Quantifying the Building Blocks of Igneous Rocks: Are Clustered Crystal Frameworks the Foundation?

Most phenocryst populations in volcanic rocks, and those preservedin shallow-level igneous intrusions, are clustered (variouslyreferred to as clots, clumps or glomerocrysts). These clustersof crystals are the building blocks that accumulate to formthe high-porosity, touching crystal frameworks from which igneouscumulates form. Examination of touching crystal frameworks inolivine- (komatiite cumulates and experimental charges) andplagioclase-dominant crystal populations (Holyoke flood basalt,Connecticut, USA) reveal complex, high-porosity, clustered crystalarrangements. Olivine touching frameworks in komatiite flowsare interpreted to form in hundreds of days. Plagioclase frameworksare calculated to have formed in less than 17 years for a crystalgrowth rate of 1 x 10^-10 mm/s to less than 3 years for a growthrate of 5 x 10^-10 mm/s based on crystal size distributions.The origin of crystal clusters is likely to involve either (ora combination of) heterogeneous nucleation, remobilization ofcumulate mushes or crystals sticking together during settlingand/or flow. The spatial distribution pattern of clustered crystalframeworks from both natural and experimental examples constrainsfields on spatial packing diagrams that allow the identificationof touching and non-touching crystal populations, and furtherimprove our understanding of crystal packing arrangements andcluster size distributions. KEY WORDS: cumulates; CSD; komatiite; basalt; spatial packing; textural analysis     

Sedimentological evaluation of general circulation model simulations for the “greenhouse” Earth: Cretaceous and Jurassic case studies

Conceptual climate models, based on the workings of the present-day climate system, provided a first-order approach to ancient climate systems. They are potentially very subjective in character. Their main drawback was that they involved the relocation of continents beneath a stable atmospheric circulation modelled upon that of the present. General circulation models (GCMs) use the laws of physics and an understanding of past geography to simulate climatic responses. They are objective in character. However, they require super computers to handle vast numbers of calculations. Nonetheless it is now possible to compare results from different GCMs for a range of times and over a wide range of parameterisations. GCMs are currently producing simulated climate predictions which compare favourably with the distributions of climatically sensitive facies (e.g. coals, evaporites and palaeosols). They have been used effectively in the prediction of oceanic upwelling sites and the distribution of petroleum source-rocks and phosphorites. Parameterisation is the main weakness in GCMs (e.g. sea-surface temperature, orography, cloud behaviour). Sensitivity experiments can be run on GCMs which simulate the effects of Milankovitch forcing and thus provide insights into possible patterns of climate change both globally and locally (i.e. provide predictions that can be evaluated against the rock record). Future use of GCMs could be in the forward modelling of sequence stratigraphic evolution and in the prediction of the diagenetic characteristics of reservoir units in frontier exploration areas. The sedimentary record provides the only way that GCMs may themselves be evaluated and this is important because these same GCMs are being used currently to predict possible changes in future climate.     

An Exploration of Building a Thematic Sub-database within the Framework of DDE:A New Detrital Zircon U-Pb Dating Database

正Within the framework of the Deep-time Digital Earth (DDE)project,thematic databases driven by scientific issues will have strong scientific vitality.In the field of sedimentology,thematic databases based on the current unified sedimentary knowledge tree established by the Sedimentary Data Group (Fig.1),can solve specific scientific problems effectively and improve the scope and utility of the DDE platform significantly.     

Cenozoic Exhumation and Thrusting in the Northern Qilian Shan, Northeastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau: Constraints from Sedimentological and Apatite Fission-Track Data

Abstract: The Qilian Shan lies along the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. To constrain its deformation history, we conducted integrated research on Mesozoic–Cenozoic stratigraphic sections in the Jiuxi Basin immediately north of the mountain range. Paleocurrent measurements, sandstone compositional data, and facies analysis of Cenozoic stratigraphic sections suggest that the Jiuxi Basin received sediments from the Altyn Tagh Range in the northwest, initially in the Oligocene (~33 Ma), depositing the Huoshaogou Formation in the northern part of the basin. Later, the source area of the Jiuxi Basin changed to the Qilian Shan in the south during Late Oligocene (~27 Ma), which led to the deposition of the Baiyanghe Formation. We suggest that uplift of the northern Qilian Shan induced by thrusting began no later than the Late Oligocene. Fission-track analysis of apatite from the Qilian Shan yields further information about the deformation history of the northern Qilain Shan and the Jiuxi Basin. It shows that a period of rapid cooling, interpreted as exhumation, initiated in the Oligocene. We suggest that this exhumation marked the initial uplift of the Qilian Shan resulting from the India–Asia collision.     

Sedimentological investigations of metamorphic clastics: the basal clastic rocks of the Brenner Mesozoic (Stubai Alps, Austria/Italy)

Sedimentological investigations were carried out in the basal clastic rocks of the Brenner Mesozoic in the Stubai Alps. These are Scythian in age and metamorphosed to a greenschist grade. The increase of temperature and pressure from north to south allows the metamorphic effects on Sedimentological features to be gradually traced into higher grade metamorphic areas. The use of various laboratory methods as well as profiling with lithofacies types shows the limitation of using only single methods in sediments suffering thermal and deformational overprint. Only a combined application of different methods allows the extraction of useful sedimentological information. Based on the results of these investigations, a fan delta to shelf succession is proposed for the basal clastic rocks. Petrographic analyses show the relation of the sediments to an underlying weathering horizon.     

Duration and synchroneity of the largest negative carbon isotope excursion on Earth: The Shuram/Wonoka anomaly

Carbonate δ¹³C values provide a useful monitor of changes in the global carbon cycle because they can record the burial ratio of organic to carbonate carbon. The most pronounced isotope excursions in the geologic record occur during the Neoproterozoic and have assumed a central role in the interpretation of biogeochemical events preceding the Ediacaran and Cambrian radiations. The most profound negative carbon isotope excursion is best recorded in the Ediacaran-aged Shuram Formation of Oman and has potential equivalents worldwide including the Wonoka Formation of South Australia and other sections in China, India, Siberia, Canada, Scandinavia and Brazil. All these excursions are less well understood than those in the Phanerozoic because of their unusual magnitude, long duration (> 1 Ma) and the difficulty in correlating Neoproterozoic basins to confirm independently that they do indeed record global change in the mixed ocean reservoir. Alternatively, these δ¹³C anomalies could reflect diachronous diagenetic processes. Currently none of these excursion are firmly time constrained and critical to their interpretation is a coherent reproducibility and synchroneity at the global ocean scale. Here we use available strontium isotope record as an independent chronometer to test the timing and synchroneity of the Shuram δ¹³C and its potential equivalents. The use of the ⁸⁶Sr/⁸⁷Sr ratio allows the reconstruction of a coherent, global δ¹³C record calibrated independently against time. The calibrated δ¹³C curve indicates that the Shuram negative anomaly spans several tens of millions of years and reaches values below −10‰. This carbon isotopic anomaly therefore represents a meaningful oceanographic event that fundamentally challenges our understanding of the carbon cycle as defined in the Phanerozoic.     

New high-pressure and high-temperature metal/silicate partitioning of U and Pb: Implications for the cores of the Earth and Mars

In order to quantify possible fractionation of U and Pb into a metallic core, we have performed piston cylinder and multi-anvil press experiments at high pressure (up to 20 GPa) and high temperature (up to 2400 °C) and obtained the distribution coefficient D_{metal-silicate} and the exchange partition coefficient K_{metal-silicate} for these elements between metal and silicates (mineral or liquid). and depend strongly on the S content of the metallic phase, and also on the oxygen fugacity, in agreement with an effective valence state of 4 for U in silicates and 2 for Pb in silicates. and show no discernable pressure and temperature trend. U remains lithophile even at high pressure and high temperature but its lithophile nature decreases at very low oxygen fugacity. From our experimental data, it was possible to calculate the U and Pb contents of the cores of Mars and Earth under core-mantle equilibrium conditions at high pressure and high temperature. From the D_{metal-silicate} of the present study, we obtained that: 0.008 ppm < Pb_{in the core} <4.4 ppm, and 0.0003 ppb < U_{in the core} < 0.63 ppb, depending on whether the metal is S-free or S-saturated respectively, and if the mantle was molten or solid during the segregation process of the Earth’s core around ΔIW-2. For Mars, based on a core segregation process around ΔIW-1, we obtained that: 0.005 ppm < Pb_{in the core} < 3 ppm, and 0.00002 ppb < U_{in the core} < 0.05 ppb, depending on the metallic composition: S-free or S-saturated respectively.Our results suggest that the low concentration of Pb in the terrestrial mantle could not be explained by an early Pb sequestration in the Earth’s core even if S is the dominant light element of the core. If we assume a magma ocean scenario, U might produced a maximum value of 1.5% of the total heat budget of the core with a segregation occurring below ΔIW-3. The values found in the present study for U in the Martian core suggest that the magnetic field activity of Mars before ∼0.5 b.y. after its formation would be difficult to ascribe to the decay of U alone.     

Rare Earth Element Patterns in the Karst Terrains of Guizhou Province, China: Implication for Water/Particle Interaction

The authors determine the concentrations of dissolved (<0.22 μm) rare earth elements (REE) and suspended particulate matter (SPM) of typical karst rivers in Guizhou Province, China during the high-flow period. The concentrations of acid-soluble REE extracted from SPM using diluted hydrochloric acid are also obtained to investigate water/particle interaction in the river water. The dissolved REE contents in the river water are extremely low in the rivers of the study. The dissolved REE distribution patterns normalized by the Post Archean Australia Shale (PAAS) in the karst rivers are not flat, show slight enrichment of heavy REE to light REE, and also have significant negative Ce and Eu anomalies. The acid-soluble REE appears to have similar distribution patterns as characterized by MREE enrichment and slight LREE depletion, with unremarkable Ce and Eu anomalies. The PAAS-normalized REE distribution patterns of SPM are flat with negative Eu anomalies. The contents and distribution patterns of REE in the SPM are closely related to the lithological character of the source rocks. The SPM contains almost all the REE produced in the process of surficial weathering. This demonstrates that particle-hosted REE are the most important form of REE occurrence. REE fractionation, which takes place during weathering and transport, leads to an obvious HREE enrichment in the dissolved loads relative to the SPM. Y/Ho ratio can be used to shed light on REE behaviors during water/particle interaction.     

Quantitative Simulation of the Hydrothermal Systems of Crystallizing Magmas on the Basis of Transport Theory and Oxygen Isotope Data: An analysis of the Skaergaard Intrusion

Application of the principles of transport theory to studiesof magma-hydrothermal systems permits quantitative predictionsto be made of the consequences of magma intruding into permeablerocks. Transport processes which redistribute energy, mass,and momentum in these environments can be represented by a setof partial differential equations involving the rate of changeof extensive properties in the system. Numerical approximationand computer evaluation of the transport equations effectivelysimulates the crystallization of magma, cooling of the igneousrocks, advection of chemical components, and chemical and isotopicmass transfer between minerals and aqueous solution. Numerical modeling of the deep portions of the Skaergaard magma-hydrothermalsystem has produced detailed maps of the temperature, pressure,fluid velocity, integrated fluid flux, ¹⁸O-values in rock andfluid, and extent of nonequilibrium exchange reactions betweenfluid and rock as a function of time for a two-dimensional cross-sectionthrough the pluton. An excellent match was made between calculated¹⁸O-values and the measured ¹⁸O-values in the three principalrock units, basalt, gabbro, and gneiss, as well as in xenolithsof roof rocks that are now embedded in Layered Series; the latterwere evidently depleted in ¹⁸O early in the system's coolinghistory, prior to falling to the bottom of the magma chamber.The best match was realized for a system in which the bulk rockpermeabilities were 10^–13 cm² for the intrusion, 10^–11cm² for basalt, and 10^–16 cm² for gneiss; reaction domainsizes were 0.2 cm in the intrusion and gneiss and 0.01 cm inthe basalts, and activation energy for the isotope exchangereaction between fluid and plagioclase was 30 kcal/mole. The calculated thermal history of the Skaergaard system wascharacterized by extensive fluid circulation that was largelyrestricted to the permeable basalts and to regions of the plutonstratigraphically above the basalt-gneiss unconformity. Althoughfluids circulated all around the crystallizing magma, fluidflow paths were deflected around the magma sheet during theinitial 130,000 years. At that time, crystallization of thefinal sheet of magma and fracture of the rock shifted the circulationsystem toward the center of the intrusion, thereby minimizingthe extent of isotope exchange between rocks near the marginof the intrusion at this level. For comparison, similar calculationswere also made for pure conductive cooling; it was found thatthe rate of crystallization of the magma body was not changed.The solidified pluton cooled by a factor of about 2 faster inthe presence of a hydrothermal system. Transport rates of thermal energy out of the intrusion and oflow-¹⁸O fluids into the intrusion controlled the overall isotopeexchange process. During the initial 150,000 years, temperatureswere high and reaction rates were fast; thus, fluids flowinginto the intrusion quickly equilibrated with plagioclase. However,the temperature decreased between 120,000 and 175,000 yearsand caused a decrease in reaction rates and an increase in theequilibrium fractionation factor between plagioclase and fluid.Consequently, during this time period fluids in the intrusiontended to be out of equilibrium with plagioclase. After 175,000years temperatures had decreased sufficiently that reactionrates became insignificant, but convection rates were largeenough to redistribute fluid and enlarge the regions where fluidand plagioclase were out of equilibrium. By 400,000 years, thepluton had cooled to approximately ambient temperatures, andthe final ¹⁸O values were ‘frozen in’. Reactionsbetween hydrothermal fluid and the intrusion occurred over abroad range in temperature, 1000-200 °C, but 75 per centof the fluid circulated through the intrusion while its averagetemperature was >480 °C. This relatively high temperatureis consistent with the observation that only minor amounts ofhydrothermal alteration products were formed in the naturalsystem, even where several per mil shifts in ¹⁸O were detected. The relative quantities of fluid to rock integrated over theentire cooling history were 0.52 for the upper part of intrusion,0.88 for the basalt, 0.003 for the gneiss, and 0.41 for theentire domain. Almost all of the fluid flowed into the intrusionfrom the basalt host rocks that occur adjacent to the side contactsof the intrusion. Convection transferred about 20 per cent ofthe total heat contained in the gabbro upward into the overlyingbasalts; the remaining 80 per cent of the heat was transferredby conduction.     

The Seismic Structure of Wilkes Land/Terre Adelie, East Antarctica and Comparison with Australia: First Steps in Reconstructing the Deep Lithosphere of Gondwana

A determination of the seismic structure of the crust and uppermost mantle of East Antarctica, in the region of Casey station, Wilkes Land and Dumont DUrville station, Terre Adelie is presented. High-fidelity waveforms from teleseismic earthquakes recorded at stations CASY and DRV (1996-2001) are used to calculate the seismic receiver function, the signal produced as energy passes through layers in the seismic velocity structure under the receiving station. The receiver functions are stacked to improve the signal-to-noise ratio and then modelled using an inverse algorithm to find the structure that best fits the observed waveform at each station. Inferences are made regarding the tectonic structure, in particular, the crustal thickness and character of the seismic Moho.The crustal thickness under Casey Station is found to be 30 km (+/- 2 km) with a fairly sharp Moho, considerably less than Dumont D'Urville Station, where the crustal thickness is 42 km, and there IS a significant low velocity region the deep crust. The structure of the Wilkes Land lithosphere is comparable to that of the Albany-Fraser Orogen, Western Australia, part of its conjugate margin. This places a new constraint on the relative position of East Antarctica and Australia in the reconstruction of Gondwana, and earlier, supercontinents. A recent reinterpretation of Antarctic geology proposes tectonic province boundaries trending perpendicular to the coast with counterparts in southern Australia. Seismic techniques, determining structure beneath regions with no surface exposure, are vital tools in testing such tectonic hypotheses, towards the reconstruction of Gondwana to full lithospheric depth.     

Structural Mapping of the Bentong‐Raub Suture Zone Using PALSAR Remote Sensing Data,Peninsular Malaysia: Implications for Sediment‐hosted/Orogenic Gold Mineral Systems Exploration

The Bentong‐Raub Suture Zone (BRSZ) of Peninsular Malaysia is one of the major structural zones in Sundaland, Southeast Asia. It forms the boundary between the Gondwana‐derived Sibumasu terrane in the west and Sukhothai Arc in the east. The BRSZ is genetically related to the sediment‐hosted/orogenic gold deposits associated with the major lineaments in the Central Gold Belt of Peninsular Malaysia. In this investigation, the Phased Array type L‐band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) satellite remote sensing data were used to map major geological structures in Peninsular Malaysia and provide detailed characterization of lineaments and curvilinear structures in the BRSZ, as well as their implication for sediment‐hosted/orogenic gold exploration in tropical environments. Major structural lineaments such as the Bentong‐Raub Suture Zone (BRSZ) and Lebir Fault Zone, ductile deformation related to crustal shortening, brittle disjunctive structures (faults and fractures) and collisional mountain range (Main Range granites) were detected and mapped at regional scale using PALSAR ScanSAR data. The major geological structure directions of the BRSZ were N–S, NNE–SSW, NE–SW and NW–SE, which derived from directional filtering analysis to PALSAR fine and polarimetric data. The pervasive array of N–S faults in the Central Gold Belt and surrounding terrain is mainly linked to the N–S trending of the Suture Zone. N–S striking lineaments are often cut by younger NE–SW and NW–SE‐trending lineaments. Gold mineralized trend lineaments are associated with the intersection of N–S, NE–SW, NNW–SSE and ESE–WNW faults and curvilinear features in shearing and alteration zones. Compressional tectonic structures such as the NW–SE trending thrust, ENE–WSW oriented faults in mylonite and phyllite, recumbent folds and asymmetric anticlines in argillite are high potential zones for gold prospecting in the Central Gold Belt. Three generations of folding events in Peninsular Malaysia have been recognized from remote sensing structural interpretation. Consequently, PALSAR satellite remote sensing data is a useful tool for mapping major geological structural features and detailed structural analysis of fault systems and deformation areas with high potential for sediment‐hosted/orogenic gold deposits and polymetallic vein‐type mineralization along margins of Precambrian blocks, especially for inaccessible regions in tropical environments.     

The Spatial Distribution of CBM Systems under the Control of Structure and Sedimentation: The Gujiao Block as an Example

A multilayer coal bed methane system with a complex superimposed relationship developed vertically in the Gujiao block. Taking the cumulative thickness of mudstone between neighbouring coal seams and open faults as object of research, the key strata for the division of different CBM systems was defined. The connection of an open fault for the fluid pressure system and the spatial distribution of the CBM system were analysed. The results showed that the porosity of compact mudstone is extremely low. When the mudstone thickness of the roof and floor increases, the gas content increases. Taking the Lijiashe and Wangzhimao faults as the boundary lines, the fluid pressure gradient between the Shanxi and Taiyuan formations is less than 0.08 MPa /100 m in the northern fracture zone, such as the Zhenchengdi, the Xiqu, the Tunlan, and the northern Dongqu well fields. The vertical gas units of different strata may belong to the same CBM system. The structure is simple in the southern Lijiashe fault. The vertical gas units in the southern Lijiashe fault belong to different CBM systems. Combined with the minimum thickness of the mudstone layer (2 m) and coal seam (0.5 m) standards, the spatial distribution of CBM systems was analysed.     

Synthetic Fluid Inclusions in the Systems NaCl-H2O and NaCl-CO2-H2O: Dissolution Temperatures of Halite

Abstract. This study examined the effect of CO₂ on NaCl solubility in hydrothermal fluid, with the synthetic fluid inclusion technique. Fluid inclusions of 30–40 wt% NaCl and 5 mol % CO₂ were synthesized, and their halite dissolution temperatures, T_m(halite), were measured. The solubilities of NaCl in CO₂-bearing aqueous fluid were obtained at 160–320C under vapor-saturated pressures. The T_m(halite) value in aqueous fluid with 5 mol % CO₂ obtained in this study agrees with that of Schmidt et al. (1995), showing that 5 mol % CO₂ reduces the solubility of NaCl by about 1 wt%.
Calculation of magnetite solubility suggests that 5–10 mol % CO2 decreases magnetite solubility by 4.5–8.9 % relative to the magnetite solubility in CO2-free solution. Therefore, an increase of CO2 content in ore-forming solutions may cause deposition of iron minerals and produce ore deposits.     

In search of a hidden long-term isolated sub-chondritic Nd/Nd reservoir in the deep mantle: Implications for the Nd isotope systematics of the Earth

Here we search for evidence of the existence of a sub-chondritic ¹⁴²Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd reservoir that balances the Nd isotope chemistry of the Earth relative to chondrites. If present, it may reside in the source region of deeply sourced mantle plume material. We suggest that lavas from Hawai’i with coupled elevations in ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os and ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os, from Iceland that represent mixing of upper mantle and lower mantle components, and from Gough with sub-chondritic ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd and high ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb, are favorable samples that could reflect mantle sources that have interacted with an Early-Enriched Reservoir (EER) with sub-chondritic ¹⁴²Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd.High-precision Nd isotope analyses of basalts from Hawai’i, Iceland and Gough demonstrate no discernable ¹⁴²Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd deviation from terrestrial standards. These data are consistent with previous high-precision Nd isotope analysis of recent mantle-derived samples and demonstrate that no mantle-derived material to date provides evidence for the existence of an EER in the mantle.We then evaluate mass balance in the Earth with respect to both ¹⁴²Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd. The Nd isotope systematics of EERs are modeled for different sizes and timing of formation relative to ε¹⁴³Nd estimates of the reservoirs in the μ¹⁴²Nd = 0 Earth, where μ¹⁴²Nd is ((measured ¹⁴²Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd/terrestrial standard ¹⁴²Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd)−1 * 10⁻⁶) and the μ¹⁴²Nd = 0 Earth is the proportion of the silicate Earth with ¹⁴²Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd indistinguishable from the terrestrial standard. The models indicate that it is not possible to balance the Earth with respect to both ¹⁴²Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd unless the μ¹⁴²Nd = 0 Earth has a ε¹⁴³Nd within error of the present-day Depleted Mid-ocean ridge basalt Mantle source (DMM). The 4567 Myr age ¹⁴²Nd-¹⁴³Nd isochron for the Earth intersects μ¹⁴²Nd = 0 at ε¹⁴³Nd of +8 ± 2 providing a minimum ε¹⁴³Nd for the μ¹⁴²Nd = 0 Earth. The high ε¹⁴³Nd of the μ¹⁴²Nd = 0 Earth is confirmed by the Nd isotope systematics of Archean mantle-derived rocks that consistently have positive ε¹⁴³Nd.If the EER formed early after solar system formation (0-70 Ma) continental crust and DMM can be complementary reservoirs with respect to Nd isotopes, with no requirement for significant additional reservoirs. If the EER formed after 70 Ma then the μ¹⁴²Nd = 0 Earth must have a bulk ε¹⁴³Nd more radiogenic than DMM and additional high ε¹⁴³Nd material is required to balance the Nd isotope systematics of the Earth.     

Critical sensitivity of load/unload response ratio and stress accumulation before large earthquakes: example of the 2008 Mw7.9 Wenchuan earthquake

The Load/Unload Response Ratio (LURR) method is often defined as the ratio between Benioff strains released during the time periods of loading and unloading, corresponding to earth tide induced Coulomb Failure Stress change on optimally oriented faults. According to the method, anomalous increase in the time series of LURR usually occurs prior to occurrence of a large earthquake. Previous studies have indicated that the stress field that existed before a large earthquake has strong influence on the evaluation of LURR. In order to augment the sensitivity of LURR in measuring the criticality of stress accumulation before an earthquake, we replace the circular region usually adopted in LURR practice with an area within which the tectonic stress change would mostly affect the Coulomb stress on a potential seismogenic fault of a future event. Coulomb stress change before the hypothetical earthquake is calculated based on a simple back-slip dislocation model of the event. Retrospective test of this new algorithm on the 2008 Mw7.9 Wenchuan earthquake shows remarkable enhancement of the LURR precursory anomaly. To illustrate the variation of LURR time series associated with our choice of identified areas with increased Coulomb stress before the earthquake, we calculate the spatial distributions of LURR within a circular region of 700 km radius centered at epicenter of the event. Comparing the spatial LURR distributions of different periods, the change of LURR within the Coulomb stress increase areas looks more prominent than the others: it remains at a low level for most of the time and markedly increases few years before the quake. This result further shows the validity of the Coulomb stress algorithm. Unlike circular regions, areas of increased Coulomb stress with anomalously increased LURR values before a large earthquake could provide a relatively more precise estimation of the criticality of the ensuing event.     

Triassic high-strain shear zones in Hainan Island (South China) and their implications on the amalgamation of the Indochina and South China Blocks: Kinematic and Ar/Ar geochronological constraints

A kinematic and geochronological study has been carried out on the Triassic high-strain shear zones in Hainan Island, the southern South China Block. There are WNW- and NE-trending high-strain shear zones with greenschist- to amphibolite-facies metamorphism in this island. Kinematic indicators suggest a dextral top-to-the-NNE thrust shearing for the WNW-trending high-strain shear zones and a sinistral top-to-the-SE thrust shearing for the NE-trending shear zones. The quartz c-axis orientations of mylonitic rocks exhibit the domination of basal slip and some activation of a rhombohedra gliding system. The timing of shearing for these shear zones has been constrained by the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating analyses of synkinematic minerals. Middle Triassic (242–250 Ma) and late Triassic–early Jurassic (190–230 Ma) have been identified for the WNW- and NE-trending shear zones, respectively. A synthesis of these kinematic and thermogeochronological data points to a two-stage tectonic model for Hainan Island, that is, top-to-the-NNE oblique thrusting at 240–250 Ma followed by top-to-the-SE oblique thrusting at 190–230 Ma. In combination with the available data from the southern South China and Indochina Blocks, it is inferred that South Hainan and North Hainan have affinity to the Indochina and South China Blocks, respectively. The tectonic boundary between South Hainan and North Hainan lies roughly along the WNW-trending Changjiang–Qionghai tectonic zone probably linking to the Song Ma and Ailaoshan zones. The middle Triassic structural pattern of Hainan Island is spatially and temporally compatible with those of the South China and Indochina Blocks, and thus might be a derivation from the amalgamation of the Indochina with South China Blocks in response to the closure of the Paleotethys Ocean and subsequent subduction/collision.     

CO2 windows from mantle to atmosphere: Models on ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism and speculations on the link with melting of snowball Earth

We attempt here to correlate the melting phase of major snowball Earth events in the planet with the processes associated with extreme crustal metamorphism and formation of ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) granulite facies rocks. While the dry mineral assemblages that characterize UHT granulites can result from different mechanisms, the direct evidence for the involvement of CO₂-rich fluids in generating diagnostic UHT assemblages has been recorded from the common occurrence of pure CO₂ fluid inclusions in several terranes. Here we evaluate the tectonic settings under which UHT rocks are generated using modern analogues and show that divergent tectonics—both post-collisional extension and rifting—play a crucial role. In an attempt to speculate the link among CO₂ liberation from the carbonated tectosphere, UHT metamorphism and major earth processes, we address some of the important issues such as: (a) how the subcontinental mantle i.e., the tectosphere, had become carbonated; (b) how and when the tectosphere degassed; and (c) what is the difference between Proterozoic orogens and those of the present day. The fate of the Earth as a habitable planet was possibly dictated by a reversal of the fundamental process of formation of oceans through the selective removal of CO₂ into mantle in the Hadean times, carbonation of the Archean mantle wedge, and subsequent decarbonation of the carbonated mantle through divergent metamorphism and water infiltration since the Late Proterozoic.The abundant CO₂ liberated by subsolidus decarbonation along consuming plate boundaries was probably one of the factors that contributed to the greenhouse effect thereby triggering the deglaciation of snowball Earth. Based on an evaluation of the distribution of carbonated subcontinental mantle in global reconstructions of the Proterozoic supercontinent assembly, and their link with crustal domains that have undergone CO₂-aided dry metamorphism at extreme conditions, we speculate that the UHT rocks might represent windows for the transfer of CO₂ from the mantle into the mid crust and ultimately to the atmosphere.