Conditions for veining and origin of mineralizing fluids in the Alpi Apuane (NW Tuscany,Italy): Evidence from structural and geochemical analyses on calcite veins hosted in Carrara marbles

This work deals with structural and geochemical (chemical and isotopic) analyses of calcite veins hosted in Carrara marbles in the Alpi Apuane, NW Tuscany, Italy. Geometric features and spatial distribution of veins provided estimations of stress ratio (Φ = (σ2 − σ3)/(σ1 − σ3)), driving stress ratio (R′ = (Pf − σ3)/(σ1 − σ3)) and fluid overpressure (Δs_i = Pf − σ3) at the time of vein formation. The obtained values of Φ = 32 and R′ = 0.43 reveal that fluid pressure was higher than the intermediate principal stress at the time of veins formation, whereas the estimated Δs_i ranging from 129 to 207 MPa indicates that veins formed under supra-hydrostatic to lithostatic pressure conditions. Carbon (δ¹³C_V-PDB = 1.81–2.10‰ for veins and 1.95–2.51‰ for host marbles), oxygen (δ¹⁸O_V-SMOW = 28.71–29.57‰ for veins and 28.90–29.36‰ for host marbles) and strontium (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.707716–0.707985 for veins and 0.0707708–0.707900 for host marbles) isotope compositions in vein/host marble pairs were internally quite consistent. Combining our structural and geochemical data, a modeling approach was performed to investigate the compositional features and temperatures of calcite depositing fluids. The results of our studies give evidence that (1) pore-fluids in Carrara marble, consisting of metamorphic formation waters, were re-mobilized during veining event and migrated within the veins in closed system conditions, (2) veins formed after ductile folding phases and before high-angle brittle faulting events, at temperature and pressure around 250 °C and 210 MPa, and finally (3) about 12 g H₂O/m³ marble are calculated to have been available as vein parental fluid at the time of vein formation.     

3-D Mohr circle construction using vein orientation data from Gadag (southern India) – Implications to recognize fluid pressure fluctuation

In this paper orientations of quartz veins from the Archaean age lode-gold bearing region of Gadag (southern India) are used to determine the relative stress and fluid pressure (P_f) conditions by constructing 3-D Mohr circle. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) analysis of the host massive metabasalt reveals that the magnetic foliation is NW–SE striking, which is related to early NE–SW compression (D1/D2 deformation) that affected the region. The quartz veins have a wide range of orientations, with NW–SE striking veins (steep northeasterly dips) being the most prominent. Vein emplacement is inferred to have taken place under NW–SE compression that is known to have caused late deformation (D3) in the region. It is argued that the NW–SE fabric defined the pre-existing anisotropy and channelized fluid flow during D3. The permeability was initially low, which resulted in high P_f (>σ₂). 3-D Mohr circle analysis indicates that the driving pressure ratio (R′) was 0.94, a condition that favoured fracturing and reactivation of fabric elements (foliations and fractures) having a wide range of orientations. This led to an increase in permeability and fluid flowed (burped) into the fractures. Resulting vein emplacement and sealing of fractures led to a reduction of P_f (<σ₂). It is argued that at this low P_f, NW–SE oriented structures continued to remain susceptible to reactivation and vein emplacement, while fractures of all other orientations were inactive and remained sealed. As a consequence, the study area has a cluster of NW–SE oriented veins. R′ is calculated to be 0.07 from 3-D Mohr circle analysis at low P_f, when fractures with NW–SE orientation only were susceptible to dilation. However, it is envisaged that any emplacement of veins in these fractures would have sealed them, thus reducing the permeability and initiating the next cycle of rise in P_f (>σ₂). Thus, it is concluded that the quartz veins in the Gadag region are a consequence of an interplay between conditions that fluctuated from P_f > σ₂ to P_f < σ₂.     

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.     

Structural analysis of faults related to a heterogeneous stress history: reconstruction of a dismembered gold deposit,Stawell, western Lachlan Fold Belt,Australia

In the internationally significant Victorian goldfields a complex system of faults dismembers the 5 million ounce Magdala gold deposit. These faults represent a combination of neoformed faults and inherited faults that reflect deformation associated with stress tensors of variable orientation and stress shape ratio (φ). The fault geometry is strongly controlled by the pre-existing rheology. Faults have propagated around the flanks of an antiformal basalt dome, along earlier ductile cleavages and the margins of porphyry dykes. Many of the faults do not have Andersonian geometries and there is no correlation between the orientation of the faults and the palaeostress directions. Much of the faulting is associated with the emplacement of porphyry dykes, additional gold mineralisation related to plutonism and late-stage deformation post-dating the intrusion of the Stawell pluton. Systematic mapping of extension veins associated with faults, striations and conjugate joint sets allowed the construction of a revised and more robust history of brittle deformation. This successfully predicted the offset direction of the currently mined Magdala ore body beneath the studied system of faults. The use of extension veins was a critical aspect of the analysis. If striations on the fault surfaces had solely been used, the offset direction of the new Golden Gift orebody would not have been correctly ascertained. The palaeostress history was delineated via use of compression and tension dihedra, stress inversion of slip data and calculation of theoretical resolved shear stress for faults with orientations similar to those mapped. The calculation of theoretical resolved shear stress directions highlights the importance that the intermediate stress has on the slip direction for faults whose pole does not lie in the plane containing σ₁ and σ₃.     

Fracture evolution and energy mechanism of deep-buried carbonaceous slate

In order to study the influence of confining pressure and water content on the mechanical properties, fracture evolution and energy damage mechanism of deep-buried carbonaceous slate, uniaxial and triaxial compression tests were carried out under natural and saturated states and acoustic emission monitored. The deep-buried carbonaceous slate samples were obtained at a depth of 1020 m from the Lanjiayan tunnel in Sichuan province, China, where the maximum in situ stress has been measured at 44.2 MPa. The results suggest that water has a significant softening effect on the strength and deformation characteristics of carbonaceous slate, but the effect decreases with an increase in the confining pressure. When both the confining pressure and water content are increased, the acoustic emission events and dissipated energy gradually increase at the pre-peak and post-peak stages. Thus, the AE evolution type seen in the natural state under low confining pressure usually presents as a main shock-type event, and it changes to a foreshock–main shock–after shock event when saturated and at high confining pressures. Based on the S-shaped energy evolution law, the damage evolution process of carbonaceous slate was analyzed. The damage stress thresholds σ _ea and σ _eb were obtained, which can be considered as the thresholds of the rock entering the energy-hardening and energy-softening stages. Finally, a new brittleness energy index BDE is proposed to describe the influence of confining pressure and water content on the damage mechanism of deep-buried carbonaceous slate.     

Role of heterogeneities in jointing (fracturing) of geological media: Numerical analysis of fracture mechanisms

Fracture process is investigated using finite-difference simulations with a new constitutive model. It is shown that both geometry and fracture mechanism itself depend on the preexisting heterogeneities that are stress concentrators. In the brittle regime (low pressure, P), Mode-I fractures propagate normal to the least stress σ₃ from the imposed weak zones. At high P, shear deformation bands are formed oblique to σ₃. At intermediate values of P, the fracture process involves both shear banding and tensile cracking and results in the initiation and propagation of pure dilation bands. The propagating band tip undulates, reacting on the failure mechanism changes, but its global orientation is normal to σ₃. The σ₃-normal fractures are joints. There are thus two types of joints resulting from Mode-I cracking and dilation banding, respectively. The obtained numerical results are in good agreement with and explain the results from previous similar experimental study.     

Ductile-to-brittle transition in shear during thrust sheet emplacement,Southern Appalachian thrust belt

Mesoscopic structures in anchimetamorphic (T = 200–300°C) strata of the Pulaski thrust sheet, Southern Appalachian thrust belt, developed in progressive, heterogeneous simple shear near the ductile-to-brittle transition. Shear (γ≤3) was localized in weak, anisotropic pelitic rocks (Rome Formation) along the base of this 5–11 km thick thrust sheet. Folds, which vary from upright and open to isoclinal and NW-facing, developed during ductile shearing and display a correlation between tightness and axial-surface dip. Movement along brecciated thrust zones, which evolved progressively from zones of greatest ductile strain, resulted in low-angle truncation of fold axis trends, coaxial refolding of earlier structures, and imbrication of the thrust sheet.Transient variations in fluid pressure (P_f) controlled the mechanical behavior of the thrust sheet. Systematic veins imply P_f >σ₃ + T (T = tensile strength) during ductile deformation, whereas later non-systematic vein arrays in high strain zones record periods of nearly hydrostatic stress. Elevated P_f, which led to fracturing, dilation, and fault initiation, appears confined to pelitic zones within the Rome Formation. This, coupled with decreasing temperature, resulted in the transition from ductile folding to brittle thrusting. Changing physical conditions probably reflect erosional unroofing during uplift and late Paleozoic thrust sheet emplacement.     

Installation effects of the post-grouted micropile in marine soft clay

The grouted steel pipe micropile is widely used as structural support and in situ improvement in China. This paper presents measurement of the radial soil stress and excess pore water pressure during the construction processes of the grouted steel pipe micropile (with an enlarged driving shoe) embedded in marine soft clay. Comparative analysis was conducted between the predictions by cavity expansion method (CEM) and maximum stress values in situ. The results show that the existence of the enlarged driving shoe has an effect on the stress change in the surrounding soils during penetration. The maximum radial total stress and excess pore water pressure generated during micropile penetration are approximately 4–6σ_v0′ and 1.5–2.5σ_v0′, respectively. The maximum radial total stress and excess pore water pressure, which appeared near the pile wall during the process of post-grouting, are approximately 5–7c_u and 4–6c_u, respectively. The predictions of CEM for pore water pressure during micropile penetration and post-grouting are in reasonable agreement with the field test data.

     

Paleostress reconstructions of Jabal Hafit structures,Southeast of Al Ain City,United Arab Emirates (UAE)

This paper presents the first paleostress results obtained from displacement and fracture systems within the Lower Eocene sediments at Jabal Hafit, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE. Detailed investigation of Paleogene structures at Jabal Hafit reveal the existence of both extensional structures (normal faults) and compressional structures (strike-slip and reverse faults). Structural analysis and paleostress reconstructions show that the Paleogene kinematic history is characterized by the succession of four paleostress stages. Orientation of principal stresses was found from fault-slip data using an improved right-dihedra method, followed by rotational optimisation (TENSOR program).The paleostress results confirm four transtensional tectonic stages (T1–T4) which affected the study area. The first tectonic stage (T1) is characterized by S_Hmax NW–SE σ₂-orientation. This stage produced NW–SE striking joints (tension veins) and E–W to ENE–WSW striking dextral strike-slip faults. The proposed age of this stage is Early Eocene. The second stage (T2) had S_Hmax N–S σ₂-orientation. N–S striking joints and NNE–SSW striking sinistral strike-slip faults, E–W striking reverse faults and N–S striking normal faults were created during this stage. The T2 stage is interpreted to be post-Early Eocene in age. The third stage (T3) is characterized by S_Hmax E–W σ₂-orientation. This stage reactivated the E–W reverse faults as sinistral strike-slip faults and created E–W striking joints and NE–SW reverse faults. The proposed age for T3 is post-Middle Eocene. During the T3 (S_Hmax E–W σ₂-orientation) stage the NNW-plunging Hafit anticline was formed. The last tectonic stage that affected the study area (T4) is characterized by S_Hmax NE–SW σ₂-orientation. During this stage, the ENE–WSW faults were reactivated as sinistral strike-slip and reverse faults. NE–SW oriented joints were also created during the T4 (S_Hmax NE–SW σ₂-orientation) stage. The interpreted age of this stage is post-Middle Miocene time but younger than T3 (S_Hmax E–W σ₂-orientation) stage.     

Is earthquake activity along the French Atlantic margin favoured by local rheological contrasts?

The seismological study of recent seismic crises near Oleron Island confirms the coexistence of an extensional deformation and a transtensive regime in the Atlantic margin of France, which is different from the general western European stress field corresponding to a strike-slip regime. We argue that the switch of the principal stress axes σ₁/σ₂ in a NW–SE vertical plane is linked with the existence of crustal heterogeneities. Events of magnitude larger than 5 sometimes occur along the Atlantic margin of France, such as the 7 September 1972 (M_L = 5.2) earthquake near Oleron island and the 30 September 2002 (M_L = 5.7) Hennebont event in Brittany. To test the mechanism of local strain localization, we model the deformation of the hypocentral area of the Hennebont earthquake using a 3D thermo-mechanical finite element code. We conclude that the occurrence of moderate earthquakes located in limited parts of the Hercynian shear zones (as the often reactivated swarms near Oleron) could be due to local reactivation of pre-existing faults. These sporadic seismic ruptures are favoured by stress concentration due to rheological heterogeneities.     

State of stress in the northern Tabas block, east-central Iran, as inferred from focal mechanisms of the 1978 Tabas earthquake sequence

In this paper, the state of stress in the northern Tabas block in east-central Iran is analyzed based on the systematic inversion of aftershock focal mechanisms from the 1978.09.16 Tabas earthquake, to characterise the stress regime that controls most earthquakes in this area. Here, stress inversions of double-couple focal mechanisms of earthquakes recorded during the 30 days following the main shock have been carried out. The calculated average stress regime indicates dominant major 226° to 237° trending compression for the Tabas region. The dominating regime in east-central Iran is thrusting with a minimum stress axis, σ ₃, close to vertical. The reconstruction of the main seismotectonic stress in east-central Iran with a NE-SW compression is consistent with independent information of the active plate convergence related to Arabia-Eurasia convergence. Most earthquakes in the mentioned area occur near or around concealed Quaternary thrust faults with their activity being controlled by the NE-SW compression. Where ?, the ratio of principal stress differences, is 0.5, a small difference between σ ₂; σ ₃ and σ ₁ and small amounts of deviatoric stress is indicated. Therefore, for small deviatoric horizontal σ ₁ it is not possible to increase and reactivate small sections of basement thrust faults and create secondary basement aftershocks. Reconstructed stress regimes in this study for sedimentary cover (237) and basement (226) of Tabas are similar. Therefore, it seems that the basement and cover were coupled together, possibly along the 2–4 km of upper Precambrian low-grade metamorphic rocks. Then these segments of the fold-and-thrust belt were involved in similar seismic activity under a similar stress regime.     

Shear strengths of sandstone fractures under true triaxial stresses

True triaxial shear tests have been performed to determine the peak shear strengths of tension-induced fractures in three Thai sandstones. A polyaxial load frame is used to apply mutually perpendicular lateral stresses (σ_p and σ_o) to the 76 × 76 × 126 mm rectangular block specimens. The normal to the fracture plane makes an angle of 59.1° with the axial (major principal) stress. Results indicate that the lateral stress that is parallel to the fracture plane (σ_p) can significantly reduce the peak shear strength of the fractures. Under the same normal stress (σ_n) the fractures under high σ_p dilate more than those under low σ_p. According to the Coulomb criterion, the friction angle decreases exponentially with increasing σ_p/σ_o ratio and the cohesion decreases with increasing σ_p. The lateral stress σ_p has insignificant effect on the basic friction angle of the smooth saw-cut surfaces. The fracture shear strengths under σ_p = 0 correlate well with those obtained from the direct shear tests. It is postulated that when the fractures are confined laterally by σ_p, their asperities are strained into the aperture, and are sheared off more easily compared to those under unconfined condition.     

Lode–gold mineralization in the Tanami region, northern Australia

The Tanami region of northern Australia has emerged over the last two decades as the largest gold-producing region in the Northern Territory. Gold is hosted by epigenetic quartz veins in sedimentary and mafic rocks, and by sulfide-rich replacement zones within iron formation. Although limited, geochronological data suggest that most mineralization occurred at about 1,805–1,790 Ma, during a period of extensive granite intrusion, although structural relationships suggest that some deposits predate this period. There are three main goldfields in the Tanami region: the Dead Bullock Soak goldfield, which hosts the world-class Callie deposit; The Granites goldfield; and the Tanami goldfield. In the Dead Bullock Soak goldfield, deposits are hosted by carbonaceous siltstone and iron formation where a late (D₅) structural corridor intersects an early F₁ anticlinorium. In The Granites goldfield, deposits are hosted by highly sheared iron formation and are interpreted to predate D₅. The Tanami goldfield consists of a large number of small, mostly basalt-hosted deposits that probably formed at a high structural level during D₅. The D₅ structures that host most deposits formed in a convergent structural regime with σ ₁ oriented between E–W and ENE–WSW. Structures active during D₅ include NE-trending oblique thrust (dextral) faults and ESE-trending (sinistral) faults that curve into N- to NNW-trending reverse faults localized in supracrustal belts between and around granite complexes. Granite intrusions also locally perturbed the stress field, possibly localizing structures and deposits. Forward modeling and preliminary interpretations of reflection seismic data indicate that all faults extend into the mid-crust. In areas characterized by the N- to NW-trending faults, orebodies also tend to be N- to NW-trending, localized in dilational jogs or in fractured, competent rock units. In areas characterized by ESE-trending faults, the orebodies and veins tend to strike broadly east at an angle consistent with tensional fractures opened during E–W- to ENE–WSW-directed transpression. Many of these deposits are hosted by reactive rock units such as carbonaceous siltstone and iron formation. Ore deposition occurred at depths ranging from 1.5 to 11 km from generally low to moderate salinity carbonic fluids with temperatures from 200 to 430°C, similar to lode–gold fluids elsewhere in the world. These fluids are interpreted as the product of metamorphic dewatering caused by enhanced heat flow, although it is also possible that the fluids were derived from coeval granites. Lead isotope data suggest that lead in the ore fluids had multiple sources. Hydrogen and oxygen isotope data are consistent with both metamorphic and magmatic origins for ore fluids. Gold deposition is interpreted to be caused by fluid unmixing and sulfidation of host rocks. Fluid unmixing is caused by three different processes: (1) CO₂ unmixing caused by interaction of ore fluids with carbonaceous siltstone; (2) depressurization caused by pressure cycling in shear zones; and (3) boiling as ore fluids move to shallow levels. Deposits in the Tanami region may illustrate the continuum model of lode–gold deposition suggested by Groves (Mineralium Deposita 28:366–374, 1993) for Archean districts.     

Permeability of granular soil employing flexible wall permeameter

Understanding the changes in permeability of soil, when soil is subjected to high confining pressure and flow pressure, which may alter the textural and geomechanical characteristics of soil, is of great importance to many geo-engineering activities such as, construction of high-rise buildings near the coast or the water bodies, earthen dams, pavement subgrades, reservoir, and shallow repositories. It is now possible to evaluate the changes in permeability of soil samples under varying conditions of confining pressure and flow pressure using flexible wall permeameter (FWP). In the present study, investigation was carried out on a cylindrical sample of granular soil employing FWP under varied conditions of confining pressure (σ₃)—50–300 kPa, which can simulate the stress conditions equivalent to depth of about 20 m under the earth’s crust, and a flow pressure (f_p)—20–120 kPa, which is mainly present near the small earthen embankment dams, landfill liners, and slurry walls near the soft granular soil with high groundwater table. The obtained results indicate a linear relationship between hydraulic conductivity (k) with effective confining pressure (σ_eff.), k, decreasing linearly with an incremental change in σ_eff.. Further, k increases significantly with an increase in f_p corresponding to each σ_eff., and q increases significantly with increase in the f_p corresponding to each (σ₃). It was also observed that corresponding to the low f_p of 20 kPa, the reduction in k is nonlinear with σ_3. The percentage reduction in k is observed to be 9, 13, and 27% corresponding to σ₃ of 50–100, 100–200, and 200-300 kPa, respectively.     

Influences of loading direction and intermediate principal stress ratio on the initiation of strain localization in cross-anisotropic sand

Since cross-anisotropic sand behaves differently when the loading direction or the stress state changes, the influences of the loading direction and the intermediate principal stress ratio (b = (σ ₂ ? σ ₃)/(σ ₁ ? σ ₃)) on the initiation of strain localization need study. According to the loading angle (angle between the major principal stress direction and the normal of bedding plane), a 3D non-coaxial non-associated elasto-plasticity hardening model was proposed by modifying Lode angle formulation of the Mohr–Coulomb yield function and the stress–dilatancy function. By using bifurcation analysis, the model was used to predict the initiation of strain localization under plane strain and true triaxial conditions. The predictions of the plane strain tests show that the major principal strain at the bifurcation points increases with the loading angle, while the stress ratio decreases with the loading angle. According to the loading angle and the intermediate principal stress ratio, the true triaxial tests were analyzed in three sectors. The stress–strain behavior and the volumetric strain in each sector can be well captured by the proposed model. Strain localization occurs in most b value conditions in all three sectors except for those which are close to triaxial compression condition (b = 0). The difference between the peak shear strength corresponding to the strain localization and the ultimate shear strength corresponding to plastic limit becomes obvious when the b value is near 0.4. The influence of bifurcation on the shear strength becomes weak when the loading direction changes from perpendicular to the bedding plane to parallel. The bifurcation analysis based on the proposed model gives out major principal strain and peak shear strength at the initiation of strain localization; the given results are consistent with experiments.     

Scaling the 3-D Mohr circle and quantification of paleostress during fluid pressure fluctuation – Application to understand gold mineralization in quartz veins of Gadag (southern India)

In this study, orientations of 157 quartz veins occurring in metabasalts of the Gadag region (Dharwar craton, southern India) are used to plot the 3-D Mohr stress circle, which provides information about relative stress/fluid pressure (P_f) conditions, as well as stress state during P_f fluctuation. To scale the 3-D Mohr circle, vein orientation data are integrated with (a) available estimates from fluid inclusions of highest recorded P_f (390 MPa) and lowest recorded P_f (50 MPa) and (b) intrinsic rupture criterion that empirically quantify rock properties. Based on the scaled 3-D Mohr circle, the absolute magnitudes of the three principal stresses are quantified for high and low P_f. Of 157 veins investigated here, 14 veins are identified as having favourable orientation for dilation at high as well as low P_f. These 14 veins have a mean strike of 150°, which is similar to the orientation of the gold-bearing quartz lodes reported in the region. The effective normal stress (σ′_n = σ_n−P_f) prevalent during dilation of fracture/fabric anisotropy with 150° strike is calculated to be −11.5 MPa at high P_f, and −1.0 MPa at low P_f. Thus, it is interpreted that in the Gadag region, a change in σ′_n of 10.5 MPa prevailed during P_f fluctuation and associated separation of gold from the fluid.     

A laboratory study of anisotropic geomaterials incorporating recent micromechanical understanding

This paper presents an experimental investigation revisiting the anisotropic stress–strain–strength behaviour of geomaterials in drained monotonic shear using hollow cylinder apparatus. The test programme has been designed to cover the effect of material anisotropy, preshearing, material density and intermediate principal stress on the behaviour of Leighton Buzzard sand. Experiments have also been performed on glass beads to understand the effect of particle shape. This paper explains phenomenological observations based on recently acquired understanding in micromechanics, with attention focused on strength anisotropy and deformation non-coaxiality, i.e. non-coincidence between the principal stress direction and the principal strain rate direction. The test results demonstrate that the effects of initial anisotropy produced during sample preparation are significant. The stress–strain–strength behaviour of the specimen shows strong dependence on the principal stress direction. Preloading history, material density and particle shape are also found to be influential. In particular, it was found that non-coaxiality is more significant in presheared specimens. The observations on the strength anisotropy and deformation non-coaxiality were explained based on the stress–force–fabric relationship. It was observed that intermediate principal stress parameter b(b = (σ ₂ ? σ ₃)/(σ ₁ ? σ ₃)) has a significant effect on the non-coaxiality of sand. The lower the b-value, the higher the degree of non-coaxiality is induced. Visual inspection of shear band formed at the end of HCA testing has also been presented. The inclinations of the shear bands at different loading directions can be predicted well by taking account of the relative direction of the mobilized planes to the bedding plane.     

Role of fluid mixing and wallrock sulfidation in gold mineralization at the Semna mine area,central Eastern Desert of Egypt: Evidence from hydrothermal alteration,fluid inclusions and stable isotope data

The Semna gold deposit is one of several vein-type gold occurrences in the central Eastern Desert of Egypt, where gold-bearing quartz veins are confined to shear zones close to the boundaries of small granitoid stocks. The Semna gold deposit is related to a series of sub-parallel quartz veins along steeply dipping WNW-trending shear zones, which cut through tectonized metagabbro and granodiorite rocks. The orebodies exhibit a complex structure of massive and brecciated quartz consistent with a change of the paleostress field from tensional to simple shear regimes along the pre-existing fault segments. Textural, structural and mineralogical evidence, including open space structures, quartz stockwork and alteration assemblages, constrain on vein development during an active fault system. The ore mineral assemblage includes pyrite, chalcopyrite, subordinate arsenopyrite, galena, sphalerite and gold. Hydrothermal chlorite, carbonate, pyrite, chalcopyrite and kaolinite are dominant in the altered metaggabro; whereas, quartz, sericite, pyrite, kaolinite and alunite characterize the granodiorite rocks in the alteration zones. Mixtures of alunite, vuggy silica and disseminated sulfides occupy the interstitial open spaces, common at fracture intersections. Partial recrystallization has rendered the brecciation and open space textures suggesting that the auriferous quartz veins were formed at moderately shallow depths in the transition zone between mesothermal and epithermal veins.Petrographic and microthermometric studies aided recognition of CO₂-rich, H₂O-rich and mixed H₂O–CO₂ fluid inclusions in the gold-bearing quartz veins. The H₂O–CO₂ inclusions are dominant over the other two types and are characterized by variable vapor: liquid ratios. These inclusions are interpreted as products of partial mixing of two immiscible carbonic and aqueous fluids. The generally light δ³⁴S of pyrite and chalcopyrite may suggest a magmatic source of sulfur. Spread in the final homogenization temperatures and bulk inclusion densities are likely due to trapping under pressure fluctuation through repeated fracture opening and sealing. Conditions of gold deposition are estimated on basis of the fluid inclusions and sulfur isotope data as 226–267 °C and 350–1100 bar, under conditions transitional between mesothermal and epithermal systems.The Semna gold deposit can be attributed to interplay of protracted volcanic activity (Dokhan Volcanics?), fluid mixing, wallrock sulfidation and a structural setting favoring gold deposition. Gold was transported as Au-bisulfide complexes under weak acid conditions concomitant with quartz–sericite–pyrite alteration, and precipitated through a decrease in gold solubility due to fluid cooling, mixing with meteoric waters and variations in pH and fO₂.     

Metamorphic and structural evolution of the Early Proterozoic Puolankajärvi Formation, Finland – I. Structural and textural relations

The amphibolite facies Puolankajärvi Formation (PjF) occupies the western margin of the Early Proterozoic Kainuu Schist Belt (KSB) of northern Finland. The lower and middle parts of the PjF consist of turbiditic psammites and pelites and tempestitic semipelites. This report concentrates on the pelitic lithologies which include quartz–two-mica–plagioclase schists with variable amounts of garnet, staurolite, andalusite and biotite porphyroblasts as well as sillimanite and cordierite segregations. The KSB forms a major north–south-trending synclinorium between two Archaean blocks. It contains both autochthonous and allochthonous units and is cut by faults and shear zones. The PjF lies on the western side of the KSB and is probably allochthonous. The formation has undergone six major deformation phases (D₁, D₂, D_3a, D_3b, D₄ and D₅). During D_3a-D₅ the maximum principal stress (σ₁) changed in a clockwise direction from south-west to north-east. Between D₂ and D₃ the intermediate principal stress (σ₂) changed from horizontal to vertical and the interval between D₂ and D₃ marks a transition from thrust to strike-slip tectonics. Relict structures in the porphyroblasts indicate the following mineral growth–deformation evolution in the PjF. (1) Throughout the PjF there was a successive crystallization of garnet (syn-D₁), poryphyroblastic biotite (inter-D_3/4) and staurolite (inter-D_3/4) during the pre-D₄ stage. (2) A syn-D₄-inter-D_4/5 crystallization of kyanite, sillimanite (fibrolite), porphyroblastic tourmaline, magnetite, rutile, cordierite and muscovite–biotite–plagioclase pseudomorphs after staurolite was most localized at and near D₄ shear zones. (3) A syn- to post-D₅ generation of andalusite, ilmenohematite and sheet silicates after staurolite and after cordierite occurred near D₅ faults. The evolution outlined here permits the relative dating of the PjF parageneses, which is used in the second part of the study (Tuisku & Laajoki, 1990), and, together with the knowledge of the pressure–temperature conditions during various growth events, makes it possible to compile pressure–temperature–deformation paths for the PjF.     

Static stress drop inferred from near-fault parameters for the 1999 Chi–Chi earthquake in Taiwan

In 2001, a special issue of the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America (BSSA) featured seismological research for the 1999 Chi–Chi Taiwan earthquake. This study uses source parameters suggested by the first author in this special issue to estimate static stress drop associated with the Chi–Chi earthquake. The waveform simulation method was used to carefully examine these source parameters. The simulation results indicate that source parameters, inferred from near-fault observations, are well determined. According to the rupture area and slip, the static stress drops (Δσ_s) obtained were distributed between a small value of 47 bars near the epicentral region and a much larger value (>200 bars) to the north. Similar trends in dynamic stress drop (Δσ_d) were also recognized by the first author in his paper published in 2001 BSSA special issue. Comparing the Δσ_s with Δσ_d, satisfies the relation Δσ_s/Δσ_d ≈ 1. This relation suggests that fault motion is mostly spent releasing seismic wave energy during the rupture process of the Chi–Chi earthquake. The consistency between static and dynamic stress drops thus provides a measure of energy-moment (E_s/M₀) ratios, which range from 9.0 × 10⁻⁵ to 6.5 × 10⁻⁴. The average E_s/M₀ ratio estimated for the northern portions of the fault is 3.4 × 10⁻⁴, which is about 3 times that of the south. Such a high E_s/M₀ ratio can be interpreted as having low strength in the rupture for the northern portions of the fault, where the fault would release less energy per unit rupture surface to create the new rupture.