Thermochronological and geochemical footprints of post-orogenic fluid alteration recorded in apatite: Implications for mineralisation in the Uzbek Tian Shan

The Uzbek Tian Shan is a prominent metal-rich belt, hosting world-class orogenic Au deposits such as Muruntau. However, its post-collisional history in relation to fluid alteration and mineralisation remains elusive. We present apatite U–Pb dates and rare earth element geochemistry for 44 granitoids, revealing a prolonged history of low-grade metamorphism and associated fluid alteration between ~285 and ~240 Ma. A resulting apatite U–Pb age interpolation map reveals two young anomalies that are interpreted as post-orogenic fluid circulation cells. In addition, the extent of Meso-Cenozoic denudation is presented using apatite fission track (FT) age data. In areas of good data coverage, the combined Apatite U–Pb and FT anomalies reveal a correlation with the locations of orogenic Au mineralisation. Although more data is required to further evaluate such correlation, our study illustrates that integrated multi-method apatite thermochronology and geochemistry may have the potential to become a novel viable tool for mineral exploration.     

Quaternary folding of the eastern Tian Shan, northwest China

The Tian Shan, east–west trending more than 2000 km, is one of most active intracontinental mountain building belts that resulted from India–Eurasia collision during Cenozoic. In this study, Quaternary folding related to intracontinental mountain building of the Tian Shan orogenic belt is documented based on geologic interpretation and analyses of the satellite remote sensing images [Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM)/Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM) and India Remote Sensing (IRS) Pan] combined with field geologic and geomorphic observations and seismic reflection profiles. Analyses of spatial–temporal features of Quaternary folded structure indicate that the early Quaternary folds are widely distributed in both piedmont and intermontane basins, whereas the late Quaternary active folds are mainly concentrated on the northern range-fronts. Field observations indicate that Quaternary folds are mainly characterized by fault-related folding. The formation and migration of Quaternary folding are likely related to decollement surfaces beneath the fold-and-fault zone as revealed by seismic reflection profiles. Moreover, analysis of growth strata indicates that the Quaternary folding began in late stage of early Pleistocene (2.1–1.2 Ma). Finally, tectonic evolution model of the Quaternary deformation in the Tian Shan is presented. This model shows that the Quaternary folding and faulting gradually migrate toward the range-fronts due to the continuous compression related to India–Eurasia collision during Quaternary time. As a result, the high topographic relief of the Tian Shan was formed.     

Barium and strontium in the upper mantle of the Pamirs and Tien Shan

The distribution of Ba and Sr in deep-seated xenoliths, mantle alkaline melts, and their minerals from the Pamirs and Tien Shan and some other regions was considered. In contrast to ordinary magmatic series, the mantle rocks show a correlation of Sr with both Ca and alkalis. The most extensive accumulation of Ba and Sr in the upper mantle occurs during the processes of mantle metasomatism and melting of metasomatized materials. The influx of these elements is probably related to ultradeep plume-type sources. Ba and Sr were transported from the mantle into the crust by both high-temperature alkaline melts and low-temperature hydrothermal solutions. It is supposed that the late Alpine celestite deposits of the huge Sr province of the Mediter-ranean belt are of mantle origin. Geochemical provinces show distinctive concentrations and proportions of Ba and Sr in mantle-derived alkaline basic rocks, metasomatic rocks, and their minerals. The type of Ba-Sr relations is inherited by crustal rocks.     

A geotraverse across two paleo-subduction zones in Tien Shan,Tajikistan

We present first LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon ages as well as geochemical and Sr–Nd–Pb isotope data for 14 magmatic rocks collected along ca. 400 km profile across the Chatkal-Kurama terrane in the Mogol-Tau and Kurama ranges and the Gissar Segment of the Tien Shan orogen in Tajikistan. These new data from supra-subduction and post-collisional magmatic rocks of two Late Paleozoic active margins constrain a tectonic model for terrane motions across two paleo-subduction zones: (1) The 425 Ma old Muzbulak granite of the Mogol-Tau range formed in a supra-subduction setting at the northern margin of the Turkestan Ocean. The north-dipping plate was subducted from the Early Silurian to the earliest Middle Devonian. Thereafter the northern side of the Turkestan Ocean remained a passive margin until the Early Carboniferous. (2) In the Early Carboniferous, subduction under the northern margin of the Turkestan Ocean resumed and the 315 to 305 Ma old Kara-Kiya, Muzbek, and Karamazar intrusions formed in a supra-subduction setting in the Mogol-Tau and Kurama ranges. (3) At the same time, in the Early Carboniferous, rifting of the southern passive margin of the Turkestan Ocean formed the short-lived Gissar Basin, separated from the Turkestan Ocean by the Gissar micro-continent. North-dipping subduction in the Gissar Basin is documented by the 315 Ma Kharangon plagiogranite and the voluminous ca. 321–312 Ma Andean-type supra-subduction Gissar batholith. The Kharangon and Khanaka gabbro-plagiogranite intrusions of the southern Gissar range have geochemical and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr(t) 0.7047–0.7056, εNd of + 1.5 to + 2.3) compatible with mantle-derived origin typical for plagiogranites associated with ophiolites. The supra-subduction rocks from the Gissar batholith and from the Mogol-Tau Kurama ranges have variably mixed Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic signatures (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr(t) 0.7057–0.7064, εNd of − 2.1 to − 5.0) typical for continental arcs where mantle-derived magmas interact with continental crust. (4) In the latest Carboniferous, the Turkestan Ocean and the Gissar Basin were closed. The Early Permian Chinorsay (288 Ma) and Dara-i-pioz (267 Ma) post-collisional intrusions, emplaced in the northern part of the Gissar micro-continent after a long period of amagmatic evolution, have intraplate geochemical affinities and isotopic Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr(t) 0.7074–0.7086, εNd of − 5.5 to − 7.4) indicating derivation from Precambrian continental crust which is supported by old Nd model ages (1.5 and 1.7 Ga), and by the presence of inherited zircon grains with ages 850–500 Ma in the Chinorsay granodiorite. The post-collisional intrusions in the southern Gissar and in the Mogol-Tau and Kurama ranges (297–286 Ma), emplaced directly after supra-subduction magmatic series, have geochemical and isotopic signatures of arc-related magmas. The distinct shoshonitic affinities of post-collisional intrusions in the Mogol-Tau and Kurama ranges are explained by the interaction of hot asthenospheric material with subduction-enriched wedge of lithospheric mantle due to slab break-off at post-collisional stage. Despite origination from different tectonic environments, all magmatic rocks have relatively old Nd model ages (1.7–1.0 Ga) indicating a significant proportion of Paleoproterozoic or older crustal material in their sources and their model ages are similar to those of post-collisional intrusions from the Alai and Kokshaal Segments of the South Tien Shan.     

Structural geometry and kinematics of the Ailao Shan shear zone: insights from integrated structural,microstructural, and fabric studies of the Yao Shan complex,Yunnan, Southwest China

ABSTRACT

The Yao Shan complex, a massif near the southern segment of the Ailao Shan–Red River (ASRR) shear zone, bears important information on the structural framework of the massif and the kinematics of ductile shearing along the ASRR shear zone. In this contribution, structural, microstructural, quartz c-axis fabric, magnetic fabric, and geochronologic data are used to determine the structural framework of the Yao Shan massif and its tectonic implications for the ASRR shear zone. The Yao Shan complex is characterized by an overall linear A-type antiform that contains a core of high-grade metamorphic rocks with Palaeoproterozoic to Mesozoic protoliths and a mantle of Permo-Triassic low-grade rocks. Both the high-grade metamorphic core and low-grade Permo-Triassic rocks have experienced progressive ductile shearing. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) results from 17 samples collected along the Xinjie–Pingbian section across the complex show that magnetic lineation (K_max) and foliation (K_max–K_int) are generally subparallel to the corresponding structural elements in the sheared rocks. The shape parameter E values of the magnetic ellipsoids are indicative of dominantly oblate and plane strain, but vary with protolith type and degree of strain among the various rock types. In agreement with the field and microstructural observations, the corrected degree of anisotropy (Pj) values reflect high shear strain in the core rocks and relatively low shear strain in the low-grade strata. A kinematic analysis based on structural and magnetic fabric data shows that both left- and right-lateral shear occurred during the deformation of the Yao Shan complex. Therefore, instead of being an element of the ASRR shear zone, the Yao Shan complex constitutes a crustal-scale inharmonic A-type fold with a fold axis parallel to the stretching lineation. Geochronologic data reveal that the folding occurred coevally with ductile shearing of the middle to lower crust between ca. 30 and 21 Ma.     

南天山乌什前陆逆冲褶皱构造带的晚新生代构造地貌特征与地震活动

乌什逆冲断褶带位于南天山库车前陆逆冲褶皱构造带的西段,对该地区晚新生代构造活动的研究有利于加深对南天山前陆逆冲构造带的认识。本文通过对卫星遥感影像和DEM数据的解译分析,并结合研究区野外考察及典型地震反射剖面的分析,表明乌什逆冲断褶带东部地貌演化受褶皱生长影响较为深刻,发育一系列由新到老的冲积扇和风口。台兰河中游河流阶地和冰碛物均被秋里塔格断层错断,阶地断距为3.1～6.7 m,台兰期冰碛物(M_2)断距约80 m。秋里塔格断裂第四纪以来水平缩短速率约为1.23～1.59 mm/a。西部地区发育一系列逆冲断层,并发育典型的活动断层陡坎。乌什凹陷地震活动也具有明显的西强东弱的特点,地震活动具有沿断层呈带状分布的特点。乌什逆冲断褶带位于南天山造山带东西构造的转换地带,地震活动西部明显强于东部,且具有呈带状沿南天山及其山前逆冲断裂带分布的特点。历史地震分析表明上个世纪以来该区域未有7级以上地震发生,但其西部地区6级以上地震频发,随着阿克苏地区区域经济的快速发展和人口的快速增长,乌什逆冲断褶带的地震活动性应该引起地质学家更加深入的关注和研究。     

南天山哈拉奇地区地球化学异常特征及地质意义

此区开展1/5万水系沉积物测量的目的是为了解区内元素的地球化学特征和分布、分配规律,圈定异常,查明异常与地质、矿产的关系。本文分析了区内元素的相关性、因子组合及其地质意义,认为异常（高值区）严格受喀拉铁克断裂带、可牙克断裂带、塔什纳拉他乌断裂带、热液活动、脉岩等其中某几种因素联合控制。根据异常特征与成矿地质条件,圈定了三处成矿矿远景区,即喀拉铁克成矿远景区、布隆成矿远景区、萨喀尔得成矿远景区,其中喀拉铁克成矿远景区意义重大,为该区下一步的找矿工作指明了方向。     

南天山乌什前陆逆冲褶皱构造带的晚新生代构造地貌特征与地震活动

乌什逆冲断褶带位于南天山库车前陆逆冲褶皱构造带的西段,对该地区晚新生代构造活动的研究有利于加深对南天山前陆逆冲构造带的认识。本文通过对卫星遥感影像和DEM数据的解译分析,并结合研究区野外考察及典型地震反射剖面的分析,表明乌什逆冲断褶带东部地貌演化受褶皱生长影响较为深刻,发育一系列由新到老的冲积扇和风口。台兰河中游河流阶地和冰碛物均被秋里塔格断层错断,阶地断距为31～67 m,台兰期冰碛物(M2)断距约80 m。秋里塔格断裂第四纪以来水平缩短速率约为123～159 mm／a。西部地区发育一系列逆冲断层,并发育典型的活动断层陡坎。乌什凹陷地震活动也具有明显的西强东弱的特点,地震活动具有沿断层呈带状分布的特点。乌什逆冲断褶带位于南天山造山带东西构造的转换地带,地震活动西部明显强于东部,且具有呈带状沿南天山及其山前逆冲断裂带分布的特点。历史地震分析表明上个世纪以来该区域未有7级以上地震发生,但其西部地区6级以上地震频发,随着阿克苏地区区域经济的快速发展和人口的快速增长,乌什逆冲断褶带的地震活动性应该引起地质学家更加深入的关注和研究。     

Geology and fluid evolution of the Wangfeng orogenic-type gold deposit,Western Tian Shan,China

The Wangfeng gold deposit is located in Western Tian Shan and the central section of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The deposit is mainly hosted in Precambrian metamorphic rocks and Caledonian granites and is structurally controlled by the Shenglidaban ductile shear zone. The gold orebodies consist of gold-bearing quartz veins and altered mylonite. The mineralization can be divided into three stages: quartz–pyrite veins in the early stage, sulfide–quartz veins in the middle stage, and quartz–carbonate veins or veinlets in the late stage. Ore minerals and native gold mainly formed in the middle stage. Four types of fluid inclusions were identified based on petrography and laser Raman spectroscopy: CO₂–H₂O inclusions (C-type), pure CO₂ inclusions (PC-type), NaCl–H₂O inclusions (W-type), and daughter mineral-bearing inclusions (S-type). The early-stage quartz contains only primary CO₂–H₂O fluid inclusions with salinities of 1.62 to 8.03 wt.% NaCl equivalent, bulk densities of 0.73 to 0.89 g/cm³, and homogenization temperatures of 256 °C–390 °C. Vapor bubbles are composed of CO₂. The middle-stage quartz contains all four types of fluid inclusions, of which the CO₂–H₂O and NaCl–H₂O types yield homogenization temperatures of 210 °C–340 °C and 230 °C–300 °C, respectively. The CO₂–H₂O fluid inclusions have salinities of 0.83 to 9.59 wt.% NaCl equivalent and bulk densities of 0.77 to 0.95 g/cm³, with vapor bubbles composed of CO₂, CH₄, and N₂. Fluid inclusions in the late-stage quartz are NaCl–H₂O solution with low salinities (0.35–3.87 wt.% NaCl equivalent) and low homogenization temperatures (122 °C–214 °C). The coexistence of inclusions of these four types in middle-stage quartz suggests that fluid boiling occurred in the middle-stage mineralization. Trapping pressures estimated from CO₂–H₂O inclusions are 110–300 MPa and 90–250 MPa for the early and middle stages, respectively, suggesting that gold mineralization mainly occurred at depths of about 10 km. In general, the Wangfeng gold deposit originated from a metamorphic fluid system characterized by low salinity, low density, and enrichment of CO₂. Depressurized fluid boiling caused gold precipitation. Given the regional geology, ore geology, fluid-inclusion features, and ore-forming age, the Wangfeng gold deposit can be classified as a hypozonal orogenic gold deposit.     

瞬变电磁法在新疆东天山天宇铜镍矿区的应用效果

为认识新疆东天山地区与基性-超基性岩体有关的岩浆型硫化物铜镍矿床的电性特征,在天宇铜镍矿区开展了TEM方法试验研究。通过TEM试验,获取了地面及地-井装置瞬变电磁法TEM响应、时间常数、电阻率等参数,并分析了它们与矿体、断裂、岩体等地质特征的关系。试验结果表明,瞬变电磁法在硫化物铜镍矿床应用效果良好,能为该种类型矿床的勘查提供一定的参考。     

On the Relationship between Local Topography and Small Glacier Change under Climatic Warming on Mt. Bogda, Eastern Tian Shan, China

Glacial features in the geological record provide essential clues about past behavior of climate. Of the numerous physical systems on earth, glaciers are one of most responsive to climate change, especially small glaciers, their direct marginal response taking only a few years or decades to be expressed. Accelerating recession of modern glaciers raises the issue of the climate’s impact on water runoff. Data based on topographic maps and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Radiometer (ASTER) imagery sho...     

Paleomagnetic and geochronological constraints on the post-collisional northward convergence of the southwest Tian Shan, NW China

A combined paleomagnetic and geochronological study is reported of Paleogene basalt lavas and an intercalated red bed succession, comprising a minimum of 14 basalt flows and 10 red bed horizons in the Tuoyun Basin of the southwest Tian Shan Range, China. Two basalt matrix samples yield ⁴⁰Ar / ³⁹Ar isochron ages of 58.5 ± 1.3 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 0.9) and 60.4 ± 1.3 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 1.7). These compare well with a previously published K–Ar dilution age of 61.7 ± 2.3 Ma for comparable Paleogene basalts and confirm that the younger pulse of magmatism in this basin is represented by both intrusive and extrusive activity. Demagnetization and component analysis identify a stable characteristic remanence (ChRM) with predominantly reversed polarity following removal of secondary remanence by peak demagnetization steps below 250–350 °C or 5 mT. Rock magnetic analysis identifies pseudo-single domain magnetite or titanomagnetite as carriers. The stable ChRM passes a fold test; it was probably acquired at the time of lava emplacement. Results from the bulk of the collection imply that paleomagnetic data from the upper and lower ( 115 Ma) basalt series in the Tuoyun Basin are not distinguishable at the 95% significance level and indicate that this tectonic domain remained essentially stationary with respect to the Earth's spin axis for 50 Ma prior to onset of the India/Asia collision in early Eocene times. It is therefore probable that no paleomagnetically detectable crustal shortening occurred in the southwest Tian Shan prior to collision. Paleomagnetic data sets from the Tuoyun Basin also show that little or no paleolatitude difference is present between the Tian Shan and the reference latitude of Eurasia at 60 Ma. This supports previous evidence suggesting that central Asian blocks in the vicinity of the Tian Shan are unlikely to have experienced appreciable northward convergence relative to Eurasia since onset of the India/Asia collision and initiation of the Himalaya.     

新疆东天山铜及其多金属矿床成矿系列和成矿谱系特征

成矿系列是研究成矿作用在四维空间中的规律,探索在地球发展过程中成矿的时、空、物质的演化及其分布规律;研究矿床成矿系列可以提高人们对全球地质规律的认识,并且有效地指导找矿预测工作,促进矿产资源勘查工作的开展.根据对东天山地区铜及其多金属矿床的野外地质调查研究,在整理和吸收前人大量研究成果的基础之上,应用成矿系列理论, 将该区初步划分为5个成矿亚系列,建立了该区内生金属矿床成矿演化谱系,为东天山大型铜及其多金属矿床富集区的战略靶区优选提供理论依据.     

Multistage Enrichment of the Sawafuqi Uranium Deposit: New Insights into Sandstone-hosted Uranium Deposits in the Intramontane Basins of Tian Shan, China

Meso-Cenozoic intracontinental orogenic processes in the Tian Shan orogenic belt have significant effect on the sandstone-hosted uranium deposits in the intramontane basins and those adjacent to the orogen. The Sawafuqi uranium deposit, which is located in the South Tian Shan orogenic belt, is investigated to reveal the relationships between uranium mineralization and orogenies. Recent exploration results show that the Sawafuqi uranium deposit has tabular, stratiform, quasi-stratiform, and lens-like orebodies and various geological characteristics different from typical interlayer oxidation zone sandstone-hosted uranium deposits. Systematic studies of ore samples from the Sawafuqi uranium deposit using a variety of techniques, including thin section observation, α-track radiograph, electron microprobe and scanning electron microscope, suggest that uranium mineralization is closely related to pyrite and organic matter. Mineralization-related alterations in the host rocks are mainly silicification and argillation including kaolinite, illite(and illite-smectite mixed layer) and chlorite. Tree stages of mineralization were identified in the Sawafuqi uranium deposit:(i) uranium-bearing detritus and synsedimentary initial pre-enrichment;(ii) interlayer oxidization zone uranium mineralization; and(iii) vein-type uranium mineralization. The synsedimentary uranium pre-enrichment represents an early uranium enrichment in the Sawafuqi uranium deposit, and interlayer oxidation zone uranium mineralization formed the main orebodies, which are superimposed by the vein-type uranium mineralization. Combining the results of this study with previous studies on the Meso-Cenozoic orogenies of South Tian Shan, it is proposed that the synsedimentary uranium pre-enrichment of the Sawafuqi uranium deposit was caused by Triassic Tian Shan uplift, and the interlayer oxidation zone uranium mineralization occurred during the Eocence-Oligocene period, when tectonism was relatively quiet, whereas the vein-type uranium mineralization took place in relation to the strong orogeny of South Tian Shan since Miocene.     

Spatial Distribution of the Debris Layer on Glaciers of the Tuomuer Peak, Western Tian Shan

This article, based on the field work took place on the zone of Tuomuer (托木尔) Peak, western Tian Shan (天山) during the period May 2008 to September 2009, obtained the spatial distribution of debris layer on the reference glaciers (Glacier No. 72, Glacier No. 74, Tuomuer Glacier) by detailed measurements of debris thickness and ablation rates on glacier and further by Spot-5 (5 m, 2005) high-resolution satellitic image applying remote sensing and geographic information systems approach to research the spatial...     

Syntectonic growth strata and implications for late Cenozoic tectonic uplift in the northern Tian Shan,China

Propagation of faults and folds in the foreland basins of Tian Shan is an important process accommodating Cenozoic crustal shortening and mountain building, but little is known about the accurate time of the Cenozoic tectonic deformation. Based on growth strata and age determination, we show that syntectonic growth strata began to develop in the middle part of Tian Shan since 6 Ma ago. Geometry analysis indicates that formation of the growth strata is associated with progressive fold-limb rotation. Formation of the growth strata is contemporaneous with the tectonic deformation in the thrusting and folding zones. Together with the remarkable increase of sedimentation rate as well as the accumulation of coarse molasse deposits, we conclude that the late Cenozoic crustal shortening and mountain building in the region initiated since about 6 Ma and lasted to the early Pleistocene, as a consequence of intracontinental deformation within the India–Eurasia convergent system.     

Early Palaeozoic Granites in the Northern Tian Shan, Kyrgyzstan: Their Zircon Ages and Evolution Processes

<正>The Tian Shan Orogenic Belt,which is a subsidiary of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt,is the largest accretion area of continental crust on the Earth during the Phanerozoic.It has experienced several accretionary processes during the Palaeozoic period and has attracted much concern among geologists.An Early Palaeozoic intrusive rock belt extends     

On the cause of glacier mass balance variations in the Tian Shan Mountains

Over the period of more than 30 years the mass balance observations have been carried on the several representative glaciers of the Tien Shan. But these data are not sufficient to explain the asynchronous degradation of the glaciation in different parts of the mountains. Special field observations were undertaken to study asynchronous changes in mass balance. The programme used an imitation model of the mass balance monitoring (Dyurgerov 1988). According to the model the annual values of glacier mass balance b_n and equilibrium line altitude ELA_n were replaced by the current values of b_t and ELA_t measured during the ablation season. The imitation model was evaluated on Tuyuksu Glacier in 1987–1989. The results showed that the function b_n(ELA_n) can be replaced by b_t(ELA_t) which is nonlinear and can be approximated by the hypsographic curve of the glacier. After these tests the similar measurements were accomplished in summer of 1989 on the Tuyuksu Glacier, Sary-Tor and Glacier No. 1. It was established that the asynchronous changes in mass balance were primarily due to the increase of summer snow accumulation eastward the Tien Shan. The second reason was the difference in the altitudinal position of the glaciers.