Facies distinction and interpretation of primary cherts in a mesozoic continental margin succession,Othris, Greece

A Mesozoic continental margin sequence in the Othris Mountains, eastern Greece, contains a variety of both primary and replacement cherts occurring in several stratigraphic positions. Primary cherts, defined as these derived from siliceous sediment, show differences in bedform, sedimentary structures, mineralogy and chemistry. Examples described illustrate deposition by turbidity currents, traction currents and an in-situ pelagic “rain”. Chemical analyses show that major elements can be used to discriminate between different chert formations. Iron and manganese enrichment is a feature of cherts which have been deposited under steady sedimentation conditions.Stratigraphic relationships prove the older, current-deposited, Othris cherts to have been deposites on a volcanic ocean ridge where they probably accumulated in topographic depressions, and also between the ridge and the lower continental margin where they were deposited mainly by turbidites derived from an oceanic source. A younger suite which covers calcareous shelf, marginal and pelagic sediments is an in-situ deposit. These inferences illustrate how primary cherts can add to interpretations of ancient oceanic terrains by providing information on sea-floor topography and, potentially, circulation patterns. Some cherts can be used as facing indicators in sequences where no other wayup evidence is available.     

Bilelyeri Group, Antalya Complex: deposition on a Mesozoic passive continental margin, south-west Turkey

The Bilelyeri Group comprises complexly deformed Mesozoic sedimentary rocks of continental-margin affinities (Kumluca Zone). These are structurally intercalated between a coeval carbonate platform to the west (Bey Daǧlari Zone) and late Triassic ophiolitic rocks and sediments, interpreted as emplaced marginal oceanic crust, to the east (Gödene Zone). Four formations erected in the Bilelyeri Group record the later stages of continental rifting and the progressive development of part of a Mesozoic passive continental margin. The two late Triassic formations, the Telekta? Tepe and the Hatipalani Formations, are dominated by terrigenous clastic and calcareous clastic sediments, including large detached blocks of reef limestone. These rocks were laid down by mostly mass-flow and turbidity-flow into steep-sided rift depressions. Organic reefs were constructed in bordering shallow seas while terrigenous clastic sediment was shed from exposed basement horsts. Thick sequences of mafic lavas were extruded (Norian) in axial parts of the rift zones, followed by a regional change to deposition of pelagic Halobia-bearing limestone. This culminated in a major hiatus involving large-scale sliding of shallow-water limestones into deeper water. The Jurassic to early Cretaceous Dereköy Formation mostly consists of siltstones, radiolarian cherts and mudstones, intercalated with redeposited limestones and black shales. During this time parts of the margin were bordered by major offshore carbonate complexes constructed partly on basement fragments previously rifted off the parent continental areas. Black shales and reduced hemipelagic sediments were deposited in an elongate trough between the main platform and an offshore complex to the east. Some degree of margin reactivation in the early Cretaceous is indicated by renewed deposition of turbiditic sandstone and chloritic clays in some distal sequences. Strong relative enrichment of manganese in some horizons is attributed to offshore volcanic exhalations. Subsequent regional subsidence in the mid-to late Cretaceous is suggested by a switch to predominantly calcareous, pelagic sedimentation on the adjacent platform and the offshore massifs as well as on the Bilelyeri margin. Tectonic disruption of the platform edge during the late Cretaceous is implied by major redeposition of shallow-water shelf limestones in proximal Bilelyeri sequences. The Bilelyeri margin and the adjacent Gödene Zone were tectonically deformed in latest Cretaceous to early Tertiary time and were thrust over the adjacent Bey Daǧlari platform in the early Miocene. Viewed in an East Mediterranean perspective, the Bilelyeri sequences were part of a locally north-south trending segment of a regionally east-west margin to a substantial oceanic area further south. This segment apparently suffered significant strike-slip deformation both during its construction and its later emplacement. Instructive comparisons can be made with other areas of the East Mediterranean, especially south-west Cyprus.     

Triassic rift-related komatiite, picrite and basalt, Pelagonian continental margin, Greece

A wide range of Triassic rift-related volcanic rocks is preserved on the extensional continental margin of the central part of the Pelagonian micro-continental block of Greece, in the region of northern Evia Island and Othris. This part of the continental margin is unusual for the abundance of lavas, the wide range of lava types, and the presence of komatiitic lavas. The predominant rock types are subalkaline basalt and basaltic andesite, mildly alkaline basalt and picrite, and minor komatiite. Four groups of mafic rocks are distinguished from the 32 samples analyzed on the basis of variation in incompatible trace elements, with all but one group including both picritic and basaltic rocks. The geochemical character of the volcanic rocks suggests derivation from inhomogenous, spinel-bearing, lithospheric mantle. This mantle source was variably depleted and moderately refertilized by subduction-related fluids during earlier Hercynian subduction. The picrites were generated by variable degrees of partial melting, which are inferred to inversely correlate with pressure, thus suggesting decompression melting of their source. Evidence is lacking for a major mantle plume, but the enhanced magmatism in this sector of the rifted margin suggests that melting was induced by a large amount of hydration, which is appropriate to generate melts at lower temperatures. Consequent fractionation coupled with crustal assimilation generated the wide range of subalkaline to mildly alkaline mafic rocks.     

Palaeomagnetism and deformation of the Mesozoic continental margin in Sicily

The pre-orogenic morphology of the west Sicilian Mesozoic continental margin was characterised by platforms and basins elongated more or less parallel to the ancient junction between ocean and continent. The deformation of this continental margin during the Miocene gave rise to a number of thrust sheets which were transported southwards where they rest against the stable Iblean plateau. Eight thrust sheets have been sampled for palaeomagnetism in order to establish the amount of rotation, relative to Iblei, which occurred during emplacement. Clockwise rotations of large magnitude appear to have taken place, and these rotations are considered to be related to the emplacement of the Calabrian—Peloritani structure onto this continental margin.     

Metamorphic and structural history of continental crust at a Mesozoic collisional margin, the Ruby terrane, central Alaska

Abstract The Ruby terrane is an elongate fragment of continental crustal rocks that is structurally overlain by thrust slices of oceanic crust. Our results from the Kokrines Hills, in the south-central part of the Ruby terrane, demonstrate that the low-angle schistose fabric formed under high- P /low- T conditions, at peak conditions of 10.8-13.2 kbar and 425-550° C, consistent with the rare occurrence of glaucophane. White mica ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar cooling ages from these blueschists indicate that the metamorphism occurred prior to 144 ± 1 Ma. The blueschist facies assemblages are partially replaced by greenschist facies assemblages in the eastern Kokrines Hills. In contrast, in the central and western Kokrines Hills, upper amphibolite to lower granulite facies metamorphism associated with extensive late Early Cretaceous plutonism has completely overprinted any evidence of an earlier high- P/T metamorphic history. Deformation accompanying the plutonism produced recumbent isoclinal folds in the plutonic rocks and pelitic gneisses of the wallrock; decompression reactions in the pelitic gneisses suggest that the deformation occurred during exhumation. Thermochronological data bracket the time of intrusion and cooling below 500° C between 118 ± 3 and 109 ± 1 Ma.
Our data from the schists of the Ruby terrane support the general assumption of many authors that the Ruby terrane was subducted beneath an oceanic island arc. This tectonic history is similar to that described for other large continental crustal blocks in northern and central Alaska, in the Brooks Range, Seward Peninsula and Yukon-Tanana Upland. The current orientation of the Ruby terrane at an oblique angle to these other crustal blocks and to the Cordilleran trend is due to post-collisional tectonic processes that have greatly modified the original continental margin.     

Origin and metamorphism of ultrabasic rocks associated with a subducted continental margin, Naxos (Cyclades, Greece)

Meta-peridotites outcropping at different structural levels within the Alpine metamorphic complex of the Cycladic island of Naxos were studied to re-examine their metamorphic evolution and possible tectonic mechanisms for emplacement of mantle material into the continental crust. The continental margin section exposed on Naxos, consisting of pre-Alpine basement and c. 7 km thick Mesozoic platform cover, has undergone intense metamorphism of Alpine age, comprising an Eocene (M1) blueschist event strongly overprinted by a Miocene Barrovian-type event (M2). Structural concordance with the country rocks and metasomatic zonation at the contact with the felsic host rocks indicate that the meta-peridotites have experienced the M2 metamorphism. This conclusion is supported by the similarity between metamorphic temperatures of the ultrabasic rocks and those of the host rocks. Maximum temperatures of 730–760 °C were calculated for the upper-amphibolite facies meta-peridotites (Fo–En–Hbl–Chl–Spl), associated with sillimanite gneisses and migmatites. Relict phases in ultrabasics of different structural levels indicate two distinct pre-M2 histories: whereas the cover-associated horizons have been affected by low-grade serpentinization prior to metamorphism, the basement- associated meta-peridotites show no signs of serpentinization and instead preserve some of their original mantle assemblage. The geochemical affinities of the two groups are also different. The basement-associated meta-peridotites retain their original composition indicating derivation by fractional partial melting of primitive lherzolite, whereas serpentinization has led to almost complete Ca-loss in the second group. The cover-associated ultrabasics are interpreted as remnants of an ophiolite sequence obducted on the adjacent continental shelf early in the Alpine orogenesis. In contrast, the basement-associated meta-peridotites were tectonically interleaved with the Naxos section at great depth during the Alpine collision and high P/T metamorphism. Their emplacement at the base of the orogenic wedge is inferred to have involved isobaric cooling from temperatures of c. 1050 °C within the spinel lherzolite field to eclogite facies temperatures of c. 600 °C.     

Geochemistry of the Othris Ophiolite, Greece: Evidence for Refertilization?

The Othris peridotite massif, Greece, shows conflicting evidencefor a mid-ocean ridge and supra-subduction zone tectonic settingwith the presence of plagioclase peridotite that may representan area of either incomplete melt extraction, or melt impregnationand accumulation. To address these problems we focus on a 3km continuous section in the Fournos Kaïtsa area, consistingof layers of harzburgite, plagioclase harzburgite and plagioclaselherzolite with accurately known structural and petrographiccontrol. Refractory, Cr-rich spinel compositions and light rareearth element depleted clinopyroxenes in the harzburgites areconsistent with     

The Othris Ophiolite, Greece: A snapshot of subduction initiation at a mid-ocean ridge

The mantle section of the Tethyan-type Othris Ophiolite, Greece, records tectono-magmatic processes characteristic of both mid-ocean ridges and supra-subduction zones. The Othris Ophiolite is a remnant of the Jurassic Neotethys Ocean, which existed between Eurasia and Gondwanaland. Othris peridotites range from fertile plagioclase lherzolites to depleted harzburgites. Abundances of Al₂O₃ and CaO show well-defined inverse linear correlations with MgO, suggesting that the Othris peridotites formed as residua from variable degrees of partial melting.

Peridotites from the Fournos Kaïtsa and western Katáchloron sub-massifs are similar to abyssal peridotites and can be explained by a multistage model with some melting in the garnet stability field followed by moderate degrees of anhydrous near-fractional melting in the spinel stability field. In contrast, the peridotites from the Metalleio, Eretria, and eastern Katáchloron sub-massifs, and the Vourinos ophiolite are highly depleted and have extremely low concentrations of Al₂O₃ and heavy rare earth elements. These peridotites have enriched light REE contents compared to the middle REE. These residua are best modelled by hydrous melting due to a flux of slab-derived fluid to the mantle wedge during melting.

The occurrence of both styles of melting regimes within close spatial and temporal association in the same ophiolite is explained by intra-oceanic thrusting and forced subduction initiation at (or near) a mid-ocean ridge. Thus, the Othris Ophiolite, and probably Tethyan-type ophiolites in general, represent a transient phase of plate tectonic reorganisation rather than quasi-steady state plate tectonics.     

The Pindos Fold-and-thrust belt (Greece): inversion kinematics of a passive continental margin

Continuous exposure in the Pindos mountain chain (Greece) and the detailed stratigraphic measurements in the area enable us to construct eight balanced cross sections across the Pindos Fold-and-thrust belt (PFTB) and to approach quantitatively some parameters which controlled foreland evolution. The 160-km-wide passive continental margin of the Apulian continent in Greece was progressively shortened from east to west at rates of 6 mm/year between the Early Oligocene and Late Eocene. From the rear to the frontal part of the wedge, fault-bend folds, duplexes and imbricates were formed, while strain was partitioned into faulting (~34%), layer parallel shortening (~23%) and buckling (~9%). Foreland subsidence and internal deformation of the orogenic wedge are strongly affected by two parameters of equal importance: the thrust load of the overthrusted microcontinents and the rigidity of the underthrusted Apulian passive margin. Changes in the thickness of the pre-orogenic sediments and reactivated transform faults induced salients. During the Lower Miocene, the orogenic wedge in the Peloponnese suffered additional uplift and westward gravitational gliding induced by the intracontinental subduction of the Palaeozoic rift zone of the Phyllite-Quartzite Series, which was reactivated and returned to the earths surface during the Hellenic orogeny.     

Distribution, migration and derivation of Mesozoic-Cenozoic regional fault systems in the central continental margin of eastern China

Deep-large faults in the central continental margin of eastern China are well developed. Based on the regularity of spatial and temporal distribution of the faults, four fault systems were divided: the Yanshan orogenic belt fault system, the Qinling-Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt fault system, the Tanlu fault system and the East China Sea shelf basin-Okinawa trough fault system. The four fault systems exhibit different migration behaviors. The Yanshan orogenic belt fault system deflected from an EW to a NE direction, then to a NNE direction during the Indo-Chinese epoch-Yanshanian epoch. The thrust-nappe strength of the Qinling-Dabie orogenic belt fault system showed the tendency that the strength was greater in the south and east, but weaker in the north and west. This fault system faulted in the east and folded in the west from the Indo-Chinese epoch to the early Yanshanian epoch. At the same time, the faults also had a diachronous migration from east to west from the Indo-Chinese epoch to the early Yanshanian epoch. On the contrary, the thrust-nappe strength was greater in the north and west, weaker in the south and east during the late Yanshanian epoch-early Himalayan epoch. The Tanlu fault system caused the basin to migrate from west to east and south to north. The migration regularity of the East China Sea shelf basin-Okinawa trough fault system shows that the formation age became younger in the west. The four fault systems and their migration regularities were respectively the results of four different geodynamic backgrounds. The Yanshan orogenic belt fault system derived from the intracontinental orogeny. The Qinling-Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt fault system derived from the collision of plates and intracontinental subduction. The Tanlu fault system derived from the strike-slip movement and the East China Sea shelf basin-Okinawa trough fault system derived from plate subduction and retreat of the subduction belt. Translated from Journal of Jilin University (Earth Science Edition), 2005, 35(5): 554–563 [译自: 吉林大学学报 (地球科学版)]     

Mesozoic and Cenozoic granitoid complexes in the stucture of the continental margin of northeast Asia

The integral data on structural position, age, and paleo-geodynamic setting of Mesozoic and Cenozoic granitoid complexes in northeast Asia make it possible to divide them into preaccretionary, accretionary, and postaccretionary groups participating in the structure of the accretionary-type continental margin. The preaccretionary granitoids are members of volcanic-plutonic associations of ensimatic island arcs or suprasubduction ophiolitic complexes, which mark the onset of growth of the granitic-metamorphic layer in the future continental crust. The accretionary granitoids emplaced during the accretion of diverse rock complexes to the continental margin and are localized in its frontal zone, where granitic-metamorphic layer grows further. The postaccretionary granitoid plutons of the marginal continental volcanic-plutonic belts seal up fold-nappe structures, determining the upper age limit of accretion and deformation. The origin of postaccretionary granitoids is related to remelting of older heterogeneous accretionary-island arc crust.     

Geochemistry and tectonic setting of mafic rocks from the Othris Ophiolite,Greece

We present new geochemical analyses of minerals and whole rocks for a suite of mafic rocks from the crustal section of the Othris Ophiolite in central Greece. The mafic rocks form three chemically distinct groups. Group 1 is characterized by N-MORB-type basalt and basaltic andesite with Na- and Ti-rich clinopyroxenes. These rocks show mild LREE depletion and no HFSE anomalies, consistent with moderate degrees (~15%) of anhydrous partial melting of depleted mantle followed by 30–50% crystal fractionation. Group 2 is represented by E-MORB-type basalt with clinopyroxenes with higher Ti contents than Group 1 basalts. Group 2 basalts also have higher concentrations of incompatible trace elements with slightly lower HREE contents than Group 1 basalts. These chemical features can be explained by ~10% partial melting of an enriched mantle source. Group 3 includes high MgO cumulates with Na- and Ti-poor clinopyroxene, forsteritic olivine, and Cr-rich spinel. The cumulates show strong depletion of HFSE, low HREE contents, and LREE enrichments. These rocks may have formed by olivine accumulation from boninitic magmas. The petrogenesis of the N-MORB-type basalts and basaltic andesites is in excellent agreement with the melting conditions inferred from the MOR-type peridotites in Othris. The occurrence of both N- and E-MORB-type lavas suggests that the mantle generating the lavas of the Othris Ophiolite must have been heterogeneous on a comparatively fine scale. Furthermore, the inferred parental magmas of the SSZ-type cumulates are broadly complementary to the SSZ-type peridotites found in Othris. These results suggest that the crustal section may be genetically related to the mantle section. In the Othris Ophiolite mafic rocks recording magmatic processes characteristic both of mid-ocean ridges and subduction zones occur within close spatial association. These observations are consistent with the formation of the Othris Ophiolite in the upper plate of a newly created intra-oceanic subduction zone. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

High-pressure amphibolite facies dynamic metamorphism and the Mesozoic tectonic evolution of an ancient continental margin, east-central Alaska

Abstract Ductilely deformed amphibolite facies tectonites comprise two adjacent terranes in east-central Alaska. These terranes differ in protoliths, structural level and cooling ages. A structurally complex zone of gently north-dipping tectonites separates the two terranes. The northern, structurally higher Taylor Mountain terrane includes garnet amphibolite, biotite ± hornblende gneiss, marble, quartzite, metachert, pelitic schist and cross-cutting granitoids of intermediate composition (including the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic Taylor Mountain batholith). Lithological associations and isotopic data from the granitoids indicate an oceanic or marginal basin origin for the Taylor Mountain terrane. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar metamorphic cooling ages from the Taylor Mountain terrane are latest Triassic to earliest Middle Jurassic. The southern, structurally lower Lake George subterrane of the Yukon-Tanana terrane is made up of quartz-biotite schist and gneiss, augen gneiss, pelitic schist, garnet amphibolite and quartzite; we interpret it to comprise a continental margin and granitoid belt built on North American crust. Metamorphic cooling ages from the Lake George subterrane are almost entirely Early Cretaceous. Geothermobarometric analysis of garnet rims and adjacent phases in garnet amphibolite and pelitic schist from the Taylor Mountain terrane and Lake George subterrane indicate peak metamorphic conditions of 7.5-12 kbar at 555-715° C in the northern part of the Taylor Mountain terrane, in which NNE-vergent shear fabrics are preserved; 6.5-10.8 kbar at 520-670° C within the contact zone between the two terranes, in which NW-vergent shear fabrics predominate; and 6.8-11.8 kbar at 570-700° C in the Lake George subterrane of the Yukon-Tanana terrane, in which NW-vergent shear is recorded in the northern part of the study area and SE-vergent shear in the southern part. Where the two shear-sense directions occur together in the northern Lake George subterrane and, locally, in the contact zone, fabrics that record NW-vergent shear are more penetrative and preceded fabrics that record SE-vergent shear. We interpret the pressure, temperature, kinematic and age data to indicate that the metamorphism of the Taylor Mountain terrane and Lake George subterrane took place during different phases of a latest Palaeozoic through early Mesozoic shortening episode resulting from closure of an ocean basin now represented by klippen of the Seventymile-Slide Mountain terrane. High- to intermediate-pressure metamorphism of the Taylor Mountain terrane took place within a SW-dipping (present-day coordinates) subduction system. High- to intermediate-pressure metamorphism of the Lake George subterrane and the structural contact zone occurred during NW-directed overthrusting of the Taylor Mountain, Seventymile-Slide Mountain and Nisutlin terranes, and imbrication of the continental margin in Jurassic time. The difference in metamorphic cooling ages between the Taylor Mountain terrane and adjacent parts of the Lake George subterrane is best explained by Early Cretaceous unroofing of the Lake George subterrane caused by crustal extension, recorded in its younger top-to-the-SE fabric.     

Gödene Zone,Antalya Complex: Volcanism and sedimentation along a Mesozoic continental margin,S. W. Turkey

The Gödene Zone, Antalya Complex, is an assemblage of ophiolitic and associated sedimentary rocks formed on a passive margin during and after the rifting of a Mesozoic ocean basin. The zone comprises late Triassic alkaline mafic submarine lavas and sediments, mostly pelagic, which are tectonically intercalated with mafic/ultramafic plutonic rocks, taken to be remnants of an original ophiolitic substratum. The Gödene Zone also includes major limestone massifs and tectonised remnants of former carbonate margin facies. Early Triassic rifting initiated a horst-graben terrain, with localised evaporite and clastic deposition. By late Triassic time continued extension allowed substantial extrusion of submarine mafic volcanics. These were often erupted close to tectonically active fault-scarps, generating both epiclastic and pyroclastic volcanic breccias. Several large slivers of continental basement were rifted off to form major offshore massifs which remained as topographic highs throughout the Mesozoic. During late Triassic time, exposed parts of the continent (Bey Daglari) and the offshore massifs shed siliciclastics, mostly turbidites, above the mafic lavas. Offshore reefs also shed material ranging from substantial detached blocks to finer grainedHalobia-limestone facies.During Jurassic to late Cretaceous time the whole area underwent passive margin deposition. Radiolarian pelagic sediments were deposited in deep water above the ophiolitic basement and around the offshore massifs. The reef complexes persisted until mid-Cretaceous time, when calcareous pelagic deposition was initiated. Passive margin conditions were terminated with deposition of ophiolitic clastics and olistostrome mélange in the Maastrichtian, followed by major tectonism.

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Zusammenfassung Die Gödene Zone, Antalya Complex, wird aufgebaut aus Ophioliten und mit ihnen verbundenen Sedimentgesteinen, geformt entlang eines passiven Randes wÄhrend und nach der Bruchspaltenbildung eines mesozoischen Ozeanbeckens. Diese Zone beinhaltet spÄt-triassische alkalische, mafische, submarine Laven und hauptsÄchlich pelagische Sedimente, die tektonisch mit mafischen bis ultramafischen Plutonen verarbeitet sind. Sie werden als Reste eines ursprünglich ophiolitischen Substratums angesprochen. Weiterhin gehören zur Gödene Zone mÄchtige Kalksteinmassive und tektonisierte Reste einer früheren Karbonatrandfazies. Frühtriassische Bruchspaltungsbildung leitete eine Horst-Graben-Bildung ein, mit lokalen Evaporiten und klastischen Ablagerungen. LÄnger andauernde Ausdehnung verursachte in spÄt-triassischer Zeit Ergüsse von submarinen, mafischen Vulkanen. Die Eruptionen fanden oft nahe tektonisch aktiver StörungsflÄchen statt und bedingten sowohl epiklastische wie pyroklastische vulkanische Brekzien.WÄhrend spÄt-triassischer Zeit wurden viele Teilgebiete des angrenzenden Kontinentalsockels (Bey Daglari) und die küstenfernen Massive abgetragen und quarzreiche, meist als Turbidite abgelagerte, Sedimentströme geschüttet, die heute sowohl innerhalb als auch über den mafischen Laven gefunden werden können. Riffe bildeten sich an küstenfernen Seichtwasserstellen, die ebenfalls Material lieferten, das von gro\en Blökken bis zu feinkörnigen Halobienfazieskalken reicht. WÄhrend des Jura bis in die spÄte Kreide erfuhr das Gesamtgebiet passive Randablagerung. Radioarien-Tiefseesedimente wurden über den Ophioliten und um die küstenfernen Massive abgelagert. Die Riffkomplexe existierten bis in die Mitte der Kreidezeit und wurden dann von pelagischen Kalksedimenten abgelöst. Die passiven Randzonenbedingungen wurden von ophiolitischen Klastika und von einer olisthostromen Melange im Maastricht abgelöst, gefolgt von einer haupt-tektonischen Phase.

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Résumé La Zone de Gödene, Complexe d'Antalya, consiste en un assemblage de roches ophiolitiques et sédimentaires formé au front d'une bordure inactive durant et après l'ouverture d'un bassin océanique mésozoÏque. La zone comprend des laves sous-marines de type mafique alcalin d'âge Trias supérieur ainsi que des sédiments, pour la plupart pélagiques, tectoniquement insérés dans des roches plutoniques mafiques et ultramafiques considérées comme reliques d'un substratum ophiolitique. De plus, la Zone de Gödene renferme d'importants massifs de calcaire ainsi que des reliques déformées d'une ancienne plate-forme carbonatée. L'ouverture du bassin au Trias inférieur engendra une topographie en horsts et grabens avec dépÔts locaux d'évaporites et de sédiments élastiques. L'extension continue du bassin au Trias occasionna d'abondantes extrusions de roches volcaniques mafiques sous-marines. Ces épanchements eurent fréquemment lieu à proximité d'escarpments résultant de failles tectoniquement actives; engendrant à la fois des brèches volcaniques pyroclastiques et épiclastiques. Plusieurs larges écailles de croûte continentale furent soulevées pour former d'importants massifs insulaires, lesquels persistèrent en surélèvements durant le Mésozoique. Au Trias supérieur, les parties exposées du continent (Bey Daglari) et les massifs insulaires produisirent des siliclastiques, principalement des turbidites, recouvrant les laves mafiques. Les récifs littoraux aussi engendrèrent des dépÔts variés, allant de larges blocs détachés, à un faciès calcaire à grain fin à Halobia.Du Jurassique au Crétacé supérieur, la région entière fut recouverte de dépÔts de bordure inactive. Des sédiments pélagiques à radiolaires déposèrent, a grande profondeur sur la croûte ophiolitique et autour des massifs insulaires. Les complexes récifaux persistèrent jusqu'au Crétacé moyen, moment ou les dépÔts pélagiques calcaires débutèrent. Les conditions de bordure inactive prirent fin avec le dépÔt au Maastrichtien de sédiments élastiques ophiolitiques et d'un mélange de type olistostrome, suivi d'un tectonisme majeur.

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[Cambridge Earth Sciences Department serial no. ES 102.]     

Late Mesozoic tectonic structure and evolution along the present-day northeastern South China Sea continental margin

The northeastern South China Sea continental margin holds the key to understanding Late Mesozoic tectonics and evaluating hydrocarbon potentials in Mesozoic tectonic and stratigraphic structures offshore southeast China. With newly obtained and processed seismic data, and new drilling and logging data, we correlate regional Mesozoic stratigraphy and analyze major Mesozoic tectonic events and structures. In particular, we focus our study on the three major tectonic units in the area, the Chaoshan Depression, the Tainan Basin, and the Dongsha–Penghu Uplift, which are separated by basement high, thrust fold, and (or) faults. Stratigraphic correlations suggest a major phase of southeastward regression, spanning in time from the late Early Jurassic (180 Ma) to the Early Cretaceous (120 Ma). Seismic data reveal two major tectonic events, with the first one in the Late Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous, contemporary with the regression, and the second one in the Late Cretaceous. Regional magnetic anomaly map after the reduction to the pole clearly reveals the boundary between the Dongsha–Penghu Uplift and the Chaoshan–Tainan depositional system. The seismic and magnetic data also suggest that, while the Dongsha–Penghu Uplift has highly magnetized sources buried mostly in the upper crust at depths from about 2 km to about 20 km, the Chaoshan–Tainan depositional system has thick Mesozoic sediments of low magnetization.     

南海华南陆缘中生界层序地层模式与海平面变化

华南陆缘中生界地层以广东省出露最广,这套地层为陆源碎屑沉积岩,局部为火山岩。上三叠统—上白垩统划分为2个巨层序、7个超层序和15个层序。沉积充填序列展示出本地区经历了海侵-海退过程,沉积环境由海相转化为陆相环境。3个级别的海平面变化控制了层序、超层序和巨层序的发育。粤中--粤东地区中生界发育的Ⅲ级层序可归纳出3种类型:浅水型、深水型和湖盆型;浅水型层序又可以分为浅水Ⅰ型和浅水Ⅱ型。     

Late Mesozoic magmatism and Cenozoic tectonic deformations of the Barents Sea continental margin: Effect on hydrocarbon potential distribution

The paper is focused on the two tectonic-geodynamic factors that made the most appreciable contribution to the transformation of the lithospheric and hydrocarbon potential distribution at the Barents Sea continental margin: Jurassic-Cretaceous basaltic magmatism and the Cenozoic tectonic deformations. The manifestations of Jurassic-Cretaceous basaltic magmatism in the sedimentary cover of the Barents Sea continental margin have been recorded using geological and geophysical techniques. Anomalous seismic units related to basaltic sills hosted in terrigenous sequences are traced in plan view as a tongue from Franz Josef Land Archipelago far to the south along the East Barents Trough System close to its depocentral zone with the transformed thinned Earth’s crust. The Barents Sea igneous province has been contoured. The results of seismic stratigraphy analysis and timing of basaltic rock occurrences indicate with a high probability that the local structures of the hydrocarbon (HC) fields and the Stockman-Lunin Saddle proper were formed and grew almost synchronously with intrusive magmatic activity. The second, no less significant multitectonic stress factor is largely related to the Cenozoic stage of evolution, when the development of oceanic basins was inseparably linked with the Barents Sea margin. The petrophysical properties of rocks from the insular and continental peripheries of the Barents Sea shelf are substantially distinct as evidence for intensification of tectonic processes in the northwestern margin segment. These distinctions are directly reflected in HC potential distribution.     

东海晚中生代岩浆弧与陆缘汇聚作用：碎屑锆石U- Pb年代约束

晚中生代是古太平洋板块俯冲东亚大陆的重要时期,也是华南大陆构造-岩浆活动的重要时期。本文通过东海陆架盆地紧邻海礁隆起ECSs611钻井的渐新统花港组(1626～1638m)砂岩和白垩系(1638～1689m)砂岩碎屑锆石U-Pb同位素和微量元素等研究,获得了～163Ma和～120Ma两期岩浆-变质事件的锆石U-Pb年龄记录。两期岩浆锆石均具有结晶温度低(556～732℃)、流体活动元素U富集(含量82×10~(-6)～3412×10~(-6))及高场强元素Nb亏损(含量0.6×10~(-6)～13.8×10~(-6))等特点,它们形成于岩浆弧构造环境。与洋壳锆石相比,两期岩浆锆石元素Y含量(371×10~(-6)～2700×10~(-6))和U/Yb比值(0.2～6.7)偏低,指示其属于大陆锆石类型。其它碎屑锆石年龄(如2.5～2.4Ga,1.7～1.6Ga,320 Ma和256～207 Ma)与华南大陆主要构造事件一致,初步认为东海海礁隆起应属于华南大陆(华夏地块)东延的部分。如果将海礁-虎皮礁隆起作为晚侏罗世至早白垩世岩浆弧一部分,与东海福州凹陷弧前盆地和西南日本至台湾俯冲增生杂岩等单元联结起来,区域上可构成受古太平洋板块俯冲控制的晚中生代东亚大陆边缘构造轮廓,即岩浆弧→弧前盆地→俯冲增生杂岩。     

Volcanism on a Proterozoic continental margin in northwestern Queensland

The oldest rocks exposed in northwestern Queensland are metamorphosed calc-alkaline volcanics (Leichhardt Metamorphics), which are intruded by elongate tonalitic to granitic batholiths (Kalkadoon Granite). These rocks are overlain by a less metamorphosed sequence containing basic lavas (Magna Lynn Metabasalt) overlain by extensive ignimbritic rhyolite and dacite (Argylla Formation). Sequences of basalt and psammite overlie the rhyolite unconformably and are overlain in turn unconformably by psammitic, pelitic, carbonate and possibly evaporitic sediments and minor volcanics. Younger granites intrude these rocks.The mineral assemblages of the Leichhardt Metamorphics, Magna Lynn Metabasalt and Argylla Formation indicate greenschist and lower amphibolite facies of metamorphism. The rocks contain no glass and some are obviously recyrstallized; however, phenocrysts, lithic fragments, spherulites, amygdales and flow-top breccias are still recognizable.Sixty-nine of the least deformed volcanic and sub-volcanic rocks were analysed for major elements and up to twenty trace elements. Element dispersion in these analyses indicated that metasomatism was probably of limited extent. The Magna Lynn Metabasalt is similar to low-potassium tholeiite, as it has less than 0.5% potash, high normative hypersthene, some normative quartz and typical Ti/Zr/Y ratios. The acid volcanics have calc-alkaline affinities although andesite is not common and the alumina content is relatively low. They have high K/Na ratios and their trace elements (especially Ba, Sr, Rb, Zr and Ce) are similar to Andean volcanics. The tholeiitic sequences that overlie the calc-alkaline volcanics in northwestern Queensland resemble the basaltic sequences of western U.S.A. that also overlie calc-alkaline volcanics.The predominantly calc-alkaline volcanics of northwestern Queensland are believed to have formed at a continental margin similar to that in the Andean region. The younger tholeiitic lavas and minor continental acid volcanism possibly accompanied crustal tension. Later regional metamorphism and intrusion of large granite batholiths stabilized the region.     

Gabbroic rocks in ophiolitic occurrences from East Othris, Greece: petrogenetic processes and geotectonic environment implications

East Othris area consists of scattered ophiolitic units, as well as ophiolitic mélange occurrences, which encompass gabbroic rocks. These rocks have been affected by low-grade ocean floor metamorphism (T?<?350°C and P?<?8?kbar). Based on their petrography, mineral chemistry and geochemistry gabbroic rocks have been distinguished into gabbros and diorites, with the latter being divided into two groups. Gabbros seem to have been formed from moderate to high partial melting degrees (~8–25%) of a highly depleted mantle source, while group (1) diorites have been differentiated after variable fractionation processes (up to 30%). Group (2) diorites seem to have been derived from low partial melting degrees (~3%) of a fertile or moderately depleted mantle source and with extensive fractionation processes (~50%). Geochemical results suggest that partial melting processes occurred at relatively shallow depths, in the plagioclase-spinel stability field, while amphibole chemistry data indicate shallow level crystallization. Chondrite and PM-normalized patterns, Th/Yb, and Nb/Th ratios as well as mineral chemistry analyses show that gabbros and group (1) diorites (with relatively low PM-normalized Nb and Ta values and negative Ti anomalies) suggest subduction processes, while group (2) diorites are MORB or BAB related. Some gabbros have been characterised as high-Mg, being compositionally similar to picrites or boninites. Variability in extent of partial melting of the mantle source and the different geotectonic environment affinities are consistent with a supra-subduction zone (SSZ) origin of the east Othris ophiolites. The fact that IAT related rocks are more abundant in east rather than in west Othris may possibly be explained by a slab rollback model retreating to the east within the Pindos oceanic basin.