The problem of vortical movements in the solid earth and their role in geotectonics

Crustal structural features having a vortical or spiral shape were discovered in the first third of the 20th century. Since then, such features of various ranks, but similar appearance, have been revealed in different geotectonic settings; however, an adequate tectonic interpretation has not been offered. With allowance for the specific character of vortical movement, the evolution of the structural geometry of the North Atlantic basins and different segments of the global system of mid-ocean ridges is considered in this paper. It is shown that vortical movements do take place in the solid Earth during ocean formation and create scale-invariant rifting and spreading systems, where the spreading axis tends to undergo whirling. The size of these systems differs by more than two orders of magnitude. Many geotectonic phenomena that accompany the formation of oceans, including segmentation of the ocean floor and passive continental margins, folding of the sedimentary cover at these margins, and tectonic delamination of the oceanic lithosphere, may be explained by vortical movements of different ranks. In addition, the vortical structures on continents are variable in size and related to lithotectonic complexes of different ages. The vortical structural units of the Mediterranean Belt are considered as an example. Being driven by the same physical mechanism, the vortical movements depend on the dynamics of different geospheres. These movements are realized only in a nonlinear, nonequilibrium medium. Hence, only nonlinear and nonequilibrium thermodynamics will serve as a theoretical basis for a new concept, which is coming currently to take the place of plate tectonics.     

Vertical tectonic movements of the crust in transform fracture zones of the Central Atlantic

The most significant vertical movements of the oceanic crust in the Central Atlantic are characteristic of transverse ridges confined to transform fracture zones. These movements are also recorded in some local depressions of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) and in older structures of deep-sea basins. The amplitude of such movements substantially exceeds that related to the cooling of lithospheric plates. Vertical movements can be driven by various factors: the thermal effect of a heated young MAR segment upon a cold plate, thermal stress, thermal energy released by friction in the course of displacement of fault walls relative to each other, serpentinization of the upper mantle rocks in the transform fault zone, and lateral compression and extension. The alternation of compression and extension that arises because of the nonparallel boundaries of the transform fracture zone and the unstable configuration of the rift/fracture zone junction was the main factor responsible for the formation of the transverse ridge in the Romanche Fracture Zone. The most probable cause of the vertical rise of the southern transverse ridge in the Vema Fracture Zone is the change in the spreading direction. In general, the fracture zones with active segments more than 100 km long are characterized by extension and compression oriented perpendicularly to the main displacement and related to slight changes in the spreading configuration. It is impossible to single out ambiguously the causes of vertical movements in particular structural features. In most cases, the vertical movements are controlled by several factors, while the main role belongs to the lateral compressive and tensile stresses that appear owing to changes in the movement of lithospheric blocks in the course of MAR spreading.     

Hissar–Alai and the Pamirs: Junction and Position in the System of Mobile Belts of Central Asia

The position of the Pamirs and the Hissar–Alai mountainous system in the structure of Central Asia and features of their junction are considered. It is shown that their outer contours and tectonic infrastructure are significantly distinct in the planar pattern: latitudinally linear and arched for the Hissar–Alai and the Pamirs, respectively. These structures logically match those of the Central Asian and Alpine–Himalayan belts, respectively. The Pamir orogen is a relatively autonomous structural element of the crust, which is located discordantly relative to the country lithospheric blocks. Most of the Pamirs (at least, the Northern and Central) probably form a giant allochthon on the ancient basement of the Tarim and Afghan–Tajik blocks. The junction zone of these two “hard” crustal segments is reflected in the transverse Transpamir threshold, which is expressed in the relief, deep structure, and seismicity. The specific geological structure of the junction zone of the Pamirs and Hissar–Alai (systems of the Tarim, Alai, and Afghan–Tajik troughs) is shown. It suggested that this zone is a damper, which significantly neutralizes the dynamic influence of the Pamir and the southernmost elements of the Pamir–Punjab syntax on Hissar–Alai structures.     

The structure of the Moine and Dalradian Rocks in the Dalmally District of Argyllshire,Scotland

Two phases of deformation are described from the area. D1 is related to the first phase movements widely recognised in the Dalradian; D2 is related to more localised modifications of the D1 fold pattern. Four major D2 folds are recognised from the evidence of minor structures. Three of these, the Beinn Chuirn, the Ben Lui and the Ra Chreag Folds, had previously been considered as D1 structures, whilst the fourth, the Dalmally Fold, was unrecognised. These folds provide continuity between the southeast facing of the D1 folds of the Moine and Ballachulish Succession of Glen Orchy (Thomas and Treagus 1968) and the southeast facing of the D1 Jay Nappe (Shacketon 1958) in the Iltay Succession above. The D2 deformation reaches a climax at the junction between the two Successions, the Iltay Boundary Slide, which is now regarded as a D2 structure. The regional implications of these results are briefly considered.     

广西地区岩石圈表层与深部构造之关联性:源于岩石圈密度与磁性结构的解读

广西地处华南地块、印支地块与西太平洋板块的汇合部位,因特殊的构造部位,广西区内大地构造单元归属、构造单元边界等许多基础地质问题一直存在争议.自新生代以来的板块构造运动对岩石圈的改造,广西地壳与上地幔在地震波速度及温度结构方面具有显著差异.应用卫星重、磁异常数据以及区域重力和航磁资料对广西地区岩石圈密度和磁化率结构及其与上地壳构造的关系开展了研究,结果显示广西地区地壳密度和上地壳磁性结构与现今地表构造较为契合,但下地壳密度结构与上地幔存在不连续现象;此外,岩石圈磁化率结构指示中下地壳存在不同范围和程度的解耦.对广西岩石圈密度与磁性结构的解读认为,在中生代以来岩石圈被大规模改造的背景下,幔源物质上侵至上地壳的规模和范围都有限,这可能是整个广西地区上地幔结构与地壳构造不对应的主要原因.      

中国东部岩石圈减薄研究中的几个问题

中国东部岩石圈减薄是近 10年来国内外研究的热门课题 ,但关于岩石圈减薄的具体时间、机制及其构造控制因素 ,多有争论。根据目前的研究资料 ,文中对上述问题进行了全面的讨论。初步认为该岩石圈减薄发生在晚中生代 ,且在 12 0～ 130Ma的早白垩世达到高潮。综合分析认为 ,岩石圈的减薄与东侧太平洋板块的俯冲有关 ,即大洋板块的俯冲作用导致岩石圈加厚 ,进而发生岩石圈拆沉。Os同位素资料显示 ,由地幔橄榄岩包体所反映的新生代岩石圈地幔具有年轻性质 ,与古生代时的岩石圈地幔截然不同。因此笔者认为 ,中国东部现今的岩石圈地幔并不是减薄后的残留 ,它表明中生代时 ,岩石圈地幔和部分下地壳一起通过拆沉作用而沉入软流圈地幔 ,由此而导致软流圈地幔与地壳的直接接触。幔源岩浆的底侵及软流圈对地壳的直接加热作用 ,使上覆地壳发生大规模的岩浆和成矿作用 ,并导致中国东部中生代时期伸展构造的广泛发育。     

青藏高原的构造分区及其边界的变形构造特征

宏观构造特征的确立对青藏高原隆升和“动力学建模”具有重要意义。青藏高原是由来自塔里木-中朝板块的北昆仑-阿尔金-祁连地体,华南-东南亚板块的南昆仑地体、可可西里-巴颜喀拉地体和冈瓦纳古陆的羌塘地体、冈底斯地体及喜马拉雅地体等3大板块(或古陆)的6个地体经多次裂解、会聚和陆内俯冲作用拼合而成的巨型“会聚-陆内俯冲型”岩石圈块体,它以青藏高原南缘结合带、青藏高原北缘结合带和青藏高原东缘结合带依次与印度岩石圈块体、塔里木-阿拉善-鄂尔多斯岩石圈块体和扬子岩石圈块体相隔。按现今动力学特征,这一巨型岩石圈块体(一级构造单元)又可进一步划分为喜马拉雅、藏北、青南和昆仑-阿尔金-祁连等4个二级构造单元(地块),它们依次以雅鲁藏布江结合带、西金乌拉-金沙江结合带、中昆仑结合带为界。4个地块又可进一步划分为若干以断裂为界的三级构造单元(地体)。组成青藏岩石圈块体的各构造单元处于统一的地球动力学系统,它总的表现为:在印度板块向欧亚板块持续、强烈俯冲和热的、具柔性流变学特征的青藏块体整体向北北东方向移动的区域构造背景上,其南、北两侧的喜马拉雅地块、昆仑-阿尔金-祁连地块分别向冷的、刚性的印度岩石圈块体和塔里木- 阿拉善-鄂尔多斯岩石圈块体不对称逆冲叠覆。位于青藏高原腹部的藏北地块和青南地块,在深部存在大量低速体向上涌动和整体自西向东扩展的区域构造背景上,前者叠置近南北向挤压,形成以南北向断陷带及北西和北东向共轭走滑为主的构造格局,而青南地块除松潘-甘孜地体显示自北而南的逆冲叠覆外,可可西里-巴颜喀拉地体以逐一向东挤出的左行走滑作用为主,以致整个青南地块呈现向扬子岩石圈块体逆冲扩展和向三江构造带平移扩展。因此,就现今动力学而言,青藏高原在随着时间推移、隆升速度不断加快的同时,还逐渐向外缘的刚性地块扩展,即高原面积在不断增大。因此青藏高原的边界具有扩展性质,按扩展机制可区分两类扩展型动力边界:走滑型扩展边界和逆冲型扩展边界。典型的走滑型扩展边界位于青藏高原北缘的阿尔金山和青藏高原东缘的三江地区,青藏高原南缘的动力边界属典型的逆冲型扩展边界,而位于祁连山和龙门山的动力边界兼有逆冲和走滑双重扩展性质。     

Rotation parameters of the Siberian domain and its eastern surrounding structures during different geological epochs

The motion of lithospheric blocks was analyzed in the junction zone between the Eurasian Plate and its surrounding structures. Its present-day stage was considered using GPS and seismologic data. Models of the movement of a rigid plate are considered for Eurasia. A model of Eurasia (northern part of Asia) was used to determine the rotation parameters of its southern periphery (Amur Plate) based on GPS data for the Far East (Sikhote Alin profile), and Transbaikal regions are shown as an example. A model of the Amur Plate was used to illustrate the behavior of the extension zone on its western boundary represented by the Lake Baikal depression during the Kultuk earthquake (M = 6.3, August, 27, 2008). Paleomagnetic data made it possible to determine the rotation pole of the Siberian Craton relative to its surrounding folded structures during the Mesozoic and to estimate its kinematic parameters. The permanent position of the rotation pole in the relative coordinate system since the terminal Paleozoic until the Recent indicates a constant rotation velocity of the Siberian domain within the Eurasian Plate structure.     

Hydrodynamical Aspects of the Formation of Spiral–Vortical Structures in Rotating Gaseous Disks

This paper is dedicated to numerical simulations of spiral–vortical structures in rotating gaseous disks using a simple model based on two-dimensional, non-stationary, barotropic Euler equations with a body force. The results suggest the possibility of a purely hydrodynamical basis for the formation and evolution of such structures. New, axially symmetric, stationary solutions of these equations are derived that modify known approximate solutions. These solutions with added small perturbations are used as initial data in the non-stationary problem, whose solution demonstrates the formation of density arms with bifurcation. The associated redistribution of angular momentum is analyzed. The correctness of laboratory experiments using shallow water to describe the formation of large-scale vortical structures in thin gaseous disks is confirmed. The computations are based on a special quasi-gas-dynamical regularization of the Euler equations in polar coordinates.     

大地电磁测深在下扬子及邻区的应用

全面分析、对比了下扬子及邻区电性层与电性特征。下扬子盆地与周边构造单元的边界及接触关系的研究表明,下扬子盆地基本上为东西对冲结构,东与西均以推覆带形式相接触。建立了下扬子地区岩石圈的层块结构,其特点是各层系间在横向上为隆(薄块)坳(厚块)相间,纵向上为隆坳交替。发现了四条岩石圈级深大断裂,特别是大别—舟山断裂与滨海—桐庐隐伏深断裂是近期研究所得。首次编制出海相中—古生界残留厚度图,并发现了变质岩推覆带下海相中—古生界新领域及火山岩覆盖下海相中—古生界新领域,这些成果为下扬子地区寻找海相油气藏开辟了新的方向。     

Mantle hotspots, plumes and regional tectonics as causes of intraplate magmatism

In continental areas it is often difficult to determine the cause of intraplate magmatism. Large volumes of magma, high eruption rates, and the presence of a hotspot trace on the adjacent ocean floor, are all evidence for the presence of an anomalously hot mantle. However, in many continental magmas there are chemical variations with time which are inferred to reflect changes from asthenospheric to predominantly lithospheric source regions, or vice versa. It is argued that these chemical characteristics constrain whether magmatism was triggered by the emplacement of a mantle plume, or by lithospheric extension.     

岩浆作用与地球深部过程

为纪念马杏垣院士诞辰一百周年而作.首先简述了地球系统科学的基本思想和指导意义.指出岩浆作用实质上是地球各层圈之间相互作用的结果,岩浆是地球各层圈之间物质和能量交换的重要载体.通过众多研究实例,重点讨论了岩浆作用的地球动力学意义:一方面,火成岩及其所携带的深源岩石包体可以当作地球深部的"探针"和"窗口";另一方面,火成岩也是大地构造事件的记录,可以用以恢复古板块构造格局,追溯大地构造演化历史.     

Origin of diamictons on the Barents Sea shelf

Occurrence conditions and lithological-paleontological characteristics of two diamicton units developed in the southeastern segment of the Barents Sea shelf are considered. It is shown that they are lithologically analogous to the present-day (undoubtedly aqueous) diamicton mud. Correlation between bulk densities of both varieties and consolidation degree (consistency) is described by a single regression equation. We present pieces of evidence contradicting the widespread point of view about the diamicton as a glacial till moving along the seafloor. They are primarily represented by paleontological remains, mainly foraminiferal assemblages. It is shown that dislocations observed in cores and traditionally considered as glaciotectonic movements are confined to fault zones in the acoustic basement and they represent fragments of secondary neotectonic structures. Ridges and hills mapped previously as glacial accumulation morphostructures reflect a relict topography of the recent subaerial shelf development not masked by sedimentation so far.     

Post-rift vertical movements and horizontal deformations in the eastern margin of the Central Atlantic: Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous evolution of Morocco

Wide regions of Morocco, from the Meseta to the High Atlas, have experienced km-scale upward vertical movements during Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous times following the appearance of oceanic crust in the Central Atlantic. The area experiencing exhumation was flanked to the W by a domain of continuous subsidence, part of which is named the Essaouira-Agadir basin. Comparison with vertical movement curves predicted by lithospheric thinning models shows that only 50–60?% of the subsidence documented in the Essaouira basin can be explained by post-rift thermal relaxation and that <30–40?% of the observed exhumation can be explained by processes (in)directly related to the evolution of the Central Atlantic rifted margin. Syn-sedimentary structures in Middle Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous formations of the Eassouira-Agadir basin are common and range from m-scale folds and thrusts to km-scale sedimentary wedges. These structures systematically document coeval shortening generally oriented at high angle to the present margin. As a working hypothesis, it is suggested that regional shortening can explain the structural observations and the enigmatic vertical movements.     

A new method of testing of the Earth’s free oscillations on the basis of geomagnetic variation analysis

The Earth’s free oscillations are recorded for the first time in variations of the geomagnetic field measured at the Earth’s surface. The Earth’s free oscillations in the frequency range from 0.3 to 4 mHz manifest in the spectra of geomagnetic variations in the form of clearly expressed quasi-harmonic peaks. It is shown that the spectral amplitudes of the main modes of the Earth’s free oscillations are not constant and change with a periodicity corresponding to a lunar (sideral) month. The data obtained indicate the influence of oscillations in the internal geospheres on variations in the terrestrial magnetic field. The results provide new opportunities to study the Earth’s free oscillations and to specify their multiplet components. In addition, they also have certain implications for further research into the internal structure of the Earth and geodynamic processes in internal geospheres, on the basis of magnetometric data.     

The Baikal system of rift valleys

The Baikal system of rift valleys has no evident structural connections with the World Rift System. The peculiar features of its structure, morphology and volcanicity reflect this isolation. The spatial position and major structural features of the system are determined where the central segment (the South Baikal depression) is confined to the junction of two major lithospheric plates, the Precambrian Siberian platform and the heterogenous folded framework of Sayan—Baikal. The contrasting structures and thermodynamic conditions of these two plates, and the deep nature of the suture zone developed between them, have been responsible for the location of crustal extension and proto-rift formation within the Baikal depression proper, first initiated not later than Eocene and then propagating to zones both west and northeastwards.     

An approach to the geologic history of the Earth’s mantle geospheres

The geospheres that make up the Earth’s mantle, i.e., the upper, middle, and lower mantle, as well as dividing zones of discontinuity, are autonomous geological bodies whose geologic history is poorly known. The data on evolution of planetary magmatism and mineral transformations along the Earth’s radius, thermobaric information on the Earth’s interior, and new geodynamic reconstructions are used to outline the geologic history of deep geospheres. In broad terms, we suggest that layer D″, the lower mantle, and the Eoarchean basic protocrust were the first to be formed after differentiation of the protoplanetary material. The sialic crust appeared in the Paleoarchean. The system that comprised layer D″ the lower mantle, and discontinuity II was formed later, ～2.6 Ga ago, while the upper mantle and discontinuity I originated ca. 1.6–1.7 Ga ago. Thus, the within-mantle geospheres were formed in their present-day appearance over a long period of time.     

Lithospheric magnetic anomalies in the territory of Siberia (from measurements by the CHAMP satellite)

The position of lithospheric magnetic anomalies, detected in total magnetic intensity and the vertical component of the magnetic field, has been determined for Siberia using data from the CHAMP satellite. The paper describes the technique for the satellite data processing and the ways of recognition of regional lithospheric magnetic anomalies from satellite-measured values of the total geomagnetic field, which are obtained from several sources (external and internal with respect to the Earth’s surface). Maps of magnetic-field anomalies of different scales have been constructed for several regions of Siberia depending on the method of areal averaging. The possible geologic and physical nature of the magnetic anomalies and their relationship with deep-seated crustal structures are considered. Preliminary interpretation of the magnetic-field maps shows that the anomalies are connected with the present-day large geologic and geophysical elements of the basement. The features of the lithospheric magnetic field, as a parameter reflecting the present position of tectonic structures and their physical properties, can be used for their contouring in combination with other geological and geophysical methods.     

Model of crustal block movement in the South Yakutia geodynamic testing area based on GPS data

The results of the analysis of crustal block movement obtained from the GPS data in 2009–2012 in the South Yakutia geodynamic testing area located at the junction of two major tectonic structures—the Aldan shield of the Siberian platform and the Stanovoi fold-block area—are presented. The drift of the block in the southeastern direction corresponds to the main azimuth of the strike of the activated fault systems and is consistent with the results of the geodetic observations performed in the 1970–1980s. Based on the periodic components of the complete displacement vector, hinge-type movements along the local faults are established. It is shown that, in the annual cycles, the rotational, oscillational, and translational movements of the block have a nonlinear character, and solitary strain waves are likely to be formed in the zones of activated faults.     

Relation of Isotope Geochemical Steep Zones with Geophysical Fields and Tectonics in the Junction Area of the Cathaysian, Yangtze and Indochina Plates

Through lead isotope geochemical mapping in the Yunnan-Guizhou area geochemical steep zones (GSZ) have been established, which clearly reveal the junction relationship of the Cathaysian, Yangtze and Indo-China plates. GSZ are closey related to gravity Mono gradient zones and lithospheric thickness. The GSZ between the Yangtze and Cathaysian plates is consistent with the Shizong-Mile tectonic belt, where island arc basalts are well developed. The Yangtze-Indo-China GSZ is parallel to the Jingdong-Mojiang volcanic belt in rift-island arc environments. The evidence of geology, geophysics and geochemistry all indicates that Cathaysia was subducted towards the Yangtze plate and that the Yangtze plate was underthrust beneath the Indo-China, which took place from the Early Carboniferous to the Early Triassic.