Age and origin of the Kitoi sillimanite schist deposit,eastern Siberia

Doklady Earth Sciences -     

Analysis of the accuracy of prediction of the celestial pole motion

VLBI observations carried out by global networks provide the most accurate values of the precession-nutation angles determining the position of the celestial pole; as a rule, these results become available two to four weeks after the observations. Therefore, numerous applications, such as satellite navigation systems, operational determination of Universal Time, and space navigation, use predictions of the coordinates of the celestial pole. In connection with this, the accuracy of predictions of the precession—nutation angles based on observational data obtained over the last three years is analyzed for the first time, using three empiric nutation models-namely, those developed at the US Naval Observatory, the Paris Observatory, and the Pulkovo Observatory. This analysis shows that the last model has the best of accuracy in predicting the coordinates of the celestial pole. The rms error for a one-month prediction proposed by this model is below 100 microarcsecond.     

Experimental study of the system H3BO3–NaF–SiO2-H2O at 350–800 °C and 1–2 kbar by the method of synthetic fluid inclusions

The phase state of fluid in the system H₃BO₃–NaF–SiO₂–H₂O was studied at 350–800 °C and 1–2 kbar by the method of synthetic fluid inclusions. The increase in the solubility of quartz and the high reciprocal solubility of H₃BO₃ and NaF in water fluid at high temperatures are due to the formation of complexes containing B, F, Si, and Na. At 800 °C and 2 kbar, both liquid and gas immiscible phases (viscous silicate-water-salt liquid and three water fluids with different contents of B and F) are dispersed within each other. The Raman spectra of aqueous solutions and viscous liquid show not only a peak of [B(OH)₃]⁰ but also peaks of complexes [B(OH)₄]^–, polyborates [B₄O₅(OH)₄]^2–, [B₃O₃(OH)₄]^–, and [B₅O₆(OH)₄]^–, and/or fluoroborates [B₃F₆O₃]^3–, [BF₂(OH)₂]^–, [BF₃(OH)]^–, and [BF₄]^–. The high viscosity of nonfreezing fluid is due to the polymerization of complexes of polyborates and fluorine-substituted polyborates containing Si and Na. Solutions in fluid inclusions belong to P–Q type complicated by a metastable or stable immiscibility region. Metastable fluid equilibria transform into stable ones owing to the formation of new complexes at 800 ºC and 2 kbar as a result of the interaction of quartz with B-F-containing fluid. At high concentrations of F and B in natural fluids, complexes containing B, F, Si, and alkaline metals and silicate-water-salt dispersed phases might be produced and concentrate many elements, including ore-forming ones. Their transformation into vitreous masses or viscous liquids (gels, jellies) during cooling and the subsequent crystallization of these products at low temperatures (300–400 °C) should lead to the release of fluid enriched in the above elements.     

The Strel’tsovka uranium district: Isotopic geochronological (U-Pb,Rb-Sr,Sm-Nd) characterization of granitoids and their place in the formation history of uranium deposits

An isotopic geochronological study of Russia’s largest Strel’tsovka uranium district has been carried out. Polychronous granite generation, which determined the structure of the pre-Mesozoic basement, had important implications for the formation of volcanotectonic structural elements bearing economic uranium mineralization. The study of U-Pb, Rb-Sr, and Sm-Nd isotopic systems of whole-rock samples and minerals of granitic rocks allowed us to estimate the deportment of these systems in spatially conjugated granite-forming and hydrothermal processes differing in age and gave grounds for revising the age of granites pertaining to the Urulyungui Complex and refining the age of the Unda Complex.     

The south-western Black Forest and the Upper Rhine Graben Main Border Fault: thermal history and hydrothermal fluid flow

The thermal history of the south-westernmost Black Forest (Germany) and the adjacent Upper Rhine Graben were constrained by a combination of apatite and zircon fission-track (FT) and microstructural analyses. After intrusion of Palaeozoic granitic plutons in the Black Forest, the thermal regime of the studied area re-equilibrated during the Late Permian and the Mesozoic, interrupted by enhanced hydrothermal activity during the Jurassic. At the eastern flank of the Upper Rhine Graben along the Main Border Fault the analysed samples show microstructural characteristics related to repeated tectonic and hydrothermal activities. The integration of microstructural observations of the cataclastic fault gouge with the FT data identifies the existence of repeated tectonic-related fluid flow events characterised by different thermal conditions. The older took place during the Variscan and/or Mesozoic time at temperatures lower than 280°C, whereas the younger was probably contemporary with the Cenozoic rifting of the Upper Rhine Graben at temperatures not higher than 150°C.     

Assessment of the risk of rockfalls in Wu Gorge, Three Gorges, China

In 2007 and 2008, six big damaging rockfalls occurred at four sites in Wu Gorge, the second gorge of the Three Gorges, China. Detailed surveys and aerial-photographic interpretation identified 104 potentially dangerous rock masses. This paper reviews previous rock-mass risk ratings, examines dangerous rock-mass structure and presents a new assessment system for rockfall risk (ASRFR) in the Wu Gorge area. The ASRFR considers 15 factors: seven factors for hazard and eight factors for consequence. Relative importance weights for these factors are ascertained using an analytic hierarchy process. Using an equation to calculate the risk, the 104 dangerous rock masses were divided into three risk groups: high risk (33 sites), medium risk (33 sites) and low risk (38 sites). The ASRFR analysis can be used to divide the shipping route through the Wu Gorge into seven courses each of one of three classes: safe-route regions, yellow-alarm regions and red-alarm regions. The system provides geological information and a rockfall-risk management tool for local government and the shipment-route department.     

一体化研究方法在塔中地区碳酸盐岩储层预测中的应用

塔中地区现有三维地震资料覆盖面积4530km2以上,并已全部实现数据加载。为提高该区碳酸盐岩储层预测的精度和效率,在前期工作的基础上,初步建立了塔中一体化研究平台,进行包括数据管理、地层对比、储层对比、储层地震响应特征分析和储层综合评价在内的应用研究。结果表明,可以实现数据共享和有效管理,实现地质、地震、测井的有机结合。数据整理和实现办法适合实际,能清晰直观地体现碳酸盐岩储层发育情况。