Fossil fluid reservoir beneath a duplex fault structure within the Central Range of Taiwan: implications for fluid leakage and lubrication during earthquake rupturing process

In order to understand the kinematics which likely facilitated the speedy rupturing process of the 1999 Mw 7.6 Taiwan Chi-Chi earthquake, we examined exposed rocks in the Taiwan Slate belt, where the pressure and temperature conditions most resembled the hypocentre of the Chi-Chi earthquake, i.e. sub-greenschist facies. Field observations and composition analyses of the silicified vein-rich zones beneath the duplex structure suggest that impermeable slate layers may serve as cap rocks for confining deep-seated fluids. These fluids most likely come from the Taiwan metamorphic complex at deeper depths by the dehydration and decarbonation reactions (or partial melting). In addition, the gouge zone of a link fault above the detachment also indicates the presence of overpressured fluids during faulting. It is probable that episodic leakage of the confined fluid reservoirs may provide essential fluids for fault lubrication during earthquake ruptures.     

乌苏XDR数字化雷达识别雹云指标初探

冰雹是兵团农七师和乌苏市主要灾害性天气之一，常给农业生产造成危害。为了提高防雹作业的效果，1998年对乌苏711雷达进行了数字化改造。作者根据1998～2003年6年回波资料的统计分析，总结出适合本地的识别雹云的指标。     

Late Ediacaran crustal thickening in Iran: Geochemical and isotopic constraints from the ~550 Ma Mishu granitoids (northwest Iran)

The aim of this article is to examine the geochemistry and geochronology of the Cadomian Mishu granites from northwest Iran, in order to elucidate petrogenesis and their role in the evolution of the Cadomian crust of Iran. The Mishu granites mainly consist of two-mica granites associated with scarce outcrops of tonalite, amphibole granodiorite, and diorite. Leucogranitic dikes locally crosscut the Mishu granites. Two-mica granites show S-type characteristics whereas amphibole granodiorite, tonalities, and diorites have I-type signatures. The I-type granites show enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements (e.g. Rb, Ba and K) and depletion in high field strength elements (e.g. Nb, Ti and Ta). These characteristics show that these granites have been formed along an ancient, fossilized subduction zone. The S-type granites have high K, Rb, Cs (and other large ion lithophile elements) contents, resembling collision-related granites. U–Pb zircon dating of the Mishu rocks yielded ²³⁸U/²⁰⁶Pb crystallization ages of ca. 550 Ma. Moreover, Rb–Sr errorchron shows an early Ediacaran age (547 ± 84 Ma) for the Mishu igneous rocks. The two-mica granites (S-type granites) show high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_(i) ratios, ranging from 0.7068 to 0.7095. Their ?Nd values change between ?4.2 and ?4.6. Amphibole granitoids and diorites (I-type granites) are characterized by relatively low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_(i) ratios (0.7048–0.7079) and higher values of ?Nd (?0.8 to ?4.2). Leucogranitic dikes have quite juvenile signature, with ?Nd values ranging from +1.1 to +1.4 and Nd model ages (T_DM) from 1.1 to 1.2 Ga. The isotopic data suggests interaction of juvenile, mantle-derived melts with old continental crust to be the main factor for the generation of the Mishu granites. Interaction with older continental crust is also confirmed by the presence of abundant inherited zircon cores. The liquid-line of descend in the Harker diagrams suggests fractional crystallization was also a predominant mechanism during evolution of the Mishu I-type granites. The zircon U–Pb ages, whole rock trace elements, and Sr–Nd isotope data strongly indicate the similarities between the Mishu Cadomian granites with other late Neoproterozoic–early Cambrian (600–520 Ma) granites across Iran and the surrounding areas such as Turkey and Iberia. The generation of the Mishu I-type granites could be related to the subduction of the Proto-Tethyan Ocean during Cadomian orogeny, through interaction between juvenile melts and old (Mesoproterozoic or Archaean) continental crust. The S-type granites are related to the pooling of the basaltic melts within the middle–upper parts of the thick continental crust and then partial melting of that crust.     

Vanadium-rich ruby and sapphire within Mogok Gemfield,Myanmar: implications for gem color and genesis

Rubies and sapphires are of both scientific and commercial interest. These gemstones are corundum colored by transition elements within the alumina crystal lattice: Cr³⁺ yields red in ruby and Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, and Ti⁴⁺ ionic interactions color sapphires. A minor ion, V³⁺ induces slate to purple colors and color change in some sapphires, but its role in coloring rubies remains enigmatic. Trace element and oxygen isotope composition provide genetic signatures for natural corundum and assist geographic typing. Here, we show that V can dominate chromophore contents in Mogok ruby suites. This raises implications for their color quality, enhancement treatments, geographic origin, exploration and exploitation and their comparison with rubies elsewhere. Precise LA-ICP-MS analysis of ruby and sapphire from Mogok placer and in situ deposits reveal that V can exceed 5,000 ppm, giving V/Cr, V/Fe and V/Ti ratios up to 26, 78, and 97 respectively. Such values significantly exceed those found elsewhere suggesting a localized geological control on V-rich ruby distribution. Our results demonstrate that detailed geochemical studies of ruby suites reveal that V is a potential ruby tracer, encourage comparisons of V/Cr-variation between ruby suites and widen the scope for geographic typing and genesis of ruby. This will allow more precise comparison of Asian and other ruby fields and assist confirmation of Mogok sources for rubies in historical and contemporary gems and jewelry.     

Experimental Study Assessing the Role of Sedimentary Organic Materials to Control the Redox State of Ground Materials to Control the Redox State of Groundwater: Consumption of Dissolved Oxygen by Humic Acid

Abstract: A total of 189 runs were completed to determine the rate of dissolved oxygen consumption in water by the reaction humic acid at 25°, 45°, and 65°C. Glass vial bottles were used as reaction vessels, and humic aicd and pure water of different intitial O₂ concentration was loaded with humic acid/water weight of 0.008 and 0.009. Vials were opened periodically to measure O₂ concentrations. The pH of the solution fluctuated in the early stages of the experiments and gradually decreased to a constant value. Dissolved oxygen concentration decreased, for example, from initial value of 12 mg/l to 9 mg/l at 25°C, to 5 mg/l at 45°C, and to 2 mg/l at 65°C after the reaction of 500 hours. Analyses of rates suggest that the reaction is first order, and rate constants are 8.42 × 10^-9 at 25°C, 2.22 × 10^-8 at 45°C, and 1.28 × 10^-7 moles m^-2 s^-1 at 65°C.