Lower Carboniferous post-orogenic granites in central-eastern Sierra de Velasco,Sierras Pampeanas,Argentina: U–Pb monazite geochronology,geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotopes

The central-eastern part of the Sierra de Velasco (Sierras Pampeanas, NW Argentina) is formed by the large Huaco (40 × 30 km) and Sanagasta (25 × 15 km) granite massifs and the small La Chinchilla stock (2 × 2 km). The larger granites intrude into Ordovician metagranitoids and crosscut Devonian (?) mylonitic shear zones, whereas the small stock sharply intrudes into the Huaco granite. The two voluminous granites are biotitic-muscovitic and biotitic porphyritic syeno- to monzogranites. They contain small and rounded tonalitic and quartz-dioritic mafic microgranular enclaves. The small stock is an equigranular, zinnwaldite- and fluorite-bearing monzogranite. The studied granites are silica-rich (SiO₂ >70%), potassium-rich (K₂O >4%), ferroan, alkali-calcic to slightly calk-alkalic, and moderately to weakly peraluminous (A/CNK: 1.06–1.18 Huaco granite, 1.01–1.09 Sanagasta granite, 1.05–1.06 La Chinchilla stock). They have moderate to strong enrichments in several LIL (Li, Rb, Cs) and HFS (Nb, Ta, Y, Th, U) elements, and low Sr, Ba and Eu contents. U–Pb monazite age determinations indicate Lower Carboniferous crystallization ages: 350–358 Ma for the Huaco granite, 352.7 ± 1.4 Ma for the Sanagasta granite and 344.5 ± 1.4 Ma for the La Chinchilla stock. The larger granites have similar ?Nd values between ?2.1 and ?4.3, whereas the younger stock has higher ?Nd of ?0.6 to ?1.4, roughly comparable to the values obtained for the Carboniferous San Blas granite (?1.4 to ?1.7), located in the north of the sierra. The Huaco and Sanagasta granites have a mainly crustal source, but with some participation of a more primitive, possibly mantle-derived, component. The main crustal component can be attributed to Ordovician peraluminous metagranitoids. The La Chinchilla stock derives from a more primitive source, suggesting an increase with time in the participation of the primitive component during magma genesis. The studied granites were generated during a post-orogenic period in a within-plate setting, possibly as a response to the collapse of the previous Famatinian orogen, extension of the crust and mantle upwelling. They are part of the group of Middle Devonian–Lower Carboniferous granites of the Sierras Pampeanas. The distribution and U–Pb ages of these granites suggests a northward arc-parallel migration of this mainly post-orogenic magmatism with time.     

The Late Triassic Dengfuxian A-type granite,Hunan Province: age,petrogenesis, and implications for understanding the late Indosinian tectonic transition in South China

The Triassic (Indosinian) granites in the South China Block (SCB) have important tectonic significance for understanding the evolution of Eastern Asia. The Dengfuxian biotite granite in eastern Hunan Province, China, reported in this article, was recognized as Late Triassic (late Indosinian) weakly peraluminous A-type granite with a zircon laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry U–Pb age of 225.7 ± 1.6 Ma. It is enriched in F, Cs, Rb, Th, high field strength elements, and rare earth elements (REEs) and depleted in Ba, Sr, P, Ti, Nb, and Ta, with high Ga/Al ratios and zircon saturation temperatures. The Dengfuxian biotite granite shows high initial Sr isotope values (0.715932 to 0.716499) and negative ?_Nd(t) (?10.46 to ?9.67) and ?_Hf(t) (?9.92 to ?6.29) values, corresponding to the Nd model ages of 1.79 to 1.85 Ga and the Hf model ages of 1.65 to 1.88 Ga. It is proposed that the Dengfuxian biotite granite was derived from high-temperature partial melting of the Palaeoproterozoic lower crust undergoing granulitization. Some Late Triassic A-type granites were recently identified in the SCB with the ages between 202 and 232 Ma. These A-type granites have the same geochemical characteristics and petrogenesis as Dengfuxian A-type granite, and show A₂-subtype granite affinity. The Late Triassic A-type granite formed a NE-trending granite belt, which is consistent with the main NE-trending faults in the SCB. The formation of these A-type granites was in response to the subduction of the palaeo-Pacific plate underneath the SCB, and indicates an extensional tectonic environment in the SCB. Combined with previous studies on tectonic evolution, we suggest that there may be a tectonic transition inside the SCB from compression to extension at least from 225 to 230 Ma.     

全风化花岗岩地层中高固相离析浆液灌浆机理研究

全风化花岗岩地层稳定性差、遇水易发生崩解,工程上使用常规材料防渗加固注浆时效果较差。针对这一情况,依托湖南省郴州市莽山水库防渗加固灌浆项目,通过自主设计的全风化花岗岩地层注浆室内模拟试验装置,进行模拟注浆试验,实现了浆液在整个注浆过程中的扩散情况模拟,对不同注浆压力、不同位置点所取试样开展单轴抗压、抗剪强度及渗透率测试试验,对不同注浆压力下完整结石体取样观察,研究以全风化花岗岩颗粒为配方主体材料的高固相离析浆液在全风化花岗岩地层的防渗加固效果及浆液扩散模式。结果表明:该浆液在全风化花岗岩地层扩散过程中经历了渗透扩散、挤密压缩、劈裂扩展三个阶段,是一种复合注浆形式;以全风化花岗岩颗粒为主体的高固相离析浆液在全风化花岗岩地层注浆中效果显著,随着注浆压力提升,单轴抗压强度显著提升为原土体的3.25～13.67倍,抗剪强度在不同法向压力情况下提升为原土体的1.63～2.69倍,渗透系数从10?4 cm/s下降至10?5 cm/s甚至10?6 cm/s。     

Ages and geochemistry of Laojunshan granites in southeastern Yunnan, China: implications for W-Sn polymetallic ore deposits

The Southeastern Yunnan region is one of the most important polymetallic ore districts in South China. Located in the southern margin of the South China Block, these ore districts are part of a wider granite-related magmatic-hydrothermal system. Laojunshan granite intrusions, located in the western part of the Southeastern Yunnan, are closely related to W-Sn mineralisation. In this paper we report zircon U-Pb ages, geochemical and petrological characteristics for the ore-related granites in Laojunshan area. Three samples from three intrusive suites of the granitic rocks in Laojunshan intrusion have been analyzed by the LA-ICPMS zircon U-Pb techniques, yielding ages of 86.66?±?0.42 Ma, 86.72?±?0.47 Ma and 86.02?±?0.48 Ma, respectively. Bulk analysis reveals that three intrusive suites are strongly-peraluminous, silica-rich, aluminum-rich and alkali-rich granites and their ACNK values fall mainly into a small range of 1.10–1.38. Moreover, all granites show enriched Rb, La and Zr and depleted Ba, Sr and Ti, as well as a uniformly flat REE-pattern with a marked negative Eu anomaly. The granites and polymetallic W–Sn mineralization possibly both occurred during the Late Coniacian.     

The Durulgui rare-metal granite‒pegmatite system in the eastern Transbaikal region: Petrological and geochronological aspects

The Durulgui granite?pegmatite system unites the Dedova Gora granite massif and pegmatite field with the Chalotskoe beryl deposit. New geochronological data on micas from porphyric biotite granites, fine-grained biotite granites, two-mica granites, and Be-bearing pegmatites are discussed. The plateau age of 128.5(±1.5)–131.2(±1.5) should be considered as indicating the formation time of the granite?pegmatite system as a whole. The age of the system implies the possibility of its formation owing to several magmatic pulses. This assumption concerns porphyric and fine-grained biotite granites and two-mica and muscovite granites, the contact between which is locally sharp. At the same time, the succession “two-mica granites → muscovite granites → granite?pegmatites → microcline pegmatites → microcline?albite pegmatites → albite pegmatites” demonstrates gradual facies transitions between rocks, which indicates their emplacement during a single magmatic pulse.     

江西龙南稀土花岗岩的锆石U-Pb年龄、内生矿化特征及成因讨论

江西省龙南地区离子吸附型稀土成矿花岗岩出露广泛,然而由于缺乏精确的同位素年代学依据,致使对各岩体的侵位时代、岩石成因等方面的认识存在分歧。本文对足洞、牛坑及半坑花岗岩的风化壳(或基岩)样品进行了LA-MC-ICPMS锆石U-Pb定年,获得206Pb/238U加权平均年龄分别为:(168.2±1.2)Ma、(168.3±1.7)Ma和(209.75±0.86)Ma,表明足洞和牛坑花岗岩体的侵位时代一致,均形成于燕山期,晚于寨背—关西岩体(~195 Ma),更晚于印支期侵位的半坑岩体。足洞—牛坑岩体的稀土配分类型为重稀土型,岩石学、矿物学方面具有相似性,可能为同源岩浆同期分离结晶的产物;寨背—关西岩体和半坑岩体的稀土配分类型均为轻稀土型,岩石学、矿物学方面具相似性,可能为同源岩浆不同期次形成的产物。而足洞—牛坑岩体与寨背—关西岩体具有不同的稀土矿物组合、稀土配分模式和微量元素特征(寨背—关西花岗岩风化壳的Zr/Hf比值(20~60)大于足洞—牛坑岩体(20),且Zr/Hf比值与Nb/Ta比值正相关),可能来自不同的岩浆源区。     

冈底斯带东段鲁朗—墨脱地区中新世花岗岩 的地球化学、年代学及成因

冈底斯东段的鲁朗-色季拉和墨脱-崩崩拉一带花岗岩的岩石类型主要为二长花岗岩、黑云母花岗岩、花岗闪长岩、石英闪长岩等.墨脱花岗岩的K-Ar年龄为19～22Ma;鲁朗花岗岩的40Ar-39Ar年龄为14～18Ma.岩石地球化学研究结果表明,本区花岗岩主要属于高钾钙碱性系列和钙碱性系列,同时具有某些埃达克岩的特征,表现为高SiO2(65.60%～76.40%)、Al2O3(12.32%～17.23%)、Sr/Y(2.41～86.46)、(La/Yb)n(6.65～56.14)比值,低Y(4.23×10-6～39.40×10-6)等特点.呈典型的LREE和LILE富集型分配模式,Eu为正到弱负异常.本区中新世花岗岩主要来源于中下陆壳的硅铝质成分和镁铁质成分的重熔,不同于具埃达克岩成分的冈底斯中新世含矿花岗斑岩.以中新世花岗岩侵位为标志,东喜马拉雅构造结地区的初始伸展可能在22Ma左右,早于冈底斯中段(20Ma左右).     

Long-term thermal consequences of the redistribution of heat-producing elements associated with large-scale granitic complexes

Crustal thermal regimes are sensitive to both the amount and distribution of heat producing elements (HPEs). Since a significant proportion of the crustal complement of HPEs is contained within granites, granite generation and emplacement should lead to significant long‐term changes in the thermal structure of the crust. Using HPE concentrations appropriate to representative Australian Proterozoic granites we show that granite segregation leads to changes in the temperature field of the crust of up to c. 50 °C, producing long‐term cooling in the source regions and heating at emplacement levels, relative to the pre‐granite conductive thermal regime. Because of the intimate connection between thermal regime and lithospheric strength, granite‐assisted redistribution of HPEs is likely to be fundamental to cratonisation.     

Geochronology and sources of late Neoproterozoic to Cambrian granites of the Saldania Belt

The Saldania Belt (SB), located in the southernmost part of South Africa, contains S-, I-, and A-type granites. Whole-rock Sm?CNd data for the Saldania granites indicate the presence of a juvenile as well as inherited crustal signature. The earlier S-type granites have ??Nd_(t) values from ?4.2 to ?3.28 (for t?=?550?Ma). In contrast, the intermediate I-type and youngest A-type and highly fractionated I-type granites display ??Nd values ranging from ?1.44 to ?3.68 (for t?=?540?Ma) and from +3.66 to +5.1(for t?=?530?Ma), respectively. The U?CPb single zircon data of A-type granites exposed in the Western Branch of the SB yielded dates from 524?±?8 to 510?±?4?Ma, whereas an S-type granite, situated in the Southern Branch of the SB and represented by the syn- to late-tectonic Rooiklip Granite, yielded an age of 527?±?8?Ma. The volcano-sedimentary rocks intruded by these granites display Nd model ages from Ga to 1.67?Ga and ??Nd_(t) values from ?6.58 to +3.34 (for t?=?560?Ma) with isotope signature similar to those of the granites. The S- and I-type granitic magmatism is mostly a product of melting of an earlier crust (Mesoproterozoic to Paleoproterozoic) with different degree of juvenile contribution. The obtained isotope data and field relationship support the hypothesis that the lithological units of the SB were affected by the late Neoproterozoic to Early Cambrian tectonism, related to compressive deformational processes at the southern margin of the Kalahari Plate and probably correlated with the Sierra La Ventana Belt basement.     

Lead contents of S-type granites and their petrogenetic significance

An evaluation of Pb and Ba contents in S-type granites can provide important information on the processes of crustal partial melting. Primary low-T S-type granites, which form mainly by fluid-absent muscovite melting, may acquire a significant enrichment in Pb when compared to higher-T S-type granites for a given Ba content. We consider the following factors are responsible for this enrichment: Muscovite is a major carrier of Pb in amphibolite facies metapelites, and thus large quantities of Pb can be liberated upon its breakdown. The typical restite assemblage of Qz?+?Bt?+?Sil?±?Pl?±?Grt?±?Kfsp that forms during low-T, fluid-absent muscovite melting can take up only minor amounts of this Pb. This is because the crystal/melt Pb distribution coefficients for these restite minerals are low to very low. Only K-feldspar is moderately compatible for Pb, with a crystal/melt distribution coefficient of ~3, but its modal content in restites is usually low. At the same time, the restite assemblage will retain much Ba owing to the very high Ba uptake in both biotite and K-feldspar, which is an order of magnitude higher than for Pb. Thus, during a low-T anatectic event involving a low degree of crustal melting, Pb (as an incompatible element) can become strongly enriched in the partial melt relative to Ba and also relative to source rock values. In the case of higher-T anatexis and larger partial melt amounts, the Pb becomes less enriched and the Ba less depleted or even enriched relative to source rock values. During fractional crystallization of a S-type granite magma, Ba behaves strongly compatibly and Pb weakly compatibly. The concentrations of both elements decrease along the liquid line of decent. Owing to this sympathetic fractionation behavior, the primary, source-related Pb–Ba fingerprint (with weak or strong Pb enrichment) remains in evolved S-type granites. This facilitates a distinction between primary low-T S-type granites, which are related to muscovite melting, and secondary low-T S-type granites that evolve through fractional crystallization from a higher-T parental magma. We show in this paper that a simple logarithmic Pb versus Ba diagram can be a valuable aid for interpreting the petrogenesis of S-type granite suites.     

U–Pb geochronology and zircon composition of late Variscan S- and I-type granitoids from the Spanish Central System batholith

The Spanish Central System (SCS) batholith, located in the Central Iberian Zone, is one of the largest masses of granite in the European Variscan Belt. This batholith is a composite unit of late- and post-kinematic granitoids dominated by S- and I-type series granite, with subordinate leucogranite and granodiorite. Zircon trace element contents, from two representative S-type and three I-type granitoids from the eastern portion of the SCS batholith, indicate a heterogeneous composition due to magma differentiation and co-crystallisation of other trace element-rich accessory phases. In situ, U–Pb dating of these zircons by SHRIMP and LA-ICP-MS shows 479–462-Ma inherited zircon ages in the I-type intrusions, indicating the involvement of an Ordovician metaigneous protolith, while the S-type intrusions exclusively contain Cadomian and older zircon ages. The zircon crystallisation ages show that these granites have been emplaced at ca. 300?Ma with a time span between 303?±?3?Ma and 298?±?3?Ma. Precise dating by CA-ID-TIMS reveals a pulse at 305.7?±?0.4?Ma and confirms the major pulse at 300.7?±?0.6?Ma. These ages match the Permo-Carboniferous age for granulite-facies metamorphism of the lower crust under the SCS batholith and coincide with a widespread granitic event throughout the Southern Variscides. Ti-in zircon thermometry indicates temperatures between 844 and 784°C for both the S- and I-type granites, reinforcing the hypothesis that these granites are derived from deep crustal sources.     

The basement of the Mount Athos peninsula, northern Greece: insights from geochemistry and zircon ages

The Mount Athos Peninsula is situated in the south-easternmost part of the Chalkidiki Peninsula in northern Greece. It belongs to the Serbo-Macedonian Massif (SMM), a large basement massif within the Internal Hellenides. The south-eastern part of the Mount Athos peninsula is built by fine-grained banded biotite gneisses and migmatites forming a domal structure. The southern tip of the peninsula, which also comprises Mount Athos itself, is built by limestone, marble and low-grade metamorphic rocks of the Chortiatis Unit. The northern part and the majority of the western shore of the Mount Athos peninsula are composed of highly deformed rocks belonging to a tectonic mélange termed the Athos-Volvi-Suture Zone (AVZ), which separates two major basement units: the Vertiskos Terrane in the west and the Kerdillion Unit in the east. The rock-types in this mélange range from metasediments, marbles and gneisses to amphibolites, eclogites and peridotites. The gneisses are tectonic slivers of the adjacent basement complexes. The mélange zone and the gneisses were intruded by granites (Ierissos, Ouranoupolis and Gregoriou). The Ouranoupolis intrusion obscures the contact between the mélange and the gneisses. The granites are only slightly deformed and therefore postdate the accretionary event that assembled the units and created the mélange. Pb–Pb- and U–Pb-SHRIMP-dating of igneous zircons of the gneisses and granites of the eastern Athos peninsula in conjunction with geochemical and isotopic analyses are used to put Athos into the context of a regional tectonic model. The ages form three clusters: The basement age is indicated by two samples that yielded Permo-Carboniferous U–Pb-ages of 292.6?±?2.9?Ma and 299.4?±?3.5?Ma. The main magmatic event of the granitoids now forming the gneiss dome is dated by Pb–Pb-ages between 140.0?±?2.6?Ma and 155.7?±?5.1?Ma with a mean of 144.7?±?2.4?Ma. A within-error identical age of 146.6?±?2.3?Ma was obtained by the U–Pb-SHRIMP method. This Late Jurassic age is also known from the Kerdillion Unit and the Rhodope Terrane. The rather undeformed granites are interpreted as piercing plutons. The small granite stocks sampled have Late Cretaceous to Early Tertiary ages of 66.8?±?0.8?Ma and 68.0?±?1.0?Ma (U–Pb-SHRIMP)/62.8?±?3.9?Ma (Pb–Pb). The main accretionary event was according to these data in the Late Jurassic since all younger rocks show little or no deformation. The age distribution together with the geochemical and isotopic signature and the lithology indicates that the eastern part of the Mount Athos peninsula is part of a large-scale gneiss dome also building the Kerdillion Unit of the eastern SMM and the Rhodope Massif. This finding extends the area of this dome significantly to the south and indicates that the tectonic boundary between the SMM and the Rhodope Massif lies within the AVZ.     

Origin of chemically distinct granites in a composite intrusion in east-central Sweden: geochemical and geothermal constraints

A few tens of millions of years after the intrusion of the Early Svecofennian (1.87–1.85 Ma) granitoids in central Sweden, a renewed magmatic activity resulted in the emplacement of the Late Svecofennian granites, the tectonic setting of which remains obscure. S-type granites dominate this group, but both I-type and transitional granites are common. This study deals with one of these intrusions in east-central Sweden; a composite pluton that is insignificantly deformed and hosts both I- and S-type granites. One of the I-type granites shows a compositional trend from granodiorite to granite, which is uncommon among the Late Svecofennian granites. Major element and incompatible trace element compositions and _Nd data show that two different sources, one igneous and one sedimentary, were involved. An important conclusion is that nearly coeval granites derived from different sources are found in close connection. The granites are suggested to have formed by partial melting in a thickened continental crust that was formed in an early stage of the Svecofennian event. Thermal models suggest that the slightly older, high-temperature I-type granite (granodiorite) was formed deeper in the crust than the S-type granite. The coexistence of essentially pure I- and S-type granites, rather than transitional mixtures, reflects the relative depths of the proposed sources and the varying thermal parameters of the lithologic units in the Svecofennian crust.     

辽东三叠纪弟兄山岩体SHRIMP U-Pb年龄、地球化学特征及其地质意义

SHRIMP锆石U-Pb年龄测定表明,辽东半岛弟兄山岩体的侵位时代为三叠纪（205.2±2.1 Ma）,是华北东部三叠纪花岗岩的一部分.全岩岩石化学分析结果显示,弟兄山花岗岩具有高SiO₂、Al₂O₃、K₂O,低TiO₂、Na₂、MnO和CaO的特征,K₂O+Na₂变化范围为7.88%~9.28%,K₂O/Na₂ ≥ 1.16~1.46;CaO/Na₂=0.08~0.23,铝指数A/CNK=0.95~1.10,并且在矿物组合中出现白云母,属准铝-过铝质花岗岩.在SiO₂-Zr图解中,所有样品点均落在S型花岗岩区域中.以上特征均显示该花岗岩为准铝-过铝质S型花岗岩.稀土曲线和稀土参数表现出强烈的轻、重稀土分异特征和明显的Eu负异常特征,反映源区岩浆形成后发生过斜长石或其他富Ca矿物的分离结晶作用,是典型准铝-过铝质花岗岩的稀土元素特征.在原始地幔标准化的微量元素蛛网图上,所有花岗岩均富集Rb、Th,明显亏损Nb、Ta、Sr和Ti.所有样品的Rb=133×10^-6~360×10^-6,绝大多数样品高于花岗岩的平均值（200×10^-6）;Sr（25×10^-6~135×10^-6）和Ba（48×10^-6~507×10^-6）明显低于花岗岩的平均值（Sr 300×10^-6,Ba 830×10^-6）,Ba、Sr亏损反映岩浆经历了较为完全的分离结晶作用;大离子亲石元素Rb、Th富集,Nb和Ta亏损显示陆壳物质为岩浆的源岩.上述特征表明岩浆物质来源于陆源碎屑岩石.结合区域构造演化历史,认为弟兄山岩体是库拉-太平洋板块向欧亚大陆俯冲的产物,是印支晚期华北岩石圈处于弱伸展状态背景的响应.     

Rapakivi granites in the geological history of the earth. Part 1, magmatic associations with rapakivi granites: Age, geochemistry, and tectonic setting

Rapakivi granites characteristic practically of all old platforms are greatly variable in age and irregularly distributed over the globe. Four types of magmatic associations, which include rapakivi granites, are represented by anorthosite-mangerite-charnockite-rapakivi granite, anorthosite-mangerite-rapakivi-peralkaline granite, gabbro-rapakivi granite-foidite, and rapakivi granite-shoshonite rock series. Granitoids of these associations used to be divided into the following three groups: (1) classical rapakivi granites from magmatic associations of the first three types, which correspond to subalkaline high-K and high-Fe reduced A₂-type granites exemplifying the plumasitic trend of evolution; (2) peralkaline granites of the second magmatic association representing the highly differentiated A₁-type reduced granites of Na-series, which are extremely enriched in incompatible elements and show the agpaitic trend of evolution; and (3) subalkaline oxidized granites of the fourth magmatic association ranging in composition from potassic A₂-type granites to S-granites. Magmatic complexes including rapakivi granites originated during the geochronological interval that spanned three supercontinental cycles 2.7?1.8, 1.8?1.0 and 1.0?0.55 Ga ago. The onset and end of each cycle constrained the assembly periods of supercontinents and the formation epochs of predominantly anorthosite-charnockite complexes of the anorthosite-mangerite-charnockite-rapakivi granite magmatic association. Peak of the respective magmatism at the time of Grenvillian Orogeny signified the transition from the tectonics of small lithospheric plates to the subsequent plate tectonics of the current type. The outburst of rapakivi granite magmatism was typical of the second cycle exclusively. The anorthosite-mangerite-charnockite-rapakivi granite magmatic series associated with this magmatism originated in back-arc settings, if we consider the latter in a broad sense as corresponding to the rear parts of peripheral orogens whose evolution lasted from ～1.9 to 1.0 Ga. Magmatism of this kind was most active 1.8?1.3 Ga ago and represented the distal effect of subduction or collisional events along the convergent boundaries of lithospheric plates. An important factor that favored the emplacement of rapakivi granites and anorthosites in a huge volume was the thermal and rheologic state of the lithosphere inherited from antedating orogenic events, first of all from the event ～1.9 Ga ago, which was unique in terms of heat capacity transferred into the lithosphere. Anorthosite-mangerite-rapakivi granite-peralkaline granite magmatism is connected with activity of the mantle plums only. Degradation of the rapakivi granite magmatism toward the terminal Proterozoic was controlled by the general cooling of the Earth in the course of the steady dissipation of its endogenic energy, as these processes became accelerated since the Late Riphean     

Geochemistry of the Granites in the Tamuqi Area on Southern Margin of Tarim Block

This study shows that the intrusive rocks distributed in the Aoyiqieke-Tamuqi area on the southern margin of the Tarim Block are composed of gabbro, diorite, granodiorite and granite, which constitute regionally a nearly EW-trending tectono-magmatic belt. Petrochemically the diorite, granodiorite and granite belong to the calc-alkaline, high-K series, with Na₂O/K₂O ratios varying between 0.83 and 2.63. M/F ratios in the diorite are within the range of 0.44–0.70 and those of the granodiorite ( granite) are 0.45–0.87. Petrochemistry data show that the intrusive complexes are of the I type and their ΣREE is slightly variable, within the range of 178.31–229.01 × 10⁻⁶. The LREE/HREE ratios of the diorite and granite are 3.78–5.13 and 6.69–7.66, respectively. The plutons usually show moderate negative Eu anomalies with δEu values ranging from 0.53 to 0.82, showing almost no difference among different rocks. The (La/Yb)_N values of diorite and granite are 12.39−14.86 and 22.07−26.03, respectively. The diorite and granite possess very similar REE distribution patterns, indicating that they were both derived from the same source. As for their trace element ratios, the diorite has higher Nb/Ta ratios than the granite, which are 15.73−17.16 and 12.03−15.01, respectively. It can be seen that the Nb/Ta ratios of the diorite are much closer to the average mantle (17.5). Their Zr/Hf ratios are very close to each other, within the range of 29−34. Th/Y ratios in the diorite are 0.42−0.80 (all less than unity) while those of the granite are 1.02−2.04. Some difference is also noticed in Ti/V between the diorite and the granite (52.6−54.2 for the former and 52.6−54.2 for the latter). As compared with ocean ridge granites, both diorite and granite are characterized by remarkable LILE enrichment, as well as by moderate negative Ba and postive Ce anomalies. The contents of Nb and Ta in the diorite and granite are equivalent to those of the ocean ridge granites, but the contents of Zr, Hf, Sm, Y, and Yb are all lower than those of the ocean ridge granites, indicating that these granites are similar to the island-arc granites of Chile. From their geochemical characteristics, it is considered that the intrusive rocks in the area studied were formed in an island-arc environment at the continental margin.     

Dynamic Response of the Foundations Resting on a Two-layered Soil Underlain by a Rigid Layer

The present experimental investigations study the effect of layering over rigid base on the dynamic behavior of foundation under vertical mode of vibration. Model block vibration tests were conducted on a rigid surface footing resting on different layered soil systems underlain by rigid base. The rigid base was used to simulate the presence of bedrock. The tests were carried out in a pit of size 2.0?m?×?2.0?m?×?1.9?m (deep) using a concrete footing of size 0.4?m?×?0.4?m?×?0.1?m. A rotating mass type mechanical oscillator was used for inducing vibration in vertical direction. Different layered soil systems were prepared within the total depth of 1,200?mm over the rigid base. Locally available gravel and fly ash were used to form different layered soil systems. In total, 132 nos. model block vibration tests in vertical mode were conducted for different layering and loading combinations. The experimentally obtained results are also compared with the results obtained from the analysis by mass-spring-dashpot and equivalent half-space theory.     

Bowing of dimensional granitic stones

Bowing is a well-known phenomenon seen in marbles used as building veneers. This form of rock weathering occurs as a result of external factors such as temperature, humidity, the system for anchoring the marble slabs or the panel dimensions. Under the same external conditions, many factors will determine the degree of deformation including petrography, thermal properties and residual locked stresses. The usual way to solve the problem of bowed marble slabs is to replace them with other materials, such as granites, in which the deformation still exists but is less common. In this study, eight ornamental granites with different mineralogy, grain size, grain shape, porosity and fabric were tested in a laboratory to assess their susceptibility to bowing. Three slabs of granite, each cut with a different orientation, were studied under different conditions of temperature (90 and 120°C) and water saturation (dry and wet) to investigate the influence of these factors together with that of anisotropy. At 90°C, only the granite with the coarsest grain size and low porosity exhibited deformation under wet conditions. At 120°C and wet conditions, three of the granites showed evident signs of bowing. Again, the granite with the coarsest grain size was the most deformed. It was concluded that the wide grain size distribution influences microcracking more than other expected factors, such as the quartz content of the rock. Also, mineral shape-preferred orientation and porosity play an important role in the bowing of the studied granites.     

Geochemical, zircon U�CPb dating and Sr�CNd�CHf isotopic constraints on the age and petrogenesis of an Early Cretaceous volcanic-intrusive complex at Xiangshan, Southeast China

The Late Mesozoic geology of Southeast China is characterized by extensive Jurassic to Cretaceous magmatism consisting predominantly of granites and rhyolites and subordinate mafic rocks, forming a belt of volcanic-intrusive complexes. The Xiangshan volcanic-intrusive complex is located in the NW region of the belt and mainly contains the following lithologies: rhyodacite and rhyodacitic porphyry, porphyritic lava, granite porphyry with mafic microgranular enclaves, quartz monzonitic porphyry, and lamprophyre dyke. Major and trace-element compositions, zircon U?CPb dating, and Sr?CNd?CHf isotopic compositions have been investigated for these rocks. The precise SHRIMP and LA?CICP?CMS zircon U?CPb dating shows that the emplacement of various magmatic units at Xiangshan took place within a short time period of less than 2?Myrs. The stratigraphically oldest rhyodacite yielded a zircon U?CPb age of 135?±?1?Ma and the overlying rhyodacitic porphyry has an age of 135?±?1?Ma. Three porphyritic lava samples yielded zircon U?CPb ages of 136?±?1?Ma, 132?±?1?Ma, and 135?±?1?Ma, respectively. Two subvolcanic rocks (granite porphyry) yielded zircon U?CPb ages of 137?±?1?Ma and 137?±?1?Ma. A quartz monzonitic porphyry dyke, which represented the final stage of magmatism at Xiangshan, also yielded a zircon U?CPb age of 136?±?1?Ma. All these newly obtained precise U?CPb ages demonstrate that the entire magmatic activity at Xiangshan was rapid and possibly took place at the peak of extensional tectonics in SE China. The geochemical data indicate that all these samples from the volcanic-intrusive complex have an A-type affinity. Sr?CNd?CHf isotopic data suggest that the Xiangshan volcanic-intrusive complex derived mainly from remelting of Paleo-Mesoproterozoic crust without significant additions of mantle-derived magma. However, the quartz monzonitic porphyry, which has zircon Hf model ages older than the whole-rock Nd model ages, and which has ??_Nd(T) value higher than the other rocks, may indicate involvement of a subordinate younger mantle-derived magma in its origin. Geochemical data indicate that the various rocks show variable REE patterns and negative anomalies of Ba, Nb, Sr, P, Eu and Ti in the trace element spidergrams, suggesting that these rocks may have undergone advanced fractional crystallization with separation of plagioclase, K-feldspar and accessory minerals such as allanite. We suggest that this Cretaceous volcanic-intrusive complex formed in an extensional environment, and the formation of the Xiangshan mafic microgranular enclaves can be explained by the injection of mafic magma from a deeper seated mantle magma chamber into a hypabyssal felsic magma chamber at the crustal emplacement levels.     

Timing of granitic magma mixing in the southeastern Gyeongsang Basin,Korea: SHRIMP-RG zircon data

Late Cretaceous calc-alkaline granites in the Gyeongsang Basin evolved through the mixing of mafic and felsic magmas. The host granites contain numerous mafic magmatic/microgranular enclaves of various shapes and sizes. New SHRIMP-RG zircon U–Pb ages of both granite and mafic magmatic/microgranular enclaves are 75.0?±?0.5 Ma and 74.9?±?0.6 Ma, respectively, suggesting that they crystallized contemporaneously after magma mixing. The time of injection of mafic melt into the felsic magma chamber can be recognized as approximately 75 Ma by field relations, petrographic features, geochemical evolution, and SHRIMP-RG zircon dating. This Late Cretaceous magma mixing event in the Korean Peninsula was probably related to the onset of subduction of the Izanagi (Kula)–Pacific ridge.