On Tension Failure of 2-D Rock Specimens and Associated Acoustic Emission

Summary To understand the failure mechanism of quasi-brittle materials like rock under tensile stress, observations on the failure process of granite and marble plate specimens under tension are summarized and presented. Micro- and macro-failure properties of rock plates under uniaxial tension have been characterized by using an acoustic emission technique. Acoustic emission signals associated with micro-fractures are captured to locate the sources. An algorithm based on arrival time difference is developed for this purpose. The results reveal clearly the failure processes of rock which include initiation, nucleation and propagation of micro-fractures when the axial stress is close to the peak strength of rock. It is believed that the difference in heterogeneity between granite and marble specimens leads to different fracture shapes and different behaviors of associated acoustic emissions. Numerical simulation of acoustic emissions for two-dimensional tensile test is also carried out. The simulated characteristics are in good agreement with the experimental results.     

Post-Collisional Transition from Subduction- to Intraplate-type Magmatism in the Westernmost Mediterranean: Evidence for Continental-Edge Delamination of Subcontinental Lithosphere

Post-collisional magmatism in the southern Iberian and northwesternAfrican continental margins contains important clues for theunderstanding of a possible causal connection between movementsin the Earth's upper mantle, the uplift of continental lithosphereand the origin of circum-Mediterranean igneous activity. Systematicgeochemical and geochronological studies (major and trace element,Sr–Nd–Pb-isotope analysis and laser ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar-agedating) on igneous rocks provide constraints for understandingthe post-collisional history of the southern Iberian and northwesternAfrican continental margins. Two groups of magmatic rocks canbe distinguished: (1) an Upper Miocene to Lower Pliocene (8·2–4·8Ma), Si–K-rich group including high-K (calc-alkaline)and shoshonitic series rocks; (2) an Upper Miocene to Pleistocene(6·3–0·65 Ma), Si-poor, Na-rich group includingbasanites and alkali basalts to hawaiites and tephrites. Maficsamples from the Si–K-rich group generally show geochemicalaffinities with volcanic rocks from active subduction zones(e.g. Izu–Bonin and Aeolian island arcs), whereas maficsamples from the Si-poor, Na-rich group are geochemically similarto lavas found in intraplate volcanic settings derived fromsub-lithospheric mantle sources (e.g. Canary Islands). The transitionfrom Si-rich (subduction-related) to Si-poor (intraplate-type)magmatism between 6·3 Ma (first alkali basalt) and 4·8Ma (latest shoshonite) can be observed both on a regional scaleand in individual volcanic systems. Si–K-rich and Si-poorigneous rocks from the continental margins of southern Iberiaand northwestern Africa are, respectively, proposed to havebeen derived from metasomatized subcontinental lithosphere andsub-lithospheric mantle that was contaminated with plume material.A three-dimensional geodynamic model for the westernmost Mediterraneanis presented in which subduction of oceanic lithosphere is inferredto have caused continental-edge delamination of subcontinentallithosphere associated with upwelling of plume-contaminatedsub-lithospheric mantle and lithospheric uplift. This processmay operate worldwide in areas where subduction-related andintraplate-type magmatism are spatially and temporally associated. KEY WORDS: post-collisional magmatism; Mediterranean-style back-arc basins; subduction; delamination; uplift of marine gateways     

Origin of Exceptionally Abundant Phonolites on Ua Pou Island (Marquesas, French Polynesia): Partial Melting of Basanites Followed by Crustal Contamination

On the basis of the first systematic mapping of Ua Pou, longknown for its exceptionally abundant phonolites, we estimatethat these rocks cover 65% of the surface of the island whereasmafic lavas cover 27% and intermediate ones 8%. The silica-undersaturatedsuite was erupted in a restricted time span (2·9–2·35Myr), following the emplacement of tholeiites derived from ayoung HIMU-type source at c. 4 Ma. Primitive basanites, derivedfrom a heterogeneous mantle source with a dominant EM II + HIMUsignature, represent likely parental magmas. The series is characterizedby a Daly gap defined by a lack of phonotephrites. We considerthat the most likely model for the origin of evolved lavas ispartial melting at depth of primitive basanites, leaving anamphibole-rich residuum and producing tephriphonolitic magmas.These tephriphonolitic magmas may have evolved by closed-systemfractional crystallization towards Group A phonolites. Threeother groups of phonolites could have been derived from tephriphonoliticmagmas by open-system fractional crystallization processes,characterized respectively by seawater contamination (GroupB), assimilation of nepheline syenite-type materials (GroupC) and extreme fractionation coupled with assimilation of theunderlying oceanic crust (Group D). The prominence of evolvedlavas is a consequence of their origin from partial meltingof mafic precursors followed by crustal contamination. KEY WORDS: Marquesas; French Polynesia; phonolite; partial melting; contamination     

Epithermal deposits in North Xinjiang, NW China

The North Xinjiang region (NW China) is an important part of the Central Asia Orogenic Belt, situated at the junction of Siberia, Tarim and Kazakhstan plates. It is an area characterized by multiple stages of Phanerozoic continental growth, during which several porphyry and epithermal systems were formed. The relationship of these mineral systems to the geodynamic evolution of the region has not yet been well understood. In this paper, we list the main geological characteristics of 21 significant epithermal precious and base metal deposits in North Xinjiang, and classify them into high-sulfidation and low-sulfidation styles, with the latter being predominant. We have selected seven epithermal deposits representing different styles formed under different tectonic regimes and discuss their geology and geochemistry in some detail. The deposit-scale geology and geochemistry of epithermal systems in North Xinjiang are essentially similar to those in other parts of the world. All epithermal deposits in North Xinjiang are hosted in volcanic rocks with ages ranging from Devonian to Triassic, with the Early Carboniferous volcanic sequences being the most important, followed by the Permian and Triassic. The Devonian–Early Carboniferous host rocks belong to the calc-alkaline series that developed in pre-collisional arc-back-arc basin systems; whereas the Permian–Triassic host volcanic rocks of shoshonite series formed in post-subduction regimes. Available isotopic ages of these epithermal systems cluster in two periods: Early Carboniferous (>320?Ma) and Late Carboniferous–Triassic (320–220?Ma), reflecting two metallogenic episodes that occurred during subduction-related accretion and post-subduction collision regimes, respectively. Accordingly, three groups of epithermal deposits in North Xinjiang can be recognized as (1) pre-collisional deposits without or with negligible collisional-related modification, (2) deposits formed in collision regime and (3) ore systems strongly overprinted by fluid flow in post-subduction collision regime.     

南秦岭横丹浊积岩系——晚古生代发育于扬子板块被动陆缘上的弧前盆地充填物

南秦岭横丹浊积岩系是一套巨厚的浊流沉积,以向南或南东倾的单斜构造产出。由下而上,该沉积层序包括深水盆地、深水浊积扇和斜坡水道3个相序。相应地,沉积物粒度变粗,厚度变大,火山质组分含量增加,凝灰层大量发育,表明横丹浊积岩系为活动型浊积岩;其古水流方向为NNW—NNE向,物源区为南侧的碧口火山岩系。另外,横丹浊积岩系内还见石英岩、重结晶大理岩成分的砾石,说明其物源还包括被动陆缘环境的沉积物。相序、组构、沉积特征和物源区综合分析表明,横丹浊积岩系为弧前盆地充填物。构筑这一弧前盆地的动力学机制是洋壳板块向南俯冲于扬子板块被动陆缘之下,时代可能晚于中晚泥盆世。     

Rare-earth abundances in kimberlites from Greenland and Zambia

Ten rare-earth elements (La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Tm, Yb and Lu) and Ta, Th and Hf contents in eight kimberlites and inclusions from Greenland and Zambia have been determined by instrumental neutron activation. All the samples have highly fractionated rare-earth (REE) distribution patterns. La/Yb ratios in the Greenland kimberlites (hypabyssal facies) vary from 111.8 to 188.4, and the total rare-earth contents range from 204.8 to 380.3 ppm. No europium anomaly is present. The Zambian kimberlites (diatreme facies) are altered and carbonated. Rare-earth patterns in these are also light REE-enriched. A significant difference is shown to exist between the diatreme and hypabyssal facies of kimberlites.     

Late-Stage Mafic Injection and Thermal Rejuvenation of the Vinalhaven Granite, Coastal Maine

The Vinalhaven intrusive complex consists mainly of coarse-grainedgranite, inward-dipping gabbro–diorite sheets, and a fine-grainedgranite core. Small bodies of porphyry occur throughout thecoarse-grained granite. The largest porphyry body (roughly 0·5km by 2·5 km) occurs with coeval gabbro, hybrid rocks,and minor fine-grained granite in the Vinal Cove complex, whichformed during the waning stages of solidification of the coarse-grainedVinalhaven granite. Porphyry contacts with surrounding coarse-grainedgranite are irregular and gradational. Compositions of wholerocks and minerals in the porphyry and the coarse-grained graniteare nearly identical. Neighboring phenocrysts in the porphyryvary greatly in degree of corrosion and reaction, indicatingthat the porphyry was well stirred. Thermal rejuvenation ofa silicic crystal mush by a basaltic influx can explain thecomposition and texture of the porphyry. Comparable rejuvenationevents have been recognized in recent studies of erupted rocks.Weakly corroded biotite phenocrysts in the porphyry requirethat hydrous interstitial melt existed in the granite duringremelting. Field relations, along with thermal calculations,suggest that cooling and crystallization of coeval mafic magmacould have generated the porphyry by thermal rejuvenation ofgranite crystal-mush containing about 20% melt. Field relationsalso suggest that some of the porphyry matrix may representnew felsic magma that was emplaced during remelting. KEY WORDS: granite; magma chamber; mafic replenishment; rejuvenation     

The Kovdor apatite-francolite deposit as a prospective source of phosphate ore

The mineral and chemical composition of phosphate ore, its texture and structure, and the distribution of trace elements are considered based on the results of geological exploration of the Kovdor apatitefrancolite deposit carried out in 2010–2012. The compositions of major, minor, and accessory minerals are reported. The ore varieties are typified depending on their composition, quality, texture, structure, and concentrating ability. The apatite-francolite ore occupies a certain position in the lateritic profile of carbonatite weathering and is of residual-infiltration origin as a zone of secondary phosphate enrichment. The outlook of the Kovdor deposit for this type of ore as a whole is considered in the context of phosphorus ore potential enhancement.     

The Timescales of Magma Mixing in the Plumbing System of Bezymianny Volcano (Kamchatka): Insights from Diffusion Chronometry

Intrusion of magma of contrasting composition into a magma chamber often triggers eruptions of arc volcanoes. Application of the diffusion chronometry method allowed us to determine the time when fresh magma was supplied to the shallow chamber of Bezymianny volcano in the case of six eruptions in 2006–2012 and to compare them to the recorded seismic activity of this volcano. Two types of eruptions of Bezymianny volcano were distinguished, with a contrasting orthopyroxene rim being formed in the respective magmas (a) up to 3 years and (b) up to 2 months before the beginning of an eruption. It was shown that these differences are caused by two different paths of magma supply to the shallow chamber of Bezymianny volcano.