Deformation history of the Hampden Synform in the Eastern Fold Belt of the Mt Isa terrane

The moderately metamorphosed and deformed rocks exposed in the Hampden Synform, Eastern Fold Belt, in the Mt Isa terrane, underwent complex multiple deformations during the early Mesoproterozoic Isan Orogeny (ca 1590–1500 Ma). The earliest deformation elements preserved in the Hampden Synform are first‐generation tight to isoclinal folds and an associated axial‐planar slaty cleavage. Preservation of recumbent first‐generation folds in the hinge zones of second‐generation folds, and the approximately northeast‐southwest orientation of restored L¹ ₀ intersection lineation suggest recumbent folding occurred during east‐west to northwest‐southeast shortening. First‐generation folds are refolded by north‐south‐oriented upright non‐cylindrical tight to isoclinal second‐generation folds. A differentiated axial‐planar cleavage to the second‐generation fold is the dominant fabric in the study area. This fabric crenulates an earlier fabric in the hinge zones of second‐generation folds, but forms a composite cleavage on the fold limbs. Two weakly developed steeply dipping crenulation cleavages overprint the dominant composite cleavage at a relatively high angle (>45°). These deformations appear to have had little regional effect. The composite cleavage is also overprinted by a subhorizontal crenulation cleavage inferred to have developed during vertical shortening associated with late‐orogenic pluton emplacement. We interpret the sequence of deformation events in the Hampden Synform to reflect the progression from thin‐skinned crustal shortening during the development of first‐generation structures to thick‐skinned crustal shortening during subsequent events. The Hampden Synform is interpreted to occur within a progressively deformed thrust slice located in the hangingwall of the Overhang Shear.     

Geodynamically indicated targeting strategy for shale‐hosted massive sulfide Pb–Zn–Ag mineralisation in the Western Fold Belt,Mt Isa terrane

There is ongoing debate with respect to the genetic models for shale‐hosted massive sulfide Pb–Zn–Ag deposits contained in the Palaeoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic intracontinental Isa Superbasin in the Western Fold Belt, Mt Isa terrane. Favourable sites of mineralisation can be predicted based on understanding the tectonic setting of the Isa Superbasin, the structural controls of mineralisation and the chemically favourable environments for ore deposition. Shale‐hosted massive sulfide Pb–Zn–Ag deposits are hosted in successions deposited during the dominant sag‐phase of the Isa Superbasin. These deposits are localised at the intersections of major basin‐scale extensional faults and are hosted in both shallow‐marine and deeper water carbonaceous shales that are characteristically anoxic and located near or at maximum flooding surfaces. All major shale‐hosted massive sulfide Pb–Zn–Ag deposits are located to the west of the Mt Isa Rift (ca 1710–1670 Ma). This spatial association is explained by an asymmetrical lithosphere extension model for the evolution of the Isa Superbasin. Elevated geothermal gradients at the location of maximum subcrustal lithospheric thinning to the west of the Mt Isa Rift may have driven the migration of basinal brines. Increased subsidence at this location produced favourable anoxic sedimentary horizons for metal precipitation during orebody formation.     

Deformation of host rocks and stratiform mineralization in the Hilton Mine area,Mt Isa

The Hilton deposit is a deformed and metamorphosed Proterozoic stratiform Pb‐Zn‐Ag‐Cu deposit hosted by dolomitic and carbonaceous sediments of the Urquhart Shale of the Mt Isa Group. Rocks in the Hilton area show a history of folding and faulting which spans the time range recognized elsewhere in the Western Succession of the Mt Isa Inlier, though the effects of relatively late and brittle deformation are more pronounced in the Hilton area. The Hilton area shows intense faulting relative to similar rocks to the south in the Mt Isa‐Hilton belt. Faulting in the Hilton area has generally resulted in east‐west shortening and extension in both north‐south and vertical directions. This relatively intense late strain is attributed to the geometry of the Paroo Fault Zone, a major north‐trending zone that bounds the Hilton area to the west, and the Sybella Batholith, which formed a relatively rigid indenter during late deformation in the Hilton area. The structural history of the Hilton area is broadly consistent with ongoing east‐west shortening during progressive uplift from mainly ductile to more brittle conditions. Based on these observations, thinning of the Mt Isa Group which was previously attributed to synsedimentary faulting, can now be shown to be related to heterogeneous strain during late faulting. Sulphide layers show a history of folding which is similar to that of the surrounding rocks. Pyrite which is paragenetically associated with mineralization is overprinted by a bedding‐parallel foliation which predates all other structures in the area. This suggests that stratiform sulphide mineralization in the Hilton area predates deformation. Deformation has affected the Hilton orebodies at all scales. Changes in thickness and ‘fault windows’ in the orebody interval occur on the scale of the entire deposit. Mesoscopic ore thickness changes are often clearly related to extensional and contractional structures within sulphide layers. These macroscopic and mesoscopic ore‐thickness variations are spatially associated with cross‐cutting brittle faults, suggesting that strain incompatibility between brittle host rocks and more ductile ore layers played a major role in the present geometry and thickness of sulphide ores at Hilton.     

Origin of CO2-rich fluid inclusions in synorogenic veins from the Eastern Mount Isa Fold Belt, NW Queensland, and their implications for mineralization

Synorogenic veins from the Proterozoic Eastern Mount Isa Fold Belt contain three different types of fluid inclusions: CO₂-rich, aqueous two-phase and rare multiphase. Inclusions of CO₂ without a visible H₂O phase are particularly common. The close association of CO₂-rich inclusions with aqueous two-phase, and possibly multiphase inclusions suggests that phase separation of low- to -moderate salinity CO₂-rich hydrothermal fluids led to the selective entrapment of the CO₂. Microthermometric results indicate that CO₂-rich inclusions homogenize between –15.5 and +29.9 °C which corresponds to densities of 0.99 to 0.60 g.cm⁻³. The homogenization temperatures of the associated aqueous two-phase inclusions are 127–397 °C, with salinities of 0.5 to 18.1 wt.% NaCl equivalent. The rarely observed multiphase inclusions homogenize between 250 and 350 °C, and have salinities ranging from 34.6 to 41.5 wt.% NaCl equivalent. Evidence used to support the presence of fluid immiscibility in this study is mainly derived from observations of coexisting H₂O-rich and CO₂-rich inclusions in groups and along the same trail. In addition, these two presumably unmixed fluids are also found on adjacent fractures where monophase CO₂-rich inclusions are closely related to H₂O-rich inclusions. Similar CO₂-rich inclusions are widespread in mineral deposits in this region, which are simply metal-enriched synorogenic veins. Therefore, we argue that fluid immiscibility caused volatile species such as CO₂ and H₂S to be lost from liquid, thus triggering ore deposition by increasing the fluid pH and decreasing the availability of complexing ligands. Received: 28 April 1997 / Accepted: 4 January 1999     

A metasomatic origin for the iron-oxide Au-Cu Starra orebodies, Eastern Fold Belt, Mount Isa Inlier

The Starra ironstone-hosted Au-Cu deposit in northwest Queensland, Australia, displays evidence of a polyphase history of late-post metamorphic, structurally controlled metasomatism. The mineralisation is hosted within several massive ironstone units which occur at a lithological contact of metamorphosed sandstone and siltstone sequences and foliated chlorite-biotite-magnetite schists. The ironstones strike north-south and occur as discontinuous lenses that cross cut the host rocks in places. Magnetite ironstone textures are generally massive in appearance, but relict deformed breccia and foliation textures are locally preserved. Sulphide ore textures are more brittle and consist of fine, pervasive brecciation of the ironstones and host rocks. Petrological and textural observations support a hydrothermal origin for both ironstone and mineralisation. Three dominant post-peak metamorphic paragenetic stages of alteration and mineralisation are recognised: (1) early widespread Na-Ca metasomatism consisting of albite-quartz-actinolite-scapolite, (2) localised K-Fe metasomatism consisting of biotite-magnetite-hematite- quartz-pyrite and (3) the mineralising stage consisting of anhydrite-calcite-hematisation of magnetite-pyrite-chalcopyrite-gold and extreme chloritisation of biotite. The Na dominant alteration occurs throughout the Eastern Fold Belt and for at least 50 km to the east and 150 km to the north of Starra. The ironstones were products of localised Fe-metasomatism associated with shearing and brecciation of previously Na-metasomatised host rocks. Gold and copper mineralisation resulted from the interaction of magnetite, a late oxidising fluid and an increase in pH. This produced variable hematisation of magnetite and caused the solubility of chloride-complexed gold to decrease dramatically. High gold:copper ratios can be explained in terms of the solubility differences of gold and copper in the thermochemical conditions that existed at Starra. Received: 15 May 1996 / Accepted: 17 January 1997     

Cl/Br of scapolite as a fluid tracer in the earth's crust: insights into fluid sources in the Mary Kathleen Fold Belt,Mt. Isa Inlier,Australia

A combination of analytical methods, including trace element analysis of Br in scapolite by LA‐ICP‐MS, was employed to unravel the fluid–rock interaction history of the Mary Kathleen Fold Belt of northern Australia. Halogen ratios in the metamorphic and hydrothermally derived scapolite from a range of rock‐types record interaction between the host rocks and magmatic‐hydrothermal fluids derived from granite plutons and regional metamorphism. The results show that halite‐dissolution supplied at best only minor chlorine to fluids in the Fold Belt. Chlorine/bromine ratios in metamorphic scapolite indicate that fluids were dominantly derived from basinal brines formed from sub‐aerial evaporation of seawater beyond the point of halite saturation. This bittern fluid infiltrated the underlying sedimentary sequences prior to regional metamorphism. Zoned scapolite in a major late metamorphic mineralized shear‐zone records three discrete pulses of magmatic and metamorphic fluid, and it is suggested that fluid mixing may have assisted mineralization along and around this shear‐zone. As a crucial prerequisite for halogen fluid tracer studies using scapolite, we find in our samples that Cl and Br do not fractionate when incorporated in scapolite. Furthermore, unaltered rims of heavily retrogressed scapolite show indistinguishable Cl/Br signatures compared with fresh grains from the same sample indicating retrograde metamorphism did not significantly affect Cl and Br signatures in scapolite group minerals.     

Carpentaria ‐ Mt Isa Zinc Belt: Basement framework,chronostratigraphy and geodynamic evolution of Proterozoic successions

This study investigates the quality (in terms of elevation accuracy and systematic errors) of three recent publicly available elevation model datasets over Australia: (i) the 9 arc second national GEODATA DEM-9S ver3 from Geoscience Australia and the Australian National University; (ii) the 3 arc second SRTM ver4.1 from CGIAR-CSI; and (iii) the 1 arc second ASTER-GDEM ver1 from NASA/METI. The main features of these datasets are reported from a geodetic point of view. Comparison at about 1 billion locations identifies artefacts (e.g. residual cloud patterns and stripe effects) in ASTER. For DEM-9S, the comparisons against the space-collected SRTM and ASTER models demonstrate that signal omission (due to the ～270 m spacing) may cause errors of the order of 100–200 m in some rugged areas of Australia. Based on a set of geodetic ground control points over Western Australia, the vertical accuracy of DEM-9S is ～9 m, SRTM ～6 m and ASTER ～15 m. However, these values vary as a function of the terrain type and shape. Thus, CGIAR-CSI SRTM ver4.1 may represent a viable alternative to DEM-9S for some applications. While ASTER GDEM has an unprecedented horizontal resolution of ～30 m, systematic errors present in this research-grade version of the ASTER GDEM ver1 will impede its immediate use for some applications.     

Geochemical characteristics of gold mineralization of the Huai Kham On deposit,Sukhothai Fold Belt,Northern Thailand

The Huai Kham On gold deposit is located in the central part of the Sukhothai Fold Belt, northern Thailand. The Sukhothai Fold Belt represents an accretionary complex formed by subduction and collision between the Indochina and Sibumasu Terranes. There are many small gold deposits in the Sukhothai Fold Belt; however, the styles and formation environments of those gold deposits are not clear. The geology of the Huai Kham On deposit consists of volcanic and volcanosedimentary rocks, limestone, and low‐grade metamorphic rocks of Carboniferous to Triassic age. Gold‐bearing quartz veins are hosted by volcanic and volcanosedimentary rocks. The quartz veins can be divided into four stages. The mineral assemblage of the gold‐bearing quartz veins of Stages I and II comprises quartz, calcite, illite, pyrite, native gold, galena, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite. Quartz veins of Stage III consist of microcrystalline quartz, dolomite, calcite, pyrite, native gold, and chalcopyrite. Veins of Stage IV consist of calcite, dolomite, chlorite, and quartz. Fluid inclusions in quartz veins are classified into liquid‐rich two‐phase (Types I_A and I_B), carbonic‐aqueous (Type II), and carbonic (Type III) fluid inclusions. The homogenization temperatures of Types I_A and II fluid inclusions that are related to the gold‐bearing quartz veins from Stages I to III ranged from 240° to 280°C. The δ¹⁸O values of quartz veins of Stages I to III range from +12.9 to +13.4‰, suggesting the presence of a homogeneous hydrothermal solution without temperature variation such as a decrease of temperature during the formation of gold‐bearing quartz veins from Stages I to III in the Huai Kham On gold deposit. Based on the calculated formation temperature of 280°C, the δ¹⁸O values of the hydrothermal solution that formed the gold‐bearing quartz veins range from +3.2 to +3.7‰, which falls into the range of metamorphic waters. The gold‐bearing quartz veins of the Huai Kham On deposit are interpreted to be the products of metamorphic water.     

Palaeoproterozoic mid‐basin inversion in the northern Mt Isa terrane,Queensland

The Mellish Park Syncline is located in the northern part of the Mt Isa terrane. It has an axial trace that transects the remnants of the unconformity‐bounded Palaeoproterozoic Leichhardt and Isa Superbasins. The syncline is separated into a lower and upper component based upon variation in fold geometry across the basin‐bounding unconformity. The lower syncline, in the Leichhardt Superbasin, is tight and has an inclined west‐dipping axial plane. The upper syncline, in the Isa Superbasin, is open and upright. The geometry of the lower syncline is a consequence of a period of shortening and basin inversion which post‐dated the Leichhardt Rift Event (ca 1780–1740 Ma) and pre‐dated the Mt Isa Rift Event (ca 1710–1655 Ma), forming an open and upright north‐oriented syncline. Subsequent southeast tilting and half‐graben development during the Mt Isa Rift Event resulted in the lower syncline being tilted into its inclined geometry. Sequences of the Isa Superbasin were then deposited onto the eroded syncline. The geometry of the upper syncline reflects regional east‐west shortening during the Isan Orogeny (ca 1590–1500 Ma). The position of the upper syncline was largely controlled by the pre‐existing lower syncline. At this time the lower syncline was reactivated and tightened by flexural slip folding.     

Switching bulk horizontal shortening directions and regional-scale partitioning of deformation during the Isan Orogeny in the Eastern Fold Belt,Mount Isa Inlier,Australia

Prolonged deformation for ca 150 Ma along the Eastern Fold Belt, Mount Isa Inlier, differentially partitioned into three distinct Mesoproterozoic tectonic domains. NW–SE-trending structures dominate the northern domain, whereas E–W- and N–S-trending structures dominate the central and southern domains, respectively.

Changing the direction of bulk horizontal shortening from NE–SW to N–S to E–W shifted the locus of maximum tectono-metamorphic effect. This accounts for the different generations of structures preserved in these three domains. Overprinting relationships and geochronological data reveal a component of deformation partitioning in time as well as space.

Rheological contrasts in the Soldiers Cap Group between a thick interlayered pelitic, psammitic and volcanic units on the one hand, and ca 1686 Ma, competent mafic intrusives and genetically related metasomatic albitite bodies present in its lower part, on the other, enhanced strain localisation during the long-lived Isan Orogeny (ca 1670–1500 Ma).     

西昆仑甜水海地区前陆褶皱冲断带的构造样式及其演化

运用碰撞造山带大地构造朴理论,研究了西昆仑甜水海地区三叠系的沉积特征及其构造环境,晚三叠世末羌塘陆块与塔里木板块南缘的晚古生代一早中生代山弧碰撞造成的前陆褶皱冲断带的构造样式及其演化。通过对地层构造岩石组合、沉积环境及其变形强度特征的分析,得出该区三叠纪的沉积是一套典型的深水－半深水的复理石建造,形成于被动大陆边缘的沉积环境;其变形具有典型的前陆褶皱冲断带特征,并将褶皱冲断带按变形特征分５个带。提     

Trace‐element signatures of apatites in granitoids from the Mt Isa Inlier,northwestern Queensland

The concentrations of trace elements in apatite from granitoid rocks of the Mt Isa Inlier have been investigated using the laser‐ablation inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) microprobe. The results indicate that the distribution of trace elements (especially rare‐earth elements (REE), Sr, Y, Mn and Th) in apatite strongly reflects the chemical characteristics of the parental rock. The variations in the trace‐element concentrations of apatite are correlated with parameters such as the SiO₂ content, oxidation state of iron, total alkalis and the aluminium saturation index (ASI). The relative enrichment of Y, HREE and Mn and the relative depletion of Sr in the apatites studied reflect the degree of fractionation of the host granite. Apatites from strongly oxidised plutons tend to have higher concentrations of LREE relative to MREE. Manganese concentrations are higher in apatite from reduced granitoids because Mn²⁺substitutes directly for Ca²⁺. The La/Ce ratio of apatite is well‐correlated with the whole‐rock K²O and Na²O contents, as well as with the oxidation state and ASI. Because apatite trace‐element composition reflects the chemistry of the whole rock, it can be a useful indicator mineral for the recognition of mineralised granite suites, where particular mineralisation styles are associated with granitoids that have specific geochemical fingerprints.     

Geology and mineralization of the Pulang supergiant porphyry copper deposit (5.11 Mt) in Shangri-la,Yunnan Province,China: A review

The porphyry copper belt in the Geza island arc in southwestern China is the only Indosinian porphyry copper metallogenic belt that has been discovered and evaluated so far. The Pulang porphyry copper deposit (also referred to as the Pulang deposit) in this area has proven copper reserves of 5.11×10⁶ t. This deposit has been exploited on a large scale using advanced mining methods, exhibiting substantial economic benefit. Based on many research results of previous researchers and the authors’ team, this study proposed the following key insights. (1) The Geza island arc was once regarded as an immature island arc with only andesites and quartz diorite porphyrites occurring. This understanding was overturned in this study. Acidic endmember components such as quartz monzonite porphyries and quartz monzonite porphyries have been identified in the Geza island arc, and the mineralization is mainly related to the magmatism of quartz monzonite porphyries. (2) Complete porphyry orebodies and large vein orebodies have developed in the Pulang deposit. Main orebody KT1 occurs in the transition area between the potassium silicate alteration zone of quartz monzonite porphyries and the sericite-quartz alteration zone. Most of them have developed in the potassium silicate alteration zone. The main orebody occurs as large lenses at the top of the hanging wall of rock bodies, with an engineering-controlled length of 1920 m and thickness of 32.5‒630.29 m (average: 187.07 m). It has a copper grade of 0.21%‒1.56% (average: 0.42%) and proven copper resources of 5.11×10⁶ t, which are associated with 113 t of gold, 1459 t of silver, and 170×10³ t of molybdenum. (3) Many studies on diagenetic and metallogenic chronology, isotopes, and fluid inclusions have been carried out for the Pulang deposit, including K-Ar/Ar-Ar dating of monominerals (e.g., potassium feldspars, biotites, and amphiboles), zircon U-Pb dating, and molybdenite Re-Os dating. The results show that the porphyries in the Pulang deposit are composite plutons and can be classified into pre-mineralization quartz diorite porphyrites, quartz monzonite porphyries formed during the mineralization, and post-mineralization granite porphyries, which were formed at 223±3.7 Ma, 218±4 Ma, and 207±3.9 Ma, respectively. The metallogenic age of the Pulang deposit is 213‒216 Ma. (4) The petrogeochemical characteristics show that the Pulang deposit has the characteristics of volcanic arc granites. The calculation results of trace element contents in zircons show that quartz monzonite porphyries and granite porphyries have higher oxygen fugacity. The isotopic tracing results show that the diagenetic and metallogenic materials were derived from mixed crust- and mantle-derived magmas.©2022 China Geology Editorial Office.     

盐层厚度对褶皱拼接样式的影响——以库车褶皱 冲断带西段前缘背斜带为例

本文综合利用钻井、地震反射剖面、遥感卫星影像和数字高程模型数据,分析了库车褶皱-冲断带前缘盐层厚度的变化特征及其对背斜样式(波长W)、褶皱拼接样式的影响。研究表明,秋里塔格构造带由于下伏盐层初始厚度约1.0km,且存在大量外来盐岩流入,发育延伸大约300km的背斜带;其背斜初始波长约22km,枢纽间距(D)达到10.3km的背斜也能发生斜向拼接。然而,喀拉玉尔滚构造带下伏盐层初始厚度为0.1~0.9km,且由西往东减薄;它主要由雁列式背斜构成,背斜波长较小(大约7~11km)。由于下伏盐层厚度不同,背斜核部断层发育特征也存在明显差异,导致枢纽间距(D)为6.5km的中喀、南喀背斜发生斜向拼接,而枢纽间距较小(D=6.1km)的北喀背斜却成为孤立背斜。因此,我们认为盐层的厚度不同导致了褶皱波长和断层发育特征的差异,进而影响背斜之间能否发生拼接。本文的研究结果需要得到进一步深入研究的验证,但势必将有助于加深对于挤压环境下盐构造变形样式及其对褶皱发育的控制作用的理解。     

Magmatic history of the Eastern Creek Volcanics,Mt Isa,Australia: insights from trace-element and platinum-group-element geochemistry

The Paleoproterozoic basalts of the Eastern Creek Volcanics are a series of continental flood basalts that form a significant part of the Western Fold Belt of the Mt Isa Inlier, Queensland. New trace-element geochemical data, including the platinum-group elements (PGE), have allowed the delineation of the magmatic history of these volcanic rocks. The two members of the Eastern Creek Volcanics, the Cromwell and Pickwick Metabasalt Members, are formed from the same parental magma. The initial magma was contaminated by continental crust and erupted to form the lower Cromwell Metabasalt Member. The staging chamber was continuously replenished by parental material resulting in the gradual return of the magma composition to more primitive trends in the upper Cromwell Metabasalt Member, and finally the Pickwick Metabasalt Member formed from magma dominated by the parental melt. The Pickwick Metabasalt Member of the Eastern Creek Volcanics has elevated PGE concentrations (including up to 18 ppb Pd and 12 ppb Pt) with palladium behaving incompatibly during magmatic fractionation. This trend is the result of fractionation under sulfide-undersaturated conditions. Conversely, in the basal Cromwell Metabasalt Member the PGE display compatible behaviour during magmatic fractionation, which is interpreted to be the result of fractionation of a sulfide-saturated magma. However, Cu remains incompatible during fractionation, building up to high concentrations in the magma, which is found to be the result of the very small volume of magmatic sulfide formation (0.025%). Geochemical trends in the upper Cromwell Metabasalt Member represent mixing between the contaminated Cromwell Metabasalt magmas and the PGE-undepleted parental melt. Trace-element geochemical trends in both members of the Eastern Creek Volcanics can be explained by the partial melting of a subduction-modified mantle source. The generation of PGE- and copper-rich magmas is attributed to melting of a source in the subcontinental lithospheric mantle below the Mt Isa Inlier which had undergone previous melt extraction during an older subduction event. The previous melt extraction resulted in a sulfur-poor, metal-rich metasomatised mantle source which was subsequently remelted in the Eastern Creek Volcanic continental rift event. The proposed model accounts for the extreme copper enrichment in the Eastern Creek Volcanics, from which the copper has been mobilised by hydrothermal fluids to form the Mt Isa copper deposit. There is also the potential for a small volume of PGE-enriched magmatic sulfide in the plumbing system to the volcanic sequence.     

Architecture of a Palaeoproterozoic Rift System: Evidence from the Fiery Creek Dome region,Mt Isa terrane

The Mt Isa Rift Event is a Palaeoproterozoic intracontinental extension event that defines the beginning of sedimentation into the Isa Superbasin in the Western Fold Belt, Mt Isa terrane. In the mildly deformed Fiery Creek Dome region, on the northwest flanks of the Mt Isa Rift, elements of the Mt Isa Rift Event rift architecture are preserved without being intensely overprinted by later deformation. In this region two discrete generations of northwest‐dipping normal faults have been identified. Early generation normal faults were active during the deposition of fluvial and immature conglomerate and sandstone of the Bigie Formation. Renewed rifting and the development of late‐generation normal faults occurred during deposition of shallow‐marine sandstone and siltstone of the lower Gunpowder Creek Formation. Differential uplift between tilt blocks formed an array of spatially and temporally discontinuous synrift unconformities on the crests of uplifted tilt blocks. Applying the domino model yields ～28% crustal extension for the entire Mt Isa Rift Event. Northwest‐striking transverse faults facilitated differential displacement along normal faults and formed boundaries to normal fault segments, creating smaller depositional compartments along half‐graben axes. Three large domes were formed during laccolith emplacement. These domes produced palaeogeographical highs that divided the region into sub‐basins and were a source for the coarse fluvial synrift sequences deposited during the early Mt Isa Rift Event. The basin architecture in the Fiery Creek Dome region is consistent with northwest‐southeast‐directed extension.     

湘鄂西褶皱带中-新生代剥蚀特征及其构造指示:来自磷灰石裂变径迹的证据

恢复湘鄂西褶皱带中-新生代以来的剥蚀历史, 探讨其变形的时空格架, 对于研究陆内褶皱造山以及指导该地区的油气勘探具有重要的意义.利用该地区磷灰石样品进行裂变径迹年龄测定与热史模拟, 对中-新生代的剥蚀厚度和速率进行分析.结果表明, 湘鄂西地区磷灰石裂变径迹的年龄为71~100 Ma, 与川东隔挡式褶皱带中的磷灰石样品年龄进行对比, 具有由SE到NW向递进变新的趋势; 中新生代以来的热史呈现出"三段式"的特征, 这3个阶段的转折时期为115~90 Ma和35~20 Ma, 分别对应了从晚侏罗世-早白垩世挤压造山到晚白垩世伸展成盆再到新生代整体抬升的构造转换; 燕山期为湘鄂西褶皱带的主变形期, 变形时序呈现出由SE到NW向递进变新的趋势, 剥蚀程度呈现出由SE到NW向变弱的趋势.这些认识为燕山期湘鄂西-川东褶皱带陆内递进变形的形成演化研究提供了有力的证据.      

Middle to early Late Ordovician hydrothermal veining in the Molong Volcanic Belt,northeastern Lachlan Fold Belt: Sedimentological evidence

Detrital volcanic and vein quartz, accompanied by felsic volcanic debris, occur as minor constituents in the Ordovician subduction‐related mafic volcanics of the Molong Volcanic Belt. In the western province of the Molong Volcanic Belt, detrital quartz is present in the three episodes of the mafic Volcanics. Volcanic quartz occurs in allochthonous limestone blocks in the Bendigonian Hensleigh Siltstone overlying the Mitchell Formation. The second volcanic episode (the Fairbridge Volcanics) commenced after a hiatus of approximately 20 million years and lasted around 10 million years from Darriwilian to Gisbornian time. Locally derived vein quartz, volcanic quartz and felsic detritus are concentrated at the bases of autochthonous Wahringa and Yuranigh Limestone Members of the volcanics and are extensive and abundant in basal beds of the regional Eastonian limestone body that transgressed over an eroded volcanic centre at Cargo. This early Eastonian debris, deposited early in an 8 million‐year volcanic hiatus preceding the final Ordovician Bolindian volcanism, establishes a pre‐Eastonian age for mineralisation at Cargo. It is inferred that the pauses in volcanism were preceded by magmatic fractionation, intrusion and hydrothermal activity and followed by erosion, subsidence and deposition of autochthonous limestones. Minor occurrences of vein and volcanic quartz are found in Bolindian volcanogenic sediments of the third volcanic phase. It is concluded that hydrothermal vein formation (and mineralisation by inference) was associated with pauses in volcanic activity throughout the Middle to early Late Ordovician over a wide area in the western province, culminating in the mineralisation at Cargo and Copper Hill near Molong. Volcanism in the eastern province of the Molong Volcanic Belt was continuous from at least Darriwilian to latest Ordovician time. Here, detrital hydrothermal vein quartz and volcanic quartz and felsic detritus are distributed through late Middle and early Late Ordovician turbidites of the Weemalla Formation. The possible existence of cycles in the source area like those of the Fairbridge Volcanics is masked by the distal nature of these deposits. Vein formation occurred in both provinces from late Middle Ordovician to early Late Ordovician, long before the formation of the world‐class mineral deposit at Cadia associated with the latest Ordovician Cadia Monzonite.