Using Models of the Deep Structure of the Earth’s Crust and Upper Mantle Based on GOCE Gravity Data in Metallogenic Analysis

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - Gravimetric data obtained by the GOCE spacecraft contributes to the development of global models of the deep structure of the Earth’s crust and...     

Geology and tectonics of Neoproterozoic salt diapirs and salt sheets in the eastern Willouran Ranges,South Australia

Allochthonous salt structures and associated primary and secondary minibasins are exposed in Neoproterozoic strata of the eastern Willouran Ranges, South Australia. Detailed geologic mapping using high‐quality airborne hyperspectral remote‐sensing data and satellite imagery, combined with a qualitative structural restoration, are used to elucidate the evolution of this complex, long‐lived (>250 Myr) salt system. Field observations and interpretations at a resolution unobtainable from seismic or well data provide a means to test published models of allochthonous salt emplacement and associated salt‐sediment interaction derived from subsurface data in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Salt diapirs and sheets are represented by megabreccias of nonevaporite lithologies that were originally interbedded with evaporites that have been dissolved and/or altered. Passive diapirism began shortly after deposition of the Callanna Group layered evaporite sequence. A primary basin containing an expulsion‐rollover structure and megaflap is flanked by two vertical diapirs. Salt flowed laterally from the diapirs to form a complex, multi‐level canopy, now partly welded, containing an encapsulated minibasin and capped by suprasalt basins. Salt and minibasin geometries were modified during the Late Cambrian–Ordovician Delamerian Orogeny (ca. 500 Ma). Small‐scale structures such as subsalt shear zones, fractured or mixed ‘rubble zones’ and thrust imbricates are absent beneath allochthonous salt and welds in the eastern Willouran Ranges. Instead, either undeformed strata or halokinetic drape folds that include preserved diapir roof strata are found directly below the transition from steep diapirs to salt sheets. Allochthonous salt first broke through the diapir roofs and then flowed laterally, resulting in variable preservation of the subsalt drape folds. Lateral salt emplacement was presumably on roof‐edge thrusts or, because of the shallow depositional environment, via open‐toed advance or extrusive advance, but without associated subsalt deformation.     

矿田构造变形岩相分类与应用效果

矿田相当于Ⅴ级成矿区带的地质找矿勘查对象,需要研究"构造与建造共生"的地质现象,建立相应的概念和野外观测方法,有别于"沉积构造岩相"、"岩浆岩相"、"变质岩相"、"大地构造相"、"构造岩相"、"构造相"等理论观点。在长期矿田构造和深部外围找矿实践基础上,研究提出"构造变形岩相"的地质概念。构造变形岩相被理解为"显示构造变形的那部分岩相",是喻示受构造影响的那部分(沉积、岩浆和变质地质作用的)岩相,是包含构造变形及建造特征的地质实体,或构造建造形迹。构造变形岩相,是岩石形变和相变密切共生的地质体,既能反映成岩地质环境又包含成岩物理化学条件,是一种适用于开展"构造结合建造"观测和分析的构造岩石单元。依据地质作用类型,划分了4种矿田构造变形岩相：沉积构造变形岩相、岩浆构造变形岩相、变质构造变形岩相和复成构造变形岩相。根据地质亚相,划分了矿田尺度的27类构造变形岩相。建立矿田构造变形岩相的观测和分析方法,不仅推动了构造结合建造的地质调查和研究,而且为矿田构造向矿田地质学的发展奠定了基础。构造变形岩相研究,用1：1000~1：50000不同精度,可以调查几十至几百平方千米范围的地质找矿问题,直接服务于已知矿床的深部外围找矿。地表结合中段大比例尺填图,三维刻画矿化岩相带的分布特征,成为圈定靶区的最佳途径。在"就矿找矿"的基础上,探讨了中距离找矿的预测方向——构造变形岩相界面成矿带。     

Evolution of a trench-slope basin within the Cascadia subduction margin: the Neogene Humboldt Basin, California

The Neogene Humboldt (Eel River) Basin is located along the north-eastern margin of the Pacific Ocean within the Cascadia subduction zone. This sedimentary basin originated near the base of the accretionary prism in post-Eocene time. Subduction processes since that time have elevated strata in the south-eastern portion of the basin above sea level. High-resolution chronostratigraphic data from the onshore portion of the Humboldt Basin enable correlation of time-equivalent lithofacies across the palaeomargin, reconstruction of slope-basin evolution, and preliminary delineation of climatic and tectonic influence on lithological variation. Emergent basin fill is divided into five lithofacies which clearly document shoaling of the inner trench slope from deep-water environments in early Miocene time to paralic environments in Pleistocene time. The oldest strata consist of hemipelagic mudstones and minor debris-flow breccias deposited in a deep-water setting during elevated sea level. These strata are overlain by glauconite-rich, fine-grained turbidites which heralded an increasing influx of terrigenous detritus. Water depths shoaled earlier in the eastern basin area as the palaeoshoreline prograded seaward. Turbidite deposition ceased in the eastern basin area at about 2-2 Ma, whereas 22 km to the west, turbidite deposition continued until about 1-8 Ma. Lithofacies at the western study site change abruptly across a middle Pleistocene unconformity from outer shelf to paralic deposits. In the east, a more complete Pleistocene section records transition from outer to inner shelf, beach and fluvial environments. The Humboldt Basin lithofacies sequence is overprinted by eustatic control of sediment source. Comparison of sediment character with palaeoceanographic conditions indicates dominance of hemipelagic facies during periods of elevated sea level in the middle Miocene and early Pliocene when depocentres were isolated from terrigenous sediment. Glauconite-rich facies were mobilized from an upper slope setting following these periods of elevated sea level and redeposited in a deep-marine environment. Pleistocene shoreline lithofacies display glacio-esutatic control of depositional environment by recording several cycles of nearshore to fluvial progressions. General models of accretionary prism behaviour and trench-slope basin evolution are compatible with the overall coarsening-upward lithofacies sequence filling the Humboldt Basin. Early structural barriers precluded deposition of terrigenous material except from locally derived debris flows; subsequent shoaling and burial of deactivated thrust-folds enabled turbidity flows to reach the basin floor. However, late-stage tectonism apparently controlled the onset of coarse-grained deposition in this sequence. Significant sand-rich turbidite deposition began in the middle Pliocene, synchronous with tectonic uplift of the southern basin margin. Conversely, cessation of turbidite deposition in the eastern basin area in latest Pliocene time was synchronous with growth of anticlinal structures which again blocked widespread dispersal of turbidity flows. This middle Pliocene to Holocene period of crustal shortening is synchronous with continued reduction in spreading rate along the southern Juan de Fuca ridge, and probably reflects partial coupling between the subducting lithosphere and the overlying accretionary prism.     

Carbon,oxygen and sulphur isotope variations in concretions from the Upper Lias of N.E. England

Carbon, oxygen and sulphur isotope data for transects across two pyrite-bearmg carbonate concretions, and their host sediments, from the Upper Lias of N.E. England show symmetrical zonation. δ¹³C_PDB values of the calcite cement (?12.9 to ?15.4%.) indicate that most of it originated from organic matter by bacterial reduction of sulphate, augmented with marine and, to a lesser extent, fermentation derived carbonate. Organic carbon (δ¹³C_PDB = ?26.1 to ?37.0%.). reflects the admixture of allochtho-nous terrestrial organic matter with marine material and the selective preservation of isotopically light organic material through microbiological degradation.Two phases of pyrite are present in each concretion. The earlier framboidal pyrite formed throughout the sediment prior to concretionary growth and has δ³⁴S_CD values of ?22 to ?26%. indicating formation by open system sulphate reduction. The later euhedral phase is more abundant and reaches values of ? 2.5 to ? 5.5%. at concretion margins. This phase of sulphate reduction provided the carbonate source for concretionary growth and occurred in a partially closed system. The δ¹³C and δ³⁴S data are consistent with mineralogical and chemical evidence which suggest that both concretions formed close to the sediment surface. The δ₁₈O values of the calcite in one concretion (δ¹⁸O_PDB = 2.3 to ?4.8%.) indicate precipitation in pore waters whose temperature and isotopic composition was close to that of overlying seawater. The other concretion is isotopically much lighter (δ¹⁸O_PDB?8.9 to ?9.9%.) and large δ¹⁸O differences between concretions in closely-spaced horizons imply that local factors control the isotopic composition of pore waters.     

南海北部深水西区中中新世混合沉积模式及控制因素

以新采集的地震资料为基础,对南海北部深水西区的混合沉积作了初步研究。混合沉积在地震剖面上表现为平行—亚平行,振幅强—中,频率中等及连续性中等的反射特征。混合沉积分布在研究区地震资料覆盖范围的西北角,发育规模较大,最大长度达44.7km,最大宽度33.2km,面积1084km2,最大厚度为138m,纵向上分布在中中新统梅山组。综合南海北部构造演化、地震勘探等研究成果,建立了混合沉积模式。该混合沉积分布于半深海沉积区,由其南东东方向的西沙—广乐台地提供碳酸盐岩碎屑(同时也提供部分硅质碎屑),由其西侧的中南半岛提供主要的硅质碎屑。在南海北部深水西区,控制混合沉积分布的主要因素为构造作用(包括海平面变化)、物源供给及水动力条件等三个方面,这三者之间又具有密切的内在联系。     

The first field-based descriptions of pumping-induced saltwater intrusion and upconing

Development of the ideas about the equilibrium between freshwater and saline water has received considerable attention in the literature, but little has been written so far about the earliest scientific works about well salinization. Based on a review of the literature from the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century, this historical note explores how insights into groundwater abstraction and saltwater intrusion developed, and examples of the earliest field studies are provided. Fundamental research was driven by the need for increasing water supply, but the progress of science did not lead to sustainable management practices everywhere. Research outcomes were shared between scientists of different countries, marking the beginning of coastal hydrogeology as a scientific specialization in the first decade of the 20th century.