Fossil marginal bassin from the Indian shield: A model for the evolution of Singhbhum Precambrian belt,Eastern India

In the eastern part of the Indian shield covering Shinghbhum and adjoining districts of Bihar, occurs the fossil marginal basin which opened up during the early Proterozoic, flanked by Archaean continent to the south. Volcanism played a significant role in filling up the basin. The spine of the basin is occupied by a basaltic lava pile representing a narrow oceanic sector. BIF and possible marginal basin ophiolites are other significant members of the basin cover. The structural features and sedimentary history of the basin are characteristic for marginal basins in general. Identification of this marginal basin emphasises the role of plate tectonics in the evolution of the Indian Precambrian shield.

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Zusammenfassung Im östlichen Teil des Indischen Schildes erscheint im Shinghbhum in Distrikt Bihar ein fossiles Randbecken, das sich im frühen Proterozoikum geöffnet hat und vom Archaischen Kontinent im Süden flankiert wurde. Vulkanismus spielte eine entscheidende Rolle bei der Füllung dieses Beckens. Das Zentrum des Beckens wird von einer Basaltlage eingenommen, die einen engen ozeanischen Bereich dokumentiert. BIF und Beckenophiolithe sind weitere charakteristische Teile der Füllung. Die tektonische Struktur und die sedimentäre Geschichte des Beckens sind für Randbeckenentwicklung typisch. Die Entdeckung dieses Beckens weist auf die Rolle der Plattentektonik bei der Entwicklung des Indischen Schildes im Präkambrium hin.

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Résumé Dans le Shingbhum et les districts voisins du Bihar de la partie orientale du bouclier indien, apparaît un bassin marginal fossile qui s'est ouvert au cours du Protérozoïque inferieur, flanqué au nord par un continent archéen. Le volcanisme y a joué un rôle important en remplissant le bassin. Le centre du bassin est occupé par un empilement de laves basaltiques représentant un secteur océanique étroit. BIF et peut-être aussi des ophiolites de bassin marginal sont d'autres membres importants de la couverture de ce bassin. Les faits structuraux et l'histoire sédimentaire du bassin sont caractéristiques pour des bassins marginaux en général. L'identification de ce basin marginal met en relief le rôle de la tectonique de plaque dans l'évolution du bouclier précambrien indien.

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Shinghbhum'e, Bihar, , . . , . BIF . . .

     

Post-Neogene tectonism along the Aravalli Range, Rajasthan, India

The Aravalli Range runs southwest from Delhi for a distance of about 700 km. Its western margin is well defined, but the eastern margin is diffuse. Five geomorphic provinces are recognized in the study area: the western piedmont plains; the ridge and valley province which in the Central Aravallis occurs at two different heights separated by a fault scarp; the plateau province demarcated from the former by a fault scarp, confined to the Southern Aravallis, and occurring for a short stretch at two heights across another fault scarp; the BGC rolling plains east of the Range; and the BGC uplands south of the above. The scarps coincide with Precambrian faults. A series of rapids and water-falls, together with deeply entrenched river courses across the scarps and the youthful aspects of the escarpments with no projecting spurs, or straight river courses along their feet, all point unmistakably to a recent or post-Neogene vertical uplift along pre-existing faults. Presence of knickpoints at a constant distance from the Range in all west-flowing rivers, the ubiquitous terraces, and river courses entrenched within their own flood-plain deposits of thick gritty to conglomeratic sand, are indicative of a constant disturbance with a gradual rise of the Range east of the knickpoint, wherefrom the coarse materials were carried by the fast west-flowing streams. There is a differential uplift across the plateau scarp together with a right-lateral offset.This epeirogenic tectonism is ascribed to the collision of the Eurasian and the subducting Indian plates and to a locking of their continental crusts. By early Pleistocene, with the MBT gradually dying off, continued plate movement caused a flexural bending of the plate by a moment generated at the back, and a possible delinking of the continental crust along the zone of subduction. The felexural bending ripped open the Precambrian regional faults. The differential uplift and the difference in the distances of the nodes on two sides of the major reactivated fault were possibly caused by a difference in the values of the flexural rigidity and the foundation modulus owing to a slight compositional difference of the constiuent rocks in the two sectors.     

Deformational and crystallization history of the Precambrian rocks in north-central Aravalli Mountain,Rajasthan, India

Large-scale structures, textures and mineral assemblages in the Precambrian rocks of the Banded Gneissic Complex and the overlying Delhi Group in north-central Aravalli Mountain reveal a complex deformational-crystallization history. In the basement Gneissic Complex at least three deformational events, D₀, D₁ and D₂, and two separate episodes of metamorphism, M₁ and M₂, are recognized. The supracrustal Delhi Rocks display only two phases of deformation, D₁ and D₂, associated with a single protracted period of metamorphism, M₂.The first phase of deformation (D₁) of the Delhi orogeny (1650-900 m.y.) produced large isoclinal folds that are overturned towards the southeast and have gentle plunges in NE and SW directions. The second phase of deformation (D₂) gave rise to tight open folds on the limbs and axial-plane surfaces of the D₁ folds. These folds generally plunge towards the N and NNW at 30°–80°. In the Basement Complex one more deformation (D₀) of the Pre-Delhi orogeny (> 2000 m.y.) is recorded by the presence of reclined and recumbent folds with W to WNW trending fold axes. The D₀ folds were superimposed by D₁ and D₂ folds during the Delhi orogeny.The three deformational events have been correlated with the crystallization periods of minerals in the rocks and a setting in time is established for this part of the Aravalli range.     

Exploration for dimensional stone — implications and examples from the Precambrian of southern Finland

Dimension stone is a natural rock that must fulfil high qualitative standards defined by both geology-based factors and non-geological factors. The stone itself (appearance/soundness) and the market demand are the two most important aspects in the quality assessment. The process of geological dimension stone exploration is a systematic and stepwise procedure, including individual steps of desk study, field mapping, detailed examination, geo-radar survey, and core drilling. The location of all economically feasible dimension stone deposits is strictly controlled by geological factors. Knowledge of these factors is fundamental in identifying new sites with potential for dimension stone. In this work the geological constraint on the occurrence of dimension stone in three areas, in the Precambrian of southern Finland, has been investigated. The deposits are localized to part of an area in which different geological features in combination have produced rock of good dimension stone quality. The study shows that, for example, vertical movements in the crust, magmatic evolution of an intrusion, and metamorphic grade define the location of rocks suitable for dimension stone.     

Measurement of irrigated acreage in Western Kansas from LANDSAT images

In the past four decades, irrigated acreage in western Kansas has increased rapidly. Optimum utilization of vital groundwater supplies requires implementation of long-term water-management programs. One important variable in such programs is up-to-date information on acreage under irrigation. Conventional ground survey methods of estimating irrigated acreage are too slow to be of maximum use in water-management programs. Visual interpretation of LANDSAT images permits more rapid measurement of irrigated acreage, but procedures are tedious and still relatively slow. For example, using a LANDSAT false-color composite image in areas of western Kansas with few landmarks, it is impossible to keep track of fields by examination under low-power microscope. Irrigated fields are more easily delineated on a photographically enlarged false-color composite and are traced on an overlay for measurement. Interpretation and measurement required 6 weeks for a four-county (3140 mi², 8133 km²) test area. Video image-analysis equipment permits rapid measurement of irrigated acreage. Spectral response of irrigated summer crops in western Kansas on MSS band 5 (visible red, 0.6–0.7 μm) images is low in contrast to high response from harvested and fallow fields and from common soil types. Therefore, irrigated acreage in western Kansas can be uniquely discriminated by video image analysis. The area of irrigated crops in a given area of view is measured directly. Sources of error are small in western Kansas. After preliminary preparation of the images, the time required to measure irrigated acreage was 1 h per county (average area, 876 ml² or 2269 km²).     

新疆兴地断裂带前寒武纪构造—岩浆—变形作用特征及其年龄

本文分析了发生在塔里木北缘兴地断裂带的多期构造—岩浆演化特征。在此基础上,对三件前寒武纪火成岩样品进行了LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年,对兴地断裂带韧性变形构造进行了运动学分析。研究表明,兴地断裂带至少经历了4期地质构造演化; 其中,前寒武纪有两期。第一期发生在前南华纪,以强烈的挤压褶皱、韧性剪切变形和岩浆活动为特色; 第二期发生在南华纪—震旦纪,以广泛发育的双峰式火成岩、复式岩流和基性岩墙群为特征,伴随大规模冰川作用和地壳沉陷,对应Rodinia超大陆的裂解。LA-ICP-MS法锆石U-Pb年龄测定表明,辉长岩中的俘获锆石保留了3114±20Ma、2509±42Ma、1916±36Ma等多期古构造演化和岩浆活动信息,揭示研究区深部存在一个中-新太古代和古元古代的基底。双峰式火成岩测年数据证实,区内在820~800Ma(花岗岩脉,798±7Ma; 辉长辉绿岩墙,816±15Ma)发生过强烈的裂谷—岩浆活动。根据构造交切关系,兴地断裂带发生过两期前南华纪韧性变形;变形时代尚不清楚。运动学分析表明,第一期为朝北逆冲的推覆变形,第二期为右旋走滑变形。南华纪以来,区域变质和韧性变形微弱,为韧脆性变形。     

Neoproterozoic hydrothermally altered basaltic rocks from Rajasthan, northwest India: Implications for late Precambrian tectonic evolution of the Aravalli Craton

The isolated volcano-sedimentary sequences of the Punagarh and Sindreth Groups occur along the western flank of the Delhi Fold Belt in northwest India, and include mafic rocks (pillow basalts and dolerite dykes) that are dominantly olivine tholeiites with minor quartz-normative and alkali basalts. Sindreth samples appear to have higher primary TiO₂ and P₂O₅ abundances relative to those from Punagarh. Both suites of mafic rocks show variable, but profound hydrothermal alteration effects, with loss on ignition (LOI) values up to 10.3 wt.%, and extensive secondary minerals including albite, sericite, chlorite and calcite. Despite this, there is excellent preservation of magmatic textures, but there has been extensive albitization of plagioclase phenocrysts, a hallmark of hydrothermal alteration processes in oceanic crust. Supporting evidence for such hydrothermal alteration comes from correlations of LOI abundances with CaO/Na₂O, and evidence for U mobility is apparent on diagrams of Nb/Th vs. Nb/U. Felsic volcanic rocks (rhyolite, dacite) interlayered with the Sindreth basalts yield U–Pb zircon ages (TIMS method) between 761 ± 16 and 767 ± 3 Ma, which we interpret as representing the time of primary magmatic activity. We infer that the volcano-sedimentary rocks of the Punagarh also formed at this time, on the basis of similarities in lithology, stratigraphy, field relations and geochemistry. Intermediate granitoid rocks yield older U–Pb ages of 800 ± 2 and 873 ± 3 Ma, which we correlate with the post-Delhi Supergroup Erinpura Granites. Taken together, the features of the Punagarh and Sindreth Groups are consistent with their formation in a back-arc basin setting. Their coevality with other magmatic systems in NW India (Malani Igneous Suite), the Seychelles and Madagascar, for which a continental arc setting has also been proposed, supports the notion of an extensive convergent margin in western Rodinia at 750–770 Ma.     

Precambrian meta-diabases of southern New Brunswick —the opening of the Iapetus ocean?

Dyke swarms are well-known geological features but they occur in different environments. Intruded into the Coldbrook Supergroup of principally acid volcanic rocks is a swarm of closely associated amphibolitized diabases. Helmsteadt (1967) recognized that these rocks were not lavas, but discrete intrusive bodies.Work, now in progress, shows that the intrusions are dykes in several stages of deformation, so that the earliest are strongly lineated and the latest have an almost perfectly preserved diabasic texture. The early amphibolites have strings of boudined minor granitic veins. Separating the dykes are frequent septae, more or less deformed, of granitic, granophyric, rhyolitic and pyroclastic rocks, all in the upper greenschist fades of metamorphism. The total width of the zone in which the dykes form over 40% of the rock is as much as 1.5 km. It is proposed that the zone represents an initial stage in the opening of the Iapetus ocean in the late Precambrian times.     

Resino-inertinites of Indian Permian coals — their origin, genesis and classification

Variously shaped discrete bodies with reflectance higher than the associated vitrinite occur in Permian coals in India, Australia and Africa and the Carboniferous coals of the United States, Canada and Europe. These bodies have been variously named by different authors. In the present paper they are described as ‘resino-inertinites’ as suggested by Lyons et al. (1982).Based on available information and our observations on Carboniferous and Permian coals, it is presumed that resino-inertinites were formed mainly from the resinous (resinite) and to some extent from the phlobaphinitic or corpocollinitic substances. Various morphological patterns developed on resino-inertinites have been interpreted to be governed by the chemical composition of their precursors and the degree of oxidation or fusinization during coalification. Influences of other vvariables viz., paleoenvironmental, paleodepositional, tectonic set up etc. on resino-inertinites are not clearly recognizable probably because all the previous effects were masked by subsequent fusinization.Different morphological features of resino-inertinites associated with early diagenetic and secondary mineralization have caused much confusion in their proper identification and classification. In order to resolve this problem, an attempt has been made to ascertain the source of resins in Indian Permian coals and their subsequent mode of transformation into resino-inertinites during coalification.Further, by critically evaluating morphological features of resino-inertinites and keeping the chemical nature of their precursors in view, a classification scheme has been proposed categorizing them into 3 types. The classification proposed may prove as a useful means for coal-seam correlation.     

Gold Deposits in Precambrian Banded Iron-Formations — A Case Study of the Dongfengshan Gold Deposit1

Abstract This paper deals with a preliminary study of 13 localities of Precambrian iron-formations in the Jiamusi median massif and determination of the gold content of 391 samples. It has been ascertained that the gold deposits are strictly controlled by the iron-formations and exhibit obvious stratabound features. On that basis, the paper principally discusses gold migration and enrichment. Abundant Mn and Co are contained in primary sediments of the Dongfengshan-type gold deposits, which strongly supports and supplements the idea that the gold deposits of the same kind in the world are of metamorphosed volcano-exhalative-sedimentary origin.     

Nature of the Moyar and Bhavani shear zones,with a note on its implication on the tectonics of the southern Indian Precambrian shield

The Moyar, Bhavani and Palghat-Cauvery shear zones have figured prominently in tectonic and metamorphic syntheses in the southern Indian Precambrian shield. Implicit in these studies is the assumption that in the Moyar shear zone in particular, transport has a large strike-slip component, with a dextral displacement of as high as 70 km. Detailed structural investigations in several key sectors and reconnaissance over a large terrane cast doubt on several aspects of the accepted tectonic model. Both the Moyar and the Bhavani shear zones are steeply-dipping thrusts, with the Moyar shear in particular characterized by a predominantly dip-slip transport. Such a movement on a subvertical plane striking EW could in no way rotate the northerly ‘trends’ to EW ones as believed by many worker. Further, the Moyar and Bhavani shear zones are neither as extensive nor as pervasive as envisaged. Veering of the ‘trends’ in southern Karnataka, northern Tamil Nadu and northern Kerala is an inherent feature of the superposed fold systems here. Isoclinal folds with axial planes of diverse attitudes, overprinted by upright folds of varying tightness, have resulted in this change in ‘trend’.     

Age constraints to the relationships between magmatism, metamorphism and tectonism in the Aracena metamorphic belt, southern Spain

 The Aracena metamorphic belt (AMB), southwest Iberian peninsula, is characterized by the following geological elements: (a) a high-temperature/low-pressure (HT/LP) metamorphic belt a few kilometres wide and more than 200 km long; (b) a linear belt of oceanic amphibolites with a low-pressure inverted metamorphic gradient; (c) crustal-scale ductile shear zones; and (d) mafic, noritic intrusions of high-Mg andesite (boninite) composition. The relationships between these elements led to the proposal of a model of ridge subduction for this sector of the Hercynian belt of Europe. This interpretation is supported by the age relationships displayed between the main rock units considered representative of the main tectonic and petrological processes responsible for the geological elements mentioned previously. The results of a geochronological study (Ar–Ar, Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd) clearly support a Late Paleozoic tectonic evolution at an active continental margin. The time evolution of the metamorphism in the oceanic domain, ranging from 342.6±0.6 Ma in the west to 328.4±1.2 Ma in the east, over a distance of 70 km along the metamorphic belt, support a tectonic model of triple-junction migration responsible for the creation at depth of a slab-free window with decisive consequences for the thermal evolution of the region. The origin of the linear metamorphic belt of HT/LP regime may be explained by the migration along a continental margin of a punctual thermal anomaly induced by the creation of a triple-junction at the continental margin. Received: 9 March 1998 / Accepted: 9 December 1998     

Petrology,geochemistry and fluid inclusion studies of Cu-Au mineralization in paleoproterozoic Salumber-Ghatol belt,Aravalli Supergroup,Rajasthan

The Salumber-Ghatol belt in Rajasthan, India, situated along southern margin of the Aravalli Craton, hosts a cluster of Cu-Au deposits in calcitic and dolomitic marbles that belong to Debari Group of the Paleo-mesoproterozoic Aravalli Supergroup. The Fe-Mn rich dolomitic marble of the Delwara Formation hosts Cu-Au-Fe-oxide mineralization at Ghagri and associated distal K-Fe-Mg rich altered rocks (cryptocrystalline microcline + magnesioriebeckite + magnetite + phlogopite) and proximal feldspathised carbonate rocks (medium grained albite + microcline + dolomite + magnetite). The calcitic marble of Mukandpura Formation hosts Dugocha Cu-Au deposit with development of distal graphitetourmaline-bearing albitites and proximal albite-microcline-magnetite rocks. Calcite and dolomite carbonates of Bhukia region with development of albite-actinolite-bearing alteration assemblages host the largest of the Cu-Au deposits in this belt. The second generation folds and associated ductile-brittle shear zones of the multiply deformed events constitute conduits for the mineralizing fluids at all locations in this belt.     

Genesis of Podiform Chromite Deposits——Evidence from the Luobosa Chromite Deposits, Tibet

Taking for example the Luobosa chromite deposit in Tibet combined with other deposits of the same type in the world, the paper discusses the genetic mechanism of podiform chromite deposits. The study indicates that chromite and dunite-harzburgite are both the products of different degrees of partial melting of the same primary pyrolite(spinel lherzolite) and that chromite and dunite are the end product of higher degree of partial melting.The melting mechanism lies in the convcrsion of the two subgroups of pyroxenes(Cpx and Opx) into olivine and spinel respectively as a result of their incongruent melting, accompanied by regulation and reformation of accessory chrome spinel and such rock-forming minerals as Ol, Opx and Cpx, thus resulting in the close association of chromite deposits and dunite. The results of this study are of general significance for understanding the genesis of chromite deposits of the same type in the world.     

Timing of Proterozoic magmatism in the Sunsas belt,Bolivian Precambrian Shield,SW Amazonian Craton

We present new U-Pb zircon and monazite ages from the Sunsas belt granitic magmatism in Bolivia,SW Amazonian Craton.The geochronological results revealed four major magmatic events recorded along the Sunsas belt domains.The older igneous event formed a granitic basement coeval to the Rio Apa Terrane(1.95-1.85 Ga)in the southern domain.The second magmatic episode is represented by 1.68 Ga granites associated to the Paraguá Terrane(1.69-1.66 Ga)in the northern domain.The 1.37-1.34 Ga granites related to San Ignacio orogeny represent the third and more pervasive magmatic event,recorded throughout the Sunsas belt.Moreover,magmatic ages of～1.42 Ga revealed that the granitogenesis asso-ciated to the Santa Helena orogeny also affected the Sunsas belt,indicating that it was not restricted to the Jauru Terrane.Lastly,the 1.10-1.04 Ga youngest magmatism was developed during the Sunsas oro-geny and represents the final magmatic evolution related to Rodinia assembly.Likewise,the 1.95-1.85 and 1.68 Ga inherited zircon cores obtained in the～1.3 Ga and 1.0 Ga granite samples suggest strong par-tial melting of the Paleoproterozoic sources.The 1079±14 Ma and 1018±6 Ma monazite crystallization ages can be correlated to the collisional tectono-thermal event of the Sunsas orogeny,associated to reac-tions of medium-to high-grade metamorphism.Thus,the Sunsas belt was built by heterogeneous 1.95-1.85 Ga and 1.68 Ga crustal fragments that were reworked at 1.37-1.34 Ga and 1.10-1.04 Ga related to orogenic collages.Furthermore,the 1.01 Ga monazite age suggests that granites previously dated by zir-con can bear evidence of a younger thermal history.Therefore,the geochronological evolution of the Sunsas belt may have been more complex than previously thought.     

U---Pb and Rb---Sr systematics in a polyorogenic segment of the Precambrian shield, central southern Norway

U---Pb analyses of zircon, monazite and sphene as well as Rb---Sr analyses of whole rocks and minerals have been carried out in an attempt to elucidate the evolution of the Precambrian shield underlying the Caledonian Jotun-nappe in central southern Norway. The earliest event recognized in the area is a high grade metamorphism at 1518 ± 17 m.y. which followed intense magma formation, igneous activity, erosion and sedimentation over a period of maximum 300 m.y. The Sveconorwegian cycle is characterized by the intrusion of two anatectic magma generations at 1014 ± 35 m.y. and 930±10 m.y. that disturbed and partly reset the isotopic systems of the country rocks. A post-magmatic fracturing stage at 875 m.y. concludes this cycle. Rb---Sr mineral systems were not completely equilibrated in the undeformed shield during the Caledonian event in contrast to new grown minerals in strongly deformed overlying Lower Paleozoic sediments which record the main deformation at 384±18 m.y. Zircon lower intercept ages ranging between 330–370 m.y. show that lead loss of zircon in rocks subjected to low grade metamorphic conditions may be the result of such processes as annealing, alteration, dilation or a combination of them.     

西南印度洋洋盆演化和岩浆地球化学印迹

西南印度洋中脊（SWIR）平均扩张速率约为14 mm/yr,是全球洋中脊系统的重要组成端元,因其具有慢速-超慢速扩张特征,引起全球科学家的广泛关注。基于前人对SWIR的综合研究成果,从构造和岩浆作用两个角度出发,系统地回顾了SWIR的形成和演化历史,探讨了岩浆的分布特征和地幔不均一性成因。SWIR的形成始于冈瓦纳大陆的裂解,中段洋脊区域（26~42°E）是印度洋最早开启的窗口,历经多次洋脊跃迁和扩展作用形成了斜向扩张展布,多分段的构造格局。地幔热点在冈瓦纳大陆裂解过程中扮演了关键角色,并对SWIR的洋底地貌和岩浆作用具有显著影响,其中Bouvet和 Marion热点在SWIR的西段和中段岩浆均留下了地球化学印迹。SWIR西段岩浆除却Bouvet热点影响之外表现出与大西洋-太平洋型玄武岩相似的同位素地球化学特征。在SWIR中段,39~41°E附近的岩浆具有显著的DUPAL异常特征,与冈瓦纳大陆的初始形成、裂解紧密相关。受俯冲改造的中—新元古代的造山带岩石圈地幔拆沉是造成SWIR中段地幔不均一性的重要根源。在SWIR东段,46~52°E区域内的局部岩浆组成异常,推测具有大陆地壳物质混染的成因。而在Melville转换断层以东,洋脊形成时间最晚,玄武岩的地幔源区受到了富集组分的交代作用,其同位素组成与相邻的中印度洋中脊（CIR）和东南印度洋中脊（SEIR）地幔源区具有亲缘性。