Petrology of the mafic rocks of the Xigaze ophiolite,Tibet

The Xigaze ophiolite (Yarlung-Zangbo suture zone, Southern Tibet, China) shows an unusual crustal sequence characterized by a lack of large masses of cumulate gabbros, by dolerites intrusive throughout the whole ophiolite sequence, and by the injection of dolerites in already serpentinized peridotites. The abyssal tholeiitic nature of all the mafic rocks indicates that they have been generated at an oceanic ridge. All the geological arguments and petrological and textural data on the mafic rocks point to very low heat production and large heat losses through widespread intensive sea-water circulation, for the spreading centre in which they have been formed, in good agreement with a slow-spreading ridge origin.     

Geological setting of hydrothermal activity at 12°50′N on the East Pacific Rise: A submersible study

A detailed submersible investigation of a 20-km segment of the East Pacific Rise near 12°50′N between the Orozco and Clipperton fracture zones has resulted in the localization of 24 active hydrothermal vent fields and over 80 sites of sulfide accumulations. The active vents range from low-temperature vents characterized by exotic benthic communities to high-temperature “black smokers” and the deposition of polymetallic sulfides. The study is based upon a combination of fine scale topography obtained using the SEABEAM sonar system on N/O “Jean Charcot”, camera lowerings along the axis using the RAIE vehicle, and 32 dives by the submersible “Cyana” operating from N/O “Le Suroit”. The observations made between the Orozco and Clipperton fracture zones show topographic highs situated along the strike of the accreting plate segment separated by a small ridge offset at 11°49′N. This offset divides this portion of the ridge into two separate spreading segments each of which has a primary topographic high along strike. Secondary highs are associated with each segment of the ridge separated by either small offsets (or relay zones) or in some cases, zones where spreading centers overlap. Dives made on the tops of both primary highs (12°50′N and 11°30′N) confirm the presence inferred from previous surface work of high-temperature vent fields while one reconnaissance dive (14°20′N) near the Orozco fracture zone/ridge axis intersection reveals the absence of any hydrothermal activity in the present or recent past. The vast majority of vent fields investigated were found at the topographic high near 12°50′N, are associated with the most recent period of volcanism, and are confined to lava ponds situated within the axial graben.     

A new type of active margin: the convergent-extensional margin,as exemplified by the Middle America Trench off Guatemala

The results of DSDP Legs 67 and 84, during which a transect of holes was drilled across the Middle America Trench off Guatemala, show no accretion at the front of that subduction zone since early Eocene time. The tectonic evolution of the trench includes extensional structure on the landward as well as the seaward trench slopes. The Guatemalan margin is proposed as the model of a new type of active margin, the convergent-extensional active margin (CE margin).     

Aspects of the cycle of inorganic nitrogen compounds in the tropical rain forest of the Ivory Coast

A partial balance of mineral N is given for the basins of two coastal rivers in a forest zone in the Ivory Coast. The dry and wet depositions on the basin surfaces is given for particulate matter (NO₃ ^–, NH₄ ⁺). The quantity of mineral N washed away in the rivers is evaluated. The losses from leaching of the soils by rainwater are about 0.33 to 1.0% of the atmospheric depositions for NH₄ ⁺–N and 2.2 to 5.8% for NO₃ ^––N. The yearly atmospheric input of N compounds to the ecosystem, about 1.4 g N m^–2 y^–1, is at least 14% of mineral N formed in the soils and is therefore quite significant.     

Episyénitisation dans le Gisement d'Uranium du Bernardan (Marche): Comparaison avec des Gisements Similaires du Nord-Ouest du Massif Central Français

Résumé Le gisement d'uranium du Bernardan exploité dans le granite à deux micas de la Marche Occidentale appartient au groupe des gisements «d'imprégnation». La minéralisation uranifère (pechblende, coffinite, «produits noirs», autunite, ...) est disseminée dans une roche vacuolaire appelée «épisyénite». Cette dernière résulte d'une altération hydrothermale du granite par des solutions chaudes (370–260°C; 2–5,7% poids équiv. NaCl). Le quartz est dissout; les feldspaths (principalement les plagioclases) et les biotites sont partiellement transformés en phengites. Les muscovites et orthoses granitiques se réequilibrent avec perte de sodium. Cette altération est guidée par un réseau de fractures à différentes échelles. Une altération comparable a été observée dans d'autres gisements du Nord Ouest du Massif Central français, comme Margnac et Fanay dans le massif de St Sylvestre et Hyverneresse dans celui du Millevaches. Les transformations minéralogiques, à l'exception de la quantité de phengites secondaires, les changements chimiques (lessivage de silice et métasomatisme potassique), les conditions P-T et le contrôle tectonique sont les mêmes dans tous ces gisements.

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The Bernardan uranium deposit, mined in the Marche Occidentale two-mica granite, is a disseminated type deposit. Similar deposits are known in hercynian belt. Uraniferous mineralizations (pitchblende, coffinite, black minerals, autunite, ...) are disseminated in a vuggy rock called episyenite. It results from an hydrothermal alteration of the granite by hot aqueous solutions (370 to 260°C, 2–5.7 wt% equiv. NaCl). Quartz is dissolved; feldspars (mainly plagioclases) and biotites are partially transformed into phengites. Granitic muscovites and orthoclases are reequilibrated with loss of sodium. This alteration is controlled by fractures at several scales. Such an alteration can be observed in other deposits of the North West part of the French Massif Central, as Margnac and Fanay in the St Sylvestre massif and Hyverneresse in the Millevaches massif. Mineralogical transformations except the content in secondary phengites, chemical changes (SiO₂ decrease and potassic metasomatism), P-T conditions and tectonic control are the same in all these deposits.

     

Equilibrium state of diopside-bearing harzburgites from ophiolites: Geobarometric and geodynamic implications

The bulk compositions of coexisting enstatite and diopside in basal lherzolites and clinopyroxene-bearing harzburgites from ophiolitic complexes are typical of solidus/subsolidus equilibria, but for a few texturally distinct magmatic diopsides. They would presumably reflect the state of equilibrium at the time they last coexisted with liquid as the rocks reentered subsolidus conditions. The total lack of correlation between Al and Ca concentrations shows that the compositional scatter observed for any given massif, results from analytical errors related to extensive exsolution and serpentinization, rather than from differences in equilibrium conditions. However, significant differences are found between the residual ophiolitic lherzolites from Hare Bay, Newfoundland, and from Xigaze, Tibet, two massifs selected for their distinct structural and textural features. As for thermobarometry techniques relevant to these rocks, the best barometer found is an empirical relation for the expression of pressure as a virtually temperature-independent function of the ratioK _f=(X _Di ^opx )/(1 –X _Di ^cpx ), in agreement with semi-quantitative models based on natural solid solutions. Temperatures are then simply derived from a surface-fitting expression relating pressure, temperature and diopside-solvus compositions, according to a regularX _En ^cpx solution model (CMS) corrected for the effect of Al in the spinel facies. Application of these techniques yield pressures of 0.4 and 1.4 GPa, i.e. depths from sea-bottom of about 13 and 43 km, for temperatures of 1,170 and 1,300° C for the ophiolitic lherzolites of Tibet and New-foundland, respectively, in good agreement with dry-solidus data by radioactive tracing and with geothermal-model estimates for ridges.     

Photo-interprétation à différentes échelles et relevés de terrain: exemples de corrélations structurales dans le Bassin Méditerranéen et sur le socle Ouest africain

Résumé L'interprétation structurale des linéaments, décelés sur clichés photographiques pris par satellite, est discutée sur les bases suivantes: d'une part en pratiquant au minimum un changement d'échelle (plus grande); d'autre part en utilisant les relevés de terrain. Des exemples pris dans le Bassin Méditerranéen sédimentaire et sur le socle cristallophyllien de l'Afrique de l'Ouest permettent de définir une méthodologie commune. Ainsi en région sédimentaire, partant de prises de vue par exemple au 1/2 500 000, les échelles au 1/15 000 et au 1/50 000 se révèlent être des compléments précieux en photo-interprétation. De la même façon en zone de socle, les échelles au 1/20 000 et au 1/50 000 sont complémentaires du 1/200 000. De plus grâce aux donnés de terrain, il est possible de qualifier l'information photogéologique et d'en exprimer sa nature. Enfin les problèmes de corrélations entre rhegmatisme de socle et fracturation de couverture sont abordés de façon préliminaire: la similitude directionnelle observée devrait orienter les futures recherches en ce domaine.

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The structural interpretation of disclosed lineaments on satellite's pictures ist discused on the following basis: first, with a minimum scale change (making it bigger); on the other hand using field plotting. The examples took from the Mediterranean sedimentary basin and from the western Africa crystalographic shield allow us to define a common methodology. Thus, in sedimentary area, through 1/2 500 000 scale aerial photographys, the 1/15 000 and 1/50 000 scales would be real valuable complements in photo-interpretation. Same way as, in shield zone, the 1/20 000 and 1/50 000 scales would be complements of the 1/200 000 one. More than that, because of field plotting utilisation is possible to quality photogeological information and even to explain its nature. In short correlation problems are exposed in a preliminary approach; the observed directional similitude could orientate the future research.

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Zusammenfassung Die strukturelle Deutung von Lineamenten, die aus Satellitenphotos abzulesen sind, wird nach folgenden Voraussetzungen erörtert: zum einen wird zumindest eine Vergrößerung des Maßstabes vorgenommen, zum anderen werden Geländebefunde herangezogen. An Hand von Beispielen aus dem sedimentären Mittelmeerbecken sowie dem Kristallo-phyllitischen Sockel Westafrikas ist es möglich, eine gemeinsame Methodik zu definieren. So erweisen sich im sedimentären Gebiet die Maßstäbe 115 000 und 150 000 als wertvolle Ergänzungen zur Photointerpretation zum Beispiel einer Aufnahme von 12 500 000. Entsprechend ergänzen im Bereich des Sockels die Maßstäbe 120 000 und 150 000 die Aufnahme von 1200 000. Darüber hinaus ist es mit Hilfe von Geländedaten möglich, die photogeologische Information zu qualifizieren und zu beinhalten. Schließlich werden die Probleme der Korrelation zwischen Bruchbildung im Sockel und Brücken im Deckgebirge angesprochen: Die beobachtete Annäherung in der Ausrichtung soll zukünftige Untersuchungen auf diesem Gebiet orientieren.

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, , : , no- , , — . . , 1: 15.000 1:50.000 12.500.000. 1: 200.000 1: 20.000 1: 50.000. . . .

     

Calculations of activity-composition relations in multi-site solid solutions: the example of AB2O4 spinels

A model to calculate activities in multisite solutions like spinels, from a general expression of the Gibbs free energy is developped. The free energy is written as that of a solution with ideal mixing of cations on each sublattice corrected by any suitable higher order terms. It is shown that activities of i^th end-member can be simply written: $${\text{act (}}i{\text{) = (}}\gamma _i {\text{/}}\gamma _i^{\text{0}} {\text{)}}\mathop \prod \limits_j (N_j /N_j^0 )^{P(j,{\text{ }}i)} .$$ N _j are site occupancy fractions; the γ _i are equal to one for the ideal multisite model and depend only on the higher order corrections to this model; ⁰ indicate values for the i ^th end member. The exponents in the matrix P are integers and constants. The activities cannot be expressed explicitly as function of the macroscopic composition. The site occupancy fractions which minimize the Gibbs free energy must be calculated first solving a set of non linear equations which define the internal equilibrium conditions. The (Fe²⁺, Mg) (Al, Cr, Fe³⁺) spinel are used to illustrate these calculations. For multicomponent AB₂O₄ spinels activity expressions derived for the reference ideal multisite mixing model are: $${\text{act (AB}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{4}} {\text{) = }}\frac{{({\text{A}})[{\text{B}}]^2 }}{{({\text{A}})_0 [{\text{B}}]_0^2 }}$$ (A): fraction of tetrahedral sites occupied by A²⁺; [B]: fraction of octahedral sites occupied by B³⁺. Because the site occupancy fractions at equilibrium are not independent (but related by the internal equilibrium relations) many equivalent expressions of the activities can be obtained. Finally approximations proposed in the literature to obtain simple explicit activity-concentration relationships are discussed.     

Surface sealing as influenced by slope angle and position of simulated stones in the top layer of loose sediments

The influence of five different slope angles and two different positions of simulated stones in the top layer of a sandy and a silty sediment on surface sealing intensity is examined in the laboratory. Sealing intensity is assessed by studying changes of percolation rate through a sediment layer with simulated rainfall duration and by measuring cohesion of the 5 mm thick upper sediment layer, a measure of seal strength, by means of a torvane. Slope has a negative influence on sealing intensity. For a constant per cent of simulated stone cover, sealing intensity is lowest in the case of stones placed on the sediment surface compared to the case of stones pushed into the surface layer. Explanations for these findings are given and some implications are further discussed.     

Middle miocene deduction and late miocene beginning of collision registered in the hengchun peninsula: Geodynamic implications for the evolution of Taiwan

Taiwan is located in the axis of the Manila Trench. It results from an oblique collision between the northernmost part of the Luzon arc and the Chinese passive margin. This active collision follows the subduction of the Oligocene-Miocene oceanic crust of the South China Sea along the Manila Trench. The tectonized Chinese margin emerged in the Hengchun peninsula (South Taiwan). Gentle folds which are delineated by the Quaternary reefal limestones demonstrate Recent deformations. These folds deformed a thick detrital sequence of Miocene age (Ssuchung Chi series) which was previously strongly folded and thrust westward (axis NS-N20) upon the Renting mélange of Latest Miocene age. These main deformations, sealed by the Middle Pliocene, are the evidence for the onset of collision in this part of Taiwan at the end of the Miocene. Because of its obliquity, the collision started already in the northern part of Taiwan during the Late Miocene (6-7-8 Ma ?).The Ssuchung Chi series, a sequence of proximal turbidites, has contained, since the Middle Miocene (NN 6~13 Ma), fragments of an Oligocene to Lower Miocene oceanic crust. This ophiolitic material is very similar to the East Taiwan Ophiolite of the Coastal Range. It originated most probably from a slice of South China Sea crust obducted in Middle Miocene times (13–14 Ma) upon the Chinese margin (North of the Hengchun peninsula). This obduction occurred 7 to 8 Ma before the beginning of collision. These results make it possible to propose an evolutionary model for Taiwan from the Oligocene to the Recent, with the different phases of a collision between a volcanic arc and a passive margin.