Ichnofossils from the Miocene Middle Bhuban Formation, Mizoram,Northeast India and their Paleoenvironmental Significance

An ichnofossil assemblage is preserved in sediments of the Middle Bhuban Formation,Surma Group,of Miocene age from the Durtlang and Chanmari sections,Aizawl district,Mizoram,northeastern India.The studied sections comprise a thick,bioturbated and thinly bedded sandstone–silty shale facies.The preserved ichnofossils show high density and low diversity with the assemblage represented by feeding and resting traces,i.e.,Psilonichnus upsilon Frey et al.,1984,Ophiomorpha isp.,Teichichnus spiralis Mikulá.1990,Skolithos isp.,Palaeophycus isp.,and other horizontal burrows.Sedimentary structures associated with these traces are mainly cross bedding,flaser bedding and slump structures.Considering the distribution of the Psilonichnus ichnogenus across an integrated ichnological–sedimentological framework,the stratigraphic interval of the Middle Bhuban Formation,in which they occur,are interpreted to have been deposited under a shallow,marginal-marine channel complex dominated by tidal channels developed in quiet,brackish-water portions of a delta plain.     

高分辨扫描电镜和X射线能谱Mapping技术研究碲矿物的成分和形态特征

X射线能谱元素像分析技术(EDS-Mapping)可直接观察岩石光片中目标元素的分布特征。本文采用高分辨扫描电镜及配置的X射线能谱仪综合分析技术,对山东归来庄金矿中碲元素和其他元素的分布特征和组合规律进行研究,定性确定含碲矿物、形态特征及其与其他矿物间的空间关系。结果表明,研究区金矿中含碲矿物有棱角状碲金银矿、碲化铅等,以浸染状形貌他形镶嵌于主矿物他形石英和片状云母之间,颗粒大小从几微米到几百微米极不均匀。对典型含碲矿物的微区成分进一步精确测定,得到碲金银矿和碲化铅的化学式为Ag_(0.85)Au_(2.55)Te_6和Pb_(0.52)Te_(0.48),其中碲金银矿成分明显异常。本文研究为稀散分布微细矿物的成分、形态分布及与围岩关系建立了一套先进实用的表征方法,可为含碲金矿的综合利用提供技术支持。     

扎格罗斯前陆盆地晚中新世快速剥露证据——来自磷灰石(U-Th)/He的约束

伊朗扎格罗斯造山带是世界上最年轻的造山带之一,前人对其构造演化历史的研究尚存争议。前陆盆地蕴藏着丰富的造山带热史信息,为研究造山带的隆升和剥露历史提供了重要途径。本研究选取位于扎格罗斯前陆盆地前缘中部的Kuh-E Bedush向斜和Kuh-E Murdeh向斜翼部出露的第三纪陆相红层(Agha Jari组)为研究对象,共采集11个粗砂岩样品进行磷灰石(U-Th)/He测试分析。11个样品共得到38个单颗粒年龄,年龄区间为0.8～79.9Ma。大部分样品的单颗粒年龄比较分散,表明这些样品没有发生完全热重置。相反,位于Murdeh向斜剖面最底部的样品,(U-Th)/He年龄小于其对应的地层年龄,并且集中分布在8.3～6.8Ma,表明该样品发生了完全重置并记录了最后一次剥露事件的时间。因此,我们认为扎格罗斯前陆盆地于晚中新世～7.5 Ma经历了一期快速剥露事件。此外,我们发现未重置的(U-Th)/He年龄大致分布在四个时间段:晚白垩纪—早古新世、早—中始新世、渐新世、早—中中新世。根据所得热年龄并结合前人研究设定了三种不同的热史,正演模拟结果与实际样品拟合较好,由此推断出前陆中部Agha J...     

应用X射线衍射-红外光谱等技术研究滑石在机械力研磨中的形貌和晶体结构变化及影响机制

滑石的颗粒粒径、形貌、晶型等对其应用的实效性、终端产品的性能产生极大影响,目前主要研究其表面改性,而有关微观形貌及晶体结构研究较少。本文利用X射线荧光光谱、X射线衍射分析、红外光谱、粒度分析仪结合高分辨场发射扫描电镜(FE-SEM)技术对辽宁滑石粉在高强度机械力研磨作用下的微形貌和晶体结构变化特征进行系统研究。结果表明滑石粉原矿混合物中MgO与SiO2的分子个数比约为0.45,该数值明显低于纯滑石粉晶体中MgO与SiO2的分子个数比0.75。此类滑石为典型的单斜晶系,研磨作用使滑石粉由晶态转变为非晶态结构,其层状结构的有序化和键合作用发生了明显的变化。滑石粒度随研磨时间变化呈现减小-增大-减小的循环过程。研磨后粉体形貌存在差异,细化的小颗粒粉体因团聚而呈"准球体",且随着研磨的进行出现细化-团聚-细化的反复过程。此结论对于滑石的深加工与应用及其相关矿物粉体的研究具有一定的参考价值。     

Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of Miocene pelitic sedimentary rocks from the south-western part of the Pannonian Basin System (Croatia): Implications for provenance studies

Fifty-two samples of Miocene pelitic sedimentary rock from outcrops on Medvednica,Moslavacka Gora and Psunj Mts.,and boreholes in the Sava Depression and the Pozega Sub-depression were investigated.These sediments formed in different marine(with normal and reduced salinity),brackish,and freshwater environments,depending on the development stage of the Pannonian Basin System.Carbonate minerals,clay minerals and quartz are the main constituents of all pelitic sedimentary rocks,except in those from Moslavacka Gora Mt in which carbonate minerals are not present.Feldspars,pyrite,opal-CT,and hematite are present as minor constituents in some rocks.Besides calcite,dependent on the sedimentary environment and diagenetic changes,high-magnesium calcite,aragonite,dolomite and ankerite/Cadolomite are also present.Smectite or illite-smectite is the main clay minerals in the samples.Minor constituents,present in almost all samples,are detrital illite and kaolinite.In some samples chlorite is also present in a low amount.Major elements,trace elements and rare earth elements patterns used in provenance analysis show that all analysed samples have a composition similar to the values of the upper continental crust(UCC).The contents of major and trace elements as well as SiO_2/Al_2O_3,K_2O/Al_2O_3,Na_2O/K_2O,Eu/Eu~*,La/Sc,Th/Sc,La/Co Th/Co,Th/Cr,Ce/Ce~* and LREE/HREE ratios,show that the analysed pelitic sedimentary rocks were formed by weathering of different types of mostly acidic(silicic),i.e.felsic rocks.     

基于电感耦合等离子体质谱/光谱技术研究朱溪钨铜矿床原生晕地球化学特征

江西朱溪钨铜矿是近年新发现的具有超大型规模前景的钨铜矿床,本文采集了大量朱溪钨铜矿床样品,用偏振激发能量色散X射线荧光光谱、电感耦合等离子体质谱/光谱等技术分析主量和微量元素含量,根据各元素的含量水平以10种主要成矿元素(W、Sn、Bi、Mo、Pb、Zn、Cu、As、Sb、Ag)作为分析研究区原生晕地球化学特征的指示元素。结果表明,Cu、Zn、Ag、Pb和W、Bi、Sn、Mo的元素共生组合十分明显,同时W与Cu也有相关性,富集W的部位同样也富集了Cu。成矿元素在空间上的分布特征为:1同一剖面上越往北西方向,W为主的高温元素更为富集;平面上越往南西方向,W为主的高温元素更为富集;越往深部,W为主的高温元素更为富集。2Cu为主的中温元素富集深度比W为主的高温元素富集深度浅。研究认为,铜矿富集部位在中、深部(-1400~-1500 m),钨矿富集部位在深部(-1400~-1900 m),Ag、As、Sb等低温元素的富集部位更靠近地表(-1100~-1200 m)。这种剖面线上和平面上的原生晕地球化学特征为该矿床进一步勘探工作与成矿预测提供了理论依据。     

Petrology, geochemistry and magnetic properties of Sadara sill: Evidence of rift related magmatism from Kutch basin, northwest India

Mafic volcanic rocks of the Mesozoic Kutch basin represent the earliest phase of Deccan volcanic activity. An olivine-clinopyroxene-plagioclase-phyric undersaturated basalt occurs as a sill near Sadara in the Pachham upland, Northern Kutch. The Sadara sill is deformed and emplaced along faults. The sill is alkaline in character and is transitional between basalt and basanite. Compared to primitive mantle, the Sadara sill is enriched in Sr, Ba, Pb and LREE but depleted in Nb, Cr, Y, Cs and Lu. Fractional crystallization of olivine and clinopyroxene from an alkaline mafic melt generated by low degree partial melting of mantle peridotite can explain the observed chemical variation in the sill.IRM and L-F test experiments and mineral analyses show titano-magnetite as the major remanence carrying magnetic mineral. AF and thermal demagnetizations of the Sadara sill yielded a mean ChRM direction as D=315.6°, I=−43.0° (α₉₅=9.78; k=25.38) and the corresponding VGP at 25°S; 114.6°E (dp/dm=6.58°/11.6°). The Sadara sill pole is significantly different from those of the Deccan (65 Ma) and the Rajmahal Traps (118 Ma) but is close to the Cretaceous poles of 85–91 Ma rock units from southern India. This suggests a pre-Deccan age for the sill.     

秦皇岛石门寨亮甲山奥陶系剖面化学地层和旋回地层研究

根据秦皇岛石门寨亮甲山奥陶系剖面的化学地层和岩石地层特征,将亮甲山组(O1l)细分为下、中、上段。选取Fe/Ca、Ti/Ca作为古气候替代指标,开展时间序列分析。通过多窗谱法(MTM)和傅里叶变换法(FT),从Fe/Ca、Ti/Ca比值中共提取出两个明显的米兰科维奇旋回：长偏心率405 ka和短偏心率90 ka。基于长偏心率周期建立的天文年代标尺表明,亮甲山组沉积时长为6.2 Ma,平均沉积速率为14.68 m/Ma,其中亮甲山组下段(0.00~48.00 m)和中上段(48.00~91.00 m)的沉积速率分别为12.00 m/Ma和19.55 m/Ma;马家沟组下部的沉积速率为18.00 m/Ma。奥陶纪生物大辐射可能直接导致碳酸盐生产模式由以灰泥生产为主转变为以生物碎屑生产为主,并使亮甲山组下段与中上段之交碳酸盐沉积速率大幅增加。旋回地层分析显示,早、中奥陶世之交天文轨道周期变化引起的地球气候改变可能对奥陶纪生物大辐射有重要的调控作用。     

Hydrocarbon fluid inclusions and source rock parameters: A comparison from two dry wells in the western offshore,India

Fluid inclusions represent the direct evidence of paleofluids and can provide valuable information on the evolution of sedimentary basins and oil-bearing strata. Hydrocarbon fluid inclusion(s) (HCFIs) are the vestiges of oil from the geological formations. The paper delineates the paleotemperature (T_h)/ oil window, the oil quality of HCFIs and Raman peaks corresponding to hydrocarbon species of HCFIs using fluid inclusion techniques, and source rock potential of hydrocarbon generation, thermal maturity, the quantity of organic matter, and the kerogen types obtained through Rock-Eval pyrolysis data from two dry wells RV-1 well of Mumbai offshore and KKD-1A well of Kerala-Konkan Basin. The present study compares the fluid inclusion parameters as well as the source rock geochemical characteristics of these two dry wells to address the scientific problem of the wells going dry. Further, evaluated whether the results agree with an earlier finding from a case study of two wells named KK4C-Al (Kerala-Konkan basin) and RV-1 well where only a few parameters such as temperature of homogenization (T_h) & API gravity were utilised, and the chances of getting oil in the nearby areas of these two wells were reported. In the present study, the fluid inclusion parameters such as the palaeotemperature (T_h), API Gravity and Raman spectra were obtained from micron sized fluid inclusions at different depths for a quick assessment of nature of oil inclusions within the two dry wells. Along with fluid inclusion parameters, different source rock parameters obtained from Rock-Eval Pyrolysis analysis (secondary data) such as S1, S2, S3, T_max, Hydrogen Index (HI), Oxygen Index (OI), Potential Yield (PY), Production Index (PI) and Total Organic Carbon Content (TOC) were also considered for a detailed source-rock evaluation of two wells (RV-1 and KKD-1A) and the results act as the supporting evidence to address the reason for the wells gone dry.Temperature of homogenisation (T_h) of hydrocarbon Fluid Inclusion Assemblages (FIAs) from both the wells fall in the oil window (60–150 °C) range indicating that there was a conducive thermal condition favourable for oil generation in these two basins. API gravity of oils in RV-1 well of Mumbai offshore (48–53) was lighter when compared to those in KKD-1A (18–22) of Kerala-Konkan basin. Raman spectra of HCFI samples could decipher important hydrocarbon species from RV-1 well samples. Raman spectra of KKD-1A well show less prominent peaks (broad) only. Pyrolysis data shows that Paleocene–Early Eocene source rocks of Panna formation of RV1 well are mature enough to generate hydrocarbons. On the other hand, Paleocene aged source rocks of Kasargod formation of KKD-1A well are immature. Source rock maturity therefore could be considered as crucial in hydrocarbon generation in these two wells even if oil-window was achieved. This study reports that, in RV-1 well, even though it is a dry well in a proven basin, the oil window, API gravity of oils and constituents from HCFIs of RV-1 well and the source-rock maturity opens up a demand for detailed exploration in nearby areas of RV-1 in the Mumbai offshore basin hopeful of finding a high-value prospect for oil, whereas the fluid inclusion studies in the HCFIs of KKD-1A well of Kerala-Konkan basin is showing only a minimal chance of oil generation that too of a heavy nature and the source rock immature characteristics suggesting only minimal generation of hydrocarbons. Due to the heaviness of the available oil in the KKD-1A well impedes migration. Our study suggests that there is no potential for finding oil in the nearby areas of KKD-1A well of Kerala-Konkan basin.     

Geochronology of a surface core in the northern basin of Lake Qinghai： Evidence from ^210pb and ^137Cs radionuclides

1 Introduction The radionuclides 210Pb and 137Cs are of particularimportance for estimating the dates of recentsediments. It was Goldberg (1963) who firstlysuggested that the disequilibrium between 210Pb and226Ra could serve as a geochronometer applicable…     

Genesis of the Zhaokalong Fe-Cu Polymetallic Deposit at Yushu, China:Evidence from Ore Geochemistry and Fluid Inclusions

The ore types of the Zhaokalong Fe-Cu deposit are divided into two categories: sulfide-type and oxide-type. The sulfide-type ore include siderite ore, galena-sphalerite ore and chalcopyrite ore, whereas the oxide-type ore include magnetite ore and hematite ore. The ore textures and structures indicate that the Zhaokalong deposit is of the sedimentary-exhalative mineralization type. Geochemical analyses show that the two ore types have a high As, Sb, Mn, Co and Ni content. The REE patterns reveal an enrichment of the LREE compared to the HREE. Isotopic analysis of siderite ore reveal that the δ13CPDB ranges from 2.01 to 3.34 (‰) whereas the δ18O SMOW ranges from 6.96 to 18.95 (‰). The fluid inclusion microthermometry results indicate that homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions in quartz range from 131 to 181℃, with salinity values of 1.06 to 8.04 wt% NaCl eq. The mineralizing fluid therefore belongs to the low temperature - low salinity system, with a mineralizing solution of a CO2-Ca2+(Na+, K+)-SO42-(F-, Cl-)-H2O system. The geochemical results and fluid inclusion data provide additional evidence that the Zhaokalong deposit is a sedex-type deposit that experienced two stages of mineralization. The sulfide mineralization probably occurred first, during the sedimentary exhalative process, as exhibited by the abundance of marine materials associated with the sulfide ores, indicating a higher temperature and relatively deoxidized oceanic depositional environment. After the main exhalative stage, hydrothermal activity was superimposed to the sulfide mineralization. The later stage oxide mineralization occurred in a low temperature and relatively oxidized environment, in which magmatic fluid circulation was dominant.     

大茶园铀矿床成矿物质来源:C-O和Sr-Nd同位素证据

赣杭铀成矿带是我国最大的火山岩型铀成矿带,大茶园(661)铀矿床是该成矿带东段最重要的火山岩型铀矿床,矿体赋存于晚中生代磨石山群九里坪组流纹岩中。为探讨该铀矿床成矿物质来源,对采自大茶园铀矿床中的脉石矿物开展了系统的C-O和Sr-Nd同位素研究。结果表明,成矿流体中矿化剂∑CO_2主要来源于地幔,部分来自于基底大理岩或沉积碳酸盐岩碳;成矿期后方解石碳同位素组成靠近基底大理岩或沉积碳酸盐岩组成,可能主要为壳源碳酸盐岩的贡献;成矿期流体中∑CO_2以HCO_3~-为主,CO_2去气作用为方解石沉淀形成的主要机制。成矿期不同阶段方解石与萤石的Sr、Nd同位素组成没有明显差别且变化较小,显示矿床中脉石矿物的同源性。通过与基底陈蔡群变质岩和盖层火山岩的Sr、Nd同位素组成对比发现,成矿期萤石与盖层火山岩具有类似的Sr同位素组成,表明大茶园铀矿床成矿物质以壳源为主,主要来自于赋矿火山岩,而Nd同位素进一步表明成矿物质可能来源于赋矿的流纹岩。岩石圈伸展控制着富CO_2热液的形成,富CO_2热液在上升过程中萃取壳源(尤其是富铀火山岩)中成矿物质,并在有利的成矿部位通过CO_2去气作用导致铀沉淀成矿。     

Mapping favorable groundwater potential recharge zones using a GIS-based analytical hierarchical process and probability frequency ratio model:A case study from an agro-urban region of Pakistan

In Punjab(Pakistan),the increasing population and expansion of land use for agriculture have severely exploited the regional groundwater resources.Intensive pumping has resulted in a rapid decline in the level of the water table as well as its quality.Better management practices and artificial recharge are needed for the development of sustainable groundwater resources.This study proposes a methodology to delineate favorable groundwater potential recharge zones(FPRI) by integrating maps of groundwater potential recharge index(PRI) with the DRASTIC-based groundwater vulnerability index(VI).In order to evaluate both indexes,different thematic layers corresponding to each index were overlaid in ArcGIS.In the overlay analysis,the weights(for various thematic layers) and rating values(for sub-classes) were allocated based on a review of published literature.Both were then normalized and modified using the analytical hierarchical process(AHP) and a frequency ratio model respectively.After evaluating PRI and FPRI,these maps were validated using the area under the curve(AUC) method.The PRI map indicates that 53% of the area assessed exists in very low to low recharge zones,22% in moderate,and 25% in high to excellent potential recharge zones.The VI map indicates that 38% of the area assessed exists in very low to low vulnerability,33% in moderate,and 29% in high to very high vulnerability zones.The FPRI map shows that the central region of Punjab is moderately-to-highly favorable for recharge due to its low vulnerability and high recharge potential.During the validation process,it was found that the AUC estimated with modified weights and rating values was 79% and 67%,for PRI and VI indexes,respectively.The AUC was less when evaluated using original weights and rating values taken from published literature.Maps of favorable groundwater potential recharge zones are helpful for planning and implementation of wells and hydraulic structures in this region.     

滇西北拉巴燕山晚期花岗岩岩石成因及其成矿指示——黑云母和角闪石矿物化学证据

在滇西北香格里拉拉巴地区,近年通过钻探新发现了燕山晚期花岗岩体及伴生的超大型钼(-铜)-多金属矿床。调查发现,岩浆成因黑云母和角闪石记录了其形成时的岩浆温度、压力、氧逸度以及物质来源等岩石成因信息,这些物理化学条件制约了成矿元素在熔体相与流体相之间的分配,成为约束岩浆过程、岩石成因及成矿机制的重要因素。本文对拉巴矿区花岗岩中黑云母和角闪石进行了详细的矿相学和成分分析,据此厘定了岩石形成的物理化学条件,探讨其岩石成因及成矿效应。结果显示,花岗岩中黑云母的Fe2+/(Fe2++Mg)值较为均一,具有无钙或贫钙的特点,Ti阳离子数为0. 31～0. 52,属于岩浆成因;角闪石的Si阳离子数为6. 68～7. 20,Ti阳离子数为0. 09～0. 13,属于岩浆成因;计算获得岩浆结晶温度为705～903℃,结晶压力为59～449 MPa,侵位深度为2. 2～17. 0 km。黑云母和角闪石的矿物化学特征指示,寄主花岗岩体为I型花岗岩,具有幔源物质参与特点,形成于较高的氧逸度环境中;黑云母的卤族元素(F、Cl)含量为0. 17%～0. 58%,指示岩浆出溶流体为富含F、Cl的流体,利于Mo、Cu等元素的富集成矿,暗示本区具有很大的成矿潜力。     

藏南白朗地区宗卓组混杂岩的物质来源和形成时代——来自岩石学和碎屑锆石U-Pb定年的证据

本文通过对藏南白朗地区宗卓组混杂岩"基质"进行岩石学、碎屑锆石形态学和U-Pb同位素测年等研究,结果表明:"基质"中碎屑岩岩屑成分以中酸性熔岩为主,石英颗粒在阴极发光下主要呈不发光或弱发光,为低温变质成因的自生石英再沉积;碎屑锆石以岩浆成因锆石为主,少量变质成因锆石,多因经历了一定距离的搬运磨蚀作用而呈浑圆状、椭圆状;碎屑锆石年龄绝大多数分布于422~2867 Ma(43.5%)和71~205 Ma(52.2%),在中元古代(1032~1569 Ma)和早白垩世(102~142 Ma)形成两个年龄主峰。综合研究将研究区宗卓组混杂岩中"基质"的形成时代限定为晚白垩统马斯特里赫特期,雅鲁藏布江缝合带北侧冈底斯弧与南侧印度大陆北缘均对其物源具有一定的贡献。     

早白垩世泥炭地净初级生产力及其控制因素--来自二连盆地吉尔嘎郎图凹陷6号煤的证据

现代泥炭地中蕴藏着巨量的碳,泥炭地生产力的高低会影响全球碳循环及全球气候变化。前人对全新世以来泥炭地生产力做了大量研究,但对前第四纪的“深时”阶段的泥炭地生产力则极少涉及,其主要原因是缺少精确的定年方法。以二连盆地吉尔嘎郎图凹陷早白垩世6号煤为例,利用地球物理测井信号进行频谱分析并获得煤层中米兰科维奇旋回周期参数（123 ka（偏心率）:38.1 ka（斜率）:22.1 ka（岁差））,将米兰科维奇旋回作为“深时”地层时间的“度量”工具,计算出6号煤层碳的聚集速率为35.1~38.9 g C/（m2·a）,进一步推算出其所代表的泥炭地的碳聚集速率为46.2~51.2 g C/（m2·a）,净初级生产力（NPP）为231~256 g C/（m2·a）。将该计算结果与全新世同一纬度带泥炭地生产力水平比较,并结合前人研究成果综合分析影响因素,得出早白垩世泥炭地生产力水平主要受温度和大气中二氧化碳含量控制,而这两种因素又与气候相关联,则泥炭地生产力的研究可能对进一步了解古气候提供帮助。     

Zircon SHRIMP U–Pb and in-situ Lu–Hf isotope analyses of a tuff from Western Beijing: Evidence for missing Late Paleozoic arc volcano eruptions at the northern margin of the North China block

Zircon SHRIMP U–Pb and in-situ Lu–Hf isotopic analyses via laser ablation microprobe-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LAM-ICPMS) of a tuff within the Upper Paleozoic from Western Beijing were carried out to give new constraints on volcano eruption ages and source area of the tuffs within the North China block (NCB). SHRIMP U–Pb zircon dating of the tuff yielded a ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U weighted mean age of 296 ± 4 Ma (95% confidence, MSWD = 3.3), which is very similar to the emplacement age of the newly discovered Carboniferous calc-alkaline, I-type continental arc granitoid plutons in the Inner Mongolia Paleo-uplift (IMPU) on the northern margin of the NCB. In-situ Lu–Hf analysis results of most zircons from the tuff yielded initial ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios from 0.282142 to 0.282284 and ε_Hf(t) values from − 15.9 to − 10.7. These Lu–Hf isotopic compositions are very similar to those of the Late Carboniferous granitoids in the IMPU, but are very different to those of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Together with the sedimentary and tectonic analyses results, we inferred that the source area of the tuffs within the NCB is the IMPU instead of the CAOB. Therefore, some arc volcanoes once existed in the IMPU on northern margin of the NCB during the Late Carboniferous, but they were entirely eroded due to strong exhumation and erosion of the IMPU during the Late Carboniferous to Early Jurassic.     

Evolution of the Yunkai Terrane, South China: Evidence from SHRIMP zircon U–Pb dating, geochemistry and Nd isotope

The Yunkai Terrane is one of the most important pre-Devonian areas of metamorphosed supracrustal and granitic basement rocks in the Cathaysia Block of South China. The supracrustal rocks are mainly schist, slate and phyllite, with local paragneiss, granulite, amphibolite and marble, with metamorphic grades ranging from greenschist to granulite facies. Largely on the basis of metamorphic grade, they were previously divided into the Palaeo- to Mesoproterozoic Gaozhou Complex, the early Neoproterozoic Yunkai ‘Group’ and early Palaeozoic sediments. Granitic rocks were considered to be Meso- and Neoproterozoic, or early Palaeozoic in age. In this study, four meta-sedimentary rock samples, two each from the Yunkai ‘Group’ and Gaozhou Complex, together with three granite samples, record metamorphic and magmatic zircon ages of 443–430 Ma (Silurian), with many inherited and detrital zircons with the ages mainly ranging from 1.1 to 0.8 Ga, although zircons with Archaean and Palaeoproterozoic ages have also been identified in several of the samples. A high-grade sillimanite–garnet–cordierite gneiss contains 242 Ma metamorphic zircons, as well as 440 Ma ones. Three of the meta-sedimentary rocks show large variations in major element compositions, but have similar REE patterns, and have t_DM model ages of 2.17–1.91 Ga and ε_Nd (440 Ma) values of −13.4 to −10.0. Granites range in composition from monzogranite to syenogranite and record t_DM model ages of 2.13–1.42 Ga and ε_Nd (440 Ma) values of −8.4 to −1.2. It is concluded that the Yunkai ‘Group’ and Gaozhou Complex formed coevally in the late Neoproterozoic to early Palaeozoic, probably at the same time as weakly to un-metamorphosed early Palaeozoic sediments in the area. Based on the detrital zircon population, the source area contained Meso- to Neoproterozoic rocks, with some Archaean material. Palaeozoic tectonothermal events and zircon growth in the Yunkai Terrane can be correlated with events of similar age and character known throughout the Cathaysia Block. The lack of evidence for Palaeo- and Mesoproterozoic rocks at Yunkai, as stated in earlier publications, means that revision of the basement geology of Cathaysia is necessary.     

An Important Spreading Event of the Neo-Tethys Ocean during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous: Evidence from Zircon U-Pb SHRIMP Dating on Diabase in Nagarze, Southern Tibet

Widely distributed in Gyangze-Chigu area, southern Tibet, NW- and nearly E-W-trending diabase(gabbro)-gabbro diorite dykes are regarded as the product of the large-scale spreading of the late Neo-Tethys Ocean. In order to constrain the emplacement age of these dykes, zircons of two samples from diabases in Nagarze were dated by using the U-Pb SHRIMP method. Two nearly the same weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages were obtained in this paper, which are 134.9±1.8 Ma (MSWD= 0.65) and 135.5±2.1 Ma (MSWD=1.40), respectively. They not only represent the crystallization age of the diabase, but also documented an important spreading event of the Neo-Tethys Ocean during the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous. This dating result is of great significance to reconstruct the temporal framework of the late Neo-Tethys Ocean in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.