Assimilation of continental crust by komatiites in the Precambrian basement of the Carswell structure (Saskatchewan,Canada)

The isotope geochemistry (Sm-Nd, Pb-Pb and Rb-Sr) of mafic gneisses from the basement of the Carswell structure (Saskatchewan, Canada), rich both in Mg and incompatible elements (K, Rb, REE) has been investigated. A good Sm-Nd alignment gives a slope corresponding to an age of 3.7 Ga. However, comparison with major elements data strongly suggests that this alignment is a mixing line between Mg-rich, high CaO/Al₂O₃ magmas and the local felsic crust older than 2.9 Ga. The mafic magmas were probably of komatiitic affinity (MgO > 20 percent) but, nevertheless, were extracted from a source with nearly chondritic to slightly enriched light REE distribution. The age of the komatiite emplacement (1.9–2.9 Ga) is only loosely constrained by the oldest crustal residence age in the series and the subsequent metamorphic events. The granulite facies climax is dated at ca. 1.9 Ga by concordant whole rock Pb-Pb and Sm-Nd garnet-whole rock isochrons. The Rb-Sr systematics have been disturbed by later event(s) younger than 1.5–1.7 Ga, but do not permit a more precise assessment of the perturbation age.     

Sea-level estimates during the last deglaciation based on δO and accelerator mass spectrometry C ages measured in Globigerina bulloides

Coupled measurements of δ¹⁸O and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) ¹⁴C in a particular species of planktonic foraminifera may be used to calculate sea-level estimates for the last deglaciation. Of critical importance for this type of study is a knowledge of the seasonality of foraminiferal growth, which can be provided by δ¹⁸O measurements of modern shells (core tops, plankton tows). Isotopic (δ¹⁸O, AMS-¹⁴C dating) and faunal records (transfer function sea surface temperature) were obtained from two cores in the North Atlantic at about 37°N. The locations were chosen to obtain high sedimentation rate records removed from the major ice-melt discharge areas of the last deglaciation. Based upon Globigerina bulloides data, four δ¹⁸O-based sea-level estimates were calculated: −67 ± 7 m at 12,200 yr B.P. and −24 ± 8 m at about 8200 yr B.P. for core SU 81-18; −83 ± 10 m at 12,200 yr B.P. and −13 ± 11 m at about 8500 yr B.P. for core SU 81-14. Using a second working hypothesis concerning the seasonability of G. bulloides growth, it is suggested that the sea-level rose by about 40 m during the millennium which followed 14,500 yr B.P.     

Effects of rock anisotropy and heterogeneity on stress distributions at selected sites in North America

Provinces of regionally consistent horizontal stress orientations persist throughout the upper crust, and these may contain local areas where horizontal stress (σ_H) orientations seem to rotate relative to the regional stress orientations in a consistent manner. We suggest that the concept of aninclusion with anisotropy and heterogeneity of mechanical properties may be useful to explain some cases of σ_H rotations. σ_H rotations up to 50° and magnitude changes of 40% could reasonably be expected, based on simulations. Patterns correlate well with crustal observations; rotation of σ_H orientation reaches 25° to 58° in the different cases studied. We also model a strike-slip fault zone as a soft inclusion, showing reorientations of σ_Hmax which agree with observed rotations near the Murre Fault in the Jeanne d'Arc Basin, Canada. Results imply that understanding the behaviour of soft and stiff inclusions, or expanding and contracting thermal inclusions for that matter, can help explain a number of geophysical and geological phenomena related to stress patterns.     

Off-shore seismological experiments south of Provence in relation to “Glomar Challenger” deep sea drillings (JOIDES-DSDP,Leg 13)

The evaporitic layer located at 35 km south of Toulon, according to compressional-wave velocity measured in samples from JOIDES-DSDP Leg 13 drillings in the Mediterranean Sea, could be constituted by gypsum or anhydrite, halite having been deposited in the most central parts of the basin. These deductions are in favour of the supposed “bull's eye” structure for evaporitic layers in the Mediterranean Sea.     

Composition, age, and origin of the ~620?Ma Humr Akarim and Humrat Mukbid A-type granites: no evidence for pre-Neoproterozoic basement in the Eastern Desert, Egypt

The Humr Akarim and Humrat Mukbid plutons, in the central Eastern Desert of Egypt, are late Neoproterozoic post-collisional alkaline A-type granites. Humr Akarim and Humrat Mukbid plutonic rocks consist of subsolvus alkali granites and a subordinate roof facies of albite granite, which hosts greisen and Sn–Mo-mineralized quartz veins; textural and field evidence strongly suggest the presence of late magmatic F-rich fluids. The granites are Si-alkali rich, Mg–Ca–Ti poor with high Rb/Sr (20–123), and low K/Rb (27–65). They are enriched in high field strength elements (e.g., Nb, Ta, Zr, Y, U, Th) and heavy rare earth elements (La _n /Yb _n ?=?0.27–0.95) and exhibit significant tetrad effects in REE patterns. These geochemical attributes indicate that granite trace element distribution was controlled by crystal fractionation as well as interaction with fluorine-rich magmatic fluids. U–Pb SHRIMP zircon dating indicates an age of ~630–620?Ma but with abundant evidence that zircons were affected by late corrosive fluids (e.g., discordance, high common Pb). εNd at 620?Ma ranges from +3.4 to +6.8 (mean?=?+5.0) for Humr Akarim granitic rocks and from +4.8 to +7.5 (mean?=?+5.8) for Humrat Mukbid granitic rocks. Some slightly older zircons (~740?Ma, 703?Ma) may have been inherited from older granites in the region. Our U–Pb zircon data and Nd isotope results indicate a juvenile magma source of Neoproterozoic age like that responsible for forming most other ANS crust and refute previous conclusions that pre-Neoproterozoic continental crust was involved in the generation of the studied granites.     

Rare earth element geochemistry of Thetford Mines ophiolite complex,Northern Appalachians,Canada

The Thetford Mines complex is a complete ophiolite which is part of an ultramafic-mafic belt within Québec Appalachians. These allochtonous bodies were emplaced during the Early Ordovician. The Thetford Mines complex comprises a lower unit of metamorphic harzburgite (in which tabular, dyke-like, dunitic bodies occur) overlain successively by ultramafic cumulates, mafic cumulates, ophitic gabbros, diabase sills and dykes, and basaltic volcanic rocks. Field evidence, petrography and chemical data indicate that the tabular dunitic bodies formed when fractures in the metamorphic harzburgite (which constituted the floor of the magma chamber) filled with early cumulates (i.e., olivine±chromite). Representative rocks from all units were analyzed for major and rare earth elements (REE). Metamorphic harzburgite samples from Thetford Mines complex have U-shaped chondrite-normalized REE patterns. Pyroxenites and wehrlites of the cumulate sequence are all strongly light-REE depleted and have heavy REE ranging from 0.4 to 1.5 times chondrite. REE data from ultramafic and volcanic rocks of Thetford Mines complex and geochemical modelling indicate that the metamorphic harzburgite has the chemical characteristics of depleted upper mantle residues with U-shaped patterns, and that the ultramafic cumulates crystallized from magmas having different La/Yb ratios.