Helium and carbon isotopes in fluorites: implications for mantle carbon contribution in an ancient subduction zone

The concentrations of helium and carbon in fluorite associated with Cretaceous to Neogene (90–13 Ma) granitic magmatism in the Japanese arc have been measured. Concentrations of Li, U, Th and Gd were measured to correct for secondary generated ³He. The CO₂/³He of fluorites are almost uniform (1.5×10¹⁰–4×10¹⁰) and in fair agreement with the range of present island arc volcanic gases. The calculated mantle C contribution in the Mesozoic subduction zone appear to have been identical to the present one (7–19%) indicating that the C flux from the mantle in supra-subduction zone environments has remained fairly constant during the past 70 million years.     

西北太平洋俯冲带东北地区壳幔结构研究进展

总结了近年来西北太平洋俯冲前端东北地区地壳的精细结构和上地幔间断面410和660km的研究成果.认为：该区莫霍面深约为30～39km.410km的间断面有30km的深度异常,这种异常是否在过渡带正常或含水相变展布厚度的内,还是于该区俯冲带的后退有关,还需做进一步的研究论证.在中国东北地区,日本海俯冲带向西倾斜,在660km的间断面上近似水平停滞汇集被大多数层析成像、接收函数、波形拟和以及深震研究所认同.然而,俯冲带具体的形式、大小范围,向下渗透到多深以及在局部地区表现的横向不连续性的看法并不一致.由此带来的动力学模式什么力来支撑着停滞的板片,在板片最终下沉到下地幔以前,有多少俯冲的板片能停滞在间断面之上,这些问题都还需要更合理的解释.     

马尼拉俯冲带北段增生楔前缘构造变形和精细结构

马尼拉俯冲带是南海的东部边界,记录了南海形成演化的关键信息,同时也是地震和海啸多发区域.本文利用过马尼拉俯冲带北段的高分辨率多道地震剖面,分析了研究区内海盆和海沟的沉积特征,精细刻画了区内增生楔前缘的构造变形、结构以及岩浆活动特征.研究区内增生楔下陆坡部分由盲冲断层、构造楔和叠瓦逆冲断层构成,逆冲断层归并于一条位于下中新统的滑脱面上,滑脱面向海方向的展布明显受到增生楔之下埋藏海山和基底隆起的影响;上陆坡的反射特征则因变形强烈和岩浆作用而难以识别;岩浆活动开始于晚中新世末期并持续至第四纪.马尼拉俯冲带北段增生楔的形成时间早于16.5 Ma,并通过前展式逆冲向南海方向扩展;马尼拉俯冲带的初始形成时间可能在晚渐新世,而此时南海海盆扩张仍在持续.南海东北缘19°N-21°N区域为南海北部陆坡向海盆的延伸,高度减薄的陆壳的俯冲造成马尼拉海沟北段几何形态明显地向东凹进.

     

Space weathering processes on airless bodies: Fe isotope fractionation in the lunar regolith

Nanophase Fe metal grains (np-Fe°) are a product of space weathering, formed by processes related to meteorite impacts, and solar-wind sputtering on airless planetary bodies, such as the Moon. Iron isotopes of lunar soils are fractionated during these processes, and the np-Fe° in the finest (<10 μm), mature, size fractions of the soil become enriched in heavier isotopes by ∼0.3‰ in ⁵⁶Fe/⁵⁴Fe in comparison to the bulk rocks (0.03±0.05‰), from which the soil was formed. A positive correlation of δ⁵⁶Fe values with the soil maturity index, I_S/FeO, suggests that the high δ⁵⁶Fe values reflect production of nanophase Fe metal that is produced by space weathering that occurs on airless planetary bodies. Furthermore, the enrichment of δ⁵⁶Fe in the smallest size fraction of lunar soils supports a model for creation of np-Fe° through vapor deposition induced by micrometeorites, as well as that by solar-wind sputtering.     

Receiver functions in northeast China - implications for slab penetration into the lower mantle in northwest Pacific subduction zone

Seismic studies of the subducting lithosphere and the upper mantle discontinuities in the northwest Pacific subduction zone beneath Japan and northeast China have suggested contrary subduction scenarios. There was little consensus on the issue whether the subducting slab penetrates the upper mantle discontinuities into the lower mantle or it is deflected atop of the 660-km discontinuity over several hundred kilometers. We calculate receiver functions from a recent seismic broadband station network located in northeast China and find topographic variations of the upper mantle discontinuities. A deeper-than-normal 660-km discontinuity is observed over an area of 400 km and it coincides with the stagnant slab imaged by seismic tomography. The 660-km discontinuity is locally depressed by more than 35 km and the transition zone is thickened by more than 20 km in the east of the region where it encounters the slab. These observations provide evidence of the slab accumulating in the mantle transition zone and locally penetrating into the lower mantle.     

On the origin of El Chichón volcano and subduction of Tehuantepec Ridge: A geodynamical perspective

The origin of El Chichón volcano is poorly understood, and we attempt in this study to demonstrate that the Tehuantepec Ridge (TR), a major tectonic discontinuity on the Cocos plate, plays a key role in determining the location of the volcano by enhancing the slab dehydration budget beneath it. Using marine magnetic anomalies we show that the upper mantle beneath TR undergoes strong serpentinization, carrying significant amounts of water into subduction. Another key aspect of the magnetic anomaly over southern Mexico is a long-wavelength (∼ 150 km) high amplitude (∼ 500 nT) magnetic anomaly located between the trench and the coast. Using a 2D joint magnetic-gravity forward model, constrained by the subduction P–T structure, slab geometry and seismicity, we find a highly magnetic and low-density source located at 40–80 km depth that we interpret as a partially serpentinized mantle wedge formed by fluids expelled from the subducting Cocos plate. Using phase diagrams for sediments, basalt and peridotite, and the thermal structure of the subduction zone beneath El Chichón we find that ∼ 40% of sediments and basalt dehydrate at depths corresponding with the location of the serpentinized mantle wedge, whereas the serpentinized root beneath TR strongly dehydrates (∼90%) at depths of 180-200 km comparable with the slab depths beneath El Chichón (200-220 km). We conclude that this strong deserpentinization pulse of mantle lithosphere beneath TR at great depths is responsible for the unusual location, singularity and, probably, the geochemically distinct signature (adakitic-like) of El Chichón volcano.     

Estimation of strong ground motions from hypothetical earthquakes on the Cascadia subduction zone,Pacific Northwest

Strong ground motions are estimated for the Pacific Northwest assuming that large shallow earthquakes, similar to those experienced in southern Chile, southwestern Japan, and Colombia, may also occur on the Cascadia subduction zone. Fifty-six strong motion recordings for twenty-five subduction earthquakes ofM _s7.0 are used to estimate the response spectra that may result from earthquakesM _w<81/4. Large variations in observed ground motion levels are noted for a given site distance and earthquake magnitude. When compared with motions that have been observed in the western United States, large subduction zone earthquakes produce relatively large ground motions at surprisingly large distances. An earthquake similar to the 22 May 1960 Chilean earthquake (M _w 9.5) is the largest event that is considered to be plausible for the Cascadia subduction zone. This event has a moment which is two orders of magnitude larger than the largest earthquake for which we have strong motion records. The empirical Green's function technique is used to synthesize strong ground motions for such giant earthquakes. Observed teleseismicP-waveforms from giant earthquakes are also modeled using the empirical Green's function technique in order to constrain model parameters. The teleseismic modeling in the period range of 1.0 to 50 sec strongly suggests that fewer Green's functions should be randomly summed than is required to match the long-period moments of giant earthquakes. It appears that a large portion of the moment associated with giant earthquakes occurs at very long periods that are outside the frequency band of interest for strong ground motions. Nevertheless, the occurrence of a giant earthquake in the Pacific Northwest may produce quite strong shaking over a very large region.     

阿留申—阿拉斯加俯冲带及周边地区地幔过渡带结构研究

利用国家测震台网固定台站和"中国地震科学台阵探测"项目在南北地震带北段布设的宽频带流动台阵记录到的极远震事件,通过SS前驱波震相研究,获得了阿留申—阿拉斯加俯冲带东段及邻区下方410 km和660 km间断面的埋深和起伏形态特征.为增强对SS前驱波震相的识别,我们采用了时差校正和共反射点叠加分析.叠加结果显示,毗邻阿留申俯冲带的白令海、阿拉斯加半岛、以及阿拉斯加中南部和东部地区下方,410 km和660 km间断面的埋深基本呈正相关关系,因而具有正常的过渡带厚度.这表明在阿留申—阿拉斯加俯冲带东段,北太平洋板块还没有俯冲到地幔过渡带深度范围内.其次,在阿拉斯加西部地区下方,660 km间断面出现明显下沉,而上覆的410 km间断面埋深接近于全球平均值,从而导致过渡带明显加厚.据此,我们推测在阿拉斯加西部地区下方地幔过渡带底部可能存在库拉残留板块.     

西北太平洋俯冲地区410-km间断面上覆低速层探测

自20世纪90年代首次探测到410-km间断面上覆低速层以来,全球多个俯冲带和大陆克拉通地区都陆续发现了该低速层结构.对其特性及形成机理的探讨是深部地幔结构、物性和动力学研究的热点问题.本文聚焦于西北太平洋俯冲地区410-km间断面上覆低速层的探测及特性研究上.通过对发生于日本北海道地区两个中等深度地震区域波形资料的分析,利用三重震相波形拟合方法获得了我国东北及日本海西北部下方410-km间断面附近的P波速度结构.速度模型明确显示,410-km间断面上方存在厚~47±14 km,异常值~2%的低速层,横向展布近700 km.结合区域地震层析成像、矿物高温高压物理实验及动力学模拟结果,我们否定了"从下至上"的上涌热物质导致410-km间断面上覆低速层的模型;认为较老且快速俯冲的太平洋板块在地幔过渡带顶部脱水导致硅酸盐矿物的部分熔融,由于熔体密度较大能够稳定存在于410-km间断面之上,从而产生了观测到的横向展布较广的410-km间断面上覆低速层结构.     

Distribution and fractionation mechanism of stable carbon isotope of coalbed methane

The stable carbon isotope values of coalbed methane range widely, and also are gener- ally lighter than that of gases in normal coal-formed gas fields with similar coal rank. There exists strong carbon isotope fractionation in coalbed methane and it makes the carbon isotope value lighter. The correlation between the carbon isotope value and Ro in coalbed methane is less obvious. The coaly source rock maturity cannot be judged by coalbed methane carbon isotope value. The carbon isotopes of coalbed methane become lighter in much different degree due to the hydrodynamics. The stronger the hydrodynamics is, the lighter the CBM carbon isotopic value becomes. Many previous investigations indicated that the desorption-diffusion effects make the carbon isotope value of coalbed methane lighter. However, the explanation has encountered many problems. The authors of this arti- cle suggest that the flowing groundwater dissolution to free methane in coal seams and the free methane exchange with absorbed one is the carbon isotope fractionation mechanism in coalbed methane. The flowing groundwater in coal can easily take more 13CH4 away from free gas and com- paratively leave more 12CH4. This will make 12CH4 density in free gas comparatively higher than that in absorbed gas. The remaining 12CH4 in free gas then exchanges with the adsorbed methane in coal matrix. Some absorbed 13CH4 can be replaced and become free gas. Some free 12CH4 can be ab- sorbed again into coal matrix and become absorbed gas. Part of the newly replaced 13CH4 in free gas will also be taken away by water, leaving preferentially more 12CH4. The remaining 12CH4 in free gas will exchange again with adsorbed methane in the coal matrix. These processes occur all the time. Through accumulative effect, the 12CH4 will be greatly concentrated in coal. Thus, the stable carbon isotope of coalbed methane becomes dramatically lighter. Through simulation experiment on wa- ter-dissolved methane, it had been proved that the flowing water could fractionate the carbon isotope of methane, and easily take heavy carbon isotope away through dissolution.     

Oxygen isotope fractionation in mantle minerals

The increment method is adopted to calculate oxygen isotope fractionation factors for mantle minerals, particularly for the polymorphic phases of MgSiO₃ and Mg₂SiO₄. The results predict the following sequence of¹⁸O-enrichment:pyroxene (Mg, Fe, Ca)₂Si₂O₆>olivine (Mg, Fe)₂SiO₄ > spinel (Mg, Fe)₂SiO₄> ilmenite (Mg, Fe, Ca) SiO₃>perovskite (Mg, Fe, Ca) SiO₃. The calculated fractionations for the calcite-perovskite (CaTiO₃) System are in excellent agreement with the experimental calibrations. If there would be complete isotopic equilibration in the mantle, the spinel-structured silicates in the transition zone are predicted to be enriched in¹⁸O relative to the perovskite-structured silicates in the lower mantle but depleted in¹⁸O relative to olivines and pyroxenes in the upper mantle. The oxygen isotope layering of the mantle might result from differences in the chemical composition and crystal structure of mineral phases at different mantle depths. Assuming isotopic equilibrium on a whole earth scale, the chemical structure of the Earth’s interior can be described by the following sequence of¹⁸O-enrichment:upper crust>lower crust>upper mantle>transition zone>lower mantle>core. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.     

西北太平洋俯冲带大地幔楔及地幔过渡带各向异性证据和特征

地震层析成像研究清晰给出了地球深部俯冲板片的大尺度形态,但与俯冲过程相关的地幔流动特征仍不明确.在俯冲地幔楔系统中,前人观测到了与海沟平行和垂直的快波偏振方向.本文研究了西北太平洋俯冲板片在地幔过渡带中停滞形成的"大地幔楔"中的各向异性特征.对具有长期稳定观测数据的MDJ台站SKS震相和区域深源地震的直达S波震相进行了...     

A Sr,Nd, Hf,and Pb isotope perspective on the genesis and long-term evolution of alkaline magmas from Erebus volcano,Antarctica

We report new Nd, Hf, Sr, and high-precision Pb isotopic data for 44 lava and tephra samples from Erebus volcano. The samples cover the entire compositional range from basanite to phonolite and trachyte, and represent all three phases of the volcanic evolution from 1.3 Ma to the present. Isotopic analyses of 7 samples from Mt. Morning and the Dry Valley Drilling Project (DVDP) are given for comparison. The Erebus volcano samples have radiogenic ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, unradiogenic ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, and intermediate ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd and ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf, and lie along a mixing trajectory between the two end-member mantle components DMM and HIMU. The Erebus time series data show a marked distinction between the early-phase basanites and phonotephrites, whose Nd, Hf, Sr, and Pb isotope compositions are variable (particularly Pb), and the current ‘phase-three’ evolved phonolitic lavas and bombs, whose Nd, Hf, Sr, and Pb isotope compositions are essentially invariant. Magma mixing is inferred to play a fundamental role in establishing the isotopic and compositional uniformity in the evolved phase-three phonolites. In-situ analyses of Pb isotopes in melt inclusions hosted in an anorthoclase crystal from a 1984 Erebus phonolite bomb and in an olivine from a DVDP basanite are uniform and identical to the host lavas within analytical uncertainties. We suggest that, in both cases, the magma was well mixed at the time melt inclusions were incorporated into the different mineral phases.     

Deformation and stress regimes in the Hellenic subduction zone from focal Mechanisms

Fault plane solutions for earthquakes in the central Hellenic arc are analysed to determine the deformation and stress regimes in the Hellenic subduction zone in the vicinity of Crete. Fault mechanisms for earthquakes recorded by various networks or contained in global catalogues are collected. In addition, 34 fault plane solutions are determined for events recorded by our own local temporary network on central Crete in 2000–2001. The entire data set of 264 source mechanisms is examined for types of faulting and spatial clustering of mechanisms. Eight regions with significantly varying characteristic types of faulting are identified of which the upper (Aegean) plate includes four. Three regions contain interplate seismicity along the Hellenic arc from west to east and all events below are identified to occur within the subducting African lithosphere. We perform stress tensor inversion to each of the subsets in order to determine the stress field. Results indicate a uniform N-NNE direction of relative plate motion between the Ionian Sea and Rhodes resulting in orthogonal convergence in the western forearc and oblique (40–50^∘) subduction in the eastern forearc. There, the plate boundary migrates towards the SE resulting in left-lateral strike-slip faulting that extends to onshore Eastern Crete. N110^∘E trending normal faulting in the Aegean plate at this part is in accordance with this model. Along-arc extension is observed on Western Crete. Fault plane solutions for earthquakes within the dipping African lithosphere indicate that slab pull is the dominant force within the subduction process and responsible for the roll-back of the Hellenic subduction zone.     

Large earthquake doublets and fault plane heterogeneity in the northern Solomon Islands subduction zone

In the Solomon Islands and New Britain subduction zones, the largest earthquakes commonly occur as pairs with small separation in time, space and magnitude. This doublet behavior has been attributed to a pattern of fault plane heterogeneity consisting of closely spaced asperities such that the failure of one asperity triggers slip in adjacent asperities. We analyzed body waves of the January 31, 1974,M _w =7.3, February 1, 1974,M _w =7.4, July 20, 1975 (1437)M _w =7.6 and July 20, 1975 (1945),M _w =7.3 doublet events using an iterative, multiple station inversion technique to determine the spatio-temporal distribution of seismic moment release associated with these events. Although the 1974 doublet has smaller body wave moments than the 1975 events, their source histories are more complicated, lasting over 40 seconds and consisting of several subevents located near the epicentral regions. The second 1975 event is well modeled by a simple point source initiating at a depth of 15 km and rupturing an approximate 20 km region about the epicenter. The source history of the first 1975 event reveals a westerly propagating rupture, extending about 50 km from its hypocenter at a depth of 25 km. The asperities of the 1975 events are of comparable size and do not overlap one another, consistent with the asperity triggering hypothesis. The relatively large source areas and small seismic moments of the 1974 doublet events indicate failure of weaker portions of the fault plane in their epicentral regions. Variations in the roughness of the bathymetry of the subducting plate, accompanying subduction of the Woodlark Rise, may be responsible for changes in the mechanical properties of the plate interface.To understand how variations in fault plane coupling and strength affect the interplate seismicity pattern, we relocated 85 underthrusting earthquakes in the northern Solomon Islands Are since 1964. Relatively few smaller magnitude underthrusting events overlap the Solomon Islands doublet asperity regions, where fault coupling and strength are inferred to be the greatest. However, these asperity regions have been the sites of several previous earthquakes withM _s 7.0. The source regions of the 1974 doublet events, which we infer to be mechanically weak, contain many smaller magnitude events but have not generated any otherM _s 7.0 earthquakes in the historic past. The central portion of the northern Solomon Islands Arc between the two largest doublet events in 1971 (studied in detail bySchwartz et al., 1989a) and 1975 contains the greatest number of smaller magnitude underthrusting earthquakes. The location of this small region sandwiched between two strongly coupled portions of the plate interface suggest that it may be the site of the next large northern Solomon Islands earthquake. However, this region has experienced no known earthquakes withM _s 7.0 and may represent a relatively aseismic portion of the subduction zone.     

汤加-克马德克俯冲带现今非均匀应力场特征及其动力学意义

汤加-克马德克俯冲带是太平洋板块向澳大利亚板块俯冲碰撞的动力作用区,是全球俯冲带动力学研究的热点区域.本研究基于EHB地震目录,对汤加-克马德克俯冲带(18.5°S-28.5°S)区域进行平面拟合,得到该范围内俯冲带走向约为196°,倾角约为48°;利用该俯冲带研究区域内Global CMT目录,对不同位置、不同深度进行区域应力张量反演,得到汤加-克马德克俯冲带研究区内精细的应力图像.结果显示:(1) 俯冲带浅部(60~300 km)应力结构非均匀特征明显,主应力轴倾伏角变化多样,并且最大主压应力轴方位在24°S左右发生明显偏转,我们推测这可能与洋底构造路易斯维尔海链俯冲有关;(2)中部(300~500 km)最大主压、主张应力轴由北向南逐渐发生偏转,这可能与由北向南流动的地幔流对俯冲板片产生推挤作用有关,并且这种推挤作用向南逐渐减弱;(3)深部(500~700 km)最大主压应力轴沿俯冲方向分布;(4)本文的结果还发现了主俯冲带深部西侧"偏移"板片与主俯冲带应力结构不同,表明"偏移"板片与主俯冲带是分离的.     

A long-term rock uplift rate for eastern Crete and geodynamic implications for the Hellenic subduction zone

The island of Crete in the forearc of the Hellenic subduction zone has a rugged topography with local relief exceeding 2 km. Based on the elevation of marine shorelines, rates of rock uplift during the Late Holocene were previously estimated to range between 1 and 4 mm/a in different parts of the island. These rates may, however, not be representative for longer timescales, because subduction earthquakes with up to 9 m of vertical coseismic displacement have affected Crete in the Late Holocene. Here we use a well preserved sequence of marine terraces near Kato Zakros in eastern Crete to determine the rate of rock uplift over the last ∼600 ka. Field investigations and topographic profiles document a flight of more than 13 marine bedrock terraces that were carved into limestones of the Tripolitza unit. Preliminary age constraints for the terraces were obtained by ¹⁰Be exposure dating of rare quartz-bearing sandstone clasts, which are present on some terraces. The ¹⁰Be ages of these samples, which have been corrected for an inherited nuclide component, yielded exposure ages between ∼100 ka and zero. Combined with geomorphologic evidence the two oldest ¹⁰Be ages suggest that the terraces T₄ and T₅, with shoreline angles at an elevation of ∼68 and ∼76 m above sea level, respectively, formed during the marine isotope stage 5e about 120 ka ago. The correlation of the higher terraces (T₆ to T₁₃) with regional sea-level highstands indicates sustained rock uplift at a rate of ∼0.5 m/ka since at least ∼600 ka. As normal faulting has dominated the tectonics of Crete during the last several million years, upper crustal shortening can be ruled out as a cause for rock uplift. We argue that the sustained uplift of the island results from the continuous underplating of sediments, which are transferred from the subducting African plate to the base of the crust beneath Crete.     

西北太平洋俯冲带日本本州至中国东北段应力场反演

本研究基于Global CMT提供的1196个1976年11月-2017年1月M_W>4.6地震矩心矩张量解,对西北太平洋俯冲带日本本州至中国东北段的应力场进行反演计算,得到了从浅表到深部俯冲带应力状态的完整分布.结果显示：俯冲带浅表陆壳一侧应力场呈现水平挤压、垂向拉伸状态,洋壳一侧的应力状态则相反,即近水平拉张、近垂向压缩.沿着俯冲板片向下,应力主轴逐渐向俯冲板片轮廓靠拢,其中位于双地震层（120 km深度附近）之上的部分,主张应力轴沿俯冲板片轮廓展布而又比其更为陡倾;双地震层内的应力模式同典型Ⅰ型双层地震带内的应力模式一致,即上层沿俯冲板片轮廓压缩、下层沿俯冲板片轮廓拉伸;双地震层之下,应力模式逐步转变为主压应力轴平行于俯冲板片轮廓.通观所研究的整个俯冲系统,水平面内主压和主张应力轴基本保持了与西北太平洋板片俯冲方向上的一致性,同经典俯冲板片的应力导管模型所预言的俯冲带应力模式相符;而主张应力轴在俯冲板片表面之下的中源地震深度范围内转向海沟走向,或许同研究区域横跨日本海沟与千岛海沟结合带,改变的浅部海沟形态致使完整俯冲板片下部产生横向变形有关.

     

Segmentation of the Nazca and South American plates along the Ecuador subduction zone from wide angle seismic profiles

We describe the deep structure of the south Colombian–northern Ecuador convergent margin using travel time inversion of wide-angle seismic data recently collected offshore. The margin appears segmented into three contrasting zones. In the North Zone, affected by four great subduction earthquakes during the 20th century, normal oceanic crust subducts beneath the oceanic Cretaceous substratum of the margin underlined by seismic velocities as high as 6.0–6.5 km/s. In the Central Zone the subducting oceanic crust is over-thickened beneath the Carnegie Ridge. A steeper slope and a well-developed, high velocity, Cretaceous oceanic basement characterizes the margin wedge. This area coincides with a gap in significant subduction earthquake activity. In the South Zone, the subducting oceanic crust is normal. The fore-arc is characterized by large sedimentary basins suggesting significant subsidence. Velocities in the margin wedge are significantly lower and denote a different nature or a higher degree of fracturing.

Even if the distance between the three profiles exceeds 150 km, the structural segmentation obtained along the Ecuadorian margin correlates well with the distribution of seismic activity and the neotectonic zonation.