Detailed mineralogical-geochemical study of a large spinel Lherzolite xenolith in alkali basalt of Shavaryn Tsaram paleovolcano,Mongolia

Mineralogical-geochemical data obtained on a large xenolith of spinel lherzolite from basanites of Shavaryn Tsaram volcano (Middle Pleistocene) provide evidence that the xenolith was affected by heat and fluid that came from the basalt melt and induced geochemical heterogeneity of the xenolith. Olivine crystals from the central portion of the xenolith contain much more CaO than this mineral from the peripheral zones of the xenolith as well as in xenocrystals of the host basalts. The large xenolith was unevenly annealed by the host basalt melt, and this predetermined the heterogeneous diffusion-controlled “purification” of olivine crystals from their CaO admixture. The xenolith is heterogeneously enriched in LREE and some trace elements (Zr, Hf, Nb, Th, and U), and their distribution demonstrates unclearly pronounced concentric zoning: these elements enriched the outer portions of the xenolith. The enrichment of the xenolith in LREE and other mobile trace elements is explained by their occurrence not only as structurally bound (isomorphic) components in minerals but also in the form of nonstructural admixtures (contaminant), as minute grains of compounds hosted in the interstitial space and tiny cracks cutting mineral grains. The enrichment of the xenolith in these admixtures proceeded via their infiltration-controlled introduction with fluid from the basalt along minute cracks.     

Geodynamic evolution of crust accretion at the axis of the Reykjanes Ridge,Atlantic Ocean

The results of analysis of the anomalous magnetic field of the Reykjanes Ridge and the adjacent basins are presented, including a new series of detailed reconstructions for magnetic anomalies 1–6 in combination with a summary of the previous geological and geophysical investigations. We furnish evidence for three stages of evolution of the Reykjanes Ridge, each characterized by a special regime of crustal accretion related to the effect of the Iceland hotspot. The time interval of each stage and the causes of the variation in the accretion regime are considered. During the first, Eocene stage (54–40 Ma) and the third, Miocene-Holocene stage (24 Ma-present time at the northern Reykjanes Ridge north of 59° N and 17–11 Ma-present time at the southern Reykjanes Ridge south of 59° N), the spreading axis of the Reykjanes Ridge resembled the present-day configuration, without segmentation, with oblique orientation relative to the direction of ocean floor opening (at the third stage), and directed toward the hotspot. These attributes are consistent with a model that assumes asthenospheric flow from the hotspot toward the ridge axis. Decompression beneath the spreading axis facilitates this flow. Thus, the crustal accretion during the first and the third stages was markedly affected by interaction of the spreading axis with the hotspot. During the second, late Eocene-Oligocene to early Miocene stage (40–24 Ma at the northern Reykjanes Ridge and 40 to 17–11 Ma at the southern Reykjanes Ridge), the ridge axis was broken by numerous transform fracture zones and nontransform offsets into segments 30–80 km long, which were oriented orthogonal to the direction of ocean floor opening, as is typical of many slow-spreading ridges. The plate-tectonic reconstructions of the oceanic floor accommodating magnetic anomalies of the second stage testify to recurrent rearrangements of the ridge axis geometry related to changing kinematics of the adjacent plates. The obvious contrast in the mode of crustal accretion during the second stage in comparison with the first and the third stages is interpreted as evidence for the decreasing effect of the Iceland hotspot on the Reykjanes Ridge, or the complete cessation of this effect. The detailed geochronology of magnetic anomalies 1–6 (from 20 Ma to present) has allowed us to depict with a high accuracy the isochrons of the oceanic bottom spaced at 1 Ma. The variable effect of the hotspot on the accretion of oceanic crust along the axes of the Reykjanes Ridge and the Kolbeinsey and Mid-Atlantic ridges adjoining the former in the north and the south was estimated from the changing obliquity of spreading. The spreading rate tends to increase with reinforcing of the effect of the Iceland hotspot on the Reykjanes Ridge.     

Distribution and significance of novel low molecular weight sterenes in an immature evaporitic sediment from the Jinxian Sag,North China

An unusual series of C₂₂–C₂₇ monounsaturated sterenes and C₂₄–C₃₀ tetracyclic terpanes (17,21-secohopanes) were detected in relatively high concentrations in an immature evaporitic marl sediment of the Jinxian Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, North China. The site of unsaturation in these novel sterenes is assigned tentatively to the D ring on the basis of mass spectral interpretation, which also distinguishes them from reported unsaturated sterenes. Other hydrocarbon biomarker or stable isotope characteristics are indicative of microbial (e.g. methyl hopanes), phytoplankton or higher plant (depleted δ¹³C values of isoprenoids and hopanes) inputs and an anoxic carbonate depositional environment (hexacyclic hopanes; tetracyclic terpanes). The hydrocarbon composition showed no obvious biodegradation and the relatively high concentration of unsaturated terpenoids (e.g. gammacerene) and low values of other established maturity parameters (T_s/T_m = 0.23; R_o = 0.44%; T_max = 417 °C), are consistent with sediments of low maturity. The novel, low molecular weight sterenes and the tetracyclic terpanes may be early diagenetic products of microbial sources in a carbonate environment.     

Thermodynamic regime of Svecofennian (1.9 Ga) metamorphism of the Umba nappe of the Lapland collisional orogen

Thermodynamic regime of culmination phase of high-grade metamorphism of the Umba nappe (Lapland allochthon) was studied, and peak metamorphic monazite was dated. Based on calculation of end member reactions, the metamorphic assemblages of aluminous gneisses from the upper and lower parts of the nappe are close to equilibrium. The metamorphic conditions of the rocks are estimated to be about 800°C and 7 kbar in its upper part and 9 kbar in its lower part. The formation of orthopyroxene-sillimanite aggregates points to increasing pressure and temperature at the prograde stage of PT path, whereas cordierite rims mark the onset of decompression and cooling. The pressure difference of 2–2.5 kbar identified by thermobarometric methods between aluminous gneisses from the upper and lower parts of the Umba nappe corresponds to a depth gradient about 7.5 km, which agrees with approximate thickness of the Umba nappe. The study of the eclogitelike rocks developed after the rocks of the Paleoproterozoic Kolvitsa gabbronorite massif made it possible to trace the P-T evolution of metamorphsim: the temperature peak of granulite stage (11 kbar, 860°C) was followed by pressure increase (up to 14 kbar and more), and then decompressional cooling due to the exhumation of the Por’ya Guba nappe together with the Kolvitsa Massif. The U-Pb monazite age of 1904 ± 3 Ma obtained for aluminous gneisses from the upper part of the Umba nappe corresponds within error to the timing of metamorphic events determined from metamorphic zircon in the anorthosites of the Kolvitsa Massif (1907 ± 2 Ma) and zircon from aluminous gneisses in the melange zone (1906 ± 3 Ma). These isotopic data confirm the conclusion of simultaneous high-pressure granulite metamorphism in the upper and lower portions of the Umba nappe.     

Age, composition, sources, and geodynamic environments of the origin of granitoids in the northern part of the Ozernaya zone, western Mongolia: Growth mechanisms of the Paleozoic continental crust

The paper presents data on the structure, composition, and age of granitoid associations (Tokhtogeshil’skii Complex) composing the Kharanur and Sharatologoi polychronous plutons in the northern part of the Ozernala zone in western Mongolia. The Tokhtogeshil’skii Complex was determined to consist of a number of independent magmatic associations, which were formed at 540–450 Ma, within three age intervals (540–520, 510–485, and 475–450 Ma), have different composition, were derived from different sources, and were emplaced in different geodynamic environments. During the first, island-arc stage (540–520 Ma), high-Al plagiogranites were produced, which belong to tonalite-plagiogranite (531 ± 10 Ma) and diorite (529 ±6 Ma) associations in the Kharanur pluton, low-Al plagiogranites of the tonalite-plagiogranite association (519 ± 8 Ma) in the Sharatologoi pluton, and rocks of the Khirgisnur peridotite-pyroxenite-gabbronorite complex (Kharachulu and Dzabkhan massifs). The rocks of the diorite and plagiogranite associations of the Kharanur pluton have ɛ_Nd(T) from +7.9 to +7.4, T_Nd(DM) = 0.65 Ga, and (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)₀ = 0.7038–0.7039. The plagiogranites of the Sharatologoi pluton (tonalite-plagiogranite association) are characterized by ɛ_Nd(T) from +6.5 to +6.6, T_Nd(DM) = 0.73–0.70 Ga, and (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)₀ = 0.7038–0.7039, which suggest predominantly juvenile subduction sources of the parental melts at a subordinate role of ancient crustal material. During the second, accretionary stage (510–485 Ma), low-Al plagiogranites of the diorite-tonalite-plagiogranite association of the Sharatologoi pluton (494 ± 10 Ma, M type) were formed. The Sr-Nd isotopic characteristics of these rocks ɛ_Nd(T) = +6.6, (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)₀ = 0.7039 are analogous to those of the plagiogranitoids of the early type. This suggests that the melted sources were similar in composition. During the third, postcollisional stage (475–450 Ma), rocks of the diorite-granodiorite-granite association were formed (459 ± 10 Ma, type I) in the Kharanur pluton. These rocks have ɛ_Nd(T) = +5.1, T_Nd(DM) = 0.74 Ga, and (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)₀ = 0.7096. The parental melts were supposedly derived by means of partial melting of “the Caledonian” juvenile crust with the addition of more ancient crustal material.     

2019年四川长宁MS6.0地震前破裂区内视应力和b值的变化

视应力和b值都可以反映地壳应力变化。当应力增加时,视应力会增加,而b值降低。因此,应力变化将导致视应力和b值之间呈负相关关系,即,根据视应力和b值之间的负相关关系可以研究地壳构造应力的变化。本文利用2000年1月—2019年12月长宁M_S6.0地震破裂区内3.0≤M_L≤3.6地震的视应力和2.0≤M_L≤4.3地震目录,研究了视应力和b值随时间的变化,发现:2013年2月—2017年3月间,视应力呈趋势上升变化,历时约4年,在震前两年时间内,视应力仍维持在较高水平。在视应力呈趋势上升变化期间,b值则呈趋势下降变化。当视应力维持在较高水平时,b值则维持在较低水平。即,长宁M_S6.0地震发生前,破裂区内视应力增加,同时b值下降。这表明,2019年长宁M_S6.0地震发生前破裂区内存在明显的构造应力增加过程,对地震孕育过程的认识和地震预测研究都具有启示意义。      

Topology of magnetic field and polarization in accretion discs of AGN

In this paper we demonstrate that the wavelength dependence of polarization degree and position angle allows us to derive the distribution of magnetic field in accretion disc. The polarized radiation arises due to scattering of emission light by electrons in a magnetized optically thick accretion disc. Faraday rotation of polarization plane is taken into consideration. Through wavelength dependence of polarization it is possible to derive the value of the magnetic Prandtl number in the accretion disc plasma. The power law index of the polarization wavelength dependence is related with the radial distribution of magnetic field in an accretion disc. This allows us to test the various models of an accretion disc around the central black hole.