Magnetotelluric Studies at the San Andreas Fault Zone: Implications for the Role of Fluids

Fluids residing in interconnected porosity networks have a significant weakening effect on the rheology of rocks and can strongly influence deformation along fault zones. The magnetotelluric (MT) technique is sensitive to interconnected fluid networks and can image these zones on crustal and upper mantle scales. MT images have revealed several prominent electrical conductivity anomalies at the San Andreas Fault which have been attributed to the presence of saline fluids within such networks and which have been associated with tectonic processes. These models suggest that ongoing fluid release in the upper mantle and lower crust is closely related to the mechanical state of the crust. Where fluids are drained into the brittle crust, and where these fluids are kept at high pressures, fault creep is supported. Fluid fluxes from deeper levels, in combination with meteoric and crustal metamorphic fluid inflow, and in response to fault creep, leads to high-conductivity zones developing as fault zone conductors in the brittle portion of crust. In turn, the absence of crustal fluid pathways may be characteristic for mechanically locked segments of the fault. Here, MT models suggest that fluids are trapped at depth and kept at high pressures. We speculate that fluids may infiltrate neighboring rocks and in their wake induce non-volcanic tremor.     

Mantle–crust interactions during Variscan subduction in the Eastern Alps (Nonsberg–Ulten zone): geochronology and new petrological constraints

We have analyzed the Sm–Nd and Rb–Sr whole-rock and mineral isotope systematics of garnet peridotites and associated eclogites and migmatitic gneisses from the Nonsberg–Ulten zone of the Eastern Alps. The garnet peridotites include coarse-grained varieties, characterized by well-preserved to slightly modified mantle geochemical signatures, and finer-grained varieties enriched in amphibole and LILE. Hydration of some of the most strongly deformed, fine-grained peridotites by crustal fluids caused isotopic disequilibrium between the peridotite minerals, preventing accurate age determinations. The coarse-grained peridotites, the eclogites and the country migmatitic gneisses yield garnet–whole-rock and garnet–clinopyroxene Sm–Nd ages that indicate for all rock types an isotopic homogenization event at ca. 330 Ma. The similar ages suggest that all rock types shared a common history since the incorporation of the peridotites in the crust, and constrain the garnet-facies metamorphism of the peridotites, as well as partial melting of the crust, to an episode of crustal subduction at the end of the Variscan orogenic cycle.     

Chlorine in submarine glasses from the Lau Basin: seawater contamination and constraints on the composition of slab-derived fluids

Measurements of chlorine concentrations in matrix glasses from 18 primitive (>6 wt% MgO) and eight evolved lavas from active spreading centers in the Lau Basin back-arc system provide insight into the processes which control chlorine concentrations in subduction-related magmas, and can be used to investigate chlorine enrichment related to fluids derived from the underlying subducted slab. Chlorine contents of the glasses are highly variable (0.008-0.835 wt%) and generally high with respect to uncontaminated mid-ocean ridge basalt. Chlorine contents are highest in fractionated lavas from propagating ridge tips and lowest in more primitive basaltic lavas. Two different styles of enrichment in chlorine (relative to other incompatible elements) are recognized. Glasses from the Central Lau Spreading and Eastern Lau Spreading Center typically have low Ba/Nb ratios indicating minimal input of slab-derived components, and high to very high ratios of chlorine relative to K₂O, H₂O, and TiO₂. This style of chlorine enrichment is highest in the most fractionated samples and is consistent with crustal assimilation of chlorine-rich altered ocean crust material. Data from the literature suggest that contamination by chlorine-rich seawater-derived components also characterizes the Woodlark Basin and North Fiji Basin back-arc systems. The second style of chlorine enrichment reflects input from slab-derived fluid(s) to the mantle wedge from the adjacent Tonga subduction zone. Basaltic glasses from the Valu Fa Ridge and Mangatolu Triple Junction show correlations between ratios of chlorine and K₂O, H₂O, and TiO₂ and indices of slab-derived fluid input such as Ba/Nb, Ba/Th and U/Th, consistent with chlorine in these lavas originating from a saline fluid added to the mantle wedge. Within the Valu Fa Ridge the measured range of chlorine contents equates to a chlorine flux of 224-1120 kg/m/yr to the back-arc crust. Using a simple melting model and additional data from other back-arc and arc sample suites we conclude that chlorine is a major component within the slab fluids that contribute to many arc and back-arc melting systems, and probably plays an important role in regulating trace element transport by slab fluids in the mantle wedge. For the back-arc suites we have examined the estimated Cl/H₂O and Cl/K₂O ratios in the slab fluid component correlate with proximity to the arc front, suggesting that progressive dehydration of the slab and/or re-equilibration and transport within the mantle wedge may influence the overall degree of chlorine enrichment within the slab fluid component. The degree of chlorine enrichment observed in most back-arc lavas also appears too great to be explained solely by melting of amphibole, phlogopite or apatite within the mantle source and suggests that chlorine must be present in another phase, possibly a chlorine-rich fluid.     

On the correlation between seismicity characteristics and S-wave attenuation in the ring structures that appear before large earthquakes

We discuss seismicity characteristics in the source zones of two great earthquakes: the December 26, 2004 Sumatra (M_w = 9.0) and the November 14, 2001 Kunlun (M_w = 7.8) events. Ring structures of low magnitude seismicity have been forming prior to these earthquakes for several decades. We studied the short period shear-wave attenuation field in the area of these ring structures. The method we used is based on the analysis of the rate of attenuation for the early Sn and Lg codas to detect attenuation inhomogeneities in the uppermost mantle. We show that the ring structures have comparatively high attenuation of shear waves compared with the crustal volumes inside the rings. The fact that there is no recent volcanism in the area of the seismicity rings shows that this effect is due to a high content of free fluids in the uppermost mantle. Proceeding by analogy with our results, we identified a zone in northern Tien Shan that is anomalous for these parameters; the zone may be related to the precursory process of a large earthquake. We discuss the geodynamic mechanisms that may be responsible for fluid concentration in the seismicity rings.     

A nonstationary model of the thermal regime of axial zones of mid-ocean ridges: Formation of crustal and mantle magma chambers

A nonstationary model of spreading with periodic intrusions of a molten material into an axial zone of a mid-ocean ridge (MOR) is applied to numerical analysis of the thermal state in MOR axial zones and the formation of crustal and mantle magma chambers in them. The model satisfactorily explains the positions, dimensions, and shapes of magma chambers, as well as variations in these parameters depending on the spreading rate, temperature, and composition of crustal and mantle rocks. The release and absorption of the latent heat of rock melting, hydrothermal heating of the crust, and variations in the solidus and liquidus temperatures of crustal and mantle rocks as a function of their composition are factors controlling the shape and position of crustal magma chambers.     

龙门山断裂带多参数深部结构成像与地震成因研究

通过反演大量的纵、横波地震数据,获得了沿龙门山断裂带及周边区域的深部三维精细结构,结合前人二维大地电磁探测研究成果,提出龙门山断裂带地壳形变与深部速度结构和导电率不均匀性有关,探讨了2008年汶川和2013年芦山地震的诱发和产生与流体侵入及地壳形变的密切关系.本研究发现,2008年汶川地震发生在高速度、高泊松比和低电导率的区域,2013年芦山地震则位于高速度、低泊松比和低电导率的发震层.在上地壳中,四川前陆盆地的低速、低泊松比和低阻异常与松潘一甘孜地块的高速、高泊松比和高阻异常形成了鲜明的对比.在龙门山断裂带下方的两个低速和低阻块体,将龙门山断裂带分成南、中和北三段.我们的研究认为,这两个异常体与来自松潘甘孜地块的下地壳和(或)上地幔的局部熔融或流体侵入到龙门山断裂带的脆弱区有关.基于对汶川和芦山地震的余震分布特征及震源区的地震波速度、泊松比及电阻率参数分析,揭示了龙门山断裂带深部剧烈的地壳形变与流体应力积累对2008年汶川和2013年芦山地震的触发及其地震破裂过程具有重要的控制作用.     

琼东南盆地区的地壳密度与岩石结构

地壳岩石组成是理解地壳岩石圈演化的重要约束.我们以琼东南盆地区地壳速度结构模型为约束,正演拟合布格重力异常分布,获得了琼东南盆地区地壳密度结构模型.然后,对地壳密度模型进行温压校正,结合地壳速度模型以及全球常见地壳组成岩石的高温高压实验成果,推断了琼东南盆地区5个凹陷上地壳岩石组成.研究结果表明:琼东南盆地区地壳岩石密...     

Eclogitization of lower crustal granulites by fluid migration through shear zones

The granulite facies assemblages of the anorthositic rocks of the Bergen Arcs (stable at 800–900°C and 10 kbar) have been transformed to eclogite facies assemblages (stable at 700–750°C and 16–19 kbar) in the vicinity of Caledonian shear zones. This section of the root zone of the Caledonian mountain chain reveals a deep polymetamorphic crust where Precambrian granulites (mean density 3.02 g/cm³) and Caledonian eclogites (mean density 3.19 g/cm³) alternate on a scale of meters over a minimum area of 3 × 12 km. Detailed mapping of three localities shows that eclogites account for up to 30–45% of the rock volume. The stabilitization of the eclogite mineralogy is controlled by fluids penetrating these deep crustal shear zones. The eclogitization is independent of preexisting compositional variation in this anorthosite-norite complex. The Bergen Arcs example suggests that the amount of eclogite versus granulites in the lowermost crust is a function of deformation and fluid access, rather than being controlled byT, P and rock composition alone. These relationships may explain the gradual increase in seismic velocity observed in some deep crustal sections and also the complex reflection pattern obtained from the lowermost crust in many areas.     

U-Pb isotopic compositions of the ultrahigh pressure metamorphic (UHPM) rocks from Shuanghe and gneisses from Northern Dabie zone in the Dabie Mountains,central China: Constraint on the exhumation mechanism of UHPM rocks

The occurrence of ultrahigh pressure (UHP) minerals, such as coesite and diamond in crustal rocks in orogenic belts suggests that a huge amount of continental crust can be subducted to man-tle depth during the continental-continental collision[1—6]. This…     

鲜水河断裂带南段深部电性结构特征研究

通过对新都桥一小金剖面的大地电磁测深及重磁实测资料研究,结合区域地质资料,对鲜水河断裂带南段及邻区深部构造、壳内高导层、电性结构与历史地震的关系进行了研究.结果表明:(1)鲜水河断裂带深浅表现出不同特征,浅部是以地壳脆性-剪切带为主的断裂系统,深部是以走滑型-壳幔韧性剪切带为主的断裂系统,断裂呈花状形态,深部到达上地幔;(2)在丹巴构造带及鲜水河断裂带的中下地壳,广泛发育壳内高导层,其分布具有不均匀性,且与断裂带构造活动有关;(3)在鲜水河断裂带的走滑剪切作用下,上地壳物质发生原地重熔产生花岗岩浆是折多山花岗岩形成的主要机制;(4)鲜水河断裂带地震发生机理与塑性软弱层密切相关,受塑性软弱层拖拽作用,应力区集中在高阻体脆性介质内部靠近断层一侧,使得岩石破碎而发生地震.     

Structural characteristics of epicentral areas in Central Europe: study case Cheb Basin (Czech Republic)

The earthquake distribution pattern of Central Europe differs systematically from the neighbouring areas of NW and southern Europe regarding the fault plane kinematics. Within a belt between the French Massif Central and the northern part of the Bohemian Massif (1000 km) sinistral faulting along N-S zones dominates on the contrary to the Alps and their foreland with common bookshelf shears. One of the prominent N-S structures is the Regensburg-Leipzig-Rostock Zone (A) with several epicentral areas, where the main seismic center occurs in the northern Cheb Basin (NW Bohemia). The study demonstrates new structural results for the swarm-quake region in NW-Bohemia, especially for the Nový Kostel area in the Cheb Basin. There the N-S-trending newly found Počatky-Plesná zone (PPZ) is identical with the main earthquake line. The PPZ is connected with a mofette line between Hartušov and Bublák with evidence for CO₂ degassing from the subcrustal mantle. The morphologically more prominent Mariánské Lázně fault (MLF) intersects the PPZ obliquely under an acuate angle. In the past the MLF was supposed to be the tectonic structure connected with the epicentral area of Nový Kostel. But evidence from the relocated hypocentres along the PPZ (at 7–12 kms depth) indicate that the MLF is seismically non-active. Asymmetric drainage patterns of the Cheb Basin are caused by fault related movement along Palaeozoic basement faults which initiate a deformation of the cover (Upper Pliocene to Holocene basin filling). The PPZ forms an escarpment in Pliocene and Pleistocene soft rock and is supposingly acting as an earthquake zone since late Pleistocene time. The uppermost Pleistocene of 0.12–0.01 Ma deposited only in front of the fault scarp dates the fault activity. The crossing faults envelope crustal wedges under different local stress conditions. Their intersection line forms a zone beginning at the surface near Nový Kostel, dipping south with increasing depth, probably down to about 12 km. The intersection zone represents a crustal anomaly. There fault movements can be blocked up and peculiar stress condition influence the behaviour of the adjacent crust. An ENE-WNW striking dextral wrench fault was detected which is to expect as kinematic counterpart to the ca. N-S striking sinistral shear zones. Nearly E-W striking fracture segments were formerly only known as remote sensing lineaments or as joint density zones. The ENE shear zone is characterized by a set of compressional m-scale folds and dm-scale faults scattered within a 20 m wide wrench zone. It is built up of different sets of cleavage-like clay plate pattern of microscopical scale. The associated shear planes fit into a Riedel shear system. One characteristic feature are tiny channels of micrometer scale. They have originated after shear plane bending and are the sites of CO₂ mantle degassing.     

Material transportation and fluid-melt activity in the subduction channel: Numerical modeling

The subduction channel is defined as a planar to wedge-like area of variable size,internal structure and composition,which forms between the upper and lower plates during slab subduction into the mantle.The materials in the channel may experience complex pressure,temperature,stress and strain evolution,as well as strong fluid and melt activity.A certain amount of these materials may subduct to and later exhume from100 km depth,forming high to ultra-high pressure rocks on the surface as widely discovered in nature.Rock deformation in the channel is strongly assisted by metamorphic fluids activities,which change composition and mechanical properties of rocks and thus affect their subduction and exhumation histories.In this study,we investigate the detailed structure and dynamics of both oceanic and continental subduction channels,by conducting highresolution petrological-thermomechanical numerical simulations taking into account fluid and melt activities.The numerical results demonstrate that subduction channels are composed of a tectonic rock melange formed by crustal rocks detached from the subducting slab and the hydrated mantle rocks scratched from the overriding plate.These rocks may either extrude sub-vertically upward through the mantle wedge to the crust of the upper plate,or exhume along the subduction channel to the surface near the suture zone.Based on our numerical results,we first analyze similarities and differences between oceanic and continental subduction channels.We further compare numerical models with and without fluid and melt activity and demonstrate that this activity results in strong weakening and deformation of overriding lithosphere.Finally,we show that fast convergence of orogens subjected to fluid and melt activity leads to strong deformation of the overriding lithosphere and the topography builds up mainly on the overriding plate.In contrast,slow convergence of such orogens leads to very limited deformation of the overriding lithosphere and the mountain building mainly occurs on the subducting plate.     

Ductile creep and compaction: A mechanism for transiently increasing fluid pressure in mostly sealed fault zones

A simple cyclic process is proposed to explain why major strike-slip fault zones, including the San Andreas, are weak. Field and laboratory studies suggest that the fluid within fault zones is often mostly sealed from that in the surrounding country rock. Ductile creep driven by the difference between fluid pressure and lithostatic pressure within a fault zone leads to compaction that increases fluid pressure. The increased fluid pressure allows frictional failure in earthquakes at shear tractions far below those required when fluid pressure is hydrostatic. The frictional slip associated with earthquakes creates porosity in the fault zone. The cycle adjusts so that no net porosity is created (if the fault zone remains constant width). The fluid pressure within the fault zone reaches long-term dynamic equilibrium with the (hydrostatic) pressure in the country rock. One-dimensional models of this process lead to repeatable and predictable earthquake cycles. However, even modest complexity, such as two parallel fault splays with different pressure histories, will lead to complicated earthquake cycles. Two-dimensional calculations allowed computation of stress and fluid pressure as a function of depth but had complicated behavior with the unacceptable feature that numerical nodes failed one at a time rather than in large earthquakes. A possible way to remove this unphysical feature from the models would be to include a failure law in which the coefficient of friction increases at first with frictional slip, stabilizing the fault, and then decreases with further slip, destabilizing it.     

Characteristics of mantle degassing and deep-seated geological structures in different typical fault zones of China

Large-scale fault zones play an important role in controlling and adjusting all kinds of geological proc-esses,such as deposition,magmatism,metamorphism,metallogenesis,tectonic stress field,tectonic deforma-tion,even the movement of geological massifs,earth-quakes,and they also are the key to solving geological problems concerned,especially regional and even global structures.Due to their special geological tec-tonic significance,they are one of the main research fields of tectonic geology and …     

Heterogeneous stretching, simple shear and basin development

The models of basin development which involve either homogeneous stretching of the whole lithosphere or displacement on a lithospheric-scale shear zone, are but two end members of a range of possible extensional models. The homogeneous extension model thins the lower lithosphere beneath the thinned upper crust and superimposes a thermal subsidence basin on the earlier fault bounded basin. The shear zone model offsets the zone of lower lithospheric stretching and thermal subsidence. It is more likely that the zones of upper and lower lithospheric stretching will be heterogeneous and patchy, but will often overlap in plan view. This will produce localised uplift and subsequent thermal subsidence within the faulted basin and may explain many of the anomalies between the various stretching estimates made using different structural, stratigraphic and geophysical techniques. The model which combines heterogeneous lithospheric stretching and associated simple shear may explain: (1) variations in dip of the major detachment zones in the large basins, (2) variations in types of strain on or beneath the detachment zones, (3) regional uplift of part of a basin, to erode the earlier fault blocks, and (4) the development of volcanism in basins with only low values of upper crustal extension. The zone of stretched lower crust and lithospheric mantle may lie beneath the centre of the zone of upper crustal stretching, or to one side. It may be linked to the upper crustal zone by faults which dip consistently in one direction, or by extensional systems which change their dominant dip direction with depth, pulling out the mid-crust as one or more wedges. Possible examples are discussed from the Basin and Range province and northwest European continental shelf.     

南北地震带地壳结构多参数成像及强震触发机制研究

通过反演由大量的纵、横波地震数据组成的综合数据集,获得了南北地震带地壳的多参数三维精细结构,探讨和分析了南北地震带的高地震活动性和强震频发的原因.成像结果表明,尽管1976年松潘一平武地震(M7.2)与2008年汶川地震(M8.0)以及2013年芦山地震(M7.0)均发生在高速、低泊松比异常区域,并且在其震源的下方均有一低速、高泊松比异常区域.我们认为,上述三个地震的触发与流体侵入导致的地壳形变之间有密切的联系.1955年炉霍地震(M7.4)和1973年康定地震(M7.1)均发生在鲜水河断裂带上,其震源中心区域表现为低速、高泊松比异常,可以解释为下地壳中的流体沿断层面上涌.在震源区的周边区域兼有高速、高泊松比异常,低速、高泊松比异常以及高速、低泊松比异常,可能分别与含流体的岩石、沿断裂带发育的变质岩以及坚硬的克拉通块体对应.流体的侵入不仅能够改变断层面上的应力情况,还能降低岩石骨架的岩石力学强度,进而触发地震.1970年云南通海大地震(M7.1)发生在哀牢山一红河断裂带附近的曲江断裂上,其震源处于高速度、低泊松比异常与低速度、高泊松比异常之间的边界区域,被认为是流体挤压后的应变能积累,最终导致脆性破裂,以至于发生地震.根据本次研究获得的多参数结构图像,结合前人的研究成果,我们认为南北地震带地壳强烈形变与流体侵入是造成该区域地震活动性较高及强震频发的两个主要因素.     

Fluid involvement in normal faulting

Evidence of fluid interaction with normal faults comes from their varied role as flow barriers or conduits in hydrocarbon basins and as hosting structures for hydrothermal mineralisation, and from fault-rock assemblages in exhumed footwalls of steep active normal faults and metamorphic core complexes. These last suggest involvement of predominantly aqueous fluids over a broad depth range, with implications for fault shear resistance and the mechanics of normal fault reactivation. A general downwards progression in fault rock assemblages (high-level breccia-gouge (often clay-rich) → cataclasites → phyllonites → mylonite → mylonitic gneiss with the onset of greenschist phyllonites occurring near the base of the seismogenic crust) is inferred for normal fault zones developed in quartzo-feldspathic continental crust. Fluid inclusion studies in hydrothermal veining from some footwall assemblages suggest a transition from hydrostatic to suprahydrostatic fluid pressures over the depth range 3–5 km, with some evidence for near-lithostatic to hydrostatic pressure cycling towards the base of the seismogenic zone in the phyllonitic assemblages. Development of fault-fracture meshes through mixed-mode brittle failure in rock-masses with strong competence layering is promoted by low effective stress in the absence of thoroughgoing cohesionless faults that are favourably oriented for reactivation. Meshes may develop around normal faults in the near-surface under hydrostatic fluid pressures to depths determined by rock tensile strength, and at greater depths in overpressured portions of normal fault zones and at stress heterogeneities, especially dilational jogs. Overpressures localised within developing normal fault zones also determine the extent to which they may reutilise existing discontinuities (for example, low-angle thrust faults). Brittle failure mode plots demonstrate that reactivation of existing low-angle faults under vertical σ₁ trajectories is only likely if fluid overpressures are localised within the fault zone and the surrounding rock retains significant tensile strength. Migrating pore fluids interact both statically and dynamically with normal faults. Static effects include consideration of the relative permeability of the faults with respect to the country rock, and juxtaposition effects which determine whether a fault is transmissive to flow or acts as an impermeable barrier. Strong directional permeability is expected in the subhorizontal σ₂ direction parallel to intersections between minor faults, extension fractures, and stylolites. Three dynamic mechanisms tied to the seismic stress cycle may contribute to fluid redistribution: (i) cycling of mean stress coupled to shear stress, sometimes leading to postfailure expulsion of fluid from vertical fractures; (ii) suction pump action at dilational fault jogs; and, (iii) fault-valve action when a normal fault transects a seal capping either uniformly overpressured crust or overpressures localised to the immediate vicinity of the fault zone at depth. The combination of σ₂ directional permeability with fluid redistribution from mean stress cycling may lead to hydraulic communication along strike, contributing to the protracted earthquake sequences that characterise normal fault systems.     

Stress And Seismicity In The Lower Continental Crust: A Challenge To Simple Ductility And Implications For Electrical Conductivity Mechanisms

The lower crust is generally considered to be an aseismic, weak zone where fluid distribution might be governed by textural equilibrium geometries. Saline fluids below the transition from brittle to ductile rheology have been advanced as a joint explanation for deep crustal conductivity and seismic reflectivity, the depth of onset of both phenomena being apparently bounded by isotherms in the 300–450 °C temperature range. Some petrologists, meanwhile, contest that the deep crust should be devoid of extensive fluid networks. This review exposes some geophysical exceptions to the statistical norm suggested by global geophysical data compilations and presents counter-arguments that the lower crust in places may be both dry and strong, that fluids if at all present at such depths may not necessarily be connected and that fluid mobility in the lower crust may be more limited and heterogeneous than commonly assumed.Laboratory data on crustal rocks implies that the transition from brittle to ductile rheology actually occurs over a much broader range of temperatures than 300–450 °C, and the apparent association of deep crustal conductive horizons with a temperature field of 300–450 °C may be interpretable in terms of formation temperatures of graphite, rather than fluids and brittle-ductile transition rheology.High v_P/v_S ratios from a 6 km thick, seismically layered zone below the Weardale granite, NE England can be explained by underplated mafic material. They are unlikely to be explained by fluids in an area where deep crustal conductance has been shown to be relatively low, unless conventional assumptions regarding deep crustal fluid distribution are inadequate or false.Perusal of the literature reveals that lower crustal seismicity is less seldom than generally appreciated. Interpretation of earthquakes nucleating at lower crustal depths is ambiguous, but in some tectonic regimes may indicate preservation of brittle rheology to the Moho and a lower crust that is predominantly mafic and dry.A better understanding of lower crustal deformation mechanisms and history may provide better insight into deep crustal conductivity mechanisms. Recent rock mechanical experiments suggest that permeability (and thus fluid connectivity) may be decreased by ductile shearing, whereas ductile shearing may aid graphitisation at lower crustal temperatures. If the lower crust in some regions is strong, this may explain the apparent preservation of both extant- and palaeostress orientations in interpretations involving electrical anisotropy.     

Mixed fluid sources involved in diamond growth constrained by Sr–Nd–Pb–C–N isotopes and trace elements

Sub-micrometer inclusions in diamonds carry high-density fluids (HDF) from which the host diamonds have precipitated. The chemistry of these fluids is our best opportunity of characterizing the diamond-forming environment. The trace element patterns of diamond fluids vary within a limited range and are similar to those of carbonatitic/kimberlitic melts that originate from beneath the lithospheric mantle. A convecting mantle origin for the fluid is also implied by C isotopic compositions and by a preliminary Sr isotopic study (Akagi, T., Masuda, A., 1988. Isotopic and elemental evidence for a relationship between kimberlite and Zaire cubic diamonds. Nature 336, 665–667.). Nevertheless, the major element chemistry of HDFs is very different from that of kimberlites and carbonatites, varying widely and being characterized by extreme K enrichment (up to ～ 39 wt.% on a water and carbonate free basis) and high volatile contents. The broad spectrum of major element compositions in diamond-forming fluids has been related to fluid–rock interaction and to immiscibility processes.Elemental signatures can be easily modified by a variety of mantle processes whereas radiogenic isotopes give a clear fingerprint of the time-integrated evolution of the fluid source region. Here we present the results of the first multi radiogenic-isotope (Sr, Nd, Pb) and trace element study on fluid-rich diamonds, implemented using a newly developed off-line laser sampling technique. The data are combined with N and C isotope analysis of the diamond matrix to better understand the possible sources of fluid involved in the formation of these diamonds. Sr isotope ratios vary significantly within single diamonds. The highly varied but unsupported Sr isotope ratios cannot be explained by immiscibility processes or fluid-mineral elemental fractionations occurring at the time of diamond growth. Our results demonstrate the clear involvement of a mixed fluid, with one component originating from ancient incompatible element-enriched parts of the lithospheric mantle while the trigger for releasing this fluid source was probably carbonatitic/kimberlitic melts derived from greater depths. We suggest that phlogopite mica was an integral part of the enriched lithospheric fluid source and that breakdown of this mica releases K and radiogenic Sr into a fluid phase. The resulting fluids operate as a major metasomatic agent in the sub-continental lithospheric mantle as reflected by the isotopic composition and trace element patterns of G10 garnets.     

A study on 3-D velocity structure of crust and upper mantle in Sichuan -Yunnan region, China

Many evidences indicate that the collision of two plates deformed strongly the crust of the SYR, and the deformation has been continued up to the present. In addition, the SYR is in the south segment of the South-North Seismic Zone of China, which is one of the regions in the Chinese mainland, where the seismic activity is very high, and the strong earthquakes frequently occurred. Since the 1970s, a series of large earthquakes with magnitude M>7.0 occurred in SYR, such as the 1970 Tongha…