.4) with older Hf model ages for the mafic rocks, these signatures suggest that the Yilashan mafic and ultramafic rocks likely originated from an ancient lithospheric mantle source with the addition of asthenospheric mantle materials and subducted fluids coupled with limited crustal contamination in a continental arc setting as a result of the southward subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang Tethys Ocean beneath the Lhasa terrane during the Jurassic–Early Cretaceous.     

Metamorphic phase equilibria modelling and zircon U–Pb geochronology of ultrahigh-temperature cordierite granulites from the Madurai Block,India: implications for hot Gondwana crust

The Madurai Block (MB) is the largest Precambrian crustal block in the Southern Granulite Terrane (SGT) of India and hosts rare cordierite- and orthopyroxene-bearing granulites. Investigations based on field study, petrology, metamorphic P–T estimation, and detrital zircon geochronology of these granulites are crucial for understanding the ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) metamorphism and crustal evolution in this block. Here we investigate the petrology and zircon U–Pb geochronology of two new localities of cordierite granulites at Kottayam (southern MB; SMB) and Munnar (central MB; CMB). Petrographic observations and phase equilibria modelling results indicate that these rocks experienced UHT metamorphism with the peak temperature exceeding 950℃ and involving clockwise P–T paths. The prograde mineral assemblages define the P–T conditions of 6.8–8.7 kbar and 750–875℃. The peak conditions are estimated using pseudosection modelling and geothermometry, which yield P–T estimates of 7.1–9.1 kbar and 955–985℃. The retrograde cooling and decompression are inferred at 860–790℃ and <6.5 kbar, respectively. Partial melting played an important role during metamorphism and contributed to the overgrowth around detrital zircons. The melt production process was probably related to biotite dehydration melting, and was mainly triggered by heating, with or without the effect of decompression. Detrital zircons in cordierite granulite samples from the two localities show similar age distributions and have dominantly Neoproterozoic ages (1024–760 Ma). The zircon cores show oscillatory zoning with a wide range of Th/U ratios (0.01–0.96), implying complex protoliths from multiple Neoproterozoic provenances from both southern and central domains of the MBs. Zircon rims and homogeneous bright zircons yield mean ages of 549 ± 5 Ma, 536 ± 6 Ma, and 544 ± 6 Ma, which are interpreted to represent zircon overgrowths during the post-peak cooling and decompression process. The timing of peak UHT metamorphism is constrained as 549–599 Ma, which coincides with the assembly of the Gondwana supercontinent.     

Formation of kyanite–quartz veins of the Alpe Sponda,Central Alps,Switzerland: implications for Al transport during regional metamorphism

In this study, we have investigated the formation of quartz–kyanite veins of the Alpe Sponda, Central Alps, Switzerland. We have integrated field observations, fluid inclusion and stable isotope data and combined this with numerical geochemical modeling to constrain the chemical processes of aluminum transport and deposition. The estimated P–T conditions of the quartz–kyanite veins, based on conventional geothermometry (garnet–biotite, white mica solvus and quartz–kyanite oxygen isotope thermometry) and fluid inclusion data, are 550 ± 30°C at 5.0 ± 0.5 kbar. Geochemical modeling involved construction of aqueous species predominance diagrams, calculation of kyanite and quartz solubility, and reaction–path simulations. The results of the modeling demonstrate that (1) for the given chemical composition of the vein-forming fluids mixed Al–Si aqueous species are dominant in transporting Al, and that (2) fluid cooling along a small temperature gradient coupled with a pH decrease is able to explain the precipitation of the quartz–kyanite assemblages in the proportions that are observed in the Alpe Sponda veins. We conclude that sufficient amounts of Al can be transported in typical medium- to high-grade regional metamorphic fluids and that immobile behavior of Al is not very likely in advection–dominanted fluid–rock systems in the upper and middle crust.     

Geochemical Mapping——Evolution of Its Aims,Ideas and Technology

The development of geochemical mapping progressed from local geochemical prospecting through regional geochemical exploration and regional geochemical mapping to national and global geochemical mapping.This paper discusses the evolution of aims,ideas and methodology of geochemical mapping in Western countries,Russia and China.The sophistication of geochemical mapping methodology will make great contributions to solving resources and environmental problems in the 21~(st) century.     

Metamorphic P–T path of mafic granulites from Eastern Hebei: Implications for the Neoarchean tectonics of the Eastern Block,North China Craton

This study documents the metamorphic evolution of mafic granulites from the Eastern Hebei Complex in the Eastern Block of the North China Craton. Mafic granulites from Eastern Hebei occur as boudins or enclaves within Neoarchean high-grade TTG gneisses. Petrographic observations reveal three characteristic metamorphic mineral assemblages in the mafic granulites: the pre-peak hornblende + plagioclase + ilmenite + quartz + sphene assemblage (M₁) existing as mineral inclusions within coarse-grained peak assemblage (M₂) represented by garnet + clinopyroxene + orthopyroxene + plagioclase + hornblende + ilmenite + quartz, and post-peak assemblage (M₃) marked by garnet + quartz ± ilmenite symplectites surrounding the peak pyroxene and plagioclase. Based on pseudosection modeling calculated in the NCFMASHTO model system using the program THERMOCALC, P–T conditions of the pre-peak (M₁), peak (M₂) and post-peak (M₃) assemblages are constrained at 600–715 °C/6.0 kbar or below, 860–900 °C/9.6–10.3 kbar, and 790–810 °C/9.6–10.4 kbar, respectively. These P–T estimates, combined with their mineral compositions and reaction relations, define an anticlockwise P–T path incorporating isobaric cooling subsequent to the peak medium-pressure granulite-facies metamorphism for the mafic granulites from Eastern Hebei. Such an anticlockwise P–T path suggests that the end-Neoarchean metamorphism of the Eastern Hebei Complex correlated closely with underplating and intrusion of voluminous mantle-derived magmas. In conjunction with other geological considerations, a mantle-plume model is favored to interpret the Neoarchean tectonothermal evolution of the Eastern Hebei Complex and other metamorphic complexes in the Eastern Block. The prograde amphibolite-facies metamorphism (M₁) was initiated due to the upwelling of the relatively cooler mantle plume head, followed by the peak medium-pressure granulite-facies metamorphism (M₂) as triggered by the uprising hotter plume “tail”, and finally when plume activity ceased, the heated metamorphic crust experienced nearly isobaric cooling (M₃).     

Geochemical Mapping——Evolution of Its Aims, Ideas and Technology

The development of geochemical mapping progressed from local geochemical prospecting through regional geochemical exploration and regional geochemical mapping to national and global geochemical mapping. This paper discusses the evolution of aims, ideas and methodology of geochemical mapping in Western countries, Russia and China. The sophistication of geochemical mapping methodology will make great contributions to solving resources and environmental problems in the 21st century.     

Meso-Cenozoic tectonics of the southern Patagonian foreland: Structural evolution and implications for Au–Ag veins in the eastern Deseado Region (Santa Cruz,Argentina)

Located in the centre of the Argentinean Patagonia between 46° and 49°S, the Deseado Region represents the foreland domain of the Southern Patagonian Andes. Its geology is characterized by thick Mesozoic sequences which, at its eastern sector, present a Mesozoic and Cenozoic geologic evolution which has been strongly determined by the development of three major tectonic phases. The present research is based on field geological mapping, interpretation of seismic and aeromagnetic data, as well as satellite image analysis. This approach has allowed us to identify and characterize the deformation that occurred throughout Jurassic, Cretaceous and Miocene times. We interpret that the most relevant structural features are the result of normal faulting generated as a response to the Jurassic rifting stage. These extensional features have strongly influenced the subsequent geometry and distribution of younger Cretaceous and Cenozoic structures.The Jurassic extensional deformation, which affected major areas of Southern Gondwana, is the product of a major intra-continental rifting stage which was accompanied by synkinematic volcanism. This tectonic regime is characterized by SW-NE directed extension that generated major oblique WNW trending faults accommodating regional dextral-extension. In the study area, this tectonic regime is inferred from the geometries of major fault systems interpreted from available seismic reflection data, as well as from the spatial distribution and orientation of the extensional fracturing associated with the opening of hybrid and dilatational siliceous epithermal Au–Ag veins.Following the Jurassic rifting stage, a more restricted Cretaceous -post-Neocomian-compressional tectonic phase took place. Throughout this period, we interpret the previously formed Jurassic extensional structures to have been reactivated under sinistral transpression. Deformation during this period generated sinistral-reverse WNW belts of deformation, which accommodated reverse faulting, imbricate thrusts, dextral and sinistral R₁ and R₂ shears and disharmonic folds due to a buttress effect.Under the post-Oligocene Andean regime, W–E directed compression acted on previously-formed N to NNE-oriented normal faults. Compression and shortening uplifted a series of narrow and sub-meridional ranges which run as a 200 km long inversion-related tectonic front along the Patagonian foreland. Between 47°11′ and 48°40′S, one of these NNE ranges divides the entire Deseado Region into two distinctive structural domains. Whilst the western domain presents dominant NNW morphotectonic features, that to the east appears highly dominated by WNW fabrics of Jurassic and Cretaceous age.The structural features of the Eastern domain appear to extend further north of the Deseado Region towards the vicinity of the San Jorge Gulf. This WNW-trending belt hosts pre-Upper Cretaceous rocks and pre-drift basement rocks which include igneous Paleozoic metamorphic rocks and Permian to Triassic sedimentary units.The Deseado region’s epithermal Au–Ag Jurassic vein systems result from the infilling and deposition of low temperature hydrothermal fluids within dilatational and hybrid structures. These spectacular vein systems are compatible with the regional SW-NE extension direction controlled by the Jurassic intra-continental rifting of southern Gondwana. Dilatational and hybrid veins are preferentially hosted by fractures in the Jurassic volcanic rocks, while the veins located within the pre-volcanic basement preferentially infill normal faults. Finally, most of these epithermal vein fields where exhumed during a moderate phase of inversion during Cretaceous times.     

Estuarine deposition of a mid-Viséan tetrapod unit,Ducabrook Formation,central Queensland: implications for tetrapod dispersal

At Ducabrook property, central Queensland, the mid-Viséan Ducabrook Formation has yielded a diverse vertebrate fauna (fish and one tetrapod taxon) from a thin unit among siltstone interbedded with sandstone, minor oolitic limestone and conglomerate. Five lithofacies can be distinguished: the Oolitic Facies, distinguished by oolitic limestone and straight parallel ripple crests; the Sandy Facies, composed of plane-laminated and current-rippled sandstones; the Conglomeratic Facies, represented by pebble conglomerate displaying planar cross-bedded megaripples; the Silty Facies of siltstone with abundant calcrete nodules or sand/silt/clay interlaminations; and the Lime-Flake Facies, characterised by abundant locally derived lime flakes. The last includes the fossiliferous tetrapod unit. The Oolitic Facies was deposited in the inner (proximal) and outer (distal) zones of an estuary, based on identification of tidal sedimentary structures (e.g. mud drapes) and estuarine oolitic fabrics; the Lime-Flake Facies and Silty Facies were deposited in the estuary and lower reaches of a river and its surrounds; and the Sandy and Conglomeratic Facies represent braid-river deposits. Overall, the sequence represents intermittent deposition throughout an estuary, both within the tidal channel and the surrounding tidal flats, with additional deposition from the feeder river. The tetrapod unit, from the Lime-Flake Facies, represents a twin-peaked storm-induced flood event onto the tidal channel floor. The vertebrate bones have a shared taphonomic history and have undergone only local transport. The tetrapod and fish were spatially and temporally concurrent, probably in a shallow tidally influenced proximal estuarine habitat experiencing monsoonal conditions. Estuarine adaptations of these vertebrate taxa can explain migration along shallow-water continental shelves between the supercontinents during the Late Devonian and Early Carboniferous.     

Record of Permian–Early Triassic continental arc magmatism in the western margin of the Jiamusi Block,NE China: petrogenesis and implications for Paleo-Pacific subduction

International Journal of Earth Sciences - In this paper, we report zircon U–Pb ages, Hf isotopes and whole-rock geochemical data for the Permian to Early Triassic granitoids from the western...     

Geochemical and Hf isotopic compositions of Late Triassic–Early Jurassic intrusions of the Erguna Block,Northeast China: petrogenesis and tectonic implications

Late Triassic–Early Jurassic intrusions of the Erguna Block, Northeast China, are located along the southern margin of the Mongol–Okhotsk orogenic belt. They comprise granodiorite, monzogranite, syenogranite, and lesser gabbro–diorite, of adakitic and calc­alkaline affinity. The adakite-like and calc­alkaline granites share similar light rare earth elements (LREE) characteristics; however, their heavy rare earth elements (HREE) trends differ from one another. The relative abundances of HREE in the calc­alkaline granites are relatively consistent and are similar to those of intrusive rocks formed from dehydration melting of garnet-free amphibolitic source rocks at relatively low pressures. In contrast, the adakite-like granites show more prominent HREE fractionation trends, indicating that they crystallized at higher pressures, where garnet in the source rocks was stable. At least two isotopically distinct sources were involved in the petrogenesis of the granites, but the extent to which they contributed varies between plutons. Most intrusions have incorporated an isotopically primitive component, possibly juvenile mafic crust. The other sources include a small proportion of old continental crustal material and isotopically evolved wall rocks. The gabbro–diorites have high MgO contents (>7 wt.%), a high Mg^# (>0.6), and show moderate LREE and HREE fractionation, indicating they formed from the melting of subducted metasomatized lithospheric mantle. All of the intrusions in the study area are characterized by a relative enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILE) and depletion in high field strength elements (HFSE), indicating they were emplaced in an Andean-type active continental margin setting related to southward subduction of the Mongol–Okhotsk oceanic plate.     

Paired uraninite and molybdenite dating of the K?nigshain granite: implications for the onset of late-Variscan magmatism in the Lausitz Block

We present geochronological data for late-Variscan magmatism in the Lausitz Block of the Saxo-Thuringian Zone, Germany. The Th–U–total Pb age of uraninite and the Re–Os age of molybdenite from the composite biotite–monzogranite pluton of K?nigshain overlap at the 2σ confidence limit: 328.6 ± 1.9 Ma (uraninite), and 327.0 ± 1.3 Ma and 327.6 ± 1.3 Ma (molybdenite), indicating that crystallization of magmatic uraninite and deposition of molybdenite were nearly contemporaneous. These data imply that magmatic processes in this part of the Variscan orogen already started in latest Visean time, about 10 Ma earlier than previously assumed (315–320 Ma). The new ages correspond to ages for plutonic rocks in the Elbe Zone immediately west of the Lausitz (around 335–325 Ma) and the bulk of late-Variscan igneous rocks in the Saxo-Thuringian Zone (335–320 Ma).     

Proterozoic – Early Palaeozoic rocks and the Tyennan Orogeny in central Victoria: The Selwyn Block and its tectonic implications

Aeromagnetic and field data suggest that meta‐igneous rocks exposed on the south coast of central Victoria at Waratah Bay, Phillip Island, Barrabool Hills and inland near Licola, are continuous—beneath Bass Strait—with Proterozoic/Cambrian igneous rocks in King Island and Tasmania. This correlation is supported by a pre‐Early Ordovician unconformity above gabbro protomylonite at Waratah Bay, age equivalent to the Tasmanian Tyennan unconformity. Cambrian volcanics at Licola and unusual features of the Melbourne Zone sequence indicate that Tyennan continental crust extends north as basement to the central Victorian portion of the Lachlan Fold Belt. In contrast, adjacent parts of the Lachlan Fold Belt in Victoria contain conformable sea‐floor sequences that span the Early Cambrian to Late Ordovician, with no evidence of either Cambrian deformation or underlying continental basement. The block of Tyennan continental crust beneath central Victoria—the Selwyn Block—is fundamentally different, and has influenced temporal and spatial patterns of sedimentation, deformation, metamorphism and plutonism. Palaeogeographical reconstructions suggest that the block was a submarine plateau that lay outboard of the Australian craton, upon which a condensed Ordovician sequence was deposited. The sequence above the Selwyn Block unconformity at Waratah Bay is similar to widespread post‐Tyennan sediments in western Tasmania. During Late Ordovician and Early Silurian deformation, the Selwyn Block protected much of the overlying sedimentary sequence. Instead, shortening was focused into the Stawell and Bendigo Zones to the west. These zones were sandwiched between the Selwyn Block and the Australian craton in a ‘vice’ scenario reminiscent of some Appalachian orogenic events. The region above the Selwyn Block was downwarped adjacent to the overthrust Bendigo Zone as a foreland deep, into which a conformable clastic wedge of sediment was deposited in Late Ordovician to Devonian time, prior to final Middle Devonian deformation. The Selwyn Block includes the Cambrian calc‐alkaline Licola and Jamieson Volcanics that are correlated with the Tasmanian Mt Read Volcanics. In Victoria, these form a basement high controlling the unusual down‐cutting thrusts in the overlying Melbourne Zone and explaining the major structural vergence reversal between the Melbourne and Tabberabbera Zones. The Selwyn Block has exerted some control on the timing, chemistry and distribution of post‐orogenic granites, and on central Victorian gold mineralisation. Reactivated faults in the block influenced deposition, and continue to control the deformation of the portions of the Otway and Gippsland Basins that lie above it.