Neogene evolution of the Campo de Dalias and the surrounding offshore areas - (Northeastern Alboran Sea)

Abstract

The Campo de Dalias is an emerged portion of the Alboran Sea, located on its northeastern margin. The study of this basin and its surrounding offshore areas reveals the structure on the region, whose outstanding feature is the N70-80E anticline extending from Guardias Viejas to Roquetas and continuing eastward under the sea. The other parts of the structure are characterized by several fault sets, the most important of which are those of N 70-9OE, N 120E and N45E direction. Some of these fault sets of originally different ages later replayed throughout the late Miocene up to the Quaternary. These replays seem to have occurred in approximately N-S compressive situations.

The main compressive events took place in the latest Torto-nian and early Pleistocene. Between these two events a stage of considerable subsidence in the Pliocene basin can be detected, which caused the accumulation of sediments over a thousand metres thick in some places. Equally, we can detect an important uplift of the surrounding reliefs coeval with subsidence. Two transgressive situations are recorded and two important eustatic falls and partial emersion of the basin margin, mainly during the Messinian.     

Thermal structure of the Alboran Domain in the Rif (northern Morocco) and the Western Betics (southern Spain). Constraints from Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous material

In the Rif (northern Morocco) and the Western Betics (southern Spain), the Alboran Domain forms a complex stack of metamorphic nappes including mantle peridotites (Beni Bousera and Ronda). We present in this paper new temperature data obtained in the Alboran Domain based on Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous material (RSCM thermometry). In the lower metamorphic nappes of the Alboran Domain (lower Sebtides–Alpujárrides) temperature ranges from > 640 °C at the base of the metapelitic sequence to 500 °C at the top. The relationships between field isotherms and nappe structure show that peak temperatures were reached during strong ductile thinning of these nappes whereas they partly postdate this main episode in the Rif. In the upper nappes of the Alboran Domain (Ghomarides–Maláguides), generally supposed to be only weakly metamorphosed, temperatures range from ～500 °C at their base down to < 330 °C at the top. This temperature gradient is consistent with progressive Cenozoic resetting of K–Ar and ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar ages. These nappes were thus affected by a significant thermal metamorphism, and the available age data in the underlying Sebtides–Alpujárrides show that this metamorphism is related to the metamorphic evolution of the whole Alboran Domain during the Late Oligocene–Early Miocene. Such thermal structure and metamorphic evolution can be explained by generalized extension in the whole Alboran Domain crustal sequence. At a larger scale, the present thermal structure of the Alboran Domain is roughly spatially consistent around the Beni Bousera peridotites in the Rif, but much more affected by late brittle tectonics around the Ronda peridotites in the Western Betics. Therefore, on the basis of the observed thermal structure, the metamorphic evolution of the Alboran Domain can be interpreted as the result of the ascent of hot mantle units contemporaneous with thinning of the whole lithosphere during an Oligo‐Miocene extensional event. The resulting structure has however been dismembered by late brittle tectonics in the Western Betics.     

Post-collision neogene volcanism of the Eastern Rif (Morocco): magmatic evolution through time

Neogene volcanism in the Eastern Rif (Morocco) comprises a series of calc-alkaline, potassic calc-alkaline, shoshonitic and alkaline volcanic rocks. According to new stratigraphical, along with new and previous chronological and geochemical data, the orogenic volcanism was successively (1) calc-alkaline (basaltic andesites and andesites: 13.1 to 12.5 Ma, rhyolites: 9.8 Ma), (2) K-calc-alkaline (basaltic andesitic to rhyolitic lavas and granodiorites: 9.0 to 6.6 Ma), and (3) shoshonitic (absarokites, shoshonites, latites, trachytes: 7.0 to 5.4 Ma). The later Pliocene volcanism was basaltic and alkaline (5.6 to 1.5 Ma). The calc-alkaline and K-calc-alkaline series exhibit lower K₂O (0.7–5.3 wt.%), Nb (8–19 ppm) contents and higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.70773–0.71016) than the shoshonitic series (K₂O: 2.4–7.2 wt.%, Nb: 21–38 ppm, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr: 0.70404–0.70778). Pliocene alkaline basalts have a sodic tendency (Na₂O/K₂O: 1.7–3.5), high Nb content (up to 52 ppm), and low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio (0.70360–0.70413). The variations through time of K₂O, Nb and Sr isotopic ratio reflect different mantle sources: (i) calc-alkaline, potassic calc-alkaline and shoshonitic series are derived from a mantle source modified by older subduction, (ii) alkaline basalts are derived mainly from an enriched mantle source. Through time, incompatible elements such as Nb increased while ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr decreased, suggesting a decreasing influence of metasomatized mantle (inherited subduction). Such evolution is related to the post-collision regimes operating in this area, and could be linked to the succession of extensional, compressional and strike-slip fault tectonics.     

Source-area controls on the composition of beach and fluvial sands on the southern side of the Gibraltar Strait and Western Alboran Sea (Flysch Basin, Internal and External, Domains, Northern Rif Chain)

The southern side of Gibraltar and the Western Alboran Sea of the northern Rif coasts and rivers provide a natural field laboratory for sampling modern sand at different scales: small catchment basins (first order) and rivers draining mountain belts (second order). The Rifian chain represents a deformed and uplifted thrust-belt and related forelands composed of Palaeozoic nappes, metamorphic and plutonic basement, and their sedimentary Mesozoic and Cenozoic siliciclastic and carbonate cover, respectively. The present physiography of the Rif Chain is shaped by a rugged mountainous relief drained by different scale catchment basins that supply the nearby coastal and marine deep-sea environments. The analysis of the composition of modern fluvial and beach sands is useful for the interpretation of transported sediments by surface processes from the continent toward coasts and later to deep-water environments.Modern beach and fluvial sands of the southern side of Gibraltar and the Western Alboran Sea display three distinct petrologic littoral provinces, from the east to the west and from the north to the south, respectively, designated as: (i) the Tangier–Bel Younech Littoral Province with 90% of sand derived from erosion of Flysch Nappes (Flysch Basin Domain); (ii) the Bel Younech–Sebta Littoral Province with 64% of sand fed mainly by the metamorphic Units of Upper Sebtides and (iii) the Sebta–Ras Mazari Littoral Province with 74% of sand supplied from the epimetamorphic Palaeozoic Ghomaride Nappes and Alpine cover rather than Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary successions of the “Dorsale Calcaire” Units. Comparison of detrital modes of fluvial and coastal marine environments highlights their dispersal pathways and drainage patterns of actualistic sand petrofacies.     

Geodynamic significance of the Raspas Metamorphic Complex (SW Ecuador): geochemical and isotopic constraints

The Raspas Metamorphic Complex of southwestern Ecuador is regarded as the southernmost remnant of oceanic and continental terranes accreted in the latest Jurassic–Early Cretaceous. It consists of variably metamorphosed rock types. (1) Mafic and ultramafic rocks metamorphosed under high-pressure (HP) conditions (eclogite facies) show oceanic plateau affinities with flat REE chondrite-normalized patterns, Nd_{150 Ma} ranging from +4.6 to 9.8 and initial Pb isotopic ratios intermediate between MORB and OIB. (2) Sedimentary rocks metamorphosed under eclogitic conditions exhibit LREE enriched patterns, strong negative Eu anomalies, Rb, Nb, U, Th, Pb enrichments, low Nd_{150 Ma} values (from −6.4 to −9.5), and high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ^206,207,208Pb/²⁰⁴Pb isotopic ratios suggesting they were originally sediments derived from the erosion of an old continental crust. (3) Epidote-bearing amphibolites show N-MORB affinities with LREE depleted patterns, LILE, Zr, Hf and Th depletion, high Nd_{150 Ma} (>+10) and low initial Pb isotopic ratios.The present-day well defined internal structure of the Raspas Metamorphic Complex seems to be inconsistent with the formerly proposed interpretation of a “tectonic mélange”. The association of oceanic plateau rocks and continent-derived sediments both metamorphosed in HP conditions suggests that the thin edge of the oceanic plateau first entered the subduction zone and dragged sediments downward of the accretionary wedge along the Wadatti–Benioff zone. Subsequently, when its thickest part arrived into the subduction zone, the oceanic plateau jammed the subduction processes, due to its high buoyancy.In Ecuador and Colombia, the latest Jurassic–Early Cretaceous suture involves HP oceanic plateau rocks and N-MORB rocks metamorphosed under lower grades, suggesting a composite or polyphase nature for the latest Jurassic–Early Cretaceous accretionary event.     

安徽庐枞火山岩盆地橄榄玄粗岩系的地球化学特征及其对下扬子地区晚中生代岩石圈减薄机制的约束

庐枞盆地内的中生代火山-潜火山岩具高钾和相对富碱为特性,属典型的橄榄玄粗岩系列。它们在地球化学上表现出明显富集Rb、Th、U、K等强不相容元素和轻稀土元素,亏损高场强元素Nb和Ta的特征。Nd、Sr同位素组成总体位于富集型的扬子克拉通岩石圈地幔的范围内或其附近,显示其母岩浆主要是由富集型地幔部分熔融形成的。火山-潜火山岩的成分变异趋势显示橄榄玄粗质幔源岩浆在高压下(斜长石稳定压力之下,1.5GPa)经历过以单斜辉石和钛铁氧化物为主的矿物分离结晶作用。低压下矿物的分离结晶作用及上地壳物质的混染则不明显。这套火山-潜火山岩的部分地球化学性质(如Ce/Yb比值)类似于大洋岛弧内的橄榄玄粗岩,可能意味着区内由于岩石圈的减薄,软流圈地幔上涌到了岩石圈相对较浅的部位,控制源区部分熔融的主要是尖晶石相地幔岩。虽然局部(如靠近郯庐断裂的盆地西缘)可能存在着明显的热侵蚀,但"突发性的"机械拆沉是区内(乃至整个长江中下游地区)岩石圈减薄的主要机制。在整个晚中生代岩石圈减薄的过程中,这两种机制可能一直相互促进着。     

Miocene andesitic lavas of Sierra de Angangueo: a petrological,geochemical, and geochronological approach to arc magmatism in Central Mexico

ABSTRACT

The early and middle Miocene andesitic lavas of the Sierra de Angangueo (MALSA) represent one of the most prominent landforms of intermediate magmatism in Central Mexico. In this paper, we present new petrological, geochemical, thermobarometric, and geochronological data in order to discuss the conditions of MALSA’s emplacement in the lithosphere.

MALSA comprises a voluminous eroded early Miocene andesitic structure, emplaced on a Mesozoic basement. MALSA shows a wide variety of textures, from glassy and aphanitic to porphyritic, mainly composed of plagioclase (An_10-55), clinopyroxene (Wo_60-65; En_35-40), amphibole (Mg-hornblende/edenite), and rarely olivine (Fo_75–86) or orthopyroxene (En_72-80). Major and trace elements plots follow a typical calc-alkaline trend with relatively increasing fractionation.

The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotopic signatures range between 0.703343 and 0.704459 and εNd values from +1.37 to +4.84; apparently without a significant contribution of an old, thick, or highly radiogenic continental crust. Lead isotope values ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb vary between 18.68 and 18.83, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb from 15.57 to 15.65, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb from 38.39 to 38.67, suggesting contamination of magmas by juvenile crust. Thermodynamic calculations indicate equilibrium conditions at ≤900°C and ~2 kbar and an average log ?O₂ ≈ ?10.

Ar–Ar and K–Ar dating carried out on whole rock, matrix, amphibole, and plagioclase phenocrysts yielded ages between 13.0 ± 0.5 and 23.9 ± 0.3 Ma. These dates indicate a series of pulses with maximum magmatic activity between 24 and 18 Ma.

The geochemical and petrologic data suggest partial melting processes in the lower or middle crust associated with possible magma mixing during its ascent; such a mechanism could explain a hybrid mantle-lower crust origin of this large volume of andesites. The MALSA, as well as the early to middle Miocene magmatism from Western Mexico, could represent two coeval and independent magmatic arcs prior to the present Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB) in Central Mexico.     

Tracing salinization processes in coastal aquifers using an isotopic and geochemical approach: comparative studies in western Morocco and southwest Portugal

Environmental stable and radioactive isotopes (δ²H, δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O; ³H and ¹⁴C), together with physical and geochemical data, were used in the determination of the origins of groundwater salinization and geochemical evolution processes in coastal regions. Two case studies on the Atlantic Coast are discussed, one located in the Essaouira sedimentary basin, western Morocco, and the second, in the Lower Tagus–Sado sedimentary basin, southwest Portugal. In both regions, groundwater degradation occurs by salinization increase to different concentrations and in relation to different origins. The main quality issues for the groundwater resources are related to seawater intrusion, dissolution of diapiric structures intruding the aquifer layers, brine dissolution at depth, and/or evaporation of irrigation water. Anthropogenic pollution ascribed to agricultural activities is another source for groundwater degradation, affecting mainly the shallow aquifers. The apparent ¹⁴C age of the analysed samples ranges from 2.9?±?0.3 up to 45.6?±?0.6 pmC in the Miocene groundwater samples from the basin in Portugal; at the Essaouira basin in Morocco, the ¹⁴C content varies from 60 to 86 pmC. In most of the water samples, the ³H concentration is below the detection limit. In both basins, the isotopic results together with the geochemical data provided an effective label for tracing the mineralization origin and groundwater degradation processes. Further, the isotopic signatures were used in the identification of a paleoclimate (colder period), recorded in the stable isotopic composition and corroborated with the ¹⁴C data.     

Post-collisional Plio-Pleistocene shoshonitic volcanism in the western Kunlun Mountains, NW China: Geochemical constraints on mantle source characteristics and petrogenesis

Major and trace element, Sr–Nd–Pb isotope and mineral chemical data are presented for post-collisional late Cenozoic shoshonitic volcanic rocks from the western Kunlun Mountains, NW China. They are distributed in two approximately E–W striking sub-belts, with the lavas in the southern sub-belt having been generated earlier than those in the northern sub-belt. The mineralogy of the rocks reflects crystallization from moderate temperature magmas (700–1000 °C) with high oxygen and water fugacities. They are geochemically characterized by relatively low TiO₂, Al₂O₃ and FeO and high alkalies coupled with very high contents of incompatible element concentrations. Remarkably negative Nb, Ta and Ti anomalies are displayed on primitive mantle-normalized incompatible element patterns. In addition, they show a relatively broad range of low ε_Nd (−1.8 to −8.7) at more restricted ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7081–0.7090). Pb isotopes are characterized by a range of ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (15.48–15.74) and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (38.30–39.12) ratios at relatively invariant ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (18.60–18.83) values, except one sample with a ratio of 18.262, leading to near-vertical arrays. The lavas from the northern sub-belt have relatively high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios. All lavas have extremely high La/Yb ratios, probably reflecting that the magmas were derived from a metasomatized lithospheric mantle source containing phlogopite–hornblende garnet peridotite affected by subducted sediments and hydrous fluids, rather than from a depleted asthenopheric mantle source or mantle plume source. However, the lavas from the southern sub-belt were derived from a lower degree of melting of more highly metasomatized sub-lithospheric mantle in comparison with those from the northern sub-belt. Processes responsible for partial melting of metasomatized lithospheric mantle and post-collision magmatism in the western Kunlun could be a consequence of continuously conductive heating of upwelling, hot asthenospheric mantle following the delamination subsequent to thickening, which is consistent with the spatial and temporal geochemical variations in shoshonitic rocks in Tibet.     

藏南侏罗纪残留洋弧的地球化学特征及其大地构造意义

沿雅鲁藏布江缝合带残留一系列中生代洋弧,厘定这些洋弧的形成时代和地球化学性质对于理解新特提斯洋的消减过程、确定南拉萨地体的组成和限定印度-欧亚板块的碰撞时限等都具有重要的意义。泽当微地体位于雅鲁藏布江缝合带东段,主要由英云闪长岩、花岗闪长岩和角闪岩组成。SHRIMP锆石U-Pb定年结果表明,位于泽当西部的花岗闪长岩(简称泽当花岗闪长岩)形成于157.5±1.4Ma,与东部的英云闪长岩形成时代相近。全岩元素和同位素(Sr和Nd)地球化学分析结果表明泽当花岗闪长岩具有以下地球化学特征:(1)较高的SiO2(64.4%～68.4%)和Al2O3(16.9%～18.4%);(2)较高的Na2O/K2O比值(>2.1),显示富钠的特征;(3)富集LREE,亏损HREE,从Ho到Lu稀土分布样式上翘((Ho/Yb)N=0.69～0.90)和明显的Eu负异常;(4)较低的Y(<7.19×10-6)和Yb(<0.88×10-6),较高的Sr/Y>119.7和La/Yb>22.4,在Sr/Y-Y和La/Yb-Yb图解中,泽当花岗闪长岩都落入埃达克岩区域内;(5)87Sr/86Sr(t)(0.704065～0.704439)值较低,εNd(t)(+5.1～+6.1)值较高,显示其来自亏损地幔的特征;(6)亏损Zr、Hf、Ti和Y等高场强元素,富集大离子亲石元素,显示了岛弧岩浆岩的典型特征。上述数据表明,泽当花岗闪长岩不仅具有明显的岛弧岩浆岩的特征,而且具有显著的埃达克质特征,可能是在来自地幔楔部分熔融体的板底垫托作用下,新生基性下地壳重熔的产物。泽当微地体是一个残留的晚侏罗纪洋弧系统,是中生代新特提斯洋洋内俯冲系统的残留。     

新疆东准噶尔卡拉麦里钾质玄武岩的地球化学特征、成因及其构造意义

卡拉麦里钾质火山岩位于准噶尔盆地的东北缘下石炭统巴塔玛依内山组内。这些火山岩以粗面玄武岩和玄武质粗面安山岩为主,SiO2含量稳定(46.29%～51.56%),具有较高的碱含量(K2O+Na2O=5.39%～6.96%)以及高K2O/Na2O比值(K2O/Na2O=0.5～1.4),TiO2含量相对稳定(0.94%～1.21%),显示钾玄质岩石特征。岩石地球化学表明,钾玄岩强烈富集LILE(如K、Rb和Sr)和LREE((La/Yb)N=4.39～6.25),Eu正异常明显(δEu=1.3～1.7),相对亏损HFSE(如Zr、Hf),Ta、Nb和Ti呈明显的"TNT"负异常,及较高Ba/Nb和Ba/Ta比值(分别为38～93,574～1470),显示典型岛弧岩浆特征,而Nd-Sr同位素显示亏损地幔源区特征。不相容元素(Nb/La)N和Ba/La比值(分别为0.33～0.41,11.07～18.82)以及高Nb含量(4.45×10-6～7.76×10-6),表明这些岩石来自一个交代作用富集的地幔源区。通过钾质火山岩环境的梯次判别图研究,发现巴塔玛依内山组钾玄岩形成于后碰撞环境,显示岛弧的岩石地球化学特征。在后碰撞期,由于陆内调整和均衡作用,东准噶尔东北缘的岩石圈伸展减薄,随着岩石圈地幔的减薄,前期交代富集的下部地幔楔(金云母和/或钾质角闪石-尖晶石相二辉橄榄岩)发生低度部分熔融形成钾玄质母岩浆,诱发了后碰撞型钾玄质岩浆活动(具有弧火山岩岩石地球化学特征),形成了卡拉麦里巴塔玛依内山组钾质玄武岩。     

Contrasting tectonic settings in Northern Chon Aike Igneous Province of Patagonia: subduction and mantle plume-related volcanism in the Marifil formation

ABSTRACT

The northern zone of the Chon Aike Igneous Province, located in the North Patagonian Massif, exhibits extensive outcrops of Jurassic volcanic rocks of the Marifil Formation. In the Arroyo Verde area, the initial volcanic stage of the Marifil Formation, that we denominate V0 (192.6 ± 2.5 Ma), includes coulées, megabreccias and lapilli tuffs assigned to plinian-type volcanism. This magmatism was generated by cold-wet-oxidized magmas that resemble those produced in active continental margins and volcanic arcs. The second stage, located unconformably over the first, includes welded lava-like ignimbrites, massive lapilli tuff and rhyolitic lava flow that resemble the Snake River-type volcanism. The magma that produces this volcanic stage exhibit the characteristics of hot-dry-reduced magmas emplaced in intraplate continental environments associated with continental rifting. This stage coincides with the V1 volcanic episode early recorded in the Marifil Formation.     

The Early Pliocene reflooding in the Western Mediterranean: New insights from the rias of the Internal Rif,Morocco

New field and micropalaeontological investigations have been conducted in four of the Pliocene rias of the internal zone of the Rif in Morocco, on the southern margin of the Alboran Sea. We found that marine sediments outcropping in these rias were deposited mainly during the Early Zanclean, between 5.04 and 3.8 Ma. After a transgressive episode that led to the deposition of terrestrial to marine conglomerates, dark clays deposited first at shallow palaeo-depths and then at bathyal palaeo-depths. The rias were then infilled with a shallowing upward succession comprising marine clays and sandstone and, locally, terrestrial sediments that indicate their final emersion. No Gilbert-deltas were observed in these rias. The presence of transgressive deposits at the bottom of the rias, also identified in other basins of the external zone of the Rif, and the absence of Gilbert deltas question a catastrophic reflooding after the Messinian Salinity Crisis in this area.     

Geochemical and isotopic variations in the calc-alkaline rocks of Aeolian arc,southern Tyrrhenian Sea,Italy: constraints on magma genesis

New geochemical and isotopic data are reported for calc-alkaline (CA) volcanics of the Aeolian arc. Three main groups are recognized: the Alicudi and Filicudi volcanics in the western part of the arc; the Panarea, Salina and Lipari (henceforth termed PSL) volcanics in the central part of the arc and the Stromboli suite which makes up the eastern part of the arc. Each group is characterized by distinctive isotopic ratios and incompatible element contents and ratios. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values (0.70352–0.70538) increase from west to northeast, and are well correlated with ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (Nd from +4.8 to -1.5). Pb isotope ratios are fairly high (6/4=19.15–19.54; 7/4=15.61–15.71; 8/4=38.97–39.36), with a general increase of 7/4 and 8/4 values from Alicudi to PSL islands and Stromboli. LILE contents and some incompatible element ratios (e.g. Ba/La, La/Nb, Zr/Nb, Rb/Sr) increase from the western to the central part of the arc, whereas HFSE and REE abundances decrease. Opposite variations are often observed in the volcanics toward the north-east from PSL islands. To account for these features and the decoupling observed between isotopic compositions and incompatible element abundances and ratios, it is suggested that a mantle source with affinities to the MORB source is metasomatized by slab-derived, crustal components. The proportion of crustal material entrained in the mantle source increases from Alicudi to Stromboli, according to the Sr and Nd isotope variations. It is also proposed that slab derived hydrous fluids play an important role, but which is variable in different sectors of the arc. This is attributed to the metasomatizing agent having variable fluid/melt ratios, reflecting different types of mass transfer from the subducted contaminant (probably pelagic sediments) to the mantle wedge. Thus, it is suggested that the slab derived end-member has a high hydrous fluid/melt ratio in the PSL mantle source and a correspondingly lower ratio in the Alicudi and Stromboli sources.     

Major and trace element, and Sr-Nd isotope constraints on the origin of Paleogene volcanism in South China prior to the South China Sea opening

Paleogene volcanic rocks crop out in three sedimentary basins, namely, Sanshui, Heyuan and Lienping, in the attenuated continental margin of south China. Lavas from the Sanshui basin which erupted during 64-43 Ma are bimodal, consisting of intraplate tholeiitic basalt and trachyte/rhyolite associations. Similar to Cretaceous A-type granites from the nearby region, the felsic member shows peralkaline nature [Na₂O + K₂O ≈ 10–12%; (Na + K)/Al≈ 0.98−1.08], general enrichment in the incompatible trace elements and significant depletion in Ba, Sr, Eu, P and Ti. Although both types of the Sanshui lavas have rather uniform Nd isotope compositions [_Nd(T) ≈ +6 to +4]that are comparable to Late Cenozoic basalts around the South China Sea, the felsic rocks possess apparently higher initial Sr isotope ratios (I_Sr up to 0.713) and form a horizontal array to the right in the Nd vs. Sr isotope plot. Closed system differentiation of mantle-derived magmas in a ‘double diffusive’ magma chamber is considered for the bimodal volcanism, in which the trachytes and rhyolites represent A-type melts after extensive crystal fractionation in the upper portion of the chamber. Such A-type melts were later contaminated by small amounts (1–3%) of upper crustal materials during ascent. On the other hand, composition of lavas in the other two basins varies from tholeiitic basalt to andesite. Their Sr and Nd isotope ratios [I_Sr ≈ 0.705 to 0.711; _Nd(T) ≈ +1 to − 5] and generally correlative Nb-Ta depletions suggest a distinct magma chamber process involving fractional crystallization concomitant with assimilation of the country rock. We conclude that these Paleogene volcanic activities resulted from the lithospheric extension in south China that migrated southwards and eventually led to opening of the South China Sea during 30-16 Ma.     

滇西吉义独蛇绿混杂岩的岩石地球化学特征、成因和构造环境探讨

滇西吉义独蛇绿混杂岩位于金沙江缝合带的南端,岩石组合出露较齐全,包括堆晶橄榄岩、堆晶辉石岩、堆晶辉长岩以及玄武岩等,它们呈构造岩片的形式产出并与外来岩块组成蛇绿混杂岩.堆晶橄榄岩和辉石岩具低Al_2O_3,低TiO_2,而高Mg~#值(Mg~#=0.88～0.92),富集Cr和Ni,稀土总量偏低(∑REE=14.82×10~(-6)～27.75×10~(-6)),倒"U"型的稀土元素分布特征.堆晶辉长岩和玄武岩的Mg~#值较低,分别为0.70～0.79和0.51～0.66,具拉斑系列的演化趋势.玄武岩可以细分为2组:第一组玄武岩以平坦型稀土配分模式,低Mg~#(Mg~#=0.44～0.46),低稀土总量(∑REE=52.29×10~(-6)～60.26×10~(-6))为特征;第二组玄武岩则为LREE弱富集型的稀土配分模式,其Mg~#较高(Mg~#=0.54～0.68),稀土总量也较高(∑REE=62.13×10~(-6)～101.87×10~(-6)).在原始地幔标准化的微量元素配分图解中,两组玄武岩均相对富集大离子亲石元素而亏损Nb、Ta和Ti,与岛弧岩浆岩类似,明显不同于N-MORB.岩石的Sr-Nd同位素组成较为均一和稳定,堆晶橄榄岩和辉石岩的(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)_i=0.7051～0.7056,5_(Nd)(t)=2.8～4.1,玄武岩的(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)_i=0.7050～0.7056,ε_(Nd)(t)=5.1～5.8,且显示出原始地幔的同位素组成特征,暗示这些岩石为同源岩浆分异演化而成的岩浆产物.岩浆演化的主要方式为分离结晶作用,受地壳混染不明显.岩浆结晶形成岩石的顺序为:堆晶橄榄岩→堆晶辉石岩→堆晶辉长岩→玄武岩2组→玄武岩1组.岩石地球化学特征表明,吉义独蛇绿岩的形成与俯冲作用有关,且形成于金沙江洋内俯冲的消减环境.     

Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb dating of the Neogene coral reefs,Xisha Islands,South China Sea: implications for tectonic evolution

The Xisha Block is a minor one in the South China Sea and an important tectonic unit in the northwestern part of the region. Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb ages for three volcanic intrusive core samples from Xike-1, an exploratory well penetrating the bioherms of the Xisha Islands. The core samples are from the Miocene reef carbonate bedrock and are recognized as dark-gray biotite-hornblende gabbro, gray fine-grained biotite diorite, and gray fine-grained granite, respectively. Zircon cathodoluminescence (CL) images and trace Th, U and Pb compositions of the zircons show that these rocks are of volcanic intrusive origin. Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb dating yielded six groups of ages, ranging from 2451-1857 Ma to early Cretaceous, which indicate that the formation and evolution of the Xisha Block was affected by the evolution and closure of Neotethys Ocean, probably within its eastern extension into South China Sea. Both old, deep-sourced material, including fragments from Rodina supercontinent, and recent mantle-derived magma products contributed to the emergence and formation of the Xisha block. The SHRIMP U-Pb results also proved that this process differed from that of the Kontum massif, the Hainan Block, and the South China Block, but is similar to that of the Nansha and Zhongsha blocks. The process was associated with the effects of Yanshanian magmatism induced by subduction mechanisms of the Paleo-Pacific Plate or the reworking of the multiple magmatisms since the Early to mid-Yanshanian, possibly jointly experienced by the Xisha-Zhongsha-Nansha Block.     

Chronological and geochemical constraints on the pre-variscan tectonic history of the Erzgebirge,Saxothuringian Zone

A combined U–Pb zircon geochronological and whole-rock isotopic and geochemical study has been carried out on high-grade orthogneiss, meta-basite, and meta-sediments from the Erzgebirge. The results indicate multiple pulses of Ediacaran–Ordovician magmatism in a transitional volcanic-arc to rift-basin setting. Orthogneiss from high-pressure nappes exhibit a step-like pattern of inherited zircon ages and emplacement ages of 500–475 Ma. In contrast, granite gneiss from the medium-pressure core of the Erzgebirge is characterised by three pulses of magmatism in the Early Cambrian, Late Cambrian, and Early Ordovician. A trend of decreasing Th/U ratios in zircon is observed to c.500 Ma, after which significant increases in the trend and variability of the data is inferred to mark the transition from arc-related to rift-related magmatism. Sediments deposited in the Early Cambrian have continental island arc affinity. Major detrital peaks in the Ediacaran and subordinate Tonian, Palaeoproterozoic, and Neoarchaean data are consistent with an Avalonian-Cadomian Arc and West African Craton derivation. The Early Cambrian sediments were locally reworked by a thermal event in the Ordovician resulting in leucocratic banding and recorded in Ordovician zircon rims characterised by systematically lower Th/U ratios. Ptygmatically folded leucocratic bands containing Ordovician zircon rims, associated with low Th/U ratios, are further observed in the granite gneiss core of the Erzgebirge. Variscan ages are rare, except in a fine-grained high-pressure micaschist, which contains exclusively small, structure-less, zircon with a weighted mean age of 350 ± 2 Ma. These data, along with a re-evaluation of previously published data, have been interpreted as the product of flattening subduction during the Early Cambrian; followed by the opening of slab windows in the Late Cambrian; and finally delamination in the Early Ordovician. Delamination of the orphaned slab led to asthenospheric upwellings triggering extension, bimodal magmatic pulses, recycling of fertile crust, high-temperature metamorphism, and cratonisation of relatively young crust.     

渤海钻孔物源示踪和河流沉积物扩散研究: 碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄和磷灰石原位地球化学元素双重约束

锆石和磷灰石是河流沉积物中常见的副矿物,由于各自的U-Pb年龄组成和原位地球化学元素组成在不同区域内存在显著差异,是进行河流物源示踪研究的理想矿物。基于此,利用在环渤海湾盆地主要汇入河流已发表的碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄,结合盆地晚第四纪钻孔的近地表碎屑物质的锆石U-Pb年龄,综合Kolmogorov-Smirnov统计方法的多维判别图（MDS）,系统对比分析了辽东湾、渤海中央盆地和莱州湾的物质来源。结果显示,辽东湾的物质主要来自辽河;渤海中央盆地和莱州湾的碎屑物质主要来自黄河。同时,利用激光剥蚀电感耦合等离子质谱仪（LA-ICP-MS）,对黄河下游（n=70）、胶东半岛的威海湾（n=120）、银滩湾（n=60）的现代河流沉积物和海岸砂开展了碎屑磷灰石微区原位（in situ）主微量元素分析。结果发现黄河与威海湾、银滩湾的碎屑物质不存在物源关系,结合该区域碎屑钾长石原位主微量元素的已有分析结果,进一步说明黄河与胶东半岛的海湾内的碎屑物质不存在物源关系。新的研究结果表明,将碎屑锆石、磷灰石原位地球化学分析相结合有助于更精准地判定河流的物源关系。