A multidisciplinary study on the emplacement mechanism of the Qingyang–Jiuhua Massif in Southeast China and its tectonic bearings. Part I: Structural geology,AMS and paleomagnetism

During the Cretaceous, the South China Block (SCB) experienced a widely distributed extensional event including numerous plutons emplacement and basin opening. Investigations on the tectonic regime coeval with pluton emplacement, and emplacement mechanism of the pluton remain relatively rare in the SCB. In order to address these questions, a multidisciplinary approach, including field structural and petrographic observations, anisotropy magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and paleomagnetic analyses, was carried out on the Qingyang–Jiuhua granitic massif which intrudes into the Lower Yangtze fold belt in the northeastern part of the SCB. The Qingyang–Jiuhua massif is composed of the granodioritic Qingyang and monzogranitic Jiuhua plutons dated by zircon U–Pb method at ca. 142 Ma, and ca. 131 Ma, respectively. Our structural observations show that the intrusion of the Qingyang–Jiuhua massif does not modify the fold strike. A weak ductile deformation of the country rocks and granitoid can be only observed in the boundary zone with limited contact metamorphism. In the contact aureole of the massif, the foliation follows the pluton contour, and the mineral lineation is rare. When present, it exhibits a down-dip attitude. Field and microstructural observations indicate isotropic magmatic textures in most parts of the massif. The AMS analysis of 93 sites reveals weak values for the anisotropy degree (P_J < 1.2) and oblate magnetic fabric dominance (T > 0) for most of the measured samples. Two principal foliation patterns are identified: horizontal foliations in the center of the plutons, and vertical foliations on the boundaries. Magnetic lineation strike is largely scattered, and weakly inclined at the scale of the entire massif. The paleomagnetic investigations indicate that (a) the younger Jiuhua pluton did not produce a remagnetization in the older Qingyang pluton, (b) no relative movement can be observed between these two plutons, (c) the entire massif did not experience any important relative movement with respect to South China, considering the paleomagnetic uncertainties. Integrating the newly obtained results with previous observations, our study favors a permissive emplacement mechanism for the two plutons, i.e. vertical magma intrusion into an opening space controlled by the NW–SE brittle stretching of the upper crust, which is in agreement with a weak extensional regional tectonic framework of the SCB.     

Effects of magnetic interactions in anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility: Models, experiments and implications for igneous rock fabrics quantification

Besides granites of the ilmenite series, in which the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) is mainly controlled by paramagnetic minerals, the AMS of igneous rocks is commonly interpreted as the result of the shape-preferred orientation of unequant ferromagnetic grains. In a few instances, the anisotropy due to the distribution of ferromagnetic grains, irrespective of their shape, has also been proposed as an important AMS source. Former analytical models that consider infinite geometry of identical and uniformly magnetized and coaxial particles confirm that shape fabric may be overcome by dipolar contributions if neighboring grains are close enough to each other to magnetically interact. On these bases we present and experimentally validate a two-grain macroscopic numerical model in which each grain carries its own magnetic anisotropy, volume, orientation and location in space. Compared with analytical predictions and available experiments, our results allow to list and quantify the factors that affect the effects of magnetic interactions. In particular, we discuss the effects of (i) the infinite geometry used in the analytical models, (ii) the intrinsic shape anisotropy of the grains, (iii) the relative orientation in space of the grains, and (iv) the spatial distribution of grains with a particular focus on the inter-grain distance distribution. Using documented case studies, these findings are summarized and discussed in the framework of the generalized total AMS tensor recently introduced by Cañon-Tapia (Cañon-Tapia, E., 2001. Factors affecting the relative importance of shape and distribution anisotropy in rocks: theory and experiments. Tectonophysics, 340, 117–131.). The most important result of our work is that analytical models far overestimate the role of magnetic interaction in rock fabric quantification. Considering natural rocks as an assemblage of interacting and non-interacting grains, and that the effects of interaction are reduced by (i) the finite geometry of the interacting clusters, (ii) the relative orientation between interacting grains, (iii) their heterogeneity in orientation, shape and bulk susceptibility, and (iv) their inter-distance distribution, we reconcile analytical models and experiments with real case studies that minimize the role of magnetic interaction onto the measured AMS. Limitations of our results are discussed and guidelines are provided for the use of AMS in geological interpretation of igneous rock fabrics where magnetic interactions are likely to occur.     

Deformation history inferred from magnetic fabric in the southwestern Okcheon metamorphic belt, Korea

Magnetic fabric and rock-magnetic studies have been carried out for the non-fossiliferous, low- to medium-grade metasedimentary rocks in the southwestern part of the Okcheon metamorphic belt (OMB). Two major metamorphic events in the study area were previously recognized: regional metamorphism (M₁) in the late Carboniferous to early Permian and contact metamorphism (M₂) due to the intrusion of granite in the middle Jurassic. The metamorphic grade of the study area increases from the biotite zone in southeast through the garnet zone to the staurolite zone towards the northwest. Magnetic fabrics of the study area are generally well defined and can be characterized according to the metamorphic zones. Magnetic foliation is the dominant magnetic fabric in the biotite zone, while magnetic lineation prevails in both garnet and staurolite zones. We interpret the metamorphism-related deformation history of the study area based on magnetic fabrics, magnetic mineralogy and previously reported metamorphic evolution as follows. Penetrative NW-dipping cleavage, represented by magnetic foliation, was formed in the study area by prevailing NW–SE shortening event during the M₁ regional metamorphism in the late Carboniferous–early Permian. This shortening event is interpreted to be associated with the collisional event between the North and South China blocks. Cleavages dipping steeply to the southeast in the staurolite zone are attributed to the pressure exerted from the intrusion of Jurassic granite in the northwestern area.     

Magnetic anisotropy of calcite at room-temperature

The intrinsic room temperature magnetic properties of pure calcite were determined from a series of natural crystals, and they were found to be highly dependent on the chemical composition. In general, dia-, para-, and ferromagnetic components contribute to the magnetic susceptibility and the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS). With a combination of magnetic measurements and chemical analysis these three contributions were determined and related to their mineralogical sources. The intrinsic diamagnetic susceptibility of pure calcite is − 4.46 ± 0.16 × 10^− 9 m³/kg (− 12.09 ± 0.5 × 10^− 6 SI) and the susceptibility difference is 4.06 ± 0.03 × 10^− 10 m³/kg (1.10 ± 0.01 × 10^− 6 SI). These diamagnetic properties are easily dominated by other components. The paramagnetic contribution is due to paramagnetic ions in the crystal lattice that substitute for calcium; these are mainly iron and manganese. The measured paramagnetic susceptibility agrees with the values calculated from the known concentration of paramagnetic ions in the crystals according to the Curie law of paramagnetic susceptibility. Substituted iron leads to an increase in the AMS. The paramagnetic susceptibility difference was found to correlate linearly with the iron content for concentrations between 500 and 10,000 ppm. An empirical relation was determined: (k₁ − k₃)^para (kg/m³) = Fe-content (ppm) × (1 ± 0.1) × 10^− 12 (kg/m³/ppm). The maximum susceptibility difference (Δk = k₁ − k₃) was found to be unaffected by iron contents below 100 ppm. Ferromagnetic contributions due to inclusions of ferromagnetic minerals can dominate the susceptibility. They were detected by acquisition of isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) and their contribution to the AMS was separated by high-field measurements.     

Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility and paleomagnetic studies in relation to the tectonic evolution of the Miocene–Pleistocene accretionary sequence in the Boso and Miura Peninsulas, central Japan

Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and paleomagnetic methods have been applied on the middle Miocene–Pleistocene sedimentary sequence in the Boso and Miura Peninsulas of central Japan in order to identify the invisible regional deformation sense as well as the intensity of deformation of sediments. The southern sequences of the two peninsulas were subjected to syn-sedimentary deformation of folding and faulting generated in compressional tectonics. A previous result of the AMS experiment on the sequences shows a development of a strong magnetic lineation. Thus, it is conceivable that the lineation had to be generated during the process of deformation, and in a direction perpendicular to the shortening. However, the orientation of the magnetic lineations is inconsistent among the different tectonic domains in the southern sequence. The paleomagnetic declination in each domain reveals a clockwise rotation in various degrees. Reconstructed directions of the magnetic lineations show a consistent pattern in the east–west direction, suggesting that the sedimentary sequence was subjected to a north-southward compression. In contrast, the compressive direction of the sediment cover on the Pliocene–Pleistocene sequence reveals a northwest direction. Our results suggest that the Philippine Sea Plate had been subducting northward during the middle Miocene–Pliocene, and changed its direction during the Pliocene.     

风成红黏土序列磁化率各向异性特征对区域应力变化的响应

对六盘山以西132 m水洛红黏土剖面磁化率各向异性特征的研究表明,水洛红黏土剖面记录的14.8~8.7 Ma沉积序列受到了同沉积时期不同程度的应力作用,磁化率各向异性变化特征对应于应力作用强度较弱的初期和应力作用强度有所加强的中期。进一步分析发现,14.8~11.0 Ma之间显示出3次应力增强和后续应力减弱交替变化的特点,这一应力作用事件可能与青藏高原东北缘在此阶段强烈构造活动的区域应力传递相关,而11.0~8.7 Ma期间存在一个相对较强的应力作用事件,可能是对局部地区应力增强事件的响应。     

南京下蜀土的岩石磁学特征

对南京附近的下蜀土进行了岩石磁学测定,通过磁化率各向异性测量研究了它的沉积磁性组构特征,下蜀土的各异向性很不明显,各向异性废Ｐ小于水成岩的Ｐ值（＞１．０２）,且与困面理度Ｆ高度相关,与磁线理度Ｌ相关不明显,这种特征与中国中部风成黄土极相似。对新生圩剖面进行的磁化率测量发现用化率曲线上有７个旋回的波峰、波谷变化,这与剖面中的古土壤－黄土系列相一致,说明下蜀土的剖面磁化率同样可以作为地层划分与对比,反映古气候冷暧变化的物理参数。对典型下蜀土样品进行的低温磁化率测量揭示出古土壤和黄土的成颗粒的构成不同,古土壤以超顺磁质为主,黄土以顺磁质为主。细小磁颗粒在古土壤中的积聚可能与古土壤的发育及古气候的暧湿程度有关。     

岩石的磁性组构及其在岩石变形分析中的应用

文本总结了对采自巴彦乌拉山韧性剪切带的部分标本进行岩石组构数据测定的分析结果,并将其与用常规应变分析方法所得结果予以比较,表明了岩石磁化率各向异性椭球体能够反映总的应变椭球体,证明岩石磁化率各向异性技术做为一种岩石组构因素的研究是有发展前景的。岩石磁性组构资料可应用于变形岩石的应变分析,特别是在通常的岩石组构分析技术太费时间和粗糙的情况下更显示了其优越性。     

藏南泽当地区大反向逆冲断层变形研究——以磁组构与EBSD组构分析为例

仁布-泽当逆冲断层是喜马拉雅大反向逆冲断层（GCT）在藏南地区的重要延伸部分,也是喜马拉雅造山带北部边界新生代最为活动的构造单元之一。新生代以来特提斯喜马拉雅的构造变形组构特征的研究对于深入理解碰撞造山带演化与高原隆升具有重要构造意义。本文综合GCT泽当-琼结段断层的宏观与微观变形特征,对断裂带石英脉、围岩中石英和云母矿物的电子背散射（EBSD）组构及断层两侧岩石磁组构（AMS）特征进行对比分析。结果表明对AMS主要贡献来自顺磁性云母、绿泥石等,磁化率各向异性椭球体以压扁状为主,磁面理与构造面理（劈理、断层面）基本重合,显示较强的构造变形磁组构特征;磁线理优选方向近南北向,且与观测北向逆冲断层方向一致,揭示剪切作用在变形过程中的持续作用。研究发现泽当地区GCT附近石英微观结构从围岩至断层区,石英至少呈现3种不同类型的微观变形机制：围岩区溶解蠕变、断裂带石英以膨凸重结晶和亚颗粒旋转重结晶作用为主。断裂带石英的c轴EBSD组构指示变形为低温（300~400℃）环境,其中黑云母的结晶学优选（CPO）与磁组构主轴优选方向存在高度的一致性,进一步证实了顺磁性矿物黑云母对AMS的主要贡献。综合研究表明泽当地区GCT的韧性变形是断层处在中上地壳韧性带的活动阶段变形的结果,也代表了特提斯喜马拉雅在碰撞、高原隆升期的变形主要特征。

     

Tertiary geodynamics of Sakhalin (NW Pacific) from anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility fabrics and paleomagnetic data

Sakhalin has been affected by several phases of Cretaceous and Tertiary deformation due to the complex interaction of plates in the northwest Pacific region. A detailed understanding of the strain is important because it will provide constraints on plate-scale processes that control the formation and deformation of marginal sedimentary basins. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) data were obtained from fine-grained mudstones and siltstones from 22 localities in Sakhalin in order to provide information concerning tectonic strain. AMS data reliably record ancient strain tensor orientations before significant deformation of the sediments occurred. Paleomagnetically determined vertical-axis rotations of crustal rocks allow rotation of the fabrics back to their original orientation. Results from southwest Sakhalin indicate a N035°E-directed net tectonic transport from the mid-Paleocene to the early Miocene, which is consistent with the present-day relative motion between the Okhotsk Sea and Eurasian plates. Reconstruction of early–late Miocene AMS fabrics in east Sakhalin indicates a tectonic transport direction of N040°E. In west Sakhalin, the transport direction appears to have remained relatively consistent from the Oligocene to the late Miocene, but it has a different attitude of N080°E. This suggests local deflection of the stress and strain fields, which was probably associated with opening of the northern Tatar Strait. A northward-directed tectonic transport is observed in Miocene sediments in southeast Sakhalin, mid-Eocene sediments in east Sakhalin, and in Late Cretaceous rocks of west and northern Sakhalin, which may be associated with northwestward motion and subduction of the Pacific Plate in the Tertiary period. The boundaries of the separate regions defined by the AMS data are consistent with present-day plate models and, therefore, provide meaningful constraints on the tectonic evolution of Sakhalin.     

Structural and magnetic fabric study of the Marimanha granite (Axial Zone of the Pyrenees)

The structural and magnetic fabric study of the Marimanha granite, Axial Zone of the Pyrenees, provides new data to characterize the zonation and the internal structure of the pluton. The Marimanha granite intrudes Cambro–Ordovician clastic rocks and Silurian–Devonian limestones and slates. The zonation of the low field magnetic susceptibility, consistent with the petrological zonation of the igneous body, indicates a concentric arrangement of rock types, with more basic compositions at the external areas. This pluton is characterized by a low susceptibility, and rock–magnetic studies indicate a majority of “paramagnetic” samples. Magnetic foliations strike parallel to petrographic contacts and to contours of zonation of magnetic susceptibility, and show a dominant NE–SW strike, steeply dipping towards the North. Locally, in the northern border of the pluton foliation directions become perpendicular to petrographic contacts and depict sigmoidal trajectories. Magnetic lineations are characterized by the predominance of NE–SW trends with shallow plunges to the NE and SW. These foliations and lineations are parallel to the slight elongation of internal petrographic zonation. Magnetic fabric within the granitoid body and internal elliptical shape of petrographic zonation, suggest an intrusion contemporary with a transpressional regime and NNW–SSE shortening, syntectonic with the late stages of the Variscan orogeny. These results are in accordance with anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility studies of others plutons in the Pyrenees. To explain the origin of the Marimanha granite we propose magma ascent through faults at depth and emplacement by ballooning in situ at the rheological boundary between Cambro–Ordovician and Siluro–Devonian metasediments.     

Regional scale strain variations in Banded Iron Formations of Eastern India: results from anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility studies

Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) data are used as a tool to determine strain variations in different parts of the Banded Iron Formations (BIFs) of the Bonai Synclinorium, eastern India. AMS data of 88 cylindrical cores drilled from 29 samples collected from the limb and hinge parts of mesoscopic scale folds as well as different parts of the entire synclinorium are presented. It is found that the samples from limbs of small-scale folds and also from limbs of the regional scale synclinorium have higher degrees of anisotropy than the hinges. This is inferred to indicate that the limbs accommodated higher strain than the hinges. AMS orientation data are analysed in conjunction with field data. It is concluded that the magnetic fabric developed in the limbs as well as hinges of the BIFs of the study area is related to deformation and is not a manifestation of sedimentary fabric.     

Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility of heated rocks

Heating produces changes, which does not always correspond to simple enhancement of the magnetic fabric. Two methods are proposed to determine the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility of the ferrimagnetic minerals formed or that have disappeared by chemical change during successive heating. The first diagonalizes the tensor from the difference between each tensor term before and after heating. The second employs linear regression for each tensor term made with the values obtained throughout a thermal treatment. When the same magnetic fabric is obtained from several thermal steps, it cannot be related to randomly oriented ferrimagnetic minerals. Instead, the newly formed fabric must be related to characteristics of the pre-existing rock. By comparing this ferrimagnetic minerals fabric with the initial whole rock fabric, we can distinguish cases where heating simply enhances pre-existing fabric from those where thermal treatment induces a different fabric. Relative to the pre-heating fabric, this different fabric may simply be an inverse fabric or one whose principal susceptibility axes are oriented in a different direction, related to petrostructural elements other than those defining the initial fabric.     

Late Cenozoic to recent transtensional deformation across the Southern part of the Gaoligong shear zone between the Indian plate and SE margin of the Tibetan plateau and its tectonic origin

Chuquicamata, in northern Chile, is one of the largest porphyry copper deposits in the world; the western side of its orebody is bounded by a major longitudinal fault, the West fault. We report paleomagnetic results from surface sites and drill cores from different geological units at Chuquicamata, especially within the late Eocene Fiesta granodiorite of the western block of the West fault. Characteristic remanent magnetizations (ChRM) were determined after detailed thermal or alternating field demagnetization. Soft components carried by multidomain magnetite crystals in the Fiesta granodiorite were removed by AF demagnetization at 10–20 mT. The ChRMs, not demagnetized by alternating fields up to 100 mT, have unblocking temperatures above 580 °C with ~ 75% of the magnetization removed in the temperature range of 580–590 °C. Optical and SEM mineralogical observations, and microprobe data indicate the occurrence of multidomain magnetite formed during a late magmatic stage of alteration coeval with strong oxidation of primary titanomagnetite and formation of ilmenite, hematite, pseudobrookite, and rutile. The characteristic directions have negative inclinations and declinations (330° to 230°); strongly deflected from the expected Eocene direction. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS), with degree up to 1.4, is carried by multidomain magnetite. AMS ellipsoids have subvertical foliations with azimuth varying strongly from N280° to N20°. We show that both the ChRMs and the AMS fabrics record the same apparent relative rotations between sites. Although the AMS anisotropy is high, there is no evidence for a solid-state deformation and the apparent rotation of the magnetic fabric is interpreted to be the consequence of small-block rotation. The apparent large (> 100°) counterclockwise rotations of small blocks within the Fiesta granodiorite suggest a wide damaged zone related to sinistral displacement along the West fault. This interpretation is consistent with previous models indicating that the Fiesta granodiorite was sinistrally translated and brought in front of the early Oligocene porphyry copper deposit during the Oligocene–early Miocene. This study shows that paleomagnetic markers are useful for improving the quantification and understanding of small-scale deformation within plutons adjacent to major fault zones.     

中国大陆科学钻探主孔100-2000m岩心的磁化率各向异性及其地质意义

在常温常压条件下获得了中国大陆科学钻探(CCSD)主孔331块岩心的磁化率各向异性(AMS)数据,并建立了主孔100—2000m的体积磁化率和AMS连续剖面。数据统计分析显示,主孔100—2000m岩心的磁化率(κ)介于1．05×10-4SI和0．12SI之间,几何平均值为1．855×10-3SI;磁化率各向异性度(Pj)介于1．04和2．10之间,几何平均值为1．155。该井段出露的主要岩石类型有榴辉岩、退变质榴辉岩、角闪岩、正片麻岩、副片麻岩和蛇纹石化橄榄岩,它们的垂向分布特征控制着磁化率剖面的变化。主孔的超高压变质岩石在折返过程中普遍经历了强烈的角闪岩相退变质作用的改造。其磁化率特征也发生相应的改变。蛇纹石化橄榄岩具有很高的磁化率(8．58×10-2SI)和各向异性度(1．335)。这主要源于橄榄岩蛇纹石化过程中产生的大量磁铁矿。榴辉岩、退变质榴辉岩和角闪岩代表榴辉岩从新鲜到完全退变质的三个阶段,它们的磁化率和磁化率各向异性度分别为榴辉岩(1．28×10-3SI、1．077)、退变质榴辉岩(3．19×10-3SI、1．206)、角闪岩(1．02×10-3SI、1．104)。正片麻岩的磁化率和各向异性度分别为5．34×10-3SI和1．167。副片麻岩的磁化率和各向异性度分别为3．46×10-4SI和1．150。对58个变形岩石的AMS测试结果显示,其磁化率椭球体的主轴方向与岩石组构基本一致,即最大磁化率主轴κ1平行矿物线理,最小磁化率主轴κ3垂直岩石面理。同时,这些变形岩石的AMS椭球体多呈现明显的压扁状特征,反映超高压变质岩石在折返过程中处于强烈挤压变形的构造应力环境,为苏鲁超高压变质板片的挤出折返模式提供了佐证。该研究成果也为超高压变质岩石地区磁学研究、地球物理调查和测井成果的解释提供了重要的实验约束。     

Dike intrusion under shear stress: Effects on magnetic and vesicle fabrics in dikes from rift zones of Tenerife (Canary Islands)

A theoretical model predicting how anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and vesicle fabrics are modified by shear stress resolved on the dike walls prior to the final cooling of magma is developed for vertical dikes. The resulting fabrics are asymmetric with respect to initial fabrics assumed to be symmetric. Application of this model together with collected data on magma flow direction, dike propagation direction and mechanism, and shear sense, allow us to interpret dike fabrics in terms of shear resolved on the dike walls during intrusion (en echelon arrangement, offsetting, and dike curvature). The interpretation of AMS and vesicle fabrics of the margins of four dikes shows a reasonable agreement with the proposed theoretical models, suggesting that asymmetric fabrics can be used to infer magma flow and may provide valuable information on the shear resolved on the dike walls during intrusion.     

Fabric analysis of quartzites with negative magnetic susceptibility – Does AMS provide information of SPO or CPO of quartz?

We ask the question whether petrofabric data from anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) analysis of deformed quartzites gives information about shape preferred orientation (SPO) or crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) of quartz. Since quartz is diamagnetic and has a negative magnetic susceptibility, 11 samples of nearly pure quartzites with a negative magnetic susceptibility were chosen for this study. After performing AMS analysis, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis was done in thin sections prepared parallel to the K₁K₃ plane of the AMS ellipsoid. Results show that in all the samples quartz SPO is sub-parallel to the orientation of the magnetic foliation. However, in most samples no clear correspondance is observed between quartz CPO and K₁ (magnetic lineation) direction. This is contrary to the parallelism observed between K₁ direction and orientation of quartz c-axis in the case of undeformed single quartz crystal. Pole figures of quartz indicate that quartz c-axis tends to be parallel to K₁ direction only in the case where intracrystalline deformation of quartz is accommodated by prism <c> slip. It is therefore established that AMS investigation of quartz from deformed rocks gives information of SPO. Thus, it is concluded that petrofabric information of quartzite obtained from AMS is a manifestation of its shape anisotropy and not crystallographic preferred orientation.