Petrological evidence for stepwise accretion of metamorphic soles during subduction infancy (Semail ophiolite,Oman and UAE)

Metamorphic soles are tectonic slices welded beneath most large‐scale ophiolites. These slivers of oceanic crust metamorphosed up to granulite facies conditions are interpreted as forming during the first million years of intraoceanic subduction following heat transfer from the incipient mantle wedge towards the top of the subducting plate. This study reappraises the formation of metamorphic soles through detailed field and petrological work on three key sections from the Semail ophiolite (Oman and United Arab Emirates). Based on thermobarometry and thermodynamic modelling, it is shown that metamorphic soles do not record a continuous temperature gradient, as expected from simple heating by the upper plate or by shear heating as proposed in previous studies. The upper, high‐T metamorphic sole is subdivided in at least two units, testifying to the stepwise formation, detachment and accretion of successive slices from the down‐going slab to the mylonitic base of the ophiolite. Estimated peak pressure–temperature conditions through the metamorphic sole, from top to bottom, are 850°C and 1 GPa, 725°C and 0.8 GPa and 530°C and 0.5 GPa. These estimates appear constant within each unit but differing between units by 100–200°C and ~0.2 GPa. Despite being separated by hundreds of kilometres below the Semail ophiolite and having contrasting locations with respect to the ridge axis position, metamorphic soles show no evidence for significant petrological variations along strike. These constraints allow us to refine the tectonic–petrological model for the genesis of metamorphic soles, formed via the stepwise stacking of several homogeneous slivers of oceanic crust and its sedimentary cover. Metamorphic soles result not so much from downward heat transfer (ironing effect) as from progressive metamorphism during strain localization and cooling of the plate interface. The successive thrusts originate from rheological contrasts between the sole, initially the top of the subducting slab, and the peridotite above as the plate interface progressively cools. These findings have implications for the thickness, the scale and the coupling state at the plate interface during the early history of subduction/obduction systems.     

Petrological and mineralogical studies of Pan-African serpentinites at Bir Al-Edeid area, central Eastern Desert, Egypt

The studied serpentinites occur as isolated masses, imbricate slices of variable thicknesses and as small blocks or lenses incorporated in the sedimentary matrix of the mélange. They are thrusted over the associated island arc calc-alkaline metavolcanics and replaced by talc-carbonates along shear zones. Lack of thermal effect of the serpentinites upon the enveloping country rocks, as well as their association with thrust faults indicates their tectonic emplacement as solid bodies. Petrographically, they are composed essentially of antigorite, chrysotile and lizardite with subordinate amounts of carbonates, chromite, magnetite, magnesite, talc, tremolite and chlorite. Chrysotile occurs as cross-fiber veinlets traversing the antigorite matrix, which indicate a late crystallization under static conditions. The predominance of antigorite over other serpentine minerals indicates that the serpentinites have undergone prograde metamorphism or the parent ultramafic rocks were serpentinized under higher pressure. The parent rocks of the studied serpentinites are mainly harzburgite and less commonly dunite and wehrlite due to the prevalence of mesh and bastite textures. The serpentinites have suffered regional metamorphism up to the greenschist facies, which occurred during the collisional stage or back-arc basin closure, followed by thrusting over a continental margin. The microprobe analyses of the serpentine minerals show wide variation in SiO₂, MgO, Al₂O₃, FeO and Cr₂O₃ due to different generations of serpentinization. The clinopyroxene relicts, from the partly serpentinized peridotite, are augite and similar to clinopyroxene in mantle-derived peridotites. The chromitite lenses associated with the serpentinites show common textures and structures typical of magmatic crystallization and podiform chromitites. The present data suggest that the serpentinites and associated chromitite lenses represent an ophiolitic mantle sequence from a supra-subduction zone, which were thrust over the continental margins during the collisional stage of back-arc basin.     

大别—苏鲁超高压变质带内部的浅变质岩

大别苏鲁超高压变质带内部零星出露有若干呈构造残片状产出的浅变质岩,主要以变质碎屑岩－千枚岩－大理岩组合为代表,遭受过低绿片岩相变质和脆－韧性变形作用的改造,与围岩均为构造接触（断层或韧性剪切带）。微古生物化石研究表明,其原岩为震旦纪前后扬子板块北缘的浅海相沉积。同位素年代学研究指示,它们经历过加里东期和印支期构造热事件的影响,与区域超高压岩石经受的构造热事件时间一致;氧同位素研究得到,部分浅变质岩原岩曾遭受过高温大气降水热液蚀变,与区域超高压岩石经受的构造热事件时间一致;氧同位素研究得到,部分浅变质岩原岩曾遭受过高温大气降水热液蚀变,与区域超高压岩石的同位素特征一致。这些浅变质岩的原岩为扬子板块北缘震旦系沉积岩及其中的火山碎屑岩,构造上具有板块俯冲过程中的刮削岩片－构造加积楔的产状和形成机制,因此可以是大陆板块俯冲加积楔的一部分。     

Mineralogy,geochemistry, and geotectonic significance of the Neoproterozoic ophiolite of Wadi Arais area,south Eastern Desert,Egypt

ABSTRACT

The dismembered ophiolites in Wadi Arais area of the south Eastern Desert of Egypt are one of a series of Neoproterozoic ophiolites found within the Arabian–Nubian Shield (ANS). We present new major, trace, and rare earth element analyses and mineral composition data from samples of the Wadi Arais ophiolitic rocks with the goal of constraining their geotectonic setting. The suite includes serpentinized ultramafics (mantle section) and greenschist facies metagabbros (crustal section). The major and trace element characteristics of the metagabbro unit show a tholeiitic to calc-alkaline affinity. The serpentinized ultramafics display a bastite, or less commonly mesh, texture of serpentine minerals reflecting harzburgite and dunite protoliths, and unaltered relics of olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, and chrome spinel can be found. Bulk-rock chemistry confirms harzburgite as the main protolith. The high Mg# (91.93–93.15) and low Al₂O₃/SiO₂ ratios (0.01–0.02) of the serpentinized peridotite, together with the high Cr# (>0.6) of their Cr-spinels and the high NiO contents (0.39–0.49 wt.%) of their olivines, are consistent with residual mantle rocks that experienced high degrees of partial melt extraction. The high Cr# and low TiO₂ contents (0.02–0.34 wt.%) of the Cr-spinels are most consistent with modern highly refractory fore-arc peridtotites and suggest that these rocks probably developed in a supra-subduction zone environment.     

Counterclockwise P-T-t trajectory from the metamorphic sole of a Neo-Tethyan ophiolite (Turkey)

The Kiziltepe ophiolitic thrust sheet in the Bolkar Mountains of Turkey occurs between two subparallel ophiolite belts bounding the Tauride carbonate platform and represents a remnant of the Cretaceous Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere. It is underlain by foliated amphibolite that represents a metamorphic sole developed at the inception of an intra-oceanic subduction zone in the Neo-Tethys 92-90 Ma. Blueschist-facies overprinting of the amphibolite indicates that the metamorphic sole was dragged deeper into the subduction zone where it experienced increasing P/T with cooling. Regional tectonic constraints suggest a Maastrichtian age for the timing of this blueschist-facies metamorphism. Sodic amphibole-rich veins and crossite/Mg-riebeckite rims on hornblende suggest that growth of blueschist-facies minerals was facilitated by infiltration of fluid along fractures and grain boundaries. We infer a counterclockwise P-T-t trajectory during which metamorphism was accompanied/succeeded by rapid uplift along the northern edge of the Tauride belt in Late Cretaceous-early Tertiary time.     

Petrogenesis of the Wadi Dib alkaline ring complex, Eastern Desert of Egypt

Summary The Wadi Dib magmatic complex is the oldest known alkaline ring complex in the Egyptian part of the Pan-African orogenic belt. Rb-Sr isotope data for seven samples suggest a Vendian age of 578±16 Ma, and a⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr initial ratio of 0.7048±0.0010. The igneous complex has a diameter of 2 km and was emplaced within granodioritic Pan-African host rocks at the intersection of two faults. It shows distinct concentric compositional zoning with several syenitic outer ring sheets, a mainly trachytic intermediate ring sheet, and a quartz syenite inner ring sheet with a granitic core; relative ages decrease from margin to core. The mineralogical and chemical features are characteristic of within-plate (A-type) magmatic complexes. Major and trace element patterns underline the co-magmatic origin of the suite but indicate three stages of evolution with several pulses of emplacement. A common feature of element distribution patterns is the small systematic change in the early lithologies, but a distinct evolution trend in the late quartz-bearing rocks.We propose that an alkali-basaltic parent magma was emplaced within deep or middle levels of the juvenile Pan-African crust. Differentiation mainly occurred by fractional crystallization of olivine, clinopyroxene, plagioclase, and apatite. During the late stages of evolution, limited assimilation of island-arc magmatic rocks may have occurred. Emplacement took place along ring fractures at a subvolcanic level and was probably related with formation of a caldera during emplacement of the trachytic lithologies. The anorogenic character of the magmatic suite indicates consolidation of the Pan-African crust of NE Africa at the time of emplacement of the alkaline body.

---

Petrogenese des alkalischen Wadi Dib ringkomplexes, Östiche Wüste Ägyptens

Zusammenfassung Der Wadi Dib-Komplex ist die älteste bekannte Ringstruktur im ägyptischen Teil des Panafrikanischen Orogengürtels. Rb-Sr Isotopendaten von sieben Proben ergeben ein vendisches Alter von 578±16 Ma and ein initiales⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr-Verhältnis von 0,7048±0,0010. Der magmatische Komplex besitzt einen Durchmesser von 2 km und hat am Schnittpunkt zweier Störungen innerhalb panafrikanischer Granodiorite Platz genommen. Er weist eine konzentrische Zonierung mit mehreren syenitischen äußeren Ringen, einem vorwiegend trachytischen mittleren Ring und einem quarzsyenitischen inneren Ring mit einem granitischen Kern auf; die relativen Alter der Gesteine nehmen vom Rand zurn Kern hin ab. Mineralogische and chemische Charakteristika sind die von Intraplatten- (A-Typ-) Komplexen. Haupt- and Spurenelementmuster weisen auf eine ko-magmatische Entstehung hin, zeigen aber eine Entwicklung in drei Stadien mit mehreren magmatischen Pulsen auf. Charakteristika der Elememverteilungen sind wenig systematische Änderung in den älteren Lithologien, aber ein gerichteter Entwicklungstrend in den späten, quarzführenden Lithologien.Wir schließen, daß ein alkali-basaltisches Magma in ein tiefes oder mittleres Niveau der jungen panafrikanischen Kruste intrudierte. Differentiation erfolgte im wesentlichen durch fraktionierte Kristallisation von Olivin, Klinopyroxen, Plagioklas und Apatit. Während später Entwicklungsstadien gab es vermutlich begrenzte Assimilation von Inselbogen-Kruste. Die Platznahme erfolgte entlang von Ringbrüchen in einem subvulkanischen Stockwerk und war vermutlich mit der Bildung einer Caldera während der Platznahme der trachytischen Lithologien verbunden. Der anorogene Charakter der magmatischen Folge zeigt an, daß die panafrikanische Kruste Nordost-Afrikas zur Zeit der Platznahme der alkalischen Intrusion bereits konsolidiert war.

---

---

With 13 Figures     

Development of inverted metamorphic isograds in the western metamorphic belt, Juneau, Alaska

An inverted metamorphic gradient is preserved in the western metamorphic belt near Juneau, Alaska. The western metamorphic belt is part of the Coast plutonic–metamorphic complex of western Canada and southeastern Alaska that developed as a result of tectonic overlap and/or compressional thickening of crustal rocks during collision of the Alexander and Stikine terranes. Detailed mapping of pelitic single-mineral isograds, systematic changes in mineral assemblages, and silicate geothermometry indicate that thermal peak metamorphic conditions increase structurally upward over a distance of about 8 km. Peak temperatures of metamorphism increase progressively from about 530 °C for the garnet zone to about 705 °C for the upper kyanite–biotite zone. Silicate geobarometry suggests that the thermal peak metamorphism occurred under pressures of 9–11 kbar. The metamorphic isograds are in general parallel to the tonalite sill that is regionally continuous along the east side of the western metamorphic belt, although truncation of the isograds north of Juneau indicates that the sill intrusion continued after the isograds were established. Our preferred interpretation of the cause of the inverted gradient is that it formed during compression of a thickened wedge of relatively wet and cool rocks in response to heat flow associated with the formation and emplacement of the tonalite sill magma. Garnet rim compositions and widespread growth of chlorite suggest partial re-equilibration of the schists under pressures of 5–6 kbar during uplift in response to final emplacement and crystallization of the tonalite sill. The combined results of this study with previous studies elsewhere in the western metamorphic belt indicate that high-T/high-P metamorphism associated with the collision of the Alexander and Stikine terranes was a long-lived event, extending from about 98 Ma to about 67 Ma.     

The Meatiq dome (Eastern Desert, Egypt) a Precambrian metamorphic core complex: petrological and geological evidence

The Meatiq basement, which is exposed beneath late Proterozoic nappes of supracrustal rocks in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt, was affected by three metamorphic events. The ophiolite cover nappes show only the last metamorphic overprint. The M1 metamorphic event (T ≥750 °C) is restricted to migmatized amphibolite xenoliths within the Um Ba′anib orthogneiss in the structurally lowest parts of the basement. Typical upper amphibolite facies M2 mineral assemblages include Grt–Zn-rich Spl–Qtz±Bt, Grt–Zn-rich Spl–Ms–Kfs–Bt–Sil–Qtz and locally kyanite in metasedimentary rocks. The mineral assemblages Ms–Qtz–Kfs–Sil in the matrix and Sil–Grt in garnet cores indicate that peak M2 P–T conditions exceeded muscovite and staurolite stabilities. Diffusional equilibration at M2 peak temperature conditions caused homogeneous chemical profiles across M2 garnets. Abundant staurolite in garnet rims and the matrix indicates a thorough equilibration during M2 at decreasing temperature conditions. M2 P–T conditions ranged from 610 to 690 °C at 6–8 kbar for the metamorphic peak and 530–600 °C at about 5.8 kbar for the retrograde stage. However, relic kyanite indicates pressures above 8 kbar, preceeding the temperature peak. A clockwise P–T path is indicated by abundant M2 sillimanite after relic kyanite and by andalusite after sillimanite. M2 fluid inclusions, trapped in quartz within garnet and in the quartz matrix show an array of isochores. Steepest isochores (water-rich H₂O-CO₂±CH₄/N₂ inclusions) pass through peak M2 P–T conditions and flatter isochores (CO₂-rich H₂O-CO₂±CH₄/N₂ inclusions) are interpreted to represent retrograde fluids which is consistent with a clockwise P–T path for M2. The M3 assemblage Grt–Chl in the uppermost metasedimentary sequence of the basement limits temperature to 460 to 550 °C. M3 temperature conditions within the ophiolite cover nappes are limited by the assemblage Atg–Trem–Tlc to<540 °C and the absence of crysotile to >350 °C. The polymetamorphic evolution in the basement contrasts with the monometamorphic ophiolite nappes. The M1 metamorphic event in the basement occurred prior to the intrusion of the Um Ba′anib granitoid at about 780 Ma. The prograde phase of the M2 metamorphic event took place during the collision of an island arc with a continent. The break-off of the subducting slab increased the temperature and resulted in the peak M2 mineral assemblages. During the rise of the basement domain retrograde M2 mineral assemblages were formed. The final M3 metamorphic event is associated with the updoming of the basement domain at about 580 Ma along low-angle normal faults.     

Geochemistry of lamprophyre dykes,Wadi Sikait area,South Eastern Desert,Egypt

The Wadi Sikait area lies at about 95 km southwest of Marsa Alam City along the Red Sea Coast, Eastern Desert, Egypt. It is occupied by Precambrian rocks of ophiolitic mélange, metamorphosed sandstones (MSS), gab-bros and monzogranites which were later intruded by lamprophyre dykes and quartz veins. The lamprophyre dykes were extruded in NW-SE and NE-SW trends cutting monzogranites and metamor-phosed sandstones. The lamprophyres are porphyritic and composed of clinopyroxene, olivine and amphibole phenocrysts enclosed in a fine-grained groundmass of clinopyroxene, amphibole, opaque and lithium mica. The al-teration products are represented by amphibole (tremolite-actinolite and hornblende), carbonate, epidote, chlorite, iddingsite, clay minerals, limonite and serpentine. The Sikait lamprophyre dykes can be classified as alkaline lamprophyres characterized by silica contents rang-ing from 41.65 wt% to 50.88 wt% and Na2O>K2O. They are enriched in LILE, LREE and HFSE, but strongly de-pleted in compatible elements such as Cr and Ni relative to the primitive mantle. Sikait lamprophyres have moderate Zr/Hf (35.6-52.8) and Nb/Ta (20.5-22.5) ratios. Most of these features are attributed to the origin of these dykes from the metasomatized mantle affected by subduction-related fluid. These lamprophyres are compositionally similar to Salu lamprophyres in eastern China. The Sikait lamprophyre samples have high LREE (320×10-6-419×10-6) relative to HREE (20×10-6-33×10-6) with ratios (LREE/HREE=11.6-18.7) and no negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu*=0.9-1.04). The relative presence of posi-tive Ce anomaly (Ce/Ce*=1.04) in lamprophyre samples suggests the oxidizing condition under which the REEs were precipitated due to the common occurrence of fluorite and apatite.     

俯冲带深部流体:来自超高压变质锆石晶内结构和包裹物的证据

利用阴极发光和激光拉曼研究了大别山俯冲带超高压基性和长英质变质岩中的锆石。超高压变质增生锆石环带或新生锆石颗粒从不同角度反映了俯冲带地幔深度流体作用信息。其一,在超高压变质锆石生长域中存在微米级流体包裹体。由于其十分细小,组成往往难以测定。但是在变基性岩中检测到富CO2的负晶形包裹体。其二,在超高压锆石生长域中较普遍地发现富含挥发份的多硅白云母和磷灰石包裹体,其与典型的超高压变质矿物———柯石英稳定共生。副矿物研究表明,即使是在新鲜的弱退变质的榴辉岩中,富含挥发份的矿物相———磷灰石仍是含量较高的矿物,说明在俯冲带的深部(>100km),流体仍可以稳定地保存在高挥发份的矿物晶体格架中。其三,超高压变质增生锆石环带的边界呈蚕食状或港湾状,指示流体参与了锆石的变质生长过程,即通过流体与锆石之间的相互作用导致原有锆石的溶解和新生锆石的沉淀结晶。考虑到如此高的锆溶解度,认为在地幔俯冲深度,流体的成分复杂,并不是简单的富水体系,其化学组成与深熔融体相似,且赋存状态应为含水融体相。     

Alteration Mechanisms of Chromian-Spinel during Serpentinization at Wadi Sifein Area, Eastern Desert, Egypt

Wadi Sifein podiform chromite deposits, Central Eastern Desert of Egypt, are hosted by fully serpentinized peridotite that is a part of the dismembered Pan‐African ophiolite complexes. Relics of primary minerals and the chemical characters indicate that the ophiolitic rocks were derived from depleted mantle peridotite of harzburgite and subordinate dunite compositions. The mantle rocks were initially formed at a mid‐oceanic ridge and subsequently thrust at a supra‐subduction zone. The chromite mineralization at Wadi Sifein area displays either pod‐shaped bodies with massive and lumpy chromitite appearance or dissemination of chromian‐spinel in serpentinite matrix. The podiform chromitite exhibits a very limited compositional range in terms of Cr# [Cr/(Cr + Al) atomic ratio] and Mg# [Mg/(Mg + Fe) atomic ratio]. The chromian‐spinel, however, frequently displays optical and geochemical zoning. Four zones can be identified from core to edge: inner core representing the original composition of the chromian‐spinel; narrow Cr‐rich ferritchromit zone; wide ferritchromit zone; and outer Cr‐magnetite/magnetite zone. The zonation of chromian‐spinel is interpreted to be a result of serpentinization rather than magmatic or metamorphic processes. The geochemical data obtained from the chromitite and chromian‐spinel was statistically processed using discriminant and R‐mode factor analyses. Two trends, minor and major, were achieved considering the formation of ferritchromit. The minor trend is controlled by the redistribution of trivalent cations, where Cr₂O₃ increased on the expense mainly of Al₂O₃ and to less extent Fe₂O₃ to form zone II during the peak of serpentinization. The major trend of alteration, however, is explained by the exchange between Mg‐Fe²⁺ rather than Cr, Al, and Fe³⁺ to form zone III. Kammererite formation was accompanied the formation of zones III and IV at a 314°C temperature of formation.     

Diagenetic and metamorphic history of the Umm Nar BIF,Eastern Desert,Egypt

The Umm Nar BIF was formed in a sedimentary environment. It is confined to an upper stratigraphic zone of pre-Pan-African metamorphosed shelf deposits. During the Pan-African deformational history, the BIF and the host metasediments were tectonically' overlain by ophiolitic melange succession. The metasediments and the mélange were subjected to a major folding phase and then thrust over the “Shaitian” sheared granite, prior to the intrusion of syn- to late- orogenic granitoids. The BIF is divisible into two main types: oxide-bands including magnetite and hematite, and oxide-silicate bands including magnetite, hematite and stilpnomelane. The associated gangues are quartz, calcite, epidote, garnet, plagioclase, graphite and muscovite. Rhythmic banding and lamination, cross-lamination and flaser structure are the most prominent primary features in the IF bands. The iron minerals and the associated gangue show a variety of textural aspects and microscopic interrelationships which indicate successive episodes of mineral accumulation and formation, involving deposition, recrystallization, blastic growths, overgrowths, replacement and deformations, during continuous burial and subsequent tectonic deformations. Editorial handling: DR     

Geophysical signature of the vien-type uranium mineralization of Wadi Eishimbai, Southern Eastern Desert, Egypt

The application of various geophysical tools with different responses succeeded in fixing U-mineralization in Wadi Eishimbai area. The area was studied using detailed ground spectrometric, magnetic, and filtered very low-frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) surveys. The interpretation of the obtained spectrometric maps clearly reflects the sharp increase of equivalent uranium (eU) content. Meanwhile, K and Th contents show sharp decreases. The eU/equivalent thorium (eTh) ratio correlates positively with eU concentrations and negatively with eTh concentrations, indicating an increase in U potentiality than the surrounding granite. The N?CS shear zone displays an eU content ranging from 20 to 140?ppm. The ENE-trending lamprophyre is characterized by elongated uranium anomalies trending in the E?CW direction, with values >90?ppm. Equivalent uranium content of the brecciated granite attains values up to 700?ppm. The ground magnetic and VLF-EM surveys played important roles in providing structural information which are proven useful in geological mapping and mineral exploration for the discovery of uranium mineralization in the study area. This study follows the expected subsurface extension of the Sela shear zone under Wadi sediments. The ground total magnetic intensity map shows a relatively narrow and an elongated shape for the lamprophyre anomaly extending for about 600?m in the Wadi toward the western direction. VLF-EM contour maps of the two used frequencies (17.1 and 28.5?kHz) show excellent agreement, indicating that the shear zone is distinguished with slightly strong conductivity westwards as an extension of the main shear zone. It is elongated in an ENE?CWSW trend and extends in the western direction, referring to the existence of conductive materials. Most of the NW/SE-trending faults cause sudden changes in the magnetic and VLF-EM contour spacing over an appreciable distance, which suggests a discontinuity in depth due to their left-lateral strike-slip displacements. The interpreted faults, with an ENE?CWSW trend representing the main trend of Sela shear zone through which hydrothermal solutions flowed, cause high alteration and uranium mineralization.     

Mineralogy and radioactivity of pegmatites from South Wadi Khuda area,Eastern Desert,Egypt

Stohl F.V.and Smith (1981) The Crystal Chemistry of the Uranyl Silicate Minerals[M].Department of Geosciences,the Pennsylvania State University,University Park.Pennsylvania.

Stuckless J.S.,Nkomo I.T.,Wenmer D.B.,and Van Trump G.(1984) Geochemistry and uranium favourability of the postorogenic granites of the north-eastern Arabian Shield,Kingdom of Saudi Arabia[J].Bull Fac.Earth Sci.King Abdel Aziz Univ.6,195-209.

William S.B.,Hanson S.L.,and Falster A.U.(2006) Samarskite-Yb:A new species of the samarskite group from the Little Patsy pegmatites,Jefferson County,Colorado[J].Canadian Mineralogist.44,1119-1125.

>>更多...     

Mapping Structurally Controlled Alterations Sparked by Hydrothermal Activity in the Fatira–Abu Zawal Area, Eastern Desert, Egypt

The Eastern Desert of Egypt suffered a protracted period of deformation triggered by cratonization of the new juvenile crust known as the Arabian Nubian Shield (ANS), which has been proposed for potential gold discoveries associated with the corresponding tectonic event. The Fatira area, on the border of Egypt''s Northern and Central Eastern Deserts, is covered with metavolcanic rocks twisted by a dextral relocation of the Fatira Shear Zone (FSZ) relative to the Barud magmatic body. The recent study evaluated many deformed post-orogenic granitic intrusions and felsite dikes associated with promising mineralization localities, notably orogenic gold deposits. The combination of various field observations and remote sensing data, followed by the analysis of aeromagnetic enhanced maps, allowed the differentiation of distinct lithologies, structural features, and hydrothermal alterations in the study area. Additionally, the integrated results obtained from the different interpretation techniques are utilized to identify and confirm the previously supposed mineralized localities in the Fatira and Abu Zawal areas and predict other matched localities. The final ASTER, Sentinel 2 hydrothermal alteration, and orientation entropy heat maps demonstrate the association between these mineralized regions and major structures related to the FSZ late stage of deformation rather than other structures studied throughout the area of interest.     

Kinematic vorticity technique for porphyroclasts in the metamorphic rocks: an example from the northern thrust in Wadi Mubarak belt, Eastern Desert, Egypt

New structural, metamorphic, finite strain, and kinematic vorticity data for mylonitic granitic rocks from northern thrust in Wadi Mubarak reveal a history of deformation reflecting different tectonic regimes. The vorticity analysis of porphyroclasts was determined in high temperature mylonites. The kinematic vorticity number for the mylonitic granitic samples in the northern thrust in Wadi Mubarak range from 0.66 to 0.90, and together with the strain data suggest deviations from simple shear. It is concluded that nappe stacking occurred early during the underthrusting event probably by brittle imbrication and that ductile strain was superimposed on the nappe structure during thrusting. The accumulation of ductile strain during thrusting was not by simple shear and involved a component of vertical shortening, which caused the subhorizontal foliation in the northern thrust in Wadi Mubarak and adjacent units.     

Geochemistry and mineral chemistry of Pan-African amphibolites of South Sinai,Egypt

In the Wadi Feiran area, amphibolites occur as inclusions, bands, linear bodies of variable thickness and irregular lenses in para-geneisses. Chemical evidence indicates that these amphibolites display an igneous origin and were derived from magma essentially of tholelitic rather than alkaline composition; transitional in character between continental and island-arc. The chemistry of amphiboles, related to pressure and temperature conditions of meta-morphism, showed that they were formed under low pressure and high temperature conditions.     

Geometry and texture of quartz veins in Wadi Atalla area,Central Eastern Desert,Egypt

Several quartz vein sets with varying orientation, geometry and internal structure were recognized in the Atalla area. The veins were associated with the deformation phases affecting the area. En echelon and extensional veins are the main geometrical types. Syn-kinematic veins associated with the major northeast-over-southwest thrust faults were later boudinaged, folded and re-folded. En echelon veins, fibrous veins, and extensional veins are associated with the NNW–SSE faults. Other veins are associated with the NW–SE, N–S, NE–SW and E–W faults. Veins are concentrated at the intersection zones between faults. The internal structure of the veins comprises syntaxial, antitaxial, and composite types and reflects a change from a compressive stress regime to an extensional one. Chocolate-tablet structures and synchronous and co-genetic vein networks indicate later multi-directional extension of the area. Interaction between cracking and sealing of fractures is a common feature in the study area indicating that it was easy for the pore pressure to open pre-existing fractures instead of creating new ones. The reopening of pre-existing fractures rather than creating new ones is also indicated by the scattering of vein data around σ₃. There is an alteration and change in characteristics of the wall rock due to increase in fluid flow rate. Fault-valving probably is also a cause of the complex geometry of some veins.     

A preliminary study of graphite-bearing rocks at Wadi Sikait area, South Eastern Desert, Egypt

The studied graphite-bearing rocks are located at Wadi Sikait in the southern part of the Eastern Desert of Egypt to the west of Marsa Alam on the Red Sea coast. They are intruded by granitic rocks and they have low radioactivity level. Mica-graphite schists are considered as a matrix of ophiolitic mélange. Graphite occurs in mica-graphite schists as disseminated grains and in talc carbonates rocks as bands or veins. Petrographically, the mica-graphite schists are mainly composed of quartz, plagioclase, muscovite, biotite, and graphite. Geochemical characteristics show that trace elements analysis reflects higher content in Cr and Ni in ash-free graphite than mica-graphite schists. Spectrometrically, the graphite-bearing rocks at Wadi Sikait are showing eU values greater than eTh values, indicating that the graphite-bearing rocks gain U from the country rocks. The U/eU ratio range from 2.7 to 11 manifesting enrichment of chemical uranium (U) may be related to recent uranium transported from the mineralized country rocks. There is a role of graphite and carbonaceous matter in the genesis of U deposits.