Glacial meltwater impounding: Evidence from the late Quaternary glaciogenic sediments in the Sangla valley, district Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, India

Sangla valley is situated at an altitude of ~ 3500 m above mean sea level and lies in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. It is fed by river Baspa, a tributary of river Sutlej, that entrenches through the Quaternary glaciogenic deposits before emerging out of the valley and joining the river Sutlej at Karcham. The unstratified to stratified glaciogenic deposits consist of large boulders to fine silt and are classified into four major depositional facies on the basis of sedimentary texture and depositional environment. The facies — basal conglomerates, debris flow, water/sheet flow and laminites — represents the change in the environment of deposition from glaciofluvial to lacustrine and also the extent of the glacier to the valley floor during late Quaternary.     

Evidence for the thrust emplacement of the ‘Lesser Himalaya’ Chur granite,Himachal Pradesh

Numerous peraluminous and porphyritic granitic bodies and augen gneisses of granitic compositions occur in the nappe sequences of the Lower Himalaya. They are Proterozoic-to-lower Paleozoic in age and have been grouped into the ‘Lesser Himalaya granite belt’. The mode of emplacement and tectonic significance of these granites are as yet uncertain but they are generally considered to be sheet-like intrusions into the surrounding rocks. The small and isolated granite body (the Chur granite) that crops out around the Chur peak in the Himachal Himalaya is one of the more famous of these granites. Several lines of evidence have been adduced to show that the Chur granite has a thrust (the Chur thrust) contact with the underlying metasedimentary sequence (locally called the Jutogh Group). The Chur granite with restricted occurrence at the highest topographic and structural levels represents an erosional remnant of a much larger sub-horizontal thrust sheet. The contact relations between the country rocks and many of the other granite and granitic augen gneisses in the Lesser Himalaya belt are apparently similar to that of the Chur granite suggesting that at least some of them may also represent thrust sheets.     

Thermal conductivity of Higher Himalayan Crystallines from Garhwal Himalaya, India

We report the measurements of thermal conductivity for some Higher Himalayan Crystalline rocks from Joshimath and Uttarkashi areas of the Garhwal Himalaya. Seventy-three rock samples including gneiss, metabasic rock and quartzite were measured. Gneissic rocks, which include augen gneiss, banded gneiss, felsic gneiss and fine-grained gneiss, exhibit a wide range in conductivity, from 1.5 to 3.6 Wm^− 1K^− 1 for individual samples, and 2.1 to 2.7 Wm^− 1K^− 1 for the means. Among these, augen gneisses and banded gneisses show the largest variability. Of all the rock types, quartzites (mean 5.4 Wm^− 1K^− 1) and metabasic rocks (mean 2.1 Wm^− 1K^− 1) represent the highest and lowest mean values respectively. The range in conductivity observed for gneissic rocks is significantly higher than that generally found in similar rock types in cratonic areas. The rock samples have very low porosity and exhibit feeble anisotropy, indicating that they do not contribute to the variability in thermal conductivity. Besides variations in mineralogical composition, the heterogeneous banding as well as intercalations with metabasic rocks and quartz veins, a common occurrence in structurally complex areas, appears to cause the variability in conductivity. The study therefore brings out the need for systematic characterization of thermophysical properties of major rock types comprising the Himalayan region for lithospheric thermal modeling, assessment of geothermal energy and geo-engineering applications in an area. The dataset constitutes the first systematic measurements on the Higher Himalayan Crystalline rocks.     

滇西保山地块早古生代花岗岩类的年代学、地球化学及意义

位于滇西特提斯构造带保山地块的平河岩体,岩石类型主要为花岗岩、二长花岗岩,其次有少量的花岗闪长岩。4件样品的锆石U-Pb年龄变化于480～486Ma,表明这些花岗岩类侵位于早奥陶世。平河花岗岩类的K2O/Na2O值大于1,铝饱和指数(A/CNK)为1.07～1.1,属高钾钙碱性过铝质花岗岩。岩石总体上富集大离子亲石元素和Pb,亏损高场强元素。明显富集轻稀土元素[(La/Yb)N=4.33～7.05],显示明显的负Eu异常(δEu=0.25～0.48)。4件样品58个测点的锆石εHf(t)值变化范围较大(主要集中于-12.4～-3.0之间),对应的Hf同位素地壳模式年龄集中于2.2～1.7Ga。这些地球化学特征指示平河花岗岩类为S型花岗岩,主要来源于古老地壳物质(如砂屑岩)的重熔,并不同程度地混入了幔源物质。平河花岗岩类与出露于中部拉萨地体的变质酸性火山岩存在可比性,可能代表了早古生代冈瓦纳大陆原特提斯边缘岩浆弧的一部分。     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of granitoids from Kinnaur region,Himachal Higher Himalaya,India: Implication on the nature of felsic magmatism in the collision tectonics

Felsic magmatism in the southern part of Himachal Higher Himalaya is constituted by Neoproterozoic granite gneiss (GGn), Early Palaeozoic granitoids (EPG) and Tertiary tourmaline-bearing leucogranite (TLg). Magnetic susceptibility values (<3 ×10^?3 SI), molar Al₂ O ₃/(CaO + Na₂ O + K ₂O) (≥1.1), mineral assemblage (bt–ms–pl–kf–qtz ± tur ± ap), and the presence of normative corundum relate these granitoids to peraluminous S-type, ilmenite series (reduced type) granites formed in a syncollisional tectonic setting. Plagioclase from GGn (An₁₀–An₃₁) and EPG (An₁₅–An₃₃) represents oligoclase to andesine and TLg (An₂–An₁₅) represents albite to oligoclase, whereas compositional ranges of K-feldspar are more-or-less similar (Or₈₈ to Or₉₅ in GGn, Or₈₆ to Or₉₇ in EPG and Or₈₇ to Or₉₄ in TLg). Biotites in GGn (Mg/Mg + Fe^t= 0.34–0.45), EPG (Mg/Mg + Fe^t= 0.27–0.47), and TLg (Mg/Mg + Fe^t= 0.25–0.30) are ferribiotites enriched in siderophyllite, which stabilised between FMQ and HM buffers and are characterised by dominant 3Fe\(\rightleftharpoons \)2Al, 3Mg\(\rightleftharpoons \)2Al substitutions typical of peraluminous (S-type), reducing felsic melts. Muscovite in GGn (Mg/Mg + Fe^t=0.58–0.66), EPG (Mg/Mg + Fe^t=0.31?0.59), and TLg (Mg/Mg + Fe^t=0.29–0.42) represent celadonite and paragonite solid solutions, and the tourmaline from EPG and TLg belongs to the schorl-elbaite series, which are characteristics of peraluminous, Li-poor, biotite-tourmaline granites. Geochemical features reveal that the GGn and EPG precursor melts were most likely derived from melting of biotite-rich metapelite and metagraywacke sources, whereas TLg melt appears to have formed from biotite-muscovite rich metapelite and metagraywacke sources. Major and trace elements modelling suggest that the GGn, EPG and TLg parental melts have experienced low degrees (～13, ～17 and ～13%, respectively) of kf–pl–bt fractionation, respectively, subsequent to partial melting. The GGn and EPG melts are the results of a pre-Himalayan, syn-collisional Pan-African felsic magmatic event, whereas the TLg is a magmatic product of Himalayan collision tectonics.     

上扬子区下古生界层序地层格架的初步研究

上扬子区下古生界在贵州及其邻区发育较为完整。在震旦纪与寒武纪之交的台地淹没事件之后,寒武系形成一个从深水盆地相黑色页岩系到大套台地碳酸盐的沉积序列,其中下寒武统包含5个三级层序而可以进一步归为一个二级层序,中上寒武统构成一个二级层序而且可以进一步划分为7个三级层序。奥陶纪艾家山世末期的都匀运动、奥陶纪末期的与冈瓦纳大陆冰期相响应的全球海平面下降事件以及志留纪末期广西运动的共同作用,造成扬子地台大幅度的古地理变迁以及残留不全的奥陶系和志留系。详尽追踪和对比的结果可以将奥陶系划分为8个三级层序且可以进一步归为一个二级层序,在残留不全的的志留系中可以划分出7个三级层序并可以进一步归为一个二级层序。层序地层格架的建立,可以大致解读许多有趣的地质现象,如寒武纪碳酸盐台地的生长过程,奥陶纪与志留纪之交的“浅海静水”型黑色页岩系的发育特点,志留纪由北而南的海侵所造成的复杂的志留系展布特征等等;同时也意味着许多有待于进一步研究的问题,早寒武世数次快速海侵事件与生物事件的关系,奥陶系顶部特殊的“观音桥灰岩”的成因,奥陶系红花园组海绵生物礁的基本沉积模式等等。     

Petrogenetic Model of A-Type Granitoids of the Kullampatti Area, Salem District, Tamil Nadu, India

The late Proterozoic granitoids at Kullampatti are of A-type and comprise three phases: (1) barren phase I (granite-adamellite), (2) fertile phase II (trondjhemite) and (3) rarely-mineralized phase III (pegmatitic granite). They were emplaced within the Archean cratonic granulite terrane of southern India, close to the Moyar-Bhavani-Attur shear zone, and form a consanguinous association with the Suriyamalai or Sankari granite-adamellite batholithic dome. On the basis of their field, tectonic, petromineragraphic and geochemical aspects, a petrogenetic model involving a two-stage melting of an undepleted middle to lower crustal granulitic protolith is envisaged. In this, the first-stage melting led to the formation of an LCT-rich hydrous melt that was removed from the site of its generation, followed by second-stage partial melting of the depleted granulite during post-orogenic or anorogenic environment, resulting in the HCD- and HFS-rich, NYF- and A-type melt that on fractional crystallization, together with hydrothermal activity, led to the formation of these granitoids.     

Normal faults in Panjal Thrust Zone in Lesser Himalaya and between the Higher Himalaya Crystallines and Chamba sequence in Kashmir Himalaya,India

Normal faults on mesoscopic scale are observed in the Panjal Thrust Zone in the Dalhousie area of western Htmachal. The boundary between the southern margin of the Higher Himalaya Crystalline (HHC) of Zanskar and the Chamba syncline sequence is also described as a normal fault, referred to as Bhadarwah Normal Fault in the Bhadarwah area of Doda district on the basis of field mapping and shear sense criteria using S-C fabric and porphyroblast rotation. The occurrence of these normal faults suggests that the extensional tectonic regime was not restricted only to the Zanskar shear zone area but that it also occurs south of the Higher Himalayan range. This suggests NE-directed subhorizontal extension and exhumation of deeper level rocks of Higher Himalaya Crystallines.     

高喜马拉雅地区聂拉木花岗岩快速抬升的裂变径迹证据

笔者对西藏高喜马拉雅地区聂拉木花岗岩样品进行了磷灰石裂变径迹分析。聂拉木淡色花岗岩4个不同高程(395～4200m)的裂变径迹年龄范围为3.79±0.34～8.17±0.47Ma,混合花岗岩4个不同高程(3260～3720m)的裂变径迹年龄范围为0.85±0.09～1.71±0.34Ma。结合已有的热年代学资料,提出整个高喜马拉雅造山带在上新世—第四纪时为快速抬升期。     

藏北羌塘中部早古生代蛇绿岩堆晶岩中斜长花岗岩的地球化学特征

桃形湖蛇绿岩是龙木错－双湖缝合带近期的重要发现。这一发现回答了龙木错－双湖缝合带中不存在完整蛇绿岩剖面的质疑,是该缝合带存在的重要证据,也是古特提斯洋早期裂解时间确定的主要依据之一。其中斜长花岗岩的岩石地球化学特征反映出洋脊花岗岩的属性,包括Al2O3含量较高,准铝质至过铝质（12.56％～16.19％）,富Na2O,贫K2O（Na2O／K2O＞3）,主量元素、微量元素和稀土元素含量较低等,但是其稀土元素配分曲线、微量元素蛛网图又与标准大洋斜长花岗岩有所区别,表现为轻重稀土元素分异很明显,具强烈的Eu正异常（Eu／Eu?鄢=1.92～9.19,均值为5.18）,初步推测原因是岩浆迅速上升过程中Ca分离不完全和样品中石榴子石分布不均匀。结合斜长花岗岩的野外产状及以往的研究成果,初步结论是：桃形湖蛇绿岩中的斜长花岗岩形成于近洋脊或准洋脊环境,岩浆源自地幔,与桃形湖蛇绿岩中的变质橄榄岩、堆晶辉长岩、基性熔岩的岩浆同源,是基性—超基性岩浆分异的残余,应属桃形湖蛇绿岩中的浅色岩组分,是蛇绿岩的端元岩石。     

Radon variations in an active landslide zone along the Pindar River, in Chamoli District, Garhwal Lesser Himalaya, India

Radon measurements were made in the soil and spring/seepage water in and around an active landslide located along the Pindar river in the Chamoli District of Uttaranchal in Garhwal Lesser Himalaya, to understand the application of radon in geological disasters. The landslide is a compound slide i.e. a slump in the crown portion, and debris slide and fall in the lower part. The bedrock consists of gneisses and schists of the Saryu Formation of the Almora Group of Precambrian age. The presence of several small slump scars and debris slide/fall scars along the length of the slide indicates continuous downward movement. The radon concentrations in the present study are much lower in comparison to values reported from other regions. However, the present radon data show relative variation in the slide zone. The concentration of radon measured in landslide zones varies from 3.1 Bq/l to 18.4 Bq/l in spring water and from 2.3 kBq/m³ to 12.2 kBq/m³ in the soil gas of the debris. Along the section of the slide, the radon values in water and soil are slightly higher in the upper slopes i.e. toward the crown portion of the landslide as compared to the distal portion. The relatively low concentration of radon both in soil gas and water in the toe portion of the landslide may be due to the high porosity of the debris, which does not allow radon to accumulate in the soil and water, whereas, towards the crown portion, the high frequency of fractures increases the surface area due to particle size reduction, and the near absence of debris enhances the radon emanation in soil.     

秦岭造山带早古生代蛇绿岩的多阶段演化: 从岛弧到弧间盆地

秦岭商-丹缝合带是分隔北秦岭早古生代造山带和南秦岭晚古生代造山带的地质界线,其中的丹凤蛇绿岩被认为代表了秦岭地区早古生代的洋壳残片。迄今,前人已经提出多种模式来解释丹凤蛇绿岩成因和构造背景(如:岛弧、洋岛和成熟的大洋等)。然而,这些单一的构造演化模式却很难解释两个基本事实:(1)不同类型镁铁质岩(如N-MORB、E-MORB和IAT等)的穿时性分布;(2)几乎所有的早古生代镁铁质岩都显示出多种构造环境的叠加。对陕西太白鹦鸽嘴地区一条具有较完整层序的蛇绿岩剖面研究发现,剖面中存在HTI型(TiO2:1.21%～1.56%)和LTI(TiO2:0.09%～0.35%)两种类型的镁铁质岩(包括玄武岩和辉长岩),HTI型镁铁质岩具有LREE亏损,没有Nb、Ta负异常等的E-MORB特征;LTI具有LREE富集,Nb、Ta负异常的IAT特征。地球化学显示二者的源区均为北秦岭岩石圈地幔楔。本文获得鹦哥嘴蛇绿岩两个LTI型辉长岩锆石U-Pb年龄分别为523.8±1.3Ma和474.3±1.4Ma。认为秦岭早古生代蛇绿岩应是SSZ环境下多阶段演化的结果:第一阶段:约524Ma,秦岭洋盆向北俯冲开始。俯冲板片的脱水作用使熔融温度降低,形成的流体交代地幔楔,在北秦岭南缘产生了一个不成熟的岛弧;第二阶段:先存岛弧裂开阶段,约524～474Ma。秦岭洋壳的持续俯冲,在先形成的岛弧上拉张出了弧间盆地,形成了主要由轻稀土亏损、高Ti拉斑玄武岩和辉长岩组成的E-MORB型岩石组合;第三阶段:弧前盆地闭合阶段,474Ma之后。在这个阶段新生的弧间盆地闭合,俯冲洋壳携带的深海沉积物与北秦岭岩石圈地幔楔相互作用形成了北秦岭李子园的玻安岩。秦岭早古生代蛇绿岩的多阶段成因是典型特提斯构造域演化特征在秦岭地区的重现。     

Metamorphic evolution of kyanite–staurolite-bearing epidote–amphibolite from the Early Palaeozoic Oeyama belt, SW Japan

Early Palaeozoic kyanite–staurolite‐bearing epidote–amphibolites including foliated epidote–amphibolite (FEA), and nonfoliated leucocratic or melanocratic metagabbros (LMG, MMG), occur in the Fuko Pass metacumulate unit (FPM) of the Oeyama belt, SW Japan. Microtextural relationships and mineral chemistry define three metamorphic stages: relict granulite facies metamorphism (M1), high‐P (HP) epidote–amphibolite facies metamorphism (M2), and retrogression (M3). M1 is preserved as relict Al‐rich diopside (up to 8.5 wt.% Al₂O₃) and pseudomorphs after spinel and plagioclase in the MMG, suggesting a medium‐P granulite facies condition (0.8–1.3 GPa at > 850 °C). An unusually low‐variance M2 assemblage, Hbl + Czo + Ky ± St + Pg + Rt ± Ab ± Crn, occurs in the matrix of all rock types. The presence of relict plagioclase inclusions in M2 kyanite associated with clinozoisite indicates a hydration reaction to form the kyanite‐bearing M2 assemblage during cooling. The corundum‐bearing phase equilibria constrain a qualitative metamorphic P–T condition of 1.1–1.9 GPa at 550–800 °C for M2. The M2 minerals were locally replaced by M3 margarite, paragonite, plagioclase and/or chlorite. The breakdown of M2 kyanite to produce the M3 assemblage at < 0.5 GPa and 450–500 °C suggests a greenschist facies overprint during decompression. The P–T evolution of the FPM may represent subduction of an oceanic plateau with a granulite facies lower crust and subsequent exhumation in a Pacific‐type orogen.     

Regional representation of glaciers in Chandra Basin region,western Himalaya,India

Hamtah and Chhota Shigri are two nearby, well monitored glaciers of western Himalaya, lying in the same climatic zone and driven by the same climatic conditions. In this study, topographical characteristics of both the glacier have been explored to understand the role of topography in controlling the glacier response. Further, their topographical characteristics and possible response towards climatic variations have been compared with each other and also with that of the other glaciers in the basin to find out the suitability of these two glaciers to be considered as representative of the region. Multi sensor and multi temporal remote sensing data have been used to carry out to fulfill the objectives. It is found that being in the same climatic zone, the mean accumulation area ratio of Chhota Shigri is 54% and Hamtah is 11% between 1980 and 2014. In comparison to Hamtah, Chhota Shigri glacier has a small upslope area, low compactness ratio indicating the ability of the glacier to receive direct precipitation and solar radiation. The analysis revealed that the Chhota Shigri glacier has a closer resemblance with the other glaciers in the region than Hamtah glacier. Also, the topographical settings of Chhota Shigri glacier are suitable for recording and reflecting year-to-year climatic variations.     

Petrology of a non-classical Barrovian inverted metamorphic sequence from the western Arunachal Himalaya, India

In this study, we reconstruct the inverted metamorphic sequence in the western Arunachal Himalaya using combined structural and metamorphic analyses of rocks of the Lesser and Greater Himalayan Sequences. Four thrust-bounded stratigraphic units, which from the lower to higher structural heights are (a) the Gondwana rocks and relatively weakly deformed metasediments of the Bomdila Group, (b) the tectonically interleaved sequence of Bomdila gneiss and Bomdila Group, (c) the Dirang Formation and (d) the Se La Group are exposed along the transect, Jira–Rupa–Bomdila–Dirang–Se La Pass. The Main Central thrust, which coincides with intense strain localization and the first appearance of kyanite-grade partial melt is placed at the base of the Se La Group.Five metamorphic zones from garnet through kyanite, kyanite migmatite, kyanite-sillimanite migmatite to K-feldspar-kyanite-sillimanite migmatites are sequentially developed in the metamorphosed low-alumina pelites of Dirang and Se La Group, with increasing structural heights. Three phases of deformation, D₁–D₂–D₃ and two groups of planar structures, S₁ and S₂ are recognized, and S₂ is the most pervasive one. Mineral growths in all these zones are dominantly late-to post-D₂, excepting in some garnet-zone rocks, where syn-D₁ garnet growths are documented. Metamorphic isograds, which are aligned parallel to S₂ were subsequently folded during D₃. The deformation produced plane-non-cylindrical fold along NW–SE axis.In the garnet-zone, peak metamorphism is marked by garnet growth through the reaction biotite + plagioclase → garnet + muscovite. An even earlier phase of syn-D₁ garnet growth occurred in the chlorite stability field with or without epidote. In the kyanite-zone metapelites, kyanite appeared via the pressure-sensitive reaction, garnet + muscovite → kyanite + biotite + quartz. Staurolite was produced in the same rock by retrograde replacement of kyanite following the reaction, garnet + kyanite + H₂O → staurolite + quartz. These reactions depart from the classical kyanite- and staurolite-isograd reactions in low-alumina pelites, encountered in other segments of eastern Himalaya. In the metapelites, just above the kyanite-zone, melting begins in the kyanite field, through water-saturated and water-undersaturated melting of paragonite component in white mica. Leucosomes formed through these reactions are characteristically free of K-feldspar, with sodic plagioclase and quartz as the dominant constituents. With increasing structural height, the melting shifts to water-undersaturated melting of muscovite component of white mica, producing an early K-feldspar + kyanite and later K-feldspar + sillimanite assemblages and granitic leucosomes.Applications of conventional geothermobarometry and average P–T method reveal near isobaric (at P  8 kbar) increase in peak metamorphic temperatures from 550 °C in the garnet-zone to >700 °C for K-feldspar-kyanite-sillimanite-zone rocks. The findings of near isobaric metamorphic field gradient and by the reconstruction of the reaction history, reveal that the described inverted metamorphic sequence in the western Arunachal Himalaya, deviates from the classical Barrovian-type metamorphism. The tectonic implication of such a metamorphic evolution is discussed.     

Dendrochronological reconstruction of snow avalanche activity in the Lahul Himalaya,Northern India

Mass wasting and avalanche events substantially impact the landscape morphology and consequently human habitation throughout the Himalaya. There is, however, a paucity of snow avalanche documentation for the region. The application of dendrochronologic research methods introduces a sensitive approach to document the recurrence of snow avalanche events in a region where historical records are either non-existent or difficult to access. An exploratory dendrochronologic study was undertaken in the Lahul Himalaya of Northern India during the summer of 2006. Included within the fieldwork was an assessment of avalanche track morphology to enable identification of the slope characteristics that might be associated with an increase in avalanche activity. Thirty-six trees growing on the Ratoli avalanche track were sampled. The oldest tree was a Cedrus deodara with a pith date of 1950. A tree-ring-derived avalanche response curve highlights four avalanche events that occurred from 1972 to 2006. The successful scientific results based on the application of the method used provide the basis for local planners to quantify slope failure hazards in forested areas throughout the western Himalaya.     

Impact of geohydrology and neotectonic activity on radon concentration in groundwater of intermontane Doon Valley, Outer Himalaya, India

 Radon concentration was measured in 133 water samples from tubewells, handpumps, dug wells and springs of the Doon Valley, Outer Himalaya, India. The observed radon values were found to vary from 10 to 154 Bq/l whereas radium in selected water samples varied from 0.11 to 0.75 Bq/l. Three different clusters of high radon values were observed in the north-western, central and south-eastern parts of the Doon Valley. These clusters were found to be associated with tectonics (thrust/fault) and associated uranium mineralization in the area. In general, radon concentration in groundwater was found to be positively correlated with the depth of the wells, whereas no significant correlation was observed between radon concentration in groundwater and the water temperature, pH value, conductivity and altitude of the water samples. An attempt has also been made to determine the nature and extent of aquifers in the Doon Valley on radon concentration in groundwater. The variation in radon concentration within the groundwater of the study area was found to be controlled by the neotectonic activity and geohydrological processes that occur in the area. The impact of these activities on radon concentration in groundwater are discussed. Received: 17 September 1999 · Accepted: 11 April 2000     

内蒙古大青山地区早古生代生物化石的发现及意义

大青山地区发育一套以白云岩、灰质白云岩和少量石英砂岩为主的地层。以往由于缺少生物化石依据，对其划分对比及时代归属一直存在不同意见。通过工作，在该套地层中采到了三叶虫、笔石、头足、腹足和腕足类等多门类生物化石，经鉴定有相当部门属种是华北地区寒武－奥陶系常见的标准化石主要组成分子，为解决磁地层的划分对比及时代归属提供了可靠依据。     

Deformation and fluid flow during orogeny at the palaeo-Pacific active margin of Gondwana: the Early Palaeozoic Robertson Bay accretionary complex (north Victoria Land, Antarctica)

Structural investigations, integrated with X‐ray diffraction, fluid inclusion microthermometry and oxygen‐stable isotope analyses are used to reconstruct the deformation history and the palaeo‐fluid circulation during formation of the low‐grade, turbidite‐dominated Early Palaeozoic Robertson Bay accretionary complex of north Victoria Land (Antarctica). Evidence for progressive deformation is elucidated by analysing the textural fabric of chronologically distinct, thrust‐related quartz vein generations, incrementally developed during progressive shortening and thickening of the Robertson Bay accretionary complex. Our data attest that orogenic deformation was mainly controlled by dissolution–precipitation creep, modulated by stress‐ and strain‐rate‐dependent fluid pressure cycling, associated with local and regional permeability variations induced by the distribution and evolution of the fracture network during regional thrusting. Fracture‐related fluid pathways constituted efficient conduits for episodic fluid flow. The dominant migrating fluid was pre‐to‐syn‐folding and associated with the migration of warm (160–200 °C) nitrogen‐ and carbonic (CO₂ and CH₄)‐bearing fluids. Both fluid advection and diffusive mass transfer are recognized as operative mechanisms for fluid–rock interaction and vein formation during continuous shortening. In particular, fluid–rock interaction was the consequence of dissolution–precipitation creep assisted by tectonically driven cooling fluids moving through the rock section as a result of seismic pumping. The most likely source of the migrating fluids would be the frontal part of the growing accretionary complex, where fluids from the deep levels in the hinterland are driven trough channelization operated by the thrust‐related fracture (fault) systems.     

喜马拉雅造山带东段错那洞片麻岩穹窿的变质作用及构造意义

错那洞穹窿是喜马拉雅造山带北部发育的一系列片麻岩穹窿之一,因其赋存有超大型稀有金属矿床而倍受关注。本文对错那洞穹窿核部产出的石榴石十字石蓝晶石白云母片岩进行了岩石学、相平衡模拟和锆石U-Pb年代学研究,为揭示穹窿的成因和成矿作用提供了重要限定。岩石学研究表明,石榴石蓝晶石十字石白云母片岩的共生矿物组合是石榴石+蓝晶石+十字石+白云母+斜长石+石英+钛铁矿+金红石,为典型的中压角闪岩相变质岩。相平衡模拟表明岩石的变质温压条件为670℃和9. 0kbar,并未经历部分熔融。锆石U-Pb定年结果表明,片岩的变质作用发生在47～29Ma,即经历了一个较长期(～20Myr)的变质演化过程。结合现有研究成果,我们认为错那洞片麻岩穹窿具有与喜马拉雅造山带北部发育的其它片麻岩穹窿相同的成因,穹窿核部的中级变质岩为高喜马拉雅结晶岩系的上部构造层位,其变质作用发生在印度大陆向拉萨地体之下低角度俯冲过程中;穹窿核部淡色花岗岩是高分异的异地花岗岩,是高喜马拉雅结晶岩系下部高温高压麻粒岩部分熔融所形成的熔体经历高程度分离结晶产物。此外,本文研究成果为印度与亚洲大陆的碰撞时间和性质提供了进一步约束。